Hungary Pledges Support for Syrian Christians As Civil War Reignites Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (R) and Syrian Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II on 2 December 2024. The long-frozen civil war in Syria has reignited in recent days. Last week, in the first opposition attack on Aleppo since 2016, radical Islamist insurgents led by the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) moved into one of Syria's largest cities, as well as the countryside around Idlib and neighbouring Hama province. In response, the Syrian military and its foreign allies--most notably Russia--have rushed reinforcements to the area and launched airstrikes to halt the insurgents' advance. The fighting has been some of the deadliest in years, with 255 people killed, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. While most of the fatalities have been combatants, the toll also includes 24 civilians. Thirteen Years of Conflict The origins of the Syrian civil war go back to the Arab Spring of 2011. The conflict, driven by efforts to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has claimed more than half a million lives and left the country deeply fragmented. Additionally, 6.8 million Syrians have fled, significantly contributing to migratory pressure on Europe. Approximately 30 per cent of Syria remains outside Bashar al-Assad's control, governed by a mix of opposition and foreign forces. The United States maintains about 900 troops in northeast Syria, far from Aleppo, to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State. Both the US and Israel occasionally carry out strikes in Syria, targeting government forces and Iran-allied militias. Turkiye also has forces in Syria and wields influence over the broad alliance of opposition groups currently storming Aleppo, as noted by the Associated Press. Christians in Danger The Syrian government's decisive response has been deemed critical, particularly because Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is the former Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda. In the current volatile Middle Eastern landscape, the resurgence of terrorist organizations and Islamist groups in Syria could lead to unpredictable and far-reaching consequences. Moreover, Aleppo is home to a significant, albeit greatly diminished, Christian minority whose fate could be jeopardized if Islamist extremists gain control of the city. Tristan Azbej, Hungarian State Secretary for the Aid of Persecuted Christians, shared a message on X directed at the Christian community in Aleppo. He stated: 'Your lives, security & freedom must be protected. All of us at @HungaryHelps stand with you in solidarity, ready for humanitarian action if needed. Praying for Syria!' In response to the tragic developments in Syria, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with Syrian Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II at the Carmelite Monastery on Monday. The meeting, also attended by Tristan Azbej, focused on the renewed fighting in Syria, which has once again placed local Christian communities in grave danger. PM Orban reaffirmed Hungary's commitment to advocating for peace in international forums and working to create safe living conditions for persecuted Christians. Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and the Hungarian people for their continued support of Christian communities in need. Tanzanian PM hails Tanzania-China association for fostering, advancing ties Xinhua) 09:45, December 03, 2024 DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has praised the Tanzania-China Friendship Promotion Association for its role in fostering and advancing ties between the two countries. "Through its work, the association has brought people together, not just from the two governments, but from all walks of life," Majaliwa told an event Saturday marking the 10th anniversary of the Tanzania-China Friendship Promotion Association in the port city of Dar es Salaam. "As we look at the projects that have been completed by the association, whether in education, healthcare, or infrastructure, we see the impact of these initiatives on the ground." Majaliwa said that through the tireless efforts of the members and supporters of the association, ordinary Tanzanians have experienced real and lasting transformation, benefiting from the exchange of knowledge, resources, and goodwill between the two countries. "As we look to the future, the partnership between Tanzania and China is poised to grow even stronger," he said. "Our shared commitment to sustainable development, renewable energy, technology transfer, and climate change mitigation will drive the next chapter of our cooperation." The chairperson of the Tanzania-China Friendship Promotion Association, former Tanzanian prime minister Mizengo Pinda, said that the association has grown from 29 members in 2014 to 322 members as of November 2024. "It is the vision of our association to deepen and solidify our role in fostering people-to-people engagement by offering more services for China-Tanzania friendship stakeholders," Pinda said. Chen Mingjian, the Chinese ambassador to Tanzania, said that in recent years, with the greater frequency of people-to-people exchange, the Tanzania-China Friendship Promotion Association has gained broad influence and far-reaching appeal in both Chinese and Tanzanian communities. "Together with the Tanzania-China Friendship Promotion Association, our embassy and some Chinese companies construct numerous projects, including classrooms, dormitories, and toilets at public schools in rural Tanzania," she said. These small and beautiful projects, focusing on benefiting people's livelihoods, underscore the importance of advancing people-to-people relations, Chen said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Flash People are seen among rubble after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, in Mashghara, Lebanon, on Nov. 30, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Israel's military said it launched strikes in southern Lebanon on Monday night in response to Hezbollah's mortar fire on an Israeli post near the Lebanese border earlier in the day. In a statement, the military said the strikes targeted Hezbollah militants, dozens of launchers, and infrastructure throughout Lebanon, including the launcher in the area of Berghoz in southern Lebanon, from which two Hezbollah mortars were launched. Meanwhile, Israel's Channel 12 TV reported that the strikes targeted the city of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon. Photos circulating on social media show a large plume of smoke rising above buildings in the targeted area. Hezbollah on Monday claimed responsibility for a mortar attack aimed at Israeli military positions in the Ruwaisat al-Alam site, located in southern Lebanon's Kfarchouba hills. The Lebanese armed group described this assault as retaliation for "repeated Israeli violations" of the ceasefire agreement that began last week. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hezbollah's mortar attack was "a violation of the ceasefire agreement" between Israel and Lebanon and vowed retaliation for every breach. The Israeli military said Israel "demands that the relevant parties in Lebanon fulfill their responsibilities and prevent Hezbollah's hostile activity from within Lebanese territory." Mahmoud Qomati, deputy head of Hezbollah's Political Council, slammed on Monday Israel's ceasefire violations, calling on countries supervising the deal to assume their responsibilities by pressuring Israel to stop its breaches. "Hezbollah does not want the return or expansion of the war. Hezbollah has been respecting the agreement, and countries supervising the deal shall bear responsibilities for these violations, which no one can bear," Qomati said in an interview with Lebanese TV channel Al-Jadeed. "We were committed to this agreement for the past five days, but have found around 54 violations by Israel," Qomati said, adding, "We accepted this agreement on the condition that both parties respect it." Also on Monday, the Lebanese Red Cross and official sources reported that four people were killed and three others injured in Israeli attacks on the municipality of Talloussah, the town of Marjeyoun, and the village of Aainata in southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israeli drones are seen flying at a low altitude over Lebanon's capital Beirut, reported a Xinhua correspondent stationed there. A ceasefire, brokered by the United States and France, went into effect on Nov. 27, aiming to halt nearly 14 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Under the agreement, both sides agreed to a 60-day cessation of hostilities, with Israel gradually withdrawing its forces from south Lebanon and Hezbollah retreating north of the Litani River. Despite the truce, tensions remain high as both sides exchange accusations of ceasefire violations, raising concerns about the agreement's durability. 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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 Flash A press conference is held to release the results of the 20th Beijing-Tokyo Forum public opinion survey on China-Japan relations in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 2, 2024. [Photo by Wu Wenqin/CICG] A recent survey has revealed that more than half of respondents in China and Japan consider the other country a vital economic and trade partner, highlighting the significance of economic cooperation in their bilateral relations. The findings were announced Monday in Tokyo ahead of the upcoming 20th Beijing-Tokyo Forum, co-hosted by China International Communications Group (CICG) and Japan's non-profit think tank Genron NPO. The survey showed that 51.8% of Chinese respondents and 58% of Japanese respondents recognize each other as major global economies and essential trade partners. Furthermore, 50.8% of Chinese participants acknowledged the high level of economic and industrial interdependence between the two nations. Among Japanese respondents, 65.3% stated that economic cooperation with China is crucial for Japan's future. The survey was conducted simultaneously in both countries from mid-October to early November 2024, and the Chinese side of the survey was organized by the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies under CICG and conducted by Beijing Dataway Horizon Co Ltd. Gao Anming, editor-in-chief of China International Communications Group, speaks at the press conference to release the results of the 20th Beijing-Tokyo Forum public opinion survey on China-Japan relations in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 2, 2024. [Photo by Wu Wenqin/CICG] Although most respondents had never visited the other country, the number of those who have done so increased compared to last year. Among Chinese respondents, 82.1% reported never visiting Japan, down from 88.6% in 2023. Similarly, 88% of Japanese respondents had not traveled to China, a slight decrease from 88.2% last year. Regarding non-governmental exchanges, Chinese respondents identified academic communications (39.9%), talent exchanges between private enterprises (38.6%), and non-governmental dialogues aimed at improving bilateral relations and resolving issues (38.1%) as key areas of focus. The survey also indicated a preference among Japanese respondents for a balanced and neutral foreign policy. 62.2% expressed that Japan should refrain from taking sides between China and the U.S., and instead prioritize global cooperation. This figure sharply contrasts with the 18.7% who believed Japan should focus more on ties with the U.S. The survey also highlighted a growing support for international collaboration on global challenges. Climate change emerged as the top global concern for respondents in both countries, cited by 24.5% of Chinese participants and 35.8% of Japanese participants. Among Chinese respondents, 56.2% supported enhancing international cooperation to tackle global issues, an increase from 52.8% in 2023. Chinese respondents primarily relied on domestic news media (75.2%), film and television programs (65.5%), and social platforms (53.9%) for information about Japan and bilateral relations. Notably, mobile devices became the most frequently used medium, with 55.5% accessing news via apps and websites, surpassing television (30.2%) for the first time. Additionally, 56.1% of Chinese respondents indicated that Chinese media plays a positive role in enhancing mutual understanding. Since its launch in 2005, the Beijing-Tokyo Forum has evolved into a leading platform for public diplomacy and non-governmental exchange between China and Japan. This year's forum, scheduled for Dec. 45 in Tokyo, will explore the theme "Restoring peace and rebuilding a global order based on multilateral cooperation through Japan-China cooperation." Experts from both nations will discuss a range of issues, including politics, security, the digital economy and multilateral cooperation, with the goal of fostering closer bilateral ties and addressing shared global challenges. The family of Adam Oakes, his fraternity and 11 of its former student members have settled a wrongful death lawsuit nearly four years after the Virginia Commonwealth University freshman died in a hazing incident. Delta Chi Fraternity Inc. and other defendants will pay a total of $4.2 million, mostly through their insurance carriers, to the Oakes family, their lawyers and the Oakes familys foundation, according to a court filing. A Richmond Circuit Court judge approved the settlement in October. The agreement brings an end to the legal proceedings involving Oakes death, which started in the fall of 2021 when police arrested 11 members of the fraternity. Oakes was 19 when he died from alcohol intoxication on Feb. 27, 2021, at a Delta Chi big-little party. In response, VCU expelled the fraternity from campus, and authorities charged 11 members with hazing and serving alcohol to a minor. Both crimes are misdemeanors punishable by up to a year in prison. Six of the students either pleaded guilty or no contest or were found guilty of hazing or serving alcohol to a minor. None served jail time. Prosecutors dropped the charges against the other five. In 2022, VCU agreed to pay the Oakes family almost $1 million. The university struggled for years to discipline the group, a Richmond Times-Dispatch investigation showed. Before Oakes died, the chapter was accused of hazing, sexual assault, underage drinking, illegal parties and a fight. The university tried to suspend Delta Chi for four years, but the fraternity hired a lawyer to dispute the punishment. Ultimately, VCU reduced the suspension to one year. Courtney White, a cousin of Oakes, filed a $28 million lawsuit last year against the fraternity headquarters, its educational foundation, the VCU chapter, an adviser named Aaron Gilbert and 12 students: Jason Mulgrew, Andrew White, Alessandro Medina-Villanueva, Alexander Bradley, Benjamin Corado, Christian Rohrbach, Colin Tran, Quinn Kuby, Riley McDaniel, Robert Fritz, Enayat Sheikhzad and Alec Mingorance. The Oakes family agreed to dismiss Sheikhzad from the suit last year. Mingorance was named as a defendant even though prosecutors never charged him in the criminal case. The suit alleged the defendants were responsible for Oakes death because of their negligence and misconduct. Fraternity leaders inducted Oakes as an underground pledge because Oakes did not meet the academic requirements to join officially. On a text message thread, one student leader said they would pound these kids with alcohol the night of Oakes death. Later, they discussed which pledge was the drunkest. Adam is dead on my floor right now, one member wrote that night, seeming to suggest Oakes was in a deep sleep. Lawyers for the students filed demurrers, asking to be removed from the lawsuit. A lawyer for Mulgrew said the lawsuit lacked specific allegations of what occurred on the night of Oakes death and that Oakes was not forced to drink alcohol. Another said Oakes was already breaking the law by drinking under age. But a Richmond Circuit Court judge dismissed those claims and allowed the suit to proceed. Virginia law defines hazing as putting a new or prospective member of a group in an unsafe position, such as giving him or her a dangerous amount of alcohol. It does not matter if the new member participates willingly. As part of the settlement, the fraternitys insurance carriers agreed to pay $1.3 million, and insurance carriers for the students will pay $2.5 million. It is unclear if the students are responsible for equal shares of the debt, and it is unclear what type of insurance will be used. Liability insurance can pay expenses when a person or business is liable for someone elses death. Delta Chi also agreed to donate $425,000 to the Love Like Adam Foundation. The fraternity will make a payment each year for four years on the anniversary of Oakes death. Delta Chi agreed to make certain changes to its operations, and its executive committee will recommend that its members adopt certain other changes to the operations of its chapters, according to the settlement agreement. Asked what changes the fraternity would implement, a spokesperson for Delta Chi did not respond. Three law firms representing the Oakes family will receive about $420,000 each The Fierberg National Law Group, Blankingship & Keith P.C. and Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci P.C. That leaves roughly $2.5 million to Oakes parents, Eric and Linda Oakes. The fraternity had filed a lawsuit against the student members, an action known as a cross claim, but the fraternity agreed to drop its suit. Four of the former students also filed cross claims but agreed to withdraw them. White, Oakes cousin who filed the suit, did not respond to messages seeking comment. Lawyers for the fraternity and other defendants declined to comment or did not respond to requests for comment. After Oakes death, members of his family created the Love Like Adam Foundation and traveled to dozens of colleges in the region to provide anti-hazing training. They also hosted the first statewide anti-hazing summit in June. The family helped pass a law requiring colleges to hold in-person hazing prevention training and report student groups violations of the code of conduct. The measure is known as Adams Law. Earlier this year, Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed a law requiring ninth- or 10th-grade students to learn about hazing prevention in their health and physical education classes. Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who is on an official visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 3, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in Beijing on Tuesday, pledging efforts to advance its strategic partnership of cooperation with Nepal. Expressing appreciation for Oli's firm commitment to promoting friendship between the two sides over a long period of time, Xi said China and Nepal, linked by the same mountains and rivers, are good neighbors, good friends and good partners, and bilateral relations have maintained sound and steady development. Noting that next year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Xi said China places Nepal in an important position in its neighborhood diplomacy, and is willing to work with Nepal to consolidate their traditional friendship and push for new progress in advancing the China-Nepal strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity. Stressing that China respects Nepal's choice to follow a development path suited to its national conditions, Xi said that China supports Nepal in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. China is ready to work with Nepal to consolidate strategic mutual trust and provide staunch support on issues concerning each other's core interests, he added. Xi expressed China's willingness to deepen pragmatic cooperation with Nepal, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and strengthen cooperation in such fields as ports, transportation, power grids and communication. China is ready to continue offering assistance to Nepal's economic and social development within its capacity, and to encourage Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Nepal, Xi said. He noted that China supports Nepal's declaration of 2025 as Nepal Visit Year in China, and welcomes Nepali friends to travel to China for business, tourism and study. China is willing to strengthen coordination with Nepal within multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, with the aim of defending the common interests of developing countries, Xi said. Oli said that as a friend of China, Nepal is deeply proud of and inspired by China's remarkable development achievements, and hopes to learn from China's experience to boost its own development. Noting that there are no problems, only friendship, between Nepal and China, Oli thanked China for providing various valuable support to Nepal. Nepal welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in the country and deepen cooperation in various fields, he said. Both Xizang and Taiwan are inalienable parts of China's territory, Oli said. Stressing that Nepal firmly adheres to the one-China principle, he said the country will not allow any force to use its territory for anti-China activities or to harm China's interests, and that Nepal opposes any foreign interference in China's internal affairs. A joint statement by the People's Republic of China and Nepal was also issued on Tuesday. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who is on an official visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 3, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Authorities continue to investigate two Mayan homes destroyed by afternoon fire Jose Maria Morelos, Q.R. Two modest Mayan homes were destroyed by fire Monday afternoon after flames ripped through. Both side-by-side homes in the Guadalupe neighborhood of the town of Jose Maria Morelos burned. Firemen located the homes on Primavera Street, noting they were both vacant at the time of the fire. According to reports, a man who was passing by was the one who called the fire department after noticing a palapa roof smoking. Upon arrival, firefighters set about securing the area as the fire had already completely consumed the roofs and the interior of both homes. German Pineda, the Municipal Director of JMM Firefighters said they were still investigating the cause of the original fire. He said they were also working to determine where the fire started, in which home first. He commented that authorities are looking into several possible causes since neither of the homes had wiring for electricity. Pineda said neighbors reported seeing a child running from one of the houses just prior to the fire. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Associated Press Authorities and environmentalists in Zambia fear the long-term impact of an acid spill at a Chinese-owned mine that contaminated a major river and could potentially affect millions of people after signs of pollution were detected at least 100 kilometers (60 miles) downstream. The spill happened on Feb. 18 when a tailings dam that holds acidic waste from a copper mine in the north of the country collapsed, according to investigators from the Engineering Institution of Zambia. The collapse allowed some 50 million liters of waste containing concentrated acid, dissolved solids and heavy metals to flow into a stream that links to the Kafue River, Zambias most important waterway, the engineering institution said. Journalism in general, and legal journalism in particular, are facing tough decisions at the dawn of the new Trump era. Does covering daily lawlessness demand continued reverence for the law? Should we be writing about what the law is, or what it once was, or what it ought to be? Can legal journalists do more than merely assemble a historical record of autocracys creep for future generations to study? On this weeks bonus episode of Amicus, available exclusively to Slate Plus members, Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern launched an impromptu editorial meeting of sorts, inviting listeners and readers to weigh in on the correct path forward for jurisprudence coverage at Slate. Their conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Dahlia Lithwick: For a couple of weeks now, Mark and I have been trying to think through the challenge of covering the courts and the law in the Jackson Pollock painting well call Jurisprudence: Trump 2.0. There was a pretty heated argument on Bluesky about whether the right posture going into this next Trump era is: LOL, nothing matters, the law is a piece of toilet paper on the bottom of your shoe. Then theres camp two: This Adam Serwer argument that the law is the law, and it was always going to be the law. Our job is to keep saying what the law is and to keep fighting for every inch of ceded ground, even if the Trump team has shown that the law is for suckers. I started after election night being heavily in camp one: The law is toilet paper. Mark, you and others have tugged me a little bit into camp two. I really want to have a conversation with youand also with our listeners and readersabout whether we are going to spend the next four years doing what we did from 2017 to 2021, which is to say: The Muslim ban is illegal! Taking money Congress wouldnt authorize to build a wall with Mexico is illegal! Inciting a mob to storm the Capitol to interfere with election certification is illegal! Or are we going to fling our hands up and say, We thought these were the guardrails. Theyre not. Related From Slate Heres What the Constitution Actually Says About Trumps Recess Appointments Scheme Read More Mark Joseph Stern: First of all, I think this is a healthy argument to have. I also think it will recede once Trump is actually back in the Oval Office making decisions and issuing illegal commands, at which point all of this translates into big-time court battles and legislative battles. We have an obligation, you and I, as legal analysts, to at least explain what the law does say, even if its going to be ignored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats why I will never be fully in the law is toilet paper camp. Maybe this is just because I was indoctrinated through three years of law school, and because my career hangs on it, but I have to think that the law matters. I just do. I have to believe that at the end of the day, you can pull up a statute, you can pull up a precedent, and say: This is the rule, it is not being followed, and it is being disregarded for terrible, illegitimate reasons. In the case of Trumps next administration, those reasons will have to do with corruption and cronyism and greed and racism and xenophobia. Advertisement I still think its important for people like us on the Slate jurisprudence team to stand up, point to the rule, and say: Theyre bullies and theyre breaking it. There is so much importance in having truth-tellers who can explain exactly whats going on and why its wrongnot just wrong morally or ethically, but fundamentally unlawful. Remember, this is a nation built on law and nothing else. We are not built on blood, or soil, or ethnicity, or religion, or any of the other things that bind a lot of other nation-states. We are built on a founding charter, the Constitution, that is designed to exist in perpetuity and lay out the rules of the road for everybody forever. I wouldnt say its done a great job, but it has gotten us here. So I will always be the guy in the corner shouting Thats illegal! even if I think its worthless. Advertisement And that leads to the next part of your question, which is: What if we feel compelled to do it, but we also know its worthless? Thats where the existential angst creeps in. The question becomes less so Should we do it? but more like Does it matter? And what if it doesnt matter? Advertisement Advertisement I think it will always matter to some degree, if only for the historical record. If you look back at some of the most momentous or egregious injustices and illegal actions throughout our history, like segregation, slavery, Indian removal, the list goes onyou can always find people who were saying, This is unlawful. It is wrong. It is shameful, and it violates the Constitution and the laws of this country. And those people wound up being vindicatedeven if they were in a minority at the time, even if they were censored and silenced at the time. It mattered to future generations and future movements that they were there laying down that marker. And so I guess when we are in our darkest moments, in the coming years, the best that we can probably do when were feeling totally useless is to hope that someday in the future, people will look back and say, These guys were telling the truth. That mattered. Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Andrea Bernstein talked about Hannah Arendts Truth and Politics and how there are pillars of truth, even in authoritarian, totalitarian regimes. One of them is journalism, and we just keep slogging it out because were creating history. Ive been sitting with that. Advertisement The other thing Ive been thinking about a lot is how much of the email Ive had from listeners in the last year or so has basically been saying, Thank you, because I thought I was all alone. And when you and Mark are in my ears, I realize Im not completely by myself and Im not bonkers. Were probably not going to change Mark Paolettas mind through our podcasts and written pieces, and Im not certain that Pam Bondi is a big listener of the show, or that shes going to align her views with ours, but I do think there is a responsibility to just keep telling the truth, because theres a lot of people who know this is the truth and they need to hear it. Advertisement I spoke to Chase Strangio of the ACLU ahead of this weeks arguments in the Tennessee trans health care ban case, and it reminded me of Sherrilyn Ifills oft-repeated question: Is this how we do law now? Are these the new rules? Fake facts, ignoring the record, and ignoring the district court opinion? And in a way, we need to answer it twice overIs this how we do journalism now? When trust in the media is at a low ebb, are we just going to stand and take notes? People are very, very angry; everybody is extremely angry at journalism for all of its failures. Have we learned anything in the last weeks and months and years about how to regain public trust in what it is that you and I do? Advertisement Advertisement I think in part people are angry at journalism because they are angry, period, and they need to direct their anger somewhere. I totally get it. There are times when I open the New York Times and read a headline and I have a meltdown and think, Are you serious? This is how youre framing this horrible Trump thing? From the sane-washing that we saw throughout the election campaign to the Washington Post having its Harris endorsement pulled by its wealthy owner at the last minute, there are serious problems in journalism, and they will persist. But at the end of the day, I refuse to believe that journalism is the problem, and thats in part because were no longer the gatekeepers at all. If people want to find information, they can go out there and get it; they dont have to rely on journalists to deliver it to them. So we are more than ever standing on the sidelines, just shouting what we think. Advertisement Its pretty misguided to scream at journalists as the people responsible for making everything go wrong. Theres a lot of blame to go around. We touched on this in the piece we wrote about special counsel Jack Smith giving up on the prosecution of Trump for Jan. 6. He got a lot of flak and blame for that, and I understand why, but ultimately it was not his fault. It was the fault of so many other people. Some of them were well-intentioned, like Attorney General Merrick Garlandwho wanted to restore institutionalism to the Justice Department. Some of them were not so well-intentioned, like Chief Justice John Roberts, who seemingly wanted to pave Trumps path back to the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the search for blame ends up distracting us from the solution for the underlying problem. So for folks out there who are screaming at journalists, Im just not sure what that ultimately achieves. Were not even the referees anymore, let alone the gatekeeperswere just telling you what we see and what we think and letting our readers judge. If we say what we think and we put down a marker and say, This is wrong, this is unlawful, and we do our journalism, I dont really know exactly how that translates in five monthsor five yearsinto putting this nation on the right path. None of us do. So we just have to hope that if we tell the truth now, there will be people in the future who find their way back to that truth. I think the last time I gave an editorial note on Amicus was when I said after the first Trump inauguration that I was not going to put people on the show who lie and call it presenting both sides. Advertisement My next editorial note is this: Were talking about trust in the profession of journalism and trust in the institutions of journalism, but what we think about all the time on this show is trustworthinessabout being an entity that corrects its mistakes and thinks hard about changing its posture when necessary, and remaining truthful. My second-ever editorial statement is that we take the obligation of being worthy of our readers and listeners trust very seriously, and so we want to hear from them directly as we figure out the most truthful and valuable posture to take as we cover the legal chaos to come. We want to hear from you. Your voices can be part of this conversation about how we speak truth to power under Trump 2.0. What are your priorities and your biggest concerns, and what can we figure out together? Tell us about the legal questions that are troubling you, but remain opaque. You can get in touch via amicus@slate.com. GOP senators are already laying the groundwork with which to blow off the new, harrowing reporting from Jane Mayer in the New Yorker about Trumps putative new defense secretary, Pete Hegseth. They dismiss the allegations of a serial abuser as the kind of sweetly innocent wild child activity that is somehow de rigueur in the military. Which means that many American women will yet again confront a tough choice: Are they going to be party girls or not party girls, as Hegseth himself allegedly classified the female staffers of the nonprofit veterans group he once ran? Do they wish to be the invisible, fungible women destined to be groped, assaulted, and humiliated, or will they be the not party girls, who, as we are only just beginning to discover, are invisible and fungible as well? This is hardly a new or unfamiliar taxonomy, just as the taxonomy of which women will die this year as a result of a miscarriage is not new or unfamiliar. No matter what we chooseto want to be mothers or not, to go along with it or notit can still be any of us. As Nick Fuentes put it, womens bodies are now his choice. So it can be any of us. The Republican senators who met with Hegseth this week brushed aside reports of drunkenness, sexual abuse, rape, and financial self-dealing as trivial, NBC reports, just as they threaten to do away with the very FBI background checks that would determine as much. So the victims will be any of us. We are finally collapsing the ancient social scaffolding of good girls versus girls who had it coming in the interest of ensuring that there are only girls who had it coming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its almost as if 2024 became the year in which maybe all women were not really real. Jessica Reed Kraus, who writes the hugely popular House Inhabit Substack, affirmed after the election that she remains certain that Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and RFK Jr. were her leaders of choice. But she also noted that she is realizing that what women think of them doesnt much matter to them. Reflecting on that photo of the bros pounding McDonalds on Trumps plane after a UFC match was, even for mesomeone who unapologetically champions the return of brazen masculinity a bit too bro-ish for my liking. Kraus couldnt fathom whyhaving just wrapped up a years worth of flattering coverage of Trumpfemale Trump boosters, like herself and Danica Patrick, were again being shunted aside for the podcast bros her girlfriends werent tuned in to. Why, Kraus mused, in all this chest-thumping coverage of the UFC fight and the subsequent friends-with-that flight, had no one honed in on the moment when Trump sidestepped a crowd to kiss Marla Maples on the cheek? Kraus didnt understand why women Trump fans had not been offered evidence of that kiss, like a chocolate-dipped Hallmark Christmas movie shot. Advertisement Related From Slate A Troubling Takeaway From Trumps Cabinet Picks Read More As E.J. Dickson of the Cut noted, Kraus primary objection wasnt so much the actual bro-y-ness of the postelection worldview as the bro-y aesthetic. Why, asked Kraus, is it that the UFC scene was overwhelmingly directed to impress dudes? Why, one must ponder, have all these public-facing men who pretended to care about their women and their families in 2016 opted to erase the media coverage of Trumps sweet and loving kiss bestowed on the second wife with whom he cheated on the first wife, before he cheated on her by taking up with his third wife? What the hell, we are forced to ask, has happened to family values? Advertisement It is certainly possible that the right-wing media simply forgot to cover the tender moments of fatherhood and love and heroic chivalry and sensitivity in this election cycle. But it is far more likely that the flagrant election ofand the subsequent offering of Cabinet positions toa host of men variously accused of sexual assault, sexual trafficking of minors, assaulting babysitters, and serial adultery is no longer disqualifying for the position but essential and maybe even mandatory prior work experience. And so the performance of family values is a drag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sherrilyn Ifill has been asking why discussions of gender and race have been almost totally erased from the postelection punditry, and embedded in that question is a more chilling one: Why have a host of men who manifestly hate women, who abuse and demean and then attempt to erase them, been offered leadership roles without a searching analysis of why that happened? Why did the patina of respect for, and the false promise of protection of, vulnerable women simply drop out of the Trump transition efforts? Is anyone experiencing the dawning realization that for men like Pete Hegsethwhose own mother has described him as a profoundly damaged abuser of womenthe women who are grabbed and attacked and discredited are staunch Republican activists, not the other sorts of women, not the cat ladies, not the nonparty girls? Is it possible, as Dickson describes it, that what the growing reservations of female Trump voters indicate is that within the patriarchy, there are no exceptions, no chill girls to whom the rules do not apply? The reason you are not seeing soft-filter narratives about Donald Trumps Cabinet picks and their love for women is because theres no need for filtration. Hating women is OK now. Any man who has been accused of wrongdoing is presumptively a gladiator, and any woman who levels an accusation is presumptively a liar. Jane Mayers stunning portrait of Hegseths life of abuse and assault, which includes paying off a victim of a 2017 assault in Monterey, ends with twin revelations that would be shocking in any other age: The Trump transition team didnt bother to learn of and were in fact blindsided by these allegations. (Indeed, the group expected Hegseth to share them.) And Hegseths attorney told Mayer that the police report about the alleged sexual assault had surfaced prior false allegations of sexual assault by the alleged victim that had discredited her account. That was a lie, immediately debunked by the Monterey County district attorneys office. No need to muddy the waters, no need to create alternative facts. Just call women liars and move along to the confirmation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For a very long time, we preferred to have public officials vetted before they assumed officein part because of the fear that they could be subject to blackmail. Overnight and perhaps imperceptibly, we have moved into an era in which there is evidently no reason to fear such blackmail. The conduct shocks nobody. Abusing women for sport, or because youre not a church boy, or because to be a wild child is to embody manliness: that need not be power-washed or kept secret anymore. There need be no investigation, FBI or ersatz, because whatever is unearthed is allowed. And the women who will be paid off and fired and shunned and rape kitted and lied about? They will be knowingly and deliberately devalued, whether they wanted to party or not. The Supreme Court hears arguments on Wednesday in Skrmetti v. U.S., a case of such immense importance to constitutional equality and with such devastating potential consequences that its hard to even describe. First and foremost, Skrmetti asks whether legislation that prohibits gender-affirming care for transgender youth is lawful under the 14th Amendments equal protection clause. These bans, now enacted in about half the states, have uprooted families across the country, forcing some to travel hundreds of miles, or move to another state, just to maintain their childs medical treatment. Like abortion restrictions, they represent an abnormal and alarming intrusion into the practice of medicine based on politicians personal beliefs about who should be trusted to make decisions about their own bodies. But Skrmetti is not just about transgender people. It is also, fundamentally, a case about gender equality, and whether constitutional limitations on sex discrimination can survive the Supreme Courts conservative supermajority. The key legal question in the case is surprisingly easy: Do laws that deny certain medicine to people based exclusively on their sex trigger heightened scrutiny by the courts? The answer, according to long-established precedent, is a resounding yes. If the court decides otherwise, it will shred the constitutional presumption against sex discrimination and replace it with a rubber stamp for states that want to impose their own prejudiced conception of gender roles by force of law. Transgender Americans are, of course, most immediately affected by Skrmettibut the case really implicates all of our rights. Everyones freedom to reject gender stereotypes without fear of state oppression is at stake. The law at issue in Skrmetti is a Tennessee statute known as S.B. 1, which forbids doctors from providing puberty blockers and hormone therapy to transgender youth. Tennessee is one of nearly 25 states that have enacted such a ban since 2021, when anti-LGBTQ+ activists joined forces with the Republican Party to push these prohibitions nationwide. Every major medical association in the United States, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, opposes these laws. These groups agree with expert practitioners who maintain that the benefits of treatment vastly outweigh the risks, and that treatment can in fact be lifesaving for children with gender dysphoria. Bans on this care can have a devastating impact on patients health: Laws like S.B. 1 cut off access to medications that resolve minors gender dysphoria, forcibly detransitioning them and singling them out as second-class citizens undeserving of medical care that nontrans minors can still freely obtain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And that is the key point here: S.B. 1, like other trans health bans, does not outlaw gender-related care for everyone. Rather, it targets transgender youth for disfavored treatment, while allowing cisgender peers to get the same medicine. So, for instance, a transgender boy may not under the law undergo testosterone therapy to bring about male puberty, for the sole reason that he is trans. But a cisgender boy can get testosterone therapyand many do, often to facilitate the development of secondary sex characteristics that affirm their gender identity as male. Hormone treatment for these cisgender kids remains lawful; the exact same treatment for trans kids is banned. The law therefore turns entirely on sex: Children assigned female at birth cant access specific treatments that are available to children assigned male at birth. Through S.B. 1, Tennessee is promoting its own conception of how young people should fulfill their gender roles. And it isnt hiding this fact. The statute itself declares that the states goal is encouraging minors to appreciate their sexspecifically, the sex, and accompanying stereotypes, that Tennessee politicians think a child must adhere to. Advertisement This is undisguised sex discrimination. And in a line of precedents stretching back more than 50 years, the Supreme Court has severely curtailed the governments ability to impose classifications on the basis of sex. The court has held that these laws require an exceedingly persuasive justification to survive judicial review. Yet in Skrmetti, the lower court did not apply such heightened scrutiny to S.B. 1. Instead, it deployed mere rational basis review, a far less demanding test that compels great deference to legislative judgments. Judge Jeffrey Suttons opinion for the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals bizarrely insisted that the bills classifications are not actually based on sex, all but guaranteeing that the law will survive. Advertisement Advertisement To reach this conclusion, Sutton invoked two principles that would, if embraced by the Supreme Court, fatally undermine the law of sex discrimination. First, he invoked whats known as the equal-application exception, arguing that S.B. 1 does not differentiate on the basis of sex because both boys and girls are denied cross-sex hormones. Second, he created a new biological difference exception to the rule, asserting that Tennessee targeted treatments that, by biological necessity, only one sex can undergo. According to this logic, since only females can use testosterone as a transition treatment, and only males can use estrogen as a transition treatment, the state was distinguishing between inherent differences among the sexes, not discriminating on the basis of sex in an effort to enforce invidious stereotypes. Advertisement Related From Slate Dobbs Was Just the Beginning. Now Trans Rights Are Being Tested at the Supreme Court. Read More Neither of these exceptions is rooted in the law. If they were, the rule against sex discrimination would be toothless. Suttons equal-application principle borrows an idea from the days of Jim Crow, when segregationists claimed that race lawslike the ban on interracial marriagewere not discriminatory because they treated the races equally: White people couldnt marry Black people, and Black people couldnt marry white people. The Supreme Court rejected this sophistry, holding that any classifications on the basis of race are subject to heightened scrutiny. And it has rejected this theory when applied to men and women as well, ruling that any classification on the basis of sex triggers heightened scrutiny, even if it theoretically affects men and women equally. Advertisement Advertisement Similarly, Suttons biological differences loophole crashes into contradictory precedent. SCOTUS has held that discrimination purportedly rooted in biological differences cannot escape heightened scrutiny. So, for instance, the Virginia Military Institutes exclusion of women could not stand despite acknowledged physical differences between the sexes, because it impermissibly constrained educational opportunity for female applicants. Similarly, the government cannot make it easier for unwed mothers to pass on U.S. citizenship to a child born abroad than it is for unwed fathers; that a mother, unlike a father, gave birth to the child cannot justify the disparate treatment between sexes. Advertisement Advertisement These examples are just a handful of precedents that contradict Suttons claims. There are a lot more, to the point that embracing Suttons exceptions could gut this whole area of law. Chase Strangio, the ACLU attorney arguing on behalf of the private plaintiffs in Skrmetti, recently explained to Dahlia Lithwick on Amicus that the very premise of constitutional gender equality is at risk. Let S.B. 1 skate with mere rational basis review, and the floodgates are open to a whole new world of state-sanctioned gender-based bias. It would, no doubt, mark open season on transgender people, including adults, who could be subject to the same health bans as minors. (Some states are already restricting their access to gender-affirming care.) But a Supreme Court decision accepting Suttons reasoning in Skrmetti would go much further, potentially allowing states to denigrate the rights of men and women because of their sex, either using the smoke screen of some inherent biological distinction or avowing that both genders are equally burdened. Might SCOTUS avoid going down that path? Theres reason for cautious optimism. Both Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Neil Gorsuch previously upheld protections for transgender people in a federal statute prohibiting sex discrimination, rejecting some of the arguments that Sutton embraced. Both justices, though, could interpret the Constitution differently from a law enacted by Congress. Gorsuch joined Dobbs v. Jackson, whose language Sutton co-opted to subordinate gender equality. He also voted on the shadow docket to reinstate much of Idahos trans health ban, though for partly procedural reasons. Perhaps these justices will reaffirm basic sex-discrimination principles that compel heightened scrutiny here. They might then feel obligated to accept the fact that states have no exceedingly persuasive justification to outlaw transgender minors access to hormone therapies that are endorsed by all major medical associations, and regularly given to cisgender children. Advertisement Advertisement Or the conservative supermajority could, like Sutton, rehash language from Dobbs about deference to democracy and hide behind judicial restraint to greenlight these bans. It would be hard to believe that the same justices who have aggressively intervened in democratically enacted gun policyand securities regulation, and nondiscrimination law, and student loan relief, and affirmative action, and campaign finance, and so much morehave suddenly rediscovered an abiding love for leaving controversial decisions to the people and their representatives. There is, no doubt, a time and place for judges to step back and let these debates play out in the political arena. But openly discriminatory sex-based restrictions on personal freedom are pretty much a textbook example of when courts are constitutionally obliged to step in. If this court refuses to act accordingly, it cannot be trusted with any of our rights. Another year, another luxury art auction that sells off some gimmicky work for stupid amounts of moneyand another crypto (con) artist at one end of the process. Late last month, an infamous 5-year-old artwork titled Comedian, which consists solely of one (1) banana attached to a gallery wall via a single strip of duct tape, was sold off by Sothebys for a whopping $6.2 millionup from the $1.5 million asking price it commanded pre-auction. (Cue the inevitable Arrested Development references.) The lucky new owner? Chinese cryptocurrency maven Justin Sun, who has since eaten the art. On the surface, its a funny curiosity of a story that would normally take up just enough of the news cycle for viewers to jab their thumbs and mutter to one another, Can you believe this shit? But Justin Suns involvement here takes this beyond the realm of mere amusement and into something potentially far more insidious: a yearslong saga of alleged activities like abusing employees, skimping out on international law, evading transparency requirements, and plagiarizing white papers, along with reports of government investigations, and sucking up to President-elect Donald Trump for the sake of rewiring American financial regulation as we know it.* Its a literal pay-for-play, with Sun announcing just one day after the banana stunt that he would invest $30 million in Trumps crypto scheme, World Liberty Financial, and bail it out of financial insolvency, earning an advisory role with the firm in the process. The banana is not just a sideshow distraction for Sun on this execrable journey; it is very much part and parcel of his drive for wealth and power, as evidenced by how vocally he compared Comedian to NFTs and blockchain entries while eating the thing. There are many reasons why Justin Sun is so notorious within the crypto world, even though he remained mostly unknown to the wider public before now. So lets break down why this whole thing stinks kinda like a rotting banana. So, whats Justin Suns whole deal? Justin Sun is a 34-year-old digital entrepreneur, born and raised in China, who got interested in the burgeoning world of cryptocurrencies after moving to the U.S. in the early 2010s to study for a masters degree. He invested in Bitcoin and worked for Ripplebest known these days as the company that both successfully constricted the SECs crypto regulation abilities in court and poured so, so much money into the 2024 electionbefore funding his own ventures. Back in China, Sun launched Tron in 2017 as an open-source blockchain network similar to the Bitcoin alternative Ethereum, and raised $70 million for the venture through an initial coin offering, or ICO. (This is an unregulated method for crypto startups to raise initial investment by selling virtual tokens instead of regulated shares.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, China was about to crack down on ICOs for a good reason: They were a perfect instrument for rampant scamming, and the Chinese government didnt care for that. Conveniently, Sun managed to wind down Trons ICO just before China implemented its ban. Sun then moved to the U.S., and in June of 2018, Tron acquired the iconic peer-to-peer protocol BitTorrent, making him CEO of the company that had facilitated so much media piracy and transforming it into a more crypto-ready platform, with its own native token and all. By this point, more people were scrutinizing Sun. On Twitter, Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin directly accused Sun of plagiarizing from his crypto white papers, which Sun denied. In 2019, CoinDesk reported on an independent analysis that found the overwhelming majority of activity on Trons blockchain was related to gambling apps that even operated in countries where they were illegal, like Japan, and appeared to be personally backed with money from Sun himself. A series of scams and scandals continued to rock both Tron and Sun that year, from a multimillion-dollar Chinese Ponzi scheme that was linked to Tron and led to a victims suicide (as well as governmental investigation) to a botched Tesla giveaway that Sun had ironically spearheaded in an effort to encourage transparency, reliability and openness about blockchainand, well, to promote Tron by getting people to sign up and invest their funny money. Seems like quite the character! Advertisement Advertisement And we havent even gotten to Trons most significant controversies, some of which revolve around its in-house token, Tronix (TRX). In a 2020 profile of Sun for the Verge, journalist Christopher Harland-Dunaway detailed all sorts of unseemly testimoniesallegations of workplace abuse that included actual physical violence, stories of his existing connections with Chinese government officialsbut perhaps the most ominous may have been Suns response to an anonymous staffers question about what could happen if TRXs value drops to zero: Whoever asked this question, were going to track them down to kill their entire family. Advertisement In a follow-up profile published two years later, Harland-Dunaway included stories of Tron employees who encouraged staffers to buy TRX when his team knew that Tron was planning to announce good news to the public. After Tron made the announcement, the tokens value shot up, and they sold at a major profit. Yes, a straight-up pump-and-dump scheme to make sure the TRX price is at some level Justin wants. Sun also reportedly wanted TRX to not be classified as a financial security, which would force him to register the token with the Securities and Exchange Commission and be subject to its regulations. Inevitably, Sun and his companies would be charged by the SEC in 2023 for manipulating the market value of TRX and for paying off celebrities like Lindsay Lohan and Jake Paul to shill that token sans appropriate disclosure. (The case is ongoing, though it is likely to be dropped by a Trump administration SEC. Sun is certainly happy about the impending departure of the SECs crypto-aggressive head, Gary Gensler, and hes already celebrating a friendly U.S. market for crypto under Trump, which will allow for far more financial speculation schemes of the kind Sun specializes in.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What else happened to Sun in 2023? Well, one crypto exchange that Sun co-owns and another in which he serves on the advisory board got hacked, losing $120 million and $115 million, respectively.* And Tron just happened to host 45 percent of all criminal crypto transactions around the world that year, according to a report by TRM Labs. There are so, so many more Justin Sun stories we could dive into here, but lets just cap this off with some 2024 lowlights: There were instances of fellow players in the crypto industries ending business arrangements with Sun-linked enterprises, flailing attempts to keep more crypto businesses aloft, and Suns appointment as prime minister of a fake country that claims to use Bitcoin as its currency.* Advertisement Thats all bananas. But what about the banana? Why did he go for it? Justin Sun likes not just accumulating wealth but showing it off, especially through splashy purchases. Throughout 2021, as the NFT boom converged with a post-pandemic art-market rebound, Sun joined the crypto die-hards paying gobs of money for digital works to try to legitimize NFTs and live like art-hoarding kings on the blockchain. Sun went on to drop $100 million that year on both NFTs and IRL art by Picasso and Warhol, among others. Advertisement It probably didnt take much sniffing for Sun to discover Comedian, which became immediately controversial after it debuted at Art Basel Miami in 2019 and sold for up to $150,000, marking creator Maurizio Cattelans first art-fair entry in 15 years. (Fun fact: Another one of Cattelans most notorious works is a golden toilet that actually interoperated with the Guggenheims plumbing system in 2016 and was offered to Trumps White House in 2018.) Where did the banana even come from? Well, it depends on which of Comedians many bananas over the years that youre referring to (for obvious reason, gallerists have had to cycle through many). The banana sold to and eaten by Sun was purchased the day of the auction by a Sothebys representative, who bought it for 35 cents from a Bangladeshi immigrant who works at a fruit stand right in front of the Manhattan auction house. Per a New York Times report, seller Shah Alam didnt know about the auction until a couple of days after the sale and explained that he had never seen this kind of money, as he lives in a shared basement apartment in the Bronx and doesnt even own the stand he helps operate for 12 hours a shift. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate This Is Not a Banana Read More Sun, who paid for the banana in cryptocurrency, appears to have been moved by Alams story, offering to buy 100,000 bananas from his stand and distribute them for free. Alam and the fruit-stand owner dont appear to care much for this idea, explaining to the Times that buying 100,000 bananas in bulk would be logistically difficult and expensive enough to crowd out any potential profit opportunity. Nevertheless, Sun appears to have employed Tron in service of this banana purchase-and-distribution effort. Excited to announce weve connected with Rana and Mr. Shah Alam that helped us create this moment in art history. Our plan to distribute the bananas is now underway, honoring their vital role in this story and celebrating their hard work. Stay tuned as we bring this initiative https://t.co/FUI5VaSLJj H.E. Justin Sun (@justinsuntron) November 30, 2024 Whats next for Sun? Advertisement Advertisement Suns X posts in the days following the banana-stand affair have mostly focused on a memecoin operation called SunPump, and his pinned tweet shouts out his investment in Trumps crypto operation, World Liberty Financial, alongside the claim that TRON is committed to making America great again and leading innovation. Heres a fun fact about that World Liberty Financial investment: Per Bloomberg, the companys crypto sales fell 93% short of the goal, so low they failed to hit the minimum required to trigger a payout to Trump. So guess what Suns $30 million investment did? It got token sales over that minimum, which entails a $15 million payout to Trump and his adult sons. While Sun claims not to have personally met any Trump family members, he will try to seek out Eric Trump in Abu Dhabi next week, when the Gulf city will host the Bitcoin MENA conference. Im sure those two will have some very productive conversations! Advertisement https://sputnikglobe.com/20241203/almost-50000-people-flee-homes-due-to-fighting-in-northwest-syria---ocha-1121075953.html Almost 50,000 People Flee Homes Due to Fighting in Northwest Syria - OCHA Almost 50,000 People Flee Homes Due to Fighting in Northwest Syria - OCHA Sputnik International More than 48,500 people have been displaced by fighting in northwest Syria from November 26-30, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said. 2024-12-03T05:01+0000 2024-12-03T05:01+0000 2024-12-08T11:56+0000 world syria aleppo hama un office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs (ocha) tahrir al-sham turmoil in syria https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/1c/1118165104_0:126:3197:1924_1920x0_80_0_0_a82c8b8b3f585ae253342541c3f8ab09.jpg "Meanwhile, the displacement situation remains highly fluid, with partners verifying new figures daily. Over 48,500 people have been displaced as of 30 November a steep increase from the 14,000 people reported on 28 November by the IDP Task Force, a group co-chaired by OCHA and the Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) Cluster to track population movements," the organization said in a statement on Monday. The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham terrorist group* and a number of other armed groups launched a large-scale operation against the Syrian government on November 29, advancing from the north of the northwestern region of Idlib towards the cities of Aleppo and Hama. A day later, Aleppo, the second largest city in Syria, and its suburbs, including the international airport and the Kuweires military airfield, came under the control of the militants. Aleppo fell under the militants' complete control for the first time since the beginning of the ongoing conflict in Syria in 2011. Until the end of 2016, the armed opposition controlled only the eastern part of the city and was driven out by the Syrian army with the support of the Russian Aerospace Forces. After the capture of Aleppo, terrorist groups attempted to advance towards the city of Hama, capturing the city of Maarat al-Numan. In the north of Aleppo province, attempts are being made to advance deeper into the territories controlled by Kurdish formations in the area of the city of Tall Rifat. The Syrian army command, in turn, announced on December 1 that the advance of the terrorists in the region of Hama had been stopped and government troops had launched a counteroffensive, taking control of a number of settlements previously seized by the militants.*A terrorist group outlawed in Russia and many other countries. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241202/syria-russia-hit-5-headquarters-7-arms-depots-of-terrorists-in-aleppo-idlib---damascus-1121068916.html syria aleppo hama 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 fighting in northwest syria, displaced by fighting in northwest syria, united nations office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs https://sputnikglobe.com/20241203/cringe-diplomacy-germanys-fm-unleashes-tirade-of-threats--accusations-during-china-trip-1121079546.html Cringe Diplomacy? Germanys FM Unleashes Tirade of Threats & Accusations During China Trip Cringe Diplomacy? Germanys FM Unleashes Tirade of Threats & Accusations During China Trip Sputnik International German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived in China for talks with counterpart Wang Yi on December 2- 3. 2024-12-03T11:05+0000 2024-12-03T11:05+0000 2024-12-03T11:05+0000 world china annalena baerbock proxy war ukraine germany nato wang yi https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0c/03/1121079641_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_40b68bf4cb87cbf6580066f653c68944.jpg German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived in China for discussions with her counterpart, Wang Yi, on December 2-3, wielding anything but the tools of diplomacy. Baerbock plunged into a tirade of accusations, claiming that Russia was destroying our European peace order and that "increasing Chinese support for Russia has an impact on our relations, according to a readout by the German foreign ministry. China is going against our core European interests by providing economic and military aid to Russia, said Baerbock, and this is not in Chinas interests, she argued. Germanys top diplomat, who made no bones about declaring that European countries were waging a war against Russia in 2023, urging that more weapons be sent to Ukraine, now claimed she was in China to advocate a just peace process. Upon finishing her rant regarding NATOs proxy war in Ukraine, security sprang into action and escorted members of the German media out of the room, reported Handelsblatt. There was also no joint press statement with her counterpart this time. Striking a completely different tone, Wang Yi countered by saying that China and Germany should overcome interference, remove obstacles [] and abandon the old mindset of cold war and confrontation. Beijing has consistently condemned the Western sanctions against Russia, calling for an end to these illegal measures. It has emphasized that its trade with Russia is conducted transparently and is consistent with WTO rules and market principles. President Vladimir Putin has described the trust-based relationship between Russia and China as one of the key factors contributing to international stability. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241122/unhinged-germany-goes-ballistic-gears-up-for-potential-war-with-russia--reports-1120962638.html china ukraine germany 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 german foreign minister annalena baerbock, baerbock's visit to china, is annalena baerbock a warmonger, why is germany supporting ukraine, annalena baerbock accuses china of supporting russia, nato's proxy war with russia in ukraine, russia's special military operation in ukraine, aid for ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20241203/israel-expands-military-presence-in-central-gaza-1121075714.html Israel Expands Military Presence in Central Gaza Israel Expands Military Presence in Central Gaza Sputnik International Israel is expanding its network of military bases in the central Gaza Strip to create a buffer zone, media reported, citing Israeli officials and satellite images. 2024-12-03T04:57+0000 2024-12-03T04:57+0000 2024-12-03T04:57+0000 world palestine-israel conflict israel middle east gaza strip hamas https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/09/0d/1120130972_0:198:3072:1926_1920x0_80_0_0_d7504e693dbbc4b33f867a5a7d0fc673.jpg Over the past three months, Israeli soldiers have demolished more than 600 buildings around the road known as the Netzarim corridor, which bisects the Gaza Strip, in an attempt to create a buffer zone, the report said on Monday. The Israeli military also quickly expanded its network of outposts equipped with communications towers and defensive fortifications, the report added. At the same time, the analysis of satellite images showed that Israel has at least 19 large bases and dozens of small ones in this area, the newspaper reported. On October 7, 2023, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. In addition, Hamas fighters infiltrated the border areas, opened fire on the military and civilians and took hostages. Israeli authorities say that about 1,200 people were killed during the raid. In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords in the Gaza Strip. The death toll from the Israeli attacks has surpassed 44,400 in the Gaza Strip, according to local health authorities. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241130/hamas-accuses-israel-of-using-banned-weapons-in-gaza-strip-demands-intl-inquiry-1121052908.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 israel expands military presence, central gaza, gaza strip to create a buffer zone https://sputnikglobe.com/20241203/pentagon-declines-to-confirm-intention-to-spend-all-funds-for-ukraine-before-biden-leaves-1121075826.html Pentagon Declines to Confirm Intention to Spend All Funds for Ukraine Before Biden Leaves Pentagon Declines to Confirm Intention to Spend All Funds for Ukraine Before Biden Leaves Sputnik International US Defense Department spokesman Patrick Ryder declined to confirm that the US administration would have time to spend all remaining funds on aid to Ukraine before the current head of state, Joe Biden, leaves his post. 2024-12-03T04:59+0000 2024-12-03T04:59+0000 2024-12-03T04:59+0000 world joe biden us donald trump sergey lavrov ukraine nato pentagon russia https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/0b/1120849251_0:321:3071:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_5d1421bcdc866ebb1f12b875579bbb13.jpg "I'm not going to get into speculate or get into hypotheticals. Again, just emphasizing we understand the urgent situation in Ukraine and the president's direction and will continue to do everything we can to ensure that Ukraine is getting the aid that it needs," he told reporters when asked whether it was realistic to spend the remaining money on military supplies to Kiev before Biden leaves on January 20, 2025. Ryder added that the Pentagon would continue to work to spend $2.21 billion intended for contracts to supply new weapons to Ukraine, as well as $6.8 billion to write off weapons from US warehouses. Earlier, the Wall Street Journal reported citing sources that the Biden administration would not have time to use all the money left at its disposal to provide military aid to Ukraine before its departure and the inauguration of Donald Trump on January 20, 2025. According to the publication, in order to spend all the remaining funds on weapons and transfer them to Kiev, the volume of deliveries should be more than $110 million per day, or a total of about $3 billion in December and January. The newspaper's sources noted concern that the future Trump administration might refuse to transfer new military support packages to Kiev in order to push it to the negotiating table with Russia. Russia believes that arms supplies to Ukraine hinder the settlement, directly involving NATO countries in the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine would be a legitimate target for Russia. According to Lavrov, the US and NATO are directly involved in the conflict, including not only by supplying weapons, but also by training personnel in the UK, Germany, Italy, and other countries. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241128/us-pushes-for-lowering-ukraines-draft-age-while-kiev-seeks-more-weapons-and-firepower-1121029398.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 us defense department, us administration, all funds for ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20241203/rheinmetall-ceo-vows-increase-of-german-military-spending-on-ukraine-to-105bln-1121076739.html Rheinmetall CEO Vows Increase of German Military Spending on Ukraine to $10.5Bln Rheinmetall CEO Vows Increase of German Military Spending on Ukraine to $10.5Bln Sputnik International Germany should spend 10 billion euros ($10.5 billion) from its state budget annually on military aid to Ukraine, otherwise there is a risk of suspension of the Rheinmetall ammunition plant, the company's CEO, Armin Papperger, said in an interview. 2024-12-03T05:18+0000 2024-12-03T05:18+0000 2024-12-03T05:19+0000 military olaf scholz ukraine germany kiev rheinmetall https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/07/14/1112019196_0:51:2000:1176_1920x0_80_0_0_686b893de4531e8d616e0472989ad36a.jpg In July, even before the government crisis, the German cabinet announced that the German government, as part of the draft budget for 2025, intended to halve aid to Ukraine to 4 billion euros from 8 billion euros. According to Papperger, Germany should lay down a much larger budget for military support for Kiev, which will exceed 8 billion in annual expenditures. In this context, Papperger expressed concern that he would not be able to maintain the full capacity of the new enterprise in the community of Unterlues in Lower Saxony, where, among other things, ammunition for Ukraine is produced, without state funding if Rheinmetall does not order raw materials in advance, the plant may shut down in a year or a year and a half, he noted. The head of Rheinmetall also said that an additional 350-400 billion euros would be needed to modernize the Bundeswehr. Earlier, the concern reported an increase in sales in the first half of the year, increasing to 3.8 billion euros, which is 33% higher than the same figure last year. This is due, among other things, to arms supplies to Ukraine, as stated in a Rheinmetall press release. In August, German media reported that Berlin was forced to reduce military aid to Ukraine, since, according to the current budget planning of the German government, new funds were no longer allocated for these purposes. It was specified that already approved deliveries would still be carried out, but additional requests from the German Defense Ministry would no longer have to be approved, according to the order of the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who later assured that Germany would remain the largest donor of aid to Ukraine in Europe. In November, Germany faced a serious government crisis after Finance Minister Christian Lindner was fired at the insistence of Scholz. Among the reasons for this decision, he named the latter's reluctance to approve both an increase in spending on supporting Ukraine and investing in the future of Germany as part of the state budget planning. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240703/italys-leonardo-germanys-rheinmetall-agree-to-develop-battle-tank-1119234449.html ukraine germany 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 rheinmetall ceo, germany should spend, rheinmetall ammunition plant https://sputnikglobe.com/20241203/total-us-military-aid-to-ukraine-under-biden-tops-62bln---pentagon-1121076588.html Total US Military Aid to Ukraine Under Biden Tops $62Bln - Pentagon Total US Military Aid to Ukraine Under Biden Tops $62Bln - Pentagon Sputnik International The total volume of US military aid to Ukraine under US President Joe Biden has exceeded $62 billion, the US department of Defense said. 2024-12-03T05:16+0000 2024-12-03T05:16+0000 2024-12-03T05:16+0000 world ukraine joe biden sergey lavrov russia nato f-35 biden administration https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/09/07/1100517404_0:234:3072:1962_1920x0_80_0_0_9de663060c054bc12e43e65bbbcc8a40.jpg "The United States has committed more than $62 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden Administration," the department said in a statement. This includes $61.4 billion in military aid since February 24, 2022, when Russia's special military operation started. Earlier on Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the allocation of another $725 million military aid package to Ukraine, which also included another batch of antipersonnel mines. Ukraine ratified the Ottawa Convention in 2005, it prohibits the use, stockpiling and production of antipersonnel mines. Earlier, Mark Hiznay, a member of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), told journalists during the presentation of the Landmine Monitor 2023 report that Ukraine had already violated the Ottawa Convention banning antipersonnel mines during the fighting in the city of Izyum in the Kharkiv region. Russia believes that arms supplies to Ukraine hinder the settlement, directly involving NATO countries in the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine would be a legitimate target for Russia. According to Lavrov, the United States and NATO are directly involved in the conflict, including not only by supplying weapons, but also by training personnel in the UK, Germany, Italy and other countries. The Kremlin stated that pumping Ukraine with weapons by the West did not contribute to negotiations and would have a negative effect.The Pentagon has signed a $1.3 billion contract with Raytheon Technologies Corporation to repair and maintain engines from fifth-generation F-35 fighters in service with the United States and other countries, the department said.As part of the specified contract amendment, Raytheon will have to organize the maintenance and repair of F-35 Lightning II fighter engines in service with the United States and other countries, replenishment of spare parts, engineering support, software support, safety management, technical data updates and other services, including training. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241022/f-35s-ascent-and-nosedive-costliest-weapon-in-history-hits-fresh-turbulence-in-damning-gao-report-1120637661.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 us military aid to ukraine, us president joe biden, us department of defense https://sputnikglobe.com/20241203/us-unveils-new-725mln-aid-package-for-ukraine-1121076886.html US Unveils New $725Mln Aid Package for Ukraine US Unveils New $725Mln Aid Package for Ukraine Sputnik International The United States will provide an additional $725 million in military assistance to Ukraine that includes antipersonnel landmines, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday. 2024-12-03T05:31+0000 2024-12-03T05:31+0000 2024-12-03T05:31+0000 military us antony blinken sergey lavrov russia ukraine nato high mobility artillery rocket system (himars) javelin https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/1d/1118676203_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_6e9619878b0ddabfa40aaa16fb6fcf60.jpg "As part of the surge in security assistance that President Biden announced on September 26, the United States is providing another significant package of urgently needed weapons and equipment to our Ukrainian partners as they defend against Russias ongoing attacks. This additional assistance, provided under previously exercised Presidential Drawdown Authority from Department of Defense stocks, is valued at $725 million," Blinken said in a statement. The new package includes stinger missiles; unmanned aerial systems (UAS), counter-UAS systems munitions; ammunition for HIMARS; 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition; non-persistent antipersonnel landmines; Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems; TOW missiles; equipment to protect critical national infrastructure; as well as spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training, and transportation. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin discussed the situation and security assistance for Ukraine with his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov. Austin also updated Umerov on the continued US security assistance to Ukraine to provide the capabilities, it added.Russia believes that arms supplies to Ukraine hinder the settlement, directly involving NATO countries in the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine would be a legitimate target for Russia. According to Lavrov, the United States and NATO are directly involved in the conflict, including not only by supplying weapons, but also by training personnel in the UK, Germany, Italy and other countries. The Kremlin stated that pumping Ukraine with weapons by the West did not contribute to negotiations and would have a negative effect. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241128/biden-will-not-be-able-to-spend-all-ukraine-aid-money-by-end-of-term---reports-1121027534.html russia ukraine 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 united states, military assistance to ukraine, secretary of state antony blinken https://sputnikglobe.com/20241203/west-losing-grip-in-africa-bidens-charm-offensive-in-angola-is-too-little-too-late--pundit-1121081974.html West Losing Grip on Africa: Bidens Angola Charm Offensive Too Little Too Late, Says Pundit West Losing Grip on Africa: Bidens Angola Charm Offensive Too Little Too Late, Says Pundit Sputnik International Outgoing US President Joe Biden paid a rare visit to the African nation of Angola on December 3. What's behind Biden's charm offensive? 2024-12-03T19:14+0000 2024-12-03T19:14+0000 2024-12-04T11:15+0000 world africa insight us joe biden angola china chinese general administration of customs opinion https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105773/16/1057731608_0:147:3000:1835_1920x0_80_0_0_27df754052f54333c548744ed2248d74.jpg "American interest in Africa can unfortunately only be viewed as a counter move to both China and Russia and nothing less," Professor Fulufhelo Netswera, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences at Durban University of Technology in South Africa, told Sputnik. The West is slowly but surely losing its grip on Africa both politically, diplomatically and economically, Netswera said. He noted that China has become Angola's largest trading partner. The total trade volume between the two countries reached $23 billion in 2023, according to the Chinese General Administration of Customs. China imports oil from Angola and exports electromechanical and steel products to the African nation. India is Angola's second-largest trading partner, while the United States does not rank among the top five, Netswera noted. When it comes to the military technical cooperation, Angola has signalled its intention to develop closer ties with Russia. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241201/bidens-lame-duck-push-to-poach-angola-symptomatic-of-us-persistent-misreading-of-africa-1121062883.html angola china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova 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 Ekaterina Blinova us president biden's visit to angola, us-angola relations, angola-china trade, angola-russia military technical cooperation, western colonialism in africa, west is losing positions in africa https://sputnikglobe.com/20241203/why-isnt-canada-the-51st-state-or-is-it-1121082447.html Why Isnt Canada the 51st State, or Is It? Why Isnt Canada the 51st State, or Is It? Sputnik International President-elect Trump reportedly joked about annexing Canada during last weeks talks with Justin Trudeau, citing the looming impact of a potential trade war on Canadas economy. Why isnt Canada already the 51st state, anyway? Or maybe it is, and Canadians just don't realize it? 2024-12-03T19:29+0000 2024-12-03T19:29+0000 2024-12-03T20:01+0000 americas justin trudeau us pierre trudeau donald trump canada quebec france nato royal navy https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107759/40/1077594012_0:192:2048:1344_1920x0_80_0_0_deb4dea242ada7bad55618e42182c661.jpg The 8,891 km US-Canadian border, long hailed as the longest peaceful border in the world, hasnt always been so peaceful, with the US invading twice in 1775 and 1812.The US didnt give up on its plans, however. In 1845, an influential US columnist coined the term Manifest destiny envisioning the US conquest of all of North America.Political MachinationsBesides armed invasions, numerous scenarios have been floated by anti-Loyalist forces looking to break off from Canada and join the US.Living Next to US Like Sleeping With an Elephant: Is Canada Already the 51st State?Some observers fear Canada is already a 51st state of sorts, given the USs immense political, economic and security influence on the country, going back to the first half of the 20th century.From the 1950s through the 1970s, Prime Ministers John Diefenbaker and Pierre Trudeau (Justins father, ironically) attempted to weaken American control of Canada, with Trudeau, who once described living next to the US like sleeping with an elephant, even partially pulling troops out of the NATO contingent in Europe, and warming ties with the USSR and China.Such policies are long gone, however. From the 1990s onward, Canada fully embraced its economic dependence on the US via the NAFTA trade pact, opened the floodgates to US cultural domination, and cheerled NATO warmongering and regime-change operations around the world from Yugoslavia and Afghanistan to Ukraine. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240314/whats-inside-trudeaus-orwellian-speech-law-threatening-jail-time-for-thought-crimes-1117328250.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240728/canadas-trudeau-part-of-globalist-managerial-class-does-not-have-final-say---brother-1119548625.html americas canada quebec france 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 is canada 51st state, why isn't canada part of america, should canada be part of america 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: An optical fibre cable of the Swedish digital infrastructure provider GlobalConnect is being laid underground in Espoo, Finland, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. Credit: Vesa Moilanen/Lehtikuva via AP, File A data cable running across the land border between Sweden and Finland has been damaged, a company providing digital infrastructure and data communication in Northern Europe said Tuesday. Global Connect said the internet cable was damaged in two separate places in southern Finland on Monday, affecting 6,000 private customers and 100 business customers. "The first damage has been repaired and internet access has been mostly restored," said Global Connect's spokesman in Sweden, Niklas Ekstrom. "We are still working on fixing the second damage." Ekstrom said that one incident was related to excavation works and the second one was still being looked into. "We have no analysis on this so far," Ekstrom added. Finland's minister of transportation and communications, Lulu Ranne, wrote on X that "authorities are investigating the matter together with the company. We take the situation seriously." Police in Finland put out a brief statement Tuesday saying that they "are not currently conducting a criminal investigation into the damage caused to a fiber-optic cable between Finland and Sweden." The incident comes after the rupture of two data cables on the Baltic Sea bed last month. The two, one running from Finland to Germany and the other from Lithuania to Sweden, were both damaged in Swedish waters. The logo of the Swedish digital infrastructure provider GlobalConnect is pictured in Vantaa, Finland, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. Credit: Markku Ulander/Lehtikuva via AP An optical fibre cable of the Swedish digital infrastructure provider GlobalConnect is being laid underground in Espoo, Finland, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. Credit: Vesa Moilanen/Lehtikuva via AP, File Finnish, Swedish and German authorities have launched investigations. Germany's defense minister said at the time the damage appeared to have been caused by sabotage, though there is no proof at present. Last week, Sweden formally asked China to cooperate in explaining the rupture of the Baltic Sea data cables where a China-flagged vessel had been sighted. 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Conceptual scheme of a supersonic vehicle using the ram-rotor detonation engine. Credit: Chinese Journal of Aeronautics Detonation is a supersonic combustion wave, characterized by a shock wave driven by the energy release from closely coupled chemical reactions. It is a typical form of pressure gain combustion, converting chemical energy into thrust efficiently. The concept of harnessing detonation to improve thermodynamic cycle efficiency and enhance the performance of aerospace propulsion systems has been a subject of interest for many years. Since the 1950s, various types of detonation engines have been proposed, including pulse detonation engines, oblique detonation engines, and rotating detonation engines. However, these three types of detonation engines encounter challenges such as poor thrust continuity, high starting Mach numbers, and insufficient performance gains, which limit the widespread application of detonation propulsion technology. In a recent article featured in the Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, Dr. Haocheng Wen and Prof. Bing Wang from Tsinghua University proposed a new concept for detonative propulsion, called the Ram-Rotor Detonation Engine, which is expected to break through the limitations of the above-mentioned detonation engines. "The original intention of developing this new engine was to improve the structures of rotating detonation engines," said Dr. Wen. "This concept is also inspired by the ram-rotor compressor." The ram-rotor detonation engine, abbreviated as RRDE, mainly consists of a rotating rotor with blades, and a stationary casing. The blades on the rotor are distributed in a helical symmetric manner. The combustible mixture undergoes compression, detonation combustion, and expansion within the variable cross-sectional channels between the blades. The authors performed primary theoretical and numerical investigation on the RRDE. They established a theoretical model to analyze the relationship between the propulsion performance and parameters such as inlet velocity, rotor rim velocity, and equivalence ratio. It is indicated that for the stoichiometric hydrogen/air mixture, the total pressure gain of RRDE can exceed 3. Furthermore, they also conducted numerical simulations on the typical structure of RRDE and obtained the characteristic flow field and propulsion performance of the engine. Their simulation results demonstrate that the detonation wave can stabilize and remain stationary within the blades by the given configuration, and can adapt to the variations in parameters such as the equivalence ratio within a certain range. "Our study primarily verifies the performance benefits and operation feasibility of the RRDE," said Dr. Wen. The authors believe that the RRDE has several advantages, including a simple and compact structure, high efficiency, and adaptability to a wide-range of flight Mach number. However, they also candidly acknowledge that the realization of the RRDE is confronted with numerous challenges that demand resolution, such as the stabilization mechanism of detonation wave, supersonic boundary layer interference, implementation of high-speed rotor, as well as thermal protection, etc. "Our team is conducting ongoing research on key scientific and engineering issues in RRDE," said Prof. Wang. They expect the RRDE can provide high-performance propulsion for supersonic vehicles in the future. More information: Haocheng WEN et al, Primary investigation on Ram-Rotor Detonation Engine, Chinese Journal of Aeronautics (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.cja.2024.05.016 Provided by Tsinghua University Press This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain AI firms have long boasted about the enormous size and capabilities of their products, but they are increasingly looking at leaner, smaller models that they say will save on energy and cost. Programs like ChatGPT are underpinned by algorithms known as "large language models", and the chatbot's creator bragged last year that its GPT-4 model had nearly two trillion "parameters"the building blocks of the models. The vast size of GPT-4 allows ChatGPT to handle queries about anything from astrophysics to zoology. But if a company needs a program with knowledge only of, say, tigers, the algorithm can be much smaller. "You don't need to know the terms of the Treaty of Versailles to answer a question about a particular element of engineering," said Laurent Felix of Ekimetrics, a firm that advises companies on AI and sustainability. Google, Microsoft, Meta and OpenAI have all started offering smaller models. Amazon too allows for all sizes of models on its cloud platform. Kara Hurst, Amazon's chief sustainability officer, said at a recent event in Paris that it showed the tech industry was moving towards "sobriety and frugality". Energy needs Smaller models are better for simple tasks like summarizing and indexing documents or searching an internal database. US pharmaceutical company Merck, for example, is developing a model with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to understand the impact of certain diseases on genes. "It will be a very small model, between a few hundred million and a few billion parameters," said Nicolas de Bellefonds, head of AI at BCG. Laurent Daudet, head of French AI startup LightOn, which specializes in smaller models, said they had several advantages over their larger siblings. They were often faster and able to "respond to more queries and more users simultaneously", he said. He also pointed out that they were less energy hungrythe potential climate impact being one of the major concerns over AI. Huge arrays of servers are needed to "train" the AI programs and then to process queries. These serversmade up of highly advanced chipsrequire vast amounts of electricity both to fuel their operation and to cool them down. Daudet explained that the smaller models needed far fewer chips, making them cheaper and more energy efficient. Multi-model future Other proponents point out that they can run without using data centers altogether by being installed directly on devices. "This is one of the ways to reduce the carbon footprint of our models," Arthur Mensch, head of French start-up Mistral AI, told the Liberation newspaper in October. Laurent Felix pointed out that direct use on a device also meant more "security and confidentiality of data". The programs could potentially be trained on proprietary data without fear of it being compromised. The larger programs, though, still have the edge for solving complex problems and accessing wide ranges of data. De Bellefonds said the future was likely to involve both kinds of models talking to each other. "There will be a small model that will understand the question and send this information to several models of different sizes depending on the complexity of the question," he said. "Otherwise, we will have solutions that are either too expensive, too slow, or both." 2024 AFP No room for negotiation or compromise on one-China principle: foreign ministry Xinhua) 10:00, December 03, 2024 BEIJING, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The one-China principle is the political foundation and an important premise for China's bilateral relations with other countries, with no room for negotiation or compromise, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday. Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks when asked to comment on Paraguayan Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez Lezcano's remarks that Paraguay is open to establishing diplomatic, consular and commercial relations with Chinese mainland unconditionally, but will not accept any precondition that would break its diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Lin said that the one-China principle is a universally recognized and accepted basic norm of international relations, and is also the political foundation and an important premise for China's bilateral relations with other countries. The one-China principle concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and there is no room for negotiation or compromise, he added. "Paraguay should have an accurate and comprehensive understanding of the one-China principle, recognize the historical trend as soon as possible, stand with the vast majority of countries in the world, stand on the side of international justice and fairness, and make a choice that truly aligns with the fundamental and long-term interests of its own people," Lin said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) (TBTCO) - Ngay 15/3, tai Tru so Trung uong ang, Tong Bi thu To Lam, Truong Tieu ban Van kien ai hoi XIV cua ang a chu tri hop Tieu ban Van kien, cho y kien vao du thao Bao cao Chinh tri do To Bien tap xay dung tren co so tiep thu y kien cua Hoi nghi Trung uong 10 va y kien chi ao cua ong chi Tong Bi thu tai cac cuoc hop voi Thuong truc cac Tieu ban ai hoi XIV cua ang, e trinh Bo Chinh tri, Ban Chap hanh Trung uong ang tai Hoi nghi Trung uong 11. Women from Ukraine find solidarity and a sense of mission on a demining course far from home. PEJA, KOSOVO | On a crisp autumn afternoon, 24 Ukrainians mostly women gather around a rusty, Soviet-era FAB-500 bomb in a rugged training field set against the dramatic peaks of Montenegro and Albania. This is just practice, but back home, where war continues to rage, they handle explosives as part of the daily routine, clearing the deadly remnants left by retreating Russian forces. These dangers mines, unexploded bombs, artillery shells now lurk in fields, roadsides, and the rubble of shattered cities. The scale of this mission is unprecedented, say international experts. In three years of war, land mines and other explosive remnants have contaminated vast stretches of Ukraine, making it the most heavily mined country in the world, according to the UN. These women once baristas, CEOs, beauty specialists, environmental activists, software developers, mothers, students have been thrust into mine-clearing work, united by one goal: to make their homeland, the breadbasket of the world, safe for living and farming again. The oldest and youngest students at the September course, Giulnara Makarets (left) and Veronica Mykhailova, at a training session. As deminers in Ukraine, they spend their days scouring bombed farmland and once-occupied villages, places riddled with hidden danger, stepping in after military sappers have cleared areas of immediate threats to help families return home and rebuild their lives. They are pioneers in a role that, until recently, was off-limits to women. Already certified to perform basic humanitarian demining work, theyve come to the Mine Action & Training (MAT) center in Kosovo in the western city of Peja a leading demining training school with a history rooted in Kosovos own war to sharpen their skills and take more leadership and responsibility in this urgent task. The school trains experts from around the globe, but since Russias invasion of Ukraine, it has placed a special focus on Ukraine, with international donors funding the training of 436 Ukrainians so far. On that September afternoon, during the third week of a five-week Level 3 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) course, the schools second-most advanced, the 16 women and eight men are learning how to disarm a full-house bomb a 500-kilogram relic similar to those that litter Ukraines fields. Instructor Stew Burgess, a former British Air Force weapons expert, points to the bombs smallest yet deadliest component: the fuze. This is the only piece that goes bang, he explains. Everything else is just propulsion and payload. Some fuzes are booby-trapped, others dangerously unstable, primed to detonate at the slightest movement. Theyre meant to kill. You need to find the fuze and remove it, Burgess instructs the class, with a note of urgency. Beside him, Anastasiia Minchukova, a 23-year-old former linguistics student, translates his words into Ukrainian. In April 2022, she was among the first Ukrainians to attend the school. Since Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea, she had known that when I grow up, I wont have a choice; I will have to fight. But when war broke out, she was denied a frontline role because of her age. A mine doesnt care if youre a man or a woman. We need everyone willing and capable. Ukraine cannot afford to overlook its women, she says. Nika Kokareva, 40, listens intently. For six months, shes led a team clearing a gigantic sunflower field near the front line in her home region of Mykolaiv, ensuring the farmer could return to his harvest. Her work methodically combing the soil with a big loop detector and, sometimes, a specially trained dog is painstaking and closely regulated. Mine Advisory Group (MAG), the organization she works for, has yet to be certified to defuse explosives, she says, so she relies on Ukraines State Emergency Services (DSNS) for the disposal of the hazardous devices. But at MAT Kosovo, she is training to be ready for the moment she can do it herself. The MAT Kosovo complex at the foot of the Accursed Mountains. Here in Peja, I want to practice, to learn how to remove the fuze, to do a demolition, to decide if an explosive is safe to move or not, she says. Thats why Im here: We have another 10 or 20 years of work ahead of us. Her quiet resolve is echoed by a growing number of Ukrainian women entering the high-risk field of humanitarian demining a profession that, until recently, was legally off-limits to women in their country due to old Soviet-era holdover ideology. Also see: Slow Steps Through a Minefield: How Ukrainian startups are betting on cheap tech to save lives and get the countrys vital farms back in business. A School Born From Conflict MAT Kosovo is housed in a former Balkan-style mansion, with prefab classrooms, a canteen, and dorms for 46 people. The school grounds simulate real demining scenarios minefields, city streets, and even a genuine tank. If it werent for the Kosovo War, this school wouldnt exist, says John Doone, the school manager and a former British soldier. In 1999, Serbian forces assault against Albanian separatists, followed by NATO airstrikes, left Kosovo littered with explosive remnants of war. Humanitarian groups flooded the region, turning Peja into a hub for demining expertise. Founded in 2010 by another former British soldier, Ben Remfrey, MAT Kosovo has trained thousands from over 100 countries, often in conflict zones like Sudan, Zimbabwe, Libya, and Iraq. What makes MAT Kosovo unique, according to Doone, is its adherence to the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) the globally recognized framework for humanitarian demining operations and its hands-on training approach. We dont just do the theory. We use explosives and advanced techniques to blow up and render safe a variety of live and dangerous types of munition, Doone says. The return of war to Europe gave the school renewed regional focus. Even beforefighting erupted in Ukraine in 2022, Renfrey, the school founder and managing director, had already been advising Ukrainian agencies and training deminers. Predicting the scale of the threat, he persuaded the Ukrainian authorities to include women in demining, secured funding, and invited the first group of eight women to a specialized course. By the end of 2024, over 400 Ukrainians, including 85 women, will have been trained in Peja 187 this year alone. While an all-inclusive four- to five-week course costs about 6,000 euros, two charities Jersey Overseas Aid and the Canada-based Mriya Aid have borne most of the training costs. Remfrey insists he doesnt want to make money by training the Ukrainians. Training for Real War Over one weekend during the course, some trainees visited Albania; others went hiking or running in the Accursed Mountains; and many stayed behind to study. There are no classes on weekends. Theyve gone through a lot and need a break, Doone says. This week, a record 58 trainees were at the school. In addition to the 24 Ukrainians, the mixed group included an American student, members of the Qatari national police, and a British war photographer. But the Ukrainian group is unique: They are the only students who will return to a live war zone after their training. Its now week three of the Level 3 EOD course. The countdown begins. In a three-year-old prefab classroom built to accommodate the schools growth, the instructor reviews the schedule leading to final exams. Theres going to be a lot of pressure from now on, says Burgess, preparing the class for theoretical and practical tests that will lead to an internationally recognized EOD certification. The Ukrainian trainees will face multiple-choice questions on identifying explosives: when its safe to move munitions and when its not. At a secluded live explosive demolitions training range outside Kosovo, they will practice making an unexploded bomb in a building safe by blowing up the fuze, causing minimal damage rather than blowing the entire bomb and destroying the entire building. From left to right, Nadia Chygrina, far from her 7-year-old daughter, left a career as a cosmetician. Natalia Myronenko, head of quality control for a demining organization. Veronica Mykhailova, the youngest trainee in the September Ukrainian group, swapped a barista job in Kyiv to clear minefields in Kharkiv. Giulnara Makarets fled rebel-controlled Donetsk in 2014 and then Mariupol in 2022. One key test will be the spot task, where trainees must practice dealing with an immediate threat, such as when someone reports a suspicious object. These tasks are carried out under close supervision, but there is always an element of risk when handling live explosives. You cannot fail the spot task, Burgess says. If you pass without earning it, youre a danger to yourself and others. Beside him, Yevheniia Sukhonos, a former NATO translator who after the 2022 invasion volunteered to translate Ukrainian news into English before being trained as a deminer in Peja, interprets his words. In war, everyone finds a way to contribute, she says. Precise translation in this field can be a matter of life and death. At 9 a.m., the trainees observe a minute of silence for those lost in Ukraines fight for freedom a solemn reminder of the stakes. Then, Iryna, an energetic woman with a wide smile, presents the results of her assignment, when she led a team surveying a mock minefield set up by instructors in the nearby mountains. Students spent a day there, looking for signs like disturbed soil, broken branches, and animal tracks all possible indications of hidden dangers and interviewed locals and combed through old documents for clues. The instructor pushes for specifics. Humanitarian demining is a meticulous, slow job. Sometimes, only five or 10 meters per day, depending on the terrain. How long would this job take? the instructor asks Iryna. The landowner will want his land back, and a wrong estimate wont cut it. Like many others in her group, trainee Svitlana Nagorna has seen devastation up close. In her native Ukraine she encountered villagers who had lost everything, even their roofs, but they were still positive. Iryna, who works for the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD), takes the challenge seriously. Im not afraid of taking risks, she says later. My whole life has been about overcoming obstacles. She admits, though, that the most emotionally difficult part of my job is to have gone to the Donetsk area and seen the damage caused by the Russians. Before the war, she ran her own elevator repair business from Kyiv, until Russian bombing made things difficult because fixing elevators was the least of anyones worries when there was no power or water. Classroom of Memories Dmytro (Dima) Yershov Memorial Classroom, 30.01.199203.12.2023 reads the sign on the classroom door. Below, a photo captures his infectious smile. Once a surfing instructor in Sri Lanka, he returned to Ukraine to defend his home town of Chernihiv. In July 2022, his car hit an anti-tank mine near Izyum, killing everyone but him. Severely injured, he could have retired on a disability pension. Instead, he trained as a deminer in Peja. Months later, complications from the initial mine explosion took his life, two weeks before the birth of his first child. He was unforgettable loud, funny, so full of life, recalls Sukhonos, the interpreter. Its hard to believe hes not here anymore. Dmytro Yershovs story underscores the dangers; several hundred Ukrainians, perhaps as many as 1,000 by some estimates, have died in mine-related accidents since the war began. During the morning coffee break, trainees gather outside. For many, this mission is deeply personal.Giulnara Makarets, 50, got into humanitarian mine clearance after fleeing rebel-occupied Donetsk in 2014 and then Mariupol in 2022. Veronica Mykhailova, the youngest at 20, swapped a barista job in Kyiv to clear minefields in Kharkiv, despite her mothers pleas not to do it. The men are on the front line; the women are demining. Were all doing our part, she says. Nadia Chygrina, far from her 7-year-old daughter in Brovary, left a career as a cosmetician, and her family is proud, she says. Oksana Omelchuk turned to demining when bombings hindered her fieldwork in Ukraines national parks. Its really difficult to convince people to preserve nature when people are dying, losing their homes and jobs. Its difficult to plan for the distant future when we cannot even plan our day due to shelling, says the 35-year-old. Shes now clearing farmland near Mykolaiv for MAG, a chance to do socially important work and be outdoors all the time. Natalia Myronenko, impeccably dressed in the brown uniform of the Ukrainian Deminers Association (UDA), takes a long drag from her cigarette, relishing the break. The Kosovar mountains rise sharply behind her. Before the war, she was in charge of quality control on large construction sites, but she had wanted to use her maternity leave to explore a new career. Drawn to makeup and fashion, shed considered pursuing interior design. The war changed everything. As demand for humanitarian deminers grew, her skills in oversight led her to a new career, and now she is in charge of quality control. By now, shes overcome the initial shock when she realized that war has become my job. I like stylish things, beautiful spaces, but this job is far more interesting. I wouldnt want to do anything else, Myronenko says. As in her previous career, she ensures that others work meets the highest standards, but now the stakes are life and death. Its all about safety, says the mother of two. Most importantly, she adds, it benefits my country. No Break From the War Lunch is served in the schools main building. The trainees eat in silence, often scrolling through their phones. Svitlana Nagornas phone vibrates with an air raid alert. There is no break from the war, she says. Her family remains near Kyiv. While on the job leading a team near Mykolaiv that assesses if and to what extent land is contaminated, her thoughts often return home. A literature and theater lover, the 29-year-old bears a heavy responsibility. If I sign off on a report saying an area is safe, its on me if anything goes wrong. Shes seen devastation up close. Villages like Ternovi Pody and Liubomyrivka, which were once occupied by the Russians, still haunt her. She had come from a Kyiv suburb battered by missile strikes, only to encounter villagers who had lost everything, even their roofs, but they were still positive. There, retreating Russians had put booby traps in peoples homes before leaving. Nothing surprises me anymore I know what the Russians are capable of, she says. Early on, Nagorna would cry alone at night but hide her emotions when working with villagers because they need my support. Once dreaming of TV work, Nagorna left her job curating Soviet-era films shortly after the war broke out because it no longer felt right. An ad for a mine-awareness teacher for the Ukrainian Deminers Association caught her eye. They called me within 15 minutes, she recalls. She would start as a teacher and then move into demining. I knew it was dangerous, but also knew they would train me. Her family urges her to come home, but shes found her calling; the MAT Kosovo training, she says, will help her better assess village safety just by looking. Only her sister fully supports her choice. She sees how much Ive grown, Nagorna says. I used to take everything to heart, but now I know it could destroy me. Were only at the beginning. We need clear minds for this work. Nika Kokareva looks over different types of explosives with instructor Stew Burgess. Women Leading the Way The sector is growing in front of our eyes, says MAT alumna Iryna Kustovska. As head of operations for the Ukrainian Deminers Association, overseeing hundreds of sappers, she is one of Ukraines highest-ranking demining professionals. Sadly, humanitarian demining is going to remain a priority for a long time. A drone-regulation adviser for the Ukrainian aviation authority before the war, she changed trajectory after bombs fell near her home, prompting her to move, and a news story caught her eye. It was about the first eight Ukrainian women volunteering to get trained as sappers in Peja. With men unable to leave Ukraine, women were stepping up writing history. I told myself, why am I not there? Weeks later, she found herself hundreds of kilometers away in Kosovo, part of the second cohort of mainly female Ukrainian trainees at MAT Kosovo. She went back to Peja twice, eventually graduating at the top of her class and as the only woman in the schools most advanced courses, usually reserved for military experts and weapons engineers from around the world. In Ukraine, Kustovska became the quality-control engineer at Demining Solutions, one of a growing number of Ukrainian private demining companies working alongside international humanitarian organizations like Halo Trust and the Swiss FSD. When I started, women in demining were a novelty. Now, its just, Okay, youre a woman in demining, she says from Kyiv. Today, women make up a third of Ukraines humanitarian deminers, estimated at roughly 4,000 although precise numbers are hard to track down. For women in particular, there will be many jobs, not just for deminers, but in leadership and management, too, Kustovska says. In her opinion, gender plays no role in the recruiting process, but she says women bring a unique perspective, excelling at thinking outside the box and multitasking. Thats important, as shifting front lines makes the threat of mine contamination ever more widespread and complex, with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) found in de-occupied territories. There have been documented instances of explosives hidden in everyday objects like pianos or teddy bears. For Kustovska, this is a cruel fantasy. An Unprecedented Challenge When lead instructor Artur Tigani first met the Ukrainian women at the beginning of the war, in 2022, he saw echoes of his own history. As a former Kosovo Liberation Army fighter, Tigani had also faced a powerful adversary Serbian forces and witnessed his homelands devastation. By the wars end, his native Peja was in ruins, littered with unexploded ordnance. I could see it in their eyes the fear, the pain, Tigani recalls. It was like looking into a mirror of my past. After the war, Tigani struggled with trauma, turning to alcohol until a Norwegian NGO introduced him to humanitarian demining. He eventually joined MAT Kosovo, training experts from some of the worlds most dangerous conflict zones from Rwanda to Syria and Iraq. Yet, what hes seen in Ukraine surpasses anything he has ever encountered. Theres no point in talking days, years, or decades to clear Ukraine, he says. Its going to go on forever. Fields that once fed the world are now mined, playgrounds are death traps, and vital infrastructure is off-limits. Kosovo was contaminated with munitions because of NATOs intervention to help us its something we can manage, Tigani says. Though explosive devices are still found 25 years after NATOs 77-day bombing campaign, Western nations cover most of the cost. So we just keep our mouths shut and clear it and, come on, we are free! But Ukraine is 55 times bigger than Kosovo. Apart from millions of landmines, he mentions old, poorly maintained Soviet munitions, many with a 50% failure rate. There are millions of unexploded devices scattered across playgrounds, streets, and fields, Tigani says. Its beyond comprehension. Farmers are bearing the brunt of the damage. Our role is clear, Tigani declares. We must deliver the best training possible. Nika Kokareva collapses in exhaustion after a grueling week of Level 3 training. This course is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I cannot afford to fail, she says. I want to finish clearing the land around my city it means everything to me. Then I hope to head east. Before the war, Kokareva lived an adventure-filled life, working in high-end hotels and going diving in exotic places like Egypt and Cambodia. At 40, shed wanted to return home, closer to her brother and mother in Mykolaiv. The war shattered those plans. In the early days of the invasion, Kokareva sheltered with her family as bombs rained down on Mykolaiv. She briefly fled to Poland but returned because I didnt want to be a refugee. While the city itself feels safer now, she says, the surrounding regions remain perilous. For months, she witnessed things she doesnt like to talk about, until she realized that grief was a luxury she couldnt afford. It consumes too much energy. Inspired by a young female deminer, she took action and trained in demining. I love risk and adventure, she says. I wanted to be in the field, finding the dangers and clearing the mines. That evening in Peja, she grows nostalgic, scrolling through old Facebook videos of herself diving in distant seas. It was so different from the life I have now, she says, but Im glad I got to live it. A Family Built Through Danger In Peja, trainees and instructors share a common mission, meals, and stories, forming bonds like family. With every course, the demining family grows bigger, Yevheniia Sukhonos says. But with it, our worries grow, too. John Doone, the schools manager, admires these womens dedication. Family members are on the front line, and they want to help in any way they can, he says. The ones who come here are eager to learn. They understand the stakes; there is no margin for error one mistake could be your last. Hasan Sleiman, an instructor from Lebanon who has survived three wars, feels a deep connection to the trainees. This job stays with you 24/7, he says. Everyone has dreams, but when you grow up in places like Kosovo, Ukraine, and Lebanon, circumstances often shape your future. MAT Kosovo manager John Doone, a British military veteran, has worked for NATO and the UN and served on the ground in Kosovo. Its winter now, weeks after Nika Kokareva and the other 23 Ukrainian deminers earned their Level 3 certification in Kosovo. Theres a sense of tangible urgency. Snow will soon slow the humanitarian deminers progress in Mykolaiv, making the physically demanding work even harder. We have to finish the fields farmers are waiting, Kokareva says. Sometimes a desperate farmer, unwilling to hold back, will risk using a field that hasnt been fully cleared. Its dangerous. Kokareva reflects on how much she has learned at MAT Kosovo. With my training, I see the fields differently now. I understand what I see in front of me, she says. Sometimes we find pieces of something thats already exploded, but it doesnt mean its safe. One memory from Peja sticks that of blowing up a suspicious explosive devices fuze on a demolition range. It was the first time shed done a demolition to try to make an explosive safe. It was very exciting. Hopefully, we will have a chance to use it. Its a nice feeling when you destroy the horrible things that kill people. This work takes all your energy and time, but I love it, she says. Even after the war ends, well still be doing this for our grandchildren and their grandchildren. Isabelle de Pommereau is a freelance journalist writing for international news outlets such as The Christian Science Monitor, Alternatives Economiques, and New Eastern Europe. Based in Frankfurt, Germany, she often writes on issues around the transformation of ex-Soviet countries. All photos by Isabelle de Pommereau. You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). Singapore Gulf Bank (SGB), the digital bank backed by Mumtalakat and privately-held investment group Whampoa Group, has announced the appointment of Dr Xiang Bing as Independent Director to its Board. Dr Bing joins SGBs board alongside former Central Bank of Bahrain Deputy Governor, Shaikh Salman Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, and former JPMorgan senior executives, Ali Moosa and Edmund Lee. Dr Bing is the Founding Dean and Professor of China Business and Globalisation at Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB), one of Asia's preeminent business schools and the first privately funded business school in China. Established in 2002, CKGSB is a premier business school with Harvard and Yale-educated faculty, campuses across China, and global offices in Hong Kong, New York, and London. Its distinguished alumni include the founder of Alibaba Group, Jack Ma, and the Chairman of Sinopec, Fu Chengyu. Academic and business insights Dr Bing's appointment brings valuable academic and business insights to SGB's board as the bank strengthens its position as a bridge between Asia and the MENA region. His expertise in Asian business and global markets will support SGB's mission to connect traditional and digital finance. Edmund Lee, Founding Chairman of the Board of SGB, stated: "Dr Xiang's deep understanding of Asian business and his global perspective make him an ideal addition to our board as we build financial infrastructure for the future." Dr Bing added: "The growing opportunities from Asian and Middle Eastern markets represent an extraordinary moment for financial innovation. SGBs initiative to deliver round-the-clock settlement capabilities and efficient cross border payment services will enhance financial accessibility and integration. I look forward to contributing to SGB's mission to strengthen the connectivity between these dynamic regions to advance digital finance globally." Following the recent launch of its corporate banking services, SGB is pioneering a new era of banking where everyone can easily access and manage digital assets alongside traditional assets within one integrated network. Underpinned by its compliance-first approach, SGB will serve as a vital link between mainstream financial services and the rapidly advancing digital asset economy, empowering the next billion users with access to the future of finance.--TradeArabia News Service A comprehensive exploration of Qatar's financial landscape underscores the sectors drive towards technological innovation and sustainable growth, fully aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030. The countrys banking sector is leading efforts to integrate advanced technologies and significantly reduce carbon emissions. These developments are showcased in a new Global Platform video produced by Oxford Business Group (OBG), in collaboration with Commercial Bank of Qatar (CBQ), titled, Diving innovation and sustainability in Qatar's banking sector. The video features Shahnawaz Rashid, Executive General Manager (EGM) and Head of Retail Banking at Commercial Bank, who discusses the pivotal role of the banking sector in promoting sustainability. Rashid highlights key initiatives focused on reducing carbon emissions, digitising banking processes, and leveraging artificial intelligence to offer more personalised financial products. National Fintech Strategy He also emphasises the importance of Qatar's National Fintech Strategy, launched in 2023 by the Central Bank of Qatar, which aims to position the country as a regional leader in financial innovation. Rashid further highlights progress in advancing green initiatives, including loans for electric vehicles and environmentally sustainable real estate investments, while harnessing AI and data architecture to drive Qatars economic growth. The banking sector in Qatar is making significant strides in embracing technology and sustainability. By adopting financial technology and reducing carbon emissions, we are positioning ourselves as a key partner in the nations economic development, Rashid remarked. The video also showcases Qatars efforts to enhance its infrastructure and reduce its carbon footprint by 25% by 2030. It explores the role of digital banking, with nearly all transactions now being conducted online, helping the sector meet its environmental goals. Our video illustrates how Qatars banking sector is advancing through innovation and a clear commitment to sustainability, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. This collaboration reflects the importance of driving green initiatives while ensuring economic stability and growth, said Marc-Andre de Melo de Blois, Director of PR and Video Content at OBG.--TradeArabia News Service Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) has announced the ground breaking of its low-carbon Ruwais liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Al Dhafra Region, thus leveraging synergies and integration opportunities across Adnocs value chain including the supply of feedstock. On the mega project, Adnoc said Ruwais LNG will support global energy security and drive industrial growth in Al Dhafra region and once operational, the project will more than double Adnocs UAE LNG production capacity to over 15 million tonnes per annum (mtpa). The ceremony, held in the presence of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region, was attended by a high-level delegation of dignitaries and senior officials from the Abu Dhabi Government. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Adnoc Managing Director and Group CEO, welcomed Sheikh Hamdan and the delegation to Al Ruwais Industrial City. Later Sheikh Hamdan toured the Borouge 4 site and reviewed the progress of the Hail and Ghasha and TaZiz mega-projects, Adnocs other strategic initiatives that are set to transform the Al Dhafra Region into an energy tradingand advanced industrial hub. Adnoc said the group is investing approximately AED175 billion ($47.6 billion) in the Ruwais LNG, Hail and Ghasha, Borouge 4 and TaZiz mega-projects, leveraging synergies and integration opportunities across Adnocs value chain including the supply of feedstock. Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Hamdan said: "The mega-projects span the energy value chain from gas production and liquefaction to chemicals, using artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies to boost efficiency and reduce emissions." "These significant investments reinforce Adnocs commitment to sustainable economic growth in Al Dhafra Region by drivinginfrastructure development and job creation, while fostering a thriving domestic industrial ecosystem," he noted. He underscored the importance of Adnocs ongoing mega-projects in the Al Dhafra Region, which are supporting the UAEs economic growth and prosperity. Borouge 4, one of the UAEs largest industrial projects, will see the company progress with the worlds largest single-site polyolefin complex. On completion next year, the project will boost Borouges production capacity by 1.4 mtpa to 6.4 mmtpa, delivering up to $1.9 billion (AED7 billion) in annual revenue. On the TaZiz chemicals and transition fuels ecosystem under development in Al Ruwais, Adnoc said it is scheduled to commence production in 2027. The new TaZiz plant aims to produce 4.7 mtpa of chemicals by 2028 in Phase 1, with Phase 2 set to increase total production to over 11 mtpa, it added. Dr Al Jaber said: "Along with Borouge 4, Hail and Ghasha and TaZiz, these strategic mega-projects will provide more lower-carbon energy to the world, while strengthening the UAEs energy security, accelerating In-Country Value and boosting economic diversification, in line with our leaderships directives. "The Hail and Ghasha project, which aims to operate with net zero emissions, is set to produce 1 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day, as the UAE becomes one of the largest global producers of high-quality sulfur in the world," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Sarooj Construction Company has secured two major road construction contracts worth RO90.22 million ($233 million) from the Oman Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology (MTCIT). A leading player in Omans construction and infrastructure sector, Sarooj said the first contract, worth RO70.03 million, involves the construction of a 120-km dual carriageway linking Adam to Thumrait. This comes as part of the Oman government's plan to boost regional connectivity as well as bolster economic integration and improve transportation efficiency across the sultanate. The second contract, valued at RO20 million, is for road construction work at Jabal Shams in mountainous terrains. The single carriageway will establish a vital link in one of Omans most iconic and remote regions, promoting accessibility and sustainable development, said the company in a statement. Together, these projects, valued at a combined total of RO90.22mn, underscore Saroojs capability to execute large-scale, high-impact developments that contribute to the countrys long-term progress, it added. According to Sarooj, the Adam-Thumrait dual carriageway project is being implemented in multiple phases. Earlier this month, Omans Tender Board, acting on behalf of MTCIT, awarded contracts for three sections of the highway, including Part 4 for RO118.37 million; Part 3 was awarded for RO70.03 million, while Part 5 was valued at RO69.79 million. Galfar Engineering and Contracting Company was awarded the contract for Part 4 of the Adam-Thumrait dual-carriageway project, with a value of RO118 million. On the project, Engineer Yousef bin Abdullah Al Mujaini, Director General of Roads and Land Transport at MTCIT, said the work on the Adam-Thumrait dual-carriageway project is expected to begin early next year. "Once completed, the dualisation of the Adam-Thumrait road will be one of the longest infrastructure projects undertaken by the ministry," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Cityscape Bahrain, a key regional real estate exhibition and conference, concluded its 2024 edition on a successful note, attracting over 10,000 visitors from across Bahrain and the Mena region. The event showcased over 50 mega real estate projects, collectively valued at billions of dollars, highlighting the kingdoms thriving real estate market and its appeal to regional and international investors, said the organisers. Held under the theme Innovate, Elevate & Thrive Liveability at the Heart of Bahrains Vision, the event drew more than 400 attendees, and over 25 distinguished local, regional, and international experts. Notably, the event catalyzed a remarkable BD341 million ($898 million) in deals, further underscoring Bahrains robust position as a hub for property investment and development. In a nod to its dedication to nurturing young talent, Cityscape Bahrain 2024 featured the 'Architects of Tomorrow' competition, which invited students to showcase their innovative visions for enhancing Bahrains living standards through thoughtfully designed spaces and infrastructure. Visitors had the chance to explore these creative submissions displayed throughout the event, highlighting the exceptional promise of Bahrains next generation of architects. A panel of esteemed judges reviewed the models and posters, leading to the announcement of the three winning projects. Jovianne Alba and Hussain Hani from the University of Bahrain bagged the first and second place respectively, while Amnah Rashid Sabah Alkhalifa and Tia Fadi El Khatib from the Royal University for Women clinched the third spot. Their exemplary creativity and vision demonstrated the immense potential of Bahrains future architects, said the judges panel. Cityscape, owned by Informa Markets, first took place in 2002 and has since grown beyond exhibitions, to become one of the largest real estate data and media portfolios globally. Firmly established as the premier platform for luxury real estate in the region, Cityscape Bahrain continues to provide an immersive experience, uniting professionals, investors, and future leaders in the industry, it added.-TradeArabia News Service The Arab Coordination Group (ACG) is actively participating in the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), hosted in Riyadh from December 2 to 13. At COP16, ACG, a strategic alliance of ten national and regional development institutions, is highlighting the groups impact, as well as the work of individual members in advancing innovative solutions and meaningful collaborations to address the pressing challenges of land degradation, desertification and drought while fostering sustainable land management. The joint presence of ACG demonstrates the groups commitment to bring forward both financial commitments and innovative solutions at COP16, reinforcing its dedication to tackling desertification and supporting communities impacted by climate change. Reaffirming strong support to Saudi Arabias leadership through transformative initiatives such as the Saudi and Middle East Green Initiatives, and the G20 Global Land Initiative, the group is emphasising how regional efforts can drive global change in land restoration, biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation, restoring livelihoods and ecosystems worldwide. High-level sessions At COP 16, ACG is contributing to high-level sessions, including the opening ceremony and a ministerial plenary, where it announced a significant pledge to enhance global land restoration and resilience efforts. ACG participation is centering around a joint pavilion in the Blue Zone that is to serve as a hub for collaboration and knowledge exchange. Member institutions are presenting pioneering projects, strategies and financing solutions to address desertification and promote sustainable land use. More than 10 side events organised by ACG institutions are further engaging global stakeholders. In 2022, at COP27, the ACG announced a landmark $24 billion commitment to address climate change. At COP28 the following year ACG outlined its deployment strategy for $10 billion financing to accelerate the global shift to clean and renewable energy by 2023. The group has also made a joint pledge to allocate up to $50 billion to help build resilient infrastructure and inclusive societies in the African continent. In 2023, the group extended approximately $17 billion collectively to fund nearly 500 operations in about 90 countries and various institutions and organisations, addressing global challenges such as climate change and food security and supporting international trade.--TradeArabia News Service ADQ, a global sovereign investor, has signed a deal with Finnforel, a leading Finnish aquaculture technology firm, to explore the feasibility of a land-based fish farming facility with a capacity of 3,000 tonnes per year in the UAE. The planned facility will be strategically located within Kezads dedicated zone for aquaculture and related industries, featuring dedicated infrastructure, utilities and connectivity. Under the terms of the agreement, it is expected that ADQ and Finnforel will collaborate with the aim to cultivate rainbow trout, a cold-water fish species and popular alternative to salmon, in the UAE by utilising recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). These systems employ advanced biofiltration systems to allow control of all essential environmental factors and ensure stable, safe and clean indoor conditions, while efficiently recirculating and reusing water within a closed system, ensuring zero biowaste and wastewater. The usage of recirculating aquaculture systems facilitates year-round fish production, irrespective of external environmental conditions. Recirculating aquaculture systems Upon satisfactory conclusion of the feasibility stage, the development of the fish farming facility would mark the inaugural large-scale implementation of recirculating aquaculture systems in the UAE, representing a significant milestone for the food and agriculture sector. The facility will be modeled after Finnforels unique indoor aquaculture concept. Founded in 2015, Finnforel is an innovative aquaculture technology company that currently operates two recirculating aquaculture systems facilities in Finland with a total production volume of three thousand tons per year. Through a high degree of vertical integration from hatchery to farming and packaging, Finnforel achieves significant efficiency and scale, and is seeking to multiply its capacity through global expansion by 2032. Mansour AlMulla, Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer at ADQ, said: Our collaboration with Finnforel exemplifies our commitment to harnessing state-of-the-art technology to facilitate the expansion of local food production capabilities in Abu Dhabi. With imports currently catering to the vast majority of the demand for protein in the UAE, our focus is to work towards closing supply gaps by introducing a new way of cultivating high-quality seafood that is cherished for its nutritional value. Food security Pekka A Viljakainen, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Finnforel Group, said: The current global realities are heightening our awareness of the critical importance of food security. In the foreseeable future, it will become imperative for every nation to ensure the local production of most of their consumed food, including fresh fish. Finnforels mission is to build a network of local facilities based on our tried-and-tested vertically integrated concept; an endeavor which must be pursued sustainably and with environmental responsibility. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), aquatic foods constitute 15% of the worlds animal protein intake. Global apparent consumption of aquatic foods per capita amounted to 20.6 kilogrammes in 2021, having more than doubled over the past 60 years. FAO projects that consumption will increase by a further 12% by 2032. In 2022 and for the first time in history, global aquaculture surpassed capture fisheries as the main producer of aquatic animals, with aquaculture production reaching an unprecedented 94.4 million tonnes. Academics estimate that aquaculture production must increase nearly 60% above its 2018 production to supply the amount of seafood for the projected 2050 global population. Already today, aquaculture contributes over 57% of aquatic animal products used for direct human consumption. Aquaculture stands as the fastest-growing sector in global food production, with the global aquaculture market valued at $204 billion in 2020 and projected to reach $262 billion by the end of 2026. Approximately 70% of the total seafood consumed in the UAE is currently imported, with the total volume of salmon imports alone amounting to 10,000 tonnes per year.--TradeArabia News Service The International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) has emphasised the critical role of climate-resilient agriculture in addressing the growing challenges of climate change, food insecurity, water scarcity and land degradation. ICBA was participating in the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. Dr Tarifa Alzaabi, Director General of ICBA, commented: "The escalating climate crisis necessitates urgent, innovative, and inclusive solutions, driven by the mobilisation of substantial climate finance to support the most vulnerable communities. Through science-driven approaches, we can empower societies to adapt and thrive amid increasing challenges. ICBAs initiatives, such as integrated agri-aquaculture systems, stress-tolerant crops, and capacity-building programmes for women and youth, provide transformative pathways to enhance food security, rehabilitate degraded ecosystems, and build resilience against climate impacts. COP29 was a pivotal platform to foster global collaboration, unlock climate finance, and advance sustainable agricultural practices that leave no one behind." The power of partnerships for SDG17 At the UAE Pavilion, ICBA hosted the session Creating Sustainable Impact in Arid and Saline Environments in Central Asia: The Power of Partnerships for SDG17. Moderated by Dr Charbel Tarraf, ICBAs Chief Operations and Development, the panel featured Dr Tarifa Alzaabi; Mr. Bekmurat Turdishev, Director of the Karakalpakstan Agrarian Research Institute (KARI); and Dr Marguba Rejapova, ICBA Post-Doctoral Fellow. Supported by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the discussion highlighted pioneering strategies to combat soil salinity and water scarcity, enhance sustainable agriculture, and strengthen climate resilience in Central Asia. The panel emphasised the pivotal role of climate finance in facilitating such partnerships, enabling transformative projects that address the impacts of climate change while enhancing agricultural productivity and food security. Empowering women and youth for climate action ICBA, in collaboration with ICESCO, hosted a panel titled Unlocking the Potential of Youth and Women in Transforming Food Systems for Climate Action at the ICESCO Pavilion. Moderated by Dr Charbel Tarraf, ICBAs Chief Operations and Development, the session brought together diverse voices, including representatives from ICESCO, Azerbaijans Genetic Resources Institute, Green Republic Farms Nigeria, and ICBA Project Development Specialist, Nour El Jundi. The panel highlighted ICBA-led initiatives such as LCOY UAE 2023 and ICBA YES, which empower women and youth to adopt sustainable agricultural practices and lead climate-smart transformations. Discussions underscored the importance of equipping youth and women with the tools and resources needed to foster innovation and build resilience in the agricultural sector. Tackling climate challenges through the WEFE Nexus During a high-level panel organised by ICESCO, ICBA shared its expertise on the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus. Dr Alzaabi participated as a panelist, emphasising the importance of integrated approaches to managing resources efficiently in water-scarce regions. The session included esteemed speakers including Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research at the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Ilhama Gadimova, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Azerbaijan and Member of the COP29 Organising Committee in addition to distinguished speakers from global organisations such as FAO, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM). The session underscored the need for targeted climate finance to support the implementation of WEFE-based strategies, ensuring sustainable resource management for vulnerable communities. Strategic collaboration with WorldFish ICBA also held a bilateral meeting with WorldFish, a CGIAR member, to explore synergies in agri-aquaculture systems. Dr Alzaabi and Dr Essam Yassin Mohammed, Director General of WorldFish, discussed ways to enhance food security and resilience in coastal and saline environments. The meeting highlighted ICBAs expertise in Integrated Agri-Aquaculture Systems (IAAS) and WorldFishs leadership in aquatic food systems, aiming to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for vulnerable communities. Showcase at the UAE Pavilion At the UAE Pavilion, ICBA showcased its extensive stress-tolerant seeds (drought-, heat-, and salt-tolerant), including millet, quinoa, amaranth, Buffel grass, wheat, and maize, among others. Developed and tested to thrive in saline, arid, and water-scarce environments, these seeds provide practical solutions to enhance food security and agricultural resilience. Through years of rigorous experimentation and field applications, ICBA has introduced and scaled these seeds, directly addressing the challenges posed by climate change and resource scarcity in vulnerable regions. Advancing agricultural sustainability With over 25 years of expertise, ICBA continues to lead research and development efforts to address the challenges of saline and arid environments. Its active participation at COP29 highlighted its commitment to empowering communities through inclusive initiatives, fostering international collaboration, and scaling science-driven solutions for sustainable agriculture.--TradeArabia News Service Zayani Motors has announced the opening of its new spare parts shop in Bahrain's Jidhafs, effectively expanding its footprint and service offerings across the Capital Governorate. The new location is part of the companys strategic plan to enhance its connectivity with valued customers and ensure they have prompt access to genuine automotive parts for their vehicles, including those from renowned brands such as Mitsubishi Motor Company, MG Motor, HONGQI, Fuso and more. As a significant milestone in Zayani Motors ongoing growth and expansion strategy, the Jidhafs spare parts shop marks the companys sixth branch dedicated to delivering high-quality automotive components, joining the current locations in Arad, Hamad Town, Manama, Maameer, and Salmabad. The new facility will operate from Saturday to Thursday from 8 am to 5 pm, while it will be closed on Friday. Premium service Rizwan Tariq, General Manager of Zayani Motors, commented: Our investment in the Jidhafs branch is a testament to our dedication to our customers and our keenness to meet their needs effectively. As we navigate through the dynamic automotive landscape, we recognise the importance of being closer to our clients, and this expansion allows us to provide premium service and enables customers to access the required spare parts conveniently, ensuring their vehicles remain in optimal condition. Tariq highlighted the importance of customer satisfaction in the companys decision to open this new location, adding: In our continuous efforts to enhance customer experience, we understand that accessibility is key. The establishment of this new shop aligns with our mission to make our services available to every corner of the kingdom. By placing ourselves closer to our clients, we can alleviate their time constraints and ensure they have immediate access to what they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly. The Jidhafs branch is strategically located to serve a wide clientele, making it easily accessible to individuals and businesses alike. Customers can expect an extensive inventory of authentic spare parts, complemented by expert advice from knowledgeable staff who can assist with all inquiries.--TradeArabia News Service Bahrain Network (BNET), the national company responsible for providing fibre-based broadband network in Bahrain, has announced its complete acquisition of Amwaj Islands fixed-fibre infrastructure network assets. Since 2022, both parties have been working closely to complete the asset acquisition agreement, which will enable BNET to expand its network coverage and deliver high-quality telecommunications services to all users and residents of the area. Ahmed Jaber Alhogbani Aldoseri, CEO of BNET, said: This acquisition aims to support the vision of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to achieve the competitive and sustainable growth of the telecommunications and ICT sector, which stands as supportive foundation for a variety of industries. Single network Saud Kanoo, Chairman of Ossis Property Developers, commented: Through our partnership with BNET, we look forward to enabling the residents of Amwaj Islands to receive efficient, uninterrupted telecommunications services. We also strive to support the governments directives toward achieving a single network in Bahrain. This acquisition marks a landmark achievement in the local telecommunications sector as BNET will increase its reach to over 6,000 additional addresses. This step aims to benefit consumers as it creates fair competition between all licensed operators, while also providing equal access to their services. Once the migration to BNETs fibre-optic broadband network is completed in a few months, all existing consumers will have the freedom to select their preferred service provider. Bahrains Fifth National Telecommunications Plan (NTP5) stipulates the transfer of all fixed telecommunications infrastructure assets to BNET, reinforcing its role as the kingdoms national broadband operator providing equal access to all telecommunications companies operating in the retail sector.--TradeArabia News Service Alliance Networks, a leader in international telecommunications and connectivity solutions, has entered into a partnership with Northstar Telecom to enhance telecommunications and ICT offerings in Bahrain and the wider region. This collaboration combines the strengths of both companies to deliver advanced connectivity and technology solutions, aimed at meeting the evolving needs of businesses and consumers alike. Through this partnership, Northstar Telecom will offer high-speed broadband services to residential and enterprise customers across Bahrain, while also providing secure, scalable data centre services to support business operations. Additionally, the partnership will provide comprehensive ICT solutions, including network implementation, system integration, and IoT deployments, further enriching the digital ecosystem in the region. High-capacity secure links Alliance Networks, on the other hand, will contribute its expertise in international connectivity, utilising its and partners extensive regional fibre backbone and global network connections to offer high-capacity, secure links across the GCC countries and beyond. The collaboration will also enable seamless connectivity between regional data centres, ensuring businesses have access to reliable infrastructure. Moreover, the partnership will provide direct, dedicated cloud connectivity to leading global cloud providers such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, ensuring that businesses have efficient access to cloud-based services. Ian Dench, Managing Director of Northstar Telecom, commented: This partnership allows Northstar Telecom to offer both local broadband and international connectivity solutions, ensuring our customers can access secure, high-speed global networks. By working with Alliance Networks, we are enhancing cross-border communication and providing businesses with the connectivity they need to compete in an increasingly global digital economy. Adel Al Daylami, CEO of Alliance Networks, added: This agreement demonstrates our shared vision to drive digital transformation in Bahrain and the region by offering top-tier connectivity and ICT services. We believe this partnership will play a vital role in achieving the kingdoms strategic objectives for digital transformation and connectivity excellence.--TradeArabia News Service The Arab League has announced the launch of the Arab Common Electricity Market, in a step aimed at achieving regional integration in the field of electrical energy. This was announced during the 15th session of the Arab Ministerial Council for Electricity held in the New Administrative Capital of Egypt. The meeting was attended by electricity and energy ministers and delegations from 22 Arab countries. The goal of this market is to enhance the stability of electricity supplies, reduce costs, support investments in renewable energy, establish the position of Arab countries as major exporters of clean energy globally, improve electricity consumption efficiency, and expand developmental projects, thereby strengthening the national energy strategies of the member states. During the meeting, two agreements were signed: the "General Agreement," which defines the goals of the market and mechanisms for its development, and the "Market Agreement," which sets the institutional and commercial framework for the market, including governance of operations and cooperation between member states. The countries which signed these agreements are Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Palestine, Syria, Egypt, Qatar, Libya, Sudan, Yemen, Morocco, and Jordan. Amin Nasser, CEO and President of Aramco, and Patrick Pouyanne, CEO and Chairman of TotalEnergies, emphasised the critical importance of balancing the energy trilemmasecurity, affordability, and sustainabilitywhile advocating for a pragmatic approach to the energy transition that integrates hydrocarbons alongside renewables. The two executives addressed the fourth edition of the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Forum 2024. The event, held alongside the 16th session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16), convened hundreds of policymakers, business leaders and subject matter experts from across the world. Nasser underscored Saudi Aramcos leadership in reducing emissions, highlighting the companys pioneering investment in stopping gas flaring since the late 1970s. This commitment has positioned Saudi Arabia as a global leader in low-emission hydrocarbons, with one of the lowest carbon footprints in terms of CO2 and methane. Nasser stated: We are committed to achieving net zero by 2050. However, we must all also reckon with the realities we face. These realities tell us that all sources of energy are needed to meet the trilemma of affordability, security of supply, and sustainability. He added, Not every country can afford to increase the cost of energy supply. Today, more than two billion people, mainly in the Global South, do not have access to clean cooking fuel, and 700 to 800 million people experience intermittent electricity access. This must be considered in discussions about energy transition. Pouyanne echoed this sentiment, stressing the need for a just and equitable transition. Transitioning in an orderly manner does not mean exiting hydrocarbons tomorrow. It means finding a way to meet the demands of today while preparing for the future, he said. Pouyanne also remarked, In the last 20 years, we have been able to be super creative in this industry. Policymakers should tell us to abate emissions, and we will find the best solution. I am very optimistic when I look at the last 20 years. There was no shale oil, shale gas, solar, or wind 20 years ago. Look at what mankind has achieved. -TradeArabia News Service The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Saudi Arabia, an influential hospitality investment conference of the kingdom, is set to return to Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah in Riyadh from April 14-16, 2025 after a record-breaking 2024 edition which saw $1.1 billion in business opportunities and over 1,400 industry leaders in attendance. Under the theme Where Vision Shapes Opportunity, FHS Saudi Arabia will unite hospitality leaders and decision-makers to discuss hotel performance and development, the outlook for hospitality investment in the kingdom and the key market trends driving the sector, aiming for actionable outcomes that will transform the industry, which continues to witness unprecedented growth. According to data from Knight Frank, total GDP contribution by Saudi Tourism will reach (12.3%) 498 billion SAR in 2024, set to further increase to (15.9%) 836 billion SAR by 2034. The travel and tourism industry is poised to contribute 2.67 million jobs by the end of the year, set to increase to 3.63 million jobs by 2034. The total value of real estate and infrastructure projects unveiled in Saudi Arabia is $1.3 trillion. There are currently 1,048,000 residential units under planning and development stage with 362,000 hotel keys under development. The FHS Saudi Arabia Advisory Board met in Riyadh yesterday to discuss and shape next years event programme. The Advisory Board comprises some of the industrys most prominent leaders including Sultan Bader Al-Otaibi, Chief Executive Officer, Taiba Investments; Irfan Said, AGM Corporate Finance and Institutional Banking, AlRajhi Bank; Muhammad Wajeeh Sharbatly, Member of Management Board | CEO, AlNahla Group; Philip Jones, Senior Vice President Operations, Middle East & Africa - Premium, Midscale & Economy Brands, Accor; Mohammad Alathel, Managing Director, AMSA Hospitality; Mae Al Mozaini, Founder & CEO, The Arab Institute for Women's Empowerment Nusf; Glenn Mandziuk, Chief Executive Officer, World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance; Salman Navaz, Real Estate Investment Director, Lesha Bank; Dr. Abeer A. Alamri, The Quality and Evaluation Expert, Ministry of Tourism; Ashraf Qasem, Chief Hospitality Officer, Al Othaim, and Tatiana Labaki, Director Innovation & Technology at Hotel Division, NEOM. Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench, said: Yesterdays Advisory Board meeting in Riyadh was a resounding success and we were privileged to have some of the sharpest minds in the industry in the room together to help steer next years conference programme. Were also thrilled to announce the launch of the Education Investment Forum, co-located with FHS Saudi Arabia, a brand new, first-of-its-kind event that will look at the key challenges and opportunities when it comes to the value of investment in hospitality education to develop the next generation of hospitality leaders. Amongst others, we will explore the development of career pathways in luxury and high-end hospitality and integrating design into hospitality education. Launched in partnership with Saudi Arabias G20 Secretariat in 2020, Future Hospitality Summit has tripled its attendance numbers since 2022. We are delighted to welcome back what has become one of the most anticipated industry events in the region to our home here in Riyadh, said Khalid Saud Abu Haimed, Chief Executive Officer, Al Khozama Investment. We look forward to continue our partnership with The Bench again as Host Sponsors of FHS Saudi Arabia and welcoming the hospitality investment community back at Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh. TradeArabia News Service Emirates said it has advanced its daily A350 scheduled service to Edinburgh starting January 3, 2025. The service will be rolled out to eight other destinations including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kuwait, Bahrain, Colombo, Lyon, Muscat and Bologna, with more to follow. Emirates flight EK 23 will depart Dubai at 14:50hrs and arrive in Edinburgh at 19:05hrs, local time. The return flight, EK24, will depart Edinburgh at 20:40hrs and arrive in Dubai at 08:05hrs, the following day. The airline also currently serves Glasgow with a daily A380 offering customers 14 weekly flights to/from Scotland. Including Edinburgh, Emirates serves eight destinations in the UK. TradeArabia News Service Turkish Airlines, the airline that flies to more countries than any other, has launched its longest flight with the addition of Sydney flights. The flag carrier landed on Sydney soil for the first time on November 29th, marking a milestone as it expands to its second destination in Australia, reaching 351 destinations across six continents within its global network. Flight between Istanbul and Sydney will be operated with the airlines new, modern fleet of Airbus A350-900 aircraft which is designed for long haul comfort with 32 flatbed seats in business class, and 297 recliners for economy travellers. Set to be operated four times a week via Kuala Lumpur, flights will take 19 hours with its 9,300-mile flight path. The new route will not only bolster the ties between Turkiye and Australia, driving growth in tourism, trade, and cultural exchange, but also provide Australian guests the flag carriers robust flight network, ensuring they can explore the world with the comfort and hospitality of Turkish Airlines. Following the launch of Turkish Airlines' first flight from Melbourne in March this year, Sydney becomes the second Australian city added to flag carriers ever-expanding network. The inaugural flight sets the stage for Turkish Airlines' future plans to introduce direct, non-stop services from Sydney to Istanbul, revolutionising travel between the two iconic travel destinations. On the arrival of the first aircraft in Sydney, Turkish Airlines CEO, Bilal Eksi stated: This momentous occasion marks Turkish Airlines' longest flight path in history, as we happily add our second Australian city to our flight network. The arrival of our first flight from Istanbul to Sydney represents our ongoing commitment to connect travellers across the globe, providing a seamless gateway between Europe and Australia with the comfort and hospitality of Turkish Airlines. Once we receive our aircraft capable of conducting the journey in a single leap, we look forward to further expanding our offering in the near future with Australias first non-stop flights to Istanbul. John Graham, New South Wales Minister for Jobs and Tourism, said: "Turkish Airlines' arrival in Sydney is a landmark moment that offers a new high-quality option for local travellers to Europe and a boost in visitor numbers to Sydney. This exciting new route from Istanbul was made possible by a financial incentive from the Minns Government. We are backing our airports to increase capacity and bring more visitors to NSW, creating jobs and economic growth in our tourism destinations right across the state. Bringing more passengers into our airports is part of the Minns Governments plan to boost jobs and growth in our statewide visitor economy. Sydney Airport, CEO Scott Charlton commented: Were proud to welcome Turkish Airlines as they launch their inaugural flight to Sydney. This new service strengthens Sydneys already strong international network, offering passengers even more choice and connectivity to Europe and beyond through Turkish Airlines' extensive hub in Istanbul. Turkish Airlines will bring added competition to the market, and with over 15,000 Turkish-born Australians residing in New South Wales and Turkiye consistently being a top choice for Australian travellers, we are confident this new route will see strong demand." Providing a direct gateway between Sydney and Europe, the flight will not only bolster ties between Turkiye and Australia, but it will also spur growth across tourism, trade and cultural exchange programs, supporting 290 jobs and generating an estimated A$53 million for New South Wales visitor economy. -TradeArabia News Service Airbus has appointed Eid Al Qahtani as its President for the new Regional Headquarters in Riyadh, underlining the companys long-term commitment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the wider region. Airbus Regional HQ located in the capital represents an expansion of the companys commercial, defence, space and helicopter businesses in the KSA and beyond. Since the 1970s Airbus has significantly grown its presence in the kingdom, continuously increasing its contribution to the kingdom's aviation and aerospace sector. Currently, Airbus employs more than 350 people in KSA, 30% of which are Saudi nationals and the remainder represented by over 30 nationalities. In his new role, Al Qahtani will be focusing on strengthening partnerships with governments and stakeholders while driving new business in the region. Welcoming him into the fold, Wouter Van Wersch, President Airbus International, said: "We are privileged to see Eid Al Qahtani leading our operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as President for Airbus from our new Regional Headquarters in Riyadh." "Al Qahtani brings valuable insights to the countrys ambitious goals and he understands the importance of local talent development. His proven track record in successfully leading projects in the region makes him a perfect fit for this role," he stated. Early this year, Airbus had signed an Industrial Participation (IP) agreement with the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) to support the growth of the industrial ecosystem in alignment with the Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at diversifying the nation's economy. This agreement includes the transfer of technology and expertise to local companies, such as SAAMS (SAMI Airbus Aircraft Maintenance Services), the joint venture between Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and Airbus, which serves as the key driver for industrial localisation in the KSA. On his new role, Al Qahtani said: "I am honored to be leading Airbus from our new Riyadh HQ and look forward to further consolidating Airbus presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is a most strategic market for us." "Our aim is to continue supporting Saudi Arabias long-term goals, whilst inspiring the next generation of Saudi leaders in the aerospace sector," he added.-TradeArabia News Service WHITE candles were yesterday placed on the side of the road in Sennon Village Number Three, Siparia, where the severed head of 59-year-old Joanne Estick was found in a bag on Thursday. Estick, a mother of one and grandmother of three, was last seen in the village earlier this week. A senior police officer of the South Western Police Division said they are yet to officially confirm that the head is that of Estick without the rest of the human remains. Trinidad and Tobago Red Force backed up skipper Joshua Da Silvas pre-game declaration that his pacers would lead the charge against Barbados Pride in the fifth round of the West Indies Four-Day Championship. Fast bowling would have been very much on the minds of the Kensington Oval curators as they prepared the pitch for the Barbados home match against T&T. Is there hope for children with disabilities? Our small team of therapists drove six hours to a Central Asian village where we met a person of peace (a Christian from the community able to bring people of different backgrounds together) who had asked us to come and help the children with disabilities in her village. We arrived at the first home. Avoiding the mud, we took off our shoes and entered the small shack. As we approached the bed, we saw a small boy moaning quietly. He had Cerebral Palsy. He had multiple broken bones. The jagged ends of the broken bones showed through his fragile skin. How did this boy end up in this condition, in so much pain? So many factors may have contributed, such as inadequate medical resources in the village, little access to therapy or information around cerebral palsy and the shame and stigma disability brings to a Muslim family. Was there hope for this child with a disability? The curse of a disability In this traditionally Muslim community, which is very focused around the ideas of honor and shame, disability is believed to be as a result of a curse, or a punishment from God. The shame for the disability is most often placed on the mother who is believed to have done some evil for God to have punished the child. The curse of a disability means isolation. As a result, the family will often hide the child with a disability from view, even from their neighbors or family members. The curse of a disability means isolation, even from basic connections. We had also heard of doctors doing examinations of children with disabilities without touching them. The doctors look, ask, question and prescribe. So, one of the first steps we take as therapists is to reach out. We visited two brothers with a rare form of epilepsy. From the age of two they had been getting progressively weaker and more paralyzed. After asking permission from their mother, we started therapy. I sat next to him and while holding him gently I showed his mom how to move him into different positions to avoid getting contractures (hardening of tendons and muscles). As a result, his mother was amazed that I would sit with her son and more importantly touch and interact with him. As we left the house our hearts were heavy. The hopelessness of the situation weighed on us as these boys were rapidly deteriorating. Hope with a disability Is there hope for these children with a disability? Yes! Sometimes giving hope looks like reaching out to touch a child with a disability, speaking to and interacting with them and getting onto their levelon the floor or on the bed. We are letting them and their mothers know that they are worth our time and our effort. They are worth getting dirty, soiled, and being uncomfortable for. They are worth getting dirty, soiled, and being uncomfortable for. Its showing compassion, not pity, for these children and their parents. Lifting the so-called curse with hope is about entering their suffering and bringing hope through our words and actions. So often we read of Jesus reaching out and touching those with diseases and disabilities and healing them. He touches the untouchables. In Leviticus 13:45 people who were diagnosed with leprosy meant they had to isolate and warn people of their illness by shouting Unclean! Unclean! In Mark 1:40-45, the man with leprosy comes to Jesus. A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, 'If you are willing, you can make me clean.' Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be clean!'" Jesus touches him and instead of Jesus becoming unclean, the man is healed. Jesus lifts the curse with a touch. Lifting the lie of a curse with truth Beyond our actions, what does giving hope look like for a child with a disability and their family? Hope is speaking truth into the lies of shame that the culture puts on the family, and the lies that a mother and a child with a disability have been forced to believe. As Ephesians 4:15 says, Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. Our actions speak truth. Speaking the truth against a culture of shame and lies, means demonstrating truth in action. Our actions speak truth. Therefore, we show hope, when we take children with disabilities outside into public. Allow neighbors to see the love of God. Its demonstrating how capable the child is of fun and enjoyment. In addition, we speak the truth in reminding them they are made in Gods image. They are invited into Gods kingdom just as they are! It is reassuring the child's mom that God loves her child and that he has a perfect plan for his or her life. Hope is... So, what is hope in the face of a disability? Hope is our presence in a home and our compassion shown through touch and engagement. It may look like organizing a group of moms and their children with disabilities to go on an outing together to the mountains or to a play park. Hope is experiencing beauty and clean air. It is going to school, to learn with children their own age. Hope is a child with a disability who masters small acts of independence often through therapy and a mothers persistence. More so, giving hope often looks like being the advocate for the child with a disability to access education and public services. But most especially, through all this, we pray each day for opportunities to share the ultimate hope found in Jesus. Originally published by TGC Africa. Republished with permission. Anonymous writer. Their name is withheld because of sensitivities within their ministry context. When I think of the holidays, I think of hot cocoa warm in my hands as I pass by twinkling lights and saguaros adorned with Santa hats. I think of sweater weather, Mariah Careys iconic All I Want for Christmas and a glazed ham in the middle of the dinner table. But I also think of tents lines of white tents along closed streets and dirt parking lots. Peek inside, and youll find the magic of local art, makers themselves sitting alongside wares they spent hours creating. While shopping local is encouraged all the time and you can find a local market somewhere in Tucson every single weekend the holiday season is extra special. Here are 13 markets happening before Christmas. Creative Kind & Friends Holiday Markets Over the summer, the community was crushed when Creative Kind had to vacate its space at La Encantada Shopping Center. Known for their adorable designs on greeting cards, Creative Kinds absence was felt. Like we all do in tough times, Creative Kind pivoted. The stationery brand still makes the Tucson-themed pens and stickers that we love, but theyve mostly been online since the summer until now. Creative Kind has found a home at SAACAs CATALYST space in Tucson Mall, 4500 N. Oracle Road. Theyre hosting mini markets featuring their products and the crafts of others from 3-7 p.m. Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 22. Find more information at creativekindshop.com. Oro Valley Festival of the Arts This is the holiday party of all holiday parties. Hosted by SAACA, the Oro Valley Festival of the Arts boasts 130-plus artisan vendors, who will sell everything from metalwork and paintings to framed photography and bars of soap. The festival not only acts as a market for holiday shopping, but a slew of activities are in store, including Santas Workshop where attendees can decorate cookies, paint nutcrackers, build 3D snowmen and craft candy cane reindeer. There will also be a giant snow globe, 11 food vendors and a very long list of live performances. Of course, Santa will be in attendance. The heart of the event is the lighting of the Christmas tree, adorned with 1,000 handmade ornaments. The festival takes place 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 at Oro Valley Marketplace, 12155 N. Oracle Road. The tree lighting is slated for 6:15 p.m. Saturday. Find more information at saaca.org. Makers Market at The Tuxon Weve said it once, but well say it again. This market is a launchpad for new creatives. Organizer Cyn McManus who also helps organize the biannual Making Black History Market, all while creating jewelry under the name Lilith + Daughters started the market three years ago as a way for all artists to show off their work, whether thats seasoned creatives or the newest of beginners. Now, the Makers Market at The Tuxon is a quarterly market. Its about community. Its about people being able to have the opportunity to do something they might not be able to do in another space, she said earlier this year. I want everybody to get their chance in the sun to do what they really want to do. The market will be back at The Tuxon, 960 S. Freeway, from 1-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 7-8. Expect about 30 different vendors each day, ranging from ceramics to jewelry to baked goods. Find more information at instagram.com/ makersmarkettuxon. Tanque Verde Market Thanks to Michelle Bullock, markets are now a biannual occurrence on the far-east side. She started the first Tanque Verde Market in late 2023, originally at the Forty Niner Country Club. The next market is set to debut at a new location, featuring more than four dozen vendors selling candles, paper goods, skin-care products, plants and more. Stop by from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at Tucson Country Day School, 9239 E. Wrightstown Road. Its easy to go to a big store or shop online and I want to make it just as easy for people to shop in person, to shop with local businesses, Bullock said earlier this year. The reason why I think small business is so important is because spending your money within the community and supporting the talent thats already here, its better for the families youre supporting, its better for the environment because its closer to home. Find more information at tanqueverdemarket.com. Queer Bazaar Tucson Hop Shop has long been a hub for local community with its live music, fundraisers for mutual-aid groups, permanent jewelry pop-ups and games of chicken poop bingo in collaboration with Tucson Village Farm. It should come as no surprise that Tucson Hop Shop is also the scene of the biannual Queer Bazaar, this time featuring about three dozen vendors alongside a live DJ set. Shop paper goods, jewelry, apparel and more from 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at 3230 N. Dodge Blvd. Find more information at tucsonhopshop.com. Foothills Community Markets Every weekend, tents pop up in the parking lot of what used to be Foothills Mall. At Foothills Community Markets, expect to find around 70 vendors selling wood decor, soaps and lotions, jewelry and more, including snacks like freeze-dried candy. Food trucks are part of the fun! The markets take place every weekend. For the holidays, that means 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through Dec. 22 at 7325 N. La Cholla Blvd. Find more information at facebook.com/@foothillscommunitymarkets. Sonoran Sundays Bruja shop Yolia Botanica is home to floral bundles for smoke cleansing, artisan-made altar cloths, zodiac candles and loads of spiritual books. Owned by Lulu Tineo, Yolia Botanica expanded this year into a space four times larger than its original location. That means theres space for more products and more workshops and events like Sonoran Sundays. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 22, stop by the west-side shop for slower-paced markets, expected to include 8-12 vendors bringing items like clay earrings, stickers and prints. Yolia Botanica is located at 1307 W. Saint Marys Road. Lets make this a celebration of community, culture and connection. Support small businesses, shop intentionally and discover items made with love and care, Tineo says. Find more information at instagram.com/ yoliabotanica. Mercado Flea For seven seasons, this flea market has graced the Mercado District with antiques, collectibles and vintage finds like funky cowboy boots, old records and lots of trinkets. The Mercado Flea takes place 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every second Sunday through May in the Mercado District, 100 S. Avenida del Convento. Expect about 50 local vendors. Find more information at mercadodistrict.com. Fourth Avenue Street Fair If youve lived in Tucson for any length of time, theres a good chance youve walked through the hordes of people and tents during the Fourth Avenue Street Fair. The biannual market features 350 artists from around the globe, in addition to live music and carnival-style food. Its where you can find a bonsai tree and wind chimes, all while sipping on lemonade served in a cup that looks like a gigantic baby bottle. The Fourth Avenue Street Fair takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 13-14; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, along North Fourth Avenue. Find more information at fourthavenue.org. Desert Artisans Market The goal of this market is to bring together local artists and community. Event organizer and candlemaker Jasmine McEachern is doing exactly that since the first Desert Artisans Market debuted last year. The market is monthly, with the next one slated for noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 at CATALYST in Tucson Mall, 4500 N. Oracle Road. Past markets have included vendors selling items like jewelry, acrylic paint pours, hand-painted coasters and more. Find more information at desertartisansmarket.com. The Happy Hive Holiday Brunch Market Madi Depiero is the founder behind The Happy Hive, hoping to boost community among small businesses. She started in 2022 and this year partnered with The Omni Tucson for a series of markets that not only include local artisans, but also food and activities. The upcoming Happy Hive event is a market paired with brunch favorites: breakfast burritos, crispy potatoes and a pancake bar. Youll get to decorate cookies all while shopping from 16 local makers selling pan dulce, candles, tumblers and jewelry. When youre supporting a small business, youre not just supporting someones dream, but youre putting food on the table for their family and youre paying for someones childs ballet classes, youre paying for a summer membership to the Elevate Trampoline Park because its so hot outside, Depiero said last year. The market takes place 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 14 at Omni Tucson, 2727 W. Club Dr. Find more information at thehappyhivemarket.com. Holiday Bazaar If you plan to peruse markets for holiday shopping this year, this one might be your last chance. Each year, the Mercado District throws a three-day shopping experience featuring candles, jewelry, clothing and lots more artwork. This year, the Holiday Bazaar will also feature a photo booth from flower shop Bloom Maven. The bash takes place 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 20-21; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, in the Mercado District (both the MSA Annex and the Mercado San Agustin), 100 S. Avenida del Convento. Find more information at mercadodistrict.com. Desert Haze Market If you know someone who loves vintage clothing, this is the spot to be. Once a month, the Desert Haze Market turns Hotel Congress into a hub of vintage, courtesy Gabby Smoyer who also runs curated shop Cowtail Vintage. Desert Haze began in 2023 with a teeny market held at a brewery. When Smoyer realized the market had very quickly outgrown the space, Hotel Congress came to the rescue. Expect to find around 13-15 vendors with racks upon racks of vintage clothing. Most vendors are from Tucson, but you might find a few who made the trek from Flagstaff and Phoenix. The next Desert Haze takes place 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 at Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St. Find more information at instagram.com/deserthazemarket. Theres no place like home. Nothing can compare to the warm feeling that washes over you as you sit down to enjoy a home-cooked meal, fond memories flooding back with every bite you take. Youre surrounded by familiar faces, each smiling, laughing and sharing stories with one another. For many in Nogales, Arizona, Zulas Restaurant has been that home. For decades and decades, Zulas has been a spot for the community to come together and enjoy burgers while filling each other in on whats going on around town. As a Nogales native, there was no better spot to go on Sunday morning than Zulas, sitting with family around a wooden table, scarfing down stacks of pancakes and washing them down with a chocolate milkshake. It was the place to meet friends for a cup of coffee in the morning, sharing a slice of warm, gooey apple pie with vanilla ice cream dripping down the sides. You rarely even had to look at a menu. Victor, the trustee waiter, knew your order by memory. From weddings to baby showers to birthday parties, Zulas was more than just a restaurant; it had memories dating back to the '50s in its walls. But in 2021, the lights at Zulas turned off, signifying the end of our home away from home. It seemed like it was the end for the iconic restaurant, until one local man decided its legacy wasnt ready to end just yet. Bruce Bracker saved this home in 2022 , marking a new era in Nogales while still paying homage to the ones who made it what it is: the Papachoris family. Sisters Margo Moore and Helen Best first opened the restaurant at 982 N. Grand Ave. in 1950, gaining attention thanks to their beloved cinnamon sauce drizzled on their apple pie slices. In the '80s, the sisters decided it was time to retire and reached out to George and Aurelia Tita Papachoris. The Papachorises had made a name for themselves when running the now-closed Tumacacori Restaurant. It was the Papachorises' reputation that made the sisters want to put their beloved restaurant in new hands. On Aug. 1, 1984, Zulas reopened, marking the start of the Papachoris era. Throughout the years, Zulas became a staple in the Nogales community. It was where all the important city officials met to talk business. Anyone who was anyone could be found at Zulas. There really is no other way to describe it other than one big family, said Anna Rosas, who is Tita and Georges daughter. When I was teaching, I used to waitress there in the summers and I remember people coming in from all over the world, many from Mexico and other places, Rosas said. People would just sit here and come have coffee or eat or gather. They always told me it just feels like home. It was the Papachorises relationship with their customers that made the restaurant feel like home. During Christmas time, George and other Rotary Club members would gather at Zulas to serve meals to seniors. They would even invite an orphanage from Mexico to come, pulling out all the stops for them. The rotarians would come and help, they'd sing and theyd provide presents for the children while my dad would make the food, Rosas said. That was one of my favorite memories. For anyone who grew up in Nogales, walking into Zulas is muscle memory. As soon as you walk in, you're greeted by the hostess who sits you in one of three rooms. The walls were once plastered with pictures, some depicting Greek scenery and others of past patrons who dined at the restaurant. Even though a menu is placed in front of you, you already know what to order: Titas Burger. This famous burger was created by George for Tita, kind of like an edible love letter. Titas Burger comes with melted Swiss cheese, two pieces of applewood smoked bacon and Thousand Island dressing. All that goodness comes sandwiched between a sesame seed bun. (If youre feeling crazy, you can add green chile.) Titas Burger is more than your average burger. The buns are lightly toasted so you get a nice crunch with every bite. The patty is perfectly cooked, like a hybrid between a juicy patty and a crispy smash burger. Mix that with the melted Swiss cheese, thick slices of bacon and the tanginess of the Thousand Island and youll finally understand why people flock to Zulas for lunch every day. One bite of the irresistible Titas Burger and my head is filled with memories: chowing down on Titas Burgers with my family on Sunday mornings and hanging with my friends on Friday nights before making my way to the movie theater. The meal isnt complete until you have a slice of pie, more specifically their apple pie. What sets this pie apart from your average apple pie is their coveted cinnamon sauce, which originated with Moore and Best. You havent lived till youve had Zulas apple pie. The chunks of warm apples are gooey, cinnamon-y and melt in your mouth with every bite. The crust is also everything you want: flaky, buttery and complements the sweetness of the apples. What brings it all together is the light cinnamon sauce drizzled on top, adding a flavorful pop to the pie. Before you know it, youve finished your slice and are craving the rest of the pie. In 2011, Zulas lost a member of their family. George died, but Tita kept the restaurant going, continuing the legacy she and her husband worked so hard for. She took on all the scheduling, purchasing, counting and other tasks required to maintain the restaurant. At 85 years old, it was finally time for Tita to be the one to be waited on. In 2021, she made the tough decision to retire, which meant the restaurant would have its last hurrah. It just came to a point where she said that it was too much for her and she was ready to retire, Rosas said. She didn't want to leave the people. She'd say, 'Oh, they're like my family.' However, all of us already had other jobs and none of us were able to really just leave and continue the restaurant. After 37 years, Zulas announced they would be closing their doors. Their announcement was the shot heard around the world. Nogalians were devastated. For many, it was like losing a part of family. Where else could we enjoy delicious Titas Burgers after a hard work week? Nogales lost part of its history when Zulas closed, and Bracker wasnt going to stand by and watch. Like the Papachorises, Bracker and his family are also an important part of Nogales history. Brackers grandparents moved to the small town in 1924 and bought the local army store. Later, his father and his uncle built a storefront downtown, which later became the popular department store, Brackers. Instead of joining the retail business, Bracker told his parents he was going to take the winter off, work during the summer and then head to college. During that time, the economy wasn't good, Bracker said, so he got a job in a kitchen. It was then when he realized how much he liked cooking. Thanks to his brothers friend, he was able to get a job at Le Rendez-vous in Tucson working alongside Chef Jean-Claude Berger. He continued to work and train around the world, and even had the chance to work with his cousin, esteemed Tucson chef Janos Wilder. Eventually, Bracker shifted from his kitchen jobs back to his familys store. He also served as a district supervisor for many years. After hearing the news about Zulas closure, Bracker didnt want to see yet another iconic local business close. He and his partner, Alexis Campbell, put their heads together. Campbell had experience running a restaurant and Bracker was a trained chef: things were starting to align perfectly. You [Alexis] can run the front of the house and I can man the back of the house. We have the skills, Bracker said. Do we want to try to reopen this iconic restaurant? The answer was yes. I'm also a county supervisor, so were leading by example here because economic development, creating jobs and reopening a business in our community, this is what people need to be doing in this community. Bracker reached out to the Papachoris family, letting them know he was interested in taking over the restaurant. It was like a dream come true: Zulas was going to live on in the community. My father worked as a chef at the El Dorado Hotel and the restaurant belonged to the Bracker family, Rosas said. It was just like family continuing it with Bruce buying it. The revival of Zulas was Brackers big return to the restaurant industry. He was even able to bring back some of the original staff, including waiters like Victor and Anna Maria. Rosas said Victors father had actually worked at Zulas before his son followed in his footsteps and Anna Maria has pretty much been there since the beginning. To keep that authentic Zulas feeling, Bracker kept most of the menu the same, adding a few new items like more salads and a flavorful tortilla soup. He made sure to get the blessing from Tita herself to continue serving her famous burger. What we kept hearing in town and when we talked to our family was 'Wow, we really miss Zulas,' not 'We miss having a restaurant there,' Bracker said. Of course, Bracker has also made sure to have delicious, homemade pies available. He even bought a pie case to show off the decadent slices of apple, pecan, chocolate and banana cream pies. While Zulas has a fresh coat of paint and new pictures on the wall, it still feels like home as soon as you step in. People laugh and enjoy each others company as Bracker makes his way from table to table, talking to all the familiar faces that have supported the restaurant for years. In fact, Tita still comes every Sunday, but this time she gets to be the customer. Just like the Papachorises, its the people that Bracker enjoys the most about running the iconic restaurant. Its a real community here, Bracker said. Thanks to the Brackers and the Papachorises, a new generation gets the chance to make memories at Zulas, just like their family and their family and their family. Its just a place that creates a lot of friendships, Rosas said. Families have a lot of good memories there. I'm sure if you ask families around town, they all have a different memory that brings them joy. As the festive season approaches, all corners of Ho Chi Minh City are festooned with Christmas-themed decorations and trees, with the majority stemming from China. Many local stores are struggling to compete with online shops offering discounted Chinese goods. Dinh Phu Anh, owner of A.P. Shop in Thu Duc City, acknowledged the importance of online sales. He began selling his products on platforms like Shopee and TikTok earlier this year. Chinese decorations for Christmas dominate some e-commerce platforms in the local market, he said. He is not only shouldering several charges from the e-commerce platforms, but also entering the fierce competition with shops selling Chinese goods that are cheap and diverse. Nguyen Bich Dao, a merchant who sells decorations at Thu Duc Market, said that apart from the variety of their designs, Chinese items sold online are shockingly inexpensive. A Christmas tree measuring 1.5 meters tall is sold at an online shop in China for only VND320,000 [US$12.6], plus free delivery, while I source these trees at VND300,000 [$11.8] apiece, and cannot sell it at their same price due to possible losses, Dao lamented. For example, Meng Ni, a retailer on Shopee, boasts Christmas decorations at affordable prices, including Christmas trees in all sizes, bags, lights, wreaths, and scented candles. Customers can find the store and others easily by searching for decorative items. Multiple Chinese shops are selling ornaments on TikTok as well. Fierce competition in domestic market Nguyen Van Hung, a wholesaler specializing in sourcing goods from China, said that over the past few years, many festive decorations that are sold nationwide have been imported from China. This year marks stiffer competition as Chinese sellers, buoyed by e-commerce platforms, are rushing to introduce their products to Vietnamese consumers. With a wide variety of designs and types, along with free delivery, Chinese decorations sold online are drawing a large number of local buyers, Hung said. Meanwhile, demand for Christmas decorations is starting to surge at shops along Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street in District 5 and Ba Thang Hai Street in District 10, as the festive spirit begins to envelop the city. Decorated Christmas trees continue to be the most popular item this season. According to Nguyen Dinh Vu, the owner of a decor shop, the price for trees two meters or taller ranges from VND700,000 ($27.6) to VND3.5 million ($137.6) each. Nguyen Van Nep, a merchant on Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street, said that while demand for ornaments is rising, it remains lower than last year. So far, sales have only reached about 15 precent of the inventory brought into the shop, Nep said. A representative from an ornament shop in District 10 stated that in previous years, some customers were willing to spend up to VND10 million ($394) on Christmas decorations. However, spending has dropped significantly this year because of financial challenges. To encourage purchases, many stores have kept prices steady or even reduced them. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! Kagoshima, one of the three prefectures with the largest Wagyu cow herds in Japan, is rolling out a plan to boost its beef sales in Vietnam. The prefecture is raising some 350,000 Wagyu cows and picking Ho Chi Minh City as a strategic destination for Wagyu beef consumption. Erena Ikoma, deputy technical director and head of livestock promotion at the Kagoshima Government Meat Export Federation Office, visited the southern Vietnamese metropolis at the end of November researching market expansion. She said Kagoshima chose Vietnam for Wagyu beef promotion this year, following promotion campaigns in Taiwan and the U.S.. Kagoshima's Wagyu beef exports to Vietnam have surged to 39 metric tons in 2024, a difference of two metric tons a decade ago. Wagyu Kuroge beef is used in sashimi. Photo: N.Binh / Tuoi Tre Erena Ikoma emphasized that Kagoshima realized the tremendous potential in the Vietnamese market, where many consumers are willing to purchase premium products to elevate their culinary experiences. Currently, there are 99 certified Wagyu beef retail outlets worldwide, with two in Vietnam. According to Lam Thi Hoang Truc, a representative of Phan Thanh Akuruhi Company, one of the two certified distributors of Wagyu Kuroge beef in Vietnam, the main buyers are restaurants and hotels. Wagyu beef is priced at VND2-5 million (US$78.7-196.8) per kilogram at supermarkets in Vietnam, and many customers have chosen the product as a gift. In addition to expanding its distribution network in Vietnam, Kagoshima will organize more promotion events to introduce Wagyu beef and other agro-fishery products to Vietnamese consumers, such as Shochu Kojika wine, amberjack, and red sea bream. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Christian rights groups in the U.K. have reacted with great concern after lawmakers passed the first round of new legislation introducing assisted dying for the time ever in England and Wales. The bills official title in the House of Commons in London proposed allowing adults who are terminally ill, subject to safeguards and protections, to request and be provided with assistance to end their own life. The private members bill introduced by MP Kim Leadbeater passed its second reading with 330 MPS in favor and 275 against the motion in a free vote to introduce assisted dying for terminally ill adults with a life span of no more than six months, seeking help to end their own lives. The legislation will next be reviewed by MPs at committee stage and needs approval of the House of Lords to become law. In a news update, entitled A day of darkness and expectation, Susan Marriott, a former general practitioner, now head of public policy for the Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) based in London, spoke of her deep sadness once the vote result was known. Many members of CMF and supporters had met each evening in the run-up to the vote, she said, to pray that the Lord would prevent this outcome. They wrote to MPs, visited MPs, and spoke up publicly to show the bill is deeply dangerous, including for the most vulnerable. This is not the outcome we hoped for, the evidence and the arguments show us the dangers of this path, and this is not a path that our God, who asks us to love our neighbours, to value every human life, and to offer hope and help to those in despair, wants us to walk down, wrote Marriott. However, Marriott encouraged those feeling crushed by the planned law to reflect on the hard work of those speaking up for the vulnerable in recent weeks. She referenced Galatians 6, when Paul called believers to not become weary in doing good. With the help of the Spirit, many have taken the gifts, influence, and opportunities that God has given them and been unwearied in using them to do good by speaking up for what is true, good, and beautiful. Alongside many colleagues of all faiths and none we have spoken up for wholistic [sic] palliative, psychological, and social care and against the legalisation of a choice for some that would be a burden to so many. Marriott called upon those concerned to keep up the pressure in doing good. She interpreted this as pushing for an increase in funding and support for palliative care, which was recognised by the UK lawmakers in the House of Commons debate as being in need of improvement: it is imperative that we hold parliamentarians to those intentions. The head of public policy also reiterated that the specific concerns about the bill must continue to be vocalised as it is reviewed at committee stage. Lastly, Marriott reminded supporters of the CMF to keep praying about the issue. It is perhaps apt that this vote has happened on the cusp of the Advent season when we remember that we are in a time of both darkness and of expectation, she wrote. Before the first Advent (or coming) of Christ, it would have been easy for the people of God to lose hope, and yet the faithful people of God waited in expectation, knowing that God is always one to keep his promises, to bring salvation and to provide light in the darkness. God has not changed; he cannot. Let us cry to him for mercy and that this Bill might still be stopped. Let us look to him for hope, even on this ostensibly dark day. In another published reaction, Ross Hendry, chief executive officer (CEO) of Christian Action, Research and Education (CARE) in the UK, called the vote deeply troubling. He expressed particular upset about the effect on vulnerable and marginalized people in England and Wales fearing the change in law. Legalising assisted suicide would diminish the value we ascribe to human life in our legislation and our institutions and create a two-tier society where suicide prevention doesnt extend to all people, Hendry said. This would be a moral failure, and a huge step backwards. The CEO of CARE had a concern that there were no safeguards in the legislation to rule out the coercion of vulnerable people and those allowing their deaths because they feel like a burden or lack proper support. There is no such thing as a safe assisted suicide law, Hendry pointed out. Parliament does have a responsibility to build better support for those who are dying but not through this dangerous Bill. Hendry called for a national conversation to ensure excellent and universally accessible end-of-life and palliative care, alongside better support for marginalized groups. We would urge parliamentarians to focus on this positive endeavour, and dismiss the dangerous, and disproven campaign for assisted suicide, he added. Ciaran Kelly, director of The Christian Institute, said the vote had been deeply disappointing and called the approved Bill both dangerous and divisive. However, he insisted that the fight is not over. We know that the more people know about assisted suicide, the less they like it, Kelly said in a press release. Those MPs who supported the principle of the Bill but have concerns about its practical implications must now take the time to scrutinise it properly. They will find the promised safeguards are nothing more than a mirage. They will have a further opportunity to vote against the Bill before it clears the Commons and if it does go to the House of Lords, it is by no means guaranteed to pass there. I would urge Christians to keep on praying and to be ready to approach their MPs again over the coming months. This is a life and death issue. Now is not the time to give up. Residents in the Malaysian town of Tumpat were returning to submerged homes and shops as deadly floodwaters began to ease after being inundated by more than a metre of rain in a matter of days, but there were forecasts of more rain to come. Peninsular Malaysia, particularly its northeastern coast, and southern Thailand have been battered by torrential rains which fuelled floods that killed dozens of people, and damaged homes, transport links, and thousands of acres of rice crops. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the rains were far beyond expectations, with some east coast areas getting more than six months' worth of rainfall between November 26 and 30. A woman wades through floodwaters in Rantau Panjang, Malaysia December 3, 2024. Photo: Reuters Tumpat and Tanah Merah, towns in Kelantan state close to the Thai border, had about 1,167 mm (45.9 inches) of rain, while Besut town in Terengganu state received 1,761 mm (69.3 inches), Anwar told parliament. "That's a very high record of rainfall... it's far beyond expectations," he said. Some Tumpat residents have begun returning to submerged homes and shops as floodwaters receded, though authorities remain on guard for a second wave of floods this week. Men carry a freezer as they begin cleaning up after the floodwaters recede in Tumpat, Malaysia, December 2, 2024. Photo: Reuters Many residents found their homes had collapsed, with parts of walls, roofs and broken furniture lying scattered in pools of water. Muhamad Alim, a 56-year-old shopkeeper whose food store was inundated, recalled fast-rising waters in his home and his grandchildren crying as the flood surged on Saturday night. "Electricity was cut off, and there was no water supply. So, we were stuck, sitting there as if we were in the middle of the sea, surrounded by water," he said. "You could hear the sound of water rushing cutting through the silence of the night." Six people have died in Malaysia and more than 150,000 were evacuated during the height of the floods, government data showed, though the number of people in temporary shelters has since fallen to around 85,000 on Tuesday. A view of a house partially destroyed after floodwaters swept through at Tumpat, Malaysia, December 2, 2024. Photo: Reuters In Thailand, the death toll is 25, and more than 300,000 households were still affected, the interior ministry said. The government said it would offer support payments of 9,000 baht ($262) for each affected household. Malaysia's Meteorological Department said it expects thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds in nine states and two federal territories on Tuesday. It had earlier warned of a monsoon surge to begin on December 8. In Thailand, the Meteorological Department warned people in the south of the country to beware of heavy to very heavy rains and possible flash flooding and overflows from December 3-5. ($1 = 34.34 baht) Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong have agreed to strengthen the strategic partnership between their countries, aiming to upgrade it to a comprehensive strategic partnership. The agreement was reached on Monday during a meeting held as part of Man's official visit to Singapore, made at the invitation of Speaker of the Parliament Seah Kian Peng. Welcoming Man and his spouse on their first official visit to Singapore, PM Wong believed this decision will establish key directions to further strengthen and deepen the relationship between the two countries in the future. The two leaders enjoyed looking back on their diplomatic journey since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1973, especially since they set up a strategic partnership in 2013. Both sides agreed this has enjoyed fruitful development, underpinned by deepened political trust and vigorous economic, trade, and investment ties. Singapore has maintained its position as the second-largest investor in Vietnam, with more than 3,800 projects worth over US$81 billion. Both countries share the same view that the network of eighteen Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs) in 13 provinces and cities of Vietnam serves as a symbol of successful economic cooperation. The two leaders affirmed their determination to further promote this important pillar of cooperation by promoting investment ties based on the advantages of each country, especially in developing a sustainable and smart VSIP system. They also discussed expanding their cooperation in security, defense, education, training, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. The two nations will also create breakthroughs in new growth areas such as green logistics, data center construction, semiconductor chip manufacturing, clean energy, carbon credits, food security, and green finance. Based on these good cooperation prospects, Chairman Man and PM Wong agreed to proceed with steps to elevate the current partnership to a higher level. Man suggested that Singapore continue to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese businesses operating in the city-state and the community of around 25,000 Vietnamese people living there. In regard to shared global and regional issues, both have pledged to keep giving support to each other at multilateral forums and organizations and to maintain ASEANs solidarity and central role in strategic matters, including the East Vietnam Sea dispute. PM Wong said he hopes to visit Vietnam in 2025 and asked NA Chairman Man to convey his invitation to Party General Secretary To Lam to visit Singapore. Since 1996, Singapore has always been one of Vietnam's largest trade partners, with two-way trade increasing year after year, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. In the first 11 months of 2024, the bilateral turnover is estimated to reach $9.6 billion, up 17.5 percent year on year. With such results, Vietnam and Singapore remain each others fourth-largest trading partners in the Southeast Asian region. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Despite sparking a controversy, Da Nang International Airport in central Vietnam still sticks to its plan to offer a priority-lane service fee of VND100,000 (US$3.93) per passenger in its security screening area, a source told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. The Airports Corporation of Vietnam, which oversees 22 airports nationwide, has confirmed that a new fee will be piloted exclusively at this airport for evaluation purposes. According to a notice sent to airlines, the airport recently upgraded its priority lane in the security screening area, justifying the introduction of the $3.93 fee per passenger, excluding value-added tax. The airport noted that it has been offering this service to priority passengers free of charge for many years. It believes this service is a way to create a source of funds for reinvesting, improving service quality, and giving fair treatment to other passengers. Phan Kieu Hung, director of the airport, stated that this service will be applied to commercial important persons and business-class passengers. Specifically, the airport will collect the priority-lane fee from passengers flying with the business and premium economy classes of Vietnam Airlines and Pacific Airlines. For Vietjet, Bamboo Airways, and Vietravel Airlines, the fee will apply to passengers in skyboss, business, and premium economy. However, passengers with membership cards issued by carriers will be exempted from the fee when they use the priority lane. Hung emphasized the priority lane is a non-aviation service and does not affect the security control process or the quality of transportation services. The announcement quickly sparked a public backlash, with many arguing that the fee is unnecessary. Priority lanes have traditionally been designated for specific groups, including the elderly, children, pregnant women, the disabled, business-class passengers, individuals on official missions, and flight crews. Airlines also voiced concerns, pointing out that business-class passengers already pay ticket prices that are often double those of economy class. They stated that carriers already cover all associated costs for this passenger category, and the new fee would further strain their finances. Passengers have expressed mixed opinions about the new fee. Some see it as a worthwhile expense to enhance their travel experiences, while others worry it reflects excessive commercialization at airports. Critics have argued that services like security screening should be included in the price of a plane ticket, rather than incurring additional charges. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Many young people are engrossed in social media platforms such as Facebook, Zalo, TikTok, Instagram, and Telegram by texting and chatting online, causing them to find it hard to verbally communicate with others. In the digital era, the youth tend to engage in dialogues via social media, which might reduce their verbal skills. Many teens are not confident in direct communication. Phi Bao, a reader of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, said that she is serving as a lecturer at a public university and some schools, so she frequently interacts with students. Despite majoring in the English and Chinese languages, which require learners to have good verbal skills, many students are shy to get into face-to-face conversations, Bao shared. I often observe that at break time, several just stay seated in one position and do not talk to other students or the lecturer. Instead, they prefer using their smartphones. I usually actively start a conversation with some students, while they just reply to the questions rather than keep the conversations going." Bao added that they love to watch videos on YouTube or short clips on TikTok. She also expressed her shock that some even texted her to ask for early leave one Saturday afternoon via Zalo when they were in class. In addition, some practice the conversations of a new lesson in front of the class, but they just look down without eye contact. Timidity in communication seems to be common, not only among students but also young workers, said the reader. In spite of working in the same room, many office workers tend to send messages instead of getting into a face-to-face discussion. Social media helps users discuss with their co-workers quickly and avoid disturbing others, but one of its downsides is that many people rely too much on it for communication, resulting in a lack of confidence in fitting in with others. The reader suggested that young people limit their use of social media and instead focus on reading newspapers for information and knowledge. She also encouraged exploring books on communication skills and participating in clubs or courses that help develop verbal abilities. Those who are good at verbal skills will see their relationships expanded and enjoy an interesting life, as well as look approachable. Lack of confidence in communication might make life boring. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! Sky News Australia has launched a new six-part digital series In Conversation with Laura Jayes. The six-part series interviews former radio broadcaster Ray Hadley, former NSW state political leader and mental health advocate John Brogden, former US Army soldier and Medal of Honor recipient David Bellavia, Jesuit priest and human rights lawyer Father Frank Brennan, World Vision Australia CEO and humanitarian leader Daniel Wordsworth and US-based journalist and war correspondent Michael Ware. Laura Jayes said: I wanted to get to the heart of what motivates these extraordinary people and how their experiences shape their world view. It was my pleasure to talk to these big thinking leaders its an inside perspective on some extraordinary events and we try to tackle some vexed questions too. Episode Overview: Ray Hadley Ray shares the evolution of his successful broadcast career, from race caller to talkback radio powerhouse and reflects on pivotal moments and lessons learned. He candidly shares his views on the changing media landscape, the challenges of public life, and his dynamic relationships with industry figures. With humour and insight, Hadley offers a behind-the-scenes look at a life in broadcasting and the values that drive him. John Brogden A deeply personal and inspiring conversation with former businessman and political leader turned mental health advocate John Brogden. As President of LifeLine International, John reflects on his own struggles with suicide and the transformative journey that followed, sharing lessons on resilience, the importance of hope, and breaking the stigma around mental health. David Bellavia Former US Army soldier, David Bellavia discusses his experiences during the Iraq War and the Second Battle of Fallujah and his journey from a drama student to a decorated war hero. He shares insights into the complexities of war, the bonds formed in combat, and the challenges veterans face when transitioning to civilian life. Father Frank Brennan Father Frank candidly addresses what he sees as the Catholic Churchs shortcomings, shares insights on maintaining faith amidst adversity, and reflects on his personal journey through life and recent health challenges. With wisdom and humility, he delves into the evolving role of religion in society and the universal quest for meaning and connection. Daniel Wordsworth Humanitarian leader Daniel Wordsworth shares his journey from a young man driven to help the worlds poorest to decades spent in the most challenging environments. He reflects on the lessons learned from refugee camps, disaster zones, and conflict areas, highlighting the power of community, resilience, and small acts of hope. With heartfelt stories and profound insights, Wordsworth inspires listeners to rethink what it means to live a life of service. Michael Ware Journalist and Sky News US analyst Michael Ware discusses his extraordinary career, from covering global conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq to his interactions with insurgents, soldiers, and the creation of the Islamic State. Ware shares gripping stories of living undercover among the Taliban, surviving life-threatening situations, and the profound impact of war on his worldview and personal life. He offers a rare glimpse into the human cost and complexities of war. In Conversation with Laura Jayes is available to Sky News Australias online streaming subscribers. Return to the Magical Oz with Jon M. Chu's 'Wicked' on 4K UHD, SteelBook, Giftset, and Blu-ray on February 4 Brazil's Federal Supreme Court has unanimously ruled to allow the presence of religious symbols in public buildings, stating that their display does not conflict with the country's secular principles. The 11 justices determined that symbols such as crucifixes are permissible as reflections of Brazil's history and cultural traditions, according to the legal advocacy group ADF International, which submitted a legal brief referenced in the court's reasoning. The presence of religious symbols in public buildingswhether at the federal, state, district, or municipal levelwhen intended to reflect the cultural tradition of Brazilian society, does not violate the principles of non-discrimination, state secularism, or impartiality, Judge Cristiano Zanin wrote in the ruling. Judge Alexandre de Moraes stated that symbols in public spaces are acceptable as long as they align with the intention of reflecting the historical, cultural, and traditional aspects of Brazilian society, which is predominantly Catholic. The case, which dates back to 2009, arose from a complaint filed by a Brazilian citizen who claimed that the presence of religious symbols in public spaces caused him emotional distress. The Federal Public Ministry, Brazil's Attorney General's Office, supported the plaintiff's request for the removal of all religious symbols from federal and state buildings, arguing that their presence violated the principle of non-discrimination and compromised the religious freedom of all Brazilian citizens. However, the lawsuit was dismissed by both the trial and appellate courts, and a subsequent appeal was also rejected. Ultimately, the case reached the Supreme Court, leading to last week's decision rejecting the arguments of the Public Prosecutor's Office. The court's decision is binding on all federal and state public entities in Brazil, according to ADF International. Tomas Henriquez, ADF International's director of advocacy for Latin America and the Caribbean, described the ruling as a resounding victory for religious freedom in Brazil. Henriquez argued that the wounded emotions argument was insufficient to justify banning religious symbols. The ADF International report emphasized that the principle of state neutrality should not be interpreted as hostility towards Christianity and highlighted the importance of recognizing the historical, cultural, and social significance of Christianity in Brazil. The case drew parallels with a prominent European case. In 2011, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights issued a similar judgment in Lautsi v. Italy, upholding Italy's right to display crosses in classrooms and concluding that such symbols were not incompatible with the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights. ADF International also participated in the European case, offering legal expertise on behalf of members of the European Parliament. Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition. Whether on the big screen or streaming, Marvel is gonna Marvel. Whaddya gonna do amirite? Youre either all in on the adventure and it feels like its going to go somewhere, or its just a middling outing thats pretty fun, but the plot just feels like it's going through the motions to introduce new characters thatll be more important later. In the case of Hawkeye The Complete First Season, its the latter - but a good version of the latter. The last time we saw Clint Barton, he was returning as the true hero Hawkeye to fight Thanos' armies alongside the Avengers after a long time undercover as the stealth ninja assassin Ronin. Now all Clint wants to do is get his blipped-back family home for a true festive Christmas. But a piece of his dark past Echo (Alaqua Cox) returns aiming for revenge. At the same time, a new highly skilled archer by the name of Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) is on the scene fighting crime like her idol Hawkeye. If Clint has any hope of getting Ho-Ho-Home in time for a Hap-Hap-Happy Christmas, hell have to work with Bishop to stop a deadly crime syndicate. The best way to describe the overall quality of Hawkeye: The Complete First Season is something on a social-economic scale. This series is more of a middle-class outing but on the upper side of the spectrum. Its certainly not an ultra-wealthy 1% new high point for the ever-expanding MCU, nor is it a low-tier space-filling effort. The series is fun and very entertaining with a nice lighthearted sense of humor that also doesnt cheap out on great action sequences. But at the same time, like so many other MCU projects, its not content to stand on its own. This series is a bridge, not only to introduce a new Hawkeye but also to establish Echo and reintroduce Vincent DOnofrios Kingpin into the MCU proper (there was a weird time there when the Netflix Marvel shows might not have been canon, but now they are so its all good). If thats not enough were also getting more time with Florence Pughs Yelena so we dont forget her ahead of the upcoming Thunderbolts movie. Where this series struggles most is with tone. On one side we have this fun semi-silly master-training-protege dynamic between Clint and Kate working together. The stakes are high as our central criminal conspiracy may implicate her family, but theyre not so high as to be too dour or overly serious. On the other end, we have this revenge and redemption dynamic between Clint's former persona and Echo where things are absolutely deathly serious. Theres little room for lighthearted fun with this more grounded content. Which is great, dont get me wrong. Its solid stuff, but the two very distinct tones dont always marry well. And through the lens of the series that came after, I cant say the effort to introduce Echo amounted to much beyond another overly long miniseries. I love seeing DOnofrios Kingpin back in action, but at the same time, I question the necessity of his appearance for this particular series. Daredevil: Born Again looks to tie those threads up. As a whole, I enjoyed Hawkeye: The Complete First Season but in the three-ish years since this show came out on Disney+, I havent felt the want or need to revisit it. I liked it, didnt love it. At just over four and a half hours, its not so long that it overstays its welcome, but at the same time, I wish it hadnt been saddled with extraneous expansion that didn't serve our main characters. Jeremy Renner handing off the bow and arrow to Steinfeld was enough - and especially important since he got run over by a snowplow in real life. If nothing else this series delivered a hilarious Avengers musical! Vital Disc Stats: The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Hawkeye: The Complete First Season takes aim at its first and so far only disc release on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray with stylish SteelBook packaging. The six episodes are spread over two Region Free BD100 discs. Inside the SteelBook is a packet of art cards - for whatever thats worth in your decision-making process. The SteelBook is a bit on the busy side with a lot of Christmas lights swirling around the front with a slick city rooftop depiction on the back and Rogers the Musical stretch of Broadway on the inside. Each disc loads to Disneys standard language menu before letting you dive right into the series or go to basic main menu with standard navigation options. HA NOI On December 2, the Ministry of Industry and Trade officially launched the 'Vietnam Grand Sale 2024', a national promotional campaign held until December 31, across the country. Coordinated by the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE), the programme involves relevant agencies, provincial and municipal Departments of Industry and Trade, associations and businesses. Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, said that the programme not only aims to enhance trade and build the Vietnamese brand, it also wants to stimulate consumer spending, diversify shopping and drive business production and contribute to overall economic recovery and development. According to the Deputy Director of VIETRADE, Le Hoang Tai, the programme establishes a 'special season' where businesses across all industries can independently design and implement their own promotional campaigns. The maximum discount value for goods and services has been increased to 100 per cent, compared to the previous limit of 50 per cent. Enterprises do not need to undergo any selection or approval process from state authorities to participate. Over four years of implementation, the programme has achieved positive results, garnering strong interest and support from companies and consumers. In 2023, nearly 75,000 promotional activities were conducted, contributing to total retail sales and consumer service revenue in December 2023 of approximately VN565.8 trillion, up 2.6 per cent from the previous month and 9.3 per cent year-on-year. A representative from the Ha Noi Department of Industry and Trade noted that the city had implemented various measures to help business recovery, providing favourable conditions for businesses to grow, stimulating consumption, facilitating trade connections and bringing Vietnamese goods closer to consumers. Ha Noi continues also to run its special city-wide promotional programme 2024, which supports the Grand Sale. The programme, held in May, July, and November, offers discounts of up to 100 per cent and is expected to act as a significant catalyst for consumer spending. VNS SINGAPORE National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man on December 3 received leaders of several major Singaporean corporations, as part of his official visit to the country. During his meeting with Kevin Chng, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Keppel a global asset manager and operator, the Vietnamese top legislator praised the groups effective cooperation in Viet Nam, particularly in infrastructure, real estate, and renewable energy, as well as its significant contributions to the countrys urban development and its role in enhancing economic and investment relations between the two nations. For his part, Kevin Chng highlighted that Viet Nam is one of the countries where Keppel allocates a significant portion of its investment resources. Aiming to expand its investment activities into sustainable development areas such as renewable energy and data infrastructure, the company wishes to receive more support from the Vietnamese authorities to boost the effectiveness of its capital and further contribute to the nations sustainable development, the CFO said. In response, Man noted that Viet Nam is becoming an attractive destination for many investors, including those in infrastructure development, adding Vietnamese companies are eager to collaborate with Singaporean enterprises like Keppel, particularly in infrastructure, industrial parks, urban development, and clean energy to meet Viet Nam's sustainable development needs. Viet Nam will continue to support and facilitate the successful and effective business operations of Keppel, he affirmed. Hosting Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Temasek International Chia Song Hwee, the top legislator welcomed and commended the groups support for and cooperation with Vietnamese partners. Stating Singapore has maintained its position as the second largest foreign investor in Viet Nam, he described a network of 18 Viet Nam Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs) across 13 cities and provinces as a symbol of successful economic cooperation between the two countries. Man expressed his hope that the corporation will continue expanding investment in Viet Nam, emphasising the countrys commitment to removing roadblocks and facilitating the operation of both local and foreign firms, including Temasek. He went on to highlight the Vietnamese National Assemblys recent session, with significant amendments to the existing laws to complete institutions and policies to attract foreign investments. Chia Song Hwee, for his part, expressed his gratitude for the support that Viet Nam has given to Singaporean businesses. He said Temasek has funneled some SGD3 billion (US$2.23 billion) in Viet Nam, with investments spanning diverse sectors including finance, consumer goods, retail, logistics, and renewable energy. He underlined that Viet Nams robust economic growth coupled with its young and industrious labour force are crucial for developing the economy as well as strengthening bilateral cooperation. Earlier on December 2, the top legislator received Founder and Managing Partner of CMIA Capital Partners (CMIA) Lee Chong Min, and Surbana Jurong CEO North Asia Lim Hong Kian. Man welcomed the partnership between CMIA and Surbana Jurong in investing in the Ho Chi Minh City Eco-Tech Township" project, with a total investment of US$1.3 billion. He congratulated them on signing a memorandum of understanding with the People's Committees of Ho Chi Minh City and Cu Chi district to develop the project. Viet Nam always values the presence and investment as well as the effectiveness of investment cooperation activities of Singaporean enterprises in Viet Nam, he affirmed. Lim Hong Kian stated that the group has always been interested in investing in Viet Nam and hopes to continue receiving support and facilitation from the country. Man affirmed that the Vietnamese National Assembly and Government will continue to improve the legal framework to create favourable conditions for foreign businesses to invest and operate in Viet Nam. VNS HCM CITY Consumers are increasingly seeking convenience and simplicity even during Lunar New Year (Tet) shopping, and so brands and manufacturers need to offer practical, time-saving and cost-efficient products, a seminar heard in HCM City on December 2. Tet Shopping Trends 2025 How to Meet New Consumer Demands, a seminar organised by the High Quality Vietnamese Products Business Association, delved into the key trends that shaped the 2024 festive season and explored their implications for 2025. It also considered the latest developments in the retail market and offered recommendations on what Vietnamese businesses need to do to compete effectively with international sellers. Tet is a "golden" period for the retail sector but demands keen awareness and adaptability to the ever-changing market, delegates said. Nguyen Phuong Nga, senior business development director at Kantar Worldpanel Viet Nam, said after a prosperous Tet 2023 after COVID, 2024 saw a decline in spending on fast moving consumer goods in four key cities while growing by 0.9 per cent in rural areas. She attributed this to consumers growing desire to relax or travel during Tet. Tet 2024 witnessed a shift towards practical and health-focused FMCG choices, which was evident in the reduced consumption of products such as alcohol, confectionary, soft drinks and energy drinks and the increasing demand for practical items that cater to the whole family. Even within gifting, consumers tended to choose practical options such as cooking oil, spices, instant noodles and monosodium glutamate, she said. She emphasised that this trend would significantly shape Lunar New Year 2025. Alongside preserving traditional cultural values, people would also seek products that not only promote health but also embody the spirit of togetherness, reflecting care for quality of life, she said. So businesses needed to align their offerings with consumers demand, she said. Talking about distribution channels, experts said supermarkets and hypermarkets would remain the top choices for Tet shopping due to their wide range of products. Meanwhile, online shopping would continue to gain traction due to its convenience and diverse product selection, they said, pointing out that online channels would see earlier peaks compared to offline stores. Traditional channels would still play a vital role in rural regions, but households there would be increasingly shopping online, they said. Referring to the intense competition in the market, they said businesses should create differentiation or added-value for their products besides offering competitive prices. According to Kantar, looking towards Tet 2025, a more positive economic outlook is shaping up. However, consumers remain cautious about their financial situation, indicating a conservative approach to spending. Nga highlighted the importance of timing and channel strategy, saying that understanding the consumers shopping journey across online and offline channels is critical. Brands needed to engage consumers at the right time and place, capturing their needs from early shopping phases to the last-minute rush before the Lunar New Year, she pointed out. To maximise reach and capture consumer demand, they must tailor their strategies to the unique Tet shopping behaviours in urban and rural areas, as well as online and offline channels, she added. VNS As M&A activity rises in Viet Nam, fuelled by global economic integration and increased foreign investor interest, creating opportunities for domestic businesses is essential, providing M&A information plays a crucial role, acting as a bridge between local companies and international investors. Thao Nguyen, a key M&A expert at the Investment Promotion Connection Department of the Viet Nam M&A Community, and CEO of INMERGERS, a M&A consulting firm, connecting foreign investors with Vietnamese businesses, shared with the Vietnam News Agency strategies for Vietnamese businesses pursuing M&A, including timing, business valuations, and challenges in the due diligence process. What is your assessment of the M&A market situation in Viet Nam over the past year? The M&A market in Viet Nam is experiencing strong growth, especially as the country seeks to attract foreign investment to boost economic development. On average, among the 100 Japanese companies that I work with regarding investing in Viet Nam, 60 per cent are interested in direct foreign investment (FDI), while 40 per cent prefer to invest through M&A. Although M&A has become an important channel, the focus primarily remains on large enterprises. Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have not received much attention from investors, indicating that the potential for market growth is still significant if there is a shift in investment strategies. According to statistics from INMERGERS, 83 per cent of investors are interested in acquiring businesses, while only 17 per cent focus on M&A in the real estate sector. This highlights a clear preference among investors for manufacturing and service companies, where they can leverage greater added value. Conversely, among businesses looking to sell, 39 per cent prefer M&A of companies, while 61 per cent are targeting M&A in real estate. This disparity not only confirms that the demand for corporate M&A significantly exceeds the supply but also reflects a trend among companies seeking strategic collaboration opportunities to enhance value and expand their market reach. We also observe that, while the M&A market in Viet Nam is on a strong upward trajectory, many businesses have yet to fully recognise the benefits of collaborating with foreign investors. This presents numerous opportunities for companies in the connection and advisory sectors to help both parties find optimal solutions for successful M&A transactions. Overall, the Vietnamese M&A market is witnessing positive transformations, with significant potential for both investors and enterprises aiming to scale up and enhance their competitive capabilities. After more than a decade working in financial investment consulting, M&A, and legal advisory for hundreds of domestic and international companies, I recognised a pressing need to connect FDI enterprises with Vietnamese businesses. Although the M&A market is expanding, transactions mostly occur through traditional methods, leading to significant time and cost inefficiencies. Furthermore, many companies are unaware of strategic M&A solutions, perpetuating misconceptions that M&A only occurs when a business is on the verge of bankruptcy. INMERGERS was established in March 2020 as an online platform designed to help Vietnamese businesses easily find and connect with foreign investors. Similar to an "e-commerce platform", INMERGERS specialises in facilitating mergers and acquisitions rather than the sale of ordinary goods. Our goal is to enable Vietnamese companies to access foreign investment quickly, efficiently, and transparently, thereby enhancing the position of Vietnamse businesses in the international market. Can you tell us which foreign markets have shown the most interest in this area recently? It's Japan. Japanese investors favour companies capable of producing high-quality goods, particularly those with export potential. They also prioritise businesses with strong distribution systems and stable domestic market shares. In terms of revenue criteria, Japanese investors are looking for companies with a minimum annual revenue of around VN50 billion (roughly US$2 million), low debt levels, and sustainable growth potential. Notably, Japanese investors place great importance on human factors, so an open mindset and a willingness to collaborate from company leaders are essential to attract their interest. In your opinion, when is the most appropriate time for a company to consider implementing an M&A strategy? The best time to undertake M&A is when a company is experiencing stable growth and strong profits. At this stage, the company is in a strong position to seek suitable partners, facilitating breakthrough growth. Waiting until financial difficulties arise can put a company in a reactive position, forcing it to accept unfavorable terms and risking a loss of control over the business. Furthermore, a decline in company value makes it challenging to negotiate a good price, which could result in a sale that is below its actual worth. Companies should proactively pursue M&A when they are performing well to optimise value and maintain control. Therefore, there is a significant need for services that support domestic companies in comprehensive business valuation and provide full M&A consulting, with an aim to enhance business value and achieve a minimum 20 per cent growth within six months. This should also include refining financial and legal systems to be ready for successful and effective investment attraction. What should a company do before pursuing M&A to optimise its value and attractiveness to investors? Before engaging in the M&A process, optimising the companys value is crucial. Companies need to find solutions to optimise all existing resources, including personnel, operational processes and management systems. Reviewing and optimszing the efficiency of all resources helps the company maximise its value, minimise costs and enhance profitability. The next step is to conduct a comprehensive business valuation. Understanding the actual value of the company, along with its future growth potential, will help business owners feel more confident during negotiations. In addition to important financial factors such as financial statements, cash flow and profitability ratios, it is also essential to evaluate non-financial factors such as brand reputation, customer base and competitive position. These factors enhance the attractiveness of the business to investors. Furthermore, the company needs to improve its financial and legal systems. One common issue among domestic businesses is the lack of clear separation between personal and business finances. This situation poses several risks, making it difficult to control costs and leading to imbalances in the companys financial structure. To address this issue, businesses should quickly establish a roadmap to review and improve their financial "health", thereby building initial trust with potential investors. At the same time, enhancing the legal framework to ensure compliance and protect the rights of all parties will help the company mitigate legal risks and avoid gaps during the M&A negotiation process. Additionally, choosing the right timing and the right partner is crucial to achieving the greatest synergies. When a company is experiencing strong growth, that is the ideal time to pursue M&A. The right investment partner should have strong financial capabilities, industry experience and a growth strategy that aligns with the company's direction, while also being willing to share long-term goals and values, thus fostering a sustainable and effective partnership. What challenges do you typically face when consulting on M&A for businesses, and what advice would you offer to companies? During M&A consulting, I have noticed that many business owners mistakenly believe they should only seek investors when their company is facing financial difficulties or is at risk of bankruptcy. They fail to realise that the company's value can be significantly higher if it is appraised while operating stably or even during a strong growth phase. When a business is in a good position, investors can clearly see its long-term growth potential and are willing to pay a higher price. Additionally, a major challenge is that some business owners are not willing to fully share their actual financial situation and internal management issues. This makes it difficult to accurately reflect the company's status. During the M&A due diligence process, investors will send a team of experts to assess potential legal, financial and technical risks, thereby determining their impact on the transfer value. Transparent cooperation from the business, especially in providing complete financial documents and clear explanations of data during the due diligence process, is crucial for a smooth experience. If the data is inaccurate and lacks reasonable explanations, the business will face disadvantages in negotiations, potentially disrupting or even leading to failure of the M&A process. Many businesses have also unrealistic expectations regarding their companys value, even though their current business situation is no longer favourable. Declining revenues, increasing debt and diminishing profitability mean that the actual value of the business no longer accurately reflects its situation. From the perspective of INMERGERS, a company's value should be assessed based on actual cash flows and internal factors such as revenue. Holding onto unrealistic expectations will make it very difficult to find investment partners. Another significant challenge is changing the mindset of business owners, helping them understand that M&A is not merely a financial solution, but also an opportunity for collaboration to leverage non-financial synergies. In reality, M&A can bring numerous advantages, from market expansion and increased production capacity to improved operational processes and enhanced brand value. When businesses recognise that M&A is a sustainable growth strategy, they become more proactive and decisive in seeking partners and building long-term, valuable collaborative relationships. My advice for businesses looking to pursue M&A is to be patient, seize opportunities and consult reputable M&A advisory firms to "get it right from the start" from selecting investors and preparing documentation to impressing and confidently negotiating with them, thus increasing the likelihood of success. VNS HA NOI In line with plans to leverage Viet Nams strategic location and significant appeal as one of the airlines hubs in the Indochina region, AirAsia continues to focus on launching new routes to the popular destination. New routes announced recently include HCM City to Phnom Penh commencing from December 22 and from Ha Noi to Phnom Penh launching from January 24, 2025. Adding to the continued expansion of AirAsia in Viet Nam, flights from Phu Quoc to Bangkok (Don Muang Airport) returned recently on October 27, while flights from a Lat to Kuala Lumpur recommenced on November 1. The first-ever services between HCM City and Malaysia's Kota Kinabalu are set to launch on December 3. AirAsia Chief Commercial Officer Paul Carroll said AirAsia commits to boosting affordable connectivity to Viet Nam as the airline continues to resume operations to the country post COVID-19, bringing over 1.7 million visitor seats annually to the Land of the Rising Dragon with the launch of these five new routes based on strong demand trends. Viet Nam has always been among our most popular destinations. It is now over 19 years since our first flight to the country and we are excited about the huge potential of not only these new services, but also significant growth opportunities in the future. On the launch of the Cambodia routes into Viet Nam, Vissoth Nam, CEO of AirAsia Cambodia said: We are excited to add Viet Nam to AirAsia Cambodias fast-growing network of international destinations. "As the newest low-cost airline in Cambodia which launched in May this year, we are witnessing strong demand for services in ASEAN and beyond. While there are many similarities between Cambodia and Viet Nam, they are also very different, offering unique and affordable experiences that will prove popular with both local citizens of both countries and global visitors to the region. AirAsia Group already flies 165 flights weekly to and from Viet Nam (providing more than 1.5 million visitor seats annually into the region). With the new services, the airline will be flying 195 flights weekly to and from Viet Nam (or over 1.7 million visitor seats annually). VNS HA NOI Indonesia has extended safeguard measures on expanded polystyrene (EPS) plastic pellets imported from Viet Nam for another three years, according to the Trade Remedies Authority under the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The extension is the result of an investigation conducted by the Indonesian Safeguards Committee (KPPI) on imported EPS plastic pellets (HS code 39.3.11.10) into Indonesia from 2021 to 2023, which was started on July 22. Viet Nam is not among the developing countries excluded from the measures. The safeguard duty will be effective from December 23, 2024, to December 22, 2027, in the form of an absolute tax. For the first year (from December 23, 2024 to December 22, 2025), the tax rate will be 2,352,478 Indonesian rupiahs (US$147.6) per metric tonne (MT). For the second year (from December 23, 2025 to December 22, 2026), the rate will be 2,328,473 Indonesian rupiahs per metric tonne. For the third year (from December 23, 2026 to December 22, 2027), the rate will be 2,304,468 Indonesian rupiahs per metric tonne. According to Indonesias statistics, in 2023, imports from Taiwan (China) accounted for 47 per cent of total imports into the country, followed by China at 38 per cent, and Viet Nam at 13 per cent. KPPIs investigation showed that although there was a decline in the absolute and relative import volume during the investigation period, Indonesia's domestic revenue still dropped by 3 per cent, leading to a 9 per cent reduction in profits. The committee concluded that imports threatened Indonesias domestic industry, so safeguard measures are necessary to address the damages and help the economy adjust. EPS plastic pellets are used in foam blocks or sheets for soundproofing and thermal insulation in homes, and in protective packaging for electronics, refrigeration equipment, ceramics and glassware. VNS By Pauline Tamesis and Matt Jackson Huynh Huu Canh from Kien Giang Province, Viet Nam lost his eyesight in an unexploded ordnance accident when he was just 8 years old. Despite this significant challenge, Canh has shown remarkable resilience and determination, overcoming discrimination and barriers to achieve his goals. After the accident, Canh pursued his education at the An Giang School for Children with Disabilities and later at the Nguyen inh Chieu Specialised High School for children with visual impairments in Ho Chi Minh City. He excelled academically and went on to study at the HCM City University of Education where he participated in sports, social welfare programmes, and scientific research. Committed to overcoming the barriers he and others living with disabilities faced, he developed a walking stick with LED lights and different sounds to help visually impaired individuals navigate their surroundings safely. This invention won first prize at a scientific research contest and was honoured at the Creative Youth Festival hosted by the Viet Nam Youth Union. Canh currently works at the Kien Giang province's Social Welfare Centre where he teaches Braille to children with visual impairments and gives piano lessons to children with disabilities. His story is a testament to the impact one individual can have on their community. Yet Canhs story is just one of many inspiring stories about young people with disabilities. 3rd December is the annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a day dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the rights and well-being of individuals with disabilities. As we approach this significant day, we reflect on our collective responsibility to foster inclusivity and equality for all members of society, particularly young people with disabilities. Globally, over 1 billion people, or 16 per cent of the world's population, experience some form of disability, a number that continues to rise due to factors like population ageing and the increase in non-communicable diseases. In Viet Nam, 7 per cent of the population (7 million individuals) live with a disability. These statistics are more than numbers, they are peoples lives, yet they underscore the importance of recognising and addressing the inequalities and challenges faced by persons with disabilities. Today is a powerful reminder of the need to dismantle societal barriers and challenge the stigmas often associated with disabilities. This year's theme, "Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future," emphasises the critical role that individuals with disabilities, especially youth, play in society's development. Their leadership skills and community engagement are instrumental in changing negative perceptions and showcasing their abilities. Youth with disabilities are making significant strides by starting social enterprises, holding important positions in organisations and companies, and influencing positive change. By acknowledging their achievements and potential we promote equal opportunities in education, employment, and all aspects of life, ensuring that young people with disabilities have the same chances to thrive as their peers. The UN Country Team in Viet Nam collaborates to amplify the voices of persons with disabilities (PWD), enhance their well-being and ensure that they are not left behind in the countrys journey to be a high-income country. UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency is dedicated to delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. A critical aspect of this mandate is the promotion of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) which plays a central role in preparing young people for a safe, productive, fulfilling life in a world where inequalities based on gender and sexual orientation still pose serious risks to their well-being. CSE gives young people, including those with disabilities, the tools they need to have healthy lives and relationships. It helps them to understand life-changing decisions about their body and equips them with the ability to navigate relationships, understand consent and protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies. By integrating CSE into educational curricula and community programmes, UNFPA helps ensure that all young people, regardless of their abilities, have access to essential sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services. UNESCO also uniquely contributes to CSE through policy development and capacity building. Focusing on education, UNESCO ensures young people receive accurate and age-appropriate information about sexual and reproductive health, fostering long-term positive changes in attitudes and behaviours. A UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF joint programme further expands access to Inclusive Education Resource Centers (IERCs), distributes Accessible Learning Materials (ALMs), mainstreams disability content in CSE and develops national guidelines for health providers on SRH services for persons with disabilities. In addition, UNICEF runs specialised training programmes for frontline workers on disability inclusion equipping healthcare providers, educators and social workers with approaches that ensure access to essential services tailored to persons with disabilities. These coordinated efforts aim to embed sustainable, inclusive practices that uphold the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. To celebrate this years International Day of People with Disability, the UNs Photovoice Contest draws powerful stories from around the country, highlighting diverse experiences and aspirations for inclusive education. Young people with disabilities and their allies shared photos and stories, capturing moments that reflect both challenges and triumphs. Through vivid photographs and deeply personal narratives, participants shed light on the barriers they face, such as inaccessible schools and social stigma, as well as the empowerment that comes from inclusive educational practices. One submission featured a single mother named Hien with leg impairments. To be a role model for her daughter she is pursuing lifelong learning, improving herself and attending workshops to hone her different skills. Canh and Hien's journeys, along with the experiences of other role models in the PWD community, remind us that with determination, creativity and the will to help others, we can overcome obstacles and inspire those around us. The UN and partners use these stories not only to celebrate inclusivity but also to learn from the lived experiences of young people. The firsthand accounts guide UN agencies as they provide support to policy development and implement initiatives that support accessible and inclusive education worldwide. By amplifying these voices, the UN demonstrates its commitment to fostering environments where all young people can lead, learn and thrive. By providing a deeper understanding of the realities faced by persons with disabilities and fostering greater respect and appreciation for their contributions, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society. As we celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, let us renew our commitment to inclusivity and equality. Let us work together to create a future where diversity is embraced and every individual, regardless of ability, can thrive. *Pauline Tamesis is the UN Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam and Matt Jackson is the UNFPA Representative in Viet Nam BERLIN The long-standing relationship between Hesse and Viet Nam is a model for international cooperation, Minister-President of State of Hesse of Germany Boris Rhein has stated. Rhein made the statement following his visit to Viet Nam from November 26 to December 1, giving positive remarks and emphasising the close relationship and cooperation between Hesse and Viet Nam. Viet Nam is not only the most important trading partner of Hesse within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) but also a key partner in education, research, and technology, he stressed. He highlighted the two economies' close connection as more than 350 German companies are operating in Viet Nam, generating 50,000 jobs, saying that the Hesse side wants to further expand this cooperation. Rhein noted that in discussions, he supports strengthening joint activities between the two sides, especially in recruiting skilled workers. A website of the Hesse Minister-President's office quoted Rhein as saying that since 2012, Viet Nam and Hesse have maintained a close connection through a strategic partnership, including cooperation in terms of science, education, and economy. Sharing this perspective, the Foreign Minister of Hesse, who accompanied Rhein on his visit to Viet Nam, emphasised that the state has maintained a close relationship with Viet Nam for decades, which now produces benefits on multiple levels. Addressing a graduation ceremony of the Vietnamese-German University (VGU) in HCM City as part of his trip to Viet Nam, Rhein stated that VGU is the fifth-largest bilingual university in the world with German involvement, and that the university makes an important contribution to the development of science and technology in Viet Nam. Along with this key project, the two sides are further strengthening their already close cooperation, he said, adding that the Hesse state agrees to further strengthen the VGU. VNS SINGAPORE Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man met with Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on December 3 as part of his official visit to the city-state. The Singaporean President laid stress on the significance of NA Chairman Mans visit, saying it will contribute to developing the bilateral relations in a stronger and more substantive manner. He also congratulated the Vietnamese parliament on its close collaboration with the Government in making sound decisions to help Viet Nam obtain significant achievements in socio-economic development and a high GDP growth rate. He took this occasion to ask the NA Chairman to convey his invitation to General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee To Lam to visit Singapore at a proper time. Congratulating Singapore on maintaining positive growth and issuing rational policies to assist its citizens, particularly low-income people, the Vietnamese top legislator expressed his confidence that the city-state will successfully build a nation with dynamism and integration, equality and competitiveness, resilience and solidarity, as well as a society with inclusiveness and a multiracial spirit. He briefed President Tharman on the outcomes of his talks with Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore Seah Kian Peng, during which they discussed and agreed on major orientations and measures to promote the cooperation between the two parliaments and the two countries as a whole across the domains of politics diplomacy, security defence, economy trade, education training, cultural exchanges, people-to-people exchanges, and connections between localities. The NA Chairman suggested President Tharman support the effective implementation of the cooperation agreement signed between the two legislative bodies in 2022, helping to make parliamentary cooperation one of the key collaboration channels in the Viet Nam Singapore Strategic Partnership, laying the foundation for upgrading the bilateral relations in the future. Discussing issues in which Viet Nam has interest and Singapore has strength, the Vietnamese top legislator called on Singapore and the President personally to support and promote the implementation of the agreement on training programme for mid- and high-level officials of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) in Singapore in the 2024-2026 period. He also suggested the Singaporean side increase the number of scholarships for Viet Nam, and expand training programmes for leaders and potential leaders to Vietnamese officials at all other levels. Agreeing with NA Chairman Mans proposals, the President affirmed that Singapore will continue to support Viet Nam in improving the quality of human resources. He also suggested the two sides further promote exemplary cooperation models such as the Viet Nam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs); capitalise on cooperation opportunities in new areas such as digital transformation, the carbon credit market; strengthen energy cooperation, including electricity grid connectivity within ASEAN; speed up a cooperation project between Singapores Sembcorp Group and the Petrovietnam Technical Services Corporation (PTSC) a subsidiary company of the Viet Nam Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam); and boost cultural and tourism cooperation. The two leaders affirmed their commitments to continue creating favourable conditions for the Viet Nam-Singapore Friendship Association, as well as the two countries' citizens live and work, thus contributing to the socio-economic development of both nations, and uphold their roles as bridges for the bilateral friendship. They agreed to continue close coordination at multilateral forums such as the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and parliamentary forums. They also emphasised ASEAN's consistent position on resolving disputes in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) through peaceful means, in accordance with international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, to ensure a stable and sustainable development environment in the region. VNS Authorities in Turkiye have ordered the deportation of a Christian refugee back to Iran, where the pregnant mother would be in serious danger after having fled her country due to arrests for participation in church, sources said. The mother of a 2-year-old girl obtained refugee status in Turkiye from the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 2015, but immigration officials have denied her asylum, she said. The UNHCR in September 2018 handed over responsibility for processing asylum applications and refugee registration to the Turkish government. Im in serious danger; my life and my daughters life are in danger, the refugee in Mersin told aid group Philoi Global. I cannot escape anywhere, wherever I am. I will be arrested and deported to Iran after Dec. 30, and they will kill me. Please help me, and I dont have much time. The Iranian mother, whose name is withheld for security reasons, put her faith in Christ in 2010 and fled Iran in 2014 after arrests earlier that year and in 2013 for involvement in church. After Turkish immigration officials rejected her application for asylum, the Iranian Christian, who has since remarried, filed six appeals but was never granted a hearing to present her case in court, said Jude Simion of refugee aid group Philoi Global. On Oct. 30, 2024, following yet another rejection, she faced arrest while pregnant and caring for a 2.5-year-old child, Simion said. In a grave turn of events, authorities issued a deportation order requiring her and her family to leave Turkiye by the end of November. They were warned that noncompliance could lead to further detention and potential deportation back to Iran, where the risks to her life would be significant. The risk of arrest in Iran is heightened by her prior role as a leader in an underground church, and Iranian police are actively seeking her and others in such ministries, he said. Given their engagement in Christian ministry and the act of guiding fellow believers to Christ, the family was fervently aware that returning to Iran would likely result in immediate arrest without any legal protections, placing their lives in imminent jeopardy, Simion said. In 2014 her Muslim husband initiated a divorce primarily due to her conversion to Christianity and her active participation in a local house church, he said. Her faith journey became perilous when she was arrested twice by Iranian authorities, Simion said. The first arrest occurred in May 2013 while she was attending university. The second arrest took place in February 2014 during a gathering at her house church, highlighting the risks faced by those practicing Christianity. After separating from her husband, he pursued legal actions against her and her family for their Christian activities, threatening to notify law enforcement, he said. Responding to her ex-husbands allegations, police arrived at her home with an arrest warrant, Simion said. They confiscated Bibles, religious pamphlets and other materials related to her faith, which were seen as dangerous contraband by the authorities. Her neighbors were advised to report any information about her family to police, and that failing to do so might implicate them as accomplices in alleged criminal activities, he added. Before leaving Iran, she sought legal counsel. Aware of her prior detentions by Iranian intelligence, her attorney advised her that applying for refugee status with the UNHCR in Turkiye would give her the most safety and protection, he said. Upon reaching Turkiye, her family was issued a residence card by the Turkish Immigration Department however, they opted not to divulge any specifics about their escape, fearing that such disclosures could lead to their forced repatriation to Iran, Simion said. Instead, they communicated their plight only to the UNHCR, hoping for a favorable intervention. She and her new husband and their daughter were recognized as refugees by the UNHCR in 2015. The organization has advised her to resolve the matter with Turkish authorities a nearly impossible task given the governments hostility to refugees, particularly Christians, Kurds and other persecuted minorities, Simion said. This highlights a critical gap in the protection mechanism for asylum seekers in Turkiye, he said. Turkiye is a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and 1967 Protocol and thus should hold resettlement to a third country as the most preferred solution for refugees arriving due to events outside of Europe. Turkiye has been undertaking legislative and institutional reforms to build an asylum system that would comply with international standards, according to the UNHCR. As the number of people forcibly displaced worldwide due to conflict, violence and persecution hits record levels, Turkiye is one of the countries with the largest number of refugees, with about 3.2 million registered arrivals from Syria alone, according to the UNHCR. Nearly 222,000 persons of concern from other nationalities have also taken refuge in the country. A pattern of deportation of refugees from Turkiye, particularly Christian converts, is a growing concern as they are vulnerable due to their faith, ethnicity and political opinions against the governments of their home countries, Simion said. They face life-threatening dangers if they return to their home countries, he said. Yet, securing permanent resettlement for them in third countries remains an uphill battle, as many Western governments turn a blind eye to the plight of persecuted Christians. Christian refugees in Turkiye have seen an increase in arbitrary deportation orders since 2018, when the government assumed control of all refugee affairs from the UNHCR, Simion said. This shift resulted in even more challenging conditions for refugees, particularly for ethnic minorities, as well as for Christian converts, who faced various pressures and inhumane treatment, he said. The forced repatriation of religious minorities from Turkiye reflects a broader pattern of disregard for international protection standards. These actions place lives at risk and undermine the principles of asylum and refugee protection. SINGAPORE National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga, along with a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese legislature, on December 3 afternoon (local time) concluded their official visit to Singapore, and left the Southeast Asian nation for an official visit to Japan. During his three-day trip to Singapore, the top Vietnamese legislator had meetings with Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and held talks with Speaker of the Singaporean Parliament Seah Kian Peng. At the meetings and talks, the two countries leaders affirmed that the Viet Nam-Singapore relationship has consecutively developed and achieved many important milestones in all areas. They agreed to continue their close cooperation, towards elevating the bilateral relations to a new height in the coming time. With a strong foundation in economic cooperation, the two sides reaffirmed their commitments to further strengthen this important cooperation pillar by intensifying the information exchange and experience sharing in addressing new issues in socio-economic development; boosting investment based on the strengths of each country to create breakthroughs in emerging areas such as green logistics, data centre building, semiconductor chip manufacturing, clean energy, carbon credits, food security, and green finance. To promote substantive cooperation between the two legislatures, Man and Seah agreed on the need to effectively implement the cooperation agreement between the two legislative bodies, contributing to advancing the Viet Nam-Singapore Strategic Partnership to a new height. They also emphasised the importance of increasing information and experience exchanges in reforming institutions and legal systems, ensuring macroeconomic stability, expanding foreign relations, and enhancing international integration. The leaders also touched upon collaboration between parliamentary committees and agencies, as well as between lawmakers, including young and female legislators. On this occasion, Man urged Singapore to adopt policies that create favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses, investors, and people living, working, and studying in the country. The NA Chairman also received leaders of major Singaporean corporations investing in Viet Nam and met with staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and representative of the Vietnamese community in the city-state. Through such activities, his official visit was a success, further strengthening parliamentary cooperation and fostering the Viet Nam-Singapore Strategic Partnership. It also reinforced the friendly, effective, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries across all areas. VNS HA NOI President Luong Cuong, head of the Central Steering Committee for Judicial Reform, had a working session with representatives of the Supreme People's Procuracy in Ha Noi on Tuesday, during which he urged the sector to further enhance the quality of the enforcement of the right to prosecution and supervision of judicial activities. The State leader commended the procuracy sector for its accomplishments in recent times, saying that those have greatly contributed to maintaining political stability, ensuring social order, safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of the State, organisations and citizens; effectively supporting socio-economic development tasks; and firmly safeguarding the socialist state. Basically agreeing with orientations and tasks of the sector in the coming time, Cuong requested it to proactively provide advice and institutionalise the Party's policies and guidelines on judicial work. He also urged the sector to coordinate with relevant agencies to study and refine legal regulations regarding the functions, duties, power, responsibilities, scope of operations, and working relationships of People's Procuracies with other institutions in the state apparatus to ensure consistency and synchronisation. Attention should also be paid to further strengthening the development of a clean and strong Party organisation within the procuracy sector; enhance the Party's leadership over prosecutorial activities, ensuring adherence to the principle of democratic centralism, he said. Regarding the streamlining of the apparatus, the State leader noted this is a crucial task, saying that the procuracy sector must effectively implement the Party's policy on building an elite, streamlined, strong, efficient, and effective apparatus. The streamlining work must go hand in hand with renewing leadership method and ensuring a contingent of high-quality staff with professional ethics and capabilities, he stated. For international cooperation, the President said it is necessary to learn from global best practices and experience and adapt them to Viet Nam's specific conditions. He required greater efforts to promote the effectiveness of international cooperation in crime prevention and control, and ensuring the sectors role as the coordinating agency for judicial assistance in criminal matters. VNA/VNS HA NOI A delegation of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) led by Deputy General Director Nguyen Tuan Hung held a working session with representatives from Granma, the official daily newspaper of the Communist Party of Cuban Central Committee headed by Deputy Editor-in-Chief Oscar Alberto Sanchez Serra in Ha Noi on Tuesday. He highlighted that the VNA is one of six key media agencies in Viet Nam, tasked with delivering the countrys official information to domestic and international press systems. It has 63 representative offices in all provinces and cities nationwide and 30 others overseas. For many years, the VNA has maintained close and reliable partnerships with two Cuban media agencies, namely Prensa Latina and the Cuban News Agency (ACN). Its representative office in Havana has consistently fulfilled its mission of external information, promoting Vietnams image to the Cuban people, and providing accurate and timely news about Cuba and the region. According to Hung, his agency has recently promoted digital transformation in its news production and dissemination processes. It has established a steering committee for digital transformation and developed annual plans for this task. It is focusing on creating highly interactive, multimedia products tailored for digital journalism and spread across multiple platforms, effectively delivering the messages of the Party and State leaders as well as key national priorities in the new era. Notably, the VNA is also implementing new AI-powered services to enhance the quality and efficiency of its information activities. For his part, Alberto Sanchez Serra said that Granma was founded on October 3, 1965, based on the merger of two revolutionary newspapers - Hoy and Revolucion. As the official voice of the Communist Party of Cuba, Granma currently employs around 210 staff, reporters, and workers, 70 per cent of whom are under 35. The newspaper has correspondents in every province and city across Cuba. Recently, it has focused on developing a converged newsroom model and modern journalism practices. With goals to combat fake news, persuade the public, and continually improve, Granma aims to expand its reach on social media and other information platforms to counteract disinformation and wrong allegations from hostile forces. The Granma delegation expressed their desire to learn with and share experience with the VNA in digital transformation, particularly in modernising news production and distribution systems and applying AI technologies to improve information production efficiency. As part of the visit, they also toured several VNA units to explore their operational models. VNS Minh Hang HOA BINH For 73-year-old war veteran Bui Van So, life has turned a new page. After years of enduring the decaying walls and leaking roof of his familys old house, he wakes up each morning in a sturdy, spacious home that feels almost too good to be true. I was overwhelmed with joy when I found out my family was eligible for support to build a new house, So said. The Muong ethnic resident of Luy Ai Village, Phong Phu Commune, Tan Lac District, has been bedridden for three years due to illness. I can no longer work and all responsibilities have fallen onto my children and grandchildren. This house has truly brought happiness to us, even though we still face many difficulties. The new home, built with VN70 million (US$2,750) in government support, is more than just a shelter - it is a lifeline. To complete the construction, Sos children borrowed money from relatives and a bank, while the community rallied around them. Local authorities called on villagers to assist in the building process, proving that solidarity can achieve remarkable things. Sos story is part of a larger, inspiring initiative in the northern province of Hoa Binh. He is one of the thousands of impoverished households benefiting from a national campaign to eradicate makeshift and substandard housing by 2025. This ambitious effort, dubbed 'Joining hands to eradicate makeshift housing', has transformed not just homes, but lives. Ngoi village in Suoi Hoa Commune, Tan Lac District, is a microcosm of this housing revolution. Here, ten impoverished families - many of them elderly or struggling with health issues - have each received VN50 million ($2,040) to construct new homes. We made sure no one was overlooked, said inh Cong Hoan, Secretary of the hamlets Party Committee. Local authorities went door-to-door to understand each familys situation and ensure fairness in selecting beneficiaries. But financial aid was just one part of the effort. We also mobilised villagers and local resources to help with construction, he added. This community-first approach has accelerated progress: seven of the ten houses are set to be completed by the end of 2024, with the remaining three ready early in 2025. The campaign has brought joy, but the support is not enough to build a new house. Some families sold livestock or even land to afford the additional costs, said Hoan. But the sense of hope and determination is unmistakable, as the community edges closer to its goal of eradicating substandard housing ahead of the national deadline. a Bac District has distinguished itself as a leading local area in implementing the provincial initiative to eliminate makeshift and dilapidated housing for impoverished households. Recognising this as a vital component of poverty alleviation, district authorities have made it a top priority, mobilising resources to provide transparent and equitable housing support. Local Party committees and authorities have conducted extensive reviews of housing conditions, engaging directly with struggling households to address their needs and offer effective solutions. In response to the Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs nationwide call on October 9 to eradicate makeshift housing by 2025, Hoa Binh Province has received VN43.6 billion in donations. Of this, VN33.6 billion is managed by the provincial Fatherland Front, with contributions from nine businesses within and outside the province. From January to now, 50 organisations have contributed over VN37.38 billion to the fund for the poor. These funds have supported the construction of 221 new solidarity houses, valued at over VN11 billion, alongside other social welfare initiatives. Vice Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee, Bui Van Khanh, highlighted the campaigns profound social and humanitarian significance. He noted that the movement aligns with key national policies to Leave no one behind and foster societal unity. Currently, Hoa Binh has over 20,000 impoverished households, including over 6,000 living in substandard housing. Since the beginning of 2024, the province has allocated VN24.6 billion to build 492 new homes, providing safer and more stable living conditions for vulnerable families. Chairman Khanh expressed confidence in the collective efforts of local authorities, businesses and the public to sustain and accelerate the campaign. He emphasised that the movements success would create a ripple effect, improving lives across the province and ensuring that no one is left behind. By the end of 2025, the province aims to eliminate makeshift homes for 2,640 households. This includes building 1,803 new homes in 2024 and repairing 837 more in 2025, requiring a budget of VN106.89 billion. Deputy director of the provincial Department of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs, Nguyen uc Tuyen, highlighted the collaboration powering the campaign. Weve partnered with organisations like the Viet Nam Fatherland Front and local authorities to ensure fair and transparent support, he said. However, challenges loom. Funding is limited, land-use regulations are complex, and some ethnic minority communities face delays due to traditional beliefs about auspicious construction times. In response, Hoa Binh has requested additional government support to expand the programme to 3,936 households. The proposal seeks VN60 million per new home and VN30 million per repair, with an overall budget of VN198.72 billion. Beyond bricks and mortar, the housing initiative is part of a broader vision to help families escape the cycle of poverty. Provincial leaders are also implementing national programmes to promote sustainable economic growth for poor and near-poor households. These efforts include reviewing land use for development and mitigating disaster risks in vulnerable areas. Memories of the devastation caused by tropical storm Yagi remain fresh, driving urgency to prevent similar tragedies, Tuyen said. For families like Sos, a new home represents more than safety. It is a foundation for hope and stability - a place where the next generation can dream bigger. And as Hoa Binh moves closer to its 2025 goal, its clear that this campaign is not just about building houses. Its about rebuilding lives, one family at a time. VNS KIEN GIANG The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) for spraying pesticides, sowing seeds and fertilising rice fields has gained rapid momentum in the Mekong Delta provinces in recent years. However, the question of how to safely integrate drones into agricultural production has become a significant concern, particularly following a fatal accident in the Hon at District of Kien Giang Province on November 20. Quynh Van Hai, a resident of Thuan Hung Commune in My Tu District, Soc Trang Province, said that rice farming has become much less labour-intensive and drones play a vital role. From land preparation and sowing to harvesting, the majority of tasks were now carried out by machinery, saving both time and significant costs. Hai was particularly enthusiastic about the application of drones for pesticide spraying. In a typical rice crop, if there were good seeds and favourable weather conditions, at least three and four pesticide applications were needed. In years with adverse weather or heavy pest attacks, the number of sprayings might increase. "Everyone knows that directly spraying pesticides is harmful to human health, but without it, pests will destroy the crops and impact yields. "Therefore, using drones to spray pesticides is seen as a revolution that helps farmers avoid health risks as they grow older, he said. He also said that the cost of hiring drone services was relatively affordable so it is convenient to call them whenever needed. All I need to do is prepare the chemicals and they handle the mixing and spraying, he said. Not only was it quick, but spraying with the devices was also more uniform and efficient, leading to higher crop yields, he added. Drone services Truong Trieu Phu, head of the 'Phi Cong Tre (Young Pilot)' drone team in Tri Ton District, An Giang Province, talked to Tuoi tre (Youth) online newspaper telling them he owned six drones for agricultural use. He was the first in the province to offer drone services for pesticide spraying, seed sowing and fertilisation. After purchasing two drones in late 2019, priced between VN500-600 million (U$S19,600-23,600) each, he realised the potential for profit and expanded his fleet to over ten drones. However, as the number of drone operators surged in the province, the cost of services and income has decreased. At first, drone operators could earn over VN10 million ($393) per month; now, their earnings average around VN6-7 million ($236-375) per month. "When I started, I charged VN180,000 ($7) per ha. Now, due to the influx of drones, the price has dropped to VN120,000 ($4.7) per hectare, he said. However, the cost of drones has also fallen, with many now priced around VN300 million ($11,800) each. According to Phu, each drone requires two operators, and a drone can cover around 500 ha of rice fields per day, generating approximately VN90 million ($3,500) in monthly income. After deducting expenses, including wages for workers, the operator could expect a profit of VN60 million ($2,360) per month. Ensuring safety As more people invest in drones for agricultural services, managing safety has become increasingly challenging. Phu stressed the importance of training and regular safety assessments for drone operators. Each drone should need about 10-15 minutes to spray or sow per hectare; however, some pilots fly recklessly, returning too quickly without proper observation, which increases the risk of accidents, he said. Even though the team thoroughly trained operators to land on temporary fields and avoid landing on roads or near high-voltage lines, some still ignored the precautions, which was very dangerous, he said. He said agricultural drones had experienced rapid growth in the Delta, regulation and oversight remained insufficient. Farmers looking to hire drone services should ensure safe landing sites to prevent accidents, avoiding those involving power lines or people, he said. Nguyen Van Ut from Khanh Binh Commune, Tran Van Thoi District in Ca Mau Province, highlighted the importance of caution when operating drones. "When I fly a drone, I always pay attention to the people around me, and I have someone to keep watch to ensure no one gets too close to the takeoff and landing areas. I typically launch the drone in areas with minimal traffic to ensure safety." Le Phu Luan, another local farmer in Tran Hoi Commune, Ca Mau Province, said he knew the convenience of using drones for pesticide spraying, but also recognised the potential dangers. "Whenever I hire a drone service, I remind my children not to go near the machine while it's operating. This is one way to ensure safety for both the drone operators and surrounding people," he said. Investigation continued The local authorities in My Hiep Son Commune, Hon at District, Kien Giang Province, are still investigating a fatal accident involving a drone operator, who collided with a pedestrian named B.V.T. that was walking along the road and later died from the incident on November 20. As of the latest figures, the province has more than 690 agricultural drones, with Hon at District leading with 231 drones, followed by Giang Thanh District with 141 drones and Giong Rieng District with 115 drones. A representative of the Kien Giang Agricultural Extension Centre said that drones imported into Viet Nam were required to register with the Ministry of National Defence for operational permits, which were valid for six months. When the permit expired, the importing company must renew the registration. The centre had organised training sessions for drone owners to ensure safe pesticide spraying practices and efficient use of resources. "The high number of drones in the province is due to the province's vast rice fields and high production output, making drones a convenient solution to address the shortage of labour," he said. Following the accident in the province, several provinces in the delta had issued directives to track drone ownership and ensure operators follow safety protocols. On November 27, the National Assembly approved the Law on People's Air Defence, which now includes detailed regulations on the management of drones and other flying vehicles. Notably, the new law stipulated that drones must be registered before use in agricultural production, ensuring a safer environment for both operators and the general public. VNS BAC GIANG Passionate about research and creativity, Tong Van Tuyen, the leader of the mechanical team at Ha Phong Export Garment Joint Stock Company in Hiep Hoa District, Bac Giang Province, has developed many innovations that contribute to increasing labour productivity and product quality, helping the company save billions of ong. For his creativity and contributions, in 2023, he was honoured with the Nguyen uc Canh Award, presented by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour. In October, he was one of nine individuals awarded the title 'Outstanding Citizen of Bac Giang' for 2024. Tuyen is a graduate of Hanoi Industrial Vocational College, specialising in Industrial Electricity. In 2010, he joined the mechanical team at Ha Phong Export Garment Joint Stock Company, which specialises in manufacturing and processing clothes for export. With a solid technical background, he quickly adapted to the job. Tuyen has always been passionate about researching and improving equipment to enhance efficiency and reduce labour hours. From 2018 to 2023, many of his innovations were implemented in production, such as the wide fabric rewinding machine (2020), the product label folding machine (2022), the product transport cart (2022) and the warehouse automatic unloading door (2023). All of them were inspired by real-life work situations, Tuyen said. My colleagues and I continually explore and find ways to enhance work efficiency. We faced numerous challenges during the process, but with support and encouragement for each other, we were able to overcome them. The innovation Tuyen remembers most is the wide fabric tenter machine he created in 2020. At that time, the company received many orders to produce medical protective clothing for export to the United States and Europe. However, the fabric rolls for these orders were over two metres wide, while the company's fabric machines could only handle rolls approximately 1.6 to 1.8 metres wide, which prevented the timely completion of orders. Thus, Tuyen researched and developed a machine capable of handling fabric rolls up to 2.9 metres wide. The innovation was immediately applied in production, helping the company save on the cost of purchasing new machines. The medical protective clothing orders, worth tens of billions of ong, were completed on time and generated considerable profits. Another notable innovation was the product label folding machine in 2022, which helped the company reduce labour costs and increase productivity. Previously, the folding process required from four to six workers to fold labels manually, which was physically demanding. Recognising this, Tuyen worked with them to improve the machine, shortening the process and reducing the number of workers needed to just one or two, with the folds also being more precise. To apply his innovations to production, Tuyen often creates detailed drawings, uses available materials and keeps costs low to reduce expenses. His creativity ensures that the customers needs are met while the product quality is maintained. However, he did encounter challenges in the process, as many of the tools at the company's workshop were not specialised enough to be used in intricate tasks. So he had to make his own tools. "Each innovation deals with a specific work requirement, which gives me motivation to research and think creatively when designing them," he said. President of the trade union at Ha Phong Export Garment Joint Stock Company, Vu Thi Thanh Ha, said that Tuyen's tireless efforts, working methods, dedication and creativity have earned him high praise from the companys leaders for his capabilities and high sense of responsibility in work. "Tuyen is an exemplary figure in the 'skilled and creative workers' movement, with many innovations and solutions that support the companys production and business operations," she said. "His innovations have mostly been applied to our production line, which has helped us improve productivity and product quality, streamlined the workforce and saved the company hundreds of millions of ong each year." VNS ONG NAI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked investors, contractors and relevant agencies to focus on mobilising the total force of workers and equipment to complete the Long Thanh International Airport project before December 31, 2025. PM Chinh yesterday inspected the progress of the Long Thanh International Airport project and the transportation system connecting it to the rest of the region. He met with various ministries, departments, the project management board, contractors, supervising consultants, local authorities and other stakeholders to review the work and help resolve obstacles to accelerate the project's implementation. The PM emphasised that the Long Thanh International Airport Project was the largest airport project in Viet Nam to date and carried special significance for the socio-economic development of the southeast region and the nation as a whole. Under his decisive direction, with the active involvement of ministries, local authorities and other relevant agencies and the proactive efforts of the Airports Corporation of Viet Nam (ACV), many components of the project have been executed ahead of schedule. Substantial construction milestones have already been achieved, making the airports framework increasingly evident. While commending the efforts of ACV, the Viet Nam Air Traffic Management Corporation, contractors, consultants and more than 6,000 engineers and other workers in speeding up construction, the PM also highlighted existing challenges. These include delays in certain tasks, such as land clearance, which has remained at 98.92 per cent since September; incomplete investment approval for the headquarters of state management agencies under Component Project 1; slow progress in selecting an investor for Component Project 4; and the lack of specific results in planning the development of Long Thanh as an airport city. He also pointed out that current construction activities are fragmented and lack synchronisation, making it difficult to meet the target. The PM called for a concentrated effort, including mobilisation of equipment, personnel and materials, and the implementation of synchronised measures across all components. He also stressed the importance of intensified inspection, supervision and encouragement to ensure quality, occupational safety, aesthetic value and the well-being of residents. The Ministry of Transport (MoT), project investors and relevant agencies were asked to hold individuals and organisations accountable for causing obstacles and delays, and to impose strict penalties under Party and State regulations. Officials who were responsible for hindrances and delays should be transferred or dismissed, the PM suggested. Specifically, he demanded an explanation for the delays in constructing the headquarters for quarantine services and ground service facilities, with responsibilities clearly assigned and a report submitted by December 2024. He urged all involved ministries, agencies and individuals to demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility, working in shifts "around the clock, through weekends and holidays," and focusing on action rather than excuses to accelerate construction progress. The PM called for an updated project timeline and encouraged primary contractors to involve local subcontractors for specific tasks. He also suggested mobilising police, military and youth forces for appropriate manual labour tasks. Along with the implementation of Phase 1 of the Long Thanh International Airport Project, he directed immediate preparations for the construction of the second runway, aiming to break ground in early 2025. Meanwhile, he urged the initiation of design, funding allocation and contractor selection processes for Phase 2, ensuring a seamless transition upon the completion of Phase 1 in 2025. Adjustments to runway planning should ensure sufficient spacing to allow simultaneous aircraft takeoffs and landings without interference, he noted. Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha was assigned to oversee the project and conduct monthly inspections to monitor progress, while Transport Minister Tran Hong Minh and relevant agencies were tasked with implementing their respective duties, in particular ensuring the synchronisation of Component Project 4 with Component Project 3 and other project components. Regarding transportation infrastructure, PM Chinh broadly approved the proposed measures and urged expedited implementation of ongoing projects. The MoT was instructed to evaluate alternative transportation options, such as metro lines, underground railways or high-speed rail links between Long Thanh and Tan Son Nhat airports, aiming for the most efficient solutions. Route and investment feasibility should be finalised by the first quarter of 2025. On the issue of funding for the expansion of the HCM City-Long Thanh Expressway by the Viet Nam Expressway Corporation (VEC), the Prime Minister directed Deputy Prime Minister Ho uc Phoc to take charge, provide a resolution report by December 15, and finalise the necessary documents for submission to the National Assembly within the month. ong Nai Province's authority was asked to proceed with planning Long Thanh as an airport city while ministries, agencies, and local authorities were advised to take initiative in fulfilling their responsibilities, avoiding delays. Any issues requiring higher-level decisions or new policies should be promptly submitted for consideration by the appropriate authorities. Project progress The component projects of Long Thanh International Airport are being actively implemented, with most meeting or exceeding progress expectations. Component Project 1 comprising headquarters of State management agencies, the headquarters of the Airport Authority and the Immigration Management Department is expected to be completed before December 2025. The Customs Office and Local Police Station are scheduled to begin construction this month and finish in June 2025. The headquarters of the Animal/Plant Quarantine Agencies is still in the stage of drafting investment policies and has not yet been approved due to the lack of allocated funding. Component Project 2 comprising air traffic management facilities, the reinforced concrete structure of the Air Traffic Control Tower has been completed, and work has moved to the installation of steel components and the bidding process for specialised air traffic management equipment. The project is progressing according to plan, with a target completion date of December 31, 2025. Component Project 3 comprising the main airport facilities including the passenger terminal and runways, construction of the perimeter wall and ground levelling has been nearly completed. Current activities include the construction of the passenger terminal, runways, aprons, connecting roads, fuel supply systems, internal transportation infrastructure and perimeter fencing. The selection of contractors for the parking structure is underway. The progress of the main facilities, especially the construction of and equipment installation for the terminal, is in line with plans to make the facility operational by August 31, 2026. Construction and installation of equipment for runways, taxiways, aprons, cargo terminals, hangars, quarantine facilities and other structures are expected to be completed by April 30, 2025, three months ahead of schedule. The connecting road infrastructure package is expected to be finished by December 31, 2025, while other packages are projected to be completed by August 31, 2026. Simultaneously, the second runway is being actively developed. The review and approval process is set for December 2024 through February 2025, with technical design documentation and evaluation taking place between February and March 2025. Bidding for construction will occur from April to May 2025, and construction is scheduled to take place from May 2025 to May 2026. For Component Project 4 comprising the ground service facilities, the results of the investor selection process will be reported before December 10, with contracts expected to be signed within the month. The investment is estimated to take approximately eighteen months, with a completion target of June 2026. Along with the implementation of the Long Thanh International Airport projects, connected transportation projects are also being developed, including five road projects. These include the The Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway, HCM City-Long Thanh Expressway, HCM City Ring Road 3, Ben Luc-Long Thanh Expressway and HCM City Ring Road 4, as well as three railway projects: the North-South High-Speed Railway, the Thu Thiem-Long Thanh Light Rail Line and an urban railway connecting Tan Son Nhat International Airport with Thu Thiem Station. Under the PMs directive, ong Nai Province is developing a master plan for the Long Thanh Airport Urban Area, which includes the airport vicinity, Long Thanh District and part of Nhon Trach District. This area is being planned and developed following the 'airport city' model, which has been successfully implemented worldwide in places like Dubai, Frankfurt (Germany) and Changi (Singapore), promising significant positive breakthroughs. VNS HA NOI The 3rd Hanoi Agricultural and Craft Village Products Festival 2024 was judged a major success, concluding on December 3 at Mailand Hanoi City Urban Area, featuring 260 participating units. Among these, 152 units represented 25 districts of Ha Noi, while 116 units came from 25 provinces and cities across Viet Nam, alongside contributions from 32 domestic and international enterprises. The event offered a vibrant atmosphere with a variety of engaging activities, providing visitors the opportunity to explore Ha Noi's distinctive agricultural culture, cherish high-quality products with clear origins and celebrate the rich heritage of craft villages. The festival served not only as a showcase but also as a cultural and economic bridge connecting regions, fostering sustainable agricultural development. Visitors described the festival as both impressive and elaborate. Mai Thuy Lien, a visitor from HCM City, said: "I visited the booths, admired exquisite craft village products, marvelled at unique ornamental plant creations by Ha Noi artisans and enjoyed fine Vietnamese teas and local delicacies at the food court. "This festival helped me understand more about traditional craft villages, the culture and the people of Ha Noi." A notable highlight of the festival was a livestream sales programme, organised in collaboration with TikTok Vietnam. This interactive platform connected 20 participating producers directly with a broad audience, integrating digital technology into marketing activities and promoting Vietnamese agricultural products to domestic and international consumers. inh Thi Dung, a resident of Hat Mon Commune, Phuc Tho District, Ha Noi, expressed her delight: "On the festival's opening day, my family enjoyed unique artistic performances celebrating agriculture, rural development and the beauty of our homeland. The documentaries about Ha Noi's 70-year journey in agriculture and rural development were truly meaningful gifts on this crisp winter day in Ha Noi." Visitors were further enthralled by thematic exhibition zones showcasing the cultural essence of Ha Noi's agriculture. These included displays of agricultural and craft village products, live demonstrations by craft artisans, OCOP product exhibitions and introductions to Ha Noi's community-based tourism and rural tourism destinations. A standout attraction was a cultural and artistic programme featuring an ao dai fashion show designed by Italian designer Malaika Barbara Ebbli. Using Vietnamese silk from the Hanhsilk brand, the show vividly portrayed the daily cultural and productive life of Ha Noi's rural communities, blending tradition with modernity and Vietnamese heritage with global influences. Alongside the festival, specialised workshops were held, including 'Assessing the Results of Food Safety Coordination for Agricultural, Forestry, and Fisheries Products Between Ha Noi and Other Provinces in 2024' and 'Orientations and Solutions for Urban Agricultural Development in Ha Noi'. These forums provided a platform for experts, policymakers and businesses to exchange ideas and propose solutions to enhance the quality and value of agricultural products. Director of Ha Noi's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nguyen Xuan ai, said: "Building on the success of the two previous festivals, the 3rd Hanoi Agricultural and Craft Village Products Festival presented a comprehensive picture of the agricultural sector's proud achievements, from high-quality agricultural products to modern agricultural technology models. It also reaffirmed the sector's crucial role in the sustainable development of the capital." He emphasised that the festival served as a bridge connecting enterprises, scientists, organisations and farmers, fostering collaboration, investment opportunities, and development. It would also drive economic growth in Ha Noi's agricultural and rural sectors and the preservation of traditional cultural values. The event not only promoted Ha Noi's dynamic and rich traditions but also highlighted the immense potential of agriculture and craft villages in the era of integration and development. VNS HA NOI The Jeju Immigration Office and the Jeju Tourism Organisation on Tuesday confirmed that a number of Vietnamese tourists who came to Jeju Island under visa exemption did not board the flight back home as scheduled. According to a Vietnam News Agency reporter in Seoul, authorities said that 38 out of 80 Vietnamese people who arrived in Jeju from the south-central province of Nha Trang, Viet Nam, on the flight coming into South Korea on November 14 did not board the flight back home. South Korean authorities are extracting images from the CCTV system to find the whereabouts of the group of 38 Vietnamese tourists after they lost contact and disappeared at the last scheduled sightseeing spot on November 17. These people will be considered illegal residents after December 14, when the 30-day visa-free stay ends. In order to promote tourism development, the Jeju Island government has operated a visa-free programme, allowing foreigners from 64 countries, including Viet Nam, to stay on Jeju Island for up to 30 days without a visa. The Vietnamese Embassy in South Korea in a statement to Vietnam News Agency said that the embassy had received information through the press about the incident involving 38 Vietnamese citizens, and is reporting to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant authorities. Currently, the embassy is closely coordinating with relevant agencies of South Korea, closely monitoring the incident and is ready to cooperate with agencies in the spirit of the Viet Nam-South Korea strategic partnership. On this occasion, the Embassy also requested Vietnamese citizens to absolutely respect the laws, customs and especially the regulations on entry and exit of the host country once entering South Korea, to avoid affecting the image of Viet Nam and the efforts to develop good relationship between the two countries. VNS HCM CITY Vietnamese real estate magnate Truong My Lan's appeal against her death sentence for a billion-dollar fraud has been rejected due to its "unprecedented consequences," but she may avoid execution by repaying most of the embezzled assets. The HCM City Peoples High Court on Tuesday rejected the appeal of 68-year-old Lan, convicted of embezzling funds from Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB) in Viet Nams worst corruption scandal. In her formal handwritten appeal submitted to the court earlier, Lan said that the death sentence was excessively severe and harsh, and she urged the court to adopt a more "lenient and humane approach. Under Vietnamese law, despite the death penalty, Lan may avoid execution by returning three-quarters of the embezzled assets and cooperating with authorities in addressing the consequences. Besides Lan, a total of 47 defendants sought reduced sentences during the appeal trial that commenced in early November. The court also rejected the appeal of o Thi Nhan, chief banking inspector of the central bank, who received a life sentence for accepting a US$5.2 million bribe from Lan to conceal SCB's financial problems. "Despite returning the bribe and contributing VN1 billion for restitution, her actions were deemed a serious offence, resulting in losses exceeding VN500 trillion for the private lender," the court noted. However, the court accepted to reduce the sentences for several defendants, including Lan's husband, Eric Chu, whose sentence was reduced from nine to seven years, and her niece, Truong Hue Van, whose sentence was cut from 17 to 13 years for their involvement in the case. Nguyen Cao Tri, chairman of Capella Holdings, had his sentence reduced from eight years to six years for defrauding Lan of VN1 trillion. Several former senior leaders of SCB and Van Thinh Phat also received reduced sentences for lending regulation violations due to their efforts to mitigate circumstances. Lan was sentenced to death in April for embezzling $27 billion from SCB, an amount equivalent to 6 per cent of Viet Nam's GDP in 2023. She also received a life sentence in a separate trial in October for fraudulent appropriation of assets through the issuance of counterfeit bonds and illicit cross-border money transfers, among other offences. Recent statistics indicated that at least 42,000 victims, who invested in fraudulent bonds issued by the bank, suffered substantial financial losses, resulting in nationwide shock and unprecedented protests from affected individuals. The court has mandated that Lan compensate the full amount of the fraudulently obtained funds. Lan, founder of real estate developer Van Thinh Phat, asserted in court that the quickest way to reimburse the misappropriated funds would be to liquidate SCB and sell our assets to repay the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) and the public. Although she officially held only 5 per cent of SCBs shares, the court determined that she effectively exercised control over more than 90 per cent through a network of family, friends, and associates. VNS Chinese defense ministry denounces "notorious" U.S. arms sales to Taiwan Xinhua) 10:13, December 03, 2024 BEIJING, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson has denounced the latest U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, calling such arms sales "always notorious." Through these arms sales, the United States interferes in China's internal affairs and undermines peace in the name of so-called "safeguarding peace and promoting stability," which has long been obvious to the international community, said Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense. Wu made the remarks on Monday in response to a media inquiry concerning the U.S. announcement of its approval of 385 million U.S. dollars of arms sales to Taiwan. The U.S. move severely violates the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, damages China's sovereignty and security interests, as well as China-U.S. relations and military ties, and jeopardizes peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, Wu said, voicing vehement dissatisfaction and firm opposition to it. He also slammed the attempt by Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities to seek independence using U.S. support and by force, at the expense of Taiwan compatriots' safety and wellbeing. He said it would only lead to their own demise. The Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests, the bedrock of the political foundation of China-U.S. relations, and the number one red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations, Wu noted. He urged the United States to fulfill its commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence" and stop arming Taiwan in any way. "The Chinese People's Liberation Army will continue to strengthen its military training and combat preparedness, and resolutely foil any separatist attempts at 'Taiwan independence' and external interference," Wu said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Once known as the city of churches with 90 church buildings listed in the inner zone during the year 1893, the Canadian city of Toronto today has become known as a multicultural metropolis with diverse faiths and beliefs. While nowadays only just under half of the population identify as Christian, a new initiative highlighted the historical and contemporary importance of Christianity for the city leading the Toronto City Council to proclaim December as Christian Heritage Month. On Nov. 13, Cllr Nick Mantas put forward the motion, seconded by Cllr Frances Nunziata, which was passed with 11 votes in favor and 4 against. In a summary, the two councillors pointed out that Christianity remains the most followed religion in Canada, with more than half of Canadians identifying with the faith. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms even mentions God in its very first sentence, they pointed out. Since the month of December celebrates the birth of Jesus at Christmas, the councillors successfully argued that it would be an appropriate month to laud the citys Christian heritage. During this time, Christian faith groups utilize literature, art, music, gastronomy, and architecture to tell the stories of Jesus and his compassion, love, acceptance and the good news of the gospel he brought. December is associated with the tradition of gift giving and gathering of family, friends, and people of all faiths. Christian organizations and places of worship offer religious services, unique events, and initiatives that highlight a strong Christian heritage during the month of December. Furthermore, the councillors pointed out that other religions and heritages are given recognition in Canada but there is a lack of such dedicated commemorations for Christianity in the country. As proud citizens of this diverse and culturally rich nation, we believe it is important to recognize and celebrate the contributions of all religious and cultural groups, the councillors added. Statistics Canada lists 669,320 Catholics in Toronto, according to data from 2021, 24.2 percent of the citys total population. An additional 10.7 percent are other Christians, representing 294,190 people. Several smaller denominations and groups add up to 11.6 percent, bringing the total to 46.5 percent identifying as Christian. These figures compare to 845,615 or 30.6 percent of the population declaring no religion and secular perspectives. The vote to officially mark December as Christian Heritage Month in Toronto has been hailed a significant milestone by Molly Banerjei, who came up with the idea six months ago alongside husband Jay and impassioned volunteers from Christian Music Festival, a multi-denominational organization celebrating the contributions of Canadian Christians. Banerjei, the chief executive officer for the Christian Heritage Month Initiative, told Christian Daily International that the debate leading up to the city council decision was spirited and, at times, intense. Banerjei reported no particular resistance from others, in getting the city council to support the initiative. While there were differing opinions during the council debate, there has been no significant opposition to the event itself, she said. The proclamation has been widely welcomed and celebrated within the community. The reasoning behind the months dedication recognized the values of love, service, and compassion that define the Christian community, according to Banerjei. Our vision is to honor the incredible diversity within Canadas Christian communityrepresenting First Nations, Africans, Latin Americans, Asians, Middle Easterners, Europeans, and people from every continentthrough meaningful events that foster unity, build deeper connections, and celebrate the contributions that have enriched Canadas cultural fabric, she added. The Christian Heritage Month Initiative is a dynamic, multi-denominational movement dedicated to celebrating the vibrant cultural, social, and artistic contributions of Canadas Christian community. Toronto churches have absolutely supported the initiative, alongside fellowships from other municipalities, added Banerjei. A celebratory event for the heritage month decision was held on Nov. 21. This is the Holy Spirits idea that has been entrusted to my husband Jay and me, Banerjei said. I have the privilege of leading the charge for this campaign, ensuring that its vision and mission are fulfilled. This initiative has fostered a sense of unity and celebration among Christians in the city. Banerjei pointed out the momentum for Christian Heritage Month being recognised in December by 35 Canadian municipalities so far. These include Ajax, Aurora, Bradford, Caledon, Clarington, Durham Region, Markham, Brampton, Milton, Mississippi Mills, Orillia, Ottawa, Pickering, Rideau Lakes, Sudbury, Wainfleet, Welland, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Prince George, Whistler, Red Deer and Okotos. This growing movement unites diverse voices and fosters a sense of belonging, enriching our nations identity and promoting inclusivity for all Canadians, Banerjei said. The team led by Banerjei and her husband Jay are calling on other Canadians to support the declaration of December as Christian Heritage Month for Canada as a whole. A petition has been set up for those wanting to see this happen. Together, we can celebrate Canadas diverse Christian heritage and the incredible contributions that have shaped our country, added Banerjei.Your voice matters! JAKARTA The government has defended its decision to cut the budget for President Prabowo Subiant s flagship free nutritious meal programme, saying that a lower price point would still allow authorities to provide quality meals for students and pregnant women. President Prabowo announced at a press conference that the Government had set a per meal budget of Rp 10,000 (US$63 cents) for the programme, lower than his initial estimate of Rp 15,000. The announcement has sparked widespread concern over whether the government can realise the programmes ambitious aim to provide free nutritious meals to some 82.9 million schoolchildren, teachers, pregnant women and babies. Presidential Communications Office head Hasan Nasbi said the government had successfully piloted the free meals program across Java in recent months based on the reduced budget of Rp 10,000 per meal. With that price, we can provide meals of around 600 to 700 calories per serving for students, Hasan said, as quoted by Antara. Coordinating Social Empowerment Minister Muhaimin Iskandar said on the same day that authorities would allocate more funding in successive years after maintaining the Rp 10,000 per meal budget during the first year of the programme. Despite the limited budget, we will make sure the quality of the meals are good, including ensuring that they are nutritious and fresh, he said. During Fridays press conference, the President cited fiscal constraints as the reason behind the decision to slash the per meal budget. We want to set the price to Rp 15,000 per serving, but the fiscal condition [accommodates only] Rp 10,000. We have calculated that Rp 10,000 is enough to provide meals of good quality and nutrition in most regions, he told reporters. A centrepiece of Prabowos election campaign, the primary aims of the free nutritious meal programme are to combat childhood stunting and malnutrition as well as to produce quality human resources. Prior to his inauguration in October, Prabowos transition team said the free meals programme would be carried out in stages toward full implementation in 2029, when its estimated annual cost would reach Rp 450 trillion ($28 billion). The government has set aside Rp 71 trillion for the programs first-stage implementation next year to feed around 19.4 million schoolchildren and pregnant women. Observers have questioned the Prabowo administrations capacity to handle the sheer scale of the logistics necessary to deliver the programme. They have also raised concerns over the programmes potential burden on state finances and the economy. Regardless, Prabowo has repeatedly expressed his commitment to the project as a strategic nationwide programme. Following his inauguration, the President said he believed Indonesia could follow Indias success in providing free meals to schoolchildren for decades, even though it had a lower GDP per capita compared to Indonesia. Prabowo also said he was confident the programme would provide economic benefits for farmers and food producers across the country. THE JAKARTA POST/ANN KUALA LUMPUR - The Malaysian Immigration Department has extended the autogate facility to speed up immigration clearance for visitors from 53 more countries and territories, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah has said. He said they comprised 26 European Union (EU) countries, 17 European countries outside the EU, six Arab countries, and four others namely Canada, mainland China, Hong Kong (China), and Taiwan (China). Malaysian Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that the autogates will help simplify the entry procedure without affecting security checks. Currently, there are 1,568 units of automatic passport scanning machines at exit points into the country. Meanwhile, the Home Ministry is considering a new and more efficient system using QR code scanning technology at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), thereby helping to speed up the screening process for visitors. The use of this technology is expected to help Malaysia enhance security and reduce congestion at check-in counters, especially during peak hours, said Deputy Minister Shamsul Anuar. He went on to say that the Malaysian Government is also studying the expansion of QR code scanning at many entry points, including other international airports, land border crossings and sea borders. This will help the country improve the efficiency of immigration management and reduce the risk of corruption at immigration counters. Previously, on November 18, Minister Nasution announced that next year, the government plans to use QR codes for immigration clearance at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) and Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) in Johor state to facilitate travelling for residents, tourists and workers to Singapore. VNA/VNS At present, AstraZeneca is committed to delivering its sustainability strategy, which focuses on driving sustainability from the lab to the patient by decarbonising its value chain and delivering more circular approaches. Through flagship programmes and important collaborations with the Ministry of Health and healthcare partners, AstraZeneca is partnering to build resilient health systems and adopting a patient-oriented mindset to improve equitable health outcomes so everyone, everywhere can live their healthiest lives. AstraZeneca Vietnam is dedicated to sustainability by investing in local communities, healthcare infrastructure, education, disease awareness, and enhancing access to innovative treatments. Environmental initiatives include the AZ Forest programme, aimed at restoring forests in Vietnam as part of a global effort to plant 200 million trees by 2030. AstraZenecas social responsibility extends beyond the environment, participating in disease prevention and control, such as COVID-19 vaccine distribution and disease management schemes. Partnerships with local organisations have aided initiatives like CaReMe for cardio-renal-metabolic care, the Healthy Lung Programme for respiratory care, and the Young Health Programme to promote healthy lifestyles among youth. Besides that, initiatives like the Love your Lungs campaign raises awareness about lung cancer screening and diagnosis, while the Health Innovation Network, in collaboration with the Vietnam Young Physician Association, has provided free lung disease screenings to over 100,000 people. In 2024, this network aims to screen thousands more using AI technology and educate one million young people on preventing non-communicable diseases. These moves are part of AstraZenecas science-based sustainability commitments for a healthier future. The company believes that access to healthcare, environment protection, and ethical business practices are interconnected, driving positive change requires collaboration within and beyond the healthcare sector. AstraZeneca currently has nine focus areas, each with their own target, grouped under these three interconnected priorities: access to healthcare, environment protection, and ethics and transparency. Materiality assessments were conducted to help identify critical sustainability issues where AstraZeneca can make a positive impact. Community screening event for cardiovascular and kidney disease co-organised by AstraZeneca and Vietnam Young Physicians Association AstraZeneca has so far achieved some of its sustainability goals. Key achievements include its Sustainable Markets Initiative Health Systems Task Force, aimed at accelerating the transition to net-zero healthcare systems. Additionally, 87 per cent of employees globally understand their contributions to sustainability priorities, with 25 out of 27 sustainability targets on track. In healthcare access, AstraZeneca has trained over 127,000 healthcare workers since 2010 and reached 66.4 million people through healthcare programmes, as well as 13.6 million through patient access programmes, contributing to two of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As shown in the AstraZeneca Sustainability Report 2023, regarding environmental protection, the company has achieved a 67.6 per cent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gases emissions since 2015, a 19.5 per cent reduction in water use, and a 13.2 per cent reduction in waste, aligning with SDGs for clean water, affordable energy, responsible production, climate action, and life on land. Promoting an ethical and transparent work culture, AstraZeneca has made strides in diversity and inclusion, with half of senior middle management roles held by women and supplier diversity programmes in 10 countries outside the United States. Some 83 per cent of employees feel there is a speak up culture, supporting SDGs for gender equality and economic growth. In Vietnam, AstraZeneca also fosters innovation, diversity and inclusion, and lifelong learning among employees to build a sustainable workforce. AstraZeneca Vietnam deepens collaboration to enhance education and research AstraZeneca Vietnam is continuing its collaboration with the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Ho Chi Minh City in medical education and science research capacity enhancement. AstraZeneca reinforces commitment to healthcare Pharma giant AstraZeneca is solidifying its position as a pioneer in healthcare innovation in Vietnam. Tailored to Southeast Asian languages and cultural norms using consented language data, BOTNOI Voice enables local organisations to improve customer service with GenAI. Photo: AWS BOTNOI Voice supports more than 200 near-human voices in over 20 languages, with a focus on Thai, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Lao, Burmese, and Cambodian. BOTNOI has deployed its virtual assistant platform in more than 70 enterprises in Thailand such as Central Pattana and Bangkok Hospital, and over 10 million end-users have interacted with its AI assistants. BOTNOI Voice users have developed a range of assistants, including AI nurses for patient pre-screening and pre-registration to help healthcare professionals classify the severity of a patients condition upon entry and accelerating critical care at Ramathibodi Hospital and the Department of Mental Health. Hotels, such as HOP INN, are using the platform to develop AI concierges for hotel bookings, and financial services organisations like Ngern Tid Lor and the Government Savings Bank in Thailand are using AI sales assistants to nurture new customers. These AI assistants provide customer interactions that closely mimic those of local human experts at up to 95 per cent accuracy. "Cloud technology empowers organisations to run better and has enabled us to assist over 3,000 teachers nationwide in creating classroom modules that make education more accessible and effective," said Dr. Winn Voravuthikunchai, founder of BOTNOI. "We leveraged AWS to build BOTNOI Voice, which delivers human-like interactions across multiple languages and diverse regional cultures." Dr. Winn Voravuthikunchai emphasised, "Amazon Bedrock allows us to seamlessly switch between foundation models for different use cases, which is critical for ensuring BOTNOI Voice meets the evolving needs of our rapidly growing client base and their discerning customers. We are thrilled to participate in the AWS Activate startup programme, which has provided invaluable support to accelerate our growth on AWS. The programme has enabled us to build, scale, and commercialise BOTNOI Voice more effectively." BOTNOIs culturally aware large language model uses AWS EC2 G4DN instances, the most cost-effective GPU instances for machine learning (ML) inference and graphics-intensive applications, for generating natural text to speech and speech to text synthesis audio. These instances provided scalable compute capacity in the cloud to handle the companys growing GenAI workloads. BOTNOI plans to experiment with custom silicon Trainium2 in 2025 for up to 4x faster training than first generation Trainium chips. Amazon Bedrock, the easiest way to build and scale generative GenAI applications with foundation models (FMs), powers BOTNOIs GenAI assistant. This service gives the company the ability to easily access a choice of high-performing FMs from leading AI companies like AI21 Labs, Anthropic, Cohere, Meta, Mistral AI, Stability AI, and Amazon through a single API. Photo: AWS To filter out harmful content to the desired level, BOTNOI Voice uses Amazon Bedrock Guardrails to implement application-specific safeguards based on BOTNOIs responsible AI policies, allowing them to configure content filter thresholds across categories including hate speech, insults, sexualised language, and violence. The startup also has plans to develop models on AWS that prevent the use of inappropriate or indecent words and unauthorised use or abuse of peoples voices on the platform. Amazon SageMaker JumpStart, an ML hub with foundation models, built-in algorithms, and prebuilt ML solutions, helps BOTNOI train, finetune, and inference its model using local data speech, language, and cultural data gathered from consenting users. BOTNOI integrates with Amazon Connect, an AI-powered contact centre service that enables businesses to provide seamless customer service across various communication channels, to help organisations automate customer calls, screen incoming calls, and prioritise urgent interactions for rapid human intervention. BOTNOI Voice is now available to millions of AWS customers on AWS Marketplace, a curated digital catalogue designed to facilitate the discovery, purchase, deployment, and management of third-party software, data, and services that run on AWS. With the AWS Partner Network, AWS Marketplace helps ISVs and consulting partners build, market, and sell their AWS offerings by providing valuable business, technical, and marketing support. BOTNOI is working with AWS Advanced Technology Partner, DoiT, to restructure the way their applications and systems are architected and deployed on AWS. With DoiTs engineering team, BOTNOI has achieved over 75 per cent savings on serverless computing and machine learning costs by making their cloud environment more efficient. "The cultural diversity and distinct language needs across Southeast Asia present a unique opportunity for companies like BOTNOI to develop innovative, localised AI solutions, said Vatsun Thirapatarapong, country manager at AWS Thailand. Were proud to support BOTNOI's mission to make conversational AI more accessible. Their success demonstrates how AWS is empowering a diverse range of startups in the region to experiment big and achieve remarkable business growth. AWS announces Generative AI Partner Innovation Alliance Amazon Web Services (AWS), a subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc., announced on November 4 the launch of the Generative AI Partner Innovation Alliance. Rising use of Generative AI Apps boosts consumer interest in differentiated connectivity Generative AI applications are emerging as a key area in driving interest in specialised connectivity - guaranteed uninterrupted high-end connectivity when you need it most - among 5G smartphone users globally, according to a report by Ericsson ConsumerLab published on November 13. Fotor Launches Generative AI Presentation Maker: Fotor AI Slides That You Need Fotor, a global leader in AI-powered photo editing and graphic design platforms, has launched its latest innovation, Fotor AI Slides. The corporation was named among the Top 100 Sustainable Businesses in Vietnam Manufacturing Sector and Top 5 Pioneering Enterprises in Circular Economy Implementation and Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction 2024. The ceremony at the Sheraton Hanoi Hotel was attended by prominent figures, including Nguyen Chi Dung, member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Planning and Investment, and Vice Chairman of the National Council for Sustainable Development, along with leaders of various ministries, departments, and businesses excelling in sustainable development. With the theme "Businesses Thriving in the Green Era", the ceremony marked the ninth consecutive year of dedicated efforts to recognise, promote, and evaluate businesses participating in the CSI 100. Representatives of C.P. Vietnam and other outstanding enterprises in sustainable development During the event, Vu Anh Tuan, senior vice president of C.P. Vietnam Corporation, received the Top 100 Sustainable Businesses in the Manufacturing Sector award. Additionally, Worawit Arunraksa, assistant vice president and manager of the sustainable development department, accepted the Top 5 Pioneering Enterprises in Circular Economy Implementation and Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction 2024 award on behalf of the company. The awards are an initiative of the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD) and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI). It evaluates companies based on CSI a comprehensive measurement tool for sustainable development across economic, environmental, and social dimensions. This index helps businesses optimise processes and serves as a foundation for change management, driving sustainable business operations. C.P. Vietnam has consistently earned the title of Sustainable Business, reaffirming the companys commitment to sustainable development, as well as that of the C.P. Group globally. C.P. Vietnam accepting the Top 100 Sustainable Businesses in the Manufacturing Sector award Additionally, the Top 5 Pioneering Enterprises in Circular Economy Implementation and Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction award highlights the companys efforts towards its 2030 target: a 15 per cent reduction in direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions per unit of production compared to the 2020 baseline. By 2050, the company aims to achieve net-zero emissions through investments in energy-efficient equipment and machinery, implementing energy management systems to monitor consumption, adopting renewable energy sources (such as solar and biomass), and eliminating coal usage. C.P. Vietnam actively integrates the circular economy model, minimising environmental impacts while supporting the preservation of natural ecosystems. A prominent example of this commitment is a project to plant 1.5 million trees in Vietnam, comprising 500,000 trees within the companys factories and farms and 1,000,000 trees through partnerships with local authorities and organisations. C.P. Vietnam accepting the Top 5 Pioneering Enterprises in Circular Economy Implementation and Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction 2024 award In 2024, this programme attracted nearly 500 enterprises nationwide of various types and sizes, underscoring the growing interest in sustainable development in Vietnam. This notable increase reflects a positive shift in awareness and actions among businesses. At the event, Vu Anh Tuan emphasised that participating in the CSI 100 programme has been pivotal on C.P. Vietnam's sustainability journey. "The CSI Index has enabled the company to enhance its management systems, strengthen competitiveness, and build trust among communities, consumers, and supply chain partners. With its integrated 3F Plus model: Feed seed and animal/fish feed production, Farm livestock breeding and farming, Food food processing and distribution, and Plus sustainability, traceability, and environmental friendliness, C.P. Vietnams business sectors collectively contribute to sustainable development. This recognition is the result of collaborative efforts across all departments within the company," Tuan said. The award is the result of collaborative efforts among departments within C.P. Vietnam C.P. Vietnams sustainability journey extends beyond meeting national and international standards to actively supporting communities and protecting the environment. The company continuously innovates strategies, from business development to implementing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, by adopting circular economy models, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, launching nature conservation projects, and supporting sustainable livelihoods for communities. As a socially and environmentally responsible business, C.P. Vietnam reaffirms its mission of "From Farm to Table" while steadfastly working towards becoming the Kitchen of the World through long-lasting, sustainable values. For C.P. Vietnam, sustainability is not just a commitment but a core foundation, prioritising the interests of the nation and communities. The company strives to build a sustainable economic ecosystem, harmonised with society and the environment, ensuring every step taken contributes to a greener, more prosperous, and sustainably developed Vietnam. C.P. Vietnam joins PPP to promote transformation of food industry The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), C.P Group, C.P. Vietnam, and the Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture Development Vietnam (PSAV) signed an MoU for a public-private partnership (PPP) on November 1 to promote the transformation of the food system towards transparency, responsibility, and sustainability in Vietnam. C.P. Vietnam hands over forest project in Binh Phuoc province C.P. Vietnam Corporation (CPV) and the Ta Thiet Protective Forest Management Board handed over a forestry project in Binh Phuoc province on October 31. The event is being organised by the Hanoi Department of Information and Communications under the direction of the city's People's Committee, in collaboration with the Vietnam Software and IT Services Association (VINASA). With the theme "Smart Cities Digital Economy Sustainable Development", the summit is expected to attract over 2,000 delegates, including government leaders, representatives from ministries and agencies, and top speakers in urban intelligence, technology, and sustainable development. The organisers anticipate that with contributions from more than 80 speakers and experts participating in seven specialised sessions, the summit will provide valuable insights into policies, methods, and technologies that can help Vietnam's cities become smarter and more sustainable, fostering prosperity and happiness. The Vietnam-Asia Smart City Summit 2024 brings together leaders, experts, and top tech companies to devise breakthrough solutions in sustainable urban development. Photo: Hanoi Department of Information and Communications Key highlights of the summit include the Smart City Awards ceremony, the VietFuture Innovation Awards for start-ups initiated by students, and Japan ICT Day. The event also features a comprehensive exhibition and business matching activities. According to the organisers, the summit aims to deliver actionable solutions and strategies to modernise infrastructure, enhance smart services for residents, and establish itself as a prestigious annual platform for smart city experts regionally and globally. The event serves as a cooperative environment for fostering partnerships at multiple levels and connecting domestic businesses with international organisations. Additionally, it offers a platform to exchange knowledge and advance smart city development, contributing to breakthroughs in Vietnams digital government, digital economy, and digital society. In his opening remarks, Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Ha Minh Hai emphasised that the summit is a forum for Hanoi and other regions to discuss and exchange experiences, solutions, and opportunities in technology that align with the goal of building modern, sustainable smart cities. Hai highlighted that the summits theme, "Smart Cities Digital Economy Sustainable Development", reflects three strategic goals and embodies the core pillars of Hanois forward-looking vision new global perspectives and thinking. Ha Minh Hai, Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee. Photo: Hanoi Department of Information and Communications The event brings together leaders, experts, and top tech companies to devise breakthrough solutions in fields such as semiconductors, AI, smart cities, intelligent transportation, clean energy, and sustainable environments. The practical experiences and lessons shared at the summit will be pivotal for Hanoi and other regions to seize opportunities, overcome challenges, and realise the vision of green, smart, and sustainable cities, said Hai. He further affirmed that the summit demonstrates Hanoi's commitment to fostering a multi-level cooperative environment. This involves leveraging the city's role as a global connector to align enterprises, academic institutions, researchers, and international organisations towards innovation and sustainable development. VINASA chairman Nguyen Van Khoa noted that 48 out of Vietnam's 63 provinces and cities are implementing smart city development plans, with over 50 provinces having provincial-level Intelligent Operation Centres (IOCs) and nearly 200 district-level IOCs. Most urban areas have completed the foundational infrastructure for data and transmission systems and are deploying smart applications to serve residents and businesses. As of December 2023, Vietnam had 902 urban areas with an urbanisation rate of 42.7 per cent, on par with Asias average. Urban economies contribute approximately 70 per cent of national GDP. The challenge lies in identifying new growth drivers amidst ongoing political, economic, and technological changes. To that, the digital economy, green economy, and emerging technologies could provide the answers, Khoa said. He underscored that digital economy initiatives are driving the transformation of traditional industries, while the green economy focuses on sustainable growth aligned with environmental and cultural preservation. Emerging industries like semiconductors, AI, and automotive technology are also attracting significant interest in Vietnam. Hanoi has overcome numerous challenges by adopting a sustainable development approach that prioritises citizen welfare and happiness. The city has achieved notable milestones, including the readiness of 5G infrastructure with 12,000 BTS stations and fibre-optic coverage for all households. The iHanoi digital citizen platform now hosts 1.1 million accounts, while 5.4 million health records are integrated with national databases, and systems for hospitals and transportation cards are being implemented. Hanoi pilots electronic health record solution Hanoi has announced plans to implement an integrated electronic health record system, scheduled to begin in November. Hanoi Tax Department pilots AI-powered virtual assistant A virtual assistant designed to provide round-the-clock support for taxpayers has been officially launched and is now being piloted by Hanoi Tax Department. Among the 27 listed commercial banks, 14 have foreign ownership rates exceeding 15 per cent of their charter capital. Photo: baodautu.vn Many banks have already maxed out or are close to maxing out their foreign investment room, including ACB, TPBank, ABBank, MBBank, Techcombank, VIB, and VPBank. In contrast to banks that have reached the maximum foreign ownership cap of 30 per cent, some have opted to reserve capacity for future capital raising. For instance, in early July, VIB locked its foreign room at 4.99 per cent. Previously, the bank capped foreign ownership at 20.5 per cent, which was consistently fully utilised. Southern lender OCB also locked its foreign room at 22 per cent. In mid-2021, OCB sold 15 per cent of its shares to its Japanese partner, Aozora Bank. Whether banks have reached their maximum foreign caps or still have room, most hope for an increase in the foreign ownership limit to create more space for future capital-raising initiatives Meanwhile, HDBank unveiled that it has reserved about 10 per cent of its foreign room for potential capital-raising initiatives, including selling shares to strategic investors amid favourable market conditions and when suitable partners are found. At present, the Ho Chi Minh City-based lender has garnered interest from diverse potential partners in South Korea, Europe, and the US. Selecting suitable partners for capital issuance and attracting strategic shareholders aligns with the banks objective of enhancing its financial capacity to support growth, ensuring capital safety, and maintaining liquidity targets. In contrast to top-tier banks, many other banks have very low foreign investor ownership rates or even fully available foreign room. These include NCB, Eximbank, SHB, LienVietPostBank, SeABank, VietCapital Bank, Nam A Bank, and SaigonBank. For Eximbank, after strategic shareholder Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) fully divested its stake, foreign ownership in the bank dropped to less than 10 per cent of its charter capital. Eximbank currently has no plans to sell additional shares to foreign investors. Nam A Bank is in the process of negotiating with foreign partners to find suitable investors. The bank plans to utilise its foreign room cap of up to 20 per cent to attract additional capital. Whether banks have reached their maximum foreign caps or still have room, most hope for an increase in the foreign ownership limit to create more space for future capital-raising initiatives, potentially through sales to foreign shareholders. According to a draft amendment to the law on foreign investors purchasing shares in Vietnamese credit institutions, foreign room for banks involved in mandatory transfers of weak credit institutions may be raised to 49 per cent, instead of the current 30 per cent. If approved, this would mean that banks participating in restructuring weak credit institutions, including Vietcombank, MBBank, HDBank, and VPBank, may see their foreign ownership limits increased to 49 per cent of their charter capital. The amendment, however, requires the state to hold at least 65 per cent of the total voting shares in state-owned commercial banks during the 2021-2025 period. Additionally, under the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement, Vietnam is committed to considering allowing two European credit institutions to own up to 49 per cent of the charter capital in two local banks within five years from the agreement's enforcement on August 1, 2020. This agreement does not apply to state-owned banks, including BIDV, VietinBank, Vietcombank, and Agribank. Nguyen Quoc Hung, secretary general of Vietnam Banks Association, stated that increasing the foreign ownership limit at Vietnamese banks would lure in foreign capital, help banks enhance their capital base, improve financial and competitive capacity, accelerate bad debt resolution, and drive socioeconomic development. Analysts believe that foreign investment in Vietnamese banks is beneficial for the domestic banking sector. The involvement of foreign investors has brought positive changes in finance, technology, management, and governance, aligning Vietnamese credit institutions more closely with international practices and standards. Raising the foreign ownership limit in banks may prove necessary. Although the financial health of the local banking system has improved, the system remains undercapitalised overall, with a capital adequacy ratio significantly lower than the regional average. Foreign banks committing to considerable loans International banks are demonstrating growing interest in Vietnam, committing substantial investments and loans to support the countrys development and economic growth. Room available in Vietnams traditional medicine tourism With a favourable tropical climate, rich biological diversity, and prestigious mineral water sources, Vietnam has significant potential to develop wellness and healthcare tourism. However, to make Vietnam a wonderland in this arena, a long-term master plan and multi-party action is required. At a meeting with Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man on December 3, Kevin Chng, CFO of Keppel Group, said that Vietnam is one of the countries where Keppel has allocated a significant portion of its investment resources. Aiming to expand its investment activities into sustainable development areas such as renewable energy and data infrastructure, the company wishes to receive more support from Vietnamese authorities to boost the effectiveness of its capital and further contribute to the nations sustainable development, Chng said. Keppel is a global asset manager and operator with strong expertise in sustainability-related solutions spanning the areas of infrastructure, real estate, and connectivity. Headquartered in Singapore, Keppel operates in more than 20 countries worldwide, providing critical infrastructure and services for renewables, clean energy, decarbonisation, sustainable urban renewal, and digital connectivity. Vietnam is one of Keppels key markets. Over three decades, Keppel has grown to become one of the largest foreign real estate investors in the country, with 25 projects and a total registered capital of approximately $3.8 billion. The company has partnered with local players, such as Khang Dien and Phu Long, to deliver transformative projects that contribute to Vietnams urban landscape and economic development. As a global asset manager and operator, Keppel is well-positioned to capture growth opportunities in Vietnam. The company is developing real estate market in Vietnam via quality investment platforms and asset portfolios, and also in the areas of infrastructure and connectivity. For example, it has identified potential pipeline assets for the Keppel Vietnam Fund (KVF), a private fund which combines capital from Keppel and global institutional investors to invest alongside Keppel in real estate projects, including residential developments, commercial properties, mixed-use projects, and townships, with a focus on Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. To date, KVF has invested alongside Keppel in several high-quality residential projects in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. When fully leveraged and invested, the fund will potentially have assets under management of approximately $1 billion. Looking ahead, Keppel remains committed to expanding its presence in Vietnam in the greater Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi areas. Speaking at the National Assembly (NA) discussion session last week, deputy Cam Thi Man representing the north-central province of Thanh Hoa agreed with the addition of sugary beverages to the special consumption tax (SCT) to contribute to orienting consumption, encouraging businesses and consumers to switch to sugar-free products, and contributing to limiting overweight and obesity numbers as well as non-communicable diseases. The draft law proposes to impose a tax on soft drinks according to Vietnamese standards, Photo: Le Toan However, the impact assessment research report stated that the beverage industry accounts for 38 per cent of the number of enterprises in the beverage industry. Regarding the impact on budget revenue, the calculation results show that when applying a 10 per cent SCT, the production scale of enterprises is narrowed, Man said. At the same time, the imposition of tax not only affects the beverage industry, but also affects dozens more. The consequences affect the entire economy, leading to a decline in GDP. She called for balancing the goal of guiding consumer behaviour with the production and business of enterprises trading in such products, and said the government needs to explain more clearly the goal of achieving this policy. In essence, is it to protect peoples health or just to increase budget revenue? Therefore, the addition of policies needs to be carefully considered for smooth implementation. Enterprises have time to develop business strategies and adapt promptly, she added Other deputies suggested that the law should expand the scope of the SCT to sugary drinks in general instead of sugary soft drinks. I am very concerned about the adverse effect of the proposal to impose SCT on sugary soft drinks because it may mislead consumers into thinking that only sugary soft drinks are not recommended for use. In fact, many other types of sugary drinks contain higher sugar content than soft drinks, said Trinh Xuan An, NA deputy from the southern province of Dong Nai. An said it is also necessary to avoid adjusting taxes on essential goods, and at the same time, to review the impact. If taxes are increased too quickly, it will immediately affect enterprises and the business environment, said An. Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc said the draft law proposes to impose SCT on soft drinks according to Vietnamese standards with sugar content of more than 5g/100ml. This standard will be regulated by the government. Therefore, when issuing the guiding decree, the government will stipulate which types of sugary soft drinks are not subject to SCT. Regarding the SCT on air conditioners, NA deputy Ha Sy Dong representing the central province of Quang Tri said that in the past, air conditioners could be considered a luxury item. However, they have now become an essential need in work and life. Many studies have shown that maintaining a suitable room temperature effectively improves mental labour productivity, Dong said. Other countries control air conditioners in two other aspects, in terms of refrigerants and the level of electricity consumption. Currently, Vietnam has regulations on controlling refrigerants, in the direction of reducing import quotas for refrigerants that have negative impacts on the ozone layer and cause the greenhouse effect, Dong explained. According to the reflection of businesses, due to the reduction in import quotas, the cost of purchasing refrigerants has increased continuously in recent times, increasing by an average of about 15-20 per cent per year. Vietnam also regulates energy efficiency for air conditioners and is increasingly moving towards increasing the minimum energy efficiency. Therefore, deputies believe that imposing an SCT on air conditioners is no longer necessary and should be abolished, he said. The Law on Data has five chapters with 46 articles, regulating digital data; building development, protection, administration, processing, and use of digital data; national data centres; national comprehensive databases; digital data products and services; digital data management; rights, obligations, and responsibilities of agencies, organisations, and individuals related to digital data activities. The National Assembly adopted the Law on Data on November 30. Photo: VGP Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on National Defence and Security Le Tan Toi said that data in the national database was a shared resource for agencies, organisations and individuals to exploit and use. One of the important highlights in the law is that it regulates the transfer and processing of cross-border data. Agencies, organisations and individuals are free to transfer data from abroad to Vietnam, process foreign data in Vietnam, and have their legitimate rights and interests protected by the State in accordance with the provisions of law. Transfer of core and important data includes transferring data stored in Vietnam to data storage systems located outside of Vietnam. For critical or core data transfers, such as transferring locally stored data to foreign servers, the process must ensure compliance with national security, public interests, and the legal rights of data owners under Vietnamese law and international agreements. The law is also expected to establish a national data exchange platform to support innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation. The platform will also facilitate the trading and sharing of data to support economic and social development. Regarding the development of the national data centre and infrastructure, Article 30 stipulates the infrastructure of the national data centre. Article 31 stipulates the responsibilities of the national data centre, including provisions to protect, ensure security, safety, and confidentiality, control, detect, and prevent attacks, intrusions, sabotage, and risks of information security and safety at the national data centre. Article 32 stipulates ensuring resources for the development of the national data centre and the infrastructure of the centre. The Law on Data will take effect from July 1, 2025. Panasonic rolls out future-proof data archiving solution with blu-ray data archiver Panasonics blu-ray data archiver is the first of its kind optical disc-based data archival solution using proven technologies to dramatically extend the lifespan of stored data, improve compliance while lowering operating expenditure. Using hacked personal data a crime under proposed changes to cybercrime law SINGAPORE: Under proposed changes to the Computer Misuse and Cybersecurity Act (CMCA), the act of obtaining hacking tools to commit a crime or using personal data that was obtained through hacks will be criminalised. At a workshop announcing the report on assessing an increase in special consumption tax (SCT) on beer last week, Nguyen Minh Thao, head of the research group under the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM), said the amended draft law on the tax will have a direct impact on the production and business activities of enterprises in the beverage industry and related industries. Increasing the excise tax on beer will affect over 20 industries and the total added value of the entire economy and state budget revenues. Policy proposals need to minimise negative impacts on workers and social security, said Thao. Even a slight change in taxes on beer can impact GDP in major ways Photo: Le Toan The report was conducted by the Institute for Strategy and Policy Research on Industry and Trade under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, along with the Vietnam Beverage Research Institute and experts from CIEM and the General Statistics Office. The draft law on SCT is being amended in the direction of adjusting the increase in tax rate for beer, currently 65 per cent, with two proposed options. The first is to increase tax annually by 5 per cent from 2026, so that by 2030 the rate will be 90 per cent. The second option is to increase tax by 15 per cent in 2026 and then increase it annually by 5 per cent from 2027, so that by 2030 the rate will be 100 per cent. The Vietnam Beverage Association (VBA) has also sent a document to the Ministry of Finance proposing to postpone the tax hike entirely until 2027, and raise the tax by 5 per cent every 2 years, reaching 80 per cent in 2031 to suit the economic context. The report noted that increasing SCT on beer will affect GDP growth. Specifically, compared to the target growth scenario of 6.5 per cent under normal conditions, raising the tax on beer will dent GDP by 0.035-0.08 per cent depending on the option chosen. The rate would be 0.017 per cent if the VBAs option is implemented. The report indicated that on average, between 2018 and 2022, the beverage industry created nearly 87,000 direct jobs and millions of indirect job opportunities through more than five million households providing restaurant and catering services. Of which, the beer industry contributes more than half of the beverage industrys workforce. Accordingly, the income of workers in the beer industry is higher than the average income of workers in the beverage industry and significantly higher than the average income of the manufacturing industry. Pham Tuan Khai, former legal director at the Government Office, said the report was one of the most detailed he has been involved in during his 30-year career. The bottleneck of lawmaking in our country today is that the law cannot predict future problems. Therefore, our laws are very specific and difficult to implement, Khai said. This report has comprehensively assessed the impact of the draft law, analysed and argued appropriately and convincingly, and helps the drafting agency not only see the practical picture but also predict the future of the industry. Dr. Nguyen Quoc Viet, deputy director of the Vietnam Institute for Economic and Policy Research, said the report has pointed out the principle of ensuring the sustainability of revenue sources. Sustainable revenue sources mainly come from direct taxes on corporate and personal income rather than consumption. Meanwhile, research shows that direct taxes decrease sharply when increasing the SCT on beer according to the options proposed by the Ministry of Finance, Viet said. Regarding the goal of reducing the rate of alcohol consumption, Viet emphasised that tax is only one measure. We must integrate and harmonise many different measures. These measures must ensure that people are directed towards responsible consumption, Viet added. Nguyen Hoang Giang, general director of Saigon Beer Trading Co., Ltd., said the report quantifies the impact of SCT options on the beer industry and is much needed. Businesses always go hand-in-hand with government policies. When issuing policies, they need to take into account the impact of businesses and the social context, Giang said. Tran Ngoc Anh, HEINEKEN Vietnams corporate affairs director, said all options to increase SCT on beer have an impact on the economy, however the second option has the strongest impact. The economy has faced many challenges in the past 4-5 years due to the impacts of the global economic and political context and high raw material prices, while domestic purchasing power is decreasing, Anh said. There needs to be a plan to increase SCT harmoniously to achieve the goals of raising budget revenue, while still protecting the health of consumers and supporting a stable business environment and economic growth. Nguyen Thi Kim Thuy, National Assembly deputy Danang The law on SCT should consider the imposition of tax on sugary soft drinks. We should expand the subjects of SCT to all sugary drinks according to the National Nutrition Strategy and the National Plan for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health Disorders for 2022-2025. In addition, I am concerned about the adverse effect of this policy because consumers may think that only sugary soft drinks are not recommended for use. In fact, many other types of sugary drinks contain higher sugar content than soft drinks. Moreover, sugary soft drinks according to Vietnamese standards is a much lower level compared to the concept of sugary drinks in general. Bui Thi Quynh Tho, National Assembly deputy Ha Tinh province The draft law adds two more tax calculation methods, the absolute method and mixed method, but does not specify them in detail. I propose that, to be consistent with other entities, an absolute tax rate should be added for tobacco so that this item should be subject to a mixed tax calculation method. However, if the tax is calculated in the absolute method, it will not ensure fairness among taxpayers because low-priced and high-priced cigarettes are subject to the same tax amount. With the absolute tax, some types of cigarettes will increase by 175 per cent compared to the current tax rate, and some other types will increase by 25 per cent only. Thus, applying a relative tax rate method is more suitable than the absolute method. Nguyen Thi Kim Anh, National Assembly deputy Bac Ninh province The drafters should add goods that are bad to for the environment to the list of SCT items, such as batteries, car tyres, plastic bags, and single-use plastic products. Regarding tax rates, roadmaps, and tax increases, it is necessary to consider the actual situation of the manufacturing industry, supply chain, raw materials, and consumer demand. If the tax increase is too high and sudden, it can have the opposite effect, like decreasing production, increasing counterfeit or poor quality goods, or causing tax losses for the state budget. The sudden tax increase on cigarettes may lead to increasing smuggling and tax evasion, declining production, narrowing of raw material growing areas, and significantly affecting the lives of workers and farmers involved in tobacco production. The two options for increasing the SCT on cigarettes as proposed in the draft law are too high for the next five years. We should reconsider the increase and the roadmap. For sugary soft drinks, the draft law stipulates only a tax rate of 10 per cent, which is lower than that of other countries. So we should consider the experience of other countries to raise it to 20 per cent, and building a suitable tax increase roadmap by 2030. For alcohol, I agree with increasing the SCT rate on alcohol in the proposed roadmap. However, I am concerned that the tax rate on beer is the same as that on alcohol above 20 degree proof. In fact, the higher the alcohol content is, the greater the health risks are. Why is the tax rate on beer higher than that on spirits, while the alcohol content of beer is typically much lower? The draft law should be revised to ensure effectiveness and feasibility. Beer industry compelled to adjust to potential tax impact Following a stressful few years of slumping demand, the beer industry is taking on even more challenging times, including the potential impact of special consumption tax, which leaves it finding new ways to prosper. SABECO wins at World Beer Awards SABECO and its products have received awards for their taste and quality as voted by the experts at the 2024 World Beer Awards. In addition, the draft also stipulates more clearly, supplements the cases and conditions for deduction, tax refund, and time for special consumption tax (SCT), contributing to reducing negativity, preventing budget loss, and at the same time improving transparency, management efficiency and enforcement. Can Van Luc, Chief economist, BIDV The drafting agency should clarify the main purpose of amending this law to increase state budget revenue or to contribute to regulating consumer behaviour, ensuring peoples health, reducing pressure on the health system, thereby reducing pressure on the budget, or both. The revised law needs to ensure harmony of interests, responsibilities, and feasibility for the state, enterprises, and consumers. In particular, major changes in tax policy need to be fully assessed for their impact, based on scientific basis and practical evidence. Moreover, increasing and diversifying state budget revenue should not base on collecting as much as possible, but should nurture or maintain revenue sources in the long term. Currently, countries are expanding the SCT to new items that are harmful to health. In particular, in the context of increasing budget deficits. The World Bank in 2021 recommended applying SCT on sugary drinks, products with high carbon emissions, and single-use plastics. In 2023, 108 of 192 countries and territories (accounting for 56 per cent) applied SCT on sugary drinks. Brazil was the first country to issue this policy in 1965. In 2016-2024, 47 countries enacted SCT on sugary drinks as a fiscal policy for health. In the ASEAN region, six countries have applied sugar taxes. However, there is no scientific evidence that sugar taxation is really effective in reducing overweight and obesity rates. According to the World Obesity Federation (WOF), sugar taxation does not necessarily reduce these figures. Specifically, in 2024, 21 countries reported an increased rate of overweight and obesity in the 2016-2024 period despite imposing SCT on sugary drinks for many years. Some 65 countries that have never imposed tax on soft drinks saw rates of overweight and obesity decreased in the same period. Notably, Japan has no tax on sugary drinks, but the rate of overweight and obese people has remained stable at 4.3 per cent over the past nine years. The reason why SCT on soft drinks has not been effective in reducing this issue is that sugary soft drinks are not the only cause of obesity. According to the WOF, there are nine risk factors causing obesity, and industrially produced food (including beverages) is one of them. According to the Tax Foundation in 2023, budget revenues from SCT on soft drinks are low, and not enough for long-term programmes for the health goals of the government. On the other hand, low-income consumers have to pay a disproportionate share of their disposable income for sugary drinks compared to higher-income earners, because consumption of such drinks is higher in urban areas. To improve the effectiveness of tax policies in curbing the overweight and obesity rate, according to the Tax Foundation, SCT on sugary drinks must be designed to suit the specific circumstances of each country, in terms of taxable subjects, tax rates, and how revenue is used for public health promotion programmes. In Vietnam, since 2016, although the overweight and obesity ratio increased from 2.1 to 3.6 per cent, and among the 14 countries with the lowest obesity rate in the world, the growth rate of obese people in the population under 19 years old is quite high. Whether higher taxes can regulate the consumption behaviour of this group is still a big question mark. In this context, the BIDV research team recommends an interdisciplinary cooperation, instead of using tax policies alone. This includes raising awareness of overweight and obesity in children in the community and for policymakers; conducting more research on the economic and health impacts; and interventions to address the issue in children to provide sufficient evidence for policymakers. The country must also accelerate existing campaigns and develop other specific policies to address overweight and obesity in children in Vietnam. The 16th Vietnam M&A Forum, themed A Blossoming Market, attracted over 650 speakers and more than 7,500 senior leaders from investment funds, consulting organisations, corporations, and businesses from Vietnam and abroad. Organised by Vietnam Investment Review under the auspices of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the prestigious annual event delved into emerging M&A opportunities arising from increased international capital flows, government incentive policies, and attractive business valuations. It also explored the rapid growth of key sectors such as real estate, retail, technology, renewable energy, financial services, and logistics. Vietnam M&A Forum 2024 brings together thousands of speakers, experts, senior leaders of funds, investors, and representatives of Vietnamese and international enterprises. More gains than losses During the forum, Luu Thi Thanh Mau recounted Phuc Khang Corporations partnership with Japans Mitsubishi Corporation, which began six years ago. The two companies collaborated to develop the Diamond Lotus project on Le Quang Kim Street in Ho Chi Minh Citys District 8. This partnership led to the establishment of Phuc Khang Mitsubishi Corporation Holding (PKMC) in December 2017 to co-develop the Diamond Lotus product line in line with LEED standardsa globally recognised green building certification. Foreign investors, particularly Japanese investors, are very demanding, Mau said. However, once you become their partner, the benefits they bring can significantly grow your business. Mau said that companies must establish objectives that go beyond financial gains, as well as develop a skilled, internationally adaptable workforce to avoid failure. Efforts should focus on creating learning organisations with leaders who possess a strong learning spirit. She also emphasised the importance of preparation, including transparency and robust internal discipline. Mau recalled Phuc Khangs collaboration with Mitsubishi, where the company responded to an urgent email request at 2 a.m. during the Vietnamese New Year holidaydemonstrating the commitment required to foster a successful partnership. Rather than waiting for opportunities, firms should actively seek and leverage resources to strengthen their business operations. Mau noted that successful M&A deals often stem from pure motivations and wholehearted dedication, even if initial profits are modest. She cited the companys partnership with Mitsubishi as an example, where they received $4 million by exceeding expectations. CEO Luu Thi Thanh Mau shares at the panel discussion of the Vietnam M&A Forum 2024. Special attention to green projects On the sidelines of the forum, Mau reiterated Phuc Khang Corporations strategy of leveraging foreign resources by fostering partnerships with investors from Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the US, and Europe. The green real estate sector is witnessing a surge in M&A activity as businesses and governments increasingly commit to sustainable development and carbon emissions reduction. Green and low-carbon building projects not only bring environmental benefits but also create attractive investment opportunities in the long term. According to Mau, supportive government policies such as tax incentives and financial assistance for carbon offsetting and environmental protection projects are driving growth in this field. Additionally, consumers and investors are placing greater value on sustainable products, services, and projects. Sustainable developments reduce operational costs, such as energy and water usage, while creating long-term value for investors. Moreover, transitioning to low-carbon economic models helps businesses manage risks associated with climate change, stricter environmental regulations, and changing consumer behaviours. Diamond Lotus Riverside green project was developed following the successful deal between Phuc Khang and Mitsubishi. Phuc Khang Corporation has been a pioneer in green building development, adhering to LEED and LOTUS standards. Its projects focus on sustainable locations, efficient water and energy usage, eco-friendly materials, and indoor air quality. The Diamond Lotus Riverside project, developed in partnership with Mitsubishi, is a notable example of the companys success. For successful M&A, pure motivations must be combined with disciplined management and a commitment to community values. Phuc Khang is dedicated to elevating Vietnamese brands globally by delivering standard green building products, Mau said. Green high-rise buildings ensure healthy living space and environmental benefits Phuc Khang Corporation develops green high-rise buildings as part of its development strategy to ensure living space and environmental benefits. Green buildings in Vietnam: Harnessing potential and advantages According to a report by the Ministry of Construction, by the end of the third quarter of 2024, the number of green buildings in Vietnam had reached approximately 500, with a total floor area exceeding 12 million square metres. This achievement is the result of favourable government policies and active involvement from diverse stakeholders. IMARC reported that the global e-commerce market in 2024 is valued at $26.8 trillion and is projected to reach $214.5 trillion by 2033. With favourable legal conditions, expanding foreign investments, and improved internet accessibility, Vietnam's e-commerce ecosystem is ready for sustainable development, positioning the country as a regional digital economy powerhouse. "Vietnam will lead the Southeast Asian e-commerce revolution, recognised as having one of the most favourable legal environments for e-commerce within ASEAN," the report said. Photo: vir.com.vn E-commerce accounts for over 60 per cent of Vietnam's digital economy, with a significant portion of the remaining 40 per cent comprising ride-hailing and online media services. Additionally, Vietnam's digital economy is estimated to reach $220 billion by 2030, creating numerous opportunities for global investors. Forecasts indicate that Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi will develop into important centres. According to IMARC estimates, Vietnam's e-commerce sector is expected to achieve a compound annual growth rate of 28 per cent from 2025-2033. The country's developing e-commerce landscape is characterised by successful domestic platforms including Tiki, Sendo, and Thegioididong, supported by investments from Japan, the United States, Germany, China, South Korea, and Singapore. Singapore, a regional economic hub, is closely connected to Vietnam's e-commerce market through companies like Shopee and Carousell. Singapore-based investors, including Temasek, GIC, and other companies, have funded Vietnamese e-commerce startups. South Korea, with its strong technological capabilities and increasing interest in Southeast Asia, is increasingly focusing on Vietnam's e-commerce sector. South Korea's e-commerce platform Coupang, which is dubbed the "Amazon of South Korea", is exploring potential market entry, leveraging its expertise in logistics and technology solutions. Moreover, South Korean corporations like Samsung and LG are investing in e-commerce infrastructure to promote their electronic products in Vietnam. Furthermore, Vietnam is assessed to have seven factors attracting global attention, including high growth potential; favourable investment environment; numerous government reforms creating a business-friendly climate; strategic location; economic stability and middle-class expansion; government support for digital transformation; participation in progressive free trade agreements; and a young, skilled workforce proficient in technology and adaptable to e-commerce industry requirements. According to the International Monetary Fund, Vietnam is projected to rank third in ASEAN for GDP in 2025, reaching $571.12 billion, trailing Indonesia at $1.63 trillion and Thailand at $632.45 billion. Additionally, Vietnam's economy is predicted to surpass Thailand's after 2028. This trend is expected to significantly boost the growth of Vietnam's e-commerce sector by increasing consumer purchasing power, attracting larger foreign investments, and consolidating the country's position as a leading digital economy in the region. Vietnam ranks first in Southeast Asia in search volume growth rate for foreign travel Vietnam ranked first in Southeast Asia in terms of the growth rate in demand for foreign travel, at 170 per cent in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2019, Google announced on August 30. Vietnam to remain among fastest-growing countries in Southeast Asia Vietnam is forecast to post breakout growth as the fastest-growing economy in Southeast Asia in the next decade. According to the General Department of Customs, Vietnam's wood export turnover for the first 11 months of 2024 is estimated to reach over $14.6 billion, gradually approaching the adjusted target of $15.2 billion set mid-2024. Currently, Vietnamese wood products are present in 170 global markets, with the top five including the United States, Japan, China, South Korea, and the EU, which collectively account for over 90 per cent of total wood export turnover. Vietnam has ascended to fifth place worldwide in total wood export value. Market fluctuations in 2024 have strongly impacted Vietnam's wood processing and export activities. Vietnamese wood enterprises have faced difficulties due to sharp increases in raw material prices, complex VAT refund procedures, and primary export markets affected by economic weakness and product protection issues. However, wood processing and export businesses have found opportunities to swim against the current and reach their target. Photo: vir.com.vn A series of trade exhibitions seeking markets and attracting customers interested in Vietnamese wood products were organised in key production regions such as Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Dinh, and Binh Duong. Enterprises in Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Binh Dinh, where many wood processing plants are located, are actively seeking market breakthrough opportunities. According to Vietnamplus.vn, Nguyen Liem, chairman of the Binh Duong Wood Association, Businesses in Binh Duong have developed unique product designs and introduced them to international customers. To expand their outlets more flexibly, many enterprises have also changed sales strategies by shifting to e-commerce channels instead of exclusively wholesale. Regarding Dong Nai's wood products, businesses from this province have exported to 50 countries and territories, with primary markets being the United States, Europe, Japan, South Korea, and China. Do Xuan Lap, chairman of the Vietnam Timber and Forest Product Association, said, If exports reach $3 billion in the last two months, the wood industry's annual exports will achieve the $16 billion target. According to Lap, enterprises need to focus on enhancing competitiveness by prioritising five main pillars encompassing production techniques and technology, emissions reduction, management, trade promotions, and internal monitoring standards. Only when Vietnamese wood processing businesses excel in these criteria can they increase the competitiveness of domestic wood products against foreign and foreign-invested enterprises in Vietnam. Despite the positive export results, industry experts are also encouraging businesses to meet domestic market demands and not leave the market open for foreign goods to dominate. Currently, the domestic market remains largely untapped and is predominantly occupied by imported goods or served by small production units. Vu Hong Cuong, vice president of the Vietnam Furniture Association, said, "To date, domestic wood processing enterprises have not established a strong position in design or large domestic brands, lacking distinctive product lines despite high production and design potential. This has led to consumer preference for imported goods. Therefore, while exports are the primary goal of Vietnam's wood processing industry, if markets are effectively exploited, wood processing and export enterprises can create a solid brand for both domestic and international consumers." Barriers to AI utilisation in Vietnam can be overcome AI is considered the technology of the future due to its wide application in various fields. Dao Trung Thanh, deputy general director of the Academy of Blockchain and AI Innovation under the Vietnam Blockchain Association, talked to VIRs Thai An about strategies for seizing opportunities and overcoming challenges in successfully implementing AI into business management and operations. Vietnam agricultural exports surge in US market Vietnam's agricultural exports to the US have surged, driven by strong demand and impressive growth in key sectors such as wood products, seafood, and other agricultural products, showcasing a strong recovery and expanding opportunities. The AT&T logo is seen above the entrance to one of its retail stores in New York in this 2016 file photo. The company is telling investors Tuesday about its new growth plan, which includes big share buybacks. Mark Lennihan/Associated Press file photo AT&T on Tuesday outlined new long-term financial goals it says will be powered by its growing wireless and broadband services as it works to wind down its legacy landlines and leaves the media business behind. As a result, the Dallas company expects its free cash flow to be more than $18 billion in 2027, the company said as it detailed for investors its three-year vision to expand its 5G and double its fiber services across the United States. It also announced that it expects its improved financial performance to support more than $40 billion of anticipated shareholder returns through dividends and stock buybacks over the same period. That includes an initial $10 billion stock repurchase it expects to complete by the end of 2026. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Over the last four years, weve achieved durable and profitable subscriber growth, generated attractive returns on network investment, and strengthened our balance sheet, AT&T CEO John Stankey said in a statement. Stankey, who took the reins in 2020, was one of the executives who, in 2008, made the decision to move the company from San Antonio. On Tuesday, shares of the telecommunications giant rose about 3% before the market open and were up nearly 4% by midafternoon. The stock has been rebounding including a a 35% gain so far this year since Stankey reversed course and spun off its Warner Bros. unit and began unloading satellite company DirecTV. Flush with cash, AT&T said its now looking to expand its fiber broadband network to more than 50 million locations by the end of 2029. It is also actively working to exit its legacy copper network operations across the large majority of its wireline footprint by the end of of that year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It expects to have largely completed the modernization of its 5G wireless network with open technology by 2027, with deep mid-band 5G spectrum covering more than 300 million people by the end of 2026. The company said the network will be able to support super-fast download speeds and serve as a platform for new product and GenAI innovation. Still, AT&T remains the third-largest wireless provider behind rivals Verizon Communications and T-Mobile in a market with little room for growth. Recent network failures and data breaches have also tarnished its reputation. But its seeing growth in fiber and expects to see growth in that segment. AT&T now anticipates 2024 adjusted earnings in a range of $2.20 to $2.25 per share. Its prior outlook was for $2.15 to $2.25 per share. Analysts polled by FactSet expect full-year earnings of $2.21 per share. For 2025, AT&T is calling for adjusted earnings of $1.97 to $2.07 per share, excluding DirecTV. It foresees adjusted earnings per share accelerating to double-digit percentage growth in 2027. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Free cash flow is expected to total more than $16 billion next year, excluding DirecTV. AT&T predicts annual growth of about $1 billion, pushing free cash flow to more than $18 billion in 2027. AT&T sold a 30% stake of DirecTV to private equity firm TPG in 2021 for $16.25 billion. It is now in the process of selling its remaining 70% stake in DirecTV to TPG for about $7.6 billion, which is expected to close next year. 02.12.2024 (14:45) Russian Defence Ministry reports on repelling AFU attempt to invade Russian territory in Kursk region (2 December 2024) Russian Defence Ministry reports on repelling AFU attempt to invade Russian territory in Kursk region (2 December 2024) The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the operation to neutralise an enemy group, which broke into the territory of Kursk region. Units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of the 21st, 41st, 44th, 47th mechanised brigades, the 17th Heavy Mechanised Brigade, the 5th Tank Brigade, 80th, 82nd, 95th air assault brigades, 112th, 129th territorial defence brigades of the AFU near Aleksandriya, Viktorovka, Lebedevka, Leonidovo, Malaya Loknya, Martynovka, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Nikolsky, Novaya Sorochina, Novoivanovka, Plyokhovo, and Sverdlikovo. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the enemy near Viktorovka, Guyevo, Zaoleshenka, Kruglenkoye, Kurilovka, Lebedevka, Leonidovo, Malaya Loknya, Martynovka, Mirny, Nizhny Klin, Nikolayevka, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Novaya Sorochina, Novoivanovka, Plyokhovo, Sverdlikovo, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, as well as Basovka, Belovody, Zhuravka, Miropolye, and Pavlovka (Sumy region). Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to more than 250 troops, one tank, one infantry fighting vehicle, two armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, and four mortars. One AFU serviceman surrendered. Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses have amounted to more than 37,355 troops, 216 tanks, 161 infantry fighting vehicles, 123 armoured personnel carriers, 1,206 armoured fighting vehicles, 1,065 motor vehicles, 305 artillery guns, 40 MLRS launchers, including 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. Department for Media Affairs and Information *** 02.12.2024 (12:35) Russian Defence Ministry reports on the progress of the special military operation (2 December 2024) Russian Defence Ministry reports on the progress of the special military operation (2 December 2024) The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation. In Kharkov direction, units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of the AFU 92nd Air Assault Brigade near Liptsy (Kharkov region). Three counter-attacks launched by the enemys assault detachments were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 35 troops, one armoured personnel carrier, three motor vehicles, two 152-mm D-20 guns, and one 122-mm D-30 howitzer. Units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the 14th, 53rd, 66th mechanised brigades, 25th Airborne Brigade, 68th Jaeger Brigade of the AFU, 109th and 241st territorial defence brigades near Lozovaya, Kupyansk, Petropavlovka (Kharkov region), Serebryanka, Torskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic), Nadiya (Lugansk Peoples Republic), and Serebryansky forestry. Nine counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the 3rd Tank Brigade, 116th Mechanised Brigade of the AFU, 113th Territorial Defence Brigade, and 1st National Guard Brigade were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 490 troops, one infantry fighting vehicle, two armoured fighting vehicles, six pickup trucks, one U.S.-made 155-mm M198 howitzer, one UK-made 105-mm L-119 gun, and four ammunition depots. Units of the Yug Group of Forces captured more advantageous lines and positions and inflicted losses on formations of the 23rd, 54th, 110th mechanised brigades, 46th Airmobile Brigade, 79th Air Assault Brigade, and 59th Motorised Infantry Brigade of the AFU near Andreyevka, Konstantinovka, Nikolayevka, Shevchenko, Grigorovka, Chasov Yar, and Kurakhovo (Donetsk Peoples Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 260 troops, three motor vehicles, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, one U.S.-made 105-mm M119 gun, and two ammunition depots. Units of the Tsentr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front line and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the 95th Mechanised Brigade, 59th Motorised Infantry Brigade of the AFU, 111th, 120th territorial defence brigades, 14th and 15th national guard brigades near Grodovka, Pustynka, Novy Trud, Vozdvizhenka, Dzerzhinsk, and Zarya (Donetsk Peoples Republic). Nine counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the 53rd, 100th, 151st mechanised brigades, 49th Assault Battalion of the AFU, 35th and 38th marine brigades were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to more than 525 troops, four Kozak armoured fighting vehicles, one U.S.-made MaxxPro armoured fighting vehicle, two pickup trucks, three 152-mm Msta-B howitzers, one 152-mm D-20 gun, and three 122-mm D-30 howitzers. Units of the Vostok Group of Forces continued advancing to the depth of the enemys defences and inflicted losses on formations of the 151st Mechanised Brigade of the AFU and 108th Territorial Defence Brigade near Velikayaya Novoselka (Donetsk Peoples Republic) and Komsomolskoye (Zaporozhye region). Two counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 32nd Mechanised Brigade were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 150 troops, one German-made Leopard tank, four U.S.-made HMMWV and MaxxPro armoured fighting vehicles, 14 motor vehicles, one French-made 155-mm CAESAR self-propelled artillery system, one 155-mm Bogdana self-propelled artillery system, and one 152-mm Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system. Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the 31st, 110th mechanised brigades of the AFU, and 124th Territorial Defence Brigade near Malaya Tokmachka (Zaporozhye region), Dneprovskoye, and Beregovoye (Kherson region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 55 troops, two motor vehicles, and one ammunition depot. Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack drones, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces struck infrastructure of military airfields, power objects ensuring operation of Ukrainian defence industry enterprises, UAV command posts, as well as engaged manpower and hardware clusters of the enemy in 127 areas. Air defence units shot down one U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectile and 69 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 649 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 37,082 unmanned aerial vehicles, 586 anti-aircraft missile systems, 19,590 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,497 MLRS combat vehicles, 18,847 field artillery guns and mortars, and 28,935 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised. WtR Tuckers Kozy Korner, a longtime bar and lounge on East Houston Street in San Antonio, has new owners and will be converted to Il Fornos second location. The drive-in vibe and inside stage will remain. Staff file photo The neon sign for Tuckers Kozy Korner will remain as its converted to an Il Forno pizzeria. Staff file photo Il Forno is one of the Top 10 pizza restaurants in San Antonio. Mike Sutter/Staff The stage at Tuckers Kozy Korner will remain, its new owner says. Staff file photo Il Forno is expanding to San Antonios East Side. Mike Sutter/Staff San Antonio Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ranked Il Forno one of the Top 10 Pizza restaurants in San Antonio, with great pizzas including the Margherita with mozzarella, basil and tomatoes. Mike Sutter/Staff Il Forno opened in the Lone Star neighborhood in 2016. Mike Sutter/Staff Tuckers Kozy Korner, a bar and lounge on East Houston Street in San Antonio, has new owners and will be converted to Il Fornos second location. The drive-in vibe will remain. Mike Sutter/Staff file photo Owner Michael Sohocki is expanding his Lone Star-area pizzeria Il Forno to San Antonios East Side, with plans to open a second location at the former Tuckers Kozy Korner. Sohocki and business partners bought the historic building at 1338 E. Houston St. from a partnership affiliated with local developer Mitch Meyer. Tuckers, a mainstay since 1948 with live music, a full bar and a variety of food items, closed last year. Sohocki and chef Jason Garcia, who oversees Il Forno, plan to serve scratch-made pizza at the Dignowity Hill location and may expand the menu beyond that. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While the original Il Forno at 122 Nogalitos St. is centered around one oven, the Houston Street building has a full kitchen, which provides space for more options, Sohocki said. He said he wants to offer catering services and may consider a pop-up of Restaurant Gwendolyn, a downtown restaurant he closed during the pandemic in 2021 and later rebranded as 5 Points Food & Drink before shuttering that iteration as well. I want to stick with the original menu, Sohocki said. Then maybe well use the full kitchen for catering ventures and special seated dinners with multiple courses. He plans to keep much of the exterior look and feel of Tuckers, including the lit-up drive in sign and stage. He wants to expand the dining room, though, which he said would require gaining a variance from the city, and add a new air-conditioning system, rip out the carpet and make other interior changes. I would like to keep as much of that original character as possible, Sohocki said of the corner spot. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sohocki said he starts businesses based on what he calls the elevator method, beginning with something that is under-appreciated and undervalued. He opened Restaurant Gwendolyn and Kimura in a historic building across from the Greyhound bus station downtown and Il Forno in a run-down bar on the outskirts of Southtown. I believe in setting cornerstones and then building the community around it. I think the East Side is underrepresented and theyve been getting (expletive) for a long time, and they deserve more credit than they get, said Sohocki, who lives just a few blocks away from the Tuckers corner. He said he aims to have the second Il Forno restaurant up and running in six months and may add more locations in the future. Im trying to make one clean punch in the direction of Il Forno, Sohocki said. If I can pour any fuel on that arm of the business, thats what Im going to spend my dollar on. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The original Il Forno opened in 2016. Last year, it landed at No. 24 on Italian website 50TopPizza.its list of the top 50 pizzerias in the United States. The website praised Il Forno for its Neapolitan pizza both in its traditional version and others influenced by local flavors. This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Dec 3rd, 2024 Wrexham.com has invited local Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in their respective Parliaments and closer to home you can find them all here. In this months column Wrexhams Member of the Senedd, Lesley Griffiths, writes: Cutting NHS waiting times and ensuring people have timely access to planned care is a priority for the public. Since the pandemic, the overall size of the waiting list and the length of time people are waiting for treatment has increased significantly, not just in Wales but across the UK. Over the past two years, the Welsh Government has provided almost 900m extra for the NHS and although health boards are making progress in reducing waiting times, there is more to be done. In October, the Welsh Government outlined a further 28m to specifically tackle the longest waiting times but last week, the Welsh Government increased the fund to 50m, thanks to an increase in funding from the UK Labour Government. The NHS will be able to use this funding immediately and expects to treat 16,000 more people, carry out 14,000 extra tests and up to 20,000 more outpatient appointments, all by the end of March 2025. In the Senedd, I welcomed this investment but highlighted to the Cabinet Secretary for Health that the funding needs to be closely monitored to ensure targets are being met. Communication is also critical as people in Wrexham and across Wales who rely on these services will want to see improvements taking place. I also emphasised to the Cabinet Secretary it is essential there is a focus on transformation and innovation as this will help our NHS adapt to future challenges. This week, weve increased the amount of funding to support health boards reduce the longest waiting times to 50m. 3m of this will go towards cutting the longest waiting times for childrens neurodevelopmental assessments across Wales.https://t.co/qyUCMjv1eW pic.twitter.com/Xjwej0Zi5V Welsh Government Health and Social Care (@WGHealthandCare) November 21, 2024 Im a long-time supporter of Teams4U and the charity recently launched its Christmas Shoebox Appeal. Each year Teams4U run this nationwide initiative to provide Christmas gifts to vulnerable children and families who are unlikely to receive any presents. People are asked to find an old shoebox, wrap it in Christmas paper and fill it with useful gifts. When completed, the shoeboxes should be dropped off at the Teams4U warehouse in Llay before the deadline of Monday 2 December. Teams4U then work with the British Red Cross and deliver the packages to some of the most disadvantaged children in Eastern Europe, many of whom have fled the war in Ukraine. The shoebox appeal, which was started in Wrexham by Teams4U founder, Dave Cooke over 30 years ago, is such a worthy cause. Its still going strong after all these years largely thanks to the generosity of local residents and the positive impact it has on the lives of vulnerable children and parents cannot be overstated. Andrew Ranger MP and I recently visited the team to drop off our donations and discovered that, last year, Teams4U donated 64,000 shoeboxes to those in need. Theres still time for people to take part in this years appeal and all the information can be found online. Theres still time for people to take part in this years Christmas shoebox appeal Completed shoeboxes should be taken to the @Teams4u warehouse in Llay before 2nd December deadline @wrexham @AndrewRangerMP https://t.co/lQGFh7few8 Lesley Griffiths (@lesley4wrexham) November 25, 2024 Congratulations to Wrexham author Samantha Maxwell on the success of her latest book. Disabling Ableism is a general study of disability in the eyes of society. The book, which is Samanthas second, deals with public perceptions and opinions of disability, and questions whether anything needs to change. I first met Samantha last year and helped arrange for her books to be stocked at the Senedd shop in Cardiff Bay. Her first book, CP Isnt Me, was published in 2022 and is a part autobiographical, part factual account which shares Samanthas own personal experiences of living with mild cerebral palsy. Andrew Ranger MP and I recently caught up with Samantha at one of her book signing sessions at Bellis Brothers Farm Shop in Holt, Wrexham. To have published two books is a wonderful achievement and Samantha is now focusing on writing a third! Due out next year, the latest book is expected to analyse the relationship between disability and mental health, and I wish Samantha every success. Earlier this month we remembered and honoured those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. In addition to the Armistice Day ceremony, I, along with other residents and local dignitaries, attended the annual Remembrance Service at the RWF Memorial at Bodhyfryd to lay a wreath and pay my respects. Wrexham is a city with a proud military tradition and it was heartwarming to see so many members of the public in attendance showing their gratitude to our Armed Forces past and present. The numbers of people involved appear to increase year on year and it was a privilege to highlight this in the Senedd you can watch my speech here. Poignant and emotional service at Wrexham cenotaph today. As always very well attended and lovely to see so many individuals and organisations lay wreaths in remembrance pic.twitter.com/9EurXqWHbP Lesley Griffiths (@lesley4wrexham) November 10, 2024 As always, if youre a constituent and there is anything I could help you with, please email me: lesley.griffiths@senedd.wales or call 01978 355743. You can sign up to my regular e-newsletter by clicking here. Ceiriog Valley Community set for fast broadband connection through rural digital initiative This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Dec 3rd, 2024 A community in Wrexham County Borough is hoping to finally connect to fast and reliable broadband thanks to a digital initiative promoted by community partners. Back in 2020 villages in the Ceiriog Valley made the news after being reported as a digital black spot. Now thanks to Rural Digital Connectivity, an Ambition North Wales project managed by Cadwyn Clwyd and Menter Mon residents of Dolywern are hoping to benefit from the Fibre Community Partnership (FCP) operated by Openreach and supported by UK Governments Gigabit Broadband Voucher scheme. To reach the required number of participants for the broadband locals are being asked to sign up. If successful, they will be better placed to meet the growing digital demands of everyday life and make the most of future technology developments. This is the only FCP in Wrexham and comes as community leaders and project partners work together to try to bring about the transformation. Councillor Trevor Bates, who represents Dyffryn Ceiriog, said it would be a boost for the local community. After years of struggling with limited broadband, our community now has the chance to secure the connectivity it needs to make the most of opportunities in todays digital age, said Cllr Bates. We dont want to miss out, so I would urge people to sign-up if they havent already. This project is a great example of what we can achieve when we work with our partners. This will benefit our residents and businesses, helping us stay connected, competitive and engaged. The Ceiriog Valley community is among 21 across north Wales working towards securing fast broadband in this way. The FCP has been made possible with additional support and funding from the UK Governments Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme. Alongside signposting to the FCP the Rural Digital Connectivity scheme also works with satellite and 4G services providers in different areas to link communities that would otherwise not have access to reliable networks. Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham County Borough Council is also the Digital Connectivity Programme Lead at Ambition North Wales. He added: Were delighted that Dolywern is one of the areas looking to benefit from our Rural Digital Connectivity initiative. We want to work with communities like this to improve capability across the whole region to meet the growing demand for access to digital services. This project is not only about connecting people to the internet; its about connecting communities to new opportunities. This a significant step forward for places like Dolywern, and will enable businesses to grow, students to access additional online learning opportunities, and families to stay connected. Rural Digital Connectivity is available across all six counties of north Wales. It is managed by Cadwyn Clwyd and Denbighshire Council in the east and Menter Mon in the west. The scheme will run for another month supporting rural communities to access faster broadband and digital services. More information can be found here. New guide launched for parents to help stop their children vaping This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Dec 3rd, 2024 Public Health Wales has published a useful guide to help parents and carers who are worried their child may be vaping. The guide includes lots of tips for how to spot the potential signs of vaping, and how to approach a conversation about it. Almost one-in-six year 11 students in Wales (15.9 per cent) are regularly using vapes, according to data published recently by Public Health Wales and The School Health Research Network. Over 45 per cent of students in year 11 say they have tried a vape. The guide advises parents that they should try and have an open conversation with their child, and to try to stay positive. Many signs of vaping are also signs of normal adolescent growth, such as mood swings, so parents should not jump to conclusions. Most vapes contain nicotine, an addictive substance. Regular use can lead to nicotine dependence, causing cravings and withdrawal symptoms if trying to quit. Nicotine addiction can affect concentration, learning and studying. Withdrawal can disrupt sleep, cause headaches, and impact mental health and mood. Mary-Ann McKibben, Consultant in Public Health for Public Health Wales, said: We know from a recent report published by Public Health Wales that vaping is on the increase amongst young people in Wales, as it is across the UK. This means that parents and carers are going to be concerned about this, and will be looking for guidance on how they should approach the subject with their child. This guide is there to help them. The key thing is to have open conversations with your loved ones. Stay calm, dont panic and crucially try to stay positive. Choose a good time for a proper discussion. For example, if youve just found vapes in their room, wait until youve calmed down before talking to them. If youre concerned about your child vaping, you dont have to cope with the situation on your own. You can talk to your GP or call Help Me Quit on 0800 085 2219 for advice and support. The new guide is on the Public Health Wales website here if they have updated things correctly: www.phw.nhs.wales/vaping. (More free promotion for Public Health Wales campaigns donated by Wrexham.com!) Coleg Cambria strikes gold at UK skills Olympics! This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Dec 3rd, 2024 A North Wales college struck gold at the UK skills Olympics. Coleg Cambria was represented by the largest team of apprentices and foundation skills learners from Wales at this years WorldSkills UK finals. And once again the college based in Deeside, Wrexham, Northop and Llysfasi achieved medals and was highly commended in a raft of categories, including: Welding: Zac Winn (Gold) Aircraft Maintenance: Robert Jones (Silver), Aiden Williams (Bronze), and James Prescott (Highly Commended) Metal Fabricator: Mark Wright (Silver), Jimmy Smith (Bronze) Beauty Therapist: Darcy Watson (Silver), Lilia Jones (Highly Commended) CNC Milling: Tomas Ankers (Highly Commended) It was an incredible return for the 17-strong group as more than 400 finalists from across the UK competed in 40 skills categories. Cambrias Skills Competition Lead Robert Jones said he was immensely proud of the team, adding: They were all amazing and performed so well under pressure, showing dedication, skill and passion for their work. As a college we are known for developing young talent in partnership with industry leaders from across north east Wales and beyond, and this year was no different. A huge thank you and congratulations to every one of them, and to the lecturers and staff who worked so hard to get them into this position, and those mentors, training officers and judges notably Jamie Mapp-Jones, Rosie Boddy, Caleb Maxfield, Adam Youens, Tony Commins and Ruth Payton who also represented Coleg Cambria on the national stage. The WorldSkills UK finals took place at colleges, independent training providers and universities across Greater Manchester, including Bolton, Rochdale, Wigan and Leigh, and Oldham. Other learners and apprentices proudly representing Cambria and local employers were Kleo Pepa, Kieran O Loan, Hannah Back (all Airbus UK/Coleg Cambria), Jamie Duncan, Stephen Jackson, Michael Lewis, Lewis Higgins, and Bartosz Dobrzynski. Skills Minister Jacqui Smith congratulated everyone who participated in this years magnificent competition. Each of you has showcased the exceptional talent and promise of our future workforce, she said. Competitions like WorldSkills UK are so important in nurturing talent, providing a vital platform for young people to develop the skills they need to seize opportunities and achieve growth. Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive of WorldSkills UK, added: Congratulations to this years medal winners. Being named the best in your skill is a tremendous achievement and reflects the dedication of teachers in our colleges, universities and training providers, who are the bedrock of our skills systems across the UK. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office released more details on a deadly police shooting that happened November 8th in Gardnerville. During Tuesday's press conference, Sheriff Dan Coverley showed bodycam video of events leading up to the deadly shooting. Deputies say they interacted with the suspect, 16-year-old John Brown 18 times prior to the incident, for various reasons including drug charges, saying the interactions were 'Nothing major, nothing super significant." Deputies say previously they were initially called to a home on Pit Road for a report of a mother whose son, John Brown had assaulted her with a gun and then fled. The mother also told authorities that he tried to steal a car, on the same road. Police say when Brown and a second person he was with, failed to steal the car, the duo ran away toward Tillman Lane. Eventually, officers say they found Brown with a gun on his lap, inside a car on Short Court. When they ordered Brown to get out of the car, they refused and that's when Brown and deputies exchanged gunfire - Brown was killed while one unidentified deputy was shot in the hand, suffering non-life-threatening injuries. Sheriff Coverely later said that the deputy was shot by a fellow deputy, not Brown. Deputies say the second person, a 16-year-old was arrested and booked into the Douglas County Juvenile Detention Center on robbery charges. During the press conference, Sheriff Coverely confirmed that the gun that Brown used was not real but because deputies did not know that, they responded as if that weapon was real. The deputy that was hit in the hand has since had surgery with the eventual goal of returning to duty. The Carson City Sheriff's Office and Nevada State Police are handling the investigation Sheriff Coverley went on to say that this is the only police shooting in Douglas County this year. ***** WARNING: THIS VIDEO MAY BE INAPPROPRIATE FOR SOME AUDIENCES. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED ***** ORIGINAL STORY: A Douglas County deputy is recovering after being shot in the hand by a suspect who was also killed in the same police shooting, in Gardnerville early Friday morning. Deputies say they were initially called to a home on Pit Road for a report of a mother whose son, John Brown had assaulted her with a gun and then fled. The mother also told authorities that he tried to steal a car, on the same road. Police say when Brown and a second person he was with, failed to steal the car, the duo ran away toward Tillman Lane. Eventually, officers say they found Brown with a gun on his lap, inside a car on Short Court. When they ordered Brown to get out of the car, they refused and that's when Brown and deputies exchanged gunfire - Brown was killed while one unidentified deputy was shot in the hand, suffering non-life-threatening injuries. Deputies say the second person, a 16-year-old was arrested and booked into the Douglas County Juvenile Detention Center on robbery charges. The Carson City Sheriff's Office and Nevada State Police are handling the investigation. All deputies involved in the shooting have been put on administrative leave, pending a review. ORIGINAL STORY: A Douglas County deputy suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a shooting with a suspect in Gardnerville early Friday morning. Deputies say it happened near Short Court and Pit Road in Gardnerville. Deputies say the suspect is dead and there's no threat to the community. We have a crew on scene right now getting more details. Billy Bob Thornton in "Landman." Paramount+ Texas oil country is in the limelight as Paramount+s new show, Landman, features a foul-mouthed Billy Bob Thornton playing oilfield MacGyver Tommy Norris. The shows mastermind is Taylor Sheridan, the Texas director-producer-writer behind Yellowstone, who filmed the show entirely in his home state. Sheridan is from the Waco area and owns the Bosque Ranch in Weatherford and the 6666 Ranch in Guthrie. Pump jacks working in the Permian Basin near Odessa on Thursday, April 27, 2023. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer A rig explodes in the debut episode of "Landman." Emerson Miller/Paramount+ Billy Bob Thornton is one of the stars of "Landman," the latest series created by Taylor Sheridan. Emerson Miller/Paramount+ Billy Bob Thornton plays a put-upon oil company worker in "Landman." Emerson Miller/Paramount+ Billy Bob Thornton and Ali Larter in "Landman." James Minchin/Paramount+ Demi Moore (left) and Jon Hamm (second from right) play members of a wealthy family in "Landman." San Antonian Rylie Rodriguez, right, also stars as does Dani Raen (second from left). Emerson Miller/Paramount+ Landman is also based on Texas Monthlys 11-part 2019 podcast Boomtown, which the magazine describes as telling the story of the billionaire wildcatters and roughnecks fueling the modern Texas oil boom. Advertisement Article continues below this ad An industry as dangerous and volatile as the oil business lends itself naturally to television its a constant crisis interrupted by brief periods of intense success, as Jon Hamms character says in the show so its no surprise to see show makers catching on. But just how much of it is fact versus fiction? Heres what industry professionals and experts say (some spoilers ahead): Q: Does a landman really do all that? A: The short answer? No. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thornton plays Tommy, an oilfield jack-of-all-trades whose role takes artistic liberties with the scope of a landmans work. A real landman spends most of his time scouring small-town court records, tracing mineral and land rights through decades of dusty documents and using those records to do one of the dirtiest parts of the job: reaching lease agreements with the people who own those rights. The series opens with such a deal, but not quite in the way most really go down. Tommy, with a burlap sack over his head and his hands tied, tells a cartel boss his oil company wants to drill on his land. If the cartel boss doesnt agree to the deal, the oil companies will put a Drug Enforcement Agency office across the street, Tommy tells him. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Russell Smith, a landman whose WFX Oil and Gas brokers land deals, says he hasnt dealt with cartels in his West Texas work. Its Hollywood, so I understand why they gotta throw some drama and things like that into the mix, Smith said. Landowners, however, have threatened him with guns. Q: Are there really bikini-wearing baristas? A: The show features a bikini-wearing barista, accurately capturing the predominantly male dynamic of the oil patch. Advertisement Article continues below this ad West Texas oil country is no stranger to the breastaurant, a restaurant or bar known for scantily clad female staff. While these tend to be nighttime establishments, Hooters is open for lunch and there are coffee shops in Midland and Odessa advertising great coffee with an even better view. Pump jacks operate next to large wind turbines Friday, July 8, 2022, near Midland. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Q: Is wind energy really that dirty? A: Thorntons character schools a young anti-oil attorney on the dirtier sides of wind energy, a scene that scratches an itch for oil industry folks. He tells her that a wind turbine isnt as clean as she might expect, gesturing at the massive feat of engineering powered by fossil fuels. In its 20-year lifespan, it wont offset the carbon footprint of making it, Tommy tells her. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While its true that petrochemicals are used to make wind turbines and fossil fuels are burned to make and transport its parts, its false to say a wind turbine wont offset its carbon footprint in its lifespan, according to energy researchers. Joshua Rhodes at the University of Texas in Austin said his own research shows wind energy is among the cleanest forms of energy. He estimated a wind turbine would offset the carbon spent to make it within one year. Smith likened oil and gas production to hunting; many people decry it as cruel while eating meat every day. Thats why Tommys rant is so satisfying, he said. People are going to be naive about where their phone comes from, where their pills come from, and where every article of their clothing pretty much comes from, he said. Michael Pena as Armando in "Landman." Emerson Miller/Paramount+ Q: How powerful is OSHA in the oil field? A: The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration plays a crucial role in the shows plot line in the wake of a deadly explosion, when attorneys for Tommys company learn the well that exploded was not compliant with OSHA standards. However, the agency doesnt have as much power over the oilfield as you might expect. The Reno Police Department issued 87 tickets, 29 warnings and made one felony arrest as part of a pedestrian and school zone safety operation last month. The operation happened in designated pedestrian safety zones in the downtown area and in school zones selected based on input from citizens about unsafe driving in those zones. Officers focused their efforts on drivers and pedestrians who were violating those laws that enhance pedestrian safety, according to a release from the Reno Police Department. The operation was carried out with the help of a grant from the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety and ran from November 6th through the 26th. 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 JCB held a ceremonial groundbreaking event in June that included equipment such as the backhoe loader shown here. The company makes construction and agricultural equipment. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News The swell of manufacturing facilities, single-family houses, apartments and stores on the citys fast-growing South Side is about to get a boost as British construction and agricultural equipment maker JCB begins construction on its San Antonio factory in early 2025. The company now expects to start work on the facility in February and finish it in October 2026, according to a recent filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. JCB initially said it was aiming to begin construction early this year and had a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony at the 400-acre site this summer. Lord Anthony Bamford, JCB chairman, right, speaks with his daughter, Alice Bamford, before breaking ground in June for construction of the British equipment makers San Antonio manufacturing plant. Construction is set to begin early next year, adding to the swell manufacturing facilities, single-family houses, apartments and stores going up on the citys fast-growing South Side. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News District 4 Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia, state Rep. John Lujan and JCB San Antonio Operations Director David Craver are lead by Alice Bamford to the groundbreaking site in June. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News SOUTH SIDE GROWTH: Methodist Healthcare may be eyeing expansion on South Side with its acquisition of 9 acres there Advertisement Article continues below this ad Texas is an obvious choice for our new North American manufacturing facility, not least because the state is the largest consumer of construction equipment in the USA, Richard Fox-Marrs, president and CEO of JCB North America, said in a statement after the groundbreaking event. San Antonio is also the logical choice as a location for our new factory because of its central location, proximity to the supply chain and great local labor force. JCB has pledged to hire at least 1,500 employees over five years at the 720,000-square-foot, $500 million plant to make telescopic handlers and other equipment. In return, it is set to receive about $26 million worth of tax breaks, grants and fee waivers from the city and Bexar County and potentially $3.75 million in sales and use tax refunds from the state. A rendering shows JCBs manufacturing plant on San Antonios South Side. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News The plant is the latest increase of the South Sides manufacturing hub, which is dominated by automaker Toyota Motor Corp. and its suppliers, along with heavy-duty truck maker International, which was previously known as Navistar. Toyota is spending $531 million to expand its operation to make rear axles and hire more than 400 more employees. Toyotas goal is to have axle assemblies rolling off the assembly line by late 2026. The work currently is being done by a third-party supplier outside Texas. Toyota will get $40 million in tax breaks in exchange for the new production lines. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Investors are expecting suppliers to set up shop near International. San Antonio-based Merit Commercial Real Estate plans to build an industrial park next to Internationals facility with up to seven buildings totaling 1.1 million square feet and is targeting suppliers to the company, which produces diesel and electric trucks. Texas A&M University-San Antonio is another large employer on the South Side, and builders alrdady are erecting thousands of single-family homes, apartments, stores and other businesses near the university and the manufacturing plants. Along with proximity to jobs, residents have been drawn to the area because of relatively low housing prices. One result: The South Side has the second-biggest market share for housing construction in the area at 20%, behind the far West Side at 26% and ahead of New Braunfels at 19%, according to the latest data from real estate data firm Zonda. The number of homes being built on the South Side has increased steadily, jumping to 3,432 during the most recent quarter from 1,330 at the end of 2019 and 2,924 at the end of 2023. Among them, Southstar is nearly finished developing Mission del Lago, a master-planned community with more than 2,000 single-family houses, an elementary school and apartments that helped spur a housing renaissance in the area. The New Braunfels-based company is building another master-planned community near A&M-San Antonio dubbed Vida, which will include about 2,500 single-family houses, 1,500 apartments, commercial space and a University Health hospital. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Methodist Healthcare, the largest health care system in South Texas, just purchased about 9 acres of vacant South Side land, too, though its plans are unclear. City leaders are trying to improve infrastructure in the area. They plan to ask state lawmakers for assistance building a 15-mile thoroughfare that would connect Interstate 35 and Interstate 37. The roadways precise path and cost arent set, but a preliminary map proposes having it run near Internationals, Toyotas and JCBs facilities as well as a TJ Maxx distribution center. South Side growth was a primary factor in a dispute this summer over land use and zoning around Toyotas plant. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Dozens of frustrated residents packed into Planning and Zoning Commission meetings to voice their concerns about changes proposed by the city, which they feared would restrict what they could do with their property and make it less appealing to potential buyers. Some said they worried Toyota was behind the push and criticized the citys communication, while others said they were simply confused about the potential effects. Looking for an excuse to indulge your sweet tooth? Craving some confections as you embrace the holiday spirit? Well, mark your calendars for National Cookie Day on Wednesday, Dec. 4. Celebrate the unofficial holiday with these eight deals from online shops and nationwide chains. Prefer to make some cookies yourself? Check out some of our favorite recipes. Members only Subway Subway might be known for hoagies, but the popular chain is a quick stop for cookies, too! To celebrate National Cookie Day, Subway is launching their Subway Cookie Club Sweepstakes. From Tuesday, Dec. 3 through Wednesday, Dec. 4, Subway MVP Rewards members can visit SubwayCookieClub.com to enter to win a free cookie coupon sent to their account. Up to 10,000 members will receive the coupons between Dec. 9 through Dec. 31. But the cookie day fun doesnt end there (and the cookies get bigger). Check out these free Subway Footlong Cookie deals for DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub users: DoorDash users can score a free Footlong Cookie with every $20 purchase on Dec. 4 and Dec. 6-8. DashPass members can also get a free Footlong Cookie with every $15 order from Dec. 2-5. Uber Eats users can earn a free Double Chocolate Peppermint Footlong Cookie with every $20 purchase from Dec. 2-8. UberOne members can also get the same freebie with any $15 order during the same period. GrubHub users can cash in on a free Footlong Cookie with every $20 purchase from Dec. 4-10. Find your local Subway store here. Great American Cookies Great American Cookies customers can also score a sweet deal on National Cookie Day. Get a free Cookie Cake slice when you buy one in-store on Dec. 4. Just mention the promo in participating stores to redeem. The bakery chain has over 370 locations nationwide, so click here to find your closest store. Milk Bar & McCormick Love candy canes and cookies? Milk Bar has you covered. The bakery has partnered with the spice company McCormick to create a McCormick Candy Cane Pretzel Bark Cookie. In honor of National Cookie Day, the first 100 customers visiting four of the bakery chains locations on Dec. 4 can receive a free candy cane pretzel bark cookie while supplies last no purchase necessary! Click this link to see if there's a participating store near you. Insomnia Cookies Insomnia Cookies are a go-to when youre having that late night cookie craving and the bakery franchise will be serving free cookies on National Cookie Day. Insomnia Rewards members are eligible for one free classic cookie and a $1 deluxe cookie both in-store and online. This deal starts on Wednesday, Dec. 4 and ends on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 6 a.m. EST. There's no purchase necessary to claim your cookies in-store, but there will be a delivery minimum purchase required for delivery orders. Redeem your free cookies by ordering online with your rewards account or scanning your rewards barcode at checkout in-store. Follow this link to find an Insomnia Cookies location near you. A chair sits empty next to a cooler and vehicle belonging to the National Guard inside an area fenced off by razor wire in Eagle Pass. A federal appeals court on Wednesday stopped the federal government from destroying a fence of razor wire that Texas installed along the U.S.-Mexico border near Eagle Pass to deter migrants from entering the country illegally. Jessica Phelps A federal appeals court on Wednesday stopped the federal government from destroying a fence of razor wire that Texas installed along the U.S.-Mexico border near Eagle Pass to deter migrants from entering the country illegally. The ruling, criticized by activists, came hours before Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum told President-elect Donald Trump that immigrants headed to the U.S. are being taken care of in her country. Texas had placed more than 29 miles of wire in the Eagle Pass area by last September when Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the Biden administration over Border Patrol agents alleged illegal destruction of state property by cutting the wire. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On Wednesday, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans issued a 2-1 opinion that reversed a lower courts ruling and granted Texas a limited preliminary injunction against the federal government. It was shocking to me that the federal government would go out of their way to cut razor wire to allow illegals to cross when we're just trying to protect our own land, Paxton said during a Wednesday evening appearance on Newsmax. This wasn't their land. This was our land, our private property. It had nothing due to the federal government. So this is a good win for Texas, a good win for the country, that this court recognized our ability to protect our land. The legal dispute had not stopped Texas from installing such razor wire in Eagle Pass, where the state earlier this year took over a municipal park, Shelby Park, against the citys wishes. We continue adding more razor wire border barrier, Gov. Greg Abbott wrote on X about the appellate courts ruling Wednesday evening. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Amerika Garcia Grewal, an organizer with the Eagle Pass Border Coalition, criticized Wednesdays ruling and called the wire a tool of war, not a humane border control measure. The long-term implications of this decision are dire, Garcia said. It sets a dangerous precedent for using excessive force and disregarding human rights. We need to move towards a more humane and effective approach to border management. The ruling came as tensions this week between Trump and Sheinbaum over a potential tariff war appeared to cool. Trump threatened to enact a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico when he takes office unless Mexican officials stopped drugs, particularly fentanyl, and undocumented migrants from crossing the border though migrant apprehensions have declined this year. Sheinbaum vowed to enact retaliatory tariffs if Trump made good on his threat. Trump and Sheinbaum spoke Wednesday, the two leaders said on social media, and discussed how to prevent migrants from reaching the U.S.-Mexico border as well as how to reduce fentanyl consumption and demand for the drug in the United States. I had an excellent conversation with President Donald Trump, Sheinbaum wrote on the social media site X. We discussed Mexico's strategy on the migration phenomenon and I shared that caravans are not arriving at the northern border because they are being taken care of in Mexico. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Trump called the conversation wonderful and productive in a Truth Social post Wednesday. She has agreed to stop Migration through Mexico, and into the United States, effectively closing our Southern Border, Trump said. In a follow-up post, Trump said, Mexico will stop people from going to our Southern Border, effective immediately. THIS WILL GO A LONG WAY TOWARD STOPPING THE ILLEGAL INVASION OF THE USA. Thank you!!! Company Update Brisbane, Dec 3, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - State Gas Limited ( ASX:GAS ) ( STGSF:OTCMKTS ) provides an update on its short-term plan for the Rolleston West drilling program and high density natural gas ("HDNG") operation. As previously advised, the Company's access to the Rolleston West project area was blocked by the landowner for 18 days, with access being reinstated on 19 November 2024. The landowner's decision to block our access has impacted both the HDNG operation and the drilling program. Blocked access to the HDNG plant has resulted in the Rougemont 2/3 dual lateral well system requiring a further process of dewatering. Based on the Company's previous experience, gas flow occurs when the well is dewatered to a depth of around 340 metres. State Gas anticipates that managing the draw-down process to ensure underlying coal structures are not damaged will take approximately six to eight weeks. As a consequence, the Company has agreed with its HDNG customer, to suspend delivery arrangements without penalty, with the intention to recommence in late Q1 calendar 2025. In the interim, State Gas, its partners and customers will undertake optimisation work on the supply chain to support an increase from two to six mine trucks using HDNG, when supply recommences. Blocked access to drill-pad locations has resulted in the program not being completed prior to the start of the wet season, as originally planned. Unfortunately, the wet season has commenced, and wet weather experienced over the last week has already made access difficult. The Company has assessed the wet season weather forecast and drill rig standby costs and believes it is in the best interest of all stakeholders to defer commencement of the drilling campaign until early calendar 2025 at the first available clear weather window (expected to be in March and April 2025). The Company's Managing Director, Mr Doug McAlpine said "Deferral of the drilling program and disruption to our HDNG supply arrangements are frustrating by-products of having our land access blocked for an extended period. Despite this we are focused on delivering on our overarching strategy and plan." About State Gas Limited State Gas Limited (ASX:GAS) (OTCMKTS:STGSF) is a Queensland-based gas exploration and development company with highly prospective gas exploration assets located in the southern Bowen Basin. State Gas Limited's mission is to support east coast energy markets through the efficient identification and development of new high quality gas assets. It will do this by applying an agile, sustainable but low-cost development approach and opportunistically expanding its portfolio in areas that are well located to gas pipeline infrastructure. State Gas is 100%-owner of the contiguous Reid's Dome (PL-231) and Rolleston-West (ATP 2062) gas projects, both of which contain CSG and conventional gas. The Projects, together some 1,595km2 , are located south of Rolleston, approximately 50 and 30 kilometres respectively from the Queensland Gas Pipeline and interconnected east coast gas network. State Gas intends to accelerate commercialisation of these assets through the application of an innovative virtual pipeline ("VP") solution which will see the Company transport compressed gas by truck to existing pipeline infrastructure or to an end user. State Gas also holds a 35% interest in ATP 2068 and ATP 2069 in joint venture with Santos QNT Pty Ltd (65%). These two new areas lie adjacent to or in the near vicinity of State Gas and Santos' existing interests in the region, providing for the potential of an alignment in ownership interests across the region over time and enabling synergies in operations and development. State Gas is also participating in a carbon capture and sequestration initiative with minerals explorer Rockminsolutions Pty Ltd in respect of EPM 27596 which is located on the western border of ATP 2062. This project is investigating the potential of the unique basalts located in the Buckland Basaltic Sequence (located in EPM 27596) to provide a variety of in-situ and ex-situ carbon capture applications. Related Companies Annasofia Scheve covers trending news for the Express-News. She can be reached at Annasofia.Scheve@express-news.net. Annasofia has bachelor's degrees in journalism and political science from the University of Missouri. She is an Ohio native, and wrote for Cincinnati Magazine and the Cincinnati Enquirer before joining the Express-News in 2023. 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. The arrangement provides long-term protection to MNRPF against costs resulting from pensioners or their dependants living longer than expected and enhances security for MNRPF members. This longevity insurance will form part of MNRPFs investment portfolio. The transaction is structured as an insurance contract with a captive insurer in Guernsey and onwards reinsurance to MetLife. A captive insurer is an insurance company owned by the those being insured in this case owned by MNRPFs Trustee. WTW acted as lead adviser to the Trustee, with Linklaters as legal adviser and Carey Olsen providing additional advice to the Trustee. Eversheds Sutherland provided legal advice to MetLife Melanie Cusack, Trustee, MNRPF, said: I am delighted that the Trustee has taken an important step to ensure that our members benefits are strongly secured against increases in life expectancy. This is a continuation of our de-risking journey, and we are pleased to have completed the deal with attractive economics. This is a positive step in providing both additional security for members pensions and certainty for employers. Jay Wang, Head of Risk Solutions at MetLife, said: MetLifes long history and expertise in risk management positions us well to offer greater certainty for MNRPF in relation to its longevity risk. We are pleased to have been selected for the reinsurance of this transaction, This transaction demonstrates MetLifes commitment to supporting solutions which help pension schemes and insurers manage longevity risk. Shelly Beard, Managing Director at WTW and lead adviser to the Trustee, said: This transaction demonstrates that longevity swaps are an option for smaller tranches of liabilities. We worked with the Trustee to achieve a competitive reinsurer selection process and attractive economics relative to the Funds reserves. It was a pleasure to work with MetLife to agree a transaction that met their, and the Trustees, objectives, and to ensure that the Trustees future flexibility is maximised. Sarah Parkin, Partner at Linklaters and legal adviser to the Trustee, said: We are delighted to have assisted the Trustee in this transaction using our market-leading de-risking practice bringing together our pensions, insurance and international expertise. Hugo Laing, Partner at Eversheds Sutherland and legal adviser to MetLife, said: Were pleased to have played a key role in this transaction, proudly supporting MetLife in helping them to deliver this deal efficiently. The collaborative approach of the Trustee and their advisors was invaluable; it was a great team to have been part of. The Trustee was also advised by Carey Olsen in Guernsey. The Trustees captive is managed by WTW Guernsey. These findings are revealed in Ortec Finances inaugural European insurance company climate risk report, in which it analyzed the impact of climate change on a reference portfolio* of European insurance companies, representing their average asset allocation. Applying seven possible climate scenarios, which include the impact of climate tipping points in its high warming scenarios, Ortec Finances research found that transition risks are likely to be the dominant climate risk from 2025 to 2030. The cumulative impact of additional low-carbon policies, revised Nationally Defined Contributions and net zero target reviews by global investor alliance groups could accelerate the stranding of fossil fuel assets, triggering market overreactions and widespread disruption. Under the most extreme outcomes of a disorderly transition, this could result in a 13% reduction in investment performance in the near future, followed by a moderate pace of recovery thereafter. In the event of a disruptive transition, equity investments would be the most impacted, potentially suffering a 25% drop in returns, followed by alternative and real estate investments, while fixed income investments will be more resilient, said Doruk Onal, Climate Risk Specialist at Ortec Finance. In the longer term, it is anticipated that rising carbon emissions in the absence of further decarbonization efforts will increase levels of physical risk, leading to severe financial impacts by the mid-2030s. In a worst-case scenario, the average European insurers investment return could decline by 5% within the decade, quadrupling to 21% within six years thereafter, and deteriorating further to 23% by 2050. Severe physical risks could slash real estate and equity portfolio returns by more than 50% by 2050, as increasing frequency of extreme weather events affecting agriculture, labor and industrial productivity, have a profound impact on economies and assets, he added. In this scenario, both real estate and equities, which together comprise almost 30% of European insurers portfolios, could yield less than half of expected returns. While short-term cumulative returns for an average European insurer due to low-carbon policies and decarbonization activities could decline by 13%, this reduction is less than half of the potential decline of up to 23% in a scenario where active decarbonization does not occur in the near future. Losses are likely unavoidable in all scenarios, but the extent of these losses will depend on the time horizon in which they occur. For more detail and statistics, please refer to the full report: By Simon Coomber, Partner at LCP Though there was some controversy around the choice of country for presidency, and the COP process more generally, climate negotiations continued to happen indeed, they dragged on over 24 hours past their scheduled end point. There are lots of climate-related topics that get discussed and debated at these conferences: from finance, to adaptation, to the just transition, biodiversity and more but here are some of the key outcomes of COP29 that we think investors should be aware of. The global climate outlook hasnt changed much The Climate Action Tracker (an independent scientific project that tracks government climate action) released a statement at COP29, saying that the combined global effort of government action on climate change has flat-lined over the last three years. Nothing that happened at COP29 seems likely to change that. This suggests that, all else being equal, the financial risks associated with the physical impacts of climate change are broadly unchanged indeed if anything, there is emerging evidence that they may happen sooner and be more severe than anticipated. While the short-term financial risks associated with the physical impacts of climate change are likely to be unchanged, in the longer term the lack of progress leads to a higher risk of breaching physical tipping points. This in turn increases the risk of significant disruption and uncertainty from a changing climate and extreme weather events. Investors should continue to be aware of these macroeconomic risks and understand how they may impact their portfolios. There are different factors that could impact what the emissions trajectory could look like for the planet going forward the re-election of Trump as president of the US is likely to result in the reversal of some climate policies and actions, but at the same time other countries have announced more policies and action plans to address climate change. Our view is that the current position is broadly unchanged. For the outlook on climate change to alter, there is now global consensus that we need to transition away from fossil fuels at COP28 last year, this was a big area of focus. Many people were hoping to see announcements at COP29 of policies that would put this transition into practice. However, no decisions or policies were agreed around fossil fuel phase-down and the debate on this has been pushed back to COP30, taking place in Brazil next year. In our view, the short-term global outlook for fossil fuels hasnt directly changed as a result of the talks. However, in the longer term we still expect the fossil fuel sector to be significantly impacted by the transition to a net zero economy, given the international consensus. One of the more technical areas that was discussed at COP29 was the details of how international carbon credit markets should be structured an agreement was finally made on this after almost a decade of debate. Some people believe that carbon credits, as well as carbon taxes and permits, can play an important role in addressing climate change and reducing global emissions. Investors may be able to benefit from more widely established carbon markets. There are likely to be opportunities for private investors One of the big areas of discussion at COP29 was climate finance for developing countries. The Independent High-Level Expert Group on Climate Finance (IHLEG) published a report which set out just how much money could be needed to address climate change. It also provided detail on how this money needs to be allocated between different types of countries (split up into advanced economies, developing countries excluding China, and China), where this money should come from, and where this money should be spent. A headline figure that sparked a lot of debate was the amount of money needed from developed countries to go to developing countries (excluding China). The headline figure the report gave for this was $1trn a year by 2030, rising to $1.3trn by 2035. At COP29, an agreement was reached for countries to provide $300bn a year by 2035. This is a large figure in itself indeed, it is 3 times the current level of commitment of $100bn a year from developed countries for developing countries. At COP29, it was agreed that this $300bn would mostly come from public finance, but that would include private finance that is mobilised by public finance. In practice though, this $300bn is still far from what is required. Additional capital will likely still need to be mobilised to meet the target levels of investment set out by the IHLEG at COP29 this was acknowledged, but only with a vague agreement that this additional capital will need to come from other sources, which will likely include private investors. Provided this agreement translates into a supportive policy environment, we expect this to pose many investment opportunities for private investors especially in the clean energy transition, where the most significant amount of capital is needed, but also for other areas such as natural capital and the just transition. In addition, opportunities may come in the form of blended finance structures within the $300bn target. It is worth noting that these financing costs pale in comparison to the potential economic damage we are likely to see if climate change is not addressed. Based on analysis by the Climate Policy Initiative, social and economic losses from climate inaction are projected to reach at least 1,266 trillion between 2025 and 2100. The UK appears to be aligned with progressing the climate transition The UK government has positioned itself as continuing to hold a strong stance of climate action. It was one of three countries to publish its updated Nationally Determined Contributions at COP29, where it has committed to reducing emissions by at least 81% compared to 1990 levels (excluding emissions from international aviation and shipping), in line with advice from the independent Climate Change Committee. Although this is in line with existing commitments in place regarding the UKs carbon budgets, the reiteration of this goal and the language used positions the UK as continuing to take climate action seriously. It is important that this commitment to reduce emissions by 81% is followed by clear policies and clarity for investors that make this reduction possible. The Government is expected to publish its Action Plan for Clean Power 2030 in the coming weeks which will set out plans to eliminate carbon emissions from generating electricity within 5 years. The language being used by the UK government is one that positions the UK as wanting to be a leader on climate transition, with a particular focus on the clean energy transition, and of understanding that the costs of inaction are likely to far outweigh the costs of action. Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Millibands Statement that accompanied the UKs NDC announcement stated that The clean energy transition is also the economic opportunity of the 21st century and will support the creation of hundreds of thousands of good jobs across the UK, protect our economy from future price shocks, while delivering a range of social and health benefits. To maintain this direction and greater policy certainty, it is important for asset owners to show their support for climate transition to the UK government. One way you can do this by endorsing our climate policy asks, which we are using to drive policy change. You can find the details here, and how to sign up. Conclusion While there was some disappointment around the outcome of COP29, the decisions made will likely impact investors and investment opportunities for investors looking to invest in the climate transition. This is particular true for UK investors, given the leadership role that the UK is seeking in climate negotiations. As UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, says: We are returning the UK to responsible global leadership. Because it is right yes, absolutely. But also because it is plainly in our self-interest the threat of climate change is existential and it is happening in the here and now. To find out more about how asset owners can leverage their influence to address systemic risks like climate change and undertake climate policy advocacy, join us for our online roundtable that we are hosting with Pensions for Purpose at 11am GMT on 5 December 2024! HDFC SKY, one of Indias premier discount broking platforms has announced the launch of its groundbreaking Youth Plan, specifically designed to empower the next generation and millennials. This unique initiative has the objective of equipping young individuals with the necessary tools, knowledge, opportunities, and resources essential for navigating through the financial markets with higher knowledge and conviction. In response to this launch, Sandiip Bhardwaj, COO & CDO of HDFC Securities, remarked, Our younger investors, especially those aged 18 to 25, represent a dynamic and transformative segment of India's demographic landscape. While the appeal of online tips and the promise of instant success can be enticing, it is crucial for them to place their trust in reliable research. Navigating the complexities of the stock market requires a comprehensive understanding of market trends, effective risk management, and various strategies. These competencies are best developed through education. Relying on tips can result in misinformed decisions and potentially significant financial setbacks. We strongly encourage our youth to leverage the research recommendations available on HDFC SKY and to enhance their financial knowledge and skills through our learning module, SKY Learn," he emphasized. The newly introduced Youth Plan, designed for customers under the age of 25, offers an exceptional opportunity for young investors. With no brokerage or account maintenance charges across various segments including equity, derivatives, mutual funds, exchange traded funds, currency, and commodities, this plan enables young investors to engage in both delivery and intraday trading without incurring extra costs during its first year. Customers can unlock all the features of the Youth Plan for a nominal fee of just Rs. 499 per year. In addition to the core offerings, users will benefit from exclusive guidance tailored specifically for the youth, provided by our in-house experts. This guidance will include a practical, actionable journey, featuring expert research recommendations to help young and new investors successfully navigate the markets. As part of our SKY Learn initiative aimed at expanding financial knowledge and skills, HDFC SKY has released a large amount of informative content across formats which will engage with the youth. The content covers a diverse range of topics, including ETFs, MTFs, Derivatives, Stock SIPs, IPOs, Mutual Funds, and more. Additionally, users will benefit from exclusive webinars, instructional videos, valuable learning tools, and complimentary access to expert forums, all at no additional cost. HDFC SKY is committed to providing its users with the resources they need to expand their financial knowledge and confidence. Key Features of the HDFC SKYs Youth Plan: Zero Brokerage across segments: Investors can invest through Equity, Derivatives, Currency, and Commodities without incurring brokerage charges, facilitating a cost-effective entry into the market. Research-Backed Financial Advisory: HDFC SKY provides an opportunity for investors to make decisions backed by research-driven insights from a dedicated team of in-house analysts specializing in both fundamental and technical evaluations for across asset classes. Access to Comprehensive Analytical Tools: HDFC SKY offers a suite of analytical tools, including technical charts, historical data, price alerts, and stop-loss recommendations, to guide clients on their investment journeys. No-Cost Access to Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs): Investors can invest across a spectrum of ETFs including Equity, Sectoral, Bond, Debt, Gold, International, Index, Commodity, Thematic, and more without brokerage fees for the duration of their association with HDFC SKY. Furthermore, Investors could further benefit from research-backed ETF recommendations on HDFC SKY thereby driving diversification of their portfolio with higher transparency and flexibility. Margin Trading Facility (MTF) to attract Zero interest for first 30 days and 1% Monthly from thereon: The MTF offered by HDFC SKY will enhance the buying power of the youth thus, increasing potential for higher returns, greater diversification, and improved flexibility in trading and payments. User-Friendly Mobile App: Investors can access all HDFC SKY features through a robust and intuitive discount broking platform, enabling seamless investment management from their smartphones. Educational Resources: Investors will have access to an extensive array of educational content on SKY Learn, featuring webinars, tutorials, and interactive workshops that cover a range of investment topics covering derivatives, financial planning, initial public offerings (IPOs), trading and investing, personal finance, investment strategies, and more, all aimed at fostering a secured and prosperous future. Investment Workshops and Seminars: Regularly scheduled events will focus on market trends, investment strategies, and financial planning, keeping young investors informed and engaged. HDFC SKY is committed to promoting financial literacy and empowering young investors to take charge of their financial futures. The Youth Plan is now available for sign-up on the HDFC SKY website and mobile app. AdLift, a global digital marketing agency, is thrilled to announce its appointment as the official digital media partner for King Koil, Indias foremost brand in premium sleep solutions. This strategic partnership will see AdLift take the helm in driving King Koils online presence to elevate brand engagement, expand digital reach, and strengthen customer connections nationwide. As per the mandate, AdLift, known for its performance-driven ROI campaigns, will provide the brand with digital media solutions. These will include online search reputation and optimization, content creation, content marketing, and paid media marketing for King Koil India. Renowned for its premium mattresses designed to promote healthy, restful sleep, King Koil is trusted by thousands of Indian households for its unmatched quality and innovation. With a mission to champion quality sleep through world-class sleep products, King Koil has continually set benchmarks in the sleep industry. Commenting on the partnership, Prashant Puri, CEO and co-founder of AdLift, said, Were honored to be partnering with King Koil, a brand synonymous with quality and comfort. Our team is excited to deliver innovative digital solutions that will amplify King Koils online footprint and foster meaningful connections with customers. Together, we aim to redefine the digital landscape of the sleep solutions industry. Archit Gupta, MD King Koil commented, We are excited to join hands with AdLift as we look forward to elevating our digital presence. With AdLifts industry experience and hands-on expertise in managing integrated digital services for brands across industries, we are confident this collaboration will further strengthen King Koil's connection with our customers across digital platforms. We look forward to leveraging their expertise to enhance brand engagement and drive impactful results for King Koil. Moloco , a leader in operational machine learning (ML) and performance advertising, today announced the results of a new research study, Beyond Borders: Mobile Gaming Insights for Global which shows that mobile gaming app marketers are overly focused on a limited number of countries. This research suggests that mobile gaming app marketers around the world may be missing out on hidden opportunities in additional countries that would accelerate user acquisition (UA), tap into high-value users, and drive significant growth. This research intends to inspire marketers to think outside of their comfort zone. The hyper concentration of advertising spend in a few countries creates a huge opportunity to uncover high-value users in new global markets that can be unlocked through targeted user acquisition strategies, said Tom Shadbolt, Senior Insights Manager, Moloco . Perhaps there is some bias that is creating a self-fulfilling prophecy as marketers focus their spend too narrowly. The key learning from this research is that marketers may be missing out on opportunities to capture users of value and that constant experimentation of new audiences is essential as global markets evolve. IAP gaming Asia Pacific, allocating only 16% of their budgets to the region, while favoring Europe (33%) and North America (35%) as key areas for investment. This is a notable shift that highlights Indias focus on expanding its footprint across global markets. We have observed this trend among gaming apps with in-app purchases including mid-core (RPG, Strategy, Simulation), Casual Game (Match) and social Casino apps. For such apps, Indian marketers are investing significantly in regions like Latin America (LATAM), the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and Sub-Saharan Africadirecting 16% of budgets to these regions, compared to a global average of 13%. On the flip side, when looking into advertising in India itself, the median advertiser's Average Revenue Per Paying User (ARPPU) in India stands at $5.44, compared to a global average of $11. Indias exceptionally low cost of acquisition opens new possibilities for global mobile gaming marketers to capitalize on paid opportunities and acquire high-value users effectively. This research highlights the immense potential for Indian mobile gaming apps, especially IAP gaming app marketers to capture new audiences across emerging and established global markets, said Siddharth Jhawar, GM, Moloco , India. As the global landscape evolves, constant experimentation and expansion into diverse markets will be key to sustainable growth. In addition, for advertisers outside of India, there might be untapped hidden opportunities for growth in India given the low cost of user acquisition in the region. The study revealed that: 71% of mobile gaming app marketing spend is highly concentrated in 10 countries. In addition, around 40% of spend is directed towards ads in the U.S. alone. The U.K. comes in second with 6% of the total spend, followed by Germany at 5%, and Japan at 4%. For this analysis, Moloco considered marketing spend that is primarily focused on user acquisition efforts related to in-app purchases (IAP). In addition, around 40% of spend is directed towards ads in the U.S. alone. The U.K. comes in second with 6% of the total spend, followed by Germany at 5%, and Japan at 4%. For this analysis, considered marketing spend that is primarily focused on user acquisition efforts related to in-app purchases (IAP). U.S.-based mobile gaming app marketers direct 60% of their user acquisition spend to North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico ). When combining spend in both North America and Europe, that number increases to 82%, which indicates potential opportunity for user acquisition in other regions, particularly Asia Pacific. ). When combining spend in both North America and Europe, that number increases to 82%, which indicates potential opportunity for user acquisition in other regions, particularly Asia Pacific. Mobile gaming app marketers in China are leading the way in diversifying global marketing spend and growth. As an export-oriented market that aims to acquire users outside of the home country, China is ahead in terms of diversified global growth. Only 36% of spend is directed at the U.S., Canada and Mexico with greater relative spend in Europe, Asia Pacific and other global markets. As an export-oriented market that aims to acquire users outside of the home country, China is ahead in terms of diversified global growth. Only 36% of spend is directed at the U.S., Canada and Mexico with greater relative spend in Europe, Asia Pacific and other global markets. High-value users exist beyond geographic boundaries. 70-85% of in-app purchase revenue is driven by the top 10% of payers in each market that was researched. Distribution of payer value is relatively consistent across markets and genres indicating potential for expansion with targeted user acquisition strategies. 70-85% of in-app purchase revenue is driven by the top 10% of payers in each market that was researched. Distribution of payer value is relatively consistent across markets and genres indicating potential for expansion with targeted user acquisition strategies. Paid user acquisition can unlock opportunities in new markets. While paid user acquisition is most scalable in countries that receive significant marketing spend such as the U.S., Japan, and South Korea, there are pockets of opportunity to target high-value users in countries such as Brazil, Greece, Iceland, Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, and South Africa. Its tempting to focus on large markets because theyre familiar and marketers are used to advertising there, said Sarah Yamanouchi, Head of Growth Marketing at Rec Room, the publisher of a popular free online multiplayer game. However, there is significant opportunity beyond these traditional markets where the competition is lower and hitting your KPIs can be much more efficient. Methodology To inform this research, Moloco data scientists analyzed performance outcomes from thousands of mobile gaming apps, focusing on those that monetize primarily through in-app purchases (IAP). IAP refers to transactions made within mobile apps that allow users to buy virtual goods or premium features. Unless otherwise stated, the timeframe for the data was September 2023 to September 2024. The research data set included: More than 4,000 gaming apps (with advertising spend exceeding US$200,000 per year) across key mobile gaming genres More than $3 billion in D7* revenue from paid and organic sources Data collected from 195 countries Bangladesh Summons Indian Envoy Amid Rising Diplomatic Tensions 2 Bangladeshs Foreign Affairs Ministry summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma on Tuesday, marking an escalation in the growing tensions between the two neighboring countries. The state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) confirmed that Verma entered the ministry office at 4 p.m. for discussions with acting foreign secretary Reaz Hamidullah. Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain briefly stated to the media, He [Verma] has been asked to come, without elaborating further on the agenda of the meeting. Underlying Issues Tensions have been simmering since August 5, when ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India, a development that has created political upheaval in Dhaka. The situation worsened last week with the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, which has drawn criticism from various quarters and raised concerns over minority rights and regional stability. The Bigger Picture While the exact reasons for Vermas summoning remain unclear, the developments highlight the strained relations between India and Bangladesh amidst ongoing political turmoil and sensitive religious issues. Both nations will need to navigate these challenges diplomatically to avoid further deterioration in ties. Kejriwal Slams Shah: 'Resign If You Can't Handle Delhi's Law and Order' 2 AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal launched a scathing attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding his resignation over the alleged chaotic law-and-order situation in Delhi. Kejriwal accused the BJP-led Centre of failing to ensure public safety, citing the recent fatal stabbing of a youth in Pitampura as evidence of deteriorating security. Two youths were attacked by seven to eight local boys. Manish was stabbed multiple times and tragically died because he couldnt reach the hospital in time. Himanshu, the other victim, survived, but police havent even recorded his statement, Kejriwal said after meeting the deceaseds family. The Delhi Chief Minister criticized the Delhi Police, alleging threats against the victims instead of action against the perpetrators. If Amit Shah is too busy with political tours to address Delhis law and order, he should step down, Kejriwal declared. AAP to Force Action Amid Rising Crimes Kejriwal alleged that crimes like drug abuse and chain snatching have become rampant across the city, instilling fear among residents. People are afraid to step out of their homes. AAP will unite Delhiites and force the BJP-led Centre to take action to ensure public safety, he stated. Kejriwal also claimed he had been receiving numerous appeals from residents across the city to visit their areas and address safety concerns. I will personally visit these places and raise their issues, he said. BJP Hits Back: Diversion Tactics The BJP dismissed Kejriwals accusations, alleging that his remarks were an attempt to deflect attention from the corruption scandals and administrative failures plaguing the AAP government in Delhi. Instead of creating unnecessary fear about law and order, Kejriwal should introspect on AAPs governance failures over the past decade, a BJP spokesperson said. With rising crime rates and political blame games escalating, Delhis residents remain caught in the crossfire of this heated political tussle. An Afghan environment official on Sunday said the country must be allowed to participate in future global climate talks, after returning from COP29 in Baku where Taliban officials attended for the first time. The Afghan delegation were invited as "guests" of the Azerbaijani hosts, not as a party directly involved in the negotiations. It was the first time that an Afghan delegation had attended since the Taliban swept to power in August 2021, having failed to get an invite to the past two COPs (Conference of the Parties) held in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. "Afghanistan must participate in such conferences in the future," said Matiul Haq Khalis, the director general of Afghanistan's National Environmental Protection Agency, at a press conference on Sunday. He described Afghanistan's attendance last month at the talks as a "big achievement". "We participated in the conference this year so that we could raise the voice of the nation about the issues we are facing, what the needs of the people are, we must share these things with the world." He said the Afghan delegation had meetings with "19 different organisations and governments", including with delegations from Russia, Qatar, Azerbaijan and Bangladesh. Afghanistan is among the countries most vulnerable to global warming, despite minimal emissions, and the Taliban government have argued that their political isolation should not bar them from international climate talks. The government has imposed an austere version of sharia Islamic law since taking power, severely restricting women's participation in public life in what the United Nations has called a "gender apartheid". Among the poorest countries in the world after decades of war, Afghanistan is particularly exposed to the effects of climate change, which scientists say is spurring extreme weather including prolonged drought, frequent floods, and declining agricultural productivity. The United Nations has also called for action to help Afghanistan build resilience and for the country's participation in international talks. Developed countries have committed to providing $100 billion per year in climate finance through 2025 to help developing nations prepare for worsening climate impacts and wean their economies off fossil fuels. Mamata Banerjee's Call for UN Peacekeepers in Bangladesh Sparks BJP Fury 2 West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stirred political controversy by urging the Centre to involve the United Nations in deploying peacekeepers to Bangladesh, citing the persecution of Hindu minorities. The BJP, however, dismissed her plea as crocodile tears and accused her of failing to take concrete action. Speaking in the state assembly, Banerjee criticized the Centre for its inaction over the deteriorating situation in Bangladesh, where attacks on Hindu minorities have intensified. She proposed the deployment of an international peacekeeping force to restore normalcy and urged the Union government to clarify its position in Parliament. Banerjee said, We can rehabilitate the persecuted Indians from Bangladesh. Sharing one roti is not a problem if the need arises. There will be no shortage of food for them. She also called for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to address the issue with Bangladeshs interim government or escalate it to the UN. On the other hand, BJP Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari joined protests organized at the Petrapole international border. He threatened an indefinite export embargo against Bangladesh if attacks on Hindus and their institutions continue. If these atrocities dont stop, we will impose a complete export ban. Lets see how they survive without our potatoes and onions, Adhikari warned. BJP Questions Mamatas Intentions While welcoming the suggestion of UN peacekeepers, Adhikari claimed he had raised this demand earlier and accused Banerjee of merely posturing. He criticized her government for allegedly barricading protests last week against the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata. Mamata Banerjee should stop shedding crocodile tears. This is an existential crisis for Bengali-speaking Hindus, not a political gimmick, Adhikari said. BJP leader Amit Malviya echoed similar sentiments, accusing Banerjee of hypocrisy and inaction. He emphasized that Banerjees MPs should raise the issue in Parliament if she truly cares about protecting Hindus in Bangladesh. Banerjee also took a dig at the BJP, asking why its central leadership wasnt proactively addressing the Bangladesh crisis. The BJPs leaders are demanding trade closures, but such actions are governed by international agreements, not state decisions, she clarified. As protests intensify along the border and political blame games escalate, the situation in Bangladesh continues to fuel debates within India. While the BJP demands stronger action against the persecution of Hindus, Banerjees call for UN intervention adds a new layer of complexity to the diplomatic crisis. Nepal and China Forge Stronger Ties with Nine-Point Agreement During PM Oli's Beijing Visit 2 Nepal and China have strengthened bilateral relations with a nine-point agreement signed during Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Olis official visit to Beijing. In a high-level meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the State Hall, the two leaders discussed various avenues of cooperation, including connectivity, industrial development, infrastructure, trade, and tourism, among other key areas. Prime Minister Oli also held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, focusing on enhancing partnerships across multiple sectors such as agriculture, technology, sports, disaster management, and poverty alleviation, according to Krishna Prasad Dhakal, spokesperson for Nepals Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Key Agreements Signed The nine-point agreement includes significant commitments and memorandums of understanding (MoUs), such as: Infrastructure Development : Construction of the Tokha-Chhahari tunnel road near Kathmandu. : Construction of the Tokha-Chhahari tunnel road near Kathmandu. Trade and Tourism : MoU on promoting Nepal-China trade and certificates of completion for the renovation of the historic nine-storey palace in Basantapur, Kathmandu. : MoU on promoting Nepal-China trade and certificates of completion for the renovation of the historic nine-storey palace in Basantapur, Kathmandu. Agriculture and Exports : Protocol for exporting thermally processed buffalo meat to China. : Protocol for exporting thermally processed buffalo meat to China. Education and Media : Agreements on Chinese language education and cooperation in communication technology between Nepal Television and China Media Group. : Agreements on Chinese language education and cooperation in communication technology between Nepal Television and China Media Group. Financial Aid: Exchange of letters on cash aid and additional economic and technical assistance. Financial Support from China Ahead of the visit, Nepals government accepted a grant of USD 20 million from China. Additionally, the Nepali Cabinet approved projects worth 300 million Chinese Yuan (approximately USD 4.13 million), further highlighting Chinas growing involvement in Nepals development. Prime Minister Olis four-day visit, which began Sunday, marks his first official trip to China since assuming office for the fourth time. He is expected to return to Nepal on December 5. This landmark visit underscores the deepening ties between Nepal and China, with both nations committed to mutual growth and regional stability. Political Chess in Maharashtra: Who Will Checkmate the CM's Chair? 2 The buzz from Maharashtra to Delhi revolves around a singular question: Who will emerge as the next Chief Minister of MaharashtraDevendra Fadnavis or Eknath Shinde? The suspense persists despite the swearing-in ceremony slated for December 5. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) high command has assigned Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former CM Vijay Rupani as observers to untangle this political puzzle. Their task is to consult the three alliance partners and clarify the states leadership. Tensions Within the Mahayuti Alliance The Shinde-Fadnavis standoff over the CMs position has intensified with Ajit Pawar entering the scene. While Pawar doesnt seek the top post, hes locked in a portfolio tussle with Shindes Shiv Sena faction. The lobbying for key ministries like Public Works, Urban Development, and Finance has both camps stationed in Delhi, negotiating with BJP leaders. Even ten days after the Assembly election results, the formation of Maharashtras government remains elusive. Eknath Shinde continues as caretaker CM, while the Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) demands Presidents Rule, citing prolonged uncertainty. Speculations abound about Fadnaviss return to the CMs office, supported by Shinde and Pawar as deputies. However, no official announcement has been made. The Mahayutis landslide victory132 seats for the BJP, 57 for Shindes Shiv Sena, and 41 for Pawars NCPhas overshadowed its internal discord. While Shinde attributes the win to his common man image and stands firm on retaining the CM position, Fadnaviss ambitions loom large. The BJPs Dilemma The BJP faces a strategic conundrum. If Fadnavis becomes CM, Shinde might rebel, destabilising the alliance. Conversely, retaining Shinde as CM could alienate Fadnavis and his supporters. The partys options include elevating Fadnavis to a national role while keeping Shinde as CM or merging Shindes faction into the BJP to consolidate power. History serves as a reminder: internal rifts previously fractured alliances, with Uddhav Thackerays demand for the CM post splitting the BJP and Shiv Sena. The BJP must tread cautiously to avoid similar upheaval. Conclusion In this high-stakes political chess game, every move is critical. Whether the BJP sacrifices its rook to safeguard its king or risks a bold gamble, the coming days will reveal Maharashtras political trajectory. As the suspense builds, one thing remains clear: the drama is far from over. Study reveals improving deep sleep can help avoid dementia 2 According to one study, a 1 per cent reduction in deep sleep per year for people over the age of 60 results in a 27 per cent increased risk of dementia. The study also implies that improving or sustaining deep sleep, commonly known as slow-wave sleep, in later life may aid in the prevention of dementia. The study, led by Associate Professor Matthew Pase, from the Monash School of Psychological Sciences and the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health in Melbourne, Australia, and published today in JAMA Neurology, looked at 346 participants, over 60 years of age, enrolled in the Framingham Heart Study who completed two overnight sleep studies in the time periods 1995 to 1998 and 2001 to 2003, with an average of five years between the two studies. These participants were then carefully followed for dementia from the time of the second sleep study through to 2018. The researchers found, on average, that the amount of deep sleep declined between the two studies, indicating slow wave sleep loss with ageing. Over the next 17 years of follow-up, there were 52 cases of dementia. Even adjusting for age, sex, cohort, genetic factors, smoking status, sleeping medication use, antidepressant use, and anxiolytic use, each percentage decrease in deep sleep each year was associated with a 27 per cent increase in the risk of dementia. Slow-wave sleep, or deep sleep, supports the ageing brain in many ways, and we know that sleep augments the clearance of metabolic waste from the brain, including facilitating the clearance of proteins that aggregate in Alzheimers disease, Associate Professor Pase said. However, to date we have been unsure of the role of slow-wave sleep in the development of dementia. Our findings suggest that slow wave sleep loss may be a modifiable dementia risk factor. Associate Professor Pase said that the Framingham Heart Study is a unique community-based cohort with repeated overnight polysomnographic (PSG) sleep studies and uninterrupted surveillance for incident dementia. We used these to examine how slow-wave sleep changed with ageing and whether changes in slow-wave sleep percentage were associated with the risk of later-life dementia up to 17 years later, he said. We also examined whether genetic risk for Alzheimers Disease or brain volumes suggestive of early neurodegeneration were associated with a reduction in slow-wave sleep. We found that a genetic risk factor for Alzheimers disease, but not brain volume, was associated with accelerated declines in slow wave sleep. Whenever Christmas comes around each year, we always feel a little nostalgic about some of our beloved old Alabama stores where we used to shop during the holiday rush. And while we love the convenience of ordering online and getting our gifts delivered to our homes, nothing is quite like the in-person experience of being in the thick of the holiday hustle and bustle. Recently, we posed the question on our This is Alabama Facebook page: What was your favorite Alabama store to Christmas shop in when you were young? We received more than 300 responses. Here are seven old favorites that readers mentioned the most: Complimentary gift wrapping was one of perks of doing your Christmas shoppers at Parisian department stores. (Birmingham News file/Jeff Roberts) Parisian Founded in Birmingham in 1887, Parisian was an upscale department store that, during its glory years in the 1970s and 80s, had 13 locations in shopping malls across Alabama, including Birmingham, Decatur, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, Montgomery and Mobile. The Charlotte-based Belk department store chain bought Parisian in 2006 and subsequently rebranded all of those Parisian stores as Belk. Young people today will never know the glitz and glamour of Christmas shopping at an 80s Parisian, a This is Alabama reader wrote. Even the Christmas catalog -- with glossy, thick pages full of brightly colored purchases to be made -- smelled divine. I can still smell this heavenly store in my memories. Oh, and the gorgeous free gift wrapping. We shall never see such retail delights return to everyday life. Living up to its Youre Somebody Special slogan, Parisian also had a no-questions-asked return policy that really did make its customers feel like somebody special. RELATED: Soft spot in my heart for an old Birmingham department store The old Gayfers department store building in downtown Mobile has sat empty since the downtown location closed in 1985. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com). Gayfers The Mobile-based Gayfers regional department store chain had a glorious run from the time C.J. Gayfer migrated to the Port City from England and opened the first Gayfers in downtown Mobile in 1879 until Dillards acquired the company in 1998. Decorative Christmas displays, clean and well-designed stores, and a personalized shopping experience made this Mobile-born business a fan favorite, AL.coms John Sharp wrote in 2020. In 1960, Gayfers opened a second Mobile location in the new Springdale Mall shopping center, which became its flagship store, and subsequently expanded into Tuscaloosa and Montgomery. The original downtown Mobile location closed in 1985. Gayfers in the Springdale Mall in Mobile -- it had everything! one This is Alabama reader wrote. RELATED: I Wish for Gayfers: Memories of beloved Mobile department store The clock outside Loveman's department store was a popular meeting spot for downtown Birmingham Christmas shoppers. (Birmingham News file/Joe Songer) Lovemans You know you grew up in Birmingham if someone says to you, Meet me under the clock at Lovemans, and you dont need an explanation. Although Lovemans -- now home to Birminghams McWane Science Center -- is long gone, the Lovemans clock is still ticking (at least on occasion) and, yes, some folks still use it as a meeting spot. For nearly a century from 1890 until 1980, the old downtown Lovemans department on 19th Street between Second and Third Avenues North was, as a vintage newspaper ad proclaimed, where Christmas dreams come true. While the original building was destroyed in a fire in 1934, a new one was built on the same site and reopened a year later. It was, according to the online encyclopedia Bhamwiki, one of the first stores in the country to be fully air-conditioned and the first in Alabama to have an escalator. Those who grew up in the 1960s and 70s remember visiting the Lovemans department store Santa Claus played by Birmingham TV personality Dave Campbell, who was assisted by his helper, Adele Twinkles Adele Chambordon. At Lovemans annual Breakfast with Santa, Twinkles would make her grand entrance playing Santa Claus Is Comin to Town on her accordion as she paraded down the stairs from the mezzanine to the main floor, Birmingham historian Tim Hollis recalled in a 2012 story. In addition to its flagship Birmingham store, Lovemans operated branch stores in Montgomerys Normandale Shopping Center, Huntsvilles The Mall, Bessemers West Lake Mall, Fairfields Western Hills Mall and Birminghams Century Plaza. One This is Alabama fan says the window displays at the Montgomery Lovemans were amazing. That was a great place to shop, another reader concurred. The big display windows were the best. RELATED: Remembering Adele Twinkles Chambordon, Santas helper at Lovemans After sitting empty for decades, the former Pizitz department store building in downtown Birmingham has been renovated and repurposed as a multi-use development that includes apartments, office space, the Sidewalk Cinema and the Pizitz Food Hall. (AL.com file photo/Tamika Moore) Pizitz From 1923 until it closed in 1988, the eight-story, 225,000-square-foot Pizitz department store building on Second Avenue North in downtown Birmingham was a one-stop Christmas shopping paradise. One reader shared fond memories of strolling through the stores sixth-floor Enchanted Forest, which according to a vintage advertisement from back in the day, was sheer enchantment filled with snow people, sleeping princesses and a magic Christmas tree, with Santa Claus awaiting at the end. Cant forget Pizitz! another reader wrote. Fabulous window displays with moving Christmas figures and Santa was upstairs! They had the best Christmas decorations, and their gingerbread men were delicious, another reader said. The Birmingham store was the flagship for the Pizitz chain, which, at one time, had about a dozen locations throughout Alabama before Pizitz sold to McRaes in 1986. After a $70-million restoration that was completed in early 2017, the once-empty Pizitz building has come back to life as a bustling mixed-use development thats home to the Pizitz Food Hall and the Sidewalk Cinema, as well as luxury apartments and office space. RELATED: The Pizitz Food Hall, Birminghams foodie heaven In this 2002 photo, Santa Claus holds court at Birmingham's old Century Plaza shopping mall. (Birmingham News file/Mark Almond)bn Century Plaza Once the largest shopping mall in Alabama -- with more than 100 stores and anchors such as Sears, JC Penney, Richs and Pizitz -- Birminghams $25-million, 700,000-square foot Century Plaza opened in 1975, shuttered in 2009, and was razed in 2020. But in its day, as a few This is Alabama readers noted, it was the place to be at Christmas, with the mall decked in a dazzling array of lights, decorations and Disney characters. Loved going to Century Plaza in Birmingham for all the stores and Christmas decorations! one reader posted. Santa, meanwhile, held court in his elaborate yuletide village, where he sat for photos with the kids, as well as their pets. But as popular as St. Nick was, one of the stars of the Christmas season each year was Jingles the Talking Bear, who, as AL.coms Jeremy Gray wrote in 2022, could sing and carry on with the children. And who could forget that towering, festive poinsettia Christmas tree? RELATED: Christmas memories at Century Plaza Sears, which had locations throughtout the Alabama, offered just about everything a Christmas shopper needed -- all under one roof. (The Plain Dealer/Lisa DeJong) Sears For those of us from a certain generation, the arrival of the Sears Wish Book Christmas catalog in the mail was always one of the biggest days of the year second only to Christmas Day itself. Once the largest retailer in America, Sears had dozens of stores throughout Alabama until the last location closed at the Riverchase Galleria in Hoover in 2019. Many of our readers remembered Christmases past at Sears stores in Gadsden, Florence and Montgomery, among others. As one reader noted, Sears was a Christmas shoppers dream. They had everything . . . clothes, toys, sporting goods, firearms, campers, boats, tools, electronics, candy, furniture, housewares, jewelry, appliances, lawn care equipment, exercise equipment, auto accessories, an optical department, an insurance office, a tax preparer, etc.-- all in one store, one This is Alabama reader wrote. If they didnt have it in the store, you could go to the catalog counter and probably order it. Another reader wrote: When I was really young, Sears was where we went to see Santa in the biggest toy department in town. Loved to go to Sears in downtown Gadsden to see Santa Claus, yet another reader remembered. A crowd of Christmas shoppers waited outside in the dark before the Toy R Us location in Hoover opened for Black Friday in 2008.(Birmingham News file/Jake Daniels) Toys R Us No retail outlet epitomized the craziness of Black Friday and the Christmas shopping season than the national big-box toy store Toys R Us, which several This is Alabama readers told us was their go-to holiday store whether it was for giving or receiving. From Star Wars and G.I. Joe action figures to Cabbage Patch Kids and Nintendo Game Boys, Toys R Us had all of the trendiest Christmas gifts each year, and parents started lining up at the nearest Toys R Us store before the doors opened to make sure they got em before they were gone. During its peak years, Toys R Us had stores throughout Alabama including in Hoover, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Dothan, Foley and at the Summit in Birmingham but all of them closed after the company filed for bankruptcy in 2018. In 2022, though, Toys R Us made a comeback, partnering with Macys to open pop-up shops in Macys stores nationwide, including the Macys at the Riverchase Galleria in Hoover. Earlier this year, though, Macys announced that will close 50 stores by the end of 2024, and its Galleria store, the last Macys in Alabama, is listed for sale. So, this may be your last Christmas for both Toys R Us and Macys in Alabama. Smith's Variety, which opened in 1950, moved from this location in Mountain Brook Village to a new space in Mountain Brook's Crestline Village around 2015.(AL.com file photo)(AL.com file photo) A few more old favorites Here are some other old favorites that our readers remember: Bedsoles in Thomasville. Blachs in Birmingham. Carlton Cards in Dothan. G.C. Murphy Co., various locations. Gaylords in Montgomery. KB Toys, various locations. Kmart, various locations. Richs, various locations. Rogers Department Store in Florence, Athens, Decatur and Muscle Shoals. Service Merchandise, various locations. Smiths Variety, Mountain Brook. (Smiths Variety remains open but moved from its original location to Mountain Brook Village to a new spot in Crestline Village around 2015.) Toy Arcade in Selma V.J. Elmores Five & Dime, various locations. Western Auto, various locations Woolworths, various locations. Woolco, various locations. Zayre, various locations. To read all of our reader responses -- and to add your own -- go to our This is Alabama Facebook page. A Tuscumbia minister has taken his cause all the way to Capitol Hill. On Nov. 29, Jeff Abrams co-led a memorial service at the Washington Monument and placed 600 teddy bears with blue and yellow ribbons to pay tribute to over 600 children killed during Russias invasion of Ukraine. [Ukrainian] children deserved better. They deserved to be protected. And they deserve to be remembered, to have their names called, Abrams said. During the ceremony, members of several U.S. and Ukraine-based organizations prayed for children killed by the Russian Federation and read each of their names, accompanied by the toll of a bell. Children of all ages were included in the memorial, some just a few months old, according to Abrams social media. We stand here today not just to mourn but to demand justice, said Nadiya Shaporynska, president of U.S. Ukrainian Activists. We must hold Russia accountable for its crimes and ensure the world does not turn a blind eye to this genocide. We must fight to bring every stolen child home and to protect the lives of all Ukrainian children who remain in harms way. Our gathering today sends a powerful message: Ukraines children will not be forgotten. Their lives matter, and their future matters. Together, we can honor their memory by standing with Ukraine, advocating for Ukraines victory and independence, and working for a world where children live free from fear and violence. Following the memorial, the bears, which were funded by donors and American children through fundraisers, were taken up to be sent to Ukrainian children in orphanages, hospitals, and internally displaced communities, according to a release from Shaporynska. At the beginning of 2024, Abrams launched Rescue Ukraine, a nonprofit Ukraine relief group that calls for the U.S. government to help end the war. Rescue Ukraine is a group of Christians dedicated to loving the people of Ukraine as Jesus loves us, the groups mission reads. Throughout the year the group has taken up donations for Ukrainian aid and has staged multiple demonstrations in Washington D.C calling for Russia to end their invasion and asking the U.S. government to protect the defenseless against evil. A White former police detective in Kansas City, Kansas, accused of assaulting Black women and preying on impoverished residents was found dead in his home Monday after he failed to show up for the first day of his federal civil rights trial, authorities said. Roger Golubski, 71, had been charged with six counts of deprivation of rights, with prosecutors alleging he used his power as a law enforcement official to abuse two women multiple times between 1999 and 2002, allegedly raping and sodomizing them in their homes and in his vehicle, according to the Justice Departments indictment. Golubski faced a life sentence in prison if he had been convicted. He also had been indicted in a second federal case on charges that he conspired with a local drug dealer to force underage girls into involuntary sexual servitude in the mid-1990s. He denied any wrongdoing. Golubski was found in his home in Edwardsville, where he had been confined to house arrest for more than two years since being criminally charged. Local authorities said Golubski died of a gunshot wound and that there were no signs of foul play. The cases highlighted efforts by local civil rights advocates to bring greater police accountability years after what they described as a reign of terror in which Golubski and other officers abused the citys disenfranchised Black community. Activists had pressed the Justice Department to open a broader civil rights investigation into what they called a corrupt policing culture and lack of accountability among top police and city leaders that allowed such abuses to go unpunished. The citys mayor and police chief - both of whom are Black and took office well after Golubski had retired - opposed the push for a broader federal civil rights probe into the police department, saying they already were pursuing wide-ranging police accountability measures. Residents said they were frustrated at the news of Golubskis death, saying they had hoped a conviction in the case would help bring a sense of justice for the victims. A lot of work went into just getting us to this point, and a lot of what justice looks like was people being able to have their day in court, said Nikki Richardson, co-founder of Wyandotte for Justice, a social justice advocacy group named for the county that includes Kansas City. That was stolen from not only the victims but the survivors and the entire community. I dont know what justice looks like in this case going forward. Golubskis trial was set to take place at a federal courthouse in Topeka, about an hours drive from Kansas City, due to concerns involving the notoriety of his case, which had drawn extensive media coverage. Team ROC, a social justice group founded by music mogul Jay-Z, had taken an interest in the case, suing the city and police department over open records requests and planning to air a podcast about Golubskis trial this week. Khadijah Hardaway, a civil rights activist who was in the courtroom Monday, said court officials notified about 45 members of the public that the start of the trial would be delayed. More people who arrived were turned away, she said, as news broke that Golubski had been found dead. In a statement, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, who oversees the Justice Departments civil rights division, said: It is always difficult when a case is unable to be fully and fairly heard in a public trial and weighed and determined by a jury. The proceedings in this case may be over, but its lasting impact on all the individuals and families involved remains. Long ago, Temecia Sistrunk made a promise to her daughter, Angeliyah Webster, that she would send her on a paid vacation out of the country to celebrate turning 21. I told her, Im going to send you to Dubai, or wherever you want to go,' Sistrunk said. That was my promise to her. Webster would have turned 21 today and instead, Sistrunk is marking the occasion without her. Im going to dinner and get a little birthday cake with the numbers 2 and 1 on it, and Im going to release balloons to Heaven. Its been nearly nine months since Webster, her boyfriend and their unborn child were found shot to death in a car in a Wylam alley. Webster was almost six months pregnant with a little boy named Seven, who was to be her first child. Sistrunk, who also lost her son to gun violence in Birmingham four months after Websters slaying, is heartbroken at all she has lost in 2024. Its been a nightmare, a nightmare for myself, my family, my grandchildren, she said. Liyah was a very, very important part of our family. No arrests have been made. Webster, a 2022 graduate of John Carroll Catholic High School, and her boyfriend of more than a year, 20-year-old Chris Norris, were last seen about 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, in the 1500 block of 20th Place in Ensley. They were believed to be on their way to a movie date at an unknown theater. They were in a white Ford Taurus. Angeliyah ne-vaeh Jolie Webster and Christan Tyre Norris(Contributed) The following morning, on Thursday, Feb. 15, Sistrunk woke up and showered to get ready for a doctors appointment. She went to her daughters room and saw she had not been home. She wasnt there but it was Valentines night so maybe her and Christian were together, Sistrunk recalled thinking. Something told me to call their phones, she said. Her phone went straight to voicemail. At first, she didnt think anything of it. Webster would often play Roblox with Sistrunks grandchildren and wouldnt interrupt the online gaming to take a phone call. But Sistrunk remembered she wanted to tell her something before she forgot, so she tried again. Still, there was no answer. Next Sistrunk tried to call Norris, confident she would reach him. Christian was an old soul, she said. He got up with the chickens, as they say. He didnt answer either and Sistrunk headed to her doctors appointment. What happened next stunned her. The Holy Spirit was in the car with me and said, You know Angeliyah isnt coming back,' She heard the same message a short time later and knew without a doubt that something was terribly wrong. Sistrunk called close family and friends and told them her fears. She also called Norriss family. For the next 24-plus hours, they frantically searched for the young couple. It was horrible, she said. Sherita Clark, Norriss cousin, previously told AL.com both victims mothers tried to call them Thursday but to no avail. Normally theyd check in throughout the day, Clark said. Theres not a day that goes by that theyre not communicating with someone in their family. " Concern quickly turned to alarm. It had been a full 24 hours and no one had seen them or heard from them, she said. You get a little concerned when you dont talk to them for one day but when it hits two days and no one has heard from them, that becomes a problem. " They filed a report with the Birmingham Police Department which issued bulletins for the couple late Thursday night. A man and a woman were found shot to death Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in a Wylam alley.(Carol Robinson) On Friday, Feb. 16 the family also went to the dealership where Norris had bought his car. They were able to ping the vehicles general location to somewhere in Wylam. The family then headed that way, as did Birmingham police detectives who independently learned of a possible location for the Taurus. Just before 4 p.m. that Friday, Webster and Norris were found slain in Norriss Taurus in the 4100 block of 10th Avenue in Wylam. Shortly before the bodies were found in Wylam, four people had been killed in a drive-by shooting in the citys Smithfield community. Police at the time described the six murders in less than two hours as unfathomable. Sistrunk said her daughter and boyfriend were lured to that alley to be killed. The grief has been unimaginable, she said. Lord, I wish we could have gotten to them and maybe they could have saved the baby, Sistrunk said. Both Webster and Norris were excited about becoming parents and were looking forward to their upcoming gender reveal. The Disney-inspired party was set for April 6, and it was there that friends and family would find out if the baby was going to a Moana or a Maui. Sistrunk said Webster had chosen the name Seven from the Bible, and said it means completion. He would have completed Angeliyah. That was the missing part, she said. She was sick all the time carrying him, so she always said, This is it for me.' Webster and Norris had been together about 1 years. He was such a sweet man, Sistrunk said. He had a heart of gold. Sistrunk, too, was excited for Sevens birth. Im the little old lady in the shoe with so many grandchildren I dont know what to do, she said. I had already given the grandchildren the lowdown. I told them, I love you all, but when Seven gets here, I dont want nobody to say shes making different because I have taken care of all yall This is his time now.' Webster, her mother said, had a personality bigger than life. Angeliyah ne-vaeh Jolie Webster and Christan Tyre Norris were excitedly awaiting the gender reveal for their unborn baby.(Contributed) She was very outspoken, very loyal, Sistrunk said. She was a people person. She was one of a kind. You know how people say, Which one of your children are like you? All of my children are like me, because were givers. If it makes you happy and you need it, we give it to you. Sistrunk said the grief continues. The devil is a lie. I know hes trying to destroy me, but Im a child of God, she said. When people think Im talking to myself, Im actually praying because we are living in some difficult times. Sometimes when I post things, people say shes still grieving or wants pity, and I say dont feel sorry for me. Thats not who I am, she said. Just pray and ask the Lord that you never have to walk in my shoes. Sistrunk said she talks with Birmingham homicide investigators weekly for updates. The detectives say, Were going to make an arrest,' she said. I never in a million years thought she would not be here for her 21st birthday, and an arrest would be the best gift. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. A Pelham man was sentenced to decades in federal prison Tuesday on charges of sexual exploitation of a child. U.S. District Court Judge L. Scott Coogler sentenced Neal Richard Goodacre, 54, to 80 years in prison followed by a life term of supervised release, according to a joint statement by Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Kelly J. Blackmon. In July, Goodacre pleaded guilty to two counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. The convictions will require Goodacre to register as a sex offender. According to the plea agreement, in July 2023, the Queensland, Australia, Child Exploitation Task Force discovered images of child pornography on a Russian file-sharing website. Queensland officers connected the account used to post the images to Goodacre at a residence in Pelham. On Sept. 13, 2023, HSI carried out a search warrant at Goodacres residence. Agents recovered two electronic devices containing 29 images and one video of child pornography. Goodacre produced some of the child pornography he possessed. Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case along with the Queensland, Australia, Child Exploitation Task Force and the Pelham Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel S. McBrayer prosecuted the case. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., joined in criticizing President Joe Biden Monday for his decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden. Tuberville said it was Bidens reversal on his promise, not the pardon, that bothered him. Well, Ill put it this way: If it was my son, Id pardon him, too. But heres what I didnt like: Dont lie to us. Dont tell us youre not going to do it, and then do it. Thats not what a president should be like, he said to reporters on Monday. "Well, I'll put it this way: If it was my son, I'd pardon him, too. But here's what I didn't like: Don't lie to us. Don't tell us you're not going to do it, and then do it. That's not what a president should be like." - Sen. Tommy Tuberville on Pres. Biden pardoning Hunter Biden pic.twitter.com/m8zYBdzgPd Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) December 2, 2024 Other Alabama lawmakers weighed in on social media Monday after Biden announced the decision. Biden has broken another promise to the American people, U.S. Sen Katie Britt, R-Ala., posted to X on Monday afternoon. He promised he would keep us safe but opened our borders. He promised things would be affordable, but prices have risen higher. He promised he wouldnt pardon his son, but he did. Jan. 20th cant come fast enough, she said. Biden has broken another promise to the American people. He promised he would keep us safe, but opened our borders. He promised things would be affordable, but prices have risen higher. He promised he wouldnt pardon his son, but he did. Jan. 20th cant come fast enough. Katie Britt (@KatieBrittforAL) December 2, 2024 Biden announced Sunday he would pardon his sons federal conviction for illegally buying a gun and for tax evasion. Biden had originally said he would not pardon his son for convictions in Delaware and California. Hunter Biden was several weeks out from receiving punishment for the offenses. No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunters cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son and that is wrong, Biden said in a statement. The President has the power to pardon federal criminal offenses under the U.S. Constitution. On Sunday, Alabama lawmakers took aim at the decision. U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala. shared his take on X. President Biden said he would not pardon his son. But I think we all knew he ultimately would. And we were right. President Biden said he would not pardon his son. But I think we all knew he ultimately would. And we were right. Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) December 2, 2024 Rep. Dale Strong posted, Its no surprise Biden would pardon his son Hunter. The Biden family, the Democrat Party, and the deep state have never gone by the same rules as the rest of America. Once again, Bidens repeated promises not to pardon his son were just more lies to the American people. Rep. Gary Palmer referenced past allegations that the Bidens were a part of corruption in Ukraine. Unlike the Democrats baseless pursuit against President Trump, our investigation into Hunter Biden was not politically motivated. This sweeping pardon proves there is something to hide, he wrote. Palmer is a member of the House Oversight Committee, which tried to impeach the president over the matter. China Coast Guard urges Philippines to stop provocations Xinhua) 10:16, December 03, 2024 BEIJING, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- A spokesperson for the China Coast Guard (CCG) on Monday said the CCG has taken necessary control measures against Philippine vessels illegally gathering, in the name of fishing, in the waters around Houteng Jiao in China's Nansha Qundao, and urged the Philippines to immediately cease its provocative actions. Spokesperson Liu Dejun noted that the Philippine vessels ignored warnings and dissuasion from the CCG, gathering illegally in the waters around Houteng Jiao. These vessels were also accompanied by media reporters staging scenes for publicity. Liu emphasized that China holds indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao, including Houteng Jiao, and the surrounding waters. He called on the Philippines to cease its provocative actions, stop distorting facts, and refrain from engaging in sensational propaganda. Liu added that the CCG would continue to conduct rights protection and law enforcement activities in waters under China's jurisdiction to firmly safeguard the nation's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos on Monday described as "very worrisome" the presence of a Russian attack submarine off the country's coast in the disputed South China Sea. The UFA 490 submarine was spotted 148 kilometres (92 miles) west of Cape Calavite on Thursday, the Philippine military said. "Any intrusion into the West Philippine Sea, of our EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone), of our baselines is very worrisome," Marcos told reporters. The Philippines dispatched a plane and a warship to the submarine, where the crew said they were awaiting good weather before proceeding to Russia's Vladivostok, the Philippine Navy said in a Monday statement. Roy Vincent Trinidad, spokesman for the navy in the South China Sea, said the incident is "not alarming". "But we were surprised because this is a very unique submarine," he told AFP. The 74-metre (243-foot) long vessel is armed with a missile system that has a range of 12,000 kilometres, according to Russia's state-run TASS news agency. The submarine was last seen in Philippine waters on Sunday, Trinidad said. Russia's embassy in Manila and the Philippine foreign ministry did not immediately respond to AFP requests to comment on the matter. Donald Trump reiterated his opposition to the sale of United States Steel Corp. to Nippon Steel Corp., saying hed instead use tariffs and tax incentives to revive the American steelmaker. Trump made the comment in a Truth Social post on Monday night, with the decision on whether it goes forward slated to land on Bidens desk before Trumps inauguration. The president opposes it and has said US Steel would remain domestically owned, guaranteed. He has stopped short, however, of flatly pledging to kill the acquisition. Nippon Steel shares fluctuated after the news, before closing little changed in Tokyo. Meanwhile, shares of US Steel fell as much as 8.6% in US premarket trading. While the decision is not currently poised to fall to Trump, his ardent opposition is nonetheless another obstacle for an acquisition that became something of a political lightning rod during the 2024 campaign. I am totally against the once great and powerful U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company, in this case Nippon Steel of Japan, he wrote. Through a series of Tax Incentives and Tariffs, we will make U.S. Steel Strong and Great Again, and it will happen FAST! As President, I will block this deal from happening. Buyer Beware!!! Nippon Steel is determined to protect and grow US Steel in a manner that reinforces American industry, domestic supply-chain resiliency, and US national security, a company spokesperson said in an emailed statement after Trumps comment. The deal is currently under review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or Cfius. The panel granted a request for the case to be refiled in September, effectively allowing a delay. The deal must go to Biden some time this month unless its delayed again. The political stakes are high, in part because US Steel is based in Pennsylvania, a crucial battleground that Biden won in 2020 and Trump took in last months election. Both Trump and Biden also jockeyed for the support of union workers, and the deal is opposed by the United Steelworkers union. Bloomberg Josh Wingrove Alabama Power is withdrawing from the planned redevelopment of Birminghams historic Powell Avenue Steam Plant. In a statement, the company said that it has determined that the future of Powell Avenue should be led by a team with more expertise in commercial development. The decision came after much consideration and more than a decade of hard work. We will be publicly listing the property for sale to identify the best group to bring this project to completion, the statement reads. We will do our best to ensure the eventual buyer develops the property in a way that benefits Birmingham. We remain committed to making this historic landmark, located in the heart of the city, something we can all be proud of for decades to come. Alabama Power and Orchestra Partners, a Birmingham-area real estate development group, announced a plan back in February 2022 to redevelop the steam plant as part of a general project for Parkside. Hunter Renfroe, principal with Orchestra Partners, said the company is very excited that the property is being listed for sale. This site is a critical piece to the revitalization of Birmingham, along with our development of Urban Supply on the other side of the park, Renfroe said. Together, these two projects will bookend Railroad Park with dense, pedestrian-friendly retail and outdoor spaces that will foster connection. Were confident that Alabama Power will continue to be a great steward of Birmingham by ensuring that any purchaser of the Steam Plant follows a development plan that prioritizes street-level vibrancy and walkability. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema was to be the anchor tenant at the Powell Steam Plant in downtown Birmingham, Ala. The theater was expected to open in the fall of 2023. Alamo Drafthouse would have been the anchor tenant for the redevelopment project, along with retail and dining. It would have been the movie chains first location in the Deep South. But Alamo withdrew from the project earlier this year. At that time, Alabama Power released a statement saying that it and Orchestra Partners remain committed to the Citys growth and long-term success, and we look forward to great things ahead. The Powell Avenue Steam Plant was built in 1895 by the Consolidated Electric Light & Power Co. It provided steam and electricity for downtown and powered the city streetcar system. The plant was acquired by Alabama Power in 1952 when the two companies merged. The building was added in 2015 to the National Register of Historic Places. Several attempts have been made to revitalize the property over the last decade. The Alamo Drafthouse redevelopment was the third incarnation of a plan to redevelop the property. Orchestra Partners first unveiled a redevelopment in 2019, and before that, Alabama Power announced its own. Alabamians make automobiles. They make ships, aircraft and rockets. They also make the engines and batteries that make those products move. Workers in factories across the state produce electronics, pharmaceuticals and steel. They harvest crops and trees, while others fashion plastics for numerous products. They make weapons of war and vaccines for health. One state agency is tasked with ensuring those workers know how to do their jobs. AIDT - short for Alabama Industrial Development Training - is an $85 million state agency which provides free workforce training to employers and trainees. It is the first state workforce training organization of its kind to earn international certification for its quality management system, which was renewed last year. Simply put, the agencys 162 full-time employees teach workers how to do their jobs. Thats everything from robotics to electric vehicles to warehouse and distribution jobs. To get all of that done, AIDT has four training centers, including the Alabama Robotics Technology Park in Tanner, Mobiles Maritime Training Center, and complexes in Montgomery and Birmingham. Alabama Deputy Secretary of Commerce Ed Castile talks to business leaders Jan. 7, 2020 at the state's growing Robotics Technology Park near Decatur, Ala. Castile said the state must constantly improve training to fill thousands of jobs now opening in the state's economy. Ed Castile has been the agencys director for more than three decades, coming from a similar position with the state of Tennessee. He said its been fascinating to watch from his perspective as AIDTs capability has expanded. The challenge hasnt been adapting services to companies as much as planning the approach and fulfilling the needs of manufacturers coming to Alabama. For me, thats the fun part - the challenge of getting to figure it out, Castile said. Thats exciting. I love to figure out how to get there. Workforce training is only one of a suite of development incentives that states are expected to offer when billion dollar industry comes calling. Castile was appointed to head AIDT on Aug. 16, 1993. Something else came to Alabama a few weeks later - Mercedes-Benz. Of all of AIDTs corporate partners, services for the German automaker make up the largest project the agency has ever tackled. Over time, Mercedes has invested more than $7 billion in Alabama and hired more than 6,300 people. Our partnership with AIDT has lasted more than 30 years and we consider them true business partners, said Tony Cancillia, Mercedes-Benzs Human Relations manager. AIDT is a tremendous resource for us from operating and staffing our training center to providing critical training on safety, technical and soft-skills for our existing and new-hire team members. Castile said landing Mercedes had a double effect for the state and AIDT- it raised the stakes for industrial development in Alabama, but also placed a giant spotlight on the services the agency would deliver to companies in years to come. Alabama became one of the top states aggressively using economic incentives in the 1990s to attract development, according to the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. But research suggests providing firms with customized services may be more cost-effective in boosting economic development than tax or cash subsidies. In fact, job training may boost economic development by five to 10 times as much per dollar over standard tax incentives, according to the institute. AIDT works to help companies hit their hiring targets - something that becomes even more important at a time when workforce participation nationally is at 62.5%, still below pre-pandemic levels. Alabamas is slightly worse at 57.6%, but edging up slightly. Castile said participation was an issue before the Great Recession of 2007-8, and getting the right number of workers is a cyclical problem. But its a good problem to have, or preferable to not having any jobs to fill. A lot of the Southern states have enjoyed some very successful project wins over these years, Castile said. But as a small state, weve really been very successful, and I think AIDT has had something to do with that. Its a testament to a good workforce, several governors and legislators who have embraced growth and economic development. Theyve made that not a political thing, but a collaborative thing. AIDT services range from pre-employment and post-employment assistance, maintenance assessments, safety assistance and training, leadership development and more. According to AIDT, it has worked with more than 5,400 companies and trained more than 1 million workers in Alabama. And its work has been recognized nationally. Trade publication Area Development ranks Alabama fifth among the states in workforce training programs, while Site Selection, an economic development and corporate real estate publication, placed the state at the top among its peers in the South central region. AIDTs contributions to industrial development begin even before an industry has decided to come to Alabama. Take one recent example earlier this year in McCalla. Local and state officials gathered for the opening of the 900,000 square foot Smucker's Uncrustables plant in McCalla on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (William Thornton)William Thornton On Nov. 7, the J.M. Smucker Co. opened its 900,000-square-foot, $1.1 billion manufacturing plant dedicated to making its Uncrustables brand of frozen sandwich treat. Both company officials and Gov. Kay Ivey singled out the important role that AIDT had in both attracting Smucker to Alabama, and getting the factory ready to turn out frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches by the millions. Smucker plans to eventually hire up to 700 employees at the plant. AIDT, as with other industrial development projects, was part of the process to lure Smuckers to Alabama. After the handshake that signaled the beginning of the project, Castile said, AIDT began working. Once the company conceived its timeline for the plant opening, the agency began formulating its own plan to have workers in place on that day. That meant filling spaces for executives, managers, technicians, all the way down to factory line workers. Even before the buildings finished, we are working with them to plot our process, Castile said. With something like Smuckers, every time they open something new, it involves new technology. One of those tasked with getting employees up to speed was Bobby Jon Drinkard. He oversees the agencys pre-employment training programs, project management, project support and the AIDT Military Transition Program. Before taking on a new client, AIDT performs a job task analysis - determining how a company makes its product in order to teach would-be workers the process. This can include not just hands-on training, but writing manuals and preparing training videos. Its a complicated process that can examine every inch of a manufacturing capability to figure out how to duplicate the process at the individual workers level. A standard part of that analysis is shooting footage of the manufacturing process for later review. AIDT staff flew to the Smucker plant in Longmont, Colo., with one videographer to begin the work. There was just one problem - Smuckers wouldnt allow video on the factory floor, Drinkard said. The eyes of the Alabama entourage got really big. Their production process is highly proprietary, he said. They dont tell you the secret of their sauce. They didnt tell us. It was then up to the AIDT project manager and developers to fill their notebooks with detailed reports suitable for conversion into training material. And while the lack of video complicated the process, that was nothing new. The agency occasionally has to turn out training materials in English for companies locating their first factories in an English-speaking country. In other cases, their ability to observe may be limited with defense department jobs that require a security clearance. In the case of true startups, Drinkard said, AIDT may create the very first training material ever for some processes. Castile said AIDT has to work as a collaborative partner with businesses. We dont have experts in all of this, he said. Weve got a lot of really talented trainers, but we use a lot of the subject matter experts from the company to help us. And everything must eventually be approved by the company. Our developers may put something together and think it really works, but the client has the final say-so, Drinkard said. We are collaborating with our accumulated resources and the company to come up with a best-case scenario. As opening day approached for the Smuckers plant, AIDT began working with the company as employee slots filled. Other services included equipment testing, on-the-job training for supervisors and involvement in training line workers. Companies often supply their own trainers as well. Once the house is built, we begin to run people through it, Castile said. They make all hiring decisions. They may hire 15 a month, or 20 a month, or a 100 a month. And well accelerate or decelerate as needed. We do all of that until they get to full employment. And even then, there is further training for supervisors on how to manage workers. Theres safety and OSHA compliance, warehousing and helping workers maintain technical proficiency. Just staying abreast of technology and responding quickly is a constant need. It should be noted that many of Alabamas corporations pump their proceeds back into technical education. For example, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama sponsors an initiative for robotics programs in the states public schools. But in the end, it all comes down to people. The average yearly earnings of a worker trained by AIDT is $78,863. Its a challenge, Drinkard said. If youre able to complete and hit those targets, not only are you giving these companies that are coming to Alabama what they need from a workforce perspective, but youre also helping a family somewhere in the state of Alabama become more productive with their life, because theyre able to have a paycheck. Boeing plans to lay off 158 employees in Huntsville next year, as part of a planned 10% cut to its workforce across the country. The layoffs will begin on Jan. 17, according to a notice the company filed with the Alabama Department of Commerce . As previously announced, we are adjusting our workforce levels to align with our financial reality and a more focused set of priorities, a Boeing spokesperson said in an email to AL.com today. We are committed to ensuring our employees have support during this challenging time. The defense contractor based in Arlington, Virginia and a major employer in Huntsville announced in October that it would lay off nearly 17,000 employees nationally, including executives, managers and other workers. Our business is in a difficult position, and it is hard to overstate the challenges we face together, Kelly Ortberg, the CEO of Boeing, wrote in an October release to employees. Beyond navigating our current environment, restoring our company requires tough decisions and we will have to make structural changes to ensure we can stay competitive and deliver for our customers over the long term. Back in May, Boeing announced plans to lay off 128 workers in Huntsville . The Associated Press reported that Boeing has lost more than $25 billion since the start of 2019, and since September, 33,000 union machinists have been striking, delaying airplane production. Earlier this fall, the company looked to raise up to $19 billion in a stock offering to raise cash in face of the strike . The latest round of layoffs in Huntsville, noted in a WARN notice filing dated Nov. 15 and made public as of Tuesday, will impact most of the employees in mid-January. Employees who are eligible will receive severance pay, career transition support and subsidized health care benefits up to three months after theyre laid off, Boeing said. Boeings employee base in the Huntsville metro has grown gradually from 3,000 in 2005 to 3,300 currently, AL.com previously reported. Federal law requires large employers to file a public WARN notice with the state 60 days in advance of mass layoffs or plant closures. In a closed-door vote Tuesday afternoon, the Alabama Senates Republican Caucus elected Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, as their new president pro tempore, according to multiple social media reports. Gudger will replace current Pro-Tem Greg Reed, R-Jasper, who recently announced he will be leaving the Senate before the new year to serve as Alabama Gov. Kay Iveys senior advisor to workforce transformation. Gudger, 49, has served in the Senate since 2018 and previously chaired the Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee. His Senate district includes Cullman, Marion and Winston counties. He will not be officially confirmed until the full chamber meets on Feb. 4, 2025, the first day of the 2025 legislative session. This summer, Gudger suffered broken ribs and a chipped vertebra following a jet ski accident with his son on Smith Lake, but has recovered well, according to family members. Staff Reports news@albanyherald.com ALBANY Southwest Georgians are being asked to help spread Christmas and holiday cheer by participating in the Handmade Holiday Card Outreach Workshop on Dec 14, at the Albany Museum of Art. The free workshop, led by artist LaKeisha J. Smith-Martin, will benefit local hospice care and nursing home residents. This is an AMA Teen Art Board community project, Director of Education and Public Programming Annie Vanoteghem, who advises the student group, said. We will create handmade holiday cards with heart-felt messages for those in our community who could use a little extra joy this season. These special cards will be delivered by the AMA Teen Art Board and anyone who wishes to join them as they visit hospice care and nursing home residents. The Albany Museum of Art will provide all the materials needed to make the cards. This free event is a wonderful opportunity to use the power of art to connect with those who need a friend this holiday season, Vanoteghem said. Whether youre a seasoned artist or just looking to make a difference, your creativity can bring warmth and happiness to others. The Teen Art Board is an organization of high school students from Dougherty and neighboring counties that works to better the community through art. During the school year, the board conducts projects that benefit the community. This will be the second workshop at the AMA led by Smith-Martin, a local visual and performing artist, art educator, and art advocate. Last September, she led a special Saturday-morning Coffee & Canvases painting party at which participants recreated Alma Thomas 1970 painting The Eclipse. This will be a meaningful experience for everyone who participates, Vanoteghem said. A simple act of kindness can have such a tremendous impact. When you brighten someones day by showing they are remembered and appreciated, you will brighten your own. A link to RSVP for the free workshop may be found at www.albanymuseum.com/events/handmade-holiday-card-outreach-workshop/. The Albany Museum of Art is located at 311 Meadowlark Drive, adjacent to Albany State Universitys West Campus just off Gillionville Road. The museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and is open to the public 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Admission is free. By Emily Jones WABE STATESBORO The worlds oceans absorb nearly a third of global carbon dioxide emissions. Seagrass beds, in particular, are carbon-storing powerhouses. While less than 1% of the seafloor is made up of seagrass beds, those beds store about 11% of the oceans buried carbon, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. But soaking up all that carbon can cause ocean water to become more acidic, a problem that scientists have been tracking for years. Now, Georgia researchers are studying an approach that could counteract that effect and also encourage seagrass to store even more carbon. Georgia Southern University professor Tyler Cyronak and a colleague at the University of California-Davis, with the help of a $250,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, are testing whats called enhanced weathering. The idea is to add alkaline rock to seagrass beds to decrease their acidity. We sort of want to see if we can add on top of this enhanced weathering to sort of supercharge the seagrass as carbon removal, Cyronak said. Its an approach that some companies are already trying, adding ground-up rock to beach renourishment projects and offshore berm placements. However, altering ecosystems like this can have unintended consequences. Some of the rock in question has heavy metal components, which could leach into the seagrass and make their way into the food chain, affecting the health of other species. The alkaline rock also could harm the growth of the seagrass itself. Cyronaks team plans to study those potential impacts. We want to just understand the basic science behind it and to understand whether its a good idea or not, he said. Whether the seagrass thrives under it and it helps them grow, and we can remove carbon dioxide and everything works, or whether it actually ends up being bad for the seagrass, which then we know this is not a good idea to pursue. The researchers plan to measure the growth of the seagrass and test the roots and leaves for evidence of heavy metals. Seagrass is important beyond its ability to store carbon, Cyronak noted. It provides essential habitat to many species and protects shorelines by acting as a natural barrier to erosion, stabilizing the sediment on the seafloor. If we can somehow make it valuable in the sense that were also removing carbon I think its a win-win situation, he said. This coverage is made possible through a partnership between WABE and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization. Special Photo: WABE Special Photo: WABE In todays dangerous world with trror and warfare inundating the Middle East and threatening Israel, Meta has adapted an Oversight Board, 21 people comprising an independent board which even Mark Zuckerberg cannot fire, that determines content on Facebook and Instagram. The board is comprised of many Jew-hating non-Americans who have decided recently that calling from the river to the sea anti-Semitic is either inaccurate or rooted in Islamophobia. Thats right -- calling this phrase anti-Semitic is rooted in Islamophobia. The Oversight Board has also said it is okay to praise a martyr (Shaheed), and call for Intifada. What isnt allowed is Jews fighting back, as two and a half weeks ago, Meta removed the accounts of Betar, a 100-year-old Zionist activist movement linked with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahus Likud Party for making beeper jokes directed at Hamas supporters in America. Metas anti-Semitic oversight board includes Muslim Brotherhood-linked Tawakkol Karmana, who posted on her X page that she applauds the ICC arrest warrants to terrorist war criminals Netanyahu and Gallant.. this should be the beginning of the trial of all those involved in the genocide massacres, from Israeli politicians and military personnel, who must not escape prosecution and punishment. Indictments against American allies arent enough -- this woman who determines what millions worldwide see on Facebook has referred to the Gaza war as ethnic cleansing and a war of extermination and posts quotes from Gazas Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health. Most recently, she published an op-ed co-written with Rawan Yousef calling for a full boycott of Israel and complete arms embargo. On the payroll of an American publicly traded company, with a civil war brewing in Syria, this week she tweeted The road to Jerusalem passes through Damascus and Aleppo, I agree with this saying. With the ability to influence tens of millions of people, she is calling on this Al-Qaeda offshoot to conquer all of Syria and continue on to Israel. Nighat Dad, another member of the oversight board, praises pro-Hamas NYC rallies and also teaches activists at Palestine Digital activism forums. She falsely claims that While Israel can get Facebook and others to take down content it deems hateful, Palestinians cant do the same to the hateful content shared by the Israelis -- even when it comes directly from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Another oversight board member is former Guardian editor-in-chief Alan Rusbridger, who said that the horrors of 7 October most certainly did not happen in a vacuum and ironically noted Theres no question that Palestine is winning the asymmetric war on TikTok, X and Instagram. He argued that Israels actions in Jenin were every bit as repellent as Osama bin Ladens attack on New York on September 11. It goes on and on. Board member Endy Bayuni, senior editor at the Jakarta Post, published a column that argued that Indonesia should be seen championing an independent Palestinian state and full membership of the United Nations. Helle Thorning-Schmidt, another board member, served as the CEO of Save the Children during a period in which the organization was caught collaborating with kindergartens who held graduation ceremonies that included mock killing and kidnapping of Israelis by children dressed as combatants. According to NGO Monitor, they were also collaborating during that period with at least one other organization connected to an internationally designated terrorist organization. Board member Khaled Mansour, who has praised Hezballah, saying they have fought Israel heroically and writes of Palestinian terrorism (armed resistance, as he calls it) as mere details and tactics that one should not get bogged down in. He is also joined in the oversight committee by the director of George Soros Open Society Foundations-Africa. Member Julie Owono says that Wikipedia is a trusted source on Israel -- the same Wikipedia that maligns Zionism and banned the ADL as a source. Recently Tawakkol Karmans blog strongly criticized the "Iranian axis of evil" for its detrimental impact on the Palestinian cause. She asserted that only with Iran's withdrawal from the conflict would Palestinians be able to liberate their land and achieve the return of all refugees. She stated unequivocally that the Palestinian people are strong and capable of self-determination. Karman condemned the Iranian influence, stating that no party has offended the sanctity and justice of the Palestinian cause as profoundly as this axis. Muhammad Badr, an Egyptian Member of Parliament, said that one of the worst things that happened in the history of the Nobel Prize is that she [Tawakkol Karman] won the prize. Terrorist with a Nobel Prize. Karmans influence reaches hundreds of millions of people as she sets limits on what can and cant be said on Meta. These people are on the final court of appeals of Meta, one of the most important companies in the world, which is unregulated and influences hundreds of millions worldwide. It is intolerable that an American public company can permit the things being said today by these decision makers at Meta. It must be called what it is anti-Semitic Jew hatred. We have seen the institution called Meta taken over by Jew-haters and one can only hope that this matter will be investigated in the upcoming probe of social media censorship being launched by incoming Federal Communications Commission chief Brendan Carr. Image: Meta In the 2024 election cycle in Oregon, we have seen a total failure of any sense of fair, transparent, honest elections. We have a system that relies on self-attestation to provide election security. According to different sources, we have somewhere around 20 million illegal immigrants in this country who have crossed the border, breaking the laws of the United States. Yet, in Oregon, the Secretary of State, DMV officials, and all those involved in elections, like county clerks, expect these illegal immigrants and other miscreants to tell the truth and then not vote. It now appears the self-attestation in Oregon is a total failure, as the number of illegals voting in our elections continues to rise. So far, they have identified between 50,000 to 65,000 illegals who have voted in Oregon's elections. We have some races in Oregon that were supposedly decided by less than 200 votes, so let's ask the question: With thousands of votes already identified as illegal and many more suspected, how do you certify this election without a fully transparent public bipartisan audit? There is no minimizing the damage illegal voting has done to Oregon; there is no slapping a bandage on this. Oregonians of all party affiliations should be demanding open public results. Anything less is criminal. The federal government should consider the Oregon state government a rogue unelected body until all public audits are complete. Federal money and resources should be contingent on Oregon proving that the people in the government were the people's choice. Oregon has some choices to make in the coming months and years: fix the elections, use real identification techniques to provide security and transparency, or be on a list of unverified, unelected politicians with no provable evidence they won the election. We rely on honest elections to put into office the people's choices; without that assurance, we are living in power-hungry criminal territory where laws mean nothing and elections are just corrupt Kabuki theater plays. We all want others to deal with us truthfully, we dont want to be lied to or played the fool. This desire for truth should lead to transparent elections and governments elected through the peoples choices and votes. If any government official or bureaucrat attempts to subvert that simple objective, then they should be seen as suspect and investigated, because they are not advocates for the citizens; they are operatives for the people trying to grasp or maintain power. If they are proven to be working against fair open government, they should be removed immediately. John Woods: Father, Veteran, Patriot, Conservative, Oregon Republican Party State Delegate Image: A Kampfer Once again, President-elect Donald Trump is proving that the Democrats insistence that he is a Nazi is bass-ackwards. In fact, Trump is the worst Nazi ever. The latest evidence of Trumps failure in this regard is his warning to Hamas should it continue to hold hostages once Trump is inaugurated. Meanwhile, Joe Biden parades around with antisemitic, exterminationist texts. Today, Trump made clear that unless Hamas releases the hostages it kidnapped from Israel on October 7, 2023, hes coming after them. This is a warning not only to Hamas, but also to Iran and Hezbollah: Everybody is talking about the hostages who are being held so violently, inhumanely, and against the will of the entire World, in the Middle East - But its all talk, and no action! Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity. Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW! This, of course, is the correct message. If Biden had delivered that message on October 8, 2023, Israel probably would not have invaded Gaza. Without the Gaza invasion, there would not have been the blood libel that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, a lie that generated a huge uptick in violent antisemitism around the world. (Guy Benson documents this uptick here.) Instead, though, we got Biden, who ostensibly supported Israel even while slow walking the weapons Israel purchased and constantly banging the drum about Gazan suffering. Now that Biden is on the way out, hes starting to drop the pretense of support for Israelsomething forced upon him because the American people, thank goodness, recognize that Israel is a free nation surrounded by hatred, terrorism, and oppression. The most blatant example of Bidens contempt for Israel came when he paraded out of a bookstore clutching a deeply antisemitic book. Rashid Khalidis The Hundred Years War on Palestine uses Marxist anti-colonialist history of the region without regard to actual history (Biblical or modern) and even lies outright to deny Israels right to exist. Only Mein Kampf would have been more offensive. Biden spotted leaving bookstore holding The Hundred Years War on Palestine https://t.co/JaiTneqpgU via @timesofisrael David M Friedman (@DavidM_Friedman) December 1, 2024 The New York Post has more details: Retiring President Biden hit the shops on Black Friday and surprised onlookers by picking up a copy of a book describing the establishment of Israel as colonialism thats been met with Palestinian resistance an acquisition its author bemoaned was 4 years too late. Biden, 82, left Nantucket Bookworks holding in full view of the press a copy of The Hundred Years War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonial Conquest and Resistance, 1917-2017 by Columbia University professor emeritus Rashid Khalidi. The book argues that the modern history of Palestine can best be understood in these terms: as a colonial war waged against the indigenous population, by a variety of parties, to force them to relinquish their homeland to another people against their will. Khalidis outlook is unsurprising given that hes a former PLO spokesman, making him a virulent antisemite who is dedicated to Israels and the Jewish peoples destruction: Who is Rashid Khalidi, the former PLO spokesman whose book Joe Biden showcased publicly yesterday? Here he is recently saying that Jews are indoctrinated to support Israel and that once the generation that knew the Holocaust dies out people will no longer support Israel. pic.twitter.com/qSntLPOnH3 Shelley G (@ShelleyGldschmt) November 30, 2024 As it is, I sincerely doubt Biden intends to read the book. I doubt hes even capable of reading a book at this point. This is a propaganda photo, plain and simple. The fact that Biden would engage in this type of blatant propaganda during the last six weeks of his presidency does not bode well for Israel. Six weeks is a lifetime for a country dependent on the weapons it buys from America and encircled by nations committed to its extermination. By putting out that strong message on Truth, Trump sent Biden, Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah a warning that he has Israels back. Image by Andrea Widburg A Long Island family is mourning the loss of Omer Neutra following the deadly Hamas attack on the Nova Music Festival in Israel on October 7, 2023. Originally from Plainview, Neutra was an Israeli and U.S. citizen serving in the IDF. His body is reportedly being held in Gaza. Neutra had been kidnapped during the attacks last year, and it was previously thought he was alive and held hostage. However, the IDF now reports he was killed during a battle with terrorists near the Gaza border, with his body taken afterward. Neutra's parents have been outspoken advocates for the release of hostages in Gaza, including their son. Most recently, they participated in a rally in Central Park on Sunday. While they expressed relief over the ceasefire in Lebanon, they voiced frustration that it did not include the release of hostages. His father, Ronen Neutra, spoke to ABC7NY on Saturday, reflecting on spending another Thanksgiving without his son. "We feel it's a missed opportunity but now after the election, the focus is back here in the United States and should continue to be the crisis in the Middle East and the hostages are the key to reducing the tension," Neutra said. In its statement confirming Neutra's death, the military did not provide details on how it determined his fate. Neutra was one of seven American Israelis still held in Gaza, with four now reported dead. Over the weekend, Hamas released a video of one of the hostages, Edan Alexander, indicating he is still alive. Earlier this year, Hamas killed Hersh Goldberg-Polin, another prominent Israeli-American hostage, along with five other captives, whose bodies have since been recovered by the Israeli military. The war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 hostages. As of now, around 100 captives are still being held in Gaza, with roughly two-thirds believed to be alive. Joe Biden has shown that his mendacity has no limits and made a fool of his supporters by pardoning his son after repeatedly saying he wouldnt. There is now an opportunity for the Republicans and the nation to move on what should be a bipartisan effort to severely curtail the presidents pardon power. The Republicans new branding as the party of the working man should fit well with reforming the pardon power. Let the Democrats defend it. Let the Democrats continue to be known as the party of the elite, the connected, the corrupt, and the rich, who can afford expensive lawyers. The presidential pardon power is listed in the Constitution, so any modification would probably require a constitutional amendment. I believe in mercy, and I believe in redemption, but the current use of the presidential pardon is one more example of Washington insiders playing by one set of rules and the rest of the country having to fend for themselves. I dont believe that the pardon should be abandoned, but the following reforms could be enacted. The Congress, by a vote of two thirds in each chamber, could void any pardon. The president cannot pardon himself or any member of his immediate family. Any pardon should take place between the months of February and September, and Congress must be in session. This means that the president must risk paying a political price for any pardon he may propose. The president may present Congress with only one individual pardon each day. This would not only limit the number of pardons, but also prohibit presidents from changing criminal law completely by in effect changing the sentencing structures in place that they dont like for certain types of crimes. Also, the president may not pre-emptively pardon someone for something he may have done (the Hunter rule). Any pardon must be after the person has been tried, convicted, and sentenced. A republic ruled by laws and not men deserves to have this anachronistic presidential power reformed and brought into the 21st century. Image via Pixabay. Wolfgang Koster is a progressive, open borders, socialistic Green Party politician from Germany, but when it comes to his own backyard, a little Bavarian town named Bairawies, hes about as anti-immigration and anti-welfare as it gets. As the acronym goes, Not In My BackYard, or NIMBY. According to a new item out at Remix News, Koster is leading a local effort to keep around 130 migrants from being settled in an "asylum container camp in Bairawies, because doing so would upset the communitys apple cart, and the ratio of bringing in 130 foreigners with a third-world mentality into a town of just 280 is simply not right. (Hey buddy, ask the people of Springfield, Ohio, Athens, Alabama, or Logansport, Indiana what thats likeJoe Biden and Kamala Harris, kindred spirits, have been pulling this stunt for the last four years.) Now why in the world doesnt Koster want these people plopped down where he lives, despite being convinced that Germany can and should help these refugees? Could it be this? Germany ~ SexuaI assault: 100% Pickpocket incidents: 93% Human trafficking: 83.3% Day home burglary: 80% Aggravated theft: 75.6% Illegal smuggling: 70.3% Theft (general) 65.7% Crime against life: 60% ChiId abuse: 52.8% Arsonists: 51.9% AssauIt: 51.5% % of all crimes by migrants pic.twitter.com/UpjhUBTonh Dane (@UltraDane) April 2, 2024 Maybe this? Germany's AfD Party has launched a new map tracking migrant crime nationwide. The interactive map shows that migrant crime is rising in open borders Germany, despite the left-wing government and media lies. "Foreigners" (aka Islamic migrants) are responsible for a massively pic.twitter.com/LHhKvxJyN7 Amy Mek (@AmyMek) April 3, 2023 (There are near-endless examples of the deleterious effects that the migrants have had on Germanys once high-trust society.) Koster said caring for these parasitic imports would be difficult and costly, but nonetheless a dutyyet he doesnt want to be the one bearing the burden. Give them state healthcare just as long as that bill is picked up by someone else. Give them food stamps just as long as hes not the one being taxed to cover the program. Give them free room and board, just as long as its not in his town. Give them access to public school, just as long as theyre not in a classroom with his children. Give them asylum, just as long as theyre settled in areas far from where he lives, so the crime they bring doesnt wreak havoc in his community. I cant be the only one ready for the pendulum to swing backthis is NIMBY hypocrisy on full display. Image: Free image, Pixabay license. Well, I am somewhere between angry and confused. Angry because this pardon is such an abuse of presidential powers. Confused because he could have called out the weaponization of justice against Trump and then pardoned his son. Instead, Hunter gets pardoned for everything going back to 2014 and walks away. As Betsy Woodruff Swan wrote: So rather than merely pardoning his son for the gun crimes for which he was convicted and the tax crimes for which he pleaded guilty, the presidents pardon covers all offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in from Jan. 1, 2014, through Dec. 1, 2024. That language mirrors the language in Fords pardon of Nixon, which did not merely cover the Watergate scandal but extended to all offenses against the United States that Nixon has committed or may have committed between Jan. 20, 1969, and Aug. 9, 1974 -- the exact span of Nixons presidency. The starting date of Jan. 1, 2014, in the Biden pardon was surely not chosen randomly: Hunter Biden joined the board of Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian gas company, in April 2014, while his father was vice president. Republicans have accused the younger Biden of illegally profiting off his position on that board. A pardon that goes back a lifetime, as some may conclude. The comparison to Nixon is unfair. He was a president who resigned in disgrace and never made a dime out of the Watergate affair. Hunter Biden is an opportunist who rode on his father's plane to make money off his official duties. So we will survive another "Bidenism" and the country will bounce back. I cannot say that about the Biden presidency, which is one step closer to the bottom of the list of worst presidents. And last, but not least, there can't be a lot of happy anti-Trumpers or Democrats who told us that Biden was a man of character. It won't be pretty for those who made excuses for Biden until he takes that helicopter to Delaware in 60 days. P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. Image: acaben Before illegal aliens took over NYC, my wife Marie and I frequently visited NYC to attend Broadway shows. We rode the subway until we had the Daniel Penny experience! One night, returning from a play, we entered a subway train. We sensed something was amiss, but remained on the train. A woman sat in front of me with her sweater on her lap and a couple of suspicious male characters appeared. I thought she had a gun under the sweater. Before the doors closed, five plainclothes policemen came rushing down the stairs and entered the train. One officer stood next to me, and I saw his weapon. We exited the train at the first stop unharmed. With respect to Daniel Perrynot to be confused with Pennywho shot and killed a rifle-wielding BLM rioter in Texas, the process is the punishment! Prosecutors (in this case, persecutors) enjoy immunity from liability for actions taken in pursuit of their official duties. George Soros bought many county attorney elections across the U.S., and has used this office to inflict injustice upon many innocent individuals (think Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro). The Soros Criminal Conspiracy of Prosecutors explains the outcome of the Daniel Perry case, which is the goal of criminalization of self-defense in order to create societal chaos in America. The media fails to report that the judge in the Daniel Penny case had three opportunities to dismiss this farce of a case: a motion to dismiss before a jury was chosen, a motion to dismiss at the conclusion of the states case, and a motion to dismiss at the conclusion of the defendants evidence. Juries are notoriously unpredictable. Nevertheless, this judge allowed the case to go to the jury. Judge Jeanine Pirro thinks this jury is subway savvy; however, in the event of a miscarriage of justice, the judge has the authority to overrule a guilty verdict. The question is whether he has the courage. Image: YouTube video screen grab, cropped. As France prepares the re-opening of the great Notre Dame cathedral at the heart of Paris, President Trump has announced that he will be attending the opening ceremony. On his Truth Social account (via X) he stated: It is an honor to announce that I will be traveling to Paris, France, on Saturday to attend the re-opening of the Magnificent and Historic Notre Dame Cathedral, which has been fully restored after a devastating fire five years ago. President Emmanuel Macron has done a wonderful Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) December 3, 2024 It's a magnificent gesture, a recognition of the incredible work and love the French poured into this great national project, the restoration of the great cathedral at the heart of its capital and indeed at the center of its country, fresher, cleaner, more beautiful than ever, and complete with tech upgrades to deter future disasters. At the same time, the restoration was fully cognizant and respecting of the past, because it wouldn't be recognized otherwise. Parisians, even in this secular age, valued the cathedral as the heart and soul of their city far more than Paris's more famous landmarks. It comforted them to walk by this mighty thousand-year-old edifice in the capital, and now it's there, gleaming in greater splendor than they had ever seen it before, the work of human hands driven by Divine inspiration. Young people learned whole new trades in order to restore this cathedral to its former glory. Restorers, known as "companions" -- at least a thousand -- were celebrated on billboards around Paris. The forests of Europe were searched high and low for the necessary wood of tallest growth to replace what had been built and lost to fire. The French rallied together as a nation to do it. This past Sunday, 60 Minutes had a wonderful segment on the restoration and opening of the cathedral describing many of these details. It featured a splendid interview with France's President Emmanuel Macron, full of pride at the achievement, explaining in perfect English that "impossible is not French." So much went into it, and yes, they did almost lose it, but they didn't -- they persisted, much of the world backing them, and now winning, restoring their cathedral to its rightful place in their great city. As Robert Louis Stevenson once said: Mankind was never so happily inspired as when it made a cathedral. I bring this stuff up to underline that this is a very big deal -- the miraculous restoration, the pride of the French, and the extraordinay achievement that does indeed deserve to draw heads of state to the reopening. In a way, it's like the moon launch. Nobody thought it could be done. Trump recognized this, and immediately accepted the invitation to come. And Joe Biden? Mr. Devout Catholic, as Jen Psaki insisted, jingling his rosary beads in his pocket? Well, he's sending Jill, like it's a museum opening, a first lady-type event. He himself is staying home. Which doesn't exactly speak well for him or his ability to recognize the great act that the French and everyone else are right to celebrate. It's likely he has no appreciation for the significance of the cathedral, let alone respect for U.S. relations with the French which should always be close and friendly. As for why, well, maybe there's some kind of history between Biden and Macron -- he sent Jill along for the Paris Olympics earlier this year, the one where American athletes shined something fierce -- claiming the French organizers "barred him" because of the commotion he would cause. Color me skeptical, given how many times we have seen world leaders ignore him, and crowds fail to show up to his rallies. As for his being insentient and possibly having toilet issues, maybe so, but he did just get back from Angola, which is a heckuva lot more involved, as presidential trips go, than France. Same deal with his vice president, Kamala Harris, who isn't going either, and who has a history of anti-Catholicism. Why would she want to 'waste' a trip to Paris on a cathedral instead of shopping and Instagramming? It just goes to show how small, unfit, unaware, and unpresidential the Biden-Harris administration really is. Meanwhile, Trump and Macron have gotten along fabulously in the past, as the New York Times's Maggie Haberman notes. As for Trump going, well, here's Haberman's cynical take: The news of the trip was in some ways unsurprising. Mr. Trump loves ceremony and grandeur as it relates to construction sites, especially historic ones. And it marks his return to the world stage. Sure thing, Mags. He likes construction sites. Actually, he likes Catholic stuff, a big one Haberman still hasn't caught onto. He's surrounded by Catholics, for one -- J.D. Vance, his son-in-law Massad Boulos (Maronite Catholic in full communion with Rome), Melania Trump, Sean Duffy, Marco Rubio, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and possibly Dr. Jay Bhattacharya. They aren't the only people in his inner circle -- there are prominent Jews, Hindus, and Protestants, too, but Catholics, the real kind, not Joe Biden's kind, seem pretty prominent. Trump also won the Catholic vote in the election, besting previous Republicans, and his Catholic-hating Democrat opponent, by a country mile. But he's done a lot of Catholic things that can't be explained as campaign pandering. Sure, he wished the Blessed Virgin Mary a happy birthday during the campaign, posting a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which delighted Catholic voters. He also posted his best wishes for All Saints Day. But he's since had a post-election visit paid to him at Mar-a-Lago by Fr. Chad Ripperger, the Catholic Church's best-known exorcist. That wasn't campaign-oriented at all, nor was it publicized much. One can just imagine what that was about. He's often spoken of how the brush with death in July against an assassin's bullet did much to make him think in a religious way. I have no idea if Trump plans to convert to Catholicism -- maybe he just likes it -- but if he does, it wouldn't be surprising, given his attraction to it. (Tony Blair did, so it's not unprecedented.) Now Trump plans to visit the great cathedral of Notre Dame in all its restored glory, a place whose primary purpose is as a place Catholic worship with many devout attendees (I knew some from my days in Beverly Hills), a very holy place as well as a great landmark. It's presidential. It's great for Franco-U.S. relations. But it also points to an affirmation of Judeo-Christian values and morality, which Trump seems determined to restore in the U.S. Good move, Mr. President. It's a great thing when presidents recognize what's presidential. Image: Screen shot from 60 Minutes video, via YouTube The word on the streets of D.C. and among the media swells is that Democrats are demoralized, shocked, and devastated, that they are blaming everyone but themselves and Kamala Harris for their losses. Only Carville is furious at the right people young, arrogant campaign workers and Kamala herself. Curiously, it was Carville who once said When you dehumanize a group, theres lasting consequences because they know that theyre being dehumanized. Well, dehumanize us, they certainly did. And even Carville realized that Kamala was a terrible candidate; Walz was worse. But so stupidly confident in a Democrat win, they ignored the real internal polling that never showed Harris ahead. That confidence was boosted daily by the likes of Joe and Mika, Joy Reid, Jake Tapper, and the rest of the pundits who, for eight years, have peddled every conceivable lie they could muster to indict Trump. They never got tired of repeating those lies in the belief that the American people are such dullards they would swallow them whole. But they didnt. The people are much smarter than their betters, the elitists who assume only they are fit to lead us. Now, some of them have been un-elected; not enough of them, but its a start. What is so amusing is that the left plotted and planned their dirty tricks, their lawfare, and the accompanying persecutions without ever looking ahead to the potential consequences of their actions. Aside from Biden being the worst president in modern times and that Trump was a great president from 2016 to 2020, it was their obscene perversion of the law, their gleeful shredding of the Constitution, that ensured Trumps victory and the peoples fury. Now, predictably, they are shaking in their boots in fear that Trump just might do to them what they have done to him over the past nine years. If that happens, as it should, their crimes will not be made up out of whole cloth. From the Russia hoax, conceived and paid for by Hillary Clinton, to the J6 chaos fomented to cover up the stolen election to the absurd criminal charges meant to hamper his campaign and bankrupt him and so many of his friends, family, and lawyers, their torment was vicious. There is one organization, Project 65, whose only mission is to get every lawyer in Trumps circle disbarred. Constitutional? Not at all. Sinister? Yes. They raided Trumps Florida home, rifled through personal drawers, laid out allegedly confidential papers, and added cover pages that said Top Secret all fake. And still, the illegally chosen special prosecutor, Jack Smith, was allowed to continue his illegal persecution of Trump for removing classified documents from the White House. It didnt matter that Biden had been taking home classified documents for probably fifty years. Trump was charged with the crime. He was charged in New York for the made-up-from-a-Law-&-Order-SVU-episode by eighty-year-old E. Jean Carroll, whom many believe is a lunatic fantasist, and for a hush-money case, also not a crime. With the exception of Judge Cannon in the Florida case, the judges in all these cases were, and are, anti-Trump, and the far-left jurists had no compunctions about abusing the law if it could take Trump down and out. And they all thought the American people wouldnt notice their reprehensible and unconstitutional degradation of the law, their relentless pursuit of Trumps destruction. It never occurred to them that the American people found all of this abhorrent, frightening, and downright evil. Only now that Trump is about to return to the Oval Office, are these criminals Garland, Lisa Monaco, Peter Strzok, the execrable Adam Schiff, Vindman, Jack Smith, Fani Willis, Letitia James, Judges Merchan and Engoran, Matthew Graves, who has prosecuted and imprisoned hundreds of innocent J6 defendants, Judge Chutkan, who has allowed it starting to panic. The list of conspirators goes on and on; not one of them deserves a pardon for their crimes. They all threw whatever legal knowledge they had, whatever respect for the Constitution they may have had, out the window. And now, what they never foresaw has come true. They never considered Trump would survive their treachery, but he did. And now? Will there be any accountability? Will any of them go to prison? We can hope. They surely should; all of them. Theyve destroyed the countrys faith in the DOJ, the FBI, and the CIA, the latter of which was most deviously involved in the scheme to destroy the first Trump presidency and prevent him from ever returning to the White House. One of the qualities most parents hope their children will develop as they mature is the ability to think critically and question narratives and authority. We hope they will become moral citizens. Some go off to college, and some find their way in life via other paths. But by the time they are full-fledged adults, we hope and pray they are instinctively able to judge the possible consequences of their actions. For example, break the law, go to jail; use drugs, ruin your life; drive drunk, you might kill someone; eat indiscriminately, become obese; cheat on your spouse, destroy your marriage, etc. Well-raised adults, even persons who survived negligent parents, generally can foresee the consequences of their actions. But not our left! The enormous cabal of Democrats who planned and executed Trumps downfall never once considered the consequences of their plot and an evil plot it was. What does this tell us about them? That they are not only immature, they are immoral, amoral, and without a shred of wisdom. Wisdom consists of the anticipation of consequences. Norman Cousins These denizens of the deep state are a blight on our political landscape. They all need to be gone from whatever positions in the federal government they now hold. Good riddance to them and those who defend them. May Trumps second term return America to a constitutional republic based on Judeo-Christian values it was founded to be. Will the left learn from their egregious plot to destroy the man? Doubtful. They will likely continue their attempts to foil him at every turn, but the American people have awakened to their deceitfulness. May they be punished for their crimes. Consequences are unpitying. George Eliot Image: Public domain. Why now, Joe? Normally when someone must release a troubling bit of information to the public they do so on a Friday afternoon. The story, whatever it is, gets bundled up with other bits of flotsam while people are distracted with navigating Friday rush hour traffic and anticipating their weekend distractions. They may come across the story and set it aside for a while, intending to get back to it later. Before you know it, Sunday rolls around and the public sees reactions to the story on the morning shows. The news has had time to age a little, people have had time to process it, but since it's already over 24 hours old, it no longer has the same degree of urgency. For some reason, pResident (not a typo) Biden released the "I'm pardoning my son" tidbit on Sunday evening. If he had intended to set off a journalistic tactical nuke at the beginning of the weekly news cycle this is how he'd go about doing it. Id like to paraphrase a now-famous quote and say that Im not sure what Joe intends to do anymore and I dont think he does either. Except that in this case I think he might, or his handlers do. When I first saw the report I imagined one of those old black and white movies showing a grizzled newspaper editor wearing a visor and armbands calling the print room downstairs on the phone and yelling at them to "Stop the presses!" I'm sure there were journalists all across the country who eagerly set aside whatever else they were working on and started putting together something brand new. I'm also sure that every single one of them knew that this would happen sometime before 1/20/25 anyway and so maybe they already had most of it written down. There have already been an uncountable number of packets transmitted across the internet and photons flashed across television screens on this story. The ones I've seen so far focus on the themes of Joe's dishonesty and hypocrisy, questions of legality and the inevitable "Republicans pounce." I'm not a journalist, thank God, but I've gotten fairly cynical and more than a little suspicious in my old age and my first thought was, why now? Initial reports indicate that he discussed it with his family such as they are, over Thanksgiving, that he made the decision on Friday or Saturday, wrote it up and released it on Sunday. Why the rush? He couldn't have waited until Friday, 12/6/24? Not if he didn't want people talking about it. What will they be saying, and what kinds of questions will they be asking? The pardon covers everything Hunter did or may have done from 1/1/2014 through 12/1/2024. That covers a lot of ground. It's been said that Ukraine has a bit of a corruption problem and that Burisma Holdings is no bastion of honesty itself. Hunter went to work for Burisma in 2014. Apparently they valued his expertise in the extraction, processing, sale and distribution of fossil fuels. Ive underestimated that boy. Now reports are surfacing that perhaps as much as 50% of all U.S. aid to Ukraine has been embezzled. Former Polish deputy minister Piotr Kulpa has alleged, US aid programs are a mechanism to write off large sums of money that finance shady systems under the Democratic Partys control. If that's true, then the DNC has profited handsomely from the U.S. support of Ukraine. How buddy-buddy are pResident Biden and the DNC right now? He's still wearing the tire marks from where their bus ran over him. He's always been an angry, spiteful little man, he's got a big axe to grind and this might be his way of getting some of his own back. Hunter is reportedly in the process of writing a tell-all book. If he's been pardoned then he'll have no need to invoke his 5th Amendment protections and he can name names. Maybe we can add those names to the ones included in the anticipated release of the Epstein and Diddy files, Kash Patel's exhumations in the FBI, and the Hegseth/Bondi housecleanings. Image: Louise Palanker You can always count on Anker to have some good prices for its products during Cyber Monday, and today theres a deal on the Anker 737 power bank that really puts that into perspective. The one thing I want to mention before anything else is that this is a huge-capacity power bank. Thats the main reason for its normally high price. If you were paying full retail for the Anker 737, you would be paying $149.99. Amazons Cyber Monday sale cuts that price by 47% so you only end up paying $79.99. Thats a pretty good price for a power bank with this much juice. Its also the all-time low price for this power bank as well. If youve never really used a power bank before theyre a pretty awesome accessory to have lying around. This one in particular is awesome because it has multiple ports to charge more than one device at a time. Plus, it has a big capacity of 24,000mAh. So you can charge one device several times or charge multiple devices a few times. There are three ports on the Anker 737, so if you needed to, you could charge three devices at once. You would be surprised how often you might benefit from this capability. I often find myself needing to charge both a phone and my earbuds at the same time, and Id bet you do too. With this power bank, you could do that. It gets even better though. The Anker 737 also has a 140W output. That means if youre a gamer and you have a device like the Nintendo Switch or the ROG Ally X, this will charge both of those devices. You could even charge them while you play. Or, you could use this to charge up your laptop, provided it supports USB-C charging. And as a neat little bonus, the Anker 737 has a display on the front that lists the output from each port being used, as well as how much battery capacity is left in the power bank. Now thats useful. Buy at Amazon Right now Amazon is offering a pretty good deal on Googles 4th Gen Nest learning thermostat, bringing this smart home device down to its lowest price ever. Since it launched earlier this year, the thermostat has been on sale only one other time on Amazon, in the latter half of October. It wasnt priced this low though, which makes this current price the most affordable Googles latest thermostat has been. At full retail, the Nest learning thermostat 4th gen would cost you $279.99. However, Amazon currently has it on sale for $229.99. Thats $50 off and a pretty decent price for this. The Nest learning thermostat 4th gen is a smart thermostat that was designed to help you manage your homes temperature while also making your home more energy efficient. It does this by regulating the temperature when youre home and when youre not home. For example, it can learn when you leave home and then lower the temperatures so the house isnt being heated when nobody is there. Alternatively, it can turn the temperature up to what you normally set for it when youre close to home or when you arrive. That way things get a jumpstart. It can do the same thing for the AC in the Summer. On average Google says this can help save users up to 12% on heating and up to 15% on cooling on an annual basis. Just think about all the money youll save on those bills throughout the year. If you feel like your energy bills are too high for heating and cooling, or you simply want a smarter, more convenient way to manage your homes temperature, then you need this device. And now is the time to get it for less. Buy at Amazon Apple is facing a new lawsuit in California from one of its employees, Amar Bhakta, for alleged labor violations. The filed lawsuit accuses Apple of illegally spying on its employees through their iPhones and iCloud accounts. Bhakta also accuses the company of prohibiting employees from discussing their pay structure and working conditions in the lawsuit. Apple faces a lawsuit in California for allegedly spying on employees personal iPhones The lawsuit filed yesterday suggests that the iPhone 16 maker requires employees to install software on the personal devices they use at work. The software allegedly allows the company to have access to certain apps installed on employees devices. Apple allegedly monitors apps that contain emails, photo libraries, health information, and other apps that contain employees personal information. Bhakta says Apple made him choose between his personal and the companys iPhone. When he chose the personal iPhone, the company allegedly installed an eSIM and VPN. Thats not all, he was made to use his personal iCloud account to collaborate with his colleagues. Bhaktas lawsuit also accuses the company of prohibiting him from sharing his work experience on podcasts or any media outlets. He claims that Apples policies prevent employees from discussing their responsibilities, accomplishments, and professional growth on networking sites like LinkedIn. Apple allegedly ordered him to remove information about his working conditions and work experiences from his LinkedIn account. The lawsuit also argues this policy prevents employees from looking for new employment opportunities. Apple denies all the claims made in the lawsuit In the lawsuit, he further accuses Apple of requiring employees to agree to a policy that lets the company use electronic, physical, and video surveillance of them. A part of the lawsuit reads, Apples surveillance policies and practices chill, and thus also unlawfully restrain, employee whistleblowing, competition, freedom of employee movement in the job market, and freedom of speech. The lawsuit seeks damages from the iPhone 16 Pro maker for violations of the California Labor Code. Besides, he demands, appropriate injunctive relief to protect California Apple employees from future violations. Meanwhile, Apple says it is working to protect the inventions the team creates for customers. Referring to the lawsuit, Apple spokesperson Josh Rosenstock says, Every employee has the right to discuss their wages, hours, and working conditions and this is part of our business conduct policy, which all employees are trained on annually. We strongly disagree with these claims and believe they lack merit. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law on Tuesday. In an unannounced live televised address to the nation, the president said that the move is necessary to protect the country. "To safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Korea's communist forces and to eliminate antistate elements, ... I hereby declare emergency martial law," he said. "With no regard for the livelihoods of the people, the opposition party has paralyzed governance solely for the sake of impeachments, special investigations and shielding their leader from justice," he added. Lee Jae-Myung, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, warned that "tanks, armored personnel carriers and soldiers with guns and knives will rule the country." "The economy of the Republic of Korea will collapse irretrievably," he said in a livestream online. "My fellow citizens, please come to the National Assembly." The Democratic Party ordered its lawmakers to hold talks "to apparently discuss and begin the necessary procedures for lifting the martial law," South Korean news agency Yonhap reported. While unrest and uncertainty continue in South Korea, here's what we know about President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon Suk Yeol, a member of the conservative People Power Party, has served as South Korea's president since 2022. His victory was narrow, defeating Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung by less than one percentage point. Before entering politics, Yoon was a political outsider, dedicating 27 years to his career as a prosecutor. Born in Seoul, Yoon Suk Yeol attended Seoul National University. As chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office, he was instrumental in securing convictions against former presidents Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak on charges of abuse of power. In 2019, President Moon Jae-in appointed Yoon as South Korea's prosecutor general. During his tenure, the Supreme Prosecutor's Office led high-profile investigations into Cho Kuk, a prominent figure in the Moon administration, resulting in Cho's resignation as minister of justice. As president, Yoon Suk Yeol has faced persistently low approval ratings. His administration has been marked by significant crises, including the 2022 Seoul Halloween crowd crush and the ongoing 2024 South Korean medical crisis. Critics have accused Yoon of presiding over democratic backsliding and the resurgence of authoritarian tendencies in South Korea. His political standing suffered a substantial blow when his party suffered a landslide defeat in the 2024 parliamentary elections, leaving his authority significantly diminished. Recent reports accused Google of shady practices against Microsoft. The company could have sought to affect the Redmond giant in the cloud-based services segment. Now, Google has denied that it is funding an anti-Microsoft initiative. Google denies accusations of funding initiatives against Microsofts cloud-based business model Previously, Microsoft had accused Google of lobbying against them. The company claimed that the Mountain View giant was funding pressure groups dedicated to giving a negative image of its business practices to regulators and authorities. The ultimate goal could be to affect Microsofts Azure server business model. At that time, Microsoft alleged that Google had made an offer to Cloud Infrastructure Services Providers in Europe (CISPE) to continue the legal process against the parent company of Windows. Both companies were battling each other in court over the fees and restrictive conditions associated with using Windows Server-based developments on third-party servers. These fees did not apply when using Azure servers, thereby forcing the use of Microsofts tech. Google presented alternative options to an organization suing Microsoft, report claims Now, according to The Register, there was at least one offer from Google to CISPE. I can confirm that the CISPE members were presented with alternative options to accepting the Microsoft deal. I cannot reveal any of the terms, said a spokesperson for the organization. Google responded to the report with an official statement. The company does not deny that it offered some kind of financing or benefits to CISPE. However, Google asserts that the case against Microsoft had no bearing on it. Google Cloud has long supported the principles of fair software licensing. We were having discussions about joining as a member to help CISPE continue to fight against anticompetitive licensing and promote choice, innovation, and the growth of the digital economy in Europe, said a Google spokesperson. The source had access to a presentation by Amit Zavery, former Google Cloud VP. According to the report, the document mentioned a Members Innovation Fund that included 4 million. That amount represented 100,000 per member for immediate funding for projects and license fees of CISPE members to support innovation in open cloud ecosystems. The document also reportedly listed 10 million for trade association activities and 100 million in Google Distributed Cloud software credits. Google seemed to have a long-term plan for its tablets. Recent reports even talked about the Pixel Tablet 3 coming in 2026. However, industry sources revealed that the company has canceled the development of the Pixel Tablet 2 and its successors. That said, a new report reveals details about the key hardware improvements that the Google Pixel Tablet 2 would have brought. Leaked technical details of the canceled Google Pixel Tablet 2 Previous leaks had revealed that the Google Pixel Tablet 2 would be powered by the Tensor G4 chip. The latest report from Android Authority confirms this, revealing that the Tensor G4 chip would have been slightly weaker. The company would have used an IPoP (Integrated Package on Package) instead of FOPLP (Fan-Out Panel Level Packaging) packaging. This translates into cheaper hardware, but thicker and with worse thermal management. The chip could make sense in a tablet, whose large surface area allows it to dissipate heat much better than a phone. However, leaks have revealed that Google will use the SoC in the Pixel 9a as well. Despite not being the most powerful on the market, the Tensor G4 would have been a notable improvement over the Tensor G2 of the original Pixel Tablet. The Pixel Tablet 2codenamed kiyomiwould also have had a 5G modem. According to the source, Google planned to implement the Exynos 5400 modem of the Pixel 9 series. However, the tablet would not support satellite telecommunications. The presence of a modem would also have enabled GPS support in the variant with cellular connectivity. Thread radio and improved display Like the Pixel 9 series and the Google TV Streamer, the Pixel Tablet 2 would have integrated a Thread radio. Thread is a protocol that seeks to improve the user experience of smart home device ecosystems. Google promoted its first tablet with a big focus on its smart display capabilities. The company saw it as a hub from which to control all your IoT products. So, it makes more sense to integrate the radio into the tablet than in the Pixel 9 lineup, which Thread hardware utility is currently still zero. Regarding the screen, the Pixel Tablet 2 would keep the same technology, size, and resolution. That is, it would have brought a 10.95-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 px. However, the company planned to increase the refresh rate to 120 Hz (previously 60 Hz) and the brightness to 550 nits (previously 500 nits). Better front and rear cameras Lastly, the leak with the details of the Pixel Tablet 2 reveals that Google had plans to improve the cameras. The device would have included a Samsung S5K3K1 front camera (1/3.94, 10MP), the same as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Plus, the device would have upgraded the rear camera to a Samsung S5K3J1 sensor (1/3, 11MP, autofocus). Remember that the rear camera of the original Pixel Tablet (Sony IMX355, 1/4 8MP) doesnt even support autofocus. HONOR has announced three new smartphones, the HONOR 300 series. All three of these phones have leaked out thus far, and theyve just been announced in China. Yes, theyre likely coming to global markets too at some point. Three HONOR 300 smartphones have just been announced in China All three of these phones have a similar design language, but there are differences. The vanilla model has flat sides, with a flat back and flat front. It includes a centered display camera hole and two cameras on the back. The HONOR 300 Pro and HONOR 300 Ultra have more curves. The front and the back sides are curved towards the sides, and the display is curved too. A pill-shaped cutout is included on both displays, while three cameras sit on the back. Those cameras are not the same, though. The HONOR 300 is the most affordable one and comes with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip Lets focus on the HONOR 300 first. That phone is fueled by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip, which is a 4nm processor. Its a mid-range offering from Qualcomm. In addition to that, the phone offers 8GB, 12GB, or 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 256GB or 512GB of storage. A 6.7-inch 2664 x 1220 OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate is included on the front. It goes up to 4,000 nits of brightness at its peak. It also supports 3,840Hz high-frequency PWM dimming. Android 15 is included, as is 100W wired charging Android 15 comes pre-installed here, with MagicOS 9.0. There are two SIM card slots included, both are nano SIM. A 5,300mAh battery is also a part of the package, and the same goes for 100W wired charging support. There is an in-display fingerprint scanner included here, and the same goes for stereo speakers. The phone is IP65 certified for water and dust resistance. It also supports Bluetooth 5.3 and 5G connectivity. A 50-megapixel main camera (Sonys IMX906 sensor, 1/1.56-inch sensor, f/1.95 aperture lens, OIS) sits on the back, along with a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera (112-degree FoV, f/2.2 aperture lens, 2.5cm macro). Whats interesting is that a 50-megapixel camera is included on the front too, with the same sensor as the phones main camera. It has an f/2.1 aperture lens, though. This device measures 161 x 74.2 x 6.97mm and weighs 175 grams. This handset arrived in Luyan Purple, Moyan Black, Chaka Green, Cangshan Gray, and Yulong Snow colors. The vanilla models pricing starts at CNY2,299 ($316) and goes up to CNY2,999 ($412). The HONOR 300 Pro & Ultra are very similar, but there are a couple of notable differences The HONOR 300 Pro and HONOR 300 Ultra have rather similar specs, so well talk about both of them here. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, a 4nm processor, fuels both devices. That was Qualcomms flagship until the Snapdragon 8 Elite arrived. That chip is paired with 12GB or 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, depending on the variant you choose. Those variants come with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage, depending on how much RAM you opt for. A 6.78-inch 2700 x 1224 OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate sits on both phones. That display is curved, and it has a peak brightness of 4,000 nits. A high-frequency 3,840Hz PWM dimming is also included here. There are two SIM card slots inside both phones, both are nano SIM. A 5,300mAh battery is included in the package too, on both phones. Both of them support 100W SuperCharge fast charging, and 80W wireless Super Charge fast charging. The Ultra model has a better in-display fingerprint scanner Android 15 is included here too with MagicOS 9.0. The Pro model includes an optical in-display fingerprint scanner, while the Ultra variant comes with an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. Both phones feature an IR blaster up top. Stereo speakers are also included on both, as is an IP65 certification for water and dust resistance. Bluetooth 5.3 is a part of the package, as is 5G connectivity and Wi-Fi 7. Two out of three cameras on the back are identical. A 50-megapixel main camera (Sonys IMX906 sensor, 1/1.56-inch sensor, f/1.95 aperture, OIS) sits on both, as does a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera (112-degree FoV, f/2.2 aperture, 2.5cm macro). The third camera on the back is different Now, the third camera on the back of the Pro model is a 50-megapixel portrait telephoto camera (3x optical zoom, Sonys IMX856 sensor, f/2.4 aperture lens). On the back of the Ultra, youll find a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto camera (3.8x optical zoom, Sonys IMX858 sensor, OIS, f/3.0 aperture lens). A 50-megapixel selfie camera (Sonys IMX906 sensor, f/2.1 aperture lens) sits on the front of both phones, along with a 3D depth camera for facial scanning. The HONOR 300 Pro and HONOR 300 Ultra measure 163.8 x 75.3 x 8.2mm, while they weigh 199 (glass) / 198 (leather) grams. The Pro model comes in Rock Black, Tea Green, and Starlight Sand colors. The HONOR 300 Ultra launched in Camellia White and Ink Rock Black colors. The HONOR 300 Pro pricing starts at CNY3,399 ($467), and goes up to CNY3,999 ($506). The Ultras most affordable variant costs CNY4,199 ($577), while the most expensive model costs CNY4,699 ($646). HONOR 300 Pro: HONOR 300 Ultra: The tense situation between the governments of the United States and China keeps escalating. In recent weeks, US authorities have been investigating a potential hacking campaign of the countrys telecommunications platforms. Now, the US is imposing new restrictions on the shipment of chips to China. New US trade restrictions seek to cut off Chinas access to AI chips The new set of restrictions prevents up to 140 US companies from exporting semiconductors to Chinese companies. Unofficially, the decision might be a reaction to Huaweis successful circumvention of the restrictions to obtain AI chips made with US technology. The Chinese giant reportedly turned to third-party companies for this. Thus, the United States could be extending the scope of the restrictions to avoid similar situations in the future. Washingtons new move seems to seek to prevent China from receiving AI chips, which it could use to boost its military power. In fact, it specifically prohibits the shipment of high-bandwidth memory (HMB) chips. These chips are commonly used in hardware dedicated to AI training. The restrictions also impact 24 other chipmaking tools and three software tools. This is the third time in three years that the Biden administration has escalated chip trade restrictions against China. The restrictions mean that companies will have to apply for a license to do business with Chinese companies. But Washingtons tendency for some time has been to revoke licenses rather than grant them. A new potential blow for Huawei Its noteworthy that the US restrictions dont just affect American companies. They also impact companies that use American technology to operate. For example, ASML, a Dutch brand that supplies lithography machines for chip production, is on the list. ASML said the new restrictions will not affect its financial projections. The company had already stopped sending modern lithography machines to China. However, ASML will have to stop sending older tech, such as Deep Ultraviolet (DUV) Lithography machines. According to reports, SMIC is using DUV machines to produce chips. SMIC is the Chinese company that manufactures Huaweis Kirin chips. After all, the restrictions prevent Huawei from ordering chip production from TSMC and Samsung Foundry. SMICs factories were already struggling to mass produce 7nm chips and have been unable to deploy 5nm wafers due to not having access to modern machines. It remains to be seen whether the new restrictions will also negatively impact Kirin chip manufacturing. An earlier report suggested that Huaweis next-generation chips will remain on the outdated 7nm process, and the new restrictions could help make the situation worse. In the artificial intelligence era, companies that have managed to establish themselves as pioneers have gained a huge advantage over all others. NVIDIA is part of the industry, being the worlds leading supplier of AI hardware. Now, the emerging competition is looking to grab a piece of the pie while offering reliable alternative options. Tenstorrent, a promising AI chipmaker, recently raised 700 million dollars from Samsung. Tenstorrent, the company that wants to dethrone NVIDIA Tenstorrent is an AI chipmaker whose main goal is to offer hardware that is more affordable and energy efficient than NVIDIAs. Jim Keller, CEO of the company, has vast experience in the tech industry, having worked for Apple, Tesla, and AMD. Unlike NVIDIA, Tenstorrent will develop its products around open-source technology. Keller believes that it is useless to try to compete using licensed hardware as NVIDIA acquires most of the available supply and has a cost advantage. For example, NVIDIA acquires most of the HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) chips. However, that can put it at a disadvantage when it comes to offering better prices. Theyll never be able to bring the price down the way HBM is built into their products and their sockets, said Tenstorrents CEO about NVIDIA. Samsungs $700 million investment will boost AI chipmakers competition with NVIDIA Samsung is one of the brands that is betting the most on AI-based developments. Therefore, it is convenient for that there is more competition and more profitable hardware in the segment. With that in mind, Samsung has invested 700 million dollars in AI chipmaker Tenstorrent to boost it in the race to dethrone NVIDIA. Previously, prominent names like Jeff Bezos and others invested large sums in the company. This has led Tenstorrent to reach a valuation of more than 2.6 billion dollars. The list of companies that have invested in Tenstorrent also includes AFW Partners, LG Electronics, and Fidelity, among others. The AI chipmaker will use Samsungs $700 million to improve its engineering team and supply chain. Additionally, it plans to create AI training servers that showcase the capabilities of its technology. Tenstorrent confirmed that it will launch new generations of AI chips every two years. Samsung Electronics and TSMC factories will produce the companys next products. The production of 2nm chips by 2025 is also on its roadmap. If all goes well, Samsung Foundry could gain a major client for whom it will produce semiconductors. Dung Tran, 49, worked at Enron Broadband Services. He was with Enron from 2001 to August 2001. Photographed in Uptown, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, in Houston. Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Jamie Garrett worked at Enron during the companys heyday in Houston. Garrett, who oversaw the compression services team at Enron, worked at the company from 1994 to July 2000. Not only did she watch her pension dwindle with Enrons demise, but that of her husbands, too. Photographed in Uptown, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, in Houston. Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer 3/09/2006--Former Enron CFO Andy Fastow left with an escort of US Marshals and court officers after testifying this week as a prosection witness against codefendents and fellow former Enron executives Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling at the conclusion of the 23nd day, Thursday, the sixth week of their fraud and conspiracy trial at the Bob Casey United States Court House in Houston. Photo by Steve Ueckert / Houston Chronicle Steve Ueckert, Staff Photographer / Houston Chronicle Michelle Cisneros Ruch worked at Enron during the companys heyday in Houston. Photographed in Uptown, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, in Houston. Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Neville Ravji worked at Enron during the companys heyday in Houston. Photographed in Uptown, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, in Houston. Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Dung Tran, Michelle Cisneros Ruch, Neville Ravji and Jamie Garrett all worked at Enron during the companys heyday in Houston. Now they are looking back at their time before the companys collapse. Photographed in Uptown, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, in Houston. Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Enrons top executives, CEO Jeffrey Skilling, Chief Financial Officer Andrew Fastow and Chairman Kenneth Lay dominated the headlines when the once high-flying company filed 20 years ago for what was then the largest corporate bankruptcy in U.S. history. But the collapse also affected thousands of employees who had bought into the Enron story, making careers at the company, finding challenges in its innovative approaches, and investing in its stock. When it came crashing down, they lost jobs, retirement savings, and not a little faith in the idea of a company changing the world. Here are some of their stories. Went home and cried Michelle Cisneros Ruch began working at Enron in August 1994, after earning her MBA at the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University. When Enron collapsed seven years later, she was the director of an internal hedge fund group. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For Ruch, now 53, Enron had not only been a place to build a career, but also lasting friendships. She had cashed out much of her Enron stock long before the scandal unfolded, so she didnt lose a lot of money. But emotionally, she was a wreck after investing so much of herself in the company. When I learned about it, I went home and cried, Ruch said. On HoustonChronicle.com: Biden moves against oil sector on federal leasing program Ruch recalled the camaraderie of Enron employees who believed in a company that seemed to be reshaping the future of energy and the economy. Enron focused on team building and bonding by hosting company events including holiday parties at the then-named Enron Field and employee appreciation days at the now-defunct theme park Astroworld, which the company would rent out for the day for its employees and their families. There will never be another place like Enron. Not only because of the bad things, obviously, but also for the good things, Ruch said. There were a handful of people that were not doing the right thing, and it just imploded. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Checks in the mail Thousands of employees at Enron found themselves not only out of work, but also holding worthless stock and stock options. That includes Dung Tran, 49, who worked at Enron from 1994 to August 2001, including at Enron Broadband Services, a subsidiary of Enron that developed internet networks. Tran estimates he lost about $45,000 of his 401(k) retirement account, which was invested in Enron stock. Tran was earning $95,000 per year when he accepted a buyout offered in a round of Enron staff reductions. He then went to work for another Texas energy company. The package, he said, would have paid him nearly a years salary, distributed over five payments. The first four arrived as scheduled. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I was worried I might not get my final payment because it was post- the December 2 bankruptcy and I became a creditor, Tran said. He never received the final check. Fastow the mentor Jamie Garrett, 54, who oversaw a group that managed the compressors on Enrons gas pipelines, worked at the company from 1994 to July 2000, departing more than a year before it collapsed. But she wasnt spared from the fallout. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Her husband, Byran Garrett, was manager of broadband services when the company shut its doors. Together, they lost about $100,000 in guaranteed bonuses and retirement savings. At the center of the fraud that brought down Enron was Jamie Garretts mentor, Andrew Fastow. Fastow, in January 2004, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud. It wasnt the Fastow she knew. It took me a long time to separate Andy, the mentor, from Andy in his larger capacity, Jamie Garrett said. Fastows conviction, Jamie Garrett said, didnt diminish her admiration and respect for the former CFO. She recalled his advice to challenge the status quo, and not always take the straight path forward because, if you think about it just a little bit off to the side, you might be able to create more value. I don't purport to know what went on but was he giving me good advice? Absolutely, Jamie Garrett said. He was incredibly supportive. Advertisement Article continues below this ad One door opens Neville Ravji, 56, a former manager of capital markets at Enron, was at the company from 1997 to November 2001. Ravji invested about $20,000 in Enron stock -- and lost it all when the company went under. It hurt a lot, he said. It was pretty much all my savings. Finding a job in the aftermath of Enron, Ravji recalled, was challenging due to a glut of talent in the job market, including his co-workers. I met with a headhunter and sent her my resume, Ravji recalls. She looked at it and said, Oh, this is a terrific resume. It's exactly like the three I got yesterday. Unable to find full-time work after three months of searching, Ravji teamed up with two of his former Enron colleagues to start their own retail electricity provider, Tara Energy that was acquired by Just Energy in 2011. This week, Ravji launched retail electricity provider Value Power, serving residential and commercial customers in Texas. Skills he learned at Enron that, ultimately, helped get his career back on track, he said. Those include basic concepts about doing right by people and thinking not just about shareholders, but also stakeholders, employees, customers and community, he said, aware of the irony. Sometimes you learn from things you see go right, and sometimes you learn from things that go wrong, Ravji said. More than a quarter of consumers are planning to serve multiple meat options for Christmas dinner this year in a sign that cost-of-living pressures are easing, a survey suggests. While turkey is predicted to remain the most popular meat option, followed by gammon and beef, 23% of consumers plan to buy two meat options for the Christmas meal and 10% are planning to have three meat options, with turkey and gammon or turkey and beef being the most common combinations, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) found. Some 58% of consumers said that pigs in blankets were an essential part of the big day just as important as stuffing, Brussel sprouts and Yorkshire puddings while 38% think that a cheese board is key to festive celebrations. Emma Wantling, retail and consumer insight manager at the AHDB, said: In recent years, purse strings were tightened and some shoppers had to choose between perceived non-essential options like stuffing and pigs in blankets, instead of getting both. Spending on foods like stuffing and pigs in blankets are thought to be a sign that the cost-of-living crisis may be easing for some (David Davies/PA) However, as we head into the 2024 festive season, the number of consumers who are concerned about the cost-of-living crisis has fallen and we predict Christmas plates will be piled high. One in four claim that they will use an air fryer to cook all or part of their Christmas meal, with meat the most likely to end up in the energy-saving device. Ms Wantling said: The need for consumer convenience does not just apply to the cooking and we predict online shopping will take a big chunk of the retail spend. 43% of consumers said they are planning to do their Christmas shopping in one big hit, so we predict that Sunday 22 and Monday 23 December are likely to be the busiest shopping days for the 2024 Christmas food shop. The AHDB study follows Mintel research that found 40% of consumers think that this Christmas will be more enjoyable than 2023. The cost-of-living crisis has dominated Christmas predictions for the past two years and, while the number of consumers concerned about the cost-of-living crisis has fallen this Christmas, 77% of consumers remain concerned, the AHDB survey found. The AHDB said: As a result, we see polarised spending ability, with more affluent consumers open to increasing their spending, middle-income households being cautious, and lower-income households feeling squeezed. The survey comes as retailers report a surge in demand this year for luxury Christmas meal packs delivered to the door. Cote restaurants said sales of its home delivery range of indulgent Christmas meals its Festive Chateaubriand Feast serves up to six and costs 154.95 were up by approximately one third on last year. A Cote spokesman said: Cote At Homes popular home delivery service has experienced a significant surge in demand this season for Christmas and New Year deliveries, with sales projected to increase by approximately one-third compared to last year. Waitrose said it had already sold 50% of its Michel Roux-created Beef Wellington Christmas set menus costing 150 for four people, or 275 for eight, and was also offering an Italian-style porchetta option by chef Angela Hartnett. Rachel Dowsett, head of trading at Waitrose, said: As the home for food lovers at Christmas, we are delighted to offer these low effort, delicious meals to free up more time for merriment this festive season. US actor Colman Domingo secured the top acting prize for his role in Sing Sing at the 2024 Gotham Awards, while A Different Man starring Sebastian Stan and Adam Pearson scooped best feature film. The independent film celebration, held in New York, kicks off awards season and is considered by many to be a bellwether for more major events, including the Oscars. The star-studded 34th annual ceremony saw Hollywood stars including Demi Moore, Nicole Kidman, Jessica Chastain, Adrian Brody, Pamela Anderson, Shailene Woodley, Zoe Kravitz, Saoirse Ronan and Bella Ramsey pose on the carpet. Demi Moore attends The Gothams Film Awards at Cipriani Wall Street (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) Oscar-nominated actor Domingo secured the gong for outstanding lead performance following his role in Sing Sing, about the real-life story of Divine G a man imprisoned for a crime he didnt commit who finds purpose by acting in a theatre group. Rustin and The Colour Purple star Domingo said of the group: They found art to be the parachute that could save them and they poured themselves into itI am making art that I think can make a difference in this world. Meanwhile, A Different Man, about an aspiring actor who undergoes a radical medical procedure to drastically transform his appearance, scooped the top prize of best feature at the ceremony. Sebastian Stan attends The Gothams Film Awards at Cipriani Wall Street (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) Director Aaron Schimberg was shocked to collect the award considering the other nominees. The ceremony saw tributes made to stars including Zendaya, Denis Villeneuve, Timothee Chalamet and Angelina Jolie. British actor Josh OConnor presented the spotlight award to Zendaya, after the pair starred in Challengers together. Josh OConnor attends The Gothams Film Awards at Cipriani Wall Street (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) OConnor likened Zendaya to stars including the late Dame Maggie Smith, using authenticity as a superpower, having seamlessly navigated her way from being a child star. Zendaya described the award as quite the honour, before praising her film crew: My character is only an amalgamation of the beautiful ideas of the amazing creative people around me, she said. I have to say, I love what I do, so much. So incredibly grateful I get to this for a living, Zendaya added, before shouting out her mother who was in the crowd. Zendaya attends The Gothams Film Awards at Cipriani Wall Street (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) The Dune star later presented the director tribute award to filmmaker Villeneuve, alongside Prisoners star Jake Gyllenhaal who described Villeneuve as a super serious artist but incredibly funny. On stage, Villeneuve said when he first transitioned from the world of independent film to Hollywood he asked for a private chat with Oscar-winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese, who told him to stay intact. Villeneuve said he is most proud that over 12 years in the industry he has been able to protect my flame and not compromise his independent freedom and creativity. Denis Villeneuve attends The Gothams Film Awards (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) Meanwhile, Dune star Oscar Isaac presented Chalamet and director James Mangold with the visionary award for their Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown which began life in 2019. Chalamet, sporting a moustache, said: Getting to study and immerse myself in the world of Bob Dylan has been the greatest education a young artist can receive. If youre already a fan of Bob Dylan, this film will make perfect sense to you. If youre not familiar with his work, perhaps our film can serve as a humble gateway to one of the great poets and chroniclers of our time. Pablo Larrain, left, and Angelina Jolie attend The Gothams Film Awards at Cipriani Wall Street (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) Jolie, who most recently played late opera star Maria Callas in her final days in 1970s Paris, also received the performer tribute during the ceremony. I grew up with a mother who kept books inside the oven because there were more books in our house than shelves in the apartment we had, Jolie said on stage. The US actress said early influences nurture and shape us as artists, noting the importance of art taught in our schools, and so concerning that many of those programmes are being reduced. The ceremony also saw Nickel Boys filmmaker RaMell Ross win the best director gong, while the star of the film Brandon Wilson received the prize for best breakthrough performer. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Colson Whitehead, Nickel Boys follows the powerful friendship between two men navigating a brutal reformatory school together in Florida. A drug-smuggling gang has been jailed after cocaine with a street value of 200 million was intercepted in a shipment of bananas making it the UKs largest haul of the drugs at the time. Crime boss Petko Zhutev was in charge of taking delivery of the Colombian drugs at a London warehouse in February 2021 unaware it had already been seized by border officials at Portsmouth. Midway through a retrial at the Old Bailey, Zhutev, 39, who entered the UK from Bulgaria in January 2021, admitted importation of a class A drug having previously been cleared of possession of a revolver and ammunition with intent to endanger life. On Tuesday, he was jailed at the Old Bailey for 27 years alongside four others, after Judge Rebecca Trowler KC said he played a leading role in the importation. The judge said Zhutev had committed previous offences, including making a fraudulent application for a Covid bounce back loan to a company in his name. Erik Muci, 45, of Haynes Road, Hornchurch, and Olsi Ebeja, 40, of Malta Street, Islington, were found guilty of importation at the conclusion of the retrial and were sentenced to 33 years and 17 years imprisonment respectively. Muci, described by a judge as a key organiser, was jailed for 26 years for the importation and given a further consecutive sentence of seven years imprisonment for the supply of class A drugs, after police recovered 33kg of cocaine from a property on Caledonian Road, north London. Judge Trowler said Muci, who had worked as a plumber since arriving into the UK as a refugee from Albania, was organising the buying and selling of cocaine on a commercial scale. Judge Trowler said Ebeja, who was born in Kosovo and had worked as a waiter and a minicab driver since arriving in the UK in 1999, carried out an operational function in the enterprise, including as a driver. Bruno Kuci, 32, who was born in Albania and came to the UK in December 2020, and Gjergji Diko, 34, of west Beckton, who were arrested with Zhutev, had previously pleaded guilty to the importation charges. Kuci, described as a trusted member of the operation, was jailed for 21 years and Diko, who also moved to the UK from Albania and had worked as a mechanic, for 18 years. Sentencing them on Tuesday, Judge Trowler said the importation was plainly the work of an organised crime group with international elements, adding the group had Bulgarian and Albanian elements. Ms Trowler added: The extremely large quantities of cocaine involved and the organisation required to bring such amounts into the UK from Colombia demonstrated beyond doubt that this enterprise was sophisticated in its planning and well resourced. The court had heard how port officials uncovered four pallets containing 2,330 blocks of the class A drug weighing 2.3 tonnes amid a consignment of 41 pallets of bananas from Colombia on February 14 2021. Four days later, two covert officers posing as lorry drivers delivered the boxes to a warehouse in north London, having already switched the drugs for more bananas. Zhutev used the cover of his role as director of a food importation business, Agro Food Ltd, to organise and set up the UK side of the criminal operation, jurors heard. He was in charge when two lorries delivered the pallets of bananas, having secured the manpower to unpack, repackage and distribute the drugs hidden among the fruit, it was alleged. Around two hours after the delivery on February 18, officers entered the warehouse and arrested three of the defendants. Jurors were told that numbered pallets in which the drugs were transported had been identified and moved to a first floor where the process of searching them had started. A revolver containing six live cartridges was recovered from a ceiling girder above the boxes. Jurors were told the cocaine had a potential street value of at least 186 million, rising to 200 million when mixed with other substances, at the time making it the largest inland seizure ever by UK officers. Judge Trowler said the sophisticated operation included specialist laminated glass being installed at the warehouse to limit visibility, as well as the use of hi-vis jackets to give the impression of a legitimate operation and Dutch sim phones to avoid detection. Orange stickers were also used by the smugglers to identify the correct banana boxes. The NCA said the drugs had different branded stamps on them, which corresponded to particular organised crime groups planning to sell them on the streets of London and the wider UK. Border officials at Portsmouth uncovered 2,330 blocks of cocaine weighing 2.3 tonnes (NCA/PA) It added that officers also found nine empty suitcases which were to be filled with cash generated from drugs sales. John Coles, head of specialist operations at the NCA, said the sentences represented the culmination of a thorough investigation. Mr Coles added: By intercepting this huge haul of cocaine, which was one of the largest ever of its kind in the UK, we stopped it from reaching UK communities and protected the public from the scourge of class A drugs and street violence associated with it. Gemma Burns, a senior crown prosecutor at the CPS, said investigators foiled the gangs banana box scheme and stopped dangerous drugs from reaching our streets. Ms Burns added: A banana import business was used as a front to smuggle well over two thousand kilograms of cocaine into the UK; representing international drug trafficking on an industrial scale. The significant sentences given to the gang mean they will be off our streets for a long time. These sentences send a clear message to criminals intent on trying to flood the UK with drugs that we will not rest until you are convicted and behind bars. The CPS said it will now commence confiscation proceedings in order to reclaim the proceeds of the crimes. Diko and Kuci were also convicted of possessing a prohibited firearm and possession of ammunition without a firearm certificate. Returning the Elgin Marbles to Greece is not on the agenda for Sir Keir Starmer as he meets his Greek counterpart, Downing Street has said. The Prime Minister will welcome Kyriakos Mitsotakis to No 10 on Tuesday morning, the Greek leaders first official visit to the UK since a quarrel with the previous government over the ancient marbles, also known as the Parthenon Sculptures. Greece has long maintained that the Elgin Marbles were illegally removed from their place high atop Athens acropolis during a period of foreign occupation. The Government and the British Museum reject this characterisation. Ahead of the meeting between the two premiers, Sir Keirs official spokesman suggested conversation would not touch upon the marbles. Its not going to be on the Prime Ministers agenda. His focus will be on support for Ukraine, the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza, the spokesman said. He added: Our position on the Elgin Marbles has not changed. It remains a matter for the British Museum, and the Government has no plans to change the law to permit a permanent move of the Parthenon Sculptures. The Guardian newspaper has reported ongoing talks about the future of the statues are now well advanced, citing sources close to the negotiations between the museum and the Greek Foreign Ministry. A cultural partnership would be likely to be at the heart of a deal, The Guardian said, which could see the sculptures returned to Athens in exchange for exhibitions of famous artworks. Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer (left) and then-shadow foreign secretary David Lammy (second left) during a meeting with Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis (right) in London in November 2023 (Leon Neal/PA) The marble statues came from friezes on the 2,500-year-old Parthenon temple and have been displayed at the British Museum for more than 200 years. They were removed by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century, when he was British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. Some of the remaining temple statues are on display in the purpose-built Acropolis Museum in Athens, and Greece has long called for the collections to be reunited. A diplomatic row between Greece and the UK was sparked under the previous government when then-prime minister Rishi Sunak cancelled a meeting with Mr Mitsotakis, who had made a push for the sculptures return. Mr Sunak denied having thrown a hissy fit over the matter and accused his counterpart of grandstanding. Mr Mitsotakis had compared splitting the Elgin Marbles from those still in Athens to cutting the Mona Lisa in half. The Emir of Qatar will begin a two-day state visit to the UK hosted by the King. Charles will welcome Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, during a ceremony of pomp and pageantry staged in Whitehall. But missing will be Queen Camilla who, on Monday evening, pulled out of the official open-air greeting on Horse Guards Parade and a carriage ride back to Buckingham Palace, due to lingering effects of a recent viral chest infection. Queen Camilla contracted the illness a month ago following her long-haul trip to Australia and Samoa (Aaron Chown/PA) Camilla will join the royal party later for a private lunch with the Emir and his wife and will also take part in all but one of the elements of the evening state banquet at Buckingham Palace, staged in honour of the Emir. The Prince and Princess of Wales will take part in the ceremony on Horse Guards Parade, one of the few official appearances by Kate during a year in which she has been successfully treated for cancer. The princess has been gradually returning to royal duties after she announced in September she had completed her chemotherapy treatment and her focus was doing what I can to stay cancer free. She will travel with her husband in the carriage procession and the couple will join Charles and Camilla as they host a lunch for their guests Sheikh Tamim and Sheikha Jawaher. However, Kate will not attend the state banquet hosted by the King, although William will be a guest. The Princess of Wales arriving for the Royal Carols Together At Christmas service at Westminster Abbey in London last year (Chris Jackson/PA) Doctors have urged Camilla, 77, to take time to rest and recover fully because of the lingering effects of the illness, contracted a month ago following her long-haul trip to Australia and Samoa, which include diminished reserves of energy. She is hoping to be able to view a display of Qatari artefacts after lunch in the palaces picture gallery with her husband, the Waleses and the Emir, and at the start of the state banquet will pose for a group photo but will take a short break before dinner while guests are met in a receiving line. No major changes are expected to her diary for the rest of the week, but the Queen has been advised by her medical team to take each day as it comes. Meanwhile, the occasion marks the start of a busier week for Kate, who will be hosting her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on Friday, when she is expected to be joined by her children and husband for the event. Sheikh Tamim, 44, was educated in Britain, attending public schools Sherborne and Harrow, before graduating from Sandhurst military academy. On Wednesday, the final day of the two-day visit, the Emir will visit Sandhurst before travelling to the Palace to bid farewell formally to the King and Queen, with Camilla expected to be there. Sheikh Tamim will also travel to Downing Street for bilateral talks with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Qatar, one of the richest Gulf states, is a key mediator in the Israel-Hamas war, and there are reports the Government is hoping to seal a free-trade deal with the Gulf Co-operation Council. But the country has faced criticism over its human rights record, in particular the abuse of migrant workers during Fifa World Cup in 2022, its criminalisation of same-sex relationships, and its discrimination against women. Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell condemned the decision to reward the Emir with the honour of a state visit, saying Feting the Emir is collusion with tyranny. His Peter Tatchell Foundation is to stage a peaceful protest near Buckingham Palace, at Canada Gate to the right of the royal residence, on Tuesday morning ready for when Sheikh Tamim arrives in the carriage procession. JOIN US! Protest Emir of Qatars State Visit to UK Qatar is a police state dictatorship. It oppresses women, LGBTs & migrant workers Shame on Keir Starmer & King Charles for hosting a tyrant PROTEST Tues 3 Dec 10.30am Buckingham Palace MORE INFO: https://t.co/WDjUDYt2pX Peter Tatchell Fdn (@PT_Foundation) December 2, 2024 Mr Tatchell said: Keir Starmer and King Charles should not reward the Emir with the honour of a state visit while his regime continues to victimise women, LGBTs and migrant workers. Feting the Emir is collusion with tyranny. He added: The Qatar government is a police state dictatorship. Its guilty of systemic homophobia, sexism and the suppression of workers rights and basic freedoms like free speech and the right to protest. This state visit sends the wrong message that the UK prioritises trade and investment over human rights. The UK should be challenging Qatars human rights record and seeking the release of political prisoners, not rewarding its ruler with royal pageantry and red carpets. Mr Tatchell travelled to Qatar to stage an LGBT+ rights protest during the Fifa World Cup, but told how he was detained and interrogated by the authorities before being ordered to the airport to depart the country. This London protest is about continuing to expose the brutal reality behind Qatars carefully crafted public image, he said. He added: We urge everyone who values equality and freedom to join our peaceful protest. Grace Clintons early finish proved the winner as England concluded 2024 with a 1-0 victory over Switzerland in a friendly at Bramall Lane. Continuing preparations for next summers title defence at the Euros by taking on the team who will be hosting the tournament, a much-changed, youthful Lionesses side went in front in the eighth minute when Clinton buried the loose ball after Manchester United team-mate Millie Turner had headed against the post. England were unable to add to that despite creating a number of chances, including debutant Laura Blindkilde Brown being denied by Swiss goalkeeper Elvira Herzog. Ending the year with a win in Sheffield pic.twitter.com/bzUB5enJ4h Lionesses (@Lionesses) December 3, 2024 Opposite number Hannah Hampton then did well to tip a Meriame Terchoun shot over the crossbar, before Georgia Stanway cracked a shot against Herzogs post in stoppage time. Boss Sarina Wiegman had spoken about wanting to experiment in the two friendlies with which England were finishing the calendar year, and named a starting XI showing 10 changes from Saturdays 0-0 draw with the United States at Wembley and lining up with three central defenders. It also featured a considerable amount of youth, including two 21-year-olds handed bows in Blindkilde Brown and Ruby Mace, and another, Aggie Beever-Jones, making her first start. The sole survivor from the weekends match was Jess Park, whose free-kick led to the early goal as it was flicked against the post by Turner another first-time England starter and Clinton another 21-year-old fired in from close range on the follow-up. As the hosts dominated the ball, Maya Le Tissier miscued from a good position to shoot wide, and Gabby George, on her first international appearance since 2018, lofted an effort off-target and saw a cross pushed away by Herzog. Park and Le Tissier produced further unsuccessful attempts, before Hampton was called into action to make a comfortable save towards the end of the first half, gathering Sydney Schertenleibs shot from outside the box. The interval saw Alessia Russo, scorer of the memorable backheeled finish at the stadium when England beat Sweden 4-0 in the semi-final of their triumphant 2022 Euros campaign, come on for Park, and she headed wide from Georges cross four minutes into the second half. Jessica Park attempts a shot (Martin Rickett/PA) Switzerland then threatened when Iman Beney got past Turner and hit a shot that Hampton parried, before England returned to the front foot with Blindkilde Browns strike being turned behind by Herzog and Clinton slicing wide. There was further work for Hampton as she got down to save substitute Nadine Riesens strike and produced a fine stop to divert Terchouns shot over. It was the closest Pia Sundhages visitors went, and in added time Stanway, who had come on for Blindkilde Brown, went even closer, hitting the post moments after putting another effort into the side-netting. Scottish actor Ewan McGregor has said it is such a thrill to be returning to the London stage for the first time in 17 years. The Trainspotting star will feature in My Master Builder, a new play by American playwright and screenwriter Lila Raicek, which will run from April to July at Wyndhams Theatre. It will see McGregor reunite with director Michael Grandage, with whom he worked on productions of Othello and Guys And Dolls at Donmar Warehouse, where Grandage was artistic director. McGregor said: Its such a thrill to be returning to the stage and to work with Michael again, an actors director with whom I have had some of my happiest working experiences. Hes a generous collaborator, who enables you to discover the play together afresh in the rehearsal room. And what a play I love where Lila has taken the story, a very modern take on todays sexual politics. The actor, 53, rose to fame playing Renton in 1996s Trainspotting, before playing Obi-Wan in the Star Wars prequel trilogy and the 2022 Disney+ spin-off series about the character. He has also starred in Salmon Fishing In The Yemen and Moulin Rouge! and won a Golden Globe for his role in black comedy drama Fargo. Ewan McGregor rose to fame playing Renton in Trainspotting (Andrew Milligan/PA) Grandage said the production would be a joyful reunion with McGregor, who he described as an extraordinary stage actor. Its always a privilege to open a new play in the West End and to bring emerging and original voices to as wide an audience as possible, he added. Im excited to collaborate with writer Lila Raicek, staging My Master Builder in London this spring. Further casting is to be announced in due course. My Master Builder will run from April 29 at the Wyndhams Theatre, with previews from April 17, until July 12. The captioned performance will be held on Saturday May 24 at 2.30pm, and the audio described performance will be Saturday June 14 at 2.30pm. Nigel Farage has dismissed reports that American tech billionaire Elon Musk could donate millions of pounds to his political party Reform UK. The owner of Tesla and X the social media site formerly known as Twitter is reportedly considering giving 100 million US dollars to Mr Farage. The sum is equivalent to 78 million, and could pave the way for a huge upset in the British political landscape. Speaking to BBC Radio 4s PM, Mr Farage said nothing of the kind had been discussed by him and Mr Musk. He added: Certainly, it leads us into a big debate about the funding of political parties and how we should do things. But I want to make it clear whilst even a fraction of that money could make a massive difference to our operations, it is purely theoretical. Reports of the massive cash transfer were first aired in The Times newspaper over the weekend, attributed to claims by Conservative party officials and leading businessmen. The newspaper also suggested that if the donation did materialise, it would come via the British arm of X, allowing Mr Musk to circumvent rules about foreign donations to a political party. The Reform leader described himself as a huge admirer of Elon Musk, but had never solicited a donation from him, and one has never been offered. He did, however, signal he would be willing to accept the donation if it was put on the table. He told the BBC: Would I accept money, given that were up against two big parties who are very heavily funded, and we scrape by mostly on our burgeoning membership fees? Yes, of course, Id accept money. Despite Mr Farages dismissal of the story, Reforms deputy leader, Richard Tice, was less definitive, telling LBC: Lets wait and see. Mr Musks relationship with Sir Keir Starmers Government has taken a sour turn in recent months, with the tech billionaire giving his backing to a petition calling for another general election, and criticising many Labour policies. The X owner has been nominated for a job in Donald Trumps incoming US administration overseeing efforts to cut government expenditure deemed wasteful. The future of the Elgin Marbles is in the hands of the British Museum, Downing Street has said, amid reports a deal that could see the sculptures returned to Greece is progressing. No mention was made of the ancient Parthenon sculptures as Sir Keir Starmer met his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis at No 10 on Tuesday morning. But the Times newspaper reported progress in the negotiations was the reason why (Mr) Mitsotakis is meeting today with the British prime minister, citing a Greek official. The Elgin Marbles have been on display at the British Museum for more than 200 years Sir Keirs official spokesman would not be drawn into saying whether the Prime Minister discussed the marbles with Mr Mitsotakis. The Governments position is that we have no plans to change the law that would permit a permanent move and that the case of decisions relating to the care and management and sculptures are a matter for the trustees of the British Museum, which is operationally independent of the Government, the spokesman told reporters. Asked if it would be possible to loan the Elgin Marbles to Athens, he said: Those decisions are entirely for the British Museum. A cultural partnership would likely be at the heart of a deal between the museum and the Greek government, which could see the sculptures returned to Athens in exchange for exhibitions of famous artworks. Discussions about a Parthenon Partnership are ongoing and constructive, according to the museum. A spokesperson for the British Museum added: We believe that this kind of long-term partnership would strike the right balance between sharing our greatest objects with audiences around the world, and maintaining the integrity of the incredible collection we hold at the museum. Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis has previously called for the marbles return to Greece (Justin Tallis/PA) Athens is understood to believe the UK Government would not stand in the way of such a scheme once it is agreed with the British Museum. Downing Street insisted ahead of the meeting that discussion about the marbles were not on Sir Keirs agenda. At the top of their head-to-head Sir Keir said he hoped to build on our strong bilateral relationship and to talk about our common issues, while Mr Mitsotakis said Greece saw the UK as integral in addressing the security challenges that we are facing in Ukraine and the Middle East. Tuesdays visit was the first the Greek leader has made to the UK since a diplomatic row was sparked under the previous government. Then-prime minister Rishi Sunak cancelled a meeting with Mr Mitsotakis, who had made a push for the sculptures return. Mr Sunak denied having thrown a hissy fit over the matter and accused his counterpart of grandstanding. Mr Mitsotakis had compared splitting the Elgin Marbles from those still in Athens to cutting the Mona Lisa in half. Greece has long maintained that the Elgin Marbles were illegally removed from their place high atop Athens acropolis during a period of foreign occupation. A section of the Parthenon Marbles in Londons British Museum (Matthew Fearn/PA) The marble statues came from friezes on the 2,500-year-old Parthenon temple and have been displayed at the British Museum for more than 200 years. They were removed by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century when he was British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. Some of the remaining temple statues are on display in the purpose-built Acropolis Museum in Athens, and Greece has called for the collections to be reunited. The Conservatives meanwhile suggested reports of progress in a deal on the Elgin Marbles showed the Prime Minister was ready to cave into the radical left. Shadow culture minister Saqib Bhatti added: The marbles are protected by an act of Parliament the PM needs to be clear that he will not allow the law to be changed and block any legal work around that might be devised to allow them to be taken out of this country The Prime Minister should be standing up for Britain, our heritage, and our world-class cultural institutions instead of giving in to pressure from campaigners who detest British history. Jaguar has revealed a first look at its new luxury electric car after coming under heavy criticism for rebranding its image. The British car maker sparked widespread controversy last month when it unveiled a series of dramatic changes ahead of becoming a fully electric brand. This included a new bespoke logo, written as JaGUar, a new prancing leaper cat design and marketing slogans such as delete ordinary, live vivid and copy nothing. The front end of the Type 00 showcases a smoothed-off design (Jaguar/PA) Images of the new electric car, called the Type 00, were shared at an event in Miami in the US on Monday, with the model described as a concept with bold forms and exuberant proportions to inspire future Jaguars, according to the brand. It has been revealed in two colours, Miami Pink and London Blue. The Jaguar logo is laser-etched into a brass ingot on each side of the car, which themselves open to reveal rear-facing cameras that provide a view for the driver similar to conventional wing mirrors via screens located in the cabin. Access to the cabin comes through two butterfly doors which reveal a large, spacious interior with three hand-finished brass lines which run the length of the interior. The floating front seats are finished in a wool blend which is also used on the flooring and other areas. Jaguar said the new car uses a dedicated electric platform which should return up to 478 miles of range while rapid charging will add 200 miles of charge in 15 minutes. The production-ready version of the Type 00, which will be made in the UK, is set to be revealed late in 2025. The Type 00 should return up to 478 miles of range (Jaguar/PA) Although prices have not yet been confirmed, it is expected to cost more than 100,000. A video posted by the company on X last month, featuring people wearing brightly coloured clothes making synchronised movements but no cars, led to platform owner Elon Musk, the largest individual shareholder in electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla, asking Do you sell cars? Jaguar managing director Rawdon Glover said he was disappointed by the vile hatred and intolerance in responses to the advert. Speaking at what he called the reimagining in Miami, chief creative officer Professor Gerry McGovern said the new brand was influenced by the desire to recapture the essence of Jaguars original creative conviction. Some may love it now, some may love it later and some may never love it. Thats what fearless creativity does, he said, citing David Bowie, Vivienne Westwood and architect Richard Rogers as some of his creative heroes They were British trailblazers who challenged convention and had no desire to copy the norm. Controversy has always surrounded British creativity when its been at its best. The cabin is split by one long brass section (Jaguar/PA) The company said that both its cars and culture will come to life in a number of exclusive brand stores, with the first of these being located in the 8th arrondissement in Paris. Jaguar will launch three new electric cars in 2026, having taken new cars off sale more than a year ago to focus on its rebrand. Adrian Mardell, chief executive of Jaguar Land Rover, said: The magic of Jaguar is close to my heart an original British luxury brand unmatched in its heritage, artistry and emotional magnetism. Thats the Jaguar we are recapturing and we will create the same sense of awe that surrounded iconic models like the E-type. Our journey is already under way, guided by our original ethos to copy nothing and the results will be nothing short of spectacular. It comes after the owner of Vauxhall announced plans to shut its van-making factory in Luton next April and create an all-electric plant, putting more than 1,100 jobs at risk. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders warned the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) could have a devastating impact on the automotive industry. A weak demand for EVs combined with the need to fulfil ever-rising sales quotas will cost the industry some 6 billion this year, the trade association said. Enron Vice President Sherron Watkins, left, and former Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Skilling are sworn in on Capitol Hill Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2002 prior to testifying before the Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Enron. RON EDMONDS, STF / AP Former Enron executive Jeff Skilling leaves the courthouse after the verdict in his fraud and conspiracy trial in this May 25, 2006 file photo, in Houston. PAT SULLIVAN, STF / AP Former Enron Chief Financial Officer Andrew Fastow waiting to testify on Capitol Hill Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002 before the House Oversight and Investigations subcommittee hearing on Enron. DENNIS COOK, STF / AP Rebecca Mark-Jusbasche. ben desoto / houston chronicle Enron Corp. Vice President for Corporate Development Sherron Watkins testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2002 before the Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Enron. Watkins spoke out about Enron's accounting problems months before the energy trading powerhouse collapsed. KENNETH LAMBERT, STF / AP Enron founder Kenneth Lay with his wife Linda makes a statement as he leaves the courthouse after being found guilty of all counts in his fraud and conspiracy and bank fraud trials Thursday, May 25, 2006 in Houston. Lay died before he was sentenced. ) PAT SULLIVAN, STF / ASSOCIATED PRESS Twenty-three ago, the rapid rise of Enron once among the most admired companies in the country came to an abrupt end, crashing into what was then the biggest corporate bankruptcy in U.S history. The key players in the scandal became household names. Heres where they are today: Jeffrey Skilling, the CEO The famed golden boy of Enron, Jeffrey Skilling was back on the Houston energy scene with a new startup in 2021. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After serving 12 years in federal prison on fraud and insider trading charges, the former Enron CEO launched Veld Applied Analytics, billed as a sophisticated online platform to invest in oil and gas assets. However, according to Open Corporates, the company withdrew the business in September 2022. A former consultant with McKinsey & Co, Skilling was tapped by Enron founder Ken Lay as CEO and helped turn Enron into an energy powerhouse with projects around the globe. When those investments turned south, Skilling was able to paper over the losses through techniques such as mark-to-market accounting, which allowed Enron to claim immediate profits from deals that might never yield a dime. Former Enron executive Jeffrey Skilling is escorted to the federal courthouse for his fraud and conspiracy trial Monday, April 17, 2006 in Houston, TX. PAT SULLIVAN, STF / AP Photo/Pat Sullivan Andrew Fastow, the CFO As the chief financial officer of Enron, Andrew Fastow helped hide billions of dollars in losses and debt through off the book partnerships, keeping investors and regulators in the dark as the companys finances spiraled down. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After cooperating with prosecutors and pleading guilty to wire and securities fraud, Fastow served five years at a federal prison in Louisiana. He was released in 2011 and has since made a career on the public speaking circuit, with one agency listing his availability to lecture on corporate culture at universities and corporations around the world for a $10,000 to $20,000 fee. Former Enron Chief Financial Officer Andrew Fastow arrives at FBI headquarters to surrender to agents, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2002. STEVE UECKERT, MBR / AP Reached by email in 2021, Fastow declined to be interviewed on his life since Enron but offered the following statement: I believe that what I did was wrong, was unethical, and was illegal. I take full responsibility for my actions. I am ashamed and embarrassed every day of my life. To those who were hurt by my actions, directly or indirectly, I apologize. I dont expect you to accept my apology, but you deserve to hear it. Fastow was the keynote speaker at the SEC Hot Topics Conference at Cal State Fullertons College of Business and Economics in 2023, according to the school's website. His focus has been helping accountants, executives, regulators, and other business professionals appreciate the importance of thinking critically about so-called gray areas where an action might be legal but might not be ethical or prudent. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rebecca Mark-Jusbasche, head of Enron International Rebecca Mark-Jusbasche, the globetrotting former head of Enron International, resigned the year before the company declared bankruptcy over a reported disagreement with Jeff Skilling and Ken Lay about the direction of a water subsidiary she led. Rebecca Mark-Jusbasche reportedly sold her Enron stock for $82.5 million, a prescient move considering 12 months later the stock would be selling for $1 per share. She faced no criminal charges, but later paid Enron shareholders $5.2 million through a settlement with executives. According to Mark-Jusbasches LinkedIn page, she is the president of a Houston company named Resource Development Partners, though it was unclear the company is still in operation. She also listed herself as the chairman of Dredgit, a Houston construction and dredging firm. Rebecca Mark, then chairman and chief executive officer of Enron International, poses in her office Oct. 16, 1997, in Houston. BRETT COOMER, STR / AP However, when a reporter called the company in 2021 to inquire about Mark-Jusbasche, the man who answered the phone asked what the call was about and said she did not work there. When asked when she had left, he hung up. Later that day, the reference to Dredgit on Mark-Jusbasches LinkedIn page was removed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to the Hermann Park Conservancy website, Mark-Jusbasche is listed as a member of its Executive Committee. Sherron Watkins, the whistleblower Twenty years after warning her bosses at Enron that executives were fraudulently keeping financial losses off the companys books, Sherron Watkins has become a prominent voice on the perils of corporate greed. An executive in residence at Texas State University, Watkins lectures on her experience at Enron and the warning signs that a company could be another scandal in the making. Its that classic cautionary tale of a successful company doing all the wrong things, Watkins, who served as vice president of corporate development at Enron, said in an interview. There's still so much interest. People say were a big successful corporation and they wonder could it happen here. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After Enron filed for bankruptcy and her name went public as a whistleblower, Watkins said corporate gigs were off the table for her. And while she feels lucky to have found work lecturing, she says she cant help but miss her days at Enron. For all the corruption that took place, she maintains Enron was a hugely innovative company that foresaw many current trends two decades before they became mainstream. It was so entrepreneurial and innovative. We worked on wind before wind was up and going, and streaming movies before Netflix, she said. It all could have turned out very differently had Enron just not played so fast and loose with the numbers. Ken Lay, the chairman Kenneth Lay, the founder of Enron, died of a heart attack while on vacation in Aspen, Colo., three months before his sentencing hearing on six counts of fraud and conspiracy. That conviction was ultimately vacated on the principle the dead do not have the chance to appeal their verdict. Nonetheless, for years the Department of Justice continued to pursue a case against Lays estate to try and recover the hundreds of millions of dollars he earned through salary and stock sales while at Enron. Lay, the son of a Baptist preacher, built Enron out of a 1985 merger between the former Houston Natural Gas Co. and the Omaha-based energy firm InterNorth. By 2000 Enron was reporting annual revenues of $200 billion, making it one of the largest corporations in the country. A week after his death, the 64-year-old businessman was honored at a memorial service at First United Methodist Church in Houston attended by more than 1,000 people, including former president George H.W. Bush and secretary of state James Baker III. During the service, Rev. William Lawson praised Lay as a a rich and powerful man, who did necessarily seek the company of people who were likewise rich and powerful" and questioned the charges against him. A pre-watershed ban on ads for junk food will prevent an estimated 20,000 cases of childhood obesity, the Government has said. More detail on which food and drink products will be covered by the regulations are to published on Tuesday, as the Government confirmed the laying of secondary legislation for the ban. The ban, which had been first put forward by Boris Johnsons Conservative government in 2021, will come into force in October next year, after which television ads for junk food products will be allowed only after 9pm. It will also include a ban on paid-for online ads for these products to reduce childrens exposure to foods high in fat, sugar or salt. The Government said the ban was expected to remove 7.2 billion calories a year from UK childrens diets. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the Government was taking action on behalf of families across the country (Leon Neal/PA) The Governments impact assessment notes that overall the studies do find a clear link between food advertising and calorie consumption. However, it also suggests that the measures could cut just 2.1 calories from childrens diets each day while costing advertisers 659 million in returns over 25 years. It also warns that any calorie reductions achieved during childhood could be undone as individuals eat more during adulthood. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: Obesity robs our kids of the best possible start in life, sets them up for a lifetime of health problems, and costs the NHS billions. This Government is taking action now to end the targeting of junk food ads at kids, across both TV and online. This is the first step to deliver a major shift in the focus of healthcare from sickness to prevention, and towards meeting our Governments ambition to give every child a healthy, happy start to life. NHS data shows a trend of rising childhood obesity, with almost one in 10 reception-aged children (9.2%) now living with obesity and one in five by the age of five (23.7%) suffering tooth decay because of excess sugar consumption. Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: NHS figures show that one in eight toddlers and primary school children are obese, and this is clearly a problem not only because we know that it could lead to young people having health issues later in life, but its also storing up problems for a future NHS which already spends billions dealing with the issue. Weve always said the NHS can play its part in supporting people who are obese to reach a healthier weight, but we need to work with the rest of society to prevent people becoming overweight in the first place. So we welcome this proposed legislation and look forward to working with the government and partners to help protect the good health of future generations. Children with obesity are said to be more likely to live with the condition as adults and to be at significantly greater risk of life-limiting illnesses. Obesity is the second biggest preventable cause of cancer, according to health experts, costs the UK health service more than 11 billion each year, and is a major contributor to ill health that prevents people from participating fully in work. David Fothergill, chairman of the Local Government Associations Community Wellbeing Board, said: We are pleased the Government is to bring in legislation to restrict the advertising of unhealthy foods targeted at children and young people. Childhood obesity is one of the biggest public health challenges we face. However, any efforts to tackle the causes of obesity need to be part of a whole systems approach. Greater powers for councils to tackle the clustering of takeaways and restricting junk food advertising near schools, alongside extra investment in council-run programmes such as those promoting physical activity and healthy weight can help play an essential part in helping to curb child obesity. Lady Gabriella Kingston warned about the effects of drugs used to treat mental health problems, as a coroner concluded that her husband took his own life. Thomas Kingston, the husband of Prince and Princess Michael of Kents daughter Lady Gabriella, died from a head injury, and a gun was found near his body on February 25, at his parents home in the Cotswolds. Mr Kingston, a 45-year-old financier, married Lady Gabriella at Windsor Castle in 2019, with Queen Elizabeth II and the late Duke of Edinburgh among the guests. The inquest into his death at Gloucestershire Coroners Court on Tuesday was told he had initially been given sertraline, a drug used to treat depression, and zopiclone, a sleeping tablet, by a GP at the Royal Mews Surgery, a practice at Buckingham Palace used by royal household staff, after complaining of trouble sleeping following stress at work. Thomas Kingston and Lady Gabriella Windsor smile after their wedding in Windsor (Chris Jackson/PA) Mr Kingston returned to the surgery saying they were not making him feel better, and his doctor moved him from sertraline to citalopram, a similar drug. In the days leading up to his death, Mr Kingston had stopped taking medication, and toxicology tests showed caffeine and small amounts of zopiclone in his system. In a statement read out by Katy Skerrett, senior coroner for Gloucestershire, Lady Gabriella, 43, said: (Work) was certainly a challenge for him over the years but I highly doubt it would have led him to take his own life, and it seemed much improved. If anything had been troubling him, Im positive that he would have shared that he was struggling severely. The fact that he took his life at the home of his beloved parents suggests the decision was the result of a sudden impulse. She said she believed his death was likely provoked by an adverse reaction to the medication he had begun, and subsequently stopped, taking, in the weeks leading up to his death. The lack of any evidence of inclination, it seems highly likely to me that he had an adverse reaction to the pills that led him to take his life, Lady Gabriella said. I believe anyone taking pills such as these need to be made more aware of the side effects to prevent any future deaths. If this could happen to Tom, this could happen to anyone. In his final weeks, Lady Gabriella said, her husband had seemed normal, apart from early in the day after previously taking zopiclone, which she said made him seem almost hungover. In her statement, she described their marriage as deeply loving and trusting and said he had never expressed any suicidal thoughts to her or others. She added that he had been deeply affected by the suicide of a friend and the devastating impact it had on other peoples loved ones. Lady Gabriella cried while she sat in the coroners court as her statement was read out. Recording a narrative conclusion, Ms Skerrett said: Mr Kingston took his own life using a shotgun which caused a severe traumatic wound to the head. The evidence of his wife, family and business partner all supports his lack of suicidal intent. He was suffering adverse effects of medication he had recently been prescribed. She said she intended to draft a prevention of future deaths report, which would be sent to medical bodies. Mr Kingstons father, William Martin Kingston, broke down in tears as he described finding his son in the locked bathroom of a detached annexe, having used a crowbar to break down the door. He told the court his son had always had a strong, resilient character, having previously suffered from a pain condition which left him needing help to get up the stairs. He told the coroner that leading up to his sons death there did not appear to have been any searches for suicide, and no will or note was left, describing the method as very ragged which was simply out of character. Dr David Healy, a psychiatric medical expert who gave evidence to the hearing, said zopiclone could also cause anxiety, while sertraline and citalopram were both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and essentially the same. Dr Healy said Mr Kingstons complaints that sertraline was continuing to make him anxious was a sign SSRIs did not suit him, and he should not have been prescribed the same thing again. He said the guidelines and labels for SSRIs were not clear enough about going on the drugs in the first place, or what the effect could be when moving from one to another. We need a much more explicit statement saying that these drugs can cause people to commit suicide who wouldnt have otherwise, he said. Addressing the coroner, Martin Porter, counsel for the family, said: The family dont blame (his GP) Doctor Naunton Morgan, she was acting as good doctors do. But the question is whether there is sufficient advice to doctors on SSRIs. MasterChef Christmas specials axed. (BBC) (BBC) Allegations about Gregg Wallace's sexually inappropriate behaviour continue to shake the British TV world, with Celebrity MasterChef Christmas specials and Inside the Factory being axed from the BBC schedule the latest developments. It follows Melanie Sykes saying she quit TV after Celebrity MasterChef. Wallace best known for hosting MasterChef, MasterChef: The Professionals and Celebrity MasterChef on Monday apologised for his remark about "middle class women of a certain age" that No10 branded "inappropriate and misogynistic". The TV presenter, 60, stepped aside from MasterChef as the BBC investigate complaints about allegedly making inappropriate sexual comments during filming from 13 people over a 17-year period, as reported by BBC News. His lawyers have said, "It is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature. Gregg Wallace pictured this year on the red carpet. (Getty) (Dave Benett via Getty Images) Celebrity MasterChef Christmas specials axed Two Celebrity MasterChef Christmas specials have been pulled from the BBCs schedule. A BBC spokesperson said: As we have said, MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the chefs taking part and the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals is continuing as planned. "The celebrity Christmas specials are obviously a different type of show and in the current circumstances we have decided not to broadcast them." Three episodes of BBC Twos Inside the Factory, which are repeats, also are being pulled from the current BBC schedule. Melanie Sykes quit TV after experience with Gregg Wallace Melanie Sykes on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021. (BBC) (BBC) It comes as Melanie Sykes is the latest celebrity to speak out about Wallace's alleged behaviour on the set of MasterChef. The former presenter has said that an experience with Wallace led her to quit her screen career. Sykes who appeared in the 2021 series of Celebrity MasterChef alongside Penny Lancaster made an informal complaint about his behaviour on the show. Initially Sykes made comments in her autobiography Illuminated which was published last year and has now shared more of her thoughts on a video shared on YouTube. In her book, Illuminated: Autism & All The Things Ive Left Unsaid, Sykes wrote: "The MasterChef experience continued to be an eye-opener, and some unprofessional behaviour on set was jaw-dropping." She said Wallace told her Celebrity MasterChef would do a lot for her career but that couldn't have been further from her mind. Sykes wrote: "I didnt know what to say, so I smiled and said yes, but I was really thinking, Yes, you have finally helped me decide to end my television career once and for all. I was done." Read more: Melanie Sykes: My experience with Gregg Wallace led me to quit TV (The Telegraph, 5-min read) Richard Osman apologises for previously defending Wallace Richard Osman pictured in 2024. (Getty) (Jordan Pettitt - PA Images via Getty Images) In the wake of the news, Richard Osman has apologised for previously defending Wallace. Osman said on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast: "If I can start with a Mea culpa, because a while ago we talked about him, because he had that boring day in the life, and I stuck up for him because I think being boring is fine. "Also, I did ask around, and any show hes ever been on that Ive been involved with, everyone had nice things to say about him. So I was like, oh no, absolutely, its fine. Then you think, God, you must always be so careful. I did think, oh, hes just a big personality, and I hadnt heard stuff. "But now, listen, I definitively understand, I have heard stuff. I apologise for that." Read more: Richard Osman apologises for previously defending Gregg Wallace (The Telegraph, 2-min read) Former MasterChef contestant speaks out Gregg Wallace pictured alongside co-star John Torode on MasterChef franchise. (BBC) (BBC/Shine TV) Also speaking out, former 2011 MasterChef contestant Jackie Kearney said she decided to share her experience after Wallace's comment about "middle class women of a certain age". The contestant, who was a guest judge on the show from 2012 to 2017, said she had quite a lot of "exposure" to Wallace's behaviour on set. She was left feeling "humiliated" after Wallace allegedly made a lewd comment to her. Speaking on This Morning on Tuesday, she said: "That's why I decided to speak out because I just felt so angry at his criticising the women that had spoken out instead of just saying I'm really sorry that the things I said upset and humiliated you. "The last time I went back in 2017 he said one of the most crude and really upsetting things to me and it was about the context. I'd just published my second book, I was really proud of it. I brought a couple of copies in, I gave one to John, he was as ever a complete gentleman. "I went to give one to Gregg, there was production crew everywhere...I said, 'Hi Gregg, I've got a present for you. I don't know if I can say this on air...' He said, 'Oh, is it a present for my c**k?' I was so shocked, I felt like everyone was looking at me. I wanted to cry but I couldn't because it would add to the humiliation." Kearney also spoke about her experience on Sky News. Read more: Gregg Wallace comment left me crying with humiliation, former MasterChef contestant claims (Sky News, 6-min read) Gregg Wallace is 'unbelievably foolish', says Stephen Fry Stephen Fry called Gregg Wallace foolish. (Getty) (Ben Whitley - PA Images via Getty Images) Elsewhere on Tuesday, Stephen Fry said that Wallace was "unbelievably foolish" to publish a video over the weekend in which the MasterChef judge claimed the complaints came from a "handful of middle-class women of a certain age". Wallace has now apologised for the remark that sparked a backlash. Fry told Sky News Breakfast on Tuesday: "It was obviously unbelievably foolish of Gregg Wallace to make that video over the weekend. It really showed that he simply wasnt understanding. Even if he felt that hed been misunderstood himself, he could surely see that there were some women there who were truly hurt and had felt not listened to, and that he should first of all address that." The author and comedian has said men in TV must consider their "banter". He said: "I think if, by now, people who work in television, men who work in television, dont understand that light banter is no longer something that can be aired in ways unless they think hard about, is there a sort of victim or a stereotype at the root of this banter who might be hurt." Read more: Stephen Fry says men on TV must consider their banter amid Gregg Wallace row (PA, 5-min read) Should MasterChef be taken off air on BBC? The BBC iPlayer app on a smart TV, displaying an episode of Masterchef: The Professionals. (Getty) (Yui Mok - PA Images via Getty Images) The allegations have sparked a wider conversation over whether the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals should be pulled from the BBC. Labour politician Rupa Huq called to have MasterChef taken off air because she said the BBC show could be "massively triggering" for the women involved. On Tuesday, MP Jess Phillips has said she is "comfortable" with MasterChef continuing to air amid the investigation. She told BBC Breakfast: Gregg Wallace isnt the only person on MasterChef, if it was just the Gregg Wallace show, then I could understand that you would immediately go, yeah, just take it off the air. But it is a launchpad for quite a lot of young chefs. Its not for me to decide what the BBC chooses to air or not. The 16th episode of MasterChef: The Professionals aired on Monday. There are only 21 episodes in this series; it will also air on Tuesday and Thursday this week. Aldo Zilli pictured on the red carpet in 2023. (Getty) (Kate Green via Getty Images) Italian chef Aldo Zilli said MasterChef was looking "vulnerable" now but explained his reasoning as to why he doesn't think it should be taken off air. Speaking on This Morning on Tuesday, he said: "It's looking very vulnerable. But MasterChef's not just about Gregg Wallace, MasterChef is about people's lives. There's a lot of aspiring chefs on that show that it will change their life forever. "Taking it off air, apart from damaging a lot of people is not going to really help anything. Most important is the hospitality industry, we don't want to be seen to be these horrible, vile people that can treat women in kitchens in different ways. I certainly wouldn't allow that in my kitchen. It's not old days or new days, it's about respect for the people you work with." This article originally appeared on Yahoo TV UK at https://uk.news.yahoo.com/gregg-wallace-allegations-apology-masterchef-melanie-sykes-110417454.html A man who fell from a 192m-tall bridge in Spain while reportedly creating social media content died from head injuries, an inquest opening heard. Lewis Stevenson, 26, died on October 13 after he fell from the Castilla-La Mancha bridge outside Talavera de la Reina in Spain. Assistant coroner Sabyta Kaushal opened the inquest into his death at Derby Coroners Court on Tuesday and adjourned the hearing for further inquiries. Ms Kaushal told Mr Stevensons mother, who attended the hearing: I am opening the inquest into the death of Lewis Stevenson. He died on October 13 at the Castilla-La Mancha bridge in Spain. The inquest will now be adjourned for further investigations to be concluded. When it is concluded then the matter will be listed for a final hearing. The inquest was opened at Derby Coroners Court (Sophie Robinson/PA) She added that the cause of Mr Stevensons death has been recorded as blunt force head injuries after an uncontrolled descent from height. The graphics and print designer climbed the bridge to create content for social networks, according to Macarena Munoz, the citys councillor for citizen security. She described the fall as an unfortunate and sad outcome, but added that climbing the bridge is totally prohibited and which we have reiterated on many occasions cannot be done under any circumstances. The councillor said in the statement that Mr Stevenson had been accompanied by a 24-year-old English man at the time of the fall. The cable-stayed bridge, which is the tallest in Spain since it opened in 2011, crosses the Tagus River. French President Emmanuel Macron (pictured left) and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (right) have other things to worry about rather than Ukraine and trade - HANNIBAL HANSCHKE/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock France and Germany, the EUs two most influential countries, have gone missing just when Europe needs them most. Donald Trump will be back in the White House next month, bringing challenges on defence, Ukraine and trade, but Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz have other things to worry about. In Paris, the minority government brought in after summer snap elections is on the brink of collapse and faces a motion of no confidence after forcing through a budget without a vote. Emmanuel Macron cannot dissolve parliament again until June. He is left with the stark choice of appointing another short-lived government or resigning. Mr Macron retains responsibility for foreign policy but is a lame duck domestically and more master of ceremonies than master of his destiny. Donald Trump, right, is set to return to the White House next month, posing challenges for the EU on defence - POOL Germanys dysfunctional coalition government, meanwhile, collapsed after Olaf Scholz sacked his finance minister on Nov 5. The unpopular Chancellor, a man who could define prevarication if he ever got around to it, is a dead man walking before elections in February. Had he got his way, the vote would have been a month later. France and Germany are not like any other EU member state. Germany remains Europes largest economy. France is the EUs major military power. Both are founder members of a bloc created to stop them fighting another war against each other. When the engine of Paris and Berlin works together in Brussels, things happen. But its leaders are weak, engulfed in their own domestic political chaos and, in any case, do not really get on. Their standing is weakened by suspicions that Mr Scholz is running his campaign as the peace chancellor, undermining support for Ukraine, and the fact that France has broken EU fiscal rules. Europe needs leadership now. Mr Trump is threatening the EU with a trade war, and Washingtons aid to Ukraine appears certain to be cut, leaving it to Europe to plug the gap in aid and weapons. Mr Trump wants more European defence spending if US security guarantees against Russian aggression are to continue. Further complicating the matter is Ukraine, a candidate to join the EU, which is under building pressure to start peace talks with Russia. Rudderless Europe faces being on the sidelines of a deal that could redraw the security architecture of the continent. Finding huge sums for Ukraine, ramping up the European defence industry and developing a common defence and foreign policy will be hugely difficult. In times of crisis, EU governments have always looked to Paris and Berlin to provide the catalyst for breakthroughs in tough intergovernmental negotiations in Brussels. There are few alternatives. Giorgia Meloni is being talked up as a possible Trump whisperer in EU talks - Roberto Monaldo Ursula von der Leyen began her second five-year term as European Commission president on Dec 1. She has been an effective figurehead for the EUs Ukraine policy but wont be able to command all the blocs prime ministers and presidents in the European Council. Italys Georgia Meloni is being talked up as a possible Trump whisperer, but her Euroscepticism and hard-Right past damage her leadership credentials in Brussels. Mr Scholz is expected to be replaced by the centre-Right CDU leader Friedrich Merz in February. He comes from the same German party as Mrs von der Leyen and the two could form a powerful alliance. Mr Macron will make it a triumvirate after patching up relations with a commission president he played a key role in appointing for her first term. Mr Merz will first have to form a coalition government, and the EUs wheels turn slowly when it comes to reaching a common position. But Mr Trump has vowed to end the war in Ukraine as quickly as possible soon and impose tariffs on day one of his presidency. The new engine will have a lot of work to do to catch up. Members of Arizona for Abortion Access protest a 1864 abortion ban on 17 April 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. Photograph: Rebecca Noble/Getty Images Weeks after Arizona voters overwhelmingly passed a ballot measure to enshrine abortion rights into the state constitution, Arizonas attorney general, Kris Mayes, has agreed that the state will not enforce its 15-week abortion ban while a new lawsuit over the law plays out. The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday in Maricopa county superior court on behalf of Arizona abortion providers, argues that Arizonas 15-week ban is now unconstitutional and should be overturned. In legal documents signed by Mayes and that will be filed alongside the lawsuit after the court formally accepts the case, Arizona agreed with providers not to prosecute people under the ban until 30 days after the litigation has wrapped up a move that permits abortion providers in the state to resume performing abortions past 15 weeks of pregnancy. Related: Idahos abortion trafficking law partly revived by US appeals court For two years, physicians hands have been tied when a patient needs to end a pregnancy after 15 weeks, including when they face serious pregnancy complications. But today we can once again provide care to people who want to end their pregnancy, Dr Eric Reuss, one of the abortion providers who filed the lawsuit, said in a statement. We hope the courts will quickly recognize the harms of Arizonas ban and strike it down once and for all. The lawsuit marks the latest effort by advocates to make good on the pro-abortion rights ballot measures passed by seven states in the November elections. While these measures amended states constitutions to protect or expand abortion rights, they did not actually rewrite pre-existing state laws. Abortion restrictions must now be knocked down through litigation or legislation processes that take time and whose outcomes are far from guaranteed. Its up to other state actors to do the work of going back and making sure that Arizonas laws are in line with the really strong protections that are now in place in the constitution, Rebecca Chan, staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Reproductive Freedom Project, said in an interview. The national ACLU, the ACLU of Arizona, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the Center for Reproductive Rights and the law firm Perkins Coie are representing the plaintiffs in the Arizona lawsuit. Chan continued: Challenging the 15-week ban is really the first step to fulfilling the promise of that amendment and were really excited to see that ban gone. Over the last year, Arizona has been at the epicenter of numerous disputes over abortion rights. Last spring, the Arizona state supreme court agreed to let a 19th-century near-total abortion ban which dates back to before Arizona became a state take effect. That decision unleashed nationwide outrage and led the Republican-controlled state legislature to scramble to repeal the 19th-century law. Outside Arizona, voters also passed pro-abortion rights ballot measures in Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nevada and New York state. Planned Parenthood affiliates that operate in Missouri have already filed a lawsuit challenging the states near-total abortion ban as well as a slew of other restrictions on the procedure. Related: Tracking abortion laws across the United States A hearing in that case is scheduled for Wednesday. If all goes well for Planned Parenthood, the reproductive healthcare giant is expected to resume performing abortions in Missouri as soon as this week. Donald Trumps incoming administration may undermine the success of these ballot measures, since federal abortion restrictions could override state-level protections. Although Trump has flip-flopped on whether to implement a nationwide ban, activists have already started drawing up wishlists of stringent anti-abortion policies. There is absolutely the risk of a national abortion ban and there are many ways they may try to accomplish that, Chan said. But in this present moment, when that has not yet happened and at this moment it is not yet guaranteed that it will happen we do have this incredible opportunity to really effectuate this very, very strong protection that Arizona voters were emphatic that they wanted. Aleppo Last week, apparently catching the world by surprise, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebels launched a surprise offensive against government-controlled positions in northwestern Syria. Within 72 hours, incredibly, they had expelled Assads troops from large swathes of Aleppo. HTSs triumph restored a rebel presence to Aleppo for the first time in eight years and paved the way for the unfreezing of the Syrian Civil War. Predictably, Russian fighter jets supporting their ally, Assad responded by bombing rebel-held areas of Aleppo and Idlib. Iran-aligned Kataib Hezbollah and Fatemiyoun militias also joined the fight on the dictators behalf. Regardless of what Russia and Iran do next, HTSs attack has shattered the mirage of authoritarian stability that allows Assad to repress Syrians with impunity. For Putin, Assads vulnerability is an especially bitter pill to swallow. Russian jets and Wagner Group mercenaries arrived in Syria in 2015 and helped Assad turn the tide of the civil war. It was brutal, but effective. The Kremlin successfully advertised its Syrian model of counterinsurgency to African countries like Central African Republic and Mali that faced spiralling threats of transnational terrorism. The decisive success of Russias military intervention convinced its historic foe Saudi Arabia to engage with Moscow and immeasurably bolstered Russian great power status in the Middle East. But Russias triumph in Syria was always premised on myths. Although Putin insisted that Russia played a vital role in decapitating the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIS) and al-Qaeda, more than 90% of its airstrikes targeted Syrian rebels who were unaffiliated with either terror group. The February 2018 Battle of Khasham irreparably tarnished the Wagner Groups image of strength, as 200 of its mercenaries perished at the hands of the US military. Now the biggest myth of all, the stabilisation of Syria, has been eviscerated. To add salt to Russias wounds, Assads travails are partly the product of Moscows own grave miscalculations. Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine forced to incrementally divert military resources from Syria. Su-25 fighter jets and a S-300 air defense system were redeployed to the Ukraine frontlines. As experienced Russian forces in Syria were reassigned to Ukraine and some Wagner Group mercenaries did not integrate with the Russian Armed Forces after Yevgeny Prigozhins ill-fated June 2023 mutiny, the Kremlins capacity to protect Assad diminished. Assad turned to Iranian forces to replace the departed Russian troops. Everything seemed stable until Hamass October 7 terrorist attack against Israel and the outbreak of the Gaza War. Israel regularly struck the Damascus and Aleppo airports, as they provided infrastructural support for Iranian arms smuggling, and Russias engagement with Hamas and Hezbollah destroyed established communications channels with Israel on strikes on Syria. Russia diverted scarce personnel to nine observation points in the Syrian-controlled Golan Heights and IRGC commanders repeatedly found themselves in the line of fire. This created a security vacuum for HTS to exploit. While the West cheers on Russias miscues, they do not paper over the disastrous consequences of its disengagement from Syria. After Assad brutally recaptured Aleppo in 2016, the West abandoned the Syrian rebels that it had supported since 2011. The US retained economic sanctions against Syria and thwarted reconstruction investments by signing Caesar Syrian Civilian Protections Act in 2019. These measures were inadequately enforced. Assads allies created a labyrinth of front companies to shield themselves from Syrias economic collapse and retain power. The Wests attitude of resignation encouraged its Arab partners to give up the fight against Assad. As Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain normalised relations with Damascus, Assad escaped from regional isolation. The final straw was Assads reinstatement in the Arab League, which ushered the path for Saudi Arabias reconciliation with Syria and a potential Syria-Turkey thaw. As the Syrian oppositions moderate core disintegrated and its one-time allies deserted its cause, HTS has assumed the torch of the Arab Spring revolutionaries who so bravely defied Assad in 2011. To cede the anti-Assad fight to a group that has been intertwined with al-Qaeda for most of its existence and champions Popular Jihad is a humiliating capitulation for the West. As Syrias semi-frozen civil war threatens to reignite, the West has an unexpected chance to rectify these historical mistakes. The time is now for the West to develop some moral fibre in the face of HTS terrorism and Assads brutality. Greenpeace Australia Pacifics general counsel Katrina Bullock said events like Cop had not led to the ambition we need to secure a safe climate for humanity. Photograph: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images Australia has been accused of undermining its Pacific neighbours in a landmark international legal case after it argued that high-emitting countries are not obliged to act on the climate crisis beyond their commitments under the 2015 Paris agreement. In the case before the UNs international court of justice (ICJ), Vanuatu is leading an argument brought by several Pacific nations and developing states including Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu that developed countries have a legal responsibility beyond existing UN frameworks. The case does not specify the names of countries that would fall under the definition of high emitters. The hearing, which began on Monday, follows years of campaigning by a group of law students from Pacific island countries and a unanimous UN general assembly resolution calling on the ICJ to provide an advisory opinion on what obligations states have to tackle climate change and what the legal consequences could be if they dont. Related: The Cop29 agreement failed island states. Now the UNs top court must act on climate harm | Ralph Regenvanu Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatus special envoy for climate change and environment, told the Peace Palace in The Hague, that responsibility for the climate crisis lay with a handful of readily identifiable states that had produced the majority of greenhouse gas emissions, but stood to lose the least from rising sea levels and extreme weather events. In its submissions, the Australian government said it was resolutely committed to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris agreement, which set a goal of trying to keep global heating since preindustrial times well below 2C and as close as possible to 1.5C. It said the agreements were the central instruments for global cooperation to tackle the grave challenge of climate change, and international legal requirements had already been considered when they were negotiated. Most states recognised a responsibility to prevent transboundary harm damage from pollution that crosses international borders but Australia and other parties did not agree that the principle applied to damage caused by greenhouse gas emissions. The countrys solicitor-general, Stephen Donaghue, said Australias view was that the UNFCCC and the Paris agreement had been widely adopted, and that customary international law should not extend beyond those frameworks. Despite this, the general counsel for the Australian attorney general, Jesse Clarke, said the country applauded Vanuatus leadership in driving forward on the climate crisis. Climate change poses the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security, and wellbeing of the peoples of small island states, including Pacific island states, Clarke said. Australia acknowledges the extent of the challenge posed by climate change, and recognises that ambitious individual and collective action must be undertaken urgently. But Greenpeace Australia Pacifics general counsel, Katrina Bullock, said Australias submissions completely undermined its Pacific neighbours and its position was fundamentally flawed. Related: How can News Corp call its gas splash an exclusive and a special report when its paid for by industry? | Adam Morton The UNFCCC and the Paris agreement were created to protect people, not to shield states like Australia from accountability. Compliance with these treaties is necessary, but not sufficient to safeguard human rights and the environment, she said. The global annual conference of the parties, Cop, has shown us negotiation spaces where wealthy developed countries can call the shots have not led to the ambition we need to secure a safe climate for humanity. Where political negotiations have failed, the court must not. The Australia Institutes strategic director, Leanne Minshull, said the UN general assembly request for the ICJ to give its opinion on countries climate obligations showed a significant number of nations were not satisfied with the existing multi-lateral agreements. Listening to the oral pleadings of Australia, and its consistent referral to existing multilateral agreements, it felt as though they were saying to the court relax, we already have this under control, she said. Whether its Australians facing a climate-fuelled cost-of-living crisis or a Pacific islander watching their country be washed away, ordinary people understand we dont have this under control. As an Australian, I would have liked to hear our government plead a case that looked for global solutions rather than rely on sophistry to limit our legal obligations to ourselves and others. The ICJ hearing runs for two weeks, with a judgment expected next year. The courts advisory opinions are not binding, but experts say its assessment in this case will be referred to as an authoritative document in future climate litigation and during international climate negotiations. Breyten Breytenbach: he spoke truth to power in his writing but was less successful as a clandestine operative, his disguise amounting to little more than shaving off his beard and wearing different spectacles - Louis MONIER/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images Breyten Breytenbach, who has died aged 85, was a South African poet, painter and political activist writing within the Afrikaner culture, who despite living in Paris for many years became a rallying point for South African dissidents. His literary fame was increased by his political role, but he was anyway one of the most significant postwar writers in Afrikaans, a member of the group of Sestigers (Sixtiers) who modernised the modern Akrikaner literary consciousness in the 1960s. His rise was rapid and he won numerous prizes in South Africa, including one in 1976 when he was in prison. He was also a painter of merit, inspired by Goya and Bosch: his first solo exhibition was in Edinburgh in 1962, followed by many others in Europe (including two during his imprisonment), most notably at the Galerie Espace in Amsterdam. In 1994 he exhibited in South Africa and in 1997 in Hong Kong. His magnum opus was The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist, his masterly account of his time on the run and in jail. He had been imprisoned unjustly for seven years, and the book was his revenge. The New York Times review said it seems to have been ripped from his entrails. Mocking and sensitive, off-hand and bombastic, mystical and raging he has no time here for the classical virtues of proportion or restraint it is a book that is almost defiantly unaesthetic. Breytenbach wrote many moving and passionate love poems, but was never afraid of using his poetry to castigate white South Africa. He co-founded the Sestigers movement with Andre Brink; the aim was to promote Afrikaans as a literary language and use it to speak truth to power. One literary critic described it as a cultural revolt within the heart of Afrikanerdom. True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist Breyten Breytenbach was born in Bonnievale, Western Cape, on September 16 1939. His father was a prosperous farmer and shopkeeper, while his older brother Jan went on to join the South African army. The family moved to Wellington, near Cape Town, and Breyten was head boy at the Huguenot High School. From 1957 to 1959 he studied at the Michaelis School of Fine Art in Cape Town but dropped out to move to Europe. He packed cardboard boxes in a London factory, worked as a porter at Euston Station, taught in a Berlitz language school in Norway and spent nine months cooking on a yacht in the Mediterranean before settling in Paris. There, he started writing and painting, and first became involved in political activity. He married the daughter of Vietnams ambassador to France, Ngo Thi Hoang Lien, known as Yolande, in 1962, and remained based in Paris until his imprisonment in South Africa in 1975. In 1964 he published his first poetry collection, Die ysterkoei moet sweet (The Iron Cow Must Sweat), which had a profound influence on Afrikaans literature, but he was deeply critical of his fellow Afrikaner writers who turned a blind eye to the iniquities of apartheid. His exile lasted so long because he and Yolande were unable to visit South Africa as she was non-white, meaning that they could not live together, or even travel in the same railway carriage. In 1968 they were allowed to set foot on South African soil from a tourist ship for eight hours, then in 1973 Yolande was finally granted a visa, and they returned for three months travelling round in a caravan, as mixed-race couples were barred from hotels. As Breytenbach described in his book A Season in Paradise, during their trip they were followed around by the security police. Breytenbach in Paris, 1989 - julio donoso/Sygma via Getty Images In 1975 he went back clandestinely, posing as a Frenchman, to find recruits for an obscure revolutionary group named Okhela (a Zulu word meaning burn, spark or ignite). But his cover was blown, and he was arrested at Johannesburg Airport in August 1975 after checking in for a flight to Rome. He had been followed almost continuously, exposing his contacts, but he was not ostracised, presumably on the basis that he had been unlucky and amateurish rather than treacherous. The operation had indeed been incompetent. Breytenbachs disguise had been inadequate it amounted to shaving off his beard and wearing different spectacles and he held meetings with old friends. It transpired that the security police had known about his visit before he landed in the country and had even facilitated the issuing of a visa in his assumed identity. At his trial he made a full confession and publicly apologised to the prime minister John Vorster for his poem Brief uit die vreemde aan slagter (Letter from Abroad to the Butcher), having been assured that he would thereby receive a light sentence, but the authorities reneged on the deal and he was sentenced to nine years under the Terrorism Act the first time a major literary figure had been imprisoned in the country. Two years later he was tried again on a further 17 charges, including the accusation that he had tried to recruit a prison warder to the cause, which would have made him eligible for the death penalty. Looking shrunken and ill, he was defended by lawyers battle-hardened by political trials, and he was acquitted of everything except smuggling letters and poems out of prison, for which he was fined R50 (about 30 at the time). The judge found that there was no evidence that Okhela even existed in South Africa. Danielle Mitterrand and Breytenbach in 1989 with Ernest Malajas, who was detained for 19 years in jail in South Africa - PIERRE VERDY/AFP In Pretoria Central Prison he was kept in the execution block: You could always hear the singing of those who were condemned to death, he said. He was not allowed to attend his mothers funeral, and in 1978 the Minister of Prisons confirmed in Parliament that he had refused two publishers permission to include a photograph of Breytenbach in school poetry books. In 1982 he was freed partly thanks to pressure from the French president, Francois Mitterrand on the condition that he left the country. Though he loved the Afrikaans language, the following year he said he had given up describing himself as Afrikaner because of the toxic political connotations. In 1984 he published his masterly The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist. He gave few details about Okhela, though he did reveal that he had tried to recruit his fellow activist Steve Biko, who was murdered by security officers in 1977. In 1987 Breytenbach was refused permission to visit his ageing father, and again in February 1988 after he had been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of the Western Cape. Two months later he was allowed to go back to receive a literary award. In his acceptance speech he upset the organisers by stating that Afrikanerdoms chief contribution to world literature had been to build a monument to racism. In July 1989 he was allowed to spend four days with his father. He had become a special adviser to Francois Mitterands wife Danielle, and in 1987 they organised the Paris end of the Dakar Conference, an initiative that brought together the exiled ANC and prominent white South Africans. Return to Paradise Breytenbachs 1993 book Return to Paradise chronicled his experiences in post-apartheid South Africa but conveyed a deep pessimism about the countrys prospects. The book may not be particularly uplifting, the Telegraph critic wrote, but it has the mesmerising quality of a nightmare sculpted by Salvador Dali. He became a vocal critic of Nelson Mandelas government and believed that the ANC had become a corrupt organisation. Breytenbach was a visiting professor at the University of Cape Town from 2000 to 2003. In France he was appointed a Chevalier of the Legion dhonneur. Breyten Breytenbach married Yolande Ngo Thi Hoang Lien in 1962; she survives him with their daughter. Breyten Breytenbach, born September 16 1939, died November 24 2024 British Steel could be nationalised - British Steel The nationalisation of British Steel is being considered by government ministers, The Telegraph can reveal. It comes amid tension over the amount of UK investment being demanded by the companys Chinese owners. Taking either part or the whole of the company into state ownership is understood to be on the table as a back-up option if the talks collapse. The move would be a symbolic reversal of Margaret Thatchers decision to privatise British Steel in 1988. Since coming to power, Sir Keir Starmer has extended the reach of the state, announcing plans to nationalise the railways and exploring more Government involvement in the water industry. The British steel industry has been in decline for decades. It employed a quarter of a million people in the late 1970s but that had fallen to 23,000 by 2022, according to parliamentary research. It now accounts for 0.1 per cent of the UKs economic output. The disappearance of British Steel would leave the UK even more reliant on steel imports from China, and MPs across the political spectrum have warned about the danger of over-dependence on Beijing. A Whitehall source familiar with plans confirmed that nationalisation was an option being considered, but insisted other outcomes were preferred. The Whitehall insider said: It is one of several options being looked at. We would have been negligent not to look at it. But it is the least attractive option. We would be talking substantial sums of money to buy not very much. A Business Department spokesman declined to rule out renationalisation but said the Government has no plans for the move. Claire Coutinho, the shadow energy secretary, warned against the change. She said: Labour cant expect the British taxpayer to pick up the bill for every industry they make uncompetitive. However, the move has been backed by trade unions, with GMB, one of Labours biggest donors, arguing that steel production is vital to the UKs national interests and calling for Sir Keir to go for nationalisation. Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, a national officer with the trade union GMB, said: Recent history has shown we must retain control over crucial industries like steel. Leaving domestic production to the whims of the open market is sheer folly. Critics of nationalisation argue that taxpayers should not have to bail out another beleaguered industry - Steve Morgan Rather than forking out billions of taxpayer cash to reward private sector failure, the money should be used to renationalise our once proud steel sector. Sharon Graham, the general secretary of Unite, which this year has given more than half a million pounds to Labour MPs, said: Unite has long argued that steel should be designated as a critical infrastructure area of the UK economy. It is vital that our steel industry has a plan for the future that includes more jobs and new technology. The Government being an investor of first resort is an important first step. Previous governments have sold the family silver and now most of our critical infrastructure is owned by other countries or companies outside the UK. The Business Department is currently locked in talks with representatives from Jingye Group, the Chinese company that bought British Steel in 2020. The negotiations are focused on the future of the steelworks at Scunthorpe and plans to replace its two blast furnaces, which run on fossil fuels, with an electric arc furnace. Multiple sources close to the negotiations have told The Telegraph that there is frustration with Jingye for supposedly demanding that the Government largely pays for the construction. The claim has been rebutted by British Steel sources who argue that they have proposed to split the cost estimated to be around 1 billion with the Government. Government figures have also grown frustrated with Jingye more widely, claiming its plans often change and that there are suspicions of differing interests between managers and shareholders. Time is running out for a deal. Enough resources to keep Scunthorpes blast furnaces running have only been purchased to the end of January, according to multiple well-placed sources. British Steel has around 5,500 employees whose jobs would be at risk if the company collapsed. Replacing the blast furnaces with an electronic blast furnace is already risking around 2,000 jobs. There could also be knock-on implications for British national security. Scunthorpe is the only site that makes virgin steel in the UK, used to build navy ships and energy infrastructure. Jingye Group, British Steels owner, wants the Government to pay for two new blast furnaces - British Steel The latest negotiations are understood to have also seen Jingye drop their plans to also build a second electric arc furnace on Teesside, in a blow to the area. Proposals for the construction on the site of Redcars old blast furnace steelworks, which closed in 2015, had been given planning permission earlier this year. Labour figures were fiercely critical of the Conservatives for failing to support the UK steel industry during their 14 years in office, promising more backing if they won office. Finding a resolution to the talks remains the Governments primary focus. Backup options include temporary or full-time public ownership, finding a new owner or putting the company into administration. A Business Department spokesman played down the likelihood of nationalisation, saying: We have no plans to nationalise British Steel. Were working across government in partnership with trade unions and businesses to secure a green steel transition thats right for the workforce, represents a good investment for taxpayers and safeguards the future of the steel industry in Britain. Ms Coutinho said: Ed Milibands ideological approach to decarbonisation means Labour will be cheering even as the lights go out on British industry. The only winner from this approach will be coal-powered China. A British Steel spokesperson said: We are in ongoing discussions with the government about our decarbonisation plans and the future operations of our UK business. While progress continues, no final decisions have been made. KTRK ABC13 anchor Jacob Rascon Courtesy Jacob Rascon KTRK/ABC13 news anchor Jacob Rascon is leaving the station, according to Mike McGuff's local media blog. His last day will be after his newscast on Dec. 13. According to McGuff, Rascon has sent a farewell email to colleagues. No word on where Rascon will land next though, when reached for comment, he confirmed he is leaving ABC13 but is not leaving Houston. Rascon, the son of former ABC13 anchor Art Rascon, spent much of his youth in the Houston area before going to college in Utah and starting a broadcast career that began at KFOX in El Paso and then continued at KNBC in Los Angeles. He went national with NBC News in October 2014 where he became part of the network's team of political correspondents covering the 2016 presidential election. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In 2017, he gave up his network gig and returned to Houston for a slot at KPRC/2 where was a reporter who also anchored on weekend mornings. "I realized pretty quickly that I didn't really need to be there," he told the Chronicle in 2018 about his network stint. "When I was in college, I told myself, 'I'm going to work as a network correspondent someday.' And I got there. I was happy, but I didn't need it. Some people, it seems like they need it. It's like an addiction. Big story after big story after big story. And they have to be there but at the expense of family, oftentimes. There aren't many correspondents with kids or married for that reason, probably." ABC-13/KTRK anchor Art Rascon passes his legacy onto his son, Jacob Rascon, who joins the station as a new anchor and reporter in January 2022. Courtesy of ABC-13 He moved to ABC13 in January, 2022 where his first day was his dad's last day at the station. They even anchored the 11 a.m. newscast together. People ask us how we orchestrated being at the same station, but we didnt," Jacob told the Chronicle in 2022. "Theres no way we couldve planned this out. (ABC-13) wasnt looking for a replacement for dad, they just needed another male anchor and were excited about having a three-person team, kind of like Good Morning America. I didnt even tell dad I was in the middle of the interview process until I realized it could work out. Liberal Democrat Sarah Olney - CHRISTOPHER FURLONG/GETTY IMAGES The House of Commons backed using proportional representation (PR) at general elections in a surprise symbolic vote on Tuesday. Almost 60 Labour MPs supported a plan put forward by Sarah Olney, a Liberal Democrat frontbencher, to reform how the voting system works. The vote on Ms Olneys Bill was not binding and will do nothing to change the electoral system unless the Government decides to support the proposals. But it shows the strength of feeling among many of Sir Keir Starmers backbenchers and reinforces long-standing divisions in Labour on the issue. British elections use the first past the post system across 650 constituencies. Voters back a single candidate and each seat is won by the party with the most votes. The system heavily favours larger parties to the detriment of smaller ones. At the general election in July, Labour won 63 per cent of seats with just under 34 per cent of the vote. Reform UK picked up five seats despite winning more than four million votes, while the Liberal Democrats won 72 seats with just over 3.5 million votes. Under a PR system, the distribution of seats nationwide corresponds much more closely with the proportion of votes cast for each party. Labour backbenchers who supported a switch to PR include Stella Creasy, who served as a minister under Ed Miliband. Alex Sobel and Clive Lewis, who have campaigned heavily on the issue, were also in favour. The Government frontbench, which includes all ministers, whips and parliamentary private secretaries, were instructed to abstain on the vote. Labour backbenchers were given a free vote by the whips. The vote means the Elections (Proportional Representation) Bill introduced by Ms Olney could have a second reading on any Friday when MPs are sitting. However, this is unlikely because the private members Bills that were selected in a ballot at the start of each session have a higher chance of being debated in the Commons. This year, these include Kim Leadbeaters assisted dying Bill, which passed its second reading last week as MPs in principle agreed to legalise the practice for terminally ill adults. The next steps of the Elections Bill could also be voted on by the Commons if it was put forward by the Liberal Democrats on one of their designated Opposition Days. If the Labour Government wanted to, it could also make legislative time for the Bill in order to ensure a vote on it. Sir Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, said: MPs have voted for Sarah Olneys Bill to introduce proportional representation. This is a crucial step towards fixing our broken electoral system and ensuring every vote counts. Sir Keir ruled out supporting electoral reform in Labours general election manifesto despite the partys annual conference voting to support electoral reform in 2022. He is also unlikely to change his mind on the issue after the current first past the post system gave Labour a far greater share of seats in the Commons than its share of the popular vote. In an interview with ITV News after his landslide victory, Sir Keir said first past the post was the right system. He said: It has given a strong government in this country, and we are not making any changes to it. Last month, a new All-Party Parliamentary Group for Fair Elections was launched by Mr Sobel, the Labour MP for Leeds Central and Headingley. He railed against the most disproportionate result in British history and urged the Government to launch a national commission for electoral reform. Changing the voting system is backed by the Liberal Democrats, Reform and the Greens, all of whom would likely have fared better in July under a more representative system. In attempting to declare martial law, South Koreas president, Yoon Suk Yeol, sought to awaken ghosts that the rest of the country thought had been laid to rest for good. The last time martial law was declared, in 1980, hundreds of people were killed by the military dictator Chun Doo-hwan, who sent protesters to a concentration camp for purificatory education. In the course of his meteoric rise to power from prosecutor to president, Yoon outraged much of the country by making complimentary remarks about Chun, claiming three years ago that many people thought the general had done well in politics apart from his coup and the crushing of protests. Yoon, a lawyer and political neophyte, was forced to issue an apology and visited the memorial in Gwangju to the biggest massacre of the Chun era, but many of his critics were sceptical about the sincerity of his retraction. They were also alarmed by Yoons promotion to senior positions of members of the countrys New Right Movement, which combines a commitment to free market economics with a revisionist view of the Japanese colonial era and its earlier periods of dictatorship. Yoons short-lived declaration of martial law appears to have been a desperate gamble in the face of rock-bottom public popularity with positive ratings barely over 10% in the midst of a doctors strike and staunch political opposition, increasingly including his own People Power party, whose leader, Han Dong-hoon, said the move was a wrong move. Yoon may have thought that his nostalgia for authoritarianism would resonate with at least some of the South Korean political spectrum, but the unanimous vote in the national assembly to overturn his declaration, including by his own party, suggests he miscalculated. Within hours, he was forced to back down, and martial law was formally lifted after a cabinet meeting. John Nilsson-Wright, the head of Cambridge Universitys Japan and Koreas programme, said: The fact that hes acted this way I dont think really reflects any strong nostalgia on the part of the right for the authoritarian style of leadership. I think its a reflection of Yoons personality. The political momentum was already seeping away from the president, which may be why he decided to act in this way. But it was a foolhardy and deeply misguided decision, and I suspect it will have backfired, if the early indicators are anything to go by. The unknown quantity is the military. After forces were sent in to the assembly, there were reports on Tuesday that at least some of those troops were being withdrawn, though the military leadership reportedly announced that it would maintain martial law until it was told otherwise. The army chief of staff, Gen Park An-su, declared a ban on all political activities and the imposition of military control on all news media and publications, but those declarations were entirely ignored. The national assembly was in ferment, the streets filled with protesters and Koreas robust news organisations continued to report events as they unfolded. It is unclear whether Parks initial pronouncements arose from sheer uncertainty about the constitutional legality of such an unprecedented situation or genuine enthusiasm for a coup. In his late night address, Yoon said that troops would return to their barracks, but historically, armies that have tasted political power are rarely entirely cured of the bug. Yoons invocation of a foreign threat, in the form of North Korean communist forces and their supposed sympathisers in the South, appear flimsy in the extreme, but carried with it the risk of becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. In Pyongyang, Kim Jong-un is enjoying a resurgence, rescued from complete isolation by Vladimir Putins desperate need for military aid in Ukraine. It seems highly likely that he will seek to exploit Seouls hour of weakness. Any aggressive move from the North could provide retrospective justification for Yoon and the military. For a president who has focused so much on South Koreas international reputation, this makes South Korea look very unstable, Mason Richey, a professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul told Reuters. This will have a negative effect on financial and currency markets and South Koreas diplomatic place in the world. Sir Keir Starmer gave a major foreign policy speech during the annual Lord Mayors Banquet on Monday - Carl Court/Getty Images Europe If the EU seriously wishes to draw Britain closer into its commercial and political sphere, it will have to tear up the post-Brexit script and abandon the punitive pedantry of the last eight years. Otherwise it risks letting Washington swoop in and carry away what is still the worlds sixth biggest economy and a critical swing-player in the global contest for regulatory dominance. Brussels may discover that the Labour Party is less in thrall to EU nostalgia and more Bevanite than superficial opinion might suggest. The idea that we must choose between our allies, that somehow were with either America or Europe, is plain wrong, said Sir Keir Starmer at the Lord Mayors Banquet. I reject it utterly. Attlee did not choose between allies. Interpret that how you wish but his praise for Donald Trump was a warning to the Labour Movement for Europe that Sir Keir is not going to roll over and submit to EU satellite status without voting rights. The Prime Minister and David Lammy have courted Trumps inner circle with a persistence that ought to give pause in Brussels. Labour is pressing ahead with free trade deals around the world, praising Britains accession this month to the Pacific-Latin America trade pact (CPTPP) as a great chance, and reopening trade talks with India enthusiastically. Each deal precludes rejoining the EU single market, a point that some seem to have trouble understanding. Each new one also heads off dynamic alignment with EU rules yet further. It has been my view for months that Labour would pursue a mid-Atlantic strategy, and also that it would be easier to bargain with Donald Trump than with Joe Biden, who was never going to do trade deals with anybody. Trump is surrounding himself with economic appointees who can loosely be described as pro-British. Jamieson Greer, his pick for trade chief, wants America to pursue closer bilateral deals with countries that are geopolitically aligned, listing the UK as a good start. The Heritage Foundations Project 2025 is explicit, saying trade with the post-Brexit UK needs urgent development before London slips back into the orbit of the EU. Trump is packing his team with the key authors of this document. A Brexit enthusiast is to head the National Economic Council. Kevin Hassett is a free-trading champion of reciprocal tariffs: they do it to you, you retaliate in equal measure. It is a variant of the escalate to de-escalate strategy expounded by incoming treasury secretary, Scott Bessent. Britain could be tangled up in this we have 10pc tariffs on cars, the US has 2.5pc tariffs (why not just get rid of the tariffs?) but overall trade with the US is roughly balanced. It is the EU that raises Trumps blood pressure, with a structural bilateral surplus heading for $230bn this year. It is impossible to predict how Trump will behave but he might well relish drawing the UK away from the EU, and might even cut some slack on the most neuralgic aspects of farm trade. Note that the US has been running a trade deficit in agricultural goods for several years, rising to a record $40bn this year. It no longer produces enough to feed itself. The presumption that US farm goods would flood Britain is one of the many outdated myths that pollute this debate. In short, Labour is pursuing a non-aligned trade policy that seeks the freest exchange that is reasonably possible with the whole world. It is the CPTPP spirit. It is not pursuing EU alignment. The EU should stop thinking it can trickle out concessions in exchange for what it deems to be good behaviour, and should stop dishing out lectures on cherry-picking. It is in no fit state to impose terms on anybody. The European project has failed as an economic experiment. This brutal truth has yet to percolate through all Labour ranks or shift what one might loosely call the BBC narrative, but the facts are so staggering that it must soon intrude on internal British politics. The eurozone has seen hardly any growth for a quarter century. Per capita GDP in the EU as a whole is $40,800 compared to $81,700 in the US. The EUs Draghi report says real disposable income per person has grown almost twice as fast in America since 2000. Europe is stuck in a static industrial structure, says the report. From my angle of view covering the world economy, the EU looks like a mid-tech backwater at risk of accelerating decline. It has no credible answer to this and is mostly making matters worse. It has killed Europes nascent AI industry by treating it as a threat. The US and the UK are running away with nuclear fusion while the EU argues over how safe it is. Europe is driving away its AI-tech start-ups. The Northvolt bankruptcy confirms that Europe cannot build batteries at viable cost. The EU is a generation behind China on electric vehicles. Its plan to double the EUs share of global semiconductor output to 20pc by 2030 is a delusional bet on yesterdays technology. Its hydrogen strategy is misdirected towards the wrong goals and is certain to be an exorbitant white elephant, perpetuating the EUs energy crisis instead of solving it. Brussels is the kiss of death to everything it touches. There is absolutely no future for the UK in betting on that obsolete model. Let us turn the debate around: it is the EU that faces a hard choice avoided until now. It will have to decide whether to persist in treating the UK as an apostate on probation or treat it as a sovereign state on equal terms. If the latter, it can start to deliver this immediately by for example granting mutual recognition of conformity assessment, allowing bodies in the UK to test and certify products heading for the EU market. That is a normal courtesy. It exists in EU trade deals with Australia, Israel or Canada. The refusal to grant this in the Brexit deal was a hostile act one of many (dont get me started on Galileo, ITER, etc). If Brussels wants to avoid solidifying a London-New York-Singapore triple dominion over global finance, it would be well-advised to stop denying the UK equivalence in financial services right now. The UK in turn should apply to join the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention (PEM). It creates a common rules of origin club between the EU, North Africa, the Levant, the Balkans, Ukraine and Georgia, allowing for diagonal cumulation in meeting content rules. Its the most obvious low-hanging fruit. It makes it much easier to take advantage of the free trade agreement and it has no effect on sovereignty, said Professor Lorand Bartels, chairman of the UK Trade and Agriculture Commission. If Brussels is difficult over this, there is little point even talking to them. In the end there are limits. The doctrinal sanctity of the EU single market gets in the way of everything. Brussels has just created the new post of defence commissioner, putting the whole area of military procurement and defence cooperation under the EUs law-making machinery. Did the European Commission realise that this would push Britain further into the arms of America? One day there will be a post-mortem debate within EU policy circles: how did they lose Britain over Brexit, and how did they compound the error by losing a pro-European Labour Government? Rev Dr Jo Bailey Wells was found by review to have failed to act sufficiently on concerns about Smyth The Archbishop of Canterburys former chaplain has become the first serving bishop to step back from her role after a report into the Churchs handling of a child sexual abuse scandal. The Bishop for Episcopal Ministry in the Anglican Communion, the Right Rev Dr Jo Bailey Wells, was asked to step away from ministry after the publication of a review into the Anglican clergys failure to stop the serial child abuser John Smyth. On Tuesday morning, the Diocese of London confirmed that Bishop Dr Bailey Wells had been asked to temporarily pause her ministry pending a safeguarding risk assessment. A spokesman for the diocese told The Telegraph that the local safeguarding team would work on this assessment with the Churchs national safeguarding team. On Nov 7, a review led by former social services director Keith Makin found that Smyth, a barrister and Christian youth camp leader, abused up to 130 boys across three countries before his death in 2018 in Cape Town. The Makin Report concluded that he was never brought to justice after the Archbishop of Canterbury and other clergy failed to take sufficient action when concerns were raised. John Smyth abused up to 130 boys across three countries - UNPIXS The national safeguarding team is reviewing a list of clergy named in the report to decide whether they pose an ongoing risk and if they ought to be disciplined. While the Most Rev Justin Welby is the only member of clergy to have resigned over the scandal, Bishop Dr Bailey Wells is the eighth church official to step away from ministry. The retired Bishop of Durham, the Right Rev Paul Butler, has been asked to step back while the Church investigates what he knew about Smyths abuses in 2015. As the Archbishops personal chaplain at Lambeth Palace in 2013, the review found that Bishop Dr Bailey Wells failed to act sufficiently on concerns about Smyth. Explaining her inaction, the bishop told reviewers that safeguarding was not part of her remit and suggested that concerns raised with her were not remarkable. On Aug 2 2013 Bishop Dr Bailey Wells received a safeguarding referral from the then Bishop of Ely, the Right Rev Mr Stephen Conway, detailing a serious historic safeguarding situation. The Makin Review detailed how Bishop Dr Bailey Wells failed to follow up on this referral with the police. Instead, she told Bishop Conway she would, according to the review, leave it to the diocese to pursue and take no further action until the police had provided further advice. The reviewers found this advice never came and there was no evidence she followed this up. Bishop Dr Bailey Wells told reviewers that she had been extremely busy at the time and that safeguarding referrals were coming into Lambeth Palace very regularly, with a frequency of one every couple of weeks. She claimed that the referral regarding Smyth was not particularly remarkable within this context of such a volume of referrals coming in. Referral was remarkable Mr Makin and his team disputed this statement, saying that: The referral should have stood out as being remarkable at least three victims were known of, with a further number (around five or six) having been referenced by a victim. In an interview with the national safeguarding team, the bishop suggested that safeguarding was not a formal part of her role as Chaplain to the Archbishop. The Makin Review again disputed this assertion, stating that it runs counter to the important maxim that safeguarding is everyones business. It found that: Fundamentally, the diocese was expected to follow safeguarding procedures but there was no oversight from Lambeth Palace, even though they had been alerted. This is all the more surprising, given that Lambeth Palace had been told of, and had acknowledged, that Justin Welby may have a connection with John Smyth. In a statement following the publication of the review, Dr Bailey Wells said she was appalled by the abuse perpetrated by Smyth and that she recognised the immense courage of victims who came forward. She added: When I was asked to bring this matter to his attention I had confidence that it was being overseen elsewhere, and part of a police investigation. I was not aware of the nature or extent of the allegations. I regret that I did not do more to verify the assurances given or query assumptions. The Right Rev Dr Bailey Wells currently also serves as Deputy Secretary General at the Anglican Communion Office in London. The Anglican Communion confirmed Bishop Bailey Wells will not be travelling in relation to her role while the risk assessment is completed. A further four priests have had their permission to officiate suspended over their handling of concerns about Smyth, including Rev Sue Colman, Rev Hugh Palmer, Rev Rico Tice and Rev Nick Stott, while Rev John Woolmer has been asked to step back temporarily. The prime minister of France, Michel Barnier, at the national assembly in Paris on Tuesday. Photograph: Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters France is staring into the unknown as the minority government of the prime minister, Michel Barnier, faces near-certain defeat in a no-confidence vote that could dramatically intensify the political crisis in one of the EUs key member states. If the vote on Wednesday is carried, Barniers administration, which took office only in September, would be the first in France to be ousted with a motion of no confidence since 1962. Its fall, at the hands of the far-right and leftwing parties, would be a significant blow to Europe weeks before Donald Trump returns to the White House. The vote risked making everything more difficult and more serious, a sombre Barnier told MPs on Tuesday, adding that Frances situation was already difficult in budgetary and financial terms and very difficult in economic and social terms. In a television interview late on Tuesday, Barnier warned there was a lot of tension in France but said that for the country to regain political stability he should remain in office. He added: The moment is serious. It is difficult, but the stakes are not impossible. The hardline interior minister Bruno Retailleau said that if the government was toppled it would throw France and the French into an insufferable situation. Those backing the motion were playing Russian roulette with its future, he said. A parliamentary debate is due to start at 4pm local time, followed by a vote roughly three hours later. Two separate no-confidence motions have been tabled, by the far-left and far-right opposition, with the former widely predicted to pass. The president, Emmanuel Macron, who is on a visit to Saudi Arabia, is expected to return to France for what the media have described as a moment of truth that risked plunging France into the great political and financial unknown. Frances political crisis, brewing over the past three months, finally erupted on Monday when Barnier said he would push the social security component of his fragile governments 2025 budget through parliament without a vote. The constitutional measure allowing him to do so, known as article 49.3, offers MPs the chance to challenge the governments move through a no-confidence motion voted on within 48 hours. If the vote is successful, the government is out. Blocking this budget is, alas, the only way the constitution gives us to protect the French people from a dangerous, unfair and punitive budget, Marine Le Pen, of the far-right National Rally (RN), the largest single party in parliament, said on Tuesday. Barnier, appointed by Macron after snap June elections returned a lower house divided into three roughly equal blocs without a clear majority, tried to win MPs backing for a belt-tightening budget to restore Frances dire finances. His proposals included tax increases and public spending cuts totalling about 60bn (50bn) aimed at reducing the countrys public-sector deficit to about 5% of GDP, down from 6.1% this year more than double the ceiling permitted in the eurozone. Despite a range of concessions from the veteran conservative prime minister, both the left-leaning New Popular Front (NFP) alliance and the RN, which together have enough MPs to unseat the government, are due to present no-confidence motions. Le Pen has confirmed that her party will vote for the NFPs motion, tabled by the radical left Unbowed France (LFI), but the far-right partys own no-confidence motion was not expected to find enough support on the left of the national assembly. Frances finance minister, Antoine Armand, told France 2 public television that opposition MPs would be damaging the country by ousting the government. Who will bear the consequences? he asked. First and foremost, the French. If Barniers government does fall, it would be the shortest-lived of any administration since the start of the Fifth Republic in 1958. Although the prime minister would have to offer his resignation, Macron could ask him to stay on in a caretaker capacity. The president would then have to nominate a new premier, but that could well not come before next year. Frances constitution does not permit parliament to be dissolved twice in the space of a year, so there can be no new elections before July. A caretaker government would in principle be able to pass special emergency budget legislation that would roll over spending limits and tax provisions from this year to next, meaning there would no immediate risk of a US-style government shutdown. Although LFI and its allies have consistently contested Barnier since he took office, Le Pens RN which in effect holds the governments fate in its hands has until now refrained from pulling the trigger by voting with the left-leaning opposition parties. The decision to do so also represents a gamble for the RNs figurehead, who is awaiting judgment in a case of alleged misuse of EU funds and, if found guilty in March, could be ruled ineligible for Frances next presidential election, due in 2027. Le Pen has spent years trying to present the RN as a responsible party of government and while polls suggest a majority of its voters would back a move to bring down the government, more moderate conservatives may well be put off. Tommy Banks lost a weeks worth of pies which were due to be sold at the York Christmas Market - Tommy Banks/PA Wire Credit: Instagram/tommybanks A batch of 2,500 pies stolen from a Michelin-starred chef have been found but will have to be written off after they were badly damaged. Tommy Banks, who owns two restaurants and a pub in North Yorkshire, posted on Instagram on Monday to say that his van, with 25,000 worth of stock or a weeks worth in the back, had been taken from Made in Oldstead, just outside Ripon, over the weekend. The chef said the steak and ale, turkey, and butternut squash pies were ruined after police found the van, with fake plates, around 35 miles away in the Hemlington area of Middlesbrough. On Monday, Mr Banks launched an appeal to the thieves by asking them to donate the stock intended for York Christmas Market to a local community centre or food shelter in order for it not to be wasted. Posting on Instagram, the chef said: Unfortunately, not the news I was hoping to share. The van has been found with fake plates on it by the police but is badly damaged and will almost certainly be written off. The pies are in the van but have been damaged and not refrigerated, so are also written off, unfortunately. Not the ending to this story I was hoping for. Just want to say a huge thank you to all the well-wishers and businesses who have offered to help us. I encourage everyone to keep things as safe as possible. There is a lot of similar crime happening at the moment, unfortunately. Tommy Banks lost a weeks worth of pies, which had been due to be sold at the York Christmas Market - Tommy Banks/PA Wire Earlier, he had told BBC Radio 4s Today programme how he was trying to find a bit of humour in it, adding: Im just imagining these guys just thieved a van and they have opened up the back and found 2,500 pies, custard and gravy how on Earth are they going to move that? Theyve got my name all over them, so theyre not very sellable objects. The stolen van was recovered by police three days before it was reported missing, it has emerged, with staff at Made in Oldstead only having discovered that it was missing on Monday and reported it to North Yorkshire Police. Cleveland Police said its officers came across an abandoned vehicle shortly before 11.30pm on Friday, with a spokesman saying: The Fiat Ducato van was plain white, without any signage, and was on false plates. Suspecting that the vehicle had been stolen, officers arranged for the recovery of the van to a local garage so that it could be preserved for scene-of-crime officers to carry out a forensic examination on the vehicle. We are pleased that the owner has now been reunited with his van, but just as sad as everyone else to hear that the tasty pies in the van have sadly perished. Mr Banks has two Michelin stars, one each for his two restaurants, The Black Swan, at Oldstead, and Roots, in York. He is a veteran judge on BBCs The Great British Menu, having won the competition in 2016, 2017 and 2020. The general manager of the unit from which the van was taken from told The Telegraph: It was not the Monday morning I was expecting. Its quite sad we have tried to do something nice for everyone in York. A lot of hard work has been done by the team here. Sometimes these things happen. We are adapting and overcoming its our busiest time of the year here. Weve got Christmas products to make and plan to try and get back the shortfall. The Sussexes Archewell Foundation gave 1,026,240 to charitable causes last year - Chris Jackson/Getty Images The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have donated 197,370 ($250,000) to Joe Bidens daughter to fund her womens wellness centre. The couples Archewell Foundation gave the money to Ashley Bidens Womens Wellness (Spa)ce in Philadelphia last year, according to its latest tax return. It was the largest grant it made to any charitable cause all year, with the commitment of the project to helping women in need was said to resonate with Prince Harry and Meghan. In a video celebrating the foundation, set to theColdplay song A Sky Full of Stars, the couple are seen at events around the world, including Invictus Games events, the Parents Network and their visit to Columbia. Credit: The Archewell Foundation At one point, Meghan is seen addressing a group of women saying: When you show up in community, you find that group that makes you feel like home, but often times youll also find yourself again. At the end, Prince Harry says: Every single one of you inspire me and you inspire us every single day. So please continue to be there to support each other. Meanwhile, the tax filing reveals that Archewell received 4,183,892 in grants, largely comprising one 3,947,148 cash injection. The remaining income came from five individuals, none of whom are named. The 3,947,148 is understood to have come from Fidelity Charitable, a US-based fund that also donated 789,415 the previous year. Archewell gave a total of 1,026,240 to charitable causes. Its income marked a notable increase on the 1,578,810 raised the previous year. The information was released alongside the Sussexes annual impact report, which details Archewells philanthropic impact over the past year. Jill Biden, the US First Lady, with her daughter Ashley - Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images North America Ms Biden, 43, is a social worker whose work supporting women released from prison is said to have inspired her to create the Womens Wellness (Spa)ce, which helps women who have suffered trauma. The Archewell Foundation has been named as a founding partner. The Duke and Duchess are close to the Bidens, working with them on projects including the Invictus Games. The Biden administration is said to have supported the couple by refusing to release the Dukes visa application during a civil case in New York. They appeared to urge US voters to back Mr Biden over Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election, when they released a video message urging American voters to reject hate speech, misinformation and online negativity. Meghan, who has long been rumoured to have political ambitions, described it as the most important election of our lifetime. But the couple toned down their rhetoric ahead of this years election in an apparent attempt to avoid a spat with Mr Trump, who has said he is no fan of Meghan. While she has made clear her admiration for leading female Democrats including Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris, the Duchess has repeatedly denied claims she harbours a desire to run for office herself. A recent suggestion that she had made tentative inquiries to replace Ms Harris as senator in California when she became vice-president was described as implausible and ridiculous by sources close to her. A view inside Ashley Bidens wellness centre for women - Archewell Archewells tax return also revealed that $787,362 was spent on salaries and just over 789,500 in overall expenses, which include legal fees, event costs and travel. Among other grants distributed, the foundation gave $102,632 to Humanity Crew, a mental health organisation dedicated to preventing trauma among displaced children and their families, and $39,474 to providing mental health support to aid workers in Israel and Gaza. A further $49,855 was allocated to support mental health services for aid workers in Turkey and Syria. The wide-ranging pardon protects Hunter Biden from any crime he may have committed over an 11-year period - AP Photo/Eric Thayer Scandalous presidential pardons have a long history in the United States, but President Joe Bidens pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, will surely stand as one of the more controversial. The expansive pardon, which covers crimes Hunter might have committed in an 11-year period (nearly twice as long a timespan as Gerald Fords post-Watergate pardon of Richard Nixon) was granted just before Hunter was due to be sentenced in federal court for multiple felonies. Unlike many recipients of presidential pardons, Hunter will never serve a day of his sentence and will enjoy immunity from prosecution for any other crimes he may have committed, including acting as an unregistered foreign agent. Just a few weeks earlier, CBS News was still dutifully reporting White House statements claiming Biden would not pardon Hunter. Weve been asked that question multiple times. Our answer stands which is no, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during one press briefing. This summer, Biden himself stated that he would neither pardon Hunter nor commute his sentence after his sons conviction on felony charges. C-SPAN A healthy press would have treated such claims by a president sceptically and not been surprised when that same president reneged on those claims. But we do not have a healthy press in the United States and havent for some time; we have a credulous and compliant one, at least when a Democrat occupies the White House. After Hunter was convicted at his first trial this past summer, and Biden said that he would not pardon him, NBCs Stephanie Ruhle was typical in praising the president as a man of integrity and contrasting his character with that of former president Donald Trump: This week, of course, Hunter Biden was found guilty, and Joe Biden has very clearly said he would not pardon his son, he would not commute his sentence. How stark is this difference? I mean, how can Republicans keep making this argument now that Joe Biden has really put it out there? Journalist John Harwood posted on X in June: People who insist Biden will pardon Hunter after specifically ruling it out are telling on themselves. They cant imagine someone acting on principle and keeping his word. This is in stark contrast to the way previous presidential pardons have been covered by the press. Indeed, when, at the end of his first term, Trump pardoned his daughters father-in-law, Charles Kushner, who had served prison time for his crime, The New York Times described it thus: President Trump doled out clemency to a new group of loyalists on Wednesday, wiping away convictions and sentences as he aggressively employed his power to override courts, juries and prosecutors to apply his own standard of justice for his allies. By contrast, the Times framed Hunters pardon as the Biden administration itself did, as the only option to avoid the wrath of Trump: The pardon comes weeks before President Biden leaves office and transfers power to President-elect Donald J Trump, who spent years attacking Hunter Biden over his legal and personal issues. Respecter of norms With few exceptions, the effort to reframe the pardon as a reasonable response to an incoming Trump administration while handwringing about how Trump might now use the pardon power has been the most popular response among the press. New York Times columnist and MSNBC contributor Michelle Goldberg said on-air: Joe Biden bent over backwards not to intervene in order to show, you know, how much of a respecter of norms he was, unlike Donald Trump. A few opinion pieces in the Times and other outlets were more critical of the pardon but still downplayed Bidens apparent bad faith. Other news stories repeated the White Houses claim that Biden changed his mind about the pardon only over Thanksgiving weekend, despite NBC News reporting that this was not a sudden decision; Biden had been thinking about pardoning Hunter since June but his advisers decided at the time that he would publicly say that he would not pardon his son even though doing so remained on the table. Mainstream media outlets struggled to make sense of the pardon because they have yet to fully absorb a lesson about the new information ecosystem they inhabit: in the age of TikTok and X and Instagram Reels, the attention spans of readers and viewers might be short, but digital search capabilities and the internets memory are long regarding what media figures have said about the integrity of President Biden throughout his presidency. Thanks to alternative media outlets, social media, and podcasts, meanwhile, the public can now see for themselves just how misguided many news outlets assessments of the Biden administration have been. In effect, years of anti-Trump hyperbole, revisionist history, sins of omission, and partisan pandering have rendered the press impotent in explaining Bidens pardon to their audience. These are, after all, the same news outlets that willingly repeated Democratic Party lies about Trump colluding with Russia to win the 2016 election and accepted at face value FBI claims that Hunter Bidens laptop, which the New York Post reported on in October 2020 and was promptly censored for doing so, was merely Russian disinformation when its contents were in fact verified. The mainstream press will likely continue this charade for the time being; to do otherwise is to accept that they have been either too foolish or too cravenly partisan to recognise that they have been running cover for a politician (Biden) whose Justice Department spent his presidency prosecuting his main political opponent and justifying it by claiming that no one is above the law all while intending to ensure that his own family members are above the law. But this is an unsustainable posture. As Bidens pardon demonstrated, and as consumers defection to alternative media outlets suggests, the moral high ground the mainstream media thinks it occupies has turned into quicksand. Christine Rosen is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a columnist for Commentary magazine Lady Gabriella Windsor with her husband, Thomas Kingston, who died in February - Heathcliff O'Malley Lady Gabriella Windsor has said her husband took his own life in an impulsive action prompted by a cocktail of sleep and anxiety drugs. Thomas Kingston, 45, the son-in-law of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, was found dead at his parents home on Feb 25 with a catastrophic head injury and a gun close to his body. Lady Gabriella, 43, who joined Kingstons parents at his inquest at Gloucestershire coroners court, suggested that she wanted the circumstances of his death to act as a warning for others. In a witness statement, she said: It appears to me Toms impulsive action was likely provoked by an adverse reaction to the medication he had been taking in the last two weeks of his life. The fact that he took his own life at the home of his beloved parents, where no one else would find him, suggests the decision was the result of sudden impulse and anxious thoughts sparked by the sight of the gun in the car boot. The court heard Kingston had been prescribed zopiclone for trouble sleeping and sertraline for anxiety by Dr Nicky Naunton Morgan, his GP, who is apothecary to the King and Queens royal household. He stopped taking the sertraline after a few days because it made him feel very anxious and was instead prescribed diazepam and citalopram. He also doubled his sleep medication. Lady Gabriella, who sobbed during parts of the hearing, said: I believe anyone taking pills such as these needs to be made more aware of the side-effects to prevent any future deaths. If this could happen to Tom, this could happen to anyone. Thomas Kingston was described as being in his usual ebullient spirits the day before his death - Reuters The coroner accepted on Tuesday that Kingston had died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot to the head. Kingstons father, Martin, a retired barrister, broke down as he described the moment he found his sons body after forcing his way into a locked bathroom above a garage in a detached annex at his home. The court heard that father and son were licensed gun holders. Kingston killed himself with one of his fathers guns, which he had been returning that weekend after borrowing it for a shoot. Mr Kingston described the extensive inquiries he conducted as he tried desperately to find an explanation, which included a blunt conversation with Lady Gabriella and others with his sons business partner and friends. It was almost as though a switch had been turned in his mind, he said. The decision appears to have been made in a matter of minutes, apparently prompted by the gun he was bringing back to us. The court heard that it was entirely and fundamentally out of character for the financier to have taken his own life without extensive planning and the tying up of loose ends. For example, he had not made a will, had booked a flight to South Africa and had spoken to his parents about visiting more regularly. The previous day, he had attended his nieces birthday party and had been in his usual ebullient spirits, enjoying a relaxed and good-humoured evening meal with his parents and showing off his new pyjamas. His marriage to Lady Gabriella was happy and a joy for them both, his business was successful and he was planning for the future. The court heard he was emotionally mature and had previously described suicide as a selfish act because of the impact on those left behind. Cannot be a coincidence Mr Kingston said it cannot be a coincidence that three weeks before his sons death he had started taking a range of medications to help with trouble sleeping and anxiety. An autopsy found only caffeine and low levels of zopiclone in his blood and urine. However, Mr Kingston said sertraline could continue to operate on someones thinking even when it had passed through the system. Dr David Healy, a medical expert, told the court that zopiclone could cause anxiety and that sertraline and citalopram were in essence the same drug with a different name, falling into a category of medication called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which could have a fairly dramatic and catastrophic effect within a very short space of time. Dr Healy said Kingston had recognised that the sertraline did not suit him but had not realised that with the citalopram, he was essentially being prescribed the same thing again. The professor of psychiatry said he had been right to take himself off the drugs to give himself the best possible chance to get over the problems they were causing him. He said: If you look at the guidelines and labels, there isnt clear enough advice about the hazards of going on the drugs in the first instance, let alone changing from one SSRI to another SSRI. We need a more explicit statement saying these drugs can cause someone to commit suicide who wouldnt otherwise do so. Martin Porter, counsel for Kingstons family, said: The family dont blame Dr Naunton Morgan. She was acting as good doctors do. But the question is whether there is sufficient advice to good doctors about SSRIs. Intent remains unclear Katy Skerrett, the senior coroner for Gloucestershire, said she would be writing to the relevant medical authorities to raise potential concerns about the risk of suicide linked to SSRIs. She said: I am satisfied that Tom took his own life using a shotgun. However, currently I have no evidence before me to suggest he had formed a settled intention to take his own life. To the contrary, the evidence of his wife, family and business partner all supports his lack of suicidal intent. Intent remains unclear, as the deceased was suffering adverse effects from medication he had been prescribed. The coroner said she would draft a prevention of future deaths report, raising two key points of concern whether there is adequate communication of the risk of suicide on SSRIs and whether advice should be altered if such medication causes early agitation. She said she would probably send the report to regulatory bodies including the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump enjoyed a largely happy relationship during the president-elects first term in office - Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images Emmanuel Macron pleaded with Donald Trump to attend the grand re-opening of Notre-Dame in a long phone call, it has emerged. Sources close to the French president said he was determined to see Mr Trump in Paris this weekend, when the cathedral opens its doors to the public for the first time since a devastating fire five years ago. The president-elect will join approximately 50 world leaders and foreign dignitaries including Jill Biden, the First Lady, for a ceremony to celebrate its re-opening. Mr Macron and Mr Trump spoke about a range of foreign policy issues on Saturday afternoon before agreeing to continue their discussions on the sidelines of the ceremonies at Notre-Dame, Le Monde reported. During the call, Mr Macron pleaded with his future American counterpart to attend the service, which the French media has interpreted as a diplomatic coup. European leaders including Sir Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, are racing to curry favour with Mr Trump following his landslide election victory on Nov 5. In a speech on Monday night, Sir Keir promised to invest more deeply than ever in this transatlantic bond with our American friends, denying that the UK had to choose between the US and the EU. Notre-Dame is due to be opened to the public for the first item since a devastating fire in 2019 - Damien Meyer/AFP via Getty Images Mr Trumps attendance at the Notre-Dame ceremony will be his first foreign trip since his election victory. His win offers France several diplomatic challenges, including his call for Nato members to increase their defence budgets, and plans to impose blanket tariffs on imported goods from the EU. Mr Macrons team must also navigate a protocol problem and decide where Mr Trump is placed in the pecking order of foreign dignitaries. Gerard Araud, who served as French ambassador to the United States from 2014 to 2019, said on X: I cant imagine the headache that Donald Trumps participation in the Notre Dame ceremony represents for the chief of protocol. In theory, he should come after all the other official guests. I advise against following the theory. Mr Trumps wife, Melania, first visited Notre-Dame with her French counterpart, Brigitte Macron, in 2017, and is expected to return to Paris this weekend. There was no early indication from the French authorities of how the Trumps will be ranked this time, although they said security would be stepped up significantly. Mr Trump undertook several trips to Paris during his first administration - Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images On trips to Paris during his first administration, Mr Trump was given prime placement at all functions. That included the Bastille Day Parade and dinner at an Eiffel Tower restaurant. The Macrons forged a strong relationship with Mr Trump when he was Americas 45th president, between 2017 and 2021. He showed immense concern in 2019 when the blaze engulfed Notre-Dame, collapsing its spire and threatening to destroy the entire Gothic building. Mr Trump tweeted at the time: So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly! French officials appeared to reply, writing that water-bombing aircraft, if used, could lead to the collapse of the entire structure of the cathedral. But Mr Trump also became entangled in a diplomatic dispute with Mr Macron in 2020, threatening to impose tariffs on French wines in response to the countrys tax on digital services. Winemakers said the loss to their export business would hurt the French economy. When Mr Trump won a second term last month, Mr Macron was among the first world leaders to congratulate him, saying the pair could work together towards peace and prosperity. Mr Trump has announced that he will nominate real estate developer Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to serve as the next US Ambassador to France. Mr Kushner was pardoned by Mr Trump in December 2020 after pleading guilty to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations. Some 6,000 police and gendarmes will be on duty for the Notre-Dame ceremony, while the Ile de la Cite the island upon which the cathedral sits will be turned into a fortress, with entry strictly controlled. Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich will preside at the reopening service on Saturday, banging on its doors, before the cathedral is officially reopened. Mr Macron will attend a mass on Saturday, but will not take Holy Communion because of his position at the top of a secular republic that does not allow religion in public life. The Notre-Dame celebration comes during a political crisis in France, with Mr Macrons government facing collapse over its failure to gain parliamentary support for a new social security budget. Michel Barnier, Mr Macrons fifth prime minister in seven years, risks losing confidence votes in the National Assembly on Wednesday evening. An Elysee Palace source said both Joe and Jill Biden received an invitation to the Notre-Dame reopening at the end of November, but only Mrs Biden accepted. Jude Law as Terry Husk in The Order. Michelle Faye/TNS Jude Law, Jurnee Smollett and Tye Sheridan play law enforcement agents in Justin Kurzel's "The Order," based on the true story of the takedown of white supremacist Bob Mathews in the 1980s. Vertical/Michelle Faye "The Order" is the kind of film that could easily get overlooked in the holiday deluge of new movies. It's a mid-budget thriller-drama aimed squarely at adults that is based on a series of events that happened 40 years ago, and that's practically antediluvian for many of today's moviegoers. It has two solid stars in Jude Law and Nicholas Hoult but no Ariana Grande or Timothee Chalamet. In other words, many had been predicting the death of this type of genre film, especially as a theatrical release, in the post-COVID era. But the suspenseful "The Order," directed by Australian Justin Kurzel ("The Snowtown Murders," "Macbeth," "True History of the Kelly Gang"), is worth the trip to the multiplex. While it's an '80s-set true-crime thriller, it lacks the salacious, dysfunctional-family appeal of "Monsters: The Lyle and Eric Menendez Story," but it attempts to get at something deeper, darker and more disturbing about American society. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Law is Terry Husk, a troubled FBI agent brought in to head a case looking into a violent string of robberies and domestic terrorist attacks in the Pacific Northwest that ultimately include the murder of Alan Berg, a Denver-based liberal, Jewish radio talk-show host played here by Marc Maron. Husk finds himself up against two foes: the buttoned-down preacher named Richard Butler (Victor Slezak), founder of the white supremacist group Aryan Nation, who wants a slow-motion takeover of the US through its existing political structure; and Bob Mathews (an intense Nicholas Hoult in one of his best performances), a former Butler acolyte, who leads a breakaway group of terrorist/radicals, dubbed The Order, who want violent revolution now. They are the ones responsible for the upsurge in violence in the region, undertaken largely to fund their bigger ambitions. With the help of a local cop, Jamie (Tye Sheridan), who at least tangentially knows a lot of the local players, and a seemingly tortured private life that gives him the time concentrate on his work from his ratty hotel room, Husk becomes obsessed with tracking down Mathews and putting him out of business. The pull and push between the weary but determined Husk and the fervent but astute Mathews leads to an engrossing cat-and-mouse game that fuels "The Order" and gives it much of its narrative power. Yet, beyond that, "The Order" also illuminates the gut appeal of extremist rhetoric to Mathews and his equally aggrieved friends who feel the America they knew long-ago disappeared over the horizon in the rear-view mirror. And this was long before the Internet was around to amplify such voices. The result is that "The Order" is a procedural but one with ramifications for today. Working from a script by Zach Baylan, Kevin Flynn and Gary Gerhardt, Kurzel has taken the basics of the contemporary, working-class heist film, as seen in "Hell or High Water," "Widows" and "Animal Kingdom," and given it a more explicitly political twist. But it's never heavy-handed or to on-the-nose as Husk and Mathews careen to their inevitable showdown as the result of their personal clash of civilizations. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 'The Order' Rated R: For some strong violence and language throughout Running time: 114 minutes Where: Opens Friday throughout Houston (out of 5) Two armed American border guards deter a group of illegal immigrants from attempting to cross a river from Mexico into the United States on 1 January 1948. Photograph: Keystone/Getty Images One sunny afternoon in February, a large group of plainclothes federal agents descended on Los Angeless La Placita Park, a sanctuary and bustling cultural hub for the citys growing Mexican diaspora. Wielding guns and batons, they barricaded the park and demanded proof of citizenship or legal residency from the congregants trapped within. Those who failed to produce papers were arrested. More than 400 people were detained and forced on a train back to Mexico, a place many had never been. Its a scene many fear will come to pass in president-elect Donald Trumps second term, especially after he doubled down on a campaign promise to launch the largest deportation operation in US history, and confirmed he would use the military to execute hardline immigration policies. But this particular episode happened in 1931, as part of an earlier era of mass deportations that scholars say is reminiscent of what is unfolding today. The La Placita sweep became the first public immigration raid in Los Angeles, and one of the largest in a wave of repatriation drives that rolled across the country during the Great Depression. Mexican farm workers, indiscriminately deemed illegal aliens, became scapegoats for job shortages and shrinking public benefits. President Herbert Hoovers provocative slogan, American jobs for real Americans, kicked off a spate of local legislation banning employment of anyone of Mexican descent. Police descended on workplaces, parks, hospitals and social clubs, arresting and dumping people across the border in trains and buses. Nearly 2 million Mexican Americans, more than half US citizens, were deported without due process. Families were torn apart, and many children never again saw their deported parents. Hoovers Mexican repatriation program is, among mass deportation efforts in the past, most similar to Trumps stated plans, said Kevin R Johnson, a professor of public interest law and Chicana/o studies at the University of California, Davis, School of Law. This was a kind of ethnic cleansing, an effort to remove Mexicans from parts of the country, Johnson said. This episode had a ripple effect that lasted generations, and a long-term impact on the sense of identity on persons of Mexican ancestry. In Los Angeles, Johnson said, it was a common practice for Mexicans to deny their Mexican ancestry and claim Spanish or European heritage to avoid suspicion. Well into the 1960s, Johnson said, people were afraid to leave home without a passport or identification papers lest they be arrested. More than 400,000 Mexican Americans were deported in California alone, but the legacy of repatriation went unacknowledged for many decades. Finally, in 2005, California state senator Joseph Dunn helped pass legislation apologizing to people who suffered under the program. Since his first presidential run, Trump has invoked President Dwight D Eisenhowers mass deportation program as a blueprint for his own agenda. During the second world war, the US and Mexican government enacted the Bracero program that allowed Mexican farm hands to temporarily work in the US. But many growers continued to hire undocumented immigrants because it was cheaper. In 1954, the Eisenhower administration cracked down on undocumented labor by launching Operation Wetback, a yearlong series of raids named after a racial epithet for people who illegally crossed the Rio Grande. Border patrol agents used military-style tactics to sweep up laborers from farms and factories and send them back to Mexico. More than 3,000 people were expelled every day, and many died under inhumane conditions in detention and transport. The government said it deported more than 1 million people in total, though historians have put the actual number at closer to 300,000. The politics of deportation have always contained an important racial dimension, said Mae Ngai, a historian whose book Impossible Subjects explores how illegal migration became the central issue in US immigration policy. Trump has deployed racist tropes against various ethnic groups, including Mexicans as drug-dealing rapists and Haitians as pet eaters, while lamenting a lack of transplants from nice, white-majority countries like Denmark and Switzerland. Last month, sources close to the president told NBC News that he could prioritize deporting undocumented Chinese nationals. Hes been very clear about going after people of color, people from shithole countries, she said, referring to a 2018 remark from Trump about crisis-stricken nations like El Salvador and Haiti. Trump could plausibly deport a million people using military-style raids of the Eisenhower-era, Ngai said, but it is unlikely that he can expel 11 million undocumented immigrants. (According to an estimate by the American Immigration Council, deporting 1 million people a year would cost more than $960bn over a decade.) Still, Ngai said, his rhetoric alone could foment fear and panic in immigrant communities. But Eisenhowers immigration approach also differed from Trumps in notable ways, Ngai said. Though the administration did launch flashy raids, it also allowed farm owners to rehire some deportees through the Bracero program, essentially creating a pathway for authorized entry into the US. So far, Ngai said, Trump has hammered down on deportations without providing an option for legal immigration or naturalization. He doesnt know the whole story of Operation Wetback, she said. Deportations also appear to have harmed the local economy. Far from protecting jobs for white Americans, the repatriation of Mexicans may have further increased unemployment and depressed wages in the 1930s, according to a 2017 academic paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research. Economists today predict a similar outcome: expelling millions of undocumented construction, hospitality and agriculture workers could shrink the GDP by $1.7tn, according to a study by the American Immigration Council. Johnson said theres little evidence to suggest that the mass deportation efforts of the 1930s and 1950s were successful at curbing illegal immigration. The number of undocumented immigrants has tripled since the 1990s, he said, despite a steady rise in border security measures and patrol agents. Its a mistake to think building a wall or engaging in nasty deportation campaigns will end undocumented immigration, Johnson said. As long as people can obtain work legally or illegally, theyre going to keep coming. But fearmongering may be the true legacy and intention of mass deportations campaigns, Johnson said. Self-deportation has been the policy preference for establishment Republicans, he said, including former presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Part of the strategy, Johnson said, is making the lives of undocumented immigrants so unpleasant that some will just leave, and discourage others from coming. Gregor Formanek was a teenager at the time of the alleged offences - Simon Jones/The Sun A 100-year-old former concentration camp guard could face justice over the murder of thousands of prisoners, after a German regional court dismissed an earlier ruling which determined he was unfit to stand trial. Gregor Formanek is accused of aiding and abetting the murder of 3,300 people while working as a guard at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, near Berlin. Earlier this year, a German regional court suspended the proceedings against Mr Formanek due to a permanent inability to stand trial. But according to Bild, a German tabloid, that decision has now been overruled by a higher court, opening the door to a trial in the near future. Mr Formanek is suspected of playing a role in the cruel and insidious murder of thousands of prisoners at Sachsenhausen between July 1943 and February 1945. A later document drawn up by the East German Stasi secret police states Mr Formanek, who was a teenager at the time of the alleged offences, continually killed prisoners. Hans-Jurgen Forster, a lawyer representing plaintiffs in the case, said he was recently informed the higher regional court of Frankfurt had overturned a previous ruling that Mr Formanek cannot stand trial. The Seventh Criminal Senate of the higher regional court of Frankfurt am Main overturned the decision of the Second Grand Criminal Division of the Hanau regional court of May 6 2024, which had rejected the opening of the proceedings due to the permanent incapacity of the accused to stand trial, he told Bild. Tens of thousands of people were murdered at Sachsenhausen concentration camp - Popperfoto Mr Formanek was charged in August 2023 when he was 98 years old, but the procedure was bogged down by questions over his fitness to stand trial. Since 2011, Germany has been prosecuting ex-Nazis for crimes they committed decades ago, with prosecutors racing against time to secure convictions before the defendants die of old age. Sachsenhausen was used by the Nazis to imprison political prisoners, Jews, Soviet soldiers, gipsies and Roma people. Tens of thousands of people were murdered by the SS, either by execution, forced labour, starvation or medical experiments. It would not be the first time a centenarian ex-Nazi goes to trial in Germany. In 2022, Josef Schutz, then 101, was found guilty of complicity in mass murder at Sachsenhausen. Though he was given a five-year prison sentence he appealed against the verdict and died in April 2023 without spending time behind bars. Schutz had denied being an SS concentration camp guard during his trial, during which he held up a blue folder to hide his face. But the court heard that SS documents had been found which included his name and birth details, contradicting his claim that he had been a farm labourer and not at the camp. He expressed no remorse, telling the court: I dont know why Im sitting here in the sin bin. I really had nothing to do with it. Oskar Groning, the so-called bookkeeper of Auschwitz, also escaped jail time as he filed a series of appeals and then died in 2018 while they were still being processed by the courts. Satellite images of the air base upgrades suggest Russia is significantly ramping up its military presence in Libya - Maxar Technologies Russia is landing military aircraft on newly refurbished runways under its control in Libya as the Kremlin quickly expands its footprint in Africa, satellite images show. Telegraph analysis of three Libyan air bases found Russian military transport planes, upgraded runways, bolstered perimeter defences and entirely new buildings changes that all occurred this year. The upgrades suggest that Russia is significantly ramping up its military presence in Libya, thanks to a growing partnership with Libyan warlord General Khalifa Haftar, who controls the eastern and southern parts of the country. Libya serves as the core for Russias fast-expanding operations in Africa, paving the way for greater access to countries including Sudan, Mali, Chad, and the Central African Republic. Experts say military control in Libya also allows Russia to draw an arc of power from the eastern Mediterranean where it already controls coastal positions in Syria down to the southern Mediterranean via Libya. On Tuesday last week, Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, Russias deputy defence minister, visited Libya to meet with Gen Haftar in his sixth visit since August 2023, underscoring deepening relations. Satellite images of al-Qardabiyah air base on Nov 10 2023 (Maxar Technologies) Russia has been using Libya as a strategic foothold to project power across the rest of the African continent, said Charles Cater, the director of investigations at The Sentry, a Washington DC-based nonprofit that focuses on corruption. Details in the satellite images were corroborated with The Sentry, which draws on its local investigations and interviews with insiders and eyewitnesses. By capitalising on fractured governance and rampant corruption as well as the apparent complacency of regional and international powers, Moscow has increasingly entrenched itself militarily and economically within Libya, Mr Cater said. Russian forces began to revamp facilities at Brak al-Shatti military base in central Libya at the start of this year. Upgrades meant that by April, Russian military aircraft were able to land at Brak on an airstrip that had gone unused for years. In April, Russian forces managed four maritime deliveries through the port of Tobruk in north-eastern Libya, close to the border with Egypt. Equipment that arrived military vehicles and ammunition later ended up at Russian-controlled bases in Libya, including at Brak, according to experts at The Sentry. Russian military planes continue to land at and depart from Brak, indicating supply deliveries are ongoing. An Ilyushin-76, a Russian military plane, was confirmed on the ground in mid-September, as shown in a satellite image provided to The Telegraph by Maxar Technologies. As recently as early November, an Ilyushin-76 was also captured via satellite images at the al-Jufra air base, situated in central Libya, roughly 200 miles north of the Brak facility. An Ilyushin-76 at Brak airbase on April 18 2024 - Maxar Technologies Overview of al-Jufra air base in April 2023 - Maxar Technologies Military cargo planes routinely land at al-Jufra, as well as MiG-29 fighter jets and Su-24 bombers Russian combat aircraft that help Gen Haftar keep control over his territory. Experts say while the military equipment arriving remains at Gen Haftars disposal, some supplies are also moving to other African countries. Tarek Megerisi, a senior fellow who specialises in Libya at the European Council on Foreign Relations, estimated that thousands of tonnes of weapons had been delivered over the past year. Further north to the al-Jufra facility is the al-Qardabiyah air base, near Libyas Mediterranean coast. Al-Qardabiyah has undergone the most extensive renovations over the last year out of the three bases examined by The Telegraph. Russian forces have fortified the base, adding new installations, revamping runways and bolstering perimeter defences. Several new buildings have been constructed, visible in satellite images from November, compared to a year ago. More vehicles are also now present at the base. Al-Qardabiyah as of Dec 2023, before Russian forces began upgrading facilities - Maxar Technologies The Russian military has become ubiquitous at al-Qardabiyah, where it also trains Gen Haftars forces. Theyve become so rooted that experts at The Sentry say the generals brigades must seek permission to access the Russian-controlled bases on Libyan soil. Russian troop numbers had dwindled significantly from their 3,000-strong peak in 2020 partly due to the Ukraine war, but are starting to return to those levels. Some expert estimates now put the total figure at around 2,000 personnel. Upgraded facilities and extensive renovations at Al-Qardabiyah air base in November 2024 - Maxar Technologies An increased footprint in Libya gives Moscow the ability to impact political, security and economic stability along Natos southern flank, whether that means flexing military muscle or disrupting energy markets by manipulating Libyas role as a major exporter of crude oil. With money and presence and military troops comes also political standing, said Chiara Lovotti, a research fellow who focuses on Russias foreign policy in the Middle East and North Africa at the Italian Institute for International Political Studies. Its all a way for Moscow, for the Kremlin to make money, she said. Taken together, Russias growing power poses a threat to Europes presence Natos presence. Continuing to have access to Libya is so important that Moscow has also made overtures to the countrys UN-recognised government, headed by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, the prime minister an apparent move to hedge its bets with Gen Haftar. The general, who is thought to have received military training in the former Soviet Union, has allowed Russia access to extract natural resources by handing over control of strategic oilfields. The partnership began as a marriage of convenience, said Ms Lovotti. Haftar needed some international support back then when he came to power, after the fall of and death of former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The Russians were there; they were looking for an entrance to the country, and Haftar gave them this opportunity. A brigade controlled by Gen Haftar held an official ceremony with 500 Libyan soldiers in Dec last year - Maxar For Russia, Libya has become a key customer for its energy products, banned by nations including the UK and US after sanctions were announced following Moscows invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Despite having vast oil resources, Libya lacks the ability to refine crude oil, forcing the nation to buy fuel from abroad most recently in vast quantities from Russia. Oil deals between Russia and Libya have also been smoothed over given Gen Haftars influence over Farhat Bengdara, named in 2022 as the chairman of Libyas National Oil Corporation, a vast state body that oversees the countrys oil industry. The fact is that Russia, another near-peer adversary like China, is seeing an open goal in Libya given the Wests disengagement, and using Libya to further its interests, which in this case involves access to discounted oil, said Alia Brahimi, a non-resident senior fellow who specialises in the Middle East and North Africa at the Atlantic Council. Private mercenary group The increased flurry of Russian activity in Libya follows a reorganisation of the private mercenary group Wagner after the death of its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. Prigozhin died in a plane crash in August 2023, just two months after his failed coup attempt against Vladimir Putin, the Russian president. Shortly after, Wagners operations in Africa, which had waned in recent years as Russia moved resources to support its invasion of Ukraine, suddenly began to expand again this time, under a new name: Africa Corps. Last December, a Haftar-controlled brigade held an official ceremony with 500 Libyan soldiers, visible in satellite images. The high-profile event at the al-Qardabiyah air base was aimed at giving the false impression that Gen Haftar controlled the base, not Russia, according to The Sentry. The end game is very precise: One, its extracting the most from the country in terms of military cooperation... of making money, said Ms Lovotti. The other is bigger, broader and more geopolitical its power, status, recognition; if they engage in Libya, the Russians become more powerful. Rachel Reeves told the CBI she had set the envelope for public service funding for the rest of this Parliament, which means were not going to have to come back for more - Leon Neal/Getty Images Rachel Reeves has appeared to drop her pledge to not come back for more tax from businesses after refusing four times to repeat the vow. Last week, the Chancellor told business leaders she would not need to increase taxes further after raising employer National Insurance contributions by 25 billion at the Budget. She told a CBI conference she had set the envelope for public service funding for the rest of this Parliament, which means were not going to have to come back for more. Sir Keir Starmer refused to repeat Ms Reevess words at Prime Ministers Questions, while Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, also opened the door to future tax increases. At Treasury questions on Tuesday, Nick Timothy, a Conservative MP, asked Ms Reeves: Last Wednesday, the Prime Minister hung her out to dry and refused to repeat those words. So will she repeat them today and rule out any more borrowing or any more taxes? Yes or no? Ms Reeves replied: At the Budget in October, we had to fill a 22 billion black hole left by the previous government. Well never have to repeat a Budget like that, because we wont have to clean up the mess of the previous government ever again. Richard Fuller, the shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, noted that business confidence had fallen since the Budget, before asking: Will she, like Oliver Twist, be coming back for more? The Chancellor insisted she would never play fast and loose with the public finances and said families were still paying the price of Tory rule, but declined to answer his question. Business leaders warned that Ms Reevess tax raid had sent business confidence plunging to its lowest level since the first Covid lockdown. A survey of the Institute of Directors, showed a monthly optimism tracker had fallen to -65 points, a steep drop from -52 in October. Mel Stride, Ms Reevess opposite number, asked: When she recently pledged to the CBI that she would not be raising taxes again, did she mean it? Ms Reeves said: At the Budget in October, as the Right Honourable gentleman knows, we had to fix a 22 billion black hole in the public finances We did have to raise taxes to fund our public services. But never again will we have to repeat a Budget like that, because we have now wiped the slate clean and drawn a line under the mess created by the previous government. Mr Stride said Ms Reeves had not answered his question, adding: No 10 have now stated that they are not prepared to stand by her commitment on tax. So could I ask the Right Honourable lady, is this because No 10 changed its mind, or is it because the Right Honourable lady spoke without thinking? Ms Reeves said: No Chancellor is going to write five years worth of Budget in their first five months as Chancellor of the Exchequer. But what I can say is we will never have to deliver a Budget like that again because we took the decisions in this Budget to wipe the slate clean after the mismanagement, and decline and chaos of the previous government. Mr Stride said Ms Reevess refusal to answer her questions spoke volumes about the possibility of future tax rises. He told The Telegraph: In oral questions, I pressed Rachel Reeves twice to reconfirm the commitment she gave to the CBI of no more tax increases. The silence was telling. A spokesman for the Treasury also declined to repeat Ms Reevess promise on tax when asked last week. Taxes rose by a total of 40 billion at her first Budget in October, with employers bearing the brunt through a National Insurance rise, which some argued was a breach of the Labour manifesto. UK cyber security report says Vladimir Putins government is inspiring non-state threat actors to launch cyber attacks - SPUTNIK/Shutterstock Russia is exploiting Britains dependence on technology to cause maximum disruption and destruction, the UKs cyber security chief has warned. In his first major speech, Richard Horne, head of GCHQs National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), will on Tuesday highlight the widening gap between the threats posed by hostile actors and the defences in place to protect businesses and public services. Speaking at the launch of the NCSCs annual review in London, Mr Horne will say: Hostile activity in UK cyberspace has increased in frequency, sophistication and intensity. We see this in the intelligence we can access through being part of GCHQ. Actors are increasingly using our technology dependence against us, seeking to cause maximum disruption and destruction. The threats are understood to come from both state-backed hackers and online criminals. The NCSCs report shows a threefold increase in the most serious cyber incidents affecting the UK in 2023-24. In total, the NCSC received 1,957 reports of cyber attacks, 430 of which needed support from the centres incident management team, up from 371 the previous year. Of these incidents, 89 were nationally significant, 12 of which were at the top end of the scale and more severe in nature. Despite the rising figures, Mr Horne will warn the danger is still being widely underestimated by both public and private sector organisations. Mr Horne, who took over as the cyber security agencys chief in October, will add: What has struck me more forcefully than anything else since taking the helm at the NCSC is the clearly widening gap between the exposure and threat we face, and the defences that are in place to protect us. And what is equally clear to me is that we all need to increase the pace we are working at to keep ahead of our adversaries. It comes after Pat McFadden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, last month warned that Moscow is prepared to launch a wave of cyber attacks across Britain in a deliberate attempt to cause havoc on the UKs critical infrastructure. Mr McFaddens warnings came after the director general of MI5 warned that Russian spies are targeting Britain with Cold War-style sabotage, by targeting businesses to undermine the UKs security and economy. Aggression and recklessness Mr Horne will add: Last week, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster warned about the aggression and recklessness of cyber activity we see coming from Russia. And with our partners, including at the NPSA (National Protective Security Authority), we can see how cyber attacks are increasingly important to Russian actors, along with sabotage threats to physical security, which the director general of MI5 spoke about recently. All the while, China remains a highly sophisticated cyber actor, with increasing ambition to project its influence beyond its borders. And yet, despite all this, we believe the severity of the risk facing the UK is being widely underestimated. Mr Horne will warn that the UK must not be complacent regarding the severe level of threats posed by cyber criminals. The NCSCs report described Russia as a capable, motivated and irresponsible threat actor in cyberspace and through its actions in Ukraine, Putins government is also inspiring non-state threat actors not officially linked to the Kremlin to carry out cyber attacks against critical national infrastructure. It adds that Chinese hackers such as the Volt Typhoon group had targeted US infrastructure and could be laying the groundwork for future disruptive and destructive cyber attacks, while in the UK Beijing-linked groups are believed to have targeted MPs emails and the Electoral Commissions database. The report also warns that Iran is developing its cyber capabilities and is willing to target the UK to fulfil its disruptive and destructive objectives, while North Korean hackers were targeting cryptocurrency to raise revenue and attempting to steal defence data to improve Pyongyangs internal security and military capabilities. Aircraft including what appeared to be an American A-10 Warthog ground attack jet were filmed conducting low-level strikes in Syria on Tuesday - Jon Adams/AP American aircraft reportedly attacked Iranian-backed fighters in Syria as a renewed civil war threatened to engulf the country. Aircraft including what appeared to be an American A-10 Warthog ground attack jet were filmed conducting low-level strikes in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor on Tuesday. The US said the operation was carried out in self defence against threats posed to coalition forces in the region, adding that the strike was not connected to the growing conflict spreading across the north-west of the country. It came as the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an American-backed group that allied with Western governments to defeat Islamic State in 2019, said it had captured a number of villages from Syrian government forces on the Eastern bank of the Euphrates. The development underlines the multiple conflicts reignited by last weeks surprise rebel offensive in the north-west of the country. Iran is trying to rush militia men from neighbouring Iraq to help its ally, Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, push back the Islamist-led rebel alliance in the north-west of Syria. The villages in the south-east attacked by the SDFs Arab-dominated Deir Ezzor military council have been used by regime and Iranian-backed militias to attack the SDF and nearby US bases, said Charles Lister, director of the Syria programme at the Middle East Institute, a Washington-based think tank. The rebels, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadist group and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA), captured Aleppo and attacked the province of Homs in an offensive that began on Wednesday last week. The rebels have since continued to make rapid advances into the country, with the countrys state news agency reporting clashes on Tuesday between Assads forces and the rebels in the Hama countryside an area roughly 70 miles south of Aleppo and 110 miles north of the capital of Damascus. The Rojava Information Centre, a news outlet aligned with the authorities in Kurdish-controlled areas, said areas of Aleppo that have maintained autonomy from either side were now surrounded by HTS forces. Turkey settling scores The SNA also clashed with the SDF, which controls a mostly Kurdish-inhabited swathe of territory in the north of the country, prompting allegations that Turkey was using the chaos as an opportunity to settle scores with the group. On Nov 26 the United States said it attacked an Iranian-aligned militia weapons storage facility in response to an attack on US forces in the area. Earlier on Tuesday, Russian navy ships were spotted leaving the Kremlins crucial seaport in the Mediterranean as the civil war threatens to engulf it. Naval analyst H I Sutton said Russias Tartus naval base in Syria was now under threat from rebel attack as the fast-moving front line closed in. The dramatic shift in the front lines in Syria now puts the base at risk. There are indications that Russia may be evacuating its naval vessels, he said. A Russian navy missile ship at Tartus naval base in Syria in 2019 - AP The Tartus naval base is important for Russia because it is its only Mediterranean replenishment and repair point. It has also been used as the dropping-off point for Russian special forces to enter the Syrian conflict. So important is Tartus to the Russian navy that in 2017, Putin ordered its expansion. But Mr Sutton said two of Russias five naval ships had now left the port. Russia also has a submarine based at Tartus. This is the first visible sign that Russia is moving valuable assets out of the country, he said. Russia has been allied to Syrias central government since 2015 when it first deployed soldiers, and on Monday, Vladimir Putin made his first comment on the intensifying fighting, telling his Iranian counterpart that he was 100 per cent behind Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. The Russian air force has also been bombing rebel positions, killing hundreds of fighters, in an effort to slow their advance. Writing on X, formerly Twitter, naval analyst Droxford Maritime agreed there is a realistic possibility the departure of Russian naval ships was linked to renewed fighting in Syria. He also said one of the ships spotted leaving Tartus was the Yelnya, a Project 169 Altay class oiler which has been described as a valuable asset and important to maintaining Russias force in the Mediterranean. The port is also considered a critical part of the supply link for Russias support for military strongman General Khalifa Haftar, who dominates the eastern part of war-torn Libya. Jalel Harchaoui, of the Royal United Services Institute, a think tank, said if the Kremlin did give up Tartus, it would have a knock-on effect on its strategies in Libya, which have been designed to rival the West. Any potential loss by Moscow of these ports would reshape the fate of the Haftar family, he said. A satellite image of Tartus in 2022 - Planet Labs PBC Set up as a Soviet naval base in 1971, Tartus was bulked up in 2012, being turned into Russias main overseas naval base. Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, it has taken on increased significance after Putin ordered his naval forces to adopt an aggressive posture to deter any Nato forces from using the Mediterranean Sea to interfere with his war. Mr Sutton also said if Russia did abandon the naval base it would be complicated for it to get its ships back to a friendly port and the Kremlin may order an attempt on the Black Sea route again. If so, it will expose itself to Ukraines surface drones, he said. As well as pulling its ships out of the Tartus naval base, Russian forces have reportedly withdrawn from two other bases near Aleppo, which rebel forces captured on Friday. One of them is the Hama Air Base, which is seen as a lynchpin site. Putin has also sacked the general commanding Russian forces in Syria. Jan Marsalek, a Russian agent, discussed dousing the countrys London embassy in pigs blood and hacking power plants - Der Speigel Syndication A Russian spy ring planned to create deep-fake porn of the Kazakh presidents son, a court has heard. The gang plotted to stage fake attacks against Kazakh targets so that Vladimir Putins secret services could appear to come to the countrys aid and gain favour, messages reveal. Jan Marsalek, a Russian agent, and Orlin Roussev, the Bulgarian leader of the UK-based spy ring, also discussed dousing the Kazakh embassy in London with pigs blood, hacking their power plants and leaking sex videos, the Old Bailey was told. The details emerged during the trial of Katrin Ivanova, 33, Vanya Gaberova, 30, and Tihomir Ivanchev, 39, who all deny conspiracy to spy on behalf of Russia. Roussev, 46, and Bizer Dzhambazov, 43, have already pleaded guilty to the charge. The jury will hear about a series of six operations with a Russian agent using the alias Rupert Ticz, who the prosecution allege is Austrian Jan Marsalek, between 2020 and 2023. Vanya Gaberova, 30, is one of three who deny conspiracy to spy on Russias behalf The court heard the groups high-level espionage also included surveillance on a US airbase in Germany which they believed was being used to train Ukrainian soldiers. The jury has also heard the spy rings discussion of kidnapping or murdering Christo Grozev, an investigative journalist for the news outlet Bellingcat, the court has heard. The plan to fake an attack on Kazakhstan in the autumn of 2022 was revealed through messages between Roussev and Marsalek, prosecutor Alison Morgan KC told the court. In messages shown to the jurors, Marsalek said that his ideas included hacking Kazakh nuclear powerplants, leaking sex videos, crashing the currency. He said that he was thinking maybe a deep-fake porn video of the son of the president. Call for Western sanctions The court was not told exactly who the target was. At the time of the discussions, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the current president of Kazakhstan, was in office. Roussev, who used the alias Jackie Chan in some messages, described the ideas as cool and very feasible. Marsalek concluded: I think for our purpose a demonstration addressing the presidents familys corruption would be most helpful. And I think we should call for Western sanctions on Kazakhstan and the president himself because he didnt condemn the war in Ukraine. In relation to the embassy attack, Ms Morgan explained: In short what was planned was that they would orchestrate a false protest at the embassy. Then information about the alleged perpetrators, anybody that joined in that protest, would be passed on to Kazakhstan, to make it look like Russia was prepared to help Kazakhstan and that would promote their ongoing relationship. Pigs blood on the embassy In September 2022 the man the prosecution allege is Marsalek, under the alias Rupert Ticz, asked: So, if wed want to drop 100 litres of pig blood on the Kazakh embassy in London, what drone would we need? The idea is that we film it and publish it saying its the blood of the innocent Kazakh people, which the president has on his hands. There was discussion if it would be real blood or fake blood and whether a drone was needed. A video shown to the court showed Dzhambazov acquiring blood and there was discussion of how it could be thinned to spray it on the embassy. Orlin Roussev described these fake attacks as cool and very feasible, the court hears - Metropolitan Police/PA The ruse also included sending letters to officials in Europe and the US urging them to sanction the Kazakhs over Putins invasion of Ukraine in 2022, it was alleged. A draft letter addressed to Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, was found on a hard drive belonging to Roussev. After they created fake protest websites, Marsalek wrote: Glorious news from Kazakhstan: Kazakh intelligence is in a small panic and wants our Russian friends to investigate who this new group of activists is. The trial continues. Shona Robison, the SNP finance secretary, has to find a compromise with opposition parties that will allow the SNP to pass its budget. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian Scottish ministers are contemplating modest tax increases for the better off and plan to scrap the freeze in council tax rates as they search for extra money in this weeks budget. Shona Robison, the Scottish finance secretary, is under pressure to provide a vote-winning budget on Wednesday after being given a record amount of funding from the Treasury for next year. She is expected to increase spending on health, confirm up to 160m in spending on a new universal winter fuel payment for pensioners and promise no fresh cuts to public services. Related: Reform UK bullish and optimistic as polls predict success in Scotland Meanwhile, opposition parties are clamouring for extra spending on their policy priorities as they broker deals with Robison to provide votes the minority government needs to get her 47bn budget passed. Robison has been given an additional 1.4bn for day to day spending to use by April next year, and then a further 2.8bn for the next financial year, by the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, as well as 700m in extra money for infrastructure projects. Yet despite that, the Fraser of Allander Institute (FAI), Scotlands leading economics thinktank, has warned Robison has little room to manoeuvre because she has overspent on public sector pay deals, which were unbudgeted. The FAI estimates those awards will cost at least 750m this year, pushing Scotlands public sector wage bill to around 25bn. Public sector pay, and the costs of funding the NHS, social security and local government, absorbs 7 of every 8 she has to hand, greatly reducing her discretionary spending. The FAI estimates there is also a shortfall of at least 400m in current spending plans, as well as the 90m cost of resuming funding of services she temporarily cut in an emergency budget in September. Who will back the budget? The Scottish National party runs Scotland with a minority government. It commands 62 votes at Holyrood, three short of a majority. That puts the Greens, with 7, and the Liberal Democrats, 4, in pole position. The Greens want council funding to increase, more spending on nature and the climate crisis, the reinstatement of free school meals for all primary school pupils a policy postponed recently by Robison and a pilot project to cap bus fares at 2. The Lib Dems want additional spending on carers and, like the Greens, a cancellation of the council tax freeze. To the SNPs bemusement, however, the Lib Dems also insist no further money is spent on pursuing independence: a core SNP policy. Swinney warned opposition parties last week they had a public duty to get the budget through: In a parliament of minorities, no political party is a bystander in the budget process if there is no collaboration then there is no budget bill. The chancellors bittersweet pill Rachel Reeves handed the Scottish government a welcome funding boost in October, increasing the Treasury block grant by 5.9bn over the following 18 months. However, her decision to increase employers national insurance rates added up to 550m to Scotlands public sector pay costs. The Treasury has mooted a 300m refund to cover that bill; Scottish ministers argue that leaves them to fund the 200m or more shortfall on Wednesday. Where can extra money be found? Robison has twice raided a 810m fund from ScotWind, the Scottish offshore wind licensing round, and Scotlands reserves, to pay for day to day spending. She can do so again, or use Holyroods powers to raise income tax rates, landfill taxes and stamp duty. But Robisons team fears Reeves national insurance decision greatly limits the scope for higher personal taxes. Lifting the council tax freeze instituted by the former first minister Humza Yousaf last year in an ill-conceived attempt to save the SNP from a rout at the general election will allow councils to raise local taxes by up to 10% or more to offset cuts in central government funding, pay for higher staff wages and more free school meals. She may also target private jets using Holyroods powers to tax aviation a policy favoured by climate campaigners. Last Friday, the FAI cast doubt on her chances of protecting the public sector from further cuts without additional sources of revenue. When we put all these pressures together, there is little in the way of additional funding that is not already committed. If pay pressures in particular turn out to be higher than planned and in the absence of further measures, we could very well see the Scottish government needing to take in-year action again to rectify the fiscal position, it said. Why should pensioners have to hang around, begging for the pity of someone with a smartphone? - Reuters/Paul Childs Tapping my loyalty card (Tescos Clubcard, Sainsburys Nectar card, and so on) has become part of every shopping trip. On good days, I like to see whether I can get the discounts, combined with raiding the reduced section, to knock off more than half of the upfront cost. Treating it like a game makes the chore of shopping a little less dull. But a recent trend has been bothering me. Increasingly, older shoppers have been asking me to tap my loyalty card for them, so that they can benefit from the same discounts that I get without all the fuss of setting up an account. Loyalty schemes used to be added extras, a voucher here and there a reward for frequent flyers. But in recent years, they have morphed into something altogether more sinister. Although positioned as discounts, in reality, loyalty cards just stop you paying far over the odds. Why should pensioners have to hang around like teenagers looking for someone to buy them booze and cigarettes, begging for the pity of someone with a smartphone? Will we get to a point where charities are advising them, as they do small children, to look for a nice lady with a buggy to ask for help? The supermarkets know that older people struggle to use technology this feels like an obvious ploy to restrict discounts, ripping off retirees. Anyone who wants to sign up to such a loyalty scheme should surely be able to do so in-person and in-store. The key question at the moment is if they can find a member of staff to help them. I am not the only one worried about this. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said last week that supermarkets needed to do more to make sure that all shoppers can sign up to schemes. It is much easier to join with a smartphone, which those over the age of 65 are the least likely to have, according to Uswitch data. Some retailers require an email address and internet connection. Buying pizzas for a film night with friends one Friday night, I watched one elderly gentleman dig around in his pocket for the keychain with his Tesco Clubcard on it to scan it for the lady behind him in the queue. They had not arrived at the shop together, but saw it as an act of camaraderie against the big supermarkets to collude to share the discount. And why not? Its not just older shoppers the 7pc of shoppers who refuse to sign up because of data concerns also miss out. Those under 18 whose parents havent added them to their cards are shut out, too. In other cases, Ive even been asked by staff to scan my loyalty card to get discounts for tourists, furious that they cant get the cheaper deals. One staff member, who was trying to explain to German tourists in central London why they werent eligible for the discount, was so exasperated that she turned to me. I obliged, to much thanks. But clamours for discounts simply to be applied across the board are in vain. The supermarkets want their customers data because it is worth hundreds of millions of pounds, and the regulators arent prepared to stop them. So for the time being, if you see me doing my weekly shop, feel free to tap me on the shoulder. Its us against the supermarkets. With the launch of a second nationwide four-day working week pilot in the UK, there is a lot of discussion about the pros and cons of shorter weeks. From improved work-life balance and health to fewer sick days, previous trials have found numerous benefits for workers and employers. However, condensing five days of work into four isnt without its challenges. But there may be an alternative shorter days. Anyone who works the traditional nine-to-five knows that its very rare to be solely engaged with work for that many hours. In fact, new research suggests that were only productive for four hours and 36 minutes a day which is just 57.5% of a typical eight-hour day. According to a 2023 survey in which nearly 10,000 anonymous but verified professionals responded 45% of people work for around four hours a day, and some even less. With this in mind, some organisational psychologists support the idea of shortening the workday not the working week. So what are the pros and cons of working for a shorter span of time each day? And is it a viable option for businesses wanting to boost wellness and productivity? While the eight-hour workday is the norm for many industries, shortening this period may offer a better work-life balance, says Tom Cornell, organisational psychologist at HireVue. With more time to fulfil personal and family commitments, shorter working days can boost wellbeing. Read more: How to cope with a 'Jekyll and Hyde' boss at work For parents, shorter working days can ease the logistical and financial stresses of childcare. Instead of breakfast or after-school clubs or relying on family or friends for childcare, parents can pick up and drop off their children at school during their typical work hours. Modern working life looks very different to when the concept of the eight-hour workday was introduced two centuries ago, in order to improve working conditions during the Industrial Revolution. Arguably, there must be a more productive way of working in the digital age than clocking on for a routine eight-hour day, five days a week. Although the average UK worker works 36.4 hours per week, this doesnt reflect how efficient theyve been during that time. Multiple studies conclude that working for longer isnt necessarily more productive. For example, Stanford University researchers found that worker output falls as a working week gets longer. And it depends on the work being done, too. People whose jobs require intense concentration may have an even lower optimal working time because of the mental energy needed for focus. Shorter working days could help avoid the fatigue and recovery time associated with longer shifts. (FG Trade via Getty Images) When comparing shorter workdays with shorter workweeks, both approaches have distinct advantages, but shorter days often stand out for their ability to provide daily consistency and sustained wellbeing, says Andreea Dunsmore, a career expert, counsellor and psychotherapist. Working six-hour days, for instance, offers a more predictable routine, avoiding the fatigue and recovery time associated with longer shifts in a compressed four-day week. Gin Lalli, a psychotherapist, says that reducing working hours may encourage people to stay in their "working zone". Were most productive when were focused and energised and that doesnt last for a full eight-plus hour day does it? Its natural to get tired and drained, she says. In reality, optimal concentration peaks around three to four hours. When we know we can log off early, we may be inclined to work harder and maintain our focus during the working period. However, this can pose challenges. Employees may feel also pressured to cram the same workload into fewer hours, potentially increasing work intensity and stress. Read more: How employers can adjust to a four-day work week Some people may find themselves working out-of-hours anyway, which could negate any wellbeing benefits. Working four hours straight can cause fatigue too, so we talk often about having regular breaks or change of pace, says Lalli. Its a tricky topic to get on one side or the other. Whether a shorter day is feasible also depends on the organisation, as it could cut down the overlap between time zones for a multinational company. In some roles, certain tasks require extended, uninterrupted time blocks, which could be disrupted by a reduced schedule, says Dunsmore. Coordinating shorter work hours with colleagues or clients who follow traditional schedules can create logistical challenges. In some cases, workers may face financial implications if reduced hours translate to reduced pay. Despite the potential pitfalls, however, many organisations are taking steps to make working schedules more flexible. According to ONS data, more than a quarter (28%) of working adults in Great Britain were hybrid working in the autumn of 2024. Its likely this trend will continue with the introduction of the Employment Rights Bill, which gives employees the right to flexible working from day one. Employers should get ahead of this regulation by embedding flexibility within job opportunities, from shorter working days and allowing flextime with core hours, to offering full or partial remote working, says Cornell. Flexible options should be clearly spelled out within job postings as well as during the hiring process to ensure working arrangements are aligned with the candidates needs, he says. This will improve employee satisfaction later down the line, and make sure everyone is clear about whats on offer, from before day one. Read more: Sonia Garcia is a trending food reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at sonia.garcia@houstonchronicle.com. A Rio Grande Valley native, she previously was an editor and writer for the Austin digital news startup Austonia after graduating from Texas State University. She enjoys trying new restaurants in Houston, where she lives with her 14-year-old Chihuahua. The report urges the government to name mobile phone addiction as a public health concern. Photograph: Westend61/Getty Images Smartphones sold in Spain should carry a label warning users about their potential health impacts, experts have told the Spanish government, in a report that calls for doctors to ask about screen time during checkups. As Spain pushes forward with a draft law to limit childrens exposure to technology, the 50-member committee of experts has also called for minors to have limited exposure to digital devices until they are 13 to mitigate what they see as a public health problem. The experts nearly 250-page report, seen by the newspaper El Pais, recommends that children under the age of three do not have any exposure to digital devices, while children up to six years old should be allowed to access them only on an exceptional basis. For children between six and 12, the use of so-called dumb phones which do not have access to the internet and which are limited to calls should be prioritised, as should offline activities such as sports. The report called on the government to consider adding a warning label to digital devices sold in Spain, informing consumers of the health risks that some have linked to social media and digital devices, as well as the possible impacts that access to inappropriate content could have on the development of children. Similar warnings should pop up on screens when certain apps or platforms are accessed, detailing the claims of health risks and the maximum recommended usage time, the report recommended. It urged the government to name mobile phone addiction as a public health concern, a designation that would facilitate the development of preventive measures and early detection systems. Questions about screen time and problematic behaviours should be incorporated into health consultations for all age groups, while screening for depression, anxiety and use of technology should be carried out regularly during medical checkups for adolescents. The committee was assembled earlier this year in response to what Spains prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, described as an authentic epidemic of online pornography consumption among children. The numbers are both very telling and very troubling, Sanchez said in January. One in four young people under the age of 12 and nearly half of those under 15 has had access, or currently has access, to pornography. In the end, though, the report took a wider view of the problem, looking not only at childrens access to pornography but their use of digital devices full stop. Their intervention comes amid a growing global debate over childrens exposure to technology, one that has led schools around the world to crack down on the use of mobiles in classrooms. In France, a government-commissioned study said in April that children should not be allowed to use smartphones until they are 13 and should be banned from accessing conventional social media such as TikTok and Instagram until they are 18. Related: Teenagers displaying problematic phone use more likely to be depressed In Spain, where statistics suggest that a quarter of children have mobile phones by the age of 10 and nearly half of them by 11, the socialist-led coalition government in June set out draft legislation to protect minors, proposing that parental controls be installed by default on smartphones and that a national education campaign be rolled out to help children and teenagers navigate social media. The draft bill also set out new data requirements that would, if enforced, raise the minimum age for opening a social media account from 14 to 16, while teachers and healthcare staff would be trained to spot children who are struggling with potential smartphone addictions. The draft legislation, which is in the public consultation phase, is expected to be further refined by the report, which was compiled with input from organisations such as the European Association for Digital Transition as well as paediatricians and psychiatrists. The report also hinted at the role of the wider environment in curtailing childrens exposure, calling for training programmes aimed at families, where experts could answer questions on how children can go online safely and how to limit access and exposure, as well as urging schools to remove any educational applications based on immediate gratification. Police stand guard in front of the National Assembly in Seoul on Tuesday - Lee Jin-man/AP The South Korean president has declared emergency martial law, citing North Korean threats and domestic anti-state forces. In a televised address to the nation, Yoon Suk-yeol vowed to eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order. He said the oppositions impeachment attempts and budget cuts had paralysed the government, but promised swift action to rebuild and protect the country. Martial law normally means government by military rule and the suspension of parliament and ordinary law. The South Korean military has said parliamentary activities are banned, and is understood to have blocked the entrance to the National Assembly. Videos have shown riot police pushing people back from the entrance to the parliament building in Seoul. @AmichaiStein1/X The surprise declaration comes as Yoons People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party continue to bicker over next years budget bill. Last week, opposition MPs last week approved a significantly downsized budget plan through a parliamentary committee. Our National Assembly has become a haven for criminals, a den of legislative dictatorship that seeks to paralyse the judicial and administrative systems and overturn our liberal democratic order, said Mr Yoon. Buses block the entrance to the National Assembly in Seoul - X The president accused opposition lawmakers of cutting all key budgets essential to the nations core functions, such as combating drug crimes and maintaining public security... turning the country into a drug haven and a state of public safety chaos. He went on to describe the opposition, which holds a majority in the 300-member parliament, as anti-state forces intent on overthrowing the regime and said his martial law decision was inevitable. I will restore the country to normalcy by getting rid of anti-state forces as soon as possible, he said. The president has also dismissed calls for independent investigations into several scandals involving his wife. One allegation was that he and Kim Keon-hee, the first lady, exerted inappropriate influence on the selection of a People Power Party by-election candidate in 2022. Another involved spy camera footage that purportedly showed the first lady accepting a luxury Dior bag as a gift from a pastor. An armoured vehicle in Seoul in an unverified image posted on social media Martial law is typically brought in after emergencies such as a foreign invasion or a natural disaster. It is not the first time it has been declared in South Korea, which alternated between liberal democracy and military dictatorship throughout the second half of the 20th century. The measure was imposed after coup detat attempts in the 1960s and 70s, as well as in response to student protests in 1964 and 1979. It was also brought in after the assassination of Park Chung-hee, the president, in 1979. South Koreas rightwing president has been forced to back down after he unexpectedly declared martial law only to face unanimous opposition from the national assembly, in the most serious challenge to the countrys democracy since the 1980s. President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late on Tuesday amid a dispute with opposition parties he accused of pro-North Korean sympathies and anti-state activities. But after some of the tensest hours in the countrys recent history, Yoon said troops would return to their barracks and the order would be lifted following a cabinet meeting. Just a moment ago, there was a demand from the national assembly to lift the state of emergency, and we have withdrawn the military that was deployed for martial law operations, Yoon said in a televised address early on Wednesday morning. We will accept the National Assemblys request and lift the martial law through the cabinet meeting. The cabinet approved a motion to lift the order shortly after, prompting jubilation among protesters who had braved freezing temperatures to gather outside parliament. The main opposition Democratic party called for Yoon, who has been in office since 2022, to resign or face impeachment. Even if martial law is lifted, he cannot avoid treason charges. It was clearly revealed to the entire nation that President Yoon could no longer run the country normally. He should step down, said Park Chan-dae, a senior Democratic party MP. Related: Declaration of martial law awakens ghosts South Koreans thought were laid to rest The White House said it was relieved that Yoon had reversed course on his declaration of martial law. Democracy is at the foundation of the U.S.-ROK alliance, and we will continue to monitor the situation, a spokesperson said, referring to South Korea by the initials of its official name, the Republic of Korea. The US had previously said it was watching events in its key Asian ally where it has 28,500 troops stationed to guard against North Korea with grave concern. South Koreas main opposition Democratic party had called presidents move essentially a coup detat, saying it was illegal and in violation of the countrys constitution. Legislators gathered in an emergency session of the National Assembly as parliamentary aides attempted to stop armed officers entering the building. Following Yoons declaration, Park An-su, the armys chief of staff, had said that strikes, work stoppages, and assembly acts that incite social unrest are prohibited. Martial law in South Korean also provides for arrest without warrant and states that all media should be controlled by military authorities. But there were no signs of South Korean society complying, after decades of democracy. Local media reported on the protests and the political developments, while the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions called emergency meetings to discuss going on strike. Hundreds of protesters had earlier gathered outside the national assembly building following Yoons announcement that he was acting to eradicate shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces. The crowd in Seoul cheered when the national assembly voted to reject his decree and called for Yoons arrest, chanting Abolish martial law and Oppose martial law. Helicopters circled overhead as armed officers had marched on and attempted to force entry into the building, where parliamentary staffers attempted to push then back with fire extinguishers to allow MPs to convene to vote down the decree. The declaration of martial law move drew immediate opposition from politicians, including the leader of Yoons own conservative People Power party, Han Dong-hoon, who called it wrong and vowed to stop it with the people. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the opposition Democratic party, which has a majority in parliament, said in a livestream online: Tanks, armoured personnel carriers and soldiers with guns and knives will rule the country. The economy of the Republic of Korea will collapse irretrievably. My fellow citizens, please come to the National Assembly. Yoon is known for labelling his political opponents anti-state forces and fake news. His administration, which took over in May 2022, has massively stepped up the use of defamation lawsuits against the press. He has also been locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition Democratic party over next years budget and drawn rebukes from his political rivals for dismissing calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, but had not hinted that he intended to declare martial law. A spokesperson for the US national security council also said that the US was not notified in advance of Yoons plans. We are seriously concerned by the developments we are seeing on the ground, the spokesperson said. In his announcement, Yoon said he had no choice but to resort to such a measure to safeguard free and constitutional order, claiming opposition parties had taken hostage of the parliamentary process to throw the country into a crisis. I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order, Yoon said. Yoon did not cite any specific threat from the nuclear-armed North, instead focusing on his domestic political opponents. There have been several protests against Yoon in recent weeks, with some calling for his impeachment. His approval rating recently fell to a record low of 19%. South Koreas constitution states that the president, who is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces, may declare martial law in time of war, armed conflict or similar national emergency. Moon Jae-in, the former president, said on Tuesday that the country was in a critical state and called on the National Assembly to quickly step in and protect the democracy that is collapsing. The surprise move sent shock waves through the country, which had a series of authoritarian leaders early in its history but has been considered democratic since the 1980s. A taxi driver in Seoul who asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal said: Theyre using exactly the same methods they used in the Park Chung-hee and Chun Doo-hwan eras Whenever their regime is in crisis, they use war-mongering and martial law to cover it up. Park and Chun were military dictators in South Korea between 1961 and 1988. I never imagined this would happen again, the taxi driver said. The Centre for Military Human Rights, an NGO, said that the declaration of martial law was illegal and called the move a declaration of war against the people of the Republic of Korea. The group accused Yoon of staging a coup, and called on the military to refrain from using force against citizens. On Monday South Koreas ministers had criticised a Democratic party move last week to cut more than 4tn won (2.2bn) from the governments budget proposal. Yoon said that action undermined the essential functioning of government administration. Soldiers push through crowds of people and try to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul - AFP/JUNG YEON-JE Credit: South Koreas National Assembly Secretariat Jung Su-yeon crawled on her hands and knees through the frantic legs of South Koreas security forces to save democracy. She had rushed through her city of Seoul shortly after the president shocked the world by announcing martial law and sending the army to the gates of parliament to seize power. Helicopters circled overhead as crowds of police and military stood between Ms Jung and her colleagues making a last stand. The MPs and their secretaries all jumped the walls to get inside, but there were still police [there] and a fight broke out, she told The Telegraph in the early hours of Wednesday morning. I managed to crawl between the legs of a policeman. Once inside, Ms Jung who works for the opposition Democratic Partys secretary general Kim Yoon-deok found herself in a face-off, and she was unsure where the situation would end. Paratroopers tried to break into the building so we fought back by spraying fire extinguishers they were fully armed so we were worried that there might be bloodshed, she said. There were some injured people in the process, some with broken glasses and some people fell to the ground. Ms Jung was on the front lines of a remarkable night in South Korea, considered a stable democracy and key regional ally of the West. Turmoil begins The turmoil began when Yoon Suk Yeol, the president, delivered a surprise televised address that would plunge the country into chaos. As of 11pm on Tuesday, he said, South Korea was under the rule of the military. As president of the Republic of Korea, I appeal to the nation with a bleeding heart, the 63-year-old began, glancing at the statement in front of him. Blaming the North Koreans and a den of criminals within his own countrys National Assembly, which he said had turned into a monster that destroys the liberal democratic system, he claimed South Korea could collapse at any moment. Mr Yoon, who had been facing possible impeachment over a string of corruption scandals, assured the country he was coming to their rescue from scurrilous opposition trying to bring him down. But if he expected the announcement to bring calm and stability, he was in for a shock of his own. Soon, the streets outside parliament were teeming with thousands of protesters in their winter parka coats and down jackets. Attempts by the security forces to block roads with tanks and buses did not deter crowds forming around the building, nor did the helicopters circling above the city or the barrier formed by riot police. Army vehicles appear to patrol the streets of Seoul - Rerum Novarum The crowds even turned bravely on members of the armys special forces sent to take control of parliament. Arent you ashamed? screamed Ahn Gwi-ryeong, a politician in a black leather coat, as she grabbed the gun of a balaclava-clad soldier, demanding to know why he was marching against unarmed civilians. A vote stops the chaos Other MPs meanwhile scrambled to get to the stone National Assembly building to call a vote to bring the entire debacle to a rapid close. Koreas democracy is on the brink. The National Assembly must act swiftly to protect democracy from falling, said Moon Jae-In, the former president. The people should come together to give life to democracy, and add strength to the legislature so that it may function properly. Mr Yoons political nemesis Lee Jae-myung who narrowly lost the 2022 election recorded a video message from his car as he raced across town to the parliament building claiming the president had betrayed the people and was no longer the president. Even Mr Yoons party were dismayed; his lawmakers said the presidential office had never warned them about a martial law announcement. Still as Ms Jung found out getting inside the National Assembly itself would prove easier said than done, with South Koreas special forces storming the parliament building and attempting to block the entrance. South Koreas main opposition Democratic Partys staff set up a barricade to block soldiers Politicians aides pushed back once inside, photos show opposition party staff creating their own ad-hoc barricade with the buildings beige sofas and wooden coffee tables, to allow the assembled MPs to vote down the martial measures. Remarkably, 190 of 300 MPs had made it, well above the 150 needed to vote down martial law. And even as the military broke windows in an attempt to get in, photos from inside the conclave looked surprisingly calm two hours and 48 minutes after Mr Yoons original announcement, parliament had officially voted the period over. After the resolution to cancel the martial law, we were relieved, said Ms Jung. But she and her colleagues remained in place waiting for Mr Yoon to lift martial law. He did so in the early hours of Wednesday morning local time. Begone martial law! Outside, while the MPs waited, hundreds of peaceful protesters still lined the streets, chanting begone martial law! and begone Yoon Suk Yeol! as temperatures hovered just above zero degrees. Many told The Telegraph they were staying put, resolute to protect the lawmakers indoors until the president had agreed his power-grab was over. Ruling and opposition lawmakers vote in favour of a resolution urging the president to withdraw martial law - YONHAP/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Mr Yoon a career prosecutor who was elected president in 2022 by a margin of less than one per cent on the back of anti-feminist sentiment had attempted to paint himself as the countrys saviour. But his move reminded many of an era of authoritarian leaders from the 1980s, and was widely seen as a desperate attempt to distract from domestic political difficulties. Not only have Mr Yoons approval ratings dipped in recent months, but his party has been locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition over next years budget, and he has faced a mounting scandal after his wife accepted expensive gifts. His claim that this was based on North Korean infiltration or a North Korean attack doesnt seem to be corroborated anywhere, said Dr John Nilsson-Wright, the head of Japan and Koreas programme at Centre for Geopolitics at the University of Cambridge, adding that the president has been on the back foot politically for a number of months. If it was a calculation that he thought he was going to win, he seems to have seriously misjudged the situation, he said. I think president Yoon is probably feeling very isolated at the moment and increasingly powerless to stop what has been a pretty impressive rally by the opposition parties. SBS News/X What happens next? Yet, what happens next is still unclear. The UK, US and other allies have said they are deeply concerned by events in South Korea, and called for a peaceful resolution. Following the end of martial law, it is still not clear whether the president will continue to fight for his political survival. Still, with calls for his resignation and eventual impeachment mounting, analysts said it is hard to see how he can weather this storm. Theres no ambiguity here, this is overreach on a massive scale by the president... unless there was some unknown, unexplained, genuine set of reasons that allowed him to erroneously believe that somehow the left was in cahoots with North Korea, said Dr Nilsson-Wright. But I dont see that. So I think there will be an effort to move quickly to make sure that a president who was already very unpopular is forced to step down. Few of those still chanting outside parliament disagreed. I think hes lost himself, a 50-year-old man said. I hope for him to reflect on his actions and that the first lady should face investigation. This is what the people want. South Koreas parliament and president are locked in a standoff after the president dramatically and unexpectedly declared martial law on Tuesday evening, sparking the most serious challenge to the countrys democracy since the 1980s. The US said it was watching events in its key Asian ally where it has 28,500 troops stationed to guard against North Korea with grave concern and hoped that any political disputes would be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law. South Koreas main opposition Democratic party called the presidents move essentially a coup detat, saying it was illegal and in violation of the countrys constitution. President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in a late-night televised address on Tuesday amid a dispute with opposition parties he accused of pro-North Korean sympathies and anti-state activities. Legislators gathered in an emergency session of the National Assembly as parliamentary aides attempted to stop armed officers entering the building to unanimously vote against Yoons declaration of martial law for the first time in South Korea since 1980. Seouls defence ministry said after the vote that it would continue to maintain martial law until the president instructed otherwise, leaving the two sides at loggerheads as the crisis stretched into the early hours of Wednesday morning with no sign of a resolution. South Korean law states that the president must comply with parliaments vote to block martial law, but it doesnt specify a time frame. Park An-su, the armys chief of staff, said that strikes, work stoppages and assembly acts that incite social unrest are prohibited. Martial law in South Korea also provides for arrest without warrant and states that all media should be controlled by military authorities. But in the early hours of Wednesday morning there were no signs of South Korean society accustomed to decades of democracy complying with the rules. Local media reported on the protests and the political developments, while the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions called emergency meetings to discuss going on strike. Hundreds of protesters had earlier gathered outside the National Assembly building following Yoons announcement that he was acting to eradicate shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces. The crowd in Seoul cheered when the National Assembly voted to reject his decree and called for Yoons arrest, chanting Abolish martial law and Oppose martial law. Helicopters circled overhead as armed officers attempted to force entry into the building, where parliamentary staffers tried to push them back with fire extinguishers. The declaration of martial law drew immediate opposition from politicians, including the leader of Yoons conservative People Power party, Han Dong-hoon, who called it wrong and vowed to stop it with the people. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic party, which has a majority in parliament, said in an online live stream: Tanks, armoured personnel carriers and soldiers with guns and knives will rule the country. The economy of the Republic of Korea will collapse irretrievably. My fellow citizens, please come to the National Assembly. Yoon is known for labelling his political opponents anti-state forces and fake news. His administration, which took over in May 2022, has massively stepped up the use of defamation lawsuits against the press. He has also been locked in an impasse with the liberal Democratic party over next years budget and drawn rebukes from his political rivals for dismissing calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, but there had been no hint that he intended to declare martial law. A spokesperson for the US national security council said Washington was not notified in advance of Yoons plans. We are seriously concerned by the developments we are seeing on the ground, the spokesperson said. In his announcement, Yoon said he had no choice but to resort to such a measure to safeguard free and constitutional order, claiming opposition parties had taken the parliamentary process hostage in order to throw the country into crisis. I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order, he said. Yoon did not cite any specific threat from the nuclear-armed North Korea, instead focusing on his domestic political opponents. There have been several protests against Yoon in recent weeks, with some calling for his impeachment. His approval rating recently fell to a record low of 19%. South Koreas constitution states that the president, who is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces, may declare martial law in time of war, armed conflict or similar national emergency. Moon Jae-in, the previous president, said on Tuesday that the country was in a critical state and called on the National Assembly to quickly step in and protect the democracy that is collapsing. The surprise move sent shock waves through the country, which had a series of authoritarian leaders early in its history but has been considered democratic since the 1980s. A taxi driver in Seoul who asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal said: Theyre using exactly the same methods they used in the Park Chung-hee and Chun Doo-hwan eras Whenever their regime is in crisis, they use war-mongering and martial law to cover it up. Park and Chun were military dictators in South Korea between 1961 and 1988. I never imagined this would happen again, the taxi driver said. The Centre for Military Human Rights, an NGO, said that the declaration of martial law was illegal and called the move a declaration of war against the people of the Republic of Korea. The group accused Yoon of staging a coup, and called on the military to refrain from using force against citizens. On Monday, South Koreas ministers criticised the Democratic partys move last week to cut more than 4tn Korean won (2.2bn) from the governments budget proposal. Yoon said that action undermined the essential functioning of government administration. Bob Lambert had sexual relationships with four women without informing them that he was married and an undercover officer during his deployment in the 1980s. Photograph: UCPI Evidence Hearings An undercover police officer has been accused of behaving recklessly when he fathered a son with a woman from whom he had concealed his real identity, a public inquiry has heard. Bob Lambert was accused of failing to give any consideration to the wellbeing of the woman, known as Jacqui, whom he had deceived into an intimate relationship. Lambert admitted that Jacqui and another woman he deceived into a sexual relationship would not have consented to the relationships if they had known that he was an undercover officer. On Tuesday, he told the undercover policing inquiry that he had made his superiors aware about his impending fatherhood and the second relationship. Lambert, a key figure in the spy cops inquiry, is being questioned formally in public about his controversial deployment infiltrating animal rights activists and anarchists for the first time since he was exposed in 2011. During his deployment in the 1980s he had sexual relationships with four women without informing them that he was married and an undercover officer. Jacqui told the inquiry last week that her life had been absolutely ruined after discovering the truth by chance, more than two decades after the birth of their son. The inquiry is examining how about 139 undercover officers spied on more than 1,000 political groups between 1968 and at least 2010. Lambert, who is being questioned for most of this week, has been giving evidence in a halting voice, often replying that he cannot recall when asked specific questions. In 1984, the same year he began his five-year deployment, Lambert started a relationship with Jacqui, an animal rights activist. He said he did not use a condom as he believed she was using contraception. David Barr, the inquirys chief barrister, asked him: Did you behave in this reckless manner because you were not giving Jacquis wellbeing any consideration? Lambert replied: I was certainly giving it very serious consideration. I continued to show that level of consideration during the pregnancy. Lambert said he talked to one of his managers, who is now dead, in a pub about the pregnancy but he took no action. Lambert initially helped to bring up the child but then vanished from their lives after two years, claiming falsely that he was in danger of being arrested by the police for crimes he had committed as an animal rights activist. Lambert was also questioned about another relationship he started in 1984. The woman, known only as CTS, was a member of a radical group, London Greenpeace, that Lambert infiltrated. She was in her early 20s and he was about a decade older. He said he became emotionally involved with her. Barr asked Lambert: Would CTS have consented to sex with you if she had known who you really were? Lambert replied: No, I dont imagine that she would have done. Barr asked: Did you consider that issue at all before having sex with CTS? Lambert responded: Not that I can recall. Lambert also said Jacqui would not have consented either. One of the main issues being examined by the inquiry is how the undercover officers who infiltrated political groups frequently formed sexual relationships during their deployments, using their fake identities, and how much their managers encouraged the relationships to better enable the officers infiltration. Lambert said his managers had discussed his relationship with CTS after they were photographed together by special branch at a demonstration. Lambert said he had received unclear advice from his managers about how to manage sexual relationships while he was undercover, while being told to form close friendships with the activists he was spying on. He said the relationship with CTS was an unintended consequence of the directions that I had to form close friendships. Keir Starmer may struggle to maintain close ties to the United States - Ludovic Marinjeff Kowalsky/AFP Never in political history has so much been made of an informal dinner in a New York skyscraper. Ever since the then presidential candidate Donald Trump agreed to provide some light snacks for Keir Starmer and his foreign secretary, David Lammy, the Prime Minister has taken every opportunity to remind audiences of that event, desperately trying to convince others not least the president-elect himself that he and Lammy are now intimate with the next leader of the free world. The Prime Minister was at it again last night, in a major foreign policy speech to an audience of the great and the good, reminding everyone that Trump had been a gracious host to him earlier this year. The record does not confirm whether the Prime Minister referred to the president-elect as my best mate. Its almost as if Starmer worries that the injudicious and, frankly, juvenile criticisms that were made of Trump in previous years by people who should have known better and who are now senior members of his government might come back to haunt the government at precisely the moment where the Prime Minister needs to strengthen relations with the US. But does he? Reports of last nights event conflict as to the message Starmer was seeking to convey, which is in itself a sign that Downing Streets news handling, like every other aspect of this government, requires a reset. The Telegraph reported Starmers determination to side with EU allies rather than America, while other newspapers reported the opposite was the case. This ambiguity leads to the conclusion that Starmer is too fond of fence-sitting and is loath to make any decision that will in any way annoy or frustrate anyone. He stated his determination to work more closely with the EU, yet reiterated his opposition to freedom of movement and membership of both the single market and the customs union. In the United States, he waxed lyrical about the historical importance of the special relationship, kowtowed to Trumps rhetoric on the need for a settlement of the Ukraine war and was complimentary about the evening menu at Trump Tower. But in the same week when a rabid enthusiast for free trade and capitalism was appointed as Americas ambassador to the Court of St James, it is odd that Starmers speech did not dwell on the trade and economic opportunities that could be presented by the second coming of President Trump in January. President Biden is known to be a sceptic on Brexit and was happy to derail any idea of a free trade agreement between our two countries. Trump is a long-time supporter of Brexit and his administration could prove an opportunity for Britains trade negotiators. When Starmer ditched his stated policy of supporting Ukraine until its eventual victory with a Trumpian commitment to a negotiated peace, presumably involving rewarding the Russian aggressor with territory it has already stolen by force of arms, he was signalling a major concession to Trump. One only does such a thing if one expects something in return. But what? Meanwhile, as part of his clumsy balancing act, Starmer commits to a reset of Britains relationship with the EU but without any of the concessions the commission would most like to see: freedom of movement, and membership of either (or both of) the single market and customs union. At the heart of Starmers government, therefore at least on international relations is an absence of any sort of strategy or even goal. On Europe, he dare not mention Brexit, lest doing so reminds voters of his own disastrous and dishonest role in trying to secure a second referendum in which Remain would be an option a tactic that led directly to Labours dismal defeat at the 2019 general election. Yet fearing to mention Brexit also means he cannot take advantage of any of the new freedoms it has given ministers. Ask any Labour minister about the advantages of Brexit and they will be likely to deny their existence. So why not rejoin? Silence is the answer. Similarly, on transatlantic relations, Starmer dare not talk about free trade, let alone an agreement, because it would strain his relations with the EU even more. So he sticks to the defence part of the special relationship and commits Britain to paying more of its share of Natos budget (although typically, without any timetable for reaching that target of 2.5 per cent of GDP). But America remains Britains biggest export destination as well as our biggest internal investment partner. Trade matters, especially in these days where economic growth is seen as the key to everything, and to pretend that our relationship with Washington is all about defence is to devalue it. So why will Starmer not talk about it? Both our EU and our American partners, if they listened carefully to Starmer last night, will have heard something they liked. But they will also have heard things that might make them anxious. Those listening even more carefully will have heard a series of largely vacuous cliches and word salads that warrant little analysis. This is not the way to conduct foreign affairs. You cant please everyone all the time, but to disappoint both the US and Europe, as well as most Brexit and Remain supporters at home, in the same speech is a truly extraordinary achievement. Yale University report details the Russian presidents direct involvement in the deportation, re-education and forced adoption of hundreds of Ukrainian children Stolen Ukrainian children are being put up for adoption in Russia on websites that have received funding from Vladimir Putin, according to a landmark report. The study by Yale Universitys Humanitarian Research Lab details the Russian presidents direct involvement in the deportation, re-education and forced adoption of hundreds of Ukrainian children. It could result in further charges against Putin for war crimes or crimes against humanity, or support a wider case of genocide. He has already been hit with an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court for lesser charges. Yales research which was completed over 20 months of almost three years of war outlines Russias seven-point programme of coerced adoption and fostering. It identified 314 children who have been forcibly placed in the programme since Moscows invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. A website profile picture of one of the adducted children featured in the Yale report All the children were taken from the Donbas regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, which have been partially occupied by Russian-backed proxies since 2014. They were brought to midpoint accommodation centres in Russia, after which they were either placed with a Russian family or in re-education camps before being naturalised as Russian citizens. With new Russian identities, often including fake names, back stories, videos and pictures, the children are then placed on state-backed adoption databases. These include the Russian department of educations State data bank of orphans and children left without parental care, a website run by the Center for Development of Social Projects, which has in the past received cash from Putins office, and the Change One Life database. Each of the databases contains profiles that link to the childrens profiles on the other two websites, Yales researchers found. The websites also allow viewers to select children from Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia four Ukrainian regions partially occupied by Russia, which Putin claimed to have annexed in September 2022. Of the 314 children uncovered by Yale, 148 were spread across five Russian regions before being placed on the databases. The others were directly settled with families across 16 regions of Russia. A Ukrainian soldier at the ruins of a destroyed house in the Donbas region - Photo by Wojciech Grzedzinski/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Direct financial support and other assets from the Presidents Office have underwritten and resourced two core logistical components of the program: child placement databases and transportation of children, the researchers wrote in the report titled Russias systematic program of coerced adoption and fostering of Ukraines children. From 2019 to 2024, the Center for Development of Social Projects has received more than 47 million roubles (roughly 355,000) in funding from the Presidential Grants Fund. The centres database includes pictures of children being put up for adoption in Russia, as well as details on their eye and hair colour, temperament, and their reason for being without parents. A data-sharing agreement was signed between the centre and Russias ministry of education in July 2019. Shoes piled up next to a destroyed residential building in Kherson - MARIA SENOVILLA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Further adding to Putins involvement in the scheme, Yale found examples where his office sanctioned the use of military jets to transport stolen children from Ukraine around Russia. The use of government assets for these transports is probative of Putins intent and awareness that children from Ukraine were moved within Russia, its researchers wrote. In one example of presidential jets being used to transport abducted children, satellite imagery showed a Tu-154M personnel transporter at Rostov-on-Don North airbase on May 27 2022, a day after 31 children from Mariupol and Donetsk were taken to Russia. The children were later taken to Moscow, where one of them was adopted by Maria Lvova-Belova, Putins commissioner for childrens rights. Similar jets were spotted in low-resolution satellite images at Moscows Chkalovsky Airfield on at least two occasions in July 2022, when it was also reported that groups of children were arriving from Ukraine. At the same time, the Kremlins website reported that Lvova-Belova had visited occupied Donetsk, after which she transported 13 purported orphans with her on the return journey to Moscow. Putin with Maria Lvova-Belova, his commissioner for childrens rights - Shutterstock Russia has been removing children from Ukraine since before its invasion in February 2022. The Kremlin launched its initial deportation scheme in the first weeks of 2022 as it prepared for war, removing children from two schools in occupied Donetsk six days before the incursion. Ukrainian officials say they have evidence of almost 20,000 deported children, but fear the number could be much higher because of the lack of oversight in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk which were controlled by Russian proxies before 2022s full-scale invasion. According to Yale, many of them have been taken from institutions, such as boarding schools or orphanages in occupied areas, by Russian officials. Once in Russia, they are often coerced into taking Russian citizenship and being settled with local families. An example given in Yales reports purports that a girl called Vika believed she would be separated from her siblings if she refused the demands. Others identified by researchers were made to attend events celebrating Moscows illegal annexation of Crimea. One of the re-education centres used by Moscow dedicated a week of classes to form in children ideas about our Motherland, its heroic past. Andriy Yermak, the chief of staff for Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, said: Russia must end its denials of coerced adoption and provide a register of all children from Ukraine it is forcibly detaining. Ukraine will not rest until our children are returned home and those responsible are held accountable. Stephen Parkinson, the director of public prosecutions - Aaron Chown/PA Wire Suspected criminals are exploiting court delays by pleading not guilty in the hope that their victims will drop out of trials, the director of public prosecutions (DPP) has warned. Stephen Parkinson, the head of the Crown Prosecution Service, told MPs on the Commons Select Justice Committee that the longer victims were forced to wait, the more likely they were to quit the case. Some defendants are taking advantage of the delays. They know the longer the case goes on without being tried, the greater the chance that something may go wrong, in particular that victims and witnesses will no longer be prepared to support the process, he said. Mr Parkinson said there were 82,000 cases in the backlog, nearly 90 per cent more than before the pandemic, with cases now being listed for 2027, meaning defendants and victims faced waits of up to three years from now. Many have already been waiting years for justice, with victims of sexual offences waiting an average of 2,307 days or six years between reporting the crime and a verdict, according to official data analysed by The Telegraph. Victims of fraud face the second longest waits at 1,647 days, or four-and-a-half years. They are followed by public order offences (668 days), drug offences (632 days), violence (509 days), possession of weapons (499 days), robbery (473 days), theft (458 days) and criminal damage and arson (443 days). Hardest blow Mr Parkinson said the hardest blow for victims was an adjournment of a case for which they had prepared. It takes considerable courage to gear yourself up for a hearing. The disappointment is obvious, he said. The prospect of criminal proceedings is like a dark shadow hanging over their lives. Time stops for people. They cant get on with their lives. It can affect relationships and their health in terms of the support that victims and witnesses are prepared to offer. Theres increasing attrition. He said 60 per cent of trials failed to go ahead on the day they were listed, either because the defendant, witnesses or a legal advocate could not make it or it eventually ended up as a guilty plea. He said the current fees structure for lawyers provided a financial incentive to delay early guilty pleas. The fees could be as much as double if the case ended up as a cracked trial, one that did not proceed on the scheduled date because the defendant changed their plea to guilty. A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: This Government inherited a criminal justice system in crisis, with a record and rising crown court backlog. While we are bound by a difficult financial inheritance, we are committed to bearing down on the backlog. This Government has increased the number of crown court sitting days to 106,500, more than in six out of the last seven years. And we will soon extend magistrates sentencing powers from 6 to 12 months, freeing up 2,000 days in the crown courts to handle the most serious cases. Residents flee as anti-regime fighters gather on a road leading to Hama province in central-west Syria. Photograph: Bakr Alkasem/AFP/Getty Images Syrian insurgents fighting forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have launched attacks in the central province of Hama, threatening to cut off government troops from a key route linking the capital, Damascus, with rebel-held Aleppo. The army was engaging in violent confrontations with armed groups in Hama, the Syrian state news agency Sana reported. Insurgents said they were positioned about 6 miles from Hama city, the countrys fourth largest city, and that their forces had captured the towns of Maardis and Soran just north of the city. Separately, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a longtime independent war monitor, said on Tuesday morning that rebel factions in the province had managed to seize several towns in the last few hours. Syrian and Russian air forces carried out dozens of strikes on the area, said the Britain-based monitor, which has a network of sources inside Syria. After their lightning assault on Aleppo over the past few days, militants led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have advanced south towards Hama. The city sits on a critical road linking Aleppo in the north with major central locations such as Homs city, the coastal ports of Latakia and Tartous, and Damascus in the south. Hama was a bastion of opposition to the Assad government when pro-democracy protests first erupted during the Arab spring in 2011. A bloody response by security forces to peaceful marches across the country led the opposition to arm itself, and a years-long civil war ensued. Since retaking Aleppo in 2016, Assad has regained a tight grip over the country, although he has never fully retaken all of Syrias borders. The sudden insurgent victory in Aleppo is the most serious challenge to the dictators control in years. Iran, Assads most significant backer, said on Tuesday that it would consider sending troops to Syria if requested by Damascus. Irans foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said the expansion of the activities of terrorist groups in Syria could further destabilise the region. Tehran has become increasingly alarmed that some of its key supply lines to its allied militia in Lebanon and Iraq could be threatened by the spread of the Syria conflict. Syria has become a proxy battleground for international power struggles, with Russia and Iran supporting Assad while Turkey and the US have backed various rebel groups. Insurgents propped up by Turkey have engaged in the most recent assault on Aleppo. Meanwhile, Israel, to the south, regularly bombs Iranian, Syrian and Lebanese militia in Syria. On Tuesday the Israeli military confirmed that its forces had killed Salman Jumaa, a senior figure from the Lebanese group Hezbollah, in Damascus. Jumaa was responsible for liaising with the Syrian army. Several hundred miles to the east of Hama and Aleppo, fighters from a US-backed, Kurdish-led coalition battled government forces early on Tuesday, opening a new front for Assads military. The fighting by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) was reported in villages across the Euphrates River from Deir ez-Zur, a regional capital. A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity to Reuters, said Washington had carried out at least one strike in self-defence in Deir ez-Zur, which they said was unrelated to the Aleppo offensive. Washington maintains a small number of troops at a base in a gas field in the Deir ez-Zur province. The region also has a presence of Islamic State militants, whom US troops have been fighting since 2014. The UN high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, voiced concern on Tuesday about the escalation of hostilities in north-west Syria. Medics have reported intensive aerial attacks by Syrian and Russian jets. Turks office said it had documented a number of extremely concerning incidents resulting in multiple civilian casualties, including a high number of women and children, from attacks by HTS and pro-government forces. The UN says nearly 50,000 people have been displaced by the fighting that has killed hundreds, mostly fighters, since the end of November. Russia, along with Iran, is a key backer of Assad and entered the Syrian civil war nearly a decade ago in support of his regime. Meanwhile, HTS, a former al-Qaida affiliate, is fighting alongside rebel groups backed by Turkey. The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is a main backer of groups opposed to Assad, said on Tuesday that the advance by militants showed that the Syrian president needed to hold talks with the opposition. Related: Who controls what territory in Syria? The rout of Syrian army forces from Aleppo and reports that their defensive lines have crumbled has undermined Assads already fractured control of the country. While his forces still control Hama, the city has a long history of dissent against dynastic, authoritarian rule. Assads late father, Hafez, repressed an anti-government uprising there in 1982. On Tuesday, an AFP journalist in the northern Hama countryside saw dozens of Syrian army tanks and military vehicles abandoned by the side of the road leading to Hama. Assad has remained a pariah figure in the west although there have been recent attempts to reopen diplomatic channels. The US state department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a briefing on Monday that Assad was a brutal dictator with blood on his hands, the blood of innocent civilians, and that Washingtons stance on his rule had not changed. Reuters, the Associated Press and Agence France-Presse contributed to this report The University of Houston-Downtown, left, and the Harris County Jail, right, along the Buffalo Bayou are shown from a window view in the Harris County Criminal Justice Center Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer A gun found hidden in the cushion of a wheelchair used by a Harris County jail inmate was loaded with six bullets, prosecutors said Monday. The inmate, Tyrone Kennedy, was charged with unlawful possession of a deadly weapon inside a penal institution and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Many details behind Kennedys arrest are still unclear, including how the firearm got into the jail and how long authorities believe he possessed the weapon. But officials confirmed Monday that Kennedy had been in custody for nearly a month before the gun was found. Advertisement Article continues below this ad MORE ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: FBI seeking man in connection to vandalism at north Houston mosque Kennedy was booked into the jail Oct. 23, after being accused of violating the conditions of his parole related to two murder convictions from the 1990s. Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey M. ONeal said the gun was found Nov. 16, after a jailhouse tipster told deputies Kennedy had a gun hidden in his wheelchair. The firearm was found in a cushion of the chair, ONeal said. During a hearing Monday, Kennedys attorney suggested that other people may have used the wheelchair before Kennedy. This wheelchair was probably in many different peoples hands before it came into his custody, defense attorney Allison Mathis said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Prosecutors disagreed with Mathis and said Kennedy had been in possession of the wheelchair for nearly a month. The sheriff's office in a news release said Kennedy had entered the jail with his personal wheelchair. Kennedy walked into the court shackled and wearing a yellow jumpsuit. Kennedy had a medical condition that made it difficult for him to walk, Mathis said. Kennedy is a twice-convicted murderer, according to court records. A jury in 1992 convicted him of shooting and killing another man in 1988. In 1995, Kennedy also pleaded guilty to shooting and killing a man in 1990. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison on the former charge, and 20 years on the latter. Public records show he was released on parole in 2012, but is scheduled to be under state supervision until 2040. Kennedy was taken back into custody in October because of questions about whether he reported a change of address to his parole officer, Mathis said. Kennedy was on the verge of being released from the jail when deputies found the weapon, Mathis said. A visiting judge ordered Kennedy held on no bond. His next court date is scheduled for February. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Harris County Sheriffs Office senior deputy Thomas Gilliland said the investigation into it remained ongoing as of Monday morning. Harris County self-reported the incident to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, according to Ricky Armstrong, the assistant director for the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. The state group has launched an investigation to determine whether any jail standards were violated. Its not uncommon for authorities to find contraband in the jail, but firearms getting past security is a rare occurrence. Between August and November, the sheriffs office recovered two cellphones, 19 homemade knives and 168 sheets of drug-laced paper, the agency said last week. The agency has also investigated 25 cases where drugs were found inside the jail. Reporter Nicole Hensley contributed. The Marbles were taken from Athens in the 19th century by Lord Elgin - Mike Kemp/In Pictures Talks over the Elgin Marbles being returned to Athens from the British Museum are said to be well advanced ahead of the Greek prime ministers visit. Downing Street has insisted the ancient artefacts are not going to be on the agenda when Sir Keir Starmer meets Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Tuesday. But experts have said a deal is close, with negotiations already progressing between George Osborne, the museums chairman, and the Greek foreign ministry. Prof Irene Stamatoudi, who has been involved in previous talks and was an adviser to the Greek minister of culture, said the Greek leader is desperate for the return of the Marbles. Speaking on BBC Radio 4s Today programme, she said: I do believe that a deal is close, but I cannot be sure how close enough. It seems negotiations have gone forward, they have advanced on the two sides. Indeed, the issue seems not to be on the agenda of the Greek prime minister and Keir Starmer, but definitely it will be one of the issues that will be discussed. This is how things progress. A Greek official said he would be very surprised if Mr Mitsotakis did not raise the issue of the marbles in the meeting, telling The Telegraph: I get the impression that progress is being made behind the scenes. The climate is certainly more ripe [under Labour] than it has been for a long time. Whether they can bridge the gap remains to be seen, but we are optimistic. The British Museum has had the artefacts more than 30 stone sculptures from Greece since they were transported to Britain by Lord Elgin in 1816. They have been a source of controversy for decades, with politicians from both countries clashing over their ownership. Almost half of the sculptures from the Parthenon remain in Greece with Mr Mitsotakis previously likening their separation to cutting the Mona Lisa in half. Rishi Sunak, the former prime minister, cancelled Downing Street talks with his Greek counterpart last year, prompting Sir Keir to step in and say he would not stand in the way of a deal. On the possibility that Mr Osborne does not want to send all the marbles back, Prof Stamatoudi added: That would be rather disappointing, because that does not serve the purpose. If not all of them are back, then visitors will not be able to admire them as a whole in unity. What Greece is aiming at is a cultural strategic partnership, where Greece will give blockbuster antiquities on rolling exhibitions to the British Museum so the gallery is not empty. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Greek prime minister, has said the continued presence of the Marbles in the British Museum is akin to the Mona Lisa being cut in half - Giannis Papanikos/via Reuters Asked whether the Greek prime minister was desperate for a solution, she said: Absolutely. This is a request that all Greeks feel passionate about. They believe that the marbles were removed in a shady way, even for the time. They were broken apart, they travelled in disastrous circumstances Greeks think of them as being part of their natural cultural heritage. Sir Keirs official spokesman said the marbles were not going to be on the prime ministers agenda when he meets Mr Mitsotakis. A British Museum spokesman said: Discussions with Greece about a Parthenon partnership are ongoing and constructive. We believe that this kind of long-term partnership would strike the right balance between sharing our greatest objects with audiences around the world, and maintaining the integrity of the incredible collection we hold at the museum. Tom Kerridge in his pub the Hand and Flowers in Marlow - Andrew Crowley/Tom Kerridge for DT Weekend The Governments National Insurance rise will have a catastrophic effect on the hospitality sector, causing a huge amount of pub and restaurant closures, Tom Kerridge has warned. The celebrity chef, a Labour supporter, was one of 120 business leaders who signed a letter before the election to endorse the party. But he said the Budget increase to employer National Insurance contributions would make a difficult time for the hospitality industry worse, predicting that job openings would be slashed. Asked whether the rise would have a big impact, Kerridge told Politics Hub on Sky News: Yeah, that is a huge one for many employers. For us, we have calculated it is around about 800 to 850 per member of staff extra per year, so if you have got 200 members of staff that is an awful lot of money. But even smaller businesses with a workforce of five or 10, that does make a big, big difference coming into their bottom line costs that really do, I suppose, have a reaction in a negative process into the businesses in terms of employment. It is already a short-staffed industry, but is it looking at re-employing? Will it start giving out those jobs? I mean probably not. I think most hospitality spaces are now looking at ok, what is the workforce that we have, how do we survive with it, how do we get through?. Rachel Reeves announced in the Budget that the rate of employer National Insurance contributions will rise from 13.8 per cent to 15 per cent, and the wage threshold at which it kicks in will fall from 9,100 per year to 5,000. The Treasury expects the move will raise 25 billion. Kerridge said the run-up to Christmas would give a false sense of feeling that everything is ok because it is usually a boom period for the industry. But he warned that it is the other side, into the new year, when it completely drops off a cliff and many firms may not have enough money to get through the leaner months when the increase is rolled out. Asked if that meant job losses and businesses going bust, he added: I think in all honesty there will be a huge amount of closures. We have already got high-profile names and Michelin star restaurants that are deciding to shut their doors and places that are closing because it just cannot operate at a profit. When that starts to happen it does begin to filter down, and it is not just the smaller businesses that are saying it. Kerridge said he was sitting in two camps because I am a Labour Party supporter and I do believe that they are the right people to try and get this country into the right position where it should be in terms of broken infrastructure. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, claimed Labour had tricked business leaders into backing the party before the election as he responded to Kerridges comments. The senior Tory tweeted: Labour tricked businesspeople like Tom into supporting them at the election by pretending they had no plans to significantly raise taxes. Turns out Labour were lying. And now Tom says the impact of Labours tax rises on his business are catastrophic. After meeting Justin Trudeau, Donald Trump posted this picture on Truth Social with the caption Oh Canada! Donald Trump appeared to troll Justin Trudeau with a picture of himself posing with the Canadian flag after reportedly suggesting Canada could become a US state. The picture, which Mr Trump posted on social media, seemingly shows the president-elect gazing out at the Rockies with the Canadian flag planted next to him, with the caption: Oh Canada! It comes after he reportedly told Mr Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, that his country could become the 51st US state if it could not stomach new tariffs. On Friday, Mr Trudeau flew to Mar-a-Lago at short notice to discuss the president-elects plans to slap a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian and Mexican imports if both countries failed to halt the flow of drugs and migrants across the US borders. Mr Trump threatened to impose tariffs if both countries failed to halt the flow of drugs and migrants across their borders with the United States. Justin Trudeau and Donald Trump at Mar-A-Lago. Guests said their meeting was very friendly and very positive, despite the president-elects alleged barbed comments During a three-hour dinner in which crab and oysters were served, Mr Trump told the Canadian premier that his country had failed the US by allowing illegal migrants from more than 70 countries to cross their shared border, two people at the table told Fox News. He then reportedly said that if Mr Trudeau could not fix the issues at the border, he would levy the proposed tariff from the day he returns to office. According to the outlet, Mr Trudeau pleaded with Mr Trump not to implement the new tariff because it would kill Canadas economy. Ripping off the US Mr Trump is said to have responded: So your country cant survive unless its ripping off the US to the tune of $100 billion? His comments referred to the US trade deficit with Canada. Mr Trump then suggested that Canada could instead become the 51st US state, which caused the prime minister and others to laugh nervously, Fox News reported. The president-elect is said to have run with the joke, telling Mr Trudeau that prime minister was a better title, but that he could still be governor of the 51st state. The exchange was said to have prompted someone else at the table to weigh in, advising Mr Trump that Canada would be a very liberal state, which triggered more laughter. Mr Trump reportedly went on to suggest that if Mr Trudeau could not meet his demands, perhaps Canada could be divided into two states: a liberal and a conservative one. Despite the verbal jousting, the Canadian guests reportedly called the dinner very friendly and very positive. Dominic LeBlanc, the Canadian public safety minister who joined Mr Trudeau at the dinner, said: The prime minister of course spoke about the importance of protecting the Canadian economy and Canadian workers from tariffs, but we also discussed with our American friends the negative impact that those tariffs could have on their economy, on affordability in the United States as well. The idea that we came back empty handed is completely false, Mr LeBlanc continued. We had a very productive discussion with Mr Trump and his future Cabinet secretaries. ... The commitment from Mr Trump to continue to work with us was far from empty handed. Mr Trump called the talks productive but signalled no retreat from his tariffs pledge. The Trump transition team was approached for comment. Rioting in Middlesborough last summer saw damage to property, cars and public buildings, as well as attacks on police. Photograph: Gary Calton/The Observer A majority of towns that saw rioting last summer have a torn social fabric and have been bearing the brunt of economic deprivation, according to a new report. The report was published by the charitable trust Power to Change, using a social fabric index produced by the Onward thinktank which looks at the changing nature of community in different parts of the UK. It found that 23 of the 27 places that experienced disorder last summer have a social fabric score that was far below the median. Some of the areas where violence broke out, such as Hull, where windows of a hotel that was used to house migrants were smashed and three police officers were injured, and Middlesbrough, where a 1,000-strong riot saw police attacked, as well as homes, cars and public buildings vandalised, had the lowest social fabric score in the UK. The Social Fabric Index, which has been produced by Onward every year since 2020, looks at an areas economic value, such as employment rates; relationships, such as rates of volunteering; positive norms, such as the levels of education in the area; civic infrastructure, such as trust in government; and physical infrastructure, looking at data on local assets and green spaces. The new report analysed the data from the index against the 27 areas that had experienced violent disorder and found the overwhelming majority of areas that experienced riots had a median social fabric index below 0.5. Only Southport, London (Westminster) and Bristol had a score at the median or slightly above. The Power to Change report used the findings to develop 10 recommendations that call for an investment in cohesion so people have places to meet, empowering communities so they feel more control over their lives, and supporting community-led growth that can be seen and felt across the country. Related: Local. Left behind. Prey to populist politics? What the data tells us about the 2024 UK rioters Josh Westerling, the policy manager at Power to Change and the reports lead author, welcomed the focus on community cohesion after the rioting, but said: Communities policy must move from crisis response to a consistent strategy. The report calls for the implementation of the community wealth fund, plans for which were abandoned due to the elections, and to bring forward flexible funding pots of about 1.5m a place over 10 years. It hopes this funding can help reverse the loss of spaces and places where people can meet others and interact. On average 6,000 council-owned assets had closed in 2010, according to the report, while green space provision had declined by a third when compared with the early 20th-century scenario. The report also noted the closure of 50 pubs a month in the first half of 2024. The report also calls for the expansion of community ownership funds to 1bn over 10 years. The funds have supported over 330 community ownership projects across the UK so far, such as Stretford Public Hall, Manchester, which was bought by 800 local people and organisations after the council announced it was putting it up for sale. The hall now offers a programme of services and activities. Westerling said: Government should stop thinking of cohesion in isolation, and recognise it as the bedrock for empowerment and economic opportunity in places. That is why Power to Change are calling for a long-term, three-stage strategy that ties together cohesion, community empowerment, and community-led growth. Other recommendations include introducing community-based initiatives to increase contact between different groups of people, work towards universal fluency in English by 2030 by supporting delivery of ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) classes, introduce a community right to buy, and establish a community growth network. Woman receives vaccination Covid-19 vaccine mandates did more harm than good, a House of Representatives report has claimed. A 525-page report from the coronavirus pandemic select committee argued that Joe Bidens policy had cost thousands of people their jobs, harmed public confidence in health professionals and damaged military readiness. The report said that the vaccine undoubtedly saved millions of lives by diminishing likelihood of severe disease and death although it did not stop transmission and therefore making the jabs mandatory was ineffective at stopping the spread of Covid. The report also suggested that the more likely origin of the coronavirus pandemic was a lab leak than any kind of natural spillover event. Four years after the onset of the worst pandemic in 100 years, the weight of the evidence increasingly supports the lab leak hypothesis. Since the Select Subcommittee commenced its work in February 2023, more and more senior intelligence officials, politicians, science editors, and scientists increasingly have endorsed the hypothesis that Covid-19 emerged as the result of a laboratory or research related accident, it said. Lab leak The document also referenced Dr Tim Spector, professor at Kings College London, who played a significant role in the pandemic response in the United Kingdom, who believes that the most likely source of the outbreak was a lab leak. Prof Spector previously told the Zoe podcast: I dont think theres any doubt that this virus emanated in China, in a place near Wuhan. The question is, did this come from bats? Did it come from a lab that was working on this virus and manipulating it to make it grow faster? Or was it a totally artificially generated virus to cause harm that they then didnt control? The initial ideas and the governments official response was that this was related to bats and was a natural phenomenon that came out of this market in Wuhan. Its looking increasingly like that was a bit of a cover-up and that the most likely source of this was a lab leak from Wuhan. Vaccine mandates trampled freedoms Mr Bidens administration introduced several vaccine mandates from 2021 for members of the armed forces, federal workers, healthcare workers, and businesses with more than 100 employees. Many state and local governments, along with private employers, followed suit. The Covid-19 vaccine mandates caused people to lose their livelihoods, hollowed out our healthcare and education workforces, reduced our military readiness and recruitment, caused vaccine hesitancy, reduced trust in public health, trampled individual freedoms, deepened political divisions, and interfered in the patient-physician relationship, the report states. Some 8,000 members of the armed services were discharged as a result of the vaccine mandate, the report states. Only 43 rejoined when this was rescinded in Jan 2023. It has also hindered the militarys ability to recruit. In fiscal year 2022, the military missed its recruiting goal by 15,000 personnel 25 per cent of its target, the report continues. Our nations adversaries stood back and watched as we weakened our own military readiness due to this misguided policy. Entrenched distrust The mandates were also said to have forced millions of people to choose between their livelihoods and being vaccinated, causing thousands of people to lose their jobs in the middle of a pandemic and unstable economic environment. It cited a paper in the British Medical Journal from May 2022 that found the vaccine requirement had entrenched distrust from those who saw it as an unreasonable threat to ones freedom. Dr Kevin Bardosh, a medical anthropologist and longstanding opponent of lockdowns, told the committee that mandates had fractured trust in public health officials and prompted a drop in childhood vaccinations. A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in October found that immunisation rates for nursery-age children had fallen each year since the start of the pandemic. The report argued that vaccine mandates appeared to fly in the face of decades of scientific research, by not making an exception for those who had acquired immunity by having previously been infected. Brad Wenstrup, the committees chairman, found that his antibody count was well in excess of a strong number while recovering from Covid. A strong number is 40, but the chairmans number was 821, the report states. Quantifiable harm to children The final House report on the pandemic found that imposing a masking mandate caused quantifiable harm to children, describing the move as profoundly immoral. It also claims the CDC and Biden Administration cherry-picked observational data to fit their narrative that masks are fully effective. During the height of the pandemic, the CDC recommended that children as young as two should wear masks. However, the report describes the measure as unbelievably far reaching, pointing out that the WHO specifically did not recommend masking children aged five or younger because of their reduced risk of illness. The report also highlights the consequences that constant mask wearing may have caused in young children, such as delayed speech and language disorders. Not only did the CDC overlook these concerns, according to the report, but it subjected children to wearing masks for much longer than necessary. Ignoring the science and facts of Covid-19 and the harms of masking young children was profoundly immoral on behalf of the leadership of the countrys public health officials. it said. The House document also found that the 6ft-social distancing requirement was not supported by science. At the start of the pandemic, the CDC issued guidance specifying people should remain at least two arms lengths from one another to stop the spread of the virus. However, the report found there were no scientific trials or studies conducted before this policy was implemented. In contrast to government advice at the time, the final House paper on the subject found that lockdowns were unscientific and caused more harm than good. According to the report, prolonged lockdowns unnecessarily harmed the US economy and unnecessarily damaged peoples mental health, as well as disrupting the development of children. A committee charged with saving wildlife took the wolfs protection status down a notch after members voted through a proposal from the EUthat lowers the bar for shooting a wolf. Photograph: Arnd Wiegmann/REUTERS Europes wolves will lose their strict protection status, alarming conservationists who fear for the survival of an animal brought back from the brink of local extinction. A committee charged with saving wildlife took the wolfs protection status down a notch on Tuesday after members voted through a proposal from the European Union that lowers the bar for shooting a wolf. The EU, which proposed the measure to protect livestock, estimates that wolves kill 65,000 animals each year that were meant to be slaughtered for humans to eat. The downgrade was welcomed by hunters but prompted outrage from nature groups. This decision is a green light to shoot wolves, given by the international community in white gloves, said Marta Klimkiewicz, from ClientEarth. Sofie Ruysschaert, from BirdLife Europe and Central Asia, said it risked undoing decades of European conservation progress. Related: Europe saved its predators from the brink of extinction. So why is it killing thousands of bears, wolves and lynx? Wolves were killed off across much of Europe in the 19th and 20th century but have returned in recent decades as governments have protected habitats and kept hunters at bay. An estimated 20,000 wolves now roam the continent, and rising tensions with farmers have sparked calls for culls in rural communities. Laurens Hoedemaker, the president of the European Federation for Hunting & Conservation (FACE), said he welcomed news that the proposal was positively received as an initiative to balance conservation and species management. European wolves have not killed anyone this century but have preyed on livestock and claimed one high-profile life. In September 2022, a male grey wolf called GW950m entered a paddock near a German farmhouse and killed a chestnut pony that belonged to Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission. In a statement after the vote, von der Leyen said the change in wolf protection status was important news for our rural communities and farmers because we need a balanced approach between the preservation of wildlife and the protection of our livelihoods. Related: Wildlife biologist Diane Boyd: Wolf and human societies have intriguing parallels Instead of killing wolves, conservationists have called for measures that let them coexist peacefully with people, such as getting guard dogs and putting up electric fences. They have warned that wolf culls might even harm livestock by disrupting packs and forcing lone wolves on to farms to hunt. Researchers have noticed similar unintended effects with cougars, coyotes, pumas and badgers. Sabien Leemans, from the European branch of WWF, said: Downgrading a species strict protection status for the political gain of a few, against scientific evidence, puts decades of conservation efforts at risk. A 2018 assessment from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) found three of nine wolf populations in the EU were vulnerable, and three more were near threatened. More recent assessments from the Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe (LCIE) suggest five populations are near-threatened and one is vulnerable. Overall, scientists say Europes wolf population is healthy enough that the decision need not spell disaster for the species but warn it could prove fatal for local populations that hover near the survival threshold. Culling and killing a few wolves here and there is not going to harm the overall wolf population in Europe, said Luigi Boitani, a zoologist at the Sapienza University of Rome and chair of the LCIE. But it all depends on how its done and where. The wolf has become a symbol of rural anger against environmental rules as attacks on sheep have risen. Switzerland tried to downgrade the wolfs protection status with a similar proposal in 2022 but failed to gather enough support. Earlier this year, Swiss farmers dumped sheep carcasses in front of a government building to demand more action against the predators. The proposal from the EU, which was approved by a two-thirds majority of the Council of Europe, comes after European politicians watered down a series of policies to protect nature in the aftermath of furious farmer protests this year. The change will be enforced in three months unless at least one-third of the parties object. The EU will have to take further steps to update its habitats directive. If we could count on logic and rationality and scientific rigour, this decision is not dangerous, said Boitani. The problem is [that] out there, when we speak of wolves, there is a lot of irrationality. Sir Keir Starmer would not stand in the way of a deal which could see the Elgin Marbles returned to Greece, Downing Street has indicated. No 10 said the Parthenon sculptures future is entirely in the hands of the British Museum, amid reports its negotiations with the Greek government are progressing. Downing Street would also not steer away from suggestions that Greek premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis raised the Marbles when he met with Sir Keir on Tuesday morning. Understandably, the Greek prime minister will have raised many issues, No 10 said. Greece has long maintained that the Elgin Marbles were illegally removed from their place high atop Athens acropolis during a period of foreign occupation, and has called for their return. A headless statue from the Parthenon sculptures collection at the British Museum (British Museum/PA) The British Museum is forbidden by law from giving away any of its artefacts, and the Government has no plans to change the law that would permit a permanent move, according to the Prime Ministers official spokesman. Asked if it would be possible to loan the Elgin Marbles to Athens, the spokesman said: Those decisions are entirely for the British Museum. A cultural partnership would likely be at the heart of a deal between the museum and the Greek government, which could see the sculptures returned to Athens in exchange for exhibitions of famous artworks. Discussions about a Parthenon Partnership are ongoing and constructive, according to the museum. A spokesperson for the British Museum added: We believe that this kind of long-term partnership would strike the right balance between sharing our greatest objects with audiences around the world, and maintaining the integrity of the incredible collection we hold at the museum. Athens is understood to believe the UK Government would not stand in the way of such a scheme once it is agreed with the British Museum. Downing Street insisted ahead of the meeting that discussion about the marbles were not on Sir Keirs agenda. At the top of their head-to-head, the Prime Minister said he hoped the UK and Greece could build on our strong bilateral relationship and to talk about our common issues. Mr Mitsotakis said Greece saw Britain as integral in addressing the security challenges that we are facing in Ukraine and the Middle East. Tuesdays visit was the first the Greek leader has made to the UK since a diplomatic row was sparked under the previous government. Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, ahead of a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street (Justin Tallis/PA) Then-prime minister Rishi Sunak cancelled a meeting with Mr Mitsotakis, who had made a push for the sculptures return. Mr Sunak denied having thrown a hissy fit over the matter and accused his counterpart of grandstanding. Mr Mitsotakis had compared splitting the Elgin Marbles from those still in Athens to cutting the Mona Lisa in half. The marble statues came from friezes on the 2,500-year-old Parthenon temple and have been displayed at the British Museum for more than 200 years. They were removed by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century when he was British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. Some of the remaining temple statues are on display in the purpose-built Acropolis Museum in Athens, and Greece has called for the collections to be reunited. The Conservatives meanwhile suggested reports of progress in a deal on the Elgin Marbles showed the Prime Minister was ready to cave into the radical left. Shadow culture minister Saqib Bhatti added: The marbles are protected by an act of Parliament the PM needs to be clear that he will not allow the law to be changed and block any legal work around that might be devised to allow them to be taken out of this country The Prime Minister should be standing up for Britain, our heritage, and our world-class cultural institutions instead of giving in to pressure from campaigners who detest British history. The United Kingdom does not need to choose between its allies in America and Europe, Sir Keir Starmer has said in a major speech. The Prime Minister said it was plain wrong to suggest he needed to steer his Government away from either of the UKs most prominent allies. With the advent of Donald Trumps return to the White House, European leaders fear a divide over the future of support for Ukraine, as the incoming president has expressed a desire to end the conflict on day one of his time in office. But Sir Keir said the UK would never turn away from its partnership with the US, and also promised to build stronger bonds with Europe. Speaking at the Lord Mayors Banquet in central London, Sir Keir said: I want to be clear at the outset. Against the backdrop of these dangerous times. The idea that we must choose between our allies. That somehow were with either America or Europe. Is plain wrong. I reject it utterly. He added: (Clement) Attlee did not choose between allies. (Winston) Churchill did not choose. The national interest demands that we work with both. The Prime Minister added: Thats why, when President Trump graciously hosted me for dinner in Trump Tower, I told him that we will invest more deeply than ever in this transatlantic bond with our American friends in the years to come. He also repeated his commitment to rebuild our ties with Europe and insisted he was right to try to build closer links with China. It is remarkable that until I met President Xi last month there had been no face-to-face meeting between British and Chinese leaders for six years, the Prime Minister said. Mr Trump has meanwhile named investment banker Warren Stephens as his pick for the USAs next ambassador to the United Kingdom although the appointment still needs to be confirmed by the US Senate. The billionaire and Republican donor will act as top diplomat to one of Americas most cherished and beloved allies, Mr Trump said. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during the annual Lord Mayors Banquet on Monday (Yui Mok/PA) The Prime Minister also insisted the UK will back Ukraine for as long as it takes as he made a speech at Londons Guildhall, but for the first time acknowledged the conflict could move towards a negotiated end. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has in recent weeks suggested he is open to a possible ceasefire with Vladimir Putins Russia. The Prime Minister said there is no question it is right we support Ukraine, as the UKs aid to Kyiv is deeply in our self-interest. Allowing Russia to win the war would mean other autocrats would believe they can follow Putins example, he warned. Sir Keir added: So we must continue to back Ukraine and do what it takes to support their self-defence for as long as it takes. To put Ukraine in the strongest possible position for negotiations so they can secure a just and lasting peace on their terms that guarantees their security, independence, and right to choose their own future. Mr Zelensky told Sky News over the weekend he would be open to speaking with Mr Putin, but branded the Russian president a terrorist. He also suggested that Ukrainian territory under his control should be taken under the Nato umbrella to try to stop the hot stage of the war with Russia. The UK has called for a peaceful resolution to the crisis in South Korea after the countrys president attempted to impose martial law on Tuesday. Foreign Office minister Catherine West said the UK was deeply concerned by Yoon Suk Yeols decision to suspend parliament and ban political gatherings amid an ongoing struggle with the main opposition party. Mr Yoons declaration of martial law was criticised by both his opponents and members of his own party, and less than three hours later the South Korean parliament voted to lift the declaration. President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late on Tuesday (Kin Cheung/PA) The president said he would abide by the National Assemblys decision and lift martial law. Ms West said the British embassy in Seoul was monitoring the situation and remained in touch with South Korean authorities. She added: We call for a peaceful resolution to the situation, in accordance with the law and the constitution of the Republic of Korea. British nationals in South Korea should continue to monitor and follow FCDO travel advice. In an update to its travel advice on Tuesday, the Foreign Office warned British nationals to follow the advice of local authorities and avoid political demonstrations. Mr Yoons declaration follows the South Korean presidents ongoing dispute with the opposition Democratic Party, which retained its majority in the countrys parliament at elections in April. In a televised address, the president accused the opposition of being sympathetic to North Korea, and said martial law would help rebuild and protect the country from falling into the depths of national ruin. He said: I will eliminate anti-state forces as quickly as possible and normalise the country. National Assembly employees spray a fire extinguisher towards soldiers at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea (Cho Da-un/Yonhap via AP) As well as banning political gatherings, the declaration of martial law ordered an end to a long-running doctors strike, and said anyone violating the terms of the decree could be arrested and detained without a warrant. But National Assembly speaker Woo Won Shik branded the declaration invalid following the parliamentary vote to lift martial law. Police officers and soldiers who had been blocking access to the parliament building were seen leaving after Mr Woo called for them to withdraw. Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung said his legislators would remain in the building until the president formally lifted the order, pledging to protect our countrys democracy and future with our lives. Mr Yoon said he would lift martial law following a cabinet meeting due to be held a few hours after the vote. From cheeses to frozen appetizers, these Trader Joe's products are a private chef's essentials for holiday parties. Mila Furman; MDV Edwards/Shutterstock Private chef Mila Furman shared her top Trader Joe's picks for holiday entertaining. Furman, a Chicago-based chef, has shopped at Trader Joe's for over 20 years. Her recommendations include gourmet cheeses and frozen appetizers for budget-friendly hosting. With years of experience as a private chef and a longtime devotion to Trader Joe's, Mila Furman has mastered the art of holiday hosting on a budget. Furman, who is from the Chicago area, swapped her corporate career to pursue her passion for food, starting her own food blog and eventually her own catering and private-cheffing company. She's also been an avid Trader Joe's shopper for over 20 years and says she uses the grocery chain "religiously" for entertaining and weekly grocery shopping for her clients and her own family. From gourmet cheeses, crackers, and dips to frozen appetizers, Furman believes these 10 items will wow your guests without straining your wallet, which is especially important as grocery prices remain high this season. Here are the Trader Joe's products a private chef would recommend for any holiday celebration. The cheese section at Trader Joe's can be a one-stop shop for an epic charcuterie board. Trader Joe's cheese section. MDV Edwards/Shutterstock For many holiday party hosts, a cheese or charcuterie board is a must-have, and Furman says it's easy to build a show-stopping one using products from Trader Joe's. "The charcuterie board we build from Trader Joe's, especially their dry goods section, is amazing," Furman told Business Insider. "The cheese situation is epic." Furman said she tries every new cheese Trader Joe's offers and that the Unexpected Cheddar cheese is one of her all-time favorites. She said she was shocked when she first tried it. "I've never tasted anything like that in the sense that it was super mild but also so full of flavor," she said. "They also have an amazing Saint-Andre, which is a triple cream cheese, so it's basically Brie en creme and another soft cheese that has chile peppers in it." Trader Joe's also has a variety of antipasto appetizers for entertaining. Trader Joe's sells mozzarella cheese wrapped in prosciutto for an easy charcuterie board addition. Hong Vo/Shutterstock Another item Furman picks up for holiday entertaining is the chain's prosciutto-wrapped fresh mozzarella cheese. "They have these ready antipasti apps, and it's so easy," she said. "You put them on a charcuterie board and you're done. That's it. There's nothing else you have to do." You can also get dry goods like nuts and dried cranberries to spice up your board. A view of several packages of Trader Joe's premium walnut halves. The Image Party/Shutterstock Furman touted the "much more affordable" selection of crackers, nuts, and other dried goods at Trader Joe's compared to other grocery stores, and said it's her go-to place to buy accouterments for her holiday charcuterie boards. "The nuts, the dried cranberries, the figs," she said, adding, "I see other places run out of figs way before their stores do." The chain's pre-made tzatziki is fresh and versatile. Trader Joe's has a wide selection of dips ideal for easy entertaining. Corinna Haselmayer/Shutterstock From pairing it with crudite like carrots, cucumbers, and radishes to using it to top mini turkey meatballs, tzatziki is a fresh addition to a holiday appetizer table. "That one is awesome," Furman said. "Very, very clean, and it tastes delicious. That's one of my favorite go-to quick dips." Trader Joe's classic hummus provides a perfect base for seasonal variations, such as a pumpkin-spice hummus. Furman makes her own pumpkin hummus using one from Trader Joe's as a base. zi3000/Shutterstock "They have a hummus that is super neutral in terms of flavor," Furman said. "It's just a classic hummus, and you can add a ton of seasonings or put roasted red peppers into it, which is another amazing condiment that they have in their little dressing area." She also uses it to make pumpkin hummus, one of her go-to holiday recipes. "Take that hummus and combine it with pumpkin from a can, which Trader Joe's also has, at an incredibly affordable rate," she said. "Add in some red pepper flakes, some cinnamon, some nutmeg, some cardamom, a little bit of chili oil, and just kind of make it your own and really give it that pumpkin spice flavor." Furman said she also likes to add a few drops of maple syrup, "because you've got this sweet heat going on" or even hot honey. "It's whatever our clients like," she said. "And you have an amazing semi-homemade hummus that everybody is going to rave about." Trader Joe's sells a citrus cranberry sauce that's a must-have for holiday entertaining. A woman holding a jar of Trader Joe's cranberry sauce. Jaclyn Vernace/Shutterstock While the chain sells a traditional cranberry sauce with a few ingredients, Furman said she prefers the chain's orange cranberry relish, which has simple ingredients like cranberries, orange, and lemon. "You don't need to make your own ever, ever," she said. "All you have to do is put it in a bowl," she added. The chain's frozen pizzas and flatbreads make excellent appetizers. Trader Joe's pizza section. refrina/Shutterstock Furman said that her favorite type of frozen pizza from Trader Joe's is the Tarte D'Alsace, which is made with caramelized onions, ham, and Gruyere cheese. "You pop that in the oven, and you throw some red pepper flakes on it, and then maybe you just add in a little bit more of an interesting Manchego cheese or some other kind of cheese, and you're good to go," Furman said, adding that she also loves buying the chain's pizza dough for completely customizable pizzas and flatbreads. The French puff pastry is another must-buy during the holiday season. Furman called Trader Joe's frozen puff pastry the best on the market. Paulo Arsand/Shutterstock "It only comes out during the holidays, and then it's gone, so stack up because it is the best puff pastry, and you can do thousands of things, both savory and sweet," Furman said. One of her favorite ways to use the frozen puff pastry is to add in a few dollops of one of Trader Joe's Brie cheeses and tart cherry preserves. "Wrap it up, bake it in the oven, and you have an amazing little beggar's purse full of deliciousness," she said. The chain's fresh ravioli help create an easy dinner party meal. Trader Joe's sells lobster and cacio e pepe ravioli in its fresh pasta section. Jaclyn Vernace/Shutterstock Furman said that rather than the ravioli that come in the frozen aisle, she prefers the refrigerated kind in Trader Joe's fresh pasta section, especially the lobster and burrata varieties. She said the chain's pumpkin pasta sauce pairs well with its many pasta options for a seasonal dinner party menu. You can find the essentials for an old-fashioned cocktail at Trader Joe's. Furman recommends buying Trader Joe's cherries and bourbon for an old-fashioned. Martyn Cooling/Shutterstock "They introduced what are essentially Luxardo cherries, which are basically what a real old-fashioned is designed for. They're in jars by the jams and stuff, and you don't need much else except bourbon," Furman said, adding that she even likes the Trader Joe's bourbon sold in select stores. "Add some bourbon, a squeeze of orange, a squeeze of lemon, put in a cinnamon stick in there, put a few of those cherries in there, throw in a big, big, big gorgeous ice cube, a sprig of thyme, and then use the cinnamon stick as your straw. And you have an amazing old-fashioned," she said. Read the original article on Business Insider Shakari Briggs is a Quality of Life reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She focuses on issues in the rapidly growing suburbs and surrounding counties. Before joining the Chronicle in November 2023, Shakari worked for Spectrum News as a digital journalist based in her hometown. She has experience in broadcast reporting and producing as a former multimedia journalist and associate producer. The Dallas native has also worked at small to medium-sized newspapers throughout her career. Her reporting on the rise and fall of a shopping mall won an Arkansas Associated Press Managing Editors Contest award. She also earned an Arkansas Press Association award for freelance reporting. coldsnowstorm/istockphoto Dont Settle for an Imitation Think youre getting all-natural, authentic ingredients when you bite into a burger from your favorite fast food restaurant? Think again. While some fast-food chains use real cheese, many use processed cheese that contains preservatives, fillers, and artificial flavors and colors to create what seems like "real" cheese. Why? Processed cheese helps to maintain a consistent color and flavor, and extended shelf-life it's also cheaper, which helps increase profits. Those additives also create that stringy gooeyness you love with your pizza and cheeseburgers. Real cheese comprises four primary ingredients: milk, starter culture, salt, and enzymes (often rennet). American cheese, however, is not technically "real" cheese at least according to the FDA, which considers it to be pasteurized processed American cheese food. To be considered real cheese, dairy products must contain at least 51% natural cheese. While processed cheese does contain true cheese (often a blend of cheddar and Colby), it doesn't meet that threshold. Find out which chains don't use the real deal when it comes to cheese. Notorious2again/Reddit Sonic Drive-In Sonic uses the word cheese on its menu liberally for items including burgers, chili dogs, tots, and fries, but most of it is more cheese-adjacent, if you will. Most of these products actually use processed cheese, not the real thing. TripAdvisor McDonalds McDonalds uses slices of cheese on its burgers, but they contain less than 50% real cheese and therefore aren't considered real cheese. Many of the cheese products the chain uses also have additives like acetic acid, enzymes, or sodium pyrophosphate, which can make the cheese product last longer or have a certain color. Cheapism Burger King While BK uses real cheese on a few products, most of its burgers are topped with American cheese, which the FDA says isnt real cheese. So its classified as processed cheese. How appetizing. Lee G. / Yelp Bojangles This chain, found in a handful of states in the south and east, is known for its chicken and biscuits. What it isnt known for is its authentic cheese. There is mac and cheese on the menu, but its made of processed liquid cheese that comes with all kinds of fun additives. Tim Horton's breakfast sandwich Tim Hortons This Canadian coffee shop chain is also a little sketchy when it comes to what it uses for cheese. In fact, its breakfast sandwiches automatically come with processed cheese but you can pay extra to get the real thing. Jack in the Box Jack in the Box While a few of Jack in the Boxs burgers come with real cheese, it also uses the processed stuff. Its Brewhouse Cheese Sauce has natural cheddar cheese flavor, which is not the same thing as actual cheddar cheese. And its Monterey Jack Cheese With Flavor does contain Monterey Jack cheese but also has additives like whey, buttermilk solids, and lactic acid. Arby's Meat Mountain with a large seasoned curly fries and a drink on a wooden table with seating in the background at Arby's Arbys Heres another fast food chain that technically does use real cheese in some items, but its missing the mark with its iconic Classic Beef 'n' Cheddar sandwich. The cheddar sauce does contain some real cheddar but its far down the list of ingredients. rangusmcdangus6_9/Reddit Dairy Queen Dairy Queen also is a mixed bag when it comes to cheese. It does use real cheese for its cheese curds, but other products, for example, its Cheeseburger and Backyard Bacon Ranch Signature Stackburger, use processed cheese. Francis Dean / Getty Pizza Hut While Pizza Hut claims it uses real cheese, again, it depends on your definition. It uses whats called part-skim mozzarella cheese (or pizza cheese"), and if youve ever eaten real mozzarella cheese, you know it doesnt come in shredded form. This cheese product is made of pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, and whey protein concentrate, and makes the pizza gooey and, of course, its cheaper to make. Taco Bell's Nachos Bell Grande Taco Bell If youre a fan of Nachos Bell Grande, hopefully, you already know that that cheese sauce aint the real deal. Its nothing more than dairy, water, and artificial flavors and colors. If you didnt know, sorry to burst your bubble. Debbi M. /Yelp Chilis Its a step up from fast food, but Chilis too is guilty of using processed cheese. Any dish that has queso or cheese sauce uses processed cheese. No-Sprinkles-9201/Reddit Dennys This breakfast joint also cuts corners in the cheese department. Its sandwiches and burgers use processed cheese. And the same goes for its macaroni and cheese. tajones1992/Reddit IHOP IHOP (thatd be the International House of Pancakes if you didnt know) uses both real and fake cheese on its menu. The nice thing is that it actually lists processed cheese as an ingredient on the menu. So read the menu carefully, and thank you, IHOP, for the transparency. Subway Turkey, Ham, & Bacon Melt Sandwich on Subway Wrapping Paper Subway While Subway does offer some real slices of cheese for its sandwiches, it also relies on processed cheese, including its breakfast sandwiches. And its Italian bread uses a Monterey Jack cheese blend, which contains cultured pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes, and annatto color. Always beware that word: blend. It could be blended with anything! Cassandra C./Yelp Applebees Applebees also uses processed cheese in several of its menu items. Its cheeseburgers contain real cheese, but the cheese dip uses processed cheese. When dining out, if its important to you that you eat authentic, non-processed cheese, read the menu carefully. And realize that many restaurant chains will boast that they serve real cheesebut as youve learned, the definition of what real cheese is varies. This article was originally published on Cheapism coldsnowstorm/istockphoto More From Cheapism A Chicago mass shooting killed three people and injured five others on Monday, police said. The shooting happened at around 2:10 p.m. inside a home in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood in the southwest side of the city, according to the Chicago Police Department. No arrests have been made and an investigation is ongoing, the department said in a news alert. Chicago Police Chief of Patrol Jon Hein said at a press conference that police believe the shooting took place at a social gathering. He added that the victims were of a Hispanic background ages 21 to 35 but could not comment on their relationships to each other. No children were present during the incident. "We're going to solve this crime and find the individuals that were responsible for this heinous terrible incident," Hein told reporters. Officers found eight gunshot victims Upon arrival, responding officers found eight victims suffering from gunshot wounds, including three men who died either at the scene or at the Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, the police department said. Police said that one of the three men was 26 but did not provide the others' ages. Two shooting victims were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago, including a 25-year-old man in stable condition and a 27-year-old woman in critical condition, the department said. A 31-year-old man and 21-year-old woman were both treated at the UI Health Hospital in Chicago, both in good condition. A 24-year-old woman was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in serious condition after enduring several gunshot wounds to her shoulder, right hip, left hip and left thigh. This is a developing story was updated to add new information. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chicago mass shooting leaves 3 dead, 5 injured; No arrests made A screenshot of various illustrations as part of Illinois' filing defending the state's gun and magazine ban Greg Bishop / The Center Square (The Center Square) Whether Illinois should be enjoined from enforcing the states gun and magazine ban starting Monday is now up to a federal appeals court. Illinois enacted the Protect Illinois Communities Act in January 2023. The law prohibits the sale and possession of certain semi-automatic rifles, shotguns and handguns, and magazines over certain capacities. Litigation was filed in federal court challenging the law shortly after it was enacted with final judgement in the Southern District of Illinois federal court issued Nov. 8. District Judge Stephen McGlynn ruled that the states gun and magazine ban was unconstitutional and put a hold on an injunction for 30 days. The state filed for an appeal with the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals on Nov. 12. On Nov. 14, the appeals court said the district judges ruling was deficient and asked for arguments why the appeal should not be remanded back for a clearer order. On Nov. 15, the state filed its motion to stay the district judges injunction pending appeal. On Nov. 19, the appeals court gave the plaintiffs until Nov. 27 to file briefs responding to whether a stay on McGlynns injunction should be continued pending appeal. In arguments for the district judges injunction to be held back while the case is being appealed, the state said the damage done to the public interest would be significant if they couldnt enforce the gun ban and the damage done to plaintiffs by preserving the status quo of the ban being in place would be minimal. [Plaintiffs] will continue to be able to obtain a wide range of handguns, shotguns, and other weapons for self defense including many semiautomatic firearms and those plaintiffs that own assault weapons and [large capacity magazines] can continue to possess them, the state said in its Nov. 15 filing. Plaintiffs said that argument is wrong. [T]he Supreme Court has expressly rejected the argument that it is permissible to ban the possession of [one type of protected firearm] so long as the possession of other firearms is allowed, attorneys for the plaintiffs wrote. Arguing an appeals court stay of McGlynns injunction be denied, plaintiffs said their rights to keep and bear arms are being infringed. The state warns of untold tragedies that might befall the public if the district courts injunction is not stayed, the plaintiffs said. But unlike the states infringement on plaintiffs constitutional rights which is real and ongoing the state supplies nothing but conjecture to support its submission that violence and mass shootings would suddenly skyrocket if this Court allows Illinois to return to the status quo that prevailed there for decades. Gun rights advocate Todd Vandermyde said the status quo should be where it was two years ago without a statewide gun ban. And I think thats what the court should be looking at, Vandermyde told The Center Square. You also have the irreparable harm of people being denied their ability to exercise part of their Second Amendment rights. To the arguments over whether the district judges ruling should be narrowly remanded back to the district court for a concise order, the state said in a separate filing thats not necessary. [T]here is no need for a remand, as the parties rights and obligations are made sufficiently clear by the courts opinion and prior orders, the state said Monday in its filing. If the court does issue a limited remand, it should either resolve defendants motion for a stay pending appeal or enter an administrative stay while the case is remanded. Plaintiffs said they dont mind if the court remands a narrow part of the case back to the district court for clarity. Plaintiffs do not oppose a limited remand so the district court may re-issue judgment in full compliance with Rule 65(d) should this Court prefer that course, the filing said. Plaintiffs accordingly have no objection to whichever way this Court prefers to proceed. Its now up to the appeals court on whether the district judges injunction will kick in starting Dec. 9 or the ruling is stayed pending the outcome of the appeal. Vandermyde said on top of that, a separate case challenging Marylands gun ban could be taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court soon. So in a couple of weeks we could hear if theyre going to take the case or not, Vandermyde said. They could relist it but if they do take the case, I think that puts our stuff on hold. On preliminary grounds, Illinois case was considered by the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year, but after a conference, Justice Clarence Thomas denied writs of certiorari, saying the case wasnt on final judgement. Petitioners sought a preliminary injunction against enforcement of the law, arguing that the law violates their Second Amendment right to keep and bear Arms. Thomas wrote. This Court is rightly wary of taking cases in an interlocutory posture. But, I hope we will consider the important issues presented by these petitions after the cases reach final judgment. A challenge to Maryland's gun ban on final judgement is up for consideration by the U.S. Supreme Court. That case is on final judgement out of the Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. The U.S. Supreme Court could consider at their Dec. 13 conference whether to take the case.. Sydney Maughon, 19, was sentenced to life in prison for fatally shooting Johnathan Gilbert in 2023 Spalding County Sheriff's Office/Facebook McKenzie Davenport, Jeremy Munson and Sydney Maughon A young Georgia woman who pleaded guilty to fatally shooting a man after a plan to egg his house went horribly wrong has been sentenced to life in prison. On Nov. 20, Sydney Maughon, 19, reached an agreement with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to malice murder in connection with the 2023 shooting death of Johnathan Gilbert, 22, online court records show. On Dec. 2, she was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. The sentence stems from an incident on July 3, 2023, when Spalding County sheriffs deputies found Gilbert dead on the ground from an apparent gunshot wound, the sheriffs office said in a release. It appears that there was an ongoing lovers quarrel and the suspects decided to go to Gilberts residence on Dobbins Mill and vandalize it by egging it, Sheriff Darrell Dix said in the release. Maughon, then 18, was there with Jeremy Munson, who was 18 at the time, and McKenzie Davenport, who was 19 at the time, the sheriff said. Related: 3 Georgia Teens Accused of Murdering Man After Plot to Egg His House Goes Wrong According to the Spalding County District Attorneys Office, Maughon was in a relationship with Gilbert, who was visiting the home of another woman with whom Maughon wanted to fight, WSB-TV reports. Maughon was angry when she realized Gilbert was there. When he came out of his house to confront them, they began throwing eggs at him, the DA said, WSB-TV reports. The suspects raced back to their car and as Gilbert, who was unarmed, approached them, Maughon, who was sitting in the backseat of the car, produced a firearm and shot him multiple times, Dix said. The suspects then drove away, leaving Gilbert in the middle of Dobbins Mill Road, he said. Their investigation led them to Maughon, Munson and Davenport. Maughon was charged with murder, malice murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, battery-family violence and criminal trespass. Munson was charged with murder, malice murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, battery and criminal trespass. Davenport was charged with malice murder, battery and criminal trespass. 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. Because they all plotted and planned together, and traveled to the location with the intent to commit a crime that led up to the murder together, they are all culpable just as if they had each pulled the trigger themselves, Dix said in the release. They went to egg a house, the victim confronted them while they were doing it, he lost his life, and they drove off and left his body in the middle of the road, he said. Together they bought that ticket; now together they can ride that ride. Davenport pleaded guilty to criminal trespass and simple battery and was sentenced to 24 months behind bars, according to online records. Munson is scheduled for trial in March 2025. According to Law & Crime, the Spalding County District Attorneys Office offered him a plea deal. He is waiting for his attorney to return from a leave of absence to accept or deny it, Senior Assistant District Attorney Audrey Holliday told Law & Crime. The Spalding County District Attorneys Office and the suspects attorneys did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment. A man living in Southern California has been accused of shipping guns, thousands of rounds of ammunition and other military items to North Korea in shipping containers. Shenghua Wen, a 41-year-old Chinese national illegally living in Ontario, California, was arrested Tuesday morning and charged with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), according to a U.S. Department of Justice release. Violating the IEEPA includes breaking the law by doing business with a sanctioned country or individual despite the restrictions. According to the Legal Information Institute, it can consist of transferring funds, making payments or conducting trade with a designated entity, potentially leading to severe civil and criminal penalties. If convicted, Wen could be sentenced to a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Court records did not indicate that Wen had legal representation as of Tuesday. The North Korean flag is seen in the country's embassy compounds in Kuala Lumpur on March 19, 2021. What did Shenghua Wen do? According to an affidavit filed Nov. 26, Wen obtained the guns, ammunition and export-controlled technology to ship them to North Korea, which is a violation of federal law and U.S. sanctions against that nation, according to the Justice Department. The shipping containers full of guns and ammunition were allegedly shipped from Long Beach through Hong Kong to North Korea by Wen and his unidentified co-conspirators, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Law enforcement searched Wen's home on Aug. 14 and seized two devices a chemical threat identification device and a hand-held broadband receiver that detects eavesdropping devices that he intended to send to North Korea for military use, according to the Justice Department. A month later, on Sept. 6, law enforcement seized about 50,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition that Wen allegedly obtained to send to North Korea, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. US Attorney's Office: Photographs of guns found on Shenghua Wen's iPhone When law enforcement reviewed Wen's iPhone, they learned that in December 2023 he had smuggled items from Long Beach to Hong Kong with their final destination being North Korea, according to the release. Messages from Wen's cell phones revealed conversations he had earlier this year with co-conspirators about shipping military-grade equipment to North Korea, the U.S. Attorney's Office said, adding that the some of texts included photographs of the firearms. From January to April, Wen sent emails and text messages to a U.S.-based broker about obtaining a civilian plane engine, according to the Justice Department. Several text messages were on Wen's iPhone about price negotiations for the plane and its engine, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Who is Shenghua Wen? Wen is considered illegal in the U.S. after overstaying his student visa, meaning that he is prohibited from owning or possessing any firearms or ammunition, according to the release. Wen also does not have the required licenses from the U.S. government to export ammunition, firearms and the other devices that law enforcement seized at his home to North Korea, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: North Korea allegedly received guns, ammo from indicted California man Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. This is partly because the disease is more often found late. By the time symptoms are detected, the cancer may have spread, said Cape Cod Healthcare oncologist Peter Ward. "It's more difficult to cure the lung cancer in those advanced stages," said Ward. But if it's detected early on, treatment is more likely to be successful. To that end, Ward will lead Cape Cod Healthcare's participation in a new national clinical research study focused on early detection of lung cancer with just a blood test. More about the study Sponsored by Freenome Bio, the PROACT LUNG study will measure the accuracy of a screening blood test for lung cancer in current and former smokers 50 and older who are eligible for lung screening with a low-dose CT scan. An estimated 20,000 participants from up to 100 sites across the U.S. will be enrolled in the study. Freenome Bio will use the data to seek U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for the blood test. Cape Cod Healthcare is currently the only Massachusetts provider to join the study and was selected due to its lung cancer screening program via low-dose CT scan. Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis. How does the blood test work? The blood test will detect changes in DNA, RNA, and changes in the expression of proteins within the blood and use other data points with the help of artificial intelligence to detect patterns characteristic of early-stage lung cancer, said Ward. Freenome Bio will analyze the blood samples for potential signs of the disease. "We'll follow these patients with repeat CT scans if needed. And if they are diagnosed with lung cancer, then the company (Freenome) can look back on the blood test that was drawn when they were first enrolled in the study and look for the patterns and protein expression and DNA and RNA expression," said Ward. Racial disparity focus of study Black and Hispanic Americans will be a focus of the study, as they face disparities in early detection of lung cancer and survival rates compared to white Americans. According to the American Lung Association, Black individuals with lung cancer are 15% less likely to be diagnosed early and 16% less likely to survive five years compared to white individuals. "Socioeconomic factors may prevent patients from having insurance and not being able to see a primary care doctor who would be the person who would order such a screening test," said Ward. Who is eligible? Patients eligible for a low-dose CT scan can participate in the study by having their blood drawn at a Cape Cod Healthcare facility within 45 days before their scan. They must also meet the American Cancer Society guidelines: between 50 to 80, a current or previous smoker, and have an at least 20-pack-year smoking history. A 20 pack-year smoking history means if someone has smoked one pack a day for 20 years. They must also have no history of cancer within the last five years. If a patient qualifies and chooses to participate, they will be offered the chance to enroll and schedule a blood draw along with their low-dose CT scan and receieve a stipend from Freenome Bio. Cape Cod Hospital oncology research staff will contact the patient at the one- and two-year marks to inquire about any changes in health or lifestyle, new treatments, and test results. If you want to participate The PROACT LUNG study is one of several clinical trials that Cape Cod Healthcares Reilly Family Oncology Research Center is currently offering. Eligible individuals interested in participating in this study can learn more by calling 508-862-7284. Cape Cod Healthcare is the only Massachusetts provider participating in the study. Cape Cod Healthcare, based in Hyannis, operates two acute care hospitals, Cape Cod Hospital and Falmouth Hospital, along with a homecare and hospice agency, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, an assisted living facility and a number of health programs. Zane Razzaq writes about housing and real estate. Reach her at zrazzaq@capecodonline.com. Follow her on X @zanerazz. The Cape Cod Times mobile app gets you to the heart of the matter fast. Whether breaking news, sports, entertainment or weather get succinct, personalized coverage along with award-winning videos, captivating photography, and interactive user features. Download the app. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: How to participate in study on early detection of lung cancer The case of a Hawaii woman whose disappearance was the subject of a large search effort in Los Angeles took a dramatic turn this week when police officials said they reviewed footage of her crossing into Mexico. Hannah Kobayashi, 30, of Maui, walked through the U.S.-Mexico border in California voluntarily on Nov. 12, days after she missed her connecting flight to New York, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said Monday. He said she has now been classified as a voluntary missing person and the department will halt its investigation while she is out of the country. "We've basically done everything we can do at this point," he said. "She's left the country and is in another nation now. So, as I mentioned in the earlier comments, if she comes back into the U.S., law enforcement will be notified of that, and we will try and do whatever we can if there's a need to at that time." McDonnell said she was not the victim of an abduction, foul play, or human trafficking as had been rumored on social media. And while police have not confirmed a motive, he said Kobayashi had previously expressed a desire to step away from "modern connectivity" and left her phone behind in California. It was the latest wrinkle in a case that has seized national attention since Kobayashi was reported missing last month. Kobayashi last contacted her family on Nov. 11, after which they filed a missing person report and launched an in-person, volunteer search effort. On Nov. 24, her father, who had been trying to locate Kobayashi, was found dead near Los Angeles International Airport in an apparent suicide. Kobayashi's aunt, Larie Pidgeon, said after the LAPD's announcement that she is committed to continuing her search for answers until she knows her niece is "safe and doing this on her own accord and in a good mental state." "I want to thank the LAPD for their hard work and the resources they have dedicated to this search. I know theyve worked tirelessly, and their efforts have brought us to this new piece of the puzzle," Pidgeon said. "But I also want to be clear this search is not over. Knowing Hannah crossed the border does not provide the answers I need, nor does it ease the heartbreak I feel." Pidgeon said she hasn't seen the footage of Kobayashi crossing into Mexico but trusts the police has "done their due diligence to confirm it was her." Here's what we know about Kobayashi's whereabouts and the missing person investigation: Kobayashi misses flight; family and police at odds on intentionality McDonnell has said that Kobayashi intentionally missed her flight to New York after she arrived in Los Angeles from Hawaii on Nov. 8 a claim the family disputes. "For unknown reasons, she decided not to board her prescheduled flight to New York that same day," he said at a news conference Monday. In a statement posted on social media hours before the LAPD's news conference on Monday, Kobayashi's sister, Sydni Kobayashi, thanked people who've come to the family's aid and vowed to continue search efforts, writing "we will not stop until we find my sister." Sydni Kobayashi previously said that It does not appear that Hannah intentionally missed her flight," citing surveillance footage and information shared with the family. Kobayashi had a ticket on the same New York-bound flight as her ex-boyfriend. They kept the tickets because they couldnt get a refund and planned to go their separate ways after landing in New York, Kobayashis sister told the Los Angeles Times. CNN reported the ex-boyfriend made the connecting flight, but she didnt. Kobayashi seen around LA for several days From Nov. 8 to Nov. 11, video footage and still imagery reviewed by the Los Angeles Police Department showed Kobayashi at "various locations around Los Angeles," McDonnell said on Monday. Kobayashi stopped at the Taschen bookstore at The Grove shopping center in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles around noon on Nov. 9. While searching for Kobayashi in person, her relatives stopped in the bookstore and confirmed she was there and had filled out a newsletter form, the Los Angeles Times reported. The next day, was again seen at The Grove, this time in a promotional video for a Nike event around 3:40 p.m. She had remained active on Instagram for several days and had posted a photo of the event on the social media platform. Hannah Kobayashi Strange text messages, online payments The family began receiving concerning text messages after Kobayashi missed her flight, family and police said. The messages were out of character, Pidgeon told USA TODAY, pointing to odd phrases and a lack of emojis. The last day her family made contact with her was Nov. 11. In screenshots of text messages shared with USA TODAY, Kobayashi said she was on her way to the airport. "I have a safe passage" and "Will keep you posted," she said, later adding "Matrix style." In follow-up messages, she said, "I'm safe", "Love you", "Don't worry", "For the good of all", I will keep you posted", "Promise" and "Call you soon." On Monday, Alan Hamilton, the chief of detectives for the LAPD, told reporters "the communication can be interpreted a number of ways," adding: "We are not able to interpret those communications without having her present to explain how she felt when she sent them and what the specific meanings were for those messages." Kobayashi also sent two payments on Venmo to two people her family didnt recognize, CNN reported. Hannah Kobayashi, right, seen with a friend in a handout photo. Kobayashi went missing in Los Angeles on Nov. 11, 2024. Kobayashi returns to LAX and is seen with 'unknown person' McDonnell said that while she initially checked her bag through to New York, Kobayashi requested it be sent to her at LAX. He said the police department has seen surveillance footage showing Kobayashi picking up her luggage from the baggage carousel on Nov. 11. Pidgeon, Kobayashi's aunt, told USA TODAY that Kobayashi spoke to an American Airlines ticketing agent between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. The next time Kobayashi appears on surveillance video, Pidgeon said, was hours later near the Pico Metro station in downtown Los Angeles alongside an unidentified person, who Pidgeon said she believes "misled" Kobayashi. She added: "We believe that she just trusted the wrong person." Hamilton said at Monday's news conference that detectives identified and interviewed the man who was spotted with Kobayashi. He told police he met Kobayashi at LAX. "That individual was cooperative in the investigation, that individual cooperated by allowing himself to be interviewed with his attorney present and family members," Hamilton said. "He gave a full disclosure of the entire sequence of events. We utilized independent investigative techniques to verify his story, and it fully checked out." Hannah Kobayashi, left, seen with a friend in a handout photo. Kobayashi went missing in Los Angeles on Nov. 11, 2024. Footage shows Kobayashi crossing US-Mexico border According to McDonnell, Kobayashi traveled to Los Angeles Union Station the main train station in the city where she used her passport to buy a bus ticket for a destination near the California-Mexico border on Nov. 11. McDonnell said Kobayashi traveled from Union Station to the San Ysidro district of San Diego the next day and crossed the border into Mexico at 12:13 p.m. on Nov. 12. Officials added that she was alone and carrying her luggage. "She appeared fine," Hamilton said. "She was with nobody else." She wanted to 'disconnect from her phone,' police say McDonnell on Monday told reporters that before she departed Maui, Kobayashi "expressed a desire to step away from modern connectivity." He did not go into further detail about how she expressed that desire. LAPD Lt. Douglas Oldfield said "there were some desires or posts" police had reviewed that would be consistent with "somebody who'd want to disconnect from her phone." "Are we 100% right on that? We can't say. We just know that she did not have her phone after she left LAX," Oldfield said. "We know she doesn't have her phone on her. For what reason we can't say for sure." McDonnell said there was no evidence that the family caused Kobayashi to abruptly stop communicating with them and leave the country. "No indication that there would be anything to cause this to happen in this fashion," he said, adding, "but like any family situation who knows what the dynamics are." Pidgeon said after the police announcement that her niece's disconnection from her world, phone and social media is "not who she is." She added that Kobayashi never mentioned plans to travel to Mexico, and she couldn't make sense of her final messages. "This has been the most painful and confusing time of my life. Ive felt heartbreak, frustration, and hope all at once. To everyone who has supported me whether by searching, sharing her story, or simply praying for her I cannot thank you enough," Pidgeon said. "Your kindness reminds me that even in the darkest moments, there are good people in this world." Hannah Kobayashi is seen in a handout photo. After family launches search effort, father found dead On Nov. 24, the case took a tragic turn when police announced Kobayashi's father, Ryan Kobayashi, 58, was found dead at a parking lot adjacent to LAX. The family later confirmed on Facebook he had died by suicide. Pidgeon told USA TODAY that she and the rest of her family were shocked by her brother-in-law's sudden and unexpected death. "Suicide is not something that was even spoken of. It wasn't even a concept that we would think would happen," she said. Pidgeon added he "had a mental breakdown" from a lack of sleep and worry while searching for his daughter. "He just died of a broken heart," Pidgeon said. "Being on the streets and seeing what the possibilities of where his daughter could be. No sleep. The speculating rumors that are going around. It just took a toll on him." The family launched a GoFundMe to raise funds for their search for Kobayashi, including food, transportation and a media campaign. The fundraiser, which has received $46,804 as of Tuesday, almost at its goal of $50,000, will also help pay for Ryan Kobayashi's funeral costs, the family said. Tragic turn: Aunt of missing woman Hannah Kobayashi explains father's death Police say Kobayashi 'was not a victim of foul play' LAPD officials on Monday said investigators have not uncovered "any evidence that Kobayashi is being trafficked or is the victim of foul play." Police added that Kobayashi is also not a suspect in any criminal activity. Kobayashi's missing person case will remain active in the Missing and Unidentified Persons System until her safety is confirmed by law enforcement, officials said. "Our priority is ensuring Ms. Kobayashi's safety and well-being," McDonnell told reporters Monday. "We urge Ms. Kobayashi to contact her family, law enforcement, or personnel at the U.S. Embassy to let us know she is safe. She has the right to privacy, and we respect her choices, but we also understand the concern her loved ones feel. A simple message could reassure those who care about her." McDonnell added: "I'm very sorry to the family for all that they've been through throughout this ordeal." Contributing: Thao Nguyen, Eduardo Cuevas, James Powel, Anthony Robledo, Minnah Arshad Editors note: This article discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. (This story was updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Search for missing woman Hannah Kobayashi takes another dramatic turn Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, Secretary of State Tre Hargett and Gov. Bill Lee certify Tennessee's general election results on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. Off of Tennessee Secretary of State (The Center Square) More than 2.13 million Tennesseans voted early in the Nov. 5 general election, and 3.08 million voted overall, a new record, according to Secretary of State Tre Hargett. Hargett met with Gov. Bill Lee and Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti on Monday to certify the results. For months, we have prepared for what was expected to be a robust voter turnout for the Nov. 5 presidential election, Hargett said. We are encouraged by the record number of voters who cast a ballot and let their voices be heard, and we hope to see turnout continue to trend upward in future election cycles. The turnout beat 2020 numbers when 3.07 million voters cast their ballots and 2.1 million voted early. Former President Donald Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the Volunteer State, winning 1,966,865 votes to Harris' 1,056,265, taking the state's 11 electoral college votes. U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn won reelection to her post, defeating Democrat Gloria Johnson. No significant problems were reported during the election, which had an added challenge in northeast Tennessee, where Hurricane Helene devastated some communities. Mark Goins, coordinator of elections, said it could not be done without the poll workers. We sincerely appreciate our local election administrators, their staff, and poll workers for their dedication and preparation for this historic election, Goins said. By Amy Lv and Tony Munroe (Reuters) - China on Tuesday banned exports to the United States of the critical minerals gallium, germanium and antimony that have widespread military applications, escalating trade tensions the day after Washington's latest crackdown on China's chip sector. The curbs strengthen enforcement of existing limits on critical minerals exports that Beijing began rolling out last year, but apply only to the U.S. market, in the latest escalation of trade tensions between the world's two largest economies ahead of President-elect Donald Trump taking office next month. A Chinese Commerce Ministry directive on dual-use items with both military and civilian applications cited national security concerns. The order, which takes immediate effect, also requires stricter review of end-usage for graphite items shipped to the U.S. "In principle, the export of gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials to the United States shall not be permitted," the ministry said. Gallium and germanium are used in semiconductors, while germanium is also used in infrared technology, fibre optic cables and solar cells. Antimony is used in bullets and other weaponry, while graphite is the largest component by volume of electric vehicle batteries. The move has sparked fresh concern that Beijing could next target other critical minerals, including those with even broader usage such as nickel or cobalt. "China has been signalling for some time that it's willing to take these steps, so when is the U.S. going to learn its lesson?" said Todd Malan of Talon Metals, which is trying to develop a nickel mine in Minnesota and is exploring for the metal in Michigan. The only U.S. nickel mine will be depleted by 2028. The United States was assessing the new restrictions, but will take "necessary steps" in response, a White House spokesperson said, without giving details. "These new controls only underscore the importance of strengthening our efforts with other countries to de-risk and diversify critical supply chains away from PRC (China)," the spokesperson said. Representatives for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Chinese customs data show there have been no shipments of wrought and unwrought germanium or gallium to the U.S. this year through October, although it was the fourth and fifth-largest market for the minerals, respectively, a year earlier. Similarly, China's overall October shipments of antimony products plunged by 97% from September after Beijing's move to limit its exports took effect. China accounted last year for 48% of globally mined antimony, which is used in ammunition, infrared missiles, nuclear weapons and night-vision goggles, as well as in batteries and photovoltaic equipment. This year, China has accounted for 59.2% of refined germanium output and 98.8% of refined gallium production, according to consultancy Project Blue. "The move is a considerable escalation of tensions in supply chains where access to raw material units is already tight in the West," said Project Blue co-founder Jack Bedder. Prices of antimony trioxide in Rotterdam had soared by 228% since the beginning of the year to $39,000 a metric ton on Nov. 28, data from information provider Argus showed. "Everyone will dig in their backyard to find antimony. Many countries will try to find antimony deposits," said a minor metals trader in Europe, declining to be named. Perpetua Resources, which is developing an Idaho antimony mine with U.S. government financial support, said China is "weaponizing accessing" to minerals critical for the U.S. military and technology firms. "We must get serious about American mineral sources," said Perpetua CEO Jon Cherry. "It's time to end our reliance on China and secure our future." United States Antimony, which refines antimony in Montana, said it believes China's move will boost prices of the metal and thus increase supplies for its smelter, although the company acknowledged that it will take time for mines to be developed. China's announcement comes after Washington launched its third crackdown in three years on China's semiconductor industry on Monday, curbing exports to 140 companies, including chip equipment maker Naura Technology Group. Trump, whose first four-year White House term was marked by a bitter trade war with China, has said he will implement 10% tariffs on Chinese goods and threatened 60% tariffs on Chinese imports during his presidential campaign. "It comes as no surprise that China has responded to the increasing restrictions by American authorities, current and imminent, with its own restrictions on the supply of these strategic minerals," said Peter Arkell, chairman of the Global Mining Association of China. "It's a trade war that has no winners," he said. Separately, several Chinese industry groups on Tuesday called for their members to buy domestically made semiconductors, with one saying U.S. chips were no longer safe and reliable. (Reporting by Amy Lv, Ella Cao and Ryan Woo in Beijing, Tony Munroe in Singapore, Ashitha Shivaprasad in Bengaluru, Trevor Hunnicutt in Luanda and Ernest Scheyder in London; Editing by Jan Harvey, Catherine Evans, Barbara Lewis and Jonathan Oatis) China contributes to global rural road development and poverty reduction 10:18, December 03, 2024 By He Yin ( People's Daily Photo taken on July 19, 2024 shows a rural road in Wanquan township, Qionghai, south China's Hainan province. (People's Daily Online/Meng Zhongde) China's State Council Information Office on Nov. 29 released a white paper titled "China's Rural Roads in the New Era" to introduce the achievements and vision of rural road development in the new era and to share China's experience. China has explored an approach to developing rural roads in light of its realities. Over the years, it has shared its experience in rural road development and helped construct rural road infrastructure in other developing countries, contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to global poverty reduction, people's wellbeing and sustainable global development. Easy access to convenient roads brings happiness to the doorstep. Following a people-centered development approach, China has worked vigorously to meet people's needs for quality transport. Upgraded and newly-built rural roads have added up to over 2.5 million kilometers over the past decade. By the end of 2023, the length of rural roads had reached 4.6 million kilometers, accounting for 84.6 percent of the total road length in China. This safe and convenient transport network has brought about a remarkable transformation in Chinese rural areas, connecting villages and towns to the outside world and expanding bus services to villages. The ongoing development of rural roads will continue to bring benefits to China's agriculture, rural areas and rural population. Siddharth Chatterjee, the UN Development System Resident Coordinator in China, said that in China, he saw many outstanding examples of high-quality rural roads that were properly built, managed, maintained, and operated, as well as the resilience of the Chinese transport system. Photo taken on June 28, 2024 shows a rural tourism road in Huaying, southwest China's Sichuan province. (People's Daily Online/Qiu Haiying) At present, rural transport is still a bottleneck constraining the economic and social development of many developing countries. China is making concrete efforts to strengthen mutually beneficial transport cooperation with the international community, enabling impoverished areas in more countries to embrace greater prosperity. The Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative proposed by China have given full play to the foundational role of transport in bolstering economic and social development, injecting strong momentum into common progress. In 2018, a resolution initiated and promoted by China - Eradicating rural poverty to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development - was adopted by the UN General Assembly, emphasizing further poverty reduction efforts through infrastructure construction. By sharing its development experiences through international cooperation mechanisms and helping with the construction of rural road infrastructure in other developing countries, China has made active contributions to global rural road development and poverty reduction. To improve the wellbeing of humanity, China has played an active role in building new platforms and mechanisms for global transport cooperation and in promoting knowledge and experience sharing. It has met its responsibilities as a major country with practical actions. China is promoting "soft connectivity" by sharing Chinese standards. Since 2012, the country has released 73 industry standards for highway engineering in foreign languages. They represent a systematic effort in building industry standards in foreign languages and have been applied in hundreds of projects in dozens of countries around the world. Photo taken on Nov. 26, 2024 shows a picturesque rural road in Sanxin village, Changxing county, Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Haiwei) China hosted the Second United Nations Global Sustainable Transport Conference and the Global Sustainable Transport Forum, and has established the Global Sustainable Transport Innovation and Knowledge Center, proactively building new platforms and mechanisms for global transport cooperation. When it comes to international transport training, China has held 28 training sessions for more than 800 people, including a training program on road design and management in Botswana, an advanced training program on highway engineering for Belt and Road partner countries, a training program for technical personnel in highway engineering in other developing countries, and a training program on road network planning. China has supported and participated in rural road construction projects in other developing countries, improving people's wellbeing and promoting sustainable development. For instance, a post-disaster reconstruction project implemented by the Ministry of Transport and Public Works of Ecuador with China's support has significantly improved access to transport for around 1.5 million people along the route; and the road construction project on the fringes of the capital of Madagascar, supported by free aid from China, has made it easier to transport eggs from the town of Mahazaza and facilitated the development of local poultry farming. It is known by the locals as the "egg road." Since 2018, China has supported 24 developing countries including Cambodia, Serbia, Rwanda, Namibia, Vanuatu and Niger in highway and bridge construction and maintenance. By participating in construction projects and providing technical support and human resource support, China has helped improve rural road infrastructure of these countries, make travel much easier for local people, and reduce logistic costs by a large margin. Rural roads help to connect beautiful scenery, drive the development of local industries, grow the local economy, and benefit the local people. In a spirit of openness and mutually-beneficial cooperation, China will strengthen international exchanges and collaboration in exploring new models and paths of rural road development, further contributing to global rural road development and poverty reduction, and building a global community of shared future. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Hongyu) Books at the Audrey H. Lawson Middle School team center are lined up against the wall Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023 in Houston. Texas school districts have banned more books in classrooms and libraries than nearly every other state in the U.S. during the 2022-23 school year, according to a new report by a free speech nonprofit. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Texas school districts are second only to Florida in the number of books banned in classrooms and libraries during the 2022-23 school year, according to a new report by a free speech nonprofit. PEN America reported Thursday that Texas school districts had banned 625 books the second largest number of book bans in any state in the U.S. The organization classifies book bans as any action taken against a book based on its content that makes it inaccessible, including challenges from parents, administrators, lawmakers and community members. Florida was the only state with more reported book bans in school districts than Texas, with 1,400 recorded book bans in 33 school districts, per the report. The nonprofit tracks banned books by reviewing district websites, news reports and school board minutes, although it notes that the number of total bans is likely higher than what is reported. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kasey Meehan, the Freedom to Read program director at PEN America, said an increased number of advocacy groups and state legislation aimed to limit book access in schools during the school year. Those efforts threaten public schools' goal of helping to facilitate information-sharing and knowledge-building for students, she said. PEN America is a free expression organization. Through our lens, we see the way in which book bans are an assault on free expression, Meehan said. It's an assault on students freedom to explore words or ideas. We find this to be quite alarming. The report found that 12 Texas school districts had banned books, with Frisco ISD accounting for more than half of the book bans in Texas. PEN Americas list reports that Frisco ISD has 368 removals, although Frisco ISDs website states it has removed 359 books from libraries for various reasons, including obscene or inappropriate content. According to Frisco ISD, 111 of the books listed on its website had been removed entirely from the districts libraries, while other books had been moved to secondary campuses where some students can still access the books. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the Houston area, Conroe ISD, Spring Branch ISD, Cy-Fair ISD, Katy ISD and Humble ISD have removed at least one book from school libraries during the previous school year, according to the report. In Texas, "groups are quite intentional and effective in raising alarm over the types of books that may be in schools, and then pressuring districts to remove books, to review books, to catalog a book, to put ratings on books or to restrict books by grade level," Meehan said. Five Texas school districts removed All Boys Aren't Blue from either libraries or classrooms, making it the most commonly banned book in the state. The young adult book consists of a series of essays by George M. Johnson about growing up as a gay Black man. Other books removed from libraries or classrooms in the states schools include Ellen Hopkins Tricks, which is about five teenagers who become prostitutes, and Mike Curatos Flamer, a graphic novel about a young child bullied for being gay at summer camp. Nationwide, PEN America reported 3,362 instances of banned books during the 2022-23 school year, which is a 33% increase from the previous school year. It also reported that districts removed 1,557 individual books during the most recent academic year, a slight decrease from 1,643 unique books removed the year before. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to the report, 30% of removed books nationwide included characters of color or discuss themes of race and racism and 30% included LGBTQ+ characters or themes. Nearly half of the books included themes or instances of violence and abuse and 33% detailed sexual experiences between characters. Thirty-three school districts nationwide have removed Tricks from libraries or classrooms, making it the most commonly removed book. Other commonly banned books in U.S. schools include The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, Looking for Alaska by John Green and A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas. The nonprofits report comes a day after the American Library Association published data stating that Texas led the nation in the number of individual books challenged in both public and academic libraries during the first eight months of 2023. Texans attempted 30 times to restrict access to 1,120 books in the state's libraries during that period, according to the associations report. The associations Office for Intellectual Freedom reported 695 challenges to 1,915 unique books in libraries nationwide, which was a 20% increase from the same reporting period in 2022. Most of the challenges were to books written by or about a person of color or a member of the LGBTQ community, according to the association. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The ALA found last year that Texas led the state in its attempts to ban books in 2022, with 93 attempts to restrict access to 2,349 books. The association defines challenges as any attempt to remove or restrict access to materials or services based upon the objections of a person or group. The associations data is based on reports from library professionals and news coverage, according to its website. Shirley Robinson, executive director of the Texas Library Association, said librarians are trained professionals in evaluating books and placing them in the correct sections of a library, and people need to be confident in the professionalism of their communitys librarians to curate appropriate collections to serve diverse populations. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Note that this story contains material about disturbing crimes against a young girl. Christopher Leroy Collings, a father of two daughters convicted in the rape and murder of a 9-year-old girl in 2007, is set to be executed in Missouri on Tuesday. Collings, 49, is set to die by lethal injection for the murder of 9-year-old Rowan Ford in the tiny southwestern Missouri village of Stella on Nov. 3, 2007. If the execution moves forward, Collings will be the 23rd inmate executed in the U.S. this year and the fourth in Missouri. Collings lost his last chances at a reprieve on Monday, when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to grant a stay of execution and Republican Gov. Michael Parson denied him clemency, saying in a in a statement that Missouri would deliver justice "for his horrendous and callous crime." Collings' attorney told USA TODAY that his client is remorseful and has been treated unfairly by the justice system, while Rowan Ford's older sister said that lethal injection isn't a painful enough end for her him. Here's what you need to know about Collings' execution. Christopher Collings is pictured at the Potosi Correctional Center in Missouri. When and where are Christopher Collings execution? Collings is set to be executed at 6 p.m. at the Potosi Correctional Center in Bonne Terre, Missouri. He will be allowed a last meal request and is expected to deliver last words. What was Christopher Collings convicted of? On the night of Nov. 2, 2007, Collings was drinking heavily with two friends. One of the friends, David Spears, had a 9-year-old stepdaughter named Rowan Ford, whose mother was her overnight shift at Walmart. At some point that night, the men left Rowan home alone and started hanging out at Collings trailer. As the third friend drove Spears home on back roads to avoid getting pulled over, Collings later told police that he raced to Spears home and kidnapped a sleeping Rowan, put her in his truck and took her to his trailer, according to court records. Once there, he raped her, police say he told them. After that, he said he intended to take her home. He led her outside facing away from him so she couldnt see his face, according to court records. He made sure to keep the lights off and didnt speak so she wouldnt recognize his voice. But he said Rowan turned around and, because there was moonlight, recognized who he was. Thats when he said he freaked out. Seeing a coil of cord in the bed of a pickup next to him, he took the cord, looped it around her neck and started pulling real hard, court records say. She struggled a little and fell to the ground; he went to the ground with her and held tight until she stopped moving. Collings said he then dumped her body in a cave. She was found on Nov. 9, about a week after her disappearance triggered an Amber alert and intensive search. Spears also confessed to police, saying he raped Rowan and strangled her, while Collings denied that Spears was involved, the Missouri attorney general's office said in court documents. Spears ultimately was convicted of child endangerment and hindering prosecution, and got out of prison in 2015. USA TODAY could not find a phone number for Spears. In recommending the death penalty for Collings, the jury in his murder trial found the killing to be "outrageously and wantonly vile, horrible, and inhuman." Who was Rowan Ford? The news of Rowan's disappearance reported when her mother returned home from work and couldn't find the girl was shocking for her tiny community in Stella, which has a population of less than 200 people. Everyone knew Rowan as a bubbly little girl who was always on her purple bicycle, worked hard in school, loved going to church so much she sometimes went alone and had her bedroom painted Barbie pink. "I am so proud of the girl that she was turning out to be," Rowan's older sister, Ariane Macks, told USA TODAY this week. "A part of me died when my sister died. I did lose my ray of sunshine." Rowan, who was the youngest of five siblings, was so shy, she would sometimes hide behind her older sister, said Macks, who was 18 when her sister was killed. "She was very shy but when she opened up, it's like the whole room lit up," Macks said. "Rowan, she was something very special. There was nobody that did not like her." The morning before Rowan's funeral, teachers and students at Rowan's school planted a pink dogwood tree in her honor and released purple balloons, attached to which were notes from her classmates. A concrete angel was placed in the spot, as well as a marker reading April 11, 1998, for the day she was born and Nov. 9, 2007, as the day her body was found. Macks, now 35 and living in Lineville, Alabama, said Collings deserves to be put to death for her sister's killing but that lethal injection falls short. "I wanted him dead, I still do ... but they could have done something better than lethal injection because he's going out easy," she said. "I cannot even imagine the pain when (Rowan) was strangled. Chris being so tall and so big compared to my little sister, she didn't have a fighting chance." Pink dogwoods bloom in Georgia. Who is Christopher Collings? Collings was a problem child who never formed an emotional attachment to anyone because he experienced severe neglect from his birth parents and several traumas after he was placed in foster care, including at least two rapes, his attorneys argued during his trial. Collings and his five older siblings ended up in the system and separated from each other because their parents "were involved in a lot of crime, involved in a lot of substance abuse," his attorney at the time, Charles Moreland, told jurors, adding that "the evidence will also show that there are seeds of redemption within Christopher Collings." Collings eventually became a father to two daughters but struggled with an alcohol and marijuana addiction, court records say. Macks recalled Collings' drinking problem, saying he became a different person while drunk. Christopher Collings is pictured with two children. Collings' trial attorneys emphasized to jurors that he never intended to kill Rowan and that he deserved life in prison, not the death penalty. His current attorney, Jeremy Weis, told USA TODAY that Collings "is definitely incredibly remorseful" and has been "remarkably positive about his outlook" as his execution day approaches. In his arguments for Collings' life to be spared, Weis has raised questions about his client's confession, saying it wasn't recorded and was given to then-Wheaton Police Chief Clinton Clark, who had four convictions for absence of office without leave and should never been allowed on the force. He has also been emphasizing Spears' own confession to the crime, saying it indicates even further doubt that Collings' alleged confession is the truth, as well as pointing out the extreme disparity in the two men's sentences. A lethal injection bed inside an execution chamber is pictured at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville, Tennessee. Who is witnessing the execution? Macks said that one of her and Rowan's brothers and their mother will be among the execution witnesses but that she was not able to make the trip from Alabama. Weis said he will also be among the witnesses to his client's execution. The witnesses from the news media are: The Associated Press, Missourinet (a statewide news radio agency), the Kansas City Star and KFNS-FM. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Christopher Collings to be executed in murder of 9-year-old Rowan Ford President-elect Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis were among dignitaries who attended a memorial service in Florida for three Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputies who died last month in a roadside traffic crash. Trump arrived by motorcade from his estate at Mar-a-Lago while DeSantis arrived from Tallahassee. Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez and Attorney General Ashley Moody also were in attendance. Eric Trump, the president-elect's second-oldest son, sat with his father. The service began at 11 a.m. with thousands gathering at the iThink Financial Amphitheatre at the South Florida Fairgrounds to pay tribute to PBSO Cpl. Luis Paez, Deputy Ralph "Butch" Waller and Deputy Ignacio "Dan" Diaz. The three motorcycle deputies suffered fatal injuries the morning of Nov. 21 when they were struck as a Jeep SUV veered and struck the deputies as they waited at the side of the road for a set of jumper cables to start a stalled PBSO motorcycle. All three belonged to the agency's traffic division. The impact killed Paez and Waller and severely injured Diaz, who died four days after the crash. Trump and DeSantis arrived for Tuesday's memorial without fanfare, taking their seats on stage behind a slate of bullet-proof glass. Trump stood and saluted as members of PBSO's honor guard carried the coffins of Paez, Waller and Diaz on stage. DeSantis stood with his hands at his side. A glass partition stands in front of the speakers podium at the iThink Financial Amphitheatre at the South Florida Fairgrounds, where the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office is holding a memorial for three deputies who died in a Nov. 17 crash west of Wellington. Neither was scheduled to speak. U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, who represents parts of western Palm Beach County, delivered remarks, recalling meeting the deputies at Veterans Day parades and along motorcade routes. "They were always present, always on watch because it was their calling to protect every person in this community from danger," Mast said. "Even those of us that they barely knew. Nothing could be more selfless." Staff Writer Hannah Phillips contributed to this report. Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Trump attends memorial for Florida sheriff's deputies killed in crash Demonstrators at a gay pride rally in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2017. A dozen Moscow clubgoers were found guilty of petty hooliganism and detained following anti-LGBTQ "propaganda" raids by Russian security forces, according to Russian court documents and local news reports. The group was arrested on Saturday night and early Sunday at three nightclubs Arma, Inferno and Mono in the Russian capital, according to a statement government officials gave to Tass, a Russian news agency. These citizens committed an administrative offense, which was expressed in obvious disrespect for society, accompanied by obscene language in a public place, a Moscow court wrote in two statements announcing the guilty verdicts. The raids were executed exactly a year after Russias Supreme Court ruled that LGBTQ activists and the LGBTQ movement should be designated as extremists. Russians found guilty of extremism can be sentenced to up to 12 years in prison. Videos and images of the raids shared on social media over the weekend showed stunned clubgoers lying on dance floors with their hands above their heads as police officers sifted through the crowds and shouted orders. Baza, an anonymously run Telegram news channel that has over 1.5 million followers, reported that police blocked club exits and interrogated clubgoers at Arma before detaining dozens. Clubgoers who were not brought into custody were allowed to leave Arma roughly three hours after the raid began, according to Baza. (Arma, then known as Mutabor, was the site of the 2022 almost naked party, which drew fierce criticism after Russian celebrities, influencers and socialites attended clad in revealing clothing months after the invasion of Ukraine.) Monday was not the first time the Russian government has coordinated a clampdown on LGBT propaganda. Shortly after the Supreme Court ruling last year, gay bars in cities across Russia were similarly raided by police. Sporadic raids have reportedly persisted throughout the country since then. Critics viewed last years Supreme Court ruling as part of a wider crackdown on LGBTQ rights in Russia under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin, who has been in power for roughly a quarter of a century. Notably, the Russian government passed legislation in 2013 known as the gay propaganda law, making it illegal to spread information about nontraditional sexual behavior to minors. The law was expanded to apply to adults, effectively banning public symbols or gestures of nontraditional sexual relations. Russians who violate the so-called propaganda law could face up to 400,000 rubles ($6,500) in fines. Last month, Putin signed additional legislation that bans nationals from countries that allow gender transitions to adopt Russian children. Lachunda Johnson An angry, drunken grandma has been busted in Tennessee for allegedly stabbing her daughter and grandson with a kitchen knife during a Thanksgiving Day argument. Lachunda Johnson, 55, of Memphis, had been drinking heavily before she grabbed the blade and charged her daughter after her daughter yelled at her for pushing her grandson at about 3 p.m. on Nov. 28, cops told Newsweek. Lachunda Johnson was arrested for allegedly stabbing her daughter and grandson on Thanksgiving. Memphis Police Department Johnson sliced the victims left hand during the shock attack, then turned on her grandson and lashed out at him leaving him with a stab wound near his thumb, Memphis police told the outlet. She fled the home in the citys Westhaven neighborhood, but cops later found and arrested her without incident near Cazassa Road, according to Action News 5. Authorities brought her to Jail East, a complex 16 miles outside Memphis, and charged her with aggravated assault and domestic assault. The South Memphis home where Johnson allegedly stabbed her daughter and grandson. WMC Cops found and arrested Johnson after she fled the scene. WMC Three other kids whod been inside the house during the bloody affair were unhurt, Newsweek added. No bond had been set for Johnsons release. A recall involving organic eggs sold at Costco has been upgraded to the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations most serious classification due to the risk that consumers may be exposed to salmonella. The FDA designated a recall that involves Kirkland Signature brand organic pasture raised 24-count eggs being bumped to Class I. The agency considers there to be a reasonable probability that exposure to the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death, per its classification of Class I. The recall was first initiated on Nov. 26 and then was upgraded to Class I on Dec. 20, per the FDAs latest update. Handsome Brook Farms is voluntarily recalling the eggs after the company determined that eggs not intended for retail distribution were instead packaged and distributed in retail packaging, according to the recall notice. Additional supply chain controls and retraining are being put in place to prevent recurrence. Kirkland organic eggs sold at Costco recalled The Kirkland brand eggs included in the recall were sold to 25 Costco stores starting in late November, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced. The recall covers plastic egg cartons with the UPC code 9661910680, the Julian code 327 and a Use By Date of Jan. 6, 2025, printed on the side. Look for this code on the recalled egg cartons. If you have the eggs, dont eat them. Return them to a local Costco store for a full refund or throw them away. The FDA noted in its initial recall announcement in November that no one had gotten sick so far from the affected eggs. States affected by Costco organic eggs recall About 10,800 retail units or plastic cartons affected by the Costco organic eggs recall were sent to stores in: Alabama Georgia North Carolina South Carolina Tennessee Salmonella symptoms Salmonella is a leading cause of foodborne illness, hospitalizations, and deaths in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The bacteria can cause serious and potentially fatal infections in children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems, the FDA warns. Symptoms in healthy people include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. This notice follows a separate massive egg recall in September and October, also over salmonella contamination concerns, involving another poultry farm. It's also the latest in a series of recent recalls in the U.S., including carrots, cucumbers, ground beef and more. This article was originally published on TODAY.com "Sending this with broken hearts & tears," the family of Jayna Lang shared in an update on Sunday, Dec. 1 The family of a Colorado woman who's been missing since she reportedly left home to visit a local shopping mall has said they've received "not good news" about her. Jayna Lang, 46, was last seen by her family in Littleton on Sunday, Nov. 24, the Park County Sheriffs Office stated in a release. She reportedly told her relatives that she was going to visit the Outlets at Silverthorne, reported ABC News affiliate Denver7. Please be on the lookout for this vehicle and female party She was headed to Summit County. She liked to frequently visit Park County, especially the Indian Mountain subdivision, the police release stated on Thursday, Nov. 28. Denver7 reported that Lang left home in her white 2016 Toyota 4Runner with a license plate marked JAYNA. In a Facebook update posted by Langs sister-in-law, Stacy Laigo-Horvat, on Sunday, Dec. 1, the family shared that had received not good news regarding Lang's whereabouts, although she did not disclose precisely what they had been told. Summit County Sheriff's Office Facebook Jayna Lang Related: Missing Hawaii Woman Hannah Kobayashi Intentionally Missed Her Connecting Flight, Police Say, Though Her Family Disagrees Sending this with broken hearts & tears!!! We were notified tonight with the not good news regarding my sister-in-law Jayna , Laigo-Horvat wrote. We want to send all the thanks & appreciation to everyone nationwide for the love & prayers during this horrible time! For all the efforts in finding her & the time this past week! Please keep my husband in your thoughts & prayers! Thank you & God Bless!! Family members had been posting regular updates on their search for Lang up until the latest update shared by her sister-in-law on Sunday. Summit County Sheriff's Office Facebook Lang was last seen heading out in her white 2016 Toyota 4Runner on Nov. 24 Her brother, Eric Horvat, had shared earlier that he last spoke to her the day she went missing. Never, never did we ever think that she would be gone, and we don't know where, where she's at, he told Denver7. She was supposed to be going to Silverthorne to look at the factory shops on Sunday. Related: How Police Closed in on the Last Person to See Missing College Student Kristin Smart Alive Google Maps Outlets at Silverthorne, Colorado 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. Eric shared with the news outlet that he later received a call from Langs employer saying that she hadnt shown up to work the following Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and no one had heard from her. "Maybe her car is somewhere off of off the road, somewhere that anybody traveling this weekend would have saw it, he told Denver7. That was the last communication we had. My aunt and her talk every single day. Me and her, every couple days. So, for my aunt not to hear from her, it's very, very suspicious. PEOPLE has reached out to the Park County Sheriffs Office for an update on this case. FILE - M23 rebels stand with their weapons in Kibumba, in the eastern of Democratic Republic of Congo, Dec. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) GOMA, Congo (AP) Fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 rebel group resumed in eastern Congo in yet another ceasefire violation ahead of potential mediation talks, both groups said. The army said in a statement it inflicted heavy losses on the rebels in the Lubero territory of North Kivu province Monday, including several dead and wounded. An M23 spokesperson said on X the group also was attacked by the army early Tuesday. M23 is one of a 100 armed groups that have been vying for a foothold in mineral-rich eastern Congo near the border with Rwanda, in a conflict that has created one of the worlds largest humanitarian crises. More than 7 million people have been displaced. Congo and the United Nations accuse Rwanda of backing M23. Rwanda denies the claim, but in February admitted that it has troops and missile systems in eastern Congo to safeguard its security, pointing to a buildup of Congolese forces near the border. U.N. experts estimate there are up to 4,000 Rwandan forces in Congo. Last week, Congo and Rwanda's foreign ministers agreed on the terms and conditions of the disengagement of Rwandan forces in eastern Congo. In July, Congo signed a ceasefire with M23, which came into effect in August, but fighting has resumed since. Earlier this month, the United States said it was gravely concerned by ceasefire violations by M23 rebels. The resumption of fighting comes as Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwanda's President Paul Kagame are set to meet on Dec. 15, according to the state news agency of Angola, which has been mediating the conflict. It would be their first official meeting since last year. Tensions between Russia and the Philippines escalated as the Philippine military deployed a navy ship and air force planes to shadow a Russian submarine in the South China Sea last week, security officials said. Philippine Navy spokesperson Roy Vincent Trinidad said a Russian Kilo-class submarine was sighted 80 nautical miles off the western province of Occidental Mindoro on 28 November, with the waters considered to be a part of Manilas exclusive economic zone (EEZ). It was first contacted in response to a Philippine Navys two-way radio inquiry when it was spotted in Manilas waters. The officials aboard the submarine said it was en route home to the Russian eastern city of Vladivostok after participating in a joint exercise with the Malaysian Navy, Jonathan Malaya, assistant director-general of the National Security Council, said. Manila downplayed the presence of the Russian submarine in international waters, granting it the status of other foreign ships who have the right of innocent passage. However, tensions surged again when the submarine was spotted about 80 nautical miles (148km) off the Philippine province of Mindoro, Mr Malaya said. The submarine was sighted after it surfaced due to weather-related conditions, he said. Philippine Navy frigate Jose Rizal established radio contact with the Russian submarine, which confirmed its identity as UFA 490 and its intent. The Russian vessel stated it was awaiting improved weather conditions before proceeding to Vladivostok, Russia, Mr Trinidad said, without elaborating on why it was in the area. "All of that is very concerning," president Ferdinand Marcos Jr said when asked about the submarine. "Any intrusion into the West Philippine Sea, of our EEZ, of our baselines is very worrisome. So, yes, its just another one." The leader referred to the South China Sea by using its Filipino name where his country, along with Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and other coastal states have faced an increasingly aggressive China, which claims the busy waterway virtually in its entirety. On Monday, the Philippines coast guard said that a Chinese military helicopter flew close to fishing boats manned by Filipinos in a "dangerous act of harassment" last week at Iroquois Reef, a disputed fishing area in the South China Sea. Two Philippine coast guard patrol ships have been deployed to the area to protect Filipino fishermen, coast guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said. There was no immediate comment from Chinese officials. The South China Sea is seeing an increasing spike in territorial confrontations, particularly between Chinese and Philippine coast guard and naval forces, starting last year has prompted closer surveillance by the United States and other Western governments of the key global trade route. A 30-year-old Hawaii woman at the center of a missing person search in Los Angeles willfully crossed into Mexico, seemingly as part of her desire to "disconnect," police said Monday. The case involving Hannah Kobayashi, of Maui, has been reclassified as one involving a "voluntary missing person," but it will be kept open until police are assured she's safe, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said at a news conference Monday night. McDonnell added that theres no evidence Kobayashi is the victim of human trafficking or foul play. Lt. Douglas Oldfield, of the police departments Missing Persons Unit, said at the news conference that detectives reviewed Kobayashis social media accounts, which led them to believe she "wanted to disconnect." "By looking at her past social media, we then saw indications that there were some desires or posts that would be consistent in somebody who would have the desire to disconnect from their phone," he said. He said that detectives can't say they're "100% right" about their determination but that they know she didn't have her phone after she left Los Angeles International Airport. The news conference was held after NBC Los Angeles reported family members were surprised when McDonnell told the Los Angeles Police Commission last week that Kobayashi intentionally missed a connecting flight to New York City after having landed in Los Angeles on Nov. 8. On Monday, McDonnell said Kobayashi had her luggage rerouted from New York City back to Los Angeles, where she picked it up on Nov. 11. That missed flight put her in Los Angeles, where she lost touch with family members, sparking concern and eventually prompting them to report her missing to the Los Angeles International Airport Police Department and the FBI, they have said. Security video showing Kobayashi with an unknown man in Los Angeles sparked more fear, as did text messages in which Kobayashi said someone was trying to steal from her, family members said in interviews last month. Police said Monday that the man seen in security video with Kobayashi in Los Angeles was found and cooperated with investigators, who concluded there was no wrongdoing. Family members also expressed dismay because McDonnell, in his customary report to the police commission, misstated Kobayashi's age as 23, according to NBC Los Angeles. They said he got the date she was reported missing wrong, as well, the station reported. Hannah Kobayashi. We are deeply grateful for the urgency and dedication law enforcement has shown in investigating Hannahs disappearance. Our family remains hopeful that Hannah is safe and urges everyone to continue the search. The search is far from over, and we are committed to doing everything possible to bring her home safely," the family said in a statement. "We want answers and a resolution that ensures Hannahs safety and urge law enforcement and the public to stay focused on finding her and to avoid speculative conclusions. Spreading awareness and sharing verified information about her case is crucial, and we deeply appreciate your continued support in these efforts. Kobayashi landed at LAX from Honolulu at 9:53 p.m. on Nov. 8, with plans to catch an 11 p.m. connecting flight to New York City, sister Sydni Kobayashi said in a timeline posted to the private "Help Us Find Hannah" Facebook page. Hannah Kobayashi planned to visit New York City's Museum of Modern Art and absorb Manhattan's art scene, as she aspired to be an artist and a photographer, family said. But Kobayashi missed her connecting flight to New York because there wasn't enough time for her to get from her arrival gate to the departure gate, Kobayashi'a aunt, Larie Pidgeon said in an interview last month. Relatives said Kobayashi used her time during which they believed she was waiting for a suitable flight to New York sightseeing in Los Angeles. She went to The Grove shopping center in the Beverly Grove neighborhood, about 12 miles north of Los Angeles International Airport, the next day and the one after that, returning to LAX each time, according to the Facebook timeline. Kobayashi posted a photo that appeared to have been taken near or at The Grove to her Instagram account, which NBC News verified as hers. On Nov. 11, she was seen speaking with a ticketing agent at the airport before she got on a Metro train to South Los Angeles and then to downtown Los Angeles, accompanied by the unidentified man, police said. That day, family members said, she sent messages that concerned them because of their content and a voice that didn't seem to match hers. "Hannahs last message to us was alarming she mentioned feeling scared, and that someone might be trying to steal her money and identity," Pidgeon said on Facebook. The next morning, on Nov. 12, she was seen at a Greyhound bus station in downtown Los Angeles without anyone accompanying her, according to the Facebook timeline. It was the last day any family member was aware of her whereabouts, Pidgeon said. McDonnell said Kobayashi was reported missing Nov. 13, but the LAPD took over the case on Nov. 15. An FBI spokesperson said the FBI was assisting with the investigation. Police said Monday they reviewed U.S. Customs and Border Protection video showing Kobayashi crossing into Mexico at a land port in San Diego's San Ysidro neighborhood at 12:13 p.m. on Nov. 12. Kobayashi has done nothing criminal and has every right to move freely that way, said McDonnell, the police chief, but he urged her to reach out to family members because they're worried. "She has a right to her privacy, and we respect her choices, but we also understand the concern her loved ones feel for her," he said. "A simple message could reassure those who care about her." Police said that on Nov. 24, after relatives gathered in Los Angeles to search for Kobayashi, her father died by suicide near Los Angeles International Airport. The Los Angeles County medical examiner said Ryan Kobayashi, 58, died as a result of multiple blunt force trauma injuries. "Im very sorry to the family for all that theyve been through," McDonnell said. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources. Its a mystery that took more than 47 years to solve: The true identity of a woman known as Jane Seneca Doe. One mystery remains: Who killed JoAnn Vickie' Smith? Jane Seneca Doe artist rendering On October 2, 1976, the body of a young woman was found murdered and tossed in a ditch along Highway 6 in an unincorporated area of Grundy County, Illinois, near the village of Seneca. She had died from a single gunshot to the back of her head. Grundy County Deputy Chief Coroner Brandon Johnson told Dateline in 2021 that the original investigators did all they could, but were unable to identify the woman. After nearly two months of unsuccessful attempts to identify the Jane Doe, she was buried in an unmarked grave at a cemetery in Braceville, Illinois, where she remained until 2018. When I began working on this case, I quickly realized that the only way to identify this victim was to obtain DNA, Johnson said during a 2024 press conference. In June 2018, Johnson connected with the DNA Doe Project an organization that uses genetic genealogy to assist in identifying Jane and John Does. Investigators had Jane Seneca Does body exhumed and her DNA was extracted. Eventually, her DNA was uploaded to GEDmatch and the genealogical research began. Within months, a DNA profile was established and entered into CODIS a national DNA database, Johnson said at the 2024 press conference. Unfortunately, these efforts yielded negative results. But those negative results did not slow them down. Distant matches were starting to be located and soon had proved that the case would not be easy due to a difficult family tree, Johnson said. Margaret Press, who founded the DNA Doe Project in 2017, said Jane Seneca Doe was at the top of her list of cases she wanted to see identified. Now, that desire has been fulfilled. According to a press release on the Grundy County website, Jane Seneca Doe was identified on June 27, 2024, as a woman named JoAnn 'Vickie' Smith. It would take four and a half years of dedicated work to narrow the search to the right branch of Vickie Smiths tree and find her name, the release stated. The press release listed some of the difficulties faced in this case, including the challenges with African American Jane and John Does due to underrepresentation in public databases, as well as the fact that Vickie had been adopted. Her DNA profile matched to a number of her distant biological relatives, but most people in her birth family didnt know she existed, the release stated. Her name was finally found after the team located a branch of her tree with three sisters, one of whom was her birth mother. From there, investigators located Vickies original birth certificate and adoption records. It was a team effort, with more than 20 expert genetic genealogists from the DNA Doe Project working on the case. In the press release, the Executive Director of Media and Communications, Pam Lauritzen, said, It is an honor for all of us to say her name Vickie Smith and to know shes on her way home. I am honored and privileged to stand here today and announce that this victim has finally been identified after 47 years, coroner Johnson said at the 2024 press conference. He then detailed some of the facts they were then able to learn about Vickies life. She was born in February 1956 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was later adopted by a family with many adopted children. She graduated from high school and had been attending Southern Ohio College prior to her disappearance. Vickie was a housekeeper at a Marriott hotel and sang in the choir at her local church. Sometime on the evening of June 14, 1976, Vickie left the family residence and was never seen again, Johnson said. Unfortunately, the rest remains a mystery. Grundy County Deputy Chief Coroner Brandon Johnson The coroner said making the announcement that Jane Seneca Doe finally had her name back was one of the most rewarding days of his life. Vickies loving family has spent almost the last five decades missing her and wondering about her whereabouts, Johnson said at the press conference. While I would love to see justice served for this heinous crime, he continued, I find comfort in the ability to return Vickies name to her and provide her family with long-awaited closure. The coroner and Vickies family expressed their gratitude to all involved in making the identification. Vickies brother, Ronnie Smith, also spoke at the press conference. This has really been very hard on our family over the years of not knowing what happened, he said. And while there are still many questions as to what happened to Vickie, her brother is just thankful to know where she is. Now she can be laid to rest with her rightful name: JoAnn Vickie Smith, he said. If you have any additional information, please contact Deputy Chief Coroner Brandon Johnson of the Grundy County Coroners Office at 815-941-3359 or bjohnson@grundycountyil.gov. Mirwais Ibrahimi, left, chats with Ahmad Sultani, job coordinator at AmeriCorps/Connect Community, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, as they discuss services that might be available to Ibrahimi after the closing of The Alliance, a Houston-based refugee agency. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer The Alliance building on Hillcroft is shown on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Houston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Mirwais Ibrahimi, left, chats with Ahmad Sultani, job coordinator at AmeriCorps/Connect Community, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, as they discuss services that might be available to Ibrahimi after the closing of the Alliance, a Houston-based refugee agency. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer When Mirwais Ibrahimi arrived in Houston with his family in November 2021, the now 32-year-old Afghan was counting on aid from The Alliance, the Gulfton-based nonprofit with a legacy of helping refugees resettle in Houston. But within months of his familys arrival, Ibrahimi said the agency struggled to meet their basic needs. Its caseworkers seldom picked up the phone, he said, and they seemed overworked. I was expecting when I came from disaster conditions in Afghanistan to get some good help and start a new and better life, Ibrahimi said in Dari, a form of Farsi spoken in Afghanistan. We did not get enough from The Alliance. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Three years later, The Alliance shuttered its doors, suddenly ending its essential resettlement services such as housing assistance, educational and employment opportunities, English classes and access to groceries and transportation. A Houston Chronicle investigation published last month found The Alliances troubles, however, began at least a decade earlier. The agency had overspent its budget, under-fundraised and misused federal grants, according to organization records. After publication, former Alliance clients and volunteers both praised the organizations decadeslong record of helping refugee families establish lives in the United States and criticized the nonprofit for its apparent mismanagement in the lead-up to its shutdown in June. Their experiences detail how The Alliances financial collapse cut refugees off from critical support for rent, food and medical needs, and left volunteers skeptical of the organizations capability to offer those services. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Alliances current board members and staffers did not respond to requests for comment by the Chronicle. In a story published last month, board members said all of The Alliances money was used to operate the charity. To the best of our knowledge, no funds were embezzled or misused, the board wrote in a statement. A frustrating arrival Ibrahimi fled Afghanistan in August 2021, just weeks after American troops withdrew from the country and its capital, Kabul, fell to the Taliban. At first, he, his wife and his two younger siblings bounced around the United States, landing in Washington, D.C., and later at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin. Houston, with its growing Afghan community, offered hope for stability. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A relative gifted the Ibrahimis one-way flights to the city and said hed connect them with an organization that had helped thousands of Afghans resettle The Alliance. At first, Ibrahimi found the organization helpful, he said. It found the family a place to live, helped him apply for a Social Security card and work permit, and gave him a few hundred dollars for groceries and other expenses. Then, within months, his caseworkers stopped calling back. My caseworker had been changed five times, Ibrahimi said. I had no assistance from them since then. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ibrahimi grew frustrated, even showing up to The Alliances Gulfton office on Hillcroft without an appointment multiple times for help with essential tasks for new arrivals, such as his familys green card applications. One caseworker told him they were short-staffed, with each juggling dozens of cases. The management of The Alliance was messed up, said Ahmad Sultani, a friend and former Alliance client who now works for the social services organization Connect Community. They were not hiring enough people to maintain all those cases. When he and his family arrived in Houston in 2017 from Afghanistan, Sultani had a contrasting experience with The Alliance. Caseworkers, he said, were attentive and set him up with the money for several months rent, furniture and groceries. Due to his English proficiency (he worked at the American embassy in Kabul before leaving Afghanistan), Sultani and his family became self-sufficient quickly: He found a job at a Toyota dealership, enrolled his children in school and began the process of receiving green cards. Hearing of others past success with The Alliance and other refugee agencies in Houston further frustrated Ibrahimi. When he received a text that The Alliance was closing, which was how many clients learned the news, he cheered. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If theyre not helping people, he said, its better to be closed. This is not smelling right Refugee families werent the only ones raising questions about The Alliances operations. Patricia Hayward was part of a volunteer team created in 2022 to help The Alliance connect a large refugee family to everything it needed. The Alliance required the team to raise $3,000, which would fund services for the family. Meanwhile, Hayward a retired Exxon employee secured a $2,500 grant from her former company to help the family. But volunteers saw trouble with The Alliance right away, Hayward said. Cash payments to the family to help cover living costs, she said, were late if they came at all; sick family members couldnt get insurance coverage because of mismanaged paperwork; and caseworkers visited the family just a handful of times in the first three months, she said. Meanwhile, The Alliance said it had paid the first two months rent and utilities for the family but had not, Hayward said. The refugees went into debt to pay for rent, beds, appliances and medical bills the nonprofit was supposed to cover, she said. Volunteers spent their own money on groceries and household items for the family. I got angry and said, This is not smelling right, Hayward said. Something is wrong here. Hayward began keeping detailed records, some of which she shared with the Chronicle. On Dec. 13, 2022, the frustrated volunteers wrote a letter to former CEO Daniel Stoecker, saying they would make formal complaints if the issues were not resolved. According to the letter, problems included: The Alliance received $20,500 for the family from one federal government program but had given them just $11,000. The Alliance promised the family food until their SNAP cards were operational but did not provide enough. The volunteers bought the family $1,500 for groceries, but the nonprofit would not reimburse them. Even though The Alliance said it had paid two months of rent and utilities, when pressed for several weeks by the family and volunteers, the nonprofit later admitted it had paid only one water bill of about $100. The Alliance tried to enroll the family in a Harris County medical program but did not provide enough information, so the application was denied. The family did not receive education, employment or support services other than a few rides to doctor appointments. Ultimately, after the volunteers sent the letter, Alliance staffers resolved many of the issues. But it took another year and the continued support of the volunteers to get the family the federal and ExxonMobil grant money it was due, Hayward said. Filling the void Since The Alliances closure, its former clients cases have been transferred to organizations that do similar work, like Interfaith Ministries, Catholic Charities, YMCA International Services, Church World Services and the Ethiopian Community Development Councils Houston Multicultural Center, which opened an office in Houston after The Alliances collapse. Ibrahimi said his case was transferred to CWS, where caseworkers quickly realized incorrectly filed paperwork kept the 32-year-olds family from qualifying for government assistance like food stamps. His green card application was finally sent. A CWS staffer confirmed during a visit to the organizations Gulfton office that it absorbed the cases of many Alliance clients. The faith-based nonprofit did not make anyone available to comment on this story. RESETTLEMENT IN ACTION: Here's how a Houston nonprofit resettled thousands of refugees Still, the void left by The Alliance has yet to be filled for some. Former Alliance client Wisal Mamoorkhan, 29, of Afghanistan, was shocked when the organization shuttered. He worried about his rent payments and continuing his English courses, which The Alliance had offered since he arrived in Houston in 2021. And despite being single, he worried about families who relied on the nonprofit and were cut off from services. PLAINVIEW, N.Y. -- Omer Neutra, an Israeli-American soldier from New York, has been confirmed dead in Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces said. A grandson of Holocaust survivors, the 21-year-old from Long Island was thought to be a hostage captured by Hamas, but he was killed fighting militants during the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre, the IDF announced Monday. Neutra's body was taken into Gaza, where it is still being held by Hamas. Omer Neutra "was serving as a tank commander in an Israel Defense Forces unit that was among the first to respond to Hamas' campaign of cruelty -- risking his life to save the lives of others. A Long Island native, Omer planned to return to the United States for college. He dreamed of dedicating himself to building peace," President Joe Biden said in a statement. A memorial service for Neutra will be held at the Midway Jewish Center in Syosset on Tuesday morning. Neutra's family "deeply grieving and devastated" Neutra, who grew up in Plainview, deferred enrollment at SUNY Binghamton to join the IDF after attending a Jewish high school. His parents spoke out at a hostage remembrance and protest in Central Park just hours before his death was announced. "We need to finish this war and bring ceasefire and get the hostages back," his father, Ronen Neutra, had said. "The Neutra family is deeply grieving and devastated with the news. They are currently requesting the public, who has been very supportive throughout this journey, to please respect their privacy until they are formally ready to announce the next steps," a family spokesperson said Monday. Watch: Long Island community remembering American-Israeli IDF soldier Omer Neutra U.S.-Israeli hostage Omer Neutra is confirmed dead in Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces announced on Dec. 2, 2024. / Credit: The Neutra Family Neutra's photo has remained a centerpiece at Temple Chaverim in Plainview, where many held on to hope for the IDF soldier. The temple opened its doors Monday night for many in the Jewish community to gather in their grief and lean into their faith. "Omer sort of became really such a part of all of us and I think people felt so personally connected to him, even people who never met him," Rabbi Elizabeth Zeller said. "We all woke up to the news. We were shocked. We were devastated, probably the word I heard the most today," said Craig Wolfson, president of Temple Chaverim. New York leaders react to Omer Neutra's death Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino said Monday flags would be flown at half-staff in Neutra's honor. "It is with deep sadness that we learn of the tragic loss of Omer Neutra, a beloved son of the Town of Oyster Bay and IDF soldier, who was killed by Hamas terrorists. This heartbreaking news is a profound reminder of the immense sacrifices made by individuals who stand in service to protect and defend democracy around the world," Saladino's statement read in part. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Omer's family, friends, and all who loved him. This is a time of unbearable grief and a tragic loss for our entire town." New York Gov. Kathy Hochul ordered flags to half-staff statewide and said, "We pray that his body can be returned to his family, who have been speaking out for him and all hostages since that horrific day." "For months we've prayed for the safe return of Omer Neutra and all those kidnapped by Hamas on October 7th. This horrific news shakes all New Yorkers to our core," Hochul said in a statement. "I've met with Omer's brave family and learned so much about this incredible young man. As we mourn this tragedy, let us continue to pray for the safe return of the remaining hostages, an end to the war without Hamas in power, and a lasting peace." The Wall of Hope in Plainview, New York displays pictures of hostages taken by Hamas, including Omer Neutra, who grew up in the community. / Credit: CBS News New York "On October 7th, he fiercely defended the communities near the Gaza border when Hamas terrorists attacked. For over a year, his parents lived in hope that their son was still alive. But today, their worst fears were confirmed. My heart breaks for them and their entire family as they face this unbearable loss. But I am also filled with pride in the life that Omer lived. His heroism and sacrifice will never be forgotten, and I will not rest until his body is returned home. May his memory be a blessing," Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's statement said. The wall of hope After Neutra's presumptive capture, the Mid-Island Y JCC in his hometown held weekly events and prayed that he and the 101 hostages would come home alive. "We all woke up to the devastating news of the loss of Omer, that we've kept in our hearts and prayers for so long now. I think it's hit everybody the same. I burst out into tears when I saw it. I take a deep breath now to keep the tears. We all feel like we lost a son, a brother, a friend even if we didn't know him personally. He became the face of what's going on in Israel," said Mid-Island Y JCC CEO Rick Lewis. The community's wall of hope has been up for 422 days. It displays pictures of hostages they hoped would be seen alive again. Gary Cellers, who updates the wall, prayed he would never have to add deceased stickers to the picture of Neutra. "My heart aches for the Neutra family. My heart aches for all the hostage families," said Cellers, facilities director at the Mid-Island Y JCC. Families of hostages respond to Hamas propaganda video Over the weekend, Neutra's parents spoke at a rally in Central Park, alongside the father of another Israeli-American hostage. Edan Alexander, 20, grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey and joined the Israel Defense Forces out of high school. He was seen alive in a new propaganda video released by Hamas on Saturday. His father described seeing him in the video as both emotional and disturbing, but said the family was happy to get a sign of life. Israel says 97 hostages remain in captivity. Maryland island struggles to survive impact of rising sea level, erosion | 60 Minutes "The Barn": A murder in Mississippi, and the evil hiding in plain sight Ted Turner's nature preserves: A carefully curated "Heaven on Earth" By Crispian Balmer and Nidal al-Mughrabi JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Reuters) - Israeli leaders hailed on Tuesday a pledge by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump that there would be "hell to pay" in the Middle East unless hostages held in the Gaza Strip were released ahead of his Jan. 20 inauguration. The reaction in Gaza was less enthusiastic. Writing on Truth Social, and without naming any group, Trump said the hostages had to be freed by the time he was sworn in. If his demand was not met, he said: "Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America." During their deadly 2023 attack on Israel, Hamas-led militants captured more than 250 people. Some have been released or freed but around half of them are still in Gaza, although at least a third of these are believed to be dead. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and many of his ministers publicly thanked Trump for his hard-hitting words. "President Trump put the emphasis in the right place, on Hamas, and not on the Israeli government, as is customary (elsewhere)," Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Trump's statement had made clear to everyone who was in the right, and who was wrong. "This is the way to bring back the hostages: by increasing the pressure and the costs for Hamas and its supporters, and defeating them, rather than giving in to their absurd demands." Families of the missing hostages also expressed their gratitude. "It is now evident to all: the time has come. We must bring them home NOW," the families forum said. NEGOTIATIONS STALLED Israel and Hamas have held on-off negotiations since October 2023, but after an initial hostage release in November, little progress has been made with both sides blaming each other. Responding to Trump's post, senior Hamas official Basem Naim said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had sabotaged all efforts to secure a deal that involved exchanging the hostages for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons. "Therefore, we understand (Trump's) message is directed first at Netanyahu and his government to end this evil game," he told Reuters. Gaza political analyst Ramiz Moghani said Trump's threat was directed at both Hamas and its backer Iran, and warned that it would embolden Israel to not expel Palestinians from swathes of Gaza but also annex the nearby, Israeli-occupied West Bank. "These statements have serious implications for the Israeli war in Gaza and the West Bank," he told Reuters. Mohammed Dahlan, like hundreds of thousands of Gazans, has had to flee his house because of the fighting and is desperate for the war to end. But he said he was shocked by Trump. "We were hoping that the new administration would bring with it a breakthrough .... but it seems (Trump) is in complete agreement with the Israeli administration and that there are apparently more punitive measures ahead," he said. (This story has been refiled to fix a typo in the headline) (Additional reporting by Hatem Khaled in Gaza and Steven Scheer in Jerusalem, editing by Ed Osmond) Samir Hussein - Getty Images Kate Middleton is carrying out a reduced program of engagements while she continues her recovery from cancer. However, she is back in the spotlight today playing a key role as Britain rolls out the red carpet for a State Visit from Qatar. The Prince and Princess of Wales greeted Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his first wife Sheikha Jawaher at their London hotel this morning as their State Visit to Britain officially began. Dressed in a maroon coat and matching hat, the same color as the Qatar flag, Kate posed for a photograph with William and the Qatari couple. The two couples then traveled to Horse Guards Parade where the King was waiting with an assembled Guard of Honour for the official military welcome. Kate, 42, is taking part in the State Visit today but is only appearing for parts of the day as she is beginning her return to work after finishing chemotherapy in September. Following the official welcome, she will join the other royals and dignitaries for lunch at Buckingham Palace. She is not attending the State Banquet this evening. Also absent from parts of today is Queen Camilla, who Buckingham Palace announced yesterday has had to scale back her attendance due to an ongoing chest infection. She is not at the official welcome and will not take part in the full receiving line at tonight's banquet. She will, however, be at the banquet itself and aides have emphasized there is no change from a diagnosis of a viral chest infection. You Might Also Like Peacock's new docuseries Girls Gone Wild: The Untold Story builds an argument that the notorious exploitation empire played a fundamental role in shaping the culture we inhabit today. However, while the docuseries explores how the world may have changed because of Girls Gone Wild, it also shows how little its despotic founder Joe Francis has changed since it all fell apart. Francis sat down with the journalist Scaachi Koul for his first in-person interview in a decade for the docuseries, though only consented to audio recording. When asked if he "feels bad" for the underage girls plied with alcohol and pressured by his cameramen to film nude scenes, Francis alleges, "No, because I don't believe they were victimized. They victimized me." Denise Truscello/WireImage Joe Francis in 2013 Francis is referring specifically to a judgement made in 2008 regarding a 2003 incident in which Girls Gone Wild crew filmed several women posing topless and engaging in sexual acts during spring break in Panama City, Florida. All four of the women turned out to be underage. After they reported the incident to local police, local officials put together a wide-ranging RICO case against Francis and his company that snowballed for years before eventually landing on misdemeanor child abuse and prostitution charges. Francis pled no contest, but had previously pled guilty to similar charges, and would go on to face many more like them in the future. Related: The 29 best true crime documentaries on Max When Koul reminded Francis that the women at the center of the 2008 case "were pretty young," too young to be legally held accountable for their actions in fact, he shot back alleging, "No, they were 17, just shy of 18. They were the ones that victimized us. I believe, we all believe, that they were put up by the Panama City police, and it was all an operation. So I believe that was quite orchestrated. I walked into a f---ing snake pit, okay?" Francis now lives in exile in Mexico due to an active warrant issued for his arrest in 2014. Several crew members from Girls Gone Wild's heyday express remorse for their part in promulgating the Francis method of infiltrating spring break towns and exploiting young, drunk women in the docuseries. But not Francis himself. Sign up for Entertainment Weekly to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.'s free daily newsletter Maxine Productions Joe Francis in 'Girls Gone Wild: The Untold Story' Related: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition producers defend series against families' horror stories: 'The show must go on' When asked about the lasting impact of the series, Francis proudly postulated that "it loosened everything up. I think it just made for a so much more fun generation, I think it created the ability to have, obviously, the Kardashians, and it did so much more. More, everything, more for society, for life." Girls Gone Wild: The Untold Story is currently streaming on Peacock. Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Archewell Foundation is a founding partner in Ashley Biden's Philadelphia wellness hub for women Kevin Mazur/Getty; MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty (Left) Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the 2024 ESPY Awards in Hollywood, California on July 11, 2024; (Right) Ashley Biden at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois on Aug. 19, 2024 Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's annual report from The Archewell Foundation reveals the charity's connection to a women's initiative launched by Ashley Biden, PEOPLE can exclusively reveal. On Dec. 2, the Archewell Foundation published its Impact Report for the 2023 - 2024 year, showcasing the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs ongoing philanthropic efforts through the organization they founded in 2020, while also highlighting their support for Ashleys womens wellness center. According to the report, which was exclusively shared with PEOPLE, the Archewell Foundation is a founding partner and supporter of the Women's Wellness (Spa)ce, a trauma-informed wellness center for women in north Philadelphia, created by Ashley. Ashley, 43, is the daughter of President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, and a social worker by trade. According to the Archewell Foundations 2023 tax records, reviewed by PEOPLE, the organization donated $250,000 to the Women's Wellness (Spa)ce. Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty; Emmanuel Osodi/Anadolu via Getty (Left) Ashley Biden at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois on Aug. 19, 2024; (Right) Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Abuja, Nigeria on May 11, 2024. Related: Inside Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's New Dynamic: 'A Twin-Track Approach Is Evolving,' Friend Says (Exclusive) "Drawing from her experience with the criminal justice system, Bidens initiative is inspired by her work with Mural Arts Womens Reentry Program, providing support and opportunities for formerly incarcerated women," the Impact Report said about the connection. "The center aims to offer a safe haven and community for women impacted by trauma, providing resources such as nutritious food, exercise, meditation, and therapeutic interventions." PEOPLE understands that the Women's Wellness (Spa)ce closely aligns with Archewell Foundation's mission to elevate mental health, a core belief of the organization's work. As founding partners, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex resonated with the center's commitment to supporting women in need. Meghan, 43, has long made uplifting women and girls a priority of her public work, with a focus on programs promoting empowerment, well-being and social justice. A Linktree describes the Women's Wellness (Spa)ce as "a mindfully designed drop-in wellness center for women in Philadelphia, PA." A photo shared in the Impact Report shows a group sitting in a circle in a sunlit room with plants, a glowing votive on a center table. Archewell Ashley Biden's Womens Wellness (Spa)ce in Philadelphia. PEOPLE confirms that the hub is operational, and Ashley's interview with Elle, published in March 2023, referenced her hopes to open a wellness space for women impacted by trauma with Mural Arts Philadelphia, the country's largest public art program. The Philadelphia location takes Ashley back to where she earned her master's in social work through the University of Pennsylvania, before taking jobs at the Delawares Department of Services for Children, Youth & Their Families and Delaware Center for Justice (both located in the Biden family's home state). The Elle interview said that the First Daughter imagined the center as "a drop-in space where women can eat a healthy meal, hit the treadmill or box, listen to guided meditation, and access therapies including EMDR and infrared saunas, which Ashley herself has found effective and wants to share with others." "I was able to get great treatment, and so Ive been able to take some of those things that Ive learned in therapy and use them as well," Ashley said at the time. EMDR [eye movement desensitization and reprocessing] did wonders for me when it came to my brothers death," she said, explaining that she navigated PTSD after the death of her brother, Beau Biden, who died in 2015 at age 46 after being diagnosed with brain cancer. Bettmann Archive Joe Biden, then senator of Delaware, alongside wife Jill, daughter Ashley and sons Beau and Hunter Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! "If you have money and something happens, you can go to the best therapist you can find," she told Elle. "That doesnt happen for people who are living in poverty." News of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's support for Ashley's Women's Wellness (Spa)ce was included in the portion of the report titled Uplifting Women and Girls. The three other focuses of the 16-page Impact Report were Community Wellbeing, Investing in Information Integrity and Collaborating for Impact, looking back at Harry and Meghan's work in these themes through the year. The report called the Archewell Foundation's Parents Network and The Welcome Project as its "principal programs," and the Archewell Foundation's co-executive directors, James Holt and Shauna Nep reiterated its motto: "Show Up, Do Good." "In a world that often feels fractured, there are moments that cut through the noise, reminding us of our strength when we stand together: resilience, courage, and a commitment to something greater than ourselves," Holt and Nep said. "This year, at The Archewell Foundation, weve witnessed the transformative power of human connection of people reaching across divides to uplift one another." Cesar M. Hernandez, 34, escaped from a prison van while being transported to Kern County Superior Court in Delano on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. The manhunt for an escaped convict continues for a second day in southern California. Authorities launched a search for Cesar M. Hernandez Monday morning after the murder convict escaped from a prison van. Hernandez was being transported to a court appearance and upon arrival, he evaded staff custody, jumped out of the van and is at large, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation stated on Monday. Hernandez' court appearance was in Delano, which is about 2-and-a-half hours north of Los Angeles. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation described 34-year-old Hernandez as 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighing about 161 pounds. He has brown eyes, black hair and was last seen wearing an orange top and pants. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for updates on Tuesday morning. Who is Cesar M. Hernandez? Hernandez was received by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from Los Angeles County on June 27, 2019. He was sentenced to 25 years to life with the possibility of parole for first-degree murder, a second strike offense, per the department's statement. Anyone who sees Hernandez or knows about his whereabouts should immediately call 911 or Incident Commander Lt. Anthony Sotello at 661-721-6300 extension 5506. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Manhunt underway for escaped murder convict Cesar M. Hernandez MIAMI The line at the ventana (a to-go window) at Versailles, the iconic Miami Cuban restaurant, snaked towards the parking lot. In the courtyard, which was dotted with concrete tables and benches, people crowded around the outdoor bar as the restaurant transitioned from breakfast to lunch. Music began to blast from the speakers, playing Spanish pop, salsa and reggaeton, from Marc Anthonys Ale Ale to El Merengue by Manuel Turizo and Marshmello. The atmosphere in southeast Florida has been almost celebratory as of late, said Eric Guzman, 38. Its felt that way ever since former President Donald Trump won the election, notably clinching Miami-Dade County, which flipped red for the first time since 1988. I realize this may sound rather boomerish but theres almost like this palpable sense of resurgence in the air, said Guzman, of Miami, which is about an hour south of Trump's Palm Beach golf club Mar-a-Lago. Everywhere I physically go, it's almost like the majority of folks have this collective sense of optimism, this feeling of hope, almost as if America has been revived and blessed from the divine. Across the country, Latinos still largely voted for the Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris. She won 51% of the Latino vote nationwide, compared to Trump's 46%, according to exit polling conducted by Edison Research and distributed by Reuters. But in Florida, Latinos helped secure a victory for Trump. Exit polling shows he won 58% of the state's Latino vote. A separate poll of Latino voters conducted on behalf of the Hispanic civil rights and advocacy group UnidosUS from mid-October through Election Day found that nationwide 37% of Latinos voted for Trump but that in Florida, his share of the Latino vote was almost 20 points higher 56%. UnidosUS, in a statement, called its poll a "cross-check" on exit polling. There are more than 3.3 million eligible Latino voters in Florida, according to the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute. And in Miami-Dade County, 64% of voters are Latino. Latino support for Trump in Florida might surprise some. After all, Trump largely disparaged immigrants, particularly from Venezuela, while on the campaign trail. But Trumps criticism of migrants didnt deter Venezuelans or other Hispanic voters in Miami from supporting the now-president-elect. And there are some clear reasons why. Supporters listen as Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump participates in a roundtable discussion at the Latino Summit held at Trump National Doral Golf Club on Oct. 22, 2024 in Doral, Florida. 'We don't want to repeat the same story' Gustavo Garagorry, who immigrated from Venezuela in 2002, said safety in the U.S. was a big concern for him, along with the economy. He said he believed its good that Trump has said he wants to address crime related to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which has had some members enter the U.S. in recent years. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in July declared victory in the countrys presidential election even as the current U.S. administration and other foreign governments cast doubt on official results. President Joe Biden earlier this year reinstated a Venezuelan oil ban after signs showed Maduro was not serious about holding a free and fair election in the country, a reversal of an agreement the two countries had to buy Venezuelan oil if Maduro held free elections, released political prisoners and allowed dissidents to run for office. Our top priority is to see our Venezuela free in democracy, said Garagorry, who lives in Doral. He criticized the Biden administration for initially rolling back the ban and for coordinating the release of political prisoners, which included Maduro's close ally, Alex Saab. We saw a lot of stupid things with part of this current administration in the White House," Garagorry said. "We want to free our country. Because now Venezuela is, you know, it's in a regime, a dictator. They don't call that a dictator, pero it is. Trump wave in South Texas: Latino voters are the new 'free agents' of elections. Behind Trump's 2024 red wave Under Maduro, who has been in power since the death of Hugo Chavez in 2013, Venezuelas economy has collapsed and a humanitarian crisis has deteriorated in the country. Thats led to millions migrating to other Latin American countries, and across the southern U.S. border. Cesar Grajales, who is Colombian and has a morning show on a local Spanish-language radio channel, said many voters who are from places like Cuba, Venezuela and Colombia are still connected to their home counties. They often still have family there and continue to get news from back home. People who (were) not born here, like myself, we don't want to repeat the same story that we left behind, said Grajales, 43, director of public affairs for the LIBRE Initiative, an advocacy group that targets Hispanic voters. So when you see candidates that are promoting agendas that are similar to the political agendas that we left behind, its a little bit scary. He pointed specifically to Harris plan to address high prices in the U.S. by going after price gouging of groceries and food by some companies. Grajales said for many, especially Venezuelans, it sounded like price control. And where do you see price control? Where do you hear that? he said. Well, you heard that in Venezuela. Many voters 'just want to have a change' During his early morning radio show, which runs at 5:30 a.m., Grajales said he got calls from self-identified Democrats expressing concerns over the economy but who said they would continue to support their party. But his main takeaway: many of the callers just want to have a change. Garagorry said he hoped that Trump would take executive action to help Venezuela. (Trump during his first administration often hit Venezuela and top leaders with sanctions.) But he also said he wanted to see the president-elect bring back industries and money to the U.S. Garagorry remembered looking at shoes with a friend as a teenager in Venezuela. On the label of the shoes, it had the three words: Made in USA. That, he said, is what Trump wants. This country has to reactivate industry and all business in this country, said Garagorry. He's hopeful and says he will be attending Trumps inauguration in January. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump won Miami with many Latino voters. Here's how. Hannah Kobayashi The family of missing Hawaiian photographer Hannah Kobayashi insisted that the search for her is far from over after LA cops declared her voluntarily missing. We are deeply grateful for the urgency and dedication law enforcement has shown in investigating Hannahs disappearance, the family said in a statement posted to social media. Kobayashi went missing in Los Angeles in early November. Facebook Our family remains hopeful that Hannah is safe, and urges everyone to continue the search, the statement added. The search is far from over, and we are committed to doing everything possible to bring her home safely. Footage from Customs and Border Protection shows the 30-year-old crossing the southern border on foot near Tijuana around 12:15 p.m. Nov 12, the LAPD said during a Monday press conference. Hannah Kobayashi intentionally missed her connecting flight, according to investigators. Courtesy Larie Pidgeon Police insist there is no evidence Kobayashi was a victim of foul play. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Investigators believe she dumped her phone after reaching LAX and skipping a connecting flight and she had expressed a desire to step away from modern connectivity, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said, noting that there was no evidence she was the victim of foul play or the target of sex traffickers. Still, the family wants answers and a resolution that ensures Hannahs safety as it urged law enforcement and the public to stay focused on finding her and to avoid speculative conclusions. Kobayashis family insisted that the search for her is far from over. Hawaiii News Now Footage from Customs and Border Protection shows the 30-year-old crossing the southern border on foot near Tijuana around 12:15 p.m. Nov 12. Hannah Kobayashi/ Instagram Spreading awareness and sharing verified information about her case is crucial, and we deeply appreciate your continued support in these efforts. A grand jury has handed up a murder indictment against a man whose wife disappeared this July, sparking a flurry of concern in the Nepalese community of Northern Virginia and beyond for the nurse and young mother. Naresh Bhatt is now facing state charges of murder and defiling a body, Prince William County court records show. The latter charge is connected to evidence showing the body of his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, was dismembered, police have said. Naresh Bhatt - Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center Bhatt a former Fairfax County police recruit and former US Army Reserve automated logistics specialist already faced a felony charge of concealing a dead body, court records show. Hes been held without bond since August. Bhatts trial on all three charges is set to start September 8, Prince William County court records show. In court Wednesday, he waived his right to a speedy trial, CNN affiliate WJLA reported. Kafle Bhatt, 28, the mother of a young daughter, has been presumed dead, according to authorities. No one has been able to find the beloved Nepalese community member since July 27, when she was last seen at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center in Manassas, where she worked as a registered nurse in the medical surgical unit. This is a moment of reckoning that we were hoping was coming, but now that its here, theres a lot of emotions around that, Kafle Bhatts former coworker Holly Wirth told reporters outside court Tuesday. DNA tests now have proved blood found in Kafle Bhatts bedroom belonged to her, with evidence showing she was killed July 29, Manassas Park Police Chief Mario Lugo said Monday. From the beginning, we believed that she was murdered based on the crime scene, he said at a news conference. This (DNA test result) helps the case and it kind of certifies what we thought occurred. Authorities continue to look for a body, though the lack of one is not detrimental to the investigation, the chief said. I feel we have a strong case, Lugo said. While executing a search warrant, investigators found what appeared to be blood pooling and blood splatter in the Bhatt homes main bedroom, light pink stains on bedroom carpeting and pools of blood in the bathroom, as if something was dragged across the floor, WJLA reported from an August arraignment. Prosecutors have told the court Bhatt had been recorded on camera driving his car sometimes at night disposing of trash bags in dumpsters and trash compactors in the days after his wife was reported missing, WJLA reported after a September bail hearing. CNN has reached out to the Prince William County public defenders office, which has said it typically doesnt comment outside the courtroom on any case. The commonwealths attorney for Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park, Amy Ashworth, has said her office wont comment on this case until its done. We will be here every court hearing The new charges gave Kafle Bhatts family a sense of relief, but no one was celebrating, her former coworker told reporters. Were not here happy, Wirth said Monday. Theres no amount of jail time thats going to bring back what they really want, which is their daughter. Kafle Bhatts baby, nicknamed Mini Mamta, was reunited in August with her maternal grandparents from Nepal, an immigration attorney working with the family, Bandita Sharma Dahal, told CNN at the time. Outside court Wednesday, Angel Rodas and other supporters vowed to see the trial through until justice is served. We will be here every court hearing, every motion, everything. We are going to see that he gets punished, and Mamtas family gets the justice that they truly deserve so that they may lay their daughter to rest properly, Rodas said. Wednesdays court appearance was delayed a day because interpreter services werent available, WJLA reported. Interpreter services have been a barrier in the judicial process so far, Wirth told reporters. Mom reported missing days after police visit Police first visited the couples home in Manassas on August 2, a day after Kafle Bhatts coworkers called for a wellness check. Kafle Bhatt, who worked two days a week at the hospital, had been expected at work on August 1 and 2, and her colleagues grew concerned after she did not show up or call, officials said. When police talked to Naresh Bhatt, he provided additional information and told investigators he did not want to report her as missing at the time, police said. Three days after the wellness check, Bhatt reported her missing and told investigators he last saw his wife at the dinner table July 31. Naresh Bhatt was taken away in handcuffs August 22 after authorities conducted a search at the couples home. In September, he was denied bail. CNNs Alisha Ebrahimji and Emma Tucker contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Alicia Strambler, pictured here in a courtesy photo with her children. Strambler's friends have launched a GoFundMe with a $10,000 goal. The money will go to Stramblers mother and her children to cover funeral expenses and other costs. Remembering Alicia: A Light for Many GoFundMe Before she was found dead in a north Houston motel and her husband was arrested and charged with murder, Alicia Strambler was writing a book about domestic violence, her friends told the Houston Chronicle. In the wake of her death, Krystal Gonzalez and Alyssa Villanueva have organized a GoFundMe to give Strambler a fitting farewell one that honors a woman who Gonzalez said was a constant beacon of light for her and other women caught in abusive relationships. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 'She advocated for women' Alicia was really and truly like one of the most amazing people you would ever meet, Krystal said. She advocated for women and wanted to help women, and I just feel like she definitely deserves the proper send-off. Strambler was found dead last week at the Moonlight Inn on Airline Drive with injuries consistent with assault. Her husband, Myron Strambler, was arrested at the scene and charged with murder. Police told OnScene TV reporters that Myron was standing outside the room wearing a blood-covered shirt and allegedly admitted to assaulting Strambler. Gonzalez, herself a victim of domestic violence, said that Strambler took her to her first trauma therapy session, and made a point about consistently checking up with her. Gonzalez said Strambler, herself bearing the black eyes and split lips incurred in her own abusive relationship, was instrumental in helping her find an escape from her violent partner. She would always express how she went through the bad so that no one else would have to go through it, Gonzalez said. She did that for me that's something that is just amazing. For a person to go through so much pain and still be able to look at the positive and try to help others, she was really remarkable. Advertisement Article continues below this ad GoFundMe has $10K goal The GoFundMe, which was organized by Gonzalez, is already a quarter of the way to its $10,000 goal. Gonzalez said the money will go to Stramblers mother and her children to cover funeral expenses and other costs. Villanueva, a friend of Stramblers since the pair were in sixth grade, is also helping organize the campaign. She said Strambler had intermittently worked on a book about her relationship with her husband, who Villanueva claimed would regularly destroy any progress shed make towards completing it. It was always her dream to write about this whole situation, Villanueva said. She didnt finish it, but the chapters that are still around are very chilling to read. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gonzalez provided the Chronicle with an excerpt of the unfinished book. In it, Strambler described her journey of abuse and eventual short-lived escape. My story serves as a beacon of hope, a testament to the fact that no one should endure such pain and that there is a way out, the excerpt read. By sharing my journey, I aim to shed light on the darkness that engulfs the lives of those trapped in similar situations. Together, we can work toward ending the cycle of domestic violence Although Stramblers life came to an unexpected end last week, her friends said that her story is far from over. Her passion was to help women get through the same situations, Villanueva said. If we can touch somebody's lives through her words, then her goal is accomplished. Members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) shout slogans during a protest outside the Bangladesh High Commission in Mumbai, India, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024.(AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) A court in southeastern Bangladesh on Tuesday rescheduled a bail hearing for a jailed prominent Hindu leader who led large rallies in the Muslim-majority country demanding better security for minority groups. Krishna Das Prabhu, who was arrested in Bangladeshs capital, Dhaka, last week, faces charges of sedition after he led huge rallies in the southeastern city of Chattogram. Hindu groups say there have been thousands of attacks against Hindus since early August, when the secular government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was overthrown. Prabhu's arrest comes as tensions spiked following reports of the desecration of the Indian flag across Bangladesh, with some burning it and others laying it on the floor for people to step on. Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday summoned Indias envoy, Pranay Verma, a day after a group of Hindus in Agartala, the capital of the northeastern Indian state of Tripura, stormed a consulate office of Bangladesh in protest over Prabhus arrest. Anti-India protests were held in Dhaka, where security at the Indian High Commission was increased, and elsewhere over the incident in Agartala. Relations between India and Bangladesh deteriorated after Hasina fled to India in the wake of mass protests which left hundreds of protesters dead and thousands wounded. India has since stopped issuing visas for Bangladeshi nationals, except for medical treatment. India, which sheltered 10 million refugees and helped Bangladesh gain independence through a nine-month bloody war against Pakistan in 1971, considers Hasina as a trusted friend. Hasina's father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the independence leader of Bangladesh, then the eastern part of present day Pakistan. The detention of Prabhu sparked violent protests by his supporters. A Muslim lawyer was hacked to death near the court in Chattogram hours after the news of his jailing surfaced and his supporters clashed with security forces. The situation caused concern in Hindu-majority India and the Bangladesh interim government, led by Nobel peace laurate Muhammad Yunus. No reason was given why Prabhu, also known as Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, did not attend Tuesday's court hearing. Public Prosecutor Mofizul Haque Bhuiyan told The Associated Press by phone that Chattogram Metropolitan Session Judge Saiful Islam ordered a bail hearing be held on Jan. 2 after the prosecution petitioned for more time to study the case. He also said no defense lawyer represented Prabhu in court. Two Hindu leaders who are close to Prabhu said that they were afraid to attend the court as many of the lawyers who represented Prabhu had faced cases after last week's violence. A group of lawyers stood last time for him (Prabhu). Cases have been filed against at least 70 of them and many others willing to take part in the hearing today have been threatened, one Hindu leader in Chattogram told the AP on condition of anonymity. Why was he (Prabhu) not brought to the court today? He is in police custody. He could have spoken for himself before the court if he was taken to the court. It's a ploy to delay his release from prison, this is not justice, the leader said. In Dhaka, a group of Islamists under the banner of Islamic Movement Bangladesh rallied in front of the country's main Baitul Mukarram Mosque in protest at Monday's incident in Agartala. Another group, under the banner of Bangladesh Citizens' Society, separately marched through the streets. Protests were also organized by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, headed by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, in Barishal and Khulna cities. Hasina and Zia are arch rivals. Indias Ministry of External Affairs said Monday that the attack on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala was "deeply regrettable. Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances, a ministry statement said. It added that India was stepping up security arrangements at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and other diplomatic offices in the country. Bangladeshs Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack in Agartala and demanded security to prevent any further acts of violence against its diplomatic missions in India. The accounts received conclusively attest that the protesters were allowed to aggress into the premises by breaking down the main gate of Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in a pre-planned manner, the foreign ministry said. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, an umbrella organization of the countrys minority groups, has denounced the arrest of Prabhu and called for his release. Prabhu is a spokesman for the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatan Jagaran Jote group. He was also associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, widely known as the Hare Krishna movement. Hindus and members of other minority groups say they have faced attacks since the ouster of Hasina. Yunus has said the threat to Hindus has been exaggerated. Around 91% of Bangladeshs population is Muslim, with Hindus making up almost all of the rest. Bangladesh has faced political and social tensions since Hasinas fall after a mass uprising ended her 15-year rule. Her critics had accused her of becoming autocratic. The interim government has been struggling to establish order amid a background of mob justice, street protests, police administration issues and political uncertainty, with Yunus repeatedly urging for calm. By Trevor Hunnicutt and Catarina Demony LUANDA (Reuters) - Joe Biden will use his visit to Angola on Tuesday, the first by a U.S. president to the sub-Saharan African country, to mark the two nations' shared history in the transatlantic slave trade. Biden plans to speak at the National Museum of Slavery in Luanda, a site that includes the 17th Century chapel where enslaved people were forcibly baptized before being sent to the Americas in chains. The first Africans who arrived to the British colony of Virginia in 1619 were captured in Angola; overall 4 million Angolans were forcibly transported to the Americas, mostly to Brazil but also to the now-United States. Biden's audience in Luanda is expected to include Wanda Tucker, a Black American who traced her ancestry to Angolans shipped to what is now Hampton, Virginia. The museum where he will speak was the former property of one of the largest enslavers on the African coast. Inside, several objects that were used to torture and punish enslaved people can still be seen today, including shackles and iron weights. The United States is announcing a grant of $229,000 to support the building's restoration. ALTERNATIVE TO CHINA Biden's Angola trip will also tout a major, U.S.-backed railway project that aims to divert critical minerals away from China. It fulfills a promise to visit Sub-Saharan Africa on what could be his final foreign trip before leaving office in January. Washington is investing millions of dollars in Angola and gradually forging ties with a strategic country with which it was once at odds. On Tuesday, Biden meets with Angola's President Joao Lourenco and the two will talk about issues including security and trade cooperation, White House officials said. Angola and the U.S. are set to hold a defense cooperation meeting next year on cyber and maritime security. Biden wraps his trip to Angola up on Wednesday with a summit with leaders from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania and Zambia. He'll also see part of the Lobito Corridor, the rail project linking resource-rich Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia to the Angolan port of Lobito on the Atlantic Ocean. China signed an agreement with Tanzania and Zambia in September to revive a rival railway line to Africa's eastern coast. Vast supplies of minerals including copper and cobalt are found in Congo and are a key component of batteries and other electronics. China is the top player in Congo, which has become an increasing concern to Washington. Russia, meanwhile, is the major supplier of weapons to Angola. Biden arrived in the capital Luanda on Monday to streets filled with thousands of onlookers. REPARATIONS? Still hurt by the legacies of slavery and colonialism, officials from Angola and its former colonial power Portugal have tried to address the issues left behind in recent years. Portugal trafficked nearly 6 million Africans, more than any other European nation. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said in April his country was responsible for crimes committed during slavery and the colonial era, and suggested there was a need for reparations. Rebelo de Sousa's comments sparked a national debate in Portugal and strong criticism from right-wing parties. Lourenco said his country would not ask Portugal for reparations, saying it would be "impossible" to make up for what happened in the past. About 160 years after slavery was abolished in the United States, vast wealth gaps still exist between white and Black Americans, land ownership remains concentrated among wealthy whites and a fraught political debate is centered on diversity, equity and how to reckon with the country's racial history. Biden is not expected to talk about U.S. reparations over the slave trade during his trip. (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt, Editing by Heather Timmons and Lincoln Feast.) By Anthony Deutsch THE HAGUE (Reuters) - Russian presidential aircraft and funds were used in a program that took children from occupied Ukrainian territories, stripped them of Ukrainian identity and placed them with Russian families, according to a report by Yale's School of Public Health. The U.S. State Department-backed research, published on Tuesday, identified 314 Ukrainian children taken to Russia in the early months of the war in Ukraine as part of what it says was a systematic, Kremlin-funded program to "Russify" them. Reuters was unable to confirm the report's findings independently. In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his child rights' commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova, for the alleged war crime of deportation of Ukrainian children. At the time, Lvova-Belova said her commission acted on humanitarian grounds to protect children in an area where military action was taking place. Lvova-Belova's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Kremlin said it could not respond to questions sent on Monday, citing a lack of time. The new report, shared with Reuters, offers details of the alleged deportation programme and individuals involved, including what its lead researcher said were new links to Putin. The researcher, Nathaniel Raymond, Executive Director of Yale's Humanitarian Research Lab, said he was scheduled to present the findings to the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday. The United States holds the rotating presidency of the 15-member body this month. Raymond said the research offers evidence that would support additional charges by the ICC against Putin of "forcible transfer" of people from one national and ethnic group to another. He further said the report proved "the deportation of Ukraine's children is part of a systematic, Kremlin-led program" to make them citizens of Russia. Forcible transfer is a crime against humanity under international law. Because they must be widespread and systematic, crimes against humanity are generally considered more serious than the war crimes Putin is currently charged with for alleged deportation of Ukrainian children. In response to Reuters questions, the ICC office of the prosecutor said the Yale report was useful "in our continued activities in this case." It said it could not provide further information about charges or actions that may arise from its investigative activities in Ukraine. The Ukrainian president's office did not respond to requests for comment. Ukraine's prosecutor general's office said it had no immediate comment. In response to the ICC charges last year, Lvova-Belova said Russia had not moved anyone against their will or that of their parents or legal guardians, whose consent was always sought unless they were missing. She said children were placed with temporary legal guardians and were not given up for adoption. Russia, which does not recognise the ICC, has said the court's warrants are meaningless. Court decisions could nonetheless limit travel by charged individuals because its 124 member states have an obligation to execute warrants. CHILDREN IDENTIFIED The research is based on data mined from three Russian government adoption databases over 20 months. Yale's investigation then mapped out the alleged program's logistics and funding and confirmed the identities of the 314 children, Raymond said. The research is part of an initiative led by the State Department under President Joe Biden to document potential violations of international law and crimes against humanity by Russia and Russia-aligned forces in Ukraine. The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The report said Ukrainian children brought to Russia had been subjected to "pro-state and militarised propaganda," noting it had documented such "patriotic re-education" at all the facilities where the children were processed. Reuters has documented the transfer of thousands of children to Russian camps, the forced naturalisation of Ukrainians and the involvement of Belarus in the program. Stephen Rapp, the U.S. ambassador-at-large for war crimes under former president Barack Obama and formerly a prosecutor at the international tribunals for Rwanda and Sierra Leone, reviewed the report and told Reuters that "it proves their direct involvement, making changes to law and practice to allow and accelerate coercive adoptions that would have been illegal under Russia's own law in February 2022." Kyiv estimates around 19,500 children have been taken to Russia or Russian-occupied Crimea since the invasion. Lvova-Belova has challenged Kyiv's numbers and asked it to provide evidence. She previously said 380 orphans and children not in the custody of parents were placed with Russian foster families between April and October 2022. FLIGHTS Russia began taking Ukrainian children from occupied Ukrainian territories in the days before the invasion in Feb. 2022, according to the report. Russia's Aerospace Forces and aircraft under the direct control of Putin's office transported multiple groups of children from Ukraine on Russian Federation-flagged military transport planes between May and October 2022, the report said. The report said at least two groups of children flew on aircraft managed by the Presidential Property Management Department within the Presidential Administration in May and October 2022. Children taken to the Chkalovsky military airfield just outside Moscow on Sept. 16, 2022 had been transported from the occupied Ukrainian territories of Donetsk and Luhansk to the Russian city of Rostov, not far from Ukraine's border, then flown on a plane with tail number RA-85123, the report said. The aircraft is a TU-154M operated by the 223rd Flight Squad of the Russian Defence Ministry, it said. Flight tracking data on website Flightradar24.com also confirmed this. Of the 314 Ukrainian children identified, 166 were placed directly with Russia citizens, the report said. The other 148 were listed in Russia's child placement databases, with about a third of those now placed with Russian citizens. The remaining children were last known to be located at Russian institutions, the report said. (Reporting by Anthony Deutsch; Editing by Mike Collett-White and Frank Jack Daniel) Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi The illegal migrant charged with shooting a Jewish man in a targeted attack in Chicago killed himself while in custody, according to police. Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, a 22-year-old from Mauritania, was found unresponsive in Cermak Health Services on Saturday afternoon in an apparent suicide attempt by hanging during a routine check, according to the Cook County Sheriffs Office. Abdallahi, who was not considered at risk for suicide, was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. No foul play is suspected, police said. Suspect Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi killed himself in jail, according to police. Cook County Sheriffas Department The Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force is investigating the death, according to the sheriffs office. Abdallahi had opened fire on a 39-year-old Jewish man walking to synagogue in October in the citys West Ridge neighborhood, leading to a shootout with police. He had been recovering from multiple gunshot wounds from the shootout when he took his own life. Alderman Debra Silverstein, who represents the area where the shooting occurred and attends the same synagogue as the victim, said she hopes Abdallahis death will help calm distressed residents still reeling from the shooting. My community has been on edge for quite some time [so] I hope this will bring a small measure of closure, Silverstein told the Sun-Times on Sunday night. But we would still like to find out all the details about what happened. Abdallahi was charged with the shooting of a Jewish man in a targeted attack. Abdallahi was following the 39-year-old victim, who was wearing a Jewish kippah and prayer shawl, as he walked to synagogue around 9:30 a.m. Oct. 26 when the suspect opened fire and shot the man in the shoulder, according to police. As paramedics rushed to help the victim and police searched for the gunman, Abdallahi popped out of a nearby alleyway, shouted Allahu Akbar and began firing at the officers, striking a Chicago Fire Department ambulance. Abdallahi was critically wounded when police shot back. The victim did not sustain life-threatening injuries and no first responders were hurt. Abdallahi allegedly shot the 39-year-old Jewish man while he was walking to synagogue in October. At a detention hearing on Nov. 22, prosecutors said Abdallahi had mapped out several local synagogues and Jewish schools as targets in the days before the shooting. Abdallahi entered the US through San Diego in March 2023 and was screened by border agents before he was released into the country, officials told The Post. When he was stopped at the border, authorities didnt find any criminal or terrorist histories linked to him, sources said. By Laila Bassam, Maya Gebeily and Steven Scheer BEIRUT/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel threatened on Tuesday to return to war in Lebanon if its truce with Hezbollah collapses, and said this time its attacks would go deeper and target the Lebanese state itself, after the deadliest day since the ceasefire was agreed last week. In its strongest threat since the truce was agreed to end 14 months of war with Hezbollah, Israel said it would hold Lebanon responsible for failing to disarm militants who violate the ceasefire. "If we return to war we will act strongly, we will go deeper, and the most important thing they need to know: that there will be no longer be an exemption for the state of Lebanon," Defence Minister Israel Katz said. "If until now we separated the state of Lebanon from Hezbollah... it will no longer be [like this]," he said during a visit to the northern border area. Despite last week's truce, Israeli forces have continued strikes against what they say are Hezbollah fighters ignoring the agreement to halt attacks and withdraw beyond the Litani River, about 30 km (18 miles) from the frontier. On Monday, Hezbollah shelled an Israeli military post, while Lebanese authorities said at least 12 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon. Another person was killed on Tuesday by a drone strike, Lebanon said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said any infraction of the truce would be punished, however small. "We are enforcing this ceasefire with an iron fist," he said ahead of a cabinet meeting in the northern border city of Nahariya. "We are currently in a ceasefire, I note, a ceasefire, not the end of the war," he added. DIPLOMACY Top Lebanese officials urged Washington and Paris to press Israel to uphold the ceasefire, after dozens of military operations on Lebanese soil that Beirut has deemed violations, two senior Lebanese political sources told Reuters on Tuesday. The sources said caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, a close Hezbollah ally who negotiated the deal on behalf of Lebanon, spoke to officials at the White House and French presidency late on Monday. Mikati, quoted by the Lebanese news agency, said that diplomatic communications had intensified since Monday to stop Israeli violations of the ceasefire. He also said a recruitment drive was under way by the Lebanese army to strengthen its presence in the south. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matt Miller told reporters on Monday that the ceasefire "is holding" and that the U.S. had "anticipated that there might be violations". The truce came into effect on Nov. 27 and prohibits Israel from conducting offensive military operations in Lebanon, while requiring Lebanon to prevent armed groups including Hezbollah from launching attacks on Israel. It gives Israeli troops 60 days to withdraw from south Lebanon. A mission chaired by the United States is tasked with monitoring, verifying and helping enforce the truce, but it has yet to begin work. Lebanon's Mikati met in Beirut on Monday with U.S. General Jasper Jeffers, who will chair the monitoring committee. Two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that France's representative to the committee, General Guillaume Ponchin, would arrive in Beirut on Wednesday and that the committee would hold its first meeting on Thursday. "There is an urgency to finalise the mechanism, otherwise it will be too late," one of the sources said, referring to Israel's gradual intensification of strikes despite the truce. (Reporting by Laila Bassam and Maya Gebeily in Beirut and Steven Scheer and Crispian Balmer in JerusalemEditing by Peter Graff) By Jack Kim and Ju-min Park SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Wednesday he would move to lift a martial law declaration he had imposed just hours before, backing down in a standoff with parliament which rejected his attempt to ban political activity and censor the media. Yoon declared martial law on Tuesday night to thwart "anti-state forces" among his opponents. But outraged lawmakers rejected the decree, in South Korea's biggest political crisis in decades. Yoon said a cabinet meeting would be held as soon as possible. Protesters outside parliament shouted and clapped after Yoon backed down. We won! they chanted. One demonstrator banged on a drum. Yoon's surprise declaration of martial law, which he cast as aimed at his political foes, was unanimously voted down by 190 lawmakers in the parliament. Under South Korean law, the president must immediately lift martial law if parliament demands it by a majority vote. His own party urged him to lift the decree. The crisis in a country that has been a democracy since the 1980s, and is a U.S. ally and major Asian economy, caused international alarm. Earlier, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said the United States was watching events in South Korea with "grave concern" and hoped that any political disputes would be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law. After Yoon's announcement of martial law in a late-night television address, the military said activities by parliament and political parties would be banned, and that media and publishers would be under the control of the martial law command. Yoon did not cite any specific threat from the nuclear-armed North, instead focusing on his domestic political opponents. It is the first time since 1980 that martial law has been declared in South Korea. (Reporting by Jack Kim, Ju-min Park, Hyunsu Yim and Josh Smith; Additional reporting by Michelle Nichols at the United Nations and David Brunnstrom and Ismail Shakil in Washington; Writing by Alexandra Hudson and William Maclean; Editing by Alistair Bell and Chizu Nomiyama) FALIRAKI, Greece (Reuters) - Homes, businesses and roads in the Greek tourist island of Rhodes were covered in mud and debris on Monday after Storm Bora battered the country over the weekend. In the resort of Faliraki the flooding caused by torrential rains destroyed a bridge, caused chasms to open up in the ground and damaged homes and shops on the coast, Reuters drone footage showed. In the village of Tsairi, a bridge also collapsed, cutting off residents from the main roads. "The bridge is broken in two, and there is no other road that is easily accessible, either by car or on foot, to reach the main road and go anywhere," local resident Flora Drapanou, 31, said. The fire brigade has deployed aerial units, sending 35 firefighters from Athens with pumping equipment and two rescue boats. In addition, 40 firefighters with 10 vehicles have arrived by sea from Piraeus to support the relief efforts. On Saturday, a 57-year-old man on the island of Limnos, in the northern Aegean, was swept away by strong currents while trying to free his car, the fire brigade said. The islands of Rhodes and Limnos have declared a state of emergency. The Mediterranean country has been ravaged by floods and wildfires in recent years, with scientists saying that Greece has become a "hot spot" for climate change. In 2023, more than 20,000 tourist and locals were forced to flee homes and seaside hotels as wildfires burned for days. Thunderstorms and heavy rain also interrupted train services in mainland Greece, especially in the centre and north of the country. (Reporting by Stelios Misinas, Writing by Daria Sito-Sucic; Editing by Alison Williams) Central to Trumps global influence on womens health is a policy called the Global Gag Rule (Associated Press) Immediately after Donald Trump clinched a second term in the White House, mail orders of abortion pills spiked across the U.S. Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood, the countrys biggest provider of reproductive health services, saw an eightfold increase in appointments for long-acting contraceptive devices known as IUDs. The reality of another Trump presidency appears to have stoked fears among many Americans that their access to abortion and contraception could be further restricted. But the issue stretches beyond U.S. borders. Around the world, hundreds of millions of women who had no say in Trumps election could lose vital health services because of his decisions. During his last term, Trump nominated three of the conservative Supreme Court justices who ultimately voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, restricting reproductive rights at home, while also making decisions that led to the closing of clinics abroad. In countries receiving U.S. aid, progress stalled in efforts to increase uptake of contraception and reduce complications and deaths from unsafe abortion. This time, he has already nominated an anti-abortion UN ambassador in Elise Stefanik and a health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose views on a major issue in his case vaccines go against scientific evidence. Trumps nominee for UN ambassador Elise Stefanik has vocally opposed abortion (AP) Another figure who could have the ear of the next administration is Valerie Huber, who spent two decades campaigning for ineffective abstinence education before being appointed to Trumps last White House as a senior adviser. While there, she made sweeping changes that led to nearly a million fewer people gaining access to federal family planning programs, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Last month, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) revealed that she has been laying the groundwork to influence reproductive health services in several countries around the world . She has particularly focused on those who already have fragile reproductive and sexual rights. Huber has spent the last couple of years meeting African officials and politicians in nine countries, from Burkina Faso to Uganda. She has also signed a secretive agreement with the Ugandan government to implement a womens health project. The project, called Protego, aims to eventually set up clinics offering a range of health services, as well as promoting abstinence as part of discussions about contraception. Such programs have been criticized for including inaccurate information about reproductive health. Huber told TBIJ that the project, called Protego, drew on science-based concepts, citing studies that showed people undergoing abstinence education were no less likely to use a condom and had improved academic success. But given her stance on reproductive rights, it has caused concern for charities working in the area. She is already in talks with other countries with a view to rolling it out further. After Trumps election, Huber said that she was [looking] forward to working alongside his administration on womens health around the world. Central to Trumps global influence on womens health is a policy called the Global Gag Rule, brought in by every Republican president and repealed by every Democrat since its introduction. It says that any organisation receiving U.S. aid money must agree not to perform or promote abortion. Research has linked the rule to a fall in contraception use and, ironically, a rise in abortions. The idea that you can somehow treat abortions as if it is not part of a set of services is not realistic, says Elizabeth Sully, a senior research scientist at the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights charity that promotes access to safe abortion services. It doesnt meet peoples needs. What does that mean for womens lives [] when theyre being forced to carry a pregnancy that they wanted to avoid by using contraception? she adds. Valerie Huber has spent the last couple of years meeting African officials and politicians in nine countries (EWTN/YouTube) When her organization looked at the effect of the Global Gag Rule in Uganda and Ethiopia, she said, it found reductions in family planning services and access to long-acting contraception, especially in mobile clinics serving more remote areas. She expects the pattern to be the same across all countries receiving U.S. aid. [The gag rule] is stagnating progress and that is going to have implications in the longer run too on unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions. Last time Trump was in office, he expanded the rule so it applied to aid used to fund any health service, not just family planning. Its expected that a version of this will be repeated this time and that it may be taken further still. Indications of that can be found within Project 2025, a 900-page document drawn up by the ultra-conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation that sets out a vision for the next conservative administration. Though Trump distanced himself from the project during the election campaign, he has already nominated more than one of its contributors including Brendan Carr, who wrote a chapter on the Federal Communications Commission, the agency hes been picked to oversee. Also named among the documents contributors is Huber, whose long-held beliefs appear to be reflected in a chapter that states the next administration should remove all references to gender equality, abortion and sexual and reproductive rights from foreign aid policies, contracts and grants. It also proposes expanding the gag rule to all foreign aid and removing certain exemptions, including one for humanitarian assistance. This means organizations funded by U.S. aid and providing vital help, for example around gender-based violence, might need to pledge not to provide abortions or face losing money. Were talking now about this policy being applied in some extremely fragile and vulnerable contexts where there is high levels of sexual violence and a need for access to abortion care really critically, Sully says. During his last term, Trump nominated three of the conservative Supreme Court justices who ultimately voted to overturn Roe v. Wade (AP) Project 2025 also recommends the next White House builds on a non-binding international agreement called the Geneva Consensus Declaration co-authored by Huber during Trumps first administration which states there is no international right to abortion. It was initially signed by 32 countries including the U.S., Uganda, Hungary and Brazil, and is seen as a way to rally countries to challenge the sexual and reproductive rights generally promoted by international agencies like the United Nations. According to Gillian Kane, director of global policy at the reproductive rights charity Ipas, Huber has basically written her new job description into the [Project 2025] document. We can anticipate she will use her government influence to push an anti-abortion, anti-LGBTI, anti-gender agenda on a global scale. Buky Williams, a sexual and reproductive health and rights lead at Ugandan-based feminist organisation Akina Mama wa Afrika, said; With Trump back in power, Protego and Hubers influence will be legitimised by the U.S. government and its resources. The reach and impact of their agenda will now be a US foreign policy agenda. And that gives us a lot of reasons to be worried. This piece was co-published with The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, where Rachel Schraer is a senior reporter. Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trumps pick for defense secretary, drank in ways that concerned his colleagues at Fox News, according to 10 current and former Fox employees who spoke with NBC News. Two of those people said that on more than a dozen occasions during Hegseths time as a co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend, which began in 2017, they smelled alcohol on him before he went on air. Those same two people, plus another, said that during his time there he appeared on television after theyd heard him talk about being hungover as he was getting ready or on set. One of the sources said they smelled alcohol on him as recently as last month and heard him complain about being hungover this fall. None of the sources with whom NBC News has spoken could recall an instance when Hegseth missed a scheduled appearance because hed been drinking. "Everyone would be talking about it behind the scenes before he went on the air, one of the former Fox employees said. On Sunday night, The New Yorker detailed concerns about Hegseths drinking at two jobs he held at nonprofit veterans groups before he joined Fox. A previously undisclosed whistle-blower report on Hegseths tenure as the president of Concerned Veterans for America, from 2013 until 2016, describes him as being repeatedly intoxicated while acting in his official capacity to the point of needing to be carried out of the organizations events, the magazine reported. According to The New Yorker, Tim Parlatore, a lawyer for Hegseth, responded: Were not going to comment on outlandish claims laundered through The New Yorker by a petty and jealous disgruntled former associate of Mr. Hegseths. Get back to us when you try your first attempt at actual journalism. Pete Hegseth pauses to talk to reporters after a series of meetings with senators on Capitol Hill on Nov. 21. This account of Hegseths time at Fox News is based on NBC News interviews with three current and seven former Fox employees, all of whom asked not to be named because of fear of retaliation. Three current employees said his drinking remained a concern up until Trump announced him as his choice to run the Pentagon, at which point Hegseth left Fox. Hes such a charming guy, but he just acted like the rules didnt apply to him, one of the former employees said. A spokesperson for the Trump transition team said: These disgusting allegations are completely unfounded and false, and anyone peddling these defamatory lies to score political cheap shots is sickening. As a decorated combat veteran, Pete has never done anything to jeopardize that, and he is treating his nomination as the most important deployment of his life. Parlatore, Hegseth's lawyer, referred NBC News to the statement from the Trump transition spokesperson. Fox News did not respond to requests for comment. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Oct. 21. Round-the-clock duties The former colleagues descriptions of Hegseths behavior while he was employed at Fox News raise questions about his ability to carry out the round-the-clock duties involved in managing the Pentagon and its 3 million civilian and military employees. A secretary of defense is generally working at all hours and might need to respond to a crisis that arises suddenly at night or on a weekend. In February 2023, while he was traveling in Manila on the kind of trip that often requires socializing with other high-level officials, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was awakened at 3 a.m. local time for a phone call about a Chinese spy balloon flying over the continental U.S. Similarly, the Oct. 7, 2023, attack in Israel began around midnight ET. And the Defense Department is responsible for protecting U.S. cities and infrastructure from potential airborne threats similar to the 9/11 attacks. At any time, day or night, the defense secretary might be called upon to decide whether a civilian aircraft should be shot down. The wrong decision could mean the deaths of innocent people. For the sake of national security, I really hope he has stopped drinking, one of the former Fox employees said. He should not be secretary of defense, another former Fox employee said. His drinking should be disqualifying. In 1989, the Senate rejected President George H.W. Bushs nominee to be defense secretary, former Sen. John Tower, R-Texas, in part over concerns about Towers history of drinking. As a co-host, Hegseth needed to be at work early on weekend mornings. For a show that began at 6 a.m. ET, his female co-hosts would come in around 4 a.m. to prepare and have their hair and makeup done; male co-hosts typically arrived around 5 or 5:15 a.m., 45 minutes before they went on air, three sources said. One current and two former Fox employees said they felt like they needed to babysit Hegseth because of his drinking and late nights. Wed have to call him to make sure he didnt oversleep because we knew hed be out partying the night before, one of them said. Another said, Morning TV is stressful, and more times than not Pete made it even more stressful. Hegseth sometimes arrived with only 20 minutes or less before the show began, according to those three sources, stressing out his colleagues. They said Hegseths makeup would sometimes need to be done while he was on set because his late arrival left his colleagues with so little time. The sources could not say whether his lateness was caused solely by drinking. The whistleblower report detailed in The New Yorker alleged repeated instances of Hegseth drinking heavily at work events, including a team outing to a strip club in Louisiana in November 2014 in which he became so inebriated that he had to be restrained from climbing onstage to dance with the strippers. Hegseth drank heavily at some social events with Fox News colleagues, as well, according to two former employees, one of whom said he would get absolutely wasted. Last month, the Monterey, California, Police Department released records of a 2017 investigation into an accusation that Hegseth sexually assaulted a woman in a hotel room following a Republican womens convention. The accuser, identified in the records as Jane Doe, said she believed someone may have slipped something into her drink. Hegseth has denied any wrongdoing, and he was never charged. This police report confirms what Ive said all along, Parlatore, Hegseths lawyer, told NBC News last month. The incident was fully investigated and police found the allegation to be false, which is why no charges were filed. Hegseth has also confirmed that he paid the woman an undisclosed settlement. Parlatore previously told NBC News that Hegseth ultimately decided to enter into a settlement for a significantly reduced amount at the height of the MeToo movement. Parlatore also said his client was innocent collateral damage in a lie that the Complainant was holding onto to keep her marriage intact. Octavia Johnson is a general assignment reporter for the Houston Chronicle. Follow her on Bluesky (@octaviajnews.bsky.social), TikTok (@octaviaj_news) and Facebook (Octavia R. Johnson). Before joining the Chronicle, Octavia worked as a digital content producer at WATE-TV in Knoxville, Tenn., where she became a leader in producing fast-paced, audience-focused content. Octavia graduated from UNC Pembroke with a bachelor's degree in journalism before earning her master's degree in media and communications at Norfolk State University. Eight years ago, Syrias civil war shifted in President Bashar Al-Assads favor after a Russian blitzkrieg on Aleppo helped him regain control over the countrys second biggest city. In just over 72-hours last week, a coalition of Syrian armed rebel groups operating under the banner of Deterrence of Aggression captured the city in a surprise attack, dealing a significant blow to Assad and causing a major escalation to a largely dormant war. On Tuesday, Syrian rebels had reportedly reached the northern countryside of Hama. The rebel coalition consists of well-established armed Islamist factions who, despite their differences, are united in fighting Assad, ISIS and Iran-backed militias. Here are some of the groups forming the coalition. Hayat Tahrir Al Sham The most prominent and formidable one of those rebel groups is Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), also known as the Organization for the Liberation of the Levant. HTS was founded by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, a military commander who gained experience as a young fighter for al Qaeda against the United States in Iraq during the US invasion before his capture and imprisonment in Iraq. Upon his release, he travelled to Syria to create Jabhat al-Nusra, al Qaedas Syrian affiliate and operated the group until a public split with al Qaeda in 2016 over ideological differences and opposition to ISIS. Jolani then formed HTS in early 2017. Despite Jolanis effort to distance his new group from al Qaeda and ISIS, the United States and other Western countries designated the HTS a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2018 and placed a $10 million bounty on him. Over the years Jolanis influence grew despite bouts of infighting and local rivalries. Rebel groups were delivered a severe blow after the loss of Aleppo to the Syrian regime in 2016. HTS was constricted to Idlib, a city in northwestern Syria with a population of 4 million, mostly those displaced by the infighting across Syria. In a 2021 PBS interview, Jolani rejected the terrorist designation, saying his group does not pose a threat to Western or European society. (HTS) has been able to build that empire by primarily controlling most of the economic sectors in Idlib. They are more of an independent force than many groups, Natasha Hall, senior fellow with the Middle East Program at the Washington DC based Center for Strategic and International Studies. HTS was primarily responsible for the offensive on Aleppo last week, Hall said. A view shows a damaged poster of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Aleppo after the Syrian army said that dozens of its soldiers had been killed in a major attack by rebels who swept into the city on November 30. - Mahmoud Hassano/Reuters The Syrian National Army (SNA) One main coalition group taking part in the offensive on Aleppo is the Syrian National Army, an umbrella group incorporating dozens of factions with various ideologies that receive funding and arms from Turkey. That coalition has become a proxy group for Turkey, and includes the National Liberation Front, which includes factions like Ahrar al-Sham whos stated aims are to overthrow the (Assad) regime and establish an Islamic state governed by Sharia law. Experts consider Ahrar Al Sham to be a moderate Islamist group. After last weeks capture of Aleppo, the groups deputy commander Ahmed al-Dalati gathered Muslim leaders in a mosque to deliver instructions and called on them to protect ethnic and religious minorities of the city. The instructions of the general command of the military operations department are strict and clear. It is forbidden to harm anyone or encroach on their property not just Muslims, but everyone else, whether Christians or Armenians or any sect present in Aleppo. No one is to come close to them, he said. Kurdish forces have been embroiled in a long-running conflict with Turkey. In its decades of tension with the Kurdish fighters, Turkey launched several military operations against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), a militant group that Turkey deems terrorist. Hall said Syrian groups relying on Turkey has become problematic as it sets its target on Kurdish controlled areas instead of the Assad regime. Being entirely reliant on Turkey, rather than fighting the good fight for the Syrian people theyre fighting the fight for the Turkish government. They have set their targets on Kurdish controlled areas rather than the (Assad) regime, which is what all these groups and fighters had initially been fighting, Hall said. This story and headline have been updated with additional developments. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Tenstorrent, a startup computing company, just closed its latest funding round. Vladimir Gerdo\TASS via Getty Images Tenstorrent just closed its latest funding round, valuing the company at about $2.6 billion. The startup computing company aims to rival Nvidia with more affordable AI chips and processing. The nearly $700 million round attracted investors Samsung, Bezos Expeditions, and LG Electronics. In its latest funding round, Tenstorrent, a startup computing company that builds powerful AI hardware and software to compete with Nvidia, attracted big-name investors including Jeff Bezos and Samsung. A company statement released Monday said its Series D funding round raised $693 million, valuing the AI chip startup at about $2.6 billion, per Bloomberg. Samsung Securities and AFW Partners, a venture capital investment firm based in Seoul, led the round, along with Bezos Expeditions, LG Electronics, and Hyundai Motor Group, among other investors, Tenstorrent announced. "We are excited by the breadth of investors that believe in our vision," Tenstorrent COO Keith Witek said in the statement. "If you look at this group, you see a balance of financial investors and strategic investors, as well as some notable individuals that have conviction in our plans for AI. They respect our team, our technology, and our vision. They see the ~$150M in deals closed as a strong signal of commercial traction and opportunity in the market." Tenstorrent was founded in 2016 by Ljubisa Bajic, Ivan Hamer, and Milos Trajkovic. In 2020, Jim Keller, a prolific microprocessor engineer known for his work at Apple and Tesla, joined the company as its chief technology officer and became CEO in 2023. The operation, with 10 offices worldwide, builds AI hardware, offers open-source software for chip builders, and licenses products to clients who want to design their own silicon. While still a fraction of the size of Nvidia, Tenstorrent aims to siphon off a portion of the chipmaking giant's massive market share by offering increased interoperability with other tech providers using an open-source approach that relies on more commonplace technology, Bloomberg reported. Tenstorrent advocates the use of an open standard instruction set architecture called RISC-V. Designed by computer scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, RISC-V defines how software controls the CPU in a computer and is offered under royalty-free open-source licenses. Nvidia's approach has instead focused more on the proprietary, from its chips to specific data center layouts, making it difficult for some of Nvidia's customers to switch to chips from competing companies without incurring tremendous costs. "In the past, I worked with proprietary tech, and it was really tough," Keller told Bloomberg. "Open source helps you build a bigger platform. It attracts engineers. And yes, it's a little bit of a passion project." A spokesperson for Nvidia declined to comment. Representatives for Tenstorrent, Samsung, and Bezos Expeditions did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider. Read the original article on Business Insider WASHINGTON A Secret Service agent fired their weapon after a confrontation with a group of suspects near the Washington home of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen early Tuesday morning. An agent working a protective assignment in Northwest Washington spotted a sedan with multiple occupants who were attempting to open car doors along the street around 1:30 a.m., Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement. As the sedan approached the agent, a confrontation erupted between the agent and the cars occupants. The agent fired their weapon, Guglielmi said, but there was no indication that anyone was struck. The suspects fled in the sedan, and local police are looking for them, Guglielmi said. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks last month at an event in Washington. There was no threat to any protectees during this incident, and no protectees were harmed, he said. A previous recent incident It was the second time in the past five months that a law enforcement officer protecting a high-ranking government official has fired his weapon at a suspect following a confrontation. In July, a deputy U.S. Marshal protecting Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor shot a teenager attempting to carjack the officers vehicle. The marshal was on duty with another officer in an unmarked vehicle when 18-year-old Kentrell Flowers allegedly approached the vehicle with a loaded firearm around 1:17 a.m. on July 5, according to a court filing. Flowers allegedly pulled up next to the marshals vehicle in a silver Toyota Sienna minivan, got out and pointed .40-caliber Smith & Wesson pistol through the drivers side window, according to a statement by Deputy Marshal Tyler Wells. The marshal fired about four times at Flowers, striking him in the mouth, according to Wells' statement. The marshal provided medical attention to Flowers as the minivan raced off, Wells said. Contributing: Maureen Groppe and Bart Jansen. Michael Collins covers the White House. Follow him on X @mcollinsNEWS. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Secret Service agent fires weapon at suspects near Janet Yellen's home Soldiers push through crowds of people and try to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul - AFP/JUNG YEON-JE Credit: South Koreas National Assembly Secretariat Jung Su-yeon crawled on her hands and knees through the frantic legs of South Koreas security forces to save democracy. She had rushed through her city of Seoul shortly after the president shocked the world by announcing martial law and sending the army to the gates of parliament to seize power. Helicopters circled overhead as crowds of police and military stood between Ms Jung and her colleagues making a last stand. The MPs and their secretaries all jumped the walls to get inside, but there were still police [there] and a fight broke out, she told The Telegraph in the early hours of Wednesday morning. I managed to crawl between the legs of a policeman. Once inside, Ms Jung who works for the opposition Democratic Partys secretary general Kim Yoon-deok found herself in a face-off, and she was unsure where the situation would end. Paratroopers tried to break into the building so we fought back by spraying fire extinguishers they were fully armed so we were worried that there might be bloodshed, she said. There were some injured people in the process, some with broken glasses and some people fell to the ground. Ms Jung was on the front lines of a remarkable night in South Korea, considered a stable democracy and key regional ally of the West. Turmoil begins The turmoil began when Yoon Suk Yeol, the president, delivered a surprise televised address that would plunge the country into chaos. As of 11pm on Tuesday, he said, South Korea was under the rule of the military. As president of the Republic of Korea, I appeal to the nation with a bleeding heart, the 63-year-old began, glancing at the statement in front of him. Blaming the North Koreans and a den of criminals within his own countrys National Assembly, which he said had turned into a monster that destroys the liberal democratic system, he claimed South Korea could collapse at any moment. Mr Yoon, who had been facing possible impeachment over a string of corruption scandals, assured the country he was coming to their rescue from scurrilous opposition trying to bring him down. But if he expected the announcement to bring calm and stability, he was in for a shock of his own. Soon, the streets outside parliament were teeming with thousands of protesters in their winter parka coats and down jackets. Attempts by the security forces to block roads with tanks and buses did not deter crowds forming around the building, nor did the helicopters circling above the city or the barrier formed by riot police. Army vehicles appear to patrol the streets of Seoul - Rerum Novarum The crowds even turned bravely on members of the armys special forces sent to take control of parliament. Arent you ashamed? screamed Ahn Gwi-ryeong, a politician in a black leather coat, as she grabbed the gun of a balaclava-clad soldier, demanding to know why he was marching against unarmed civilians. A vote stops the chaos Other MPs meanwhile scrambled to get to the stone National Assembly building to call a vote to bring the entire debacle to a rapid close. Koreas democracy is on the brink. The National Assembly must act swiftly to protect democracy from falling, said Moon Jae-In, the former president. The people should come together to give life to democracy, and add strength to the legislature so that it may function properly. Mr Yoons political nemesis Lee Jae-myung who narrowly lost the 2022 election recorded a video message from his car as he raced across town to the parliament building claiming the president had betrayed the people and was no longer the president. Even Mr Yoons party were dismayed; his lawmakers said the presidential office had never warned them about a martial law announcement. Still as Ms Jung found out getting inside the National Assembly itself would prove easier said than done, with South Koreas special forces storming the parliament building and attempting to block the entrance. South Koreas main opposition Democratic Partys staff set up a barricade to block soldiers Politicians aides pushed back once inside, photos show opposition party staff creating their own ad-hoc barricade with the buildings beige sofas and wooden coffee tables, to allow the assembled MPs to vote down the martial measures. Remarkably, 190 of 300 MPs had made it, well above the 150 needed to vote down martial law. And even as the military broke windows in an attempt to get in, photos from inside the conclave looked surprisingly calm two hours and 48 minutes after Mr Yoons original announcement, parliament had officially voted the period over. After the resolution to cancel the martial law, we were relieved, said Ms Jung. But she and her colleagues remained in place waiting for Mr Yoon to lift martial law. He did so in the early hours of Wednesday morning local time. Begone martial law! Outside, while the MPs waited, hundreds of peaceful protesters still lined the streets, chanting begone martial law! and begone Yoon Suk Yeol! as temperatures hovered just above zero degrees. Many told The Telegraph they were staying put, resolute to protect the lawmakers indoors until the president had agreed his power-grab was over. Ruling and opposition lawmakers vote in favour of a resolution urging the president to withdraw martial law - YONHAP/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Mr Yoon a career prosecutor who was elected president in 2022 by a margin of less than one per cent on the back of anti-feminist sentiment had attempted to paint himself as the countrys saviour. But his move reminded many of an era of authoritarian leaders from the 1980s, and was widely seen as a desperate attempt to distract from domestic political difficulties. Not only have Mr Yoons approval ratings dipped in recent months, but his party has been locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition over next years budget, and he has faced a mounting scandal after his wife accepted expensive gifts. His claim that this was based on North Korean infiltration or a North Korean attack doesnt seem to be corroborated anywhere, said Dr John Nilsson-Wright, the head of Japan and Koreas programme at Centre for Geopolitics at the University of Cambridge, adding that the president has been on the back foot politically for a number of months. If it was a calculation that he thought he was going to win, he seems to have seriously misjudged the situation, he said. I think president Yoon is probably feeling very isolated at the moment and increasingly powerless to stop what has been a pretty impressive rally by the opposition parties. SBS News/X What happens next? Yet, what happens next is still unclear. The UK, US and other allies have said they are deeply concerned by events in South Korea, and called for a peaceful resolution. Following the end of martial law, it is still not clear whether the president will continue to fight for his political survival. Still, with calls for his resignation and eventual impeachment mounting, analysts said it is hard to see how he can weather this storm. Theres no ambiguity here, this is overreach on a massive scale by the president... unless there was some unknown, unexplained, genuine set of reasons that allowed him to erroneously believe that somehow the left was in cahoots with North Korea, said Dr Nilsson-Wright. But I dont see that. So I think there will be an effort to move quickly to make sure that a president who was already very unpopular is forced to step down. Few of those still chanting outside parliament disagreed. I think hes lost himself, a 50-year-old man said. I hope for him to reflect on his actions and that the first lady should face investigation. This is what the people want. 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. Following the South Korean State Council's passing of a resolution to officially lift martial law, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's chief of staff and nine other senior presidential secretaries announced their resignations. The South Korean Presidential office told reporters Wednesday morning local time that Presidential Chief of Staff Jeong Jin-seok and the other staff members are departing their positions in the wake of the president's now-lifted declaration. Yoon had declared martial law in a televised speech late Tuesday, the Yonhap news agency reported. The president said the measure was necessary due to the actions of the country's liberal opposition, the Democratic Party, which he accused of controlling parliament, sympathizing with North Korea and paralyzing the government. PHOTO: Police stand guard in front of the main gate of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, on Dec. 3, 2024, after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law. (Jung Yeon-je/AFP via Getty Images) The move sparked protests, and hours after the declaration, the National Assembly voted early Wednesday morning local time demanding that the president lift the martial law order. A majority of parliament -- all 190 members who were present, out of the 300-person body -- voted to lift the decree -- requiring that it then be lifted, under the South Korean constitution. Following the National Assembly's vote, Yoon said he withdrew the troops that had been deployed to carry out martial law and "will lift martial law as soon as we have a quorum in the cabinet." The State Council then convened to vote to officially lift it. The country's Democratic Party called on Yoon to resign following what it called the "fundamentally invalid" declaration of martial law. The opposition party said it will begin impeachment proceedings if the president doesn't resign. "This is a serious act of rebellion and perfect grounds for impeachment," a Democratic Party spokesperson said in a statement after martial law was lifted. MORE: Undocumented Chinese immigrant charged with selling weapons to North Korea Explaining his decision to declare martial law on Tuesday, Yoon accused the opposition-dominated parliament of "paralyzing" judicial affairs and the administration via 22 proposed cases of impeachment issued since the body convened in June. After withdrawing the troops, he continued to call out the National Assembly, urging parliament to "immediately stop the outrageous behavior that is paralyzing the functioning of the country with impeachments, legislative manipulation and budget manipulation." Yoon's conservative People Power Party has been locked in a fierce budget dispute with the liberal opposition Democratic Party. "The handling of the national budget also cut all major budgets to have control over the essential functions of the state, the budget that was formed to crack down on drug crimes and maintain public security," Yoon said Tuesday. "This undermines the essential functions of the state and leaves the public in a drug paradise and public security panic." "The National Assembly, which should be the basis of liberal democracy, has become a monster that collapses the liberal democracy system," he added. PHOTO: Soldiers advance to the main building of the National Assembly after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in Seoul, South Korea, Dec. 3, 2024. (Yonhap via Reuters) Following the declaration of martial law, the Democratic Party called on its lawmakers to assemble at the National Assembly building in Seoul, Yonhap reported. Party leader Lee Jae-myung said Yoon's martial law declaration was an "unconstitutional" measure that "goes against the people." "President Yoon declared emergency martial law for no reason," Lee said, as quoted by Yonhap. Police and soldiers gathered around the National Assembly on Tuesday night after Yoon spoke. Footage from the scene also showed crowds descending on the building, some people making their way inside. Yonhap reported clashes between security personnel and National Assembly staffers as the former tried to enter the building. PHOTO: South Korean soldiers try get into the national assembly, Dec. 4, 2024, in Seoul, South Korea. (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon -- a member of Yoon's People Power Party -- was among those who called for an immediate reversal of the declaration. "As mayor, I will do my best to protect the daily lives of citizens," he added in a post to Facebook. President Joe Biden's administration was not alerted of the declaration beforehand, according to the White House National Security Council. "We are relieved President Yoon has reversed course on his concerning declaration of martial law and respected the ROK National Assembly's vote to end it," a White House National Security Council spokesperson told ABC News in a statement. "Democracy is at the foundation of the U.S.-ROK alliance, and we will continue to monitor the situation." Biden told reporters he was "just getting briefed" on the martial law declaration, following a speech in Angola on Tuesday evening local time. His administration is in contact with the South Korean government, the White House National Security Council said. PHOTO: South Korea (Kim Hong-ji/AP) The U.S. Embassy in Seoul warned Americans in the country that "the situation remains fluid" in the wake of martial law being lifted. "U.S. citizens should anticipate potential disruptions," the Embassy said in a security alert. "When in public, you should pay attention to your surroundings and exercise routine safety precautions." Tuesday's martial law declaration marked the first since the country's democratization in 1987. Martial law was last declared in 1979 after the assassination of dictator Park Chung Hee. Editor's note: A previous version of this story was updated to reflect that Yoon had withdrawn troops but martial law had not yet been lifted. ABC News' Will Gretsky, Joe Simonetti, Fritz Farrow and Shannon K. Kingston contributed to this report. South Korean president's chief of staff resigns after martial law lifted originally appeared on abcnews.go.com low angle view Thermometer on blue sky with sun shining lamyai/iStock via Getty Images More Americans are Buying Pet Supplements, According to Market Growth Liudmyla Guniavaia/Shutterstock.com Due to increased pet sales and health awareness, the pet supplement industry is projected to grow immensely by 2031, with a market value of $4.68 billion. However, some factors are working against the market, including the lack of standardization, availability, and accessibility of the goods. Nevertheless, new innovations in pet products and research will likely contribute to market growth in the future. Find out more here. Horrific Animal Abuse Uncovered on Finland Fur Farms Peter Clayton Photography/iStock via Getty Images Finland has exported nearly $40 million in fur to the United States within the last 10 years, making it a primary supplier to the U.S. However, a new investigation by the Humane Society International uncovered horrific abuse on fur farms. Evidence showed foxes with open wounds and deformed appendages. Perhaps most frightening were the humongous foxes, bred by inhumane and irresponsible breeders to immense sizes. These foxes showed signs of intense pain and severe mental distress. Additionally, the animals were kept in small, bare cages and rarely allowed to exercise. Conservationists and animal rights activists have already seen a decrease in the fur trade and hope to end the cruel practice. New Study Finds Increased Temperatures Affect Immune Performance Eric Yeamans/iStock via Getty Images For years, scientists have contended that mammals regulate their body temperature, so increased temperatures have little effect on them. However, a new study conducted in Costa Rica by the University of Michigan as part of the Capuchinos de Taboga Research Project found that increased temperatures harmed the immune systems of capuchin monkeys. The study discovered decreased immune system function in capuchin monkeys after two weeks at 86F. Additionally, scientists found that the impacts of increased temperatures were more severe for juveniles. Researchers claimed the results and the relationship between temperature and the monkeys immune systems were unexpected and that the results could tell us more about the effects of climate change. The long-term effects of increased temperatures on the immune system are unknown; find out more about the study here. The post New Study Reveals Climate Change May Affect Immune Performance appeared first on A-Z Animals. When Tennessee banned gender-affirming care for transgender youth last year, Sarah began taking days off work to drive hundreds of miles from her home in Nashville to a North Carolina clinic that could treat her transgender son. But just a month later, a similar ban went into effect in North Carolina, sending Sarah into a panic as she realized the closest state where she could take her son would be Ohio more than 400 miles away. To her relief, the North Carolina law made exceptions for children who were already receiving treatment. I should just be able to go five minutes down the road and have my child taken care of and medication easily received and not have to have a 12-hour trip, Sarah told CNN, using a pseudonym out of concern for her familys safety. Parents like Sarah and transgender communities across the United States will be paying close attention Wednesday as the US Supreme Court hears arguments in US v. Skrmetti a case that could determine whether states can ban certain forms of gender-affirming care for trans children and teens. The case, brought by the Biden administration on behalf of families of trans youth, challenges the constitutionality of Tennessees gender-affirming care ban, which restricts puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender minors and enacts civil penalties for doctors who violate the law. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti argued in court documents the law ensures minors do not receive these treatments until they can fully understand the lifelong consequences or until the science is developed to the point that Tennessee might take a different view of their efficacy. Attorneys for the plaintiffs, however, point to major medical organizations that have said the treatments are safe and may be medically necessary. Since the state law was enacted last year, parents like Sarah have gone to extraordinary lengths to seek out-of-state treatment for their trans children. Some have told CNN they are dipping into their life savings and taking on debt so they can afford the costly travel. The direction and scope of the courts decision would be pivotal for both sides and felt by transgender communities nationwide. A win for the plaintiffs could signal that trans people are protected from discrimination under the Constitutions equal protection clause and bolster efforts to fight anti-trans laws that have swept the nation in recent years. But a win for the state could advance efforts by Republicans, including President-elect Donald Trump, and other conservative groups that vowed to restrict how trans people can access health care and perform other everyday tasks in ways that align with their gender identity, including playing sports and using the restroom. As the parties present their oral arguments on Wednesday and wait for the courts ruling to be handed down next year, heres how the decision could affect trans communities: What could happen if the ban is struck down If the court rules the Tennessee ban is unconstitutional, it will deliver a resounding win for transgender rights advocates. Similar state laws would be effectively invalidated, and trans youth would gain greater protections in accessing gender-affirming care, legal experts say. That would be a monumental achievement for the trans legal movement, and it remains a distinct possibility, said Kate Redburn, co-director of Columbia Law Schools Center for Gender and Sexuality Law. For the children and teens who have been unable to get care to treat their gender dysphoria the mental distress a person feels when they feel their sex assigned at birth doesnt align with their gender identity being able to access this health care could have a transformative effect, said Dr. Maurice Garcia, director of the Cedars-Sinai Transgender Surgery and Health Program. Gender dysphoria is an enormous distraction from life. Its a barrier to living life in a normal, full way, where you enjoy your day, you enjoy going out with friends, you enjoy being in public, Garcia said. Gender-affirming care, which for youth may include puberty suppression or hormone therapy, helps transgender people live in accordance with their gender identity. Access to these treatments can help ease anxiety and depression, which occur at high rates among transgender youth largely because of stigma and social isolation, Garcia said. Currently, 26 states across the US have passed laws restricting gender-affirming care for trans youth, though bans in Montana and Arkansas have been temporarily blocked, a CNN analysis of data from the Movement Advancement Project shows. The Williams Institute, a public policy think tank at the University of California Los Angeles, estimates more than 110,000 teens live in the states where bans are in effect. The courts decision would undermine only bans that are structured similarly to Tennessees in a way that trans rights advocates say discriminates between trans and cisgender children meaning some state bans could remain in effect, said Redburn. Its also possible the Supreme Court could send the case back to the appeals court to consider Tennessees law with heightened scrutiny a higher legal standard than the appeals court used last year when it upheld the ban. Applying heightened scrutiny to gender-affirming care restrictions would require states to show they have an important government interest that is substantially related to banning the treatments. Lawyers for the Biden administration, who have argued the Tennessee ban would not pass this stricter standard for review, have suggested the justices could consider whether the law passes constitutional muster under heightened scrutiny instead of leaving it to the lower court. Sarah, the mother in Tennessee, said the stakes for receiving hormone therapy could not be higher for her child. Before receiving the treatment, she says, her son became withdrawn and increasingly frustrated as puberty transformed his body in ways he hated. By the time he was 15, he had attempted suicide three times, she said. But since undergoing testosterone therapy, her son feels confident, outgoing and more at peace with himself. I had friends of ours come up and tell me how much they could see that difference and the light in his eyes, Sarah said. Within a few months (of receiving hormone therapy) it was just a huge change. It was amazing. But a ruling in favor of the plaintiffs would not be the end of the fight over health care access for trans communities, said Elana Redfield, federal policy director at the Williams Institute. I think wed expect to see states continue to innovate ways to ban access to gender affirming care, said Redfield, who co-wrote a brief to the court in support of the plaintiffs. Redfield pointed to Arkansas, where the states ban on gender-affirming care has been blocked by a judge. Even so, Republican lawmakers passed another law last year that allows patients who received gender-affirming care as minors to file a malpractice lawsuit against their doctor for up to 20 years after they turn 18 a far longer period than is typically allowed for medical injury claims. The law, which she called a backdoor ban, would make it very difficult for physicians to get malpractice insurance coverage and effectively disincentivizes doctors from providing the treatment. What could happen if the ban is upheld A court ruling that upholds the Tennessee law would bolster the national patchwork of trans health care bans, making gender-affirming care for minors much more difficult to access in half of the country and potentially opening the door for wider restrictions for trans people, Redburn said. Transgender advocates fear the lack of health care access could exacerbate mental illness among trans minors and, in extreme cases, push some families to leave the state entirely. In general, transgender youth grapple with significant mental health issues, research shows. A 2018 study found trans youth reported mental health problems at rates sevenfold higher than their cisgender peers. About half of transgender and nonbinary youth in the US reported considering suicide, and 14% made an attempt, according to a 2024 survey. Untreated gender dysphoria can be all-consuming, said Shawn Meerkamper, a managing attorney at the Transgender Law Center. In a brief written to the court, Meerkamper and other LGBTQ advocates argued that lack of access to gender-affirming care has caused some trans youth extreme distress, including severe anxiety and depression, substance issues, self-harm, and/or suicidality. As families in states with trans health care bans grow increasingly desperate, Meerkamper said they have seen people split up their household, sending one parent to live in another state with their trans child while the other parent and siblings stay behind because of work and school obligations. Nearly half, or 45%, of transgender and nonbinary people surveyed by the Trevor Project, an LGBTQ advocacy group, said they or their family have considered moving to a different state because of LGBTQ+-related politics and laws. Sarah has already explored what it would take to uproot her family to a state where her trans son could receive treatment. I will do whatever will keep us safe and him happy, she said. Protesters gathered outside the Kentucky State Capitol building last year to oppose the state's ban on gender-affirming care for minors. - Timothy D. Easley/AP/File By ruling that Tennessee is not discriminating against trans youth based on their sex, and therefore are not shielded by the equal protection clause, the court could provide a green light for conservative lawmakers to extend their health care restrictions to trans adults, according to Redburn. Lawyers for the plaintiffs also argue that the decision could have implications for Americans writ-large, providing a stepping stone towards further limiting access to abortion, IVF, and birth control. They point to the possibility that the court could apply part of its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, which allowed states to ban abortion. In a short aside in his Dobbs decision, Justice Samuel Alito wrote that abortion regulations do not discriminate based on sex and would not require heightened scrutiny the stricter standard used to determine the constitutionality of laws that classify individuals based on certain characteristics. Tennessee has relied heavily on this argument while defending its gender-affirming care ban. The state argues its law equally applies to both trans girls and trans boys and should be considered a regulation of medical care. Such medical regulations for minors is an issue that should be left to elected officials, the state argues. Nothing in the Constitution deputizes Petitioners to override the legislatures judgment and demand a policy they believe to be more favorable, Tennessee officials wrote in a court brief. But attorneys for the plaintiffs argue the law clearly discriminates based on sex because it does not apply to cisgender children. For example, a doctor could prescribe puberty blockers to a cisgender child undergoing puberty too soon but could not prescribe the same medication to a trans child to prevent them from undergoing puberty in a way that would exacerbate their gender dysphoria. No matter the outcome of Skrmetti, Meerkamper said, transgender communities would still have other legal avenues to fight laws restricting trans rights, as several district courts are considering challenges to anti-trans laws. Were always going to be here, and weve always been fighting and surviving because weve always had to, and thatll be true no matter what happens at the Supreme Court, they said. Correction: An earlier version of this story used the wrong pronouns for Shawn Meerkamper, a managing attorney at the Transgender Law Center. Meerkamper uses they/them pronouns. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Three decades after two gym rats were sentenced to death in a murder plot so twisted and gruesome it inspired a major motion picture, the convicted men are again in court fighting to stay alive. Daniel Lugo, 61 and Noel Doorbal, 52, were found guilty in a bizarre 1995 case that involved the month-long kidnapping, torture and extortion of a Miami businessman and the murder of a wealthy Golden Beach couple whose torsos were discovered in oil drums dumped in a canal, their heads, hands and feet in buckets scattered throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Doorbal was found guilty of a slew of felonies, including two counts of first-degree murder, racketeering, two counts of kidnapping, attempted extortion and attempted first-degree murder. Lugo was convicted of similar charges. Both men were sentenced to death twice. The sensational case involving body builders, steroids and porn spurred a novel written by former Miami New Times reporter Pete Collins, whose book turned into the 2013 movie Pain & Gain. Movie A-listers Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne The Rock Johnson had leading roles. The strange case has also led to a highly unusual courtroom setting. Lugo and Doorbal are being tried in the same courtroom at the same time. It took almost a month and more than 1,500 jurors before two 12-person juries were seated. Separate defense teams sit side-by-side in the crowded pit. Periodically, one of the juries is removed to avoid hearing some of the testimony. Monday, after a lengthy jury selection process, attorneys finally began opening statements. Miami-Dade Assistant State Attorney Scott Warfman, the lead prosecutor in the case, offered a lengthy chronology of greed filled with gory details of torture and murder that he told jurors satisfies the requirements for the death penalty. Scott Warfman, an assistant state attorney, shows a weapon that was used in the killings during his opening statement in the death penalty resentencing case of Noel Doorbal and Daniel Lugo on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, at the Richard E. Gerstein Criminal Courthouse in Miami. Defense attorneys representing Lugo and Doorbal didnt deny the mens guilt, but asked for leniency, telling jurors the defendants had been model prisoners in their 29 years behind bars. Lugos attorney claimed Doorbal did the killing. Doorbals lawyer blamed the act on childhood poverty, beatings and an addiction to steroids. Lugos attorney Silvia Gonzalez implored that all life is precious, even Lugos. This isnt the time for your anger to take the place of your independent judgment, she told jurors. Its an individual moral decision, one that only you can make. Doorbals attorney Bruce Fleisher told jurors his client was easily manipulated by Lugo, that Doorbal grew up in poverty and that his mother birthed him at 13 and beat him during his youth. He said steroids caused the diminutive Doorbal to balloon from 125 pounds to almost 250 pounds and altered his character. His personality changed. He was more irritable, aggressive. He kept getting bigger, bigger and bigger with the steroids, Fleisher said. He just followed what Lugo had to say to him. A man who couldnt be killed Through witness testimony, investigators pieced together a plan by Lugo and Doorbal that centered on financial extortion and began with a man who just couldnt be killed. The duos first trials were simultaneous, just as they are now. At the time, it was one of the longest and most expensive trials in Miami-Dade history. Lugo, according to prosecutors, was a personal trainer at Sun Gym in North Miami. Doorbal worked there part time, too. There, Lugo met a successful Miami businessman named Marcelo Schiller, who had just opened a delicatessen not far from Miami International Airport. Marcelo Schiller, who was kidnapped and tortured by Noel Doorbal and Daniel Lugo, looks at Lugo for the first time before his testimony during the death penalty resentencing case of Doorbal and Lugo on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, at the Richard Gerstein Criminal Courthouse in Miami. Schiller, the first witness to take the stand Monday, told jurors how he was abducted and forced into a van by Lugo and Doorbal as he headed out the back door of his business toward his car one day in 1994. The men, wearing masks, stung him with an electronic Taser and beat him before taking him to a warehouse in the Hialeah area. Prosecutors told jurors the original abduction plan included wearing Ninja Warrior outfits on Halloween and taking Schiller from his home. But that plan was scuttled. At the warehouse, they hogtied Schiller, 67, with handcuffs and continued to torture him, barely feeding him, not allowing him to go to the bathroom, force-feeding him booze and chaining him to a wall. Schiller told jurors Monday that duct-tape covered his eyes the entire time he was being held hostage and that he was certain they would kill him. They put a gun in his mouth and forced him walk into walls blindfolded They said theyd kill me. They were jovial that they had caught their fish, Schiller told jurors. They called someone and said the eagle has landed. Schiller said the men were so excited one blurted out, We got a Matza ball, referring to Schiller, who is Jewish. Daniel Lugo, right, talks to one of his attorneys during the death penalty resentencing case of him and Noel Doorbal on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, at the Richard Gerstein Criminal Courthouse in Miami. Prosecutors say Doorbal was agreed to help kidnap Schiller after Lugo told him the businessman had stolen more than $100,000 from an acquaintance. During the kidnapping, Schiller told jurors how still blindfolded he was forced to sign over his home to the men and sign checks to them totaling almost $1 million. He also said he signed over life insurance policies worth more than $1 million. Eventually, Lugo and Doorbal devised a plan to kill Schiller. They tied his hands to the steering wheel of a car, his foot tied to the pedal as the car sped into a concrete structure and exploded. But the airbag went off and Schiller survived. After he stumbled out of the car, they ran over him with the van he had been transported in. His pelvis shattered and body burned, Schiller somehow managed to survive that encounter, too. Schiller said when he awoke he was at Jackson Memorial Hospital barely alive with tubes coming out of most of his body. Fearing they would find him and kill him, Schiller said he contacted his sister, who had him flown to a hospital in New York. During his abduction, Schiller said he was able to contact his wife and convince her to flee to Colombia with their two children. Police were never contacted, he said, out of fear his family would be killed. Police also doubted Schillers story. So he contacted a private investigator who eventually led police to the killers. But before Lugo and Doorbal were captured, they devised another money-making scheme: The extortion of one of the wealthiest men on Golden Beach, Frank Griga, 33, a Hungarian immigrant who earned his fortune in the 900-phone sex business. Inside Doorbals apartment, the plan went horribly sideways, and quickly. Griga was beaten to death, his skull fractured. His girlfriend Krisztina Furton was fatally drugged with horse tranquilizers. The bodies were transported to a warehouse, where they were dismembered by chainsaws purchased at Home Depot. After Doorbal and Lugos arrest, the Golden Beach couples body parts were found in the oil drums in canals along rural highways in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Changes in law force new trials Lugo and Doorbal were sentenced to death three years later in 1998. But in 2017, before they were executed, the U.S. Supreme Court found fault with Floridas death sentencing law, which at the time didnt require a unanimous vote from jurors to sentence a criminal to death. Floridas Supreme Court then ordered the sentencings to be re-tried. Even before that happened, the law changed again. Angered at a jurys decision to spare the life of convicted Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter Nikolas Cruz, Florida legislators and Gov. Ron DeSantis created a new law that now only requires a super-majority or eight of 12 jurors to sentence someone to death. The evidence will show, Warfman, the states lead prosecutor told jurors Monday, the death penalty is the correct, though difficult decision. Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walks through the lobby of the Delta Hotel by Marriott, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) TORONTO (AP) President-elect Donald Trump was joking when he suggested Canada become the 51st U.S. state during a dinner with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a Canadian minister who attended their recent dinner said Tuesday. Fox News reported that Trump made the comment in response to Trudeau raising concerns that Trump's threatened tariffs on Canada would damage Canada's economy. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who attended the Friday dinner at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club, said Trump's comments were in jest. The president was telling jokes. The president was teasing us. It was, of course, on that issue, in no way a serious comment, LeBlanc told reporters in Ottawa. LeBlanc described it as a three-hour social evening at the presidents residence in Florida on a long weekend of American Thanksgiving. The conversation was going to be light-hearted, he said. He called the relations warm and cordial and said the fact that the president is able to joke like that for us indicates good relations. On Tuesday, Trump appeared to continue with the joke, posting on his Truth Social platform an AI-generated image of himself standing on a mountain with a Canadian flag next to him with the caption Oh Canada!" Gerald Butts, a former top adviser to Trudeau and a close friend, said Trump has done this before. Trump used the 51st State" line with Trudeau a lot during his first term," Butts wrote in a post on LinkedIn. When someone is trying to get you to freak out, don't. #protip Earlier last week, the Republican president-elect threatened to impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico unless they stem the flow of migrants and drugs. Trudeau requested the meeting in a bid to avoid the tariffs by convincing Trump that the northern border is nothing like the U.S. southern border with Mexico. Trudeau held a rare meeting with opposition leaders on Tuesday about U.S-Canada relations and later said that opposition Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre shouldnt amplify the erroneous narratives that Americans are saying about the border. Less than one percent of migrants coming into the United States irregularly come from Canada and 0.2 percent of the fentanyl coming into the United States comes from Canada, Trudeau said in Parliament. Canadian officials have said there are plans to put more helicopters, drones and law enforcement officers at the border. At the dinner, Kristen Hillman, Canada's ambassador to the U.S., said Americas trade deficit with Canada was also raised. Hillman said the U.S. had a $75 billion trade deficit with Canada last year but noted a third of what Canada sells into the U.S. is energy exports and prices have been high. Trade balances are something that he focuses on so its important to engage in that conversation but to put it into context, Hillman told The Associated Press. We are one-tenth the size of the United States so a balanced trade deal would mean per capita we are buying 10 times more from the U.S. than they are buying from us. If thats his metric we will certainly engage on that. Hillman said Canada sold $170 billion worth of energy products last year to the U.S. About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85% of U.S. electricity imports as well. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing for national security. About 77% of Canadas exports go to the U.S. Trudeau's government successfully employed a Team Canada approach during Trumps first term in office when the free trade deal between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico was renegotiated. But Trudeaus minority government is in a much weaker position politically now and faces an election within a year. Poilievre, Canada's opposition leader, said the tariffs would harm Americans. The president-elect was elected on a promise to make America richer. These tariffs would make America poorer, Poilievre said after meeting with Trudeau. Poilievre said the U.S. would be wise to do more free trade with its best friend and closest ally. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly 3.6 billion Canadian dollars ($2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. Trudeau returned home after the dinner at Mar-a-Lago club in Florida without assurances Trump would back away from threatened tariffs on all products from the major American trading partner. Trump called the talks productive but signaled no retreat from a pledge that Canada says unfairly lumps it in with Mexico over the flow of drugs and migrants into the United States. The flows of migrants and seizures of drugs are vastly different. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border during the last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. Most of the fentanyl reaching the U.S. where it causes about 70,000 overdose deaths annually is made by Mexican drug cartels using precursor chemicals smuggled from Asia. On immigration, the U.S. Border Patrol reported 1.53 million encounters with irregular migrants at the southwest border with Mexico between October 2023 and September 2024. That compares to 23,721 encounters at the Canadian border during that time. Workers who believe they are owed back wages are being encouraged to use the WOW search engine to learn if wages they believe they earned were withheld. TheaDesign/Getty Images/iStockphoto The U.S. Department of Labor plans to distribute more than $4 million in wages to workers in Houston through an online tool. The department encourages workers who believe they are owed back wages to use the Workers Owed Wages search engine to learn if wages they believe they earned were withheld, according to a U.S. Department of Labor news release. Workers Owed Wages, or WOW, is an online tool on the U.S. Department of Labor website that allows workers to find out whether an employer has withheld pay. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Wage and Hour Division ensures the basic rights of workers, including to be paid for the hours worked according to the law. According to the news release, one of the priorities of the U.S. Department of Labor is getting wages recovered through investigations to the people who worked for them. How WOW works Workers can search by the name of their current or former employer to find out if the division is withholding wages. Workers are urged to utilize WOW by the end of the year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Who it affects (Reuters) -U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Monday a series of tax incentives and tariffs will revive storied American firm U.S. Steel, as he reiterated his opposition to Nippon Steel's planned $15 billion purchase of the company. "I am totally against the once great and powerful U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company, in this case Nippon Steel of Japan," Trump wrote on his social-media platform Truth Social. "I will block this deal from happening. Buyer Beware!!!" Nippon Steel hopes to close the deal before Trump retakes the White House on January 20, despite opposition from President Joe Biden and a powerful U.S. labor union. In a statement on Tuesday following Trump's comments, Nippon Steel said it would invest no less than $2.7 billion into U.S. Steel's unionized facilities, secure union jobs and share technological innovations. "Nippon Steel is determined to protect and grow U.S. Steel in a manner that reinforces American industry, domestic supply chain resiliency, and U.S. national security," it said. Last month, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba wrote to Biden, who has referred the deal to a government panel that reviews foreign investments for national security risks, asking him to approve the transaction, sources have said. The deadline for that Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) review is this month. CFIUS could approve the deal, possibly with measures to address national security concerns, or recommend that the president block it. It could also extend the review. (Reporting by Costas Pitas; Additional reporting by Katya Golubkova in Tokyo; Editing by Michelle Price and Edwina Gibbs) Volkswagen employees attend a strike rally on the premises of the Volkswagen (VW) main plant in Wolfsburg, Germany (EPA) Volkswagen workers have begun mass strikes across Germany as the company threatens to cut pay and close factories to combat a slack European car market. The strikes come amid a spate of warnings from European carmakers that a lack of demand for electric cars, as well as competition from China, has left the industry in crisis. Volkswagen workers have launched rolling two-hour strikes at nine factories across Germany to underline their resistance to the cuts. It is the first time in its 87-year history that Volkswagen is considering factory closures in Germany, as European manufacturers struggle against foreign competition, high production costs, and slow adoption of electric vehicles. Among the affected sites is the Wolfsburg plant, where employees are preparing to rally against the carmakers cost-cutting measures. These warning strikes, a standard strategy in German wage negotiations, coincide with discussions for a new labour agreement following the expiration of a mandatory peace period that had prohibited strikes since Sunday. IG Metall, the industrial union, stated that any further job actions beyond Monday would be announced in due course. Recently, Stellantis, which owns Vauxhall, revealed plans to shut its Luton van factory, jeopardising 1,100 jobs. This was followed by the sudden resignation of CEO Carlos Tavares, after the companys value plummeted by approximately 40 per cent this year. Sources disclosed to the Financial Times that Tavares clashed with the board over his push for a stringent electric vehicle strategy to comply with EU emissions regulations, whereas the board favoured a more adaptable approach to maintain plant operations and profit margins. The head of Fords UK division also warned last month that the British car industry faces a crisis due to the severe lack of demand for electric vehicles. To address the issue, Volkswagen has proposed a 10 per cent pay cut for its 120,000 German employees and suggested closing three of its German plants. Workers representatives have voiced strong opposition to these measures. Daniela Cavallo, Chairwoman of the Volkswagen General Works Council, speaks at a strike rally on the site of the Volkswagen (VW) main plant in Wolfsburg, Germany (EPA) Thorsten Groger, the regional head of IG Metall in Lower Saxony, where Volkswagens headquarters are located, asserted that the company would not be able to ignore the walkouts. "If necessary, this will be one of the toughest conflicts Volkswagen has ever seen," he said. Volkswagen has not publicly outlined its plans, but it is contending with reduced demand in Europe, rising costs, and heightened competition from Chinese automakers. The company initially built factories to serve a European market anticipating 16 million annual vehicle sales, but current demand has fallen to around 14 million. This shortfall translates to a loss of 500,000 cars per year for Volkswagen, which holds a quarter of the market, according to Thomas Schaefer, head of the Volkswagen brand, as reported by German newspaper Welt am Sonntag. Previously, robust profits from China helped offset higher costs, but the shifting landscape now necessitates urgent action, Mr Schaefer added. Volkswagen insists it must reduce costs in Germany to match those of its competitors and its own plants in Eastern Europe and South America. Daniela Cavallo, the chief employee representative, argued that workers should not bear the brunt of managements failure to produce appealing products and develop an affordable entry-level electric vehicle. We demand that everyone contributes - management and shareholders included, Ms Cavallo said at the Wolfsburg rally, amid a backdrop of drumming, whistling, and applause from employees. Ms Cavallo indicated that the upcoming round of talks, scheduled for next week, will be decisive. "Its likely to set the course - rapprochement or escalation. We are ready for both," she asserted. The strikes, which began in Zwickau, eastern Germany, are expected to continue at factories in Braunschweig, Chemnitz, Dresden, Emden, Hanover, Kassel, and Salzgitter. The next negotiations are set for 9 December. Republican senators who met Monday with Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trumps pick for defense secretary, brushed aside sexual assault and other allegations against him. Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., called the allegations a side issue while lauding Hegseths ability to lead the Defense Department. Again, theyre throwing disparaging remarks at someone who has earned a great deal of credibility. Are soldiers sometimes wild childs? Yeah, that can happen, Lummis said when she was asked whether the allegations concern her, but it is very clear that this guy is the guy who, at a time when Americans are losing confidence in their own military, in our ability to project strength around the world, that Pete Hegseth is the answer to that concern. Around 10 to 12 senators on the Republican Steering Committee, a group of conservative senators led by Mike Lee, of Utah, met with Hegseth behind closed doors in the Capitol for less than an hour Monday. Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth leaves a meeting with Republican Senators at the Capitol in Washington, DC, on November 21, 2024. Hegseth, an Army National Guard veteran and former Fox News host, has faced several misconduct allegations since he was named as Trump's pick to lead the Defense Department (he has denied any wrongdoing). Most recently, a New Yorker article published Sunday revealed the contents of a previously undisclosed 2015 whistleblower report from a veterans' organization Hegseth ran, which claimed he was repeatedly intoxicated on the job. NBC News has not independently verified the report. Hegseths attorney declined to comment. In a statement to The New Yorker, an adviser said that the claims were outlandish and that they came from a petty and jealous disgruntled former associate. Asked about the New Yorker article, the Trump transition team referred NBC News to a previous statement in support of Hegseth. Hegseth did not respond to shouted questions Monday from NBC News about the New Yorker article and other allegations. Senators offered their full-throated support to Hegseth after the meeting, downplaying the accusations. Ive known Pete for a while, so in my experience with him has always been positive. I think hes clearly committed to making sure we have a lethal military that scares the crap out of our enemies, is respected by our allies and is somebody that our allies can rely on, said Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla. Lee did not say whether the senators had discussed any of the allegations with Hegseth, saying they discussed his vision for the Pentagon. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said the media was obsessed with personal allegations against Hegseth and told reporters that each Cabinet nominee will be subject to a background check but potentially not from the FBI a new point of contention among lawmakers, as some Republicans say the FBI should not be in charge of carrying out the background checks, breaking with the usual practice. A woman told police that Hegseth sexually assaulted her in 2017 after a Republican womens convention in California, according to official records of a police investigation released last month. Hegseth has denied the accusations and was not charged. He acknowledged having paid his accuser an undisclosed amount as part of a settlement. Last week, The New York Times reported that Hegseths mother sent him an email calling him an abuser of women amid his contentious divorce in 2018. She told the Times later that she regretted the email, which NBC News has not obtained. She also said she immediately apologized to Hegseth for sending it and that she said her statements in the email were not true. Hegseths lawyer declined to provide a statement but passed along a statement from the Trump transition team that said: It is shameful but not surprising that the NYT is publishing a story about one out of context snippet from an illegally obtained private conversation between a mother and her son. The entire purpose of this exercise is to malign Mr. Hegseth." Speaking to reporters Monday after the meeting with Hegseth, Cruz referred to the New York Times story as shameful. Senators also cited Hegseths ability to raise retention and recruitment levels in the military among young men and women, despite his having previously suggested that women should not serve in combat roles. Asked about those comments, Lummis said they do not concern her. I think when he gets some fighter pilots that are women, that are, you know, the best of the best, he might, he might think twice about that, she said. In a podcast interview last month, Hegseth said women should not be allowed to fight on the front lines, claiming their presence has made fighting more complicated. Im straight up just saying that we should not have women in combat roles, Hegseth said on The Shawn Ryan Show podcast last month. His remarks drew swift backlash from female veterans and service members. Trump transition team spokesperson Karoline Leavitt praised Hegseth in a statement Tuesday. All of President Trumps cabinet nominees are receiving great feedback and support on Capitol Hill because they are highly-qualified men and women who have the talent, experience, and necessary skill sets to help Make America Great Again," Leavitt said. Trump's first pick for attorney general, former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, dropped out of the selection process after he faced backlash over sexual misconduct allegations. He has denied any wrongdoing. Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Trump's pick for director of national intelligence has also faced scrutiny from lawmakers and members of the intelligence community for comments she has made about Russia and Ukraine as well as her 2017 trip to meet Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. We started the work week with dry and cool weather across Southeast Texas. However, this is expected to change as an atmospheric disturbance moves north from the Texas Gulf Coast and increases the chances of rain in Houston almost daily for the rest of the week. It would be wise to keep an umbrella close each day, as rainfall could be heavier in some places. The latest rain forecasts for the next several days look quite promising, and we could see the showers help curb our resurgent drought conditions across Southeast Texas. The citys official climate observation site at Bush Intercontinental Airport hasnt recorded any rainfall above 0.01 inch since Nov. 18, when gauges collected only 0.51 inch of rain. Meanwhile, Harris County remains almost entirely abnormally dry, a precursor condition to drought, according to the latest data from the U.S. Drought Monitor. Heavy rainfall is likely across Southeast Texas with several inches of rain expected by Sunday night. Pivotal A surface trough, which is an area of low atmospheric pressure, has developed along the southern Texas Gulf Coast and will gradually shift northward through the middle of the week. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Tuesday will begin with overcast skies and temperatures in the lower to mid-50s. Light showers are possible in the afternoon, especially closer to the Texas Gulf Coast. Daytime high temperatures are expected to reach only the lower to mid-60s, a few degrees cooler than the normal high of 68 degrees for Dec. 3 in Houston. STORM SEASON RECAP: Hurricane season is finally over for Houston. Was it busier than normal as predicted? According to the National Weather Service, the surface low pressure system and a warm front will move north into the Houston metro area on Tuesday night. This will lead to overrunning precipitation, or isentropic lift, resulting in scattered rain and a few thunderstorms from Tuesday night and becoming more widespread on Wednesday. The disturbance will hang out for another day or so with a rather wet weather pattern expected to persist through the weekend. Storm motion will be fast, but precipitation efficiency should be high, the weather service said in a forecast bulletin Monday. Still, soils remain mostly dry throughout Southeast Texas, enough to limit runoff and largely mitigate flooding issues. Pack the umbrella the rest of this week as rain chances ramp up in Houston on Wednesday. Prepare for showers to persist through the weekend. National Weather Service Temperatures will be somewhat unstable this week as multiple storm systems move in. As a result, some uncertainty remains in the extended forecast. Cumulative rainfall totals for the week will depend on the strength of the showers in Houston and across the region. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Average 24-hour rainfall totals for Wednesday should range from 0.5 to 2 inches across Southeast Texas, with the the largest amounts expected east of a line from Crockett to Palacios, the weather service said. Higher totals will be possible, but the chance of rainfall exceeding 3 inches at any given point remains low (less than 10%). Minor street flooding is possible, and some of the highest rain chances, about 70% to 80%, will be during the morning and evening commutes on Wednesday, according to the weather service forecast. Our wavering temperatures in Houston will be warmer than normal in the middle of the week but then much cooler by Friday. WeatherBell As you stroll through your neighborhood, take a moment to observe the shrubs around you, especially those with striking purple blooms. Theyre likely the Texas sage, the official native shrub of the Lone Star State, also known as the barometer bush. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This silvery bush usually blends in with the Texas landscape but it will burst into vibrant bloom just before a good rain, displaying its purple flowers for only a few days. Why is that? This occurs because the shrubs blooming cycle is triggered by decreasing atmospheric pressure and increased humidity, which both tend to precede rain. Rescued at sea in October 2021, the few dozen Sri Lankan exiles, including children, applied for asylum in the Chagos Islands, which is still an uninhabited British overseas territory (with a large military base). The UK refused to accept them, despite complaints about their conditions, and view the current humanitarian solution as temporary. London (AsiaNews/Agencies) A group of 60 Tamil migrants from Sri Lanka who had been living in precarious conditions for more than three years on the remote island of Diego Garcia, a British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), have been moved to the United Kingdom. They will be able to stay in the country for six months, with the financial support from the Foreign Office, which said that this humanitarian solution is outside of the Immigration Rules and of a temporary nature, to allow them to consider "long-term options". The move to the UK marks a turning point in a story that human rights organisations have been criticising for some time. The group of Tamils was rescued at sea on 3 October 2021, adrift after escaping from refugee camps in Madurai and Thiruchirapally in India, where those who fled Sri Lanka due to the civil war have been living for decades unable to obtain Indian citizenship. They applied for asylum in the UK, opening a complicated legal-diplomatic game, on Diego Garcia, the southernmost Chagos island, about 500 kilometres south of the Maldives. The island is still British, and home to a joint UK-US base. Tessa Gregory of UK law firm Leigh Day, which represents some of the migrants, said it was the "only sensible solution to end the humanitarian crisis" on the island. This vulnerable group which includes 16 children have spent 38 months detained in the most squalid of conditions on Crown land... we hope our clients will now be able to seek safe haven and begin to rebuild their lives, she added. In early 2024, the BBC had access to Diego Garcia and the migrant camp for the first time, where Tamils were housed in military tents, some with leaks and rat nesting. During their stay on the island, several refugees went on a hunger strike while many others engaged in self-harm or attempted suicide; afterwards, some migrants were transferred to Rwanda for medical treatment. They too have been taken to the United Kingdom. Allegations of sexual assault and harassment inside the camp have been made with migrants telling the BBC that it was like living in "hell". Only two Tamil men with criminal convictions and another suspect remain on the island. The arrival of the group of migrants in the United Kingdom comes at a time of uncertainty about the future of Diego Garcia; in October, the United Kingdom announced that it wanted to cede the entire archipelago to Mauritius. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Mauritiuss newly elected prime minister, said he had reservations about the deal, which was concluded by his predecessor and has yet to be signed. He ordered an independent review. The British government argues that the Chagos Islands are "constitutionally distinct" from the United Kingdom, and this unusual status has led to the long-running legal dispute. Most Tamils are awaiting a final decision on their applications for international protection, which was granted to eight who cannot be returned to Sri Lanka. Successive British governments claimed that bringing Tamils to the UK would risk creating a secondary immigration route. The current government has made arrangements to ensure that this does not happen, citing a deal to send future arrivals to Saint Helena, another overseas British territory in the Atlantic Ocean, thousands of miles away. by Maria Casadei Local authorities have reported killing 16 terrorists in the past week alone. In addition to the threat of the Pakistani Taliban and the claims of the population of Belucistan, new sectarian clashes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have recently been added. But the response of the executive, focused on internal political dynamics, is considered insufficient. Islamabad (AsiaNews) - The government of Pakistan is responding to the various waves of violence inside the country with a series of intelligence-led operations: in the weekend between November 30 and December 1 alone, 16 militiamen were killed in the various provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Belucistan and Punjab, said the army's spokesman agency, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). In the Bannu district, located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, clashes with police forces resulted in the death of five terrorists and the wounding of nine others, while in a separate attack in the Shagai area, part of the Khyber district, three militiamen were killed. Another clash took place in the town of Mianwali, Punjab province, where a group of about 20 fighters attacked the Chapri police station using rocket launchers and hand grenades, according to local officials. Four militiamen were killed. Finally, in the Sherani district of Belucistan, four more suspected terrorists from Afghanistan were killed in a further military operation, according to the police. The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, a local think-tank, recorded 71 armed attacks in November alone, and security forces reported the death of 127 officers in the same period. From January to the end of the year there were 856 attacks, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,000 civilians and security forces. In 2023, the figure had stood at 645. The increase in violence in Pakistan has several reasons. In Kurram district, part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where sectarian violence broke out between Sunnis and Shiites in recent days following an attack on a convoy, the death toll rose to 130, with 200 injured, authorities reported. The government tried to broker a cease-fire, but it did not hold. Local officials are trying to reconcile the conflicts (which originate from territorial disputes that were exacerbated by the inclusion of the Pakistani Taliban in the region) through talks with the elders of the various tribes. Even the Taliban (Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan or TTP), who have been targeting the government with attacks for some time because they intend to establish an Emirate modelled on the one in Afghanistan, have put themselves forward as mediators between Sunnis and Shias, suggesting that the dispute be resolved according to Pashtun tradition. Since the return of the Afghan cousins to power in 2021, the TTP have felt galvanised and have increased their terrorist actions against the Pakistani security forces. In July and August of this year, they claimed over 200 attacks per month. In Belucistan, however, most of the attacks are claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army or BLA, an armed independence group designated by the government as a terrorist organisation. On 9 November, an attack on the Quetta railway station killed about 30 people. Soon afterwards, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifha announced the approval of a military operation with the BLA, but without giving further details. Pressure on the Pakistani government has also increased from China because BLA attacks frequently target Chinese workers and engineers who are in Pakistan to manage Beijing's infrastructure projects in Belucistan, a resource-rich region that the local population feels deprived of. Already in June, Islamabad had announced the deployment of the Azm-e-Istehkam operation to put an end to the actions of the various terrorist groups in Pakistan, but according to several analysts, the government does not have the financial resources to conduct a large-scale operation (as it has done in the past, in particular against the TTP), which is why it has switched to proposing intelligence-based operations. At the same time, experts believe that the government is mainly focused on internal political rivalries. In the last week, the government in Islamabad has also had to face growing protests by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party led by former premier Imran Khan, who has been in jail for over a year. Although the PTI actually won the last elections, it has been marginalised in the opposition. Although the situation has been restored to normal for the time being, many commentators fear that the protests will recur, probably even more violently. Five hundred agents, some in riot gear, fenced off the Airin General Centre, ordering homeless people to move. The 1970 Expo was a symbol of Japans rapid economic growth. Osaka is home to the highest number of day labourers in the country. The centre closed in 2019. For a 60-year-old homeless man, There are more and more foreign tourists here. So I guess its just a sign of the times. Rome (AsiaNews/Agencies) Some 500 government officials and law enforcement agents in riot gear on Sunday descended upon the Kamagasaki District in Osakas Nishinari Ward to evict homeless people living near the Airin General Centre. Osaka is home to the highest number of day labourers in Japan, many of them living near the Airin centre, along with the very poor and the homeless, where they could find jobs and support. But in 2019, the centre was closed and since then many people have been living in adjacent streets. The Osaka prefectural government, which owns the land, filed a lawsuit demanding that homeless people leave the area. Last May, the homeless community and their representatives lost the case and the sentence was upheld. The Osaka District Court has since approved the government's motion to start the eviction process. The timing suggests the authorities intend empty the area ahead of the Expo 2025 Osaka, from April to October next year. For Expo organisers, the aim of the international exhibition is to bring together people and innovations from around the world in an effort to address issues facing humankind on a global scale. Osaka already hosted expos twice, in 1970 and 2005, with the former becoming a symbol of Japans rapid economic growth, as the organisers point out. Sundays eviction began before 7 am when police blocked a road in front of the closed centre, where more than 10 people usually spend the night. The Asahi Shimbun newspaper reports that officers loudly told the homeless people to move, telling them that they were carrying out a court order. The Airin area was littered with refuse, including abandoned appliances, used by the homeless. Cranes and waste collection trucks removed the bulky objects, while government workers handled the smaller stuff. Afterwards, the centre was fenced off with barriers more than three metres high to prevent people from coming back. Administrative staff approached the homeless people, to guide them to a different facility where they could receive counselling and support. But many of them refused to leave. Members of homeless support groups rushed to the site and protested, demanding the road be reopened. Asahi Shimbun spoke to a distressed man in his 70s, who said: Give me a weeks notice, and I can organise my belongings nicely, but this is too violent. How can they ask me to leave so abruptly? Another 60-year-old homeless person said he had expected the eviction. There are more and more foreign tourists here. So I guess its just a sign of the times. This is not the first time that day workers and law enforcement have clashed. Between 1961 and 2008, 24 riots occurred in Kamagasaki, resulting in numerous injuries and arrests. The causes of the clashes are varied. Some homeless people vented their outrage against the government and the police. In other cases, workers complained about poor working conditions or employers' arrogance. The Airin General Centre was built in 1970 to oversee the open labour market and recruit workers on the streets in response to the "first Nishinari riots" in 1961. The centre had a space called "yoseba," where day labourers gathered for job assignments and a hospital facility that provided free, low-cost medical care. The centre became a "symbol of Kamagasaki" because it was a place where workers interacted. However, the centre had problems with earthquake resistance. In 2016, the decision was made to temporarily relocate the centre's job facility and create a new building on the site. In 2019 it was shut down. Since then, the demolition work has not yet begun, while the homeless still sleep in front of the shuttered facilities, using blue plastic sheets and futons. A few days ago, more than 1,400 South Korean priests sounded the alarm bells for democracy by openly calling for the presidents impeachment. The clergymen call Yoon a "man of lies" and a "man of violence", unable to understand his role and respect the power that the people have given him. Political and media activities have been suspended, while police surrounded the countrys parliament. Seoul (AsiaNews/Agencies) - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol proclaimed martial law today aimed at eradicating pro-North Korean forces and to protect the constitutional order of freedom. The announcement was made during a late-night address broadcast live on YTN news channel. This is the first time that martial law has been proclaimed in South Korea since the end of the dictatorship in the 1980s. The army has declared that political activities, including those of Parliament, are suspended, media have come under government control, and strikes have been banned. All doctors, including those who have been protesting against the government for months, have been called back into service. After the announcement, the police surrounded Parliament. In his speech, Yoon, whose approval ratings have been increasingly sliding, did not mention specific threats from North Korea, but referred to the opposition Democratic Party, which has had a majority in parliament since April. In recent days, the Democratic Party had presented a downsized budget bill together with a motion to impeach an auditor and the chief prosecutor. This is not the first time the president referred to those hindering his political agenda as pro-North Korean forces". A few days ago, on 28 November, 1,466 South Korean Catholic priests published an open letter, sounding the alarm bell for democracy, openly calling for Yoon's impeachment. In light of today's events, the letter takes on special significance. Below, we publish its translation. For all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God (Romans 3,23). It is said that everything that is hidden or concealed will be revealed sooner or later, and now the thousands and thousands of actions carried out in the darkness are emerging one by one. Anger grows out of control and people's impatience can no longer be ignored. Even Catholic priests cannot help but join the movement to denounce the political situation. Even those who had insisted on saying "let's wait a bit longer" are now withdrawing their trust and expectations from the president. They are not doing it for personal reasons, but in the spirit of justice and respect they are saying: It's no good". We cannot allow the remaining half of his term to destroy the country and the people; therefore, they have come to the conclusion that "he cannot go on". Priests share the same thought. The more they watch him, the more they realise that "if he wants [something], there is nothing he cannot do. By now they are no longer surprised even by the most serious things he can do. So we ask ourselves: Why is he in this condition? It is not a question addressed only to him, but concerns the misery of human beings, who wish goodness but do not do it, and do not want evil, but end up doing it (Romans 7:19). Why has man, who was supposed to embody God's salvation for the world, become the personification of evil, sowing harm and destruction? The words of the penitential psalm that we recite every Friday morning have never been so painful. For I know my transgressions; my sin is always before me. [. . .] Behold, I was born in guilt, in sin my mother conceived me. (Psalm 51:5,7). In President Yoon Suk Yeols case, the situation is even more serious. He is a "man of lies", who denies what exists and affirms what does not. He eliminates everything that ought to be there and protects what should be destroyed. He is a "man of violence" who does not distinguish between what is good for everyone and what is harmful. He is a divisive man who splits what should continue and scatters what should be united. He is a puppet of his own ego, unable to understand his role and respect the power that the people have given him. A leader who enriches only a small elite and condemns the rest to ruin. The Bible would describe him as the fourth beast, terrifying, horrible, and of extraordinary strength (Daniel 7:7). The sacrifice and work of our heroes, who fought for independence, democracy, survival, and well-being, is fading. No matter how hard we try, our conscience and rationality fail to comprehend his actions. We sincerely consider him worthy of compassion, and we pray for him. But from their hearts, come evil thoughts (Mark 7:21-22) that torment, contaminate and destroy South Korea incessantly, and we cannot remain silent. He abandoned the principles and common sense built up over five thousand years, denied humanity, and ridiculed God. He despised vulnerable people and destroyed the foundations of society, ultimately rejecting God and his kingdom. We cannot justify it for any reason. As baptised Catholics, we cannot help but correct and punish him for his evil deeds. If he did anything positive, it was to show that "one" can save or destroy the whole. Just like the fire set at the Sungnyemun Gate, an act carried out by a single insane person. But if we speak of "one", we too, as a people, are a great unity. If South Korea is destroyed by this unbridled behaviour, we must ask ourselves what we will do with ourselves. Let us restore the nation, starting with each one of us. Moreover, as sovereigns, we not only have the right to elect, but also the right to remove those who do not perform their duty. It is not too late to make a decision. We must proceed with an impeachment that holds to account the president's failure to respect the constitution, defend the state, and promote the nation's well-being and peaceful unification. The message we bring today is that if one blind man leads another blind man, both will fall into the pit, so we cannot remain indifferent. No one is free from the bondage of sin. Therefore, we must exercise love and mercy, retaking the humanity of each one firmly. Let us pray for the Kingdom of God and for Democracy. by Vladimir Rozanskij Ever since the first mobilisation for the war, the Association of Russian Doctors and Gynaecologists had reported that the demand for the procedure of preserving one's own genetic material had greatly increased. Proekt Veter has collected the stories of the wives of soldiers killed at the front who nonetheless became pregnant with IVF after their death. Moscow (AsiaNews) - Despite incessant appeals by the Russian authorities to fight against the decline in the birth rate and generate new children, the population appears rather insensitive and the rates are not rising as they should. There is, however, one category that does not want to give up children, in the drama of the war in Ukraine: they are the wives of Russian soldiers sent to the front and who lost their lives, leaving behind their frozen sperm. Journalist Irina Kravtsova of Proekt Veter collected their testimonies, in the discovery of the mission of mothers who can give meaning even to destroyed lives. Already in 2022, after the first mobilisation call for war, the association of doctors and gynaecologists reported that the demand for the procedure of preserving one's own genetic material had increased greatly. Particularly in Yekaterinburg in the Urals, where the Clinical Institute of Reproductive Medicine is active, it was offered to men leaving for war to freeze their sperm and entrust them for safekeeping, and there was a huge turnout for this offer. Now the possibility of this operation regularly resonates in all regions of Russia, supported by central and regional authorities to minimise demographic losses. An economist from the State University of Buryatia, Nikolaj Atanov, says that this is the best measure to support the birth rate, and that the state should assume all expenses from the seminal collection to the coming of age of the children of the fallen, indeed that the offspring of war heroes should have access to specialised educational institutions for their effective integration into the world of work. It is difficult to calculate how many men left for the front who left the frozen bio-material, and how many women became pregnant as a result of this possibility, although some cases have been publicly reported, and Kravtsova has collected their stories. 31-year-old Lieutenant Evgenij Anufriev returned from Ukraine in his coffin on his birthday, 11 June 2022, to the small town of Kjakhta in Buryatia where he had lived with his family. According to local custom, the body was supposed to stay one night at home, before burial, but Evgenij's fellow soldiers did not hand the coffin over to his wife, because the body had deteriorated badly, lying in mud and worms for a long time, in addition to mortal wounds. His widow Olga had had a daughter, Sofia, with him in 2018 through artificial insemination, after many unsuccessful attempts, and there were two good quality embryos left, which remained frozen in the clinic. For this, the couple paid a sum of three thousand roubles a month (around 30 euro), and in 2021 they put themselves on the list to have another child, and Olga then immediately performed the operation as soon as she received the news of Evgenij's death, also on the advice of a Buddhist lama who had assured her that your husband will be reborn as a child. On 7 June 2023, the anniversary of her father's death, little Evgenija was born and her mother Olga declared that if I had not given birth to this child, I would not have survived the pain. Kravtsova recounts many other similar stories, such as that of 27-year-old history student Anna and 29-year-old mechanic Dmitry Serikov from the Siberian city of Surgut, who were married during the summer of 2021. The call to arms came in September 2023, and in February 2024, Dmitry was wounded, managing to get a permit to go home for a couple of weeks by giving the commanding officer a hefty bribe, just when free semen freezing began to be systematically proposed. Anna says that with her husband they had not yet decided to have children, but accepted the proposal just in case. Back at the front, in July Dmitry was blown up by a mine explosion, and talking to her mother Elena, Anna decided that we must have a child, despite the advice of her friends who advised her to wait for her next husband, given her still young age. While pregnant, she actually started a new relationship with a man rejected for military service, and together they welcomed the new baby Dmitry. In the maelstrom of war and the loss of the future, even in Russia there can be life reborn. Today's news: 9 dead in Israeli raids in South Lebanon as ceasefire falters; Truong My Lang's appeal against death sentence rejected in Vietnam, must raise billion to avoid gallows; Public punishment at the Golden Temple in Amtistar for leader of a Sikh political party; In Georgia President Zurabisvili rejects Prime Minister's ultimatum to resign. CHINA-UNITED STATES The US announced a new package of restrictions on semiconductor exports to Beijing, with measures against 140 Chinese companies. This is a new step to block access to and production of chips capable of advancing artificial intelligence for military purposes. In recent years, China has intensified its efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in the semiconductor sector, but is still far behind the major players in this strategic sector. China has promised to take resolute measures in response to these new constraints. LEBANON Nine people were killed in Israeli attacks on villages in southern Lebanon yesterday after Israel claimed to have targeted dozens of Hezbollah targets in retaliation for an attack claimed by the militia in the context of a fragile ceasefire. A committee involving France, Unifil, Israel, Lebanon and chaired by the US is tasked with maintaining communication between the parties and ensuring that violations are identified and addressed to avoid any escalation. We ask the technical committee to verify the situation of the ongoing violations..which are at least 54, said Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, urging to force Israel to stop its violations and withdraw from the territories it occupies. VIETNAM Vietnamese tycoon Truong My Lan lost her appeal against her death sentence for organising the world's largest bank fraud. The 68-year-old is now running for her life because Vietnamese law stipulates that to commute the sentence to life imprisonment she must repay 75 per cent of what she stole, an amount that in this case amounts to about USD 9 billion. In April, the court ruled that Truong My Lan secretly controlled the Saigon Commercial Bank, the country's fifth largest bank, and obtained loans and cash for over 10 years through a network of shell companies. PHILIPPINES A group of Philippine civil society figures including religious leaders have asked Congress to impeach Vice-President Sara Duterte for a series of allegations including fraud, incompetence and the accumulation of illicit wealth in her functions. The complainants also include the priest Flaviano Villanueva, who runs a support group for the families of victims of the war on drugs. INDIA In the Indian state of Punjab, Sukhbir Singh Badal, a senior leader of the local Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) party, was subjected to tankhah, a public religious punishment in the Sikh tradition. To serve the wrongs committed when he held government positions from 2007 to 2017, he had to sit with a placard around his neck at the entrance to the Golden Temple in Amritsar and perform sewadar, i.e. washing dishes and cleaning the shoes of worshippers. The Sikh tribunal also ordered the party to choose a new leader within six months. GEORGIA The President of Georgia, Salome Zurabisvili, has declared that she will remain president of the country until the election of a legitimate parliament, and will not leave the palace despite threats from Prime Minister Iraklij Kobakhidze, who has ordered her to leave before the election of a new president on 14 December, by a committee. UZBEKISTAN The Olympic Committee of Asia has revoked Uzbekistan's organisation of the Youth Games, initially scheduled for 2025, due to the insufficient level of preparation of the sports facilities, transferring the event to Bahrain. The government in Tashkent is building a sports village at a cost of 9 million, but it is seriously behind schedule. The Olympic Committee of Asia has revoked Uzbekistan's organisation of the Youth Games, initially scheduled for 2025, due to the insufficient level of preparation of the sports facilities, moving the event to Bahrain. The government in Tashkent is constructing a sports village costing USD 289 million, but it is seriously behind schedule. President Joe Biden accompanied by his son Hunter Biden and his grandson Beau leave a book store as they walk in downtown Nantucket Mass., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) Jose Luis Magana/Associated Press It isn't hard to put yourself in President Biden's shoes if you're at all inclined to try. Most parents would do whatever we could to keep our own child out of prison. In that sense, the president's decision to pardon his son on gun and tax evasion charges is consistent with the family man Americans have come to know over more than 50 years of public service. The grief he endured, losing his first wife and daughter in a car crash, and then his elder son to cancer, allowed him to connect with the pain of others. Joe Biden's unconditional love for his son, through drug addiction and recovery, made the president's resignation to his son's fate all the more powerful. His reputation as a man of integrity was tested, and he appeared to have stood firm. It was a clear rebuke to former President Donald Trumps governing philosophy that respected few norms or ethical bounds. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Now, the president who claimed to value the rule of law and attacked Trump for flouting it has acted hypocritically at a time when the country needs an affirmation of its principles. Both Biden and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre insisted numerous times, before and after he dropped out of the presidential race in July, that he would respect the jury's verdict in his son's case. Perhaps the promise was made on the assumption that Trump would never regain the presidency, and perhaps Biden reconsidered when faced with Trump's victory and the prospect that his former rival, having vowed revenge against political enemies, would soon be in a position to indirectly oversee any incarceration of Hunter. That's no excuse, though. A president's word is a president's word and it should be kept. At least, we think it should. We'll admit that we're a little fuzzy on that norm after half of American voters re-elected a man whose true statements are easier to tally than his countless lies. We can certainly see how disproportionate the comparisons seem of a caring father's indiscretion to Trump's epic moral failures, and at the same time, we know how the good guys cannot hope to beat the depraved by joining them. The pessimists, meanwhile, are waving off our kind of pearl-clutching, claiming that in this post-truth society, where voters have signaled an indifference to integrity and accountability, Biden is simply doing the reasonable thing for his son. A thing Trump wouldn't have hesitated for a moment to do for his own kids -- some of them, at least. Advertisement Article continues below this ad These folks note that the gun charges Hunter was convicted of often don't result in a prison sentence. They'll point to the fact that, as president, Bill Clinton also pardoned his half-brother, Roger, for selling cocaine in the 1980s and that Trump pardoned Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, for witness tempering and tax evasion charges. In a sense, Trump's general election victory, running as a convicted felon and credibly accused rapist after trying to overthrow the 2020 election, affirms this nihilistic thought process. This view is wrongheaded. Biden pardoning his son, even before he was sentenced, gives cover for Trump to act on his worst impulses. (Even if Trump never needs such cover.) Any Trump ally looking for a criminal conviction to be expunged or prison sentence to be commuted can point to Biden's pardon. It's now far easier for Trump to justify pardons of anyone convicted for their involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection. Trump has promised to weaponize the Department of Justice. It's widely expected he will use the broad powers of the federal government to settle scores and potentially even prosecute some of his political enemies, the same way he agitated for his foes to be prosecuted in his first term. Kash Patel, his nominee for FBI director, has, in the past, vowed to "find the conspirators not just in government but in the media," who helped "rig" the 2020 election for Biden. While plenty of Americans are weary of a second Trump term and all the chaos it portends, but too exhausted to take to the streets again in protest, these threats cannot be taken lightly. Trump's opponents, namely Democrats in Congress who are now in the minority, must stay vigilant in holding him accountable. If they have any hope of providing a genuine check on Trump's power and taking back at least one chamber in two years, they will need to persuade the public that theirs is the party that believes in justice and the rule of law. Advertisement Article continues below this ad That case just became far more difficult thanks to the leader of their own party. By railing against "selective prosecution" and accusing his own Justice Department of "infecting" this process with partisan politics in his son's case, Biden ceded his moral authority in the name of personal interest. It's a sad denouement to a presidency that, at one point, offered hope that Americans could find our way out of this polarized rut of cynicism and distrust. Opposition leaders shrugged off the claim made in the Armenian parliament amid the lingering risk of another war with Azerbaijan. Two years ago, I announced from this podium that if we manage to maintain our statehood for a year or two, it will mean that we have created and are creating a real opportunity to have a state in the coming century, said Pashinian. And now, two years later, I must state that in the medium term, our strategic objective for the century has been achieved. But we must not let our guard down for a second. He said that the key to Armenias survival is to focus on the economic development of its internationally recognized territory and create a new security system of which a strong army will not be the main component. Armenia must act only and only in accordance with the interests of its own economic development, he said during a parliament debate on his governments draft state budget for next year. Pashinian spoke four years after Armenias defeat in a six-week war with Azerbaijan and more than one year after another Azerbaijani offensive that restored Bakus full control over Nagorno-Karabakh. Opposition leaders again blamed him for the loss of Nagorno-Karabakh which they say only aggravated security threats to Armenia. Gegham Manukian, a lawmaker representing the opposition Hayastan alliance, said Pashinian keeps making excuses for having botched and ruined everything since coming to power in 2018. The guy, thinking that he is a messiah, blurts out some nonsense every day, Manukian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. Another opposition deputy, Tigran Abrahamian, dismissed Pashinians criticism of the army nation formula which was advanced by former President Serzh Sarkisian with the stated aim of offsetting Azerbaijans military buildup. Abrahamian, whose Pativ Unem bloc is led by Sarkisian, charged that Pashinians policies led to the 2020 war and laid the foundation for the subsequent Azerbaijani takeover of Karabakh. Pashinian publicly recognized Azerbaijani sovereignty over Karabakh several months before the September 2023 offensive that forced the regions entire population to flee to Armenia. The premier, who had declared in 2019 that Artsakh is Armenia, implied on Tuesday that Armenian control of Karabakh was a bad idea. He went on to claim that his administration has guaranteed the existence of Armenian statehood for the next century. Armenian officials, notably Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, have said in recent months that Azerbaijan may be planning to invade Armenia after hosting the COP29 climate summit in Baku on November 11-22. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly threatened such military action. The judge, Artur Atabekian, replaced Karen Andreasian, who resigned on November 18 at the behest of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian. The latter said on November 22 that he asked Andreasian to step down because he is unhappy with some of the decisions made by courts. Opposition leaders and some legal experts believe that the request constituted illegal interference in the work of the judiciary. They say it also shows that the Supreme Judicial Council (SCJ), which is supposed to guarantee judicial independence, is in fact controlled by Pashinian. The SJC failed to elect a new chairman in two rounds of voting last Thursday. Five of its seven members vied for the vacant post. Only Atabekian ran in a repeat vote organized on Monday. He was unanimously backed by the six other SJC members. It is not clear whether the four other candidates withdrew under government pressure. Atabekian on Tuesday refused to answer questions from RFE/RLs Armenian Service. Newspaper reports said last week that Atabekian is Pashinians preferred candidate for the job. He is a nephew of a pro-government lawmaker close to the prime minister. Atabekian, 42, took the bench in 2012 six years before Pashinian came to power. He became the chairman of Armenias Bankruptcy Court in 2022 before being appointed to the SJC and promoted to the Court of Cassation, the countrys highest body of criminal and civil justice. Whether [Atabekians latest appointment] was the result of reasonable consensus or criminal collusion is very hard to tell now because I dont have insider information, said Ruben Vartazarian, a former SJC chairman who was indicted and ousted in 2021 after falling out with Pashinian. In a sarcastic advice to Atabekian, Vartazarian said the new SJC chief should swiftly step down if he too receives a resignation request from Pashinian. I received such a request, exhortation and demand but did not comply, he told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. As a result, I now have the status of a defendant after my powers were terminated illegally. The SJC is tasked with protecting the courts against outside influence. It has wide-ranging powers, including the right to nominate, sanction and even dismiss judges. During Andreasians two-year tenure, the judicial watchdog fired dozens of judges who fell foul of the government. 3 December 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. The gas deal also highlights Azerbaijan's growing role as a key energy supplier in Europe. By diversifying its export routes, Azerbaijan continues to expand its presence in the European energy market. The gas supplied to Slovakia will be transported through various routes, including... Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 3 December 2024 14:00 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Despite having different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, Azerbaijan and the UAE relations continue to flourish even more as the burgeoning partnership between the both countries is reflected in a shared commitment to economic diversification, green energy development, and robust diplomatic ties. A series of recent high-level engagements and agreements showcase a dynamic bilateral relationship rooted in mutual trust and a forward-looking vision. Strengthening Economic Ties Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov has highlighted ongoing negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE. The signing of this agreement will be a significant step in developing our economic and trade relations, deepening cooperation, particularly through trade liberalization, increasing investment flows, and expanding access to goods and services markets, Jabbarov stated during an event celebrating UAE National Day. The minister also pointed to key outcomes from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyans visit to Azerbaijan in January 2024, including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Partnership. These agreements set the stage for deeper economic integration and enhanced collaboration in strategic sectors such as energy and technology. Masdars Role in Azerbaijans Green Transition A pivotal aspect of Azerbaijan-UAE cooperation is their shared commitment to renewable energy, with Masdara global leader in clean energy and a UAE-based companyplaying a central role. Masdar has been actively involved in Azerbaijans green energy projects, including large-scale solar and wind energy initiatives. One of the flagship projects is the Garadagh Solar Plant, a 230 MW facility developed by Masdar. Operational since 2023, it is expected to generate approximately 500 million kWh of electricity annually, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 200,000 tons. President Ilham Aliyev, lauding Masdars contributions, stated, The significant steps we have taken in the energy sector, particularly in the field of green energy, are gratifying. Additionally, Masdar is advancing offshore wind projects in Azerbaijan. A framework agreement was signed in 2022 to explore up to 10 GW of renewable energy potential. This initiative complements Azerbaijan's broader strategy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and establish itself as a green energy hub in the region. Joint Climate Diplomacy Azerbaijans COP29 Presidency and the UAEs COP28 Presidency have established a collaborative platform to tackle climate change. This partnership is not only symbolic but also strategic, as both nations aim to align their agendas on renewable energy and sustainability. The energy partnership between Azerbaijan and the UAE has gained momentum, with a focus on sustainability and innovation. During a meeting between Jabbarov and UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, both parties emphasized shared goals in renewable energy. They reviewed collaborative projects involving the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) and leading Emirati firms such as ADNOC and Masdar. These projects are pivotal to Azerbaijans ambition to become a regional leader in environmental sustainability. President Ilham Aliyev echoed these sentiments in a congratulatory letter to the UAE on its National Day, underscoring the progress made in renewable energy. "The significant steps we have taken in the energy sector, particularly in the field of green energy, are gratifying," Aliyev remarked, singling out Masdars effective role in Azerbaijans green transition. This collaboration extends to climate diplomacy, with Azerbaijans COP29 Presidency and the UAEs COP28 Presidency working in tandem to advance global climate action. Aliyev noted, I commend the successful collaboration established between Azerbaijans COP29 Presidency and the UAEs COP28 Presidency. Broader Diplomatic and Strategic Alignment The partnership between Azerbaijan and the UAE extends beyond economics and energy. Active political dialogue forms the backbone of their relationship, as President Aliyev remarked in a recent letter: "The Azerbaijan-UAE interstate relations, founded on brotherhood, mutual respect, trust, and support, are currently experiencing dynamic and comprehensive development." This burgeoning alliance stands as a testament to how nations can combine resources, expertise, and vision to tackle global issues while ensuring mutual growth. With ongoing projects and new agreements on the horizon, Azerbaijan and the UAE are well-positioned to set a global example of sustainable and inclusive development. 3 December 2024 20:20 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and African countries has seen a dramatic increase in the first ten months of 2024. During this period, the trade turnover surged 4.1 times, exceeding $375.8 million. Azerbaijan exported $290 million worth of goods and imported $85.7 million from African countries. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 3 December 2024 16:48 (UTC+04:00) by Ulvi Nariman The ongoing protests in Georgia have once again brought the role of the Baltic states into the spotlight. Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have actively criticized Georgia's government, with their recent sanctions against ruling officials following a violent crackdown on anti-government demonstrators. How the Baltics Reflect EU Strategy in the Caucasus The Baltic states, particularly Lithuania, have historically taken swift action in moments of regional unrest that align with broader Western interests. Lithuania's imposition of sanctions on Georgian officials mirrors the nation's role as a vocal advocate for EU directives, often prioritizing alignment with Brussels over independent policy decisions. In October, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis displayed this alignment in anti-Azerbaijani remarks during a Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) session. This underscores Lithuania's readiness to act as a conduit for broader EU and U.S. strategies. Furthermore, the Baltic nations have been visible in Georgia's political landscape, with officials participating in protests and publicly supporting opposition narratives. The Baltic countries' actions raise questions about the balance of sovereignty and external influence in Georgia's domestic affairs. By imposing sanctions and supporting anti-government demonstrations, the Baltic states reinforce the perception that the West seeks to shape Georgias political trajectory. The alignment between Baltic actions and Western objectives highlights how smaller EU members can amplify geopolitical strategies in the Caucasus. The Baltic countries' activism aligns with their role as staunch supporters of Euro-Atlantic integration and democracy promotion, but critics argue that such actions risk exacerbating tensions in Georgia. By imposing sanctions, the Baltic nations signal solidarity with Western allies while pressuring Tbilisi to align more closely with EU and NATO values. However, these interventions also risk deepening polarization within Georgia, echoing patterns seen in Ukraine before the 2014 crisis. Lithuanias involvement goes beyond rhetoric, with its actions directly challenging the sovereignty of Georgias ruling coalition. This parallels its previous stance on Azerbaijan, where it supported critical narratives and sanctions to serve EU interests. The Baltic nations, particularly Lithuania, are positioning themselves as enforcers of Western strategies, showcasing their readiness to act decisively when EU or U.S. interests are at stake. For Georgia, the Baltic intervention poses a dilemma. While aspiring to maintain its strategic partnerships with the West, the country faces growing domestic unrest fueled by external influences. The Baltic states actions, underpinned by a desire to solidify Western alliances, complicate Tbilisis efforts to navigate a path that prioritizes national interests while balancing international expectations. As protests intensify and sanctions bite, the implications for Georgia's political stability are profound. The role of the Baltic states in this unfolding crisis highlights the intricate dynamics of geopolitics in the South Caucasus, where external forces increasingly shape the trajectory of nations striving for autonomy amid global power plays. 3 December 2024 12:48 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more The Azerbaijan-Russia Business Council held its latest meeting in Baku, bringing together over 90 members from diverse sectors, including agriculture, petrochemicals, logistics, and banking, alongside government officials, Azernews reports. Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov highlighted the growing economic partnership between Azerbaijan and Russia, emphasizing the pivotal role of the Business Council in fostering trade diversification and collaboration. "The work done to implement joint investment projects and unlock trade potential continues to strengthen ties between the business communities of both countries," Jabbarov noted. Samad Gurbanov, representing the Business Council, detailed the organizations efforts to enhance trade and business relations, underscoring its commitment to supporting Azerbaijani businesses in the Russian market. During the meeting, elections for the Board of Directors were held. Emin Agalarov, founder of Agalarov Development, was elected Chairman, while Yusif Abdullayev, Executive Director of AZPROMO, and Gambar Bananyarli, Director of Nardaran Invest LLC, were elected Deputy Chairmen. Addressing participants, the newly elected Chairman, Emin Agalarov, stressed the Council's role in bolstering dialogue between entrepreneurs and expanding bilateral business opportunities. In recognition of his contributions to economic relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, Samad Gurbanov was presented with an Honorary Decree. Operating since 2016, the Azerbaijan-Russia Business Council collaborates closely with the Azerbaijani Ministry of Economy, the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, and other relevant state and public organizations to strengthen bilateral economic ties. President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. Jose Luis Magana/Associated Press Biden pardon Regarding Why did President Joe Biden pardon his son, Hunter? Heres what to know, (Dec. 2): You folks at the Houston Chronicle have truly outdone yourselves with your coverage of the Hunter Biden pardon. Every other news agency that I looked at including the AP, CNN and MSNBC rightly made the shameful story their top news story of the day, while you showed just how irredeemably biased you are by choosing to bury the story with a minor blurb on page A4. This is the last straw for me, and I will be canceling my subscription. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Dan James, The Woodlands Regarding Bidens broken promise on pardoning his son Hunter is raising new questions about his legacy, (Dec. 2): So now the Republicans are in an uproar because President Joe Biden told a lie and decided to pardon his son, Hunter. The Republicans obviously avoided reading the sick documentation in the Washington Posts 2020 book Donald Trump and His Assault on Truth: The Presidents Falsehoods, Misleading Claims and Flat-Out Lies. Mr. Trump cant even decide where his father was born; his genius must have scrambled his brain. Is it possible that President Biden might have been influenced by Trumps promise to pardon all of the vicious Jan. 6 criminals whom he encouraged to attack our nations Capitol, assault the police, threaten the life of his own vice president for doing his job and leave an expensive mess requiring taxpayers to pay for repairs? Just imagine how thick a Washington Post sequel could be in 2025 with five more years of Trumps ludicrous lies to include! Thank you, Joe, for doing the right thing. Page S. Williams, Houston Advertisement Article continues below this ad I was looking for information on the news of the day, Biden pardoning his son. I finally found a small blurb on page four. You had to be looking carefully to find it. Does this give any credence to the accusations of a biased press? Jerri Pfiffner, Spring Why should any of us pay our fair share of taxes if Joe Biden can forgive his son for not paying taxes on hundreds of thousands of dollars that Hunter received from Chinese business partners linked to the Chinese Communist Party? Bruce Deskin, Houston Little faith Regarding Turkey Leg Hut sings its last gobble gobble, but has Enron returned from the dead? | Thumbs, (Nov. 30): It is amazing to me the depressed mental state of many readers and especially the editorial staff about the current conditions of the country after Donald Trumps victory. All thumbs down in Saturday edition ironically contrasted with the Bible verse: You of little faith, why are so afraid? Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jack Hugele, Houston SpaceX v. the environment Regarding South Texas judge denies environmental groups request to halt SpaceX Starship launches, (Nov. 27): So SpaceX has been utilizing the deluge method during launches without a permit. The water deluge system dampens the force, heat and noise from the 33 engines that lift Starship into space and sprays more than 100,000 gallons of fresh water during each launch. It defies belief that this is an oversight or, as SpaceX describes it in a statement, a good faith mistake. The paltry fine levied in civil penalties is a joke and certainly not a deterrent. The fact that the water contains heavy metals which will flow into and contaminate the wetlands, harming the water around Boca Chica and Lower Laguna Madre, does not seem to matter to Elon Musk. Judge Rolando Olvera is obviously more concerned with the financial health of SpaceX than the environment or the health of residents in the area who have voiced opposition to the procedure. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I expect that very soon the pesky restrictions of the Clean Water Act, the Environmental Protection Agency and other regulatory agencies that were formed to protect us will be curtailed. Could it be that Musks motive for wanting to get to Mars is to find another planet to pollute and destroy after his irresponsible actions on Earth? 3 December 2024 15:02 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. In January-October 2024, Azerbaijan's oil exports to Spain decreased, Azernews reports, citing the State Customs Committee. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 3 December 2024 20:50 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva The telecommunications cable connecting Sweden and Finland has broken once again, Azernews reports. The disruption was detected in Finland during the night of December 3. According to the report, the affected cable is part of the internet infrastructure linking the two countries. This new incident follows the sudden disruption of two other critical cablesCS East-West, which connects Lithuania and Sweden, and C-Lion 1, linking Finland with Germanyon November 17 and 18. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has suggested that the damages to these cables were "intentional." The repeated damage to undersea cables has raised concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure, particularly as tensions grow in geopolitical relations. Experts are calling for closer monitoring of these vital connections, which are crucial for global communication, finance, and security. While its unclear who is responsible for the damages, the situation highlights growing concerns over the protection of digital infrastructure, especially in regions with heightened political and military tensions. In light of these incidents, cybersecurity experts are urging governments and private companies to enhance protective measures to safeguard communication networks from potential sabotage. 3 December 2024 12:07 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Azerbaijan Fashion Week will once again open its doors, turning Baku into the epicentre of fashion and creativity, Azernews reports. The fashion show will take place at Baku International Sea Port on December 8-9. The 17th season promises to be a vibrant event, bringing together talented designers, ambitious ideas, and intercultural dialogue. The runway will showcase not just collections but bold manifestos reflecting the unique philosophy of Azerbaijani and global fashion. The event is supported by the Center for the Development of Cultural and Creative Industries YARADICI, with the famous Hello! magazine as the official media partner for the 17th season. For over 80 years Hello! has been a leading international brand reporting on celebrities, cultural milestones, and iconic fashion events. Azerbaijan Fashion Week is more than just a series of shows. It is a platform where fashion becomes art and a voice for change. The goals of the project are ambitious: To support young designers and promote the "Made in Azerbaijan" brand on an international stage. To highlight sustainable development through fashion by encouraging the use of recycled materials, eco-friendly collections and conscious consumption. To preserve cultural traditions while reimagining them through modern design. This season promises a rich program with the participation of international bloggers, journalists, industry professionals, buyers and designers. Renowned designers from Azerbaijan, South Korea, Georgia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan will present their collections. Each show will serve as a dialogue between tradition and innovation: Eastern motifs, daring silhouettes, and refined craftsmanship that will captivate even the most discerning audiences. The official face and ambassador of the 17th season of AFW 2024 is Via Lemann, a top model who has graced the runways of Paris Haute Couture Week and Milan Fashion Week. Her career and creativity perfectly embody the values of Azerbaijan Fashion Week: style, elegance, and innovation. The 17th season is not only dedicated to fashion but also to global themes. AFW continues the dialogue initiated at COP 29, addressing issues of ecology, sustainable production, and cultural diversity, themes reflected in every show. In this context, on December 9, the runway will host the collections of the winners of the "Up-Cycle Jeans" competition, held in May 2024. This competition, aimed at promoting eco-conscious fashion, offered young talents a unique opportunity to showcase their creations made from recycled materials. The winners received valuable prizes, including the chance to present their collections on the runway of the 17th season of Azerbaijan Fashion Week and support in developing their first capsule collections. Fashion as art, fashion as philosophy, fashion as a bridge between past and future all of this will find its expression in the 17th season of Azerbaijan Fashion Week. Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, and Milli.Az Resources and Culture. From Archaeology to New Technology International Scientific and Practical Conference has kicked off in Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, Azernews reports. At the opening ceremony, director of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum Amina Malikova told guests about the history and activities of the museum. Director of the All-Russian Museum of Decorative, Applied and Folk Art Yelena Titova underlined the significance of the three-day conference where interesting reports will be heard. Furthermore, the museum directors exchanged memorable gifts. The conference continued with an academic session on the topic Inter-Museum cooperation in the CIS. The mobile exhibition "Heritage of the CIS. Traditions for the Future is also presented at the event, which features museum directors and experts from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The academic sessions will include the following reports: Museum and People; Museum and Information Resources; Nature and Traditions as Inspiration Source; The Most Ancient Foundations of the Eurasian Cultures: Archetypes, Symbolism, Archaeology Artefacts; Decorative Art of the CIS Peoples; Role of Modern Museums in Preservation of Traditions. The conference held within the framework of the multi-year comprehensive program "Heritage of the CIS. Traditions for the Future" is jointly organised by the All-Russian Museum of Decorative, Applied and Folk Art and the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum and supported by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and the CIS Interstate Humanitarian Cooperation Foundation Note that Resources and Culture. From Archaeology to New Technology International Scientific and Practical Conference will be on until December 5. Founded in 1967, the National Carpet Museum holds more than 14,000 exhibits of the finest Azerbaijani carpets. Initiated by eminent carpet artist Latif Karimov, the museum is beautiful inside and out. The museum's new building is designed in the form of a rolled carpet. Now, the museum hosts multiple events, including international symposiums, conferences, and various exhibitions. In 2019, the museum received national status for its significant contribution to promoting Azerbaijani carpet weaving art. In 2020, the Carpet Museum enriched its collection with a beautiful pile of carpets purchased by the Culture Ministry at the Sartirana Textile Show in Italy. The 19th-century Guba carpet "Ugakh" was donated to the Carpet Museum, while the Garabagh carpet "Chelebi" enriched the collection of the museum's Shusha branch. For four years, the Carpet Museum won the Travellers' Choice Awards. The award proves once again that the professional activity of the National Carpet Museum is highly appreciated by visitors from all over the world. 3 December 2024 09:38 (UTC+04:00) Within the framework of the visit, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov's speech at the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers and bilateral meetings are planned. Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov left for the city of Mashhad of the Islamic Republic of Iran in order to participate in the 28th meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization, Azernews reports, citing the ministry. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 3 December 2024 10:21 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more The State Agency of Automobile of Azerbaijan continues the reconstruction of the Aghdam-Asgaran-Khojali-Khankendi highway. Azernews reports that the road starts from the Barda-Aghdam highway and its total length is 33.6 km. According to the project, the first 11.7 km part of the said road is being reconstructed according to the II technical grade, and the remaining 21.9 km part is being reconstructed according to the I technical grade. The width of the embankment is 15 and 26.5 meters, respectively, and the number of traffic lanes is 2 and 4 lanes. The width of shoulders in each direction is 3.75 meters. Earthworks are currently being carried out throughout the project. Thus, the construction of the road surface is being carried out by removing the unsuitable soil using special techniques and bringing it to the standard height by replacing it with suitable material, widening the road and profiling it. In addition, the construction of rectangular and circular water pipes of different diameters as well as passages is being carried out along the road. Some 3,494 meters of the 6,707-meter retaining wall planned in the project have already been built. In parallel with the mentioned works, the construction of 5 bridges with 1 and 3 spans is also being rapidly continued. Bridges are being built on the 1.6, 4.4, 7.2, 9.6 and 14th km sections of the road. Overall physical progress throughout the project is 55%. Aghdam-Asgaran-Khojali-Khankendi highway will facilitate travel in the region and will have a significant impact on the development of agriculture and tourism. The road will allow drivers and passengers who want to go to the cities of Khankendi, Shusha and Lachin from the direction of Barda to continue their movement quickly and safely using this road without entering the city of Aghdam. 3 December 2024 11:05 (UTC+04:00) Thus, the new ambassador of Turkiye to Azerbaijan will be the president of Maarif Foundation, Birol Akgun. According to the circulated news, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan informed the new ambassador about this. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 3 December 2024 10:42 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received the credentials of Sid Ahmed El Bekaye Hamadi, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, on December 3, Azernews reports. The ambassador presented his credentials to the head of state. President Ilham Aliyev had a conversation with the ambassador. President Ilham Aliyev hailed the traditionally friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Mauritania, which is evident in their mutual support and cooperation in international organizations, particularly within the United Nations. The President emphasized the importance of deepening bilateral relations across various sectors with an emphasis put on expanding political ties, organizing reciprocal visits, and developing economic and trade ties to enhance cooperation between the two nations. Expressing his gratitude for the kind words, Ambassador Hamadi conveyed the greetings and best wishes of Mauritanias President, Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani. He also noted that the Mauritanian President had tasked him with further expanding and strengthening relations between the two countries. The head of state thanked the ambassador for the greetings and requested him to pass on his own greetings to his Mauritanian counterpart. Ambassador Hamadi congratulated Azerbaijan on the successful hosting of COP29 and praised the countrys achievements and rapid development under President Ilham Aliyevs wise leadership. He pointed out the significant potential for cooperation between the two countries in sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, fisheries, and mining. The ambassador also requested consideration of scholarship opportunities for Mauritanian students in Azerbaijan. The meeting also discussed the creation of working groups to explore the potential for enhancing economic and trade relations, as well as the organization of reciprocal visits. Cooperation in science and education was also addressed during the conversation. 3 December 2024 10:55 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received the credentials of Enrique Jaime Calderon, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of El Salvador, on December 3, Azernews reports. The ambassador presented his credentials to the head of state. President Ilham Aliyev had a conversation with the ambassador. During their meeting, the head of state expressed confidence that Ambassador Calderon would spare no efforts to deepen bilateral relations, particularly by establishing effective cooperation with Azerbaijani authorities. The Azerbaijani leader highlighted the importance of exploring opportunities in various fields, especially economic cooperation. The ambassador expressed his satisfaction with El Salvadors participation in COP29, congratulating President Ilham Aliyev on its successful organization. He noted that the organization of the event, alongside Azerbaijan's achievements and the beauty of Baku, had made a lasting impression on the El Salvadoran delegation. Ambassador Calderon also reminded that this year marked the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and El Salvador. He emphasized the importance of furthering cooperation and identifying potential investment opportunities in his country in areas such as infrastructure, transportation, and energy. He also praised Azerbaijan's successes in the energy sector and expressed a keen interest in learning from the countrys expertise. President Ilham Aliyev underscored the importance of increasing awareness about both countries among the people and business communities, which would help advance bilateral relations. The discussion also highlighted the significant potential for cooperation between Azerbaijan and El Salvador in sectors such as the economy, trade, tourism, education, and more. 3 December 2024 17:56 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Azerbaijan has been honored as the guest of honor at the 21st Ankara International Book Fair held in Turkiye, Azernews reports. Representatives from the Turkish state and government, as well as the education and cultural sectors, participated in the event, including Turkiye's Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Batuhan Mumcu, head of the organizing committee of the 21st Ankara Book Fair and Eylul Fuarclk organization Remzi Cayr. The Azerbaijani Ambassador to Turkiye Rashad Mammadov praised the organization of the fair and thanked the organizing committee for selecting Azerbaijan as the guest of honour for the international book fair in Ankara. Honorary guests of the fair, Turkish scholar Kamal Sayar and the head of the Ataturk Center in Azerbaijan, Academician Nizami Jafarov, spoke about the importance of books and reading, as well as the literary and cultural ties between the brotherly countries. Guests were treated to dance and musical performances organized by the Azerbaijani Cultural Center in Ankara. The national stand was organized by the Azerbaijani Cultural Center in Turkiye with the support of the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry. Visitors to the stand were introduced to publications on the history, statehood, culture, and literature of Azerbaijan, published by leading Azerbaijani publishing houses. The fair, which runs until December 8, will feature numerous events as part of Azerbaijan's participation, including presentations of works by Nizami Ganjavi and Muhammad Fuzuli, published in Turkish as part of a project by the Azerbaijani Cultural Center and with the support of the ulture Ministry. More than 500,000 visitors have attended the 21st Ankara Book Fair. The fair offers a diverse range of activities, including lectures, presentations, and autograph sessions with various authors. Recall that the 20th Ankara Book Fair lasted for ten days. Around 350 different stands were set up at the book fair, bringing together more than a thousand publishing houses from across Turkiye. Natasha and Ava Bjoerndal shop at Blue Willow Bookshop on Friday, May 26, 2023 in Houston. Independent bookstores around the state warn that a bill sent this week to Gov. Greg Abbott designed to ban books with sexual content from schools could have unintended consequences that devastate their businesses and make it difficult and more expensive for schools to acquire new books. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Valerie Koehler, owner of Blue Willow Bookshop, places books on a display in her store on Friday, May 26, 2023 in Houston. Independent bookstores around the state warn that a bill sent this week to Gov. Greg Abbott designed to ban books with sexual content from schools could have unintended consequences that devastate their businesses and make it difficult and more expensive for schools to acquire new books. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer The front door at Blue Willow Bookshop is shown on Friday, May 26, 2023 in Houston. Independent bookstores around the state warn that a bill sent this week to Gov. Greg Abbott designed to ban books with sexual content from schools could have unintended consequences that devastate their businesses and make it difficult and more expensive for schools to acquire new books. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Books like 1984, Heart of Darkness, Fahrenheit 451 and Diary of Anne Frank are on a shelf for sale at Blue Willow Bookshop on Friday, May 26, 2023 in Houston. Independent bookstores around the state warn that a bill sent this week to Gov. Greg Abbott designed to ban books with sexual content from schools could have unintended consequences that devastate their businesses and make it difficult and more expensive for schools to acquire new books. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Julia Barth and Aerie Brown work behind the checkout counter at Blue Willow Bookshop on Friday, May 26, 2023 in Houston. Independent bookstores around the state warn that a bill sent this week to Gov. Greg Abbott designed to ban books with sexual content from schools could have unintended consequences that devastate their businesses and make it difficult and more expensive for schools to acquire new books. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Julia Barth helps Natasha and Ava Bjoerndal at Blue Willow Bookshop on Friday, May 26, 2023 in Houston. Independent bookstores around the state warn that a bill sent this week to Gov. Greg Abbott designed to ban books with sexual content from schools could have unintended consequences that devastate their businesses and make it difficult and more expensive for schools to acquire new books. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer After picking up a birthday gift, Natasha and Ava Bjoerndal walk out of Blue Willow Bookshop on Friday, May 26, 2023 in Houston. Independent bookstores around the state warn that a bill sent this week to Gov. Greg Abbott designed to ban books with sexual content from schools could have unintended consequences that devastate their businesses and make it difficult and more expensive for schools to acquire new books. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Authors quotes adorn the walls at Blue Willow Bookshop on Friday, May 26, 2023 in Houston. Independent bookstores around the state warn that a bill sent this week to Gov. Greg Abbott designed to ban books with sexual content from schools could have unintended consequences that devastate their businesses and make it difficult and more expensive for schools to acquire new books. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Alice Meloy carries a box of books to be sent to a school at Blue Willow Bookshop on Friday, May 26, 2023 in Houston. Independent bookstores around the state warn that a bill sent this week to Gov. Greg Abbott designed to ban books with sexual content from schools could have unintended consequences that devastate their businesses and make it difficult and more expensive for schools to acquire new books. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Jennifer Gwydir scans the bookshelves for a customer at Blue Willow Bookshop on Friday, May 26, 2023 in Houston. Independent bookstores around the state warn that a bill sent this week to Gov. Greg Abbott designed to ban books with sexual content from schools could have unintended consequences that devastate their businesses and make it difficult and more expensive for schools to acquire new books. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Natasha and Ava Bjoerndal shop at Blue Willow Bookshop on Friday, May 26, 2023 in Houston. Independent bookstores around the state warn that a bill sent this week to Gov. Greg Abbott designed to ban books with sexual content from schools could have unintended consequences that devastate their businesses and make it difficult and more expensive for schools to acquire new books. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Valerie Koehler, owner of Blue Willow Bookshop, poses for a portrait in her store on Friday, May 26, 2023 in Houston. Independent bookstores around the state warn that a bill sent this week to Gov. Greg Abbott designed to ban books with sexual content from schools could have unintended consequences that devastate their businesses and make it difficult and more expensive for schools to acquire new books. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Independent bookstores around Texas warn that a bill designed to rid school libraries of sexual content could have unintended consequences that devastate their businesses. The bill, which received final passage in the Legislature this week and is awaiting Gov. Greg Abbotts signature, requires booksellers to rate every book they sell to a school, librarian or teacher for use in their classroom. Books can be without a rating, sexually relevant or sexually explicit, and those with the explicit rating will be banned from schools entirely. Advertisement Article continues below this ad And by April of next year, every bookseller in the state is tasked with submitting to the Texas Education Agency a list of every book theyve ever sold to a teacher, librarian or school that qualifies for a sexual rating and is in active use. The stores also are required to issue recalls for any sexually explicit books. Many have expressed concerns that the bill is an effort to restrict books with LGBTQ themes or by Black authors. In addition, throughout the legislative process, independent bookstores repeatedly have warned that the bill misunderstands how book sales to schools work, is unworkable in its current form and could be harmful to small businesses. The First Amendment person in me says, Why do we have to mark the books at all? The business person in me says, thats going to be very hard to administer for the middle vendor, which we are, said Valerie Koehler, owner of Blue Willow Book Shop in Houston. Owners and employees of bookstores around the state have said they dont have the staff or expertise to read and rate every single book they are selling to an educator, and they have no records to retroactively rate every book theyve ever sold to a school. If the TEA finds that bookstores have been incorrectly rating books, they can be banned from doing business with charter schools or school districts, which might make up between 10 percent and a third of their business. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gender Queer backlash The bill was sponsored by Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco. He dubbed it the Restricting Explicit and Adult-Designated Educational Resources act, or READER Act. The measure was born out of conservative fears in the last few years of sexual content in public schools. Many of the books that were subsequently identified as inappropriate were written for LGBTQ children and teenagers. Patterson has said the bill was inspired by Gender Queer, a coming-of-age graphic novel that explores the authors gender identity and personal sexuality. Were not talking about a certain type of sexual activity. Were talking about sexually explicit of any sort. It doesnt belong in front of the eyes and in the minds of kids, Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, said during a Senate debate Tuesday night. Paxton shepherded the measure through that chamber. Paxton said the bill will mostly affect large vendors, as just 50 companies sell most books purchased by Texas public schools, and three giants are responsible for the bulk of titles in campus libraries. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If vendors want to sell books in Texas, they certainly have a vested interest in making sure its done properly, she added. But while those large vendors may be able to more easily bear the extra costs associated with this bill if it becomes law, it will be more difficult for the roughly 300 independent bookstores in Texas that have much smaller profit margins overall than the giants. Its common for stores to offer discounts for teachers, librarians and schools, which means the margins on those sales are lower. For example, a librarian might give the store a list of 150 books they want to buy, at an average of 200 pages each. If this bill becomes law, the store will need to pay someone to read and rate each of those books, and run the risk of being punished by the Texas Education Agency if they get it wrong. This could either make it more expensive for schools to buy books or make such sales infeasible for small bookstores, said Elizabeth Jordan, general manager of Nowhere Bookshop in San Antonio. Her store had a goal of increasing its share of sales to schools to about 15 percent of its total business, she said, but that will no longer be possible. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If I am selling a book to a school, I will have to have read the whole book to determine if its sexually relevant or sexually explicit. And both of those things, I think, are pretty subjective, and I might rate them differently than others might, she said. I dont see why I would put myself at risk to do that. If all the onus is on me, all the liability is on me, and its not a job Im trained to do or my employees are trained to do. I think that the ultimate end result is theres just going to be a lot fewer books in school libraries because there are going to be fewer bookstores willing to do the work to sell those books, and thats bad for all Texas students. In addition, the bill requires stores to retroactively rate every book theyve ever sold that is still in active use by (a) district or school. The way the bill is written right now is that not only can we get in trouble for what we sell to a school, we can get in trouble for something we sold 10 years ago to a school, Koehler said. But bookstores, particularly small, independent ones, dont keep historical records of every book theyve ever sold, and they have no way of knowing whether those books are in active use. Sometimes districts fulfill large orders through their purchasing departments, while other times teachers or librarians simply walk in the front door and buy books off the shelf, confusing the issue. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 3 December 2024 11:09 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the credentials of Mohammed Saleh Ahmed Turaik, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Yemen, on December 3. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 3 December 2024 14:22 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Azerbaijan was unanimously elected as the chairman of the Central and Eastern Europe regional group and a member of the COP16 Bureau for a two-year term during the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), currently being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2 to 13, Azernews reports. According to a statement issued by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, Azerbaijan's election to these prominent positions highlights the country's commitment to addressing desertification and land degradation. As the chair of the regional group, Azerbaijan will also hold the position of vice-president of the Conference of the Parties. The group includes 15 Eastern and Central European states, including Azerbaijan. The Regional Action Program of the UNCCD's Eastern and Central Europe group, established in 2001 within the framework of COP5, was approved in 2015. Priority areas for the group include strengthening regional activities, promoting ecological agriculture, and advancing knowledge-sharing on sustainable land management practices. The main tasks of the COP16 Bureau, which represents 12 regions, are to oversee the implementation of COP decisions and to organize work on future COP sessions. The Bureau is also responsible for ensuring the implementation of commitments made between COP sessions. 3 December 2024 15:24 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more On December 3, Azerbaijan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov, delivered a speech at the 28th meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) during his working visit to Mashhad, Iran, Azernews reports. In his speech, Bayramov outlined Azerbaijan's views on enhancing cooperation within the ECO, particularly in the areas of institutional development, economic and trade relations, energy security, environmental protection, transport and communications, and connectivity. He emphasized the importance of the meeting in addressing the needs of the Organization and the progress made since the ECO meeting in Shusha on October 10, 2023. Bayramov expressed gratitude to Iran for its chairmanship of the ECO in 2024 and for organizing the 28th Foreign Ministers' meeting. He also wished success to Kazakhstan, which will chair the Organization in the following year. He highlighted Azerbaijan's plans to host the ECO Summit next year and stressed the importance of active participation from all member states. The minister emphasized the relevance of the "ECO Vision 2025" strategy, aimed at leveraging the existing economic potential among member states and addressing regional challenges. He also underscored the role of specialized ECO organizations, such as the ECO Research Center and the Clean Energy Center, in fostering cooperation in trade, investment, energy security, and environmental protection. Bayramov highlighted critical regional transport initiatives, including the North-South Corridor, the East-West Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor, and the modernization of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. He also mentioned regional infrastructure projects connecting Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic with the East Zangezur economic region through Iran. The minister discussed the achievements of COP29, which Azerbaijan hosted in November, noting the significance of agreements such as the Baku Financial Goal in addressing climate change. He also emphasized the Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the Field of Development and Transmission of Green Energy signed at COP29, which he believes will contribute to regional economic development and energy security. The meeting concluded with the adoption of the "Mashhad Communique," a final document outlining the outcomes of the meeting. 3 December 2024 09:00 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. Investments in the construction of two floating solar power plants (SES) at the Toktogul reservoir in Kyrgyzstan are estimated at $650 million, Azernews reports. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 3 December 2024 18:26 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva In Kazakhstan, the search for rare earth metals, which are in high demand on the global market, is being conducted at 12 sites, Azernews reports, citing Report with reference Kanat Sharlapayev, the Minister of Industry and Construction of the Republic. "There is already data on the prospects of the Kuirektykol site in the East Kazakhstan region, where reserves are estimated at about 800,000 tons. The projected resources at this site are 935.4 thousand tons of rare earth metals, including cerium and lanthanides," Sharlapayev said, speaking at a government meeting on December 3. The exploration activities are being carried out by private companies, particularly Cove Capital and HMS Bergbau. Subsurface users are also actively searching for areas containing copper and other valuable minerals. In 2023, the total investment volume from 10 companies amounted to about 41 billion tenge (approximately 77.7 million dollars at the current exchange rate), enabling the study of over 25,000 square kilometers of land. Sharlapayev also highlighted Kazakhstans growing mineral resource base, which includes 987 deposits of solid minerals. Over the past 30 years, the country has seen a significant increase in the reserves of key minerals such as iron, manganese, gold, uranium, and oil and gas. As demand for rare earth metals continues to rise, Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a key player in the global supply chain. Rare earth metals, essential for the production of technologies like smartphones, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems, have become a critical part of modern industries. Kazakhstan's rich mineral reserves provide an opportunity for the country to strengthen its position on the world stage, especially as the global push for green energy and technology accelerates. 3 December 2024 21:25 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva Although the European Union (EU) projected a birth rate of around 4 million in 2023, the actual number has fallen significantly, Azernews reports. According to the European statistical service Eurostat, the number of births in the EU in 2023 decreased by 5.5 percent compared to the previous year, totaling 3 million 655 thousand. This marks the lowest figure since 1961, when detailed statistics on births began to be recorded. The decline in birth rates is most pronounced in the Baltic States, Greece, Spain, Italy, Poland, and Finland, where the number of children born has decreased by at least 25 percent over the past decade. Experts attribute this decline to various factors, including economic challenges, rising living costs, and changing social norms. A lower birth rate poses significant challenges for the EU's future. Experts warn that it will result in a shrinking working-age population, which will lead to increased healthcare and pension costs. Furthermore, it will place a growing burden on the state budget, making it harder for governments to sustain public services and social programs. Historically, the birth rate in EU countries peaked in the 1960s, when an average of 7 million children were born annually. Since then, the decline in fertility has been gradual, with current rates reaching unprecedented lows. Some experts suggest that the trend may be exacerbated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted economies, delayed family planning, and created a sense of uncertainty about the future. Additionally, the growing trend of delayed marriages and childbearing, along with the financial pressures of raising children, could further contribute to the decline. To address these challenges, governments in the EU may need to implement policies to support families, such as offering better financial incentives, enhancing childcare availability, and improving work-life balance. If these measures are not taken, the demographic changes could lead to a future labor shortage and place greater strain on European economies. Protesters read in the middle of the Texas Capitol rotunda as The Texas Freedom Network holds a "read-in" to protest HB 900 Wednesday, April 19, 2023. The bill would ban sexually explicit materials from library books in schools. (Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman via AP) Mikala Compton/Associated Press A new bill would give the State Board of Education the power to ban books from Texas public schools that board members deem sexually explicit. The idea would revive a portion of a state law, known as the READER Act, that required bookstores to review and rate the sexual content of all titles sold to public schools but was struck down by federal courts as unconstitutional. Advertisement Article continues below this ad State Rep. Jared Patterson, a Frisco Republican, filed the bill ahead of the Legislatures next session in January. At their November meetings, a majority of the Republican-controlled state board voted to endorse this new policy. The proposal, if passed by the GOP-led Legislature and signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, could give the board sweeping new power over what children can find in their public school libraries as Republicans have ramped up efforts in recent years to take certain titles off the shelves. Last year, a federal court said requirements for private booksellers to enforce the READER Act violated their freedom of speech and would be too costly for the businesses to comply. Some of the 2023 law was allowed to take effect, including a section that empowered the state board to draft new library standards, which the board used to instruct school districts not to stock sexually explicit books. Currently, its up to school districts to comply with those standards. But under the new bill, parents could ask the state board to review certain titles, and if the board decided they were "sexually explicit," the books would have to be pulled from shelves statewide. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The board, which is composed of 15 elected officials from around the state, has long been majority-Republican. But in recent years with the election of hard-right members boosted by large donors in the state it has grown even more conservative and active in its stance toward controlling books and lesson plans in Texas public schools. Democrats on the board spoke out against the idea in November, saying the change would invite a mountain of new work for the unpaid board members and decisions about filling library shelves should be made by local school boards. Books have emerged as a flash point in recent years as Republican legislators and parent groups have rallied to take certain titles off the shelves, including many exploring LGBTQ themes such as Gender Queer: A Memoir, a graphic novel that inspired Pattersons bill in the first place. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The well regarded polling firm IPSOS recently ran a poll in thirty key countries around the world in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas simultaneously asking citizens what was the top challenge for education in each country. In many countries, top issues were things like outdated curriculum, inadequate educational infrastructure, lack of public funding, and overcrowded classrooms, but in the US, the top issue facing eduction was political / ideological bias in the classroom. In the United States, over 1,000 Americans were polled and the top challenge to education according to citizens is political bias in the classroom. In the poll, 33% of respondants listed that as the top challenge. Second was safety and security which was mentioned by 31%. The US was the only country survered where political bias was viewed by the public as the top challenge to education. https://resources.ipsos.com/rs/297-CXJ-795/images/Education_Monitor_2024.pdf?version=0&aliId=eyJpIjoiN3BONVwveVZyNXpuVW5EZlYiLCJ0IjoiR2pqZjVRVzhxQVNHelNJYXdKS2hJdz09In0%253D https://www.zerohedge.com/personal-finance/education-global-challenges-facing-schools Here in North Carolina, the John Locke Foundation took a poll last year that found that 71% of parents in North Carolina were concerned about ideological indoctrination of their children in the classroom in our public schools. The story is told that a reporter once asked Yogi Berra why he argued with the ump's calls. "Did he ever change one?" the reporter asked. "Nope, but what I was arguing about was not the previous call, but the next one," Yogi replied. Such is the case with "Retired" Army Chief of the Joints Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley. Chris Roach, writing at American Greatness, explains why President Trump should punish Gen. Mark Milley as one of his first moves after he is inaugurated. He writes: In dealing with his enemies in the Deep State, President Trump could follow one of two paths. One would be the path of peace, reconciliation, and forgiveness. This would certainly be easier in the short term and also garner approval from insiders and the media. Alternatively, he could seek to clean house and punish the worst and most insubordinate offenders from his first term. Which path Trump should take all depends on whether one believes the last eight years were normal partisan squabbles or if one believes that something monumental happened: the obstruction of democratic self-government by a technocratic Deep State. I believe it is the latter for reasons I have explained before at length. In short, Trump was not allowed to govern, nor treated as other presidents were during his first term. The problem began before Trump, as entrenched bureaucratic interests have worked quietly to control more cooperative and less independent presidents, like Barack Obama and Joe Biden. But the resistance to Trump reflected a mature, ideological, and increasingly self-conscious managerial class that believed they were entitled to rule without regard to electoral results. Trump was a threat to business as usual. Thus, a cabal of intelligence agencies cooperated to stop him from making changes to foreign policy or scrutinizing the outsized military-industrial complex. Contrary to the medias dire pronouncements, these insiders were the real threat to democracy and self-government. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley, was one of the worst offenders. As documented in Bob Woodwards book Peril, Milley spent a lot of time after the 2020 election caballing with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and reassuring her that the military would resist certain orders from President Trump. He met with the small group of officers who control our strategic nuclear forces and demanded they pledge to get his approval before executing any launch orders, even though, as head of the Joint Chiefs, he is merely an advisor and is statutorily excluded from the chain of command. Finally, and most controversially, he was telling his counterpart in China that he would let them know if an attack or other action was coming from the United States. He defended this as normal deconfliction communications, but these secret talks took place without authorization from either the Secretary of Defense or the president. All of Milleys actions took place after he earlier joined with a group of retired officers to impede Trumps use of the military to stop nationwide riots around June of 2020. Milley sent out an implied message to the troops suggesting that they could ignore any order to deploy, even though active-duty troops have been used in such a capacity repeatedly, including during the 1992 L.A. Riots. As he reminded the whole nation by using the term white rage, Milley is typical of the new class of liberal senior officers who take part in the culture wars, cleave to one-half of the partisan divide, and act like they are beyond the control of the president whom they serve when they disagree with his politics. Milleys bad behavior was particularly egregious because of his role. The Joint Chiefs are supposed to serve as military advisors. They are statutorily excluded from the ordinary chain of command to maintain institutional separation between advisory and command roles. This arrangement is designed to contribute to increased trust and candor between the Joint Chiefs and the president. Secret talks with partisan opponents of the president, unauthorized back-channel communications to enemies, casual comparisons of the president to Adolf Hitler, and pseudo-idealistic suggestions that troops should disobey the orders they find disagreeable undermine that trust for obvious reasons. Some have argued this might all be permissible in extremis and as part of the right of service members to resist illegal orders. But too much is made of this right. This defense is only supposed to apply to a very narrow set of self-evidently illegal orders, typically involving war crimes. Whether the government properly approved the use of troops to stop a riot is not such a case. Normally, the military must follow orders without delay. This distinguishes it from slower and less energetic civilian institutions. There are a great many controversialbut legalorders. Likely the most controversial would be an order to use nuclear weapons. The protocols on nuclear launch authority give exclusive power to the president to order a launcha necessary, though admittedly dangerous, power to account for the fast timelines associated with a possible enemy first strike. Perhaps this authority should be pulled backI believe it should, particularly for cases of non-retaliatory uses of these weaponsbut this was the established policy stretching back to the Cold War. More important, it was firmly established when Milley took it upon himself to undermine Trumps authority by secretly demanding a loyalty oath from the officers in charge of our nuclear arsenal. Milley did what he did because he was afraid of his own shadow and convinced himself that Trump was losing it and about to become a dictator. In his supercilious and adolescent phrasing, we were facing a Reichstag moment. The military is not part of the Constitutions system of checks and balances. The military and the entire executive branch are subordinate to the president. He is their source of authority and is the boss, having attained his authority from an election involving the entire American people. Once upon a time, liberals worried that a conservative, authoritarian military might thwart a liberal president and his policies. But these fears proved to be completely overblown. The military was, until a decade or so ago, a self-consciously nonpartisan institution. Even as it trended more conservative during the Clinton years, there was no insubordination akin to Milleys performance. It turns out that while the country was on the lookout for right-wing military extremists, the military had few defenses from leftist partisanship. Whether classified as treason or mere insubordination, a similarly corrosive performance risks repeating itself during Trumps second term. In the immediate aftermath of the election, the left seems to realize it is unwise to resist openly and violently, as they did for much of the Trump administration. But I believe, at the moment, they are merely regrouping and working on a strategy they believe will work. The military, which retains prestige because it is still perceived as a nonpartisan repository of patriotic rectitude, will likely loom prominently in these plans, just as it did during Trumps first term. As we know, the military and Milley lost all qualms about using the military domestically when they flooded the zone with armed National Guardsmen to create a Green Zone for Bidens 2021 Inauguration. This unhealthy politicization and leftist partisanship among the militarys senior leadership must be stopped. The military should return to its role as a neutral instrument of national power. But this means it must chiefly be controlled by the elected president in the manner he directs. In order to restore healthier civil-military relations, there must be a dramatic and symbolic reset reminding the military and the rest of the country that Trump has full executive powers as president. In order to accomplish this, Mark Milley should be recalled to service, court-martialed, punished, and publicly dishonored in order to prevent a resurgence of the corrosive principle of leftist military partisanship during Trumps second term. *** Christopher Roach is an adjunct fellow of the Center for American Greatness and an attorney in private practice based in Florida. He is a double graduate of the University of Chicago and has previously been published by The Federalist, Takimag, Chronicles, the Washington Legal Foundation, the Marine Corps Gazette, and the Orlando Sentinel. The views presented are solely his own. The complaint, filed with the California Labor Commissioner, alleges that Ms. Gaw was terminated as a result of her political activism, according to a Dec. 2 press release from CAIR. She was allegedly suspended and terminated Feb. 14 for having stickers on her waterbottle that publicly supported Palestines liberation movement. Beckers has reached out to the Outpatient Surgery Center of La Jolla for comment and will update this story as more information becomes available. According to a Dec. 3 news release by the Department of Justice, Shane Jordan of Orlando, Fla., was a physician assistant licensed in multiple jurisdictions, including New Hampshire. From February 2021 to May 2024, Mr. Jordan worked for a Florida-based telemedicine company where he would electronically sign physicians orders for cancer genetic testing, regardless of medical necessity. He signed these orders without a preexisting medical provider-patient relationship with the beneficiary and frequently based these orders on short telephone conversations. Mr. Jordan was paid approximately $25 per consultation, amounting to more than $212,000. The orders signed by Mr. Jordan were used to falsely claim more than $7.3 million from Medicare for genetic cancer testing. Here are five things to know: 1. Newly formed nonprofit organization WoodBridge Healthcare signed a definitive agreement on July 30 to acquire the three-hospital system from CHS for $120 million. The deal would include the three hospitals, along with their associated ASCs, clinics and imaging centers. 2. Both parties mutually agreed to terminate asset purchase agreement due to WoodBridges inability to satisfy the funding requirements in the purchase agreement because of certain developments affecting the expected proceeds available to WoodBridge from the issuance of publicly offered tax-exempt and taxable bond, CHS said in a statement. 3. WoodBridge intended to use bond financing debt to acquire the hospitals. In September, the Wilkes-Barre Finance Authority issued a public notice outlining how it would act as the financing system to issue up to $180 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds on behalf of WoodBridge. 4. The proposed sale, which was part of CHS $1 billion hospital divestiture plan, would have cemented the systems exit from Pennsylvania. 5. Since 2020, CHS has divested 29 hospitals, most recently selling Tennova Healthcare-Cleveland (Tenn.) to Vitruvian Health in Dalton, Ga., on Aug. 1. The 351-bed facility was sold for $160 million. Feature: Chinese medical team offers free healthcare, training to Botswanan police officers Xinhua) 10:27, December 03, 2024 GABORONE, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The 17th Chinese medical team has recently arrived in Francistown, Botswana's second-largest city, marking a new chapter in the provision of free outreach healthcare services after over 40 years of dedicated efforts by Chinese doctors in the southern African country. On Nov. 30, members of the Chinese team provided free medical services to over 250 officers from the Botswana Police Service (BPS) and held two training lectures on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency trauma first aid. In an interview with Xinhua, Assistant Commissioner Modisaotsile Solomon, divisional traffic officer responsible for the northern part of Botswana and one of the beneficiaries of the free medical services and lectures, shared how this inaugural medical service provision and first-aid training would significantly support police officers in their daily work. According to Solomon, many police officers rarely get time to undergo physical and mental examinations due to their hectic work schedules. "We really appreciate the various services that the Chinese medical team offered us today," said Solomon, adding that police officers turned out in large numbers to seize the rare opportunity of receiving free healthcare from Chinese specialists. The police officers, drawn from different towns and villages in the northern part of Botswana, have also learned essential skills in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency trauma first aid. Solomon said police officers are often the first to reach road accident scenes or other emergency sites, but most of them lack basic knowledge on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid skills. Assistant Commissioner Gaolathe Ngayaya, deputy divisional commander of the BPS for northern Botswana, received treatment for persistent back pain during the team's visit. After struggling for nearly five years, she said the Chinese team has greatly improved her condition. "As a police officer, I am expected to be physically fit at all times. But this back pain nearly caused me to lose my job. I am really thankful," said Ngayaya, fighting back tears while emphasizing the high cost of healthcare in private facilities. Hu Minxiong, leader of the 17th Chinese medical team, said this free-of-charge medical service not only brings tangible benefits to the police officers and their families but also provides emergency medical knowledge needed for their duties. China started dispatching medical teams to Botswana in 1981. Over the past 43 years, 17 teams with 557 medical personnel have come to work in Botswana and provided clinical service to more than two million patients. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Texas State Board of Education Chairman Keven Ellis, (Lufkin), left, and member Pam Little, (Fairview), listen to public testimony on the proposed changes to the states social studies curriculum in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022. Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer Patricia Hardy, Texas State Board Of Education. Robert E Daemmrich/State of Texas Brandon Hall, candidate for Texas State Board Of Education. Courtesy of the Hall campaign For more than 20 years, Fort Worth Republican Pat Hardy has been a reliably conservative voice on the State Board of Education. Hardy has fought for Moses to be included in social studies standards, advocated for presenting creationism alongside evolution in science textbooks and said she was an early voice to call for the banning of critical race theory from the states public schools. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But in 2024, Hardy is not conservative enough for Republican voters: She lost her primary election earlier this month against Brandon Hall, a former youth pastor who has pitched himself as a fighter for Christian conservative values. In addition to Hardys outright loss, two other Republicans on the board Pam Little and Tom Maynard were forced into runoff elections against opponents pitching themselves as stronger conservatives. All three challengers received heavy financial support from Texans for Educational Freedom, a right-wing advocacy group that cut its teeth trying to sway local school board elections but has turned its attention to overhauling the state board, spending more than $300,000 this year. Hall and the others are poised to have a big impact right away, as the board is scheduled to revise the states social studies curriculum standards next year for the first time in more than a decade. The boards decisions will influence what children will learn about government, Texas history and American history, among other topics. Despite getting contributions from three times as many donors, Hardys campaign only raised about a third as much as Hall, who brought in $146,623. Of that, $145,758 came from Texans for Educational Freedom 99.4%. Hall said he was proud to receive TEFs support, which he said he earned because of his positions on the issues. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We ran our campaign on parental rights, reforming our schools and giving our kids an excellent education, and thats really what drove the support for our campaign, he said. MORE ELECTION COVERAGE: Gov. Greg Abbotts fight for Texas school vouchers poised for victory after GOP primary The district, including parts of Fort Worth and its western suburbs, is bright red, meaning Halls election in November is all but assured. He said he attended Bible college near Chicago, where the college ran a private, Christian school for inner-city kids, sparking his passion for education policy. On the board, Hall said he would support new charter schools, oppose any kind of underlying agenda in school curriculum and avoid villainizing the oil and gas industry in teachings about climate change. He also said he wanted to take advantage of the boards new authority in setting state library standards to remove inappropriate or indoctrinating material from schools. In recent weeks, TEF flooded the district with mailers, text messages and advertising that accused Hardy of being a false conservative and said she promoted diversity, equity and inclusion in schools. Advertisement Article continues below this ad My opponent just sent out lies, one right after the other, Hardy said. I had no money to counter them. I tried by media and so forth, but it just wasnt good enough. Hardys loss mirrors those of other longtime Republican incumbents in recent years on the 15-member state board, who have been replaced by younger, more confrontational conservative activists. Its part of a larger rightward shift in the states Republican Party. Earlier this month, several conservative primary challengers ousted Texas House members and pushed others into runoffs, including House Speaker Dade Phelan. Although the Republican-majority state board has long been dominated by conservatives, newer members have been less willing to compromise with the few Democratic members and more willing to reject the advice of education or academic experts who are viewed as liberal-minded. Although the board, which vets school textbooks, sets curriculum standards and approves new charter schools, has been the setting of many heated political battles over the years, the elections traditionally have been lower-dollar for the unpaid positions. With its splashy spending in recent years fueled mostly by large-dollar donations from conservative megadonors Texans for Education Freedom has emerged as the preeminent power broker for the state board. It spent $300,000 this year, including on negative ads attacking the incumbents as weak conservatives. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The group was founded in 2021 and is dedicated to fighting communism in the classroom. Its website includes a tip line where parents can report indoctrination, radicalization, and politicization in the classroom. The group helped to oust two Republicans in 2022 who had voted against a charter school plan using money donated by the rejected schools executive. Christopher Zook, a political consultant employed by TEF, said the group boosts candidates who support educational freedom and seek to provide quality education to students in every district of Texas. We need a board that works tirelessly to improve student outcomes and empowering parents, he said. Quality education is not just about academic performance; its about creating a supportive framework that recognizes the diverse needs of each student and equips them with the tools they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom. In addition to his work for the group, Zook also is employed by two of the challengers, Hall and Jamie Kohlmann, who received funding from TEF this year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad TEFs top donor is Monty Bennett, a real estate executive, Republican donor and publisher of the Dallas Express. Hes given $235,000 this year. Other top donors in 2024 include an energy company chairman, Alex Cranberg; Texas Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston; and Charter Schools Now, the political arm of the Texas Charter Schools Association. The charter group donated about $73,000 to TEF, while the group also gave more than $30,000 to Maynard placing them on both sides of the race. In a written statement, PAC board member Starlee Coleman said the group supported Maynard, describing him as a proven champion for tens of thousands of families who want access to high-quality public schools. Little questioned why she, Maynard and Hardy had been targeted. Were some of the most conservative people on the board, but it seems like in the Republican Party youre never conservative enough, said Little, who represents Fairview in the North Dallas suburbs. I dont know. Its sort of frustrating that you can be conservative and still be labeled as not conservative enough. Little and Maynard led their challengers in the March GOP primary election but failed to secure enough votes to avoid a runoff. The second round of voting will be held May 28, one day after the Memorial Day weekend, which could further depress turnout in what is already a low-voter election. Mary Bone, Maynards challenger, is a trustee at Round Rock Independent School District, elected in 2020. Shes supported by the right-wing group Moms for Liberty and previously received donations from Defend Texas Liberty, whose leader hosted prominent white supremacist Nick Fuentes. She trailed Maynard in the initial election by about 9 percentage points. On the Round Rock board, she once forced a snap vote requesting the resignation of one of her colleagues. Kohlmann, who is challenging Little, said shes running because she believes the state board is not functioning as efficiently as it should with a two-thirds Republican majority. Members are not doing enough to ensure instructional materials are on grade level, she said. An education policy analyst and former Miss Texas, Kohlmann is endorsed by Sen. Ted Cruz. On election night, Little received 36% of the vote to Kohlmanns 27%. I think in general, (Little) has not been a consistent conservative on the board, or just a consistent voter on the board, Kohlmann said in a phone interview. In 2021, the company acquired a majority stake in VillageMD through a $5.2 billion deal, but it is now reconsidering that strategy mirroring other large chains struggle to break into primary care. According to an Aug. 7 Securities and Exchange Commission filing, Walgreens is evaluating options for VillageMD, including a potential sale of all or part of its stake, as well as restructuring alternatives. Walgreens is evaluating options for VillageMD, including a potential sale of all or part of its stake, as well as restructuring alternatives. Walgreens is currently evaluating a variety of options with respect to VillageMD in light of ongoing investments by the company in VillageMDs businesses and VillageMDs substantial ongoing and expected future cash requirement, the filing said, adding that the options could include the sale of all or part of VillageMD, as well as possible restructuring options. The Walgreens filing highlighted ongoing cash demands from VillageMD as a key issue. Walgreens has already begun reducing its involvement, announcing in June that it plans to cut back its stake in VillageMD. In a June 27 earnings call, Walgreens Boots Alliance CEO Tim Wentworth cited changing customer demographics and preferences as driving the shift, noting that 75% of Walgreens 8,600 stores generate nearly all of its retail profits. This decision comes amid clinic closures across multiple states. In October, Walgreens announced in its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings report that it will close 1,200 locations over the next three years. The closures include 500 in 2025, which should immediately support adjusted earnings and free cash flow. The closures also encompass 300 stores slated for shutdown under a previous cost-cutting initiative. Financially, Walgreens posted a $978 million operating loss in Q4 2024 a 117% increase year-over-year. Net losses jumped to $3 billion, compared to $180 million the year prior In an earnings call on Oct. 15 transcribed by Seeking Alpha, Mr. Wentworth said the closures will give the company a healthier store base and will enable us to respond to shifts in consumer behavior and buying preferences. According to the call, Walgreens exceeded its goal of cutting $1 billion in costs during fiscal 2024. This was achieved through store closures, layoffs and leveraging AI for supply chain efficiencies. However, a significant portion of its $13.2 billion operating loss stemmed from a $12.4 billion non-cash impairment charge tied to VillageMDs goodwill. VillageMDs challenges have been mounting. VillageMD has made plans to pull out of several markets in 2024, exiting Illinois, Indiana, Florida, and plans to leave Nevada by the end of the year. Six clinics in Illinois closed on April 19; 40 clinics in Florida closed in March; 12 clinics in Indiana closed earlier this year; and six clinics in Nevada are slated to close by year-end. As we prioritize creating value and enhancing our liquidity position, [Walgreens] has entered into an agreement with VillageMD that provides additional runway to continue active engagement with VillageMDs stakeholders and other third parties to evaluate a variety of options that will position it for sustainable growth, a Walgreens spokesperson said in an Aug. 8 statement shared with Beckers. [Walgreens] is fully supportive of VillageMD as we work collaboratively with VillageMD leadership toward a solution with no changes to day-to-day operations for doctors or practice operations. VillageMDs value-based care model includes a fixed fee per patient, but it requires substantial patient resources, which Walgreens lacks, according to a July report from the The Wall Street Journal. Another roadblock for Walgreens is that it doesnt have an integrated insurance company, unlike CVS Aetna. Initially, Walgreens planned to co-locate hundreds of VillageMD clinics within its stores. By 2023, more than 200 such clinics had opened, but scaling efforts stalled. Physical space constraints and recruitment challenges hampered growth. Larger health systems, offering better compensation and benefits, have made it difficult for VillageMD to attract physicians. VillageMDs inability to meet patient quotas has also been problematic. While typical primary care doctors manage panels of 2,500 or more patients, Walgreens has not disclosed its patient volumes. Moving forward, VillageMD plans to focus on increasing patient density in key markets and optimizing its clinic footprint by exiting nonstrategic locations. VillageMD has also seen leadership shakeups. Most recently, VillageMDs board appointed COO Jim Murray as interim CEO Nov. 27 after former CEO Tim Barry stepped down. The closures also mirror larger issues for the pharmacy industry financial pressures are one of the leading reasons behind the mass retail pharmacy closures. As pharmacy benefit managers and insurance companies continue to reduce reimbursements for prescriptions, many pharmacies are finding it difficult to maintain profitability. Here are five major deals that have shook up the gastroenterology industry since 2020: 1. In 2020, private equity firm Webster Equity Partners established One GI through a partnership with Gastro One. The Brentwood, Tenn.-based company now supports 195 physicians in 65 locations. 2. In 2021, Miami-based Gastro Health was sold to private equity company Omers. The enterprise value was estimated around $950 million, according to a 2022 report from VMG Health. The company was previously owned by Audax Private Equity, which acquired Gastro Health in 2016. 3. In 2022, Southlake, Texas-based GI Alliance and ASC giant United Surgical Partners International inked a joint venture deal for two Texas endoscopy centers. The partnership includes GAB Endoscopy Center in San Antonio and South Plains Endoscopy Center in Lubbock. Both are co-owned by GI Alliances physician partners. 4. In 2022, GI Alliance received a $785 million private equity investment from Apollo Global Management, which agreed to take a stake in the company as a part of a physician-led buyout. Through the deal, GI Alliances physician owners agreed to buy back a minority equity stake of about 30 percent from Waud Capital Partners, the practices private equity investor. According to a report from Bloomberg, the deal gives GI Alliance and physicians more autonomy, putting them in majority control over the board. 5. This year, GI Alliance entered a definitive agreement with Dublin, Ohio-based pharmaceutical distributor and healthcare services company Cardinal Health in which Cardinal will acquire a majority stake in GI Alliance. The acquisition marks Cardinal Healths first venture into gastroenterology. Boulder-based University of Colorado Department of Surgery developed a new discharge protocol that reduced the number of unnecessary postoperative ED visits by 48.8% in six months. In 2022, pediatric urology surgeons noticed an increase in the number of patients who returned to the ED following a urologic surgery, according to a Dec. 2 news release from the university. "We were finding a significant portion of children who were coming to the ED and were discharged just with reassurance," Kelly Harris, MD, assistant professor of urology, said in the release. "They often were having a very long ED stay and the cost of an ED visit as well that could have been avoided with either a phone call, sending us a picture, or a quick clinic visit. When you have a problem like this, it's easy to say, 'The parents need to do better; the surgeons need to do better.' But from a quality improvement standpoint, we tried to look at it more globally and see if there was anything we could do to make this problem improve." Urologists made three changes to the discharge protocol to reduce unnecessary ED visits within 30 days: 1. Changed discharge instructions to make sure families were aware of the phone number they can call anytime to ask questions to a live person. 2. Created space in the clinics for same-day or next-day appointments to evaluate urgent concerns. 3. Created a protocol that includes a decision tree for nurses who answer the phone line to clarify who should go to a clinic, to urgent care or to the ED. It also created a protocol to prepare ED staff when a patient is routed to the hospital. Six months after implementing the new protocols, the median inappropriate 30-day ED return rate sank to 2.2% a 48.8% drop from baseline. The system plans to continue making changes to the protocol to improve triage and track the proportion of patients who use urgent care clinics for postoperative concerns. VillageMD's board appointed COO Jim Murray as interim CEO Nov. 27 after former CEO Tim Barry stepped down, according to the Chicago Tribune. The Chicago-based primary care company did not provide additional information about Mr. Barry's exit. Earlier this year, VillageMD made plans to close 160 clinics after investor Walgreens incurred a $5.8 billion impairment charge related to the company. Walgreens also filed a Securities and Exchange Commission report detailing plans to sell part or all of its ownership stake in VillageMD back in August. During its latest quarterly earnings call, Walgreens CEO said VillageMD wouldn't be a "crucial" part of the company's future, as Walgreens aims to focus on its retail pharmacy business. However, Walgreens told the Tribune it would continue to work with Mr. Murray through the leadership transition and said Mr. Murray was "integral" in the company's turnaround toward profitable growth. While healthcare bankruptcies are down overall in 2024, the industry has faced significant financial instability this year, with bankruptcies continuing across hospitals, health systems, and other healthcare organizations. Amid mounting financial pressures from workforce shortages, rising operational costs, and declining reimbursement rates, many organizations have struggled to sustain operations. Here are 15 hospitals, health systems, and healthcare organizations that Becker's has reported as seeking or exiting bankruptcy protection in 2024: 1. Pontiac (Mich.) General Hospital sought Chapter 11 protection Nov. 23, a move that came after the hospital filed a Nov. 15 WARN notice to cut 248 employees after learning it lost Medicare funding. The hospital believes the Medicare fund exclusion is temporary and should last no more than six months. 2. Miami-based CareMax, a value-based senior care provider, sought Chapter 11 protection Nov. 17 and entered into an agreement with Revere Medical to sell its management services organization and its Medicare shared savings program. The company will also wind down part of its MSO business and focus on finalizing asset sales. CareMax secured lender support, which includes $30.5 million in debtor-in-possession financing to ensure operations continue during restructuring. The company expects the financing agreement, sale transaction process and restructuring plan to be completed by early 2025. 3. Bradenton, Fla.-based MCR Health, a nonprofit medical group, sought Chapter 11 protection Nov. 11. Some of the operational decisions, which include workforce reduction, will be done in phases. The company pointed to factors like damage and disruption following hurricanes Helene and Milton, along with change to reimbursement rates for behavioral health services. 4. Jersey City, N.J.-based CarePoint Health filed for Chapter 11 protection Nov. 3. The three-hospital, safety net system secured $67 million in funding to ensure that care is provided and its hospital stays open. CarePoint is also moving along plans to affiliate with Secaucus, N.J.-based Hudson Regional Hospital under management services organization Hudson Health System. The Chapter 11 filing was driven by challenges like low state funding, rising post-COVID costs and reimbursement issues. 5. Plymouth, N.C.-based Washington Regional Medical Center sought Chapter 11 protection Oct. 29 to help restructure the hospital's finances while ensuring patient care. The 25-bed critical access hospital will maintain operations without patient care, employee or daily service disruptions. Financial and restructuring experts were enlisted to help stabilize the hospital's finances, enhance investments in medical programs, workforce development and technology, and to improve operational efficiency. 6. Exactech, a Gainesville, Fla.-based medical device maker, also sought Chapter 11 protection on Oct. 29. The company entered into a restructuring agreement to sell its assets to existing investors and secured $85 million to aid operations during the restructuring process. The bankruptcy proceedings will pause the more than 2,000 state and federal patient lawsuits over its hip, shoulder and knee implants that were voluntarily recalled in both 2021 and 2022. Exactech will maintain normal operations during the bankruptcy proceedings, including manufacturing and providing medical devices, along with a focus on research and development. 7. Miami Beach, Fla.-based Clinical Care Medical Centers entered into an agreement with Conviva, a subsidiary of Humana, for $45 million after it sought Chapter 11 protection Oct. 13. CCMC lenders have agreed to provide a $10 million credit facility to fund administrative and operational expenses for the medical group. Conviva runs more than 300 locations across 15 states under Conviva and CenterWell Senior Primary Care brands. Once the transaction closes, CCMC will be integrated into CenterWell's primary care organization, a Humana spokesperson told Becker's. 8. Gardner, Mass.-based Heywood Healthcare exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy Sept. 30 after addressing financial issues, improving contracts and restructuring debt. The system sought Chapter 11 protection on Oct. 2, 2023, and has since focused on optimizing operations, consolidating services where needed and restoring financial stability as an independent, community-owned organization. Heywood comprises a 25-bed critical access hospital, a 134-bed acute care hospital, and a medical group. 9. Philadelphia-based Rite Aid exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy in early September after it completed financial restructuring. The U.S. drugstore chain sought protection last October, cut around $2 billion in debt and secured around $2.5 billion in exit financing. It now operates as a private company. 10. Brockway, Pa.-based Guardian Health sought Chapter 11 protection in late July and sold eight of its skilled nursing facilities across Pennsylvania and West Virginia to GBK Eight. The company also transferred operations of 11 skilled nursing facilities across Pennsylvania to Toms River, N.J.-based Oxford Valley Health. 11. Miami-based Cano Health exited Chapter 11 protection in early July after it filed for bankruptcy in February. The value-based primary care provider now runs as a reorganized private company that focuses on providing its Florida market with quality care. Cano's existing investors have committed more than $200 million in new capital to support its business plan under the restructuring. 12. Atlanta-based LaVie Care Centers, one of the biggest operators of skilled nursing facilities in the U.S., sought Chapter 11 protection in June. The company operates 43 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. It cited lower occupancy, inconsistent reimbursement rates and high labor costs as key financial challenges. LaVie has divested more than 90 facilities since the pandemic and faced litigation claims and lease liabilities. The company has up to $1 billion in assets and liabilities reaching $10 billion. It is working on a plan to repay creditors and potentially reorganize or sell operations. 13. San Diego-based Cue Health, a healthcare technology company, sought Chapter 7 protection in late May and shared plans to wind down operations. The decision came after unsuccessful efforts to improve the company's capital structure and operational efficiency. Cue's CEO resigned in March and Clint Sever, the company's co-founder, was promoted to the role. Despite reviewing its business strategy and engaging with strategic advisors, the company opted for bankruptcy. It also failed to release its first quarter financial report in May and received a warning letter from the FDA regarding its emergency use authorization for a COVID-19 test. 14. Dallas-based Steward Health Care sought Chapter 11 protection May 6. The for-profit system operated 31 hospitals in eight states at the start of the year but has sold or closed many of its hospitals as part of restructuring efforts. Steward Chairman and CEO Ralph de la Torre, MD, "amicably separated" from the health system on Oct. 1, which came after a unanimous Senate vote on Sept. 25 to hold him in contempt after skipping a hearing he was subpoenaed to attend earlier that month. Federal officials detained Dr. de la Torre the week of Nov. 18 to execute a search warrant and seize his phone as part of an ongoing investigation into the system. Officials also recently seized the phone of Armin Ernst, head of Steward's international operations. 15. Pearl River, N.Y.-based Acorda Therapeutics sought Chapter 11 protection April 1. The company closed a $185 million asset purchase agreement with Merz Therapeutics on July 10. Acorda opted to seek bankruptcy protection after it explored multiple strategic options. The company faced high bankruptcy risks in 2019, but its employees rated it highly for workplace satisfaction in 2020. Pennsylvania filed an emergency motion Dec. 1 in bankruptcy court after Dallas-based Steward Health Care requested $3 million per month by Dec. 2 for its Sharon (Pa.) Regional Medical Center or it would begin closing the 163-bed hospital. Here are seven things to know: 1. The motion, filed on behalf of Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry, claimed that Steward made the state aware of its demands on Nov. 27. "This is very troubling, and it is unreasonable," the motion said. "It is simply impossible for Pennsylvania to agree to the debtors' [Steward] demand by tomorrow morning [Dec. 2]." 2. The motion also requested a two-week delay of the closure notice to allow time for the state to finalize a deal to sell the hospital to Meadville (Pa.) Medical Center. 3. Sharon Regional comprises more than 750 employees and generates around $115 million in economic activity for the area it serves, the motion said. 4. Steward, which sought Chapter 11 protection on May 6, shared in late August that it was seeking $1.5 million from Pennsylvania to support the hospital or else it would submit a closure notice. Since September, the state has provided $4.5 million to the hospital to help maintain operations during the search for a new operator. 5. In early August, Steward also shared that it would be closing Sharon Regional's 125-year-old nursing school after its current class of students graduate next May. 6. "In the event that the debtors file a closure notice, Pennsylvania believes that there will be irreparable damage to Sharon hospital," the motion said. "Historically, when a closure notice is issued, a decline in patients occurs, there are efforts by employees to seek new employment, and efforts by physicians and other professional staff to look for other opportunities as well." 7. A hearing regarding the status of Sharon Regional has been scheduled for Dec. 4 and the court also granted a Dec. 4 deadline extension related to concerns over the hospital. Steward did not have a comment for Becker's at this time. Becker's has reached out to Ms. Henry's office and Meadville Medical Center for comment and will update this story should more information become available. Editor's note: Following a Dec. 4 bankruptcy court hearing, Pennsylvania now has until Dec. 9 at 11:59 p.m. ET to secure funding for the hospital or Steward will begin the closure process. Pittsfield, Ill.-based Illini Community Hospital, part of Quincy, Ill.-based Blessing Health System, has shared plans to close its child care center Feb. 28, 2025. The closure comes due to recruitment challenges for finding qualified early-learning teachers and other employees, along with costs for maintaining and administering the center, according to a Nov. 19 news release. "[D]ue to challenges in recruiting additional staff, we have been unable to deliver services to the level for which we strive, and have been unable to increase enrollment to the point where the center could break even financially," Holly Jones, RN, MSN, administrator for Illini Community Hospital, said in the release. "To break even without an enrollment increase would require a fee increase that would be unsustainable for our families." The closure will affect 12 employees, 52 children and 45 families that are enrolled either full time, part time or as needed. The system added that affected employees have been offered help in finding other jobs they are qualified for at the hospital or health system. The hospital has also connected with the families and encouraged them to contact the West Central Illinois Child Care Connection for other potential child care options prior to the closure. Craig Wagoner has been named president and CEO of Fresno, Calif.-based Community Health System. Mr. Wagoner, who has served as executive vice president and COO since 2020, joined the system 18 years ago as COO of Clovis (Calif.) Community Medical Center. He later served as CEO of Clovis Community and Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, according to a Dec. 2 news release from the system. He succeeds Craig Castro, who announced his retirement in November. Community Health System includes four inpatient hospitals as well as long-term care and outpatient facilities. Tom Keller will no longer assume the role of president and CEO of Joplin, Mo.-based Freeman Health System, the organization confirmed. The system announced in September that he would take on the position on Dec. 1. Paula Baker will remain CEO until a new leader is appointed, a spokesperson for the health system confirmed to Becker's on Dec. 2. Ms. Baker, who has served as CEO for 13 years, previously shared plans to retire. Freeman Health System did not provide details on why Mr. Keller is no longer assuming the role. Mr. Keller most recently served as president and CEO of West Plains, Mo.-based Ozarks Healthcare. He is no longer with Ozarks Healthcare, a spokesperson confirmed to Becker's. Melody Trimble, MSN, was named transitional CEO in November. University of Michigan Health Plan through Ann Arbor-based Michigan Medicine will end after 2025. The move follows financial losses in recent years and a "thorough business and financial assessment," according to UM Health Plan, which operates Michigan Care and Michigan Care Advantage. Michigan Medicine spokesperson Mary Masson told MLive UM Health Plan has about 190 employees and covers about 64,000 patients. UM Health Plan will discontinue operations on Dec. 31, 2025. Groups and members' claims, including for services received on Dec. 31, 2025, will be paid in 2026, according to a page of frequently asked questions. Pharmacy benefits, which are administered by Prime Therapeutics, are not affected. "We recognize the importance of affordable and reliable healthcare, and this decision was not made lightly," Ms. Masson told MLive. "Despite significant efforts to maintain the plan, the increasingly competitive health insurance landscape and changes to Medicare Advantage plans have made it unsustainable to continue offering the high level of service our members deserve." Ms. Masson added that layoffs are expected for workers operating the UM Health Plan, but the hope is to reassign affected employees within Michigan Medicine or assist them in finding other jobs. UM Health acquired Lansing-based Sparrow Health System in April 2023. The acquisition included a 90% share of Physicians Health Plan, which was rebranded as U-M Health Plan last year. The Michigan Nurses Association, which represents 2,000 nurses and healthcare professionals at University of Michigan-Health Sparrow, is raising questions about the UM Health Plan discontinuation. "Many of U of M Health Sparrow's thousands of employees rely on the health insurance plan, which we were told was one of Sparrow's assets that attracted U of M Health to buy Sparrow," Jeff Breslin, RN, president of the Professional Employee Council of Sparrow Hospital-Michigan Nurses Association, said in a news release. "Did U of M Health buy the plan just to shut it down? It's impossible to believe that no higher-ups knew about the plans financial troubles before U of M Health bought Sparrow. At the least, they should have known. And to drop this bomb on healthcare workers during negotiations to take away coverage of the very care we provide without a solid option is just unacceptable." Both sides are in negotiations for a new contract; the last contract expired Oct. 30. Council Member Edward Pollard addresses Houston ISD state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles as Miles gives a presentation and discussion at the City of Houston's Committee on Economic Development meeting on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Marty Lancton, the head of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, stands with his membership during a march on City Hall over the labor dispute related to Proposition B on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, in Houston. The 14th Court of Appeals on Thursday rejected the citys attempt to strike down a key provision of state law that governs how police and firefighters negotiate their wages and benefits, dealing a blow to Mayor Sylvester Turner in his long-running dispute with the fire union. Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer A Houston City Council member is calling on the mayor and firefighters union to protect employees from sexual misconduct in its new contract as the city prepares to settle an $850,000 lawsuit against the department. Under state law, Houston can only investigate and terminate a firefighter 180 days after misconduct took place, regardless of when it came to light with the departments management, City Attorney Arturo Michel said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The concern emerged as city officials prepare to approve a settlement for a former employee, Melinda Abbt, whos suing after an intimate video was taken from her computer by a colleague and shared with others in 2008. The firefighter who Abbt said shared her video, Chris Barrientes, has since resigned, a fire department spokesperson confirmed Tuesday. Council Member Edward Pollard is calling for the union contract to include a discovery-based timeline where investigations can start when management discovers the misconduct took place, not just right after it happened. In a letter to Mayor John Whitmire and union president Marty Lancton on Nov. 26, Pollard called for the parties to return to the negotiation table to revisit the 180-day rule in the settlement. The 180-day rule is not mentioned in the unions newly negotiated contract, Michel said. Houstons fire department defers to state law surrounding investigations should misconduct pop up, he added. Pollard cautioned long-term consequences for the integrity of the fire department and its trust among the public should the provision be followed as written. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As currently written, the 180-day rule benefits abusers rather than protecting the victims of misconduct, Pollard wrote. By barring investigations more than 180 days after the alleged incident regardless of when the misconduct is discovered we create an untenable standard that leaves employees vulnerable and erodes trust in our public institutions. Jordan Warshauer, Abbt's attorney, wrote in an email Abbt and others were appreciative of Pollard and others for considering the consequences of the 180-day rule and how it "protects those like Barrientes who engaged in severe misconduct from the full consequences of their actions." "Her case illustrates the problem with the rule since the perpetrators who stole and shared her private video hid their conduct for years until one of them confessed," Warshauer wrote. Other public safety union contracts The proposed addition to the contract wouldnt be the first time language has been amended in a city union contract after calls for accountability. Pollard, in his letter, pointed toward changes the Houston Police Officers Union made in its contract as an example and said the fire union should change its contract in the same manner. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Police union president Doug Griffith said the union amended its most recent contract to investigate cases of misconduct within 180 days of discovery of misconduct rather than when the act happened. The contract provision, though, only applies to those who have committed a felony. In those cases where an officer may have committed a felony and the department is considering termination, the police chief has to pen a letter to the Texas Attorney General notifying the office of the investigation, according to the contract. Michel said Houstons fire department is held to a similar standard under state law. The fire chief can terminate an employee after 180 days from discovery when theyve committed a felony or crime of moral turpitude and the chief believes its needed to protect a criminal investigation. The notification to the AG, though, still needs to happen within 180 days of the act, Michel said, which is what prevented Barrientes termination. Local government code allows the police unions contract to override the state law on sending a letter to the AG when the act is discovered rather than when the act occurs because the rule is specifically outlined in the contract language. In response to Pollards letter, Lancton told the Chronicle the 180-day rule was codified in state law and that he would like more specificity as to what Pollard was asking for. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Whitmires office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Council to vote on employee settlement Pollards concern about the contract comes as Houston City Council readies to approve an $850,000 settlement for Abbt on Wednesday. Abbt worked with Barrientes at Station 18 in Houstons East End. In 2017, she said she learned that after leaving her laptop at the station to take a call in 2008, Barrientes had taken an intimate video of her from the laptop that was intended for her husband and watched it repeatedly. A now-retired chief at the department told Abbts husband, who also worked as a firefighter, that Barrientes had obtained the video and shared it with him in 2008. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In November 2023, a jury found Barrientes liable and ruled Abbt should receive $250,000 for mental anguish, exemplary damages and litigation fees. Abbt has since left the department, but her husband still works there. Barrientes was demoted two ranks before he resigned last week. A fire department spokesperson declined to comment on the settlement because it had not been approved yet. Charlotte, N.C.-based Advocate Health has roughly doubled its hospital-at-home capacity in the past year. Here are nine things to know, according to a Becker's interview with program lead Dan Davis, MD: 1. Advocate Health has an average daily hospital-at-home census in the mid-70s, with the ability to treat 80 patients at a time and plans to expand that capacity to 100 by the end of 2024. The program's census was in the 40s at this time last year. 2. Advocate Health partners on hospital at home with Best Buy Health, whose Geek Squad sets up the remote patient monitoring technology such as wearable smart devices and a tablet for virtual visits with a physician. 3. The program is centered in the health system's Atrium Health market in Charlotte, N.C., and is available to patients who present to the emergency room or have been admitted at 10 Atrium hospitals located within 100 miles of Charlotte. About half the patients live in rural ZIP codes. Advocate Health intends to grow the care model to its Winston-Salem, N.C., market and Illinois. 4. The initiative has expanded from treating common conditions such as heart failure, COPD and cellulitis to oncology and post-operative patients, including after bariatric surgery. 5. The payer mix for the program is on par with Atrium's brick-and-mortar facilities, with about 60% Medicare and Medicare Advantage, roughly 10% North Carolina state Medicaid and the rest commercial insurance. 6. Under Advocate's hospital-at-home program, paramedics provide the twice-daily in-person visits required by CMS. North Carolina scope-of-practice laws enable paramedics to provide acute hospital care at home. Some states only allow registered nurses to perform the at-home visits. 7. Patient experience scores for the program have been high. Nearly 94% of hospital-at-home patients say they would recommend the care model, about 20 points higher than patients in brick-and-mortar facilities. Other benefits have included reduced readmissions and occupancy at participating hospitals. 8. The biggest challenge to scaling has been "logistics," Dr. Davis said. "So being able to locate your mobile integrated health, your community paramedics in places that are closer to where they're going to be serving patients; growing the pharmacy support in a way that minimizes the couriering of things." 9. The ultimate goal is to grow the program to 20% of inpatient bed capacity in the market, or 400 hospital-at-home "beds." Here are 10 healthcare billing fraud cases that Becker's has reported since Nov. 15: 1. Two Fresno, Calif., physicians agreed to collectively pay more than $2.4 million to settle allegations that they solicited and received kickbacks in exchange for directing prescriptions to a group of mail-order pharmacies. 2. A federal court sentenced the owner of a Texas medical supply company to 60 months in prison after she pleaded guilty to a healthcare fraud scheme. 3. A former Aetna employee was sentenced to five years in prison in Ohio over his involvement in several fraudulent claims schemes. 4. The co-founder of a shuttered Missouri-based healthcare-sharing ministry was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in a fraud scheme that the Justice Department said cheated hundreds of members. 5. Aftab Hussain, a former New York pharmacy owner, was sentenced to two to six years in prison for his role in a Medicaid fraud scheme that defrauded the state of more than $11.5 million. 6. The owner and operator of a Texas laboratory was charged for his alleged role in a $79 million respiratory pathogen panel testing fraud scheme. 7. The owner of a Michigan home health company was sentenced to three years and five months in prison for his role in a $7.9 million Medicare fraud scheme. 8. Two Aetna employees were arrested for allegedly orchestrating a $1.1 million fraud scheme. 9. A New York physician pleaded guilty to receiving kickbacks in exchange for ordering medically unnecessary brain scans. 10. Pharmaceutical company QOL Medical and its CEO, Frederick Cooper, agreed to pay $47 million to settle allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by offering kickbacks to healthcare providers to induce prescriptions for their drug Sucraid. For the first time, the Supreme Court will hear arguments about whether states can ban gender-affirming care for youths. The case revolves around a Tennessee law that bars transgender minors from using puberty blockers and hormones. In June 2023, a federal judge stopped the state's ban on these medications and allowed the ban on gender-affirming surgery for minors, according to The Hill. An appeals court then ruled about a month later to allow both bans to continue. On Dec. 4, the Supreme Court will begin to hear arguments from the Biden administration and the American Civil Liberties Union, which represents the parents and teens, and the counsel for Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Thomas Skrmetti. A high number of briefs 80 have been filed on both sides, The Hill reported. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association and about a dozen other medical groups have filed in support of the plaintiffs, while more than 20 states have filed briefs to support upholding Tennessee's ban. The court's ruling could affect any of the more than 100,000 transgender youths in Tennessee or any of the 23 other states with bans on gender-affirming care, according to The Washington Post. Clearway Health has entered into a partnership with Sinai Chicago to expand specialty pharmacy services aimed at improving care for patients facing chronic conditions like multiple sclerosis, cancer and cystic fibrosis. The collaboration will embed Clearway Health's pharmacy team directly within Sinai Chicago's clinical staff to streamline medication management, improve patient adherence and address health disparities, according to a Dec. 3 Clearway Health news release. Sinai Chicago, which serves a large patient population experiencing health inequities, will also expand retail pharmacy services and incorporate new specialty pharmacy offerings under the partnership. The initiative aims to improve operational workflows and ensure greater access to medications, including limited distribution drugs, the release said. Clearway Health will also support Sinai Chicago in pharmacy accreditation processes and implementing clinical programs targeting conditions like hepatitis C and HIV. Among U.S. workers, women express less confidence in their well-being than men. This finding comes from a recent report by Alight, a consulting and technology company, which surveyed more than 2,000 U.S. workers on job satisfaction, desired workplace tools and resources, and overall well-being. The survey, conducted in March and April, found that roughly half of men rated their overall well-being positively, compared to only 38% of women. Women were also less bullish than men for each well-being metric in the survey. The biggest gender gap occurred on financial well-being, at 31% compared to 46%, respectively. Additionally, more women than men reported experiencing symptoms of burnout (48% vs. 36%), according to the survey. Laine Thomas Conway, vice president of engagement services strategy at Alight, told Fortune that gender differences in personal and professional priorities are a primary contributor. In her interview with the publication, Ms. Thomas Conway emphasized the importance of providing meaningful benefits to female workers, highlighting options such as flexible work arrangements, mental health resources, and subsidized child care. Female healthcare executives have also stressed the importance of prioritizing well-being, particularly amid today's industry challenges. They told Becker's their strategies for balancing work and life range from setting PTO boundaries to investing in small daily habits. The Legacy Foundation of Kentuckiana provided the grant for the Rosa robot, CHI Saint Joseph Health said in a Nov. 26 news release. Knee replacement demand has grown at an annual rate of 4.2% in the hospitals region. Rosa robotics gives surgeons soft tissue feedback and precise bone resections to help with implant alignment and positioning. The robot will also strengthen the hospitals ability to recruit orthopedic surgeons. 1. A Texas neurosurgeon settled allegations he billed Medicare for spine procedures he didnt perform, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Texas said Nov. 27. Rajesh Bindal, MD, allegedly billed for the surgical implantation of neurostimulator devices from March 16, 2021, to April 22, 2022. He is paying $2 million to resolve the allegations. 2. Medtronic has entered into a settlement with Dan Abrams Co. in a yearslong spine device fraud lawsuit. The initial lawsuit was filed in 2015 by the Dan Abrams Co., which alleged that Medtronic represented certain spine devices that could only be used in the cervical spine as being applicable to the thoracolumbar spine in an FDA clearance application as a class 2 device. A federal district court in California ruled in favor of Medtronic in 2019, but the plaintiffs appealed and circuit court reversed the decision. The two parties agreed to settle the dispute Oct. 31, informing the court in a Nov. 27 stipulation of dismissal. NI family business explains 56-year success story with 56 stores across UK and Ireland Financial statements from Harry Corry Ltd shed light on why the soft furnishing specialist is such an enduring name in NI. Harry Corry Ltd, which has 56 stores in the UK and Ireland, specialises in soft furnishings Margaret Canning Tue 3 Dec 2024 at 14:07 One of Northern Irelands most familiar names in retail has shed light on its longevity in its latest accounts. Veterinary pharmaceutical giant Norbrook, which is based in Newry, has reported a rise of around one-third in pre-tax profits to reach 5.3m, it announced today. The company said it was an improved performance, after a downturn in demand led to 180 redundancies announced in May 2023. Pre-tax profits for the 12 months to July 28 2024 at the company, now led by CEO Andrea Iucci, had climbed from 3.9m the year before. However, its revenue had fallen from 233m to 219m. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Mr Iucci said the previous year revenue figures had benefitted from some back orders which were absent in the latest year. He said he was pleased with the years performance. In general, it was a very good 2024.. "In general, I think it was outstanding because there was not a single indicator or area or function where we have not made progress, investment or changes or improvement in the strategies. Norbrook said its global sales order intake in the second half of 2024 was up 16% compared to 2023, generating a net profit of 5.3m, compared to the second half of 2023. On a full-year basis, it was up 8%. And the 6% year on year drop in sales revenue was also partly down to the impact of foreign exchange gains and growth in 2023. In a statement, the company said: Norbrooks sustained profit levels highlight resilience and support optimism for future profitability as revenues recover. Improvements in operational excellence and quality metrics, combined with cost reduction initiatives have seen overall improvements in efficiencies ensuring sustainable business success. "The company grew year-on-year in Ireland, UK, and MENA, despite facing significant price pressures that created a challenging environment in the USA. The company distributes products to over 100 countries, with operations in the UK and Ireland, Europe, US, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The company also introduced new products during the year, including the first oral treatment for feline hyperthyroidism, which has now been approved in the US market by the FDA. It has huge advantages for patients, for pet owners, because its a palatable oral solution for a chronic disease rather than a tablet, pets do no like tablets that much, Mr Iucci said. And he said its workforce numbers were now steady, and said redundancies last year had been made on a voluntary basis. It now has 1,700 staff globally, including 1,370 in Newry. The workforce had climbed 2.4% during 2024, he added. We do believe the workforce we have today is the one we need to compete at the moment. "If revenues will continue to grow we have a five-year plan to increase our commercial presence. We are hiring on research and development (R&D) and we have an increase of 50% of R&D investments this year and next year. We are in the positive cycle. A clinic director in Houston with a 39-week pregnant patient in September 2023. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Catalina Leano, a clinical nurse at Houston Women's Reproductive Services, cleans off an examination table at the Houston clinic on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer A former Houston medical student who is training in Pennsylvania, holds The Green Journal, an OBGYN trade publication on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022 in Houston. With the stricter abortion laws, shes not sure she wants to return to Houston to continue her career. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer MD director of cardio- obstetrics Valeria Duarte, 39, checks on Lourdes Arias-Salbes, 35, during a doctors visit on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, at Houston Methodist Hospital in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Texas officials will not investigate pregnancy-related deaths for 2022 and 2023, skipping over the years immediately following the states controversial abortion ban, which critics say has led to more dangerous and sometimes fatal pregnancies. The states Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee, which announced the decision this fall after years of trying to catch up on its count, said it was jumping ahead to provide more contemporary data for state lawmakers. Dr. Carla Ortique, who chairs the committee, said the Texas Department of State Health Services will still release some mortality data from 2022 and 2023, even though the committee is not providing in-depth analysis of causes and trends. Reached for comment this week, Ortique said the committee had been planning to skip forward since earlier this year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The move comes after the committee delayed the release of its last major review, in 2022, which showed a higher rate of life-threatening hemorrhaging among Black women during childbirth in Texas through 2020. Critics at the time accused Gov. Greg Abbott, who appoints the committee members, of pushing it off until after his reelection bid. The committee now says its 2024 review, which would be the first glimpse into impacts from the period after the fall of Roe v. Wade, will be ready sometime in 2026, the same year Abbott could run for a record-setting fourth term. The decision, first reported by The Washington Post, has caused an uproar among some Democrats and womens health advocates. Nakeenya Wilson, a former member of the committee whose position was eliminated by the state Legislature last year, said that while ideally the committee would be up-to-date, compared to other states, its not uncommon or unusual for it to be a year or two behind. After Roe v. Wade was overturned in the summer of 2022, Texas moved to ban nearly all abortions except those that endanger the life of the mother. At least two pregnant Texans have died since then, which experts said could have been avoided had they had access to abortion care, according to reporting from ProPublica. Another Texas woman died under similar circumstances in 2021, just after Texas had implemented an earlier version of its ban that prohibited abortions after roughly six weeks of pregnancy, according to ProPublica. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Advocates have expected the abortion bans to increase maternal deaths as more women will carry pregnancies to term. Black women die at higher rates during childbirth than white women and other groups in Texas and nationally. Wilson, who is Black and experienced life-threatening complications during childbirth, said she hopes the committees decision wasnt politically motivated. Whatever the cause, she said, the effect is still that it manipulates the numbers to policymakers benefit. Data tells a story, and were silencing the data, Wilson said, adding that state leaders who support the abortion ban have claimed publicly that its saving lives and helping families. Anything in the data that could counter that narrative doesnt serve them. Chris Van Deusen, a spokesman for the Texas Department of State Health Services, said the decision had nothing to do with politics. Nobody tried to steer anything in this direction, he said. It really was the experts trying to determine what's best and how to get the best, most current, most accurate information about these deaths. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Abbotts office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the decision. It did not previously say whether it was involved in the 2022 delay. Van Deusen has denied in the past that the governors reelection was a factor in the committees work. This is not the first time the state has skipped years when reviewing the death data. In 2022, the state jumped ahead by six years, from 2013 to 2019, to comply with the requirements of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grant. If we were still reviewing year after year, we would probably be at about 2016 right now, Ortique said during a September committee meeting. State Rep. Donna Howard, a Democrat from Austin who chairs the bipartisan Texas House Women's Health Caucus, told Texas Public Radio this week that while she appreciated the effort to focus on more recent cases, skipping 2022 and 2023 will not give us the information we need to have. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This is about making sure we do all we can to protect the lives of Texas moms, protect their babies and protect their families, she said. Anything we do short of that is just absolutely anti-pro-life. Howard, Wilson and other advocates have recommended that the committee speed up their review process by doing away with the time-consuming redactions that are required in Texas but not in other states. Van Deusen said the committee has undergone changes to try to get faster: The state Legislature has added more members to the committee, and the committee has implemented a new, automated redaction process. The committee releases reports for the legislature every two years. This year, the committees report of pregnancy-related deaths from 2020 found the rate of maternal deaths had increased compared to the previous year, from 16.7 deaths per 100,000 live births to 23.1 deaths, according to the report. Racial disparities, especially among non-Hispanic Black women, persisted. Ortique said in September that the committee still wants to review deaths from 2021 to better assess the impact of the pandemic on pregnant women. The committee also plans to still collect and upload pregnancy-related death and illness data from 2022 and 2023 into its public dashboards, with some preliminary analyses of them. That information, however, will not include more detailed findings and recommendations that inform legislation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Van Deusen argued that any effects of the abortion bans would likely show up in 2024 data as well. If there was some sort of systemic change, or some sort of systemic thing going on, that would still be occurring in 2024, he said. And the reviews would pick up on that. Wilson disagreed with that assessment. The Boyne Bridge near Sandy Row, is being dismantled as part of the redevelopment of the streets around the new Grand Central Station. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press Sandy Row traders suffering from the effects of the Boyne Bridge closure have pleaded for help from Belfast City Council, with one businessman saying the place was either log-jam or ghost town. At the December full meeting of the council, three workers gave a deputation to elected representatives, with two stating they had lost 30 and 40 percent of their business since the bridge closure, while another claimed the effects were worse than Covid. Durham Street, which runs off Sandy Row, has been closed to allow for the dismantling of the Boyne Bridge, which is part of works relating to the creation of the new Grand Central Station, and the greater Weavers Cross plan for the area. Translink has said the whole redevelopment will be completed by the end of 2025. However the works have created great disruption in the area, both on a cultural and economic level, with local groups opposing the demolition of the Boyne Bridge due to its cultural and historical significance, as well as the works decimating effects on local trade. Sarah McCusker, who owns Kut above k9 Grooming, told the chamber: As a trader on Sandy Row, the closing of the Boyne Bridge on October 12 has caused our award-winning business to have a significant loss. Traffic disruption caused by the bridge closure has meant our customers cant make it to appointments and therefore have to cancel at the last minute, often en route. Customers who do make it are often late this causes a huge disruption to the day to day running of our appointment based business. My colleagues and I are having to change our business hours in order to try and work around the traffic. I am now opening the salon at 7.30am for earlier drop-offs in the hope our customers will miss the chaos. Between 4pm and 6pm traffic is at a standstill, meaning pick-up times can be up to an hour late. We are a service based business, we need to be accessible to our clients, or they will go elsewhere. With around a 30 percent loss in business from October and November, and the cost of keeping the premises open for longer hours, the reality of the situation is we will not be able to continue this for another ten months. Ben Allen, who runs Allens Tours and the TA Allen Furniture Shop at the crossroads of Sandy Row and Donegall Road, said: The problem is people cant get to us. Its a log-jam one minute, and the place is a ghost town the next. I have actually had office staff who have had to quit over the last week, who were coming in from the likes of Banbridge, because they need to leave at five oclock in the morning to get in before the traffic, and then they are not getting home until seven or half seven at night. He added: We need rates relief we are paying basically city centre rates in Sandy Row and the Donegall Road. And we have nothing now, no passing trade, we dont even have any fairy lights or Christmas lights. This is worse than Covid. CJ McDowell, representing Kirks Home Bakery, told the chamber: Two ladies who work in our shop are from Lisburn. Pre- Boyne Bridge closure the commute to and from their workplace was 20 minutes either way. That same 20 minute commute has turned into a two hour commute. I am sure some of you have the easy solution public transport. You will be pleased to note these ladies now take public transport, at an extra cost of 160 a month. How is this feasible? After the council meeting, South Belfast MLA Edwin Poots said he had spoken to Translink and Belfast City Council, to determine what help could be provided for Sandy Row traders, and added the Stormont Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons was prepared to look at a scheme to assist. The Boyne Bridge near Sandy Row, is being dismantled as part of the redevelopment of the streets around the new Grand Central Station. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press News Catch up - Tuesday 3 December The Parthenon Sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles, at the British Museum (Matthew Fearn/PA) Sir Keir Starmer would not stand in the way of a deal which could see the Elgin Marbles returned to Greece, Downing Street has indicated. Thug who bragged about whipping the arse of train conductor at Co Antrim station is jailed Requiem Mass for the young woman who died suddenly at a Belfast nightclub will take place on Thursday afternoon, a funeral notice has confirmed. Chloe Ferris, aged in her 20s, was pronounced dead at Lux nightclub in the early hours of Sunday morning when emergency services arrived at the scene shortly after 2.20am. A 999 call was made regarding two people who fell unconscious the second woman remains in hospital and is believed to have been a friend of the deceased. The notice confirmed the funeral service for Ms Ferris will take place at St Pauls Church for 1.00pm Requiem Mass followed by burial in Milltown Cemetery. The notice added: Deeply regretted by her heartbroken mother, father and entire family circle. Earlier on Monday Belfast nightclub Lux released a statement confirming their thoughts and sympathies are with the parents and family during this very difficult time. A spokesperson added: "Our focus is now to help the police with their investigation and our staff wellbeing." Ms Ferris has been described as beautiful inside and out in emotional tributes shared online. Meanwhile a police investigation is underway with enquiries at a very early stage. A death notice described Ms Ferris as the beloved daughter of Declan and Sharon, much-loved sister of Christopher, Declan, and Barry, cherished aunt, niece, cousin, part of the Sister Squad, and friend to many. Lux nightclub Devastated friends of the beauty technician from Belfast have been expressing shock and sadness on social media. The nicest friend with the purest soul. Glad to have been your friend, one wrote. Another said: Heartbreaking. Chloe was the most beautiful person, both inside and out. Thinking of her friends and family at this very sad time. Beauty training academy Enhance Belfast also posted a tribute online: Absolutely heartbreaking, our lovely student Chloe. Sending so much love to her family and friends. The former St Louises Comprehensive College pupil ran her own beauty salon in Newtownabbey and recently returned to her former school to share her experiences. Started Chloes Beauty when I was in St Louises doing my A-levels, she wrote on Facebook. "Now Annas 6th year students are using my small business as the example in their A-level coursework. A full circle moment. Ms Ferris former primary school, St Clares PS in Belfast, expressed their condolences online, adding: Thinking of one of our past pupils who died suddenly today, Chloe Ferris. Deepest sympathy to her mum, dad, and brothers at this heartbreaking time, from all staff, past and present. Sinn Fein councillor Claire Canavan said it was "devastating news. It is absolutely tragic that a young woman has so suddenly lost her life. I want to extend my deepest condolences to the Ferris and Dynes families and friends as they come to terms with this heartbreaking news, she said. SDLP councillor Gary McKeown added: This is terrible news, and my thoughts are with the family and friends of the woman who died. For something like this to happen is tragic, but it is particularly poignant at this time of year. Sinn Fein MLA Orlaithi Flynn also added her sympathies. The west Belfast MLA said: I am shocked and deeply saddened to learn that a young woman lost her life in the early hours of Sunday morning in Belfast city centre. This is an absolute tragedy, and I want to extend my deepest condolences to the womans family and friends who have woken today to this unthinkable and heartbreaking news. My thoughts are also with another woman and her loved ones as she remains in hospital today undergoing treatment. Police have appealed for anyone who may be able to assist their investigation to contact them. Hospitality Ulster chief executive Colin Neill said it was deeply distressing news. Nobody should ever go on a night out and not return home, he said. "As we await more information, we extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the woman who has died. Our thoughts are also with the woman who remains in hospital. Anyone who may be able to assist the police with their investigation should contact them immediately. A PSNI spokesperson said: Police enquiries are at a very early stage, and anyone who believes they may have information that could assist can contact police on 101, or submit information online via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport. Chloe Ferris News Catch Up: Monday 2nd December The heartbroken father of Chloe Ferris has described how she lived life to the full before her tragic death in a Belfast nightclub at the weekend. The 24-year-old, who was out in the city celebrating her 25th birthday in Lux nightclub, fell unconscious and died in the venue, while another friend was hospitalised, in the early hours of Sunday. Speaking to the Irish News from the family home in Newtownabbey, dad Declan told the newspaper the tragedy was beyond belief. Our whole family is just heartbroken, he said. Chloe was out celebrating her birthday and for something like this to happen is beyond belief. She was out with her friends celebrating. It was supposed to be her 25th birthday on Wednesday. Chloe was an incredibly hard-working girl. She worked nine to nine every day and Saturday was the only time she would have been able to get a day off in the lead-up to Christmas. Widespread tributes were paid to Ms Ferris after the news broke at the weekend, with her funeral to take place at St Pauls Church on Thursday. Her father said the west Belfast woman, who ran a successful beauty business in Newtownabbey, was someone who had a close circle of friends and loved to travel the world. Poignantly, he told the newspaper: I think to myself was there something in the back of her head that knew something was coming, and thats why she packed so much into her short life. Chloe built a successful business and had a great group of friends who were extremely close, he added. She had travelled the world and really lived life to the full. We had actually been saying to her that she needed to relax a bit. She was in America and Australia last year thats just what she loved doing. She went to Africa as well to help the children out there. Thats the type of girl she was. She wasnt one to save money or anything like that; she worked hard and enjoyed herself and then did it all again. The house is completely packed in there. There are people spilling outside. They are from all sides of the community and of all ages that tells you everything about Chloe. On Monday, Belfast nightclub Lux released a statement, saying that the venues thoughts and sympathies are with the parents and family during this very difficult time. A spokesperson added: Our focus is now to help the police with their investigation and our staff wellbeing. Devastated friends of Ms Ferris have taken to social media to express their shock and sadness. The nicest friend with the purest soul. Glad to have been your friend, one wrote. Another read: Heartbreaking. Chloe was the most beautiful person, both inside and out. Thinking of her friends and family at this very sad time. Beauty training academy Enhance Belfast also posted a tribute online: Absolutely heartbreaking, our lovely student Chloe. Sending so much love to her family and friends. The PSNI continues to investigate Ms Ferriss death. A spokesperson said at the weekend: Police enquiries are at a very early stage, and anyone who believes they may have information that could assist can contact police on 101 or submit information online via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport. Chloe Ferris News Catch Up: Monday 2nd December In 2023, the UK Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the trading arrangements for Northern Ireland are lawful (PA) A prospective legal challenge has been initiated in a bid to prevent a Stormont vote on continuing post-Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland. Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson has issued pre-action protocol correspondence to Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn challenging his move to initiate the democratic consent process that is required under the UK and EUs Windsor Framework deal. The vote on extending the current system is expected to take place in the Northern Ireland Assembly on December 10. Mr Bryson has threatened to take an emergency judicial review if Mr Benn does not respond by December 5 confirming that he is stopping the democratic consent process. Mr Brysons argument is grounded on law changes introduced by the previous UK government earlier this year as part of its Safeguarding the Union deal to restore powersharing at Stormont. He claims that if the amendments achieved their purpose namely, to safeguard Northern Irelands place within the United Kingdom then it would be unlawful to renew and extend post-Brexit trading arrangements that have created economic barriers between the region and the rest of the UK. In 2023, the UK Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the trading arrangements for Northern Ireland are lawful. The appellants in the case argued that legislation passed at Westminster to give effect to the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement conflicted with the 1800 Acts of Union that formed the United Kingdom, particularly Article 6 of that statute guaranteeing unfettered trade within the UK. The Supreme Court found that while Article 6 of the Acts of Union has been modified by the arrangements, that was done with the express will of a sovereign parliament and so therefore was lawful. Mr Bryson contends that amendments made to the Withdrawal Agreement earlier this year as part of the Safeguarding the Union measures proposed by the Government to convince the DUP to return to powersharing purport to reassert and reinforce Northern Irelands constitutional status in light of the Supreme Court judgment. If this legislative provision has meaning, then it must surely act as a barrier to the continued subjugation and suspension of Article 6 of the Acts of Union which the consent vote proposes to bring about, he said. Jamie Bryson has issued pre-action protocol correspondence to Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn (PA) Mr Bryson added: This emergency legal challenge will test the strength of these purported constitutional guarantees. If it transpires the supposed constitutional guarantees secured via the Safeguarding the Union deal are in fact utterly useless, then that surely must raise urgent questions about the sustainability of unionist participation in the NI Executive. The framework, and its predecessor the Northern Ireland Protocol, require checks and customs paperwork on goods moving from Great Britain into Northern Ireland. Under the arrangements, which were designed to ensure no hardening of the Irish land border post-Brexit, Northern Ireland continues to follow many EU trade and customs rules. This has proved highly controversial, with unionists arguing the system threatens Northern Irelands place in the United Kingdom. Advocates of the arrangements argue they help insulate the region from negative economic consequences of Brexit. A dispute over the so-called Irish Sea border led to the collapse of the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2022, when the DUP withdrew then first minister Paul Givan from the coalition executive. The impasse lasted two years and ended in January when the Government published its Safeguarding the Union measures. Under the terms of the framework, a Stormont vote must be held on articles five to 10 of the Windsor Framework, which underpin the EU trade laws in force in Northern Ireland, before they expire. The vote must take place before December 17. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn (PA) Based on the numbers in the Assembly, MLAs are expected to back the continuation of the measures for another four years, even though unionists are set to oppose the move. DUP leader Gavin Robinson has already made clear his party will be voting against continuing the operation of the Windsor Framework. Unlike other votes on contentious issues at Stormont, the motion does not require cross-community support to pass. If it is voted through with a simple majority, the arrangements are extended for four years. In that event, the Government is obliged to hold an independent review of how the framework is working. If it wins cross-community support which is a majority of unionists and a majority of nationalists then it is extended for eight years. The chances of it securing such cross-community backing are highly unlikely. Speaking to reporters in Dublin, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said the vote will go ahead because its provided for in the legislation. He said: I started the process as required by writing to the Speaker, and the motion has now been tabled. It is a decision for the Assembly to make whether they wish articles five to 10 of the Windsor Framework to continue in place. We wait to see the result, and then we will act accordingly again in accordance to the legislation. Asked about the Windsor Framework arrangements, the Tanaiste, Micheal Martin, said there was a window of opportunity in the time ahead with no imminent elections in the UK and Ireland to get down to the business of delivering in partnership for the people in Northern Ireland. Chloe Ferris, aged in her 20s, was pronounced dead at Lux nightclub Two men have been arrested as part of the investigation around the death of Chloe Ferris after her sudden death in Lux nightclub in Belfast. Police confirmed the men both aged in their 20s were arrested on suspicion of drug related offences. The PSNI confirmed they had been released on bail pending further enquiries and stressed that a post mortem has been carried out and an investigation is still continuing to determine the cause of Ms Ferris death. The 24-year-old beautician from Belfast was pronounced dead at Lux nightclub in the early hours of Sunday morning when emergency services arrived at the scene shortly after 2.20am. A 999 call was made regarding two people who fell unconscious, with her friend still in hospital receiving treatment. A PSNI spokesperson added: Police are continuing to appeal to anyone who may have any information which could assist with the investigation to contact them on 101, or submit information online via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. Chloe Ferris, aged in her 20s, was pronounced dead at Lux nightclub News Catch up - Tuesday 3 December REVEALED | Shocking cost of fixing NI's sub-standard road network after figure almost triples Watchdog report says DfI is failing in its targets to check on excavations by utility companies, meaning taxpayer could be left liable for their shoddy work Utility companies dug up the local road network 55,000 times last year Liam Tunney Tue 3 Dec 2024 at 07:00 The cost of meeting the current maintenance backlog on our road network is 3bn, the NI Audit Office has revealed. Residents and school principal tell of their grief and upset over tragic Malika Garda at the scene in New Ross, Co Wexford, after a girl died following an assault at a house. The girl, understood to be eight years old, was taken to University Hospital Waterford but died from her injuries in the early hours of Monday. Picture date: Monday December 2, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story IRISH Assault. Photo credit should read: Cillian Sherlock/PA Wire An eight-year-old girl who died after she was stabbed in her home had attempted to intervene in a row between two adults. Malika Al Katib is understood to have been awoken by a commotion at her home New Ross, Co Wexford. She attempted to intervene to protect a woman who was in a dispute with a man. The schoolgirl received a stab wound in the altercation. Gardai and emergency services were called to the property in the William Street area at around 11.45pm on Sunday. A chief suspect in the case has been identified as the male. He is a 34-year-old man who was being treated at Wexford General Hospital last night for suspected self-inflicted stab wounds which are described as non-life threatening. Gardai believe he stabbed the 31-year-old woman. She is also being treated for non-life threatening injuries. The case is being treated as a murder investigation and gardai are following a definite line of enquiry in the case. The scene remained preserved for forensic examination yesterday. Gardai said a post-mortem examination would be scheduled. Residents in the area have expressed shock at the tragic incident. Michael Sheehan, independent councillor in New Ross, said the community had been left devastated by the death. People are very shocked that this has happened in our community, he said. All of our thoughts and prayers are with the young girl and her family. We hope that they will get some comfort over the coming weeks and months from the support from the local community, who will do whatever they can. Its an awful tragedy that has befallen our community. William Street is a tight-knit community with a strong sense of solidarity, so they will help and do everything they can. People are so aghast this has happened, particularly as everyone will be putting up Christmas trees in what was meant to be a happy time. This has really shocked the town and there is a feeling of numbness. Mr Sheehan sits on the board of the school which the young girl attended. The girl attended the local Educate Together, which is a very close-knit school, he said. The principal and staff there are brilliant and they will have access to all the support they need to navigate the choppy waters ahead. Ive every faith they can handle this, but it is so hard for them as everyone gets ready for Christmas. Today is a difficult day and people are asking how could this happen in our community. Therese White, principal of New Ross Educate Together National School, which the girl attended, said it was a terrible tragedy. We learned this morning of the death of a student who attends our school, she said in a statement. This is a terrible tragedy for the family, our school and our community. We are deeply saddened by these events. Our sympathy and thoughts are with family and friends. The school has implemented our critical incident management plan and we are in receipt of support from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS). They have been with us all day supporting and advising teachers in their efforts to assist students at this time. Our teachers are helping students to deal with this tragic event. We will be sharing information with parents today around how they can support their children at this difficult time. Local resident Pat Rossiter said: I couldnt believe it that something like that should happen in this town. Obviously hearing the breaking news, the details were very vague, but then my wife said she saw the lights of the emergency services passing by the house around 11.45 pm last night. Its shocking to have lost a young life in our town. Its incredible. Im looking at the scene right now and its something you see on television. Youd never imagine for a second of a situation like this being in your own hometown, and here it is. Its just devastating and its a terrible, terrible loss. A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder over the death of the girl (8) at her home in New Ross, Co Wexford Garda at the scene in New Ross, Co Wexford, after a girl died following an assault at a house Garda at the scene in New Ross (Cillian Sherlock/PA) An imam has said its been a heartbreaking time for our community as a man (34) was arrested on suspicion of murdering an eight-year-old girl at her home in Co Wexford. Malika Al Katib died after she was stabbed while attempting to defend her mother in an attack at their home in New Ross on Sunday night. A man, aged in his 30s, was released from hospital today and arrested on suspicion of murder. He is the only suspect in the case. Malikas mother remains in hospital. Malika Noor Al Katib Girl who died after stabbing at Wexford home was trying to protect woman The imam of the Waterford Al-Munir Islamic Centre, Rashid Munir, said he has spoken with Malikas mother, whom he said was not in very good shape at the moment. He told RTE: She witnessed her child being murdered in front of her eyes and that is not easy. Imam Munir added that while the woman's injuries are not life-threatening, she is not in a good condition. For a mother to have lost a child, he said, "it's not easy to bear with that". He added that he hoped the burial would take place today or tomorrow, at the latest, in line with Muslim tradition. Once we get the full report, the body will be released and given over for us to do the washing and burial, as is instructed by the Muslim faith. She will be laid to rest in the Muslim graveyard in Waterford, hopefully tomorrow, he said. Imam Munir described Malika as a lovely child and a beautiful girl who was full of life and energy. She used to come to our Islamic centre. She was a lovely child who was full of energy and life. Since the news broke we are all very heartbroken, he said. She was like any eight-year-old. She was extremely smiley and showed a lot of interest in learning about Islam and did very well in her studies. She wanted to be integrated in the community and do something extraordinary. The suspect in the murder, who is originally from Kuwait, was released from hospital before noon today and brought to a garda station in Wexford. He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a garda station in the eastern region. Garda at the scene in New Ross (Cillian Sherlock/PA) The schoolgirl was at home in New Ross with her mother when the incident happened on Sunday night. It is understood that she had attempted to intervene when her mother was attacked by a man known to them. She was taken to University Hospital Waterford but died from her injuries in the early hours of Monday. The post-mortem examination, which was conducted by State Pathologist Dr Sally Anne Collis, took place yesterday the results of which will not be released for operational reasons, gardai said. A senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the inquiry and an incident room has been set up at New Ross Garda Station. Officers are appealing to anyone who may have any information to come forward. Gardai continue to investigate all of the circumstances surrounding the death of an eight year old girl following a fatal assault at a residence in New Ross, Co. Wexford on Sunday 1st December, 2024, a garda spokeswoman said in a statement. Anyone with information is asked to contact New Ross Garda Station on 051 426 030, the Garda Confidential Line on (1800) 666 111 or any Garda Station, she added. Gardai and emergency services were called to the property in the William Street area at around 11.45pm on Sunday. Michael Sheehan, independent councillor in New Ross, said the community had been left devastated by the death. People are very shocked that this has happened in our community, he said. All of our thoughts and prayers are with the young girl and her family. We hope that they will get some comfort over the coming weeks and months from the support from the local community, who will do whatever they can. Its an awful tragedy that has befallen our community. William Street is a tight-knit community with a strong sense of solidarity, so they will help and do everything they can. People are so aghast this has happened, particularly as everyone will be putting up Christmas trees in what was meant to be a happy time. This has really shocked the town and there is a feeling of numbness. Mr Sheehan sits on the board of the school which the young girl attended. The girl attended the local Educate Together, which is a very close-knit school, he said. The principal and staff there are brilliant and they will have access to all the support they need to navigate the choppy waters ahead. Ive every faith they can handle this, but it is so hard for them as everyone gets ready for Christmas. Today is a difficult day and people are asking how could this happen in our community. Therese White, principal of New Ross Educate Together National School, which the girl attended, said it was a terrible tragedy. We learned this morning of the death of a student who attends our school, she said in a statement. This is a terrible tragedy for the family, our school and our community. We are deeply saddened by these events. Our sympathy and thoughts are with family and friends. The school has implemented our critical incident management plan and we are in receipt of support from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS). Its shocking to have lost a young life in our town. Its incredible. Im looking at the scene right now and its something you see on television. Youd never imagine for a second of a situation like this being in your own hometown, and here it is. Its just devastating and its a terrible, terrible loss. Rep. Matt Krause, R-Fort Worth, speaks to the media in 2015 at the Capitol in Austin. (AP Photo/Austin American-Statesman, Rodolfo Gonzalez) Rodolfo Gonzalez, MBO / Associated Press A Texas House committee has initiated an investigation into Texas school districts to see if their libraries carry certain books on a range of subjects, from human sexuality to systemic racism. The General Investigating Committee chair, Rep. Matt Krause, R-Fort Worth, wrote to the Texas Education Agency and a select group of superintendents, though its unclear which ones. Krause, who is running in the Republican primary for Texas attorney general, declined a request for comment, saying its the panels policy not to talk about pending matters. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The committee may initiate inquiries concerning any matter the committee considers necessary for the information of the legislature or for the welfare and protection of state citizens, Krause wrote in the Oct. 25 letter, according to a copy obtained by Hearst Newspapers. In accordance with the Committees jurisdiction and my authority as Chairman, I am initiating an inquiry into Texas school district content. READ THE LETTER: Rep. Matt Krause launches investigation into school district libraries BOOKS IN QUESTION: Addendum to Krause letter containing books in question NEWSLETTERS Join the conversation with HouWeAre We want to foster conversation and highlight the intersection of race, identity and culture in one of America's most diverse cities. Sign up for the HouWeAre newsletter here. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The probe drew immediate criticism. Texas State Teachers Association President Ovidia Molina called it disturbing and (a) political overreach into the classroom. This is an obvious attack on diversity and an attempt to score political points at the expense of our childrens education, Molina said in a statement. What will Rep. Krause propose next? Burning books he and a handful of parents find objectionable? In his letter, Krause, a founding member of the hardline conservative House Freedom Caucus, described the impetus for the inquiry as a series of controversies at Texas independent school districts Carroll, Spring Branch, Lake Travis, Leander and Katy involving books that parents wanted pulled from shelves. The letter did not mention House Bill 3979, the controversial bill Gov. Greg Abbott signed in June that limits what teachers can talk about when it comes to race and history in America and prohibits the teaching of critical race theory. But Krause asked that the districts detail whether they have bought or carry any books on a 16-page list of more than 800 he provided, or any other books that address certain topics or meet certain criteria. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The topics were: human sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV or AIDS, sexually explicit images and graphic presentations of sexual behavior that is in violation of the law. Krause also asked about books that contain material that might make students feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress because of their race or sex or convey that a student, by virtue of their race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously. It is unclear how Krause compiled his list of titles. They encompassed topics ranging from racism in America, teen pregnancy, abortion, gender identity and human sexuality including LGBT relationships. Many of the authors are people of color. Some books on the list include: What is the Black Lives Matter Movement? by Hedreich Nichols, She/He/They/Them: Understanding Gender Identity by Rebecca Stanborough and A Kids Book About Racism by Jelani Memory. Some are highly acclaimed, such as the NAACP Image Award for Nonfiction recipient, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, by Michelle Alexander, and at least two Pulitzer Prize winners, The Confessions of Nat Turner by William Styron and Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The school districts have until Nov. 12 to respond to questions about how many copies of the books on the list they have, at which campuses and how much the books cost to acquire. San Antonios two largest school districts, Northside and North East ISDs, confirmed they had received Krauses letter. The requested information is, as you might imagine, quite extensive, Northsides spokesman Barry Perez said Wednesday, adding that the district has not had sufficient time to fully review the request nor have we begun to compile information. The NEISD spokeswoman, Aubrey Chancellor, said, We will comply to the extent possible. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Incidents of censorship have been on the rise in Texas schools, especially as the Legislature has restricted education related to history and racism, said Texas Library Association Executive Director Shirley Robinson, whose group opposes any efforts to limit access to books. Censorship in any form is not only a threat to individual knowledge and growth but to the foundation of our democracy, she said in an email interview. Limiting education does a tremendous disservice to Texas students and their communities, which need engaged and informed citizens that can address future challenges. Robinson added that libraries select books to reflect the communities and families they serve. Tinkering with that process because of media reports or social media outrage results in reactionary decisions that are not in the best interest of the community, she added. Earlier this month, Spring Branch ISD in the Houston area banned a childrens graphic novel that features a transgender character from all of its elementary school libraries after a parent filed a complaint about it. Leander ISD in the Austin area has so far removed 13 books from high school book club lists that were deemed inappropriate or otherwise unfit for use, according to the Austin American-Statesman. At Katy ISD, officials had withheld a book New Kid by author Jerry Craft and postponed a speaking engagement by Craft while it was under review. The book has since been reinstated, and the event was rescheduled. Carroll ISD made headlines earlier this month when administrators gave teachers a rubric for deciding which books could remain in class libraries based on whether they offered multiple perspectives. The Queen stepped out in a deep red velvet evening gown and towering Diamond Kokoshnik Tiara as she rallied to attend a state banquet. Camilla, who is suffering from post-viral fatigue after having pneumonia, joined the King, the Prince of Wales and guests including David and Victoria Beckham in the Buckingham Palace Ballroom on Tuesday evening. The opulent state dinner, in honour of the Emir of Qatar, is a key part of the royal familys soft power diplomacy during the important state visit. The King and Queen with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and The Princess Royal during a state banquet at Buckingham Palace (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Camilla missed the outdoor ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards Parade on Tuesday, waiting in the warm inside the Palace instead, where she told guests she had suffered from pneumonia. The Diamond Kokoshnik Tiara belonged to the late Queen, as did Camillas diamond necklace. Camilla also wore diamond earrings from her own private collection and a ruby and diamond bracelet. On her gown were both the family orders of Elizabeth II and King Charles III. The diamond-encased miniature portraits of the monarchs are set on coloured silk bows and worn on the left shoulder. Family orders badges are worn at formal evening occasions by female members of the royal family and personally bestowed by the sovereign, and are a sign of the importance of the wearer within the royal household. The Duchess of Edinburgh wore a Suzannah dress with diamond and aquamarine tiara, part of the Royal Collection. The Queen contracted her chest infection after a long-haul trip to Australia and Samoa and has pulled out of a series of engagements since then, including the Royal Variety Performance, the Gladiator II premiere and the Remembrance Day service at The Cenotaph. Queen Camilla with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani ahead of a state banquet at Buckingham Palace (Aaron Chown/PA) She posed for a group photo with the King, the Emir and his wife in the archway of the White Drawing Room before the banquet. But instead of joining a reception in the Music Room before the banquet, she briefly retired for 30 minutes to take a short break, before joining the royal procession into the Ballroom, where she was seated next to the King. The Queen is said to be facing bouts of extreme tiredness as she recovers from her chest infection. A royal source said: Some days the Queen is on really good form. Its just one of those things. She has lost the coughing but the lingering side of it is bouts of extreme tiredness. There has to be a degree of flex in the Queens diary at the moment. Harvey Weinstein was hospitalised Monday following an alarming blood test, his lawyer said, less than a week after the disgraced movie mogul filed a legal claim alleging substandard medical care at New York Citys notorious jail complex Rikers Island. Weinstein, 72, was sent to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan for an emergent treatment due to an alarming blood test result that requires immediate medical attention, his lawyer Imran Ansari said in a statement. It is expected that he will remain there until his condition stabilises. Mr Ansari added: His deprivation of care is not only medical malpractice, but a violation of his constitutional rights. A spokesperson for New York Citys Department of Correction did not immediately respond to an email. Harvey Weinstein arrives for the 2008 Orange British Academy Film Awards (Joel Ryan/PA) The agencys inmate database confirmed that Weinstein had been transferred from Rikers Island to the Bellevue Hospital Prison Ward in Manhattan. Weinstein has been in city custody since earlier this year after the New York Court of Appeals overturned his 2020 rape conviction in the state. The case is set to be retried in 2025. Weinstein has denied any wrongdoing. In a legal filing last week, Weinsteins legal team accused the city of providing him with substandard medical care for a litany of medical afflictions, which include chronic myeloid leukaemia and diabetes. When I last visited him, I found him with blood spatter on his prison garb, possibly from IVs, clothes that had not been washed for weeks, and he had not even been provided clean underwear hardly sanitary conditions for someone with severe medical conditions, Mr Ansari said in a statement that likened Rikers Island to a gulag. The troubled jail complex, located on an island in New York Citys East River, has faced growing scrutiny for its mistreatment of detainees and dangerous conditions. Last week, a federal judge cleared the way for a possible federal takeover of the jail system, finding the city had placed its incarcerated population in unconstitutional danger. A publicist for Weinstein, Juda Engelmayer, echoed the allegation in a statement of her own Monday. Mr Weinstein, who is suffering from a number of illnesses, including leukaemia, has been deprived of the medical attention that someone in his medical state deserves, prisoner or not, he said. In many ways, this mistreatment constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. Hunter Biden steps into a vehicle as he leaves federal court in September in Los Angeles (Eric Thayer/AP) A federal judge has dismissed the gun case against Hunter Biden after US President Joe Biden issued a sweeping pardon for his son. US District Judge Maryellen Noreika closed the case the week before Hunter Biden was to be sentenced. He could have faced up to 25 years in prison, though as a first-time offender he was likely to have got far less time or avoided prison entirely. President Joe Biden with his son Hunter Biden on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington in July (Susan Walsh/AP) Prosecutors opposed dismissing the case, arguing in court documents that a pardon should not wipe away the case as if it never occurred. Hunter Biden was convicted on three felonies after he lied on a federal form to purchase a gun in Delaware by saying he was not a drug user in 2018, a period when he has acknowledged being addicted. The Justice Department special counsel is also opposed to dismissing a case filed in California after he failed to pay 1.4 million dollars (1.1 million) in taxes. A federal judge in Los Angeles has not yet ruled in that case. The presidents Sunday decision to go back on previous pledges and issue his son a blanket federal pardon for actions over the past 11 years has sparked a political uproar in Washington, drawing criticism from many Democrats as well as Republicans and threatening to cloud Mr Bidens legacy as he prepares to leave office on January 20. Hunter Biden was originally supposed to strike a plea deal with prosecutors last year that would have spared him prison time, but the agreement fell apart after Judge Noreika questioned unusual aspects of it. Sean Penn has accused the organisers of the Oscars of being cowards who, in effect, limit the kinds of films that can be funded and made. The 64-year-old actor said at the Marrakech Film Festival that he gets excited about the Academy Awards only on the rare occasion that films he values are nominated. The producers of the academy have exercised really extraordinary cowardice when it comes to being part of the world of expression and, in fact, have largely been part of limiting the imagination and limiting different cultural expressions, Penn said at the festival, where he received a career achievement award this week. I dont get very excited about what well call the Academy Awards, he said, noting exceptions when certain films grace the ceremony, including Sean Bakers The Florida Project, Walter Salles Im Still Here and Jacques Audiards Emilia Perez. Penns remarks dovetail with longstanding criticisms of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for lacking diversity within the ranks of its members and the films that they celebrate with awards. The institution has in recent years taken steps to reform and rebrand itself, but has faced criticism for not going far enough. Penn also lauded Iranian-Danish director Ali Abbasi and his latest film The Apprentice about US President-elect Donald Trump. It faced difficulty finding an American distributor in the lead-up to the US election in November. Its kind of jaw dropping how afraid this business of mavericks is when they get a great film like that with great, great acting, he said. They too can be as afraid as a piddly little Republican congressman. Sean Penn (Doug Peters/PA) As part of a career tribute, the Marrakech Film Festival is screening four of Penns films this week in Moroccos tourism capital. Local media in Morocco reported several audience members exiting a screening of Milk during a scene that depicted two men in bed. Homosexuality is illegal under Moroccos penal code, although cases are not frequently prosecuted. The actor, whose 2023 film Superpower documents war in Ukraine, also voiced support for President Volodymyr Zelensky and called himself a patriot in crisis in response to a question about the American political landscape. Cedar Fort, Inc. The runaway streaming success of Hulus racy The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has propelled the series onto ABCs broadcast schedule in January and sparked a creative sort of pushback. The show centers on a group of Mormon women whose TikTok videos went viral. The first eight episodes are replete with tales of soft swinging, in which cheating partners dont go all the way; some of the women drinking alcohol, a taboo in the faith; and even a domestic-violence arrest, among other eye-popping vignettes. Instead of protesting, eight women members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wrote, edited and published The Not-So-Secret Lives of REAL Mormon Wives in under two months to show how more devout members of the faith actually live, they exclusively tell The Post. Although church members have been called Mormons for decades, the current vibe is to prefer the longer name. This came from a 2018 change by the groups president and prophet, Russell M. Nelson, now age 100. The edict morphed the famed Mormon Tabernacle Choir handle into the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, for example. But if you imagine the volume comprises stories of prepping batches of lime-green Jell-O (a Utah staple), saying Oh, my heck and listening to Donny Osmond albums, think again. The eight authors each telling her tale in a single chapter want their stories to be seen as reinforcing the churchs basic teachings but also about how faith helps them deal with various challenges, from the mundane to the extraordinary. The stories range from the account of a hyper-successful fashion entrepreneur to a Zumba-teaching mom who advocates for a child born with Down syndrome to a Nigerian chieftains daughter who built a successful real-estate business during her husbands 17 years in the military. Fashion-forward business owner credits faith Fernanda Bohme, co-founder of an eponymous 22-store fashion house offering stylish-but-modest womens clothes, was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and emigrated to America as a child, when her church-member parents had an opportunity to attend Brigham Young University. Raised in the faith and a member today, Bohme said the Hulu series didnt upset her but inspired her to share her story, including building her business and parenting a special-needs child. I hate to say this, but its almost a good thing because its making people ask questions about the 194-year-old religion organized in Fayette, New York, about an hour west of Syracuse, she told The Post. Its kind of like when The Book of Mormon musical came out, the Broadway musical it got people asking questions. Bohme said many of the queries such as whether church members dress like the Amish (they dont) or How many sister wives do you have? (none) can be answered by coming to the church and seeing what its accomplished. Look at what weve done, she said. Look at the fruits of our labors. Look at all the people we feed all over the world. Youll see what weve done. Ironically, Bohme said, one of the Hulu Mormon Wives whom she did not name is also an online influencer for her fashion brand. I didnt find out til days ago that were sponsoring her wardrobe, and were sending clothing or whatever. I thought, Oh my gosh. How did this happen? But she was an influencer before the show, so it just kind of happened, she said. Its business, right? Zumba instructor, mother of Down syndrome teenager Kimberly DowDells faith helped her cope with the birth of a Down syndrome child now 14 and thriving, she said and the ups and downs of her husbands career as well as her fast-paced life as a Zumba instructor. Kimberly DowDell, a Zumba instructor and mother of a child with Down syndrome, says her life as a Mormon wife has no connection to the extremes portrayed on the Hulu streaming hit, which will air on ABC in January.Courtesy Cedar Fort, Inc. My faith is really what got me through those difficult times, she said. I was excited to be a part of this project because I have been sharing our family and our life with our son who has Down syndrome online, she said. Hes 14 years old, and our social media blew up with videos that we share of him on a daily basis a little over two years ago. DowDell said she viewed maybe the first episode and a half of the series before dropping it. You know, life gets busy. I honestly dont watch a lot of TV, she said. As I started to see some of the things that these girls were talking about and the things that unfolded, I thought, Well, that isnt my experience, DowDell said of the shows extremes. I havent grown up feeling that way or, anyway, having those experiences that theyve had. Nigerian chieftains daughter Although Esther Jackson-Stowells in-laws call her a Nigerian princess, the title is more honorary than real. Her father was a chieftain in their southeastern Nigeria home, but the family emigrated to northern California to pursue opportunities and the much-vaunted American dream. Jackson-Stowell, mother of five including two foster children, is the underpaid chauffeur for the brood as well as a successful real-estate agent and businesswoman in Salt Lake City. She joined the church after meeting a young man who became her husband and whos spent 17 years in the military. Her book chapter details a journey that spans two continents and two radically different cultures: Nigerian and Mormon. She said shes grateful for the opportunity the Hulu show gave her to share her story. I think the members of the church have gotten such a bad rap for so long that to even be a topic of conversation, to me its well worth having that conversation because we have something so dear to share, and that is that we love Jesus Christ, she said. Would she chastise the Hulu show participants for what theyve portrayed? Id probably just give them a hug, Jackson-Stowell said. I would give all of them a hug and just tell them, you know, Thank you for bringing this topic to the forefront. Sony is embracing nostalgia with a special PlayStation 5 (PS5) update as part of its 30th Anniversary celebration. The update allows users to experience the console's legacy by integrating classic themes and startup animations from previous PlayStation generations, offering a journey through time for gaming enthusiasts. Classic PlayStation Themes for the PS5 The latest software update, highlighted by Kotaku, introduces a limited-time feature that enables PS5 users to customize their consoles with themes inspired by past PlayStation models. These themes encompass the original PlayStation from 1994, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation 4, offering a nostalgic interface on a modern device. Upon installing the update, users are prompted to "Choose your favorite generation" through a pop-up message. This allows them to select their preferred retro theme, which replicates the interface and aesthetics of their chosen console. The themes are available for a limited period, though Sony has not disclosed an end date for the offering. Startup Animations Revive Gaming Memories In addition to themes, Sony has incorporated startup animations from its earlier consoles. Every time the PS5 boots up, users can witness the iconic opening sequences from PlayStation's history, further enhancing the retro experience. Users are not restricted to a single theme or startup animation. The settings menu now includes a dedicated "PlayStation 30th Anniversary" tab, allowing easy access to switch between generations. A Milestone Celebration for Sony Sony's 30th Anniversary celebration extends beyond software updates. Earlier in 2024, the company unveiled limited-edition 30th Anniversary consoles and controllers, showcasing the iconic grey color scheme reminiscent of the original PlayStation. This includes the standard PlayStation 5, the Slim model, and the newly released PlayStation 5 Pro, all featuring nostalgic designs and the classic PlayStation logo. Beyond hardware, Sony has focused its efforts on honoring the legacy of the PlayStation brand rather than new game releases. By offering a blend of retro design and modern performance, Sony reinforces the enduring appeal of PlayStation as one of the most iconic gaming platforms in history. Through these initiatives, Sony bridges the gap between generations, allowing fans to relive the classic PlayStation experience on their state-of-the-art PS5 consoles. The 30th Anniversary update not only celebrates the past but also reminds gamers of the brand's remarkable journey over the past three decades. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. Eagle Archives, March 13, 1957: Mr. and Mrs. Philip Wynne brought their family of three from Leeds, England, to Pittsfield in 1951, looking for security from nuclear fission and greater opportunity for their children. Six years later, they're not sure about the security; they are about the opportunity. The Pearl, downtown Pittsfield's new shelter operated by ServiceNet, has been open for a little over two weeks. Residents who came over from St. Joseph's High School highlighted some of the differences during a walkthrough of the facility. As Massachusetts races to meet its clean energy goals, will more wind turbines dot the ridge lines of the Berkshires? Ask Francis Pullaro that, and the president of RENEW Northeast starts to chuckle. Theres no wind coming to Berkshire County, Pullaro told The Eagle. His nonprofit represents renewable energy interests as well as environmental advocates. Theres just a host of reasons. I think the simplest one of all is economics. Building and siting turbines on mountain tops takes money, much more money than plopping them down onto the plains of the Midwest, for example, or on the flats of northern Maine. This is why even though land-based wind is literally sweeping much of the country as the fastest growing form of clean energy, Massachusetts is now looking offshore to harness wind. While Berkshire County is currently home to three individual, large-scale wind turbines and two wind farms, there's a host of reasons in addition to cost, why the commonwealth's race to meet its clean energy goals by 2050 most likely won't be fueled by wind blowing across the Berkshires. Experts point to poor weather conditions, aging technology and simply not enough open, rural space if you can believe it to safely put the large turbines far enough away from residents. When wind first came to Berkshire County, we didnt have the low-cost, large-scale solar projects that we have today, Pullaro said. The best wind speeds are on the ridge tops, and theres just not a lot of land or space to do those type of projects, especially at a scale that makes it anywhere near competitive with solar today. 'GREAT' AND 'HORRIBLE' FOR WIND Berkshire County has three large-scale wind turbines, the oldest, at Jiminy Peak in Hancock, and two in Otis. In total, those three turbines generate 3.6 megawatts. Additionally, two wind farms dot the vista: Berkshire Wind Power Project at Brodie Mountain has 12 turbines operated by the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Co. It can produce up to 19.6 megawatts, powering up to 7,800 homes. Avangrid operates the largest wind farm on Massachusetts soil, Hoosac Wind in Florida and Monroe. It has 19 turbines on 75 acres of leased land and is visible from the Mohawk Trail. It's capable of generating 28.5 megawatts, enough to power 10,000 homes. Hoosac has always been one of our assets that has performed at a high level since day one," Ryan Haley, a senior manager for Avangrids region 3 onshore team said. "And it continues to perform very, very well for us. While Avangrid doesnt release wind generation figures, Berkshire Wind does. And there, things arent going so smoothly, particularly for the original 10 turbines at the farm, which went online in 2011. Jason Viadero, director of engineering and generation assets at Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company, pointed to the short wind season in the region. We get the vast majority of our wind generation December, January, February, March and then that tails off during the summer time, Viadero said. An irony of wind turbines is that they dont necessarily perform well in extreme conditions and they don't like power failures. The weather on Brodie Mountain in Berkshire County, its great for wind," Viadero said. "Its also absolutely horrible for wind because we have high wind speeds, we have a lot of wind shear, we have cold winters, we have extreme icing conditions. AGING TECHNOLOGY The lifespan of turbines is expected to be about 25 years, but industry reports have noted that older turbines don't perform as well as newer ones. This is equipment thats approaching about 15 years, Viadero said. Theres still additional useful life on it, but were seeing more and more parts failures, component failures, big things like a main gearbox. Haley said preventative maintenance on the turbines in Florida just finished for 2024, and the turbines are ready to crank up for the winter, when the wind blows the strongest. Typically, in a perfect world, they do shut those turbines down twice a year just to do that preventative maintenance, pretty much checking the torque and tension of bolts, greasing of all the greaseable components, and doing a thorough cleaning of the machine, he said. Avangrid keeps warehouses stocked with parts for its wind farms across the country. When we need a part, we order it internally through our warehouse system, and we get it the next week, Haley said. But replacing equipment can pose challenges simply because of the 300-foot vertical climb. Any time any of these towers are unavailable or off line to generate, thats obviously lost production, Viadero said. Honestly, we have at least one turbine broken down on the site on most days. As of this morning we have five that are awaiting parts or awaiting fixes. Unlike Hoosac Wind with its onsite team, Berkshire Wind relies on mobile technicians from GE Vernova as well as its own technicians, who are based in Ludlow, 74 miles away. GEs restructuring in recent years and the April 2024 spinoff of GE Vernova has had an impact, Viadero said. Since then, weve been struggling a lot with just parts availability, he said. GE Vernova declined comment for this story. BY LAND, TO THE NORTH Pullaro, at RENEW Northeast, said the six New England states are working on bolstering the interstate transmission system to clear up a bottleneck so power can flow from Maine and Quebec. Theres a provision in the energy bill for Massachusetts to partner with other states in New England on large-scale energy projects, Pullaro said, referring to an attempt by Massachusetts and Maine to strike a partnership a couple years ago for 1,000 megawatts of electricity. Im not aware of anyone developing land-based wind outside of northern Maine at this point. The Clean Energy Bill, which Gov. Maura Healey signed Nov. 21, would allow that collaboration with Maine for land-based wind. Elizabeth Mahony, commissioner of the state Department of Energy Resources, told The Eagle she's interested. Its likely that we will talk with our friends in Maine again, she said on Nov. 22. As to the future of wind in the Berkshires? I would not say never, said Mike Judge, undersecretary of energy at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. I think extremely unlikely. GREAT BARRINGTON The Select Board is trying to hire an attorney who specializes in water utilities to guide it in negotiating a purchase of Housatonic Water Works Co. But attorney Eric J. Krathwohl made several uneasy when he said in a public interview at Monday night's board meeting that he took a call from waterworks owner and Treasurer James Mercer several years ago. I heard his description of the situation of Housatonic water and basically being, you know, not able to really support operations the way they needed to be, Krathwohl said of what he called a "preliminary" conversation, and the idea of potentially trying to sell the water company down the road. The board agreed to table a discussion and vote until its next meeting in two weeks, giving members time to further evaluate Krathwohl. That research will include talking to representatives at Krathwohls former client, New England Service Co., which bought the Sheffield Water Co. before Aquarion acquired it. The board is studying a potential acquisition of the waterworks amid an increase in complaints about discolored drinking water, which many Housatonic residents no longer trust. A purchase, both the board and Mercer believe, will set the private utility on a strong course. Phased-in rate increases from upgrades to the aging system will hit 90 percent by 2029. Those upgrades, the company believes, will fix the discoloration it says is caused by manganese in the source and address other problems, including inadequate fire hydrant systems. Krathwohl, of Boston-based firm Rich May, P.C., said the call from Mercer lasted no more than 20 minutes, and that he had previously told Town Manager Mark Pruhenski and Town Counsel David Doneski about the interaction. He may have sent Mercer a follow-up email, he said, but the waterworks was never a client. Board Vice Chair Leigh Davis said she is wary, and members Eric Gabriel and Garfield Reed agreed. Gabriel said he wanted to make sure that we start off on the right foot and that everything's above board and that there was just this one call that you had from there and no other counseling than that. And resident Michelle Loubert said that Krathwohls having had contact with Mercer is leaving a bad taste in my mouth already. I don't care how long ago it was, Loubert said, I just think we're stepping into some conflict here. Doneski gave Krathwohl a high recommendation, Bannon said. My feeling is strongly that this gentleman has said that they have one interaction [with Mercer] a few years ago, Bannon said, adding that he is comfortable, and we want someone who specializes in acquisition. Resident Peter Most, an attorney, said that if theres any concern about a conflict of interest from a past dealing with Mercer or other situations that arise, there are ways the town can protect itself from facing jeopardy. One of those, Most said, would be to have the waterworks sign a waiver. Krathwohl said the world of water utility law is small. There are few attorneys who specialize in it, he said, and he has represented eight of the nine private water suppliers in the state. When people try to think of attorneys experienced in water matters in Massachusetts, Krathwohl said, I'm probably the first one that they think of. As it begins navigating a purchase, the town is also embroiled in legal appeals in two courts. It is appealing a Berkshire Superior Court judges granting of an injunction to the waterworks that halted enforcement of a Board of Health order, which included forcing the company to provide bottled water daily to all customers. The other pending case is in Supreme Judicial Court, where the town is appealing the company rate hike approved by the state Department of Public Utilities. Being around Christianity for any length of time, we hear about the Mark of the Beast from Revelation. Revelation describes this symbol of those belonging to the Devil and his representatives in the end times. An apocalyptic term and context, the Bible warns against this mark, and a host of theories exist about it. The New Testament also mentions the Seal of God, in many ways the opposite of the symbol of the Antichrist. The Seal of God protects the Lords people, securing us for eternity. The Mark of the Best gets a great deal of attention, but perhaps we should talk more about the Seal of God. Looking through the Scripture, we can piece together what it means to have the Seal of God and what it teaches us about our heavenly Father. What Verses Mention the Seal of God? Revelation 7:3 says, Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads. Here, God instructs the angels to resist destruction until his servants get a seal on their foreheads, marking them as his own. The Greek word for seal here is sphragis, which means an official symbol of ownership and security, similar to a kings seal on a paper. This seal on Gods servants represents how they belong to him and live under his protection. God will keep them from harm. Paul writes about this seal in 2 Timothy 2:0-10. He addresses his spiritual son, Timothy, saying, Nevertheless, Gods solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: The Lord knows those who are his, and Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness. The seal expresses an assurance of belonging to God. He alone knows who belongs to him, and Paul uses the same Greek word, sphragis, to point to ownership and authority. In addition, those who have the seal will also exhibit righteousness, turning away from wickedness. In the ancient world, the seal indicated authority over something valuable. Kings, nobles, or other officials would place a seal on a document to show its true source and protection. To abuse the item that had the seal meant to dishonor the king or noble. Consequences would ensue. In the same way, the Seal of God implies the Lord owns those people and they exist under his care and authority. The Seal of God also symbolizes the believers allegiance, security, protection, and Kingdom favor. Now and in the future, God is responsible for our care and protection. He has bought us with his blood (1 Corinthians 6:20). How is the Holy Spirit the Seal of God? The Seal of God isnt a physical or visual mark like a tattoo. The seal is a Person. The Holy Spirit marks believers as the Lords own, affirming an inner transformation and relationship. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession. Paul again uses the same Greek word for seal, sphragis. The Spirit confirms a Christians place as one of Gods children. Further, it assures them of a future inheritance in the heavenly Kingdom. Paul further uses this concept in 2 Corinthians 1:21-22. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. God directly seals believers through the Holy Spirit. He places his presence within their hearts. Unlike an outward mark, the Holy Spirit transforms the disciples character, nature, and desires. Like we saw in 2 Timothy above, this inward change manifests through words and deeds, living a heavenly life here on earth. The Holy Spirit shapes the believers hearts to Gods will and mission. This shift from a physical mark to an inner change represents a major historical change. The Old Testament included outward symbols and meaning. Circumcision especially meant a person belonged to the people of God, Israel. Yet the New Testament changes this. Christian circumcision is now of the heart (Colossians 2:11). Outward symbols cant change a rebellious heart. The New Covenant remakes the persons nature (Ezekiel 36:26). Romans 8:16 reveals the fulfilment of the prophetic promise. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Christians need this seal above all else. Ephesians 4:30 says to not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. The Spirit seals believers in an active relationship where they have hope in the future good inheritance as children. What is the Difference Between the Seal of God and the Mark of the Beast? The Devil doesnt create anything. He takes whats been created and twists the design. God seals with the Holy Spirit, and Satan institutes the Mark of the Beast during the apocalyptic times. In contrast with the Seal of God, the Mark of the Beast in Revelation 13:16-17 is placed on peoples right hands or foreheads. The Antichrist system requires people to have this mark in order to buy or sell. This manufactures an outward type of security and provision. The mark identifies those who serve the Beast, which symbolizes conforming to a godless and worldly system rather than God. John uses the Greek word charagma for mark, different than sphragis. Charagma means an engraved or stamped mark, also used to show allegiance to a ruler. To accept the Mark of the Beast means choosing the world, wickedness, and rebellion against God. As Paul says in Romans 12:2, Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what Gods will ishis good, pleasing and perfect will. The opposite of transformation is conformity. Conformity speaks of a superficial copy, not touching the heart. The Mark of the Beast can only be an outer mark. The Seal of God produces true transformation and freedom through the inward witness and power of the Holy Spirit in the believers life. Revelation clearly sets up two different types of people in the earththe people of God and those who choose to bow to the Beast. The scripture further reveals the consequences of taking this Mark. If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his head, he shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God (Revelation 14:9-10). Ultimately, the Seal of God and the Mark of the Beast reveal two paths: faithful following of God verses conformity to rebellious and destructive evil forces. What Characteristics Describe Those with the Seal of God? Revelation 14:1 offers a look into the character of those who bear the Seal of God. Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Fathers name written on their foreheads. First, the verse shows the Lamb, being Christ, standing with those of the seal, showing how theyve come to him. This points to their loyalty to God and his commandments. Instead of the Mark of the Beast, God has written his name, the name of the Father, upon their foreheads. This marks them as children. Humans have been created in the image of God, but they arent children. To be a child speaks to something beyond creation; believers are born again from the Father through the Son by the Spirit. This act separates them in their inner, full commitment to follow God. Revelation 14:4 further describes them as those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. This connects with Pauls insistence Christians wont give into the flesh if they walk in the Spirit (Romans 8). Walking in the Spirit makes believers pure. Revelation 14:4 also identifies those with the seal as those who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. This might be symbolic, pointing to spiritual purity, often expressed as sexual purity in the Old Testament, counting idolatry as a type of adultery (Ezekiel 16, Jeremiah 3). Those with the Seal of God commit themselves to holiness, a separation from the worlds ways. In Revelation 14:5, the people with Gods seal show truthfulness and integrity. And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before they throne of God. They dont lie or bear false witness. The people of God speak truth, which is love. Integrity means all parts align with truth, like the unity of the Trinity. Those with Gods seal dont act one way in one situation while behaving differently around others. Their whole lives manifest a unifying truth. What Can Christians Learn from the Seal of God? We have been bought with a price, the precious blood of Christ, denoting Gods ownership over us. You were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies (1 Corinthians 6:20). Through Christs sacrifice, we have been redeemed from sin and death and set apart as the Fathers children. This purchase is both transactional and relational. In purchasing us, he placed his seal on us as children. We no longer belong to ourselves. We belong to God. With this, we have security, protection, and an eternal inheritance. Having Gods seal calls us to follow and actively listen to the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:25 says, Since we live by the Holy Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. We need the Spirit to empower and guide us to live a life for God. Created beings have no ability to live like the Creator. Therefore, he gives himself as the seal. Only God within us can give us the strength to follow him. We must follow the Spirit more than the ways of the world. The seal warns us against taking any other markworshipping idols, physical or philosophical. Revelations warning about taking the Mark of the Beast reminds us our loyalty to God must be absolute. Idolatry essentially means bowing down to anything or anyone other than God. He alone is worthy of glory and worship. Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, No one can serve two masters. Our devotion cant be divided between God and any other allegiance. Finally, the Seal of God promises us an eternal inheritance as Gods children, secured through the Holy Spirit. Our destiny includes ruling and reigning with God in the New Heaven and New Earth. We also see this in Revelation 22:5. They will reign forever and ever. This speaks of us, Gods children, fully redeemed taking our place alongside him. We will live forever in light of his glory. Our eternal existence will be filled with purpose, worship, and joy. The Seal of God gives us ultimate hope. If God seals us with himself, we have ultimate surety. Gods hope helps us stay faithful during hard times and persecutions, knowing he holds us close and will work all things for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). Peace. Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/Andrey Iudin Britt Mooney lives and tells great stories. As an author of fiction and non-fiction, he is passionate about teaching ministries and nonprofits the power of storytelling to inspire and spread truth. Mooney has a podcast called Kingdom Over Coffee and is a published author of We Were Reborn for This: The Jesus Model for Living Heaven on Earth as well as Say Yes: How God-Sized Dreams Take Flight. Park Min Jae, an actor who died at the age of 32, suffered a cardiac arrest while in China on a trip. The news was announced on December 2, 2024, via his agency Big Title. According to Xports News, Park died on November 29. His younger brother posted an obituary on social media that said the family was "in mourning" for their beloved brother, who has gone to rest in peace. I hope that as many people as possible can see our brother and go. Please understand that I cannot contact you all individually. Big Title, meanwhile, published a tribute message to Park's passion for acting stating: "A beautiful actor who loved acting and did his best for himself, Park Min-jae, has passed away. Thank you for showing your love and interest in actor Park Min-jae. We are deeply sorry to say goodbye to a star who will no longer grace our screens through his acting, but we'll remember him with pride as an actor at Big Title." Big Title's CEO, Hwang Joo-hye, also wrote: The guy who said he would conquer China and go on a month-long trip has gone on a very long trip.I am sorry. It was sudden; it was absurd. The family must be sad thousands of times. Minjae, you still have things to say. Things you need to do. I can't even count it all... Park Min Jae was recognized for his respective roles in acclaimed TV dramas, including Mr. LEE, Tomorrow, Little Women, and The Fabulous. He was known for his talent and charisma, gaining a loyal following. The funeral home was prepared in Room 9 of the Ewha Seoul Hospital Funeral Hall. The funeral will take place at 9:30 AM on December 4, and the burial place has not yet been revealed. Tributes from fans and colleagues have been pouring in on social media, praising the actor for his short but lasting impact on the profession. Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. Luhan did it again, and EXO-Ls are living for it! On December 1, the Chinese soloist held a Douyin (Chinese TikTok) Live where he interacted anew with his fans. Through this livestream, viewers were once again gifted with another "crumb" as Luhan played his former co-EXO member D.O.'s "That's Okay." As the song began playing, Luhan also hummed and sang along D.O.'s solo track, but immediately apologized and asked the viewers to "not hate on me." "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I can't help it. It's just so good," he said. "Please, just don't hate on me tomorrow, that's all I ask. Don't hate on me, don't bash me, okay? You're not allowed to hate on me tomorrow." luhan singing along to kyungsoos 'thats okay' when it was playing during his douyin live! oh! wooo! *sings along* im sorry! im sorry! i cant help it, its just so good~ please, just dont hate on me tomorrow, thats all i ask~ dont hate on me, dont bash me, okay? pic.twitter.com/3yaI5cOP3O (@milkteus) December 1, 2024 Following his livestream, EXO-Ls' comments spilled over social media, expressing their surprise and amazement. Some also reminisced the old days when Luhan was still an EXO member. A fan wrote on X, "My Lu Bae, no real fans [are] gonna hate you. You are doing so right. No need to apologize, hesitate, and worry. Do whatever you want. I am with you. EXO-Ls [are] with you." "I'm tearing up. What the hell," another one said. Then, one EXO-L expressed, "Who says we hate you? HAHAHAHA I'm praying for EXO's OT11 interaction bye." Meanwhile, Luhan also trended on multiple online platforms and forums as he also held a Douyin Live on November 29, where he played EXO's "The First Snow." During the broadcast, the former EXO member mentioned his former label and its founder, saying: "I don't care about SM anymore, anyway. Lee Soo Man is gone, so I'm going to play it since it's snowing in Beijing, too." His "unbothered" attitude garnered praise from fans, while many others expressed their desire for a collab or reunion. Chen isn't the only EXO member who's been hit by the Love Shot. Tao, a former member of EXO, has followed in the footsteps of his groupmate, who got hitched in 2020, announcing his engagement over the Chinese social media platform Weibo. Despite one of his reps formally dismissing marriage rumors between him and his rumored girlfriend, Xu Yiyang, in July, Tao cheekily dropped the bombshell news via a cheeky comment. Xu shared photos of the couple holding up red marriage certificates, or buzheng, captioned: "Want to have a relationship with marriage as a goal," to which Tao replied, "Goal achieved," without embellishment. The marriage rumors, initially vehemently denied by Tao and his team, were sparked by what appeared to be leaked photos of a wedding proposal. The couple confirmed their relationship to the public in July on social media, with Tao proposing amid a sea of roses just weeks later in August, in a viral video. "From the time we first met until this moment, from the beginning of our journey, everything had already been decided... you are the one who will stay with me until the end. My whole life, this lifetime, every day, every moment, every night, I want that person to be you," Tao said, in a sincere speech. Xu Yiyang, the lucky girl-in-question, is a former SM trainee, who came under the public eye when she was introduced alongside aespa's Ningning in 2016. The two are close friends, having trained together. While Ningning debuted with aespa in 2020, Yiyang made an earlier debut in 2019 as part of the group Legal High. Scottish actor Ewan McGregor has said it is such a thrill to be returning to the London stage for the first time in 17 years. The Trainspotting star will feature in My Master Builder, a new play by American playwright and screenwriter Lila Raicek, which will run from April to July at Wyndhams Theatre. Advertisement It will see McGregor reunite with director Michael Grandage, with whom he worked on productions of Othello and Guys And Dolls at Donmar Warehouse, where Grandage was artistic director. McGregor said: Its such a thrill to be returning to the stage and to work with Michael again, an actors director with whom I have had some of my happiest working experiences. Hes a generous collaborator, who enables you to discover the play together afresh in the rehearsal room. And what a play I love where Lila has taken the story, a very modern take on todays sexual politics. Advertisement The actor, 53, rose to fame playing Renton in 1996s Trainspotting, before playing Obi-Wan in the Star Wars prequel trilogy and the 2022 Disney+ spin-off series about the character. He has also starred in Salmon Fishing In The Yemen and Moulin Rouge! and won a Golden Globe for his role in black comedy drama Fargo. Ewan McGregor rose to fame playing Renton in Trainspotting (Andrew Milligan/PA) Grandage said the production would be a joyful reunion with McGregor, who he described as an extraordinary stage actor. Its always a privilege to open a new play in the West End and to bring emerging and original voices to as wide an audience as possible, he added. Advertisement Im excited to collaborate with writer Lila Raicek, staging My Master Builder in London this spring. Further casting is to be announced in due course. My Master Builder will run from April 29th at the Wyndhams Theatre, with previews from April 17th, until July 12th. The captioned performance will be held on Saturday May 24th at 2.30pm, and the audio described performance will be Saturday June 14th at 2.30pm. Stephen Fry has said men in television must consider who may be the victim or stereotype at the root of their light banter after Gregg Wallace apologised for his response to complaints made about his behaviour. Author and comedian Fry said it was unbelievably foolish of Wallace to publish a video over the weekend in which he claimed the accusations, which include making inappropriate sexual jokes, came from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age. Advertisement The 60-year-old faces allegations from 13 people across a range of shows over a 17-year period, as reported by BBC News on Thursday, with many others since sharing their experiences. Fry told Sky News Breakfast on Tuesday: I think if, by now, people who work in television, men who work in television, dont understand that light banter is no longer something that can be aired in ways unless they think hard about, is there a sort of victim or a stereotype at the root of this banter who might be hurt. And its just good manners, really. Good manners have changed. In Victorian times, certain things couldnt be referred to or seen and it was only polite to obey this because people were shocked and upset if things were not respected that they respect. And so I think weve all just got to realise its not about wokeness, its just about being sensitive to the atmosphere. Advertisement Wallace issued an apology on Monday for any offence or upset he caused with his statement over the weekend, saying: I wasnt in a good headspace when I posted it, Ive been under a huge amount of stress, a lot of emotion, I felt very alone, under siege yesterday when I posted it. He added: Its obvious to me I need to take some time out now while this investigation is under way. I hope you understand and I do hope you will accept this apology. His apology came after it sparked a backlash, with Downing Street saying his response to the accusations was inappropriate and misogynistic. Addressing Wallaces response, Fry said: It was obviously unbelievably foolish of Gregg Wallace to make that video over the weekend. It really showed that he simply wasnt understanding. Advertisement Even if he felt that hed been misunderstood himself, he could surely see that there were some women there who were truly hurt and had felt not listened to, and that he should first of all address that. The Blackadder actor described the situation as a collision of generations and attitudes that makes a very ugly noise when they bang together. Last Thursday, it was announced that Wallace is to step away from the hit BBC cooking show while historical misconduct complaints are externally reviewed by the producer Banijay UK. Wallaces lawyers say it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature. Advertisement New episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals, in which Wallace is a judge, will be shown on BBC One on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, with the current series airing as planned. MasterChef is life-changing for the chefs that take part and the show is about more than one individual, a BBC spokesman said. Labour MP Jess Phillips has said she is comfortable with MasterChef continuing to air while Wallace is investigated over his behaviour. She told BBC Breakfast: Gregg Wallace isnt the only person on MasterChef, if it was just the Gregg Wallace show, then I could understand that you would immediately go Yeah, just take it off the air. Advertisement But it is a launchpad for quite a lot of young chefs. Its not for me to decide what the BBC chooses to air or not. UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has also held talks with BBC bosses in the wake of the Wallace investigation. Gregg Wallace is under investigation (Andrew Matthews/PA) In response to reports that multiple complaints had been raised with the BBC, a source for the corporation said it would not comment on individuals or any internal HR processes but that it would be wrong to report the BBC has done nothing if or when matters have been raised with us not least because it is already being widely reported there were interventions in both 2017 and 2018 where action was taken. Allegations were also raised to BBC News by staff members about Wallaces behaviour on Channel 5s Gregg Wallaces Big Weekends. In an updated statement on Monday evening, a spokesperson from production company Rumpus Media said: Weve undertaken a close review of the production of Gregg Wallaces Big Weekends Away which finished in 2021 when Rumpus was under different ownership. We dont tolerate inappropriate behaviour and the welfare of our colleagues is a priority. If any crew member from this production would like to get in touch regarding their experience we would encourage them to email talktous_rumpus@stv.tv on a confidential basis. Production company Banijay UK confirmed it has appointed law firm Lewis Silkin to lead an investigation into Wallaces alleged behaviour. Fianna Fail has emerged as the clear winner of the election, making a return of the coalition with Fine Gael highly likely. Micheal Martin's party secured 48 seats in the Dail, while Fine Gael under the leadership of Simon Harris has 38 seats. However, their combined seat total of 86 leaves them just short of the 88 needed for a majority in the expanded Dail of 174 TDs. So what are the options available to Fianna Fail and Fine Gael? And could a coalition be formed without them? As the two parties only need a couple of votes to reach a majority, Mr Martin and Mr Harris may first look to a group of Independent TDs to support the government through key votes. There will be 16 Independent TDs in the next Dail, and about 10 of them have voted with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael previously. The last Dail had an eight-strong Regional Independent Group and some of its members often voted with the government in crunch votes. Longford-Westmeath Independent TD Kevin Boxer Moran, who served in a Fine Gael-led minority government between 2017 and 2020, expressed his willingness to listen to offers to join a new coalition. Look, my doors open, he told RTE on Monday. Someone knocks, Im always there to open it. Marian Harkin, an Independent TD for Sligo-Leitrim, expressed her desire to participate in government as she noted that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael were within shouting distance of an overall majority. That means they will be looking for support, and I certainly will be one of those people who will be speaking to them and talking to them and negotiating with them, and Im looking forward to doing that, because that was the reason that I ran in the first place, she said. The new Independent Ireland party has four TDs in the new Dail and could also be brought into a similar arrangement to support the government. Coalition with left parties Another option available to Mr Martin and Mr Harris is to enter a formal coalition with one of the smaller left-leaning parties. A Fianna Fail-Fine Gael coalition with either Labour or the Social Democrats would give the government a secure majority of nine seats. However, both of the smaller parties now appear more cautious about the prospect of an alliance with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. They will no doubt be mindful of the experience of the Green Party, the junior partner in the last mandate. The Greens experienced near wipeout in the election, retaining only one of their 12 seats. Labour leader Ivana Bacik reiterated her partys determination to forge an alliance with fellow centre-left parties with the intention of having a unified approach to the prospect of entering government. Asked on Monday if Labour was prepared to go into government with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael on its own, she told RTE: No, not at this stage. We are absolutely not willing to do that. We want to ensure theres the largest number of TDs who share our vision and our values who want to deliver change on the same basis that we do. The Social Democrats have been non-committal about any potential arrangement with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, and have restated a series of red lines they would need to achieve before considering taking a place in government. Leader Holly Cairns, who gave birth to a daughter on polling day on Friday, said in a statement: The party is in a very strong position to play an important role in the next Dail. In what position, government or opposition, remains to be seen. Left-led coalition? Sinn Fein appears to currently have no realistic route to government, given Fianna Fail and Fine Gaels ongoing refusal to share power with the party. Despite the odds being stacked against them, Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald contacted the leaders of the Social Democrats and Labour on Monday to discuss options. However, a coalition of Sinn Fein along with Labour and the Social Democrats would be 17 votes short of a majority. Sinn Fein's Eoin O Broin said they will continue to speak to like-minded parties in a bid to form a left-leaning government, and there is a powerful bloc of 60 progressive politicians who campaigned for change. The numbers are very clear and Fianna Fail and Fine Gael do have the numbers to form a government, albeit with some external support, he told RTE's Morning Ireland on Tuesday. However, a deal hasnt been reached. A week is a long time in politics, and many things can change. Election 2024 Election 2024: The latest results in maps and char... Read More So given the fact that our view is that a Fianna Fail/Fine Gael coalition is the worst possible option, despite the fact that Micheal Martin seems intent on bringing Fine Gael in as a junior partner, we said we were going to talk to other like-minded, progressive political parties on the other side of the election. Thats exactly what were going to do, and in the first instance its to assess what are the options, what are the possibilities? Micheal Martin clearly has the upper hand. Theres no denying that. Mr O Broin did not rule out speaking to Fianna Fail if the numbers to form a left-leaning government did not stack up. We always said during the election campaign that while our first preference was a government without Fianna Fail or Fine Gael, if those numbers werent available, we would talk to everybody, and that includes Fianna Fail, he added. The general election saw voter turnout reach record low levels, but academics and even the Electoral Commission are sceptical about the reliability of the figures. Turnout in the 2024 election fell to 59.7 per cent, the lowest in over a century. Advertisement However, Art O'Leary, the chief executive of the Electoral Commission, has admitted that as many as 500,000 people could be on the electoral register by mistake due to duplications or deaths. That would mean turnout in the election may not be as low as the data suggests. Mr OLeary told RTE radio that the official turnout figure of 59.7 per cent was a very blunt measure by which to judge public engagement. He said the electoral register, which is in fact 31 separate databases, was not complete or as accurate as it should be. Advertisement Mr OLeary confirmed there was a project underway to create a single database using dates of birth and Eircodes which would allow duplicates to be identified. But it's not going to be fixed tomorrow or the day after, he said. It's a longer term project. Despite the scepticism about the overall figures, there was a distinct downward trend in participation in this year's election turnout dropped in almost every constituency compared to the last election. Stefan Muller, an associate professor of politics at University College Dublin, said the downward trend in Ireland was very worrying, as high turnout levels are a good indicator of a healthy democracy. Advertisement There is quite a large share of the electorate that doesn't vote at either important elections or at local elections, he told RTE. Mr Muller said this may be due to systematic barriers to voting, such as work or childcare responsibilities during polling day, or that a lot of potential voters are simply not interested in politics anymore. He said it was an embarassment that authorities cannot conclusively say how high or low turnout is, but nonetheless it was important to think about ways of making it easier to vote. One example would be postal voting. So that means that everyone can just cast their ballot over post. And it exists in quite a lot of countries, and it's very popular in many countries. Advertisement For example, in Germany, 50 per cent of the votes that were cast at the last general election were actually postal votes. In Ireland, the problem with postal voting is that the campaigns are only three weeks, and it's a bit unpredictable when the election will take place, so there's not that much time to organise this. Election 2024 Election 2024: The latest results in maps and char... Read More Another way of increasing turnout would be making it possible for voters to, for example, go to a local library or a public building during the last week of the campaign, let's say, and cast their ballot there, so it doesn't have to be on election day. These are two options that should be discussed that would just make it easier for voters to cast their ballot. Mr O'Leary said the Electoral Commission would undertake a study to get a better idea about why people didn't vote in this election. He said research will also be completed on the possibility of introducing postal voting in the future, as at present our voting system is quite restrictive. Additional reporting: Vivienne Clarke A cold-blooded killer who executed a grandfather without mercy, shooting him repeatedly when he answered the front door at his mothers home, shouted: F**k you and your fair trial and stormed out of the dock after a jury convicted him of murder. The jury of six men and six women deliberated for eight hours and 20 minutes before returning the unanimous verdict on Tuesday against Cailean Crawford (28), who had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Thomas McCarthy (55) on July 27th, 2020 at Croftwood Park, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10. Advertisement Crawford is already serving a jail sentence for conspiring to murder gangland criminal Wayne Whelan, who survived a September 2019 murder attempt but was subsequently shot dead following another attack two months later. Mr McCarthys partner, Nia OReilly, wept and shouted: You murdering rat. Weasel. Pig, at Crawford as he left the court. After proceedings concluded, Ms O'Reilly apologised to the court for her earlier outburst. The jury agreed with the States case that Crawford was the assassin who fired several times, fatally injuring Mr McCarthy, having come to the scene in a blue Ford Fiesta car which was seen driving in and out of the area on CCTV. Following Crawfords outburst, Mr Justice Tony Hunt commented: The mask slips I suppose members of the juryHe hasnt even the courage to stay here and listen because he knows what Im going to say in a moment. Advertisement After the verdict was returned, Mr Justice Hunt thanked the panel for their hard work and diligence and told them they should have no regrets and no remorse about the verdict they had reached when they look back at the case. Referring to Crawford, the judge said: Hes not an unlucky man whose only crime was to lend a phone and a van to another man. Hes not a victim of circumstance. He is, in fact, a very dangerous individual. He told the jury that as a result of their verdict, the good people of Ballyfermot," whom they had heard Crawford slur in the witness box, will be able to live free of him for some time. He said what was needed to perpetrate a crime like this one was someone cold-blooded," someone who is a shell of a human being and who doesnt have any emotions. Advertisement The amount of people who would be prepared to do something like this are in short supply, said the judge. Mr McCarthy, who had five children and two grandchildren, was living in the UK at the time and had returned home to visit his family and his mother, who lived at the address in Ballyfermot. Prosecuting counsel Bernard Condon SC had told the trial there was undoubtedly more than one person involved in a conspiracy over the murder. He said the States case was that Crawford was the gunman who repeatedly shot Mr McCarthy quite viciously and without mercy. Advertisement Charles McClean defence case rejected The 12 jurors rejected the defence case that Crawford, last of Clifden Terrace, Ballyfermot, was involved in drug dealing and had loaned a phone and a GoVan he had hired on the morning of the killing to associate Charles McClean. McClean (35) was described earlier this year by a Central Criminal Court judge as a "remorseless" criminal, after he sentenced him for calling Mark 'Guinea Pig' Desmond to a drugs meeting in a Dublin park, where the gangland figure was gunned down. McClean, who was already serving consecutive sentences of 16.5-years for facilitating the murder of Thomas McCarthy and conspiring to murder Wayne Whelan, was jailed for an additional three-and-a-half years for impeding the apprehension of the person who murdered Mr Desmond. The State had argued that Crawford was the person who was driving the GoVan and that he was also the driver of the blue Ford Fiesta which was seen moving in and out of the area on CCTV. Advertisement Mr Condon said it was the prosecution case that a group of people were involved in planning and carrying out the murder of Mr McCarthy, with a number of cars used which were purchased using false names. He said that movements of the accuseds van and other vehicles involved, including a black Mercedes, a Skoda, a Ford Fiesta, and a Toyota Avensis, showed dry runs being carried out in the days before the murder. Crawford took the stand during his trial and told the jury that he was being blamed as the centre point of a murder he didnt commit after he loaned the van to McClean. He said he had handed the van over to a man with bones sticking out of his face who was a mate of McCleans. Crawford said he assumed McClean needed the van to collect drugs. He said McClean had previously given him a Lyca SIM card to use after Crawford agreed to collect and transport drugs on two or three occasions in the Ballyfermot area. "A tissue of lies" In his closing address, Mr Condon said the jury had been presented with a tissue of lies. He said Mr Crawfords evidence was full of untruths and equivocations and dishonesty and described the accuseds claim that the movements of his van were due to drug dealing as absurd. Mr Condon said that Mr McCarthy was shot seven times, meaning he never had a chance in that style of execution and died in his mothers hallway. Some of the cars were later found burnt out, with a 9mm semi-automatic weapon retrieved from the Fiesta. In his closing speech, Mark Lynham SC, for Crawford, said it was the defences case that the accused was involved in drug dealing. Youve heard nothing to disprove that. There's nothing in his movements to connect him to this plot, said Mr Lynam. So yes, at a minimum, he is involved in criminality but being a criminal doesnt mean youre a murderer, he said. Counsel reminded the panel that an eyewitness had given a description of the person suspected of being the killer as being six-foot tall, not young, possibly late 30s, very skinny and junkie-looking, with a black tooth or tooth missing. He said that the accused did not match this description. After the jury returned their guilty verdict, Mr Justice Hunt told the panel he could now fill them in on a few things and comment on some matters which he had not made comment on after the closing of the case. The judge said the suggestion that it might be a junkie who had committed the murder was presumably based on the single piece of eyewitness evidence heard. He said from his experience, most addicts are victims of circumstance in a way that this man isnt a victim of circumstance. They may commit crimes, he said, but they do so mostly out of desperation and a response to immediate need. What most of them dont do however, members of the jury, is turn to cold blooded murder, he said. The crime that was committed in this case would not, I think, be entrusted to a junkie because its more likely to be botched by someone in withdrawal or under the influence of drugs. He said sometimes junkies might be asked to do something peripheral, like hand over a gun before a murder. He told the jury that they had been presented with a limited version of the truth and had decided the case on the evidence that you have. "The tale," told by Mr Justice Hunt Mr Justice Hunt said the panel had been told not to conduct any research during the case. Im sure the first thing most of you will do when you go home is consult Mr Google. He said he would save them the trouble by telling them the tale. The judge said in September 2019, there had been an attempted murder in Lucan, County Dublin [Wayne Whelan]. Again in an uncanny co-incidence, the judge said, three getaway cars were used which was perhaps somewhat similar to what was used in this case. He said the three cars were burned out and a fourth was intercepted by the gardai. In any event, the fourth car was stopped. Who was in it? No prizes for guessing. Mr McClean and Mr Crawford, said the judge. Mr Justice Hunt told the jury Crawford was charged with attempted murder but pleaded guilty to lesser offences. In September 2021, Crawford was sentenced to seven years with the final two suspended having pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder father-of-three Wayne Whelan at Griffeen Glen Park, Lucan, between May 15th and November 15th, 2019. Charles McClean, last of St Marks Drive, Clondalkin, was sentenced to eight years. So what happened less than a year later was no accident and you neednt worry when you are looking back on this case, he told the jury. Theres no accident, no bad luck about this. He told the jurors that McClean is serving a very long sentence for a combined total of three escapades. Mr Justice Hunt exempted the panel from jury service for a period of 20 years. He remanded Crawford in custody to December 20th when he will be handed the mandatory sentence for murder of life imprisonment. Under cross examination whilst giving evidence in his own defence, Crawford had denied a suggestion by prosecuting counsel that he was trying to mislead the jury because he was in cahoots with Charles McClean. Crawford maintained the van had been collected at around 9:30am on the morning of the murder and that he then went to his grandmother's house where he had food, a shower and changed his clothes. He said he left his grandmothers house at around 11.30am to go and collect the van. Mr Condon suggested that Crawford had not previously admitted to gardai that the van had been involved in drug dealing because he was now inventing this detail. Crawford said he had been afraid of being branded a rat for speaking to the gardai, as he knew the danger he would be in. If I dont explain my side of the story now, Ill never get a chance to do it. Ill be branded a rat, but Im willing to do that rather than being convicted of a murder I didnt do, Crawford said. A child psychiatrist who groomed and sexually abused a teenage girl, leaving her with painful and grave trauma, has been jailed for eight and a half years. Amirul Arif Bin Mohd Yunos (38) with an address in Hollystown, Dublin 15, was working as a child psychiatrist in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) centre in Clonskeagh, Co Dublin at the time of his offending in 2023, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard. Advertisement The victim was not formally his patient. Yunos was known to her parents, who had asked him to engage with their daughter who was experiencing mental health difficulties on an ad-hoc basis. She was 15 when most of the incidents occurred between May and June 2023 and 16 when the final incident occurred in September 2023. Yunos pleaded guilty to six counts of engaging in a sexual act with a child under 17, one count of sexual exploitation of a child and one of meeting a child for the purpose of sexual exploitation. He has no previous convictions and has been in custody in relation to this offending for the last 14 months. The court heard that the victim and her parents want Yunos to be named, but wish to maintain their anonymity. The now 17-year-old is experiencing significant and ongoing mental distress, the court was told. Advertisement The abuse started with inappropriate touching, before escalating to include oral sex and digital and penile penetration of her vagina and anus. The offences took place at a number of locations including a car, his home, her home and his workplace. In a victim impact statement read to the court by prosecuting counsel, Derek Cooney BL, the girl said the abuse has left her with painful and grave trauma. She said she blamed herself, felt she induced the abuse and deserved it. He made me believe the hugs I needed during a tough time led to sexual abuse, she said, later adding that she felt she'd made a good man sexually abuse her. She said she wanted to tell his wife, but he told her not to. Advertisement She said she will forever carry doubt towards the intentions of people who want to help me. She said the man took something from me that will never return and she now fears men and living. She said her schoolwork has suffered and she has lost a chunk of her young life which can never be returned. The girl said the abuse has had an agonising impact on her emotionally and psychologically. She said her 15-year-old self never wanted this. Advertisement She wanted to get better. She asked for that help. In hindsight, that 15-year-old got handed a lifelong sentence of unwanted trauma. Imposing sentence , Judge Orla Crowe said this was a deeply serious matter. She noted that the victim was not a patient per se of Yunos's, rather her parents had asked him for help. The judge noted that Yunos initially engaged in therapy sessions with the girl at her home, but over time the nature of these sessions changed. The judge said the victim impact statement highlighted the very grave and ongoing effects on the girl. Advertisement She said these effects should have been apparent to this offender, given his professional insight. The judge said Yunos had breached the trust of the girl who was groomed by him, then abused and the trust of her parents, which was an aggravating factor. She said there were other issues in relation to Yunos's professional standing, insight and training. He had qualified in this country and had been training in the area of psychology. He would have and ought to have been better placed than most, the judge said, adding that Yunos would have been expected to have a greater insight into the potential for trauma to be caused. And there was trauma caused to this complainant, Judge Crowe said. She said the aggravating factors also included the grooming behaviour, his professional and social standing, the impact on the victim and the escalating nature of the offending. This is offending that simply has to be marked with imposition of a significant custodial sentence, Judge Crowe said, setting a headline sentence of 12 years. She noted that the mitigation included an early guilty plea, lack of previous convictions, and his expressions of remorse. Judge Crowe said the court had reviewed testimonials, a letter of apology from Yunos and a psychological report submitted to the court on behalf of Yunos. She noted the psychological report stated he had a promising career but his offending will prevent him from working in this field in Ireland in the future. The judge said the court was struck by a section of the psychological report which noted that Yunos would have been expected to have a greater insight into the damage this offending could cause due to his expertise. Ireland Cailean Crawford storms out of dock after being co... Read More The judge said Yunos is very fortunate his community and wife have stood by him, referring to the testimonials submitted to the court. She imposed a sentence of eight years and six months, backdated to when he went into custody. Addressing the girl's parents who were present in court, Judge Crowe extended the court's best wishes to them for her future. There is no wrongdoing on her part in relation to the matter, she added. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help. A daughter and son of prominent pub-chain businessman, Charlie Chawke, were returned on Tuesday for trial on charges of assault causing harm to two men, at the four-star Dunraven Arms Hotel, Adare, Co Limerick. Alison Chawke, (40), of The Beeches, Holywell, Goatstown, Dublin 14, is accused of having gouged the eyes of one alleged victim and kicked the other alleged victim in the head a number of times before allegedly biting him on the side of his face, on November 9th, 2023. Advertisement Ms Chawke is also alleged to have thrown a pint glass at the two alleged victims and a number of other patrons who tried to intervene in the alleged attack. Bill Chawke, (30), of Merrion Street Upper, Dublin 2, is charged with two counts of assault causing harm, in which he allegedly threw punches at both alleged injured parties, and gouged the eyes of one of the men and hit his head off a bar counter at the hotel, which has hosted members of the British Royal family, presidents and movie stars. At Newcastle West District Court on Tuesday, prosecuting Garda, Ronan Hayes, Adare Garda Station, told Judge Carol Anne Coolican, that he served the two accused with a copy of the States Book of Evidence. Inspector Barry Manton told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had consented to both accused being sent forward for trial to the current sittings of Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. Advertisement Inspector Manton said that, both Alison Chawke and Bill Chawke had declined the opportunity, in writing, to go forward for trial on a signed plea. Judge Coolican asked the two accused to stand up in the body of the court and she gave them what is referred to as the Alibi Warning, explaining to them they could not introduce any alibi witnesses which they rely on at their trial unless they gave the State the contacts of any such alibi witnesses within 14 days of todays court hearing. Alison Chawke and Bill Chawke both told the court they understood this, and both signed non-cash lodgement 100 euro bail bonds. The court previously heard that the two accused made no reply when charged. Alison and Bill Chawkes solicitor, Michael Finucane, made an application for, and was granted a Section 56 order, that any recordings of his clients Garda interviews following their arrests be disclosed to the defence solicitor. Today the judge returned both accused for trial before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on a date yet to be scheduled. Marian Keyes novel series which follows the dysfunctional but deeply loveable Walsh family will be adapted for the small screen. The six-part drama series, inspired by five novels by the acclaimed Irish author, has been commissioned by RTE and will air on the BBC in the UK. Advertisement Head of drama at RTE, David Crean, said the series going in to production is beyond exciting, and that writers Stefanie Preissner and Kefi Chadwick have brilliantly captured and re-imagined Keyes world. The series will be directed by Ian FitzGibbon and produced by award-winning production companies Cuba Pictures and Metropolitan Films International, in association with the Screen Ireland and the BBC. Keyes and Preissner will executive produce the project alongside a host of others including Crean. The Walsh Sisters will feature the chaotic, dysfunctional but deeply loveable Walsh family of five sisters, a devout mother and a bemused father, the BBC has said. Advertisement Keyes said: This is so exciting, Im beside myself. I love the scripts, theyve really kept the spirit of the books. Its been almost impossible to keep this a secret and its a great feeling that the news is now out in the world. Irish writer Stefanie Preissner, known for creating comedy Cant Cope, Wont Cope, has adapted the series, writing four episodes, while Kefi Chadwick, who has worked on drama Rivals and crime series Death In Paradise, has written the other two episodes. Filming for the series will begin in early 2025 and launch on RTE, followed by BBC iPlayer and BBC One. Advertisement Set in their Dublin hometown, The Walsh Sisters follows the lives of Anna, Rachel, Maggie, Claire and Helen as they navigate their late 20s and 30s. Their relationship is described as a sisterhood full of in-jokes, hand-me-down resentments and more than a few old wounds," but their DNA, history and shared love of power ballads keep the Walsh sisters together in the face of heartbreak, grief, addiction and parenthood," the BBC said. Head of BBC programme acquisition, Sue Deeks, said: The Walsh Sisters novels have given so much pleasure to so many readers over the years, and we are truly delighted that such a wonderful team will be bringing these witty, warm and oh-so-relatable characters to life. Since publishing her first novel in 1995, Keyes has sold more than 30 million copies of her books and they have been translated into 36 languages. Advertisement Her other bestsellers include Rachels Holiday and Grown Ups; she has won a number of Irish Book Awards and was named author of the year at the British Book Awards in 2022. A veterinary inspector who was banned from keeping animals for seven years and fined 4,000 in the District Court has had the severity of his sentence reduced on appeal in the Circuit Court. Michael OReilly of Cois Maigh, Mogeely, Castlemartyr, Co Cork was convicted by Judge Colm Roberts at Midleton District Court in May 2024 when he pleaded guilty to seven charges under the Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013 in relation to 10 dogs kept at his kennels near his home. Advertisement He was fined a total of 4,000, ordered to pay 5,000 in costs, given a three month suspended sentence and disqualified from keeping animals for seven years. At Cork Circuit Court in Midleton counsel for Mr OReilly, Jessica Kelleher BL told Judge Helen Boyle that she would be seeking to have her clients suspended prison sentence reduced to a record under the Probation Act and she was also seeking to have his disqualification on keeping animals reduced. Giving evidence ISPCA inspector Caroline Faherty told the court that she visited the kennels at Killamuckey, Mogeely on three occasions in May 2023 initially inspecting the premises by herself and later returning with a veterinary inspector and dog warden from Cork County Council. Ms Faherty said that she found 10 dogs, eight Irish terriers, one Welsh terrier and one Jack Russell living in dark, dilapidated sheds in appalling conditions. Advertisement She said that six of the dogs were fearful and aggressive indicating they had not been properly socialised. She described mounds of faeces up to four-feet-high covered in mould and showing signs of rodent activity. Ms Faherty said that there was faeces everywhere and it was difficult to find anywhere clean to stand. She told the court that many of the dogs had matted fur and one had alopecia but they were not underweight. Ms Faherty said that when she discovered that the owner of the animals was Michael OReilly who is a veterinary inspector with the Department of Agriculture she was shocked to hear it. She told the court that the conditions of the kennels were so bad that they probably had not been cleaned for months and that the buildings were not fit for purpose. Advertisement She said that when she put her concerns to Mr OReilly he was aggressive and dismissive. She said that on two subsequent visits the conditions had got worse and there was more faeces evident. Ms Faherty said that Mr OReilly initially indicated he would rather put the dogs to sleep than surrender them but eventually agreed to place eight of the animals in a local boarding kennels. She said that once in the kennels one of the dogs gave birth to a litter of puppies which Mr OReilly brought home. Ms Faherty said that Mrs OReilly later confirmed to her that all of the puppies from the litter had died. Ms Kelleher said that Mr OReilly was in a distressed state at the time because his father was seriously ill in hospital. She said that he was an only child and his father had suffered strokes and and had eventually gone into palliative care. Advertisement She said that Mr OReilly was under serious stress as a result and would not normally have allowed the conditions the dogs were kept in to deteriorate in such a way. She said that as a result of the prosecution Mr OReilly would most likely lose his job and was currently the subject of disciplinary measures. She added that he had suffered psychologically as a result and provided a psychiatric report to the court. She said that Mr OReilly had pleaded guilty and had apologised to Ms Faherty for the way he had treated her. She added that he had demolished the old sheds and built new, modern kennels and a veterinary inspection confirmed that the dogs were in good condition and well looked after. She said that the offences represented one moment in time when he was struggling in his personal life and did not reflect how he usually treats animals. She added that he had no previous convictions, was remorseful, had lost his father and would probably loose his livelihood as well. Advertisement Judge Boyle said: There may have been a certain dawning of reality, for Mr OReilly following his conviction. She said that she accepted he was under stress when his father was ill and the time period seemed to correspond. Ireland Child psychiatrist who worked for CAMHS jailed for... Read More She said that Ms Faherty was to be commended as she had saved the dogs from the situation she found them in. She added that it was right that Ms Faherty should get an apology from Mr OReilly for the way he spoke to her even if it was offered somewhat belatedly. Judge Boyle upheld the three month suspended sentence and the 5,000 in legal costs to be paid, but she reduced the total amount of fines payable from 4,000 to 2,000. Regarding the disqualification from ownership she said: In my view this man has come a very long way. She said that he would be entitled to keep the nine dogs currently in his possession until the number had reduced to four. When there were four dogs still surviving he would be permitted to keep a maximum of four dogs for a period of six years. Jaguar has revealed a first look at its new luxury electric car after coming under heavy criticism for rebranding its image. The British car maker sparked widespread controversy last month when it unveiled a series of dramatic changes ahead of becoming a fully electric brand. Advertisement This included a new bespoke logo, written as JaGUar, a new prancing leaper cat design and marketing slogans such as delete ordinary, live vivid and copy nothing. The front end of the Type 00 showcases a smoothed-off design (Jaguar/PA) Images of the new electric car, called the Type 00, were shared at an event in Miami in the US on Monday, with the model described as a concept with bold forms and exuberant proportions to inspire future Jaguars, according to the brand. It has been revealed in two colours, Miami Pink and London Blue. The Jaguar logo is laser-etched into a brass ingot on each side of the car, which themselves open to reveal rear-facing cameras that provide a view for the driver similar to conventional wing mirrors via screens located in the cabin. Advertisement Access to the cabin comes through two butterfly doors which reveal a large, spacious interior with three hand-finished brass lines which run the length of the interior. The floating front seats are finished in a wool blend which is also used on the flooring and other areas. Jaguar said the new car uses a dedicated electric platform which should return up to 478 miles of range while rapid charging will add 200 miles of charge in 15 minutes. The production-ready version of the Type 00, which will be made in the UK, is set to be revealed late in 2025. Advertisement The Type 00 should return up to 478 miles of range (Jaguar/PA) Although prices have not yet been confirmed, it is expected to cost more than 100,000. A video posted by the company on X last month, featuring people wearing brightly coloured clothes making synchronised movements but no cars, led to platform owner Elon Musk, the largest individual shareholder in electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla, asking Do you sell cars? Jaguar managing director Rawdon Glover said he was disappointed by the vile hatred and intolerance in responses to the advert. Speaking at what he called the reimagining in Miami, chief creative officer Professor Gerry McGovern said the new brand was influenced by the desire to recapture the essence of Jaguars original creative conviction. Advertisement Some may love it now, some may love it later and some may never love it. Thats what fearless creativity does, he said, citing David Bowie, Vivienne Westwood and architect Richard Rogers as some of his creative heroes They were British trailblazers who challenged convention and had no desire to copy the norm. Controversy has always surrounded British creativity when its been at its best. The cabin is split by one long brass section (Jaguar/PA) The company said that both its cars and culture will come to life in a number of exclusive brand stores, with the first of these being located in the 8th arrondissement in Paris. Advertisement Jaguar will launch three new electric cars in 2026, having taken new cars off sale more than a year ago to focus on its rebrand. Adrian Mardell, chief executive of Jaguar Land Rover, said: The magic of Jaguar is close to my heart an original British luxury brand unmatched in its heritage, artistry and emotional magnetism. Thats the Jaguar we are recapturing and we will create the same sense of awe that surrounded iconic models like the E-type. Our journey is already under way, guided by our original ethos to copy nothing and the results will be nothing short of spectacular. Business Jaguar rebrand described as a disaster Read More It comes after the owner of Vauxhall announced plans to shut its van-making factory in Luton next April and create an all-electric plant, putting more than 1,100 jobs at risk. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders warned the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) could have a devastating impact on the automotive industry. A weak demand for EVs combined with the need to fulfil ever-rising sales quotas will cost the industry some 6 billion this year, the trade association said. Jaguar has revealed a first look at its new luxury electric car after coming under heavy criticism for rebranding its image. The British car maker sparked widespread controversy last month when it unveiled a series of dramatic changes ahead of becoming a fully electric brand. Advertisement This included a new bespoke logo, written as JaGUar, a new prancing leaper cat design and marketing slogans such as delete ordinary, live vivid and copy nothing. Images of the new electric car, called the Type 00, were shared at an event in Miami in the US on Monday, with the model described as a concept with bold forms and exuberant proportions to inspire future Jaguars, according to the brand. It has been revealed in two colours, Miami Pink and London Blue. The Jaguar logo is laser-etched into a brass ingot on each side of the car, which themselves open to reveal rear-facing cameras that provide a view for the driver similar to conventional wing mirrors via screens located in the cabin. Advertisement Access to the cabin comes through two butterfly doors which reveal a large, spacious interior with three hand-finished brass lines which run the length of the interior. The floating front seats are finished in a wool blend which is also used on the flooring and other areas. Jaguar said the new car uses a dedicated electric platform which should return up to 478 miles of range while rapid charging will add 200 miles of charge in 15 minutes. The production-ready version of the Type 00, which will be made in the UK, is set to be revealed late in 2025. Advertisement A video posted by the company on X last month, featuring people wearing brightly coloured clothes making synchronised movements but no cars, led to platform owner Elon Musk, the largest individual shareholder in electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla, asking Do you sell cars? Jaguar managing director Rawdon Glover said he was disappointed by the vile hatred and intolerance in responses to the advert. Speaking at what he called the reimagining in Miami, chief creative officer Professor Gerry McGovern said the new brand was influenced by the desire to recapture the essence of Jaguars original creative conviction. Some may love it now, some may love it later and some may never love it. Thats what fearless creativity does, he said, citing David Bowie, Vivienne Westwood and architect Richard Rogers as some of his creative heroes Advertisement They were British trailblazers who challenged convention and had no desire to copy the norm. Controversy has always surrounded British creativity when its been at its best. The company said that both its cars and culture will come to life in a number of exclusive brand stores, with the first of these being located in the 8th arrondissement in Paris. Lifestyle Review: Dacia Duster is the ultimate cheap-jeep fo... Read More Jaguar will launch three new electric cars in 2026, having taken new cars off sale more than a year ago to focus on its rebrand. Adrian Mardell, chief executive of Jaguar Land Rover, said: The magic of Jaguar is close to my heart an original British luxury brand unmatched in its heritage, artistry and emotional magnetism. Thats the Jaguar we are recapturing and we will create the same sense of awe that surrounded iconic models like the E-type. Our journey is already under way, guided by our original ethos to copy nothing and the results will be nothing short of spectacular. Within Arctic and Antarctic circles, months go by where the sun never rises and darkness reigns. This is referred to as the dark season, and in its peak the polar night. Many think that the absence of familiar cues, day-night cycles and exposure to vitamin D must drain residents and throw their routines off balance, but we have spoken to some people who have experienced the opposite. Advertisement A photographer, explorer and two Arctic residents have shared their personal experiences of the dark season with us, and have debunked some common misconceptions about it Graeme Chesters Graeme Chesters (90 North Foundation/PA) Photographer and researcher Graeme Chesters, 57, looks back at his dark season stint in Svalbard an archipelago of islands in the Arctic Ocean, located between Norway and the North Pole with great fondness. A lot of peoples initial responses are Oh it must be depressing and tend to imagine its like Seasonal Affective Disorder, says the researcher director at 90 North Foundation. But, if youre living in light for six months of the year, there is actually a lot of anticipation about the dark and the spectacles that it gives rise to such as the aurora, the full moon and starlight. Graeme Chesters was particularly taken aback by the entrancing phenomenons he witnessed during the dark season (Graeme Chesters/PA) It doesnt take very long to understand what a unique opportunity it is, to see the Northern Lights at any time in the day, to be able to see the Milky Way, to see starlight like youve never seen it before. Advertisement During his first taste of the polar night two years ago, Chesters found that the community still made a conscious effort to host events to stay connected. There are lots of communal events going such as the Blues Festival which marks the start of the dark season, he reveals. It becomes a very social time. However, residents also enjoy winding down during this period. Rather than seeing it as being something to kind of live through, you realise this is something to be enjoyed, highlights Chesters. It provides the opportunity to read more books, sit around and wear the thickest, most wonderful woolly jumper that youve got. I luxuriated in it a little bit. It was profoundly enjoyable in a way that I hadnt anticipated. Advertisement Pen Hadow Pen Hadow (90 North Foundation/PA) Founder of the 90 North Foundation Pen Hadow, 62, describes his first polar night adventure as a starry wonder, which was equal parts challenging and magical. He led a two-man 30-day sledge-hauling expedition during the polar night across Spitsbergen in early 1990s and distinctively remembers the unrelenting cold. From a physiological point of view, the hardest thing was never getting warm it was rock hard cold with no alleviation during a 24-hour-period, recollects Hadow. It made me appreciate the value of what direct sunlight brings to someone or to life. However, the explorer was surprised how quickly his eyes adjusted to the darkness. Your eyes get used to discerning things at a higher and higher resolution over about four or five days, in my experience, explains Hadow. When you first arrive, everything looks white or grey or blue and its a little bit like a fuzzy TV screen. Advertisement Pen Hadow was surprised about how quickly his eyes adapted to the darkness (Martin Hartley/PA) But then as your eyes adjust, your brain adjusts to the nature of the information is getting and starts to see patterns that it couldnt see earlier. The explorer describes his epic expedition as a nugget of gold that he will always cherish. Its like a little nugget of gold that I have in my back pocket, that I can always go back to it, and while some of it was really uncomfortable and difficult, its something very special and unique, says Hadow. Bryony and Henrik Hegard Bryony and Henrik Hegard (Graeme Chesters/PA) Living in one of the coldest place on earth throughout the dark season isnt for everyone, recognises Svalbard residents Bryony Hegard, 30, and her husband Henrik, 25 but they personally adore it. Advertisement Some people do not like dark season because its dark and they think its depressing but I think its cosy and nice and relaxing, says Henrik. You have to enjoy the dark season to live in Svalbard, adds Bryony. If you stick to your routine and are a little bit wacky because you think its fun to live in the dark season, then its fine. I think its a really beautiful time of year. We have a lot of candles and cosy lights at home, and make the most out of it. In contrast, the couple find the busy tourist season in the summer (where the sun is up 24 hours a day) exhausting. You feel overcharged, like a Duracell battery, because youre running around all the time, reflects Bryony. You do eight hours at work, and then come home and it still looks like the middle of the day, so you think Ill go on a hike and by the time you finish doing everything its three oclock in the morning. Whereas in the dark season, you unwind and relax. Everybodys a bit more friendly with each other because theyve got time and energy to be more social. Although most people socialise indoors during the dark season, there is still plenty of things to do outdoors too, says the couple. People go ice climbing or hiking in the mountains socially, or go out and watch the Northern Lights in a group, shares Bryony. Bryony and Henrik Hegard looking up at the Northern Lights (Jannicke Mikkelsen/PA) The biggest secret of all, is that the dark season isnt very dark. Its probably the best-kept secret because its very beautiful, and if you have snow on the ground, moonlight and the Northern Lights and a clear sky, you can see just as well as as if the sun was out, explains Bryony. The sky feels bigger and brighter and you can absorb the stars and the Northern Lights more. The 90 North Foundation is calling for the Central Arctic Ocean to become an internationally recognised North Pole Marine Reserve, find out more here. A court in south-eastern Bangladesh has rescheduled a bail hearing for a jailed Hindu leader who led large rallies in the Muslim-majority country demanding better security for minority groups. It comes as tensions have risen following reports of the desecration of the Indian flag across Bangladesh, with some burning it and others laying it on the ground for people to step on. Advertisement Krishna Das Prabhu, who was arrested in Bangladeshs capital, Dhaka, last week, faces charges of sedition after he led huge rallies in the south-eastern city of Chattogram. Hindu groups say there have been thousands of attacks against Hindus since early August, when the secular government of prime minister Sheikh Hasina was overthrown. Bangladeshi Hindu leader Krishna Das Prabhu makes a victory sign as he is taken in a police van after a court in Chattogram ordered him to be detained pending further proceedings (AP) Relations between India and Bangladesh deteriorated after Ms Hasina fled to India in the wake of mass demonstrations which left hundreds of protesters dead and thousands injured. India has since stopped issuing visas for Bangladeshi nationals, except for medical treatment. Advertisement India, which sheltered 10 million refugees and helped Bangladesh gain independence through a nine-month bloody war against Pakistan in 1971, considers Ms Hasina a trusted friend. Her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was the independence leader of Bangladesh, then the eastern part of present-day Pakistan. The detention of Mr Prabhu sparked violent protests by his supporters. Members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad shout slogans as they are stopped by police during a protest outside the Bangladesh High Commission in Mumbai, India (Rafiq Maqbool/AP) A Muslim lawyer was hacked to death near the court in Chattogram hours after the news of his imprisonment surfaced and his supporters clashed with security forces. Advertisement The situation caused concern in Hindu-majority India and the Bangladesh interim government, led by Nobel peace laureate Muhammad Yunus. Mr Prabhu, also known as Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, did not appear in court on Tuesday. Public Prosecutor Mofizul Haque Bhuiyan told the Associated Press by phone that Chattogram Metropolitan Session Judge Saiful Islam ordered a bail hearing for January 2 after the prosecution petitioned for more time to study the case. He also said no defence lawyer represented Mr Prabhu in court. Anti-India protests were planned in Dhaka on Tuesday after a group of Hindus in Agartala, the capital of the north-eastern Indian state of Tripura, stormed a consulate office of Bangladesh on Monday in protest over Mr Prabhus arrest. Advertisement Members of Islami Andolan Bangladesh shout slogans during a protest in Dhaka after Hindus in Agartala stormed a consulate office of Bangladesh (Mahmud Hossain Opu/AP) Indias Ministry of External Affairs said on Monday that the attack on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala was deeply regrettable. Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances, a ministry statement said. It added that India is stepping up security arrangements at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and other diplomatic offices in the country. Bangladeshs Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack in Agartala and demanded security to prevent any further acts of violence against its diplomatic missions in India. Advertisement The accounts received conclusively attest that the protesters were allowed to aggress into the premises by breaking down the main gate of Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in a pre-planned manner, the foreign ministry said. Police officers stand guard outside the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, Bangladesh (Mahmud Hossain Opu/AP) The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, an umbrella organisation of the countrys minority groups, has denounced the arrest of Mr Prabhu and called for his release. Mr Prabhu is a spokesman for the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatan Jagaran Jote group. He was also associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, widely known as the Hare Krishna movement. Hindus and members of other minority groups say they have faced attacks since Ms Hasina was ousted. Mr Yunus has said the threat to Hindus has been exaggerated. Around 91% of Bangladeshs population is Muslim, with Hindus making up almost all of the rest. Bangladesh has faced political and social tensions since a mass uprising ended Ms Hasinas 15-year rule. Her critics had accused her of becoming autocratic. The interim government has been struggling to establish order amid a background of mob justice, street protests, police administration issues and political uncertainty, with Mr Yunus repeatedly calling for calm. China announced on Tuesday that it is banning exports to the United States of gallium, germanium, antimony and other key hi-tech materials with potential military applications. The Chinese Commerce Ministry announced the move after Washington expanded its list of Chinese companies subject to export controls on computer chip-making equipment, software and high-bandwidth memory chips. Such chips are needed for advanced applications. Advertisement The ratcheting up of trade restrictions comes at a time when President-elect Donald Trump has been threatening to sharply raise tariffs on imports from China and other countries, potentially adding to simmering tensions over trade and technology. Chinese commerce minister Wang Wentao speaks at a press conference in Beijing (Ng Han Guan/AP) China said in July 2023 that it would require exporters to apply for licences to send to the US the strategically important materials such as gallium and germanium. In August, the Commerce Ministry said it would restrict exports of antimony, which is used in a wide range of products from batteries to weapons. China is the biggest global source of gallium and germanium, which are produced in small amounts but are needed to make computer chips for mobile phones, cars and other products, as well as solar panels and military technology. Advertisement The Commerce Ministry protested and said it would act to protect Chinas rights and interests after the US announced it was adding 140 companies to a so-called entity list subject to strict export controls. Nearly all are based in China, though some are Chinese-owned businesses in Japan, South Korea and Singapore. Both governments said their respective export controls were needed for national security. An antimony mining company in Lengshuijiang in south Chinas Hunan province (Chinatopix/AP) In hitting back at the latest move by Washington to slow Chinas progress in developing advanced technology with potential military applications, China is tightening controls announced in July 2023. Chinas government has been frustrated by US curbs on access to advanced processor chips and other technology on security grounds but was cautious in retaliating, possibly to avoid disrupting Chinas fledgling developers of chips, artificial intelligence and other technology. Advertisement Various Chinese industry associations issued statements protesting at the US move. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said it opposes using national security as a grounds for export controls, abuse of export control measures, and the malicious blockade and suppression of China. Such behaviour seriously violates the laws of the market economy and the principle of fair competition, undermines the international economic and trade order, disrupts the stability of the global industrial chain, and ultimately harms the interests of all countries, it said in a statement. The China Semiconductor Industry Association said restrictions are disrupting supply chains and inflating costs for American companies (Andy Wong/AP) The China Semiconductor Industry Association issued a similar statement, adding that such restrictions are disrupting supply chains and inflating costs for American companies. Advertisement US chip products are no longer safe and reliable. Chinas related industries will have to be cautious in purchasing US chips, it said. The US gets about half its supply of both gallium and germanium metals directly from China, according to the US Geological Survey. China exported about 23 metric tonnes of gallium last year and produces about 600 metric tonnes of germanium per year. Nigel Farage has dismissed reports that American tech billionaire Elon Musk could donate millions of pounds to his political party Reform UK. The owner of Tesla and X the social media site formerly known as Twitter is reportedly considering giving $100 million to Mr Farage. Advertisement The sum is equivalent to 78 million (84 million), and could pave the way for a huge upset in the British political landscape. Speaking to BBC Radio 4s PM, Mr Farage said nothing of the kind had been discussed by him and Mr Musk. He added: Certainly, it leads us into a big debate about the funding of political parties and how we should do things. But I want to make it clear whilst even a fraction of that money could make a massive difference to our operations, it is purely theoretical. Reports of the massive cash transfer were first aired in The Times newspaper over the weekend, attributed to claims by Conservative party officials and leading businessmen. Advertisement The newspaper also suggested that if the donation did materialise, it would come via the British arm of X, allowing Mr Musk to circumvent rules about foreign donations to a political party. The Reform leader described himself as a huge admirer of Elon Musk, but had never solicited a donation from him, and one has never been offered. He did, however, signal he would be willing to accept the donation if it was put on the table. He told the BBC: Would I accept money, given that were up against two big parties who are very heavily funded, and we scrape by mostly on our burgeoning membership fees? Yes, of course, Id accept money. Advertisement Despite Mr Farages dismissal of the story, Reforms deputy leader, Richard Tice, was less definitive, telling LBC: Lets wait and see. Mr Musks relationship with Sir Keir Starmers government has taken a sour turn in recent months, with the tech billionaire giving his backing to a petition calling for another general election, and criticising many Labour policies. The X owner has been nominated for a job in Donald Trumps incoming US administration overseeing efforts to cut government expenditure deemed wasteful. A federal judge has dismissed the gun case against Hunter Biden after US president Joe Biden issued a sweeping pardon for his son. US District Judge Maryellen Noreika closed the case the week before Hunter Biden was to be sentenced. Advertisement He could have faced up to 25 years in prison, though as a first-time offender he was likely to have got far less time or avoided prison entirely. US president Joe Biden with his son Hunter Biden on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington in July (Susan Walsh/AP) Prosecutors opposed dismissing the case, arguing in court documents that a pardon should not wipe away the case as if it never occurred. Hunter Biden was convicted on three felonies after he lied on a federal form to purchase a gun in Delaware by saying he was not a drug user in 2018, a period when he has acknowledged being addicted. The Justice Department special counsel is also opposed to dismissing a case filed in California after he failed to pay $1.4 million in taxes. Advertisement A federal judge in Los Angeles has not yet ruled in that case. The presidents Sunday decision to go back on previous pledges and issue his son a blanket federal pardon for actions over the past 11 years has sparked a political uproar in Washington, drawing criticism from many Democrats as well as Republicans and threatening to cloud Mr Bidens legacy as he prepares to leave office on January 20th. Hunter Biden was originally supposed to strike a plea deal with prosecutors last year that would have spared him prison time, but the agreement fell apart after Judge Noreika questioned unusual aspects of it. Iran has released a government critic and popular hip-hop artist who shot to fame over his lyrics about the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, local media reported on Tuesday. Toomaj Salehi spent a little over a year in jail and faced a death sentence issued by a Revolutionary Court, which usually involves closed-door hearings and gives limited rights to those on trial. Advertisement The sentencing drew international criticism and was overturned in June. Iranian newspapers, including the pro-reform Hammihan daily, said Salehi was released on Sunday. Commenting on his release, New York-based Artists At Risk Connection, an organisation that protects artists and cultural workers who are at risk because of their creative expression, said in a statement: This case highlights the grave risks artists face when challenging authoritarian regimes, as well as ARCs ongoing efforts to advocate for their rights. RELEASED: Iranian rapper #ToomajSalehi, arrested during the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests in 2022, is finally free! ARC has actively supported his case since his arrest. A symbol of resilience and artistic freedom, we celebrate his reunion with loved ones. #FreeToomaj #Iran pic.twitter.com/Yt9JIowQOp ARC (Artists at Risk Connection) (@AtRiskArtists) December 1, 2024 The Grammy winner was detained for the first time in 2022 following mass protests that swept the Islamic Republic after Ms Amini was arrested for wearing her hijab, the Islamic head covering, too loosely, and later died in police custody. Advertisement Salehi rapped about her in one video, saying: Someones crime was dancing with her hair in the wind. In another verse, he predicted the downfall of Irans theocracy. He spent time in and out of jail and said in a video message that he was tortured during detention, which led to his arrest in November 2023. State media at the time released a video showing him blindfolded and apologising for his words, a statement likely to have been made under duress. UN investigators say Iran was responsible for Ms Aminis death, and that it violently put down largely peaceful protests, killing more than 500 people and detaining some 22,000. Advertisement Iran has long prosecuted and in many cases imprisoned dissidents, journalists and artists who challenged government decisions imposing restrictions on women and activists. Reportedly, such cases have dropped after pro-reform President Masoud Pezeshkian came to power in July. Britain's Queen Camilla has told guests at the state visit that her chest infection was a form of pneumonia. Camilla is suffering from post-viral fatigue and is missing the outdoor elements of the Qatari visit after being urged by her doctors to take more time to recover. Advertisement It is understood Camillas condition was viral, not bacterial, and she no longer has pneumonia. Camilla missed the outdoor ceremonial welcome on a chilly Horse Guards Parade on Tuesday. Instead, she arrived at Buckingham Palace shortly beforehand, giving a smile as she stepped from her car at the Grand Entrance. Britain's King and Queen walk with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher, at Buckingham Palace (Jonathan Brady/PA) Camilla, 77, waited for the Emir of Qatar and his wife inside, in the warm surroundings of the Grand Hall. Advertisement Once inside the palace, the Emir and his wife were introduced by the King Charles and Camilla to the British suite key members of the Royal Household who had gathered to wait in a receiving line. Charles and Emir walked together, followed by Camilla and Sheikha Jawaher. Camilla contracted her chest infection after a long haul trip to Australia and Samoa and has pulled out a series of engagements since then, including the the Royal Variety Performance, the Gladiator II premiere and the Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph. It is understood Camilla was not taken to hospital with pneumonia, but is now facing bouts of extreme tiredness. Advertisement A royal source said: Some days the Queen is on really good form. Its just one of those things. She has lost the coughing but the lingering side of it is bouts of extreme tiredness. There has to be a degree of flex in the Queens diary at the moment. Sean Penn has accused the organisers of the Oscars of being cowards who, in effect, limit the kinds of films that can be funded and made. The 64-year-old actor said at the Marrakech Film Festival that he gets excited about the Academy Awards only on the rare occasions that films he values are nominated. Advertisement The producers of the academy have exercised really extraordinary cowardice when it comes to being part of the world of expression and, in fact, have largely been part of limiting the imagination and limiting different cultural expressions, Penn said at the festival, where he received a career achievement award this week. I dont get very excited about what well call the Academy Awards, he said, noting exceptions when certain films grace the ceremony, including Sean Bakers The Florida Project, Walter Salles Im Still Here and Jacques Audiards Emilia Perez. Penns remarks dovetail longstanding criticisms of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for lacking diversity both within the ranks of its members and in terms of the films that they elect to promote and celebrate with awards. The institution has in recent years tried to adopt more proactive steps to reform and rebrand itself, but has faced criticism for not going far enough to make meaningful changes. Advertisement Penn also lauded Iranian-Danish director Ali Abbasi and his latest film The Apprentice about US President-elect Donald Trump. It faced difficulty finding an American distributor in the lead-up to the US election in November. Its kind of jaw dropping how afraid this business of mavericks is when they get a great film like that with great, great acting, he said. They too can be as afraid as a piddly little Republican congressman. Advertisement Sean Penn (Doug Peters/PA) As part of a career tribute, the Marrakech Film Festival is screening four of Penns films this week in Moroccos tourism capital. Local media in Morocco reported several audience members exiting a screening of Milk during a scene that depicted two men in bed. Homosexuality is illegal under Moroccos penal code, although cases are not frequently prosecuted. The actor, whose 2023 film Superpower documents war in Ukraine, also voiced support for President Volodymyr Zelensky and called himself a patriot in crisis in response to a question about the American political landscape. Colorado and the western United States could experience extreme droughts every six years by the end of this century if global temperatures continue to rise. Researchers linked these worsening drought conditions to climate change, emphasizing the need for immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Historically, severe droughts like the one that gripped the region between 2020 and 2022 occurred less than once every 1,000 years. However, warmer temperatures have altered this pattern, intensifying drought severity and frequency. Joel Lisonbee, a scientist at the University of Colorado Boulder, explained that future droughts will be longer, more widespread, and harsher, said The Denver Post. The 2020-2022 drought showcased the devastating effects of climate change on the West. Researchers found that higher temperatures accounted for 61% of the drought's severity, while reduced precipitation made up the remaining 39%. These dry conditions fueled Colorado's three largest wildfires on record, burning over 541,000 acres and leaving behind environmental damage, including mudslides that blocked Interstate 70 and caused deadly flash floods. READ MORE : Rising Seas Could Submerge US Coastal Cities by 2100, Affecting Millions Wildfires, Air Quality, and the Urgent Need for Climate Action Boulder County's Marshall Fire in December 2021, the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history, highlighted the year-round risks. Smoke from fires across the West also worsened air quality, with some days ranking among the worst globally for the Front Range. According to a study published in Science Advances, as the atmosphere warms, it holds more water vapor, leading to increased evaporation and decreased precipitation. This feedback loop exacerbates drought conditions, making traditional solutions like building reservoirs insufficient. "The only way to prevent this is to stop temperature increases, which means reducing greenhouse gas emissions," said Rong Fu, a UCLA atmospheric sciences professor and lead author of the study. During the 2020 drought, every Colorado county experienced severe conditions, prompting Governor Jared Polis to declare an emergency for 21 counties on the Western Slope. Experts warn that without decisive action, Colorado's water resources, agriculture, and communities will face ongoing challenges from intensifying droughts. Syrian insurgents captured four new towns early on Tuesday, taking them closer to the central city of Hama, opposition activists said, while government forces retook some territory they lost last week. The capture of the towns is the latest in the push by insurgents led by the Salafi jihadi Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, as well as Turkey-backed opposition fighters. Advertisement Insurgents now are about six miles (10km) from Hama, the countrys fourth largest city. Syrian opposition fighters stand on an aircraft at the Al-Nayrab military airport after taking control of the facility on the outskirts of Aleppo (Omar Albam/AP) The latest push is part of a wide offensive by forces opposed to Syrian President Bashar Assad that over the past days has captured large parts of the northern city of Aleppo, Syrias largest, as well as towns and villages in southern parts of north-western Idlib province. The insurgents military operations administration said gunmen killed 50 government forces as they captured the central towns of Halfaya, Taybat al-Imam, Maardis and Soran. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, confirmed the towns were taken. Advertisement The pro-government Dama Post media outlet reported intense clashes in an around the towns, adding that Syrian troops are firing artillery shells at insurgents in the area. State media reported intense air strikes by Syrian and Russian air forces in the area. People inspect a camp for the internally displaced after an air strike near the village of Harbnush, north of Idlib, Syria (Ghaith Alsayed/AP) Both the Observatory and pro-government media outlets reported that Syrian government forces captured the village of Khanaser on Tuesday, days after losing it. Khanaser lies along one of the roads that lead to Aleppo. The long war between Mr Assad and his foreign backers and the array of armed opposition forces seeking to overthrow him has killed an estimated half a million people over the past 13 years. Advertisement To the east, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said in a statement that they captured seven villages from pro-government fighters. Syrian state media, however, denied the villages were captured by the US-backed SDF, saying the attack was repelled. The villages are close to a base housing US troops in the area that is close to Iraq. Military equipment is scattered outside Aleppo International Airport as opposition fighters take control of the facility (Omar Albam/AP) Also on Tuesday, Hakan Fidan, foreign minister of Turkey, which is a main backer of groups opposed to Mr Assad, said the recent rapid advance by insurgents in Syria shows that the Syrian president must reconcile with his own people and hold talks with the opposition. Advertisement Mr Assad and officials in his government say all armed groups in opposition-held parts of Syria are terrorists and has rejected any political solution with them. Turkey has been seeking to normalise ties with Syria to address security threats from groups affiliated with Kurdish militants along its southern border and to help ensure the safe return of more than three million Syrian refugees. Mr Assad has insisted Turkeys withdrawal of its military forces from northern Syria must be a condition for any normalisation between the two countries. Commonwealth Bank has caved in to public and political pressure and paused a controversial move that would have led to about 50,000 extra customers paying a $3 fee to withdraw cash from branches early in the new year. The countrys biggest bank faced intense backlash, and its chief executive Matt Comyn fielded a call from Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Wednesday morning, after announcing it would close one million Complete Access accounts and move those customers into its main transaction product, Smart Access. The Smart Access product includes $3 fee for an assisted withdrawal, such as those occurring through a branch or via telephone banking. CBA has not dropped the fee but said it would talk to up to 50,000 customers who regularly access cash via assisted withdrawal, and who would be between $5 and $15 worse off per year under the flagged changes. Stories from the Otto Bin Empire Judy Nunn Penguin, $34.99 I still remember Judy Nunn as Ailsa from Home and Away. Married to Ray Meaghers Alf, her character was killed off in 2000. The former soap actor is also a prolific and bestselling author. Stories from the Otto Bin Empire is a collection of short fiction introducing six characters from a loose community of rough sleepers. The lonely Polish immigrant, Oskar, whose moment to shine comes playing chess in the park. Teen runaway Adam, who arrives in the Otto Bin Empire too up against it to understand the joke. Benny, The Big Issue vendor with a heart of gold. The raffish Johnny, generous to a fault, who wants to turn around a life of habitual crime. A poet inspired by them all and Madge the matriarch of the homeless clan, whose own story is a closely guarded secret. Nunn writes with an unaffected, clear-eyed warmth that focuses on the dignity of these homeless characters and tries to see them through their own eyes. The stories avoid slipping into cynicism or sentimentality, portraying poverty and vulnerability but also the companionship of surviving them together. NON-FICTION PICK OF THE WEEK The Best Australian Science Writing 2024 Editors Jackson Ryan & Carl Smith NewSouth, $32.99 Have you ever wanted to skin/ a cell just to watch the turning /wheel of the universe within? asks Shey Marque in her Poetic Constellations as she gazes into outer space. Its a question that distils the pure curiosity of science at its most lofty. At the same time, the universe within a single cell is also where science at its most earthy and practical begins. This is marvellously captured in Age reporter Liam Mannixs story about slime moulds alien-like single-cellular creatures that can solve mazes and achieve other surprising feats of computation. From the topical and quotidian to the existential and cosmic, this years anthology of science writing has achieved a satisfying balance of short breezy pieces the chemistry of chip flavours and the science of a good coffee and more in-depth features on the race to protect the worlds oldest cave art and how scientists are intervening to save the endangered pygmy possum from the cascading effects of climate change. The Assault on the State Stephen E. Hanson & Jeffrey S. Kopstein Polity, $41.95 The deep state, woke elites, the blob. These are just a few of the alarmist put-downs that are invoked by those who are opposed to governmental agencies and the public service. While there has been increasing debate about the decline of democracy and the rise of autocracy, the authors of this work argue that equally concerning is the undermining of the administrative state: the often invisible safeguards that ensure our air and water are clean, our food and medication safe to consume, our laws upheld. Vladimir Putin, they argue, has laid the ground and provided the model for self-aggrandising strongmen like Donald Trump, Viktor Orban and Benjamin Netanyahu, who treat the state like a family business. In the wake of the election of Trump to a second presidency, reading this cri de coeur for the marvellous human invention of the modern state is like peering into a disturbingly dark crystal ball. Slivers, Shards and Skerricks Shaun Micallef Affirm Press, $34.99 He is further accused of squeezing knees and bottoms, touching faces and legs, touching or stroking thighs at one point close to his [the complainants] groin kissed another complainant and caressed his upper arm. The charges follow a major investigation by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age which revealed allegations that Jones used his position of power to prey on a number of young men, indecently assaulting them, groping or inappropriately touching them without their consent. The 11 aggravated indecent assault charges involve a former 2GB employee known as Complainant C, who used to drive the star broadcaster from the radio stations Pyrmont studios to his luxury apartment in the building known as The Toaster, which overlooks Circular Quay. During those 10 minutes, it would be wandering hands and then it just gradually became him grabbing my dick. And he would go for it, the employee previously told this masthead. He knew I wasnt gay, so it was about power dynamics. I would be driving and he would have put his hand on my leg, and then youd sort of push his hand away, just try and wriggle out. But youre driving, youre absolutely trapped hed go the grope, hed rub my penis. Loading According to the charge sheets, the alleged offences against Joness former driver occurred in 2008 and 2009 and included touching and rubbing his penis as well as kissing him on the mouth and lips. The element of aggravation in the 11 indecent assault charges involving the driver relate to his position as an employee of Jones, and being under his authority. This offence can attract a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment. A man referred to in the charge sheet as Complainant B, who was 26 at the time, had previously told this masthead that he was driving Jones to dinner in Leichhardt in 2001 when the broadcaster allegedly put his hand in my lap and touched my penis through my pants. He said he removed Jones hand immediately. The youngest of Jones alleged victims, Complainant A, was a 17-year-old schoolboy at the time Jones is alleged to have committed an act of indecency on him, by kissing him using his tongue. The boy, who was staying at Jones Fitzroy Falls property over a weekend in January 2017, has previously said he and Jones, who was 75 at the time, watched a movie before the broadcaster passionately kissed him on the lips and placed his left hand on the boys buttocks. Loading After pushing Jones away, the boy went to the bathroom with my loofah and soap and began scrubbing my mouth, inside and out, as much as I could. When her son returned home, his mother was concerned that something was wrong. Finally, her son passed her a piece of paper on which hed written his allegation that someone with power and money had done something to him which he shouldnt have. Alan Jones was so aware of how vulnerable we were and he just preyed on it, his mother told this masthead last year. The boy and his mother reported the incident to police, who told them Jones would hire a formidable legal team, and it would be the word of a schoolboy against one of the most powerful people in the country. Jones was not Joe Blow from Bunnings, the mother recalled an officer saying. At the time, the police encouraged the boy to make a statement in case further allegations against Jones were received at a later date. Jones denied the allegations raised by the Herald and The Age in December 2023 and threatened to sue but did not commence a defamation action. Alan Jones was so aware of how vulnerable we were and he just preyed on it. The mother of Complainant A Jones was one of the most powerful figures in the Australian media. When he defected from 2UE to 2GB in 2002, it was the biggest media deal for an individual in Australia, worth an estimated $40 million over seven years. In May 2020, Jones announced his retirement from 2GB on doctors advice. Behind the scenes, Jones was being forced out on commercial grounds because advertisers were boycotting his program after comments he made about then New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern. Loading In August 2019, Jones said that then Australian prime minister Scott Morrison should shove a sock down her throat and he hoped Morrison gets tough here with a few backhanders. After Jones arrest, his high-profile lawyer Chris Murphy said his client denies any misconduct and would be defending this case. Jones bail conditions include that he is of good behaviour, lives at a Sydney address, surrenders his passport and does not go near any international airport or interstate airport departure points in NSW. Residents of a busy street in one of Sydneys most exclusive suburbs awoke to heavily armed tactical police officers swarming a home during an hours-long police operation. Prince Albert Street in Mosman was closed off just after 7am on Tuesday, when officers executed a firearms prohibition order, NSW Police said in a statement. Heavily armed police swooped on a house in Prince Albert Street, Mosman. Credit: Mosman Collective Residents told the Mosman Collective website that officers entered a home near the Buena restaurant and removed a man very quickly. When the riot squad van turned up, we were very alarmed, and police had a loudhailer they were using to warn the man they were coming for him, a resident told the Mosman Collective. This article is part of Travellers guide to The Ends of the Earth. Antarctic tourists usually look forward to three things at the bottom of the world: peeking at penguins and pinnipeds, peeling off the layers for a polar plunge, and posting mail from Port Lockroys Penguin Post Office. Last summer, however, cruisers discovered the worlds southernmost post office Antarcticas most popular man-made attraction was off-limits. Out of an abundance of caution, the quirky outpost on football pitch-sized Goudier Island was closed to cruise-ship passengers to help protect its colony of 1000-plus gentoo penguins from the threat of avian flu, which has killed hundreds of thousands of seabirds around the world. Gentoo penguins at Port Lockroy, Antarctica. Credit: Adobe Stock The post office, which raises funds for the UK Antarctic Heritage Trusts conservation of former British bases and other heritage sites on the Antarctic Peninsula, instead got creative. The recruits who run the operation over the austral summer bundled up their merchandise in dry-bags and plastic bins, dragged them to the shoreline on toboggans and hitched a ride on cruise-ship Zodiacs to reach potential customers. Before setting up a cashless pop-up shop aboard one of these ships, HXs Fridtjof Nansen, last season, team members took advantage of a few comforts. Life on the island includes no running water or flushing toilets so they squeezed in showers, a meal and messages back home before greeting the queue of passengers keen for Antarctic souvenirs. Its a busy time for Travelmarvel, the sister brand to APT, with river cruising vessel Rigel to take to European rivers in 2026, alongside Capella, Vega, and Polaris which all launched in 2022. Travelmarvel is also returning to French river cruising in 2025, ending a nine-year hiatus. Travelmarvel is an APT group premium brand offering flexibility across river and small ship cruising as well as land tours. The return wont be on one of Travelmarvels own ships, but via a charter of the MS Van Gogh, a ship that aligns with a commitment to comfort and authenticity, says APT group chief executive David Cox. Lower prices, more flexibility Rhone River, Avignon. Credit: iStock Gastronomy is a significant feature on this one-time charter, as is likely with any visit to foodie France. In the very early morning of December 2, 2005, my client Van Nguyen was hanged in Singapores Changi Prison. His offence? Carrying 396 grams of poorly concealed heroin from Phnom Penh. The drugs were detected during a stopover in Singapore as Van tried to board a Qantas flight to Australia at Changi Airport, gate C23. From that moment, he was a dead man walking. Changi carries a meaning of suffering for many. After his arrest, many became involved in the cause. Why? Van was an Australian citizen, and we object when foreign governments claiming to be democratic kill Australians in the name of justice. The day before Van was hanged, Lee Hsien Loong, then Singapores prime minister, said the death penalty is necessary. Nonsense. Van Nguyens mother, Kim, pictured in front of a photograph of her son in 2006. Credit: Jason South At the time, Alexander Downer was Australias foreign minister. He assured me in a meeting about Vans case in 2003 that the Australian public would not be interested in Vans fate. Van was of Vietnamese origin, the son of a refugee and a small-time drug mule. Downer was wrong. Many Australians took the case to heart. People still tell me they remember where they were on the day Van was executed. Veteran journalist Jana Wendt told me she was in a taxi in Sydney when the driver said something like, I suppose they have killed that young boy by now. She cried then, and she again shed a tear later telling me the story. People nearby wondered what I had done to upset such a beautiful and famous woman. Just hours after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, he was forced by the countrys lawmakers to sensationally backflip on the move. Heres what the political crisis means and what happens next. What happened in South Korea overnight? In an announcement broadcast on live television on Tuesday night, Yoon declared martial law for the first time in South Korea since 1980, vowing to eradicate shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces. He added that he had no choice but to take the measure to safeguard constitutional order. The decision triggered immediate chaos and upheaval in the South Korean capital, Seoul. Thousands of protesters rallied outside the National Assembly building as troops descended on parliament to enforce the edict. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday night. Credit: AP Images from Seoul showed violent clashes between troops and protesters, including one video broadcast by a local media outlet, OhmyTV, which showed a woman grabbing a soldiers gun and trying to take it from him before being pushed aside. In another video that has since gone viral, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Lee Jae-myung, filmed himself climbing the fence of the parliament compound in a desperate rush to lead a vote overturning the martial law declaration. Despite authorities efforts to block their access, members of parliament were able to enter the National Assembly building, where all 190 of the 300 elected politicians in attendance voted to scrap the declaration just hours after it was announced. Under South Korean law, Yoon was required to honour the vote and lift the declaration when his national cabinet convened. About 4.30am local time (6.30am AEDT) the cabinet passed a motion to have the declaration scrapped. I declared emergency martial law at 11pm last night as an act of national resolve against the anti-state forces that are trying to paralyse the essential functions of the state and disrupt the constitutional order of our liberal democracy, The New York Times reported Yoon as saying earlier on Wednesday morning. However, a short time ago, the National Assembly demanded that martial law be lifted, so I withdrew the military forces that had been deployed to carry out martial law. I will lift martial law as soon as we have a quorum in the cabinet. Its early in the morning, so we dont have a quorum yet. But I call on the National Assembly to immediately stop the outrageous behaviour that is paralysing the functioning of the country with impeachments, legislative manipulation and budget manipulation. Protesters call for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeols impeachment. Credit: Bloomberg What happens now? The fallout of Yoons declaration has continued on Wednesday morning, with calls from South Koreas opposition for the president to resign or be impeached. Democratic Party of Korea MP Park Chan Dae said in a statement that even though martial law was lifted, the president cannot avoid treason charges. Loading It was clearly revealed to the entire nation that President Yoon could no longer run the country normally. He should step down. Yoon can be impeached if two-thirds of the lawmakers in the National Assembly vote in favour of the move. Thousands of people have attended rallies in recent months, calling for his impeachment and accusing him of incompetence, corruption and abuse of power, The New York Times reports. The chaos that descended on the National Assembly building on Tuesday night has largely calmed, but some protesters have returned to parliament demanding Yoon be removed from power. Barricades erected to block entry into the National Assembly building were removed on Wednesday morning. Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol, protesters could be heard chanting in a video published by The New York Times. Its one thing for a president to pardon his son. Its another to do it like this. President Joe Bidens pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, on Monday (AEDT) is exceptional not just because of the pardons recipient the closest family member to receive a pardon in history but also for its sheer breadth, according to experts on presidential pardons. President Joe Biden accompanied by his son Hunter Biden in Nantucket over the Thanksgiving holiday. Credit: AP Biden didnt just pardon his son for his convictions on tax and gun charges, but for any offences against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014, through December 1, 2024. Thats a nearly 11-year period during which any federal crime Hunter Biden might have committed and there are none we are aware of beyond what has already been adjudicated cant be prosecuted. It notably covers when he was appointed to the board of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma in 2014 all the way through to Sunday, well after the crimes for which he was prosecuted. China steps up support for VC investment of central enterprises in innovative firms Global Times) 10:29, December 03, 2024 A robot demonstrates its walking ability at the 26th China High-Tech Fair (CHTF) in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 14, 2024. A variety of robots and products of related industries are exhibited at the ongoing 26th CHTF, attracting lots of attention. (Photo/Xinhua) Two Chinese authorities on Monday released measures to promote the high-quality development of central enterprises' venture capital (VC) funds, supporting central enterprises to establish funds that focus on early, small, and long-term investment and hard technology, according to a statement released on the website of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC). The measures aim to guide central enterprises to utilize VC funds as a market-oriented tool, in a bid to create an industrial investment and financing system that meets the requirements of innovation and development, while encouraging central enterprises to play a greater role in constructing the country as a scientific and technological powerhouse. The measures were jointly issued by SASAC and the National Development and Reform Commission. The implementation of these measures will follow a raft of measures unveiled by the State Council in June this year, as China will expand the opening-up of VC investment by revising regulations and boosting accessibility for foreign investors. The measures will encourage the selection of innovative enterprises that are at an early or growing development stage as major investment targets, while supporting the growth of innovative enterprises in the long term. The duration of the central enterprises' VC funds can be extended up to 15 years, nearly double that of general equity investment funds. In addition, the measures will boost efforts to invest capital into hard technology and support central enterprises in setting up funds targeting the development of innovative enterprises dedicated to their specialties and targeting major strategies, key fields, and core technologies. Central enterprises are encouraged to invest in high-quality innovative projects as well as to strengthen cooperation with schools, research institutions, technological incubators, and industrial parks. Meanwhile, central enterprises should provide support such as strategic guidance and industrial application for VC enterprises. Qualified projects can be merged and acquired by central enterprises through market channels, and can also be listed as transferred equity. The policy support will further optimize the investment environment as well as promote the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday. By increasing capital investment in innovation and supporting the development of scientific and technological enterprises, the policy provides strong capital support for the cultivation and development of new quality productive forces and the realization of a high level of scientific and technological self-reliance and self-improvement, Wang said. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) A group of more than 30 pilot whales that stranded themselves on Ruakaka Beach near Whangarei in New Zealand was successfully returned to the ocean, thanks to the efforts of conservation workers and hundreds of volunteers. The whales, which were found stranded on Sunday, were carefully lifted on sheets and refloated into the water. Despite the successful rescue, four of the whales, including three adults and one calf, tragically died, New Zealand's conservation agency reported, according to AP News. The Department of Conservation praised the dedication of the local community in helping to save the stranded pod, calling the response "incredible." Joel Lauterbach, a spokesperson for the agency, expressed admiration for the volunteers, stating, "It's amazing to witness the genuine care and compassion people have shown toward these magnificent animals. This response demonstrates the deep connection we all share with our marine environment." READ MORE : Monkeypox Evolution Reaches Deadly Strain, Now Detected in US New Zealand's Geography and Cultural Significance in Whale Strandings New Zealand has long been known as a hotspot for whale strandings, with pilot whales being particularly vulnerable. In 1918, a massive stranding of about 1,000 pilot whales occurred at the Chatham Islands. While the exact cause of strandings remains unclear, experts believe that New Zealand's geography plays a significant role. The country's coastlines, with their shallow and sloping beaches, may confuse pilot whales, which navigate using echolocation. On Monday, a Maori cultural ceremony was held for the whales that did not survive. The Maori people regard whales as a taonga, or sacred treasure, with great cultural significance. As the rescue efforts continue, the Department of Conservation is monitoring the area to ensure no further strandings occur. Since 1840, New Zealand has recorded more than 5,000 whale strandings, with pilot whales being one of the most frequently stranded species, according to Sky News. Ive benefited from Resolves referral partnerships, its systems, structured inhouse training, and marketing support, McGlynn said. Ive had the opportunity to build my business the way Ive wanted to and have had invaluable mentorship along the way. Yemen has been in conflict since 2015 when a Saudi-led alliance of Arab nations carried out a military campaign against Houthis and to restore President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi. (Photo: REUTERS/Fawaz Salman) The Canadian government has formally designated Yemen's Ansarallah movement, commonly known as the Houthis, as a terrorist organization under the country's Criminal Code. This decision, announced by Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc on Monday, underscores Canada's alignment with international allies in combating terrorism and safeguarding global security. "Today's addition of Ansarallah as a listed terrorist entity contributes to our efforts in fighting terrorism," LeBlanc stated. He emphasized that the designation targets the armed political movement and not the ethnic group in Yemen by the same name. Ansarallah has been accused of exacerbating instability in the Middle East through a series of targeted assaults on commercial and naval vessels in the Red Sea since late 2023. The group's activities are believed to be in response to Israel's military offensive in Gaza, following the October 7 attacks by Hamas, which, like Ansarallah, is backed by Iran. These attacks have threatened vital global shipping routes, particularly the Red Sea, a crucial passageway for oil and goods. LeBlanc highlighted that such "terrorist acts" endanger civilian lives and global supply chains. "We stand with the United States in using every tool at our disposal to hold this group and (its) backers to account," he said during a press briefing in Ottawa. Canada's decision mirrors similar actions taken by the U.S., which listed the Houthis as a terrorist organization earlier this year. This alignment strengthens a collective international stance against entities linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Lebanon's Hezbollah, both of which are also classified as terrorist groups by Canada. The designation has immediate legal and financial implications under Canadian law. It criminalizes dealings with the group and imposes penalties on individuals or entities supporting or financing Ansarallah. It also empowers Canadian authorities to deny entry to members of the listed organization. Canada's announcement comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. The Houthis have recently expanded their operations to include missile attacks against Israel and intensified their assaults in the Red Sea. The group has vowed to continue its actions until Israel withdraws its military presence from Gaza. The Houthis have controlled much of northern Yemen since 2014, waging a deadly civil war against the internationally recognized Yemeni government. The conflict, which Saudi Arabia entered in 2015 at the government's request, has resulted in over 150,000 direct deaths and millions more from famine and disease, according to United Nations estimates. However, Canada's own role in the region has faced scrutiny. Critics, including human rights groups and the United Nations, have accused the country of indirectly fueling the conflict by selling arms to Saudi Arabia, a key player in the Yemen war. A Global Affairs Canada report revealed that Saudi Arabia was the largest non-U.S. importer of Canadian military equipment last year, receiving over $904 million in shipments. When a whale dies, its journey continues on the ocean floor, providing life to countless deep-sea creatures in a process known as "whale fall." This natural occurrence can span decades, showcasing the critical role whales play even after death. Whale falls are rare events that begin when a whale carcass sinks to the seafloor. The body undergoes three decomposition stages: the mobile scavenger stage, the enrichment opportunist stage, and the sulfophilic stage. Each phase benefits a succession of marine life. In the initial stage, large scavengers like sharks and crabs feed on the soft tissues. Smaller creatures, such as snails and worms, take over during the next phase, consuming leftover organic matter. In the final stage, bacteria break down the whale's bones, releasing sulfur and sustaining unique ecosystems for decades. According to Natural History Museum, Dr. Adrian Glover, a deep-sea biodiversity expert, explained that whale falls nourish entire populations. "The death of a whale leads to a long-lasting source of food for deep-sea creatures," he said, emphasizing the importance of these events in sustaining life in nutrient-scarce ocean regions.' READ MORE : Rising Seas Could Submerge US Coastal Cities by 2100, Affecting Millions Whale Falls: Sustaining Deep-Sea Life for Decades In a recent expedition, Ocean Networks Canada and Ocean Exploration Trust revisited a whale fall discovered in 2009 off the coast of British Columbia, Popular Mechanics reported. Located 4,100 feet below the surface, the whale skeleton was found still teeming with life after 15 years. Tube worms, crabs, and other marine organisms had made the bones their permanent home, showcasing the remarkable longevity of whale falls. Scientists are using data from such discoveries to better understand marine ecosystems and the vital role of whales. Even in death, whales continue to support ocean life for up to 50 years, demonstrating their significance in the marine food chain and the circle of life beneath the waves. New Dedicated Retail Platform Enables Retail Investors to Buy, Sell, Trade, Custody, and Stake Crypto Assets U.S. Retail Investors Can Sign Up for BitGos Retail Platform to be Entered to Win a Full Bitcoin BitGo, the leading infrastructure provider of digital asset solutions trusted by institutions since 2013, today announced the official launch of its dedicated retail platform, providing retail customers access to BitGos comprehensive suite of regulated and secure digital asset trading, staking, wallets, and qualified custody services. The platform is now live for all global investors and available for sign-up at bitgo.com/welcome. Eligible U.S.-based investors who sign up for BitGos retail platform will have the opportunity to win a full bitcoin. Key advantages of BitGos retail platform include: Security and Trust: As one of the most trusted companies in the global digital asset space since 2013, BitGo has safeguarded billions in crypto assets for institutions, providing the highest standard of security, transparency, and regulatory compliance. Retail customers can now experience the same institutional-grade security, convenience, and versatility of BitGos broader offerings. As one of the most trusted companies in the global digital asset space since 2013, BitGo has safeguarded billions in crypto assets for institutions, providing the highest standard of security, transparency, and regulatory compliance. Retail customers can now experience the same institutional-grade security, convenience, and versatility of BitGos broader offerings. Comprehensive Digital Asset Solutions: BitGo customers have access to secure, regulated custody through cold and self-storage, trading, staking, lending, and wallet services to grow and manage their crypto portfolio. BitGo customers have access to secure, regulated custody through cold and self-storage, trading, staking, lending, and wallet services to grow and manage their crypto portfolio. Seamless Onboarding: Retail customers can quickly set up their new BitGo account and manage their funds effortlessly, all in just minutes. Retail customers can quickly set up their new BitGo account and manage their funds effortlessly, all in just minutes. Exclusive Giveaway: U.S. retail customers can win a full bitcoin each quarter by signing up. "We are thrilled to launch BitGos dedicated retail platform and offer the same white-glove, crypto-native solutions to retail investors that weve delivered to the global institutional market since 2013," said Mike Belshe, CEO of BitGo. Retail investors need a security-first, crypto-native platform, and we are excited to serve as that trusted partner. We look forward to enhancing the retail investing, trading, storage, and staking experience for investors around the world. To sign up for BitGos retail platform and explore its range of digital asset solutions, please visit BitGo.com/welcome. No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, 18 years or older. Void where prohibited. The prize is one Bitcoin per quarterly drawing. The value of Bitcoin is subject to market fluctuations and may increase or decrease, including the risk of losing all value. See official rules for details at bitgo.com/bitcoin-sweepstakes. About BitGo BitGo is the leading infrastructure provider of digital asset solutions, offering custody, wallets, staking, trading, financing, and settlement out of regulated cold storage. Founded in 2013, BitGo is the first digital asset company to focus exclusively on serving institutional clients. BitGo is dedicated to advancing a digital financial services economy that is borderless and accessible 24/7. With multiple Trust companies around the world, BitGo is the preferred security and operational backbone for more than 1,500 institutional clients in 50 countries, including many of the worlds top brands, cryptocurrency exchanges, and platforms. BitGo also secures approximately 20% of all on-chain Bitcoin transactions by value and is the largest independent digital asset custodian. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241201410604/en/ Federal Bank has launched an extraordinarily transformative initiative "Kaliyum Karyavum", an event aimed at educating school children on essential life skills through captivating traditional art forms. With a history spanning over 90 years, Federal Bank, deeply rooted in Kerala, is leveraging its profound understanding of the state's cultural legacy to make learning engaging and impactful. Todays students are the future architects of our economy. And the Banks mission has always been more than just banking its about empowering the next generation. "Kaliyum Karyavum" is designed to bring age-old cultural forms to the present generation, using them as a medium to teach financial literacy, time management, and healthy digital screen usage habits. The event will feature traditional art forms such as Theyyam, Chakkayarkooth etc, which will be creatively adapted to convey important messages about managing finances, the value of time, and the importance of balancing screen time with other activities. Kerala is the land of mystique, mystery and majesty. The richness and diversity of its culture is reflected in the topography, the architecture, the food and the art forms. A day in the life of any Keralite cannot pass without touching the Federal Bank. With such a deep and everyday connect, we are attempting to bring in the legendary art forms in a contemporary context. It gives us an opportunity to the brand to connect the glorious past, the present and the upcoming generations, together, in a unique educative format. We have chosen the art forms of Chakyarkooth, Theyyam, Ottamthullal and Kathakali to guide and educate children through managing mental health, interpersonal interactions amongst kids and between them and the adults, understanding money management etc. Only a brand that is a part of the ethos of any society or social structure can understand the nuances of its art forms and amplify its ability to tell a story, entertain, and educate. The blending of music, mythology and minds watching will make our attempt lovable across audiences throughout the state. From a marketing perspective, its a global showcase of how a brand is embedded at the core of Culture to engage people of a region. This is the Gods Own Country, is a global favourite of tourists and for Federal Bank. The initiative is not just about preserving cultural heritage but also about making education more relatable and enjoyable for students. By integrating these cultural elements into the curriculum, Federal Bank aims to foster a deeper connection between the students and their cultural roots while imparting crucial life skills. Federal Bank's commitment to this cause is evident in the meticulous planning and collaboration with cultural experts and educators. The Bank believes that this innovative approach will not only enhance students' understanding of financial concepts but also instill a sense of pride in their cultural heritage. As the event unfolds, schools across Kerala will witness a series of performances and interactive sessions that promise to be both educational and entertaining. "Kaliyum Karyavum" is set to become a landmark initiative, showcasing how traditional art forms can be effectively used to address contemporary issues and prepare the younger generation for the future. Additionally, Students receive a booklet that explains financial concepts through engaging stories and illustrations. The booklet also highlights various financial products suitable for young individuals. A prominent psychologist also would be talking to the students to ensure the message is ingrained in students. To ensure, students apply what they learn, the Bank is open to recognise such students with the permission of students. Impetus Technologies has been recognized by Great Place To Work India among - Indias Best WorkplaceTM in IT & IT-BPM 2024: Top 50. This accolade underscores the organizations commitment to fostering a culture of trust, employee well-being, and responsible leadership. Impetus Technologies has consistently demonstrated leadership in creating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired. This acknowledgment highlights the companys dedication to innovative people practices that contribute to its position as an industry leader. We are honored to be featured among Indias Best Workplaces in IT & IT-BPM 2024. This milestone is a testament to the incredible efforts of our team and their unwavering commitment to excellence. At Impetus, we believe in cultivating an environment where employees thrive and are empowered to contribute meaningfully to our journey, said Sanjeev Agrawal, CHRO, Impetus Technologies. In this year for India, based on a rigorous evaluation methodology, 100 organizations among Indias Best Workplaces in IT & IT-BPM 2024 have been recognized. These organizations among other practices particularly excel both on people practices that they have crafted for their employees and proactively acting on the feedback to create a High Trust Culture. The infostory and the complete list (in alphabetical order) of Indias Best Workplaces in IT & IT-BPM 2024 can be viewed here. Data Risk Intelligence combines posture and behaviour-based data risk indicators to proactively identify and mitigate risks to sensitive data First solution uniting the data security capabilities from the Imperva Data Security Fabric and Thales CipherTrust Data Security Platforms to provide highly confident data risk prioritisation with clear corrective actions for CIOs, CISOs, and data risk specialists The 2024 Thales Data Threat Report found that 98% of enterprises in India have reported an increase in threats compared to the previous year Thales today announced the launch of Data Risk Intelligence, a groundbreaking Imperva Data Security Fabric (DSF) solution that proactively addresses the risks to data wherever it resides. This is the first solution uniting the risk and threat identification capabilities of the Imperva Data Security Fabric with the data protection capabilities of the Thales CipherTrust Data Security Platform, following Thaless strategic acquisition of Imperva in December 2023. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203206050/en/ In todays modern digital landscape, organisations across the globe including in India face challenges in managing security across an ever-growing attack surface while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards. With the growing cybersecurity threat, the regulatory landscape in India is becoming more stringent requiring robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive data. With data and operations spread across cloud, on-premises and hybrid systems, security teams require constant and comprehensive visibility into where their data is, the types of data they have, and the potential risks to that data. In fact, according to the 2024 Thales Data Threat Report, 98% of enterprises in India reported an increase in threats compared to the previous year. This highlights that organisations' need to adopt a multifaced approach to identify cybersecurity risks and implement innovative solutions is becoming more important to safeguard themselves against the ever-evolving threats. Empowering Security Teams and SOCs with Enhanced Visibility and Control The combined intelligence and contextual insights from Data Risk Intelligence provide a unified visibility of risks to critical data with a unique view of the strength of encryption for data across an organisations entire data estate. With this enhanced visibility, Data Risk Intelligence empowers CIOs, CISOs, and data risk specialists to accurately identify the most critical data that are at risk by severity and likelihood, enabling them to effectively prioritise risk mitigation with clear recommendations for corrective action. Data Risk Intelligence delivers a highly confident risk score and clear recommendations for corrective action that are based on a wide-ranging set of data risk indicators through advanced analytics, built upon user permissions, data source vulnerabilities, use of encryption following NIST standards, monitoring of suspicious activities, and other customisable inputs. Todd Moore, Vice President, Data Security products at Thales: The ability to view data risk in key dimensions across organisational risk, asset risk, and regulatory risk in one place is extremely impactful. Data Risk Intelligence is the first of many integrations between the Thales and Imperva platforms that empower our customers to protect their data and all the paths to it. Through our combined platforms, Thales has all the tools to help our customers understand their data security risks and provide a clear set of actions to mitigate these risks. The risks to enterprise data are multi-dimensional and organisations are struggling to address the volume and breadth of these risks while still maintaining optimal business operations, said Jennifer Glenn, Research Director, Data and Information Security at IDC Security and Trust Group. Centralising data risk visibility and management offers valuable context about the data and its vulnerabilities enabling organisations to prioritise protection where its needed most. Key Benefits of Data Risk Intelligence: Enhanced Risk Prioritisation: Combines risk-related intelligence from Data Security Fabric and CipherTrust Data Security Platform to deliver precise risk scores that drive confident decisions. Combines risk-related intelligence from Data Security Fabric and CipherTrust Data Security Platform to deliver precise risk scores that drive confident decisions. Comprehensive Visibility: Provides a unified view of data risks across the entire data estate, reducing complexity, delivering risk indicators, and recommending protective measures. Provides a unified view of data risks across the entire data estate, reducing complexity, delivering risk indicators, and recommending protective measures. Customisable Risk Indicators: Allows organisations to tailor risk indicators to their specific environment, highlighting the most critical threats. Allows organisations to tailor risk indicators to their specific environment, highlighting the most critical threats. Encryption Integration: Leverages the encryption capabilities of the CipherTrust Data Security Platform to ensure data protection at all levels. Leverages the encryption capabilities of the CipherTrust Data Security Platform to ensure data protection at all levels. Advanced Analytics: Utilises posture-based and machine-learning behavioural risk indicators to identify and prioritise the highest-risk data. DSF Data Risk Intelligence is available to customers who have a current Data Security Fabric Data 360 license. About Thales Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies specialized in three business domains: Defence & Security, Aeronautics & Space, and Cyber & Digital. It develops products and solutions that help make the world safer, greener and more inclusive. The Group invests close to 4 billion a year in Research & Development, particularly in key innovation areas such as AI, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, cloud technologies and 6G. Thales has close to 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2023, the Group generated sales of 18.4 billion. About Thales in India Present in India since 1953, Thales is headquartered in Noida and has other operational offices and sites spread across Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai, among others. Over 2200 employees are working with Thales and its joint ventures in India. Since the beginning, Thales has been playing an essential role in Indias growth story by sharing its technologies and expertise in Defence, Aerospace and Cybersecurity & Digital Identity markets. Thales has two engineering competence centres in India - one in Noida focused on Cybersecurity & Digital Identity business, while the one in Bengaluru focuses on hardware, software and systems engineering capabilities for both the civil and defence sectors, serving global needs. PLEASE VISIT Thales Group Cloud Protection & Licensing Solutions | Thales Group Cybersecurity Solutions | Thales Group View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203206050/en/ The Empire State Building (ESB) today announced details for its fan-favorite holiday festivities with over-the-top decorations, festive pop-ups, classic movie screenings, and special tower lightings. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241202020008/en/ Winter Wonderland in the Heart of NYC: The Empire State Building Celebrates the Holiday Season with Extravagant Holiday Decor, Festive Movie Screenings, Special Lightings, and More (Photo: Business Wire) There is no place quite like New York to spend the holidays, and the Empire State Building tops the list of things to do in NYC, said Jean-Yves Ghazi, president of the Empire State Building Observatory. From photos with Santa to classic film screenings, guests will make holiday memories to last a lifetime with the best views in New York City. Topped with Tinsel Every corner of the Empire State Building Observatory will be adorned in festive holiday decorations with shining wreaths, lights, tinsel, bows, and a giant menorah at the two-story building model. As they make their way through the Observatory Experiences immersive exhibits, guests can pose for holiday photos in a dedicated corner of the 80th Floor with Christmas trees, snowflakes, presents, and a cozy fireplace backdrop inspired by Santas workshop. Once they reach the iconic 86th Floor Observatory, guests can pose in a dedicated Ghirardelli corner decorated with a candy cane arch, holiday greenery, twinkle lights, and Ghirardellis fan-favorite peppermint bark squares. Guests will conclude their Observatory visit in the buildings famed Fifth Avenue Lobby featured in the holiday classic, Elf that is decorated with classic holiday decorations like hanging twinkle lights, wreaths, and an oversized Christmas tree. The iconic Fifth Avenue Windows depict scenes of sleighs full of elaborately wrapped gifts, teddy bears, and holiday ice cream sundaes by Ghirardelli Chocolate. Tenants and visitors who pass through the Fifth Avenue Lobby from Monday through Friday in the month of December will hear holiday tunes performed by professional pianists. The Man with the Bag On Nov. 30 and Dec. 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, and 20, Santa Claus himself will spread holiday cheer and pose for photos with Observatory guests in his dedicated corner on the buildings 80th Floor. More information on Santa visits can be found at esbholiday.com. Baby, Its Cold Outside From Nov. 13 throughout the holiday season, Ghirardelli Chocolate will reside on the Empire State Buildings 86th Floor Observatory every day from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. The beloved chocolatier will offer their classic hot cocoa and peppermint hot cocoa to guests as they take in New York Citys best views from the comfort of the heated open-air Observatory. Starbucks ReserveWinter Wonderland Holiday magic comes alive in the iconic Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building store with the new, limited-time Winter Wonderland pop-up experience. Located at the Coffee & Cocktail Lounge on the second level of the store, Starbucks Reserve Winter Wonderland highlights the coffee journey, from bean to cup. Exclusive to the experience is the new Empire State Cocoa Cocktail that features dark chocolate and steamed milk infused with Hennessy VS Cognac, topped with whipped cream, and served with a side of Royal Combier liqueur and dark chocolate bites. Holiday Classics Fans can purchase tickets to view classic holiday films on the Observatorys 80th Floor which include: Elf on Dec. 2, 8, 10, 15, and 17 Home Alone 2: Lost in New York on Dec. 5 and 11 And The Nightmare Before Christmas on Dec. 13. Tickets to these special holiday screenings will each include themed drinks and snacks, and full access to ESBs second floor museum and the 86th and 102nd Floor Observatories. Special Lightings The Empire State Buildings iconic tower lights will shine throughout the holiday season with dedicated lightings for Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Christmas, and New Years Eve. The building will also debut its annual holiday music-to-light show. Text CONNECT to 274-16 to receive real-time information about each Empire State Building tower lighting. The Empire State Buildings world-famous Observatory Experience underwent a $165 million reimagination that added a new interactive museum with nine galleries, bespoke host uniforms, and a new 102nd Floor Observatory with unmatched views from the heart of New York City. The iconic Observatory Experience was recently voted the number one attraction in the world and number one in the U.S. for the third consecutive year in the 2024 Tripadvisor Travelers Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do. Hi-res imagery can be downloaded here. More information about the Empire State Building can be found online. About the Empire State Building The Empire State Building, the World's Most Famous Building," owned by Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (ESRT: NYSE), soars 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan from base to antenna. The $165 million reimagination of the Empire State Building Observatory Experience created an all-new experience with a dedicated guest entrance, an interactive museum with nine galleries, and a redesigned 102nd Floor Observatory with floor-to-ceiling windows. The journey to the world-famous 86th Floor Observatory, the only 360-degree, open-air observatory with views of New York and beyond, orients visitors for their entire New York City experience and covers everything from the building's iconic history to its current place in pop culture. The Empire State Building Observatory Experience welcomes millions of visitors each year and was declared the #1 Attraction in the World and #1 Attraction in the U.S. for the third consecutive year in Tripadvisors Travelers Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do, "America's Favorite Building" by the American Institute of Architects, the world's most popular travel destination by Uber, and the #1 New York City attraction in Lonely Planets Ultimate Travel List. Since 2011, the building has been fully powered by renewable wind electricity, and its many floors house a diverse array of office tenants such as LinkedIn and Shutterstock, as well as retail options like STATE Grill and Bar, Tacombi, and Starbucks. For more information and Observatory Experience tickets visit esbnyc.com or follow the building's Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Weibo, YouTube, or TikTok. Source: Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. Category: Observatory View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241202020008/en/ Scientists have discovered that a sulfur-based gas produced by marine life plays a larger role in cooling the Earth's climate than previously understood. This finding highlights the critical role of oceans in regulating global temperatures, especially in the Southern Hemisphere. The study, led by researchers from Spain's Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC) and the Blas Cabrera Institute of Physical Chemistry (IQF-CSIC), sheds light on methanethiol, a gas emitted by microscopic plankton in the ocean. Methanethiol Emissions Boost Ocean's Cooling Power, Especially in Polar Regions Methanethiol contributes to the formation of aerosols tiny particles in the atmosphere that reflect solar radiation back into space and enhance cloud formation. Together, these processes significantly reduce the heat absorbed by the planet, acting as a counterbalance to global warming. For decades, scientists believed that dimethyl sulfide, another sulfur compound emitted by plankton, was the main player in marine sulfur emissions. However, recent advances in measurement techniques revealed that methanethiol emissions account for 25% more sulfur than previously estimated, Phys.Org reported. The research team found that these emissions are most significant in polar regions, where the ocean's colder temperatures create hotspots for this compound. Dr. Charel Wohl, a leading researcher now at the University of East Anglia, explained that methanethiol is not only more efficient at forming aerosols than dimethyl sulfide but also has a magnified cooling effect on the climate. This discovery fills a gap in climate models, particularly over the Southern Ocean, where previous models underestimated cloud cover and overestimated solar radiation. Read more: Greenhouse Gases Turned Into Clean Energy Through Breakthrough US Technology Satellite Data Shows Oceans Emit More Sulfur, Boosting Climate Regulation Using satellite data and direct measurements from the Southern Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, researchers mapped global methanethiol emissions. Their findings revealed that oceans emit more sulfur than once believed, providing new insights into the Earth's natural climate regulation mechanisms. This breakthrough also underscores the urgency of protecting marine ecosystems, particularly in the polar regions, which are among the most significant emitters of methanethiol. According to Earth.com, these regions face threats from climate change, overfishing, and pollution, jeopardizing their ability to counteract global warming naturally. The study has far-reaching implications for climate science and policymaking. By incorporating methanethiol data into climate models, researchers can make more accurate predictions about global warming and its impacts. This knowledge could guide international efforts to develop policies that balance human activity with the planet's natural climate-regulating systems. The oceans' role in combating climate change is more vital than ever, and this discovery marks a significant step toward understanding and preserving these natural processes. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code Monday, December 2, 2024 at 8:52PM Image: Google via Tech Radar What separates Google Maps from Waze is the community-driven traffic incident alerts you get on the latter. But that feature looks like it's coming to Maps. Users are now seeing Waze traffic alerts in the app with the words "From Waze drivers" in the pop-ups. Google announced this integration back in July, but it's been getting a broader release in time for the holiday driving season. As Tech Radar pointed out, Google Maps has been asking drivers to offer traffic incident updates for a while now. But the alerts coming from Waze are a new addition. These notifications are for incidents like lane closures, nearby construction, and the like. It does hint at Google possibly integrating Waze into Maps, which they have said in the past that they won't do. But we can't say for sure that Google will keep its word. We all know what happened to Fitbit after all. SOURCE Taking care of your overall well-being is important when you have cancer. This means prioritizing your mental health in addition to your physical wellness. According to a recent study, a specific type of talk therapy can help people with cancer and survivors improve their mental well-being. The study was published in Cancer Medicine. The study found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) could improve mental health and quality of life for people with cancer. CBT benefitted people who were actively receiving treatment and those who had already completed treatment. It was found to be especially helpful for patients younger than 40. We know that people with cancer and survivors are at higher risk for mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. This study highlights the importance of our patients getting the help they need with managing any mental health conditions they may have, including through the use of CBT, said Fay J. Hlubocky, PhD, MA, FASCO, an American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) expert and clinical health psychologist at the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center. How does CBT work? CBT is one type of psychological treatment for people with cancer. It is meant to address unhelpful ways of thinking or behaviors. The goal of CBT is to target any automatic thoughts or core beliefs that may be harmful to your mental health. Automatic thoughts are the instinctive thoughts you have in response to something. Core beliefs are the strong beliefs you hold, including about yourself. Sometimes, negative automatic thoughts or core beliefs can lead to bigger mental health problems. For example, they can cause anxiety or depression. During CBT, you talk with a mental health professional trained in this type of therapy. They can help you to reframe unhelpful thoughts or beliefs into ones that better serve you. For some patients, negative thinking patterns may be black or white, said Dr. Hlubocky. For example, a common belief is, It'll never get better. Well, we know that's not necessarily the case. Maybe in that moment, it doesn't feel like it will get better. Therapists who are trained in this modality can actually help you identify these automatic thoughts and core beliefs to help you change them. During CBT, your therapist can also help you change behaviors to improve your well-being. For example, they might recommend changing your environment by doing things you enjoy. This can improve your mood to help you cope with a difficult experience you may be having. At times, initially, it may be easier to engage in rewarding activities you enjoy to combat negative thoughts, said Dr. Hlubocky. Thus, setting goals to intentionally and mindfully participate in daily meaningful activities, such as stress-reducing hobbies or reconnecting socially by going out and meeting with people, may provide benefit. These are the tasks that can help patients now and for the future. CBT sessions can take place in different ways. You might meet with your therapist in person. Or, you might talk to them online. There are also options for individual or group CBT. Talk with your doctor about what kind of CBT might be most helpful for you. Cancer and mental health: The importance of psychological support Cancer-related mental distress can happen at any time during a persons cancer experience. Mental distress refers to the impact of feelings and emotions on your mental health. For example, anxiety and depression are common in people with cancer. For some people, these conditions can interfere with daily activities and quality of life. It can be hard to talk about mental health and distress. If you feel distressed, write down your symptoms and report them to your doctor. You might not even be aware of your distress until it becomes hard to handle. The most important thing is to get help as soon as you notice it. CBT is one method that can help with managing both the short-term and long-term psychological effects of cancer. However, there are other methods that might be helpful for you. For example, you could benefit from a support group or from taking medication. If you dont feel distressed, you should still talk with your doctor about your options for mental health support. Its much easier and more effective to start managing distress before it gets overwhelming. Some questions to ask your doctor include: Am I at higher risk for mental health conditions based on my current health status and past health history? Do you think I would benefit from mental health support based on the symptoms Im experiencing? Would type of mental health support do you recommend for me? Would CBT be a helpful option for me? Can you refer me to a mental health professional? What other mental health resources are available to me? Learn more about cancer and mental health with these resources: Dr. Hlubocky is an Associate Editor on ASCOs Patient Information Editorial Board. Read more about the collaboration between the American Cancer Society and ASCO on ASCO Patient Resources. Fiona Magennis A cold-blooded killer who executed a grandfather without mercy, shooting him repeatedly when he answered the front door at his mothers home, shouted: F**k you and your fair trial and stormed out of the dock after a jury convicted him of murder. The jury of six men and six women deliberated for eight hours and 20 minutes before returning the unanimous verdict on Tuesday against Cailean Crawford (28), who had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Thomas McCarthy (55) on July 27th, 2020 at Croftwood Park, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10. Crawford is already serving a jail sentence for conspiring to murder gangland criminal Wayne Whelan, who survived a September 2019 murder attempt but was subsequently shot dead following another attack two months later. Mr McCarthys partner, Nia OReilly, wept and shouted: You murdering rat. Weasel. Pig, at Crawford as he left the court. After proceedings concluded, Ms O'Reilly apologised to the court for her earlier outburst. The jury agreed with the States case that Crawford was the assassin who fired several times, fatally injuring Mr McCarthy, having come to the scene in a blue Ford Fiesta car which was seen driving in and out of the area on CCTV. Following Crawfords outburst, Mr Justice Tony Hunt commented: The mask slips I suppose members of the juryHe hasnt even the courage to stay here and listen because he knows what Im going to say in a moment. After the verdict was returned, Mr Justice Hunt thanked the panel for their hard work and diligence and told them they should have no regrets and no remorse about the verdict they had reached when they look back at the case. Referring to Crawford, the judge said: Hes not an unlucky man whose only crime was to lend a phone and a van to another man. Hes not a victim of circumstance. He is, in fact, a very dangerous individual. He told the jury that as a result of their verdict, the good people of Ballyfermot," whom they had heard Crawford slur in the witness box, will be able to live free of him for some time. He said what was needed to perpetrate a crime like this one was someone cold-blooded," someone who is a shell of a human being and who doesnt have any emotions. The amount of people who would be prepared to do something like this are in short supply, said the judge. Mr McCarthy, who had five children and two grandchildren, was living in the UK at the time and had returned home to visit his family and his mother, who lived at the address in Ballyfermot. Prosecuting counsel Bernard Condon SC had told the trial there was undoubtedly more than one person involved in a conspiracy over the murder. He said the States case was that Crawford was the gunman who repeatedly shot Mr McCarthy quite viciously and without mercy. Charles McClean defence case rejected The 12 jurors rejected the defence case that Crawford, last of Clifden Terrace, Ballyfermot, was involved in drug dealing and had loaned a phone and a GoVan he had hired on the morning of the killing to associate Charles McClean. McClean (35) was described earlier this year by a Central Criminal Court judge as a "remorseless" criminal, after he sentenced him for calling Mark 'Guinea Pig' Desmond to a drugs meeting in a Dublin park, where the gangland figure was gunned down. McClean, who was already serving consecutive sentences of 16.5-years for facilitating the murder of Thomas McCarthy and conspiring to murder Wayne Whelan, was jailed for an additional three-and-a-half years for impeding the apprehension of the person who murdered Mr Desmond. The State had argued that Crawford was the person who was driving the GoVan and that he was also the driver of the blue Ford Fiesta which was seen moving in and out of the area on CCTV. Mr Condon said it was the prosecution case that a group of people were involved in planning and carrying out the murder of Mr McCarthy, with a number of cars used which were purchased using false names. He said that movements of the accuseds van and other vehicles involved, including a black Mercedes, a Skoda, a Ford Fiesta, and a Toyota Avensis, showed dry runs being carried out in the days before the murder. Crawford took the stand during his trial and told the jury that he was being blamed as the centre point of a murder he didnt commit after he loaned the van to McClean. He said he had handed the van over to a man with bones sticking out of his face who was a mate of McCleans. Crawford said he assumed McClean needed the van to collect drugs. He said McClean had previously given him a Lyca SIM card to use after Crawford agreed to collect and transport drugs on two or three occasions in the Ballyfermot area. "A tissue of lies" In his closing address, Mr Condon said the jury had been presented with a tissue of lies. He said Mr Crawfords evidence was full of untruths and equivocations and dishonesty and described the accuseds claim that the movements of his van were due to drug dealing as absurd. Mr Condon said that Mr McCarthy was shot seven times, meaning he never had a chance in that style of execution and died in his mothers hallway. Some of the cars were later found burnt out, with a 9mm semi-automatic weapon retrieved from the Fiesta. In his closing speech, Mark Lynham SC, for Crawford, said it was the defences case that the accused was involved in drug dealing. Youve heard nothing to disprove that. There's nothing in his movements to connect him to this plot, said Mr Lynam. So yes, at a minimum, he is involved in criminality but being a criminal doesnt mean youre a murderer, he said. Counsel reminded the panel that an eyewitness had given a description of the person suspected of being the killer as being six-foot tall, not young, possibly late 30s, very skinny and junkie-looking, with a black tooth or tooth missing. He said that the accused did not match this description. After the jury returned their guilty verdict, Mr Justice Hunt told the panel he could now fill them in on a few things and comment on some matters which he had not made comment on after the closing of the case. The judge said the suggestion that it might be a junkie who had committed the murder was presumably based on the single piece of eyewitness evidence heard. He said from his experience, most addicts are victims of circumstance in a way that this man isnt a victim of circumstance. They may commit crimes, he said, but they do so mostly out of desperation and a response to immediate need. What most of them dont do however, members of the jury, is turn to cold blooded murder, he said. The crime that was committed in this case would not, I think, be entrusted to a junkie because its more likely to be botched by someone in withdrawal or under the influence of drugs. He said sometimes junkies might be asked to do something peripheral, like hand over a gun before a murder. He told the jury that they had been presented with a limited version of the truth and had decided the case on the evidence that you have. "The tale," told by Mr Justice Hunt Mr Justice Hunt said the panel had been told not to conduct any research during the case. Im sure the first thing most of you will do when you go home is consult Mr Google. He said he would save them the trouble by telling them the tale. The judge said in September 2019, there had been an attempted murder in Lucan, County Dublin [Wayne Whelan]. Again in an uncanny co-incidence, the judge said, three getaway cars were used which was perhaps somewhat similar to what was used in this case. He said the three cars were burned out and a fourth was intercepted by the gardai. In any event, the fourth car was stopped. Who was in it? No prizes for guessing. Mr McClean and Mr Crawford, said the judge. Mr Justice Hunt told the jury Crawford was charged with attempted murder but pleaded guilty to lesser offences. In September 2021, Crawford was sentenced to seven years with the final two suspended having pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder father-of-three Wayne Whelan at Griffeen Glen Park, Lucan, between May 15th and November 15th, 2019. Charles McClean, last of St Marks Drive, Clondalkin, was sentenced to eight years. So what happened less than a year later was no accident and you neednt worry when you are looking back on this case, he told the jury. Theres no accident, no bad luck about this. He told the jurors that McClean is serving a very long sentence for a combined total of three escapades. Mr Justice Hunt exempted the panel from jury service for a period of 20 years. He remanded Crawford in custody to December 20th when he will be handed the mandatory sentence for murder of life imprisonment. Under cross examination whilst giving evidence in his own defence, Crawford had denied a suggestion by prosecuting counsel that he was trying to mislead the jury because he was in cahoots with Charles McClean. Crawford maintained the van had been collected at around 9:30am on the morning of the murder and that he then went to his grandmother's house where he had food, a shower and changed his clothes. He said he left his grandmothers house at around 11.30am to go and collect the van. Mr Condon suggested that Crawford had not previously admitted to gardai that the van had been involved in drug dealing because he was now inventing this detail. Crawford said he had been afraid of being branded a rat for speaking to the gardai, as he knew the danger he would be in. If I dont explain my side of the story now, Ill never get a chance to do it. Ill be branded a rat, but Im willing to do that rather than being convicted of a murder I didnt do, Crawford said. Cairo, Egypt (PANA) - Describing the situation in Gaza as appalling and apocalyptic the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed on Monday called on world leaders to act decisively to alleviate suffering and prevent the further devastation of the enclave Animation in Europe (AiE), a group of animation producer associations in 22 European Union countries, has teamed up with a group of European universities to put together Anima Mundi, which it describes as the first academic, interdisciplinary, and multistakeholder project dedicated to the European animation industry ecosystem. The project is scheduled to be compiled between February 2025 and July 2028, and will be supported by a 4 million euro (USD$4.2 million) grant from the European Commissions Horizon Europe program. The goal of the study is to address challenges related to intellectual property, content dissemination, and cross-border partnerships in the European animation industry. AiE has listed among its deliverables for the project: the creation of a European Animation brand, a policymaking dashboard, and toolkits for enhancing IP management and discoverability. The announcement of the Anima Mundi undertaking happened during the third edition of Animar_BCN, which took place last week in Barcelona. The event, which gathered over 90 delegates from 60 European organizations dedicated to animation, provided a platform to discuss topics shaping the European animation industry, including the impact of artificial intelligence, sustainable animation practices, media regulation, and the growth of co-production. Log on if you are already subscribed or Subscribe... Since its founding in 1914, the Chattanooga Rotary Club has been a leader in local philanthropy. Members give to the Rotary Foundation, Polio Plus, Club Projects and Endowment to make differences both locally and around the world. With a score of 100 out of 100 over the last 16 years by Charity Navigator, Rotary International spends 86.9 percent of every dollar donated to meet program needs. The local club has 241 Paul Harris Fellows whove donated $1,000 or more to the Clubs Annual Fund, PolioPlus, or an approved Foundation grant. In addition, four members have joined the Bequest Society committing future gifts of $10,000 or more to the Rotary Foundation, with eight members being PolioPlus Society Members and nine members reaching Major Donor status by providing cumulative donations of $10,000 or more. With more than 300 members, the Chattanooga Rotary Club ranks among the top 25 of over 46,000 clubs around the globe. On an international level, The Rotary Foundation has provided more than $4 billion on life-changing sustainable projects, and has assisted its members in advancing world understanding, goodwill and peace by improving the environment and alleviating poverty. Rotary does this important work by providing clean water and sanitation, fighting disease, promoting peace, saving mothers and children, growing local economies, education, and protecting the environment. Chattanooga Rotary Club President Doug Thompson said, We provide multiple levels of grants to meet needs. Beginning with the global level to support large international activities to support our seven focus areas, to district grants, programs of scale grants and disaster response grants, our club is well positioned to meet long-term as well as immediate needs. Former International Rotary President John Germ is a past president of the Chattanooga Rotary Club and noted the important role Rotary plays on the local and international stage. A member of the Chattanooga Rotary Club can travel anywhere in the world and find a group of business leaders who will provide a welcome and connection. This amazing aspect of Rotary has allowed us to transcend policies and politics to meet needs around the world. As the late Margaret Mead was quoted, 'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has,' and thats the beauty of Rotary. Were ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Who was he? Read on. In accordance with our practice of picking out topics and the names of individuals that appear in the trial transcript or written accounts pertaining to the historic 1925 Scopes trial in Dayton, Tn., the name of Walter Malone (1866-1915) becomes relevant. He was born in De Soto County, Mississippi which is 13 miles from Memphis, and early on expressed and developed a lifelong interest in in writing poems and prose. At the age of 13-14 he wrote several articles which were published in the Louisville Courier-Journal and at the age of 16 wrote a book of 300 pages of poems and articles that were allegedly the largest book of verse ever printed by a boy under the age of 21. In 1885, while attending the University of Mississippi, he wrote a second volume of poems The Outcast and Other Poems, which received favorable comments from several acknowledged authorities, including Oliver Wendell Holmes. After graduation Malone was admitted into the Mississippi legal community and would move to Memphis to engage in the practice of law, but continued to produce poems and short stories on a more limited basis. In 1897 he retired from the practice of law and moved to New York City to pursue a literary career for three years. Returning to Memphis in 1900 he renewed his dual legal and writing careers. In 1905 he was appointed Judge of the Second Circuit of Shelby County, and later was re-elected and remained in the office until his death on May 18, 1915. WHAT DOES HE HAVE TO DO WITH THE SCOPES TRIAL? 1. On two occasions alleged references are made about Judge Malones most widely known poem Opportunity written in 1904 shortly before the attorney became a judge in 1905. 2. William Jennings Bryan (WJB) had anticipated making the final rebuttal argument for the prosecution and had prepared an eventual 15,000 word draft. However when District Attorney General Tom Stewart and defense counsel Clarence Darrow agreed to waive closing arguments William Jennings Bryan (WJB) lost his opportunity to make his impassioned oration in defense of the Anti-Evolution Act (Butler) which might have resurrected a possible fourth campaign for president of the United States. Whether at the request of journalists present at the trial or Bryans own initiate he gave a draft to the press and The Great Commoner also personally delivered a copy to a Chattanooga printer. The proposed rambling speech with scientific, religious, and possible political implications, later became a public document under its copyright for the cost of 25 cents. Bryan makes reference to the insertion of the famous poem in his undelivered remarks to the jury: Your honor has quoted from a wonderful poem written by a great Tennessee poet, Walter Malone. I venture to quote another stanza which puts into exquisite language the new opportunity which a merciful God gives to every one who will turn from sin to righteousness. "Though deep in mire, wring not your hands and weep; I lend my arm to all who say, 'I can.' No shame-faced outcast ever sank so deep But he might rise and be again a man." There are no lines like these in all that evolutionists have ever written. Darwin says that science has nothing to do with the Christ who taught the spirit embodied in the words of Walter Malone, and yet this spirit is the only hope of human progress. In the 1980 celebration commemorating the 50th anniversary of Bryan College in Dayton that was created in WJBs memory in 1930, copies of the undelivered speech were distributed to persons in attendance. Copies are still available in the small museum in the basement of the historic original Rhea County Courthouse. (The author of this article (and others) have been unable to locate the trial judges reference to the poem Opportunity in the official transcript, which may add another mystery concerning the Scopes Trial after 100 years?) ---- If you have additional information about one of Mr. Summers' articles or have suggestions or ideas about a future Chattanooga area historical piece, please contact him at jsummers@summersfirm.com) The city Industrial Development Board on Monday voted 5-3 to provide $102,500 to a local firm to help in its worker recruitment. The funding is to go to AIS Enclosure Systems, which plans to add 82 new jobs with a $8.3 million plant investment. The county earlier agreed to provide the same amount for the program. Adam Myers, Chamber of Commerce vice president for economic development, said Chattanooga was competing against other cities to retain the company. He said the grant program is another tool to incentivize companies to stay in Chattanooga when the project does not meet the standards for a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) tax relief. The funding comes from the economic development fund that includes fees paid by businesses. The fund currently has $2,617,733. The IDB also agreed to donate $50,000.00 from funds appropriated from the city of Chattanooga for the purpose of advancing workforce development in the technology sector, to the Chattanooga Chamber Foundation for a Workforce Development Tech Accelerator Program. The program is to help individuals obtain jobs as data analysts with such help as evening classes and child care. Helen Burns Sharp, taxpayer advocate, praised the staff for beginning to provide staff reports on various agenda items. She also said IDB members should be asking these questions: : Whose Program is this? Is it a city/county program or a chamber program? Is the city of Chattanooga mayor gonna run unopposed? We have had 12 years of progressive liberal leadership. Most of the city council is mind numbing as well. Do we have an up and coming conservative to to step up? Of course it doesn't matter if people don't care enough to show up and vote. Folks it matters, let's hope we have a better choice in 2025. Barry Reeves * * * At least someone is on the right track, even if partially. However, words can be vague. Words like "progressive", "liberal" and "conservative" have more meaning than folks are aware of. While not originally from the Chattanooga area (or Tennessee for that matter), my opinion on this may not appeal to folks with their heads in the sand. As such, as it stands, this is what I see and notice in Chattanooga: rising homelessness, drug addiction, the embracement of pagan culture, public transportation that is insulting (people are forced to go into debt in order to obtain a vehicle, simply to get around and/or even have a job to survive), a cost of living that makes even common sense cringe, wages that are from the early 2000's (courtesy of the plethora of fast-food/corporate conglomerate/service industry establishments representing the corporate government), some of the most ignorant and disrespectful school kids I have ever seen (I spent 11 years abroad as a teacher and I know what I am talking about), trash and litter left in parks, rampant crime and gangs, typical characters that feel the need to make sure everyone around them can hear the noises that somehow qualify as music coming out of their cars, illegal aliens running everywhere unopposed, blue-state refugees that continue to bring their blue-state values with them...what happened to the values and character that once projected the beloved Dixieland (God, family, country, state civic duty, masculinity and respect)? If Governor Lee won't do anything about this state, why should anyone expect a "conservative" mayor to make a difference? That is comparable to freed slaves that continue to vote for their former masters to rule over them... hint, hint. Perhaps, if public schools had been doing their job for the last 40 years, folks would know how to appropriate the meanings of "progressive", "liberal" and "conservative." Then again, if media outlets would report the truth rather than boomer-ish green-bean salad narratives, folks may see an opportunity to get their heads out of the sand. In a Constitutional Republic, the people have (or had) all the power they need. But, those days seem to be over. Joshua Card Blog Archive: Mar 2025 (75) Feb 2025 (139) Jan 2025 (155) Dec 2024 (144) Nov 2024 (143) Oct 2024 (155) Sep 2024 (149) Aug 2024 (155) Jul 2024 (155) Jun 2024 (150) May 2024 (153) Apr 2024 (149) Mar 2024 (155) Feb 2024 (145) Jan 2024 (155) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55) Cleveland State Community College will host three Spring Enrollment Events in December and January. Prospective students can complete the entire enrollment process from application to registration for spring classes and receive financial aid assistance. The enrollment services team will assist individuals through the enrollment process in just one day.The events will take place on the Cleveland campus on Dec.10 and Jan. 9. The McMinn Higher Education Center will host an event in Athens on Dec.11. Visit https://apply.clevelandstatecc.edu/portal/enrollment_event to select your preferred arrival time.Cleveland State offers a wide variety of programs including Associate of Arts, Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Science options with a variety of technical certificates. There are a number of different scheduling options for working adults, as well as the Advance Business program and programs for veterans.Ensuring a smooth transition into college is a priority for us at Cleveland State, said Renae Frazier, dean of Enrollment Management. Our Enrollment Events provide an excellent opportunity for prospective students to explore their academic options, receive guidance from our enrollment team and take the necessary steps to begin their educational journey. We are committed to providing resources and assistance to students every step of the way.Sign up to attend or find out more information at https://apply.clevelandstatecc.edu/portal/enrollment_event, 423-473-2310, or enroll@clevelandstatecc.edu. The Hamilton County Health Department has been named a recipient of the Gold Bright Spot Award from the Tennessee Department of Health's Office of Primary Prevention. The Bright Spot Award, presented by the TDH Office of Primary Prevention, recognizes local programs and initiatives that "significantly improve health outcomes and equity in Tennessee communities.""This recognition highlights the departments commitment to creating inclusive health initiatives that address the unique needs of individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities," officials said.Hamilton County Health Department expresses deep gratitude to TDH for this recognition and thanks the dedicated staff, community partners and program participants whose efforts have made the Inclusive Community Initiative successful.We are incredibly proud of our staff and their unwavering dedication to this initiative, said Renee Craig, Health Education Program manager. Together, we have created systemic change across our health department, breaking down barriers and ensuring everyone can access the services they deserve. Public health is for everyone, and this achievement reflects our commitment to that core principle."The Hamilton County Inclusive Community Initiative is a model for advancing health equity by prioritizing accessibility, community engagement, and collaboration. This initiative addresses barriers to health education, resources, and participation for individuals with ID/DD, empowering them to lead healthier, more connected lives," officials said.This award reflects the transformative power of inclusion, said Christopher Marinello, MS, Step ONE. Through the Inclusive Community Initiative, we are not only improving health outcomes for individuals with ID/DD but also creating opportunities for them to thrive in every aspect of their lives. We are honored to be recognized as a Gold Bright Spot recipient and inspired to continue building an equitable and inclusive community for all.The Health Departments Inclusive Community Initiative focused on the following areas: Adapt community health programs to promote physical activity/nutrition education for people with ID/DD. Advocate for Developmental Disabilities Awareness through social media. Educate staff and attend professional development training on providing services for individuals with ID/DD and their caregivers. (Ex. Alzheimers/Dementia, Epilepsy, and Autism training) Utilizing over $64,000 for multigenerational, inclusive park equipment for three county parks. The Friends of Hixson and the Hixson Kiwanis invite the public to come out and help kick off the holiday season at the annual Hixson Community Christmas Tree Lighting event this Saturday at Clear Creek Church of Christ, 5612 Hixson Pike.The doors will open at 6 p.m. with refreshments in the churchs Community Cafe, with the music program scheduled from 6:30-7:30 p.m., featuring Hixson High Schools band, choir and strings orchestra.Tennessee State House Representative, District 26, Greg Martin will serve as emcee for the event.Santa Claus will join Rep. Martin in lighting the community Christmas tree at 7:30 p.m.This years sponsors:Grand SponsorsCommissioner Ken SmithPlainview OutdoorsGold SponsorsQFSC-Investment & Tax AdvisorLPL FinancialFirst Horizon BankMorning Pointe of HixsonJeff Davis for City CouncilTom Marshall for City CouncilSilver SponsorsArch About TNMarty Haynes, Property AssessorGreg Martin, State Representative, District 26Bo Watson, State Senator ArtsBuild has been recognized for its work championing arts in education for tens of thousands of public school students. The non-profit organization was presented with this years Educator Champion Partners in Education Award at a ceremony hosted by Hamilton County Schools at The Read House. ArtsBuild provides training for teachers across the county, helping them incorporate visual arts, music, drama, and dance into lessons. Teachers can access personal development sessions with renowned teaching artists from Carolyn Dorfman Dance, The Kennedy Center, and other partners. The aim is to provide the creative tools and strategies to inspire students, boost academic achievement, and promote a lifelong love of the arts. In the last two years alone, ArtsBuild has trained over 100 teachers. The non-profit organization also offers free theater, concert, ballet, and museum visits for all students in Hamilton Countys public elementary schools through its Imagine! program. Last year, around 12,000 students enjoyed trips to the Creative Discovery Museum, Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, SoLit Theatre Express and other partner organizations thanks to the program. Since its beginning, the program has provided over 100,000 field trips for children over the course of the Imagine! program. James McKissic, president of ArtsBuild, said, We are thrilled to win this award in recognition of our efforts to bring the arts to every child in our public schools. The arts do not just bring joy to our lives and fire our childrens imaginations. They also help to strengthen classroom engagement, and foster critical thinking, collaboration and innovation among students. Research even shows that young people who engage with the arts are more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, win awards for writing, and take part in math and science fairs. Our aim is that all children should be able to experience the magic of theater, music, dance, and visual arts, no matter their background. Id like to thank all our wonderful partners, supporters, and educators for helping us to make this a reality. ArtsBuild is dedicated to building stronger communities through the arts and increasing access to the arts throughout Chattanooga and the surrounding area. Since 1969, ArtsBuild has invested more than $77 million in arts organizations, programs and education. Hamilton County Schools hosts the Partners in Education Awards to honor community partners who have made a significant impact on the district within the last year. ArtsBuild arts education programs are made possible by the Beacon Foundation Charitable Trust, Hamico Foundation, George R. Johnson Family Foundation, Lillian L. Colby Foundation, Tucker Foundation, the City of Chattanooga, the Schillhahn-Huskey Foundation, Tennessee American Water, First Horizon, EPB, TVA, the Tennessee Arts Commission and many more generous corporate and individual donors. The U.S. Department of Education located in Washington, D.C. | Photo Credit: Screenshot / Youtube/ CBS News Minnesota The United States Department of Education is facing accusations of unfairly targeting Christian colleges and universities in an alleged effort to promote a woke agenda. The American Principles Project (APP), a conservative think tank, released a report earlier this month highlighting actions taken by the departments Office of Enforcement against Christian institutions. The report notes that while Christian colleges and universities account for fewer than 10% of students in the U.S., they represent roughly 70% of penalties imposed by the Office of Enforcement. APP Policy Director Jon Schweppe, the reports author, claimed, This is an example of the Biden administration weaponizing every part of the federal government to target their opponents. Schweppe emphasized, As our report details, the Biden-Harris Department of Education has been engaged in a long-running scheme to punish Christian colleges that are ideologically opposed to the lefts agenda. The unfair targeting of these institutions has been egregious, and it needs to stop immediately. In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for the Department of Education told the Christian Post that they denied the claims in the APP report, stating, A schools religious affiliation or nonprofit status has absolutely no bearing on our oversight and enforcement actions. The spokesperson further added, Our top priority is protecting safety and academic opportunity for all students at institutions of higher education. The data in the APP report itself pushes a false narrative by distorting information released publicly by the Department. The APP report emerges as President-elect Donald Trump has expressed a desire to downsize or potentially eliminate the Education Department upon taking office next year. We want federal education dollars to follow the student, rather than propping up a bloated and radical bureaucracy in Washington, D.C. We want to close the federal Department of Education, Trump stated in October, as quoted by USA Today. Additionally, Republican Sen. Mike Rounds(South Dakota), has introduced a bill aimed at abolishing the Education Department, it would require a supermajority in the Senate to pass. Russ Alan Ragsdale has been charged with attempting to enter a Texas church armed with a tactical rifle. | Photo Credit: Screenshot / Fox4 News Russ Ragsdale, a 25-year-old white man, has been charged with a federal firearm crime for allegedly attempting to enter a Texas church armed with a tactical rifle. Ragsdale was arrested on November 22 and made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Renee Harris Toliver on Monday, as stated by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Texas. Court documents reveal that on November 2, 2023, Ragsdale entered a church in the Dallas area at around 5:05 p.m. during a Mass attended by approximately 100 parishioners. After the service, he reportedly returned to his vehicle, retrieved a rifle from his trunk, and closed the three gates to the parking lot. At 5:35 p.m., Ragsdale allegedly attempted to re-enter the church with the rifle but was unable to do so because the parishioners had locked the door. The investigation has also shown a connection to a previous shooting involving Ragsdale. In February 2022, he was arrested in Seagoville, a Dallas suburb, for the felony murder of his roommate. Although the murder case was dismissed later, Ragsdale told law enforcement that he shot his roommate "many times" in self-defense after claiming he was attacked. During his prior arrest, officers recovered three firearms, including a 10mm Glock and an AR-15 rifle, along with nearly two grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms. Prosecutors noted that an analysis of Ragsdales phone revealed a history of drug use, dating back to November 2021, including evidence of purchasing and using hallucinogenic mushrooms in early 2022. The charge of unlawful possession of a firearm is based on Ragsdale's known drug use, and if convicted, he faces a sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison. The U.S. Attorney's office has not revealed the identity of the church involved in the incident. Following a 2019 state law following the Sutherland Springs church attack that resulted in 26 deaths and 20 injuries, handguns are now permitted on church premises and other places of worship in Texas. In 2022, a church in New York State filed a lawsuit regarding a new law prohibiting guns in houses of worship amid growing concerns over church security. The law firm First Liberty Institute represented His Tabernacle Family Church and Pastor Micheal Spencer in challenging the states newly enacted Senate Bill S51001, which bans carrying firearms in sensitive locations, including houses of worship. During the Sunday service at The Potter's House megachurch, congregation members erupted in cheers as Bishop T.D. Jakes made his public appearance via video on December 1. | Photo Credit: Screenshot/ Youtube/ Fox 4 Dallas-Fort Worth Bishop T.D. Jakes(67) testified to divine intervention for avoiding a health incident during his sermon last Sunday. He expressed gratitude, stating, I give thanks unto the Lord that I did not have a stroke. The Senior pastor of The Potters House church in Dallas revealed the health scare while addressing his congregation and followers on social media, attributing his recovery to Gods grace and the quick response of medical professionals. In a post on X on Wednesday, which included a video of him expressing thanks, he stated, A special thank you to God and the medical professionals in our city whose speed and expertise were beyond exceptional. Jakes noted his intention to rest and recover, recognizing the importance of honoring the Sabbath. I owe it to my amazing family and church members to rest and ruminate as He restores me towards His service. As God calls us to honor the Sabbath, Im reminded that rest is not a weakness it is a divine gift, he wrote. Additionally, he remarked, While I continue to be strengthened by His grace, I stand in awe of my family and the tremendous leadership team that surrounds me. Together, we press forward, steadfast in the work the Lord has set before us. Ive heard from friends from the global community who expressed Gods love in ways that were astonishing! Gods faithfulness was unmistakable to all those present. Jakes experienced a health issue that caused him to briefly lose consciousness after praying Psalm 19:14 during his Sunday morning service on November 25. A video clip of the incident posted on YouTube showed him sharing his passion for preaching and expressing that he wasnt tired of his job just before facing a health incident on stage. Jakes message comes as he filed a defamation lawsuit against former pastor and convicted sex offender Duane Youngblood the day after the health incident. The lawsuit alleges that Youngblood made defamatory accusations against Jakes regarding events that supposedly occurred around 40 years ago. According to lawsuit documents, Jakes attorneys stated that Youngbloods claims were part of an orchestrated scheme to tarnish Jakes reputation and extort millions of dollars from him. Youngblood, who previously pastored in Homestead, Pennsylvania, was arrested on multiple charges related to the sexual abuse of minors dating back to 2002. Home News Bible sales surged in 2024 but is it a cause for celebration? While total U.S. print book sales were up less than 1% this year through the end of October, Bible sales surged 22% compared to the same period last year, according to book tracker Circana BookScan. But is this a cause for celebration among Christians? BookScan data show that in 2023, 14.2 million Bibles were sold in the U.S., while in the first 10 months of this year sales reached 13.7 million. Publishers suggested in a recent Wall Street Journal report that rising anxiety, a search for hope, or highly focused marketing and designs are possible reasons fueling the spike in demand for the good book. 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 People are experiencing anxiety themselves, or theyre worried for their children and grandchildren, Jeff Crosby, president of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, told the WSJ. Its related to artificial intelligence, election cycles and all of that feeds a desire for assurance that were going to be OK. J. Mark Bertrand, founder of Lectio.org, a website about Bible design, suggested niche marketing of Scripture has been helpful too. Id like to say there is a craving for knowledge of scripture, but a lot of smart people are thinking about Bible marketing and catering to every whim for Bible study, he said. For Tyndale House Publishers Amy Simpson, however, she has seen a surge in Bible engagement, particularly among members of Gen Z and college students. You have a generation that wants to find things that feel more solid, she said. While the sales of Bibles in America this year might look impressive, its hardly surprising, as according to The New Yorker, the Bible is the bestselling book of the year, every year. And despite Americas increasing secularization, Barna found in 2013 that nearly nine out of 10, 88%, of Americans own a Bible. Ten years earlier, the percentage of Americans who said they own a Bible was 92%. American Bible owners were found to have, on average, 3.5 Bibles in their home, while about 24% reported owning six or more Bibles. In 2022, while commenting on the American Worldview Inventory, George Barna, director of research at the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, noted in a release that parents of preteens, children younger than 13, are in a state of spiritual distress as American adherence to biblical Christianity fades even in churches, and warned that a "tragic crash is coming. He explained that this problem was largely ignored by the Church because indicators like church attendance, Bible sales and donations had remained sufficiently robust to feel reassured. The disinterest and even disrespect many children show to their elders is partially a reaction to the lack of authenticity and integrity they experience in the presence of parents, teachers, pastors, and other cultural leaders. Children sometimes feel compelled to ignore adults whose talk and walk are inconsistent, Barna said. When children are exposed to teaching through words or actions, whether formal or informal that are contradictory, they naturally conclude that the Christian faith is inherently contradictory and therefore may not be what they are seeking as a life philosophy, Barna added. Young people may be interested in and intrigued by Bible stories, but unless the underlying life principles are both identified and exemplified, children are likely to miss out on those life-changing truths. Data published by ACU show that of an estimated 176 million American adults who identify as Christian, just 6%, or 15 million of them, actually hold a biblical worldview. The study shows, in general, that while a majority of Americas self-identified Christians, including many who identify as Evangelical, believe that God is all-powerful, all-knowing and is the Creator of the universe, more than half reject a number of biblical teachings and principles, including the existence of the Holy Spirit. According to Barna, If ever there was a time when our nation was desperate for a grassroots spiritual revival led by the remnant in the pews who still revere God, Jesus Christ, the Bible, and truth, now is that time. Home News Churches cant be barred from New Jersey's historic grant program, federal judge rules Churches in New Jersey can't be barred from receiving historic grants solely because they are religious in nature, a federal judge has ruled. United States District Judge Evelyn Padin, an appointee of President Joe Biden, issued an opinion last week in favor of two churches suing Morris County officials who denied them historical grants. Padin granted a preliminary injunction on behalf of The Mendham Methodist Church and The Zion Lutheran Church Long Valley, writing that public aid cannot be denied to a party because they are religious. 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 opinion was critical of Rule 5.6.4 of New Jersey's Historic Preservation Grant, which prohibits funds from being used on "property currently used for religious purposes or functions." "Rule 5.6.4 does not limit funding to religious institutions to secular aspects of repair. Instead, it excludes the institutions from eligibility wholesale because they are religious institutions," wrote Padin. "Rule 5.6.4, as currently written and construed, therefore, likely violates the Free Exercise Clause." Jeremy Dys, senior counsel with First Liberty Institute, a conservative law firm helping to represent the churches, praised the ruling in a statement on Monday. "Time and again, the U.S. Supreme Court has declared that all forms of religious discrimination by the government are unconstitutional, including the denial of historic preservation grants to historic churches," said Dys. "We are thrilled that the court recognized that religious institutions cannot be excluded from public funding programs like preservation grants simply because of their religious character or religious activities." In 2015, the Freedom From Religion Foundation filed a lawsuit against Morris County over local officials allocating $4.6 million in historic preservation grants to 12 county houses of worship from 2012-2015. In 2018, the New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of the FFRF, concluding that Morris County's practice of allocating historic preservation grants to churches violated the New Jersey Constitution. "The plain language of the Religious Aid Clause bars the use of taxpayer funds to repair and restore churches, and Morris County's program ran afoul of that long-standing provision," wrote Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner for the majority. In response to the state supreme court decision, county officials implemented a policy excluding houses of worship from the grant program. The churches filed their complaint in April 2023, accusing local officials of discriminating against them by denying their grant applications solely because they were religious. "This is unconstitutional discrimination on the basis of religion," argued the lawsuit. "States and local governments that choose to provide a generally available public benefit such as historic preservation grants cannot exclude an otherwise-qualified applicant solely because the applicant happens to be a house of worship." Home News French Pres. Emmanuel Macron celebrates Notre Dame restoration: 'You have transformed ashes into art' Notre Dame cathedral, one of the most cherished symbols of French heritage and Christian devotion, is set to reopen its doors after a five-year restoration following the devastating fire that engulfed it on April 15, 2019. French President Emmanuel Macron, who famously pledged to rebuild the cathedral within five years, toured the completed structure in November, expressing gratitude for the extraordinary efforts that have brought it back to life. "You have transformed ashes into art," he told those present, highlighting the immense skill and dedication involved in the reconstruction. 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 fire, which destroyed the famous spire, much of the cathedral's wooden roof, and parts of its stone structure, left Parisians and onlookers around the world in mourning. The inferno also covered the cathedral's nave, which risked collapse, prompting an urgent and extensive restoration effort. Now, after years of painstaking work, the restored cathedral will once again welcome the faithful and visitors on Dec. 7-8, reclaiming its place as both a spiritual beacon and a cultural treasure. The restoration has been a triumph of craftsmanship, faith and unity. More than 846 million ($888 million) was donated by 340,000 supporters from 150 countries, highlighting the global respect for this Christian place of worship. The funds enabled the meticulous reconstruction of Notre Dame and the preservation of its architectural integrity, ensuring it remains a testament to the vision and dedication of its original builders. The process of reconstruction was rooted in authenticity and reverence for history. The new spire, a faithful replica of Eugene Viollet-le-Duc's 19th century design, was crafted using techniques reminiscent of medieval craftsmanship. Its base now supports a golden phoenix, symbolizing resurrection and renewal. "The cathedral can be reborn from the ashes, like a phoenix," commented restoration architect Philippe Villeneuve, who envisioned a weathervane bird with "wings of fire" on top of the cathedral spire. Over 1,200 oak trees, some as old as 230 years, were felled to recreate the roof's intricate timber framework, known as la foret ("the forest"). These beams were carefully shaped and transported along the River Seine, echoing the woodworking practices of the cathedral's original carpenters. Inside, the cathedral's transformation is awe-inspiring. The columns and walls, meticulously cleaned of centuries of grime, now radiate with a brilliance unseen in modern times. Notre Dame's famed stained-glass windows, including the three majestic rose windows, have been restored to their original vibrancy, allowing their intricate designs and vivid colors to once again flood the interior with hues of light. The restoration of the cathedral's bells, including those damaged in the fire, marks another significant milestone. In early November, the eight bells of the northern belfry rang out for the first time since the disaster, their sound resonating as a symbol of hope and continuity. For many, the return of the almost-intact statue of the Virgin Mary to its rightful place was particularly moving, as was the preservation of the Crown of Thorns, a relic that firefighters risked their lives to save during the blaze. Monseigneur Patrick Chauvet, former rector of Notre Dame, recalled his first glimpse of the interior after the flames had been extinguished, describing it as an "apocalyptic vision." He added, "I haven't fully recovered from it; it's engraved in the depths of my being." Macron reflected on the restoration effort, praising the 2,000 workers whose expertise made it possible, including artisans, architects, and craftspeople who utilized centuries-old methods to ensure authenticity. "The blaze at Notre Dame was a national wound, and you have been its remedy through will, through work, through commitment," he remarked, adding that the cathedral's reopening will be a "shock of hope." Although work on the forecourt and surrounding areas will continue until 2030, the cathedral itself is ready to resume its role as a place of Christian worship, reflection and inspiration. A consecration Mass and the dedication of a new altar will mark the reopening, symbolizing a spiritual rebirth and a triumphant return for this architectural masterpiece. According to church authorities, Notre Dame welcomed 12 million visitors in 2017 and, following the restoration, now expects to receive an even higher figure of 14 million to 15 million during the coming year. This article was originally published at Christian Today Home News Iranian Christians fleeing persecution face 'uncertain future' as Georgia rejects asylum claims Iranian Christian Jalal Darzi is preparing for the worst after authorities in Georgia rejected his asylum claim, a plight an increasing share of Iranian Christian converts hoping to escape persecution face as some are even being told to halt their church services. Darzi was rejected after his second interview with Georgian officials on the basis that he had not been able to prove he is a Christian. He says the questions he was asked were geared toward Orthodox Christianity, of which he had no knowledge. When he tried to speak about his beliefs, he said he was not permitted. "[The interviewer] said: 'When I have a question, you should answer.' A lot of times, she stopped me. I said, 'Let me talk!' But she stopped me, so I didn't carry on. I felt like it was a kind of formality, that obviously they'd made a decision before the interview," Darzi recently told investigators for a joint report compiled by leading human rights organizations. 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 Released Monday by Article18, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open Doors and Middle East Concern, the document highlights the plight of Iranian Christians fleeing persecution in their home country being rejected for asylum in nearby Georgia because their faith is found not to be "genuine." Despite the threat of persecution in Iran, the report states that Georgia's immigration services over the past three years have accepted less than 1% of the more than 1,000 Iranians who have applied for asylum. "The asylum-seekers, therefore, face an uncertain future, with little hope of being recognised as refugees but having few alternative options to access international protection," the report said. "Several individuals whose asylum claims have been rejected in Georgia have already spent years as refugees in neighboring countries such as Turkey, and say they no longer know what to do, nor where to go." Nearly one-fifth of all individuals seeking asylum in Georgia are Iranian. While Turkey is the most common destination for Iranian asylum seekers, more Iranians have sought alternative countries like Georgia as Turkey's conditions for minority faiths have worsened. Despite the Islamic Republic of Iran's claims that it protects the rights of Christians, Christian converts and other followers of Christ are still subjected to arrest, in some cases, for "propagating a religion contrary to Islam." In Iran, it is illegal to have a Farsi-language Bible or convert from Islam to Christianity. It is unlawful for people even to have contact with Christians who converted from Islam. Those who are converts or are caught supporting converts are often sent to prison on national security charges. Article 18 confirmed to The Christian Post that it personally knows the individuals featured in the report, noting that some have studied with the Pars Theological Centre, a Persian-language theology school in London. The report notes that approximately 85% of Georgia's population identifies as Orthodox Christian. The religious freedom advocacy groups suggested that one of the reasons for the rejection of various applications is due to "intolerance of expressions of Christianity other than Georgian Orthodox." Another reason for the rejection of applications, according to an anonymous asylum lawyer, is due to Georgia developing a relationship with Iran. Pastor Reza Fazeli told investigators the Georgian Secret Service summoned him in July 2024 for a meeting where he was told that Georgia's commitment to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations outweighed its commitment to the Refugee Convention, according to the report. "They said the diplomatic relationship was more important: that it came first for them, and that 'secondly we must obey the refugee and asylum seeker rules,'" the pastor said. During this meeting, the report states that Fazeli was ordered to close his church and "refrain from gathering with others in groups of more than five, and from conducting interviews with any news agencies." The pastor's church remained shut at the time of the report's writing. Trade between Georgia and Iran officially amounted to $270 million in 2023, which could "unofficially" amount to $500 million, the report notes. "So, for the Georgian government, Iran is very important, and if you are a small country and you need to make a good relationship to your big neighbour [Iran], you cannot give that neighbour's citizens refugee status," an unnamed attorney is quoted as saying. "In all the times we go to court [for cases involving Iranian Christians], the [Georgian] migration department tells the court that Christians don't have any problem in Iran, and that if Christians go back to Iran, they won't have any problem," the lawyer continued. As for Darzi, he has been able to find work in Georgia and has built relationships with his neighbors, but he cannot stay because he cannot obtain residency or insurance. He is currently trying to appeal against the rejection of his asylum claim but said he is also making plans in case he's ordered to leave. After Darzi has seen the appeals of friends rejected, he is skeptical and looking to prepare for what may come next. "I think I might have one year to decide. Maybe my first appeal will take place in six months, and then the second after another six months. I'm trying to figure out where I should go because a lot of my friends have already left, and the guy who first suggested I come here has just one month before [he found out] he must leave the country," he said. "I asked him: 'Where are you going to go?' And he said: 'I don't know.'" The advocacy groups included several recommendations in the report, including calls for officials to recognize the "diversity of Christian belief" when assessing if an individual's conversion is genuine. In addition, the organizations recommended that officials refer to the United Nations Special Rapporteur's reports on Iran when "determining whether asylum claimants have a well-founded fear of persecution if they were to return." The groups call on Georgian authorities to not only recognize the persecution Christians face in Iran but also for the international community "to open up new safe, legal routes for resettlement." Home News Michael Brown admits to lack of judgment as woman accuses him of sexual misconduct Michael Brown, host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program, who is also president, founder and professor of practical theology at FIRE School of Ministry, admitted to a definite lack of judgment but denied allegations he engaged in sexual misconduct with a former female staffer he said he treated like a family member 23 years ago. Both Nancy and I were shocked and horrified by the mix of accusations, allegations, false statements, and mischaracterizations. Thats why we wholeheartedly supported our boards immediate decision to launch a thorough third-party investigation, Brown said in a statement to The Christian Post that was also shared with The Roys Report, which published the allegations Monday evening. Nancy and I did have a relationship with the woman in question and considered her to be like a family member, and she conducted herself as one who viewed our relationship the same way. But she was not a family member, and aspects of my interaction with her, although totally non-sexual in every way, reflected a definite lack of judgment on my part, Brown added. 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 former female staffer who was only identified by her pseudonym, Erin, by TRR, said she quit working at the FIRE School of Ministry in 2002 when she was just 21 because she had grown uncomfortable with Browns frequent slapping of her buttocks, kisses on the lips, and hand-holding episodes. He was supposed to be a spiritual father, Erin told TRR. He was supposed to look after me. Erin said that when she was 18, she attended the Brownsville Revival School of Ministry in 1999 where Brown served as president until he was fired in 2000. Brown then started the FIRE School of Ministry in Pensacola, Florida, where the school operated until 2003 when it was relocated to North Carolina. Erin explained that she followed Brown to his startup school, and he asked her to call him Dad and she obliged. She recalled that because she had endured a difficult home life, she initially enjoyed the attention Brown paid her. She said they would write endearing notes to each other. I looked at it as a blessing because of the respect that we all have for him, Erins sister told TRR. According to Erin, in less than a year of her working at the new school, Brown who was involved with providing guidance to the International House of Prayer Kansas City as they navigated founder Mike Bickles sexual misconduct scandal started holding her hands. He lifted it up in the truck ... and hes like, You all know that I think of (Erin) as my daughter, and said, Thats why were holding hands because shes like a daughter to me, Erin said. The handholding eventually progressed to other contact including kissing. Erin said she was alone in Browns office one day when he asked her to kiss him on the lips. She said she didnt want to kiss him, so she gave him a peck that day. Kisses on the lips, however, would become a part of their goodbyes when they spent time alone. It was no longer (Brown) was asking for a kiss, she recalled. It was (Brown) leaning down to get a kiss. ... I knew I couldnt stop it, or I felt I couldnt stop it. Brown later began slapping Erins buttocks habitually, Erin said. The publication cited multiple former employees of the ministry who say they witnessed what appeared to be inappropriate behavior between Brown and Erin, including Erin sitting in his lap. Erin also told TRR that she found a letter while house-sitting for Brown and his wife Nancy, in which he confessed to having an inappropriate relationship with a married woman. The letter basically stated that they were having a talking relationship and how they would dream about having sexual relations with each other and what they wanted to do with each other, how she wanted to wrap her legs around him, how he played into it, Erin said. In his response to CP on Monday, however, Brown denied ever committing adultery but said he had previously confessed the emotional affair and believed the matter to be settled. I can categorically state that in my 53 years in the Lord and more than 50 years with Nancy, I have never committed adultery or been sexually intimate with another woman, nor do the charges allege that. Yet I must ask, in all humility and in the fear of the Lord, if an article on the Roys Report is the best way to address these allegations and accusations, Brown said. Does this glorify the Lord, edify the Body, bring healing and restoration, or advance the cause of truth? Despite Browns denial, two weeks ago the Line of Fire Board reportedly hired the law firm Mitchell, Stein, Carey, and Chapman to conduct a third-party investigation, the results of which they will make public once complete. Erin said the experience she had with Brown has made it difficult for her to trust ministry leaders. Brown insists he was not aware that his behavior had impacted her as reported and is willing to work to make amends so healing can take place. The fact is that my actions towards her were certainly foolish and irresponsible but neither sexual nor amorous in any way and my highest priority, as well as Nancys, is to have the opportunity to meet together in a setting acceptable to her and bring healing, where I can take full responsibility for the things which apparently hurt her so deeply, things which I thought we addressed 23 years ago, Brown said. Unfortunately, when Nancy and I learned through the Roys Report that there was an offense towards me in this womans heart, we were not allowed to follow the mandate of Jesus in Matthew 5:23-26, but only given the option of offering a response to an article that would be released online. What happened to biblical process? he asked. That being said, if its true that for 23 years she has carried this pain and I am responsible for it, I am beyond mortified and would plead forgiveness and the opportunity to bring healing and restoration. Her wellbeing remains our priority. Home News ICE head 'frustrated' with NYC blocking deportation as city houses 58K criminal immigrants New York City is home to nearly 60,000 illegal immigrants who are either convicted felons or facing criminal charges, with the city's head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement expressing frustration with the sanctuary city laws that he says prevent deportation. These criminal immigrants make up 7.7% of the 759,218 illegal immigrants living in the city, according to ICE data cited in a Saturday report by The New York Post. Of the 58,626 immigrants with criminal records, over 1,000 are "suspected or known gang members." Kenneth Genalo, head of ICE's New York City office, told the outlet last month that he is "frustrated" with New York's sanctuary laws that prevent criminal immigrants from being deported. 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 only people they're shielding are the criminals, and they're shielding the criminals from us," Genalo said of city council members. "The majority of these crimes that are being committed are against the most vulnerable people in the community, and that's the migrant females and the migrant children. I don't understand how they believe sanctuary policies are helping or assisting." "In New York City, it would take a lifetime to clear the city of the criminals that we have" if policies are not changed, Genalo told The New York Post. In 2014, then-New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a bill that reduced the city's cooperation with ICE in deporting criminals. Then, in 2018, the former Democratic mayor codified this rule into New York Police Department protocol. Current New York City Mayor Eric Adams has advocated for changing the laws that prevent local authorities from working with federal officials. However, the Democratic leader has also expressed disagreement with the mass deportations promised by President-elect Donald Trump and his administration. "This is a sanctuary city," Adams said during a press conference last month. "Those laws are in place. I want people to continue to go to school. I want people to continue to use our hospital systems." "I want people to continue to know that if they're a victim of a crime, they should report those criminal actions against them," he added. "I don't want to go to the days where people are going to hide in the shadows." ICE and the office of Mayor Eric Adams did not immediately respond to The Christian Post's request for comment. New York City is not the only part of the country where illegal immigrant gang activity is making headlines, particularly members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Members of the transnational criminal organization have been spotted throughout the United States, including Colorado and Texas. The gang received media attention, especially around the 2024 presidential election, after footage of heavily armed men taking over an apartment building in Aurora, Colorado, went viral online. Local police announced that several reports about the gang had been exaggerated; however, authorities stated in September that they were investigating 10 suspected gang members for their involvement in a series of crimes. Last month, a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) spokesperson told CP that intelligence suggests that Tren de Aragua is involved with fostering human trafficking throughout the state. The earliest crime TBI linked the gang to is a 2023 human trafficking case, and the bureau is working with multiple law enforcement agencies across the country to raise awareness about the gang. "At this time, intelligence suggests the gang is predominantly still involved in fostering human trafficking in Tennessee, but the known track record of the gang's involvement in theft and drug crimes elsewhere continues to inform our concerted efforts to better understand and more consistently identify Tennessee crimes that may be connected to TdA," the spokesperson stated. In addition to gang activity, immigration and enforcement policies have been at the forefront of political discussions following the deaths of women like Laken Riley. Jose Ibarra, a migrant who entered the country illegally in 2022, murdered a 22-year-old nursing student earlier this year in Georgia. Republican lawmakers blamed immigration policies and lack of border security under the Biden-Harris administration for Riley's death. Late last month, a judge sentenced Ibarra to life in prison without parole for the young woman's murder after the defendant waived his right to a jury trial. In a victim statement read before the court, Riley's mother, Allyson Phillips, called her daughter a "child of God." Home News Fmr. Texas salon owner jailed for defying COVID-19 rules experiences miracle healing before winning big election Shelley Luther is a walking miracle and now she's also an elected official. Luther, a former Dallas salon owner who made national headlines for defying COVID-19 lockdown orders, just won a seat in the Texas Legislature, capturing House District 62. But it was her path before achieving electoral victory that captured the most attention. Luther was briefly jailed for keeping her salon open during the pandemic. Then, she faced a near-death experience. Luther recently spoke with Christian Post reporter Ian Giatti about her ultimate overcomer story. 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 Listen to Giatti break it all down and read the full story here: The Inside Story takes you behind the headlines of the biggest faith, culture and political headlines of the week. In 15 minutes or less, Christian Post staff writers and editors will help you navigate and understand whats driving each story, the issues at play and why it all matters. Listen to more Christian podcasts today on the Edifi app and be sure to subscribe to The Inside Story on your favorite platforms: Home News Once known 'city of churches,' Toronto declares December as 'Christian Heritage Month' Once known as the city of churches with 90 church buildings listed in the inner zone during the year 1893, the Canadian city of Toronto has become known as a multicultural metropolis with diverse faiths and beliefs. While nowadays just under half of the population of Toronto identify as Christian, a new initiative highlighting the historical and contemporary importance of Christianity for the city has led the Toronto City Council to proclaim December as Christian Heritage Month. On Nov. 13, Cllr. Nick Mantas put forward the motion, seconded by Cllr. Frances Nunziata, which was passed with 11 votes in favor and 4 votes against. In a summary, the two councilors noted that Christianity remains the most followed religion in Canada, with more than half of Canadians identifying with the faith. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms even mentions God in its very first sentence, they added. 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 Since the month of December celebrates the birth of Jesus at Christmas, the councilors successfully argued that it would be an appropriate month to laud the citys Christian heritage. During this time, Christian faith groups utilize literature, art, music, gastronomy, and architecture to tell the stories of Jesus and His compassion, love, acceptance and the good news of the Gospel he brought. December is associated with the tradition of gift giving and gathering of family, friends and people of all faiths. Christian organizations and places of worship offer religious services, unique events, and initiatives that highlight a strong Christian heritage during the month of December. Furthermore, the councilors pointed out that other religions and heritages are given recognition in Canada but there is a lack of such dedicated commemorations for Christianity in the country. As proud citizens of this diverse and culturally rich nation, we believe it is important to recognize and celebrate the contributions of all religious and cultural groups, the councilors added. Statistics Canada lists 669,320 Catholics in Toronto, according to data from 2021, 24.2% of the citys total population. An additional 10.7% are other Christians, representing 294,190 people. Several smaller denominations and groups add up to 11.6%, bringing the total to 46.5% identifying as Christian. These figures compare to 845,615 or 30.6% of the population declaring no religion and secular perspectives. The vote to officially mark December as Christian Heritage Month in Toronto has been hailed a significant milestone by Molly Banerjei, who came up with the idea six months ago alongside husband Jay and impassioned volunteers from Christian Music Festival, a multi-denominational organization celebrating the contributions of Canadian Christians. Banerjei, the chief executive officer for the Christian Heritage Month Initiative, told Christian Daily International that the debate leading up to the city council decision was spirited and, at times, intense. She insisted that there was no particular resistance from others in getting the city council to support the initiative. While there were differing opinions during the council debate, there has been no significant opposition to the event itself, she said. The proclamation has been widely welcomed and celebrated within the community. The reasoning behind the months dedication recognized the values of love, service and compassion that define the Christian community, according to Banerjei. Our vision is to honor the incredible diversity within Canadas Christian community representing First Nations, Africans, Latin Americans, Asians, Middle Easterners, Europeans and people from every continent through meaningful events that foster unity, build deeper connections, and celebrate the contributions that have enriched Canadas cultural fabric, she added. The Christian Heritage Month initiative is a dynamic, multi-denominational movement dedicated to celebrating the vibrant cultural, social, and artistic contributions of Canadas Christian community. Toronto churches have absolutely supported the initiative, alongside fellowships from other municipalities, added Banerjei. A celebratory event for the heritage month decision was held on Nov. 21. This is the Holy Spirits idea that has been entrusted to my husband Jay and me, Banerjei said. I have the privilege of leading the charge for this campaign, ensuring that its vision and mission are fulfilled. This initiative has fostered a sense of unity and celebration among Christians in the city. Banerjei noted that Christian Heritage Month is being recognized in December by 35 Canadian municipalities so far. These include: Ajax, Aurora, Bradford, Caledon, Clarington, Durham Region, Markham, Brampton, Milton, Mississippi Mills, Orillia, Ottawa, Pickering, Rideau Lakes, Sudbury, Wainfleet, Welland, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Prince George, Whistler, Red Deer and Okotos. This growing movement unites diverse voices and fosters a sense of belonging, enriching our nations identity and promoting inclusivity for all Canadians, Banerjei said. The team, led by Banerjei and her husband Jay, are calling on other Canadians to support the declaration of December as Christian Heritage Month for Canada as a whole. A petition has been set up for those wanting to see this happen. Together, we can celebrate Canadas diverse Christian heritage and the incredible contributions that have shaped our country, added Banerjei. Your voice matters! This article was originally published at Christian Daily International President Biden Pardons Son, YouVersion's Top 2024 Bible Verse, Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Possible link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 07:36 07:36 Top headlines for Tuesday, December 3, 2024 In this episode, President Joe Biden's controversial decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, amidst claims of politically motivated prosecution. Then, we'll shift gears to the digital age of faith, highlighting the Bible app YouVersion's most popular verse of 2024 and what it reveals about users' spiritual engagements. Finally, we'll share hopeful news from the Middle East as Jake Sullivan, Biden's national security adviser, voices optimism about a potential ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. ?Follow Us on Social Media ?Get the Edifi App ?Subscribe to Our Newsletter ?Links to the News Home Opinion Make America Healthy Again: Here is what came before it The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement garnered a lot of attention during the election and healthy eating received more coverage than usual. Food has become one of the biggest stories of the 2024 Presidential Campaign, Forbes reported. However, long before the MAHA movement was cool, alternatives to Big Medicine, like Health Care Sharing Ministries (HCSMs), were making Americans healthy again. Years ago, some of us noticed an odd correlation; Americans are the richest people on Earth, spending more on health care and consuming more medications than any other group in human history. And yet, we are also one of the sickest, fattest, saddest populations, with a declining life expectancy for the first time in generations. To be sure, food plays a critical role in our health, as the fearless MAHA leader Robert F. Kennedy Jr. points out. 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 Underlying the MAHA movement is a recognition that Big Medicine is never coming to save you. In fact, it can be a net harm. Medical errors have been reported as the third leading cause of death, behind heart disease and cancer. The safest and the most powerful hands in which to place your health are your own since 80% of chronic illness and premature death could be prevented through healthier choices around food, movement, and smoking. Health Care Sharing Ministries counts on the powerful combination of our own sovereignty, accountability to a faith community, and grace from God. Joining an HCSM means you are publicly committing to live a healthy lifestyle. HCSMs often support new members in starting with a wellness program rather than turning them away for obesity or chronic illness. We recognize that our communities do better financially, spiritually and physically when we choose better in our individual daily lives, rather than outsourcing the power over our health to Big Medicine. The business model of Big Medicine only succeeds when we are sick, when that sickness is for life, and when that lifelong sickness requires high-priced stuff to be done to us or bought for us. Most doctors are not trying to keep you sick in perpetuity but they are hamstrung by the two biggest impediments to our health. First, medical education is built on hierarchy, authority and The Science, as found in pharma-funded journals publishing pharma-funded studies. This priesthood relies on being the sole purveyors of medical truth, even as they have been proven wrong time and time again, from cholesterol to peanut allergies to hormone replacement therapy. Second, Big Medicine is not only a groupthink disciplinary body, but also a business model. Doctors are cogs in that giant corporate machine incentivized by sickness rather than health. Big Medicine does not allow for dissenting voices promoting sunlight, sleep, stress relief, whole foods our grandparents would recognize, hydration, regular movement, meaningful human connections and spiritual purpose. Big Medicine does not emphasize these commonsense strategies that every tribe and tongue in human history has recognized as the keys to maintaining wellness. These strategies compete too effectively against their Wall Street-driven interests. After all, doctors and hospitals only get paid when youre sick. How do we get a system incentivized and equipped to keep us healthy? Thats the real question. Health Care Sharing Ministries also frequently share in more holistic therapies, as well as the growing movement called Direct Primary Care, where doctors are paid a monthly subscription to keep you well with unlimited visits and easy access to your doctor, rather than only getting paid when youre sick and come in for a seven-minute sick care visit. Direct Primary Care allows doctors to know you and to take time to address root causes which can reduce downstream costs and poor outcomes. Breaking free of the Big Medicine machine requires a commitment to the ethos of personal responsibility and agency. We want to exit the broken Big Medicine system that tries to control us, violate our consciences and price gouge us. Now, any of us could need catastrophic help at some point. There are events causing serious injury, like car accidents and bullet wounds that actually allow our acute care system to shine. But most of the time, timeless wisdom about wholesome living has the most to offer us. Each of us must evaluate our options for the sick care system for ourselves. Nobody is more of an expert or cares about your health more than you. Not Big Pharma, not Big Food, and certainly not Big Medicine. Home Opinion Why President-elect Trump should defend persecuted Christians President-elect Trump, who won with the majority of Christian votes this election, has repeatedly pledged to defend Christians from persecution. He also reiterated in a post-election interview that he supports legal immigration: We want people to come in but they have to come in with love for the country. They have to come in legally, If President-elect Trump wants legally-admitted immigrants who love America and also wants to defend persecuted Christians, he should love the U.S. refugee resettlement program. Established with broad, bipartisan congressional support in 1980, the U.S. refugee resettlement program has brought more than 3.5 million individuals to the U.S. who fled a well-founded fear of persecution in their countries of origin. In the past decade, the majority of these refugees have been Christians, including many who were persecuted particularly because of their faith. 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 President-elect Trump has rightly affirmed the need for secure borders and keeping out terrorists, and as advocates for persecuted Christians, we certainly share his commitment to ensuring those who would persecute others cannot access the United States. Thankfully, as the Heritage Foundation has affirmed, refugees undergo more vetting than any other immigrants to the U.S. and various elements of the program make it an unattractive option for terrorists trying to infiltrate the U.S. Since the Refugee Act was signed into law, theres not been a single American life lost in an Islamist terrorist attack perpetrated by an individual admitted through the refugee resettlement program. Our country has a track-record of being both compassionate and secure. Legal immigration processes with careful vetting like the refugee program are an important complement to secure borders to halt illegal immigration and its also one of the central ways that our country stands with persecuted Christians and other religious minorities. The need for the U.S. to offer refuge to those persecuted for their faith has never been greater. One in seven Christians face significant persecution or discrimination because of their faith. Concurrently, over 120 million people globally have been displaced due to persecution, violence and human rights abuses. Those harsh realities are related, as many of those persecuted ultimately flee their homelands including some who seek refuge in the United States. Christian voters are praying that President-elect Trump will recognize the connections between international religious freedom and forced migration, documented in a new report from Open Doors US and World Relief. When our organizations published the first version of this report in 2020, the Trump administration had significantly restricted refugee resettlement, closing the door on those persecuted for their Christian faith along with others. By the end of 2022, under the Biden administration, those numbers had rebounded only marginally. But the updated State of the Golden Door report tells a much more encouraging story. From the low point of 2020 when just 5,390 Christian refugees were resettled to the U.S. from the 50 countries where Christians face the most severe threats of persecution the number of Christian refugees has increased by 447%. 29,493 Christian refugees from these countries were resettled in fiscal year 2024. Those are significant numbers, but behind every number is a story: an individual whom American Christians recognize as a brother or sister in Christ, whose life was at risk because of their faith but who is now safe and rebuilding a life free to worship and practice their faith. Individuals like Souzan, whose underground Bible study drew the attention of the repressive Iranian regime. She escaped to Indonesia and spent 12 years there before finally being resettled to Spokane, Washington, in September 2023. She was one of 342 Iranian Christians resettled to the U.S. that year. Thats a remarkable increase of more than 500% over the number of Iranian Christians resettled in 2020 but still well below the thousands of Iranian Christians who were welcomed to the United States in 2016. President-elect Trumps recent affirmation of his belief in legal immigration gives us hope that he will reconsider his campaign pledge to suspend refugee resettlement, or at least ensure that this suspension is only temporary. After all, there are few who love America more than those who experience our countrys constitutionally-guaranteed religious freedom after having been denied it in their countries of birth. Most Christian voters supported President-elect Trumps re-election. Most also believe that the U.S. has a moral responsibility to accept refugees, including 71% of all U.S. Evangelical Christians and 61 percent of evangelicals who voted for President Trump in 2020. The U.S. must stand for religious freedom around the world. And we must not slam shut the doors on those fleeing persecution on account of their faith abroad. Were praying that President-elect Trump will indeed be a champion for persecuted Christians by keeping open the golden door to those fleeing persecution and yearning to breathe free. Home News Christian man dies from injuries sustained in mob attack over Quran-burning allegation An elderly Pakistani Christian man has died about a week after a mob incited by a Muslim cleric burned down his shoemaking factory over allegations he desecrated a copy of the Quran. Lazar (Nazir) Masih, who was in his early 70s, died Monday morning in a military hospital in Rawalpindi, Punjab province, according to Christian persecution watchdog organizations. Masihs body was transported to Mujahid Colony and his funeral was held on Monday and attended by many, reports the United Kingdom-based Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement. 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 Christian Solidarity Worldwide, a nonprofit that monitors human rights abuses in several countries, notes that Masih was placed on a ventilator Sunday and died in the early hours of Monday amid multiple organ failures. During a burial in his hometown of Sargodha, police assured protection for Masihs family. Today every single Pakistani should be weighed by grief, not only for the atrocities in a foreign land but right here. Yet again, hate has brought us to the place where we must ask questions, Church of Pakistan President Bishop Asad Marshall wrote in an X post. The question is not Where will this stop? because beyond the devastation of homes and lives, beyond the brutal killing of a hard working man, beyond the devastation of a community and the grief of a family, we have already come too far! The question is when will those who make change and those who pursue justice, seek truth and cry for a more just and fair world, when will those lives rise up for the sake of Pakistans own. Civil rights advocates say that Masihs death is another example of the dangers related to Pakistans blasphemy laws, which they say can embolden radical Muslim mobs to take the justice system into their own hands. "I am deeply saddened and outraged by the tragic death of Nazir Masih, who was brutally attacked and killed over false blasphemy charges, CLAAS-UK Director Nasir Saeed said in a statement shared with The Christian Post. This barbaric act highlights the severe consequences of the misuse of blasphemy laws in our country and serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform in Pakistan's blasphemy laws. As a human rights activist, I am profoundly distressed by this senseless loss of life and the violence that preceded it." CSW Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said Masihs life was cruelly taken by extremists who have been emboldened by Pakistans controversial blasphemy laws and the culture of impunity that surrounds those who take these laws into their own hands. We condemn this egregious act of violence and emphasize that Mr. Masih would likely still be alive had the police intervened sooner and more effectively, Thomas said in a statement. We call on the authorities in Sargodha to uphold the rule of law, and to ensure that all those responsible for his death are brought to justice. We also continue to call on Pakistan to repeal its blasphemy laws, which are wholly incompatible with the countrys national and international commitments to freedom of religion or belief. On May 25, Muslims in Sargodha accused Masih of burning pages of the Quran, which incited a mob of hundreds to attack Masihs home and shoe factory. Under Pakistans penal code, burning pages of the Quran is punishable by life in prison. Social media footage circulated depicting chaos as teenagers destroyed furniture. The mob beat Masih with steel rods and threw bricks and stones at him before police intervened, CSW reports. Police efforts to rescue Masih were met with resistance, and the mob tried to snatch him from police custody, which led to even more injuries after he was placed in the ambulance, according to CLAAS-UK. He was hospitalized in critical condition at the Combined Military Hospital with multiple head injuries. Masih's brother told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News that his brother was burning wastepaper in the street outside his home. While his brother was inside, someone threw a copy of the Quran into the fire, which led a neighbor to accuse him of blasphemy and enraged local Muslim clerics. Pakistans Dawn newspaper, citing Minority Rights March, reported that the attack took place on the instigation of a local cleric. Pakistan, a Muslim-majority country, is ranked as the seventh worst country when it comes to Christian persecution on the Open Doors 2024 World Watch List. Open Doors reports that roughly a quarter of all blasphemy accusations in Pakistan target Christians, who only make up 1.8% of the population. Masihs death follows the killing of Shahid Masih on May 8 in the Bhikkhi area of Sheikhupura District of Punjab province. The poor Catholic worker was beaten by his Muslim employer after being accused of stealing goats. Masihs widow has faced pressure to drop her quest to hold his killers accountable. My husband kept pleading his innocence, but they dragged him to their outhouse where they tied him up and continued to torture him, his widow, Sonia Shahid, told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. They broke his teeth and fingers and then poured a bottle of acid into his mouth. When I tried to stop them, they beat me as well as our children who had followed me there. Home News Former youth pastor claims innocence after being charged with nearly 200 sex crimes A longtime former youth pastor from West Virginia who has been charged with nearly 200 sex crimes involving several young girls, including multiple nieces, has claimed his innocence and vowed to defend it in court, according to his attorney. John W. Radcliff II, 57, was arrested in late November and charged with 190 counts of sex crimes, including sexual assault, sexual abuse and incest, a press release from the West Virginia State Police said, according to The Associated Press. His 52-year-old wife, Kathy, was charged with knowing about the alleged abuses as they happened in Braxton, Lewis and Harrison counties. Court documents filed in Lewis County and cited by WDTV said Radcliff began abusing the girls when they were 3 and 4 years old. The girls, all of whom are now adults, told police they were abused many times in Lewis County, where Radcliff made them perform sex acts on him while he sexually assaulted them in other ways throughout their childhoods. 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 In one encounter, one of the victims said Radcliff and his wife called her and her cousin to their bedroom and then made them watch pornography while the adults had sex with each other. The girl reported that she ran out of the couples bedroom and Kathy later asked if she was OK. Five of Radcliffs nieces had reported the abuse in 2004, but no charges were filed. The case was reopened in September after a complaint was filed against Radcliff. I have no idea what happened, but we never saw charges pressed, Carla Rinehart, 38, one of Radcliffs nieces, told The New York Times. Rinehart said she wasn't aware that other family members were abused when she was growing up, and it wasnt until she suffered a mental breakdown and was hospitalized at age 17 that she began sharing her abuse with family members. She soon found out that her sister and some of her cousins were also abused. While she doesnt know who filed the most recent complaint in Nicholas County against her uncle alleging abuse between 2018 and 2019, Rinehart told the NY Times that she, her sister and cousins went to the police to support the victim. West Virginia is a small state; word gets around very quickly, Rinehart said. We didnt want anyone to push her statement aside like ours was. We were, This happened to us. You have to believe her. Radcliff served as a youth pastor at four churches in West Virginia, the NY Times added, noting that his court-appointed lawyer said the charges were unrelated to his work as a pastor. The alleged abuse accusations occurred from 1987 to 1996. Radcliff and his wife are both in custody at Central Regional Jail. His bond is more than $1.7 million in Lewis, Harrison and Braxton counties, while his wifes bond in Lewis County is set at $75,000. James Hawkins, Radcliffs court-appointed lawyer, told the NY Times that almost all the charges against his client are unrelated to his work as a pastor and are related to incidents from 1987 to 1996. What Im saying is theres nothing new theyre still uncorroborated statements of the alleged victims, Hawkins said. They were investigated in 2004, and it was determined there was not enough evidence to proceed with a criminal prosecution. Were looking forward to our chance to answer these uncorroborated statements. The case is expected to go before a grand jury in 2025. Radcliff is facing more than 100 years in prison if he is convicted on all counts. Home News Historic Louisiana black church destroyed by arsonist celebrates upcoming reopening: 'God turned it into good' A historic African American church in Louisiana that was one of three churches destroyed in a series of arson attacks in 2019 has been rebuilt and is set to reopen. The rebuilding of Greater Union Baptist Church of St. Landry Parish is almost complete, with an official reopening tentatively scheduled for this month, reported the Lafayette-based News 15. Greater Union Baptist Pastor Patrick Lavergne told News 15 that while the destruction of the old building was heartbreaking, the opening of the sanctuary represents a new beginning. 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 It's a new beginning, not with our faith, but we have a bigger facility, and we have a lot more options in this new facility than we had in the old facility. As is stated, what the devil meant for evil, God turned it into good, Lavergne said. From late March to early April of 2019, Greater Union Baptist, St. Marys Baptist Church of Port Barre and Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church of Opelousas were attacked by an arsonist. Holden Matthews, the son of a sheriffs deputy who had, in the past, expressed both racist and satanic sentiments online and offline, was arrested and charged with the attacks. Matthews was indicted on both federal and state hate crimes charges, being found guilty. At present, the now 27-year-old Matthews is serving a 25-year sentence in federal prison. Prominent public figures, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former New Orleans Saints tight end Benjamin Watson, encouraged people to donate to the rebuilding of the churches. By June 2019, approximately $2.6 million had been raised to help benefit the congregations rebuilding efforts, surpassing an original online fundraising goal of $800,000. In November 2019, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette joined the effort and donated approximately $50,000 to the three churches to help with their rebuilding. Evil brings opportunities for good and this is a good way to do that, said Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel of the Lafayette Diocese, as quoted by The Acadiana Advocate. In a speech given at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church shortly after the arson attacks, then-Vice President Mike Pence commended the congregation for their response, including their decision to forgive Matthews. And to think of churches burning one day after another, and how people might have responded, and to see the way people, here in these churches and this community and across Louisiana responded is an inspiration to the nation, Pence said. Im deeply inspired, as people are all across this country, by the courage and the resilience of these communities of faith, these families of faith, but also by the generous support of the people of Louisiana and people all across the country. Home News Lawmakers invalidate South Korea president's order to impose martial law UPDATE: 11:15 a.m. EST on Dec. 3: Reuters reports that lawmakers voted to invalidate the marial law order. Original: President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law Tuesday, marking a historic and controversial moment in South Korean politics, according to Christian Daily Korea. This is the first instance of martial law since 1979 and the first since the countrys democratization in 1987. The president characterized the legislative actions of the Democratic Party of Korea as insurrectionary and a direct threat to the nation's constitutional order. 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 In an emergency national address, President Yoon accused the Democratic Party of pursuing a "legislative dictatorship," extending to "budget impeachment," which he claimed undermines the Republic of Koreas constitutional foundations. He described their actions as clear anti-state behavior and harshly criticized the National Assembly, asserting that it had become a monster dismantling the liberal democratic system. The martial law declaration, according to President Yoon, serves two primary purposes: countering the threat from North Korean communist forces and rooting out pro-North, anti-state elements. He framed the decision as an unavoidable measure to ensure the enduring survival of the Republic of Korea and appealed to citizens for their understanding of the temporary inconveniences resulting from the laws enforcement. As president, I place my trust solely in the people and dedicate my convictions to safeguarding the Republic of Korea, Yoon declared, expressing his firm resolve in implementing the measures under martial law. This unprecedented move is poised to send shockwaves through South Koreas political and social landscape, marking a turning point in its democratic history. Reactions from political circles and the public are expected to shape the future discourse surrounding the balance between security and democratic principles. This article was originally published by Christian Daily International. Home News Wynonna Judds daughter accused of stealing church van, claims she sold soul to devil A Virginia church is now seeking donations to replace their ministry van after it was stolen and totaled by Grace Pauline Kelley, the troubled 28-year-old daughter of country music superstar Wynonna Judd, who told police that she sold her soul to the devil. Kent Hart, lead pastor of Ground Zero Church in Charlottesville, stated in a GoFundMe campaign seeking to raise $30,000 that Kelley stole his churchs $3,800 green ministry van and a trailer from in front of his house on Oct. 27. He told The Daily Progress that he was in his kitchen in the afternoon when he suddenly saw the van leaving his driveway. 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 Im talking to my daughter, and I look out the window and I see the van leaving my house, Hart recalled. Once he quickly confirmed that no one from his family had borrowed the van, he said he gave chase and saw a woman behind the wheel after she stopped at the edge of a road. Im like, You stole my van, get out of my van, beating on the door, Hart told the publication. And at this point, I see her very clearly. I saw her buzz cut and face tattoo. Kelley has prior convictions in Tennessee for methamphetamine production, evading arrest and driving while intoxicated. She also has pending cases in Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee, where shes been charged with aggravated assault, trespassing, violation of a no-contact order, manufacturing methamphetamine, multiple allegations of failure to appear and allegations of probation violations, The Daily Progress reports. She now faces seven new charges in Albemarle, including three felony counts of grand larceny for allegedly stealing the churchs van and a trailer. When he encountered Kelley, Hart said, She didnt seem like she was in her right mind at all. Albemarle police officer Corey Legg, who assisted in apprehending the suspect, wrote in his report that Kelley, who is currently in custody, claimed during the booking process that she sold her soul to the devil. Kelley asked to be committed to a mental institution, he added. She began stating she had sold her soul to the devil, Legg wrote. I advised the jail staff that she may have taken something, he continued. I was later informed that the jail staff observed something inside of Ms. Kelley during her body scan. An evaluation by staff at the University of Virginia Medical Center determined that what jail staff saw was just gas. Legg noted that Kelleys bloodwork tested positive for heroin. We want the community to know that on a personal level, we have forgiven Grace Kelley. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:44, But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Hart stated in his GoFundMe campaign. The Sunday following the theft, we turned off our livestream and held a special prayer service in which we began to pray for Grace and her Family. We have continued to pray for her reconciliation, rehabilitation, and redemption every Sunday. We pray that Grace will face the God given consequences for her actions, and that these consequences will be a means of grace that aid in her recovery and redemption, he added. If the opportunity arises to be a part of her redemptive process, we would love to be a part of it in whatever way we can. We hold no animosity towards Grace and we hope and pray the best for her and her family. (Photo: Getty/iStock) Opposition to Christian music in one school in Finland resulted in the cancellation of Handel's "Messiah" in another, Finnish media reported. In Hameenlinna, a child had objected to songs about the life of Christ in a performance at an unidentified primary school, resulting in a tribunal ruling that non-Christian children had been discriminated against on the basis of religion or belief. The National Non-Discrimination and Equality Tribunal determined that non-Christian pupils should be compensated 1,500 euros ($1,562 USD) by the school. On Tuesday (Nov. 19), however, the city's Education and Welfare Committee voted 6 to 5 that no compensation was due to the primary school students. The performance in question was the first of three faith-referenced concerts at the school, according to media reports. The first concert took place in 2022 with references to Christ's crucifixion, death and atonement. At least one of the pupils watching the concert was non-religious, and Helsingin Sanomat news site reported the "religiosity of the concert was not announced in advance, but [the school] apologized after the concert." Concerts were also held last year and this year, with all three events deemed religious, but only the first concert was accused of being "discriminatory," according to the Finnish news site. The school removed a hymn from the second concert following a complaint by the compensation applicant. Concerns were also expressed about a parish choir at the third event. "The Board also found that the educational institution had neglected its obligation to promote equality," Helsingin Sanomat reported in regard to the choir performing. "It held this view, inter alia, because the educational institution did not inform that the choir's performance had been organized jointly with the congregation." Antti Karrimaa, director of Education at Hameenlinna, reportedly said the concert touched on "extremely sensitive issues one way or the other." "Such religious issues and schooling arise at regular intervals," Karrimaa said. "We have to see what the right and smart course of action would be." Voting about the issue at the Hameenlinna Education and Welfare Committee meeting showed a split down Finnish party lines. Those in favor of paying compensation came from the Social Democratic Party, the Greens and the Centre Party. Those against the payout hailed from the Finns Party, National Coalition Party and the Christian Democrats. Committee member Pasi Honkanen told Suomen Uutiset news site of his relief at the outcome of the vote. "However, this is quite an important issue in today's world," Honkanen said. "This set a precedent, and the decisions of the National Non-Discrimination and Equality Tribunal are not binding, but merely recommendations. When the Board has the opportunity to take the right to admission, I think it is good that it is used and decisions like this are made." Honkanen pointed out difficulties for teachers and schools to operate normally if such compensation payouts were allowed. "In no way do I think that equality or non-discrimination should be deliberately violated, but I hope that schools, principals and teachers want to promote them," he added. "Society should consider these kinds of things a bit more than whether someone is traumatized by hearing the wrong kind of music. When I was at school, I went to an Orthodox church and I wasn't traumatized by it at all." The fallout at the primary school led to a comprehensive school in Uusimaa cancelling a performance of Handel's "Messiah" two days before the concert planned earlier this month because of concerns about references to Christianity in the music. Organisers had planned for a joint performance of the oratorio at a school by the Finnish Baroque Orchestra and the Helsinki Chamber Choir before school officials cancelled it, citing issues with religious references in the music, reported Helsingin Sanomat. "The atmosphere in the chamber choir and baroque orchestra has been shocked by the decision," Laura Kajander, executive director of the Baroque Orchestra, reportedly said, adding that this was the first time such a cancellation occurred. "If concerts are cancelled, it is the children who suffer." About 80 percent of Finland's population identifies as Christian, and 10 percent as evangelical Christian, according to Joshua Project; 17.1 percent identify as non-religious, and 1.9 percent as Muslim. Finnish MP and former government minister Paivi Rasanen said the compensation claims and cancellation defied common sense. "Compensation payment of 1,500 euros for discrimination when a non-religious child accidentally heard a song about Jesus," Rasanen wrote on X on Oct. 31. "Has the use of common sense disappeared? At the same time, schools celebrate Halloween with witches and zombie characters. How can a song about Jesus be perceived as so dangerous?" The MP is facing a third trial after being accused of "hate speech" as a Christian for expressing her biblical views on marriage. The Supreme Court of Finland on April 19 ruled that a third trial would go ahead, as previously reported by Christian Daily International. She had previously been acquitted twice of hate speech but the state prosecutor appealed. Two previous trials at Helsinki District Court and the Court of Appeal found Rasanen, a grandmother of 11, not guilty of the hate speech charges. A former Minister of the Interior, Rasanen was criminally charged for sharing her Christian views on marriage and sexual ethics in a tweet on X in 2019. She was also charged in relation to a 2004 pamphlet for her church she wrote about the book of Genesis, stating, "male and female he created them." Christian Daily International We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form As digitisation gathers pace, manufacturers, energy companies, and transportation businesses are among the sectors increasingly turning to private 5G to connect their operational technology (OT) environments. With its ultra-low latency and reliable coverage, 5G enables more seamless and reliable connectivity than Wi-Fi. Additionally, 5G promises to accelerate IT-OT convergence and thereby help improve efficiency, enhance decision making, and drive new revenue streams. Yet with this progress comes new opportunities for hackers. OT can be at the heart of critical infrastructure, meaning disruption could cause major problems and even endanger people. The threat is widespread. According to research by Palo Alto, three-quarters of industrial organisations globally have detected malicious cyber activity in their OT environments.i The cybersecurity dividend However, cybersecurity is also viewed as a key driver for the uptake of 5G. With 5G, the OT network is encrypted end-to-end, which enables completely secure communication between devices and systems. The technology also facilitates network slicing, which allows organisations to create wireless virtual networks for specific applications or departments. Businesses can thereby isolate data and reduce the risk of security breaches in the wireless domain, mirroring what they can do today in the wired domain. These security benefits are important for two reasons. First, given the high costs and significant brand damage associated with operational disruption, organisations cannot afford unplanned downtime to their OT systems. Second, enterprises must increasingly be on their guard against the threat of industrial espionage and data leakage. Andre Ferreira, Director of Enterprise 5G Customer Solutions at NTT DATA, explains: Increasing IT-OT convergence exposes OT networks to a broader range of external threats. More than ever, businesses are concerned that threat actors could place malware on their OT networks and syphon valuable data over an extended period. Network visibility is therefore critical. The network visibility challenge Paradoxically, its the high levels of security enabled by 5G networks that makes it difficult for businesses to achieve the visibility required. End-to-end encryption means that its not possible to use network probes, so private 5G effectively blinds security teams using traditional techniques to what devices are connected to the network and how they are communicating. Owing to this lack of visibility, individual devices cannot easily be identified and profiled, meaning that security teams are unable to apply device profiles or traffic management policies. Consequently, since networked devices are unknown and traffic cannot be monitored, security teams are unable to apply threat detection or automated remediation, potentially leaving them exposed to data exfiltration. Shining a light on the OT network NTT DATA has teamed up with Palo Alto Networks (PAN) to solve this challenge. The companies P5G + Cybersecurity Bundle embeds a next-generation firewall (NGFW) from Palo Alto into the Private 5G network to deliver inline visibility. The NGFW draws on unencrypted data from the network, the 5G core, and the 5G management platform and enables manufacturers to identify devices, profile traffic flows, and quickly identify suspicious communications. Ferreira explains: By integrating Palo Altos industry-leading firewalls into the private 5G OT network, manufacturers can continue to benefit from the protection provided by end-to-end encryption while simultaneously unlocking the visibility needed to monitor for potential data exfiltration, apply device-level policies, and enable automated threat detection and remediation. NTT DATA believes that this approach to gaining visibility into 5G private networks is crucial for any business with an OT network and includes the solution as standard in all new private 5G deployments. Ferreira concludes: 5G is already a highly secure solution for OT and IT networks. Now, with Palo Alto, we are making the technology even more secure, so organisations can connect their OT systems and accelerate IT-OT convergence with complete confidence. Learn more about the NTT and PAN partnership. So, why suddenly does everyone care about where the data lives? Well, the truth is, weve always cared. Policymakers interested in leveraging data sovereignty requirements to advance economic and investment goals certainly continue to care. As a candidate for European Commission President in 2019, Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the economic importance of data sovereignty, and in his September 2024 report on European Competitiveness, former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi noted that a minimum level of technological sovereignty is needed to increase the long-term bankability of new investments in Europe. In todays cloud-driven world, data residency and compliance have become top priorities due to government regulations and increasing public concern over data privacy. What has changed are the critical design factors in the interconnected world of cloud computing: the physical location of the data, metadata, and the governance surrounding it. Sovereign Cloud solutions address these needs by ensuring data security and jurisdictional control while giving cloud service providers the tools needed to be more innovative and competitive for their customers. The growing web of regulations worldwide, including Europes GDPR, the DGA, and the U.S. Cloud Act, highlight the need for organizations to manage data within specific jurisdictions to ensure compliance and security. Public awareness around data privacy issues further fuels this trend, compelling enterprises to seek cloud solutions that ensure compliance and security. All of this occurs amid a backdrop of significant geopolitical factors, ranging from development and investment policies to national security concerns, which influence both government regulatory frameworks and enterprise cloud strategies, prompting public and private organizations to rethink their data residency approaches. Sopra Steria (Nordics) The demand for sovereign cloud solutions that can help ensure national autonomy is on the rise in the Nordic countries. As a Pinnacle Tier VCSP partner, we are well-positioned to meet the data residency and security requirements for our customers. Our Sopra Steria SolidCloud platform is built on VMware Cloud Foundation, which enables us to deliver a flexible and scalable sovereign cloud infrastructure. VMware Cloud Foundation enables us to innovate and deliver sovereign cloud services quickly by providing built-in compliance management, operations, and security capabilities. Roger Samdal, Agency Director Hybrid Cloud, Sopra Steria With global data creation projected to surpass 180 zettabytes by 20252 and as much as 92% of business data previously projected to be stored by U.S.-based hyperscale cloud providers3, non-U.S. countries are reevaluating data residency requirements to strengthen jurisdictional control and protect their citizens data privacy. While the U.S. Public Cloud vendors have worked hard to mitigate these risks for their customers by gaining regulatory certifications across the world, some of the key factors that drive data governance and security controls to protect the data from unauthorized third-party access are beyond their ability to natively protect1. The U.S. government has a number of legal frameworks in place to address national security concerns that extend beyond its geographical borders. For instance, the U.S. Cloud Act of 2018 allows U.S. courts to instruct U.S. companies to collect data on systems they manage not just on U.S. soil but, in theory, anywhere in the world. As a result of this and other legislation enacted in multiple other countries, the landscape is changing. Much of the global population is now protected by data privacy regulations for both personal and business-related data, much of it in line with the EUs GDPR framework. Furthermore, the definition of personal information is ever-changing, and peoples attitudes evolve, as we saw during the Covid-19 pandemic. One thing is sure: with our online presence ever increasing, this architecture will only get more complex over time. Typically, VMwares approach to Sovereign Cloud involves defining three types of solution architecture, which can align with the requirements of different organizations and different regulatory requirements. Broadcom These might be defined as: Provider Sovereign Cloud: VMware Cloud Provider who offers services that deliver on customers requirements for data and application sovereignty. VMware partners providing such a service would be part of the VMware Sovereign Cloud Program for CSP Partners, outlined below. VMware Cloud Provider who offers services that deliver on customers requirements for data and application sovereignty. VMware partners providing such a service would be part of the VMware Sovereign Cloud Program for CSP Partners, outlined below. Enterprise Sovereign Cloud: A commercial business entity with regulatory requirements (in some cases, industry-specific) for data/digital sovereignty. These include heavily regulated industries such as aerospace, nuclear energy, and military/defense suppliers. This solution is hosted and managed by the enterprise or in conjunction with a partner, with strict oversight from regulators. A commercial business entity with regulatory requirements (in some cases, industry-specific) for data/digital sovereignty. These include heavily regulated industries such as aerospace, nuclear energy, and military/defense suppliers. This solution is hosted and managed by the enterprise or in conjunction with a partner, with strict oversight from regulators. Government Sovereign Cloud: A government entity that requires, for legal or governance reasons, to hold data and application processes on sovereign soil. This solution is hosted and managed by the government entity itself or in conjunction with a partner, with strict oversight from regulators. Broadcom: Sovereign Cloud Focused Broadcoms Sovereign Cloud solution is designed for VMware Cloud Service Partners to deliver sovereign cloud services that comply with a specific jurisdictions digital sovereignty requirements, which are defined in our 10-point self-attested Sovereign Cloud criteria (listed below). Data residency relates to where the data is physically and geographically stored and processed. Due to the extreme scale of the large public cloud providers, this is something they are usually able to primarily provide, but often artifacts like metadata (data about the data) can leak out into other regions, typically the U.S. In some cases, data residency alone is not sufficient to ensure compliance with data privacy laws. Data sovereignty relates to law, specifically, data being subject to the governance structure and, more importantly, the jurisdiction of the nation where the data is processed and stored. Despite this, the data still needs to be accessible by an authorized entity, and this is a really important aspect of sovereignty. A sovereign cloud solution needs to not only protect critical data but also unlock its value. Data can be extracted in a meaningful way for both private and public sector organizations while providing transparency around architecture and operations. STC (Middle East) STC offers Sovereign Cloud services built on VMware Cloud Foundation that meet the specific needs of businesses and government entities in Saudi Arabia. Our services aim to foster trust, security, and compliance in cloud computing while supporting the broader digital transformation goals of the region. Unlike native public clouds, our 100% local infrastructure helps ensure complete data sovereignty and compliance with local regulatory requirements. Mohammed Khamis Balobaid, Executive Head Cloud & Digital Solutions by STC As we have seen, the need for organizations to deliver truly sovereign digital services is growing, and Broadcom has the partner network and solution expertise to help strategic partners deliver services that can meet various regulatory requirements worldwide. Broadcoms primary aim is to put the customer in total control of their data assets. It does not replace any industry compliance framework but instead aims to deliver a complete answer to the questions around data and jurisdictional control. To do this, the VCF sovereign solution uses standardized architectures based on VMware Validated Solutions alongside a 10-point Criteria that outline guiding principles and best practices for delivering cloud services that adhere to the data sovereignty requirements of the specific jurisdiction in which that cloud operates, as mandated by the relevant government or commercial body. These criteria are intended to be flexible enough to accommodate different design considerations depending on the scope of the Sovereign Cloud. There are more than 50 Sovereign Cloud providers globally, which makes for the largest ecosystem of partners capable of building a sovereign solution. All partners are self-attested to the 10-point criteria below: Local Residency (Data/Metadata): All data resides within the relevant sovereign country, ensuring compliance with local data protection laws. Full Jurisdictional Control: Local governmental authorities have sole jurisdiction over the data, preventing foreign access. Encryption with External Keys (BYOK): Customers maintain control over data encryption and key management, enhancing security. Local Entity: The service is operated by a legal entity incorporated in the relevant country, ensuring accountability. Local Operations: Only authorized personnel with country-specific security clearances manage the Sovereign Cloud offerings. Resiliency with 2 Data Center Locations: Managed from multiple Tier III data centers within the country, ensuring high availability and redundancy. Full Reversibility (Portability Without Lock-In): Supports hybrid cloud deployments, allowing seamless workload migration without vendor lock-in. Security Certification: The offering adheres to relevant industry certifications required for end-user workloads. Zero Trust with Logical Network Segmentation: Implements a zero trust security posture, ensuring that access is tightly controlled. Isolation for Parts of the Offering: Certain components of the infrastructure are kept in segregated environments for enhanced security. The key aim of the 10-point principles outlined above is to define governance requirements for enhanced security controls and ongoing compliance, delivered through data residency and the digital sovereignty of applications processing data pools. Partnering with a value-added managed service provider offers numerous advantages for organizations adopting Sovereign Cloud solutions: Managed Service Expertise: Locally Built and Supported: Sovereign VMware Cloud Service Providers bring local knowledge and a deep understanding of compliance requirements, ensuring tailored solutions for specific industries. Sovereign VMware Cloud Service Providers bring local knowledge and a deep understanding of compliance requirements, ensuring tailored solutions for specific industries. Improved Customer Experience: Customers benefit from faster response times and personalized service, simplifying the management of complex environments. Customers benefit from faster response times and personalized service, simplifying the management of complex environments. Competitive Differentiation: By meeting stringent local requirements, Sovereign VMware Cloud Service Providers build trust with customers, offering transparency that sets them apart in the marketplace. Jurisdictional control is critical! The idea that a country or jurisdiction has the authority to govern and control the data generated within its borders is a fundamental component of any Sovereign Cloud. Ensuring that no outside entity, whether government or commercial, can obtain the right to access data is an essential component of a Sovereign Cloud offering and is a key and differentiating component of any Sovereign VMware Cloud Service Provider service. Plusserver (Germany) Data sovereignty requirements in Germany are some of the most stringent in the world, guided by both GDPR and other national regulations. plusserver is a leading authority in understanding these requirements and helps customers operate in a secure and compliant manner. We have been focusing on digital sovereignty for many years now, including through our involvement in Gaia-X. As a thought leader in this area, we offer sovereign cloud solutions from our certified German data centers. One of these solutions is based on VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF). By delivering sovereign VCF-based cloud services from our in-country data centers, we can ensure customer data remains within German borders. Katharina Cordes, Product Director pluscloud VMware plusserver GmbH In the evolving landscape of Sovereign Cloud, a new concept is also gaining traction with governments and enterprises: Sovereign AI. The concepts surrounding Sovereign AI effectively bring together and are interwoven with those of Sovereign VMware Cloud Service Providers and AI. With its unparalleled market position, Broadcom stands out as the ideal partner to help its cloud providers navigate these AI sovereignty challenges with the same focus on innovation and competitiveness that is at the heart of Broadcoms approach to Sovereign Cloud. It is able to do this by ensuring partners can deliver increased control over where their customers data is located, where the application executes against that data, and how they can manage emerging regulatory, compliance, and legal requirements. This momentum we are seeing in Sovereign AI is largely due to the fact that artificial intelligence has become vital to nations, governments, and regulated industries. Therefore, these organizations are proactively increasing their oversight and control over data privacy and cloud computing. A Sovereign AI solution, fully contained within an entity, such as a regional cloud provider or country, empowers the organization to meet its objectives, ensuring that all data, execution, and outcomes remain contained, both from a security and privacy perspective. As Broadcom moves forward with the new Sovereign VMware Cloud Service Provider solution, many of our strategic partners will start to offer a range of artificial intelligence services, including infrastructure, large language models, private AI solutions, toolsets, and a well-enabled support team. These Sovereign AI solutions will offer robust security and data privacy features, empowering their customers to achieve their goals with the confidence that legal, regulatory, compliance and ethical considerations are being addressed. Sovereign VMware Cloud Service Provider partners will deliver comprehensive, value-added solutions that meet the privacy and compliance requirements of organizations utilizing AI. Conclusion Sovereign Cloud has gone well beyond a trend its a fundamental necessity for businesses that prioritize data compliance and jurisdictional security, and its an established approach sought by governments to advance various policy and economic development goals. Broadcoms VMware-based Sovereign Cloud provides a comprehensive path forward, empowering organizations to confidently navigate diverse regulatory landscapes and secure their datas future. Simply put, sovereignty is part of Broadcoms DNA. Through VMware Cloud Foundation and VMware Cloud Service Providers, Broadcom enables sovereign solutions that support the digital economy and ensure data security and regional compliance. By partnering with value-added managed service providers, organizations can achieve true data residency and regulatory compliance. Watch the Sovereign Cloud Overview Video. Find out more about VMwares Sovereign Cloud and 10-pt criteria on the Sovereign Cloud web page. Find a value-added VCSP-approved Sovereign Cloud partner. The US has announced sweeping new measures targeting Chinas semiconductor sector, restricting the export of chipmaking equipment and high-bandwidth memory. This move has sparked concerns over potential supply chain disruptions. The rules impose export restrictions on equipment from manufacturers in countries including Israel, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan, while granting exemptions to firms in Japan and the Netherlands. Among those exempted are Japans Tokyo Electron and the Netherlands ASML, two leading chipmaking equipment manufacturers. This exemption reportedly resulted from extensive negotiations between their governments and Washington. China eases foreign strategic investment in listed firms 10:39, December 03, 2024 By Ma Jingjing ( Global Times China has relaxed rules on foreign investors' strategic investment in listed companies starting from Monday in a move to expand foreign investment channels in China's stock market and encourage foreign investors to make long-term and value investments in the country. The revised rules, jointly released by six government departments including the Ministry of Commerce and the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), allow foreign natural persons to make strategic investments in listed companies - a change from the old rules that only allowed foreign legal persons or organizations to make such investments. Additionally, the capital requirement limit is lowered under the new rules for foreign investors who do not become the controlling shareholders in listed firms. The latest capital requirement will be no less than $50 million in total actual assets or no less than $300 million in total managed actual assets. "With a lock-in period, strategic investments are generally medium- and long-term capital, which are typical value investments. They are expected to work with domestic patient capital to promote value investment concepts and benefit the A-share market in the medium and long run," Dong Shaopeng, a senior research fellow at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times on Monday. Dong said that the rebound trend of the A-share market will likely continue in 2025 thanks to a package of policies to bolster the economy and encourage industrial investment, as well as accelerated mergers and acquisitions. The outstanding amount of margin debt balance in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing stock exchanges reached 1.82 trillion yuan ($250.4 billion) by Thursday, showcasing a stable trend compared to the reading of 1.69 trillion yuan at the end of October and 1.43 trillion yuan by September, according to figures from market data provider Wind. The CSRC, the country's top stock market watchdog, is advancing a new round of deepened and comprehensive reform and opening-up of the Chinese capital market at a faster pace, said Wu Qing, chairman of the CSRC, during a forum which was held in Hong Kong in November. Wu said more pragmatic measures will be introduced to further open up the market and facilitate cross-border investment and financing. Amid a package of policies to bolster the economy as well as reforms and opening-up, foreign institutions continue to give optimistic reports on Chinese assets. The MSCI China Index is expected to yield a return of 5-6 percent in 2025, James Wang, head of China Equity Strategy Research at UBS investment Bank, said in a note sent to media recently. Though geopolitical tensions and other headwinds may lead to potential downsides in the short term, Wang noted that any market pullbacks will present more attractive buying opportunities for investors. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) First produced in June's issue of Charity Finance While social care charities are, by definition, providing a solution to a social issue, like the rest of the charity sector many are increasingly aware of wider environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues too. ESG reporting is becoming an important focus for many charities, but the exact definition of the term remains relatively unclear. It can be helpful to consider what each of the letters in this acronym means. Environmental: the narrative around the environmental aspect has become associated with climate change, net-zero carbon emissions, and the energy transition, and could arguably be broadened to include wider social and physical aspects of the environment, such as dignity and wellbeing, or biodiversity and conservation. the narrative around the environmental aspect has become associated with climate change, net-zero carbon emissions, and the energy transition, and could arguably be broadened to include wider social and physical aspects of the environment, such as dignity and wellbeing, or biodiversity and conservation. Social: social encompasses ethical behaviour and practices towards staff and beneficiaries, and the wider contribution to the sustainability of the socio-economic framework. social encompasses ethical behaviour and practices towards staff and beneficiaries, and the wider contribution to the sustainability of the socio-economic framework. Governance: governance encompasses control and direction, with a focus on the way a charity sets out to address risks and opportunities. ESG as an opportunity for charities ESG reporting provides an opportunity to tell a charitys story about its part in the movement towards a sustainable future. Meaningful, authentic ESG reporting can be moulded around each charitys ethos and values. The other spectrum of ESG has been the initiatives driven by the passions of the charitys beneficiaries and staff alike to create eco-initiatives and lead on new policies. Reporting on ESG, rather than being a tick-box exercise, could be an opportunity to evaluate what more can be done. Increasing public benefit Another consideration for ESG reporting is the work charities do regarding public benefit reporting. In England and Wales, trustees must confirm that they have applied the Charity Commissions guidance on public benefit. Public benefit is seen to be part of the social aspect of ESG. When thinking about how to include the governance aspect within reporting, the Charities SORP provides guidance to those preparing charity accounts. While the SORP does not expressly consider ESG reporting, aspects of its existing requirements do coincide with elements of ESG. Similarly, the Charity Governance Code (2020) encourages elements of ESG. How can charities report on ESG? There has been a noticeable drive towards greener activity, meaning ESG has climbed up the agenda. Currently, there is no watchdog or regulator offering support for organisations adapting their practices to become more sustainable. This makes it difficult for many charities to see how they can implement ESG reporting practically and in a meaningful way. The Charity Commission has previously engaged with ESG reporting and the guidance is typically supportive of sustainability being incorporated into the charitys approach, provided it aligns or is complementary to, the charitys overall objectives. The two are also linked, with ethical considerations having a positive effect on public trust. The SORP Committee identified sustainability reporting as part of their discussions for developing the SORP. Further hurdles While there are lessons to be learned from current corporate reporting, they are by no means always best practice. More weight needs to be placed on the social and governance aspects of ESG, rather than the current focus on the environmental one. The nature of many charities means that ESG can be inherent, but consideration still needs to be given to issues such as employment and safeguarding. As well as the resourcing issue, ESG reporting might create challenges around who takes responsibility for collecting the information. If reporting lies within the annual report, finance teams could already be struggling for capacity, so charities may need to consider which system would work best for them. Looking forward There are currently three options available to charities: Do something new. Imitate existing reporting. Let sleeping dogs lie. However, keeping an eye on future plans and the impact on the wider community is key. Importantly, we need to stress that charities are already likely to be doing more than they think and it is a matter of teasing out the relevant aspects for reporting. The way this is communicated, whether through websites or annual reports, is also an important consideration. Lee Stokes is partner and head of care & community at haysmacintyre Sign up for The Media Today, CJRs daily newsletter. Early last year, Jill Biden, the first lady, visited Namibia and Kenya, where she observed the effects of a historic drought. President Joe Biden said ahead of time that his wifes visit would draw attention to the consequences of Russia blocking grain exports as part of its war with Ukraine, while the Washington Post described the trip as evidence of the administrations aggressive new push to shore up relationships with Africa in the face of increasing influence and investment on the continent from China and Russia. As the same paper noted at the time, however, the entire news cycle around her Africa tripat least the American news cyclebecame subsumed by a remark that she made to an Associated Press reporter all but confirming that her husband would run for reelection, then a hot topic of will-he/wont-he media intrigue. When CNN released its first clip of a one-hour special the network is airing about the trip later this week, the Post reported, it also focused on 2024. It was suggested that Joe Biden would himself visit Africa later last yearhe had said himself that the US was all in on Africas futurebut he didnt; he was then supposed to travel to the continent in the weeks leading up to the election, but that trip was also postponed as a major hurricane barreled toward Florida. This week, he finally made it, stopping briefly in Cape Verde, where he thanked the prime minister for the countrys support for Ukraine against Russia, before arriving yesterday in Angola, where he was scheduled to visit a museum about slavery and check in on a major US-backed rail project, a move widely interpreted as a challenge to Chinas investments in Angola and elsewhere on the continent. But now, of course, Biden is visiting as a lame duckthe reelection campaign that was trailed by his wife having ended in ignominy even before his vice president, Kamala Harris, lost to Donald Trump last month. As a result, his trip is less significant than it wouldve been otherwise, Louw Nel, a political analyst in South Africa, told the US-backed international broadcaster Voice of America. It really feels like an afterthought to his presidency. (Biden did visit Africa once before as president: to attend a climate summit in Egypt in 2022.) Speaking with reporters, John Kirby, a top Biden spokesperson, pushed back on the notion that this is sort of a Johnny-come-lately trip at the very end, pointing out prior US investment in Africa on Bidens watch and visits by senior administration figures. Asked what the US was offering to the average Angolanwho is nineteen years old and not necessarily attuned to this Cold War sort of balance of power struggle on the continentKirby again seemed to reject the premise. There is no cold war on the continent, he said. Were not asking countries to choose between us and Russia and China. And yet there is, at minimum, a great-power competition for influence playing out across Africa at the momentand according to many experts, the US is losing to China and Russia as things stand. Media narratives that talk in such terms can be prone to ignore the vastness of Africa and the varied local dynamics on the ground. (One journalist in a different part of the world once memorably described this sort of coverage to me as chess-metaphor journalism, where different powers are said to control different pieces with no thought or consideration for the people who actually live on those squares on the board.) And yet the struggle for influence is realand in addition to its economic and security dynamics, it has an important informational component that is too often overlooked. The story of Chinese and Russian efforts to seed favorable narratives across African media is a fascinating one. It is not directly tied to Bidens trip; indeed, its most interesting recent manifestations have arguably played out in a collection of countries to Angolas north. But it is a story that highlights the broader challenges facing not only US interests in Africa, but those of other Western allies (not least France, a former colonial power in much of the continent). And the circumstances of Bidens tripand what we are and arent hearing about itpoint once again to the sad impression that, in the US, much of all this feels like an afterthought. The reporter who complained to me about chess-metaphor journalism did so in the context of a newsletter that I wrote last year about Chinas efforts to influence the media in the Pacific Island region, via everything from the planting of friendly op-eds in local outlets to exchange programs and funding for local journalists. This reflects a global trendone I also wrote about earlier this year, in the context of cooperation agreements between Chinese state media and counterparts in Serbiaand sure enough, it has played out in Africa, too, in similar ways. According to Joshua Eisenman, an expert at the American Foreign Policy Council who wrote about the phenomenon for Foreign Policy last year, the Chinese news agency Xinhua has more bureaus in Africa than any other media agency, and Chinese state outlets have hired recognizable local journalists. The impact of this has been questionableone 2021 study suggested that British and French outlets still appeared to be more influential in many African countriesbut the same study found that Chinese sources at least had more influence than US media. The US government has yet to overtly contest Chinas antiUnited States propaganda in Africa, Eisenman wrote last year. The primary reason for this appears to be Washingtons long-standing bipartisan neglect of Africa. Russia has sought to seed its own propaganda narratives in Africa, while denigrating the US and other rival powersand this, too, has been a longer-term project. (I wrote about it in 2022, just as the countrys invasion of Ukraine was igniting a separate battle for global public opinion.) This was tied, in part, to the arrival of fighters from the mercenary Wagner group in countries including the Central African Republic and Mali; recently, Forbidden Stories, an international collaborative journalism organization, worked with partners to dig into whistleblower testimony provided by a journalist in the former country who helped apparent Wagner associates launder pro-Russian narratives into local news outlets. Since Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagners leader, embarked on an abortive anti-Putin mutiny last yearand was later, erm, mysteriously killedthe propaganda efforts have continued, including under the banner of African Initiative, which emerged as a self-described news agency in the wake of Wagners collapse and has been linked to Russias intelligence services. Forbidden Stories and its partners found that it was running a journalism school in Mali. Over the weekend, the Post published an article based on access to African Initiative activities in Burkina Faso, and noted the existence of related pro-Russian news sites and even tours organized for African journalists in occupied Ukraine. Russia is much better than the Europeans or Americans at selling itself, one observer in Mali said. The West funds 90 percent of development needs, but you never hear about that. At the same time, independent journalism has been repressed in countries including Mali and Burkina Fasoboth of which, along with neighboring Niger, have been taken over by military juntas in recent yearsand news organizations affiliated with Western countries and their governments have been among those that have found themselves in the crosshairs. When I wrote in 2022, Mali had just blocked France 24 and RFI, two public international broadcasters from France, accusing them of attempted destabilization. Since then, those same outlets have also been targeted in both Niger and Burkina Faso. Last year, the latter country variously expelled reporters from or suspended the local operations of several private French outlets; then, earlier this year, authorities suspended a number of foreign outletsincluding the BBC and Voice of Americaafter they reported on alleged abuses by the countrys military. In October, Voice of America found itself suspended again. Sign up for CJRs daily email The picture here, of course, is complex. Neutered press freedom is not a new phenomenon, in Africa or anywhere else; in countries like Burkina Faso and Mali, its recent retreat has been tied to the fight against militant and jihadist insurgencies. But the declines in those countries and others have also at least tracked intensifying hard-power pushes on the part of Russiaand accompanying military drawbacks on the part of Western powers, not least France, but also the US, which withdrew troops from Niger earlier this yearwhile leaving more space for pro-Russian narratives. The appeal of such narratives is also complex, as I noted in 2022; if African Initiative, for example, has sought to play on anti-colonial sentiment, thats because it already had a deep organic history. But more narrowly pro-Russian talking pointsabout the war in Ukraine, for examplehave gained purchase too. One recent study found strong support for two such narratives in several African countriesincluding Angola (even though respondents there had generally positive views of the US). Ahead of Bidens visit this week, New York Times reporters also found some strong pro-China sentiment there. Western countries, including both France and the US, have themselves been accused of mounting informational influence campaigns overseasbut journalists and experts have stressed that the best viable way for the US and its allies to counter Russian and Chinese media and propaganda efforts, in Africa and elsewhere, is to export and support independent journalism. The US has done this, including under Biden, as I reported last year. (For example, Voice of America, while editorially independent, has long been seen as a tool of US soft power.) But, as Bidens term comes to an end, its hard to conclude that he has made press freedom a top foreign policy priority. Nel, the analyst, told Voice of America that his visit to Angola risks being seen as a reward for a government that has taken an authoritarian turn in recent yearsincluding via a new national security law that observers have warned will make it easier for those in power to surveil and otherwise harass journalists, and to shut down communications networks. Yesterday, Zenaida Machado, of Human Rights Watch, urged Biden to make his Africa trip count by publicly raising concerns about police brutality and attacks on freedoms of expression, media, and association. It remains to be seen if Biden will do this. (I, for one, am not holding my breath.) But its not the purpose of his trip. And it certainly isnt the Biden story everyone is talking about this weekthat would be his declaration, on Sunday, that he would pardon his son Hunter of the firearm, drug, and tax charges against him, breaking promises not to do so. (When I tuned in to CNN yesterday, I heard a reporter being patched in from Luanda, the capital of Angola, to talk about Hunter.) In some quarters, Bidens departure for his trip was seen almost as him running away from questions about the pardon. The pardon is rightly a big story. Once again, though, what a Biden was headed toward in Africa felt like an afterthought. Other notable stories: CJRs Lauren Watson reports that independent Russian news organizations that were already struggling to reach audiences inside Russia amid a brutal media crackdown on the part of the Kremlin are also having to contend with Western sanctions that were intended to curb Russian propaganda but have ended up harming journalism, too; platforms like YouTube curbed Russian companies ability to make money, while payment service providers also enacted broad-based suspensions. If you look at YouTube in Russia, it was mostly Russian opposition and independent media, Tikhon Dzyadko, the editor of the independent TV Rain, said. We need to get more and more viewers in Russia because thats our mission. Thats why we exist. On the other hand, we get zero dollars from itits a tough situation. In media-business news, the recently installed CEO of the Spanish-language media company TelevisaUnivision initiated a reorganization that will lead to layoffs; a source told the Hollywood Reporter that a mid to high single digit percentage of employees will be affected. ICYMI, the progressive outlet NowThis also recently made deep staff cuts, for the second time this year. And a trio of radio stations in Maine owned by the author Stephen King will shutter at the end of this year; the stations have reportedly been losing money for years, and King said that, at seventy-seven, it is time to get his business affairs in better order. The Bangor Daily News has more. For The Atlantic, the novelist and filmmaker Noah Hawley makes the case that journalists have a what if? problem. When I consider the authors role in our culture, I picture the following sequence: first comes news, then comes history, then comes fiction, Hawley writesbut now hes noticed that fact and fiction are trading places in the sequence. This in no small part has been down to the political right, but journalists are also getting sucked in, Hawley argues, not least by engaging in dark speculation about Trumps plans for his second term when they should stick to facts. And shortly before Thanksgiving, Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, pardoned nineteen people including Earlonne Woods, who founded the popular podcast Ear Hustle while incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison in 2017. (The show was later nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.) Woods had already been released from prison after former governor Jerry Brown commuted his sentence. Newsom previously commuted the sentence of Rahsaan Thomas, a cohost of Ear Hustle. Sign up for The Media Today, CJRs daily newsletter. AI Podcasts That Sound 100% Real! Has AI just killed the podcast bro? Google Just KILLED the Podcasting Industry with NotebookLM. Hyperbolic headlines are a staple of the tech hype cycle, but even by those standards the launch of Googles NotebookLM podcast creation tool has created considerable online buzz. However, amid the excitement, there has been little discussion about how NotebookLM and its rivals could be exploited by those seeking to persuade, deceive, and mislead. In the aftermath of Americas first podcast election, the Tow Center demonstrates how simple it is to produce free, quick, customizable audio content for public distribution and why this matters. Launched with little fanfare in September, the Audio Overview function for Googles NotebookLM productyour personalized AI research assistantsoon attracted attention as users tested out the tool for themselves. Eschewing the dull monotone of standard AI-generated audio, NotebookLM produces incredibly convincing and professional-sounding podcasts in minutescomplete with male and female cohosts who banter as they go deep discussing the documents uploaded by the user. The effect is remarkably similar to listening to a traditional (i.e., human-produced) podcastfrom halting language (including AI-generated ums and ahs) to presenters using voice intonation to emphasize key points. As Google acknowledges, the technology is not perfect. There are occasional clues that all is not what it seems, including language slips and brief audio skips. However, the casual listener would be unlikely to notice much difference between this AI-generated output and the NPR broadcasts on which the tool seems to have been trained. Curated and Customized The predominant reaction to NotebookLM has been amazement at the realistic quality of output generated by Googles first truly original and viral product in the AI space. However, there are risks associated with providing free access to a tool that produces ultra-realistic podcasts in minutes, especially because the design of NotebookLM makes it particularly well suited for producing highly persuasive propaganda. Unlike ChatGPT (which scrapes whatever it can find), NotebookLM outputs are based only on the documents uploaded by the user, so each podcast can be fed information that fits a specific strategic purpose. Each podcast is also highly customizable through a prompt function that enables the user to shape the conversation as they see fitfrom demanding that specific words or subjects be excluded to determining the attitude with which the AI presenters react. Crucially, these instructions are known only to the creator of the podcast, and are not disclosed to the listener. Two weeks ago, the Tow Center conducted a test to demonstrate how these features could be exploited to mislead an audience AI and the AG Nominee On November 13, President-elect Trump announced he was nominating Matt Gaetz to be the next US attorney general. The news generated extensive coverage across the political spectrumreporting on Gaetzs career and personal life, as well as the polarized reaction to his nomination. Gaetz eventually withdrew from consideration for the position on November 21, reportedly after CNN contacted him regarding an alleged sexual encounter with a seventeen-year-old girl. The New Republic, November 13, 2024. Tow originally selected this news story to explore how NotebookLM could be used to subtly promote a specific political agenda. This exercise demonstrates how a politically motivated actor could use AI-generated audio content to produce a podcast that was customized to present a favorable portrayal of their subject (in this case Gaetz), while also appearing to reflect traditional mainstream media values like objectivity and balance. Note: any publicly available content produced was labeled as being for research purposes, with full disclosure of the sources used and AI prompts issued. First, we identified a range of online news stories about the nominationchoosing only text-based articles published on November 13 that focused on Trumps announcement (as opposed to separate profiles on Gaetz, follow-up pieces on the allegations against him, etc.). We then categorized these articles into mainstream and conservative leaning news sources, which enabled us to curate the NotebookLM outputs so that they presented the story in line with a particular agenda. Version 1: Trained on mainstream media coverage The first podcast was generated using uploaded articles from ABC, the Associated Press, CNN, NPR, Reuters, the New York Times, and the Washington Post. The resulting content broadly echoed the coverage that featured in the mainstream news, including extensive focus on the controversial nature of Trumps nominee and the various investigations into his alleged sex and drugs offenses. The presenters pro-Gaetz talking points were largely based on Trumps Truth Social postsand, to a lesser extent, positive comments from Republican legislators. This podcast would be unlikely to persuade a Gaetz skeptic that his nomination was an appealing prospect. Version 2: Trained on conservative-leaning media coverage The second podcast was created using only articles taken from conservative-leaning news sites: Fox News, Blaze Media, Breitbart, the Daily Wire, and the Washington Examiner. Breitbart, November 13, 2024. Predictably, this podcast was more positive about the Gaetz nomination than the version based on mainstream coverageechoing much more of the bombastic language used by conservative-leaning titles, as one AI presenter described this outpouring of jubilation, you know, from [Trumps] supporters, and then a complete panic from Democrats and liberal commentators. The podcast frequently referenced the outlets from which its information was sourced, as well as social media platforms like X and Truth Social. For example, one presenter noted that Breitbart, for instance, is really emphasizing how this nomination is, like, you know, this big signal to drain the swamp. All over social media, people are praising Gaetz as the guy who will, you know, decimate the deep state. The podcast did acknowledge the potential barriers facing Gaetz in the confirmation processas well as briefly alluding to various investigations into his personal behaviorbut not to the same extent as the first version. This podcast could be more useful for an advocate of Gaetzs nomination, although the noted reliance on conservative sources could undermine the broader appealat least for those listeners who were aware of the political agendas of the media organizations listed. Version 3: Trained on mainstream media coverage, customized to be pro-Gaetz The third podcast was based on the mainstream news coverage listed above. However, NotebookLM was also provided the following prompt: Create a podcast that is very positive about the nomination of Matt Gaetz as attorney general The podcast should not include any reference to sex or sex scandals Please ensure that you name all the media sources from which information is taken The resulting podcast largely reflected these directions, with the podcast host immediately outlining his sourcing (got articles here from ABC News, Associated Press. CNN. Oh, wow. NPR, the New York Times, Reuters, and even the Washington Post) in a way that helped legitimize the discussion that followed. The podcast did reference the various investigations into Gaetzs conduct, but without using the word sex or elaborating on the allegations involved. By contrast, the AI presenters emphasized Gaetzs reputation as a disruptor to a much greater extent than in version one, remarking that hes willing to go up against the established way of doing thingsthis isnt some theoretical guy, you knowweve got a Trump loyalist whos been saying the DOJ needs a shake-up and isnt afraid to make waves. The podcast drew comparisons between Gaetz and other attorneys general who faced similar challenges, navigating difficult political situations, making tough decisions with huge consequences, including Robert F. Kennedy, a powerful example of how the DOJ can be a force for good. In light of the instruction to remain very positive about the Gaetz nomination, it is interesting that the podcast did name other AGs with less positive legacies, including John Mitchell, whose role in the Watergate scandal remains a classic cautionary tale about what happens when you politicize the Justice Department. This podcast was nearly eight minutes longer than version one, which used the same source materialsa notable change given that for this output certain topics were excluded. Overall, Gaetz is portrayed in a more favorable lightas requestedwith greater emphasis on his maverick qualities and combination of experience, intelligence, and determinationwhats needed to lead the Justice Department into a new era. This content could be useful for a Gaetz advocate. Version 4: Trained on conservative-leaning media coverage, customized to be pro-Gaetz The fourth and final podcast was produced using only the conservative news articles, but with the tool given the following customization prompt: Create a podcast that is very positive about the nomination of Matt Gaetz as attorney general The podcast should not include any reference to sex or sex scandal Please ensure that you do not name any of the media sources from which information is taken This podcast presented by far the most positive assessment of Gaetz as a potential AGfocusing on the nominees reputation for shaking things up, his commitment to bold action, his willingness to disrupt, and his determination to get results. While briefly acknowledging pushback against Gaetz, the other presenter replied, Well, sure, but thats to be expected in todays highly polarized political climate, any nominee who represents a departure from the status quo is going to face scrutiny and opposition, right? Indeed, the discussion centered on the role and purpose of the federal government (as opposed to suitability for the role), with one host describing Gaetzs nomination as a battle for the soul of America, a clash between those who want to preserve the status quo and those who believe its time for a radical change. As instructed, the presenters did not disclose the names of the conservative-leaning news outlets on which the discussion was based, nor mentioned anything about accusations of sexual misconduct. One presenter halfheartedly raised the question of this House ethics investigation that was hanging over his head, but the other quickly reassured listeners that this is no longer a factor. Instead, the conversation turned to more positive assessments of Gaetzs career, praising his nuanced approach and his track record as a vocal advocate for criminal justice reformtwo claims certainly not found in the mainstream coverage. The podcast concludes with one presenter remarking that whether you agree with Gaetzs views or not, theres no denying that hes a force to be reckoned with. His nomination has shaken up Washington and sparked a national conversation about the future of the Justice Department and the role of government in our lives. This podcast presents a more favorable assessment of Gaetz than previous versions. The failure to disclose its reliance on conservative news sourcesplus the specific instructions about excluded subject areas or required attitudinal responsemakes the pro-Gaetz presentation even more persuasive. Publish and Promote Having used NotebookLM to tailor the podcast to the specific objectivein this case, presenting a positive case for Gaetzs candidacy that seems fair and balancedwe next decided to share this content with the public. For this purpose we selected version four: the most pro-Gaetz podcast generated. The first step was to turn the NotebookLM audio file into a podcast with its own RSS feed. Platforms like RSS.com offer a basic free service that generates a podcast in minutes. For this test we created a show called Gaetz-gate and used RSS.com to create a public webpage and unique RSS code. This code enables the podcast to be streamed on major platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Many streaming platforms also encourage users to launch their own podcast content using their tools, and we were able to directly upload our first episode to Spotify within fifteen minutes. Neither site required any disclosure of AI use, nor did they raise any issue with uploading AI-generated content, provided that it does not infringe copyright. On the contrary, Spotify published a blog in 2023 that encouraged creators to consider how AI could take their podcasting to the next level, while Alberto Betella (cofounder of RSS America LLC) confirmed to Tow that the platform accept[s] AI-generated podcasts and episodes as long as all content (descriptions, artwork, and audio) complies with our Terms of Service. Indeed, Betella states that there is no issue with using our platform for public-facing podcasts with AI-generated audio. We view AI as a form of creativity and are actively involved in this space. The outcome of such policies is the proliferation of publicly available AI-generated audio that looks and sounds like human-produced podcasts. These creations could then be promoted using social media platforms and boosted using digital advertising, which enables microtargeting of specific audiencesfor example, voters in a particular electoral districtwithout breaching any rules or regulations. Indeed, such podcasts could even be monetized by following the same playbook pioneered by other AI-based audio operations. But monetization need not be the ultimate goal. If the objective is simply to persuade or mislead a target audienceor at least to sow doubt among a particular groupthen quick, cheap, and realistic-sounding podcasts could prove an extremely attractive option. The possibilities for deception are multiplied even further when combined with advances in AI technology that make it easier than ever to clone someone elses voice. As such, it seems inevitable that AI-generated podcasts will become an increasingly prominent feature of digital communications in the years to comeflooding the public sphere with yet more pseudo-journalistic pink slime, slop, and disinformation. A coalition of Canadian news publishers, including The Canadian Press, Torstar, Globe and Mail, Postmedia and CBC/Radio-Canada, has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI for using news content to train its ChatGPT generative artificial intelligence system. The outlets said in a joint statement on last week that OpenAI regularly breaches copyright by scraping large amounts of content from Canadian media. OpenAI is capitalizing and profiting from the use of this content, without getting permission or compensating content owners, the statement said. The publishers argue that OpenAI practices undermine the hundreds of millions of dollars invested in journalism, and that content is protected by copyright. News media companies welcome technological innovations. However, all participants must follow the law, and any use of intellectual property must be on fair terms, the statement said. Generative AI can create text, images, videos and computer code based on a simple prompt, but the systems must first study vast amounts of existing content. OpenAI said in a statement that its models are trained on publicly available data. It said they are grounded in fair use and related international copyright principles that are fair for creators and support innovation. The company said it collaborates closely with news publishers, including in the display, attribution and links to their content in ChatGPT search and offers outlets easy ways to opt-out should they so desire. This is the first such case in Canada, though numerous lawsuits are underway in the United States, including a case by the New York Times against OpenAI and Microsoft. Some news organizations have chosen to collaborate rather than fight with OpenAI by signing deals to get compensated for sharing news content that can be used to train its AI systems. The Associated Press is among the news organizations that have made licensing deals over the past year with OpenAI. Others include The Wall Street Journal and New York Post publisher News Corp., The Atlantic, Axel Springer in Germany and Prisa Media in Spain, Frances Le Monde newspaper and the London-based Financial Times. Canada has passed a law requiring Google and Meta to compensate news publishers for the use of their content, but has previously declined to say whether the Online News Act should apply to use by AI systems. In response to that legislation, Meta pulled news from its platforms in Canada, while Google has reached a deal to pay $100 million Canadian (US$ 71 million) to Canadian news outlets. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. MARYSVILLE, Ohio A public elementary school will begin offering a religious release program for students sponsored by the Satanic Temple, reportedly in response to a Christian program already established in the school system. Hellion Academy of Independent Learning (HAIL) begins this month at Edgewood Elementary School in Marysville, according to a Facebook post from the Satanic Temple. Students can attend the program once a month during school hours but off the school campus. An ordained minister with the Satanic Temple, the only Satanic religious organization recognized as a church by the IRS and federal courts, tells WCMH Channel 4 that a parent approached the group and asked for HAIL to be offered at the school. The minister, June Everett, tells WCMH that HAIL is only offered when requested and only at schools where other religious programs already are established. LifeWise Academy, an Ohio-based program operating in 200 schools in Ohio, is offered at Edgewood Elementary School, WCMH reports. LifeWise removes participating students from schools for 55 minutes once per week to study the Bible. The parent requested HAIL as an alternative to LifeWise, Everett tells WCMH. We arent trying to shut the LifeWise Academy down, but I do think a lot of school districts dont realize when they open the door for one religion, they open it for all of them, Everett said. Everett says HAIL focuses on ideals such as acting with compassion and empathy, pursuit of justice, respecting others freedoms, and aligning beliefs with scientific facts. We are not devil worshipers, Everett tells WOSU. Different Satanists across the United States will give you different answers depending on how they personally believe. But as a whole, we are non-theistic, meaning we dont believe in any supernatural deities and that includes, you know, God or Satan. Joel Penton, the CEO of LifeWise, said in a statement to WOSU that he believes the establishment of HAIL at Marysville shows that the state legislature should pass a proposed bill to give school districts greater clarity on religious release programs. LifeWise isnt fearful of other organizations offering (released time religious instruction), Penton said in the statement. We believe all families should have the opportunity to choose religious study during school hours and we trust parents to make the best choice for their children. Despite the popularity of LifeWise in Ohio, there has been some pushback from school districts. In October, board members for Westerville City Schools voted, 4-0, to end the policy allowing the release of students for the program. Board members say they were concerned about liability issues and about disrupting the school day for students. Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav in Lok Sabha Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday launched a direct attack at the Uttar Pradesh (UP) administration for the violence in Sambhal over the mosque survey and called it a planned conspiracy. Speaking in Lok Sabha, the SP supremo blamed Yogi Adityanath and UP Police for bloody violence in Sambhal and demanded that the top cops be booked and sacked for hatching a conspiracy against the community. The former UP Chief Minister said that the police must be held accountable for the death of five people in the deadly violence and murder charges framed against them. It was only during the second survey of the mosque that people assembled outside the mosque but police barricaded the area and prevented them from offering namaz, thereby leading to escalation in tension, he said. Only a small number of people pelted stones, he added. He also accused the police of insulting the community and said that such surveys yield nothing but create discord and disharmony among communities. While the SP chief slammed the Yogi government over gross mishandling of the situation, he was cheered by party lawmakers, who chanted slogans like Sambhal ko insaaf chahiye. Akhilesh claimed that the BJP was sowing seeds of hatred by engineering a temple beneath mosque narrative and said that such surveys will go on to destroy the social fabric of the nation. Further, taking a sarcastic but pointed jibe at the Yogi Adityanath government, Akhilesh said that the Sambhal violence was a result of the fight between Delhi and Lucknow. This is a fight between Lucknow and Delhi. The one in Lucknow wants to follow the same path of those seated in Delhi, he said. Earlier, SP Rajya Sabha lawmaker Ram Gopal Yadav also hit out at the UP government for the Sambhal violence. The whole area around the mosque was turned into a fortress. When people suspected foul play inside the mosque premises, they raised their voice. Policemen instead of addressing their concern started firing at them, Ram Gopal Yadav said in the Upper House. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday interacted with officials and inspected an exhibition on the full implementation of the new criminal laws in Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana. He dedicated to the nation the implementation of the three new criminal laws. Accompanied by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, PM Modi was briefed by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kanwardeep Kaur about the implementation of three transformative new criminal laws in Chandigarh with registration of 900 plus first information reports (FIRs) and four convictions in the past five months. These laws aim to overhaul Indias criminal justice system, focusing on transparency, efficiency, and addressing modern challenges. PM Modi also inspected the exhibition depicting the implementation of criminal laws by simulating a crime scene investigation on the campus of Punjab Engineering College, where a dummy police station was set up. The presentation, themed Secure Society, Developed India: From Punishment to Justice, took place at an exhibition spread across eight stations, providing Prime Minister Modi with a live experience of how law enforcement, forensic teams, judicial authorities and prisons have become more efficient and technology-driven since the implementation of the laws. A crime scene was depicted with a distress call at the Police Control Room. At the crime scene, the e-Sakshya app digitally recorded all evidence from the scene, including photos, videos and timestamps, which are then sent directly to the court. In this scene, the forensic team collects crucial evidence, while the victims family member identifies the body. Home Minister Shah was seen explaining to Prime Minister Modi about the operation of the new laws for speedy justice, starting from the collection of evidence at the crime scene to providing solace to the victims family. Chandigarh is the first city in the country where 100 per cent implementation of all three laws has been completed. The three new criminal laws -- the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam -- replaced the British-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act, respectively, came into effect from July 1. These landmark reforms mark a historic overhaul of the criminal justice system, bringing in new frameworks to tackle modern-day challenges such as cybercrime, and organised crime and ensuring justice for victims of various offences. The local police also showcased the functionalities of applications such as e-Sakshya, Nyay Setu, Nyay Shruti and e-summons, which have been developed by the National Informatics Centre in collaboration with the National Crime Records Bureau. Before heading to Chandigarh, PM Modi wrote on X, A special day in our efforts to ensure speedy justice for every Indian and, at the same time, break free from colonial mindsetswill join the programme in Chandigarh to mark the successful implementation of the three new criminal lawsIts a matter of immense joy that these laws are coming into being at a time when we mark 75 years of our Constitution being adopted by the Constituent Assembly. The conceptualisation of the three laws was driven by the vision of the Prime Minister to remove colonial-era laws that had continued to exist post-Independence and to transform the judicial system by shifting focus from punishment to justice. 48 BlackRock said Tuesday it will acquire HPS Investment Partners for $12 billion in stock, as the world's largest asset manager looks to grow its presence in the highly popular private credit space. "We have always sought to position ourselves ahead of our clients' needs. Together with the scale, capabilities, and expertise of the HPS team, BlackRock will deliver clients solutions that seamlessly blend public and private," CEO Larry Fink said in a statement. The deal, which is expected to close in mid-2025, comes during a boom for the private credit space. Comparable publicly traded companies to HPS such as Blue Owl Capital and Ares are up 54.6% and 46%, respectively, for 2024. Those gains are well ahead of BlackRock's 25.7% year-to-date gain. The transaction also creates "an integrated private credit franchise" with about $220 billion in assets, per BlackRock. HPS manages about $148 billion in assets. BlackRock oversees $11.5 trillion as of the third quarter. Sources told CNBC that HPS first sought to go public, which caught BlackRock's attention as it looks to grow its alternative assets business. BlackRock earlier this year announced it would acquire Global Infrastructure Partners and private market data provider Preqin for $12.5 billion and $3.2 billion, respectively. The deal is also expected to raise BlackRock's private market AUM and management fees by 40% and roughly 35%, respectively. Subscribe to CNBC PRO for exclusive insights and analysis, and live business day programming from around the world. Chinmoy Das Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu priest from Bangladesh who was accused of sedition, encountered a major setback when lawyers declined to represent him at his bail hearing in court on Tuesday. According to the sources, the Chattogram court postponed the bail hearing to January 2. Chinmoy Krishna Das, the spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport while he was en route to Chattogram to attend a rally. He was denied bail and sent to jail last week. Meanwhile, earlier on Monday, ISKCON claimed that Advocate Ramen Roy, who had defended Bangladesh's Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in the sedition case was brutally attacked in the neighbouring country and was now fighting for his life in a hospital. According to ISKCON Kolkata spokesperson Radharaman Das, Roy's only "fault" was defending Chinmoy Krishna Das in court, and a group of Islamists ransacked his home. The attack left Roy critically injured, and he is currently in the ICU, fighting for his life, ISKCON Kolkata spokesperson claimed. "Please pray for Advocate Ramen Roy. His only 'fault' was defending Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in court. Islamists ransacked his home and brutally attacked him, leaving him in the ICU, fighting for his life," he posted on X, along with a picture of Roy in the ICU. He further appealed for the safety of Bangladeshi Hindus and the immediate release of the ISKCON priest. This comes as attacks on minorities in Bangladesh have increased under Muhammad Yunus, who was leading the interim government in the neighbouring country. However, as reports of minorities being targeted in Bangladesh surfaced, India, through multiple channels, has urged the Bangladesh government to ensure the security of minorities. Speaking to a Bengali news channel, Das, also ISKCON Kolkata Vice-President, said, "This brutal attack on advocate Roy is a direct consequence of his legal defence of Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu. It reflects the growing danger faced by those who defend the rights of religious minorities in Bangladesh." Hindus constituted around 22 per cent of Bangladesh's population during the 1971 Liberation War. The Hindu population, once a substantial demographic in Bangladesh, has experienced a significant decline in recent decades, with the minority community now comprising only around eight per cent of the country's total population. This drop is largely attributed to a combination of socio-political marginalisation, exodus, and sporadic violence over the years. Earlier on Monday, demonstrators allegedly broke into the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala to protest atrocities against minorities in the neighbouring country. The High Commission breach came after an Agartala-Kolkata bus travelling via Dhaka on Saturday reportedly faced an attack in the Brahmanbaria district of Bangladesh after being involved in an accident on Vishwa Road. The events also happen amid escalating tensions between India and Bangladesh, exacerbated by rising attacks on Hindus and their places of worship in Bangladesh following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier this year. The political instability in Bangladesh has coincided with a series of mob attacks, intensifying concerns for the safety of the Hindu minority community. Meanwhile, the External Affairs Ministry had said that the Indian government has taken the incidents of attacks on minorities seriously and communicated its concerns to Bangladesh authorities. Screenshot of Johanna Michely Garcia of MJ Capital Funding, who was sentenced on Dec. 3, 2024, to 20 years in prison in a Ponzi scheme. A Florida woman who pleaded guilty in a Ponzi scheme that raked in nearly $200 million was sentenced Tuesday to 20 years in prison. Johanna Garcia, 41, of Broward County, received the maximum possible sentence for one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud. Twenty-eight other counts from her indictment were dismissed, according to court filings in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Judge Jose Martinez also sentenced Garcia to three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment, plus additional restitution that will be determined March 3, according to the case docket. Garcia controlled MJ Capital Funding, which fraudulently solicited investors to fund its purported business of providing short-term, high-cost loans called merchant cash advances, or MCAs, federal prosecutors said in a press release. She and her co-conspirators made "false statements and fraudulent representations" to investors about the nature of their investment and how the money would be used, the prosecutors said. Investors were told that their money would fund MCAs and that returns on their investment would be paid from the profits of the MCA business. Garcia and her co-conspirators falsely promised significant returns at an annual rate of 120%, according to the indictment. But her company "made few loans and failed to earn anywhere near the profits it needed to pay the investors the promised returns," prosecutors said in Tuesday's release. "As a result, Garcia paid investors by running a large Ponzi fraud scheme, paying existing investors using new investor funds while misappropriating millions of dollars for her own personal benefit." The fraudulent conspiracy, which took place between October 2020 and August 2021, netted at least $190.7 million. Of that total, investors lost nearly $90 million, prosecutors said. In 2021, investors in MJ Capital filed a lawsuit accusing Wells Fargo Bank of aiding the fraud scheme by failing to follow its own anti-money-laundering policies. The bank in March 2023 agreed to settle the suit for $26.6 million. Garcia's partner, Pavel Ramon Ruiz Hernandez, was charged in August 2022 and pleaded guilty in April 2023 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He was sentenced in September 2023 to nine years and two months in prison, plus three years of supervised release. Prosecutors said Tuesday that after MJ Capital was shut down by the FBI and the Securities and Exchange Commission, Garcia, Ruiz Hernandez and others launched a new, similar Ponzi scheme in fall 2021. Garcia led this new scheme from its start, "up until her arrest [in August 2023], and after, while in Bureau of Prisons custody," according to prosecutors. French Prime Minister Michel Barnier (C) ahead of his general policy statement to the French National Assembly in Paris on October 1, 2024. Barnier, a right-wing former EU Brexit negotiator, was appointed three weeks ago by French President to bring some stability after the political chaos created by a hung parliament that resulted from snap elections this summer. French lawmakers will debate and vote on the no-confidence motions filed against the fragile government of Michel Barnier on Wednesday. The motions, which have been tabled by the opposition left-wing bloc and by the far-right National Rally party, will be debated at around 4 p.m., the National Assembly said in a social media post. The government must step down if the either measure is approved by parliament. It comes after French Prime Minister Barnier on Monday opted to push through a highly-contested budget bill without parliamentary approval by deploying special constitutional powers. My top 10 things to watch Tuesday, Dec. 3 1. With the 10-year Treasury note so low in yield, a big employment number expected Friday and third-quarter U.S. GDP forecasts now above 3% , how could the Federal Reserve cut rates at its policy meeting in two weeks? But also, how can the Fed not cut with Donald Trump, a frequent central bank critic during his first term, set to return to the White House next month? Odds of a quarter-point cut Dec. 18 have moved higher lately, according to the CMEGroup's FedWatch tool . 2. A Delaware judge rejected Tesla CEO Elon Musk's bid to get his $56 billion pay package reinstated . What is the cure here? The judge had voided the compensation plan in January. Then in June the electric vehicle maker's shareholders overwhelmingly said they supported the package. Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick is not swayed by the world's most powerful man. Musk called the latest decision "absolute corruption." 3. Sales of China-made Tesla vehicles in the country fell 4.3% in November compared with the prior year, new data showed . China is a fiercely competitive EV market. Musk's close ties with China, highlighted by a recent Financial Times story , is something to watch when China hawk Trump takes office. Musk has become close with Trump, who named fellow China critics to key role in the administration. 4. Honeywell lowers its full-year forecast again, but is it because of the technology development deal it struck with planemaker Bombardier? We've been severely disappointed in Club name Honeywell, though we like activist investor Elliott's breakup push . This Bombardier deal looks good long term, with $17 billion in revenue potential, but a guidance cut as a result is horrendous. Honeywell shares ticked lower Tuesday. 5. Research firm Keefe Bruyette raised its Wells Fargo price target to $79 per share from $61 and kept its hold-equivalent market perform rating. Piper Sandler went to $75. Give me a break, the Club bank stock is currently at $75, with runway to go higher when the Fed lifts its punitive asset cap. That's expected in 2025. We raised our PT on Wells on Monday. 6. Keefe Bruyette raised its Morgan Stanley price target to $138 per share from $121 and its market perform rating. The analysts cite the expectation for a more favorable investment banking environment post-election. President-elect Donald Trump has promised fewer regulations, a stance that should also help Wells Fargo. On Monday, we also upped our Morgan Stanley PT. 7. Was Zscaler post-earnings commentary really all that bad? There were lots of price target increases for this cybersecurity stock, which dropped more than 6% on the print. Could be an opportunity, as is Club name CrowdStrike , which is really good and should be bought. 8. Bullish developer data from SensorTower: Apple's App Store sales rose 15% quarter to date. Bank of America, citing the numbers, reiterated its buy rating and $256 per share price target, which represents more than 6% upside to the Club stock's previous close. 9. AT & T sees profit gains through 2027 and sets a $20 billion buyback during Tuesday's investor day. The company also raised the bottom end of its full-year adjusted earnings per share outlook to $2.20 to $2.25. AT & T also plans to $3 billion-plus in run-rate cost savings by the end of 2027. 10. Shoppers are estimated to have spent more than $13 billion on Cyber Monday, according to Adobe Analytics. The entire holiday shopping kick-off including Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday is expected to increase 7% to $40.6 billion in sales. The report said the strength was driven by net-new demand rather than higher prices. Sign up for my Top 10 Morning Thoughts on the Market email newsletter for free (See here for a full list of the stocks at Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. Chief Technology Officer of X Elon Musk speaks onstage during the "Exploring the New Frontiers of Innovation: Mark Read in Conversation with Elon Musk" session at the Lumiere Theatre during the Cannes Lions International Festival Of Creativity 2024 - Day Three on June 19, 2024 in Cannes, France. Richard Bord | Wireimage | Getty Images My top 10 things to watch Tuesday, Dec. 3 In this article MSFT Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT A Microsoft Azure logo is displayed on a smartphone. Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images LONDON Microsoft on Tuesday was accused of unfairly overcharging customers of rival cloud companies in a lawsuit claiming damages of more than 1 billion ($1.27 billion). The lawsuit alleges customers using Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform or Alibaba Cloud all key competitors to Microsoft's Azure cloud are forced to pay more to license the tech giant's cloud-based Windows Server software on rivals' infrastructure. Microsoft offers a cheaper price to firms running Windows Server on Azure than on direct competitors like AWS, Google's cloud or Alibaba Cloud. The lawsuit argues firms running the widely-used server software are essentially being overcharged to use alternative cloud computing solutions. It adds Microsoft leverages its dominant market position in cloud-based server operating systems by extracting higher prices and inducing customers into moving to Azure. Claimant Maria Luisa Stasi, a competition lawyer, is seeking more than 1 billion in compensation for firms affected. Microsoft declined to comment on the lawsuit. watch now "Put simply, Microsoft is punishing UK businesses and organisations for using Google, Amazon and Alibaba for cloud computing by forcing them to pay more money for Windows Server," Stasi, who is head of law and policy for digital rights advocacy group Article19, said in a statement shared with CNBC. "By doing so, Microsoft is trying to force customers into using its cloud computing service Azure and restricting competition in the sector." She added the lawsuit "aims to challenge Microsoft's anti-competitive behavior, push them to reveal exactly how much businesses in the UK have been illegally penalized, and return the money to organizations that have been unfairly overcharged." Thousands of British businesses and organizations are represented in the lawsuit, which is an "opt-out" collective action. That means that any company potentially affected is automatically counted and can receive a payout if Microsoft loses. Stasi represents the customers of Amazon, Google and Alibaba but doesn't represent any of these firms, her spokesperson told CNBC. CMA preparing competition remedies The development comes as the U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority is preparing "behavioral" remedies addressing anti-competitive practices in the cloud industry following a months-long probe, with two sources telling CNBC last month a provisional decision could come as soon as this week. The CMA declined to comment on the specific timing of its provisional decision. However, it's previously set a deadline of November to December 2024. Earlier this year, Microsoft struck a 20 million euro ($21 million) settlement with cloud trade body CISPE and its members ending an EU antitrust complaint accusing the tech giant of unfair software licensing practices at its cloud division. watch now The deal saw Microsoft agree to charge firms the same price for running its software on smaller cloud companies' systems as it does on its own Azure platform. But in September, Google filed a fresh antitrust complaint against Google with the European Commission, the executive body of the EU. The suit alleged that Microsoft's software licensing terms effectively lock businesses into its Azure platform and make it harder to switch and thus exerting control over the cloud market. Solange Viegas Dos Reis, chief legal officer of French cloud computing firm OVHCloud, told CNBC some cloud hyperscalers are essentially "selling together two products that should be totally separated" widely-used software and cloud infrastructure. There's also an issue of hyperscalers offering more functionality of their software when it's running on their own cloud services than on third-party cloud services, Dos Reis said without singling out any particular vendor. From 2017 to 2022, European cloud firms' market share halved from 27% to 13%, lagging international rivals as the entire European cloud market grew fivefold to 10.4 billion euros ($11 billion), according to data from Synergy Research Group. The issue of software licensing in cloud is one that's not been assessed previously, Dos Reis told CNBC in an interview last week, adding OVH has "a lot of hope" with the CMA's cloud competition case. OVHCloud agreed its own settlement with Microsoft in July, which saw it drop its own EU antitrust complaint against the U.S. tech giant. Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, a democratic presidential candidate, attends the U.S Conference of Mayors 88th Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C, January 22, 2020. Billionaire and public health advocate Mike Bloomberg on Tuesday excoriated Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump's pick for U.S. health secretary, over his anti-vaccine record and urged the Senate to reject his bid to lead the nation's top health agencies. "Just imagine if RFK Jr. had been in office during Trump's first term," Bloomberg said at the Bloomberg American Health Summit in Washington D.C. "Would Operation Warp Speed have even happened? And if it did, how long would the vaccines have been delayed? How many fewer people would have gotten the shot? How many more people would have died?" "All we can say for sure is this: It would have made Covid even more deadly and even more economically painful," he said. Giving RFK Jr. the power to steer U.S. health policy, he warned, would be "beyond dangerous, it would be medical malpractice on a mass scale." The former New York City mayor devoted nearly all of his 19-minute speech to slamming Kennedy's spread of disinformation about vaccines, including his "outrageous false claim" that the Covid-19 vaccine was the "deadliest vaccine ever made." Bloomberg, who ran for president as a Democrat in 2020, has long advocated for public health reforms, both as mayor and through his philanthropic efforts. RFK Jr. initially ran for president in 2024 as a Democrat, but switched to an independent bid and later dropped out to endorse Trump. An environmental lawyer and the son of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, RFK Jr.'s campaign provided him with a prominent national platform and gave oxygen to his conspiracy theories about vaccines. Bloomberg in Tuesday's speech appealed directly to U.S. senators not to confirm RFK Jr. to the Cabinet role in the next Trump administration. "We can't allow Kennedy or Trump or anyone else to bring unimaginable suffering to the American people," he said. Bloomberg expressed hope that Senate Republicans will convince Trump to reconsider nominating RFK Jr. before they are asked to weigh in. But if Trump stands by his choice, then the Senate "has a duty for our whole country, but especially to our children, to vote no," he said. Bloomberg also admonished Democrats who appear open to letting RFK Jr. lead the Department of Health and Human Services because of his advocacy against junk food and processed foods. "We don't need to choose between someone who is pro-healthy food and pro-vaccine. Americans deserve both," he said. Bloomberg noted that he had fought for numerous restrictions on unhealthy products while he was mayor, including an effort to ban large sugary drinks. Those fights garnered backlash from conservatives and affected consumer industries at the time. But RFK Jr. has taken a similar tack, endorsing a plan that he says is intended to "Make America Healthy Again" alongside Republicans. Constellation Brands ' decision to sell its Svedka vodka brand is a step in the right direction as the Modelo and Corona brewer focuses on its high-end businesses. The news Constellation said Tuesday it will sell Svedka to New Orleans-based Sazerac, which owns hundreds of brands from distilleries around the world. While terms of the deal were not disclosed, Constellation said the transaction is expected to close in the "coming months." Svedka, which came with Constellation's purchase of Spirits Marque One back in 2007, is currently part of the company's struggling wine and spirits unit. Home to brands such as Kim Crawford and Meiomi wines and Casa Noble and Mi Campo tequilas, the business has been a thorn in Constellation's side. Wine and spirits sales and operating income were both down double-digit percentages in the company's fiscal 2025 second quarter . For all of fiscal 2025, Constellation expects wine and spirits to deliver a full-year net sales decline between 4% to 6%. Constellation shares, which were little changed Tuesday, have dropped 1.6% year to date versus the S & P 500 's nearly 27% advance in 2024. Bernstein analysts called the Svedka news a "clear positive." STZ .SPX YTD mountain Constellation Brands YTD Big picture The Svedka transaction is part of management's "premiumization" strategy to reshape its wine and spirits portfolio. Over the past several years, Constellation has been shedding lower-priced labels. In 2020, Constellation sold Paul Masson brandy to Sazerac for $255 million. A year later, Constellation sold 30 brands, including Arbor Mist, Black Box, Clos du Bois, and Estancia, to E & J Gallo Winery for $810 million. Wine and spirits have been a consistent drag on the company's earnings due to weaker consumer demand, retailers buying less wine from wholesalers, and consumers shifting toward premium offerings. In beer, that's where Constellation really shines. With Mexican brands Modelo, Corona, and Pacifico, sales for the unit rose 6% year over year to $2.53 billion in the company's fiscal second quarter effectively matching the Bloomberg estimate of $2.52 billion. Quarterly operating income rose 13% to $1.78 billion, above expectations of $1.03 billion. During the post-earnings conference call, management said the company's beer business remained the clear winner across the total beverage industry. Bottom line Jim Cramer has been calling for Constellation to dispose of its entire wine and spirits business and put all of its weight behind beer, the key driver of growth. To that end, the Svedka sale is another positive move. "They're getting rid of something that is negative for their earnings," Jim said Tuesday during the Investing Club's Morning Meeting. The company's beer, which is made south of the border, may face new headwinds if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on plans to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico. Levies of this magnitude could hit Constellation's margins because management would be forced to either pass higher prices along to customers or eat them. During Morgan Stanley's consumer and retail conference, Constellation CFO Garth Hankinson said Tuesday afternoon there are several levers to pull to deal with any tariffs. He cited accelerating cost savings, making sure there's plenty of supply in the U.S., and how to balance incremental price increases. Those possibilities are being explored but no decisions will be made until tariff plans become policy. While the situation is still unclear, we currently have a buy-equivalent 1 rating on Constellation shares and a $300 price target. Last week, Jim said the stock's decline was puzzling because he couldn't understand how anybody would be surprised by Trump's tariff plans. That's why Jim last Tuesday said the stock was a buy on the dip. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long STZ. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. Constellation Brands Inc. Svedka vodka at a liquor store in the Upper East Side neighborhood of New York, US, on Friday, June 28, 2024. Bing Guan | Bloomberg | Getty Images Donald Trump Jr. speaks with the media at the end of the debate between Republican vice presidential nominee U.S. Senator JD Vance (R-OH) and Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Governor Tim Walz hosted by CBS in New York, U.S., October 1, 2024. The stock surged 270.4% to $7.63 after the company announced that the eldest son of President-elect Donald Trump is joining PSQ's board. Bloomberg News reported on the move earlier Tuesday. News of Donald Trump Jr. joining the board of PSQ Holdings sent shares of the owner of the online marketplace PublicSquare skyrocketing on Tuesday. PublicSquare is a commerce and payments company with a focus on "life, family, and liberty." PSQ is a microcap stock with a market capitalization of only $72 million as of Monday's close. "Don has been an investor in PublicSquare since before our IPO," Michael Seifert, chairman and CEO of PublicSquare, said in a statement. "Don's passion for creating a 'cancel-proof' economy, his years of strategic business experience, and his leadership within the shooting sports industry offer important expertise at the board level." For the September quarter, the firm had net revenue of $6.5 million and operating losses of more than $14 million. West Palm Beach, Florida-based PSQ is a 16-minute drive from Mar-a-Lago, the president-elect's primary residence. "With a rapidly growing marketplace and payments ecosystem, PublicSquare has a distinct position in the market based on the core tenets of our nation's founding, paired with a results-driven management team," Trump Jr. said in a statement. "The American people have affirmed the importance of liberty, and PublicSquare is at the forefront of this movement." Just last week, Trump Jr. joined the board of Unusual Machines, a small U.S. drone and drone component maker, sending its shares up as much as 100% on the day of the announcement. In November, Trump Jr. joined venture capital firm 1789 Capital as a partner. The firm invests in products and companies aimed at conservatives and its investments include Tucker Carlson's media company. PSQ director Kelly Loeffler, a former U.S. senator from Georgia, bought 1.2 million shares of the payments company on Oct. 24 for about $3.25 million, according to a regulatory filing. Her stake increased in value drastically with Tuesday's rally. Salesforce shares were up 9% on Tuesday after the company's fiscal third-quarter earnings report showed revenue and fiscal fourth-quarter guidance that exceeded analysts' expectations. Here's how the company did compared with what Wall Street was expecting, based on a survey of analysts by LSEG: Earnings per share: $2.41 adjusted vs. $2.44 expected $2.41 adjusted vs. $2.44 expected Revenue: $9.44 billion vs. $9.34 billion expected The company's revenue grew 8% year over year during the fiscal third quarter, which ended Oct. 31. Its net income was $1.5 billion in the quarter, up 25% from $1.2 billion a year ago. Salesforce said it is expecting fiscal fourth-quarter sales of between $9.90 billion and $10.10 billion. Analysts were projecting $10.05 billion in fourth-quarter sales. The company said it expects earnings per share of between $2.57 and $2.62 in the fourth quarter, compared with analysts' expectations of $2.65. Salesforce also raised the low end of its revenue guidance, expecting a range of $37.8 billion to $38 billion for its fiscal 2025. That's up slightly from $37.7 billion to $38 billion previously. The new range puts the midpoint for Salesforce's fiscal 2025 revenue guidance at $37.9 billion, ahead of analysts' expectations of $37.86 billion. "We delivered another quarter of exceptional financial performance across revenue, margin, cash flow, and cRPO," Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff said in a statement. "Agentforce, our complete AI system for enterprises built into the Salesforce Platform, is at the heart of a groundbreaking transformation." In a call with analysts, Benioff boasted about Salesforce's latest artificial intelligence push, including the company's AI-powered chatbots dubbed Agentforce, which investors are closely monitoring for growth. Salesforce's Agentforce product is an example of so-called AI agent technology. Several companies have said they believe that these advanced chatbots represent the next logical step from ChatGPT and other related tools powered by large language models. "We're delivering these incredible Agentforce capabilities as well," Benioff said. "This is a bold leap in the future of work, where AI agents let humans unite to transform all of our customer interactions." Benioff also revealed that he ruptured his achilles tendon on a recent birthday scuba-diving trip to Fakarava, an atoll in French Polynesia. Benioff expressed disappointment that the hospital that treated him couldn't schedule his follow-up appointments using AI agents. "That is the message to our customers, which is how are you going to give some of your people a break, let them get back to their strategic work, let them focus on what really matters," Benioff said. The company in August announced that Amy Weaver would step down from her role as chief financial officer but remain in the position until the company appoints a successor, after which she will become an advisor. That same month, activist investor Starboard Value revealed that it boosted its position in Salesforce by roughly 40% in the second quarter following the firm issuing a letter earlier in the year saying that Salesforce was continuing to move "in the right direction" in regard to improving its profit margin. Starboard Value released a presentation in October in which it noted that Salesforce "can continue to become more efficient and more profitable." Watch: Salesforce has been short-term overbought, says Bespoke's Paul Hickey Members of the military make their way through the crowd in front of the National Assembly, after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, in Seoul, South Korea, December 4, 2024. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared he would lift emergency martial law early Wednesday morning. The declaration came hours after the National Assembly voted to overturn the president's decree issued late Tuesday night amid mounting protests and backlash from lawmakers. Yoon said he has called for a Cabinet meeting to officially lift martial law, as per the Constitution. The military units that were deployed have also been withdrawn, Yoon announced. "I will immediately convene a Cabinet meeting to accept the National Assembly's request and end martial law," Yoon said. In his announcement which came around 4 a.m. local time, Yoon also called for parliamentary lawmakers to "immediately cease its reckless actions that paralyze the functions of the state, including repeated impeachment attempts, legislative manipulation and budget manipulation." In recent weeks, Yoon and the opposition Democratic Party, which holds the parliamentary majority, were in a political deadlock over next year's budget plan. Opposition lawmakers had also called to impeach several Cabinet members after several corruption and graft scandals. Earlier in the night, the National Assembly had been barricaded by soldiers and police officers, blocking protesters and lawmakers from entering. But within three hours of Yoon's surprise martial law decree, 190 out of the 300 National Assembly lawmakers including members of Yoon's People Power Party gathered to overturn the emergency order. Under the country's constitution, the president is required to comply with the National Assembly's vote. The shock move to enact martial law marked the first time in more than 40 years such a decision was declared in South Korea, a key Asian democracy and economic power. Yoon had accused opposition lawmakers of throwing the country into a political crisis. Under the martial law declaration, all political activities and acts that "incite social disorder" are prohibited. "I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order," Yoon said. However, Yoon's martial law decree came as a surprise even to members of his party. The party's chair, Han Dong-hoon, and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon both voiced their opposition to Yoon's martial law declaration on Tuesday night. Choo Kyung-ho, who is the leader of the People Power Party in the National Assembly, stated that he learned of the martial law declaration through the news. Yoon, who was elected in 2022, had seen his approval ratings fall below 20% in recent weeks. In this handout image provided by South Korean Presidential Office, South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol speaks during the declaration of emergency martial law at the Presidential Office on December 03, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. After the vote, National Assembly Chairman Woo Won-sik demanded that the special forces leave the building and grounds of parliament. Shortly afterward, the soldiers began filing out through one of the gates. It was an abrupt end to a standoff that began when parliament publicly defied Yoon and passed a resolution that martial law was officially nullified. "I have accepted the decision made by the National Assembly to dissolve and lift the martial law," Yoon said in an address to the nation via television broadcast nationwide. Members of South Korea's parliament raced to the National Assembly building and, with 190 of its 300 members present, they quickly passed a resolution demanding that Yoon lift his order while protesters opposed to martial law gathered outside the building. Yoon did so in the face of nationwide defiance that erupted some 155 minutes after he announced in a late-night TV address on Tuesday that he was taking over. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol backed down early Wednesday after tossing his country into turmoil by suddenly declaring martial law and mobilizing the army. Police stand guard in front of the main gate of the National Assembly in Seoul on December 3, 2024, after South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law. "I regret what happened today," said Han Dong Hoon, leader of the ruling People Power Party to which Yoon belongs. "Exercise of military police and other government authority is illegal now that the resolution for the nullification of the martial law has passed." But the country's Defense Ministry said that martial law would remain in place until Yoon lifted the order. For several hours, there was no immediate response from Yoon, whose conservative government took office in 2022 and who, as justification for declaring martial law, accused opposition parties of sympathizing with North Korea and controlling parliament. "I am declaring a state of emergency in order to protect the constitutional order based on freedom and eradicate shameful pro-North Korea anti-state groups, that are stealing freedom and happiness of our people," Yoon said on the country's YTN news channel. He added that this would protect the country "from the threats of North Korea's communist forces." "While the imposition of martial law may cause significant inconvenience to the law-abiding citizens who uphold the constitutional values of the Republic of Korea, I will strive to minimize these disruptions," he added. Yoon's address was quickly followed by a proclamation from Martial Law Commander, Gen. Park Ahn-soo. It said that "all political activities" would be banned, and that "all media and publications will be subject to the control of the Martial Law Command." "Strikes, work slowdowns, and gatherings that incite social disorder are forbidden," it added. It also ordered "all medical professionals" to return to work within 48 hours. "Violators of this proclamation will be subject to arrest, detention, and search and seizure without a warrant under Article 9 of the Martial Law Act," it said. At the U.S. State Department, Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said it had received no advance warning that Yoon was about to declare martial law. Earlier, the White House National Security Council confirmed that the Biden administration had been in contact with the South Korean government and that it was "monitoring the situation closely." "The situation is fluid," Philip Goldberg , the U.S. ambassador to South Korea posted on X before Yoon announced the end of martial law. South Korean Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, who had to climb over a fence to get into the National Assembly building, called Yoon's martial law declaration "illegal and unconstitutional." It was the first time since 1980 that martial law has been declared in South Korea. There were no reports of tanks or soldiers on the streets in the capital, Seoul, or elsewhere in South Korea, which is a key U.S. ally in the region and home to around 28,500 American troops. People walk along paths at the Albany Bulb as the sun sets in February 2022. Brittany Hosea-Small/Special to the Chronicle Weekday beachgoers enjoy the shores of the Albany Bulb in June. Thomas Sawano/The Chronicle A large ship is built out of found material at the Albany Bulb, as seen in February 2022. Brittany Hosea-Small/Special to the Chronicle Elevated levels of radiation have been detected at the Albany Bulb, an East Bay landfill that has been converted to an art park popular with hikers and dog walkers. The radiation was revealed after a Gamma Radiation Walkover Survey by a hazardous waste specialist hired by the city of Albany to sample the waste left over by a Richmond chemical plant that operated there in the 1960s and 70s. As first reported in the Los Angeles Times, the test by GSI Environmental Inc. revealed 10 spots that registered levels of gamma radiation high enough to merit further measurements. Of these, three locations had levels consistent with the the disposal of alum mud and are recommended for additional investigation, the report stated. Alum mud, also known as red mud, is an industrial waste. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It is encouraging that the gamma walkover survey results are consistent with levels of naturally occurring radioactivity associated with materials expected at a construction/municipal landfill, city of Albany spokesperson Brennen Brown said. However, the city doesnt have enough information from the report to reach specific conclusions on public health risk. The next round of investigation will include soil sampling and shallow subsurface measurements that will help inform public risk levels. Blair Robertson, spokesman for the State Water Resources Control Board in Sacramento, told the Chronicle that the board is aware of the results of the report and is waiting for a work plan for further testing to be drafted in conjunction with the California Department of Public Health. The investigation into potentially contaminated mud at the Albany Bulb was ordered by the California Department of Public Health after it was discovered in old documents that a long-closed chemical plant in Richmond dumped 11,000 tons of industrial waste in the landfill during the 1960s and 70s. In June, the Chronicle reported that both the city of Berkeley and the city of Albany had ordered testing in two bayside parks Cesar Chavez in Berkeley and the Albany Bulb, to test for contaminants left behind by Stauffer Chemical Co. of Richmond. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The tests were to search for the banned pesticide DDT along with uranium and thorium on advice of the Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. The tests were to take five months, so results are just now available. At the time of the test, Berkeley City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley said in a memo that the tests were precautionary and that there was no reason for alarm. The city managers office did not respond to a request for comment. The Albany investigation by GSI Environmental, which has an Emeryville office, was due to look at potential impacts to the San Francisco Bay from groundwater discharge and surface water runoff. The company reviewed archival records, photographs and aerial images of the site. It also conducted a gamma radiation survey of all accessible areas of the park. The media affairs office of the Department of Public Health did not respond to a request for comment but an official told the Los Angeles Times that the initial gamma radiation observed at the Albany Bulb presented a low level of risk to the public. The survey results indicate that most of the site is consistent with normal background radiation levels, but 10 locations showed elevated readings, a CDPH spokesperson said. Our initial assessment shows that a person would have to spend approximately 20 hours on an elevated area to receive a dose equivalent to one dental X-ray. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Check out the companies making the biggest moves in premarket trading: U.S. Steel Shares tumbled 7% after President-elect Donald Trump said late Monday he will block the purchase of the steelmaker by Japan's Nippon Steel. A deal was reached in late 2023 for Nippon Steel to buy U.S. Steel, but it has since encountered political opposition. AT & T The cell phone stock climbed nearly 4% after saying it anticipates more than $18 billion in free cash flow in 2027. AT & T laid out its three-year vision on Tuesday, which includes plans to double its fiber internet availability and enhance its 5G network. Axon Enterprise The maker of Tasers used by police departments added almost 2% following an upgrade at Morgan Stanley to overweight from equal weight. The investment bank said artificial intelligence could help expand Axon Enterprise's total addressable market. Synchrony Financial The Stamford, Connecticut-based credit card issuer rose more than 1% after an upgrade to overweight from equal weight at Wells Fargo. The bank said Synchrony is trading at a cheap valuation and could benefit from regulatory changes under the incoming Trump administration Upstart Holdings Shares of the AI-lending marketplace added 1.5% following an upgrade at Redburn Atlantic to buy. The firm sees a significant market opportunity with Upstart's blend of AI and a scalable tech platform. Credo Technology Group The tech company soared 32% after earnings topped analyst estimates late Monday and it issued strong current-quarter revenue guidance. Adjusted earnings came in at 7 cents per share on $72 million in revenue in the second fiscal quarter against Street estimates of 5 cents per share on revenue of $67 million, according to LSEG. Zscaler The cloud security company forecast for fiscal second quarter revenue nearly matched analysts' estimates, sending shares 7% lower in early trading. Zscaler reported better-than-expected adjusted earnings and revenue in its fiscal first quarter. CVS Health Shares rose 1.4% after Deutsche Bank upgraded the drug store chain and pharmacy benefit mansger to buy from hold. The investment bank believes earnings will recover and top consensus estimates. Cleanspark Shares dropped almost 8% after the bitcoin miner reported fiscal year 2024 revenue that missed expectations. Revenue of $379 million fell short of the $395 million consensus estimate, according to FactSet. Super Micro Computer The maker of artificial intelligence servers moved nearly 8% higher, adding to its 29% gain on Monday, when a special committee of the board of directors said it found no evidence of misconduct , nor "any substantial concerns about the integrity of Supermicro's senior management or Audit Committee, or their commitment to ensuring that the Company's financial statements are materially accurate." CNBC's Jesse Pound, Hakyung Kim, Sarah Min and Pia Singh contributed reporting. Honeywell 's new partnership with Canadian planemaker Bombardier makes it clear that the American industrial conglomerate's aerospace business should be operating on its own, Jim Cramer said Tuesday. The news Club holding Honeywell and Bombardier announced a research-and-development collaboration on aircraft technology, including cockpit systems, engines, and satellite communications. Quebec-based Bombardier is known for its business jets sold under the Challenger and Global brands. In a press release Monday night, Honeywell headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina estimated the partnership could provide up to $17 billion in revenue over its unspecified lifetime. The two companies also settled a nearly decade-old lawsuit over engine prices. The final piece of the disclosure is causing some frustration and could explain why Honeywell's stock is down more than 2% on Tuesday: The company lowered its full-year guidance on several important financial metrics, such as sales and adjusted earnings per share. Honeywell said the adjustments were necessary due to "the required investments associated with this [Bombardier] agreement." Honeywell now expects revenue in 2024 of between $38.2 billion to $38.4 billion a reduction of $400 million on both the high-end and the low-end of the range. Adjusted EPS is projected between $9.68 and $9.78, compared with a range of $10.15 to $10.25 previously. Free cash flow guidance took a $500 million hit now expected to be $4.75 billion at the midpoint. Honeywell sees segment margin a measure of combined profitability for its operating units in the range of 22.6% to 22.7%. Previously, the guidance stood at 23.4% to 23.5%. Big picture Honeywell's aerospace business is the crown jewel of its portfolio a fact that is very much on display with the long-term Bombardier agreement. It is precisely why activist investor group Elliott Management has amassed a more-than-$5 billion stake in the company and begun pushing executives to break up the conglomerate. In announcing its position last month, Elliott said it wants Honeywell to turn its aerospace and automation businesses into standalone entities, arguing that would help the company "realize its full potential." Honeywell has been mired in a period of prolonged stock price underperformance. Cramer has also been urging CEO Vimal Kapur to streamline the company's wide-ranging business portfolio. Kapur took over as CEO in June 2023. Shares of Honeywell have returned 42%, including dividends, over the past five years. The S & P 500 has more than doubled over that stretch, while a popular exchange-traded fund tracking the industrial sector has posted a total return of 90%. HON YTD mountain Honeywell's year-to-date stock performance. To be sure, Kapur has taken some steps to refocus Honeywell's operations around what he calls the three "mega-trends" of automation, the future of aviation, and the energy transition. Honeywell currently has four operating segments: aerospace technologies, industrial automation, building automation, and energy and sustainability solutions (ESS). In October, Honeywell said it would spin off its advanced materials business , housed in the ESS segment, into a publicly traded firm. The advanced materials unit makes pharmaceutical packaging products and bullet-resistant resins used in body armor. More recently, Honeywell said it's selling its business that makes masks and other personal protective equipment to New York-based Protective Industrial Products for $1.3 billion in cash . That unit is part of Honeywell's industrial automation segment. A sale of the PPE business, announced on Nov. 22, had reportedly been under consideration well before Elliott disclosed its stake. Honeywell has also made purchases to bolster priority areas, including the acquisitions of Carrier Global 's residential and commercial security systems unit and Air Products ' liquefied natural gas process technology and equipment business . These acquisitions fit under the automation and energy themes. In general, proponents of corporate breakups argue that they can make companies more nimble and allow management teams to focus their energies and investment efforts on fewer, more impactful areas. In recent years, a number of industrial firms have found success breaking themselves up most notably General Electric, which became focused solely on aerospace by separating its health care and energy businesses into separate publicly traded companies. The Club owns shares in one of those spin-offs, GE Healthcare . The energy unit is known as GE Vernova . Former General Electric now trades as GE Aerospace . Bottom line Honeywell's poorly explained partnership with Bombardier is actually a long-term positive for the Club holding something Jim and Director of Club Portfolio Analysis Jeff Marks made clear during Tuesday's Morning Meeting for members. Considering the way Honeywell detailed its guidance cut in conjunction with the deal, though, it's understandable that some investors may be confused about its merits. "In order to get one of these giant contracts, you have to have some upfront costs and then it's just bountiful," Jim said. "They made it seem like, 'Look, our numbers are bad away from this.' No. This [guidance revision] had to do with the actual deal." "I think it's Exhibit A for why Elliott is right," Jim said. He argued that if Honeywell was hypothetically a pure-play aerospace company at the time of striking this Bombardier deal, it would be much easier to tout its benefits to investors. It's a reminder that communicating financial expectations and the rationale for decisions to Wall Street is part of executives' jobs. "But these guys [at Honeywell] don't know how to tell a story," Jim said. We're hoping that Kapur can do a better job discussing the Bombardier partnership on Thursday when he is scheduled to appear at Goldman Sachs' industrials conference in New York City. "We're not going to get rid of the company because it's actually good. But I am beginning to believe that Elliott will press and press and press," Jim said. "The people who run Honeywell should remember they work for shareholders." (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long HON. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. Bombardier Challenger Cl-600 taking-off with undercarriage retracting. Aviation-images.com | Universal Images Group | Getty Images Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump attends a campaign rally in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, U.S., October 30, 2024. President-elect Donald Trump's transition team said Tuesday that it reached an agreement with the Department of Justice that sets the stage for the department to conduct background checks and start the security clearance process for Trump administration nominees and appointees. The agreement comes amid controversy over some of Trump's picks for top positions in the government, including the leadership of the Defense Department, the Department of Health and Human Services, the FBI, and the post of director of national intelligence. An agreement to have the FBI, which is a division of the DOJ, conduct background checks on nominees and appointees could make some U.S. senators more comfortable voting to approve Trump's selections for such posts than they would be without such a deal. Susie Wiles, the incoming White House chief of staff, in a statement, said, "The agreement with the Department of Justice will ensure President Trump and his team are ready on Day 1 to begin enacting the America First Agenda that an overwhelming majority of our nation supported on Election Day." The Trump transition team said its memorandum of understanding with the DOJ "allows the transition team to submit names for background checks and security clearances." "Ultimately, this will afford the transition process additional insights, and it facilitates our agency landing teams gaining access to the information they need to prepare for leadership of the federal agencies and departments," the transition team said in a statement. The MOU was announced a day after an article in The New Yorker detailed allegations of alcohol abuse, sexual impropriety and mismanagement of two non-profit veterans groups by Pete Hegseth, who Trump has tapped to become the next Defense secretary. Shortly after Trump announced his planned nomination of Hegseth, news broke that the former Fox News anchor had been investigated by police, but not criminally charged, for an alleged sexual assault of a woman at a Republican event in California in 2017. Hegseth has denied any wrongdoing. Trump initial pick for U.S. attorney general, Matt Gaetz, dropped out of contention on Nov. 21 after renewed focus on allegations the former Florida congressman had sex with a girl when she was just 17 years in 2017. Gaetz also denies any wrongdoing. Over the weekend, Trump said he would appoint his long-time loyalist Kash Patel as director of the FBI. Patel last year vowed to target judges, lawyers and journalists who he believed were politically motivated in investigating Trump. "Whether it's criminally or civilly, we're going to figure that out but yeah, we're putting you all on notice," Patel told former Trump White House aide Steve Bannon in an interview. "We're actually going to use the Constitution to prosecute them for crimes they said we have always been guilty of but never have." Trump's selection of former Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence is another controversial pick. "There's no question I consider her someone who is likely a Russian asset," Rep. Debbie Wasserman Shultz, D-Fla., told MSNBC, referring to Gabbard, who would oversee 18 U.S. intelligence agencies as DNI if confirmed by the Senate. The vaccine skeptic and conspiracy promoter Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who Trump has picked to become secretary of HHS, was a heroin user for years as a teen and young adult. Democratic senators have been especially insistent that background checks are needed for all of Trump's nominees before they can be considered for confirmation by the Senate. Speaking Tuesday to NBC News, Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania said Hegseth's nomination was part of an "ongoing dialog" among senators about Trump nominees. "It's really appropriate, though, to have FBI background checks" to help illuminate the allegations against Hegseth, Fetterman said. "My God, you know if you're going to be in charge of the most lethal organization in the history of humanity ... it would be entirely appropriate too to have a complete background FBI for all of that," the senator said. The incoming Republican chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, which would conduct Hegseth's confirmation hearing, said Tuesday that some members of his party have concerns about Hegseth. "There are questions that some members have, and we're going to be looking for an answer," Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., told NBC News. - Additional reporting by CNBC's Christina Wilkie U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to block Japanese company Nippon Steel 's planned purchase of U.S. Steel . "I am totally against the once great and powerful U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company, in this case Nippon Steel of Japan," Trump said in a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Monday night Eastern time. "As President, I will block this deal from happening," he said, adding that he will make U.S. Steel "Strong and Great Again" through the use of tax incentives and tariffs. While he made similar statements on the 2024 campaign trail, it was the first time that Trump had spoken about the deal since he won a second presidential term last month. Nippon Steel, the fourth-largest global steelmaker, reached an agreement to acquire U.S. Steel last December. However, the deal encountered opposition from the United Steelworkers, a prominent labor union, as well as U.S. President Joe Biden, who has vowed that U.S. Steel will remain American-owned. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., which examines possible national security risks of transactions by foreign entities, has been reviewing the deal. U.S. Steel has an annual production capacity of around 20 million metric tons, while Nippon Steel is the leading steel producer in Japan. Together, the two companies would have a total capacity of up to 86 million tons. "Nippon Steel is determined to protect and grow U. S. Steel in a manner that reinforces American industry, domestic supply chain resiliency, and U.S. national security," Nippon Steel said in an email statement. "We will invest no less than $2.7 billion into its unionized facilities, introduce our world-class technological innovation, and secure union jobs so that American steelworkers at U. S. Steel can manufacture the most advanced steel products for American customers," a representative shared. U.S. Steel did not immediately respond to CNBC's requests for comment on Trump's latest remarks. A spokesperson for Nippon Steel previously said the acquisition would revitalize the American Rust Belt and enhance U.S. national security "in a way no alternative can." Takahiro Mori, Nippon Steel's vice chairman, had told reporters in November that he believes the deal could be closed before Trump assumes the White House in January. In September, U.S. Steel CEO David Burritt had also expressed confidence, defending the planned sale as a deal that would strengthen national security, as well as economic and job security. Shares of U.S. Steel have fallen over 15% year to date, while Nippon Steel's shares slipped more than 4% across the same period of time, according to data from LSEG. Here are the biggest calls on Wall Street on Tuesday: Wells Fargo names Citi a top 2025 pick The firm says Citi is a "dominant number one." "Our dominant number one Overweight-rated large cap bank remains Citigroup." Bernstein downgrades FedEx to market perform from outperform Bernstein said it was downgrading FedEx ahead of earnings later this month due to fears about execution. "We're taking a tactical pause and lowering our rating ahead of a widely expected reset in the near-term guidance framework / uncertainty around meeting high LTL [less than truckload] freight spinoff expectations." KBW upgrades Citi to outperform from market perform KBW says the stock is undervalued. "We are upgrading Citi to Outperform from Market Perform owing to its discounted valuation and the meaningful lag in its shares relative to peers since October earnings." Deutsche Bank upgrades CVS to buy from hold Deutsche says it sees "improving profitability" for CVS. "We are upgrading CVS shares to Buy from Hold as we believe both earnings and the multiple for the business are now likely near trough levels and it has taken steps to turn the company towards improving profitability." BMO downgrades Kroger to market perform from outperform BMO says the grocery store stock is overvalued. "We are downgrading KR to Market Perform. Our target price remains $60. We believe KR remains on track to reiterate EPS targets for F25 but believe that valuation expansion beyond 13x would likely require stronger grocery market share trends and/or upward EPS revisions." Jefferies upgrades Kroger to buy from hold Jefferies says the stock has "upside potential." "Concurrently, KR foot traffic trends have been sequentially improving, while its fuel business is structurally more profitable now than prepandemic, an incremental kicker." Morgan Stanley upgrades Axon to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley says the safety weapons and equipment company is a "core holding." "We have increasing confidence that the ~25-30% growth AXON is seeing is durable as software continues to become a growing portion of the model." CFRA reiterates Tesla as buy The firm says it's sticking with its buy rating but that Tesla will likely "fall short of its 2025 vehicle sales growth guidance." "While we think Cybertruck production will increase materially, the growth might not be as robust as many are expecting given the uniqueness of the vehicle, and we see Model 3 and Y sales growth continuing to moderate." Wells Fargo names American Express a top 2025 pick Wells says the credit card company is a top idea heading into next year. "Similar to other sectors where top-quality companies are commanding high valuations, we see further multiple expansion potential for top pick American Express (AXP) and mid-teens EPS growth." Redburn Atlantic Equities upgrades Upstart to buy from neutral Redburn says it's getting bullish on the AI lending platform. " Upstart Holdings has now delivered two quarters that have been ahead of expectations, with forward guidance an incremental positive." Bank of America upgrades Credo to buy from underperform Bank of America double upgraded the high speed connectivity company and says it sees a growth inflection. "Following a solid beat and material raise earnings call, we double upgrade CRDO to Buy from Underperform, raise FY26/27E EPS by 65%/88% to $1.01/$1.51, and take our PO to $80 from $27." Bank of America reiterates Apple as buy Bank of America says it's sticking with its buy rating Apple following data showing an increase in App Store revenue. "As per SensorTower data, App Store revenues in F1Q25 (after 64 days) increased to $5.6bn, with total downloads (iPhone + iPad) +7.4% y/y (6.1bn) during the same period." Wells Fargo downgrades Ollie's to equal weight from overweight Wells says it sees a more balanced risk/reward for the retailer. "The best time to own OLLI may have passed. Mgmt has firmed up the foundation while capturing cyclical tailwinds, but the path forward seems trickier than appreciated and big picture questions linger. Risk/reward balanced at this price, moving to EW." Wells Fargo upgrades Synchrony to overweight from equal weight Wells says the consumer financial has a "leading position in digital spend." "We rate SYF Overweight. They have the largest franchise in private label cards with a leading position in digital spend.." Mizuho reiterates Nvidia as buy The firm says it's sticking by its buy rating on Nvidia after a check-in with company management. "We see NVDA remaining the leader in the AI training and inference chips for Data Center applications (we estimate > 95% share), which we believe is growing at a 74% CAGR to > $400B by 2027E." MoffettNathanson reiterates Amazon as buy Moffett says Amazon's international business is underappreciated. "While International does not garner the same level of focus from investors as AWS and North America, it is expected to account for a meaningful 20% of consensus EBIT dollar growth from 2023A to 2027E and has the potential to both accelerate the growth trajectory of Amazon as well as derail it." The French government is on the brink of collapse and investors are gearing up for a volatile week of trading, with some eyeing opportunities amid the chaos. The difference between French and German government bond yields has risen to 85 basis points in recent days the highest in more than 10 years as fiscal and political tensions have risen in Paris. The Oat - Bund spread, as the two respective sovereign bonds are known, shows the negative sentiment investors have toward French government bonds relative to German government bonds. The absolute yield for both countries has fallen steadily over the last month as the European Central Bank has cut rates and signaled further monetary loosening ahead. This week, the left-wing alliance and the far-right Rassemblement National (RN) tabled a motion in Parliament to topple the French government and its Prime Minister Michel Barnier . It comes after Barnier said he would force through cuts in social security, to lower the government's 6% budget deficit, without a vote. If the recently appointed government is toppled, Barnier would be the shortest-serving prime minister in France's modern history. It would also imply that sitting ministers are likely to be lame ducks until France goes to polls in July 2025, since elections can only be called once every 12 months in the country. The paralysis is likely to mean that an emergency budget will need to be enacted, and the budget deficit at twice the limits imposed by EU treaties risks going largely unchanged for nearly another year. Under the current trajectory, public debt is also set to increase to some 117% of GDP by 2026, from 110% in 2023 , pushing up long-term borrowing costs. The "re-emerging fiscal tensions in France don't bode well for the euro as foreign inflows into French bonds could deteriorate rapidly from here as they did back in July when domestic political risks flared up," said UBS strategists led by Vassili Serebriakov in a note to clients on Dec. 2. "This could be especially damaging at a time when a weakening domestic economy and U.S. tariff threat are translating into a dovish ECB outlook." If the government falls If a vote of no-confidence passes, the government would fall and increase the risk premium investors will seek from France, according to Alex Everett, a bond fund manager at asset manager abrdn, who profited from a short-position in French government bonds until Friday. However, the key to how drastic and quickly bond prices move is likely to depend on what French President Emmanuel Macron does next. If the collapse in consensus in Parliament leads to Macron's resignation, then bond yields could move "extremely violently" worsening by 35 basis points, or the Oats-Bunds spreads widening to more than 120 basis points, according to Everett. On the other hand, if Macron stays in power after the vote of no-confidence passes, spreads are likely to widen by around 20 basis points, the bond fund manager added. "If Macron does resign, then actually you probably could get extremely violent moves," Everett told CNBC Pro. "In the scenario where we get to 120, we get there more quickly." "That opens up a much more violent set of outcomes, and, frankly unknown," he added. Everett's fund, the abrdn Euro Government Bond Fund , expects that French government bond prices will fall further, while favoring bonds from the Netherlands and Spain. Negotiating ploy Due to the risks associated with the Barnier government's downfall, some believe the vote of no-confidence is a last-minute negotiating ploy by the government's political opponents. Analysts at Metzler Research believe a new government would be likely to face the "same extremely complex distribution of votes in parliament" as the current setup. Macron is likely to nominate another centrist candidate to be prime minister, making no further progress in budget negotiations. "A budget resolution at the second attempt seems hardly more likely to us and the risk of months of political paralysis looms," said analysts led by Leon Ferdinand Bost at Metzler Bank, who expect bond spreads to remain where they currently are. Abrdn's Everett also echoed the doubt behind the move to topple the government. The bond manager believes the Rassemblement National is hoping to use the vote of no-confidence as a negotiating ploy to extract further concessions from Barnier's budget and water down social welfare cuts. "I'm a little bit skeptical as to the value for RN for causing [the] government to fall today," said Everett. "I don't really see how that helps RN, who's desperate to improve the cost-of-living issues." A downfall in the government is likely to leave issues directly impacting people unchanged and will "definitely" lead to relatively higher borrowing costs for France. "They're agents of chaos for little political end," Everett added. In a boost to India-South Africa travel and tourism ties, Patricia de Lille, the Minister of Tourism for the Republic of South Africa, announced measures to simplify travel for Indian tourists.Speaking to CNBC TV18, de Lille announced that South Africa will replace its e-visa system with a new electronic travel agreement, enabling visa processing within two to three days when applied through accredited tour operators."Direct flights are on the agenda. We are in talks with Indian airlines to unlock the market potential," De Lille stated.The ongoing talks between South African Airways (SAA) representatives and Indian airlines, including Indigo and SpiceJet are expected to materialise by early next year.These direct flights could reduce travel time to 8-9 hours from Mumbai or Delhi.Looking ahead to South Africas G20 presidency in 2025, de Lille shared plans to focus on tourism, building on the legacies of India, Brazil, and Indonesia. The focus will be on sustainable and inclusive tourism practices. 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. S.F. District Attorney Brooke Jenkins briefly attended the closing argument by her prosecution team in the Bob Lee murder trial on Monday. Kevin Fagan/The Chronicle Bob Lees brother Tim Oliver Lee speaks to reporters on Monday outside the S.F. Superior Court room after the prosecution finished its closing arguments. Kevin Fagan/The Chronicle Nima Momeni is a liar who concocted an unbelievable fantasy of self defense to explain how he stabbed tech mogul Bob Lee to death last year, prosecutors said Monday in their closing argument to Momenis 6-week-old trial on murder charges. On April 4, 2023, one person called 911 saying somebody stabbed me, begging for help over and over, Assistant District Attorney Dane Reinstedt told the San Francisco Superior Court jury. The other person did not call 911 that night. Nor did he ever. Its a pretty straightforward sequence of events, despite the convolution that the defense has tried to introduce, he said. The defendant stabbed Bob Lee three times. We are going to ask you to find Mr. Momeni guilty of murder. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Momenis defense team is scheduled to present its closing argument on Tuesday, and then the 12-person jury will begin deliberations to decide if Momeni, 39, is guilty of first degree murder, a lesser charge, or innocent. Conviction could bring 25 years to life in prison, or as little as two years. For nearly two hours on Monday, Reinstedt presented his teams summation of what happened in the hours leading up to the 2:30 a.m. stabbing, point by painstaking point. The gist, he told the jury, is that after Lee and Momenis sister, Khazar Momeni, partied at a convicted drug dealers house, the sister told Momeni the dealer doped her into unconsciousness and sexually assaulted her, and Momeni later stabbed Lee in a rage over the incident. Reinstedt began his argument by playing the tape of Lee calling 911 after being attacked, pleading help, help over and over until he faded into unconsciousness on a sidewalk beneath the Bay Bridge, about a block from where hed been stabbed. He also showed video of police arriving to find Lee collapsed a graphic video that caused Lees ex-wife and two children, who were sitting in the gallery, to tear up and leave the courtroom. Both sides agree that the fateful confrontation happened after Momeni, a tech consultant, took Lee, the 43-yearold founder of CashApp, on a ride in his BMW after talking about the drug dealer incident. But Momenis lawyers have argued that Lee was the one who pulled a 7-inch paring knife from his pocket and tried to stab Momeni, who then turned the knife still in Lees hand on the victim. Reinstedt called that theory preposterous Monday, saying Momeni and his lawyers made it up after looking at all the evidence, finding what they thought might be plausible, and presenting so-called experts to back them up. One of the most telling facts, he said, is that only Momenis DNA was on the knife handle. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They workshopped ideas to come up with something that could possibly match up with the wounds, he said. The defense was fabricated. Momeni told the jury that Lee was triggered to attack him when he made a bad joke about how Lee who was visiting from Miami and used to live in the Bay Area should want to be with his family rather than go to the strip club hed suggested they go to. Reinstedt on Monday called that a fabulous invention. Bolstering the prosecutions case, Reinstedt said, was Momenis behavior when he took the witness stand last month, indicating he had a hot temper and was capable of murder. His demeanor was combative, he was interrogating, was trying to dodge, the prosecutor said. It gave us a window into who he really is. that when he was here in court on trial for murder on his absolute best behavior to make the best impression on all of you, he still couldnt help himself. In sum, Reinstedt said, the defendants versions of events around the killing were a series of lies. Advertisement Article continues below this ad District Attorney Brooke Jenkins briefly attended the trial for the first time Monday, to see the closing argument, she told the Chronicle. Danes summation today was awesome, Lees brother, Tim Oliver Lee, said outside the courtroom. He really brought the facts together. Its not that complicated a case. To say Bob thrust the knife into his own chest is beyond reality. Tomorrow, when the defense presents its closing argument, is going to be tough, he said. A 72-year-old man is believed to have fallen overboard from the Ruby Princess, a cruise ship operated by Princess Cruises, as it approached San Francisco early Monday morning. Felix Uribe/Special to the Chronicle 2023 A 72-year-old man is believed to have fallen overboard from the Ruby Princess, a cruise ship operated by Princess Cruises, as it approached San Francisco early Monday morning. The ship, which had just completed a five-day voyage to Ensenada, Mexico, arrived at the Port of San Francisco at approximately 6:50 a.m. Local authorities and cruise officials immediately launched a search of the vessel but were unable to locate the passenger. Security footage was also reviewed but did not yield any clues as to his whereabouts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Princess Cruises officials said they have ruled out other possibilities, confirming that the situation is being treated as a man overboard incident. The victim, an American citizen, was traveling alone, the company reported. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will oversee the investigation, while the U.S. Coast Guard conducts aerial searches of the area. However, it is unclear whether the man fell into the bay or the waters outside. The Ruby Princess was scheduled to depart for a 16-day Hawaiian cruise Monday evening, a trip that will proceed as planned. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Dr. Adam Rodman, a physician and researcher at Beth Israel Medical Center in Boston, was shocked by the results of an experiment he ran comparing the diagnostic abilities of doctors to generative artificial intelligence (genAI) tools. The data showed that physicians, even when assisted by the technology, were worse at correctly diagnosing patients than genAI alone a lot worse. I reran the experiment, and my jaw dropped, said Rodman, who is also director of AI Programs at Beth Israel. AI alone was almost 20% better, like 90% accurate. We assumed that the humans would be better than the AI, and quite frankly we were shocked when we realized the AI really didnt improve the physicians, and actually the AI alone was much better at diagnosing correctly, he said. Roland Li covers commercial real estate for the business desk, focusing on the Bay Area office and retail sectors. He was previously a reporter at San Francisco Business Times, where he won one award from the California News Publishers Association and three from the National Association of Real Estate Editors. He is the author of Good Luck Have Fun: The Rise of eSports," a 2016 book on the history of the competitive video game industry. Before moving to the Bay Area in 2015, he studied and worked in New York. He freelanced for the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and other local publications. His hobbies include swimming and urban photography. Only 21 more shopping days until Festivus, for those who celebrate and people really do. A change.org petition in 2022 lobbied to designate Frank Costanzas Festivus as an official holiday, and frankly, its more celebrated than other pseudo occasions like National Bagel Day or Hug a Musician Day. More than 15,000 people signed the plea for Festivus, a celebration based on real-life rituals from the family of Seinfeld writer Dan OKeefe. Don't Miss The Seinfeld crew likely had no idea that people would continue to air grievances and perform feats of strength each year, but maybe they should have seen it coming. After all, Festivus isnt the only created-for-TV-comedy holiday thats caught on in the real world. Here are five more holidays that began life as sitcom plots 1 Galentines Day Who needs a fella? Not the ladies of Pawnee. Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, proclaimed Parks and Recreations Leslie Knope. And we just come and kick it, breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies. Its like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus, frittatas. You can tell the day caught on, considering Michelle Obama celebrates. In 2020, she posted this message on her social media accounts: This #GalentinesDay, I want to shout out my girlfriends who help me stay sane and grounded through all of lifes ups and downs... Whether were catching up over the phone, venting over a cup of coffee or laughing it out during an 80s-themed workout, I know I can lean on these ladies and thats made all the difference. 2 Slapsgiving The most painful and obnoxious of the fictional holidays, the How I Met Your Mother tradition can be celebrated on just about any day you owe someone a smack to the face. While it might be the least festive day on the list, its the only one that has its own holiday song. 3 Leap Day Advertisement Advertisement Every four years at least according to 30 Rock Leap Day William emerges to trade childrens tears for candy. The February 29th occasion is celebrated with rhubarb slices, new experiences and wearing yellow and blue. Its also imperative to remember that nothing matters on Leap Day because real life is for March. Advertisement 4 Best Friends Day Advertisement Every day in Bikini Bottom is a celebration of friends, but SpongeBob SquarePants formalized the holiday with Best Friends Day (February 19th if you want to mark your calendar). The concept of the day is simple give your best pal a gift you think theyll really enjoy, like a robot servant or a massive wad of gum. Play The Simpsons have welcomed a number of big name guest stars over the years from Paul McCartney, to Meryl Streep, to 80s pop superstar . But the actor who drew the most interest and awe from The Simpsons staff was an aging TV star who was arguably at the lowest point of his entire career. A highlight of Season Fours Mr. Plow came when Homer and his family attend the Springfield car show, and encounter a wistful, vaguely embittered Adam West, who bemoans the current state of the Batman franchise before spontaneously breaking into the Batusi. This memorable cameo only came about because Simpsons writer Jon Vitti decided that he would really like to hang out with Batman. I wanted to do a winter episode, Vitti told The Hollywood Reporter, and then it occurred to me that if Homer bought a snow plow, we could have him go to the car show, and Adam West could be at the car show, and I could meet Adam West. Don't Miss The car show bit wasnt an invention of The Simpsons; following the cancellation of the 60s Batman series, West made regular appearances at car shows in character, as Batman. And the part about him being super annoyed at the new Batman movie, well that, too, was true. West actively lobbied to play Batman in the 1980s, but was told that he was too old. It wasnt just Vitti who wanted to meet West either. Despite the fact that his career was about as hot as Mr. Freezes underpants at the time, Wests recording session was a big deal amongst the Simpsons writers and producers. We were all just in heaven, Al Jean claimed. Dan Castellaneta, who, as Homer, would instruct Bart and Lisa not to make eye contact with West, recalled that more people showed up for that particular session than any other. I had never seen so many people come to the stage to see one of our guest stars. All the writers showed up and so forth. Advertisement Advertisement Co-star Yeardley Smith was similarly shocked: All of a sudden it was like, Who are all you guys? And Castellaneta himself was similarly in awe. As a big fan of Batman growing up, I was saying to myself, I cant believe Im recording with Batman! That was a big deal with him as a guest. While the appearance poked fun at Wests cultural importance in 1992, according to his daughter, The Simpsons became a career milestone, paving the way for future work in other animated shows like Family Guy, in which he also played Adam West. Advertisement This story just goes to show that joining the writing staff of a popular TV series and writing a part for your favorite celebrity is a healthy alternative to stalking. For a nation that violently separated from its parent monarchy, we sure did name a lot of our territories after our oppressors. 5 California: What If We Named Alaska Mordor? The 16th-century Spanish explorers who traversed the mountains and deserts of modern-day Mexico were pretty fried by the time they got to the Western-most edge. They figured theyd traveled so freaking far, surely they must have made their way all the way back to the Indian Ocean. So imagine their surprise when they set sail and almost immediately smacked into a bunch more mountains and deserts. Don't Miss We now know that theyd crossed the Gulf of California, and landed on the Baja California Peninsula. But to them, this was a brand new island in the East Indies, and indeed, people would print maps where California was its own island until at least 1865. They decided to name it not after a distant King or the native people, but after their favorite book. The Adventures of Esplandian was a 15th-century novel that takes place in the mythical East Indies island of California, ruled by the goddess Calafia. Author Garci Rodriguez de Montalvo may have had the kingly word khalif in mind, or may have misheard an 11th century epic poem, but either way, California is a made up name some fanboys copied from their favorite franchise. 4 Texas: A Friendly Little Reeducation Camp The Caddo Nation used the word taysha to mean friend, in reference to a group of allied tribes in the American Southeast. The heavily armed Spanish tourists who took the land by force turned that into texa, pluralized as texas, and used it to refer to one specific tribe, the Nabedache. It was largely an informal colloquialism, but it entered the official lexicon when the Spanish decided to force their friends, the Nabedache, to convert to Christianity. La Mision de San Francisco de los Texas was built in 1690, and Spanish soldiers riled up the locals so badly that everyone braced for a revolt. Before the indigenous people could actually fight back, the Spanish ushered in a horrible plague that killed a whole bunch of Natives. They shuttered the mission after just three years, but the name Texas stuck around for over a century before being adopted as the official name of the territory. 3 Idaho: A Big Dumb Joke Advertisement Prominent physician and gentrifier George M. Willing had an illustrious career meddling in politics in the late 1800s. He was a lobbyist and unelected Congressional delegate who ran with prominent fraudsters, and loved to stir up trouble for exactly no reason. When colonists were trying to come up with a name for a vast expanse of mountains and plains out West, Willing proposed the word Idaho, which he was sure meant gem of the mountains in the language of the local natives. It caught on, and people started naming boats and towns after the cool new word. They almost named their entire vast state after it, but word got out that it was all one big goof. They switched it over to Colorado just in the nick of time, but 14 years later, when they had another patch of stolen land to name, they remembered Idaho. This time, having wormed its way into the local vernacular, it stuck. 2 Virginia: Not for Lovers Advertisement Advertisement In the 16th century, English explorer Walter Raleigh called dibs on a huge swath of North America. You may remember him as the guy who misplaced the entire Roanoke Colony like it was an AirPods case, but hes also the guy who coined the name Virginia. It was a smart, if sycophantic move to name his new little country after the monarch who bankrolled his genocidal vacation, Queen Elizabeth I. He could have gone with LizzoLand, or Tudoristan, but Raleigh chose to focus on the Queens sexual proclivities or lack thereof. Elizabeth never married, despite having had an army of suitors, and so was known as the virgin queen. As a rule, I dont remind my bosses how often they do or dont get laid, but then again I dont own a territory in The New World, so what do I know? Interestingly, West Virginia had a chance to lose the moniker when it seceded during the Civil War, but the powers that be stuck with virgins, but kind of to the left. Advertisement Jordan Parker is a breaking news reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle. He graduated from Sacramento State University in May 2022 with a degree in journalism. During his time there, he spent three years as a reporter and editor for the university's award-winning student newspaper, The State Hornet. He spent his senior year of college serving as The Hornet's first Black editor in chief, leading the organization to two Pacemaker awards and several other national honors from the Associated Collegiate Press. When he's not chasing down a story, he likes watching movies, traveling and trying new restaurants. Sometimes, a comic will cultivate a stage persona thats angry and dark (Marc Maron) so youll be impressed by their depth. Others are so virtuosic (Eddie Izzard) that youre struck by the elegance of their writing. As for Fortune Feimster? Shes an adorable goof whose recurring motifs include her moms quirky dating life, her own love for chain restaurants and her preferred bathing costume: a huge T-shirt and cutoff sweatpants, aka her lesbian swimsuit. In Feimsters latest special Crushing It, out today on Netflix politics come closer to the fore than they have in the past, but not in a way that makes it seem like shes straining for profundity. Her craft and skill are so finely honed that you might mainly remember her having a good time all the time, and only notice long after her set is over how much it actually affected you. Feimsters previous two specials (both of which are also streaming on Netflix) touched on politics too, but in a more implicit way. In 2020s Sweet & Salty, Feimster describes how growing up chubby kept her from getting kidnapped as a child, since snatchers have a type, which isnt girls who look like the kid from The Sandlot. She ribs the younger self whose main motivations for joining the Girl Scouts were access to cookies and uninterrupted time with other girls; back then, Feimsters mother Ginger called her a tomboy, an acceptable euphemism for future lesbian. Good Fortune, from 2022, lets Feimster mock her adult self for learning, during COVID, that she lacks survival skills, knowing a positive stereotype about lesbians is that they have them. Stories about the men Ginger dated after her divorce from Feimsters father hint at financial challenges for the family that Ginger was trying to solve by locking down some strange old man or other who could look after them. But were also assured that, even though Feimster wouldnt figure out she was queer until many years later, there was enough money to celebrate her 18th birthday at Hooters. Growing up in the South in the 80s and early 90s, Feimster has a lot of stories about the heteronormative performances she had to put on. She made her formal society debut in a wedding-like ceremony (It looked and felt like I was marrying my brother, which is just a little too on-the-nose for North Carolina). She attended an all-girls college, where what passed for intimacy for Feimster was when her friends let her moisturize their forearms. She let Ginger dress her in either power suits or the kind of infantile sister-wife floral dresses Lane Bryant sold at the time. So one of the true delights of Feimsters trio of Netflix specials is watching the progression of her relationship with Jacquelyn Smith Jax, as Feimster calls her on stage. In Sweet & Salty, Feimster and Jax are engaged. In Good Fortune, we hear the hilarious story of Feimsters proposal at a Big Sur hotel, assisted by a staffer named Craig who reminds Feimster of the candlestick in Beauty and the Beast. Feimster talks about Jaxs much more butch ex-girlfriends, several of whom were cops, and how easily deciding to spend an exorbitant amount of money treating their dog Biggie (dont worry, he came through it fine!) was how Feimster out-butched them all. Advertisement Don't Miss After their quiet COVID wedding, Feimster and Jax want to blow things out for their honeymoon, and Crushing It which Feimster performs in a Barbie pink power suit of the kind she gently roasted Ginger, back in Sweet & Salty, for buying her opens with the story of their trip to the Maldives. What Feimster doesnt know before agreeing to Jaxs choice of destination is that sex between same-sex partners is illegal there; its also illegal in Qatar, where they have a layover on the way. Advertisement Feimster wrings as much material out of the situation as she can: pretending, at the hotel in Qatar, that she and Jax are cousins on their way to meet their husbands; cracking that only one of them can pass as straight and the other sometimes gets called sir in public bathrooms; that she wont risk drinking a bottle of beer since it could be a trap to catch lesbians. But when she gets to a bit about only having one photo of themselves on the trip, seven feet apart and with a random family between them, the storys barbs get a lot more palpable. Feimsters rising career success coinciding with her marriage have opened up the world for her in ways that would have been unthinkable to the young Feimster we heard about in Sweet & Salty, looking down from her birthday stool at a ring of Hooters waitresses jumping up and down for her. But there are dangers from which Feimsters wealth and privilege cant insulate her. Advertisement The magic of Feimsters comedy, though, is her facility for shaping dark stories without preaching or self-pity. The Maldives story reminds her fans at least some of whom probably havent thought very much about it that Feimster and her wife still face not just discrimination but potential legal consequences, depending where in the world they try to be in love. Advertisement But Feimster slides out of that story into a lighter one, about an early trip to Italy with Jax and how each of them learned how the other deals with travel stress. She jokes about Ginger having made Feimster her husband before Jax was in the picture, and the nightmare of Ginger and Jaxs birthdays being five days apart knowing Ginger is going to be jealous of anything Feimster gives Jax. (Feimster clarifies that Ginger loves Jax; she just thinks Jax stole her man: My wife is Jolene.) Recounting the purchase of her first house with Jax leads Feimster into a big chunk about haunted houses she has known, and why you certainly should ask a realtor if the house theyre showing you has ghosts. Feimster glides easily from being the fool in a chunk about racing to her hometown Hardees before they stopped serving biscuits (its the timer her biological clock is set to) to one in which Ginger is the fool for getting herself into enough trouble at a cemetery for the fire department to have gotten involved. Longtime followers of Feimsters social media accounts will know one of her recurring bits is to shoot herself giddily dancing with ice cream. Its Feimster in a butter pecan nutshell: not just treating herself but reveling in celebrating a tiny pleasure. Feimster has made a lot of great bits out of her early disappointments, as comics do. Feimsters also celebrating the big pleasures of her life happiness, love, the chance to see the world and meeting hate and horror with queer joy. That defiance may be Crushing Its most political statement of all. Have you seen one of those viral posts promising a Christmas Vacation sequel this holiday season? Could it be that Chevy Chase might electrocute himself once again in pursuit of being the jolliest house on the block? Fans got their hopes up after seeing promises like this one on Facebook, Reddit, Threads and other social media: The poster promises more Griswold fun, with a message that reads: CHRISTMAS VACATION REDUX!!! DECEMBER!!! Get ready for holiday chaos like never before in National Lampoon Christmas Vacation Redux. Chevy Chase and Beverly DAngelo return as the Griswolds, now retired and determined to celebrate their first Christmas of freedom until the whole gang shows up to turn their quiet plans into pure pandemonium. Streaming this December on Amazon Prime Video, it's the reunion youve been waiting for with twice the laughs and all the holiday spirit. Don't Miss Given all the Christmas Vacation crap Chase is hawking on his website, its easy to believe he signed up for another go-round with DAngelo, Randy Quaid and the gang. They already get together for fan conventions in civic centers around America, why not film a few scenes as long as everyone is in the same room? But alas, say the professional party-poopers at Snopes: Christmas Vacation Redux is a hoax. (One obvious hint: The image is from a Chase TV commercial for an electric car.) The original post came from a social media account called YODA BBY ABY, which has a profile that reads: Im just here to eat frogs, lift rocks and be satirical. The page is 100 percent satire and fake news. Womp womp. For some reason, phony holiday sequels are a favorite among internet pranksters. Snopes has called fake! on others in recent years, including a Polar Express prequel (coming to Max on December 20th, The Christmas Express is a heartwarming holiday story you wont want to miss. Tom Hanks stars as Woodford Newton, a dedicated train conductor whose life changes forever after a fateful encounter leads him to become the guiding force behind the Polar Express), and Elf 2 (Elf 2 is here, and Buddy the Elf is bringing double the holiday cheer. When Miles Finch creates A.I.-powered BuddyBots using Buddys likeness, the festive robots take over Christmas with hilarious, over-the-top antics. Get ready for a wild, heartwarming ride in this new holiday classic, streaming on MAX this December). Not surprisingly, all three of the fake holiday movies come from YODA BBY ABY, an account that apparently has nothing better to do than mess with peoples beloved holiday memories. Advertisement If youre really hungry for a Chase/Quaid holiday reunion, Cracked will remind you once more about The Christmas Letter, an actual movie starring both actors. That movies poster is nearly as misleading as Christmas Vacation Reduxs, as the two veteran comedy actors only deliver brief cameos in the film despite top billing. Its a marketing switcheroo that would make YODA BBY ABY proud. Two male tule elk stand on a hill in Point Reyes National Seashore in 2016. Connor Radnovich/The Chronicle A controversial fence that has kept hundreds of native elk confined to the northern tip of Point Reyes National Seashore will now be taken down. The National Park Service announced Monday that it has finalized a plan to remove a 2-mile barrier hated by environmental and animal rights advocates but supported by ranchers who say that the wild ungulates compete with their cattle for food. The plan went through an environmental review that began last year and generated over 35,000 public comments, according a park service press release. The benefit of removing this enclosure is to allow elk to access additional habitat, increase the species population resilience during drought and promote a more natural population cycle, said Anne Altman, park superintendent, in the statement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The park may remove sections of the fence not immediately adjacent to agricultural lands as soon as this week, though the removal of the entire fence could take some time, said Melanie Gunn, park spokesperson, in an email. The 2-mile fence separating the Tule Elk reserve and ranchland in Point Reyes National Seashore, seen in 2022, will be removed. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle Built in 1978, the fence has long been a source of contention between those who think Point Reyes should be returned to a fully natural state and ranchers who have been in the area for generations, many of whose family members were there long before it became a national park in 1962. Dairy and cattle ranches occupy around one-quarter of the lands within the park. The fence coming down will impact our dairy operation immensely, said Tim Kehoe, co-owner of Kehoe Dairy, who said his lawyer advised him not to comment further, in an email. Several other ranchers operating in the park did not respond to requests to comment. On Wednesday, California Cattlemens Association, a trade group, filed a lawsuit in the Northern District of California against the U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Park Service challenging the decision and said it would also file a temporary restraining order. Elk will devastate the pastoral zones environment and the ongoing ranching operations of the families who sold the land to create the National Seashore, the suit said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Tule elk almost disappeared from California in the 1800s. The park service reintroduced a small herd to Point Reyes when the fence was built to create a 2,900-acre reserve for the animals, which is on Tomales Point and surrounded on its other sides by water. Two smaller free-roaming herds live in other parts of the park. A bull tule elk lets out a mating call while roaming the hills of the Tomales Point Tule Elk Reserve inside Point Reyes National Seashore in 2020. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Those opposed to the fence had new grounds for protest during recent droughts, including in 2021, when native elk struggled to get enough food and water and the herd dropped from a typical size of 400 animals to 221. Park service personnel set up temporary water stations for the elk; the water stations are set to be removed under the new plan. The park said the droughts and climate change accelerated the need to remove the fence and that it collaborated with Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, which has ancestral ties to the area and partners with the park service to manage the park, during the planning process. Western Watersheds Project, a nonprofit conservation organization, hailed the decision to remove the fence in a social media post, saying that Tule elk play a vital role in maintaining biodiversity and shaping coastal prairies, and that free-ranging animals can better adapt to environmental changes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This marks a meaningful step toward restoring the seashore as a place where wildlife thrives and ecosystems flourish, the group said. China's visa-free policy spurs tourism surge from South Korea Global Times) 10:48, December 03, 2024 A visa-free policy launched by China has sparked an inbound tourism boom from South Korea, with a sharp increase in bookings for trips to the country. Ctrip, one of China's largest online travel agencies, reported on Monday that from November 8 to December 2, the number of bookings from South Korea surged by over 150 percent compared to the same period last year, with month-on-month growth of around 15 percent. Ctrip's data showed that Shanghai emerged as the most popular destination for South Korean travelers, with bookings jumping by more than 180 percent year-on-year and over 40 percent month-on-month. Other cities across China, known for their diverse cultural and natural attractions, are also seeing a surge in interest. "China's rich tourism resources, from the Changbai Mountains in Northeast China's Jilin Province to Zhangjiajie in Central China's Hunan Province, are drawing South Korean tourists," Zhang Lingyun, executive editor-in-chief of Tourism Tribune, told the Global Times on Monday. "The convenience of the visa-free policy, combined with the two countries' proximity as neighbors, is encouraging more South Koreans to visit China." Ctrip's figures revealed that from November 8 to December 2, nearly 40 percent of bookings from South Korea were for weekend travel, with most South Korean tourists visiting Chinese cities like Qingdao, Beijing, and Dalian for short trips. The visa-free policy signals China's commitment to opening-up, which not only benefits China's tourism industry but also facilitates greater exchanges between China and South Korea, Zhang said. Starting from November 30, 2024, ordinary passport holders from 38 countries within its visa-free arrangement, including the newly added nine countries, can enter China without a need to apply for a visa for the purposes of business, tourism, family visits, exchanges, and visits and transit, with stays of no more than 30 days, according to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In addition, Chinese airlines have responded to the growing demand. Shandong Airlines, for instance, reported a 20 percent increase in flight bookings within five days of the policy's implementation. The airline, which already operates flights from Jinan, Qingdao, and Yantai to Seoul, is now running up to 18 daily round-trip flights to accommodate the influx of South Korean visitors, China News Service reported. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) San Francisco prosecutors said the man suspected in a fatal stabbing last month near BARTs Embarcadero Station may have been acting in self defense. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle The man arrested in a fatal stabbing last month near BARTs Embarcadero Station will not face criminal charges after prosecutors said they couldnt prove in court that the suspect wasnt acting in self defense. Jonathan Calvin Wright, 36, was arrested by BART police about two weeks after the Nov. 13 incident near Market and Main streets, after patrol officers at the Bay Fair Station in San Leandro recognized him as the stabbing suspect. BART police turned Wright over to the San Francisco Police Department and he was booked into jail on homicide charges, SFPD said. Officials have not publicly identified the victim. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Wright did not appear to be in custody Tuesday morning, according to San Francisco jail records. Although the police had probable cause to make an arrest, charging decisions for criminal prosecutions require proof beyond a reasonable doubt to proceed, officials with the San Francisco District Attorneys Office said in a statement. This office is ethically bound to only bring forth charges and cases that we believe we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt in the courtroom. Wright was the second person to be arrested in a BART-area attack last month. In the first incident, on Nov. 2, police say 34-year-old Jovany Portades slashed a 54-year-old female strangers throat while aboard a train rolling into the 24th Street Mission Station in San Francisco. Portades was charged with attempted murder. His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 12. Ricci Wynne during a meeting at City Hall in San Francisco. The social media agitator and frequent Fox News guest known for spotlighting the citys drug and homelessness crises is under investigation for multiple serious offenses, including sexual assault and pimping minor girls, prosecutors said in recent court filings. SFGov TV Ricci Wynne, the controversial social media personality charged last week with pimping, remains under investigation for multiple serious offenses in what officials described as numerous reports of him sexually assaulting and pimping minor girls, prosecutors said in recent court filings. The records suggest that the scope of the investigation into Wynne was larger than was previously known. A judge and prosecutor in court last week divulged that Wynne was the subject of an ongoing 2022 probe involving the sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl. Court records state that Wynne has been the subject of human trafficking and pimping allegations since 2017, and that police knew Wynne to control the money for acts of sex work of the exploited women and girls. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Wynne, 39, was arrested last week at San Francisco International Airport after returning from a trip to Miami with the woman he was charged with pimping. The woman, who lives with Wynne in what prosecutors described as a luxury apartment, was detained at the airport but released shortly after. Wynne pleaded not guilty, and was ordered to be released into the custody of federal authorities to complete the terms of his probation in a separate case. Wynne in December 2021 was sentenced to time served and three years of probation after pleading guilty to federal charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, court records show. While arguing for Wynne to remain in jail in the most recent state case, Assistant District Attorney Katherine Wells said last week that she expected further charges are forthcoming when San Francisco Superior Court Judge Kenneth Wine asked about the investigation regarding the 15-year-old girl. On Monday, Deputy Public Defender Semuteh Freeman said, There are no charges involving minors in Mr. Wynnes case. The Defense has not received any information or discovery from the District Attorneys office supporting any allegations or pending investigations involving minors. Court records state that a phone seized from Wynne contained evidence of him allegedly posting sex-work ads for the woman that he lives with and thousands of text messages allegedly related to setting up and negotiating the prices for the womans sex work dates. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Many of the texts contained sexual photos or videos of the woman, prosecutors said. Prosecutors said an app on one of Wynnes phones showed hundreds of cash transactions in the amounts of $500, $600 and $700, the same amounts posted in ads for the woman Wynne is charged with pimping. Court documents additionally said that a phone police seized from Wynne contained ads for sex work for a second woman who has not been identified. The woman Wynne lives with denied that she was involved in sex work when she spoke to police, according to court records. After $80,000 was found in the closet of the apartment they shared, Wynne allegedly told police that the money belonged to the woman, but could not explain what it was for. Prosecutors said paycheck records indicate that Wynne made about $20,000 so far this year in his legitimate job, which officials previously stated was as a crane operator. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Prosecutors said it was Wynnes exploitation of women that allowed him to live a luxury lifestyle, which included a high-end apartment, tens of thousands of dollars in cash, while flaunting luxury vacations and vehicles on his social media. Wynnes defense attorney last week said her client only had about two weeks remaining of federal probation and asked Wine to allow him to take care of those matters before proceeding with the state case. Wine agreed to release Wynne for the sole purpose of entering federal custody, and ordered him to come back to court if he wished to argue for bail. Labour had 14 years to come up with a plan. And, when it finally gained power, it did so with an unassailable majority. So you might have thought that it would now be busy implementing a long list of policy initiatives that it had dreamed up during all that time spent in the political wilderness. Not a bit of it. Instead, it is setting up a plethora of reviews, consultations and task forces to tell it what to do next. Sir Keir Starmer has commissioned an incredible 67 official bodies to come up with proposals on everything from trade union powers and food advertising to urban planning and the right to buy. We know what most of these panels and committees will recommend. More bureaucracy. More spending. More regulation. Race and gender targets. A bigger role for themselves. We know it, because it is what they always propose. For our bureaucrats, reports are a pleasant alternative to work. Haste is not in their vocabulary. As wars rage from Israel to Ukraine, we shall conduct several leisurely reviews of defence policy doubtless to Vladimir Putin's delight. There might be a case for all this if Labour were planning some major and controversial reform, such as replacing the NHS with a European-style insurance-based model, but do we really need a review into whether to tax milkshakes? After just five months in power, Labour has announced a relaunch (the Prime Minister describes it as a 'plan for change), but a relaunch of what? Did we all somehow miss the original launch? All outgoing administrations accuse their successors of being unprepared, but Starmer has taken that failing to a whole new level. Sir Keir Starmer has been like a rabbit in the headlights since he entered Number 10, writes Daniel Hannan In 1979, Margaret Thatcher arrived in No 10 with well-honed ideas for deregulation, privatisation and fiscal repair work. In 1997, Tony Blair had a plan, too. He would leave economic policy as it was, and concentrate on constitutional reform and on spending the same amount of revenue differently. David Cameron inherited a deficit the size of Greece's in May 2010 and knew that he had to begin an immediate programme of budget reductions just to keep the ship on course. Starmer, by contrast, has been like a rabbit in the headlights since he entered Number 10. Overwhelmed by the job, buffeted by sleaze scandals, he and his ministers are turning petulant. Again and again, Labour spokesmen complain that they have had to take tough decisions. They sound surprised. What the hell did they think being in government involved? I suspect they truly had convinced themselves that it was going to be easy. Perhaps they thought that, if the useless Tories had managed it for 14 years, the very fact of a change of administration would improve things. After all, the goodies were now taking over from the baddies, weren't they? In fact, Labour is facing the same trade-offs as the previous government. The lockdown cost this country the better part of half a trillion pounds, but most people want to carry on as if we still had the money. Voters, having seen the sums that were doled out in furlough payments and other grants, now have much higher expectations of government support at precisely the moment when there is nothing left in the kitty. In 1979, Margaret Thatcher arrived in No 10 with well-honed ideas for deregulation, privatisation and fiscal repair work Nor is there any chance of growing our way out of the mess, at least not without radical reforms. We have an ageing population, an inefficient health service, a union-dominated teaching profession and a civil service that's refusing to return to the office. Public sector productivity is down by an incredible 7 per cent since before the pandemic. There are things Labour might have done to tackle that problem. They could, for example, have overseen a building blitz. Their party is not hampered, as the Tories were, by representing most Green Belt constituencies. They could, as I say, have ordered an overhaul of the NHS, to bring it in line with most European systems, where public and private providers co-exist, and where people who can afford it make modest up-front payments. But, as the Blairite minister Alan Milburn mournfully observes, when it comes to NHS reform, the Tories have volition but not permission, and Labour has permission but not volition. Starmer might even have had a crack at public sector pension reform. Sadly, the man who had a special law passed to give him a personalised gold-plated pension when he stepped down as Director of Public Prosecutions the Pensions Increase (Pension Scheme for Keir Starmer QC) Regulations 2013 is not prepared to upset his own caste. Instead, we have seen what can only be described as pettiness laced with vindictiveness. Not knowing what to do, Labour has lashed out at the kinds of people it doesn't like: business owners, pensioners, employers, private school parents and, above all, farmers. What is striking about Labour's tax raids is how trivial the sums involved are. Some tens of millions here, some hundreds of millions there. The entire sum raised by subjecting farmers to inheritance tax, for example, is less than we give to foreign farmers each year through our overseas aid budget. No, the conclusion is unavoidable. Labour ministers had and have no plan. Horrified by needing to make, as opposed to talking about, tough choices, they have retreated into the displacement activity of reviews, green papers and study groups. When these various taskforces report back, one thing is certain. They will shy away from reform. It is in the nature of public sector committees to prefer the more cautious option. And, more to the point, the quangocrats and worthies who sit on the review panels are never going to argue for a radical reduction in the role of the state. Everything in their professional careers has conditioned them to see higher spending as the tool that solves any problem. So let me spell it out. Britain's underlying problem is that we are largely governed by and for our administrative state. Politicians are elected having promised to do all manner of sensible things, such as deporting illegal immigrants, building more houses or scrapping burdensome regulations. But they find themselves trapped in a system that is set up to stop such things happening. Boris Johnson likened it to one of those nightmares where your feet refuse to move. The very last way to solve that problem is to ask quangocrats for a solution. They are themselves the problem. The first thing Labour did on taking office was to scrap the scheduled 66,000 reduction in civil service numbers. At the same time as paying public sector workers more, it is hiring more of them. And now it is asking them to tell it what to do next. And so all our problems will only get worse. We shall continue to pay higher and higher taxes for declining public services. Our economy will begin to lag, not just behind North America but, as Rachel Reeves's meddlesome changes take effect, behind Europe, too. Labour will continue to spoon out more of the medicine that sickened the patient. And, God help us, we have four more years of this to go. Lord Hannan is President of the Institute for Free Trade. Setting out his Five Missions for a Better Britain early last year, top of Sir Keir Starmers agenda was an unequivocal pledge. We will deliver the highest sustained growth in the G7, he said. No ifs, no buts. He may have thought it quite a straightforward task. After all the Tories had managed it. How hard could it be? What a difference a few months in government makes. Not only has he now had to ditch that flagship promise, but the signs are that Britain is headed for a sharp downturn. The new PMs relentless talking down of the economy, a disastrous Budget and reckless net-zero and electric vehicle targets that are already costing thousands of jobs, have sent business morale crashing. The Institute of Directors Economic Confidence Index is close to a record low, with investment, employment, export, revenue and wage expectations all falling. By saddling firms and workers with an extra 40billion in taxes in the Budget, the Government is strangling growth.This may be the worst Labour disaster since July 4, but it is by no means the only one. Setting out his Five Missions for a Better Britain early last year, top of Sir Keir Starmers agenda was an unequivocal pledge. We will deliver the highest sustained growth in the G7, he said. No ifs, no buts The farmers protest at Westminster last month. With the fleecing of pensioners, farmers, charities, universities and many others and you have the impression of a party unprepared and ill-equipped for government More than 20,000 migrants have now crossed the Channel on Sir Keirs watch, making a mockery of the boast that he would smash the gangs. Add to this the fleecing of pensioners, farmers, charities, universities and many others and you have the impression of a party unprepared and ill-equipped for government.In the face of rock-bottom approval ratings, Sir Keir hopes this week to relaunch his error-strewn administration with a major speech. But without credible strategies to grow the economy, tackle migration and cut the ballooning welfare budget, its hard to see it working. As leading pollster Sir John Curtice puts it, Sir Keir has shown absolutely no ability to construct a narrative. As a result his government lacks a story of what its about.Sadly, a speech full of platitudes and management-speak is unlikely to change that perception. Lowering defences Secretary of State for Defence John Healey. While ministers dither and delay, the skies darken, with the resurgence of the war in Syria adding yet another threat to the international order The news that the Government wont even announce a timetable for raising defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP makes one wonder how serious Labour really is about national security? In opposition, there was plenty of rhetoric about their admiration and support for the Armed Forces. Yet now in power and with money involved, they beat the retreat. While ministers dither and delay, the skies darken, with the resurgence of the war in Syria adding yet another threat to the international order. The Romans said: If you want peace, prepare for war. Britain ignores that maxim at its peril. Oxford dunces We should perhaps be reassured that Oxford University allowed its Union Society to debate the Israel-Gaza conflict. Faced with such a divisive issue, many universities would have deemed the event too much trouble and banned it. A debate at the Oxford Union titled, 'This house believes Israel is an apartheid state responsible for genocide,' passed after the chamber descended into chaos on Thursday evening However, the debate itself was far from edifying. The October 7 massacre was hailed as heroic and the House backed the proposition that Israel is an apartheid state responsible for genocide. These are words that should not be bandied around so frivolously. White South Africa was an apartheid state. The Nazis, Hutus in Rwanda were genocidal. Israel is a democracy involved in what it sees as a war for survival. One might have hoped vainly as it turns out supposedly clever Oxford students would know the difference. It was back in October when Transport Secretary Louise Haigh first knew trouble was heading down the tracks. A few days earlier, the former special constable with hair dyed a deep red had ignited a political storm by branding Saudi-owned ferry company P&O 'rogue operators', as she announced new legislation to ban the practice of firing workers and rehiring at lower rates of pay, following the firm's sacking of 800 British seafarers. The row had threatened to overshadow Keir Starmer's blue-chip investment summit, with P&O parent company DP World announcing it would boycott the event, taking 1 billion of investment with it. In response No.10 had let it be known Haigh was not speaking for the Government. 'That was the moment it all began,' a friend of Haigh told me, 'from that moment on, her card was marked.' In the days following the P&O debacle, Haigh became aware that someone was briefing the media about the circumstances of her 2013 departure from insurance company Aviva. The saga is as convoluted as an Agatha Christie whodunnit but, in summary, Haigh was mugged as she walked home to her flat, and reported the theft of her mobile work phone, among other items, to the police. She claims she later discovered the phone in a drawer, turned it on, and forgot about it. But in a theatrical and politically fateful twist, the sudden reactivation of the supposedly stolen phone was noted by an eagle-eyed Metropolitan police officer, who hauled Haigh in for questioning. The former Minister insists she did nothing wrong but, 'under the advice of my solicitor', pleaded guilty to fraud by misrepresentation. Aviva then began its own internal inquiry into the affair, which resulted in her eventual resignation. It was this tale or a version of it which finally came to the notice of Sky News, which opened its own investigation. And it was then that 'Lou' as she is known to her friends made the first of a number of very foolish mistakes. After being approached by Sky, she not only neglected to inform No 10 that the media was on her case but failed to give them the full facts about the nature of the police investigation. 'Lou's problem was that she was evasive from the beginning,' a Cabinet colleague told me. 'She didn't tell Downing Street Sky were on to her. And when she did speak to them she initially just said it was some former colleague with an axe to grind.' In the days following the P&O debacle, Louise Haigh, above, became aware that someone was briefing the media about her exit from Aviva A Cabinet minister claims that the PM, above with Ms Haigh, realised straight away that she 'hadn't been completely honest with him' Last Thursday, the axe fell with a vengeance. Sky broke into their regular programming to unveil the news that a Minister of the Crown was a convicted fraudster. And Team Starmer, who had effectively been blindsided by the revelation, scrambled to get across the unfolding crisis. At which point Haigh made two more mistakes, which this time turned out to be terminal. Contacted by Morgan McSweeney, Keir Starmer's hard-bitten Chief of Staff, she obfuscated. While admitting to the initial offence relating to the stolen phone, she crucially failed to inform him that she had been investigated by Aviva for the 'loss' of other mobile phones while working for the company. 'There were gaps in her picture,' a Labour source told me cryptically. The second, even bigger blunder, was that she also claimed Keir Starmer had been made fully aware of her conviction, because she had told him about it when he appointed her as Labour's transport spokesman. But that wasn't true. Or at least, not as far as the Prime Minister was concerned. 'Lou had told him about the phone and the police,' a Cabinet minister revealed to me, 'but Keir said she'd told him she'd only been given a caution. That's very different from what she actually got, which was a conditional discharge. And Keir realised straight away she hadn't been completely honest with him.' With that, Haigh's fate was sealed. The failure to inform No 10 of the initial approach from Sky, the ongoing inability to come completely clean about the saga and the perceived discrepancy over what she initially told her leader all made her position untenable. At least in Starmer's eyes. 'I know you still have a huge contribution to make in the future,' he said in a pointedly terse letter accepting her resignation. But if the Prime Minister hoped Haigh's swift departure marked an end to the drama, those hopes were swiftly dashed. No sooner had she cleared her desk than her allies were briefing that she had been cruelly defenestrated by McSweeney, who had used the crisis to dump a troublesome Left-winger from the Cabinet. 'McSweeney is the new sheriff in town, and he wanted a Left-wing scalp,' a friend of Haigh's told me. Morgan McSweeney, above, Keir Starmer's hard-bitten Chief of Staff, was the 'new sheriff in town' But it's a conspiracy that doesn't quite add up. Louise Haigh is well liked and respected by her colleagues and is positioned on the centre-Left of her party. But she isn't quite as iconic a figure as, say, working-class pin-up Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister. If Starmer and McSweeney had really wanted her out of the way they could simply not have appointed her to the Cabinet in the first place. Such a minor omission would not have sparked a huge internal party backlash. Another ally of Haigh's told me they think the story had deliberately been briefed to punish Haigh for the P&O fiasco. But again, the chronology and the conspiracy don't add up. A senior Tory source I spoke to last week told me they had received information about Haighs conviction during the election campaign, a full five months before the story broke. But at the time they were unable to substantiate it. This led to speculation it had deliberately been briefed from within Labour to undermine Haigh. Yet its inconceivable a seasoned political operator like McSweeney, or indeed any other member of Starmers core team, would risk such a treacherous destabilisation of their own political operation in the midst of an election. So who did leak the story? Some Labour MPs have been pointing the finger of suspicion at Sam White, who worked with Haigh at Aviva, and was later appointed to a senior role in Starmer's team when he was elected Labour leader. But the charge doesn't ring true. White, who vigorously denies the allegation, is a consummate political professional. And if he wanted to destroy Haigh he would have done it without leaving fingerprints. He also holds no great love for Starmer, after leaving his team after a year in post. The reality is that the primary architect of Louise Haigh's downfall was ultimately Haigh herself. Although she was seen as a relatively effective performer by Starmer and McSweeney, doubts had already been raised about her judgment. She was moved from her post as Labour spokesman for Northern Ireland after Starmer became aware she had developed a close relationship with SDLP leader Colum Eastwood. And when her conviction finally came to light, it became quickly apparent to No.10 that they risked expending too much political oxygen if they fought to keep her. 'At the beginning Morgan was actually minded to fight for her,' a Government insider told me, 'but then the story started to not stack up.' A Cabinet minister agrees, but adds: 'What you've seen is the new ruthlessness that McSweeney has brought into No 10. The fact is under Sue Gray they were too slow to react to scandals like Lord Alli and the freebies. He's not going to stand for it. If people don't shape up, they'll be shipping out.' Lou Haigh is the first member of the Cabinet to be sacrificed by Keir Starmer's adroit but cold-blooded new chief of staff. She will not be the last. A beauty guru has claimed that the secret to clear skin is to use an item you may have in your pantry - rice paper. The TikTok user, who goes by MilkyDew, showed herself applying the mask, writing that rice paper has several healing properties for the skin. In the short clip, the beauty enthusiast dipped a rice paper wrap into water so it softened, and then arranged it on her face. She carefully cut out space for the eyes, nose and mouth before smoothing it out evenly over her skin. 'Oil control,' she wrote on the video. '[It] absorbs excess control from the skin.' The content creator, who is based in New York City, also credited the mask for helping dark spots fade and soothing acne, advising people to leave it on for between 10 to 15 minutes. 'Skin feels hydrated,' she gushed. The comments ranged from people desperate to try it and others advising against the practice. The TikTok user, who goes by MilkyDew, showed herself applying the mask, writing that rice paper has several healing properties for the skin 'LOL happened to me, a friend wanted to try it out made my acne WORSE,' one user wrote. 'I tried the rice mask trend and it was the worst decision ever,' shared another. 'This been my skincare for the past four years,' chimed in someone else. Stephen Humble, medical director of the Hedox Clinic in London, told Newsweek that there is no harm in applying the mask but it won't work miracles. 'This has been around for a few years and although it is a relatively safe thing to do, I am not massively impressed by it,' he said. 'At the end of the day, it is just rice paper and water.' The health expert added that any improvements to the skin would likely be to exfoliation rather than ingredients in the rice paper. '[Skin improvements are] probably down to exfoliation from pulling off the rice paper which has stuck to the top layer of skin,' he explained. In the short clip, the beauty enthusiast dipped a rice paper wrap into water so it softened, and then arranged it on her face The comments ranged from people desperate to try it and others advising against it The exert also responded to a viral video of TikTok user @jamiesskin, who claimed the rice paper is full of antioxidants, saying it's 'hard to substantiate.' 'The claims that it is rich in antioxidants and has lots of benefits for skin I am skeptical about,' he admitted. 'Essentially, it is a sticky mask, and you are pulling it off your face, which takes a layer of the skin and looks smooth.' The internet is rife with DIY method to improving your skin. At the start of the year, TiKTolk user MehGlow revealed a simple DIY product that she claimed will leave you with perfect glass-like skin - without having to fork out big bucks on Botox. She shared a video as she applied a simple clear gel mask, which she had made herself, to her face. The ingredients included a spoonful of ultra-hydrating aloe vera gel and a spoonful of coconut oil mixed together in a mug, until it develops a jelly-like consistency. According to Heathline, coconut oil can help with inflammation and acne while keeping skin hydrated, while aloe vera absorbs easily into dry skin and can seal moisture in for that 'glass skin' effect that's all the rage on social media. The gel within the thick leaves of the plant is known for its many soothing benefits, including preventing wrinkles. The Princess of Wales shared a behind-the-scenes video from the festive prep taking place ahead of her annual Christmas carol service this week. Taking to social media, the royal's X account with Prince William revealed a clip featuring invites being printed and prepped for the event. Two weeks ago Kensington Palace announced that the Princess will host the Together At Christmas concert on December 6 with performances from Paloma Faith, Olivia Dean and Gregory Porter. Footage showed the piece of paper being packaged into an envelope and sent away via mailbox. 'Invites are well on their way ahead of our Together at Christmas Carol Service!' the caption read, while a seasonal jingle played in the background. 'Bringing together inspiring people from across the UK, @wabbey will be filled with 1,600 people who have supported others in their communities, whether on a personal level with friends and family, through their work or as they selflessly give up their time through volunteering.' The Princess of Wales will emphasise the importance of love in 'our darkest of times' in a deeply poignant letter to guests attending her Christmas carol concert. As a challenging year for the Princess draws to a close, one in which the she was treated for cancer, she has written movingly in the letter of how the Christmas story 'reflects our own vulnerabilities'. The Princess of Wales shared a behind-the-scenes video from the festive prep taking place ahead of her annual Christmas carol service this week Taking to social media, the royal's X account with Prince William revealed a clip featuring invites being printed and prepped for the event Footage shared today showed the piece of paper being packaged into an envelope and sent away via mailbox And she urges everyone to live with 'an open heart' and offer succour to those in need through 'gentle words or a receptive ear, an arm around an exhausted shoulder, or silently being by someone's side'. It is the first time Kate, 42, has written to those attending the service at Westminster Abbey, whose theme this year is 'how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives'. Guests include six-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy, who has terminal cancer, and Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery, who lost her fiance to the illness. The Princess has also invited children who survived the horrific Southport stabbings in July. Aides said the Princess wrote the 'special letter' as she wanted to lend a personal touch to Friday's service, this year entitled Together at Christmas. In it, she says: 'Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. 'It is a time for celebration and joy, but it also gives us the opportunity to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all. 'The Christmas story encourages us to consider the experiences and feelings of others... above all else, it encourages us to turn to love, not fear. Two weeks ago Kensington Palace announced that the Princess will host the Together At Christmas concert on December 6 with performances from Paloma Faith, Olivia Dean and Gregory Porter. Kate pictured in 2022 Invites are being sent out, the royals' social media account has revealed, in a video capturing the process Envelopes were shown being slot into a mailbox ahead of the festive carol service taking place this week 'Invites are well on their way ahead of our Together at Christmas Carol Service!' the caption read, while a seasonal jingle played in the background 'Love is the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times.' Shaped not only by her own cancer journey but also that of the King, her words reflect her growing spirituality. Royal biographer and Mail writer Robert Hardman revealed in his recent book that Kate 'had become rather more interested in questions of faith as a result of her condition'. While Prince William is said to have minimal interest, a church-going friend of the family told Hardman that 'things are more hopeful' in terms of Kate's faith. She has been making a gradual return to work after finishing her course of chemotherapy, while the King, 76, is still undergoing treatment after his successful tour of Australia and will visit Italy next year. This week the Princess will undertake her most significant public engagement since she began cancer treatment when she welcomes the Emir of Qatar on his state visit to the UK. Health scares have weighed heavy on the Royal Family. Prince William, 42, recently admitted that the past year has been 'brutal' and 'probably the hardest year in my life'. The Princess of Wales speaks to members of the emergency services during a visit to Southport Community Centre The Princess of Wales during the Royal Carols - Together At Christmas service at Westminster Abbey in London last year Yet Kate's letter strikes a resoundingly positive note with repeated references to 'love' the word is mentioned 11 times and 'light', themes she has been drawn to since her diagnosis. In September the Princess announced that she had finished her course of chemotherapy. In a personal video she said that 'out of darkness, can come light so let that light shine bright', She added that the Royal Family's tribulations had 'above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.' Elsewhere in the letter she stresses 'the importance of giving and receiving empathy, as well as just how much we need each other in spite of our differences'. Some commentators may hope the Princess's approach could encourage her husband to soften his anger towards Prince Harry and allow the possibility of a future reconciliation. The Duke of Sussex has been reaching out to his old friends to connect with his former life in the UK, but the Prince of Wales continues to be stubbornly estranged from his younger brother. As in previous years, William will support his wife at the concert and plans to give a reading on the theme of 'love and empathy'. It is understood a decision on whether Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, will attend the service is likely to be taken on the day. In previous years other members of the Royal Family have shown their support, although King Charles and Queen Camilla are not expected to attend. The Prince and Princess of Wales meet a critical care paramedic from the Air Ambulance during a visit to Southport Community Centre The Princess of Wales during the Royal Carols - Together At Christmas service at Westminster Abbey in London in 2023 Prince Louis, the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Edinburgh during the Royal Carols - Together At Christmas service at Westminster Abbey last year Kate's letter will be given to all 1,600 guests at Westminster Abbey, which also includes guests who 'have gone through difficult times this year' and those who have supported others in their community'. It will also be given to guests at the 15 community carol services taking place around the UK, including at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro and Blackpool Tower Circus. It is the fourth time the Princess of Wales will host a Christmas carol service. Previous themes have varied from Covid-19 to her Shaping Us early childhood campaign, but this year's is undoubtedly the most personal yet. Alongside the message of 'love and empathy', this year Westminster Abbey will be adorned with 'sustainable, festive decorations' to emphasise the importance of nature 'as a source of healing and comfort', a theme the Princess has emphasised throughout her own cancer journey. There will also be a 'kindness tree' outside the Abbey for guests to dedicate a decoration to someone who has supported them throughout their life. The service will also feature Downton Abbey actress Michelle Dockery (right), whose fiance died aged 34 of cancer in 2015. Actor Richard E Grant, whose wife died from lung cancer in 2021, will also give a reading, as will Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty whose former training partner, David Murphy, was diagnosed with stage two cancer in 2022 and actress Sophie Okonedo. Two weeks ago Kensington Palace announced that the Princess will host the Together At Christmas concert on December 6 with performances from Paloma Faith, Olivia Dean and Gregory Porter. The event will be broadcast on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have partnered up with US President Joe Biden's daughter Ashley to create a wellness hub for women impacted by trauma in Philadelphia which pioneers a radical new type of therapy. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who insisted that they would remain politically neutral in public ahead of the presidential election in November, are now connected with the First Daughter, 43, albeit through a non-partisan initiative, People reports. Their Archewell Foundation is a founding partner in Ashley Biden's wellness hub which, among other things, treats women who have been victims of trauma with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy - something Ashley herself credits with helping her process her brother Beau's death. Beau Biden tragically passed away at the age of 46 in 2015 after being diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer, glioblastoma. His death is just one in a series of tragedies that have befallen the Biden family; with the president's first wife Neilia (mother to Beau and Hunter) and one-year-old sister, Naomi, dying in a car accident in 1972. Harry and Meghan's support for Ashley's centre was revealed in the foundation's Impact Report for the 2023-2024 year, which was published on Monday and illustrates the Duke and Duchess' philanthropic efforts through the organisation that they founded in 2020. The foundation reportedly donated $250,000 to the Women's Wellness (Spa)ce, 'a mindfully designed drop-in wellness centre for women to congregate, create, educate, and meditate', according to the Archewell Foundations 2023 tax records. Based in north Philadelphia and created by Ashley, the space aims to 'improve all aspects of wellbeing - mental, physical, spiritual, and financial - through healing ourselves, caring for one another, and acting on behalf of our communities', a post on its Instagram page revealed. In an interview with Elle in 2023, Ashley explained how she envisioned the space as a 'drop-in space where women can eat a healthy meal, hit the treadmill or box, listen to guided meditation, and access therapies including EMDR and infrared saunas'. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (pictured in July 2024) have partnered up with US President Joe Biden 's daughter Ashley to create a wellness hub for women impacted by trauma in Philadelphia The principle of EMDR, which Prince Harry has previously praised for helping him process his past, is that the mind can heal from trauma by using external stimuli to help the brain process the traumatic experience and facilitate healing. Experts have compared EMDR to the physical practice of removing a foreign object from a wound to help it heal. In the UK, EMDR is recognised as a treatment for PTSD by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and is offered on the NHS. During sessions, a client will be asked to hold different aspects of a memory in their mind. They are then encouraged to use their eyes to track the therapist's hand as it moves back and forth across the client's field of vision, or to tap their hands. Studies have connected these processes with the biological mechanisms involved in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which bring out internal associations and help people to process memories and disturbing feelings. While critics have dismissed it as pseudoscience, EMDR has a body of scientific research behind it that proves it to be effective for the treatment of severe trauma. Not only is it available on the NHS, but training is compulsory for Ministry of Defence mental health personnel on the front line. The practice was invented in 1987 by Dr. Francine Shapiro, a Senior Research Fellow Emeritus at the Mental Research Institute in Palo Alto, California. Speaking about her experience, Ashley said: 'I was able to get great treatment, and so Ive been able to take some of those things that Ive learned in therapy and use them as well. Ashley Biden pictured with her brothers Hunter (centre) and Beau (right) at the Democratic National Convention in 2012 Ashley Biden in her father's arms (right) as he took an oath in Congress in 1985. Her brother Beau (left) holds up the Bible with his brother Hunter (centre) while Ashley's mother Jill (far left) looks on The Duke and Duchess of Sussex , who insisted that they would remain politically neutral in public ahead of the State's presidential election in November, are now connected with the First Daughter (pictured with President Biden in 2017), 43, through a non-partisan initiative In an interview with Elle in 2023, Ashley (pictured with First Lady Jill Biden in June 2024) explained how she envisioned the space as a 'drop-in space where women can eat a healthy meal, hit the treadmill or box, listen to guided meditation, and access therapies including EMDR and infrared saunas' 'EMDR did wonders for me when it came to my brothers death,' she added, explaining how she suffered from PTSD following the death of her brother, Beau Biden, who died in 2015, aged 46, after being diagnosed with brain cancer. 'If you have money and something happens, you can go to the best therapist you can find,' Ashley continued. 'That doesnt happen for people who are living in poverty.' Ashley has previously paid tribute to her late brother in public on a number of occasions; namely at his funeral when she described herself as 'the luckiest kid sister' to have been raised by Beau and her other older sibling, troubled Hunter Biden. Speaking to the Today programme in 2021, Ashley described Beau as 'such a fine man'. She said: 'He also had a fun, goofy side; a great sense of humour. I miss just being with him. Being in the same room, saying nothing.' Ashley again addressed her late brother at the Democratic National Convention in August. Speaking to a crowd of thousands, she said: 'When Hunter and I lost our brother Beau to cancer in 215, the grief and the pain felt like it might never end.' Praising her father, she added: 'Dad [President Biden] had the capacity to step out of his own pain and absorb ours and I know that Beau is here with us tonight as he is always with us.' She added that, after her brother's death, she had a tattoo inked on her wrist in his memory, which reads: 'Courage, dear heart'. She said it represented 'a reminder to myself to keep going, to get back up, like my dad has always done.' She also alluded to a connection between her late brother and her father's presidency; with Beau passing away at the age of 46, while Joe Biden became the 46th president of the US. Ashley, daughter of President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, is a social worker and earned her master's in social work through the University of Pennsylvania, based in Philadelphia. In the interview with Elle, the First Daughter opened up about her hopes to create a wellness centre for women impacted by trauma in partnership with Mural Arts Philadelphia. 'Drawing from her experience with the criminal justice system, Bidens initiative is inspired by her work with Mural Arts Womens Reentry Program, providing support and opportunities for formerly incarcerated women,' the Impact Report explained. 'The center aims to offer a safe haven and community for women impacted by trauma, providing resources such as nutritious food, exercise, meditation, and therapeutic interventions.' Princess Charlene, 46, and Prince Albert, 66, are pictured with their twins, nine Princess Charlene and Prince Albert of Monaco have shared their 2024 Christmas card. Dressed in winter jumpers and huddled together next to a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, the smiling Monegasque royals, together with their nine-year-old twins, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques, appear relaxed and happy in the image. Princess Charlene, 46, looked typically elegant in a pair of straight-leg, brown trousers and a chunky turtleneck knit in a complementary shade. The former Olympic swimmer teamed her outfit with high-heeled, pointed toe brown leather boots. With her blonde hair in a relaxed up-do and natural make-up, Charlene, who is usually seen in glamorous ensembles by high-end designers, showed a more casual and homely side of herself in the new photo. Prince Albert, who, at 66 is 20 years Charlene's senior, looked similarly snug in a cream cable knit jumper - and the couple's twins were also dressed in coordinating outfits. Gabriella wore a white outfit of trousers and a knit, along with a pair of metallic ballet shoes, while grinning Jacques looked cute in black trousers and an oatmeal coloured jumper paired with brown suede shoes. Sat in front of a stone fireplace adorned with festive greenery and lit candles in one of the living rooms of the Princier Palace, the family look picture perfect in the image taken by Eric Mathon, the Monegasque royals' official photographer. Princess Charlene and Prince Albert have shared the cosy family photo (pictured) that will grace the cover of their 2024 Christmas card The picture, which was posted to the official Instagram account of Monaco's royal family, was captioned: 'The Princier Palace is pleased to share with you the photo of the greeting card of the Princier family.' It has proved a huge hit with international royal watchers, with over 12,000 likes and hundreds of enthusiastic comments in less than 24 hours. One person commented: 'Beautiful family photo. The choice of clothes. The kids are so big and beautiful!' Another admiring fan hailing from Norway wrote: 'Aww.. so beautiful. All best regards and very best wishes for lovely days before Xmas. Yours abundantly, me & my twins & family in Norway!' A third person said: 'Such a cute card! I hope I get it!' While a fourth commented: 'Wonderful picture of the Princier family, beautiful and happy. MERRY CHRISTMAS.' A fifth agreed: 'Beautiful family.' The relaxed image is in sharp contrast to the more formal photographs of Princess Charlene and Prince Albert from National Monaco Day, which took place two weeks ago on Tuesday, November 19. The Christmas card photo, posted to the official Instagram account of the Monegasque royals, attracted hundreds of adoring comments Charlene was effortlessly elegant in a navy gown as she attended a lavish gala to celebrate the momentous day with Prince Albert. She looked sensational in a long-sleeved, floor-length dress, which she accessorised with a matching blue clutch, as she arrived at the Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo. She added a touch of glitz to her ensemble with a pair of shimmering diamond earrings and highlighted her radiant features with glamorous makeup. Adding to her Old Hollywood-esque look, the mother-of-two styled her blonde tresses into stunning curls. Before heading into the gala, Charlene accepted a bouquet of red-and-white roses from a young royal fan and posed for photos with her husband and other members of the Royal Household. Joining Charlene and Albert at the annual event was the Prince's sister, Princess Caroline of Hanover, 67, who attended with her daughter, Princess Alexandra of Hanover, 25. Looking typically smart, Albert sported a traditional ensemble with a fitted black jacket and navy trousers. Princess Charlene was effortlessly elegant in a navy gown as she attended a lavish gala to celebrate National Monaco Day with her husband Prince Albert this evening Princess Caroline - Albert's older sister - commanded attention in a sequined blue gown, while her daughter, Alexandra opted for a sleeveless burgundy dress. National Monaco Day is also known as The Sovereign Prince's Day, and the date of the celebration is chosen by the reigning Prince. Traditionally, the Princes chose the day of the saint they are named after. But when Albert inherited the title, he decided to choose the same day as his father rather than the day of Saint Albert, which would have been November 15. It is typically celebrated with fireworks over the harbour the evening before, and a mass in Monte Carlo the next morning. Princess Eugenie put on a sleek display in all black attire she visited mental health patients at a hospital in south west London last week. The daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York, 34, yesterday took to Instagram to share images from her visit to Springfield Hospital last week, where she viewed a new art programme taking place at the Bluebell Ward. The 34-year-old, who dubbed herself an 'avid art lover', wrapped up in warm winter clothes as she took to the specialist unit for deaf adults with mental illness and mental health problems. Eugenie donned a longline winter black coat and a pair of suede black boots to combat London's chilly temperatures. Once inside the building, the King's niece viewed the bright artworks displayed across the walls of the hospital unit, including one striking piece that reads: 'Hope for a better tomorrow'. In the photographs, the mother-of-two looked invested in conversation with hospital staff and members from charity Hospital Rooms, which transforms mental health units with contemporary art. Taking to Instagram yesterday, Eugenie wrote: 'It was an absolute pleasure to visit another incredible project championed by @_hospitalrooms at Springfield Hospital @swlstg last week. 'Hospital Rooms brings creativity, colour, and kindness to mental health hospitals and as an avid art lover, it was truly incredible to see. Princess Eugenie (pictured second right) took to Instagram to praise an 'incredible' charity initiative called Hospital Rooms yesterday The King's niece looked invested as she chatted to staff from Hospital Rooms, which decorates mental health wards with art 'During my visit @_hospitalroooms shared their inspiring art programme and I was fortunate enough to meet the amazing teams and patients on Bluebell Ward and at Springfield Hospital.' It comes after Princess Eugenie spoke about a moment that she will never forget during a trip to India in 2011 - one which inspired her charity. The King's niece, 34, travelled to Calcutta when she was 21 years old, alongside her mother, Sarah Ferguson and her best friend, Julia de Boinville. The visit struck a chord with the mother-of-two, which led to both Eugenie and Julia founding the charity, The Anti-Slavery Collective, which works to end modern slavery and human trafficking. During the trip, the trio met Aloka Mitra, a woman who has led programmes supporting women and children in vulnerable positions for more than 35 years. Eugenie described her as 'one of the most inspirational women I have ever met,' when speaking to People. Aloka introduced Eugenie, Sarah - who is known more commonly as Fergie - and Julia to a group of teenage girls who she had rescued from modern slavery. And it seems they had a strong impact on the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, as she said that she will 'never forget them'. Eugenie took to Instagram to praise the 'incredible project' on Bluebell Ward in London's Springfield Hospital The mother-of-two, who sported an all-black ensemble for the occasion, admired artwork at the London hospital Eugenie said: 'Hearing their harrowing stories of abuse, neglect and exploitation was heartbreaking but also deeply inspiring. 'I felt that if this group of young women had the strength and resilience to reclaim their lives, that we also had a responsibility to do something.' Eugenie said she spent several years with experts and doing their research before launching The Anti-Slavery Collective in 2017. The daughter of Prince Andrew said: 'All these years later, I will never forget those young women; their stories continue to inspire me to this day.' Her non-profit organisation has recently launched 'My Epiphany', which is a series of short films detailing powerful stories told through journalists, activists, CEOs, and former police officers. The 34-year-old exclusively told Femail: 'Through our new video series - My Epiphany - we are proud to shine a light on the heartbreaking global epidemic of modern slavery. 'We hope the insightful and eye-opening series of powerful interviews will raise awareness on the awful situations many victims are trapped in.' The Anti-Slavery Collective says there is an estimated 50million people in modern slavery around the world and 54 per cent of them are women or young girls. The daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York dubbed herself an 'avid art lover' in the Instagram post They estimate that 22million people are in forced marriages, and that nine million of those are children. The Collective works with policy makers, companies and survivors 'to collaboratively develop solutions to fight modern day slavery and human trafficking' through its three pillars: raising awareness, education and responsible business. It comes after Eugenie was praised for 'getting on with it' after she revealed she made a secret visit to a charity. The Princess said she's 'grateful' to have made a secret stop at the Salvation Army to meet with survivors of modern slavery. Recounting her visit on Instagram, the Princess said: 'Listening to survivors, and hearing their stories makes this work seem as urgent and important as ever. 'It also reminds me why Jules and I started The Anti-Slavery Collective in the first place.' Out of all of Princess Diana's memorable fashion moments, the late royal's 'revenge dress' has arguably had the biggest impact on pop culture. So it's hardly surprising Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza Spencer decided to pay homage to one of their aunt's most famous looks at last night's Fashion Awards. The twin sisters, 32, who spent their childhood in South Africa before moving to London in 2021, opted for coordinating outfits for the annual event at the Royal Albert Hall. Lady Amelia, who married long-term boyfriend Greg Mallett last year, cut an elegant figure in a floor-length black gown with a sequin trim. Just like Diana's 'revenge dress', the low-cut neckline of Amelia's gown featured a dip in the middle. Meanwhile, Lady Eliza's gown also had a nod to Diana with its off-shoulder design, which echoed the late Princess of Wales' Christina Stambolian dress. Lady Amelia Spencer (left) and Lady Eliza Spencer (right) echoed their aunt's famous 'revenge dress' at the Fashion Awards last night For the gala at the Serpentine Gallery in 1994, Diana famously wore her sapphire and eight-strand pearl choker necklace, which was originally a brooch given to her by the Queen Mother. As such, the Spencer twins opted for equally statement jewellery last night - with both sisters modelling matching diamond necklaces, bracelets and earrings on the red carpet. While Lady Amelia's dainty necklace was made up of several clusters of diamonds, Lady Eliza's had a more architectural design, which made the diamonds appear as though they were floating. In 2021, the sisters revealed how they 'wished they'd spent more time with their aunt', who tragically died when they were only five years old. Speaking to Hello! magazine, Lady Eliza explained: 'Sadly we were very young when she passed away. 'Of course, I would have loved to have been able to spend more time with her. I do have some special memories of her. I can't explain why, but they've stuck very clearly in my mind.' The Christina Stambolian design, which Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia emulated last night, was famously dubbed Princess Diana's 'revenge' dress in 1992 - as the royal wore it out in public the same evening King Charles publicly admitted to being unfaithful in their marriage. On June 29, 1992, the King's BBC documentary Prince Charles: The Private Man, the Public Role aired to the public in an effort to restore his reputation following his divorce. Princess Diana wore the the iconic black number which is now known as the revenge dress, designed by Christina Stambolian, on June 29, 1994, to the Serpentine Gallery Just like Diana's 'revenge dress', the low-cut neckline of Amelia (left)'s gown featured a dip in the middle Lady Eliza (right)'s gown also had a nod to Diana with its off-shoulder design, which echoed the late Princess of Wales' Christina Stambolian dress During the infamous interview, the monarch admitted to journalist Jonathan Dimbleby that he had been unfaithful in his marriage - but only once it had 'irretrievably broken down'. In a 1997 Vogue article, Princess Diana's close friend Anna Harvey revealed that she originally feared the mini black dress was 'too daring' and planned on wearing a Valentino design to the event. But after finding out about her ex-husband's documentary, the insider claimed Diana wanted to 'look like a million dollars' for that difficult evening - and opted for a colour the royals typically reserve for mourning. Former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown even described it in her 2007 book The Diana Chronicles as her 'f***-you dress', and newspapers at the time agreed. The Mail reported at the time: 'Charles blusters as Diana dazzles'. The Princess had bought the dress for 900 from Stambolian's shop after lunching with her brother Charles Spencer at her favourite restaurant, the now-closed San Lorenzo, before wandering down Beauchamp Place in Knightsbridge and walking into Stambolian's shop. Christina Stambolian remembered Princess Diana asking for a 'special dress for a special occasion' in her store back in 1991, according to Claudia Joseph's book, Diana: A Life in Dresses. Stambolian previously recalled how Diana was initially unsure about the revealing design - and wanted it in cream rather than black. The revenge dress is made up of an asymmetrical hem, with a flattering sheer tail which dangles from the cinched waist The sketch of Princess Diana's revenge dress by Christina Stambolian taken from the book Diana: A Life in Dresses by Claudia Joseph At the time, her estranged husband Charles was being broadcasted on television around the nation being interviewed about his infidelity with Camilla Parker-Bowles Prince Charles, confessed to being unfaithful to Diana in an interview with Jonathan Dimbleby (left) on 29 June, 1994 She said: 'We sat down, and I drew a few sketches on a piece of paper.' 'The dress was revealing, quite short and showed quite a bit of leg and flesh. Diana was not sure about it. She thought it was a bit risque. She wanted everything more covered up, longer and the neck higher. 'I told her she had good legs, and she should show them. "Why not be daring?" I said. She asked her brother [Charles] and he said: "Do what you think is right." Finally, she said "yes" to the style then we moved on to the colour. 'I had black in my mind, but she wanted cream. To me Diana was a black and white sort of person. I didn't like her in the pale pinks and blues with lots of beading.' It took two dressmakers took more than 60 hours to create the outfit. Stambolian said she was 'thrilled to see Diana wear it on that night of all nights.' San Rafael police arrested a man suspected of attacking a pregnant woman and then attempting to kidnap a person from a skilled nursing home. Rafe Swan/Getty Images A man was arrested on suspicion of attacking a pregnant woman during a residential burglary and then attempting to kidnap a patient at a skilled nursing facility in the North Bay on Saturday, police said. David Margoliash, 48, was booked into Marin County Jail, with bail denied based on his history of dangerous and violent crimes, San Rafael police said. The burglary occurred around 1:10 a.m. Saturday on Ross Street, west of D Street, where Margoliash allegedly broke into a home through a back door, police said. One of the residents, a pregnant woman, awoke to noises and walked around the house until she found the man in her living room. She screamed, causing her husband to wake up, police said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Margoliash allegedly struck the woman with a flashlight, causing minor injuries, police said. The husband then got into a fight with Margoliash, who bit the husband's hand, police said. The husband got Margoliash out of the house and pushed him down a flight of patio stairs, police said. Margoliash fell onto the pavement, then took off. The couple was treated at a hospital. Four hours later, around 5:20 a.m., Margoliash allegedly walked in and out of a skilled nursing facility and claimed to be a patient transport service employee. The man wanted to take an elderly patient to Santa Rosa, police said. Facility employees challenged Margoliashs statements and demanded credentials. Caught in a lie, Margoliash left, police said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Two nurses followed Margoliash and alerted an officer to his location. The officer arrested Margoliash without a struggle. Witnesses identified him as the suspect in the burglary and kidnapping attempt, police said. Princess Sofia of Sweden has revealed a rare glimpse into her life as a member of the royal family as she opened up in a rare interview to mark her 40th birthday. Ahead of her 40th birthday on 6 December, Sofia, 39, has graced the cover of Vogue Scandinavia, shooting glamorous photographs in her childhood village of Alvdalen and the Royal Palace of Stockholm. During the interview, the royal, who wed Carl Philip, 45, in June 2015, told how her husband's 'big, brown' eyes sparked an initial attraction, saying, 'he looked very humble', adding: 'He had those big, brown, very, very kind eyes.' The former glamour model, who is currently expecting her fourth child, also discusses her position in the royal fold, motherhood, and her charity work, including combatting cyber hate and supporting dyslexia awareness. The 39-year-old looked as glamorous as ever in the shoot, posing with her husband and three sons, Prince Alexander, eight, Prince Gabriel, seven, and Prince Julian, three, in the lavish Royal Palace. Elsewhere, the mother-of-three travelled back to her hometown of Alvdalen, where she donned traditional Swedish attire in the images. While the photographs hint towards a very happy royal existence, Sofia's introduction to royal living was not always smooth sailing. Carl Philip and the then-Miss Hellqvist announced their engagement in June 2014, following a four-year relationship that sparked outrage in Sweden when it first became public in 2009. Ahead of her 40th birthday on 6 December, Princess Sofia of Sweden has graced the cover of Vogue Scandinavia The mother-of-three is seen with her husband, Prince Carl Philip of Sweden, and their three sons, Prince Alexander, eight, Prince Gabriel, seven, and Prince Julian, three Since then, however, she has become one of the best-loved members of the Swedish royal family, praised for working in hospitals during the Covid-19 pandemic. Sofia Hellqvist was born on December 6 1984, in the affluent enclave of Danderyd north of Stockholm to a Swedish mother, who worked in marketing, and a Danish-Swedish father, who worked at the Swedish employment agency. She was the middle one of three girls. After finishing school, she went on to complete an arts programme at Vansbro Education Centre, modelling to earn money while she was a student in Stockholm. Known for her piercing blue eyes and brunette hair, Sofia took part in her first modelling shoot when she was 20. It saw her posing topless wearing a pair of camouflage print bikini bottoms, holding a live boa constrictor to preserve her modesty. The racy photos were published in Slitz - a now discontinued men's magazine in Sweden. The photos were so popular it led to Sofia being crowned Miss Slitz 2004 by the readers. She continued modelling, including somewhat less raunchy shoots for the French style magazine, La Redoute. Following on from her modelling, Sofia was offered the opportunity to go on the Swedish reality show Paradise Hotel - a mix between Love Island and Survivor. The mother-of-three cradled her baby bump as she proudly stood next to her husband, Prince Carl Philip, 45 Donning traditional attire, the 39-year-old took to her childhood village of Alvdalen with the fashion magazine The show documents a group of single people living at a luxury hotel. Sofia ended up making it through to the series' final, where she was filmed kissing American porn star Jenna Jameson. After the show, however, she decided to leave the showbiz industry for a life in the Big Apple. Sofia arrived in New York in 2005 to study accounting and business development at the New York Institute of English and Business. While attending the institution in the city, she also studied yoga, where she became a qualified yoga instructor. When she returned to Sweden, she continued her studies, taking up courses at Stockholm University on global ethics, child and youth studies, and the UN Convention on the rights of the child in theory and Swedish practice. She also studied gender and international relations. It was in July 2010 that her relationship with Prince Carl Philip was announced by the palace. It is not entirely known how the pair met, but it is understood Sofia crossed paths with the Prince, whose oldest sister Crown Princess Victoria is heir to the throne, in a nightclub in Stockholm. Nine months after their relationship was made public, the couple moved into the Djurgarden of Stockholm, where they still live in the Villa Solbacken. The expecting mother was glowing as she posed for photographs with Vogue in a sequined white dress Pictured: Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia of Sweden leave their wedding ceremony at the Royal Palace in 2015. The Prince's eldest sister, Crown Princess Victoria, is heir to the throne The Prince and Princess with their oldest sons, Prince Alexander, now eight, and Prince Gabriel, seven After their relationship was announced, however, Sofia faced a public backlash because of her past life working as glamour model. She has spoken openly about her struggle from life in the showbiz industry to life in the royal family, as she received an onslaught of online abuse from members of the public. Princess Sofia told the Swedish channel TV4 in 2021: 'I was met with an enormous hate storm from people who had opinions about me as a person, about my relationship. 'I was surprised and it definitely affected me. I didn't understand that people had such a need to express how badly they felt about me. It was tough. I dont regret anything. All these experiences have made me the person I am.' It was not the first time she had opened up about the public scrutiny she received. In 2018, while speaking at the Let's Make Love Great Again festival about bullying, she described how the media furore 'knocked her over'. She explained: 'People had opinions about me and my relationship, and more. It was very tough. People had comments on everything possible, on what I do and how I look.' 'When my relationship with Carl-Philip became public I was greeted by a huge hate storm. People had opinions about me and my relationship, and more. It surprised me and knocked me over for a period of time', she told TV4 a short time earlier. Pictured: Princess Sofia attending the Nobel Prize banquet in Stockholm City Hall in Sweden in 2018 During the pandemic Princess Sofia undertook a three-day medical course at Sophiahemmet University College in Stockholm, allowing her to work on the wards Sofia's engagement to Prince Carl was announced on June 27 2014, and the couple were married at the Royal Chapel on June 13 2015. Since then she has become a valuable member of the royal family, Following their wedding, the newly wed royal couple set up the Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia's Foundation. Princess Sofia spends much of her time at the charity, which mainly focuses on issues relating to younger people being safer online and as well as having a greater understanding and respect of those with dyslexia. The Princess devotes much of her time to the foundation, which focuses on issues relating to safer everyday online life for young people and greater respect for and understanding of people with dyslexia. In 2016, the couples first son Prince Alexander, six, was born followed by their second son Prince Gabriel, five, in 2017 and their youngest Prince Julian. In 2019, King Carl XVI Gustaf decided that Princess Sofia's sons, as well as those of Prince Carl Philip's sister Princess Madeline, will not have HRH titles. Although they will still go by prince and princesses they will not receive taxpayer funds. At the time of the announcement Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip said it would allow their children to have more freedom when they get older. When asked by Royal Central if she had ever considered stepping back from royal life, like the Duke and Duchess of Sussex she said: 'No. Not really. I think I have found such a fantastic balance, and I really see it as positive that I have made it through these stormy years. 'It is such a huge advantage, in that we have the opportunity to stand a little in both worlds.' During the pandemic Princess Sofia undertook a three-day medical course at Sophiahemmet University College in Stockholm, where she is an honorary chair member. This meant she was able to assist with healthcare work and help fight the pandemic that killed 22,645 people since 2020. Photos surfaced of her scrubbed in, posing with other staff members, who worked at the Sophiahemmet hospital. In September, the Swedish Royal Household announced Sofia and Carl Philip were expecting and that the baby is due in February 2025. The Dutch royal, 53, cut an elegant figure on Tuesday Queen Maxima of the Netherlands cut an elegant figure today as she arrived in London for the Global Banking Summit. The Dutch royal, 53, look sleek in a black suit as she attended the Financial Times Global Banking Summit in London on Tuesday. Maxima, who is UN Secretary-Generals Special Advocate for Financial Health, joined several banking CEOs for the annual summit. The mother-of-three and former banker put on a glamorous display in a midnight blue suit, adorned with glitter and gold plated buttons. She matched her blue suit with a set of sapphire drop earrings, an elegant watch and silver chain bracelet. Maxima wore typically glamorous makeup with a flawless glowing base, bronze accentuated cheeks and a dark smoky eye. She finished the look with a flush of highlighter and a rose pink lip. The queen looked polished with a deep red manicure and her dusty blonde tresses worn down at her shoulders. Visiting the UK capital, the royal will likely attempt to squeeze in a visit with her daughter, Princess Alexia, who is currently studying at University College London. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands (pictured) cut an elegant figure today as she arrived in London for the Global Banking Summit Maxima, who is UN Secretary-Generals Special Advocate for Financial Health UN Secretary-Generals Special Advocate for Financial Health (UNSGSA), joined several banking CEOs for the annual summit The 19-year-old, who is the middle child of Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander, 57, is studying Science and Engineering for Social Change at the British university. Maxima - who has a background in finance and was working in the industry when she first met her husband - was one of several experts to attend the Financial Times event on Tuesday. Among those were Filippo Gori, CEO of J. P. Morgan, Francesca Carlesi, UK CEO of Revolut and other bank leaders from Barclays, NatWest and Deutshe Bank. During the summit, several themes - including geopolitics, economics, technology, climate and investment - concerning the banking sphere were discussed. During the event, the Queen chatted to keynote speaker Silvia Pavoni, editor-in-chief of the monthly publication The Banker, setting out her vision for financial health. Alongside this mission, the queen is working to advocate for financial products, services and policies that can enable more people manage their daily income and spending, allowing them to invest their money or work towards financial goals. Later in the summit, the royal will also take part in two roundtables discussions, including Unlocking Affordable Credit Access in the UK and Innovations in Workplace Emergency Savings Initiatives It comes after the Dutch royal family were seen snapping up group pictures for their official Christmas photograph. Maxima pictured alongside Silvia Pavoni during the summit today. Maxima wore typically glamorous makeup with a flawless glowing base, bronze accentuated cheeks and a dark smoky eye. She finished the look with a flush of highlighter and a rose pink lip Last week, the family gathered at the Begijnhof in Amsterdam alongside their beloved dog. Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander beamed as they huddled next to their three daughters in the enclosed courtyard which dates back to the 14th century. Princess Amalia, 20, Princess Alexia, 19, and Princess Ariane, 17, all wore long winter coats as they stood and smiled with their parents. The official portrait is organised to ensure that the Dutch royal family's privacy is respected by the media. But instead of looking at the cameras, the family-of-five were left red faced as their beloved dog Mambo frolicked on the grass nearby. Mambo is no stranger to a camera and regularly makes an appearance in official portraits. But this time it seems the photoshoot had gone on too long for the toy poodle. As the royals posed for what was meant to be a heartwarming snap, Mambo is seen warming up a tree nearby. As the Dutch royals posed for their Christmas portrait, their dog Mambo had other ideas The royal women all wear winter coats as they pose for the official photograph while King Willem-Alexander appears to be less bothered by the cold in just a grey suit and blue-striped shirt Although his toilet break almost certainly does not live up to royal protocol, the family appeared to forgive their pooch almost instantly. As Princess Alexia points out what their dog is doing, King Willem-Alexander appears to have a giggle to himself, as does his youngest daughter Ariane. Heir-to-the-throne Amalia screws up her nose in disgust - with a hint of amusement - before quickly covering her face with her hand to stifle a laugh. Holding his leash, Queen Maxima dutifully remains looking at the cameras but appears to make a cheeky remark to her family - which makes her husband laugh even more. The mother-of-three looks elegant as always in flowing white trousers and a white coat accentuated with a gold Yves Saint Laurent Gold brooch and pearl embellishments. Wearing matching pearl earrings, the 53-year-old stays warm in a thick camel-coloured turtle neck and leather gloves. King Willem-Alexander seems to be less fussed by the cold weather, wearing a striped blue shirt under a grey suit. His eldest daughter Amalia, whom he posed with for additional photos, wears her golden tresses down over a beige coat and opts for a casual pair of blue jeans paired with a black jumper. By her side she holds a dark brown satchel that matches her leather boots and she accentuates the laid back look with golden jewellery. Princess Alexia, the middle child who started an engineering degree in London this year, wears a dark grey coat with an open-collared shirt and plaid skirt poking out from underneath. Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima pose with dog Mambo during a traditional photo session of the Dutch royal family Maxima hold the cheeky dog during the autumnal photo session Maxima holds Mambo during the photo session in Amstedam Ever classy, the princess smizes for the camera as the rest of her family sport grins. Although Princess Ariane matches her older siblings and mother by wearing a long winter coat, she adds a youthful twist. The 20-year-old royal looks lovely in a bright purple coat and her hair in bouncy blow-dry waves. The Dutch royal family do make for quite a picture - and perhaps Mambo just wanted to bring them back down to earth by urinating nearby. The family adopted Mambo in October 2021 and he was introduced on the family's social media for World Pet Day. Although Mambo is an integral part of their lives, the Dutch royals are also the proud owners of three Labradors named Skipper, Luna and Nala. Baywatch's Casey Jean Parker may have spent her days saving lives on a beach in California - but that didn't stop Pamela Anderson from wearing a full face of make-up both on and off screen. In the 1990s, the actress, 57, was instantly recognisable for her dark smokey eye looks and heavily lined lips. But since 2019, the mother-of-two has drastically moved away from her signature make-up and pledged to stop wearing it altogether following the devastating loss of a close friend. At last night's Gotham Film Awards in New York, Pamela stayed true to her word when she appeared bare-faced on the red carpet in an elegant, yellow strapless dress. Although the actress had to wear heavy make-up for her role in The Last Showgirl, Pamela told reporters on the red carpet that it no longer has a place in her personal life. Speaking to People magazine, she explained: 'Make-up has a time and a place. I just feel in my personal life, it just didn't really make sense.' Last year, Pamela revealed the loss of her close friend Alexis Vogel, who was also her long-time make-up artist, is what sparked her to stop wearing make-up entirely. Speaking fondly of her late friend, the actress told Elle: 'She was the best. Pictured: Pamela Anderson opted to go bare-faced at last night's Gotham Film Awards in New York Pictured: Pamela Anderson at the Elton John AIDS foundation party in Hollywood in 2006 - where she opted for her signature make-up look 'And since then, I just felt, without Alexis, its just better for me not to wear make-up.' The two women became friends after meeting on the set of one of Pamela's first Playboy magazine cover shoots in the 1990s. Pamela and Alexis were friends for 26 years before the make-up artist died of breast cancer in 2019. In an interview with MailOnline in 2014, Alexis explained how she helped Pamela find her distinctive image in Hollywood. She explained: 'I'd heard about her, she'd been on Home Improvement and she'd just started on Baywatch, but she didn't really have her image - she was a baby. 'She was pretty fresh-faced, but I wanted to give her more of an image. I really, really loved Bridget Bardot, that sex kitten with perfect features, but of course, this was of course a retro version, making it my own - and her own look.' Stunned by her reflection, Pamela told Alexis, then working on Playboy cover shoots and editorial: 'I have to have you do my make-up every day for the rest of my life!' By November 1994 - Pamela's next Playboy cover - she was a bleach-blonde vamp. Pictured: Pamela Anderson with her close friend and make-up artist Alexis Vogel, who died of breast cancer in 2019 In the 1990s, the actress, 57, was instantly recognisable for her dark smokey eye looks and heavily lined lips Alexis says: 'I still have her saying that on tape, I saved it. The rest is history, she's been very loyal, we've been loyal to each other. 'We have a very, very close friendship, we're like best friends. After all these years of working together and in all kinds of conditions, it's been a non-stop wonderful ride.' What's more, Alexis said she felt like she was an aunt to Pamela's two sons, Brandon and Dylan, whom she shares with ex-husband Tommy Lee. Gushing about her friend's parenting, Alexis added: 'She's a really good mom, a little bit strict, but she's had to be. The Canadian actress wowed in a sleeveless form-fitting gold gown with a train at The Gotham Film Awards in New York last night The former Baywatch actress went make-up free for the event - having previously spoken about how she was inspired by the loss of a dear friend to stop wearing make-up 'They turned out wonderful, independent and little businessmen. There are no drugs. They are very, very polite and I don't know which one is more beautiful and they're very smart, they got the best of both parents.' Elsewhere in her 2023 Elle interview, Pamela said going without make-up has been 'freeing, and fun, and a little rebellious too.' She added: 'I did notice that there were all these people doing big make-up looks, and it's just like me to go against the grain and do the opposite what everyone's doing.' Pamela also remarked on ageing and how it's been a 'journey' for her. She continued: 'I think we all start looking a little funny when we get older. And I'm kind of laughing at myself when I look at the mirror. I go, "Wow, this is really...what's happening to me?" It's a journey. I feel rooted for. I feel good. I'm in a good place.' The Princess of Wales has been spotted wearing Princess Diana's engagement ring today as she carried out her most significant public engagement since starting cancer treatment. For some of her most recent appearances, Kate, 42, has worn a stunning gold 'eternity' band, thought to be a gift from the Prince of Wales and set with diamonds and sapphires, instead of her late mother-in-law's jewellery. She returned to wearing Prince William's mother's ring, which boasts a 12-carat Ceylon sapphire surrounded by a cluster of 14 solitaire diamonds set in white gold, for the first time in months when stepping out at the Festival of Remembrance in November. Today, the royal once again donned the impressive wedding band as she welcomed the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, on behalf of King Charles III. Joining William, the Princess wore a coat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and a hat by Sahar Millinery, with jewellery previously belonging to the late Queen Elizabeth II. She is carrying out even more royal duties than previously planned at todays state visit in London amid what is being seen as a positive sign in royal circles. Kate will also take part in the official ceremony welcome on Horse Guards Parade and a carriage procession back to Buckingham Palace. The Princess will later join the royal party for a private lunch at the palace and stay to view a display of priceless Qatari artefacts from the Royal Collection. The only aspect of the day she will miss will be tonights glittering State Banquet. The Prince and Princess of Wales greet the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (right) and his wife Sheikha Jawaher (left) in, London, on behalf of the King Princess Diana's ring was designed by the crown jeweller Garrard and inspired by the sapphire and diamond cluster brooch that was made for Prince Albert in 1840, which he went on to gift Queen Victoria as a wedding present and she wore it as her 'something blue'. At the time, it was referred to as the 'commoner's sapphire' as the ring was available in the Garrard's catalogue, meaning that anyone could have purchased it for 47,000. But Princess Diana loved her engagement ring so much that she continued to wear it after her divorce from Prince Charles in 1996 - and it seems the Princess of Wales is just as fond of it. For today's events, Queen Camilla has been forced to scale back her involvement due to ill health as the Emir begins a two-day visit to the UK hosted by the King. Charles - who was seen leaving the palace around noon - will welcome the Qataris during a ceremony of pomp and pageantry in Whitehall. A royal source described the announcement of Kates attendance as good news as the Princess continues with her a slow and measured return to public life after the completion of her preventative chemotherapy treatment. The Princess announced in March that she had embarked on a course of treatment after doctors found evidence of the disease after major abdominal surgery in January. In September she revealed that this had now been completed but warned that it would take time and patience for her to return to full-time royal duties. The Princess of Wales has been spotted wearing Princess Diana's engagement ring today as she carried out her most significant public engagement since starting cancer treatment Today, the royal once again donned the impressive wedding band (pictured) as she welcomed the Emir of Qatar , Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, on behalf of King Charles III In recent appearances, Kate, 42, has worn a stunning gold 'eternity' band, thought to be a gift from the Prince of Wales and set with diamonds and sapphires (pictured), instead of her late mother-in-law's jewellery. Pictured, the royal on October 10, 2024 Now, todays events mark the start of a busier week for Kate, who will be hosting her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on Friday. The Princess is expected to be joined at that event by her husband Prince William and children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. But Camilla has pulled out of todays welcome at Horse Guards Parade on doctors advice because she is still suffering from the lingering side-effects of a nasty viral chest infection. The 77-year-old royal, who fell ill a month ago, is said to be feeling particularly fatigued but she will attend the lunch at Buckingham Palace and most elements of the State Banquet this evening. So as not to exhaust her, she will greet their VIP guests and pose for photographs before retiring during a lengthy receiving line, but then join the dinner itself. As for Camilla, sources stressed there was no cause for alarm, describing her as having had a nasty viral chest infection which continues to have some lingering side effects, in particular leaving Her Majesty with significantly diminished reserves of energy. As a result, they said, her doctors have advised some tweaks to her programme. Her decision not to join the King at Horse Guards Parade for a full ceremonial welcome and open-air carriage drive back to Buckingham Palace on a cold morning was a sensible precaution given the nature of her illness, they stressed. The Prince and Princess of Wales greet the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (right) and his wife Sheikha Jawaher (left) in London on behalf of the King today The Princess of Wales greets Sheikha Jawaher, the wife of the Emir of Qatar, today The Prince of Wales greets the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani today Her diagnosis was first announced almost a month ago on November 5 when it emerged that she had been forced to pull out of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, followed by other events over the weekend, including the Cenotaph, to honour the nations war dead. As the daughter of a twice-decorated Second World War veteran, such duties are taken very seriously by the Queen - and her absence was a sign of how poorly she was feeling, sources close to her told the Mail. Camilla has undertaken several public engagements since then, including the annual diplomatic reception, but has sometimes curtailed her time spent in public. At a reception to honour the UKs film and television industry last month, the Queen discreetly coughed several times during her shortened appearance and gratefully sipped on a glass of water, saying she had felt absolutely rotten last week but was definitely on the mend. Sources have stressed there has been no alteration in any diagnosis or treatment being received, stressing Her Majesty just needs time to rest and recover fully, which is more challenging with a back-to back diary programme such as the state visit. No substantial changes to her other diary commitments are expected the rest of the week, though each day is being taken as it comes. Guidance from her medical team suggests that in such cases post-viral fatigue symptoms can come and go and persist for several weeks. At tonights state banquet, Camilla will join photographs with the Emir and Sheikha Jawaher, but then retire briefly during the lengthy receiving line. King Charles III ahead of a ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade in London today King Charles III ahead of a ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade in London today King Charles III ahead of a ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade in London today She will then attend the dinner as planned and join the King for the official farewells tomorrow. Camilla has been praised for the way she has stepped up this year on behalf of her husband, after he was diagnosed with cancer at the start of the year and has continued to undergo treatment. Sources have described her as a trooper. Todays state visit is considered one of the highlights of the royal calendar and a show of royal soft diplomacy in action. Senior Qatari diplomats have told the Mail that they are deeply honoured the King has chosen their country as the first Middle Eastern state to be invited for a full state visit to the UK since Charles accession. The country enjoys a good relationship with the UK diplomatically, with the Emir, 44, having studied in Britain - first at Sherborne and then Harrow - followed by a stint at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. There remains great admiration for the late Queen Elizabeth II, and Charles has met with the Emir on several occasions. The two countries also have strong trade, cultural and military links, and Qatar is a major investor in the UK, not just through property and construction projects, but in science and technology. However concerns have been raised about the authoritarian nature of the Qatari ruling family and human rights, particularly as regards migrant workers. The Emir, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, will be bringing his first wife - and second cousin - Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad Al Thani, with him on the visit. She is the mother of four of his 13 children and normally accompanies him on official visits abroad. He also has two subsequent spouses. The couple landed in the UK at London Stansted Airport yesterday where they were greeted on behalf of the sovereign by the Lord in Waiting, The Viscount Hood. Kate has attended a number of high profile events such as Trooping the Colour, Remembrance Sunday and Wimbledon over the last 11 months since she effectively withdrew from public life to focus on her health. But todays appearance is her most significant so far given that she will be playing a far more active role in events and be seen in public for a lengthy period of time. A body language expert has revealed that Apple Martin acted like the recent debutante ball was her 'birthday party' rather than a prestigious event to present 'a whole group of young ladies.' Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin's stunning model daughter Apple, 20, attended the prestigious Le Bal des Debutantes in Paris, France, on Saturday in a strapless blue Valentino Haute Couture gown. But the blonde beauty faced scrutiny after footage emerged that showed her stealing the spotlight from another girl who was having her picture taken and rolling her eyes at her date, Count Leo Henckel von Donnersmarck. Now, UK-based body language expert Judi James has weighed in on Apple's actions at the elite party, and she said the 20-year-old looked like she was 'itching to get in front of the lenses.' After analyzing photos and clips from the ball, Judi added that it seemed like Apple expected it to be 'the Apple show' and treated it more like a 'fun' birthday bash than an esteemed event. 'It looks as though Apple is itching to get in front of the lenses,' Judi dished. 'She appears to upstage the first woman by stepping forward and showboating for the cameras, adopting some more dramatic poses that suggest she is anything but a shy introvert. 'Considering her more private years growing up, Apple really does seem to have burst onto the scene here with body language that looks so confident she leaves her [own] mother looking rather camera-shy beside her. 'This looks so much like the Apple Show, with the photos emerging suggesting a formal, fun birthday party rather than a launch for a whole group of young ladies.' A body language expert has revealed that Apple Martin acted like the recent debutante ball was her 'birthday party' rather than a prestigious event to present 'a whole group of young ladies' Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin's stunning model daughter Apple, 20, attended the prestigious Le Bal des Debutantes in Paris, France, on Saturday. She's seen with her date The annual event, which was first held at the Palace of Versailles in 1958, sees 20 young ladies from some of the most important families in the world being introduced into society. 'If this ritual of "coming out" is meant to mimic the aristocratic debutante balls of the last century, Miss Apple might need to remember that queue-jumping, upstaging and adopting anything other than a demure, elegant pose would have been severely frowned upon,' Judi added. But the blonde beauty faced scrutiny after footage emerged that showed her stealing the spotlight from another girl who was having her picture taken (seen) and rolling her eyes at her date , Count Leo Henckel von Donnersmarck 'Apple's body language rituals at this event seem to vary between acting like a Downton Abbey debutante complete with curtseys and allowing her hand to be transferred from her father's clasp to her young man's with an air of Victorian formality to working the pose for the cameras like a social media selfie-queen.' Earlier this week, a clip of Apple seemingly trying to steal the spotlight from a fellow debutante went viral on TikTok. Posing with her hands on her hips, Gwyneth's daughter was seen edging her way into the frame - forcing the other girl out. The debutante could do nothing but look on with an awkward laugh, as Apple proceeded to pout and pose for several photos. Eventually, she finished and stepped out of the way - almost cutting off another debutante who was waiting for her turn for a picture in the process. The move did not go down well on social media, as one person compared her to notorious queen bee Regina George from the movie Mean Girls. Now, UK-based body language expert Judi James has weighed in on Apple's actions at the elite party, and she said the 20-year-old looked like she was 'itching to get in front of the lenses' Judi added that it seemed like Apple (seen with her dad) expected it to be 'the Apple show' and treated it more like a 'fun' birthday bash than an esteemed event During the celebration, Apple was also caught sharing a tense moment with her date, Leo. In a video shared to TikTok, she was seen visibly rolling her eyes On a more positive note, Apple did have a few sweet moments with her parents during the ball The ball, which was hosted by Ophelie Renouard and held in the lavish $1,000-a-night Hotel Shangri-La, is billed as a charity fundraiser and will benefit two entities connected with children's health, according to Hello! magazine. 'Apple really does seem to have burst onto the scene here with body language that looks so confident she leaves her [own] mother looking rather camera-shy beside her,' Judi added It's been said that Ophelie invites her guests based on their appearance, intelligence, and family connections. During the celebration, Apple was also caught sharing a tense moment with her date, Leo, who hails from the Austro-Hungarian noble family House of Henckel von Donnersmarck. In a video shared to TikTok, the two were seen waiting to make their grand entrance at the ball. He made a playful dance gesture as he spoke with Apple, but she seemed less amused and visibly rolled her eyes. On a more positive note, Apple did have a few sweet moments with her parents during the ball. She danced with her doting dad Chris, 47, before he pulled her in close for a cuddle and a kiss on the cheek. Her mom Gwyneth, 52, watched on proudly before sweeping Apple in for a cuddle. 'We can see her looking thankful and warm towards her parents via two very filmed and recorded hug rituals that involve an especially magic moment with her dad as she places her head on his shoulder and he kisses her on the cheek,' Judi added of the tender embraces that Apple shared with her mother and father. Queen Letizia turned heads in a brand new tailored blazer and high-waisted trouser designer set - adding to her growing collection of classy suits. The mother-of-two attended an event in Madrid this morning focusing on raising awareness about accessibility in the workplace to mark International Disability Day. The stylish royal arrived at the State Reference Centre for Personal Autonomy and Technical Aids with a black woollen coat from Carolina Herrera draped over her shoulders - a technique known as shrobing - in an effort to stave off the winter chill. There, she was greeted by the Second Vice President Yolanda Diaz and the Equality Minister Ana Redondo Garcia. Notably, all three women opted for a business suit but with varying degrees of vibrancy. While politicians Yolanda and Ana kept their outfits muted in white and grey respectively, the Spanish Queen turned heads in a midnight blue blazer worth 299.99 and matching trousers worth 179.99. She paired the statement suit by BOSS with a thin black round neck jumper and practical leather loafers with block heels by Massimo Dutti. Letizia has been opting for lower footwear over extravagant high heels as she is rumoured to be suffering from Morton's neuroma in her left foot since 2022. Queen Letizia with a black woolen coat thrown over her shoulders as she arrives at the State Reference Centre for Personal Autonomy and Technical Aids There, she is greeted by the Second Vice President Yolanda Diaz This condition is characterised by a thickening of the tissue around the nerves between the third and fourth metatarsal bones. It can cause severe stabbing pain, numbness and tingling. She is also reported to have metatarsalgia - pain in the ball of the foot - in both feet, which also explains why she has been choosing comfortable shoes. Letizia wore her brown tresses down in a side parting and used bronze eyeshadow and thick mascara to accentuate her hazel green eyes. Although the Queen kept her nails bare of polish, she completed her elegant ensemble with glass drop earrings. After taking a seat alongside various politicians and businessmen in the auditorium, Letizia was called on stage to deliver a speech - which, as usual, she delivered without cue cards. In her capacity as honorary president of the Council of the Royal Board on Disability, she said: 'It is not at all usual for unions, companies and third sector entities to meet under the same roof to reflect on how to extend the rights of people with disabilities as consumers and workers.' In addition to stressing the need for accessibility in the business sector, Letizia said: 'People with disabilities must have quality and decent work under the same conditions of equity as everyone else.' The mother-of-two speaks to Yolanda Diaz as they walk to the auditorium Equality Minister Ana Redondo Garcia (left), the Second Vice President Yolanda Diaz (centre), and Queen Letizia (right) during the event to promote accessibility in the workplace Letizia wears practical leather loafers with block heels from Massimo Dutti as she is rumoured to be suffering from Morton's neuroma in her left foot The royal wears her brown tresses down in a side parting and uses thick mascara to accentuate her hazel green eyes During her speech at the event, Letizia said: 'People with disabilities must have quality and decent work under the same conditions of equity as everyone else' As a former journalist herself, the Spanish monarch addressed the media directly As a former journalist herself, Queen Letizia also had a message for the media. According to Articulo14, she asked journalists to avoid turning people with disabilities into 'heroes' when they overcome a social injustice. The Queen eloquently added: 'All people, regardless of their physical, cognitive or sensory condition, should be able to achieve the life they want'. In her speech, Yolanda Diaz described a conversation she had with the Queen, in which she told her that 'every time she reads the white paper on people with disabilities' she is 'confused' because there are too many challenges to face. 'The activity rate of people with disabilities is only 35.3 per cent,' Yolanda said, 'so the challenge is huge.' The event concluded with a brief discussion between Spanish companies, Carrefour, Acciona, AENA, and unions, such as UGT. Today is not the first time Letizia has chosen to wear a power suit to a royal engagement. Three weeks ago, she attended the 85th Madrid Press Association Awards looking effortlessly glamorous in a smart three-piece suit from high street brand Mango. In her speech, Yolanda Diaz described a previous conversation she had with the Queen, in which she told her that 'every time she reads the white paper on people with disabilities' she is 'confused' because there are too many challenges to face Letizia stands with other politicians, businessmen and advocates at the accessibility event The event concluded with a brief discussion between Spanish companies, Carrefour, Acciona, AENA, and unions, such as UGT Queen Letizia of Spain looked elegant as she attended the 85th Madrid Press Association Awards (left) and then again at another journalism awards ceremony where she wore a black suit (right) Letizia, 52, looked in high spirits as she stepped out with a warm smile on her face in a stunning ensemble to meet Olympians and Paralympians on November 13 (left). A day earlier, she wore a green suit at Zarzuela Palace (right) The Queen paired the 79.00 jacket with 49.99 trousers and a 39.99 waistcoat, with the total cost coming to 169 (140). The stunning three-piece suit in mottled grey wool made for a minimalist yet elegant ensemble, perfect for the increasingly cold weather and complete with a pointed v-neck, shoulder pads and straight-cut tailored trousers. At another journalism awards, Queen Letizia of Spain cut an elegant figure in a glamorous black suit as she joined her husband King Felipe IV in Madrid last month. To greet Olympians and Paralympians at the El Pardo Palace on November 13, the Queen donned a burgundy suit and a black pussy-bow blouse. And at the start of November, the royal wore a green suit as she made a sombre return to work at Zarzuela Palace after two weeks of devastating floods in Valencia. It seems her wardrobe is stuffed to the brim with suits in every shade for every occasion. A shocking number of cruel fraudsters are using cancer - and the charitable feelings it brings out in kind folk - to their benefit. A dark trend has emerged of cancer fakers, who lie about having the illness to scam thousands from concerned well-wishers. In cases that have caused shock and outrage around the world, the fraudsters with public platforms have later been exposed for lying about having the sickness. From a wife trying to con her wealthy partner out of thousands of pounds, who avoided jail on Wednesday, to a wellness guru striving to boost her lifestyle brand, cancer fakers have been known to go to extreme lengths to keep up the act. For instance, American Amanda Riley, also known as 'Scamanda', maintained a seven-year deception that she had Hodgkin's lymphoma thanks to taking photos surrounded by medical equipment, shaving her head and forging documents. Here, FEMAIL reveals the ruthless methods used by cancer fakers to trick strangers and even their closest family... Debutant balls are often associated with poise and elegance. But the Le Bal des Debutantes looked like it had a rebellious streak with photos emerging of the children of the rich and famous indulging in alcohol and cigarettes. The annual ball, which has been attended by a slew of celebrities and nepo babies over the years, was held at the lavish $1,000-a-night Hotel Shangri-La in Paris, France, on Saturday. And in the days since the glamorous event took place, many of the elite attendees have shared glimpses into what really went down at the prestigious party on their social media accounts. The images show that behind closed doors, what's billed as a charitable event to introduce young ladies from some of the most important families in the world into society, was a lot less buttoned-up than previously thought. Model Lara Cosima von Donnersmarck posted a carousel of photos to Instagram that featured her and her pals - including Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin's stunning model daughter, Apple Martin - partying the night away. Lara, who is the sister of Apple's date Count Leo Henckel von Donnersmarck, shared snaps that showed them holding up champagne glasses and lighting cigarettes. Another attendee and previous debutant Skye Wong uploaded a snap of a dinner table that was covered in what appeared to be alcoholic drinks. Other posts featured attendees smoking together on a rooftop and dancing on top of one another. Debutant balls are often associated with poise and elegance, but the Le Bal des Debutantes guests indulged in alcohol and cigarettes The annual ball, which has been attended by a slew of celebrities and nepo babies over the years, was held at the lavish $1,000-a-night Hotel Shangri-La in Paris, France, on Saturday And in the days since the esteemed event took place, many of the elite attendees have shared glimpses into what really went down on their social media accounts. Apple Martin (left) is seen The images show that what's billed as a charitable event to introduce young ladies from some of the most important families into society was a lot less buttoned-up than previously thought Model Lara Cosima von Donnersmarck (second from left) posted a carousel of photos to Instagram that featured her and her pals partying the night away The ball, which was first held at the Palace of Versailles in 1958, is designed to present prestigious women into society. It's been said that host Ophelie Renouard invites her guests based on their appearance, intelligence, and family connections. According to Hello! Magazine, it is also a fundraiser that benefits two entities connected with children's health. It has been branded as a 'nepo baby' ball, as a slew of famous offspring have attended over the years, including Lily Collins, Margaret Qualley, Ava Philippe, Scout Willis, and now, Apple. The model, 20, who was accompanied by her A-list parents, stunned in a strapless blue Valentino Haute Couture gown. After the event, Apple faced scrutiny when footage emerged that showed her seemingly attempting to steal the spotlight from another girl who was having her picture taken and rolling her eyes at her date. UK-based body language expert Judi James weighed in on Apple's actions exclusively to DailyMail.com, and she said the 20-year-old looked like she was 'itching to get in front of the lenses.' Judi added that it seemed like Apple expected it to be 'the Apple show' and treated it more like a 'fun' birthday bash than an esteemed event. Former debutant Skye Wong uploaded a snap of a dinner table that was covered in what appeared to be alcoholic drinks Other Instagram posts showed attendees holding up champagne glasses, lighting cigarettes, smoking together on a rooftop, and dancing on top of one another The ball, which was first held at the Palace of Versailles in 1958, is designed to present prestigious women into society. Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow's daughter Apple is seen It has been branded as a 'nepo baby' ball, as a slew of famous offspring have attended over the years, including Lily Collins, Margaret Qualley, Ava Philippe, Scout Willis, and now, Apple (seen) The model, 20, who was accompanied by her A-list parents, stunned in a strapless blue Valentino Haute Couture gown It's been said that host Ophelie Renouard invites her guests based on their appearance, intelligence, and family connections. Apple is seen getting ready for the event 'It looks as though Apple is itching to get in front of the lenses,' Judi dished. 'She appears to upstage the first woman by stepping forward and showboating for the cameras, adopting some more dramatic poses that suggest she is anything but a shy introvert. 'Considering her more private years growing up, Apple really does seem to have burst onto the scene here with body language that looks so confident she leaves her [own] mother looking rather camera-shy beside her. 'This looks so much like the Apple Show, with the photos emerging suggesting a formal, fun birthday party rather than a launch for a whole group of young ladies.' She added, 'If this ritual of "coming out" is meant to mimic the aristocratic debutante balls of the last century, Miss Apple might need to remember that queue-jumping, upstaging and adopting anything other than a demure, elegant pose would have been severely frowned upon. 'Apple's body language rituals at this event seem to vary between acting like a Downton Abbey debutante complete with curtseys and allowing her hand to be transferred from her father's clasp to her young man's with an air of Victorian formality to working the pose for the cameras like a social media selfie-queen.' Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin's daughter Apple made her debut into society on the arm of dapper Count Leo Henckel von Donnersmarck at Le Bal des Debutantes in Paris on Saturday - but she wasn't the only girl he talked to during the evening. In a new video, Count Leo, who hails from the Austro-Hungarian noble family House of Henckel von Donnersmarck, was spotted talking to two other ladies as they danced together at the party. The clip, which was posted to TikTok by HSH Prince Alexandre dArenberg, showed the curly-haired Leo all dressed up in a suit as he sipped a drink next to his friend, watching the two girls. He then began to slowly approach the two ladies - but it turns out one of them was his sister, Lara Cosima von Donnersmarck, who donned a bejeweled gown and matching silver crown. Dancing with her was Skye Wong, who recently graduated from St Johns College, Cambridge, and was a debutant at last year's ball. Leo could be seen getting close to Wong and smiling at her in the new video. His sister, Lara, was laughing into her hand as he appeared to be courting Wong. Wong, whose parents are Andy and Patti, are the 'millionaire offspring of Hong Kong banking big shots,' as Andy's grandfather founded the Bank of East Asia, according to The Independent. Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin's daughter Apple made her debut into society on the arm of dapper Count Leo Henckel von Donnersmarck at Le Bal des Debutantes in Paris on Saturday Leo was seen talking to his sister, Lara, and guest Skye Wong, who was a debutante at last year's ball Leo, pictured here with date Apple, is the son of film director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and Christiane Asschenfeldt, the first International Executive Director of Creative Commons For this year's ball, Wong was dressed in a champagne-colored silky dress with ruched detailing as well as a matching choker. Last year, Wong attended the bash wearing a long, bright red dress with detailing at the shoulder designed by Vivienne Westwood. She was invited as a guest this year, and it's unclear exactly how long Wong and the Donnersmarck family have known each other. Leo is the son of film director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and Christiane Asschenfeldt, the first International Executive Director of Creative Commons. He is the descendant of a large and noble Austro-German family who were central figures of the Second Industrial Revolution, spearheading technological innovations like mild steel puddling metal factories, three-high rolling mills and soda-pulping in Germany. He made his entrance alongside Apple, as the two took a spin together on the dance floor during the night. As is tradition, the debutants are paired up with a 'cavalier' who are often young men from similarly distinguished backgrounds, to make their grand entrance at the ball. The Vanderbilt University student looked sensational in a sky blue Valentino Haute Couture gown, which featured ruffled tiers and a big black bow at the waist. For this year's ball, Wong (left) was dressed in a champagne-colored silky dress with ruched detailing as well as a matching choker She was invited as a guest this year, and it's unclear exactly how long Wong and the Donnersmarck family have known each other The Vanderbilt University student looked sensational in a sky blue Valentino Haute Couture gown, which featured ruffled tiers and a big black bow at the waist As is tradition, the debutants are paired up with a 'cavalier' who are often young men from similarly distinguished backgrounds, to make their grand entrance at the ball The dress, designed by Valentino's Alessandro Michele, took 750 hours of hard work to complete. In addition to hitting the dance floor with her date, Apple also danced with her dad, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who divorced mom Paltrow in 2016. The two shared an adorable slow dance together. Chris, who looked sharp in a black tuxedo, took his daughter's hand and guided her back and forth, at one point looking at her right in the eyes. During the cute dance, Chris was laughing, smiling, and even took his daughter for a quick spin as they showed off their moves. They even embraced at the end as she gave her dad a sweet pat on the back. Apple also appeared to be smiling in the adorable daddy-daughter moment. Kmart has stunned shoppers by stocking a popular European product Aussies have been 'dying' to get their hands on. Many have found 'secret' stashes of Essence Cosmetics buys around their local Kmart stores ahead of the festive season. Essence is a German makeup brand best known for quality products at low prices. The brand has soared to popularity in Australia recently - with its lip gloss ($4.50) being the third best-seller at Priceline in 2023. Claudia, from Melbourne, shared her delight in a video: 'I don't want to alarm anybody, but Kmart has a secret. 'I have found out about many cheating exes in the past by pure private investigation - and now I've discovered Essence boxes in their crates.' Claudia discovered 'many different products scattered throughout' her local store. The shopper bought a lip balm and lip oil from Kmart. Essence is a German makeup brand best known for quality products at low prices Essence has soared to popularity in Australia recently - with its lip gloss ($4.50) being the third best-seller at Priceline in 2023 Claudia also found a $17 gift kit with five products in it which she deemed 'perfect' for a tween present. The Essence box of fun comes with various different products depending on the version you purchase, but shoppers have reported receiving nail polish, beeswax lip balm, lipstick, lip oil, mascara, and more. 'I don't think you understand how much I love Essence,' she raved. Others in Brisbane and Sydney have also reported finding Essence products in their local stores, but it is not available online yet. Many shoppers have give five-star reviews to the brand's famous mascara and say it gives better results than products twice or three times the price. One wrote: 'My lashes are so fair and thin that it's hard for me to find mascara that will give me such great volume. 'This mascara is so good! It was easy and was a flawless result for an affordable price.' 'I go from an eight-hour work day right to the gym and sweat like crazy... and this stuff doesn't budge! I love it!' another amazed reviewer said. Australians were overjoyed to discover their favourite budget makeup brand at Kmart. 'I love Essence - their mascara is my go-to,' one said. 'I'm so excited - you get Essence at Priceline too but it's always sold out,' another wrote. 'The brand is so cute and girly,' a shopper wrote. 'Makes me feel like a pre-teen!' A woman added, 'I'm going to need another room for all my make up products.' San Francisco prosecutors filed charges against a man suspected of shooting a pregnant woman in the citys Bayview neighborhood. Mark Winema/Getty Images San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said Monday that her office filed charges against a man suspected of shooting a pregnant woman in the citys Bayview neighborhood last month. Khiri Roberson, 30, of Daly City was charged with attempted murder, multiple gun-related offenses and resisting a police officer, Jenkins announced. Roberson was scheduled to be arraigned Dec. 18. A judge ordered him held without bail, prosecutors said. Police responded to the 1100 block of Hollister Avenue in San Francisco following reports of a shooting on Nov. 19. When they arrived, they found the pregnant woman suffering from gunshot wounds. Medics arrived later and transported the woman to a nearby hospital. Her condition was not immediately clear as of Monday afternoon. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Roberson allegedly fled the scene following the shooting. Officials did not immediately say how they linked Roberson to the shooting or what his relationship was with the pregnant woman. Cult Australian fashion label Realisation Par is set to open its first store in Sydney A beloved online brand has announced a brand new store in Sydney - and thousands of fashion lovers are set to line up for the grand opening. Realisation Par is a fashion label founded by Australian model and blogger Alexandra Spencer and designer Teale Talbot in 2015. The brand gained popularity when it-girls Bella Hadid, Selena Gomez, Kaia Gerber, Elsa Hosk, and more were photographed in its elegant designs. A Sydney pop-up store opened to rave reviews in December 2023 - and the new permanent location at 40 William Street, Paddington, is set to welcome customers in December 2024. While there is no specific date yet, the brand teased 'special events, exclusive launches, and more' on their official Instagram account. The cult brand has been described by shoppers as 'universally flattering' with a mix of high-quality statement and season-defying pieces. Realisation Par prides itself on inspiring women and representing 'the best of all of us, of all women'. The brand also has a London store in Mayfair but is mainly available to shop online. Realisation Par gained popularity when it-girls Bella Hadid, Selena Gomez, Kaia Gerber, Elsa Hosk [pictured], and more were photographed in its elegant designs Realisation Par is a fashion label founded by Australian model and blogger Alexandra Spencer and designer Teale Talbot in 2015 A Sydney pop-up opened to rave reviews in December 2023 [pictured] - and the new permanent location at 40 William Street, Paddington, is set to welcome customers in December 2024 Shoppers have shared their excitement about the brand on social medial. 'I have a Realisation Par dress from 2015 and it's still in perfect condition,' one said. 'I need everything from this brand,' another wrote. A third added, 'I've been wanting one of their dresses for years but they're always sold out.' A boss has been criticised for a 'ruthless' response to his employee being hit by a car - with thousands appalled by the shocking behaviour. British career expert Ben Askins shared text messages between an employee and her boss discussing a co-worker's unfortunate accident. 'Where is Stacey? I haven't seen her today and she isn't responding to my messages,' the boss said. 'Oh, you didn't hear! Stacey got clipped by a car, I think she is okay. It wasn't going quickly but she was pretty shook up. Beth just took her to the hospital to be checked out.' The boss showed no concern for the employee. 'When will she be back? We have a pitch this afternoon and she's supposed to be presenting,' they said. The employee was uncertain but offered to help: 'I'm not sure. I doubt she'll be back today, but I have her deck and the notes so I should be able to step in for her if that's okay?' 'This is the last thing we needed today,' the boss raged. 'Would you mind just keeping in contact with Beth and Stacey and seeing if she can come back and present, we really need this win.' A boss has been criticised for a 'ruthless' response to their employee being hit by a car Mr Askins couldn't believe how insensitive the boss was being. 'If one of your team gets hit by a car, your first response can't be "When will she get back to work?" 'On a basic human level, you have to start with: "Oh my god, is she okay?",' Mr Askins said. The employee shared the sentiment. 'I don't think we should be bothering them, but I promise you I can cover for her if it comes down to it,' they said. The boss finally relented: 'Fine, yeah, worst case scenario we go with you.' Mr Askins also took issue with the boss's treatment of their other employee. 'Well, I bet that feels wonderful to hear that you're the worst case scenario. This is really terrible. Mr Askins couldn't believe how insensitive the boss was being 'The employee is trying to be helpful by offering to step in, but how are you treating them so badly by saying that? 'I shouldn't have to [tell people] that if someone in your team gets hit by a car, you need to make sure they're okay before asking when they can come back to work,' he said. Many others shared their experiences with uncaring bosses. 'I was hospitalised on a drip with severe morning sickness - dehydration and monitoring the baby. Boss kept calling and then finally sent me an email saying "I appreciate you are in hospital but you have a 5:30 deadline and you will need to complete the document",' a woman shared. 'I work in HR and she was my manager.' Another said, 'I collapsed on the floor with a bad back and literally couldnt move or stand up. Bed ridden. My manager called and asked if I was coming back the next day.' A third wrote, 'I was hit on my way taking my kids to daycare before work. My manager was furious that it would make me late. I was afraid if I took us all to the hospital, Id be fired.' Experts are increasingly sounding the alarm about a disturbing sex trend known as 'stealthing'. The act involves the man removing his condom mid-intercourse without his partner's knowledge or consent. Two 2019 studies found 12 percent of women have ever been a victim of stealthing and 10 percent of men admitted to having 'stealthed' a partner. And in 2022, rapper Joe Budden publicly admitted on his podcast to having sex with partners who did not know he wasn't wearing a condom, saying he 'faked like I was putting a condom on before.' Experts say stealthing isn't just practiced because men prefer the feeling of sex without a condom, adding it usually stems from a man's desire for control and dominance. Rhiannon John, a sexologist at Bedbible.com, told DailyMail.com: 'Some people may seek to assert dominance or disregard their partner's autonomy, driven by a sense of entitlement or toxic beliefs about masculinity. 'Others might prioritize their own pleasure or the thrill of risk over the boundaries set within the relationship. 'In other cases, it can even stem from malicious intent, such as sabotage or reproductive control, where the act is used for manipulation or harm.' Stealthing is the act of a man removing a condom during sexual intercourse without the knowledge or consent of his partner Ms John added: 'Regardless of the motivation, stealthing is a profound violation of trust and consent, reflecting a fundamental disregard for the emotional, physical, and psychological well-being of the victim.' Jamie Wright, a trial attorney and founder of the Wright Law Firm in California, also told DailyMail.com stealthing 'is usually born out of selfish desires, control, dominance, or lack of respect for ones partner' and the risks are high and consequences devastating. She said: 'The risks of stealthing are severe. It increases the chances of contracting STIs and there is a high likelihood of getting pregnant, which the victims did not consent to. Your browser does not support iframes. 'The psychological damage can also be severe. The victims tend to feel cheated and violated. Some of the effects that are usually experienced in the long run include anxiety and depression as well as difficulty in building trust in subsequent relationships.' The study on stealthing among men found those with a greater hostility toward women and a more severe sexual aggression history had 'significantly higher odds of engaging in nonconsensual condom removal behavior.' Additionally, men who stealthed were also significantly more likely to have ever had a sexually transmitted infection diagnosis or have a partner who experienced an unplanned pregnancy. Anonymous college students participating in a 2020 study said porn could be an influencer on the behavior. One said: 'I feel that the viewer will see stealthing in porn and think, oh it seems okay because the actor is doing it, then when I practice sex, itll be okay to do the same.' Studies have found 12 percent of women have ever been a victim of stealthing and 10 percent of men admitted to having stealthed a partner Another added: 'A lot of people will follow what others do or say. Whoever watches porn and sees that a condom was being used then removed without the consent of their partner then they will think it is okay to do the same.' Over the last several years, people have been calling for stealthing to be classified as sexual assault or rape. In 2021, California became the first state to prohibit stealthing, classifying it as sexual battery and making it a civil offense. The author of the bill, State Assembly member Cristina Garcia, said reports of stealthing were increasing among women and gay men and the practice 'causes long-term physical and emotional harms to its victims. She added she hoped other states would follow with similar laws declaring that 'stealthing is not just immoral but illegal.' Bills in Vermont, Maine and Washington make it possible for stealthing victims to pursue civil action against perpetrators, but stop short of criminalizing the act. Canada made stealthing, also called nonconsensual condom removal, a criminal offense in 2022 and in the UK, stealthing is considered rape. Participants in the 2020 study said stealthing is on par with sexual assault and rape: 'Things such as rape are against the law. I feel this goes hand in hand with stealthing because you removed the condom without their consent, without their knowledge.' Rapper and podcaster Joe Budden admitted to faking putting on a condom during sex and not informing his partner Another said: 'If you end up with HIV youre stuck with it for the rest of your life and if you contracted the disease through an act like stealthing I would consider it a crime because you are hurting the other persons health either way.' Dozens of women on social media have posted about their experiences with stealthing. One Reddit user said she was stealthed by her 'friend with benefits' partner. She noticed he hadn't worn a condom after their intercourse was finished and the man said it 'must have fallen off,' but the poster later found the condom wrapped in a paper towel in the trash. She wrote: 'I called him and told him I would no longer be dealing with him and I knew what he did. He thought it didnt matter since we never used condoms for oral [sex] and admitted he took it off... No concern for unwanted pregnancies or anything.' Another wrote she insisted a new partner wear a condom during sex and while he pushed back at first, he eventually put one on. After a few minutes, however, the poster wrote she saw he no longer had one on. When she confronted him he told her 'it fell off.' While she went to the police to report the incident, she was told 'no attorney would ever take my case since no law was broken.' The poster did not specify where she lived at the time of assault. Ms Wright told this website: 'Although there are certain laws that ban stealthing in some areas, many victims have no legal protection they need and legal regulations should be tightened up. To combat stealthing and to put the legal hand into full effect, the focus has to be on teaching people about consent, standing up for the victims and campaigning for tougher laws.' Similarly, Ms John added: 'Stealthing remains a legal gray area in many regions, with insufficient laws or policies to address it effectively. This leaves many victims without adequate recourse or protection and perpetuates the cultural and systemic issues that enable such violations. 'Clearly, there needs to be a more comprehensive effort to update laws, enforce accountability, and educate communities about consent and sexual autonomy.' Many of the posters on social media said their experience with stealthing has mentally and emotionally impacted them long term. And Ms John said the 'psychological repercussions of stealthing can be great, leaving lasting emotional scars.' She added: 'Victims may grapple with intense feelings of violation and betrayal, as their trust has been disregarded. This can manifest as shame and guilt, even though the victim is not at fault, as well as anger and rage toward the perpetrator, the situation, or even themselves. 'For many, the experience can disrupt their sense of safety and control, leading to a loss of sexual desire or arousal and difficulty engaging in intimacy in the future. It may also create or exacerbate a fear of vulnerability, making it challenging to build trust or form healthy relationships.' For the festive season, Mail+ is re-running some of your favourite pieces of the year. Merry Christmas! It's four o'clock in the morning and I've been walking in a tight circle in my bedroom, on-and-off, for three hours. The feeling I'm battling is hard to describe: an uncomfortable, shuddering, electric almost-pain that is shooting through my legs. Not long ago I was going up and down the stairs, which proved most relieving for my calves. Before this I was doing yoga poses. Even though my body is driving me on, I'm so tired I can barely open my eyes. When things calm down, I return to bed for a few seconds until the feeling starts again. And the only way to relieve it is to move. I throw off the duvet, step out of bed, and begin again. I'm pregnant and have restless legs syndrome (RLS), a common disorder described by the NHS as an overwhelming urge to move your legs to stop an uncomfortable sensation. That's not the half of it. People affected describe it as like fizzy water in their veins; insects crawling beneath the skin; a burning, itching, tingling, or internal pins and needles. RLS, also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, affects feet, calves and thighs in particular but can affect your arms and torso, too. Up to 10 per cent of people in the UK will experience it. It is a common condition but many won't have heard of it, suggests Dr Julian Spinks, a GP and chairman of RLS-UK. India Sturgis developed Restless Leg Syndrome while pregnant. The disease affects feet, calves and thighs in particular Symptoms tend to be worse at night and are linked to tiredness, yet it can prevent sleep, leading to a vicious cycle. As such, RLS is considered a sleep disorder and can cause insomnia and trigger anxiety and depression. According to Dr Spinks, it's hard to say exactly what causes it, as it's 'so under-researched'. 'We used to think it was mostly due to low dopamine, the neurotransmitter chemical that sends signals between brain cells and is related to muscle movement, as the drugs that were most effective at treating RLS were dopamine agonists, which effectively mimic dopamine,' he explains. 'Now we know this isn't the whole picture.' In fact, he says, taking these drugs for too long 'sometimes from three years but commonly after five years' can make symptoms worse. Now it's thought that the most likely cause of RLS is insufficient iron in some parts of the brain. 'This affects brain function, including dopamine pathways, causing RLS sensations via the central nervous system, although how, why and the mechanism of action remains a mystery,' says Dr Spinks. There may be a genetic predisposition to it. It can also accompany other conditions, such as kidney disease, deficiencies in magnesium and calcium, arthritis, Parkinson's disease and hormonal changes. That it's worse at night could be a clue as to why it happens. 'We have got a sleep-wake brain cycle,' says Dr Spinks. 'So it may be that the changes that happen in the brain when you go to sleep start to bring this on.' Likewise, some medication can trigger symptoms including some antidepressants, antihistamines (often taken for hay fever and allergies), as well as blood pressure drugs such as calcium-channel blockers, and lithium. 'A lot of these have brain effects and make you feel sleepy, which many believe might bring on symptoms,' he adds. Women are twice as likely to develop RLS as men, possibly because of hormonal fluctuations especially during pregnancy or the menopause but also due to lower iron reserves from losing blood through menstruation. It usually develops in middle age (from 40 to 45). RLS is a bare-faced mystery. As a result, the internet is awash with theories on how to cure it. Two of the more bizarre ones, which I tried, included putting a rubber band around the middle of each foot (the pressure is said to disrupt the uncomfortable internal signals) and drinking tonic water (which contains quinine, a compound that used to be used to treat leg cramps). Neither worked. RLS is a common disorder described by the NHS as an overwhelming urge to move your legs to stop an uncomfortable sensation Having never experienced RLS before, including during a previous pregnancy (my first child is now six), it hit like a freight train, aged 37. When it began, at eight weeks pregnant, whenever I tried to sleep or nap, I dismissed it as yet another weird symptom of growing a small human. But soon, even just lying in a darkened room reading to my six-year-old felt like torture, so I'd read The Magic Faraway Tree with my legs in the air, ankles circling, bending and flexing, my daughter laughing and telling me that I'm crazy. I felt crazy. Five years ago this was made official when I was diagnosed with chronic insomnia and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), which I recovered from, but a return of anxiety and insomnia, however fleeting, is something I was keen to avoid. As my pregnancy progressed, the sensation became more intense and was happening perhaps 50 or more times a day. I tried everything: yoga, baths with Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate is thought to help relax muscles), massage (a battery- powered massage gun was fairly effective), rubbing Vicks on to my legs (not sure why, but I was willing to try it), and cutting out sugar (there's anecdotal evidence this might feed into symptoms for some), caffeine and alcohol (likewise). I went to the GP, discussed it with five midwives, two consultants, a psychiatrist and a neurologist, but no one knew what to suggest other than a hot bath and wait in the hope it would ease off once I had my baby. The drugs usually prescribed dopamine receptor agonists such as pramipexole or ropinirole, or alpha-2-delta ligands such as pregabalin or gabapentin are not considered safe to take in pregnancy. I was told by a neurologist I could try clonazepam to sleep a tranquilliser but this should be a last resort as there are risks including reduced foetal growth and preterm birth. My options were, then, a hot bath or a benzodiazepine. With 100 days left of pregnancy I was starting to dread night-time and I was getting dizzy spells during the day due to being awake for whole nights. Thank God for Googling in the early hours I found an article by Professor Guy Leschziner for the BMJ about RLS. Professor Leschziner is a neurologist specialising in sleep disorders and someone I've actually interviewed for a book I'm writing about anxiety. I emailed him and he came straight back with a few sentences that changed everything but could be boiled down to one word: codeine. Codeine is a painkilling opioid that's considered safe in pregnancy, but as it can cause dependency it is not recommended long-term. It works on the central nervous system and brain, blocking pain signals, as well as RLS sensations. 'I wouldn't recommend it widely, but it can be helpful for some people,' says Professor Leschziner. 'I prescribe it for individuals who have very intermittent RLS or when a situation would be unmanageable for them, such as during pregnancy or a long-haul flight or car journey.' I returned to my GP and requested it: codeine is listed as a recommended RLS treatment in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. I started taking 15mg. That first night I slept better the feeling was still there, but dramatically reduced. The next day my head felt my own again and I could see a way out. In days, as my sleep banks rebuilt, the feeling receded further. I wish someone had suggested it earlier but, according to Dr Spinks, 'it's a degree of luck whether your GP knows much about RLS', he says, as it's not on their training curriculum. Professor Leschziner says while 10 to 15 per cent of RLS patients require medication, the majority manage the condition by testing for low iron and taking supplements or having iron infusions, removing medication that exacerbates symptoms, and using exercise and massage for flare-ups. Why might massage and exercise help? 'It's possible that by getting other sensory input from running or having your legs rubbed you're creating other sensory neural signals that disrupt the transmission of RLS discomfort or pain.' As my due date approached, I upped the codeine to 30mg as the symptoms progressed, but I kept sleeping and remained sane. After my baby a very happy boy was born in June, I came off the codeine and the RLS disappeared after three weeks. If I meet it again in life a risk once you experience it in pregnancy, studies show I will now be far better equipped, no rubber bands required. Do I really need... This week: Smartbud, 29,99, thesmartbud.com The idea is you attach this pen-size otoscope a device that allows you to see inside the ear to your phone: this then relays images from your inner ear on to the screen. You can use the light, camera and a choice of two differently shaped flexible silicone heads to remove wax from the ear canal. Expert verdict: 'You should not insert anything into your ear yourself poking around in it risks pushing anything further down the ear canal, potentially causing damage and introducing an infection,' says Maddie Maliszewska, an audiologist with Boots Hearingcare. 'Even just inserting this probe into the ear to see what is happening comes with these risks. 'If you're concerned that your ears are blocked, you have a possible ear infection or you're experiencing ear-related symptoms, this needs to be investigated by a trained health professional.' After a two-year investigation, a government report concluded dangerous virus research in China 'is the most likely origin of the Covid-19 pandemic.' The 525-page report from the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic released its final findings Monday and presented several of the 'strongest arguments' to support the lab leak theory. They wrote there are biological characteristics of the virus that are not found in nature; there is evidence to support a single introduction of the virus to humans, not multiple zoonotic spillover events; and Wuhan - where the virus was first detected - is home to China's largest SARS research lab - the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). The report also cited US intelligence reports that several researchers at the WIV were sick with a Covid-like virus in the fall of 2019 notes a lack of direct evidence linking the virus to animals at the nearby Wuhan wet market or its supply chain, a theory that has prevailed among a wide swathe of scientists. WIV has long been at the center of the contentious lab leak debate because researchers there routinely tinker with and genetically modify viruses to become more virulent or transmissible. And the subcommittee's report is not the first to suggest the Covid-19 pandemic began in a Wuhan lab. An analysis of data from a Harvard-based molecular scientist outlined five reasons earlier this year that Covid was most likely manufactured by Chinese scientists. A third report concluded the virus leaked from a Chinese lab with a 70 percent certainty and documents reviewed by DailyMail.com laid out plans to 'engineer spike proteins' to infect human cells that would then be 'inserted into SARS-Covid backbones' at the WIV in December 2018. Dr Alina Chan, a molecular biologist at the Broad Institute of Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and co-author of the book Viral: The search for the Origin of Covid-19 outlined five reasons why the pandemic likely stemmed from a lab accident in China The expansive report marks the latest development of years of investigation into the mysterious origins of the pandemic-causing coronavirus. A growing number of lawmakers, public health experts, and federal agencies point to the WIV as the origin because scientists there research pathogens critics say cross the line into dangerous. This kind of gain-of-function (GOF) research often involves genetically modifying viruses similar to SARS-CoV-2 to see how they could become more effective at infecting people and making them seriously ill. Proponents of the lab leak theory believe the never-before-seen virus was designed to infect humans on a major scale as part of China's gain-of-function research program. The Republican-led committee's report echoes this theory, long rebuffed by institutional scientists like Drs Anthony Fauci and Francis Collins, former head of the NIH, and academic researchers. In the report, committee members conclude the Covid-19 virus possesses features that would not occur naturally, specifically a furin cleavage site. This furin cleavage site is absent in other closely related types of coronaviruses and people argue Covid couldnt have developed this feature naturally - so it must have been designed in a lab to have it. In 2018, scientists sought to create a novel virus with features that closely match those of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid, which some say serves as a blueprint for Covid - and the resulting pandemic Led by Dr Shi Zhengli, known as bat lady because of her extensive work on bat viruses, scientists at the Wuhan Institute of Virology had been working with coronaviruses for decades The argument for GOF research is that it helps scientists understand how viruses might evolve or adapt to humans, and greater knowledge about what kinds of treatments and vaccines would work at preventing or curing infection. But Dr Kristian Andersen, a Danish evolutionary biologist who has undergone a very public shift in opinion when it comes to the origins of Covid, testified to the committee last year that he advocated to his colleagues in infectious disease research that a lab leak was not only possible but probable. When asked about the contents of the call, Dr Andersen said that he was concerned about the fact that WIV researchers were trying to grow viruses from bats or isolate them from bat samples in labs at biosafety level (BSL) 2, which are considered medium risk and don't require as much safety gear as higher-level labs. The committee concluded: The WIV has a track record of engaging in this type of airborne viral research under low biosafety conditions In the US, this type of research would be conducted under BSL-3 protocols, which require stricter personal respirator use at all times and more protective equipment. The massive report further pokes holes in the idea that Covid resulted from a chance animal-to-animal-to-human transmission event at the nearby Wuhan wet market. Despite extensive investigations by US and World Health Organization teams, no animals at the market or in its supply chain were found to carry the virus, weakening the idea that the wet market was the point of origin. House members quoted Dr Alina Chan, a molecular biologist at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, who said: The outbreak at the Wuhan market probably happened after the virus had already been circulating in humans. Signs have repeatedly pointed to those first humans being infected in the lab itself months before the virus became a public health concern. The Wuhan Institute of Virology is at the center of the Covid-19 lab leak theory due to its research on coronaviruses, its proximity to the outbreak, and concerns over the safety of its lab practices According to the report: The US government has reason to believe that several researchers inside the WIV became sick in autumn 2019, before the first identified case of the outbreak, with symptoms consistent with both COVID-19 and common seasonal illness. The report added that the WHO appears to have done nothing to act on early warnings about a mystery illness out of Taiwan as early as December 31, 2019. When Taiwanese health officials asked for more information about atypical pneumonia cases reported in Wuhan,' the organization never followed up with information. The lab leak vs natural origin debate has raged on for more than four years and 25million lives lost globally. Supporting the subcommittees report is the research from Dr Chan, whose work was analyzed in a rare pro-lab leak piece in the opinion paper of The New York Times. She concluded the location of the outbreak relative to the coronavirus lab, the unique makeup of the virus, previous research conducted by the WIV, lax biosafety protocols and lack of evidence the virus is present in animals all point to a lab leak. Additionally, researchers from Australia and Arizona used a risk analysis tool- which they described as the most comprehensive yet - to determine the chances the SARS-CoV-2 virus was of 'unnatural' or 'natural' origin. The team compared the characteristics of the virus and the pandemic to 11 criteria that analyzed things like the rarity of a virus, the timing of a pandemic, the population infected, the spread of a virus and the unexpected symptoms of a virus. Your browser does not support iframes. Based on the nature of Covid, researchers assigned a score to each category - less than 50 percent meant the pandemic would be classified as a natural outbreak, but 50 or more percent would mean the pandemic was an unnatural outbreak. Covid received a score of 68 percent. The study said: 'The origin of [Covid] is contentious. Most studies have focused on a zoonotic origin, but definitive evidence such as an intermediary animal host is lacking.' However, just because Covid received a higher score, the researchers said the 'risk assessment cannot prove the origin of [Covid], but shows that the possibility of a laboratory origin cannot be easily dismissed.' Furthermore, DailyMail.com has previously reported on records - obtained by FOIA requests - that laid out plans for grant to 'engineer spike proteins' to infect human cells that would then be 'inserted into SARS-Covid backbones' at the WIV in December 2018. It proposed engineering high-risk coronaviruses of the same species as the original SARS to preempt a human spillover and develop vaccine technology and strategies. The researchers sought to synthesize spike proteins with furin cleavage sites that had been designed to bind to human receptors more easily. The furin has been one of the focal points of debate about Covid-19's origin, with some experts claiming it could only have been acquired through lab experiments. The grant then proposed attaching the furin to coronavirus strains and infecting mice to see how ill it would make them. Ultimately, the application was denied by the US Department of Defense, but critics said the plans laid out in the proposal serve as a 'blueprint' for how to create Covid. The report concluded: It is, therefore, more than just a coincidence that COVID-19 emerged from the city with a lab preparing to conduct this research under cost-effective yet risky BSL-2 protocols. Maria-Luiza Prioteasa's newborn baby, Sarah, was less than ten days old when she first worried something was wrong. She'd lost weight and had constant nappy rash. At six weeks old, Sarah still wasn't putting on weight. Then she developed a lung infection that antibiotics couldn't clear. Baffled, a midwife referred baby Sarah to hospital for more checks including blood tests and X-rays and the results were alarming. Maria-Luiza, 32, a hospital support worker from south Yorkshire, was told her baby might have an immune deficiency. 'I didn't really know what it meant, but I found out that unless treated early, it could be fatal, which was terrifying,' says Maria-Luiza. Blood tests confirmed that Sarah had ADA severe combined immunodeficiency (ADA-SCID), a rare genetic condition affecting babies, that stops their immune system developing. 'It felt like a physical blow to my heart,' says Maria-Luiza. 'I burst into tears.' ADA-SCID affects around three children a year, and leaves them vulnerable to everyday germs the rest of us take in our stride. Even minor infections, such as a cold, can be life-threatening. Without treatment, children with ADA-SCID usually die before their second birthday. Baby Benjamin in his mother Katie's arms. He had an extra blood vessel in his heart, a condition known as patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) Sarah and her mum Maria-Luiza. Sarah had ADA severe combined immunodeficiency (ADA-SCID), a rare genetic condition affecting babies, that stops their immune system developing Yet today, Sarah is a healthy and happy eight-year-old who enjoys karate, swimming and ballet something that would have been unthinkable without a pioneering gene therapy she had as part of a clinical trial. The idea of putting babies like Sarah, even desperately sick ones, through a clinical trial might sound brutal to an outsider or an anxious new parent. But such trials represent a lifeline when other options have failed, says Claire Booth, a paediatrician and a professor in gene therapy and paediatric immunology at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, in London. 'It gives them a future when certain illnesses mean they won't survive otherwise.' What's more, the only way to improve treatment for all babies is if medication and care options are studied in babies. In Sarah's case, her condition was caused by a faulty gene, meaning she couldn't produce the enzyme, ADA, which helps the immune system develop. It meant taking every precaution to keep her safe from infections that might kill her. 'This meant mopping the floors several times a day, cleaning door handles, washing my hands after touching my face and before touching her,' says Maria-Luiza. Even kissing her or sleeping close to her at night was too much of a risk. 'Not being able to kiss my own baby was torture,' she adds. The best option, Sarah's family were told, would be an invasive bone marrow transplant, which could replace the unhealthy immune system with new, healthy blood-forming stem cells to build a new immune system. But first Sarah would need to be matched with a stem-cell donor before going through chemotherapy to kill off her own existing unhealthy cells. Unfortunately, a match could not be found, and Sarah was referred to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London to discuss other treatments, including weekly injections of PEG-ADA, a replacement for Sarah's missing ADA enzymes. But the injections were expensive around 8,000 for every 2ml vial and doctors weren't confident it would be a success. Then a third option was raised: taking part in a clinical trial. Sarah seemed to be a good fit for a GOSH trial for a new kind of gene therapy, where the faulty gene is replaced with a working copy. Doctors use a virus to carry the working gene into the patient. There was no guarantee it would work but, if successful, immune cells would start to develop. Maria-Luiza admits she didn't let herself fear the worst: 'I needed to be there for her. It wasn't until a couple of years later that I fully realised how scary it was.' Mia Roberts-Mukasa with her son Oscar who was born at 27 weeks, weighing just 1lb 10oz (737g) At the time Sarah joined the trial, the GOSH team had successfully treated a number of other patients with the one-off therapy. 'The procedure itself is not dangerous,' says Professor Booth. 'It works by collecting the patients' blood stem cells using a machine very similar to a kidney dialysis machine. We then work in the lab to produce a working copy of the same gene, before giving it to the patient.' Maria-Luiza had many questions, but ultimately felt she had 'no choice' but to give it a try. 'As a parent, you will do everything you can to save your child,' she says. Sarah had her treatment at six months old. Blood tests showed immune cells had begun to grow within weeks. 'All her symptoms, like rashes, started to improve.' says Maria-Luiza. 'She was smiling and happier, with clearer skin and brighter eyes. It was amazing to see.' From there, Sarah made a full recovery. 'I've no doubt that if Sarah hadn't had access to this treatment, she would not be alive today,' says Maria-Luiza, who's since begun a nursing degree and works supporting parents of children admitted to GOSH. In the past, medicines prescribed for children were generally only tested on and formulated for adults due to reluctance to conduct studies on children for ethical reasons. However, there's been a shift in opinion since the mid-1990s, and a lack of data on the effect of drugs on babies is now seen as a concern. 'Children and babies aren't just mini adults,' says Professor Booth. 'You can't necessarily extrapolate from adult trials what would happen in children because they have a different body chemistry and so can react to treatments differently.' This is partly due to their size but also, because their bodies are still developing, the effects on infant organs may be different, she explains. 'It's really important to tailor treatments for them and the way we do that is by doing research and clinical trials.' Mia says she is glad she let her son Oscar take part in research into necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a gastrointestinal condition that occurs mainly in premature babies Researchers are keen to enrol babies with more common conditions on to trials so experts can collect data and learn more about their unique physiology. The fact is that studies involving real babies are crucial because laboratory testing cannot replace real patients, explains Neena Modi, a professor of neonatal medicine at Imperial College London. 'If you want to bring about benefits for babies then you have to involve babies,' she says. But baby trials bring their own challenges. For one thing, babies are especially vulnerable and require specialist monitoring equipment and care in specialist centres and hospitals with appropriate equipment and trained staff. And parents may be understandably anxious especially if their baby is ill or premature and they have to make a quick decision about whether to enrol them. 'Parents are inevitably and understandably in a heightened state of worry and concern about their baby,' says Caroline Lee-Davey, chief executive of Bliss, a charity for premature and sick babies. 'We always want to see informed consent meaning the parents understand what the trial is aiming to do and exactly how it might impact their child,' she says. 'Ideally they've had time to process the request and think about it before agreeing to take part.' There may be benefits for parents in choosing to have their baby take part in a trial, adds Professor Modi. A 2020 study, involving parents of children who'd taken part in neonatal drugs trials in Belgium, found that overall they reported 'positive experiences and little emotional distress after participation'. Almost all reported satisfaction and pride in contributing to research, while a minority reported anxiety, stress or guilt. Any study involving babies must pass strict ethical tests, as adult trials do, before being approved, explains Professor Modi. At each stage, the researchers face scrutiny by relevant regulatory authorities. 'So by the time a parent of a baby in an intensive care unit is presented with the study, that study will have been scrutinised heavily by a number of different bodies,' says Professor Modi. And very often studies in babies do not involve new drugs or invasive treatments, says Caroline Lee-Davey. 'In neonatal care it's often about measuring the difference between one standard practice and another,' she says. This might involve, for instance, the timing of surgery after birth or studying how often a baby is being fed 'things that are less black and white'. Benjamin, left, was in hospital for 76 days in total and, due to lung development issues, he required oxygen at home until he was six months old. Pictured with his brother Joseph One recent study involved asking parents to stroke their babies during the standard heel-prick test, typically done at five days old to check for conditions such as sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis. The researchers sought to measure whether parental touch could reduce discomfort and distress felt by babies during the test. Katie Stanmore's son Benjamin took part in a 2019 trial after he was born prematurely, at 26 weeks. Scans shortly after he was born revealed he had an extra blood vessel in his heart, a condition known as patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). PDA affects around one in every 2,000 full-term babies, but the risk is much higher for children born before 29 weeks. For most babies with otherwise normal hearts, the extra blood vessel will shrink and close on its own within the first few days of life. If it stays open for longer, however, it can cause extra blood to flow to the lungs, damaging the smaller blood vessels and risking permanent damage, which can be fatal. 'It was a big shock when Benjamin came so early, I was overwhelmed with emotion and worry,' says Katie, 31, from Southport. During her pregnancy, Katie suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum severe nausea and vomiting which meant she was 'in and out of hospital, and bleeding from around 16 weeks of pregnancy... it was such an awful time,' she recalls. Benjamin was born via emergency Caesarean at Liverpool Women's Hospital weighing just 1lb 7oz (652g). 'When I went to see him in the neo-natal intensive care unit he was covered in wires,' says Katie. 'His skin was see-through and he was making kitten-like noises.' When Benjamin was around two days old, a consultant told Katie about a clinical trial at the University of Oxford. Researchers wanted to test whether administering ibuprofen to newborns with PDA could help to close up the extra blood vessel when administered in the first 72 hours of a baby's life. There were no guarantees it would work, however, and none of the families taking part would be told whether their babies were given the drug or the placebo. 'I said yes straight away,' says Katie. 'Of course it was a worry, but I reassured myself that the experts knew what they were doing.' A scan of Benjamin's heart after the drug was given via intravenous drip showed his valve had successfully closed. 'The staff were absolutely amazing and talked me through everything,' says Katie. Benjamin was in hospital for 76 days in total and, due to lung development issues, he required oxygen at home until he was six months old. But now, aged four, he is 'fit, well and very happy,' says Katie. 'You'd never think he was a premature baby by looking at him. He was a little fighter from day one.' While the level of regulation and safety precautions involved means 'it should be exceptionally rare that the research could be actively harmful to a baby', Caroline Lee-Davey says it's possible for parents to be left feeling disappointed if they do not get the outcome they had hoped for for example, if their baby is given the placebo treatment over a new intervention. 'I can understand that disappointment for parents if they think they haven't benefited from the new thing that maybe would have helped their baby,' she says. 'But that is what research is about: it's often comparing something new against the existing standard practice. It's not the case that one baby gets better care than the other.' Katie won't ever know if Benjamin got the ibuprofen or a placebo. 'It's always been on my mind,' she says, 'but all I can do is be grateful for the trial regardless.' In studies involving both healthy and sick babies, ethics are always a consideration, says Professor Booth. 'For the gene therapy trials our team work on, we do not complete comparison studies [with a placebo] as it would be unethical to do this,' she explains. 'And in rare diseases, it may not be possible to have a placebo arm of the trial due to the limited number of patients, for example.' Though he didn't directly benefit, Mia Roberts-Mukasa is glad she let her son Oscar take part in research into necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a gastrointestinal condition that occurs mainly in premature babies. Gut tissue becomes inflamed and dies off, leading to life-threatening infection. Oscar was born at 27 weeks, weighing just 1lb 10oz (737g). 'It was a very scary time for us, we didn't know if he would survive,' says Mia, 31, an events producer from Hampshire. In the days after Oscar's birth at St Thomas' Hospital in London in October 2021, Mia and her husband were approached about research trials taking place on the neonatal unit. 'One was to test the use of an antibiotic as a prophylactic [i.e. to prevent infection] as opposed to treatment for infection. But I didn't like the idea of giving him antibiotics if there was no medical need. 'We decided to opt into the NEC trial, which seemed the least invasive and potentially most relevant to him,' says Mia. Babies who contract NEC usually undergo an emergency operation to remove part of the intestine. If Oscar did contract NEC, the family consented to let surgeons take an extra piece of his intestine during the procedure, for further study. Thankfully, Oscar wasn't affected, but he stayed on the trial as a 'control', being monitored as a comparison against babies who did develop NEC. 'It was a positive experience and we didn't feel under any pressure,' says Mia. 'We also felt that, God forbid, he might not make it, at least we'd be making some lasting impact that might help other babies. 'Knowing you're contributing to something bigger that might help others can really give meaning to an awful time.' Only a few days old... and helping scientists unravel the secrets of our brains Just a few days old, wrapped in swaddling and its head covered in electrodes, this newborn baby undergoes a test to measure the electrical activity of its brain. But this is no emergency intervention to try to save the life of a critically ill infant. In fact, it's an experiment to see if newborns have an intrinsic understanding of the rhythm of music. The test, carried out by scientists at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, involved performing an electroencephalogram (EEG) where electrodes are used to monitor brain activity that indicates its response to external changes. In this study, 31 babies all under six days old wore earphones, through which researchers played a drum beat of the kind heard in most pop songs. Just a few days old, wrapped in swaddling and its head covered in electrodes, this newborn baby undergoes a test to measure the electrical activity of its brain When a single beat was dropped from the pattern, the EEG registered a change in the babies' brain activity indicating they were able to sense a shift in the drum rhythm, even though they'd never been exposed to these noises before. Writing in the journal Cognition earlier this year, the researchers said the findings showed babies are born with a sense of rhythm that's fundamental to humans' appreciation of music. But is it ethical to perform experiments on tiny babies especially experiments where there is no obvious medical benefit, such as this study? This question is covered by the Declaration of Helsinki, a complex set of ethical principles first drawn up by the World Medical Association in 1964, to set the boundaries for who should and should not be human guinea pigs for research. These state that ethics committees experts who vet all medical research projects must decide whether participating in experiments amounts to 'more than minimal risk' for the participant. 'Anything that an ethics committee perceives as more than minimal risk is very unlikely to be allowed to go ahead,' says Dominic Wilkinson, a professor of medical ethics at the University of Oxford. 'In this case, exposing babies to drum beats would be judged to be fine if the committee was happy that it didn't mean being exposed to any more noise than they would be in everyday life,' he says. 'But if the researchers planned to put headphones on a baby and play it heavy metal music very loudly that would not be allowed.' In the drum-beat experiment, noise levels were capped at around 80 decibels roughly the same as a vacuum cleaner. Pat Hagan Furious Brits have vowed to boycott more than a dozen of the UK's best known brands over fears that certain dairy products are allegedly 'contaminated' with an additive linked to cancer. Shoppers say they will avoid milks and butters made by Danish firm Arla after the company announced a trial that would involve giving a feed supplement called Bovaer to its cows. In a list now circulating widely on social media, consumers are also instructed to avoid Lurpak and Anchor butters - which are both manufactured by the company. Others include those that have partnerships with Arla Foods as well as major supermarkets like Tesco and Asda who stock own-brand milk supplied by Arla. Bovaer, which will be introduced to cattle food, is designed to reduce the amount of methane they produce in digestion, a gas that contributes to climate change. But it has been declared a safe additive by both European and UK regulators as it doesn't transfer into milk. Experts have also told MailOnline that customers do not have anything to worry about and that concerns about cancer risks are unfounded. However, social media is now awash with claims the additive can cause fertility issues and cancer. In one TikTok video seen thousands of times, one user pours her Arla milk down the sink, adding 'Arla not in my house' The viral list, shared on X and Facebook, warns customers against purchasing Arla and its sub-brands Arla Cravendale, Arla BOB, Arla Protein and Arla Lactofree. Artisanal cheese brand Castello, Apetina which sells white cheese and paneer and Arla Organic are others that make the blacklist. It also warns consumers against brands who have partnerships with Arla Foods including Starbucks, McDonald's and Ecomilk. Arla, it claims, produces ready-made chilled coffee drinks for Starbucks, while it also supplies dairy products for McDonald's. Virtually all major supermarkets have also come under attack by shoppers and are named on the list. They claim this is because Arla Foods produces products such as milk and cheese for some of their own-brand ranges like Asda. Other supermarkets stock Arla Foods products. Since the list began to circulate, scores of Brits have taken to TikTok to share clips of themselves pouring the dairy products down the toilet, and throwing them in the bin. In one video seen over 1.6million times, one man points to his bottle of Asda semi-skimmed milk which displays the label 'sourced from Arla farms'. TikTokers have shared videos demonstrating their boycott by throwing food products in the bin One man filmed himself with Arla products and told his followers they would be 'going straight down the drain' He adds: 'This will be going straight down the drain and I won't be buying Asda milk again.' Bovaer is a compound made of silicon dioxide, propylene glycol and organic compound 3-nitrooxypropanol which is known as 3-nitrooxypropanol or shortened to 3-NOP. Concerns being spread online about the additive are mostly referencing documents from regulators about handling the substance at an industrial scale. One from the Federal Drug Administration in the US (FDA) reads the product is not for human use. It adds: 'Caution should be exercised when handling this product. 3-nitrooxypropanol may damage male fertility and reproductive organs, is potentially harmful when inhaled, and is a skin and eye irritant.' It goes on to advise that those handling it should wear protective gear such as that covering the eyes and mouth, and gloves. Claims it causes cancer centre on safety studies that were performed on rats and assessed by UK regulator the Food Standards Agency. Results suggested that giving the rodents a high dose of the product increased the risk of cancer in female rats. In one TikTok video, a user with over 4,000 followers pours her carton of Arla milk down the drain Another TikTok video published yesterday captured one woman emptying her bottle of Arla into the toilet before flushing it However, a follow-up analysis found rates of the disease were not statistically higher than the control group. Bovaer manufacturer, Dsm-firmenich said the social media storm had led to 'mistruths and misinformation' about the feed. In a statement they assured the public that 'provided it is used as recommended', Bovaer 'never enters into milk and therefore does not reach consumers'. The supplement is also 'specifically designed to break down in the cow's digestive system and quickly decomposes into naturally occurring compounds already present in the rumen of a cow', the Dutch Swiss multinational added. Bovaer's product safety sheet advises people to wear masks and gloves when handling the additive to avoid risks 'from small dust particles'. But this is a 'standard sheet' designed for workers at processing facilities, Dsm-firmenich also noted. This merely 'ensures safe use' and 'such procedures are quite common for feed'. A spokesman for the UK Food Standards Agency also told MailOnline: 'Milk from cows given Bovaer, a feed additive used to reduce methane emissions, is safe to drink. Reform MP for Great Yarmouth, Rupert Lowe, waded in on the debate this afternoon, committing to the boycott of the products 'Bovaer has undergone rigorous safety assessments and is approved for use in Great Britain.' Claims that the product is linked to Bill Gates also appear to have confused some social media users, heightening the storm. The Microsoft co-founder had invested millions in Rumin 8, a separate company developing similar methane-reducing supplements in early 2023. Conspiracy theorists have wrongly linked the two firms without evidence. Responding to the claims, an Arla spokesman said: 'The information spreading online surrounding our link to Bill Gates is completely false and claims relating to his involvement in our products is inaccurate'. They added: 'The health and safety of both consumers and animals is always our number one priority. 'Bovaer has already been extensively and safely used across Europe and at no point during the trial will there be any impact on the milk we produce as it does not pass from the cow into the milk. 'Regulatory bodies, such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the FSA, have approved its use based on evidence that it does not harm the animals or negatively impact their health, productivity, or the quality of milk.' A Bovaer spokesperson also said: 'This has been developed in response to the need to reduce methane emissions. 'It is a feed supplement the cow metabolises that means it is not in milk. 'It has been tested over many years in many countries; it is totally safe and has been approved by regulators in Britain, America and many other countries. 'There is no justification for the spread and amplification of this fake news. We are scientists, we deal in facts and we would never market a product that was not safe. 'We are grateful for independent, third-party experts, farmers and farmers organisations who have come out to counter this misinformation.' A balding drug used by millions of Americans has been blamed for a spate of cases of 'werewolf syndrome' in babies. Minoxidil - an over-the-counter foam applied to the scalp - caused the infants to develop uncontrollable hair growth across their bodies. Researchers in Spain who discovered the cases believe it could be caused when parents' touched their kids soon after using the drug. From there, it may have entered their kids' mouths or permeated through their delicate skin. These case studies have caused the European Medicines Agency to suggest additional warnings to their labels about Minoxidil, warning about the risk of hair growth on infants. The new warning explicitly warns parents that they and their children should not ingest the foam. The FDA has not publicly commented on these Spanish cases, nor does it appear to be issuing additional warnings about Minoxidil usage. In all eleven cases, the children's hair growth ceased and reversed after their parents stopped exposing them to the drug. Hypertrichosis can occur all over the body, and the Spanish cases were reported on the legs and back. In a famous case, Alice Doherty, pictured here as a teenager, was a Minneapolis native who suffered from hypertrichosis lanuginosa, resulting in her being born with two-inch long blonde hair all over her body Minoxidil can be sold as a tincture, foam, cream or pill. Many forms of the drug are available in the US over-the-counter, but pills tend to require a perscription Your browser does not support iframes. Minoxidil isn't known to be dangerous, but in one case study from France in 2014, an anonymous child who swallowed a teaspoon of the product was sent to the hospital with a dangerously high heart rate and low blood pressure. Dr. Isabelle Claudet, the head of the pediatric emergency department at Children's Hospital in Toulouse who authored the 2014 report told Reuters: 'At therapeutic dosage, there is usually no serious adverse effect, but for a child, some milliliters or a teaspoon can lead to long-lasting hypotension.' This is because the drug relaxes blood vessels, stimulating blood flow to the hair follicles, and in turn, promoting hair growth. Beginning in 2023, sets of parents in Spain saw excessive amounts of hair bloom on their young child's back, legs and thighs over a few months - in a condition known as hypertrichosis. Officials at the Pharmacovigilance Center of Navarre traced the unexplained hair growth in 11 children back to minoxidil. Minoxidil is an FDA approved formulation available at a range of concentrations, including 1 percent, 2 percent, 5 percent, 7 percent and 15 percent. The foams and other topical treatments are generally available over the counter, though it's more rare to see the higher concentrations, according to the telehealth provider Hims. There are also pill forms that people can take, but these require a prescription. It's unclear how many Americans use some form of the drug, since users can purchase it without a prescription. But 80million Americans struggle with some form of hair loss as they age, and Minoxidil is one of the most common treatments, according to Cleveland Clinic. Lalit Patidar was born with hypertrichosis. The young man was born in INdia and was called 'monkey boy' by classmates. There are cases of this condition all over the world. Usually, when the drug is applied to the scalp, it's affects are isolated to that region. But in the pill form, the FDA label on the drug notes that it can cause hypertrichosis in the: 'eyebrows, between the hairline and the eyebrows, or in the sideburn area of the upper lateral cheek, later extending to the back, arms, legs, and scalp.' The label also notes that the drug has not been used in infants, but does not note that there is any danger in being exposed to the drug. In the case of the Spanish children, according to Newsweek, authorities report that the children may have ingested the drug from their caregivers scalp or hands, since children often put their mouths on things. It could also be that skin to skin contact with a person who has Minoxidil on their body could permeate into the skin of the child, since their skin is more delicate than adults and substances can pass more easily into it. In all 11 cases reported, the children's excess hair growth began waning once Minoxidil exposure was removed. These new cases in part prompted the EMA to add new warnings to their minoxidil labels. In the EU the Product Information must now include: 'Cases of hypertrichosis have been reported in infants following skin contact with minoxidil application sites of patients (caregivers) using topical minoxidil. Hypertrichosis was reversible, within months, when infants were no longer exposed to Minoxidil. Contact between children and Minoxidil application sites should therefore be avoided.' They also added: 'Do not ingest'. The update to the labelling information for Minoxidil as suggested by the European Medicines Agency, issued on August 13. It includes warnings about hypertrichosis in children Older case studies have linked Minoxidil solution to unwanted hair growth. In 2015, an anonymous 42 year old Spanish woman went in to see dermatologists after mats of thin, soft dark hair began growing like a beard across her face and lower back. Doctors had prescribed her 5 percent topical Minoxidil to try to treat alopecia - or hair loss- and she had been taking it for two weeks. She said she was careful to avoid letting the solution sit anywhere but her scalp, yet she still saw the hair growth. Six months after stopping the topical, she began to improve, with the hair thinning on her beard and torso, doctors reported in the journal Academia Espanola De Dermatologia Y Venerologia. A similar outbreak occurred, again in Spain, in 2019 after a container of Minoxidil pills were mislabeled as acid-reflux medication. 17 children developed werewolf syndrome as a result, but their symptoms seized after they stopped taking the drugs. Hypertrichosis can be a condition that someone is born with or one that someone develops, according to Medscape. In some cases, the hair grows in isolated areas - like on the tips of the elbows or on the face - in others, the hair grows all over the body. Each of these scenarios is slightly different than the other, making it difficult for doctors to diagnose or determine a cause for the condition. Doctors aren't even sure how common it is, but some estimates put it around one in a billion. It affects people from every country and doesn't seem to be more common in boys or girls. Some children who are born with the condition see their excess hair start to thin during adolescence, others live with it for life. Aside from the hair growth, people with the condition lead a normal, healthy life. Still, there can be psychological consequences of living with the condition, since some people with it are teased for their appearance. An unknown disease has killed 143 people in the Congo in an outbreak that has alarmed health officials and the World Health Organization. Patients suffered from flu-like symptoms, including a high fever and severe headache, local officials say, with women and children reported to be most seriously affected. Deaths are being recorded in Kwango province, in the Southwest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and on its border with Angola. Remy Saki, deputy governor of the province, and Apollinaire Yumba, its minister of health said health officials are collecting samples and carrying out an analysis in order to identify the disease behind the outbreak. Officials say the situation is 'extremely worrying' and that the death toll is rising rapidly. On November 25, they had reported 67 deaths from the disease. Patients suffering from the illness are reportedly dying in their own homes and struggling to receive treatment. The DRC is also currently facing a monkeypox outbreak. Health officials are yet to report any results from the tests, and it is not clear whether patients have tested negative for other common diseases. The above shows a child being treated for monkeypox in North Kivu province, eastern DRC, on August 15, 2024 The above map shows the DRC, and highlights the province of Kwango where the outbreak has been recorded There has also been no data released on the number of patients suspected to have been infected or hospitalized in the outbreak. It is not clear what disease could be causing the deaths, but the DRC has now battled more than 12 outbreaks of Ebola. The virus, which can be caught from fruit bats, causes a flu-like illness before patients suffer from nausea, bleeding and brain problems. In one outbreak declared in 2019, more than 3,250 cases and 2,100 deaths were reported. The DRC is also currently battling a major outbreak of a more deadly strain of monkeypox, that has already sickened 12,500 people and caused 581 deaths. Infections have been detected across the country, including in the province that is recording the mysterious disease outbreak. Officials in that province have not said whether they have ruled out monkeypox as the potential cause. The situation is extremely worrying as the number of infected people continues to rise, civil society leader Cephorien Manzanza said. 'Panzi is a rural health zone, so there is a problem with the supply of medicines.', he added. Your browser does not support iframes. A local epidemiologist said women and children were the most seriously affected by the disease. A WHO spokesperson said on Tuesday the UN health agency had been alerted to the presence of the disease last week, and it was working alongside Congo's public health ministry to make further investigations. The country was rocked by a failed presidential coup earlier this year, which led to a British citizen and three American citizens being sentence to death by a military court. READ MORE: Carnivore MD claims touching store receipts is bad for your health A top doctor has issued a plea to stop using cologne and perfume due to 'irrefutable evidence' they're linked to cancer and infertility. Dr Trisha Pasricha, a professor of medicine at Harvard, said that while a quick spritz may seem harmless, even small amounts of these products could contain harmful 'forever chemicals.' These substances have been dubbed forever chemicals because they don't break down in the body, where they cause untold harms. Dr Pasricha said the most worrying chemical in perfumes are phthalates, which are used to make their scent last longer. Studies have shown they imitate the body's hormones and interfere with the production of - and response to - natural hormones like estrogen and testosterone. She pointed to a statement from the Endocrine Society, which said that these studies show 'irrefutable evidence' that endocrine disrupting chemicals lead to a variety of health issues, including obesity, diabetes, infertility, and several forms of cancer. The FDA says it doesn't have enough evidence 'that phthalates used in cosmetics pose a safety risk' and perfume companies are not required to disclose all of their ingredients. Some phthalates are banned or tightly regulated in the UK and Europe, but many aren't. As the evidence mounts, Dr Pasricha advised to steer clear of fragrances altogether, especially if you have young children or are trying to get pregnant. Dr Trisha Pasricha, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, warned against using personal care products with phthalates. Phthalates are synthetic chemicals meant to make plastic more durable and give shampoos a more flexible consistency. These are found in personal care products and even some ultra-processed foods Your browser does not support iframes. She told the Washington Post: 'I recommend avoiding added fragrances altogether in perfumes, scented lotions and shampoos, even scented detergents and antiperspirants.' she said in an email interview. Dr Pasricha cited a recent study of 200 adolescents in JAMA Network Open as a cause for concern. The report round that higher urinary concentrations of phthalates found in personal care products like deodorant were linked to a 25 percent increased risk of hyperactivity issues. And another study from the same group found that increased exposure to these chemicals was associated with worse performance in math, especially among those under more stress. These concerns about childhood exposure led to certain phthalates being banned in childrens toys and child-care items like pacifiers and baby bottles. Though at least nine commercially used phthalates are still authorized to be in cosmetic products in the US - compared to just one in Europe. The FDA allows the use of nine phthalates in food contact applications, like plastic containers or cans. though they cannot be added directly to food. However, some states have tried to crack down on these. California's Prop 65 legislation lists six phthalates as substances known to cause cancer, birth defects, and reproductive harm. Phthalates are included in the FDA's list of chemicals the agency is currently reviewing to determine how safe they are to the food supply. The legislation requires businesses to determine if they need to provide warning labels about safe chemical levels and has established 'safe harbor levels' for some listed chemicals. However, this only applies to one-third of them. Phthalates are added to plastics to make them pliable and soft and are used in thousands of products, from plastic food wrap to vinyl flooring, garden hoses and shower curtains. They are also estimated to be in around three-quarters of scented personal care products like deodorants, nail polish, hair gels, shampoos, soaps and lotions. The fact they are so abundant in beauty goods may partly explain why women consistently have higher levels in their bodies than men. Recent research has also found that ethnic minority women in the US have higher exposure during pregnancy than their peers. The chemicals have been associated with fertility issues in both men and women. One study in the journal Toxicological Sciences, for example, found that female mice exposed in the womb to the same phthalate mixtures detected in pregnant women were born with fertility issues, which they then passed on to their female offspring. Hundreds of products have been revealed to contain forever chemicals that can have adverse effects on people's health Ultra-processed foods such as the above have been shown to contain high levels of BPA and phthalates, which are used to make plastic. The above are products tested by watchdog Consumer Reports Additional research has found that higher levels of phthalates in women's urine could reduce their likelihood of getting pregnant and increase their risk of pregnancy loss before 20 weeks gestation. And researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that exposure to the fragrance musk ambrette could increase the risk of early puberty in girls, as children and teens have started wearing makeup and perfume at earlier ages. Earlier puberty in girls has been linked to a complications like increased risk for obesity, heart disease, breast cancer, and psychological problems. The FDA has removed musk ambrette from its list of fragrances 'generally recognized a safe.' It's also restricted in Canada and the EU. However, the NIH authors write, musk ambrette has still been detected in some water sources and fragrances, including several on online marketplaces like Amazon and Etsy. Meanwhile, a Polish study showed that phthalate exposure in men lowered their sperm quality and sperm count, decreasing the chance of conceiving. Phthalates are also considered possible human carcinogens, meaning they can increase the risk of some forms of cancer, namely those linked to hormone production like thyroid and breast cancer. A study in the journal Breast Cancer Research, for example, found that higher urinary levels of phthalates were associated with an up to 32 percent increased risk of breast hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. The above graph shows the results from a 2018 George Washington University study, which found that people who ate fast food had 35 percent higher phthalate levels than those who mostly ate grocery store food To reduce your exposure to phthalates, Dr Pasricha suggests opting for shampoos that are listed as 'fragrance-free' or 'phthalate-free,' as well as limiting canned and ultra-processed foods and avoiding heating plastic. One 2018 study from George Washington University, for instance, found that people who reported consuming more restaurant, fast food, and cafetaria had phthalate levels 35 percent higher than those who mostly ate food from the grocery store. She wrote: 'As a doctor, I know we sometimes need to pick our health-care battles wisely. 'But what were discovering about how exposure to EDCs impacts an individuals sperm or egg cells is deeply concerning.' In a 2016 study, 100 teenaged girls in California were provided with fragrence-free personal products for three days. They saw their levels of several urinary phthalate compounds drop by up to half. Annie is a reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle. She previously was a digital producer for The Chronicles Datebook section. She graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2017 with a degree in journalism. During her time there, she spearheaded a culture column, produced radio pieces for NPR-affiliate station KCBX, and was a DJ and writer for KCPR, the campus radio station. Before joining the Chronicle, she was an associate producer at SFGATE and interned at VICE and Flood Magazine. Shes particularly interested in communities and scenes that are often misunderstood. Parents are being advised to take extra precautions at splash pads next year after they were linked to a surge in illnesses. More than 10,000 children and adults have been sickened after using the recreational play areas over the 25 years to 2022, a CDC report found. Of these, 152 people were hospitalized while another 99 became so ill that they went to the Emergency Room. No fatalities were reported linked to the outbreaks. CDC scientists said the outbreaks were often caused by feces being released from children's diapers and contaminating the water. Splash pads do contain chlorine to prevent outbreaks, but this is often aerosolized by spray jets making it less effective. To prevent spreading disease to others, they said families should not visit splash pads for two weeks after a child suffers from diarrhea. They also suggested taking children for regular bathroom breaks while they use the splashpads and checking diapers regularly. People using splash pads may be at higher risk for catching disease, scientists say. Above shows adults and children using a splash pad in Arizona in July 2023 amid a heat wave The above map shows the number of outbreaks linked to splashpads by state for 1997 to 2022 There are up to 10,000 splash pads across the US, estimates suggest, with their number surging in recent years amid attempts to cool off in the summer heat. And outbreaks linked to the recreational areas are not common, with the number of illnesses reported 10,000 cases in 25 years well below the number of people who visit splash pads every year estimated to be in the tens of thousands. But since 1997, the recreational areas have been repeatedly linked to outbreaks of intestinal illness, with symptoms including watery diarrhea, stomach cramps and fever. For the report, published in the CDC's MMWR, the agency analyzed data on disease outbreaks linked to splashpads in 23 states and Puerto Rico from 1997 to 2022. Overall, they detected 60 waterborne disease outbreaks linked to the pads during this time leading to the cases and hospitalizations. Of the 52 outbreaks with data available, 40 were caused by Cryptosporidium hominis, an easily transmitted single-celled micro-organism that thrives in water and can cause prolonged watery diarrhea, stomach cramps and a high fever. Analysis showed it caused 9,622 of the infections linked to splash pads or 91 percent of the total and 123 hospitalizations or 81 percent. And was linked to the three largest outbreaks, which led to 2,307 cases, 2,050 cases and 2,000 cases. It caused another outbreak this year, when Albuquerque in New Mexico was forced to shutter its water parks because of a spate of illnesses linked to micro-organisms. C. hominis causes symptoms such as watery diarrhea and stomach cramps, with sicknesses normally clearing up in a few days. In severe cases, it can cause chronic life-threatening diarrhea with severe dehydration and wasting of muscles. The above shows the splash pad outbreaks by the month they were reported from 1997 to 2022 There were also five outbreaks caused by Shigella, three caused by E.coli and one each caused by norovirus, salmonella and two other pathogens. No outbreaks were linked to the brain-eating amoeba naegleria fowleri, but in September last year a toddler in Arkansas was reported to have died from the disease after playing in a local country club's splashpad. By state, Ohio and Florida recorded the most outbreaks over the study period at eight outbreaks each followed by West Virginia, which reported three outbreaks. Arizona, California and Idaho each reported three outbreaks, while Utah, Colorado, Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee, New York and Massachusetts reported two. Your browser does not support iframes. Washington, Kansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Pennsylvania each recorded one outbreak. Outbreaks were most common during the summer months from June to September, when people are also most likely to use splash pads. Describing how the water became contaminated, report lead authot Hannah Lawinger an epidemiologist and others said: 'Young children also are less likely to have mastered toileting skills and hygiene skills, and swim diapers do not prevent fecal contamination of recreational water. 'Sitting or standing on top of water jets... are behaviors commonly observed in children playing in splash pads. [But] the former behavior results in rinsing of diapers or perianal surfaces, which in young children can carry as much as 10 grams of feces. 'Thus, because of their design, splash pads can be at increased risk for contamination with pathogens.' Regulations require splash pads to maintain chlorine levels at about one part per million, which is the normal threshold for killing off most diseases. But researchers said spraying the water can aerosolize chlorine, decreasing its concentration. C. hominis also has some tolerance to the chemical. It sometimes feels probably because of social media that each year spurns its own distinct vocabulary. Last Christmas, nobody knew what a brat summer was, rawdogging' meant something very different, and if we were looking for a guy in finance, we certainly werent singing about it. Fast forward 12 months, and weve created an entirely new lexicon comprising all sorts of weird and wonderful sayings. Its meant that for dictionaries picking their Word of the Year theres been some pretty stiff competition. Heres what logophiles have plumped for (full marks if you can guess what they all mean without looking). Cambridge Dictionary: manifest Not to state the obvious, but manifest is not a new word. As an adjective, it means 'clear or plain to see, while as a verb it means to show something clearly through signs or actions. Its been picked, however, because of its new, social media-age meaning: to imagine achieving something you want, in the belief doing so will make it more likely to happen. It was looked up 130,000 times on the Cambridge Dictionary website in 2024, presumably by those hoping to give it a go. A nice idea, but kind of delulu (you need to revisit the Word of the Year 2023 if you dont understand what that means). Do you know your brain rot from your brat girl summer? Oxford University Press: brain rot Brain rot is defined as the supposed deterioration of a persons mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging. Some 37,000 people voted to choose it as winner, from an online (ironic) shortlist drawn up by publishers. Collins English Dictionary: brat Unless youve been living in a cave (which would be pretty brat of you), youll have heard plenty of Gen Zs banging on about their brat girl summer inspired by the 2024 Charli XCX album brat. Its defined as having a confident, independent and hedonistic attitude, with Collins pointing to its ubiquity on social media, and Kamala Harris wannabe-brat presidential campaign. Losing the election to Trump? Not very brat. Dictionary.com: demure Dictionary.coms word of the year is demure, which means reserved, quiet or modest. Searches for demure increased 200 times over after TikToker Jools Lebron described her make-up as very demure, very mindful in August 2024. Jaguar bosses have doubled-down on the company's daring rebrand and switch to electric vehicles, with its managing director saying the plan is to be 'bold and disruptive' while its chief creative officer defended its radical new look by suggesting the car firm 'has no desire to be loved by everyone'. The comments were made overnight during Jaguar's unveiling of its new Type 00 concept car in the US. Two versions, one in 'London Blue' and a second in a striking fuchsia tone called 'Miami Pink', were revealed to what has been a mixed public reaction. While not a production model itself, the monumentally-proportioned car signals the design language of the three EVs that will arrive in showrooms from 2026, starting with a 100,000-plus four-door Grand Tourer. Having already caused a major stir with its controversial rebrand last month, in which it said it will ditch the classic roaring Jaguar motif in favour of contemporary logos and released a 30-second campaign advert featuring a diverse group of models in exuberant fashion wear but no cars, executives last night spoke out to justify the decision to turn a corner on the company's century-long heritage. Speaking to Sky News at the Type 00's launch in Miami in the early hours, managing director Rawdon Glover responded to the suggestion that the company had 'gone woke', saying: 'We want to be bold and disruptive... we're clearly in the conversation. He added: 'More people have been talking about Jaguar for the last two weeks than - goodness, for so much longer. Car companies unveil new cars all the time and go completely unnoticed.' Chief creative officer Gerry McGovern also welcomed and encouraged the controversy the company had created in recent weeks with 'an uncompromising creative approach' and accepted this would polarise opinion, but emphasised: 'At our very best we have never conformed.' Jaguar bosses have doubled-down on the company's daring rebrand and switch to electric vehicles, with its managing director Rawdon Glover (pictured) saying the plan is to be 'bold and disruptive' with its new EVs Jaguar execs broke their silence on the controversy surrounding the British car maker's radical rebrand at last night's unveiling of its Type 00 concept - a vehicle that signals the design language of its next-generation EVs arriving from 2026 The radical new all-electric concept from the legendary British car firm officially debuted at a glitzy Miami Art Week event - though images of the car had already been leaked on Monday Mr Glover, who has already hit back at some of the public response to the rebrand, particularly the 'vile hatred and intolerance' towards the fashion-heavy social media ad, told Sky News the company had 'certainly gathered an awful lot of attention over the last few weeks'. Defending the car maker's brave new direction, he said: 'We need to make sure that Jaguar is relevant, is desirable, is future proof for the next 90 years of its history.' He pointed to a 'disrupted' motor industry that's facing a major challenge ahead of the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel models and a transition to EVs. 'At Jaguar, we've looked at that and we think we have to make a really bold step forward. But actually, the step we're going to take is completely in keeping in ethos with the brand,' he added. When asked if he and the company had anticipated the criticism it has received of late, the Jaguar director said: 'We absolutely don't want to alienate any of our loyal fans. 'Quite the opposite - we want to take as many of our current fans with us on that journey... We need to also appeal to a new audience. That's what we need to do.' Mr Glover previous hit back at the 'vile hatred and intolerance' towards Jaguar's new fashion and slogan-heavy social media ad. Last night, he told Sky News the company had 'certainly gathered an awful lot of attention over the last few weeks' The cars' unveiling in Florida comes after Jaguar bosses admitted going out of their way to court controversy with a similarly 'exuberant' but polarising rebranding and marketing campaign designed to get the car-firm 'talked about' Mr Glover's latest comments are somewhat contrasting to quotes given less than a month ago. During a media-only preview event of the rebrand and striking Type 00 concept in November, he told This is Money that the company foresees 85 per cent of future Jaguar customers to be new to the marque and the JLR company as it looks to cater for a younger audience. Only 15 per cent around one in seven are expected to be existing customers. This was the 'scale of the transformation', he said. He also stressed the car maker had to be 'fearless', adding: 'This is a complete reset. Jaguar is transformed to reclaim its originality and inspire a new generation.' Gerry McGovern, the chief creative officer at JLR, said: 'Jaguar has no desire to be loved by everybody, it has already stirred emotions and it will continue to.' McGovern is seen here last month receiving a 'Made In The UK' award during the Walpole British Luxury Awards 2024 at The Dorchester Speaking at the unveiling of the Type 00 concept, McGovern added: 'Some may love it now. Some may love it later. And some may never love it. And that's OK. Because that's what fearless creativity does. This is the original essence of Jaguar' Gerry McGovern, JLR's design boss who penned the new Land Rover Defender as well as the latest Range Rover and smaller Range Rover Evoque, also spoke out about Jaguar's bold strategy last night. 'Jaguar has no desire to be loved by everybody, it has already stirred emotions and it will continue to,' he said at the glitzy event in Miami. Commenting at the unveiling of the Type 00 concept, he added: 'Some may love it now. Some may love it later. And some may never love it. And that's OK. Because that's what fearless creativity does. This is the original essence of Jaguar.' He noted: 'Controversy has always surrounded British creativity when it has been at its best'. Citing music legend David Bowie, fashion designer Vivienne Westwood and architect Sir Richard Rogers among his own 'creative heroes', he said: 'They were British trailblazers who challenged convention and had no desire to copy the norm. 'In the same way, when Jaguar was at its best, it threw away the rule book and created the E-Type and the XJS. 'These were objects of desire.' Highlighting how Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons said his cars should be 'a copy of nothing', McGovern said: 'Type 00 is the first physical manifestation of the new Jaguar brand that is influenced by the desire to recapture the essence of Jaguar's original creative conviction. This is a taste of things to come.' He added: 'For me it has been an honour to lead the creative reimagining of this great British brand.' Jaguar Type 00 in detail: Exterior The radical new all-electric Jaguar concept is a two-seat fast-back coupe of huge proportions. Unfortunately for Jaguar and its preparations for a glamorous reveal, the car was leaked hours before it was due to be officially unveiled in Miami when images of surfaced on forums online earlier in the day. Jaguar says the satin 'Miami Pink' is based on a colour called Rhodon Rose (Rhodon is Greek for rose). It was chosen 'in honour of the pastel colours of Miami's iconic Art Deco architecture'. A second version of the car in a silver-blue shade called 'London Blue' is inspired by the Opalescent Silver Blue of the 1960s 'and was chosen to reflect Jaguar's British roots'. Jaguar said: 'Just as a pair of E-Types attended its 1961 launch at the Geneva Motor Show, the reveal of the Type 00 celebrates two contrasting interpretations of Jaguar's new design vision.' Stretching more than four metres long but just over a metre high, the new low-slung Jaguar EV exhibits almost cartoon-like proportions and styling inside and out. As such, it has already seen it garner plenty of comparisons to Lady Penelope's FAB1 Rolls-Royce from Thunderbirds and the Panthermobile from Pink Panther. The 'face' of the Type 00 concept comprises a flat, solid and dominant modernist front grille with sharp razor-like headlights. The horizontal lines of the grille are the new Jaguar symbol and include the latest 'jaGUar' badge Pronounced 'Zero Zero, Jaguar says its a monumentally-styled and proportioned two-seat fast-back coupe stretches more than four metres Bulging rear wheel arches and haunches are matched by a full-width rear light arrangement hidden among the slatted tail section Reaction to the Jaguar Type 00's cartoonish looks have triggered comparison to Lady Penelope's FAB1 Rolls-Royce from Thunderbirds in comments posted online The 'face' comprises a flat, solid and dominant modernist front grille with sharp razor-like headlights (looking not unlike Iron Man's helmet from Marvel comics and movies). The horizontal lines of the grille (reflected on the rear) are the new Jaguar symbol. A long extended bonnet is the start of a sweeping and exaggerated coupe or fastback-like profile, providing a wide low-slung stance and cockpit. Butterfly-wing (or gullwing) doors open up either side, along with a 'pantograph' glassless tailgate to reveal the 'modernist' interior. Bulging rear wheel arches and haunches are matched by a full-width rear light arrangement hidden among the slatted tail section. There's no conventional rear glass window in the tailgate, nor traditional reflective wing mirrors. Instead, hidden digital cameras pop-out 'theatrically' to scan the road behind and feed the image to the driver via a screen where an interior mirror would normally be. The pop-out cameras sit behind brass-finished plates or 'ingots' - either side of the car's front flank The concept car features a panoramic glazed roof that is 'harmonised' with the body of the car using horizontal lines that are continued into the top section of the huge bonnet Slide me The concept features an enormously long bonnet, sweeping roofline, no rear window and these dramatic upwardly-mobile butterfly-wing doors The Type 00 has a few tricks up its sleeve; this includes a concealed compartment in the car's door. This stores a special case for valuables Charging ports and front air intakes remain hidden behind the bodywork until needed. There's no conventional rear glass window in the tailgate, nor traditional reflective wing mirrors. Instead, hidden digital cameras pop-out 'theatrically' to scan the road behind and feed the image to the driver via a screen where an interior mirror would normally be. The pop-out cameras sit behind brass-finished plates or 'ingots' - either side of the car's front flanks. A re-designed Jaguar 'leaper' symbol is laser-etched into each hand finished brass ingot, within a pattern of horizontal lines. The lines are inspired by early IBM logos. These brass plaques are called the 'Makers Marks'. Jaguar says: 'Consisting of the newly reimagined Jaguar 'leaper' that is our precious mark of provenance. Always leaping forward, it is a representation of excellence and hallmark of the brand.' A panoramic glazed roof is 'harmonised' with the body of the car using horizontal lines. Flat body panels have echoes Tesla's Cybertruck - itself one of the most controversial models to enter the market. It has a few tricks up its sleeve, too... A secret concealed compartment in the car's door stores a special case for valuables. The artificially-generated electronic sound of the electric car is ethereal. The Type 00 concepts interior might look minimalist here, but this is the setup when the vehicle is not in use... When the car is being driven, a pair of stowed digital dashboard screens can pop up for the driver and passenger Although the car aspires to be environmentally-friendly and 'green', the shaped 'floating' seats are made of polyurethane a strong plastic. Leather seats will also be available Three hand-finished brass lines run the length of the interior, with a central 3.2-metre long brass spine that splits the pair of floating instrument panels Jaguar Type 00 in detail: Interior Two stowed digital dashboard screens can pop up for the driver and passenger. Powered stowage areas slide open on demand revealing splashes of colour. Three key materials from the interior are: brass, travertine stone, and textiles - including a wool blend interior trim. Although the car aspires to be environmentally-friendly and 'green', the shaped 'floating' seats are made of polyurethane a strong plastic. Leather seats will also be available. Three hand-finished brass lines run the length of the interior, with a central 3.2-metre long brass spine that splits the pair of floating instrument panels. Occupants can change the interior 'mood' including the lighting, soundscape, tailored screen graphics, and even scents. My granddaughter was the victim of a scam in July, losing nearly 2,000. Please could you help as her bank, Chase, doesnt want to know. She is 21 and graduated from Bristol University this year and is working hard to get a bit of money behind her. She is distraught. J. P., Devon. Sally Hamilton replies: In your email, you attached a note from your granddaughter outlining what happened. My heart sank when I read the opening paragraph: On July 20, I received an email from the gov.uk website stating I was owed a tax refund of approximately 480. There is a tax refund scam going around, designed to dupe those legitimately expecting money back from the taxman. Victims receive an email or text that looks official and includes a link to click to apply for a tax refund. However, it links to a webpage set up by fraudsters. When victims fill in their details believing it is to apply for a tax refund they are handing them straight to fraudsters, who can then raid their bank accounts. Your granddaughter believed she had clicked on to the official gov.uk website. She tapped in her details and received confirmation her details had been submitted correctly that looked genuine. She was further convinced when the scammers allocated her a ten-digit ID for future reference just as she would expect from an official service. All seemed in order, and she thought her tax refund would soon be on its way. Two days later the horror story began to unfold. She received a call claiming to be from the fraud department of Chase, her bank. The caller said someone was trying to buy something on her account at Argos in Aberdeen for 300. They then asked if she had received any emails from either Amazon, eBay or gov.uk. Scam Watch Households should beware a scam email impersonating telecoms company TalkTalk, consumer website Which? warns. Crooks lure in victims by claiming you must sign in to keep using your email because your account isnt verified. The email says verification takes less than 1 min and if not completed account disconnection will take place tomorrow. Do not click on the link as it leads to a malicious website that will either steal your personal information or download malware. Instead forward it to: report@phishing.gov.uk She took a closer look at the gov.uk email and realised it did not look like one from an official sender. The caller told her to delete it from her inbox to protect herself. He then claimed her savings account wasnt safe and she should move the balance to her current account. She immediately transferred 2,099.95. The scammer told her all she needed to do was approve the transfer in the Chase banking app and it could refund any rogue transactions attempted on her account. She never doubted it was Chase on the line as the caller reassured her constantly that their actions would protect her against fraud. However, a minute later, 1955.76 left her account to Travel FX. She expressed concern, but again she was told not to worry and that it would be refunded in the next few days. The next day doubts took hold. She phoned Chase and, to her dismay, the bank said its last contact with her was in December 2023. Upset, she explained events and the bank opened a fraud case. After two weeks, it said no money would be returned because, in their eyes, she failed to carry out due diligence. She filed a complaint and stressed how she was now in dire financial straits. The case was reviewed, but with the same result no refund. Having seen how upset your granddaughter was, you came to me. Some readers may wonder why I would take on a case where a customer failed to do checks before handing over money. But I could see your granddaughter had been pressurised by a scammer using sophisticated social engineering techniques to scare her into moving her money to a safe place. She was a victim of unauthorised fraud, so I decided to chase Chase about the case. Despite my efforts, the bank remained unmoved and repeated its line that she failed to carry out due diligence and ignored the banks warnings. Can Sally Sorts It help you? Do you have a consumer problem you need help with? Email Sally Hamilton at sally@dailymail.co.uk include phone number, address and a note addressed to the offending organisation giving them permission to talk to Sally Hamilton. Please do not send original documents as we cannot take responsibility for them. No legal responsibility can be accepted by the Daily Mail or This is Money for answers given. A Chase spokesman says: Chase provided her with detailed impersonation scam specific warnings, including clear warnings to not approve any card transaction where you are led to believe you are on the phone to Chase. Chase will never call a customer to ask them to move money. 'Unfortunately, despite these warnings, she proceeded to authorise the debit card payment to the fraudster's account. I hit a brick wall, but urge your granddaughter to take her case to the impartial Financial Ombudsman Service in the hope it takes a different view. Meanwhile, if you receive an email or text offering a tax rebate, it does not mean Christmas has come early: delete immediately to avoid your life savings becoming a gift to a scammer. And be wary of calls from your bank that come out of the blue. Giles Mason, of the UK Finance-backed Take Five anti-scammer campaign, says: Criminals will manipulate customers into divulging personal details to steal money. Be cautious with personal information and never share one-time passcodes. More at takefive-stopfraud.org.uk. I have twice been turned down for a claim for costs against Aldi after breaking my dentures on its pitted green olives. It said it was sorry, but would not help with the repairs totalling 187.99 because there was a warning on the container. I am nearly 75, diabetic, suffer glaucoma and have had seven eye operations so such small print is very hard to spot. Please help. A. M., Shrewsbury. Sally Hamilton replies: Aldi was exceedingly polite in rejecting your claim. It said finding a stone in a pitted olive was rare but not unheard of and this is stated on the packaging. You sent me the label, and I agree the print is minuscule and the warning is a challenge to read. You told me you spend 100 a week in Aldi so I thought it was the least it could do to contribute towards your new gnashers. On my intervention, Aldi acted speedily and sent you a store voucher for 188 the full cost of your dentures. You said you were happy with this and could now smile again. Thames Water has hired a turnaround specialist as it fights to avoid collapse and renationalisation. The stricken company has appointed Julian Gething in the newly created role of chief restructuring officer as it seeks to cut a deal with creditors and bring in fresh funds. Gething, 59, is a partner at turnaround consultancy Alix Partners who early in his career worked on the administration and wind-up of media tycoon Robert Maxwells publishing empire following his death in 1991. Thames Water has a huge debt pile that could stand at close to 18billion by March. Turnaround specialist: Thames Water has appointed Julian Gething in the newly created role of chief restructuring officer as it seeks to cut a deal with creditors The UKs biggest water and sewage firm, it has asked potential investors to submit rescue plans by Thursday this week. Castle Water, which was co-founded by Tory party donor and treasurer Graham Edwards, will offer to inject 4billion, according to Bloomberg. The boss of Londons AIM market has called for Labour to rule out any further tax raids after it was targeted in Rachel Reevess Budget. AIM was hit when the Chancellor halved the inheritance tax relief available on shares in the junior market from 100 per cent to 50 per cent. That was not as bad as some had feared, amid speculation that the business relief tax break would be abolished in its entirety for AIM shares. But the junior market which underperformed the rest of the London market ahead of the Budget amid the speculation has continued to struggle since then. AIMs boss, Marcus Stuttard, told the Mail that in order to close the gap investors must have reassurance that Reeves will not come back for more. He said: The market is looking for some certainty from government that there will be no further changes to business relief. Budget pain: London's Aim junior market was hit when the Chancellor halved the inheritance tax relief available on shares in the junior market from 100% to 50% AIM which is part of the London Stock Exchange Group argues that as a key platform for pioneering growth companies to raise funds where they might be scarce elsewhere, it makes an important contribution to the UK economy. It has enjoyed a range of benefits from tax relief schemes in recognition of the role that AIM plays in supporting this vital segment of the economy. But it is down by nearly 10 per cent over the past six months. That compares unfavourably with Londons blue-chip FTSE 100, which is roughly flat over the same period. Stuttard said: We have got really good quality businesses, we have got that scale, but what the market wants is that certainty. The comments came as Peel Hunt analysts predicted that, far from saving money as the Treasury intended, cutting tax breaks on AIM shares could end up costing more than 2billion. That is because the fall in value of the index of 7billion so far will mean less capital gains tax is paid on share sales, while the reduction in capital available to growth companies will mean fewer jobs. In September, accountants Grant Thornton reported that AIM companies contributed 35.7billion to UK GDP and directly supported more than 410,000 jobs. SSP Group shares soared on Tuesday after the Upper Crust owner revealed bumper profit growth thanks to a buoyant global travel market and solid domestic demand. The food service firm, which also owns Caffe Ritazza, revealed operating profits climbed by 32 per cent to 206million in the year ending September, following strong results across all regions except Continental Europe. Underlying revenues across the UK and Ireland increased by 15 per cent to 893million amid rising air passenger numbers, a continued rebound in commuters, and fewer strikes by rail workers. SSP's UK and Ireland segment also enjoyed robust sales at its Marks & Spencer Simply Food franchise operations. At the same time, its North American sales jumped by over a quarter at constant currency levels to 814million thanks to takeovers, including Midfield Concessions Enterprises, and outlets opening in cities like Seattle and Chicago. Continental European revenues disappointed with growth of 9 per cent to 1.2billion, amid industrial action, lower-than-expected demand during the Paris Olympics, and a weak performance by its German motorway services arm. Bumper performance: SSP Group shares soared on Tuesday after the Upper Crust owner reported a significant leap in annual profits SSP's total underlying turnover still expanded by 17 per cent to 3.4billion, while its pre-tax profits leapt by over a third to 119million. SSP Group shares surged 11.5 per cent to 180.7p, making them the FTSE 250 Index's third-best performer behind Victrex and Discoverie Group. Patrick Coveney, chief executive of SSP, said the business 'has strong fundamentals and benefits from the global travel market's sustained long-term growth trends'. The London-based company's sales have continued flourishing since October, rising by 13 per cent in the first eight weeks of the new financial year. For the full year, it forecasts revenues increasing to between 3.7billion and 3.8billion and operating profits hitting 230million to 260million. SSP hopes to double the operating margin in its European business to around 3 per cent during the period, followed by 5 per cent over the medium term. Coveney added: 'As we reach the next phase of our evolution post-Covid and with strong underlying growth across the group, our focus now is on driving greater value from a strengthened base. 'In Continental Europe, we are accelerating our profit recovery plan, in particular by building returns from the significant number of recently renewed and extended contracts.' Formerly owned by catering services giant Compass Group, SSP runs about 3,000 outlets in airports and railway stations across 37 countries. Along with its own brands like Upper Crust, the company operates franchises on behalf of famous names such as Leon, Starbucks, Burger King, and Yo! Sushi. Analysts at Shore Capital said: 'The key to us is SSP being able to demonstrate both profitable topline growth and improving free cash generation. 'Here, we see encouraging progress from today's update and commend management for a materially improved investment script.' In December 1968, half-way through the Vietnam War and deep in the Laos jungle, Special Forces recon man Colonel Robert Howard and his platoon were on a rescue mission when they were caught in a devastating ambush. Blown ten feet by a powerful grenade blast, he was concussed, bleeding from multiple shrapnel wounds, and unable to walk. What happened next, and throughout his remarkable military career, made Howard the most decorated Green Beret in history. Now, for the first time, his story is finally being told in full, in Beyond The Call of Duty, published today. Bob Howards eyes opened to a hazy, chaotic scene. The smells of smoke and gunpowder were strong. His ears were ringing, but slowly he became aware of a hellish orchestra of battle sounds all about him: chattering machine guns, barking rifles, screams, and deafening grenade blasts. He tried to focus on the scene around him. But everything was blurry, clouded by a strange red film. Bob said silent prayers, fearful he had been blinded by the terrible explosion. His body ached all over. Wiping his eyes, he saw red on his hands, and realized his vision had been obscured by shrapnel wounds to his head. Blood was dripping down his brow into his eyes. Howard is the most decorated Green Beret in history - this photograph form 1971 shows the Medal of Honor around his neck Bob Howard (left) with his team leader, Staff Sergeant Paul Poole on a recon patrol in late 1967 - a year before the devastating ambush in Laos He cautiously felt around his body. His legs hurt, and his hands felt as if they were on fire. A quick glance showed nasty lacerations from grenade shrapnel. Two fingers hung limp. As his vision focused, he saw that his rifle lay nearby, a useless hunk of twisted aluminum and steel. Howard tried moving his legs, but stabs of pain greeted his efforts. Hot shards of metallic debris from the grenade had sliced into both legs and into his groin. Near his right ankle, a bullet or chunk of shrapnel had torn through his foot. As he tried to move, he realized that he was unable to walk. Then Howard smelled the most awful aroma of his life. It was the scent of burning flesh. As he lifted his face, he spotted the source. A North Vietnamese soldier had emerged from the edge of the jungle carrying a flamethrower, and was liberally dosing downed recon men with liquid flames. Men were screaming as their combat fatigues erupted into flames. Others lay moaning, with smoke billowing from their charred bodies. His body throbbing with pain, Howard now feared the worst. I dont want to be burned alive! he thought. His hands fumbled, searching for something he could use to defend himself. His numb, bloody, and clumsy fingers finally came to rest on a hand grenade still dangling from the side of his shredded web gear. Pulling it free with his left hand, he tried tugging on the pin with two of his lacerated right fingers. Seconds seemed an eternity as he struggled to activate his grenade. Wounded in numerous places, Bob Howard has just returned from a recon mission on November 19, 1968. He is carrying a Vietnamese prisoner of war he captured in the field Howard carried the NVA soldier back into camp for interrogation I may just have to pull the pin with my teeth, he thought. As he grappled with the weapon, Howard suddenly saw the NVA soldier turn. His peripheral vision had obviously caught the movements of the bloodied Green Beret lying a short distance from him. The two soldiers made direct eye contact. In that split second, Bob realized the finality of the standoff he faced. He had a look of determination and hate on his face. He had an evil look in his eye, like Im going to kill you, he said. In that horrible instant, Howard contemplated taking his own life. Ill blow myself up before he can burn me up, he thought. Two of his fingers hung limp and useless, but with great effort he finally managed to extract the pin. Clutching the live grenade with one hand, he stared down the cold-blooded killer who now faced him. A sly trademark smirk eased across Howards face. Ive got you! he said to himself. In what appeared to be his own moment of death, Howard realized he now had a fighting chance to take out his opponent. The NVA soldier was smart enough to realize that even if this American killed himself with the grenade, the blast would rip through his body as well. In this macabre scene, Howard was swept by a wave of dark humor. The North Vietnamese man grinned back at Howard, perhaps showing a slight nod of respect to the Green Beret who refused to be roasted without a fight. As bullets sprayed the area from an unseen gun beyond Howard, the NVA soldier then lowered his flamethrower and quickly took steps back toward the protection of the jungle forest cover. For some reason, Howard chose not to lob the grenade and kill this man. He later wondered if the NVA soldier decided not to burn him because of how pitiful he already appeared. Perhaps it was the split-second acknowledgment via eye contact that the two warriors had shared. But this opponent had moved away without finishing him off. So Howard merely tossed the live grenade in the general direction of his fleeing killer. SFC Howard is pinned with the 1st Oak Leaf Cluster to his Distinguished Service Cross by Lieutenant General Frank T Mildren in 1969. The scars from a 1965 bullet wound that smashed through his jaw are still visible on his right cheek Howard receives his Medal of Honor in the White House from President Nixon on March 2, 1971 He holds the distinction of being the only soldier nominated for the Medal of Honor three times over a 13-month period Only as he began crawling away did he begin to realize the full extent of how badly hit his body was. Pain raced through his torn hands, legs, ankle, head, and groin. He was unable to stand, but as soon as his grenade exploded, he was on the move, pulling himself back toward his screaming comrades. Time and time again, Bob Howard survived missions like this that should have claimed his life. On another occasion, already wounded by shrapnel, he and his commander ran across an open field to help rescue survivors of an American helicopter crash. Howard calmly shot down charging NVA soldiers as he worked to pull wounded aviators from the blazing wreckage. And on another, with his jaw shattered by a bullet and fearing he was mortally wounded, he hid himself in an open Vietnamese grave. Pressed tightly against a rotting corpse as maggots crawled over his face and under his collar, he stayed still for hours, drifting in and out of consciousness as he waited for the shooting to die down. His military medical records would later show that, over the course of his service, he suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his face, head, both legs, and right foot. He endured spinal injuries, a nasal fracture, and shrapnel and blast wounds to his neck, face, buttocks, hands, and legs. By his own count, Bob Howard was wounded in action 14 different times during his four tours of duty in Vietnam. The US Army officially processed only eight Purple Hearts for his wounds, as he never bothered to submit paperwork for some of them. He holds the distinction of being the only soldier nominated for the Medal of Honor three times over a 13-month period. With more than 50 awards and ribbons for valor and distinctive service in combat, he is the most decorated Green Beret. Those who fought alongside him wondered if he had a special charm, or maybe even a deal with the devil. But they all agreed: he was the bravest man they had ever met. From BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY: The Life of Colonel Robert Howard, America's Most Decorated Green Beret by Stephen L. Moore, to be published on December 3, 2024 by Dutton Caliber, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC. Copyright (c) 2024 by Stephen L. Moore. On any given day in Manhattans West Village, you can find Americas most notorious modern-day vigilante walking the streets. Forty years to the month after Bernie Goetz, now 77, became a ghoulish household name by gunning down four black teenagers in a subway car in 1984, hes just part of the landscape. In an exclusive interview, the Daily Mail spoke to Goetz to ask him about the ongoing trial of another so-called subway vigilante 26-year-old Marine veteran, Daniel Penny. Penny is accused of causing the death of Jordan Neely, 30 a black, homeless drug addict and occasional Michael Jackson impersonator by putting him in a chokehold during a brawl on a train in May 2023. Penny insists he was trying to protect his fellow New Yorkers from a man who seemed dangerous. But city prosecutors say Penny, a white man, went too far. Closing arguments in Pennys manslaughter trial began Monday. A jury may start deliberations this week. He faces up to 15 years in prison. According to Goetz, his and Pennys cases are similar. It is BS [bulls***] like many things in New York is BS, he told the Mail, while standing outside his apartment building the same one he fled to after the 1984 shooting. In an exclusive interview, the Mail spoke to Goetz (above) to ask him about the ongoing trial of another so-called subway vigilante - 26-year-old Marine veteran, Daniel Penny. Penny (right) is accused of causing the death of Jordan Neely (center), 30 - a black, homeless drug addict and occasional Michael Jackson impersonator - by putting him in a chokehold during a brawl on a train in May 2023. This is a BS society and it was BS in my time, he added. No doubt, Pennys defense team would recoil from any comparison to Goetz, a man labeled the Death Wish Killer the title of a popular vigilantethriller film starring Charles Bronson by New York City newspapers in the 1980s. For one, Penny told police that he never intended to kill anyone, while Goetz infamously said that that was exactly what he intended to do. Lanky and grey-haired, Goetz is now a far cry from the crazed gunman who turned himself in to law enforcement after nine days on the run. 'For combat you have to be cold-blooded and I was, he told three detectives in his videotaped interrogation. I decided to kill them after all, murder them all. Today, Goetz is known in the West Village as a harmless eccentric with a gentle hobby: animal rescue. Neighbors say that, for years, Goetz has been finding injured squirrels and nursing them back to health in his apartment. The Mail found him frantically searching outside his building for a missing animal, dressed in a rumpled blue polo shirt over black jeans and carrying a white towel that he was planning to use to recapture the critter. Squirrels, in fact, regularly escape from Goetz's apartment. Parking garage attendants beneath his building know to be on high alert and contact him to collect his furry friends if they resurface. During one escape, a source said, Goetz ran into the garage barefoot and panicked. On another occasion, the Mails source claims, he found evidence that Goetz was keeping squirrels in his car. No doubt, Pennys defense team would recoil from any comparison to Goetz, a man labeled the Death Wish Killer by New York City newspapers in the 1980s. (Above) Bernhard Goetz is escorted by police out of criminal court in New York City The vehicle was allegedly filthy and reeked of animals. Inside the man said he saw a nest and toys that he suspected a squirrel may use. 'Squirrels can be absolutely wonderful,' Goetz said. 'They are more sociable than a dog or a cat and they are highly intelligent.' That may be true, but Goetz while seemingly harmless at first glance is not as pleasant. After tiring from the small talk, he snapped. 'I think you sound like a reporter. That's right... Go f***k yourself, he told the Mail and walked away. Indeed, Goetz a Queens, New York native spent years in a city much different than todays. New York in the late 1970s and early 1980s was a cesspool of crime and fear. Murders hovered around 2,000 a year, according to FBI statistics. Graffiti-covered subway cars were lawless and seen as venues of opportunity for violent thugs. Goetz claimed to be a victim of crime himself telling investigators before his arrest that he was once mugged and brutally beaten by a group of men. As a result, he said, he started illegally carrying a Smith & Wesson revolver. That was the reality in the Big Apple on the afternoon of December 22, 1984, when a 37-year-old Goetz an electrical engineer leaving work caught a downtown train at 14th Street. There were 15 to 20 passengers in his subway car, including four black teenagers - Troy Canty, Darryl Cabey, James Ramseur (all 19 years old) and Barry Allen, 18. Indeed, Goetz a Queen, New York native spent years in a city much different than todays. New York in the late 1970s and early 1980s was a cesspool of crime and fear. That may be true, but Goetz while seemingly harmless at first glance is not as pleasant. After tiring from the small talk, he snapped. 'I think you sound like a reporter. That's right... Go f***k yourself, he said and walked away. According to witness testimony and court documents, two of the teens had screwdrivers in their pockets. They later told police that they intended to use the tools to break into arcade machines to steal quarters. Goetz said he saw one of the teens with his hand in his jacket pocket as if to mimic a gun, but that wasnt his biggest fear. His biggest concern, he said, was getting beaten up again. Goetz took a seat on a long bench across from Canty and when the train started moving, Canty asked Goetz, How are you doing? Goetz allegedly lowered his head and replied Fine. Then Canty said, Give me $5. At this point, Goetz claimed, he looked into Cantys face and decided that he had to kill. [Canty] said it with a smile and his eyes were bright, Goetz told his interrogators. I knew I had to pull the gun It was at that point I decided to kill them after all, murder them all, do anything. Goetz drew his revolver and by his own admission methodically shot one teen after the other, striking Canty, Allen and Ramseur. Then, he walked over to a cowering but uninjured Darrell Cabey, and said, You seem to be doing all right, heres another and fired. That shot entered Cabey side and severed his spinal cord, permanently paralyzing him from the waist down and causing irreversible brain damage. The three other teens survived with only minor injuries. Goetz would later heartlessly tell cops: If I had more bullets, I would have shot them all again and again. My problem was I ran out of bullets. Goetz took a seat on a long bench across from Canty and when the train started moving, Canty asked Goetz, How are you doing? (Above) Subway car in which Goetz shot his victims Many New Yorkers in the 1980s saw Goetz as someone who stood up to the criminals taking over their city. (Above) Guardian Angels support Bernhard Goetz at Rikers Island, New York in January 4, 1985. He was charged with attempted murder, assault, reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon. But a jury only found him guilty of one count of carrying an unlicensed firearm. For that Goetz only served eight and a half months of a one-year sentence. Many New Yorkers in the 1980s saw Goetz as someone who stood up to the criminals taking over their city. One man stood outside his trial with a sign that read: Bernie Goetz Wins One for the GOOD GUYS! Others raised money for his defense and the Guardian Angels, an unarmed civilian street patrol group, demonstrated at his trial. Even today, in his neighborhood, Goetz has fans. A barber working near Goetzs apartment was quick to defend him to the Mail. 'I hear a lot of good things about him. He's a normal guy, he said. 'He had a bad experience. What do you expect? Its a benefit of the doubt that this New Yorker also extended to Daniel Penny. I dont know. I wasnt there, the West Village barber told the Mail. [Neeley] was on drugs. The other guy was a veteran, too. The government that we have supports people who want to do drugs, dont want to go to work and just want to do crime, he continued. For me and you, who work hard, they dont want to support us. They just want to put us in jail. That, of course, is just one New Yorkers opinion, but itll soon be up to a jury of Pennys peers to decide whether his case of subway vigilantism was justified. Later, the Mail caught up with Goetz again to ask his reaction to some of his neighbors calling him a 'hero'. Its an odd thing, he said with a shrug. I am popular in the city. I never intended to be popular. I am and do not know why. Then he excused himself and walked into the subway. A leading art historian has been left distraught after being impersonated on Instagram by an account that has garnered more followers than her - but platform owners Meta have refused to take action. Ruth Millington, the author of Muse: Uncovering the Hidden Figures Behind Art History's Masterpieces, was first alerted to the copycat at the start of last month, when an artist informed her they had received a message from the rogue user. The mystery individual, who has changed their username an astonishing 11 times, was pretending to be the expert and claimed they wanted to include the artist's work in an exhibition at the distinguished Lowry Gallery in Manchester. The account has nearly 7,700 followers - more than 1,000 more than Ms Millington. Ms Millington, 37, who has also appeared as an art expert on radio and TV, reported the account on Instagram itself, but was told in an automated reply that the account had not breached their 'community guidelines'. But Instagram's guidelines do warn users, 'don't impersonate others', and tells them not to create accounts for the purpose of 'misleading others'. Ms Millington also sent a formal email to Instagram, which is owned by billionaire Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's firm Meta, but says they have 'done nothing'. She told MailOnline: 'I feel really disappointed by their inaction. They say they have community guidelines. This is breaching them and they are doing nothing about it. Leading art historian Ruth Millington has been left distraught after being impersonated on Instagram by an account that has garnered more followers than her - but platform owners Meta have refused to take action Ruth Millington, the author of Muse: Uncovering the Hidden Figures Behind Art History's Masterpieces was alerted to the rogue account at the start of last month. Above: The historian's Instagram page and that of the fraudulent account 'R_T_M_C 'I know Im not the only one. Its distressing, its unnerving. For me, given the nature of my work in the art world, the art market is built on trust and relationships. 'Trust is one of the biggest currencies in the art market, you are dealing with valuable works of art. 'I have spent a decade working with galleries and museums and my worry is that they could undo some of the good will I have. 'This is not just a personal account, it is a way I operate with my business, which is why it is particularly disappointing that theyre not taking it seriously.' Ms Millington, who used to work for distinguished art dealer Connaught Brown to distinguish fraudulent works from real ones, added: 'You think you would have to sift through the fake art, not the fake art historians.' When she tried to contact the user directly, she was immediately blocked and so now relies on friends to tell her when a new post has appeared. The message sent in the name of Ms Millington to the artist who alerted the historian also inquired about selling art in the form of what are known as Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) -a digitised method of storing collectable unique assets such as paintings. It read: 'Hi, I'm Ruth Cheryl Millington from the UK. I am reaching out to you because I have been captivated by the artworks on your behance profile, and I'm impressed by your creativity. The message the user sent to an artist, who immediately alerted Ms Millington 'I'm currently curating and featured in an upcoming exhibition presentation with (The Lowry). Therefore, I would be honoured to include your work in this esteemed presentation if you are interested in selling your Arts and Nfts. 'I'm eager to hear your thoughts and discuss how we can work together to bring your art to the forefront of this exciting exhibition.' The most recent post from the user - who changed their name to 'R_T_M_C' after Ms Millington contacted them - was published two weeks ago. It was a re-post of a professionally-taken image of Ms Millington and bore the caption: 'A wonderful day'. The photographer who took the picture complained in a comment but was then blocked by the operator of the account. To confirm Ms Millington's claim that she is being impersonated, MailOnline sent a message to the account addressed to her and asking for advice about commissioning a picture. A swift reply read: 'Sure! What kind of advice do you need about commissioning a picture? 'Are you looking for tips on finding an artist, communicating your vision, budgeting, or something else? Let me know, and Ill guide you!' One of the posts on the fake account. It re-posted images - along with similar captions - originally shared by Ms Millington Another post copied from Ms Millington's Instagram account, which she uses for professional purposes Posts on the account regularly feature images of Ms Millington herself, or art works she has previously shared. Also re-posted are videos Ms Millington shared in the course of her work. One shows the historian at an event at Birmingham bar The Goods Yard. The video was published on the The Goods Yard's Instagram account in September and then re-shared by Ms Millington. The version on the fake account included much of the same caption, including a request to 'Keep an eye on this page for the lowdown on all of our upcoming events.' Ms Millington, who joined Instagram in 2017, added: 'My concern is for my reputation and also for the artists who they are approaching with fake opportunities for exposure. 'They are going to exploit these artists. For some of those artists, they will realise but others wont realise. 'And that is my reputation on the line. I worked so hard to build a good reputation.' The historian is also the author of children's book This Book Will Make You An Artist, which was released earlier this year. Another post featuring an image Ms Millington took of her holding a book about Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh The message Ms Millington received on Instagram after she reported the rogue account. The response said the account had not been removed because it 'does not go against our community guidelines'. But their guidelines warn users: 'Don't impersonate others and don't create accounts for the purpose of violating our guidelines or misleading others' When Meta was approached by MailOnline, a spokeswoman from communications firm Edelman replied on the company's behalf to say that they wished to 'look into this properly to resolve this situation'. But neither Meta nor Edelman have since supplied a formal response. The rogue account joined Instagram in October 2022. The first post to feature Ms Millington's picture or works of art she has shared was published ten weeks ago. More than 25 posts showing her image or pictures the historian has previously shared have been put online since then. Before the first mention of Ms Millington several posts referenced NFTs, whilst many others revealed artificially-generated images. A page on Instagram's website boasts that the social media site 'proactively combats impersonation'. They add: 'We use systems and tools that constantly monitor the Instagram ecosystem for potential imposters of public figures and creators. Muse: Uncovering the Hidden Figures Behind Art History's Masterpieces was published in 2022 'Our tools use a number of signals, scaled detection systems and community reports to identify potential imposter accounts. 'When an account has been identified, a decision is either made immediately based on our confidence, or it's sent for review against our policies. 'We also enable a number of "friction points" throughout Instagram when we determine potential impersonating behaviour. 'For example, requiring an ID for creating an account with a celebrity's name or having to choose a label (such as a fan account).' Their community guidelines also warn: 'Don't impersonate others and don't create accounts for the purpose of violating our guidelines or misleading others.' A rendering of the new Alamo Drafthouse Mountain View, to be located in a 64,500-square-foot space in the Village at San Antonio Center. It will feature 10 auditoriums updated with approximately 1,100 luxury recliner seats. Alamo Drafthouse The Alamo Drafthouse cinema restaurant chain confirmed it is opening two more theaters in the Bay Area next summer. The movie theater chain based in Austin, Texas, announced on Dec. 3 that it would take over former ShowPlace Icon theaters in Mountain View and at the Westfield Valley Fair mall in Santa Clara. The openings would bring the chains local imprint to three theaters, joining San Franciscos New Mission theater, which opened in 2015. By 2025 well have been in San Francisco for 10 years, and this feels like the perfect way to celebrate the decade of support and enthusiasm weve received from Bay Area film fans, Alamo Drafthouse CEO Michael Kusterman said in a statement, corroborating reports published in August. Its an area we love that has shown us a lot of love back, and were thrilled to be able to expand and provide our unique experience to more people. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Mountain View location is in a 64,500-square-foot space in the Village at San Antonio Center. It will feature 10 auditoriums updated with approximately 1,100 luxury recliner seats. Meanwhile, the Westfield Valley Fair theater will fill 62,228 square feet in the upscale shopping center. It will also feature 10 auditoriums with approximately 1,500 luxury recliner seats. Both venues will feature state-of-the-art 4K digital projection and Dolby Atmos sound systems, a revamped culinary and bar experience, and immersive themes unique to each location. ShowPlace Icon opened the Mountain View theater in 2018 and the Westfield Valley Fair location in 2019, but closed both in July after its parent company, Kerasotes Theatres, shut down after 115 years in business. Alamo Drafthouse, founded in 1997 and known for its adventurous programming, gourmet menus and a strict no talking/texting policy, is the seventh-largest theater chain in the United States, currently with 36 theaters in 26 metro areas. It was acquired by Sony Pictures in June. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gregg Wallace has been accused of asking a young female crew member if she has 'daddy fantasies' in a new slew of allegations about his behaviour behind the scenes. The MasterChef host stepped aside after 13 people told the BBC of what they consider inappropriate sexual comments made by him over a 17-year period. But despite the presenter initially seeking to write off his accusers as a 'handful of middle class women of a certain age', two members of staff, both aged in their early 20s and one of them a man, have come forward with more claims about his behaviour. One, a longstanding female TV employee who worked with Wallace as a researcher in the early 2010s painted a damning picture of incessant sexual language. She claimed he made shockingly vulgar remarks about women, asked if she had 'daddy fantasies' or was into BDSM, and even told her 'I could fall in love with you'. Another male media professional, who worked as a runner for both Gregg and MasterChef co-presenter John Torode, shared a similar tale of relentless 'jokes', boasts about his sex life, and a tendency to walk around topless to show off his physique. Wallace later apologised for 'any offence caused' by the remark about 'middle class women'. His lawyers say 'it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature'. Greg Wallace (right) with his MasterChef co-host John Torode (left) in 2021 The researcher The researcher worked with Wallace early in her television career and said she was initially enthusiastic about landing a job alongside the MasterChef star. She told MailOnline: 'I was really excited to be working with Gregg because I had watched MasterChef, I was a big fan, I thought he seemed fun so I went into it really wanting it to go well. That was my first series working with talent, I didn't know what to expect, and it was very disappointing.' One of the woman's roles was to drive members of the production to and from set, which meant always driving Gregg to locations by herself - giving him time with her alone. She said: 'From the moment we had our first journey together, he was saying things that made me feel uncomfortable, his comments started almost straight away. MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace has stepped away from the show in the face of an avalanche of allegations against him 'I remember thinking about how to shut it down, but in ways that wasn't going to offend the 'talent'. I didn't want to inconvenience the crew. The crazy thing is I was trying to stop him feeling uncomfortable. I don't necessarily blame the production staff. No one ever pulled him up on his behaviour. 'He always wanted to show me photos of his girlfriend, tell how beautiful she was, he'd tell me 'she is this tall in stockinged feet,' or tell me about having sex with younger women, or ask my opinion on bracelets he was buying for his girlfriend.' However, at times she said the comments escalated from creepy to outright vulgar. She said: 'On location he'd frequently make very sexual jokes. Once I was crouched next to him and he said "my gf has a tattoo of a shell on her inner thigh, when you put your ear to it you can smell the sea." 'There was no-one else is in earshot but he had a mic on, so it felt like there was a bravado element to it. 'That night we all went for dinner and the waitress came over with a comment card, she probably wasn't over 21, me and the director were diligently filling it out, we asked him if he wanted to add anything and his response was 'What, like 'I want to c** on your face?'' Worse was to come on the second day of filming as Wallace's remarks began to turn personal. She said: 'The next day he was asking lots of questions, he looked me in the eye and said 'I could fall in love with you'. He started asking about my sex life. What I was into? Was I into S&M? Did I have daddy fantasies? The unnamed researcher said: 'The sight of his little Millwall tattoo stays with you. He enjoyed being topless and seeing you squirm' A TV runner who also worked with Wallace said he 'saw Wallace topless many times' - a common theme among the many allegations against Wallace Bosses at the corporation are said to have hauled the MasterChef co-host into a meeting in 2018 following allegations of 'inappropriate sexual comments' and told him to 'change his behaviour' In October, Gregg denied claims he boasted about his sex life to a younger female BBC employee and took his top off in front of her while filming a game show, saying he would never 'flirt with' or 'hit on' another woman 'I didn't want to make things awkward because I knew I still had to drive him for the next few days, and this was pre-Me Too.' Another complaint was that the TV star loved to strip down to the waist in front of crew - a running theme in the allegations against Mr Wallace - and to make unwanted physical contact. She said: 'The other thing he did was take his top off. The sight of his little Millwall tattoo stays with you. He enjoyed being topless and seeing you squirm. 'It's a habit. I read recently after the story broke about him being topless in front of cast members and I realized it was a pattern, not a one-off. 'He did invade your personal space a lot too, putting your arm around you, giving you a cuddle. It wasn't something you had a choice in.' Overall the experience of working with Wallace was a profoundly negative one and the woman swore never to be on another production with him again. 'It made me feel uncomfortable and a bit trapped. I knew if I said something I'd have a problem, I was early in my career and didn't want to rock the boat,' she said. Accusations have mounted since Wallace, 60, was accused of inappropriate behaviour by 13 women on Thursday Former Celebrity Masterchef winner Emma Kennedy revealed she reported Wallace 12 years ago after she allegedly witnessed him grope a camera assistant during a photoshoot for the 2012 finals Emma Kennedy (far left) claimed the PR team who worked for MasterChef were aware of Wallace's (middle right) behaviour and worried it was only a matter of time before it became public Gregg Wallace lashed out at 'middle-class women of a certain age' in a rant on his Instagram story as he discussed the accusations 'I've spoken about it to friends and colleagues - it did put me off wanting to work on anything again that he'd be part of.' The woman said their paths have not crossed since, although her parents did randomly happen to be on the same cruise as Wallace once - much to their horror. She said: 'They messaged me and were like 'Ugh that horrible man is here'. They said they were disgusted.' In the more than a decade since they worked together, Wallace has gone on to become a household name, earning 400,000 a year from the BBC and receiving an MBE in the 2022 Birthday Honours for services to food and charity. How then did it feel seeing him achieve such success? The researcher said: 'I really like MasterChef, although me and my husband take the p*** out of him whenever he's on screen. I like the bits without him. He's a contrived character - the fact people are now shocked at all the sexualised stuff he says, he's either says a lot and it's all are edited out or he doesn't say it when cameras are rolling. 'Because his whole persona is built around 'banter', you don't want to be seen as not being able to take a joke.' Asked how she feels watching Wallace leave MasterChef, with an investigation ongoing, the researcher admits she does feel a sense of relief. Wallace's latest post featured a gingerbread man in whipped cream at the top of a glass, captioned: 'Enjoy your weekend' She said: 'Seeing him succeed was hard but seeing him held accountable feels good - but we have to remember that at the moment it's nothing firm, it's still only being looked into. 'It feels unsurprising. I've been waiting for it for a long time. It's sad that it's gone as deep as it has and so many people have been affected by his behaviour. Part of me is happy that he's finally being held accountable for behaviour that has gone on for over a decade. 'It's not for me to judge if there's a route back for him or not, but I don't think it would be a positive thing for him to get a second chance, because I think he's probably been given a lot of second chances and ignored them. 'If you think of the breadth of talent that exists in TV, it's a hard argument to make that he's somehow indispensable despite his actions. 'I hope he has time to reflect on his own behaviour. The thing that is most uncomfortable is that he didn't target the men with those jokes - which makes it feel very predatory.' Asked about the claims made by friends of Wallace that his actions are down to autism, the unnamed woman gives the suggestion short shrift. She said: 'There are lots of people on the spectrum who don't behave how he does, so to use neurodiversity as an excuse feels offensive. Sure, some people can't read the room - but ultimately I'm less interested in his defence than the impact of his behaviour. 'One: he shouldn't behave like that and two: he was enabled to behave like that by some very senior people. His ways are common knowledge in the industry.' The 60-year-old was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2023 for services to food and charity Questions now remain about if Mr Wallace may have to return his honours following the spate of accusations made against him Wallace pictured with his wife, Anne-Marie Sterpini, who he met on Twitter and who is more than 20 years his junior The runner The runner, a man with a seasoned career in TV, also worked with Wallace early in his career - and while his experiences are not as extreme, he says Wallace is by far the most difficult celebrity he has worked with. Corroborating the claims of the researcher, he also cites Wallace's regime of relentless jokes, frequent talks about sexual topics and an obsession with showing off his body in public. He said: 'Before I started the job I only knew him as the guy from MasterChef, although I knew he came from grocery store background and that he was kind of funny. 'Initially we bonded over food and his jokes just glided over me - but they were relentless. And then he started in on jibes about my nationality, which quickly tipped over into what felt like bullying. 'I'm not sure he always meant harm, but he caused it anyway. He was seeking a reaction. The jokes were constant, you couldn't have a normal conversation. 'I'd come in the morning and my heart would sink when I saw him. In general just a nasty guy to be around.' Like the researcher, the runner saw Wallace topless many times and said he loved to boast about his sex life to crew members. He said: 'He would talk about sex a lot. He'd talk about his sex life, he'd make comments about people being fat. 'He'd make these jokes, no-one would laugh, but then he'd carry on doing it. He'd also talk about his wife all the time and how young she was.' Kirsty Wark (left) and Gregg Wallace during her time on Celebrity MasterChef in 2011 As with the unnamed researcher. the runner noted that Wallace was 'touchy feely with everyone, he felt very entitled to touch everyone.' He added: 'I saw him shirtless many times, making it feel like it was casual but really wanting to show off his body. 'Look at my muscles, I'm 65'.' The runner was complimentary about working with many of Wallace's co-hosts, including Monika Galetti. He said: 'Monika was amazing, so lovely. She made jokes as well - and they were actually funny. 'I've worked with a lot of celebrities and Gregg Wallace was definitely the worst.' However, he noted that another of Wallace's co-host, chef John Torode, kept his distance from Wallace. The runner said: 'He took the job much more seriously, he was more prepared. They didn't really interact much, when they weren't shooting John would stay in his green room. 'Whereas Gregg would mingle with the crew and laud it up, he treated the set like it was his second home, which in many ways it was. Eagle-eyed views have noticed tension moments between Greg Wallace and Kirsty Wark during her appearance on MasterChef in 2011 'It was only really when I left the show I realized how inappropriate a lot of the things he said were. 'It feels good to know it's out there, even having lived a very limited version of what some people have lived though. I remember thinking 'How has this guy had such a public profile for so long when he acts like this?' A total of 13 people, including Kirsty Wark, complained about Wallace's conduct while working with him over a 17-year period across five shows, from 2005 to 2022, the BBC revealed last week. The presenter was accused of taking his top off in front of a female worker saying he wanted to 'give her a fashion show' and talking about his sex life to others, including telling one female colleague he wasn't wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans. Ms Wark claimed that on two occasions Wallace told stories and jokes of a 'sexualised nature' in front of contestants and crew while filming Celebrity MasterChef in 2011. She said his gags and comments were 'really, really in the wrong place'. Former Celebrity Masterchef winner Emma Kennedy revealed she reported Wallace 12 years ago after she allegedly witnessed him grope a camera assistant during a photoshoot for the 2012 finals. Kennedy's accusation was only one of three bombshell claims of groping that have been made against Wallace, with a City law firm called in by production company Banijay UK to lead the investigation into the claims. Pop legend Rod Stewart's wife Penny Lancaster also came forward to claim she was prepared to go to 'authorities' to discuss what happened during cut scenes with MasterChef's Gregg Wallace after the host stepped down from the BBC show amid a series of misconduct claims. After the allegations against Wallace leaked, her husband posted on Instagram: 'So Greg [sic] Wallace gets fired from Master Chef.' Penny Lancaster said she is prepared to talk to 'authorities' to discuss her treatment by MasterChef's Gregg Wallace Pop legend Rod Stewart released a statement on Instagram branding Wallace a 'tubby bully' and reveling in his downfall What has Gregg Wallace been accused of? 13 people who have told the BBC of what they consider inappropriate sexual comments made by Wallace across a range of shows over a 17-year period. Some of those who have spoken out include: Kirsty Wark She says that Gregg would allegedly openly talk about his sex life on set Other claims include: Kirsty Wark said that Gregg would allegedly openly talk about his sex life on set Taking his top off in front of a female worker saying he wanted to 'give her a fashion show' Telling a junior female colleague he was not wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans' Allegedly entering the studio naked with his genitals covered with a sock and doing a 'silly dance' Mimicking a sex act close to a member of production staff He told 'disgusting sex-related jokes', including one while tasting a contestant's unusual dish She says that on two occasions Wallace relayed stories and jokes of a 'sexualised nature' in front of contestants on Celebrity MasterChef and crew and that she felt they were 'really, really in the wrong place'. Dawn Elrick The Director and producer said she sent a letter to the BBC in 2022 with a number of anonymous accounts from people who alleged they 'have experienced sexism within the TV industry'. Aasmah Mir She says these included claims that Wallace was allegedly making lewd comments and asking for personal phone numbers of female production staff. Aasmah Mir Mir said Wallace allegedly made inappropriate comments during the filming of MasterChef. Kirstie Allsopp She said he asked her to tell a colleague at the BBC that she was a 'sexy b****' and said he told a fellow contestant she was 'handling fish like a rapist'. Kirstie Allsopp She said she was left embarrassed a few years ago after Wallace 'made a reference to something [he and his partner] did in bed'. Emma Kennedy Emma Kennedy The actress who won Celebrity MasterChef in 2012 says she complained about his behaviour at the time. She said 'it doesn't matter what the age of any woman is'. Sir Rod Stewart Stewart suggested Wallace had 'humiliated' his wife Penny Lancaster when she was on MasterChef. Advertisement 'Good riddance Wallace... You humiliated my wife when she was on the show, but you had that bit cut out didn't you? 'You're a tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully. Karma got ya. Sir Rod Stewart' The reports against Wallace are a world away from comments he made in 2013 when, speaking to Kate Thornton on her White Wine Question Time podcast, Gregg said: 'You can't chat anyone up at work because the HR department would sack you.' Greg Wallace's representatives have been approached for comment. A father-of-three has been killed after falling off an electric skateboard, leaving his devastated family to face a sombre Christmas without him. Luke Verrell, 45, had been riding his battery-powered board through Umina, on the Central Coast of NSW, to meet friends for dinner at 6pm on November 25. Mr Verrell was not wearing a helmet when he fell off the board, which can reach speeds of up to 60km/h, and was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital with severe head injuries. He died the following day and police seized his skateboard - which had only just been repaired from a previous malfunction - after reviewing CCTV of the incident. His younger brother Jimmy, 38, remembered Mr Verrell as a generous man and a devoted dad to his three children Dylan, 25, Beau, 10, and Jemma, 6. 'We grew up skating and it was a different time back then,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'He wouldn't let his kids get on a board without a helmet, knee pads and wrist pads. 'It wasn't about being cool or anything like that, but we need to realise we are not invincible; especially on those electric ones - they go so fast.' Luke Verrell, 45, had been riding his battery-powered board through Umina, on the Central Coast of NSW , to meet friends for dinner at 6pm on November 25 Mr Verrell had not been wearing a helmet when he fell off the board, which can reach up to 60km/h, and was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital with severe head injuries But invincible is exactly how Jimmy had always thought of his older brother. He barely remembers a time growing up when Mr Verrell was not sporting some kind of injury and even made light of it as they went in to the hospital to see him. 'During my childhood there was maybe only two years where he wasn't bandaged up or injured,' Jimmy remembered. 'The number of times we've had calls that Luke is in hospital having fallen off something and then he just checks out, usually on crutches or a plaster on his arm and he is fine.' That history meant the family initially was not too alarmed when told Mr Verrell was in hospital after yet another skating accident. 'Me and his son Dylan were joking about it on the way to hospital saying, "Watch out he will be at the pub again by the weekend",' he said. 'But after we arrived and the doctors told us how serious it was, (it) reality hit like a ton of bricks.' Mr Verrell died the following day, and Jimmy is thankful that his family and friends all had a chance to say goodbye. Luke Verrell (pictured with his daughter Jemma, 6) was a devoted father 'There were more than 30 people in the hospital waiting room,' he said. 'Luke touched so many people. The number of messages I have received since has blown me away. 'Even local taxi drivers have reached out to say he looked after them. Its honestly unbelievable the amount of mates that guy had.' Jimmy and older brother Mark are now considering how best to honour Mr Verrell. 'Luke was like a father figure he just knew how to guide and be a great sounding board. He led by example, had the best manners, was kind and protective,' he said. 'He was loving dad, loved them so much and wanted them to be raised right so they would be good people. 'We are going to be there for the kids in every way that we can to teach them the same values that Luke has taught us.' With Christmas fast approaching and electric skateboards becoming a popular gift, Jimmy has urged caution to riders. 'They go just as fast if you have a kid on them or a big man,' he warned. 'Luke's had a malfunctioned before, he had to send it back and he only just got it again. 'He finally found a way of going as fast as he did when he was younger, but everyone needs to wear a helmet, its just not worth the risk, even for short distances.' A dog who ran away after she had a firework thrown at her has been reunited with her owner following a desperate five week hunt. The wire fox terrier - named Millie - bolted from the scene, near Glasgow on October 28, after a careless yob set off a firework nearby. Drones and search parties had been scouring the area but it was a ultimately a social media snap that located the dog and brought her back to her owner, Greg Connelly. A woman on a bus who had seen one of the 2,500 missing posters put up spotted another passenger with a wire fox terrier who looked suspiciously similar to Millie. Alarm bells started to ring and she took a discreet photo to send to Ayrshire Drone Dog Rescue (ADDR) who were heading the search operation. The organisation - who have an impressive 93 per cent success rate in finding missing dogs using drones and high tech equipment - verified Millie's identity and immediately sprung into action. It is understood the fox-terrier had been stolen by a woman who was telling anyone that confronted her that the dog was called 'Babe' - which the founder of ADDR says 'demonstrates intention to deceive'. A dog who ran away after she had a firework thrown at her has been reunited with her owner following a five week long hunt. Pictured: Millie after she was found Mr Connelly was reunited with his beloved pet on November 29. She went missing on October 28. Ayrshire Drone Dog Rescue headed the search operation A woman on a bus spotted a dog which she thought looked like Millie and it was brought to the attention of Aryshire Drone Dog Rescue who verified her identity This image shows the moment Millie was reunited with her companion - a fellow fox terrier called Zac Mr Connelly, 66, described the weeks without Millie as 'horrendous' and said he 'thought he would never see her again'. Posting to Facebook after he was reunited with his beloved pet on November 29 he thanked everyone for their help and support in the search. He said: 'The last 5 weeks have been horrendous for me and I couldnt have done it without all of you supporting me. 'I had moments where I thought I was never going to see her again but because of everyones efforts I finally have her back home where she belongs with me and Zac. 'She is very tired and is not herself but Im sure in time she will be. 'Shes eating well and sleeping lots and enjoying being back with her brother. We are all looking forward to getting some normality back into our lives and all need to decompress and just get used to our old daily routine.' The post was was flooded with comments from those who followed and joined in the search with many praising Mr Connelly's 'determination' in bringing Millie home. One person wrote: 'I'm just so pleased you got her home Greg, you never gave up. You need to take time now and rest, you have been on the go 24/7 for the last 5 weeks. Pictured: Zac and owner Greg Connelly while Millie was missing. Posting to Facebook after he was reunited with his beloved pet on November 29 Mr Connelly thanked everyone for their help and support in the search Mr Connelly, 66, described the weeks without Millie as 'horrendous' and said he 'thought he would never see her again' 'Welcome home Millie. All those extra steps, whacking through bushes and climbing through dense woodland did me the world if good...apologies to the folk of Penilee though when I bolted there that Sunday morning still in my pjs after a tip off. 'I was some sight - all worth it though.' Another added: 'You never stopped searching - you are the bestest foxy daddy and Millie is so lucky to be back home where she belongs getting spoiled by you and Zac!' ADDR said: 'Greg, your determination to bring Millie home has been truly inspiring. Weve seen you navigate the highs and lows of this journey, yet you rarely wavered in your hope.' Mr Connelly had been walking his two dogs Zac and Millie in the lead up to Bonfire Night when disaster stuck and a thug launched a firework 'banger' device at him. He told the Record shortly after the incident: I heard this loud, deafening bang as the firework landed a couple of feet from us. The wire fox terrier (pictured) bolted from the scene, near Glasgow on October 28, after a careless yob set off a firework nearby 'It all happened in a split second.' Mr Connelly added: 'I'm worried I'll never see her again and with every day that passes, I'm starting to think she's gone and she's not coming home. 'She's a rescue dog and has probably already been through trauma in her life. 'To think she is somewhere petrified just makes me sick. It was the worst thing that has ever happened in my life.' Volunteers from Ayrshire Drone Dog Rescue rushed down to the area to help search for Millie as soon as Mr Connelly contacted them. As more than a month passed by with no sign of her hopes of her return had begun to fade. But, on November 29, a social media tip off offered Mr Connelly a lifeline. A woman took a picture of someone sitting on a bus with a dog she thought might be Millie and it was brought to the attention of ADDR. Mr Connelly was out walking his two dogs, Millie and Zac, near Renfrew Ferry port, when the firework was thrown Pictured: Mr Connelly and his other dog Zac are reunited with Millie The image showed a woman holding a scruffy-looking dog - which appeared to be a fox-terrier - on a lead. Mr Connelly 'instantly recognised Millie' when he saw the picture and said she 'looked sad' which made him feel 'awful' He added: 'Im still quite gobsmacked as to how a person could keep someone dog and act like it was theirs without any conscience.' ADDR managed to track down the address of the woman in the photo after receiving a tip off and volunteers, accompanied by Mr Connelly, went to the house. The charity said: 'Events took an unexpected turn when the woman herself appeared, walking Millie on a lead. They added: 'The situation escalated when the woman caused a dramatic scene, screaming and claiming Greg was stealing her dog, whom she called Babe.' The dog's microchip was quickly scanned by a volunteer who was able to confirm it was Millie and the police were called. She was then secured in a volunteers van before being taken home. A heartwarming video shows the moment Millie was reunited with her owner and companion - a fellow fox terrier called Zac. The woman refused to explain how or when she had taken Millie. The incident has been reported to the police but it is unclear if any further action will be taken. Up to 70 per cent of working-age adults are claiming jobless benefits in parts of England and Wales. Shocking figures laying bare the scale of the crisis Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to tackle suggest Stockton and Portrack is the capital of worklessness. More than 3,000 of the 4,300 adults aged between 16-64 living in the neighbourhood of Stockton-on-Tees are in receipt of Universal Credit or similar. This includes 12 per cent getting incapacity benefits, according to MailOnline analysis of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Office for National Statistics (ONS) data. Byker East, a district in Newcastle, is the number two benefit hotspot. Sixty-four per cent of working-age adults there claim UC or other benefits, with 13 per cent of those on sickness credits, such as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). Our audit comes after Sir Keir declared war on benefits Britain to try to tame the 137billion welfare bill. In a column for the Mail on Sunday, the Prime Minister promised 'sweeping changes'. He said this would include a blitz on cheats and those who 'game the system'. Your browser does not support iframes. Currently 9.25million Brits are neither in a job or looking for one equating to more than a fifth of the working-age population. It includes a near-record figure for those signed off with long-term sickness. Channel 4's Dispatches this week shone a light onto the topic, naming an area of seaside town Grimsby as Britain's worklessness capital. In its own analysis of Government figures, it said 53 per cent of people in the East Marsh and Port area of the Lincolnshire seaside town were on welfare benefits in the first quarter of 2024. MailOnline's audit uncovered similar levels of benefits being doled out in the same district. Grimsby East Marsh and Port, in North East Lincolnshire, ranked sixth in our table of 7,000-plus suburbs of England and Wales, with a jobless benefit rate of 54 per cent. Our investigation involved analysing DWP data on the number of working-aging people who claim out-of-work and related sickness benefits in around 7,200 areas with an average population of 5,200. We then compared these figures with the ONS's latest estimates of the working age (16 to 64) population in these areas to calculate the percentage of these people on jobless and sickness benefits. Victoria Park, a neighbourhood of Plymouth, ranked third, with 60 per cent of working-age adults claiming out-of-work payments. Greet and Mid Sparkhill, Birmingham (56 per cent) and Barkerend West and Little Germany, Bradford (just less than 56 per cent) rounded out MailOnline's top five. The 137bn bill for benefits for working-age people includes 90bn for disability and 35bn for housing benefit. A further 166bn is paid to pensioners, taking the Government's total social security expenditure to 303bn, which is nearly 11 per cent of the country's GDP. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has found that overall spending on sickness and disability benefits will top 100bn annually by 2030. A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said: 'We've inherited a spiralling benefits bill with millions of people with a long-term illness or disability out of work and not getting the support they need. 'We're determined to fix this and, building on our Get Britain Working White Paper, will publish a consultation in Spring on measures to ensure the system is better supporting them underlined by the fundamental principle of treating people with dignity and respect. 'Universal Credit is designed to make work pay and withdraws support at a steady rate allowing customers to keep more of what they earn, therefore strengthening incentives to move into work and progress in work.' Labour's plans include giving the NHS a role in getting people back to work, such as employing tens of thousands of people who are economically inactive for health reasons in non-clinical roles. More than half of voters believe President Joe Biden was wrong to pardon his son Hunter. And our exclusive new poll reveals that Americans believe his actions, after months of promises that he would not make a special case out of his son, are as damaging to trust in politics as some of the worst scandals of recent decades, such as Watergate, the Iran-Contra controversy, or Bill Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky. The result is that Biden's historically low approval rating drops another four points, to 37 percent, according to the J.L. Partners poll of 804 registered voters. The 82-year-old lame duck president announced on Sunday evening that he had signed a pardon for Hunter, saying that his gun and federal tax convictions were politically motivated. The reaction was swift and damning. Allies in the Democratic Party were among those who warned that it set a dangerous precedent for future presidents. Our poll, which launched on Sunday evening, found that 52 percent of respondents concluded Biden was wrong to pardon his son, compared with only 29 percent who said he was right. Republicans were overwhelming in their disapproval: 79 percent to 13 percent. But even Democrats struggled to defend his actions. Less than half (47 percent) said he had done the right thing. J.L. Partners polled 804 registered voters on December 2. The results carry a margin of error of plus/minus 3.5 percentage points President Joe Biden spent Thanksgiving with his son Hunter before announcing his decision on Sunday evening, shortly before flying to Angola In all, some 54 percent said it set a bad precedent. Just 10 percent said set a good precedent. 'This poll shows that in pardoning his son Joe Biden has driven a stake through his own reputation,' said James Johnson, cofounder of J.L. Partners. 'By an overwhelming margin, voters think that it was the wrong thing to do. 'Nor can Democrat voters bring themselves to defend it. 'As Biden leaves office, his already negative approval ratings have taken a further hit. He will bow out as a tarnished political figureseen as old, ineffective, and now having made a decision that voters believe will cripple Americans trust in democracy.' Half of voters said the pardon was just as damaging (21 percent) or more damaging (29 percent) to public trust as Clinton's affair with a White House intern. The then president was impeached after being accused of giving misleading testimony when he denied having 'sexual relations' with Lewinsky. And the pardon is even up there with some of the most destructive scandals in recent political history. Respondents (50 percent) said it was as damaging as Watergate, which triggered the downfall of President Richard Nixon, and as bad as (54 percent) the Iran-Contra affair, when it emerged that senior officials in the Reagan administration secretly facilitated arms sales to Tehran as part of a plan to use the proceeds to back rebels in Nicaragua. Hunter Biden's troubles stem from his years of addition A photograph showing former White House intern Monica Lewinsky meeting President Bill Clinton at a White House function submitted as evidence in documents by the Starr investigation and released by the House Judiciary committee September 21, 1998 Richard Nixon bids farewell to White House staff in 1974. A break-in at the Watergate hotel by Republican operatives triggered a cascade of events that eventually led to his resignation When voters were asked how well the president was performing last week, some 41 percent said they approved of his performance. Some 47 percent said the disapproved. When they were asked in the hours after the performance, 37 percent said they approved (down four) and 48 percent said the disapproved, sending his rating further underwater. The pardon is the latest twist in a legal saga that has plagued the president's son since his chaotic days addicted to drugs. In September, he pleaded guilty to federal tax charges in Los Angeles and was due to be sentenced on Dec. 16. And a Delaware jury found him guilty in June of making false statements when he bought a gun in 2018. He was also due to be sentenced for those charges later this month. Biden and his team repeatedly and emphatically ruled out any suggestion that the president would use his pardon powers to help his son. In June, the president was asked about the gun case and said: 'I abide by the jury decision. I will do that and I will not pardon him.' A month later, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters: 'It's still a no. It will be a no. It is a no. And I don't have anything else to add. 'Will he pardon his son? No.' Biden released a statement on Sunday evening announcing the pardon of his son Hunter On Sunday night, just before Biden was due to leave the country, that no became a yes. 'Heres the truth: I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice and once I made this decision this weekend, there was no sense in delaying it further,' said Biden, as he announced the pardon. Reaction was swift and damning. Political opponents delighted in accusing him of a humiliating U-turn. President-elect Donald Trump called the pardon 'an abuse and miscarriage of justice!' And allies expressed frustration, warning that it would now be harder to take on Trump and his claims that he was the victim of a weaponized legal system. 'This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later Presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation,' Colorado's Democratic Gov. Jared Polis wrote in a post on X. A young family lost $40,000 after scammers tricked them into transferring their house deposit just days after they purchased their dream home. Brisbane couple Christine and David Rose spent seven years working hard to save enough money to buy a home for themselves and their four children. However, just days after slapping the 'sold' sticker on the home's for sale sign, the pair became the targets of a cruel scam. A cunning scammer hacked into the email thread between them and the conveyancing law firm in charge of settling the sale. Mrs Rose explained that the emails looked legitimate and that they even used identical email signatures and letterhead from their lawyer's email address. The scammer advised Mrs Rose of the final instalment of their house deposit and instructed her to transfer $40,000 into the account details provided. Just days after transferring the money, Mrs Rose realised that she had not been dealing with their lawyer and that the account was fraudulent. 'I don't know how the scammers were able to impersonate our lawyer and join the email chain,' Mrs Rose told the 4BC Brisbane. Brisbane couple Christine and David Rose (pictured with two of their children) were tricked into sending $40,000 to scammers after they were sent an email from someone pretending to be their conveyancing lawyer 'It was absolutely gut-wrenching. It's unbelievable, we feel extremely violated.' She added the scammer's account was local and was opened at a branch in Brisbane. Mrs Rose said the pair had to borrow another $40,000 to secure the home, as their bank was only able to recover $3,000 sent to the scammers. While they were able to borrow another $40,000, the additional loan was going to have 'severe financial impacts'. The couple, married for 13 years, have six children between them, with four still living at home. Adding to their stress, the rental property they currently live in has been listed for sale, and their lease expires in three weeks. Mrs Rose described her husband as an 'absolute wreck,' struggling to even talk about the ordeal. To seek support, the family have started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to cover the financial loss caused by the scam. At the time of writing, the GoFundMe had received 49 donations totalling $8,565 and had a goal of raising $40,000. The pair reported the scam to their bank, ING, as well as to the scammer's bank, Commonwealth Bank, and the Queensland Police Cyber Crime Department. Hackers are increasingly targeting home buyers to scam them out of their settlement funds Slater & Gordon Lawyers has been receiving an increasing number of inquiries to property owners who have fallen victim to similar scams. 'We've been approached by an increasing number of people who have unwittingly transferred large sums of money many hundreds of thousands in accordance with detailed instructions they've received via email purporting to be from their conveyancer,' explained Slater & Gordon lawyer Julijana Todorovic. 'But to their horror, they've learned that the email was from someone pretending to be their conveyancer. 'They've then discovered that the funds had not been transferred to the conveyancer's trust account at all, but rather gone straight to a malicious actor. 'While some bank customers are able to get their bank to block transfers if the fraud was discovered promptly, in other cases it was too late.' Getting compensation after falling victim to a conveyancing scam is a lengthy process, she explained. Victims must provide evidence that the conveyancer's poor cybersecurity allowed the scammer to intercept emails. Ms Todorovic urged Aussies to remain on alert for scams and always double-check payment information. 'Double-check the email address of any payment instructions you receive from your conveyancer, and if the address differs from previous correspondence you've had from them, you may be being scammed. 'Taking steps such as speaking to your conveyancer to check that the request for payment is legitimate and the bank details are correct is also advised before transferring any funds to the nominated account,' Ms Todorovic said. Chaotic storms that drenched parts of southeastern Australia with over 100mm of rainfall are set to be followed by an intense heatwave this week. While the worst of the wet weather is expected to ease in Victoria, a large rain band could bring thunderstorms to inland parts of Queensland and New South Wales as well as the state's Central Coast and Sydney. Some rain may linger in NSW's north-east before the system clears by Friday with strong heatwave conditions set to hit inland Australia. Parts of the western Kimberley and central Western Australia and western South Australia are set to see severe heatwave conditions from Tuesday. Low-intensity heatwave conditions are forecast through northern Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, parts of southern Northern Territory, parts of the Pilbara and the Kimberley in WA, northern SA and southwest Queensland. Isolated parts of far eastern Victoria, northeast NSW and parts of southeast Queensland will also be affected by the hot weather. Weatherzone's Anthony Sharwood warned summer storms will likely persist with the unstable weather patterns seen in large parts of northern and eastern Australia last week set to continue into early December. 'The coming week's rainfall totals may not be as extreme as last week's in many places, but it's definitely set to be another active week of stormy weather - and not just in the tropics and eastern Australia,' Mr Sharwood said. Chaotic storms that brought over 100mm of rainfall to parts of southeastern Australia are set to be followed by an intense heatwave this week (pictured, workers in Brisbane's CBD) Strong heatwave conditions are expected to affect large parts of inland Australia from Tuesday 'Indeed there were already active storms on Monday morning in central Australia, far western Queensland and some fairly arid parts of South Australia.' The meteorologist explained the unpredictable weather is largely due to a series of low-pressure and high-pressure troughs interacting, and above-average sea surface temperatures in Australia's northwest and southeast. The increased rainfall combined with scorching temperatures has seen the Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council (AFAC) warn several communities they will be at an elevated bushfire risk this summer. Large areas of the NT and Victoria, as well as parts of NSW, WA and SA, have been urged to start preparing for a dangerous bushfire season. Sydney Wednesday: Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower in the morning. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning and early afternoon. Light winds becoming south to southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h in the morning then becoming light in the late evening. Min 21. Max 25. Thursday: Cloudy. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening. Min 20. Max 26. Friday: Partly cloudy. The chance of morning fog in the west. Slight chance of a shower. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening. Min 20. Max 29. Unstable weather patterns seen in large parts of northern and eastern Australia last week are set to continue into early December (picture, wet weather in Melbourne) Melbourne Wednesday: Sunny. The chance of morning fog about the nearby hills. Winds southerly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light during the evening. Min 13. Max 23. Thursday: Mostly sunny. The chance of morning fog. Slight chance of an afternoon shower. Light winds becoming southerly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening. Min 13. Max 32. Friday: Partly cloudy. Very high chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming north to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the afternoon. Min 20. Max 33. Brisbane Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the evening. Min 23. Max 30. Thursday: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning. Light winds becoming east to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening. Min 23. Max 29. Friday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower in the morning. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening. Min 21. Max 29. Perth Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers in the morning and early afternoon. Winds westerly 15 to 25 km/h tending southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h in the early afternoon then becoming light in the evening. Min 17. Max 25. Thursday: Mostly sunny. Winds south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h turning southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h during the day then tending southerly 15 to 25 km/h during the evening. Min 13. Max 26. Friday: Sunny. Winds southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h tending southeast to southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h during the afternoon then becoming southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h during the evening. Min 15. Max 29. The increased rainfall combined with scorching temperatures has seen the AFAC warn several communities (highlighted in red) they will be at an elevated bushfire risk this summer Adelaide Wednesday: Sunny. Winds east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light before dawn then becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the late afternoon. Min 13. Max 31. Thursday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening. Winds easterly 15 to 20 km/h tending northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then shifting south to southeasterly during the afternoon. Min 21. Max 37. Friday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds east to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h turning south to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening. Min 23. Max 33. Hobart Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Winds west to northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h shifting southeasterly in the early afternoon then becoming light in the evening. Min 11. Max 24. Thursday: Sunny. Light winds becoming south to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening. Min 13. Max 26. Friday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Light winds becoming southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening. Min 13. Max 25. Canberra Wednesday: Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning and afternoon. Light winds becoming east to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the morning then becoming light in the late evening. Min 17. Max 26. Thursday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening. Light winds. Min 12. Max 31. Friday: Partly cloudy. The chance of morning fog. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming north to northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening. Min 16. Max 33. A weather map showing rainfall totals for the week until Sunday is pictured Darwin Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds. Min 26. Max 32. Thursday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds. Min 25. Max 32. Friday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds east to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light during the afternoon. Min 25. Max 32. Part of Sydney Harbour has turned a blood red to the shock of residents and visitors, with a local council offering the likely explanation. The red water was seen on the harbour foreshore at Milson Park in Kirribilli, adjacent to Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sydney's lower north shore, on Monday afternoon. Curious visitors to the popular harbourside park traced the stream of red water back to a stormwater drain. A North Sydney Council spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia the likely cause of the change in colour is plumbers dye. 'Council is aware of the red water flowing into the harbour from Milson Park, and officers have investigated but have not been able to find the source,' she said. 'We have reported it to the EPA (the NSW Environment Protection Authority)'. The substance, which is also known as fluorescein, is not toxic and is also odourless. Plumbers dye is used to locate the precise point of leaks in plumbing, pipes and drains. The bright red water was seen flowing into parts of the harbour foreshore at Milson Park, in Kirribilli, on Monday afternoon It is recommended that usage of the substance be kept to a minimum, to avoid it issues like that on Monday when it flows on into natural waterways. A NSW EPA spokesman confirmed the council alerted the agency to the presence of the dye in the drain. The latest incident comes just months after the water in the bay near Hipwood Street turned fluorescent green on September 25. The mysterious green substance was spotted pouring out of a stormwater drain. Authorities determined that too was caused by plumbing dye. No hazards to marine life or surrounding properties were identified. Rachel Reeves has ignored pleas by defence chiefs to end uncertainty around when she will commit more funds to Britains hollowed out armed forces. Previously, the Labour Chancellors cabinet colleague John Healey had insisted a timetable to boost defence spending to 2.5 percent of GDP would be announced in spring 2025 following a review of priorities. The strategic defence review was announced by Labour just days after it entered government. It is intended to work out where resources most need to be directed to meet the threat posed by Russia. But following an intervention by Ms Reeves, there will be no announcement on additional funding for defence before the Treasurys multi-year spending review concludes in June. The delay represents the latest setback for cash strapped top brass who have also been ordered to make savings so troops could receive a pay-rise of up to 7 percent. June 2025 will be almost a year after Labours resounding General Election victory. Since then the Defence Secretary has insisted his party believes in increasing investment in this countrys armed forces. The government has ignored repeated pleas by the Mail as part of its Dont Leave Britain Defenceless campaign to say when spending will rise from its present level of 2.3 percent of GDP. UK defence spending is effectively flatlining while this countrys Western allies are rapidly increasing their investment to combat the threat of Russia and its allies China, North Korea and Iran. Rachel Reeves' cabinet colleague John Healey (pictured together) had insisted a timetable to boost defence spending to 2.5 percent of GDP would be announced in spring 2025 following a review of priorities British Army training budgets have been slashed this year to ensure the Ministry of Defence meets savings targets demanded by the Chancellor The failure to match increases by Baltic States belonging to NATO and Poland risks causing rifts within the defence alliance - as it appears the burden of increasing funding is falling heaviest on those states most at risk of invasion. It also comes as US President-Elect Donald Trump is just weeks from entering office. He is expected to announce a schedule for withdrawing US forces from Europe. So, according to commentators, a rise in UK defence spending to 2.5 percent of GDP cannot come soon enough - as Britain and others could soon be forced to take on more responsibility for the security of the continent, both on land and at sea. However, as the Mail has previously revealed, British Army training budgets have been slashed this year to ensure the Ministry of Defence meets savings targets demanded by the Chancellor. Labour has made several defence cuts, including Albion and Bulwark, the assault ships required by the Royal Marines, Chinook and Puma helicopters and the Watchkeeper drone platform. Commenting on the timescale for 2.5 per cent being further delayed- Shadow Defence Secretary, James Cartlidge MP, said: We still have no timetable for getting to 2.5 per cent of GDP being spent on Defence - but now the timetable to get a timetable has once again slipped. The public are no fools, and they know that the threats we face are at the most intense for decades. 'And yet the Government is cutting Defence, and delaying extra spending when it should be doing the opposite. Vladimir Putin may be pleased to learn the UK has, yet again, delayed making a decision on when it will increase expenditure With the world as it is, we should be accelerating funding so that the armed forces can urgently rearm against todays threats. Labour are revealing what we all suspected, that defence just isnt a priority for them. Confirmation of the delay came as John Healey told investors and businesses at a meeting at Rothschilds it was necessary to invest in defence to send a message to Putin. The Kremlin is known to closely watch defence policy issues in this country. So Vladimir Putin may be pleased to learn the UK has, yet again, delayed making a decision on when it will increase expenditure on the hollowed out armed forces. The UKs public finances are under heavy strain. In the first seven months of the current fiscal year, borrowing was 96.6bn, which was 1.1billion more than the same period the previous year and the third-highest since monthly records began. Police will get powers to reveal stalkers identities to their victims at an earlier stage as part of a new crackdown on the crime. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said victims of the horrendous offence will have a new right to know who is targeting them. Currently, some victims who have been harassed by stalkers online only discover a suspects identity when they first appear in court. In a further move, stalking protection orders - which can ban stalkers from going within a certain distance of their victims, or contacting them - will be made more widely available. The law will be changed to allow courts to impose the orders after a conviction even if one was not in place before a trial. This will stop offenders from contacting their victims from prison, the Home Office said. Courts will also gain the power to apply protection orders directly if a defendant is acquitted of stalking, providing there is enough evidence to suggest they still pose a risk, a spokesman added. Ms Cooper said: Stalking is a horrendous crime. For far too long, victims of stalking have been subject to debilitating and vicious abuse at the hands of stalkers who use any means necessary to monitor and control their victims lives. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said victims of the horrendous offence will have a new right to know who is targeting them Talk TV host Nicola Thorp was told by police they could not reveal the identity of her offender even after he was arrested Let us be clear, we will use every tool available to us to give more power to victims and take it away from the hands of their abusers. This starts with empowering police to give women the right to know the identity of their online stalkers, strengthening stalking protection orders and ensuring that the police work with all support services to give victims the protection they deserve. The Home Office said the new guidance was inspired by the experience of former Coronation Street star and activist Nicola Thorp. The actress, who played social worker Nicola Rubinstein in the soap, was terrorised for two years from 2018 by a man who called himself her personal grim reaper. Talk TV host Ms Thorp was told by police they could not reveal the identity of the offender even after he was arrested, despite the perpetrator once saying he had got so close to Ms Thorp on a train he could smell her. Ms Thorp said: Im delighted with the new measures announced by the Home Office and look forward to their ongoing commitment to protecting victims of stalking. For too long, stalking victims have been at the mercy not only of their stalker, but a justice system that failed to protect them. The actress played Nicola Rubinstein in Coronation Street (pictured in character) These new measures will empower victims to regain some much-needed control of their lives and police to bring abusers to justice. Ravinderjit Dhillon, 30, used 25 different identities to target the actress. Last December he was jailed for 30 months at east Londons Snaresbrook Crown court, where Judge Rosa Dean told him: Nicola Thorp was a total stranger to you. I am quite sure you targeted her because of her celerity and in part due to her determination to call out abusive and misogynistic behaviour. The messages you sent were deeply offensive and very violent. You threatened to rape her. You told her you were the Grim Reaper. You told her you wanted her parents to witness violent sexual assaults on her A woman serves customers at a La Cocina booth, now closed, inside the Ferry Building in 2018. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Its Giving Tuesday, which means your inbox is already no doubt jam packed with fundraising emails from worthy nonprofits. Its overwhelming! If youve set aside some money for donations this year, how do you weigh your support for the local public radio station against a national civil rights organization? Not to complicate matters further, but if you subscribe to this newsletter, chances are you care deeply about food, restaurants and the people who work in food and restaurants. As youre thinking about those year-end contributions, Id like to surface three organizations two of them based in the Bay Area, one that provides services to local food and beverage workers for your consideration. Whether youre in a position to give this year or not, their work is worth knowing about. La Cocina: You could easily make the argument that no local nonprofit has had a bigger hand in shaping the Bay Area food scene than La Cocina. So many exceptional restaurants have gotten their start at this incubator, which provides resources to low-income food entrepreneurs, especially women from immigrant communities. If youve eaten at Reems, Peaches Patties, Lunette, Minnie Bells or Teranga, you have tasted food from a business that has been supported by La Cocina. A donation here is an investment in the restaurants you will be lining up to eat at in the years to come. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Southern Smoke Foundation: A few weeks ago I wrote about how people who work in the food and beverage industry, from line cooks to distillers, can access free mental health services through the Southern Smoke Foundation. In an industry where benefits are often limited to a staff meal and shift drink, its a lifeline for those who might not otherwise be able to afford mental healthcare. In addition to that program, Southern Smoke also provides emergency grants to food and beverage workers who have been impacted by natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires. A donation could help the workers behind your favorite restaurant, vineyard or coffee shop when they need it most. The Cultural Conservancys Native Foodways Program: The flagship program of this Native-led nonprofit strengthens Indigenous foodways through land stewardship, seed saving and food distribution. The Cultural Conservancy operates two farms, one in Sebastopol and one in Novato, where heirloom crops like Hopi black beans and Buffalo Creek squash are grown, harvested and distributed. Indigenous seed savers in California and around the world are fighting the good fight against industrial, monoculture farming by ensuring that heritage varieties dont slip into extinction. Donate to support Native communities and a more flavorful, biodiverse world. Controversial proposals to imprison anyone found to be advertising vapes or nicotine under a new law have been branded 'madness' by senior Tories. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill - which overwhelmingly passed its second reading last week - contains a clause suggesting people who knowingly market smoking or vaping-relating products could be locked up for two years. The legislation, hailed by the government as the path to creating a smoke-free generation, would impose a UK-wide ban on the advertising, brand sharing and sponsorship of herbal smoking products, cigarette papers, vaping and nicotine products. Anyone flouting the law is liable for two years in prison, according to the latest version of the Bill going through Parliament. Shadow Business Minister Greg Smith said last night: 'A potential two year prison sentence for those advertising nicotine products to adults who are seeking to make the brave leap to quitting cigarettes is wholly inappropriate. It's madness. 'Furthermore, this section of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill requires real scrutiny as we shouldn't have a situation where consumers can't see their choices or understand them if no communication about them is allowed.' Tory MP Peter Bedford added: 'This draconian Bill gets worse the more you look at it. This Labour Government are obviously hell-bent on the idea of control. 'People do not need the 'nanny-state' legislating in all walks of their lives. To imprison people for two years on the back of advertisement for tobacco and vapes is deeply concerning. Plans to jail anyone found to be advertising vapes or nicotine under new legislation have been branded 'madness' by senior Tories (file photo) Shadow Business Minister Greg Smith said the proposed two-year prison sentence is 'wholly inappropriate' 'Where will the slippery slope lead to next? Will we have imprisonment for alcohol advertisement or even worse imprisonment for advertising foods that are over an arbitrary calorie count or fat content?' The Bill passed its second reading last week by 415 votes to 47. Similar legislation was introduced by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, but it failed to become law before July's General Election. Senior Tories, including leader Kemi Badenoch, voted against the Bill, with shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick saying the government must 'educate more, ban less'. Campaigners are now calling on MPs to amend the proposals to remove the advertising clause as the legislation makes its way through both Houses of Parliament. A spokesman from the Adam Smith Institute think tank said: 'New powers to restrict the sale and advertising of vapes and other quitting aids will do much more harm than good. 'Not only is the Tobacco and Vapes Bill an affront to the intelligence of adults and a black market charter for organised criminals trading in illegal tobacco, it also prevents smokers from quitting by limiting the marketing of alternative products. 'The Bill hands significant, unfettered powers to individual ministers to further crack down on the choices of individuals. 'The Government and Parliament should urgently reconsider the path of this Bill, as it poses significant risks to our aim of reaching a Smoke Free Future.' Campaigners are now calling on MPs to amend the proposals to remove the advertising clause (file image) A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'The deliberate marketing and advertisement of vapes to children and young people is unacceptable. 'The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will stop the next generation from becoming hooked on nicotine by banning the advertising of vapes and providing powers to restrict vape flavours, packaging, and shop displays. 'The advertising of tobacco products has been restricted since 2003, and the Bill extends this to herbal smoking products, cigarette papers, vapes and nicotine products. 'Prison sentences could be given for the most serious offences under the new legislation.' Britain is widely underestimating the threat of cyber attacks from Russia and China after a three-fold increase in severe incidents in a year, according to a new report. Richard Horne, head of GCHQs National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will warn today of the threat posed by Russias online aggression and recklessness and highly sophisticated Chinese hackers. In his first major speech, the cyber security chief will highlight the widening gap between the threats facing the UK from state-backed hackers and criminals and the defences in place to protect businesses and public services. It comes after the NCSCs annual report revealed a three-fold increase in the most serious cyber incidents affecting the UK in 2023-24. Mr Horne is expected to say: What has struck me more forcefully than anything else since taking the helm at the NCSC is the clearly widening gap between the exposure and threat we face, and the defences that are in place to protect us. And what is equally clear to me is that we all need to increase the pace we are working at to keep ahead of our adversaries... We can see how cyber attacks are increasingly important to Russian actors, along with sabotage threats to physical security. All the while, China remains a highly sophisticated cyber actor, with increasing ambition to project its influence beyond its borders. Russian president Vladimir Putin. The report describes Russia as a capable, motivated and irresponsible threat actor in cyberspace which is routinely seeking to compromise the systems of NATO states Chinese president Xi Jinping. Mr Horne will warn that 'China remains a highly sophisticated cyber actor, with increasing ambition to project its influence beyond its borders' Richard Horne, head of GCHQ s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will warn today of the threat posed by Russias online aggression and recklessness and highly sophisticated Chinese hackers GCHQ in Cheltenham. In his first major speech, the cyber security chief will highlight the widening gap between the threats facing the UK from state-backed hackers and criminals And yet, despite all this, we believe the severity of the risk facing the UK is being widely underestimated. Speaking at the NCSCs headquarters in London, he will say: There is no room for complacency about the severity of state-led threats or the volume of the threat posed by cyber criminals. The defence and resilience of critical infrastructure, supply chains, the public sector and our wider economy must improve. The report describes Russia as a capable, motivated and irresponsible threat actor in cyberspace which is routinely seeking to compromise the systems of NATO states. The NCSC received 1,957 reports of cyber attacks in the last year, including 89 nationally significant incidents.Of these, 12 were at the top end of the scale and more severe in nature, a three-fold increase on last year. Bob Lee's devastated daughter was comforted by her mother as they attended closing arguments in her father's murder trial after he was stabbed to death in San Francisco. Scout Lee, 16, could be heard sobbing as harrowing video footage of her dying father was played to the jury on Monday. Later she was seen clutching onto her mother for support while walking along a corridor outside the court with her uncle, Tim Oliver Lee. Prosecutors say Nima Momeni took Lee's life on the 300 block of Main Street in the ritzy Rincon Hill neighborhood in April 2023. It is alleged Momeni stabbed Lee three times after hearing that his drug dealing friend plied his younger sister, Khazar, with GHB and other drugs and sexually assaulted her. 'One person called 911 pleading for help, saying somebody stabbed me,' said Dane Reinstedt, assistant district attorney, adding that the other person never called police or told anyone what happened that night until the trial. Defense attorneys say Lee, 43, was on a multi-day drug bender of cocaine and ketamine that made him agitated and violent, and that he attacked the defendant with a knife. They said Momeni was forced to use his Krav Maga martial arts skills in the early morning hours of April 4, 2023, after 'making a 'bad joke' that upset Lee - and did not realize he had stabbed him. Scout Lee, Bob Lee's daughter, seen with her arms wrapped around her mom Krista Lee, right, along with Tim Oliver Lee (Bob's brother) the Hall of Justice for the murder trial of Nima Momeni in San Francisco on Monday The ex-wife of Cash App founder Bob Lee and one of his daughters, Scout, were seen at the trial Bob Lee was later found fatally stabbed in downtown San Francisco on April 9 2023. He was later rushed to hospital where he died Momeni faces 26 years to life if convicted of murder. He has pleaded not guilty. The assistant district attorney mocked Momeni's defense as he walked jurors through evidence from the trial that began on October 14. He said Momeni was furious with Lee for introducing Khazar, with whom he was friends, to a drug dealer who gave her GHB, known as a date-rape drug, hours before the stabbing. They say Momeni grilled Lee earlier in the evening about what happened to his sister at the drug dealer's apartment, and sent text messages saying that the two men were creeps and sexual predators. Momeni then met up with Lee at his sister's condo, took a paring knife from her kitchen set, drove Lee to a secluded area by the Bay Bridge and stabbed him three times, including a fatal blow through his heart, on a dimly lit street, Reinstedt said. 'That protectiveness of the defendant's little sister is what led to all of this,' he said. Momeni had learned his little sister, the person hes closest to in the world, was given date rape drugs and sexually assaulted. If thats not a basis to kill someone, I dont know what is,' prosecutor Reinstedt said. The puncture wounds were clean, clear and deep, and not the result of any kind of self-defense tussle, he said. 99% of the DNA on the handle of the knife belonged to Momeni, the prosecutor said. The Lee family listened in tears as the courtroom heard Bob's 911 call asking for help San Francisco prosecutors say Nima Momeni, pictured, stabbed Lee three times after hearing that Lee's drug dealer friend plied Momeni's younger sister with GHB and other drugs and sexually assaulted her At a previous hearing, the suspect's mother formed a heart as he made his way through the courtroom Tim Oliver Lee, left, the brother of Cash App founder Bob Lee, Krista Lee, right, Lee's ex-wife, and one of their teenage daughters, 16-year-old Scout, could be seen leaving the courtroom Tim Oliver Lee, left, brother of Cash App founder Bob Lee, is seen heading into the courtroom Reinstedt played Lee's 911 call from April 4, 2023, that recorded his final words. Jurors could hear him begging an emergency dispatcher for help before he collapsed on Main Street in a pool of blood. Lees ex-wife, his father, brother, and the couple's two children could be seen in the court room listening, reports KRON4. Lees youngest teenage child started to sob after surveillance footage of her dying father was played in court as he collapsed in a pool of his own blood. 'On April 4, 2023, one person called 911 pleading for help, saying, 'somebody stabbed me.' Telling us with his last words what happened that night. He begged for help, over and over and over. (Momeni) never called police. 'He never told anyone about what happened under the Bay Bridge that night until a year and a half later, after he had an opportunity to review all the evidence, to tell you a carefully crafted story.' 'One person is dead. The other person sits in this courtroom. The evidence now proves he's a murderer,' Reinstedt told jurors. 'One person was stabbed. The other person suffered not one single injury,' the prosecutor added. 'One person was the passenger in the white BMW that drove to that quiet dark area with no witnesses. 'He didn't choose the location they went to. (Momeni) was the driver. It was an area (under the bridge) he was familiar with, knowing it was as isolated as you could get in a city like San Francisco, knowing he had easy access to flee onto the freeway. Mahnaz Tayarani, mother of Nima Momeni - who is charged with murder in Cash App founder Bob Lee's stabbing death - walks out of the San Francisco courtroom Prosecutors say Nima Momeni stabbed Lee three times after hearing that Lee's drug dealer friend plied Momeni's younger sister, Khazar, pictured, with GHB and sexually assaulted her Prosecutor, Dane Reinstedt, the assistant district attorney can be seen in this courtroom sketch showing harrowing video of Bob Lee's final moments as he lay dying outside an apartment building 'The defendants claim is he acted in self-defense. Your job is to determine the facts,' Reinstedt told the jury. The trial has been emotionally taxing for family members of both men. Mahnaz Tayarani, mother of the defendant, has sat on one side of the court room while Lee's father, brother and ex-wife sat on the other. The prosecution started its closing argument with a 911 call in which Lee could be heard asking repeatedly for help. Surveillance video of Bob goofing around on his final night and autopsy photos of his wounds have been difficult to view, said Lee's brother, Timothy Oliver Lee. He dismissed Momeni's explanation of events as a fabrication. 'Even if he was under the influence, he was still Bob. He was never aggressive. He was always a teddy bear and always a great guy,' he said. Surveillance video shows the two men leaving the posh condo of Khazar Momeni around 2am and getting into Momeni's BMW. Bob Lee, the CashApp creator was a father to two girls. Both are now teenagers with Scout, 16, seen right, attending court in San Francisco on Monday Other surveillance then shows them getting out of the car in an isolated section of the city by the Bay Bridge. Momeni testified he stopped his car after going over a pothole that caused Lee to spill the beer he was holding. Momeni said he then cracked a joke suggesting Lee should spend his last night visiting the city with family instead of trying to find a strip club to keep the party going. That's when Lee suddenly pulled a knife, Momeni said. He said Lee later walked away, showing no signs he was injured. 'I was scared for my life,' Momeni said in earlier testimony that was at times rambling and contentious. 'I had to defend myself.' Lee was found staggering on a deserted downtown San Francisco street at 2:30am, dripping a trail of blood and calling for help. He later died at a hospital. Jurors were allowed to ask questions and, through San Francisco Superior Court Judge Alexandra Gordon, asked why Momeni did not call police, either after Lee's knife attack or after Momeni realized Lee had been stabbed to death. A knife recovered from the area where Lee was stabbed showed Momenis DNA on the handle, but the defense said the handle should have been tested for Lee's fingerprints. The Rincon Hill neighborhood along Main Street near where Lee was fatally stabbed in San Francisco Floral tributes left close to where Lee was fatally stabbed. Lee's death stunned the tech community as fellow executives and engineers penned tributes to the charismatic entrepreneur's generosity and brilliance Lee's death stunned the tech community as fellow executives and engineers penned tributes to his generosity and brilliance. He was chief product officer of cryptocurrency platform MobileCoin when he died. Momeni, who lives in nearby Emeryville, California, has been in custody since his arrest days after Lee died at a San Francisco hospital. A female soldier who repeatedly followed her colleague into bathrooms and sexually assaulted her as she 'pinned' her against the wall has escaped jail. Airtrooper Olivia Nelson dodged jail after she left her victim 'forever scarred' by overpowering her and groping her in repeated attacks. In one assault, the 21-year-old followed the soldier into a toilet on a night out and forcibly held her against the wall by her neck before grabbing her breasts and vagina. In another incident, she climbed into the colleague's bed and tried to kiss her, then followed her into a shower area and pinned her against the wall as she continued trying to kiss her. The traumatised victim, who can't be named for legal reasons, said she struggled to 'break free' because Nelson was 'stronger' than her. Nelson, of the British Army Air Corps, today received a suspended sentence as a court heard she has been dismissed from the Army. She was previously convicted of four counts of sexual assault after a week long trial at Winchester Crown Court. Airtrooper Olivia Nelson (pictured) dodged jail after she left her victim 'forever scarred' by overpowering her and groping her in repeated attacks Mark Karpinski, prosecuting, said the offences took place at Middle Wallop Army Barracks, Hampshire. He told the court that Nelson, then 19, had just gone through a breakup with her long-term girlfriend and had confided in the victim. The prosecutor emphasised that there was 'never any suggestion of a possible sexual relationship' between Nelson and the female soldier. It was heard that on an evening soon after the break up, Nelson had been out drinking and had returned to the barracks intoxicated. 'The defendant walked over to [the victim's] bed, climbed onto her bed, pulled back the duvet and repeatedly tried to kiss her,' Mr Karpinski said. Moments later, the victim left her bed and walked over to the communal shower area - but was followed by Nelson, who then 'pinned her against the wall', 'grabbed her throat', and 'tried to kiss her'. It was heard the female soldier eventually 'managed to break free' from Nelson's 'grip'. He told the court of another occasion, where Nelson and the victim were part of a group socialising at a pub. Mark Karpinski, prosecuting, said the offences took place at Middle Wallop Army Barracks, Hampshire The victim left the table to use the toilet but was again 'followed' by Nelson directly into the cubicle. 'The defendant grabbed [the victim] by the neck, repeatedly tried to kiss her and grabbed her breasts,' Mr Karpinski said. 'The defendant then attempted to insert her fingers into [the victim's] vagina. 'Throughout the incident, the victim was loudly telling the defendant to get off her.' It was heard the victim 'eventually managed to escape the cubicle' but Nelson - who was again intoxicated - followed her out, before pinning her against the wall again. The prosecutor told the court that Nelson then 'grabbed her vagina' over her clothing. The victim was 'distressed' by what had happened and 'confided' in a few of her closest acquaintances, it was heard. She did not formally report the matter, for fear it could impact her 'long-term career prospects', but a friend of hers' eventually informed the victims superiors. Nelson denied six charges related to sexual assault and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Winchester Crown Court The victim told Monday's hearing of the devastating impact Nelson's assault had on her. She said: 'I don't even know where to start about expressing how many feelings I have felt, and the trauma you have made me go through. 'What you did to me, how it made me feel so weak and that you were stronger than me - I tried pushing you away. 'I can truly not get over, or understand, why you did this to me. 'What did I do to deserve this? It takes everything in me not to break down when I think about what you did. 'What you did will forever scar my mind.' Nick Tucker, defending, told the court: 'This is a young woman of exemplary character who has, as a result of this offences, had to cut short a promising military career.' Mr Tucker said the 'immaturity' of Nelson, who was a teenager at the time of the offences, must have 'played it's part'. Urging the judge to consider a suspended sentence, he said: 'No one could properly say that she had got off lightly. 'She no longer has a future in the army, she is a registered sex offender, and she had those convictions on her record.' Nelson was found guilty of four counts of sexual assault on a female, and one count of attempting to assault by penetration. EXCLUSIVE The sudden death of a socialite's son from Sydney's eastern suburbs remains shrouded in mystery after he was discovered face down in a Balinese swimming pool. Aston Looker, an 18-year-old fashion model from Sydney, was found dead in the pool on August 22, with police launching an investigation when they were alerted to his death. His distraught mother, interior designer Amanda Lennon, told friends she only found out about her son's death - and his funeral - by text from her former husband, Saxon Looker. 'Her ex cremated him before she arrived in Bali,' a friend said. 'She received a text message from Saxon that read, "Aston cremated".' Close friends said Ms Lennon, also a former model, is distraught at the loss of her eldest child, but she broke cover last week to join Sydney's A-list elite for a glamour lunch. 'As you can imagine, she is beside herself with grief,' a friend said. 'There is still a deep mystery surrounding his death which she's still grappling with.' Amanda Lennon (right) paid tribute to her son Aston Looker (left) in a series of Instagram tributes Aston Looker who attended St Joseph's College in Hunter Hill followed in his mother's footsteps with a career in modelling Saxon Looker runs a number of surfboard businesses in Bali where he has been based since 2005. It is not suggested that he had any involvement in the death of his son. Aston was a former student at St Josephs College in Hunters Hill on Sydney's north shore and he was remembered in a memorial service at the school's chapel on September 6. Ms Lennon has posted a series of moving tributes on social media, recently opening up about her profound loss. 'My supermodel son is in heaven,' she wrote. 'We love you forever. We love your cheeky personality and amazing looks but most of all you humour. 'Your mum will never ever forget you, my favourite person in the universe.' She added: 'Aston you are gone too soon and will be mourning your death that was too soon.' Ms Lennon runs in an exclusive eastern suburbs clique, including Real Housewives of Sydney star Victoria Montano, Kate Champion - the wife of Laser Clinics Australia co-founder - and Linda Rogan who made headlines this year over her affair with WiseTech billionaire Richard White. She was spotted at last Thursday's A-List lunch hosted by White's newlywed wife Zena Nasser at Mimi's restaurant at Coogee Pavilion in the eastern suburbs. Late on Tuesday night, Amanda Lennon shared a holiday snap from Orpheus Island in North Queensland Zena Naser (pictured right) outside Mimi's in Coogee Amanda Lennon (pictured) attended a lunch hosted by wife of womanising tech billionaire Richard White held a Mimi's restaurant in Coogee Aston Looker was laid to rest in September where he attended highschool Amanda Lennon wore a black polka dot dress to her son's memorial at his old school chapel Reality TV star Victoria Montano paid tribute to Aston, her godson, in a candid social media post following his funeral. 'Today we celebrated the life of Aston Looker. People with fragile hearts are the bravest most beautiful miracles. Aston was my friend alongside his wonderful mother,' her post began. 'It was his vulnerability that drew you in. His sensitivity. His creative mind which no doubt worked away all day at a million miles an hour. He wore his heart on his sleeve.' She added: 'On the occasions that we had time for a deeper conversation I always noted that he was able to express himself unlike any other male I knew. 'Asty - a life taken too soon. A wasted life of a wonderful young man. We will all miss you. I love you very much Asty Mou - Vic.' Amanda Lennon, told friends she only found out about her son's death - and his funeral - by text from her former husband Aston was a former student at St Josephs College in Hunters Hill on Sydney's north shore Bali police told Daily Mail Australia they had not been alerted about Aston's tragic death by his parents. 'We did not get any report about it,' said police spokesman Jansen Avitus Panjaitan. 'The family of the victim did not make any report to police. 'The incident was only subsequently discovered by Mengwi Police. They launched an immediate investigation. 'Based on the results of the investigation that had been carried out, detectives concluded that no criminal act was involved in Aston's death.' Do you have a Bali Nine story? Email jonica.bray@mailonline.com One member of the Bali Nine drug syndicate faces a heartbreaking goodbye when their transfer to Australia is finally confirmed by Indonesian authorities in coming weeks. Matthew Norman, 38, has built an unconventional life for himself during his 19 years behind bars at Bali's feared Kerobokan Prison, with his wife of eight years, Anita, by his side. However, once Norman is back on Australian soil, he will be banned from ever going back to Indonesia, throwing their 12-year relationship into jeopardy. Norman and Anita had been dating for four years before the couple tied the knot in the prison grounds, surrounded by friends and family, on February 5, 2016. The day also signified Norman becoming a stepfather to Anita's young daughter Stella, now 15, who was their bridesmaid. The family have since made the most of relaxed visitor rules that allow them to spend up to three hours a day together and turned the prison into a bizarre home from home for them. Loving photos of the family show the smiling husband and wife celebrating special occasions, including Stella's recent graduation in June and Norman's birthday in September. Norman's devoted father Michael has also moved to Bali to be beside his son after packing up his life in Sydney over concerns for his son's wellbeing while in jail. Matthew Norman, 38, has built an unconventional life for himself during his 19 years behind bars at Bali's feared Kerobokan Prison, with his wife of eight years, Anita, by his side Matthew Norman will never be allowed to return Indonesia again if he's transferred to Australia Anita's daughter Stella was a toddler when Norman started to date her mother and is now a doting father to the teenager However, Norman's mother, Robyn, died earlier this year before she could see her son ever walk free from jail. Norman also runs a screen printing and graphic design program called Redemption from jail. The program teaches prisoners skills and 'helps them make better choices to break the cycle of reoffending'. Norman was just 18 years old when he was arrested and the youngest member of the gang when police swooped. The emotional stress he was suffering in jail soon after his arrest was a cause for concern for psychiatrists who spoke with him days after his incarceration. After two weeks, he was the only one of his cellmates including, Tan Duk Thanh Nguyen, Si Yi Chen, Scott Rush, Renae Lawrence and Michael Czugaj, who had still not had a visit from his family. Norman's parents were notably absent while the other parents arrived with food and care packages for their kids while they were being held ahead of a trial. Reports at the time suggested his family had gone into hiding after receiving ominous threats from the drug lord kingpins behind the smuggling operation. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke met with Indonesia's Minister for Law Yusril Ihza Mahendra in Jakarta on Tuesday to discuss a final deal to bring the Australians home. Mr Mahendra said a draft proposal of the deal was handed to Mr Burke during their meeting. 'We hope that we can finalise this matter ... this December,' Mr Mahendra said. That an Indonesia proposal was handed over during the meeting was 'a significant step forward and shows significant goodwill,' Mr Burke said. Impediments within both legal systems were discussed. 'I have full respect for the Indonesian legal system and approach the conversations with a great deal of respect and a great deal of humility,' Mr Burke said. 'There are ... some issues which have not yet been resolved and that work will continue between our officials.' Matthew Norman is seen behind bars in 2007 at Bali's notorious Kerobokan jail Pictured from top-left : Myuran Sukumaran, Scott Rush, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, Renae Lawrence. Bottom: Si Yi Chen, Matthew Norman, Michael Czugaj, Martin Stephen and Andrew Chan The reprieve will come too late for the ringleaders Chan and Sukumaran, who were executed by firing squad in April 2015. Nguyen died from cancer in 2018, while Lawrence was released that year when her life sentence was reduced to 20 years on appeal. Yi Chen is serving his sentence alongside Norman in Kerobokan. Martin Stephens, Rush and Czugaj are in jails across Bali and Java. A thug who has now been jailed after carrying out a violent attack on a 77-year-old shopkeeper had previously punched a pregnant woman in the face - as she walked with her baby. Philip Kent, 50, and accomplice Joseph Murphy, 49, stole hundreds of pounds from a till before entering into a violent struggle with the owner of Ritchie's Fruitique's Boutique in Liverpool. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool, Kent and Murphy admitted robbery and were jailed for three years and nine months and two years and seven months respectively on Thursday, the Liverpool Echo reported. During the trial, Liverpool Crown Court was told Kent's criminal record showed 39 entries for 103 offences such as inflicting grievous bodily harm, robbery, burglary and aggravated vehicle taking . The court heard how Richard Spencer had run the shop for more than 40 years and was assisting a customer on August 3 when the two robbers entered the premises. Nardeen Nemat, prosecuting, told the court that Murphy made his way to the back of the shop while Kent engaged Mr Spencer in conversation. But while the pensioner's back was turned, Kent leaned over the shop's counter and took a bundle of cash. However, the owner did not give up easily, grabbing hold of his t-shirt and shouting for help before Murphy came to his aid and 'prized Mr Spencer's hands away from him'. During the trial, Liverpool Crown Court was told Philip Kent's (pictured) criminal record showed 39 entries for 103 offences such as inflicting grievous bodily harm, robbery, burglary and aggravated vehicle taking The pair managed to escape with an estimated 600 in cash, whilst also causing damage to 500 worth of stock. Mr Spencer also saw a further 2,000 loss in takings after he was forced to close his shop for two weeks after the altercation left him with a tightness in his chest, which resulted in him spending 10 days in hospital. He said in a statement, which was read out to the court on his behalf, that he had 'never had major issues before' in his decades running the business, adding that this incident caused him a 'serious setback' in his health. Both defendants were subsequently arrested on August 19. Once apprehended, Kent told the police: 'I'm not a burglar, I'm an armed robber me boss. We knew yous [sic] were coming.' Murphy meanwhile told officers when he was detained: 'We knew yous [sic] were coming. I'm gutted I'm in trouble. I thought I'd kept a clean slate.' Murphy has a total of 39 previous convictions for 111 offences including inflicting grievous bodily harm, conspiracy to commit robbery, burglary, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, witness intimidation and aggravated vehicle taking. The pair stole hundreds of pounds from a till before entering into a violent struggle with the 77-year-old owner of Ritchie's Fruitique's Boutique (pictured) in Liverpool His counsel Stephen McNally told the court: 'The intent was for this to be a snatch theft, with Mr Murphy distracting and Mr Kent snatching. The defendant acknowledges that force was used. 'It is quite clear from his antecedent history that he has had long term issues with drug use. It is quite a depressing situation. 'His drug problems have led to mental health problems. He has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. He does say that he is determined the beat the addiction.' Meanwhile, Kent's criminal record meanwhile shows 39 entries for 103 offences such as inflicting grievous bodily harm, robbery, burglary and aggravated vehicle taking. One incident in 2012 saw him steal money from the till at the cafe of a Morrisons supermarket after assaulting an employee. In 2015, he received 44 months behind bars for punching a pregnant woman who was pushing her 18-month-old child in a pram and stealing property from her. According to reports at the time, Kent had asked the victim for directions as she was walking to the shop before hitting her in the face near to her home in the Preston area, snatching a bracelet from her arm and her mobile phone. Simran Garcha, defending, said on his behalf: 'He has had a period of reflection in custody. He informs me that he is extremely remorseful and wants to apologise to the court and to the victim. 'I submit that it was an opportunistic offence with very little or no planning. It was not a sophisticated offence. I submit that it is a theft gone wrong. Joseph Murphy has a total of 39 previous convictions for 111 offences including inflicting grievous bodily harm, conspiracy to commit robbery, burglary, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, witness intimidation and aggravated vehicle taking 'His last conviction was in 2019. He was released from custody a number of years ago and made significant positive progress in his life. He spent three years living in a hostel and spent time living with his brother. 'He spent his time productively. He went to the gym, completed household errands and attended narcotics anonymous meetings regularly, which helped him, for a significant time, to abstain from drugs. 'In July 2024, however, his mental health declined rapidly. He was sectioned under the Mental Health Act. On release, he had nowhere to live. Mr King was sofa surfing and was thereafter sectioned again. 'On release, he was homeless. He began taking heroin and crack cocaine and his life began quickly spiralling out of control. His life was off the rails. All of that progress and hard work by him was undone. 'He has experienced significant trauma. One of his brothers hung himself three months ago and Mr Kent lost his son in January this year aged 26 after he suffered a heart attack. He was only informed of that six weeks after his funeral. 'He also lost his mother, father and another sibling approximately two years ago. He is hoping that this period of incarceration will help him get his life back on track.' Sentencing, Judge David Potter said: 'I have watched CCTV of this distressing incident, which led to a substantial detrimental impact on this business. More significantly, a man of 77 with some vulnerabilities sustained a nasty, shocking incident. 'He is well known in Old Swan and has traded for years and has never had an incident happen as shocking as this. It was a serious crime in which people were prepared to use violence against him to steal his money. 'It was, I accept, more opportunistic than planned. It is aggravated by your previous convictions. That especially attaches to Mr Kent. 'I accept that both of you have addictions and you have both seriously suffered with your mental health over the years. I accept that you have both attempted to make amends and that this offence took place at a time when you were chaotically out of control.' A Canadian police officer shared the shocking reason why people should not ignore strangers knocking at their doors. Officer Arsenault took to TikTok to offer advice on how to avoid becoming a target of daytime breaking and entering. 'If somebody comes to your home during the day and knocks on the door or rings the door bell and you don't answer because you don't want to be bothered, don't do that, okay?' Arsenault said. 'Two minutes later, they kick in your doors, it's daytime break and enter. It happens all the time.' He went on to explain that instead of pretending they are not home, people should yell through their doors, wave the stranger away or act like they are on the phone. Arsenault added: 'If they get inside your house, they panic, not expecting anybody to be there, bad things can happen. 'Be safe out there.' Nearly 2,000 commenters flooded the video with reactions, with many saying they are grateful for the advice because they would typically do the opposite. Canadian police officer and influencer Officer Arsenault shared surprising tips about how to handle strangers knocking at people's doors Ackerman Security said the first thing anyone should do if an unexpected person is at their door is to make sure it is locked (stock image) 'Great advice thanks, makes sense. I always do the opposite and tell my partner to do the same I'll change this with your explanation,' one user wrote. Another person added: 'I usually don't answer because I have anxiety .. now I have anxiety if I don't answer someone will come in.' Some viewers shared their own experiences with people trying to break into their homes. 'That happened to me and when they tried to break in, I yelled a man's name pretending I was not alone. They left,' one user wrote. Others seemed skeptical of the advice. One critic said: 'If they want in bad enough, theyre coming in regardless of if I open the door or not'. Arsenault's page is filled with safety advice he shares with his more than 922,000 followers on TikTok. He also posts about his everyday experiences as a police officer. Arsenault encouraged viewers to 'be safe' and has shared other pieces of protective advice to his more than 922,000 followers on TikTok The video about how to react to unexpected door knocks was posted on Wednesday, but was dated November 27, 2019. Other security experts, including those at Ackerman Security, have shared similar advice. According to their website, people inside their homes should do four things when confronted with an unwanted guest at their door. The first course of action Ackerman suggested was to 'perform a lock check', which simply means making sure a door is locked. As the critical commenter on Arsenault's post said, people may want to break into a home whether or not someone is inside. The security company also encouraged people to look through their peephole or at a camera to see who is outside of their home. Ackerman echoed Arsenault's sentiment about letting potential intruders know someone is inside the house. Arsenault said to always make it known that someone is home, that way intruders are not surprised if they break in (stock image) 'You're not obligated to open your door,' the website reads. 'Simply reply to whoever is at your front door by asking, "Who is it?"' 'Again, don't let your guard down here. Many burglars and scammers will pretend like they're in danger or need help in order to get you to open your door.' People should ultimately call the police if they feel like they are in danger, according to Ackerman. The owner of Rashays has sparked backlash after telling his staff they should look for another job if they don't want to wear an apron to work. Outspoken businessman Rami Ykmour shared the blunt suggestion in a video posted to Instagram on Friday. 'If you're too good to wear an apron, you shouldn't be working at Rashays,' he said. The passionate entrepreneur said the work uniform should not be frowned upon, arguing doctors and surgeons wear aprons. 'We've got people in our business, who think they're too good to put on an apron,' Mr Ykmour said. The business owner said he is 'annoyed' by the entitled act and said it sends the wrong message to customers, who dine at his restaurant chain. 'It's telling me you class yourself as a higher human being,' Mr Ykmour said. 'We're all the same.' Rashays owner Rami Ykmour (pictured) issued the blunt advice to some workers at the restaurant chain, who reportedly do not wear aprons Social media users brutally mocked the comparison Mr Ykmour made between doctors and his employees. 'Doctors wear gloves and wash their hands also,' one wrote. 'Surgeons don't have bad hygiene and BO (body odour) when operating on their patients,' another added. Others accused him of being 'condescending' and argued he should lead by example. 'You wear the apron mate, uniforms can be made smarter and more integral , a cheap apron is demoralising,' one wrote. 'Where's your apron then?' a second quipped. Mr Ykmour told Daily Mail Australia he always leads by example and wears an apron every time he visits his restaurant. 'We're living in a time where people feel they're too good to wear a uniform,' he said. 'When you put an apron or any uniform on, it shows you're ready to work and serve the customer.' Asked about the backlash the clip received from social media users Mr Ykmour said it's all 'water off a ducks back'. 'There's keyboard warriors out there and they're entitled to their opinion,' he said. 'I encourage debate and I'm never one to shy away from it.' Food handlers must take necessary precautions to ensure food is not unsafe or unsuitable according to guidelines outlined by Food Standards Australia and New Zealand. The Australian Institute of Food Safety advises workers in food businesses to use a clean apron every shift. Workers are urged to change their apron when contamination by viruses or other food safety risks occur. Aprons also prevent contaminants from spreading onto the clothing of a food handler and can protect workers from stains and spills from food items. Mr Ykmour opened the first Rashays with his partner Shannon in Liverpool, in Sydney's south west, in 1998. The eatery has since expanded to 32 locations across NSW, Victoria and Queensland and the business employs more than 2,000 staff. Princess Diana's brother Earl Spencer has been caught in the middle of an explosive High Court battle between his new lover and his estranged wife. Professor Catrine Jarman, Earl Spencer's archaeologist girlfriend, is suing Countess Karen Spencer for allegedly revealing intimate secrets about her which has caused her 'distress and embarrassment'. Earl Spencer, 60, and Dr Jarman, 42, confirmed their romance in October - after he announced his split from Lady Spencer, 52, in March. But his old and new lovers are now set to clash in a bitter High Court showdown over the spilling of intimate secrets. Viking expert Dr Jarman has accused Lady Spencer of revealing private details of her life to close friends, sparking a major rift at the heart of one of Britain's most famous families. Dr Jarman, who grew closer to Earl Spencer after a dig at his ancestral home where he grew up with his late sister Diana, claims the leak in May caused her 'distress, upset and embarrassment'. The Mail revealed in October that Dr Jarman was taking Lady Spencer to court over 'misuse of private information'. The paperwork, as reported by The Sun last night, says: 'Dr Jarman was unaware until around mid-May that the Countess had even obtained the private information. Earl Spencer and his estranged wife Lady Karen Spencer (pictured in June 2018) announced their split in June Now, Countess Spencer, 52, is being sued for misuse of private information by the 60-year-old's new romance - Professor Catrine Jarman (right), 42 'She only found out after the Countess had disclosed the information to Earl Spencer the revelation of which was shocking to her. 'Dr Jarman did not, at any time, provide her consent to the Countess to disclose that information to any third party or intimate anything to that effect.' It goes on to say the lack of consent should have been 'obvious' to the Countess given the nature of the information. She has accused the Countess of spilling the secrets to a 'close group of personal friends'. The Countess is accused of telling those involved in bringing up their 11-year-old daughter, Lady Charlotte Diana. The list also reportedly includes teachers and parents at Spratton Hall School, an 18,600-a-year private school in Northants. It is claimed that the Countess even told her personal trainer. Dr Jarman is seeking damages and an injunction banning Lady Spencer from telling others and a full list of those already told. She says the Countess is liable to the damage she has allegedly caused. The new couple first met when Cat, as the archaeologist is known, came searching for an ancient village 'lost' in the grounds of Althorp, Spencer's glorious family seat (pictured) The Earl and the Countess announced their split back in June - with Karen, 52, set to move out of the Northamptonshire estate after 14 years (pictured in 2018) Karen took to Instagram last week and wrote: 'It hasn't been easy finding a temporary rental that can accommodate seven horses, two sheep, four cats, and a dog - but with the help of some wonderful friends, we've finally found one.' Details of the High Court showdown have emerged just a week after Countess Spencer revealed she's going through a 'challenging time' as she moves home amid her divorce. Lady Spencer, who is leaving Althorp House, located in Northampton, admitted that it has not been an easy transition. The Earl and the Countess announced their split back in June - with Lady Spencer set to move out of her ex's estate after 14 years. Althorp House is where Earl Spencer and his late sister Princess Diana grew up. Lady Spencer took to Instagram last week and wrote: 'It hasn't been easy finding a temporary rental that can accommodate seven horses, two sheep, four cats, and a dog - but with the help of some wonderful friends, we've finally found one. 'It's been a challenging time, but also one filled with so much generosity and kindness. No exact move-in date yet, but we're getting close.' Princess Diana, Princess of Wales pictured with her brother, Earl Charles Spencer outside San Lorenzo restaurant in London in 1990 It comes after Earl Spencer confirmed his relationship with Dr Jarman in October. Speaking on Good Morning Britain, he opened up about his relationship with the Scandinavian archaeologist and podcast star for the first time. Gushing about his new girlfriend, he said: 'Cat Jarman, who is my partner now actually, she's a brilliant archaeologist. 'She is Nordic Person of the Year 2024 which is usually handed out to someone like Sven-Goran Eriksson or a composer or something. You have to be respected throughout all Scandinavian and Nordic countries.' Dr Jarman, who is separated from her husband, has been helping Earl Spencer unearth a Roman villa in Althorp. Since 2023, Earl Spencer and Dr Jarman have co-hosted The Rabbit Hole Detective, which is a historical podcast, alongside Reverend Richard Coles. Lady Spencer, Dr Jarman and Earl Spencer have been approached for comment. California Gov. Gavin Newsom called a special session of the state Legislature to prepare for Donald Trumps return to the White House. Evan Vucci, Jeff Chiu/Associated Press Regarding We will fight like hell: California lawmakers kick off special session to combat Trump (Politics, SFChronicle.com, Dec. 2): This makes absolutely zero sense. Even with the huge debt the state of California is trying to dig itself out of, Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to hand his attorney general a blank check to wage a seemingly endless battle against the federal government. The country has spoken. And, for that matter, Californians have let their views be known eight counties in the state that were blue in 2020 voted for Trump last month. We, as a state, cannot afford these expensive political games Newsom seems to enjoy. Fix the debt were burdened with. Then fight Trump. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Steven Anticevich, Union City Good move, governor Regarding We will fight like hell: California lawmakers kick off special session to combat Trump (Politics, SFChronicle.com, Dec. 2): Thank you, Gov. Gavin Newsom, for reminding us of the need to prepare for incoming President Donald Trumps attack on civil liberties, environmental protections and California institutions that affect us all. I volunteer in a free medical clinic serving, among others, undocumented immigrants, and I have witnessed the chilling effect of Trumps first-term assault on nonresidents. We provided our patients with a handout in Spanish from the Family Justice Center informing them of their legal rights. We did not collect Social Security information so patients could not be identified in the event of an immigration raid. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The special session called defend California policies ahead of Trumps second term is a crucial step to an offensive once he returns to the White House. Anthony Somkin, Berkeley Pardon not unusual Regarding Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous pledges not to (SFChronicle.com, Dec. 2): I am tired of the news media dramatizing and making a big deal about President Joe Bidens pardon of his son, Hunter. Their double standard is unreasonable and unfair. Let us remember that Donald Trump has promised to pardoned those convicted for their involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection. Moreover, its not out of the historical norm for presidents to pardon family members. Advertisement Article continues below this ad George H.W. Bush pardoned his son Neil, and Bill Clinton pardoned his brother Roger. In addition, Trump pardoned his son-in-laws father. Its time, therefore, for the media to stop obsessing over Bidens decision. He has been an excellent president who came along at a time when the country desperately needed someone who could empathize with Americans and bring back civility and rationality to the White House. Historians, I predict, will document that Biden was an outstanding president and how the pardon will not stain his reputation. I cannot recall a president who accomplished as much as Biden has, the criticisms of his detractors notwithstanding. Its time for us to move on, allowing Biden and his family to move on with their lives. Richard Cherwitz, Camas, Wash. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Biden misfires again Regarding Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous pledges not to (SFChronicle.com, Dec. 2): President Joe Bidens legacy has taken many unforced errors this year. His pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, is the nadir. This will liberate President-elect Donald Trump (if he needed the motivation), to pardon as many of the Jan. 6 participants either convicted or still on trial and simply say what is good for the goose is good for the gander. Steve Roditti, San Francisco Finally, some joy Regarding What a famous cartoonist, a scam artist and a family treasure taught me about letting go (Open Forum, SFChronicle.com, Nov. 28): What a wonderful story by Anika Orroch! Amidst all the news about political strife, 49ers woes, sluggish business in Union Square and homelessness in Antioch comes such a heartwarming recollection of love, loss, frustration and resentment with a happy ending. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thank you for putting a smile on my face for the rest of the day. Kathy Andreis, El Dorado Hills 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 49ers karma Watching the San Francisco 49ers spectacular El Foldo this year in light of their owners cynical manipulation of Santa Claras electoral politics: It couldnt be happening to a nicer organization. The Hunter Biden pardon is an outrage. It is not just leniency for Hunter's two criminal convictions, it's part of a long-running coverup of the alleged influence-peddling operation perpetrated by the whole Biden family including Joe. If we let this go without further investigation and exposure, the Bidens will walk away from the White House with no accountability for their alleged ill-gotten gains. The Hunter pardon was a shock, but not a surprise. Nobody seriously believed Joe when he vowed repeatedly not to pardon his son. Nobody believed hapless White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre when she was sent out many times to repeat the lie. After all, Bill Clinton pardoned his half-brother Roger for cocaine trafficking. But the sweeping scope of Hunter's get-out-of-jail-free card is the bigger scandal. Hunter was convicted by a jury of his peers for violating federal gun laws by lying about his drug addiction. He also pleaded guilty to avoid a politically embarrassing trial on federal tax evasion that would likely have lifted the lid on some sources of illicit income. Old Joe didn't want his son to go to jail for those crimes. We can understand that impulse, coming from a father who buried Hunter's brother and sister. But it's hypocritical nonetheless not least because he could have waited until Hunter was sentenced in mid-December and then commuted those sentences to avoid jail time. He could also have simply pardoned Hunter for these two specific crimes. Instead, he went so much further, issuing an open-ended 'full and unconditional pardon' for all 'offenses against the United States which he [Hunter] has committed or may have committed or taken part in' from January 1, 2014, through Decemeber 1, 2024. The Hunter Biden pardon is an outrage. It is not just leniency for Hunter's two criminal convictions, it's part of a long-running coverup of the alleged influence-peddling operation perpetrated by the whole Biden family - including Joe. Nobody has received a pardon that sweeping since Richard Nixon was pardoned by Gerald Ford fifty years ago. There's a reason why the Hunter pardon dates back 11 years. It was April 2014 when Hunter took a job on the board of directors of Burisma Holdings, a dodgy Ukrainian gas company, while his father was the serving US Vice President. Hunter had no qualifications for the job except for being Joe's son. The pardon also conveniently covers most of Hunter's other shady business dealings in China and Romania. And to be clear: this wasn't like long-established Trump hotels and casinos getting some extra business from foreign sources after his presidency in 2016. Trading on Joe's influence was and always has been the whole family business. It also involves Joe's brother Jim and a web of accounts that have allegedly funneled millions back to the family. With the President now in the habit of quashing potential crimes as yet unknown to the public, would anybody be surprised if Uncle Jim received the next pardon? The lies and the coverups have been going on a long, long time. In 2019, Biden claimed that he'd 'never spoken' with his son about 'his overseas business dealings'. He later claimed to have never met Hunter's business associates. Both a lie. Hunter's former business partner Devon Archer testified last year about how Biden would regularly speak on the phone with his son's foreign contacts, to let him show off his pull. Biden also met with Hunter's Russian and Kazakh partners at Cafe Milano, a sceney D.C. restaurant. When he debated Donald Trump in 2020, Biden claimed that 'my son has not made money in terms of this thing about China'. A lie. He called Hunter's laptop 'a Russian plant'. A lie. One of the emails on that laptop described '10 [percent] held by H for the big guy' a reference to Joe, as confirmed by another of Hunter's old business partners, Tony Bobulinski. In 2020, Joe's campaign enlisted former heads of intelligence agencies to back up the false claim that the laptop was a plant. The Justice Department under Biden let the statute of limitations run out on influence-peddling charges, and IRS whistleblowers revealed how it had throttled their probes into Biden family business. When a sympathetic Delaware prosecutor tried to close the book on this sorry saga and give Hunter a sweetheart deal last summer, it was only after a valiant judge dared to ask for more details that the attempted cover-up fell apart. It forced a humiliated DOJ to go through the motions of prosecuting the narrowest case it could make. Trading on Joe's influence was and always has been the whole family business. It also involves Joe's brother Jim and a web of accounts that have allegedly funneled millions back to the family. With the President now in the habit of quashing potential crimes as yet unknown to the public, would anybody be surprised if Uncle Jim received the next pardon? (Pictured: Jill with Hunter, left, and Jim Biden in 2008). When Joe was leaving the vice presidency and his political heir (and only hope) Beau died, it seems the Bidens amped up their scramble to cash in because it looked like the gravy train might be ending. Now the Bidens are facing down political irrelevancy once again, and the President is brazenly using his pardon power to cover his tracks. Even Democrats are tiring of the Bidens. And Trump's new Congress will have its hands full in the spring with other things. But the whole Biden coverup and the sleaze it has no doubt concealed really ought to be exposed. A full-scale inquiry seems a good place to start. This mess has corrupted at least two presidential administrations. It has made the public more cynical about our politics, our law enforcement agencies and prosecutors, and our foreign policy. It has poisoned a decade of American relations with Ukraine. The history books, at least, ought to give more than 10 percent of the blame for all that to the Big Guy. A Virgin Australia pilot accidentally sent a plane into a 42 degree roll, injuring a flight attendant, during a service from Brisbane to Melbourne. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said the captain accidentally hit the wrong switch when he tried to open the cockpit door on September 6, 2023. The Boeing 737 aircraft had been approaching cruise altitude while flying over Ballina on NSW's North Coast when the pilot received a call from a flight attendant requesting entry to the flight deck. After completing security procedures, the pilot visually identified the flight deck door switch and reached across to activate it. 'As they reached for the switch, the captain looked up from the switch to the flight deck door, and then inadvertently grasped and activated the rudder trim control instead,' ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said. The pilot held the switch for eight seconds, resulting in a 42 degree bank roll to the left while several food carts were moving through the cabin. A cabin crew member operating a trolley at the back of the plane sustained a minor injury while attempting to stabilise the cart. The ATSB found the two switches are similar in their operation and are located close to each other on the flight deck aisle stand panel between two seats. A cabin crew member operating a trolley at the back of the plane sustained a minor injury while attempting to stabilise the cart (pictured, Virgin Australia flight attendants) The flight deck door switch and the rudder trim control are similar in their operation and are located close to each other on the flight deck aisle stand panel between two seats (pictured) 'Initially the autopilot countered the increasing left rudder trim's resultant left yaw and induced the left roll, with an opposing and increasing right wing down aileron input,' the ATSB report stated. 'However after about 5 seconds of full left rudder trim input, the autopilot reached the limit of its capacity to counteract it and the aircraft began to increasingly roll to the left.' The first officer attempted to counter the turn, then disconnected the autopilot and manually applied almost full right aileron input to counter and correct the left roll. The aircraft continued to Melbourne without further incident. Following the incident, Virgin Australia changed its flight deck door entry procedures and reduced the time required for the door unlock switch to be held. 'The new procedure is designed to indicate that the crew member requesting entry is at the door and ready to enter, thereby limiting the time required for the door unlock switch to be held in the unlock position,' the ATSB report stated. A Virgin Australia spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: 'The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority.' 'Our team worked closely with the ATSB to support the investigation and we have made procedural and training changes to prevent reoccurrence.' A tree lopper was forced to hunt down heartless thieves who blew $14,000 of his money on after his bank blamed him for being scammed by the criminals. Melbourne arborist Walter Vantilburg, 59, took justice into his own hands after he noticed seven unauthorised transactions at five different Melbourne JB Hi-Fi stores. Mr Vantilburg said he discovered the unauthorised transactions when he was paying an employee in September. He was initially hopeful his money could be saved when he rang Bendigo Bank as many of the transactions were still pending. Mr Vantilburg claimed the bank 'didn't care' and told him there was nothing that could be done to stop the transactions. The hardworking tree lopper watched as his money was drained from his bank account via multiple withdrawals in the amounts of $1,990. One of the fraudulent withdrawals actually occurred while Mr Vantilburg was on the phone to the bank complaining. Mr Vantilburg immediately cancelled his credit card, but when he chased up the matter a few weeks later he was told no fraud report had been made in Bendigo Bank's system. Melbourne tree lopper Walter Vantilburg was the victim of credit card scammers Mr Vantilburg also claimed Bendigo Bank had told him he was at fault and accused him of giving out his credit card details and authorising their use in an Apple wallet. He denied this ever happened and has no idea how the thieves got access to details of his credit card, which he used for his tree cutting business. 'The card never leaves me or my wallet. I use it for fuel, it's really a business card, that's the major thing it's used for things like repairs and parts,' he told news.com.au. Mr Vantilburg said he had made a report to the police but they needed more information if they were to take action. So Mr Vantilburg launched his own investigation and contacted the five JB Hi-Fi stores where the bogus transactions took place. The first store told him there was nothing that could be done, but the information would be handed on to their forensics team. Mr Vantilburg's visit to the next JB Hi-Fi paid off after the manager printed out all the receipts. The helpful store manager also uncovered footage which revealed two crooks making dicey purchases. The Bendigo Bank left Mr Vantilburg to investigate the crooks himself The suspected bought three Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 phones, three Google Pixel 9 Pro phones and an iPad pro with pencil from across the five stores. Mr Vantilburg said he felt he had no choice but to do his own investigations as he had been left in 'disbelief' by Bendigo Bank's response. 'This is what I don't understand. Bendigo Bank more or less suggests that I had something to do with it,' he said. 'They said it's your fault we are not going to help you that's the attitude I got back. I got no help from them. They just said you have given your card to someone.' Mr Vantilburg said he had been a loyal customer for over 20 years and described the lack of concern as 'unbelievable'. He said to make that $14,000 in savings he had to complete $30,000 worth of work. Mr Vantilburg said he's getting married in February and was hoping to pay off the last remaining money he owed to his ex-wife, but the $14,000 loss made that 'fresh start' impossible. It's understood Bendigo Bank backflipped on its original decision after his story went public and informed Mr Vantilburg the $14,000 would be refunded. A Victorian Police spokesperson said there is an investigation into a suspected theft and fraud in Melbourne's east on September 12. 'It is believed two unknown offenders used a stolen credit card at multiple stores in Camberwell, Nunawading, Forest Hill, Eastland, and Knox,' the spokesperson said. 'An estimated $14,000 was spent on the credit card. The investigation remains ongoing.' A Bendigo Bank spokesman said it did not comment on customer matters specifically. He said the bank takes cyber security very seriously by protecting their customers and safeguarding their systems with a variety of cybercrime prevention methods. 'It is important customers take steps to protect themselves and do not share their passwords or allow someone they don't know or trust to log in to their computer remotely, as it is extremely difficult to recover money that has been transferred to scammers,' he said. 'Bendigo Bank attempts to recover funds lost to scams wherever possible and it goes without saying when the bank is at fault, we will reimburse customers for the loss of funds.' Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Joe Biden's pardon of his son Hunter has antagonized both sides of the American political divide, with Republicans crying hypocrisy as Democrats warn it undermines efforts to rein in Donald Trump. Biden's announcement shocked Washington, after he entered the White House in 2021 vowing to restore the 'integrity' of a justice system that Democrats said had been corrupted by Trump - and because he had specifically vowed not to reprieve his son. But on Sunday the president instead issued a 'full and unconditional' pardon on Sunday, absolving 54-year-old Hunter Biden of any wrongdoing over the last decade ahead of his looming sentencing over gun and tax convictions. Biden argued that his son had been targeted in a politicized prosecution launched under the Trump administration and that 'there's no reason to believe it will stop here.' People DailyMail.com spoke to in New York City appeared to be mostly against Biden's actions with few surprised that he issued the pardon. 'I wouldn't pardon my own daughter,' said one woman. 'I don't think any president should be pardoning family members. There has to be some kind of committee that does it.' 'It doesn't sound right,' said another in the fall sunshine on Monday. 'He had said that he wasn't going to pardon his son, and then he did.' Another New Yorker had a more pragmatic approach to the situation. Joe Biden's pardon of his son Hunter has antagonized both sides of the American political divide, with Republicans crying hypocrisy and Democrats warning it undermines efforts to rein in Donald Trump People DailyMail.com spoke to in New York City appeared to be mostly against Biden's actions. This woman said she wouldn't even pardon her own daughter Many of the people DailyMail.com spoke with were not surprised Biden issued the pardon 'If we are pardoning crackheads, then okay, whatever. You know, if you break the law, do the time,' the man reasoned. 'Or don't break the law? I don't think anybody should be pardoned.' 'This is horrible and embarrassing,' added another. I suppose you've got to do what you can while you're still there,' seemingly giving Biden an allowance. 'Who among us could say they wouldn't pardon their son as president?', asked one woman 'It does feel like a short-sighted move on Joe Biden's part.' Another member of the public was more concerned about the effect it might have on the incoming administration. 'We're trying to gear ourselves up to resist Trump and authoritarianism - and then to have the Democrats with such blatant corruption... I think it's emboldening even more corruption by the Republicans,' he said. One man wasn't surprised at all by Biden's actions and had a more cynical response. 'It's hypocrisy. You know, he said he wouldn't do it. He didn't adhere to his promise. Typical politician.' While politicians typically pay lip service to the importance of independent law enforcement, Democrats and Republicans offer different justifications for suspicion of the Justice Department and presidents of both stripes have protected allies. 'Let the courts decide!' one man demanded, left. If you can't do the time, don't do the crime', another parkgoer added, right One woman wasn't surprised at Biden's antics, left. 'This is horrible and embarrassing', this man, right, said he was worried about the future implications 'Who among us could say they wouldn't pardon their son as president?', asked one woman, left. 'It's hypocrisy. You know, he said he wouldn't do it. He didn't adhere to his promise. Typical politician,' said this man, right Trump wielded the pardon power liberally in favor of convicts with whom he had personal relationships, including his daughter's father-in-law Charles Kushner, his friend Roger Stone and his 2016 campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Biden announced Hunter's pardon in a statement arguing that the charges against his son were brought in a process infected with 'raw politics.' Hunter Biden was convicted by a jury in June of lying about his drug use when he bought a gun and pleaded guilty in a separate tax evasion trial in September. The president and his team had been adamant that he would not pardon his son, with White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre making the claim as recently as November 7. Charges for the gun offense are rare, and the president - in language that CNN likened to Trump's rhetoric on law and order - argued that his own Justice Department had been wielded unfairly for political purposes. Seeking to justify his about-face, Biden said that 'Hunter was singled out only because he is my son.' But Republicans argued that the pardon demonstrated that the sitting president, and not his incoming replacement, was politicizing the system. President Joe Biden accompanied by his son Hunter Biden and his grandson Beau leave a book store as they walk in downtown Nantucket Massachusetts, last Friday Donald Trump sees Biden's decision to pardon Hunter as a symptom of a broken justice system politicized by the liberal left but did not directly criticize the president for the move Biden explained his decision to pardon Hunter in a lengthy statement on Sunday night Insiders are now saying Joe Biden was considering a pardon for months after Hunter's conviction in a federal gun case over the summer Meanwhile Democrats worried that Trump would use Biden's action to justify pardoning rioters jailed after the January 6, 2021 assault on the US Capitol. 'Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years?' Trump wrote in a post on his platform, Truth Social, on Sunday. 'Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!' Democratic Colorado Governor Jared Polis said Biden's son had brought his legal woes on himself and accused the president of having 'put his family ahead of the country.' 'This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later Presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation,' Polis posted on X. 'When you become President, your role is Pater familias of the nation.' Political scientist Nicholas Creel, of Georgia College and State University argues however that nothing Biden does before leaving office will affect the actions of a successor who 'simply does not care about precedent.' 'Trump was never going to need an excuse to do whatever he wants once he takes office,' he said. 'So while I'm sure we'll get plenty of pundits claiming that Biden pardoning his son opens the door for Trump to use his pardon power in overtly personal and political ways, I find it laughable that this wasn't always going to be the case.' A former Lord Provost of Glasgow has been arrested and charged in connection with stalking offences. Philip Braat, 48, has also been suspended by the Labour Party pending an investigation. The Honorary Captain in the Royal Naval Reserve was Glasgow's first citizen from 2020 to 2022, representing the city on the global stage during the COP26 climate summit. A former solicitor, he sits on the Safe Glasgow Partnership, which scrutinises police work in the city. A Police Scotland spokesman said: 'A 48-year-old man was arrested and charged on Wednesday, October 23, in connection with stalking offences. A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal and he is expected to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court at a later date.' Mr Braat, who lived in Belgium for several years and is fluent in Flemish and Dutch, has been a city councillor since 2007 and represents the Anderston/City/Yorkhill ward. He was formerly head of the Strathclyde Police Authority, acting as its convener before its dissolution in 2013. It is understood Scottish Labour HQ only learned last week that Mr Braat had been charged in October and suspended him the same day. Former Lord Provost of Glasgow Philip Braat has been charged in connection with stalking offences and is expected to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court (pictured) at a later date He had been working for Maureen Burke, the newly elected Labour MP for Glasgow North East, but that has now ceased. A council source said: 'Serious questions must be asked as to why it's taken so long for this to come to light.' Mr Braat was Glasgow's Depute Lord Provost for three years until he replaced Eva Bolander as the city's civic figurehead when she quit over an expenses scandal. Glasgow's first SNP Lord Provost, Ms Bolander charged the city for 8,000 worth of clothing to fulfil her duties, including 1,250 for 23 pairs of shoes. As Lord Provost, Mr Braat was automatically the Lord-Lieutenant of Glasgow and the representative of the late Queen in the city. According to his register of interests, he remains a member of the Law Society of Scotland and sits on the management committee of York-hill Housing Association. A Labour Party spokesman said: 'The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously. They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken.' A glamorous model who shot her day-trader husband five times at an oceanside condo in Florida before turning the gun on herself was apparently worried he would divorce her over her infidelity. Sabrina Krasniqi, 27, gunned down Pajtim Krasniqi, 34, on the 45th floor of the Beach Club II Hallandale luxury condo tower overlooking Hallandale Beach, north of Miami, at about 12.30am on Wednesday. The couple's bodies were later seen lying on the balcony next to apartment 4508, as police searched inside and blood dripped over the edge onto lower balconies. Pajtim's brother, Arben 'Benny' Krasniqi, now says the family had their concerns about Sabrina even before the shooting. 'We saw plenty of signs, and now everything makes sense,' he told the New York Post. 'But they were in love and never in a million years did we think something like this could happen.' He then revealed that Sabrina had admitted to Pajtim that she cheated on him. 'She came to a point of guilt or something that she just could not take,' Arben said. 'My brother wanted a divorce, and she didn't take that lightly. And she decided to take her own life and somewhere along the line, she decided to take my brother's life.' Sabrina Krasniqi, 27, (pictured) gunned down her husband Pajtim Krasniqi, 34, on the 45th floor of the Beach Club II Hallandale luxury condo tower at about 12.30am on Wednesday Sabrina had reportedly confessed to her husband (pictured) that she cheated on him, and he was considering a divorce prior to the shooting Neighbors have also said they heard vicious fights coming from the couple's condo in the weeks leading up to the murder-suicide, saying they would argue on the balcony and inside their unit, the Post reports. But one neighbor, who considered himself a friend of Pajtim, told Local 10 News he thought everything was fine in their relationship. 'Every time I saw them or they went in the pool, everything seemed like they were great,' the unidentified neighbor said. 'Everybody's just in shock.' Police have said they were alerted to the crime by an alert from ShotSpotter, a gunfire detection program, and rushed to the scene to find the couple dead. 'Advising that both people are down on the balcony. Female on her back, one male on his face on the balcony,' a dispatcher was recorded saying by Broadcastify. Footage of the police investigating showed a teddy bear, a box of roses with a heart on it, and the TV still blaring. Aerial footage also showed what looked like bullet holes in a glass door of the condo, with pools of blood nearby. Both Sabrina and Pajtim were pronounced dead at the scene. The glamorous model shot her day-trader husband five times before turning the gun on herself Aerial footage pools of blood on the balcony overlooking Hallandale Beach, north of Miami Sabrina was previously featured in a 2021 report by Inside Edition where she walked around Times Square in NYC to see how many men would catcall her if she was wearing a mask. 'It's kind of disturbing because I don't feel safe and I don't feel comfortable... It just makes you have the heebie-jeebies,' she said. 'That would be the last guy I would ever go on a date with.' The following year, they moved away from their families in New York to the Florida condo. Whenever Pajtim would return to the Big Apple, he would make sure to visit everyone in his large Albanian family that immigrated to the US from Peja in Kosovo. He was the only one of his siblings born in the US. 'He made time for everyone and he brought us all together,' said his eldest sister, Ardiana. 'That's why everyone loved him.' Patjim's other sister, Albana Krasniqi Munrett, added that their mother was left 'devastated' by his death. 'That's her baby. He called her every day. He treated my mom like gold,' she said. Pajtim was part of a large Albanian family that immigrated to the US from Peja in Kosovo Pajtim's family remembered him in the aftermath of the shooting as a devoted brother, son, uncle and friend with a love of life 'that few could ever hope to replicate. 'He was a fighter. He was one of the mentally toughest people I have ever had the privilege of knowing,' the said in a joint statement. 'After sustaining a devastating motorcycle accident in 2018, he was determined to not allow the doctors to amputate his leg, despite all the evidence this was the best path forward. 'Knowing full well saving his leg would lead to multiple surgeries, pain, and long recovery times, he met the challenge head on. 'He further disregarded doctors orders and refused to take his pain medication during each of his surgery recoveries as he refused to become addicted to the medications. 'Facing unfathomable odds and despite those multiple surgeries and long healing times, he never complained. He never acted out. He took it all in stride. 'His strength and determination was infectious to those of us who knew him and will forever be a source of strength and pride for our family. Pajtim's family remembered him as a fighter, noting that he refused to get his leg amputated following a motorcycle accident in 2018 and refused to take pain medication 'He loved his nieces and nephews without parallel. It brings great joy to remember him smiling, laughing and playing with the children. He was always the first to want to take them for ice cream, treat them to a movie or simply play around the house.' Arben also described his younger brother as a hard-working, white-collar day trader who dabbled in real estate and crypto. 'He was a genius,' the grieving brother said, noting that everyone in the large family is now 'just trying to cope. 'We've lost someone who is so genuine, who is so loving, who is intelligent and hard-working and just irreplaceable - and it has just left the entire family devastated. 'My brother was full of life. He was full of ambition. He was full of love. And that's all been taken away from us by a selfish act of one person. One more selfish act from [Sabrina] and [she took] my brother along with her.' A doctor who fled to the Middle East after being found guilty of abusing his wife has been struck off. Ammar Abdulla Alrahow had been fighting to stay on the UK register despite now living in Iraq, and had dialled in to the misconduct hearing to protest his innocence. The 61-year-old, who escaped to his homeland before his court sentencing, told the Medical Practitioners Tribunal the charges against him were simply allegations. But now the tribunal has erased his name from the medical register, meaning he can not practise medicine in the UK. It said it had determined an immediate suspension is necessary to protect confidence in the medical profession, and it was in the wider public interest. It appears unlikely Alrahow will ever return to the UK an arrest warrant is in place and he has insisted he will fly back only if a court guarantees his freedom so he can clear his name. During the tribunal process Duncan McPhie, representing the General Medical Council, called Alrahow a convicted criminal and an international fugitive from justice. Mr McPhie said Alrahow does not accept the convictions and his inability to do so and his refusal to return to Scotland to face sentencing indicates a complete lack of insight. Ammar Abdulla Alrahow who used to work at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, pictured, was found guilty at the towns sheriff court of one count of breaking domestic abuse laws and two counts of breaching his bail conditions in September 2023 The 61-year-old, who escaped to his homeland before his court sentencing, told the Medical Practitioners Tribunal the charges against him were simply allegations. Pictured: Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) headquarters in Oxford Street, Manchester Disgraced Alrahow, who used to work at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, was found guilty at the towns sheriff court of one count of breaking domestic abuse laws and two counts of breaching his bail conditions in September 2023. He was bailed and ordered to return to the court in October to be sentenced. But he then fled the country, using Iraqi travel documents. Court papers state that between April 1, 2019 and September 28, 2021 Alrahow engaged in a course of behaviour which was abusive of your partner or ex-partner. They also state he seized her by the throat and by the hair, and went on to punch and kick her on the head and body, [and] seize her by the neck and compress same. Alrahow told the tribunal: I believe my registration should not be affected because all of these are allegations, they are not confirmed. Tallks over the British Museum returning the Elgin marbles to Athens are well advanced, it was reported last night. The ownership of the artefacts, which saw former prime minister Rishi Sunak clash with his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis last year, is expected to be low down on the agenda for when the latter meets Sir Keir Starmer today. While Downing Street has insisted its position on the Elgin marbles has not changed, representatives from Britain and Greece are reportedly moving closer to finding a solution. Talks between the Greek foreign ministry and the British Museums chairman, George Osborne, are edging towards an agreement in principle to return the artefacts to Athens. The mood music has completely changed, a source close to the negotiations told The Guardian. The marbles, also known as The Parthenon Sculptures, are a series of Ancient Greek sculptures created between 447BC and 432BC by Greek architect Phidias. After standing for 2,000 years, the Acropolis was for the most part destroyed as the Ottoman Empire - who at the time ruled Greece - became embroiled in a war with Venice. The remaining sculptures were removed from the ruins of the Parthenon by Lord Elgin, then British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, and brought to Britain between 1802 and 1812. The return of the Elgin Marbles is expected to be low on the agenda for when Sir Keir Starmer meets Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis today Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to raise the long-running dispute over the Elgin Marbles, also known as the Parthenon Sculptures, when he meets Sir Keir Talks between the Greek foreign ministry and the British Museums chairman, George Osborne, are edging towards an agreement in principle to return the artefacts to Athens In 1816, the marbles were handed over to the care of the British Museum, where they have remained ever since. Talks between the British Museum and Greece over the return of the Elgin marbles have been ongoing since 2021. Greek foreign minister said in the months after Labours election victory that he believed a deal was relatively close, And Greek newspaper Ta Nea recently claimed that Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy was keen to talk to Greece about giving back the marbles. But yesterday a Greek government spokesman denied reports that its Prime Minister recently engaged personally in the talks, or that Athens would accept an agreement that acknowledged British ownership of the artefacts which had previously been a sticking point of a loan deal. The Elgin Marbles were made between 447BC and 432BC and decorated the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens The Elgin Marbles in the Parthenon Galleries at the British Museum There has been no private meeting of the prime minister in recent weeks linked to the sculptures as has been reported, the spokesman said. And Sir Keir Starmers official spokesman said: It remains a matter for the British Museum and the government has no plans to change the law that would permit a permanent move of the Parthenon sculptures. A British Museum spokesman said: Discussions with Greece about a Parthenon Partnership are on-going and constructive. We believe that this kind of long term partnership would strike the right balance between sharing our greatest objects with audiences around the world, and maintaining the integrity of the incredible collection we hold at the museum. The mother of the only British hostage yesterday asked the Prime Minister why he backed a motion to end the war in Gaza without freeing her daughter. Mandy Damari, 63, said she felt betrayed when the UK government supported a UN Security Council resolution calling for an unconditional end to the fighting. It did not state that the release of the hostages must be a condition for peace which effectively signs a death warrant for her 28-year-old daughter, Emily. Ms Damari told the Mail last month how she had asked Sir Keir Starmer to do far more for her child - but just weeks later he broke his word. The Surrey-born mother said she was extremely disappointed given the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary David Lammy both personally promised to fight for Emily. They said one thing to me, and then did another, she told the Mail. Maybe they talk behind closed doors about her, but supporting this UN motion shows that when it comes down to it, they are not doing enough to get her home alive. This decision basically signs a death warrant for her if there is no demand for a hostage release at the same time as a ceasefire. My daughter should be returned home alive now before its too late for her and she comes back to me in a body bag. Yesterday, Mandy Damari raised the decision privately with Sir Keir and David Lammy at a Labour Friends of Israel lunch at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Westminster Tottenham Hotspur fan Emily was taken from her home of Kibbutz Kfar Aza near the Gaza border on October 7 last year Emily grew up a Tottenham fan, enjoyed British music and 'loved going to the pub' Mandy Damari, 63, pictured, said she felt betrayed when the UK government supported a UN Security Council resolution calling for an unconditional end to the fighting Yesterday Ms Damari raised the decision privately with Sir Keir and Mr Lammy at a Labour Friends of Israel lunch at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Westminster. She also mentioned it in an emotional speech at the event, telling attendees: That vote shocked me, and it broke my heart. Nobody is more supportive of peace than I am. Nobody. But there is no peace until Emily and all the hostages are brought home. Ms Damari further called for the British government to lead efforts to get humanitarian aid to the 101 hostages who remain in Gaza. Despite being held for over a year, not a single captive has been visited by Red Cross or UN workers. Tottenham Hotspur fan Emily was taken from her home of Kibbutz Kfar Aza near the Gaza border on October 7 last year. Her beloved golden cockapoo, Choocha, was shot dead, while the attack left her with a gunshot wound to the hand. Little has been heard of her since. Ms Damari, a nursery teacher, said in her speech: I want us to all take a moment and picture Emily right now, with all the physical and mental scarring that may never heal. Clothed in dirty rags, lice in her hair. Mandy Damari, 63, and her 28-year-old British daughter Emily Mandy Damari, pictured with Foreign Secretary David Lammy on December 2 Mandy Damari speaking at the Remembering October 7 memorial event in Hyde Park, central London Mandy Damari previously described how her daughter, who has dual British-Israeli nationality, 'adored coming to visit her family' in Britain, having grown up in Israel Probably still in pain from the gunshot wounds in her hand and leg that were not treated properly. Shivering and starving. Dehydrated. Ghostly pale.. Her breathing shallow. A bucket for a toilet, impossible to get away from the stench. Watched over by people who want to murder or rape her. Terrified in every waking moment, and too scared to fall asleep. Fighting to stay alive, minute after minute, month after month. 423 days, with no end in sight. She is in hell. Ms Damari was seen embracing Mr Lammy afterwards, who she sat next to at the lunch. Later she posed for pictures with him and Sir Keir. The PM responded to her points in his own address at the event. He said: Mandy I want to be absolutely clear on the UN Security Council Resolution. The policy of this government towards a ceasefire has not changed. There is no ceasefire worthy of the name, which does not, as item number one, include the return of all the hostages and that is what we are working for day and night. Ms Damari told the Mail afterwards that she was very glad Sir Keir committed to the immediate and unconditional release of all the hostages as a condition of any ceasefire. She has also written to the King asking for his support, given the monarch is due to host the Amir of Qatar on a State Visit today. Mandy Damari has stepped up her desperate campaign to get her daughter back Mandy Damari is pictured hugging Emily in a heartwarming photo before she was kidnapped Ms Damari learned Emily was still alive during the November ceasefire deal last year The Gulf State hosts the leadership of Hamas and is seen as key to pressuring the terror group to release the hostages. Ms Damari hopes to meet with the Qatari PM too, given they are both in London at the same time. While the UN motion simultaneously called for the release of the hostages, it did not make doing so a condition of the ceasefire. It would effectively give them the green light to pressure Israel into leaving Gaza without freeing the captives - meaning they would likely never be released. America used its veto to block the motion, which was backed by the 14 other members, citing concerns over the captives. Ms Damari was left upset after Mr Lammy posted on social media hours after they met demanding Israel give more aid to Gaza without mentioning her daughter. The Foreign Secretary did not mention he had even met Emily Damaris mother yesterday but tweeted to call on Jerusalem to send equipment to guard against cold & flooding to Gaza. Ms Damari said: Immediately after promising again to fight for Emily, David Lammy took to Twitter to write about the plight of the Palestinians without mentioning Emily or the hostages. Emily is suffering from malnutrition, cold and hunger but he didnt see the need to mention her once. It is upsetting and disappointing. Iran-backed militants entered Syria yesterday to bolster dictator Bashar al-Assads regime against the Islamist rebels who seized Aleppo. Militias crossed into the war-torn country from neighbouring Iraq, following a lightning offensive against the Syrian army by rebel forces from the hardline Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and Turkish rebel groups. Their seizure of Aleppo, Syrias second city, and swathes of territory in the north of the country has reignited the deadly civil war in Syria and shocked its allies in Russia and Iran. President Assad blamed the West for the terrorist escalation, and accused the US and its allies of attempting to redraw the map of the Middle East. A statement from his office said: The terrorist escalation reflects the far-reaching goals of dividing the region and fragmenting the countries in it and redraw the map in line with the objectives of the United States and the West. Russia and Iran vowed to continue their support for the Assad regime, and Russian premier Vladimir Putin spoke with his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian yesterday. He sent Russian fighter jets to pound Aleppo and the rebels northern stronghold Idlib, and the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimated 500 people had been killed since fighting began last week, including 92 civilians. Hundreds of Iranian-backed militias crossed into Syria from Iraq, including fighters from Kataib Hezbollah, an elite Shia armed faction with a reputation for deadly attacks against military and diplomatic targets. Militias crossed into Syria from neighbouring Iraq, following a lightning offensive against the Syrian army by rebel forces from the hardline Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and Turkish rebel groups A rebel fighter holds his weapon as he stands in front of a military vehicle in Menagh, north of Aleppo on Monday View of damaged buildings following a Russian airstrike, in Idlib, northern Syria on Monday A woman mourns outside the hospital after an airstrike killed several people including children, during an airstrike on a camp for internally displaced people in Maarat Misreen, north of Idlib on Monday It is the most powerful group in the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which has claimed more than 150 attacks on US forces since the war in Gaza began, and has been designated as a terrorist organisation in the US. They were expected to head north to support the Syrian government forces in counter attacks against the HTS offensive. The leader of Syrias main opposition group, the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, said insurgents were able to seize Aleppo and parts of Idlib province because Irans proxies were distracted by fighting in Gaza and Lebanon. Russian air support is also expected to have been lessened because of its ongoing war in Ukraine. Moscows air support and Iranian-backed militia groups kept President Assad in power after an uprising in 2011, which erupted into a lengthy civil war. The UN Security Council is expected to hold an emergency meeting on Syria today (tues). Meanwhile the former head of MI6 warned the re-eruption of violence in Syria could have consequences for Britain. Sir Alex Younger said Britain faced a heightened terror threat if Syrian camps holding Shamima Begum and other Islamic State extremists collapsed. Syrian president Bashar al-Assad blamed the West for the terrorist escalation, and accused the US and its allies of attempting to redraw the map of the Middle East A rebel fighter walks near a military vehicle in Menagh, north of Aleppo on Monday The Syrian Civil Defense reported three people were killed as a result of airstrikes targeting three hospitals in Idlib A man looks at a camp for internally displaced people destroyed during an airstrike near the village of Harbnush Syrian opposition forces, led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched an offensive on 27 November, taking large parts of Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city Terror group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is led by Islamist warlord Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, who has been wanted by the US for over ten years, with a $10 million (7.9 million) bounty on his head Your browser does not support iframes. The detention camps lie in parts of north-east Syria under the control of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), supported by hundreds of US troops. But Donald Trump could withdraw those forces when he becomes US President, risking a power vacuum in the region. Sir Alex, who led MI6 from 2014 to 2020, told the BBC: The camps represent a hotbed of radicalisation and havent been sorted out. If the SDF were to go off the job, our security situation here would worsen. He said the Assad regime was guilty of merciless brutality, but added: You cannot pretend that a hardline Islamist group, albeit one that is trying to moderate its image, represents a great future either. It seems to me its more likely that we are seeing a reignition of the civil war and the conflict in all its dimensions. HTS, an al-Qaedas splinter group, has faced accusations of human rights abuses including torturing detainees. President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, step out of a bookstore while shopping in Nantucket, Mass., on Friday. Biden on Sunday issued an official pardon for his son, who is facing sentencing for two criminal cases related to tax evasion and the purchase of a firearm. Mandel Ngan/TNS Several members of Congress, including Rep. Barbara Lee of Oakland, are calling on President Joe Biden to cut back on federal prosecutions and seizures of marijuana before he leaves office. Such requests are not uncommon for an outgoing president but this one and others have taken on a new dimension since Bidens pardon of his son, Hunter. On Sunday, the president announced a pardon that erases his sons three felony convictions by a federal court jury in June for lying about his use of drugs when he bought a handgun in 2018, as well as nine charges of tax evasion to which he pleaded guilty in September. Biden had previously promised to respect the jurys verdict. In a statement announcing the pardons, the president said he had concluded that the prosecution had been instigated by his political opponents and that Hunter was singled out only because he is my son. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The action drew a predictable response from President-elect Donald Trump, who had repeatedly accused Hunter Biden of corruption in the past and now will apparently be prevented from bringing further charges against him. Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 hostages? Trump asked on his Truth Social platform, referring to those convicted of crimes in the assault on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice! During his first term, Trump pardoned his son-in-law Jareds father, Charles Kushner, who had served two years in prison after pleading guilty to crimes that included federal tax evasion and retaliating against a witness. Trump now says he will nominate Charles Kushner as U.S. ambassador to France. Other Republicans have weighed in, like Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who said in a post on X that since the president thinks a particular gun law shouldnt be enforced for his son Hunter Biden, he should pardon everyone whos been prosecuted under that same provision. Politics aside, Bidens action may have opened the door for others seeking 11th-hour clemency for federal prisoners, including the 40 inmates, all men, who have been sentenced to death. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Biden is a declared opponent of the death penalty and has halted federal executions since taking office, but he has not commuted any federal death sentences to life in prison, and his Justice Department has sought death sentences in several cases. Trump ordered the executions of 13 prisoners during his last six months in office in 2020-21 the first by the U.S. government since 2003 and has promised to resume them as soon as he returns to office. I think the grant to Hunter puts some pressure on Biden to show that he is not just concerned with using the clemency power to benefit his family, said Rachel Barkow, a law professor at New York University. That puts an additional thumb on the scale for granting clemency to people serving time for marijuana-related offenses and to the people on death row. Mark Osler, a professor at St. Thomas Law School in Minnesota, noted that Biden was vice president when President Barack Obama commuted hundreds of lengthy federal narcotics sentences before leaving office in 2017. Obama also commuted the sentence of Chelsea Manning, who had served nearly seven years of a 35-year prison term for disclosing hundreds of thousands of classified documents and a video of a U.S. airstrike in Iraq that killed 12 civilians. He still has time to make that move, which can mitigate the damage to his legacy caused by the Hunter Biden pardon, Osler said. A Nov. 20 letter signed by 64 House Democrats, including Lee and Reps. Mark DeSaulnier of Concord and Jared Huffman of San Rafael, urged Biden to use his clemency powers to help broad classes of people and cases, including the elderly and chronically ill, those on death row, people with unjustified sentencing disparities, and women who were punished for defending themselves against their abusers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lee was also one of 14 lawmakers who signed a Nov. 25 letter to Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris seeking prompt administrative action to tackle the harms of criminalization of marijuana under federal law. All are Democrats except Sen. Bernie Sanders, independent-Vt. Lee is co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, which promotes legislation and research on marijuana. For more than 50 years, federal law has classified marijuana as a Schedule I substance, in the same category as heroin and LSD, criminalizing its use and sale and banning virtually all federally funded research. In September 2023, Biden announced plans to reclassify it as a Schedule III drug, with a moderate to low potential for abuse, which would allow research as well as medical prescriptions for specific illnesses. But rescheduling requires approval by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which has scheduled a hearing for early next year and may not complete the process until 2026. In October 2022, Biden announced pardons of everyone who had been convicted of illegal possession of marijuana under federal law. The administration said several thousand Americans had been found guilty of that crime since the early 1990s, but none was currently in federal prison. In their letter to Biden, however, the 14 lawmakers said at least 3,000 people remain in federal prison for other marijuana-related offenses. They asked the president to broaden his grants of clemency and sentence commutations to include those crimes, and to urge state governors to take similar actions. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They also urged Biden to issue a memorandum that would deprioritize seizing marijuana and prosecuting individuals and businesses for state-legal marijuana activity. California, with measures approved by its voters, was the first of 38 states to legalize medical use of marijuana, and is also one of 24 states that have legalized personal use by adults. What effect any of Bidens actions would have on the Trump administration is unclear, as are Trumps positions on marijuana regulation. After taking office in 2017, Trump said he was not bound by congressional actions since 2014 that had prohibited the use of federal funds to prosecute medical marijuana activities in states whose laws allowed them. In 2018, his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, said he was repealing a policy of former President Barack Obama of refraining from prosecuting personal use of marijuana in states that had legalized it. But Trump withdrew Sessions edict after then-Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., blocked confirmation of about 20 of the presidents nominees to Justice Department positions. Later in 2018, Trump said he would probably support legislation that would end the federal prohibition on marijuana and leave regulation to the states. The measure failed to pass. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hawaii woman Hannah Kobayashi fled to Mexico to disconnect from the world, according to law enforcement, who are now categorizing her as a 'voluntary missing person'. Investigators claim security footage from the border near Tijuana, about 145 miles from LAX, shows her alive between November 12 and 13, about a day after she disappeared and about 11 days before her father took his own life. Footage viewed by police on Sunday 'clearly shows 30-year-old Hannah Kobayashi' crossing the border on foot, the LAPD said on Monday. Authorities released new details of their investigation - citing 'witness interviews, reviewed video surveillance' and collaboration with local law enforcement - on what they say happened to Hannah. Kobayashi 'knowingly departed' LAX after checking her bag to her connecting flight to New York from Maui and went to Union Station on November 11 and used her passport to buy a bus ticket to the border. The next morning, she took the bus to San Ysidro, California, before crossing the border. The LAPD said there is no evidence of human trafficking or foul play and noted that Kobayashi seemed to want a less complicated life. 'The investigators noted that before departing Maui, Kobayashi expressed a desire to step away from modern connectivity,' the police department said in a statement. Missing Hawaii woman Hannah Kobayashi was spotted entering Mexico in footage from mid-November, according to law enforcement, who are now categorizing her as a 'voluntary missing person' Therefore, they are now classifying her disappearance as 'voluntary' in an attempt to respect 'her right to privacy'. 'The LAPD remains mindful of privacy concerns while ensuring all investigative actions are conducted within the bounds of legal and ethical standards,' the statement added. Police say they will not further their investigation of Kobayashi to Mexico but will be notified if she returns to America and they encourage her to contact police or the American Embassy in Mexico to 'confirm her well being'. Her family is yet to comment on the information indicating Hannah could have fled south for the Mexican border. Sources told NBC Los Angeles that they do not suspect any foul play in her disappearance at this time. One even made a bold suggestion: 'She's an adult and she can choose to be missing.' The Los Angeles PD most recently said they thought Kobayashi 'intentionally' missed her flight to New York City - though her family says she would never do that. The 30-year-old disappeared from the streets of downtown Los Angeles after missing a connecting flight from her native Maui to the Big Apple on November 8. Her sister, Sydni, hit out at the claims, saying she would have revealed herself following the death of their father, Ryan Kobayashi (pictured) Ryan spent nearly two weeks searching for his missing daughter before he took his own life She had earlier sent a friend a text message saying she had a 'spiritual awakening' and was later seen in the company of a mystery man on November 11. The Kobayashi family has repeatedly said she did not seem to be acting like her normal self - with her sister, Sydni, even suggesting that Hannah's text messages 'feel like someone was controlling her.' But at a Board of Police Commissioners meeting on November 26, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said 'the investigation determined' that Hannah's missed connection 'was intentional.' 'On November 15, our missing persons unit assumed investigative responsibility,' he said. 'Detectives have been diligently reviewing video surveillance and employing various investigative techniques to locate Hannah, while her family has continued their personal search efforts.' He went on to say that the LAPD remains 'committed to locating Hannah and supporting the family as they navigate their way through this tragedy,' especially following the death of Hannah's father, Ryan. Yet Kobayashi's family said the police chief had never actually told them about the evidence that she 'intentionally' missed her flight, with Sydni suggesting there was no evidence. She claimed in a statement on social media that the family was 'unaware of the alleged findings presented at the Los Angeles Police Commission meeting until multiple videos of the meeting were sent to us by multiple citizens,' PEOPLE reports. Sydni says she is convinced Hannah wouldn't have ran away, describing her sister as 'an amazing and beautiful person' 'These alleged findings have yet to be relayed to my mother and I directly from the Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department or any detective involved in Hannah's case.' She and her mother, Brandi Yee, also claimed that certain details McDonnell shared about the case at the meeting were inaccurate. 'Specific facts contained in that report were inaccurate, such as Hannah's age. Hannah is 30 years old, not 23. Also, Hannah was reported missing to law enforcement on November 11th, not November 13th, as stated by the chief of the Los Angeles Police Department. 'The lack of communication surrounding some important details has left us feeling excluded from potentially crucial developments,' Sydni argued. 'However, we do remain hopeful and optimistic that the Los Angeles Police Department is doing everything in their power to assist us in locating Hannah. Sydni also hit out at the report to Hawaii News Now, saying the police chief 'kind of seems to state it [as if] she went out and about to do her own thing,' which may discourage people from searching for her. 'I don't want to bash the LAPD. I don't want to discredit them if they are doing what they are doing,' she said. 'But at this time, it makes us very confused as to where they are at.' Sydni also said she continues to believe Hannah is in danger, noting that even if her sister decided to go off-grid, she would have reached out after her father - who spent nearly two weeks looking for her - committed suicide. Kobayashi, 30, was caught on security camera footage disembarking a plane at LAX just before 10pm on November 8 'With my father's passing, with it being everywhere, in her right state of mind, she would have never thought to not reach out to anybody,' Sydni said. She had previously shared similar sentiments with NewsNation, as she shared her concerns with Cuomo's guest host, Brian Entin, that Hannah may have been taken out of California. 'Intuitively knowing her and being so close to her my entire life, I just know this is absolutely not like her,' the worried sister said. She went on to say she is convinced Hannah wouldn't have ran away and was 'an amazing and beautiful person.' Kobayashi was caught on security camera footage disembarking a plane at LAX just before 10pm on November 8. The aspiring photographer was seen wearing a black hoodie and colorful sweatpants as she walked through LAX while wearing a pair of headphones. Her ex-boyfriend was also onboard that flight, after booking flights for the two of them before they split up. She was due to take a connecting flight at 11pm, however she never made it, while her ex continued to New York. He is now cooperating with police. The following day, Kobayashi was spotted at The Grove shopping mall between midday and 3pm. She spent a considerable amount of time at Taschen Books, where she stopped to charge her phone. At 2:43 she snapped a picture and sent it to her aunt, before returning to the airport where she is believed to have spent the night. Kobayashi also shared a post on her Instagram from the event with an eye emoji as the caption. In a YouTube video outside of an event in Los Angeles on November 10, Hannah could also be seen wearing the same clothing. She was spotted at a Nike event featuring LeBron James in LA, where she was wearing the same dark hoodie and headphones she wore at the airport, at around 3:30pm. She was next spotted talking to a ticketing agent at LAX at around 5pm. That same day, a missing-persons report was filed by her family amid what they described as uncharacteristic correspondence from Kobayashi. The family explained that Kobayashi sent some cryptic text messages and Venmo payments to people they didn't recognize before and after her disappearance. One payment was sent at 6:25pm on November 9 to a person named Veronica Almendarez for an unknown amount, with the description of the payment only showing a drawn bow and arrow emoji. The second was made less than an hour later to someone called Jonathan Taylor, also for an undisclosed amount, with the description only saying: 'Reading.' Her family has said she was acting suspiciously before and after her disappearance Hannah sent two people money on Venmo after missing her flight to New York The recipients' relationship with Hannah is not currently known, but the missing woman's family told the Sun that the LAPD is investigating the matter. Hannah had also sent a series of eerie texts to her loved ones, claiming she had recently undergone a 'spiritual awakening,' after she was due to meet family in New York. In another, she claimed: 'Deep Hackers wiped my identity, stole all of my funds, & have had me on a mind f**k since Friday.' A third text message to a friend said she was 'tricked pretty much into giving away all my funds for someone I thought I love.' A missing-persons poster also notes: 'Prior to going missing, [Kobayashi] sent a message on November 10, mentioning feeling scared, and that someone might be trying to steal her money and identity. She hasn't been heard from since.' One of Hannah's friends received strange texts from Kobayashi's phone - indicating that she may be in trouble The next day, November 11, Kobayashi was spotted boarding an LAX Metro C line at Aviation/Century Station. She got on board at 9:02pm, before transferring to a different train at the Rosa Parks Station. Kobayashi was finally seen leaving the Metro Pico Station with the unidentified person at 10:03pm The family also noted that the young artist's phone has been off since November 11 and her last pinned location was at the Los Angeles Airport. DailyMail.com has reached out to the Los Angeles Police Department for comment. Talks to create a landmark pact against plastic pollution collapsed yesterday. Nearly 200 countries spent a week locked in negotiations in Busan, South Korea, from November 25 with the goal of agreeing the first global treaty to curb plastic pollution. But in the early hours of yesterday morning, negotiators conceded defeat, saying they had failed to bridge serious divisions over the aims of the treaty. Every year, the world produces more than 400 million tons of new plastic. Plastic production could climb about 70 per cent by 2040 without policy changes - with huge amounts ending up polluting the Earth and harming wildlife. Dozens of high ambition countries sought an agreement that would set targets to limit new production of plastic and phase out certain chemicals and single-use plastic products at the summit, called Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee 5 (INC-5) That aim was repeatedly rejected by major oil-producers including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iran and Kuwait which insisted the text should contain no reference to production. Oil is one of the main raw materials used to make plastic. Inger Andersen, the head of the UN Environment Programme, said the talks would allow progress at future negotiations. It obviously did not fail, Ms Andersen said, adding What we do have is very, very good progress, A huge heap of rubbish including plastics pictured in Rizal province, Philippines on November 28 Inger Andersen, the head of the UN Environment Programme, said the talks would allow progress at future negotiations Motorists pass garbage, mostly plastic, piled up on the side of a road in Jakarta, Indonesia A woman holds up a sign during a rally to demand stronger global commitments to fight plastic waste at the upcoming fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee in Busan, South Korea last month Ms Andersen said the talks had produced a treaty text, which, while not agreed by all countries could still be the basis of future talks. But critics say the text could be open to renegotiation and amendment. The final stage of the summit saw dozens of countries back new production targets and phasing out chemicals believed or known to be harmful. But Saudi Arabias Abdulrahman Al Gwaiz indicated that production cuts remains a red line for many nations. If you address plastic pollution, there should be no problem with producing plastics, because the problem is the pollution, not the plastics themselves, he said. No date or location has yet been set for resumed talks, though Saudi Arabia and others sought to restart no sooner than mid-2025. Ms Andersen said she remained absolutely determined to win a deal next year. Sooner is much better than later because we have a massive problem. Falco Martin, Marine Plastics expert from Fauna & Flora said of the collapse: What could have been a moment of real change for the plague of plastic has been missed today. The Shadow Home Secretary has accused Labour of presiding over a 64 per cent increase in Channel crossings since they came to power. Chris Philp launched a savage attack on the Governments record on small boats, after it was confirmed more than 20,000 migrants have reached Britain since the general election. In the Commons, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper criticised the Conservatives now-scrapped Rwanda asylum scheme as a con and a total failure. But Mr Philp blasted Labours record, noting that 20,110 migrants have reached the UK in the 150 days since the election compared with 12,239 in the previous 150 days. Describing the increase as staggering Mr Philp said: Behind all the bluster and all the chat about previous governments, we see her record and her Governments record. A 64 per cent increase in small boat crossings since the same period before the election, 6,000 extra people in hotels, the asylum backlog up by 11,000 - all since July 4. He repeated his call on Labour to reinstate the Rwanda programme. Ms Cooper told the Commons: I remind the shadow secretary to the first half of this year, so the last six months of his government, crossings hit a record high for that season. On Monday, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper criticised the Conservatives now-scrapped Rwanda asylum scheme as a con and a total failure' Migrants being escorted by Border Force officials into the Port of Dover on November 16 An inflatable dinghy carrying around 65 migrants crosses the English Channel on March 6th If that trend had carried on we would have had thousands more crossings that we would have been dealing with. The spat came after Home Office figures showed 122 migrants made the perilous journey across the Channel on Sunday. Since the election, small boat arrivals are 14.6 per cent higher than during the same period in 2023. This year has already seen the second-highest annual number of small boat migrants reach Britain, with 33,684. Tragically, at least 65 migrants have died this year in the Channel so far - the deadliest year on record. The Home Office also revealed a breakdown of expenditure on the abandoned Rwanda scheme for the first time yesterday. In all, 715million was spent on the previous governments policy including 50million on preparing an airfield in the UK for deportation flights - but which was never used. It is thought to refer to the Ministry of Defence base Boscombe Down, near Salisbury, Wilts, which was the location for an aborted inaugural Rwanda removals flight in June 2022. A group of people are pictured on a small boat near Dunkirk, northern France, in an apparent attempt to cross the Channel to Britain on April 26 The PM's spokesperson said that Sir Keir 'doesn't believe in setting arbitrary caps' on migration The 50million also went on police force costs to secure the airfield, secure flights and the costs of escorts to and from the airport. Yesterdays Home Office figures also showed 280million was spent on staff, legal and IT costs; plus 95million on detention and reception centres. The remaining figure of 290million was paid to the government of Rwanda and had been previously published. Downing Street insisted that migration levels will be reflected in Sir Keir Starmers Plan for Change, due later this week. But a target will not be set for reducing numbers even though official data last week showed UK net migration was 2.2million over the last three years, including a record 906,000 in the 12 months to June 2023. It also emerged the asylum system cost the British taxpayer 5.38billion in 2023-24 - almost 15million every day. There were 35,361 migrants - the majority of whom arrived by small boat - in hotels at the end of September, up 21 per cent on the end of June. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said yesterday that Sir Keir doesnt believe in setting arbitrary caps in the way that previous governments have done. He added: Im not going to set targets here, but the Prime Minister has committed to significantly reducing net migration. We will look at all options on the table to bring these figures down. President-elect Donald Trump announced Monday night that he would travel to Paris on Saturday to attend the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral. Trump made the announcement via his Truth Social network. It will mark his first trip abroad since he won the presidential election last month. 'President Emmanuel Macron has done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so,' Trump said. 'It will be a very special day for all!' In the weeks following the election, Trump has started to reestablish his position on the world stage, holding phone conversations with world leaders and hosting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago on Friday night. Trump was officially invited by the French government to attend the reopening and his team had been in discussions with Macron's team for days to plan the visit, CNN reported. Macron was the first world leader to congratulate Trump on his election win, doing so overnight on November 6, as it became clear the Republican bested Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris. 'Ready to work together as we did for four years. With your convictions and mine. With respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity,' Macron wrote. President-elect Donald Trump announced Monday night that he would travel to Paris on Saturday to attend the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedra The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris will reopen on December 7 after the tragic 2019 fire. President-elect Donald Trump announced Monday night that he would plan to be there In turn, the ambassadorship to France was one of the first that Trump announced. Over the weekend, Trump said that Ivanka Trump's father-in-law Charles Kushner would serve as his ambassador to France. Charles is the father of Ivanka's husband, Jared Kushner. Earlier Monday, Trump announced that his ambassador to the United Kingdom would be Arkansas billionaire investor Warren Stephens. The ambassadorships to the U.K. and France have generally gone to close friends or top donors of the U.S. president. On April 15, 2019, Notre Dame's rooftop caught fire and almost toppled the 800-year-old cathedral, one of the most famous sites in the French capital. Trump expressed horror at the fire at the time. 'So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!' he tweeted. President-elect Donald Trump posted on Truth Social Monday night that he would be flying to Paris this weekend and attend the reopening ceremony of the Notre Dame cathedral, which was damaged by fire in 2019 President Donald Trump (right) only hosted two state dinners during his first term. The first was with French President Emmanuel Macron (center right) and Brigitte Macron (left). Melania Trump (center left) famously wore a white hat to the welcome ceremony on the South Lawn Macron set a five-year deadline to rehabilitate the cathedral from the fire. The French president is expected to entertain around 50 heads of state to see the Notre Dame reopen. President Joe Biden isn't expected to attend the ceremony in Paris. He arrived in Angola Monday, for the first and only trip to Africa and is due back at the White House on Thursday. Despite some major political differences, Macron and Trump had a 'bromance' during the Republican's term in office. Macron received the first of only two White House state dinners that the Trump White House hosted. A retired police dog came to the rescue of a 'vulnerable' missing man whilst out on a walk in the woods to celebrate his 12th birthday. German Shepherd Bear retired from Sussex Police four years ago and was out on his first walk since undergoing major surgery. Bear had recently had two tumours removed and was supposed to be out on a 'gentle wander' as a birthday treat when he suddenly went into 'work mode'. His owner Julia Pope, also a former police officer, said Bear sensed that a man was in trouble. She said: 'He stopped and started indicating towards an area of dense undergrowth. 'He then dragged us to it, where he located and alerted us to a vulnerable man.' The man, who was 'confused, wet, and cold', had fallen over and was unable to get up without help. 'I'm not sure he would have survived the night as it was extremely cold and almost dark at that point, with no-one else in the vicinity,' Julia said. Retired police dog Bear rescued a vulnerable man after locating him in woods Bear had recently recovered from major surgery and was on a 'gentle walk' when he sprung into action 'The area was off the beaten track and would be very easy to get lost in, especially in the dark.' Bear, alongside Julia and her husband, helped the man out of the woods. Julia contacted police and discovered that the man had previously been reported as a missing person - and officers had searched for him with no success. 'We were able to assist the man back to an area where we could coordinate with police officers who had been searching for him and thankfully re-unite him with his family,' Julia said. 'With Bear leading the way back 'It's an amazing stroke of luck really that we were in the right place at the right time; two former police officers and a retired police dog.' Bear was adopted by Julia and her husband after he retired in 2020 and his handler was unable to keep him. However Bear still serves as a trauma support dog for police staff and regularly sees his ex-handler. Julia said: 'He's such a lucky boy because he has two families who love him and are incredibly proud of him.' Bear was hailed as a 'hero' who is 'still saving lives' even in his well-earned retirement Bear, who is described by his family as an 'absolute cuddle monster', is enjoying his retirement so far. 'At 3am, he likes to crawl into our bed and deposit himself between us and hog the duvet,' Julia said. Last summer, he was rushed to the vet when he lost the use of his rear legs. He needed an emergency MRI followed by surgery to treat four herniated discs in his spine - thought to have been caused by his years of strenuous work as a police dog. Bear underwent regular rehabilitative hydrotherapy and physio - but returned to the vet two weeks ago after displaying more worrying symptoms. This time, a scan revealed two tumours which needed to be surgically removed. Thankfully, both were benign. Bear was supported through his medical troubles by charity The Thin Blue Paw Foundation, and now he is happily back on his paws. Thin Blue Paw trustee Kieran Stanbridge said: 'RPD Bear is a true hero. His training and instinct kicked in and he managed to lead his owners, who are former police officers themselves, to this vulnerable man who needed urgent help. 'Thanks to Bear, the man received the help he needed from local officers. Even in his retirement, he's still saving lives.' The model daughter of a British businessman who was kidnapped with her family in Brazil was held for 12 hours in a shack crawling with snakes and scorpions, a new report claims. Luciana Curtis, 53, who has worked with the likes of Beyonce and appeared on the front cover of magazines including Marie Claire and Cosmopolitan, was taken hostage with her photographer husband Henrique Gendre and their 11-year-old child as they left a restaurant in Sao Paulo last week. The armed robbers that ambushed them held them for around 12 hours and reportedly stole their car and took money from their bank accounts before releasing them. The shack only contained a mattress, sink and toilet - and was also housing scorpions and snakes, according to NewsX. The thugs transferred money from the family's bank accounts and stole their GWM Havaal SUV - worth around $33,000 - before letting the trio go on Thursday. Police are still looking for the suspects and reportedly plan to charge them with kidnapping, extortion and robbery. The family's terrifying ordeal began on Wednesday night as they left an eatery in the upmarket area of Alto do Lapa. The alarm is said to have been raised on Thursday morning after the kidnapped couple's eldest child discovered the rest of her family had not returned home and alerted a relative who called police. Luciana Curtis, the model daughter of a British businessman, suffered a terrifying kidnap ordeal in Brazil that also involved her husband and her 11-year-old child Luciana and her family were trapped in a shack that contained a mattress, sink and toilet Luciana, her husband and her youngest child were released by their captors as the police hunt for them began and they sought help from locals before being taken to safety. A spokesman for Luciana confirmed the kidnap to local press, adding: 'The family has been released and they are safe and well.' A specialist police anti-kidnap unit has been investigating and officers have been analysing CCTV footage around the unnamed restaurant where the gang struck. The shack Luciana and her family were taken to has already been located by detectives and pictured in Brazilian press. Police previously said in a statement: 'The armed criminals approached the victims outside a restaurant and took them captive. 'During the search by specialist police teams, the gang abandoned the family and fled.' Luciana was born in Sao Paulo to British businessman father Malcolm Leo Curtis and Brazilian teacher mum Katia Maria Furtado de Mendonca Curtis. Her main residence is in New York although she spent several years living in London. Luciana pictured with her husband and children during happier times Luciana Curtis pictured with her husband Henrqiue Gendre She won the Brazilian final of Supermodel of the World in 1993 after receiving an invite to become a model during a visit to a shopping centre as a teenager and in the world final placed in the top four. She went on to become the cover of a string of fashion magazines including Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Marie Claire and Nova and has done ads for the likes of Arden B, Harrods, H&M and Victoria's Secret. Luciana, who has 22,000 Instagram followers, earned an estimated million dollars to star in Revlon campaigns in 2001 alongside three other models. Shortly afterwards, she took part in the worldwide campaign for L'Oreal's 'True Match' powder and foundation with Beyonce. She appeared earlier this year alongside other models on the front cover of ELLE Brazil, which said in a write-up accompanying the photo: 'The cover of ELLE Brasil #Volume16 is an ode to Brazilian supermodels who, from the late 1990s to the present day, have been taking the profession abroad, appearing on catwalks for major brands and becoming muses of legendary stylists and established photographers.' Arte Johnson is best known for his appearances on Rowan & Martins Laugh-In, an American TV sketch show, hosted by Dan Rowan and Dick Martin from 1968 to 1973. In the early programmes, a sketch might be followed by one of Johnsons characters, Wolfgang the German soldier, emerging from some foliage, looking into the camera and saying, with a German accent, Very interesting! Johnson also featured, among other characters, as a man in a yellow raincoat and hat, riding a tricycle and then falling over; Pyotr Rosmenko a Russian man, comedically comparing America and Russia; The Psychiatrist, a pseudo-Freudian with a mock-German accent; and Rabbi Shankar an Indian guru dispensing wisdom laced with bad puns while holding up two fingers in a peace sign. Arte Johnson is best known for his appearances on Rowan & Martins Laugh-In, an American TV sketch show, hosted by Dan Rowan and Dick Martin from 1968 to 1973 The show introduced us to a number of regulars, including Alan Sues, Gary Owens, Goldie Hawn, Henry Gibson, Jo Anne Worley, Judy Carne and Ruth Buzzi, some of whom later became very well known. For many UK viewers, Laugh-In was a must-watch programme and produced a number of well-quoted catchphrases such as You bet your sweet bippy!, Look that up in your Funk & Wagnalls! and Carnes Sock it to me! The show was very much of its time, with smoking prevalent and caricatures and attitudes that would not be acceptable today. Hugh Hutton, Newnham, Glos QUESTION: Why did James Ussher, who calculated the date of creation as 4004 BC, choose 5 BC as Jesuss birth year? James Ussher (1581-1656) was an Irish-Anglican archbishop, scholar and theologian. A highly respected scholar of his time, he contributed significantly to church history and theology Early Christian historians such as Dionysius Exiguus, who devised the AD calendar in the 6th century, aimed to set the birth of Jesus as the starting point of the calendar. However, Dionysius miscalculated by failing to consider earlier historical data about King Herod the Great, who played a pivotal role in the nativity narrative.Herods death, as determined by later scholarship, occurred in 4 BC. Since the Gospel of Matthew describes Herod ordering the massacre of male infants shortly before his death, Jesus must have been born that year, or the year before. Tomorrow's questions: Q: Why must a space shuttle make a back-flip when engaging with the International Space Station? Gina Peters, Colchester, Essex Q: Which country has the smallest standing army Simon Finch, Wolverhampton Q: What is the story behind the harmonica player Max Geldray, who features on The Goon Show? Steve Lloyd, Camborne, Cornwall Advertisement Additionally, Lukes Gospel references a census during the governorship of Quirinius in Syria. While Quirinius conducted a census around 6 AD, some scholars speculate that Luke might have referenced an earlier census or that he conflated events. These discrepancies further complicate pinpointing the exact year.Ussher thus placed Jesuss birth at 5 BC, aligning with Herods reign. What he thought of Jesus being born Before Christ is not known. James Ussher (1581-1656) was an Irish-Anglican archbishop, scholar and theologian. A highly respected scholar of his time, he contributed significantly to church history and theology. He was in particular renowned for his meticulous biblical chronology in which he calculated the date of Creation as precisely 4004 BC, based on scriptural analysis and historical records. In the 19th century, discoveries of fossils and the later invention of radiometric dating demonstrated that the Earth is billions of years old, debunking Usshers timeline. Sarah Matthews, Dorking, Surrey QUESTION: Why does Minnesota have a small area of territory on its northern border that projects into Canada? This is known as the Northwest Angle and exists because of cartographic error during the late 18th century. The mistake was made at the time of the Treaty of Paris, the accord that ended the American Revolution in 1783. The map that the delegates used was made by London physician-botanist and amateur mapmaker John Mitchell. The treaty specified the boundary would run west from Lake Superior to the north-western point of Lake in the Woods and then west until it met the Mississippi. But when the true source of the river, Lake Itasca, was discovered far south of Lake of the Woods, the original description became impractical. The Canada-US border. Today, the unique geographic quirk makes the Northwest Angle the only part of the contiguous United States north of the 49th parallel. From the U.S. it is accessible only by boat or aircraft but it can be accessed by land from Canada To resolve this, the boundary was clarified in 1818, drawing a straight line from the north-western point of Lake of the Woods to the 49th parallel. This created a small U.S. exclave north of the 49th parallel the Northwest Angle enclosing part of the lake within U.S. territory. Today, this unique geographic quirk makes the Northwest Angle the only part of the contiguous United States north of the 49th parallel. From the U.S. it is accessible only by boat or aircraft but it can be accessed by land from Canada. Mr J. Cheng, Exeter, Devon Gavin Newsom announced he is seeking up to $25 million in additional funding for legal fights with Donald Trump, despite the state's massive budget shortfall. The announcement came on the first day of a special session of the California legislature dedicated to preparing the liberal state for the second term of conservative Trump. Trump's return to the White House will likely resurrect the hostile relationship between the pair. The president-elect has repeatedly called the Democrat 'Newscum', railed against crime in California, and ridiculed his electric car mandate. If approved by the legislature, the California Department of Justice and state agencies would get the extra funding for court battles in areas such as reproductive rights, environmental protection and immigration. 'The new litigation fund will help safeguard critical funding for disaster relief, health care, and other vital services that millions of Californians depend on daily', the governor wrote in the proposal. He added the state plans to 'defend against unlawful federal actions that could jeopardize not only tangible resources and the states economy' as well as protection of reproductive health care and civil rights. The fights could also force the federal government to pay needed funding, Newsom said in a statement, citing successful legal skirmishes with the federal government during the first Trump administration. Gavin Newsom announced he is seeking up to $25 million in additional funding for legal fights with Donald Trump despite the state's massive budget shortfall The announcement came on the first day of a special session of the California legislature dedicated to preparing the liberal state for the second term of conservative Trump California Attorney General Rob Bonta, also a Democrat, said in a press conference, that his agency would staff up to be able to react quickly to Trump administration action with motions for restraining orders and injunctions. California spent $42 million to support litigation in Trumps first term between 2017-2022. The state filed over 120 lawsuits challenging Trump Administration actions. The state assembly also has introduced bills geared toward protecting access to abortion medication and enforcing the Reproductive Privacy Act, Bonta said. Newsom's office expects the special budget legislation to be signed into law before Trumps inauguration on Jan. 20. Newsom responded to Trump's rout in November by saying: 'The freedoms we hold dear in California are under attack - and we won't sit idle. 'Kamala Harris set out to fight to defend our fundamental freedoms and build a country that works for everyone. 'She stood up for working families, decency, and opportunity. Though this is not the outcome we wanted, our fight for freedom and opportunity endures.' Newsom maintained that California will seek to work with the incoming president.' Newsom maintained that California will seek to work with the incoming president' Newsom responded to Trump's rout in November by saying: 'The freedoms we hold dear in California are under attack - and we won't sit idle' But he added in a statement: 'Let there be no mistake, we intend to stand with states across our nation to defend our Constitution and uphold the rule of law. 'Federalism is the cornerstone of our democracy. Its the United STATES of America.' Newsom's office said the governor wants to 'Trump-proof' California's state laws. His announcement called on the state legislature to give the attorney general's office more funding to fight federal challenges. Some may see the move as superfluous, petty and out of touch given Newsom himself has argued the state is in massive trouble budget-wise. In January, the liberal Democrat proposed slashing climate change, housing and clean energy programs in the state to plug an estimated $38billion deficit. The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office predicted last December that California's budget deficit would be $68 billion but Newsom said it was much lower. He proposed covering the financial shortfall by tapping $13billion from reserves, trimming $8.5billion from programs, deferring some spending to the future and spreading it out over more years. Newsom's plan includes $8.5 billion in spending cuts, with about half of those cuts spread across various housing and climate programs. Liberals have long pushed climate change and housing programs as part of their agenda. California's move is part of a growing discussion among Democratic state officials across the country seeking to protect policies that face threats under Trump's leadership. Other blue states are also moving quickly to prepare game plans and expect a fiercer battle this time around with a Republican-dominated Senate and possibly House in Washington D.C. In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James, both Democrats, said senior staffers plan to meet regularly to coordinate legal strategies. 'Our team will do whatever we have to do to identify any possible threats to these rights that we hold dear in the state of New York and protect New Yorkers," Hochul said at a news conference. Maryland police have launched an extensive search effort for to find a young girl who has disappeared. Chloe Brooks Parker, 12, was reported missing on Monday. The Cumberland Police Department issued an Amber alert across Allegany County, urging people to help find her. Police described her as a 'frequent runaway' and said they have not received any tips about her whereabouts as of Monday night. The Amber alert reads: 'The Cumberland Police Department is asking for the public's assistance in locating a missing juvenile. 'Chloe Brooke Parker is a 12-year-old female who was last seen in the area of Oldtown Road Cumberland, MD,' a statement said. The last time Chloe disappeared from home before Monday was on October 7, according to Cumberland police. She returned home a day later. 'Basically, the circumstances are that she has permission to go somewhere in this city, either to an activity to a friend's house, and she just hasn't come home,' Sergeant Fickes of the Cumberland Police Department told Newsweek. 'We get her, and we take her home, and we try to get some counseling and some family services there for her, but they don't always work at times.' Chloe Brooks Parker, 12, was reported missing on Monday. The 'frequent runaway' has gone missing five times this year Concerned members of the county discussed Chloe's reoccurring disappearances. 'Regardless her running away all the time, she is only 12 years old,' Sonia Lewis of Cumberland wrote. 'This little girl needs [to be] evaluated when found. Prayers for her safety and that she is found.' Another resident, Crissi Folk, added: 'If this is something that is constantly happening, I suggest someone investigate the real issue. 'Some kids just don't want to be told what to do, some have a hidden issue that needs [to be] addressed.' According to data collected by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), out of the 29,000 missing children reports they received in 2023, 93 percent were kids who ran away. Chloe's disappearance was reported a day after the body of a missing Wisconsin boy was recovered. Chloe was last seen near Old Town Road in Cumberland, according to police Jacob Baer, 7, went missing on Saturday while paly at a Two Rivers' park. On Sunday morning, police found items believed to be his underneath the West Twin River's icy waters. Authorities later revealed they found Jacob, who has autism, five or six feet below the water's surface. A Vietnamese property tycoon will soon learn whether her life will be spared after she was sentenced to death for a multibillion-dollar fraud. Property developer Truong My Lan, 68, will wait to hear the verdict of an appeal to one of the biggest corruption cases in history. She was convicted earlier this year of embezzling money from Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB) - which prosecutors said she controlled - and condemned to die for fraud totalling $27billion. Tens of thousands of people who had invested their savings in SCB lost money, shocking the communist nation and prompting rare protests from the victims. In her official handwritten appeal of more than five pages seen by AFP, Lan said that the death sentence was 'too severe and harsh', asking the court to consider a more 'lenient and humane approach'. According to Vietnamese law, Lan could escape the death penalty if she proactively returns three-quarters of the embezzled assets and is judged to have co-operated sufficiently with authorities. This would mean she would have to pull together $9billion to save her life, but spend a life behind bars. However prosecutors have argued that she has not met the conditions, and emphasised her crime's consequences were 'huge and without precedent'. Property developer Truong My Lan, 68, will wait to hear the verdict of an appeal to one of the biggest corruption cases in history Lan was convicted earlier this year of embezzling money from Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB) - which prosecutors said she controlled - and condemned to die for fraud totalling $27billion Lan, who founded real estate development group Van Thinh Phat, told the court in Ho Chi Minh City that 'the quickest way' to repay the stolen funds would be 'to liquidate SCB, and sell our assets to repay SBV and the people'. 'I feel pained due to the waste of national resources,' Lan said last week, adding she felt 'very embarrassed to be charged with this crime'. Lan owned just five percent of shares in SCB on paper, but at her trial the court concluded that she effectively controlled more than 90 percent through family, friends and staff. The State Bank said in April that it pumped funds into SCB to stabilise it, without revealing how much. Among the assets that Lan and Van Thinh Phat own are a shopping mall, a harbour and luxurious housing complexes in business hub Ho Chi Minh City. During her first trial in April, Lan was found guilty of embezzling $12.5billion, but prosecutors said the total damages caused by the scam amounted to $27billion - equivalent to around six percent of the country's 2023 GDP. Lan and dozens of defendants, including senior central bank officials were arrested as part of a national corruption crackdown dubbed the 'burning furnace' that has swept up numerous officials and members of Vietnam's business elite. A total of 47 other defendants have requested reduced sentences at the appeal. Last month, Lan was convicted of money laundering and jailed for life in a separate case. Attorney General Rob Bonta and California lawmakers announced legislation Monday seeking to keep abortion medication available in the state. Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press Anticipating attempts by President-elect Donald Trump to cut off access to widely used abortion pills, state Attorney General Rob Bonta and California lawmakers announced legislation Monday seeking to keep the medication available in the state. We should trust people to make their own decisions about health care, Bonta said at a news conference, accompanied by legislators and abortion-rights advocates, all of them women. California will remain a safe haven for reproductive rights and access to abortion care, no matter who is in the White House. Such measures are urgently needed to protect abortion access as we prepare to face swift and severe threats to sexual and reproductive health nationwide, said Shannon Olivieri Hovis of Essential Access Health, a Berkeley nonprofit that promotes reproductive care. Advertisement Article continues below this ad At issue is womens access to mifepristone, the pill used in nearly two-thirds of all abortions in the United States. It was found safe and effective by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2000, but Trump could appoint new FDA members who would seek to reverse that decision. Opponents of abortion have also cited the Comstock Act, an 1873 federal law that banned the mailing of all obscene materials, including any materials or medicines that could be used to produce abortions. The law has never been used against abortions, and courts in California and elsewhere have interpreted it to prohibit only the mailing of illegal substances. But abortion opponents, and several Republican-led states, have argued in court that the Comstock Act applies to mifepristone as well as equipment that could be used for surgical abortions. Trump has been equivocal on the issue, denying he would support a national abortion ban favored by some Republicans in Congress, but praising his three Supreme Court appointees who enabled the court in 2022 to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that declared a constitutional right to abortion. Since that ruling, 13 states have banned all or nearly all access to abortion. Voters in California, meanwhile, approved a ballot measure in November 2022 declaring abortion to be a protected right under the state Constitution. Advertisement Article continues below this ad One bill introduced Monday, by newly elected Assembly Member Maggy Krell, D-Sacramento, would bar criminal charges and civil liability against anyone in California for manufacturing, distributing or receiving abortion medication. This law ensures that women in California will have access to medication abortion, even in an uncertain federal environment, Krell said. Its not clear, however, whether a state law could shield Californians from prosecutions or lawsuits in federal courts, if those courts allow the Comstock Act to be used to ban mailing or receiving mifepristone. The second measure, by Assembly Member Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, D-Orinda, is focused on local governments in California that try to limit access to reproductive care that is legal in the state, by such actions as blocking abortion clinics from opening. After a building owner in Beverly Hills canceled a lease for an abortion clinic, Bontas office accused the city of interfering which city officials denied and reached a settlement last month requiring them to train their employees on protections for the clinics. The legislation would allow the attorney generals office to seek financial penalties from local governments that improperly prevent the opening of abortion facilities. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ministers must wait for Donald Trump's approval before surrendering the Chagos Islands, the Conservatives have said. Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge used an Urgent Question in Parliament yesterday to question why the government appeared to be in such a 'rush' to get the deal done. New Mauritian prime minister Navin Ramgoolam has asked for an independent review of the 'confidential draft agreement agreed so far' which sees the UK cede sovereignty over the islands. But while ministers insisted the deal has the full support of the current US administration, Reform leader and Trump ally Nigel Farage claimed the President-Elect's incoming team are 'appalled' by the deal. Mr Cartlidge said: 'Can the minister confirm if it really is the case that their policy is to try and rush through their Chagos deal before President Trump's inauguration? Does he not see how that would be hugely disrespectful to the new administration and President Trump's democratic mandate? 'Whilst we would prefer the Government to cancel the whole deal, at the very least, will he pause any further ratification until the new US administrations in place, and the Mauritius government have concluded their review?' Senior Tory MP Sir Bernard Jenkin added: 'What's the rush? Why is the honourable member in such a hurry to get this done? It would be to the government's advantage to allow this House to debate the agreed text in public before it is signed. It stretches incredulity to tell the House that there have been no discussions at all with the incoming administration at all.' Under the agreement, the UK will hand over sovereignty of the islands while retaining control over a joint UK-US military base on the island of Diego Garcia, for an 'initial period' of 99 years. President-elect Trump. Ministers must wait for Donald Trump's approval before surrendering the Chagos Islands, the Conservatives have said Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge used an Urgent Question in Parliament yesterday to question why the government appeared to be in such a 'rush' to get the deal done Under the agreement, the UK will hand over sovereignty of the islands while retaining control over a joint UK-US military base on the island of Diego Garcia (pictured) for an 'initial period' of 99 years Defence minister Luke Pollard claimed the deal is 'strongly supported' by the US and protects the long-term future of the joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia. He added: 'It has been supported by all relevant US departments and agencies following a rigorous scrutiny process. 'It would not have been possible to secure a deal and the support of the United States if all parts of the US security apparatus were not in support of this deal.' 'It's quite normal for any new government to look at a deal signed by their predecessors. When they look at the deal, the detail of this deal will be convincing - just as it will be for our US friends because it's a deal backed by the entirety of the US security apparatus.' But Mr Farage, who has previously warned about the reaction of the incoming Trump administration to the deal, said the agreement 'would not survive'. He asked: 'Hasn't the time come for the Government to admit this is a rotten deal for the UK, a rotten deal for America and an even worse deal for the Chagossians?' President-elect Donald Trump floated to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday that maybe Canada should become the '51st state.' Fox News reported Monday night on new details from the impromptu Mar-a-Lago meeting, which was Trump's first face-to-face get-together with a world leader since winning reelection on November 5. Trudeau made a surprise trip to Palm Beach, Florida on Friday after Trump threatened last Monday to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canada, blaming the U.S.'s northern neighbor for some of the illegal immigrants who have flowed in. During their sit-down, Trudeau told Trump he cannot levy a 25 percent tariff on Canada because it would completely kill the Canadian economy. Trump replied - so your country can't survive unless it's ripping off the U.S. to the tune of $100 billion? The president-elect then suggested to Trudeau that Canada become the 51st state, which caused the prime minister and others at the table to laugh nervously, Fox's sources said. Trump added that while prime minister is a better title, Trudeau could still be a governor. The sources said that someone at the table suggested Canada would be a really liberal state, which cued laughter. During Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Friday night Mar-a-Lago dinner with President-elect Donald Trump, Trump floated that Canada become the 51st state if the Canadian economy couldn't handle the president-elect's threatened 25 percent tariffs Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is photographed Saturday in his West Palm Beach hotel after making a surprise trip to Mar-a-Lago to see President-elect Donald Trump. Last Monday, Trump threatened a 25 percent import tax on Canadian goods over immigration Trump then suggested that Canada could be divided into two states - a conservative and a liberal state. He then told Trudeau if he didn't stop people from flowing over the northern border, Canada could become one or two U.S. states, the sources said. While the exchange prompted laughs, sources also told Fox that Trump gave a serious message to Trudeau about immigration enforcement. Illegal crossing from Canada represent a much smaller number than the illegal foot traffic into the U.S. from Mexico - but Trump threatened both Canada and Mexico with 25 percent tariffs if actions weren't taken. In the same Truth Social post, he threatened an additional 10 percent in import taxes on China - due to the government not imposing a death penalty on drug dealers as was promised. Part of Trump's hardline policies are to stop the flow of the deadly Chinese-produced drug fentanyl into the United States. A Canadian Broadcasting Corporation report from last week found that the U.S. Border Patrol had intercepted more than 21,000 migrants crossing into the U.S. from Canada during the first 10 months of the year. In October alone, however, border agents apprehended more than 56,000 migrants coming over the southern border. ALL SMILES: President-elect Donald Trump's (right) suggestion that Canada become the 51st state prompted nervous laughter from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (left) and laughs at the table A majority of the illegal crossings from Canada - around 18,000 for the first 10 months of the year - are via the so-called Swanton Sector, which has seen a dramatic rise in illegal crossings over the past two years. It's the area east of the Great Lakes in New York, Vermont and New Hampshire. Trump's incoming 'border czar,' Tom Homan, is from this region - and will no doubt pay it some attention - and it's part of Rep. Elise Stefanik's district. She's been a top Trump ally on Capitol Hill and is due to become is ambassador to the United Nations. A billionaire couple have won the right to remove a single tree from the driveway of their lavish $20million mansion after being blocked by their local council. Paul Holmes a Court, the son of Australia's first billionaire Robert Holmes a Court, and his wife Zara had been at loggerheads with their local council over a request to remove a single peppermint tree growing in the middle of their driveway. The couple bought the four-bedroom mansion in the affluent, tree-lined suburb overlooking Perth's Freshwater Bay for $20.1million in August. They wanted to remove the tree but the Shire of Peppermint Grove refused the request on the grounds the tree was not dead or deceased. 'We are very lucky to live here, but I have to say that the tree placement is unusual,' Ms Holmes a Court previously told a council meeting. 'I'm quite a reasonable and rational person, but a tree in the middle of the driveway makes it quite tricky to reverse out.' The couple enjoyed a breakthrough at a council meeting last week after an alternative motion was unanimously passed that allowed the tree to be removed on the condition they paid a $2,500 bond before any work was done on the driveway. They will also need to plant two replacement trees on their property. Paul Holmes a Court (pictured) is the son of Australia's first billionaire, famed tycoon Robert Holmes a Court, who died suddenly of heart failure at the age of 53 Paul Holmes a Court and his wife Zara won a council battle to remove a peppermint tree (pictured) from the driveway of their $20million mansion Ms Holmes a Court previously claimed the tree's odd placement also made it difficult to spot cars turning the corner at a nearby intersection with Bay View Terrace. After the motion to remove the tree was passed at the meeting, councillor Douglas Jackson said it was a 'good outcome'. 'I think it meets both the owners' wants, or expectation, but also matches the council's needs at the same time by ensuring that there is tree cover on the verge of that property,' he said. Peppermint Grove is hoping to implement a policy that would even make it an offence to damage or remove any mature trees on private property without council approval. Last month, WA Planning Minister John Carey said he hoped the Shire of Peppermint Grove would 'take a common sense approach' to the issue. 'This is part of the challenge that we do have with local government. I've always been on the record that we need local governments to take a common sense approach to issues,' Mr Carey told the West Australian. 'And I understand people are passionate about trees. But ultimately, we do need local governments to assess the situation and find pragmatic outcomes.' According to the online listing for the four-bedroom, four-bathroom mansion - which is built on a corner block along the banks of the Swan River - the sprawling Federation-style property was built in around 1904. The Holmes a Court property was built in around 1904 in Federation 'Arts and Crafts' style The home boast an unparalleled view of the Swan River overlooking Fresh Water Bay 'Designed in the rare Federation 'Arts and Crafts' style, the home has retained all its elegance and splendour via lofty ceilings, sweeping verandas, charming decorative arches, casement-style sash windows, and walls of French doors that bathe the home in light, reflecting river views beyond,' the listing said. The property also features 'Plush Champagne-hued carpets' and 'cobble-stoned remote garage to accommodate six cars, abundant storage, gym area, double vanity rain-shower bathroom and climate-controlled wine cellar.' Mr Holmes a Court is the chief executive of prize-winning wine label Vasse Felix and the brother of Peter Holmes a Court, who once jointly owned of the South Sydney Rabbitohs with Russell Crowe, and climate philanthropist Simon Holmes a Court. Australia's worst-ever paedophile will likely spend the next 30 years within a secure unit inside one of Queensland's most notorious jails to keep him safe from the wider prison population - but even that might not be enough to protect him from future attacks. Ashley Paul Griffith, 46, is currently holed up in the sectioned off S3 unit within Wolston Correctional Centre, south of Brisbane. Griffith, who was sentenced sentenced to life in prison with a non parole period of 27 years in Brisbane District Court last Friday for the most unimaginable crimes committed against young girls over two decades, has already spent a year in the unit on remand. It is home to some of Australia's most depraved murderers, rapists and paedophiles. Notable prisoners include Leonard Fraser, the 'Rockhampton Rapist', who died in 2007, and Robert Paul Long, who started the Childers Palace Backpackers Hostel fire in 2000 which killed 15 people. Brett Peter Cowan, the notorious killer of schoolboy Daniel Morcombe who he murdered on the Sunshine Coast in 2003, is also housed in the unit. But the cloistered walls of unit S3 does not mean the high-profile criminals are completely immune to jailhouse justice. Last year, both Cowan and Griffith were targeted in a 'jail napalm' attack, leaving the latter requiring hospital treatment. Ashley Paul Griffith (pictured), 46, is currently holed up in the sectioned off S3 unit within Wolston Correctional Centre, south of Brisbane Griffith, who was sentenced sentenced to life in prison with a non parole period of 27 years in Brisbane District Court on Friday for the most unimaginable crimes committed, has already spent a year in the S3 unit within Wolston Correctional Centre (pictured) while on remand Another inmate mixed a scalding cocktail of jam and boiling water before throwing it over the pair of paedophiles. The jam causes the sugar to raise the boiling temperature and creates a super-hot slime that sticks to the skin, maximising the pain and injury. Wolston Correctional Centre is home to around 925 prisoners. The attack occurred just days after Griffith was publicly identified as the childcare worker charged with over 300 child abuse charges, including rape. 'It is no secret that Griffith will be a target for as long as he lives,' a corrective services source told Daily Mail Australia. 'Some prisoners will see attacking him as a prize to elevate their own status among other inmates, even if it means lengthening their own sentence.' 'Of course, prison guards will be supremely vigilant but Wolston is severely overcrowded and they don't have eyes on the back of their heads, as last years napalm attack proved.' If Cowan's experience is anything to go by, then Griffith will have an awful time. Last year, both child killer Brett Peter Cowan (pictured) and Griffith were targeted in a 'jail napalm' attack, leaving the latter requiring hospital treatment Cowan has been targeted on at least four occasions over the years. In 2016, Adam Paul Davidson, then 31, snuck up behind him while he was playing cards and poured boiling water over his head. The killer was left writhing in agony, screaming 'why?' over and over again with skin peeling from his face and shoulders. When asked about the scalding, Davidson later told police: 'I didn't want to kill him or nothing, I just wanted to hurt him... just wanted him to feel the pain.' 'Feel the pain somebody like Daniel Morcombe has felt.' In 2018, Cowan was stabbed with a makeshift knife in the neck but the attacker did not draw blood. That same year inmates started a riot as a distraction so that they could hurl heated-up condiments at Cowan but their plot was foiled by the guards. He is said to now live in a constant state of fear. Ashley Paul Griffith, 46 was sentenced sentenced to life in prison with a non parole period of 27 years in Brisbane District Court last week Griffith's imprisonment is not cheap, either. The cost of incarceration to the taxpayer is $147,900 per prisoner per year, according to a report published by the Institute of Public Affairs last year. That means that if Griffith spends 30 years in prison, he will cost the taxpayer over $4.4 million. It comes as multiple people have been calling for Griffith not to be given special treatment within prison over fears for his safety. Last year, Liberal National Party Senator Matt Canavan told Daily Mail Australia it was time for a discussion about the death penalty. 'Life imprisonment seems too soft a penalty for a crime this heinous,' Mr Canavan said. 'We really should consider the death penalty for people this that have ruined so many other lives. 'I was just absolutely shocked at the vileness and evilness of this conduct and also just the scale of it and how this happened over so many years to so many people and why wasn't it stopped. 'There has to be a proper inquiry here about how information was shared, why this couldn't have been stopped earlier and how can we make sure that this kind of thing doesn't happen again. 'I mean, surely we don't have a penalty on the books strong enough for this heinous individual.' He added: 'This is so bad there has to be in my mind something even stronger than life imprisonment.' Griffith's crimes include 28 counts of rape, 190 counts of indecent treatment of children, 67 counts of making child exploitation material and15 counts of maintaining an unlawful relationship with a child. He also still faces prosecutions in Italy and NSW where he worked at various childcare centres. Wolston Correctional Centre is also home to Massimo 'Max' Sica, the Italian triple murderer who slaughtered his ex-girlfriend and her two siblings in 2003 and Rick Thorburn, who has tried to take his life at least three times after being convicted of murdering 12-year-old schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer. An Ohio woman who ate a cat in a viral video that fueled rumors of Haitian migrants eating pets was sentenced to one year in prison on Monday, as a judge hit out at her for the gruesome act. Allexis Ferrell, 27, was arrested at a housing complex in Canton on August 16, when she was caught on police body camera footage crouching on all fours and biting into a cat. Police later determined that Ferrell had smashed the cat's head with her foot and then began to eat it, according to a police report obtained by the Canton Repository. 'I did observe blood on Allexis' feet, hands and fur on her lips,' an officer who responded to the scene wrote in the report. Ferrell, a mother-of-three, was indicted on charges of cruelty to companion animals in August, Fox 8 reports. She initially pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but changed her plea on Monday after a psychological report determined that she was able to understand court proceedings and assist in her own defense. Yet the report also determined that Ferrell is irritable, aggressive, deceitful, lacks remorse, shows a reckless disregard for the safety of others and fails to conform to social norms with respect to law-abiding behavior by repeatedly performing criminal acts, according to the Repository. Allexis Ferrell, 27, was sentenced to one year behind bars on Monday on a charge of cruelty to companion animals 'To me, you represent quite a danger to your community,' Stark County Common Pleas Judge Frank Forchione told Ferrell at the sentencing hearing on Monday. 'This is repulsive to me,' he continued. 'I mean that anyone would do this to an animal. 'And an animal's like a child. I don't know if you understand that or not. 'They bring a lot of love to a lot of people. They don' have a voice. But their voice today is me. I'm going to exercise this voice very loudly.' The judge went on to say he could not 'express the disappointment, shock, disgust that this crime has brought to me. 'I don't know what could prompt anyone to eat a cat,' he said, as Ferrell interrupted by saying that is not necessarily what happened, as a spokesman from the Stark County Prosecutor's Office said she did not have time to eat the full feline because the police were quickly called to the scene. Forchione concluded by calling Ferrell a national embarrassment as he handed down his sentence, which she will serve consecutively with a separate 18 month sentence the mother-of-three was previously hit with for a 2019 theft and a child endangerment charge from last year. 'Youve embarrassed this county,' he said. 'Youve embarrassed this nation. More importantly, youve embarrassed yourself.' Ferrell, of Canton, Ohio, was caught on police body camera footage crouching on all fours and biting into a cat on August 16 She initially pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity but changed her plea on Monday Following Ferrell's arrest, many conservatives seized upon the gruesome body camera footage to back up claims that Haitian migrants were 'eating pets' in Springfield ahead of the presidential election - despite Ferrell being a native of Canton, which is 172 miles from Springfield. The rumor was even repeated by Trump as he debated Vice President Kamala Harris in September. 'In Springfield, they're eating the dogs,' Trump said. 'The people that came in. They're eating the cats. 'They're eating -- they're eating the pets of the people that live there. 'And this is what's happening in our country.' When he was later told by ABC moderator David Muir that there had been no credible reports to the authorities, the ex-president insisted that had 'seen people on television'. 'The people on television say my dog was taken and used for food,' he added. President-elect Donald Trump claimed at a debate in September that Haitian migrants were eating pets in Springfield, Ohio It later emerged that a Springfield woman first sparked the rumors with a post on social media, saying her 'neighbor informed me that her daughter's friend lost her cat', only to find the pet strung up 'from a branch' outside the home of a Haitian family. But when asked about the claims, the woman, Erika Lee, admitted to NewsGuard that she heard the rumor through her neighbor Kimberly Newton, who heard it through a friend, who heard it from the alleged cat owner. Newton then said she was 'not sure Im the most credible source.' 'I dont actually know the person who lost the cat,' she told NewsGuard, a company that counters misinformation. 'I dont have any proof.' She noted that the cat's owner was 'an acquaintance of a friend'. The wife of a gang rapist who attacked three teenagers at a bucks party has stated that she forgives her husband after dismissing his vile sex crimes as 'infidelity'. Maurice Hawell, 30, was last week sentenced to 14 years in prison after being found guilty of raping three women during his own bucks party in February 2022. Hawell's best friend Andrew David, 30, was jailed for 13 years and brother Marius Hawell, 23, for nine years for the sexual assaults which the judge labeled 'degrading and heinous'. But Maurice Hawell's wife, Loubna, 29, had begged the judge for leniency in one of the letters of support sent to the court ahead of sentencing on Friday. Ms Hawell begged for her rapist groom not be parted from their young child - and refused to even admit that he had raped his three victims, calling it simply 'infidelity'. 'The discovery of Maurice's infidelity was deeply painful for me and went against the values that are central to our relationship,' she wrote, news.com.au reported. 'Despite the unfaithfulness, I chose to forgive Maurice for this mistake, recognising that it was a breach of our relationship but not a reflection of his entire character.' Court documents revealed the couple married in April 2022. Hawell was charged in May that year, and faced trial in June 2024. Maurice Hawell (left) gang raped three women. He's pictured with wife Loubna In her letter, Ms Hawell said the moment police arrived at their home with a search warrant detailing the allegations against her husband a few weeks after the wedding was 'like being hit with a thunderbolt'. She wrote that she remained in 'utter shock' at the claims made against her solicitor husband, saying she believes his story of innocence. 'And although I was heartbroken to discover Maurice's infidelity, I never, not for a single moment, believed he could be capable of the monstrous acts described in those papers,' she said. 'Maurice is the epitome of respect, humility, and generosity. He treats everyone with the highest dignity and respect.' Hawell, from Bossley Park, pleaded not guilty to all charges at trial and argued any sexual activity he had during the bucks trip to Newcastle was consensual. Documents tendered on his behalf ahead of sentencing being passed state he maintains his innocence and would be appealing the verdicts. His wife pleaded for leniency from Judge Gina O'Rourke in her letter to the court, saying the 'thought of living without Maurice is a heart-wrenching agony I can scarcely bear'. 'We hope that Your Honour can take into account the severe consequences of Maurice's long-term incarceration this will have on (our family),' she wrote. Maurice Hawell and Loubna on their wedding day in April 2022, two months after the gang rape Hawell's brother Marius Hawell (pictured) was jailed for his role in the sex attacks. Three women gave evidence at trial of being invited back to an Airbnb the Hawell brothers, David and others were staying at before being sexually assaulted by multiple men in a dark bedroom. The incidents took place over two nights the Sydney-based friends stayed in Newcastle, with a jury finding two women were raped on the first evening and another on the second. Judge O'Rourke denounced the action of the Hawells and David as being in 'stark contrast to how their mothers, wife, girlfriends and sisters have described them'. 'They are three highly educated, intelligent, successful, professional young men who come from loving Christian families, who treat their own sisters, mothers and female partners with respect and love,' she said. 'And yet on this weekend, they were capable in a pack mentality of treating three young women in this cold, callous, degrading and criminal way.' Judge O'Rourke said one of the women, all of whom were teenagers at the time, was treated as 'an object not a young female person who deserved to be treated with dignity'. The Hawells and David all maintain their innocence and intend to appeal. Loubna and Maurice Hawell outside a Sydney court earlier this year. Majdolin Hawell, the mother of Maurice and Marius, wrote in her letter to the court she felt compelled to 'speak the truth' about her sons 'extremely responsible young men, known for their good character and upstanding behaviours'. 'While I respect the jury verdict, the process and court time, it is extremely difficult to reconcile the charges with the character of Maurice and Marius,' she wrote. 'They have always had the upmost respect for women, whether it is their past or current relationships, their friends, their colleagues or even to me and their sisters.' Judge O'Brien imposed minimum sentences of eight-and-a-half years for Maurice and five years and five months for Marius, meaning they will be eligible for parole in January 2033 and December 2029 respectively. A road safety advocate and her sister were critically injured in a horrific crash involving a suspected drunk driver along a country road in Arizona. Sabrina, 24, and Jessica Wilhite, 22. from Gilbert, Arizona, are in intensive care in a Flagstaff hospital with their parents by their bedsides praying for their daughters' survival. The sisters, who are said to be inseparable, moved to Gilbert in May after graduating from university in Utah. 'Roommates, sisters, best friends,' dad, Brent Wilhite said to AZFamily, describing the close bond the sisters share. The tragedy struck an especially painful chord for Brent, who has spent two decades working with Utah's Zero Fatalities program to promote traffic safety. It's a mission Sabrina had also become involved with. 'It's so ironic to have this hit so close to home,' he reflected. Last Friday, the pair embarked on a road trip to Salt Lake City for a family reunion to bid their brother farewell before starting his two-year mission with the Mormon Church. But their plans suddenly took a devastating turn near Tuba City on Route 89 when a pickup truck turned in front of the sisters' car, causing a violent T-bone collision. Sabrina, 24, left, and Jessica Wilhite, 22. right, from Gilbert, Arizona, were critically injured in a horrific crash involving a suspected drunk driver along a country road Both the girls are now in intensive care in Flagstaff, Arizona. Tragically, Sabrina, who was driving at the time, bore the brunt of the impact and has had to have her arm amputated Sabrina, seen right, had worked with Utah's Zero Fatalities, a program to promote traffic safety Arizona authorities have not yet confirmed details about the suspected drunk driver or if any arrests have been made but the investigation is ongoing. Witnesses at the scene acted quickly, providing comfort and care until first responders arrived. 'We're so grateful for them,' Brent said of the bystanders who came to his daughters' aid. 'They held their hands, held their heads, tried to keep them calm, and prevented them from going into shock,' he explained. 'It's every parent's worst nightmare,' said mom, Jen Wilhite, with her voice breaking with emotion. 'It's not an accident. I mean, what happened was not an accident. Somebody made a choice to drink and then get in their car and drive and hit our precious girls as a result.' Sabrina, who was driving at the time, bore the brunt of the impact. In an agonizing decision, doctors had to amputate her arm to save her life. 'That is obviously a life-altering outcome of this crash. Just a senseless crash that didn't have to happen, but her life is now forever altered because of it,' Brent added. The close-knit family were about to head to Salt Lake City, Utah to see their brother off on a two-year mission with the Mormon Church Their father described Sabrina and Jessica as being 'roommates, sisters and best friends' Despite the challenges ahead, the Wilhite family remain steadfast in their gratitude and faith. 'Honestly, our faith in God is the only thing getting us through this right now. We absolutely believe that He spared their lives. We believe that they're here because of God,' said Jen. With Sabrina and Jessica facing a long road to recovery, the Wilhites have turned to the community for support with a GoFundMe raising more than $77,000 so far to help with mounting medical bills. The family hope to rebuild their daughters' lives, one step at a time, and that their story might serve as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of driving under the influence. READ MORE: Man is shot dead by police after threatening people with a knife Senior Constable Kristian White has been officially stood down by NSW Police after he was found guilty of the manslaughter of a 95-year-old great-grandmother. The senior officer discharged his stun gun at Clare Nowland in a treatment room at Yallambee Lodge aged-care home in the southern NSW town of Cooma during the early hours of May 17, 2023. White was convicted last Wednesday after four days of jury deliberation. NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb confirmed on Tuesday that the 34-year-old had been sacked. 'Today (Tuesday 3 December 2024) I have determined that I do not have confidence in the officers suitability to continue as a police officer, in line with the procedure mandated under the Police Act 1990 section 181D,' it read. 'Accordingly, I have removed him from the NSW Police Force and he has been advised via his legal counsel. 'I have spoken with the family of the 95-year-old victim involved in this matter and advised them of my decision.' White had been suspended without pay since the trial, while Commissioner Webb reviewed his employment. In video footage played at his NSW Supreme Court trial, White was heard saying 'nah, bugger it' before shooting Mrs Nowland in the torso at a rural nursing home. Senior Constable Kristian White (pictured) has been officially stood down by NSW Police White last week was found guilty of unlawfully killing 95-year-old grandmother Clare Nowland (pictured) The 95-year-old, who was holding a steak knife at the time, fell backwards and hit her head before dying a week later in hospital. The court heard Constable White and Acting Sergeant Jessica Pank were called to the facility in response to a triple-0 call claiming a 'very aggressive resident' was holding two knives. Mrs Nowland had entered the rooms of four residents prior to the officers' arrival shortly before 5am. The grandmother had thrown a knife at a staff member. White faces up to 25 years behind bars but was allowed to walk free from court ahead of his sentencing, set to take place later this year. 'So that there's no secret about it, I will not commit a policeman to custody until I understand the conditions under which he will be held, if he is to be held,' Justice Ian Harrison said at the time. The Crown has applied for White to be jailed. Mrs Nowland is survived by eight children, 24 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb (pictured) confirmed the 34-year-old had been sacked in a statement released just before 3pm on Tuesday Several members of her large family travelled for the trial last week and said they were 'very happy' with the jury's verdict. 'The family would like to thank the judge and jury for carefully considering the matter and the DPP prosecution team for their hard work,' the lawyer said outside court. 'The family will take some time to come to terms with the jury's confirmation that Clare's death at the hands of a serving NSW police officer was a criminal and unjustified act.' South Carolina bullies who pushed a 12-year-old girl to attempt suicide later visited her in the ICU to take photos they then circulated on social media, a newly-filed lawsuit claims. Kelaia Turner was allegedly physically and verbally assaulted by peers who branded her 'roach' and 'moustache face' at the Dr. Phinnize J Fisher Middle School in Greenville County, her parents claim in a 24-page federal lawsuit against school district officials for ignorance. Her mother, Ty Turner, has said she believes the bullying began when Kelaia started wearing her natural hair to school and escalated over the years. She claimed that instead of providing support and helping reduce incidents, teachers joined in on the torture. The bullying eventually became so bad that Kelaia was found hanging from a belt in her bedroom at home, and was dead for a complete eight minutes before paramedics could revive her. She was in a coma for weeks, and wound up staying in the hospital for 101 days. It was during this period when the alleged bullies snuck in and took photos of her. Kelaia then suffered severe brain damage, and has been left with no control over her body - instead relying on a tracheostomy tube to breathe and a feeding tube. Kelaia Turner was allegedly physically assaulted by peers and branded a 'roach' and 'moustache face' by her peers at the Dr. Phinnize J Fisher Middle School in Greenville County Her parents are now suing school district officials for failing to act to stop the abuse The federal lawsuit claims Kelaia started experiencing bullying in August 2021 when her classmates started calling her names and saying she looked 'like a man.' At one point, even her teacher, Olivia Bennett, allegedly got in on the act. 'Ms. Bennett was complicit in the bullying and said nothing to the other students to stop it,' the suit says. 'One student asked, "Where's the roach?" and Ms. Bennett pointed to [Kelaia].' Turner then emailed the teacher, as well as the principal of the middle school, to complain about Bennett's actions, noting that 'children committed suicide from this behavior in the past,' according to the lawsuit. The next day, it said, the principal acknowledged her complaint and said they were 'working tirelessly to repair whatever is damaged.' In the aftermath, both Turner and Kelaia's father met with the teacher to address the incident and discussed the need for the student leading the bullying to be separated from their daughter. But when the student found out that Kelaia told her parents, he allegedly 'cussed out' the preteen girl on January 26, 2022. He was never disciplined for the spat, the lawsuit said. On March 16, 2023, Kelaia was found hanging from a belt in her bedroom at home It goes on to say that the bullying continued through 2022 'with no actions taken by the defendants,' listing other incidents and reports to school officials Turner made - including a fight between her daughter and another student in March. She claimed Kelaia was suspended in the aftermath and 'the student who caused the fight was not.' Then, on May 23, 2022, one of Kelaia's classmates played a song on YouTube called The Black People Song, which teacher John Teer allegedly allowed to be played without any comments about its offensiveness or any reprimands to or discussions with the student who played it, according to the suit. Turner then complained to the principal and Metris Cain, another teacher, to complain about the incident - and were once again told that an investigation would be conducted. But in October, Turner said another student 'had been pushing [Kelaia] several times over the past month'. She claimed that the offending student was never punished, and the only reaction school officials was to tell Kelaia if it happened again. Still, the bullying continued, and at one point Kelaia's clothes 'had water poured on them and were then thrown into the trash'. She was left in a coma for weeks, and wound up staying in the hospital for 101 days Kelaia suffered severe brain damage, and has been left with no control over her body - instead relying on a tracheostomy tube to breathe and a feeding tube By March 11, 2023, Kelaia confided in a friend about her thoughts of committing suicide - and five days later, she was found hanging from a belt in her bedroom at home. According to Ty, the 12-year-old was dead for a complete eight minutes before paramedics could revive her. 'She was cool to the touch, blood was coming out of her nose, and she had already urinated on herself. She had fully committed to what it was that she was attempting to do, and she was gone for eight whole minutes. 'Paramedics couldn't find a pulse, and they couldn't find her heartbeat. There were grown men in the room crying,' Ty recalled. But the earnestly religious mother kept praying and after a few minutes, a paramedic found a faint pulse. 'He said, "I found a pulse. It's very, very faint, but I found one. I don't know what you're out here doing but I would say he should keep doing it". Kelaia is a miracle.' Once brought back to life, Kelaia was in a coma for weeks, ultimately staying in the hospital for 101 days and suffered severe brain damage. An online fundraiser notes that the family has been struggling with limited mobility, no wheelchair van and mounting financial stress The family now says nine individual teachers and faculty members failed in their duties to 'provide a culture of safety and an environment free from assault.' The suit also cites violations of both the Equal Protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and Title IX protections against gender discrimination. The family is now seeking actual and punitive damages to cover medical bills, psychiatric expenses, special education, lost wages, life care expenses, disability care, injure to her psyche and emotional state and loss of enjoyment of life. An online fundraiser also notes that the family has been struggling with limited mobility, no wheelchair van and mounting financial stress. 'We are fighting for Kelaia's healing and well-being everyday, believing that she has a purpose and that her story can inspire others,' the GoFundMe says. 'We are asking for your support to help her not only survive but thrive - through donations for a wheelchair-accessible van, medical needs and home care.' As of Monday evening, it had raised over $10,400 for the family. Her parents are now seeking actual and punitive damages to cover medical bills, psychiatric expenses, special education, lost wages, life care expenses, disability care, injure to her psyche and emotional state and loss of enjoyment of life But school district officials have vehemently denied all allegations of ignorance and negligence. In a statement, a spokesperson for Greenville County Schools said: 'The District is aware of the allegations made by this parent and has addressed them directly with the parent. 'We disagree with these allegations and have conducted a thorough investigation and review of each allegation at the time they were made. While we do not agree with the allegations, our hearts go out to Kelaia Tecora Turner, her mother, and their family. 'Every school implements anti-bullying strategies and programs for students, including how to recognize bullying and how to report it. 'When a school is aware of possible bullying, those concerns are investigated promptly, thoroughly, and confidentially. 'Steps are taken to determine what occurred, and if any inappropriate conduct occurred, then disciplinary measures are provided to the offending student and strategies designed to prevent any similar conduct are implemented as well. If the alleged conduct is possibly criminal in nature, law enforcement is notified.' A young couple have been spared jail for a hateful neo-Nazi graffiti spree at a major university campus despite a magistrate labelling their behaviour as abhorrent. Christopher Carrig, 20, and Taylor Bayly, 20, were sentenced on Tuesday over the vandalism at Macquarie University in the early hours of January 25, 2024. The pair were ordered to reimburse the university for the cost of the damage. Carrig was also sentenced over an anti-Semitic incident in which he intimidated a 20-year-old man at a bus stop, who he targeted for being Jewish and the encounter was filmed and posted to social media. During the interaction, Carrig told the man to remove a Jewish kippah - or skullcap - he was wearing and ordered him to kiss his shoes, Sydney's Burwood Local Court heard. The 20-year-old also told the man: 'It's quite low for a Jew to be waiting for the bus. Can't you call uncle Goldstein and ask him to bring you a BMW?' Carrig's lawyer Rylie Hahn said in July this year, several months after the vandalism, her client experienced significant trauma with the tragic deaths of two family members. The bodies of Jennifer Carrig, 53, and Ella, 13, were found by police at their home in Marsfield in Sydney's north, prompting a major forensic investigation. 'His mother and sister recently and tragically passed away,' Ms Hahn said, adding that incident required the distraught young man to move out of his family home. Christopher Carrig and Taylor Bayly vandalised Macquarie University with graffiti slurs such as 'Nazi Rule', 'F**K 167', 'F**K Antifa Scum', and 'Hail Hitler'. Christopher Carrig and Taylor Bayly, who have been in a relationship for about three years, have matching tattoos of the numbers '14' and '88' behind their ears, which carry neo-Nazi associations About a week before the bodies were discovered, a police search of Carrig's home revealed what a prosecutor on Tuesday described as 'more or less a shrine to the Third Reich'. Carrig was given some of the Nazi paraphernalia by his late mother, the court heard. At the time of spray-painting the Nazi slogans at Macquarie University, both Bayly and Carrig were intoxicated and were acting in response to a socialist poster they had seen, Magistrate Mark Whelan was told. The pair admitted to blackening their faces and entered the northern Sydney campus before they graffitied offensive symbols, including swastikas, across 24 locations. The slogans included 'f*** Antifa scum' and 'Heil Hitler', as well as references to the Australian neo-Nazi group National Socialist Network. Carrig and Bayly, who have been in a relationship for about three years, have matching tattoos of the numbers '14' and '88' behind their ears, which carry neo-Nazi associations and were clearly visible as they faced court. The two numbers are common white-supremacist code, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Mr Whelan sentenced Bayly to serve a 15-month community corrections order, while Carrig was handed a two-year intensive corrections order in lieu of a full-time jail sentence. Jennifer Carrig and her daughter Ella (pictured) were found dead inside their home at Marsfield The bodies of Jennifer Carrig, 53, and Ella, 13, were found by police at their home in Marsfield in Sydney's north, prompting a major forensic investigation The magistrate described the offending as 'abhorrent'. 'It has no place in Australian society,' he said. Carrig was arrested and charged with multiple offences just one week before Jennifer and his disabled younger sister Ella were believed to have died inside the family home. A family friend told Daily Mail Australia that the 'absolutely lovely' Jennifer Carrig had problems with her outspoken son, Chris, who attended Epping High School until 2022. Carrig and Bayly appear to have been living at the Menzies Road home when the pair were arrested just after 6am on July 2 by Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command officers. The couple were charged with intentionally or recklessly destroying or damaging property, blacken or disguise face with intention to commit an indictable offence, possess graffiti implement and unlawful entry on enclosed lands. Police allege Mr Carrig and Taylor Bayly blackened their faces and then entered Macquarie Park - which has around 130 statues, inside Macquarie University - at around 12.17am on February 25. Court documents allege they used a spray can to mark objects on campus with the Nazi swastika symbol and the tag of the National Socialist Network, an Australian neo-Nazi political organisation. Taylor Bayly was given a community corrections order and will have to repay the university for the vandalism Just eight days after their arrests, the tragic discovery of Jennifer and Ella Carrig's bodies were made. Daily Mail Australia does not suggest Christopher Carrig or his girlfriend Taylor Bayly had any involvement in the deaths of Carrig's mother Jennifer or sister Ella. NSW Police have launched a major investigation into the deaths of Ms Carrig and Ella, which is ongoing. Police initially revealed that the pair's deaths were not being treated as suspicious. Sources have since revealed that detectives are also investigating whether the deaths may have been the result of a murder-suicide. It remains unclear how the pair died as neither Ms Carrig or her daughter had obvious injuries. 'There was no bullet or stab wounds to the victims,' a police spokesperson said. Neighbours in the quiet suburban street were 'absolutely shocked'. One described the mother-of-three as 'very friendly and kind'. He told Daily Mail Australia that Ella had a disability and that her mother had just recently completed renovations on the home. Another neighbour said Jennifer used to babysit him and he knew her his whole life. 'It's sad,' he said. For the vandalism and incident involving the Jewish man, Carrig was sentenced to a two-year intensive correction order while he was also ordered to compensate Macquarie University with $1222.50. Bayly was sentenced to a 15 month community correction order and also ordered to compensate the university with the same amount. International cargo companies beef up services, to rake in greater dividends in GBA 11:01, December 03, 2024 By Tu Lei, Zhang Weilan ( Global Times The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), a region with robust economic vitality and the highest degree of openness in China, is witnessing a growingly extensive, interconnected transportation network, supported by government policies. On Thursday, a long-awaited three-runway system at Hong Kong International Airport was inaugurated, a milestone in enhancing the port city's position as a leading global transportation and shipping hub. By around 2035, the Hong Kong airport is expected to increase its passenger handling capacity by 50 percent from the current standard, reaching an annual capacity of handling 120 million passengers, while its cargo volume will double from 5 million tons to 10 million tons. Cargo companies in the region revealed that connectivity and integration among the GBA cities will continue to improve, which will generate more opportunities in the region and sustain its prosperity. Experts said that the economically dynamic GBA region is now home to a massive manufacturing sector. Additionally, cross-border e-commerce, cold chain logistics, and technological innovation have driven both cargo volume and the development of logistics in the GBA. Transportation hub "GBA is a crucial hub for cargo. I think one of the key reasons for that is really a key manufacturing hub for China. If you look at Hong Kong's exports, what is shipped out of Hong Kong is not trans-shipment, it's not imports. Actually, over 90 percent of that comes from the GBA's manufacturers in the GBA," Mark Watts, Chief Operating Officer of Cathay Cargo Terminal told the Global Times in a recent interview. For a long time, Cathay has been driving closer air connection between GBA and the world via the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), with more flights linking Guangzhou and other major cities in the region. Lately, a trucking network operated by Cathay Cargo went into operation. "It means we can pick up cargo from all sorts of destinations in the GBA region and ship them across the border efficiently into Hong Kong International Airport, and then ship them out into the rest of the world," he said. The opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge years ago also presents good opportunities to bring fresh perishable cargo from the western part of the GBA into Hong Kong and to the rest of the world, he added. Cathay's own data showed that, by the end of October, there was a 10.4-percent increase in cargo throughput so far this year if compared with last year on Cathay Cargo. Such comments came amid the background as the Chinese government is taking concrete measures to lift the connectivity. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, a massive cross-sea passage in South China that features two bridges, two artificial islands, and an underwater tunnel, had recorded over 10 million vehicle trips by October 25 since its opening on June 30, or a daily average of 84,700 vehicle trips, data from Guangdong's transport department showed. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is another large-scale infrastructure project in the GBA, following the construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, which is located approximately 31 kilometers south of the new passage. Comprising the Hong Kong SAR, the Macao SAR, and nine major cities in the Pearl River Delta led by Shenzhen and Guangzhou, the GBA is rapidly becoming a global economic powerhouse. The total economic output of the GBA exceeded 14 trillion yuan ($1.93 trillion) in 2023, accounting for one-ninth of China's total, but with only 0.6 percent of the country's landmass, local authorities have revealed, according to the Xinhua News Agency. The GDP of the GBA region is equivalent to that of many medium-sized developed economies such as Italy. It is one of the most economically dynamic and open regions in China, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR government Paul Chan said at the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Listed Companies Summit 2024 on November 25. Future opportunities The GBA has made noticeable progress in enhancing the connectivity of infrastructure projects, creating a robust transportation and information sharing network that has accelerated the formation of a "one-hour living circle" there, Wang Guowen, director of the center for logistics and supply chain management at the China Development Institute, a Shenzhen-based think tank, told the Global Times on Monday. The integration of the logistics sector in the GBA, spurred by improved transportation infrastructure, has opened up new possibilities, Wang said, adding that the region's strategic location and thriving manufacturing make it a very attractive hub for international investors and traders. The booming trade in the region has boosted market demand for modern logistics, which propels the rapid development of the services sector there. "We have cargo, shipped in from Europe, America, China, Southeast Asia, and other regions. We will see more growth in different areas in this region. For example, China and Southeast Asia are very much integrated in e-commerce and high-tech electronic goods," said Watts from Cathay Cargo Terminal. The GBA has become one of the critical leverages for FedEx's business development. Infrastructure development, service capacity enhancement, smart and sustainable supply chains have been the pillars that support the company's growth momentum in this region, according to information FedEx sent to the Global Times. FedEx has been developing in tandem with China's thriving market. The company has established and continued to expand and improve its network infrastructure in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. In March this year, it completed upgrades to its gateway facility in Shenzhen, one of China's most enterprising cities. "As transportation infrastructure becomes increasingly sophisticated and cross-border customs clearance becomes more efficient, the logistics industry in the GBA has shown its great potential, which helps strengthen the region's industrial competitiveness," Wang noted. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) A sign is taped to a hanger taped to a streetlight in front of the Idaho Capitol on May 3, 2022. Sarah A. Miller/TNS Gov. Gavin Newsom, left, talks with Attorney General Rob Bonta during the California Assemblys organizational session in Sacramento on Monday after Bonta announced proposals to further protect abortion access. Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press Less than an hour after Californias attorney general announced new plans to bolster the states protections for people seeking abortions, a federal appeals court reinstated part of an Idaho law that criminalizes efforts to help a minor obtain an abortion in another state without her parents consent. The dueling actions highlight the divergence between states seeking to protect reproductive freedoms and those clamping down on them. They also illustrate that laws like Californias, while shielding their residents from most legal actions by other states, cannot offer complete protection. The Idaho law made it a felony, punishable by two to five years in prison, to recruit, harbor or transport anyone under 18 to obtain an abortion without her parents permission. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The law took effect in May 2023 and was blocked six months later by a federal magistrate, who ruled that it violated the freedom of expression of those who wanted to aid or encourage a minor to have an abortion. On Monday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the ban on recruiting minors could interfere with the free speech of those who enabled minors to obtain abortions elsewhere, but reinstated the laws prohibitions on harboring or transporting abortion-seeking youths out of the state. Encouragement, counseling, and emotional support are plainly protected speech under Supreme Court precedent, including when offered in the difficult context of deciding whether to have an abortion, Judge Margaret McKeown wrote. She said the laws ban on recruiting minors could be used to prosecute someone who merely gave legal advice to a girl, or even a neighbor who drove a car near the border of another state with a bumper sticker reading, Legal abortions are okay, and theyre right next door. Ask me about it! But neither harboring nor transporting a minor for an abortion is an expressive action, so banning those actions does not violate the constitutional rights of people who help minors travel outside Idaho for a legal abortion, said McKeown, an appointee of President Bill Clinton. Judge John Owens, appointed by President Barack Obama, joined McKeowns opinion, while Judge Carlos Bea, appointed by President George W. Bush, voted to reinstate the entire law. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As Idaho and a dozen other states responded to the Supreme Courts 2022 ruling overturning the constitutional right to an abortion by enacting near-total bans, California passed laws shielding doctors and other health care providers from prosecution for performing abortions on women traveling from other states, and seeking to protect the women as well. Legislation introduced Monday, with support from Attorney General Rob Bonta, would bar criminal charges against anyone in California for manufacturing, receiving or distributing mifepristone, the medication used in nearly two-thirds of all U.S. abortions. Recent laws in California and six other states prohibit their officials from cooperating with another states investigation of that states abortion providers. Sara Ainsworth, legal and policy director at IfWhenHow, a reproductive-rights group involved in the Idaho case, said the courts rejection of Idahos ban on recruitment of minors for abortions would protect abortion providers in other states and family members both inside and outside Idaho. California law cannot affect what Idaho prosecutors do within their borders as to acts that happen in Idaho, Ainsworth said by email. But someone in Idaho who merely referred a minor to a provider in California, or in another state where abortion is legal, should actually be protected from prosecution under this decision. She said the courts definition of legally protected recruitment would include telling a young person where she could get an abortion, advising her of her rights, and even providing financial and emotional support, as long as the person does not actually transport or harbor the minor on the way to an abortion clinic. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But thats not a 100% shield, as California and other states observed in a filing with the appeals court. Suppose, they said, a teenage girl in Idaho telephones her aunt in another state and says she needs an abortion and cant tell her parents. If the aunt pays for her nieces bus ticket is that transportation or, as the Idaho law would have it, trafficking? they asked. An Indianapolis man was horrified to discover two babies abandoned in a ditch when he went outside to collect a package. Robert Deane had only ventured a few feet from his front door to see if his parcel had been delivered, but as he was looking around, noticed the two baby girls in their car seats. The babies, a four-month-old and a five-month-old, had been reported missing around 11am when the 2013 Hyundai Sonata they were in the backseat off was stolen. Deane quickly brought the missing infants inside of his home and called the police. 'One of them was screaming, so I immediately grabbed the car seats, brought them inside. We got them warmed up and called 911,' he told CBS4. It was 27 degrees outside when he found them. Deane told USA Today: 'I'd do it again. If you see something, like a baby in a ditch, say something, do something.' The stolen car was found in the area near the children around the same time Deane alerted police about the babies' whereabouts. A four-month-old and a five-month-old were found in a ditch outside of Robert Deane's home on Monday morning The babies were found in a ditch about four miles away from where the car was stolen 'It's cold out here,' Indianapolis police spokesman William Young said to USA Today. 'Who knows what could have happened if this particular individual was not able to come outside.' He went on to praise Deane for saving the babies from the frigid weather. Young said: 'He did what any good person would do. He got those infants to shelter. This is an outcome that we wanted. 'I can't thank that good Samaritan enough.' The little girls, who family members said are cousins, were unharmed. Deane, whose birthday was Monday, said that was the best gift he could have asked for. Police are still looking for the person who stole the car from East Gimber Street and left the little girls in the ditch about four miles away on the 1300 block of Riley Avenue. 'We don't have a suspect in custody, but that will be our next priority is figuring out who is responsible for this particular incident,' Young said. A similar carjacking occurred in July when a Florida man stole an SUV and dumped the three-year-old girl inside of it on the side of a busy road. The 2013 Hyundai Sonata was reported stolen with the babies at around 11am on Monday Police said Willio Petioma, 35, was arrested after an anonymous tip to the Broward Sheriff's Office and caught on camera removing the child from the car. He stole the car when the girl's mother got out to exchange details with another driver after a minor car accident in Fort Lauderdale. In another July incident, an Ohio mother died trying to save her son as a thief stole her car with him in the backseat. Alexa Stakely, 29, threw herself onto the hood of the vehicle as the car sped away before falling off, leaving her with fatal head injuries. She was trying to protect her six-year-old son, who was asleep in the backseat. Stakley later died from her injuries. Commonwealth Bank's decision to slug fees on customers making withdrawals has unleashed a tidal wave of widespread fury from politicians, media figures and ordinary Aussies. The bank will abolish its 'Complete Access Account' and replacing it with a 'Smart Access Account' that will have a $3 fee tacked onto every withdrawal from a branch, a post office or phone, starting January 6. Assistant treasurer and financial services minister Stephen Jones branded the move a 'slap in the face' for loyal customers and the 'worst Christmas present imaginable'. 'Commonwealth Bank has to rethink this terrible decision,' he said. 'This seems to be to a tax on Australians who demand the right to use their cash. And the government won't stand for it. 'We're working for Australians to ensure they can continue to use cash if they so choose.' North Queensland-based federal MP Bob Katter described the new charge as 'an act defiance and contempt for the people of Australia'. He said the bank was 'counterattacking' against the recent announcement that businesses selling essential goods and services such as groceries, medicines and fuel will be forced to accept cash from their customers unless granted a special exemption the start of 2026. The Commonwealth Bank has announced there will be a $3 fee for people withdrawing money over the counter at a branch or post office or by phone from next January Mr Katter told Channel 10's The Project on Tuesday night that he hasn't had a 'good relationship with banks over the years' and doesn't want to need their permission to get a loaf of bread. He said the first thought that flashed into his head was the fee resembled the way Indigenous people were once treated in Queensland. 'If you were a black fellow Australian, instead of a white fellow Australian, then you had your wages paid into a government account,' he said. 'And the only way you could access your money was to go and see the local policeman and give him the reasons why you wanted that money taken out so that you could use.' Panelist Hamish Macdonald asked Mr Katter why he thought the fee was a move to control people who just used cards to buy things. 'You can use that card because the bank gives you permission to use that card,' Mr Katter replied If the bank says no, you can't use that card, then you can't go to another the bank because they send the records, you over to them. 'So ,it is on the records of every bank in Australia that we don't like you, you speak badly about banks and you've been a naughty boy sometimes, so we're not going to allow you to use the bank account. Well, if you can't do that, you can't buy a load of bread. Federal MP Bob Katter argued the fee was part of a bank 'counterattack' against the use of cash Sydney radio station 2GB drive host Chris 'O'Keefe was even more scathing, labelling the cash grab as 'beyond obscene'. 'Charging a fee to access our own money is nothing more than a grubby little money grab,' he said. 'How much blood do they want from us?' He could scarcely contain his disbelief at the bank's claim the move 'is all part of our effort to give Australians the best banking experience'. 'They have got to be joking,' O'Keefe said. 'Are these people for real?' O'Keefe said customers assessing cash costs the financial giant about $400 million a year but noted the bank made a whopping profit of almost $10billion last financial year after tax. 'This is all about boosting the bottom line,' O'Keefe said. A Commonwealth Bank spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that it 'continues to offer customers free cash withdrawals from our national ATM network'. They added that it would continue 'to offer waivers on assisted withdrawal fees for customers who meet certain criteria including certain types of pension recipients, those who deposit $2,000 a month, and those aged under-18. 'Our Streamline Basic account has no monthly account fees or assisted withdrawal fees and is available to customers who hold an eligible concession card.' Financial Services Minister Stephen Jones called the bank's move a 'slap in the face' for loyal customers The new withdrawal fees for Commonwealth Bank customers come into effect January 6 O'Keefe was worried 'about the most disadvantaged in the community because that is who the Commonwealth Bank is targeting'. 'Think about the elderly, the disabled or people living in rural areas where access to an ATM and digital banking is nigh on impossible, he said noting that these difficulties were created by the bank,' he said. 'Going into a branch might be the only way these people pay their bills for the week and now they are going to be charged $3 for the privilege. O'Keefe pointed to the Commonwealth's policy statement around accessibility and inclusion. The bank's website says it aims to create 'inclusive products, services, experiences and workplaces that provide equitable access and dignity for all our customers, people and communities'. Sydney talkback radio host Chris O'Keefe (pictured with wife Yvonne) labelled the bank's move as 'greedy as all buggery' 'We call this "dignity by design",' the website states. 'Where is the dignity in charging , I'll ask the CEO Matt Comyn, $3 for a disabled person who can't use an ATM, a blind person, a pensioner a homeless person waiting on their payments to drop, where is the dignity in that?' O'Keefe asked. He called the move 'greedy as all buggery'. "This fee is wrong, morally, ethically, financially. Wrong, wrong, wrong,' he said. Social media users were equally outraged with some threatening to quit the bank. 'Absolute f****n disgrace as a 55 yr state savings bank / commonwealth bank customer. Will seriously consider changes banks,' an X user tweeted on Tuesday. 'If the Commonwealth Bank impose a fee, decided by them, to access my own money how is that not extortion? and that's why you don't bank with the Commonwealth Bank.' Some argued it was a good reason to take the Commonwealth back in public hands, with the institution being sold off under the Hawke and Keating Labor governments in the early to mid 1990s. 'Renationalise the Commonwealth Bank,' an X user wrote. 'It should never have been privatised in the first place. 'Our politicians are criminals for selling off once publicly owned assets such as this bank, Telstra, the energy sector and more. 'Because of this we are being bleed dry,' . A movie star's sister is facing charges for allegedly burning down her ex-boyfriend's home, killing him and a female friend. New York City prosecutors claim Aliya Fakhri, 43, the sister of actress Nargis Fakhri, arrived at the front door of a two-story detached garage behind her ex-boyfriend Edward Jacobs' home at around 6.20am on November 2. Fakhri, then allegedly yelled at Jacobs, 35, 'You're all going to die today.' At that point, she allegedly set fire to the garage that he was converting into an apartment, according to the New York Post. His friend, Anastasia 'Star' Ettienne, 33, was then alerted to the fire and initially tried to escape - but later returned upstairs in an attempt to wake Jacobs, who was still sleeping. 'We smelled something sweet burning,' a man who was living in the garage with Jacobs but managed to escape the fire unscathed recounted to the New York Daily News. 'We ran out and the couch was on fire and we had to jump over it. We had to jump. I had to jump to get out. 'Star jumped over it with me, but she went back to save [Eddie]. He was still groggy when she woke him up.' Jacobs and Ettienne were then trapped inside as the flames spread, and died from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. Anastasia 'Star' Ettienne, 33, and Edward Jacobs, 35, died from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries after they were trapped inside a garage Jacobs' ex-girlfriend allegedly set on fire The suspect, Aliya Fakhri, 43, is the sister of actress Nargis Fakhri Meanwhile, Fakhri reportedly screamed 'I don't care if you die!' as she fled the scene. Aliya Fakhri is the sister of Nargis Fakhri, a noted Bollywood actress known in the US for starring in the 2015 film Spy, starring Jude Law, Jason Statham and Melissa McCarthy. Friends and family members say the 43-year-old Queens resident was motivated to kill Jacobs after he spurned attempts to rekindle their relationship. His mother explained that he had broken up with Fakhri about a year ago, but she still pursued him. 'Like any other person that is being rejected, he was letting her know, like "Yo, I'm done with you. Get away from me,"' Jacobs' mother, Janet, told the Post. 'He's been trying to tell her to leave him alone for the past year, but she wasn't accepting the rejection. 'They broke up a year ago,' she added. Sad-e Jean Baptiste, 26, also told the Daily News that Fakhri had threatened to kill Jacobs before. 'She told a couple of people that next time she sees him with another girl, "I swear I'll set him on fire,"' he claimed. But Jacobs' mother insists he and Ettienne were just friends. Nargis is a noted Bollywood actress known in the US for starring in the 2015 film Spy (poster pictured), starring Jude Law, Jason Statham and Melissa McCarthy Prosecutors say Fakhri allegedly yelled at Jacobs, 35, 'You're all going to die today' before she set the detached garage on fire Janet noted that her son leaves behind a set of 11 year old twins and another nine-year-old son, while Ettienne's family demand justice. 'She was a loving person who didn't deserve this,' the family wrote in an online fundraiser for her funeral expenses. 'She died trying to save someone else. 'Please help me get justice and to send her home the way she would have liked.' Fakhri was ultimately arrested on November 26 and was indicted the next day by a grand jury on four counts of murder in the first-degree, four counts of murder in the second degree and one count each of arson in the first degree and arson in the second degree. She faces a potential life sentence on the charges, and is due to return to court on Monday. A decorated Miami police commander is suing the city for $1 million, alleging harassment, racial discrimination, and retaliation that culminated in her demotion. Weslyne Lewis Francois, 40, who is a black woman and who has served for 18-years in the Miami Police Department, is accusing Chief of Police Manuel Morales of orchestrating a 'campaign of racist and discriminatory actions' aimed at undermining her career. Francois claims the harassment began shortly after she was promoted to commanding officer in 2020 and revolved around her hairstyle, which Morales allegedly told her to 'tone down'. At the time, she had been assigned to serve the affluent, white Coconut Grove community. According to the complaint, Morales' remarks marked the start of a 290-day period of persecution. 'It's not just about my hair. This is about the systematic belittling of black women in positions of power,' Francois stated in her Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaint. 'Chief Morales was relentless on how my look was not acceptable,' it read. 'Chief Morales' actions were aimed at undermining the identities of black women, reinforcing a narrative of superiority that positioned them as lesser individuals.' Weslyne Lewis Francois is suing the city for $1 million, alleging harassment, racial discrimination, and retaliation that culminated in her demotion from Commander to Lieutenant In a lawsuit, Francois alleges how Miami Police Chief Manuel Morales allegedly took issue with her appearance after seeing a social media photo of her The lawsuit claims Chief Morales used her hairstyle as a pretext for undermining her professionalism. Francois is pictured having received and accolade from the City of Miami Francois served in the U.S. Army before dedicating nearly two decades to the police force and quickly climbed through the ranks to become a commander. Her leadership in Coconut Grove was praised by local organizations, including a glowing 2021 profile from the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District that described her as bringing a 'nurturing touch' to her role in the community. Despite such recognition, Chief Morales allegedly took issue with her appearance after seeing a social media photo of her. The lawsuit claims he used her hairstyle as a pretext for undermining her professionalism. 'He compared my hairstyle to another black female officer with a shorter cut, implying that I was less professional because of how I chose to wear my hair,' Francois alleges. Francois says pushed back, stating her hairstyle complied with departmental policy and did not affect her ability to lead. Morales, however, persisted, comparing her look to a colleague's 'sleek, straight cut' and implying her natural hairstyle was 'too ethnic.' 'The clear implication of his comment was that her hairstyle was somehow too black,' said Francois' attorney, Michael Pizzi to the Miami Herald. 'Unfortunately, that's a very racist thing to say.' What began as comments about her hairstyle then allegedly escalated into a series of retaliatory actions. While Francois was on vacation, Morales reportedly assigned her an impossible task: to organize an honor guard detail for Veterans Day at City Hall with less than 24 hours' notice. Despite successfully meeting the challenge, she later learned through a subordinate's text message that the, 'chief was not happy.' Shortly after, her honor guard duties were reassigned. 'He compared my hairstyle to another black female officer with a shorter cut, implying that I was less professional because of how I chose to wear my hair,' Francois, far right, alleges in her suit Assistant Chief Thomas Carroll, pictured, allegedly acknowledged Morales' vendetta against her, telling her, 'Wes, we know what this is about. Let's just make this go away. You know he is not going to stop.' Former Miami Police Commander Weslyne Lewis Francois, third from left, is seen in a photo posted by the Department celebrating Black History Month The complaint goes on to describe multiple instances of public humiliation, rumors, and baseless evaluations, including two controversial '90-day performance improvement plans.' On another occasion, Morales allegedly berated Francois in front of her colleagues during an awards ceremony, summoning her to his office with a pointed, public demand. In the meeting, Francois claims she was subjected to an hour-long tirade designed to undermine her credibility and professionalism. One evaluation involved an unlicensed behavioral analyst. Francois alleges she was also reprimanded for failing to respond to an incident while injured, a standard she notes was not applied to her male colleagues. The harassment extended to her direct supervisor, Major Um Set Ramos, who allegedly 'shadowed her at events' and sought negative feedback about her performance. In the lawsuit, Ramos, the had previously used the N-word to refer to a black car crash victim, further raising concerns about systemic racism within the department. Amid the turmoil, Francois said some colleagues recognized the injustice. Assistant Chief Thomas Carroll allegedly acknowledged Morales' vendetta against her, telling her, 'Wes, we know what this is about. Let's just make this go away. You know he is not going to stop.' Francois is now demanding at least $1 million in damages and a jury trial, accusing the city of failing to address a hostile work environment and violating anti-discrimination laws Francois appears to be a popular officer and has even appeared in advertising campaigns Her complaint goes on to describe multiple instances of public humiliation, rumors, and baseless evaluations, including two controversial '90-day performance improvement plans' Despite this acknowledgment, the harassment persisted, culminating in Francois' demotion to lieutenant at the end of 2022. Her appeals to Miami City Manager Art Noriega in January 2023 reportedly went unanswered. Francois is now demanding at least $1 million in damages and a jury trial, accusing the city of failing to address a hostile work environment and violating anti-discrimination laws. 'Her persecution lasted 290 days during which no other staff members of the opposite sex or race experienced similar treatment,' the lawsuit states. Francois hopes her lawsuit will bring accountability and shed light on systemic issues within the department. The City of Miami has denied the allegations, and Chief Morales has not commented publicly. A city spokesperson told the Miami Herald that the claims are without merit. 'The City looks forward to its day in Court,' a City of Miami spokesperson said. An eight-year-old girl has died after she was reportedly stabbed in the neck as she tried to protect her mother from an assault in her own home in Ireland. Malika Al Katib died yesterday from injuries she sustained at a house in New Ross, Co. Wexford, leaving her family 'inconsolable' and the community 'numbed'. She suffered the injuries at around 11.45pm on Sunday night. Gardai on the scene sought to give her medical attention before the paramedics arrived. She was then brought to hospital in Waterford where she later died. Her mother received non life-threatening injuries and was last night in hospital. The chief suspect in the case is a man known to the girl and her mother. The man, who is understood to originally be from Kuwait, suffered self-inflicted injuries. He was also being treated in hospital last night and was under armed guard. Security sources have told the Mail that an altercation happened at the house on Lower William Street close to midnight and that it spilled out on to the street itself. Local councillor John Dwyer told the Irish Daily Mail that he had spoken directly with family members of the girl and that they were 'inconsolable with grief'. Garda at the scene in New Ross, Co Wexford, after a girl died following an assault at a house A schoolgirl, eight, has died after being 'stabbed' at a home in New Ross, County Wexford in Ireland He said: 'The whole community is numbed by this. It's an absolute tragedy. I was speaking with family members who are just devastated, as you can imagine. 'It's an eight-year-old child killed like this. It's just so heartbreaking. 'The news went around the town like wildfire, as you can imagine. My thoughts are with the family here and we'll do what we can to help them.' Security sources said of the attack: 'From what gardai know at this stage, Malika had been staying with her aunt and her cousins for a couple of days. She didn't want to go back on Sunday but her mother said she had to as she had school in the morning. 'Gardai know there was an altercation between a man and a woman and that the child tried to intervene at some point to help her mother. 'She then got caught up in the row and was stabbed in the neck. This happened in front of the mother so you can only imagine what she witnessed. 'The man then tried to end his life but was unsuccessful. At this stage, he is being treated for his injuries but there are armed gardai at the hospital.' Gardai were being kept on standby at the hospital last night in case there was any threat to his security. 'Gardai will wait until the man is fit to be interviewed but they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident,' the source said. 'Gardai are also following a definite line of inquiry in relation to the matter and are not looking for anyone else in relation to this crime.' Therese White, principal of New Ross Educate Together National School, where the young girl was a pupil, said her death is a 'terrible tragedy'. 'We learned this morning of the death of a student who attends our school,' she said in a statement. Garda at the scene in New Ross, Co Wexford, after a girl died following an assault at a house Forensics teams have been at the scene where Malikika and her mother were allegedly assaulted 'This is a terrible tragedy for the family, our school and our community. We are deeply saddened by these events. Our sympathy and thoughts are with family and friends. 'The school has implemented our critical incident management plan and we are in receipt of support from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS). 'They have been with us all day supporting and advising teachers in their efforts to assist students at this time. Our teachers are helping students to deal with this tragic event. 'We will be sharing information with parents today around how they can support their children at this difficult time.' The coroner has been notified and the Garda Technical Bureau and Office of the State Pathologist have been requested to assist in the investigation. Gardai said a post mortem examination will be scheduled. A senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the inquiry and an incident room has been set up at New Ross Garda station. Officers investigating the incident are appealing to anyone who may have any information to come forward. They are asked to contact New Ross Garda station on 051 426 030, the Garda Confidential Line on (1800) 666 111, or any Garda station. A number of Garda cars remained at the scene throughout Monday. Gardai have cordoned off the area in New Ross while detectives are investigating the scene People living in the residential area expressed shock at the tragic incident. Local Independent councillor Michael Sheehan said the community has been devastated by the death. Mr Sheehan, who sits on the board of the school the young girl attended, said the wider community will rally to support her family. 'People are very shocked that this has happened in our community,' Mr Sheehan said. 'All of our thoughts and prayers are with the young girl and her family. We hope that they will get some comfort over the coming weeks and months from the support from the local community, who will do whatever they can. It's an awful tragedy that has befallen our community. 'William Street is a tight-knit community with a strong sense of solidarity, so they will help and do everything they can. 'People are so aghast this has happened, particularly as everyone will be putting up Christmas trees in what was meant to be a happy time. 'This has really shocked the town and there is a feeling of numbness. 'The girl attended the local Educate Together, which is a very close-knit school. 'The principal and staff there are brilliant and they will have access to all the support they need to navigate the choppy waters ahead. 'I've every faith they can handle this but it is so hard for them as everyone gets ready for Christmas. 'Today is a difficult day and people are asking, how could this happen in our community?' Gardai have continued to appeal to the public for information. A spokesman said: 'Investigating gardai are appealing to anyone who may have any information on this incident to come forward.' The son of celebrity chef Marco Pierre White has been handed a suspended sentence for a spate of burglaries. Marco Xavier Pierre White Jr, 29, from Weston-super-Mare in Somerset, avoided jail after being sentenced to a suspended 30-week prison sentence for a spate of burglaries in his hometown. The ex-reality TV star, who has struggled with drug addiction, previously appeared in Channel 5 reality show Big Brother in 2016. Pierre White admitted the burglaries and was sentenced at North Somerset Magistrates' Court on Friday. His multiple previous offences include shoplifting, possessing a knife, and possessing drugs. Marco Pierre White Jr, 29, (pictured) from Weston-super-Mare, avoided jail after being sentenced to a suspended 30-week prison sentence for a spate of burglaries in his hometown The ex-reality TV star (pictured with his celebrity father) has struggled with drug addiction He previously appeared in Channel 5 reality show Big Brother in 2016 He carried out a non-dwelling burglary at a studio in Meadow Street, Weston-super-Mare, on September 19, and at a store in Cheap Street, Bath, on October 24. PC Joseph Reed, of Avon and Somerset Police, said a call from an onlooker allowed police to make a 'swift arrest'. He was also sentenced for a theft from a store in Winterstoke Road, Weston-super-Mare, on October 22. The force statement said: 'In the Weston-super-Mare burglary, he was seen leaving the premises with goods in his hands, including electronic items and a jewellery box, and was spotted by officers in a nearby street. 'He dropped the items and ran off but was stopped and arrested a short time later. 'Magistrates sentenced him to a 30-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, a nine-month drug rehabilitation order, as well as ordering payment of fines and costs.' Investigating officer PC Reed added: 'Retail crime causes immense harm to our communities and we're committed to tackling these offences in all their forms. PC Joseph Reed, of Avon and Somerset Police, said a call from an onlooker allowed police to make a 'swift arrest' Marco Pierre White Jr leaves the Big Brother house after being voted out in 2016 'This defendant was spotted by a member of the public in the aftermath of the Weston-super-Mare burglary incident, which enabled officers to make a swift arrest. 'He's now been brought to justice for three offences within a short period of time.' After being released from prison last year following further offences, Pierre White Jr vowed never to touch drugs again after spending more than 1million on rehab. He also revealed he had converted to Islam to help him 'stay clean' and reform after years of drug abuse which began at the age of just 13. In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, he said: 'I have been in rehab 17 times and being in prison has made me realise that enough is enough. 'I have been in rehab all over America and in the UK and the only thing that has cured me is being banged up in a cell for 23 hours a day. Bristol Crown Court heard in August 2022 how Marco Pierre White Jr had a privileged start in life and was from a good family after he pleaded guilty to 14 offences that month 'I have realised how lucky I am and have been. I have seen all walks of life in prison and some people don't have a chance in life. I have had every opportunity and I have thrown them all away. 'I could have done anything I wanted to, but instead I did heroin and ended up in prison. I have been an idiot.' His Michelin-starred chef father previously told of opting against visiting his son in prison due to being 'too recognisable' - while also saying how he 'blames the authorities' as they didn't 'clamp down sooner' on the serial offender's behaviour. His father was the youngest ever cook to attain the coveted three Michelin stars and is credited as being a major influence on other leading British chefs. Britain and France are said to be holding secret talks over the prospect of sending troops to Ukraine to guarantee security in the event of a ceasefire agreement, it has been reported. A senior NATO official reportedly told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) that talks were taking place between officials in London and Paris to solidify approaches to implementing a ceasefire deal which may see Ukraine squander territory. One possibility is an Anglo-French contingent patrolling the contact line between Ukraine and Russia, according to the NATO official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to comment publicly on the situation. The report stated: 'Paris and London are trying to prepare options for different scenarios so that if the new US leadership asks how European countries can get involved, they have ready options to support Kyiv.' Such a move was needed to guarantee the participation of European countries in peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in the event of mediation by US president-elect Donald Trump, according to the Radio Liberty source. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has said that Paris 'does not rule out any option' concerning troop deployment, while former UK prime minister Boris Johnson said last week that a European force should protect the frontier with Russia. 'I don't think we should be sending in combat troops to take on the Russians... But I think as part of the solution, as part of the end state, you're going to want to have multinational European peace-keeping forces monitoring the border, helping the Ukrainians.' He said: 'I cannot see that such a European operation could possibly happen without the British.' The MoD declined MailOnline's request for comment. Ukrainian soldiers fire targets on the front line in Donetsk The British Army's new Archer Mobile Howitzer gun fires, as British Army soldiers take part in training near Rovaniemi in the Arctic Circle, Finland The report comes days after US president-elect Trump tapped retired Lieutenant General and National Security Adviser Keith Kellogg for the role of special envoy to Russia and Ukraine. Kellogg's plan to force a ceasefire in Ukraine was laid out in a policy paper for conservative US think tank America First published earlier this year that is likely to form the backbone of the incoming Trump administration's approach to managing the conflict. In it, Kellogg along with co-author Fred Fleitz lambasted the Biden administration's handling of the Ukraine war and said the US' economic and military might should be used to leverage Kyiv and Moscow into talks. The retired general advocated for pushing Ukraine into ceasefire negotiations by threatening to pull US aid, while simultaneously telling Moscow that Washington would boost support to Kyiv should Putin not agree to a diplomatic solution. Under Kellogg's plan, Ukraine would have to cede a considerable chunk of occupied territory to Russia and agree with Western countries not to attempt to join NATO for an extended period of time. In return, the US would help Ukraine to develop a 'long-term security architecture' to reinforce its defensive capabilities for the future - and levies would be placed on Russian energy sales to pay for Ukraine's reconstruction along with contributions from Europe. Sergei Naryshkin, the head of Russia's SVR Foreign Intelligence Service, said last week that Russia held the complete strategic initiative on the battlefield. He also added that Russia is open to negotiations but stated that the Kremlin would 'categorically reject' any 'freezing' of the current frontline, demanding that Ukraine relinquish areas of the four Ukrainian regions - Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson - that the Kremlin has illegally annexed without fully occupying. Trump has famously said that the Russia-Ukraine war would never have started had he been president and claimed he could bring the conflict to an abrupt halt - without ever revealing his plans for doing so. 'I can't give you those plans because if I give you those plans, I'm not going to be able to use them.' A British soldier looks into a telescopic sight as he holds his sniper rifle during the NATO DRAGON-24 military exercise in Korzeniewo, northern Poland President Donald Trump, center, sits with retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, right Ukrainian servicemen of the 43 Artillery Brigade fire a 2S7 Pion self-propelled cannon towards Russian positions at a front line in the Donetsk region But Kellogg's plan to end the war is expected to provide the foundations for Trump's approach, particularly now that the retired general has been tapped as special envoy. In his April paper, Kellogg recognised the solution would be a bitter pill to swallow but would ultimately be the quickest way to end the bloodshed. 'The Ukrainian government and the Ukrainian people will have trouble accepting a negotiated peace that does not give them back all of their territory or, at least for now, hold Russia responsible for the carnage it inflicted on Ukraine. 'But as Donald Trump said at the CNN town hall in 2023, I want everyone to stop dying. Thats our view, too,' the paper concluded. Other members of Trump's inner circle have also put forward similar suggestions. In September, Vice President-elect JD Vance offered former US Navy Seal Shawn Ryan an outline of how peace may be brought about in Ukraine under Trump. 'What it probably looks like is something like the current line of demarcation between Russia and Ukraine becomes like a demilitarised zone, heavily fortified for the Russians don't invade again,' Vance told the former Seal on his podcast. 'Ukraine remains an independent sovereign. Russia gets the guarantee of neutrality from Ukraine. 'It does not join NATO and some other allied institutions. Germans and other nations have to fund Ukraine's reconstruction,' Vance added. That telling, albeit vague, description of what a Trump-negotiated end to war in Ukraine could look like was subsequently echoed by a Wall Street Journal report that emerged days after the election. Citing three sources 'close to the president-elect', the WSJ claimed Trump's transition office is considering one proposal that would prevent Kyiv from joining NATO for at least 20 years in exchange for lucrative arms deals. Nov. 27, 2024, Russian servicemen jump off a T-90M Proryv tank during a combat training for assault units in an undisclosed location Trump and his supporters have roundly criticised the scale of US military and financial support for Kyiv, and he previously labelled Zelensky 'the greatest salesman on Earth' FILE - President Donald Trump meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G-20 Summit in Hamburg, July 7, 2017 Firefighters remove debris after Russian missile attack on November 26, 2024 in Sumy, Ukraine Rescuers search for survivors in the rubble next to damaged residential buildings in Uman, south of Kyiv, following Russian missile strikes In the meantime, the conflict would be halted by the implementation of a large demilitarised zone (DMZ) that would effectively freeze the fighting in place and force Kyiv to relinquish up to 20% of its territory. But the sources offered no insight into how such a buffer zone between Russia's border and unoccupied Ukraine would be monitored or managed, other than to say it would not be staffed by American peacekeepers. This suggests troops from other NATO nations, including the UK, would be tasked with manning the DMZ. 'We can do training and other support but the barrel of the gun is going to be European... and we are not paying for it,' one source was quoted as saying. 'We are not sending American men and women to uphold peace in Ukraine... Get the Poles, Germans, British and French to do it.' The proposal draws comparisons with the DMZ that has divided North and South Korea since the armistice agreement that brought the Korean War to an end in 1953. But the Russia-Ukraine conflict is vastly different, leading observers and analysts to warn that implementing a DMZ in Eastern Ukraine would face huge resistance. Several obstacles must be circumvented before the conflict can be frozen and a ceasefire introduced - starting with the evident lack of enthusiasm from those expected to agree to and uphold the proposal. Days before Trump secured his election victory, Volodymyr Zelensky openly declared that making any concessions to Putin would be 'unacceptable for Ukraine' and 'suicidal for Europe'. The Ukrainian President has made countless similar declarations since Russia's February 2022 invasion. In addition, Zelensky's foremost European partners Britain, France and Germany have already vowed to support Ukraine's armed forces in their fight against Moscow's troops 'for as long as it takes'. Those sentiments were echoed by the European Union's designated foreign policy chief, former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who is expected to succeed Josep Borrell as the EU's top diplomat. An ardent critic of Russia, Kallas told a confirmation hearing last month: 'The situation on the battlefield is difficult. 'That's why we must keep working every day. Today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes and with as much military, financial and humanitarian help as needed.' Britain, France and Germany have already vowed to support Ukraine 'for as long as it takes' and Zelensky is adamantly against relinquishing territory to Vladimir Putin Keir Starmer was warmly welcomed by Emmanuel Macron as he arrived in Paris today - with the looming handover in the US high on the agenda President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with the House GOP conference, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington This messaging suggests that most European leaders - with the notable exception of a few individuals such as Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban - are united behind the Ukrainian war effort. They would not be enthused by the prospect of shouldering the responsibility of funding, staffing and managing a demilitarised zone that is proposed but not backed by the White House. Implementing this so-called buffer zone would also be extremely difficult from a logistical standpoint. Firstly, the DMZ would need to span the 800-mile length of Ukraine's eastern border with Russia and the frontline in disputed territory, from the northernmost Ukraine-Russia border town of Senkivka in Chernihiv to the city of Kherson in the south, from which Putin's forces withdrew across the Dnieper River in late 2022. Secondly, the conflict in Ukraine is very much in a state of flux, with frontlines being redrawn almost daily. Moscow's men are pushing back Zelensky's defensive lines in Donetsk, while Ukraine's armed forces continue to hold a considerable pocket of Russian soil in the western Kursk region. Various reports suggest North Korean troops have been drafted in to fight alongside Putin's soldiers there. Both sides are likely to make a push to maximise the territory held in an effort to improve their bargaining position ahead of negotiations. By contrast, the DMZ that split the Korean peninsula in half measures just 155 miles - a much smaller buffer zone that was only made possible by the US deploying boots on the ground and maintaining a military presence there long after the conflict had subsided. Prior to the armistice deal, South Korea enjoyed full Western military support in the conflict and a ceasefire was reached only after millions of troops and civilians had been massacred. A member of Ukraine's 72nd Brigade Anti-air unit fires at a Russian Zala reconnaissance drone over head on February 23, 2024 near Marinka, Ukraine A mortar platoon soldier with an 82mm mortar performs a combat mission as Ukrainian soldiers hold their positions in the snow-covered Serebryan Forest in temperatures of -15C, on January 10, 2024 in Kreminna, Ukraine View of a bridge, destroyed by the war, in Bohorodychne, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine Given Ukraine's disdain for the prospect of ceding any territory to Russia and Europe's apparent commitment to backing Kyiv for the long haul, it is difficult to see how a ceasefire deal as outlined by Kellogg, Vance and the WSJ could be pushed through. Failing an exceptional feat of diplomacy by the Trump administration, the only remaining option looks to be strong-arming Kyiv into making a deal with threats of withholding sorely needed US military aid. This would force Kyiv to capitulate - unless European partners, along with the likes of Australia, Japan and Canada - agree to maintain an adequate supply of arms to Ukraine's armed forces. This seems nigh on impossible, with many analysts arguing that the current flow of military aid even with US support is not enough to hold back the Russian onslaught. 'Trump does have a legitimate point about European allies having underperformed in defence and over-relied on Uncle Sam to protect them for too long, and this is a huge wake-up call to the West,' Dr Russell Foster, Senior Lecturer in British and International Politics at King's College London, told MailOnline. 'But Europe, Canada, and Australasia have let their defence spending stagnate for so long, they have nowhere near the industrial base and military infrastructure to help defend Ukraine and themselves from further aggression without American help. 'We are likely to see major calls for defence spending and investment across NATO - but this will take years to build up and be hugely expensive at a time of economic stagnation. The future of Western defence is now looking very bleak.' Ed Arnold, Senior Research Fellow for European Security at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think tank, added: 'The immediate crisis within Europe will be how to continue diplomatic, military and humanitarian support to Ukraine without the US. 'Whichever mechanism it comes through NATO, the EU, or bilaterally it will be incredibly expensive.' Beyond the sheer economic toll, an effort by the Trump administration to force Ukraine into accepting a peace deal would dramatically undermine Washington's relations with all of Europe and call into question the legitimacy of NATO. Some analysts and politicians have cautioned such a move could even embolden the likes of China to capitalise on the West's perceived disunity and seek to expand its influence in the Pacific. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks as he attends a Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting on September 6, 2024 at the US air base in Ramstein Military experts operate at the site of a Russian aerial bombing of a high-rise residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi district on March 27, 2024 in Kharkiv Roughly 3.2 million Ukrainians are living in occupied territory Finally, in terms of the human cost, forcing Ukraine to squander territory to Russia will seal the fate of millions of Ukrainians currently living under Russian occupation. A study published in September by the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) estimated that in January 2022, nearly 6.4 million people were living in territory now occupied by Russia following the full-scale invasion. Around 2.9 million people are believed to have fled the region, either to seek refuge in Western Ukraine or to gain asylum in Europe. But that still leaves roughly 3.2 million people living in occupied territory, the SWP concluded. Russia's Interior Ministry reported that by September 2023, around 2.8 million passports had been issued to residents of occupied territories as Moscow continues its efforts to assimilate residents into the Federation. While some citizens living in the occupied territory may have accepted their predicament, freezing the conflict and implementing a DMZ would leave untold numbers of Ukrainians trapped under Putin's rule. A woman was left unable to close her eyes after undergoing plastic surgery with a 'bogus' Russian medic. Alleged 'pseudo' plastic surgeon Tatyana Stankevich, 38, who denies any wrongdoing, has been put under house arrest pending a trial. One of her patients - named Lyubov, 53, from Moscow - went to her for a blepharoplasty to remove excess skin from the lower eyelids, but says she suffered severe complications. 'I had huge bruises under my eyes after the surgery,' said Lyubov. 'My eyelids began to turn inside out, severe tearing began.' She was left unable to close her eyes. 'I realised something was badly wrong. But [the surgeon] kept convincing me that the symptoms would pass, the skin would tighten. 'She injected the lower eyelids with medication. I think she was lulling me into a false sense of security. 'Then she went on vacation I was getting worse and worse.' She went to another clinic for advice and was immediately told she needed urgent treatment to rectify the horror. The patient called Lyubov, 53, from Moscow, went for a blepharoplasty but was left unable to close her eyes Alleged 'pseudo' plastic surgeon Tatyana Stankevich, 38, has been put under house arrest pending a trial Lyubov went on to report what had happened to her to law enforcement. The surgery was at Stankevich's Moscow apartment, from where she ran her business 'Beauty Therapy'. But investigators say that she was just a beauty therapist and not qualified to conduct surgery. She operated on multiple people, according to reports, and clients did not ask her for her qualifications. The company director would tell her patients that she had performed surgeries at home before and that they had always gone well, according to reports. However two other female patients also filed complaints with the Russian Investigative Committee. One needed intensive care treatment after reportedly being operated on in a medical centre. Stankevich's home was raided by police, who allegedly found that she was not qualified to perform surgeries. 'During the searches, the suspect's mobile phone was found, which contained images of the procedures she had performed,' said the committee. The patient, referred to as Lyubov, is from the Moscow area. She complained to the police after a second surgeon said she needed urgent intervention She was left unable to close her eyes. 'I realised something was badly wrong. But [the surgeon] kept convincing me that the symptoms would pass, the skin would tighten.' 'Unregistered medical drugs were also found. It was established that the operations were carried out both in the absence of an appropriate license at a medical centre and at home by a doctor who did not have an education in plastic surgery. 'The suspect was detained. She was placed under house arrest.' 'This is a complete fake. It's a criminal case, there is simply no crime. If the patient herself says that she is happy with everything, then there is simply no crime,' Stankevich reportedly insisted. Police raided Stankevich's apartment and said they found 'unregistered medical drugs' Stankevich will remain under house arrest until a court hearing on January 29 'No operations were performed in the apartment. Both were in the clinic. But one of the patients knew my home address. She came once late in the evening so that I could provide her with some help,' Stankevich claims, according to REN TV. 'The second patient, the one with the eyelids, she violated all the recommendations, she was self-medicating,' she added. Lyubov maintains that Stankevich chose to operate on her at her home and had done the same to 'many other people' as well as at 'clients' homes'. Police are continuing to investigate, including looking into whether any more patients seeking cheap surgeries could have been affected. She will remain under house arrest until a court hearing on January 29. The Princess of Wales will today make her biggest return to royal duties so far after her cancer treatment as she joins a ceremonial welcome for the Qatar state visit. But Queen Camilla has been forced to scale back her involvement due to ill health as the Emir of Qatar begins a two-day visit to the UK hosted by the King in London. Charles will welcome Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, during a ceremony of pomp and pageantry in Whitehall. Kate, 42, will now undertake even more royal duties than previously planned during the state visit in what has been described as a positive sign in royal circles. She will take part in the official welcome on Horse Guards Parade and a carriage procession back to Buckingham Palace, before attending a private lunch. Kate will stay to view a display of priceless Qatari artefacts from the Royal Collection. The only aspect of the day she will miss will be tonights glittering state banquet. A royal source described the announcement of the Princess's attendance as good news as the Princess continues with her a slow and measured return to public life after the completion of her preventative chemotherapy treatment. Kate announced in March that she had embarked on a course of treatment after doctors found evidence of the disease after major abdominal surgery in January. The Princess of Wales on a balcony at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London on November 10 Queen Camilla speaks during a reception for winners of the Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition at Buckingham Palace on November 21 The Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, with his first wife - and second cousin - Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad Al Thani, arrive at Stansted Airport yesterday In September she revealed that this had now been completed but warned that it would take time and patience for her to return to full-time royal duties. Now, todays events mark the start of a busier week for Kate, who will be hosting her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on Friday. The Princess is expected to be joined at that event by her husband Prince William and children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. But Camilla has pulled out of todays welcome at Horse Guards Parade on doctors advice because she is still suffering from the lingering side-effects of a nasty viral chest infection. The 77-year-old royal, who fell ill a month ago, is said to be feeling particularly fatigued but she will attend the lunch at Buckingham Palace and most elements of the State Banquet this evening. So as not to exhaust her, she will greet their VIP guests and pose for photographs before retiring during a lengthy receiving line, but then join the dinner itself. As for Camilla, sources stressed there was no cause for alarm, describing her as having had a nasty viral chest infection which continues to have some lingering side effects, in particular leaving Her Majesty with significantly diminished reserves of energy. As a result, they said, her doctors have advised some tweaks to her programme. The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrives at Stansted Airport yesterday Flags line The Mall leading to Buckingham Palace yesterday ahead of the Emir's visit Her decision not to join the King at Horse Guards Parade for a full ceremonial welcome and open-air carriage drive back to Buckingham Palace on a cold morning was a sensible precaution given the nature of her illness, they stressed. Her diagnosis was first announced almost a month ago on November 5 when it emerged that she had been forced to pull out of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, followed by other events over the weekend, including the Cenotaph, to honour the nations war dead. As the daughter of a twice-decorated Second World War veteran, such duties are taken very seriously by the Queen - and her absence was a sign of how poorly she was feeling, sources close to her told the Mail. Camilla has undertaken several public engagements since then, including the annual diplomatic reception, but has sometimes curtailed her time spent in public. At a reception to honour the UKs film and television industry last month, the Queen discreetly coughed several times during her shortened appearance and gratefully sipped on a glass of water, saying she had felt absolutely rotten last week but was definitely on the mend. Sources have stressed there has been no alteration in any diagnosis or treatment being received, stressing Her Majesty just needs time to rest and recover fully, which is more challenging with a back-to back diary programme such as the state visit. No substantial changes to her other diary commitments are expected the rest of the week, though each day is being taken as it comes. The Emir of Qatar and his wife are driven away from Stansted Airport yesterday The plane carrying the Emir of Qatar arrives at Stansted Airport in Essex yesterday Guidance from her medical team suggests that in such cases post-viral fatigue symptoms can come and go and persist for several weeks. At tonights state banquet, Camilla will join photographs with the Emir and Sheikha Jawaher, but then retire briefly during the lengthy receiving line. She will then attend the dinner as planned and join the King for the official farewells tomorrow. Camilla has been praised for the way she has stepped up this year on behalf of her husband, after he was diagnosed with cancer at the start of the year and has continued to undergo treatment. Sources have described her as a trooper. Todays state visit is considered one of the highlights of the royal calendar and a show of royal soft diplomacy in action. Senior Qatari diplomats have told the Mail that they are deeply honoured the King has chosen their country as the first Middle Eastern state to be invited for a full state visit to the UK since Charles accession. The country enjoys a good relationship with the UK diplomatically, with the Emir, 44, having studied in Britain - first at Sherborne and then Harrow - followed by a stint at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. His Majesty's Ambassador to Qatar, Neerav Patel, at London Stansted Airport yesterday There remains great admiration for the late Queen Elizabeth II, and Charles has met with the Emir on several occasions. The two countries also have strong trade, cultural and military links, and Qatar is a major investor in the UK, not just through property and construction projects, but in science and technology. However concerns have been raised about the authoritarian nature of the Qatari ruling family and human rights, particularly as regards migrant workers. The Emir, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, will be bringing his first wife - and second cousin - Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad Al Thani, with him on the visit. She is the mother of four of his 13 children and normally accompanies him on official visits abroad. He also has two subsequent spouses. The couple landed in the UK at London Stansted Airport yesterday where they were greeted on behalf of the sovereign by the Lord in Waiting, The Viscount Hood. Today they will be officially welcomed by William and Kate at their residence, before being escorted to Horse Guards Parade where the King will be waiting for an impressive ceremonial welcome. National anthems will be played and the Emir invited to inspect a Guard of Honour. The royal party will then return in a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace for a private lunch followed by an exhibition in the Picture Gallery of items from the Royal Collection Trust and Turquoise Mountain charity relating to Qatar. William will later receive the Emir at Kensington Palace before the evenings state banquet, which he will attend but not his wife. Tomorrow, the final day of the two-day visit, the Emir will visit Sandhurst before travelling to the Palace to bid farewell formally to the King. Sheikh Tamim will also travel to Downing Street for bilateral talks with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Members of the RAF await the arrival of the Emir of Qatar at Stansted Airport yesterday Kate has attended a number of high profile events such as Trooping the Colour, Remembrance Sunday and Wimbledon over the last 11 months since she effectively withdrew from public life to focus on her health. But todays appearance will be her most significant so far given that she will be playing a far more active role in events and be seen in public for a lengthy period of time. Royal-watchers will be delighted at the news that Kate is taking a further step forward as part of her staggered return to full-time royal duties. In September she spoke of her relief at having finally completed her chemotherapy treatment, but stressed that the last nine months had been incredibly tough for them as a family. She was first admitted to hospital in January for what has only been described as major abdominal surgery. However afterwards doctors found evidence that cancer had been present and recommended a course of preventative chemotherapy. The couple chose to keep the news private for several weeks in order to come to terms with the news and protect their children, before the princess bravely went public with her diagnosis in March. Talking of the complex, scary and unpredictable nature of cancer journeys, Catherine said recently that doing what she could to stay cancer free is now my focus and emphasised that her path to full recovery would be long. The Princess said she would undertake a few more public engagements in the coming months when she could but stressed that her focus would remain on her continued recovery and her young family. An American woman accidentally stabbed an Eritrean to death during a struggle after he groped her at a German train station - and now faces up to ten years in prison. The woman, 20, was standing on an escalator at Kaiserslautern train station, in the southwestern state of Rhineland-Palatinate, when the 64-year-old man grabbed her backside on June 29. An argument ensued before the woman drew a folding knife and made stabbing movements at the man. The American, who lives in Kaiserslautern, told investigators she wanted to keep the man at a distance. When he finally backed away, the woman followed. The Eritrean man grabbed her arm holding the knife and as the woman tried to free herself, she stabbed him in the heart 'during the same movement', according to prosecutors. He died within seconds. The woman has been charged with causing bodily harm resulting in death and could be sentenced to up to ten years in prison at youth court. She claimed that she did not intentionally aim for the man's heart and argued that she acted in self defence to keep him at a distance. 'The public prosecutor's office does not believe that the stabbing was justified by self-defence,' a spokesperson for the prosecutor's office told German tabloid Bild. The woman, 20, was standing on an escalator at Kaiserslautern train station (near the underpass pictured above), in the southwestern state of Rhineland-Palatinate, when the 64-year-old man grabbed her backside on June 29 Prosecutors believe that the woman didn't intentionally stab the Eritrean in his heart after viewing CCTV footage, which is why they haven't charged her with murder or manslaughter. She allegedly wanted to injure the man, but not kill him. Following the incident, a search was launched for the woman, who turned herself in at a police station. The American has since been released. The youth court is due to decide whether to accept the charge against the woman. The Supreme Court will hear a challenge to a Tennessee law that prohibits puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender patients younger than 18. J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press Advocates rally at the state Capitol in Nashville to oppose a series of bills that target the LGBTQ community on Feb. 14, 2023. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court will hear a challenge to one of those laws, which prohibits puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender patients younger than 18. Jonathan Mattise/Associated Press In 2020, the Supreme Court led by Justice Neil Gorsuch, a Donald Trump appointee ruled that a federal law against sex discrimination also banned discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. This week, the court will consider whether the same standard applies to state laws banning gender-affirming care for minors. And some opponents of those laws are not optimistic. This is a very low moment for transgender rights. The Supreme Court will find it difficult not to be swayed by politics, said Jessica Clarke, a University of Southern California law professor who filed arguments with the court on behalf of other professors and the National Womens Law Center. She noted Trumps anti-transgender messages in this years campaign, including an ad that proclaimed, Kamala (Harris) is for they/them. President Trump is for you. This is the Supreme Court getting in the middle of the culture wars, said Erwin Chemerinsky, the law school dean at UC Berkeley. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Regardless of the courts eventual ruling, however, it will not affect laws in California and other states that allow the medical treatments for transgender minors. The court will hear arguments Wednesday on the constitutionality of a 2023 Tennessee law that prohibits puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender patients younger than 18. Similar laws have been passed in 23 other states, and some, including Tennessees, have been upheld by federal appeals courts, despite the Supreme Courts 2020 ruling. That case involved a federal law against discrimination in employment and did not address medical care. But Gorsuch, joined in the majority by Chief Justice John Roberts and the courts liberal justices, appeared to be stating a broader principle when he wrote, It is impossible to discriminate against a person for being homosexual or transgender without discriminating against that individual based on sex. He added that the court was not addressing bathrooms, locker rooms, or anything else of that kind. The ruling was nonetheless widely regarded as another sweeping legal victory for LGBTQ rights, coming five years after the court declared a constitutional right for marriage between same-sex couples, overturning bans in 13 states. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The current cases, however, do not involve a federal anti-discrimination law, but are based on the Constitutions guarantee of equal protection, which the Supreme Court has interpreted since the 1970s to prohibit most types of sex discrimination by the government. Lower-court rulings upholding state bans on gender-affirming care for minors concluded those laws were not discriminatory. It does not apply one rule for males and another for females, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati said in a 2-1 decision in September 2023 on the Tennessee law. The statute instead bars such care for minors regardless of gender, and is within the states authority to regulate medical care, wrote Judge Jeffrey Sutton, an appointee of President George W. Bush. In dissent, Judge Helene White, another Bush appointee, said the same rationale that a law is not discriminatory because it applies to everyone was rejected by the Supreme Court in 1967 when it struck down bans on interracial marriage, which applied equally to members of all races. The state is saying this affects everyone equally, but these are treatments only one sex can undergo, said Kate Redburn, co-director of the Center for Gender and Sexuality Law at Columbia Law School in New York. But Redburn said the Supreme Court appeared to encourage the equal-treatment rationale in its 2022 ruling overturning the constitutional right to abortion that the court had declared in Roe v. Wade in 1973. In his majority opinion in the 2022 Dobbs case, Justice Samuel Alito said government restrictions or bans on abortion do not violate womens rights to equal protection of the laws. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Dobbs does signal a new approach to constitutional issues of equality, said Radhika Rao, a constitutional law professor at UC College of the Law in San Francisco. She said the court should overturn the Tennessee law but most likely will uphold it by a 6-3 vote. Also awaiting Supreme Court review are challenges to restrictions on transgender care in West Virginia and Idaho, and a lawsuit by parents in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, disputing a school districts refusal to notify them when their child gives indications of transgender status. The court has not yet decided whether to review those cases, a decision that may await the outcome of the Tennessee case. A similar ban on parental notification has been passed into law in California and is also being challenged in court. In a filing supporting the Tennessee law, state Attorney General Jonathan Skrmettis office said states have historically regulated practice of medicine in their borders and that Tennessee was entitled to protect minors from the life-altering risks of uncertain gender-transition interventions. Supporters also include the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, whose lawyers told the court that transgender body manipulation attempts to alter the fundamental sexual differences between men and women and is incompatible with the respect due to Gods created order. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In response, President Joe Bidens Justice Department said these laws are inflicting profound harms on transgender adolescents and their families by denying medical treatments that the affected adolescents, their parents, their doctors, and medical experts have all concluded are appropriate and necessary to treat a serious medical condition. The challengers are also supported by more than 20 mainstream medical organizations and by a group of 19 states led by California. People who are transgender have a right to live openly and honestly, with dignity, free from discrimination, state Attorney General Rob Bontas office told the court. Wednesdays hearing will also mark the first Supreme Court appearance by an openly transgender attorney. Chase Strangio of the American Civil Liberties Union represents three teenagers, their parents and a doctor who filed the initial suit against the Tennessee law. Our hope is that the cultural anxiety about trans people, the demonization of our health care, is not going to sway the justices from applying straightforward constitutional principles that have been applied for 50 years, Strangio said in an interview last week with Democracy Now! He said he expects Trump to change the federal governments position in the case after taking office Jan. 20, but the court would still be able to consider the same issues presented by the youths and their families. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Two men have been jailed after stabbing a waiter who had tried to help them, leaving him for dead in an alleyway. Lewis Day and Daryl Brown chased down and attacked the man after he had tried to hand their friend's phone back to them at Whitstable railway station on the night of December 16, 2023. The pair and a female friend had been on the opposite platform from the victim, a man in his 50s, on the night of the incident. After the friend had left her phone on the other platform, Day went to retrieve it with the waiter picking it up and attempting to give it back to him. However, Brown mistakenly thought he was trying to steal the phone and threw a beer can at him from the other platform, narrowly missing the man. The victim then threw it back, prompting Brown and Day to chase him from the station and caught up with him in a nearby alleyway, where the victim was repeatedly stabbed. He was left in the alleyway with multiple serious injuries as the pair then returned to the station. A witness at the station heard Brown and Day arguing about having stabbed someone and the pair began fighting before Day boarded a train and Brown and the friend stayed in Whitstable. Lewis Day (pictured) and Daryl Brown chased down and attacked the man after he had tried to hand their friend's phone back to them at Whitstable railway station A witness at the station heard Brown and Day arguing about having stabbed someone before Day boarded a train and Brown (pictured) and the friend stayed in Whitstable Day, 26, of Hereson Road, Ramsgate, was jailed for 14 and a half years and Brown, 33, of Elm Grove, Westgate-on-Sea, to three and a half years Concerned by what he had overheard, the witness went out of the station to look for the victim and found him in the alleyway. He called for help from passing cars, prompting emergency services to attend and the victim to be taken to a London hospital. Video footage shows Brown being searched on the station steps, while police arrested Day on a train where he still had blood on him. Asked what he had been up to, he replied: 'Just had a fight.' They were both charged after detectives collected witness accounts and CCTV from the area. After a trial at Canterbury Crown Court, Day was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and Brown was convicted of unlawful wounding. At a sentencing hearing on 26 November 2024, Day, 26, of Hereson Road, Ramsgate, was jailed for 14 and a half years and Brown, 33, of Elm Grove, Westgate-on-Sea, to three and a half years. Day will also serve an extra three and a half years on licence following his term. Police arrested Day on a train where he still had blood on him Asked what he had been up to, he replied: 'Just had a fight' Video footage shows Brown being searched on the station steps Investigating officer Detective Constable Matthew Burridge, of Kent Police, said: 'This was a horrific attack on a man who had attempted to help a friend of the two offenders moments earlier. 'These two men seemed completely unconcerned about leaving the victim to die, and it is perhaps only thanks to the intervention of a member of the public that we are not dealing with a fatal assault. 'I would like to praise the witness for his actions on the night and the statement he gave describing the offenders' behaviour following the attack. 'The assault will obviously have a long-term impact on the victim and his family, but I hope the knowledge that these two men have been taken off the streets of Kent gives him some relief.' Tesla chief Elon Musk has slammed a judge's decision to rescind his $56billion pay package for a second time, despite it being approved by shareholders and directors. The payout, which came in the form of Tesla stock options, made Musk the richest man in the world. The package is now worth more around $100bn, following a major Tesla share price rally in recent weeks. Judge Kathaleen McCormick upheld her January decision, in which she ruled that Tesla's board members were too heavily influenced by Musk and that shareholders weren't properly informed of the CEO's pay package. McCormick stood by her decision even after Musk and Tesla's lawyers argued that a shareholder vote in June in which 75% of shareholders agreed to give Musk the payout cleared the way for the payout to go through. She said Tesla lawyers could not flip a decision using 'evidence they created after trial.' Musk furiously said on X following the judge's ruling: 'Shareholders should control company votes, not judges.' Tesla added in a statement: 'A Delaware judge just overruled a supermajority of shareholders who own Tesla and who voted twice to pay Elon Musk what hes worth. The courts decision is wrong, and were going to appeal. 'This ruling, if not overturned, means that judges and plaintiffs lawyers run Delaware companies rather than their rightful owners the shareholders.' Tesla chief Elon Musk (pictured) has slammed a judge's decision to rescind his $56billion pay package for a second time Judge Kathaleen McCormick (pictured) upheld her January decision McCormick said her her ruling that the June vote was flawed as Tesla's board presented 'materially misleading' information to shareholders, telling them that they should not have told them that a new vote would change the outcome of the case. McCormick also ordered Tesla to pay $345 million in fees to the lawyers who represented the shareholders who brought the case, much less than the $5.6 billion that the lawyers had sought. Despite this, the lawyers, from firm Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann, said in a statement: 'We hope that the chancellors well-reasoned decision will end this matter for the shareholders of Tesla.' The lawyers added that they would be happy to defend the judgement if Tesla appealed it in the Delaware Supreme Court. Last month, Tesla stocks surged after rumours that Donald Trump would adopt a federal framework for self-driving cars spread like wildfire. Bloomberg first reported the news that members of the Trump transition team have told advisers that they plan to make autonomous vehicles one of the Transportation Department's priorities. The Trump team is also reportedly searching for policy minds to think up a way to regulate self-driving vehicles. During an earnings call last month, Musk said he believes the future is automated electric vehicles. Elon Musk just notched a major win for Tesla as it's been reported that Donald Trump advisers want the Transportation Department to adopt rules for self-driving cars 'Non-autonomous gasoline vehicles in the future will be like riding a horse and using a flip phone,' he said. This comes after Musk has fully embraced Trump by donating tens of millions to his campaign, speaking enthusiastically at his rallies and now leading a proposed government agency aiming to cut trillions in federal spending. Musk, who owns close to 13 percent of Tesla's outstanding shares, will certainly benefit from the incoming administration's new stance on self-driving. Musk got $15 billion richer immediately after Trump's historic election victory thanks to Tesla's stock rising, making him worth well over $300 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Tesla stock has appreciated by nearly 30 percent since Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris. As it stands, the federal government has put up significant red tape for companies like Tesla who want to sell vehicles without steering wheels or foot pedals at an industrial scale. All of Tesla's vehicles still have steering wheels and foot pedals, but come with the ability to turn on autopilot, which allows the car to steer for you within lanes. Most newer Teslas come with full self driving, which is more autonomous than autopilot. On this mode, the car can merge onto highways, change lanes and park automatically. However, the system hasn't been perfected yet, and there have been several serious reported mishaps. Keir Starmer has insisted Ukraine must be in the 'strongest possible' position for 'negotiations' as Donald Trump's return to the White House looms. The PM used his keynote foreign policy speech at the Guildhall last night to insist the UK will back Kyiv 'for as long as it takes'. However, he also acknowledged that the conflict could move towards a negotiated end - something the president-elect has committed to achieving. Volodymyr Zelensky has in recent weeks suggested he is open to a ceasefire with Vladimir Putin's Russia, but only on the right terms. Sir Keir said there is 'no question it is right we support Ukraine', as the UK's aid to Kyiv is 'deeply in our self-interest'. Allowing Russia to win the war would mean 'other autocrats would believe they can follow Putin's example,' he warned. Sir Keir added: 'So we must continue to back Ukraine and do what it takes to support their self-defence for as long as it takes. 'To put Ukraine in the strongest possible position for negotiations so they can secure a just and lasting peace on their terms that guarantees their security, independence, and right to choose their own future.' Keir Starmer has insisted Ukraine must be in the 'strongest possible' position for 'negotiations' as Donald Trump 's return to the White House looms Volodymyr Zelensky has in recent weeks suggested he is open to a ceasefire with Vladimir Putin 's Russia, but only on the right terms Sir Keir said: 'We face a near and present danger with Russia as an erratic, increasingly desperate aggressor, on our continent marshalling all its resources - along with North Korean troops and Iranian missiles - aiming to kill and to conquer,' he said. The PM repeated his commitment to increasing defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP but again gave no timetable for when military funding might increase. With Mr Trump raising concerns about the financial contributions made by Nato members, Sir Keir said it was 'vital that all European nations step up to protect our shared future'. Mr Zelensky told Sky News over the weekend he would be open to speaking with Mr Putin, but branded the Russian president a 'terrorist'. He also suggested that Ukrainian territory under his control should be taken under the 'Nato umbrella' to try to stop the 'hot stage' of the war with Russia. In his speech, Sir Keir said it was 'plain wrong' to suggest the UK must choose between its allies, adding: 'I reject it utterly. '(Clement) Attlee did not choose between allies. (Winston) Churchill did not choose. 'The national interest demands that we work with both.' Sir Keir said the UK and the US were 'intertwined' when it came to commerce, technology and security. The Prime Minister added: 'That's why, when President Trump graciously hosted me for dinner in Trump Tower, I told him that we will invest more deeply than ever in this transatlantic bond with our American friends in the years to come.' He also repeated his commitment to 'rebuild our ties with Europe' and insisted he was right to try to build closer links with China. 'It is remarkable that until I met President Xi last month there had been no face-to-face meeting between British and Chinese leaders for six years,' the Prime Minister said. 'We can't simply look the other way. We need to engage. To co-operate, to compete and to challenge on growth, on security concerns, on climate as well as addressing our differences in a full and frank way on issues like Hong Kong, human rights, and sanctions on our parliamentarians,' he added. This is the moment terrified passengers watched flames pouring out of the engine of their plane on a UK-bound flight. Footage shows orange flames shooting out into the night sky from the left side of the Gulf Air Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner around an hour into the flight. The plane had taken off from Bahrain before the engine burst into flames. The aircraft made an emergency landing at Kuwait International Airport due to the fire in the early hours of Sunday, December 1. Passengers on Flight GF5 were stranded for more than 14 hours - allegedly without receiving any assistance. One said: 'There was no help for us. The airport staff were rude and the airline did nothing. We were left waiting in a foreign country with nobody telling us what would happen.' Officials said the scheduled departure time was 2.10am, with an arrival time of 6.35am. Flightradar24 reported that the aircraft departed delayed at 2.25am before making an emergency landing around an hour later. Footage shows orange flames shooting out into the night sky from the left side of the Gulf Air Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner around an hour into the flight Footage shows the left wing of the plane being engulfed in flames Pictured above are emergency vehicles arriving at the scene after the plane made its emergency landing Local media reported that some passengers faced alleged discrimination, claiming that while EU, UK, and US passport holders were provided accommodation, travellers from India, Pakistan, and southeast Asia were initially denied food and water. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait addressed the matter with airport authorities and airline officials. They arranged temporary lodging for senior citizens and passengers with infants. Gulf Air said in a statement: 'Gulf Air confirms that Flight GF005, operating from Bahrain International Airport (BAH) to Manchester Airport (MAN) on December 1, 2024, was diverted to Kuwait International Airport (KWI) due to a technical issue. 'An alternative aircraft has been arranged for passengers to continue their journey to Manchester. Temporary accommodations were also arranged for passengers affected by the diversion. 'Gulf Air apologizes for any inconvenience caused by this unexpected change in itinerary and appreciates the understanding and patience of our passengers and their families. The safety and security of those traveling with us remains our top priority.' The plane involved in the incident was a 6.5-year-old Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, registered as A9C-FB. It has a seating capacity of 282 passengers, with 256 in economy class and 26 in business class. Gulf Air's fleet consists of 42 aircraft, including Airbus A320, A321, and Boeing 787 Dreamliners. No10 distanced itself from reports Labour plans to bring in a 100,000 annual cap on political donations, amid claims hard right billionaire Elon Musk wants to give Nigel Farage's Reform UK $100million. The X owner, who helped bankroll hard right Republican Donald Trump's return to the White House, is said to be mulling giving Reform 79million, an amount unremarkable in US terms but massive for UK politics. However Keir Starmer's party made reform of the donation system part of its election manifesto after a string of controversies about the source of cash flowing into Conservative coffers. Its manifesto included a pledge to 'protect democracy by strengthening the rules around donations to political parties'. Labour has also been hit by a major row over donations made by party peer Lord Alli to Sir Keir and his top team since the election. The Guardian reported it was looking at a six-figure annual cap, which may come in at some point in the second half of this parliament. However a No10 source said that a cap was 'not a current priority'. Mr Musk is a dual South African/US citizen and foreign nationals are barred from directly donating to UK political parties. However he could make one through the UK arm of one of his firms - and his father Errol has claimed he could claim UK citizenship, because he is eligible through his mother. The X owner, who helped bankroll hard right Republican Donald Trump's return to the White House, is said to be mulling giving Reform 79million, an amount unremarkable in US terms but massive for UK politics. However Keir Starmer's party made reform of the donation system part of its election manifesto after a string of controversies about the source of cash flowing into Conservative coffers. Farage said he was unsure if Musk was planning to donate any money to Reform but the pair were in frequent contact and were good friends. Mr Musk has already vocally expressed his distaste for the Labour leader, branding him 'two-tier Kier' over unfounded claims that racist rioters and their supporters online were treated too harshly after violence in Southport and elsewhere in the summer. He even suggested that Sir Keir was setting up detainment camps in the Falkland Islands for rioters, a claim which he was later forced to retract. Musk will serve in an unofficial capacity in Trump's administration focused on slashing government waste. His political action committee America Pac spent more than $200million (158million) to help ensure a Trump win, including a $1m-a-day giveaway lottery in the marginal state of Pennsylvania. Now The Times has reported that senior Conservative figures and business leaders believe there is a real possibility of Musk making a huge donation to Mr Farage's party. Farage said he was unsure if Musk was planning to donate any money to Reform but the pair were in frequent contact and were good friends. To put Musk's rumoured donation in context, Reform UK raised a total of 1.6million over the whole general election campaign in the summer. Musk will serve in an unofficial capacity in Trump's administration focused on slashing government waste. His political action committee America Pac spent more than $200million (158million) to help ensure a Trump win, including a $1m-a-day giveaway lottery in the marginal state of Pennsylvania . Political parties are required to provide weekly reports of donations of more than 11,180, after the Government increased the threshold from 7,500 in January. Labour received more than twice the amount of donations than the Conservatives in the final week of the General Election campaign, new figures from the Electoral Commission have shown. The party raised 465,600 in private donations in the last week before polling day, bringing its total raised for the whole election to 9.5million. The Conservatives raised just 225,587 in private donations over the same period, bringing their total for the whole election to 1.8million. A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesman told the Guardian: 'As set out in the manifesto, we are working to strengthen the rules around donations to political parties to ensure we maintain trust in our electoral system. We will set out more details on this in due course.' Vladimir Putin will reject Donald Trump's proposed peace plan and would only end the conflict in Ukraine if he gives him huge concessions, a hardliner close to the Kremlin has warned. Russian tycoon Konstantin Malofeyev, who is sanctioned by the West, slammed Trump's recently picked envoy Keith Kellogg and his proposals on how to end the conflict with Kyiv. 'Kellogg comes to Moscow with his plan, we take it and then tell him to screw himself, because we don't like any of it. That'd be the whole negotiation,' Malofeyev said bluntly in an interview from a luxury Dubai resort. Former general Kellogg has called for the existing frontlines to be frozen and Moscow and Kyiv to be forced to the negotiating table - a plan endorsed by Trump who said they would achieve 'peace through strength' together and who has long vowed to end the war 'within 24 hours'. Malofeyev has responded by presenting a long list of demands which go beyond Putin's publicly-stated conditions for a ceasefire, which include Kyiv ceding four frontline regions to Russia and agreeing to never join NATO. The businessman, who has strong influence but no official position in the Kremlin, told the FT that Trump would only have a chance of ending the conflict if he backtracked on the decision to allow Kyiv to use ATACMS long-range missiles on Russian territory. He warned that the move had left the world 'on the brink of nuclear war', and said that if the US failed to roll back its support for Ukraine, Moscow could launch a tactical nuclear weapon. 'There will be a radiation zone nobody will ever go into in our lifetime,' he threatened. 'And the war will be over.' Influential Russian tycoon Konstantin Malofeyev, who is sanctioned by the west, slammed the proposed US peace plan President Volodymyr Zelensky is pictured meeting with Trump during the US presidential race in September A Russian T-80BVM tank fires towards Ukrainian positions at an undisclosed location in Ukraine last month Putin's publicly-stated conditions for a ceasefire include requiring Kyiv to cede four frontline regions to Russia Malofeyev, who this year married Maria Lvova-Belova, a close Putin ally wanted by the International Criminal Court for the alleged abduction of Ukrainian children, also called for the removal of President Volodymyr Zelensky as part of a peace deal. He added that the talks would not be constructive unless Trump was willing to discuss other global flashpoints with Putin himself and acknowledge that Ukraine is a major concern for the Kremlin. 'We need to talk not about the future of Ukraine, but the future of Europe and the world,' he said. NATO's new chief yesterday revealed he had warned Trump that the US would face a 'dire threat' from China, Iran and North Korea should Ukraine be pushed to sign a deal on Moscow's terms. 'We cannot have a situation where we have Kim Jong Un and the Russian leader and Xi Jinping and Iran high-fiving because we came to a deal which is not good for Ukraine, because long-term that will be a dire security threat not only to Europe but also to the US,' Mark Rutte told the FT. Rutte said he made the point during a meeting with president-elect Trump in late November, highlighting the fact that Moscow is already 'working closely' with the west's foes. 'Look at the missile technology which is now being sent from Russia into North Korea, which is posing a dire threat not only to South Korea, Japan, but also to the US mainland,' Rutte said he told Trump. He added that Iran is receiving funds from Moscow in return for missiles and drones which is then supporting Hamas and Hezbollah in the Middle East. Rutte also said he contended that China's president Xi Jinping is 'watching very carefully what comes out of this' - an apparent reference to Beijing potentially feeling emboldened to realise its ambitions in Taiwan should Russia be allowed to take Ukrainian territory. US President-elect Donald Trump shakes hands with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte as they met in Palm-Beach, Florida on November 22 It comes as Ukraine today called for 'full' NATO membership as the only guarantee of security in the face of Russian aggression, ahead of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers. 'We are convinced that the only real guarantee of security for Ukraine, as well as a deterrent to further Russian aggression against Ukraine and other states, is Ukraine's full membership in NATO,' the foreign ministry in Kyiv said in a statement. Almost three years after invading, Russia's forces are accelerating their offensive, capturing more Ukrainian territory in November than in any month since March 2022, according to AFP analysis of data from the US Institute for the Study of War. Putin's forces today claimed to have seized two more villages in Moscow's grinding advance. Malofeyev this year married Maria Lvova-Belova (pictured), a close Putin ally wanted by the International Criminal Court for the alleged abduction of Ukrainian children Meanwhile Kyiv said today that its forces had repelled a Russian effort to cross the Oskil river, a key waterway which has long been a de facto front line across the eastern frontline. Sergei Naryshkin, the head of Russia's SVR Foreign Intelligence Service, said last week that Russia held the complete strategic initiative on the battlefield. He also added that Russia is open to negotiations but stated that the Kremlin would 'categorically reject' any 'freezing' of the current frontline, demanding that Ukraine relinquish areas of the four Ukrainian regions - Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson - that the Kremlin has illegally annexed without fully occupying. Trump has famously said that the Russia-Ukraine war would never have started had he been president and claimed he could bring the conflict to an abrupt halt - without ever revealing his plans for doing so. Ukrainian soldiers work with "pion" artillery in the northern direction of the Donbass frontline last year 'I can't give you those plans because if I give you those plans, I'm not going to be able to use them.' But Kellogg's plan to end the war is expected to provide the foundations for Trump's approach, particularly now that the retired general has been tapped as special envoy. In his April paper for US think tank America First, Kellogg recognised the solution would be a bitter pill to swallow but would ultimately be the quickest way to end the bloodshed. 'The Ukrainian government and the Ukrainian people will have trouble accepting a negotiated peace that does not give them back all of their territory or, at least for now, hold Russia responsible for the carnage it inflicted on Ukraine. 'But as Donald Trump said at the CNN town hall in 2023, I want everyone to stop dying. Thats our view, too,' the paper concluded. Prestigious 59,000-per-year private school Marlborough College has cancelled its summer school after 50 years because of the impact of Labour's tax raid budget. The Wiltshire boarding school for pupils aged 13 to 18, which boasts the Princess of Wales and Princess Eugenie as alumni, has called off its annual programme of events due to rising costs. Established in 1974, the summer school has seen Marlborough College open each July for a four-week event, offering more than 500 courses in everything from ballroom dancing to Napoleonic history for people of all ages. The courses typically start from 215 for five half-day sessions and while they were previously exempt from VAT, Labour's changes to private school tax measures mean the sessions would now be liable to pay the tax. The summer school has been pulled for 2025, with the College reportedly citing a 'series of factors' including 'additional taxation measures announced in the October Budget', the Telegraph reports. The College blamed increases to National Insurance for employers, a rising minimum wage and the incoming additional VAT measures. Prestigious 59,000-per-year private school Marlborough College has cancelled its summer school after 50 years because of the impact of Labour's tax raid budget The Wiltshire boarding school for pupils aged 13 to 18 was attended by the Princess of Wales Princess Eugenie of York also went to the school - which has run its summer school since 1974 It also said the 'sudden' loss of several 'experienced members of staff' had contributed to the programme being called off this year, 50 years after it was founded in 1974. It comes after guidance from the Treasury, headed up by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, stated that 'extra-curricular activities which are educational in nature will be subject to VAT when provided by a private school' from January 1. And in addition to VAT, private schools with a charitable status will have to pay business rates on their buildings from April. Publishing its most recent accounts for 2023, Marlborough College said it had experienced another year of 'very strong' pupil numbers, exceeding 1,000. But it added: 'There is also the future threat on affordability with Labour's pledge to put 20 per cent VAT on school fees'. It said Marlborough Colleges Council was looking to try to mitigate this as much as possible. Fees for boarders already rose from 15,665 to 19,714 per term, or 59,142 per year, this academic year - including VAT. A spokesperson for Marlborough College said: 'We are sorry to announce that the Marlborough College Summer School will not take place in 2025. A series of factors have come together which mean that it would be impossible for the College to run this event efficiently and to our expected high standards. 'The additional taxation measures announced in the October Budget, including increases to National Insurance and to the National Minimum Wage, as well as the imposition of VAT on the majority of courses, make our current pricing model untenable. 'Unfortunately, this has coincided with the loss of several experienced members of the Summer School team creating a resourcing shortfall which would impact on the effective delivery of the event. 'Summer School has enjoyed 50 wonderful years and we hope that, by taking this short break, we can redesign this special event to ensure it can return for many years to come.' Keir Starmer was accused of preparing to 'cave in' to demands for the return of the Elgin Marbles today. The PM hosted Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis in No10 amid signs that the centuries-old dispute could be settled. The government insists it is an issue for the British Museum and Downing Street carefully avoided any reference to the marbles in a readout of the talks. But Greek officials have reportedly been hailing 'progress', suggesting that was why the meeting had taken place. Tories warned Sir Keir is appeasing the 'radical left', having already 'capitulated' by handing over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Critics argue that the artefacts were legitimately obtained, and have warned that conceding could set a dangerous precedent. The meeting between Sir Keir and Mr Mitsotakis has been billed as focusing on illegal migration, Ukraine and the Middle East crisis. But the Greek PM was widely expected to raise the fate of the Marbles, also known as the Parthenon Sculptures. Mr Mitsotakis has repeatedly pushed for the ancient artefacts to be returned to Athens from the British Museum. He used a BBC interview last year to claim keeping the 2,500-year-old sculptures in Britain was akin to cutting the Mona Lisa painting in half. The Greek premier's comments sparked a furious row with then-PM Rishi Sunak, who scrapped their planned talks despite Mr Mitsotakis having travelled to London. Keir Starmer is hosting Kyriakos Mitsotakis in No10 amid signs that the centuries-old dispute could be settled. Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to raise the long-running dispute over the Elgin Marbles, also known as the Parthenon Sculptures, when he meets Sir Keir Lord Elgin removed about half of the remaining sculptures from the ruins of the Parthenon between 1801 and 1805, before they entered the British Museum Sir Keir's meeting with Mr Mitsotakis follows reports that the Greek PM and Greek foreign minister, Giorgos Gerapetritis, have held 'private meetings' with British Museum bosses. They are said to have met with George Osborne, the museum's chair, and trustees up to three times this year about returning the Elgin Marbles. It has been claimed that, while Labour won't change a law that stops the British Museum permanently handing back the artefacts, Sir Keir could allow the 'loan' of some of the carvings to Athens. That could involve the Marbles being sent to Greece for a decade - although it is unclear whether Athens would tacitly accept the Museum's legal ownership. The fifth-century BC Parthenon sculptures were moved from Athens between 1801 to 1812 by the Earl of Elgin, when it was still part of the Ottoman Empire. The empire was crumbling at the time, with Greece securing independence in the following decades. The peer, who was the British ambassador, planned to set up a private museum before transferring them to the British Museum. Greece insists the artefacts were obtained illegally by Lord Elgin, but the UK is adamant that Lord Elgin had the permission of the Ottoman authorities. A 1963 law prevents the British Museum from permanently disposing of key items from its collection, although it would not stop a loan deal. The Elgin Marbles were made between 447BC and 432BC and decorated the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens Mr Osborne, the former Tory chancellor, has been pursuing a deal to temporarily return the marbles to Greece. He has previously expressed his hope an agreement can be reached with Athens that would see the sculptures sent back on loan to Greece in exchange for 'other treasures' coming to Britain. A Downing Street spokeswoman said Sir Keir began the meeting with Mr Mitsotakis by 'underlining the importance of the UK-Greece relationship and reiterated his ambition for closer working with partners across Europe'. 'The leaders agreed that there are strong opportunities to deliver growth for both countries across trade, investment, education and defence and they looked forward to strengthening this collaboration,' the readout said. 'On illegal migration, the Prime Ministers agreed to double-down on the joint action between the UK and Greece to tackle this shared challenge. 'Turning to global conflicts, they both underlined their unwavering support for Ukraine and reiterated the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza to enable regional stability in the Middle East. 'The Prime Minister welcomed Greece's Presidency at the UN Security Council next year as an opportunity to continue these important discussions. 'They agreed to stay in touch.' The readout from Athens also did not mention the marbles. But a Greek official told The Times: 'Progress for the return of the marbles has been made by the two sides and that is why Mitsotakis is meeting today with the British prime minister. Nothing is in hiding. Nothing is hidden.' Shadow culture minister Saqib Bhatti said: 'Sir Keir Starmer has already capitulated over the Chagos Islands, and now it appears he is set to cave in to the radical left and return the Elgin Marbles to Greece. 'The British Museum has cared for these precious artefacts for generations and given people from around the globe the chance to learn about their tremendous story. 'The marbles are protected by an act of Parliament - the PM needs to be clear that he will not allow the law to be changed and block any legal work around that might be devised to allow them to be taken out of this country 'The Prime Minister should be standing up for Britain, our heritage, and our world-class cultural institutions instead of giving in to pressure from campaigners who detest British history.' Ahead of Sir Keir's talks with Mr Mitsotakis, a Downing Street source stressed the issue of the Elgin Marbles is 'not going to be on the PM's agenda'. 'His focus will be on support for Ukraine, the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza,' the source added. 'Our position on the Elgin Marbles has not changed. It remains a matter for the British Museum and the Government has no plans to change the law that would permit a permanent move of the Parthenon Sculptures.' A desperate search has been launched for a 72-year-old American tourist believed to have fallen overboard from the Ruby Princess cruise ship. The man is feared dead after he disappeared during the ship's five-day voyage around Mexico that began on November 27. It is believed the US citizen, who has not been named, was travelling alone on the cruise. The search was launched when the Ruby Princess docked in San Francisco just before 7 am on Monday and the crew realized he was missing, the New York Post has reported. A spokesperson from the cruise ship said: 'Princess worked throughout the day with local authorities. 'CCTV footage has also been extensively reviewed and the ship was searched thoroughly several times without success. A desperate search has been launched for a 72-year-old American tourist believed to have fallen overboard from the Ruby Princess cruise ship (pictured in a file image from 2020) 'Having ruled out other possibilities, this is being treated as a man overboard incident.' A spokesperson for the California coastguard added: 'What information we have to go off kind of does make it a little more difficult. 'Searching a wide area of the ocean takes a lot of time, and a lot goes into that.' A fraudster whose gang bribed Tesco delivery drivers to stage accidents in a 1.3m 'crash for cash' scam against the supermarket has been jailed after having a friend appear as him in court because he was more 'confident'. The bribed delivery drivers staged car crashes and then claimed insurance payments - and were paid as little as 200 per 'accident'. Hotel receptionist Shahin Mouradi, 24, was one of dozens involved in the scam which the judge slammed as a type of 'organised crime' that pushes up prices on supermarket shelves, resulting in the 'cost of modern living being higher than it should be.' In total, 27 people, including the drivers, were hauled before the courts following a mammoth operation and Tesco won damages and costs payments totalling almost 2million from fraudsters. Each person was ordered to pay around 18,000. A group of around twelve drivers reportedly orchestrated over fifty orchestrated accidents, but Tesco's lawyers said they suspected that around 100 people were involved between 2019 and 2020. Mouradi, who was ordered to pay a total of over 60,000, has also now been jailed for 15 months for contempt of court. He lied about his involvement and getting a more 'confident' friend to impersonate him during a hearing in December 2020 in a bid to dodge justice. In one of her judgments on the case, the judge described it as 'a fraud and conspiracy of unprecedented scale, which has engaged this court in five weeks of continuous Tesco litigation.' The High Court heard the scam - described by lawyers as 'the UK's largest ever civil motor fraud operation' - had focused on Tesco's delivery depot in Greenford, west London. Hotel receptionist Shahin Mouradi, 24, was one of dozens involved in the scam which the judge slammed as a type of 'organised crime ' Mouradi, who was ordered to pay a total of over 60,000, has also now been jailed for 15 months for contempt of court after he made a friend pretend to be him in court In total, Tesco received 32 separate claims, with 19 being 'repudiated' without going to court and another 13 going before Judge Heather Baucher at Central London County Court over several weeks last year. Having uncovered the frauds, Tesco countersued 27 individuals in the 13 cases, with Judge Baucher awarding the company over 650,000 in damages, as well as costs of 1.25million against those involved. In Mouradi's case, he had claimed compensation as the owner of a Mercedes which was involved in a crash with a Tesco van in Enfield Road, Brentford, west London, in October 2019. As Tesco began to suspect the truth about the crash, Mouradi embarked on a campaign of dishonesty, enlisting a friend to impersonate him during a 2020 video link hearing in a bid to dodge justice. Mrs Justice Collins Rice said he had done so because he thought the man's 'maturity, leadership, confidence and familiarity with legal issues' could help him get out of his predicament. The man, claiming to be Mouradi, said he was unable to show his face on camera and instead conducted the hearing by voice alone as he falsely blamed others - including a respected law firm - for the fraudulent claim, which he said he knew nothing about. But alarm bells were raised by an observer, who told the judge that the man speaking was not Shahin Mouradi, with a voice recognition expert later saying there was 'extremely strong support' for a conclusion that it was not Mouradi who had spoken. Despite being found out, Mouradi continued to lie, insisting it was he who had spoken, and then lied again when he changed his story to say that, while he knew about the claim, he was not involved in the staged crash itself. He was ultimately found by Judge Baucher to have engaged in deceit and conspiracy in relation to the staged accident and ordered to pay Tesco abut 24,000 compensation and another 37,500 towards its lawyers' bills. Tesco then hauled him to the High Court, where he has now been jailed for 15 months for contempt of court in relation to his lies and his use of an impersonator. Sentencing him, the judge said Mouradi got mixed up in the sort of organised crime which 'drives up prices in supermarkets, increases insurance premiums and makes the cost of modern living higher than it should be.' The High Court heard the scam - described by lawyers as 'the UK's largest ever civil motor fraud operation' - had focused on Tesco's delivery depot in Greenford, west London In total, Tesco received 32 separate claims, with 19 being 'repudiated' without going to court and another 13 going before Judge Heather Baucher at Central London County Court 'Issuing a false compensation claim in the first place indicated a lack of honesty and a lack of respect for court proceedings,' she said. 'You tried to hide your wrongdoing by lying on oath and protesting that you knew nothing. Then you lied on oath with a new story trying to blame others. 'The impersonation itself was a flagrant and sustained deception of the court even without the subsequent lies about it on oath. 'This was a sustained course of lying on oath to the court, in pleadings and witness statements, and in oral evidence.' She said that, as his lies unravelled, instead of confessing, he had instead 'doubled down and got deeper and deeper into untruth,' embarking on a 'persistent and escalating course of conduct of trying to conceal wrongdoing.' 'This was an attack on justice itself,' she said. 'This is a course of conduct of high culpability, sustained over a protracted period of time. Episodes of impersonation, lying on oath and in the witness box constituted flagrant contempts in the face of the court. 'That and the making of a false witness statement in the contempt proceedings themselves mean the blameworthiness of this conduct is flagrant and self evident.' She concluded: 'The minimum sentence I am able to pass on you, commensurate with the seriousness of the course of conduct and in order to restore public confidence in justice and deter others from following your shocking example, is a period of imprisonment of 15 months.' Tesco's lawyers said that the numerous claims against it could have resulted in compensation payments totalling around 1.3m being made if it had not uncovered the scam. Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire is sworn in by California Supreme Court Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero with his wife, Erika, on Monday, the first day of the session at the state Capitol. McGuire said the proposed funding to combat Trump policies will help protect the progress of the Golden State. Hector Amezcua/Sacramento Bee State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, speaks during an oath of office ceremony for incoming San Francisco Board of Education member Phil Kim, in San Francisco, on Aug. 23. On Monday, Wiener introduced a bill to send funds to local organizations as part of a special legislative session to prepare for the incoming Trump administration. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle San Francisco Sen. Scott Wiener is proposing additional money for city attorneys and private legal aid organizations to combat President-elect Donald Trumps policies, on top of $25 million Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to send to the California attorney general. Wiener introduced a bill to appropriate the money on Monday as part of a special legislative session Newsom called to prepare for the incoming Trump administration. In a social media post, Wiener said the legislation would appropriate $25 million to legal aid organizations to help people fight deportation, $10 million to city attorneys and county counsels to defend against Trump, and $25 million to the attorney generals office to enforce the law when Trump violates it. We will fight like hell: California lawmakers kick off special session to combat Trump Advertisement Article continues below this ad Were in the calm before the storm and we know the hurricane force winds are about to hit from the incoming federal administration its time to get prepared and batten down the hatches, Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire, D-Geyserville, said in a statement. This funding will help protect the people, policies, and progress of the Golden State along with our nation-leading economy. Assembly Member Jesse Gabriel, D-Encino, introduced a similar bill in the Assembly to appropriate $25 million to the attorney general. Gabriels bill does not include additional funding for legal aid organizations or city attorneys. We know from President-elect Trumps statements and from the more than 120 lawsuits that California filed during the first Trump Administration that we must be prepared to defend ourselves, Gabriel wrote in a statement. Newsom has called for lawmakers to approve the attorney general funding but has not weighed in on Wieners additional funding proposals. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Defenders of the maligned Richard III have said a new discovery that experts suggested backs up the theory the Princes in the Tower were murdered is 'conjecture'. The 12-year-old King Edward V and his nine-year-old brother vanished without a trace in 1483, and their uncle Richard III has long been suspected of ordering their killings. A Channel 5 documentary airing tomorrow evening reveals for the first time a will that features one of the young Edward's prize possessions among its bequests. The previously overlooked will, which dates back to 1522, was found at the National Archives by Professor Tim Thornton, a fellow of the Royal Historical Society and deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Huddersfield. He presented his findings in a research paper published in the journal History, but critics remain unconvinced. The Richard III Society said in a statement yesterday that Professor Thornton's discovery 'cannot be deemed as evidence but conjecture'. Philippa Langley, the amateur-turned-professional historian who played a key role in the discovery of Richard III's remains beneath a Leicester car park in 2012 claimed the evidence is 'conjecture at best'. Last year she revealed the discovery of documents that she claimed suggested both of his nephews survived their imprisonment in the Tower of London and went on to assume the identities of two usurpers. Defenders of the maligned Richard III have said a new discovery that experts suggested backs up the theory the Princes in the Tower were murdered is 'conjecture' For centuries, the dominant belief has been that King Richard III had the boys murdered Lady Margaret Capell - the sister-in-law of one of the princes' alleged murderers - gave what she said was Edward's gold chain to her son, Giles Capell. According to Thomas More - the Lord Chancellor of King Henry VIII - her brother-in-law Sir James Tyrell played a key role in the deaths of the princes. Leading historian Tracy Borman, who is co-presenting The Princes in the Tower: A Damning Discovery with actor Jason Watkins, called the discovery - likely Edward's unique chain of office - 'hugely exciting' and says in the programme that it is a 'smoking gun'. Edward V - who was never crowned - and his brother were the sons of Edward IV, who died in 1483. After being declared illegitimate heirs by Richard III, then the Duke of Gloucester, the two princes were taken to the Tower of London and then vanished from the historical record. Richard then ruled as King until 1485, when he was killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field. Updated to modern English, Lady Margaret's will reads: 'Also, I bequeath to my son, Sir Giles, his father's chain which was young King Edward the V's.' It remains unclear how Lady Margaret, who was the widow of Sir William Capell, the two-time lord mayor of London, came into possession of Edward's chain. A Channel 5 documentary airing this evening evening reveals for the first time a will that features one of the young Edward's prize possessions among its bequests. The King's highly significant chain of office was part of the estate of Lady Margaret Capell, the sister-in-law of Sir James Tyrell, one of the princes' alleged murderers Philippa Langley, the amateur-turned-professional historian who played a key role in the discovery of Richard III's remains beneath a Leicester car park in 2012 claimed the evidence is 'conjecture at best'. Above: Ms Langley poses with a reconstruction of Richard's face, 2013 Tyrell was one of three brothers-in-law of Sir William. And the latter man's own will refers to business dealings with the Tyrells. They are know to have exchanged jewellery. Sir James was a member of Richard III's royal household. The discovery suggests that More's version of events, written down in his book The History of King Richard III, may not just be Tudor propaganda. He had claimed that Sir James employed two men, Miles Forest and John Dighton, to kill Edward V and Richard. But the Richard III Society, which says it works to 'secure a more balanced assessment of the king', issued a five-point rebuttal of the findings. They said there is 'no mention of the collar/chain in Sir Giles' will (1557) or those of his sons'. They also claimed Edward's chain 'may simply have been given to Sir William [Capell] as collateral for a loan', in his occupation as an 'important money lender'. The society added: 'We have no evidence to authenticate the chain as belonging to Edward V other than the will.' They continued: 'There is no evidence that the chain belonged to Sir James Tyrell.' Ms Langley said: 'This is William Capell's chain. There is no evidence that it was in the possession of Sir James Tyrell, or that Tyrell murdered the Princes in the Tower. 'When Sir William Stanley was executed in 1495 a gold chain was found amongst his belongings. 'This is said to have been his chain as Steward of Edward V (when Prince of Wales). No one has ever suggested that Sir William Stanley murdered Edward V because he kept his gold chain. 'Historians have to be very careful about what they present as "evidence". 'This is conjecture at best, which Professor Thornton acknowledges as such in his most recent academic paper. 'The Missing Princes Project will shortly be publishing more extraordinary archival discoveries for the survival of both Princes.' Professor Thornton says in his research: 'A previously overlooked reference to Edwards chain, in the possession of the Capell family early in the sixteenth century, illustrates the remarkably limited interest in Edward as a personality and in his fate in the years after his disappearance. 'And while there is a clear possibility that the chain came to the Capell family in some neutral way, as the kings property was distributed in the aftermath of Edwards disappearance, there is also the possibility that it came as a result of his murder and through the Capells connection with the alleged murderer, Sir James Tyrell.' Documents unearthed by Ms Langley's team of researchers last year indicated that Edward and Richard, the Duke of York, fled to Europe and assumed the identities of Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck, who are long known to have launched failed attempts to depose Henry VII in the late 15th century. Edward was believed to be Simnel, who was the central figure in the 1487 Yorkist invasion of England. Warbeck, who had initially claimed to be Richard, failed in a 1497 bid to claim the throne and then signed a confession admitting he was a boatman's son. The evidence was dismissed by some academic historians at the time. The previously overlooked will, which dates back to 1522, was found at the National Archives by Professor Tim Thornton, a fellow of the Royal Historical Society and deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Huddersfield The line in the will adds weight to the claim that Edward V and his brother were killed Edward V - who was never crowned - and his brother were the sons of Edward IV, who died in 1483. Above: A 19th century depiction of the murder of the princes In Shakespeare's play Richard III, the Machiavellian royal sends for his two nephews to be killed in the Tower of London (pictured) to get closer to the throne Actor Jason Watkins (centre) with his co-presenter, historian Tracy Borman and Professor Tim Thornton, the expert who unearthed the will's bombshell bequest Ms Langley first came to public prominence when the remains of Richard III were found beneath a car park in Leicester after she and others had led a years-long campaign. The keen amateur historian had had an interest in the much-maligned king since the late 1990s, when she read a biography which she said 'blew me away'. She was portrayed by Sally Hawkins in 2022 film The Lost King. The discovery in Leicester proved that Richard had curvature of the spine, as depicted by William Shakespeare in his play about the king. For years some experts have wanted to perform DNA tests on the remains of two children which have lain in a royal chapel in Westminster Abbey since the 17th century. The late Queen Elizabeth II refused permission for the bones to undergo any tests, on the grounds that they should not be disturbed The remains were buried in an urn that named them as Edward V and Prince Richard, after being found under a staircase in the Tower of London. The Princes in the Tower: A Damning Discovery airs tonight at 9pm on Channel 5. A married firefighter who met up and had sex with a schoolgirl said he was 'flattered' that she was interested in him but denied he had a sexual interest in children, a court heard. Scott Cameron, who told Liverpool Crown Court that he was dismissed from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service in February this year, is on trial accused of a series of child sex offences. The 39-year-old, of Harewell Road in Norris Green, is accused of telling a teenager, who he met when she was 13, that she was 'gorgeous' before instructing her to send him naked pictures of herself and arranging a meeting with her in the woods. The dad-of-three admits having engaged in sexual activity with the complainant - who the prosecution say he met when he and other officers attended a school open day in order to recruit new fire cadets - but maintains that he believed she was aged over 16. During his evidence to the court yesterday, Monday, December 2 Cameron told the court that he began to speak with the girl, who can't be named because of legal reasons, on Snapchat and WhatsApp shortly after a 'chance' encounter with her. He told the court the girl, who was not wearing school uniform, said to him she was 16 and in the sixth form at school. 'She looked the age she said she was,' saying he had no reason to doubt her. When asked by his legal counsel Kate Morley why he responded to the messages given he had a partner of 18 years and children, the defendant said: 'I suppose I was flattered that she took an interest in me.' Scott Cameron, 39, is accused of having sex with a girl after meeting her at her school open day when she was just 13 During his cross-examination of Cameron, prosecutor Steven Ball asked the defendant: 'Why would you be flattered by a schoolgirl?' Cameron responded: 'I didn't think she was a schoolgirl, I was classing her as a sixth form.' Mr Ball said: 'A sixth former wearing a uniform is a schoolgirl,' to which Cameron responded: 'I never saw her in a uniform.' The prosecutor continued: 'Are you trying to suggest it would be perfectly normal if she was 16?' Cameron said: 'No it was not morally correct, I didn't think I was breaking the law. I just thought it was talking but it was never my intention for it at this point.' He said after first meeting the girl in January 2023 he saw her five more times, having sex with her once and unsuccessfully on another occasion. When asked by Mr Ball why they stopped he said it was because of his family and the age gap. He also said the relationship had 'started to sour' after the complainant divulged to him that she had been sexually assaulted. He said she 'asked me to deal with them with violence, to kill them. I said it's not something I could do.' Cameron, who wore a white shirt and grey jumper and sported greying hair, told the court: 'I don't know why she told me, why couldn't she tell the police or her parents?' He added that she had told him not to tell anyone, but Mr Ball questioned if Cameron did not tell anyone because he was concerned about his relationship with the girl. Cameron denied this - and when asked if he cares about the girl added: 'I do and I did, it's pretty awful what she has had to go through...I should have helped her.' Mr Ball asked Cameron if he was embarrassed the girl had asked for help when he was also abusing her, to which he responded: 'I do not feel I was an abuser.' He added: 'It wasn't abusive. If I was abusive, why would she want to see me?' 'I have not done anything to harm her in abusive ways. I did not do anything that is abusive.' Mr Ball asked: 'Is asking a schoolgirl for nudes abusive or not', to which the defendant denied knowing she was a schoolgirl. 'In your world of her being 16, would that be abusive?' Cameron responded: 'I wasn't pressuring her.' The prosecutor said: 'Asking a 16-year-old for nude photographs is abusive,' with Cameron responding: 'It's not morally right.' Mr Ball also asked if Cameron was worried about his own mindset during his exchanges with the girl. Cameron said: 'I think I acted morally wrong and it took me time to realise that.' Mr Ball asked 'isn't morally wrong, abusive?' to which Cameron said 'yeah'. Cameron's trial is set to last a week at Liverpool Crown Court (pictured) - he denies 11 child sex offences Mr Ball referred Cameron to an answer he gave in a police interview when asked if he was attracted to young girls. The defendant told the police 'absolutely not'. The prosecutor said: 'That's absolutely not true is it, because you're attracted to her.' Cameron said: 'It's just a one off...she was the only person. There's never been a big age gap.' Following questions from Ms Morley earlier in the day, Cameron said he and the girl first met up in February 2023. The defendant said 'the plan was to go for a walk and take the conversation off the phone'. He added: 'I liked her, I liked her personality.' He said they met in the woods and kissed. When asked what sort of a kiss, he said 'it was a snog, yeah'. He would go on to meet the girl six times in total, he said, and had sex with her 'once at her home'. He said there was another unsuccessful attempt to have sex with her at her nan's house. When asked again what age he thought she was, he said 16. And when asked why he told the court: 'Because she told me she was 16 and I believed she was 16. I never had a reason to question it.' He told the court he last saw the girl in October 2023. When asked why he stopped seeing her, Cameron told the court: 'Because I had a partner, a family. It didn't sit well with me anymore. 'My moral judgement told me she was younger than me and it didn't seem the right thing to do because of the age gap.' During the prosecution's opening earlier last week, Mr Ball told the court Cameron met the girl when he and a number of other fire officers attended an open day at her school in order to recruit new fire cadets and as part of an ongoing project. One of the defendant's colleagues was said to have 'made an impression' on the pupils to such an extent that the teen and her friend made him a handwritten card which they later dropped off at a fire station. This letter 'complimented him for the job he did' and asked a series of questions about his role, as well as containing the complainant's phone number and their ages. Mr Ball said 'events took something of a sinister turn' around a month later, saying: 'Somehow, say the prosecution, Scott Cameron had got hold of her number and, in his messages to her, he was pretending to be someone else.' The court heard the pair exchanged messages and she was complimented on looking 'gorgeous'. Mr Ball said around a month later the defendant began asking her to send him photographs, with the girl recalling 'being abroad on holiday when she was asked for bikini pictures'. He told the court further requests were made for nude photographs, with requests then 'turned into threats'. Mr Ball added that around 10 months after he visited her school, Cameron 'told her who he actually was' after initially posing as his colleague. The court heard Cameron asked to meet the girl, with the pair meeting 'regularly' and, on one occasion, she 'snuck out' of her house and had sex with him in his car. But she later deleted his phone number after he apparently became 'argumentative' with her in his messages. During the prosecution's opening the court heard that 'sexual contact is admitted as having happened' by the defendant, with Mr Ball telling the jury: 'The focus of the trial will be on whether you are sure to reject that Scott Cameron reasonably believed that she was 16 at the time. 'The prosecution say that this was not a one-off or chance meeting where a single mistake could be made, but this is a case which is the chronicle of a man exercising his own choices, who knew exactly what he was doing and using all of his wider gained experiences as an adult to exploit an impressionable and obliging 13 or 14-year-old, a young girl who was the object of his attention.' Cameron denies a total of 11 sexual offences. The trial, before Judge David Swinnerton, continues. The son of a banker who was shot dead in front of him on his doorstep has said he still has nightmares about his father's murder. Andrew Wilson, then aged four, saw his father Alistair lying in a pool of blood after he was shot in Nairn in the Scottish Highlands on November 28, 2004. Mr Wilson said he is haunted by what happened on that day just over 20 years ago and has blanked out many of his childhood memories as a way of dealing with what happened. Speaking on Sky News, he said: 'All I saw was my dad on the floor in a pool of his own blood. My mum over him. I still get the image of my dad himself in nightmares and stuff from time to time. 'I blanked out a lot of my childhood memories, that was my way of dealing with it, just kind of closing the door on that kind of part of my life.' Mr Wilson was shot at about 7pm on after a man called at the family's home on Crescent Road, spoke to his wife Veronica, who had answered the door, and asked for her husband by name. The 30-year-old went downstairs to speak to the man and was handed a blue envelope with the word 'Paul' on it. He went inside briefly and then returned to the door for a second time where he was shot and died later that evening in hospital. Andrew Wilson, pictured with his father Alastair, has said he still has nightmares about his father's murder The son of the banker, pictured now aged 20, saw his father lying in a pool of blood after he was shot in Nairn in the Scottish Highlands in 2004 Police outside the Wilsons' home looking for clues to the killing The gun, a Haenel Suhl pocket pistol from the 1930s, was recovered from a drain near his home 10 days after his murder. In September, Scotland's top law officer Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC ordered a complete reinvestigation of the case with a new team of police officers and prosecutors. Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell has said officers have a 'resolute determination' to solve the murder but the Wilson family has questioned whether she is fit to lead the force. However, after the reinvestigation was launched the family said they have lost confidence in the police. Asked whether Ms Farrell should resign over the issue, Andrew Wilson said: 'There's no other option. I felt that if she can't get a grasp of what's going on, then how can she lead?' Ms Farrell said Police Scotland are committed to the investigation and urged anyone with information to contact them. She said: 'I would repeat our appeal that anyone with information please contact us, on 101 or through the dedicated online portal which can be found on our website. Murder victim Alistair Wilson pictured with his young sons A blue envelope similar to this one above was handed to Mr Wilson's wife Detective Inspector Gary Winter holds a replica of the gun, used in the killing of Alistair Wilson Murdered Nairn banker Alistair Wilson's house is pictured on the right and The Havelock Hotel in Nairn Andrew, pictured, said he is haunted by what happened on that day just over 20 years ago Andrew, pictured with his father, says he has blanked out many of his childhood memories as a way of dealing with what happened 'A new investigation team is in place and detectives will examine all evidence gathered over the last 20 years, as well as investigate new opportunities for fresh lines of inquiry, such as advances in technology and forensic testing. 'We are committed to this reinvestigation and I would underline our support for Alistair's family and our resolute determination to bring those involved in Alistair's murder to justice.' It comes after Ms Farrell spoke about the police determination to solve the case at a Scottish Police Authority Board meeting last Thursday, which was the 20th anniversary of the murder. Asked outside the meeting whether she will resign, Ms Farrell told Sky News: 'I won't be resigning. I am committed to us getting answers and finding the people responsible for the murder.' Police have launched a public portal where people can submit information about the murder which can be accessed at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/96HO020108N02-PO1. A transgender star was last night awarded Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards in London - squeezing out five women who had been shortlisted for the accolade. Alex Consani was given the title at a glittering ceremony in a category previously won by Kate Moss, Georgia May Jagger and Cara Delevingne. The 21-year-old's victory comes amid the BFC increasingly shortlisting a number of fashion names from LGBTQ and other 'underrepresented' groups for its awards. Only last year, black trans model Kai-Isaiah Jamal, who came out as a trans man in 2014, narrowly missed out after being pipped at the post by plus-size model Paloma Elsesser. Consani, who is 6ft, started modelling in 2015 and is known for having distinctive bleached hair and and eyebrows. The California-born star wore a ripped Union Flag dress by Turkish-British designer Dilara Findikoglu during the award acceptance speech and used the opportunity to honour multiple black transgender women such as model Connie Fleming who 'really fought for the space.. that allowed me to flourish today'. The other fashion stars who had been nominated were British model Alva Claire, Los Angeles-born Amelia Gray, Anok Yai - from South Sudan, Liu Wen, from China and Mona Tougaard - born to Danish-Turkish and Somali-Ethiopian parents. Yai voiced her support on social media following Consani's victory after many fans had tipped her - the second black model after Naomi Campbell to open a Prada show - for the win. Alex Consani is seen arriving at The Fashion Awards 2024. The 21-year-old's victory comes amid the BFC increasingly shortlisting a number of fashion names from LGBTQ and other 'underrepresented' groups for its awards Shortlisted (L-R): Mona Tougaard and Anok Yai. Tougaard was born to Danish-Turkish and Somali-Ethiopian parents and Yai is from South Sudan Alex Consani was given the title at a glittering ceremony in a category previously won by Kate Moss , Georgia May Jagger and Cara Delevigne The South Sudanese model said: 'If you have seen the effort that Ive seen Alex put in; you would understand how proud I am of her. But Alex can be proud and I can be exhausted at the same time. It doesnt take away how much love we have for each other.' The British Fashion Council (BFC) says the Model of the Year award 'recognises the global impact of a model who over the last 12 months has dominated the industry'. It added: 'With an influence that transcends the catwalk, the Model of The Year has made an outstanding contribution to the industry, garnering numerous editorial and advertising campaigns throughout the year.' The council is perhaps best known for its bi-annual London Fashion Week held routinely each February and September. It typically showcases the work of over 250 international designers and engages a worldwide audience. Previously dubbed Britain's answer to the Met Gala, the BFC's Fashion Awards this year was a far cry from 2019 where glitzy A-listers lined up to attend the event. Alongside models, the award also celebrates designers that take part in one of the BFC's support initiatives which include Newgen, the Vogue and GQ Fashion Funds and the BFC Fashion Trust. The Model of the Year winners' speech saw Consani joke with the audience, adding: 'I am the first trans model to win this award,' after being presented with the accolade by model Ashley Graham and Baby Reindeer star Nava Mau. Alex Consani poses backstage at The Fashion Awards 2024 presented by Pandora at Royal Albert Hall on December 2 Shortlisted models (L-R): Amelia Gray, Liu Wen and Alva Claire Consani continued: 'Now more than ever its an important conversation to be had, about how to support and uplift one another in this industry especially those who have been made to feel insignificant. 'Because change is more than possible, its needed, and this is a step in the right direction.' Elsewhere Moncler CEO Remo Ruffini won the Trailblazer Award for contribution to the fashion industry. Earlier in the evening, an animal rights demonstrator had stormed the red carpet to protest the fashion industry's use of feathers. It came just days after organisers of the event had announced it would become the first of the 'big four' fashion weeks to ban exotic animal skins on its runway. Performances were given through the night by Blondie singer Debbie Harry and Afrobeats star Wizkid. Among the notable attendees of the night were Rita Ora and Venus Williams, the former receiving much interest for her rather unusual choice of a sports punk inspired blonde mullet and oversized suit. Ellie Goulding, Myleene Klass and Laura Whitmore were also deemed among the worst dressed of the night as they failed to impress with their huge white sleeping bag style coats and unusual black bodice gowns. Rita Ora attends The Fashion Awards 2024. She received much interest for her rather unusual choice of a sports punk inspired blonde mullet and oversized suit Ellie Goulding (L) lead the stars failing to impress with their looks as they hit the red carpet at the 2024 Fashion Awards in London on Monday evening. Meanwhile Laura Whitmore (R) also turned heads for all the wrong reasons Elsewhere Myleene, 46, seemingly missed the dress coat all together for the swanky bash and turned up in skimpy white hot pants and a matching crop top Performances were given through the night by Blondie singer Debbie Harry (pictured) and Afrobeats star Wizkid News of the historic British Fashion Awards follows Consani also making history in October, becoming the first trans model along with Valentina Sampaio to appear on the runway at the Victorias Secret Fashion Show. The in-demand fashion star's whirlwind career has most recently included walking in around 20 shows for the fall/winter 2024 fashion season, being courted by some of the most high-profile fashion houses and haute couture brands like Marc Jacobs and Mugler. The BFC and a representative of Alex Consani have been contacted for comment. A family GP who kept his job despite being on the Sex Offender Register for groping a receptionist has been struck off after leaving a female patient in tears over an 'inappropriate' medical examination. Dr Sanjay Chatterjee, 60, had previously walked free from court and escaped with a nine-month suspension from work after he twice grabbed a receptionist by the bottom and later attempted to kiss her in three separate encounters. But he was reported to police and the General Medical Council again after he inserted a medical implement inside a woman's vagina without her consent while examining her for suspected haemorrhoids. She was left in shock and burst into tears as she told her family about the consultation and subsequently called police to claim she had been sexually assaulted. Inquiries revealed married father-of-two Chatterjee had ignored police restrictions on his movements under the terms of the Sex Offender Register by repeatedly flying abroad using a new passport. At the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, Chatterjee who lives in the village of Larkfield near Aylesford, Kent, was ordered to have his name erased from the doctor's register after he was found guilty of serious professional misconduct. A panel said his examination of the patient was 'inappropriate and not clinically indicated', but cleared him of sexually motivated conduct. No criminal action was taken against him over the examination. Dr Sanjay Chatterjee, 60, who kept his job despite being on the Sex Offender Register for groping a receptionist has been struck off after leaving a female patient in tears over an 'inappropriate' medical examination Dr Chatterjee (pictured with wife Sumona) was found guilty of serious professional misconduct Chatterjee was initially reported to police in 2010 and charged with sexual assault after the receptionist at a clinic in Medway and a second woman made complaints about him. The receptionist said she was working a Saturday shift at the out of hour's service clinic when Chatterjee put his hand on her right buttock while she was sitting in reception leaning forward toward her computer. Initially the receptionist did not want to make a complaint, but later while looking for a diclofenac injection in a dispensary Chatterjee was said to have stood 'uncomfortably close behind her'. When she turned to ask for help, she found him about 12 inches away from her face. He started to talk about her jewellery, and grabbed her shoulders in an attempt to kiss her. She escaped by raising her arms in a 'trained conflict resolution move.' At Maidstone Crown Court in 2011, Chatterjee was convicted of sexually assaulting the receptionist and was given 250 hours unpaid work, ordered to pay 1,000 costs and was ordered to sign the Sex Offender Register for five years. He was cleared of seven sex charges involving the second woman after he insisted they were having an affair. Chatterjee was convicted at Maidstone Crown Court (pictured) of sexually assaulting a receptionist at his practice in 2011 At the time, Chatterjee's loyal wife Sumona, an NHS manager told their local newspaper said: 'He been made to look as if he's a perverse and perverted man but he isn't. He made one silly mistake and that's it.' Chatterjee himself said: 'I betrayed my wife and family and I am quite ashamed about that - but what has been done cannot be undone. 'When she heard I had cheated on her she became angry and it was hell. The whole house was in complete shock - it was darkness.' Chatterjee was temporarily banned from treating patients in July 2014 despite the GMC calling for him to be struck off. By March 2015 he was allowed to work again under supervision and eventually returned to unrestricted practice. But he was back in court again after he was caught flying to Kolkata in India and also Portugal in 2016 as he needed permission from the authorities if he wished to travel abroad and notify them of any changes to his passport. Inquiries revealed the trips had been booked using a new passport and he was given 84 days in prison, suspended for a year, and was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay 200 costs for failing to comply with notification requirements. The latest allegation against Dr Chatterjee occurred at the Aylesford Medical Centre in May 2021 The latest incident occurred at the Aylesford Medical Centre in May 2021 when a female patient known as Ms A was admitted for ulcerative colitis and rectal bleeding. She said Dr Chatterjee asked her to get on the examination couch before he picked up a speculum and squeezed lubricant gel on it. Recalling the examination Ms A said: 'He never went into detail about any of what he was going to do - he just kind of got on with it. I went a little bit tense as it was a little bit sore. 'He put it in had a look around and said: 'I can't see anything in there, maybe they're further up.' I thought 'Oh that's it now' but in the next second he just put it straight into my vagina with no warning, no explanation, nothing. 'I was just so shocked I really didn't know how to react to it at all. He didn't explain it to me.' A student nurse who witnessed the examination said: 'I remember Dr Chatterjee's communication was really poor. 'He didn't have an introduction with her at the start of the appointment, he didn't say hello, ask how she was, invite her to take a seat or explain what was going to happen in the appointment. He just said: 'OK get undressed.' Chatterjee (pictured with wife Sumona) was temporarily banned from treating patients in July 2014 despite the GMC calling for him to be struck off An expert assigned to investigate the incident later said: 'I can see no reason why a vaginal examination was clinically indicated or appropriate, given the presenting symptoms were bowel related and seemed to have nothing to do with her vagina.' And for the GMC, Ms Jade Bucklow said: 'Patient A was left confused and feeling violated. She contacted friends and family in a distressed state and subsequently had to give evidence to the police so that they could consider whether she had been sexually assaulted. 'All of this arose from Dr Chatterjee's failure to obtain informed consent for intimate examinations and the carrying out of a vaginal examination that was inappropriate and not clinically indicated.' Chatterjee did not attend the hearing but in a statement said he had no intention of returning to medical practice. He added: 'I accept that I carried out the rectal examination of the patient. A chaperone was present. If there was any contact with the patient's vagina then this was unintentional.' His counsel Martin Forde KC said: 'The doctor resumed his career with no complaints other than the single patient in this case. 'There was no repetition of any sexually motivated behaviour [from] 2011 to 2024, a period of 13 years. 'The proven charges relate to one patient and one consultation. Clearly, the Panel have found communication could have been better, but such a failure is easily remediable.' But MPTS chairman Mr Graham White said: ' Dr Chatterjee's failure to obtain Patient A's informed consent caused her emotional harm, leaving her in shock and distress and feeling as if she had been violated. Both Patient A's daughter and friend described her as being distressed and in tears when she discussed what had happened to her. 'The fact Dr Chatterjee's registration had previously been suspended in relation to a 2011 conviction for sexual assault against a colleague was a significant aggravating factor. 'There was no evidence that Dr Chatterjee understood the nature or gravity of his misconduct and convictions and there was no evidence of any attempts by him to address or remediate them. 'There were no expressions of regret or apology.' France is heading for 'chaos' and a financial crisis equal to Greece's 2008 collapse, a minister has warned. Bruno Retailleau issued the dire warning on Tuesday as no-confidence motions in Prime Minister Michel Barnier were presented to the National Assembly. The right-wing populist National Rally (RN) has pledged to support far-left MPs from the New Popular Front coalition, meaning Mr Barnier has little chance of survival after just three months in office. 'We are in a critical moment for France,' Mr Retailleau told TF1. 'We risk chaos, we risk a financial crisis' similar to the 'public debt crisis in Greece in 2008.' The crisis in Greece following the worldwide 2008 financial crash came after the country borrowed more money than it was able to make via taxes, resulting in a spiralling spending deficit. Greece had to be bailed out by the European Union and International Monetary Fund, which sent three packages totalling 259billion in 2010. The country implemented drastic austerity measures afterwards. Its economy has started to recover and even slowly started growing, even though it is 25 per cent smaller than when the crisis began and it will take years for Greece to pay back its debt equaling 180 per cent of its GDP, according to the BBC. This comes as Mr Barnier pushed through a controversial new social security budget by using a presidential decree while bypassing parliament - a move which triggered two no-confidence votes to be discussed this week that will likely topple his government. Bruno Retailleau issued the dire warning on Tuesday, as no-confidence motions in prime minister Michel Barnier (pictured) were presented to the National Assembly 'We are in a critical moment for France,' Bruno Retailleau (pictured) told TF1. 'We risk chaos, we risk a financial crisis' similar to the 'public debt crisis in Greece in 2008' This comes as Mr Barnier pushed through a controversial new social security budget by using a presidential decree while bypassing parliament - a move which triggered two no-confidence votes to be discussed this week that will likely topple his government 'It is not those who are rich who are the first to be impacted, it is the most modest, the most fragile,' Mr Retailleau said about the new social security budget. 'And during this time we have a part of the political class playing Russian roulette. Let's wake up and prevent what seems inevitable chaos.' Mr Retailleau was particularly critical of Marine Le Pen, of the RN, saying she was 'totally irresponsible irresponsible because she is going to mix her votes and those of her deputies with those of the far-Left.' Pushing the measure through via presidential decree is perfectly legal under Article 49.3 of the French Constitution, but the move has been viewed as an attack on democracy. President Emmanuel Macron frequently uses such decrees to get unpopular legislation on to the statute book, leaving his lieutenants to take the criticism. Mr Barnier's budget bill was designed to rein in France's spiraling public deficit through 50billion (60billion) in tax hikes and spending cuts, but was slammed by Ms Le Pen and others as being 'deeply unfair' to the French people. Explaining why he pushed through the policies without a parliamentary vote, Mr Barnier told the National Assembly in a dramatic speech Monday afternoon: 'The situation is serious, the immediate daily lives of the French are at stake.' 'We will vote no confidence,' the hard-right National Rally party said on X. 'We are tabling a motion of censure and we will vote for the censure of the government,' confirmed Marine Le Pen, the party's leader in parliament. French hard-right leader and member of parliament Marine Le Pen, President of the French far-right National Rally 'The French have had enough,' she told reporters. 'Maybe they thought with Michel Barnier things would get better, but they were even worse.' Ms Le Pen, the RN's designated presidential candidate, previously said that Mr Barnier's 40 billion (33billion) in spending cuts and 20billion (16bn) in tax hikes would be a disaster. In turn, Mr Barnier, the former EU Brexit negotiator, described the measures as essential if France is to control its deficit, which is projected to hit 6.1 per cent this year. In a dramatic speech to the National Assembly Monday afternoon, Mr Barnier said he had 'reached the end of dialogue' with opposition parties, and that 'at this moment of truth', 'it is time to act to implement Article 49.3' of the Fifth Republic Constitution. Two motions of no-confidence will be debated in the National Assembly in Paris from 4pm tomorrow, Wednesday, with a vote at around 7pm. This means that Michel Barnier could be out of power by Thursday the three month anniversary of President Macron appointing him Prime Minister. No French government has been forced out by such a vote since 1962 and it would make Mr Barnier, 73, the shortest-serving prime minister in the history of the Fifth Republic. Mr Barnier, the former EU Brexit negotiator, is Mr Macron's fifth prime minister in seven years. President of Rassemblement National parliamentary group Marine Le Pen gestures during the voting session on the draft of the Social Security bill 2025 at the National Assembly RN spokesman Jean-Philippe Tanguy on Tuesday said his party's decision to try and bring down the Barnier government was designed 'to protect the French'. He added: 'The budget was dangerous and toxic for France and did not respect the red lines that had been set.' Mr Tanguy said his party the largest in the National Assembly was not supporting the far-Left, but 'defending the national interest'. The RN's position is complicated by a court case against Ms Le Pen and other senior party figures over the alleged embezzlement of millions of pounds worth of cash from the EU. If the judgment, due in March, goes against the RN, Le Pen is facing prison, and could be barred from standing for political office in the next five years, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential election. The New Popular Front alliance won the most seats in the National Assembly during a snap election called by President Macron in June, but has not been allowed to play any part in government since. Nigel Farage has warned the eruption of a new phase in Syria's civil war could trigger a fresh wave of refugees and urged the government to pull out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to allow migrant deportations. The Reform UK leader told The Telegraph yesterday: 'We must protect ourselves from the stupidity of the EU and leave the ECHR or face yet more waves of young men coming to the UK.' His warning came shortly after Peter Ford, Britain's former ambassador to Syria, told LBC that the rebel uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime could lead to a 'flood' of refugees headed for Europe. Islamist-led rebel groups burst out of their stronghold in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib last week and surged into the neighbouring regions of Aleppo and Hama, taking Assad's forces by surprise. Farage claims the UK's adherence to the ECHR prevents Westminster from combatting immigration because migrants can challenge their removal from the UK at the European Court of Human Rights. But experts say this is not necessarily the case, pointing out that the court can only step in under very specific circumstances. 'The European Court of Human Rights can block deportations only in cases where there is evidence that a person can suffer very serious harm by being returned to a third country,' Ilias Trispiotis, professor of human rights law at the University of Leeds, told EuroNews and EuroVerify. 'Even if the UK decided to withdraw from the ECHR, state authorities would still not be able to deport any migrants they want to third countries because of other international law, treaties and obligations outside the ECHR,' Trispiotis said. Leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage is seen while attending a Reform UK press conference on November 28, 2024 Displaced Syrian Kurds ride vehicles loaded with belongings on the Aleppo-Raqqa highway as they flee areas on the outskirts of the northern city of Aleppo which were formerly controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), after they were seized by Islamist-led rebels on December 2, 2024 Displaced Syrians are seen fleeing Aleppo as fighting rages between rebel and government forces Your browser does not support iframes. Syrian government forces loyal to Assad were caught off guard, retreating hastily and abandoning stockpiles of Russian and Iranian-supplied military hardware eagerly seized by the advancing rebels. Some say the fresh offensive is a sharp but short-lived uprising that Assad's forces, with backing from his Russian and Iranian allies, will crush swiftly. But many others believe this could prove a new chapter in Syria's torrid history that could finally see Assad's reign brought to a violent conclusion some 13 years after the first uprisings that triggered civil war. That scenario could see Syria descend even further into chaos with rival factions, regional powers, and global players like Russia and the US vying for influence - while the nation's long-suffering civilians carry the cost. Syria has been at war since President Assad cracked down on pro-democracy protests in 2011, with subsequent fighting that has involved foreign powers and jihadists leaving an estimated half a million people dead. In addition to the shocking death toll, figures revealed earlier this year by the UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) revealed that more than 14 million Syrians have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety since the conflict erupted and triggered one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. More than 7.2 million Syrians remain internally displaced in their own country, and approximately 5.5 million Syrian refugees are living in the five countries neighbouring Syria - Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt. Germany is the largest non-neighbouring host country with more than 850,000 Syrian refugees thanks largely to former Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to pursue an 'open-border' migration policy in 2015 that is now a highly divisive topic in German politics. Germany earlier this year introduced strict border controls in an effort to reduce unchecked illegal immigration. By comparison, between 2014 and June 2024, around 59,000 asylum seekers were resettled or relocated to the UK through various schemes. Around 20,000 of these were Syrians resettled between 2014 and 2020, according to UK Parliament figures. Farage claims the UK's adherence to the ECHR prevents Westminster from combatting immigration because migrants can challenge their removal from the UK at the European Court of Human Rights - but legal experts have disputed his argument Soldiers of Syrian National Army (SNA) is continuing its advance in the Tel Rifaat district Smoke rises after the airstrikes by warplanes of the Assad regime and Russian forces on Idlib province, Syria UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday he was 'alarmed' by the escalation of violence in Syria and called for an immediate end to fighting that his organisation says has displaced nearly 50,000 people in less than a week. 'All parties must do their utmost to protect civilians and civilian objects, including by allowing safe passage to civilians who are fleeing hostilities,' Guterres's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. 'Syrians have endured the conflict for nearly 14 years. They deserve a political horizon that will deliver a peaceful future, not more bloodshed,' he added. The conflict had been mostly dormant with Assad back in control of much of the country until Wednesday, when a rebel alliance led by Islamist armed groups began its offensive. Syria's military and its ally Russia have responded with deadly air raids on areas under rebel control. The fighting has killed more than 457 people, including at least 72 civilians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. As of November 30, more than 48,500 people had been displaced in Idlib and northern Aleppo, more than half of them children, the UN's humanitarian agency OCHA said on Monday, adding that the situation was highly fluid. 'Tens of thousands of people on the move; critical services interrupted; women, men and children fearing for safety,' OCHA chief Tom Fletcher said on X, describing the situation as 'worrying.' 'Syrians have already endured over 13 years of suffering. All sides must do more to protect civilians.' The number of displaced was a steep increase from the 14,000 people reported on 28 November. And according to Dujarric, UN peacekeeping operations in the country have been 'largely suspended' across Aleppo, Idlib and Hama due to security concerns. Britain could face another weekend wracked by storms as forecasters have given an 'early heads up' for strong gusts, heavy rain and ice. While it's not officially Storm Darragh just yet - a deep low pressure system is set to cause havoc as it rolls across the country. Even over the rest of the week, rain, winds and low temperatures are set to turn skies grey across the country - with wet weather hitting Wales and England tomorrow. It comes as Scotland has already been issued a Yellow weather warning for ice across much of Scotland from tonight into tomorrow morning. Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Chris Bulmer, said: 'At this time is looks like the unsettled conditions will continue into the weekend with a deep low-pressure system probably crossing the UK into Saturday bringing strong winds and rain to some areas. 'Weather warnings will be issued as the details of the developments and hazards become clearer. 'Given the potential for disruption from this system it is important to keep up to date with the latest forecast.' Rain, snow and ice have already sparked a yellow weather warning, with transport disruption expected in areas of Scotland tonight. The BBC went so far as to give an early warning for potential storms at the weekend Even over the rest of the week, rain, winds and low temperatures are set to turn skies grey across the country - with wet weather hitting Wales and England tomorrow. Pictured: Rain in Westminster on Sunday Rain, snow and ice have already sparked a yellow weather warning, with transport disruption expected in areas of Scotland tonight Over the following day, strong winds of as much as 75mph are also forecast in parts of north and northwest Scotland, sparking another yellow warning. The BBC went so far as to give an early warning for potential storms at the weekend. They said there were 'signs that a rapidly developing low pressure system will cross the UK Friday into Saturday'. Once the low-pressure system has cleared the country the Met Office said that it looks likely that colder northerly air will again push down across the UK from the north. Icy conditions, freezing fog and widespread frost are expected today, with snow due to hit some parts of the country early this week. In rural Scotland, temperatures could dip as low as -8C (18F), while lows of -2C (28F) or -3C (27F) are likely in rural areas across England. Even in towns and cities, overnight temperatures are set to plummet to a chilly 1C (33F) as Arctic air moves in. Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Steve Ramsdale, said: 'Northerly winds are bringing chillier weather across the UK through Tuesday. Drivers travel through deep floodwater along a country lanes in Dunsden, Oxfordshire, amid Storm Conall Vehicles make a splash as they are driven through floodwater on Euston Road in London during Storm Conall 'This brings the likelihood of some snow over higher ground in Scotland and northern England at times on Tuesday as well as a widespread frost here, particularly on Monday night.' This weekend's mild weather saw temperatures as high as 16.4C (61.5F) in Cardiff because winds brought milder air from the south and south west, the Met Office said. Last week, the country was battered by Storm Conall, with the week before bringing Storm Bert. Conall badly disrupted rail services across southern England with up to 2in (50mm) of rain across the Isle of Wight. Storm Bert caused major flooding in late November with heavy snow, seven inches of rain and 82mph winds. Five were killed, while homeowners and businesses said they had 'lost everything' as flash floods and strong winds wreaked havoc. A woman whose estranged husband brutally murdered her was failed by police, an inquest has heard. Lucy-Anne Rushton, 30, was 'failed' by officers who visited her just weeks before her death at the hands of Shaun Dyson, Lucy's mother Myra Simpson said. She also hit out at hospital staff for not noticing her daughter's domestic abuse injuries when she sought treatment, saying she had 'lost trust' in organisations that should have helped her. Ms Rushton was killed on June 23, 2019, after Dyson kicked, punched and stamped on her as she lay on the ground, leaving her with 37 rib fractures, a broken breastbone and collapsed lungs. An inquest jury was told this week that the month prior to the 'violent and horrific' fatal attacks her brother went to police to report Dyson for taking photos of himself sexually abusing his wife on her 30th birthday. The year before, cops were called to an altercation between the couple at a hotel in Bournemouth when they were overheard arguing in their room with Dyson calling the mother of five a 'drunken slut'. One guest found cleaning manager Ms Rushton in the corridor with her face and hands covered in blood and got the attention of security, the jury at Winchester Coroner's Court in Hampshire heard. Lucy-Anne Rushton (right), 30, who was murdered by her husband is pictured with her mother Myra Simpson, who this week told an inquest police officers 'failed' her daughter In June 2019, Dyson killed Ms Rushton in an early morning assault at her home in Andover, Hampshire, while children were present at the house The jury was told these incidents were part of a history of abuse by Dyson, with other incidents witnessed by family and friends where he attacked Ms Rushton. The inquest also heard that he once jumped out at her from behind some bins and said that was how easy it would be to kill her. In June 2019, Dyson killed Ms Rushton in an early morning assault at her home in Andover, Hampshire, while children were present at the house. Ms Simpson told the inquest she was 'especially angry' about the Bournemouth altercation and that officers 'did not do their jobs properly'. In a statement read by the coroner's officer, Patrick Parker, she said: 'I do not think police protected Lucy, I am especially angry about the incident in Bournemouth. 'They did not do their jobs properly, the same can be said for the police who saw Lucy just before she died. I have lost trust in these organisations. 'Lucy was failed by so many different professionals who could have stepped in. 'Lucy went to the hospital several times, I want to know why the hospital did not notice the injuries could have been domestic violence. 'I want to know if both forces complied with their policies on domestic violence. 'Why did the police not consider prosecuting [Dyson] without evidence from Lucy herself? 'What changes have police made to better protect women from their abusive partners?' Ms Simpson also told the inquest that Ms Rushton had been in previous abusive relationships and had lost contact with some of her children, which meant she feared losing custody again if she complained about Dyson. She said: 'Losing touch with her babies was very difficult for Lucy, it showed her kids could be taken away and she lived in fear this could happen again. 'This added to her worry that if she talked about [Dyson] or complained she would lose her children. Shaun Dyson launched a fatal attack on Ms Rushton, leaving her with 37 rib fractures, a broken breastbone and collapsed lungs 'The abuse she suffered meant Lucy changed from the girl I knew. My son, Luke, went to the police to report abuse Lucy was suffering. 'Police went to see Lucy the next day but the investigation never went anywhere. 'Lucy's death has affected me and my family... I used to see her every weekend, I miss those moments I had with my daughter every single day.' Outlining events to the jury, assistant coroner for Hampshire Darren Stuart said the attack that killed Ms Rushton was 'violent and horrific'. He said: 'On September 8, 2018, police attended the Britannia Hotel in Bournemouth, that involved an altercation between Ms Rushton and Dyson. 'The following year on May 30, 2019, Ms Rushton's brother, Luke Simpson, made a report to Hampshire Constabulary that she had been physically and sexually assaulted by Dyson. 'Ms Rushton was visited by police as a result of those allegations, you will hear evidence of the police dealing with that and attending Ms Rushton's home. 'You will also hear evidence from witnesses... about comments and observations made and whether any action was taken as a result of that. 'Finally, on June 23, 2019, Ms Rushton was subject to a violent and horrific assault at their home in Andover, as a result of the injuries Ms Rushton suffered she sadly passed away. 'Police and ambulance attended and Ms Rushton was pronounced deceased at the scene.' A tribute from Ms Rushton's family was read out at the inquest by the coroner's officer, Mr Parker. Ms Rushton's son, also called Luke, 19, said: 'My mum was a very caring person, I have really happy memories of her taking us on holiday to Spain. 'I will remember her as someone who made people laugh, she was a brilliant mum.' The tribute continued: 'Lucy was killed in the most disturbing way. All we have is memories and photos.' 'She was the best mum and loved her children more than anything in the world. [Dyson] has destroyed and divided our family.' Dyson was convicted of Ms Rushton's murder and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 17 years. The inquest - which is expected to last three weeks - continues. A glamorous entrepreneur has won over 50k in compensation after she was criticised for taking working holidays to Bali and Australia while in charge of her own beauty company. Hayley Harvey-Smith, who founded a successful beauty school, came under fire over her month-long stay in Bali and Australia as well as trips to Paris and high-end ski resort Val d'Isere in France. The businesswoman, who earned up to 220,000 a year, could take leave 'as and when she desired' as she was director and she told a tribunal she worked while abroad. Mrs Harvey-Smith, 40, did not face any flack at the time of the trips, but when she sold her shares months later the new business owner criticised her over them and sacked her in a 'sham' redundancy. The new owner, ex-bookkeeper Mark Thompson, 50, argued if Mrs Harvey-Smith was a 'true employee' she would have been disciplined for 'the manner in which she took annual leave or worked from abroad'. But, an employment tribunal in Scotland found that apart from the Val d'Isere visit, all of the trips were working holidays and Mrs Harvey-Smith did not breach any employment rules. Mrs Harvey-Smith has now won 51,293 in compensation after suing GlamCandy UK for unfair dismissal and accrued but unpaid holiday. The employment tribunal, held in Edinburgh, heard Mrs Harvey-Smith and her sister in law founded the business GlamCandy in 2011 but she went on to have sole control over it. Hayley Harvey-Smith, who founded a successful beauty school, came under fire over her month-long stay in Bali and Australia as well as trips to Paris In January and February 2023, the business owner took a month long trip to Bali and Australia - but spent much of that time working She also took time out to go visit a high-end ski resort Val d'Isere in France in March 2023 The company, which started in Edinburgh, is a makeup school which offers accredited courses across the UK in makeup artistry. Mrs Harvey-Smith's primary duties and responsibilities related to marketing and she was regarded at the 'boss' and 'master' of the beauty business. Among other roles, she helped develop the education centres, ran social media, and sourced items for the makeup kits. It was heard Mrs Harvey-Smith, who had invested her own money into the business, was the 'most senior' person in the beauty business and in the absence of a board, did not report to anyone. And, while her contract outlined set hours of work, Mrs Harvey-Smith often worked 'in excess' of these, often starting as early as 5am and working late into the evenings, as well as weekends. The tribunal heard the entrepreneur was entitled to take 25 days annual leave as per her contract but ultimately took time off 'as and when she desired', often working while abroad. On January 22 of 2023, the business owner took a month long trip to Bali and Australia - but spent much of that time working. A tribunal report said: 'An area of dispute was a lengthy trip [she] took to Bali and Australia in January and February 2023 with [Mrs Harvey-Smith] asserting she was working while abroad. 'Her evidence was that when she was in Bali and Australia she was undertaking marketing tasks, scheduling ads, linking these with the website, writing and editing stories for Instagram.' A month after her holiday to Val d'Isere, France, she went on a work trip to Paris The tribunal accepted Mrs Harvey-Smith's evidence and ruled that she did not take time 'in excess of her annual leave entitlement in 2023' In March 2023 she went on holiday to Val d'Isere, France, and the following month she went on a work trip to Paris. By the summer of last year, the business was experiencing 'financial distress' so in June 2023, she sold her shares of the business to Mr Thompson, an accountant who worked with the firm for many years. As part of the exchange, she resigned from her office of director but continued to undertake work as usual with the business, it was heard. The tribunal noted that there was 'no noticeable change' in the work done by Mrs Harvey-Smith, and Mr Thompson did not assume the role of managing director. Out of the blue, on December 4 last year, Mr Thompson's newly appointed director sent Mrs Harvey-Smith a letter with the heading 'notice of redundancy'. Employment Judge Eleanor Mannion said this letter set out a 'false narrative' relating to redundancy in which due process was not followed. 'A genuine redundancy scenario did not exist,' the judge said. It was heard that the redundancy and notice payments referred to in the letter were not paid to Mrs Harvey-Smith and her sacking was made 'without any input or consultation' from the entrepreneur. And, Mrs Harvey-Smith tried to appeal this decision - but GlamCandy bosses did not organise a hearing so she ultimately lost her 'right of appeal'. Mrs Harvey-Smith sued GlamCandy for unfair dismissal. Glam Candy, which started in Edinburgh, is a makeup school which offers accredited courses across the UK in makeup artistry During the hearing, Mr Thompson tried to argue that Mrs Harvey-Smith was 'not acting as an employee would have' in relation to her annual leave but this was heavily disputed by the entrepreneur. He said that he was not able to 'discipline' her because of a 'lack of control over her'. It was argued that Mrs Harvey-Smith, who was involved in other businesses, had breached a clause in her 'handbook' called 'moonlighting', which stated employees are not allowed to work for company's which compete with GlamCandy. But, this was dismissed by the judge, who said the handbook is a contractual document and Mrs Harvey-Smith did not work 'in contravention' with this. The panel noted an 'area of dispute' regarding the Bali and Australia trip and accepted that 'this was a working trip rather than annual leave'. The tribunal accepted Mrs Harvey-Smith's evidence and ruled that she did not take time 'in excess of her annual leave entitlement in 2023'. Upholding her claims, Judge Mannion said Mrs Harvey-Smith lost her job in a 'sham redundancy'. 'There was no genuine redundancy situation, a redundancy consultation or process had not been followed and [Mrs Harvey-Smith] had not been fairly selected for redundancy,' the judge said. 'In the absence of a fair reason for dismissal, I find that [Mrs Harvey-Smith's] dismissal on 4 December 2023 was unfair in law.' Mrs Harvey-Smith is now involved with other businesses. GlamCandy UK told MailOnline the company is planning to lodge an appeal against the decision. MailOnline has approached Mrs Harvey-Smith for comment. Snowflake Inc., which offers cloud-based data storage and analytics services, has signed a large lease of office space in Menlo Park. NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images Snowflake Inc. has agreed to lease space at 150 Independence Drive in Menlo Park. Google Street View In the biggest office real estate leasing deal in the Bay Area since the pandemic, Snowflake Inc. has subleased a 773,000-square-foot campus in Menlo Park from Meta, the parent company of Facebook. The cloud-based data storage giant, which employs 7,000 workers, said it will take over the four-building campus at 125-135 Constitution Drive and 100-150 Independence Drive, part of the Menlo Gateway project owned by Bohannon Cos. S.F. Bay Area property map: Heres who owns every building in the region Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a statement Warrick Taylor, Snowflakes vice president of workplace and real estate, confirmed the lease and said the expansion was driven by the fact that the Bay Area has been at the heart of technology and innovation for decades, creating an environment that celebrates innovation and creativity that drives our society forward. The company said many of the most data-driven enterprises, leading startups, and best talent in the world are based here so its a natural fit. Meta declined to comment. The lease is significant not only because of its sheer size at a time when many companies have been looking to unload space, but also because it represents a major commitment to the Bay Area by a company that made headlines in 2021 when it announced that it would no longer be headquartered in California. Snowflake then designated Bozeman, Mont., as its principal executive office, because that is where CEO Frank Slootman and CFO Mike Scarpelli were based, and said it would have a globally distributed workforce and no corporate headquarters at all. Slootman stepped down in February and was replaced with AI expert and former Google executive Sridhar Ramaswamy. The campus will have a gym, business training facility, indoor and outdoor cafe seating, more meeting and training rooms, as well as ample parking for bikes and cars, and proximity to Bayfront Park. Snowflake said the Menlo Park office would give the company room to grow. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Snowflake has been on an unprecedented growth trajectory and our incredible new campus will accommodate our continued growth in the years to come, Taylor said. While Menlo Park will be the companys largest North American office, the company said it would remain headquarterless. Snowflake currently leases just over 200,000 square feet at 450 Concar Drive in San Mateo its former headquarters an agreement that expires in eight years. In August 2023, the San Francisco Business Times reported that the company was surveying the Silicon Valley market for new office space. The Menlo Park lease expires in 2033. Meta was represented by Mark Bodie, Toss Vallentine and Clarissa Richardson of JLL, who declined to comment. Luke Ogelsby, Nick DeMartini and George Fox of CBRE represented Snowflake. They also declined to comment. The deal comes as the Silicon Valley market has started to stabilize, with the amount of sublease space flooding the market declining for the fourth straight quarter. But the market continues to struggle with high vacancy, with 23.3% of the space available for lease. Of that 5.5% is sublease space. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the third quarter leasing activity increased 23% compared with the third quarter of 2023. In June, Snowflake held its four-day Data Cloud Summit in San Francisco, resulting in 18,000 hotel room nights and $20.9 million in direct spending, according to the San Francisco Business Times. The company had held the event in Las Vegas in 2022 and 2023, but will be returning to San Francisco in 2025 and 2026. In 2021 Slootman, the former Snowflake CEO, told CNBC the pandemic had changed the role that physical offices will play for corporations going forward. This whole notion that the office is your workday home, we realize that is nonsense, Slootman said at the time. Offices need to be there for specific purposes for events, for training, for meetings, specifically but not a place to hang out 9 to 5. Thats definitely changing. Its really going to reduce the real estate footprint that companies have. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Princess of Wales joined the royals to welcome the Emir of Qatar today as she attended her most significant public engagement since starting cancer treatment. Kate and her husband Prince William greeted Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, on behalf of King Charles III in London. She then travelled from the Emir's private residence to the ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards Parade. The women travelled in one chauffeur-driven car while the men travelled in another and the waiting King warmly greeted his guests on a dais. The Princess wore a coat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and a hat by Sahar Millinery, with a pearl necklace that belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II . Kate is carrying out even more royal duties than previously planned at todays state visit in London amid what is being seen as a positive sign in royal circles. After the ceremonial welcome, Kate travelled to Buckingham Palace to join the royal party for a private lunch, staying to view a display of priceless Qatari artefacts from the Royal Collection. But she will miss this evenings glittering State Banquet. Meanwhile Queen Camilla has been forced to scale back her involvement due to ill health, and travelled straight to the palace today - missing the ceremonial welcome. Camilla's car was driven around the quadrangle to the Grand Entrance, and she smiled as she stepped from the vehicle and made her way into the palace. Around the same time at Horse Guards Parade, Charles welcomed the Qataris for a ceremony of pomp and pageantry. A guard of honour was formed by the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards stood waiting in two ranks to be inspected by the Qataris. The Princess of Wales attends the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade today The Prince and Princess of Wales attend the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade Kate and Prince William laugh with Sheikha Jawaher at Horse Guards Parade today Kate, Prince William and King Charles III at the welcome for Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, at Horse Guards Parade today The King was received at the Royal Pavilion by Sir Kenneth Olisa, His Majestys Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London. The Silver Stick in Waiting, Brigadier Mark Berry, and the Field Officer in Brigade Waiting, Colonel Guy Stone, were also present. Looking relaxed, the King spoke to guests on the royal dais including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Foreign Secretary David Lammy. A Royal Salute and a trumpeter played as the procession of the Emir passed through the grand arches of the ancient Horse Guards building. As they were welcomed by the King at the Pavilion, gun salutes were fired across London. The 76-year-old monarch then made a number of presentations before inviting the Amir to inspect the Guard of Honour as the Qatari national anthem was played. As they got out of their cars William affectionately placed his hand on his wifes back while they stood on the dais. Kate then turned to the King and offered him a deep curtsy before the five greeted officials in the line up. More than 900 soldiers, including nearly 200 Army musicians and 100 members of the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery turned out at Horse Guards in honour of the guests. For this State Visit the format has been adjusted slightly to allow The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery to play a more visible role, not least because the Emir adores his horses and passed out of Sandhurst as a young man. A Guard of Honour was formed by the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards with The Kings Colour, accompanied by the Band of the Regiment. King Charles III travels in the Irish State Coach with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher along The Mall to Buckingham Palace today The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at Buckingham Palace today during the state visit The Prince and Princess of Wales in a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace today The Prince and Princess of Wales attend the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade King Charles III arrives at Buckingham Palace today with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher, following the ceremonial welcome The Princess of Wales attends the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade today The Prince and Princess of Wales in a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace today The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at Buckingham Palace today during the state visit The Prince and Princess of Wales attend the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade After the King invited a decidedly delighted-looking Emir to inspect the Guard of Honour, William and Catherine remained on the stage chatting animatedly to the Sheikha. The royal party then departed Horse Guards in a spectacular carriage procession, accompanied by a Sovereign's Escort of the Household Cavalry. Later at Buckingham Palace, the King arrived at the Grand Entrance in the Irish State Coach with his visitors to the sound of the Qatar and British national anthems. Waiting inside in the warm in the Grand Hall was the Queen. In the second carriage, the Australian State Coach, were the Prince and Princess of Wales with the Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. Sheikh Mohammed stepped from the carriage first, followed by William, with both turning to wait for Kate. The princess stepped carefully from the state coach in her knee-high high heeled boots. The Waleses walked side by side chatting to one another, with Kate carrying a small matching burgundy handbag and a pair of gloves, as they made their way up the red carpeted steps of the Grand Entrance. More pomp and pageantry awaited as they arrived at the Palace to a second Guard of Honour and a rendition of both the British and Qatari national anthem. Camilla was waiting inside to greet her guests but did not step outside because of her illnesses. Former economist Sheikh Mohammed is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs and a member of the Qatari royal family. He has been prime minister since 2023 and is distantly related to the Emir. In the palace quadrangle in formation was a Guard of Honour from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards in their grey greatcoats and bearskin hats with the Band of the Irish Guards. A dismounted Detachment of Household Cavalry stood either side of the Grand Entrance. The King and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani inspect a guard of honour The Princess of Wales attends the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade today King Charles III travels in the Irish State Coach with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher along The Mall to Buckingham Palace today The Prince and Princess of Wales attend the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at Buckingham Palace today during the state visit Prince William and Kate attend the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade today Members of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery perform a gun salute in St James's Park The King and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani inspect a guard of honour The Prince and Princess of Wales in a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace today Kate, Prince William and King Charles III at the welcome at Horse Guards Parade today The Prince and Princess of Wales in a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace today A royal source described the announcement of Kates attendance as good news as the Princess continues with her a slow and measured return to public life after the completion of her preventative chemotherapy treatment. The Princess announced in March that she had embarked on a course of treatment after doctors found evidence of the disease after major abdominal surgery in January. In September she revealed that this had now been completed but warned that it would take time and patience for her to return to full-time royal duties. Now, todays events mark the start of a busier week for Kate, who will be hosting her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on Friday. The Princess is expected to be joined at that event by her husband Prince William and children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. But Camilla has pulled out of todays welcome at Horse Guards Parade on doctors advice because she is still suffering from the lingering side-effects of a nasty viral chest infection. The 77-year-old royal, who fell ill a month ago, is said to be feeling particularly fatigued but she will attend the lunch at Buckingham Palace and most elements of the State Banquet this evening. Life Guards (rear) and the Blues and Royals make their way to Horse Guards Parade today The King and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani inspect a guard of honour The Princess of Wales attends the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade today King Charles III ahead of a ceremonial welcome for the Emir of Qatar in London today The Princess of Wales attends the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade today The Prince and Princess of Wales in a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace today The Princess of Wales attends the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade today Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim al-Thani at Horse Guards Parade in London today Members of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery perform a gun salute in St James's Park The King and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani inspect a guard of honour The Prince and Princess of Wales in a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace today Crowds gather by the Queen Victoria Memorial ahead of the ceremonial welcome today King Charles III shakes hands with Sir Keir Starmer at Horse Guards Parade today The Prince and Princess of Wales in a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace today So as not to exhaust her, she will greet their VIP guests and pose for photographs before retiring during a lengthy receiving line, but then join the dinner itself. As for Camilla, sources stressed there was no cause for alarm, describing her as having had a nasty viral chest infection which continues to have some lingering side effects, in particular leaving Her Majesty with significantly diminished reserves of energy. As a result, they said, her doctors have advised some tweaks to her programme. Her decision not to join the King at Horse Guards Parade for a full ceremonial welcome and open-air carriage drive back to Buckingham Palace on a cold morning was a sensible precaution given the nature of her illness, they stressed. Her diagnosis was first announced almost a month ago on November 5 when it emerged that she had been forced to pull out of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, followed by other events over the weekend, including the Cenotaph, to honour the nations war dead. As the daughter of a twice-decorated Second World War veteran, such duties are taken very seriously by the Queen - and her absence was a sign of how poorly she was feeling, sources close to her told the Mail. Camilla has undertaken several public engagements since then, including the annual diplomatic reception, but has sometimes curtailed her time spent in public. Prince William and Kate attend the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade today The Princess of Wales attends the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade today Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Horse Guards Parade Kate, Prince William and King Charles III at the welcome at Horse Guards Parade today The Prince and Princess of Wales greet the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (right) and his wife Sheikha Jawaher (left) in London on behalf of the King today The Princess of Wales attends the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade today King Charles with the Emir of Qatar ahead of the ceremonial welcome today Prince William and Kate attend the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade today The Princess of Wales greets Sheikha Jawaher, the wife of the Emir of Qatar, today Prince William and Kate attend the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade today The Prince of Wales greets the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani today Prince William and Kate attend the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade today The Princess of Wales greets Sheikha Jawaher, the wife of the Emir of Qatar, today The Princess of Wales attends the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade today At a reception to honour the UKs film and television industry last month, the Queen discreetly coughed several times during her shortened appearance and gratefully sipped on a glass of water, saying she had felt absolutely rotten last week but was definitely on the mend. Sources have stressed there has been no alteration in any diagnosis or treatment being received, stressing Her Majesty just needs time to rest and recover fully, which is more challenging with a back-to back diary programme such as the state visit. No substantial changes to her other diary commitments are expected the rest of the week, though each day is being taken as it comes. Guidance from her medical team suggests that in such cases post-viral fatigue symptoms can come and go and persist for several weeks. At tonights state banquet, Camilla will join photographs with the Emir and Sheikha Jawaher, but then retire briefly during the lengthy receiving line. She will then attend the dinner as planned and join the King for the official farewells tomorrow. Camilla has been praised for the way she has stepped up this year on behalf of her husband, after he was diagnosed with cancer at the start of the year and has continued to undergo treatment. Sources have described her as a trooper. Todays state visit is considered one of the highlights of the royal calendar and a show of royal soft diplomacy in action. The Prince and Princess of Wales on their way to the state visit in London this morning The Princess of Wales attends the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade today The Princess of Wales greets Sheikha Jawaher, the wife of the Emir of Qatar, today King Charles III ahead of a ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade in London today Queen Camilla arrives at Buckingham Palace ahead of the ceremonial welcome today Musicians of the Household Division march along The Mall in London today Princess Anne arrives at Buckingham Palace this morning for the Qatar state visit Queen Camilla arrives at Buckingham Palace ahead of the ceremonial welcome today Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrive today Queen Camilla today. She has been forced to scale back her involvement due to ill health Senior Qatari diplomats have told the Mail that they are deeply honoured the King has chosen their country as the first Middle Eastern state to be invited for a full state visit to the UK since Charles accession. The country enjoys a good relationship with the UK diplomatically, with the Emir, 44, having studied in Britain - first at Sherborne and then Harrow - followed by a stint at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. There remains great admiration for the late Queen Elizabeth II, and Charles has met with the Emir on several occasions. The two countries also have strong trade, cultural and military links, and Qatar is a major investor in the UK, not just through property and construction projects, but in science and technology. However concerns have been raised about the authoritarian nature of the Qatari ruling family and human rights, particularly as regards migrant workers. The Emir, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, will be bringing his first wife - and second cousin - Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad Al Thani, with him on the visit. She is the mother of four of his 13 children and normally accompanies him on official visits abroad. He also has two subsequent spouses. The couple landed in the UK at London Stansted Airport yesterday where they were greeted on behalf of the sovereign by the Lord in Waiting, The Viscount Hood. King Charles III ahead of a ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade in London today Soldiers on parade for the arrival of the Emir of the State of Qatar in London this morning King Charles III ahead of a ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade in London today Queen Camilla heads to Buckingham Palace in a car today. She has been forced to scale back her involvement due to ill health Members of the Irish Guards march along The Mall ahead of the ceremonial welcome today Queen Camilla arrives at Buckingham Palace ahead of the ceremonial welcome today Musicians of the Household Division march along The Mall in London today King Charles III leaves Buckingham Palace to attend the ceremonial welcome today Life Guards make their way to Horse Guards Parade today for the ceremonial welcome King Charles III leaves Buckingham Palace to attend the ceremonial welcome today Musicians of the Household Division march along The Mall in London today Today they were officially welcomed by William and Kate at their residence, before being escorted to Horse Guards Parade where the King waited for the ceremonial welcome. National anthems were played and the Emir was invited to inspect a Guard of Honour. The royal party then returned in a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace for a private lunch followed by an exhibition in the Picture Gallery of items from the Royal Collection Trust and Turquoise Mountain charity relating to Qatar. William will later receive the Emir at Kensington Palace before the evenings state banquet, which he will attend but not his wife. Tomorrow, the final day of the two-day visit, the Emir will visit Sandhurst before travelling to the Palace to bid farewell formally to the King. Sheikh Tamim will also travel to Downing Street for bilateral talks with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Kate has attended a number of high profile events such as Trooping the Colour, Remembrance Sunday and Wimbledon over the last 11 months since she effectively withdrew from public life to focus on her health. But todays appearance will be her most significant so far given that she will be playing a far more active role in events and be seen in public for a lengthy period of time. Royal-watchers will be delighted at the news that Kate is taking a further step forward as part of her staggered return to full-time royal duties. Police officers on The Mall in London today during the state visit by the Emir of Qatar Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy at Horse Guards Parade today Soldiers line up in front of Buckingham Palace to prepare for the state visit today Union flags and flags of Qatar line The Mall in London during the state visit today Soldiers on parade for the arrival of the Emir of the State of Qatar in London this morning Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrive today Soldiers march in front of Buckingham Palace to prepare for the state visit today Soldiers on parade for the arrival of the Emir of the State of Qatar in London this morning Scotland Yard commissioner Sir Mark Rowley (left) arrives at Horse Guards Parade today Soldiers line up in front of Buckingham Palace to prepare for the state visit today In September she spoke of her relief at having finally completed her chemotherapy treatment, but stressed that the last nine months had been incredibly tough for them as a family. She was first admitted to hospital in January for what has only been described as major abdominal surgery. However afterwards doctors found evidence that cancer had been present and recommended a course of preventative chemotherapy. The couple chose to keep the news private for several weeks in order to come to terms with the news and protect their children, before the princess bravely went public with her diagnosis in March. Talking of the complex, scary and unpredictable nature of cancer journeys, Catherine said recently that doing what she could to stay cancer free is now my focus and emphasised that her path to full recovery would be long. The Princess said she would undertake a few more public engagements in the coming months when she could but stressed that her focus would remain on her continued recovery and her young family. The father of JonBenet Ramsey, the six-year-old beauty queen found strangled to death in the basement of her Colorado family home, believes there is evidence in the case that has never been DNA tested. John Ramsey, now 80, said the DNA analysis of these samples could finally unlock the identity of his daughter's killer nearly 30 years on. It came as he repeated calls for new 'cutting edge' labs to retest the DNA found on previous evidence. The Young Miss Colorado was found left on a heap of clothes with an eight-inch fracture to her skull and a fragmented paint brush stuck into her neck by garrote in December 1996. Speaking on Cuomo on NewsNation, Mr Ramsey said: 'We want the evidence that has been previously tested and never tested. We think there's some that has never been tested. 'We want that re-sampled by one of the cutting-edge labs that's out there. The government, I don't think, has the technology yet to do it. An Othram Labs, Bode Labs, those are really cutting-edge labs. 'Bode did the original testing back in 1997. They came up with Unidentified Male DNA, still unidentified. 'That was a real problem for the police, because theyd already decided that we were the killers. Like, how do we explain away this unidentified DNA? And they tried for a long time find an innocent explanation.' It comes as Geraldo Rivera apologized for the hurt his 1997 mock trial caused after it found JonBenet's family culpable for her death in the basement of their home in Boulder, Colorado. Six-year-old beauty queen JonBenet's body was found at her home in Boulder, Colorado on December 26, 1996 NewsNation's Geraldo Rivera apologized for the hurt his 1997 mock trial caused after it found JonBenet's family culpable for her death in the basement of their home in Boulder, Colorado . John Ramsey, now 80, believes the analysis of DNA samples by 'cutting edge' labs could finally unlock the identity of his daughter's killer The trial featured in Netflix's new documentary, 'Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey' which explores the mistakes made by police in the investigation. Rivera told Ramsey during the interview last night: 'I deeply apologize to you for what you and your family have suffered' in reference to his special. However, he added that 'mock trials and moot courts are not that unprecedented.' No one has ever caught JonBenet's killer with the murder haunting investigators and gripping the public's imagination for nearly three decades. While initial suspicions centered on her familyfather John, mother Patsy, and brother BurkeDNA evidence excluded them as suspects in 1997, and they were formally exonerated in 2008. And despite a multi-agency task force established in 2023, progress has been slow. Ramsey continued: 'We've been critical of the police for 28 years for not accepting help [from the Feds]. 'This case could have been solved a long time ago had the police not immediately only focused on Patsy and I. 'You know, we accepted that and told them, Look, okay, ell, we understand that we are in the house so we're suspect, but don't stop there, and they did.' Child beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey is seen in 1996, the year she died John and Patsy Ramsey are shown meeting reporters Thursday, May 1, 1997 Pictured, the Ramsey family seen together in December 1993 A bombshell admission by a police source has also given investigators fresh hope in finally solving the 28 year mystery. 'We f****d the case up from the start, and now with new blood, we can finally fix it,' a police source told the New York Post. The stunning statement came as Boulder's newly appointed police chief, Stephen Redfearn, doubled down on efforts to crack the case. Redfearn, who assumed his role in early 2024, has made solving the murder a top priority. 'He wants it solved and off the books,' said a department insider claimed. 'He's assigning officers and resources to solve the murder, which has been a black mark on the Boulder PD. 'I'm not sure what it will take to bust it wide open but it feels like it's within reach. We're hoping for 2025; this is our year,' the investigator added. Ramsey had long argued that Boulder PD had been unwilling to collaborate with external experts who might bring fresh perspectives to the case. 'They need to accept the help that's offered to them,' said Ramsey, now 80. 'There's a new police chief brought in from the outside. I hope he accepts help so this can be solved.' Ramsey urged police to go 'deeper' with the samples from the crime scene and 'sort the DNA we have today and make more sense of it'. The Young Miss Colorado was found left on a heap of clothes with an eight-inch fracture to her skull and a fragmented paint brush stuck into her neck by garrote in December 1996 The case is one of the highest-profile mysteries in the US, and remains a cold case but there is now renewed interest following the release of a new Netflix documentary The grave of JonBenet Ramsey in Marietta, Georgia, pictured He demanded that police finally sample five or six items that were taken from the crime scene but have never been analyzed. He stated he wants items that have been tested to be resampled due to advances in technology and then compared with the public genealogy database to look for a potential match, as has been done in numerous other cold cases. Authorities have indeed sent several items for renewed DNA testing, but significant breakthroughs have so far remained elusive. The DNA evidence in the case has long proved problematic with Boulder police being heavily criticized for mishandling the investigation. In 2015, former Boulder police chief Mark Beckner admitted crime scene evidence may have been mishandled on a Reddit forum. 'The crime scene was not handled properly and this later affected the investigation,' he said. A department insider defended their efforts, pushing back against claims of negligence. 'The assertion that there is viable evidence and leads we are not pursuingto include DNA testingis completely false,' Chief Redfearn stated. A former SS guard could now face justice for allegedly helping with the 'insidious killings' of thousands of WWII prisoners at a notorious death camp after a new German court ruling. Gregor Formanek, 100, is accused of helping to murder 3,322 people at the notorious WW2 prison Sachsenhausen while working there between July 1943 and February 1945. The detention camp was known for its gas chambers and horrifying medical experiments and executions used as a model for Auschwitz. Formanek, from the Main-Kinzig district in the German state of Hesse, was previously ruled unfit to stand trial by the regional court based on an expert assessment. The expert deemed the former SS man unfit due to his advanced age and alleged poor mental and physical condition, according to local media reports. But now the higher regional court has overturned this decision following an appeal by the public prosecutor's office and attorney Hans-Juergen Foerster, who represents co-plaintiffs in the proceedings. The Frankfurt court found the expert's decision had not been based on 'sufficient facts'. 'The expert himself stated that it was not possible to interview the defendant and that the opportunity for extensive psychiatric testing was not available,' it said. Gregor Formanek, 100, is accused of helping to murder 3,322 people at the notorious WW2 prison Sachsenhausen while working there between July 1943 and February 1945 A roll call in the early morning or late evening hours in front of the gate of the Nazi concentration camp Sachsenhausen is pictured above It is estimated that 200,000 prisoners passed through Sachsenhausen and that 30,000 people were murdered there, not including Soviet prisoners (pictured: some of the prisoners at the camp) The case has been referred back to Hanau Regional Court in the German Hesse state for a new decision on Formanek, after judges at the higher court refused to open proceedings against the former SS guard themselves. Formanek had lived undetected for decades in a modest flat near Frankfurt, until reporters tracked him down last year - but the former camp guard remained silent on the allegations against him. Incriminating documents from the Federal Archives and the Stasi Records Archive reveal Formanek's horrific past. Born in Romania to a German-speaking tailor, Formanek joined the SS on July 4, 1943, and became part of the Sachsenhausen guard battalion in Brandenburg. One Stasi document chillingly notes that Formanek 'continued to kill prisoners'. Holocaust survivor Jurek Szarf, 90, vividly recounted the brutal treatment prisoners endured at Sachsenhausen. Deported at age ten to Ravensbrueck with his aunt and mother, Jurek was later transferred to Koenigs Wusterhausen and then Sachsenhausen. His mother starved to death in the Wusterhausen concentration camp in February 1945. Gregor Formanek's service as an SS guard is confirmed by a document from the Main Personnel Office of the SS A file image of the entrance tower of the former concentration camp Sachsenhausen in Oranienburg, Germany Built in 1936 to house high-ranking political prisoners, Sachsenhausen is the camp where the Nazis perfected killing methods that were scaled up and used to murder millions at larger and more notorious camps such as Auschwitz (pictured: prisoners at Sachsenhausen) 'I was in the hospital block in Sachsenhausen with my father and my uncle and was supposed to be shot. We waited for hours for the execution, then we were freed,' Mr Szarf told German newspaper Bild about being freed in April 1945 aged 12. He was deported to Sachsenhausen from the other concentration camp where he was held just days before he was freed. Mr Szarf said: 'The SS drove the prisoners from Sachsenhausen on a long march to escape the approaching Red Army. My father, my uncle and I were too weak to march. 'Two other uncles went with us. One was shot by SS guards, the other was beaten to death.' In his CV, Formanek left out his role as a concentration camp guard, only saying he was 'called up for military service in Germany, where I spent 20 months'. After reading the CV, Mr Szarf said to Bild: 'He doesn't mention Sachsenhausen. The SS guards insulted and beat us in the concentration camps. We weren't human to them.' After the war, Formanek was arrested by the Red Army and sentenced by a Soviet military tribunal to 25 years in prison for espionage and crimes against humanity. Released after ten years, he moved to West Germany and lived quietly as a porter. The infamous 'Work Sets You Free' sign at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp gates, picture on the memorial service in January 2019 A bedroom for inmates at the former Sachsenhausen concentration camp site of the Sachsenhausen memorial in Oranienburg, Germany The local public prosecutor's office plans to appeal the ruling that Formanek is unfit to stand trial, with a final decision to be made by the Higher Regional Court in Frankfurt am Main. Germany has been scrambling to bring the last surviving former Nazi war criminals to justice since a 2011 landmark ruling paved the way for several trials. One former death camp guard, John Demjanjuk, was convicted on the basis that he served as part of Hitler's killing machine, even though there was no proof he had directly killed anyone. Since then, several former concentration camp workers have been found guilty of being accessories to murder on the same basis. However, with time running out, many cases have been abandoned in recent years after the accused died or were physically unable to stand trial. More than 200,000 people, including Jews, Roma, regime opponents and gay people, were detained at the Sachsenhausen camp between 1936 and 1945. Tens of thousands died there from forced labour, murder, medical experiments, hunger or disease before the camp was liberated by Soviet troops. A San Francisco woman who went from a life of luxury to ending up on the streets allegedly threatening to abduct and kill children has been placed into psychiatric care as she denied criminal charges against her. Kim Andrews, 37, grew up in a $1.1 million home as the daughter of a famous genius scientist and was once an accomplished athlete. But she has been on a downward spiral in the last few years, which has seen her involved in a series of frightening incidents at city parks, in which she is said to have terrorized moms and their kids. Andrews became notorious in multiple ritzy San Francisco neighborhoods for roaming their streets, with multiple locals accusing her of threatening to kidnap frightened children, or even to slit their throats. At her first court appearance on Monday, her lawyer Deputy Public Defender Tom McMahon revealed that she had been committed for psychiatric treatment for the last 120 days, the SF Chronicle reports. She was committed shortly after DailyMail.com revealed her shocking fall from grace. She entered a conservatorship agreement in November and McMahon argued that incarceration could prevent Andrews from getting the proper care she needs. The charges center on an incident back in July which allegedly saw Andrews approach a mom and her18-month-old child shouting, 'You're going to die', while holding a lighter and a bottle of Lysol. The court heard that Andrews had developed a 'fixation' on the child. Kim Ann Andrews, 36, has become notorious in San Francisco with parents reporting terrifying incidents in which she threatens to kill their kids. She has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges and has been receiving psychiatric care 'It is hard to imagine anything more threatening the reports are horrific,' San Francisco Superior Court Judge Kenneth Wine. He branded Andrews 'a danger to the public' and said her behavior was 'extraordinarily threatening'. The court appearance is not Andrews' first brush with the law. The formerly accomplished high school track and field competitor has faced criminal charges ranging in recent years from battery and robbery to shoplifting and criminal threats. But San Francisco residents say nothing has been done to stop Andrews' aggressive behavior, as she cycles through the jails and court before returning to the streets. They have since banded together to encourage others to call 911 to report any harassment of children, with complaints spanning back for the last four years. Yelena Dunduchenko said she encountered Andrews in 2020, while she was working as a nanny. 'She started screaming and saying, "I am going to take your child, I am going to kill you,"' she recounted. 'It was really scary.' Local Megan Grasser said Andrews' antics even led her to leave San Francisco. Andrews was an accomplished high school track and field competitor at Torrey Pines High School near San Diego and is the daughter of an acclaimed computer scientist Parents have reported terrifying encounters with Andrews over the last four years and even posted flyers warning about her Grasser said she first encountered Andrews when she was nine-months-pregnant in late 2020. The second encounter came three months later, when Grasser realized Andrews was chasing her and her dog. Andrews then spewed a series of vile comments and formed her hand into the shape of a gun, put it to Grasser's head and said, 'I was sent here to kill you.' Residents in the Cole Valley and Inner Sunset neighborhoods also noticed an uptick in encounters with Andrews earlier this year. Some have detailed their experiences, with one writing on Reddit that Andrews typically approaches people with 'dogs or young kids, ask weird questions, then get aggressive.' Her situation is a far cry from the life she once knew as the daughter of a renowned computer scientist, the late Dr. Philip Andrews. She grew up in Pennsylvania and Southern California, where she shone as an athlete at Torrey Pines High School near San Diego. Andrews then ran track for two years at the University of California San Diego, where she remained enrolled for nearly 10 years before dropping out in March 2015 - never completing her degree in biochemistry and cell biology. A disturbing 2022 Facebook post by Andrews suggested that her father - the late supercomputer genius Professor Philip Andrews - was still alive. He died of a heart attack in 2011 The former star athlete has racked up a slew of criminal charges for shoplifting, battery and criminal threats Andrews grew up in a $1.1 million home outside of San Diego with her siblings who have since been forced to disown her Her late father died of a heart attack in 2011 and is survived by his wife Kathleen - Kim's mother - who still lives in the family's $1.1 million Ramona home. Kim also has three siblings, but posted a disturbing Facebook status in 2022 suggesting that her father may not actually be dead. Her family has since given up trying to get through to Andrews but insist they have tried hard to support her. In August Andrews' sister, June Andrews, emailed San Francisco Mayor London Breed to warn that she, 'has been causing great distress to families by targeting kids'. Her brother Ben Andrews also told DailyMail.com the family has been forced to disown her. A former police officer has appeared in court to face charges of gross negligence manslaughter over the deaths of four paddleboarders. Nerys Bethan Lloyd, 39, from Aberavon, South Wales, faced Haverfordwest Magistrates' Court on four counts of gross negligence manslaughter and one offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act. The charges relate to an incident on the River Cleddau in Pembrokeshire on October 30 2021, which resulted in the deaths of Paul O'Dwyer, 42, 41-year-old Andrea Powell, Morgan Rogers, 24, and 40-year-old Nicola Wheatley. Lloyd was the owner and sole director of Salty Dog Co Ltd, which organised the paddleboarding tour. There were four survivors of the incident. She spoke only to confirm her name, date of birth and address during a short hearing at the court this morning. District Judge Mark Layton said members of the families of those who died had attended the court in person and online. He told them: 'I take this opportunity to offer my condolences to you for your very sad loss.' Speaking to Lloyd, the judge said: 'Your case is one that cannot be dealt with by this court. Nerys Bethan Lloyd (pictured right), 39, from Aberavon, South Wales, today faced Haverfordwest Magistrates' Court on four counts of gross negligence manslaughter 'The date you will appear before Swansea Crown Court is January 3 at 9.30am. You are released on unconditional bail.' No details of the case were given to the court. Dyfed-Powys Police received a call at 9.02am on October 30 2021, stating there were a number of paddleboarders in distress at the weir in the centre of Haverfordwest. Emergency services attended the scene, where Mr O'Dwyer, from Port Talbot, Ms Rogers, from Merthyr Tydfil, and Ms Wheatley, from Swansea, were declared dead. Ms Powell, from Bridgend, was taken to nearby Withybush Hospital but died six days later. Lloyd was charged with five offences relating to the incident on October 4 this year. Speaking at the time, Rosemary Ainslie, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'The charges relate to a commercial paddleboarding river tour on October 30 2021, where four of the group became trapped in Haverfordwest town weir and tragically lost their lives. 'The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that she has the right to a fair trial. The people who died in the paddleboarding tragedy in Pembrokeshire on October 30 2021 were (left to right) Morgan Rogers, Nicola Wheatley, Paul O'Dwyer and Andrea Powell Nerys Lloyd (pictured), of Aberavon, South Wales, was the owner and sole director of Salty Dog Co Ltd, which organised the paddleboarding tour The ill-fated expedition on the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest (pictured) is believed to be Britain's worst ever paddleboarding incident Flowers laid close to the scene on the River Cleddau, where the group died after getting into distress 'It is extremely important there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.' The defendant will appear for a plea and trial preparation hearing at Swansea Crown Court on January 3. Tributes were paid to the paddleboarders following their deaths. Former soldier Mr O'Dwyer, of Port Talbot, was described as a 'devoted husband, father, son and brother'. His family said: 'He devoted his life to contributing to society in his many adventures in raising money for different causes.' Toxicology expert Nicola Wheatley 40, of Pontarddulais, Swansea, was hailed as 'a loving mother, daughter, daughter-in-law and wife'. Her family said: 'Nicola was a beautiful, caring, considerate and funny person. She was amazing in every way. She has left a void in our lives that will never be filled.' Supermarket deputy manager Morgan Rogers, of Merthyr Tydfil, was described as 'the best that she could be', with the tribute adding: 'She will be sadly missed.' Her family said: 'Morgan was a beautiful, kind and loving soul, beloved by all who have been touched by her warm smile and her caring personality. 'Morgan was never happier than when she was in the outdoors doing what she loved and spending time with her family. 'She will be greatly missed by her family and friends and all those she has known along the way. Morgan will always be in our hearts and our memories. We will miss her dearly.' A young British influencer who plunged to his death while attempting to scale Spain's highest bridge without safety equipment for an Instagram stunt suffered fatal head injuries. Lewis Stevenson died following the 'uncontrolled descent' from the 192m-tall bridge, his inquest was told. The 26-year-old died on October 13 after he fell from the Castilla-La Mancha bridge outside Talavera de la Reina in Spain. He had ignored his family's pleas to call off the risky climb and travelled out to Spain on the Friday, due to come home the following Monday. Local councillor Macarena Munoz said accessing the bridge was 'totally banned', but Lewis went ahead with the stunt, lost his grip and fell. His body was found at 7.14am on the Sunday. Lewis showcased some of his 'rooftopping' around the world on his Instagram page under the name expedition. Dizzying photos of the young man atop a New York skyscraper and resting on a metal beam overlooking the City of London were among those documented on his social media. Assistant coroner Sabyta Kaushal opened the inquest into his death at Derby Coroner's Court on Tuesday and adjourned the hearing for further inquiries. Lewis Stevenson showcased some of his 'rooftoping' around the world on his Instagram page under the name expedition (Pictured in London) His grandfather, Clifford Stevenson, 70, said: 'We all tried to talk him out of it. We were always trying to talk him out of doing things but that was the way he was' A friend who also shared his passion of what is known as 'rooftopping 'and uses the name Louie_W1 wrote: 'Knowing you has been one of the greatest privileges of my life' Ms Kaushal told Lewis' mother, who attended the hearing: 'I am opening the inquest into the death of Lewis Stevenson. He died on October 13 at the Castilla-La Mancha bridge in Spain. 'The inquest will now be adjourned for further investigations to be concluded. When it is concluded then the matter will be listed for a final hearing.' She added that the cause of his death has been recorded as 'blunt force head injuries' after an 'uncontrolled descent from height'. The graphics and print designer climbed the bridge to 'create content for social networks', according to Munoz, the city's councillor for citizen security. She described the fall as an 'unfortunate and sad outcome', but added that climbing the bridge 'is totally prohibited and which we have reiterated on many occasions cannot be done under any circumstances'. The councillor said in the statement that Lewis had been accompanied by a 24-year-old English man at the time of the fall. The cable-stayed bridge, which is the tallest in Spain since it opened in 2011, crosses the Tagus River. Speaking from his home in Derby, Lewis's grandfather Clifford Stevenson, 70, told MailOnline previously: 'We all tried to talk him out of it. We were always trying to talk him out of doing things but that was the way he was. According to the local Spanish town council Lewis and a companion had come to Talavera to climb the bridge and create content for social media before the unfortunate incident The graphics and print designer climbed the bridge to 'create content for social networks', according to Munoz, the city's councillor for citizen security. He is pictured rooftopping 'He loved doing it, always went out there believing he'd be alright. He did what he did for his own pleasure. He did not get any money for it, he was an adventurer'. Tributes to Lewis were led by his heartbroken girlfriend Savannah Parker, who revealed that the last thing he said to her was 'Good night, I love you' the night before his death. Savannah, 25, an office worker, said Lewis had travelled out to Spain on Friday and was due to come home on Monday. 'We spoke at half eleven and the last thing he said to me was, 'Good night, I love you'.' 'He messaged me at half five to say, 'Good morning' with three kisses. I didn't see it until quarter to eight. 'I thought he'd just be trying to get a sunrise picture. I thought he must have stuck his arm out to get a picture and fell, not that he passed out. Savannah said she'd gone with him to Malta. 'On our last day he persuaded me to go with him into an abandoned building and I went with him but I was so scared because I don't climb or do anything like that. 'I said to him, 'I don't know how you do this all the time'. I was so scared of making one wrong move and that being it but we did it. 'I was eager to leave because it was abandoned for a reason it was not safe. Others involved in the high-risk sport of climbing structures without a safety harness expressed their sorrow at his death. Lewis Stevenson, 26, (pictured) fell from the 630ft Castilla La Mancha bridge after ignoring his family's pleas to call off the dangerous climb Assistant coroner Sabyta Kaushal opened the inquest into his death at Derby Coroner's Court on Tuesday and adjourned the hearing for further inquiries 'He was always going off doing stuff. It was hard to keep up. He went to South America for eight months last year. It was what he loved to do.' Others involved in the high-risk sport of climbing structures without a safety harness expressed their sorrow at his death. Writing on Instagram a friend who shared his passion of what is known as 'rooftopping 'and uses the name Louie_W1 wrote: 'Knowing you has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. 'And losing you is the greatest sadness of my life. No amount of words on a stupid Instagram post will ever describe how much I miss you. 'You will always be the bravest, most caring and funny person I've ever known. I'm proud of every building, every rooftop, every moment of our time together 'My best friend, my brother. Rest easy, we'll meet again one day.' Posting a photo of Lewis sitting on a New York City skyscraper, another daredevil called Vil1iany wrote: 'In the past seven years you introduced me to a new understanding of freedom, which changed my perspective on life massively, giving me guidance on my own creative work always motivating me and inspiring me through your own creative consistency. 'I'm forever thankful for the opportunities you gave me and the people you introduced me too. 'You've been a prominent figure to me for awhile and your fearless mentality will stick with me for the rest of my life. 'It was a pleasure to be considered one of your friends, rest easy now brother, I'll see you in another life.' A hapless victim who had his mobile phone snatched out of his hands by masked muggers as he waited for a taxi in London claims they then sent porn to his family and friends while spending hundreds of pounds from his bank account. Joe Higgs, 32, was targeted by three men as he waited for an Uber outside a pub following a night out in Islington, London. He said they started chatting to him and believes they were distracting him while at least one of the group watched as he entered his pin number into his iPhone. In the next moment, one of the men leaned over his shoulder and suddenly took the device from him in what he describes as a 'harrowing experience'. Despite pursuing the thief for 200 metres, Joe was unable to catch up and when he returned to his original spot he found the other men had fled too. Minutes after taking the phone, the gang spent 300 on 10 different fast food deliveries from Uber Eats, Just Eat, and Deliveroo, and booked multiple journeys in London on Uber Bolt and Zipcar. Joe said: 'They just had a lot of fun - they ordered a ridiculous amount of food and topped it all off with three glittery pink cupcakes.' At one point, the muggers pretended to be Joe and sent a message to his wife in which he asked for his Monzo account pin number, but she thought the message seemed suspicious. Joe Higgs, 32, had his mobile phone snatched out of his hands by masked muggers as he waited for a taxi in Islington, north London - and claims they spent hundreds of pounds from his bank account, sent porn to his family and got him banned from using Zipcar They also applied for an overdraft on the account, which was denied. They spent more than 500 in five hours and before Joe returned to his home in Waltham Forest, London, where he started cancelling accounts and changing his passwords. He claims they also used his device to send porn to his friends and family by Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, which only stopped two days later when he received a new sim card. Joe says he got all the money back after explaining to the various companies what had happened - apart from 90 from Zipcar, adding that he's now been banned from using the service. Joe, a software developer, said: 'This was such a harrowing experience. 'It felt really violent and violating - there's such a lot of our lives on our phones these days this crime feels very personal. 'I went into shock - I just didn't know what to do. It really broke my trust. 'I see it happening to other people a lot and every time I get those feelings back. The incident occurred outside The King's Head pub in Islington, north London in February 2023 Your browser does not support iframes. 'I'd never judge on appearance, but I find it hard to trust people with their hoodies and masks over their faces now. 'Phone muggers are very savvy and so quick. 'By the time I was home they'd disconnected my phone from my Apple ID - I couldn't access anything. 'All I could do was fire fight all the time. I always felt safe in London before this - I never thought it would happen to me. 'I don't stop and talk to people on the street anymore, I'd like to, but I can't trust that I won't be robbed.' The mugging happened outside the King's Head in Islington on February 19, 2023, around 12.30am. Despite reporting the incident to police, no arrests were made. He said: 'This was absolutely terrifying, and violating, but thankfully people were very understanding about it. 'The bank account stuff sucked but at least I knew I could fight back on that - the messages were by far the worst part of it all.' Everything was paid for via ApplePay using Joe's Natwest card in his Apple wallet, for which the payment verification defaults to the pin number if face ID fails to work. He said: 'Natwest were so incredibly helpful and I'm really shocked by Zipcar. 'I'm astounded and appalled by how Zipcar have been over this. 'They said it was my responsibility to keep my device safe.' The crime prompted Joe to learn about all Apple's new security features. He said: 'I was locked out of everything - I couldn't remember passwords, or which email address belonged to which account. 'Everything requires two-factor authentication and I didn't have access to my phone number and my usual email address was blocked. Our map shows how gangs of bike thieves like to target the richest areas of central London around Park Lane, Mayfair and Oxford Street A woman can only look on, stunned, after an e-bike rider snatched a phone from her hand on Oxford Street 'It took me a few days to get it all worked out, everyone informed and everything cancelled. 'I now have added my wife's number as an extra for two-factor authentication, and I've added her to all of my internet accounts. 'I also have a master code which is a separate pin for my Apple ID. 'And I've set up screen time on my devices so I can disable them if something like this happened again. 'Basically this is a horrible crime which is increasing. 'Don't use your phone in the street, go into a cafe or somewhere where you are safe while you use it.' A spokesperson for the Met Police said: 'Detectives from the Central North Robbery Squad investigated an allegation that a mobile phone was stolen at around 01.30hrs on 19 February 2023 in Essex Road, Islington. 'Numerous enquiries were conducted by officers but there was insufficient evidence to proceed - namely no CCTV or witnesses - and the matter was closed no further action. Your browser does not support iframes. 'Tackling robbery and violent crime remains a priority for the Met. Operational tactics to improve mobile phone robberies and theft include maximising dedicated proactive police operations, and increasing officers in local hotspot areas, to reduce mobile phone robbery and theft offences. 'The Met is also working with local partners such as mobile phone networks, and local businesses in hotspot areas to break the cycle of stolen mobiles entering criminal markets. 'We know that opportunistic criminals target areas of high footfall and tourism. To combat mobile phone robberies, we have specialist teams of both uniformed officers and detectives who attend robbery calls quickly, search the area with victims and witnesses for suspects, and help to secure CCTV and forensic evidence to support mobile phone robberies and investigations. 'We advise everyone to remain vigilant of their surroundings in crowded areas and on the transport network. .All robberies should be reported to the police straight away, and within 'The Golden Hour' by dialling 999. The Met's website has a list of steps to help protect your mobile phone, and to support you from becoming a victim of crime.' According to the latest figures, 64,000 mobile phones were reported to police as stolen in London last year - double the number in the two previous years. Aside from muggings on foot, victims have reported criminals often riding mopeds or illegally modified e-bikes along pavements to catch unsuspecting tourists and locals off guard. A disgraced former Come Dine With Me winner who was convicted of having sex with a 15-year-old boy has been fined 420 for hurling racist abuse at her neighbour. Mother-of-three Lucy Haughey, from Glasgow, bagged a 1,000 jackpot when she won an episode of Channel 4's popular show Come Dine With Me in 2017. A court heard the 44-year-old spewed abusive language towards Roman Kavur, calling him a 'foreign c***' on their shared landing in Glasgow's Cathcart on March 8, 2024. Glasgow Sheriff Court heard how Haughey - who was said to have stunk of alcohol at the time of the incident - also booted Mr Kavur's front door, leaving it damaged. She was found guilty of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner which was racially aggravated and was today fined for her behaviour. Haughey also hit the headlines seven years ago after she had sex with a 15-year-old boy and was given a three-year community payback order. Her previous convictions also include stalking social worker Shannon Low in 2017 and was sentenced to community service. Haughey posted a video on social media about Miss Low in 2022 which included abusive comments. She was banned from contacting Miss Low for 10 years. Lucy Haughey, from Glasgow, bagged the 1000 jackpot when she won an episode of Channel 4's popular show, Come Dine With Me back in 2017 (pictured) Ex-Come Dine With Me winner Haughey, 44, has now been convicted of hurling racist abuse at her neighbour (Pictured at Glasgow Sheriff Court) Haughey was fined 515 and ordered to do 234 hours of unpaid work earlier this year for stalking a woman named Joanne Bell. Greece based Haughey was due to return to Glasgow Sheriff Court today to be sentenced for her latest offence. However, her lawyer Michael Gallen said she could not travel due to 'financial difficulties' and the matter was dealt with in her absence. Sheriff Collette Gallagher imposed a one-year non-harassment order on Haughey relating to her victims as well as the fine. The trial heard that author Haughey initially got on with Mr Kavur when he and his partner moved into their flat with their twin babies in April 2023. The mental health worker claimed that Haughey and his partner, dental nurse Valerie Zbila, had clashes which he did not get involved in. Mr Kavur stated he heard shouting near his property around 6.50pm and went to investigate. He said: 'I couldn't really hear what she was saying, I heard shouting from the level below us - I didn't know it was Miss Haughey at the time. Mother-of-three Lucy Haughey, 44, (pictured) hurled racial abuse at her neighbour Mr Kavur on March 8, 2024 The reality TV contestant who had sex with a 15-year-old boy was also convicted for stalking Sharon Low in 2022 'I looked through the glass window on the door and I saw Miss Haughey and she saw me. 'She seemed intoxicated at the time and said racial abuse at me saying "you foreign c***" or something like that.' Mr Kavur stated that he then opened his door which he claimed was a 'mistake' by himself. The procurator fiscal depute asked the witness what he hoped to achieve by that. Mr Kavur replied: 'To see why she said it but I don't know - she was intoxicated. 'She came a little bit close to me and I smelled alcohol so I closed the door then called the police.' The witness stated that Haughey then went on to kick his front door which caused damage to his letterbox. When asked how he knew that she kicked the door, Mr Kavur replied: 'I could hear the impact...she was facing towards the door - she was either punching it or kicking it. If she was using her head, I would have seen it.' Mr Kavur claimed that he initially went to work nearby that night but was allowed to return home after 30 minutes. He told the court he could still hear Haughey yelling from her home but could not remember what was said. The 44-year-old who is based in Greece will now have to attend her sentencing in Glasgow next month Mr Kavur later told the court: 'I apologise if it was because the kids were crying or woke Miss Haughey up but it's something that I can't control.' The witness said he is in the process of moving out of the property. Haughey - who represented herself at the earlier trial - said to her neighbour in court: 'It was your opinion I was intoxicated when I appeared downstairs on a different level?' Mr Kavur replied: 'Yes.' Haughey: 'Wow, you could get a job as a sniffer dog.' Haughey also put it to the witness that the damage to the door was not submitted in evidence until after seven months to which Mr Kavur agreed. PC Josh Kay, 27, earlier told the court that he attended Haughey's home around midnight and arrested her. He said: 'There was a lot of shouting, speaking to a boy who was at the property saying that she should have phoned the police first and if she did so she wouldn't have been arrested.' In her evidence, Haughey denied the allegations and argued the incident never happened. Haughey stated that the allegations made by the couple were 'lies' and 'malicious'. She told the court she now lives in Greece as an author specialising in domestic abuse and her property in Glasgow is up for sale. Sheriff Collette Gallagher told Haughey when convicting her that she believed the Crown witnesses were 'credible and reliable'. A glamorous Scottish entrepreneur has won over 50,000 in compensation after she was unfairly sacked for taking holidays to Bali and Australia while in charge of the company. Hayley Harvey-Smith, who founded GlamCandy, in Edinburgh, came under fire over her month-long stay across the world as well as trips to Paris and high-end ski resort Val dIsere in France. The businesswoman, who earned up to 220,000 a year, could take leave as and when she desired as she was director and she told a tribunal she worked while abroad. But after the 40-year-old sold her shares in the beauty school she was criticised for the breaks and fired in a sham redundancy. The new owner, the firms former bookkeeper Mark Thompson, 50, argued that if she was a true employee she would have been disciplined for the manner in which she took annual leave or worked from abroad. However, an employment tribunal found that apart from the ski resort, all of the trips were working holidays and Mrs Harvey-Smith did not breach any employment rules. Mrs Harvey-Smith has now won 51,293 in compensation after suing GlamCandy UK for unfair dismissal and accrued but unpaid holiday. The tribunal, sitting in the capital, heard how she founded the company with her sister-in-law in 2011 before Mrs Harvey-Smith went on to have sole control over it. Hayley Harvey-Smith founded and was in charge of beauty business GlamCandy before she was unfairly dismissed for taking too many holidays Hayley Harvey-Smith has won more than 50,000 in compensation for unfair dismissal case after a tribunal ruled she had worked during most of her trips abroad GlamCandy was described as a school which offers accredited courses across the UK in makeup artistry. Mrs Harvey-Smiths primary duties and responsibilities related to marketing and she was regarded at the boss and master of the business. Among other roles, she helped develop the education centres, ran social media, and sourced items for the makeup kits. It was heard Mrs Harvey-Smith - who had invested her own money into the business - was the most senior person in the beauty business and in the absence of a board, did not report to anyone. She was entitled to 25 days annual leave as per her contract but ultimately took time off as and when she desired as she often put in extra hours. On January 22 last year, she took a month long trip to Bali and Australia - but spent much of that time working. In March she went to Val dIsere and the following month to Paris. After selling her shares in the business in June, she stepped down as director but continued to work as usual with the business. But in December she was sent a notice of redundancy centring around her time off but the tribunal said it set out a false narrative and that a genuine redundancy scenario did not exist. The redundancy and notice payments referred to in the letter were not paid to Mrs Harvey-Smith and her sacking was made without any input or consultation from the entrepreneur. Although she tried to appeal the decision, GlamCandy bosses did not organise a hearing and she ultimately lost her right of appeal. She sued GlamCandy for unfair dismissal. The tribunal accepted her holiday to Bali and Australia had been a working trip rather than annual leave and accepted her evidence that shed not taken time in excess of her annual leave entitlement in 2023. Upholding her claims, employment Judge Eleanor Mannion said Mrs Harvey-Smith lost her job in a sham redundancy There was no genuine redundancy situation, a redundancy consultation or process had not been followed and [Mrs Harvey-Smith] had not been fairly selected for redundancy, the judge said. In the absence of a fair reason for dismissal, I find that [Mrs Harvey-Smiths] dismissal on 4 December 2023 was unfair in law. Mrs Harvey-Smith is now involved with other businesses. A schoolboy stabbed his mother to death on the way to his prestigious 48,000-a-year boarding school before placing himself in front of a train to die by suicide, an inquest has heard. Witnesses told how introverted Julian Bracken, 18, had appeared to be 'triggered' by his 'overly affectionate' mother Mayawati Bracken, 56. The inquest heard how a row over stuffing at Christmas lunch last year led to the video-game loving student having a panic attack at the family's 2million Pangbourne home. Paramedics who attended felt there 'was a lot of built up anger between them'. Just ten days later on January 4, Bracken then stabbed his mother as she drove him to Radley College in Oxfordshire, where he was a student. Mrs Bracken lost control of her Lexus and was found dead with a stab wound to the chest inside the vehicle by members of the public on the A340 Tidmarsh Road at the junction of Flower Hill, Reading Coroner's Court heard today. Her son walked directly from the car and placed himself in front of a high-speed train at Pangbourne station in Berkshire. Today, Detective Inspector Stuart May, a senior investigator with Thames Valley Police, told the senior coroner for Berkshire that if Mr Bracken had survived 'there would be sufficient evidence for him to be charged' with either murder or manslaughter. South Central Ambulance Service paramedic Chris Dinse, who was called to the family home on Christmas Day last year, told the inquest that he was warned by Bracken's siblings that there was smashed glass on the marble floor of the property. Julian Bracken, 18, stabbed his mother to death on the way to his prestigious 48,000-a-year boarding school before placing himself in front of a train to die by suicide, an inquest has heard Witnesses told how Bracken had appeared to be 'triggered' by his 'overly affectionate' mother, 56-year-old Mayawati Bracken Forensics and police officers on the scene in Pangbourne on January 5, the day after the pair died He said Bracken's sister had informed him a dispute had taken place over Christmas dinner, 'something to do with stuffing' and had described it as 'just family stuff'. 'Julian said, 'f***ing mum',' Mr Dinsey recalled. 'I could tell when he said this there was a lot of built up anger between them. This was clearly a fraught relationship. This did not build up, it just went straight to the top level.' The paramedic described how Bracken's mother had returned to the kitchen and tried to get to her son to give him a kiss. 'She was being overly affectionate', the paramedic told the inquest. 'It seemed like quite an overpowering dynamic from her.' Mr Dinsey recalled how the presence of Julian's mother 'riled him up' and told how his siblings had ushered Mrs Bracken away. 'It was quite obvious what the trigger was, it seemed as if it had happened before', Mr Dinsey remarked. The inquest heard how, the following day, Bracken had contacted NHS talking services and reported he had suffered a 'panic attack where my hands and legs seized up.' Appointments were offered to him but the dates were after his death. On the day of the mother and son's deaths, the senior coroner for Berkshire Heidi Connor said Mrs Bracken had taken a photograph of her children painting and said 'this appeared to be a normal day in the family home'. CCTV footage from the family home shows Bracken and his mother leaving their property just before 5.45pm on the day of their deaths. Police patrolling Pangbourne station following the tragedy. Detectives said at the time they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident Maya was originally from Indonesia but lived in Hong Kong before moving to the UK. Neighbours said she lived with her children after separating from her husband But detectives have since learned that Bracken's sister Jessica now believes he had concealed a kitchen knife in his backpack before getting into the family Lexus with his mother. Detective Inspector Stuart May, a senior investigator with Thames Valley Police, said: 'She describes Julian leaving and she says she went to put something in his rucksack, but he would not allow her to do that. 'So on reflection she has considered whether he had the knife in the rucksack and that being the reason he did not want her to look inside.' Police then received phone calls just two minutes later which reported a vehicle rolling down a hill and coming to rest in traffic. A man was seen walking away from the vehicle carrying a knife. Ambulance and police arrived on the scene just a few minutes later and discovered Mrs Bracken, dead. At 5.50pm, TVP received a call from British Transport Police to report a person had been hit by a train at Pangbourne station. An investigation revealed Bracken had made the 15 minute walk from Flower Hill directly to the station and had placed himself in the path of a high-speed train. The coroner was told Bracken had no previous contact with the police and no GP or other health records of significance, nor had he been taking any medication which led to mental health issues. Mrs Connor said a number of pupils at the school had been interviewed. 'They suggest he was a fairly quiet young man, family introverted, liked his gaming, none of them raised anything of particular concern about mental health, family problems, drug or alcohol abuse.' A policeman watches on as a forensic crime officer swabs and retrieves a kitchen knife from a substation close to Pangbourne railway station Officers enter the driveway of Maya's Berkshire home as they carry out an investigation into her death A phone was discovered at Pangbourne station, but police have not yet been able to gain access to it. 'We are still trying', DI May told the coroner. An iPad, USB stick and PS4 belonging to the deceased had all also been examined and had revealed no planning or note from Mr Bracken. DI May told the coroner: 'It is fair to say from our investigations, we have a detailed understanding of what happened, unfortunately we have not been able to ascertain any reason as to why it took place.' Mrs Connor asked whether, if Mr Bracken had survived, he would have been charged with murder or manslaughter. The officer replied to say: 'It would be fair to say, with the evidential picture we have built up, there would be sufficient evidence for him to be charged.' Concluding the inquest, Mrs Connor ruled that Mrs Bracken had died by 'unlawful killing', which covers both murder and manslaughter. 'The evidence is clearly consistent with one of these homicide offences', Mrs Connor told the hearing. Summarising the evidence, Mrs Connor said: 'The events of January 4 this year are tragic but clear. It would appear Mrs Bracken intended to take Julian back to college in the early evening on January 4. 'Early on in that journey, it appears Julian used a knife from the family home to stab his mother, which caused her to lose control of the vehicle. It moved slowly down to the road and came to a stop.' Mrs Connor concluded that when Bracken had placed himself in front of a high-speed train at Pangbourne station, he had done so intending to end his life and died by 'suicide'. For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency employees are soliciting public comment on a proposed plan to replace free two-hour visitor parking with paid parking in the Marina and Cow Hollow neighborhoods. SFMTA For two hours Monday night, a half dozen San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency employees stationed around a packed meeting room listened, nodded and jotted notes in what they said was a good-faith effort to gauge public opinion on a proposed plan to replace free two-hour visitor parking with paid parking in the Marina and Cow Hollow neighborhoods. But the consensus among local residents who crowded the tiny room at Moscone Recreation Center was clear: No, thank you. It is solving a problem that doesnt exist, said Cow Hollow resident Melissa Loerch. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Starting in July, the transit agency wants to expand paid parking by installing 262 pay by plate stations around the neighborhoods using a $1.5 million grant from the Bay Areas Metropolitan Transportation Commission. In Hayes Valley, where a similar plan was implemented last year, visitors without residential permits now pay up to $2 per hour for street parking with no time limits. SFMTA employees said eliminating free parking in the Marina and Cow Hollow would reduce congestion around the neighborhoods popular shopping and dining districts, freeing up parking spaces for residents by putting greater pressure on visitors to pay or leave. The plan would not affect drivers with annual resident permits. This is purely about making it easier for people to find parking, said Hank Wilson, SFMTAs policy manager for parking and curb management. It is not about generating revenue or making peoples lives harder. But many in attendance were skeptical, calling it a money grab amid looming budget cuts in a city where sluggish tax revenue, rising costs and a slow recovery of the tourism industry have combined to create a nearly $1 billion two-year shortfall. Critics accuse San Francisco of being hostile to car owners, pointing to new daylighting parking laws and ongoing efforts to remove parking spaces obstructing Muni bus stops. Marina resident Amanda Scott canceled a planned trip to Lake Tahoe to attend the meeting Monday night, incensed by what she characterized as an incomplete and ill-conceived proposal. Scott said she has had no issues finding street parking for her Hummer during the 13 years she has lived near Lombard Street at one of the areas busiest intersections. Parking enforcement, not lack of spots, is the real issue, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Areas, shaded in blue, where San Francisco transit officials have proposed eliminating free parking in favor of meters and parking permits. San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency I have a phone full of pictures of people parked in front of fire hydrants and driveways, Scott said. Its because of no enforcement. Residents and SFMTA employees agreed that many drivers abuse the two-hour time limit imposed on most free street parking spots in the city, staying for much longer stretches when they feel they are unlikely to get ticketed. The proposed plan would make it easier for parking enforcement officers to identify violators by requiring them to pass cars only once before issuing a ticket. In Hayes Valley, for example, ticketing for violators has increased fourfold since last year, according to SFMTA. Loerch said she wishes the agency would focus its attention on improving street safety and cleanliness without imposing new parking rules. Just ticket the people who are already illegally parking, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The plan is still in its outreach phase, according to the transit agency, meaning officials will continue to gather community feedback until March. Over the next three months, transportation officials will gather data and analyze traffic circulation. Before any parking changes go into effect, they must gain the approval of the SFMTA Board of Directors. San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency employees surveyed public feedback on a proposed plan to replace free two-hour visitor parking with paid parking in the Marina and Cow Hollow neighborhoods. Nora Mishanec/The Chronicle Cow Hollow resident Jonathan Bunemann, a member of the agencys Community Advisory Committee, said the plan, if it passes, would help frequent visitors like his in-laws, who currently have to move their car every two hours to avoid ticketing. Under the proposed policy, they would be able to pay to remain in place for up to 12 hours. In addition to helping his family, Bunemann said he also supports the effort to improve circulation and raise desperately needed funds for SFMTA. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Saudi Arabia has put over 300 people to death in 2024, according to an AFP tally, after four executions announced on Tuesday brought the kingdom's total to a level far outstripping the highest known annual figures. The death penalty was carried out against three people convicted of drug smuggling and another for murder, the official Saudi Press Agency reported, citing the interior ministry. It brings the total number of executions for the year to 303, according to the tally based on state media reports. The Gulf monarchy had enacted the death penalty 200 times by the end of September, according to the same tally of official data, indicating a rapid rate of executions in recent weeks. Saudi Arabia executed the third highest number of prisoners in the world in 2023 after China and Iran, according to Amnesty International. Previously the record number of executions in a single year in the country had stood at 196 in 2022, said the London-based human rights group, which began recording the annual figures in 1990. Taha al-Hajji, legal director of the Berlin-based European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights (ESOHR), condemned the 'rocket speed' of executions in 2024, calling it 'incomprehensible and inexplicable'. Human rights activists had previously warned Saudi Arabia could exceed 300 executions this year, with one execution being recorded almost every day. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has overseen more than 1,450 executions since taking on the role in 2015 Saudi Arabia executed the third highest number of prisoners in the world in 2023 after China and Iran , according to Amnesty International (a man kneels moments before being beheaded in Saudi Arabia) The Kingdom has also been criticised for cracking down on free speech after Saudi artist Mohammed al-Hazza, 48, was recently sentenced to more than two decades in prison over political cartoons that allegedly insulted the Gulf kingdom's leadership. Under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi judiciary in the past two years has 'convicted and handed down lengthy prison terms on dozens of individuals for their expression on social media', human rights groups Amnesty International and ALQST said in April. Saudi officials say the accused committed terrorism-related offences. 'The case of Mohammed al-Hazza is one example of the suppression of freedom of expression in Saudi Arabia, which has not spared anyone, including artists,' Sanad operations manager Samer Alshumrani told AFP. 'This is supported by the politicised, non-independent judiciary in Saudi Arabia.' Al-Hazza's sentence came days after Saudi Arabia was denied a seat on the UN's Human Rights Council in October. The Saudi Arabian government has continued to attempt to present itself as a reformed country that has made progress on gender equality and human rights despite the shocking rate of executions and free speech crackdowns. Since taking on the role of Crown Prince in 2015, Salman has overseen more than 1,450 executions and, despite a mortarium on the use of the death penalty for minor offences in 2020, the instances of capital punishment reached a monthly record high of 41 in August. The brutal regime has also served lengthy prison sentences to several women, often during secret trials, after they were caught using social media to advocate for more rights and freedoms for women. One such woman, Manahel al-Otaibi, 30, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for 'terrorist offences' after the Saudi Arabian fitness instructor posted messages about female empowerment online. Manahel al-Otaibi, 30, was jailed for 11 years after posting about female empowerment on social media Saudi Arabia has a shocking record on gender equality (File image) In October, Manahel told her family she had been stabbed in the face with a sharp pen and required stitches - but when her family attempted to report the attack to the Saudi government's Human Rights Commission, they were allegedly ignored. Yet Saudi Arabia was chosen in March to chair a UN commission that is meant to promote gender equality and empower women. To the dismay of human rights groups across the globe, Saudi Arabia's envoy to the UN, Abdulaziz Alwasil, was elected as chair of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in a completely unopposed race at the group's annual meeting in New York. He was even endorsed by a group of Asia-Pacific states on the commission, despite his nation's notorious record on gender equality, which human rights groups were quick to point out. Louis Charbonneau, UN director at Human Rights Watch, said at the time: 'Saudi Arabia's election as chair of the UN Commission on the Status of Women shows shocking disregard for women's rights everywhere. 'A country that jails women simply because they advocate for their rights has no business being the face of the UN's top forum for women's rights and gender equality. 'Saudi authorities should demonstrate that this honor was not completely undeserved and immediately release all detained women's rights defenders, end male guardianship and ensure women's full rights to equality with men.' Saudi lawmakers passed a law in 2022 that claims to have increased the 'personal status' of women in the nation. But the law explicitly says that a woman has to obtain permission from a male guardian to marry. It also says that a wife has to obey her husband in a 'reasonable manner', and states that her husband's financial support depends on her 'obedience.' A husband can withdraw financial support for reasons including refusing to have sex with him, live in a marital home or travel with him without a 'legitimate excuse.' President Joe Biden showed off his white privilege when he pardoned his son Hunter this weekend, prison justice advocate has claimed. Mac Hudson, the community liaison coordinator for Prisoners Legal Services of Massachusetts, told the Boston Globe that Biden demonstrated 'what it is to have white privilege'. Hunter was convicted in June of lying on a federal government form to buy a gun and also possessing the firearm while abusing drugs. In September, he pleaded guilty to nine felony tax evasion charges. He was facing decades in prison, but thanks to the intervention from his father, he won't spend a day behind bars. 'When you see that type of flagrant exercise, what does it say to us, the black and brown folks who are fighting constantly just for basic fundamental rights?' Hudson said. Hudson, who is black, spent more than 30 years in prison after being convicted of a second-degree murder and pleading guilty to a manslaughter charge. He has long maintained his innocence in both cases and was granted parole in November 2021, largely because he was only 17 at the time of one of the crimes. He was then released in September 2022 and has been free ever since. According to his LinkedIn, he was hired by Prisoners' Legal Services in October 2022. In his role, he focuses on battling racial inequities in the criminal justice system. Hunter was last seen on holiday with his father and the rest of the Bidens for Thanksgiving on Nantucket in Massachusetts Hunter had a well known addiction to crack cocaine, a drug disproportionately used by black Americans Hudson takes issue with Biden wiping the slate clean for his son in part because of Hunter's past addiction to crack cocaine, a drug he argues led to heavy handed sentences for black people who possessed it throughout the 1990s and the early 2000s. In his statement on the pardon, Biden wrote: 'Those who were late paying their taxes because of serious addictions, but paid them back subsequently with interest and penalties, are typically given non-criminal resolutions. It is clear that Hunter was treated differently.' Mac Hudson has become a prison rights advocate after spending more than 30 years behind bars But for criminal justice advocates like Hudson, black people have been treated differently since the 1986 Anti-Drug Abuse Act was passed, a piece of legislation crafted by then-Senator Biden. If someone was caught with 5 grams of crack cocaine - whether or not it was their first offense - judges were mandated by the law to impose a minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole. The same five year minimum applied to people who possessed powder cocaine - only they had to have been caught with a whopping 500 grams. Multiple studies have concluded that black people use crack cocaine at far higher rates than other racial groups, while whites use the more expensive powder form more frequently. For decades, activists railed against this 100-1 sentencing disparity which they argued was racist for singling out black communities. To this day, black incarceration rates are six times higher than that of white people. Powder cocaine (pictured above) is a Schedule II drug, meaning it has a high potential for abuse Crack cocaine, also a Schedule II drug, is an altered version of cocaine that is in a solid, crystallized form. The drug produces an immediate, short-lasting high and came about in the mid-1980s In 2010, the crack-powder disparity was reduced to 18-1. The Justice Department then eliminated disparity altogether in 2022, a move the Biden Administration 'strongly' supported at the time. Also in 2022, Biden pardoned more than 6,500 people who were convicted of simple marijuana possession. This act helped thousands of people who had been 'denied employment, housing, or educational opportunities' as a result of these convictions, according to Biden. This year, he pardoned 11 non-violent drug offenders and commuted the sentences of five more. One of the men Biden pardoned was Jason Hernandez, who used to sell dime bags of marijuana out of a Texas convenience store. Then he got a sentence of life without parole. He was convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, distribution of speed, and distributing a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school. Despite this record, Hudson told the Globe he is still 'not impressed' with Biden's record on criminal justice issues. He insists the president should grant clemency to more people who found themselves in situations similar to his son. 'What he could do, if he was interested, is create that same relief for those who are incarcerated right now, to pardon some of these folks who were convicted at a time when the crack-cocaine era was overly stereotyping black and brown folks and people received excessive sentences,' Hudson said. 'From my understanding, he aint moved on that yet. But hes moved on this,' he added. Jason Hernandez was convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, distribution of speed, and distributing a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school. He was pardoned by President Biden this year Biden's presidential pardon power only extends to federal crimes. He cannot forgive the sentences or commute the convictions of people at the state level, where the majority of drug offenders are incarcerated. There were 353,000 people imprisoned in the US for a range of drug offenses in 2023, according to the Prison Policy Initiative. About 132,000 of them are in state prisons, or 37 percent of the total. Roughly 25 percent of drug offenders, 90,000 people, are in federal prisons or in the custody of the US Marshals Service. Furthermore, the vast majority of drug offenders are not only convicted for possessing controlled substances but also distributing them. There were 19,066 people sentenced in fiscal year 2023 for federal drug offenses, according to the US Sentencing Commission. More than 99 percent of those offenders were convicted of drug trafficking. Methamphetamine, powder cocaine and fentanyl - all classified as either schedule I or II drugs under the Controlled Substances Act - made up more than 84 percent of the drugs that were trafficked. Marijuana sat at a paltry 3 percent. Following Biden's pardon of his son, Representative Ayanna Pressley, a Democrat from Massachusetts, called on Biden to use his powers to help non-violent offenders It isn't exactly clear how many truly non-violent drug offenders remain behind bars, but that hasn't stopped some elected officials from urging Biden to use his powers to help people who don't necessarily have the ear of the president. Dozens of members of Congress, led by progressive Representative Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, sent a letter to Biden a couple weeks before he pardoned Hunter pressing him to grant clemency to people who were given 'draconian sentences' based on 'unjust and unnecessary criminal laws.' Pressley renewed her call to action on Monday, saying, 'Today, Im thinking of the hundreds of thousands of people who pose no threat to society and whose lives are deteriorating due to Americas mass incarceration crisis and unjust criminal legal system.' Despite pledging he wouldn't pardon Hunter as recently as June, Biden reversed course on Sunday. He argued that he was intervening because his son was being prosecuted 'selectively' and 'unfairly' prosecuted. 'From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department's decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted,' Biden said in a statement. 'No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter's cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because is my son - and that is wrong,' he added. A father-of-five has recounted the 'terrible experience' of discovering a Costa coffee cup wedged in the wall of his brand new 270k home and is now fighting for justice. The shocking find was made by author Justin Lee Anderson in 2019 and would go on to be the first of a number of snags he encountered at his family house in Wallyford in East Lothian, Scotland. The signature red and white cardboard cup can be seen pictured by a fence with only its upper half visible as it is fused into the wall. Mr Anderson says he would now like to see a change to the law in light of the tragic horror episode and explains how he has been empowered to join a residents association as vice chair. The distraught father said: 'I couldn't believe how bad our experience was. 'We literally had a Costa coffee cup sticking out of a hole in our wall.' He added that the trauma led him to discover he was unfortunately far from isolated in his experience on the new estate. Behind the story lies a three-year-long fight to have an extensive list of faults fixed at his humble abode. The signature red and white cardboard cup can be seen pictured by a fence with only its upper half visible as it is fused into the wall Mr Anderson says he would now like to see a change to the law in light of the tragic horror episode and explains how he has been empowered to join a residents association as vice chair Mr Anderson says he is now calling on the Scottish Government to establish a housing ombudsman to give homeowners the right to demand higher standards and ensure that developers face consequences when they fail to meet these. He also wants local authority planning committees to have the right to reject applications from builders who have failed to produce good-quality houses in the past. Detailing a list of other snags at the house, he said: 'Our heating was hooked up backwards, so that the upstairs thermostat was controlling downstairs and vice versa. 'Our bathroom extractor fan is connected to a tube that's literally just hung on a screw in our attic - it doesn't go anywhere! 'I've heard horror stories from so many neighbours. Loads have similar problems of extractor fans venting into their attics. 'One house has had a section of render just fall off. We even heard from a former Persimmon employee that the company refer to our development as a "failed estate" because of all the complaints.' Mr Anderson added he believed the problem came back to a lack of oversight. He said: 'There is a presumption of competence given to housebuilders which is just wrong and allows them to get away with shockingly poor standards without any real consequences. Mr Anderson said: 'I've heard horror stories from so many neighbours. Loads have similar problems of extractor fans venting into their attics 'Nobody's properly inspecting this work. Contractors are paid piecework and given too many houses to cover in a day, so they end up leaving rushed, incompetent work to be "picked up in snagging". 'Planning committees can't legally refuse a planning application from a builder as long as that application meets regulations. 'There is no consideration of the builder's record of competence. So they can build as many terrible houses as they like and keep getting planning permission for more.' Musselburgh councillor Shona McIntosh, Scottish Greens, had suggested Mr Anderson use his membership of the Scottish Green Party to put a motion to the Autumn Conference. Following this, the motion to support the urgent creation of a housebuilding ombudsman and to give planning committees the right to reject planning applications from builders with a poor quality record successfully passed at conference and will now become a part of Scottish Greens policy. Councillor McIntosh said that it was high time developers were held to account. She added: 'There need to be better protections for home buyers and the Scottish Government must get on and work with the UK government to set up an ombudsman as an urgent first step. 'The planning process should be better equipped to ensure standards, whether that is with better powers of enforcement, stricter conditions on quality control and environmental impact, or ultimately, to be able to refuse or withdraw permission from contractors who have been sanctioned by the ombudsman - all these options need to be on the table if we are to protect consumers and build homes that will last for future generations.' A Persimmon spokesman said: 'We are disappointed that Mr Anderson did not receive the level of service we strive to provide and we apologise for the inconvenience he experienced Mr Anderson said: 'I sincerely hope we can get this on the books. 'We need more houses, especially more affordable housing, but they have to be built to a decent standard, and there's currently not enough in place to ensure that. Homebuyers need more support and protection from the government.' Persimmon said it was 'disappointed' to hear about Justin's experience with his home, which he moved into in 2019. A spokesman said: 'We are disappointed that Mr Anderson did not receive the level of service we strive to provide and we apologise for the inconvenience he experienced. 'While we have not been made aware of any issues with the property since 2022, we are committed to addressing any concerns brought to our attention.' A Las Vegas man has woken up from a three-month coma following a horrific car crash - and one of his first acts was kissing his mother on the cheek. Thomas 'Eddie' Stanton, 23, was critically injured in a dramatic multi-vehicle collision in the Nevada city's downtown on the night of September 9. According to LVMPD, alleged DUI driver Carlos Adan Alvarez, 36, ran a red light before smashing into Stanton's car 'at a high speed' and flipping his own vehicle. Stanton had been riding in the passenger seat of a 2017 Hyundai Elantra driven by an unidentified 31-year-old male who was also critically injured, per police records. He had been in a coma at the hospital ever since, but woke from this on Monday. His grandmother, Arlene Brooks, described his first moments after regaining consciousness. 'Originally when his eyes opened from the coma, they were just kind of stationary, but his pupils moved back and forth. It's a long process,' Brooks told CBS affiliate KLAS. 'Thank you so much to everybody who prayed. Some of our prayers are finally starting to be answered,' she added, while fighting back tears. Stanton was able to move just enough to kiss his mother, Jamie Brooks, on the cheek, as shown in moving footage. Thomas 'Eddie' Stanton (pictured) has woken up from a three-month coma following a horrific car crash - and one of his first acts was kissing his mother on the cheek Pictured: Carnage from the aftermath of the Las Vegas crash which left Stanton in a coma. Police say alleged DUI driver Carlos Adan Alvarez, 36, ran a red light before hitting the car 'Originally when his eyes opened from the coma, they were just kind of stationary, but his pupils moved back and forth,' Arlene Brooks said. (Pictured: Arlene and her grandson) Jamie Brooks said he suffered several fractures and had undergone organ removals as a result of the crash. His heartbroken relatives are also having to grapple with his employer, Walmart, to keep his private insurance and prevent him being moved into 'lower care'. 'The insurance company keeps denying his claims,' his mother told KLAS previously. 'He's not lower care.' 'He was a victim with the accident,' she added. 'But now he's being a victim of the insurance companies in the healthcare system, which is victimizing him as well. 'He doesn't have a voice, and I am going to speak loud and clear for him.' Brooks said things had improved for her son in recent weeks, but they are still fighting for his rights as a patient. 'We have had some hiccups with some negligence or neglect, things that haven't been done that have affected his overall health,' Brooks told KLAS this week. Stanton was able to move just enough to kiss his mother, Jamie Brooks, on the cheek - as shown in moving footage. (Pictured: Stanton and his mother after he woke from the coma) Thomas 'Eddie' Stanton, 23, was critically injured in a multi-vehicle collision in Las Vegas on the night of September 9. (Pictured: Stanton with a relative before the crash) Stanton's grandmother, Arlene Brooks (pictured), fought back tears as she described his first moments regaining consciousness after three months in a coma 'He has a new primary care doctor, Dr T., who works out of Valley Hospital, who's a very good doctor. 'I feel very confident with those three doctors that I have working for him right now.' 'This has given me a newfound purpose,' Brooks added. 'I'm going to make sure when this is all said and done, that I can advocate for patients and teach them their rights and what they're allowed and what they're not allowed. 'The way they bully, intimidate you and almost force you to sign things, to do things.' In lieu of full medical insurance, Brooks launched a GoFundMe, which has so far raised more than $9,000 for medical supplies, braces, bandages and slings. 'The way they bully, intimidate you and almost force you to sign things, to do things.' LVMPD released a report on the day of the crash which changed Stanton's life. Cops said the collision happened around 10.44pm on September 9. Stanton, 23, suffered several fractures, and has undergone organ removals as a result of the September 9 crash. He woke from a three-month coma on Monday, his family said Pictured: Carnage from the aftermath of the Las Vegas crash which left Stanton in a coma Five people were injured in total amid the September 9 crash, and Alvarez's 2024 Ford F-150 (pictured) overturned before landing on the center median on the intersection The release said Alvarez crashed into Stanton's Hyundai so hard that the vehicle slammed into 'multiple vehicles' which had stopped for the red light. Five people were injured in total and Alvarez's 2024 Ford F-150 overturned before landing on the center median on the intersection. Alvarez remained on scene after the crash and 'displayed signs of impairment', according to the police release. He faces two charges of DUI resulting in bodily harm, two charges of reckless driving resulting in bodily harm, and one charge of driving through a red light. Alvarez was bailed before his next appearance at a Las Vegas court for a status check of the criminal complaint on January 14. An adorable dog had to be euthanized after someone stole the pup out of its owner's yard in Colorado and the innocent pooch was thrown out of a car window. The dog, Rambo, had been playing in his backyard while his owners were reportedly at a church event when an unidentified person snatched the pup around 7pm on November 23. A suspect then threw Rambo out of a moving car near the intersection of East 64th Avenue and Monaco Street in Commerce City outside of Denver, according to the Commerce City Police Department. 'A Good Samaritan witnessed the horrific ordeal and tried to help the dog before our officers arrived,' the department wrote in a Facebook statement. 'We transported him to the emergency veterinarian but sadly his spine was broken, and he was in both tremendous pain and unable to move.' Little Rambo had to be put down due to his injuries, police said. Police have not announced a suspect or suspects in the case. A witness saw the dog being thrown from the car's passenger-side window. Rambo had been playing in his backyard while his owners were reportedly at a church event when an unidentified person snatched the pup on November 23 Rambo had to be euthanized after breaking his spine 'We are continuing to investigate what happened next and who is responsible for the terrible act that followed,' the Commerce City Police Department said. Alex Ordonez, 18, said his family didn't realize the dog had gone missing until they saw the police's Facebook post a few days later, he told CBS News. 'I was so excited about seeing my dog that I didn't read the thing that happened to him,' he told the outlet. The Ordonez family did not get a chance to say goodbye to Rambo, who had been in their lives for more than a decade, after they received him as a gift from a family friend. 'We tried to give him the best life. So, it really sucks when you spent 12 years with this dog and he's really close to your heart and he just goes away,' Ordonez said. Rambo's owners did not get a chance to say goodbye to the dog, who had been in their lives for more than a decade A suspect or suspects threw Rambo out of the moving car near the intersection of East 64th Avenue and Monaco Street (pictured) in Commerce City 'He's always been a good dog. We're a really close family, and Rambo was always with us in every moment,' the teen continued. 'You don't hear the door scratching, or you don't hear our dog barking outside. It's just different.' The person or people responsible for Rambo's injuries faces felony aggravated animal cruelty charges, according to police. The charge carries two to six years in prison, with one-year mandatory parole and up to $500,000 in fines. DailyMail.com has reached out to the Commerce City Police Department for comment. A seriously injured migrant is warning others not to risk climbing the U.S.-Mexico border wall after she plummeted from the 30-foot-high structure. Mexican migrant Ana, 21, fractured her spine and foot after she attempted to scale the border wall between Tijuana and San Diego on October 22. She told NBC San Diego although human smugglers put up ladders to climb the wall, it is still very difficult. 'It's just going up, and you hold on, and you get off, but the truth is: It's not easy,' Ana said. Climbers fear getting caught by Border Patrol and once they reach the top, they have to hold on to a tube to slip through to get to the bottom. When Ana reached the top of the 30-foot high wall, she was pushed unexpectedly and plummeted to the ground leaving her severely injured. 'They pushed me and when I least thought they would,' Ana said. 'I tried to get up but I couldn't.' Ana was hospitalized for a month, had at least two surgeries and still cannot walk due to her injuries. She has since been discharged, but said she has no money to afford rehabilitation and care. The mother expressed regret for trying to climb the wall because now she is separated from her two and five-year-old daughters. 'I thank God what happened to me was very serious but I am alive,' Ana said. Mexican migrant Ana, 21, fractured her spine and foot after she attempted to scale the border wall between Tijuana and San Diego on October 22 Climbers fear getting caught by Border Patrol and once they reach the top, they have to hold on to a tube to slip through to get to the bottom When Ana reached the top of the 30-foot high wall, she was pushed unexpectedly and plummeted to the ground leaving her severely injured More than 900 people have fallen from that same border wall this year, up 58 percent compared to the year before according to a report by UC San Diego Health and Scripps. In February, the US Border Patrol installed 'anti-climb' features to the San Diego wall, making it much more difficult for migrants to get over the barrier. By April, a local organization counted at least three falls as a result of the device including one man who was injured. Video showed one of the migrants lying on the ground motionless as Border Patrol agents waited for an ambulance to arrive. 'He's in a lot of pain; he's hurt,' narrated Dan Watman of Friends of Friendship Park in the March 16 clip. More than 900 people have fallen from that same border wall this year, up 58 percent compared to the year before 'I don't know what he's injuries are...but they explained to me they don't want to touch him because they do, they could make the injury worse. If it's back or spine, you could make it worse.' Body camera footage captured the horrifying moment a migrant who was stuck on the border wall pleaded for help before plunging to her death. Guatemalan migrant Petronila Elizabeth Poma Perez, 24, died after she fell from the 30-foot wall in the California border city of Otay Mesa on March 21. She is said to have arrived with a group of other migrants that night, and brazenly scaled the wall in front of agents who warned her to stay put. Border Patrol said the San Diego Fire Department did not arrive on the correct side of the border wall in time to help Poma Perez and provide her with a ladder down. The body camera footage shows an unidentified agent arriving on the scene between the primary and secondary fences separating the US and Mexico in California at around 10:30pm. He could be heard advising the woman not to go over the fence or scale down the north side, telling her in Spanish: 'Do not go down, do not go down.' But Poma Perez apparently does not listen and begins to scale the fence anyway, prompting the officer to advise her 'Don't do that, don't do that. Petronila Elizabeth Poma Perez, a 24-year-old Guatemalan national, tragically fell to her death from the top of the border wall in March 'Stay there, do not go down, please, please,' he could be heard telling the woman as he calls for help. By 10.54pm, Poma Perez yelled that she was going to fall - and just moments later a loud thud could be heard as her body struck the elevated concrete base. A border patrol agent on the scene then finds her sprawled, unresponsive on the ground with massive head trauma and profuse bleeding. 'I think she's done, bro,' the agent could be heard telling another officer before calling EMS crews. A former Floridian mayoral candidate and member of a religious 'cult' has been charged with the murder of another long-time member of the communal religious group. Adam Arthur Rosenthal, 39, who has been on NCIS's missing persons list since April, was arrested for criminal homicide, aggravated assault and tampering with evidence in connection with the death of Darren 'Cody' Gambrel. Gambrel's body was found on November 26, on a farm in Pulaski, Tennessee, with multiple stab wounds, which cops believe caused his death. The same day, Connie Pruitt, an acquaintance of 'Cody Coyote', posted to Facebook announcing the tragic death of her loved one. 'His half sister called me and said that the man who killed Cody by stabbing him confessed and it was a coworker at the 12 tribes yellow deli in Chattanooga, Tennessee who seems to have been high on drugs or a mental issue saying Cody was the devil or had the devil in him,' the post read. 'With a broken heart we just heard from Crazy Larry that Cody 'Cody Coyote' Gambrel passed suddenly. We send our prayers to all the family and friends,' Pruitt's post added. Giles County Sheriff, Joe Purvis, said his department was notified of a dead body earlier that day, prompting the enforcement of two search warrants - both for properties reportedly owned and used by the local group The Twelve Tribes. The Twelve Tribes was started in the early 1970s and has expanded over the world. Adam Arthur Rosenthal, 39, who has been on NCIS's missing persons list since April, was arrested and charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault and tampering with evidence in connection with the death of Darren Gambrel Believed to be in his early thirties, Darren Gambrel's body was found on November 26, on a farm in Pulaski, Tennessee , with multiple stab wounds, Giles County police believe to be the cause of his death. Pictured: Gambrel with his father, Thomas Gambrel The group has an estimated 2,000-3,000 members 'who live a 'tribal life' in different geographical areas of the world, 'so as to be a demonstration of how God has always wanted His people to live,'' AP News reported in 2016. Also, in 2018, a German court ruled the sect members were using 'a form of institutionalized violence against minors,' after which the group left the country, AP News reported. Gambrel, who was believed to be in his early thirties, had been a member of the group for several years, while Rosenthal is believed to have been affiliated with the group for possibly six-nine months, Purvis told the Pulaski Citizen. 'Mr. Gambrel was an outstanding member of the community for six or seven years, they feel like they've lost a family member, Purvis said. A motive for the alleged brutal killing has yet to be released. Rosenthal, originally from Wisconsin, ran for Gainesville mayor in 2022, following his move to the area in 2012 allegedly to pursue work in the tech field. He said he was once homeless after losing his job in 2018, which at the time, he believed would 'serve him well in understanding issues in Gainesville,' The Gainesville Sun reported. During his campaign, for which he received 236 votes, Rosenthal touched on 'having more compassion and understanding for people,' reducing fossil fuel use and building a data-driven 'smart city,' according to a 2022 interview with The Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce. Rosenthal, said he was once homeless after losing his job in 2018, which at the time, he believed would 'serve him well in understanding issues in Gainesville,' The Gainesville Sun reported Gambrel (pictured) had been a member of The Twelve Tribes religious group for several years, while Rosenthal is believed to have been affiliated with the group for possibly six-nine months, Purvis told the Pulaski Citizen According to Missing People in America's website, the 39-year-old was last seen leaving a bar, the Space Bar near Cypress & Grove Brewing Co. in Gainesville, which has since closed, in April. Rosenthal remains on Giles County Police radar for additional 'serious crimes,' in other states, Purvis said. Though the county sheriff did not clarify the nature of the possible additional crimes. 'I believe he's a genuinely dangerous man,' Purvis told People. He is currently in the Giles County Jail in Pulaski and has a preliminary court date set for December 10. A California father fatally shot his adorable nine-year-old autistic son in front of the boy's grandfather's house over the holiday weekend in a horrifying act of violence. Nicholas Jones, 32, the boy's biological father, was arrested on Sunday for murder and child abuse in the grisly death of his own child, Princeton Nicholas Jones, who had been named after his killer dad. The boy was gunned down in the front yard of his grandparent's house, located at S. Haskins Avenue and Alondra Boulevard in Compton, south of downtown Los Angeles, around 7:30 pm on Saturday evening, according to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. After the shooting, police were looking for a suspect. The boy's family pleaded with the public in helping to find the shooter. On Sunday, police identified Princeton's father as the shooter, though a motive is still unknown and is under investigation. The boy's distraught aunt Shamica Frasier told Fox LA the she has 'no idea' why this happened and was visibly shocked. 'I don't know. I have no idea. I don't know. He was a loving, warm kid. very respectful, just heartwarming kid,' Frasier said. Jones is currently booked at the East Los Angeles Sheriff's Station. Princeton Nicholas Jones, 9, was fatally shot by his father Nicholas Jones on Saturday night Police cars line the street at S. Haskins Avenue and Alondra Boulevard in Compton around 7:30pm on Saturday evening where the shooting took place Family members console eachother after horrific shooting Family members were left heartbroken calling the tragedy 'a senseless act' and want answers. 'I don't know. I have no idea. I don't know. He was a loving, warm kid. very respectful, just heartwarming kid,' Frasier said. Shamica Frasier, the boy's aunt, was devastated over her nephews death and wants answers Loved ones described the young boy as a 'truly special young man with a brilliant mind and a warm heart,' according to a GoFundMe set up to help pay for family expenses in the wake of his death. 'Princeton was a beacon of joy, lighting up every room he entered with his humor and infectious smile,' wrote Creole Green, the organizer of the fundraiser. 'He was adored by his friends, family, and community, who all cherished the incredible person he was becoming.' Princeton was diagnosed with mild autism at the age of 2, but with love and support from his mother, he was able to speak fluently by the age of 5. Green is asking for the community's support with all donations going directly toward the family expenses in honoring Princeton's life. 'Your help, no matter the size, will mean the world to our family as we navigate this unimaginable loss,' Green wrote. Princeton was spending the holiday weekend at his grandparent's house in Compton Princeton was diagnosed with mild autism at the age of 2, but with love and support from his mother, he was able to speak fluently by the age of 5 'If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this page with others. As of Tuesday, more than $37,000 was raised toward the family's goal of $50,000. Queen Camilla has revealed to guests at Buckingham Palace that her chest infection was a form of pneumonia as she continues to suffer from the 'lingering' side effects. The 77-year-old is suffering from post-viral fatigue and has missed the outdoor parts of the Qatari visit after being urged by her doctors to take more time to recover. Camilla, who fell ill a month ago, is said to be feeling particularly 'fatigued' and pulled out of today's ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade on doctor's advice. Instead of attending the cold outdoor ceremony in London, the Queen was driven straight to the palace for a lunch to honour visiting head of state Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher. She gave a smile as she stepped from her car at the Grand Entrance then waited for the Emir of Qatar and his wife inside, in the warm surroundings of the Grand Hall. Once inside the palace, the Emir and his wife were introduced by Camilla and her husband King Charles III to the British suite - key members of the Royal Household - who had gathered to wait in a receiving line. The King and Emir walked together, followed by Camilla and Sheikha Jawaher. Camilla will later attend most elements of the State Banquet in the evening. It is understood her condition was viral, not bacterial, and she no longer has pneumonia. Queen Camilla arrives at Buckingham Palace for the Qatari state visit to the UK today Camilla is driven around the quadrangle to the Buckingham Palace Grand Entrance today Queen Camilla arrives at Buckingham Palace during the Qatar state visit this afternoon Sources stressed there was no cause for alarm, saying the chest infection had simply left the Queen 'with significantly diminished reserves of energy'. As a result, they said, her doctors have advised some 'tweaks' to her programme. Camilla's diagnosis was announced on November 5 when it emerged she had been forced to pull out of this year's Remembrance events. The Queen contracted her chest infection after a long haul trip to Australia and Samoa and has pulled out a series of engagements since then, including the Royal Variety Performance, the Gladiator II premiere and the Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph. It is understood the Queen was not taken to hospital with pneumonia, but is now facing bouts of extreme tiredness. A royal source said: 'Some days the Queen is on really good form. It's just one of those things. 'She has lost the coughing but the lingering side of it is bouts of extreme tiredness. There has to be a degree of flex in the Queen's diary at the moment.' It comes as the Princess of Wales made a rare public appearance as the King officially welcomed the Emir of Qatar to the UK for a two-day state visit. Charles greeted the Gulf state ruler in Whitehall as he began a busy round of public engagements aimed at strengthening the ties between the UK and the Middle East nation. King Charles and Camilla view a display of Qatari items at Buckingham Palace today Camilla was not present at Horse Guards Parade today for the ceremonial welcome The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at Buckingham Palace today during the state visit The Prince and Princess of Wales in a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace today King Charles III arrives at Buckingham Palace today with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher, following the ceremonial welcome Military pomp and pageantry was on display for the ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards Parade, where a guard of honour were formed by the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards stood waiting in two ranks to be inspected by the visiting head of state. Prince William and Kate had followed tradition and accompanied the Emir and his wife from their private residence to Horse Guards Parade for the ceremonial welcome. The princess looked relaxed as she stepped from a chauffeur-driven car with the prince, one of only a handful of official events Kate has carried out this year. After arriving at Buckingham Palace, gifts were exchanged, including a silver framed, signed photograph of Charles and Camilla to the Qataris. The King also gave the Emir a hand-knotted Prayer mat, woven from Ghazni wool by Afghan women weavers from Bamiyan in central Afghanistan for his Turquoise Mountain charity. The weavers involved in this piece are among the nearly 4,000 female weavers supported by Turquoise Mountain's pilot collaboration with the Qatar Fund for Development. The Emir also gave the King a handmade Qur'an stand made by woodworker master Abdul Rahman Sha'aban from Damascus. Materials include mother-of-pearl, walnut, olive, maple, rose, cherry, eucalyptus and dyed walnut wood. There was also a bespoke glove from the Ben Long Falconry, made in red deerskin from the Billy Tannery and bearing The King's cypher. The Queen gave Sheikha Jawaher a silver and blue enamel round pill box, engraved with Her Majesty's cypher. The royals view a display of Qatari items from the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace today The Emir of Qatar and King Charles III arrive to view the Qatari items at Buckingham Palace The Prince and Princess of Wales view Qatari items at Buckingham Palace today Charles also received a set of exquisite gifts from the Emir including a limestone and blue sodalite side table with geometric shell and brass inlays, inspired by the decoration of the Amiri Diwan building; a model of Al-Sanbook, a traditional sailboat used in pearl diving; a traditional Al-Sadu rug; a model of Oryxes, a symbol of Qatar, at Zekreet; a book documenting the history and details of the Amiri Diwan building in Qatar; and a photograph of Arabian horses. Sheikha Jawaher gave the Queen a multi-stranded necklace of pearls. The royal party - who were also joined by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent - then enjoyed a private lunch. Afterwards the King appointed The Emir as a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, an ancient order of chivalry founded in 1725 by King George I. The Emir presented the King with Qatar's highest national decoration, the Sword of the Founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani. The group then made their way to the historic Buckingham Palace Picture Gallery where they examined a series of exhibits from the Royal Collection relating to Qatar, including a rare books from the royal library, a copy of Queen Elizabeth II's speech from the state visit of 2010, a silver model of a dhow and a gold mantle clock surmounted by a bronze horse presented in 2010 by the Emir, then heir apparent, to the-then Prince of Wales in 2010, emphasising the longevity of their friendship. The King and Emir chatted animatedly, as did Camilla and the Sheikha. Camilla was heard to say: 'They'll explain to us about them', referring to the display items. They were followed by William and Kate - who had exchanged her boots for burgundy Gianvito Rossi heels but kept her hat on - who spoke earnestly to each other, and then other members of the royal party. The royals view a display of Qatari items from the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace today Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al-Thani and Camilla view items at Buckingham Palace The Prince and Princess of Wales view Qatari items at Buckingham Palace today Kate has been gradually returning to royal duties after she announced in September that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment and her focus was 'doing what I can to stay cancer free'. However, Kate will not attend the state banquet hosted by the King in the palace's ballroom this evening, although William will be a guest. On Horse Guards Parade the Emir was introduced to a long line of dignitaries, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. Military top brass were also present, including Admiral Sir Anthony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Benjamin Key, First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, General Sir Roland Walker, Chief of the General Staff and Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, Chief of the Air Staff. Charles escorted the Emir when he inspected the guard of honour walking a few paces behind his guest as he cast an eye over the Guardsmen. In the hazy winter sunshine the Emir walked past the soldiers before returning to the dais with the King. After the official welcome, crowds in The Mall were treated to a carriage procession towards Buckingham Palace with the King, the Emir and Sheikha Jawaher leading the way in the Irish state coach, followed by William and Kate and the Qatari prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed, in the Australian state coach. The King and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani inspect a guard of honour King Charles III shakes hands with Sir Keir Starmer at Horse Guards Parade today As for Camilla, she pulled out of today's welcome at Horse Guards Parade on doctor's advice with the Palace saying she is still suffering from the 'lingering' side-effects of a 'nasty viral chest infection'. The royal will attend most elements of the State Banquet this evening. So as not to exhaust her, she will greet their VIP guests and pose for photographs before retiring during a lengthy receiving line, but then join the dinner itself. As for Camilla, sources described her as having had a 'nasty viral chest infection' which continues to 'have some lingering side effects, in particular leaving Her Majesty with significantly diminished reserves of energy.' As a result, they said, her doctors have advised some 'tweaks' to her programme. Her decision not to join the King at Horse Guards Parade for a full ceremonial welcome and open-air carriage drive back to Buckingham Palace on a cold morning was a sensible precaution given the nature of her illness, they stressed. Her diagnosis was first announced almost a month ago on November 5 when it emerged that she had been forced to pull out of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, followed by other events over the weekend, including the Cenotaph, to honour the nation's war dead. As the daughter of a twice-decorated Second World War veteran, such duties are taken very seriously by the Queen - and her absence was a sign of how poorly she was feeling, sources close to her told the Mail. Camilla has undertaken several public engagements since then, including the annual diplomatic reception, but has sometimes curtailed her time spent in public. At a reception to honour the UK's film and television industry last month, the Queen discreetly coughed several times during her shortened appearance and gratefully sipped on a glass of water, saying she had felt 'absolutely rotten' last week but was definitely 'on the mend'. Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Horse Guards Parade The King and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani inspect a guard of honour Kate, Prince William and King Charles III at the welcome at Horse Guards Parade today The Prince and Princess of Wales in a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace today The Princess of Wales attends the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade today Sources have stressed there has been 'no alteration' in any diagnosis or treatment being received, stressing Her Majesty just needs time to 'rest and recover fully, which is more challenging with a back-to back diary programme such as the state visit'. No substantial changes to her other diary commitments are expected the rest of the week, though each day is being taken as it comes. Guidance from her medical team suggests that in such cases post-viral fatigue symptoms can come and go and persist for several weeks. At tonight's state banquet, Camilla will join photographs with the Emir and Sheikha Jawaher, but then retire briefly during the lengthy receiving line. She will then attend the dinner as planned and join the King for the official farewells tomorrow. Camilla has been praised for the way she has stepped up this year on behalf of her husband, after he was diagnosed with cancer at the start of the year and has continued to undergo treatment. Sources have described her as a 'trooper'. Today's state visit is considered one of the highlights of the royal calendar and a show of royal 'soft diplomacy' in action. Senior Qatari diplomats have told the Mail that they are 'deeply honoured' the King has chosen their country as the first Middle Eastern state to be invited for a full state visit to the UK since Charles' accession. The country enjoys a good relationship with the UK diplomatically, with the Emir, 44, having studied in Britain - first at Sherborne and then Harrow - followed by a stint at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. There remains great admiration for the late Queen Elizabeth II, and Charles has met with the Emir on several occasions. The Prince and Princess of Wales attend the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade Life Guards (rear) and the Blues and Royals make their way to Horse Guards Parade today King Charles III ahead of a ceremonial welcome for the Emir of Qatar in London today The King and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani inspect a guard of honour The Princess of Wales attends the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade today Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim al-Thani at Horse Guards Parade in London today The two countries also have strong trade, cultural and military links, and Qatar is a major investor in the UK, not just through property and construction projects, but in science and technology. However concerns have been raised about the authoritarian nature of the Qatari ruling family and human rights, particularly as regards migrant workers. The Emir, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, will be bringing his first wife - and second cousin - Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad Al Thani, with him on the visit. She is the mother of four of his 13 children and normally accompanies him on official visits abroad. He also has two subsequent spouses. The couple landed in the UK at London Stansted Airport yesterday where they were greeted on behalf of the sovereign by the Lord in Waiting, The Viscount Hood. Today they were officially welcomed by William and Kate at their residence, before being escorted to Horse Guards Parade where the King waited for the ceremonial welcome. National anthems were played and the Emir was invited to inspect a Guard of Honour. The royal party then returned in a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace for a private lunch followed by an exhibition in the Picture Gallery of items from the Royal Collection Trust and Turquoise Mountain charity relating to Qatar. William will later receive the Emir at Kensington Palace before the evening's state banquet, which he will attend but not his wife. Tomorrow, the final day of the two-day visit, the Emir will visit Sandhurst before travelling to the Palace to bid farewell formally to the King. Sheikh Tamim will also travel to Downing Street for bilateral talks with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Kate has attended a number of high profile events such as Trooping the Colour, Remembrance Sunday and Wimbledon over the last 11 months since she effectively withdrew from public life to focus on her health. But today's appearance was her most significant so far given that she will be playing a far more active role in events and be seen in public for a lengthy period of time. Royal-watchers were delighted at the news that Kate is taking a further step forward as part of her staggered return to full-time royal duties. Members of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery perform a gun salute in St James's Park The King and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani inspect a guard of honour Crowds gather by the Queen Victoria Memorial ahead of the ceremonial welcome today Prince William and Kate attend the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade today In September she spoke of her 'relief' at having finally completed her chemotherapy treatment, but stressed that the last nine months had been 'incredibly tough' for them as a family. She was first admitted to hospital in January for what has only been described as major abdominal surgery. However afterwards doctors found evidence that cancer had been present and recommended a course of preventative chemotherapy. The couple chose to keep the news private for several weeks in order to come to terms with the news and protect their children, before the princess bravely went public with her diagnosis in March. Talking of the 'complex, scary and unpredictable nature' of cancer journeys, Catherine said recently that doing what she could to 'stay cancer free is now my focus' and emphasised that her path to full recovery would be 'long'. The Princess said she would undertake a few more public engagements in the coming months when she could but stressed that her focus would remain on her continued recovery and her young family. Maine's Democrat governor is using $50,000 in taxpayer money to provide nursing bras to breastfeeding and 'chestfeeding' parents on welfare. Governor Janet Mills, 76, and her administration have allocated the funds to purchase Nursing Naturals nursing bras for parents participating in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program in the state, according to Maine Wire. Both cisgender women who are breastfeeding and transgender women who are chestfeeding will be eligible for the bras via the program. They are also available to migrant parents. Maine has offered nursing bras to WIC parents prior to the new contract with Nursing Naturals, but the new agreement will provide larger garments. The bras currently available 'are extraordinarily small and do not fit 80 percent of our participants,' the contract reads. The new agreement will 'meet the need and fit a greater percentage of the population of breastfeeding/chestfeeding participants that are served by WIC,' it adds. 'Maine WIC, as one of its core pillars of services, supports breastfeeding/chestfeeding. A proper nursing bra is essential to support breastfeeding/chestfeeding. WIC participants often cannot afford a nursing bra,' the contract says. Nursing Naturals offers bra sizes up to a 5XL and they retail for roughly $22 to $25 a piece, according to its website. DailyMail.com has reached out to the Maine Governor's Office for comment. Governor Janet Mills, 76, (pictured) and her administration have allocated $50,000 of taxpayer money to purchase nursing bras for breastfeeding and 'chestfeeding' parents on welfare The new agreement will 'meet the need and fit a greater percentage of the population of breastfeeding/chestfeeding participants' who are on welfare Nursing bras are designed to make it easier for mothers and birthing parents to expose their chest to feed their babies. Chestfeeding is the same process as breastfeeding, but the term is reserved for those in the transgender and non-binary community. 'An individual does not need to have given birth to breastfeed or chestfeed,' the CDC has said. Milk can be synthetically produced through hormone treatment to allow non-birthing parents to perform chestfeeding. Despite the ability to synthetically breastfeed, several doctors have warned against it, as the treatment's long-term usage and its effects on children are currently unknown. Doctors told DailyMail.com in July 2023 that the CDC has a 'responsibility' to disclose the lack of research and potential risks. One of the medications used to produce milk in biological men has been linked to heart problems in babies. Doctors claimed the agency was blurring lines between 'politics and science.' Biological men who transition to women can produce breastmilk by taking several hormone drugs that mimic the changes a woman's body undergoes during the late stages of pregnancy and shortly after the birth of a child. Nursing Naturals offers bra sizes up to a 5XL and they retail for roughly $22 to $25 a piece. Nursing bras are designed to make it easier for mothers and birthing parents to expose their chest to feed their babies Both cisgender women who are breastfeeding and transgender women who are chestfeeding will be eligible for the bras via the program. They are also available to migrant parents But one of the drugs used can pass into breast milk in small amounts and can sometimes give babies an irregular heartbeat as a result. The FDA has warned against one of them: Domperidone - an anti-nausea drug that ups levels of prolactin, the hormone which encourages milk production. The agency said: 'Because of the possibility of serious adverse effects, FDA recommends that breastfeeding women not use domperidone to increase milk production.' Dr. Jane Orient, executive director of the conservative Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, told DailyMail.com that 'we have no idea what its long-term effects on the child will be' if a chestfeeding transgender woman uses 'all kinds of off-label hormones.' She said: 'A lot of people are pushing for off-label use of a drug... it's become so politicized that you can do all kinds of things for a politically approved purpose.' Off-label means using a drug for a different purpose than the one it has been approved for. Some medications required to induce lactation in transgender women are not approved for boosting milk production in America. Dr. Orient added: 'The CDC has a responsibility to talk about the health risks, but they have been derelict in doing that.' Outgoing Mayor London Breed told departments to plan for permanent general fund spending reductions of 15% starting next fiscal year. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie will have his work cut out for him when he takes office next month: The political novice must immediately begin work to close a two-year San Francisco budget shortfall now pegged at $876 million. The latest fiscal update released Tuesday by Mayor London Breeds office presents a dire outlook for the city budget, suggesting that closing the deficit will be one of the most difficult and time-consuming challenges facing Lurie after he is inaugurated Jan. 8. Breed told departments to plan for permanent general fund spending reductions of 15% starting next fiscal year, though it will be up to Lurie to decide which cuts he will adopt. Breeds office told departments to consider implementing hiring freezes, stressing that layoffs were not preferred but could be proposed if necessary to meet the 15% target an acknowledgment that some staffing reductions may be unavoidable. Simply put, San Franciscos expenses continue to rise far faster than its revenue. Record-high office vacancies driven by the persistence of remote work, combined with the local hospitality industrys languishing recovery from the pandemic, are weighing on city finances. At the same time, salary and benefits for city employees are growing and some ballot measures approved by voters will increase government costs or reduce revenue in the near term. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The financial forecast presents a tough problem for Lurie, a nonprofit founder who has never held public office but must soon figure out how to implement his campaign pledges to reduce homelessness, shut down drug markets and grow the police force while also addressing the bleak reality of the city budget. Its hard. I dont envy his challenge, said former city controller Ed Harrington. Its like turning a battleship or an aircraft carrier. San Francisco has consistently faced large deficits in recent years and the city has relied heavily on one-time revenue sources to close the gaps. City officials project their expenses will grow by $1.7 billion over the next five years while revenue will rise just $520 million, resulting in a deficit that would hit nearly $1.5 billion in the 2030 fiscal year if no action were taken. The city budget is currently about $15.9 billion annually. In a social media post Monday, Lurie revealed one cut he did not want to see: closures of cable car lines, an option recently outlined by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency as it looks to close huge deficits. In a social media post Monday, Lurie revealed one cut he did not want to see: closures of cable car lines, an option recently outlined by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency as it looks to close huge deficits. The SFMTA was not subject to Breed's budget instructions because it establishes its own spending plan as one of the city's enterprise departments that generate some of their own income. Otherwise, Lurie has revealed few specifics about how he will approach the budget. He said in a statement Tuesday that he was elected by voters who wanted accountability and change from the unsustainable status quo at City Hall. The budget deficit is a crisis that we must face head-on, and it will require us to make difficult decisions, Lurie said. We cant simply cut our way out of this nor can we balance the budget on the backs of working people. We need to stop spending more than we can afford while prioritizing investments that are critical to a full economic recovery and the maintenance of essential services. He added that he wanted to foster a diverse and growing economy that he said would be critical to eliminating chronic budget deficits. Of the $876 million shortfall facing the city over the next two years, less than a third is expected next year. The red ink is being driven partly by lower-than-expected hotel tax revenue and a drop in fees because of Proposition M, the business tax overhaul voters approved last month. The bulk of the deficit is anticipated for the subsequent fiscal year, spurred by a wave of cost increases, including a $305 million expansion of salaries and benefits and $50 million related to recently passed ballot measures. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In her budget instructions to departments that rely on the citys general fund, Breed said that as they plan for 15% reductions next year, departments should maintain core services such as public safety and clean streets. She said she also wanted to maintain funding for addressing unsheltered homelessness and providing mental health treatment. Breed said departments should review the grants they provide to nonprofits and fund only those that prove they are cost-effective. Starting Dec. 15, the city will no longer pay for employees to travel overnight or fly anywhere. City finances could be strained even further under President-elect Donald Trump, who has threatened to target liberal bastions such as California with his policies. Breeds office said in a presentation to city departments that the next Trump administration will have unknown future impacts to the local economy but pointed out that the city still has $244 million in outstanding reimbursement of pandemic-related costs it was expecting from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The outstanding bill may never be recovered because it requires approval from Congress, which will be fully controlled by Republicans next year. Harrington, the former controller, said Luries lack of previous political experience may embolden him to make more structural cuts and rely less on one-time funding sources than Breed has in recent years. Options on the table could include merging or eliminating city departments, or instituting permanent overhauls in the way certain departments spend their money, Harrington said. Mayors often feel obligated to continue what somebody else has made a priority in the past, he said, but that may not be the case with Lurie. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If your choice is cutting a mental health clinic or pulling some money thats one time but is sitting there, you keep the mental health clinic open. Its human nature, Harrington said. This gives (Lurie) the choice of being able to say, We just cant do that anymore, and so this service wont be done, or this service wont be done the way weve been accustomed to having it done. A teenager wearing a swastika-emblazoned shirt livestreamed himself attacking classmates with a hammer at a high school in Mexico after posting a warning about a planned 'massacre' on social media. The 17-year-old, identified only as Brandon, is seen in the livestream approaching classmates at San Andres High School in Guadalajara and swinging a hammer. Surveillance footage of the attack showed him walking up to one student from behind and hitting him in the head with the hammer. He was then seen swinging at two more classmates before being restrained by the first student he struck. A day before the attack, the teen posted a warning to X, formerly Twitter, showing his outfit bearing a swastika laid out along with a hammer, pickaxe and other gear. 'Now, the time has come, don't think that a few tears and sorrows are going to stop me,' the post read. 'I have invested enough money in this for this day. Tomorrow many will be happy, others will curse me, but I continue forward with the mission. SIEG HEIL let the show begin.' The warning - along with other disturbing posts expressing support for Nazi ideology - went undetected and Brandon was able to pull off the attack. He titled the livestream: 'School massacre Enjoy the show.' The teen posted online about his plans of committing an act that would make headlines across Mexico and included a photo of himself holding a pickaxe and a knife. A day before the attack, he posted a warning to X showing his outfit bearing a swastika laid out along with a hammer, pickaxe and other gear Surveillance footage showed classmates punching Brandon after the attack. Police then arrived and placed him under arrest. The two injured students, whose names have not been released, were taken to a local medical facility. Last Wednesday, Brandon posted to X about his plans of committing an act that would make headlines across Mexico and included a photo of himself holding a pickaxe and a knife. 'We are already well equipped for this Saturday's party, this is going to be national,' he wrote. 'I don't give a damn what happens. SIEG HEIL' Brandon's now-suspended X account also featured a photo of him making the Hitler salute. He had previously posted photos of animals he claimed to have killed. The teen made other disturbing posts expressing support for Nazi ideology Surveillance footage of the attack showed him walking up to one student from behind and hitting him in the head with the hammer. He was then seen swinging at two more classmates before being restrained by the first student he struck Other photos on his account show him with what appeared to be blood smeared across his face and chest, as well a picture of him holding a knife to his neck in front of an upside-down crucifix. Jalisco Governor Enrique Alfaro condemned the attack and said it could have potentially been prevented by Brandon's family. 'To reach this decision, many signs had to be noticed and, without a doubt, signs of serious antisocial behavior that, if they had been detected and attended to, in the first instance by his family, this terrible outcome could have been avoided,' Alfaro wrote on his X account. 'In addition to the fact that this young man will face all the consequences of the law and of condemning violence, as a society we have a very hard lesson to learn and understand, starting with looking at our children, who surrounds them and the example we set for them every day.' A Royal Navy officer sexually assaulted a female colleague at an Airbnb after a night out on a girls' holiday, a court martial has heard. Lieutenant Liam Humphries allegedly 'took full advantage' of the drunk sailor while the 3.5billion aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales was docked in Florida. Having met the sailor at a nightclub in Daytona Beach, Lt Humphries is accused of molesting her while she was passed out at a flat she was renting with friends. The sailor, who can't be named for legal reasons, said she had no memory of leaving the nightclub and told a court martial Lt Humphries abused her 'at my most vulnerable point'. Lt Humphries was reported to Navy bosses when the sailor returned to HMS Prince of Wales. Bulford Military Court, in Wiltshire, heard the incident happened when the 65,000 tonne aircraft carrier travelled to the US. The vessel - one of the most advanced warships in the world - this week became the Royal Navy's fleet flagship, taking over from its sister ship HMS Queen Elizabeth. At Bulford Military Court, Lt Humphries denied one count of sexual assault by penetration, claiming the encounter was consensual. Opening the case, prosecutor Colonel Jim Carmichael said the female sailor couldn't have consented because she was unconscious. Lieutenant Liam Humphries allegedly 'took full advantage' of the drunk sailor while the 3.5 billion aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales was docked in Florida The HMS Prince of Wales - one of the most advanced warships in the world - this week became the Royal Navy's fleet flagship, taking over from its sister ship HMS Queen Elizabeth Col Carmichael said: '[The victim] was serving on board HMS Prince of Wales, also serving on board was Lt Humphries, he was an education officer. 'The Prince of Wales docked in Florida, [the victim] with her friends decided to have a girls' holiday in Daytona Beach, also present [in the city] were around 20 to 30 male officers. '[The victim] and her friends had some pizza and drinks, they went into downtown Daytona Beach for a night out. 'Towards the end of the night she went into the toilet of the nightclub, she can't remember anything between then and waking up in her AirBnB. 'The first thing she can remember is waking up in bed with the defendant [performing sexual activity on her]... she had not consented to this.' He continued: 'In a text conversation [the victim] confronted the defendant about what had happened the previous night.' When the defendant was interviewed under caution, he was asked about the sexual activity and said he had done so but was under the impression she had consented. He went on to say that he had held her hair back while she vomited, the court martial heard. 'She [then] got upset about her ex-boyfriend and left the room.' Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales arriving at Glenmallen on Loch Long, in Argyll and Bute, on November 22 At Bulford Military Court, Lt Humphries denied one count of sexual assault by penetration, claiming the encounter was consensual 'The defence is....she consented to this. The issue in this case is a straightforward one, she could not have consented because she was unconscious at the time.' The sailor told her friends the next day that she thought she had been spiked although a test at a clinic in Florida came back negative, the court heard. When the sailors returned to HMS Prince of Wales she reported the incident immediately to the onboard police officer. The female sailor said she was 'vulnerable' and that Lt Humphries 'took advantage' of her in a video interview shown to the court martial. In a police interview, she said: 'I didn't feel like myself. 'I thought I just want this to be over, I don't want this to happen to me. 'He took full advantage of me when I was passed out. 'I didn't think this would ever happen to me. 'At my most vulnerable point he took advantage of me.' HMS Prince Of Wales is one of the most prestigious vessels in the Royal Navy, housing more than 1,500 personnel and up to 48 stealth fighter jets. The trial, which is expected to last a week, continues. Donors to a GoFundMe set up to find 'missing' Hawaii woman Hannah Kobayashi are demanding refunds after it emerged she 'voluntarily' travelled to Mexico. Kobayashi's family set up the fundraiser, which has raised more than $47,000, to aid the search for the aspiring photographer, who disappeared from LAX airport after missing a connecting flight on November 8. The 30-year-old was travelling from her home in Maui to New York to visit her aunt, but never arrived in the city. However, investigators have now revealed that Kobayashi 'knowingly departed' the airport before using her passport and cash to buy a ticket to the border. Surveillance video showed Kobayashi crossing into Tijuana on foot between November 12 and 13, according to the police. They have classified her as a 'voluntary missing person' and said they will not continue their search into Mexico. The update comes days after Kobayashi's anguished father tragically took his own life amid the search for his daughter. The fundraiser has since been updated to cover costs for Ryan Kobayashi's funeral, but the family have been criticized for continuing to ask for donations. Donors to a GoFundMe set up to find 'missing' Hawaii woman Hannah Kobayashi are demanding refunds after it emerged she 'voluntarily' travelled to Mexico 'Yall I cannot believe that Hannah Kobayashi cross the border into Mexico a week and a half ago and officials in the family told no one,' one person wrote on X. 'They just let the GoFundMe run and let volunteers spend thousands of hours looking for her.' 'Return the money to the people who have donated to this fundraiser,' another added. 'Police have already stated she is voluntarily missing. The organizers have withheld information from donors.' 'Agree, resources need to go elsewhere now. I wonder if the GoFundMe is still up...' one person wrote. The fundraiser was set up on November 15 with a $50,000 goal. As of Tuesday, it was at 94 percent of the way there. According to the GoFundMe, the money will be used for food and hydration for search teams, transportation, communication devices and technology, a media campaign, 'temporary accommodations for essential personnel' and on-site support for the family. On November 26, the family updated the fundraiser to add funeral costs for Kobayashi's father to its scope. A spokesman for GoFundMe confirmed that the fundraiser remains within its terms of service at this time. Kobayashi, 30, was caught on security camera footage disembarking a plane at LAX just before 10pm on November 8 but law enforcement say she is 'voluntarily missing' It comes weeks after Kobayashi left LAX and was seen at various locations in downtown Los Angeles over the following days. On November 11, she went to Union Station and used her passport to buy a bus ticket to the border. The next morning, she took the bus to San Ysidro, California, before crossing the border into Tijuana. The LAPD said there is no evidence of human trafficking or foul play and noted that Kobayashi seemed to want a less complicated life. 'The investigators noted that before departing Maui, Kobayashi expressed a desire to step away from modern connectivity,' the police department said in a statement. They are now classifying her disappearance as 'voluntary' in an attempt to respect 'her right to privacy'. 'The LAPD remains mindful of privacy concerns while ensuring all investigative actions are conducted within the bounds of legal and ethical standards,' the statement added. Police say they will not further their investigation of Kobayashi to Mexico but will be notified if she returns to America and they encourage her to contact police or the American Embassy in Mexico to 'confirm her well being'. Kobayashi's father Ryan Kobayashi tragically took his own life amid the search for his daughter Surveillance video showed Kobayashi crossing into Tijuana on foot between November 12 and 13, according to the police Her family is yet to comment on the information indicating Kobayashi could have fled south for the Mexican border. They had been fearing the worst after receiving cryptic messages from her which they claimed sounded like they had been written by someone else. The Kobayashi family has repeatedly said she did not seem to be acting like her normal self - with her sister, Sydni, even suggesting that Hannah's text messages 'feel like someone was controlling her.' A friend revealed that Kobayashi had text her to say she was undergoing a 'spiritual awakening' before she cut off communication. But at a Board of Police Commissioners meeting on November 26, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said 'the investigation determined that Hannah's missed connection was intentional.' Kobayashi's sister revealed she has been forced to shut down the Facebook page she set up to help locate Kobayashi after receiving death threats. 'Please continue to post everyday as much as we want to believe the police are doing their jobs the best they can, we need the public now more than ever to help bring Hannah home,' Syndi wrote. Her family has said she was acting suspiciously before and after her disappearance but have not responded to claims she fled to Mexico Ryan spent nearly two weeks searching for his missing daughter before he took his own life 'Act as if this were your own loved one. Im trying best to stay as strong as I can for my son, my father who is now resting at peace, and our entire family. 'We wholeheartedly appreciate all the love, light and support through these devastating times.' . The Call Her Daddy podcast's host is doubling down on her decision to have Kamala Harris on her podcast. The podcast's co-creator, 30-year-old Alex Cooper, said that having the presidential candidate on her show in October was 'totally worth it' - despite many right-leaning viewers criticizing the interview. Cooper told Forbes: '[Harris's team] reached out to me, and I recognized that maybe in a different election it wouldn't be the case, and who knows in future election what I'll do. 'But this specific election, the entire focus is on women's bodies, and we're losing rights by the day, and so, to have the most popular female podcast, where most women listen to the show in the country, it felt like a no brainer.' Cooper's podcast focuses on topics such as sex or advice for women, but after this particular interview Cooper received criticism for not diving into 'more urgent' political issues. 'Listen, I knew it was going to come. I am very aware that my audience is very split. And I again take that with responsibility. I don't want to alienate people, but I did feel like I had a sense of responsibility,' she told Forbes. 'So, I kind of like didn't care. When I pressed upload, I was like - not that I didn't care what people would think, but I knew there was going to be like, "Cancel Alex and do all this".' Before the interview with Harris began, Cooper addressed why she felt a responsibility to sit down with the Democratic presidential candidate. Call Her Daddy host, Alex Cooper, defended her decision to have the presidential candidate on her show, and said she 'didn't care' if anyone was offended by the interview The podcast is centered around women, sex, dating and advice, leading Cooper to feel that it was her 'responsibility' to have Harris on the show discussing women's rights, but many fans were unhappy with her choice Cooper said: 'But this specific election, the entire focus is on women's bodies, and we're losing rights by the day, and so, to have the most popular female podcast, where most women listen to the show in the country, it felt like a no brainer' 'I couldn't see a world in which one of the main conversations in this election is women and I'm not part of it. I am so aware I have a very mixed audience when it comes to politics, so please hear me when I say [that] my goal today is not to change your political affiliation. What I'm hoping is that you're able to listen to a conversation that isn't too different from ones that we're having here every week.' Cooper also reached out to Trump, recognizing 'this isn't a one-sided conversation', and invited him onto the show. 'If he also wants to have a meaningful, in-depth conversation about women's rights in this country, then he is welcome on 'Call Her Daddy' any time,' she added. In the interview, Harris and Cooper discussed how the presidential candidate deals with doubt, attacks on her character, the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, sexual abuse in the US, and how to make the country safer for women. However, many comments on one of the podcasters Instagram posts were less than positive towards the interview. On October 6, Cooper posted a video addressing her followers and documenting herself preparing for the interview with Harris. 'The LAST person majority of us want to hear talk about women right now is kamala. there are american citizens struggling to bathe and feed their BABIES right now after the hurricane (and in general because of this economy under their leadership) and she's here discussing women on a mental health/sex/lifestyle podcast. sooooo disappointed,' wrote one critic. Others had a different take, commenting, 'These comments are hilarious. You are following a sex positive pro women's rights podcast and expect her to support Trump.' The Vice President had sat down with host of the raunchy show Alexandra Cooper, seen here, in October while on the campaign trail Cooper posted herself preparing for the interview on Instagram where commenters expressed their disappointment in the decision to have Harris on the show 'Every answer she gives will be total BS! And she prob received her questions before she arrived just like any other time she speaks!!,' wrote one comment Your browser does not support iframes. 'Every answer she gives will be total BS! And she prob received her questions before she arrived just like any other time she speaks,' one viewer speculated. 'Why is it girls support girls until her opinion is different from yours? As someone voting for Trump in this next election, this was an incredible opportunity for her and she isnt telling you to vote one way or another, shes simply discussing womens issues as she always has with a female whos in a position of power,' said another. Cooper, however, stuck by her decision despite any negative comments. 'It was totally worth it. And you know what? It's like the noise always comes [with] the negative. And then it was overwhelming, the positivity I saw. Like, it was a lot of people coming forward and speaking up and thanking me,' she said. 'It also just created, I think, a lot of conversation, which I was really proud of,' she continued. 'I think a lot of people were having debates and conversations over the episode, and that was exciting.' The Call Her Daddy podcast has grown substantially since its creation in 2018 where Cooper found herself heartbroken and unemployed, recording a podcast with her then-roommate, Sofia Franklyn, from their New York City apartment. As two women in their 20s, the pair discussed their own lives and quickly gained a loyal community of female fans who called themselves the 'Daddy Gang'. The show then caught the attention of David Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, and became an instant hit with 2 million downloads in the first two months. Cooper then took the podcast to Spotify, branching out from just sex and dating to cover a wider range of topics, growing her audience in the process. The podcast has hosted many big names, including Jane Fonda, and Simone Biles. Today, Call Her Daddy, competes with the likes of The Joe Rogan Experience and the New York Times' The Daily for top spots on podcast streaming charts. Putin has test-fired hypersonic missiles in the eastern Mediterranean as part of drills by the Russian Navy in a fresh threat to the West. The crews of the frigates fired Zircon (Tsirkon) hypersonic anti-ship missiles, while a Russian submarine launched a Kalibr cruise missile, another weapon capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, the Russian Defence ministry said. The nuclear-capable cutting-edge Zircon missiles can travel at speeds of nearly 7,000mph. Putin as previously claimed the missiles have 'no equivalent in the world'. A missile system at the coast nearby also carried out a live launch of an Onyx anti-ship missile, the ministry added. The military, which did not state where the drills took place, said the number of Russian troops stationed in the eastern Mediterranean had been 'increased' to take part in the exercises. On December 3, during an exercise to test the combined activities of Russian Navy and Air Force troop groups, precision sea-based missiles were launched in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea,' Russia's defence ministry said in a post on Telegram. Russian vessels test fired hypersonic Zirkon missiles and a Kalibr cruise missile, the ministry added. An Onyx cruise missile was also launched 'from a designated area on the Mediterranean coast'. Russia has a naval base in Syria at Tartus but the statement did not say where the drills were carried out. A Russian Navy frigate fires a Zircon (Tsirkon) hypersonic anti-ship missile during drills conducted in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, in this still image from video released on December 3, 2024 Putin (pictured) as previously claimed the missiles have 'no equivalent in the world' A Russian Navy frigate fires a Zircon (Tsirkon) hypersonic anti-ship missile during military drills conducted in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, in this still image from video released on December 3, 2024 'In the course of preparing for the exercise, the Russian armed forces' troops grouping in the eastern Mediterranean was increased,' the ministry added. Footage shows his major warning to the West by firing Tsirkon [Zircon] 6,900 mph hypersonic missiles in the Mediterranean. They were blasted by modern frigates Admiral Gorshkov and Admiral Golovko. The ministry published images showing the launch of several missiles from ships and land and images of a target in open water being hit and exploding. The missile test coincides with deep tension in Ukraine, and was aimed to show he has a global reach beyond Russia's backyard. It was a show of Russian strength to the West, which comes as Russia's ally Syria lost ground to Islamist rebels. Russia has been a key ally of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad since the Syrian civil war started in 2011 and al-Assad is said to be currently staying in Moscow with his family. The drills were carried out under the supervision of Russian naval commander in chief Admiral Alexander Moiseyev, who several days ago was despatched to Syria. Russian MOD footage from the naval exercise in the Mediterranean It shows an explosion after the missile hit during their test One of the missiles is pictured after it was fired off during the naval missile test An aerial view shows Russian Navy frigate Admiral Golovko during military drills conducted in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, in this still image from video released on December 3, 2024 A key message of today's war games may be to warn that Russia's naval port in Syria - Tartus - will be vigorously defended. A key reason for the rebel advance was that Putin had moved forces from Syria to fight in the Ukraine war. Today the Russians said that its military strength ahead of the war games in the eastern Mediterranean Sea had been increased. Its forces conducted 'missile, artillery and torpedo firing, as well as bombing.' They did not show or report launches of the 9.200mph Dagger ballistic missiles. 'The exercise involves over 1,000 servicemen, ten ships and support vessels, 24 aircraft, including MiG-31I fighters of the Russian Aerospace Forces with Kinzhal [Dagger] hypersonic missiles and the Bastion coastal missile system,' said the Russian Defence Ministry. 'The exercise in the Eastern Mediterranean is being conducted in compliance with current international law, as well as agreements between the Russian Federation and foreign states on the prevention of incidents at sea outside territorial waters, as well as in the airspace above them.' This is a breaking news story. More to follow. President Joe Biden's blanket pardon for his son Hunter may not have ended his family's legal troubles, with Kentucky Republican Rep. James Comer saying he believes two first family members including the president himself committed 'crimes.' Comer used his perch atop the House Oversight Committee to probe tangled business relationships involving Hunter Biden involving overseas clients and the president's brother Jim as part of a years-long effort to expose what he calls a 'Biden crime family.' Now, in the wake of the president's pardon of Hunter of any offenses dating back to 2014, Comey accused the Bidens of benefitting from 'shady characters' and suggested Trump's incoming attorney general could seek criminal indictments. 'I believe two other Biden family members definitely and knowingly committed crimes. In addition to Hunter Biden, you have JIm Biden and Joe Biden,' Comer told Fox News host Sean Hannity, a key Trump ally and occasional advisor. Hannity had asked him about potential crimes and if a new AG would be within 'their jurisdiction to go forward with indictments,' even asking about 'Joe Biden himself.' Comer claimed Biden 'obstructed' Judiciary Committee chairman Jordan's investigations and 'lied multiple times. He lied about his knowledge and involvement.' 'We had sworn testimony from [Tony] Bobulinski and Devon Archer. They said that Joe Biden knew all along what was going on, he was selling the brand, his brand. He was selling access to our enemies around the world,' he said, mentioning two former Hunter Biden business partners. ''I believe two other Biden family members definitely and knowingly committed crimes,' said House Oversight and Accountability Chairman Rep. James Comer when asked if Trump's DOJ should pursue indictments President-elect Donald Trump, who has spent years battling criminal indictments that have been falling away since his election, has held up what he says was a past decision not pursue legal action against former rival Hillary Clinton. 'I could have gone after Hillary. I could have gotten Hillary Clinton very easily ... I could have had her put in jail. And I decided I didn't want to do that,' he said during the campaign, even denying participating in 'lock her up' chants at his rallies. But his personnel choices, including loyalist Pam Bondi for AG and Kash Patel to be FBI Director, have Democrats warning he is on a path of retribution with law enforcement power soon under his influence. Comer's probe, fueled by stunning materials uncovered in Hunter Biden's laptop, failed to establish that the president himself benefitted financially, and the House GOP ultimately shelved a Biden impeachment inquiry. But Republicans helped establish a long trail of Hunter seeking to leverage his family name to snag overseas business deals, including a lucrative post on the board of a Ukrainian energy firm and dealings with the defunct Chinese conglomerate CEFC China Energy. Prosecutors, after a five year probe overseen by Special Counsel David Weiss, only brought charges on tax and gun issues. He was not charged with Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) violations, an area of inquiry by prosecutors and GOP lawmakers. Trump's pardon of his son Hunter provoked a furious reaction from Republicans and was condemned by some Democrats Bidn's pardon of his son Hunter won't necessarily end his family's legal saga, with key firgures in Trump's orbit still calling for probes James Biden testified about $240,000 in loans from his brother that he paid back Bondi herself has also spoken about prosecuting the Bidens in her own appearance on Hannity in 2023. 'When we have a new administration, absolutely, Sean. It has to,' she said when asked about it. Trump, in his statement announcing his intention to nominate Bondi, said she would turn around the Justice Department an agency that Biden himself criticized for prosecuting his son. 'For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans - Not anymore,' Trump wrote. Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again.' Comer, in his prime time appearance, continued: 'So yes, Joe Biden, in my opinion, has committed crimes. Jim Biden we saw he took in all these loans. He didn't pay any interest, didn't pay any principal, had no loan documentation. At what point do those loans become income? They never paid taxes on them, and by the way, why did he get those loans? What was he doing?' Jim Biden testified to the committee that his brother, who was then a private citizen, provided him loans of $200,000 and $40,000. 'I repaid two loans that I secured from my brother,' he said. Wire transfers showed he received and paid back the loans in 2017 and 2018. He said there were no documents memorializing the no-interest loans. He said he needed the money for 'outstanding bills that I had.' Biden, in his statement announcing the pardon where he said his son was 'singled out' characterized the prosecution as an effort to hurt him and suggested the effort would continue. 'No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunters cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son and that is wrong. There has been an effort to break Hunter who has been five and a half years sober, even in the face of unrelenting attacks and selective prosecution. In trying to break Hunter, theyve tried to break me and theres no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough,' Biden said. A woman facing extradition to the US for allegedly shooting dead her two children has appeared in court in London. Kimberlee Singler, 36, is wanted in Colorado Springs for the first degree murders of her daughter Elianna, nine, and son Aden, seven, on December 19 last year. She is also accused of attempting to murder her third child, who was then aged 11. Police were called to her apartment in Palomino Ranch Point, Colorado Springs to reports of a burglary and found an injured Singler and her daughter lying next to the dead bodies of her other two children. But an investigation later found that the initial burglary report and 911 call was 'unfounded' and came on the same day Singler learned that a judge had ordered police to locate the children after she failed to drop them off to their father. Singler then fled 5,000 miles to Britain, where she went on the run for several days before being arrested in Kensington, London, by the National Crime Agency on December 30. Wearing a teal cardigan with a red top underneath, Singler appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court for her latest hearing. She sat in the dock busily taking notes during the hearing. Edward Fitzgerald KC, defending, said Singler denies responsibility for the horrific crimes. Her extradition is being challenged on the grounds that if convicted, Singler would face a life sentence without the option for parole, which represents a breach of her human rights. Kimberlee Singler is facing extradition to the US for allegedly shooting dead her two children Singler is accused of murdering two of her children: 9-year-old Elianna and 7-year-old Aden Wentz The children's deaths the same day Singler learned a Larmier County judge ordered police to locate the children after she failed to drop them off to their father Kevin Wentz (pictured) Mr Fitzgerald argued that a mandatory imposition of a life sentence would create massive problems. David Kaplan, a criminal lawyer from Colorado, earlier said it was highly unlikely Singler would receive a commutation of her life sentence. Appearing via video-link for the latest hearing Mr Kaplan said: I stand by what I said. I do not believe there is a realistic prospect for her release. He was asked about two cases in Colorado involving men who received life terms without parole for first-degree murders in the 1990s but have since had their sentences commuted. If you have over 900 people serving life without parole and the only examples of people who have received commutation are 2, you are looking at.2 or.3 of 1%, he said. If you look at the ages of (Bruce) Mingo and (Dwight) Anderson, they were 19 and 21 when they committed their offences. Given Ms Singlers age and circumstances she would not fall into the very small number of people that were commuted. Police had responded to a report of a burglary at an apartment complex in Palomino Ranch Point, Colorado Springs on December 19. Singler's daughter Elianna 'Elie' Wentz (pictured left), 9 and Aden Wentz (pictured right), 7 Police on the scene at Singler's apartment in Palomino Ranch Point, Colorado Springs following reports of a burglary Elianna and Aden were found dead inside the flat. An autopsy recently revealed they had died from gunshot wounds. Singler and her 11-year-old daughter were also injured. The mother had initially cooperated with police but vanished, triggering a US-wide hunt. She was arrested by NCA officers for offences including two counts of murder and one of attempted murder. She is also accused of two counts of class two felony child abuse, one of class three felony child abuse, and one of assault. Singler was involved in protracted a legal battle with her ex-husband Kevin Wentz over parenting time and other issues after divorcing in 2020. Mr Wentz had shared a picture of himself with his three children in a Facebook group dedicated to the case. He wrote: Hello group. Im the father. I also want to say she has been arrested. District Judge John Zani is expected to deliver a written judgement on the 24 January 2025. Urban explorers snooping around a mine claim to have stumbled on an abandoned set for Marvel's upcoming Fantastic Four movie. The two friends - who don't want to be named - entered Middleton mine in the Derbyshire Dales after they spotted the 'entrance was open'. Plunging almost 1,000ft underground, with close to five miles of tunnels, the explorers say they found a Marvel film set hidden in its depths. Inside the mine is a retro blue and white American bus, stage and a lift car. There is also an abandoned caravan and lighting plan. The pair claims 'two people who helped support the staff and actors' on a Marvel film said it was left behind after the filming of the soon-to-be-released The Fantastic Four: First Steps reboot, starring Gladiator II star, Pedro Pascal. The network of tunnels was also reportedly used by Tom Cruise in March for the latest Mission Impossible movie. One of the explorers said: 'The mine once had huge concrete blocks over the entrance but I was hiking and noticed they'd been removed. It was unbelievable - incredible. Urban explorers claim to have found a film set hidden deep underground in a mine in Derbyshire The pair entered Middleton mine in the Derbyshire Dales after they spotted the 'entrance was open'. They found this retro bus hidden inside Pictured is a poster released by Marvel announcing the new cast of the upcoming Fantastic Four film 'I usually like to find interesting artefacts, but I've not found a film set before. 'We were walking along with our torches and we suddenly found this area all built up and an old American bus just sitting there. 'The lighting rigs were there on scaffolding and a map of where they wanted all the lights to be. 'It's very bizarre to see an elevator car just sitting in the middle of a roadway, and a stage in front of the bus. 'There was all sorts of machinery they had used to set up, and a cabin with a microwave and kettle. 'There were all sorts of pipes they'd used to keep the air clean - there's a risk of radon gas down there. 'It was quite something to see the film set - it wasn't what we had expected at all. 'I believe they filmed for Lord of The Rings in there and also Mission Impossible.' Inside the mine, explorers filmed caravans that appeared abandoned in the tunnels There was a lighting map which was reportedly left inside the mine alongside equipment and scaffolding The tunnels were also reportedly the filming location of the latest Mission Impossible film A retro, blue and white bus, was parked up on the alleged film set, the explorers claimed Equipment was also left inside the tunnel, which used to be a huge mine The pair spent four hours checking out both mines. He said: 'Some of the lead mine tunnels are quite scary.' The Fantastic Four: First Steps, is the third attempt at bringing Marvel's first family to screen, following previous incarnations in 2005 and 2007 and a reboot in 2015. The film features The Mandalorian star Pedro Pascal, 49, as scientist Reed Richards/Mr Fantastic, The Crown and Mission Impossible: Fallout star Vanessa Kirby, 36, as Sue Storm, Gladiator II actor Joseph Quinn, 30, as Johnny Storm and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, 47, as Ben Grimm/The Thing. Scheduled for release on July 25, 2025, little is known about the film, which will feature as part of the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe. Pictured are the cast members of the new Fantastic Four film, set for release in July 2025 (left to right: Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn, Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby at the 2024 San Diego International Comic-Con on July 27, 2024 in San Diego) In 2005, the first big-screen adaptation of Fantastic Four debuted, starring Ioan Gruffudd as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, a role he reprised in the 2007 sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer After a prolonged hiatus, 20th Century Fox attempted to revive the franchise in 2015 with a reboot that featured Miles Teller as Mr. Fantastic, Kate Mara as Invisible Girl, Michael B. Jordan as The Human Torch, and Jamie Bell as The Thing However, IMDB - the Internet Movie Database - teases the plot by saying: 'Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world. [The film follows] Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm as they face their most daunting challenge yet. 'Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). 'And if Galactus' plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren't bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.' MailOnline has approached Disney for comment. A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder by police investigating the death of an eight-year-old girl following an attack at her home in County Wexford, Ireland. Malikika Al Katib died after she suffered stab wounds in the early hours of Monday morning. Police on the scene sought to give her medical attention before paramedics arrived. She was brought to University Hospital Waterford where she later died. Her mother received non life-threatening injuries and was in hospital last night. The chief suspect in the case is a man known to the girl and her mother. The man, who is understood to be originally from Kuwait, suffered self-inflicted injuries. He was also treated in hospital last night and was under armed guard. He was subsequently released from hospital and is now detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a police station in the east of Ireland. The schoolgirl was at home in New Ross with her mother when the incident happened late on Sunday night. It is understood that she had attempted to intervene when her mother was attacked. A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder by police investigating the death of an eight-year-old girl at her home in County Wexford (pictured) Police at the scene in New Ross, Wexford, after a girl died following an assault at a house A post-mortem examination, which was conducted by Irish state pathologist Dr Sally Anne Collis, took place yesterday - the results of which will not be released for operational reasons, according to Ireland's police force An Garda Siochana. A senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the inquiry and an incident room has been set up at New Ross Garda Station. Officers are appealing to anyone who may have any information to come forward. Security sources told the Irish Daily Mail: 'From what gardai know at this stage, Malika had been staying with her aunt and her cousins for a couple of days. She didn't want to go back on Sunday but her mother said she had to as she had school in the morning. 'Gardai know there was an altercation between a man and a woman and that the child tried to intervene at some point to help her mother. 'She then got caught up in the row and was stabbed in the neck. This happened in front of the mother so you can only imagine what she witnessed. 'The man then tried to end his life but was unsuccessful.' Officers were on standby at the hospital last night in case there was any threat to his security. 'Gardai are also following a definite line of inquiry in relation to the matter and are not looking for anyone else in relation to this crime,' the source said. Therese White, principal of New Ross Educate Together National School where the young girl attended, said it was a 'terrible tragedy'. She said that the school has implemented its critical incident management plan. 'This is a terrible tragedy for the family, our school and our community,' she said in a statement. A schoolgirl, eight, has died after being 'stabbed' at a home in New Ross, County Wexford in Ireland Forensics teams have been at the scene where Malikika and her mother were allegedly assaulted Gardai have cordoned off the area in New Ross while detectives investigate 'We are deeply saddened by these events. Our sympathy and thoughts are with family and friends. 'The school has implemented our critical incident management plan and we are in receipt of support from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS). 'They have been with us all day supporting and advising teachers in their efforts to assist students at this time. 'Our teachers are helping students to deal with this tragic event. 'We will be sharing information with parents today around how they can support their children at this difficult time.' Local councillor John Dwyer told the Irish Daily Mail that he had spoken directly with family members of the girl and that they were 'inconsolable with grief'. He said: 'The whole community is numbed by this. It's an absolute tragedy. I was speaking with family members who are just devastated, as you can imagine. 'It's an eight-year-old child killed like this. It's just so heartbreaking. 'The news went around the town like wildfire, as you can imagine. My thoughts are with the family here and we'll do what we can to help them.' Independent councillor in New Ross Michael Sheehan said the community has been devastated by the death. Mr Sheehan, who sits on the board of the school where the young girl attended, said the wider community will rally to support her family. 'People are very shocked that this has happened in our community,' Mr Sheehan said. 'All of our thoughts and prayers are with the young girl and her family. We hope that they will get some comfort over the coming weeks and months from the support from the local community, who will do whatever they can. It's an awful tragedy that has befallen our community. 'William Street is a tight-knit community with a strong sense of solidarity, so they will help and do everything they can. 'People are so aghast this has happened, particularly as everyone will be putting up Christmas trees in what was meant to be a happy time. 'This has really shocked the town and there is a feeling of numbness. 'The girl attended the local Educate Together, which is a very close-knit school. 'The principal and staff there are brilliant and they will have access to all the support they need to navigate the choppy waters ahead. 'I've every faith they can handle this but it is so hard for them as everyone gets ready for Christmas. 'Today is a difficult day and people are asking, "how could this happen in our community?"' Two young children died at their home in 'a tragic and devastating accident' after one of them was playing with a lighter, a coroner has concluded. Five-year-old Louis Busuioc and sister Desire-Elena, three, both died three days after being rescued from a huge fire at their home in Coronation Crescent in Preston. Emergency services were called to the house at 7.52pm on April 8 2022 by a neighbour who had seen a fire in the front living room. The two children had been upstairs with their mother Lorena Busuioc, who was asleep, but at some point one or both of the children used a coat hanger to unlock the bedroom door and go downstairs, an inquest heard. It was suggested that one of them began playing with a lighter which accidentally set fire to the sofa, which coroner Chris Long has now confirmed to be the probable cause. The house was quickly overcome with smoke and heat and when Mrs Busuioc was woken by the sound of the smoke alarm she tried to push her children out of an upstairs window. The terrified children refused and so Mrs Busuioc climbed out of the window first in the hope of pulling them out after her, the hearing was told. Several neighbours made a makeshift platform to try and reach the mother and begged her to jump from the window ledge, which she did. Louis Constantin Busuioc, five, and his three-year-old sister Desire-Elena Busuioc died in a house fire in Preston in 2022 which a coroner has now called 'a tragic and devastating accident' Police are shown at the scene in April 2022 after the blaze in Coronation Crescent, Preston Lorena and Lucian Busuioc are pictured with their children Desire-Elena (left) and Louis (right) When firefighters arrived shortly afterwards, they 'put their own lives at risk' and 'disregarded protocol' in an effort to rescue the two children, the inquest heard. But by the time the two children were pulled out of the house, both had suffered 'unsurvivable' brain injuries. Dr Adam Nicholls, consultant in paediatric intensive care medicine at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, told the hearing that by the time the children were retrieved from the house 'the damage had been done'. He said: 'We see very few children who make it to intensive care following smoke inhalation. 'The damage is done even before children can be removed from a house fire. My personal feeling is that nothing would have altered the outcome for these children, unfortunately.' The inquest heard from some of the many police officers, paramedics and firefighters who were called to the scene that evening. Now area coroner Chris Long has ruled that although there had been some delay to the deployment of paramedics, arriving sooner would 'not have made any difference' - while he praised the emergency services for their efforts in trying to save the children. 'The fire crews departed from their own guidelines, putting their own safety at risk, in order to find the children as quickly as possible', Mr Long added. Among the floral tributes left at the scene following the tragedy in April 2022 was a school polo shirt with the message: 'To Louis, I will miss you' 'Whilst I have found some elements of the response were not as they should have been, I have not found that any of those elements have contributed to death. 'The response from the fire and rescue service was incredibly swift. 'Had it not been for the bravery and courage of the firefighters who attended and who put their lives at risk, it is likely that the children would not have been rescued when they were. 'I have not found the fault of any individual or organisation has contributed to the deaths in any way. What occurred was a tragic and devastating accident. 'The scene faced by emergency services was self-evident. The management of that scene must have been incredibly difficult. The overall response from the emergency services should be commended.' The coroner also ruled that the fire had been started, accidentally, by one of the children - though insisted: 'An inquest is not about attributing blame.' He added: 'Children experiment. I am sure many in the courtroom will remember being told by their parents not to play with matches or indeed saying that as a parent. 'Experience is, of course, how we learn. Here the children had been warned about playing with lighters but, I repeat, children experiment, and given the evidence I have outlined I am satisfied that the fire was started by one of the children with the lighter. Emergency services were called to the house in Preston at 7.52pm on April 8 2022 by a neighbour who had seen a fire in the front living room 'There is, however, no evidence whatsoever that this was done intentionally to set fire to the house. They did not appreciate the risk that the sofa could catch fire in the way that it did. 'They did not intend it to catch fire. In short, they accidentally set fire to the sofa, which led to the fire starting.' Returning a conclusion of accidental death, the coroner said that both children 'died on April 11 2022, at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in Manchester, as a result of hypoxic ischemic brain injury caused by smoke inhalation as a result of a fire'. He added: 'The fire was started accidentally by one of the children at the property playing with a lighter. The fire spread incredibly quickly, preventing an exit from the property.' The night before Thanksgiving, Facebook creator and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg dined with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. The top tech entrepreneur broke bread with the incoming president because he wants to play an 'active role' in shaping tech policy once Trump moves back into the White House come January, according to Meta's Nick Clegg. Clegg, Meta's president of global affairs, briefed reporters on Monday, and conceded that Facebook had been too heavy-handed when moderating pandemic-related content. The social media platform 'overdid it a bit' Clegg said, according to FT. That public admission is seen as an overture to Trump and Republicans, who have complained that the social media giant censored conservative ideas. Clegg said that Zuckerberg is keen to play 'an active role in the debates that any administration needs to have about maintaining America's leadership in the technological sphere.' That leadership, Clegg offered, 'is tremendously important given all the geostrategic uncertainties around the world, and particularly the pivotal role that AI will play.' 'Mark was grateful for the invitation to join President Trump for dinner and the opportunity to meet with members of his team from the incoming Administration,' a spokesperson for Meta previously told DailyMail.com about Wednesday's Mar-a-Lago dinner. The night before Thanksgiving, President-elect Donald Trump (left) hosted Facebook creator and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg (right) for dinner at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida Mark Zuckerberg paid a visit to Mar-a-Lago on Wednesday night. Meta's president of global affairs Nick Clegg said the meeting happened because Zuckerberg wants to play an 'active role' in shaping tech policy Zuckerberg also likely wants to get his foot in the door since Facebook's chief competitor already has a seat at the table. Elon Musk, who purchased Twitter in 2022 and turned it into X, has become one of the president-elect's closest advisers. Musk was captured spending the Thanksgiving holiday with the Trumps - after being by the Republican's side for weeks. He originally endorsed Trump on the heels of the July 13 assassination attempt on the Republican nominee at a Butler, Pennsylvania rally. Musk then spent millions trying to get Trump reelected to the White House. Zuckerberg stayed neutral in the presidential election. He irritated liberal employees and surprised some Democratic lawmakers when he penned a letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican, in August and said that Meta was pressured by the Biden administration in 2021 to take some COVID-related content down 'including humor and satire.' 'I believe the government pressure was wrong, and I regret that we were not more outspoken about it,' Zuckerberg wrote. 'I also think we made some choices that, with the benefit of hindsight and new information, we wouldn't make today.' Zuckerberg reiterated what he said he had told Meta employees that 'we should not compromise our content standards due to pressure from any Administration in either direction - and we're ready to push back if something like this happens again.' Clegg said Monday that Zuckerberg wanted 'an area of ongoing focus' to be how Facebook 'improve[s] the precision and accuracy with which we act on our rules.' 'Were acutely aware - because users quite rightly raised their voice and complained about this - that we sometimes over enforce, we make mistakes and we remove or restrict innocuous or innocent content,' he said. Geraldo Rivera has apologized to the father of slain beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey for airing a mock trial that portrayed him as a sex abuser. A new Netflix documentary examines the police investigation and media treatment of the case of the little girl who was found strangled in the basement of the family's Boulder, Colorado home in 1996. Episode two of the series opens by taking a look at a mock trial Rivera hosted on his now defunct talk show in 1997. His 'jury' found JonBenet's parents liable for her death after a woman identified as a sexual abuse expert analyzed tapes of the girl. The 'expert' claimed a video of the pageant queen playing the saxophone during a Christmas show proved she was a child who had been 'sexually stimulated.' JonBenet's mother Patsy, who died in 2006, said in a previously recorded interview that the trial made her so depressed she laid in bed 'for about two days because I was just so mortified.' Rivera apologized to JonBenet's father, 80-year-old John Ramsey, during an interview with NewsNation's Chris Cuomo on Monday. 'I deeply apologize to you for what you and your family have suffered,' he said while noting that, 'Mock trials and moot courts are not that unprecedented.' Geraldo Rivera apologized to the father of slain beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey for airing a mock trial that portrayed him as a sex abuser Rivera hosted the trial on his now defunct talk show in 1997. His 'jury' found JonBenet's parents liable for her death after a woman identified as a sexual abuse expert analyzed tapes of the girl Ramsey accepted the apology and went on to say that believes there is evidence in the case that has never been DNA tested 'When I say I am sorry, I don't apologize for my reporting... but I don't know what happened. I just want you to know that I lament contributing to the hurt that you have endured. During the staged trial with lawyers, a judge and jury not connected to the official case, the 'sexual abuse expert' said JonBenet appeared to be 'masturbating' with a saxophone. The clip shows the pageant queen pretending to play the instrument to the tune of Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree. 'She picks up a saxophone and for the next minute and a half she masturbates with it,' the alleged expert claimed. The former Fox News host back his reporting saying the family was considered viable suspects at the time, but apologized for all the pain they have suffered. 'I don't think anyone deserves to go through what you went through. That's my bottom line,' Rivera said. Ramsey accepted the apology and went on to say that believes there is evidence in the case that has never been DNA tested. 'Let me first say, Geraldo, I accept your apology and thank you... I think the police fed false information, misleading information, to the media before even the evidence had been recovered, looked at,' he said. During the staged trial with lawyers, a judge and jury not connected to the official case, the 'sexual abuse expert' said JonBenet appeared to be 'masturbating' with a saxophone The clip shows the pageant queen pretending to play the instrument to the tune of Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree The Netflix series prompted renewed outrage at Rivera for putting on the mock trial while the investigation was still ongoing The Netflix series prompted renewed outrage at Rivera for putting on the mock trial while the investigation was still ongoing. 'Watching this #JonBenetRamsay doc and omg the American media are f*****g psychotic and unhinged. Holding a mock trial regarding the murder of a 6 year old child for entertainment is insane,' one person said. 'What the f**k was going on in media in the late 90s that made Geraldo Rivera think a mock trial of the parents was a good idea,' another person said. 'Watched #Netflix Doc on #JonBenetRamsay and just shows how sick and cruel the media is. Never trust the Media. Geraldo Riveras mock trial was awful to that family,' a third person said. No one has ever caught JonBenet's killer with the murder haunting investigators and gripping the public's imagination for nearly three decades. While initial suspicions centered on her familyfather John, mother Patsy, and brother BurkeDNA evidence excluded them as suspects in 1997, and they were formally exonerated in 2008. The killer of the Young Miss Colorado left her on a heap of clothes with an eight-inch fracture to her skull and a fragmented paint brush stuck into her neck by garrote. A bombshell admission by a police source has also given investigators fresh hope in finally solving the 28 year mystery. An 'expert' claimed a video of the pageant queen playing the saxophone during a Christmas show proved she was a child who had been 'sexually stimulated' JonBenet's mother Patsy, who died in 2006, said in a previously recorded interview that the mock trial (pictured) made her so depressed she laid in bed 'for about two days because I was just so mortified' JonBenet was found strangled in her basement of the family's Boulder, Colorado home in 1996 While initial suspicions centered on her familyfather John, mother Patsy, and brother BurkeDNA evidence excluded them as suspects in 1997 'We f****d the case up from the start, and now with new blood, we can finally fix it,' a police source told the New York Post. This stunning statement comes as Boulder's newly appointed police chief, Stephen Redfearn, doubles down on efforts to crack the case. Redfearn, who assumed his role in early 2024, has made solving the murder a top priority. 'He wants it solved and off the books,' said a department insider claimed. 'He's assigning officers and resources to solve the murder, which has been a black mark on the Boulder PD. A self-proclaimed 'X-oholic' who admitted bombarding a female chief constable with hundreds of abusive posts claimed he was driven by an 'online dopamine rush'. Jason Nicholls pleaded guilty to online stalking, claiming his internet harassment was driven by the rush of trying to get 'likes' on social media. Over a period of almost two years, he shared 'hundreds' of posts, memes, and satirical videos on the website X, formerly known as Twitter, criticising the work of Sussex Police's Jo Shiner. Among other posts, the 54-year-old started a 'Twitter soap' called 'Shiner Street' which detailed the 'ups and downs' of her force and also created a wanted poster with her face on for 'crimes against policing'. At today's hearing, prosecutor Anisa Alrubaie said Nicholls, who claims to be a social media 'addict', stalked CC Shiner from October 2022 to August of this year. It was heard he alleged there was 'corruption' within the force and suggested police were 'not investigating a matter reported by the defendant' - even messaging senior officers who contacted her, concerned about the allegations. Among other posts, he edited CC Shiner onto cartoon pictures of sheep and put her face on a wanted poster. Accepting a charge of stalking, Nicholls detailed how his social media 'addiction' has 'dominated' his life for over a decade as he tried to chase the 'instant dopamine rush' which came with posting online. He claimed to be the UK's 'first registered X-oholic' and says he now hopes to help others like him whose online lives have become 'unmanageable'. Jason Nicholls pleaded guilty to online stalking of a female chief constable, claiming his internet harassment was driven by the rush of trying to get 'likes' on social media He created a wanted poster with her face on for 'crimes against policing' Pictured is one of the memes Nicholls posted on his social media Nicholls pleaded guilty at Southampton Magistrates' Court to stalking CC Shiner and will be sentenced in February next year. In a statement issued to coincide with the hearing, the father from the Isle of Wight said: 'I am an X-oholic-blind to risk or consequence, I have lost control of my online life, impulsively chasing the instant dopamine rush of likes, shares, and replies through an overwhelming flood of posts, memes, and satirical videos. 'Today, I've hit rock bottom, but I'm ready to take his first steps toward recovery.' Nicholls said he 'turned to X' to cope with 'genuine distress' relating to an issue caused by a fostering assessment with East Sussex County Council that went 'disastrously wrong'. 'But things quickly spiralled out of control,' it continued. 'For me - who has ADHD, which makes me especially susceptible to addictive behaviour - Elon Musk's free-speech platform X became like a high-street fixed-odds gambling machine, offering a quick, seductive, and psychologically numbing high.' Nicholls apologised to CC Shiner and Sussex Police force and asked for 'forgiveness and understanding' relating to the 'addiction that has dominated my life over the past decade'. 'I deeply appreciate the difficult and vital role the police play and regrets that my actions crossed the line,' he continued. 'Above all, I am here to ask the court for support in breaking free from this overwhelming compulsion. One of the memes from his social media account targeting CC Shiner Over a period of almost two years, he shared 'hundreds' of posts, memes, and satirical videos on X criticising the work of Sussex's Jo Shiner 'I may be the UK's first registered X-oholic, but I won't be the last.' The father said X has 'transformed how people in the UK air their problems, challenge people in power, and catch up on the news'. 'Now Donald Trump is back in the White House, I fear my addiction will only worsen,' he continued. 'Today, this court has an opportunity to show national leadership in acknowledging that something has to be done to help X-oholics like me live a normal life.' Nicholls alleged online that the force was 'covering up crime' and started a 'Twitter soap' called 'Shiner Street'. He said this 'following the ups and downs of SussexPoliceCheifConstableShiner', the court heard. And, he also contacted media outlets including BBC Radio Sussex, falsely telling them she has been 'arrested'. He also created a poster which joked that she was 'separated at birth' with Uncle Albert from Only Fools and Horses. The prosecutor said there was a 'large number of posts' which were 'distressing' to PC Shiner. Ms Alrubaie said: 'Professionally, the impact on her has been embarrassment when she has been contacted by senior officials in other organisations as the defendant has sent them messages.' He also created a poster which joked that she was 'separated at birth' with Uncle Albert from Only Fools and Horses Nicholls pleaded guilty at Southampton Magistrates' Court, Hampshire, to stalking CC Shiner and will be sentenced in February next year Speaking to the court, Nicholls - who was unrepresented at today's hearing - said: 'I do want to say sorry.' He pleaded guilty to one charge of stalking without fear and distress and will appear back in the same court on February 20 next year for sentencing. Concluding the hearing, Magistrate Anne Toomer addressed the 'X-oholic' and said: 'You are on conditional bail and the conditions are that you don't contact Jo Shiner directly or indirectly. 'You must not use any form of social media and that includes, but is not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter - any social media at all. 'You must not contact the officer in charge of this case and also, you're only to contact the police in the event of a genuine emergency.' Nicholls said he intents to create a support group called The Clear Mind Collective, to help others like him whose online lives have become unmanageable. A top Democrat fundraiser revealed that Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi were not pleased with President Joe Biden's decision to endorse Kamala Harris after ending his reelection campaign. Lindy Li reflected in an interview with NewsNation on the delicate primary power struggle that took place within the party as they grappled with Bidens inability to successfully campaign for president. It became clear that he was no longer able to effectively litigate the case against President Trump, Li said about Biden in an interview with host Natasha Zouves. Li said she spoke with Pelosi before she publicly called for Biden to step down, as she was encouraging anyone who was concerned about Biden to voice their opinions on the matter. She also said that both Pelosi and Obama did not want to endorse Harris for president, hoping instead for an open primary. Obama and Pelosi were both hoping for a primary instead of a coronation so to speak, Li said. I know they didnt. Its not a matter of conjecture for me. I know they didnt, she added, noting she was friends with people who worked for Obama. Obama did not have a preferred candidate in the race, she said, but said he was looking at Sen. Mark Kelly from Arizona. Barack Obama did not want Biden to endorse Harris, a Democratic fundraiser reveals Democratic fundraiser Lindy Li revealed some of the dynamics behind the scenes of Kamala Harris' devastating loss Nancy Pelosi wanted to Joe Biden to step down, but was not pleased he endorsed Kamala Harris Harris was not ruled out as a potential candidate, but they wanted some kind of process to select Bidens successor. A lot of people were hoping for a lighting round, a lightning primary, she said. Li said the party was stunned when Biden endorsed Harris just a half an hour after he announced his decision to abandon his campaign. I dont think anyone saw that coming. We did not see that coming. I think a lot of people anticipated that he might have stepped aside, but no one anticipated a twofer that we got that day, she recalled. Since Harris lost the election, Li has voiced her concern about the future of the party, and criticized Harris for her devastating loss against Trump. 'It was just startling how there was no sense of responsibility. They essentially set $2 billion on fire in 100 days,' she said. Li criticized Harris unchecked spending on the campaign trail, warning that Democratic donors were furious for some of the reports of mismanaged spending that turned political consultants into multi-millionaires. Theres a lot of conflict of interest here. And we need a careful accounting and probably more granular than the FEC report would offer, she said. Because if we dont do that, how are voters and donors ever going to trust the Democratic Party again? Li also criticized Harris in November for failing to strike the right tone after the campaign in a call with donors. She said she was stunned there was no post-mortem or lessons learned, and spent more time patting each other on the back, despite deep debts left over from the campaign. I believe at one moment in the call she was talking about her Thanksgiving recipe I think I was stunned to hear that, given just the extent and brutality of the loss. she said. Advertisement South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol sensationally declared emergency martial law today, accusing his political opposition of subverting parliament and railing against 'pro-North Korea, anti-state forces' in his country. The shocking late-night address triggered chaos on the streets in Seoul where hordes of angry citizens clashed with riot cops and security forces outside the National Assembly. In an announcement which has stunned the world, South Korea's military proclaimed that under martial law, parliament and other political gatherings that could cause 'social confusion' would be suspended and anyone found to violate the regulations could be arrested without a warrant. Yoon vowed 'to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces plundering the happiness of our people and to protect the constitutional order.' 'With no regard for the livelihoods of the people, the opposition party has paralysed governance solely for the sake of impeachments, special investigations, and shielding their leader from justice... Through this martial law, I will rebuild and protect the free Republic of Korea, which is falling into the depths of national ruin,' he said in his address. But the speech sparked an immediate outpouring of anger as disgruntled citizens marched on the capital's parliament building. As protests raged on into the night, military helicopters were deployed above parliament, with some spotted landing inside the National Assembly grounds. The speaker of parliament later declared the law invalid as lawmakers voted to block it with the unanimous backing of 190 members present. However, the South Korean military has said it will maintain martial law until it is lifted by Yoon himself. Since taking office in 2022, Yoon had struggled to push his agendas against an opposition-controlled parliament, raising suspicions the sudden implementation of martial law was a political ploy to exercise greater power. Soldiers try to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul on December 4 2024, after South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law Soldiers advance to the main building of the National Assembly after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in Seoul, South Korea, December 3, 2024 Soldiers prepare to advance to the main building of the National Assembly after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in Seoul, South Korea, December 3, 2024 His popularity has also declined as of late amid various scandals in his inner circle, with the opposition seeking to impeach cabinet members over failure to investigate Yoon's wife on corruption and influence-peddling allegations. The move comes as a complete shock in the Western-aligned Asian nation of more than 50 million which despite escalating tensions with its foe to the North is not fighting an active war and has not suffered attacks on its soil. Shocking images showing dozens of riot cops and armed police officers pushing back enraged rioters outside the National Assembly shortly after Yoon's address was broadcast to the nation. Meanwhile, news cameras captured the moment helicopters descended from the evening skies and landed on top of the parliament building before troops disembarked and began locking down the location. Other footage and pictures later showed heavily armed soldiers in tactical equipment stalking through the hallways of the National Assembly. Parliamentary aides were seen trying to push the soldiers back by spraying fire extinguishers. Yoon's declaration drew immediate opposition from politicians, including the leader of his own conservative People Power Party, Han Dong-hoon, who called the decision 'wrong' and vowed to 'stop it with the people.' Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, called Yoon's announcement 'illegal and unconstitutional.' South Korea's Constitution says the president can declare martial law when it is considered necessary to cope with a military threat or to maintain public safety and order by mobilising military forces. But it is not clear how long Yoon's martial law declaration will stand. When martial law is declared by the president, they must notify the National Assembly of the decision which can then take a vote on whether martial law should be upheld. The president must comply when the National Assembly - where the opposition party currently holds a majority - requests the lifting of martial law by a majority vote of members. The National Assembly, with 190 of its 300 members present, has already passed a resolution demanding the martial law be lifted. 'Of the 190 present, 190 in favour, I declare that the resolution calling for the lifting of the emergency martial law has been passed,' National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik said. But in yet another twist in the night, South Korea's military announced that martial law will remain in place until it is lifted by Yoon himself. The defence ministry has told South Korean media: 'We will maintain the martial law command until the president lifts the martial law.' A helicopter flies around the National Assembly hall after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in Seoul, South Korea, December 3, 2024 Police officers block protesters outside the National Assembly after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law A helicopter flies over the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, following a day of chaos after the president called martial law South Korean soldiers try get into the National Assembly as tempers flared following the declaration of martial law People gather in front of the main gate of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea on December 4, 2024 South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party's staff set up a barricade to block soldiers at the National Assembly after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in Seoul, South Korea, December 3, 2024 Police officers stand guard in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 Soldiers leave the National Assembly after South Korea's parliament passed a motion requiring the martial law declared by President Yoon Suk Yeol to be lifted Police officers stand guard in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol has declared emergency martial law, saying the measure was necessary to protect the country from 'communist forces' in North Korea and 'anti-state' actors in his own nation Under martial law, the martial law commander, appointed by the president on the recommendation of the defence minister among active-duty generals, has the power to take actions related to arrests of persons, search and seizure, speech and the press, and assembly. The commander has authority over all administrative and judicial matters. 'All political activities, including those of the National Assembly, local councils, political parties, and political associations, as well as assemblies and demonstrations, are strictly prohibited,' commander Park An-su said in a statement, adding: 'All media and publications shall be subject to the control of the Martial Law Command.' Thousands of doctors who have been striking for months over government plans to expand the number of students at medical school have also been ordered to return to work within 48 hours. Yoon, a career prosecutor who was elected in May 2022 by a margin of less than 1%, has been unpopular, with his support ratings hovering at around 20% for months. His People Power Party (PPP) suffered a landslide defeat at a parliamentary election in April this year, ceding control of the unicameral assembly to opposition parties that captured nearly two-thirds of the seats. Yoon's popularity has tanked in particular due to his dismissal of calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials drawing quick, strong rebukes from his political rivals. Protesters gather to demand South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol step down in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea Armed soldiers leave the National Assembly after South Korea's parliament passed a motion requiring the martial law declared by President Yoon Suk Yeol to be lifted Police attempt to hold back people trying to enter the National Assembly in front of the main gate of the National Assembly in Seoul South Korean soldiers try get into the national assembly on December 04, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea Soldiers try to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul on December 4 2024 People gather in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, in the early hours of 04 December 2024, demanding the withdrawal of martial law Officials at the National Assembly in Seoul watch live coverage of Speaker Woo Won-shik announcing the passage of a resolution urging the president to withdraw martial law in Seoul Police officers walk among the crowd, after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, in Seoul, South Korea, December 4, 2024 This handout from the South Korean Presidential Office taken on December 3, 2024 shows South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol delivering a speech to declare martial law in Seoul The President has repeatedly vetoed bills passed by the Democratic Party to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate alleged wrongdoings by his wife, including allegations of stock price manipulation before Yoon's election. The opposition has also sought to impeach cabinet members, including the government's auditing chief, for failing to investigate the First Lady amid allegations of corruption and influence peddling. Yoon's declaration of martial law comes one day after the opposition Democratic Party - which has a majority in parliament - put forward a motion to impeach some of South Korea's top prosecutors amid criminal investigations into their leader Lee. The opposition sees the investigations as a political campaign against Lee who has been seen as the favourite for the next presidential election in 2027 in opinion polls. Opposition MPs last week also slashed budgets that the government and ruling party had put forward for 2025. Police attempt to hold back people trying to enter the front of the main gate of the National Assembly Protesters, some waving South Korea flags gather outside the National Assembly, as anger mounts over the martial law announcement Thousands of South Koreans have gathered as protests take place in Seoul following the shock announcement South Korean martial law soldiers leave the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, early on Wednesday Police officers stand guard in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Dec. 3 People try to enter as police officers stand guard in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 A man holds the South Korea flag outside the National Assembly in Seoul on December 4, 2024 People gather in front of the main gate of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea on December 4 People at a bus terminal in Seoul watch a TV screen showing South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeols televised briefing (Ahn Young-joon/AP) Yoon's popularity has declined in recent months after he dismissed calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials In his stunning address this afternoon, Yoon declared: 'Our National Assembly has become a haven for criminals, a den of legislative dictatorship that seeks to paralyse the judicial and administrative systems and overturn our liberal democratic order.' He accused opposition lawmakers of cutting 'all key budgets essential to the nation's core functions, such as combatting drug crimes and maintaining public security... turning the country into a drug haven and a state of public safety chaos.' Yoon went on to label the opposition, which holds a majority in the 300-member parliament, as 'anti-state forces intent on overthrowing the regime' and called his decision 'inevitable'. 'I will restore the country to normalcy by getting rid of anti-state forces as soon as possible,' he said, asking his citizens to 'believe in him' and 'tolerate some inconveniences'. Yoon's move is the first declaration of martial law since the country's democratisation in 1987. The country's last previous martial law was in October 1979. British nationals in South Korea have been advised to avoid political demonstrations after martial law was declared. The UK Foreign Office issued new travel advice warning British nationals to 'follow the advice of local authorities' and 'avoid political demonstrations'. A Downing Street spokesman described the situation as 'very fast-moving' and said the Government was 'closely monitoring developments in South Korea' as he urged British nationals to keep an eye on the Foreign Office's advice. Meanwhile, US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said Washington was watching events with 'grave concern' and had every hope and expectation that any political disputes would be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law. One of the killers of schoolboy Damilola Taylor has been cleared of assault charges after the alleged victims failed to turn up to court. Ricky Johnson Preddie, 37, was accused of assaulting Robertine Houda and Tunde Oladunni by beating in Kensington, southwest London, on May 18 2023. He was due to stand trial at City of London Magistrates Court but the case was withdrawn by prosecutor Jonathan Bryan when Ms Houda or Mr Oladunni failed to attend. The case had previously been adjourned three times, prompting Magistrate Graham Barnes to rule against a fourth adjournment when Mr Bryan applied for another one. Mr Bryan told the court: Mr Johnson Preddie forced his way into a block of flats. The way he got in is by scaling the wall of the block of flats. He dropped onto the balcony. Ms Houda was in her bedroom at the time, the time was 10:15 at night. He dropped onto the balcony, she was completely surprised to find a stranger in her bedroom. One of the killers of schoolboy Damilola Taylor has been cleared of assault charges after the alleged victims failed to turn up to court. Ricky Johnson Preddie (pictured) was accused of assaulting Robertine Houda and Tunde Oladunni by beating on May 18 2023 Ricky and brother Danny were sentenced to eight years each for the manslaughter of Damilola in 2008 She says: I was completely shocked, I asked him what do you want, he said get out of my way. He pushed her aside. She was a woman of some courage because she blocked his path to the rest of the flat thinking about her husband. Mr Johnson Preddie again pushed her out of the way, this time she fell over. Ms Houda suffered no injuries, it was said. She said in her victim personal statement that she already had anxiety, that incident simply made it worse and she said she does not feel safe in her flat anymore, added Mr Bryan. Mr Oladunni heard the altercation happening and came to help his aunt, the court heard. He heard his aunt shouting for help, Mr Johnson Preddie pushes him out of the way, that is the assault on him. Police had already been called, they were at the scene, he was arrested there. He gave a prepared statement, he said he was on the roof of the building, he had gone there to meet a friend. On this occasion, he was up on the roof, he noticed there was some police activity going on, so he panicked and climbed down to leave. Damilola , pictured, was stabbed and left to die in a stairwell in Peckham, south east London in November 2020. He was just 10 years old He fell onto a balcony, asked for help, they started screaming, he ran out of the door and never assaulted anyone. Both Ms Houda and Mr Oladunni were due to give evidence and without them the Crown had no case. The Crown is in a weak position I accept, said Mr Bryan. Ms Houda has attended twice before, this time she is out of the country. The magistrates bench went out to consider whether or not an adjournment should be granted for a matter of seconds and decided it should not. Mr Byran withdrew his evidence and the case was dismissed with all charges against Johnson Preddie were dropped. Johnson Preddie was 13 when he killed 10-year-old Damilola, who was jabbed in the thigh with a broken beer bottle as he walked home from a library after school in Peckham on November 27, 2000. Ricky and brother Danny were sentenced to eight years each for the manslaughter of Damilola in 2008. He was released from prison in September 2011 after serving five years of his sentence. In February 2020 he was jailed for four years for seriously injuring a police officer by reversing his car into PC Natalia Trzeciak on the pavement in Wembley. Harrow Crown Court was told the officer suffered neck and leg injuries. In August he was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for two years for dangerous driving. Johnson Preddie had jumped 20 feet into a river to escape police after a high-speed motorcycle chase through crowds of pedestrians. He had also admitted driving whilst disqualified and using a motor vehicle without third party insurance. It was said Johnson Preddie only got on the bike as he was in a rush to hospital as he was bleeding from his catheter and his decision to evade police was borne out of panic and adrenaline. In the most recent court case, Johnson Preddie, of Penge, southeast London, was found not guilty of two counts of assault by beating after the Crown withdrew evidence. Two men have been arrested on suspicion of drug-related offences after a beauty technician fell unconscious and died in a nightclub while celebrating her birthday. Chloe Ferris, 24, was pronounced dead at the Lux nightclub in Belfast in the early hours of Sunday, while a friend also fell unconscious and was taken to hospital. Now, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has confirmed officers arrested two men in their 20s as part of their investigation before releasing them on bail. Her friend, also aged in her 20s, remains in hospital where she is being treated. Miss Ferri's heartbroken father Declan revealed today how she 'lived life to the full', adding that the tragedy was 'beyond belief' and the family were 'heartbroken'. Speaking from the family home in Newtownabbey, Mr Ferris told the Irish News that his daughter had been celebrating with friends ahead of her 25th birthday tomorrow. He added that Miss Ferris was an 'incredibly hard-working girl', ran a successful beauty business and enjoyed travelling - visiting the US and Australia last year. Mr Ferris added: 'She worked nine to nine every day and Saturday was the only time she would have been able to get a day off in the lead-up to Christmas.' Chloe Ferris, 24, fell unconscious and died in a nightclub while celebrating her birthday Chloe Ferris died in the early hours of Sunday after an incident at Lux nightclub in Belfast He also said: 'I think to myself was there something in the back of her head that knew something was coming, and that's why she packed so much into her short life?' Mr Ferris said his house was now 'completely packed' with people 'from all sides of the community and of all ages' following her death, adding: 'That tells you everything about Chloe'. Friends have also been paying tribute to Miss Ferris with one describing her on social media as 'the nicest friend with the purest soul'. Another added: 'Heartbreaking. Chloe was the most beautiful person, both inside and out. Thinking of her friends and family at this very sad time.' A funeral service for Miss Ferris, who had three brothers, will take place this Thursday with a requiem mass followed by a burial. Tributes have also been paid by beauty training academy Enhance Belfast, where she was a student, which said her death was 'absolutely heartbreaking'. Emergency services were called to the Lux nightclub in Belfast early on Sunday (file image) Ms Ferris was also a former pupil of St Clare's Primary School in west Belfast, which said she was 'fondly remembered' by teachers as a 'warm, positive and bubbly girl'. A spokesman for Lux said: 'Our thoughts and sympathies are with the parents and family during this very difficult time. Our focus is now to help the police with their investigation and our staff wellbeing.' And a PSNI statement said: 'Police investigating the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of a woman in her 20s at a night club in Belfast city centre during the early hours of Sunday, 1st December, have made two arrests as part of their enquiries. 'The men, both aged in their 20s, were arrested on suspicion of drug related offences. They have since been released on police bail to allow for further enquiries. 'Police are continuing to appeal to anyone who may have any information which could assist with the investigation to contact them on 101, or submit information online via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.' A one-year-old Louisiana boy left alone in a car tried to crawl out of the sunroof after his neglectful mother went shopping, police have said. Azreil Rahman was arrested on Monday after several concerned bystanders called 911 after seeing the infant alone in the parking lot on the 3500 block of Williams Boulevard. When police from the Kenner Police Department arrived, they found the gray four-door Ford vehicle locked with the child inside. Rahman was located at a nearby retail store. She was taken into custody and charged with child desertion. The child was unharmed and is now in the care of relatives. When DailyMail.com contacted the Kenner Police Department, they said that Rahman was transferred to Jefferson Parish, who were unable to provide further information when they were contacted. Kenner Police Chief Conley said in a statement on Facebook 'had the child made it out of the car through the sunroof, a fall from that height could prove fatal.' He added: 'This is a CRIME. I can't stress that enough.' Police from the Kenner Police Department were alerted by concerned bystanders before rescuing the child The little boy's head could be seen peeking through the opened sunroof on the four-door Ford vehicle Many Facebook users expressed outrage that the child's mother would commit such a negligent act, and were completely baffled. 'Why?!' one person asked. 'Just why!!!!' Another said: 'The only "good" thing about this is that it wasn't 100 degrees outside and the sunroof was open.' 'Makes me wonder what the hell is wrong with people. Glad people were observant and contacted KPD. Thanks to all involved in taking care of this child.' Last month, a similar ordeal took place in Florida but in that case, the child did not survive. The one-year-old boy was left inside a sweltering hot car as temperatures neared 100 degrees. St. Petersburg Police found the child in the backseat of the car, unresponsive. They believe he had been there all day. The baby's father had reportedly deterred from his normal routine having had an appointment in the morning before dropping the baby off at daycare. 'The father had the child in the morning and, it was not part of their routine, took the child to an appointment with him,' a St. Petersburg Police Department, Yolanda Fernandez said. Following the morning appointment, instead of heading to drop off his son at daycare, he sent off back home, as if in his normal routine, to begin his work-from-home job. Near 5pm on November 6 the infant's father went to pick up his son from daycare, where he believed his child to be all day. 'The father went in to try to pick the child up, but the daycare said, 'you never dropped him off,' so at that point, then the father kind of realized what was going on and went back out to the car,' Fernandez said. Emergency responders arrived to the parking lot of the Bayfront Health Child Development Center before performing CPR on the baby, but their efforts unsuccessful. Emergency responders arrived to the parking lot of the Bayfront Health Child Development Center before performing CPR on the baby, but their efforts unsuccessful In Texas, a woman named Reese Louise Myers was arrested months after she allegedly left her two-year-old child alone in a house for days to meet a man she matched with on Hinge. The 25-year-old mom went to Alamo City, near San Antonio, to visit the unidentified man, cops said. When police conducted a welfare check, they discovered the young child was left alone in the apartment with two dogs in West Hallmark in Killeen, a city 55 miles north of Austin. 'Officers were told that a child was hanging out near a broken window and an aggressive dog was trying to attack the child,' the department said in a statement. 'Upon the officers arrival, they observed a child protruding from the window that was repaired with a plexiglass sheeting and cardboard. It was not shattered,' they added. Responding deputies also noted that the child was only wearing a shirt with visible feces on his skin and showing signs of diaper rash. Myers was accused of abandoning or endangering a child. Reese Louise Myers, 25, has been accused of abandoning or endangering a child after cops found her 16-month-old child alone in an apartment on July 28 Cops found the toddler in an apartment in the 600 block of West Hallmark in Killeen 'Officers contacted the mother of the child, who advised that she was currently in San Antonio and had been there since the day before,' the statement continued. According to an affidavit, there were several baby precautions set up around the house - indicating that the accused had intended to leave the child alone without a babysitter. Cops noticed that doors had been closed off, a baby gate blocking off the kitchen area had been set up and deadbolts were locked on the doors and windows. But when officials connected with Myers, she claimed that she had contacted a babysitter through Facebook to look after the child. The claim was soon refuted by the babysitter herself who said she had not been contacted by Myers since December. She also showed her Facebook messages to the police as proof. Officers then demanded that she return back to Killeen, but Myers did not comply. Ultimately, she was taken into custody on November 5 by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office in California. She was released from their custody on November 19 and then arrested again by the Killeen Police Department on the same day. The affidavit also says that another woman, who claims that Myers lived with her for a month in October 2023, approached cops and said that Myers showed signs of neglect toward the child. While Myers was living with the woman, she would allegedly leave the house at night and sometimes not return until the next day, documents state. The woman also claimed that Myers would tell her that the child would sleep through the night and not wake up. A co-defendant in the Atlanta trial of rapper Young Thug was found not guilty on all charges - dealing another blow to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Deamonte Kendrick, also known as Yak Gotti, was acquitted on murder, racketeering and gang-related charges Tuesday in a sweeping trial that saw Young Thug go free in October. Kendrick and more than two dozen others were accused of being apart of the Young Slime Life (YSL) gang and were indicted under Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act. Kendrick, who wore a Prada tie to court, looked relieved as Judge Paige Reese Whitaker read out: 'Mr. Kendrick, you have been found not guilty on all charges.' He did the sign of the cross before kissing his fingers as his lawyer wrapped a comforting arm around him, video taken by Fox 5 DC showed. Kendrick was later seen with his head down and his hands folded as he said a quiet prayer before smiling and taking a breath from his seat in the courtroom. The trial was one of the longest in Georgia history, stemming from Willis' May 2022 indictment, which alleged YSL was involved in gang activity responsible for violent crime and murder under the RICO Act. Those indicted argued the organization was actually a legitimate record label known as Young Stoner Life, according to Fox 5 DC. Deamonte Kendrick, also known as Yak Gotti, was acquitted on murder, racketeering and gang-related charges Tuesday in a sweeping trial that saw Young Thug go free in October. Kendrick, who wore a Prada tie to court, looked relieved and made the sign of the cross (pictured) after being told he was not guilty The trial was one of the longest in Georgia history, stemming from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' sweeping May 2022 indictment Another co-defendant in the case, Shannon Stillwell, was also acquitted Tuesday of murder, racketeering and gang-related charges, but was found guilty of firearm possession by a convicted felon previously convicted of a felony involving a gun. Stillwell, who wore a blue Louis Vuitton sweater, appeared equally relieved as he was seen bear-hugging his attorney after Whitaker read out the verdict. Due to his recidivism, Stillwell, also known as SB, had to be sentenced to the maximum sentence for the charge, which is 10 years. He will only serve two years probation, with time served accounted for. Stillwell, among others, were accused of the murder of Shymel Drinks, a rival gang member. Songs released by members of YSL were reviewed as evidence. The most high profile defendant in the case, Young Thug - whose real name is Jeffery Williams - was released from custody after pleading guilty and taking a non-negotiated plea deal in October. He was sentenced to five years in prison, commuted to time served, and 15 years of probation, which will be followed up 20 years in prison. He can avoid the prison time by following the terms of his probation, according to Newsweek. Williams was released from prison on October 31. The trial had many disruptions, including a juror and lawyer being arrested, as well as Stillwell and Kendrick both being stabbed in jail. Another co-defendant in the case, Shannon Stillwell, was also acquitted Tuesday of murder, racketeering and gang-related charges. He was found guilty of firearm possession by a convicted felon previously convicted of a felony involving a gun The most high profile defendant in the case, Young Thug - whose real name is Jeffery Williams - was released from custody after pleading guilty and taking a non-negotiated plea deal in October Kendrick received five staples in his head and was treated for minor injuries after his stabbing, according 11 Alive. The original judge was also removed from the case, according to Fox 5 DC. Many of the others charged in the case took plea deals. Willis has suffered several career blows this year. After bringing a damning election-interference case against Donald Trump, her former lover Nathan Wade admitted to Congress in October that he was in on the plot to take down the former president. The pair has been engulfed in scandal since their romantic and financial affair came to light after Willis appointed Wade 'special prosecutor' in the 2020 election-interference case against Trump. A Georgia judge dismissed two criminal counts against Trump as Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee said state prosecutors didn't have the right to bring those charges. McAfee allowed the remainder of the case to move forward, including eight charges against Trump. Trump and 14 co-defendants have pleaded not guilty to racketeering and other charges stemming from what prosecutors allege was a scheme to overturn Trump's narrow defeat in Georgia in the 2020 election. The case has been on hold since June while a Georgia appeals court considers whether Willis must be disqualified over alleged misconduct tied to her romantic relationship. The Secret Service fired multiple shots outside the home of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen early Tuesday morning. Carjackers were trying to break into vehicles near Yellen's mansion in Northwest Washington, D.C. when a uniformed Secret Service agent discharged their weapon at approximately 1:30 a.m. The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle. It is unclear if they were injured during the incident and the Secret Service said in a statement that there is 'no evidence to indicate anyonme was struck.' So far it appears no suspects have not been apprehended. Secret Service called the incident an 'officer involved shooting.' The Treasury Department and USSS did not respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment on the shooting incident. Yellen is protected by U.S. Secret Service (USSS) agents and law enforcement confirmed President Joe Biden's Cabinet member was not under threat during the incident. 'There was no threat to any protectees during this incident and no protectees were harmed,' the statement claims. Shots were fired by U.S. Secret Service outside the Washington, D.C. home of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen early Tuesday morning The Treasury Secretary's D.C. residence has six bedrooms, five-and-a-half bathrooms and at 5,800 square feet is a massive home in a ritzy Northwest neighborhood in the nation's capital. Online estimates put the value of Yellen's home at around $2.7 million and last sold in the fall of 2019 for $2,065,000. Carjackings have spiked out of control in Washington, D.C. over the last several years something critics attribute to a relaxing of crime punishment laws in the city. There were 958 incidents of carjackings in the District in 2023, up from 484 in 2022. And so far there have been 475 this year. Yellen is not the only politician who has faced the fallout from the carjacking uptick. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) was returning to his home in Southeast Washington, D.C. in October last year when three armed attackers took his car, a white Honda CHR with Texas plates. Cuellar was not harmed in the carjacking. Yellen's mansion is in a ritzy Northwest Washington, D.C. neighborhood and is valued at $2.7 million. Carjackers were trying to break into vehicles outside the home, which is protected by Secret Service Additionally, just 13 months before the incident with Yellen, agents opened fire after two teenagers tried to break into an unmarked USSS car outside Naomi Biden's home in Georgetown. Robert Kemp, 19, and a 14-year-old were arrested earlier this year in connection to a break-in of a vehicle used by Secret Service agents guarding President Biden's granddaughter. According to the Secret Service statement on the Tuesday morning incident outside Yellen's home, an agent 'observed a sedan with multiple occupants who were attempting to open car doors along the street.' 'As the sedan approached the agent, a confrontation occurred between the agent and the car's occupants,' the Secret Service said, according to NBC News. 'The agent discharged their service weapon.' 'The suspects fled the scene in the sedan, and a lookout was issued to local law enforcement,' the agency added. EQS-Ad-hoc: Viromed Medical AG / Key word(s): Mergers & Acquisitions Viromed Medical AG plans to acquire all shares in pharmedix GmbH by means of a capital increase against a contribution in kind, excluding subscription rights. 03-Dec-2024 / 13:53 CET/CEST Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by EQS News a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Viromed Medical AG plans to acquire all shares in pharmedix GmbH by means of a capital increase against a contribution in kind, excluding subscription rights. Pinneberg, 3 December 2024 Viromed Medical AG (Ticker: VMED; ISIN: DE000A3MQR65; Viromed; the Company) plans to acquire all shares in pharmedix GmbH, Hamburg, and thus to expand its portfolio strongly. To this end, the Company signed a corresponding agreement with the shareholders of pharmedix GmbH today. pharmedix GmbH specializes in the development, marketing and distribution of products and brands in the healthcare sector. Through its international network, it has access to the latest technologies and processes in microbiology and pharmaceutics, as well as to the highest quality raw materials and state-of-the-art production facilities. pharmedixs portfolio includes medical devices and medical cosmetics under the N1 and ORTHOCOMPLEX brands. The company was founded in 2021. For the 2024 financial year, a nearly balanced opeRating result is already expected with revenues of more than EUR 4.0 million. For 2025, a revenue growth of 35% to approximately EUR 5.5 million and a positive operating result are planned. The target for the period to 2029 is to achieve average annual revenue growth of 25% and an operating margin of between 15% and 20%. The closing of the acquisition is expected to take effect on 1 January 2025. The transaction is subject to the final results of the due diligence. The purchase price for the complete acquisition of the shares in pharmedix GmbH is expected to be a maximum of EUR 2.0 million. The purchase price payment is to be made exclusively by granting new shares in the company, making partial use of the Authorized Capital 2022, as part of a capital increase against contributions in kind, excluding shareholders subscription rights. Contact Viromed Medical AG Uwe Perbandt CEO Flensburger Strae 18 25421 Pinneberg E-Mail: kontakt@viromed-medical.de www.viromed-medical-ag.de End of Inside Information 03-Dec-2024 CET/CEST The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com Language: EnglishCompany: Viromed Medical AG Flensburger Strae 18 25421 Pinneberg GermanyPhone: +49 4101 809960E-mail: kontakt@viromed-medical.deInternet: https://www.viromed-medical-ag.de/ISIN: DE000A3MQR65WKN: A3MQR6Listed: Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf (Primarmarkt), Frankfurt (Basic Board), HamburgEQS News ID: 2043359 End of Announcement EQS News Service 2043359 03-Dec-2024 CET/CEST EQS-Ad-hoc: Viromed Medical AG / Key word(s): Mergers & Acquisitions Viromed Medical AG plans to acquire all shares in pharmedix GmbH by means of a capital increase against a contribution in kind, excluding subscription rights. 03-Dec-2024 / 13:53 CET/CEST Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by EQS News a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Viromed Medical AG plans to acquire all shares in pharmedix GmbH by means of a capital increase against a contribution in kind, excluding subscription rights. Pinneberg, 3 December 2024 Viromed Medical AG (Ticker: VMED; ISIN: DE000A3MQR65; Viromed; the Company) plans to acquire all shares in pharmedix GmbH, Hamburg, and thus to expand its portfolio strongly. To this end, the Company signed a corresponding agreement with the shareholders of pharmedix GmbH today. pharmedix GmbH specializes in the development, marketing and distribution of products and brands in the healthcare sector. Through its international network, it has access to the latest technologies and processes in microbiology and pharmaceutics, as well as to the highest quality raw materials and state-of-the-art production facilities. pharmedixs portfolio includes medical devices and medical cosmetics under the N1 and ORTHOCOMPLEX brands. The company was founded in 2021. For the 2024 financial year, a nearly balanced opeRating result is already expected with revenues of more than EUR 4.0 million. For 2025, a revenue growth of 35% to approximately EUR 5.5 million and a positive operating result are planned. The target for the period to 2029 is to achieve average annual revenue growth of 25% and an operating margin of between 15% and 20%. The closing of the acquisition is expected to take effect on 1 January 2025. The transaction is subject to the final results of the due diligence. The purchase price for the complete acquisition of the shares in pharmedix GmbH is expected to be a maximum of EUR 2.0 million. The purchase price payment is to be made exclusively by granting new shares in the company, making partial use of the Authorized Capital 2022, as part of a capital increase against contributions in kind, excluding shareholders subscription rights. Contact Viromed Medical AG Uwe Perbandt CEO Flensburger Strae 18 25421 Pinneberg E-Mail: kontakt@viromed-medical.de www.viromed-medical-ag.de Viromed Medical AG plans to acquire all shares in pharmedix GmbH by means of a capital increase against a contribution in kind, excluding subscription rights. Pinneberg, 3 December 2024 Viromed Medical AG (Ticker: VMED; ISIN: DE000A3MQR65; Viromed; the Company) plans to acquire all shares in pharmedix GmbH, Hamburg, and thus to expand its portfolio strongly. To this end, the Company signed a corresponding agreement with the shareholders of pharmedix GmbH today. pharmedix GmbH specializes in the development, marketing and distribution of products and brands in the healthcare sector. Through its international network, it has access to the latest technologies and processes in microbiology and pharmaceutics, as well as to the highest quality raw materials and state-of-the-art production facilities. pharmedixs portfolio includes medical devices and medical cosmetics under the N1 and ORTHOCOMPLEX brands. The company was founded in 2021. For the 2024 financial year, a nearly balanced opeRating result is already expected with revenues of more than EUR 4.0 million. For 2025, a revenue growth of 35% to approximately EUR 5.5 million and a positive operating result are planned. The target for the period to 2029 is to achieve average annual revenue growth of 25% and an operating margin of between 15% and 20%. The closing of the acquisition is expected to take effect on 1 January 2025. The transaction is subject to the final results of the due diligence. The purchase price for the complete acquisition of the shares in pharmedix GmbH is expected to be a maximum of EUR 2.0 million. The purchase price payment is to be made exclusively by granting new shares in the company, making partial use of the Authorized Capital 2022, as part of a capital increase against contributions in kind, excluding shareholders subscription rights. Contact Viromed Medical AG Uwe Perbandt CEO Flensburger Strae 18 25421 Pinneberg E-Mail: kontakt@viromed-medical.de www.viromed-medical-ag.de 03-Dec-2024 CET/CEST The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com 2043359 03-Dec-2024 CET/CEST 2043359 03-Dec-2024 CET/CEST The tragic death of a Texas teen has sparked a lengthy investigation into Amazon - sparking serious concerns over the e-commerce giant's safety standards. Iliana Velez, 19, was forced off the road by a driver affiliated with the company in the early morning hours of January 3, 2022. The crash caused the University of Texas freshman's car to flip and roll several times, killing her. The driver, Jordan Sannicola, 30, was on his way to pick up a load for Amazon when he hit her as she was on her way home from filling orders at the company's San Marcos fulfillment center. At the time, Sannicola was driving for an independently contracted company, Take Flight With B, often used by the online retail giant to transport packages during the company's 'middle mile' of its delivery chain. Velez's death has since sparked investigations into the safety standards of the companies, both Amazon and Take Flight With B. A lawsuit filed by Velez's mother, Trula Velez, alleged that Amazon had previously rejected the 30-year-old's application to deliver packages for the company's 'flex' home delivery service after he failed a background check. However, despite his failure, citing his criminal history and driving record, Sannicola was still hired to move Amazon freight. Founded in 2021 on the premise of 'helping those in need,' Take Flight With B, employs 'individuals in three separate markets, individuals who have been incarcerated, the homeless and youth who are aging out of group home,' the company's LinkedIn page reads. The tragic death of a Texas teen, 19-year-old Iliana Velez, has sparked a lengthy investigation into e-commerce giant, Amazon, uncovering a lengthy list of concerns regarding the company's safety standards Velez was forced off the road by a driver affiliated with the online retail company in the early morning hours of January 3, 2022, the collision caused the University of Texas freshman's car to flip and roll several times, killing her instantly. Pictured: Velez's mangled car after the fatal crash Yet, the Velez family attorney, Alex Hillard, claims that Amazon was 'fully aware' of the Hondo-native's substandard driving record and his criminal filings, from his failed background check, when he began driving for North Carolina-based trucking company. The lawsuit also alleges that the company possessed additional knowledge of Sannicola's unsafe driving behavior, claiming that Amazon uses tracking technology to monitor driver location and performance - yet the company failed to act. 'Mr. Sannicola had 70 different speeding violations [while working for Take Flight] that Amazon had been notified of,' Hilliard said, adding, 'They did nothing about that.' Federal data of Amazon contractors, primarily in the company's 'middle mile' delivery network, later revealed monthly violation rates - which include speeding and texting while driving - to be double those of carriers who didn't directly transport for Amazon, a CBS News analysis showed. The analysis examined six years of monthly Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration unsafe driving rates and found the average rates of carriers who shipped for Amazon were at least 89 percent higher in every month, CBS News reported. 'You do not see effects like this normally, where you have a set of carriers that is almost twice as unsafe as a different set of carriers,' an expert in supply chain management, Jason Miller, told CBS. Miller added that 'the large patchwork of contractors Amazon uses for 'middle-mile' transport poses challenges to ensuring a uniform culture of safety.' 'The more you are essentially having your freight hauled by hundreds, if not thousands of small young firms, that makes it much more difficult to ensure those firms are operating safely versus a more - what we call strategic procurement model, where you may have a few very large carriers that you work with that handle a lot of freight,' he said. The driver, Jordan Sannicola, 30, was on his way to pick up a load for Amazon when he collided with Velez as she was on her way home from filling orders at the company's San Marcos fulfillment center At the time of the harrowing incident, Sannicola was driving for an independently contracted company, Take Flight With B, often used by the online retail giant to transport packages during the company's 'middle mile' of its delivery chain. Pictured: The truck Sannicola was driving on January 3, 2022 FMCSA data revealed that, in the past two years, at least 57 people have died in more than 48 crashes involving federally regulated carriers shipping for Amazon, though the data does not include who was at fault in the accidents. Amazon, however, responded to the analysis, sharing that the company mandates background checks for all its contracted drivers who deliver directly to customer's homes. Tim Goodman, Amazon's global legal director for road safety, added that the company diverts to the FMCSA to oversee 'middle-mile' contractors who move freight between facilities in larger vehicles. However, the FMCSA only requires a background check for contractors who dispatch commercial motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds. 'We have taken disciplinary action against around 19,000 motor carriers for failing to meet FMCSA safety requirements, Goodman said. Take Flight with B, is among those carriers, Goodman added, confirming the e-commerce giant suspended the independent contractor that hired Sannicola permanently. The Take Flight With B Trucking Company has since gone out of business. Yet, in light of Velez's fatal accident, Goodman remained that Amazon will continue to depend on third-party trucking companies to move its products. 'It's a business model that has worked, and worked well, and we're committed to having it be a catalyst to be able to improve safety for the roads for all of us,' he said. A lawsuit filed by Velez's mother, Trula Velez, alleged that Amazon had previously rejected the 30-year-old's application to deliver packages for the company's 'flex' home delivery service after he failed a background check. Pictured: Velez (right) and her mother, Trula Velez (left) Trula Velez plans to take action against Amazon for her daughter's untimely and preventable death. Her first court date for the monstrous lawsuit is set for early 2025. Pictured: Velez's parents Sannicola was arrested, four weeks after the crash, as investigators revealed he had a considerable history of traffic violations including, a suspended driver's license and outstanding felony warrants, including one count of evading arrest with a vehicle. Earlier this year, on October 11, Sannicola was sentenced to a 40-year prison term for the charge of 'failing to stop and render aid in an accident involving death.' 'One mistake cost someone's life, and that was my daughter's, and her life was just getting started,' Trula Velez said. Trula Velez plans to take action against Amazon for her daughter's untimely and preventable death. Her first court date for the monstrous lawsuit is set for early 2025. Advertisement Chaos has erupted across South Korea earlier after the country's President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law sparking huge protests outside Parliament. In a surprise late night television address, President Yoon said the measure was necessary to protect the country from North Korea 's communist forces and eliminate anti-state elements. But just hours after imposing it, Yoon has now decided to lift martial law as hundreds of angry citizens protest on the streets in Seoul. Follow live coverage below Two Americans and a Canadian went missing while climbing Mount Cook in New Zealand on Saturday morning and are presumed dead. Tributes poured in for the two Americans, named by officials as Kurt Blair, 56, and Carlos Romero, 50, while the Canadian climber has not yet been publicly identified. On Monday, search teams reported they discovered clothes and climbing gear on the mountain - which is also known as Aoraki - although the search has not found the men. The recovery mission was only launched Monday after the three climbers failed to return to their pre-arranged transportation back off the mountain. Both Blair and Romero are certified alpine guides, and Blair's employer Silverton Avalanche School in Colorado said in a Facebook update that the group 'appear to have taken a fatal fall.' They said the group were believed to have been 'high upon the peak' of Mt. Cook when they fell, and said their climbing gear allowed teams to 'piece together the tragedy.' Although the men's bodies have not yet been found, the school said this is because 'remote, technical and heavily glaciated terrain coupled with deteriorating weather has prevented a recovery of the climbers.' Blair's loved ones and climbing friends flooded social media after news of his disappearance was made public, with friend Missy Thompson sharing on Facebook: 'I hold in my heart so many wonderful memories of the grand adventures we have shared. And will especially remember your true positivity and kindness, you made this world a better place.' Two Americans and a Canadian are missing and presumed dead after vanishing from New Zealand's Mount Cook summit on Saturday morning (pictured is victim Kurt Blair) Mt. Cook, also known as Aoraki, is the tallest mountain in New Zealand. The three men were reported missing Monday after missing their return transportation Thompson said Blair had even sent her a happy birthday message from on Mt. Cook a few days before he disappeared, as she said there 'are no words' to describe his loss. Blair's employer described him as 'the nicest guy you'd ever share a rope or trail or skin track with.' 'Anyone who shared time with Kurt in the mountains knows that his calm demeanor and positive presence ran counter to the rough edges and sharp tongues so often exemplified by the hard scrabble ranks of mountain guides,' the climbing school said. After Romero and Blair were named publicly, New Zealand police say the name of the third Canadian climber will not be released until their family has been notified. The three men had reportedly flown part-way up the mountain to begin their climb from a popular spot known as the Plateau Hut, reports Adventure.com. It is not clear if the men made it to the peak of Mt. Cook, the highest summit in New Zealand, and search efforts have reportedly been paused until at least Thursday due to extreme weather conditions on the mountain. Aoraki Area Commander Inspector Vicki Walker said in a news release: 'Police have been working with the U.S. and Canadian embassies to inform and support the families of the three men.' Blair's friend Missy Thompson paid tribute to him on social media, saying she will 'especially remember your true positivity and kindness, you made this world a better place' Blair, an experienced climber, was described by his employer Silverton Avalanche School in Colorado as 'the nicest guy you'd ever share a rope or trail or skin track with' Mt. Cook is best known for appearing in the background of the Lord of the Rings trilogy (pictured) to set the scene of Mordor The base of Mt. Cook is among the most popular tourist spots outside the cities in New Zealand, and is best known for appearing in the background of the Lord of the Rings trilogy to set the scene of Mordor. The peak stands at 3,724 meters high, and traversing the mountain is only for experienced climbers due to rough terrain, deep crevasses, risk of avalanches and the chance of extreme weather. More than 240 deaths have been recorded on the mountain since the start of the 20th century, reports CTV News. Donald Trump honored three Palm Beach motorcycle police who died in a roadside crash last month with the daughter of one of those killed offering tearful remarks about his pride in being part of the presidential motorcade. 'He took great pride in being in the motorcade whenever you were in Palm Beach,' said Alexandria Diaz, whose father, Deputy Ignacio 'Dan' Diaz, was among those killed. 'He loved it. He always talked about it. And he always looked forward to it,' she told the crowd at an outdoor amphitheater in West Palm Beach. Trump left his Mar-a-Lago Tuesday to attend the service honoring Corporal Luis Paez, Deputy Ralpha 'Butch' Waller and Diaz. All three were killed after an SUV plowed into them as they were gathered on the side of the road to try to jump start a stalled motorcycle. Trump, who has been pushing through nominations and issuing ultamatums dfrom his private Florida club during the presidential transition, was seated behind bulltproof glass for the event, which was also attended by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Trump's son, Eric, sat between the presidnet-elect and the Florida governor. After the conclusion of the service, he met with family members of the fallen officers. The events included a 10-mile procession and a helicopter flyover, along with music and tributes by family members of the fallen. President-elect Donald Trump attended a memorial service for fallen motorcycle officers in West Palm Beach, Florida Trump and other dignitaries were seated on cushioned chairs for the event. Trump's aide Margo Martin posted an image posted an image of the former president standing and viewing the ceremony. 'President Trump loves our men and women in Law Enforcement. He will always have your back,' she wrote, followign a campaign in which Trump often flanked himself with law enforcement officers. In another, a seated Trump can be seen behind the glass while officers place three American flags on the coffins of the fallen officers, while bag pipers play 'Amazing Grace.' There have been limited public sightings of Trump since his stunning electoral win last month. He has been seen in videos from Mar-a-Lago but has not held a formal press conference or taken questions about his win. The daughger of Deputy Ignacio 'Dan' Diaz spoke of his thrill at taking part in presidential motorcades Donald Trump attended the service and viewed it from behind bulletproof glass Trump's aide Margo Martin posted images of the service Deputy Sheriff Ralph 'Butch' Waller was among the three killed Corporal Luis Paez also died in the roadside accident A ten-mile procession drove to the service Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis attended He announced online Monday that he would fly to France Saturday to attend the reopening of the fire-damaged Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, and has been blasting out posts on his Truth Social account. All of the officers were experienced members of the force. Paez was 58, Waller was 54, and Diaz was 51. Their tragic deaths on duty are being investigated as a potential vehicular homicide. Eric Cabbalero, Diaz's oldest nephew, also thanked Trump. He said every time 'My uncle - I always got a picture of him with you , no matter what motorcade it was, no matter where it was, he made a point to send it out to me. And he truly respected you,' he said. Trump nodded during the moment. Horrifying footage shows the moment a speeding Bentley smashes into a family car and kills a 12-year-old girl in front of her horrified parents. Edward Tully, 30, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for causing the death of the child in a hit and run collision in Colney Hatch Lane, North London, on Saturday, August 20. Southwark Crown Court heard how the trader had been on a night out with his friends at the cabaret bar Proud Embankment on the Victoria Embankment on the night of the collision. CCTV images showed to the court pictured Tully and his friends leaving the bar having spent 1,500 on a boozy five-course meal. He can be seen holding a bottle of fizz as he exits the venue, before separate footage shows him swaying back and forth whilst getting money out from a cash machine. The court heard that Tully then drove his Bentley Continental at 56mph - 26mph over the speed limit as he hit the rear of a Vauxhall Astra containing the girl's family. A fellow motorist's dashcam footage showed Tullys vehicle hurtling down a side road and flying out onto a dual carriageway. Another car's dashcam footage showed the horrific moment Tully drove through a set of red lights and crashed into the girls family car - which was sent spinning down the road by the collision. Edward Tully's luxury motor can then be seen wrapped around a set of traffic lights, with smoke rising from it, as he is spotted fleeing the scene on foot Tully, 30, had been on a night out with his friends at the cabaret bar Proud Embankment on the Victoria Embankment on the night of the collision on 20 August 2022 Tully can be seen holding a bottle of fizz as he exits the venue having spent 1,500 on a boozy five-course meal His luxury motor can then be seen wrapped around the traffic lights with smoke rising from it, as he fled the scene on foot. The crash caused catastrophic injuries to the girl, who sadly died in hospital days later. Her father was also left with life-changing injuries, whilst her mother and brother received minor injuries. Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit began an investigation, gathering CCTV footage to piece together Tully's movements. The court heard that Tully had spent over 1,500 at the bar on a five-course meal with Prosecco, as well as five bottles of Veuve Cliquot Rose champagne. Later on that evening, Tully overtook a car in his black Bentley continental convertible, went straight through red lights and struck the red Vauxhall Astra that the girl's mother was driving. The Bentley then hit a post on a traffic island. A witness described someone from the Bentley making a gesture as if to say 'up yours'. The front of Tully's black Bentley continental convertible was smashed to bits The two smashed cars can be seen at the scene of the collision Tully then walked back to his flat in Princess Park Manor, before calling his father who picked him up, something a judge labelled 'shameful'. He handed himself into police the day after the crash and wept as he was jailed for 12 years on Monday. Tully was confronted in court by the girl's family, who revealed their lives had been torn apart by her loss and that as a result they no longer celebrate Christmas, Diwali or New Year. In a victim impact statement read to the court, the girl's mother said: 'My daughter was my best friend, we were very close to each other. 'I relive the incident. I get flashbacks of that night. I feel pain. I feel helpless. 'This incident has caused devastation to a happy family. 'This incident has taken everything away from us, everything.' The father said: 'Every morning I wake up and look at the photo of my daughter and I can't believe that our little princess is not with us.' Tully said 'I love you' to his sobbing parents as he was jailed for 12 years at Southwark Crown Court in south London Tully overtook a car in his black Bentley continental convertible, went straight through red lights and struck the red Vauxhall Astra that the girl's mother was driving at this junction 'We as a family are devastated. I believe no parent should ever bury their child.' 'I have not been able to sleep without sleeping pills since the incident.' 'We used to celebrate Christmas, Diwali and New Year. We hate that now.' Detective Sergeant Nush Puvitharan, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: 'Tully's selfish actions have sadly resulted in the loss of a young life. My thoughts are with the family, dealing with the devastating loss of their daughter, who had a bright future ahead of her. 'I hope the sentence acts as a deterrent to those who chose to drink and drive. Drink driving has a horrific impact and destroys the lives of others. 'My team worked extremely hard to put strong evidence before the court and I want to thank them for their work. 'Met officers remain committed to keeping London safe and bringing perpetrators to justice.' A frail-looking Joe Biden had to be led around by the 70-year-old Angolan President Joao Lourenco during his first and only state visit to Africa on Tuesday - before making a series of awkward and confused comments. Lourenco pointed to a step so the 82-year-old didn't trip as he made his way onto the podium at an arrival ceremony outside the presidential palace in Luanda on Tuesday. 'Welcome to America,' Biden joked, when he was peppered with questions from U.S. journalists after the leaders concluded their opening remarks. Reporters had shouted questions about Biden's controversial pardon of his son Hunter and whether he expected President-elect Donald Trump to continue investing in Africa. Biden's main public engagement was a speech delivered outside the National Slavery Museum. 'I just got off the phone with the vice president, telling her I'm sorry she's not with me, being here today,' he said of Vice President Kamala Harris, who would be busy setting up her administration had the November election gone the other way. 'You know with you and Angola - a vibrant city,' Biden said, before correcting himself. 'Look, not the city, the city I know is not Angola - in Angola in a vibrant city.' President Joe Biden (left) is ushered toward a podium by Angolan President Joao Lourenco (during) during an arrival ceremony Tuesday at the presidential palace in Luanda While the president appeared upbeat, he noted to the crowd that they were 'gathered at a solemn location.' He spoke of the original 'friendship' between Angola and the United States. 'We hear them in the wind and the waves - young women, young men, born free in the highlands of Angola, only to be captured, bound and forced on a death march along this very coast, to this spot, by slave traders in the year 1619,' Biden said. He noted how 'a third of those souls did not survive the journey.' Christianity and new names were forced on the first African slaves. Two were called Anthony and Isabella and their son was William Tucker - considered the first African-American born in what's now the United States. Three of Tucker's descendants were seated front row for the president's speech. President Joe Biden delivers remarks in front of the National Slavery Museum in Morro da Cruz, Angola on Tuesday. The rainy day made way for a rainbow to appear Three descendants of William Tucker, the first African-American slave to be born in what's now the United States, attended Biden's remarks. Wanda Tucker (center) is the faculty chair of psychology, philosophy and religious studies at Rio Salado College and met with Biden Monday Biden called slavey 'our nation's original sin.' 'One that's haunted America and cast a long shadow since,' he continued. 'From the bloody Civil War that nearly tore my nation apart to the long battle with Jim Crow from the 1960s.' The 82-year-old reminded the audience that the civil rights movement is what got the now-president interested in politics. 'To the still unfinished reckoning on racial injustice in my country today,' Biden said. 'We're going to right history, not erase history,' the president pledged. Conservatives have taken issue with the teaching of 'critical race theory,' which argues that racism is systemic in the United States. That has drawn attention to how the history of slavery and race relations are taught in public schools. Before wrapping his remarks, Biden drew attention to the Lobito Corridor railway project that he was in Angola to tout. 'I must tell you up front, with the American press here, I'm probably the most pro-rail guy in America,' 'Amtrak Joe' divulged. President Joe Biden called slavery 'our nation's original sin' as he addressed an audience outside Angola's National Slavery Museum in Morro da Cruz on Tuesday afternoon, during his first and only trip to Africa 'Ladies and gentlemen, as you know, I'm in the final weeks of my presidency,' Biden said. 'You don't have to clap for that,' he said to laughs. He's photographed leaving the stage after concluding his remarks Tuesday in front of the National Slavery Museum He also highlighted that American airlines were adding flights to Angola. 'So you don't have to fly to Paris to get here - although Paris is pretty nice,' Biden said. President-elect Donald Trump announced Monday night that he would be flying to Paris this weekend for a reopening ceremony of the Notre Dame cathedral - an event Biden is expected to skip. The president also made light of the little time left he had in office - with Trump set to take back over on January 20. 'Ladies and gentlemen, as you know, I'm in the final weeks of my presidency,' Biden said. 'You don't have to clap for that,' he said to laughs. 'You can if you want,' the president added. 'But I wanted to come to Angola.' Comedian Jon Stewart gave a scathing response to President Joe Biden and the Democratic party for 'hypocritically' pardoning Hunter Biden. On Monday's Daily Show, Stewart pointed out that hypocrisy is not 'particularly unusual in politics' and began by focusing on Biden's decision to pardon his son. After Biden's repeated assurance that he wouldn't intervene in his son's legal troubles, he announced on Sunday Hunter Biden's 'full and unconditional' pardon. Hunter Biden had been found guilty by a jury in June of two counts of lying on a federal form to buy a gun, and one count of possessing the firearm while abusing drugs. Stewart said: 'Its not like he's ever gonna run again, so why not take care of your kid. Even if you said you weren't gonna - I respect it. I don't have a problem with it.' 'The problem is the rest of the Democrats made Biden's pledge to not pardon Hunter the foundation of their defense of America this grand experiment,' Stewart said, and then played a montage featuring clips of Democrats echoing Biden's promise and using it as evidence of their party's commitment to a fair justice system. 'One political party remains committed to the rule of law, and the other doesn't. It's that simple,' said Massachusetts Rep Jim McGovern. 'Hunter Biden is not above the law, no one is above the law. Democrats stand for the rule of law,' said another. On Monday's Daily Show, Stewart pointed out the Democratic party's hypocrisy over President Joe Biden's pardoning his son, Hunter, after the party made it a shining example of their defense of the justice system President Biden announced his son's 'full and unconditional' pardon on Sunday, the weekend after Thanksgiving 'Because the justice system that convicted his only surviving son is the same justice system he's vowed to protect, and if that doesn't tell you who Joe Biden is I don't really know what does,' said MSNBC host Jen Psaki. Stewart chuckled and said: 'And now look at the dance Democrats have to do.' He then played clips of more Democrats struggling to justify Biden's decision after claiming he wouldn't get involved. 'People need to remember, the President has lost two children already and he does not need to lose another one to political witch hunts,' said one. 'Be honest the only reason why they went after Hunter the way they did is because he's the presidents son,' said another. Stewart continued to discuss how the Democratic party has used the same tactics and performed similarly to their opponents, whilst asserting a moral high ground above Republicans. Stewart jokes about the timing of the decision with a prop gun on the table next to a Thanksgiving meal, and pretended to be Hunter Biden at the holiday dinner table. 'You know last Thanksgiving with the family for a while, if only someone could change that... This turkey is delicious, obviously not one of the ones that was pardoned,' he joked. Stewart played clips of Democrats claiming that Hunter Biden's case was an example that 'no one is above the law' before Biden announced his pardoning 'Rules, loopholes and norms: The distance between the systems Democrats say they are revering and the one that they're using when they need to is why people think it's rigged,' Stewart said He went on to acknowledge that while it is a tough road, the party has been making things more difficult for itself. 'At every turn, Democrats keep getting caught creating a purity test for a system that they can't seem to pass themselves,' Stewart said. Stewart went on to cite examples where Biden had morally criticized president-elect Donald Trump, but found himself involved in similar situations. These included mishandling classified documents, the contention with Saudi Arabia over a murdered American journalist and mocking Biden's fist bump with the country's leader, and the ongoing crisis at the border. He continued to blast the political party and added: 'Rules, loopholes and norms: The distance between the systems Democrats say they are revering and the one that they're using when they need to is why people think it's rigged.' 'Use the rules. Use the loopholes. F*** the norms. But also use it to help people, not just those people who are related to you. All of us are somebody's son or somebody's daughter, and we all need that break too.' The first image has been released of the eight-year-old girl who was stabbed in the neck and died 'as she tried to protect her mother' from a knifeman. Yesterday, a 34-year-old man was arrested in connection with her murder. Malika Noor Al Katib, was fatally wounded when she was stabbed in her home in County Wexford, Ireland. Police and paramedics rushed to a house in New Ross at around 11.45pm on Sunday. It is believed the knifeman turned the weapon on the little girl, stabbing her at least twice. She was rushed to University Hospital Waterford - where she died on Monday morning. A woman and man in their 30s are still receiving treatment at University Hospital Wexford. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. The scene remained cordoned off to the public on Monday night as detectives continue to probe the tragedy. Malika Noor Al Katib, 8, died after she suffered stab wounds in the early hours of Monday morning Garda at the scene in New Ross, County Wexford where the fatal assault took place Security sources have told the Mail that an altercation happened at the house on Lower William Street close to midnight and that it spilled out on to the street itself. Local councillor John Dwyer told the Irish Daily Mail that he had spoken directly with family members of the girl and that they were 'inconsolable with grief'. He said: 'The whole community is numbed by this. It's an absolute tragedy. I was speaking with family members who are just devastated, as you can imagine. 'It's an eight-year-old child killed like this. It's just so heartbreaking. 'The news went around the town like wildfire, as you can imagine. My thoughts are with the family here and we'll do what we can to help them.' Therese White, principal of New Ross Educate Together National School, where the young girl was a pupil, said her death is a 'terrible tragedy'. 'We learned this morning of the death of a student who attends our school,' she said in a statement. 'This is a terrible tragedy for the family, our school and our community. We are deeply saddened by these events. Our sympathy and thoughts are with family and friends. 'The school has implemented our critical incident management plan and we are in receipt of support from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS). The area remained cordoned off after the attack on Sunday night as Garda investigate the murder 'They have been with us all day supporting and advising teachers in their efforts to assist students at this time. Our teachers are helping students to deal with this tragic event. 'We will be sharing information with parents today around how they can support their children at this difficult time.' Imam Rashid Munir, imam of the Waterford Al-Munir Islamic Centre, said the community had been left in shock. He hoped that Malika can be buried today or tomorrow, in line with Muslim tradition. Imam Munir told RTE Radio One: 'The community are all in pain, they are all in shock. They all want to say a good goodbye to Malika.' He added that Malika's mother's injuries are not life-threatening, but she is 'not in a good condition' following the loss of her daughter. A Garda spokesperson said: "Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have any information on this incident to come forward. "Anyone with information is asked to contact New Ross Garda Station on 051 426 030, the Garda Confidential Line on (1800) 666 111 or any Garda Station." A toddler, who was beaten to death by his mother, would comfort his loved ones when they visited him in the hospital in the months before he died, family members revealed. Oliver McCarthy, 22 months old, was found dead on the living room floor of his Ontario, Canada, home on January 15, 2020. Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers reported there were signs rigor mortis had already set in by the time they arrived on scene, reported CTV News. An autopsy report determined the toddler died from blunt force trauma and a perforated bowel, noting there were other injuries to his bowl that indicated previous trauma. While the boy's mother, Nadine Melvaer, and her boyfriend, Tyler Campbell, have been convicted for his death, McCarthy's family said there was a history of abuse that officials let slip through the cracks. In November 2019, the child was taken to the North Bay Regional Health Centre and then to the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa for bruises on his body, according to court documents obtained by CTV News. The toddler's aunt told the news outlet that when she visited the boy in the hospital he would actually try to comfort her. 'We went to visit him and he would take my hair and he just like kept brushing the side of my face like this with it,' Jen McCarthy said. Oliver McCarthy, 22 months, was found dead on the living room floor of his Ontario, Canada , home on January 15, 2020 The boy's mother, Nadine Melvaer (pictured), and her boyfriend, Tyler Campbell, have been convicted for his death The Children's Aid Society (CAS) Nipissing reportedly opened a child abuse investigation when doctors informed them that McCarthy had suffered two fractured ribs consistent with blunt force trauma or squeezing. While authorities were finalizing their investigation, they allowed they boy to live with his mother and maternal grandparents, as long as he did not have any contact with Melvaer's boyfriend. However, the McCarthy family said the CAS knew the agreement was not being followed but did not notify police. 'In the joint submission, it was noted by two separate workers that Oliver was not well and they just left him there,' Jen McCarthy said. CAS told CTV News that is cannot comment on specific cases but called the death of a child 'an immeasurable tragedy.' 'We recognize the gravity of this loss and its impact on all involved. Due to a legal obligation around confidentiality, the Society is not in a position to comment at this time,' said CAS executive director Nancy Lafrance Rich. Melvaer and Campbell were arrested in spring 2021 for their roles in his death, and in April of this year both pleaded guilty. Melvaer was sentenced to six and a half years for manslaughter and Campbell is serving three years less time served, followed by three years' probation for the charge of failing to provide necessaries of life. McCarthy's family said there was a history of abuse that officials let slip through the cracks The Children's Aid Society (CAS) Nipissing reportedly opened a child abuse case after the boy was taken to the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (pictured) for bruises on his body The boy's maternal grandparents have also been charged with failing to provide necessaries of life and have a court date scheduled for December 13. 'For something that might feel like a little bit of closure and accountability, that didn't come,' Jen McCarthy said. 'At the end of the day, by the time weve spent, its been almost five years now since Oliver passed away.' Hunter Biden's ex-girlfriend has revealed how the president's son broke up with her over email following their whirlwind romance. Zoe Kestan, 31, began dating Biden, 54, after she met him while working at New York strip club in 2017. Their drug-fueled romance played out in lavish hotels across the country and ended up forming part of court testimony against Biden in his tax evasion probe. Kestan told the New York Times how their 11-month relationship ended in November 2018 after she had travelled to a Massachusetts rehabilitation center to visit Biden who was receiving treatment for drug addiction. Kestan, a lingerie designer who went by the moniker Weedslut, said it was clear that the ketamine therapy he was receiving was not working and the two headed out to try and score some powder cocaine that Biden could cook into crack. But the next day as they parted ways, an argument broke out in which Biden admitted he had 'wronged' Kestan. The two didn't speak for several months, but the death knell in their relationship came when Kestan texted Biden to congratulate him on his daughter's high school graduation. 'Hi Zoe, I got married to the love of my life, and I'm happier than I have ever been,' Biden replied in an email. Hunter Biden 's ex-girlfriend Zoe Kestan has revealed how the president's son broke up with her over email following their whirlwind romance 'I have begun a new life with my beautiful wife and ask you to please honor my privacy. Wish you well.' Biden tied the knot with his second wife Melissa Cohen Biden in May 2019. During his relationship with Kestan he also fathered another child with Arkansas woman Lunden Roberts. Kestan's feelings about her time with Biden are complicated, something which was exacerbated when their relationship was put up for public dissection following Biden's indictments on tax and gun charges. Details about their relationship, including intimate images of the couple, ended up on the internet following the confiscation of Biden's laptop. 'I was confronted with the fact that the only thing I know about my identity now is I'm still affected by this person, and certain people around me think of me only in relation to him,' Kestan said. She explained his frequent appearances in the news made it difficult to get over him, and that she was 'so attracted' to the president's son from the moment she met him. The couple first crossed paths when Kestan gave him a private dance at Vivid Cabaret. She was later invited to party with Biden at a downtown hotel. That night the two went out for dinner and sat up talking until 4am, with Biden inquiring about her creative work and opening up about the loss of his brother Beau, Kestan said. The couple dated for 11 months after meeting when Kestan was working as a stripper at a New York club She said that Biden ended their relationship in a message months after they had an argument at a Massachusetts rehabilitation center She recalled how the president's son took hits from a glass pipe every 20 minutes but never seemed to become impaired. Their relationship deepened over the next year, with the two frequently spotted at art show openings and high end hotels. But Kestan said there was a dark side as she recounted his frequent drug use and paranoia and how he would seek company from cam girls while she was asleep. When they were finally reunited for the first time since their break up in court in June, Kestan was asked to testify at length about Biden's drug use. Kestan told the grand jury she was instructed by Biden to take out 'thousands of dollars at a time' from cash machines. She reeled off a list of pricey five-star New York City hotels, including the Soho Grand and Four Seasons, where she had stayed with Biden. She also detailed their West Coast hotels, which included celebrity hot spot Chateau Marmont, where the pair stayed together for a month. In the email Biden explained that he had moved on and married the 'love of his life', his second wife Melissa Cohen Biden Kestan was forced to testify about her and Biden's relationship as part of a federal probe into his tax returns Despite the intense media scrutiny over Biden's laptop contents in particular, Kestan revealed she was a little glad that their relationship had been brought out into the open. 'Now theres physical evidence that we spent that time together,' she said. Biden was facing up to 25 years in prison in the gun case and 17 years for his tax crime. However President Joe Biden has since pardoned his son on both charges, claiming that the prosecution was politically motivated. Delivery Hero experienced a significant market setback as its shares tumbled nearly 9% to 35.32 on Monday following announcements regarding fundamental changes to its Spanish subsidiary Glovos employment model. The company must transition its delivery drivers from independent contractors to permanent employees in response to demands from Spanish labor authorities. This strategic shift is expected to impact the adjusted EBITDA by approximately 100 million in the coming year, while contingent liabilities in the 2024 financial report are projected to increase substantially to between 440 and 770 million, encompassing social security contributions, penalties, and various supplements. Financial Outlook Despite these considerable financial challenges stemming from Spains labor law reforms, Delivery Hero maintains its forecast of achieving positive adjusted EBITDA in the upcoming year. The companys stock performance had been notably strong until this announcement, with year-to-date gains for 2024 still exceeding 40% even after the recent decline. The first payment or bank guarantee related to these changes is not expected to be due until the second quarter of 2025. Ad Delivery Hero Stock: New Analysis 04 December Fresh Delivery Hero information released. Whats the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends. Read our updated Delivery Hero analysis Delivery Hero experienced a significant market setback as its shares tumbled nearly 9% to 35.32 on Monday following announcements regarding fundamental changes to its Spanish subsidiary Glovos employment model. The company must transition its delivery drivers from independent contractors to permanent employees in response to demands from Spanish labor authorities. This strategic shift is expected to impact the adjusted EBITDA by approximately 100 million in the coming year, while contingent liabilities in the 2024 financial report are projected to increase substantially to between 440 and 770 million, encompassing social security contributions, penalties, and various supplements. Financial Outlook Despite these considerable financial challenges stemming from Spains labor law reforms, Delivery Hero maintains its forecast of achieving positive adjusted EBITDA in the upcoming year. The companys stock performance had been notably strong until this announcement, with year-to-date gains for 2024 still exceeding 40% even after the recent decline. The first payment or bank guarantee related to these changes is not expected to be due until the second quarter of 2025. Ad Fresh Delivery Hero information released. Whats the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends. A law firm executive, who used her expertise in dealing with road accident insurance claims to personally claim 65,000 damages for faked crash injuries, has been condemned by a judge as a brazen liar and faces having to pay a massive legal bill. Michelle Scully was the passenger in three separate car accidents in the space of two years in which she claimed to suffer injuries and psychological trauma that meant she felt unable to exercise in the gym, lost weight and became unwell. However, insurance investigators who challenged her damages claim discovered she managed to take part in a 10km race, complete the 24-mile Yorkshire Three Peaks walk and even climb Ben Nevis. The case before Manchester County Court also exposed Scully for scamming her employer and being a love cheat. The court heard how Scully, who had a series of senior jobs in law firms over more than a decade, falsified her CV to boost her career by claiming to have five A levels (four at grade A) when she only had one and lied about having qualifications as a legal executive. The married woman even invented a story about her lover a work colleague and gym personal trainer blackmailing her over a compromising video of them together. After hearing all the evidence, Judge Nigel Bird threw out Scullys compensation claim as fundamentally dishonest. He ruled she had lied about her injuries and declared Scully is a generally dishonest person. Michelle Scully (pictured) used her expertise in dealing with road accident insurance claims to personally claim 65,000 damages for faked crash injuries After hearing all the evidence, Judge Nigel Bird threw out Scullys compensation claim as fundamentally dishonest. He ruled she had lied about her injuries and declared Scully is a generally dishonest person Scully, of Hyde, Manchester, resigned from her job at solicitors Bond Turner in April this year, the day before she was due to attend a disciplinary meeting over her faked CV and faced the sack. Her career is now in ruins and she faces having to pay a huge legal bill estimated at over 250,000. The judge said he is likely to order her to pay the costs of the five defendants she was suing, who were three drivers and two insurance companies. Scullys job was to represent people making legal claims against insurance companies following road accidents. And she put that expertise to dishonest use when she was involved as a passenger in three genuine minor accidents herself. The first in February 2015 was in a car driven by her husband Gavin Atherton. The second was in August 2016 when the car was driven by work colleague Muriam Yunas and the third was three months later in November when her lover Dominic Baugh was behind the wheel. On each occasion she claimed to suffer a physical injury but mostly a severe psychological impact. She said she suffered injuries to the neck, spine and shoulder and also tinnitus as a result of the accidents. Her compensation claim was backed up by written evidence from five medical experts. But the judge rejected the expert evidence as he found she lied to the doctors and failed to provide them with accurate information. The court heard based on the lies Scully was diagnosed with the eating disorder bulimia, body dysmorphic disorder and anxiety and depressive disorder. She had been a fitness fanatic but told doctors she lost interest in the gym after the accidents. Scully claimed to stop eating properly and said she blacked out at the wheel of a car as a result an incident the judge ruled was fictitious. The case before Manchester County Court (pictured) also exposed Scully for scamming her employer. The court heard how Scully, who had a series of senior jobs in law firms over more than a decade, falsified her CV to boost her career by claiming to have five A levels She told one doctor she felt embarrassed and anxious and out of place in the gym and could no longer go. However, the judge was shown evidence Scully continued to exercise hard and regularly. Mr Baugh, a personal trainer and junior work colleague, regularly went to the gym with Scully and he said they took part in strenuous exercise in 2016 after the first two accidents. By the time they were both involved in a car crash they were also romantically involved. He said he and Scully suffered no injuries in the low impact crash in November 2016. Afterwards Scully regularly went to the gym in her lunch break, the court heard. Mr Baugh also provided evidence that Scully did a 10k run with colleagues at a different law firm in May 2016, climbed Ben Nevis in July 2017 and did the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge a year later. Scully attempted to label her ex-lover Mr Baugh as a liar by claiming he defrauded her during their relationship. She claimed he used her bank details without her consent to cover monthly 158 car finance payments. Scully told the judge Mr Baugh had threatened to reveal an intimate video to her long-term partner, who she was still in a relationship with. However, the judge backed Mr Baughs evidence that Scully agreed to cover the car payments and had never threatened to share a video. The judge ruled Scully made up a story that Dominic Baugh had effectively blackmailed her. Today Alex Wilkinson, Partner at HF and Head of the firms Technical Fraud Team, instructed by Admiral Insurance in respect of two of the three accidents, said: Michelle Scully thought she could use her knowledge of the claims process to dishonestly obtain compensation for accidents that, in fact, caused her no injuries. As if that wasnt bad enough, the lies she had told about her qualifications throughout her legal career, potentially denying someone else a job that they would otherwise have secured, are scandalous. I am glad for the industry that Miss Scullys dishonesty has been uncovered and that the insurers involved in this litigation took the decision to fight these claims to trial. The Law Society has been informed of the judgement and no complaint has so far been made to police. Scully now uses her married name Atherton and is understood to still be married. A Virginia husband has been charged with murder months after his wife disappeared and a shocking amount of blood was found inside their home. Naresh Bhatt, 37, has also been accused of physically defiling a dead body and the concealment of a body four months since wife Mamta Kafle Bhatt, 28, a pediatric nurse, was last seen. Mamta, who vanished on July 28 and even missed her daughter's first birthday, is currently presumed dead and her body has not yet been found. Manassas Park Police Chief Mario Lugo noted in a December 3 press conference: 'From the beginning, we believed that she was murdered'. He also told the public that they have found 'a lot of evidence' against the accused in the case. 'I know the crime scene was a big one. The forensic unit at Prince William County said it was one of the worst crime scenes they've seen,' he said. Investigators had conducted their first property search when Naresh was home with the couple's baby and discovered blood in the bedroom as well as the bathroom, Lugo said. He added that evidence shows that Naresh had allegedly cut up his wife's body, which prompted the defiling charge. Furthermore, the Chief clarified that one of the reasons for the new murder charge was due to their success in being able to match Mamta's DNA to the pools of blood found at the couple's home. Naresh Bhatt, 37, has been charged with murder months after his wife disappeared and a shocking amount of blood was found inside their home Mamta Kafle Bhatt, 28, a pediatric nurse, who vanished July 28 and even missed her daughter's first birthday, is currently presumed dead and her body has not yet been found 'I feel we have a strong case for not having the body,' Lugo said. Holly Wirth, a former hospital co-worker of Mamta and spokesperson for her family, said the family feels 'a sense of relief' that a charge has finally come. 'Their goal has been two things: justice for Mamta and securing a future for her baby. And that's what guides their steps every day. This is not a celebration. We're not here happy,' Wirth said at the latest news conference. Incriminating evidence linking Naresh to the case was also found in late August - weeks after his arrest. According to prosecutors, the accused had searched for 'how long does it take to get married when spouse die' and 'what happen to debt died spouse' in April. He used his work computer to make the searches, and the US Secret Service, to whom he has ties and a security clearance, gave police the search history. Prosecutors also revealed Naresh sold his Tesla days before his arrest on August 22, but police managed to track it down at a local dealership and are searching the car's computer. Naresh also tried to sell the family home, and police found he had packed up their possessions when they arrived, including passports for him and his daughter. Investigators had conducted their first property search when Naresh was home with the couple's baby and discovered blood in the bedroom as well as the bathroom Manassas Park Police Chief Mario Lugo clarified that one of the reasons for the new murder charge was due to their success in being able to match Mamta's DNA to the pools of blood found at the couple's home According to prosecutors, the accused had searched for 'how long does it take to get married when spouse die' and 'what happen to debt died spouse' in April Police used blue light to find bloodstains all over the couple's bedroom and bathroom that had been cleaned and discovered evidence suggesting that a body was dragged through the house. Prince William County prosecutors noted that Mamta's last video call with her mother was on July 29, according to WTOP. The next day, the accused allegedly dropped off their child at a babysitter's house early in the morning and moments later, he was seen dumping multiple trash bags into a dumpster at the caretaker's apartment complex. Senior assistant commonwealth's attorney Sarah Sami also previously revealed that Naresh had reportedly bought a set of knives from Home Depot and Walmart the same morning and a '40-pack of extra strong black trash bags' later in the evening. On July 31 at around 1.30am, Naresh was seen in Falls Church retrieving bags from his Tesla and putting them into a trash compactor on video. Prosecutors noted in court that while his Tesla tracks him to the location, his phone was inactive and not with him at the time. Later that morning, over 150 gallons of water were also used up at the property - a significant increase from its typical three to four gallons usage. While defense lawyers claimed in court the blood found in the house was from a nosebleed, prosecutors argued that the amount discovered instead indicated that the victim had suffered injuries that were not survivable. Bhatt's shock arrest comes days after he made an emotional TV appeal for his wife's safe return While defense lawyers claimed in court the blood found in the house was from a nosebleed, prosecutors argued that the amount discovered instead indicated that the victim had suffered injuries that were not survivable During a welfare check made by the police on August 2, Naresh told them he last saw his wife on July 31 and didn't want to report her missing because she was with family in Texas. However, Mamta, who is of Nepalese descent, has no family in the US, according to prosecutors and friends. Naresh finally reported her missing three days later and made a tearful public appeal for her to come home. But police believe he lied about the timeline and Mamta was already dead by July 31. Furthermore, prosecutors told the court that Mamta had accused Naresh of domestic violence before she went missing. She claimed to Manassas Park Police that Naresh destroyed her phone and refused to hand over her passport and other important documents. Naresh claimed she destroyed her own phone, but prosecutors said it continued receiving messages and and calls until August 1, when it died. The court heard friends told police they saw bruises on her body and offered to help her get out of the allegedly abusive marriage. Officers search the contents of the home and are in the back of he house Social media posts reveal Mamta had pleaded for help from other mothers in the area She asked one of the women in the post that she doesn't have money as he withdrew it all from a joint account In February, Mamta posted in the Facebook group 'Separated, Divorced, Single Moms of Virginia, Maryland and DC' that she has a six-month-old baby and in the process of a separation. 'I work 2 days a week and my husband is not helping to take care of baby. He is saying, that if I leave baby with him he will send child to custody. Is it possible? I need help for child care,' she said. 'I need help from social worker and need some advice.' Robin Kuppusamy, the missing mom's friend, shared in a post on August 12 expressing her concerns for her friend. 'Multiple women and myself have been talking to her on our separation divorce group on Facebook to find her help since she was leaving her spouse until she dropped off the radar,' Kuppusamy wrote. She added, 'she would have never left her daughter behind.' Mamta also shared that her and her husband were still living together but that she no longer has any money. She wrote, in part, 'I don't have money now too he withdraw all money from joint account' Naresh is now scheduled to appear in Prince William Circuit Court on December 4 to be formally charged after a Nepalese interpreter was not available today morning. A New Jersey town erupted in anger after its municipal council banned 'props' - including the American flag - in public meetings and proceeded to toss out a man for waving one in protest. Joel Bassoff, a local resident and attorney, was ushered out of last Monday's Edison Township Council meeting by police, all because he was armed with the star-spangled banner. At the November 25 meeting, Bassoff and other residents decried new ordinances that ban the props - which also include the US Constitution - and shorten public comments from six minutes to four minutes. The same ordinance that banned props also prohibited non-medical masks and costumes. It was reportedly done to cut down on interruptions and keep meetings running smoothly and with decorum. In his speech to the seven-member council, Bassoff argued the ordinance violates the right to free speech guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution. 'The public knows why you're trying to ban masks, costumes and props even though its unconstitutional,' Bassoff said. 'At previous meetings, members of the public mocked the council by showing up with masks, costumes and props.' He continued: 'You don't like being embarrassed, so you're trying to ban the people that humiliate you. But the best way to avoid humiliation is to stop doing stupid things like trying to clamp down on constitutionally-protected symbolic speech.' Bassoff also warned them that 'if you get sued, you will lose.' Joel Bassoff, a local resident and attorney in Edison, raged at the council members for banning props, including American flags and Constitutions, at all public meetings As he waved an American flag around, two police officers surrounded Bassoff as he and Council President Nishith Patel continued arguing with one another The council members sat through all of this mostly without incident, only interrupting Bassoff once. But when he finally held up the American flag he had been concealing behind the lectern, that was when Council President Nishith Patel cracked down. 'To illustrate why this ordinance 2239 is wrong, I'm holding up an American flag' 'I'm going to have to give you a warning,' Patel talked over Bassoff. As Patel threatened to have him removed from the meeting, Bassoff once again urged the council to rethink banning props. 'It's my constitutional right to do this. If you get sued, you will lose. My suggestion to you is that you get a second opinion from competent counsel because you are wrong,' Bassoff said. Soon after this, two police officers approached him as the council president continually asked for him to be removed from the chambers. One resident was heard shouting, 'Shame on you,' as Bassoff voluntarily walked away from the lectern. Council President Nishith Patel (pictured) followed through on his warnings and had Bassoff removed from the November 25 meeting for violating the new ordinance Bassoff is seen chatting with another Edison police officer after he was tossed from the meeting Bassoff tried to take his seat again but was ultimately removed by police. Earlier in the meeting, Bassoff also held up a Constitution, something Patel said qualified as a prop. 'This is going to be served as a prop as last discussed in the last meeting,' Patel interjected. 'If you use it as a prop, the Constitution, then we will take this as a warning that if you continue' 'Im sorry, Im not putting down the US Constitution,' Bassoff fired back. 'This is my time, youre interrupting me.' Patel repeatedly pounded his gavel and called for Bassoff to sit back down. 'If youre going to continue interfering with the decorum, then you should be removed,' Bassoff said, which got applause from the audience. One resident was also heard saying about Patel: 'Kick him out!' The ordinance doesn't specifically ban Constitutions or American flags, but Patel told residents that these items would be 'considered not conducive to good order,' the New York Post reported. DailyMail.com approached Bassoff and Patel for further comment. Microsoft is facing a 1billion legal action from UK businesses over allegations it overcharged firms for access to products. The claim, filed to the Competition Appeal Tribunal, alleges that customers using rival cloud computing platforms to Microsoft's own Azure were charged higher licensing fees to access its Windows Server. It alleges that UK businesses and organisations are collectively owed more than 1 billion in compensation for being overcharged. The businesses also said that Microsoft has used anti-competitive practices to try to force customers to move to its cloud computing services. The claim has been filed by digital markets regulation and policy expert Dr Maria Luisa Stasi and law firm Scott+Scott, with all UK businesses who bought licences for Windows Server via rival cloud platforms such as Amazon's AWS, Google Cloud Platform and Alibaba Cloud being represented in the 'opt-out' collective action. 'Put simply, Microsoft is punishing UK businesses and organisations for using Google, Amazon and Alibaba for cloud computing by forcing them to pay more money for Windows Server,' Dr Stasi said. 'By doing so, Microsoft is trying to force customers into using its cloud computing service Azure and restricting competition in the sector. Microsoft's office in New York City. The claim, filed to the Competition Appeal Tribunal, alleges that customers using rival cloud computing platforms to Microsoft's own Azure were charged higher licensing fees to access its Windows Server 'This lawsuit aims to challenge Microsoft's anti-competitive behaviour, push them to reveal exactly how much businesses in the UK have been illegally penalised, and return the money to organisations that have been unfairly overcharged.' James Hain-Cole, partner at Scott+Scott UK, said: 'Collective actions level the playing field and allow organisations to fight back against anti-competitive behaviour from some of the biggest companies in the world. 'Dr Stasi's case against Microsoft aims to do exactly that. We are proud to support her efforts to secure compensation for the class and hold Microsoft to account for its conduct that affects businesses and organisations across the UK economy.' MailOnline have approached Microsoft for comment. A naturist nicknamed 'The Naked Carpenter' tried to kill a police officer by stabbing him in the head, face and neck with a pair of scissors, a court has heard. Robert Jenner, 50, is accused of the attempted murder of Kent Police constable Sean Quinn - who suffered multiple injuries on June 15, 2023, at the defendant's flat in Maidstone. Pc Quinn had arrived at the property to arrest Jenner for exposing himself to women, but was attacked and stabbed 23 times by the suspect, leaving him with a 'gaping wound' across his forehead which exposed his skull. A trial at Maidstone Crown Court saw 'upsetting' body-worn footage of a topless Jenner barricaded in his flat with a sofa, while Pc Quinn shouts 'put those f****** scissors down now'. The officer then gets into the room where the defendant 'launched' himself, stabbing Pc Quinn who is seen screaming for help with a bloodied face. Jenner only stopped the assault when a fellow officer got into the flat and punched him in the head five or six times to force him to drop the scissors, jurors were told. Opening the case, prosecutor Daniel Stevenson, said: 'The Crown's case is that by attacking Sean Quinn in the way in which he did, stabbing him multiple times to the head, face and neck, by choosing to do that, he must have been trying to do more than causing really serious injury, he must have been trying to end his life.' Jenner, whose nickname is 'The Naked Carpenter', has gained notoriety in the past for his revealing behaviour and claims to have been a naturist for more than 20 years and to have served in the army for 10 years. Robert Jenner, 50, is accused of the attempted murder of Kent Police constable Sean Quinn - who suffered multiple injuries on June 15, 2023 Jenner has gained notoriety in the past for his revealing behaviour and claims to have been a naturist for more than 20 years and to have served in the army for 10 years He reportedly also was a member of the Naturist Society, taking part in naked swims and visiting nudist beaches in France, Spain and Kent's Isle of Sheppey. The court heard Jenner had gone to Maidstone police station earlier that day to ask for his see-through clothing back from officers that had previously been seized. Officers refused as they believed he would wear them and commit another offence, and Jenner replied: 'I'm going to strip off now w******,' jurors were told. At 7.50pm that evening, Kent Police received a report of a man running naked in Mote Park, in Maidstone, 'nipping in and out of bushes exposing himself to women'. The court heard officers Pc Quinn and colleague Pc Ashley Bates suspected it to be Jenner, having dealt with him in the past, and decided to visit his address where the confrontation took place. Pc Quinn was bleeding heavily from his wounds, with pathologist Dr Virginia Fitzpatrick-Swallow documenting 23 separate injuries - most of them, 19, to the face, head and neck area. The prosecutor said a degree of moderate to severe force would have been needed to sustain some of the full-depth injuries. Following the incident, Jenner was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, who said: 'I didn't mean to do it', and 'is he okay?', before adding: 'F*** oh mate, I didn't want this to happen, I didn't want it to come to this'. A police officer in his 50s was allegedly stabbed with a pair of scissors and seriously injured at Albion Place (pictured) in Maidstone Mr Stevenson said Jenner's defence is that he was acting to defend himself from what he believed was an unlawful arrest or unlawful entry to his flat, and that he did not intend to kill or seriously injure Pc Quinn. But the prosecutor added the pathologist evidence shows the wounds 'had the potential to be fatal' had they struck one of the major arteries, and that is why the defendant chose to stab that area of the body. '(Pc Quinn) was wearing a stab-proof vest, what was exposed was his face, head and neck,' he said. 'That is what the Crown say he had in mind, this defendant, for whatever reason, he chose in that moment to to try and end that police officer's life and continued to do so even when other officers came into the room. 'That is why we say he is guilty of attempted murder.' Jenner is also charged with wounding with intent and denies both allegations. The trial continues. An Idaho beauty salon is facing a boycott after its owner repeatedly branded Donald Trump voters racist, homophobic and misogynists. Tiffney Prickett, from the salon, Voire, in Coeur d'Alene, took to TikTok after the election to share her thoughts of the president-elect's voting base. 'Trump basically gave small men the ability and the courage to be misogynistic and hateful and say s*** like 'your body, my choice' and 'you will bear my child whether you like it or not,'' Prickett said in the November 12 video. The two-minute clip saw the businesswoman rant about 'the things men say to women are gross,' adding 'I don't know why more men don't come to the defense of women.' The 40-year-old mother-of-three has since faced numerous boycotts of her small business, some from 15-year returning clients, who disagree with her attacks. 'This is me facing the consequences of my own actions,' she said in a follow up video captioned 'It's not politics. It's HUMAN RIGHTS. And I will gladly suffer the consequences of standing up for what's right.' Prickett, dressed in a full-face of makeup, then explained how some of her most loyal clients 'did not feel comfortable coming to her salon anymore.' 'I just had a client send her husband into my salon and demand a refund for gift cards, pre-purchased, because of my stance.' Tiffney Prickett, 40, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho is facing severe backlash after posting a bold video to TikTok where she daringly called Trump voters racist, homophobic and misogynists The owner of a beauty salon, Voiage, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Tiffney Prickett, took to TikTok after the election to share her true thoughts of President-elect Donald Trump's voting base. Pictured: Prickett's Idaho salon, Voiage 'If you support a racist, homophobic, misogynist rapist, and you're okay with those things because you supported them - then you are in fact, those things.' In a newer video, posted just last week, Prickett said she's lost another handful of Trump-supporting clients. 'They're dropping like flies. I lost another one of my clients today who clearly was a Trump supporter,' she said in the more recent video. 'I would rather go work at Chipotle,' she added explaining that she feels that would be a better alternative than allowing people to 'feel comfortable' with their beliefs in 'her space.' Users on 'X' have since fired back at the videos. 'Tiffney Prickett's Voiage Salon has taken down their website. When does she shut the doors and go to work at McDonald's?' another posted. Another posted: 'How does she think she'll be able to ensure that Trump supporters are in 'her space' at Chipotle? 'I hope she sees multiple Trump hats daily at her new job. What's sad is she's a mother, so you know she's teaching her kid to hate ppl who don't agree with her. Sad.' Prickett has since taken down her salon's website as some of her left-leaning followers have urged her to move and relocate her business to 'a more blue state.' The Idaho-native isn't the only small business owner to have faced scrutinizing hate from internet onlookers as earlier this year, as a Memphis florist has received backlash after saying she won't do business with Trump supporters after his 2024 election win. Kristin Wolter, 49, made the announcement on the now-private Instagram account for her business, Everbloom Designs. 'I won't do business with people who support the president-elect,' she said in the video, which circulated widely social media beginning last week. 'It is because I need to create a safe place for me, my staff, and my family.' The 40-year-old mother-of-three has since faced numerous boycotts of her small business, some from 15-year returning clients, who disagree with her attacks Kristin Wolter, 49, (pictured) made the announcement on the now-private Instagram account for her business, Everbloom Designs: 'I won't do business with people who support the president-elect. It is because I need to create a safe place for me, my staff, and my family' Zegler's strong opinions have sparked backlash in the past , but her latest outburst could derail the release, according to Trump voters who vow to boycott the film Wolter said she was shocked that her 'community chose financial concerns and economy over human rights and decency,' Newsmax host Todd Starnes wrote in a post on X. Wolter issued a second statement after receiving blowback to her initial comments, according to KWAM News Radio 900. The station posted an announcement on Saturday saying that the shop would be closed the 'rest of the week due to threats to me and my business.' 'I knew standing up for what I believe in would have consequences,' the note read. 'I am so grateful to those of you that have supported me in this. They are showing their true colors and lack of decency and humanity.' Huge corporations like Disney are also facing negative consequences for their affiliations against the former President. Disney is now under mounting pressure to dump Snow White star Rachel Zegler after she lashed out at Americans who voted for Donald Trump. The 23-year-old Hollywood starlet plays the titular role in the live-action remake, due to be released in March 2025. Zegler's strong opinions have sparked backlash in the past, but her latest outburst could derail the release, according to Trump voters who vow to boycott the film. An alleged billionaire cocaine kingpin said to have smuggled hundreds of millions of pounds of the illicit drug into Europe has been arrested in Dubai. Belgian citizen Otham El Ballouti, 36, had been on the run and is facing up to 20 years behind bars for allegedly masterminding the distribution of 275million worth of cocaine in 2021. The kingpin, know as 'El Patron' of the ruthless Mocro mafia was detained in the United Arab Emirates as a 'high-value target', according to Belgian media. In September, he was sentenced to seven years in prison in Antwerp for importing 800kilos of cocaine. He also faces the possible 20-year prison sentence, along with a fine of 800,000, after prosecutors were able to access countless messages and images as evidence that El Ballouti was making 'dizzying amounts of money'. El Ballouti has been described by Belgian police as 'the most imaginative drug criminal in Antwerp'. He was also called 'the richest man in Antwerp' by the city's mayor Bar De Wever and is said to be worth billions. El Ballouti fled to Dubai in 2015 and has been living in a high-rise apartment said to be worth 1.5million. Othman El Ballouti has been arrested in Dubai after allegedly smuggling hundreds of millions of euros worth of cocaine into Europe El Ballouti fled to Dubai in 2015 and has been living in a high-rise apartment said to be worth 1.5 million euros He also allegedly owned or controlled properties worth more than 33million, but has insisted that his money comes from his business in luxury goods. 'I am not the big drug boss that people want me to be. I dare to say that I am a good person,' he told Dutch newspaper Gazet van Antwerp in 2023. 'There is no blood on my hands'. Meanwhile his brother Younes is a key player in Belgium's illicit drug trade and was previously convicted of smuggling cocaine. Younes was also kidnapped in 2017 by mafia rivals in France, and his brother had to negotiate his release by paying what is believed to have been around 5million euros. He is also the uncle of 11-year-old Firdaous who made headlines last year after she was shot in the chest and died after being caught up in a crossfire between drug gangs. It comes after a Belgian court jailed dozens of people in the nation's biggest drug trial, after 120 defendants were accused of participating in international cocaine and cannabis trafficking. The Belgian city of Antwerp is considered to be the cocaine capital of Europe. Last week, an Antwerp investigating magistrate was forced into hiding after receiving threats by a gangster. Delta Airlines flight attendants were pulled from a flight to New York City after failing a random breathalyzer test, with two found over the legal limit. On Friday, breathalyzer tests were given to 445 airline employees at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. The routine tests, however, became crucial after two Delta flight attendants were found over the Netherland's legal limit of 0.02 before a flight scheduled to depart at 10.45am to John F. Kennedy Airport in New York. One of the attendants blew 0.143, which is seven times the legal limit for flight crews and nearly double the legal limit allowed for drivers in the US. The attendant was fined $1,998, while the other employee, who had a blood alcohol content of 0.024, was fined $305. A Delta Airlines spokesperson told CBS News: 'Delta's alcohol policy is among the strictest in the industry and we have zero tolerance for violation. 'The employees were removed from their scheduled duties and the flight departed as scheduled.' A third flight attendant with another unknown airline blew over the legal limit at 0.13 and was fined $1,892, according to the local police incident report. Two Delta flight attendants were found over the Netherland's legal limit of 0.02 before a flight scheduled to depart at 10.45am to John F. Kennedy Airport in New York On Friday, breathalyzer tests were given to 445 airline employees at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. One of the Delta flight attendants blew nearly seven times over the legal US driving limit at 0.143 The Federal Aviation Administration in the United States recommends that flight crew leave eight hours between drinking and flying. The Netherlands prohibits flight crew from drinking within ten hours of a flight. The European Air Safety Agency warns that simply adhering to the 'bottle to throttle' time rule does not guarantee compliance with legal blood alcohol concentration limits. As incidents on flights, including crew, passengers and overall safety, have been increasing placing more importance than ever on flight attendants being clear-headed and refrain from alcohol usage before reporting for work per the FAA guidelines. A Delta flight from New York to France recently saw a passenger sneak onto the flight, bypassing security checkpoints with no travel documents. The woman was revealed by French officials as a Russian national who is a legal US resident, but pleaded flight crew not to 'send her back to America'. Allegedly identified as Svetlana Dali, the woman was filmed on board the flight screaming at staff trying to question her. 'Please help me!' she was seen saying in the video. 'I don't want to go to the United States.' Officials said she was detained in France and was placed back on a flight to the US days later, but new footage then also showed her being combative with airline staff, screaming about needing 'asylum against the United States.' The woman who allegedly snuck onto a Delta Airlines flight from New York to France last week, named as Svetlana Dali, was seen in bombshell new footage begging flight attendants not to 'send her back to America' After Dali was detained in Paris, officials attempted to deport her back to JFK - with separate footage showing the stowaway screaming about needing 'asylum against the United States' Delta and TSA said it they have launched an investigation to find out how Dali allegedly snuck past security checkpoints. 'Nothing is of greater importance than matters of safety and security. That's why Delta is conducting an exhaustive investigation of what may have occurred and will work collaboratively with other aviation stakeholders and law enforcement to that end,' Delta said in a statement. Footage of Dali being unruly with airline staff when French authorities tried to deport her back was taken before the jet ever got off the ground, and passengers said she began freaking out almost instantly. Passenger Natalia Treichler said: 'She got belligerent, and so more stewardesses came in to try and restrain her. 'That's when everything started to escalate.' TV presenter Robert Peston has revealed his phone was stolen by a biker and ended up in Algeria as police 'refused to investigate' the theft. The 64-year-old said he gave the police precise GPS locations of where his phone had been taken to and pictures of front doors. However, he claims police refused to go to the two addresses he gave. Mr Peston was told officers 'were not allowed to act on GPS locational data' and that the high volume of street crimes meant that they could not 'cope'. The presenter said he was offered victim support and asked to make a 'pointless statement' but he admitted he just wanted his phone back. In a social media post, Robert Peston said: 'When I had a mobile phone snatched by a biker, I gave the police precise GPS details of its two UK locations, including Google maps pictures of front doors. The police refused to go to the addresses or investigate. 'This was maddening. The officers said they were not allowed to act on GPS locational data - and also that there are so many street crimes that they cant cope. But they did want to visit me to take a pointless statement and offer me victim support, when what I actually wanted was my phone back. It is now in Algeria. 'The police are significantly under-resourced but there is also an issue about how the existing resources are being deployed. Journalist and TV presenter Robert Peston said police would not search for his stolen phone 'The Home Secretary says she will give the police the power to act on location data. But it is unclear when this will happen, and why the police cant even now simply go to a property and knock on a door as a warning to the thieves that they are being watched. And as for the failure to use cctv images, dont get me started. 'Of course thefts and crimes such as the one I experienced are trivial compared to many that go unsolved. Which is why what is reported below will resonate widely.' It comes after anti-crime activist Dr Lawrence Newport had his bike stolen outside Scotland Yard and police closed the case after one day. In a video, Dr Newport asked if bike theft had 'become legal' in the UK, due to the lack of effort from police in trying to find it. Around 64,000 mobile phones were reported to police as stolen in London last year - double the number in the two previous years. Robberies have risen more than a third between October 2020 and September this year. But thefts - under which snatching would fall - have almost tripled from 23,106 in the year to September 2021 to 66,528 three years later. A number of MPs including Labour MP Chris Webb are now reported to have fallen victim to the muggers, who are typically captured on camera stealing devices around the upmarket Mayfair area and along Oxford Street. A balaclava-clad thief was seen brazenly snatching a mobile phone from a woman's hand before racing away in central London in April Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Staff at the London Dungeon have been told by their managers to keep phones out of sight because of a spate of snatch thefts around Waterloo Station. Dungeon worker Georgina Collier, 24, said: 'We got an email a couple months ago warning us about the phone snatching. 'We've been told to leave in pairs at the end of our shifts. Although it does happen in the morning too. 'One of my colleagues had her phone snatched just around the corner.' Police say the best advice is to contact the police as quickly as possible after the theft has occurred as it maximises the chances of the criminals being brought to justice. The Met is urging anyone who has had a lost or stolen phone to use the national mobile phone register so recovered phones can be restored. Criminals riding e-bikes and mopeds have increasingly been using violence and distraction tactics to target victims. The worst-hit borough was the City of Westminster, where tourists flock for theatre shows and high-end shopping, with 18,863 reported incidents in the year to December - up 47 per cent from 12,836 in the previous 12 months. Camden was the second worst affected, with 4,806 incidents, followed by Southwark (4,376), Hackney (2,761), Newham (2,585), Lambeth (2,394) and Islington (2,117). President Joe Biden's extraordinarily broad pardon of his son may have saved Hunter from a prison sentence, but it might actually mark the beginning of worse legal troubles for the Biden clan. By pre-emptively shielding Hunter from the consequences of any alleged criminal conduct dating back eleven years, the President leaves his son open to virtually unlimited questioning in future Congressional, civil or even criminal investigations. That's because Hunter Biden can no longer claim the privilege of the Fifth Amendment a Constitutional right that protects people from offering testimony that may incriminate them. Since Hunter is now effectively immune from federal prosecution, he cannot plausibly claim that testimony could constitute self-incrimination. That makes Hunter a potential key witness for years to come. Biden's blanket pardon is, in fact, a gift to President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general nominee Pam Bondi, should she ever choose to look into allegations that the Biden family has corruptly profited off foreign influence peddling for decades. One Republican-led House committee has estimated that the Bidens and their business associates have raked in more than $27 million in overseas business deals in recent years. However, not a single Biden family member has ever registered as a 'foreign agent' as may be required by law. That seems like fertile ground for investigation. President Joe Biden's extraordinarily broad pardon of his son may have saved Hunter from a prison sentence, but it might actually mark the beginning of worse legal troubles for the Biden clan. It's true that prosecutions of those who fail to report their work for foreign governments have been rare. But that's changed in recent years. In July, Senator Bob Menendez was convicted for, among other charges, failing to declare himself as a foreign agent for Egypt. On the first day of the new administration, Bondi, a former Florida AG, will be free to convene a grand jury and start her investigations. Indeed, investigators likely have many questions for a political family that has become fabulously rich operating in close proximity to power. Hunter may be asked what Biden knew about the son's foreign business deals while he was reportedly hitching rides on Air Force Two while Joe was serving as Barack Obama's Vice President. Hunter allegedly accompanied his dad at least 13 times on trips to China, Egypt, Mexico and South Korea while Biden was VP. Another topic of interest may be what Biden said when he attended dinners and joined phone calls with Hunter's business associates during that period. Or what Hunter meant when he wrote in an email to his sister, Ashley Biden, that 'pop' takes 'half his salary'. Perhaps most critically, Bondi may probe the true identity of the infamous 'Big Guy,' so characterized in the ownership documents for Oneida Holdings, a now-dissolved firm owned by Hunter Biden, his ex-business associate Tony Bobulinski and others. Bobulinski provided hearsay testimony to Congress this year that the 'Big Guy' was Joe Biden, who he claimed requested a cut of the profits of Onedia Holdings. Two IRS whistleblowers involved in a federal investigation of Hunter's tax case have also said that Biden was the 'Big Guy'. While this pardon immunizes Hunter from federal prosecution, it does not protect him from civil litigation, including possible fraud charges. Hunter Biden can no longer claim the privilege of the Fifth Amendment - a Constitutional right that protects people from offering testimony that may incriminate them. A topic of interest may be what VP Biden said when he attended dinners and joined phone calls with Hunter's business associates. Or what Hunter meant when he wrote in an email to his sister, Ashley Biden (pictured in between Joe and Jill), that 'pop' takes 'half his salary'. New York Attorney General Letitia James went after Trump for inflating his real estate assets and obtained a nearly half-billion-dollar civil judgment against him. Might incoming Trump officials now follow her politically-minded lead? President-elect Trump publicly expressed sympathy for Hunter in the waning days of the 2024 campaign and reportedly said as much privately when meeting with Biden at the White House after the election. This may incline his administration to be lenient with the outgoing president's son but it's not a guarantee. And if Hunter is subpoenaed by Congress to testify against family members that opens up a terrible can of legal worms. Hunter will face several options, few of which are particularly appealing. Firstly, his lawyers may concoct an argument that he is still due his Fifth Amendment protections because the President's pardon only protects Hunter from federal charges, leaving him vulnerable to potential state charges which, therefore, makes him capable of self-incrimination. But that's a weak legal argument. The statutes of limitations on any state tax and gun charges tied to the federal charges he was convicted on this year are bound to have expired. Secondly, Hunter could defy the subpoena, though I wouldn't recommend that course of action. Former Trump White House chief strategist Steve Bannon just completed a four-month sentence for refusing to appear before a congressional committee investigating the January 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol. Thirdly, Hunter could agree to testify and then lie. Of course, this is the least likely scenario and I have no reason to believe that Hunter has anything to lie about. But, hypothetically at least, that, too, would be a bad choice. Former Trump fixer Michael Cohen found out the hard way when he was sentenced to two-months in prison for committing perjury in his 2017 Senate testimony regarding Trump's business dealings in Russia. President-elect Trump expressed sympathy for Hunter in the waning days of the 2024 election and reportedly in meetings with President Biden at the White House after the election. Finally, Hunter could tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. The consequences of that are still unclear. The post-presidency outcome for the Biden family is fraught, to say the least. But the tragedy of it all is that this conundrum could have been avoided if President Biden had waited until Hunter was sentenced for his tax offenses this month and then commuted that punishment. A commuted, rather than pardoned, defendant retains the right to plead the Fifth. But one thing is certain: Hunter Biden's problems and seemingly those of his family may be far from over. Hochtief AG has achieved a significant milestone as its stock surpassed the 125 mark, reaching a five-year high and reflecting the construction giants robust operational performance. The companys impressive year-to-date stock appreciation of nearly 25% positions it among the top-performing shares in its sector. With opeRating profit reaching 450 million in the first nine months, Hochtief appears well-positioned to exceed its projected 2024 earnings target of 560-610 million. The companys market capitalization now stands at 9.2 billion, cementing its position as a major player in the infrastructure sector, while maintaining a price-earnings ratio of 14.47. U.S. Operations Drive Expansion The companys American subsidiary, Turner Construction, emerges as a key growth driver, expected to contribute over half of the groups pre-tax profits. Turners leading position in the U.S. market, particularly in data center construction, combined with the planned merger of its civil engineering operations, signals strong growth potential. Enhanced balance sheet structure and positive free cash flow further strengthen the companys strategic positioning for future investments. Ad Hochtief Stock: New Analysis 04 December Fresh Hochtief information released. Whats the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends. Read our updated Hochtief analysis Hochtief AG has achieved a significant milestone as its stock surpassed the 125 mark, reaching a five-year high and reflecting the construction giants robust operational performance. The companys impressive year-to-date stock appreciation of nearly 25% positions it among the top-performing shares in its sector. With opeRating profit reaching 450 million in the first nine months, Hochtief appears well-positioned to exceed its projected 2024 earnings target of 560-610 million. The companys market capitalization now stands at 9.2 billion, cementing its position as a major player in the infrastructure sector, while maintaining a price-earnings ratio of 14.47. U.S. Operations Drive Expansion The companys American subsidiary, Turner Construction, emerges as a key growth driver, expected to contribute over half of the groups pre-tax profits. Turners leading position in the U.S. market, particularly in data center construction, combined with the planned merger of its civil engineering operations, signals strong growth potential. Enhanced balance sheet structure and positive free cash flow further strengthen the companys strategic positioning for future investments. Ad Fresh Hochtief information released. Whats the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends. French president Emmanuel Macron has tonight said he will not resign over the crisis currently engulfing his government. Macron's comments come ahead of tomorrow's no-confidence vote in his prime minister - Michel Barnier - which the PM is unlikely to survive. If it passes, this will mark the third prime minister Macron has lost this year. However, the president has defiantly claimed he will not leave office until his term ends in 2027. Speaking during a visit to Saudi Arabia today Macron said: 'My priority is stability.' Referring to his two presidential election victories in 2017 and 2022, Macron said: 'It so happens that if I am here before you, it is because I was elected twice by the French people. 'I am extremely proud of it and I will honour this trust with all the energy that is mine until the last second, so as to be useful to the country.' Macron also said 'we must not scare people' by evoking a risk of financial crisis because of government collapse. 'We have a strong economy', he said. 'France is a rich, solid country, which has made many reforms and is maintaining them. It has stable institutions, and a stable Constitution.' French president Emmanuel Macron has tonight said he will not resign over the crisis currently engulfing his government Macron's comments come ahead of tomorrow's no-confidence vote in his prime minister - Michel Barnier - which the PM is unlikely to survive The right-wing populist National Rally (RN) led by Marine Le Pen (pictured) has pledged to support far-Left MPs from the New Popular Front coalition in the no-confidence motions, meaning Barnier has little chance of survival after just three months in office It came after Macron's Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, accused extremist parties of playing 'Russian roulette' with the future of France as they prepare to bring down the government. The right-wing populist National Rally (RN) has pledged to support far-Left MPs from the New Popular Front coalition in the no-confidence motions, meaning Barnier has little chance of survival after just three months in office. Concerns have been raised that political turmoil in France could turn into economic turmoil for the rest of European Union. Following years of extravagant spending, France's deficit now stands at over six per cent of the entire economy which is twice as much as the limit imposed by the EU. Barnier, who has prioritised sorting the country's disastrous finances, and the French Parliament have been at loggerheads for weeks as he attempted to pass his proposed budget that includes 60 billion euros in tax hikes and spending cuts. Investor are concerned that if the government does fall any effort to cut borrowing will be jettisoned and without a credible alternative plan from the opposition parties there is a risk of an economic crisis. And with echoes of the economic crisis that started in Greece in 2008, which had a budget deficit that reached a dizzyingly high 15 percent, many economists are concerned about it spreading to other Eurozone countries. 'We are in a critical moment for France,' Mr Retailleau told TF1. 'We risk chaos, we risk a financial crisis' similar to the 'public debt crisis in Greece in 2008'. Mr Retailleau continued: 'It is not those who are rich who are the first to be impacted, it is the most modest, the most fragile. Macron with Barnier during commemorations for Armistice Day. If the no-confidence vote passes Barnier will become the third prime minister Macron has lost this year Macron's Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau (pictured), accused extremist parties of playing 'Russian roulette' with the future of France as they prepare to bring down the government 'And during this time we have a part of the political class playing Russian roulette. Let's wake up and prevent what seems inevitable chaos.' Mr Retailleau was particularly critical of Marine Le Pen, of the RN, saying she was 'totally irresponsible irresponsible because she is going to mix her votes and those of her deputies with those of the far-Left.' On Monday, Barnier pushed through a controversial new social security budget using a presidential decree, while bypassing parliament. This is perfectly legal under Article 49.3 of the French Constitution, but the move has been viewed as an attack on democracy. President Macron frequently uses such decrees to get unpopular legislation on to the statute book, leaving his lieutenants to take the criticism. Barnier, the former EU Brexit negotiator, is Macron's fifth prime minister in seven years. Aged 73, and without a seat in parliament, he will become the first serving PM to be ousted by parliament since 1962, if the no-confidence vote goes against him. RN spokesman Jean-Philippe Tanguy on Tuesday said his party's decision to try and bring down the Barnier government was designed 'to protect the French'. He added: 'The budget was dangerous and toxic for France and did not respect the red lines that had been set.' Tanguy said his party the largest in the National Assembly was not supporting the far-Left, but 'defending the national interest'. Ms Le Pen and other senior RN figures are fighting a court case over the alleged embezzlement of millions of pounds worth of cash from the EU Macron with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. Concerns have been raised that political turmoil in France could turn into economic turmoil for the rest of European Union The RN's position is complicated by a court case against Ms Le Pen and other senior party figures over the alleged embezzlement of millions of pounds worth of cash from the EU. If the judgment, due in March, goes against the RN, Le Pen is facing prison, and could be barred from standing for political office in the next five years, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential election. The New Popular Front alliance won the most seats in the National Assembly during a snap election called by President Macron in June, but has not been allowed to play any part in government since. Two motions of no-confidence will be debated in the National Assembly in Paris from 4pm on Wednesday, with a vote at around 7pm. A far-right German politician who's accused of appearing in pornographic films scored a photo with Donald Trump on Election Day. The Daily Beast on Tuesday identified 41-year-old Phillipp-Anders Rau as a guest of Trump's at Mar-a-Lago as the Republican nominee cruised toward victory. 'Being able to shake @realdonaldtrumps hand as the one and only AfD member there on the day of his victory will be an everlasting memory,' Rau posted to Instagram. 'Lets hope Donald Trump creates the renewal for his country that we in the AfD are planning for our country.' Rau is running for a seat in the German parliament as part of the Alternative fur Deutschland party, a far-right, anti-immigrant party that Germany's intelligence service labeled as a 'suspected extremist' organization. Last year several high-ranking members of AfD were outed for meeting with neo-Nazis on the subject of mass deportations. The Secret Service told The Daily Beast that Rau - who denies appearing in porn films - was allowed to be in close contact with Trump because he was an invited guest to the Florida members-only club. 'In this instance, this individual was physically screened and permitted to enter because he was included on a formal invitation,' a Secret Service spokesperson told the publication, adding that Mar-a-Lago 'is a private club that is open to members and their guests.' The Secret Service did not say who invited Rau - nor did a Trump transition spokesperson respond to DailyMail.com's inquiry on the matter. Republican nominee Donald Trump (right) poses with far-right German politician Phillipp-Anders Rau (left) at Mar-a-Lago on Election Day. Rau later boasted that he met Trump 'on the day of his victory' Rau did not respond to the Daily Beast's request for comment. On Election Day, Rau was joined at Mar-a-Lago by Leonard Jager, a far-right influencer who's expressed homophobic views, pushed COVID-19 conspiracy theories and subscribes to the Reichsburger movement, whose members reject the legitimacy of the modern German state. The Secret Service spokesperson added that the Secret Service 'works to ensure that all individuals entering a protected facility do not pose a safety risk.' But that doesn't mean guests can't hurt the incoming president politically. Over the Thanksgiving holiday in 2022, Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes - who has since gone viral for a 'your body, my choice' misogynist rant after Trump won reelection - and anti-Semitic rapper Kanye West dined with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. It was West who brought Fuentes to the club. That caused a major headache for the Trump campaign, as Trump had announced his 2024 reelection bid the week before. 'Trump was very impressed but Trump didn't know who he was,' a source told NBC about Trump's meeting with Fuentes at the time. Phillipp-Anders Rau (second from left) also posted a picture of now President-elect Donald Trump with a number of Germans at his Mar-a-Lago club on Election Day In a Truth Social post, Trump clarified that he 'didn't know' Fuentes and that he had talked to West about business with the rapper 'express[ing] no anti-Semitism.' Rau isn't as prominent a figure as Fuentes in the U.S., but he's made waves in Germany due to explosive reporting from the regional newspaper Volksstimme, the Daily Beast detailed. In August Rau denied appearing in pornographic films. 'At no time have I made professional videos [...]. I am neither a virgin nor a porn star,' Rau said. Weeks later, Volksstimme confirmed that there were publicly available adult films featuring the German politician. In turn, Rau tried to sue the publication but a German court ruled in favor of the paper saying the AfD member 'cannot invoke the fundamental protection of privacy' because 'he took part in a professional porn video shoot that was clearly intended for publication.' Volksstimme also reported that Rau had been kicked out of the east German Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences in 2015 due to doctoring his high school transcripts. When Rau tried to fight the expulsion, his lawyer argued that he couldn't be held responsible for his decisions during this time period because he was addicted to cocaine. He was also previously convicted of theft for stealing around $1,590 of items from a hotel. Additionally, Rau is currently undergoing bankruptcy proceedings, The Beast said. Morning Joe hosts have moaned about the media's coverage of Joe Biden's decision to pardon his son, accusing left-leaning outlets of being 'hysterically imbalanced.' Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski called out publications such as the New York Times and the Washington Post for being 'completely out of step with reality,' following the President's pardoning of his son Hunter. The comprehensive pardon, announced on Sunday, clears 54-year-old Hunter of any illegal conduct over the course of the last decade after he was convicted in September on federal gun charges and on federal tax evasion. But despite the 46th President's repeated assurance he would not involve himself, he did - sending the country into outrage. 'You know, the New York Times, like, the top six stories online today were all about the pardon,' Scarborough said of coverage of the case. 'You looked at the Washington Post yesterday, you expected, like, 'WAR IS OVER' in massive headlines,' he added in his criticism of the two left-leaning publications.' The unexpected pardon included protection from potential future charges as the commander-in-chief issued the historic pardon, enraging some Democrats along the way. 'I don't remember headlines this large when Donald Trump commuted the sentence of Roger Stone,' Scarborough continued, ignoring the historic nature of such an all-encompassing pardon to his own son. MSNBC's Morning Joe hosts, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, have ripped into the 'mainstream' media's coverage of President Biden's decision to pardon his son, accusing the left-leaning outlets of being 'hysterically imbalanced' The host also claimed that Democrats are increasingly frustrated over the news coverage, which 'they believe is really out of proportion given everything Donald Trump has done in the past and what he's doing right now.' His co-host chimed in adding: 'if you even parallel pardons that Trump has done himself, it's just always so, it seems so hysterically imbalanced!' 'When you read how they're covering this and then you look at the things that are happening on the other side, it is, again, completely out of step with reality.' The sitting President argues in his son's defense that the younger Biden is being 'selectively, and unfairly prosecuted' by the Department of Justice. Yet, special prosecutor, David Weiss says Hunter Biden's tax crimes cannot be dismissed despite his father's presidential pardon. Hunter's lawyers filed papers asking a California judge to dismiss the case as soon as Joe Biden pardoned him on Sunday. Daytime television anchors, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, have explicitly called out publications like the New York Times and the Washington Post, among others, for being 'completely out of step with reality,' following President Joe Biden (left) pardon of his son, Hunter Biden (right) But in a response on Monday, Weiss, the senior Justice Department official who ran the prosecutions against the felon First Son, argued that it's not that simple. In their filing, Weiss and his prosecutors Leo Wise and Derek Hines slammed Hunter's lawyers for trying to 'blot out guilt' and erase the shocking deeds he admitted to in court. They said that the court should instead close the case with a note acknowledging Hunter's presidential pardon, but leaving his guilty plea on the record, along with the official finding that prosecutors' charges of debauchery, deliberate tax-dodging and political perversion were true. The DoJ officials accused Hunter's hotshot Washington DC attorney Abbe Lowell of 'misrepresent[ing] the law' adding that 'Nothing requires the dismissal of the indictment in this case.' They quoted previous cases involving Donald Trump's presidential pardons, such as for Steve Bannon and Michael Flynn, where judges ruled 'a pardon does not blot out guilt or expunge a judgment of conviction.' Weiss also made what could be seen as a veiled jab at President Biden, who claimed in a statement on Sunday along with his pardon to his son, that Hunter's prosecutions were politically motivated. Joe Biden made the shock announcement Sunday night that he would issue a presidential pardon for his troubled son Hunter, calling his prosecution 'selective' and 'unfair' The president's son (pictured in January) eventually pleaded guilty to nine tax evasion charges, including three felonies, after finally agreeing to admit to the crimes during extraordinary drama at his federal trial in Los Angeles in September 'There was none and never has been any evidence of vindictive or selective prosecution in this case,' Weiss wrote, adding that those claims were ruled by courts as 'unmoored from any evidence or even a coherent theory'. 'The defendant filed eight motions to dismiss the indictment, making every conceivable argument for why it should be dismissed, all of which were determined to be meritless,' Weiss said. He pointed to the California federal judge Mark Scarsi's previous ruling, that the defense's claims that Hunter was singled out for political reasons were 'without any evidence'. 'The defendant made similar baseless accusations in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. Those claims were also rejected,' Weiss wrote. The Special Prosecutor said that instead of dismissing the case, the usual practice is that 'once an Executive Grant of Clemency has been filed on the docket, the docket is marked closed, the disposition entry is updated to reflect the executive grant of clemency, and no further action is taken by the Court.' That way, Hunter's confession to the charges laid out in a 56-page indictment filed December last year would remain on the record. NYC Mayor Eric Adams has said he would 'love' to work with Donald Trump's incoming border czar Tom Homan to deport criminal migrants. The Democrat politician, who has signaled he will be running for a second term in 2025, said he is not afraid to be 'canceled' by being 'honest about the truth' when it comes to immigration. 'Those who are here committing crimes - robberies, shooting at police officers, raping innocent people - have been a harm to our country,' former NYPD captain Adams, 64, told a news conference on Tuesday. 'Those are the people I am talking about and I would love to sit down with the border czar and hear his thoughts on how we're going to address those who are harming our citizens.' Adams added that this position had not changed because previous Democrat administrations pledged to do the same thing. 'You know what's interesting - I want you to all go back and Google Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama - Google what they said about those who commit crimes in our city, and what they said in our country,' he said. 'They said those who commit crimes need to get out right away. That was their position. 'So this is not a new position, because in the era of "cancel culture" (everyone) is afraid to be honest about the truth. NYC Mayor Eric Adams has said he would 'love' to work with Donald Trump 's incoming border czar Tom Homan (pictured right) to deport criminal migrants in 2025 'Well, cancel me, because I'm going to protect the people of this city. 'If you come into this country and this city and think you're going to harm innocent New Yorkers - and innocent migrants and asylum seekers - this is not the mayor you want to be in the city under.' Trump and Homan have pledged to start deporting 'millions' of migrants from his first day in the White House following the inauguration on January 20. The pair said they will start by cracking down on asylum apps used by migrants to gain interviews before targeting the super gangs terrorizing American cities. Homan has also said the incoming president will pull federal funds from any states which refuse to comply with the mass deportation plans. The incoming border boss previously served in the highest echelons of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under Presidents Barack Obama and Trump. Meanwhile, Adams said in mid-November he believes he can assist the Trump administration with its plans, while lamenting what he called the 'broken' immigration system under President Joe Biden. Adams also declared New York City as a sanctuary city, meaning that its laws limit cooperation between local authorities and immigration officials. Adams, who has signaled he will be running for a second term in 2025, said he is not afraid to be 'canceled' by being 'honest about the truth' when it comes to immigration Homan previously served in the highest echelons of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under Presidents Barack Obama and Trump 'I am willing to sit down with this administration like I tried to sit down with the previous administration in my 10 trips to Washington to say: we have a problem that is overrunning our cities,' he told reporters at the time, according to Politico. 'I'm hoping this administration will hear what I'm saying and listen to some of the ideas that I have been pushing for... close to two years now.' Adams went on to say he was not surprised by the support Trump received in the five boroughs, noting that many Trump supporters listed immigration as one of their top concerns. 'The voters are stating, "We need to secure our border, we need to make sure cities are not experiencing what New York City experienced,' the mayor said, according to the New York Post. 'The voters communicated loudly and clearly: We have a broken immigration system, it needs to be fixed. That's the only conversation I want.' Only a quarter of the 13,000 police officers Sir Keir Starmer will commit to putting on the streets will be new, fully-warranted officers. In a major speech outlining his plan for change on Thursday, the Prime Minister will announce the first tranche of funding to start recruiting neighbourhood police. Labour has promised to put 13,000 more police and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) back on the beat by the next election. But only 3,000 will be additional fully-warranted officers. The rest will be made up of 4,000 extra PCSOs, 3,000 additional volunteer special constables and 3,000 officers from the existing workforce. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the 360million set aside to recruit and train new officers was insufficient. In a major speech outlining his plan for change on Thursday, the Prime Minister, pictured, will announce the first tranche of funding to start recruiting neighbourhood police Labour has promised to put 13,000 more police and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) back on the beat by the next election. But only 3,000 will be additional fully-warranted officers Starmer has once again misled the public by claiming to recruit 13,000 extra officers, when in fact it is only 3,000 which he hasnt even bothered properly funding, he added. This announcement means 3,000 police will also be cut from 999 response and investigations making the public less safe. Labour has said it wants additional police in communities to deter crime and catch criminals by being visible. The mission to take back our streets commits Labour to halving serious violent crime and raising confidence in the police and criminal justice system to its highest levels. Russian spies planned to drop pigs blood on the Kazakhstan embassy in London from drones in a staged protest, a court heard. The gang also allegedly discussed creating deep fake porn of the son of Kassym Tokayev, the Kazakh president, or setting him up with a honeytrap. The plan was for the spies to offer information to the Kazakh secret services on the alleged perpetrators and ultimately to gain favour with Tokayevs officials. Alison Morgan KC, prosecuting, told the Old Bailey: The plan was for demonstrations... to make it look like the Russians were prepared to help Kazakhstan and promote their long-term relationship. The protest is entirely staged, it is all fake. It is alleged Orlin Roussev, 46, ran the operation from a guesthouse in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, and took instructions from Austrian Jan Marsalek, who is wanted in connection with a 1.6billion fraud. The UK-based Bulgarians are said to have included London trio Katrin Ivanova, 33, a lab assistant, Vanya Gaberova, 30, a beautician, and Tihomir Ivanchev, 39, a decorator. In 2022, Marsalek messaged Roussev to say that, with 100 litres of pig blood, the idea is we film it saying its the blood of innocent Kazakh people which the president has on his hands. Undated handout photo issued by the Metropolitan Police of Orlin Roussev, who has pleaded guilty to espionage charges and accepted having fake identity documents, the Old Bailey was told. Vanya Gaberova is also accused of being part of a highly sophisticated spying network, run by a Russian agent named as Jan Marsalek, which targeted people including dissidents Roussev nicknamed his gang the Vampire team but Ms Morgan added: All the chat did not lead to the fake protest. Biser Dzhambazov, 43, from London, and Roussev have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to collect information useful to an enemy. Gaberova, Ivanova and Ivanchev, deny the charges. The trial continues. Families must be protected from further punishing tax rises in todays Budget, SNP ministers have been warned. Finance Secretary Shona Robison has been urged to deliver a common-sense Budget that helps workers rather than another Left-wing package of punitive measures that hammers households. Experts at the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) also said ministers must hold off on any further tax rises as it would likely only lead to government revenues falling. It follows growing concerns about the damage caused by the SNP making Scotland the highest-taxed part of the UK, amid signs top earners have found ways to avoid paying higher taxes, relocated elsewhere or not moved here in the first place. Anyone earning above 28,850 pays more income tax in Scotland than in the rest of the UK. Finance Secretary Shona Robison is under pressure over tax rates as she prepares to deliver the Scottish Budget. Scottish Tory finance spokesman Craig Hoy said: The SNPs era of high tax, free spending must come to an end. Its time for a common-sense Budget that helps workers and businesses, not another Left-wing deal that hammers households. The SNPs economic mismanagement has held Scotland back and reduced the money available to improve public services. Labour has already hiked tax on workers and businesses this year, the SNP must not do the same or the hit to our economic growth could be catastrophic. Among the changes in last years Budget was a new 45p tax rate on earnings above 75,000, while the top rate rose to 48p, charged on earnings above 125,140. The associate director of the IFS, David Phillips, yesterday told Holyroods finance committee that high earners are very responsive to increases, which can reduce the likelihood of overall tax revenues increasing. Referring to an IFS report which found changes to the top rate from 2019 may have resulted in less revenue being raised, he said there remains uncertainty about the impact much bigger recent changes have had. Mr Phillips said: The Scottish Government really should be working with HMRC to evaluate these newer changes to taxes for higher earners in Scotland. In the meantime, given the evidence is that responses [from high earners] are... perhaps even a bit larger than assumed, it might make sense to hold off further changes certainly in an upward direction until you have more evidence about the scale of the effects. He also warned that prioritising NHS funding is likely to lead to substantial cuts to other services, despite an extra 3.4billion coming from Westminster next year through the block grant. Mr Phillips said: If you wanted to increase the NHS say by two to three per cent, that could mean cuts to other public services. Ms Robison said her Budget would deliver on the priorities of eradicating child poverty, growing the economy and improving public services like our NHS. She added: We have listened carefully to the needs and priorities of businesses and the people of Scotland. This is a Budget that will deliver for them by creating more jobs and putting more money in peoples pockets. The minority SNP government needs the support of at least one other party to pass its Budget when MSPs vote on it in the New Year and talks are continuing with the Lib Dems, Greens and Alba. A senior civil servant who urged colleagues to destroy Covid WhatsApp messages retired with a pension pot worth 1.5million. Ken Thomson was also given a CBE despite his role in one of the biggest scandals of Nicola Sturgeons time as First Minister. Ms Sturgeon faced a huge backlash this year over revelations that she and her senior civil servants deleted their messages during the pandemic. They claimed that mass deletion was in line with government guidance but the families of Covid victims alleged a cover-up. Mr Thomson, who retired late last year, had been appointed to further the cause of independence and in 2022 he was accused of bragging that breaking up the UK was his job. Last night Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: This news is a slap in the face to those who lost loved ones during the pandemic. Ken Thomson, who urged colleagues to destroy Covid WhatsApp messages, retired with a pension pot worth 1.5 million The SNP should be focused on giving bereaved families answers rather than lining the pockets of those who helped ministers hide the truth from the public. Messages retrieved by the UK Covid Inquiry revealed that Mr Thomson, formerly the Scottish Governments director general for strategy and external affairs, was a key player in the deletion row. In 2020 he told colleagues in a WhatsApp group called Covid Outbreak: Just to remind you (seriously) this is discoverable under FOI [freedom of information]. Know where the clear chat button is. Mr Thomson added: Plausible deniability are my middle names. Now clear it again! He also wrote in 2021: I feel moved at this point to remind you that this channel is FOI recoverable. He included a zipped mouth emoji in his message. According to official accounts, Mr Thomson and five other senior civil servants have pension benefits worth more than 1million. Mr Thomsons 1.5million pension pot is estimated to give him an annual sum of 65,000-70,000. At the Covid Inquiry, Mr Thomson was asked whether the messages showed him encouraging people to delete messages to defeat FOI requests. He replied: No. The Scottish Government said pay and pensions for senior civil servants is reserved to the UK Government. Detectives have interviewed Lucy Letby in prison over the alleged murders of more babies. The killer nurse was quizzed under caution over unexpected deaths and collapses of infants at the Countess of Chester Hospital. And she was also questioned for what is believed to be the first time about cases at Liverpool Womens Hospital, where she trained as a student. The 34-year-old former neo-natal nurse is already serving a rare whole-life sentence for murdering seven babies and trying to kill seven more at the Countess of Chester Hospital over a 13-month killing spree. Following her convictions, in August last year, Cheshire Police began a review of all 4,000 babies she cared for during the footprint of her career, which dates back to January 2012, and includes two training placements at the Liverpool hospital. Sources have told the Mail that any charges, if they are brought, wont be laid until well into the New Year. Cheshire Police said tonight: We can confirm that, following agreement, Lucy Letby has recently been interviewed in prison under caution in relation to the ongoing investigation into baby deaths and non-fatal collapses at the Countess of Chester Hospital and the Liverpool Womens Hospital. Further updates will follow. Police would not say exactly when the interview took place or how many specific cases Letby one of only four women sentenced to a whole-life term in UK legal history was questioned about. She is currently incarcerated in HMP Bronzefield, in Ashford, Surrey, which caters for category A women prisoners. The interview was pre-arranged and her legal representative was present. Lucy Letby is serving a rare whole-life sentence for murdering seven babies and trying to kill seven more at the Countess of Chester Hospital over a 13-month killing spree Detectives have interviewed Letby in prison over the alleged murders of more babies. The killer nurse was quizzed under caution over unexpected deaths and collapses of infants at the Countess of Chester Hospital The former neo-natal nurse is currently incarcerated in HMP Bronzefield, in Ashford, Surrey, which caters for category A women prisoners Letby was convicted last year of seven charges of murder and seven of attempted murder one child she tried to kill twice. She was subsequently found guilty of an eighth attempted murder charge against another premature baby girl, following a retrial in July. She is serving 15 whole-life tariffs and earlier this year was refused leave to appeal her convictions, meaning she will die in jail. Letby was on duty, or had been working the shift prior, for 12 of 13 baby deaths that occurred at the Countess between March 2015 and July 2016. Last month Dr Stephen Brearey, the senior paediatrician on the neo-natal unit at the Countess, told the public inquiry that is looking into her crimes that he believes she is likely to have murdered or attacked more babies before she killed her first victim, a premature twin boy known as Baby A, in June 2015. He said, looking back, he now has suspicions about other deaths and collapses. Dr Rachel Lambie, who worked as a registrar at the Countess, has also told the hearings, before Lady Justice Thirlwall, that around a fortnight before Baby A died another very, very unusual event occurred on the ward. Although she didnt go into details, the doctor confirmed she has since given a statement to detectives about the incident. Dr Dewi Evans, the former lead prosecution witness at Letbys original trial, also previously told the Mail he has concerns over the deaths of at least three children and the collapses of as many as 15 more, including one potentially poisoned with insulin, all of which were not on the original indictment. Letby was convicted last year of seven charges of murder and seven of attempted murder one child she tried to kill twice. She was subsequently found guilty of an eighth attempted murder charge against another premature baby girl, following a retrial in July He said he had suspicions that Letby experimented with moving babies breathing tubes as a method of causing harm before she began injecting air into their bloodstreams, or into their stomachs via their nasal feeding tubes in a bid to kill. One thing we can be reasonably sure of is that Lucy Letby did not turn up to work one day and decide to inject a baby with air into their bloodstream, Dr Evans said. I think the modus operandi evolved over time and I think that prior to air embolus, tube displacement was probably something that she did. The inquiry has heard that babies breathing tubes became dislodged on 40 per cent of shifts Letby worked at Liverpool Womens Hospital, between October and December 2012, and January and February 2015. According to the BBC, babies suffered potentially life-threatening incidents on almost a third of the 33 shifts she worked while training at the Liverpool Trust. In one case, from November 2012, a baby boy being cared for by Letby collapsed and water was later discovered in his breathing tube, which experts say is highly irregular. It is understood Letby was not formally arrested and voluntarily agreed to take part in the recent interview. The news comes after more than 50 specialists, including neonatologists, anaesthetists, pathologists, biochemists, toxicologists, statisticians, former senior NHS managers and retired police officers gathered at a central London venue this weekend to discuss flaws in the case against her. Farmers will fight for as long as it takes to halt Rachel Reeves inheritance tax raid, the president of the National Farmers Union warns today. Writing in the Mail as MPs prepare to debate the family farm tax in the Commons this afternoon, Tom Bradshaw says farmers will not let this go. He claims it has left some elderly farmers in tears, and speaks of a government which simply does not understand the industry. The Chancellors reforms to inheritance tax relief will see farmers pay a 20 per cent rate on land and property they inherit worth more than 1million. Ministers insist the changes will affect only the wealthiest quarter of landowners, but the NFU and others have warned the impact could affect UK food production. The Tories will today force a vote on what they describe as Labours vindictive tax as they use an Opposition Day debate to hold the Government to account. Farmers will fight for as long as it takes to halt Rachel Reeves inheritance tax raid, the president of the National Farmers Union warns Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves' reforms to inheritance tax relief will see farmers pay a 20 per cent rate on land and property they inherit worth more than 1million Ms Reeves yesterday doubled down on the tax raid, telling MPs: The vast majority of the cost of agricultural property relief is enjoyed by a very small number of very large and very expensive estates. That is not affordable and will not continue. But Mr Bradshaw insists it is a bad policy which punishes genuine food-producing family farms. Ahead of todays debate, Tory environment spokesman Victoria Atkins said farmers feel betrayed, adding: Labour MPs have a choice they can show some backbone and stand up for our farmers or they can suck up to Keir Starmer and toe the party line. It will be on their consciences when family farms are shattered.' China urges U.S. to stop aiding and abetting "Taiwan independence" forces Xinhua) 08:02, December 03, 2024 BEIJING, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- China urges the United States to stop aiding and abetting "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said here on Monday. Lin made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked to comment on Taiwan's leader Lai Ching-te holding a phone call with former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as Lai is on a Pacific trip that includes a stop in Hawaii. Lin said China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the United States and the Taiwan region, and firmly opposes any form of U.S. moves to aid or abet "Taiwan independence" separatists and their separatist activities. The Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests, and the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-U.S. relations, Lin said. He urged the U.S. to fully see the separatist nature of Lai Ching-te and the Democratic Progressive Party authorities, fully understand the grave damage of "Taiwan independence" separatist activities to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, fully abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and stop meddling in affairs related to Taiwan, which are China's internal affairs. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) California seeks to establish 25 mln USD fund for potential litigation against Trump's policies Xinhua) 13:25, December 03, 2024 LOS ANGELES, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- California Governor Gavin Newsom said the Democrat-majority state's lawmakers will convene a special session on Monday, seeking to establish a fund, up to 25 million U.S. dollars, to prepare for potential litigation against the President-elect Donald Trump's upcoming policies. "In response to the next administration's proposed agenda, California is preparing to counter any unlawful attacks against the Golden State," said the Democratic governor of the most populous state in the country in a post on X. The governor noted in a proposal that he is seeking the fund for the California Department of Justice and other state agencies to defend against unconstitutional or unlawful federal government actions, challenge federal overreach in court, and take administrative actions to reduce potential harm. "The new litigation fund will help safeguard critical funding for disaster relief, health care, and other vital services that millions of Californians depend on daily," said the proposal, adding that "It will also position the state to defend against unlawful federal actions that could jeopardize not only tangible resources and the state's economy, but also immeasurable protections, such as access to reproductive health care, access to clean air and water, and fundamental civil rights." From 2017 to 2021, the California Department of Justice led 122 lawsuits challenging Trump administration actions that harmed Californians. The state invested approximately 42 million dollars to support this litigation, according to the proposal. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Thyssenkrupps steel division has unveiled an extensive restructuring initiative aimed at boosting competitiveness, triggering significant market attention. The German steel giant plans to reduce its workforce from 27,000 to approximately 16,000 employees by 2030, encompassing 5,000 direct job cuts and the transfer of 6,000 positions through business unit sales. This strategic overhaul comes as the companys stock trades at 3.88, considerably below its 52-week high of 7.01. The latest quarterly results show some improvement, with losses narrowing to 1.70 per share compared to 3.23 in the previous year, while revenue remains stable at 8.81 billion. Market Outlook and Union Response Despite current challenges, market Analysts maintain cautious optimism, setting an average price target of 5.05 for Thyssenkrupp shares. The labor union has expressed strong opposition to the restructuring plans, demanding guarantees against compulsory redundancies and site closures. For the 2025 fiscal year, analysts project earnings of 0.761 per share, with dividends expected to hold steady at 0.150. Ad Thyssenkrupp Stock: New Analysis 04 December Fresh Thyssenkrupp information released. Whats the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends. Read our updated Thyssenkrupp analysis Thyssenkrupps steel division has unveiled an extensive restructuring initiative aimed at boosting competitiveness, triggering significant market attention. The German steel giant plans to reduce its workforce from 27,000 to approximately 16,000 employees by 2030, encompassing 5,000 direct job cuts and the transfer of 6,000 positions through business unit sales. This strategic overhaul comes as the companys stock trades at 3.88, considerably below its 52-week high of 7.01. The latest quarterly results show some improvement, with losses narrowing to 1.70 per share compared to 3.23 in the previous year, while revenue remains stable at 8.81 billion. Market Outlook and Union Response Despite current challenges, market Analysts maintain cautious optimism, setting an average price target of 5.05 for Thyssenkrupp shares. The labor union has expressed strong opposition to the restructuring plans, demanding guarantees against compulsory redundancies and site closures. For the 2025 fiscal year, analysts project earnings of 0.761 per share, with dividends expected to hold steady at 0.150. Ad Fresh Thyssenkrupp information released. Whats the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends. Donald Trump's lawyers have repurposed President Biden's line that 'enough is enough' when pardoning his son to argue that a New York judge should immediately dismiss his own hush money case. The langauge, in a new legal filing Tuesday from Trump's team, rips language from the Biden statement issued by the White House to justify the extraordinary pardon of his son Hunter for any offenses dating back to 2014. That move provoked admonitions from some elected Democrats who arged that Biden was putting 'family over country.' 'As President Biden put it yesterday, 'Enough is enough,'' Trump's lawyers wrote in their latest filing to Judge Juan Merchan, who has already put the case on ice by postponing sentencing indefinitely following Trump's win in the Novembver elecitons. 'Wrongly continuing proceedings in this failed lawfare case disrupts President Trumps transition efforts,' the attorneys continued, before citing the 'overwhelming national mandate granted to him by the American people on November 5, 2024,' they wrote. Trump's lawyers formally asked a judge Monday to throw out his hush money criminal conviction, arguing continuing the case would present unconstitutional 'disruptions to the institution of the Presidency.' A New York jury convicted Trump on 34 counts of falsifying business records in relation to 'hush' payments to porn star Stormy Daniels, who claims she had a sexual affair with Trump. He denies it. The filing was signed by lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, who have eached been nominated by Trump to high level Justice Department posts. In a filing made public Tuesday, Trumps lawyers told Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan that dismissal is warranted because of the extraordinary circumstances of his impending return to the White House. Donald Trump's lawyers plucked language from President Biden's statement on the pardon of his son Hunter, quoting his claims of political prosecution and saying 'Enough is enough' It comes just two days after some Democrats blasted Biden for having 'put his family ahead of the country' by pardoning Hunter, at a time when Trump has vowed to take 'retribution' against his political enemies. In the court filing, Trumps lawyers weren't shy about citing Bidens recent pardon of his son, who had been convicted of tax and gun charges. 'President Biden asserted that his son was `selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted, and `treated differently,' Trumps legal team wrote. The Manhattan district attorney, they claimed, had engaged in the type of political theater 'that President Biden condemned.' 'Yesterday, in issuing a 10-year pardon to Hunter Biden that covers any and all crimes Whether charged or uncharged, President Biden asserted that his son was selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted. and treated differently,"' Trump's lawyers began. 'President Biden argued that raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice. These comments amounted to an extraordinary condemnation of President Bidens own DOJ. This isthe same DOJ tha coordinated and oversaw the politically-motivated, election-interference witch hunts targeting President Trump. by disgraced Special Counsel Jack Smith, the other biased prosecutors in Smith's Special Counsel's Office ("SCO"), and others,' they wrote, picking Trump's own repeated claims of facing a 'witch hunt.' Prosecutors will have until Dec. 9 to respond. They have said they will fight any efforts to dismiss the case but have indicated openness to delaying sentencing until after Trumps second term ends in 2029. Under an alternate scenario, both Trump and Hunter could have been jailed. Trump was facing up to four years after his conviction, although Merchan also could have imposed community service or probation. Hunter Biden was facing sentencing this month after pleading guilty to tax charges in Calfornia and a jury conviction on gun charges in Delaware. Biden argued that Hunter had been 'singled out' because his last name was Biden, although some members of his own party argued the pardon would bring blowback Biden, who is in Angola, has yet to take questions about the pardon Following Trumps election victory last month, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed his sentencing, previously scheduled for late November, to allow the defense and prosecution to weigh in on the future of the case. He also delayed a decision on Trumps prior bid to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. Trump has been fighting for months to reverse the conviction, which involved efforts to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels, whose affair allegations threatened to disrupt his 2016 campaign. He has denied any wrongdoing. Trump takes office on Jan. 20. Merchan hasnt set a timetable for a decision. A dismissal would erase Trumps historic conviction, sparing him the cloud of a criminal record and possible prison sentence. Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a crime and the first convicted criminal to be elected to the office. Merchan could also decide to uphold the verdict and proceed to sentencing, delay the case until Trump leaves office, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trumps parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court or choose some other option. Rachel Reeves opened the door to a new wave of tax rises yesterday just a week after ruling them out. During exchanges in the Commons, the Chancellor refused to repeat her claim last week that she would not be coming back for more tax. Labours Budget in October was the biggest tax-raiser in history, with 40billion of new levies. It was met with a business backlash, with firms warning a 25billion rise in employers National Insurance will cost jobs, raise prices and force closures. Ms Reeves tried to defuse the row over her Budget last week by saying she would not require further tax rises before the next election. Im really clear Im not coming back with more borrowing or more taxes, she told the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). But No 10 has distanced itself from the remarks, and in the Commons yesterday Ms Reeves four times refused to repeat the pledge. During exchanges in the Commons, the Chancellor, pictured, refused to repeat her claim last week that she would not be coming back for more tax Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride, pictured, asked her whether Downing Street had changed its mind, or if she spoke without thinking when she told business chiefs she would not repeat her Budget hikes Ms Reeves, pictured, said she had been left to deal with a 22billion black hole Reeves hit by slump in productivity The Chancellor faces a potential multi-billion pound black hole as figures showed the productivity crisis is worse than feared amid a surge in migration. The Office for National Statistics revealed output per hour worked a key productivity measure fell by 0.9 per cent in the second quarter of this year compared to 2023. That was worse than the reported 0.3 per cent. If the forecast is revised down it will narrow Rachel Reeves headroom to balance the books and create a black hole worth tens of billions of pounds. In contrast the Office for Budget Responsibility predicts productivity will grow by 1 per cent or more from 2025 to 2029 and half a per cent lower annual growth in productivity would add 40billion to the borrowing bill. Kallum Pickering, at broker Peel Hunt, suggested the increase in population could result in a rise in the number of taxpayers. Advertisement Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride asked her whether Downing Street had changed its mind, or if she spoke without thinking when she told business chiefs she would not repeat her Budget hikes. Ms Reeves said she had been left to deal with a 22billion black hole, adding: So we did have to raise taxes to fund our public services, but never again will we have to repeat a Budget like that, because we have now wiped the slate clean and drawn a line under the mess created by the last government. Asked again to rule out further tax rises, she added: No chancellor is going to write five years worth of Budget in their first five months, but what I can say is that we will never have to deliver a Budget like that again. Shadow Treasury minister Richard Fuller said the Chancellors apparent backtracking would undermine business confidence. He added: She told the CBI last week there would be no more borrowing and no more taxes. Days later the business secretary and then the Prime Minister refused to stand by what she said. Now even she cannot repeat her own words. But Ms Reeves later suggested she could not close down the possibility of tax rises to deal with a national emergency. Speaking at the Yorkshire Posts Great Northern Conference in Hull, she told reporters: I cant write five years worth of Budgets in just five months. We dont know what might happen in the future in terms of shocks to the economy, but I can give businesses the confidence in this Budget that we have wiped the slate clean, we will never have to do a budget like this again. She said public services would have to live within the spending envelope set out at the Budget rather than relying on extra tax rises in the future. West Virginia senator gives final floor speech before he retires from the Senate West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin said goodbye to the Senate on Tuesday when he delivered his final speech on the floor of the chamber where he encouraged colleagues to move forward in a bipartisanship fashion and said he still believes it is the greatest deliberative body in the world. The independent senator who played a crucial role as a deciding vote for Democrats will be retiring at the end of this Congress after making the decision not to run for reelection in his deeply red home state. 'It's been the honor of my life to represent my great state of West Virginia and this great country of ours,' Manchin said. In a poignant 25 minute speech, the 77-year-old senator's voice shook at times as he sounded like he was trying to hold back tears during his emotional address. He said he still believes the U.S. Senate is the 'greatest deliberate body the world has ever known and ever will know.' West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin delivers his final address on the Senate floor where he called for bipartisanship and the protection of the filibuster while urging colleagues to work together moving forward to improve the lives of the American people The senator, who previously served as a governor of West Virginia, was first elected to represent his state as a Democrat in a special election in 2010. Since then, he has been a centrist vote helping Democrats pass some of their biggest pieces of legislation. But he has also served as a thorn in their side as they moved forward over the past four years with a slim majority, extracting specific demands as he at times delivered the final vote to help get bills passed. Earlier this year, Manchin announced he was leaving the Democratic party and would be a registered Independent as he warned of the party moving to much toward the left. In his heartfelt remarks, Manchin reflected on some of the key legislation he worked on, his relationships with colleagues and the power of U.S. government. 'As my time here comes to an end, I want you to know that my belief in the potential of this institution, and each and every one of you that represents it remains as strong as ever, Manchin said. 'I've said this, I believe in you probably more than you believe in yourself,' he told his colleagues. Manchin spoke of the need for bipartisanship and how he continues to support the filibuster, something he has been a champion of despite calls for its removal over the years. 'I have worked, and I believe with ever bone in my body and every fiber of in me, in every ounce of blood that I have to preserve the bipartisan foundation of this Senate, and that's the 60 vote threshold of the filibuster,' Manchin said. He noted that the Senate has had some missed opportunities to improve the lives of Americans from passing background checks to fixing immigration. He argued it was not because of disagreements but because politics got in the way. He called the work of the Senate messy and hard. He argued during the speech he was not elected to take sides and the only side he ever truly believed in is the 'American side.' 'At times, I felt like the whole Senate was united in being upset with me,' he later joked ruefully. His colleagues could be heard laughing as he said they had all 'been tolerant at times' of him. Senator Joe Manchin speaking to reporters. At times he was a deciding vote for Democrats working to pass legislation but remained a strong supporter of the filibuster and bipartisanship in the chamber. He announced last year he would not seek reelection The senator called on senators to work together to continue to pass bills and address pressing issues. He specifically mentioned fixing the immigration system and securing the border, addressing the ballooning national debt and standing with allies against authoritarianism. 'To my colleagues I'll leave you with this challenge: every day, ask yourself, what have I done for my country today?' Manchin said. 'We've got to stop demonizing each other. We've got to argue over ideas, that's fine, but not personalities,' he went on. 'We are all elected, and we all should be respected for that.' The senator said coming to Washington was humbling and noted 'the divisions here went pretty deep.' Manchin said he believes in the institution of democracy and need to cherish it. 'You hear people talk about the American Dream like it's some kind of a myth, like that's gone,' he said. 'But I want to tell you this: I'm standing here as many of you are here because of that American Dream.' As Manchin spoke, his wife Gayle and other family members as well as staff watched from the gallery above the chamber as he said his goodbye and thanked them. Manchin signaled while he will be leaving the Senate, he will remain in Washington 'maybe even well after that.' Those watching in the room could be heard laughing as he said his boat will still be docked in DC and invited people to come on by. In a clear sometimes rare moment of bipartisanship, colleagues from both sides of the aisle joined Manchin in the Senate chamber to wish him well. After he spoke, they gathered around him to offer farewells and shake hands. Several colleagues sang his praises from the Senate floor. His fellow West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito was first to speak where she highlighted their close relationship, his hard work for the state and said she has big shoes to fill as the state's new senior senator. 'Joe has always lead with conviction and a very steady hand,' she said. Manchin announced just over a year ago he would not seek reelection in the 2024 election when his term ended. If he had, it is not clear whether the senator could win in a state that has grown increasingly red over the years and elected Donald Trump by double-digits. Manchin will be replaced in the next Congress by GOP Governor Jim Justice who won the West Virginia Senate race with more than 68 percent of the vote. Republican Gov. Jim Justice will serve as the next senator of West Virginia, replacing outgoing Senator Joe Manchin Manchin's exit also comes as Republicans are set to retake the majority in the Senate with 53 seats to Democrats' 47. His call for bipartisanship came as Republicans are set to hold a trifecta with both chambers and the White House. For Democrats, the Senate may be the only line of defense at times because lawmakers will need 60 votes in most cases, so they will have to work together in a bipartisan manner to pass legislation unless they do away with the filibuster. No one expected this. Not the Americans who view Seoul as a crucial Asian ally, not half-starved North Korea under the heel of its dictator, and certainly not the people of South Korea themselves. As martial law was declared by the president Yoon Suk Yeol yesterday, many of the countrys 52 million inhabitants must have feared an international emergency had erupted perhaps an invasion or nuclear tests by their neighbour. But, as soldiers barricaded the entrance to the parliament building and all democratic political activity was suspended, it became plain this was a domestic crisis on a seismic scale. Whatever happens next will only magnify the shock. Yoon, whose party had already suffered huge losses in this years parliamentary election, has acted in a desperate bid to avoid being forced from office. If he topples, he will leave a power vacuum. But clinging on doesnt seem a realistic option after a half-baked coup to keep himself in power. Any scenarios are potentially catastrophic for the US, which has more than 24,000 troops stationed in the country. Since the Korean War of the 1950s, this peninsula has been a crucial foothold in the East for America. In Beijing, the Chinese Communist Party will be deciding how to react. It is unlikely they will make any sudden moves. North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un will try to take advantage of political unrest in South Korea over martial law by stirring up more chaos, writes Mark Almond South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late on Tuesday but has since had lift legislation following unrest People gesture as they gather outside the National Assembly in Seoul on December 4, 2024, after South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law But North Koreas Kim Jong-un infamously nicknamed Little Rocket Man by Donald Trump is far less predictable. He will certainly try to take advantage of the situation by stirring up more unrest. Cyber warfare is a favourite weapon but he could also seek to intimidate his neighbours by firing a missile a tactic he has used with Japan in the past. He might even order a border incursion to demonstrate his military might. While South Korea has the worlds lowest birthrate and an ageing population, North Korea is a young nation. It has no shortage of recruits for its large army, and was able earlier this year to send 10,000 troops to assist Russia in Ukraine. If the North staged a full-scale invasion, the US would have no choice but to declare war. Yet that would put Washington in the impossible position of supporting Yoon, who is now acting as a tyrant. His bitterest political enemies could not have foreseen this when he was elected as a conservative leader on an anti-corruption platform in 2022. South Korea has been dogged for decades by financial skulduggery in government, and Yoon touted himself as a leading activist in the fight against dirty dealings. Instead, he has wallowed in the muck. His First Lady Kim Keon Hee has been accused of accepting bribes. Opponents liken her to Marie Antoinette. We dont yet know whether Yoon will go quickly, or whether the National Assembly, having lifted the martial law decree, will demand his head. As I write, the situation is uncertain. What is certain is that this volatility in a major economy balancing on a nuclear trip wire means South Koreas crisis will have repercussions around the world. Soldiers try to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul on December 4 2024, after South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law It comes as Kim Jong Un sent thousands of troops to Ukraine to assist Russian soldiers amid the ongoing conflict The collapse of the coup doesnt mean that after a bout of midnight madness South Korea will return to normal. That this could happen shows that behind the facade of K-Pop and Samsung Galaxies, deep problems of corruption lurked. Another crisis about who will take over in South Korea may just be beginning. Mark Almond is director of Crisis Research Institute in Oxford. Donald Trump's pick to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration has withdrawn from consideration after MAGA outrage. Chad Chronister, the Sheriff of Hillborough County, Florida, sparked controversy for ordering the arrest of a pastor for holding church services in the height of the COVID pandemic. MAGA ally Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who was leading the charge to get him to step aside, said he simply 'lost his mind.' 'This sheriff ordered the arrest of a pastor for holding services during the COVID panic. He was tapped by Trump to head the DEA. Glad to see him withdraw from consideration,' he stated. 'Next time politicians lose their ever-lovin minds, he can redeem himself by following the Constitution.' Conservative Liz Wheeler called him a 'COVID tyrant' who 'abused his power and is unfit to lead the DEA' and urged him to withdraw. Chronister confirmed his decision to step aside in a post on X, but didn't disclose what prompted him to exit from consideration. The sheriff would have worked closely with another controversial Trump choice, RFK Jr., who was tapped to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Chronister became the second Trump pick to pull out of Cabinet consideration, following former Rep. Matt Gaetz who withdrew after a sex scandal started plaguing his confirmation chances. Chad Chronister, the Sheriff of Hillborough County, Florida was nominated to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration He has withdrawn from consideration just days after his nomination by the president-elect who praised his numerous accolades Gaetz, a unequivocal supporter of Trump, had earned respect from the president-elect despite the salacious allegations that followed him. In his statement reacting to the decision, Trump said he looked forward to Gaetz's future career. 'Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!' he wrote. Trump hasn't yet commented on Chronister's sudden resignation. 'To have been nominated by President-Elect to serve as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is the honor of a lifetime,' Chronister said in a statement on Tuesday. 'Over the past several days, as the gravity of this very important responsibility set in, I've concluded that I must respectfully withdraw from consideration,' Chronister went on. Chad Chronister is a COVID tyrant who arrested a Christian pastor for holding church in person during the pandemic. Chronister held a press conference bragging about the arrest. Chronister abused his power; hes unfit to lead the DEA. Trump should withdraw his nomination. pic.twitter.com/8jXtoPIX8q Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) December 1, 2024 'There is more work to be done for the citizens of Hillsborough County and a lot of initiatives I am committed to fulfilling. I sincerely appreciate the nomination, outpouring of support by the American people, and look forward to continuing my service as Sheriff of Hillsborough County.' Chronister ordered the arrest of Tampa Bay pastor Rodney Howard-Browne in March 2020. He had allegedly violated a 'safer-at-home' order for the county. 'We received an anonymous tip that Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne refused a request to temporarily stop holding large gatherings at his church,' Chronister said during a press event announcing the arrest. 'And instead, he was encouraging his large congregation to meet at his church.' Chronister confirmed his decision to step aside in a post on X It is the honor of a lifetime to be nominated by President @realDonaldTrump to serve as the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and I am deeply humbled by this opportunity to serve our nation. pic.twitter.com/X5lslYyF1U Chad Chronister (@ChadChronister) December 1, 2024 He went on to call it a 'reckless disregard for public safety.' The pastor ended up endorsing Chronister's bid for the DEA position in a stunning reversal. 'All good, the sheriff and I are friends, he has being doing an amazing job in Hillsborough County,' he said on X after Trump's decision to nominate him. 'I believe He and Pam Bondi will do an excellent job of cleaning up the place.' But it wasn't enough to save Chronister's chances at being Senate confirmed. His shocking exit came only days after his nomination by the president-elect who praised his numerous accolades. The sheriff would have worked closely with another controversial Trump choice, RFK Jr., who was tapped to lead the Department of Health and Human Services All good, the sheriff and I are friends, he has being doing an amazing job in Hillsborough County. I believe He and Pam Bondi will do an excellent job of cleaning up the place. https://t.co/dVvG5VlHBS Rodney Howard-Browne (@rhowardbrowne) December 1, 2024 'I am pleased to nominate Sheriff Chad Chronister for Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA),' Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on November 30. 'For over 32 years, Sheriff Chad Chronister has served the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, and received countless commendations and awards for keeping his community SAFE.' 'As DEA Administrator, Chad will work with our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to secure the Border, stop the flow of Fentanyl, and other Illegal Drugs, across the Southern Border, and SAVE LIVES,' Trump stated. Bondi was nominated to fill the position of attorney general after Gaetz's exit. She is the former attorney general of Florida and has been on Capitol Hill this week to meet with senators and shore up support for her bid. The woman killed in a violent altercation at a beachside retreat has been identified as the pair's descent into chaos is revealed. Charlyze Hayter, 19, was killed alongside Jackson Gilmour, 29, inside his Parson St home, in Rye, on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula in the early hours of Monday. Mr Gilmour was asleep when Ms Hayter and an unknown man armed with a rifle allegedly broke into the property shortly after 4am. Mr Gilmour and Ms Hayter were shot dead in the scuffle, while the second man fled the scene and remains on the run. On Tuesday, Ms Hayter's grandfather Bob said her death had rocked her entire family, but shattered her father. 'I loved her very much,' he told the Herald Sun. 'This has upset the whole family.' 'Charlie was a lovely girl, probably went down the wrong side of the tracks, but we were hoping for the best for her. 'Hes absolutely devastated. Its very difficult to talk to him (Charlyzes father) about it. She was a very bright girl at school. We had high hopes for her.' Charlize Hayter was shot dead in the scuffle, while a second man fled the scene and remains on the run Tradie Jackson 'Jack' Gilmour, 29, was killed when the armed robbers broke into his home Mr Gilmour was asleep when Ms Hayter and an unknown man armed with a rifle allegedly burst into the property shortly after 4am A long-time friend of Mr Gilmour told Daily Mail Australia he was still in shock over the death of Mr Gilmour - a carpenter and plumber - who grew up in the region. On Tuesday he stood outside his old mates property as police towed away a Ford Ranger and Holden Club Sport. I just cant believe it. I was here yesterday too, he said. The friend, who wished to remain anonymous, said Mr Gilmours housemate survived the shocking attack and called police. It is understood she hid in the bathroom after waking to the sound of the man and woman smashing into the house. The friend had been in contact with Mr Gilmours mum earlier in the day. She cant believe it. Shes just in denial, he said. It is understood Mr Gilmour had become isolated from his old mates in the months before he died amid fears he had fallen in with a bad crowd. (His mum) doesnt know that, his friend said. She thinks hes just defended himself in a domestic violence situation. The friend said it would be news to him if Mr Gilmour had access to a firearm. I didnt know he had a f**king gun thats for sure, he said. His friend claimed Mr Gilmour appeared different when he last saw him alive. I saw him about a month or two ago. He was not the same, he said. You dont want to associate yourself with that stuff. Charlyze Hayter has been identified at the woman killed in a Rye home invasion Charlyze Hayter had got involved with the wrong crowd leading up to her death A white tow truck arrived to tow away a white Holden that was parked on the property A black Ford Ranger was also removed from the scene The friend refused to speculate just what he believed Mr Gilmour had become involved with in his last days alive. I dont want to get myself in trouble, he said. After breaking into the property, it is understood Ms Hayter beat Mr Gilmour with a baton and demanded he hand over his wallet and other personal belongings as she rummaged through his drawers. Mr Gilmour then reportedly shot her and was himself shot by the male intruder. Mr Gilmour and Ms Hayter were treated by paramedics, but both died at the scene. Police, who are still working to hunt down the second man, say they believe the suspects were known to Mr Gilmour and that the incident was a 'targeted' attack. Detectives remained at the crime scene on Tuesday, poring over the property for any pieces of evidence possibly left behind by his killer. As officers cleared out a garage, two eerie pictures - one featuring a rabbit and another a skull - could be seen mounted on the wall. Mr Gilmour, who was affectionately known as Jack to friends, had lived on the Mornington Peninsula for more than 10 years. A friend said that Mr Gilmour had recently 'changed' after he began mingling with a new group of people Charlyze Hayter was killed alongside Jackson Gilmour, 29 in Rye on Monday Bizarre paintings of a rabbit and a skull could be seen on a wall inside the garage on Tuesday Property records show he had moved into the three-bedroom rental property in December last year. Neighbours said there were frequently cars 'coming and going' from the property. A relative told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday that Mr Gilmour's family are 'shocked' and still seeking information on the chain of events leading up to his death. Detective Superintendent Janet Stevenson said the second man is believed to have taken off in a vehicle and could still be armed. 'We don't know if there is still a firearm outstanding [and] we presume there was a getaway car,' she told reporters on Monday. 'We are seeking to find out the identity of the man and we are appealing for anyone who may have been in that area this morning who may have seen something. 'If you have dashcam footage or CCTV please contact us or Crime Stoppers.' Detectives could be seen scouring the area for evidence as they worked the crime scene Forensic officers are seen examining a car with a P-plate that was parked outside the property Det Supt Stevenson said police are yet to determine what led the couple to break into the home, but one line of inquiry was whether drugs were involved. She said police are still investigating how many people were at the home at the time and where the guns involved in the shooting came from. Mr Gilmour was known to police, but Det Supt Stevenson would not confirm the nature of previous interactions. Court records show Mr Gilmour had faced court several times this year for two separate matters. One of the matters was before Dromana Magistrates Court just two weeks ago. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Anthony Albanese's government has urged the Commonwealth Bank to reconsider charging customers an 'unfair' fee for withdrawing their own money. Customers of the bank got a rude shock on Monday when the bank announced it was closing its 'Complete Access Account' and changing them to 'Smart Access Accounts'. The new account will include a $3 fee tacked onto every withdrawal from a branch, a post office or phone, starting January 6. Housing Minister Clare O'Neil unleashed about the decision on Wednesday morning. 'It doesn't seem fair or appropriate and this is a huge bank making huge profits. Come on, guys. It's Christmas. We don't need this right now,' O'Neil said on Seven's Sunrise. 'This is not something the bank should be doing and we're asking them to reconsider.' Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones called the surcharge a 'kick in the guts'. 'The government has announced that we will guarantee the right to access and use cash and crack down on unfair surcharge fees for using your own money,' he said. Commonwealth Bank has told customers they will need to pay a fee to withdraw cash at a branch An email sent to customers on Monday detailing the new fee on the Smart Access Account, the Complete Access Account type will be closed CommBank told Daily Mail Australia it 'continues to offer customers free cash withdrawals from our national ATM network', though the number of such machines provided by banks is in constant decline. 'The monthly account fee for the Smart Access account is currently $2 less than the Complete Access account and both accounts offer similar features,' the spokesperson said. 'Our Smart Access account has a $3 assisted withdrawal fee. This is our main transaction account and the assisted withdrawal fees on that account have not changed. 'We continue to offer waivers on assisted withdrawal fees for customers who meet certain criteria including certain types of pension recipients, those who desposit $2,000 a month, and those under 18 years of age. 'Our Streamline Basic account has no monthly account fees or assisted withdrawal fees and is available to customers who hold an eligible concession card.' The bank in recent years has remained tight-lipped on whether it is transitioning its branch network, as a whole, to 'cashless', with CommBank having opened a number of 'Specialist Centres', which do not have tellers to handle physical cash. The Specialist Centres focus on business and home loan products, credit facilities and merchant services. Meanwhile, customers who are looking to deposit or withdraw cash are directed to either online banking or ATMs. When the Specialist Centres first started appearing in July last year, this masthead asked if the bank was looking to phase out physical cash and received a response which seemed to sidestep the question. 'Commonwealth Bank has created a very small number of Specialist Centres in major metropolitan areas, which are designed to support personal and business customers with more complex banking needs,' a spokesperson said at the time. 'These Specialist Centres provide customers with face-to-face access to specialist home and business lenders, and also offer the latest self-service technologies. All of our Specialist Centres are in major metropolitan locations and very nearby to full-service branches. 'We continue to maintain Australia's largest branch network for customers.' In August this year, CommBank said it was costing about $350million a year just to keep physical cash in its network and described it as a 'challenging commercial model'. However that did little to affect CBA's bottom line, having made a $9.5billion profit after tax in the 2023/24 financial year. CBA subsidiary Bankwest earlier this year announced it would remove physical cash services and transition to a digital-only bank. Bankwest said it would close 45 of is branches and another 15 regional branches would be converted into CBA locations. Of the other Big Four banks, ANZ and NAB have also opened branches which do not offer over-the-counter teller services. Australia's fifth-largest, Macquarie Bank, has wound down its in-person services and made the switch to a digital only bank as of November 1 this year. In all cases, the banks have said physical cash transactions represent a small fraction of their business, but there have been concerns raised about switching to digital-only currency. These include loss of privacy, fees incurred with tap-and-go payments and the raised risk of hacks, cyber-attacks, and online scams, plus the fact that computer system failures or even power outages can leave people unable to access their money. Vulnerable people such as those with disabilities, undocumented workers, refugees, victims of abuse and those who live in remote and regional areas are also likely to be disproportionately affected by the loss of cash. Pictured are workers at a cashless Commonwealth Bank branch in Penrith. Deposits and withdrawals can still be made via on-site ATMs CBA has also removed more than 800 ATMs from its network. 'Five years ago, 43 per cent of all point of sale transactions were cash. Today, the figure is around 15 per cent,' explained CEO Matt Comyn last year. 'And yet, every week, customers transact more than $18billion through the CommBank app, an increase of 64 per cent in just two years.' He said CommBank's 10million customers were paying roughly $40 each to fund the $400million expense to keep physical cash in circulation in it's branches. 'Many of our customers don't use cash and these customers cross-subsidise those that do,' he said. Earlier this year, Australia's largest cash distribution service, Armaguard, was on the brink of collapse until it received a $50million bailout from major banks and large retailers in late June. Despite fewer people using cash, the right to do so should be defended, Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock said. Giving testimony to federal parliament's house economics committee, Ms Bullock said access to cash was 'a sensitive issue' as pressure grew in the banking sector and government to dispense with it. 'There is a minority, but a significant minority, of people who still rely heavily on cash and want to use cash,' she said. 'The government is committed, and we are committed as well, to trying to maintain access to cash for people who want to use it. 'This is not just a problem in Australia, it's a problem around the world as cash use declines for transactions. 'You've got all these fixed costs of maintaining a cash distribution system, and with less cash transactions that means the cost per transaction just keeps going up and up - it's getting uneconomical.' After marrying into the Royal Family, Meghan Markle quickly became a style icon, but her love for monochrome has cemented her reputation as a master of modern elegance. From sleek contrasting ensembles to minimalist outfits that exude sophistication, Meghan's wardrobe showcases her flair for simplicity with maximum impact. Whether attending royal engagements or making a statement on the red carpet, she consistently gravitates towards the timeless appeal of black-and-white. According to Sandy Lancaster, stylist at House of Colour, these carefully considered choices are likely a result of previous public criticism. She tells MailOnline: 'As a public figure, Meghan's monochrome looks serve a deliberate purpose: projecting refinement, cohesion and professionalism. This calculated approach is likely guided by an understanding of how her style is scrutinised and interpreted by the public.' Sandy continues: 'The choice to avoid bold colour might be a strategic move to draw attention to her messaging or actions rather than her clothing. This suggests a thoughtful, image-conscious decision-making process. 'Meghan likely collaborates with a stylist who helps her curate these cohesive looks to maintain her desired image of timeless elegance and modernity. This doesn't make it inauthentic, but it does suggest a degree of orchestration.' Caped perfection For Meghan's first royal engagement with Queen Elizabeth, she chose an ivory dress by Clare Waight Keller, the designer of her wedding gown. Blending elegance with a modern edge, the knee-length Versace design featured a sheath silhouette and detachable capelet with padded shoulders. Meghan expertly added black accessories, including a narrow belt to cinch her waist. Sandy says: 'Meghan's monochrome outfit reflects a balance between her genuine aesthetic preferences and a strategic effort to align her wardrobe with her values and public role. 'While some aspects may be polished for public consumption, they don't necessarily feel disingenuous - it's more about amplifying her authenticity in a way that resonates with her audience.' For Meghan's first royal engagement with Queen Elizabeth, she chose an ivory dress by Clare Waight Keller, the designer of her wedding gown Demure shirt dress Making her Royal Ascot debut in 2018, Meghan donned an ivory shirt dress by Givenchy, teamed with simple accessories. She topped off her ensemble with a monochrome hat by Philip Treacy, perfectly tying the look together. This outfit demonstrated Meghan's consistent approach to royal fashion, favouring neutral tones and modern tailoring. Sandy says: 'A monochrome outfit instantly conveys a sense of refinement and cohesion. By wearing black-and-white pieces, Meghan creates an effortless harmony that looks intentionally curated. 'This approach eliminates any visual 'clutter,' allowing her to appear polished, professional and elevated.' Making her Royal Ascot debut in 2018, Meghan donned an ivory shirt dress by Givenchy, teamed with simple accessories Dazzling monochrome The duchess exuded glamour at the Royal Variety Performance in 2018, opting for a dazzling two-piece by Safiyaa. Her bustier top, incorporating a sequinned leaf motif and asymmetric peplum, paired flawlessly with the coordinating fishtail skirt. Meghan let her outfit take centre stage, adding Aquazzura pumps and diamond earrings from Birks. Sandy says: 'One common critique of monochrome outfits is the risk of looking flat or boring. However, incorporating varying textures - as Meghan has here - adds depth and interest.' The Duchess exuded glamour at the Royal Variety Performance in 2018, opting for a dazzling two-piece by Safiyaa Summer breeze During her trip to Colombia with Harry in August, Meghan embraced the warm weather in a luxurious co-ord from Johanna Ortiz. The silk two-piece combined a tie-detailed crop top with a breezy maxi skirt, ideal for the tropical climate. Meghan accentuated her ensemble with a Hannia Char boater hat, Cesta Collective crossbody bag and, of course, lashings of Cartier jewellery. Sandy says: 'As demonstrated in Colombia, Meghan ensures her clothing does not overshadow her actions or messages. This implies she is mindful of how her fashion choices contribute to her public persona, balancing visibility and making her look more approachable.' During her trip to Colombia with Harry in August, Meghan embraced the warm weather in a luxurious co-ord from Johanna Ortiz Business chic On International Women's Day in 2019, Meghan participated in Queen Elizabeth's Commonwealth Trust discussion panel. For the occasion, she selected a 60s-inspired printed dress from Reiss, marking the first time she had been seen in the high street brand. Meghan completed the look with a tailored Alexander McQueen blazer and Manolo Blahnik pumps, achieving a simple yet elegant aesthetic with a playful hint of whimsy. Sandy says: 'Meghan often pairs smooth fabrics with tailored outerwear to maintain visual intrigue, ensuring the ensemble feels luxurious and considered.' On International Women's Day in 2018, the Duchess selected a 60s-inspired printed dress from Reiss, marking the first time she had been seen in the high street brand Polo glamour Meghan elevated polo glamour while attending a match in Santa Barbara, California, to support her husband Prince Harry in 2022. The former Suits actress sported a chic Celine polka dot tie-neck blouse, voluminous Khaite shorts and Aquazzura heels, resulting in an outfit that oozed sophistication. To complete the look, she added a wide-brimmed hat, oversized sunglasses and a bold swipe of red lipstick. Sandy says: 'Meghan's monochrome outfit suggests a deliberate approach to her appearance, signalling that she prioritises a polished and cohesive aesthetic. 'This is a deliberate message conveying that she values refinement over excess, focusing on quality, structure and harmony.' Meghan sported a chic Celine polka dot tie-neck blouse, Khaite shorts and Aquazzura heels for a polo match in 2022 Chic simplicity During her summer trip to Colombia, Meghan embraced laidback elegance in a white silk shirt by Giuliva Heritage, aptly named 'Husband'. She paired it with a Juan De Dios silk wrap skirt, featuring a chic midi length and graphic floral print. Paying attention to the finer details, Meghan added a pair of exquisite Ecksand emerald and pink sapphire earrings. Sandy says: 'Meghan's use of tonal palettes, such as warm neutrals or classic black-and-white combinations, suggests a keen awareness of how colours influence perception. 'Neutral tones project calm, reliability, and warmth, while darker shades like black convey authority and elegance. This strategic use of colour helps enhance her public image.' The Princess of Wales is set to play a key role in welcoming the Emir of Qatar to Britain today, as the UK government calls upon one of its most beloved royals to help ensure the success of the state visit. Back in 2022, all eyes were on Kate Middleton as she made her highly anticipated debut as the Princess of Wales. At the first state banquet of King Charles' reign, held in honour of South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa, Kate captivated in a breathtaking white gown by Jenny Packham. The bespoke 'Elspeth' design, originally crafted as a bridal masterpiece, featured a figure-skimming silhouette and a dazzling rhinestone cape that cascaded gracefully to the floor. Grant Harrold, former butler to King Charles, says Kate followed tradition by wearing all-white attire. He tells MailOnline: 'The gown was not a surprise. Historically, the late Queen, and other senior members of the Royal Family, would often opt for a white gown. 'It looked the part and paired beautifully with the white tie worn by the men. It also went well with the garter badges and sashes. 'But it will mainly be because white was always the colour the late Queen opted for, so the future Queen is deciding to follow suit.' Kate also paid tribute to her late mother-in-law, Diana, through her carefully chosen accessories. While all eyes were drawn to the iconic Lover's Knot tiara, famously worn by Diana, Kate also honoured her with another sentimental touch: the late Princess' horseshoe and laurel earrings. All eyes were on Kate Middleton as she made her highly anticipated debut as the Princess of Wales in November 2022. While all eyes were drawn to the iconic Lover's Knot tiara, famously worn by Diana, Kate also honoured her with another sentimental touch: the late Princess' horseshoe and laurel earrings Princess Diana famously wore these jewels during an official visit to Hong Kong in November 1990 The earrings feature an intricate horseshoe set with baguette diamonds and a laurel-inspired motif gracefully wrapping around it. A pearl drop is suspended from the diamond setting, creating a timeless finish. Diana notably wore these earrings on several occasions, including when she received the United Cerebral Palsy Humanitarian Award in New York in December 1995. As one of the most recognisable royal tiaras, the Lover's Knot was a fitting choice for Kate's grand debut. Crafted in 1913, it has graced generations of royal women, symbolising both tradition and taste. Queen Mary commissioned Garrard to create the exquisite tiara, drawing inspiration from a piece owned by her grandmother, Princess Augusta of Hesse. Mary provided jewels from her own collection, including elements from her dismantled Some Ladies of England tiara, pearls from the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, and pearls from her favourite brooches. The finished design originally featured a row of upright pearls, but these were later removed by Mary, who returned them to her brooches. Following her death, the tiara was inherited by Queen Elizabeth II and she was frequently seen wearing the accessory at various locations worldwide, such as during a tour of the Commonwealth. Kate exuded regal elegance in her glamorous gown, paying tribute to her late mother-in-law, Diana, through her carefully chosen accessories It was the first state banquet of King Charles' reign, held in honour of South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa Kate's bespoke 'Elspeth' dress, originally crafted as a bridal masterpiece, featured a figure-skimming silhouette and a dazzling rhinestone cape that cascaded gracefully to the floor Crafted in 1913, the Lover's Knot tiara has graced generations of royal women, symbolising both tradition and taste Although the tiara reportedly gave Diana headaches due to its weight, she wore it on many occasions At the 2022 state banquet, Kate also wore the Royal Family Order of Elizabeth II Upon marrying Prince Charles in July 1981, Diana received the tiara as a gift from the Queen and she debuted it at the state opening of parliament later that year. Although the tiara reportedly gave Diana headaches due to its weight, she wore it on many occasions, memorably with a Catherine Walker dress during an official visit to Hong Kong in November 1990. On this occasion, she paired the headpiece with her horseshoe and laurel earrings - the exact look Kate replicated at the 2022 state banquet. The Princess also wore the Royal Family Order of Elizabeth II, and the star and blue sash of the Royal Victorian Order, fastening it with a diamond brooch from Bentley and Skinner. She completed her show-stopping ensemble with Queen Elizabeth II's pearl bracelet, a satin box clutch from Alexander McQueen, and Gianvito Rossi Rania pumps adorned with Swarovski crystals. A suspected member of a notorious Venezuelan migrant gang has been charged in the 'execution' of a man he kidnapped and shot to death on the side of a road in Texas. Eiber Gabriel Sira-Vargas, 29, is believed to be a Tren de Aragua gangster and was already sitting in a federal immigration jail when police charged him in the brutal murder in recent days, according to News 4 San Antonio. Texas cops napped Sira-Vargas during an October 5 police raid at an apartment complex in the Alamo City which had fallen under the complete control of TdA, as the gang is known to authorities. The South American was sitting in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in the Lone Star State when detectives were able to link Sira-Vargas to a murder over the summer. On July 1, Sira-Vargas and another man kidnapped three men, using zip ties to bind their hands and feet together and putting them into a vehicle. For an unknown reason, one of the victims was released, but the other two men were driven to a busy roadside where they were taken out of the car and shot. Alexis Jose Vegas, 18, was later found face down in the grass after the died from the gunshot wounds. The other unidentified victim played dead. Despite being shot, he survived the ordeal. Eiber Gabriel Sira-Vargas, 29 is charged with capital murder by terror threat/or other felony for the July 1 murder and kidnapping of Alexis Jose Vegas, 18, according to Bexar County court records Although the surviving victim initially told investigators with the San Antonio Police Department that he didn't know anything about the case, he eventually came clean months later, and ratted Sira-Vargas out to the cops. Dubbed the 'epitome of evil', Tren de Aragua is known to run drug smuggling, child prostitution and human trafficking rings in South America, with its members crossing over into the US in recent years amid a wave of Venezuelan migrants. The tattooed mobsters have since unleashed a wave of crime across the country from Miami and Texas to Denver and New York. As DailyMail.com exclusively reported, TdA has taken control of four apartment complexes in South Texas. An army of law enforcement sources raided the Palatia Apartments in the pre-dawn hours of Oct. 5. Investigators learned TdA had seized power on the property for five to six months prior to the raid- squatting in empty units they either rented out to other migrants, used as a base to deal cocaine or, most horrifically, as prostitution dens to pimp out women and children. In exclusive reporting, DailyMail.com revealed that this apartment invasion is just the tip of the iceberg in the major southern Texas city, with at least three other rental properties also occupied by the criminal organization. DailyMail.com has not named the three other apartment complexes to avoid jeopardizing ongoing police investigations. Law enforcement sources confirmed TdA had been operating at the Palatia Apartments for five to six months - squatting in empty units they either rented out to other migrants, used as a base to deal drugs and other illegal activities The rise of Tren de Aragua in America: In a pre-dawn operation, hundreds of law enforcement officers closed in on the sprawling Palatia Apartments in the early hours of October 5 after spending weeks investigating reports that Tren de Aragua had control of the area However, the locations were confirmed by law enforcement sources, and we spent days visiting the sites where we spoke to terrified residents. At the Palatia apartments, authorities arrested 19 individuals - four of which have been confirmed as gang members. 'One TdA member is a confirmed "enforcer" for that gang,' and 15 were in the country illegally,' the city's top cop William McManus said. Mobsters, who brazenly showed off gang tattoos, or wore red clothing, were squatting in empty units where they sold drugs or humans, he added. 'They had women and children and were prostituting the women and the children,' said one resident. 'There was a lot of them and watching all the women and children being put into a paddy wagon, I was like, "Aah!"' TdA had also threatened apartment property staffers who discovered their criminal schemes. The gang's San Antonio activity almost exactly mirrored what was happening in Aurora, Colorado-- where a video of armed gang members storming an apartment made national headlines in August. The worker said they have also seen men walking around with rifles and Michael Jordan branding on their skin, which are similarly well-known TdA markings After searching over 300 units, cops arrested 19 individuals - four of which have been confirmed as gang members. 'One TdA member is a confirmed "enforcer" for that gang,' and 15 were in the country illegally,' the city's top cop William McManus said A bombshell report by a law firm that represents one of the apartment management companies found the gang engaged in assaults of apartments staff, threats of murder, and other illegal activities As DailyMail.com exclusively reported, TdA moved its new headquarters to the US-Mexico border in Juarez, Mexico, where it is kidnapping asylum-seeking migrants who are attempting to enter America. The gang took over at least three apartment complexes in the Denver suburb - though lawyers for the properties alleged there were many more rentals in the gang's grip. A bombshell report by a law firm that represents one of the apartment management companies found the gang engaged in assaults of apartments staff, threats of murder, extortion and child prostitution. 'Prostitution is a big money-maker, and the thing with prostitution is that it brings guys in that they can then sell dope to,' former Colorado ICE director John Fabbricatore told DailyMail.com in September. 'These guys come in, they meet these Johns and shake them down. See if they want to buy drugs.' December 2, 2024: Fighting broke out again in central Nigeria, with several dead and many more wounded. Fulani raiders continue to attack farmers with abandon. Soldiers are unable to be everywhere at once to stop the raiders. There are similar trouble spots throughout central and northern Nigeria. Despite the problems in the north, Nigeria is prospering, driven by increasing oil income from oil fields in the south. All sectors of the economy are improving. President Tinubu has been in office since March 2023, and concentrated on his pledges to reduce corruption in the Nigerian government. One of his first acts was to order an audit of the central bank to be followed by an audit of the federal payroll. The current economic crisis has made endemic and epidemic corruption more visible. This is very visible in the oil production industry, which has greatly inflated costs because of corruption. Higher oil prices are canceled by declines in production caused by criminals and corruption. Corruption inflates the cost of everything and reduces the quality of work done by the government, especially when it comes to infrastructure. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who served as president from 1963 to 1966, was one of the key people in obtaining independence for Nigeria from British colonial rule. What is now Nigeria was a collection of separate kingdoms and tribal territories that Britain got involved with after it outlawed slavery in 1807 and began a decades-long campaign to suppress the slave trade between African tribes and the Americas. Slavery was an ancient custom in most of Africa but American and European demand for more slaves led to more powerful tribes attacking weaker tribes to capture them as slaves for sale to American and European slave traders. In 1861 Britain took control of some portions of the Nigerian coast to deal with persistent slaving by inland tribes. Twenty years later Britain had control over more territory and installed a colonial government. This led, over the next 80 years, to Nigerian nationalism and talented men like Nnamdi Azikiwe working for independence. When the 1960s Igbo rebellion broke out, he advised the Igbo government for a few years before switching back to the Nigerian government. After independence the biggest problem was corruption fed by the growing oil wealth coming from the oil fields in the southern Niger River Delta. It was later calculated that about a trillion dollars of oil income was stolen between the 1960s and the present. Back in 2004, Islamic terrorist violence in the northeast appeared and created some lasting problems. There are still millions of refugees plus substantial economic damage in the northeastern Borno State, where it all began. There seems to be no end in sight because of corruption, but more competent leadership in the security forces reduced the violence. All this was caused by a local group of Taliban wannabes calling themselves Boko Haram. In English Boko Haram means that English Education is forbidden. Most Nigerians abhor the nihilistic Boko Haram and see this group as a threat to peace, prosperity and economic growth. Boko Haram activity in the capital of Borno State grew for a decade until in 2014 it seemed unstoppable. It took over a year for the government to finally muster sufficient military strength to cripple but not destroy Boko Haram. This did not get much media attention outside Africa, even though in 2014 Boko Haram killed more people than ISIL/Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant did in Syria and Iraq. The main reason for Boko Haram gains in 2014 and 2015 was corruption in the army, which severely crippled effective counterterror efforts. By itself Boko Haram was too small to have much impact on a national scale but the inability to deal with this problem put a spotlight on the corruption that has hobbled all progress in Nigeria for decades. A new president, a former general who is Moslem, was elected in early 2015 and made progress in changing the armys corrupt culture, but that is still a work in progress even though he was reelected in early 2019. More bad news was expected because of too many tribal feuds and too much corruption creating growing unrest throughout the country, which led to reduced oil income and further disputes over that, etc. This is especially bad down south in the oil producing region, the Niger River Delta. Violence against oil facilities continues. Worse, local politicians and business leaders had taken over the oil theft business. Northern Moslems want more control over the federal government and the oil money. In northern and central Nigeria there is increasing violence as nomadic Moslem herders move south and clash with largely Christian farmers over land use and water supplies. For the last few years these tribal feuds have killed more people than Boko Haram. The situation is still capable of sliding into regional civil wars, over money and political power. Corruption and ethnic/tribal/religious rivalries threaten to trigger, at worst, another civil war and at least more street violence and public anger. Scientists have revealed disturbing reasons why consumers should never re-use store-bought water bottles and takeout containers. They found that adding more water to and heating up 'single-use' plastics causes them to shed nanoplastics and toxic chemicals that seep into your food and liquids. These bottles and to-go containers are made from types of plastics designed to only be used once and disintegrate more easily than sturdier plastics such as those used in Tupperware items. Re-using the products also causes exposure to styrene, found in synthetic rubber and plastics, which can increase the risk of esophageal and pancreatic cancer. Sherri Mason, a professor and director of sustainability at Penn State Behrend compared the effects to the way humans shed skin cells. 'We know at this point that our skin is constantly shedding,' she said. 'And this is what these plastic items are doing they're just constantly shedding.' Plastic contains on average 16,000 chemicals 4,200 of which are considered to be 'highly hazardous,' according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 'Normal humans looking at a sample of water if there's visible plastic in it, they'll be turned off,' Mason said. 'But they don't realize that it's actually the invisible plastics present that are the biggest concern.' Plastic has an average of 16,000 chemicals and hundreds of thousands of nanoplastics that are released into your water every time you re-use a single-use water bottle Nanoplastics are so small they can travel into a person's blood, liver and brain when they cross the gut, allowing them to pass through cell membranes and enter the blood stream. 'There is a real significant potential human health impact that is associated with re-using plastics, whether you're talking about beverages or food,' Mason told the Washington Post. Although no cases of particle consumption have been definitively linked to cancer, the accumulation of these nanoparticles in human tissues has been found to increase chemical toxicity that can lead to serious health problems including cancer and developmental defects in children. A study conducted by researchers at Columbia University released earlier this year found that the average bottle of water contains 240,000 particles, marking the first time researchers were able to identify plastics in single-use bottled water. This is despite the assurances that bottled water is healthier than drinking tap water, but researchers warned that it is nothing more than a marketing ploy. 'You still have a lot of people that, because of marketing, are convinced that bottled water is better,' Mason told The Post. 'But this is what you're drinking in addition to that H2O.' To-go containers also are a risk because the heat causes them to release chemicals and nanoplastics into your food that can cause cancer and other health issues Heating plastic will also increase the rate at which a single-use bottle or a fast-food container will release nanoplastics and toxic chemicals into the water or food. Even leaving plastic in the sun can cause the toxins to seep into the food, but Rob Danoff, an osteopathic family physician in Philadelphia, said a main rule is to never microwave plastic. When plastic is heated, the heat breaks down the molecular structure which releases the chemicals but said this does depend on the type of plastic you're using and the type of food you're heating up. 'Fatty foods, like meats and cheeses, reach very high temperatures and may cause the plastic to warp or melt,' Dr Danoff said on the American Osteopathic Association site. 'This, in turn, has the potential to cause a chemical to seep out of the plastic and into the food,' he added. If you're unsure whether the plastic can be heated, you should look at the bottom of the product where it will have either a microwave-safe symbol or instructions telling you it is safe to microwave. Products that don't indicate whether or not it is safe are likely among those that will release chemicals and nanoplastics into your food. 'The important thing is to always read the labels of your plastic containers carefully before you put them in the microwave,' Dr Danoff cautioned. 'If you are unsure, then it's best to heat your food in a microwave-safe container made of a different material, such as glass or ceramic.' And in terms of water bottles, experts advise people use products made of stainless steal or glass. The Arctic could be ice-free within three years in an 'ominous milestone' for the planet, a new study warns. At just 1.65 million square miles, this year's minimum sea ice coverage was already well below the 1979-92 average of 2.65 million square miles. But scientists now warn that the first summer which completely melts all of the Arctic's sea ice could occur by 2027. Using 300 computer simulations, scientists predicted that the Arctic's first ice-free day is guaranteed to occur within nine to 20 years regardless of how humans alter their greenhouse gas emissions. However, nine out of the 300 simulations suggested that an ice-free day could occur as soon as three years' time, regardless of how humans act from now. While the disappearance of Arctic sea ice will lead to huge changes to the planet's climate and weather patterns, it will not lead to big changes in sea levels. Unlike glaciers or ice sheets on land, Arctic sea ice is already in the ocean so its melting won't cause sea levels to rise. This is the same reason that a glass full of ice and water doesn't overflow when the ice melts. Scientists warn that the Arctic sea ice could vanish as early as 2027 as extreme weather events melt millions of square miles of ice in just three years Study author Dr Celine Heuze at the University of Gothenburg said the first ice-free day could significantly impact Earth's ecosystem and climate by changing weather patterns. The researchers warn that an ice-free Arctic would trigger extreme weather events including cold spells of -4F (-20C) as far south as Italy or forest fires in Scandinavia. 'During that day the Arctic Ocean will be able to absorb a lot more heat than usual and that will make it harder for sea ice to reform,' she told told MailOnline. '[This[ then makes it more likely to have another day with no sea ice, and another, and an entire month.' Previous predictions of Arctic sea ice disappearance have typically focussed on the first iceless month - defined as the first 30 days with an ice extent below 386,000 square miles. In their previous research co-author Dr Alexandra Jahn, associate professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, has predicted that this is inevitable by the 2030s. However, for this study, the authors opted instead to look at the first 24-hour period in which the Arctic will become ice-free. Dr Heuze says: 'For the climate, admittedly one day only may not matter that much. Across 300 computer simulations, the majority predicted the Arctic would have an ice-free day within nine to 20 years. However, nine simulations predicted an ice-free day within three to six years This October the Artic sea ice was at its fourth level on record for the month, scientists are concerned that future summers may have days or even months with less than 386,000 square miles of ice which is the limit for being 'ice free' What is sea ice? Sea ice is simply frozen ocean water. It forms, grows, and melts in the ocean. It floats on the surface of the sea because it is less dense than liquid water. In contrast, icebergs, glaciers, ice sheets, and ice shelves all originate on land. Sea ice is estimated to cover around 7 per cent of Earth's surface and about 12 per cent of the world's oceans. Most sea ice is contained within the polar ice packs in the Arctic and Southern oceans. These ice packs undergo season variations and are also affected locally on smaller time scales by wind, current and temperature fluctuations. Advertisement 'But mostly, that first day will be a symbol, making climate change visible. Think about it: We, humans, changed what an entire ocean looks like.' Dr Jahn adds: 'It will show that we've fundamentally altered one of the defining characteristics of the natural environment in the Arctic Ocean, which is that it is covered by sea ice and snow year-round, through greenhouse gas emissions.' Dr Heuze and Dr Jahn used 300 different computer simulations to predict the first day summer temperatures would completely melt the sea ice. In most of those simulations, is predicted to occur sometime between 2032 and 2043. However, in nine of the possible scenarios simulated, the Arctic ice vanished for a day within the next three to six years. By looking at these scenarios the scientists discovered that a series of extreme weather events could melt 770,000 square miles or more of sea ice in a short period of time. In this case, an unusually hot autumn would weaken the sea ice, followed by a warm Arctic winter and spring which prevents more sea ice from forming. If this were to happen for three years in a row, then the Arctic would be ice-free by the late summer of 2027. Ice extent generally reaches its peak in winter before shrinking in summer. While this year's minimum Arctic ice extent was not as low as 2012 (orange) experts warn that the sea ice appears to be recovering slower. This study found that a warm autumn followed by mild Arctic winters could melt enough sea ice to deliver an ice-free day in three years While it might have big impacts on the climate, melting sea ice will not cause big rises in sea levels since the sea ice is already in the water. The bigger concern is that it allows the sea to warm further, melting glaciers and ice sheets on land which will cause sea levels to rise Worryingly, these kinds of temperatures are already being recorded across the Arctic. For example, in March 2022 some areas of the Arctic were 50F hotter than average with temperatures so high that areas around the North Pole were beginning to melt. Likewise, this October was the second hottest October on record, coming in just behind 2023 with an average global temperature of 15.25C (59.45F). According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), this makes 2024 'virtually certain' to be the hottest on record. Over the last three decades, scientists have watched as the extent of the Arctic's sea ice shrink by 12 per cent each decade. This year, the Arctic's minimum sea ice extent was one of the lowest in recorded history, reaching the fourth-lowest extent on record in October. Although this year's minimum was higher than the record low of September 2012, C3S observed that it has been recovering slower than that record-breaking year. But beyond the purely symbolic value, an ice-free Arctic could also lead to significant impacts on the wider climate. Sea temperatures in October (pictured) were at their second-highest level for the month this year. This leads to an increased risk that the sea ice will not recover over the Arctic winter If the sea ice continues to vanish as current trends suggest it will, the researchers warn that this could trigger extreme weather events including cold snaps of -20C (-4F) as far south as Italy. Pictured: a graph showing the yearly Arctic sea ice level relative to the 1991-2020 average Dr Heuze says: 'Globally, the Arctic sea ice plays a crucial role in controlling the climate by sending back sunlight to space. 'When we lose this white surface and instead are left with the dark ocean, the energy from the sun stays with us, is absorbed by the ocean, and results in even more global warming.' This means that as the Arctic's sea ice begins to vanish, it makes it more likely that temperatures will stay high enough to prevent ice reforming. The consequences of that could be severe as the loss of the Arctic ice destabilises global weather patterns. Dr Heuze says: 'We are already losing the Arctic sea ice, and have been for decades, so we already have observations on this. 'In the northern hemisphere, it seems to cause more extreme weather, year-round. 'Think of the cold spells with -20 (-4F) down to Italy, or the heatwaves over northern Europe and forest fires throughout Scandinavia.' According to Dr Jahn's research, this cycle will inevitably lead to months without sea ice by some time in the 2030s. While the researchers say that there is no way of preventing this moment from coming, Dr Jahn says that rapid action can delay it for longer. He says: 'Any reductions in emissions would help preserve sea ice.' Scientists have discovered a 'lost' species of human with an abnormally large skull which lived alongside homo sapiens. Known as the Juluren, meaning 'big head people', this ancient species may have lived in China between 300,000 and 50,000 years ago. Scientists believe they would have had a larger brain than any of the known hominin species, including modern-day humans. 'Homo julurensis' would likely have hunted wild horses in small groups, made simple stone tools for cutting, and possibly processed animal hides for clothes. This form of 'large-brained hominin' would have been a relative of the Neanderthals and the Denisovans another ancient human ancestor. Previous studies have tended to lump together lots of different fossils as a single diverse group. However, paleoanthropologist Professor Xiujie Wu from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and anthropologist Dr Christopher Bae from the University of Hawai'i argue that scientists have missed key characteristics in the fossil record. In a 'provocative' paper, these scientists claim that some fossils have a mosaic of features which don't fit with any known human species. Researchers claim to have discovered a new species of ancient human with an abnormally large brain by analysing fragments of 300,000 year old skulls (stock image) Scientists believe that this ancient human would have had the biggest brain of any known hominin based on the abnormal size of its skull (depicted here as digital renders) In the past, any fossil which wasn't either homo sapiens or homo erectus was grouped together as Denisovan, a type of early hominin related to Neanderthal which bred with modern humans in Asia. However, Dr Bae says that some of these fossils should actually be considered their own separate species called homo julurensis. The researchers analysed 21 hominin fossils from an unknown number of individuals found in China during the 1970s and skull fragments from two individuals found in 2005 at a different Chinese site. Using new techniques for organizing fossil evidence, Dr Bae and Professor Wu identified a set of characteristics that didn't match the known species. The most distinctive of these characteristics is the abnormally large skull which gives the Juluren their name. By piecing together the remains of the skull, researchers estimate that it would have had a volume of 1700 ml, larger than even the 1,330 ml skull of homo sapiens. The most complete skull was found in an area of China known as the Nihewan Basin which was filled by a large lake 300,000 years ago. Palaeontologists believe the ancient human species made their settlements on the shores of this lake which now holds their remains in its thick sediment. The researchers argue that homo julurensis was a relative of homo erectus (bottom) which lived between 1.89 million and 110,000 years ago By comparing skull fragments found in China (pictured), the researchers estimate that homo julurensis would have had a skull volume of 1700 ml - much larger than any other known hominin Scientists discovered teeth and jaw fragments which suggest that homo julurensis would have had some similarities to Neanderthals but have enough differences to be its own species Not only was the skull abnormally large, but it was also strangely shaped, being much wider at the base than a typical skull. In addition to skull fragments, researchers have subsequently found pieces of jaw and teeth. Together, the researchers argue there are enough distinct characteristics to support the existence of a completely new category of humans. In their paper, published in PaleoAnthropology, Professor Wu and Dr Bae argued: 'Collectively, these fossils represent a new form of large-brained hominin.' This complex pattern of traits suggests that there was far more interbreeding and shared ancestry between the various hominin groups living in Asia between 300,000 and 50,000 years ago. However, these arguments have been controversial with some pointing out that the fossil evidence for homo julurensis remains relatively thin. Professor Jonathan Hawk, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, described the new paper as 'provocative' in a post on X. However, Professor Hawk maintains that the basic idea behind the Julurensis theory is valid. The scientists call the species Juluren, meaning 'big head people', and claim they would have lived between 300,000 and 50,000 years ago, hunting horses in small groups, and making simple tools (stock image) The researchers argue that a set of fossils found in China (left) doesn't fit with any of the other known species of hominin. This comes amid a series of other new hominin species being discovered including homo longi (top) and homo floresiensis (right) In a blog post, Professor Hawk wrote: 'I think the record is more expansive than most specialists have been assuming. 'Calling all these groups by the same name makes sense only as a contrast to recent humans, not as a description of their populations across space and time.' The new species is yet to be officially scientifically recognised a formal approval given by an authoritative taxonomic body. But however homo julurensis ends up being classified, the researchers argue that the simple story of human evolution in Asia no longer stands to scrutiny. Dr Bae says: 'This study clarifies a hominin fossil record that has tended to include anything that cannot easily be assigned to homo erectus, homo neanderthalensis or homo sapiens.' While the human family tree was once considered fairly simple, recent years have seen a sudden bloom of new offshoots. For example, in 2003, scientists discovered the fossil remains of homo floresiensis, the smallest known human species which live in Indonesia 100,000 years ago. And in 2021, scientists officially recognised the existence of homo longi, a species known as the 'dragon people' found in China. This comes after scientists confirmed the existence of homo floresiensis (pictured), the smallest known human species which lived on an isolated island of Indonesia 50,000 years ago And in 2021, scientists officially recognised the existence of homo longi, a species known as the 'dragon people' found in China. Homo longi had a brain comparable in size to that of modern humans, but sported big, almost square eye sockets, thick brow ridges, a wide mouth and larger teeth. As these discoveries emerge, many researchers now argue that there is a compelling case to reconsider the groupings of some Asian fossils. Writing in Nature Communications, Professor Wu and Dr Bae conclude: 'It is becoming increasingly clear that the eastern Asian hominin fossils are not only increasing in number thanks to new discoveries, but that a greater degree of morphological variation is present than originally assumed or anticipated.' With more than 1 billion meals thrown in the bin globally each day, there's no doubt society needs new ways to cut food waste. Now, scientists say they might have an answer giving food products 'sad' labels to help us empathise with them. Cartoons of sad-looking bananas boost sales of the fruit when they're not in bunches, according to new experiments conducted in German supermarkets. When people go to buy bananas, most are inclined to grab a bunch rather than several single bananas, according to the researchers. This picky consumer preference means single bananas are overlooked, tend to go black and are chucked away, contributing to the food waste problem. The research suggests we feel sorry for food when it's threatened with being thrown in the bin, but this can be alleviated by giving it a 'good home' our stomachs. 'The need to belong is one of the most basic human motivations,' said study author Dr Lisa Eckmann at the University of Bath's retail lab. 'Applying sadness to single, stray bananas evokes a compassionate response from shoppers.' Pictured, 'sad' banana signs are placed above single bananas in an attempt to get shoppers to buy the fruit at a store in Germany. Translated from German, the banana sign says: 'We are sad singles and would like to be bought too' According to the UN, the world wastes 1.05 billion tonnes of food per year a figure expected to double by 2030 and households across all continents waste over 1 billion meals a day. This is a huge environmental problem because when food leftovers rot, they release methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that causes global warming. As part of efforts to tackle the issue, Dr Eckmann worked with researchers in Germany to investigate the effect of 'point-of-sale anthropomorphism' attributing human characteristics to objects for sale. At a large food retailer in Germany called REWE, they gave single bananas their own shelf and set up various signs in front of them 'happy singles', 'sad singles' and 'no emotion'. The 'happy singles' sign featured a banana with a smiley face speaking the words: 'We are happy single bananas who want to be bought as well'. Meanwhile, the 'sad singles' sign had a sad-looking banana saying: 'We are sad singles and would also like to be bought.' Finally, the 'no emotion' had no face at all but included the words: 'Here are single bananas that should be bought as well.' The experiment was conducted over eight days for 12 hours each in two supermarkets of the same chain, yielding 192 hours of data collection. In the shop, single bananas were given one of three signs - 'happy singles', 'sad singles' and 'no emotion' Faced with a pile of loose, unsold single bananas, retailers can motivate customers to buy overlooked fruit by giving it emotional appeal Overall, the researchers covertly observed the purchasing behavior of single bananas of 3,810 customers over the course of 192 hours. On average, the number of single bananas sold per hour was 2.02 when the faceless and emotionless banana sign was displayed. The happy sign, meanwhile, led to an average of 2.13 single bananas being sold per hour only a slight increase in sales. However, the sad banana sign led to an hourly average of 3.19 single bananas sold an increase of 58 per cent compared with the 'no emotion' sign. This suggests consumers do indeed feel sorry for inanimate objects in the supermarket even food items that they will later take home and eat. Previous research has shown single bananas account for the highest amount both of climate impact and of food wasted at retailers. Current food waste avoidance practices explicitly list single bananas as a source of avoidable food waste. Even though ultra-ripe brown and black bananas may not look as appetizing as their less ripe yellow counterparts, they are still fine to eat as long as there's no mould or signs of rotting (such as a funky smell). Further experiments conducted online showed people felt more inclined to purchase 'sad' tomatoes rather than 'happy' tomatoes. Unlike with the bananas, this was not tested in real-life supermarkets However, the researchers also found that discounting the produce was more effective than the sad signs at getting people to choose single bananas. Further experiments conducted online showed people felt more inclined to purchase 'sad' tomatoes rather than 'happy' tomatoes. However, real-life supermarket trials may be needed to confirm the effect extends to the popular salad ingredient, as well as other foods. Previous research has looked at the impact of anthropomorphism to increase consumer acceptance of imperfect produce, such as 'wonky' fruit and veg. However, this is the first study to look at the effect of anthropomorphism on bananas separated from a bunch or tomatoes loose from a vine. The new study, published in the journal Psychology & Marketing, could help supermarkets globally avoid needless food waste and increase sales. 'As far as we know, this is the first study comparing happy and sad expressions on bananas separated from their bunch to look at the impact on sales,' said Dr Eckmann. 'The plight of the single bananas is really relatable and the findings have very practical applications for boosting sales and reducing food waste from our supermarkets. 'The study shows it's an easy, low cost, effective intervention for retailers and policymakers.' A newly discovered asteroid is on a collision course for Earth and will hit our atmosphere in just a matter of hours. The asteroid, designated COWECP5, is forecasted to streak through the sky over Eastern Siberia at 11:14am ET. Scientists say the small space rock, measuring 27 inches in diameter, is expected to burn up in the atmosphere and poses no threat to humans on the ground. The asteroid was spotted by NASAs Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, which was designed to provide scientists with up to a week's notice of impending asteroids. It was detected seven hours before it is due to hit, which is only the 12th time scientists have accurately reported an asteroid before it struck. This event will also marks the fourth asteroid to hit Earth's atmosphere this year. The NASA-funded Kitt Peak National Observatory, a project that tracks near-Earth objects, also spotted the asteroid early Tuesday. Richard Moissl, the head of planetary defense office with the ESA, said Kitt Peak's Aegis system had already calculated the asteroid's 'impact corridor.' The asteroid measures 27 inches in diameter and is expected to shine bright as as it enters the Earth's atmosphere over Siberia The Aegis system is used by the US Navy to identify air and surface threats through radar technology and computer programs and is 'the most capable multi-mission combat system deployed in the world today,' according to Lockheed Martin. Moissl said in a post on X that the system predicts the asteroid will enter the atmosphere about 124 miles east of Lensk, but this is based on its current projected trajectory. Alan Fitzsimmons at Queen's University Belfast in Ireland told New Scientist that the asteroid won't pose a risk to people on the ground. 'It's a small one, but it will still be quite spectacular,' Fitzsimmons said. 'It will be dark over the impact site and for several hundreds of kilometers around there'll be a very impressive, very bright fireball in the sky.' Scientists have assured that the asteroid's small size means it will not do any damage when it hits the ground and there is no need for people to evacuate the area. According to a 2017 study, only asteroids that span at least nearly 60 feet in diameter are potentially lethal if they head toward Earth. The asteroids are also called Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) because they come within 120 million miles of the sun The early sighting of the incoming asteroid is unique in that very few have been spotted before they entered Earth's atmosphere, but Fitzsimmons reported that it is a positive sign that astronomers were able to identify the asteroid so early. Its a win for science, and [for] anybody who happens to be in Siberia this evening,' Fitzsimmons told New Scientist, adding: 'Theres something to take your mind away from the no doubt quite chilly temperatures.' These asteroids are categorized as Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) because they come within 120 million miles of the Sun thanks to the gravitational pull of other nearby planets. As more asteroids are observed, the accuracy with which astronomers can predict where an object will be years or decades in the future improves dramatically. Incredible footage has captured the moment an asteroid smashed through Earth's atmosphere over Siberia. The space rock, designated COWECP5, appeared in the night sky at 11:14pm local time (11:14am ET) hours after NASA's asteroid detection system put out the warning. Locals posted videos on social media showing the asteroid streaking through the night sky and bursting into a ball of flames before disappearing into the abyss. The space rock exploded in a stunning red light over Yakutia, soaring over the bright city lights and was seen firing off flames as it flew over Olekminsk. The emergencies ministry in Yakutia said all official had been placed on alert as the asteroid approached, but noted that no damage had been reported after its descent. 'Residents of Olekminsk and Lensk districts were able to observe in the night a tail similar to a comet and a flash,' it said. A NASA-funded telescope in Arizona identified the asteroid about seven hours prior to impact, revealing it measured about 27 inches in diameter. The asteroid was discovered early Tuesday morning by a NASA-funded telescope. Astronomers predicted the space rock would hit Earth's atmosphere at 11:14am ET The small size meant that it would likely burn up in the atmosphere and posed no threat to people on the ground. COWECP5 is only the 12th time scientists have accurately reported an asteroid before it struck and the fourth to hit our planet this year. The last space rock to make impact was in October over the Pacific Ocean, which followed others in September and January. Residents in the Olekminsky and Lensk districts 'observed a comet-like tail and flares,' sharing some of the first videos of the event. The Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia reported that it went on high alert after reports of the asteroid were released. The agency reported the space rock didn't cause any damages or casualties, writing on Telegram: 'Fortunately, the asteroid passed over the atmosphere. 'The safety of the population's life was not compromised.' The NASA-funded Kitt Peak National Observatory, a project that tracks near-Earth objects, also spotted the asteroid early Tuesday. Richard Moissl, the head of planetary defense office with the ESA, said Kitt Peak's Aegis system had calculated the asteroid's 'impact corridor' and narrowed it down to 125 miles east of Lensk. The Aegis system is used by the US Navy to identify air and surface threats through radar technology and computer programs and is 'the most capable multi-mission combat system deployed in the world today,' according to Lockheed Martin. Many locals in Siberia captured amazing footage of the asteroid breaking through Earth's atmosphere Locals in Siberia captured the asteroid as it streaked through the night sky at the time NASA predicted Ahead of the asteroid's entrance, Alan Fitzsimmons at Queen's University Belfast in Ireland had explained to New Scientist that the asteroid wouldn't pose a risk to people on the ground. 'It's a small one, but it will still be quite spectacular,' Fitzsimmons said. 'It will be dark over the impact site and for several hundreds of kilometers around there'll be a very impressive, very bright fireball in the sky.' According to a 2017 study, only asteroids that span at least nearly 60 feet in diameter are potentially lethal if they head toward Earth. The early sighting of the incoming asteroid was unique in that very few have been spotted before they entered Earth's atmosphere, but Fitzsimmons reported that it is a positive sign that astronomers were able to identify the asteroid so early. The Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia reported that it went on high alert after reports of the asteroid was released 'It's a win for science, and [for] anybody who happens to be in Siberia this evening,' Fitzsimmons told New Scientist, adding: 'There's something to take your mind away from the no doubt quite chilly temperatures.' These asteroids are categorized as Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) because they come within 120 million miles of the Sun thanks to the gravitational pull of other nearby planets. As more asteroids are observed, the accuracy with which astronomers can predict where an object will be years or decades in the future improves dramatically. Renaissance: The Blood And The Beauty (BBC2) Rating: Pull on some hose and doublet before prancing to a lute, or perhaps wave a battleaxe in a muddy field at dawn wearing nothing but woad and furs . . . Thats what the past is meant to look like. Reconstructions for history documentaries are usually low-budget affairs. Dan Snows entertaining guide to the Colosseum last week, for example, may have featured superb aerial and subterranean photography, but that left him with barely enough money for two chubby gladiators whacking each other with wooden weapons till they ran out of breath. No such limitations on Renaissance: The Blood And The Beauty, a three-part overview of how political violence fuelled the reinvention of art in 15th-century Italy. Veteran thesp and Game Of Thrones star Charles Dance presented the show, playing Michelangelo with theatrical relish, all dramatic gestures and growling asides. In a grubby shirt with flounced sleeves, he tousled his white hair till he looked like Boris Johnsons disreputable grandad. At one point, he fingered the blade of a knife as if he were contemplating drastic action, then stabbed it into the wooden table. If you have an actor of Dances magnitude doing the narration, theres no sense in skimping on the sets, and this series has lavish backdrops, crammed with extras. One shot showed us all of Rome, long before that hideous dual carriageway carving across the ruins of the Forum. These depictions were so realistic, and Dances script so closely based on the writings of Michelangelo himself, that it really did begin to feel as though we were hearing the artists voice across the centuries. Renaissance: The Blood And The Beauty is a three-part overview of how political violence fuelled the reinvention of art in 15th-century Italy. (pictured: Raphael played by Joshua Duffy) Renaissance: The Blood and The Beauty. Raphael (Joshua Duffy), Michelangelo (Eddie Mann) and Leonardo da Vinci (Jonny Glynn). I was slightly distracted by the Florentine ruler Lorenzo de Medici, whose lustrous black locks and craggy features made him the spitting image of Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett. My mind wandering as I pondered why there are no prog rock concept albums set in Renaissance Italy, I missed the bit about Michelangelo dissecting cadavers to study how muscles move under the skin, and had to rewind. After 15 minutes, the narrative switched to Milan, where Leonardo da Vinci was painting The Last Supper. This wasnt a speaking role, perhaps because Leonardo had the sulks about Michelangelo being the star of the show. Instead, we had expert commentary from art historians, novelists and two A-list modern artists, Alison Lapper and Sir Antony Gormley. The best line came from writer Sarah Dunant, who lives in Florence: she called Leonardo a magpie on speed, explaining how he collected ideas from everywhere. She also described the demonic friar Girolamo Savonarola as a classic populist who whipped up mob fury by exciting their prejudices. He unleashed a private army of religious police, the Officers of the Night, whose job was to hunt down gay men, and who did it so effectively that half the men in the city were accused of homosexuality. This culminated in the Bonfires of the Vanities, in which much of Florences art was burned. No wonder Michelangelos hair was standing on end. ITV has announced a blockbuster new period drama to rival the BBC's Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light, but unfortunately there's some bad news. Period drama fans have fallen in love with Wolf Hall as they watch Mark Rylance play Thomas Cromwell who spends his final four years as King Henry VIII's political adviser. It is set in the aftermath of the 1536 execution of Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn, as he prepares to wed his third wife, Jane Seymour. Missing from the popular series is the child born from Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn's tumultuous marriage, who eventually ascended the throne - Elizabeth I. However, the famous monarch's early years will be the main focus of ITV's new six-part series Majesty. Instead of a true historical account, Majesty will tell a re-imagined story of Elizabeth's life based on the many conspiracy theories which surrounded her in younger years. Period drama fans have fallen in love with Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light as they watch Mark Rylance play Thomas Cromwell who spends his final four years as King Henry VIII's political advisor It is set right in the aftermath of the 1536 execution of Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn, as he is about to wed his third wife, Jane Seymour Missing from Wolf Hall is Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn's daughter who eventually ascended the throne - Elizabeth I. However, the famous monarch's early years will be the main focus of ITV's new six-part series Majesty The short synopsis peaks potential viewers interest by asking: 'Was the Virgin Queen hiding a profound secret? 'And how did this overlooked, embattled princess become the most powerful ruler England has ever known?' Majesty's writers, Joan Rater, Tony Phelan and William Harper, have not divulged which 'profound secret' the show will explore, but history fans will surely hope for it to be based on a famous conspiracy theory. Elizabeth I became Queen at the age of 25 and was the last monarch of the Tudor dynasty, ruling from 1558 to 1603. After the discovery of a mysterious grave in the mid-19th century, speculation swirled that Queen Elizabeth I of England was, in fact, a man in drag. According to the theory, the real Elizabeth died of a fever in 1542, just a few months away from her ninth birthday. Supposedly, an outbreak of plague in London had forced the young princess and her entourage to seek refuge at Overcourt House near the village of Bisley in the Cotswolds. When her infamously short-tempered father, King Henry VIII, was due to pay a visit, Elizabeth's governess, Lady Katherine Ashley, panicked and replaced the 'dead' heir with a red-haired boy who resembled her after no local girls were deemed passable. Queen Elizabeth I was the daughter of King Henry VIII and his second wife Anne Boleyn ITV's Majesty will tell an alternative story of Elizabeth I's early life focusing on a secret that would of 'rocked England to its foundations' if discovered The theory says that little Elizabeth was buried in an anonymous grave in the grounds of Overcourt House whilst the so-called 'Bisley Boy' would go on to become one of England's most famous monarchs. Many scholars have dismissed the wild claim as misogyny plucked from the idea that a woman could never harness the extraordinary leadership qualities, academic brilliance, and financial acumen that Elizabeth I demonstrated during her reign. Meanwhile, others say the idea holds weight based on the fact she never married, never had children and once told a group of soldiers she had 'the heart and stomach of a king, and king of England too'. Unfortunately, period drama fanatics will likely have to wait until 2026 for Majesty's release as filming is set to commence in 2025 before the lengthy process of post-production begins. Majesty's writers from left to right: William Harper, Joan Rater and Tony Phelan The team at Strong TV and Film from left to right: Matt Tombs, James Strong and Loretta Preece Creators William, Joan and Tony said: 'Majesty is an emotional, funny, and contemporary-feeling alternate history about how three outsiders try to stay alive while hiding a secret that, if discovered, would rock England to its foundations. 'Majesty allows us to have fun with history while illuminating who we are now. 'This show is pure wish-fulfilment of how people devoted to the public good suddenly find themselves in a position to make a difference.' The six-part series will be directed by International Emmy and multi- BAFTA award-winning Director James Strong whose most recent work is the ground-breaking, Mr Bates vs The Post Office, which is ITVs most successful drama in over a decade. James is also renowned for directing internationally successfully dramas, Broadchurch, Liar, Fire Country, The Suspect, Vigil and Vanity Fair. Majesty is being produced by James Strongs newly founded production company, Strong Film and Television, which James formed with fellow television executives Matt Tombs and Loretta Preece. The 47-year-old star said it had been a 'tough' and 'emotional' year James Van Der Beek has broken down in tears as he opened up about his cancer diagnosis and how his family was helping him through it. The 47-year-old Dawson's Creek star revealed last month that he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and had been 'taking steps to resolve it with the support' of his incredible family. Speaking in a Good Morning America interview with Robin Roberts on Tuesday, James's voice broke when he was asked about his wife of 14 years, Kim, being his 'rock.' 'I'm gonna lose it,' he told Robin. 'She's been amazing, she really taught me what unconditional love is. 'And I'm someone who is always in the past tried to do everything for everybody and never asked for help myself, and this has put me in a position of having to ask for help and having to receive help. 'And the beautiful blessing of that has been seeing how many people in my life have shown up.' When asked how he was feeling now, James admitted: 'Physically, I'm great, feeling good... emotionally, it's a lot, it's really a ride.' Referring to when he was first told he had cancer, James recalled: 'I was honestly in shock. I was doing what I thought I needed to do by getting a colonoscopy, I was in amazing cardiovascular shape, eating what I thought was healthy.' James Van Der Beek broke down during an appearance on Good Morning America on Tuesday The actor praised his 'amazing' wife, Kim, and said she had shown him what 'unconditional love' was. The couple is pictured here in September 2023 Physically, Im great. Emotionally, its a lot. Actor James Van Der Beek tells @robinroberts it felt like a nightmare when he was first diagnosed with colorectal cancer. https://t.co/kBwEIEtLCH@vanderjames pic.twitter.com/eom3p49VzA Good Morning America (@GMA) December 3, 2024 'And I had a whole agenda for what I thought my year would be and what I thought my priorities would be in the next couple of weeks and months,' he continued. 'And the reality that all of that was going to change and take a different trajectory, it felt like a nightmare honestly, at first, that I couldn't quite wake up from, it's a lot.' When Robin asked how his optimism was helping him, James explained: 'There are a couple things that I knew. As soon as I got diagnosed I knew, "All right, this is gonna add many happy years to my life, I'm going to make changes that I would have never made otherwise that I'll look back on in 30 years and say, thank god this happened. So what can I do right now in order to make that the case?"' 'And that's how I was about 90 per cent of the time. I would say about 10 per cent I was a sobbing, terrified mess, which I feel like is a pretty good percentage,' he laughed. 'But it's been an exercise in just being present to all of it, and really just allowing the fear to come up and look at it and also say, "Okay, why is this in my prescription? Why are all these emotions coming up? And how can this be great for me?"' Robin then commented on him being able to keep his diagnosis 'private' for 'so long' and asked why he wanted to share his story now. 'A couple things,' he replied. 'I had a tabloid call and say, "We have this story and we're running with it." Fortunately, I had started to put some of the wheels in motion about how I would talk about it. 'I had agreed to do the real Full Monty, a two-hour special on Fox where a bunch of celebrities learn and perform the Full Monty striptease to raise awareness for early cancer detection. James revealed that 'physically' he was 'feeling good' but said it had been a 'tough' and emotional ride 'I thought that would be a really good thing to do, it would be good to support a group of guys. And just having been in the public eye as long as I have, I thought there's going to be a purpose for this. 'I think by sharing this, I can do some good, especially my type of cancer... is twice as prevalent now as it was in the nineties, and younger and healthier people. 'So the more I could get the word out to get tested, get your colonoscopies, get scanned before you even have symptoms. Whatever I can do to get that word out. 'As amazing and cathartic as this year has been, it's been tough. If I can help anybody, if I can spare anyone the experience of my last year, I would want to do that.' When James first announced his cancer diagnosis at the beginning of November, he spoke exclusively to People. In his statement, he said: 'I have colorectal cancer. Ive been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family. Theres reason for optimism, and Im feeling good.' The unexpected death followed the exitsof Sarah Atwood and John Dutton Fans were left outraged after a third character was killed off in new scenes Yellowstone actor Denim Richards has spoken out after angry fans slammed the Paramount Network show for killing off his character Colby Mayfield in shocking season 5B scenes. Colby was tragically killed after getting kicked in the chest by a massive wild stallion that they had been trying to break for the past few episodes. His death is the third to rock the series, and followed the murder of Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri), who hired the company that slayed Montana governor John Dutton (Kevin Costner). While Sarah's death was connected to John's - since she hired the sinister company that made his death look like a suicide Colby's passing was accidental, which made it all the more devastating for viewers. Naturally, fans didn't waste any time in hitting out at the show and creator Taylor Sheridan - for killing off a minor but beloved character, but Denim reasoned with viewers as he addressed his character's fate in a new interview. He said: 'There's definitely been a tremendous outpouring. Yellowstone fan favorite character Colby was killed off in tragic season 5B scenes The cowboy was kicked to death by an unruly stallion in Sunday's episode 'I haven't had the opportunity to read everything, but I've read a lot. And I definitely get it, that it's hard. 'I think everyone has their own way they see the show going. 'People waited 18 months for Yellowstone to come back, and I think some people were hoping to have more of what they've been used to and it's not going in that direction for a lot of them! That's part of it.' Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Denim added that the strong emotional reaction to Colby's death is testament to Yellowstone's great writing. 'I think at the end of all of it, to be emotionally moved by something that is happening on television is a testament to the great writing, great atmosphere and great characters,' he said. 'So once we get passed the emotional state, I think the job is that the death moved people. 'As an artist, that's all I could hope for, that if you do get killed off, people care that your character goes. 'But I definitely appreciate and I'm definitely overwhelmed by the amazing emotional response.' Colby had been trying to distract the horse, but it ended up kicking him in his chest with his hind legs and then started stomping on him with his front hooves Carter quickly ran to fetch a rifle and put down the horse - but it was too late Actor Denim Richards has spoken out after angry fans slammed the Paramount Network show for killing off his character Colby's death took viewers by surprise, especially as the episode began with the cowboy talking on the phone with his girlfriend Teeter (Jennifer Landon), who was in Texas at the 6666 Ranch. They both admitted for the first time that they loved each other in the brief phone conversation before they both got back to work. In recent episodes, the ranch hands had been trying to tame a wild stallion, but it was proving to be so unruly they didn't know what to do with him. In scenes that aired on Sunday night, Carter (Finn Little) was cleaning out the stalls and noticed this wild horse spilled his water. When the young Carter went to return his refilled water bucket, the horse knocked him down and Colby heard his cries for help. Colby instructed him to run out of the stall when he sprinted in, trying to distract the horse, but it ended up kicking Colby in his chest with his hind legs, and then started stomping on him with his front hooves. Carter quickly ran to fetch a rifle and put down the horse, with the gunshot bringing Rip (Cole Hauser) and Lloyd to the barn, where they found Colby dead. Fans didn't hold back their upset online and cursed Taylor for writing Colby out. Taking to X, one blasted: 'F**! Everyone is being killed off!' while another said: 'Didn't see that coming.' Echoing a similar sentiment, another wrote: 'I am devastated right now! What the actual hell Taylor Sheridan!' A fourth raged: 'What in the absolute f**k #YellowstoneTV?!?!? UNNECESSARY!!!!!! #ColbyAndTeeterForever' December 3, 2024: In March 2023 the current leader of Russia, Vladimir Putin, was indicted as a war criminal for kidnapping and taking to Russia over 300,000 Ukrainian children. The youngest ones were adopted by Russian couples while the older ones were sent to foster homes or facilities to live until they were 18 and eligible to leave or be conscripted to fight in the Russian army. Putin is also in trouble for the misbehavior of Russian troops inside Ukraine. Russians have been documented killing civilians and looting homes and businesses. The Ukrainians have been fighting back, including civilians who picked up weapons on a local battlefield. In another incident an elderly Ukrainian gentleman was given an RPG rocket launcher by some passing Ukrainian soldiers and told to use it whenever an opportunity presented itself. That occurred a little later when the Ukrainian civilian with the RPG watched from a window of his home as a Russian fuel truck passed by. This vehicle was part of a supply convoy. The RPG was fired at the fuel truck and on impact the truck burst into flames. The fire spread to several other trucks. No one actually saw who fired the RPG and it was only later, when the Russians were gone that the man with the RPG told neighbors what he had done to the hated Russians. This man was not alone, many other Ukrainians engaging in acts of sabotage against the Russians. Ukrainian civilians aren't the only ones angry at Russia. Recently the Indian government demanded that Russia explain what they were doing with Indian men lured to Russia to take well-paying jobs as security helpers. The Russian recruiters described these jobs as having nothing to do with combat. That was a lie. Indian men who responded soon found themselves in the Russian army and headed for Ukraine. The families of the kidnapped Indian men complained to the Indian government, but the Russians refused to halt their kidnapping program. The new Indian recruits dont speak Russian and do not want to join the Russian army or fight in Ukraine for the Russians. Many of these men probably dont know where they are headed, but they do realize the Russians are unpredictable and that something strange is going on. Russia treats its own soldiers in a similar fashion. The Russian army did not tell Russian soldiers sent into Ukraine in 2022 that they were invading Ukraine. The Russian troops were told they were going somewhere, presumably in Russia, for training exercises. When the Russian soldiers in Ukraine were fired on by Ukrainians there was confusion among many Russian soldiers, but some fired back, and Russian officers were ordered to make sure no Russian soldiers fled. Any who attempted to flee could be shot by their officers. The Indian recruits got the same treatment and quickly figured out that they would live a little longer by following orders to move forward. Over a thousand men were recruited by Russia from Nepal and got the same treatment. Russia is also seizing Central Asian men who came to Russia for jobs. This was because so many working-age Russian men had either been taken by the army, fled Russia or are hiding from conscription, often with the aid of their employers. Russian recruitment techniques were one of the many unusual, to Ukrainians and Westerners, practices that were revealed after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Since 2014 Ukrainians have known that Russian soldiers were unpredictable and suffering from some unexpected problems that made them this way. Further investigation by Ukrainians and their allies revealed that it was failed efforts to reform the Russian army since the 1990s that caused these problems. Since 2014, when Russia first attacked Ukraine and seized Crimea and some other territory in eastern Ukraine, it was unclear what the Russian goals were. Before 2022 Russian leader Vladimir Putin went from talking about Ukraine being absorbed by Russia to sending more and more Russian troops to the Ukrainian border. Putin believed, despite the warnings of senior army officers, that the armys dismal reform efforts since the 1990s had magically worked as nearly half Russias combat units assembled on the Ukrainian border. Reports from the Russian capital, which Ukrainian military leaders believed, indicated the decision had been made to invade despite obvious defects in the training, morale, and equipment of Russian units. Putin believed in his own propaganda and none of his associates was willing to contradict him. The reality of the differences between Russian and Ukrainian forces was soon made clear as the Russian advance was stopped short of its goals and took heavy casualties in the process. Copies of the attack plan, which were only distributed to a few senior commanders leading the attack, showed that the Russians believed they could quickly reach and take the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and replace the government with a pro-Russian one and declare the war over. At that point the rest of Ukraine was supposed to surrender and get used to being Russian once more. Many Russians, especially recent veterans or parents of sons approaching conscription age, knew the truth and were perplexed at the decision to invade when so many soldiers were poorly trained and suffering from low morale. Conscripts, supposedly prohibited by law from service in a war zone, were sent in anyway. Russia played down these losses, but the Ukrainian military maintained and published daily updates of Russian losses in terms of soldiers killed, wounded, or captured as well as equipment losses. After thirty days of fighting the Ukrainians were claiming that over a third of Russian troops sent into Ukraine had been killed, wounded, or captured, with even larger proportions of vehicles and weapons lost. After six weeks the Russian military admitted that losses were heavier than previously acknowledged but would not give exact figures. Currently troop Russian morale is low because they are not fighting to defend Russia but to invade a neighbor. Russian leader Vladimir Putin insists that Ukraine is a separatist portion of Russia that must be reabsorbed and become Russians again. Now, nearly three years into the war, Putin refuses to admit his forces are being defeated and suffering high casualties. Ukrainians disagree with this assessment and few Russians are willing to fight and die to make it happen. This is a serious problem, and the Russian solution is to coerce foreigners to fight in Ukraine. There foreigners do not fight with much enthusiasm and would rather be anywhere but Ukraine or Russia. Since the invasion of Ukraine, nearly a million Russians have left Russia to avoid the war or the economic side effects caused by the extensive economic sanctions. President Vladimir Putin dismisses all this as alarmism and insists that the special operation is proceeding according to plan. It is not, but Putin controls Russian media and demands that only good news be published. That means there are two realities for Russians, one for Russians fight and drying in Ukraine and another for Russian civilians back home who are told the Special Operation is proceeding according to Putins plan. Netflix fans have begged for another series of royal drama The Empress after the second season landed on the streaming site. The Empress charts the remarkable-yet-tragic life of the Duchess Elisabeth of Bavaria, played by German actress Devrim Lingnau. Duchess Elisabeth, known as Sissy, lost her first child in infancy, her second in a murder-suicide and her sister to an accidental fire - before being assassinated by an Italian anarchist. The first series of the royal period drama aired on Netflix back in 2022 - and after a patient two-year wait fans were delighted to see its second season arrive last month. But they were gutted to find that season two had just six episodes of the 'spectacular' series - which was compared to The Crown. Viewers went on to beg for updates on whether the series would be renewed for a third season after its 'emotionally heavy but beautiful' ending. Netflix fans have begged for another series of royal drama The Empress after the second season landed on the streaming site last month The Empress charts the remarkable-yet-tragic life of the Duchess Elisabeth of Bavaria, played by German actress Devrim Lingnau (pictured) Taking to X, formerly Twitter, they wrote: 'Just finished #TheEmpress #Netflix S2 and I'm speechless the ending got me in tears. It was a spectacular season emotionally heavy but so beautiful and I really hope that we will get a S3,'; 'Please, watch The Empress on Netflix. I need season 3 so bad,'; 'Season 3 of The Empress please @netflix,'; 'Just binge watched season 2 of the empress on netflix. It definitely deserves a S-3!!'; 'Only 6 episodes??? Just a teaser!!! I'm heartbroken,'; 'Just finished watching all 6 EPS of the empress NETFLIX I NEED A THIRD SEASON RN,'; 'Absolutely beautifully made, the costumes, the acting, the storyline, Brilliant @netflix. Now for season 3 !!!'; 'Omg... I just watched season 2 of The Empress and I have never cried so hard. This was so relatable to me in a few ways and there was one episode that I struggled to watch all the way through. The pain was so palpable that I felt it hours after I watched it. A must watch for all,'; 'I don't know how they did it but The Empress season 2 is even more beautiful, costume design even better, sets even grander. Netflix Germany you ate that,'; 'The empress on Netflix has me in a chokehold. for all my girlies that love history and a good period drama. also, if you like European travel and are looking to add some places to castle hop. the shooting locations are 10/10,'; Duchess Elisabeth, known as Sissy, lost her first child in infancy, her second in a murder-suicide and her sister to an accidental fire - before being assassinated by an Italian anarchist Fans were gutted to find that season two had just six episodes of the 'spectacular' series - which was compared to The Crown Viewers went on to beg for updates on whether the series would be renewed for a third season after its 'emotionally heavy but beautiful' ending 'Loving The Empress for telling a compelling, visually lush story all in six perfect episodes.'; 'Netflix's THE EMPRESS is for the period drama girlies who live for the (romantic, doomed) aesthetic and it's so PRETTY.' Also known as Sissi, the main character was the Empress of Austria for the latter half of the 19th century after marrying Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary (who will be played by Philip Froissant in the series) when she was just 16. The Netflix drama tells the story of Sissi's devastating life - as well as delving into her obsession with her appearance, and the lengths she went to in order to maintain her looks, having been dubbed the 'loveliest woman in Europe' at the age of 38. The fitness fanatic performed 20 pull-ups every morning, before being laced into corsets to achieve a 19-inch waist and spent her days horse riding or hiking. She also indulged in some less than conventional beauty treatments, including using veal face-masks, bathing in goats' milk, drinking five salted egg whites (which she thought reduced stomach bloating) and washing her tresses in eggs and cognac. However, her larger-than-life approach to her looks are just one part of the royal's remarkable character and story. Empress Elisabeth of Austria, Queen of Hungary by marriage to Emperor Franz Joseph I, was born into the royal Bavarian House of Wittelsbach. The first series of the royal period drama aired on Netflix back in 2022 - and after a patient two-year wait fans were delighted to see its second season arrive last month The Netflix drama tells the story of Sissi's devastating life - as well as delving into her obsession with her appearance Nicknamed Sisi (also Sissi), she enjoyed an informal upbringing before marrying Emperor Franz Joseph I at the age of 16. The marriage thrust her into the much more formal Habsburg court life, for which she was unprepared and which she found uncongenial. Early in the marriage she was at odds with her mother-in-law, Archduchess Sophie, who took over the rearing of Elisabeth's daughters, one of whom, Sophie, died in infancy. The death of her only son and his mistress Mary Vetsera in a murdersuicide at his hunting lodge at Mayerling in 1889 was a blow from which Elisabeth never recovered. In 1897, her sister, Duchess Sophie in Bavaria, died in an accidental fire at the 'Bazar de la Charite' in Paris. Meanwhile, while travelling in Geneva in 1898, she was mortally wounded by an Italian anarchist named Luigi Lucheni, who stabbed her in the heart. Drew Barrymore fans have declared that she has finally met her match with actress Cynthia Erivo as the pair naturally engaged in physical touch throughout their interview. While E.T. alum Drew, 49, has often been labeled as 'cringe' for getting up close and personal with her guests, she was able to lean into her love of platonic intimacy when the Wicked actress appeared on her talk show in scenes due to air on December 10. Over the past few weeks, Cynthia, 37, has been making headlines alongside her costar, Ariana Grande, after a series of bizarre interviews during the Wicked press tour - including a strange finger-holding moment. However, in her chat with Drew, Cynthia spoke about her strong physical connection with Ariana and how they often communicate through touch - all while holding onto Drew's hand. 'I think I'm sort of used to it now,' she said. 'If it's not like connected, I'm like, what's wrong? What's happening? Where are you? You know what I mean?' 'We always end up... we walk hand-in-hand very often. 'Like, if we're not walking hand-in-hand, we'll find each other somewhere.' Drew Barrymore fans have declared Cynthia Erivo as 'her perfect guest' after the duo held each others hands and discussed the importance of physical contact Wicked actress Cynthia held onto Drew's hands as she talked about her relationship with costar Ariana Grande After Drew who was recently pushed away by Martha Stewart for getting too close mid-interview spoke about not being able to hold back from 'holding hands, hugging, snuggling,' Cynthia said that many people were 'a bit afraid of physical connection.' 'I think we assume that physical connection can only be romantic,' Cynthia said. 'I think we don't realize that how we communicate sometimes is by physical touch. 'Like sometimes you can't say anything and you're in a room and you're like, I just that it's just like a squeeze of hand and that's sometimes how she and I communicate, we might be talking to someone or I might need to, like, communicate something to her. 'And... it's just a squeeze of the hand or just like a pinch of a finger, you know, or a hug. It just, you know... however we need to communicate, it is how we need to communicate. 'And I think we don't give enough credit to how we communicate with our friends physically.' Drew was in her element, and wrapped up the chat by adding: 'If we could all be more comfortable with physical touch, I would like that world!' Viewers reveled in Drew's interview with Cynthia and quickly described the actress as the host's 'dream guest,' with some also praising the duo for talking about the need for platonic intimacy. Cynthia said: 'We don't give enough credit to how we communicate with our friends physically' Drew ended the interview by calling for people to be more 'comfortable' with physical touch Taking to Instagram, one said: 'This one is for all the people who think Drew is "cringe" with her physical touch on the show! I love this and relate so much.' Another wrote: 'This is Drew's dream guest!' 'Perfect guest for Drew, she gets it!' a third penned. A fourth continued: 'This is the most important interview they've done I think.' A fifth wrote: 'As an Italian woman, I feel very seen right now physical touch is a way to express emotion, connection, understanding, empathy.' 'Yes, THIS!!!! So many of us feel this way and for people who are single and thrive off physical contact, it can be difficult when that need is not getting fulfilled. I hug everyone and I'm not sorry for it.' Drew's affectionate interview with Cynthia comes just weeks after Martha Stewart pushed her away mid-chat after the television host started stroking her shoulder. The businesswoman's appearance on the show went slightly awry when Drew bit her finger and playfully asked Martha: 'What makes you soft and gooey?' Eventually, Martha replied: 'Soft and gooey treatment.' 'Soft and gooey treatment?' mom-of-two Drew repeated, as she proceeded to start caressing her guest's arm. 'When you're treated like a lady?' 'It's nice,' Martha confirmed. 'When someone comes in,' Drew continued, but before she could complete her sentence Martha batted her away while declaring: 'You're the wrong gender!' 'I know, I know,' the E.T. actress relented as she dramatically fell back on the sofa. 'Although, the way it's going with men though, Martha, I'm not so sure anymore.' Hollywood icon Shirley MacLaine is on the lookout for a new personal assistant who can fulfil a very specific requirement - to enjoy a 'cocktail' with her every evening. The 90-year-old actress - who recently released a photographic memoir - appears to be in a particularly reflective mood of late, with insiders telling DailyMail.com that whoever lands the job would need to be able to 'discuss her movies and career' while they sip their tipples. With a celebrated career that has seen her shine bright onscreen as well as on Broadway, Shirley certainly has an abundance of tales to share with a future staffer. 'Shirley recently asked friends if they could recommend a personal assistant for her,' the insider exclusively revealed. 'She gave her pals a short list of requirements for the job. 'The main qualifications she has required are that the applicants need to be available for a cocktail with her at 5pm, and then be able to discuss her movies and career. Night after night.' Naturally, the Steel Magnolias actress was asked by pals if there were any other qualities she would love her future assistant to have. Hollywood icon Shirley MacLaine is on the lookout for a new personal assistant who can 'have a cocktail' with her every evening Whoever lands the job would need to be able to 'discuss her movies and career' while they enjoy their tipples The source added: 'When one of her circle asked if there was anything else involved, the Oscar winner shrugged and said she thought that would be enough.' On top of getting to spend quality time enjoying a drink with the acting legend, the actress has promised to be 'very generous' when it to comes to pay - which will be negotiable. Shirley won't be the first star to pay a handsome figure in order to compensate an assistant with an unusual demand. Rap legend Snoop Dogg made headlines when it was revealed that he has a full time blunt roller who he pays $50,000 per year. Pop diva Mariah Carey was reported to have demanded a 'staircase assistant' when making an appearance on British comedian Alan Carr's The Friday Night Project. Lady Gaga allegedly demanded her former friend and assistant Jennifer O'Neill be on call 24/7 - and even sleep in the same bed. Robert de Niro's requests for his former PA Graham Chase Robinson were not well received, with the actor forced to pay her after it was revealed in court that he treated her like an 'office wife' - asking her to perform menial tasks including washing his sheets and scratching his back. Earlier this year, Shirley made headlines over the extremely candid revelations she shared in her photographic memoir, The Wall Of Life: Pictures And Stories From This Marvelous Lifetime. A source told DailyMail.com: 'When one of her circle asked if there was anything else involved... she thought that would be enough' A source explained: 'The applicants need to be available for a cocktail with her at 5pm, and then be able to discuss her movies and career. Night after night' She divulged all about her love life, which has seen her linked to famous names from Hollywood heartthrob Robert Mitchum to Soviet filmmaker Andrei Konchalovsky. Many of her affairs overlapped with her open marriage to businessman Steve Parker, who was her husband from 1952 until their divorce in 1984. Earlier this year, Shirley, 90, made headlines due to the extremely candid revelations in her photographic memoir, The Wall Of Life: Pictures And Stories From This Marvelous Lifetime However, the Terms of Endearment actress also noted that not every star she liked reciprocated her feelings. Under a picture of herself with Morgan Freeman, she wrote: 'I propositioned him and he turned me down.' Morgan achieved his Hollywood breakthrough in 1989 with a string of movies including the drama Driving Miss Daisy, for which he earned an Oscar for best actor. At that stage, he was already with his second wife Myrna Colley-Lee, whom he was married to from 1984 until their divorce in 2010. By 1989, Shirley had been a star for decades, making her bones on Broadway first and then launching her screen career in 1955 with her movie debut The Trouble With Harry, a black comedy directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Although Morgan and Shirley have both been Hollywood staples for over 35 years, and he is just three years her junior, they have never starred in a movie together. Elsewhere in the book, Shirley wrote that she slept with all her leading men - except for Jack Lemmon and Jack Nicholson. She also waxed rhapsodic about Nicolas Cage, her costar in the 1994 movie Guarding Tess, but noted they never had a sexual connection. Married At First Sight star Rebecca Zemek has suffered a miscarriage while expecting her second child. The Perth-based influencer, 31, shared a clip to Instagram in which she informed her 99,000 followers she and her fiance Ben Michell had lost the baby. 'I can't get my words and thoughts together, so I'll just write them. At a routine check up, I experienced a silent miscarriage in my second trimester,' Beck began. 'The next moments were surreal. The baby had stopped growing, but my body hadnt realised yet. There were decisions to be made. Decisions no one prepares you for. Decisions that make the whole thing feel painfully real.' Beck said the mother's body continues to prepare for birth even after the foetus has lost its viability. 'Your belly is still round, your hormones still remind you of pregnancy, and yet, you mentally have to come to terms that life has ended. Married At First Sight star Rebecca Zemek (pictured) has made the heartbreaking announcement she has suffered a miscarriage while pregnant with her second child 'I was caught in a limbo. No longer pregnant, but not ready to say goodbye. Its a grief like no other, but what Ive come to realise is the love I felt for that tiny life is real, no matter how brief it was. 'We're just going to try to heal and work through this and move forward.' She thanked her family and friends for supporting her during the difficult time, just two weeks after she and Ben hosted a baby shower in Perth to celebrate her pregnancy. The event featured a host of reality stars gathering to celebrate the joyous news, including Beck's MAFS co-star Booka Nile and My Kitchen Rules alum Hannah Campbell. Many of Beck's MAFS friends quickly took to the comment section to offer their words of support. 'I am so sorry. Sending you so much love,' wrote Alisha Aitken-Radburn. 'So sorry angel. Love you,' added Sara Mesa. 'So proud of you for speaking about this publicly. Your pain is someone else's healing and us with platforms need to use our voices. I love you and so proud to call you my friend. Youve got this honey,' Lauren Dunn chipped in. The Perth-based influencer, 31, recently shared a clip to Instagram in which she informed her 99,000 followers of the tragic news. Pictured with her fiance Ben Michell The tragic news came just two weeks after Beck and Ben hosted a star-studded baby shower in Perth, to celebrate the pregnancy: Pictured together with their two-year-old daughter Immy Beck rose to fame on MAFS in 2021 where she was unsuccessfully paired with Jake Edwards. Their union failed after she cheated on him with her ex-boyfriend during filming. Beck and Ben welcomed their first daughter, Immy, in May 2022. Shortly after giving birth, Beck said she was not immediately trying to lose weight. She said during an Instagram Q&A that new mothers should 'stop putting pressure on your body to do more than it just did'. Beck then referenced four photos she had posted earlier in the day of her postpartum body one to four weeks after giving birth. 'The pics you saw were pics of my uterus going down, not me losing weight,' she added. Love Island Australia star Phoebe Thompson has put a call out for 'raw milk dealers' Down Under, saying she's too frightened to drink 'crappy' pasteurised cow milk. The influencer, 31, said she used to drink almond milk until she discovered the 'scary' ingredients used to make it, and she now wishes to 'transition' to drinking raw milk. In an Instagram post, shared by influencer watchdog Amber Paul this week, Phoebe said she was concerned pasteurised milk would give her 'acne and inflammation', but seems unaware of the dangers of drinking raw milkwhich contains dangerous bacteria. 'Transitioning from almond milk to cows milk is so scary,' the former reality TV contestant began her lengthy message, sharing an image of her hand holding a milky iced coffee. 'I've always associated dairy with skin issues like acne and inflammation so I try and only consume goat cheese, feta, and halloumi on occasion. 'The more research I do, it appears it's what they do to the dairy, and how they treat the cows that makes it crappy.' Love Island Australia star Phoebe Thompson, 31, (pictured) has put a call out for 'raw milk dealers' Down Under, saying she's too frightened to drink 'crappy' pasteurised cow milk Phoebe went on to say she hasn't 'drank milk since I was a kid', but is now so scared of the ingredients used in almond milk that she doesn't want to drink the alternative any longer. She added that she's been slowly transitioning back to cow milk by eating foods like Greek yoghurt and Parmesan cheese 'because it's unpasteurised', but is scared of making the leap to drinking pasteurised milk. 'I would love to try raw milk but it's literally illegal to sell in supermarkets in Australia I'm pretty sure, but you can buy alcohol and cigarettes on every street corner,' she said. 'I seen so many people's stories about how raw milk healed gut issues. So, I'm looking for a raw milk dealer if anyone knows where I can get it.' Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Phoebe's representatives for comment. According to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), pasteurisation is a process that heats milk to a specific temperature for a set period of time, killing bacteria responsible for diseases. A risk assessment performed by FSANZ in 2009 deemed the risks from drinking raw cow milk were 'too great' to change the processing requirements for cow milk in the Food Standards Code. The consumption of raw milk can bring on illnesses caused by bacteria such as Campylobacter, Listeria, Salmonella, and pathogenic Escherichia coli. The influencer said she used to drink almond milk until she discovered the 'scary' ingredients used to make it, and she now wishes to 'transition' to drinking raw milk In an Instagram post, shared by influencer watchdog Amber Paul this week, Phoebe said she was concerned pasteurised milk would give her 'acne and inflammation', but seems unaware of the dangers of drinking raw milkwhich contains dangerous bacteria Raw milk, which is illegal to sell for consumption in Australia, can also include parasites like Cryptosporidium. Those who contract an illness caused by these bacteria and parasitesand are otherwise healthymay face renal failure, paralysis or even death. Young children, elderly people, people with compromised immune systems, and pregnant women have an increased vulnerability to diseases caught from raw milk. FSANZ says pasteurisation is currently the safest way to guarantee the harmful bacteria in raw milk is killed off completely, as 'even extremely good hygiene procedures will not ensure dangerous pathogens are absent'. Some foods, such as certain cheeses and yoghurts, are able to use unpasteurised milk as an ingredient, so long as they meet certain requirements approved by FSANZ, because the cooking process 'has a similar outcome to pasteurisation in that it reduces pathogens'. According to CSIRO, raw milk contaminated by bacteria has caused several outbreaks of disease across the world in recent decades. In Australia, raw milk contaminated by bacteria such as Campylobacter and Salmonella caused at least nine outbreaks of disease between 1997 and 2008, leading to 117 cases of illness. Margot Robbie feared she would be arrested after she 'walloped' Leonardo DiCaprio while auditioning for The Wolf of Wall Street. The Australian star revealed the scene they were rehearsing was meant to end in a kiss but she spontaneously thought of something more dramatic. The last line from DiCaprio was, 'Come over here and kiss me.' 'And in my head I was like, "I could totally kiss Leonardo DiCaprio. That would be awesome," Robbie recalled during an episode of the Talking Pictures podcast. 'I can't wait to tell all of my friends this.' 'And then I was like nah. And just walloped him in the face. 'And it was dead silence for what felt like an eternity but was probably three seconds,' recounted the actress, who was 22 years old at the time. Margot Robbie thought she would be arrested after she slapped Leonardo DiCaprio while auditioning for The Wolf of Wall Street The Australian star revealed that the two were supposed to be reading a kissing scene when she decided a slap would be more dramatic. (Robbie and DiCaprio pictured in film) 'And then they just burst out laughing. Leo and Marty (director Martin Scorsese) were laughing so hard, they said, "That was great."' Despite that positive feedback, Margot immediately feared the worst from her wild improvisation. 'I was like, "You're going to get arrested, I'm pretty sure that's assault, battery,"' she thought at the time. 'Not only will you never work again, but actually you will go to jail for this, you idiot. And also, why did you have to do it so hard? You could have done it lighter.' It comes after the stunning actress revealed that she prompted Di Caprio to watch some episodes of Neighbours; the Aussie soap where she got her start. The blonde bombshell said: 'When I started on [The] Wolf [of Wall Street], Leo and Martin Scorsese had heard of Neighbours and were aware of what it was, but they hadn't seen any episodes. 'So he went onto YouTube and watched a few clips.' George Shelley has revealed that a major artery in his throat was slashed during botched surgery to remove his tonsils earlier this year. The X Factor star, 31, explained how he was trapped in hospital for a week during which time former Union J bandmate Jaymi Hensley's fiance Oliver Marmon tragically died. Oliver, 33, died after plummeting 30ft from the third floor of a three-star Hind Hotel in Wellingborough, Northampton, on August 12, just weeks ahead of his wedding to Jaymi. George told The Sun: 'It's been a really tough year to be honest. I had my tonsils out and my artery was cut in two and I was in hospital for a week. 'I lost a lot of blood and during that I was bereaved, my bandmate's fiance Olly, and dealing with grief again.' In 2017 George's sister Harriet tragically died at the age of just 21, after she was hit by a car and suffered serious head injuries. George Shelley, 31, has revealed that a major artery in his throat was slashed during botched surgery to remove his tonsils earlier this year. The X Factor star explained how he was trapped in hospital for a week during which time former Union J bandmate Jaymi Hensley's fiance Oliver Marmon tragically died (L-R Oliver and Jaymi) George said: 'It's been a really tough year to be honest. I had my tonsils out and my artery was cut in two and I was in hospital for a week, 'I lost a lot of blood and during that I was bereaved' (Pictured with Jaymi and Oliver) Speaking about how pal Jaymi has dealt with his grief he said: 'I'm so proud of him. He's kept working. He's creating happiness for himself by performing and that's what Olly loved with Jaymi. He was a really great rock for me during my grief and I want to be that for him.' Jaymi spent more than a decade and in September took to Instagram to say that the couple's wedding turned into the date of his Oliver's funeral. He wrote: 'This is the first photo from the night I met you! Tomorrow should have been the happiest day of our lives, we should have been saying our vows and saying I do, but instead it will be the day I lay you to rest. 'I will never be ready, I miss you so much! I love you more than I've ever loved any one.' An inquest into Oliver's death was opened this month, and adjourned until March 12 by the assistant coroner for Northamptonshire, Hassan Shah. He said the 'provisional cause of death is head injuries, pending further tests', and the body had been released to his family. Hairstylist Oliver and Jaymi had been in a relationship since 2009 with the loved-up couple announcing their engagement in 2014. They met when they were both aged 18 and recently shared smiling selfies of themselves on Instagram on trips to Norway and France. In 2017 George's sister Harriet tragically died at the age of just 21, after she was hit by a car and suffered serious head injuries. Oliver, 33, died after plummeting 30ft from the third floor of a three-star Hind Hotel in Wellingborough, Northampton, on August 12, just weeks ahead of his wedding to Jaymi Union J in 2014 (L-R) JJ Hamblett, George Shelley, Josh Cuthbert and Jaymi Hensley The couple were due to wed on September 24, with Jaymi last year using a quote from the late Queen Elizabeth II to describe Oliver as his 'strength and stay' during their 14-year relationship. In 2018 George admitted he came close to suicide after losing his sister, revealing he became agoraphobic and was put on anti-depressants in the aftermath of her death. Speaking about the stigma of mental illness and bereavement, George was asked if he had ever considered suicide, to which he replied: 'I mean, I was in a... I don't want to say the words because I don't even want to think that myself, but I wasn't well and that's the honest truth of it. 'I was seeing a therapist. He recommended anti-depressants three times, by the third time he said, "this is it, come on, George," and I was afraid of what people would think of me. 'By the third time I accepted it. Understanding what you're going through and knowing these things are there to help you for the time-being. 'The medication and support with medical professionals helps you, it clears the path for you. In 2018 George admitted he came close to suicide after losing his sister, revealing he became agoraphobic and was put on anti-depressants in the aftermath of her death (pictured together) Harriet, 21, was killed on April 28, 2017, after she suffered fatal head injuries outside the O2 Academy in Bristol shortly before midnight, as she ran out into the road 'It's helped me learn how to talk about it, I go to a siblings retreat where siblings who've lost their brothers and sisters meet up.' George also spoke about how he became agoraphobic towards the end of last year as it drew nearer to Harriet's birthday, which was on Christmas Day. Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder in which you fear and avoid places or situations that might cause you to panic and make you feel trapped, helpless or embarrassed. He said: 'Towards the end of last year I was in a really rubbish place I needed to get out of that. 'My sister's birthday was Christmas day, so getting past that as a family was really testing. Andy Cohen has spoken out about the Vanderpump Rules reboot - with only Lisa Vanderpump returning and a completely new cast. The Watch What Happens Host broke his silence on the shake up during his SiriusXM show Andy Cohen Live. 'Bravo announced, or word got out, that they are revamping the show and I have to say, this is, first of all, the absolute right thing to do,' Andy said on his podcast. Adding: 'I am so impressed with how production kept the show going over the last, I'm going to say four years, when slowly but surely none of them were working at SUR.' Andy added that 'the entire point of the show morphed and changed as it went on.' Vanderpump Rules stars Tom Sandoval, Ariana Madix, Scheana Shay, Tom Schwartz, Katie Maloney, James Kennedy and Lala Kent, along with Lisa. Andy Cohen has spoken out about the Vanderpump Rules reboot - with only Lisa Vanderpump returning and a completely new cast While James Kennedy occasionally DJ'd at the restaurant he has now left for a Las Vegas residency and is finding 'great success.' He noted the the other castmates are 'all having good success as well outside of SUR.' The host said that the way season 11 ended was 'the perfect way to say goodbye to the cast.' 'If you look at the last episode of the last season, it really did, watch the last ten minutes of five minutes, it felt like an absolute series finale. So congratulations,' Andy noted. Last week it was revealed that Vanderpump Rules was being renewed for season 12 - but with the news that it would be a new cast via TMZ. The outlet reported that the cast was notified one day prior to their reporting, and were not surprised. Previous cast members also include Stassi Schroeder, Raquel Leviss, Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright. The new cast consists of 'close-knit SUR-vers who are as complicatedly involved with one another as their iconic predecessor,' the network said as they announced the show's renewal. Lisa will be returning and the upcoming season will begin filming next year. The new cast and premiere date will be announced down the road. 'What a thrill it is to build on the legacy of this series by doing it all over again,' executive producer Alex Baskin said in the statement. 'With profound appreciation for the original group and their iconic run, we cant wait for the audience to see a dynamic new group of co-workers and friends make their way through life together,' he said. 'Bravo announced, or word got out, that they are revamping the show and I have to say, this is, first of all, the absolute right thing to do,' Andy said on his podcast; Lisa Vanderpump, Jax Taylor, Katie Maloney, Stassi Schroeder, Tom Sandoval, Kristen Doute, and Stassi Schroeder in season one of Vanderpump Rules TMZ reports that the original cast learned about the show's new direction last night Sandoval, Madix, Scheana, Rachel Leviss, and James Kennedy pictured in 2018 'Under Lisa Vanderpumps watchful eye, the West Hollywood mainstay SUR and now TomTom welcomes the next batch of servers, hosts and bartenders rife with plenty of drama, situationships and frenemies,' the release noted. Lisa stated in the announcement: 'The last 12 years of filming have been an extraordinary run full of laughter, tears and everything in between. I cant thank enough those who have shared their lives. 'How I love you all. In the restaurant business, one shift always gives way to another. Cheers to the next generation of Vanderpump Rules,' she said. Additionally, the show 'will celebrate the past decade of heartbreaks, friendship rifts and scandals with a retrospective special highlighting the past 11 seasons', the release states. Cynthia Erivo spoke about her strong physical connection with Wicked co-star Ariana Grande, and how they often communicate through touch. The actress, 37, shared about her and Grande's, 31, bond in a teaser clip for her upcoming appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, set to air on December 10. Speaking of their connection, she said: 'I think I'm sort of used to it now. If it's not like connected, I'm like, what's wrong? What's happening? Where are you? You know what I mean?' 'We always end up... we walk hand-in-hand very often. Like, if we're not walking hand-in-hand, we'll find each other somewhere,' she added. After Drew who was recently pushed away by Martha Stewart for getting too close mid-interview spoke about not being able to hold back from 'holding hands, hugging, snuggling,' Cynthia said that many people are 'a bit afraid of physical connection.' 'I think we assume that physical connection can only be romantic,' she said. Cynthia Erivo, 37, spoke about her strong physical connection with Wicked co-star Ariana Grande, 31, and how they often communicate through touch The actress shared about her and Grande's bond in a teaser clip for her upcoming appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, set to air on December 10; seen with Ariana November 14 in NYC She continued: 'I think we don't realize that how we communicate sometimes is by physical touch.' 'Like sometimes you can't say anything and you're in a room and you're like, I just that it's just like a squeeze of hand and that's sometimes how she and I communicate, we might be talking to someone or I might need to, like, communicate something to her.' 'And I'm, it's just a squeeze of the hand or just like a pinch of a finger, you know, or a hug. It just, you know, whatever we, however we need to communicate, it is how we need to communicate.' 'And I think we don't give enough credit to how we communicate with our friends physically.' Ariana and Cynthia have been turning heads for weeks after a series of bizarre interviews during the Wicked press tour - and recently yet another cringeworthy moment has caught fans' attention. In another bizarre clip, which went viral on X, formerly known as Twitter, Cynthia broke down in tears over wearing her character Elphaba's green makeup on set. The two women sat down with a reporter for Pink News last week to promote their highly-anticipated movie adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical. During the interview, Cynthia appeared visually emotional as she explained that removing the green makeup everyday made her feel more comfortable in her own appearance. The clip showed Ariana, who also appeared emotional over the comment, clutching Cynthia's hand and breathlessly praising her beauty. Film fans had a lot to say about the clip, with some joking the interview looked like 'an emotional support group', while others said the uncomfortable press tour has turned them off going to see the movie. Speaking of their connection, she shared: 'I think I'm sort of used to it now. I'm sort of, if it doesn't, if it's not like connected, I'm like, what's wrong? What's happening? Where are you?' 'We always end up... we walk hand-in-hand very often. Like, if we're not walking hand in hand, we'll find each other somewhere,' she added; she and Ariana seen April 10 Cynthia said that many people are 'a bit afraid of physical connection' adding, 'I think we assume that physical connection can only be romantic'; seen November 18 in London She added that sometimes they communicate with 'just a squeeze of the hand or just like a pinch of a finger, you know, or a hug' Cynthia said: 'I am a person and I feel, and I have feelings, and I can share them.' Ariana interjected saying: 'And if you need to cry right now, you cry.' The actor continued: 'Someone said to me once that the green was what I loved the most about Elphaba and I would want to stay green, but actually being green, yes, I loved playing this character but every time I took the makeup off I loved who I was even more. Through tears she added: 'So I have come away feeling really beautiful.' Ariana added: 'You f***ing are! Holy sh**, you know?' At the end of the clip the reporter explained it was her first junket and the pair praised her efforts. Ariana said: 'Well you have been the light of the day, you have been a gift.' Cynthia added: 'You brought such light into the room, thank you very much for coming into this room today, we needed you to come in.' Taking to social media, movie fans claimed the awkward interaction turned them off seeing the flick in the cinema. One person wrote: 'Im old enough to remember when press junkets made you want to go see the film. Another added: 'I'm so turned off by the advertising of this film. I refuse to see it.' Another said: 'Wow.Im going to not watch this even more than I was planning on not watching it.' Someone else added: 'Youd think these two idiots had just worked out a cure for cancer.' Ariana and Cynthia have been traveling the globe together over the last few weeks to promote their roles in the long-awaited flick, which hit theaters on Friday, November 22. They have participated in a slew of interviews and red carpet events in the lead-up to the film's release, but have continuously faced scrutiny over their behavior throughout the press. They have participated in a slew of interviews and red carpet events in the lead-up to the film's release, but have continuously faced scrutiny over their 'cringeworthy' behavior; seen November 5 Their long-awaited flick hit theaters on Friday, November 22; seen in a still In particular, many social media users have commented on the fact that the women often break down in tears while discussing the movie. During an appearance on the Heart Breakfast show this week, Cynthia explained why they often become emotional. 'Every interview I've read of you and Ariana, it just says that you end up in tears all the time,' host Amanda Holden said to Cynthia. 'We do. 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,' Cynthia responded. 'We can't help it, we get very emotional about it.' A 'nude artist' and an 'eyebrow queen' walk into a wedding... It sounds like a joke - but there's no punchline. In fact, anyone clued into the drama within Sydney's elite social scene would half expect sparks to fly. You see, the eyebrow queen, Kristin Fisher, and the nude artist, Dina Broadhurst, haven't been getting along well lately, to put it delicately. About eight months ago, the two women, both fixtures of the eastern suburbs socialite set, reportedly had an almighty falling-out that sent shockwaves through their friendship group. It's an all too familiar story: the Double Bay salon owner, 39, and the renowned art collector, 46, supposedly went to war over a man. In the wake of their feud, the once-inseparable duo stopped attending the same events and maintained an icy wall of silence. So onlookers were surprised to see Kristin and Dina smiling, laughing and joined at the hip once more as they attended the ritzy wedding of Pilates instructor Bernadette Fahey and property developer Jordan Sukkar in the leafy grounds of Scots College on Saturday. A 'nude artist' and an 'eyebrow queen' walk into a wedding... It sounds like a joke - but that's exactly what happened when formerly warring socialites Dina Broadhurst (left) and Kristin Fisher (right) reunited at the wedding of Bernadette Fahey and Jordan Sukkar in Sydney on Saturday Onlookers were surprised to see Kristin and Dina smiling, laughing and joined at the hip once more, after reportedly falling out over a man about eight months ago What happened, I hear you ask? Well, Dina is suddenly single again - having broken up with her boyfriend, the appliances heir John Winning Jr, the morning of the wedding. Without a man driving a wedge between them, the two ladies seemed all too happy to let bygones be bygones as they sipped champagne and posed for selfies in the bathroom like the previous eight months of hostility had been nothing but a bad dream. While it's impossible to know what they talked about, you can hazard a guess they discussed more than just their revealing outfits. Dina had begun dating John Jr back in March and went public with their romance in May. Only weeks later it was reported her friendship with Kristin had abruptly ended. In the lead-up to their rift, the two women were single and attending many of the same events together. But after their falling-out, they kept their distance for months. But whatever happened between them seems to be water under the bridge. Not only did our snapper spy them laughing and chatting at the wedding, but they also formalised the end of their rift by hitting the bathroom for a series of Instagram selfies. Dina turned heads at the star-studded event in a sheer red dress, with a G-string-inspired under-layer showing off her bottom while a thigh split served plenty of leg. Whatever happened between them seems to be water under the bridge. Not only did our snapper spy them laughing and chatting at the wedding, but they also formalised the end of their rift by hitting the bathroom for a series of Instagram selfies Meanwhile, Kristin put on a very busty display in a dark green silk dress, both plunging and backless, complete with daring cut-outs on the sides. As for her break-up with John Jr, sources told Daily Mail Australia that Dina eventually came to the realisation their lifestyles were not compatible after eight months together. They appear to have confirmed their split by unfollowing each other on Instagram. Dina and John Jr, the son of appliances mogul John Winning Snr whose family is worth an estimated $700million, had confirmed their romance earlier this year when they attended a rave in California together. She 'soft-launched' him by featuring him in one of her social media posts. At the time, the pair was said to be 'smitten' with each other. However, sources say Dina has grown out of her relationship with the fun-loving businessman. John took over as CEO of Winning Appliances in 2011 at the age of 22 and steered the business in a new direction with Appliances Online, which is now Australia's largest online retailer for appliances. The family business was started by his great-grandfather Richard William Winning in 1906 with the trading name R.W. Winning & Co and has become a leading kitchen and laundry appliance specialist. As well as running Winning Appliances, John is also an experienced sailor who won line honours with his crew on board Andoo Comanche in the 2022 Sydney to Hobart yacht race. The skipper sailed the race alongside his father John Winning Sr, who previously won the Sydney to Hobart line honours back in 1976. In his spare time, John is an adrenaline fiend with a love for skydiving. He is also a DJ and has performed for crowds on lavish yachts, in Ibiza nightclubs and even at Glastonbury. John reportedly lives in an eclectic Surry Hills bachelor pad featuring its own private nightclub, a see-through smoking room and a swimming pool. Dina was previously in a relationship with Max Shepherd, 31, but it emerged in June 2023 they had parted ways after four-and-a-half years together. Following the break-up, the socialite was briefly linked to property investor Tony Benjamin before taking up with John Jr. What happened, I hear you ask? Well, Dina is suddenly single again - having broken up with her boyfriend, the appliances heir John Winning Jr (left), the morning of the wedding December 3, 2024: The September 17th mass exploding pager attack against Hezbollah did enormous damage to the Iran-backed anti-Israel group. The pager attack, and the next day exploding walkie-talkie attack, were planned several years in advance. Israeli secret intelligence agency Mossad came up with the idea, and apparently several more that have not been implemented yet. Within Mossad there were disagreements of detonating the pagers and walkie-talkies because both were also being used to collect information on where Hezbollah members were and what they were up to. The pagers could be tracked and their messages retried by Mossad. Same deal with the walkie-talkies. Some Mossad members pointed out that these were valuable sources of information about what Hezbollah was up to. By detonating these devices Mossad killed about 40 Hezbollah members and put nearly 3,000 in the hospital, some with missing hands, fingers or other waist-level body parts. After the attack a paranoid and terrified Hezbollah went back to using couriers to communicate. If an Iranian embassy or consulate was nearby, their encrypted messaging capabilities could be used. These facilities were limited in number and were no replacement for the missing pagers and walkie-talkies. Hezbollah was encouraged to buy 5,000 Gold Apollo AR924 pagers because they were compact, weighing 133 g and had a long lasting lithium ion battery. Recharging took 150 minutes and power lasted nearly three months. The four line LCD display showed brief text messages on the 73mm x 50mm x 27mm device. You could hold the pager in the palm of your hand to read messages. That is why so many users lost hands or were blinded when the pagers exploded. After the attack it took investigations by numerous European, American and Middle Eastern publications to discover where the pagers came from, who actually manufactured them and how they were equipped with explosives. Meanwhile Israel was enjoying the benefits of sabotaged walkie-talkies that enabled Mossad to monitor Hezbollah communications with these devices. Hezbollah first adopted these walkie-talkies in 2015 and kept using them until September 18th when Mossad set off the explosives in the communications devices, injuring and killing. Many Mossad members disagreed with detonating the walkie talkies because listening in on Hezbollah communications was a valuable source of intelligence. Mossad believed that the exploding pagers would alert Hezbollah to the possibility of exploding walkie-talkies, so Mossad blew up those too. Mossad developed the secretly modified pagers and walkie-talkies as one of several ways to monitor Hezbollah communications. Israel would not reveal how it was still monitoring these communications. Mossad had found ways to do it and was not talking about it. The pager attack took place when all the pagers beeped to indicate an incoming message. Users had to use both hands to respond to the you have received an encrypted message signal. Some of the exploding pagers were in the pockets of users or even left at home or a workplace. Most of the pagers were on Hezbollah members and did the intended damage to Hezbollah members. To completely freak out Hezbollah members, the walkie-talkies exploded the next day. At that point Hezbollah members were ordered to use primitive manual methods to communicate. This further disrupted Hezbollah communications and made the groups less capable of acting during this crisis. The pagers began beeping just after 3:30 in the afternoon in Lebanon on Tuesday, alerting Hezbollah operatives to a message from their leadership in a chorus of chimes, melodies, and buzzes. But it wasnt the militants leaders. The pages had been sent by Hezbollahs archenemy, and within seconds the alerts were followed by the sounds of explosions and cries of pain and panic in streets, shops and homes across Lebanon. This attack was a major coup for Mossad, devastating Hezbollah and making it possible to kill senior Hezbollah leaders like Hassan Nasrallah, who had long led Hezbollah and was irreplaceable. Hezbollah was not completely eliminated but the surviving members were leaderless and terrified of communication with each other except via courier. This crippling blow to Hezbollah began with a bang and ended with a whimper as senior Hezbollah leaders died along with their thousands of injured members. Fashion designer Alex Perry looked almost unrecognisable when he was spotted taking a trip to Coles in Sydney's inner west on Monday. The rarely-seen 61-year-old showed off a very buff physique in his white T-shirt paired with some black grunge cargo pants. The designer accessorised with a pair of sturdy black sneakers, a matching cap and watch with a black band. He was seen carrying a bag of groceries back to his car, with a bum bag strapped around his right shoulder. The fashion designer, who is most famous for his womenswear, also made a name for himself in TV as a judge on Australia's Next Top Model and mentor on Project Runway. Fashion designer Alex Perry (pictured) looked almost unrecognisable on Monday when he was spotted taking a trip to Coles in Sydney's inner west The rarely seen 61-year-old rocked a very buff physique as he stepped out in a white T-shirt paired with some black grunge cargo pants Alex was last seen publicly in October flaunting his new physique as he stepped out at the AusFitness Expo in Sydney. The renowned designer looked strikingly more muscular as he posed with two models at the expo. Alex often works out with personal trainer and bodybuilder Simon Di Natale at City Gym in Sydney's Darlinghurst. The designer previously said his gym work was as much for his state of mind as his physical well-being. He told SBS: 'Going to the gym and working out just keeps me in peak physical and mental condition for whatever I'm faced with in the fashion industry. 'After the initial year of going to the gym, I grew to hate it and I had to drag myself there, but I really enjoy it now. 'It makes me less stressed and then I can go home and feel normal.' Greek-Australian fashion icon Alex, whose real name is Alexandros Pertsinidis, has been married to his wife Mary for over three decades. With his car keys clutched in hand, the TV presenter accessorised with a pair of sturdy black sneakers as he balanced a matching cap atop his head Alex is pictured back in August 2017 in Sydney, before his transformation Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald about his successful marriage, Alex said Mary was a driving force in establishing his multimillion-dollar fashion empire. 'She is methodical and likes to plan. I make decisions in an instant and go with my gut.' Alex's instincts at times led their marriage into dangerous territory, especially when he made risky career decisions without checking in with Mary first. 'I don't know how she didn't kick me out,' he confessed. Olivia Molly Rogers' ex-husband Justin McKeone has been accused of stealing half a million dollars while working as a financial manager at a Melbourne firm. Mr McKeone, 37, is alleged to have stolen $481,490.33 during his five-month tenure as Head of Finance at Rocket Brands (Cozmic Sales Pty Ltd). The Victorian Supreme Court has heard claims that McKeone disguised 114 unauthorised transactions as legitimate supplier payments, funnelling company money into his personal bank account to allegedly fund a drug addiction. Court documents obtained by Daily Mail Australia claim McKeone admitted to the theft when confronted by Rocket Brands director Matthew Holmes in mid-October. During the meeting, McKeone allegedly confessed he embezzled the money to fund 'a very serious drug habit.' He allegedly told Holmes he would 'do his best' to repay the business. Justin McKeone, pictured with ex-wife Olivia Molly Rogers, has been accused of stealing half a million dollars while working as a senior financial manager at a Melbourne firm Rocket Brands swiftly terminated McKeone's employment and obtained an order from the Supreme Court freezing his assets to prevent him from disposing of them and instead use funds from their sale to repay the business. The company is now seeking restitution for the allegedly stolen funds, along with damages and legal costs. McKeone joined Rocket Brands in March this year on a $200,000 annual salary. But just weeks into his probationary period, staff reportedly raised concerns about his erratic behaviour. An affidavit submitted to the court by Holmes reveals complaints from employees alleging that McKeone was 'sleeping in the work toilets for up to four hours a day,' taking excessively long lunch breaks, and frequently leaving the office without completing his duties. Alarmed by the allegations, Holmes engaged two external accountants to review the company's financial records. Court documents show the investigation uncovered the trail of unauthorised transactions between May 23 and October 6. They also allege McKeone falsified records in the company's Xero accounting system to disguise the payments as supplier invoices. According to court filings, McKeone allegedly used his exclusive access to Rocket's financial systems to approve and process the payments. The Victorian Supreme Court has heard claims that McKeone disguised 114 unauthorised transactions as legitimate supplier payments, funnelling company money into his personal bank account to allegedly fund a drug addiction The affidavit claims McKeone manipulated invoices to reflects payments to suppliers like 'Storage King' and 'Net Focus IT' while redirecting funds into his own Westpac account. Screenshots submitted to the court allegedly show McKeone editing and approving these allegedly fraudulent transactions in Xero. Holmes told the court he had not authorised any of the payments during the disputed period. The alleged embezzlement was reportedly hidden in Rocket's financial statements under the guise of 'historical adjustments' totalling $310,878, further complicating the company's efforts to identify the missing funds. Holmes reported the alleged theft to Victoria Police on October 14. Detectives from the Yarra Crime Investigation Unit interviewed McKeone on November 6, but no charges have been laid as the investigation continues. In the civil law case, Rocket Brands is seeking full restitution and has accused McKeone of breaching his duties as a senior manager. Court documents obtained by Daily Mail Australia claim McKeone admitted to the theft when confronted by Rocket Brands director Matthew Holmes in mid-October The company has described his alleged actions in court documents as calculated and damaging, claiming the alleged theft has caused significant financial losses. The court filing states McKeone's actions were allegedly a 'gross breach of trust' and that the company is 'not in a position to accept [his] representation' that he has no money left in his accounts. McKeone has not responded publicly to the allegations, and his LinkedIn profile has been and Instagram account has since been deactivated. Olivia Molly Rogers, who split from McKeone last year, has not commented on the legal case. Martha Kalifatidis has revealed plans to have a second child next year with her fiance Michael Brunelli. The 36-year-old Married At First Sight bride took part in a Q&A session on her Instagram Stories on Monday and was asked if she wanted to have another baby. 'We definitely need another Brunelli baby in 2025,' she teased. The couple had their first child together - a son, Lucius - in February 2023 and frequently give fans an insight into their family life. In other interview answers, Martha told her 719,000 followers that she does not put as much emphasis on her appearance as she once did. The mother-of-one shared a photo of her figure at what she described as her peak period of fitness but said her 'priorities' have changed since giving birth to her son. Martha Kalifatidis has revealed her plans to welcome a second child with fiance Michael Brunelli. Pictured with son Lucius, two 'We definitely need another Brunelli baby in 2025,' she teased on Instagram 'I would love to get super fit before I get pregnant again. This was me at my fittest. 20k steps a day, weight training and running,' she explained. 'If I had time to do all that again - well I'd probably look like that. For me after having a child my priorities shifted massively. 'I'm not as vain as I was and I'm not getting anywhere near as much sleep as I did haha Fitness is going to be a big goal for me next year.' Martha recently announced she wants be married to fiance Michael in a matter of weeks. In a sneak peak at her new podcast with Michael and her mum Mary, called The Morning Roast, Martha said she wanted to just get the marriage over with. The makeup artist, who has been engaged to Michael for three years after they met on MAFS, caused an uproar by saying she wanted 'a shotgun wedding'. A shotgun wedding usually refers to a marriage ceremony where the bride is already pregnantbut can mean a rushed marriage for other reasons too. 'I feel like I just want to have a shotgun wedding, and get married in November, this year. I just want to get it done,' she said. Martha also assured her 719,000 followers that she doesn't concentrate on her appearance like she once did 'I would actually love to have a wedding at home. What do you think about doing a wedding in November if we quickly organise it?' she asked. Michael replied: 'I am down for just the easiest thing,' and Martha said they could just 'host a lunch'. Fans were confused, with one asking in the comments: 'Doesnt shotgun wedding mean the bride is pregnant??' Most were overwhelmingly supportive, telling Martha she will not regret hosting something intimate over a fairytale wedding. Martha and Michael first met on the 2019 season of the Channel Nine dating show. They currently live in the Melbourne home of her parents Mary and Theo, but Martha recently hit back at those who accused her of sponging off her folks. Martha and Michael first met on the 2019 season of the Channel Nine dating show, and their journey has been closely followed by fans ever since They currently live in her parents Mary and Theo's Melbourne home, and Martha recently hit back at online trolls who accused her of sponging off her folks 'Why don't you and Michael pay your own way like the rest of the world?' a troll asked, referring to the young family's current living situation. Martha rejected the claim that she was sponging off her parents, saying the decision to live with Theo and Mary was not financially motivated. 'Our living arrangement has nothing to do with money,' she wrote. 'The sad thing is you probably believe we live with my parents to capitalise off of the situation. That is the furthest [thing] from the truth.' 'In reality, we mutually enjoy it. 'Living in a multigenerational home with my parents brings us closer, fosters mutual support and creates a rich environment where wisdom and experience blend. It also brings my parents happiness. 'I feel sorry for you that you can't see the benefits in our situation,' she said. Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin's daughter, Apple Martin, had a less-than-enthusiastic conversation with her date at a debutante ball in Paris over the weekend. Apple, 20, was pictured seemingly rolling her eyes at the dapper Count Leo Henckel von Donnersmarck, who accompanied her to the glitzy event. Before they made their grand entrance at the ball, the young duo were seen chatting together in a video shared to TikTok. Leo, who hails from the Austro-Hungarian noble family House of Henckel von Donnersmarck, made a playful dance gesture as he spoke with Apple, who seemed less amused. Shortly after Apple visibly rolled her eyes, seemingly in response to a comment her date made. It wasn't the only time she raised eyebrows at the ball. She was also accused of having a 'mean girl' moment, after a clip emerged of her stealing the spotlight from another girl who was having her picture taken. Gwyneth Paltrow's daughter, Apple Martin, 20, was seen rolling her eyes at her date, Count Leo Henckel von Donnersmarck, who accompanied her to a debutante ball in Paris over the weekend The pair were seen making their arrival for the swanky event, with Apple stunning in a strapless sky blue gown from Valentino's Spring 2025 collection DailyMail.com has contacted a representative for Apple for comment. After their chat, Apple and Leo were pictured making their way to the ballroom. Apple stunned in a strapless sky blue gown from Valentino's Spring 2025 collection as she gracefully danced with her eligible date. She was among around 20 young women who were presented at the prestigious Le Bal des Debutantes held in the $1,000-a-night Hotel Shangri-La. And while the debutantes take centre stage, each is paired with a 'cavalier' who are often young men from similarly distinguished backgrounds, to make their grand entrance at the ball. Leo is the son of film director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and Christiane Asschenfeldt, the first International Executive Director of Creative Commons. He is the descendant of a large and noble Austro-German family who were central figures of the 2nd Industrial Revolution, spearheading technological innovations like mild steel puddling metal factories, three-high rolling mills and soda-pulping in Germany. Aside from his family connections, little is known Apple's date, who has just two Instagram posts. His most recent one includes snaps of him and Apple at the ball. It is believed he attends Columbia University in New York City and is part of the university rowing club as he has tagged both in his bio. In a video circulating on TikTok Apple visibly rolled her eyes, seemingly in response to a comment her date made, before they entered the ballroom Other images from the evening showed the pair in much higher spirits Leo, who hails from the Austro-Hungarian noble family House of Henckel von Donnersmarck, made a playful dance gesture as he spoke with Apple, who seemed less amused Apple's dashing plus one Leo hails from the Austro-Hungarian noble family House of Henckel von Donnersmarck Leo is the son of film director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and Christiane Asschenfeldt, the first International Executive Director of Creative Commons; Florian (C) pictured with his kids (L-R) Cacile, Alexis, Lara and Leo in 2020 Last year, Leo's sister Countess Lara Cosima made her debut at the prestigious event. During the evening, Leo cut a very dapper figure in a black morning suit coat pair with a white shirt and bow tie and black trousers. Leo and Apple linked arms as they entered the luxury ballroom before she blew a kiss to her proud father Chris. The Coldplay star playfully tapped her date on the arm as they made their way pass their dinner table. The pair later took their positions on the dancefloor and gracefully waltz around the room with Leo carefully dipping Apple. Her famous parents Chris and Gwyneth couldn't take their eyes of their daughter. Apple's mom Gwyneth attended with ex-husband Chris and their son Moses, 18, as well as her mother Blythe Danner, to celebrate her. Many people were left shocked by Apple's behavior after a clip emerged of her stealing the spotlight from another girl who was having her picture taken. It wasn't the only time she raised eyebrows at the ball. She was also accused of having a 'mean girl' moment, after a clip emerged of her stealing the spotlight from another girl who was having her picture taken; seen with Gwyneth The other debutante was seen taking her turn posing for the camera when Martin appeared from behind and sashayed into the shot. Posing with her hands on her hips, Martin edged her way into the frame - forcing the other girl out. The debutante could do nothing but look on with an awkward laugh, as Martin proceeds to pout and pose for several photos. Eventually, she finishes and steps out of the way - almost cutting off another debutante who is waiting for her turn for a picture in the process. The move did not go down well on social media after the footage, taken by French outlet Paris Match, was shared on TikTok. 'How Obnoxious and entitled she is,' one viewer wrote. 'Oh wow, why did Apple do that? Let the other girl have a moment,' another added. 'Not a good behavior for such an event,' a third person agreed, while another described it as 'giving Regina George' in reference to the notorious queen bee in the movie Mean Girls. The Vanderbilt University student has mostly kept out of the public eye, but has decided to begin a new chapter in her life. The family joined an exclusive list of attendees who are all personally invited by the ball's host, Ophelie Renouard. Apple's mom Gwyneth attended with ex-husband Chris Martin and their son Moses, 18, as well as her mother Blythe Danner, to celebrate her Renouard invites her guests based on their appearance, intelligence, and family connections. The event is billed as a charity fundraiser and will benefit two entities connected with children's health, according to Hello! Debutantes on the list of attendees include European royalty as well as the daughters of A-list celebrities. Ava Philippe, 25, the daughter of Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Philippe, attended in 2017. Emily in Paris star, Lily Collins, 35, made her debut in 2007. Sharon Stone slammed filmmaker Sam Raimi after he says that he didn't acknowledge the break she gave him earlier in his career. The Basic Instinct star, 66, made the remarks about Raimi during a Q&A period at a news conference in Turin, Italy during the Torino Film Festival last week, Deadline reported Monday. The Oscar-nominated actress spoke about the Spider-Man filmmaker amid the screening at the festival of the The Quick and the Dead, the 1995 Western that Stone starred in and Raimi directed. Stone, who played the role of Ellen in the movie opposite Gene Hackman, Russell Crowe, Gary Sinise and Leonardo DiCaprio, spoke about the influence she had in making the motion picture, which arrived in theaters in February of 1995. 'I had my great Italian cinematographer Dante Spinotti, and I was very blessed to produce and to have the opportunity to cast this film,' said Stone, who also made headlines for her political comments at the festival. She continued, 'The director Sam Raimi, who I had an opportunity to bring from B movies to A movies, and then he directed Spider-Man and became a very big A movie director.' Sharon Stone, 66, slammed filmmaker Sam Raimi after he says that he didn't acknowledge the breaks she gave him earlier in his career. Pictured November 24 in Italy during the Torino Film Festival Stone said she 'really enjoyed producing' and was proud of having a hand in casting DiCaprio and Crowe ahead of their respective career breakouts with 1997's Titanic and 2000's Gladiator. 'Sam was a kid and he doesn't have loyalty, he doesn't have family, he didn't ever talk to me again, he didn't thank me, he didn't hire me again, he didn't acknowledge the relationship. Stone said her personal feelings for Raimi did not influence her high opinion of his work, while comparing him to another filmmaker she's collaborated with, Martin Scorsese. 'In Sam Raimis case, I really liked his films,' Stone said. 'I thought he was very intelligent and very funny - different from Marty Scorsese, because hes Italian, he has loyalty, he has that family feeling. 'And because of it Marty and I still have a relationship and because of it Marty and I still work together.' Among the projects Stone and Scorsese have collaborated on include 1995's Casino, which earned Stone her lone career Oscar nod playing the role of Ginger. Stone was part of an ensemble cast that included Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and James Woods, as well as the late Frank Vincent, Alan King and Don Rickles. Stone in the news conference said that sexism in Hollywood hindered her career behind the camera, as she was working on directing a film at one point about three decades back. Stone played the role of Ellen in the movie - which arrived in theaters in February of 1995 - opposite Gene Hackman, Russell Crowe, Gary Sinise and Leonardo DiCaprio Stone said of Raimi, 'Sam was a kid and he doesn't have loyalty, he doesn't have family, he didn't ever talk to me again, he didn't thank me, he didn't hire me again, he didn't acknowledge the relationship.' The filmmaker pictured in 2022 in LA Stone was honored with the Stella della Mole award during the festival on November 22 'After I produced The Quick and the Dead, I came to the studio, I asked for $14 million,' she said. 'I had a script, I had the music, I had everything. I pitched it everywhere. 'I was told it was the best pitch anyone ever heard, but really - a woman - ultimately in my period in the '90s and the early 2000s, the resistance to women working, to me working, was so great that I couldn't get back to direct and that was unfortunate, but I feel that my intelligence was wasted trying to convince lesser intelligent studio heads to allow me to direct.' Stone said she was eventually asked to assist in the casting department for studios, 'which [she] did because obviously [she] was very good at producing.' Stone added, 'I just feel the resistance to women having power, the resistance to me having power, was very big and the resistance to allowing my intelligence to be helpful has been enormous and by people of lesser intelligence.' Lala Kent has confessed to editing her daughter's discolored teeth in photos shared on social media. Taking to Instagram Stories over the weekend, the 34-year-old former Vanderpump Rules personality explained why she revises snapshots of Ocean, three. Sharing an up-close video of the toddler smiling, she added a note that began, 'Im usually the type to not read/ignore comments. But we are from Utah honey. We are teeth people! so I could not let this comment slide.' Lala went on to reveal that Ocean suffered a mouth injury, writing, 'Ocean has a fond relationship with her wild side and enjoys not listening. She fell off her bike face first.' The mother-of-two, who is also mom to three-month-old daughter Sosa, added, 'There is trauma to the root of her two front teeth.' She wrote in parenthesis, 'Yes, Im the mom who usually edits this. Go ahead and judge.' Instagram vs reality: Former Vanderpump Rules star Lala Kent has admitted to digitally whitening her daughter Ocean's teeth on social media. Ocean is pictured left, with bright white teeth, and right, with her real teeth, which are discolored as a result of an accident The reality star is seen here with her toddler in November Lala explained her daughter damaged her teeth after falling off a bike face first, and noted she may require a root canal She noted about the status of Ocean's teeth: 'The root isnt dead, but we go to the dentist every 3-6 months for check-ins. They will likely have to be pulled or she will have to have a root canal.' And the TV star noted that Ocean thinks her teeth which are a grayish-white color are 'cool.' Lala didn't point out exactly which comment prompted her to give the explanation to her 2.4 million followers. She shares Ocean with ex-fiance, disgraced filmmaker Randall Emmett. Sosa was conceived via sperm donor and Lala gave birth on September 3. In another recent post, the Give Them Lala podcaster looked back on the month of November. Uploading a carousel of life outtakes, she wrote, 'November, you did not disappoint.' She listed the highlights, beginning with a milestone for her newborn daughter. 'Sosa had her first pool day,' she listed first. Elsewhere in the post, she showed her firstborn child's hair twisted in a comb and said, 'I almost had to give O a very unfortunate hair cut.' She continued, 'We got pictures with Santa (this was a huge deal). It was my little turkeys first Thanksgiving. I helped in the kitchen (this was also a huge deal). My mama turned 64! Ocean wanted to celebrate by going to Moana 2- she LOVED it (Gigi did too). We slayed the month. It hit all the notes.' Sosa was born on September 3, 2024 and the reality TV star shared the news online two weeks later She previously welcomed daughter Ocean with ex-fiance Randall Emmett; pictured in 2019 It comes days after news broke that Bravo's long-running series Vanderpump Rules is getting a fully new cast. Lala shared her reaction in a heartfelt post shared with her social media following as she looked back at her time on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills spinoff. She wrote, 'Where to begin. I was a young girl from Salt Lake City who made her way to L.A. I would introduce myself as Lauren, but because my childhood best friend referred to me as Lala, my nickname quickly stuck. 'Sur was a place that became home. I found myself not only sipping on vodka sodas there, but behind a hostess stand it still to this day is the most intimidating job Ive ever had. A short time later the opportunity to be on a show called Vanderpump Rules landed in front of me. I have such mixed feelings right now.' Kent revealed she is ready for the next chapter of life as she continued, 'Its no secret I do not like change. This is the exception. 'I want to say thank you for rocking with us for so many years. This show changed my whole life. Im unbelievably grateful for every moment. Im unbelievably grateful for Bravo, for NBCU, for our crew, the entire cast, and most importantly all of you. We rocked this bitch until the wheels fell off.' Adrian Portelli, AKA 'Mr Lambo', has revealed his grand plans to build a hospital in Penrith, claiming he will break ground in 'two to three months'. The 35-year-old billionaire businessman who shot to fame as a serial bidder on The Block, took to Instagram on Tuesday to show footage of the two acres of land he intends to build on. He said the hospital in being built for 'high physical needs patients' because there is a 'shortage' of medical assistance in the area for people in need. Adrian could be seen walking through a trail amid overgrown grass on the property which still contained a few decrepit houses which were no longer being lived in. 'We've made a quick pit stop in Penrith because, little side project that not many people know about. I've purchased two acres of land here in Penrith, as you can see,' he began. 'We're actually building a hospital here for high physical needs patients. It's going to be a really fun project. Apparently there is a shortage in this area for those in need.' Adrian Portelli, 35, (pictured) has revealed his grand plans to build a hospital in Penrith He added: 'I think we're starting here in about two, three months. This is a project that's been going on for a year and a half, two years, but we're finally all approved by the council.' It comes as Adrian made Christmas come early for hundreds of shoppers at a western Sydney Coles supermarket by handing out $150,000 on Tuesday. The entrepreneur gave that total amount in Coles vouchers to 1,000 families at the Coles connected to Nepean Village on Reserve Street at 9.30am. Families shopping at Coles on Hamilton Road at Fairfield West at noon also received a shared of the chunk of cash. 'Our team member and customer safety is our priority during this generous giveaway, so we have engaged additional security to ensure any queue for gift cards will be properly managed,' a Coles spokeswoman said in a statement. Hundreds of people queued up at the stores to see Adrian and those lucky enough scored a voucher worth $100 or $200 from him. 'It just shows how desperate people are in these times and we're happy to help,' he said last month. 'A lot of these people have supported me over the year so it's time to give back.' The billionaire businessman who shot to fame as a serial bidder on The Block, took to Instagram on Tuesday to show footage of the two acres of land he intends to build on Adrian is the founder of the LCMT+ online company that frequently gives away huge cash prizes and luxury cars as well as providing its members discounted products with retailers. The car enthusiast made international headlines when he had a rare $3million McLaren craned up to his $39million Melbourne penthouse in May last year. He was also a regular fixture on The Block, appearing on the show each year during auctions and frequently snapping up homes. However he announced this year would be his last season on the renovation show, after he made Block history by purchasing all the houses built on the series. In 2022, he offered $4.8million for Omar and Oz's home in Gisborne South during final bidding on The Block in his first ever appearance on the show. 'I was fairly low key back then so no one really knew what I was worth or what money I had,' he said. 'People thought I couldn't afford the houseobviously I knew I could buy all the houses.' Adrian grew up in Melbourne's western suburbs and made his fortune through tech start-ups. He said the hospital in being built for 'high physical needs patients' because there is a 'shortage' of medical assistance in the area for people in need He has a diverse business portfolio reportedly worth $1billion, and now turns over about $100million a year, or $2million a week. The notorious Block bidder splashed out a staggering $39million for his Melbourne property which is the heart of the CBD in a new twin tower development. He is currently spending $6million on modifying and customising the 1200sqm home. The businessman told realestate.com.au he decided to buy the apartment the same day he saw it because of 'the security' and it being a 'blank canvas'. He also admitted that a selling point was the penthouse's direct link to the second tower, which will house a five-star Shangri-La hotel. The hotel includes a bar with a see-though floor that features a bridge linking the two towers at a high level. 'I've got a lift from my apartment that goes directly to the bar,' Adrian said. Adrian, known for his high spending and lavish lifestyle, shares his ten-month-old son Mercy with girlfriend Karlie Butler. The unique name pays homage to one of the first luxury cars Adrian purchaseda rare orange Lamborghini Murcielago valued at over $700,000. Adrian and Karlie have been together for over a year, having met at a bar. Rosie ODonnell's daughter Chelsea O'Donnell has been arrested for the third time in less than three months in connection with drug charges. Chelsea, 27, who was a baby when Rosie, 62, adopted her, was most recently arrested November 18, following previous arrests on September 10 and October 11 in connection with allegations of drug-related offenses. Chelsea had been out on $4,000 bail (posted by her birth mother on November 13) at the time of her most recent arrest, Us Weekly reported Monday after reviewing court documents. Authorities said in legal docs that Chelsea was arrested November 18 in Niagara, Wisconsin after a vehicle she was riding in had been pulled over by police over a loud exhaust system. Police detected 'pick marks' synonymous with illegal drug abuse on Chelsea's face, and requested her to provide identification, which she didn't have on her, according to the legal docs. Chelsea did submit to the officer her name and birthdate, the legal docs stated, after which the officer determined she was out on bond in connection with her prior two arrests. Rosie ODonnell's daughter Chelsea O'Donnell, 27, has been arrested for the third time in less than three months in connection with drug charges. Pictured after her November 18 arrest Rosie, 62, was taking a tough love approach to the legal situation with her, Chelsea told Dailymail.com last month. Pictured last year in Pasadena, California Police then cleared the vehicle and implemented a K9 search, at which time it was determined there were narcotics in the vehicle, according to the legal docs. Naloxone, a medication to reverse opiate overdose was retrieved from the vehicle's trunk, police said. Police searching Chelsea found a 'clear smoking device' hidden in her bra during a search of her person, according to legal docs, with residue on the pipe later testing positive for traces of methamphetamine. Officials said in court docs that Chelsea had been 'argumentative' with officers who sought to search her and wound up handcuffed, later 'calming down and becoming cooperative,' at which point the handcuffs were taken off. Authorities at the Marinette County Jail conducted a strip search on Chelsea in which 'officers found a prescription bottle in Chelseas vagina,' InTouch reported, citing court docs. The bottle contained a mix of hydrocodone, lamotrigine and Alprazolam pills, legal docs stated; and a bag containing a 'crystal-like substance,' according to legal docs reviewed by Us Weekly. Chelsea subsequently received five new charges, three of them felonies, including two counts of methamphetamine possession; and felony narcotic drug possession, per legal docs. Chelsea was also charged with misdemeanor counts of drug paraphernalia possession and resisting an officer, legal docs stated. Chelsea remains in custody after a hearing Monday, and is slated to report to court for a December 12 in the matter, Us Weekly reported. Chelsea, pictured after her October 11 arrest, was bailed out of jail by her birth mother after more than a month in custody following an arrest on child abuse and drug charges Chelsea was arrested in Amberg, Wisconsin onSeptember 10 after a search warrant was executed, and charged with felony child neglect, methamphetamine possession, THC possession and overseeing a place where drug trafficking was taking place Chelsea had been bailed out of jail by her birth mother Deanna Micoley - Rosie previously refused to bail her out - on November 13 after more than a month in custody following an arrest on child abuse and drug charges. Conditional to her release, authorities stipulated Chelsea remain sober and not possess any drugs or alcohol, US Weekly reported last month after reviewing court docs. Chelsea was arrested in Amberg, Wisconsin on September 10 after a search warrant was executed, and charged with felony child neglect, methamphetamine possession, THC possession and overseeing a place where drug trafficking was taking place. Chelsea also faces misdemeanor charges of drug paraphernalia possession, disorderly conduct and having medication she didn't have a prescription for. Chelsea was subsequently released from custody after a $2,000 bond was posted later on in September. She subsequently placed back into custody at the Oconto County Jail in Oconto, Wisconsin after an October 11 arrest in which she had a meth pipe on her. Chelsea faced additional charges of felony bail jumping, meth possession and drug possession, in addition to misdemeanor counts of drug paraphernalia possession and resisting or obstructing an officer, the outlet reported. Chelsea told Dailymail.com earlier this month that Rosie, 62, was taking a tough love approach to the legal situation with her. 'When I called Rosie to ask her to bail me out, she told me flat out, "You belong in there,"' Chelsea said November 4. 'She said, "I really can't help you get out of there; I don't want you to kill yourself. I don't want to be responsible for you killing yourself."' Rosie attended ELLE's 2024 Women in Hollywood Celebration in LA on November 19, a day after her daughter's most recent arrest Rosie posed with Rita Wilson and Melanie Griffith at the event at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills Chelsea told Dailymail.com from the jailhouse she was upset that the Emmy-winning entertainer appeared to be more invested in the freedom of convicted killers Erik and Lyle Menendez than her own. 'My mother is more interested in getting the Menendez Brothers released from prison than getting me out,' Chelsea said. 'I have a drug problem. I need to go to rehab, but I never killed anyone like the Menendez brothers.' Chelsea told Dailymail.com that the A League of Their Own star 'has turned her back on' her. The American Gigolo star's rep told US Weekly of Chelsea Tuesday that their 'family hopes that she gets the help she needs.' Rosie, a longtime critic of President-elect Donald Trump, is mother to five adopted children: son Parker, 29, Chelsea, 27, Blake, 24, Vivienne, 22, and Dakota, 11. The L Word: Generation Q performer last month spoke candidly about Chelsea's ongoing drug and legal problems in an Instagram post, saying that the family was hopeful she could achieve sobriety moving forward. 'Sadly this is not new for our family - Chelsea has struggled with drug addiction for a decade - we r all hopeful she will find her way out of this deadly disease,' the Long Island, New York native said October 19 on Instagram. Rosie and Chelsea were seen at a 2016 event in NYC Chelsea told Dailymail.com that she felt there was a chance she could 'end up in prison' due to the arrests, and wanted 'to spend time with' her four children if that was the case. Chelsea added at the time, 'I'm trying to get bailed out of here.' Under the terms of her former release, Chelsea was permitted to see her children with Vicki Bourassa as the court-appointed supervisor, The Blast reported Tuesday. (Vicki is the mother of Chelsea's ex Jacob Bourassa, the father of three of Chelsea's four kids.) She was was ordered by the court to 'not possess/consume any illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia/controlled substances without a valid prescription,' according to legal papers reviewed by the outlet. Chelsea is also mother to one-year-old son Atlas, whose father is her boyfriend Jacob Nelund. The star-studded launch of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew at Disneyland on Monday night was nothing short of spectacular, with Jude Law, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Alia Shawkat leading the way on the red carpet. The Disney+ series follows four children on a thrilling, unexpected galactic adventure, drawing comparisons to the beloved 1985 classic The Goonies and being hailed as a triumphant return to form for the Star Wars franchise. Jude Law, who portrays the mysterious Jedi Jod Na Nawood, brought effortless charm to the evening, donning a light blue cardigan paired with an oversized striped scarf that added a touch of whimsical sophistication. Bryce Dallas Howard, who directed the first two episodes, turned heads in a striking black gown, exuding elegance and grace. Alia Shawkat, dressed in a sleek white ensemble, presented a striking contrast to her character in the series- a unique alien hybrid of owl and cat. The show, created by Jon Watts and Christopher Ford, boasts a talented young cast, including Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Kyriana Kratter, and Robert Timothy Smith, who portray the four adventurous children at the heart of this thrilling new chapter in the Star Wars universe. The star-studded premiere of Star Wars : Skeleton Crew at Disneyland on Monday night was nothing short of spectacular, with Jude Law leading the way on the red carpet Bryce Dallas Howard dazzled in a black gown as Alia Shawkat rocked a white ensemble The Hollywood Reporter called the show 'lively and fun.' 'The generally low-stakes, thematically light, young-skewing romp takes us into under-explored corners of the seemingly boundless galaxy while feeling pleasantly familiar,' Daniel Fienberg wrote. 'Skeleton Crew boasts a lot of space piracy, which very young viewers will compare to the Pirates of the Caribbean, viewers my age will compare to The Goonies and more seasoned viewers will compare to vintage swashbucklers like The Sea Hawk or Captain Blood,' he added. Rolling Stone's review of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew highlights the series' attempt to explore the Star Wars universe through the eyes of its youthful protagonists. As the franchise approaches its 50th anniversary, the show seeks to find new narratives within familiar territory, focusing on four children who inadvertently embark on a galactic adventure instead of attending science class, per the outlet. The review notes that while the premise may feel reminiscent of classic children's adventure films, it successfully captures a sense of wonder and excitement. The review concludes that while the show may not break new ground in terms of innovation, it manages to deliver an enjoyable experience that could resonate well with audiences, potentially becoming one of the most beloved entries in the Star Wars canon since The Mandalorian. Variety's review notes that, despite the absence of significant galactic stakes or a sense of fatal danger, this light-hearted series successfully caters to its young audience. Bryce directed episodes of the new series Ryan Kiera posed in a red ensemble Jon Favreau was all smiles at the red carpet Ravi Cabot-Conyers and Kyriana Kratter took over the red carpet The two young stars posed together during the fun evening Dallas Howard and Ryan Kiera Armstrong wrapped their arms around each other Nick Frost cut a dapper figure Robert Timothy Smith, Kyriana Kratter, Jude Law, Ravi Cabot-Conyers and Ryan Kiera Armstrong attend the Star Wars: Skeleton Crew launch event The narrative centers around four children who find themselves navigating the galaxy instead of attending science class, reminiscent of classic adventure films like The Goonies. While there is no immediate connection to well-known Star Wars stories, the review anticipates that such links may develop as the eight-episode season progresses. The screening comes after Star Wars actress Kelly Marie Tran revealed she is queer. The 35-year-old star, who made her Star Wars sequel series debut as Rose Tico in The Last Jedi, came out while promoting her forthcoming rom-com The Wedding Banquet. Speaking with Vanity Fair, she confessed, 'I haven't said this publicly yet, but I'm a queer person.' About working on the film which also stars Bowen Yang and Lily Gladstone Tran recalled: 'I'm here doing this amazing movie with these amazing people. I've never been in a queer space before. I've never truly felt this accepted before.' She added, 'The thing that really excited me about it was I got to play a person that I felt like I knew. I don't feel like I'm acting at all in this movie.' In 2021 Kelly Marie said she is 'so much happier' without social media, and doesn't believe she will ever go back on it. She spoke as she graced the cover of The Hollywood Reporter and discussed being cast in Star Wars as well as her new Disney film Raya And The Last Dragon. When she was cast in 2017's The Last Jedi, internet trolls bombarded her with racist vitriol and harassment, forcing her to delete social media. Asked if she'd ever return, she said no, explaining: 'I've truly just been so much happier without being on the internet. 'I've had my agents tell me [I'm] forgoing brand partnerships, but I'm not here to sell flat-tummy tea to young girls.' Critics are sinking their teeth into Robert Eggers' Nosferatu and Lily-Rose Depp's revelatory performance with relish. Eggers, the director behind The Witch and The Lighthouse, is back with Nosferatua haunting remake of the 1922 silent classic, which was loosely based on Bram Stokers Dracula. In this new version, Bill Skarsgard takes on the role of the bloodthirsty Count Orlok, with Depp playing Ellen Hutter, the object of his sinister obsession. Early reviews are already raving, calling the film 'hypnotic,' 'devilish,' and 'the scariest movie since The Shining,' as the movie posted a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. Every aspect of the project is getting rave reviews, but its the 25-year-old daughter of Johnny Depp whos really stealing the spotlight with her performance. 'The film belongs to Lily-Rose Depp, whose performance is a revelation,' declared The Hollywood Reporter, as Collider called it 'one of the years best performances.' Critics are sinking their teeth into Robert Eggers' Nosferatu and Lily-Rose Depp 's revelatory performance with relish Eggers, the director behind creepy period pieces like The Witch and The Lighthouse, is back with Nosferatua haunting remake of the 1922 silent classic, which was loosely based on Bram Stokers Dracula 'Her scenes with Bill Skarsgard are electric,' continued THR's David Rooney. 'Depp gives Ellens delirium a tragic gravity, deepening once she acknowledges the mystical forces within her that sparked the vampires obsession. 'She can switch in an instant from weak and vulnerable to demonic, and the stylized physicality of her seizures is breathtaking.' Rooney also gushed about Eggers, writing, 'The director makes even that overused modern horror trope, the jump scare, truly shocking, not just something to be instantly laughed off. 'Its thrilling to experience a movie so assured in the way it builds and sustains fear, so hypnotically scary as it grabs you by the throat and never lets go.' 'Robert Eggers' Nosferatu might be a modern horror classic, given how scarily and sensually it approaches age-old material, but makes it feel entirely new,' agreed IGN. Fans agreed, with one posting, 'Skarsgard is transformative, and Depp is a revelation.One of 2024s best!'' 'NOSFERATU is the most HORRIFYINGLY BEAUTIFUL film I've watched this year,' gushed another. 'It confidently adapts the 1922 classic, beat by beat, while increasing the scares to a new level. Willem Dafoe, Nicholas Hoult, and Ralph Ineson are great, but Lily Rose-Depp is ABSOLUTELY CAPTIVATING.' Early reviews are already raving, calling the film 'hypnotic,' 'devilish,' and 'the scariest movie since The Shining,' as the movie posted a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes Every aspect of the film is getting rave reviews, but its the 25-year-old daughter of Johnny Depp whos really stealing the spotlight with her performance 'The film belongs to Lily-Rose Depp, whose performance is a revelation,' declared The Hollywood Reporter , as Collider called it 'one of the years best performances' Yet another viewer chimed in: 'Bill Skarsgards Count Orlok is pure sinister nightmare fuel. Lily Rose Depp & Nicholas Hoults best work to date.'. In addition to Depp and Skarsgard, Nosferatu features a talented ensemble cast that includes Nicholas Hoult as Thomas Hutter, Ellen's husband, and Willem Dafoe as Professor Albin Eberhart Von Franz, a vampire hunter. The film also stars Emma Corrin as Anna Harding, the wife of Thomas's friend Friedrich, portrayed by Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Rounding out the cast are Ralph Ineson as Dr. Wilhelm Sievers, Simon McBurney as Herr Knock, and Paul Maynard and Stacy Thunes in supporting roles. Set in Germany in 1882, Nosferatu follows Thomas Hutter and his wife Ellen as they travel to Transylvania in Romania's Carpathian Mountains, where they encounter the mysterious Count Orlok. A synopsis for Nosferatu reveals it is a 'Gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake' Willem Dafoe also takes a starring role in the new film as Professor Albin Eberhart Von Franz, a controversial scientist and expert in the occult and mysticism Horror fans were less than impressed after Anya Taylor-Joy was replacedy by Depp in the remake of the classic 1922 horror film. Anya was originally involved in the project along with singer Harry Styles, but both made the decision to exit the film. A synopsis for Nosferatu reveals it is a 'Gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.' 'Yeah, its a scary film. Its a horror movie. Its a Gothic horror movie,' the film's director Robert Eggers told Empire. 'And I do think that there hasnt been an old-school Gothic movie thats actually scary in a while.' He continued: 'And I think that the majority of audiences will find this one to be the case.' 'Yeah, its a scary film. Its a horror movie. Its a Gothic horror movie,' the film's director Robert Eggers told Empire. 'And I do think that there hasnt been an old-school Gothic movie thats actually scary in a while' Nosferatu will go on general release across the United States from December 25 The filmmaker, 40, raved that 'Lily-Rose is absolutely phenomenal' and this remake of the tale is 'even more Ellens story than previous versions.' Eggers noted that Bill Skarsgard, who is responsible for Lily-Rose's terrified expression, was completely 'transformed' in his role. 'Im fearful that he might not get the credit that he deserves because hes just hes not there,' Eggers teased. 'He felt like honouring who had come before him. Its all very subtle.' He continued: 'But I think the main thing is that hes even more a folk vampire. In my opinion he looks like a dead Transylvanian nobleman, and in a way that weve never actually seen what an actual dead Transylvanian nobleman would look like and be dressed like.' Nosferatu goes on general release from December 25, 2024. Russia handles lucrative commercial satellite launches at the old Soviet Baikonur launch center in Kazakhstan. Russia rents this site from Kazakhstan and has fallen behind in rent payments. In response Kazakhstan seized $26 million of Roscosmos assets at Baikonur. Russia is not getting foreign commercial launch business because of the Ukraine war sanctions. Russia has less cash in general and cant even muster enough troops to threaten Kazakhstan. There is also a problem with Russia referring to Kazakhstan as one of many areas, like Ukraine, that should be absorbed back into Russia. Kazakhstan agrees with Ukraine on that issue and is standing up to Russia to show its determination. Despite these disputes, Russia and Kazakhstan are currently cooperating in efforts to revive the satellite launch business at Baikonur. Russia is short of cash because of the fighting in Ukraine and Ukraine related sanctions. Kazakhstan is negotiating with China to ship more oil to Chinese markets while continuing to deal with Russia. Until the war in Ukraine is over and sanctions lifted, Russia can only plan for what it will do in cooperation with Kazakhstan. The generally accepted belief is that if Russia is defeated in Ukraine, they will not try to go after Kazakhstan and its new Chinese allies. The Russian space program has been in decline since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 and the decline accelerated after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. This has not discouraged Russia from trying to get its space agency Roscosmos back into the leading role it once had in orbital space. Russian threats to develop space-based weapons have united the major nations of the world against such efforts. The Russian threat, if carried out, could prevent anyone from using space based resources. This is seen as possible because Russian space efforts are currently inoperable. For example, the Russian GLONASS satellite navigation system is dying quickly. The problem is a familiar one, too many GLONASS satellites are ending their service lives, usually seven years, and Roscosmos does not have the money to replace the GLONASS satellites. The cash shortage means the program to build improved GLONASS satellites, like GLONASS-K, is dead. It would be the first GLONASS satellite that is unpressurized and weighs much less at 750 kg while also having a longer service life of ten years. The current GLONASS-M weighs 1,450 kg and has a service life of seven years. Right now, there are 26 GLONASS satellites in service. Maintaining the worldwide GLONASS satellite network requires 24 for global coverage and 18 to just cover all of Russia. Keeping GLONASS active with a full constellation of 24 satellites with the latest technology is expensive and used to depend on a steady supply of high-tech components only available from the United States and its allies. Imports of those have been blocked since March 2022 by Western sanctions for Russias invasion of Ukraine. Recently China has also become a major supplier of electronics needed for navigation satellites. Russia has the option to buy the components it used to obtain from Western countries. Depending on China for components does not solve the fundamental problem that Russia does not have the money to maintain GLONASS. Russian suppliers stepped up and manufactured the needed components to keep GLONASS satellites operational. Since the American GPS system began operating in 1993, several other similar systems have appeared. GLONASS went online in 2011 and the Chinese Beidou came online in 2020, at the same time as the European Galileo system. Creating and maintaining these global systems is expensive and only the United States and China have been able to finance continuous operation and upgrades. Galileo, which is paid for by a coalition of nations, has had problems getting coalition members to provide the needed funds. Russia tried to compete but ran out of money. Multiple global positioning satellite systems increase the accuracy and reliability of the signals, as well as provide redundancy and interoperability in case of disruption of service. Multiple systems can also create problems involving spectrum congestion, signal interference, and coordination complications. By 2020 it was believed that current anti-jamming efforts were sufficient to keep American military GPS use viable for a while. That was optimistic because improvements in GPS jamming and spoofing technology were introduced more rapidly than expected. Since GPS disruption began, it has become increasingly obvious that Russia has been regularly jamming or spoofing GPS signals. In the last five years there have been thousands of incidents where Russia has been jamming or spoofing satellite navigation signals used by the American GPS, Chinese Beidou, Europes Galileo and Russian GLONASS when used by foreigners. Most of this activity was not obvious jamming but the more difficult to detect spoofing. Russia used this to conceal the true location of key Russian government officials and Russian military units. The spoofing was particularly common for Russian military forces in Ukraine and Syria. Spoofing replaced the actual satellite signal with a false one that rendered smart bombs or planned attacks on targets inaccurate. Spoofing can introduce false signals gradually and sometimes delay a navigation system's realization that it is being deceived. Foiling the latter is an important function of INS/Inertial Navigation System, to act as a monitor for GPS as well as a backup. Current INS tech relies on receiving an accurate GPS location initially and periodically thereafter to keep both GPS and INS location data in sync. GPS depends on continuous satellite signals to operate and the INS is only used to step in and replace GPS when its satellite signal becomes temporarily too weak, or absent. When an accurate GPS signal is achieved, INS goes back into standby mode. Spoofing can now mimic these momentary disruptions and evade detection as a false signal by the INS, which is completely self-contained. This is sometimes a problem for American guided weapons sent to Ukraine that do not have the latest anti-jamming tech installed. American INS researchers are not the only ones seeking an INS that is accurate and persistent enough to replace GPS for extended periods. INS has long suffered from the inability to provide as accurate a location as satellite navigation systems as the gyroscope and acceleration capabilities now performed by microelectronics of the chip-based INS cannot maintain as continuously precise location as the space satellite-based system can. This is no longer seen as an insurmountable problem, nor is the large cost difference between GPS and INS tech. Israel apparently feels it is closer to a solution than anyone else. Meanwhile, spoofing satellite navigation systems has become more popular and practical because they do not require expensive or high-tech equipment. While American weapons and military navigation systems have a backup in the form of unjammable INS systems, these are useless if the spoofing is not detected. American systems are supposed to detect spoofing and revert to INS, but the Americans do not disclose details of how these systems work in order to make it difficult for spoofing systems to be modified to be less detectable. That is one reason why the U.S. has not released detailed information on spoofing incidents because some of them may have evaded the INS spoofing detection tech. To further complicate the issue there have also been instances where mandatory AIS/Automatic Identification System transponders that all large ships must carry are more frequently reporting instances of getting no GPS signal at all. Large ships usually carry two AIS units in case one malfunctions, so AIS failure can be ruled out as a cause. This confirms that something outside the ship is manipulating the GPS signal. This demonstrates how it is possible to deceive the unjammable INS and new INS systems are sought that will eliminate that risk by replacing GPS most of the time. The new INS technology has attracted a lot of attention in the military where backups are always appreciated because its literally a matter of life or death when equipment fails in combat, or for commercial users like aircraft or ships. Meanwhile the U.S. is building and testing more compact GPS anti-jamming systems for smaller 200 kg drones. This is part of a program to equip all American drones, even the smallest ones, with more secure GPS. While all drones can be flown by the operator, the GPS makes it a lot easier for the operator to keep track of exactly where his drone is at all times, and sometimes the drone is programmed to simply patrol between a series of GPS coordinates. If the GPS jams or fails, the operator can usually use the video feed to find landmarks on the ground and bring the drone back to where it can be seen and landed. Other drones have a failsafe system for the GPS. When it is no longer available the drone turns around and heads back in the general direction of the operator. This is better than just allowing the GPS-less drone to keep flying randomly until it runs out of fuel and crashes somewhere, GPS reliability threats are coming from a few suppliers like Russia, China, and North Korea. These nations have developed all manner of GPS jamming technology, and over the last decade it has become increasingly obvious that these nations were using new GPS spoofing technology to conceal the true location of senior personnel and mobile combat units. Developers and users of GPS jamming gear tend to keep quiet about what they do because this sort of thing is illegal in peacetime, especially when civilians experience GPS disruptions themselves. When the United States tests military GPS jamming, it does so at sea or in remote areas and warns nearby civilians who might encounter GPS problems to be aware of the tests and act accordingly. This warning policy has been in use for decades because of the growing number of new electronic equipment designs that could cause problems for civilians if the disruptive effect extended farther than expected. Other nations are not as secretive in complaining and often the culprit is Russia. In 2018 Finland and Norway went public with their accusations that Russia deliberately jammed GPS signals in northern Finland and Norway from a location near the Russian military bases in the Kola Peninsula on the Barents Sea. The jamming took place as NATO held its largest training exercise since the Cold War ended in 1991. Russia denied any responsibility even though they are known to possess long-range jammers for GPS and other signals. Norway said they had tracked the jammer to a specific location but, when Russia refused to admit any involvement, Norway refused to explain how they tracked the signal because that would provide Russia with information on Norwegian EW (Electronic Warfare) equipment that might be useful to them. China is seeking to monetize its Beidou satellite navigation/satnav system. Beidou is the Chinese version of American GPS. Beidou finally became fully operational, providing worldwide coverage, in January 2020. There are three competing systems: GPS, GLONASS and Galileo. The full Beidou network was open for business as a world-wide service in early 2020. The American GPS has been operational since 1978 while the Russian GLONASS achieved that status in 1995. Unfortunately, Russia had problems, mostly financial, in keeping GLONASS operational. The European Galileo became operational worldwide in 2020. Each of these systems cost about $10 billion to create and get into service. The American GPS cost $12 billion, mainly because it has been around for so long. China is determined to do what none of the other three satnav systems have done; become profitable. China has not revealed how they expect to do that and the other three major satnav providers remain silent on the profitability issue. Currently the main reason for building a satnav system is national prestige and an alternative to dependence on the Americans, or any single satnav provider. China has also invested heavily in trying to obtain favorable press coverage for Beidou and somehow establish it as a preferred satnav service. That has cost over half a billion dollars but has not created any acceptance of Beidou as a superior satnav provider. China has a long-range plan for Beidou that includes adding new features and somehow achieving market dominance by 2040. China likes to announce long range goals like this, then quietly forget about it when the promised future never arrives. Meanwhile, Chinese state-controlled media have provided a global audience with unprecedented details of this Chinese technological effort. People got their first experience with Beidou in late 2012 when the first few satellites were made available to anyone with a Beidou receiver. China expected Beidou to become a major competitor for the existing global navigation systems, at least with civilian users. China made it clear its initial goal was to grab a major share of the satnav market from the original U.S GPS system and do it by 2030. Progress has been slow so far. The reality is that China has had a difficult time getting Beidou fully operational. By 2020 worldwide Beidou service was available and the rest of the world was not impressed. Beidou incorporates the best features of the GLONASS and Galileo systems, as well as items planned for the next generation American GPS satellites. With all that, no one has found a way to make a profit, at least not directly. There are plenty of ideas but no one has yet turned any of those ideas into cash. Moreover, there are disputes between the Beidou, Galileo, and GLONASS organizations over who should use what frequencies. Since GPS got into service first no one is contesting the frequencies GPS uses, but the three other players have some problems. The success of the original GPS satnav system has generated all this competition. But so far, these other efforts have found the work much more difficult than expected. A European consortium went forward with Galileo despite growing costs and technical problems. Initially Galileo was to be funded with private money. But the costs climbed beyond the most optimistic estimates of future income, so now Galileo is being paid for with tax dollars, as was GPS and the competing Russian and Chinese systems. Galileo came about because the Europeans didn't like being dependent on an American system and didn't believe the Russians would be able to keep their GLONASS system viable. Galileo became operational because the European nations were purportedly willing to pay for a system that anyone could use without charge. Dual GPS and Galileo receivers cost about 20 percent more than GPS only receivers. Having two separate sets of signals makes for more reliable and accurate receivers. Also, the way Galileo is being set up will provide improved reliability in higher latitudes and in built-up areas. GLONASS was at full strength in 1996, shortly after the Cold War ended. But the end of the Cold War in 1991 meant the end of the regular financing for GLONASS. Maintaining the system required launching replacement satellites every 5-7 years. By the end of 2002, only seven GLONASS satellites were still operational. However, the Russian economy recovered and provided funds for a series of launches in 2003 that increased the number of active satellites to twelve. That went to 18 by the end of 2007 and Russia had 24 GLONASS satellites in orbit by 2011 with the system again fully operational by 2012. As a result, GLONASS was the first real competitor for GPS. However, GLONASS was not completely functional until 2016 because of delays in building all the ground control stations. The money for GLONASS is coming from a Russian government that does not want to be dependent on the American controlled GPS system. But the money is only there because of high oil prices. Most GLONASS receivers in use are actually combined GPS/GLONASS receivers. Russia will have to put billions of dollars into GLONASS over the next few years to keep the system fully operational and then spend even more money to maintain the satellite network. The costs of the Ukraine war are consuming the investment capital needed to maintain Russias civilian infrastructure, including GLONASS, its railroad system and oil production. GLONASS is widely used in conjunction with GPS. In other words, many systems, including cell phones that already used GPS, added GLONASS and Galileo to provide better coverage and fewer instances where the signal was unavailable. Beidou is a more restricted system. Services available to anyone are less accurate than other systems but Beidou also has a more accurate military messaging mode that is only available to the Chinese and Pakistani military. China continues trying to monetize its GPS service, which really would make it unique compared to the others, but few nations are willing to pay for a military grade satnav service provided by China. It will take more than a multi-billion dollar propaganda effort to change global suspicion of Chinese motives and reliability in such matters. One of the reasons why there are so many global positioning satellite systems is that they have both civilian and military applications. GPS was originally developed by the US Department of Defense to provide precise navigation and timing for its armed forces and allies. GPS also became widely used by civilians for various purposes, such as mapping, geocaching, tracking, and recreation. Similarly, GLONASS, Beidou, and Galileo have dual-use capabilities that can enhance the economic, scientific, and security interests of their respective countries or regions. For example, GLONASS can support Russian oil and gas exploration, Beidou can facilitate China's Belt and Road Initiative, and Galileo can improve European autonomy and resilience in the face of external threats or disruptions. Use of multiple global positioning satellite systems can also increase the accuracy and reliability of the signals, as well as provide redundancy and interoperability in case of failures or attacks. Having too many systems can also pose challenges, such as spectrum congestion, signal interference, and coordination difficulties. Moreover, some countries may use their systems for strategic or political purposes, such as denying access to rivals or asserting territorial claims. Therefore, it is important to establish international norms and regulations for the peaceful and responsible use of global positioning satellite systems. One of Tom Cruise's next films is a sci-fi thriller called Deeper. The 62-year-old Hollywood vet whose ex-wife Nicole Kidman just stunned on the red carpet will star in 59-year-old director Doug Liman's upcoming project, which is in early development, per Deadline. According to the outlet, Liman gave the update at the recent Gaucho Gaucho screening in New York City. He shared that he's never made a scary movie while noting, 'And neither has Tom. It comes after one week ago Cruise teased an upcoming project with his social media audience. One of Tom Cruise's next films is a sci-fi thriller called Deeper One of Tom Cruise's next films is a sci-fi thriller called Deeper; pictured in July A single image showed him underwater, wearing black briefs while a diver in full gear floated nearby. The leading man seemed to be holding some sort of device to his mouth as a cloud of bubbles rose above his head. In a caption to his 13 million Instagram followers, he wrote, 'The training and preparation we put into this film is a culmination of all before it. From the depths, to the skies, I cant wait to share more with you.' Deeper's plot sees an astronaut confronted by a frightening force during a deep dive into an uncharted channel. Before landing in Liman's hands via Warner Bros. Studios, the movie was being produced at MGM back in 2016. Bradley Cooper was slated to appear as the main character and Kornel Mundruczo was on board to direct. Another fruitless attempt to create the feature included Idris Elba in the starring role with Baltasar Kormakur set to direct. If the third iteration comes to fruition, it will mark the third or fourth collaboration for Tom and Doug, whose previous projects include Edge of Tomorrow and American Made. The duo is currently also working on bringing a NASA film to life, which could be shot outer space in partnership with SpaceX. On November 11, Tom appeared online again to promote the Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning follow-up. Uploading a trailer, he wrote to his fans, 'Our lives are the sum of our choices. Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning. See you at the movies May 23, 2025.' Emma Corrin put on a daring display as they went braless in a green lace Saint Laurent minidress to the premiere of the film Nosferatu in Berlin on Monday night. The non-binary actor, 28, who uses they/them pronouns, stars in the horror movie as Anna Harding and posed alongside co-star Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 34, who takes on the role of Friedrich Harding. Emma left little to the imagination as they hit the red carpet in the green dress which was adorned with a blue lace Victorian neckline, from the designer's 2025 Ready To Wear collection. They teamed the look with black stiletto heels, which are also from the designer and hit the catwalk earlier this year. The film is a reboot of the classic 1922 horror movie and stars Bill Skarsgard as the vampire Count Orlok and Lily as Ellen Hutter, the young woman Orlok fixates on. Emma Corrin put on a daring display as they went braless in a green lace Saint Laurent minidress to the premiere of the film Nosferatu in Berlin on Monday night They posed alongside co-star Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who takes on the role of Friedrich Harding The non-binary actor, 28, who uses they/them pronouns, stars in the horror movie as Anna Harding A synopsis for Nosferatu reveals it is a 'Gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.' In one scene, Emma recalled how they had 30 rats crawling over her. The Crown star told Deadline: '30 of them were on my bare chest, honestly, I was being very brave about it. I was very much stoic, being very British about it, really. And then we were in the scene, and I had no top on, and it was just horrible. 'The smell is something that you cant imagine. And the incontinence was a thing that I really didnt expect, but was terrible It was grim. 'They loved my hair, so they would go and sit in the wig and get all up in my face. Do you watch Im a CelebrityGet Me Out of Here!? You know when they had to put their hand in the box with the tarantulas? It was a bit like that, I wont lie.' Nosferatu will be released on December 25, 2024. The film's director, Robert Eggers, raved 'Lily-Rose is absolutely phenomenal' and this remake of the tale is 'even more Ellens story than previous versions'. 'Yeah, its a scary film. Its a horror movie. Its a Gothic horror movie,' the film's director Robert Eggers told Empire. 'And I do think that there hasnt been an old-school Gothic movie thats actually scary in a while.' The film is a reboot of the classic 1922 horror movie and stars Bill Skarsgard as the vampire Count Orlok and Lily as Ellen Hutter, the young woman Orlok fixates on They teamed the look with black stiletto heels, which are also from the designer and hit the catwalk earlier this year Emma left little to the imagination as they hit the red carpet in the green dress which was adorned with a blue lace Victorian neckline, from the designer's 2025 Ready To Wear collection Emma rocked their pixie crop and wore a polished make-up look which accentuated their natural beauty Aaron looked dapper in a black striped suit and polo neck Bill Skarsgard, who stars as vampire Count Orlok, looked stylish in an oversized blazer The Swedish actor posed for photos with Nicholas on the red carpet Willem Dafoe, who takes on the role of Prof. Albin Eberhart Von Franz, wore a highneck top with a charcoal blazer Lily Rose-Depp has followed in her father Johnny Depp's horror footsteps with her chilling new role in Nosferatu He continued: 'And I think that the majority of audiences will find this one to be the case.' Robert noted that Bill, who is responsible for Lily-Rose's terrified expression, was completely 'transformed' in his role. 'Im fearful that he might not get the credit that he deserves because hes just hes not there,' he teased. 'He felt like honouring who had come before him. Its all very subtle.' 'But I think the main thing is that hes even more a folk vampire. In my opinion he looks like a dead Transylvanian nobleman, and in a way that weve never actually seen what an actual dead Transylvanian nobleman would look like and be dressed like.' Early reviews have seen critics call the film 'hypnotic,' 'devilish,' and 'the scariest movie since The Shining,' with the movie achieving a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Harry Clark took to Instagram on Monday to show off his impressive two-stone weight loss transformation in a before-and-after snap. The Traitors winner, 23, proudly showed off his new physique as he went shirtless for a mirror selfie in his gym. In the before snap, Harry wore green swimming shorts as he posed in front of the sea while enjoying a vacation abroad. He revealed that the before snap was taken in August and at the time he weighed 100kg (15 stone 10lbs), whereas he now weighs 85kg (13 stone 5lbs). He captioned his post with: '1st December reminder to myself (Christmas tree and Santa emoji)' 'Also, remember to always look at how far youve come! The first photo is me currently sat around 85kgs feeling like nothings really changed, then the second photo is me in august on holiday at 100+kg. Harry Clark took to Instagram on Monday to show off his impressive two-stone weight loss transformation in a before-and-after snap He also posted several snaps of his girlfriend Anna Maynard, the sister of popstar Conor Maynard, whom he began dating in April 2022 'People always say to me they swear I never needed to loose weight before, however the proof is in the pudding, I was a chubby bunny.' 'Mad to think its just the start, who knows where Ill be next August. Hope everyones had a good week, Im currently deeping the fact this time next week Ill be 24 (celebration emoji) which is mad, but what a year 23 has been (love heart emoji).' The TV star also gave a glimpse into what his life has looked like for the past few months as he shared several gym mirror selfies, a slew of vacation snaps, and pictures of his girlfriend Anna Maynard. Harry previously shared that he lost six pounds in just four days at intense 1st Class Bootcamp he attended with Anna. The intense, structured program had not only helped him lose weight, but also regain a sense of mental clarity that had eluded him for a while. The Series Two winner previously opened up about struggling with his mental health after finding fame on the BBC show. The British Army engineer told the Monday Mile Podcast with Aimee Fuller, 'It's so weird, my life's been very 50/50, the whole way through.' 'I mean, there's obviously good and bad to it. The bad probably from the four months, and that the success of the show is probably losing myself a little bit.' The Traitors winner also gave a glimpse into what his life has looked like for the past few months as he shared several gym mirror selfies In one snap, Anna beamed and struck up a silly pose outside the Padium Padel Club in London ahead of a workout In another selfie snap the TV favourite donned a casual ensemble and a pair of cool glasses as he enjoyed a stroll 'Obviously, a council kid from Slough, I go to these events, you finish a drink, or you finish a glass of Prosecco, soon as you finish it, you get another one in your hand.' 'And then I'm looking around to pay the bill, and there's no one to pay. So I've just been making the most out of it for four months.' 'So I lost my training, and I sort of lost myself a little bit mentally, but just carried on working and now I'm sort of finding that balance.' Harry won The Traitors' 95,000 prize in January after deceiving his fellow contestants, including Faithful runner-up Mollie Pierce. He quickly became a fan favourite on the reality programme hosted by Claudia Winkleman due to his warm and cheeky chappy personality. However, this was a far cry from how he felt in the years leading up to the show, and Harry admitted he previously hit 'rock bottom'. He said: 'At around 21, I went through a bad time. I was in the darkest place you could possibly be.' 'I had feelings of wanting to end it all. I was quite an angry kid. But the Army moulded my characteristics and made me the man I am today.' 'I began facing my emotions and learned to give myself time to be angry and sad. I started to set myself time limits to process my feelings. Afterwards, I'd tell myself I couldn't waste any more time being angry or upset.' Harry previously shared that he lost six pounds in just four days at intense 1st Class Bootcamp he attended with Anna The Series Two winner previously opened up about struggling with his mental health after finding fame on the BBC show 'I had a realisation that time is the most important thing and I didn't want to waste it. In the Army, I was that guy people would talk to. All I want to do is help. It's a lonely world and it's easy to be blinded by mental health.' Reflecting on his The Traitors win, Harry said he was still working when it aired but has since quit the army. A constant in his rise to success has been his girlfriend Anna, sister of popstar Conor Maynard, whom he began dating in April 2022. It comes after Harry's series of The Traitors won the National Television Award for best reality competition, beating the likes of The Apprentice, Celebrity Big Brother, Love Island and Race Across the World. Daniel Craig wrapped up warm as he departed The Late Show With Stephen Colbert in New York City on Monday. The actor, 56, sported a knee-length grey coat which he paired with a light grey scarf and a pair of blue jeans. The film star, who waved to fans as he departed the chat show set, added to his look with brown leather boots. Daniel was promoting his new A24 film Queer, which is currently playing in limited release and expands nationwide December 13. The actor was making his sixth appearance on the late night talk show, though he revealed mid-way through the interview he had 'a bone to pick' with the host. He then asked Colbert to say his name, which he did, as Daniel admitted, 'Now you're doing it right.' Daniel Craig wrapped up warm as he departed The Late Show With Stephen Colbert in New York City on Monday The actor, 56, sported a knee-length grey coat which he paired with a light grey scarf and a pair of blue jeans However, for each of his subsequent visits, Colbert was pronouncing his last name Cr-egg, instead of the correct Cr-ayg. Colbert asked if he pronounced it Cr-egg and the actor said, 'Yes, it's a dipthong,' a term referring to two separate vowel sounds within the same syllable. The Cr-egg pronunciation only features one vowel sound, though the correct Cr-ayg pronunciation, when done right, produces two vowel sounds. Craig then joked, 'I don't say Colbet,' he said as the audience laughed, as the actor tried to subtly reveal the differences in both pronunciations. The actor sounded it out a bit more the second time, and Colbert finally seemed to realize his pronunciation error. 'Oooh, I hear the difference. That is subtle. That is a subtle difference and I apologize,' Colbert said, as the former James Bond actor thanked him. 'I don't want Daniel Cr-ayg mad at me. Daniel Cr-egg? F**k that guy, but Daniel Cr-ayg ...' Colbert joked as Daniel burst into laughter. They shook hands as Colbert asked, 'Have I been doing that for six shows?' Daniel said, 'Six shows. Craig, it's fine, whatever.' The film star, who waved to fans as he departed the chat show set, added to his look with brown leather boots The actor was making his sixth appearance on the late night talk show, though he revealed mid-way through the interview Stephen has been pronouncing his surname wrong The actor also filmed his third Knives Out movie as beloved detective Benoit Blanc called Wake Up Dead Man, which is set for release next year. This mystery features another star-studded cast, as Daniel admitted he couldn't believe the cast writer-director Rian Johnson put together this time around. 'Im just amazed when Rian says to me and Josh Brolins going to do it, and Glenn Close is going to do it, .Im like bring it on, it's amazing,' Daniel said. 'When they turn up, they just have at it. Everyone comes to have some fun,' adding part of his job is to, 'keep it light,' adding, 'I'm a court jester.' When asked about the future of the franchise - which includes 2019's Knives Out and 2022's Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery - Craig insisted he would always return. 'As long as Rian keeps writing them, Ill keep doing them,' Daniel insisted of the beloved franchise. Lisa Faulkner cut a downcast figure on Monday as she stepped out in North London amid her husband John Torode's apparent fallout with Gregg Wallace. Gregg is said to be 'furious' with John - his MasterChef co-host of almost 20 years - after he failed to publicly support him over allegations of sexually inappropriate behaviour. The under-fire presenter, 60, has unfollowed John, 59, and his wife Lisa, 52, on Instagram, making his anger quite plain - though Lisa still follows Gregg and the chef's wife Anne-Marie Sterpini still follows the couple. And it appears that the stress of the situation could be getting to Lisa as she looked rather glum while out and about in the capital this week. The actress sported a green, quilted jacket which she teamed with a casual grey sweater and navy-blue joggers. Lisa added slouchy tan boots to her look and was laden down with a large burgundy handbag and a tote bag. Lisa Faulkner cut a downcast figure on Monday as she stepped out in North London amid her husband John Torode's apparent fallout with Gregg Wallace It appears that the stress of the situation could be getting to Lisa as she looked rather glum while out and about in the capital this week The under-fire presenter, 60, [left] has unfollowed John, 59, and his wife Lisa, 52, on Instagram, making his anger quite plain - though she still follows Gregg The TV personality, who married John in 2019, was seen checking her phone as she walked amid Gregg's snub on social media. Her husband John has not uttered a word on Gregg's MasterChef exit, despite them working together since 2005. A source told The Sun: 'Gregg is absolutely furious and is convinced he has done nothing wrong. 'Seeing John keeping quiet amid all of this has irked him hugely. Gregg and John have been colleagues for almost two decades and while they aren't the closest of friends, Gregg feels John could say something. 'He has deleted them from his Instagram account now and unfollowed both of them.' It came as Sir Keir Starmer said Wallace was 'completely inappropriate and misogynistic' for blaming 'middle class women of a certain' age for his MasterChef ruination amid growing pressure on the BBC to take the show off air. Gregg has now apologised for 'any offence that I caused' and 'any upset I caused to a lot of people'. He blamed his middle-class women slur on being 'under siege' and not being 'in a good head space' on Sunday. After spending nearly two decades presenting Britain's best-loved cooking show together, the legacy of famed duo Gregg Wallace and John Torode appears to have come crashing down in just a matter of months. Lisa appeared downcast following the drama surrounding her husband and Gregg The actress sported a green quilted jacket which she teamed with a casual grey sweater and navy blue joggers The star went make-up free as she ran errands in London Lisa was lost in her own world during the low-key solo outing The TV personality, who married John in 2019, was seen checking her phone as she walked amid Gregg's snub on social media Anne-Marie continues to follow John and Lisa on social media One source told MailOnline over the weekend that John may fear that the current furore may reflect badly on him. In October John's wife Lisa said of her time on MasterChef: 'Greg just told rude joke after rude joke. You're just sitting there and if you're on the front bench just chopping away thinking, "I've got ten minutes left", and he's saying, 'So this girl walked into a bar...' 'And I'm going, "Please I don't want to hear this joke".' Lisa, 52, appeared on the series in 2010 where she went on to win the Celebrity MasterChef trophy. Brookside and Holby City star Lisa told the Cheltenham Literature Festival how she would overhear the former greengrocer's jokes as she was prepping her dishes. BBC presenter Gregg stepped down from MasterChef after it was revealed that 13 people, including Newsnight host Kirsty Wark, accused him of 'wrong' and inappropriate 'sexualised' behaviour during filming. He stands accused of making 'inappropriate sexual jokes', asking for the phone numbers of female members of production staff, and undressing in front of and standing 'too close' to women working on his shows. He allegedly walked naked on set with only a sock on his penis. The grocer turned broadcaster, posted a series of incendiary videos online recently where he hit back at critics by saying: 'Can you imagine how many women on MasterChef, female contestants, have made sexual remarks or sexual innuendo?' Gregg is said to be fuming at his MasterChef co-host John after he failed to publicly support him Since allegations made against Gregg, his TV aide has failed to address the ongoing dispute and axing of his co-host from the show Wallace had said: 'I've been doing MasterChef for 20 years, amateur, celebrity and professional MasterChef, and I think, in that time, I have worked with over 4,000 contestants of all different ages, all different backgrounds, all walks of life. 'Apparently now, I'm reading in the paper, there's been 13 complaints in that time. I can see the complaints coming from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age, just from Celebrity MasterChef. This isn't right'. His posts have been branded 'shocking' and laced with 'thinly veiled misogyny' - and did not touch on the sexual allegations made by numerous MasterChef celebrities, producers and contestants on the show he left last week. There are allegations related to four other shows he worked on. One insider told MailOnline today: 'Gregg has gone rogue and ignored all advice'. Another expert said: 'He needs to shut up'. Ex Strictly Come Dancing star Graziano Di Prima's comeback is a flop as his new Netflix film A Paris Christmas Waltz received very mixed reviews from fans on Tuesday. The professional dancer, 30, was sacked by the BBC in July following claims of gross misconduct towards his former celeb partner Zara McDermott. Four months after his departure, Graziano revealed he was appearing in the movie, starring alongside Matthew Morrison, Jen Lilley, Jade Ewen and Paul Freeman. The Christmas movie follows Emma (Jen Lilley) as she encounters professional dancer Leo (Matthew Morrison), whose enthusiasm for competitive dancing is diminishing. However, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presents itself for the novice to join the pro. Graziano plays the role of Paolo in the movie, which was originally released a year ago but is now available to stream on Netflix UK, America, Belgium, and France. Ex Strictly star Graziano Di Prima 's comeback is a slump as his new Netflix film A Paris Christmas Waltz has received very mixed reviews from fans on Tuesday Four months after his departure, Graziano revealed he was in the movie starring alongside Matthew Morrison (L), Jen Lilley (R), Jade Ewen and Paul Freeman Since it's release on the streaming service last Friday, fans have taken to X, Instagram and Rotten Tomatoes to share their opinions on the festive rom com. Some claimed that the film was 'so bad' while others added that the leading stars Matthew and Jen had 'zero chemistry'. 'Am watching A Paris Christmas Waltz on Netflix. It is utterly s***' 'Literally so bad, not even cheesy bad'. 'Zero chemistry between the cast members. The absolutely gorgeous female lead was consistently in costumes that made her look twice her age. The dancing was like watching the worst contestants on Dancing With the Stars that keep making it past elimination rounds against all odds. I don't understand how these actors get talked into such low quality projects.' However others wrote that they enjoyed the Netflix film gushing that it is 'amazing' and 'brilliant'. 'Just watched it....loved it' 'It was amazing! You were Brilliant!' 'If you love watching ballroom dancing, love Christmas lights, and romance and the thought of eating gourmet French food, this is the movie to watch. Dancing was amazing! Had to replay some of the dance scenes more than once!' Graziano plays the role of Paolo in the movie, which was originally released a year ago but is now available to stream on Netflix UK, America, Belgium, and France Since it's release on the streaming service last Friday, fans have taken to X, Instagram and Rotten Tomatoes to share their opinions on the festive rom com Some claimed that the film was 'so bad' while others added that the leading stars Matthew and Jen had 'zero chemistry' However others wrote that they enjoyed the Netflix film gushing that it is 'amazing' and 'brilliant' Sharing the trailer of his Netflix movie on Instagram, Graziano wrote: 'I'm so excited to share this amazing news! The film I had the honor to be part of, both as an actor and a dancer, 'A Paris Christmas Waltz', is now officially available on Netflix! 'This is a huge milestone as the movie, originally released on @greatamericanfamily, has now made its way to one of the biggest streaming platforms in the world.' He continued: 'A huge thank you to Michael Damian for making this incredible project possible! 'Currently, you can watch it on Netflix America, as well as in Belgium and France, and I truly hope it will soon arrive in Italy and the UK. 'Thank you so much for your support, and if it's already available in your region, don't miss it!' It comes just after the dancer broke his silence for the first time in months as he teased his return to the spotlight on Tuesday. He shared a moody video of himself walking on a bridge at night time, before being joined by his wife, Giada Lini, who is also a professional dancer. Alongside the clip, Graziano wrote: 'Dance has always been the center of my life, my greatest passion, the path I chose and dedicated years of study, sacrifice, and love to. 'After a period of reflection, I feel stronger than ever and eager to return to what I love most: dancing.' He continued: 'The future is a whole world of new open windows, ready to welcome new dreams and new challenges, and I'm excited to continue this journey with even more determination and inspiration.' Speaking to his fans, Graziano added: 'A heartfelt thank you to everyone who is always there for me. I'm thrilled to dance again with the same enthusiasm and dedication as always. The Christmas movie follows Emma (Jen Lilley) as she encounters professional dancer Leo (Emma), whose enthusiasm for competitive dancing is diminishing Graziano's character competes against Leo and Emma Graziano took to social media to share the 'amazing news' with his 248,000 followers on Instagram In July, Graziano was sacked, accused of 'kicking' his celebrity dancing partner Love Island star Zara McDermott during their time together no the show (both pictured) 'See you soon, whether on stage or through new projects that I will be very excited to share with you.' According to The Sun, Graziano has now 'called in top lawyers to sue the BBC ' in a bid to clear his name. Barristers from Whitestone Chambers have 'already read thousands of text and WhatsApp messages' and believe the Italian 'could sue for unfair dismissal'. A source said: 'Graziano feels he wasn't allowed a fair opportunity to give his side of the story so has been heartened to hear the legal team think he has a case for unfair dismissal.' They added: 'They've also looked at his BBC contract and believe there are grounds to sue. He is weighing up his options but remains hopeful he can clear his name.' MailOnline contacted Graziano's reps and the BBC for comment at the time. Strictly production staff raised concerns about Graziano's conduct last year, but bosses only went as far as to issue quiet warnings to him. The group expected him to be sacked instantly. They are said to be furious that their complaints were ignored, meaning the abuse towards Zara was allowed to continue and Graziano was even signed on for the upcoming 2024 series of Strictly . It was not until staff got hold of a video allegedly showing Graziano repeatedly hitting Ms McDermott nine months after their initial complaint that he was fired. Addressing his exit from the show, Graziano confirmed and 'deeply regretted' his actions against Zara citing his 'intense passion' for his behaviour Graziano (left) had previously been partnered with comedian and Loose Women star Judi Love (right) in 2021 He also reached the quarter-final of the dance show with actor Kym Marsh (right) in 2022 Graziano later confirmed and regretted his actions against Zara. Addressing his exit from the show, a 'devastated' Di Prima wrote on Instagram: 'I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. 'My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.' 'While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it's only right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn't allowed to offer a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the sensitivity of the situation. 'There's more to this story that I am unable to discuss at this time, but I am committed to being strong for my family and friends. I wish the Strictly family nothing but success in the future.' Graziano joined Strictly in 2018 and was last year partnered with the former Love Island star but they were eliminated in week six. He was previously paired with presenter Vick Hope, Loose Women star Judi Love and in 2022 and he reached the quarter-final with actor Kym Marsh. Ella Rae Wise turned heads as she joined her Only Way Is Essex cast mates to film for the drama-filled Christmas special on Monday. The TV personality, 24, was joined by Lauren Goodger, 38, on set at Holmewood Hall in Peterborough, who also dressed to impress in a plunging dress. Ella went braless in a sheer lace bodysuit that featured a wrap-around mini skirt and flared built-in leggings. She looked incredible in the risque one-piece which she paired with peep toe heels and a matching Chanel handbag. Lauren teamed her low-cut mini dress with a pair of metallic heels and also chose to accessorise with a Chanel bag. They were joined by Amber Turner, Chloe Meadows, Courtney Green, Elma Pazar, Saffron Lempriere, Jodie Wells, Sophie Kasaei and Danni Imbert. Ella Rae Wise, 24, turned heads as she joined her Only Way Is Essex cast mates to film for the drama-filled Christmas special on Monday The TV personality was joined by Lauren Goodger, 38, on set at Holmewood Hall in Peterborough, who also dressed to impress in a plunging dress TOWIE Legend Amy Childs showed off her figure as she arrived with her boyfriend Billy Debosq. She looked chic in a highneck knitted dress with a matching cape ad snakeskin knee boots. Whilst boys, Freddie Bentley, Dan Edgar, Jordan Brook, Sammy Root, Junaid and Joe Blackman also joined in on the festive fun. The ITV special is set to air a 90-minute episode filled with drama and twists before Christmas Day. Danni put on a bust display in an off-the-shoulder fitted jumpsuit while Amber stunned in a red velvet mini dress. Elsewhere, Sophie wore a sequinned two-piece set for the festive event consisting of a crop top and mini skirt. Earlier this week, Ella and Dan were spotted getting cozy and couldn't keep their hands off of each other, despite reports they have secretly split up after 'weeks of fake dating' on the show. It comes after Ella and Dan were reported to have secretly split up after 'weeks of fake dating' on the show. Ella went braless in a sheer lace bodysuit that featured a wrap-around mini skirt and flared built-in leggings Lauren teamed her low-cut mini dress with a pair of metallic heels and also chose to accessorise with a Chanel bag Danni Imbert put on a bust display in an off-the-shoulder fitted jumpsuit Amber Turner stunned in a red velvet mini dress TOWIE Legend Amy Childs showed off her figure in a highneck knitted dress with a matching cape She was joined by her partner Billy Debosq Sophie Kasaei wore a sequinned two-piece set for the festive event Elma Pazar wore a matching set with huge velvet bows Some of the group were seen toasting with some drinks The ITV special is set to air a 90-minute episode filled with drama and twists before Christmas Day Elma snapped selfies with Sophie The pair, who first split up in May, have been enjoying a string of dates on the show after getting back together in the latest season. But it has been reported the pair have been 'faking their romance on TV' and secretly split a while ago. Now Ella has allegedly grown closer and moved on to a millionaire's son, 21-year-old Teddy Brunt. A source told The Sun: 'She might be dating Dan on-screen but off-screen Ella has moved and shes secretly dating a very rich 21-year-old called Teddy Brunt. She has been in Dubai with him - shes staying in his apartment out there. 'He is only 21 but runs his own business and is well known in the Essex circles - and his dads a millionaire.' MailOnline have contacted Dan and Ella's representatives for a comment. While Ella is keeping her new romance under wraps, she has given hints by sharing a picture of a teddy bear made out of 1500 red roses from a special someone. In a previous TOWIE episode, Dan confided in best pal James, aka Diags, about his relationship with Ella. He said: 'It's not that I don't feel like I could ever get to that place, I don't know if I could or couldn't. 'I just know right now at this moment, I'm not at a place where I'm thinking of this as long term thing and when I do think of it as a long term thing, I start to then close off and go back because of other previous situations. 'That's messed me up as well with it.' Diags replied: 'Then you've gotta tell her that. Say "listen, I can't give you any more assurances in the fact that I don't know where this is going".' Sophie and her partner Jordan Brook looked as loved-up as ever Saffron Lempriere opted for a plunging blazer dress with heart embellishments Chloe Meadows looked chic in a black velvet mini dress Harry Derbidge opted for an all-black ensemble he was seen sharing a toast with Chloe Sammy Root also joined his cast mates for the festive celebration Ella posed for photos with her close pal Freddie Bentley Ella and Dan have secretly split up after 'weeks of fake dating' on the show Dan said: 'Do you know what's mad about it? 'She's someone who I, well you know full well, wouldn't even have thought I'd never talk to again in my life to someone who I hold highly in my head. 'Do you know what I mean, as a person, I like her a lot but there is other stuff that needs to be spoke about, and I feel like before everyone gets carried away with it and before either of us get carried away, we need to have an honest chat about how we both feel.' The Sun recently confirmed Dan and Ella had gone their separate ways while he takes part in Dancing On Ice. An insider told the publication: 'Dan is set to focus on Dancing On Ice, whilst Ella has jetted off to Dubai for a month before filming starts for the Towie Christmas special. 'There isnt any bad blood between the pair and it was fun while it lasted, but a long term relationship was sadly not on the cards.' Lily Rose-Depp has had a huge renaissance after the flop of her HBO series The Idol - according to critics who have watched the horror vampire film, Nosferatu. The actress, 25, who is the daughter of Hollywood heavyweight Johnny Depp, 61, and French actress Vanessa Paradis, 51, starred in The Idol last year alongside The Weeknd, but it ended after just five episodes following substantial backlash over its disturbing content. However, her performance in the reboot of the classic 1922 movie Nosferatu has been hailed by critics and received a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Early reviewers have declared Lily-Rose has broken away from the nepo-baby mould and is 'outstanding' as Ellen Hutter, a young woman suffering from seizures when possessed by vampire Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgard) in the Robert Eggers chilling remake. Some critics have even claimed Lily-Rose could earn Oscar recognition for the film, which premiered in Berlin on Monday night and is set for release on January 3. The Telegraph's Tim Robey awarded Nosferatu three stars out of five and wrote Lily is the 'one to watch'. Lily Rose-Depp has had a huge renaissance after the flop of her HBO series The Idol - according to critics who have watched the horror vampire film, Nosferatu The actress, 25, starred in The Idol last year alongside The Weeknd (pictured), but it ended with just five episodes following substantial backlash over its disturbing content 'Lily opens the film screaming, thrusts herself bodily into striking fits of eroticised demon-possession, and gives the best performance,' he wrote. 'Gory and gorgeous, this extravagantly sexual spin on Dracula, following in the brisker footsteps of FW Murnau in 1922 (who was sued over his unofficial adaptation) and Werner Herzog in 1979, picks a pace to match its supremely glacial style. Rather than pouncing, it lurks, with an undeniably imposing way of making an entrance.' Yahoo's Jonathan Sim chimed: '2024 has had no shortage of masterful horror movie performances. From Nell Tiger Free in The First Omen to Naomi Scott in Smile 2, female actors have been crushing it. 'We can add another name to the list of incredible performances: Lily-Rose Depp. Anya Taylor-Joy was initially cast as Ellen before being replaced by Depp. 'Taylor-Joy is such a phenomenal actress that losing her can be disappointing. But somehow, Depp brings something powerful, sensual, and unexpected. Its her best performance yet.' 'The film belongs to Lily-Rose Depp, whose performance is a revelation,' declared The Hollywood Reporter's David Rooney. 'Her scenes with Bill Skarsgard are electric. Depp gives Ellens delirium a tragic gravity, deepening once she acknowledges the mystical forces within her that sparked the vampires obsession. 'She can switch in an instant from weak and vulnerable to demonic, and the stylized physicality of her seizures is breathtaking.' Lily Rose-has followed in her father's horror footsteps with a chilling new role in Nosferatu Lily is the daughter of Hollywood heavyweight Johnny Depp , 61, and French actress Vanessa Paradis , 51. They announced their separation in 2012 (pictured 2004) Nosferatu: What do the critics say? The Telegraph 'Lily opens the film screaming, thrusts herself bodily into striking fits of eroticised demon-possession, and gives the best performance'. Yahoo '2024 has had no shortage of masterful horror movie performances. From Nell Tiger Free in The First Omen to Naomi Scott in Smile 2, female actors have been crushing it. 'We can add another name to the list of incredible performances: Lily-Rose Depp'. The Independent 'Lily does magnificent work in embodying the sense of existing out of place, not only in the violent contortions and grimaces of supernatural possession, but in the way Ellens gaze seems to look out beyond her conversation partner and into some undefinable abyss'. Empire 'Lily-Rose Depp is full-bloodedly committed, and Bill Skarsgards fiend gorges with terrible fury'. The Hollywood Reporter 'The film belongs to Lily-Rose Depp, whose performance is a revelation'. Advertisement HBO series The Idol - which was co-helmed by Euphoria writer Sam Levinson, The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) and Reza Fahim - came under heavy criticism over its explicit content The Independent awarded it five out of five stars and critic Clarisse Loughrey wrote: 'Lily does magnificent work in embodying the sense of existing out of place, not only in the violent contortions and grimaces of supernatural possession, but in the way Ellens gaze seems to look out beyond her conversation partner and into some undefinable abyss. 'Nosferatu not only revitalises a classic monster, it reminds us why they matter at all.' Empire added: 'Despite its familiar story beats, Eggers retelling suffocates like a coffin, right up to its chilling final shot. Lily-Rose Depp is full-bloodedly committed, and Bill Skarsgards fiend gorges with terrible fury.' A synopsis for Nosferatu reveals it is a 'Gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.' Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin and Willem Dafoe also make up the cast. Some critics have even claimed Lily-Rose could earn Oscar recognition for the film, which premiered in Berlin on Monday night and is set for release on January 3 The Independent awarded it five out of five stars and critic Clarisse Loughrey wrote: 'Lily does magnificent work in embodying the sense of existing out of place' Horror fans were less than impressed after Anya Taylor-Joy was replacedy by Depp in the remake of the classic 1922 horror film It comes after Lily's stint in HBO series The Idol - which was co-helmed by Euphoria writer Sam Levinson, The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) and Reza Fahim. It came under heavy criticism and was even described as 'torture porn', with a lot of the controversy focusing on its explicit content. The Idol was originally ordered for a six episode run in 2021, before Sam took over. At the time Abel, 33, addressed the backlash and insisted the sex scenes in the show weren't meant to be 'overtly sexy.' Asked in particular about a particularly graphic scene in episode two, he told GQ magazine: 'No. There's nothing sexy about it. When we use Basic Instinct as a reference, we're using Verhoeven.' 'Verhoeven is the king of '90s satire thrilleryes, there's moments of sexy in his films but there are other moments that are very cheesy and hilarious,' he explained. The Save Your Tears hitmaker added: 'However you're feeling watching that scene, whether it's discomfort, or you feel gross, or you feel embarrassed for the characters. 'It's all those emotions adding up to: This guy is in way over his head, this situation is one where he is not supposed to be here,' he concluded. Willem Dafoe also takes a starring role in the new film as Professor Albin Eberhart Von Franz, a controversial scientist and expert in the occult and mysticism A synopsis for Nosferatu reveals it is a 'Gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake' 'Yeah, its a scary film. Its a horror movie. Its a Gothic horror movie,' the film's director Robert Eggers told Empire. 'And I do think that there hasnt been an old-school Gothic movie thats actually scary in a while' Set in Germany in 1882, Nosferatu follows Thomas Hutter and his wife Ellen as they travel to Transylvania in Romania's Carpathian Mountains, where they encounter the mysterious Count Orlok. Horror fans were less than impressed after Anya Taylor-Joy was replacedy by Depp in the remake of the classic 1922 horror film. Anya was originally involved in the project along with singer Harry Styles, but both made the decision to exit the film. A synopsis for Nosferatu reveals it is a 'Gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.' 'Yeah, its a scary film. Its a horror movie. Its a Gothic horror movie,' the film's director Robert Eggers told Empire. 'And I do think that there hasnt been an old-school Gothic movie thats actually scary in a while.' 'Gory and gorgeous, this extravagantly sexual spin on Dracula, following in the brisker footsteps of FW Murnau in 1922 and Werner Herzog in 1979, picks a pace to match its supremely glacial style,' writes Tim Robey for The Telegraph Nosferatu will go on general release across the United States from December 25 He continued: 'And I think that the majority of audiences will find this one to be the case.' The filmmaker, 40, raved that 'Lily-Rose is absolutely phenomenal' and this remake of the tale is 'even more Ellens story than previous versions.' Eggers noted that Bill Skarsgard, who is responsible for Lily-Rose's terrified expression, was completely 'transformed' in his role. 'Im fearful that he might not get the credit that he deserves because hes just hes not there,' Eggers teased. 'He felt like honouring who had come before him. Its all very subtle.' He continued: 'But I think the main thing is that hes even more a folk vampire. In my opinion he looks like a dead Transylvanian nobleman, and in a way that weve never actually seen what an actual dead Transylvanian nobleman would look like and be dressed like.' Nosferatu goes on general release from December 25, 2024. Tasha Ghouri commanded attention in a black mesh catsuit and leather shorts as she posed on the red carpet at the British Fashion Awards in London on Monday night. The Strictly star looked incredible in the footless skintight one piece which she teamed with a bandeau crop top and eye catching high wasted shorts by Lapointe. Tasha opted for a coordinated long leather coat over the ensemble which boasted a dramatic fur collar. The former Love Islander elevated her frame in a pair of towering silver heels and accessorised with large silver stud earrings. Styling her long blonde tresses in a neat up do, Tasha wore a glamorous palette of makeup as she posed up a storm on the star-studded red carpet held at the Royal Albert Hall. The reality star later removed her long coat as she headed inside and took a seat next to fellow reality star Zara McDermott. Tasha Ghouri commanded attention in a black mesh catsuit and leather shorts as she posed on the red carpet at the British Fashion Awards in London on Monday night The Strictly star looked incredible in the footless skintight one piece which she teamed with a bandeau crop top and eye catching high wasted shorts by Lapointe It comes after Strictly viewers branded Sunday's dance off a 'travesty' and raged that neither Tasha nor Montell Douglas deserved to be in the bottom two. Gladiators star Montell, 38, and her professional partner Johannes Radebe were eventually sent home but fans were not happy as they reacted on social media. They claimed Montell and Love Island star Tasha, 26, were some of the better dancers in the cohort and were confused why others were voted for by the public to keep in. First to take to the floor in the dance off, Montell and Johannes performed their Rumba to Im Here from the musical The Color Purple, followed by Tasha and Aljaz's Argentine Tango to Ex-Wives from Six. After both couples had danced their hardest, it was down to the judges to deliver their verdicts with Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke all choosing to save Tasha and Aljaz. While head judge Shirley Ballas agreed with her fellow judges, and said that she would have also decided to send Montell and Johannes home. Following Montell's exit, there are only five celebrities left in the competition, with only one more week to go until the final four will be revealed. The last five couples Tasha, Sarah Hadland, Chris McCausland, Pete Wicks and JB Gill will take to the dancefloor next week for the semi-final, where they will each perform two dances each. Tasha opted for a coordinated long leather coat over the ensemble which boasted a dramatic fur collar The former Love Islander elevated her frame in a pair of towering silver heels and accessorised with large silver stud earrings The reality star later removed her long coat as she headed inside and took a seat next to fellow reality star Zara McDermott During Saturday's Strictly show, Tasha suffered a major wardrobe malfunction as her cochlear implant fell out mid-performance leaving her struggling to hear the music Strictly viewers were left furious as Tasha and Montell Douglas were left in the bottom two During Saturday's show, Tasha suffered a major wardrobe malfunction as her cochlear implant fell out mid-performance leaving her struggling to hear the music. Despite not being able to hear a note, the star managed to keep dancing by simply keeping count of the steps until she somehow managed to reattach the magnetic device. The dynamic duo were praised for their incredible routine and walked away with a combined score of 38. After their performance, Tasha and her pro dance partner Aljaz, 34, headed backstage to speak with the camera crew and Aljaz said his 'heart stopped' halfway through when he noticed her implant had fallen out. Comforting the star, he said: 'My heart stopped halfway through when I saw your implant coming out.' 'I, I can't, I've never felt like that on the floor. I knew how together we are. I knew how much we're doing this for one another. But I just went into this five, six, seven, eight, count, count, count.' Tasha then chimed in with: 'But, we had each other, and that's what mattered.' James Argent has revealed that he and his girlfriend Nicoline Artursson are already planning double dates with his best pal Mark Wright and his wife Michelle Keegan. After their chance meeting in a supermarket in July, the couple have already moved in together, and in an interview with OK! Magazine, Nicoline shared that she's already met many of James' pals from his time on The Only Way Is Essex. James shared that while Nicoline has met his best friend Mark, she is excited to cross paths with his wife Michelle Keegan. He said: 'She's met Mark a couple of times now, at my gig and at the pub. So that was really nice. She hasn't met Michelle yet, but I'm sure she will.' Nicoline added: 'I'm looking forward to meeting Michelle.' Despite settling into their home together after just four months of dating, James revealed that there is one particularly awkward snag in their new living arrangement. James Argent has revealed that he and his girlfriend Nicoline Artursson are already planning double dates with his best pal Mark Wright and his wife Michelle Keegan James shared that while Nicoline has already met his best friend Mark, she is excited to cross paths with his wife Michelle Keegan (Mark and Michelle are pictured in September) He added: 'Dan Edgar lives with me, so she sees him a lot and she's giving him motivational talks ahead of Dancing On Ice. 'Tommy Mallet and Georgia Kousoulou came around a couple of weeks ago, and we all had a takeaway at mine. And she's met Joey [Essex].' In their first joint interview, James and Nicoline, 31, revealed that it was love at first sight for the pair after they bumped into each other outside a Spanish supermarket. And since that fateful meeting, Nicoline moved to the UK and has now moved into Arg's Essex home. Describing the moment they met, James revealed he thought Nicoline was out of his league but decided he had nothing to lose. He said: 'I was walking to my gig at Elliott Wright's restaurant in Marbella. 'All of a sudden I see this woman coming towards me. I was like, 'Wow, she's beautiful.' She was just in her gym clothes, wearing no make-up. She'd actually just fed a stray cat.' And after summoning up the courage, James asked her out. Nicole described James as a handsome man with a big smile, before adding that he makes her laugh, and it was these traits that helped cement their relationship. In their first joint interview, James and Nicoline revealed that it was love at first sight for the pair after they bumped into each other outside a Spanish supermarket in July James and Nicoline went on their first date a week later, where James explained about his past addiction issues and his weight loss, and the couple were so engrossed in one another that they forgot to order anything to eat. Despite James's confession about his seven-year drug addiction which saw him go through a near-fatal overdose, a hospitalisation and a stint on rehab, the model was unfazed. Several months later, the pair seem more loved up than ever and during the interview, the blonde beauty who previously modelled for Abercrombie & Fitch pointed out her Christmas stocking on the fireplace in the reality star's living room. James explained they would both 'love to have a family one day, absolutely.' while Nicoline added that one her favourite things about James is 'hes very family-oriented'. James said: 'Were both at the right stage in our lives. Weve both lived a life, weve both had experiences with previous partners, but now its a really good time to be sure of who you are with.' In September, James packed on the PDA with his Nicoline as the couple were spotted snogging in St Tropez. The former TOWIE star seemed besotted with his former Miss Sweden love as the pair enjoyed a dip in the sea. Nicoline, 31, won the Miss World Sweden beauty pageant in 2011 and modelled for Abercrombie & Fitch. She was also asked to take part in the French version The Bachelorette but declined to focus on her studies. It is James's first relationship since splitting from his ex Stella Turian last November and the star previously opened up about feeling he would never find someone. In March, Arg told the My Dirty Laundry podcast that he really struggled on Valentine's day because of his single status - and had to stay off social media because it got him down so much. Having tackled his demons, staying sober for two years and losing 15 stone in weight, James said: 'I'm in a really good place. Everything in my life is perfect, apart from my love life. It would be nice if that would change. 'I'll be completely honest, this year I really struggled on Valentine's Day. I remember, I woke up and thought, I am not going to look at social media. 'It's not that I'm heartbroken or upset, but just because I knew it's not going to make me feel great because I didn't have a Valentine, I don't have a girlfriend. 'But, I couldn't help it. There was times where I'd just have a little glance and all you would see was couples. Everyone's madly in love. Everyone's happy. 'Everyone's out on dates. There's flowers, there's balloons, there's chocolates, there's date nights or trips or happily married couples - and yeah, it did start to affect me a little bit.' The United States recently ramped up its new chip export controls against China after tumultuous past weeks, and now, the Chinese government is slamming its latest ban against access to certain technologies. It was shared by the United States Commerce Ministry that it still has fears that China will use American technology to create AI-powered weapons if they get a hand on these devices. After years of massive tension, the administration under the outgoing President Joe Biden focused on these renowned export controls against the East Asian superpower, with this another one of his legacy against China's rise. China Calls 'Abuse' on New US Chip Export Controls According to the latest report by CNN, the US Commerce Ministry announced the latest increased restrictions imposed by the country on its Asian rival, China, focusing on the sale of twenty-four types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment. It also added new names to various Chinese companies that are now part of the list of those who are banned from getting access to American tech. Because of this, China's Commerce Ministry shared a new statement slamming the United States' latest decision on export controls, particularly as tensions are rising between both countries. China also called out the United States for its "abuse" of the growing export controls against the country, claiming that the Western superpower is now "a significant threat" to global industrial supply chains. According to the Chinese ministry (via CNN), "The US preaches one thing while practicing another, excessively broadening the concept of national security, abusing export control measures, and engaging in unilateral bullying actions. China firmly opposes such actions." Outgoing POTUS Biden Fears Chinese AI Weapons The recent expansion of these restrictions was done under the outgoing Biden administration which regarded that it fears China's access to these technologies could help them advance their AI developments which could be applied to new weapons. According to US Commerce, China may use these weapons in wars in which it will be a participant, as well as undercut America's semiconductor industry. Commerce also mentioned how Chinese advancements in chip development threaten the United States' national security, including its allies. The United States and China's Chip Wars Over the recent years, especially under President Biden's term, the United States has imposed strict sanctions against China for access to certain American technology, most especially with semiconductors. One of the most recent sanctions was the import restriction against SMIC for reportedly supplying Huawei with chips for the Mate 60 series which allegedly used American tech. However, this prompted China to slam the United States' restrictions against the country for many years and led them to opt for self-made processors for its domestic technology, especially for companies severely affected by this like Huawei. Earlier this year, China pledged its so-called "Big Fund" to help develop homemade semiconductors with a whopping $27 billion investment. Reports regarding US plans to add more restrictions against China prompted significant reactions from Beijing, with the Asian superpower claiming that they will perform "necessary actions" should stricter policies come in place. However, that said new restrictions are now here from the United States, and China has already slammed this latest move by the Biden administration. Danny Jones has been overtaken as the bookmakers' favourite to win this year's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!. The McFly star, 38, entered the show as the frontrunner and thanks to his strong fanbase has been sitting in the top spot for the duration. However, on Tuesday it was revealed that another campmate could now be set to take the crown as Coleen Rooney has become the bookmakers' favourite. The WAG, 38, is now 5/4 with BetMGM to be queen of the jungle, with long-term leader Danny drifting to 7/4. Oddschecker have Coleen's odds cut from 3/1 to 6/4 since Monday nights episode with Danny going from 1/1 to 7/4 in just 24 hours. Meanwhile William Hill have her at 5/4 to win the show and Danny trading in at 6/4 ahead of Sunday's final. Danny Jones has been overtaken as the bookmakers' favourite to win this year's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! The McFly star, 38, entered the show as the favourite and thanks to his strong fanbase has been sitting in the top spot for the duration UK Director at BetMGM, Sam Behar, explained: 'Having been favourite to win the show for the past two weeks, McFlys Danny Jones has been surpassed, with the money seen for Coleen Rooney moving her into 5/4 favourite. 'It is tight at the top of the market, with Jones at 7/4 ahead of Richard Coles at 9/2, with the top three well ahead of Maura Higgins who is currently back at 20/1. 'The odds for the rest of the campmates are long, and after Higgins comes GK Barry (25/1), Alan Halsall (33/1) and Oti Mabuse (66/1).' Oddschekers Leon Blackman said: 'After weeks of dominating the betting markets, Danny Jones has been dethroned as the favourite to win I'm A Celebrity. 'Since the markets opened, Jones has held the top spot, but Tuesday morning saw Coleen Rooney storm ahead. Her odds have shortened dramatically from 3/1 to 6/4, backed by the highest share of bets on Oddschecker over the past 24 hours.' A spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, added: 'A huge development in the Im A Celebrity outright betting has seen Danny Jones finally dethroned at the top of the market, with Coleen Rooney our new favourite ahead of Sundays final. 'Its far from a foregone conclusion, with Rooneys price of 5/4 just a shade shorter than Danny at 6/4, but she seems to be making serious inroads at the right time with just six episodes of the series remaining.' This comes after the ITV flagship show spiralled into a fix row as they claimed Danny has already been picked as the winner. However, on Tuesday it was revealed that another campmate could now be set to take the crown as Coleen Rooney has become the bookmakers' favourite The WAG, 38, is now 5/4 with BetMGM to be queen of the jungle, with long-term favourite Danny drifting to 7/4 Fans of the show are convinced that the broadcaster have already picked this season's winner after one camp mate appeared to have been favoured more than the rest. During the segment, campers were sent to brave a challenge in the Freight Bus, which saw the celebrities being showered with critters while collecting coins to exchange for luxury items. But despite there being a mixed bag of treats, ranging from apples to golden dress, Danny was given his guitar which featured drawings from his children. And the seemingly unfair range of gifts did not go unnoticed by fans as they flocked to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts. One penned: 'Why did all the other camp mates get bits of random rubbish but Danny got a guitar with his sons writing on it seems a bit unfair if you ask me.' 'Oh Danny is definitely going to win, they've given him the guitar and everyone else got weird clothes.' Fans of the show are convinced that the broadcaster have already picked this season's winner after one camp mate appeared to have been favoured more than the rest 'So Maura got an apple and Danny got a guitar? Favouritism right there.' And it is not just ITV viewers that are convinced he will go on to win the show as Danny's mother, Kathy, predicted the star will be crowned King Of The Jungle. The families of the celebrities arrived in Brisbane on Tuesday ahead of the evictions coming up. As Kathy touched down in the airport, she reflected on Danny's 'emotional rollercoaster' jungle experience so far. She told The Mirror: 'I was laughing watching him with the snake down his trousers and then the next day I was crying. 'It got me a bit. I am so proud of him... I think he could win, and do it for the North.' She also told MailOnline: 'Danny's amazing, he's doing amazing. I loved the snake down his trousers and it's really unusual of him not to wash his pants for three days, he's usually very hygienic. 'He's the nicest man I know apart from Harry, Danny and Tom [McFly] they're also really nice.' During the segment, campers were sent to brave a challenge in the Freight Bus, which saw the celebrities being showered with critters while collecting coins to exchange for luxury items But despite there being a mixed bag of treats, ranging from apples to golden dress, McFly's Danny Jones, 38, was given his guitar which featured drawings from his children But despite there being a mixed bag of treats, ranging from apples to golden dress, McFly's Danny Jones, 38, was given his guitar which featured drawings from his children And it is not just ITV viewers that are convinced he will go on to win the show as Danny's mother, Kathy, predicted the star will be crowned King Of The Jungle The mother-of-two revealed that she hadn't heard from his bandmates personally but she had seen their videos on social media and loved them. Her arrival in Australia comes after Danny broke down in tears as he opened up about his life-long anxiety during Wednesday night's episode. Danny was overcome with emotion as he discussed his mental health with his campmates, admitting he has had therapy since he was 19-years-old. Fans praised the star for being so honest and open about his mental health, after Strictly's Oti Mabuse, 34, stressed the importance of men talking about their feelings. During the very emotional chat, Oti was brought to tears as she revealed her half-brother Neo committed suicide and admitted he probably would still be alive if 'he had spoken to someone about what he was feeling'. Explaining that one of his tattoos says 'Don't Worry, Be Happy', Danny said: 'It's because I'm always constantly worrying, but that's what I'm working on. 'I've been in therapy since I was 19 for anxiety.' Danny recalled a moment where he had a panic attack on live TV while being interviewed. He said: I was freaking out and I couldn't answer the question that got asked to me. [My] Heartrate goes crazy.'As Jane asked whether he thought he had anxiety from a child or from being in a band, he said: 'I think I escaped a lot.' She said: 'I was laughing watching him with the snake down his trousers and then the next day I was crying. It got me a bit. I am so proud of him... I think he could win, and do it for the North' May 11, 1994. The date may well be forgotten, but the Versace dress worn by a then unknown Elizabeth Hurley as she accompanied boyfriend Hugh Grant at the UK premiere of Four Weddings And A Funeral still endures, some 30 years after the fact. The actress and model became a household name overnight thanks to he extravagant couture gown, manufactured from a mix of black silk and Lycra, held together with oversized safety pins and borrowed from the Versace flagship store on Old Bond Street. Likewise, Grant also enjoyed a significant change in fortune - both personal and professional - thanks to his role as the perennially single Charles in director Richard Curtis' romantic comedy. And Hurley, 59, credits their relationship for helping her navigate a pivotal time in her life, but admits they no longer see each other - despite remaining firm friends following their amicable separation in 2000. Appearing at the Bazaar At Work summit in London on Tuesday, she said: 'I was with my ex, Hugh Grant, so it happened to both of us at the same time. Like me, he'd also worked a lot, and thought he was doing pretty well, until Four Weddings and a Funeral came out and suddenly it was completely different he was a phenomenon. 'The film was a massive success, and everything changed. But there was two of us and I think that massively helped. When youre suddenly thrust into the spotlight, your lives arent set up for it.' Elizabeth Hurley, 59, looked like she meant business as she attended the Harper's Bazaar At Work Summit in London on Tuesday The actress and model became a household name overnight thanks to the extravagant Versace gown she wore for the UK premiere of Four Weddings And A Funeral in 1994 She added: 'You dont have any protection. It was alarming. The press was much ruder back in the 90s and 2000s than it is now. I truly believe that people aren't allowed to be as rude as they were then. '[I] think it gives you a bond when you sort of go to the trenches with someone. I mean, he's married with five children. I hardly ever see him, but he's still very close to my heart.' Reflecting on her iconic dress - borrowed as a last minute favour from Dean Aslett, then Head of Womenswear and Atelier at Versace - Hurley admits she was stunned by the attention it received. 'It was very strange,' she recalled. 'Id been working for a few years, and in my mind, I thought I was quite famous I had been in a few things. 'To my family, I was a success; but I had no idea what it actually meant to really be in the public eye. That was a real shock to one's psyche.' Now an established star in her own right, Hurley is helping son Damian - her only child from a former relationship with American businessman Steve Bing - forge his own path as a budding film director. Debut feature Strictly Confidential - both written and directed by the 22-year old - was released to lukewarm reviews in 2023. Much of the criticism revolved around Hurley herself, whose starring role in the film includes a raunchy lesbian sex scene with a woman 30-years her junior - filmed by her son. Visiting Cannes with Grant in 1996. 'He'd also worked a lot, and thought he was doing pretty well, until Four Weddings and a Funeral came out and suddenly it was completely different he was a phenomenon,' she said on Tuesday Hurley looked stunning as she wowed in a chic black tailored suit which featured a plunging neckline and flared trousers Hurley credits their relationship with Grant for helping her navigate a pivotal time in her life, but admits they no longer see each other - despite remaining firm friends (pictured in 1997) 'It's quite interesting because I'm a single mother and he's a single child, so we, by default, spend a huge amount of time together,' she explained. 'When he was really young, he became fascinated with my business. He started doing stills and making mini movie when he was nine or ten. I gave him a camcorder, and he made me star in all his films. 'I was always playing the Evil Queen. My mum was in them, Hugh was in them, my ex-husband, everybody had to be in his movies, as he progressed through baby movies into more grown up features. 'Hes actually been directing me for ten years anyway, so nothing really changed. I was just used to it' Hurley looked stunning as she wowed in a chic black tailored suit which featured a plunging neckline and flared trousers. She added a pair of black platform sandals to her look and accessorised with a statement red jewel cross pendant. She added a pair of black platform sandals to her look and accessorised with a statement red jewel cross pendant as she posed for photos at the Bazaar event on Monday afternoon Now an established star in her own right, Hurley is helping son Damian - her only child from a former relationship with American businessman Steve Bing - forge his own path as a budding film director Debut feature Strictly Confidential - both written and directed by the 22-year old - was released to lukewarm reviews in 2023 Much of the criticism revolved around Hurley herself, whose starring role in the film includes a raunchy lesbian sex scene with a woman 30 years her junior - filmed by her son It's been a busy few days for Hurley, who was also spotted at the glitzy world premiere of Sir Elton John's new show The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical on Sunday night. She was joined by her son Damian at London's Dominion Theatre for the gala performance. She looked sensational in an eye-catching semi-sheer beaded gown gown which boasted a plunging neckline and teased a glimpse of her jaw-dropping figure beneath. Hurley opted for chic jewelry as well as gold accessories as she slipped her feet into a pair of towering platform heels while toting her essentials for the evening in a metallic clutch. The Austin Powers actress wore her caramel tresses in loose waves as they tumbled down past her shoulders. Damian followed in his mother's stylish footsteps and looked suave in a long black leather trench and matching trousers. The pair looked the spitting image of each other as they larked around together and posed for pictures ahead of the performance. The much anticipated show, is based on the 2006 comedy starring Meryl Streep, which was based on Lauren Weisberger's book of the same title. It is said to be loosely based on the author's real experiences of working at glossy fashion magazine and fans of the hit film have long assumed that Meryl Streep's character was based on American Vogue editor Anna Wintour, which in the musical is played by Vanessa Williams. Jaguar's recent rebrand has already received its fair share of criticism, with its Barbie-themed vehicle branded 'cringe' by users online. But it was full steam ahead for its official launch despite the recent backlash, with several stars in attendance for an event to unveil its much-maligned new vehicle at Miami Art Week on Tuesday. Leading those in attendance was Helena Christensen and Devon Windsor, who showed off their effortless sense of style as they posed for snaps. Helena opted for a slinky black midi dress with sheer lace detailing, accessorising with a pastel-coloured Chanel handbag. The Danish model finished her look with a statement red lip as she arrived for the event. Devon showed off her model physique in a form-fitting black maxi dress with a polo neck and long sleeves, with a slim belt to highlight her trim waist. Helena Christensen and Devon Windsor were among the stars in attendance for an event at Miami Art Week, as Jaguar finally unveiled its 'woke' new vehicle on Tuesday The brand has battled a sea of backlash after its new marketing campaign was unveiled last month, and it's new Barbie pink car has already been mercilessly mocked online Helena opted for a slinky black midi dress with sheer lace detailing, accessorising with a pastel-coloured Chanel handbag Alongside a rebrand that has been heavily criticised, new pictures of Jaguar's futuristic GT car dubbed the 'Design Vision Concept' have been mercilessly mocked online. The Barbie pink, futuristic, design appeared to be trying to catch the attention of Gen Z. But some young people have declared that they detest Jaguar's new electric-only rebrand and said it looks 'cheap'. The 100,000 car features an enormous bonnet, expansive front grille and no rear window. 'This is a complete reset. Jaguar is transformed to reclaim its originality and inspire a new generation,' managing director Rawdon Glover previously told MailOnline. It is thought the brand has changed its whole aesthetic in a bid to win over Gen Z - but some of them have heavily criticised the Jaguar's new look. The car firm, which is almost 100 years old, unveiled a bold rebrand last month, which had been worked on by a team of 800. The most controversial move saw it ditch its classic iconography, including the 'growler' badge depicting a roaring big cat. Helena and Devon posed up a storm together as they attended the event, after Jaguar's new rebrand received a wave of criticism Model David Gandy was seen posing alongside Jaguar's futuristic GT car dubbed the 'Design Vision Concept', which has been mocked online Dominic Cooper put on a dapper display in a pale blue suit as he posed for snaps British actor Oliver Jackson-Cohen showed off his dapper sense of style in a sharp cream suit In an advertisement that featured precisely no cars and a techno music soundtrack, the firm said it would 'create exuberant', 'live vivid', 'delete ordinary' and 'break moulds' - but so far all it has done is stoke fury from its traditional audience. The rebrand was led chief creative officer Gerry McGovern, with deliver supported by the managing director of Jaguar, Rawdon Glovery. The changes have gone down so badly that it's been criticised by everyone from Elon Musk to The Spectator, which wrote that Jaguar has: 'decided to torpedo their hard-won reputation in such a perplexingly unforced fashion.' Car fans reacted angrily to a rebrand that they say lacks claws - branding it 'woke' and 'unhinged'. The British brand, headquartered in Coventry, released pictures of the futuristic GT car, dubbed the 'Design Vision Concept' ahead of its full reveal at Miami Art Week Gerry McGovern, the company's chief creative officer, said that the car was a 'taste of things to come' at the Miami convention Criticism of the new car spilt onto X and many dubbed it 'cringe' The Jaguar E-Type - a stone-cold design classic (left) - and its spiritual successor the F-Type (right) are now consigned to the past This is the new Jaguar logo - a roundel made up of the letter 'J' that looks the same both ways up Jaguar has unveiled its new 'brand' look with a technicolour advertisement that features precisely no cars The advert features boldly dressed fashion models in bright primary colours alongside slogans such as 'break moulds' and 'create exuberant' 'Congratulations,' weighed in one commenter on Jaguar's Instagram. 'You've killed a British icon.' In return, the firm has responded in kind with replies ranging from the cryptic to downright saccharine, suggesting it simply doesn't care - as its boss admitted to This is Money the firm expects only 15 per cent of buyers to be existing customers. Global Jaguar sales over the years 2023/24: 66,866 cars 2022/23: 62,521 cars 2021/22: 77,381 cars 2020/21: 97,669 cars 2019/20: 140,593 cars 2018/19: 180,198 cars Source: Jaguar Land Rover Advertisement With 20 million views of the announcement on X, formerly Twitter, alone, Jaguar PR bosses will be arguing there such no such thing as bad publicity. 'Hello, thanks for the feedback! We'll be sure to pass it onto the team. Best wishes,' the firm said to many of its detractors on social media. 'Go woke, go broke,' wrote several people in tweets to the firm. 'Go hard,' Jaguar fired back. Responding to an almost accusatory tweet reading 'I thought you guys made cars??', the firm's social media team simply said: 'We do. All will be revealed.' Even Tesla CEO Elon Musk got in on the act, asking the firm: 'Do you sell cars?' Jaguar replied warmly, inviting him to the launch event for its new concept car at Miami Art Week. It said: 'Yes. We'd love to show you. Join us for a cuppa in Miami on 2nd December?' Even some professional peers joined the chorus of criticism. Joseph Alessio, a designer and art director based in California, blasted the new look, writing: 'This will be taught in schools as how not to do a rebrand.' Another designer said: 'The Jaguar rebrand is going to go down in history as one of the most destructive marketing moves ever attempted.' The radical look is part of Jaguar's complete reimagination as it races ahead of the 2030 deadline for car firms to stop selling petrol and diesel cars in the UK. It has been testing what looks to be a radically different four-door saloon in the UK recently, draped in zebra-style camouflage paint that covers up its mysterious curves and details, down to the shapes of the windows and headlamps. Loki star Jack Veal has revealed he is currently homeless as he issued a plea to his fans begging for help. The actor, 17, shared a video to his TikTok saying it was 'time to reveal the truth' about his living situation. Jack, who is from London, said he is currently living in a 'trailer' and explained he couldn't go and live with his grandparents because his grandfather is 'terminally unwell'. In the video, he said: 'Hi. I'm a famous actor, I'm 17, and I'm homeless. 'You may know me from 'Loki,' 'End of the F***ing World,' or various other movies where I played important roles. 'I haven't mentioned much about what's been going on in my life, but I think it's time to reveal the truth. Loki star Jack Veal has revealed he is currently homeless as he issued a plea to his fans begging for help The actor, 17, from London, played the young version of Tom Hiddleston's character in the show Loki in 2021 'I didn't have a very good upbringing. I struggle with mental health. I have autism, ADHD, and am being screened for bipolar and psychosis. 'I can't stay at my grandparents' because my granddad is terminally unwell. I have nowhere else to go, and I need help. 'Social services refuses to help me despite what I have told them. I am desperate.' Jack then panned the camera around to show the area where he is currently staying as he looks for help. He said: 'I've been sleeping in the streets. I am currently sleeping in a trailer that has smashed-in windows, is unsafe, is two hours away from my work, which means I struggle to get to work every day. 'It's difficult. Life is hard. At the moment, I have nothing else. I am on my knees begging for you guys to just share this, do something, spread the message of how the government are treating kids. 'I need help. Please share, please share it with whoever you can. You don't have to pay me anything, I don't need anything. I just need you to make this go as viral as possible. 'I'll continue to put some more stuff out, but, please, I need help.' Jack, who is from London, said he is currently living in a 'trailer' and explained he couldn't go and live with his grandparents because his grandfather is 'terminally unwell'. In the video, Jack said: 'I haven't mentioned much about what's been going on in my life, but I think it's time to reveal the truth' (pictured in Loki) Jack was inundated with messages of support from his fans with some writing: 'Let's all share and comment as much as we can! We have to help him' Jack was inundated with messages of support from his fans with some writing: 'Let's all share and comment as much as we can! We have to help him.' 'This is extremely sad'... 'Heartbreaking. Hope things get better for you soon'... 'I'm so sorry Jack hope things get better for you.' 'This message is reality. Sharing this and I hope you get the help you need.' Jack, who was born in 2007, made his first on-screen appearance at 10 years old when he appeared in the drama film My Name Is Lenny. That same year, he appeared in the crime drama Tin Star and appeared as Young James in five episodes of the show The End of the F***ing World the following year. He played the young version of Tom Hiddleston's character in the show Loki in 2021 with his last screen credit being sci-fi show The Peripheral the following year. Angelina Jolie is very careful with what she shows her six children. When at the Gothams 34th Annual Film Awards on Monday she told Extra's Mona Kosar Abdi that her children saw her as a vulnerable woman when she filmed Maria. But it turns out that is a very rare thing, added the 49-year-old Oscar-winning actress. 'I was so happy to be with them [on Maria], and definitely they saw me terrified, which is also a thing,' she said. 'You don't usually share so much vulnerability in front of your children, even really crying in front of them or being scared in front of them, so they were very protective.' Angelina Jolie is very careful with what she shows her six children. When at the Gothams 34th Annual Film Awards on Monday she told Extra's Mona Kosar Abdi that her children saw her as a vulnerable woman when she filmed Maria. But it turns out that is a very rare thing 'I was so happy to be with them [on Maria], and definitely they saw me terrified, which is also a thing,' she said. 'You don't usually share so much vulnerability in front of your children, even really crying in front of them or being scared in front of them, so they were very protective'; seen in September The Gia actress shares Maddox, 23, Pax, 20, Zahara, 19, Shiloh, 18, and 16-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox with ex Brad Pitt, whom she has battling through a nasty divorce for eight years. Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt on September 20, 2016. In the past she has said when she felt pain over her Pitt split she cried only when she was alone in the shower. Angelina added in her Extra interview that playing Maria Callas allowed her to face her fears. 'I was very scared to sing and I was nervous to do things, but I also have always found it, you know, as an artist, you love things that scare you because it's a gift.' She also said, 'Ever since I was young, I think it's a real gift to be an artist. 'We're very lucky that we get to explore, within a safe place with other artists, our emotional life and our pain and what a lot of people feel alone, and they don't have the chance to kind of express it, so I've always felt very lucky.' Jolie also shared what she is most thankful for after Thanksgiving, saying, 'Health of my family.' Seen with her son Knox in November in Hollywood Seen with her son Pax in September in NYC Jolie with daughters Zahara and Shiloh at the Rome Film Festival 2021 And her kids are proud of the hard work she put into Maria. She commented, 'They did say they were proud of how hard I worked. You know, when they say, they don't talk about winning an award, they don't talk about anything, I'll hear them say, "She works so hard." 'So I think that that makes me very happy that they see that I work hard and it's just nice,' added the By The Sea director. Angelina previously revealed that she spent 'months' preparing to sing in Maria. The salt actress said at the Telluride Film Festival: 'I had seven months of opera classes, great teachers and Italian classes, and a supportive team that were going to help me.' Angelina added in her Extra interview that playing Maria Callas allowed her to face her fears. 'I was very scared to sing and I was nervous to do things, but I also have always found it, you know, as an artist, you love things that scare you because it's a gift' Maria hits select theaters on November 27 in the US and January 10 in the UK; it goes to Netflix on December 11 Despite this, Angelina still felt anxious about singing when the time came to do it. She said: 'I was so nervous that morning I was out of my mind.' Angelina also revealed that she relished the experience of working with director Pablo Larrain. She said: 'I knew that as long as I gave my best, Pablo would be okay with it and somehow make it work. I knew I needed to do my best to try to help solve the puzzle, but I knew that he was a kind person and he was supportive and that helped.' Katie Piper was the picture of elegance on Monday night as she attended the British Fashion Awards at London's Royal Albert Hall. The presenter, 41, wowed as she slipped into a strapless burgundy peplum gown with matching collar while walking the red carpet at the glitzy event. The top half of Katie's dress cinched her in at the waist before flaring out, with the gown also featuring a flowing train. Boosting her height, the star added a pair of pointed, coordinating heels to her look. Finishing things off, the Loose Women panelist sported slicked-back locks for the occasion while she added to her radiance with a sleek palette of make-up. The Fashion Awards, was presented by jewelry brand Pandora, and returned to the iconic London venue the Royal Albert Hall on Monday evening. Katie Piper was the picture of elegance on Monday night as she attended the British Fashion Awards hat London's Royal Albert Hall The presenter, 41, wowed as she slipped into a strapless burgundy peplum gown with matching collar while walking the red carpet at the glitzy event The event united the global fashion community in London, the home of fashion and creativity, to amplify leaders of change, celebrate excellence and support the next generation of creative talent. It serves as the main fundraiser for the BFC Foundation, which supports the future growth and success of the British fashion industry through its focus on education, grant-giving, and business mentoring. The outing comes after Katie called out a vile troll on Instagram after she was targeted over her appearance and cruelly told she should 'jump out a window' to end her suffering. The TV presenter suffered facial burns and blindness in one eye after she was attacked with acid by her ex-boyfriend Daniel Lynch and accomplice Stefan Sylvestre in 2008. Katie shared a snap of the comment and admitted that while she doesn't usually draw attention to cruel posts, this one 'was beyond anything' she could handle and added to the 'heavy load' she was already carrying. It started with the follower asking 'Where's your nose?' to which the broadcaster replied: 'Being pulled into my face by thick scar tissue it's incredibly painful'. They then commented: 'Yep, it's cool but my nose is normal. I wish you to stop suffering as soon as possible. I recommend that you go out the window, preferably on the 10th-11th floor, perhaps this will ease your suffering' - followed by laughing emojis. Katie wrote: 'After completing my run this morning, feeling already depleted because of my bad time, I opened my phone to this.' The top half of Katie's dress cinched her in at the waist before flaring out, with the gown also featuring a flowing train Finishing things off, the Loose Women panelist sported slicked-back locks for the occasion while she added to her radiance with a sleek palette of make-up 'I can handle most things, but sometimes it adds to an already heavy load you are carrying.' 'You never know how people are feeling, what they're going through, how their days are and even if you did, the only person we're judging because of this comment, is you.' 'I wouldn't usually call this out so personally, but this is beyond anything even I can handle. This behaviour should always be called out, people need to do better.' She added: 'This is not OK, and it will never be OK. If you can write something anything negative online and press 'post', you are a special type of person.' 'Publishing hate in to the world hurts everyone, including yourself. Don't comment on my appearance don't threaten my life, get off the internet and stay quiet.' Fans and famous friends quickly rushed to Katie's defence, with co-star Coleen Nolan writing: 'Oh god Katie this is so so vile ! I think these kind of people have no life , no friends and would prefer hate towards them then nothing at all. 'Im trying to feel sorry for this sad individual but Im finding it really difficult.. you on the other hand are one of the most beautiful individuals Ive ever met. Never let anyone dull your shine.' While Ranvir Singh said: 'Its exhausting calling people out on inexcusable behaviour and sometimes it feels easier to say nothing but sometimes you have to draw a line in the sand - look after your energy today my love - youre a total one-off and loved hugely.' Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa commented: 'This person literally cannot stand to see you shining. What an unbelievable cretin,' whilw Stacey Dooley added: 'The pits. You are legit 10/10 in every sense.' Earlier this year Katie opened up and revealed the 'only thing' that helped her confidence following the acid attack. Speaking to Women's Health UK she explained that during those years where her face was constantly changing through surgeries, her hair was the only thing she could control. Their outing comes after Katie called out a vile troll on Instagram after she was targeted over her appearance and cruelly told she should 'jump out a window' to end her suffering Katie shared a snap of the comment and admitted that while she doesn't usually draw attention to cruel posts, this one 'was beyond anything' she could handle and added to the 'heavy load' she was already carrying Katie wrote: 'After completing my run this morning, feeling already depleted because of my bad time, I opened my phone to this' Before adding: 'This is not ok, and it will never be ok. If you can write something, anything, negative online and press 'post', you are a special type of person' She revealed that her hair became her 'armour' and her 'crown' during her recovery. Speaking to the publication, Katie explained: 'My face was changing after I was burnt, and the only thing I had control of was my hair, and it became my crown.' 'My hair was the only way I could communicate and express to the world how I was feelingMy hair is my armour, my hair is my strength, my hair is my way of communicating with the public.' 'I found this whole new community in a world that I hadn't felt a part of for a long time, in the beauty world.' The TV host was lucky to have survived, but there was an agonising road to recovery ahead to rebuild her face and her life her injuries have required more than 400 operations since that day. Diane Kruger looked elegant as she joined Andrew Garfield at Marrakech International Film Festival, Morocco, on Monday. The actress, 48, wore a blue-grey draped gown that featured a cut-out section across the midriff with silver hardware. She teamed the sophisticated number with a pair of heels, styled her hair into classy Old Hollywood style curls and accessorised with pearl earrings. Andrew, 41, opted for a stylish oversized tuxedo consisting of a single-breasted blazer and loose fitting trousers. The Amazing Spider-Man actor teamed it with a white shirt, which he left slightly unbuttoned and smart black shoes. Since its historic launch in September 2001, the Marrakech International Film Festival has brought together some of the biggest names in world cinema, confirming Morocco as a prime destination for major foreign productions. Diane Kruger looked elegant at Marrakech International Film Festival, Morocco, on Monday She was joined by Andrew Garfield who also walked the red carpet at the event And the festival opened on Friday with The Order a thriller starring Jude Law that chronicles an FBI manhunt for the leader of a white supremacist group. Also in attendance was Patricia Arquette, who wore a black and white shirt dress, and her daughter Harlow Olivia Jane. Andrew recently admitted to Amelia Dimoldenberg that he believes they could've had a real date, but that their Chicken Shop Date had spoiled their chance. Fans were sent into a frenzy when the presenter, 30, announced the actor would be her next spicy date, after they sparked romance rumours with their 'off the charts' chemistry at the Golden Globes. The pair finally sat down for an episode of her YouTube series on Friday, where the sparks were flying just as strongly as in their previous interactions. They had previously gone viral last year, after several clips of them flirting while Amelia was interviewing Andrew on the red carpet caused fans to beg for them to date. And Andrew admitted during their chat that he would've taken Amelia on a real date, but then crushed fans' hopes as he added that the cameras had now 'f****d up' the likelihood of it happening. Probing the Spider-Man star about their chemistry, Amelia said: 'I think that we.. there's something going on,' but Andrew was quick to reply: 'Do you actually think that or is this for the [show]?' The actress, 48, wore a blue-grey draped gown that featured a cut-out section across the midriff with silver hardware She teamed the sophisticated number with a pair of heels, styled her hair into classy Old Hollywood style curls and accessorised with pearl earrings Diane was joined on the red carpet by David Cronenberg as they paid homage to his career at the event Andrew, 41, opted for a stylish oversized tuxedo consisting of a single-breasted blazer and loose fitting trousers The Amazing Spider-Man actor teamed it with a white shirt, which he left slightly unbuttoned Also in attendance was Patricia Arquette and her daughter Harlow Olivia Jane She wore a black and white shirt dress Amelia denied: 'No no. I do think it's interesting that we -' before Andrew interrupted her to indicate the surrounding cameras and ask: 'If this wasn't here do you think we'd actually go on a date?' He continued: 'Do you think this has f****d up the fact that we could've actually gone on a date at some point, maybe?' Amelia admitted: 'Well I don't know,' causing Andrew to push further and admit: 'Okay but like take out all the practicalities and the logic. I actually believe, maybe, we could've. Without all of this. But it's this...' Amelia shot back: 'Because you're afraid of it', as Andrew tried to defend: 'I'm a very private person in my private life.' The pair stared at each other until both suddenly broke out into giggles, as Amelia then declared: 'I'm more private than you actually'. A scoffing Andrew prompted: 'Tell me. Go on, I'll wait,' as Amelia replied: 'Have you ever seen me with anyone? No.' But a smirking Andrew shot back: 'That doesn't mean you're more private, that just means you're not with anyone,' affronting Amelia. Ava Duvernay stood out in a patterned dress from DVF Andrew recently admitted to Amelia Dimoldenberg that he believes they could've had a real date, but that their Chicken Shop Date had spoiled their chance They had previously gone viral last year, after several clips of them flirting while Amelia was interviewing Andrew on the red carpet caused fans to beg for them to date (pictured at Golden Globes 2023) And Andrew admitted during their chat that he would've taken Amelia on a real date, but then crushed fans' hopes as he added that the cameras had now 'f****d up' the likelihood of it happening Probing the Spider-Man star about their chemistry, Amelia said: 'I think that we.. there's something going on' Andrew interrupted her to indicate the surrounding cameras and ask: 'If this wasn't here do you think we'd actually go on a date?' Fans couldn't stop raving after watching the pair's flirty chat and rushed to social media to beg for the pair to date in real life. They wrote: 'HE WANTED AN ACTUAL DATE OHMYGOD'; 'They were overflowing with chemistry. She broke her character so many times. She couldnt help it. So much flirting'; 'Their chemistry is unbelievable, cant believe were here to witness this'; 'he calls her hot, he calls her sexy, he says shes funnier, he asks her out, he says hes flirting HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO STAY CALM'. Amelia announced the exciting news that her long-awaited Chicken Shop Date with Andrew was coming last week, alongside a cheeky snap of the Oscar nominated star gazing over at her as she bit into a chicken nugget. Captioning the teasing shot, she wrote: 'The one youve been waiting for My date with Andrew Garfield is out next Friday :)'. Fans have been begging for the collaboration since the viral Golden Globes interview, where the journalist, who is known for fronting the popular YouTube series, told actor: 'We must stop meeting like this.' Richard Gere reunited with Valarie Kaprisky in Paris on Monday evening, more than 40 years after they played lovers in 1983 romantic thriller Breathless. The former co-stars smiled as they posed next to each other during a special Christmas dinner at Fouquet's Barriere restaurant, for the Soleil d'Enfance association, which hosts annual charity dinners in the French capital. Richard, 75, looked dapper in a grey silk suit with a white button-up shirt underneath and added a grey tasseled scarf. While, Valarie, 62, looked elegant in a tailored red midi dress which included sheer puff sleeves and a boat neckline. The French actress finished off her look with a simple silver earrings and styled her brunette locks into soft waves around her shoulders. The duo starred opposite each other in the American remake of Breathless in 1983, which saw Richard play Jesse, a desperate man who needs to escape Las Vegas quickly. Richard Gere, 75, reunited with his Breathless co-star Valarie Kaprisky, 63, more than 40 years after filming their 1983 romance at Fouquet's Barriere restaurant in Paris The duo played lovers in the1983 romantic thriller Breathless, a remake of the 1960 French film of the same name (pictured together in film) Richard plays a grifter on the run in the 1983 film who falls for Valarie's character Monica who joins him as they race across the US He steals a car to drive to L.A but on the way he shoots a police officer, when he eventually makes it to L.A. he stays with Monica, played by Valarie, a beautiful girl he has only known for a few days. As the film progresses, the police get closer to him, and the crimes escalate and the two are forced to go on the run. Richard's stop in Paris comes just a couple of weeks after the veteran actor announced he would be relocating to Spain with his wife, Alejandra Silva, and family after years of living in the United States. The Pretty Woman actor revealed that he would be out of the country and in the Spanish capital of Madrid in time to celebrate Thanksgiving with Alejandra's loved ones. Sharing the major move on an episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Richard began by joking: 'My wife is Spanish. Is this a problem for anybody out there?'. He then announced: 'But my wife is Spanish, and she gave me about seven years here, so we're going to spend some years in Madrid.' 'Our kids are bilingual so they're going to flourish there,' he continued. Richard and Alejandra, who wed in 2018, share two sons together - Alexander, five, and James, four. Richard, 75, looked dapper in a grey silk suit with a white button-up shirt underneath while, Valarie, 62, looked elegant in a red midi dress with sheer puff sleeves and a boat neckline Richard's stop in Paris comes just a couple of weeks after the veteran actor announced he would be relocating to Spain with his wife, Alejandra Silva, and family after years of living in the United States (pictured with Alejandra in October) In addition, the Hollywood A-lister is stepfather to the Spanish activist's 11-year-son, Albert and he is also the proud dad of son Homer, 24, whom he welcomed with his second wife, actress Carey Lowell. Richard did confirm that he won't be quitting America forever and added: 'Of course I'll be back.' Speaking about his family, the Chicago star gushed: 'I love my wife, she's incredible. Great mother. Kids are healthy and happy. Of course, there's nothing more than that.' Turning his attention to their Thanksgiving plans, he continued: 'My wife grew up in a big Spanish family, like a big Italian family, and her grandmother was kind of the glue that held that all together. 'And the grandmother passed away [about] two years ago, so my wife, I can see her morphing into the new grandmother of this extended family. So shes already planning for 35 people for Sunday lunches.' Bewitched actor Johnny Whitaker looked nearly unrecognizable as he was spotted on a rare outing in Los Angeles on Monday during a solo errand run. The star, 64 - who got candid about his drug and alcohol addiction earlier this year - was seen stopping by an ATM while sporting a dark navy sweatshirt as well as a pair of black shorts. He completed the look by slipping into a pair of comfy, black sneakers that were secured with laces. Whitaker added a gray, printed cap on top of his head and was seen strolling towards his next destination during the daytime excursion. The actor is known for starring in the CBS sitcom, Family Affair, which aired for a total of five seasons from 1966 through 1971. He also took on small roles in Gunsmoke, Adam-12, Green Acres and The Littlest Angel. In 1969, he played Jack in an episode of Bewitched titled Sam And The Beanstalk alongside Elizabeth Montgomery and Erin Murphy. Johnny Whitaker, 64, looked nearly unrecognizable as he was spotted on a rare outing in Los Angeles on Monday during a solo errand run; he was on Bewitched and Family Affair He notably began his career at the age of three and starred in a number of commercials for the company Mattel Toymakers. And in the CBS series, Family Affair, Johnny joined other cast members including Kathy Garver, Anissa Jones, Brian Keith, as well as Sebastian Cabot. The premise was: 'Bill's (Keith) comfortable lifestyle must change when he receives a group of unexpected long-term guests,' per an IMDB synopsis. The show garnered eight Emmy nominations as well as one Golden Globe nod for Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy. Whitaker also portrayed the character of Johnny Stuart in the Saturday morning children's series titled Sigmund And The Sea Monsters - which aired from 1973 through 1975. He later portrayed the titular character in the 1973 musical, Tom Sawyer, which was based on the famed novel by Mark Twain: The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer. Johnny made appearances in episodes in a multitude of shows throughout the course of his career thus far, such as the soap opera General Hospital (1963). Most recently, Whitaker played the role of Bishop in the 2024 series, The Last Evangelist, for two episodes. Whitaker, 64, is known for portraying the role of orphaned boy Jody Davis on the CBS sitcom Family Affair from 1966 through 1971 In 1969, he played Jack in an episode of Bewitched titled Sam And The Beanstalk alongside Elizabeth Montgomery and Erin Murphy; seen above in Bewitched in 1969 He is slated to appear in the upcoming film, Prepper's Grove, which is currently in its post-production stages. Johnny portrays the role of Earl and the premise, 'focuses on the disappearance of a teenager, who over the years has become a cold case,' per IMDB. Earlier this year in March, the actor got candid about his past struggles with both drug and alcohol addiction which began when he was a teenager. He spoke out about how he turned to partying after Family Affair came to an end during an interview with Fox News. The actor explained he became an 'addict' after he was thrown into an 'environment where drinking and using drugs was acceptable' at age 16. 'To have a successful childhood, you need to choose the right peers,' he told the publication. 'Most of my peers were 20, 25, 30 years older than me.' 'My peers were chosen for me And when youre in an environment where drinking and using drugs is acceptable, it becomes acceptable to you.' He added, 'You dont think theres anything wrong with using and drinking And to some extent, I didnt always fit in. Those were just some of the reasons that I became an addict, an alcoholic. I wanted to fit in.' Johnny rose to fame for starring in Family Affair which ran for five seasons - and joined other cast members including Kathy Garver, Anissa Jones, Brian Keith, as well as Sebastian Cabot (seen far right) Whitaker also portrayed the character of Johnny Stuart in the Saturday morning children's series titled Sigmund And The Sea Monsters - which aired from 1973 through 1975 (seen above) In regards to his breakout role in the CBS sitcom, Johnny expressed to Fox News that, 'It was always fun.' 'We were always coddled and cared for by Brian, along with the producers and directors. They took care of us. It was an adventure.' But amid his sudden fame, he said he started attending a slew of Hollywood parties as young as 16 - where he was exposed to drugs and alcohol. Things only got worse for him when he went through a divorce in 1988, and his girlfriend, who was pregnant with his child, tragically took her own life later that year. He married a woman named Symbria Wright in 1984, but they went their separate ways after four years together. Soon after, he started dating someone new and was delighted when she found out she was expecting - but she died by suicide and took his unborn child's life with her. 'When she became pregnant with my child, it was too much on her. She chose to take her life, along with my childs,' Johnny shared. 'That was a traumatic experience for me, my divorce and then losing my girlfriend and child. That made it easy for me to choose drugs and alcohol.' His former Family Affair costar Anissa Jones - who had played his sister, Buffy Davis, in the show - also had a rough time after the show came to an end. She died of a drug overdose in 1976, when she was only 18 years old. He has since turned his life around, and he now dedicates his time to helping others who are struggling with similar problems; seen in 2016 in Century City After more than two decades of battling substance abuse, the star decided to get help in 1997. He said he realized it was time to change after having an 'a-ha moment' following a 'family intervention.' He has since turned his life around, and he now dedicates his time to helping others who are struggling with similar problems. Johnny is now a certified drug counselor and founded his own nonprofit organization that focuses on helping Spanish speaking addicts. Rosie O'Donnell is speaking out after her daughter's latest arrest in connection with drug charges. In an Instagram post shared to her account on Tuesday, the 62-year-old comedian and actress acknowledged for the first time her daughter Chelsea O'Donnell's arrest last month. O'Donnell adopted Chelsea, 27, with her first wife Kelli Carpenter (who she separated from in 2007) and the motherdaughter duo have been estranged on and off throughout much of Kelli's teens and adulthood. Chelsea was arrested for the third time in less than three months in connection with drug charges. She was most recently arrested on November 18, following previous arrests on September 10 and October 11 in connection with allegations of drug-related offenses. 'So yes this is true after being bailed out by her birth mother chelsea was arrested again,' O'Donnell wrote on Instagram. Rosie O'Donnell, 62, shared an Instagram post on Tuesday acknowledging for the first time her daughter Chelsea O'Donnell's third arrest in less than three months related to drug charges; pictured October 24 in LA Chelsea O'Donnell was most recently arrested on November 18, following previous arrests on September 10 and October 11 in connection with allegations of drug-related offenses; pictured after her November 18 arrest The League Of Their Own star included the admission alongside a screenshot of an email requesting comment from a Fox News Digital writer. O'Donnell went on to acknowledge that her daughter 'is facing many charges related to her drug addiction.' 'we all hope she is able to get the help she needs to turn her life around,' she wrote, adding the hashtags '#drug-addiction,' '#tragic,' '#sadness' and '#truth.' O'Donnell didn't share if she had taken any recent steps to either bail out her daughter or to get enrolled in a drug abuse treatment program. Chelsea previously complained to DailyMail.com that her mother was more interested in advocating for freedom for the Menendez brothers than getting her out of jail. Shortly after posting her somber update, O'Donnell shared a closeup selfie of herself in which she beamed while wearing sunglasses. Chelsea had been out on $4,000 bail (posted by her birth mother on November 13) at the time of her most recent arrest, Us Weekly reported Monday after reviewing court documents. Authorities said in legal documents that Chelsea was arrested on November 18 in Niagara, Wisconsin, after a vehicle she was riding in had been pulled over by police over a loud exhaust system. The League Of Their Own star admitted Chelsea had been arrested and said she 'hope[s]' her daughter will be 'able to get the help she needs to turn her life around' Shortly after posting her somber update, O'Donnell shared a closeup selfie of herself in which she beamed while wearing sunglasses Rosie was taking a tough love approach to the legal situation with her, Chelsea told Dailymail.com last month. Pictured last year in Pasadena, California Police detected 'pick marks' synonymous with illegal drug abuse on Chelsea's face, and requested her to provide identification, which she didn't have on her, according to the legal docs. Chelsea did submit to the officer her name and birthdate, the legal docs stated, after which the officer determined she was out on bond in connection with her prior two arrests. Police then cleared the vehicle and implemented a K9 search, at which time it was determined there were narcotics in the vehicle, according to the legal docs. Naloxone, a medication to reverse opiate overdose was retrieved from the vehicle's trunk, police said. Police searching Chelsea found a 'clear smoking device' hidden in her bra during a search of her person, according to legal docs, with residue on the pipe later testing positive for traces of methamphetamine. Officials said in court docs that Chelsea had been 'argumentative' with officers who sought to search her and wound up handcuffed, later 'calming down and becoming cooperative,' at which point the handcuffs were taken off. Authorities at the Marinette County Jail conducted a strip search on Chelsea in which 'officers found a prescription bottle in Chelseas vagina,' InTouch reported, citing court docs. The bottle contained a mix of hydrocodone, lamotrigine and Alprazolam pills, legal docs stated; and a bag containing a 'crystal-like substance,' according to legal docs reviewed by Us Weekly. Chelsea subsequently received five new charges, three of them felonies, including two counts of methamphetamine possession; and felony narcotic drug possession, per legal docs. Chelsea, pictured after her October 11 arrest, was bailed out of jail by her birth mother after more than a month in custody following an arrest on child abuse and drug charges Chelsea was arrested in Amberg, Wisconsin onSeptember 10 after a search warrant was executed, and charged with felony child neglect, methamphetamine possession, THC possession and overseeing a place where drug trafficking was taking place Chelsea was also charged with misdemeanor counts of drug paraphernalia possession and resisting an officer, legal docs stated. Chelsea remains in custody after a hearing Monday, and is slated to report to court for a December 12 in the matter, Us Weekly reported. Chelsea had been bailed out of jail by her birth mother Deanna Micoley Rosie previously refused to bail her out on November 13 after more than a month in custody following an arrest on child abuse and drug charges. Conditional to her release, authorities stipulated Chelsea remain sober and not possess any drugs or alcohol, US Weekly reported last month after reviewing court docs. Chelsea was arrested in Amberg, Wisconsin on September 10 after a search warrant was executed, and charged with felony child neglect, methamphetamine possession, THC possession and overseeing a place where drug trafficking was taking place. Chelsea also faces misdemeanor charges of drug paraphernalia possession, disorderly conduct and having medication she didn't have a prescription for. Chelsea was subsequently released from custody after a $2,000 bond was posted later on in September. She subsequently placed back into custody at the Oconto County Jail in Oconto, Wisconsin after an October 11 arrest in which she had a meth pipe on her. Chelsea faced additional charges of felony bail jumping, meth possession and drug possession, in addition to misdemeanor counts of drug paraphernalia possession and resisting or obstructing an officer, the outlet reported. Rosie attended ELLE's 2024 Women in Hollywood Celebration in LA on November 19, a day after her daughter's most recent arrest Rosie posed with Rita Wilson and Melanie Griffith at the event at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills Chelsea told Dailymail.com earlier this month that Rosie, 62, was taking a tough love approach to the legal situation with her. 'When I called Rosie to ask her to bail me out, she told me flat out, "You belong in there,"' Chelsea said November 4. 'She said, "I really can't help you get out of there; I don't want you to kill yourself. I don't want to be responsible for you killing yourself."' Chelsea told Dailymail.com from the jailhouse she was upset that the Emmy-winning entertainer appeared to be more invested in the freedom of convicted killers Erik and Lyle Menendez than her own. 'My mother is more interested in getting the Menendez Brothers released from prison than getting me out,' Chelsea said. 'I have a drug problem. I need to go to rehab, but I never killed anyone like the Menendez brothers.' Chelsea told Dailymail.com that the A League of Their Own star 'has turned her back on' her. The American Gigolo star's rep told US Weekly of Chelsea Tuesday that their 'family hopes that she gets the help she needs.' Rosie, a longtime critic of President-elect Donald Trump, is mother to five adopted children: son Parker, 29, Chelsea, 27, Blake, 24, Vivienne, 22, and Dakota, 11. The L Word: Generation Q performer last month spoke candidly about Chelsea's ongoing drug and legal problems in an Instagram post, saying that the family was hopeful she could achieve sobriety moving forward. Rosie and Chelsea were seen at a 2016 event in NYC 'Sadly this is not new for our family - Chelsea has struggled with drug addiction for a decade - we r all hopeful she will find her way out of this deadly disease,' the Long Island, New York native said October 19 on Instagram. Chelsea told Dailymail.com that she felt there was a chance she could 'end up in prison' due to the arrests, and wanted 'to spend time with' her four children if that was the case. Chelsea added at the time, 'I'm trying to get bailed out of here.' Under the terms of her former release, Chelsea was permitted to see her children with Vicki Bourassa as the court-appointed supervisor, The Blast reported Tuesday. (Vicki is the mother of Chelsea's ex Jacob Bourassa, the father of three of Chelsea's four kids.) She was was ordered by the court to 'not possess/consume any illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia/controlled substances without a valid prescription,' according to legal papers reviewed by the outlet. Chelsea is also mother to one-year-old son Atlas, whose father is her boyfriend Jacob Nelund. Demi Moore recalled feeling like an outsider as she struggled to get cast in films after making history as the first woman to get paid a whopping $12.5 million for a movie. While appearing on a new episode The Hollywood Reporters Awards Chatter podcast, the star, 62, said she began to wonder if her career was 'over' as her acting opportunities begun to dwindle. Her career stall coincided with a string of unsuccessful films starting with The Scarlet Letter (1995), then the coming-of-age drama Now and Then and the thriller The Juror (1996). This led to her discovering that she 'looked too good to play older, and was not young enough to play the others.' 'I didnt quite know where I fit or where I belonged, she explained, which led her to consider, 'Have I done what I was supposed to do in this?' Ultimately, she scaled back on output of films, apart from a handful of supporting roles, like her cameo in Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003), and, most recently, starring in The Substance, for which she has earned critical recognition and Oscar buzz. Demi Moore recalled feeling like an outsider as she struggled to get cast in films after making history as the first woman to get paid a whopping $12.5 million for a movie; seen in November Immediately after reading the script of her latest project, the mother-of-three recalled feeling 'quite blown away.' 'It really captivated me, the way in which it was exploring this subject of aging... it just felt so relatable, on a human level,' she said. 'The other part of it was new territory for me a body horror film. But as an actor, there were so many interesting challenges, not just the physical side of it, with the prosthetics, but the emotional rawness needing to be conveyed with very little dialogue.' Despite empathizing with her character, Elisabeth Sparkle, in The Substance, which explores the challenges of aging in the public eye, Moore pointed out their differences. 'Elizabeth Sparkle and I are very different,' she told listeners. 'If you notice, she has no friends, she has no family, she has no balance in her life. Her entire reflection of value is only on the external. What I did relate to is not what was being done to her, but what she did to herself.' Moore continued: 'Because again, I have experienced it in many different ways. Its not that I dont still experience it. The difference today is I have different tools. I have a different way of catching it and shifting it and knowing whats real and whats not real, and that the value of who I really am is not just my external self.' While attending the 2024 Gotham Awards on Monday night, Moore opened up to People about how her relationship with aging has shifted as she has gotten older. 'I can look back and go at 20, at 30 I was finding things that werent good enough,' she recalled. 'My relationship with [aging] now is much more in a joyous acceptance.' Still, she admits to occasionally thinking 'oh I wish that was not that way' but, typically, sees herself with 'the fullness' of who she is versus the 'external idea of' who she is. While appearing on a new episode The Hollywood Reporters Awards Chatter podcast, the star, 62, recalled starting to wonder if her career was 'over' as her acting opportunities begun to dwindle; seen in 1996 Her career stall coincided with a string of unsuccessful films starting with The Scarlet Letter (1995), then the coming-of-age drama Now and Then and the thriller The Juror (1996); pictured in 1993 In The Substance, Moore plays a movie star whose career is on the decline because of her advancing age. Elizabeth finds out about a fluid called The Substance, which she can inject to create a younger version of herself who can act in her place. Sue, played by Margaret Qualley, emerges as the new youthful version of Elizabeth, who has to move her mind back and forth between the young and old bodies weekly. However, the process of keeping the Sue body in operation causes Elizabeth's original body to grow dramatically older extremely fast. Australian actor Hugh Jackman has revealed the close bond he shares with his Deadpool co-star Ryan Reynolds' mum - after his own mother abandoned him as a child. On Wednesday, the 56-year-old actor posted a tribute to Tammy - who is the mother of his close friend and co-star Ryan - on Instagram. Hugh shared a carousel of photos of himself alongside the birthday girl and Ryan, 48, after recently admitting that he's in therapy to address the trauma of his own mother abandoning him when he was just eight years old. 'Happy Birthday to the one and only, Tam Tam!' Jackman began his caption, using the rest of his message to tease his friend by mentioning Ryan's three older brothers' names. 'Patrick, Terry, Jeff and I love you so much. And of course, your emergency, stand-in son, Ray. Rolf? Ryan?' the Greatest Showman actor quipped. Continuing the duo's long-held commitment to mocking one another, Ryan commented: 'Blasphemer!' before taking to his own Instagram Stories with a proper rebuttal. Australian actor Hugh Jackman has revealed the close bond he shares with his Deadpool co-star Ryan Reynolds' mum, as he wished Tammy Reynolds a very happy birthday 'Happy Birthday to the one and only, Tam Tam!' Jackman began his caption, using the rest to tease his friend by leading with Ryan's three older brothers' names first Re-sharing Jackman's post, Reynolds wrote: 'I am NOT her emergency stand-in son. My official job description is "emergency harvestable organs." In case she goes down with appendicitis or her tonsils are no long viable. I'll be there.' Ryan also posted his own tribute to his mum as she celebrated her milestone birthday on Wednesday, writing, 'Tam Tam is 80!!! Wishing my mom the happiest birthday.' The Free Guy actor shared a video montage of funny moments between them, adding: 'I still remember the first time I saw her. I was sitting in the backyard one night, holding a flashlight and dozing off. Suddenly, she just came waddling out of the shed. It scared the s**t out of me' 'Later, I rode my bike, racing away from our dry desert home and into a deciduous rain forest which somehow coexists just a few blocks away,' Ryan continued. 'Eventually Mom was all like, "f--- it," and we straight up, flew into the air while she whispered, "Elliot" every few seconds in a low groan that was both off-putting and quite off-putting.' Continuing with the plot of 1982's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, he wrote: 'Later she waddled back into her spacecraft and left earth forever, even though I saw her like four times today alone.' 'Happy Birthday mom. You are the best mom,' Ryan concluded on a sweeter note. 'We love you. Your grandbabies love you. Most importantly, @thehughjackman loves you.' Hugh Jackman included one photo of Ryan, 48, who posted his own Instagram tribute to his mum writing: 'Tam Tam is 80!!! Wishing my mom the happiest birthday.' Hugh Jackman, from left, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Tammy Reynolds and Randon Skelnar attend the world premiere of It Ends With Us on August 6, 2024 The tribute comes after Jackman revealed he started to see a therapist last year while shooting his latest movie The Son, in which he plays the father of a suicidal teen, as sessions were being offered to all cast members due to the film's dark themes. The Greatest Showman star had a 'traumatic' start to life when his mother Grace left him as a child to start a new life in the UK. Hugh's sisters, Zoe and Sonya, went to live with Grace in the UK; Hugh and his brothers, Ian and Ralph, stayed in Sydney with their single father. Christopher died in 2021 at the age of 84. 'It was traumatic,' Hugh previously told Who magazine, recalling his difficult childhood. 'I thought she was probably going to come back. And then it sort of dragged on and on. The Hollywood megastar previously said he didn't believe in therapy, noting it wasn't as prevalent in Australia, but has now decided it's time to face his demons. 'It's helped me a lot,' he told The Sun newspaper in February 2023. 'With therapy, it either works for you or it doesn't.' Now living in New York City, the Broadway star believes it's important to surround himself with people who will listen to him. The Greatest Showman star had a 'traumatic' start to life when his own mother Grace left him as a child to start a new life in the UK. Pictured hugging Tammy Reynolds Australian actor Hugh Jackman said he 'made peace' with his mother (pictured in 2021) a long time, adding that therapy had helped him understand how his past informs his present thinking 'You need a friend that you can unload with everything. You need that in all sorts of ways, from all sorts of people,' he said. 'Having someone really smart, who's actually a little bit removed from your world can be really helpful. I've found it really helpful.' Although she abandoned him as a child, Hugh revealed why he'd 'made peace' with his mother. 'I know she was struggling. She was in hospital after I was born suffering from post-natal depression,' he told Who magazine. 'And then you add five kids into the mix and the fact she had emigrated from England and there wasn't a support network for her here, plus the fact that dad was at work all day - and you realise that as parents we make mistakes.' Hugh explained that having children of his own with ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness gave him 'another level of empathy and understanding' that allowed him to build bridges with his mother. 'There comes a certain point in life when you have to stop blaming other people for how you feel or the misfortunes in your life,' he added. Hugh and his ex Deborra-Lee, 67, are parents to two adopted children, Oscar, 22, and Ava, 17. Valerie Bertinelli made a very rare move of posing in her lingerie for an image shared to Instagram on Tuesday. The Hot In Cleveland actress was in a black bra with matching underwear as she flashed her tummy. She impressively had abs and a small waistline. The 64-year-old star also showed off her toned arms while she went makeup free with her dark hair down over her shoulders. It was a bathroom selfie taken in a New York City hotel as she held onto a hair of box hair dye before darkening her roots. Her caption had her usual brave candor and easygoing sense of humor. 'At some point I will talk about the madness my body has been through this year,' she wrote to her 1.6M followers. 'But right now every lump, bump, wrinkle and saggy part of me just feels acceptance and simple appreciation to be standing in front of a mirror in a hotel bathroom in downtown Manhattan ready to color my roots late on a Monday night.' Valerie Bertinelli made a very rare move of posing in her lingerie for an image shared to Instagram on Tuesday The Hot In Cleveland actress was in a black bra as she went makeup free with her dark hair down over her shoulders Bertinelli has been busy these days. She is working with friend Drew Barrymore on her talk show in NYC. Valerie - who used to be wed to Eddie Van Halen - is also getting over her split from lifestyle writer Mike Goodnough, 53. They broke up in early November after 10 months of dating. He is 10 years younger than Valerie. In March and noted at the time that she had created a 'three-week rule' whereby they would never go longer than that period of time without seeing each other but admitted that has been a 'challenge' for them both. She told People: 'It's been challenging. The summer has been booked full. It is challenging!' The former Touched by an Angel actress also noted that this time round she is ready to keep her relationship more private. She said: 'A part of me is just like, it's been so public and now I'm trying to pull back and make it so much less public, and try to keep some stuff for us now. It's like, 'Oh, but, yeah, I let the cat out of the bag.' I don't know. I would like to start keeping it between us and make it a little bit more special.' Bertinelli seen in her backyard in a bikini on Instagram; she used to show off her body often She used to pose in bathing suits when a big star on the TV series One Day At A Time Last month she posted this glamorous flashback photo on Instagram 'Even though I was so public with it, now part of me wants to just protect. He's terrific.' Valerie previously explained that the upon one of their first meetings earlier this year, she knew that everything felt 'incredibly right' as she embarked on her new relationship. She said: 'I'm driving up to meet him, and he's already at the hotel standing outside. I just jump out of the car, and I run to him, and I hug him. It was the best hug. I immediately felt like I was home. This is where I belong, in this man's arms. It all feels incredibly right.' In April she Bertinelli said she 'can't just blame' her ex-husband for their 'toxic, horrible marriage'. The actress acknowledges that Vitale wasn't entirely responsible for their failed marriage. During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, Valerie explained: 'I can't just blame my ex-husband for a toxic, horrible marriage. It's not his fault. 'What led me to that? Oh, childhood! That's the stuff I got to start working on. Bertinelli with her ex boyfriend Mike Goodnough in June; they split last month after 10 months together 'I've found that when my gratitude is really placed in even the challenging, hard times, that's when the growth really happens.' Valerie explained that she's still working through her own childhood trauma. The actress acknowledges that her troubled past continues to influence her life. Valerie said: 'The business can really mess with a child's head. I'm going back to the childhood stuff and working on that.' Zayn Malik cancelled a show on Tuesday night at the last minute leaving his fans disappointed. The former One Direction star, 31, was due to perform at the Newcastle City Hall as part of his Stairway to the Sky UK tour. But ahead of the show a tannoy announcement said that the performance would 'no longer go ahead' as fans were left in shock. It stated: 'We apologise for the late notice, it was his hope that he would be able to continue with the show. 'But this is no longer possible. Please contact your point of purchase for reschedule or refunds. If you have parents or guardians collecting you, please stay in the auditorium and wait to be collected.' Zayn then took to his Stories on Tuesday night and penned: 'I'm so sorry to do this but my voice just isn't there at all tonight and without it there's no show. Zayn Malik cancelled a show on Tuesday night at the last minute leaving his fans disappointed Zayn then took to his Stories on Tuesday night and penned: 'I'm so sorry to do this but my voice just isn't there at all tonight and without it there's no show' 'I'm truly sorry to let you down, especially at such short notice... I held onto hope until the very last moment. I'm hopeful with some rest tonight I'll be back on stage tomorrow. 'My deepest apologies Newcastle. Love you all.' The star has been on his Stairway to the Sky Tour, where fans have seen him perform in cities such as London, Manchester, Leeds, Wolverhampton. He is due to wrap up in Edinburgh in just a number of days. Last week on the tour Zayn paid tribute on stage to Liam Payne in his former One Direction bandmate's hometown of Wolverhampton on Friday, saying he 'hopes' the late star sees his gig. He kicked off his Stairway To The Sky tour in Leeds's O2 Academy last week, with an on-stage blue screen message which read: 'Liam Payne 1993-2024. Love you bro' with a pink heart. However, he has not appeared to directly speak about Payne, who died aged 31 in Argentina last month, during the tour. According to social media videos, Malik told the University of Wolverhampton venue The Halls venue: 'I've been doing something, at the end of the show, every night, and it's been dedicated to my brother Liam Payne. Rest in peace'. 'I hope you're seeing this, we're in your hometown tonight, Wolverhampton, this is for you, Liam.' Fans were left upset by the cancelled gig Ahead of the show a tannoy announcement said that the show would 'no longer go ahead' as fans were left in shock Malik rescheduled his tour's original opening dates in Edinburgh due to Payne's funeral, which was also attended by his fellow One Direction stars Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan. Payne died on October 16 of multiple traumas and 'internal and external haemorrhage' after falling from a third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires He left One Direction in 2015 before the group went on indefinite hiatus in 2016, with the members all going on to pursue their own solo careers. Following the death of Payne, Malik said he 'never got to thank' his fellow bandmate for supporting him through some of the 'most difficult' times in his life. 'I lost a brother when you left us and can't explain to you what I'd give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly', he added in a statement shared to Instagram. 'I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever. 'There is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. Last week on the tour Zayn paid tribute on stage to Liam Payne in his former One Direction bandmate's hometown of Wolverhampton on Friday, saying he 'hopes' the late star sees his gig Zayn is seen at Liam Payne's funeral on November 20 Following Liam's unexpected death aged 31 after falling from the third floor of his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires last month, Zayn announced he was postponing the US dates of his tour (One Direction pictured in 2013) 'I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved you are. Love you, bro.' Liam died on October 16 after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Argentina, with his One Direction bandmates seen in public together for the first time in nine years as they paid their respects at his funeral last month. Former bandmates Harry Styles, 30, Niall Horan, 31, Louis Tomlinson, 32, and Zayn arrived separately at the church for a poignant final send off. Harry dressed in black, pulled up to the funeral in a BMW, while Niall attended with his girlfriend Amelia Woolley, with Zayn Malik arriving shortly after Louis. Eamonn Holmes appeared in high spirits as he attended the 2024 TRIC Christmas lunch with his girlfriend Katie Alexander at The Londoner Hotel on Tuesday. The TV star was forced to rely on the help of a walker as he celebrated his 65th birthday at the event, after opening up about having a 'tough year'. Eamonn split from his wife of 14 years Ruth Langsford, 64, before embarking on a romance with dating counsellor Katie, 43. And while his ex Ruth was busy taking part in spin-off show I'm A Celebrity: Unpacked in Australia, Eamonn posed for snaps outside of the event with Katie, who looked chic in a black polka dot mini dress. Eamonn dressed to impress in a black suit and shimmering tie as he smiled while holding onto his walker for support. A source in attendance told MailOnline: 'Katie seems smitten with Eamonn. They had their arms around each other, and she was attending his every need through out the day.' Eamonn Holmes appeared in high spirits as he attended the 2024 TRIC Christmas lunch with his girlfriend Katie Alexander at The Londoner Hotel on Tuesday Eamonn attended the festive lunch alongside stars including Lady Victoria Hervey, Angela Rippon and Dan Walker. He recently shared his gratitude and opened up on his 'tough year' as he attended his first event with his new girlfriend earlier this month. He has been dating Katie since his split from Ruth and had her by his side as he hosted the Irish Post Awards in London. Eamonn has battled many health woes this year and a fter surgery on his back in 2022 for a slipped disc, the GB News host has not been able to walk unaided and often relies on a wheelchair. Speaking at the event Eamonn admitted he was glad to see the end of 2024, while being supported by his girlfriend. Speaking to The Sun On Sunday, he said: 'Its been a tough year and Ill be glad to see the back of it. 'But there are lots of things to be grateful for and I hope that my health improves next year.' Eammon and Katie made their first appearance as a couple at The Irish Post Awards, but the former GMB presenter requested that photographers not take pictures of them together. An on looker added: 'Katie certainly seems to be able to put a smile back on Eamonns face. They seem genuinely besotted with each other.' Eamonn split from his wife of 14 years Ruth Langsford, 64, before embarking on a romance with dating counsellor Katie, 43 While his ex Ruth was busy taking part in spin-off show I'm A Celebrity: Unpacked in Australia, Eamonn posed for snaps outside of the event with Katie, who looked chic in a black polka dot mini dress The TV star was forced to rely on the help of a walker as he celebrated his 65th birthday at the event, after opening up about having a 'tough year' Eamonn couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he celebrated his birthday A source in attendance told MailOnline: 'Katie seems smitten with Eamonn. They had their arms around each other, and she was attending his every need through out the day.' Lady Victoria Hervey put on a leggy display in a shimmering navy mini dress and matching ankle boots Angela Rippon stood out in an eye-catching purple dress and heels Lizzie Cundy put on a busty display in a red plunging Santa dress and racy knee-high boots Angellica Bell wowed in a black shimmering jumpsuit Dan Walker cut a dapper figure in a black suit and shirt Ainsley Harriott put on an animated display as he arrived at the event Eamonn and Loose Women star Ruth announced their plans to divorce in June after 14 years of marriage and 27 years together. Now, Katie, who enjoyed a romantic cruise with the TV star earlier this year , has told friends she is in for 'the long haul' with Eamonn. She has been helping Eamonn through the split from Ruth, but her friends say she is at pains to point out that their friendship has only grown close once the marriage was over in May. In September the former This Morning presenter emotionally revealed he can no longer look after himself. In an emotional video, Eamonn admitted his former days of independence have come to an end as he pleaded his followers to adopt a dog as he petted his pooch Bella. Eamonn, who used to share a rescue dog, Maggie, with his ex-wife Ruth, also revealed that losing his ability to walk also had an impact. Eamonn has been dating counsellor Katie Alexander, 43, since his split from Ruth and had her by his side as he hosted the Irish Post Awards in London He captioned the clip: 'Think about giving Bella a home. If I could walk and look after myself she would be mine but instead you could be me. Talk to @TheK9Angels . Absolutely lovely Doggie.' Eamonn uses a wheelchair due to chronic back pain as well as undergoing painful physio sessions. Speaking in January he said the 'harsh reality' could be that he may never be able to walk unaided again. In 2016, Eamonn underwent a double-hip replacement operation lasting three-and-a-quarter hours after living with acute pain for many years. A major home store is at risk of falling into bankruptcy despite celebrity deals and a Netflix boost. The Container Store is teetering on the edge of financial collapse, despite a large boost from Marie Kondo's hit Netflix show 'Tidying Up.' 'Tidying Up' introduced a wave of sorting, throwing out, and organizing across America when it first aired in 2019. Consumers quickly turned to the Container Store to buy staples such as storage bins, drawer organizers and shelves - especially when they were stuck at home during the pandemic. This led to a rise in sales, and the company decided to cement its luck with a partnership with Kondo herself in 2021. However, the magic has worn-off and the retailer's future is now at risk. The Container Store, which has around 100 locations across the US, has been rated as one of the most financially distressed companies in the retail industry by credit rating agencies, CNN reported. The company will be hoping the traditional holiday shopping period currently underway before Christmas will hope to reverse its ailing fortunes. The Container Store is at risk of falling into bankruptcy despite a pandemic-era boost However, Tim Hynes, global head of credit research at Debtwire, said there would still be a 'high profitability' of the company filing for bankruptcy. 'I don't see any dramatic increase in holiday sales that will change the situation,' he told CNN. 'They are already pretty far down the line.' Sales fell a dramatic 10.5 percent in the company's latest earnings, and it suffered a loss of $30.8 million in the third quarter of this year alone. The Container Store was also hoping to receive a $40 million lifeline from Beyond, the owner of Bed Bath & Beyond, but the company said the deal is in doubt because the Container Store was not reaching an agreement with its creditors. The Container Store's fate is also closely linked to the housing market. With elevated mortgage rates and soaring property costs across the US, the housing market has been frozen as Americans are avoiding buying and selling their homes. 'When people move, they buy a heck of a lot of things related to storage and organization. Without this impetus, The Container Store has struggled,' retail expert Neil Saunders explained. 'The weakening of the housing market has pushed down demand for most of the products The Container Store sells.' Tidying and organization expert Marie Kondo partnered with the store in recent years Consumers quickly turned to the Container Store to buy staples such as storage bins, drawer organizers and shelves when they were stuck at home during the pandemic The widespread 'retail apocalypse' this year has seen brick-and-mortar stores struggle to combat rampant theft and increasingly tight margins. The latest high profile chain to file for bankruptcy was discount retailer Big Lots in September. Big Lots announced its latest round of store closures in November, as it moves through its bankruptcy proceedings. The Ohio-based chain, which currently has around 1,100 stores, initially planned to close around 555 stores and has so far closed more than 270 of those. The additional round of closures will affect locations in Phoenix, Arizona, Atlanta, Georgia, and Meridian, Idaho. There are also five more California stores and three more Texas sites on the new list. 'We continue to evaluate store closings in light of lease renegotiations and other considerations, and remain committed to keeping our customers informed as we move forward,' Big Lots said in a statement to Nexstar. Other stores forced to close down this year include dollar store 99 Cents Only, home improvement chain LL Flooring and furniture retailer Conn's. Subway is at risk of being 'gobbled up' by rival Jersey Mike's, a lawyer representing thousands of franchisees has claimed. Bosses have ignored 'screams for help' from the army of small business owners that run most of the chain's shops under franchise, Robert Zarco said. The sandwich chain had rolled out a $6.99 meal deal at the start of November in a bid to lure back customers. But the deal was abruptly ditched last week after it failed to deliver the 'anticipated results'. The deal was the sandwich chain's effort to compete with other value offerings launched by fast food companies this year - such as the McDonald's $5 promotion. The sandwich chain has been at odds with its sub shop owners for months. The $6.99 deal - which franchisees claimed would be unprofitable - was the latest in a series of unpopular moves that CEO John Chidsey had pushed on store owners. Others include an 8 percent royalty fee on a store's gross revenue regardless of how much profit is made, forced remodeling and 'undisclosed' technology fees. 'If Subway keeps treating its franchisees the way it has over the last five years where it is ignoring their screams for help, Jersey Mike's will have an easy task of gobbling up the Subway brand,' lawyer Robert Zarco who represents the North American Association of Subway Franchisees. told the New York Post. CEO John Chidsey has introduced a series of unpopular policies for Subway's franchisees The average Jersey Mike's now makes three times as much money as an average Subway Competitor Jersey Mike's, which has around 3,000 locations, was recently sold for $8 billion. By comparison, Subway, with around 20,000 stores, was sold to Roark Capital for $9.5 billion in May. The average jersey Mike's location now makes around three times as much revenue as the average Subway. Subway president Douglas Fry admitted to its struggling franchisees in August that sales were down up to 10 percent year-to-date in many regions. Fry also acknowledged that Jersey Mike's sales had risen 1 percent in the same period, the Post reported. 'We're doing worse than the rest of the industry,' Fry said at the time, according to The Post. Franchisee's revolted against the $6.99 deal that was announced at the meeting, claiming the profit margins were so tight it would spark losses. Bill Mathis, chair of the North American Association of Subway Franchisees (NAASF), reportedly told the group's members to ignore the footlong sandwich deal. Subway has now pulled the deal, only offering it for online orders through December 26. 'Subway's approach to value is thoughtful and strategic, leveraging data to help balance consumer needs while protecting franchisee profits,' the company said. 'We continuously test new value platforms aimed at helping drive profitable traffic and encouraging repeat visits.' The company added that it takes 'feedback and data seriously' and adjust course to make sure they're doing what's best for 'franchises, guests and overall business.' Last week Subway announced that CEO John Chidsey would be stepping down at the end of the year. The sandwich chain has also closed about 7,000 locations since 2015, and a franchisee who operates 48 restaurants filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June. Bangladesh on Tuesday summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to the Foreign Affairs Ministry office here, a day after Dhaka lodged a strong protest against the alleged vandalism of its mission in the Indian state of Tripura. Describing the India-Bangladesh relationship as multifaceted and one that cannot be reduced to a single issue or agenda, Verma told reporters after his meeting with acting foreign secretary Riaz Hamidullah that New Delhi remains interested in working with Dhaka to fulfill our shared aspirations for peace, security and development. Earlier, Foreign Affairs Adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain said the Indian envoy was asked to come to the foreign office after the Agartala incident. India on Monday described as deeply regrettable the incident of the breach of the premises of the Bangladesh consulate in Agartala in the northeastern state of Tripura, bordering Bangladesh, by a group of people protesting the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das here. The comments by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) came hours after the protesters reportedly barged into the assistant high commission of Bangladesh and allegedly resorted to vandalism. The envoy described the relationship as multifaceted and wide-ranging, which could not sit with one issue or agenda and India is interested to work with Bangladesh government to fulfill the two countries shared aspiration for peace, security and development. We are working across so many issues. And we really want to build a positive, stable, constructive relationship, he said. Verma also pointed out the many interdependencies and Delhi is keen to build on that for mutual benefits. India will keep ensuring that the mutual cooperation benefits the two peoples, and the number of positive developments that have taken place in the bilateral relationship in the last few months, whether it is trade, it is power transmission, supply of essential commodities, we have maintained lot of positive momentum in the relationship, he added. We are willing to engage with the interim government of Bangladesh, and we remain interested in working with the Government of Bangladesh to fulfill our shared aspirations for peace, security and development, the envoy added. Meanwhile, Bangladesh announced that all consular services at its Assistant High Commission in Agartala will remain suspended until further notice because of security reasons with immediate effect. Earlier in the day, terming the vandalism at Bangladeshs diplomatic mission in Agartala as Indias failure, Law Affairs Adviser in the interim government Asif Nazrul asked New Delhi to reassess its neighbour afresh after the toppling of the Sheikh Hasina regime. We believe in a friendship based on equality and mutual respect. While Sheikh Hasinas government followed a pro-India policy to cling to power without elections, India must realise that this is not Sheikh Hasinas Bangladesh, he wrote in a Facebook post. Three days after Hasina fled to India following widespread protests against her Awami League-led government over a controversial job quota system, Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate, took over as the Chief Adviser of the interim government. The tension between the two neighbours simmering since August 5, when deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India, aggravated further with the arrest of the Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das last week. Nazrul alleged an outfit named Hindu Sangharsh Samiti was responsible for what he described as the disgraceful act when Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala was vandalised, and Bangladeshs national flag was set on fire. He emphasised that Bangladesh is an independent, sovereign, and self-respecting nation driven by a fearless and dynamic young generation. Fissures are visible in the Oppositions Congress led INDIA Bloc, after the grand old partys massive defeats in the recent Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly elections and not much appreciated performance in the State polls of Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir where the party contested with its alliance partners, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and National Conference (NC), respectively. Rather one of the key allies in INDIA Bloc, Trinamool Congress (TMC), on Tuesday pitched for their party supremo West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee be made the Bloc leader for all practical purposes, as the woman leader has a 100 percent record to take the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Partners like TMC, Samajwadi Party (SP) have raised eyebrows as the alliance could not work in the bypolls of Uttar Pradesh other States and the defeats have been shouldered on Congress. Congress found itself without its key allies, including the SP and TMC during a joint Opposition protest in the Parliament complex on Tuesday. The protest, spearheaded by members of the INDIA Bloc, focused on the demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into allegations of bribery and fraud against the Adani Group. While SP has prioritised the Sambhal violence issue to raise in Parliament, TMC has so far skipped all opposition meetings on formulating the INDIA Blocs joint strategy during the session. TMC MP Samik Bhattacharya called the protests led by Congress as their agenda where TMC and others do not figure. Mamata Banerjee-led TMC said it will not be a rubber stamp for Congress decisions and advocated for smooth functioning of the ongoing Winter Session of the Parliament which was marred by continuous protest resulting in no business or discussions ever since it began on November 25. The Government and Opposition parties reached an agreement on Monday to break a week-long impasse in Parliament with the dates announced for a discussion on the Constitution, to mark its 75th year of adoption, in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi led the demonstration in Parliament premises which saw MPs from the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Shiv Sena (UBT), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and Left parties, among others. However, the absence of SP and TMC highlighted fissures within the INDIA Bloc. Different parties have different perspectives, TMC has said that it is a part of the INDIA alliance but they sometimes have different agenda, Congress chief spokesman Jairam Ramesh said. Congress and the TMC had contested the Lok Sabha elections and the recent bypolls in West Bengal separately. The Trinamool Congress won all six seats in the bypoll and 29 of 40 constituencies in the Lok Sabha elections, bettering its 2019 tally despite a big effort being put into the state by the BJP. This attitude leads to electoral losses, if we feel were winning, we will not accommodate regional party but, in States where were down, regional parties must accommodate us. Arrogance, entitlement, and looking down on regional parties is a recipe for disaster, Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale said. On TMC leaders suggesting that Mamata Banerjee should be made the INDIA bloc leader, TMC Lok Sabha MP Kirti Azad said Mamata Banerjee has a 100 percent record. Whenever Prime Minister Narendra Modi faced a humiliating defeat, it was only in West Bengal Whenever he comes to insult Bengal and its honour, her vote share increases. She is a very senior leader. She speaks clearly. The Government of India did not say anything despite there being a grave situation in Bangladesh. She said that if the Centre does not do anything, the UN should intervene. Mamata Banerjee is not a leader but a panth. She resides in every household in West Bengal, in every household in the country. Mamata Banerjee is someone who takes everyone together. She calls people only after making preparations and taking her time, Azad said. Following the victory in recently-concluded Punjab Assembly by-elections, the three newly-elected legislators of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) took their oath of office on Monday at the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. The ceremony was presided over by Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP Punjab president Aman Arora in attendance, marking a moment of celebration for the party. The three AAP legislators Dr Ishank Kumar Chabbewal from Chabbewal, Gurdeep Singh Randhawa from Dera Baba Nanak, and Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon from Gidderbaha swore their allegiance in the Members Lounge of the Vidhan Sabha. Dr Chabbewal the first to take the oath added a symbolic flourish by proclaiming Jai Bhim, Jai Bharat and Inquilab Zindabad. Family members of the MLAs, along with several dignitaries, attended the event. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann extended his congratulations, applauding the newly-elected representatives for their resounding victory in the recent by-polls. Meanwhile, Congress MLA Kuldeep Singh Kala Dhillon, elected from Barnala, did not participate in the ceremony. Dhillon cited a lack of formal communication from the Vidhan Sabha or the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader regarding todays event. He announced that he would be taking his oath on December 4, accompanied by his party colleagues. The November by-elections were held in four constituencies Chabbewal, Dera Baba Nanak, Gidderbaha, and Barnala necessitated after the incumbent MLAs vacated their seats upon becoming MPs. While AAP secured victories in three constituencies, Congress claimed a surprise win in Barnala, wresting the seat from AAP. Barnalas loss for AAP was attributed to internal dissent, with a rebel candidate securing a significant chunk of votes. Congress candidate Kuldeep Singh Kala Dhillon emerged victorious, defeating AAPs Harinder Dhaliwal by 2,176 votes. Since taking charge in Punjab, the AAP Government has faced mixed electoral outcomes. Notably, the party lost a Lok Sabha by-election in Sangrur and the Barnala assembly seat in this by-poll. Both defeats occurred in regions considered AAP strongholds, raising questions about internal challenges and opposition strategies. The Akal Takht on Monday delivered a historic verdict, revoking posthumously the coveted Panth Rattan Fakhr-e-Qaum title bestowed on Punjabs former Chief Minister and Akali veteran Parkash Singh Badal while mandating religious punishment for his son and former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, along with the former Akali ministers. The decisive action followed allegations of grave misconduct and betrayal of Sikh principles, tarnishing the political and moral standing of the Badal family and their associates. Sukhbir, who was found guilty of religious transgressions during his tenure as Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president and former Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Home Minister, was declared tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct) on August 30. The list of punishments include serving at key Sikh shrines and performing menial tasks. Over the next eight days, Sukhbir is to serve at locations such as the Golden Temple, Keshgarh Sahib, and Fatehgarh Sahib, wearing a servants attire and carrying a spear at the entrance, symbolic of his penitence. At each site, he must also spend an hour cleaning utensils in the Guru Ram Dass Jee Langar Hall (a communal kitchen), listening to kirtan, and reciting the Sukhmani Sahib path. While his physical condition a fractured leg exempted him from cleaning toilets and washrooms, the five high priests (Panj Singh Sahibans) emphasized the gravity of the punishment as an opportunity for reflection. Senior Akali veteran Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa was also awarded a similar punishment owing to his old age and health concerns. Former Akali ministers were not spared either. They have been directed to clean washrooms in the Golden Temple complex for an hour, followed by serving in the kitchen and performing religious recitations. Like Sukhbir, they are also required to wear plaques around their necks, publicly acknowledging their guilt and seeking forgiveness from the Sikh community. The Akal Takht, Sikhs highest temporal seat, further directed the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to accept Sukhbirs resignation as party president, and appoint a new president within three days. The clergy has called for a comprehensive overhaul of the partys structure within six months to address the damage inflicted on Sikh sentiments under Sukhbirs leadership. The pronouncement came after years of tension within the Sikh community and mounting dissatisfaction with the SAD leadership. A breakaway faction of the party first approached the Akal Takht in July 2024, submitting a letter of apology for the four grave mistakes made under Sukhbirs leadership. After a prolonged review, the five Sikh high priests, led by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, convened meetings throughout the year to address these grievances. On August 30, Sukhbir was formally declared tankhaiya and directed to provide a written explanation for his actions. The decision to strip senior Badal of the prestigious Panth Rattan Fakhr-e-Qaum title marked a significant reassessment of his legacy. The honour, granted in 2011 to recognize his contributions to the Sikh community, has now been rescinded due to actions seen as antithetical to its purpose. Among these actions was the Akali Dal-led Punjab Governments 2015 decision to orchestrate a controversial pardon for Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. Ram Rahim, a self-styled godman infamous for mimicking Guru Gobind Singh, had been excommunicated by the Sikh clergy for his offensive acts. The pardon, widely viewed as a betrayal of Sikh values, sparked unprecedented outrage among the community, leading to mass protests and violent confrontations. It was alleged that the Akali Dals close ties to the Dera played a role in securing the pardon to curry favour with the sects large vote bank. Adding to the controversy, the Akali Dals tenure from 2007 to 2017 was marred by accusations of mishandling sacrilege incidents. The theft of the Guru Granth Sahib in Faridkot and subsequent acts of desecration shook the communitys faith in the governments ability to protect its religious sanctity. Police firings on protesters in Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura, which left two Sikhs dead, further fueled anger against the Akali leadership. Critics accused the Akali Government of failing to conduct impartial investigations or bring the culprits to justice, with fingers pointed at the then-Home Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. IN addition, SADs decision to shield police officers implicated in fake encounters and extrajudicial killings during the 1980s and 1990s has also drawn ire. Top cops such as Sumedh Singh Saini and Izhar Alam, who faced serious allegations, were rewarded with high-ranking positions in the state police force, deepening resentment among the Sikh community. The Akal Takhts actions underline its role as a moral authority for the Sikh community, holding even the most powerful individuals accountable for their actions. Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, while announcing the verdict from the podium of Akal Takht, stated that the clergy would not tolerate any compromise on Sikh values. He emphasized that the punishments imposed were not just symbolic but aimed at restoring faith in Sikh institutions and principles. The clergy also directed senior Akali leaders to engage in introspection during their acts of penance. By participating in menial services such as cleaning and cooking, the guilty parties are expected to reconnect with the core tenets of humility and service that lie at the heart of Sikhism. Political Fallout The decision has sent shockwaves through Punjabs political landscape, with the Akali Dal already grappling with dwindling popularity. Once a dominant force in Punjab politics, the partys support has eroded following breaking of ties with its decades-old alliance partners, BJP, over the contentious farm laws in 2020. Sukhbir Badals leadership faced increasing criticism over the years. Voices of dissent within the party grew louder after the sacrilege incidents of 2015 and the partys poor performance in the 2017 and 2022 Punjab Assembly elections with the emergence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the states political scene. Following the partys repeated defeats in two back-to-back assembly polls, especially after ruling the state for a decade, a party committee was constituted under senior leader Iqbal Singh Jhunda which suggested change of leadership to improve Akali Dals standing in Punjab. With SADs another embarrassing defeat in 2024 Lok Sabha polls, a splinter group Akali Dal Sudhar Lehar was formed under former MLA Gurpartap Singh Wadala with senior leaders like former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra, former Minister Bibi Jagir Kaur, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, and others, further pressuring Sukhbir Badal to step down. On November 16, Sukhbir finally stepped down as SAD chief marking the end of his 15-year tenure on the partys top post a day after appointing a loyalist and former MP Balwinder Singh Bhundur as working president. The Akal Takhts ruling has now further compounded the crisis, potentially alienating the Akali Dal from its core Sikh vote bank. For the Sikh community, the Akal Takhts decision is a moment of reckoning. Many see it as a long-overdue step toward justice for the betrayal of Sikh principles during the Akali regime. The clergys assertiveness in holding powerful leaders accountable has been widely welcomed, with community leaders and organizations expressing support for the verdict. However, questions remain about whether these actions will lead to substantive change. Critics argued that the penalties, while symbolically significant, may not address the systemic issues within the Akali Dal or the broader political system that enabled these transgressions. Akal Takhts Key Decisions Revocation of Panth Rattan Fakhr-e-Qaum title awarded to five-time CM Parkash Singh Badal in 2011 Declared tankhaiya on August 30, Sukhbir ordered to perform penance, including menial services at prominent Sikh shrines, standing guard at Gurdwaras entrance wearing guards uniform and a plaques acknowledging guilt Former Akali Ministers directed to clean washrooms, serve in gurdwara kitchens wearing plaques of guilt around their neck SAD instructed to remove Sukhbir Badal as president and appoint a new leader within 3 days SAD given 6 months to restructure and address grievances of the Sikh community Special Cleanliness Campaign by Jharkhand Postal Circle Jharkhand Postal Circle conducted Special Cleanliness Campaign 4.0 across the State. On lines of the national mission of Swachha Bharat, a Swachhta HI Seva campaign was conducted from September 17 to October 1 and a special cleanliness campaign was organised from October 2 to October 31 covering all 4643 postal network sites and ensuring that the initiative reaches the rural areas of the State. During this 343 files were reviewed, 4643 post offices were cleaned, about 4240 square feet of space was cleared by disposing off scrap and earning a revenue of about 14 thousand, 1300 public complaints were resolved and school and Youth Connect programme was organised in all divisions. About 1188 plants were planted under Ek Ped Maa ke Naam, Prabhat Pheri and blood donations was also organised and 101 social media posts related to the programme were also made. CBI holds loan distribution camp A loan distribution camp was organized on Monday at the regional office Ranchi under the aegis of Central Bank of India Regional Office Ranchi. The program was presided over by regional head Sunil Kumar. Kumar highlighted the importance of interdependence between the customer and the bank and said that Central Bank of India, Regional Office Ranchi is always striving for the convenience, financial security, and financial progress of the customers. The stage was conducted by Official Language Officer, Sandeep Kumar. PVUNL holds skill development, livelihood training programme PVUN Limited (PVUNL) has launched a week-long mushroom farming training programme aimed at empowering local women farmers of nearby villages. The initiative is part of the company's commitment to impart skills to the community and generate alternative livelihood opportunities. The training was inaugurated on Monday by CEO, PVUN Limited, RK Singh and President, Swarnarekha Mahila Samiti, Rita Singh in the presence of department heads and members of Swarnarekha Mahila Samiti. VBU holds inter-College yoga competition Students from many colleges participated in the inter-college yoga competition organized by Vinoba Bhave University (VBU) Yoga Center. The competition was held at the USET campus. During the competition, students performed various yoga postures, including Surya Namaskar, Pranayama, and meditation. The program started with Surya Namaskar. In which 5 compulsory postures Paschimottanasana, Sarvanga Asana, Karnapeedasana, Purna Dhanurasana, Garuda Asana were performed. Adventure Camp at SBPS To instill leadership qualities, teamwork, and a spirit of adventure among the students, Sarala Birla Public School, Ranchi organised an exhilarating week long adventure camp. Students of all the classes participated enthusiastically in various activities like Flying Fox, 5-step climbing, Twine and Net climbing, Walking on the Burma Bridge, Cat Walk, Monkey Crawling and Double Log Crossing. All the activities were conducted under the supervision of trained professionals ensuring safety and an enjoyable experience to all. Principal Paramjit Kaur, highlighted that such activities enhance the physical endurance and problem solving skills among the students which aid in the holistic development of every child as is also emphasised by NEP 2020 and NCF SE 2023. AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal stepped up his attack on the BJP and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, calling for his resignation if he could not handle the "chaotic" law-and-order situation in the national capital. There is chaos all over and people are afraid of stepping out of their homes due to the rising crimes, he alleged after meeting the kin of a youth who was stabbed to death outside his house in a Pitampura slum cluster. "Two youths were attacked by seven to eight local boys in this area. Manish was stabbed multiple times and I was told that he died because he could not be taken to hospital in time. The other victim, Himanshu, was saved. Police have not recorded his statement as a witness," Kejriwal said. "If Amit Shah is unable to handle law and order in Delhi and his concern is only making political tours across the country then he should resign," the former Delhi chief minister said. He alleged that the police were threatening the victims and not taking action against the accused. No immediate reaction was available from the Delhi Police which is controlled by the Union Home Ministry.Kejriwal said that AAP will unite the people and "force" the BJP-led Centre to ensure people's safety in the city. Alleging that drug abuse, chain snatching and other such crimes were rampant in Delhi, the AAP supremo claimed he was getting numerous phone calls, requesting him to visit their areas which he would do and raise people's issues. AAP Rajya MP Raghav Chadha filed a Suspension of Business notice in Rajya Sabha under rule 267 on Tuesday, seeking to discuss the 'deteriorating law and order' situation and the 'rise in crimes' in the national capital. AAP Rajya MP Sanjay Singh has also filed an adjournment motion notice in the upper house seeking to discuss the deteriorating law and order situation concerning the 'increasing crimes' in Delhi. On Monday, he visited to the family of two brothers in west Delhis Naraina, who were killed in separate incidents over the past few months. Accusing the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh of failing to deliver on its promises, the Congress has announced a statewide protest march and gherao the State Assembly on December 16. State Congress President Jitu Patwari, talking to mediapersons, alleged that the BJP government has neglected its promises made to the people, leading to increasing debts, atrocities against tribals, Dalits, minorities, and women. On the other hand, the government remains indifferent. Patwari criticized the states worsening economic condition and demanded that the BJP government issue a white paper. The current government is defined by crime, debt, and corruption. Under Chief Minister Mohan Yadavs administration, corruption has no bounds, permeating from Vallabh Bhawan to the lowest levels of the administration, he stated. Patwari accused the BJP of deceiving every section of society. Whether it was the promise to give Rs 3,000 to women, Rs 2,700 and Rs 3,100 as support prices for wheat and paddy to farmers, employment to the youth, or Rs 20,000 pensions to journalists over 60 years of age, the BJP has failed to deliver, Patwari said. To remind the government of its promises, the Congress will stage a massive march culminating in an Assembly gherao, for which preparations have already begun at district and block levels. Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar criticized the Chief Minister, alleging that corruption and inefficiency characterize his administration. Even the Chief Ministers own colleagues are exposing his failures. The boat he is sitting in is sinking, he remarked. Singhar also took a dig at the Chief Ministers recent visit to London, suggesting it appeared as though he was begging for the state. He questioned why the state continues to rely on borrowing instead of strengthening its economy. Singhar highlighted pressing issues, including farmers struggling for fertilizers, increasing atrocities against women, harassment of tribals and Dalits, and corruption in the Jal Jeevan Mission, where villages still lack access to clean drinking water. Not a single promise from the BJPs manifesto has been fulfilled. From the streets to the Assembly, we will raise the voice of the people, Singhar declared. The Congress plans to launch a grassroots awareness campaign across villages and households to inform people about their rights. The protest march, scheduled to begin at 12 PM from Jawahar Chowk in Bhopal, will culminate at the Assembly. The protest will be led by State Congress President Jitu Patwari and Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar, focusing on the BJPs unfulfilled promises, rising corruption, crimes against marginalized communities, unemployment, and other critical issues impacting the state. The S. Radhakrishnan Sahodaya School Complex, Bokaro, hosted a remarkable Inter-School Jharkhand Folk Dance Competition on Friday, November 29, 2024, at Bokaro Public School. The event brought together 20 schools to celebrate the rich cultural traditions of Jharkhand. DAV Public School, Sector 4, emerged victorious, clinching the 1st position with their energetic and captivating performance. Under the able guidance of PRT Priyanka Sharma, their mesmerizing display of rhythmic tribal beats, vibrant costumes, and soulful expressions left the audience in awe. Principal Sarbendu Sekhar Kar praised the students' dedication and spirit, emphasizing that the event was a true reflection of Jharkhand's cultural richness. He noted that the competition was not only a celebration of dance but also a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving and honoring the state's diverse heritage. The S. Radhakrishnan Sahodaya School Complex, Bokaro, played a pivotal role in organizing this remarkable event, bringing together 20 schools to celebrate the rich cultural traditions of Jharkhand. Dhanbad witnesses sudden burst in crime including coal and sand smuggling after brief lull during tha assembly elections. Yet another chapter was added on Sunday late evening in the ongoing gang war between Washeepur gangsters with henchmen claimed to be of absconding Prince Khan opened fire on Sonu Khan brother of Fahim Khan presenting a serving life sentence at Jamshedpur.. The two twowheeler bourn assail opened fire on Sonu near his residence located in Washeepur locality and escaped. Police are investigating the matter, claimed DSP law and order here , who had reached the spot after the incident. In other parts there had been a sudden rise in coal and sand mining and transportation that had remained nil during the election period. Illegal sand miners even manhandled Govindpur circle officers who attempted to stop them. Reports from coal bearing areas like Nirsa Baghmara besides others suggest that illegal mining and transportation has increased. Though police and mining task force officials have succeeded in seizure of some illegally mined coal, seizures are the tip of the iceberg, claim insiders. Four people were booked on Monday for obstructing government work and assaulting Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Company (MKVVCL) employees in the Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh. The accused, identified as Mohanlal and his three sonsRajesh, Jagdish, and Ashokmisbehaved with company employees and assaulted them when they reached their premises to recover outstanding dues, said MKVVCL. According to the power distribution company, the Sheopur Circle's City Distribution Centre, under the management of Akshay Kumar Singh, along with General Manager Rajesh Saxena, Deputy General Manager Lavlesh Kumar Panika, and line staff, was conducting revenue recovery for overdue payments. During this process, the connections of a consumer, Mohanlal, with outstanding dues of Rs 44,948 and Rs 39,347 respectively, were disconnected, and the meter was seized.During this action, the four assaulted and misbehaved with the companys officials and staff, threatening to kill them, thus obstructing government work. An FIR was later filed at the Sheopur Kotwali police station under sections 115(2), 296, 351(2), 3(5), 132, and 221 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) 2023. Police are investigating the matter.Taking a strong note of the rising incidents of assault and misbehaviour with field employees and officials of the electricity company, MKVVCL has now decided to lodge immediate FIRs against the wrongdoers. Such incidents undermine the morale of the electricity officers and employees, which is why all supervising officers in the company's jurisdiction have been instructed to handle cases of misbehaviour or assault against field officials and employees with the utmost seriousness. MVVCL Managing Director Kshitij Singhal has instructed that any cases of misbehaviour or assault on duty be treated as obstruction to government work and that immediate legal action should be taken. MBABANE A woman was allegedly raped at Matsapha Police Station on Sunday night. The purported rape happened at a time when the country has launched the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, under the local theme: Together let us end Gender-Based Violence (GBV)/ Sisonke. The 16 Days of Activism is a global initiative that seeks to raise awareness, promote advocacy and inspire action to combat GBV. The woman was purportedly sexually violated overnight at the police station, after being arrested for theft under false pretences. According to sources, females arrested at the police station are kept in holding cells which are not locked. The sources claimed that the woman had been kept overnight as she could not raise an admission of guilt fine for her offence. They claimed that as she awaited her fate in court yesterday, a male suspect was taken into the police station for housebreaking charges. Docket The male suspect was said to have been brought in by community police from one of the townships within the constituency. It was established that while his docket was being processed, the male suspect was kept at a barricaded passage, which has access to the females holding cell. The sources claimed that the reason the male suspect was not locked in holding cells was that they were locked and the whereabouts of the key that could unlock them was unknown. They claimed that because male-accused persons were not held in locked cell, they can gain access to those designated to females at any instance. Meanwhile, some personnel within the police station have questioned how the ordeal could have happened without police officers on duty being alerted to the offence. Rhetorically, they questioned if she had raised the alarm and if the police officers had heard it. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed that allegations of rape were reported. She said: The allegation was reported and the complainant was taken for medical check-ups as part of the investigation. We are still investigating. Vilakati said the male suspect was eventually charged with the offence of housebreaking, which he had been brought in for at the police station. She said, on the other hand, the female complainant, who reported the rape, was taken to hospital and returned to the police station for her initial charge. Vilakati also confirmed that the holding cell assigned to female suspects was not locked. Vilakati said given that the matter is still under investigation, she could not comment further, lest the enquiry into the matter be compromised. It is worth noting that the Matsapha Police Station, in January 2021, had a similar incident where a police officer based at the police station was arrested for allegedly raping a female suspect inside a holding cell. The law enforcer was arrested and subsequently charged with rape under the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act of 2018. His offence was accompanied by aggravating circumstances in that the accused allegedly caused physical and mental trauma to the complainant and that he did not use any protection, thus exposing the alleged survivor to the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections. Arrest The arrest of the law enforcer came hardly two weeks after the arrest of two officers from the same police station. The two officers, Mbongeni Sichaba Dlamini and Nkosingiphile Mavolovolo Mkhonta are alleged to have stolen 22 bags of dagga. The police station is not new to controversy, as in September 2022, foul play was suspected in the escape of three suspects, who were considered dangerous. The trio was part of seven suspects arrested for alleged illegal possession of guns, armed robberies and attempted murder. They were said to have walked out of the police station. It is worth noting that last week Thursday, the National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police, Vusi Manoma Masango, announced overall crime statistics for the period January 2024 to date, standing at 48 452 compared to 42 209 during the same period in 2023. This, he said, reflected a 15 per cent increase in reported crimes. Masango said serious crimes have risen by two per cent, which highlighted the urgent need for effective strategies to tackle persistent crimes such as murder, rape, stock theft and copper theft. The police reported that rape increased by 4.4 per cent, as it increased from 205 cases recorded in 2023 during the second quarter, while this year, in the same period, 214 cases were recorded. According to the police, GBV in the country continues to increase despite the numerous awareness campaigns meant to sensitise the communities on how to protect themselves and their loved ones from falling victims of such crimes. They reported that 1 417 cases were recorded compared to 1 323 cases recorded last year under the same period, depicting an increase of 13.2 per cent. On the other hand, they reported that passion killings showed a decrease of 57 per cent, as six cases were recorded in this reporting quarter against 14 cases recorded in the parallel quarter last year. Sants and the Saffron have their own specialty. Sants work to provide energy to society and thousands of lives by inspiring them to follow the right path. Just as the Sun and the Diya provide energy and free us from darkness, similarly sants provide new light in the form of knowledge to our lives. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said this in the Amritsya Maa Narmada Pad Parikrama Programme organized at Brahmapuri Ghat in Omkareshwar today. Chief Minister Yadav offered prayers to Maa Narmada and performed aarti at Brahmapuri Ghat. Chief Minister Yadav said that sants always inspire and encourage us to follow the right path. He said that rivers, mountains, and hills are a gift of nature to humans. We all need to make efforts to conserve it. We are proud of our culture and we should do so. Chief Minister Yadav said that proper arrangements will be ensured at every temple in the state. He said that by developing the entire Narmada Parikrama Path in the state in a better way, and ensuring arrangements will provide convenience to the Narmada Parikrama pilgrims. He said that a 5-member committee of ministers has also been formed for the same. The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is creating a special identity in the world. He said that we all are proud of Indian culture. Maa Narmada originates from Amarkantak and meets the Gulf of Khambhat. Maa Narmada travels a long journey throughout this route. Wherever it passes, it creates life. Maa Narmada darshan is the darshan of life. Chief Minister Yadav said that the state government is continuously making efforts for various development works in the entire Narmada basin. Yadav said that the many service projects going on in the entire Parikrama Path of ??Maa Narmada, including free Annakshetra and housing arrangements, inspire the world, and this happens only in Maa Narmada khand in India. This is even more amazing in Madhya Pradesh, where food is sent from door to door for those doing parikrama. Revered Gurudev Vivek Ji, Mahant Mangaldas Ji Tyagi of Jod Ganpati Hanuman Temple Omkareshwar, Mahant Kailash Bharti of Mahanirvani Akhara Omkareshwar, Mahant Pranavanand Ji Saraswati of Markandeya Sanyas Ashram Omkareshwar and Brahmachari Ji Maharaj of Nijanand Dham Khachrod, Khandwa MLA Kanchan Tanve, Pandhana MLA Chhaya More, Mandhata MLA Narayan Patel, District Panchayat President Pinky Wankhede besides sants, public representatives, and officials were present during occasion. Yadav said that the Narmada Parikrama app will help the people to have correct during Parikrama and will also increase employment opportunities for the local people. He said that employment opportunities available locally will keep people connected to their villages and cities. Efforts to employ local people through the digital revolution will write a new chapter in the history of the Narmada River. People doing parikrama with this app will also become familiar with the local culture. Parikrama will not just be a spiritual practice but will also be a journey of Indian culture and the journey starting from Madhya Pradesh will write more such chapters across India. Chief Minister Yadav said that to keep the sacred form of Maa Narmada intact, the devotees doing Parikrama should plant 5 saplings (seed balls) each on the banks. In this way, when both the government and the society make coordinated efforts, the original sanctity of Maa Narmada will remain. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, youth are being trained in modern technology of skills under Skill India. Asia's only world-class Sant Shiromani Ravidas Global Skill Park was built with the cooperation of Singapore for training the youth. Here advanced technology training is given as per global standards. To get information about innovations and advanced trades in the field of skill development and training, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Vocational Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Uttar Pradesh, Kapil Dev Agarwal along with Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Employment, Gautam Tetwal held discussions with the officials of Sant Shiromani Ravidas Global Skill Park. Secretary of Skill Development and Employment Rajendran Raghuraj and officials gave detailed information about the functioning of GSP, courses, industry connect, admission process, post placement support and demand based skill training and innovations. Tetwal and Minister Agarwal visited the entire institute including the world class laboratories, class rooms, auditorium of GSP. Both the ministers reached the class room and interacted with the students. The students shared their teaching methods and experiences. Both the ministers motivated the students for continuous progress. Minister Agarwal met the students of UP receiving training in GSP and got a group photo taken with everyone. The ministers emphasized that efforts will have to be enhanced to bring students to the Global Skill Park. Also, the need to train the students within the stipulated time frame as per the demand of various sectors of the industry was emphasized. Along with the placement of the students, instructions were given to include regular follow-up and post-placement monitoring in the priorities of the institute even after placement. UP Minister Agarwal said that this institute is the only world-class centre of its kind in Asia, which is giving a new direction to the lives of youth by imparting skill training as per global standards. Minister Agarwal said that students and faculty from Uttar Pradesh will be regularly sent to GSP for training. He also enquired about the admission process and fees of GSP. UP Minister Agarwal also visited ITI Govindpura. He also invited Minister Tetwal and GSP staff for the Kumbh Mela to be held in Prayagraj in January. Tetwal said that this institute is a symbol of skill development of youth as well as their empowerment and self-reliance. He thanked Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. He described it as a platform which is becoming a bridge between technical education and employment. Tetwal said that it is due to this cooperation that when I went to Ayodhya, the Skill Development Minister of Uttar Pradesh Agarwal also came on the same day. That is when I requested Minister Agarwal to visit GSP. He gladly accepted my request and came here with his team. This meeting between the Skill Development Ministers of MP and UP is a new beginning of partnership in skill development between Central and North India. The ministers of both the states agreed that together new opportunities will be created for the youth. With enthusiasm among the students and hopes for the future, this day emerged as an inspiring example in the field of skill development. Secretary R Raghuraj said that this institute is providing training in various advanced trades as per the demand of the industry. Also, trainers from various industries also come here and obtain training in advanced trades. PEDA Partners with CU to Boost Energy Conservation Chandigarh: Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) and Chandigarh University (CU) on Monday signed an MoU to drive innovative research in energy efficiency and conservation across various sectors in Punjab. The agreement, signed by PEDA CEO Sandeep Hans and CUs Dr Raj Kumar, focuses on clean technologies, energy-efficient appliances, and conservation in buildings, industry, agriculture, and transport. Hans highlighted CUs role in providing strategic research support, promoting local participation, and advancing R&D initiatives, including design and performance evaluations. PEDA director MP Singh praised CUs commitment to energy research, emphasizing its potential impact on Punjabs sustainability efforts. Punjab to hold Silk Expo-2024 from Dec 4-9 Chandigarh: Punjab is holding Silk Expo-2024 from December 4 to 9 at Chandigarhs Kisan Bhawan, with the aim of encouraging and enhancing the income of sericulture farmers and silk artisans, self-help groups and especially women related to the silk trade in Punjab. Announcing this, the states Horticulture Minister Mohinder Bhagat on Monday said that this Expo is being organized in collaboration with Silk Mark Organization of India and Horticulture Department Punjab. In this event, artisans, traders, registered institutions of the Silk Board and societies from all the states of India will set up stalls of various types related to silk. Punjab to Honour Exemplary Personalities on International Divyang Diwas Chandigarh: Punjab government has decided to honour outstanding individuals and organizations on International Divyang Diwas, to be celebrated on Tuesday, in Faridkot. Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr Baljit Kaur on Monday announced that the state-level event will recognize employees, individuals, and NGOs for their remarkable contributions across various categories. The ceremony will also acknowledge the efforts of Divyang persons who have made significant strides in their respective fields. She encouraged Divyang persons to actively participate in the event and take advantage of the welfare schemes available for their benefit. Himachal CM chairs 49th tribal Advisory Council meeting Shimla: Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday presided over the 49th meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Tribal Advisory Council. Discussions were held on various developmental issues, including education, healthcare, electricity, drinking water and infrastructure in tribal regions of the State. He said that such meetings play a vital role in addressing the challenges faced by tribal communities and formulating policies for their welfare and progress. He said that the present state government has made provision of Rs. 890.28 crore under the Tribal Sub Plan and Tribal Area Development Programme for the financial year 2024-25, with an additional Rs. 1,145.46 crore allocated in non-plan expenditure. The planned budget includes Rs.117.43 crore for construction of buildings, roads and bridges. Apart from this Rs. 37.45 crore for education services, Rs. 52.75 crore for healthcare and Rs. 75.75 crore for drinking water schemes. Sukhu said that the approval of Nautod (land rights) for tribal residents was a priority and the proposal has already been sent to the Governor after receiving Cabinet approval and it was expected to be cleared soon. To promote tourism, the government was planning to develop Buddhist Tourism Circuit and heliports in tribal areas which would boost local employment and self-employment opportunities for the local residents. In the first major bureaucratic reshuffle after the BJP was voted back to power, the Haryana government has transferred 44 IAS officers with immediate effect. Senior officer of the 1990-batch, Sumita Misra will be the new Home Secretary. Misra, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Medical Education and Research Department, has been posted as ACS, Home, Jails, Criminal Investigation and Administration of Justice Departments, relieving Anurag Rastogi of the charge. Rastogi will continue to hold the charge of ACS, Finance and Planning departments. He will hold additional charge of Financial Commissioner of Revenue and Disaster Management and Consolidation Department. Ashok Khemka, a 1991-batch officer who was ACS, Printing and Stationery Department, has been posted as ACS, Transport Department, relieving 1994-batch IPS officer Navdeep Virk of the charge. Khemka served as transport commissioner and secretary in the first term of the BJP government which was led by Manohar Lal Khattar. The reshuffle had been on the cards since the Saini dispensation was sworn in on October 17. According to the order, Apoorva K Singh has been posted as ACS, Town and Country Planning and Urban Estates Department, and will also hold the charge as ACS, Energy Department. Sudhir Rajpal, ACS, Health and Family Welfare Department, has also been given charge of Medical Education and Research, and Ayush departments. Anand Mohan Sharan has been given charge of Food and Civil Supplies Department in addition to the other departments he holds. Vineet Garg has been posted as ACS, Higher Education Department and Chairman of Haryana State Pollution Control Board. D Suresh, Resident Commissioner, Haryana Bhawan, New Delhi, will now also be Principal Secretary of Industries and Commerce Department. Rajeev Ranjan has been given the additional charge of Principal Secretary, Labour while Shyamal Mishra will be the new CEO of Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority and Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority as well as Principal Secretary of Civil Aviation Department. Vijay Singh Dahiya has been posted as Commissioner and Secretary of Printing and Stationery and Animal Husbandry departments. Ashima Brar, Secretary, Social Justice, Empowerment and Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes and Antyodaya (SEWA) Department, has been posted as Excise and Taxation Commissioner and Secretary, and Managing Director of Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Ltd. Amit Kumar Agrawal, Commissioner and Secretary, Development and Panchayats Department will also be the Commissioner and Secretary of departments of Information, Public Relations, Languages and Culture, and Foreign Cooperation. Yashendra Singh has been posted as Director and Special Secretary of Medical Education and Research Department. Among other IAS officers, G Rajini Kaanthan will be the new Transport Commissioner while Phool Chand Meena will be the new Commissioner of Ambala division. A Sreenivas has been posted as Commissioner of Hisar division and Anshaj Singh has been posted as Commissioner of Rohtak division, and Director General of Swarna Jayanti Haryana Institute for Fiscal Management. Yash Garg will be Commissioner of Food and Drugs Administration. Monica Malik has been given the additional charge of Managing Director of Haryana Women Development Corporation Ltd. Rajesh Jogpal, Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Haryana, has been posted as Director and Special Secretary of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department in addition to his current duties. Haryana Human Rights Commission Secretary Narhari Singh Banger has been posted as Advisor and Special Secretary of Civil Aviation Department. The International Potato Centre (CIP) in Lima, Peru, is set to establish a branch in Agra, with an investment of approximately Rs 120 crore on a 10-hectare site. The branch is being opened on the initiative of the Uttar Pradesh government, with support from the Central government. Notably, potatoes are part of the Central governmen's pilot project to export select vegetables and fruits via sea routes and its cultivation promises significant prosperity for farmers in the states potato-producing regions. As Uttar Pradesh stands as the countrys largest potato producer, with double-cropping practised in several districts like Kannauj and Farrukhabad, farmers in the state are poised to reap maximum benefits from this initiative. Potatoes are a staple in Indian cuisine, making them indispensable in any vegetable-based dish. While generally affordable year-round, their high demand sometimes leads to shortages that capture media attention. The introduction of cost-effective sea exports is expected to stabilise supply, reducing such shortages and related concerns. From the outset, the Yogi Adityanath government has demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing potato farmers challenges. During his first term, Chief Minister Yogi implemented the Market Intervention Scheme to support farmers facing economic downturns a first in the states history. Since then, the government has consistently taken steps to promote the welfare of potato producers, including providing high-quality seeds at fixed prices, tailored to the local agricultural climate. Additionally, at the start of his second term, the chief minister announced several initiatives, including plans to establish Centres of Excellence for Potatoes in Hapur and Kushinagar. Transparent licensing processes for cold storage facilities, as well as development of Mega Food Parks and processing clusters, are also underway, reflecting rapid progress in enhancing storage and value-added processing capabilities. These strategic efforts, supported by both the Central and state governments, are transforming the potato sector in Uttar Pradesh, ensuring sustainable growth and prosperity for farmers. The establishment of international and national-level centres will greatly benefit farmers in Uttar Pradesh, the countrys leading potato-producing state. Neighbouring states like Bihar and West Bengal, as well as other South Asian potato-growing nations, will also reap significant advantages. The CIP centre in Agra will provide access to high-quality potato seeds, leading to better crop yields and increased farmer incomes. Additionally, it will address the shortage of potato seeds and focus on developing highly productive and processable potato varieties. Farmers will have the opportunities to learn advanced potato cultivation techniques, enhancing their productivity. While Uttar Pradesh leads the nation in total potato production, West Bengal surpasses it in per hectare yield, producing 29.9 metric tonnes compared to UPs 25.48 metric tonnes. Closing this productivity gap becomes more achievable with dedicated research centres. Although potato cultivation occurs across all districts, key commercial hubs include Kannauj, Farrukhabad, Agra, Firozabad, Mathura, Aligarh, Meerut, Bulandshahr, Bareilly, Lucknow and Barabanki. Ahead of the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the UT Chandigarh Police have beefed up security with the deployment of additional forces at various places in the city. Special arrangements are also being made at Punjab Engineering College (PEC) for the PMs visit on Tuesday. The Police have also put up nakas across the city. A senior police officer said that the Police Department has deployed additional personnel and set up checkpoints on key entry routes to check vehicles entering the city from Mohali and Panchkula. The Prime Minister is expected to deliver his address in the PEC hall, which has a seating capacity of 5,000 people. Home Minister Amit Shah will also be present. According to a UT official, during the visit, PM Modi will review the progress of three newly introduced criminal laws, which have been designed to overhaul Indias criminal justice system. The police will conduct a live demonstration, featuring theatre artists, to showcase improvements in law enforcement, judicial procedures and evidence management after the introduction of the new laws. The demonstration will include eight stage performances, one of which depicts a murder investigation, on the Punjab Engineering College (PRC) campus in Sector 12. The Prime Minister is expected to stay in the city for three hours. The UT Administration has declared Chandigarh a no-flying zone on Tuesday. The official said that Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, is the first city in the country where 100 per cent implementation of all three laws has been completed. The local police will showcase the functionalities of applications such as e-Sakshya, Nyay Setu, Nyay Shruti and e-summons, which have been developed by the National Informatics Centre in collaboration with the National Crime Records Bureau. Newly recruited Indian Police Service (IPS) officers from across the country will attend the event on enforcement, judicial procedures and evidence management on the new laws with Chandigarh Police delivering a detailed presentation on the integration and functioning of various applications. Movement of VVIP is scheduled to Chandigarh on Tuesday. So, in view of emerging threats due to recent trends of carrying out terrorist attacks by using drones fitted with improvised explosive device by anti-national elements and keeping in view of the security of VVIPs and general public, it becomes imperative to declare the area of UT, Chandigarh as no flying zone for drones and unmanned aerial vehicles, an order issued by the Deputy Commissioner said. This order will not be applicable to law enforcement agencies, including police, paramilitary, the Indian Air Force, SPG personnel and persons authorised by competent government authority. Any breach of this order would invite action under Section 223 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and other relevant provisions of law, the order added. On August 4, Shah visited Chandigarh and launched the e-Sakshya, Nyay Setu, Nyay Shruti and e-Summon apps for the three new criminal laws. He had then said that the new laws would prove to be the "biggest" reform witnessed by India in the 21st century. MOHALI POLICE TIGHTENS SECURITY As Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Chandigarh on Tuesday, Punjab Police have ramped up security measures to ensure a seamless and secure event. A high-level meeting, chaired by the state Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB), Mohnish Chawla on Monday, laid out comprehensive directives to bolster the arrangements. The meeting, held in Mohali, was attended by the Deputy Inspector General of Ropar Range, Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), and senior officials from the District Crime Records Bureau and other units. Emphasis was placed on ensuring a robust VIP security framework and flawless operational coordination among all agencies. The elaborate security drill has senior officers from Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula police closely monitoring the arrangements. Instructions were given to leave no room for lapses, with strict implementation of security protocols across the board. Special attention is being paid to managing traffic to minimize disruptions for the public during the high-profile visit. As part of the heightened vigilance, every vehicle entering Chandigarh is undergoing thorough checks. Officials have been instructed to ensure that commuters face minimal inconvenience while maintaining the highest levels of scrutiny. Local police units have received additional training and guidelines to efficiently handle the dual responsibilities of traffic management and security. To streamline operations, Punjab Police have established strong coordination among related departments. A special task force has also been formed to oversee the security arrangements and promptly address any unforeseen challenges. The measures are designed to create an airtight security net, ensuring that the Prime Minister's visit proceeds without incident. Hundreds of Congress workers and leaders raised anti-government slogans and jostled with police personnel outside the party office in Lucknow on Monday as they were prevented from proceeding to violence-hit Sambhal. To prevent Congressmen from leaving the party office to go to Sambhal, the district administration in the state capital had, on Sunday night, installed barricades outside the party office and the residences of several of its leaders who were to accompany UP Congress chief Ajay Rai on the partys planned fact-finding visit to Sambhal. As Congress workers, led by Rai, attempted to set out for Sambhal on Monday, the police stopped them at the barricades, resulting in noisy scenes and chaos. The party termed the act by the police to stop its leaders from heading for the violence-hit district as anti-democratic. The leaders alleged that the state is going through total anarchy and lawlessness. In Lucknow, a heavy police force was deployed outside the Congress office in the Mall Avenue locality. Rai, along with other party leaders and workers, was seen trying to force their way through the barricades. Violence erupted in Sambhal district due to the negligence, incompetence, and ill-intention of the UP government, in which five youths were killed in police firing. On one hand, the government failed to discharge its responsibilities and, on the other, adopting a dictatorial attitude, it is using every undemocratic trick to prevent Congress leaders from meeting the families of the deceased and expressing condolences, Rai alleged. The Congress party has the constitutional right to go among the people, listen to their problems, and raise them in the House, but the Yogi government is afraid that if the Congress leaders meet the victims, the truth will come out and they will be exposed, Rai said, adding: We had decided to visit Sambhal on December 2 (Monday) as the government ban on the entry of public representatives was to be lifted by November 30. Now, they have suddenly extended the ban until December 10. The government clearly wants to hide its flaws. The Uttar Pradesh Congress chief spent the night at the Congress committee office along with several party workers. If prevented, we would agitate peacefully in a Gandhian way, as we are followers of Mahatma Gandhi, Rai had said then. Leader of the Congress Legislature Party in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Aradhana Mishra, said, The incident in Sambhal is not just another ordinary incident. It is a big incident. The Congress delegation under Ajay Rai wanted to go there on a fact-finding mission. Since yesterday (Sunday) night, I have been placed under house arrest. Our party leaders are being stopped. This is complete anarchy on the part of the government. The government is trying to hide its failure by citing the imposition of Section 163 (power to issue an order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and is not allowing us to go there (Sambhal) from Lucknow, Mishra added. She noted that Section 163 of the BNSS was imposed in Sambhal, and not in Lucknow. It may be mentioned that tension has been brewing in Sambhal since November 19, when a Mughal-era mosque was surveyed on court orders following claims that a Harihar temple previously stood at the site. Violence erupted during a second survey on November 24 as protesters gathered near Shahi Jama Masjid and clashed with security personnel. Four people died and several others were injured in the violence that ensued. Municipal Commissioner Harendra Narayan, on Monday, instructed health officials and sanitation staff to heighten cleanliness in green belts, side and central verges, and all entry roads into the state capital. Narayan was inspecting cleanliness arrangements in the city. He advocated for an enhancement in sanitary conditions to meet the standards of the Swachh Survey 2024. He also visited public convenience centres and requested improvements in their appearance by carrying out necessary repairs and repainting of the utilities. The Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) chief visited various areas of the city, including Link Road No. 01, Chetak Bridge, Anna Nagar, ITI Road, JK Road, Meenal Residency, Ayodhya Bypass, Bhanpur, Bhopal Memorial Over Bridge, Chhola Road, Hamidia Road, Jail Road, and others. He directed health department officials to ensure the prompt removal of waste from the main roads, side verges, and green belts. He also urged citizens and officials to refrain from the practice of dumping garbage in green belts. Narayan emphasised that the side and central verges at the citys entry points should remain clean and tidy, so that citizens entering the city can experience the citys distinct identity. Narayan was accompanied by the Assistant Health Officer (AHO) of Zone 16 during the inspection, when he came across scattered dirt, garbage, and piles of waste in the side verges and green belts of Ayodhya Bypass, Bhanpur, Bhopal Memorial Over Bridge, and other areas. He gave strict instructions to improve the cleanliness of these areas and provide a better appearance. The Municipal Commissioner also gave strong instructions to focus particularly on cleanliness in Zones 12 and 16. Bangladesh on Tuesday summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to the Foreign Affairs Ministry office here. He (Verma) has been asked to come, Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain told the media in his brief comment. The state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) said the Indian envoy entered the foreign ministry at 4 pm. The Indian High Commissioner was summoned by acting foreign secretary Reaz Hamidullah, the BSS said. The tension between the two neighbours simmering since August 5, when deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India, aggravated further with the arrest of the Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das last week. The Indian Army has deployed over 2,000 personnel for the search of the Meitei man who has been missing for over a week, police said. Laishram Kamalbabu Singh, a native of Assam's Cachar district who lived in Khukrul in Imphal West, was a works supervisor for a contractor working with the Military Engineering Services (MES) in Leimakhong Military Station of the 57th Mountain Division, according to the Army. Chief Minister N Biren Singh had said he went missing from the military station, asking its authorities to take responsibility for finding him. "Massive joint search operations by Manipur Police assisted by Indian Army is being undertaken with effect from 25.11.2024 to trace Laishram Kamalbabu Singh (56 yrs) who has been missing since 25.11.2024," the Manipur Police said in a Facebook post on Monday night. "Indian Army has extended all support and resources to trace him utilising 2000 plus troops, helicopters, drones and Army tracker dogs. Further investigation using technical intelligence is being undertaken," it added. Meanwhile, the Joint Action Committee (JAC), formed in response to the disappearance of Singh, continued its sit-in protest at Kanto Sabal, some 2.5 km from the military station, where the road has been barricaded. Singh's wife Akoijam Belarani also joined the protests. The military camp, located in Kangpokpi district, is some 16 km away from the state capital Imphal and is surrounded by the hills where the Kuki people live. Meiteis who lived near Leimakhong fled after the ethnic violence began in May last year, claiming over 250 lives so far. The protesters claimed it was likely that Singh was kidnapped by militants. LUDZIDZINI EmaSwati came in numbers to dance the ongoing Little Incwala. The participants joined His Majesty King Mswati III and Her Majesty the Queen Mother for the event, which entered its second day at Ludzidzini Royal Residence yesterday. The King will continue to lead the nation in the national event until he moves on to the other royal residences, leaving the Queen Mother and Ludzidzini regiments at the main royal residence. The King will end at Buhleni Royal Residence, where he will then summon all regiments across the country to Ngabezweni Royal Residence, in readiness for commissioning of the young boys (Ingatja) to fetch the sacred shrubs (lusekwane) and red leaves (imbondvo), ahead of the main Incwala Ceremony. This might take place on the 15th day since the commencement of the ongoing Little Incwala. The Incwala Ceremony is an annual event, where emaSwati celebrate the fruit of the first harvest. The nation also celebrates the existence of peace and stability since the country gained its independence from Britain in 1968. EmaSwati also celebrate the new year and seek Gods guidance and protection for the New Year at the event. A coalition of Canadian news publishers, including The Canadian Press, Torstar, Globe and Mail, Postmedia and CBC/Radio-Canada, has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI for using news content to train its ChatGPT generative artificial intelligence system. The outlets said in a joint statement on Friday that OpenAI regularly breaches copyright by scraping large amounts of content from Canadian media. OpenAI is capitalising and profiting from the use of this content, without getting permission or compensating content owners, the statement said. The publishers argue that OpenAI practices undermine the hundreds of millions of dollars invested in journalism, and that content is protected by copyright. News media companies welcome technological innovations. However, all participants must follow the law, and any use of intellectual property must be on fair terms, the statement said. Generative AI can create text, images, videos and computer code based on a simple prompt, but the systems must first study vast amounts of existing content. OpenAI said in a statement that its models are trained on publicly available data. It said they are grounded in fair use and related international copyright principles that are fair for creators and support innovation. The company said it collaborates closely with news publishers, including in the display, attribution and links to their content in ChatGPT search and offers outlets easy ways to opt-out should they so desire. This is the first such case in Canada, though numerous lawsuits are underway in the United States, including a case by the New York Times against OpenAI and Microsoft. Some news organizations have chosen to collaborate rather than fight with OpenAI by signing deals to get compensated for sharing news content that can be used to train its AI systems. The Associated Press is among the news organizations that have made licensing deals over the past year with OpenAI. Others include The Wall Street Journal and New York Post publisher News Corp., The Atlantic, Axel Springer in Germany and Prisa Media in Spain, Frances Le Monde newspaper and the London-based Financial Times. Canada has passed a law requiring Google and Meta to compensate news publishers for the use of their content, but has previously declined to say whether the Online News Act should apply to use by AI systems. In response to that legislation, Meta pulled news from its platforms in Canada, while Google has reached a deal to pay $100 million Canadian (USD 71 million) to Canadian news outlets. The Women in Research Caucus (WiRC) was formed in 2018, to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion for women faculty and trainees in research. WiRC seeks to increase awareness and action on the issues faced by women faculty and trainees at Dalhousie University, provide resources to facilitate this awareness and action, and offer networking opportunities. To learn more about what we do, read WiRCs Terms of Reference. China, Czech Republic strengthen ties through "Study in China" exhibition Xinhua) 13:27, December 03, 2024 A staff member talks with visitors at the "Study in China" education exhibition in Prague, the Czech Republic, on Dec. 2, 2024. Thirteen Chinese universities showcased their diverse programs and policies at the "Study in China" education exhibition held in Prague on Monday, underscoring the deepening educational and cultural ties between China and the Czech Republic. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua) PRAGUE, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Thirteen Chinese universities showcased their diverse programs and policies at the "Study in China" education exhibition held in Prague on Monday, underscoring the deepening educational and cultural ties between China and the Czech Republic. Speaking at the event's opening, Chinese Ambassador to the Czech Republic Feng Biao highlighted the role of education as a bridge for cultural understanding and a vital element of bilateral relations. Feng expressed hope that Czech students would explore the high-quality educational opportunities offered by Chinese universities, fostering deeper understanding and collaboration between academic institutions of both nations. He also encouraged Czech universities to collaborate with their Chinese counterparts, aiming to bring innovation and vitality to bilateral educational partnerships. This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the Czech Republic. Feng described the expo as a platform to strengthen academic exchanges, providing Czech students with new avenues to pursue studies in China. Xia Jianhui, deputy director general of the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange, noted that this is the first time the "Study in China" exhibition has been held in the Czech Republic. He expressed optimism that the event would enhance mutual student exchange and open doors for academic collaboration. Bohuslava Senkyrova, Rector of the University of Finance and Administration in Prague, praised the exhibition as a valuable opportunity for Czech students to learn about studying in China. She noted its importance in building understanding between Chinese and Czech academic institutions. Featuring universities specializing in disciplines such as education, medicine, business, economics, technology, and fine arts, the exhibition drew significant interest. Anna Roubalova, a student from Hradec Kralove, expressed her interest in studying clinical medicine at Zhejiang University. "They have a good program, and I can study in either English or Chinese," she said, adding that she was impressed by the university's campus. A staff member talks with visitors at the "Study in China" education exhibition in Prague, the Czech Republic, on Dec. 2, 2024. Thirteen Chinese universities showcased their diverse programs and policies at the "Study in China" education exhibition held in Prague on Monday, underscoring the deepening educational and cultural ties between China and the Czech Republic. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua) Visitors read introductions at the "Study in China" education exhibition in Prague, the Czech Republic, on Dec. 2, 2024. Thirteen Chinese universities showcased their diverse programs and policies at the "Study in China" education exhibition held in Prague on Monday, underscoring the deepening educational and cultural ties between China and the Czech Republic. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) In a remarkable show of unity and compassion, Claudy man Glen Miller, a community-focused advocate who believes in giving back wherever he can, has joined forces with local heroes, volunteers, and Ukrainian refugees to deliver life-saving aid to Ukraine. This extraordinary team, led by Peter Jennings of Derry Aid, has come together to bring not only supplies but also hope to those enduring unimaginable hardship. Miller, an Ulster Unionist Party representative, has played a pivotal role in supporting Jennings, Kilfennan Presbyterian Church and the Derry Aid team. Reflecting on his involvement, he said, I was delighted when Peter asked me for advice on logistics through Europe and assistance with paperwork and regulations. Having travelled to Ukraine myself back in 2022 with Foyle Aid, where my familys transport business supplied the lorries, I know just how vital every piece of this work is. It was my pleasure to assist in any way I could. The effort is bolstered by the contributions of volunteers, including Ukrainian refugees now living in Derry. Their involvement is deeply personal and profoundly impactful. For them, packing medical supplies, food, and clothing is more than a taskit is a lifeline to those still enduring the war. We cannot be there ourselves, one refugee volunteer shared, but this makes us feel connected to our people. It reminds us that the connection to our homeland is not lost. That connection is what drives us. The network of support is broad and heartfelt. A local school recently donated a pallet full of Christmas presents for children in Ukraine, a poignant gesture that symbolises the spirit of giving during Christmas. The students were so proud to be part of something bigger, Jennings said. Its moments like this that remind us of the goodness in people. The efforts of Derry Aid have made 25 humanitarian trips to Ukraine since the start of the invasion, but not without peril. During a recent mission, Jennings was injured in an explosion, sustaining shrapnel wounds and a dislocated shoulder. Despite the danger, he remained undeterred, vowing, As soon as I can get another lorry or transport, and I get back on my feet, Im going back. I owe it to them. And he has kept his word. Not long after his recovery, Jennings returned to the frontlines of aid delivery, showing that his commitment to the Ukrainian people is as strong as ever. His determination continues to inspire, and his actions speak volumes about the unwavering spirit that drives him. One of the most profound moments of these missions came when Jennings was unexpectedly greeted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an aid delivery. We were surrounded by soldiers, and this man came up to me and asked, What are you doing? Jennings recounted. That man was Zelenskyy, who awarded him a humanitarian medal on behalf of the Ukrainian government, a testament to the far-reaching impact of Derry Aids work. Glen Miller underscores that this effort is about more than just delivering aidit is about creating lasting bonds of support and solidarity. This isnt just Peters work. Its the work of everyonelocal volunteers, refugees, businesses, and organisations. Together, were building something extraordinary that is making a difference, he said. As Christmas approaches, the story of Derry Aid resonates with even greater poignancy. The sight of a pallet of Christmas presents, packed with love by local children, and the relentless dedication of refugees who work tirelessly to help those still in Ukraine, serve as a reminder of what Christmas truly means. It is a season of giving, of connection, and of remembering those in need. This Christmas, as homes are lit with joy and warmth, the war in Ukraine continues to rage. Families are displaced, lives are lost, and the need for support is as urgent as ever. The work of Derry Aid, Glen Miller, and the volunteers is a powerful reminder that we cannot simply forget. In the spirit of Christmas, let us not turn away from Ukraine. Let us remember, act, and continue to give hope to those who need it most. A new state of the art place of worship has been opened to parishioners in the small County Derry village of Glenullin. The newly renovated Saint Josephs Catholic Church was unveiled with a special Deadication of the Altar Mass on Sunday, November 17. The mass was celebrated by Bishop Donal McKeown who spoke to parishioners saying: For the last 140 years, people from this distinct community have worshipped in the current St. Josephs Church. They have gathered there to celebrate births and say farewell to loved ones. For many, the Sunday Mass was important both spiritually and socially. The last years have seen a huge and generous commitment to renewing the fabric of the church, inside and outside. The community rightly wanted to have a beautiful building where they could give worship of God, and of which they could be proud. The current renovations reflect a strong and talented community and a people who want the best they can have. Huge credit is due to many people who have worked with Fr. Crowley on the various twists and turns that have brought us to today. I hope and pray that the work in St Josephs will continue to support those who worship here to be blessed and to be a blessing on the wider world. May St Joseph who looked after Jesus, continue to bless and inspire you as you journey together with hope and trust. ABOVE: A tree planted by the bishop at the official opening. Father Brendan Crowley, who has been parish priest since 2016, welcomed parishioners and guests to the event saying: The endeavour of the renovation of this church has been on-going for almost 18 years, and it is with the effort and determination of many Glenullin parishioners that this dream has been realised this weekend. It is with great appreciation that I acknowledge those who have associated with the on-going development of the restoration and renovation over the years, particularly acknowledging the work of the committees both past and present. I thank those who have contributed individual donations towards the building fund, also those who contribute weekly via the white envelopes and standing orders. In addition, I wish to express our gratitude to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the significant 600,000 investment in this project. Finally, I extend thanks and appreciation to those who have prepared and participated in the Liturgy of Rededication, especially those who enhance the Liturgy with music. A special note of appreciation also goes to Glenullin GAC and the Glenullin Community Centre for the use of the hall over the past fourteen months, while the work to the Church was carried out. St.Josephs Church was originally dedicated in 1885 and has served our community since then. WE hope that this extensive renovation provides a building that is not only fit for purpose for our present community, but one that will serve future generations who follow in the renewal of their faith in the years to come. ABOVE: Some members who attended the opening ceremony. Photos: Danny O'Kane For the past few years the community has worked hard to restore their stunning eighteenth century chapel. The first foundation stone of the chapel was laid in 1879 and was officially opened in 1885. In 1936 the chapel celebrated its Golden Jubilee with a warm welcome for native Bishop OKane. In 1979 they celebrated the Centenary with Bishop Daly in attendance. The Renovation Committee was formed in 2019 and after much discussion the chapel closed for renovations in September 2023. To start off with, the committee and community built a new clergy house. This project was carried out with voluntary labour by the local community in 2010. It was demolished in April and the Priest was back in it by the end of September. Gerard O'Kane, a local man and committee member of the restoration team, showed the County Derry Post around the brand new state of the art place of worship. The chapel has been renovated to a high standard any parishioner would be thankful for. From start to finish the project took a total of five years to complete. During this time the parishioners held mass in the local community centre. The chapel has been completely re-plastered with lime inside and out, there are new doors and most importantly new insulation for the cold winter months. The parish was lucky to receive funding from the Heritage and Lottery Fund to complete the restoration. ABOVE: Some members who attended the opening ceremony. Photos: Danny O'Kane ABOVE: Some members who attended the opening ceremony. Photos: Danny O'Kane Gerard explained how the chapel is much more inviting now than it ever was. We have new steps up into the chapel which are a lot easier for the community when there are funerals or other big events on. We have a whole new disabled facility inside and newdoor at the back from the new parking area, this makes the chapel so much more accessible. We have a lovely new wall surrounding the chapel in black stone and pointed to match the chapel, he said. Inside the chapel we have complete new lighting, sound, and heating. The central aisle formed with one pedestrian aisle with seats and at either side. The seats have been modified and restored to keep the character of the chapel. New stairs are situated inside the main chapel before they were situated in the porch area. A whole new ceiling has been created to match existing trusses. We have insulation in the floor, ceiling and walls which was badly needed. When we were taking down the old roof we uncovered a lot of damp which was causing corroding. Nave, chancel and sacristy are all original as is the altar and the reardoss. All the stained glass windows are original but have had storm glazing done to protect them. We also have a beautiful new gallery for our choir. The original mass rock has been returned from Bethlehem Abbey Portglenone. This was removed from the local area in the early 1970s. It is now situated outside the chapel and is used for mass at the blessing of the graves. We also have a dedicated area for presentation of local heritage areas of interest such as The Giants Grave, old chapel ruins, and a raised bog. There will be QR codes that people will be able to scan to find out more information on the area. The local parish priest Father Crowley put a lot of work into this. He came to the parish in 2016 and this project has been a labour of love. The community is very thankful to him for his passion towards the project. The tender price of the project was 1.2 million. A special word of thanks from the community goes to the main contractor of the project Peter McErlain Ltd, Toomebridge and Architect F.M. Corr and Associates, Derry. A judge at Derry Magistrate's Court has directed the court to write to the Law Society in reference a firm of solicitors who have not attended court on four occasions. The case before the court involved a Hannah Richardson (26) of Glenabbey Crescent who is charged with assault and disorderly behaviour on dates between March 16 and March 18 this year. The court was told that the defendant was represented by Phoenix Law and that there was no legal representative in attendance. District Judge Barney McElholm said that this was the fourth occasion that no one had appeared. He said that the legal representatives 'have not appeared on any occasion either directly or indirectly'. The judge said it was 'totally unacceptable' that no one had turned up to represent the defendant. He directed the court office to write to the Law Society about the case and adjourned the case until December 17 to fix a date. Judge McElholm said he was adjourned the case until that date and 'if they turn up they turn up'. HIGHLIGHTS Scammers send fake messages claiming that a subscribers Netflix payment failed. As per reports, this scam is impacting subscribers in 23 countries. Scammers also send some messages in local languages. Scammers are getting really creative with the ways to scam people, and it seems like they leave no stone unturned. A new scam has been flagged by cybersecurity firm Bitdefender which is targeting Netflix users to steal their personal and financial information. Scammers send fake messages claiming that a subscribers Netflix payment failed. As per reports, this scam is impacting subscribers in 23 countries, including the United States, Germany, India, Spain, and Australia. What is the new Netflix scam? It is a type of phishing scam and involves scammers sending fraudulent SMS messages claiming issues with Netflix account payments. Users get a push notification claiming that their Netflix payment failed and are urged to click on malicious links to resolve the problem. These messages include some links that lead to phishing websites that mimic Netflixs official login page. Once users enter their credentials, scammers collect sensitive data, such as usernames, passwords, personal information, and credit card details. Scammers also send some of these messages in local languages. Here are some examples of these messages: NETFLIX: There was an issue processing your payment. To keep your services active, please sign in and confirm your details at: https://account-details[.]com. Your last payment was declined. Update your payment information at: https://homepage-nflix[.]com. The stolen information is then sold on the dark web and misused to con people for their money. How to protect yourself from this scam? Avoid clicking on any random links. Go and verify your account through Netflixs official website. Be wary of messages with urgent or alarming tones. Check if the message has come from an unfamiliar sender ID or if there are grammatical errors. Keep changing your passwords from time to time. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Srinagar, Dec 3 (UNI) Security forces shot dead an unidentified militant in an ongoing encounter in the upper reaches of Dachigam forest on the outskirts of Srinagar, officials said here on Tuesday. They said the gunbattle erupted Monday evening when joint teams of Police and Army launched a cordon and a search operation (CASO) in the upper reaches of Dachigam forest following a specific intelligence input about militant presence in the area. During the search operation, a contact with the hiding militants was established last evening triggering a gunbattle. A terrorist has been killed in the gunbattle so far, a police officer said, adding the operation is still underway. The identity and the group affiliation of the slain could not be ascertained immediately. Earlier on Tuesday, Armys Srinagar based Chinar Corps said the operation in the forest area is in progress. On 02 Dec 2024, based on specific intelligence input, a Joint Operation was launched by #IndianArmy & @JmuKmrPolice at upper reaches Dachhigam Forest, Srinagar. During search initial contact was established. Operation is in progress, Army said in a post on X. This is the second gunbattle on the outskirts of Srinagar in just over three weeks. On November 10, a brief gunfight occurred in the forest area of Dachigam. However, the militants managed to escape, taking advantage of the dense forest cover. The search operation was subsequently called off. Dachigam forest is located close to Srinagar and connects further to south Kashmir and Central Kashmir areas. UNI MJR GNK PTI will not be banned, says party chairman Barrister Gohar Islamabad, Dec 2 (UNI) Amid talk that the Shehbaz Sharif government is thinking of banning the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), party chairman Barrister Gohar has stated firmly that the PTI will not be banned despite last week's heightened clashes with law enforcement authorities, and its hostile relations with the government. Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where PTI founder and ex-PM Imran Khan has been incarcerated, Barrister Gohar condemned the violence during last week's protests and assured that Khan would soon announce the future course of action. Barrister Gohar clarified that Imran Khan had not been informed of the controversial incident on November 26, when gunfire erupted during a PTI-led protest, according to SamaaTV. Irish Visual Artists for Gaza, a broad collective of Irish visual artists, designers and artisans, who together have raised more than 85,000 for life-saving aid for displaced Gazan families and orphans since April. Among them is Louth artist Orla Barry who has donated her piece Foxwood to the cause. Orla is an artist based in Bridge Street Studios, Dundalk. She is inspired by animals, nature, sacred art, mysticism, surrealism, fairy tales, patterns and a search for perfect colour combinations. Her collection of work includes original paintings, Giclee art prints, brooches and greeting cards. Orla graduated with an honours degree in Fine Art from Dublin Institute of Technology in 2007. Irish Visual Artists for Gaza is the brainchild of Dee Conneely, Leigh Brady and Aoife Neasy, it started life after a conversation between Leigh and Dee about the devastating events unfolding on a daily basis in Palestine. Leigh is an international human rights worker who had lived in Palestine for over five years and was being contacted by families on the ground in Gaza, who had lost everything. She wanted to organise a fundraiser, but didnt know where to start. An art teacher from Co Galway, Dee had some connections in the art world and decided to organise prize draws of art by Irish visual artists. I have always believed in the power of art to inspire and change peoples hearts and minds, she said. I knew some Irish artists from my days at the Limerick School of Art and my gut feeling was that they would want to support our initiative. The response was phenomenal over 70 Irish visual artists donated stunning pieces of art, craft and design for the initial art prize draw, which took place in May. We were blown away by the response to our call-out for art donations, both in terms of the talent of the artists that got on board, their generosity, and the range of beautiful pieces donated. There was everything from fashion design, printmaking, ceramics, fine art, jewellery, textiles, and craftwork, recalled Dee. The trio have launched a pre-Christmas bonanza featuring work by over 100 Irish Artists including Lillian Ecock, Mark Rasher Kavanagh, Hazel Coonagh, Helen cody, Janice Byrne Goldsmith, Emer Reynolds, Gabhann Dunne, Claire Garvey Designs, Feri, Sinead OMoore, Helen Steele, PEELO, Mary Nagle, Kady Berry, Emerald and Wax, Noble Daughters, Orla Walsh, Fauna, Eoin OConnor PLUS many, many more. Read Next: Protect Cooley Peninsula holding public meeting in north Louth tonight Initially, the trio had not planned on doing more art prize draws as fundraisers, but when the art donations kept flowing and the situation on the ground in Gaza just got worse and worse, Dee, Leigh and Aoife were adamant they would keep trying to raise as much money as possible to cover basic needs such as clean drinking water, food parcels and tents for groups of displaced families in Gaza. What followed has been weekly art and design draws in aid of specific families, who are highlighted on the Instagram page and stories for a week. This is a joint initiative between Irish Visual Artists for Gaza and Gaza go Bragh, an Irish-Palestinian collective providing direct humanitarian support to displaced families in Gaza and has helped to raise almost 10,000 in donations for individual families. You can help support Gazas most vulnerable families by purchasing tickets for the Christmas Bonanza draw. Tickets can be bought by searching IVAFG Christmas Bonanza onwww.tickettailor.com. Dr Annaleigh Margey, Head of Humanities at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT), was recently selected to give this years Thomas Harriot Lecture at Oriel College, Oxford on Thursday 14 November 2024. Thomas Harriot was a mathematician and natural philosopher from Oxfordshire, who attended Oxford and earned his BA in 1580. He was employed by Sir Walter Raleigh to teach navigation and prepare sea captains for the 1585 Roanoke expedition, later writing A Brief and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia, the first published English account of America. Dr Margeys lecture focused on Thomas Harriot, Cartography, and Ireland. It explored Harriots time, especially his cartography output, in Munster. Through her lecture, Dr Margey sought to situate Harriots contributions in the wider context of surveying and mapping in sixteenth-century Ireland, focusing in particular on mapping for military subjugation, the reconnaissance of lands, and the establishment of plantation. Speaking about the event, Dr Margey said: I was delighted to be invited to deliver the Annual Thomas Harriot Lecture at Oriel College on his time in Ireland. "Harriot showcases the intrinsic connections between Ireland and the New World in the sixteenth century, with his exploration, surveying and mapping on both sides of the Atlantic, helping to increase understanding of landscapes amongst officials and settlers. New Delhi, Dec 3 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Jacobite faction to hand over the administration of three churches each in Ernakulam and Palakkad districts of Kerala to the Malankara Orthodox faction. A Bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan reiterated that the 2017 ruling was final, and compliance was non-negotiable. The Bench after finding that the members of the Jacobite Syrian Church were in contempt for "wilfully disobeying" its rulings regarding the administration of churches under the 1934 Constitution, which governs the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church passed this order. The owners of Corks Lifeboat Inn have described being awarded the title of Pub of the Year as the highlight to what has been a very successful year for the venue. The gastropub, which is firmly on the map as one of the top food spots in West Cork, is owned and run by Martin Buckley and David OHalloran. In announcing the award, judges stated that the Lifeboat Inn was a pub that represents the very best of Irish food and culture, one that takes the Irish pub experience to a whole different level of excellence. It said the pub was one where people are immersed in another world of warmth, conversation, laughter and fun. What we Irish call the craic. The pub was also praised for its extensive use of local Irish produce, and for including traditional Irish dishes on the menu. David OHalloran said owning their own premises was a life-long dream for him and his husband Martin Buckley, and now winning the prestigious award is the pinnacle of another successful year for the business which opened in 2017. The two men first met at college, and since then both have worked in some high-end hospitality venues in Ireland and the UK. After college, Martin worked as a chef in Hayfield Manor, Cork, and I worked as a waiter in 14a in French Church Street. We decided that we wanted to be the best of the best and so we went to work in London, as thats where it was all happening. Martin worked in Le Gavroche and I worked in Chez Bruce and later in Gordon Ramseys in Chelsea. It was hard work, and it does take a lot out of you. The Lifeboat Inn, Courtmacsherry, was named Pub of the Year at the 2024 Good Food Ireland Awards. Picture Dan Linehan The couple then returned to Dublin where Martin started as a chef in the Michelin-starred Chapter One and David became a restaurant manager at the Cliff Townhouse on Stephens Green. It was then, says David, that they made a decision to work for themselves, and started looking for the perfect premises. With both hailing from rural villages, Martin, fromInchigeelagh, Cork, and David, from Portroe in Tipperary, it was inevitable, says David, that they decided to set up outside the capital. I loved Cork from living here years ago. A place came up in Kinsale that we looked at, but that fell through so we felt it wasnt meant to be. The men then travelled to Courtmacsherry, which was their first time visiting the town. We had never been there before, we knew nothing about the place, but when we went to look at the Lifeboat Inn, before even going inside we knew that was the perfect place. The pub itself has been in the town for over 100 years and was once owned by Beamish and Crawford who had leased the building for a number of years. Since taking over the pub in 2017, Martin and David have built it into a thriving business. A gastro-pub was always in their plans, and made easier, says David, by setting up business in an area abundant with local produce and artisan food producers. Were so lucky here that 100% of our food is local. All our seafood is from Union Hall, all beef and pork is from Rosscarbery, and all our vegetables are grown locally. Were so blessed in West Cork that we dont have to go far for anything, its all on our doorstep. The Lifeboat Inn still retains a traditional bar and has a contemporary dining area, along with an outdoor space that overlooks the waters edge. Its a busy pub, but, says David, its exactly what they were looking for. Martin and David opened The Lifeboat Inn in West Cork in 2017. Picture Dan Linehan One of the reasons we moved here was for quality of life, we didnt want the crazy 24/7 lifestyle any more, so its nice to have the craziness and the buzz of the summer months, and then in the winter it slows back down and you can enjoy life before the start of the next season. Although operating a restaurant in the current climate is difficult, David admits. The industry is really in a tough spot, you can see it from the closures up and down the country. The cost of living is hard for everyone, but in a restaurant its on every front. Its not just our produce that has gone up, but also the cost of employing people, not only the minimum wage but also the employers PRSI costs. The Lifeboat Inn has a regular year-round clientele, even off-season, weekends are busy, with many people making an effort to drive to dine in the Lifeboat Inn, which David says is supported by their location. There are some great walks in the local area, people will go for a walk and then come here to eat afterwards, our Sunday lunches are always very busy. The Lifeboat Inn is also getting a reputation as a wedding venue, hosting five in 2024, but David stresses they plan to keep numbers to a manageable level, so that they can continue to offer an individual service, with a personal touch to couples. The Lifeboat Inn still retains a traditional bar and has a contemporary dining area, along with an outdoor space that overlooks the waters edge. Picture Dan Linehan Winning Pub of the Year is a great way to round off a successful year, says David. You know if someone has won a Good Food Ireland award theyve been tested and retested. To become a member of Good Food Ireland, you have to show that youre committed to embracing local produce, Irish food, and then when you are shortlisted, theres still a vigorous testing procedure, with mystery customers visiting the venue. Were delighted. For us the credibility of Good Food Ireland is second to none. Cork County Council has been urged to be more transparent about the benefits of foreign trips but the local authority has insisted they bring numerous economic benefits. The current and former county mayors are on a week long trip to the Chinese city of Jiangsu at a cost to ratepayers of 11,830 for flights and accommodation. Fianna Fail councillors Joe Carroll and Frank OFlynn flew out with two Council officials to Jiangsu on Monday November 25 and were due back in time for Wednesdays Council meeting to discuss the 2025 budget. Independent councillor Peter ODonoghue referred to the possibility of an increase in the commercial rates payable in the county as he called for more details about the trip to China. Maybe there is a benefit from the trip to China, I dont know, what I do know is that, on St. Patricks Day in previous years, theres a whole posse going out to the United States. I dont see any benefit in that for the people of County Cork look we have TDs going out there, we have ministers going out there, we have ample representation from the country going out to the United States. I dont see why we have to spend thousands upon thousands of Cork County Council money being spent on trips abroad for councillors. He said more information was needed on the potential benefit of the trip to China. Were spending hard earned taxpayers' money and were proposing to increase the commercial rates here this week small businesses are going to the wall as it is and its something I wont be voting for. We have to justify the taxpayers' money that were spending, and we have to have openness, honesty and transparency on the benefits of that money being spent how does that benefit the people of County Cork. If it does benefit the people of County Cork and there is justification for it, fair enough, but we have to know what the benefit is Mr ODonoghue said he had no interest in participating in such Council trips. According to a Council spokesperson, the delegation aims to strengthen Cork County Councils long-standing partnership with Jiangsu Province established in 2013. The visit fosters cooperation in education, culture, tourism, and economic development. It includes meetings with provincial leaders, stakeholders in the arts and education sectsors, and Irish government representatives in Shanghai, the spokesperson said. The delegation will judge and attend the final of the Shamrock Cup English Language Competition in Nanjing. This is the Councils second delegation to Jiangsu in a twelve month period. Former Mayor, Frank OFlynn led a five strong delegation from the Council to Jiangsu in early December last year at an estimated cost of 21,500. Earlier this year, a sizable delegation from the Council journeyed to the US where they had meetings in Chicago, New York and Detroit. The total cost for this trip was estimated to be 50,209.40. Taxi fares have increased this week, but a Cork driver says this move by the National Transport Authority fails to address the real problems face by taxi drivers in Cork city. In September, the NTA announced that fares are to increase by 9% from December 1st. In addition to the 9% fare increase, the fee for pre-booking a taxi will also increase from 2 to 3. The special rate, which currently applies to taxi fares during Christmas and New Years, will be extended to weekend peak times, meaning that taxis taken at this time will cost users 2 per kilometre, on top of the pre-booking charge and the initial charge. Uber has expressed concern over the NTAs decision to increase fares, saying this move will negatively impact the night-time economy and fails to address the ongoing taxi shortage. Cork taxi driver Bobby Lynch said: This wont encourage more people to start driving taxis, much more needs to be done. Its very dangerous out there, there are taxi drivers in trouble every night, one chap was attacked [in the city centre] recently and drivers are putting up with things like that every day of the week, no pay increase is worth that. He said: Safety at night is better than any money. Theres a lot of elderly taxi drivers out there and Id be worried about them. I know fellas had to retire out of fear of driving in Cork. They just parked their car and walked away from the business. The powers-that-be are thinking that throwing money at problems is going to solve them, but no amount of money will get taxi drivers onto the street the way the streets are at the moment: The streets have to be safe before any new taxi drivers will come. No one is looking after no one in this city. We see it in customers, too: Every day we pick up elderly people who are scared of their life around Patrick St, and if its bad during the day, you can only imagine what its like at night. TAXI DRIVERS 'WON'T GAIN' FROM FARE INCREASE Mr Lynch added: Some bases are putting up their fares, meaning the drivers will get that increase taken off them, and the apps will probably put up their fares now, so theyll be the ones to gain out of this, not the taxis. Mr Lynch concluded: All we want is to be recognised and looked after. Weve got a lot of great customers, but it feels like our TDs dont respect us at all. The TDs just elected need to look after the people in their own city and stop looking to Dublin, because it was the people of Cork elected them. Uber pointed to the NTAs Taxi Driver Survey, published in August 2024, which found that only 14% of drivers would start driving nights because of increased prices, while only 19% of drivers stopped working nights because it was not financially worth it. The head of Uber Ireland, Kieran Harte, said: Raising taxi fares will have significant negative consequences for night-time economy workers who depend on taxis for safe transportation. Being the only door-to-door public-transport service, taxis are a vital part of Irelands transport network, especially at night. This decision will not only discourage people from enjoying the night-time economy, but will also harm businesses that rely on late-night trade, adding that Ireland is already more expensive than other Western countries. Uber, a member of the Taxis for Ireland Coalition, are calling for measures to attract and retain drivers, such as improved safety, reduced cost of entry for new drivers, and updated SPSV Driver Entry Test eography-based knowledge requirement. The CEO of the National Transport Authority, Anne Graham, said: The NTAs biennial review is essential to ensuring the taxi industry remains sustainable and can continue to offer high-quality and reliable services. This 9% increase provides for the increasing operational costs drivers are facing, while balancing the needs of the travelling public. The festive spirit has officially touched down at Cork Airport as the Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Dan Boyle, switched on the airports Christmas lights on Friday. Christmas decorations have been carefully installed throughout the building over the past number of weeks by the airports asset care team, with extensive preparations made to create a festive ambience for those travelling to and from the facility. The arrivals area will be a flurry of activity this month as passengers will be greeted by one of the highlights of the annual Christmas programme a live choir and additional music performances. This year, more than 1,300 performers will take to the specially constructed Christmas stage in arrivals, including primary and secondary school children from across Cork city and county, local orchestral ensembles, traditional music groups, choral societies, and community choirs. As we face into a very busy festive season, Cork Airport is proud to facilitate the reunions of thousands of families this Christmas, said Niall MacCarthy, managing director at Cork Airport. Our dedicated staff has worked tirelessly to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, ensuring that everyone feels the magic of Christmas as soon as they arrive home in Cork. This year has been historic for Cork Airport, with record international passenger numbers, and we look forward to celebrating this milestone with all our passengers. By the end of December, total passenger numbers at Cork Airport are expected to exceed the three million mark for this year, setting a new record for being the busiest year for international passenger traffic in the airports history. The man in his 30s who was arrested in connection with the investigation into the seizure of suspected herbal cannabis, with an estimated value of 80,000, in Cork city yesterday, has since been charged. He is expected to appear before Cork District Court this morning at approximately 11.30am. Yesterday, herbal cannabis worth an estimated 80,000 was seized in Cork city in a joint operation by An Garda Siochana and Revenue Customs. A man in his 30s was arrested in connection with the seizure. A Garda spokesperson said: In the course of a joint operation in Cork City on Monday, 2nd December 2024, Revenue Customs Service, Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) and the Cork Divisional Drugs Unit seized approximately 4 kilograms of herbal cannabis with an estimated street value of 80,000 (analysis pending)." When Micheal Martin was deemed elected on Saturday night, it seemed clear that Micheal Aodh and Cillian Martin werent just lifting their father in the air they were lifting the next Taoiseach. In recent elections, the Martin clans celebrations have typically been subdued, as the Fianna Fail leader was far more interested in counts around the country then his own. In 2011 he was measuring the bloodshed, in 2016 he was measuring the recovery, and in 2020 he was doing the difficult maths on the possibility of leading a government. As the tallies rolled in around the country, there was really no doubt that Fianna Fail would be the largest party in the Dail, and no one other than Micheal Martin could make a reasonable argument to be Taoiseach. As the pints were raised in Nemo Rangers, Fianna Fail were slipping into marginal seats around the country, pulling well ahead of Fine Gael and Sinn Fein, with plenty to celebrate locally too. Michael McGraths first day on the European Commission was Sunday, but he risked calling in late to Ursula Von Der Leyen to make sure he saw his brother elected to the Dail. The McGrath operation has never been a one-man show, and even if the outcome was entirely predictable, the emotions were high as Seamus McGrath slipped into the seat the two brothers carved out together over the last 25 years. Newly elected TD Seamus McGrath a with his brother EU Commissoner Michael McGrath at the general election count centre at Nemo Rangers on Sunday afternoon. Pic Larry Cummins #GE24 In the run up to the election, the fashionable opinion was that whoever out of Labours Laura Harmon and the Social Democrats Padraig Rice was ahead on the first count would take the new seat in the expanded Cork South Central five-seater. As the early boxes were tallied, there was a smile growing on the face of Aaron OSullivan, Mr Rices husband and campaign manager. They were pulling ahead of Ms Harmon where they needed to and the path to a seat was clear. It was a similar story in Fine Gael, but between Senator Jerry Buttimer and Councillor Shane OCallaghan. With his old Bishopstown base brought back into the constituency, the tallies indicated that Mr Buttimer would be heading back to the Dail. Meanwhile, it was a disappointing day for Sinn Fein nationally, but they were still singing the Soldiers Song as all three of their Cork TDs defended their seats, with Thomas Gould, Donnchadh O Laoghaire and Pat Buckley pulling through. Donnchadh O Laoghaire on his election in Cork South Central as his wife Eimear Raune McAteer and children Se, Noirin and Fiach look on at the count centre in Nemo Rangers. Picture: Eddie O'Hare Cork North Central was the real mystery of the weekend. From the tallies, there was no doubt that Fianna Fails Padraig OSullivan and Sinn Feins Tommy Gould would hold their seats and they were duly elected. It looked most likely that they would be joined by Fine Gaels Colm Burke and Independent Irelands Kenneth OFlynn, and on Sunday night this came to pass. But the last seat was impossible to predict early on with sitting Solidarity-PBP TD Mick Barry facing a gruelling scrap with Fianna Fail Councillor Tony Fitzgerald and Labours Councillor Eoghan Kenny. The tension only heightened as the weekend went on. Usually within a few eliminations, the final picture becomes clear, but this one remained clear as mud well into Sunday evening. Each candidates camp remained hopeful, poring over the numbers to figure out the various paths that were open, but no one was willing to make a prediction. Labours Eoghan Kenny pictured celebrating in Cork North Central minutes before Martin Harvey announced a recount as requested by People Before Profit-Solidaritys Mick Barry. Picture Chani Anderson For Fianna Fail, a second seat in Cork North Central would have been the icing on the cake in Cork, but Mr Fitzgerald was eliminated after the thirteenth count. There was one refrain throughout the weekend from people of all political parties and none Mick Barry always pulls through. The sitting TD remained in contention alongside Mr Kenny - but was 35 votes behind and Mr Kenny was elected. However, a recount was called, which began and was eventually called off yesterday, with Mick Barry conceding. Around the county, there were few surprises in two constituencies but some shocks in Cork East. No change in Cork South West, but if she wasnt otherwise occupied, Holly Cairns would have been celebrating the tripling of her party in Cork, her own jump in the polls, and the surprise breakthrough of her candidates around the country. In Cork East, Liam Quaide made a stunning return on Sunday after having conceded the election on Saturday night. Fine Gael had been cruising towards two seats, but that last-minute surge sent Mr Quaide just ahead of Mark Stanton. Social Democrats Liam Quaide, Cork East celebrates his election at the Mallow Count Centre in the GAA Complex, Mallow, Co Cork. Picture Dan Linehan In Cork North West, it was finally John Paul for the Dail, as Mr OShea of Fine Gael on his third consecutive election jumped ahead of his running mate, Councillor Michael Creed. The bigger surprise here was Aindrias Moynihan. Based on the election boundaries running mate Michael Moynihan seemed a dead cert, but Aindrias was telling people he was in trouble with Ballincollig being moved out of the constituency, a believable campaign tactic as he did so well out of there in recent years. And the tactic worked - he topped the poll. Recently elected TD for Cork North Central Ken OFlynn has announced that his father is to fill his council seat following his election to the Dail. Ken OFlynn said: Independent Ireland is pleased to announce that former TD Noel OFlynn will be our official nominee for the recently vacated seat on Cork City Council, in the Cork City North East Ward. With a distinguished career dedicated to public service, we are confident that Noels return will bring invaluable experience and insight to our local governance. Noel OFlynn's return to council comes following a nearly 14 year retirement - he served on the Cork City Council beginning in 1991 followed by his election to Dail Eireann, where he served until his retirement in 2011 he served as a member of Fianna Fail prior to his retirement, a party his son Ken was also a member of before becoming an independent then a member of Independent Ireland. Ken said: Throughout his career, Noel has demonstrated unwavering commitment to the people of Cork, advocating for community development and advancing important local issues. His wealth of experience, combined with a deep understanding of the needs and aspirations of Corks residents, uniquely positions him to make significant contributions to the citys ongoing development. We believe his tremendous skill set will be an asset to the Council as it addresses current challenges and seeks to enhance the quality of life for all citizens, he added. Independent Ireland is excited about this new chapter and looks forward to working with Noel OFlynn as he re-engages with the community and brings his vision for a thriving Cork to fruition. We believe it will set a positive course for the future of Cork City. Mr OFlynns council seat is the first of two to be filled, with Social Democrats' Padraig Rice also elected this weekend. An Ireland South MEP has called for policy reform across Europe as overcrowding forces inmates to sleep on the floor in Cork Prison. Michael McNamara has addressed the European Parliament in regard to the issue of Irelands prison overcrowding. Mr McNamara made reference to the Cork facility, stating that the current overcrowding levels in the prison are creating a dangerous environment for inmates and staff. In his address, the MEP said: The Council of Europes 2023 Annual Report of Prison Populations noted Cyprus, Romania, France, Belgium, Hungary, Italy, and Slovenia all grappling with severe overcrowding with prison densities of more than 105 inmates per 100 places available, with Ireland not far behind. Cork Prison, in the constituency that I represent, is already over 120% capacity with over 60 of its 355 inmates sleeping on the floor. Record high At the start of last week, Cork Prison had a record high of 361 people in custody, representing 122% capacity, with 65 people sleeping on the floor. Those levels of overcrowding make prisons extremely dangerous, not just for inmates but also for those who work with those inmates, Mr McNamara said, deeming plans for more minimum sentencing as political gimmickry. He continued: Yet we hear the Government parties...talking about increasing minimum sentencing. The question arises: where are you going to put these inmates? Who is going to be Barrabas? Who is going to be released instead Instead of just talking about more prison spaces, which yes are needed, we also need to ensure that there are fewer people serving short-term sentences and prisons dont become a place for where were housing people with addiction problems and mental health issues. Mr McNamara said: Fundamental reform is needed in our prisons across Europe. More minimum sentencing is political gimmickry without fundamental prison policy reform. A young man who was surrounded and assaulted during a violent incident in Cork City centre got the better of one of his assailants by punching him nine times into the face and kicking him three times in the head when he was on the ground. This young man 27-year-old Shane Purcell of St Vincents Hostel was found guilty by a jury that on May 23, 2021, that he assaulted the other man causing him harm. Sergeant Vincent McCarthy reminded Judge Helen Boyle of the circumstances of the case as a sentence of three and a half years with the last year suspended was imposed on Shane Purcell. Judge Boyle said: This involved a brawl on the street. The assault by Mr Purcell consisted of nine blows to the face and head and three kicks to the head rendering him unconscious. I accept you were struck yourself six times in the face and head and you were not the one who struck the first blow. The injured party in fact struck you the first blow. It happened in a busy shopping area. There was a toddler at the scene picked up by their mother just seconds before the brawl and this was captured on the CCTV. There was no complaint made by the injured party and no victim impact statement. Evidence The prosecution was effectively brought on the basis of the evidence in the video coverage of what happened on Paul St in daylight on that busy day. Defence barrister Elaine Audley said Shane Purcell was punched by the injured party in the first instance. He has suffered addiction issues. One of his brothers died at the age of four when the accused was six and minding his brother and a coal truck rolled over him. Another brother died in a house fire at the age of 13, Ms Audley said. Against this traumatic background with a significant amount of grief and loss, the defendant has achieved an awful lot during his time in custody and extensive documentation and certification showed this, Ms Audley said. There is a huge, remarkable amount of documentation. He qualified as a mediator, she said. He received a Gaisce presidents award in May 24. And he has done courses in psychology and alternatives to violence. He has psychology certificates in dealing with grief and anxiety. He is hopeful never to darken the court doors again. He is making good on his promise to re-educate himself and turn his life around. He was out-numbered and surrounded at various times in the CCTV-covered incident, sometimes three to one, sometimes five to one. In a showing of the kindness of strangers, more than 300 people turned out yesterday to mourn an elderly Cork woman who died seemingly without any close friends or family. Mary Regan, who was 89 and originally from Adrigole, passed away last Friday in Hillview Nursing Home in Carlow. She had lived in the home for over a year, and had lived in Carlow for several years. Her partner, Frederick Tony Lang, a Carlow native, passed away almost exactly a year ago and she was predeceased by her siblings Paddy, Con, Patricia, and Jerry. Appealed Because Ms Regan had so few close family or friends, funeral director Rory Healy appealed on Facebook for people to attend her funeral Mass this morning in the Church of the Holy Family in Askea, Co Carlow. Mr Healy wrote that Ms Regan had died in the wonderful care of Hillview Nursing Home. He added: Unfortunately, since the passing of Marys partner just over a year ago, she has had no next of kin and also didnt have many visitors to her in the nursing home, only the great care and attention shown by the staff of Hillview. Mary lived in Carlow happily for a number of years and will tomorrow return to her native West Cork to be laid to rest with the members of her family that have gone before her. Spare Mr Healy asked people in Carlow if they could spare 45 minutes to attend the Mass, adding: It would be great to see that a lady who lived to be nearly 90 years will get a farewell from her adopted town of Carlow by the people of Carlow. Lets not send Mary off from Carlow alone. Mr Healys appeal struck a chord with local people, and dozens turned out for the funeral Mass, with Fr Tommy Dillon saying that it was more people than attended your average funeral. Speaking to The Echo yesterday afternoon, Mr Healy said Ms Regan had been a great character and a gentle person, and he was proud that Carlow had done right by her. Because Mary had no family to mourn her, the people of Carlow rallied round to send her off on her final journey home to West Cork." Ms Regan will be buried at 11am tomorrow in the cemetery that is adjoining St Fachtnas Church in her native Adrigole. While the nation focused on General Election 2024, a pivotal UN meeting on the other side of the world quietly unfolded. Its outcome could have had a more profound long-term impact on you than the next five-year Irish political cycle. Busan, a coastal city in South Korea, famous for its port, sandy beaches, shiny skyscrapers, and scenic mountains, hosted a major summit to create an international legally binding agreement on plastic pollution. Representatives from more than 170 countries gathered for the fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) meeting to agree a new UN Plastics Treaty and avert us from a plastic-choked future. I have written about the scourge of plastic pollution before. How our planet is drowning in this fossil fuel-derived substance, the damaging forever chemicals that are used to produce them, and the impacts on health conditions ranging from infertility to cancer, but the UNs report pitching to reduce plastic pollution contains one astonishing fact piled on top of another. Since the 1950s, 9.2 billion tonnes of plastic have been produced, of which 7 billion tonnes have become waste on our land and in our seas. Output continues apace. Some 430 million tonnes of plastic are produced each year, two-thirds of which soon become waste. Globally, only 9% of plastic is recycled. Head-melting statistics dealing in millions of tonnes are difficult to comprehend, but were all familiar with the size of a bin truck. Well, the equivalent of 2,000 bin trucks full of plastic are dumped into the worlds oceans, rivers, and lakes - every day! And it doesnt go away. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, one of the largest accumulations of plastic in the ocean, is the size of three Frances made entirely of floating plastic waste. In the next 25 years, there is likely to be more plastic in the ocean than fish. These figures are staggering, but its not just about numbers - its about the irreversible damage to ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. Clearly, humanity needs to do something, and this is why 3,800 participants gathered in South Korea at the weekend. The chair of the meeting, Ecuadorian Ambassador Luis Vayas Valdivieso, said The voices of the world are clear: we need healthy meals free from microplastics; we need clean air, oceans, and forests; we need safe, non-toxic plastic products; we need innovation, circularity, and collaboration to replace harmful plastics". The Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, Inger Anderson, said Not a single person on this planet wants to witness plastic in their communities or washing up on their shores. Not a single person wants chemical-laced plastic particles in their bloodstreams, organs, or their unborn babies. Just as we have annual Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings attempting to tackle carbon emissions (COP 29 has just concluded and emissions are still going up!), we now have a similar process for tackling plastic pollution. With all too familiar pitfalls. More than 100 countries supported capping plastic production as part of the global treaty, but major oil-producing, and hence plastic-producing, nations opposed such measures, leading to a postponement of the talks until next year. It is beyond infuriating that, despite overwhelming evidence of the devastating effects on ecosystems, human health, and the climate, plastic-producing nations like China, Germany and Saudi Arabia can hinder global efforts to tackle the plastic crisis, prioritising profit over planetary survival. By stymieing international agreements, they ensure that billions of tons of plastic will continue polluting our oceans, poisoning communities, and undermining public health. According to the OECD, plastic production could climb 70% to 736 million tons by 2040 without drastic action. To think that some industries and countries want to continue with business as usual while the world drowns in plastic is enraging. While global leaders struggle to reach consensus, researchers and innovators are taking matters into their own hands. In next weeks episode of RTEs 10 Things To Know About, we investigate growing evidence of the dangers of chemicals used in plastic manufacturing, such as phthalates and PFAS, and meet the Irish researchers tackling these issues with innovative solutions. We also unwrap the latest developments of fossil-fuel-free bioplastics that aim to reduce both plastic and food waste, offering hope in tackling the plastic crisis which oftentimes feels quite hopeless. Dowtcha, Marie Sherlock I did not expect General Election 24 to create a scenario where a Cork woman took down a Dublin gangland leader, but we are living in interesting times. For a while at the weekend, it seemed possible that someone currently released on bail could be taking a seat at the 34th Dail. She was not the only person shedding tears of relief when she won the final seat in the Dublin Central constituency. The energetic and effective former senator is the epitome of a public servant, and it was only right and just that she would take a seat over Gerry Hutch. Although Sherlock will be representing the people of Drumcondra, not Douglas, Im sure many Cork people will wish her well. And thank her for her election success which warded off an ignominious political milestone. Your features editor John Dolan wrote an article entitled Oh dear, Geldofs Band Aid hit is in danger of being cancelled (Nov 23), in which he stood up for Bob Geldof, and was scathing of my own recent article criticising Band Aid, and to which Geldof had responded in his familiarly crude way. I too will be to the point then. Mr Dolans article spoke of me as though I was a misinformed moron who had simply got it wrong. On the contrary, I have spent almost my entire career examining debates about political and economic power and the role of promotional communications within the non-profit sector. I found his dearie me comment in relation to my article about the song Do They Know Its Christmas? to be particularly patronising and irksome. Before I go any further then, I want to thank John and The Echo for inviting me to write this response because journalism should be a space for public debate and for holding the powerful to account. At this moment, most other mainstream news media are giving a plentiful platform to Band Aid advocates and placing those who disagree on the margins as supposedly radical thinkers. As the philosopher Neil Levy said of the public attacks upon scholars who try to raise important questions and scrutinise the charity sector: Even to contemplate opposition seems to convict one of misanthropy or worse. Unfortunately, in this instance, Mr Dolan is very much against the tide of both modern and ancient research on the subject. He claims that in the famine-hit Ethiopia of 1984, nothing did grow and no rains did flow, in reference to the controversial lyrics to the song. This is simply not true as Ethiopia is on the whole a very fertile country. Columbia University Professor Saskia Sassens work focuses on the millions of micro-expulsions that have occurred around the Global South as small hold farmers have been moved from their traditional lands in the postcolonial era to make way for the large monocrop plantations of multinational corporations. This food is grown to feed us. More broadly, Professor Alex de Waal of Tufts University, states clearly that famines are crimes against humanity. However, they dont carry the same public understanding as genocide or ethnic cleansing. Those who die in a famine - not usually from starvation itself but from the diseases associated with malnutrition - do so because they have been disenfranchised. Indeed, the story of Irelands own historical trauma of famine during the 1840s should inform readers understanding. Irish colonial subjects died, or were forced to emigrate, surrounded by food that they were not entitled to and risked imprisonment if they stole. Perhaps we should take a moment to commend The Dubliners for their accurate portrayal of that situation in The Fields Of Athenry. For you stole Trevelyans corn So the young might see the morn Now a prison ship lies waiting in the bay Mr Dolan, however, agreed with Bob Geldof that the accuracy of the lyrics of Do They Know Its Christmas? doesnt matter. It isnt just a pop song though. The song is a charity asset and the primary method of fund-raising for a charitable foundation. It therefore has legal and ethical responsibilities to be fair and accurate, just like all other charitable organisations have. Indeed, I have worked with dozens of organisations who take the ethics of their public communications with the greatest seriousness. If they all took Geldofs approach, then charities would be spouting all sorts of bull. It would result in an impossible crisis of public confidence for the sector. Mr Dolan states: I was a highly impressionable 15-year-old at the time, and anyone who was young in the 1980s will remember the impact that song had on the world of music and culture. Band Aid and the subsequent Live Aid concerts in July 1985, certainly do sit favourably within Western cultural and musical memory. However, many people appear to conflate these good feelings with an assumption that it therefore must have been good. The climax of the Live Aid concert was Freddie Mercury singing We are the champions. No time for losers. cause we are the champions of the world. It released a collective jouissance among the crowd. The moment cemented Band Aid and Live Aids place in cultural memory. It was the movements zenith, but perhaps also its nadir on account of the self-absorption it generated. To this end, if the ambition is to end the occurrence of famine around the world, or to make it less likely, then this is not going to happen through public fundraising. This will happen through improvements to international criminal law to make famine commensurate with genocide and to ensure that there is sufficient humanitarian provision from official sources. Furthermore, public appeals unfortunately rely on the visual spectacle of famine to occur. People need to see destitution and be emotionally impacted by the images. Improved international criminal law would make it less likely that this destitution would occur in the first place and this ought to be the focus of our efforts. Its not been the easiest year for the Wildflower Collective - a group of creative women who are selling their goods at their store on Broderick Street, Midleton. Flooding, issues with parking, neighbouring businesses closing down - all have drastically impacted them, according to Virg Laveau. Virg, who hails from France, is one of the talented group of creatives working together to showcase their unique array of arts and crafts, clothing, and other artefacts. How did Virg learn her craft? I moved here from France over 25 years ago, she says. I accidently became a self-taught designer and ceramicist. Chaos is my greatest teacher to this day! Wildflower Collective has been open for more than a year. We work together to showcase our unique handmade wares, says Lynn Shead, from Knockanore, who is the mother of three. Lynn makes products for sensitive skin, Natures Alchemy, and she is a herbalist. I have had a keen interest in skincare since having experience of extreme psoriasis, says Lynn. The skin problem extended to the next generation.. And my children suffered from eczema, says Lynn. The highest quality of natural ingredients and organic native herbs contained in my products help calm redness, soothe itch, and repair dry sensitive skin. Lynn explains what the talented creatives are about. As a collective, we share equally the shop costs and the selling and promotion of our work. Purchases go directly to the makers and that helps us continue new work. We think it is a win-win. We hope you do too! We love having a space to display and sell our products, says Lynn. The group, who work together, think alike. We try to be as sustainable as possible, says Lynn. Some of our ranges include materials which are by-products from industry which were destined for landfill. There are perks going with the job. We have no staff costs and operate a rota system where everyone puts in a couple of days at the shop every fortnight/month. The concept is a good one. We find that people like to meet the person behind the product, says Lynn. The creatives are always full of ideas. There are so many of us, we never run out of ideas to promote our shop, says Lynn. The input from all of us is important, we all have a say in any decisions that are made. Including adopting a rescue dog? Including adopting Mr Manny! laughs Lynn. East Cork is a hub of creative people, and here, at Wildflower Collective, they are all in it together. A number of us have children and we have other jobs as well, says Lynn. We all enjoy the nature of this job here at Wildflower Collective and the working flexibility it provides. The girls are powerhouses, with lots of energy and enthusiasm for the work they create. They are all pals. We work together, and we socialise together, says Lynn. We discovered that we are all like-minded and we all got friendly. Lynn introduces me to the creative ladies working in the shop on the day I visit, who create a buzzing, friendly atmosphere piquing the admiration of locals and visitors alike. Hi there! says Connie. Im an artist based in east Cork, and I have always been drawn to the art of crochet and the meditative process of creating. A lot of my work is focused on mandalas, a symbol of balance and harmony. I believe in the importance of mindfulness and incorporating it into my work by using repurposed materials, says Connie Murray. She breathes new life into her work. It brings me joy to give new life to old textiles and simultaneously contribute to a more sustainable world. Through my art, I hope to spread the message of conscious consumption and encourage others to find beauty in repurposing. With a love and passion for all things candles, twin mum Natalie Kelleher started her Home and Fragrance business last year. Natalie creates beautiful clean burning candles using an eco-soy wax with ingredients and products sourced in Ireland. I want every customer who burns one of my candles to feel a sense of happiness and calm in what can be a busy chaotic world, she says. Candles have a special place. Candles create a safe space. It helps us to feel grounded and connected, says Natalie. Feather & Wick fragrances are all unique creative scents, with each one sure to appeal to the senses. Gosia Gawickas jewellery appeals to many of her customers. I fell in love with glass crystals! says Gosia. That is how my adventure as a jewellery- maker began. How does she create her original pieces? Mixing crystals with silver gives my jewellery lightness and a unique look, says Gosia. It makes me very happy to make something very special for customers, Recently, I added to my collection sun catchers made from brass and wood. Gosia likes spreading happiness, adding: Making my jewellery is my way of sharing the happiness from the sun light. There is a rainbow of colours displayed in the brightness of the shop. Hi, I am Lucija Titulic of Rainbow Design. What does Lucija do? I make babies and kids sustainable clothing, she says. Lucija is from Croatia. I have a diploma in Fashion & Design which I earned 20 years ago in Croatia. I started my small business four years ago and I also work full-time as a support worker. Does she enjoy supporting others? I enjoy my work as a support worker, even though it can be challenging to manage everything, says Lucija. Sparking joy, Lucija is motivated. I think the feeling of joy and happiness when I express my creativity and create something unique, is what keeps me going. Since the devastating floods last October, Wildflower Collective is going strong - but they are seeking support as people head into the busy gift-buying season. The Midleton community were wonderful to us after the floods, says Lynn. The encouragement we all received built us all up. Locals and visitors alike are drawn to Wildflower Collective. Why is that? I think it is the thrill of finding something unique that nobody else has! says Lynn. There are many things on offer to attract people into the shop. Some of our artists/crafters run workshops at various times. Front of house is very pretty. Back of house is intriguing, a treasure trove of delights eagerly waiting to be discovered. See https://thewildflowercollective.ie/en-eur/ Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. Greenpeace activists protest outside the Hilton London Canary Wharf on the opening morning of the annual Deep Sea Mining Summit in London, England on April 17, 2024. Chris J Ratcliffe for Greenpeace via Getty Images Norway agreed on Sunday to stop the first round of licensing for Arctic deep-sea mining following pressure from the Socialist Left Party (SV), reported The Guardian. The small leftwing party refused to support the governments budget if it did not halt deep-sea mining exploration licenses scheduled for next year. This puts a stop to the plans to start deep-sea mining until the end of the governments term, said SV party leader Kirsti Bergst, as The Guardian reported. The announcement came after over a year of pressure from scientists, environmental activists and the international community, a press release from Greenpeace said. HUGE WIN Norway agreed to stop deep sea mining in the Arctic This is a win for global mobilisation and a huge step forward to protect the Arctic This fragile ecosystem is safe from deep sea mining at least until the end of 2025 and we wont stop there #StopDeepSeaMining [image or embed] Greenpeace International (@greenpeace.org) December 2, 2024 at 8:43 AM This is a huge win! After hard work from activists, environmentalists, scientists and fishermen, we have secured a historic win for ocean protection, as the opening process for deep sea mining in Norway has been stopped. The wave of protests against deep sea mining is growing. We will not let this industry destroy the unique life in the deep sea, not in the Arctic nor anywhere else, said deep-sea mining campaigner Haldis Tjeldflaat Helle with Greenpeace Nordic, in the press release. At the beginning of 2024, Norway became the first nation to approve commercial deep-sea mining. According to the countrys coalition government, preparatory work such as setting regulations and conducting environmental impact assessments would continue while the licenses were suspended, reported The Guardian. This will be a postponement, Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Stre, a member of the Labour party, told private broadcaster TV2. Norway is being sued by WWF over its plans to allow companies to mine an area of more than 100,000 square miles for deep-sea minerals without taking proper measures to adequately investigate the consequences. The Norwegian Environment Agency said the impact assessment did not provide a sufficient legal or scientific basis for deep-sea mining. A worldwide moratorium on deep-sea mining has been called for by over 900 ocean scientists. Earlier this year, Europes parliament expressed concern over Norways decision to allow the destructive activities and called on Norwegian member states to back a moratorium. There will be no announcement of exploration rights for deep-sea mining in 2024 or 2025, SV said in a statement, as AFP reported. Norways government said a study confirmed that a substantial store of minerals and metals including copper and rare earth elements were discovered on its continental shelf. These metals are necessary for the transition away from fossil fuels, it argued. A 32-member coalition, including France, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Canada and Germany, has called for a deep-sea mining moratorium in international waters. Greenpeace activists protest against deep-sea mining in the Arctic, on Sept. 20, 2024. Ulrich Perrey / picture alliance via Getty Images Millions of people across the world are calling on governments to resist the dire threat of deep sea mining to safeguard oceans worldwide. This is a huge step forward to protect the Arctic, and now it is time for Norway to join over 30 nations calling for a moratorium and be a true ocean champion, said Louisa Casson, campaigner for Greenpeace International Stop Deep Sea Mining, in the press release. Deep-sea mining is devastating to marine ecosystems, producing toxic sediment plumes that choke the unique sea life that lives on the bottom of the ocean floor while creating disruptive noise pollution and turning the seabed into a barren wasteland. Stopping the Norwegian deep sea mining plans is an important step in stopping this industry from destroying life at the bottom of the sea. Any government that is committed to sustainable ocean management cannot support deep sea mining. It has been truly embarrassing to watch Norway positioning itself as an ocean leader, while planning to give green light to ocean destruction in its own waters, Helle said in the press release. (Photo: Reuters / Alessandra Tarantino / Pool)Pope Francis (R) exchange gifts with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby during a private audience at the Vatican June 14, 2013. REUTERS/Alessandra Tarantino/Pool Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury in Christmas messages have spoken of suffering caused by Islamist extremists, with Justin Welby warning they threaten Christians with "elimination" in the very birthplace of their religion. The Pope called for an end to the civil wars in Syria and Libya in his Dec. 25 address "We pray to the Lord that the agreement reached in the United Nations may succeed in halting as quickly as possible the clash of arms in Syria and in remedying the extremely grave humanitarian situation of its suffering people. The Pope urged the world in Dec. 25 address to unite to end atrocities by extremists who commit atrocities in the name of Islam, saying they have caused immense suffering in many countries. "My thoughts also turn to those affected by brutal acts of terrorism, particularly the recent massacres which took place in Egyptian airspace, in Beirut, Paris, Bamako and Tunis," said Francis. Security was tight at the Vatican as Francis, marking the third Christmas since his election in 2013, to read his traditional Christmas Day "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) address, Reuters news agency reported. Police checked people's bags with airport style screening as they entered the Vatican area to St. Peter's Square to hear the Pope speak from the central balcony there Police armed with machine guns discreetly patrolled the area in unmarked vans with dark windows. "May the attention of the international community be unanimously directed to ending the atrocities which in those countries, as well as in Iraq, Libya, Yemen and sub-Saharan Africa, even now reap numerous victims, cause immense suffering and do not even spare the historical and cultural patrimony of entire peoples." At Canterbury Cathedral, Welby used his Christmas Day sermon to brand the Islamic extremists "a Herod of today" - a reference to the biblical despotic king of Judea at the time of Jesus's birth. In the service at Canterbury Cathedral he said that the group calling itself IS that wants to set up an Islamic caliphate is "igniting a trail of fear, violence, hatred and determined oppression." He told the congregation: "Confident that these are the last days, using force and indescribable cruelty, they [IS] seem to welcome all opposition, certain that the warfare unleashed confirms that these are indeed the end times. "They hate difference, whether it is Muslims who think differently, Yazidis or Christians, and because of them the Christians face elimination in the very region in which Christian faith began. "This apocalypse is defined by themselves and heralded only by the angel of death," said Welby who is the spiritual head of the 85 million strong Anglican Communion, the UK's Press Association reported. He added, "To all who have been or are being dehumanized by the tyranny and cruelty of a Herod or an Isis, a Herod of today, God's judgment comes as good news, because it promises justice." Read more: http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/christianity-facing-elimination-by-is-apocalypse-warns-archbishop-welby-1-7643220#ixzz3vLMkmPHe In his address Pope Francis condemned recent "brutal acts of terrorism," including the Nov. 13 attacks by Islamist militants that killed 130 people in Paris, and the downing of a Russian plane over Egypt's Sinai peninsula that killed 224 people on Oct. 31. Both were claimed by the group that calls itself Islamic State. "Only God's mercy can free humanity from the many forms of evil, at times monstrous evil, which selfishness spawns in our midst," he said. "The grace of God can convert hearts and offer mankind a way out of humanly insoluble situations." He called for peace between Israelis and Palestinians in the area where Jesus was born. "Where peace is born, there is no longer room for hatred and for war. Yet precisely where the incarnate Son of God came into the world, tensions and violence persist, and peace remains a gift to be implored and built," said the pontiff. He asked God to bring consolation and strength to Christians who are being persecuted around the world and called for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, South Sudan and Ukraine. (Photo: Reuters / Thaier Al-Sudan)Iraqi Christian devotees exchange greetings after a Christmas mass at St. Joseph Chaldean Church in Baghdad Dec. 25, 2012. Red lights will illuminate the Colosseum in Rome later this month to draw attention to the persecution of Christians around the world, and especially in Syria and Iraq. On Saturday, Feb. 24, at 6 p.m. the red spotlights that will flood the Colosseum will represent the blood of Christians who have been wounded or lost their lives due to religious persecution, Catholic News Agency reports. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/colosseum-to-be-lit-red-for-persecuted-christians-42868. "Our aim is to break through the indifference, above all that of the international community, and to strive to ensure that after February 24th no one can continue to ignore the persecution of Christians," said Alessandro Monteduro, the director Aid to the Church in Need's Italian office. He said martyrdom is not a thing of the past. At a press conference in Rome, Feb. 7, Monteduro announced that the Colosseum - an ancient symbol of Christian martyrdom - will be lit up in red at 6 p.m. At the same time, the Maronite cathedral of Saint Elias in Aleppo, Syria and the Church of Saint Paul in Mosul, Iraq will do the same. In the Church of St. Paul, on Dec. 24, the first Mass was celebrated after the city's liberation from ISIS. Present at the press briefing were Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako, head of the Chaldean Catholic Church from Iraq, and Franciscan Father Firas Lutfi. Lutfi is a parish priest at the Church of Saint Francis in Aleppo and is superior of the city's Franciscan community at Terra Sancta College. Sako said: "Turning on the red light will bring hope to these people who suffered a lot. The Church in Iraq gives thanks to the Western Churches and the charities that made a miracle in Iraq." Mantovano noted, "So many Christian communities around the world are suffering hunger, poverty and violence on account of their faith. "On several occasions already, we have illuminated some of the most important monuments in the world in red to draw attention to the martyrdom of our Christian brothers and sisters. "On this occasion, our intention is to also involve these communities directly, with the help of two of them that have suffered among the most in recent years, namely those in Syria and Iraq." The event, sponsored by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), follows a similar initiative last year, which lit-up London's Parliament building in red, as well as the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Paris and the cathedral in Manila, Philippines. In 2016, the famous Trevi Fountain in Rome was lit. Monteduro, told journalists Feb. 7 that the "illumination [of the Colosseum] will have two symbolic figures: Asia Bibi, the Pakistani Christian condemned to death for blasphemy and whose umpteenth judgment is expected to revoke the sentence; and Rebecca, a girl kidnapped by Boko Haram along with her two children when she was pregnant with a third." "One of the children was killed," he said, "she lost the baby she was carrying, and then became pregnant after one of the many brutalities she was subjected to by her captors." Once she was freed and reunited with her husband, she decided she "could not hate those who caused her so much pain," Monteduro said. Aid to the Church in Need released a biennial report on anti-Christian persecution Oct. 12, 2017, detailing how Christianity is "the world's most oppressed faith community," and how anti-Christian persecution in the worst regions has reached "a new peak." 13 COUNTRIES REVIEWED The report reviewed 13 countries, and concluded that in all but one, the situation for Christians was worse in overall terms for the period 2015-2017 than during the prior two years. "The one exception is Saudi Arabia, where the situation was already so bad it could scarcely get any worse," the report said. China, Eritrea, Iraq, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Syria were ranked "extreme" in the scale of anti-Christian persecution. Egypt, India, and Iran were rated "high to extreme," while Turkey was rated "moderate to high." The Middle East is a major focus for the report and it says, "Governments in the West and the U.N. failed to offer Christians in countries such as Iraq and Syria the emergency help they needed as genocide got underway. "If Christian organizations and other institutions had not filled the gap, the Christian presence could already have disappeared in Iraq and other parts of the Middle East." The exodus of Christians from Iraq has been "very severe." Christians in the country now may number as few as 150,000, a decline from 275,000 in mid-2015. In the early part of 2017 there were some signs of hope, with the defeat of the Islamic State group and the return of some Christians to their homes on the Nineveh Plains. The departure of Christians from Syria has also threatened the survival of their communities in the country, including historic Christian centers like Aleppo, ACN said. Syrian Christians there suffer threats of forced conversion and extortion. One Chaldean bishop in the country estimates the Christian population to be at 500,000, down from 1.2 million before the war. Many Christians in the region fear going to official refugee camps, due to concerns about rape and other violence, according to the report. The investment will allow Apple to open manufacturing facilities in the nation. Indonesias investment minister, Rosan Roeslani, said that the country is expecting $1 billion from Apple as an investment. Its important to note that Indonesia has banned iPhone 16 sales locally because the smartphones must contain at least 40 percent locally-made parts. Apple doesnt have any manufacturing facilities in Indonesia, so it cannot meet this requirement. Roeslani further said that Apple should invest even more in the future if it intends to make Indonesia a part of its supply chain. He also remarked on how an Indonesian Apple plant can create jobs. Previously, Apple had proposed to invest $100 million in building an accessory and component plant in Indonesia. The Indonesian government rejected it due to not meeting principles of fairness. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement While Apple still doesnt have local plants to meet the 40 percent local content requirement, it does have application developer academies in Indonesia. That was why older iPhone models could be sold in the country. They remain on sale as of now, and theres been no indication that Indonesia is looking to ban them currently. Reuters had contacted Apple for comment on the situation but has yet to receive a reply. The company wants to add between one and four gigawatts of nuclear energy capacity starting in the early 2030s. Meta has confirmed its plans to use nuclear power to fuel US data centers. The company announced that its accepting proposals from nuclear energy developers to work on the project, with the goal of adding between one and four gigawatts of nuclear energy capacity starting in the early 2030s. The companys request for proposals states that Meta is seeking partners that have experience with either Small Modular Reactors (SMR) or larger nuclear reactors. Axios reports that the company is geographically agnostic about the location of potential nuclear sites. The company previously had plans to build a nuclear-powered data center, The Financial Times reported earlier this year, but the plans were scuttled after the discovery of a rare species of bees near the site. As new innovations bring impactful technological advancements across sectors and support economic growth, we believe that nuclear energy can help provide firm, baseload power to support the growth needs of the electric grids that power both our data centers (the physical infrastructure on which Metas platforms operate) as well as the communities around them, the company wrote in a statement. AI-generated content played a much smaller role in global election misinformation than what many officials and researchers had feared, according to a new analysis from Meta. In an update on its efforts to safeguard dozens of elections in 2024, the company said that AI content made up only a fraction of election-related misinformation that was caught and labeled by its fact checkers. During the election period in the major elections listed above, ratings on AI content related to elections, politics and social topics represented less than 1% of all fact-checked misinformation, the company shared in a blog post, referring to elections in the US, UK, Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, France, South Africa, Mexico and Brazil, as well as the EUs Parliamentary elections. The update comes after numerous government officials and researchers for months raised the alarm about the role generative AI could play in supercharging election misinformation in a year when more than 2 billion people were expected to go to the polls. But those fears largely did not play out at least on Metas platforms according to the companys President of Global Affairs, Nick Clegg. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement People were understandably concerned about the potential impact that generative AI would have on the forthcoming elections during the course of this year, and there were all sorts of warnings about the potential risks of things like widespread deepfakes and AI-enabled disinformation campaigns, Clegg said during a briefing with reporters. From what we've monitored across our services, it seems these risks did not materialize in a significant way, and that any such impact was modest and limited in scope. Meta didnt elaborate on just how much election-related AI content its fact checkers caught in the run-up to major elections. The company sees billions of pieces of content every day, so even small percentages can add up to a large number of posts. Clegg did, however, credit Metas policies, including its expansion of AI labeling earlier this year, following criticism from the Oversight Board. He noted that Metas own AI image generator blocked 590,000 requests to create images of Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, JD Vance and Tim Walz in the month leading up to election day in the US. At the same time, Meta has increasingly taken steps to distance itself from politics altogether, as well as some past efforts to police misinformation. The company changed users default settings on Instagram and Threads to stop recommending political content, and has de-prioritized news on Facebook. Mark Zuckerberg has said he regrets the way the company handled some of its misinformation policies during the pandemic. Looking ahead, Clegg said Meta is still trying to strike the right balance between enforcing its rules and enabling free expression. We know that when enforcing our policies, our error rates are still too high, which gets in the way of free expression, he said. I think we also now want to really redouble our efforts to improve the precision and accuracy with which we act. A Fulton County jury has reached decisions for two defendants, including Yak Gotti, who chose not to accept plea deals in the extensive Young Slime Life (YSL) RICO trial. Deamonte Kendrick, also known as Yak Gotti, was found not guilty on all charges, while Shannon Stillwell was convicted on a single charge of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The jury received the case last week, and deliberations concluded on Tuesday, December 3. The trial, marking the longest criminal case in Georgia history, faced numerous delays, including a 10-month jury selection process and testimony that began in November 2023. Additionally, the trial experienced interruptions, such as when Stillwell was stabbed while in custody at Fulton County Jail last year. Prosecutors argued that YSL members were responsible for violent crimes in Atlanta, accusing Kendrick and Stillwell of the drive-by shooting of Donovan Thomas Jr., also known as "Big Nut," allegedly due to his affiliation with a rival gang. Despite presenting tattoos, social media activity, and other evidence as proof of gang involvement, the defense countered by asserting that YSL is a record label, not a criminal organization, and that Kendrick and Stillwell are music professionals. Kendrick and Stillwell were among the 28 individuals initially indicted in 2022 on charges of violating Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). The indictment included high-profile figures like Young Thug, who pleaded guilty in a non-negotiated plea deal in November. Nine other defendants, including rapper Gunna, accepted plea deals prior to the trial, while several others had their cases severed and remain unresolved. The case also drew attention due to the violent incident involving Kendrick. On Sunday, December 1, Kendrick was stabbed while in custody, reportedly sustaining minor injuries from a sharp object during an altercation with another detainee. His lawyer, Doug Weinstein, confirmed the attack, stating, "While he sounded tired, I expect him to make a full recovery." Despite the stabbing, Kendrick appeared in court the following day. The Fulton County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the altercation occurred at the South Annex in Union City and noted that the incident is under investigation to determine whether charges will be filed against the aggressor. James Van Der Beek got choked up while discussing an update on his recent diagnosis of colorectal cancer. The actor spoke candidly about the support of his family while he undergoes treatment for stage 3 cancer during a sit down with Robin Roberts on the Tuesday, December 3 episode of 'Good Morning America.' Van Der Beek, 47, began to tear up as he expressed how his wife, Kimberly Broo, has supported him throughout the difficult process. The 'Varsity Blues' actor confirmed the diagnosis with 'PEOPLE' early November. Read more: Daddy Yankee Announces Divorce From Wife After Nearly 30 Years of Marriage When Roberts asked how he was feeling, the actor didn't hold anything back. "Physically, I'm great. Emotionally, it's a lot," the star admitted. "It's really a ride." Physically, Im great. Emotionally, its a lot. Actor James Van Der Beek tells @robinroberts it felt like a nightmare when he was first diagnosed with colorectal cancer. https://t.co/kBwEIEtLCH@vanderjames pic.twitter.com/eom3p49VzA Good Morning America (@GMA) December 3, 2024 Roberts, 64, dug in further, asking what went through his mind in that moment to which he replied, "Honestly, I was in shock...I had a whole agenda for what I thought my year would be and what I thought my priorities would be...and the reality that all of that was going to change and take a different trajectory it felt like a nightmare, honestly at first." He continued: "I'm going to make changes that I never would have made otherwise, that I'm gonna look back on thirty years and say, 'Thank God this happened.' So what can I do right now in order to make that the case," he recalled. "And that's how it was about 90% of the time. I would say that about 10% of the time I was a sobbing, terrified mess." The actor talked about facing fear head on and asking himself despite the grim news, "How can this be great for me?" Read more: James Van Der Beek Makes First Red Carpet Appearance After Revealing Stage 3 Cancer Diagnosis When the former 'Dawson's Creek' star initially revealed his diagnosis, he appeared to remain encouraged and level-headed telling the media outlet that, "There's reason for optimism, and I'm feeling good." Van Der Beek took to social media to announce his diagnosis on November 3, flat out telling fans in the caption: "It is cancer..." "Apologies to all the people in my life who I'd planned on telling myself," he wrote. "Nothing about this process has occurred on my preferred timeline... But we roll with it, taking each surprise as a signpost, pointing us toward a greater destiny than we would have discovered without divine intervention." He concluded: "Please know that my family and I deeply appreciate all the love and support. More to come..." Fans in the comment section some of which were cancer survivors showed unwavering support. "I'm a cancer survivor. I know the struggle of the fight. Just know that it's okay to feel strong and to sometimes feel weak. Praying for strength for you and your family," one fan wrote. "Praying over you now! For strength, peace and a full healing in the name of Jesus," a second wrote. "my wonderful friend, I'm sending you and your beautiful family all the love and prayers for your healing and complete recovery," a third added. The Connecticut native became most choked up when talking about his wife, Kimberly, who he said has shown a great deal of dedication throughout the process. "She's been amazing," he said. "She's really taught me what unconditional love is." Renowned Italian fashion designer Donatella Versace recently caused a stir with her striking new look as she attended 'The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical' charity gala hosted by Elton John in London on December 1. The 69-year-old stepped onto the red carpet in a gold beaded fringe mini dress from her brand, paired with a black bodysuit and brown platform knee-high boots. However, it wasn't her outfit that captured the public's attention it was her dramatically transformed appearance. Read more: Naomi Campbell Fights Passengers Attempting To Film Her Sleeping During A Flight In Resurfaced Clip Social media lit up with reactions to Versace's youthful look. One Instagram user commented, "Facelift and body is bodying. This is the most healthiest I've seen her in years!!!" Another added, "Whoever did her new face, wow! Just wow!!" Many praised the skill of her doctors, with one remarking, "Baby! I'm like, who is the surgeon cause they definitely snatched her up! In a good way." The discussion around Versace's transformation continued to dominate online platforms, with comments praising the impressive work. "There is definitely a new surgeon in town. She looks amazing," one user noted, while another exclaimed, "My mouth dropped because this right here is how a nip tuck is done!!! Her, & Lindsay Lohan & Nene Leakes? Their doctors need awards, raises & vacations." Some questioned the authenticity of her new look, with one X user writing, "Which Donatella? Because ain't no way this is Gianni's sister." While many have admired Versace's new look, not all comments have been flattering. A critic stated, "The profile is still brutal. Not everyone can be made beautiful." Alongside her enhanced features, Versace has swapped her signature platinum butt-length hair for a softer blonde shoulder-length style and toned down her iconic smokey eye makeup, completing her refreshed image. Fans coined the term "all at once," which describes a procedure to describe the rumored trend of celebrities undergoing multiple augmentations simultaneously, debuting a fully healed new appearance. Versace is the latest in a line of stars, including Lindsay Lohan and Christina Aguilera, drawing attention for dramatic transformations. Read more: Kaia Gerber Reveals Pamela Anderson Was Her Elementary School Crossing Guard However, Michael Lohan, Lindsay's father, denied rumors of surgery, claiming her refreshed look comes from "peels, fillers, and Botox." Jason Ouellette, Corporate Vice President of Innovation & Technical Partnerships at ELATEC - Elatec (Informacion remitida por la empresa firmante) NEWS AKTUELL // Munich, December 3, 2024 - ELATEC Group welcomes Jason Ouellette as Corporate Vice President of Innovation & Technical Partnerships. With 30 years of experience in the physical security industry, Ouellette brings a wealth of expertise that will drive ELATEC's technological advancements and strategic growth. Ouellette has a distinguished background in software, firmware, and hardware engineering, along with a strong record of fostering innovation. His 10 issued patents, with 24 more pending, highlight his commitment to advancing technology and setting industry standards. As Chairman of the Board for the Physical Security Interoperability Alliance (PSIA), he has promoted open standards and interoperability - aligning perfectly with ELATEC's mission to deliver secure, future-proof, and adaptable identification solutions. "I am excited to join ELATEC at such a pivotal time for the security industry", said Jason Ouellette. "My goal is to advance open, interoperable solutions that empower our customers while preparing for future needs. By building on our technology strengths and fostering strategic collaborations, I'm committed to supporting ELATEC's continued leadership in innovation." Strengthening ELATEC's Technological Leadership Gerhard Burits, CEO of ELATEC Group, stated: "Jason's extensive industry experience and passion for innovation make him a crucial addition to our leadership team. His strategic insights will help us drive forward our growth initiatives and maintain our position at the forefront of the market." Paul Massey, COO of ELATEC Group, added: "We are thrilled to welcome Jason. His proven expertise in developing impactful technologies and partnerships will enhance ELATEC's global reach and support our mission to deliver cutting-edge products and solutions." Global Collaboration to Drive Innovation Ouellette's approach emphasizes the core values that define ELATEC: a commitment to technological excellence, a culture of collaboration, and a focus on delivering customer-centric solutions. In his new role, he will engage with teams across ELATEC's global network to harness diverse expertise and drive innovation that meets evolving market demands. Eager to collaborate with colleagues from around the world, he looks forward to uniting ELATEC's strengths and building on the company's strong foundation to deliver impactful, future-ready solutions. About ELATEC ELATEC is a leading global provider of user authentication and identification solutions. Together with its global partners, the company develops innovative and future-proof access systems for its customers. With the interplay of pioneering multi-frequency readers, advanced authentication software and world-class service and support, ELATEC is driving the digital transformation of its customers and partners. The breakthrough solutions that result ensure an optimal user experience and are used in a wide range of applications and industries where secure and convenient access is required - including access control, fleet management, machine authentication, electric vehicle charging, secure printing, kiosks and more. Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Munich, Germany, the company is now represented at 19 locations worldwide. For more information: www.elatec.com Press contact ELATEC GmbH: Anna Vanessa Evertz Zeppelinstra*e 1 82178 Puchheim Germany Tel.: +49895529961-180 E-mail: a.evertz@elatec.com Press contact agency: Maisberger GmbH Claudius-Keller-Str. 3c 81669 Munich Germany E-mail: elatec@maisberger.com 13 Natural, DIY Remedies to Moisturize Dry Skin The next time your dry skin needs a little TLC, try one of these easy at-home remedies. 1. Whip Up an Olive Oil Moisturizer to Soothe Dry Skin If you need extra moisture fast, Adell recommends extra-virgin olive oil as an alternative to your moisturizer but only if youre in a pinch. Olive oil contains vitamin E, antioxidants, squalene, and other properties that repair damaged skin, she says. Adell also notes that this may not be a good choice for acne-prone skin, because of the risk of clogging your pores. [1] Before applying olive oil directly to your skin, double-check whether this solution is right for you by consulting a dermatologist. Research suggests that olive oil may reduce inflammation, but applying it topically on its own may actually damage your skin barrier. [1] Another study also found that while olive oil presented some anti-inflammatory effects when topically applied to skin, it had a negative effect on the skin barrier itself. If you decide to try olive oil, Adell recommends a pure, or regular, form that isnt refined with other oils, and to use it sparingly, such as applying a few drops to a face mask, or massaging the oil into extremely dry areas like your elbows. 2. DIY a Rich, Creamy Avocado Mask A homemade mask of avocado is another natural way to soothe dry skin, and Adell has used it at home in her own family. This face mask is chock-full of antioxidants and probiotics that will promote healthy, glowing skin, she says. [2] [3] She recommends combining avocado with cup plain Greek yogurt (which may improve skin texture because of its lactic acid content.She also suggests adding a drizzle of manuka honey and 1 teaspoon of turmeric for potential anti-inflammatory benefits and to improve symptoms of inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, per a separate.Apply the mixture to clean skin and let it set for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing off. [4] As for the other half of the avocado, why not eat it? Aside from avocados numerous, well-researched health benefits , a small pilot study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that a group of female participants who ate an avocado daily increased their skin elasticity and firmness. [5] Another study found that combining avocado oil with water and saffron extract can also be a great dry-skin remedy. Researchers of another study found a combination of avocado oil, water, and saffron extract rejuvenated the skin and reduced the appearance of wrinkles, though its not clear whether any significant moisturization was noted. 3. Make a Natural Coconut Oil and Sugar Scrub [6] [7] [8] To treat dead skin cells that might be giving your skin a dry texture and appearance, you may consider a gentle homemade sugar scrub. Try combining 1 cup of brown or granulated sugar with cup of coconut oil.If you want, you can add an essential oil like lavender, which lends a natural fragrance and may promote relaxation and decrease anxiety.Gently rub the scrub into your skin for up to 30 seconds, then wash it off with lukewarm water. Lastly, the AAD recommends using a soothing moisturizer to lock in the benefits of freshly exfoliated skin. [8] Keep in mind that physical, or mechanical, exfoliation of this type may not be suitable for all skin types. The AAD doesnt recommend scrubs for irritated, acne-prone, or sensitive skin. Adell cautions against the use of sugar scrubs on sensitive skin, especially on the face. The skin on your face is far more delicate than your body, so physical exfoliation can easily cause irritation and sensitivity, she says. My go-to exfoliation methods use chemical peel pads or enzyme powders. 4. Create an Easy Oatmeal Soak to Calm Your Skin A cup of oatmeal in a warm bath can naturally rehydrate dry skin, Dr. Poblete-Lopez says. "The oat product itself is soothing," she explains, and it helps your skin retain moisture from the bathwater. Or, for a mess-free soak, tie the oats to your faucet in pantyhose and run your bathwater through them. [9] [10] If you have eczema, oatmeal may offer relief from dry, inflamed, or irritated skin associated with both atopic and contact dermatitis.In one study published in 2020, researchers observed that colloidal oatmeal treated hand eczema with its anti-inflammatory, soothing, and protective effects. 5. Exfoliate Your Face With a Homemade Oatmeal Honey Mask [11] Oatmeal makes a great exfoliator or mask, too. Mix 2 tablespoons of oats with 1 tablespoon of honey and a dash of water. You can use it just to exfoliate and wash it off right away, or leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes as a soothing, hydrating mask. Research shows that honey may have antimicrobial properties that may also help accelerate wound healing. 6. Apply Coconut Oil Before Bedtime [12] Coconut oil is another popular home treatment for healthy hair and skin which has roots in African and Indian cultures. Coconut oil becomes a solid at room temperature, so use it as a moisturizing cream at bedtime or anytime, recommends Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at SkinSafe Dermatology and Skin Care in Beverly Hills, California. For chapped heels and hands, apply the oil, then layer with thick socks or nonlatex gloves. 7. Consider Using Nourishing Oils Natural oils are great for moisturizing the skin and helping to recreate the natural skin barrier, which is often damaged by frequent hand and face washing with water and drying soaps that strip the skin of its natural protective oils, Dr. Shainhouse says. Aside from olive oil or coconut oil, you can test out other natural oils that are free from irritants, including jojoba, argan, and avocado oils. To use, Shainhouse recommends adding a few tablespoons of the desired oil under running bathwater. Treat yourself to a short soak and gently pat your skin dry afterward to avoid removing all the oil. [13] That said, research suggests that bathing with oils may not be best for women because of vaginal health risks.So you may want to consider applying a small amount of your preferred oil to your skin post-shower to keep it soft and moist. 8. Use Milk Compresses for Irritated Skin [14] Milk has natural anti-inflammatory properties, says Shainhouse. "It also contains lactic acid, a mild, natural exfoliant. One study showed that the use of a lactic acid and ceramidecontaining lotion twice daily was found to significantly improve skin hydration while eliminating dead skin cells. This indicates lactic acid products may provide exfoliating benefits. That said, longer-term research is needed to confirm these results. Adell also notes that lactic acid is one of the most hydrating [alpha-hydroxy acids] on the market. She says its one of the safer acids for sensitive skin, and may also be used during pregnancy. [15] To make a milk compress, try soaking a clean cloth (like a washcloth or a towel) in a bowl of cool milk, and holding it in place over any dry areas.Shainhouse recommends using these compresses on your skin for 5 to 10 minutes at a time. Its especially helpful for irritated skin thats itchy, too. [16] [17] Note that lactic acid can sting cracked, so use with caution.Feeling mild tingling is common, but if you experience burning, stop using it and talk to your dermatologist or aesthetician, Adell says. While studies show that lactic acid may be beneficial in restoring the skin barrier and treating related conditions, such as eczema, you may want to avoid this remedy if you have an active flare-up with cracked skin. 9. Consider a Fruit Enzyme Cleanser or Exfoliant [18] Fruit enzymes can be a fun way to ease dry skin. These alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are great for gently exfoliating the superficial layer of dulling dead skin cells on the face and body, says Shainhouse. The FDA also notes that AHAs not only help remove dead skin cells, but they may also improve the appearance of aging skin and your overall skin texture. [19] Shainhouse recommends a fruit-enzyme-infused wash or mask twice per week. According to research, some good fruit enzymes to look for include bromelain (found in pineapple ), papain (found in papaya ), and ficain (found in figs). 10. Apply Aloe Vera to Dry, Irritated Skin [20] [21] While often thought of as sunburn relief, aloe vera gel can be helpful during the dry winter months, too. It works by alleviating redness and irritation related to excess dryness, and it can even decrease signs of aging, as well as acne breakouts and skin injuries.Research also suggests that aloe vera gel contains mucopolysaccharides, such as hyaluronic acid, which help lock moisture into the skin and make this another naturally moisturizing skin-care ingredient youll want to try. Shainhouse cautions that some people develop allergic contact dermatitis, a type of eczema, to aloe, so you may want to perform a patch test before you apply it to a large area of skin. 11. Use Honey as a Spot Treatment for Dry Patches [22] Honey has emollient and humectant effects that can soften your skin and help it retain moisture, according to older research.However, there is limited research to support this. [23] Honey, and especially manuka honey, is also effective at healing wounds, according to a review study. Its naturally antimicrobial, keeps the affected area moist, and has a thick consistency that works as a barrier against infection. These properties make honey a good base for face mask recipes, and it can be a powerful spot treatment for patches of dry, irritated skin. For best results, apply honey in small amounts to your face. Leave on for several minutes before rinsing it off. 12. Brew Tea Bags to Soothe Inflammation If you already drink tea, you may be able to find other uses for tea bags you have in your pantry. Adell says this includes herbal teas like chamomile and jasmine as well as caffeinated green and black teas. [15] According to the Cincinnati Health Institute, black and green tea bags can have a cooling and anti-inflammatory effect on your skin, while black tea bags may help balance your skins natural pH level. The caffeine in these teas may help with under eye circles by safely shrinking blood vessels in this delicate area of skin, says Adell. She recommends applying a cool wet tea bag under each eye for 5 to 10 minutes. [24] One small study looked at the effect of 20-minute gauze compresses soaked in weak, room-temperature black tea, followed by an emollient cream, on 22 people with facial atopic dermatitis. After three days of five compresses a day, participants saw an improvement in their skin symptoms, with no noticeable side effects. As for the possible benefits of brewed herbal tea bags, Adell says that chamomile may reduce inflammation and irritation. It relaxes irritated skin tissue and can be used for alleviating itchy skin, rashes, and flaky skin. She recommends placing brewed, cooled chamomile onto your skin for up to 30 minutes. She also notes that jasmine tea can address acne. 13. Get Back to Basics With Petroleum Jelly [25] Chances are you already have a jar of Vaseline or Aquaphor in your medicine cabinet. These contain petroleum jelly (also called petrolatum), which can help alleviate dry skin, prevent chafing, and support skin healing.Better yet, petroleum jelly may be safe enough to use all over the body, including on your lips and eyelids. Some people so swear by petroleum jelly that they slather it all over their face, leaving it on overnight, a practice called slugging . You can apply petroleum jelly throughout the day as needed, but the AAD says it works best on damp skin. Avoid applying it to your face, chest and back if you have acne-prone skin, as it may cause breakouts and lead to folliculitis. Heather Cox Richardson reported today that Elon Musk publicly called Alexander Vindman a traitor and accused him of being on Ukraine's payroll. If Vindman's name sounds familiar, is because of his earlier heroism, disclosing Donald Trump's attempt to blackmail Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Vindman struck right back: Elon, here you go again making false and completely unfounded accusations without providing any specifics, Vindman posted back. Thats the kind of response one would expect from a conspiracy theorist. What oligarch? What treason? Let me help you out with the facts: I dont take/have never taken money from any money from oligarchs Ukrainian orotherwise. I do run a nonprofit foundation. The HereRightMattersFoundation.org to help Ukraine defend itself from Russias unprovoked attack on Feb 24, 2022. I served in the military for nearly 22 years and my loyalty is to supporting the U.S. Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. Thats why I reported presidential corruption when I witnessed an effort to steal an election. That report was in classified channels and when called by Congress to testify about presidential corruption I did so, as required by law. You, Elon, appear to believe you can act with impunity and are attempting to silence your critics. Im not intimidated. Let's make it perfectly clear: Vindman is taking enormous personal risks. Trump is an admirer of Vladimir Putin, and an awful lot of Putin's enemies "wake up dead." I'm not accusing Trump of killing his adversaries. But he has made it abundantly clear that he will use the entire power and might of the US government to go after his perceived enemies. And he has shown repeatedly that he has no loyalty to anyone other than himself, that everything is transactional with him, and that he doesn't place a value on things like truth, functional government, or policies that benefit ordinary working- and middle-class people. So at the very least, Vindman faces risks of imprisonment, financial losses, tax audits, and more. But Vindman understands something Trump's and Musk's apologists either don't realize or don't care about. When you give in to threats, you enable bullies and thugs to push for even more power and status. When you grovel at their feet, you empower them. And when you stand up to them, especially if you are putting yourself at risk, they shrink. They withdraw. They lose status. Vindman is denying Musk, and by extension Trump, the power to make him voluntarily capitulate. And meanwhile, when we see someone bullying someone, especially if the victim is showing fear, we are not powerless. We can intervene. If we know of people caught in immigration roundups or arrested as dissidents, we can bring visibility, tell the media, organize support. There are many resources and trainings to help with this. The important thing is to show the bullies that we do not approve and will not cooperate, that we will nonviolently defend the defenseless and withdraw support from the power structure. A farm shop has released footage showing the shocking moment a shop lifter drove into a worker who tried to block his escape. Mainsgill Farmshop, based in Richmond, North Yorkshire, released CCTV footage showing a man driving directly into a staff member. The driver, 58-year-old Alan Lewis, from Goole, has since been arrested and charged with a total of six offences. The video, uploaded on the farm shop's social media account, has had more than 1.3 million views. Responding to the 23 November incident, North Yorkshire Police said: "Police received a report of a shop theft and dangerous driving at Mainsgill Farm Shop, Richmond. "Police have since located a male suspect who has been arrested, charged and remanded for a total of six offences, where he currently remains in police custody. "A vehicle was also seized in relation to the offences. As a result he will be spending the rest of the weekend with us, before his appearance in court." Mr Lewis will appear at York Crown Court on 17 December. Industry campaigners are in the process of organising new farmer protests across the UK, including in central London, with a date set for Wednesday 11 December. Campaign groups Save British Farming and Fairness for Farmers are also planning for rallies to take place in Cardiff, Belfast and Edinburgh next week. Times and meeting places have yet to be announced, but details are expected to be released soon. The planned protests follow numerous UK-wide rallies over the last few weeks as concern grows over the government's farm inheritance tax plans. The controversial move, announced in the autumn budget, will impose a 20% inheritance tax on farm assets worth 1 million or more from April 2026. There are also worries within the industry over the impact of future post-Brexit trade deals, substandard food imports and the recent removal of farming grants. Save British Farming and Fairness for Farmers recently organised a successful go-slow tractor protest in Dover, which saw over 100 farmers participate. And in March, both groups spearheaded a mass London tractor rally which sought to "bring the countryside to the lawmakers in parliament". The protest surrounded three key demands: A ban on substandard food imports, a ban on 'dishonest' labelling and more measures to boost British food security. Speaking about the new action, Liz Webster, founder of Save British Farming, said that 'anyone is invited' for the protests planned for next week. "Its not just farmers who have been impacted by the budget," she explained. "Unite with us and fight alongside us to bring change because were on the wrong road at the moment. It follows a major demonstration in Westminster last month, where over 10,000 farmers gathered to demand the government 'backs down' over its inheritance tax proposals. This was organised by a group of prominent farmers, including Clive Bailye, Olly Harrison, Martin Williams, Andrew Ward and James Mills. Elsewhere in the UK, 1,000 Scottish farmers descended on central Edinburgh last week to signify the anger and frustration built up in rural Scotland. Farmers are set to protest in the centre of Melton Mowbray against the government's controversial farm inheritance tax announcement. The rally, which starts at 11am on Monday 9 December in the town's market square, is being organised by Midlands Farmers, a newly formed group. Speakers are also scheduled to attend the event, which will commence against the backdrop of a proposed 20% inheritance tax on farms valued at over 1m. Midlands Farmers, a group born in the wake of the budget, said that the gathering in Melton Mowbray - the 'rural capital of food' - aimed to 'show support for the agricultural industry'. The group warned that Labours budget would have a 'devastating' impact on farms, many of which have been held in the same family for generations. We are asking all farmers and members of the public to join us for our gathering on Monday December 9," Midlands Farmers said on social media. Please come and support the most vital sector that impacts directly on all our wellbeing. We need your support. If you are a hospitality business owner or employee, publican or food producer please come along and support our farmers. Car parking is available free at Melton Mowbray livestock market on a first come first served basis, Midlands Farmers said. All attendees must arrive by 11.30am and make their way to the town centre where there will be a gathering and speakers. It comes as campaign groups Save British Farming and Fairness for Farmers are organising a new spate of farmer protests across the UK. This includes in central London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast, with a date confirmed for Wednesday 11 December. It follows a major demonstration in Westminster last month, where over 10,000 farmers gathered to demand the government 'backs down' over its inheritance tax proposals. This was organised by a group of prominent farmers, including Clive Bailye, Olly Harrison, Martin Williams, Andrew Ward and James Mills. Andy Cohen insists the 'Vanderpump Rules' cast overhaul was the "absolute right thing to do". Andy Cohen says the 'Vanderpump Rules' cast reboot is the best thing that could happen to the show The hit Bravo reality TV series - which first aired in 2013 - follows Lisa Vanderpump and the staff of her famous SUR Restaurant and Lounge in West Hollywood. Bravo boss Andy has now broken his silence on the revamp and admitted it's for the best as none of the main cast still work at SUR and he's surprised they were able to keep it running over the past few years. Speaking on SiriusXM's 'Andy Cohen Live', he said: Bravo announced, or word got out, that they are revamping the show and I have to say, this is, first of all, the absolute right thing to do. I am so impressed with how production kept the show going over the last, Im gonna say four years, when slowly but surely none of them were working at SUR. He added: The entire point of the show morphed and changed as it went on, and it wound up that James Kennedy was the only one with any kind of footprint at SUR, because he was DJ-ing there occasionally and now hes gone on and hes got a residency in Vegas and hes having great success and theyre all having good success outside of SUR. Some of the original stars, including Tom Schwartz, Lala Kent and Scheana Shay, moved over to the spin-off 'The Valley'. Andy insisted it was a "very smart move" because a lot of the cast have fallen out and don't like being in the same room. Ariana Madixs split from Tom Sandoval after he cheated on Rachel Leviss caused a lot of friction and she is no longer friends with Lala Kent. Andy continued: And then you have others who dont want to be in the same room, much less on the same show with each other, and that makes sense too. So what you were left with was really just a few pieces of what the original Vanderpump Rules was. So I think this is a very smart programming move. Comparing it to Bravo's 'The Real Housewives of New York City' reboot, which saw the 14th season of the hit show air with a whole new cast, he said: In RHONYs case, we had 13 seasons of a show that was so beloved and so great. And it went on and on, and sometimes for a show, its the end of the road or its time to curve or swerve or pivot, and thats where we were with RHONY and that is what is happening with Vanderpump Rules.' Andy believes the series winning formula was that everyone was their true authentic self. He said: Like it or hate it, or like them or hate them, they were always very much themselves and thats what made that show so entertaining and surprising." Lisa will be joined by her current staff when the 12th season airs. Jason Earles "didn't have to deal with the pressures of social media" during his initial years of fame. Jason Earles 'didn't have to deal with the pressures of social media' during his initial years of fame. The 47-year-old actor starred as the on-screen brother of Miley Cyrus on 'Hannah Montana' in the late 2000s and believes that he and his contemporaries were the "last generation" of celebrities who avoided online hate, although they still had to manage paparazzi intrusion. Speaking on the 'Let's Talk About!' podcast, he said: "I think we were the last generation of Disney kids that didn't really deal with the pressures of social media. Twitter kind of became a thing halfway through 'Hannah' but then it was like group texting the country. If anything, we were the last generation of Disney stars that worried about paparazzi, that was like Britney Spears stopping traffic. "It was that time. And that doesn't seem to be quite the same anymore. It's really social media. I used to get TMZ'd every time I'd go [shopping mall] The Grove. That's not what it is anymore, it's just trolls online. " In the series, Jason played Jackson Stewart whilst 'Flowers' hitmaker Miley, 31, played the titular role of a girl who led a secret double life as a world-famous pop star. The sitcom ran from 2006 until 2011 and spawned five soundtrack albums, a sell-out tour, and a cinematic film but Jason is unsure whether his former co-star would ever commit to starring in a reboot, although he admitted that she could come back as a producer of a potential series that would focus on the "pressures" of today. He said: "I don't know if Miley would ever want to go and do the series again but my guess is that at some point she'll be like 'I'd love to produce that, have some input on what it is'. And [she could] pop in and be the next mentor role for the next mentor musical talent. I would guess that a new version wouldn't be a girl who has already popped off. "I think the pressures are different, and kids interests are different. I do think there's more stories to tell. I have a lot of love for the original, and if we did another then I would participate in whatever they wanted me to because I think there's something special." Ready-made garment (RMG) exports (Chapters 61 and 62) from Bangladesh increased by 11.38 per cent to $12.811 billion between July 2024 and October 2024, the first four months of fiscal 202425 (JulyJune), according to provisional data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). This marks an increase from $11.502 billion during the same period in fiscal 202324. Interestingly, under the new regime, RMG exports showed a decline in the last fiscal when the previous government was in power. In contrast, the new administration reported significant growth in RMG exports during the first four months of the current fiscal. Bangladesh's RMG exports rose by 11.38 per cent to $12.811 billion in the first four months of fiscal 2024-25, driven by strong growth in knitwear and woven apparel. Knitwear exports increased by 12.08 per cent, while woven garments rose by 10.48 per cent. Home textiles grew modestly, and cotton product exports surged 20.39 per cent. The new regime reversed last fiscal's decline. Knitwear exports outpaced woven garment exports in growth. During the first four months of the current fiscal, exports of knitwear (Chapter 61) rose by 12.08 per cent to $7.207 billion, compared to $6.430 billion in the corresponding period of fiscal 2023-24. Woven apparel exports (Chapter 62) increased by 10.48 per cent, totalling $5.603 billion, compared to $5.072 billion during the same period, as per EPB data. Home textile exports (Chapter 63, excluding 630510) experienced mild growth, increasing by 1.31 per cent to $254.94 million, compared to $251.65 million during the same period in the last fiscal. Collectively, exports of woven and knitted apparel, clothing accessories, and home textiles constituted 82.76 per cent of Bangladeshs total exports, amounting to $15.786 billion for the period. Exports of cotton and cotton products, including yarn, waste, and fabrics (Chapter 52), rose by 20.39 per cent to $212.30 million during the period under review, compared to $176.35 million in the same period of the last fiscal. The new regime of Bangladesh had earlier revised export data downwards after taking office. According to the revised trade data, RMG exports from the country decreased by 5.22 per cent to $36.151 billion in fiscal 202324 (July 2023 to June 2024). According to the EPB, RMG exports in fiscal 2022-23 amounted to $38.142 billion, compared to the previously reported figure of $46.991 billion. For reference, RMG exports were recorded at $42.613 billion in fiscal 2021-22 and $31.456 billion in fiscal 2020-21. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL) Australia has reiterated its commitment to allowing duty-free and quota-free access for products from Bangladesh even after the latter graduates from the least developed country (LDC) status in 2026. The third meeting of the joint working group under the Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA) signed between both sides was held recently in Canberra. Bangladesh invited Australia at the meeting to invest in its information technology sector, while the latter was keen to import summer fruits from the former. Australia has reiterated its commitment to allowing duty-free and quota-free access for products from Bangladesh even after the latter graduates from the LDC status in 2026. The third meeting of the joint working group under the bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement was held recently in Canberra. Australia wants to import wool and cotton from Bangladesh for its garment industry. Both sides have expressed interest in enhancing mutual cooperation in sectors, including trade policy, agriculture, education, investment, garment industries, energy and information technology, a Bangladesh news outlet reported. Australia expressed interest in the use of wool and cotton from Bangladeshi in its garment industry, while the latter sought the formers assistance in technical education and skills development. The prospect of direct flights between the two nations was also discussed. The fourth such meeting is scheduled to take place in Dhaka at the same time next year. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) Dutch manufacturers expressed less negative sentiment in November compared to October, as per Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Producer confidence rose to -1.8 in November from -3.2 in October, buoyed by greater optimism about future output. However, this improvement leaves confidence below the 20-year average of -1.3. The improved sentiment was largely driven by manufacturers' more positive outlook on production in the coming months. The assessment of stocks of finished products also showed marginal improvement, although it remained in negative territory. Conversely, views on order positions weakened slightly, reflecting ongoing challenges in the industrial sector. Dutch producer confidence improved in November, rising to -1.8 from -3.2 in October, driven by optimism about future output. Confidence in most industrial sectors improved, notably in textiles, clothing, and leather. Despite this, manufacturing output contracted for the 15th consecutive month in September, down 3.3 per cent year-on-year, though exports grew by 3.0 per cent. Producer confidence improved in more than half of the main industrial sectors in November, with the textiles, clothing, and leather sector showing a marked improvement, rising to 1.9 from -1 in October, indicating a shift to positive sentiment within the sector. In the broader economic context, Dutch manufacturing output continued to contract, declining by 3.3 per cent in September 2024 compared to the same month in 2023. This marked the 15th consecutive month of contraction. Despite this, exports grew by 3.0 per cent in September, driven by increases in food, beverages, tobacco, and chemical products. The Dutch economy recorded a growth of 0.8 per cent in Q3 2024, supported by increased household and public spending. However, the labour market showed signs of softening, with the number of vacancies declining for nearly two years. In Q3, vacancies fell by 5,000 to 397,000. Meanwhile, unemployment remained unchanged in October, with 3.7 per cent of the labour force out of work. While producer confidence has shown signs of recovery, it remains in negative territory, reflecting ongoing uncertainties. The combination of declining manufacturing output and robust export growth highlights a complex economic environment, suggesting that the outlook for the Dutch economy in the coming months remains cautious. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD) Three years after negotiations started, Canada and Indonesia yesterday signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Jakarta aimed at strengthening bilateral economic ties. The agreement will take effect in 2026. Indonesia will witness liberalisation of 90.5 per cent of the total tariffs for goods entering Canada with a trade value of $1.4 billion. Three years after negotiations started, Canada and Indonesia yesterday signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in Jakarta. The agreement will take effect in 2026. Indonesia will witness liberalisation of 90.5 per cent of the total tariffs for goods entering Canada with a trade value of $1.4 billion. Garments and footwear are part of Indonesia's main exports to Canada. Indonesian trade minister Budi Santoso and Mary Ng, Canadian minister of export promotion, international trade and economic development signed the agreement. "Together, we advance sustainable critical mineral management, supporting Indonesia's net zero target by 2060, and fostering Canadian investment while driving green growth in both nations," Santoso told a joint press conference. Indonesia has rich deposits of tin, copper and bauxite, among others, and is the world's largest source of nickel ore. Garments and footwear are part of Indonesias main exports to Canada. In 2023, Indonesia was Canadas 22nd-largest trading partner worldwide and third largest among Southeast Asian countries. Two-way merchandise trade between both sides was valued at $5.1 billion in 2023, and Canadian merchandise exports to Indonesia were valued at $2.3 billion, making Indonesia Canadas largest export market that year among ASEAN members. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) (All amounts expressed in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated) Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 2, 2024) - Torex Gold Resources Inc. (the "Company" or "Torex") (TSX: TXG) announces further assay results from the Company's 2024 drilling program at ELG Underground. The results to date support the Company's target of extending the mine life of ELG Underground by identifying new zones of higher-grade mineralization, expanding resources, and replacing and growing reserves. Jody Kuzenko, President & CEO of Torex, stated: "Results from the ongoing drilling program at ELG Underground continue to demonstrate the long-term potential of the deposit following an impressive track record of success delivered over the last several years. The latest assay results highlight the ability to upgrade Inferred Resources to Indicated Resources and support our target of replacing most of the reserves mined year-to-date. "Additionally, surface mapping along the northern extension of the El Limon West Trend has indicated that mineralization could extend north towards the La Flaca fault. This discovery, combined with the fact that mineralization in multiple areas remains open along trend and at depth, is further evidence that we are still in the early stages of unlocking the full potential of ELG Underground, which, in turn, supports our optimistic view on the long-term prospects for the deposit. "With Media Luna nearing completion, the expected pivot to positive cash flow mid-next year, and our ongoing drilling success, we are planning to increase our exploration budget even further in 2025. This will support our goal of sustaining annual production above 450,000 gold equivalent ounces beyond 2030 and underscores our belief that we will be mining at Morelos for decades to come." HIGHLIGHTS Drilling results through the first nine months of 2024 demonstrate the potential to upgrade Inferred Resources to Indicated Resources with the year-end 2024 reserve and resource update in each of the identified mineralized trends, as well as the ability to expand Inferred Resources. El Limon Sur Trend At the El Limon Sur Trend, Resource Delineation drilling has delivered compelling results with intercepts returning higher than anticipated grades, particularly within the north ore shoot. The best results from drilling in this area include drill hole LDUG-350 (27.72 grams per tonne gold equivalent ("gpt AuEq") over 18.8 metres ("m")) , LDUG-351 (45.16 gpt AuEq over 3.1 m) , LDUG-356 (94.30 gpt AuEq over 6.1 m, including 151.67 gpt AuEq over 3.7 m) , and LDUG-390 (23.51 gpt AuEq over 5.1 m) . These results support upgrading Inferred Resources to Indicated Resources. The Advanced Exploration program at the southern ore shoot continues to extend mineralization to the south as shown by the intercepts reported in drill holes LS-332 (10.37 gpt AuEq over 3.5 m) and LS-339 (6.35 gpt AuEq over 6.3 m). The mineralized intercepts of drill holes LS-339, LS-342 (18.67 gpt AuEq over 2.4 m), LS-343 (5.25 gpt AuEq over 10.0 m), and LS-344 (9.44 gpt AuEq over 5.6 m) confirm mineralization extends at depth, which will be further explored through infill drilling in 2025. El Limon Deep Trend The Resource Delineation program at the El Limon Deep Trend has confirmed the continuity of high-grade mineralization along a southwest plunge with multiple intercepts with core lengths in excess of 4 m and grades over 5 gpt AuEq, including drill hole LDUG-382 (8.41 gpt AuEq over 4.6 m, 18.34 gpt AuEq over 11.2 m, and 7.94 gpt AuEq over 5.5 m). Sub-Sill Trend At the Sub-Sill Trend, the mineralized intercepts of drill holes SST-349 (19.17 gpt AuEq over 13.0 m) and SST-351 (14.84 gpt AuEq over 9.5 m) located immediately to the north of a production front confirm the extension of high-grade mineralization in this area. Drilling at depth has also confirmed continuity of mineralization. Results support the potential to expand Indicated Resources in this area. and SST-351 located immediately to the north of a production front confirm the extension of high-grade mineralization in this area. Drilling at depth has also confirmed continuity of mineralization. Results support the potential to expand Indicated Resources in this area. Along the extension of the Sub-Sill Trend north of the La Flaca fault, drilling results support the recategorization of Inferred Resources to Indicated Resources. El Limon West Trend Drill holes LS-322 (8.55 gpt AuEq over 3.9 m and 13.64 gpt AuEq over 11.0 m) and LS-324 (26.46 gpt AuEq over 5.5 m) confirm mineralization extends to the south and at depth up to 600 m above sea level ("m.a.s.l."). Surface mapping identified the northern extension of the El Limon West Trend, confirming the mineralization continuity intercepted by drill hole LS-316 (4.55 gpt AuEq over 6.3 m; press release dated June 27, 2024) and validated by drill hole LS-317 (3.96 gpt AuEq over 5.3 m). The results indicate potential structural continuity from the defined resource body to the north towards the La Flaca fault. 2024 ELG UNDERGROUND DRILLING & EXPLORATION PROGRAM The 2024 ELG Underground drilling and exploration program is focused on Resource Delineation and Advanced Exploration, targeting current Inferred Resources and the main extensions of high-grade mineralization along the El Limon Sur, El Limon Deep, Sub-Sill, and El Limon West trends. Torex has budgeted $12 million towards drilling and exploration for ELG Underground in 2024. Drilling is progressing well with six rigs currently working in the area. As of the end of September, 29,442 m of the 43,200 m of drilling forecast for the year was completed. Figure 1: Plan view of ELG Underground. The 2024 program to date has been focused on resource categorization and testing mineralization extensions beyond the boundaries of known resources. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1863/232143_8f14474034d14a0d_001full.jpg Detailed drill results are reported in Table 5 (El Limon Sur Trend), Table 6 (El Limon Deep Trend), Table 7 (Sub-Sill Trend), and Table 8 (El Limon West Trend). Drill hole intercepts are core lengths with true widths for infill holes ranging between 80-100% of core length. True widths will be determined for brownfield and step-out holes once the geological modelling to define the ore controls is completed. AuEq grades use the same metal prices ($1,650/oz gold ("Au"), $22/oz silver ("Ag"), and $3.75/lb copper ("Cu")) and metallurgical recoveries (90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu) used in the year-end 2023 mineral resource estimate for ELG Underground (AuEq (gpt) = Au (gpt) + Ag (gpt) * 0.0127 + Cu (%) * 1.6104). EL LIMON SUR TREND (FIGURE 2) Drilling along the El Limon Sur Trend is concentrated in two areas. At the northern ore shoot, results from the Resource Delineation program have been positive, returning multiple high-grade intercepts with over 5 m in core length, supporting the recategorization of a high volume of Inferred Resources to Indicated Resources with the year-end 2024 mineral reserve and resource update and indicating the potential extension of mineralization at depth. At the southern ore shoot, Advanced Exploration drilling following up on the deepest high-grade intercepts encountered in 2023 (LS-293 which returned 20.74 gpt AuEq over 4.6 m; press release dated November 16, 2023 and LS-295 which returned 29.88 gpt AuEq over 9.6 m; press release dated February 26, 2024) has successfully proven the continuity of the mineralization at depth as shown by drill hole LS-342 (18.67 gpt AuEq over 2.4 m), LS-343 (5.25 gpt AuEq over 10.0 m), and LS-344 (9.44 gpt AuEq over 5.6 m). Table 1: Recent highlights from the 2024 drilling program along the El Limon Sur Trend Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Core Length1 (m) Au (gpt) Ag (gpt) Cu (%) AuEq2 (gpt) LDUG-350 Including 42.0 51.6 9.6 12.39 5.6 0.15 12.69 55.5 74.2 18.8 26.69 21.1 0.47 27.72 62.6 65.2 2.6 121.69 49.4 0.48 123.08 160.7 168.0 7.3 17.78 16.3 0.45 18.70 LDUG-351 158.6 161.7 3.11 41.08 75.5 1.94 45.16 LDUG-352 132.8 136.1 3.3 9.67 9.2 0.13 10.00 LDUG-353 210.6 216.0 5.4 4.53 27.2 0.81 6.19 LDUG-356 Including 130.2 136.3 6.09 94.09 12.9 0.03 94.30 132.6 136.3 3.7 151.34 20.0 0.04 151.67 LDUG-364 83.0 91.3 8.3 5.15 13.9 0.57 6.24 LDUG-367 247.4 254.5 7.1 8.59 0.8 0.01 8.62 LDUG-375 53.0 57.7 4.67 9.50 76.3 0.43 11.15 LDUG-383 38.8 50.5 11.8 5.30 8.9 0.83 6.75 LDUG-387 34.4 38.3 3.9 12.21 17.8 0.92 13.91 LDUG-390 45.9 51.0 5.12 23.48 1.4 0.00 23.51 LS-330 169.4 172.0 2.7 4.88 29.8 0.59 6.21 LS-332 49.5 53.0 3.5 10.33 1.4 0.01 10.37 LS-338 51.0 56.0 5.0 4.68 26.6 1.15 6.87 LS-339 143.5 149.8 6.3 5.90 14.5 0.16 6.35 LS-340 90.0 93.1 3.1 8.82 62.1 0.08 9.74 LS-342 267.1 269.5 2.4 4.04 206.8 7.45 18.67 LS-343 254.0 264.0 10.0 0.99 119.5 1.70 5.25 LS-344 346.8 352.4 5.6 7.24 37.3 1.07 9.44 Notes to Table: 1) Drill hole intercepts are core length with true widths ranging between 80-100% of core length. True widths will be determined for brownfield and step-out holes once the geological modelling to define the ore controls is completed. Core lengths reflect drilling core recovery of 98%. 2) The gold equivalent grade calculation used is as follows: AuEq (gpt) = Au (gpt) + Ag (gpt) * 0.0127 + Cu (%) * 1.6104 and use the same metal prices ($1,650/oz Au, $22/oz Ag, and $3.75/lb Cu) and metallurgical recoveries (90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu) used in the year-end 2023 mineral resource estimate for ELG Underground. 3) All assay results are uncapped. 4) Core lengths subject to rounding. Drilling has also extended shallow mineralization to the south from 50 m below surface, as shown by the intercepts of holes LS-332 (10.37 gpt AuEq over 3.5 m) and LS-339 (6.35 gpt AuEq over 6.3 m). The follow-up drill holes LS-339, LS-342, LS-343, and LS-344 encountered mineralization at depth, up to 600 m.a.s.l., with core lengths over 5 m and grades exceeding 5 gpt AuEq. A Resource Delineation program will commence when the underground mine development reaches this area in 2025. EL LIMON DEEP TREND (FIGURE 3) At the El Limon Deep Trend, infill drilling is exploring its intersection with the El Limon Sur Trend. Drilling has been focused on upgrading Inferred Resources to Indicated Resources and adding new Inferred Resources in the southwest-plunging mineralized zone. The results have been positive, with multiple intercepts over 4 m and grades exceeding 5 gpt AuEq confirming the southwest plunge of high-grade mineralization and the potential for new Indicated and Inferred Resources. The most notable drill hole in the area is LDUG-382 with multiple mineralized intercepts within the Inferred Resource envelope (8.41 gpt AuEq over 4.6 m, 18.34 gpt AuEq over 11.2 m, and 7.94 gpt AuEq over 5.5 m) that, in conjunction with drill hole LDUG-386 (5.61 gpt AuEq over 8.0 m), extends the mineralization at depth. These drill holes could represent a mineralized feeder related to the intersection with the structure that controls the El Limon Sur Trend's mineralization that will be subject to follow-up drilling in 2025. Drill holes LDUG-380 (6.65 gpt AuEq over 11.5 m), LDUG-381 (12.26 gpt AuEq over 3.2 m), and LDUG-332 (8.25 gpt AuEq over 9.3 m) extend mineralization to the southwest, suggesting continuity to the intersection with the El Limon West Trend's mineralized structure. Table 2: Recent highlights from the 2024 drilling program along the El Limon Deep Trend Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Core Length1 (m) Au (gpt) Ag (gpt) Cu (%) AuEq2 (gpt) LDUG-332 229.9 239.2 9.3 4.29 42.6 2.12 8.25 LDUG-340 177.8 193.2 15.5 7.39 11.4 0.47 8.30 LDUG-343 174.0 178.6 4.6 4.93 23.9 0.64 6.27 187.2 193.0 5.9 7.58 16.9 0.56 8.69 LDUG-347 160.2 166.7 6.5 3.24 28.8 1.87 6.61 186.8 191.3 4.5 3.33 39.8 1.67 6.53 LDUG-357 215.3 219.5 4.2 4.79 46.9 1.29 7.45 LDUG-380 185.6 197.1 11.5 5.96 14.6 0.32 6.65 LDUG-381 54.9 58.0 3.2 11.40 11.9 0.44 12.26 LDUG-382 161.5 166.1 4.6 8.02 9.3 0.17 8.41 188.5 199.6 11.2 17.86 10.6 0.21 18.34 220.5 226.0 5.5 7.14 19.6 0.34 7.94 Notes to Table: 1) Drill hole intercepts are core length with true widths ranging between 80-100% of core length. True widths will be determined for brownfield and step-out holes once the geological modelling to define the ore controls is completed. Core lengths reflect drilling core recovery of 98%. 2) The gold equivalent grade calculation used is as follows: AuEq (gpt) = Au (gpt) + Ag (gpt) * 0.0127 + Cu (%) * 1.6104 and use the same metal prices ($1,650/oz Au, $22/oz Ag, and $3.75/lb Cu) and metallurgical recoveries (90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu) used in the year-end 2023 mineral resource estimate for ELG Underground. 3) All assay results are uncapped. 4) Core lengths subject to rounding. SUB-SILL TREND (FIGURE 4) Resource Delineation work is being undertaken along the Sub-Sill Trend, focused on the main ore shoot at the central area of the trend. The objective is to extend mineralization to the north of the current production front and to upgrade Inferred Resources around 560 m.a.s.l., approximately 80 m below the current operation depth. Seven holes totaling 1,277 m were drilled at the Sub-Sill Trend since the last ELG Underground drilling and exploration results were released in June 2024. Four of these drill holes located immediately to the north of a production front confirm the extension of high-grade mineralization in this area, indicating the potential to expand Indicated Resources in this direction. The mineralized intercepts of drill holes SST-349 (19.17 gpt AuEq over 13.0 m) and SST-351 (14.84 gpt AuEq over 9.5 m) indicate the potential continuity of high-grade mineralization towards the La Flaca fault. Furthermore, drilling results at depth indicate potential for the expansion of Indicated Resources with the year-end 2024 update. Additionally, the Resource Delineation program to the north of the La Flaca fault continues to be successful, most notably by drill hole LDUG-333 (5.49 gpt AuEq over 3.3 m and 9.34 gpt AuEq over 9.9 m). The mineralization here has resulted in a new production front accessed by Portal 3. Table 3: Recent highlights from the 2024 drilling program along the Sub-Sill Trend Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Core Length1 (m) Au (gpt) Ag (gpt) Cu (%) AuEq2 (gpt) LDUG-333 157.0 166.9 9.9 8.71 4.2 0.36 9.34 SST-347 160.0 164.4 4.4 3.67 28.8 1.40 6.30 SST-349 66.6 79.6 13.0 18.89 4.0 0.14 19.17 SST-351 67.6 77.2 9.5 14.77 2.7 0.02 14.84 Notes to Table: 1) Drill hole intercepts are core length with true widths ranging between 80-100% of core length. True widths will be determined for brownfield and step-out holes once the geological modelling to define the ore controls is completed. Core lengths reflect drilling core recovery of 98%. 2) The gold equivalent grade calculation used is as follows: AuEq (gpt) = Au (gpt) + Ag (gpt) * 0.0127 + Cu (%) * 1.6104 and use the same metal prices ($1,650/oz Au, $22/oz Ag, and $3.75/lb Cu) and metallurgical recoveries (90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu) used in the year-end 2023 mineral resource estimate for ELG Underground. 3) All assay results are uncapped. 4) Core lengths subject to rounding. EL LIMON WEST TREND (FIGURE 5) Advanced Exploration drilling at the El Limon West Trend has mainly been focused on the southern extension, with five drill holes confirming that mineralization extends to the south and at depth down to 600 m.a.s.l. Resource Delineation drilling immediately below open pit development returned intercepts that indicate strong potential to upgrade Inferred Resources to Indicated Resources in this area. Additionally, surface mapping testing the northern continuity of the El Limon West Trend has identified favorable alteration and mineralization. Drill holes LS-316 and LS-317 depict similar alteration and mineralization close to surface, with values greater than 3 gpt AuEq and core-length widths exceeding 4 m that appear to be related to the structural control of mineralization at El Limon West. The latter potentially extends mineralization more than 700 m to the north of current resources, towards the La Flaca fault. Additional drilling in this area will be undertaken as part of the 2025 Advanced Exploration program. Table 4: Recent highlights from the 2024 drilling program along the El Limon West Trend Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Core Length1 (m) Au (gpt) Ag (gpt) Cu (%) AuEq2 (gpt) LS-317 66.4 71.7 5.3 3.94 1.0 0.00 3.96 LS-321 167.3 170.5 3.2 9.38 146.9 2.76 15.69 LS-322 280.5 291.4 11.0 12.36 36.3 0.51 13.64 LS-324 244.6 252.3 7.7 5.63 27.8 0.30 6.47 260.0 265.5 5.5 25.70 25.6 0.27 26.46 Notes to Table: 1) Drill hole intercepts are core length with true widths ranging between 80-100% of core length. True widths will be determined for brownfield and step-out holes once the geological modelling to define the ore controls is completed. Core lengths reflect drilling core recovery of 98%. 2) The gold equivalent grade calculation used is as follows: AuEq (gpt) = Au (gpt) + Ag (gpt) * 0.0127 + Cu (%) * 1.6104 and use the same metal prices ($1,650/oz Au, $22/oz Ag, and $3.75/lb Cu) and metallurgical recoveries (90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu) used in the year-end 2023 mineral resource estimate for ELG Underground. 3) All assay results are uncapped. 4) Core lengths subject to rounding. ELG MINE COMPLEX GEOLOGY The ELG Mine Complex, located in the central part of the Guerrero Gold Belt in southwest Mexico, is hosted in the Mesozoic carbonate-rich Morelos Platform, which has been intruded by Paleocene granodiorite stocks, sills, and dikes, and the uplifting of the block close to surface by maar-diatreme complexes. Skarn-hosted gold mineralization develops along contacts of the intrusive rocks and carbonate-rich sedimentary rocks of the Cuautla and Morelos formations, as well as along the footwall contact of the Mezcala Formation. At depth, the mineralization has a strong structural control related to the main stages of deformation, with the collision of allochthonous terrain being responsible for the major north-south faults, while the almost east-west faulting is associated with the beginning of the subduction process. Gold mineralization at ELG occurs in spatial association with a skarn body that was developed along a two-kilometre-long corridor following the northeast contact of the ELG granodiorite stock. The skarn zone that occurs at the marble stratigraphic level of the Morelos Formation is in contact with hornfels developed in the Mezcala Formation. At El Limon, skarn mineralization is also structurally controlled by north-south and north-east trending faults. Early-stage deposition corresponds to skarn alteration and mineralization at ELG and is fairly typical of calcic gold-skarn systems. Zones of coarse, massive, garnet-dominant skarn appear within and along the stock margin, with fine-grained pyroxene-dominant skarn more common at greater distances from the contact with the stock. Significant gold mineralization at ELG is spatially associated with the skarn, preferentially occurring in pyroxene-rich exoskarn but also hosted in garnet-rich endoskarn that has been affected by retrograde alteration, which suggests that the most important gold event is strongly related to bismuth, late stage, and of epithermal origin. Dikes and sills are found to crosscut the hornfels and marble along the structural trends mentioned above and are spatially associated with the skarn formation. In some cases, these are the ore control of main gold mineralization stage at depth. The style of mineralization at the El Limon Deep, El Limon Sur, Sub-Sill, and El Limon West trends is characterized by gold, with locally high silver and copper grades. Given that gold precipitates due to the buffer exerted by the early stage of calc-silicate alteration and sulfide mineralization, it is free and generally dissociated from the previous copper event mainly related to chalcopyrite. QA/QC AND QUALIFIED PERSON Torex maintains an analytical quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") and data verification program to monitor laboratory performance and ensure high-quality assays. Results from this program confirm reliability of the assay results. All sampling and analytical work for the mine exploration program is performed by SGS de Mexico S.A. de C.V. ("SGS") in Durango, and by SGS at Minera Media Luna site facilities in Mexico. Gold analyses comprise fire assay with atomic absorption or gravimetric finish. External check assays for QA/QC purposes are performed at ALS Chemex de Mexico S.A. de C.V. The analytical QA/QC program is currently overseen by Carlo Nasi, Manager, Geology for Minera Media Luna, S.A. de C.V. Samples are HQ sized drill core sawn lengthwise in half. One half of the core is bagged and sealed for analytical analysis and one half of the core is retained in the core box for reference. Sample preparation is carried out by SGS facilities in Durango and Nuevo Balsas, Mexico and consists of dry and crush 3 to 5 kg to >75% passing 2 mm followed by pulverization of 500 g to >85% passing 75 m. Gold is analyzed at the SGS facilities in Durango and Nuevo Balsas following internal analytical protocols. Gold analysis comprises a 30 g fire assay with an atomic absorption finish. Samples yielding results >10 g/t Au are re-assayed by fire assay with gravimetric finish up to 10,000 ppb. Over-limit results for gold analysis (for samples reported as >10,000 ppb or >10 ppm) comprises 30 g Au by fire assay with gravimetric finish. Copper and silver analyses up to 300 ppm Ag, copper up to 10%, and iron up to 10% analysis are completed via Aqua Regia digestion and atomic absorption finish. Multi-element geochemical analysis is done by an Aqua Regia digestion with detection by ICP-OES using SGS internal analytical protocol GE_ICP14B and are conducted at SGS facilities in Durango. Scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Rochelle Collins, P.Geo. (PGO #1412), Principal, Mineral Resource Geologist with Torex Gold Resources Inc., a "qualified person" ("QP") as defined by NI 43-101. Ms. Collins has verified such information disclosed, including sampling, analytical, and test data underlying the drill results. Verification included visually reviewing the drill holes in three dimensions, comparing the assay results to the original assay certificates, reviewing the drilling database, and reviewing core photography consistent with standard practice. Ms. Collins consents to the inclusion in this release of said information in the form and context in which they appear. Additional information on the ELG Underground, sampling and analyses, analytical labs, and methods used for data verification is available in the Company's technical report entitled the "Morelos Property, NI 43-101 Technical Report, ELG Mine Complex Life of Mine Plan and Media Luna Feasibility Study, Guerrero State, Mexico", dated effective March 16, 2022 filed on March 31, 2022 (the "2022 Technical Report") and in the annual information form ("AIF") dated March 30, 2023, each filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.c a and the Company's website at www.torexgold.com. ABOUT TOREX GOLD RESOURCES INC. Torex is an intermediate gold producer based in Canada, engaged in the exploration, development, and operation of its 100% owned Morelos Property, an area of 29,000 hectares in the highly prospective Guerrero Gold Belt located 180 kilometres southwest of Mexico City. The Company's principal asset is the Morelos Complex, which includes the El Limon Guajes ("ELG") Mine Complex, the Media Luna Project, a processing plant, and related infrastructure. Commercial production from the Morelos Complex commenced on April 1, 2016 and an updated Technical Report for the Morelos Complex was released in March 2022. Torex's key strategic objectives are: integrate and optimize the Morelos Property; deliver Media Luna to full production; grow reserves and resources; disciplined growth and capital allocation; retain and attract best industry talent; and build on ESG excellence. CAUTIONARY NOTES ON FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information also includes, but is not limited to, statements about: the results to date support the Company's target of extending the mine life of ELG Underground by identifying new zones of higher-grade mineralization, expanding resources, and replacing and growing reserves; the latest assay results highlight the ability to upgrade Inferred Resources to Indicated Resources and support our target of replacing most of the reserves mined year-to-date; additionally, surface mapping along the northern extension of the El Limon West Trend has indicated that mineralization could extend north towards the La Flaca fault; this discovery, combined with the fact that mineralization in multiple areas remains open along trend and at depth, is further evidence that we are still in the early stages of unlocking the full potential of ELG Underground, which, in turn, supports our optimistic view on the long-term prospects for the deposit; with Media Luna nearing completion, the expected pivot to positive cash flow mid-next year, and our ongoing drilling success, we are planning to increase our exploration budget even further in 2025; this will support our goal of sustaining annual production above 450,000 gold equivalent ounces beyond 2030 and underscores our belief that we will be mining at Morelos for decades to come; surface mapping identified the northern extension of the El Limon West Trend, confirming the mineralization continuity intercepted by drill hole LS-316 (4.55 gpt AuEq over 6.3 m and validated by drill hole LS-317 (3.96 gpt AuEq over 5.3 m) and the results of which indicate potential structural continuity from the defined resource body to the north towards the La Flaca fault; drilling along the El Limon Sur Trend is concentrated in two areas; at the northern ore shoot, results from the Resource Delineation program support the recategorization of a high volume of Inferred Resources to Indicated Resources with the year-end 2024 mineral reserve and resource update and indicating the potential extension of mineralization at depth; at the El Limon Deep Trend, infill drilling is exploring its intersection with the El Limon Sur Trend; this drilling has been focused on upgrading Inferred Resources to Indicated Resources and adding new Inferred Resources in the southwest-plunging mineralized zone and the results have been positive, with multiple intercepts over 4 m and grades exceeding 5 gpt AuEq confirming the southwest plunge of high-grade mineralization and the potential for new Indicated and Inferred Resources; Resource Delineation work is being undertaken along the Sub-Sill Trend, focused on the main ore shoot at the central area of the trend and the objective is to extend mineralization to the north of the current production front and to upgrade Inferred Resources around 560 m.a.s.l., approximately 80 m below the current operation depth; four of the seven holes drilled at the Sub-Sill Trend are located immediately to the north of a production front and confirm the extension of high-grade mineralization in this area, indicating the potential to expand Indicated Resources in this direction; the mineralized intercepts of drill holes SST-349 (19.17 gpt AuEq over 13.0 m) and SST-351 (14.84 gpt AuEq over 9.5 m) indicate the potential continuity of high-grade mineralization towards the La Flaca fault and furthermore, drilling results at depth indicate potential for the expansion of Indicated Resources with the year-end 2024 update; Resource Delineation drilling immediately below open pit development returned intercepts which indicate strong potential to upgrade Inferred Resources to Indicated Resources in this area; drill holes LS-316 and LS-317 depict similar alteration and mineralization close to surface, with values greater than 3 gpt AuEq and core-length widths exceeding 4 m that appear to be related to the structural control of mineralization at El Limon West and the latter potentially extends mineralization more than 700 m to the north of current resources, towards the La Flaca fault. Additional drilling in this area will be undertaken as part of the 2025 Advanced Exploration program; and Torex's key strategic objectives are to optimize and extend production from the ELG Mine Complex, de-risk and advance Media Luna to commercial production, build on ESG excellence, and to grow through ongoing exploration across the entire Morelos Property. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "objective", "strategy", "target", "continue", "potential", "focus", "demonstrate", "aim" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will", "would", or "is expected to" occur. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with: the ability to upgrade mineral resources categories of mineral resources with greater confidence levels or to mineral reserves; risks associated with mineral reserve and mineral resource estimation; uncertainty involving skarn deposits; and those risk factors identified in the Technical Report and the Company's annual information form and management's discussion and analysis or other unknown but potentially significant impacts. Forward-looking information is based on the assumptions discussed in the Technical Report and such other reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date such statements are made. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. The Technical Report, AIF and MD&A are filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and the Company's website at www.torexgold.com. Figure 2: At the El Limon Sur Trend, drilling in the northern ore shoot supports the recategorization of Inferred Resources to Indicated Resources and opens the potential extension of mineralization at depth. At the southern ore shoot, drilling shows the continuity of mineralization at depth and extends mineralization to the south. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1863/232143_8f14474034d14a0d_002full.jpg Figure 3: Drilling results at the El Limon Deep Trend confirm the southwest plunge of high-grade mineralization and the potential to upgrade and expand Inferred Resources. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1863/232143_8f14474034d14a0d_003full.jpg Figure 4: At the Sub-Sill Trend, drilling results at the main ore shoot indicate the potential continuity of high-grade mineralization towards the La Flaca fault. Resource Delineation drilling at the northern ore shoot has opened up a new production front. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1863/232143_8f14474034d14a0d_004full.jpg Figure 5: At the El Limon West Trend, Advanced Exploration drilling has confirmed the mineralization extension to the south and at depth down to 600 m.a.s.l. Additionally, drilling has also identified mineralization more than 700 m to the north of current resources, towards the La Flaca fault. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1863/232143_8f14474034d14a0d_005full.jpg Table 5: Drill results along the El Limon Sur Trend Drill Hole Program UTM-E (m) UTM-N (m) Elevation (m) Azimuth () Dip () Final Depth (m) Intercept Lithology/ Alteration From (m) To (m) Core Length (m) Au (gpt) Ag (gpt) Cu (%) AuEq (gpt) LDUG-334 Infill 421911.7 1990094.3 948.5 131.3 -51.8 264.0 No Significant Values Skarn LDUG-350 Including Infill 422210.0 1990018.6 721.0 277.9 6.7 318.0 42.00 55.47 62.58 138.34 160.69 218.00 51.58 74.22 65.20 149.50 168.00 223.74 9.58 18.75 2.62 11.16 7.31 5.74 12.39 26.69 121.69 2.31 17.78 3.10 5.6 21.1 49.4 6.5 16.3 2.7 0.15 0.47 0.48 0.30 0.45 0.01 12.69 27.72 123.08 2.88 18.70 3.15 Skarn Skarn Skarn Skarn Skarn Skarn LDUG-351 Infill 422209.2 1990018.2 722.0 275.2 -1.7 336.0 158.62 161.73 3.11 41.08 75.5 1.94 45.16 Skarn LDUG-352 Infill 422209.4 1990018.5 721.7 282.6 -10.5 180.0 132.76 136.06 3.30 9.67 9.2 0.13 10.00 Skarn LDUG-353 Infill 422209.4 1990018.0 721.9 270.1 -5.4 336.0 210.64 216.00 5.36 4.53 27.2 0.81 6.19 Skarn LDUG-354 Infill 422205.2 1990128.2 675.7 249.9 7.1 180.0 122.18 137.00 125.58 141.00 3.40 4.00 2.16 3.07 12.4 2.8 1.08 0.01 4.06 3.12 Skarn Skarn LDUG-355 Infill 422204.8 1990128.0 675.2 245.0 -11.7 137.0 126.66 130.68 4.02 1.36 4.6 0.22 1.78 Skarn LDUG-356 Including Infill 422210.3 1990018.3 721.0 270.0 -20.1 150.0 130.24 132.64 136.33 136.33 6.09 3.69 94.09 151.34 12.9 20.0 0.03 0.04 94.30 151.67 Skarn Skarn LDUG-358 Infill 422210.0 1990018.0 721.0 267.9 -40.3 180.0 102.00 107.55 5.55 2.61 9.9 0.20 3.06 Skarn LDUG-359 Infill 422210.2 1990018.1 720.9 270.9 -56.1 132.0 109.00 117.55 8.55 0.35 1.3 0.09 0.52 Skarn LDUG-362 Infill 422210.3 1990018.0 720.7 270.6 -65.3 165.0 115.60 119.00 3.40 3.26 6.3 0.21 3.67 Skarn LDUG-364 Infill 422206.9 1989984.2 789.7 271.9 -17.0 348.0 83.00 193.00 91.33 195.81 8.33 2.81 5.15 3.60 13.9 28.5 0.57 1.12 6.24 5.78 Skarn Skarn LDUG-367 Infill 422207.1 1989984.2 789.3 272.1 -27.3 390.0 69.00 247.42 72.00 254.50 3.00 7.08 1.79 8.59 42.7 0.8 2.66 0.01 6.62 8.62 Skarn Skarn LDUG-368 Step-out 422176.0 1990139.0 675.0 260.8 -22.5 303.0 101.00 106.28 5.28 2.76 3.4 0.07 2.92 Skarn LDUG-369 Infill 422175.5 1989871.0 797.7 269.9 11.0 186.0 72.33 80.50 77.90 86.00 5.57 5.50 0.87 0.57 0.8 1.3 0.03 0.16 0.93 0.84 Skarn Skarn Notes to Table 1) Drill hole intercepts are core length with true widths ranging between 80-100% of core length. True widths will be determined for brownfield and step-out holes once the geological modelling to define the ore controls is completed. 2) Core lengths subject to rounding. Core lengths reflect drilling core recovery of 98% 3) Coordinates are WGS 1984 UTM Zone 14N 4) Torex is not aware of any drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data. 5) The gold equivalent grade calculation used is as follows: AuEq (gpt) = Au (gpt) + Ag (gpt) * 0.0127 + Cu (%) * 1.6104 and use the same metal prices ($1,650/oz Au, $22/oz Ag, and $3.75/lb Cu) and metallurgical recoveries (90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu) used in the year-end 2023 mineral resource estimate for ELG Underground. Table 5 (continued): Drill results along the El Limon Sur Trend Drill Hole Program UTM-E (m) UTM-N (m) Elevation (m) Azimuth () Dip () Final Depth (m) Intercept Lithology/ Alteration From (m) To (m) Core Length (m) Au (gpt) Ag (gpt) Cu (%) AuEq (gpt) LDUG-372 Step-out 422175.6 1989871.0 796.6 269.9 -30.3 280.0 120.47 126.28 5.81 2.36 2.9 0.06 2.49 Skarn LDUG-373 Step-out 422175.8 1989871.0 795.9 269.5 -51.7 366.0 67.14 72.50 5.36 2.93 6.2 0.11 3.19 Skarn LDUG-375 Infill 422175.8 1989871.4 796.7 287.0 -20.0 123.0 53.00 109.45 57.67 112.70 4.67 3.25 9.50 2.33 76.3 2.4 0.43 0.09 11.15 2.50 Skarn Skarn LDUG-376 Infill 422136.1 1989811.5 798.7 286.8 -25.6 132.0 No Significant Values Skarn LDUG-378 Infill 422136.2 1989811.5 798.6 287.1 -33.6 132.0 No Significant Values Skarn LDUG-379 Infill 422136.0 1989811.2 798.6 278.0 -30.8 132.0 49.00 51.18 2.18 2.91 4.9 0.08 3.09 Skarn LDUG-381 Infill 422209.0 1990018.5 722.3 276.3 1.3 321.0 156.56 159.15 2.59 3.49 8.7 0.55 4.49 Skarn LDUG-383 Infill 422209.2 1990018.8 723.1 277.3 18.3 90.0 38.75 50.50 11.75 5.30 8.9 0.83 6.75 Skarn LDUG-384 Infill 422209.3 1990018.2 723.3 257.8 21.5 90.0 39.00 55.39 16.39 3.42 16.9 1.14 5.47 Skarn LDUG-385 Infill 422209.1 1990018.6 722.6 265.6 11.0 90.0 72.00 78.00 6.00 2.80 0.7 0.00 2.81 Skarn LDUG-387 Infill 422209.3 1990019.1 722.7 288.9 12.8 90.0 34.41 56.25 85.30 38.30 61.00 90.00 3.89 4.75 4.70 12.21 2.48 2.35 17.8 2.0 4.3 0.92 0.24 0.34 13.91 2.88 2.96 Skarn Skarn Skarn LDUG-388 Step-out 422209.3 1990018.6 724.0 276.8 31.0 102.0 62.85 67.34 4.49 4.24 1.8 0.09 4.42 Skarn LDUG-390 Step-out 422209.5 1990019.0 722.0 292.2 -1.5 90.0 45.88 51.00 5.12 23.48 1.4 0.00 23.51 Skarn LS-317 Step-out 421826.7 1989767.1 1062.3 75.8 -61.2 453.0 324.70 328.20 3.50 0.17 3.0 0.13 0.41 Skarn LS-318 Step-out 421826.3 1989767.8 1062.2 62.4 -56.8 450.0 No Significant Values Skarn LS-328 Step-out 422045.6 1989331.1 897.3 88.5 -59.3 400.0 No Significant Values Skarn LS-330 Brown- field 422262.7 1989450.0 1013.7 270.7 -66.4 192.0 169.35 172.00 2.65 4.88 29.8 0.59 6.21 Skarn LS-331 Brown- field 422292.2 1989420.4 1015.6 269.6 -67.6 291.0 259.82 263.10 3.28 1.20 19.6 0.62 2.45 Skarn LS-332 Brown- field 422167.8 1989289.3 959.6 107.8 -44.4 111.0 49.5 75.00 53.00 85.72 3.50 10.72 10.33 4.37 1.4 14.1 0.01 0.40 10.37 5.19 Skarn Skarn Notes to Table 1) Drill hole intercepts are core length with true widths ranging between 80-100% of core length. True widths will be determined for brownfield and step-out holes once the geological modelling to define the ore controls is completed. 2) Core lengths subject to rounding. Core lengths reflect drilling core recovery of 98%. 3) Coordinates are WGS 1984 UTM Zone 14N 4) Torex is not aware of any drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data. 5) The gold equivalent grade calculation used is as follows: AuEq (gpt) = Au (gpt) + Ag (gpt) * 0.0127 + Cu (%) * 1.6104 and use the same metal prices ($1,650/oz Au, $22/oz Ag, and $3.75/lb Cu) and metallurgical recoveries (90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu) used in the year-end 2023 mineral resource estimate for ELG Underground. Table 5 (continued): Drill results along the El Limon Sur Trend Drill Hole Program UTM-E (m) UTM-N (m) Elevation (m) Azimuth () Dip () Final Depth (m) Intercept Lithology/ Alteration From (m) To (m) Core Length (m) Au (gpt) Ag (gpt) Cu (%) AuEq (gpt) LS-333 Brown- field 422167.2 1989289.4 959.4 105.5 -56.8 141.0 No Significant Values Skarn LS-335 Brown- field 422087.8 1989239.0 909.3 88.8 -68.9 471.0 447.60 450.00 2.40 0.94 26.4 0.56 2.17 Breccia LS-336 Brown- field 422191.9 1989228.1 925.6 64.0 -47.2 99.0 26.60 29.5 2.90 7.82 10.6 0.46 8.70 Skarn LS-337 Brown- field 422191.2 1989227.8 925.6 65.7 -63.3 111.0 85.67 88.26 2.59 2.02 0.8 0.00 2.04 Skarn LS-338 Including Brown- field 422160.1 1989210.4 921.0 88.2 -50.0 102.0 21.84 38.32 51.00 25.55 56.00 56.00 3.71 17.68 5.00 2.72 2.68 4.68 12.4 15.5 26.6 0.02 0.53 1.15 2.91 3.73 6.87 Breccia Skarn Skarn LS-339 Step-out 422120.7 1989239.9 924.6 88.9 -47.0 190.0 143.50 149.83 6.33 5.90 14.5 0.16 6.35 Skarn LS-340 Step-out 422126.4 1989210.7 921.3 91.2 -47.3 102.0 90.00 93.11 3.11 8.82 62.1 0.08 9.74 Skarn LS-341 Infill 421983.1 1989389.2 887.0 88.9 -47.9 394.0 57.00 62.50 5.50 0.94 1.9 0.09 1.10 Fault LS-342 Including Infill 422056.8 1989300.1 900.9 90.1 -61.8 288.0 258.25 267.14 283.35 269.53 25.10 2.39 2.52 4.04 69.9 206.8 1.33 7.45 5.55 18.67 Skarn Skarn LS-343 Infill 422057.2 1989300.0 901.2 90.7 -56.0 276.0 253.97 264.00 10.03 0.99 119.5 1.70 5.25 Skarn LS-344 Step-out 422056.6 1989300.0 901.4 89.0 -68.0 360.0 325.49 346.80 327.09 352.40 1.60 5.60 4.93 7.24 60.0 37.3 0.78 1.07 6.95 9.44 Skarn Skarn LS-345 Infill 422105.9 1989300.7 931.5 98.3 -68.3 351.0 308.37 312.80 4.43 0.34 2.5 0.11 0.56 Fault/ marbles LS-346 Infill 422106.0 1989300.7 931.6 94.1 -63.5 270.0 231.14 235.28 4.14 2.44 4.4 0.04 2.55 Fault/skarn LS-347 Infill 422105.1 1989301.2 931.5 79.6 -67.4 274.5 224.67 226.39 1.72 3.66 56.3 2.45 8.32 Skarn/marble Notes to Table 1) Intercepts are core lengths and do not represent true thickness of mineralized zones. True width/thickness will be determined once the geological modelling to define the ore controls is completed. Core lengths subject to rounding. Core lengths reflect drilling core recovery >98% 2) Coordinates are WGS 1984 UTM Zone 14N 3) Torex is not aware of any drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data. 4) The gold equivalent grade calculation used is as follows: AuEq (gpt) = Au (gpt) + Ag (gpt) * 0.0127 + Cu (%) * 1.6104 and use the same metal prices ($1,650/oz Au, $22/oz Ag, and $3.75/lb Cu) and metallurgical recoveries (90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu) used in the year-end 2023 mineral resource estimate for ELG Underground. Table 6: Drill results along the El Limon Deep Trend Drill Hole Program UTM-E (m) UTM-N (m) Elevation (m) Azimuth () Dip () Final Depth (m) Intercept Lithology/ Alteration From (m) To (m) Core Length (m) Au (gpt) Ag (gpt) Cu (%) AuEq (gpt) LDUG-329 Step-out 421892.9 1990076.0 948.7 164.5 -63.2 294.0 243.69 246.80 3.11 1.09 5.3 0.25 1.55 Skarn LDUG-332 Infill 421893.3 1990076.3 948.7 131.2 -74.1 245.0 229.91 239.17 9.26 4.29 42.6 2.12 8.25 Skarn LDUG-336 Infill 421951.9 1990113.6 948.4 181.2 -76.5 231.0 212.87 224.00 11.13 2.77 29.6 1.21 5.10 Skarn LDUG-338 Infill 421952.5 1990113.6 948.5 164.1 -74.3 216.0 191.00 203.55 193.33 209.35 2.33 5.80 2.11 3.55 16.5 14.9 1.03 0.81 3.98 5.04 Skarn Skarn LDUG-340 Infill 421953.3 1990115.8 949.1 70.9 -83.0 213.0 177.77 193.22 15.45 7.39 11.4 0.47 8.30 Skarn LDUG-343 Infill 421978.3 1990162.6 947.4 141.9 -71.3 261.0 174.00 187.15 239.18 178.56 193.00 248.30 4.56 5.85 9.12 4.93 7.58 3.40 23.9 16.9 5.6 0.64 0.56 0.09 6.27 8.69 3.61 Skarn Skarn Skarn LDUG-344 Step-out 422300.1 1990428.5 719.7 250.3 13.1 280.0 267.00 271.00 4.00 0.21 11.8 0.21 0.70 Skarn LDUG-346 Infill 421992.4 1990178.6 947.0 185.9 -79.9 220.0 208.00 213.00 5.00 3.00 15.8 0.07 3.31 Skarn LDUG-347 Infill 421992.4 1990178.9 947.1 181.5 -86.2 243.0 160.20 186.75 166.67 191.25 6.47 4.50 3.24 3.33 28.8 39.8 1.87 1.67 6.61 6.53 Skarn Skarn LDUG-350 Infill 422210.0 1990018.6 721.0 277.9 6.7 318.0 228.31 244.59 240.61 250.00 12.30 5.41 3.83 3.17 13.6 25.5 0.72 0.69 5.16 4.61 Skarn Skarn LDUG-351 Infill 422209.2 1990018.2 722.0 275.2 -1.7 336.0 290.82 296.50 5.68 2.86 14.6 0.77 4.29 Skarn LDUG-353 Infill 422209.4 1990018.0 721.9 270.1 -5.4 336.0 311.66 316.14 4.48 4.27 20.4 0.68 5.62 Skarn LDUG-357 Infill 422175.6 1990139.7 676.7 270.0 23.4 261.0 185.35 204.37 215.27 191.00 206.68 219.45 5.65 2.31 4.18 2.59 4.70 4.79 15.6 1.2 46.9 0.27 0.02 1.29 3.23 4.83 7.45 Skarn Skarn Skarn LDUG-360 Infill 422175.8 1990139.9 676.0 270.0 9.2 270.0 242.92 246.45 3.53 1.45 16.7 0.57 2.58 Skarn LDUG-361 Infill 422175.6 1990139.2 676.6 261.2 17.9 282.0 134.86 155.17 237.50 137.93 157.22 243.50 3.07 2.05 6.00 5.70 1.70 1.52 10.6 63.4 12.4 0.21 1.83 0.32 6.16 5.44 2.19 Skarn Skarn Skarn LDUG-363 Step-out 422175.8 1990139.2 676.0 261.1 7.1 288.0 127.86 211.56 141.14 216.00 13.28 4.44 4.02 1.54 2.8 4.4 0.02 0.11 4.09 1.78 Skarn Skarn Notes to Table 1) Drill hole intercepts are core length with true widths ranging between 80-100% of core length. True widths will be determined for brownfield and step-out holes once the geological modelling to define the ore controls is completed. 2) Core lengths subject to rounding. Core lengths reflect drilling core recovery of 98% 3) Coordinates are WGS 1984 UTM Zone 14N. 4) Torex is not aware of any drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data. 5) The gold equivalent grade calculation used is as follows: AuEq (gpt) = Au (gpt) + Ag (gpt) * 0.0127 + Cu (%) * 1.6104 and use the same metal prices ($1,650/oz Au, $22/oz Ag, and $3.75/lb Cu) and metallurgical recoveries (90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu) used in the year-end 2023 mineral resource estimate for ELG Underground. Table 6 (continued): Drill results along the El Limon Deep Trend Drill Hole Program UTM-E (m) UTM-N (m) Elevation (m) Azimuth () Dip () Final Depth (m) Intercept Lithology/ Alteration From (m) To (m) Core Length (m) Au (gpt) Ag (gpt) Cu (%) AuEq (gpt) LDUG-364 Infill 422206.9 1989984.2 789.7 271.9 -17.0 348.0 302.60 330.00 27.40 4.67 14.6 0.39 5.48 Skarn LDUG-365 Step-out 422175.9 1990140.4 676.5 288.0 17.5 216.0 152.06 169.64 154.20 171.70 2.14 2.06 3.70 2.58 3.7 2.5 0.05 0.09 3.82 2.76 Skarn Skarn LDUG-366 Step-out 422175.9 1990139.0 675.3 261.0 -8.9 291.0 162.10 266.00 164.00 268.50 1.90 2.50 6.50 1.30 12.5 11.6 0.28 0.44 7.11 2.15 Skarn Skarn LDUG-368 Step-out 422176.0 1990139.0 675.0 260.8 -22.5 303.0 143.00 150.27 7.27 0.78 45.0 0.07 1.46 Skarn LDUG-374 Infill 422174.9 1990139.4 676.3 270.0 18.6 270.0 194.12 205.00 213.12 197.50 210.50 218.88 3.38 5.50 5.76 2.66 1.00 1.90 17.9 32.8 24.3 0.47 0.68 0.56 3.65 2.51 3.11 Skarn Skarn Skarn LDUG-377 Infill 422174.9 1990139.4 676.1 268.9 13.9 261.0 180.10 196.53 185.06 200.47 4.96 3.94 1.72 2.17 41.2 4.2 0.90 0.17 3.70 2.51 Skarn Skarn LDUG-380 Infill 422174.9 1990139.2 676.5 266.0 22.3 246.0 185.56 219.80 197.05 226.06 11.49 6.26 5.96 4.52 14.6 27.3 0.32 0.57 6.65 5.79 Skarn Skarn LDUG-381 Infill 422209.0 1990018.5 722.3 276.3 1.3 321.0 54.87 281.58 58.04 295.49 3.17 13.91 11.40 2.24 11.9 18.6 0.44 0.82 12.26 3.80 Skarn Skarn LDUG-382 Infill 422175.0 1990138.8 676.5 260.3 22.3 261.0 161.47 188.45 220.50 166.08 199.60 226.00 4.61 11.15 5.50 8.02 17.86 7.14 9.3 10.6 19.6 0.17 0.21 0.34 8.41 18.34 7.94 Skarn Skarn Skarn LDUG-386 Step-out 422175.1 1990138.8 676.0 260.1 11.5 282.0 151.00 240.40 159.00 255.00 8.00 14.60 5.01 1.12 16.5 3.2 0.24 0.09 5.61 1.31 Skarn Skarn Notes to Table 1) Drill hole intercepts are core length with true widths ranging between 80-100% of core length. True widths will be determined for brownfield and step-out holes once the geological modelling to define the ore controls is completed. 2) Core lengths subject to rounding. Core lengths reflect drilling core recovery of 98% 3) Coordinates are WGS 1984 UTM Zone 14N. 4) Torex is not aware of any drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data. 5) The gold equivalent grade calculation used is as follows: AuEq (gpt) = Au (gpt) + Ag (gpt) * 0.0127 + Cu (%) * 1.6104 and use the same metal prices ($1,650/oz Au, $22/oz Ag, and $3.75/lb Cu) and metallurgical recoveries (90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu) used in the year-end 2023 mineral resource estimate for ELG Underground. Table 7: Drill results along the Sub-Sill Trend Drill Hole Program UTM-E (m) UTM-N (m) Elevation (m) Azimuth () Intercept Lithology/ Alteration Dip () Final Depth (m) From (m) To (m) Core Length (m) Au (gpt) Ag (gpt) Cu (%) AuEq (gpt) LDUG-328 Infill 422292.0 1990579.1 741.2 276.6 -0.5 155.5 85.53 88.51 2.98 1.47 14.8 0.64 2.69 Skarn LDUG-330 Infill 422292.4 1990577.8 742.1 246.0 17.8 174.0 150.82 154.15 3.33 2.26 1.5 0.07 2.39 Skarn LDUG-331 Infill 422292.3 1990578.2 742.4 278.8 23.0 181.5 127.13 129.43 2.30 2.82 11.0 0.52 3.79 Skarn LDUG-333 Infill 422292.4 1990577.8 742.7 270.1 29.8 214.0 157.00 188.72 199.07 166.85 192.00 203.30 9.85 3.28 4.23 8.71 3.60 0.91 4.2 27.6 74.9 0.36 0.96 0.30 9.34 5.49 2.36 MSO/Skarn MSO/Skarn Skarn LDUG-335 Step-out 422293.1 1990725.8 764.7 257.8 23.5 270.0 No Skarn Intercept LDUG-337 Step-out 422299.6 1990430.1 719.6 273.6 9.8 207.0 No Significant Values Skarn LDUG-342 Step-out 422300.3 1990429.6 719.2 261.0 3.4 180.0 No Significant Values Skarn LDUG-348 Step-out 422292.0 1990579.4 742.6 293.3 22.1 180.0 91.60 95.00 3.40 0.21 6.6 0.23 0.66 Skarn/marble LDUG-349 Step-out 422292.3 1990577.5 741.7 263.9 10.0 150.0 130.50 135.68 5.18 1.25 3.7 0.07 1.42 Skarn SST-344 Infill 422211.1 1990128.8 675.0 97.0 -20.2 255.0 243.14 244.42 1.28 0.56 22.4 0.91 2.32 Skarn SST-345 Step-out 422210.9 1990128.9 674.8 96.9 -31.4 264.0 160.35 200.53 164.65 207.27 4.30 6.74 0.54 3.85 50.1 24.1 2.72 0.84 5.55 5.52 Skarn Skarn SST-346 Infill 422211.2 1990128.3 674.5 98.8 -47.3 180.0 156.84 159.96 3.12 0.22 48.9 1.86 3.84 Skarn SST-347 Infill 422211.1 1990128.3 674.4 99.2 -56.6 414.0 160.00 164.40 4.40 3.67 28.8 1.40 6.30 MSO/Skarn SST-348 Step-out 422209.3 1990018.1 720.8 91.3 -44.7 317.0 248.50 251.33 2.83 1.38 17.3 0.67 2.69 Skarn SST-349 Infill 422210.8 1990128.0 674.9 133.5 -21.2 120.0 66.55 79.57 13.02 18.89 4.0 0.14 19.17 Skarn SST-351 Infill 422211.3 1990127.7 674.9 129.0 -13.5 111.0 67.62 77.16 9.54 14.77 2.7 0.02 14.84 Skarn Notes to Table 1) Drill hole intercepts are core length with true widths ranging between 80-100% of core length. True widths will be determined for brownfield and step-out holes once the geological modelling to define the ore controls is completed. 2) Core lengths subject to rounding. Core lengths reflect drilling core recovery of 98% 3) Coordinates are WGS 1984 UTM Zone 14N. 4) Torex is not aware of any drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data. 5) The gold equivalent grade calculation used is as follows: AuEq (gpt) = Au (gpt) + Ag (gpt) * 0.0127 + Cu (%) * 1.6104 and use the same metal prices ($1,650/oz Au, $22/oz Ag, and $3.75/lb Cu) and metallurgical recoveries (90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu) used in the year-end 2023 mineral resource estimate for ELG Underground. Table 8: Drill results along the El Limon West Trend Drill Hole Program UTM-E (m) UTM-N (m) Elevation (m) Azimuth () Dip () Final Depth (m) Intercept Lithology/ Alteration From (m) To (m) Core Length (m) Au (gpt) Ag (gpt) Cu (%) AuEq (gpt) LS-316* Step-out 421827.0 1989766.3 1062.1 116.3 -54.7 352.0 63.09 69.38 6.29 4.53 0.9 0.00 4.55 Dike Veinlets LS-317 Step-out 421826.7 1989767.1 1062.3 75.8 -61.2 453.0 66.42 71.71 5.29 3.94 1.0 0.00 3.96 Dike Veinlets LS-319 Brown-field 422115.1 1989083.9 870.0 267.2 -53.7 282.0 213.00 216.19 3.19 4.45 15.1 0.18 4.93 Skarn LS-320 Brown-field 422078.0 1989085.5 868.3 267.4 -44.9 210.0 158.65 161.44 2.79 7.02 8.7 0.20 7.45 Skarn LS-321 Brown-field 422053.9 1989119.6 868.4 270.0 -60.5 222.0 167.30 170.47 3.17 9.38 146.9 2.76 15.69 Skarn LS-322 Brown- field 422054.9 1989119.6 868.3 260.3 -80.5 297.0 39.00 280.46 42.90 291.43 3.90 10.97 7.28 12.36 13.3 36.3 0.69 0.51 8.55 13.64 Breccia Skarn LS-323 Brown-field 422115.4 1989082.8 870.1 252.6 -55.0 267.0 No Significant Values LS-324 Brown-field 422054.7 1989119.9 868.2 296.7 -74.2 306.0 244.61 260.00 287.00 252.30 265.53 291.42 7.69 5.53 4.42 5.63 25.70 3.36 27.8 25.6 9.9 0.30 0.27 0.19 6.47 26.46 3.79 Skarn/ breccia Skarn Skarn LS-325 Brown-field 422114.0 1989082.5 870.1 272.0 -89.0 250.0 198.00 205.10 7.10 0.70 12.5 0.41 1.51 Skarn LS-326 Brown- field 422057.8 1989299.4 901.3 272.3 -67.8 189.0 122.50 167.00 126.53 178.17 4.03 11.17 1.47 3.78 17.7 14.2 0.64 0.78 2.73 5.22 Breccia Skarn LS-327 Brown-field 422058.0 1989299.5 901.3 271.6 -77.3 270.0 194.87 200.00 5.13 2.81 14.1 0.95 4.52 Skarn LS-334 Brown- field 422159.1 1989210.7 921.0 271.1 -57.9 414.0 287.84 339.77 289.53 342.00 1.69 2.23 3.59 3.22 45.1 130.4 0.11 0.36 4.35 5.45 Skarn Skarn Notes to Table * Previously reported. For more information on this result, please refer to the Company's press release titled Torex Gold reports positive results from the 2024 ELG Underground drilling program. 1) Drill hole intercepts are core length with true widths ranging between 80-100% of core length. True widths will be determined for brownfield and step-out holes once the geological modelling to define the ore controls is completed. 2) Core lengths subject to rounding. Core lengths reflect drilling core recovery of 98% 3) Coordinates are WGS 1984 UTM Zone 14N. 4) Torex is not aware of any drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data. 5) The gold equivalent grade calculation used is as follows: AuEq (gpt) = Au (gpt) + Ag (gpt) * 0.0127 + Cu (%) * 1.6104 and use the same metal prices ($1,650/oz Au, $22/oz Ag, and $3.75/lb Cu) and metallurgical recoveries (90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu) used in the year-end 2023 mineral resource estimate for ELG Underground. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232143 SOURCE: Torex Gold Resources Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 2, 2024) - Defence Therapeutics Inc. (CSE: DTC) (OTCQB: DTCFF) (FSE: DTC) ("Defence" or the "Company"), a Canadian biopharmaceutical company developing radiopharmaceuticals and ADC products using its proprietary platform and drug delivery technologies in addition to novel immune-oncology vaccines, is to hold its annual general and special meeting of the shareholders (the "Shareholders") of the Company on December 12th, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) at the office of McMillan LLP located at Royal Center, 1055 W. Georgia Street, Suite 1500, Vancouver, British Columbia (the "Meeting"). The Shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 4, 2024, are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting. The Shareholders are urged to vote before the proxy deadline of 10:00 a.m. on December 10th, 2024. The Information Circular of the Company dated November 8, 2024 (the "Circular") provides important information on the matters to be approved by the Shareholders at the Meeting and voting procedures. The Circular is being delivered to the Shareholders in compliance with applicable Canadian securities laws and available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Due to the ongoing Canada Post labour strike, the Shareholders may experience a delay in receiving the Circular and related materials in respect of the Meeting. All Shareholders are encouraged to access the Circular and related materials electronically and to vote in accordance with the instructions set forth in the Circular. Registered shareholders should complete all signed proxy forms as directed on the form of proxy no later than 48 hours prior to the Meeting. Beneficial owners can obtain a copy of the voting instructions form from their intermediary. About Defence: Defence Therapeutics is a publicly-traded clinical-stage biotechnology company developing and engineering the next generation of radio-immuno-conjugate and ADC products using its proprietary platform in addition to novel immune-oncology vaccines. The core of Defence Therapeutics platform is the ACCUM technology, which enables precision delivery of radio-immuno-conjugates or ADCs in their intact form to target cells, and vaccine antigens. As a result, increased efficacy and potency can be reached against catastrophic illness such as cancer and infectious diseases. Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information Neither the CSE nor its market regulator, as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE, accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232219 SOURCE: Defence Therapeutics Inc. Volkswagen faces a critical juncture as widespread warning strikes paralyze production across nine of its ten German facilities, with approximately 66,000 employees participating in the industrial action. The Wolfsburg headquarters alone saw 35,000 workers joining the protests, responding to the automaker's controversial cost-cutting proposals, including a 10% wage reduction and potential plant closures. The company's financial health shows significant strain, with operating margins dropping to 3.6% in the third quarter, though the company still managed to secure a profit of 1.58 billion euros in the first nine months of the year. The situation reflects deeper structural challenges, particularly in the electric vehicle segment, compounded by weakening new car demand and mounting competition from Chinese manufacturers. Industry Outlook Remains Uncertain Market analysts predict challenging times ahead for the German automotive giant, as the labor dispute threatens to escalate further. The IG Metall union maintains a firm stance against the company's maximum demands, warning of potential intensification in industrial action if management doesn't adjust its position. While experts consider the current two-hour work stoppages manageable, they caution about possible reputational damage if the conflict extends, with next week's negotiations viewed as pivotal for the dispute's resolution. Ad Fresh Volkswagen information released. What's the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends. Read our updated Volkswagen analysis... Sanofi to invest 1 bln euros in insulin production base in Beijing Xinhua) 13:29, December 03, 2024 BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- French pharma giant Sanofi will invest some 1 billion euros (about 1.05 billion U.S. dollars) to establish a new insulin production base in Beijing, according to the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA). On Monday, Sanofi signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology and the BDA Administrative Committee to build the facility in the city's southern area of Yizhuang. This will be Sanofi's fourth production-and-supply base in China and represents its largest single investment in the country to date. Sanofi Chief Executive Paul Hudson noted that the new production base featuring advanced automated production technologies, cutting-edge digital integrated management systems and sustainable environmental standards will further enhance the company's supply-chain resilience and efficiently address the growing needs of diabetes patients. Frederic Oudea, chairman of the board of directors of Sanofi, expressed the company's confidence in the long-term growth prospects of the Chinese market. He highlighted that China's policies of opening up and encouraging innovation, as well as the sound business environment for foreign enterprises, have strengthened Sanofi's commitment to participating in China's economic growth and advancing the high-quality development of its pharmaceutical industry. Headquartered in Paris, Sanofi has had a presence in China since establishing its office in 1982. The company operates multiple production and R&D facilities across the country. Its first production base in the BDA, built in 1995, has since become Sanofi's largest insulin injection production site in the Asia-Pacific region, serving therapeutic areas such as diabetes, cardiovascular health, internal medicine and oncology. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands--(Newsfile Corp. - December 2, 2024) - RFA Capital Holdings International Ltd. (RFACHIL) has announced the successful completion of the previously announced acquisition of a 51% majority interest in the newly formed Five Continents Holdings Ltd. (FCHL). FCHL owns 100% of Five Continents Financial Limited (Five Continents) and related entities, a leading wealth and investment management company in the Cayman Islands. RFACHIL is owned directly by RFA Capital Holdings Inc. (RFA) and indirectly by RFA's largest shareholder, Halcyon International and Mr. Steven Joyce. Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. Ben Rodney, President and CEO of RFA, states, "We are excited to complete this transaction and would like to thank our partners at Five Continents and our counsel at Appleby in Cayman and Borden Ladner Gervais in Toronto for their collaborative efforts in getting this deal across the line. More importantly, we would like to thank our Five Continents stakeholders and clients for their loyalty and trust through this process. The path ahead is an exciting one, with significant opportunities for those with us. We look forward to engaging personally with each of you in the days and weeks ahead." Bill Messer, President of Five Continents, expresses enthusiasm for the partnership and deal closing, stating, "This announcement marks the culmination of significant effort and time on the part of myself and Scott Elphinstone to ensure that we found the right partner for Five Continents. The RFACHIL principals share the same values and ethics, and are aligned in the vision and growth path ahead for Five Continents, bringing significant resources to ensure this comes to fruition The time spent to bring this transaction together has strengthened the ties between the personnel at RFACHIL and Five Continents and has built a solid foundation for the future." Steven Joyce, President and CEO of Halcyon International, states, "Halcyon continues to grow its footprint in the Cayman Islands and is committed to do so in the future by being a constructive participant and contributor to economic and philanthropic endeavours. We have a genuine admiration for the Cayman Islands and are thrilled to grow our interests here." Five Continents is one of the largest independently owned and best-in-class discretionary wealth and investment managers in the Cayman Islands. It is licensed by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) and is one of the oldest fully regulated asset managers in the Cayman Islands. Founded in 1993, in partnership with N.M. Rothschild & Sons Ltd., Five Continents has successfully been managed by its ownership and senior management team for 30 years. With the team remaining in place, Five Continents will continue to provide a comprehensive suite of wealth management services, including discretionary asset management focused on investment portfolios for high-net-worth individuals and families, corporations, captive insurance companies, pension plans, and trusts. The firm also offers professional services, including company incorporation and administration. Founded in 1996, RFA is a privately held Canadian-owned investment firm grounded in real estate, asset management and banking. RFA manages real estate portfolios and participates in financial transactions, REITs, and direct investments. Combined, the RFA Group of companies has over $60 Billion in assets under management and administration. In 2019, RFA acquired Street Capital Bank of Canada, a Canadian federally regulated Schedule I Bank, now RFA Bank of Canada. Halcyon International is a private investment company controlled by Mr. Joyce, with interests in real estate, financial securities, private equity, and banking, dating back to over 60 years of investing and building businesses. Halcyon evolved from the Joyce family co-founding restaurant chain Tim Hortons and building the multinational coffeehouse into one of the world's most successful brands. Halcyon, through the Joyce Family Foundation, a half-billion-dollar philanthropic organization, gives back to communities across Canada with a focus on youth through access to education, and mental health. RFA Capital, Five Continents, and Halcyon International To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10352/232258_c4d79902242c9a7b_001full.jpg To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232258 SOURCE: RFA Capital Holdings Inc. King, North Carolina--(Newsfile Corp. - December 2, 2024) - Comfort Control Systems NC has shared a detailed guide on things new homeowners should consider when installing and maintaining new HVAC systems. The guide is part of the company's ongoing efforts to educate homeowners on vital topics related to HVAC systems. It provides a step-by-step breakdown of the installation process and highlights important considerations, common pitfalls, and expert tips to help ensure a seamless and efficient system setup. The article provides a comprehensive overview of HVAC system selection, installation, and maintenance, offering practical advice tailored to new homeowners. It covers topics such as assessing HVAC needs, choosing the right system, and preparing for installation, along with expert insights into maintaining system efficiency and performance. Readers are invited to explore the full guide on the company's blog, which includes detailed steps and tips to streamline the HVAC installation process and ensure long-term energy savings. Comfort Control Systems NC emphasizes the importance of connecting the indoor and outdoor units to the ductwork, power supply, and thermostat, as well as linking electrical and gas lines and adding refrigerants. Afterward, homeowners should ensure the systems are tested and technicians conduct final inspections. Homeowners are also encouraged to schedule annual checkups and contact a professional if they notice any issue with their system. The HVAC company King acknowledges that installing a new system can be intimidating to most people and that most new homeowners might not be familiar with the process. Fortunately, with the right approach and a reliable, experienced contractor, the process can be smooth and hassle-free, making the moving process more enjoyable. With this new guide, Comfort Control Systems NC reaffirms its commitment to empowering homeowners with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their HVAC systems. Visit the company's blog section to access the full guide and take the first step toward a more comfortable, energy-efficient home. About Comfort Control Systems NC: Comfort Control Systems NC serves property owners in King, North Carolina. The company offers professional installations, repairs, emergency services, and routine maintenance checks while giving each project an individualized approach and assisting clients in making the best decision. Additionally, the contractor is committed to educating homeowners on various issues, such as signs their systems need repairs and ways to maximize their HVAC efficiency. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232280 SOURCE: GetFeatured Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - StrategX Elements Corp. (CSE: STGX) ("StrategX" or the "Company") has mobilized and established key logistics for its 2025 exploration program at the Nagvaak Project ("Nagvaak"). Nagvaak represents a geological discovery with the potential to delineate a significant critical metals deposit on the Melville Peninsula. New regional exploration efforts and recently analyzed data have also highlighted a series of additional prospective targets. Key Developments: New Regional Targets Identified : Recent surface exploration efforts have identified additional critical metals targets (copper, nickel, vanadium, cobalt and graphite) within a 200 km by 100 km area in the same sedimentary belt hosting Nagvaak, showcasing the region's substantial untapped potential. (See Figure 1.) : Recent surface exploration efforts have identified additional critical metals targets (copper, nickel, vanadium, cobalt and graphite) within a 200 km by 100 km area in the same sedimentary belt hosting Nagvaak, showcasing the region's substantial untapped potential. (See Figure 1.) Drill Site & Base Camp: The Company has successfully positioned a drill rig at the first priority target site and completed the establishment of a base camp to support the 2025 drill campaign at Nagvaak. (See Figure 2.) The Company has successfully positioned a drill rig at the first priority target site and completed the establishment of a base camp to support the 2025 drill campaign at Nagvaak. (See Figure 2.) Supply Chain Established : Three container shipments of equipment and materials were delivered to the Melville Peninsula in September and October, ensuring a robust inventory to support future exploration activities. : Three container shipments of equipment and materials were delivered to the Melville Peninsula in September and October, ensuring a robust inventory to support future exploration activities. Community Engagement : StrategX continues fostering strong relationships with local communities, prioritizing local employment and partnering with an Inuit-owned company to manage the camp and provide logistical support. : StrategX continues fostering strong relationships with local communities, prioritizing local employment and partnering with an Inuit-owned company to manage the camp and provide logistical support. Operational Planning: Final preparations are underway to secure contractors for the 2025 exploration program, utilizing innovative and cost-effective approaches to maximize operational efficiency and extend the exploration season. StrategX is focused on advancing Nagvaak as its flagship project, aiming to define a world-class critical metals deposit in Canada. With the summer financing having raised $4.5 million (see StrategX news release June 25th, 2024), the Company is well positioned to achieve its objectives, supporting both the global green energy transition and national supply chain security. The establishment of a field base camp on the Melville Peninsula (see Figure 3.) is essential to support the success of future exploration programs developing a new critical metals province in Canada. This underexplored region exhibits geological similarities to other Proterozoic sedimentary belts hosting large-scale critical mineral deposits, providing a strong foundation for future discoveries. StrategX filed its third-quarter results on November 29th, 2024, on SEDAR. Figure 1. Melville Critical Metals Regional Belt Exploration Focus. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8512/232282_64aac6cd2489582b_006full.jpg Figure 2. Diamond drill rig set up at the first target site DDH1 at Nagvaak for the 2025 drill campaign. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8512/232282_strategxcorp002.jpg Figure 3. - StrategX's field base camp. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8512/232282_64aac6cd2489582b_009full.jpg About StrategX StrategX is an exploration company focused on discovering critical metal deposits in Canada. With five strategic projects situated on the East Arm of the Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories and on the Melville Peninsula in Nunavut, we are pioneering exploration discoveries in these untapped regions. By integrating historical exploration data and applying innovative exploration methodology, StrategX is offering investors a unique opportunity to be part of multiple discoveries of new critical metal districts. These important metals are essential for supporting the global green energy transition and national supply chain security. For the latest updates and insights, visit our Investor Portal. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Darren G. Bahrey CEO, President & Director For further information about the Company, please visit our website at www.strategXcorp.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information All statements included in this press release that address activities, events, or developments that the Company expects, believes, or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by the Company based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. In addition, these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections, and other forward-looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond the Company's control. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to revise or update these forward-looking statements after the date hereof or revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232282 SOURCE: Strategx Elements Corp. Partners Group / Key word(s): Acquisition Partners Group agrees to acquire real estate platform Empira Group 03.12.2024 / 07:00 CET/CEST Baar-Zug, Switzerland; 3 December 2024 Empira Group has a EUR 14 billion Gross Development Value portfolio of European and US residential property The transaction advances Partners Group's real estate acquisition strategy of enhancing vertical depth in key sectors The acquisition comes at a pivotal moment for the real estate industry where future performance depends on operational excellence Partners Group, one of the largest firms in the global private markets industry, has agreed to acquire Empira Group, a premier real estate investment platform. The transaction will enhance Partners Group's position as a global real estate investor and support its ambitious growth plans as the asset class enters a new paradigm for investing. The acquisition is anticipated to close in H1 2025, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals; it is not expected to have a material impact on Partners Group's financial results in 2025.[1] Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Switzerland, Empira Group is one of the most respected vertically integrated real estate investment managers focused on the residential sector, with a portfolio with a Gross Development Value[2] of around EUR 14 billion. Empira Group's investment strategies include European residential; US residential; transition-to-green, which involves creating value through sustainability initiatives; and real estate credit. Within its real estate credit segment, Empira Group offers a range of financing solutions, including senior and junior loans, whole-loan and mezzanine financing, preferred equity, and joint venture opportunities. With over 250 employees across 13 global offices, Empira Group leverages its in-house expertise to create value across the real estate life cycle - from sourcing, investment, and development to fund management and property operations. Following the acquisition, Empira Group will continue to operate under its existing brand as part of Partners Group, with the ambition to become a pan-European platform. The transaction comes at an inflection point for the global real estate industry, as the asset class moves beyond traditional asset management to focus on transformational investing and operational excellence to generate attractive returns for clients. In line with this industry shift, Partners Group has devised a real estate acquisition strategy that seeks to amplify its vertical depth in high-conviction sectors, such as residential and logistics, through select investments in high-performing specialist fund managers and operators. Empira Group's investment strategy closely aligns with Partners Group's focus on the two Giga Themes of New Living and Decarbonization & Sustainability, and in particular the revolutionary shifts in residential demand caused by factors including migration, hybrid working, undersupply of affordable, high-quality rental properties for "Generation Rent", and increased emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency. These trends have focused Partners Group around the high-conviction strategies of lifestyle residential, urban living, affordable housing, and transition-to-green, all of which are operationally intensive themes requiring hands-on management. With this transaction, Empira will give Partners Group access to wider and more granular sector coverage, proprietary transactions, and enhanced operating substance through its established capabilities. The terms of the transaction remain undisclosed. Karim Habra, Global Co-Head Real Estate, Partners Group, says: "This strategic acquisition supports Partners Group's long-term growth in real estate and brings Empira Group's operational expertise to our established global investment platform at a pivotal moment for the real estate industry. The significant development and operator skills gained from this acquisition position Partners Group to lead in this evolving landscape, moving beyond traditional ownership strategies to embrace a new era of asset transformation and innovation. We are delighted to welcome Lahcen Knapp and the wider Empira team to Partners Group." Lahcen Knapp, Founder and Chairman, Empira Group, states: "Empira Group's investment focus and entrepreneurial spirit is strongly aligned with that of Partners Group. We believe the combination of our expertise and resources with Partners Group's powerful private markets platform will enable us to better source, build, and manage residential real estate for a new era. Together, we will find innovative solutions to capitalize on the broad secular growth trends driving the asset class. This acquisition marks a new chapter in Empira's history, at a time when the industry requires a renewed focus on operational depth." Partners Group's acquisition of Empira Group follows earlier strategic investments in Trinity Investments, a US-based hospitality-focused real estate investor, in April 2024, and Citivale, a UK-based logistics real estate developer and asset manager, in February 2024. Partners Group's Real Estate business has a global portfolio with a total Gross Asset Value[3] of USD 43 billion and USD 15.9 billion in Assets under Management[4]. [1] Empira will be recognized in Partners Group's Assets under Management (AuM) numbers and guidance once closing has taken place. [2] Gross Development Value is a metric showing the estimated market value that a property or development is expected to have once it is completed and either sold or rented out. Gross Development Value must not be mistaken for AuM. [3] Gross Asset Value is a metric that is used to describe the current market value of all assets held within a real estate portfolio, without deducting debt. Figure as of 30 September 2024. [4] AuM is an Alternative Performance Metric (APM). A description of the APMs can be found in Partners Group's Interim Report 2024 (p.22 & 23), available for download at http://www.partnersgroup.com/en/shareholders/reports-presentations/ . Figure as of 30 June 2024. About Partners Group Partners Group is one of the largest firms in the global private markets industry, with around 1'800 professionals and approximately USD 150 billion in overall assets under management. The firm has investment programs and custom mandates spanning private equity, private credit, infrastructure, real estate, and royalties. With its heritage in Switzerland and primary presence in the Americas in Colorado, Partners Group is built differently from the rest of the industry. The firm leverages its differentiated culture and its operationally oriented approach to identify attractive investment themes and to transform businesses and assets into market leaders. For more information, please visit www.partnersgroup.com or follow us on LinkedIn . About Empira Group Empira Group is a leading player in alternative investments across Europe and the US, with a portfolio with a Gross Development Value of around EUR 14 billion. It offers institutional investors a vertically integrated platform for participation and financing solutions, and its real estate and capital market specialists have expertise across the entire residential and office real estate value chain. With its headquarters in Zug, Switzerland, and offices in Germany, Luxembourg, the US, the UK, Sweden and Austria, it is well-positioned to serve its clients' needs globally. Shareholder relations contact Philip Sauer Phone: +41 41 784 66 60 Email: philip.sauer@partnersgroup.com Media relations contact Alec Zimmermann Phone: +41 41 784 69 68 Email: alec.zimmermann@partnersgroup.com End of Media Release Avolta AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous Avolta Next launches an Innovation Hub in Milan - the company's first physical space for innovation and start-ups 03.12.2024 / 07:21 CET/CEST Avolta Next opens a physical space dedicated to accelerating tech innovations focused on the food and beverage (F&B) sector. The five winners of an initial call for ideas have set up their operations at the Milan headquarters of Avolta's leading F&B operator Autogrill and will develop innovative solutions and tools to improve the traveler experience. The Avolta Next Hub Milan is a testament to Avolta's approach to innovation and its role in a major industry transformation. Leading global travel experience player, Avolta (SIX: AVOL) launched an innovation hub for startups at its Milan office last week, dedicated to Avolta's business in F&B and motorways, and with the aim to create a community of creative minds developing projects in close contact with industry experts. Under its innovation and ventures arm, Avolta Next, the company put out a call for ideas dedicated to F&B and motorways in December 2023, attracting more than 100 applications from four continents. From this pool, five start-ups were selected to set up their businesses in the new 220-square-metre hub. The start-ups will find their new home inside the historical headquarters of Autogrill, now the Avolta office in Milan, located next to the Factory Food Designers, the company's incubator of ideas where the flavors, products and concepts that Avolta uses in its F&B locations around the world are born - created thanks to a research and development strategy focused on quality, food safety, sustainability and technology. The group of international start-ups will develop innovative solutions to improve the competitiveness of the motorway F&B sector's services. One example is Hoooly! developer of an AI and robotics-based waste bin that automatically separates waste and offers detailed analyzes to improve efficiency and sustainability. Last week Avolta celebrated the unveiling of Avolta Next Milan, including the opportunities, projects, and key figures, at Avolta's Milan headquarters. Alongside a tour of the facilities and press Q&A, the event featured a dialogue between Professor Luciano Floridi, Director of the Centre for Digital Ethics at Yale University, Alessandro Benetton, President of Edizione, and Xavier Rossinyol, CEO of Avolta, all moderated by well-known Italian journalist Mia Ceran. "Every great idea needs a nurturing environment to flourish. Avolta Next Milan is one of the places where Avolta brings the industry's major transformation to life, fueled by the contributions of innovative start-ups that share our passion for innovation and excellence," commented Alessandro Benetton, Chairman of Edizione and Honorary Chairman of Avolta. "I am delighted to see how the success of the Innovation Hub at Aeroporti di Roma has inspired Avolta to launch a similar initiative in another sector. This is a testament to our DNA, which we aim to spread further to create new global champions." "We are the first to seamlessly unite travel retail, travel convenience, and F&B on a large scale, operating at a unique intersection that sets us apart," says Xavier Rossinyol, CEO of Avolta. "When we talk about innovation at Avolta, we mean transforming the experience for travelers, using new technologies, global data and AI to accelerate change. Collaboration with start-ups and young entrepreneurs is key to going all the way and doing it fast, like in other companies inspired by Edizione. Avolta Next Milan is proof that we mean innovation in Italy and beyond, just as Autogrill has done for decades." For further information: CONTACT Cathy Jongens Rebecca McClellan Director Corporate Communications Global Head Investor Relations Phone: +41 79 288 09 36 Phone: +44 7543 800 405 cathy.jongens@avolta.net rebecca.mcclellan@avolta.net End of Media Release Bureau Veritas, a global leader in Testing, Inspection, and Certification services, announces the acquisition of LBS Luxury Brands Services S.R.L. Group, a leader in quality assurance and quality control in the luxury industry. This acquisition is in line with Bureau Veritas' LEAP 28 strategy to strengthen its positioning and offering in the luxury and fashion industries while reinforcing its supply chain solutions as well as its presence in the Italian market. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241202474125/en/ Hinda Gharbi, CEO Bureau Veritas (Photo: Business Wire) The acquisition of LBS Group marks a milestone for Bureau Veritas' Consumer Products Services division, as it strengthens its presence in upstream services, augmenting its capacity to deliver supply chain quality and sustainability services. It is a key move that adds new expertise to Bureau Veritas portfolio in the accessories segment and establishes the Group as a premier end-to-end service provider for high-end fashion brands. Since its establishment in 2013, LBS Group has become a strategic partner for top premium and luxury brands. The Company provides both laboratory and upstream supply chain quality management services, with recognized expertise in the accessories metal hardware segment as well as in raw material and finished products. Known for its innovative sustainability solutions, LBS optimizes quality and eliminates finished product defects through process improvements at its clients' production sites. The company, headquartered in Italy, delivered revenues of 8.8 million in 2023 through its network of over 100 specialists located near production hubs in Europe. Hinda Gharbi, Chief Executive Officer of Bureau Veritas, commented: "M&A is an essential component of Bureau Veritas' LEAP | 28 strategy. With the acquisition of LBS Group, Bureau Veritas has closed 10 acquisitions since the beginning of the year. LBS Group's capabilities in quality assurance strengthen our presence in upstream services for the luxury sector. It positions Bureau Veritas as a preferred partner in the luxury industry assurance market for the world's leading brands. I am delighted to welcome all our new colleagues from LBS Group to Bureau Veritas." Luca Cartocci, LBS Group CEO and Founder, added: "All our team members are honored to join Bureau Veritas' global network, which is well positioned for growth into the luxury segment with huge market potential to expand our unique and innovative solutions as well as our shared values of integrity and high level of service delivery. Joining forces with Bureau Veritas will create a global integrated platform experience that can flexibly and expertly assist the fashion industry in the Premium and Luxury segments in corporate compliance, global market access, supply chain compliance, production quality assurance and quality control, as well as solutions and consulting on process and product sustainability." About Bureau Veritas Bureau Veritas is a world leader in inspection, certification, and laboratory testing services with a powerful purpose: to shape a world of trust by ensuring responsible progress. With a vision to be the preferred partner for its customers' excellence and sustainability, the company innovates to help them navigate change. Created in 1828, Bureau Veritas' 83,000 employees deliver services in 140 countries. The company's technical experts support customers to address challenges in quality, health and safety, environmental protection, and sustainability. Bureau Veritas is listed on Euronext Paris and belongs to the CAC 40 ESG, CAC Next 20, SBF 120 indices and is part of the CAC SBT 1.5 index. Compartment A, ISIN code FR 0006174348, stock symbol: BVI. For more information, visit www.bureauveritas.com, and follow us on LinkedIn. About LBS Luxury Brands Services S.R.L. Group LBS is a laboratory specializing in quality control for products in the fashion industry, from leather goods to footwear. It stands out from the competition, providing clients with qualitative and procedural expertise in test results. LBS uses state-of-the-art instrumentation to perform chemical and toxicological analysis on product materials, assessing the impact on the environment and consumer health, and conducts physical-mechanical tests to evaluate product performance. LBS was founded in 2013 with the need to make tertiary some industrial experiences in the field of quality related to the world of leather goods, footwear and bijoux, with specific references to the metal accessory. For more information, visit https://luxurybrandservices.it/ and follow us on Linkedin. Our information is certified with blockchain technology. Check that this press release is genuine at www.wiztrust.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241202474125/en/ Contacts: ANALYST/INVESTOR CONTACTS Laurent Brunelle +33 (0)1 55 24 76 09 laurent.brunelle@bureauveritas.com Colin Verbrugghe +33 (0)1 55 24 77 80 colin.verbrugghe@bureauveritas.com Karine Ansart +33 (0)1 55 24 76 19 karine.ansart@bureauveritas.com MEDIA CONTACTS Anette Rey + 33 (0)6 69 79 84 88 anette.rey@bureauveritas.com Martin Bovo +33 (0) 6 14 46 79 94 martin.bovo@bureauveritas.com HONG KONG, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Automated Multiplex Diagnostics System developed by Professor Terence Lau, Interim Chief Innovation Officer of Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), has been recommended in the 2024 Compendium of Innovative Health Technologies for Low-resource Settings published by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an innovative technology with the potential to contribute positively to health systems in low- and middle-income countries. Enabling rapid detection of multiple pathogens The Compendium published by WHO identifies commercially available solutions and prototypes which help address the challenge of low-resource settings, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, in their access to appropriate, affordable, effective, and safe health technologies to tackle infectious diseases, as well as the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases brought about by cardiovascular issues, cancers, chronic respiratory conditions, and diabetes. The System can fully automate conventional laboratory-based PCR (polymerase chain reaction) processes in an all-in-one system with three elements: an analytical machine, a microfluidic reagent cartridge, and software. Its proprietary design enables the simultaneous detection of 42 respiratory pathogens, including 28 viruses, 11 bacteria and 3 fungi, in less than 1.5 hours without the need for a resource-intensive laboratory, multiple equipment, or specially trained technicians while maintaining superior sensitivity and specificity. Technology ready for market access Apart from its extraordinary performance, it also provides advantages in terms of costs, turnaround time, and the ability to analyse more targets at once. It is selected as one of the 21 highlighted health technologies in the Compendium in the category of prototypes. Its technology readiness level (TRL) - an estimate of the maturity of a technology - is classified as TRL 8, meaning that it is a technology that has undergone large-scale testing leading to regulatory approval with further evidence generated. It is close to the most mature technology level of TRL 9, which means market access and adoption are ready. The System is invented by a local research team led by Professor Terence Lau. Their idea of developing a fully automated, accurate, fast, and affordable multiple-pathogen molecular diagnostic device has emerged since 2015. It has been further developed to support the simultaneous detection of 40 targets, including SARS-CoV-2 which led to the COVID-19 outbreak, amid the soaring demand for timely and decentralised diagnostics in 2020. The startup which Professor Lau co-founded has also paved the way for the System's commercialisation, and has established ISO 13485 accredited production sites in Hong Kong and the Mainland, supplying the System to hospitals and clinics for usage. Promoting equitable access and decentralised testing "The System can identify infectious diseases and even non-communicable diseases, and is suitable for other non-medical applications. With the support from the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme (RAISe+) from the Innovation and Technology Commission, we target to develop multiple applications to further advance the System to make it smaller, faster and more cost effective," said Professor Lau. "With this System, we will be able to provide a comprehensive solution that can eventually promote equitable access and decentralised testing for an effective and high-quality healthcare system which WHO emphasises," he added. "This project is a real showcase of the journey from university research to commercialisation and application, demonstrating HKBU scientists' dedication to transferring knowledge to benefit our society, not only to Hong Kong but also to the Nation and the world," said Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU. The System's clinical evaluation was carried out in two public hospitals, the Public Health Laboratory Centre, the Department of Health of the HKSAR Government, and was funded by the Public Sector Trial Scheme of the Innovation and Technology Fund. Surveillance research also started at a district center for disease control and prevention in the Mainland to develop a surveillance system that provides alerts on emerging trends of seasonal and regional prevalent pathogens, as well as early warnings on potential disease outbreaks. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2571803/20241203_1.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hkbu-scientists-automated-multiplex-diagnostics-system-recommended-by-who-as-an-innovative-health-technology-for-low-resource-contexts-302320579.html CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Japanese yen weakened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Tuesday.The yen fell to 157.53 against the euro, 189.94 against the pound and 169.06 against the Swiss franc, from yesterday's closing quotes of 157.02, 189.31 and 168.65, respectively.Against the U.S., Australia, the New Zealand and the Canadian dollars, the yen slipped to 150.24, 97.19, 88.29 and 106.92 from Monday's closing quotes of 149.59, 96.80, 88.05 and 106.46, respectively.If the yen extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 160.00 against the euro, 192.00 against the pound, 175.00 against the franc, 157.00 against the greenback, 102.00 against the aussie, 92.00 against the kiwi and 111.00 against the loonie.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Smart kiosks to operate in the United Kingdom, France, Benelux, Spain, and Switzerland Deliverect, a leading global food tech SaaS company, today announced the acquisition of Tabesto, the first all-in-one restaurant and fast-food ordering and payment kiosk. Now, restaurant owners and operators who trust Deliverect to manage and increase their online orders can also transform their in-store service experience with Tabesto's smart ordering and payment software technology. As part of the acquisition, Deliverect will gain 60 new employees, with Guillaume Hourmant--Tabesto CEO and co-founder--acting as Head of Deliverect Kiosk, where he will be responsible for ongoing product strategy. Tabesto will be a product of Deliverect and operate in France and Switzerland. Deliverect Kiosk will also be available in the UK, Benelux, and Spain, with plans to expand further into Europe and other regions in the following months and globally over the course of the next year. Research shows that the global self-service market is expected to reach $63 billion by 2027, up from $40 billion in 2022. With the addition of Tabesto's kiosk technology, Deliverect is enabling omnichannel customers to further digitize their restaurant businesses. The implementation of Tabesto order terminals ??dramatically streamline the order-taking process, effectively reducing lines and transforming the in-store service experience. Tabesto kiosks have been shown to optimize operational management and increase sales by up to 30%. "At Deliverect, our vision has always been to help the food service community thrive in the digital age," said Zhong Xu, Deliverect CEO and co-founder. "Today's consumer wants the best of both worlds -- they're looking for speed alongside a premium experience. The acquisition of Tabesto enables us to further support both on- and off-premise ordering experiences. Allowing restaurants to manage their menus operations centrally across all their digital channels. We remain committed to this goal--exploring options to further expand the coverage of Deliverect into other regions organically as well through M&A--and are thrilled to have Tabesto's technology and brilliant team join Deliverect in this mission." Tabesto kiosks are customizable, can integrate with existing suppliers, and are adaptable to any restaurant and POS. With both integrated tap pay payment as with external payment terminal expertise, Tabesto enables a seamless and flexible payment experience, offering restaurants secure, versatile, and efficient payment options. The ability to edit with ease--publishing kiosk menus alongside all other digital menus from a single screen--offers a more comprehensive, all-in-one solution for restaurant owners and operators. Tabesto's 1,500 existing customers will receive the same support they have come to trust, alongside access to Deliverect's global resources to empower them on their journey to become omnichannel. "We're thrilled to join forces with Deliverect, a leader in food tech innovation," added Guillaume Hourmant. "This acquisition allows both of our companies to amplify our shared mission to transform the restaurant industry through digital solutions. By integrating our all-in-one ordering and payment kiosks with Deliverect's extensive SaaS ecosystem, we can help more restaurants worldwide embrace the power of digitization, driving efficiency and elevating the dining experience. This partnership marks an exciting new chapter for our team and the industry as a whole." This deal is the latest milestone for Deliverect, following the launch of Deliverect Pulse--a powerful marketing intelligence platform that improves visibility and ROI among third-party delivery apps--and Deliverect Retail, an order and delivery solution for the grocery and convenience sector. The Tabesto acquisition positions the company for continued growth across the EU while furthering its mission to provide a complete solution for digital food ordering. To learn more about this and other Deliverect solutions, visit www.deliverect.com. About Deliverect Deliverect is a global ecosystem of on and off-premise solutions for digital sales. Its API-first software helps enterprises of all sizes to sell anywhere and deliver everywhere across 52+ global markets. Currently, Deliverect powers 50,000+ establishments, including renowned chains like Burger King, Little Caesars, and Pret A Manger. To find out more information, visit deliverect.com. About Tabesto Tabesto develops a range of intelligent solutions for the restaurant and retail sectors. Specializing in order taking and payment, Tabesto has been innovating since its creation by leveraging technological partnerships and expertise that address the evolving needs of its customers. The goal is to provide a seamless and fast ordering and payment experience. Present in over 1,500 locations and available in more than 15 countries, Tabesto increases the average transaction amount by 15% to 30%. Tabesto's mission is to become the European leader in order taking and payment. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203248801/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: deliverect@dottedlinecomm.com The exclusive, new collection of luxurious body care and fragrances is inspired by and tailored to Gen Zalpha's everyday lifestyles HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Global fashion brand Claire's is continuing its evolution within the beauty category with the launch of C by Claire's, an exclusive line of fragrances and body care products designed to help Gen Zalpha feel their most confident. Building on the success of Claire's existing body care product collection, the new line gives consumers even more bespoke scents to love and furthers Claire's impact in the category. The new collection features luxurious foaming moisturisers, bath and body scrubs, fragrances, hair and body mists, and more, meeting consumers' demands for beauty products that help them feel empowered in the same way that the brand's signature fashion accessories have for over 50 years. C by Claire's is crafted with high-quality ingredients in delightful, original scents like Cherry Bliss, Cloudberry Fizz, Watermelon Kiss, and Salted Caramel, with many catering to the growing gourmand scent trend. Each product is presented in vibrant packaging that reflects the bold, expressive spirit of Claire's and its consumers. A marquee of this collection, Claire's is introducing an all-new signature fragrance, aptly titled "Be The Most" in a nod to the brand's platform rooted in self-expression. The fragrance boasts a delicate blend of pistachio, vanilla musk, silky sandalwood, and Italian citrus, ideal for both everyday wear and special occasions. "At Claire's, we continually seek innovative ways to engage with our consumers and provide the products, categories, and experiences that excite them," said Meghan Hurley, VP of Marketing at Claire's. "We know beauty is a space that our Gen Zalpha consumers are passionate about, and we're thrilled to give them another avenue to express themselves through this new collection." Supporting the collection is Claire's CGI-centric Christmas campaign which comes to life across the brand's retail, digital and social channels spotlighting Claire's as the ultimate destination for the gift-giving season across jewellery, toys, tech and more. In time for the festive season, the line also includes gift sets and a "7 Days of Claire's" advent calendar with daily surprises that are sure to delight. C by Claire's is the latest launch in Claire's evolution into a full-fledged Gen Zalpha lifestyle brand. Priced from 12.00 to 25.00, C by Claire's is now available in stores and online at Claires.com and will further expand with new products to love, offering even more reasons to shop at Claire's. Follow along @Clairesstores to stay in the know on the latest collections, style tips, and more. About Claire's Holdings LLC Claire's Holdings LLC is a fully integrated, global fashion brand powerhouse committed to inspiring self-expression through the creation and delivery of exclusive, well-curated products and experiences. For over 50 years, Claire's has been a destination for the curious, creative and influential and an industry-leader in ear piercing services, delivering a trendsetting assortment of fashion products and accessories that help young people worldwide style and define themselves. Through its global brands, Claire's and Icing, the company delivers an immersive, omnichannel shopping experience with owned and concession stores throughout North America and Europe as well as franchise stores in the Middle East and South Africa. More information regarding Claire's is available at corporate.claires.com. MEDIA CONTACTS Katie Settle, Katie.Settle@claires.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2556170/2024_CL_C_By_Claires_Beauty_Bagstuffer_001_R_sRGB__1.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1631509/Claires_Stores_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/claires-continues-momentum-in-beauty-with-the-introduction-of-c-by-claires-302304908.html by David Kordahl Theres an old story, popularized by the mathematician Augustus De Morgan (1806-1871) in A Budget of Paradoxes, about a visit of Denis Diderot to the court of Catherine the Great. In the story, the Empresss circle had heard enough of Diderots atheism, and came up with a plan to shut him up. De Morgan writes, Diderot was informed that a learned mathematician was in possession of an algebraical demonstration of the existence of God, and would give it him before all the Court, if he desired to hear it. Diderot gladly consented: though the name of the mathematician is not given, it was Euler. He advanced towards Diderot, and said gravely, and in a tone of perfect conviction: Monsieur, (a + bn) / n = x, donc Dieu existe; repondez! Diderot, to whom algebra was Hebrew, was embarrassed and disconcerted; while peals of laughter rose on all sides. He asked permission to return to France at once, which was granted. De Morgan concedes that the story may not be true, yet even at face value, its a puzzling anecdote. De Morgan tells us that Euler was a believer in God, downright and straightforward. Its obvious that an algebraic expression has no bearing on Gods existence. In the story, Diderot misses that point (the historical Diderot was not, in fact, so ignorant), but it leads the modern reader to wonderso what? Diderot may or may not have been an overly dogmatic atheist, but should a downright and straightforward believer really defend his beliefs with bullshit? The modern reader might then ask a followup question. What questionable claims today have been made harder to dismiss by cloaking them in math? A few possibilities from economics and psychology come to mind, but this column will discuss a new book that advances the charge against quantum physics. Escape from Shadow Physics: The Quest to End the Dark Ages of Quantum Theory, by Adam Forrest Kay, forwards some complaints that readers of popular physics may find find a little familiar (cf. Sabine Hossenfelders Lost in Math, or Adam Beckers What Is Real?), but Kay introduces enough historical and philosophical breadth to make his version my new favorite of the bunch, if with some reservations about its conclusions. When I ordered Escape from Shadow Physics, Ill admit I thought I knew exactly what I was about to review. The author description boasts that Kay has doctorates in both literature and math, and is now a math postdoc at MIT. I figured that Kay was probably a follower of David Bohm (1917-1992), who argued for a particle and wave interpretation of quantum phenomena, an interpretation thatfor reasons well get to belowhas always smelled funny to most physicists. But Kay is not a dogmatic Bohmian, and his interest in quantum questions comes from a sort of second coming of the particle + guiding wave scheme. Kay is interested in hydrodynamic quantum analogs (HQAs), systems that are big enough to be observed with ordinary cameras, but which model effects that are usually attributed to quantum physics. These were discovered about two decades ago, and involve little oil droplets that persistently bounce on the surface of an externally vibrated bath. If you havent seen them before, you may want to take a look at the video by Derek Muller (a.k.a., Veritasium), embedded below. Hydrodynamic quantum analogs arise from the ordinary wave behavior of ordinary fluids, at the temperatures and pressures that we experience every day. The quantum analogy arises because, when containers of such fluids are vibrated in particular ways, they can sustain droplets that bounce for indefinitely long periods on their surfaces without recombining with the bathi.e., they show us particles (the droplets) whose behavior is directed by waves (the fluid surface). Which is, of course, quite suggestive, and sounds more than a little like David Bohms version of quantum theory. But I had been aware that there were people who didnt think that HQAs were living up to their initial promise. For instance, I remembered this headline from Quanta from a few years ago: Famous Experiment Dooms Alternative to Quantum Weirdness. What was that all about? Kay talks about it in Chapter 24 (Diffracting Droplets), and feels that the Quanta article misrepresented the case. Consider the standard version of the double slit experiment the famous experiment to which the headline above refers. Two thin slits are carved into a screen, and quantum particles (photons, electrons, whatever) are then sent toward it. When they are measured at a second surface downstream, each particle shows up a seemingly random place. But when many such particles are measured, their statistics resemble what one would observe from interacting waves. Richard Feynman famously commented that this phenomenon was impossible, absolutely impossible, to explain in any classical way, and many have parroted similar sentiments. Yet Bohm showed that Feynmans claim wasnt really right. If one posits that particles are sprinkled on the wave according to the probability distribution implied by its density in space, Bohms guidance equation describes the particles motion, and the particles follow sharply defined paths that reproduce exactly the interference patterns that are observed. Second-generation Bohmians then showed that the initial conditions werent even that important if particles follow the guidance equation, the dynamics should take care of it. So whats the problem? Well, the HQA version of the double-slit experiment doesnt work. Or, rather, it doesnt work in quite the same way that the quantum version of it works, since, after all, the analogy is not exact. Droplets bouncing on top of a vibrating fluid bath are not literally quantum. But Kay insists that this is no reason to give up on the analogy prematurely. If a baby failed to walk at the normal time, would anyone just throw up their hands and say the baby is failed? If David Bohm and the HQA researchers are the heroes of this story, who are the villains? As in Adam Beckers What Is Real?, Adam Kays Escape from Shadow Physics places much of the blame for contemporary quantum muddles on the original quantum godfather, Neils Bohr (1885-1962), and the defenders of the Copenhagen interpretation who grew up in his shadow. (Bohr was Danish.) Kay includes quotes from scientists who frame Bohr as a moral leader rather than just a scientist. Bohr was more likely to be compared by proteges to Socrates or Jesus Christ than Newton or James Clerk Maxwell. Under the Copenhagen interpretation, statistical outcomes were fundamental, and it was fruitless to imagine things happening under the hood that might cause such statistics. The idea that sharp outcomes and statistical predictions should continue to exist in constant tension was enshrined as the principle of complimentarity, which, as Ash Jogalekar wrote in a column for this site, provided a way to reconcile the paradoxes that seemed to bedevil quantum theorys interpretation of reality. N. David Mermin memorably described the Copenhagen interpretation as the shut up and calculate interpretation of quantum mechanics, since it posits that we shouldnt worry about whats going on between measurements. The standard defender against this point of view, in the usual quantum lore, is none other than Albert Einstein (1875-1959), whose pithy question of whether the moon only exists when one looks at it has come to stand for the idea that something must be happening below the statistics, even if we dont know exactly what. Though it does recount the usual back-and-forth of the Bohr-Einstein debates, Escape from Shadow Physics also does something more interesting. Near the books beginning, Kay spends over fifty pages on the history of thermal physics, with the aim of teasing out the parallels between 19th-century thermodynamics and 20th-century quantum mechanics, suggesting that the sorts of models that ultimately clarified thermodynamics have yet to arrive for the quantum. In the early days of thermodynamics, some thought that heat was composed of an exceedingly fine substance they called caloric, but no one seemed to be able to capture the stuff on its own. A big breakthrough came with the work of Jean-Baptiste Fourier, who came up with an equation that was able to accurately describe how heat spread through solid bodies without worrying too much about what, exactly, heat was. The philosopher Auguste Comte thought this was exactly as things should be, and praised Fourier as an example of the sort of empiricism that he endorsedan empiricism he called positivism, which explicitly renounced the search for hidden causes, instead sticking close to observations. Was Comte right? The history of science seems to imply he wasnt, since thermal effects would later be explained by just the sorts of hidden causesthe motions of invisible atomsthat Comte denounced. (Though, even there, theres controversy, as I discussed in an earlier column here at 3 Quarks Daily.) Kay likens the situation of pre-atomic thermodynamics to that of contemporary quantum mechanics. Just as Fouriers diffusion equation was able to capture important phenomena without addressing their underlying cause, might the Schrodinger equation, that fundamental equation of quantum theory, be highly effective at describing physical processes without itself being fundamental? This is the heart of the books argument. In every other case we know about, statistical outcomes are not an end in themselves, but arise from lower-level events. Why should probabilities in quantum mechanics be an exception? The idea that hidden variables could under-grid quantum probabilities was anathema to early theorists, who, much like De Morgans Euler, gestured toward a faulty proof to insist upon their beliefs. To be fair, they didnt know that the proof was faultyit had been written by John von Neumann, an Euler-grade genius, and geniuses are sometimes right about things that confuse the rest of us. But once Bohm produced an explicit hidden-variable theory, one that reproduced quantum phenomena in all its details, von Neumanns argument lost its sway. Today, people who wish to argue about the metaphysical consequences of quantum mechanics tend to point toward Bells theorem and its assorted generalizations. (Jochen Szangolies, a columnist for 3 Quarks Daily, has written extensively about this, and is the local expert on such matters.) Kay thinks this all has been vastly oversold, and discusses the possibility that various quantum measurements are incompatible with one another as an escape hatch from conclusions like non-locality or irrealism. (Again, I might say more about this, but Jochen literally wrote the book on this subject, so Im hesitant.) Every review should include at least one block quote, so heres one from Escape: The thing that always blew my mind is that the vast majority of quantum weirdness, the supposedly revolutionary import of modern science with its particles in two places at once, its mind-body connections, its multiverses, its vindication of the Indian sage Nagarjuna, blah blah blah, all of it just disappears the moment we are willing to admit that quantum mechanics is statistical because it is like every other statistical theory: it has a deeper explanation. And what is this deeper explanation? Well, we dont exactly know. It probably isnt Bohms solution, which is explicitly non-local, non-relativistic, and has trouble with processes where particles can be created or destroyed. Bohmian dynamics have also struck many physicists as phony because the particle really doesnt do muchall the calculated dynamics are in the quantum wavefunction, and the particle is a free rider, tugged along by the wave without pulling back. Kay would like for the solution to look a lot like hydrodynamic quantum analogs, which introduce much more subtle interplays between particle and wave than in Bohms picture. But even there, its hard to be confident that such a programme might ever catch up to with the successes of quantum mechanics. Still, I wish the HQA researchers well, even if theyre about a century behind. What I enjoyed most about Escape from Shadow Physics is that Kay makes no apologies for straying beyond physics. In Chapter 35, Our Quantum Culture, he inveighs against the quantum multiverse not only from scientific and philosophical perspectives, but also because it provides cover for endlessly branching narratives throughout pop culture. Regardless of whether one agrees with Kay on scientific questions, perhaps a re-embrace of causal narratives, with one event setting off another, may be overdue. We should all do our best to make sense of the one world we experience. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now. Sydney, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacific Green, a global battery energy storage company, has secured a parcel of land in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, where it proposes to establish its next Australian energy park. The land is strategically co-located near TransGrid's existing Wagga 330 kV substation and 16 km from the town of Wagga Wagga. A future grid connected battery energy park in this location will strengthen and support the region's renewable energy portfolio of assets by storing excess renewable energy and discharging it during peak demand, stabilising the grid and lowering energy prices. Wagga Wagga is an area of strategic importance to the national grid as it hosts a concentration of renewable energy projects and HumeLink - one of Australia's largest energy transmission line projects, which when built will connect renewable energy sources to the grid and put downward pressure on Australian energy prices. Today's announcement marks Pacific Green's entry into the New South Wales market and further progresses the company's objective to build a 10GWh development pipeline of battery energy parks throughout Australia. Leveraging its significant experience building battery energy parks in the UK and Europe, the company is aiming to be one of Australia's leading developers, and to help accelerate the country's transition to renewables by building a multi-gigawatt platform nationwide. Joel Alexander, Managing Director & CEO, Pacific Green Australia commented: "Today's announcement represents a milestone for Pacific Green. From our entry into Australia, we set out to diversify our regional presence, which now includes a pipeline of projects in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. A greater diversity of storage locations across the country will support the strengthening, reliability and security of our national energy system. Our entry into the New South Wales market follows the development of Limestone Coast North Energy Park (250MW / 500MWh) and Limestone Coast West Energy Park (250MW / 1,000MWh) in South Australia, and recent development application lodgment for our proposed combined 1GW / 2.5GWh Portland energy parks in Victoria. We are well on our way to meeting our 10GWh target. The team looks forward to working with stakeholders in and around Wagga Wagga in these early stages of project design to ensure we shape an energy park best suited to the specific needs and opportunities of the region" MANILA, Philippines, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc. (AC Health), in partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is leading the private sector's efforts to fight the HIV epidemic in the Philippines by improving access to stigma-free care and lifesaving services. The partnership was sealed in time for World AIDS Day, whose theme "Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress," underscores the importance of collaboration to overcome this health challenge. AC Health will leverage its unique ecosystem to develop, test, and scale approaches to improving and expanding HIV care and prevention services in the Philippines. AC Health will onboard qualified health service providers on the KonsultaMD platform and expand HIV awareness and screening services beyond health facilities. It will also import essential medicines and other lifesaving technologies through units IE Medica and MedEthix and make these commercially available through Generika Drugstore. An important ally in the Philippines' fight against HIV, USAID will support community engagement, provide technical assistance to Healthway Medical Network, and introduce private sector models for HIV service delivery. USAID will also train healthcare providers, share research, expand telehealth access through KonsultaMD, and coordinate with partners to provide free HIV self-testing kits. "Our mission at AC Health is to make quality and affordable healthcare accessible to more Filipinos. Through our partnership with USAID, our dedicated teams at Healthway Medical Network, KonsultaMD, and Generika Drugstore have been equipped with specialized training to serve key populations affected by HIV. This collaboration brings us closer to bridging gaps in HIV prevention and testing, ensuring these critical services reach more communities nationwide," said AC Health Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala. The partnership is a key initiative to support the Philippines in addressing one of the fastest-growing HIV epidemics in Southeast Asia. AC Health's participation also highlights its growing role in responding to public health challenges in the country. AC Health, in partnership with Publicis Groupe Philippines and the People Management Association of the Philippines, is also leading the "Working with Cancer Pledge" in the country. This initiative is a global movement to raise awareness and support for people struggling with cancer in the workplace. Since its launch in 2023, hundreds of companies globally have been transformed into inclusive workplaces for employees dealing with cancer. AC Health, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ayala Corporation, aims to provide every Filipino accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare. Its portfolio includes Generika Drugstore, the pioneer in generic retail pharmacies; St. Joseph Drug, a leading retail drugstore chain in North Luzon; IE Medica and MedEthix, a major pharmaceutical importer and distributor; Healthway Medical Network, a network of multi-specialty clinics, ambulatory centers, and full-service hospitals; and KonsultaMD, a healthcare aggregator app that offers online consultations, medicine delivery, and clinic and diagnostic booking. Through its three pillars-pharma, hospitals and clinics, and digital health-AC Health creates a seamless and integrated healthcare ecosystem for the Filipino patient. About Ayala Corporation For 190 years, Ayala Corporation has been building businesses that enable people to thrive. Ayala, currently one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines, has meaningful presence in real estate, banking, digital solutions, and renewable energy. It likewise has a growing presence in healthcare, mobility, and logistics as well as investments in industrial technologies, education, and other ventures. Ayala manages its corporate social responsibility initiatives through Ayala Foundation. Visit our website at https://ayala.com and by follow us on LinkedIn to learn more about the company. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2571868/AC_Health_X_USAID.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2571867/AC_Health_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ac-health-makes-critical-hiv-care-more-accessible-to-filipinos-with-usaid-support-302320638.html HEALWELL has acquired a majority controlling interest in Mutuo Health Solutions, a Toronto-based medical artificial intelligence company focused on developing predictive clinical AI technology. Mutuo Health's AutoScribe platform is an advanced AI-powered ambient scribe solution that transcribes clinician-patient interactions into high-quality electronic medical records in real time using natural language processing and machine learning technology. AutoScribe's speech recognition capabilities, designed with a robust patient privacy framework, allows healthcare providers to focus on patient care, significantly reduce administrative burden and enhance care delivery. HEALWELL plans to combine AutoScribe with its proprietary AI enabled decision support co-pilots, creating a next generation suite of AI powered physician co-pilots that significantly elevate physician efficiency. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - HEALWELL AI Inc. (TSX: AIDX) (OTCQX: HWAIF) ("HEALWELL" or the "Company"), a healthcare artificial intelligence company focused on preventative care, is pleased to announce that it has acquired a 51% majority controlling interest in Mutuo Health Solutions ("Mutuo"), for $5.5 million in cash and shares of HEALWELL. Mutuo is a medical technology company specializing in AI-powered ambient scribe solutions for clinical documentation whose flagship product, the AutoScribe platform, transcribes clinician-patient dialogue into structured electronic medical records (EMR) data in real-time using machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP). This acquisition is aligned with HEALWELL's strategy to acquire and enhance AI-enabled healthcare technologies that improve clinical efficiency, patient outcomes and ultimately assist with early disease detection. Founded in 2018 by a team of AI researchers and healthcare professionals, including a family doctor who experienced first-hand the challenges of documentation burnout, Mutuo's commercializing of AutoScribe was initiated as part of a unique collaboration between the University of Toronto and Unity Health Toronto. The platform sets itself apart with its focus on precision, security, and integration within Canadian healthcare, making every patient interaction an opportunity to optimize care. By capturing and structuring patient data in real time, AutoScribe enables healthcare providers to focus on patient care, enhancing clinical accuracy and operational efficiency. Mutuo's AutoScribe platform transcends traditional medical dictation by utilizing advanced AI-driven transcription and predictive capabilities, continuously improving through its machine learning framework. HEALWELL's acquisition of a controlling stake in Mutuo will deepen the Company's technology portfolio and expand its offering of AI-driven healthcare solutions. HEALWELL plans to integrate AutoScribe into its proprietary best-in-class AI-enabled clinical decision support co-pilots; creating a next generation suite of physician co-pilots that will provide highly integrated best-in-class clinical administration automation and clinical decision support. By integrating AutoScribe's capabilities, HEALWELL will be able to provide advanced, customizable digital assistance to healthcare providers, particularly addressing the growing need for documentation and electronic medical record (EMR) automation in clinics and hospitals. The acquisition helps to further position HEALWELL as a leader in predictive AI solutions designed to streamline clinical workflows, improve patient care, and assist providers with advanced clinical decision support. Dr. Alexander Dobranowski, CEO of HEALWELL, commented, "We are excited to welcome Mutuo and their remarkable AutoScribe technology to HEALWELL. This acquisition is another step forward in our mission to provide healthcare professionals with the most advanced AI tools to optimize patient care and ultimately help with the earlier identification and detection of disease. AutoScribe's unique real-time transcription capabilities, combined with its predictive AI framework, will significantly enhance how clinicians manage patient data, allowing them to focus more on patient-centered care. We look forward to working with Mutuo's team of talented researchers and medical professionals to further scale this technology." Dr. Noah Crampton, CEO of Mutuo Health Solutions, commented, "Our team at Mutuo is thrilled to join forces with HEALWELL to bring AutoScribe to more healthcare providers across Canada and beyond. This partnership allows us to leverage HEALWELL's expertise and vast network to accelerate our mission of reducing administrative fatigue for doctors while improving the quality of care that patients receive. We are eager to see the positive impact this collaboration will have on the healthcare community." Dr. Alexander Dobranowski Chief Executive Officer HEALWELL AI Inc. About HEALWELL HEALWELL is a healthcare artificial intelligence company focused on preventative care. Its mission is to improve healthcare and save lives through early identification and detection of disease. Using its own proprietary technology, the Company is developing and commercializing advanced clinical decision support systems that can help healthcare providers detect rare and chronic diseases, improve efficiency of their practice and ultimately help improve patient health outcomes. HEALWELL is executing a strategy centered around developing and acquiring technology and clinical sciences capabilities that complement the Company's road map. HEALWELL is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "AIDX" and on the OTC Exchange under the symbol "HWAIF". To learn more about HEALWELL, please visit https://healwell.ai/. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release, constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward looking statements" (collectively, "forward looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and are based on assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements with respect to, among other things, Healwell's plan to integrate Mutuo's AutoScribe with its own AI-enabled clinical co-pilots; into its own future product and service offerings; the potential benefits of Mutuo's product and service offerings; and potential synergies between Mutuo and the Company. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as "opportunity", "potential", "improve", "expect", "create", "plan", "enable", "position" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain future conditions, actions, events or results "will", "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "can" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms . Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon management's perceptions of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as a number of specific factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by HEALWELL as of the date of such statements, are outside of HEALWELL's control and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies which could result in the forward-looking statements ultimately being entirely or partially incorrect or untrue. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on various assumptions, including, but not limited to, the following: HEALWELL's ability to successfully integrate the Mutuo's business into its own; HEALWELL's ability to leverage artificial intelligence, data management and other services and expertise to expand and accelerate Mutuo's service offerings; trends in customer growth; HEALWELL's ability to develop new technologies and the timelines on which they can be developed; new technologies functioning as expected; customers adopting and using new technologies and services as expected; the need to develop increasingly innovative products and services; competition in the industry; the stability of general economic and market conditions; HEALWELL's ability to comply with applicable laws and regulations; HEALWELL's continued compliance with third party intellectual property rights; and that the risk factors noted below, collectively, do not have a material impact on HEALWELL's business, operations, revenues and/or results. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections, or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct, and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. Known and unknown risk factors, many of which are beyond the control of HEALWELL, could cause the actual results of HEALWELL to differ materially from the results, performance, achievements, or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include but are not limited to those factors which are discussed under the section entitled "Risk Factors" in HEALWELL's most recent annual information form dated April 1, 2024, which is available under HEALWELL's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.com. The risk factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect HEALWELL and the reader is cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that forward looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's expectations and plans relating to the future. HEALWELL disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law. All of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232286 SOURCE: HEALWELL AI Commerzbank AG - Pre-Stabilisation Notice PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, December 03 Pre-Stabilisation Notice December 03, 2024 Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful. Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft Preferred Senior EUR 500mil Fixed Rate To Floating Rate Notes due 08 December 2028 Launched pursuant to the Issuer' MTN Programme dated 05 June 2024 Commerzbank AG (contact: Ian Turner; telephone: +44-207-7475-1817) hereby announces, as Stabilisation Coordinator, that the Stabilising Managers named below may stabilise the offer of the following securities in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU Regulation 596/2014). The security to be stabilised: Issuer: Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft Guarantor (if any): none Aggregate nominal amount: EUR 500mil (No Grow) Description: EUR 500mil Fixed Rate to Floating Rate Senior Preferred Notes due 08 December 2028. Callable on 08 December 2027. Offer price: Tbc Other offer terms: MTN documentation, Preferred Senior 4NC3. denoms 100k/100k, listing Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Short First Coupon. ISIN: DE000CZ45Y63 Stabilisation: Stabilisation Coordinator/Manager: Commerzbank AG Stabilisation period expected to start on: December 03, 2024 Stabilisation period expected to end on: no later than 30 days after the proposed issue date of the securities Existence, maximum size and conditions of use of over-allotment facility. The Stabilising Manager may over-allot the securities to the extent permitted in accordance with applicable law. Stabilisation trading venue: Frankfurt Stock Exchange In connection with the offer of the above securities, the Stabilising Manager(s) may over-allot the securities or effect transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the securities during the stabilisation period at a level higher than that which might otherwise prevail. However, stabilisation may not necessarily occur and any stabilisation action, if begun, may cease at any time Any stabilisation action or over-allotment shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and rules. This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction. This announcement is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any other jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful. END Upon required regulatory clearances and closing, the acquisition will see UP42 become part of the NSG Geospatial division PIF's NSG expands geospatial capabilities to support global markets and KSA's growing demand for advanced EO & Geospatial solutions in line with Saudi Vision 2030 RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Neo Space Group (NSG), a Public Investment Fund-owned company and Saudi Arabia's leading commercial space services provider, has announced today that the company has entered into a definitive agreement with Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus) to acquire its UP42 business, a next-generation earth observation digital platform, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including required regulatory clearances. UP42, launched by Airbus in 2019 in Berlin, Germany, is a pioneer in streamlining access to and deriving insights from geospatial data via a cloud-based platform. UP42 is expected to be part of NSG's growing Geospatial division, building on the acquisition of Taqnia ETS. UP42's earth observation digital platform provides customers access to data and analytics from 80+ of the world's leading geospatial companies, making it easy to source and manage diverse data from multiple providers through one seamless interface. Customers of UP42 can leverage the UP42 platform to solve real-world geospatial challenges and deliver value to their end-customers across a range of market verticals, including agriculture, urban planning, real estate, infrastructure monitoring, disaster management, and more. Martijn Blanken, NSG Chief Executive Officer, said: "By integrating the UP42 platform into the KSA ecosystem, we are positioning NSG to deliver cutting-edge geospatial insights for one of the world's fastest growing economies. This acquisition is pivotal in fulfilling our vision to lead innovation in the geospatial sector both locally, and globally, and further contribute to the growth of the space economy in Saudi Arabia, in full alignment with Saudi Vision 2030." The announcement further reinforces the strategic role NSG will play in providing EO services, after The Communications, Space, and Technology Commission (CST) of Saudi Arabia announced in July this year that NSG had won the permit to provide the Earth Observation (EO) Platform Service in Saudi Arabia. Sean Wiid, Chief Executive Officer of UP42, said: "Joining NSG is an exciting step for UP42. Our continued international business growth will support the ambition to make NSG a global leader in geospatial innovation. At the same time, we will play a key role in developing a robust Earth observation ecosystem within Saudi Arabia for the benefit of the Government, Agriculture, Energy, Travel, and Tourism sectors". NSG was launched in May 2024, when Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced the establishment of NSG with the mission to become a global leader in the satellite and space sector. By fostering national expertise and enhancing Saudi Arabia's position in the global space economy, NSG aims to unlock the potential of emerging industries, diversify the Saudi economy, and support the realization of Vision 2030. About NSG: www.neospacegroup.com NEO SPACE GROUP (NSG) is a global space and satellite services company based in Saudi Arabia offering a broad portfolio of space services including satellite broadband communications, in-flight connectivity, earth observation and remote sensing, geospatial analysis, satellite navigation and IoT, and an active investor in space technology. NSG, a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company, is an essential enabler of the Vision 2030 goals for economic diversification, industrial development, innovation, and job creation. About UP42 : www.UP42.com UP42 transforms how organizations order, access, and analyze Earth Observation data through its next generation Earth observation platform. It simplifies data access, streamlines data management, and enables imagery processing at scale, making it easy to create geospatial solutions. The company was born in 2019 in Berlin and founded by Airbus. Press Contact: For more information and interviews, please contact: Raouf Khalife, Head of Marketing & Communications, Neo Space Group Email: Raouf.khalife@neospacegroup.com Tel: +966 50 1362533 Mini Sree Narayanan: Social Media and CMS Manager, Neo Space Group Email: mnarayanan@neospacegroup.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2570988/NSG_Geospatial_Saudi_Arabia.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2570987/NSG_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/neo-space-group-to-acquire-up42-earth-observation-digital-platform-from-airbus-302320660.html Tendfor is Anywhere365's fifth acquisition together with software growth private equity investor, Bregal Milestone ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Anywhere365, a global pioneer and innovator in AI-first customer experience solutions today announced the acquisition of Tendfor AB ("Tendfor"), a leading provider of advanced cloud communication capabilities for mid-market and large enterprises. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed and the acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals. Anywhere365 helps brands deliver exceptional customer experiences through enhanced engagement, efficient workforce collaboration, AI-driven insights, and a full omni-channel service experience, leveraging the power of Teams, Azure Communication Services, and the Microsoft ecosystem, as well as considerable integrations including with SAP, Salesforce and ServiceNow. In addition, Anywhere365's Copilot-ready Deepdesk Agent Assist, powered by Azure OpenAI, helps agents decrease call handling time and improve customer experience. The acquisition of Tendfor further accelerates Anywhere365's journey towards its mission of ensuring every customer and employee feels heard, understood, and valued. Emil Emling, Founder and CEO of Tendfor, and the entire Tendfor team will immediately form a new division at Anywhere365. The company will continue to expand its country specific business units, with local presence in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Netherlands HQ, and multiple EU countries; and now the addition of Sweden, Tendfor's head office location. "The whole Tendfor team and I are proud to join one of the largest forces within the Microsoft communications ecosystem. We look forward to further leveraging the three drivers of growth in customer service: adoption of Microsoft and other hyperscale cloud communications; the growth of AI to augment and automate customer service through Agent Assist and autonomous Agents; and the ongoing move to digital, distributed, and hybrid work. We look forward to becoming part of the Anywhere365 family and continuing to delight our customers and partners," said Emling. "From the start, Emil and the Tendfor team have demonstrated trust, integrity and a proven track record in building world-class solutions and delivering outstanding value to their customers. We look forward to welcoming the Tendfor team and working in partnership to further accelerate the growth of the group", says Will Blench, CEO of Anywhere365. About Anywhere365 Founded in 2010, Anywhere365 is a Netherlands-headquartered and fast-growing provider of Enterprise Dialogue Management SaaS solutions. Anywhere365 empowers voice and digital dialogues for organizations worldwide and brings AI intelligence for increased productivity and effectiveness. Anywhere365's products are award-winning, recognized by industry analysts, and trusted by over 2,000 global customers, including Rabobank, DHL, Emirates, KPMG, Swarovski, Mazda, Deloitte, Aldi, Vodafone and Zeiss. For more information, please visit www.anywhere365.io. About Bregal Milestone Bregal Milestone is a leading European software and technology growth private equity firm with c.1.3 billion of capital raised since inception. The firm provides growth capital and strategic assistance to support market-leading technology companies. Bregal Milestone is part of Bregal Investments, a leading global investment platform with over 19 billion in assets under management. For more information, visit www.bregalmilestone.com or follow us on LinkedIn. About Tendfor From its base in Sweden, Tendfor has grown rapidly over the past years and established itself as the most reliable and secure cloud service of its kind, becoming the product of choice for many of the world's leading global enterprises and most discerning public organizations. Today, Tendfor has customers in 18 countries, including 10 on the Fortune Global 500 list. Tendfor is focused on driving innovation and delivering new levels of productivity and functionality for AI-driven omnichannel contact centers. Tendfor has proudly generated 30%+ ARR growth and 40%+ EBITDA growth in the last twelve months and has been featured in the Deloitte Sweden Technology Fast 50 for 2024. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/anywhere365-announces-acquisition-of-tendfor-302320124.html Kelowna, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - F3 Uranium Corp. (TSV: FUU) (OTCQB: FUUFF) ("F3" or "the Company") is pleased to announce rush assay results for drillhole PLN24-176 (see NR September 10, 2024) of the ongoing 2024 drill program on the PLN Property which returned 7.5m of 30.9% U3O8, including an ultra-high grade core with 4.5m of 50.1% U3O8. Sam Hartmann, Vice President Exploration, commented: "PLN24-176 represents the best hole drilled to date at the JR Zone in terms of grade thickness, including a true width assay interval of 4.5m of 50.1% U3O8, starting at a shallow vertical depth of only 190m below surface. This drillhole was collared approximately 14m up-dip of PLN24-137 which returned 15.0m of 3.2% U3O8, including a high grade 2.5m interval averaging 18.6% U3O8 (See NR July 30, 2024). These results from PLN24-176 emphasize the need for tightly spaced drilling in these high grade basement hosted structurally controlled uranium deposits, which can often result in opening up additional targeting areas for high grade mineralization; in this case in the up-dip direction." JR Zone Assay Highlight: PLN24-176 (line 035S): 7.5m @ 30.9% U 3 O 8 (196.0m to 203.5), including: (196.0m to 203.5), including: 5.5m @ 42.2% U 3 O 8 (197.0m to 202.5m), further including: (197.0m to 202.5m), further including: 4.5m @ 50.1% U3O8 (197.5m to 202.0m) Table 1. Drill Hole Summary and Uranium Assay Results To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8110/232279_screenshot%202024-12-02%20215213_550.jpg Assay composite parameters: 1. Minimum Thickness of 0.5 m 2. Assay Grade Cut-Off: 0.05% U3O8 (weight %) 3. Maximum Internal Dilution: 2.0 m Composited weight % U3O8 mineralized intervals are summarized in Table 1. Samples from the drill core are split in half sections on site. Where possible, samples are standardized at 0.5m down-hole intervals. One-half of the split sample is sent to SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories (an SCC ISO/IEC 17025: 2005 Accredited Facility) in Saskatoon, SK while the other half remains on site for reference. Analysis includes a 63 element suite including boron by ICP-OES, uranium by ICP-MS and gold analysis by ICP-OES and/or AAS. The Company considers uranium mineralization with assay results of greater than 1.0 weight % U3O8 as "high grade" and results greater than 20.0 weight % U3O8 as "ultra-high grade". All depth measurements reported are down-hole and true thickness are yet to be determined. Map 1. JR Zone Drill Holes with Uranium Results To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8110/232279_f54b946e7442a80a_003full.jpg About Patterson Lake North: The Company's 4,078-hectare 100% owned Patterson Lake North property (PLN) is located just within the south-western edge of the Athabasca Basin in proximity to Fission Uranium's Triple R and NexGen Energy's Arrow high-grade world class uranium deposits which is poised to become the next major area of development for new uranium operations in northern Saskatchewan. PLN is accessed by Provincial Highway 955, which transects the property, and the new JR Zone uranium discovery is located 23km northwest of Fission Uranium's Triple R deposit. Qualified Person: The technical information in this news release has been prepare in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and approved on behalf of the company by Raymond Ashley, P.Geo., President & COO of F3 Uranium Corp, a Qualified Person. Mr. Ashley has verified the data disclosed. About F3 Uranium Corp: F3 Uranium is a uranium exploration company advancing its newly discovered high-grade JR Zone and exploring for additional mineralized zones on its 100%-owned Patterson Lake North (PLN) Project in the southwest Athabasca Basin. PLN is accessed by Provincial Highway 955, which transects the property, and the new JR Zone discovery is located ~25km northwest of Fission Uranium's Triple R and NexGen Energy's Arrow high-grade uranium deposits. This area is poised to become the next major area of development for new uranium operations in northern Saskatchewan. The PLN project is comprised of the PLN, Minto and Broach properties. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, including statements regarding the suitability of the Properties for mining exploration, future payments, issuance of shares and work commitment funds, entry into of a definitive option agreement respecting the Properties, are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of the management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The TSX Venture Exchange and the Canadian Securities Exchange have not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this press release, and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. F3 Uranium Corp. 750-1620 Dickson Avenue Kelowna, BC V1Y9Y2 ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Dev Randhawa" Dev Randhawa, CEO To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232279 SOURCE: F3 Uranium Corp. Plant will increase current capacity to secure global supply for low-global warming potential, pressurized metered-dose inhaler propellant Orbia Advance Corporation S.A.B. de C.V.'s (BMV: ORBIA*) Fluor Energy Materials business today announces its readiness to advance construction of a larger scale medical propellant purification plant, marking a critical milestone in the metered-dose inhaler (MDI) industry's transition to low-global-warming-potential (GWP) inhalers. Once operational, the plant will significantly expand production capacity for Zephex 152a (HFA 152a), a next-generation, environmentally sustainable propellant. This facility will meet high-volume needs, supporting the transition of widely used medications. "Zephex is backed by a rich, 30-year history as one of the most widely used and trusted medical propellants in the world. Our newest solution in Zephex 152a signals Orbia's transition to a more sustainable future for respiratory inhaler applications," said Gregg Smith, President of Orbia Fluor Energy Materials. "This plant is a strategic capital investment intended to secure global supply of our low-GWP Zephex 152a and plays an important role in enabling our customers to achieve their climate goals." "Sustainability and accessibility are priorities for Chiesi. We aim to provide the best solutions for as many patients as possible, and we're working towards this with our full portfolio approach, highlighted by our significant investment in the Carbon Minimal Inhaler. This represents a key step in our journey to achieve net zero by 2035 while continuing to meet the needs of asthma and COPD patients," said Michelle Soriano, PhD, Executive Vice President, AIR Franchise, Chiesi. The plant's capacity readiness is aimed for mid-2026. It will be constructed at Orbia Fluor Energy Materials' existing Rocksavage site in Runcorn, UK. This committed investment follows the successful commencement of Zephex 152a production at a smaller scale at the Rocksavage site in 2022. Pre-construction for the new facility is underway and is intended to introduce new jobs into the local economy. "For several years there has been an increased drive both internally and by our customers to together, reduce the carbon footprint associated with the use of pMDIs. Today marks an exciting step forward in scaling production of our sustainable medical propellant," said Markus Laubscher, General Manager of the Orbia Fluor Energy Materials Pharma business unit. "With this larger scale facility we will enable our customers to transition faster." For more information on Orbia Fluor Energy Materials' sustainable solutions for medical propellants, visit: www.kouraglobal.com/applications/medical-propellants/. About Orbia Orbia Advance Corporation, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: ORBIA*) is a company driven by a shared purpose: to advance life around the world. Orbia operates in the Polymer Solutions (Vestolit and Alphagary), Building Infrastructure (Wavin), Precision Agriculture (Netafim), Connectivity Solutions (Dura-Line) and Fluor Energy Materials (Koura) sectors. The five Orbia business groups have a collective focus on expanding access to health and well-being, reinventing the future of cities and homes, ensuring food, water and sanitation security, connecting communities to information and enabling the energy transition with basic and advanced materials, specialty products and innovative solutions. Orbia has a global team of over 24,000 employees, commercial activities in more than 100 countries and operations in over 50, with global headquarters in Boston, Mexico City, Amsterdam and Tel Aviv. The company generated $8.2 billion in revenue in 2023. To learn more, visit: orbia.com About Orbia Fluor Energy Materials (Koura) Orbia's Fluor Energy Materials business (branded as Koura) is a global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of fluoroproducts that play a fundamental role in enhancing everyday lives and shortening the path to a sustainable, circular economy. Backed by over 35 years of experience, Orbia Fluor Energy Materials' products are used in a vast range of applications including electric vehicles and energy storage, urban and rural infrastructure, indoor climate management, food and medicine refrigeration and even in treating respiratory conditions through the development of healthy and innovative low-GWP propellants for metered dose inhalers. Orbia Fluor Energy Materials has 1,600 employees and 13 manufacturing facilities worldwide, serving 60 countries through a global sales and distribution network. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203785126/en/ Contacts: Kacy Karlen Chief Communications Officer, Orbia kacy.karlen@orbia.com +1 (865) 410-3001 Amanda Rouse Global Marketing Communications Lead, Pharma, Orbia Fluor Energy Materials amanda.rouse@orbia.com +44 (0)7801 960090 EQS Post-admission Duties announcement: Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd. / Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd.: Announcement of the 2024 Third Quarter Performance Briefing 03.12.2024 / 11:06 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Post-admission Duties announcement according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 WpHG transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Announcement of the 2024 Third Quarter Performance Briefing Qingdao / Shanghai / Frankfurt / Hongkong, 3 December 2024 - Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. (the "Company" or "Haier Smart Home", D-share 690D.DE, A-share 600690.SH, H-share 06690.HK) today published an announcement in accordance with applicable trading rules of the Shanghai Stock Exchange and applicable PRC laws in relation to 2024 Third Quarter Performance Briefing. The full announcement is available at: https://smart-home.haier.com/en/dggg/P020241203638102715215.pdf?appdesc=Announcement%20of%20the%202024%20Third%20Quarter%20Performance%20Briefing IR Contact: Haier Smart Home Hong Kong T: +852 2169 0000 Email: ir@haier.hk Press Contact: CROSS ALLIANCE communication GmbH Sara Pinto pi@crossalliance.de T: +49 89 1250903 35 About Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd.: Haier is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household appliances with a focus on smart home solutions and customized production. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. develops, produces and distributes a wide range of household appliances. These include refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, air conditioners, water heaters, kitchen appliances as well as small household appliances and an extensive range of intelligent household appliances. The Company distributes its products through leading household brands such as Haier, Casarte, Leader, Candy, GE Appliances, AQUA and Fisher & Paykel. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. has launched Smart Home Experiential Cloud in the Chinese market, which connects homes, users, enterprises and ecosystem partners, and facilitates the integration of Haier's online, offline and micro-store businesses and supports user interaction to further optimize the user experience. 03.12.2024 CET/CEST The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership to transform global drought response from reactive to proactive RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to combat the impact of drought globally, the Kingdom and its partners have launched the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership during the opening day of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). In partnership with UNCCD, countries, international organizations and other stakeholders, the initiative will work to deliver a transformative shift in how drought is tackled around the world. Harnessing the collective impact of major global institutions, it will move drought management beyond reactive crisis response, through enhancing early warning systems, financing, vulnerability assessments, and drought risk mitigation. "The Riyadh Drought Resilience Partnership will serve as a global facilitator, a 'one-stop shop' for drought resilience, promoting the shift from reactive relief response after drought hits to proactive preparedness. We also seek to amplify global resources to save lives and livelihoods around the world," said Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister for Environment, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and Advisor to the UNCCD COP16 Presidency. "We are calling on countries, companies, organizations, scientists, NGOs, financial institutions and communities to join this pivotal partnership and become part of a global movement to build a drought-resilient future. This is an environmental and economic imperative; it is far more cost-effective to take a proactive approach to drought resilience than a reactive one. Together, we can slow and reverse the devastating impact of drought. As an international community, we have the tools to take decisive action, the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership will help ensure we do." Dr. Faqeeha added. The partnership will be operated by a permanent office, under the oversight of contributing members, to connect vulnerable countries and communities with existing resources, whilst synergizing with ongoing initiatives to maximize impact. The Riyadh Partnership will also prioritize unlocking new funding mechanisms for drought resilience, increasing access to credit, equity financing, insurance products and grants. To ensure sustained operational support and long-term impact, Saudi Arabia will cover the expenses of the Partnership office for at least 10 years. Ibrahim Thiaw, UNCCD Executive Secretary, said: "While no nation is immune to drought, 85% of the people impacted by it live in low- and middle-income countries. In a globalized world, it is our collective responsibility, and our shared interest, to liberate everybody, everywhere, from the worst impacts of drought. I trust the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership will play an important role in mobilizing finance and political will for a more resilient future." Droughts impact almost every corner of the planet with 1.84 billion people affected in 2022, and over 55 countries declaring drought emergencies between 2020 and 2023, according to UNCCD. Meanwhile, their impact appears to only be worsening. In Africa, 38% of reported land area was affected by drought between 2016 and 2019, and Latin America and the Caribbean experienced similar devastation, with 37.9% of reported land area affected during the same period, based on UNCCD findings. Drought is a driving cause of food and water insecurity, displacing millions, and exacting a devastating economic toll on impacted countries. ABOUT COP16 RIYADH The UNCCD COP16 conference will take place from December 2-13, 2024, at Boulevard Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. The conference, themed 'Our Land. Our Future', will mark the 30th anniversary of UNCCD and aims to secure multilateral action on critical issues such as land restoration, drought resilience, land tenure, and sand and dust storms. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2571325/UNCCD_COP16.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2556588/5056017/UNCCD_COP16__Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/saudi-arabia-launches-groundbreaking-drought-resilience-initiative-at-unccd-cop16-to-accelerate-global-action-302320764.html Drought resilience high on first day agenda of UN conference on land degradation, with launch of Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- At the opening ceremony, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been officially elected as President of the sixteenth Conference of the Parties of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16). The official recognition of Saudi Arabia's UNCCD COP16 Presidency took place during the opening plenary session of COP16 in Riyadh, beginning a two-year tenure to drive international action on land restoration and drought resilience. Policymakers, international organizations, businesses, NGOs and key stakeholders are in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to seek urgent international solutions to the pressing global crises of land degradation, drought and desertification. During the official opening of the conference, UNCCD COP16 President and Saudi Arabia Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Eng. Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen AlFadley, welcomed attendees. In his opening remarks, he urged the international community to deliver decisive action as the UNCCD targets the restoration of 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030. "Saudi Arabia looks forward to intensifying international efforts at UNCCD COP16 to address major environmental challenges, and enhance integration with other international environmental agreements, including the Rio Conventions on climate change and biodiversity, all to achieve ambitious outcomes that make a qualitative leap in land conservation, reduce land degradation, and build global capacity to combat drought" "More than 100 million hectares of land is degraded every year, impacting over 3 billion people and leading to more $6 trillion of lost ecosystem services, whilst driving food and water insecurity. This COP will be a historic moment to limit land degradation and drought around the world," added Minister AlFadley. Running from the 2nd to the 13th December, COP16 in Riyadh is the largest-ever UNCCD COP, for the first time featuring a Green Zone to mobilize multilateral action and help drive funding for land restoration initiatives. Bolstering global drought resilience is a focal point of COP16 in Riyadh, with three major international announcements taking place on the first day alone. The Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership will help synergize and amplify international action on drought resilience and shift global response from one of reactive crises management to proactive prevention. Launched during the opening ceremony, the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership received additional pledges of $1 billion from the OPEC Fund and $1 billion from the Islamic Development Bank. This comes in addition to the $150 million pledged by Saudi Arabia to fund the initiative. Meanwhile, the launch of the International Drought Resilience Observatory and Global Drought Atlas will help increase monitoring, prevention and awareness of drought around the world. During the opening ceremony, Ibrahim Thiaw, UNCCD Executive Secretary paid tribute to Saudi Arabia's leadership on land degradation, saying: "I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its vision and leadership in elevating the global land restoration and drought resilience agenda; whether through the G20, hosting this landmark COP and building its legacy, the Saudi Green Initiative, or, most recently, the Middle East Green Initiative." On the eve of the multilateral talks in Riyadh, the UNCCD issued a new report in collaboration with the Potsdam Institute for Climate Research, highlighting the growing global emergency caused by land degradation. Key findings outlined the damage being caused by unsustainable agricultural practices, with agriculture accounting for 80% of deforestation and 70% of freshwater use, whilst 23% of greenhouse gas emissions stem from agriculture, forestry and land use. Meanwhile, 46% of the global land area is classified as drylands according to the latest UNCCD report. About COP16 Riyadh: The UNCCD COP16 conference is taking place from December 2-13, 2024, at Boulevard Riyadh World, Saudi Arabia. The conference, themed Our Land. Our Future, will mark the 30th anniversary of the UNCCD and aims to secure multilateral action on critical issues such as drought resilience, land tenure, and sand and dust storms. For more information about UNCCD COP16, or to register your interest in attending, please visit UNCCDCOP16.org Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2556588/5052072/UNCCD_COP16__Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/saudi-arabia-assumes-unccd-presidency-during-official-cop16-opening-ceremony-302320787.html Renault Group has marked a significant milestone in its electrification strategy by securing a multi-year partnership with semiconductor manufacturer STMicroelectronics. The collaboration, set to commence in 2026, centers on developing and supplying silicon carbide power modules for electric vehicles through Renault's subsidiary Ampere. These innovative modules incorporate a groundbreaking powerbox solution compatible with both 400-volt and 800-volt battery systems, enabling ultra-fast charging capabilities. The technology integration, featuring three silicon carbide power modules and a specialized cooling system, allows for charging times from 10% to 80% in under 15 minutes, significantly enhancing the efficiency of electric powertrains and battery range. Market Performance Indicators The automotive manufacturer's stock experienced a notable decline of 2.47% on December 2, closing at 39.47, partly influenced by the French government's reduction in electric vehicle purchase incentives. The company maintains a market capitalization of 11.7 billion and projects a dividend payment of 1.85 for 2024. Current financial metrics show a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.00 and a price-to-sales ratio of 0.22 for 2024, indicating potential value despite recent market pressures. Ad Fresh Renault information released. What's the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends. Read our updated Renault analysis... Paris, France--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS), a leading provider of 4G and 5G semiconductors and modules for the Internet of Things, today announced that Georges Karam, President and CEO, and Deborah Choate, CFO, will participate in the 27th Annual Needham Growth Conference being held January 14 - 16, 2025, at Lotte NY Palace Hotel in New York City. Sequans' management will conduct one-on-one meetings on Tuesday, January 14, and host a presentation on the same day beginning at 8:45 a.m. ET in the "Stanford" room. A webcast of management's presentation can be accessed on the Events page of the Company's website at https://sequans.com/company/investor-relations/. For more information about the Needham Growth Conference or to schedule a meeting with Sequans' management, contact your Needham representative. Needham & Company reserves the right to optimize a company's meeting schedule. It is recommended that participants confirm all meeting times with the conference organizers. About Sequans Communications Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS) is a leading semiconductor company specializing in wireless cellular technology for the Internet of Things (IoT). Our engineers design and develop innovative, secure, and scalable technologies that power the next generation of connected devices. We offer a wide range of solutions, including chips, modules, IP, and services. Our LTE-M/NB-IoT, 4G LTE Cat 1bis, and 5G NR RedCap/eRedCap platforms are optimized for IoT, delivering breakthroughs in wireless connectivity, power efficiency, security, and performance. Established in 2003, Sequans is headquartered in France and has a global presence with offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Israel, Hong Kong, Singapore, Finland, Taiwan, and China. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232197 SOURCE: Sequans Communications American Eagle's North Zone Highlights: NAK24-27 intercepted 50 m of 1.01% Copper Equivalent (CuEq) within 252 m of 0.48% CuEq within 600 m of 0.33% CuEq NAK24-30 Intercepted 515 m of 0.40 % CuEq Including 112 m of 0.56% CuEq And including 61 m of 0.71% CuEq Assay results for eight holes are pending Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - American Eagle Gold Corp. (TSXV: AE) (OTCQB: AMEGF) ("American Eagle" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the intersection of strong copper-gold mineralization at the north zone, expanding NAK's high-grade mineralized envelope to the west and north. Holes NAK24-27 and NAK24-30 intersected strongly mineralized conglomerate and zones of bornite and chalcocite veining within rocks of the Babine porphyry stock Watch CEO Anthony Moreau and Lead Geologist Neil Prowse Discuss Recent Results Broad Intervals of High Grade within a Large System American Eagle believes that NAK represents a large, well-mineralized system with significant potential for growth. The drill holes reported in this news release provide evidence of a deep-rooted mineralized system extending beyond the limits of previous drilling. Confirmed grades and visually rich mineralization observed in recent northern drill holes (NAK24-33, -35, -37, and -38) suggest broad connectivity of the system to the north (refer to the northerly hole map). Additionally, the Company is reporting results from NAK24-29, its first shallow infill hole drilled between the western drill fence of NAK Phase 1 and the porphyry stock. NAK24-29 intersected consistent copper mineralization throughout, and the results track a zone of increased grade extending to the north from the south zone, that appears to steadily improve northwards with depth. "One of our primary focuses remains unlocking the potential of the North Zone, where we are confident a high-grade source lies at depth and may extend to surface. We believe 2025 will be a pivotal year as we refine our targeting efforts and showcase NAK's potential. With South32's recent $29 million strategic equity investment and over $37 million in our treasury, our drilling programs at NAK are funded for the next three years," stated CEO Anthony Moreau. Plan Map, Long Section and Drill Core Images: Interactive plan view map of drilling to date at NAK Core images for Assayed 2024 Drill Core NAK24-27 Assay Results (Table 1) and Details* Hole From (m) To (m) Length (m) Cu (%) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Mo (ppm) CuEq (%) NAK24-27 694.2 744.24 50.04 0.62 0.37 2.3 139.51 1.01 Within NAK24-27 694.2 857 162.8 0.39 0.19 1.62 70.9 0.59 Within NAK24-27 692 944 252 0.31 0.16 1.35 59.7 0.48 Within NAK24-27 343.92 944 600.08 0.21 0.11 0.82 52.96 0.33 Within NAK24-27 25.35 977 951.65 0.15 0.07 0.59 44.54 0.24 Cross Section of NAK24-27 * Copper Equivalent (CuEq) shown in Tables for drill intersections are calculated on a basis of US$ 3.75/lb for Cu, US$ 1,900/oz for Au, US$ 20/oz for Ag and US$ 25/lb for Mo, with 80% metallurgical recoveries assumed for all metals (Since it's unclear what metals will be the principal products, assuming different recoveries is premature at this stage). The formula is: CuEq. = Cu % + (Au grade in g/t x (Au recovery / Cu recovery) x [Au price 31] / [Cu price x 2200]) + (Ag grade in g/t x (Ag recovery / Cu recovery) x [Ag price 31] / [Cu price x 2200] + (Mo grade in % x (Mo recovery / Cu recovery) x [Mo price x 2200] / [Cu price x 2200]). The assays have not been capped. NAK24-27 was collared 100 m west of NAK23-12, and drilled eastward. It confirms that the higher grade mineralization encountered in NAK24-12 adjacent to and locally within the Babine porphyry stock extends westward at depth. NAK24-27 was collared in coarse- to fine-grained sedimentary rocks hosting sparse copper mineralization, occurring primarily as mm- to cm-scale semi massive sulphide veins. At a depth of approximately 343 m, well-mineralized conglomerate was intersected, with the strongest mineralization occurring below 700 m. Mineralization consists primarily of bornite and chalcopyrite, as partial matrix replacement, as disseminations within conglomerate clasts, and in local zones of mm- to cm-scale semi-massive sulphide veins. NAK24-27 tracks the strongest mineralization encountered in holes NAK23-12 and NAK22-04 steeply to depth, where it appears to parallel the the steeply west-dipping contact of the Babine porphyry stock. NAK24-30 Assay Results (Table 2) and Details* Hole From (m) To (m) Length (m) Cu (%) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Mo (ppm) CuEq (%) NAK24-30 581 642.11 61.11 0.49 0.23 2.47 42.51 0.71 Including NAK24-30 393 505 112 0.4 0.11 1.97 79.07 0.56 and Including NAK24-30 711 899 188 0.21 0.1 1.91 103.06 0.37 within NAK24-30 384.34 899 514.66 0.26 0.11 1.59 70.43 0.4 within NAK24-30 44 899 855 0.19 0.08 1.22 55.86 0.3 Cross Section of NAK24-30 NAK24-30 was collared 100 m north of NAK23-12 and drilled eastward. In a manner similar to hole NAK24-27, its mineralization increased downhole, with moderately mineralized sandstone and conglomerate giving way to strongly mineralized conglomerate at a depth of 384 m, where broad zones of disseminated chalcopyrite and bornite host local zones of dense veining (bornite-chalcopyrite +/- chalcocite). NAK24-30 remained in mineralized conglomerate, hosting subintervals of sandstone, and with both intruded by porphyry dykes of intermediate composition, down to a depth of approximately 660 m, where the Babine porphyry stock was encountered. Mineralization within the porphyry stock remained strong, returning 0.37 % CuEq from 711 m to End of hole. It is characterized by abundant veins, veinlets, and fracture coatings of bornite and chalcocite, which appear to have high-temperature potassic alteration haloes. The hole was ended at 899 m within moderately well-mineralized rocks of the stock. This is suggestive of the potential for further mineralization, and perhaps for another mineralized center, lying to the north and east NAK24-29 Assay Results (Table 4) and Details * Hole From (m) To (m) Length (m) Cu (%) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Mo (ppm) CuEq (%) NAK24-29 506.34 537.3 30.96 0.2 0.12 1.27 46.41 0.34 within NAK24-29 293.06 599 305.94 0.1 0.06 0.49 39.32 0.18 within NAK24-29 68.68 599 530.32 0.07 0.06 0.38 52.48 0.15 and including NAK24-29 476.83 480.65 3.82 0.75 0.06 5.3 6.18 0.84 Cross Section of NAK24-29 NAK24-29 was collared 100 m east of NAK24-18 (refer to the southerly hole map) and drilled eastward. It intersected sandstone to a depth of 200 m, and weakly mineralized conglomerate below that and down to a depth of 460 m, where dyking, possibly as marginal phases related to the Babine porphyry stock, was encountered. The strongest copper grades in NAK24-29 were intersected over 3.82 m, in bornite mineralized, sparsely plagioclase feldspar phyric monzonite which returned 0.75% Cu. This dyke is analogous in trace element geochemistry and texture to similarly mineralized dykes, known colloquially in the region as "Copper dykes," which have been intersected in various drill holes drilled by the Company over three seasons of drilling. In addition, a well mineralized screen of conglomerate hosting chalcopyrite and bornite was intersected between stock-related dykes and the stock itself. In a manner consistent with the north-south line of 2024 drill holes collared to the west and drilled to the east, the highest grades intersected in drilling to the immediate north of the historical near surface mineralization at the south zone appear to form a connected zone proximal to the porphyry stock, and in general, the widths and grades of this mineralization appears to increase steadily to the north. Collar details for holes drilled in the 2022, 2023 and 2024 drill program: Table 6 Hole UTM_Grid UTM_East UTM_North Azimuth Dip TD News Release NAK22-01 NAD83_Z9 675281 6129359 n/a -90 881 07-Nov-22 NAK22-02 NAD83_Z9 675281 6129359 340 -70 984 05-Dec-22 NAK22-03 NAD83_Z9 675201 6129658 n/a -90 941 25-Jan-23 NAK22-04 NAD83_Z9 675181 6129862 n/a -90 548 25-Jan-23 NAK22-05 NAD83_Z9 675105 6130067 n/a -90 824 02-Mar-23 NAK22-06 NAD83_Z9 675376 6129782 260 -77 920 02-Mar-23 NAK22-07 NAD83_Z9 675181 6129862 170 -81 874 02-Mar-23 NAK23-08 NAD83_Z9 675341 6129341 270 -60 881 09-Aug-23 NAK23-09 NAD83_Z9 675990 6129284 20 -65 837 14-Sep-23 NAK23-10 NAD83_Z9 675357 6129415 270 -60 855 19-Sep-23 NAK23-11 NAD83_Z9 675215 6129340 270 -60 836 19-Sep-23 NAK23-12 NAD83_Z9 674999 6129846 80 -70 929 12-Oct-23 NAK23-13 NAD83_Z9 675205 6129773 270 -60 620 08-Jan-24 NAK23-14 NAD83_Z9 675260 6129934 260 -70 749 08-Jan-24 NAK23-15 NAD83_Z9 675211 6129232 270 -60 617 08-Jan-24 NAK23-16 NAD83_Z9 675166 6129479 265 -65 743 08-Jan-24 NAK23-17 NAD83_Z9 674969 6129377 105 -73 810 08-Jan-24 NAK24-18 NAD83_Z9 674961 6129472 90 -77 914 20-Aug-24 NAK24-19 NAD83_Z9 675219 6129388 120 -55 951 20-Aug-24 NAK24-20 NAD83_Z9 674946 6129573 90 -72 933 20-Aug-24 NAK24-21 NAD83_Z9 675264 6129415 n/a -90 419 20-Aug-24 NAK24-22 NAD83_Z9 674927 6129673 84 -71 943 21-Oct-24 NAK24-23 NAD83_Z9 675264 6129415 340 -70 526 20-Aug-24 NAK24-24 NAD83_Z9 675264 6129415 340 -55 950 21-Oct-24 NAK24-25 NAD83_Z9 674930 6129766 86 -74 923 21-Oct-24 NAK24-26 NAD83_Z9 675264 6129415 300 -60 586 21-Oct-24 NAK24-27 NAD83_Z9 674898 6129857 90 -70 977 This Release NAK24-28 NAD83_Z9 675357 6129415 115 -55 632 21-Oct-24 NAK24-29 NAD83_Z9 675062 6129481 88 -70 599 This Release NAK24-30 NAD83_Z9 675021 6129939 88 -72 899 This Release NAK24-31 NAD83_Z9 675063 6129939 75 -78 494 Pending NAK24-32 NAD83_Z9 675049 6129352 88 -70 605 Pending NAK24-33 NAD83_Z9 675044 6129581 88 -70 962 Pending NAK24-34 NAD83_Z9 675031 6130018 87 -70 669 Pending NAK24-35 NAD83_Z9 675105 6130067 43 -65 922 Pending NAK24-36 NAD83_Z9 675509 6129440 115 -55 641 Pending NAK24-37 NAD83_Z9 675105 6130067 75 -55 842 Pending NAK24-38 NAD83_Z9 675181 6129862 0 -55 890 Pending QA/QC and Sampling Protocol Sampling at NAK follows a rigorous methodology and internal QA/QC protocol. Drill core is halved on site, and samples are submitted to ALS Geochemistry in Langley, British Columbia for preparation and analysis. ALS is accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard for assays. All analytical methods include quality control standards inserted at set frequencies. The entire sample interval is crushed and homogenized, and 250 g of the homogenized sample is pulped. All samples were analyzed for gold, silver, copper, molybdenum and a suite of 45 other major and trace elements. Analysis for gold is by fire assay fusion followed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) on 30 g of pulp. Analysis for silver, copper, and molybdenum is by four-acid digestion followed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS). All other major and trace elements are analyzed by four-acid digestion followed by ICP-MS. Internal QA/QC protocols dictate that individual core samples are no less than 70 cm and no greater than 3 m in length. To control standard, blank, and duplicate sample frequency, and to better constrain pass/fail re-analysis intervals, samples are submitted to the lab in 50 sample batches. Within each 50-sample batch, there is one gold-copper standard and two coarse reject duplicates, inserted at regular intervals, and two blank samples, inserted sequentially following well-mineralized samples where possible, for a total of 10% QA/QC samples. All gold and copper standard analyses from the 2023 program passed within 2 standard deviations of expected values. Where duplicate values differed significantly, the lower values from the resulting re-analyses were used. About American Eagle's NAK Project The NAK Project lies within the Babine copper-gold porphyry district of central British Columbia. It has excellent infrastructure through all-season roads and is close to the towns of Smithers, Houston, and Burns Lake, B.C., which lie along a major rail line and Provincial Highway 16. Historical drilling and geophysical, geological, and geochemical work at NAK, which began in the 1960's, tested only to shallow depths. Still, the work revealed a very large near-surface copper-gold system that measures over 1.5 km x 1.5 km. Drilling completed in 2022, 2023, and 2024 by American Eagle has returned significant intervals of high-grade copper-gold mineralization that reach beyond and much deeper than the historical drilling, indicating that zones of near-surface and deeper mineralization, locally with considerably higher grades, exist within the broader NAK property mineralizing system. For the latest videos from American Eagle, Ore Group, and all things mining, subscribe to our YouTube Chanel: youtube.com/@theoregroup About American Eagle Gold Corp. American Eagle is focused on exploring its NAK copper-gold porphyry project in west-central British Columbia, Canada. Q.P. Statement Mark Bradley, B.Sc., M.Sc., P.Geo., a Certified Professional Geologist and 'qualified person' for the purposes of Canada's National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Properties, has verified and approved the information contained in this news release. Forward-Looking Statements Certain information in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding whether the Company will be able to complete the Offering as anticipated, the receipt of regulatory approval, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, to complete the Offering, the intended use of proceeds and intended drill program or its anticipated results at the Company's NAK project, the ability of the Company to make the qualifying expenditures as anticipated by management, and other matters ancillary or incidental to the foregoing. This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results might differ materially from those suggested in forward-looking statements. American Eagle Gold Corp. assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward looking-statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to American Eagle Gold Corp. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by American Eagle Gold Corp. with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available under American Eagle Gold Corp. profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the TSX Venture Exchange policies) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232276 SOURCE: American Eagle Gold Corp. MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) - The United States has announced a $725 million security assistance package for Ukraine, which includes substantial quantities of artillery, rockets, and air defense capabilities.Announcing this, the White House said President Joe Biden has directed the Department of Defense to deliver the materiel to Ukraine rapidly to ensure that Ukraine has the equipment it needs to defend against Russian attacks.'Between now and mid-January, we will deliver hundreds of thousands of additional artillery rounds, thousands of additional rockets, and other critical capabilities to help Ukraine defend its freedom and independence,' National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement.On Monday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov to discuss battlefield dynamics and U.S. security assistance to Ukraine.The latest round of U.S. military aid includes Stinger missiles; Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems munitions; ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems; 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition; Unmanned Aerial Systems; Non-persistent antipersonnel landmines; Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems; Tube-launched, Optically guided, Wire-tracked missiles; small arms and ammunition; demolitions equipment and munitions; equipment to protect critical national infrastructure; and spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training, and transportation.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. To mark this special milestone, The Cooperative has released a commemorative video featuring member testimonials and highlighting the network's growth and successes. Valladolid, Spain - 3rd December 2024 - Since its foundation in 2014, the Cooperative Logistics Network has played a pivotal role in enabling small and mid-sized logistics companies to expand their operations, increase business volume, and access new markets across the globe. Today, The Cooperative proudly boasts 363 members in 135 countries, a testament to its success in creating a collaborative platform that fosters global business opportunities. "In a highly competitive world where large multinational logistics corporations dominate, and thousands of independent freight forwarders enter the market daily, trust has become one of the most critical yet challenging factors for success. That's why I founded The Cooperative Logistics Network. The idea was to create a platform where small but reliable companies could collaborate and compete on a global scale-offering them the opportunity to grow without losing their independence. The Cooperative was designed not just as a network, but as a space where professional, dedicated businesses could thrive through shared success and mutual trust", says Antonio Torres, President and Founder of The Cooperative Logistics Network. Over the past decade, The Cooperative Logistics Network has grown and evolved, making significant strides to support its members. The network has organized seven in-person Annual Meetings and three Virtual Meetings during the pandemic, offering valuable opportunities for members to exchange ideas, collaborate on projects, and strengthen their business ties. The 8th Annual Meeting, scheduled for May 28-30, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, will mark another key milestone in the network's history. As part of this special milestone, The Cooperative has unveiled a new commemorative video, reflecting on its journey and the meaningful relationships built over the years. The video celebrates the strength and resilience of The Cooperative's community, showcasing testimonials from members and highlighting the network's success stories. The past 10 years have been a remarkable path for The Cooperative. Beyond its impressive growth in membership and geographical reach, the network has spearheaded several key initiatives to support its members. In 2021, The Cooperative launched FreightViewer, an innovative online quotation tool that revolutionized how members generate instant freight quotes for global shipments. Additionally, The Cooperative developed a state-of-the-art web app, offering members an intuitive platform to seamlessly manage partnerships and contacts. The network has also forged valuable strategic alliances, including with Shipco, a leading global NVOCC, and a new agreement with CIFFA (Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association) to offer training courses designed to enhance members' skills and knowledge in the logistics sector. These initiatives have culminated in the successful implementation of a structured membership process that ensures high-quality, trusted partnerships across the network. Reflecting on this journey with The Cooperative, Ali Kaddour from CTS- a Coop founder member in Sydney, Australia, stated, "Our experience with The Cooperative has been very positive. Being part of the Coop has been crucial for CTS. As a Sydney-based member, this partnership has been instrumental in helping us build a network of reliable and trusted partners to handle our shipments. With this network's support CTS has expanded internationally growing our business, strengthening our local operations." Antonio Torres has expressed his excitement and gratitude to all members who have been part of the network over the years: "Thanks to all of our members for being an integral part of this incredible journey and for becoming part of our family. Your trust, collaboration, and support have been the foundation of our success. From the very beginning, we've focused on fostering high-quality relationships and shared success. The future of The Cooperative is bright, and we look forward to continuing to expand and create new opportunities for all our members." For further information kindly contact: Maria Serrano Tel. +34 983435107 mserrano@thecooperativelogisticsnetwork.com www.thecooperativelogisticsnetwork.com The Cooperative Logistics Network is a capped, non-exclusive alliance of 360+ hand-picked independent freight forwarders in each major air/seaport who co-operate in a financially secure environment to reduce costs and risks and grow their businesses by actively working together to compete against the largest multinationals. Attachment SANYA, China, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On 26 November, The 5th Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance was held in Sanya, Hainan Province. The forum was co-organized by Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance, National Institute for South China Sea Studies, China Oceanic Development Foundation, and Hainan Free Trade Port Research Institute, and co-organized by CGTN. More than 300 experts, scholars, government officials, senior officials of foreign embassies in China, representatives of international organizations, and maritime related departments from over 30 countries and regions attended the forum. More than 2,000 people registered the online meeting. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, delivered a keynote speech. Chen Xiaodong, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China; Sun Shuxian, Vice Minister of Natural Resources and Administrator of the State Ocean Administration; Bateer, Executive Vice Governor of Hainan Province; Michael Lodge, Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority; Peter Thomson, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Ocean Affairs delivered opening speeches respectively. The forum conducted discussions over topics as "Global Ocean Governance: Rules, Responsibilities, and Powers" and "Settlement of Maritime Dispute: Dialogue or Confrontation?" "Integrated Marine Management, Blue Economy Development," "Order in the South China Sea Based on Common Security and International Law" "Protection of Marine Ecological Environment and Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries" "The Future of Poles and the Deep Sea: Exploration, Utilization, and Protection" "Building a Marine Community with a Shared Future: Commitments and Actions". Wang Yi said that across the word, changes of our times and of historical significance are unfolding like never before. Global governance is facing brand-new opportunities and challenges. Improving global ocean governance and building a maritime community with a shared future is essential to building a community with a shared future for mankind. Committed to implementing the Global Development Initiative(GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) proposed by President Xi Jinping, China is ready to work with all countries to pursue higher-level global ocean governance to better serve the well-being of mankind. For this purpose, the Chinese side would like to propose three following. First, we should advance high-quality and sustainable development of the ocean. Second, we should safeguard universal and sustainable maritime security. Third, we should promote inter-civilization exchanges on maritime outlook. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2571942/20241203152432.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-5th-symposium-on-global-maritime-cooperation-and-ocean-governance-was-held-in-sanya-302320834.html Lead, South Dakota--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - Dakota Gold Corp. (NYSE American: DC) ("Dakota Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that step-out drilling north of the JB Gold Zone has nearly doubled the known strike-length of the Homestake iron-formation hosted gold mineralization at the Maitland Gold Project ("Maitland"). Dakota Gold's 2024 Maitland drill program has delineated four distinct ledges, each of which has yielded high-grade Homestake Mine-style gold intercepts analogous to the gold mineralization found in the "West Ledge" system that produced approximately 6 million ounces of gold at the historic Homestake Mine. To date, the Company's program at Maitland has generated 49 intercepts from 73 holes at an average grade of 10.11 grams per tonne gold (g/t Au) over an average thickness of 3.8 meters. While the modeling of the Maitland gold system had previously appeared to share a similar sized footprint with the West Ledge system of the Homestake Mine, this step-out drilling has substantially extended the mineralization northward, with the system still open to further expansion to the north, south and at depth. Significant Highlights (See Table 1): Step-out drill hole MA24C-058 intersected 28.10 g/t Au over 0.8 meters. MA24C-058 is located 710 meters northwest of the JB Gold Zone discovery drill hole MA23C-017, nearly doubling the length of the known mineralization. Other highlighted JB Gold Zone intercepts: MA23C-032D intersecting - 14.45 g/t Au over 1.8 meters MA24C-051 intersecting - 8.93 g/t Au over 3.5 meters MA24C-055 intersecting - 11.50 g/t Au over 1.6 meters With the inclusion of step-out drill hole MA24C-058, the length of all mineralized ledges in the Maitland area to date is 1,646 meters long. The ledges remain open along strike and to depth. Jerry Aberle, Chief Operating Officer commented, "The results of our drill programs at Maitland have demonstrated beyond doubt that the same mineralizing fluids that produced the Homestake Mine are repeatable and have mineralized the exact same host rocks at Maitland. Those of us that worked at the Homestake Mine or were engaged in Homestake's exploration of the corridor extending north of the mine have waited a long time for the opportunity to prove that these Homestake Mine-style deposits are repeatable. We've now demonstrated that with our results to date, and we've only just begun." Aberle continued, "With all of the Homestake data and our first-hand knowledge of that data, Dakota Gold's technical team worked up a number of solid targets within the corridor and ranked them. We chose to start our corridor program at Maitland in early 2022, and this first program has exceeded every expectation I could have had for sustained consistent results. And, we have multiple targets to the north at Blind Gold and to the south at the North Drift Discovery yet to test." James Berry, Vice President Exploration of Dakota Gold, said, "My experience as an exploration and underground geologist working 10 years at the Homestake Mine informs my belief that the Maitland drill results identifying Ledges 34, 35, 36 and 37 are analogous to the West Ledges of the Homestake Mine. From the drill core, we are seeing steeply plunging or reclined mineralization and comparable grades and thicknesses. The Maitland mineralization is shallower than the West Ledges of the Homestake Mine which produced more than 6 million ounces of gold. The Homestake Mine is the world's largest banded iron formation hosted gold deposit and similar gold systems include Orla's Musselwhite and B2's Back River deposits. The one unique characteristic of the Maitland mineralization is it is close to infrastructure and a 15 minute drive from our head office. As we wrap up our 2024 drill program at Maitland for the year, we will be refining our modelling of the ledges and analyzing the results to create a follow up drill program for the 2025 year that will target shallower intercepts." Table 1. Released Drill Results (Metric / Imperial)1,2 Hole # From To Depth Interval3 Gold From To Depth Interval3 Gold Mineral Type g x m m m m m g/t ft ft ft ft oz/ton MA23C-032D 1176.4 1179.8 1135 3.4 6.20 3859.6 3870.7 3723 11.1 0.181 p 21 1224.3 1227.9 1182 3.6 5.51 4016.8 4028.6 3877 11.8 0.161 p 20 1569.4 1571.2 1484 1.8 14.45 5148.8 5154.8 4870 6 0.421 p 26 MA24C-048 458.4 459.9 306 1.6 8.85 1503.9 1509.0 1004 5.1 0.258 p 14 MA24C-051 568.2 571.7 436 3.5 8.93 1864.3 1875.8 1431 11.5 0.261 p 31 MA24C-052 578.9 581.9 527 3.0 2.92 1899.2 1909.2 1730 10.0 0.085 p 9 602.0 603.3 552 1.3 9.90 1975 1979.2 1812 4.2 0.289 p 13 MA24C-054 656.5 658.2 613 1.6 6.98 2153.9 2159.3 2012 5.4 0.203 p 11 MA24C-055 733.9 735.5 487 1.6 11.50 2407.8 2412.9 1598 5.1 0.335 p 18 848.3 852.0 551 3.7 3.78 2783.2 2795.3 1809 12.1 0.110 p 14 MA24C-055A 801.7 802.4 542 0.6 4.25 2630.4 2632.4 1779 2.0 0.124 p 3 811.7 812.3 549 0.5 4.79 2663.2 2665.0 1801 1.8 0.140 p 3 MA24C-055B 919.9 924.3 659 4.4 3.57 3018.1 3032.5 2163 14.4 0.104 p 16 930.2 933.6 666 3.4 2.95 3051.8 3062.9 2184 11.1 0.086 p 10 MA24C-058 828.4 829.1 501 0.8 28.10 2717.7 2720.3 1645 2.6 0.820 p 22 833.5 834.9 504 1.4 6.48 2734.6 2739.3 1652 4.7 0.189 p 9 837.5 840.1 506 2.6 4.55 2747.7 2756.3 1660 8.6 0.133 p 12 The table may contain rounding errors. Abbreviations in the table include ounces per ton ("oz/ton"); grams per tonne ("g/t"); feet ("ft"); meter ("m"); and Precambrian mineralization ("p"). True Thickness Unknown Figure 1. Dakota Gold plan view map with Highlighted Maitland, JB Gold Zone Drill Holes. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8218/232265_74180215749b0ada_002full.jpg Maitland Gold Project The Maitland Gold Project hosts the JB Gold Zone, which has returned highlight intercepts including drill hole MA23C-038 which intersected 25.03 g/t Au over 4.4 meters. Maitland is 3 miles along strike of the historic Homestake Mine. The JB Gold Zone discovery is analogous to the West Ledges at the Homestake Mine that produced over 6 million ounces at a grade of 7.7 g/t Au. Dakota Gold has completed its 2024 Maitland drill program and is assessing results that will inform the 2025 follow up drill program where we have significant potential to continue to expand the footprint of the high-grade gold discovered to date. Richmond Hill Oxide Heap Leach Gold Project Regarding Dakota Gold's other focus area, the Richmond Hill Oxide Heap Leach Gold Project, based on the current defined oxide resource and additional significant drill hole intercepts encountered in the current drill campaign, Dakota has contracted with M3, RESPEC, IMC and Woods Processing to undertake the necessary engineering and metallurgical studies currently in progress to advance from the Initial Assessment with Cash Flow (IACF) to initiating a full feasibility in Q2 2025. Concurrently the Company is undertaking baseline environmental studies that will inform future permitting requirements. With regards Richmond Hill, it is analogous to the adjacent Wharf Mine of Coeur Mining which is expected to generate over $100 million in free cash flow in 2024 from approximately 90,000 ounces of gold. The Richmond Hill Oxide Heap Leach Gold Project is located on private land with certain existing permits and we believe with anticipated updated amendments, we can advance the project expeditiously through development and into production. Our financial proposal for up to $300 million for a development opportunity with Orion Mine Finance, our major shareholder announced on October 12, 2023, provides Dakota Gold with the financial pathway to a commercial gold operation. About Dakota Gold Corp. Dakota Gold is building on the legacy of the 145 year old Homestake Gold Mining District by advancing the Richmond Hill Oxide Heap Leach Gold Project and outlining a high-grade underground gold resource at the Maitland Gold Project located on private land in South Dakota. Subscribe to Dakota Gold's e-mail list at www.dakotagoldcorp.com to receive the latest news and other Company updates. Qualified Person and S-K 1300 Disclosure James M. Berry, a Registered Member of SME and Vice President of Exploration of Dakota Gold Corp., is the Company's designated qualified person for this news release as defined in Subpart 1300 - Disclosure by Registrants Engaged in Mining Operations of Regulation S-K and has reviewed and approved its scientific and technical content. The ranges of potential tonnage and grade (or quality) disclosed above in respect of the Maitland Gold Project are conceptual in nature and could change as the proposed exploration activities are completed. There has been insufficient exploration of the Maitland Gold Project to allow for an estimate of a mineral resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the estimation of a mineral resource. The disclosure above in respect of the Maitland Gold Project therefore does not represent, and should not be construed to be, an estimate of a mineral resource or mineral reserve. Quality Assurance/Quality Control consists of regular insertion of certified reference materials, duplicate samples, and blanks into the sample stream. Samples are submitted to the ALS Geochemistry sample preparation facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Gold and multi-element analyses are performed at the ALS Geochemistry laboratory in Vancouver, British Columbia. ALS Minerals is an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited lab. Check samples are submitted to Bureau Veritas, Vancouver B.C. as an umpire laboratory. Assay results are reviewed, and discrepancies are investigated prior to incorporation into the Company database. Forward-Looking Statements This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. When used in this news release, the words "plan," "target," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "potential," "will" and "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Any express or implied statements contained in this announcement that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: the continuity of geology, correctness of models and assumptions, or magnitude of resource potential regarding Maitland, the JB Gold Zone, or the Unionville Zone; our expectations regarding the drilling to be completed in 2024 and 2025; our expectations for the improvement and growth of the mineral resources; the grade potential of the drilling completed after the effective date of the Initial Assessment; the timing for the updated S-K 1300 Initial Assessments to be released in 2025 or thereafter; and our overall expectation for the possibility of near-term production at the Richmond Hill project. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and expectations that may not be realized and are inherently subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: the execution and timing of our planned exploration activities; our use and evaluation of historic data; our ability to achieve our strategic goals; the state of the economy and financial markets generally and the effect on our industry; and the market for our common stock. The foregoing list is not exhaustive. For additional information regarding factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in our forward-looking statements, we refer you to the risk factors included in Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as updated by annual, quarterly and current reports that we file with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this communication. These statements speak only as of the date of this communication, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. We do not give any assurance that we will achieve our expectations. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232265 SOURCE: Dakota Gold Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - Lake Victoria Gold Ltd. (TSXV: LVG) ("LVG" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that on November 30th 2024 a non-binding term sheet was signed with Monetary Metals & Co. ("MM" or "Buyer") for a pre-paid forward arrangement (the "PPF"). The PPF includes a forward purchase of 7,000 ounces of gold to support the start-up and ongoing development of the Imwelo Mine in Tanzania. Additionally, MM will be entitled to an offtake of 100% of LVG's authorized export production, up to 100,000 Troy ounces, at a 2.0% discount to the market price. The full and final terms will be detailed in a definitive PPF agreement, subject to customary conditions, including TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSX-V") acceptance, completion of due diligence, and regulatory approvals. Under the PPF, MM will acquire gold from LVG at a predetermined discount, set at 99.70% of the London PM Fix price on the date of delivery. LVG has also agreed to a quarterly cash sweep mechanism, allowing the Company to allocate positive cash flow from the project to adjust future delivery obligations. "This agreement represents a significant milestone for Lake Victoria Gold," said Marc Cernovitch, President & CEO of Lake Victoria Gold Ltd. "With the non dilutive structure of the PPF and the offtake arrangement, we can fully fund the capital expenditure required for the construction of the Imwelo Mine. This financing secures essential resources for the mine's start-up and development while aligning repayment with our cash flow and gold production schedules." Simon Benstead, Executive Chairman & CFO at Lake Victoria Gold, added, "We are delighted to share this milestone with our stakeholders, who have patiently awaited the Imwelo Mining License transfer and our construction financing plan. Upon closing of this pre-paid forward facility (PPF) and alongside our previously secured funding commitments, LVG will have a clear, fully financed path to production with substantial projected cash flow. With our recently renewed 10-year mining license, LVG is well-positioned to drive sustained value creation for our shareholders. This foundation enables us to execute on a broader strategy to build a dynamic portfolio of high-growth assets in Tanzania." As part of the consideration for advancing the financing, and subject to TSX-V approval, the Company will issue MM 2,500,000 bonus share purchase warrants (the "Warrants"). Each Warrant entitles MM to acquire one common share of the Company (the "Warrant Shares") at an exercise price set at Market Price, pending TSX-V approval, for a period of three years from the loan issuance date. The securities referenced herein, or any securities underlying or derived from the financial instruments referenced, including but not limited to the Warrants, Warrant Shares, and the Loan, have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities, nor shall there be any sale of such securities in any jurisdiction where such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful before registration or qualification under the securities laws of that jurisdiction. About Lake Victoria Gold (LVG): Lake Victoria Gold is a rapidly growing gold exploration and development company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol LVG. Leveraging our unique position and experience, the Company is principally focused on growth and consolidation in the highly prolific and prospective Lake Victoria Goldfield in Tanzania. The Company has a 100% interest in the Tembo project which has over 50 thousand meters of drilling and is located adjacent to Barrick's 20Moz Bulyanhulu Mine. The Company recently (August 10, 2023 and August 29, 2023) announced the acquisition of two deposits that support our objective of accretive growth and consolidation. The Imwelo project and Dora project both have potential for significant growth. LVG has assembled a highly experienced team with a track record of developing, financing, and operating mining projects in Africa with management, directors and partners owning more than 60% of the shares. Notably, the Company is grateful for the validation that comes with the support and equity investment from Barrick Gold and recent strategic partnership with Taifa Group. Taifa Group (a diverse group of companies with interests in amongst others, Mining, Telecoms, Oil & Gas, Agri Business, Pharmaceuticals and Leather) has entered into an agreement with the Company to obtain an equity stake in the Company and through its wholly owned subsidiary Taifa Mining (a wholly Tanzanian owned company), or other nominees. Taifa Mining will also carry out all the contract mining and civil works for the Imwelo project. Taifa Mining is Tanzania's largest mining contractor with over 30 years mining related experience. Taifa have been the contractor of choice to most mines in Tanzania and have maintained long and successful relationships with companies such as Petra, De Beers, Barrick, and AngloGold Ashanti. In addition, Taifa also owns the largest fleet of mining equipment in Tanzania. As a company, Taifa is committed to adopting and adhering to the latest internationally recognized standards throughout all aspects of its business. NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, including: future exploration and development plans with respect to the Imwelo Project, construction of a mine on the Imwelo Project, contract work on the Imwelo Project by Taifa Mining and the acquisition of any equity stake by Taifa Mining, entering into a definitive PPF agreement and completing the transactions with MM, including the satisfaction of the closing conditions thereunder, and receipt of all regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words such as "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "project", "target", "potential", "schedule", "forecast", "budget", "estimate", "intend" or "believe" and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond LVG's control, including risks associated with or related to: the completion of the PPF, including receipt of all regulatory approvals and third-party consents, the volatility of metal prices and LVG's common shares; changes in tax laws; the dangers inherent in exploration, development and mining activities; the uncertainty of reserve and resource estimates; not achieving development or production, cost or other estimates; actual exploration or development plans and costs differing materially from the Company's estimates; the ability to obtain and maintain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for mining activities; environmental regulations or hazards and compliance with complex regulations associated with mining activities; climate change and climate change regulations; fluctuations in exchange rates; the availability of financing; financing and debt activities; operations in foreign and developing countries and the compliance with foreign laws, including those associated with operations in Tanzania and including risks related to changes in foreign laws and changing policies related to mining and local ownership requirements or resource nationalization generally, including in response to the COVID-19 outbreak; remote operations and the availability of adequate infrastructure; fluctuations in price and availability of energy and other inputs necessary for mining operations; shortages or cost increases in necessary equipment, supplies and labour; regulatory, political and country risks, including local instability or acts of terrorism and the effects thereof; the reliance upon contractors, third parties and joint venture partners; challenges to title or surface rights; the dependence on key personnel and the ability to attract and retain skilled personnel; the risk of an uninsurable or uninsured loss; adverse climate and weather conditions; litigation risk; competition with other mining companies; community support for LVG's operations, including risks related to strikes and the halting of such operations from time to time; conflicts with small scale miners; failures of information systems or information security threats; the ability to maintain adequate internal controls over financial reporting as required by law; compliance with anti-corruption laws, and sanctions or other similar measures; social media and LVG's reputation; and other risks disclosed in the Company's public filings. LVG's forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management and reflect their current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof. LVG does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable law. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits or liabilities LVG will derive therefrom. For the reasons set forth above, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232267 SOURCE: Lake Victoria Gold Ltd. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Tesla Inc. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk's $56 billion pay package, which was approved by its shareholders, has been rejected by a Judge for the second time, noting that the compensation plan was improperly granted. Meanwhile, Tesla said the court's decision is wrong, and that the electric vehicle maker is going to appeal.Delaware judge Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick, who voided the 2018 pay package in January this year calling it deeply flawed, now has upheld it.Responding to the ruling, Tesla said in a post on X, 'A Delaware judge just overruled a supermajority of shareholders who own Tesla and who voted twice to pay @elonmusk what he's worth. The court's decision is wrong, and we're going to appeal. This ruling, if not overturned, means that judges and plaintiffs' lawyers run Delaware companies rather than their rightful owners - the shareholders.'In a separate X post, Musk called the ruling absolute corruption.'Shareholders should control company votes, not judges,' he noted.The pay package in stock, which was worth around $56 billion at the time of the January ruling, is now worth around $101.5 billion as of Monday's closing, with the significant growth in Tesla's share value.Musk's Tesla compensation package, which is considered the largest in U.S. corporate history, was initially approved by the shareholders in 2018. However, it faced severe scrutiny and was voided by McCormick, who stated that the package was approved due to Musk's substantial relation with the Tesla Board.Tesla shareholders were divided over the proposed pay package as some considered Musk is integral to Tesla's future success, while certain others said the compensation is too excessive and detrimental to the company's best interests.However, around 77% shareholders, at Tesla's annual meeting in June, again approved the ratification of the 2018 CEO Performance Award. Based on this result, the company challenged the judge's previous ruling.McCormick now noted that even if a stockholder vote could have a ratifying effect, it could not do so here. 'Were the court to condone the practice of allowing defeated parties to create new facts for the purpose of revising judgments, lawsuits would become interminable,' the judge wrote.Following the January ruling by the Delaware judge, Musk had put forward the resolution to move its state of incorporation to Texas from Delaware after a significantly positive response from his followers in X.In the June meeting, the luxury electric car maker's shareholders also approved the resolution, and the company is now incorporated in Texas, the base of its largest U.S. factory. Musk has also moved the state of incorporation of SpaceX to Texas from Delaware.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - Hercules Metals Corp. (TSXV: BIG) (OTCQB: BADEF) (FSE: C0X) ("Hercules Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce results from its first phase of initial metallurgical testing at the Hercules Project in western Idaho ("Hercules" or the "Property"). Metallurgical testing was conducted on four composite samples, each weighing over 50 kilograms, including samples of oxide and sulfide silver from the near surface epithermal system, as well as copper mineralization from the underlying porphyry system. Conventional flotation of porphyry copper mineralization achieved a strong recovery of 87% in initial open cycle tests, with ongoing locked cycle testing now projected to recover 90%. A straightforward two-step leaching process on the near-surface silver delivered impressive recoveries of 86% for oxide mineralization and 82% for sulfide mineralization. Highlights Initial copper recoveries of 87% were achieved in the first pass open cycle tests, with ongoing locked cycle testing now projected to recover 90%. Minimal deleterious elements in concentrate. Overall silver recoveries of 86% (oxide) and 82% (sulfide) for the near surface silver mineralization, utilizing a sulfurous acid leach followed by conventional cyanidation. Approximately 60% of silver is free milling. Phase I metallurgical scoping tests were completed at Forte Dynamics ("Forte"), by Deepak Malhotra, PhD, with experience in many large silver deposits, and recipient of the AIME James Douglas Award, the Gaudin Award and Arthur C. Daman Lifetime Achievement Award by the Society of Mining and Metallurgy and Exploration Engineers. Next steps include Cu-Mo separation analysis, optimization of the two-step leaching process for silver, and optimization of locked cycle flotation of copper. Chris Paul, CEO and Director of the Company, noted: "These initial recovery values exceeded our expectations and highlight that a commercial-grade clean concentrate can be produced, without deleterious elements like arsenic or antimony. Moving forward, we anticipate that future optimization studies will work to further enhance these strong initial numbers from our phase I study. Perhaps most encouraging are the exceptionally strong silver recoveries achieved on the near-surface epithermal mineralization. By developing a simple two-step leaching process, Deepak and his team at Forte have improved on historical recoveries by over 20%. This alone may have a profound impact on the future development of the Property, as the ability to implement low-cost leaching of the near surface silver mineralization not only enhances its viability, but also strongly positions us to unlock the underlying porphyry system." Silver Recoveries Forte initially completed a review of historical met work completed in the 1980's prior to proposing a new process which had potential to improve on the historical recoveries. Composite samples were prepared on both the silver oxide and sulfide mineralization from 2023 drill core assay rejects. Initial bottle roll tests demonstrated that approximately 60% of the silver in both composites was directly cyanide soluble, reflective of the free-milling silver component. To improve on this, a two-step recovery process was implemented. The first step involved a sulfurous acid leach, which liberated silver bound to manganese minerals, enhancing its availability for subsequent recovery. The second step, a cyanide leach of the acid-treated material, delivered recoveries of 86% for the oxide composite and 82% for the sulfide composite, representing a remarkable 22-26% improvement from the initial single-step cyanidation tests. Results are shown in Table 1 below. Table 1: Cyanide Leach Test Results After Sulfurous Acid Leading Sample Extraction % Ag Residue g/t Ag Head g/t Ag Reagent Consumption kg/t NaCN Lime Oxide 86.2 28.0 202.5 1.738 6.5 Sulfide 82.1 17.0 94.8 1.124 2.0 Copper-Molybdenum Recoveries Rougher flotation tests were performed at varying grind sizes. The test results indicated that both copper and molybdenite recoveries were independent of the grind sizes tested. The results also indicated that 12 minutes of flotation time recovered 95% of copper and 84% of molybdenite in the rougher concentrate at a fairly coarse grind of P80 of 100 mesh (Table 2). Table 2: Cu-Mo Rougher Flotation Results at Varying Grind Sizes Primary Grind Size (mesh) Flotation Time, min Recovery % Concentrate Grade % Wt Cu Mo Cu Mo 100 12 9.97 95.8 84.0 8.8 0.07 150 12 10.01 95.4 83.7 8.4 0.10 200 12 9.86 95.0 83.2 8.6 0.10 A large scale (10 kg) flotation test was then carried out to produce a rougher concentrate on which cleaner flotation could be carried out. The large-scale rougher concentrate recovered 8% of the weight, 96% of the Cu, and 64% of the Mo, assaying 10% Cu and 0.1% Mo. Table 3: Large Scale (10 kg) Rougher Flotation Test Results at P80 of 100 Mesh Product Recovery % Concentrate Grade % Wt Cu Mo Cu Mo Rougher Concentrate 8.2 95.8 64.1 10.3 0.0998 Rougher Tailing 91.8 4.2 35.9 0.04 0.005 Open cycle cleaner flotation tests were run in two stages on the rougher concentrate. Copper recoveries were 93.6% after the first stage and 90.5% after the second stage. Locked cycle tests are underway with projected cleaner recoveries of 95%. A concentrate grade of 22% Cu was achieved without regrind of the rougher concentrate and Forte is projecting 24% Cu in the locked cycle tests, demonstrating that a marketable grade copper concentrate can be produced with a simple conventional flowsheet. Table 4: Open Circuit Cleaner Flotation Test Results without Regrind Product Flotation Time, min Recovery % Concentrate Grade % Wt Cu Mo Cu Mo Cleaner 2 Con 1 1 27.6 69.4 62.6 22.52 0.21 Cleaner 2 Con 2 1 7.4 16.0 15.9 21.36 0.18 Cleaner 2 Con 3 1 2.8 5.1 5.5 19.28 0.15 Cleaner 2 Tail - 8.8 3.1 5.5 6.24 0.03 Cal Cleaner 1 Con 4 46.4 93.6 89.6 Cleaner 1 Tail - 53.6 6.4 10.4 1.94 0.01 Cal. Rougher Con. - 100 100 100 9.92 0.08 Outlook With the early arrival of seasonal winter conditions, Hercules has initiated a shutdown of the Phase III program to ensure the safe demobilization of personnel and equipment. The Phase IV drill program is anticipated to commence as soon as weather conditions permit, with preparations already underway. Drill results from the remaining Phase III holes are still pending, and these, along with other exploration updates, are expected to be released through to early 2025. The Phase III program has successfully expanded the enrichment zone to 1.6 km by 1.1 km, demonstrating significant continuity which remains open in all directions. The Company has also identified a number of other new targets which will be further discussed in a coming news release. Notably, the recent identification of a new zone of shallow porphyry mineralization to the southeast, a zone of increasing grade to the north, and the discovery of a new hydrothermal breccia, all demonstrate the strong potential for near-term discovery of additional porphyry centers. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information in this news release, including the sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information has been reviewed and approved for disclosure by Deepak Malhotra SME-RM, Director of Metallurgy, of Forte Dynamics. Mr. Maholtra is a "Qualified Person" independent of the Company within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Hercules Metals Corp. Hercules Metals Corp. (TSXV: BIG) (OTCQB: BADEF) (FSE: C0X) is an exploration Company focused on developing Idaho's newest copper and silver district. The 100% owned Hercules Project located northwest of Cambridge, hosts the newly discovered Leviathan porphyry copper system, one of the most important discoveries in the region to date. The Company is well positioned for growth through continued drilling, supported by extensive historical and current exploration and a strategic investment by Barrick Gold. With the potential for significant scale, the Company's management and board of directors aims to build on its proven track record which includes the discovery and development of numerous precious metals projects worldwide. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. Any securities referred to herein have not and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws of an exemption from such registration is available. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain information that may be deemed "forward-looking information" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information includes statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking information contained in this press release may include, without limitation, the expected execution of future exploration programs on the Property; assay results of future drill holes; results of operations, and the expected financial performance of the Company. Although the Company believes the forward-looking information contained in this news release is reasonable based on information available on the date hereof, by its nature, forward-looking information involves assumptions and known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Examples of such assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, assumptions, risks and uncertainties associated with general economic conditions; the Covid-19 pandemic; adverse industry events; the receipt of required regulatory approvals and the timing of such approvals; that the Company maintains good relationships with the communities in which it operates or proposes to operate, future legislative and regulatory developments in the mining sector; the Company's ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favorable terms; mining industry and markets in Canada and generally; the ability of the Company to implement its business strategies; competition; the risk that any of the assumptions prove not to be valid or reliable, which could result in delays, or cessation in planned work, risks associated with the interpretation of data, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits, the possibility that results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, as well as other assumptions risks and uncertainties applicable to mineral exploration and development activities and to the Company, including as set forth in the Company's public disclosure documents filed on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca. THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF HERCULES METALS AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PRESS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE HERCULES METALS MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232239 SOURCE: Hercules Metals Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - Legend Power Systems (TSXV: LPS), is excited to provide a detailed update on our extraordinary progress. This year has been transformative for Legend Power Systems, with tangible wins across five strategic pillars that form the backbone of our growth strategy. Each of these pillars represents a standalone opportunity to drive significant revenue growth, but together, they form a synergistic foundation that will likely catapult us to over $100 million annual revenue within the next 3-5 years. We are transitioning from dozens of SmartGATE installations annually to hundreds, and ultimately to thousands per year, in the near future. This shift is underpinned by strong execution, proven solutions, and a growing pipeline of wins and opportunities. The accomplishments we've already achieved demonstrate our ability to deliver, and we are confident that our trajectory is not just upward but transformative. Strategic Pillar 1: U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Green Proving Ground Program The U.S. GSA Green Proving Ground (GPG) program represents a watershed moment for Legend Power Systems. In 2022, we were selected as one of only eight participants out of more than 800 applicants-a testament to the innovation and impact of our SmartGATE platform. The GPG program was designed to identify and evaluate cutting-edge technologies capable of reducing energy consumption and improving building performance across the GSA's massive portfolio of over 3 billion square feet of facilities. As part of this program, we are installing two SmartGATE systems: the first at a border facility in December 2024 and the second at a prominent building in the Federal Triangle in Washington, D.C., early in the first quarter of 2025. These installations are critical steps toward developing a broad based deployment plan within the GSA's extensive property portfolio. The program also includes a pivotal collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory which is developing a comprehensive model to quantify not only energy savings but also the significant impact of improved power quality on maintenance, repairs, and the lifespan of critical building systems. This model will serve as a template for property owners and operators nationwide, demonstrating how power optimization enhances efficiency, uptime, and long-term building value. We are anticipating this report to be publicly available during calendar 2025 and drive broader tangible models for understanding the impact of improving the quality of power on long term system reliability and lifetime. This will firmly quantify this critical part of the SmartGATE value proposition. The GSA's embrace of SmartGATE technology is a transformative milestone that positions Legend Power Systems to unlock enormous potential within federal government facilities. With the GSA overseeing more than 3 billion square feet of real estate, our involvement in their Green Proving Ground program serves as a robust endorsement of our technology's effectiveness and reliability. This validation extends far beyond the GSA itself, establishing a precedent that will encourage broader adoption across other federal, state, and municipal agencies. The federal government's rigorous evaluation and procurement standards often set the benchmark for other sectors. As SmartGATE technology is deployed and proven effective within the GSA's extensive portfolio, it not only strengthens our foothold in government markets but also acts as a powerful catalyst for adoption in private and commercial sectors. When organizations in industries like commercial real estate, multifamily housing, big-box retail, and education see the federal government leveraging SmartGATE to improve energy efficiency, reduce costs, and extend the lifespan of critical systems, they gain confidence in the value proposition and reliability of our solutions. This broader market validation accelerates decision-making for non-governmental clients, reducing perceived risks and shortening sales cycles. It also enhances our brand equity, making SmartGATE synonymous with power optimization and long-term value creation. In this way, the GSA's adoption of our technology not only drives exponential growth within their portfolio but also opens doors to a much larger ecosystem of opportunities across public and private sectors, creating a ripple effect that propels us toward our long-term growth goals. Strategic Pillar 2: United States Department of Defense (DoD) The Department of Defense represents one of the most demanding and expansive infrastructure portfolios in the world. In mid-2024, we received a letter of intent from the DoD to install 10 SmartGATE systems at a key military base plagued by recurring power issues that disrupted critical operations. This initial deployment focuses on 10 of the most critical buildings on a base with over 80 large facilities. These installations will address immediate challenges, with additional phases planned to expand the solution across the broader base. The DoD's infrastructure challenges-spanning thousands of buildings across multiple continents-underscore the necessity of reliable, efficient power management. Recently, another major military base issued an energy performance contract to an Energy Service Company (ESCO), explicitly mandating the inclusion of SmartGATE to address ongoing power issues at over 1,000 buildings on site. This direct requirement validates our position as an essential part of military infrastructure modernization efforts and provides a blueprint for further adoption across DoD facilities globally. Strategic Pillar 3: Energy Performance Contracts (EPC) with Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) The Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) market, valued at US$10-15 billion annually, is a cornerstone of Legend Power Systems' growth strategy. Since securing our first ESCO project in 2019, we have steadily expanded our presence in this vital sector. The increasing recognition of the pivotal role power optimization plays in the success of energy projects has been a driving force behind this growth, positioning SmartGATE technology as a critical solution for ESCOs and their clients. The EPC process is both rigorous and rewarding. It begins with preliminary proposals and vendor selection, advances through the investment-grade audit (IGA) phase, and concludes with final awards and project funding. While this process can be lengthy, projects that reach the IGA stage have a high probability of closing within 6-12 months, ensuring a consistent and reliable pipeline of revenue. The Company has multiple deals currently in the final stages of awards and funding approval. A recent highlight in this sector is our success with a school district in the Southwest United States, a region grappling with severe power challenges that disrupted daily operations and impacted the district's ability to educate its students effectively. Frequent disruptions and power quality issues plagued the district, leading to significant downtime for classrooms, unreliable performance of critical systems, and costly damage to sensitive equipment. Through a partnership with a leading ESCO, Legend Power Systems deployed SmartGATE technology across several schools in the district. The results were transformative. Power reliability and quality were restored, enabling the uninterrupted operation of critical educational and administrative systems. Additionally, the deployment ensured the protection and extended lifespan of newly installed equipment, including state-of-the-art HVAC systems, IT infrastructure, and advanced learning technologies. These improvements not only stabilized the district's day-to-day operations but also enhanced the learning environment for students, allowing the focus to return to education rather than troubleshooting power issues. The district's success story has garnered attention from neighboring districts and other educational institutions facing similar challenges, further expanding our pipeline of opportunities in the education sector. More broadly, ESCOs are increasingly recognizing that addressing power quality is fundamental to the long-term success of energy efficiency projects. SmartGATE's ability to optimize power and protect equipment ensures that these projects meet performance guarantees and deliver the expected savings over their lifetime. As a result, we are seeing accelerated adoption and an influx of larger contracts, particularly in sectors where operational reliability and cost control are paramount. With proven successes like this in the education sector and beyond, Legend Power Systems is well-positioned to continue driving growth in the EPC market, leveraging our technology to deliver measurable value and long-term resilience for clients across industries. Strategic Pillar 4: City of New York Legend Power Systems' engagement with the City of New York began in 2018, and our collaboration has deepened through participation in the NYC IDEA program, where our solutions underwent extensive validation. The City of New York recently announced a US$4 billion initiative to electrify 100 existing schools and construct new, all-electric schools-a monumental investment in sustainable infrastructure. The New York Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) oversees more than 15 million square feet of city-owned buildings across New York City that are primarily used to house city agencies, including fire, police, museums, libraries, etc. DCAS' focus on improving energy performance aligns directly with Legend's value proposition, making it a prime candidate for broader collaborations. Beyond schools, DCAS also serves other agencies, including schools, fire, police, museums, libraries, housing and more. DCAS plays a significant role in energy management and efficiency upgrades, supporting the City's goals to reduce emissions and energy consumption in public facilities. The ecosystem of engineering firms, electrical contractors, and switchgear providers involved in these projects has already opened doors to additional eight-figure opportunities, further cementing our role as a critical partner in New York City's electrification efforts. Strategic Pillar 5: GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) We are on the cusp of securing a GSA MAS designation, expected within the next 60 days. This designation is pivotal, streamlining the procurement process for federal agencies and dramatically expanding our access to government markets. For shareholders, the implications are profound. The GSA MAS will accelerate all the opportunities discussed above while delivering tangible financial benefits, including increased revenue, improved profit margins, and enhanced cash flow through faster payment cycles. Strategically, it enhances our visibility and reputation among government agencies at all levels, positioning Legend Power Systems as a trusted and reliable supplier. Company Performance and Outlook Our recent results underscore the success of our strategy. We have achieved record-breaking bookings this year, spanning new geographies and vertical markets that reflect intentional diversification. These wins have been accompanied by a significant improvement in Gross Margins, which are steadily returning to historical levels near 50%. The performance of our 55 Gen III SmartGATE systems currently in the field continues to exceed expectations, driving strong customer satisfaction and repeat business. Our backlog positions us to achieve EBITDA-positive operations in 2025, with a robust pipeline to sustain growth well beyond. Importantly, while the green investing sector has faced political challenges, Legend Power Systems' value proposition transcends political narratives. By delivering lower costs, increased profitability, and reduced risk, we provide enduring value rooted in traditional business fundamentals. A Transformative Vision for Legend Power Systems The opportunities we have secured are not hypothetical; they are wins already achieved, with execution underway. Our five strategic pillars, individually powerful, combine to create a transformative engine of growth. With a proven technology, a growing pipeline, and a clear path to $100 million+ in revenue within 3-5 years, Legend Power Systems is poised to redefine the future of power optimization. For those invested in our journey, the future is extraordinarily bright, and the best is yet to come. Thank you for your trust and partnership as we continue this remarkable transformation. About SmartGATE SmartGATE is an industry-leading, turnkey solution that identifies and fixes underperformance and waste in the electrical system of a commercial building. These performance issues often impact key areas of commercial real estate metrics including occupant safety and satisfaction as well as financial performance. This waste can also lead to higher operating costs, lower net operating income and other potential financial risks to the building owner, including adverse tenant experiences. About Legend Power Systems Inc. Legend Power Systems Inc. (www.legendpower.com) provides an intelligent energy management platform that analyzes and improves building energy challenges, significantly impacting asset management and corporate performance. Legend's proven solutions support proactive executive decision-making in a complex and volatile business and energy environment. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This Press Release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information", including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities and operating performance of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities or performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Such risks, uncertainties and factors are described in the periodic filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, including the Company's quarterly and annual Management's Discussion & Analysis, which may be viewed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results to not be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements other than as may be required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232252 SOURCE: Legend Power Systems Inc. Over 60 renowned philosophers and thinkers to join Riyadh's leading intellectual platform to explore "Philosophy and Quality of Life: Existence, Truth, and Goodness" RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Riyadh International Philosophy Conference 2024 is gearing up for its fourth and largest edition yet. Scheduled to take place from December 5 to 7, 2024 at King Fahad National Library in Riyadh, this year's conference will center around the theme "Philosophy and Quality of Life: Existence, Truth, and Goodness," highlighting how philosophical thinking can enhance human well-being and foster societal development. Organized by the Literature, Publishing & Translation Commission under the Ministry of Culture, the conference is a key initiative of Saudi Vision 2030. It plays a pivotal role in positioning Riyadh as a global hub for intellectual dialogue by addressing contemporary philosophical issues from diverse perspectives, including mind, soul, body, religion, and science. The conference offers a dynamic agenda, featuring keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive workshops. Discussions will span a range of topics, including the philosophy of religion and science, the philosophical dimensions of health and beauty, and ethical issues in society, providing an inclusive and enriching intellectual experience for attendees. Dr. Mohammed bin Hasan Alwan, the CEO of the Literature, Publishing & Translation Commission, emphasized the strategic significance of the event, stating: "The Riyadh International Philosophy Conference is a vital platform that reflects Saudi Arabia's leadership in advancing philosophical dialogue on both local and global levels. This year's theme closely aligns with the Kingdom's broader vision of enhancing quality of life and fostering intellectual collaboration across borders." The conference will welcome over 60 distinguished philosophers and thinkers from around the world, including Dr. Fausto Fraisopi, Professor Robert Lambert Bernasconi, Dr. Abdulaziz Barghouthi, Dr. Abdelrahim Dekkoun, and Dr. Nermine Ezzeldin, among other prominent figures. A highlight of this year's edition is the establishment of partnerships with esteemed international organizations, such as New Philosopher and The School of Life, marking their inaugural presence in Saudi Arabia. These collaborations further solidify the conference's status as a global event that supports the advancement of philosophical thought. The conference also highlights the role of philosophy in enhancing quality of life as part of Saudi Arabia's Quality of Life Program. This initiative aligns with philosophical principles that aim to deepen understandings of virtue, justice, happiness, and freedom - key pillars for the flourishing of societies. The Riyadh International Philosophy Conference 2024 is not only the largest philosophy event in the Middle East, but also a symbol of the Kingdom's dedication to enriching the global intellectual and cultural landscape. By attracting leading scholars, thinkers, and students from across the globe, the conference continues to strengthen Riyadh's reputation as a beacon of intellectual leadership and philosophical dialogue. For more information and registration, please visit the conference webpage. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2572043/Literature_Publishing_Translation_Commission_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/riyadh-international-philosophy-conference-2024-bigger-and-bolder-in-its-fourth-edition-302320779.html COPENHAGEN (dpa-AFX) - The Carlsberg Group has agreed to a sale of its shares in Baltika Breweries. The Carlsberg Group will receive a cash consideration as well as Baltika Breweries' shareholdings in Carlsberg Azerbaijan and Carlsberg Kazakhstan. With the divestment, Carlsberg Group will no longer have any ownership of shares in Baltika Breweries. The companies will settle all outstanding legal disputes, including IP rights issues.'Since the announcement of our intention to leave Russia in 2022, we have exhausted all options to find a way to achieve a full exit from Russia while protecting our employees, our assets and the value of the Carlsberg business. With today's announcement, we will settle numerous lawsuits and IP rights issues related to Baltika Breweries,' said Jacob Aarup-Andersen, CEO of Carlsberg Group.The new controlling shareholder of Baltika Breweries will be a company owned equally by two longstanding Baltika employees.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. JERUSALEM (dpa-AFX) - The Israeli government has extended for another year indemnification for Israeli banks to continue correspondent banking relationships with Palestinian counterparts.The indemnity waiver, which protects Israeli banks with banking relations with banks in the Palestinian Authority from anti-terrorism laws, was scheduled to expire Thursday.Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich extended the indemnification well ahead of the deadline.The one-year extension by the far-right Finance Minister saved the West Bank economy from the brink of collapse.The United States welcomed Israel's decision to approve a one-year extension of its indemnification for Israeli banks.Economic stability in the West Bank is essential for Israeli and Palestinian security, and correspondent banking is a key pillar of that economic stability, the Department of State and the Department of the Treasury said in a joint Statement.The United States appreciates the ongoing engagement with the Government of Israel and the Palestine Monetary Authority on this matter, they added.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - Gladiator Metals Corp. (TSXV: GLAD) (OTCQB: GDTRF) (FSE: ZX7) ("Gladiator" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has closed its non-brokered private placement raising gross proceeds of C$12,625,000 (the "Offering"). The Offering consisted of the issuance of 15,000,000 Charity Flow-Through common shares (the "Charity FT Shares") at a price of C$0.775 per Charity FT Share and 2,000,000 Non-Flow-Through common shares (the "NFT Shares") at a price of C$0.50 per NFT Share. Gladiator intends to use the proceeds of the Offering for general working capital purposes and to fund its exploration program at its Whitehorse Copper Project in the Yukon including diamond drilling to: "advance prospects at Cowley Park and Chief's Trend with the intention of establishing a maiden initial inferred resource" and "advance new high-grade copper targets along the Whitehorse Copper Belt defined from historical drilling and aeromagnetic surveying." In connection with the closing the Company cash paid finders' fees totaling C$24,000. The securities issued under the Offering are subject to a hold period under applicable securities laws in Canada expiring four months and one day from December 2, 2024 and are subject to certain closing conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals including the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The Charity FT Shares will qualify as "flow-through shares" (within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act")). An amount equal to the gross proceeds from the issuance of the Charity FT Shares will be used to incur eligible resource exploration expenses which will qualify as (i) "Canadian exploration expenses" (as defined in the Tax Act), and (ii) as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures" (as defined in subsection 127(9) of the Tax Act) (collectively, the "Qualifying Expenditures"). Qualifying Expenditures in an aggregate amount not less than the gross proceeds raised from the issue of the Charity FT Shares will be incurred (or deemed to be incurred) by the Company on or before December 31, 2025, and will be renounced by the Company to the initial purchasers of the Charity FT Shares with an effective date no later than December 31, 2024. An officer of the Company participated in the Offering for an aggregate amount of C$40,000. The transaction with the officer constitutes a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on the exemptions under section 5.5(a) and section 5.7(1)(a) from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the common shares issued to the related party and the consideration paid by the related party under the Private Placement does not exceed 25% of Company's market capitalization, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company also announces that it has granted a total of 1,775,000 incentive stock options and 1,300,000 restricted share units to certain Directors, Officers and Consultants of the Company, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. Each option is exercisable to purchase one common share of the Company for five years at a price of CAD$0.57 per common share in accordance with the Company's stock option plan and is subject to certain vesting provisions. The restricted share units were granted in accordance with the Company's restricted share unit plan dated September 8, 2023 and vest over a two-year term. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Gladiator Metals Corp. Jason Bontempo, CEO Forward-Looking Statement Cautions: This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the Company's plans with respect to the Company's projects and the timing related thereto, the merits of the Company's projects, the Company's objectives, plans and strategies, the Offering and other project opportunities. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective,", "strategy", "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the risk of accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, or the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other agency or governmental clearances, necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, risks of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes in the jurisdictions where the Company carries on its business that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) at www.sedarplus.ca for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232270 SOURCE: Gladiator Metals Corp. ROCHESTER, N.Y., Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ), a leading beverage alcohol company, today announced that it has reached an agreement with global spirits company Sazerac, to divest its SVEDKA brand. This transaction is expected to close in the coming months. The decision builds on the company's strategic efforts to further align the wine and spirits portfolio with evolving consumer preferences and growing market sectors, focusing on higher end wine and spirits brands and products. Over the last few years, Constellation has divested the majority of its popular and mainstream wine and spirits brands within the portfolio and is focused on competing predominantly in premium and fine wine and craft spirits segments. "The actions we have taken over the past several years to reshape our wine and spirits portfolio support our efforts to accelerate the performance of that business," said Bill Newlands, President and Chief Executive Officer, Constellation Brands. "This transaction is another step forward in seeking to ensure that our wine and spirits portfolio is optimized to succeed and to meet our growth objectives." Jake Wenz, CEO of Sazerac said: "The team at Constellation has built the SVEDKA brand over the years to be known for its high-quality vodka-making traditions, premium liquid standards, and flavor innovation. We are honored for this opportunity and excited to add SVEDKA to our global spirits portfolio featuring their award-winning vodkas, seltzers, and gins." Additional commentary related to this transaction will be provided at the 2024 Morgan Stanley Global Consumer and Retail Conference on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 in New York, NY during a fireside chat with Garth Hankinson, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Constellation Brands. The presentation is scheduled to begin at 2:15 p.m. ET. A live, listen-only webcast of the presentation will be available on the company's investor relations website at ir.cbrands.comunder the News & Eventssection. For anyone unable to participate in the webcast, a replay will be available on the company's investor relations website through the close of business on January 3, 2025. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals. ABOUT CONSTELLATION BRANDS Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ) is a leading international producer and marketer of beer, wine, and spirits with operations in the U.S., Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. Our mission is to build brands that people love because we believe elevating human connections is Worth Reaching For. It's worth our dedication, hard work, and calculated risks to anticipate market trends and deliver more for our consumers, shareholders, employees, and industry. This dedication is what has driven us to become one of the fastest-growing, large CPG companies in the U.S. at retail, and it drives our pursuit to deliver what's next. Every day, people reach for our high-end, iconic imported beer brands such as those in the Corona brand family like the flagship Corona Extra, Modelo Especial and the flavorful lineup of Modelo Cheladas, Pacifico, and Victoria; our fine wine and craft spirits brands including The Prisoner Wine Company, Robert Mondavi Winery, Casa Noble Tequila, and High West Whiskey; and our premium wine brands such as Kim Crawford and Meiomi. As an agriculture-based company, we have a long history of operating sustainably and responsibly. Our ESG strategy is embedded into our business and our work focuses on serving as good stewards of the environment, enhancing social equity within our industry and communities, and promoting responsible beverage alcohol consumption. These commitments ground our aspirations beyond driving the bottom line as we work to create a future that is truly Worth Reaching For. To learn more, visit www.cbrands.comand follow us on X, Instagram, and LinkedIn. ABOUT SAZERAC With over 400 years of history, Sazerac is one of the world's largest distilled spirits companies. Now in the fourth generation of the current family ownership, Sazerac strives each day to bring the finest spirits to consumers and communities around the world. Over 500 of the world's most extraordinary brands are part of the Sazerac portfolio, including Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare, Weller, The Last Drop Distillers, Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, Southern Comfort, Wheatley Vodka, Meyers's Rum, White X Cognac, Sazerac de Forge Cognac, Paddy's Irish Whiskey, and many more. Sazerac is also the steward of many fine distilleries internationally, including Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky, United States; Domaine Sazerac de Segonzac in Cognac, France; Paul John Distillery in Goa, India; and Lough Gill Distillery in County Sligo, Ireland. Additional impressive locations can be found in New Orleans, Montreal, London and Sydney, to name a few. Learn more at: www.sazerac.com. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The word "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These statements may relate to business strategy, future operations, prospects, plans, and objectives of management, including related to the closing of the transaction and the expected timetable, efforts to accelerate the performance of Constellation's wine and spirits business, optimization of and growth objectives for Constellation's wine and spirits portfolio, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals, as well as information concerning expected actions of third parties. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. No assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur. The forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and should not be construed in any manner as a guarantee that such results will in fact occur. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release and Constellation does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. In addition to risks and uncertainties associated with ordinary business operations, the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are subject to other risks and uncertainties, including the completion of the transaction on the expected terms, conditions, and timetable, regulatory requirements, the accuracy of all projections, and other factors and uncertainties disclosed from time-to-time in Constellation Brands' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2024 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2024, which could cause actual future performance to differ from current expectations. MEDIA CONTACTS INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACTS Amy Martin 585-678-7141 / amy.martin@cbrands.com (mailto:amy.martin@cbrands.com) Carissa Guzski 315-525-7362 / carissa.guzski@cbrands.com (mailto:carissa.guzski@cbrands.com) Joseph Suarez 773-551-4397 / j (mailto:joseph.suarez@cbrands.com) oseph.suarez@cbrands.com (mailto:joseph.suarez@cbrands.com) Snehal Shah 847-385-4940 / snehal.shah@cbrands.com (mailto:snehal.shah@cbrands.com) (mailto:snehal.shah@cbrands.com)David Paccapaniccia 585-282-7227 / david.paccapaniccia@cbrands.com (mailto:david.paccapaniccia@cbrands.com) A downloadable PDF copy of this news release can be found here: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/3335533a-deb7-4dd3-9d00-132f824a4c4f BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has rejected the idea that the country must choose between closer relations with the United States or the European Union as its allies.Delivering a speech on foreign policy at the Lord Mayor's Banquet at the Guildhall, London, Tuesday, Starmer said, 'The national interest demands that we work with both.'He made it clear that Britain's relationship with the United States has been the cornerstone of its security and prosperity for more than a century. 'And we will never turn away from that'.'And our security is even more closely intertwined at every level of our military, our intelligence, our industry, and R&D.'He recalled that when President-elect Trump hosted him for dinner in Trump Tower in September, 'I told him that we will invest more deeply than ever in this transatlantic bond with our American friends in the years to come.'Starmer vowed that his government will rebuild its ties with Europe too. He said the number one test of his government is economic growth.Starmer insisted that Britain must continue to back Ukraine and do what it takes to support their self-defense for as long as it takes.'We face a near and present danger with Russia as an erratic, increasingly desperate aggressor, on our continent marshaling all its resources - along with North Korean troops and Iranian missiles - aiming to kill and to conquer.''And it is vital that all European nations step up to protect our shared future. We will set out in our Strategic Defense Review how we are going to modernize our Armed Forces to make us more secure at home and stronger abroad.'Starmer said Britain will maximize its investment by working with others, like its partnership with Italy and Japan to build the next generation of fighter planes.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. AllegroDVT, a global leader in Digital TV testing and Video Decoder Compliance Solutions announces the availability of the industry's first test suite for the upcoming Brazil's TV 3.0 digital terrestrial television (DTT) broadcast system. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203076068/en/ (Graphic: Business Wire) The test suite, dubbed Streamwise-TV3.0, will play a critical role throughout the whole TV3.0 value chain to ensure the availability of high-quality and fully compliant TV3.0 capable Receivers that enable a uniform user experience as broadcasters gear up to launch the first TV3.0 channels in 2025. The new TV3.0 standard, developed by Brazil's SBTVD Forum, introduces many innovations to revolutionize TV user experience by providing high quality video, immersive audio, and enabling interactive services. It builds on next-generation video codec such as VVC/H.266 and MPEG-5 LCEVC to enable 8K, HDR, AR/VR to be supported and delivered over broadcast, or hybrid broadband/broadcast networks, based on IP-centric protocols. Allegro DVT, as a member of the SBTVD forum, is supporting the transition to this next-generation digital broadcast system by making available the Streamwise-TV3.0 test suite to help TV and STB Manufacturers verify the compliance and interoperability of their TV3.0 Receivers. "We expect the complexity of the TV3.0 standard to pose numerous implementation challenges", commented Nouar Hamze, CEO at Allegro DVT. "Ensuring a successful launch of TV3.0 and its rapid adoption by consumers require the availability of high-quality Receivers that are thoroughly tested against all the new features introduced by this new standard. Our Streawise-TV3.0 test suite will be a major value-add to ensure interoperability and compliance, maintain quality standards, and ultimately achieve market acceptance by enhancing consumers' satisfaction with their products and services." Allegro DVT's Streamwise-TV3.0 test suite covers many features aimed at reducing field issues and permitting a consistent user experience across all receivers and ultimately accelerating time-to-market. Key Streamwise-TV3.0 features include Audio/Video codecs and formats including MPEG-H, VVC and MPEG-5 LCEVC Audio/Video synchronization Subtitles synchronization Emergency services Service signaling TV2.5 compatibility Broadband services The test suite will be regularly updated to track the evolution of TV3.0 standards. About Allegro DVT Allegro DVT, headquartered in Grenoble/France with offices in Tampere/Finland, Belfast/Northern Ireland, Sand Diego/USA, Beijing/China, is a world leading provider of digital video technology solutions including compliance video and system streams. Allegro DVT, operates as an independent, impartial, and objective testing house providing professional digital TV, receiver and video decoder compliance test services to major TV OEMs, CE vendors and digital TV broadcasters and operators worldwide. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203076068/en/ Contacts: Allegro DVT press: Clarisse Maldera Marketing Executive marcom@allegrodvt.com NEW YORK, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ridgewood Infrastructure, a leading investment firm focused on essential infrastructure in the U.S. lower middle market, today announced its investment in Valley Cold Storage & Transportation ("Valley Cold"), a premier provider of temperature-controlled storage and logistics solutions in strategically located markets. "Valley Cold provides essential services that are critical to its customers' supply chains," said Ryan Stewart, Partner at Ridgewood Infrastructure. "We are enthusiastic to start working with our partners at Valley Cold as we continue offering these vital services and explore new opportunities to grow and enhance their operations." This investment in Valley Cold comes at a time when the cold storage industry is experiencing significant growth. With Ridgewood Infrastructure's support, Valley Cold is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend and continue its expansion in both existing and new markets. "We are thrilled to join forces with Ridgewood Infrastructure," said Clay Bush, CEO and founder of Valley Cold. "Their deep understanding of the infrastructure sector, logistics and supply chain management and commitment to long-term growth make Ridgewood the perfect partner to help us take Valley Cold to the next level." "Ridgewood Infrastructure is excited to welcome Valley Cold to our portfolio," said Ross Posner, Managing Partner at Ridgewood Infrastructure. "This acquisition aligns with our strategy of investing in essential infrastructure that supports critical supply chains. We've been evaluating the cold storage space for some time and what Clay and Jenny have built is special. We are looking forward to helping Valley Cold realize its growth potential." About Ridgewood Infrastructure Ridgewood Infrastructure is a leading infrastructure investor in the U.S. lower middle market with sectors of focus including Water, Energy Transition, Transportation, and Utilities. For more information, please visit www.ridgewoodinfrastructure.com. About Valley Cold Valley Cold is a leading provider of temperature-controlled storage and logistics solutions, offering a comprehensive range of services to the food, agricultural, retail, and pharmaceutical industries. With multiple state-of-the-art facilities and a commitment to customer service, Valley Cold is a trusted partner for companies seeking reliable cold chain solutions. For more information, please visit www.valleycoldstore.com. Ridgewood Infrastructure 527 Madison Avenue, 18th Floor New York, NY 10022 Phone: (212) 867-0050 Email: Inquiries@RidgewoodInfrastructure.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1163658/Ridgewood_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ridgewood-infrastructure-announces-acquisition-of-valley-cold-302320432.html SANTA CLARA (dpa-AFX) - Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) said, based on initial assessment of the impact of the new regulations, the company is not changing the guided ranges of its first quarter business outlook provided in Nov. 14, 2024 financial results press release. The company issued the statement following updated export regulations for semiconductor technology, announced by the United States government.Applied Materials, Inc. is a leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. The American Red Cross Cell and Gene Therapy Solutions (CGTS) division, a leading single-source provider for allogeneic cell therapy source material, has selected Accellix, Inc., the developer of the point-of-need testing automated flow cytometry platform, to provide Accellix instruments and assays at its CGTS collection sites to improve characterization of source materials used for cell therapy development. As the cell therapy industry continues to grow, the need for readily accessible, reliable, high-quality source materials becomes increasingly essential. The implementation by Red Cross of the Accellix technology into their blood characterization workflow at the point of collection will help meet the needs of cell therapy companies throughout the development process. "We are looking forward to working with the American Red Cross to provide accurate and reproducible allogeneic blood donor characterization for the growing cell therapy sector," said Rey Mali, Chief Business Officer of Accellix. "Our automated platform delivers rapid, precise, reproducible results, helping ensure that critical source materials are characterized at the time of collection and shipped in a timely manner. This relationship is an important milestone in our mission to bring efficient and reliable QC to every aspect of cell therapy development and manufacturing." Cell Sourcing Partners for Cell Therapy Discovery through Late-Stage Development The American Red Cross Cell and Gene Therapy Solutions team is dedicated to providing critical support to the rapidly advancing field of cell therapy. By leveraging its nationwide footprint and over a decade of experience in cell therapy manufacturing, donor resourcing, and clinical apheresis, it's able to provide source material and collection services for cell therapy companies, supporting bench research through to late-stage development. The Cell and Gene Therapy Solutions team serves as a single point of contact within a centrally managed apheresis network to access a diverse donor base and apheresis collections across the country, playing key roles in the development of drug therapies based on blood components. High-Quality Source Material (Leukopak) now Characterized within 30 Minutes Post-Collection As a leading single-source provider for allogeneic collections, Red Cross leukopak products are derived from normal peripheral blood via leukapheresis at FDA-registered collection centers from IRB-consented, pre-screened healthy donors. As part of its customization and extensive testing capabilities, the Red Cross will now include leukopak product characterization for lymphocytes (T, B, M, NK) within 30 minutes (at the point of collection) using the Accellix Platform, enabling the shipment of leukopak products with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) immediately following collection. By incorporating Accellix instruments into its workflow, the organization is ensuring that cell therapy companies benefit from accurate and accelerated source material and COA availability, helping to shorten development timelines and ultimately improve patient outcomes. "Integrating Accellix's innovative technology into our operations allows us to rapidly and accurately characterize allogeneic donor samples, helping meet the needs of our growing cell therapy partners with confidence and efficiency as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting this important therapeutic field," said Samuel A. Molina, PhD, Executive Director of Cell and Gene Therapy Operations at the Red Cross. ABOUT ACCELLIX Accellix is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing and commercializing the Accellix Platform to enable its customers in the field of cell and gene therapy to meet their critical QC requirements as they advance life-changing therapies benefiting patients worldwide. Accellix empowers its customers by migrating their existing cellular assays to the Accellix Platform. The Accellix Platform is a benchtop flow cytometer operating and reading microfluidic cartridges integrated with dry reagents. It provides unmatched reproducibility and ease of use for automated multi-parametric cellular analysis. For more information visit www.accellix.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203249129/en/ Contacts: Efthalia Gerasimopoulos (egerasimopoulos@accellix.com) Colleen Maiden (colleen.maiden@redcross.org) The new journal is dedicated to advancing neonatal care through global collaboration and clinical case reports The University of Toronto Press (UTP), Canada's largest university press and leading academic publisher, today announced its plan to launch the Journal of Clinical Insights in Neonatology. The new publication is dedicated to advancing the field of neonatology through high-quality clinical case reports and research and is developed in partnership with the Toronto Centre for Neonatal Health (TCNH). TCNH is a collaboration among The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Mount Sinai Hospital, St. Michael's Hospital, and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203938051/en/ The Journal will serve as a platform for neonatologists, clinicians, and researchers from around the world to share and discuss complex and impactful case studies. The first issue will be published in the spring of 2025. "The Toronto Centre for Neonatal Health identified a critical need for a dedicated platform for the global community of neonatologists to collaborate and share insights. In line with our mission of connecting ideas for a better world, we are thrilled to partner with the TCNH to develop this essential publication," says Antonia Pop, Vice President, Publishing Division at UTP. "The Journal will deliver important insights to support healthcare professionals and ultimately improve outcomes for newborns worldwide." "The launch of the Journal of Clinical Insights in Neonatology represents a pivotal moment in neonatal research and care," says Dr. Estelle B. Gauda, Head of Neonatology at SickKids and Director of the Toronto Centre for Neonatal Health. "By focusing on clinical case reports, we are enhancing the exchange of critical knowledge that can lead to innovative treatments and better care for our most vulnerable patients." About the Toronto Centre for Neonatal Health A collaboration among The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Mount Sinai Hospital, St. Michael's Hospital, and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, the Toronto Centre for Neonatal Health (TCNH) is a collective of healthcare professionals and experts striving to provide the best outcomes possible for newborns and families through Community, Advocacy, Research and Education (CARE). For more information, please visit https://torontocentreforneonatalhealth.com. About the University of Toronto Press The University of Toronto Press (UTP) is one of the largest university presses in North America, publishing landmark scholarship since 1901. Each year UTP releases over 250 new scholarly, course, and general interest books in both print and ebook format and over 80 journals. In addition, UTP manages the distribution for over 200 publishers and imprints in Canada, the US, and around the world, with warehouses in Toronto, Ontario and Buffalo, New York. UTP also runs all of the University of Toronto Bookstores across the three main campuses, serving over 95,000 students and 15,000 faculty. For more information, please visit utorontopress.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203938051/en/ Contacts: MEDIA CONTACT Anne-Marie Tremble, Senior Account Manager, Talk Shop Media annemarie@talkshopmedia.com 613-914-3551 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - Safe Supply Streaming Co. Ltd. (CSE: SPLY) (FSE: QM4) ("Safe Supply" or the "Company"), a pioneer in investing in and developing businesses within the medical, wellness, and technology sectors, is pleased to announce that effective today, Jordan Greenberg has been appointed the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Company. Jordan Greenberg is a seasoned financial executive with extensive public company experience and a track record of success in scaling growth-stage businesses. Having served as a CFO for numerous high-growth companies, Jordan brings a wealth of expertise in corporate finance, regulatory compliance, and operational leadership. His strategic insights and deep knowledge of public markets will be instrumental in driving Safe Supply's continued expansion and shareholder value creation. Mr. Greenberg will succeed outgoing CFO Geoff Kritzinger. Geoff Kritzinger, a Chartered Accountant and former Partner at Shimmerman Penn LLP, has brought exceptional expertise to Safe Supply over the past 12 months. With a distinguished career managing audit practices and acting as CFO and advisor for public and private companies across multiple sectors, Geoff has been instrumental in strengthening Safe Supply's financial reporting and operational foundations. "I would like to personally thank Geoff for his invaluable contributions during a pivotal year for Safe Supply. His leadership and expertise have been integral to establishing a strong financial framework, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors," said Safe Supply's CEO Bill Panagiotakopoulos. This bolstering of Safe Supply's leadership bench positions the Company for its next phase of growth, including its strategic shift into medical technology. With a recent enhanced focus on harm reduction tools like Safety Strips Tech Corp., drink spike tests, and other innovative solutions, following the acquisition of Drug Lab 118 Ltd., Safe Supply is poised to expand its footprint in the medical technology sector. The integration of these initiatives into the Company's portfolio under Jordan Greenberg's financial stewardship sets the stage for significant advancements in harm reduction and public health. About Safe Supply Safe Supply Streaming Co. Ltd. is dedicated to advancing healthcare innovation and transforming the medical, wellness, and technology sectors. With a mission to revolutionize healthcare through the integration of medical technologies, Safe Supply is building the infrastructure necessary to support groundbreaking advancements. From developing facilities to analyze, manufacture, and distribute cutting-edge medical technologies to investing in research and innovation that enhance safety and accessibility, the company is creating a platform of synergistic businesses. Through its diversified portfolio, Safe Supply is poised to improve lives, foster innovation, and contribute to a safer, healthier future. For more information, please visit: https://safesupply.com/ The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the Company's performance, business objectives and milestones and the anticipated timing thereof, and costs in connection with; the execution or achievement of such objectives and milestones; the Company's dedication to advancing healthcare innovation and transforming the medical, wellness, and technology sectors; the Company creating a platform of synergistic businesses; Jordan Greenberg's strategic insights and knowledge of public markets being instrumental in driving the Company's expansion and creating shareholder value; and the Company improving lives, fostering innovation, and contributing to a safer and healthier future. Forward-Looking information in this press release are based on certain assumptions and expected future events, namely: the Company's ability to maintain or exceed its current performance, and carry out its business objectives and milestones and under the anticipated timing and costs in connection with; the execution or achievement of such objectives and milestones; the Company's ability to advance healthcare innovation and transform the medical, wellness, and technology sectors; the Company having the ability to create a platform of synergistic businesses; Jordan Greenberg's strategic insights and knowledge of public markets giving him the ability to drive the Company's expansion and create shareholder value; and the Company having the ability to improve lives, foster innovation, and contribute to a safer and healthier future. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the Company's inability to maintain or exceed its current performance, and carry out its business objectives and milestones and under the anticipated timing and costs in connection with, the execution or achievement of such objectives and milestones; the Company's inability to advance healthcare innovation and transform the medical, wellness, and technology sectors; the Company's inability to create a platform of synergistic businesses; Jordan Greenberg's strategic insights and knowledge of public markets not giving him the ability to drive the Company's expansion and create shareholder value; and the Company having the inability to improve lives, foster innovation, and contribute to a safer and healthier future. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-Looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and reflect the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change thereafter. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232288 SOURCE: Safe Supply Streaming Co Ltd. Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Humana Inc. (HUM) announced that Celeste Mellet will be appointed to succeed Susan Diamond as Chief Financial Officer, effective January 11, 2025. Diamond will serve in an advisory role through the end of 2025 to ensure a smooth transition. Mellet currently serves as CFO of Global Infrastructure Partners, an infrastructure fund manager recently acquired by BlackRock.Humana Inc. also reiterated 2024 adjusted earnings per share guidance of 'at least $16.00' and 2025 adjusted EPS commentary of 'at least in line with final 2024 results.' Humana said it continues to target an Investor Day in May 2025.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Worthington Steel, Inc. (NYSE: WS) ("Worthington Steel" or the "Company") announced today that it has reached an agreement to acquire through its subsidiary, Tempel Steel Company, LLC ("Tempel"), a controlling equity stake in Italy-based Sitem S.p.A. (together with its subsidiaries, Stanzwerk AG, Decoup S.A.S. and Sitem Slovakia spol. s r.o., "Sitem Group"). Sitem Group produces electric motor laminations and accessory products for automotive and industrial applications in Europe. Worthington Steel will acquire, through the acquisition of shares from existing shareholders of Sitem Group, the contribution of Worthington Steel's Nagold, Germany, facility and the subscription of reserved share capital increases, an approximately 52% stake in Sitem Group with the option to increase ownership in the future. The transaction is expected to close in early 2025, subject to the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. "This investment aligns with our strategic goal to grow our electrical steel lamination business and expand our customer reach," said Geoff Gilmore, Worthington Steel president and CEO. "Sitem Group brings 50 years of experience and is one of the largest producers of electric motor laminations in Europe. The Worthington Steel and Sitem Group leadership teams bring valuable expertise and relationships to spearhead the expansion of our global automotive programs in the production of electric vehicles and hybrids." Establishing a strong presence in Europe, a key and rapidly growing region for the electric vehicle market, is a vital component of the Company's strategy to leverage this emerging global trend. This investment marks another significant step in Worthington Steel's plan while meeting customer expectations for comprehensive global manufacturing and technical support. Sitem Group operates six facilities in Europe including Italy (three), Switzerland, Slovakia and France. Sitem's leadership, including Chairman Fabrizio Scarca, CEO Marco Bartoloni and Chief Purchasing Officer Gabriella Scarca, will continue to lead the business from the Sitem Group headquarters in Trevi, Italy. "We are excited to partner with Worthington Steel," said Sitem Group CEO Marco Bartoloni. "This investment and partnership will enable us to better serve global automotive and industrial motor customers. Their philosophy aligns with our values and is a great fit for our employees." Latham Watkins LLP served as legal counsel to Worthington Steel on the transaction. Sitem was advised by UniCredit as financial advisor, Antonello Marcucci as senior advisor and Bird Bird as legal counsel. About Sitem S.p.A. Founded in 1974, Sitem Group is headquartered and has one of its manufacturing facilities in Trevi, Perugia, Italy with two additional manufacturing facilities of Sitem S.p.A. in Milan, Italy, of Stanzwerk AG in Unterentfelden, Switzerland, of Sitem Slovakia spol. s r.o in Spisska Nova Ves, Slovakia and of Decoup S.A.S. in Villenaux-La-Grande, France. About Worthington Steel Worthington Steel (NYSE:WS) is a metals processor that partners with customers to deliver highly technical and customized solutions. Worthington Steel's expertise in carbon flat-roll steel processing, electrical steel laminations and tailor welded solutions are driving steel toward a more sustainable future. As one of the most trusted metals processors in North America, Worthington Steel and its approximately 5,000 employees harness the power of steel to advance our customers' visions through value-added processing capabilities including galvanizing, pickling, configured blanking, specialty cold reduction, lightweighting and electrical lamination. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Worthington Steel operates 32 facilities in seven states and six countries. Following a people-first Philosophy, commitment to sustainability and proven business system, Worthington Steel's purpose is to generate positive returns by providing trusted and innovative solutions for customers, creating opportunities for employees and strengthening its communities. Safe Harbor Statement This press release includes forward-looking statements, including forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's proposed acquisition of a controlling equity stake in Sitem Group, the expected timeline for completing the transaction, the anticipated benefits of the transaction to the Company's business and financial results, strategies, outlook, prospects, plans, objectives, expectations, future events and other statements that are not historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the Company's results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding the Company's and Sitem Group's respective businesses and the proposed acquisition, and actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, (i) the ability of the parties to successfully complete the proposed acquisition on the anticipated terms and timing, including obtaining required regulatory approvals and other conditions to the completion of the acquisition, (ii) the financing arrangements relating to the acquisition, (iii) the effects of the transaction on the Company's and Sitem Group's operations, including on the combined company's future financial condition and performance, operating results, strategy and plans, including anticipated tax treatment, unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, losses, future prospects, and business and management strategies for the management, expansion and growth of the new combined company's operations, (iv) the potential impact of the announcement or consummation of the proposed acquisition on relationships with customers, suppliers and other third parties, and (v) the other factors detailed in the Company's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q under the caption "Risk Factors," as well as the other risks discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC. In addition, these statements are based on assumptions that are subject to change. This press release speaks only as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any duty to update the information herein. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241202502135/en/ Contacts: Melissa Dykstra Vice President Corporate Communications and Investor Relations Phone: 614-840-4144 Melissa.Dykstra@worthingtonsteel.com AWS Marketplace listings enable AWS customers to enjoy the ease of deployment and elegance of use that defines the Cato experience TEL AVIV, Israel and LAS VEGAS, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cato Networks, the SASE leader, today announced that the Cato SASE Cloud Platform and Cato SSE 360 are now available in AWS Marketplace, a digital catalog with thousands of software listings from ISVs that make it easy to find, test, buy, and deploy software that runs on AWS. The growing adoption of cloud services requires that organizations rethink their approach to security and networking. Cato's converged, cloud-native security and networking capabilities help organizations to quickly and securely leverage the power of the AWS platform. With Cato's listings in AWS Marketplace, organizations can now buy their compute, storage, connectivity, security, and remote access all in one place. In addition, eligible AWS customers can use the AWS Enterprise Discount Program (EDP) to purchase Cato in AWS Marketplace. "We are working with AWS to meet the increasing demand for Cato products," said Alon Alter, chief business officer at Cato Networks. "Cato is uniquely positioned to enhance security and networking as organizations transform their businesses on AWS, and AWS Marketplace is the ideal venue to provide our joint customers with a seamless, elegant customer experience." The availability of the Cato SASE Cloud Platform and Cato SSE 360 in AWS Marketplace is the latest expansion of the relationship between Cato and AWS. In August, Cato announced it joined the AWS Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Accelerate Program, a co-sell program for AWS Partners who provide software solutions that run on or integrate with AWS. Availability The Cato SASE Cloud Platform and Cato SSE 360 are generally available for customers globally in AWS Marketplace. Resources [Photo] Alon Alter Alon Alter [Website] Cato SASE Cloud Platform About Cato Networks Cato Networks delivers enterprise security and networking in a single cloud platform. The SASE leader creates a seamless and elegant customer experience that effortlessly enables threat prevention, data protection, and timely incident detection and response. With Cato, organizations replace costly and rigid legacy infrastructure with an open and modular SASE architecture based on SD-WAN, a purpose-built global cloud network, and an embedded cloud-native security stack. Want to learn why thousands of organizations secure their future with Cato? Visit us at www.catonetworks.com. Media Contact Cato Communications press@catonetworks.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cato-networks-now-available-in-aws-marketplace-to-accelerate-sase-adoption-302320176.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - Kingsmen Resources Ltd. (TSXV: KNG) (OTCQB: KNGRF) ("Kingsmen" or the "Company") is pleased to report as part of its ongoing field reconnaissance in preparation for the upcoming drill program, it has identified a new significant silver-gold drill target (Saddle) on its 100% owned Las Coloradas project, which is in the Parral mining district of the Central Mexican Silver Belt, Chihuahua Mexico. The identification of the Saddle target adds to the Company's list of priority drill targets. The Saddle target is located between two prominent magnetic highs where a deep wedge of volcanics/sediments, and veins/structures prospective for epithermal precious metal, skarn and porphyry mineralization are interpreted to underlie surface precious metals anomalies - see inset C on Figure 1. Two lines of induced polarization/resistivity (IP/R) from a survey partly overlap old, historic Saddle workings at their SE end. Chargeability anomalies interpreted to be part of the Saddle target are identified on insets A and B on Figure 1. Interpreted veining/structures are shown as white lines. The geophysics indicate the potential for the discovery of significant blind mineralization. Figure 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9640/232150_de6f601434f63be6_003full.jpg Prospecting has identified anomalous gold and silver values with associated copper, lead, zinc, arsenic, bismuth, and antimony (Figure 2, 3, 4 & 5; Table 1) associated with quartz-carbonate veins and magnetic linears. The area of anomalous geochemistry both includes and is adjacent to the targets indicated by geophysics. Exposure is limited in the area because of widespread soil/alluvium cover. However, anomalous silver, gold and other metal values in prospecting samples indicate the potential for the discovery of significant blind mineralization in this area. Scott Emerson, President commented: "There exists the potential of blind mineralization at Saddle. The identification of the Saddle target adds to its priority as a drill target. Other reported examples of significant blind mineralization are the Pensquito (Zacatecas) operated by Newmount and Cerro Las Minitas(Durango) project operated by Southern Silver in Mexico." Table 1 Sample Au ppm Ag ppm Al % As ppm Bi ppm Cu ppm Fe % Mn ppm Pb ppm S % Sb ppm Zn ppm Width (m) 1 0 1.3 1.02 271 0 11 1.94 261 271 0.08 8 216 Grab 2 0.45 24.2 0.54 7750 0 67 14.3 630 3480 0.01 395 1455 Grab 3 0 0 1.9 44 0 17 2.45 544 16 0 2 72 Grab 4 1.2 1.1 0.1 491 0 53 2.03 9220 2230 0 15 1150 Composite 5 0.01 0.2 0.5 551 0 11 6.83 1820 13 0 11 41 Composite 6 0.01 1 1.5 636 0 25 3.93 2690 193 0.02 6 208 Grab 7 0.64 246 0.28 10000 56 56 11.95 2740 46000 10 298 59400 Grab 8 0.01 1.8 1.1 346 0 12 2.07 675 298 0.05 6 451 Grab 9 0.6 1.1 0.32 717 0 4 1.52 1205 67 0 25 164 Grab 10 1.44 2.7 0.67 4980 5 590 37.7 136 396 0.08 44 423 Composite 11 1.87 409 0.47 10000 15 485 23.7 336 112000 1.88 1295 6190 Grab 12 0.01 0.9 0.05 104 0 3 0.67 4320 242 0 7 79 Composite 13 0.02 4.9 0.06 658 3 6 0.97 3420 1155 0.02 10 77 Composite 14 0 0.2 0.34 17 4 3 1.11 617 21 0 0 14 Grab 15 0 0.2 0.07 67 2 2 0.95 826 15 0 0 14 Grab 16 0 0.2 0.17 10 0 1 1.08 639 8 0 0 11 Grab 17 1.51 94 0.64 10000 4 230 10.5 162 24900 0.69 307 3290 0.5 18 0.39 5.2 0.75 4890 8 169 8.98 813 4210 0.01 254 3730 0.4 Figure 2 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9640/232150_fig2kingsmen.jpg Figure 3 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9640/232150_fig3kingsmen.jpg Figure 4 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9640/232150_fig4kingsmen.jpg Figure 5 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9640/232150_fig5kingsmen.jpg About Las Coloradas The Las Coloradas Project ( 8.5 km2 -3.3 sq miles) represents a consolidation of a historic mining district which covers numerous silver-gold-lead-zinc-copper mines previously exploited by ASARCO (American Smelting and Refining Company), the U.S. based subsidiary of Grupo Mexico. Las Coloradas is in the Parral mining district of the Central Mexican Silver Belt, and is located approximately 30 kilometers southeast of the city of Hidalgo de Parral and 40 kilometers east of the San Francisco de Oro and Santa Barbara mining districts where several old major mines are located, such as La Prieta, Veta Colorada, Palmilla, Esmeralda, San Francisco del Oro and Santa Barbara. As well, new major mining projects are currently being explored in the district; Cordero (Discovery Silver Corp.), 35 kms north of Parral, and La Cigarra (Kootenay Silver Inc.), 35 kms northwest of Parral. Click here to see locator map, https://www.kingsmenresources.com/area-history. Qualified Person Kieran Downes, Ph.D., P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure set out in this news release. About Kingsmen Resources In line with Kingsmen's organic-growth strategy, the Company's focus is on its Las Coloradas Project in Mexico. In addition, identifying district-scale, high -margin metallic mineral deposits in the prolific mining districts of Parral Mexico. The company also has a 1% NSR on the La Trini Project located within the Los Ricos North project in Mexico operated by GoGold Resources Inc. The Company's leaders have extensive experience in the mining and financial sectors. Kingsmen is a publicly-traded company (TSXV: KNG) (OTCQB: KNGRF) and is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statement: All statements, trend analysis and other information contained in this press release about anticipated future events or results constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including, without limitation, statements regarding the completion of the acquisition of the Las Coloradas Project and receipt of regulatory approval, are forward-looking statements. Although Kingsmen believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since Kingsmen can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in Kingsmen's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators, and assumptions made with regard to: Kingsmen's ability to make the required payments under the definitive agreements; and Kingsmen's ability to secure the necessary regulatory approvals. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Kingsmen's expectations include risks associated with the business of Kingsmen; risks related to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions to the closing of the acquisition of the Las Coloradas Project; non-completion of the acquisition of the Las Coloradas Project; risks related to exploration and potential development of the Las Coloradas Project; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; the need for cooperation of government agencies in the exploration and development of properties and the issuance of required permits; the need to obtain additional financing to develop properties and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; the possibility of delay in exploration or development programs and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time and additional risks identified in Kingsmen's filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.ca). Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. Kingsmen does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232150 SOURCE: Kingsmen Resources Ltd SHANGHAI, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- XCMG Excavator has made a powerful entrance at the world's top construction machinery event, bauma China 2024, showcasing a stellar lineup of 17 flagship excavator models and four sets of core components. Environmentally Responsible Innovation Drives Industry Sustainability XCMG Excavator is committed to driving the green transformation of the construction machinery sector, with the launch of several energy-efficient electric excavators. At the exhibition, XCMG's electric models were notably eye-catching with a striking lush green color scheme. The XE19EV and XE27EV, the latest electric excavators designed specifically for the European market, have passed rigorous testing, proving their robustness and reliability. European operators who tried the machines praised them highly for their outstanding performance and exceptional user experience. Mini-Excavators Enhance Customer Experience with Convenience and Efficiency Europe, known for its high industrialization and strict regulations, favors 0-8-ton mini-excavators that meet rigorous performance and emission standards. XCMG's XE35E, XE55E, and XE80E, showcased at the event, are the region's most popular customized models. The XE35E excels in versatility, with 360 rotation and exceptional stability, coupled with smooth controllability. Its unmatched power and efficiency make it ideal for tackling tasks in confined spaces, including congested urban areas and within buildings, which is widely used in earthmoving, civil engineering, forestry, and other construction applications across the continent. XCMG Offers Customized One-Stop Solutions for Niche Markets XCMG Excavator continues to focus on developing a full product lineup, emphasizing application-specific solutions, which include specialized machinery, forestry equipment, and wheeled excavators. The XE125F excavator, engineered specifically for logging and chipping tasks, garnered significant attention with its unique design. The XE800WDM hybrid diesel-electric hydraulic excavator also drew visitors' attention, which allows users to choose power mode based on operating conditions. In addition, XCMG also showcased the PCR300 demolition robot, weighing just 2 tons yet having the demolition power of a 6-ton excavator, and the XE155WECR wheeled hydraulic excavator with a tail swing radius of just 1.75 meters. These innovations have sparked animated industry discussions. XCMG Showcases Global Technical Innovation in Core Components In XCMG's core components exhibition hall, four crawler undercarriage products stole the show: the 900-horsepower bulldozer crawler, the mini-excavator crawler, the extreme temperature-resistant crawler, and the 400-ton excavator crawler. The 400-ton excavator crawler, measuring 3.6m x 1.5m x 2.2m and weighing 10,220kg, has its crawler and idler wheels that are made from high-hardenability alloy steel with special heat treatment for enhanced impact and wear resistance. The carrier roller undergoes post-forging integral heat treatment, ensuring robust strength and load-bearing capacity. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2571874/DJI_0982_MP4_00_00_18_29_Still001.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/xcmg-unveils-17-excavator-models-at-bauma-china-2024-302321001.html WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Iron Mountain Incorporated (IRM), a provider of information management services, Tuesday said it proposes a private offering of $750 million of senior notes due 2033.The company plans to use the net proceeds from the offering to repay a portion of the outstanding debt under its revolving credit facility.Iron Mountain added that the exact terms of the notes and timing of the offering will depend upon market conditions and other factors.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Today, voxeljet AG ("voxeljet") entered into an agreement to sell its entire business to funds affiliated with Anzu Partners LLC ("Anzu") via an asset deal. The closing of the transaction is expected to occur in March or April 2025. The purchase agreement is subject to customary closing conditions, including the approval of voxeljet's General Meeting and foreign investment clearance in Germany. The General Meeting of voxeljet is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2025. Anzu is acquiring voxeljet's operating business with a strong commitment to voxeljet's existing customers, suppliers, and employees. Anzu's managing partner, Whitney Haring-Smith, will be the chair of the Board of Directors of the future business after closing, and current CEO, Rudolf Franz, will lead the post-transaction business. In this transaction, the business has a strong partner to support further growth and financing of the business. "voxeljet's technology fundamentally enables scaled additive manufacturing, supporting projects clients with decades of decided service and support. We believe that its technology advantage from building the largest 3D printers in the world to features that enable fine details is a decisive factor in its success in the market," said Whitney Haring-Smith, Managing Partner at Anzu Partners. "On the key challenges we face today from localizing supply chains to supporting a circular economy voxeljet is a leader and driver of the future that we want to deliver." "For more than 25 years our incredibly talented teams have created some of the most powerful industrial 3D-printers," said Rudolf Franz, CEO, voxeljet AG. "The combination of voxeljet's world-class talent and extraordinary franchises with Anzu's technology network, access to talent, ambitious vision and shared commitment to investing in the next generation of breakthroughs will help ensure our continued success in an increasingly competitive industry. The agreed purchase price is based on an enterprise value of approximately EUR 20,033,000. The purchase price will be paid through the assumption of voxeljet's liabilities and the payment of a cash component of approximately EUR 1.7m. The purchase price is subject to customary adjustments as of the closing date. The purchase agreement provides for a "go-shop" period that will expire at the lapse of January 12, 2025, which permits voxeljet to actively initiate, solicit and consider alternative acquisition proposals from third parties. In the event of a superior proposal, voxeljet has the right to terminate the purchase agreement to enter into the superior proposal in accordance with the conditions set out in the purchase agreement. voxeljet will solicit third-parties and any third-parties interested in acquiring voxeljet may contact the company using the contact details provided below. Subject to the review of offers from other potential interested parties during the agreed go-shop period, the management board and supervisory board of voxeljet intend to propose to the shareholders that they approve the transaction. Simultaneously with the resolution on the transaction voxeljet's shareholders shall also decide on the liquidation of the company which shall occur following the successful closing of the transaction. ADVISORS Morrison Foerster LLP is serving as Anzu's legal counsel. Hogan Lovells International LLP is serving as voxeljet's legal counsel. BNP Paribas acted as financial advisor to voxeljet. ABOUT ANZU PARTNERS Anzu Partners is an investment firm that focuses on clean tech, industrial and life science technology companies with the potential to transform their industries. Anzu works with entrepreneurs to develop and commercialize technological innovations by providing capital alongside deep expertise in business development, market positioning, global connectivity, and operations. As of 2024, Anzu Partners managed assets of approximately $1 billion with a team of over fifty professionals in offices across Atlanta, Boston, San Diego, Tampa, and Washington DC. For more information, please visit anzupartners.com. ABOUT VOXELJET voxeljet's was founded in 1999 as a spin-off from Technical University Munich (TUM) with a clear vision in mind: to establish a new manufacturing standard by developing new generative processes for the series-production of complex components using 3D printing. In the beginning, operations were launched with four employees at the TUM. Today, we are a globally acting, leading provider of high-speed, large-format 3D printers and on-demand 3D printed parts to industrial and commercial customers. Components manufactured with the help of voxeljet technology are flying in space, make mobility more efficient and the production of new engineering solutions possible. Visit voxeljet's website www.voxeljet.com, and follow us on LinkedIn, or on Twitter. Virtual tour through voxeljet HQs in Germany: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVt4h_6oWkc VOXELJET Contact details for interested parties voxeljet AG Paul-Lenz Strae 1a 86316 Friedberg Germany E-mail: johannes.pesch@voxeljet.de View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203795049/en/ Contacts: Johannes Pesch Director Investor Relations, Business Development and Purchasing +49-821-7483-172 johannes.pesch@voxeljet.de 2-10 Express Protection Aims to Help Home Sellers Address Home Breakdowns During the Active Listing Period 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty, a well-known provider of home warranty service plans, has created a strategic alliance with Keller Williams Arizona Realty that aims to protect more home sellers against home breakdowns that could derail a sale. The alliance gives Keller Williams Arizona Realty home sellers in Phoenix and Tucson access to 2-10 Seller Coverage, which provides a budget-protecting solution to major breakdowns to home systems and appliances throughout the active listing period. "We're proud to expand 2-10's Express Protection Program to even more Keller Williams Arizona Realty home sellers and position them for a successful transaction unencumbered by breakdowns," said 2-10's CEO Ryan O'Hara. "Keller Williams Arizona Realty has incredible agents who are dedicated to supporting their clients, and 2-10 Express Protection will be a big differentiator for sellers in terms of protecting their transactions." Homes enrolled in the 2-10 Express Protection Program can access solutions to breakdowns of major systems and appliances while the home is actively on the market, helping home sellers protect their transactions and budgets. "We're proud to offer 2-10 Express Protection to support the success of our home sellers," said Keller Williams Arizona Realty CEO David Morse. "Our goal is to maximize outstanding experiences for our clients while reducing unexpected stress, and 2-10 Express Protection allows us to do both." A home warranty is an effective home-selling incentive according to New American Funding. Homes enrolled in the 2-10 Express Protection Program can also convert complimentary Seller Coverage to Buyer Coverage for additional protection for home buyers. For more information about 2-10, visit www.2-10.com/agent. About 2-10 Founded and based in Denver, the 2-10 family of companies has covered over six million homes with our complete line of warranties, system and appliance home service plans and risk management products. Since 1980, 2-10 has been a market leader in helping builders, real estate agents and homeowners protect their businesses and budgets against the unexpected. 2-10 continues to work with thousands of the nation's finest real estate professionals, home builders and service contractors. For more information about 2-10, please visit 2-10.com. About Keller Williams Arizona Realty The Keller Williams Arizona Realty real estate team is a full-service REALTOR group. The brokerage serves buyers, sellers and investors in Scottsdale, Phoenix and surrounding areas. Keller Williams Arizona Realty is one of the largest and most successful Keller Williams brokerages in Arizona. Several of the most successful agents in the nation are on the leadership team at Keller Williams Arizona Realty. Our agents take a technology-driven, customer-focused approach to helping every client buy and sell homes successfully. For more information about Keller Williams Arizona Realty, please visit kwarizona.com. Source: 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty Company selects Pennsauken, NJ laboratory for its distinguished expertise in mycological research Pace Analytical Services, the preferred provider of regulatory testing and analytical laboratory services, and a division of Pace, a science and technology company, announced its National Center of Excellence (CoE) for Fungal Analysis in Pennsauken, NJ. "We continue to see an increase in demand from clients looking to gain awareness and control of the biological contaminants in the buildings in which they learn, work, and live. And Pace is committed to ensuring our indoor environments are healthy and safe," notes Robert DeMalo, M.Sc., Vice President of Operations for Pace Building Sciences. "Our Fungal Analysis Center of Excellence is centered around renowned scientists, Dr. Chin Yang and Dr. Ching-Yi Tsai. Their technical expertise, coupled with the lab's centralized northeast location, were driving factors in building this site into a Center of Excellence." Doctors Yang and Tsai contributed to the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) publication, Bioaerosols: Assessment and Controls second edition publication, which has become a gold standard for the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) industry. Pace offers comprehensive analytical testing and identification to evaluate and control health hazards in built environments. The Fungal Analysis Center of Excellence laboratory has decades of microbiology experience in fungal and bacterial investigations including full genus- and species-level fungal identification. In addition, the lab has added new test parameters such as wood rot fungi analysis and is in the process of developing several DNA fungal panels to be analyzed by mold-specific Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). The company works with environmental consultants, engineering firms, industrial hygienists, building science professionals, and others to deliver accurate, timely testing and consultation for harmful contaminants. To support clients and the industry, Pace periodically holds educational sessions and seminars to promote bioaerosol awareness and mitigation on a variety of topics such as Legionella, waterborne pathogens, endotoxins, and more. Pace is a portfolio company of Leonard Green & Partners and Los Angeles-based Aurora Capital Partners. ### About Pace Pace makes the world a safer, healthier place. For decades, Pace people have been committed to advancing the science of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in our Life Sciences laboratories and supporting businesses, industries, consulting firms, government agencies, and more through our Analytical Services laboratories. Pace offers local-level service backed by a national laboratory network. For customers with in-house labs, Pace provides a range of professional services to keep their operations moving forward. The Pace team works in partnership with customers by providing the service, science, and the data they need to make critical decisions that benefit us all. Contact Information Source: Pace Analytical KI Wall is proud to announce that its WiggleRoom product line has been designated as a Certified Autism Resource by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. This certification recognizes products that address the needs of individuals with autism, based on one or more of the IBCCES Board's six areas of autism competency. "We're honored to be recognized for our commitment to creating spaces that accommodate individuals with a range of sensory needs, including those with autism," said Ryan Usiak, vice president of KI Wall. "The WiggleRoom line was designed to provide quiet, private spaces in open environments. This certification affirms that these core features make WiggleRoom a valuable resource for people with autism and other forms of neurodivergence." KI Wall's WiggleRoom product line includes single-user WiggleRoom privacy pods and WiggleRoom Super Structure , a freestanding post-and-beam system that creates open or closed meeting spaces for small groups. Both products allow students or office workers to break away from noise and distraction and find peace and quiet to relax, learn, or connect with others. Supportive features include: Sound-absorbing panels and self-closing doors that reduce noise by 30 decibels. User-controlled lighting systems allow individuals to dim the light and set the light temperature according to their preference. Solid walls can be outfitted with PET felt material for enhanced acoustic absorption. Optional occupancy lights indicate whether a pod is in use, reducing the risk of unintended interactions. "Through our customers, we've seen how WiggleRoom supports the individualized needs of employees and students in a variety of environments," said Nathan Quintal, KI Wall's senior product marketing manager. "This Certified Autism Resource designation underscores our commitment to providing inclusive architectural and design solutions." Learn more about WiggleRoom at kiwall.com . About KI Wall KI Wall is dedicated to transforming spaces with a seamless blend of elegance and functionality. With a focus on style that can be seen, felt, heard, and experienced, KI Wall fulfills its purpose by bringing design visions to life, reimagining every detail to advance the spaces where people work, learn, and heal. It's walls, reimagined. For more information, visit kiwall.com . Media Contact Lucia Orlandi lucia@keybridge.biz (202) 970-9745 SOURCE: KI Wall View the original press release on accesswire.com Executives contribute insights from decades of executive leadership at premier CPG, Retail, and Beverage companies Amazon, Beam Suntory, Coca-Cola, Husqvarna, and Starbucks VORTO, the world's only autonomous supply chain platform, today announced the addition of five top executives to its Advisory Board. The advisory board members contribute impactful insights from decades of executive leadership in consumer packaged goods, retail, and beverage distribution to accelerate scaling of VORTO's AI-powered freight logistics platform. "We continue to make significant leaps in our proprietary technology to enhance efficiency in the CPG, retail, and beverage sectors," said Priyesh Ranjan, CEO of VORTO. Albert Baladi is a global chief executive with a long record of success at blue chip consumer companies, including Beam Suntory, PepsiCo, Yum! Brands, and Procter & Gamble. Baladi has lived and worked in seven countries on four continents and has driven innovation in consumer products and supply chain across the globe. Bill Schultz is a strategic business innovator with an extensive management track record at leading retail and CPG companies. He has served as director of Freshii and held multiple president, chief executive officer and strategic roles in 12 years at The Coca-Cola Company. Prior to that, Schultz was President, International Consumer Products, at Georgia-Pacific. Chris Carr is a strategic advisor for consumer product companies with experience in enterprise-wide, global sourcing and procurement for premium brands, including as Chief Operating Officer at sweetgreen and Executive Vice President, Chief Procurement Officer at Starbucks. Carr is currently Chair of the Board of REI Co-op. Laura Wilkin is a C-suite executive with over 30 years of experience leading global supply chain, operations, and technology teams across the retail, e-commerce, and apparel industries. Wilkin was Vice President, Global Supply Chain at Amazon and held similar roles at Petco, Walmart, and Gap. She is Co-Chair of the Retail, CPG, Hospitality & Transportation Committee of WomenExecs on Boards. Robert McCutcheon is an executive with 25 years of success driving growth and innovation in retail and multiple CPG categories. Previously, as President of North America at Husqvarna and as President of Conagra Brands, McCutcheon has developed insights on the instrumental role of supply chain in executing growth strategies in retail and CPG. Wade Miquelon is a seasoned executive with decades of global supply chain experience in the consumer product and retail industries. He was President and Chief Executive Officer of Jo-Ann Stores and Chief Financial Officer at Walgreens and Tyson Foods. Miquelon's experience has spanned multiple continents and key commercial centers including Bangkok, Singapore, and Geneva. "Albert, Bill, Chris, Laura, Robert, and Wade will provide unsurpassed experience and global perspectives to our Advisory Board. We are excited to integrate them with our existing Advisory Board members, as we accelerate the penetration of VORTO's supply chain platform across retail, CPG, beverage, paper, and industrials to achieve our mission to digitally transform supply chain across in the United States and internationally," Ranjan added. VORTO Advisory Board These six executives join VORTO's current Advisory Board members Anthony Chiarello, ex-Chief Executive Officer, TOTE, and ex-President, Maersk Logistics, Ramesh Chikkala, Chief Operating Officer, Grocery Outlet, ex-SVP Global Supply Chain and ex-SVP Information Technology, Walmart, Pete Kraemer, ex-Chief Supply Chain Officer, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Julio Nemeth, ex-Chief Product Supply Officer, Procter & Gamble, and Andy Walter, ex-SVP Information Technology and Global Shared Services, Procter & Gamble. About VORTO VORTO is on a mission to increase sustainability and create more jobs by making supply chains more efficient across the entire value chain. Through powerful AI technology, VORTO's autonomous supply chain platform seeks to reduce carbon emissions caused by supply chain transportation, improve the lives of approximately 3.5 million truck drivers by better utilizing their time and create more jobs across all players in B2B transactions. VORTO is facilitating a digital transformation in B2B supply chains by automating how we move, sell, and buy goods and eliminating the cognitive overload associated with other supply chain management technology. This technology automates data preparation, analysis, and decision making, and is used by Fortune 500 companies throughout North America and across multiple verticals. Each year, VORTO's transformative approach to the supply chain saves users over $510 million and eliminated close to 160,000 tons of CO2 emissions by reducing inefficiencies. VORTO was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in Denver. For more information visit: https://vorto.ai. Contact: info@vorto.ai SOURCE: VORTO View the original press release on accesswire.com SCOTTSDALE, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / December 3, 2024 / RONN Inc. (OTC PINK:RONN) announced today that Ronn Ford, company CEO, had been selected to join and become a member of the Monaco House Delegation to the 2025 World Economic Forum conferences in Davos, Switzerland. In 2025, Monaco will host the Blue Economy and Finance Forum as part of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025 Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland: Dates: January 20-24 , https://www.monacohousedavos.com/ The WEF is a not-for-profit organization that brings together global leaders to address challenges such as geopolitical shocks, energy transition, and improving living standards. Official attendance is by invitation only. In attendance will be global leaders of governments and CEOs of global companies, both profit and non-profit, as well as global funding groups and grant opportunities, collaborations, and networking events, including the industrial revolutions in hydrogen and its continued growth on the international stage. Mr. Ford stated that this is a unique once-in-a-lifetime event to put our company in direct contact with global leaders, groups, and investment opportunities and that both energy and hydrogen would be the center of discussion on January 22, 2025 , at which point I expect to share my vision with the global community. About RONN, Inc RONN, Inc. is a forward-thinking company dedicated to making a positive impact on the environmental credit market. With a commitment to innovation and sustainability in the commercialization of Hydrogen in both mobile and stationary sectors, RONN, Inc. strives to create value for both its shareholders and the planet. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include but are not limited to, the success of RONN, Inc. initiatives in the hydrogen tax credit market. RONN, Inc. undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. WWW.WEFORUM.COM Contact Information John Morgan IR jmorgan@ronnmotorgroup.com SOURCE: RONN Inc View the original press release on accesswire.com MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) - U.S. authorities have foiled an attempt by a dual U.S.-Russian citizen to illegally export two small aircraft to Russia.Sergey Nechaev was arrested Monday in the Southern District of Georgia on charges of unlawful attempted export of controlled goods, smuggling and falsifying export information, the Justice Department said.If convicted, Nechaev faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The aircraft will also be subject to forfeiture. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.According to the indictment, to evade U.S. export control laws, Nechaev attempted to smuggle two Cessna aircraft from the United States to Russia by transshipping them through Armenia. The U.S. government imposed stricter controls on Russia in February 2022 after it attacked Ukraine.Nechaev attempted to export a 1968 Cessna 172K and a 1973 Cessna, valued together at approximately $170,000, to a purported Russian flight school, without the required license or authorization from the Department of Commerce. To conceal the true end user and destination of the aircraft, Nechaev falsely represented that the end user and destination were in Armenia, the Justice Department said.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. PARIS (dpa-AFX) - French drug major Sanofi plans to invest around 1 billion euros or about $1.05 billion to build a new insulin manufacturing base in Beijing, China, reports said.The move represents Sanofi's single largest investment in China so far, where it has been present for more than 40 years. The investment will boost the manufacturing of insulin to help diabetic patients in the region and enhance the company's supply-chain resilience.The new site, located in an economic development zone in Yizhuang, will be Sanofi's second production base in Beijing and its fourth in the country.Sanofi signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology and the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area or BDA Administrative Committee regarding the investment.According to Sanofi Chief Executive Paul Hudson, the new production base will feature advanced automated production technologies, cutting-edge digital integrated management systems and sustainable environmental standards.Medical journal the Lancet reportedly pointed that China now has the largest number of diabetes patients worldwide.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Chosen Foods, America's #1 Avocado Oil*, and one of the few brands guaranteed to be 100% pure, has released a statement praising the Codex Alimentarius Commission's decision to revise and establish new international standards for avocado oil. This decision follows mounting evidence showing widespread adulteration of avocado oil, first highlighted in a 2020 UC Davis study, which tested 22 brands of avocado oil and found that only two were 100% pure with Chosen Foods being one of them. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126509765/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) Established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the Codex Alimentarius Commission is the United Nation's body charged with setting food standards to protect consumer health and facilitate fair practices in international food trade. The Commission met from Nov. 25-30 in Geneva, Switzerland for its 47th session. "At Chosen Foods we have always stood by purity and are thrilled by this milestone from the Codex Alimentarius Commission's decision," said Chosen Foods CEO, Douglas MacFarlane. "We have made it our mission to advocate for consumers' right to transparency when buying avocado oil, which is why we guarantee the purity and quality of all our products. It is exciting to see that our industry is finally getting the regulations and guidelines that have been needed for a long time." To help shape these new standards, Chosen Foods has actively collaborated with global governing bodies to advocate for international standards for avocado oil. The brand's commitment to transparency and purity has played a key role in the creation of a formal standard of identity for avocado oil and avocado oil-based products, including sprays. Since its founding, Chosen Foods has made purity its top priority, ensuring that every bottle of its avocado oil is made from 100% pure, high-quality avocado oil. As part of this commitment, the brand tests every batch of oil and maintains a traceable supply chain to ensure transparency from avocado grove to bottle. About Chosen Foods With a mission to transform kitchens across America by replacing bad fats with the good fats found in avocados, Chosen Foods offers a robust portfolio of avocado oil-based products, including oils, sprays, mayos, salad dressings, dip and drizzle sauces, and chocolate hazelnut spread. In addition to being America's #1 Avocado Oil brand, Chosen Foods is now the fastest-growing mayonnaise brand** in the country. Learn more at www.chosenfoods.com/ *Sales Data MULO L52W end 11/03/2024 **Sales Data MULO L13W end 11/03/2024 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126509765/en/ Contacts: Media Contact Eleni Fritz Rachel Kay Public Relations, A FINN Partners Company eleni.fritz@finnpartners.com 469.834.0433 Entravision (NYSE: EVC), a leading media and advertising technology company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jamil Downey as Vice President General Manager, Americas for its mobile advertising and Connected TV technology platform, Smadex. Reporting directly to Chief Revenue Officer Phil Gontier, Jamil will lead Smadex's U.S. expansion strategy, building on the division's robust growth trajectory while leveraging Entravision's extensive market presence and deep-rooted industry relationships to accelerate success. Jamil brings a wealth of expertise from his tenure at Apple, where he spearheaded high-impact initiatives within the Apple Search Ads division. His exceptional leadership and strategic insight will be instrumental as Smadex continues to strengthen its reputation as a leader in programmatic advertising. In his new role, Jamil will oversee strategic growth initiatives across the Americas, with a primary focus on the U.S. market. Collaborating closely with the CRO and executive leadership, he will build on Smadex's successes and drive broader adoption of its innovative ad solutions. "As Smadex continues to execute on its ambitious growth plan, we are thrilled to welcome Jamil as the leader of our Americas team," said Phil Gontier, Chief Revenue Officer at Smadex. "Jamil's experience, strategic mindset, and deep industry knowledge make him the perfect choice to lead and accelerate our expansion. We are looking forward to the value he will bring to our team, clients and partners." Smadex continues to deliver exceptional revenue growth, significantly outpacing industry benchmarks. This performance reflects our commitment to innovation and delivering customer success. Jamil's appointment underscores our dedication to sustaining this momentum and further solidifying Smadex as a leader in mobile and Connected TV advertising. "I'm excited to join Smadex at such a pivotal time of growth and opportunity," said Jamil Downey, VP GM Americas at Smadex. "Smadex's commitment to delivering impactful advertising solutions perfectly aligns with my vision for growth and innovation. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team to help accelerate success in the U.S. market and beyond." Jordi de los Pinos, Founder and CEO of Smadex, also expressed his excitement about the appointment: "Bringing Jamil on board is a significant step forward for Smadex as we expand our U.S. presence. Jamil's proven track record and expertise in driving high-growth initiatives will be instrumental to take Smadex to the next level. We are confident his leadership will make a lasting impact on our business." Entravision's Smadex division continues to lead the way in mobile advertising innovation, delivering unparalleled solutions to brands domestically and internationally. About Smadex Founded in Barcelona in 2011, Smadex is a fast-growing mobile ad tech company that empowers advertisers with data-driven solutions for maximizing campaign performance and user engagement. With a strong focus on innovation, Smadex helps brands connect with audiences on mobile platforms and Connected TV, delivering measurable results and enhancing customer success. For more information, visit www.smadex.com. About Entravision Communications Corporation Entravision is a media and advertising technology company. In the U.S., we maintain a diversified portfolio of television and radio stations and digital advertising services that target Latino audiences. Our advertising technology business consists of Smadex, our programmatic ad purchasing platform, and Adwake, our mobile growth solutions business. Entravision remains the largest affiliate group of the Univision and UniMas television networks. Shares of Entravision Class A Common Stock trade on the NYSE under ticker: EVC. Learn more about our offerings at entravision.com or connect with us on LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203688698/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: Fabiola Rangel, Sr. Director, Marketing and Communications, Entravision fabiola.rangel@entravision.com Mafe Roig, Sr. Product Marketing Manager, Smadex mafe.roig@smadex.com Clients can enjoy instant watch and jewelry coverage before leaving the showroom Watches of Switzerland Group, a business built on delivering world-class client experiences, has partnered with leading embedded insurance provider Zillion to offer a valuable client benefit at point of sale. Watches of Switzerland clients can now enjoy instant coverage for their watch and jewelry purchases with one-click on mobile, and without applications, appraisals or app downloads. The frictionless benefit enables an elevated client experience and exceeds the expectations of discerning consumers. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203202172/en/ Watches of Switzerland Group and Zillion partner to offer an embedded insurance benefit to clients at Point of Sale. (Photo: Business Wire) Focused on how it makes clients feel throughout every interaction with its brands, Watches of Switzerland has a reputation for unsurpassed excellence and unparalleled service. The company has partnered with Zillion to further enhance client care by offering a peace of mind coverage benefit with concierge service. "Exceptional client experiences are at the heart of everything we do," says Lorcan McCabe, Regional Director of Watches of Switzerland. "Zillion's innovative product and white glove service aligns with our commitment to providing best in class services to our clients. It also complements how we strive to go above and beyond, even before our client walks through the door of one of our showrooms." "Uniquely differentiated, Watches of Switzerland is the gold standard for client experience," says Adam Black, Zillion's Managing Director. "Zillion is dedicated to the highest service standards while providing an immediate benefit at point of sale. This combination marries well with Watches of Switzerland's focus on delight, and we are humbled to be partnered with a company that cares so deeply about its clients." About Watches of Switzerland The Watches of Switzerland Group is the UK's largest luxury watch retailer, operating in the UK, US and Europe comprising seven prestigious brands; Watches of Switzerland (UK and US), Mappin Webb (UK), Goldsmiths (UK), Mayors (US), Betteridge (US), Analog:Shift (US) and Hodinkee (US) with a complementary jewellery offering. From 8 May 2024, the Group also owns the exclusive distribution rights for Roberto Coin in the USA, Canada, Central America and the Caribbean. As of 3 September 2024, the Watches of Switzerland Group had 221 showrooms across the UK, US and Europe including 96 dedicated mono-brand boutiques in partnership with Rolex, OMEGA, TAG Heuer, Breitling, TUDOR, Audemars Piguet, Grand Seiko, BVLGARI and FOPE and has a leading presence in Heathrow Airport with representation in Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 as well as seven retail websites. The Watches of Switzerland Group is proud to be the UK's largest retailer for Rolex, OMEGA, Cartier, TAG Heuer and Breitling watches. www.thewosgroupplc.com About Zillion Zillion provides embedded insurance at the point of sale, making the experience instant and effortless for retailers and their customers. Qualified retailers can join Zillion's exclusive partner network and offer peace of mind to customers in-store and online. Zillion's technology platform is used by leading companies in the jewelry industry. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203202172/en/ Contacts: Media Contact press@myzillion.com 650-600-7464 This expansion of training providers across the Southeastern PA region will connect career seekers to high-quality jobs in Healthcare & Life Sciences, Energy, and Infrastructure. Philadelphia Works, Inc., along with the Southeastern PA Good Jobs Challenge Steering Committee, are excited to announce a diverse, regional set of selected training providers who will empower individuals with the skills necessary for in-demand jobs in Healthcare & Life Sciences, Energy, and Infrastructure. These fully funded training opportunities will help drive the Good Job Challenge's efforts. The initiative aims to connect 3,000 residents to quality jobs across Bucks, Berks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. "Every individual deserves the opportunity to thrive in a career that supports their personal growth and contributes to the strength of our communities," said Patrick Clancy, President & CEO at Philadelphia Works. "The Good Jobs Challenge in Southeastern PA exemplifies our commitment to creating pathways to prosperity for all residents. By partnering with a diverse array of training providers and engaging with workforce leaders, we are ensuring our workforce is equipped with the skills needed to excel in high-demand industries. This initiative is a transformative effort to uplift workers and their families, foster strategic partnerships, and drive economic growth across the region. We are proud to lead this charge and look forward to the positive impact it will have on thousands of lives." Good Jobs Challenge training partners include: Beyond Literacy : Pre-RA Energy Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) : Behavioral Health Technician, Medical Billing and Coding, Licensed Practical Nursing Collegiate Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development (CCWED) : Welding Congreso De Latinos Unidos : Certified Medical Assistant and First Responder EDSI : Supportive Services Episcopal Community Services (ECS) : Supportive Services I-LEAD : Building Trades Pre-RA JEVS : Practical Nursing Lincoln University : Healthcare Career Catalyst Initiative (HCCI) PennState Berks : Practical Nursing PowerCorps PHL : Green Skilled Trades Propel America : Medical Assistant Pathway Program Temple University and the Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships : Community Health Worker The Full Circle Group: Medical Assistant Technician and Phlebotomy "We are honored to partner with Philadelphia Works to provide transformative workforce training programs that create meaningful career paths for job seekers while addressing critical healthcare workforce needs across our region," said Dr. Brenda A. Allen, President of Lincoln University. "Our School of Adult and Continuing Education in Philadelphia will play a key role in strengthening the area's workforce by equipping individuals with essential skills, credentials, and support for building and sustaining successful careers. This initiative reflects Lincoln University's enduring commitment to educational excellence, rooted in our liberal arts tradition, which fosters social and economic mobility for diverse and inclusive communities. We thank Philadelphia Works and our employer partners for making this impactful work possible." Jeannette M. Roman, Director of Chester County's Department of Workforce Development and Good Jobs Challenge Steering Committee member said "The Chester County Workforce Development Board is thrilled to acknowledge, support, and collaborate with three local partners receiving Good Jobs Challenge awards. These awards allow for improved access to in-demand career pathways and support the pursuit of a family-sustaining wage in the infrastructure and healthcare industries. We are confident these programs will bring more resources to SEPA employers, with opportunities to up-skill existing staff and enhance the recruitment and training of potential new hires." This $10 million high-impact investment to expand training capacity in the region is funded by the Economic Development Administration (EDA), U.S. Department of Commerce. To learn more about the Good Jobs Challenge in Southeastern PA, along with details on training providers and participation opportunities for employers and job seekers, please visit www.pagoodjobs.org This press release was prepared by Philadelphia Works, Inc., using Federal funds under award ED22HDQ3070127 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce. Contact: info@pagoodjobs.org SOURCE: Philadelphia Works, Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - Cumberland Resources Nickel Corp. (CSE: LAND) ("Cumberland" or the "Company") is excited to announce the successful staking of 30 contiguous, single-cell, unpatented mining claims, covering approximately 600 hectares in Darling Township, southeastern Ontario. These newly staked claims run parallel to the 44 claims secured by the Company earlier in November 2024. Together, Cumberland now holds a substantial land package exceeding 1,400 hectares in Darling Township. As the Company expands its portfolio in Darling Township, the focus remains on identifying and unlocking the value of critical minerals, with antimony being a primary target. Antimony's strategic importance in industries such as renewable energy, defense, and electronics aligns with Cumberland's commitment to supporting domestic resource development. Strategically located only 300 kilometers east of Toronto, this region benefits from exceptional infrastructure, including reliable hydroelectric power, accessible road networks, and proximity to a highly skilled workforce. The Ontario Geological Survey's Ontario Mineral Inventory (OMI) identifies nine documented occurrences of antimony within Darling Township and the adjacent Lavant Township, associated with gold, copper, and silver mineralization. While some of these occurrences are located on private lands or within pre-existing claims, the region's geology presents significant exploration potential. Antimony occurrences are predominantly hosted in ferroan dolomites within the Robertson Lake Mylonite Zone (RLMZ), a promising geological structure for mineral exploration. Antimony prices have surged dramatically in 2024, driven by increasing demand and China's export restrictions. According to Reuters, prices surpassed $22,000 per metric ton in August 2024, more than doubling since the start of the year. Analysts project the trend could push prices as high as $30,000 per metric ton, highlighting antimony's critical role in modern supply chains. This upward trajectory underscores the importance of securing domestic sources for this strategic mineral. (Source: Reuters, August 15, 2024, "Antimony prices gear up for new records on China export curbs.") The newly acquired claims adjoin Cumberland's previously staked Darling Lake gold, copper, and tetrahedrite occurrence, further strengthening the Company's foothold in this high-potential area. Cumberland's holdings bracket the eastern end of the RLMZ, widely regarded as the most favorable target for gold exploration. The interplay of intersecting faults and splays within this zone will be the highest priority for exploration. Additionally, announce that its Board of Directors has approved the adoption of an Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). This Plan is designed to enhance the Company's ability to attract, retain, and motivate qualified directors, officers, employees, and consultants while aligning their interests with those of shareholders. The Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan provides a flexible and comprehensive framework for granting equity-based awards, including stock options, restricted share units (RSUs), performance share units (PSUs), and deferred share units (DSUs). The Plan aims to reward eligible participants for their contributions to the Company's success and to encourage long-term investment in Cumberland's shares. The Plan reserves up to 10% of the Company's total issued and outstanding shares for awards under the Plan, adhering to the "evergreen" structure. Shares subject to expired or terminated awards will become available for future grants. Awards under the Plan are subject to a range of vesting schedules and performance criteria as determined by the Company's Board of Directors or its delegate. Specific limits ensure compliance with regulatory standards, including restrictions on grants to insiders, consultants, and those engaged in investor relations activities. In addition, the Company announces, subject to CSE approval, the grant of 6,000,000 RSUs to strategic consultants to the Company. These RSUs will vest four months and one day from the day of grant. Qualified Person The scientific and technical disclosure for Cumberland included in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mark Smyk, P.Geo. Mr. Smyk is a Technical Advisor to the Company and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure of Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). About Cumberland Resources. Cumberland Resources Nickel Corp. is committed to acquiring, exploring, and advancing mineral properties that address critical resource needs in North America. The company holds a 100% interest in the St. Anthony Property, a prospective mineral asset located in Newfoundland, Canada, strategically positioned in a region known for its rich mineral potential. Recently, Cumberland significantly expanded its exploration portfolio by staking a substantial land package in Darling Township, southeastern Ontario, located approximately 300 km east-northeast of Toronto. This property, now exceeding 1,400 hectares, targets critical mineral exploration with a focus on antimony-an element vital to renewable energy, defense, and electronics industries. The area boasts excellent infrastructure, including hydroelectric power, well-developed road networks, and access to a highly skilled workforce, creating an optimal environment for exploration and development. Forward Looking Statement Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may," "should," "anticipate," "expect," "potential," "believe," "intend" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements relating to: the exploration and development of the Company's claims and properties, including the Company's St. Anthony Property, it's claims in Ontario, the potential for growth in the value of Antimony and the potential value of such properties, to the Company and its shareholders. Forward-looking information in this press release is based on certain assumptions and expected future events, namely: the Company's ability to carry out exploration and development of the Company's claims and properties, including the St. Anthony Property and the Ontario claims, and the Company's ability to realize on the potential value of such properties for the Company and its shareholders. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the Company's inability to carry out exploration and development of the Company's claims and properties, including the St. Anthony Property and Ontario claims, and the Company's inability to realize on the potential value of such properties for the Company and its shareholders. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions, or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect, and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and reflect the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change thereafter. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results, or otherwise, or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law. Neither the Canadian Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232303 SOURCE: Cumberland Resources Nickel Corp. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - Canuc Resources Corporation (TSXV: CDA) (OTCQB: CNUCF) ("Canuc" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed a letter of intent ("LOI") with Macdonald Mines Exploration Inc. (TSXV: BMK) ("Macdonald Mines"), whereby Canuc will acquire all issued and outstanding shares of Macdonald Mines. Under the terms of the LOI, Canuc Resources Corporation will issue 72,000,000 common shares of Canuc to the shareholders of Macdonald Mines as consideration for the acquisition. The LOI is in place until April 30, 2025. The transaction represents a significant step forward in Canuc's strategy to expand its portfolio of exploration assets with potential for iron-oxide-copper-gold ("IOCG") and affiliated critical and precious metal deposits, and to consolidate high quality exploration prospects in leading North American extractive jurisdictions. The proposed acquisition is subject to the approval of shareholders from both companies and the requisite regulatory authorities, including the TSX Venture Exchange, and the satisfactory completion of due diligence by Canuc. Upon securing these approvals, Canuc and Macdonald Mines will proceed to finalize and execute a definitive agreement, further solidifying this strategic transaction. Commenting on the announcement, Christopher Berlet, CEO of Canuc Resources Corporation, stated: "This proposed acquisition aligns with Canuc's growth strategy and underscores our commitment to delivering long-term value for our shareholders by consolidating high quality advanced exploration assets in premier jurisdictions. We look forward to collaborating with the team at Macdonald Mines and progressing towards completion of this milestone transaction." Further details about the transaction will be provided as the process advances. About MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd. Founded in 1935, MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd. is a mineral exploration company focused on the evaluation, acquisition, and development of precious and critical metals properties in Ontario. The company's flagship project, the 100% owned SPJ Project, spans 19,710 hectares and is situated approximately 40 kilometers northeast of the prolific Sudbury Mining Camp. and near to the extensive infrastructure of the adjacent Sudbury Mining District. The SPJ Project encompasses several centers of critical and precious metal mineralization interpreted to be related to a mineral system that can form IOCG and affiliated critical and precious mineral deposits. Included within the Project is the historical Scadding Gold Mine and associated gold mineralized system and gold bearing tailings. Minerals of interest on SPJ include copper (Cu), gold (Au), cobalt (co), nickel (Ni) and rare earth elements (REE). MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd. is committed to responsible and sustainable operations, prioritizing environmental stewardship, safety, and community engagement. About Canuc Canuc Resources Corporation is a junior resource company focusing on the San Javier Silver-Gold Project in Sonora State, Mexico. The Company also generates cash flow from natural gas production at its MidTex Energy Project located in Central West Texas, USA where Canuc has an interest in eight (8) producing natural gas wells and has rights for further in field developments. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking information. All information, other than information of historical fact, constitute "forward-looking statements" and includes any information that addresses activities, events or developments that the Corporation believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including the Corporation's strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance. When used in this news release, the words "estimate", "project", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "believe", "hope", "may" and similar expressions, as well as "will", "shall" and other indications of future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is based on current expectations and applies only as of the date on which they were made. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Corporation to fund the exploration expenditures required under the Agreement. Other factors such as uncertainties regarding government regulations could also affect the results. Other risks may be set out in the Corporation's annual financial statements, MD&A and other publicly filed documents. The Corporation cautions that there can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required by law, the Corporation does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking information contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232272 SOURCE: Canuc Resources Corporation The study aims to determine the impact of applying HER2DX in medical decisions regarding treatment for patients diagnosed with localized HER2+ breast cancer (stage I-IIIA). The project is the result of the combined efforts of REVEAL GENOMICS and the IEO, along with the Umberto Veronesi Foundation. REVEAL GENOMICS, S.L., a Barcelona-based biotechnology start-up seeking to revolutionize precision oncology through biomarker innovation, and the Istituto Europeo di Oncologia (IEO)today announced the start of an impact study of the HER2DX test, the first genomic test in the world specialized in HER2+ breast cancer. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203238722/en/ The project, entitled "Prospective observational monocentric study to evaluate the impact of the HER2DX assay on treatment decisions in patients with early-stage HER2+ breast cancer: HER2-BREAST-DX," aims to determine the impact of applying the test in medical decisions regarding treatment for patients diagnosed with localized HER2+ breast cancer (stage I-IIIA). These patients are candidates for either neoadjuvant treatment (prior to surgery) or adjuvant treatment (post-surgery). The project therefore seeks to advance the personalization of treatments. The project is the result of the combined efforts of both REVEAL GENOMICS and the IEO, along with the Umberto Veronesi Foundation, which promotes excellence in scientific research as well as initiatives for prevention, health education, and science outreach. Umberto Veronesi Foundation is committed to funding the HER2DX TEST DECISION IMPACT STUDY project. This collaboration reflects the IEO's commitment to integrating the test into clinical practice while evaluating its impact on specialists' decision-making. Dr. Patricia Villagrasa-Gonzalez, CEO and co-founder of REVEAL GENOMICS, says about the agreement, "This new Decision Impact Study joins the ones we are already conducting in Spain, allowing us to demonstrate the robustness of HER2DX for use in daily clinical practice. Agreements like this one with prestigious entities such as IEO clearly benefit us all and promote the adoption of the test in the European context Dr. Carmen Criscitiello, medical oncologist at IEO, adds, "As the principal investigator of this pivotal study, I am excited to collaborate with REVEAL GENOMICS and leverage the HER2DX test to refine treatment decisions for HER2+ breast cancer patients. This project embodies our commitment at IEO to personalize therapy, aiming to enhance outcomes and optimize patient care. THE IEO DECISION IMPACT STUDY: HER2DX IN CLINICAL PRACTICE The study involves collecting data from oncologists, who complete two surveys on treatment intent: one before requesting HER2DX, and the other after receiving the results. The study also includes clinical and pathological variables, as well as response to neoadjuvant treatment. The results will provide further data on the usefulness of the test and the clinical benefit it brings to patients, as well as assessing how it can be adapted naturally in routine clinical practice within the healthcare system. The aim is also to look at how the test results may influence treatment recommendations. Changes in treatment recommendations could include adjustments to the duration of adjuvant anti-HER2 treatment; changes in the type of chemotherapy recommended before and after the test; changes in the type of anti-HER2 treatment; and changes in the timing of surgery (before or after systemic treatment). About HER2DX? HER2DX is the world's first diagnostic test formulated specifically for HER2+ breast cancer. Marketed by REVEAL GENOMICS since January 2022, the HER2DX is a standardized 27-gene expression test for patients with early-stage HER2+ breast cancer. HER2DX is a prognostic and predictive assay based on clinical and genomic data. The test integrates clinical information (i.e., tumor size and nodal status) with biological information tracking immune response, luminal differentiation, tumor cell proliferation, and expression of the HER2 17q12-21 chromosomal amplicon, including the ERBB2 gene. HER2DX predicts: Risk of relapse score (high vs. low): the risk of recurrence in patients with newly diagnosed HER2+ breast cancer. (high vs. low): the risk of recurrence in patients with newly diagnosed HER2+ breast cancer. pCR likelihood score (high vs. medium vs. low): the likelihood of a patient responding to anti-HER2-based treatment before surgery. (high vs. medium vs. low): the likelihood of a patient responding to anti-HER2-based treatment before surgery. ERBB2 score (high vs. medium vs. low): the quantitative expression of ERBB2 mRNA across HER2-negative, HER2-low and HER2+ breast cancer. About HER2+ breast cancer HER2+ breast cancer accounts for 20% of all diagnosed breast tumors. This represents more than 390,000 new cases diagnosed worldwide every year, meaning that, on average, 3 women are diagnosed with HER2+ breast cancer every 4 minutes. HER2+ breast cancer is clinically and biologically heterogeneous, and standard clinical-pathological assessment has proven insufficient in capturing this heterogeneity. Understanding this biological heterogeneity is key to identifying the prognosis of each patient and the benefit from systemic therapies that target HER2. About IEO The IEO (European Institute of Oncology) is one of the world's most prestigious hospitals and the fastest growing comprehensive cancer center in Europe. IEO integrates various areas related to the fight against cancer, such as prevention, diagnosis, treatment, training and education, and basic and translational research. The European Institute of Oncology (Istituto Europeo di Oncologia IEO) strives for excellence in cancer prevention, early diagnosis, and effective treatment. It aims to achieve this through clinical and scientific research development and organizational and management innovation, with a constant focus on the quality of the service provided to patients. About Umberto Veronesi Foundation Umberto Veronesi Foundation was established in 2003 by Umberto Veronesi, a pioneering oncologist in cancer treatments and in the international scientific community. The Foundation puts all its energy into finding new treatments for cancer and supporting outstanding scientific research, while raising awareness about cancer prevention among young people and adults. About REVEAL GENOMICS? REVEAL GENOMICS, S.L. is a biotechnology start-up seeking to change the way biomarkers are used in oncology. It is focused on developing innovative diagnostic tools to define the best therapeutic options for patients with cancer. The company uses pioneering techniques, sophisticated computer applications, and machine learning to reveal new cancer research data. REVEAL GENOMICS, S.L. is a spin-off company of Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, the University of Barcelona (U.B.), and the Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO). REVEAL GENOMICS and HER2DX are registered trademarks of REVEAL GENOMICS, S.L. Web: www.reveal-genomics.com.X: @revealgenomics View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203238722/en/ Contacts: Further information: Adriana Herrera, aherrera@reveal-genomics.com A GLOBAL LEADER IN UNSATURATED POLYESTER RESINS, VINYL ESTER RESINS AND GELCOATS NEW YORK, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- KPS Capital Partners, LP ("KPS") announced today that, through a newly formed affiliate, it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire INEOS Composites (the "Company") from INEOS Enterprises Holdings II Ltd ("INEOS Enterprises") for an estimated consideration of approximately 1.7bn at completion. Completion of the transaction is expected in the first half of 2025 subject to regulatory approvals and consultation processes (in particular, with respect to the French business, for which the parties have entered into exclusive negotiations). INEOS Composites is a leading global manufacturer of unsaturated polyester resins, vinyl ester resins and gelcoats used in the production of plastic composites for a wide range of applications across large global end-markets, including building materials, recreation, transportation and wind energy, among others. INEOS Composites sells a broad range of resins that allow customers to optimize certain characteristics of their products, including corrosion resistance, fire retardance, ultraviolet resistance, water and chemical resistance, thermal and electrical insulation, impact and scratch resistance, and high strength-to-weight ratios. Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, and Barcelona, Spain, INEOS Composites has approximately 900 employees and operates 17 manufacturing facilities and three technology centers across North and South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Raquel Vargas Palmer, Managing Partner of KPS, said, "We are thrilled to acquire INEOS Composites, a leading global manufacturer of specialty composite resins. The Company's leading market position and long-tenured customer base is a testament to its differentiated product quality, reliability and strong technical service capabilities. We will leverage KPS' successful, multi-decade experience of investing in process industries, along with our commitment to manufacturing excellence and global network, to drive profitability and create an entrepreneurial culture centered on innovation, continuous improvement and superior customer experience. We look forward to partnering with Chief Executive Officer Andrew Miller and the INEOS Composites team to accelerate the Company's value creation opportunities." Andrew Miller, Chief Executive Officer of INEOS Composites, said, "We are excited for our future as an independent company under KPS' ownership. KPS is an ideal partner, given its demonstrated track record of establishing and growing world-class industrial companies. KPS' commitment to manufacturing excellence, capital investment, and research and development, accompanied by its global platform and significant capital resources, will elevate our ability to provide customers with industry-leading products and superior service." Ashley Reed, Chairman of INEOS Enterprises said, "Composites has been part of INEOS Enterprises for the past five years, during which time it has achieved significant improvements in safety and financial performance. Furthermore, it has solidified its market position through enhanced product quality, consistency, and strengthened operational and commercial capabilities, ensuring a strong foundation for further future growth." Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP served as legal counsel to KPS. Piper Sandler served as financial advisor and Slaughter and May acted as legal counsel to INEOS Enterprises. Committed debt financing to support the transaction has been provided by Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Barclays, Citi, Intesa Sanpaolo - IMI CIB Division and MUFG Bank. About INEOS Composites INEOS Composites is a leading global manufacturer of unsaturated polyester resins, vinyl ester resins and gelcoats used in the production of plastic composites for a wide range of applications across large global end-markets including building materials, recreation, transportation and wind energy, among others. INEOS Composites sells a broad range of resins that allow customers to optimize certain characteristics of their products, including corrosion resistance, fire retardance, ultraviolet resistance, water and chemical resistance, thermal and electrical insulation, impact and scratch resistance, and high strength-to-weight ratios. For more information about INEOS Composites, visit www.ineoscomposites.com. About KPS Capital Partners, LP KPS, through its affiliated management entities, is the manager of the KPS Special Situations Funds, a family of investment funds with approximately $21.4 billion of assets under management (as of September 30, 2024). For over three decades, the Partners of KPS have worked exclusively to realize significant capital appreciation by making controlling equity investments in manufacturing and industrial companies across a diverse array of industries, including basic materials, branded consumer, healthcare and luxury products, automotive parts, capital equipment, and general manufacturing. KPS creates value for its investors by working constructively with talented management teams to make businesses better and generates investment returns by structurally improving the strategic position, competitiveness, and profitability of its portfolio companies, rather than primarily relying on financial leverage. The KPS Funds' portfolio companies currently generate aggregate annual revenues of approximately $23.7 billion, operate 251 manufacturing facilities in 30 countries, and have approximately 65,000 employees, directly and through joint ventures worldwide (as of September 30, 2024, pro forma for recent acquisitions). The KPS investment strategy and portfolio companies are described in detail at www.kpsfund.com. About INEOS Enterprises INEOS Enterprises comprises a portfolio of businesses manufacturing chemical products in Northern Europe, the USA and Canada, with sales of 2.7bn around the world. The business is focused on the developing needs of its customers and rapid growth through investment in new products and manufacturing facilities or by acquisition. It employs c. 3,100 people across sites in the UK, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada and the USA. INEOS Enterprises is not part of the INEOS Group Holdings bank group. Visit www.ineosenterprises.com to learn more. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1023167/KPS_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/kps-capital-partners-to-acquire-composites-business-from-ineos-enterprises-302321118.html BOSTON, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TraceLink , the largest end-to-end digital network platform for intelligent orchestration of the supply chain, has announced the recipients of its 2024 corporate grant program. The grants have been awarded to five nonprofit organizations across the United States, EMEA, and APAC, each dedicated to unique purposes that align with TraceLink's mission to improve patient and consumer outcomes. TraceLink's corporate grant program highlights the company's commitment to fostering positive global impact by collaborating with organizations that prioritize environmental sustainability, humanitarian efforts, animal welfare, and educational advancement, aligning with its mission to drive supply chain digitalization for the greater good. In highly regulated industries, supply chain digitalization is about more than operational improvement; it's a critical enabler for ensuring the timely delivery of safe, high-quality products while meeting stringent regulatory requirements, ultimately supporting better patient outcomes and contributing to a healthier, safer world. The grants aim to empower nonprofits to scale their operations and create lasting change in the communities they serve. "At TraceLink, we are deeply committed to making a positive impact on the world by supporting initiatives that enhance health, safety, and well-being," said Shabbir Dahod, President and CEO, TraceLink. "Our corporate grant program allows us to partner with exceptional organizations that reflect our core values and dedication to driving meaningful change. It's an honor to support these nonprofits as they work toward creating a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future for communities worldwide." TraceLink's 2024 grant recipients include: Plant-for-the-Planet : Plant-for-the-Planet empowers children and teens to restore forests and fight for climate justice, thereby contributing to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, which aims to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean. Plant-for-the-Planet Spain will use the grant to support its Eco Leaders Lab program, which empowers and educates Spanish youth to become climate leaders advocating for sustainability and climate justice. Plant-for-the-Planet empowers children and teens to restore forests and fight for climate justice, thereby contributing to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, which aims to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean. Plant-for-the-Planet Spain will use the grant to support its Eco Leaders Lab program, which empowers and educates Spanish youth to become climate leaders advocating for sustainability and climate justice. Navkshitij : Navkshitij is a nonprofit based in India whose mission is to establish a sustainable and scalable solution for the residential rehabilitation for people with intellectual disabilities, with more than 340 lives impacted to date. The grant will support the development of a new residential center, helping with the build and equipment needed for the kitchen to cater for the residents in their daily lives. Navkshitij is a nonprofit based in India whose mission is to establish a sustainable and scalable solution for the residential rehabilitation for people with intellectual disabilities, with more than 340 lives impacted to date. The grant will support the development of a new residential center, helping with the build and equipment needed for the kitchen to cater for the residents in their daily lives. Mission Possible Foundation : Based in India, Mission Possible Foundation is a nonprofit committed to animal welfare. The grant will enable Mission Possible to provide their shelters with essential supplies such as food, medicine, electricity, and cleaning supplies, ensuring they remain fully operational and that animals receive the care they need in a safe, healthy environment while they await rehoming. Based in India, Mission Possible Foundation is a nonprofit committed to animal welfare. The grant will enable Mission Possible to provide their shelters with essential supplies such as food, medicine, electricity, and cleaning supplies, ensuring they remain fully operational and that animals receive the care they need in a safe, healthy environment while they await rehoming. Edesia : Edesia is a U.S.-based humanitarian organization dedicated to treating and preventing malnutrition in vulnerable populations worldwide, saving 25 million lives in 65 countries to date. Edesia will use the grant to produce and distribute hundreds of boxes of a life-saving ready-to-use therapeutic food, helping to treat and prevent severe malnutrition in children globally. Edesia is a U.S.-based humanitarian organization dedicated to treating and preventing malnutrition in vulnerable populations worldwide, saving 25 million lives in 65 countries to date. Edesia will use the grant to produce and distribute hundreds of boxes of a life-saving ready-to-use therapeutic food, helping to treat and prevent severe malnutrition in children globally. Girlstart : Girlstart is a U.S.-based woman-founded, woman-led organization, offering free, year-round, out-of-school STEM programming for girls in grades 4-8 across the country. Girlstart will use the grant to support its STEM After School and Summer Camp programs, reaching over 1,800 girls in grades 4-5 and 900 girls in grades 4-8, covering essential program costs. Each year, TraceLink's grant program follows a rigorous application and selection process designed to identify and support impactful initiatives. This year, the company began with 47 organizations in the pipeline. This was narrowed down to 14 applications, which were carefully reviewed and scored by an internal board. Ultimately, seven finalists were invited to present their proposals to senior leadership for final consideration. The grant recipients share how TraceLink's support will empower them to advance their missions and create lasting positive change in their communities: "Empowered young people have the capacity to reimagine the future and act decisively to transform it. For this to happen, companies must play an active role through their social responsibility initiatives. The support from TraceLink not only enables us to train environmental leaders but also helps create a global network of awareness and sustainable action. Together, we are generating long-lasting impact that bridges local solutions with global challenges." - Jordi Juanos, Director, Plant-for-the-Planet Spain "Navkshitij is very proud to be chosen by TraceLink! Your contribution will set up the kitchen in our new facility to feed hundreds over years to come. We are sure our partnership will go a long way. Together we will make a difference in the field of residential rehabilitation of intellectually disabled adults." - Prof. Smita Shetty, Managing Trustee, Navkshitij "We are incredibly grateful to TraceLink for their generous grant, which will be instrumental in advancing Mission Possible Foundation's work to protect and care for vulnerable animals in our community in Pune, India. This support allows us to continue our work for the animal shelter and bolsters our mission to advocate for animal welfare throughout Pune. TraceLink's commitment to corporate social responsibility is truly inspiring, and we are honored to partner with them to make a positive impact for the voiceless of our society." - Dr. Ravi Kasbekar, President and Founding Member, Mission Possible Foundation "Edesia Nutrition is on a mission to treat and prevent malnutrition in children around the world. We are honored to be a recipient of the TraceLink corporate grant, which will help advance our shared vision of a world free from malnutrition." - Monica Colman, Development Officer, Edesia "TraceLink's generous grant is a beacon of hope, illuminating the path for young girls to dream big and pursue STEM careers. Your support empowers Girlstart to create transformative out-of-school experiences, showcasing inspiring women in STEM and proving that the future is limitless for girls. Together, we are building a future where girls see themselves as innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders. I look forward to 'networking for the greater good' with you all." - Shane Woods (she/her), Executive Director, Girlstart. About TraceLink: TraceLink Inc. is the largest end-to-end intelligent supply chain platform for life sciences and healthcare, enabling end-to-end orchestration by connecting more than 291,000 healthcare and life sciences entities through its B2N Integrate-Once network. Leading businesses trust TraceLink to deliver complete global connectivity, visibility, and traceability of healthcare products, ensuring that every patient gets the medicines they need when needed, safely and securely. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1004729/TraceLink_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/tracelink-announces-grant-recipients-driving-impact-across-the-globe-302319964.html Providing solutions enabling companies to quickly and transparently understand today, proactively plan for the future in a rapidly evolving environment, and drive measurable, incremental sales NEW YORK, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ipsos MMA, an Ipsos Company, and global leader in helping companies optimize the value of their marketing and commercial investments was named a Leader in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Marketing Mix Modeling Solutions. Read more Ipsos MMA's fully connected solution helps client and agency partners work quickly in a fully closed-loop, always-on environment to drive measurable growth in sales and long-term brand equity. Ipsos MMA's fully transparent and collaborative operating model helps companies plan, measure, evaluate, validate and recalibrate their investments to drive incremental financial value. "Ipsos MMA can accelerate executive buy-in and cross-functional adoption of MMM. Its strong network of client C-suite relationships gives Ipsos MMA deep understanding of and experience influencing strategic business priorities." 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Marketing Mix Modeling Solutions The company has consistently been recognized by its clients as the leader in providing trusted data management and analytics that can drive measurable, incremental sales and brand value. Ipsos MMA's solution enables marketers to plan, measure, evaluate and recalibrate their marketing and commercial investments in real-time to track, manage and achieve maximum sales and ROI. Ipsos MMA's capabilities are "future proofed" and provide clients with a trusted, validated, and transparent means of identifying halo and synergy effects as well as the short- and long-term value of marketing in terms of sales and brand equity. Ipsos MMA's global team and capabilities support a worldwide portfolio of leading brands and advertisers. Ipsos operates in 80 countries. Ipsos MMA works with marketing, finance, operations and supply chains worldwide to integrate its predictive analytics into client business processes. Ipsos MMA's always-on, highly consultative, "white glove" service model ensures understanding, buy-in and cross-functional adoption. Ipsos MMA's powerful, leading software solution, Activate, supports client integration, performance measurement, simulation, optimization and closed-loop tracking and planning in real-time. Ipsos MMA's solution is fast, delivering insights daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly in a connected manner at the speed of business. From Ipsos MMA clients: "In a dynamic and competitive automotive industry that is going through massive transition, marketing is an increasingly vital strategic lever. As such, being able to evaluate marketing effectiveness in a holistic, accurate and globally consistent manner is increasingly fundamental to the way Volvo Cars operates. Marketing is rightly being increasingly held accountable for true business outcomes across both the short and long term, and that involves connecting multiple complex and siloed datasets for truly holistic analytics. Doing so has allowed us to budget more effectively, forecast future outcomes and track true marketing effectiveness to optimize our investment choices across markets, campaign types and channels," said Andy Pilkington, Global Head of Planning, Media & Analytics at Volvo Cars. "In our early partnership, we have quickly realized exceptional contributions from Ipsos that are enhancing our marketing strategy through expertise in marketing mix modeling and unified measurement. In the ever-changing fast paced industry of retail, their ability to deliver precise, actionable insights and integrate diverse data sets is helping to enable data-driven decision-making across channels," saidJames Rozewski, Vice President of Marketing at Victoria's Secret & Co. "By providing predictive models and strategic foresight, Ipsos is empowering us to optimize spend, refine our marketing strategy, and drive holistic measurement in new areas," said Mr. Rozewski. "Our Marketing Mix partnership with Ipsos MMA is a key cornerstone of our global media program and has accelerated profitable brand growth over the past several years at McCormick. Ipsos MMA consistently delivers robust measurement that enables us to build better media plans that drive higher ROIs, expand measurement in critical areas such as retail media and other emerging tactics, and has provided the support needed to increase media investment and drive business results," said Ramesh Moorthy, Global Strategic Growth Management, Senior Director at McCormick. "We are seeing rapid acceleration in the adoption of Unified Marketing & Commercial Measurement globally across most major industry sectors," said Doug Brooks, Chief Client Officer of Ipsos MMA. "The ability to now measure "the true and holistic impact" in terms of revenue and profit as well as multiple business KPIs is a game changer and supports cross-functional and commercial decision-making by connecting marketing, finance, sales and operations in their concerted efforts to drive short-term and long-term success. By consistently being able to provide forward-looking insights faster, with more granular results and on a global and portfolio basis, we enable our client partners to embed this capability into their business planning process and generate real competitive advantages," said Brooks. See the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Marketing Mix Modeling Solutions here. Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Marketing Mix Modeling Solutions, Matt Wakeman, David Walters, et al., 19 November 2024 GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, and MAGIC QUADRANT is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. About Ipsos MMA Ipsos MMA is the leading global data, analytics and software consultancy in the Unified Measurement Industry. The company enables its clients to achieve higher revenues and operating profits by optimizing their media, sales and operational investments via significantly enhanced and forward-looking planning, measurement, execution and re-calibration. Ipsos MMA is headquartered in New York, NY and is a part of the leading global custom market research company Ipsos, which has major offices in over 80 locations worldwide. For more information on Ipsos MMA visit www.mma.com or contact Lisa Foster (lisa.foster@ipsos.com) Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1736651/Ipsos_MMA_Logo_2023.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ipsos-mma-recognized-as-a-leader-in-the-2024-gartner-magic-quadrant-for-marketing-mix-modeling-solutions-302320893.html abrdn Property Income Trust Limited - Initial Distribution to Shareholders PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, December 03 NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION 3 December 2024 abrdn Property Income Trust Limited (a non-cellular company limited by shares incorporated in Guernsey with registration number 41352) LEI Number: 549300HHFBWZRKC7RW84 Initial Distribution to Shareholders equating to 55 pence per API Share abrdn Property Income Trust Limited ("API" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has today published details of a proposal to return an aggregate 55 pence per API Share to Shareholders through an initial return of capital of 52 pence per API Share and payment of an interim PID income distribution of an additional 3 pence per API Share (together, the "Initial Distribution"). An Initial Distribution of 55 pence per API Share equates to an aggregate initial return of net disposal proceeds of approximately 209.67 million. Background On 29 November 2024, the Company completed the sale of its wholly-owned subsidiary, abrdn Property Holdings Limited ("APH") to an acquisition vehicle incorporated by certain funds and accounts managed by GoldenTree Asset Management LP (the "Disposal"). The Disposal constituted the sale of the Company's entire investment property portfolio ("Portfolio"), with the exception of its interest in the land at Far Ralia, for cash consideration of approximately 351 million (subject to adjustments for debt, net assets and other normal adjustments, including those arising from the completion process). The Company expects initial proceeds of at least 234m subject to normal adjustments, including those arising from the completion process. The Disposal was undertaken in pursuit of the Managed Wind-Down approved by Shareholders on 28 May 2024. The Board has previously stated its intention that following completion of the Disposal, API would seek to return the net proceeds to Shareholders as efficiently as possible. Return of the proceeds of the Disposal On the basis of advice received, the Board believes that the most efficient means of returning funds to Shareholders at this time will be by means of a Redeemable Bonus Share Scheme, to return 52 pence per API Share to Shareholders (comprising aggregate proceeds of approximately 198.23 million) whereby each Shareholder would be issued with one Redeemable Bonus Share for each API Share they hold, which would then be immediately redeemed for a cash payment equal to the redemption price specified for each Redeemable Bonus Share. The Board may resolve to issue Redeemable Bonus Shares in respect of further returns of capital in the future. The Company expects to redeem the Redeemable Bonus Shares proposed to be issued in respect of the Initial Distribution on or around 19 December 2024 and for the proceeds to be paid to Shareholders by 24 December 2024. The Board also intends to declare a separate PID income distribution of 3 pence per API Share (gross of any tax adjustments; 11.44 million in aggregate) (the "Interim PID") with a record time of 6.00 p.m. on 20 December 2024 with payment being made paid shortly after the payment is made to Shareholders in respect of the Redeemable Bonus Shares, by 10 January 2025. Further details of the Redeemable Bonus Share Scheme and the Interim PID are set out in the Circular (as defined below). Proposal for Voluntary Winding Up As previously announced as part of the Managed Wind-Down, the Board intends that the Company is placed into voluntary winding up at an appropriate time. Timing of this step will depend on a number of factors, including progress with finalising certain customary post-closing accounting adjustments in relation to the Disposal and progress with the sale process at Far Ralia. Placing the Company into Voluntary Winding Up requires the approval of Shareholders. However, to prevent the need for a further General Meeting, and because Guernsey law does not allow liquidators to be appointed on a conditional basis, the Board is proposing to amend the Company's Articles of Incorporation to allow for the creation and issue of a new class of Winding Up Shares. One Winding Up Share is intended to be issued in the future to such director as the Chairman of the Company from time to time may nominate in his or her sole discretion, with the right to receive notice of, attend and vote at any meeting of the Company to approve the voluntary winding up of the Company, and otherwise in relation to the liquidation and dissolution of the Company. At the same time, the Company is seeking Shareholders' approval to amend the rights of the API Shares to remove the right to receive notice of, attend and vote at any meeting of the Company to approve the voluntary winding up of the Company; effectively placing that right in the hands of the Board. The Company will notify Shareholders in advance via a Regulatory Information Service before passing any such resolution. Further details of the rights attaching to the Winding Up Shares and the proposed changes to the rights of the API Shares are set out in the Circular (as defined below). Publication of Circular and recommendation The Company announces that a circular ("Circular") to convene a general meeting of API Shareholders (the "General Meeting") will be published today and sent to Shareholders to allow them to consider and, if thought fit, approve resolutions to be proposed at the General Meeting in order that the Redeemable Bonus Share Scheme can proceed and the Voluntary Winding Up can be implemented in due course. Accordingly, the Board unanimously recommends that Shareholders vote in favour of the Resolution to be proposed at the General Meeting. The Directors, who in aggregate have an interest in 358,200 API Shares (representing approximately 0.09 per cent. of API's total issued share capital as at 2 December 2024 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this document)), intend to vote their entire beneficial holdings in favour of the Resolution to be proposed at the General Meeting. Unless specified to the contrary, defined terms used in this announcement have the same meaning as that set out in the Circular. General Meeting The General Meeting will be held at 10.30 a.m. on 17 December 2024 at the offices of Addleshaw Goddard LLP at Milton Gate, 60 Chiswell Street, London, EC1Y 4AG. The expected timetable of principal events in relation to the General Meeting is as follows: Event Time/Date Deadline for lodging Forms of Proxy/CREST Proxy instructions 10.30 a.m. on 15 December 2024 Voting Record Time 6.00 p.m. on 15 December 2024 General Meeting 10.30 a.m. on 17 December 2024 A separate announcement will be made in relation to the expected timetable for the Interim PID. The Circular will be made available on the Company's website at https://www.abrdnpit.co.uk/en-gb/literature. For the avoidance of doubt, neither the contents of this website nor the contents of any websites accessible from any hyperlinks are incorporated into or form part of this announcement. The Circular may also be inspected during usual business hours on any weekday (Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays in the UK and Guernsey excepted) at the Company's registered address at Trafalgar Court, Les Banques, St. Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 3QL, or at the offices of Addleshaw Goddard LLP at Milton Gate, 60 Chiswell Street, London EX1Y 4AG for a period beginning on today's date until the date of the General Meeting, and at the General Meeting for a period beginning fifteen minutes before it commences, for the duration of the General Meeting. A copy of the Circular will also be submitted to the National Storage Mechanism, where it will shortly be available for inspection at https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism. Enquiries abrdn Property Income Trust James Clifton-Brown (Chair) via Winterflood Jason Baggaley (Fund Manager) +44 7801 039 463 Winterflood (Corporate Broker to API) Neil Langford +44 20 3100 0160 Important notices Winterflood Securities Limited ("Winterflood"), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively for API and no-one else in connection with the matters set out in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than API for providing the protections afforded to customers of Winterflood or for providing advice in relation to the matters set out in this document. Neither Winterflood nor any of its affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Winterflood in connection with this document, any statement contained herein or otherwise. DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global orthopedic implants market is projected to grow USD 26.47 billion in 2029 from USD 20.94 billion in 2024, at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2024 to 2029. Technology improvements, rising opportunities in developing markets, increase in prevalence of orthopedic disorders, and the increasing old-age population are contributing factors to the growth of orthopedic implant market. Orthopedic disorders such osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and fractures are more likely to occur in geriatric people. The need for orthopedic implants to improve mobility and quality of life with these problems has increased because of the demographic transition. Along with the market's steady growth, there has been a rise in the number of orthopedic procedures and awareness related to the benefits of orthopedic surgeries. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=5230937 Browse in-depth TOC on "Orthopedic Implants Market" 163 - Tables 60 - Figures 259 - Pages The orthopedic implants market is segmented based on type into knee implants, hip implants, shoulder implants, elbow implants, foot & ankle implants, wrist implants, and other implants - knee segment is expected to hold major share of the market in 2023. The increase in number of revision knee surgical procedures and rising prevalence of knee osteoarthritis is driving the growth of this segment. According to NHS inform more than 70,000 knee replacements are performed in England and Wales each year. In 2022, the primary and revision hip and knee arthroplasty procedures performed are 3,149,042 during the time of 2012 and 2022 which is 23% growth in procedural cases (Source: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons). By material, the orthopedic implants market is segmented into metal and metal alloys, ceramics, polymers and hybrid implants. In 2023, the metal and metal alloys segment held a significant share of the market 2023. The growth in this segment is driven by high strength and resistance to wear than any other material. Many of the metal alloys are compatible to imaging methods such as X-rays and CT scan that help in postoperative monitoring further supporting the growth of the segment. Regarding end users, the orthopedic implants market is fragmented into hospitals & surgical centers and ambulatory & trauma care centers. The major share of the market was contributed by hospitals & surgical centers segment in 2023. Increasing funding opportunities and rising focus on healthcare research by private and public entities are fuelling the market's growth. Furthermore, increasing number of hospitals which are equipped with advanced surgical equipment support the growth of the segment. The orthopedic implants market is segmented by region into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. In 2023, North America region accounted for the major market share, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. The significant share of North America in this market is attributed to the strong existence of key players, rising number of fractures, increasing medical tourism. Factors such as increasing healthcare expenditure and growing popularity for various orthopedic treatments support the market growth in this region. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=5230937 The orthopedic implants market is consolidated. As of 2023, the key players operating in the global orthopedic implants market are Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (US), Stryker Corporation (US), Johnson & Johnson MedTech (US), Smith+Nephew (UK), B. Braun (Germany). In 2023, Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (US), Stryker Corporation (US), Johnson & Johnson MedTech (US) held a major share of the orthopedic implants market. These players have adopted key strategies such as acquisitions, partnerships, and expansions in the last four to five years. Stryker Corporation (US): Stryker Corporation is among the leading companies in the global the company has a strong presence in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific, with its brand presence in more than 75 countries across the globe market. The company has a strong presence in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific, with its brand presence in more than 75 countries across the globe. The company offers orthopedic implants through other Orthopedics & Spine division segment. The company focuses on enhancing its product portfolio and continuous innovation and developing new products to sustain its leading position in the market. Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (US): Zimmer Biomet is a medical device company that develops, manufactures, and markets a wide range of healthcare products. The company offers orthopedic implants through its Knees, Hips, and S.E.T segments. The company has a strong geographic presence across countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Switzerland, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, China, Taiwan, India, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Also, the company has a wide distribution network across Benelux, Nordic, Central & Eastern Europe, and the Middle East & Africa. Zimmer Biomet has a strong brand value among orthopedic implants end users, strong R&D capabilities, and a robust product portfolio. Johnson & Johnson MedTech (US): Johnson & Johnson MedTech is another major player operating in the orthopedic implants market. The company is engaged in the R&D, manufacturing, and marketing of orthopedic implants and other healthcare products across the globe. It offers orthopedic implants under the MedTech business segment. The company is dedicated to research & innovation to forge and unveil novel offerings that optimize patient results. The company collaborated with CrossRoads Extremity Systems (US) to improve orthopedic care and MedTech devices using new ideas, hoping to give patients better health results. The company holds a significant market share in over 60 nations across diverse territories such as North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Africa. For more information, Inquire Now! Related Reports: Orthopedic Devices Market Surgical Staplers Market Digital Denture Market Minimally Invasive Surgical Instruments Market Minimally Invasive Surgery Market Get access to the latest updates on Orthopedic Implants Companies and Orthopedic Implants Market Size About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 1615 South Congress Ave. Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1951202/4609423/MarketsandMarkets.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/orthopedic-implants-market-to-hit-usd-26-47-billion-by-2029-with-4-8-cagr--marketsandmarkets-302320613.html REDDING, Calif., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report titled, 'Pouches Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Type (Stand-up Pouches, Flat Pouches), Material (Plastic, Paper, Bioplastic), Closure Type, End User (Food & Beverages, Personal Care & Homecare, Cosmetics, Healthcare), and Geography-Global Forecast to 2031. The pouches market is expected to reach $72.8 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2024 to 2031. Download FREE PDF Brochure Of Pouches Market - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/download-sample-report/cp_id=6097 Pouches are flexible packaging solutions made from materials like plastic, aluminum foil, paper, or bioplastics. They are widely used for storing and transporting products across various industries, including food and beverages, personal care, healthcare, and retail. The rapid growth of the cosmetics industry, government initiatives to develop eco-friendly pouches, and increasing demand for packaged food and beverages are factors driving the pouches market's growth. However, stringent government regulations for plastic packaging products hinder market growth. In addition, the increasing demand for pouches for packaging pharmaceutical applications and technological advancements in packaging materials are potential growth opportunities for market players. The market faces substantial challenges, including fluctuating raw material costs and the availability of substitutes. Moreover, biodegradable and compostable pouches and rising demand for custom stand-up pouches are prominent technology trends in the pouches market. Get Insightful Data On Regions, Market Segments, Customer Landscape, And Top Companies (Charts, Tables, Figures And More) -https://www.meticulousresearch.com/request-sample-report/cp_id=6097 Key Players: Some of the major players studied in this report are Amcor plc (Australia), Mondi plc (U.K.), Smurfit Kappa Group plc (Ireland), Berry Global Group, Inc. (U.S.), Sonoco Products Company (U.S.), Sealed Air Corporation (U.S.), Huhtamaki (Finland), ProAmpac (U.S.), Coveris Group (U.K.), Constantia Flexibles (Austria), Goglio SpA (Italy), Wipf AG (Switzerland), Korozo A.S. (Turkey), Glenroy, Inc. (U.S.), and Daklapack Group (Netherlands). Some of the recent developments in this market space are as follows: In November 2024, Mespack (Spain) and Amcor plc (Australia) launched a recycle-ready 2L stand-up pouch for home care products such as soaps, cleaners, and laundry detergent. In January 2024, Accredo Packaging, Inc. (U.S.) collaborated with Fresh-Lock (Reynolds Consumer Products Inc.) (U.S.) to launch a sustainable and child-resistant stand-up pouch for food and consumer products. Such developments support the segment growth in the pouches market during the forecast period. Have Specific Research Needs? Request a Customized Research Report - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/request-customization/cp_id=6097 The global Pouches market is segmented by vehicle type (passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, heavy commercial vehicles, two-wheelers, three-wheelers), seat type (bench seats, bucket seats, folding seats, powered seats, heated and ventilated seats, other seat types), seat technology(manual seats, powered seats, smart seats, other seat technologies), material(fabric, genuine leather, synthetic leather, other materials), and distribution channel (OEMs, aftermarket). This study also evaluates industry competitors and analyzes the regional and country-level markets. Key Findings in the Pouches Market Study: Among the types studied in this report, the stand-up pouches segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This segment's rapid growth is driven by several factors, including the increasing demand for lightweight and durable packaging, growing preference for resealable features, rising adoption in the food & beverage industry for snack and liquid products, the expanding focus on sustainability with recyclable options, and improvements in packaging technology enhancing visual appeal. Among the materials studied in this report, the bioplastic segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This segment's growth is driven by several factors, including the increasing consumer demand for eco-friendly packaging, stringent regulations on plastic usage, growing awareness of carbon footprint reduction, technological advancements in biodegradable materials, and the rising adoption of green initiatives by major manufacturers. Among the closure types studied in this report, the zipper segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This segment's rapid growth is driven by several factors, including the growing preference for convenience in packaging, expanding use across food, healthcare, and personal care industries, rising consumer demand for reusable and resealable solutions, the increased use of pouches in e-commerce shipments, and innovations in zipper technology for improved sealing. Among the end users studied in this report, the food & beverages segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This segment's growth is driven by several factors, including the increasing consumption of ready-to-eat and on-the-go foods, rising demand for sustainable and visually appealing packaging, growth in the e-commerce food delivery sector, stringent food safety regulations emphasizing hygienic packaging, and innovations in barrier materials to maintain product quality. IMMEDIATE DELIVERY AVAILABLE | BUY THIS RESEARCH REPORT (Insights, Charts, Tables, Figures and More)-https://www.meticulousresearch.com/Checkout/14971019 Among the regions studied in this report, Asia-Pacific is poised to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to several factors, including the region's rapidly expanding food & beverage industry, increasing consumer preference for flexible and convenient packaging, rising disposable income levels, growing adoption of sustainable packaging solutions to meet environmental regulations, and the presence of a large manufacturing base supporting cost-effective production. Scope of the Report: Pouches Market Assessment-by Type Stand-up Pouches Bottom Gusset Pouches Flat Bottom Pouches Side Gusset Pouches Spouted Pouches Shaped Pouches Retort Pouches Flat Pouches Pillow Pouches Four Side Seal Pouches Three Side Seal Pouches Vacuum Pouches Other Types Pouches Market Assessment-by Material Plastic Aluminium Foil Paper Bioplastic Pouches Market Assessment-by Closure Type Tear Notch Spout Zipper Slider Pouches Market Assessment-by End User Food & Beverages Personal Care & Homecare Healthcare Cosmetics Retail Automotive Semiconductor & Electronics Other End Users Pouches Market Assessment-by Geography North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany U.K. France Italy Switzerland Netherlands Denmark Spain Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific China Japan India Singapore Malaysia Indonesia Australia & New Zealand Thailand South Korea Rest of Asia-Pacific (RoAPAC) Latin America Mexico Brazil Rest of Latin America (RoLATAM) Middle East & Africa Israel South Africa UAE Rest of Middle East & Africa (RoMEA) Related Reports: Stand-up Pouches Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Material (Plastic, Foil, Paper, Bioplastic), Closure (Tear Notch, Spout, Zipper, Slider), End User (Food & Beverage, Beauty & Personal Care, Agriculture, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Others), and Geography - Global Forecast to 2031 - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/stand-up-pouches-market-5902 Food Packaging Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Material (Plastic, Metal, Glass), Packaging Type (Rigid, Flexible), Product Type, Application (Bakery Products, Dairy Products, Snacks, Meat Products, RTE Meals) - Global Forecast to 2031 - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/food-packaging-market-5972 Beverage Packaging Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Material Type (Plastic, Glass, Carton & Paperboard), Packaging Type (Bottles & Jars, Cans, Tetra Packs), Beverage Formulation, and Beverage Type (Alcoholic Beverages and Non-alcoholic Beverages) - Global Forecast to 2031- https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/beverage-packaging-market-5925 Pharmaceutical Packaging Market by Material (Polymer [PE, PP, PET], Glass, Paper, Metal) Type (Bottles, Blister, PFS, Caps, Vials, Ampoules, Sachet, Inhaler, Secondary, Tertiary) Dosage Form (Oral, Parenteral, Topical), End User - Global Forecast to 2031 - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/pharmaceutical-packaging-market-5298 Pouches Market Research Summary Particulars Details Number of Pages 250 Format PDF Forecast Period 2024-2031 Base Year 2023 CAGR (Value) 5.6 % Market Size (Value) USD 72.8 Billion by 2031 Segments Covered By Type Stand-up Pouches Bottom Gusset Pouches Flat Bottom Pouches Side Gusset Pouches Spouted Pouches Shaped Pouches Retort Pouches Flat Pouches Pillow Pouches Four Side Seal Pouches Three Side Seal Pouches Vacuum Pouches Other Types By Material Plastic Aluminium Foil Paper Bioplastic By Closure Type Tear Notch Spout Zipper Slider By End User Food & Beverages Personal Care & Homecare Healthcare Cosmetics Retail Automotive Semicondutor & Electronics Other End Users Countries Covered North America (U.S., Canada), Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Netherlands, Denmark, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (Japan, China, India, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia & New Zealand, Thailand, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and Rest of Latin America), and the Middle East & Africa (UAE, South Africa, Israel, and Rest of Middle East & Africa) Key Companies Amcor plc (Australia), Mondi plc (U.K.), Smurfit Kappa Group plc (Ireland), Berry Global Group, Inc. (U.S.), Sonoco Products Company (U.S.), Sealed Air Corporation (U.S.), Huhtamaki (Finland), ProAmpac (U.S.), Coveris Group (U.K.), Constantia Flexibles (Austria), Goglio SpA (Italy), Wipf AG (Switzerland), Korozo A.S. (Turkey), Glenroy, Inc. (U.S.), and Daklapack Group (Netherlands) Contact: Meticulous Market Research Pvt.Ltd. 1267 Willis St, Ste 200 Redding, California, 96001, U.S. USA: +1-646-781-8004 Europe: +44-203-868-8738 APAC: +91 744-7780008 Email- sales@meticulousresearch.com Visit Our Website: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/ Connect with us on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/meticulous-research Meticulousblog.org | Top Market Research Reports Blog - https://meticulousblog.org/ Content Source: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/pressrelease/1333/pouches-market Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1757980/Meticulous_Research_Logo_1.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/pouches-market-to-reach-72-8-billion-by-2031--exclusive-report-by-meticulous-research-302320990.html Samples of ZERO PLASTIC Foil Cards Now Available DOWNERS GROVE, IL / ACCESSWIRE / December 3, 2024 / Marketing Card Technology, LLC (MCT), a leading manufacturer of credit, debit, and prepaid payment cards, announced today that it is now accepting orders for ZERO PLASTIC Foil Cards. The ZERO PLASTIC Foil card body is constructed of a high-quality, responsibly forested fiber board, coated with a thin layer of bright, highly-reflective foil. The finished cards are completely plastic-free and are recyclable through many curbside programs when combined with other mixed paper. Despite their sustainable construction, ZERO PLASTIC Foil Cards are rigid and water-resistant - designed to mimic traditional plastic full-face-foil cards in their look and feel. Push Venkitasamy, President & CEO of Marketing Card Technology, explained: "The new ZERO PLASTIC Foil construction is a perfect choice for card designs that include elements of depth, sparkle, and animation. Because of the material's surface characteristics, the foil effects we're achieving on ZERO PLASTIC Foil Cards are often superior to those seen on comparable plastic cards." Venkitasamy added: "ZERO PLASTIC Foil Cards are the latest addition to our BetterCore line of card products. The material is non-toxic, fully recyclable, and dramatically more sustainable than traditional full-face-foil card constructions. Every brand has unique environmental goals and business needs. For this reason, we are always on the lookout for new and creative alternatives to traditional PVC material." MCT is proud to hold FSC Chain-of-Custody certification (FSC-C197562) from the Forest Stewardship Council for both of its Illinois manufacturing sites. The Forest Stewardship Council is a global independent nonprofit organization that has established a certification program to promote responsible forestry. Marketing Card Technology is an EMV-Co approved, U.S.-based, and minority-owned provider of card manufacturing and direct mail services. Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, MCT provides plastic and paper cards used for payments, gifting, access, ticketing, ID, membership, and marketing promotions. MCT's direct mail operation in Darien, Illinois mails up to 1.5 million direct mail pieces daily on behalf of businesses, nonprofits, and public organizations nationwide. Contact Information Karen Brooker VP of Growth Strategy kbrooker@mctechnology.com 331-801-7558 Push Venkitasamy President & CEO push@mctechnology.com 331-801-7557 Source: Marketing Card Technology, LLC Regulatory News: On the occasion of the visit of the President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Saudi Minister of Energy, The consortium comprising TotalEnergies (Paris:TTE) (LSE:TTE) (NYSE:TTE) and Saudi developer Aljomaih Energy and Water Company (AEW) has signed a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) related to the 300 MW solar power project, Rabigh 2. This project is part of Round 5 of the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) which is supervised by the Ministry of Energy aiming to achieve an optimal energy mix for electricity production by having gas and renewable energy at approximately 50% each by 2030 and reduce dependence on liquid fuels in electricity generation in line with Saudi Vision 2030. The solar plant will be developed, built, owned and operated by the consortium with a connection to the grid planned in 2026. "Together with our partner Aljomaih Energy and Water Company, we are thrilled to contribute to Saudi Arabia's target of increasing the share of renewables in its energy mix. Through our large participation in refining and petrochemical Satorp and Amiral projects, TotalEnergies is a close partner of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This new project is another example of our multi-energy strategy to accompany Oil Gas producing countries in their energy transition. This also demonstrates our ability to provide more energy with less emissions, while contributing to our growth in electricity and renewable energy", said Patrick Pouyanne Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies. "We are proud to lead the development of the 300MW Rabigh 2 solar project, together with TotalEnergies, highlighting our shared commitment towards supporting Saudi Arabia's Green Initiative and Vision 2030. Leveraging our local market expertise and global reach, our mission is to play our role in advancing the energy transition underscored by our philosophy of partnership and excellence, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) for their continued support and trust in Aljomaih Energy Water", said Mr. Ibrahim Al Jomaih, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Aljomaih Energy and Water Company. This renewable project is a new milestone for TotalEnergies in Saudi Arabia where TotalEnergies is currently building the 119 MW Wadi Al Dawasir solar power plant, which will start operation in early 2025. TotalEnergies and electricity As part of its ambition to get to net zero by 2050, TotalEnergies is building a world class cost-competitive portfolio combining renewables (solar, onshore and offshore wind) and flexible assets (CCGT, storage) to deliver clean firm power to its customers. At the end of 2023, TotalEnergies' gross renewable electricity generation installed capacity was 22 GW. TotalEnergies will continue to expand this business to reach 35 GW in 2025 and more than 100 TWh of net electricity production by 2030. About TotalEnergies TotalEnergies is a global integrated energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to provide as many people as possible with energy that is more reliable, more affordable and more sustainable. Active in about 120 countries, TotalEnergies places sustainability at the heart of its strategy, its projects and its operations. About Aljomaih Energy Water Company Established in 2007, Aljomaih Energy Water is a leading Saudi investor, developer and operator of utilities and infrastructure projects with a global presence, and assets portfolio of 10 GW of Power projects and 700,000m3/day of Water projects across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Aljomaih Energy Water is a subsidiary of Aljomaih Holding Company, a diversified conglomerate with a legacy spanning nearly 90 years, acting as a major player across key sectors including Investment Joint Ventures, Automotive Equipment, Financial Services, Consumer Goods, Energy Water and Real Estate. With four local and overseas offices and a rapidly expanding team of specialists, Aljomaih Energy Water Company contributes to accelerating its mission to support the economic and social advancement of communities through the delivery of vital high-quality, sustainable energy and water projects. @TotalEnergiesTotalEnergiesTotalEnergiesTotalEnergies Cautionary Note The terms "TotalEnergies", "TotalEnergies company" or "Company" in this document are used to designate TotalEnergies SE and the consolidated entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by TotalEnergies SE. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" may also be used to refer to these entities or to their employees. The entities in which TotalEnergies SE directly or indirectly owns a shareholding are separate legal entities. This document may contain forward-looking information and statements that are based on a number of economic data and assumptions made in a given economic, competitive and regulatory environment. They may prove to be inaccurate in the future and are subject to a number of risk factors. Neither TotalEnergies SE nor any of its subsidiaries assumes any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information or statement, objectives or trends contained in this document whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information concerning risk factors, that may affect TotalEnergies' financial results or activities is provided in the most recent Universal Registration Document, the French-language version of which is filed by TotalEnergies SE with the French securities regulator Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF), and in the Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203260822/en/ Contacts: TotalEnergies Media Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 99 l presse@totalenergies.com l @TotalEnergiesPR Investor Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 46 l ir@totalenergies.com Aljomaih Energy Water Company For general inquiries: info@jenwa.com FLORENCE, Italy, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A. Menarini Diagnostics announces an exclusive Distribution Agreement with Sinocare to register, promote, distribute, and market a new Sinocare 3rd Generation Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System within reimbursed markets. This landmark agreement grants A. Menarini Diagnostics exclusive rights to introduce this health technology to more than 20 jurisdictions in Europe. The collaboration between A. Menarini Diagnostics and Sinocare represents a significant advancement in diabetes care. Sinocare's CGM system technology provides accurate and continuous glucose monitoring. "The partnership with A. Menarini Diagnostics is a significant milestone in our mission to make our 3rd Generation CGM Systems widely accessible to people with diabetes," stated Dr. Jiangfeng Fei, Head of CGM Business Unit, Sinocare. "We are pleased to enter into a strategic partnership with A. Menarini Diagnostics, a leader in the healthcare industry, to bring this innovative diabetes technology to a broader audience." A. Menarini Diagnostics shares this enthusiasm for the collaboration and its potential impact on diabetes care. "Securing exclusive rights for the distribution and marketing of this Sinocare 3rd Generation CGM System across various countries aligns with our commitment to providing innovative healthcare solutions," commented Fabio Piazzalunga, General Manager and Global Head of A. Menarini Diagnostics. "We are confident that this long-term partnership will meet the growing demand for advanced diabetes care." By leveraging its extensive network, expertise, and resources, A. Menarini Diagnostics aims to ensure that Sinocare 3rd Generation CGM Systems reach those who can benefit most from its advanced capabilities. This partnership is expected to significantly expand the availability of Sinocare's 3rd Generation CGM systems. About A. Menarini Diagnostics A. Menarini Diagnostics is a leading healthcare company dedicated to providing innovative solutions for better health outcomes through advanced diagnostic tools and technologies. The company has more than 45 years dedicated to helping healthcare professionals make safe and sustainable diagnosis, improving the quality of life of people all over the world. A. Menarini Diagnostics is part of the Menarini Pharmaceutical Group, founded in 1886. Today it is present in 140 countries throughout the world, with more than 17,000 employees and 2023 turnover of 4.375 billion. About Sinocare Sinocare is the largest manufacturer of glucose monitoring devices in Asia. Founded in 2002, Sinocare Inc., was the first blood glucose meter company to be listed in China. With a commercial presence in Asia, Europe and North America Sinocare has expanded internationally through partnerships and acquisitions such as the USA based PTS Diagnostics Inc., Nipro Diagnostic Inc., now known as Trividia Health Inc. Our dedication to innovation in biosensing technology has helped Sinocare become the global 4th largest blood glucose meter manufacturer and one of the leading POCT companies worldwide. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2572373/A_Menarini_Diagnostics_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/a-menarini-diagnostics-and-sinocare-announce-exclusive-distribution-agreement-for-new-continuous-glucose-monitoring-system-302321247.html Georgetown, Guyana--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - In a historic move driven by Indigenous leaders, the University of Guyana has announced the establishment of the Maoka Taawa University of the Forests Campus. The campus, situated just 10 minutes from the Brazilian border, will serve 21 indigenous communities in the South Rupununi region. UG Vice-Chancellor Prof. Paloma Martin with indigenous leaders at the campus launch ceremony. As universities worldwide grapple with meaningfully integrating Indigenous knowledge and serving Indigenous communities in their sustainable development plans, the Maoka Taawa University of the Forests Campus offers a potential roadmap. The campus will uniquely blend indigenous wisdom with cutting-edge technology - combining traditional cultural calendars and building design with innovative technology integration including augmented virtual reality teaching platforms. The project began when five Toshaos (indigenous chiefs) approached University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Paloma Martin with an urgent community need. Toshao Timothy Williams of Aishalton village explained how hundreds of secondary school graduates each year have little opportunity except to work in the mines, leading to social issues and brain drain in their communities. Less than 5% of indigenous youth in the region pursue higher education. "Education is what we have yearned for; we know it's the key to everything. This is a historic and proud moment for us," Williams said as work began on the campus. As one of the few, if not the only, university campus of its type and scope globally built on indigenous-titled lands, it demonstrates a new model of true partnership with Indigenous communities. The campus aims to empower communities to protect their values, rights, livelihoods, and culture. What makes this campus distinctive: Located at Makoto, an ancient and sacred community site. Physical design modeled after a benab, with a circular design and two extending arms. Academic calendar adapted to cultural seasons - combining terms to provide six months for traditional activities. Community-driven governance through joint Management and Development Committees. Innovative technology integration, including an augmented virtual reality platform for skills training. Based on extensive community surveys, the campus will offer programs across seven priority disciplines identified by the Indigenous communities: education, agriculture, environmental sciences, sustainable tourism, medical sciences, sustainable engineering and infrastructure, and business studies incorporating Indigenous knowledge and entrepreneurship. Initially, 150 students will be accepted from 254 who have indicated early interest. The campus aims to attract a minimum of 100 students yearly in academic programs and train 100 youth annually in specific skills like construction and jewellery making. This initiative highlights several impactful dimensions worth exploring: Cultural Collaboration: Rooted in the vision of Indigenous leaders, ensuring alignment with local traditions and values. Innovative Education: Adapts teaching methods to reflect and respect cultural practices. Community Impact: Tackles the challenges of limited educational access in underserved areas. Technological Integration: Implements creative solutions to enhance remote learning. Environmental Research: Serves as a resource for studying critical ecological challenges. "The community drives this and we're doing everything collaboratively with them," explains Dr. Martin in an interview with Innovation Report. "Even fundraising - they have to agree on who we take money or resources from. From the outset, we have a joint Management Committee and joint Development Committee, half the people from us, so that we can together very iteratively respond to things that neither of us have thought about." The initiative is already attracting international attention, with universities and institutions reaching out about sending teams, collaborating on research, and studying the model. Additionally, the project has already attracted interest from researchers studying environmental issues, water resources, and issues around mercury contamination from mining. The University of Guyana has launched an innovation content hub on Innovation Report, promoting partnership opportunities related to the forest campus and other key projects that advance Guyana's national development. For more detailed coverage: Full Project Overview: The University of Guyana's Innovative Forest Campus In-depth interview with Dr. Paloma Martin, Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana Analysis of potential global impact: 5 Ways the Campus Could Transform Indigenous Education The University of Guyana has launched a virtual reality and augmented reality platform, and will make use of it in the new forest campus. About Innovation Report Innovation Report promotes research, development and innovation stories from the world's universities and research organisations. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232213 SOURCE: Innovation Report The International Surface Event (tise),?the largest flooring, stone and tile show in North America, returns to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, January 28-30 (Education January 27-30), 2025, for three full days of exhibits and education from the industry's most innovative sources. With thousands of products on display and dynamic show-floor demonstrations of best practice, tise is an indispensable event for the surface, stone and tile industries where the widest range of products on the market are available under one roof, with more than 700 global brands showcasing materials, surfaces and flooring solutions. Bringing together over 21,000 industry professionals annually, attendees can discover the latest products, explore new trends and advance careers through education, certifications and networking opportunities. Complimenting the dedicated neighborhoods for Surfaces and Tile + Stone, the expo floor showcases the top products in the flooring, stone and tile industries. The education program includes over 85 sessions covering essential topics like market trends, sustainability strategies and customer experience advancements for 2025. Attendees can also participate in certifications, training and discussions, including a Silica & Slab Safety Certificate live session, a Women's Leadership Program Lunch and Learn and a Stone Fabricators Alliance roundtable. The National Installer of the Year Competition will crown top installers after a series of regional qualifiers held across the country, celebrating the skill and craftsmanship of the industry's best. "As the international epicenter for the surface, stone and tile business, tise engages professionals from all sectors to connect, collaborate and explore the newest premium and upscale products," shares Amie Gilmore, Show Director of The International Surface Event. "The show highlights the innovations and trends that elevate homes and businesses, improving the comfort, durability and functionality of these everyday spaces. The products and insights shared here are key to advancing the industry's role in construction, design and shaping the modern living and working environment." This year, tise introduces new features to resource growing verticals including the Specialty Program for Natural Stone Professionals, offering a unique mix of educational experience with guided show floor tours, panel discussions addressing topics like silica impacts and sustainability and a behind-a-scene visit to Las Vegas Rock to observe natural stone production firsthand. Additionally, the inaugural "What's Hot - Best of tise 2025 Awards" will showcase standout products in both the Surfaces and Tile + Stone groups from exhibitors across categories such as Style & Design, Sustainability, Technology and Innovation, culminating in an awards ceremony. The International Surface Event offers an unparalleled platform for professionals across all sectors of the industry, including architects, designers, retailers, fabricators, distributors and contractors. Registration is now open at www.intlsurfaceevent.com . About tise - The International Surface Event tise - The International Surface Event is a prestigious gathering that unites retailers, distributors, contractors, fabricators, installers, architects, and designers within the flooring, stone and tile industries. It serves as a platform for curated product showcases, informative seminars, networking opportunities, and hands-on experiences, all centered on innovation and education. Attendees are invited to explore the latest products, technologies, and design solutions while connecting with industry experts and peers to drive business success and stay ahead in a competitive market. For more information about tise - The International Surface Event visit www.intlsurfaceevent.com . Follow tise - The International Surface Event on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube. About Informa Markets Informa Markets, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our portfolio comprises more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets including Engineering, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Construction & Real Estate, Fashion & Apparel, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, and Health & Nutrition, among others. We provide customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, specialist digital content and actionable data solutions. As the world's leading exhibitions organizer, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, visit www.informamarkets.com. Media Contact Informa Markets Infrastructure and Construction PR ConstructionPR@informa.com SOURCE: INFORMA MARKETS - INFRASTRUCTURE AND CONSTRUCTION View the original press release on accesswire.com CannaPharmaRX, Inc. (OTC PINK:CPMD), a future leader in cannabis cultivation, is steadily advancing its position in high-efficiency cannabis production. The Company is excited to share its latest updates with shareholders and prospective investors, highlighting its substantial progress, current operations, and future growth plans. Advanced Production Facility in Alberta CannaPharmaRX's advanced facility in Alberta houses 10 growing rooms designed for maximum efficiency and yield. Each room produces an average harvest of 130 kilograms, comprising approximately 95 kilograms of premium flowers and 35 kilograms of trim products, all within an 8-10-week harvest cycle. Currently, the Company operates four active growing rooms and plans to add another in December, enabling a bi-weekly harvest schedule. This operational strategy translates to an estimated monthly production of 210 kilograms of flower and 77 kilograms of trim, ensuring a steady supply for its growing customer base. Revenue Projections The Company's non-branded cannabis products are competitively priced at 1.9 - 2.2 CAD per gram for flowers and 0.1 - 0.2 CAD per gram for trim. With strong demand, CannaPharmaRX is projected to generate approximately 430,000 CAD in monthly revenue, with current orders accounting for the entire yield. Looking ahead to late 2025, the planned launch of branded cannabis products is expected to further drive profitability, with flower prices projected to reach up to 3 CAD per gram. Global Export Initiatives CannaPharmaRX is making progress in international markets, with upcoming shipments planned for: December 2024: 245.7 kilograms to Israel January 2025: Approximately 385 kilograms Additionally, the Company is leveraging partnerships with third-party farms, enabling the shipment of 72 kilograms of cannabis to customers in Israel in exchange for a 5-10% commission. To expand its global footprint, CannaPharmaRX is conducting a feasibility study targeting exports to Europe, with a particular focus on Germany. Growth Plans for 2025 To optimize production and meet increasing demand, CannaPharmaRX is exploring the construction of an additional drying room. This development would support a one-week harvest cycle across all 10 growing rooms. The Company also plans to launch its branded cannabis products in 2025, aiming to strengthen its position as a premium provider. Short and long-term liabilities A strategic plan for 2025 is being developed to reduce long-term debt and strengthen the company's financial position and to keep current in its short-term obligations. New CEO To drive its vision of international expansion and innovation, CannaPharmaRX is actively seeking a CEO with global expertise. This new leadership role is key to advancing the company's goals and scaling operations internationally. CTO In compliance with Canadian regulations, CannaPharmaRX is actively engaging with local authorities to lift the cease trade orders from BCSC. Forward-Looking Statements. This release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We intend all forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and by the use of forward-looking words such as "expect," "expectation," "believe," "anticipate," "may," "could," "intend," "belief," "plan," "estimate," "target," "predict," "likely," "seek," "project," "model," "ongoing," "will," "should," "forecast," "outlook" or similar terminology. These statements are based on and reflect our current expectations, estimates, assumptions and/ or projections, our perception of historical trends and current conditions, as well as other factors that we believe are appropriate and reasonable under the circumstances. Forward-looking statements are neither predictions nor guarantees of future events, circumstances or performance and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by those statements. There can be no assurance that our expectations, estimates, assumptions and/or projections, including with respect to the future earnings and performance or capital structure of CannaPharmaRX, will prove to be correct or that any of our expectations, estimates or projections will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included in this release are only made as of the date of this announcement and we disclaim any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. You should consult our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and on SEDAR (including the information set forth under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Statements" in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q) for additional detail about factors that could affect our financial and other results. Contact: Company: CannapharmaRx Name: Constanitne Nkafu Website: https://cannapharmarx.com Phone: 403-637-0420 Mail: info@cannapharmarx.com SOURCE: CannaPharmaRx View the original press release on accesswire.com Article L. 238-8-II of the French commercial Code and article 223-16 of the AMF (French Financial Markets Authority) general regulation Regulatory News: Veolia Environnement (Paris:VIE): Corporate name of the issuer: Veolia Environnement 21 rue La Boetie 75008 PARIS FRANCE (ISIN code: FR0000124141-VIE) Information closing date Total number of shares forming the share capital Total number of voting rights November 30, 2024 740,652,608 Total number of theoretical voting rights: 740,652,608 Total number of voting rights that may be exercised (1): 730,048,147 Inclusion in the Veolia Environnement Articles of Association of a clause requiring a reporting obligation of the declaration of crossing a shareholding threshold, complementary to the one relating to the thresholds provided by the French law and the regulations in force (article 8). (1) Number of voting rights that may be exercised number of theoretical voting rights (or total number of voting rights attached to shares) shares without voting rights (number of treasury shares held as of November 30, 2024, i.e. 10,604,461 shares). Veolia Environnement Siege social/head office: 21, rue La Boetie 75008 PARIS France Adresse postale/Correspondence address: 30, rue Madeleine Vionnet 93300 AUBERVILLIERS France tel.: +33 (0)1 85 57 70 00 Fax: +33 (0)1 71 75 10 45 www.veolia.com A Public Limited Company (Societe Anonyme) with a share capital of 3,703,263,040 403 210 032 RCS PARIS View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203179932/en/ Contacts: Veolia Environnement Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - Auroris Inc. has officially launched their full line of groundbreaking HRV/ERV ventilation solutions that redefine indoor air quality. Designed for performance, energy efficiency, and unparalleled indoor air quality, Auroris ventilation solutions set a new standard in the health and safety of indoor environments. Patrick Kehoe, CEO of Auroris Inc., shared: "Ventilation is essential to indoor air quality. We needed to go beyond the simple exchange of air and address air quality while targeting airborne aerosolized contamination." To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11066/232187_00363c94b47918e5_001full.jpg Game-Changing Innovation To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11066/232187_00363c94b47918e5_002full.jpg In the wake of the post-COVID era, indoor air quality has become more critical than ever. Studies show that indoor air can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air. Auroris has created the industry's first, fully scalable ventilation solution. Auroris's full line of HRV/ERV's are complemented by add-on components to increase functionality that include the all new Smart IAQ Controller that can Monitor, Measure and Mitigate CO2, VOC's as well as PM (particulate matter) 2.5. Plasmasphere purifies and enriches the incoming air with natural energy emulating nature's defense/disinfection system, a system that has existed since the beginning of time. Patrick Kehoe stated: "We were guided by nature in the creation of the most pristine indoor air experience. We essentially turned the inside out to make our indoors as safe as the outdoors." To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11066/232187_00363c94b47918e5_003full.jpg About Auroris Inc. Auroris Inc., a sister company of ECO Earth Sciences Inc., is committed to the advancement of Indoor Air Quality where health, vitality and safety are paramount, and the quality of the air we experience rivals that found only in the most pristine natural environments. Technologies developed by ECO Earth Sciences Inc. have been used the world over. Clients include many from the Private Sector, multiple branches of the Military of both the United States and Canada and over 300 government agencies and institutions on four continents. Learn More To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11066/232187_00363c94b47918e5_004full.jpg Experience the future of ventilation today. Visit auroris.org AurorisIAQ NextGenVentilation SmartIAQ BreatheBetter IndoorAirQuality EnergyEfficiency QuietPerformance MilitaryGrade To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232187 SOURCE: Auroris Inc. NEW YORK, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new comprehensive report from The Insight Partners, global Naphthalene Derivatives Market Dynamics, Recent Developments, and Strategic Insights by 2031 is observing significant growth owing to the growth of the construction industry. The naphthalene derivatives market analysis focuses on form, derivative type, and end-use industry that are expected to contribute to the market strength in the coming years. The report runs an in-depth analysis of market trends, key players, and future opportunities. The report from The Insight Partners, therefore, provides several stakeholders-including raw material suppliers, manufacturers, distributors/suppliers, and others-with valuable insights into how to successfully navigate this evolving market landscape and unlock new opportunities. The List of Companies - Naphthalene Derivatives Market JFE holdings Inc Stepan Co Nouryon Chemicals Holding BV Merck KGaA Hefei TNJ Chemical Industry Co.,Ltd. Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd Chempro Group Methanol Chemicals Co MUHU (China) Construction Materials Co., Ltd. PCC SE Rain Industries Ltd King Industries, Inc. MP Biomedicals Shandong Jufu Chemical Technology Co., Ltd. Nan Ya Plastics Corp Download Sample Pages of Research analysis: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00007821/ Overview of Report Findings 1. Market Growth: The naphthalene derivatives market is expected to reach US$ 5.04 billion by 2031 from US$ 3.83 billion in 2023, recording a CAGR of 3.5% during the forecast period. Naphthalene derivatives are colorless solid compounds having a melting point of 123C to 124C. These toxic compounds are insoluble in water and benzene, and highly soluble in alcohol and ether. Naphthalene derivatives can disperse colloids and enhance the solubility of hydrophobic compounds, which are utilized as wetting agents, surfactants, and insecticides. Naphthalene is used at a vast scale in the production of phthalic anhydride, which is applied as an intermediate to make plasticizers for polyvinyl chloride synthesis. It is also employed in the production of alkyd resin polymers that are used in paints and varnishes. 2. Growth of Construction Industry: Factors such as population increase, urbanization, and favorable economic conditions significantly drive the growth of the housing market. According to Redfin, 284,121 houses were sold in the US in January 2024, recording a 1.8% surge than the units sold in January 2023. Residential construction is a crucial aspect of the private sector. The US witnessed a noteworthy increase of US$ 856.3 billion to a seasonally adjusted annual rate in June 2023, marking a 0.9% rise from the revised estimate of US$ 848.6 billion for May 2023. Derivatives such as naphthalene sulfonates are used as superplasticizers in concrete. These compounds play a major role in improving the workability of concrete, facilitating more effective dispersion of cement particles. 3. Surging Demand for Agrochemicals: The increasing global population has positively contributed to the demand for food production. As per Our World in Data, the US, Brazil, and China reported soybean production of 116.38 million tonnes, 120.7 million tonnes, and 20.28 million tonnes, respectively, in 2022. Also, the sugar beet production in France increased from 26.16 million tonnes in 2020 to 31.50 million tonnes in 2022. The high demand for food production has further created the need for efficient and high crop yields, thereby propelling the use of agrochemicals in farming practices. Sulfonates are the most commonly used naphthalene derivatives in the agrochemical industry. It is used as a dispersant in pesticide and insecticide formulations for uniform distribution of active ingredients. 4. Geographical Insights: In 2023, Asia Pacific led the market with a substantial revenue share, followed by North America and Europe, respectively. Asia Pacific is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Request a Customized Copy of the Naphthalene Derivatives Market Report @ https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/naphthalene-derivatives-market/ Report Scope Feature of the Report Details Market Size in 2023 US$ 3.83 billion in 2023 Projected Market Size in 2031 US$ 5.04 billion by 2031 CAGR Growth Rate 3.5 % Base Year 2023 Forecast Period 2023-2031 Key Segment By Type, Application, Connectivity and Region Report Coverage Revenue Estimation and Forecast, Company Profile, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors and Recent Trends Regional Scope North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South & Central America Buying Options Request tailored purchasing options to fulfil your requirements for research. Market Segmentation Based on form, the naphthalene derivatives market is segmented into powder and liquid. The powder segment held a larger market share in 2023. By derivative type, the naphthalene derivatives market is segmented into sulfonated naphthalene formaldehyde, phthalic anhydride, naphthalene sulfonic acid, alkyl naphthalene sulfonate salts, and others. The phthalic anhydride segment held the largest share of the market in 2023. By end-use industry, the naphthalene derivatives market is segmented into building and construction, agrochemicals, textiles, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, dyes and pigments, and others. The building and construction segment held the largest market share in 2023. The naphthalene derivatives market is segmented into five major regions: North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South and Central America. Get Sample Pages of Research analysis: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00007821/ Competitive Strategy and Development Key Players: A few major companies operating in the naphthalene derivatives market include JFE holdings Inc; Stepan Co; Nouryon Chemicals Holding BV; Merck KGaA; Hefei TNJ Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.; Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd; Chempro Group; Methanol Chemicals Co; MUHU (China) Construction Materials Co., Ltd.; PCC SE; Rain Industries Ltd; King Industries, Inc.; MP Biomedicals; Shandong Jufu Chemical Technology Co., Ltd.; and Nan Ya Plastics Corp. Trending Topics: Technological innovations, growing demand from emerging economies, etc. Global Headlines on Naphthalene Derivatives "ACC, API Launch New Workgroup to Address Regulatory Proposals for Naphthalene" "BASF and UPC sign Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen strategic cooperation on plasticizer alcohols and catalysts" "Moving spacecraft with mothball power" Purchase Premium Copy of Global Naphthalene Derivatives Market Growth Report at: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/buy/TIPRE00007821/ Conclusion Naphthalene derivatives are used in industries such as building and construction, textiles, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and paints and coatings. For example, naphthalene sulfonate-based superplasticizers are used in concrete admixture. The demand from this sector is linked to construction activity. Derivatives are also significantly used in the production of plastics, resins, and polymers. Further, naphthalene derivative-based paints and coatings have numerous applications in the building and construction, and textiles industries. Furthermore, naphthols are used in the production of dyes and pigments. Naphthalene derivatives are used as intermediates for the production of pesticides and insecticides, which aid in the control of moths and flies, and repel squirrels and bats. Thus, the global naphthalene derivatives market is driven by factors such as the growth of the construction industry and the surging demand for agrochemicals. Check out more related reports by The Insight Partners: Refined naphthalene Market Size and Forecasts 2021 - 2031 Formaldehyde Market Size and Forecasts 2021 - 2031 Melamine Formaldehyde Market Size and Forecasts 2021 - 2031 Phthalic Anhydride Market Size and Forecasts 2021 - 2031 Naphthalene Sulfonate Market Size and Forecasts 2021 - 2031 About Us: The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We specialize in industries such as Semiconductor and Electronics, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Biotechnology, Healthcare IT, Manufacturing and Construction, Medical Device, Technology, Media and Telecommunications, Chemicals and Materials. Contact Us: If you have any queries about this report or if you would like further information, please contact us: Contact Person: Ankit Mathur E-mail: ankit.mathur@theinsightpartners.com Phone: +1-646-491-9876 Press Release: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/pr/naphthalene-derivatives-market Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2520492/The_Insight_Partners_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/naphthalene-derivatives-market-size-opportunities--share-analysis-report--reach-usd-5-04-billion-at-3-5-cagr-by-2031--302321363.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - Military Metals Corp. (CSE: MILI) (OTCQB: MILIF) (FSE: QN90) (the "Company" or "MILI") a leading North American exploration company focused on critical minerals, acknowledges today's announcement by China banning exports of gallium, germanium, and antimony to the United States. This move underscores the urgent need for Western nations to secure reliable long-term sources of these essential materials. Antimony, a critical component in military applications, energy storage, and advanced manufacturing, is now at the forefront of the global supply chain crisis. China's ban, coupled with existing restrictions that came into effect September 15, 2024, has already sent antimony prices soaring by over 228% this year(1). The Western world faces mounting pressure to address its reliance on China for strategic resources critical to national defense and technological innovation. This ban comes at a time when defense sector inventories are at already concerningly low levels.(2) Military Metals recent antimony mineral project acquisitions in Slovakia, Nova Scotia, and Nevada provide shareholders with a pure antimony play with a diverse portfolio in top jurisdictions. "This announcement from China reinforces the importance of Military Metals' mission to secure a sustainable, independent future supply chain for critical minerals," said Scott Eldridge, CEO of Military Metals Corp. "The West can no longer afford to rely on adversarial nations for resources essential to our security and economic stability. We are taking proactive steps to meet this growing demand with future domestic and allied sources of antimony." As geopolitical tensions escalate and the trade war intensifies, Military Metals will continue to prioritize the development of critical mineral resources and work closely with governments and industry partners to ensure the West remains resilient and self-sufficient. About Military Metals Corp. The Company is a British Columbia-based mineral exploration company that is primarily engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties with a focus on antimony. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD of DIRECTORS This news release contains "forward-looking information". Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information in this news release include exploration activities, and assumptions related to the continuation of the global demand for antimony. A variety of factors, including known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond our control, could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information in this news release. These include, geopolitical developments related to the supply of antimony, the continued use of antimony and availability of alternatives, availability of capital and labour in respect of the properties that are the subjects of this news release, the results of any future exploration activities, which cannot be guaranteed, and such other factors as may impact both and any future activities in respect of the properties.. Additional risk factors can also be found in the Company's public filings under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward looking statements if circumstances, management's estimates or opinions should change, except as required by securities legislation. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. (1)Reuters; China bans export of critical minerals to US as trade tensions escalate; By Amy Lv and Tony Munroe; December 3, 2024 (2)Heritage Foundation: commentary/It's Past Time to Re-Supply Our Munitions-Depleted U.S. Navy by Jim Fein; June 17, 2024 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232325 SOURCE: Military Metals Corp. TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / December 3, 2024 / PJX Resources Inc. ("PJX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that iron rich minerals (pyrrhotite and pyrite) with copper (chalcopyrite) and minor to trace zinc (sphalerite) and lead (galena) discovered in a venting geological environment by recent drilling appears consistent with mineralisation typically found within a vent beneath Sedex (Sedimentary Exhalative) type zinc-lead-silver mineralisation. This first phase of drilling commenced in August this year after PJX received a five year permit to explore and drill the large Dewdney Trail Property near Cranbrook, BC. (see news release November 12, 2024) Sedex deposits typically form where metal rich fluids rise from depth along pathways called vents that occur along faults. Deposit models suggest zinc and lead minerals (sphalerite and galena) are first to be deposited. Iron and copper rich mineralisation rise later along the vent and sometimes replace and/or remobilize zinc and lead and carry them higher in the venting system. The result is a zone of Sedex style zinc-lead-silver mineralisation above and/or laterally away from the location of iron and copper mineralisation. More drilling is required higher in the venting system which is higher on the mountain and laterally on strike to the south and north. John Keating, President of PJX, commented, "Discovering iron and copper sulphide minerals within a venting geological environment supports a mineralizing system that could produce a Sedex type deposit, possibly similar to the Sullivan deposit located about 20 km to the west. The boulders discovered at surface late last year, in proximity to the drilling, are evidence that the mineralising system produced Sullivan style and grade zinc, lead, silver, and other critical metal mineralisation (see news release October 12, 2023). Additional information will be announced when drill core sample analyses have been received and compiled with drill core and other data to plan the next phase of drilling in 2025." Warrant Extension Subject to the approval of the TSXV Exchange, the Company intends to further extend the expiry date of 9,391,794 share purchase warrants, (the "Warrants") by 12 months to December 20, 2025. The Warrants were issued pursuant to a private placement accepted for filing by the TSX Venture Exchange on December 21, 2021. The Warrants are exercisable at $0.25 per share and are currently set to expire on December 20, 2024. All other terms of the warrants, including the exercise price, remain unchanged. Upon receipt of the approval of the TSXV Exchange, a material change report will be filed by the Company. A total of 257,647 of the affected Warrants are held by parties considered to be "related parties" of the Company. Therefore, the amendment of Warrants constitutes a "related party transaction" as contemplated by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Shareholders in Special Transactions, and TSXV Policy 5.9 - Protection of Minority Shareholders in Special Transactions. However, the exemptions from formal valuation and minority approval requirements provided for by these guidelines can be relied upon as the fair market value of the Warrants held by insiders does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company. PJX's New Discovery Potential Background PJX owns 100% of the mineral rights to multiple properties totaling over 680 km of mineral claims in the Sullivan Mining District of Southeastern British Columbia, Canada. Exploration in late 2023 discovered boulders and outcrop of Sullivan deposit style and grade mineralization on PJX's Dewdney Trail Property that is over 150 km in size. The zinc, lead, silver, and other critical metal mineralization discovered at surface on the Dewdney Trail Property is magnetic and appears to be associated with a strong to moderate magnetic airborne geophysical anomaly that can be traced for approximately 1.6 km. This recent first phase of drilling on part of the anomalous trend confirms a geological environment with sulphide mineralization that supports the potential to discover a Sedex type deposit. The geological disclosure and content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by John Keating P.Geo. (qualified person for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects). Mr. Keating is the President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of PJX. About PJX Resources Inc. PJX is a mineral exploration company focused on building shareholder value and community opportunity through the exploration and development of mineral resources with a focus on gold, silver, zinc, lead, copper, cobalt, and other critical metals. PJX's properties are located in the historical Sullivan Mine District and Vulcan Gold Belt near Cranbrook and Kimberley, British Columbia. Please refer to our web site http://www.pjxresources.com for additional information. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Linda Brennan, Chief Financial Officer (416) 799-9205 info@pjxresources.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information The information in this news release has been prepared as at the date noted above. Certain statements in this news release, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", constitute "forward-looking statements" under the provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws. These statements can be identified by the use of words such as "expected", "may", "will" or similar terms. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by PJX Resources Inc. as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, known and unknown, could cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as otherwise required by law, PJX Resources Inc. expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statements to reflect any change in PJX Resources Inc.'s expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Cautionary Note to US Investors: This news release may contain information about adjacent properties on which PJX Resources Inc. has no right to explore or mine. We advise U.S. investors that the SEC's mining guidelines strictly prohibit information of this type in documents filed with the SEC. U.S. investors are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on our properties. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: PJX Resources Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - Great Pacific Gold Corp. (TSXV: GPAC) (OTCQX: FSXLF) (FSE: V3H) ("Great Pacific Gold," "GPAC," or the "Company") announces that it has entered into a definitive agreement dated December 3, 2024 (the "Agreement") with Zincore Metals Corp. ("Zincore") for the purchase and sale of the Company's non-core Reedy Creek and Providence tenements (the "Project") in Victoria, Australia (the "Transaction"). All dollar figures are Canadian Dollars unless otherwise stated. Highlights Sale of EL 7052 and EL 7046, Reedy Creek and Providence tenements, to Zincore Great Pacific Gold to receive: $500,000 cash within 5 days of signing the Agreement (Dec 5, 2024); $500,000 cash on closing of the Transaction ("Closing") (expected by Apr 1, 2025); 6 million shares in Zincore on Closing (expected by Apr 1, 2025); $1,000,000 cash on publishing of a NI 43-101 resource estimate with greater than one million ounces of gold and/or gold equivalent in Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources, and $2,000,000 cash on commercial production of gold dore or concentrate from the tenements. "The divestiture of Reedy Creek is In line with our strategy to focus our financial and technical efforts on our core projects including the Kesar and Wild Dog Projects in Papua New Guinea," stated Greg McCunn, CEO of Great Pacific Gold. "The near-term cash infusion of $1 million provides non-dilutive financing for our 2025 exploration programs and we are pleased to transition Reedy Creek to a team of experienced company builders with a strong exploration crew in Victoria. Additionally, our 10% share holding in Zincore ensures we retain exposure to this prospective land package immediately north of Southern Cross's Sunday Creek Project. As we finalize the Reedy Creek divestment, we will continue to evaluate opportunities to monetize our other non-core assets in Australia." The Transaction is structured in the form of a share purchase of a newly created subsidiary holding the rights to the Project. The Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, covenants, indemnifications and conditions by Company and Zincore. The Zincore Shares issued to Great Pacific in connection with the Transaction will be issued in a manner that is exempt from applicable prospectus and registration requirements. The Company has agreed to voluntary resale restrictions on the Zincore shares. The Transaction remains subject to the TSX Venture Exchange acceptance. Certain officers of the Company will be subscribing for shares in the entity ("Fundco") paying the deposit to the Company. Due to insider participation in Fundco, the transaction is considered a related party transaction, and subject to Mulitateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company has relied on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements provided under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 on the basis that the transaction will not exceed 25% of the fair market value of the Company's market capitalization. About Great Pacific Gold Great Pacific Gold has a portfolio of exploration stage projects in Papua New Guinea ("PNG") and Australia. The Company is focused on developing gold-copper resources from its highly prospective land packages. Its core projects include: Kesar - located in the Eastern Highlands province of PNG and contiguous with K92 Mining's mine tenements, Kesar is a greenfield exploration project with several high priority targets in close proximity to the property boundary with K92. Multiple epithermal veins at Kesar are on strike and have the same orientation of key K92 deposits such as Kora. Exploration work to date by GPAC at Kesar has shown that these veins have high grades of gold present in outcrop and very elevated gold in soil grades, coincident with aeromagnetic highs. located in the Eastern Highlands province of PNG and contiguous with K92 Mining's mine tenements, Kesar is a greenfield exploration project with several high priority targets in close proximity to the property boundary with K92. Multiple epithermal veins at Kesar are on strike and have the same orientation of key K92 deposits such as Kora. Exploration work to date by GPAC at Kesar has shown that these veins have high grades of gold present in outcrop and very elevated gold in soil grades, coincident with aeromagnetic highs. Arau - located in Eastern Highlands province of PNG, the Arau Project contains the highly prospective Mt. Victor exploration target with potential for a high sulphidation epithermal gold-base metal deposit. A Phase 1 Reverse Circulation drilling program was completed at Mt. Victor in August 2024, with results pending. The Arau project includes the Elandora licence which also contains various epithermal and copper-gold porphyry targets. located in Eastern Highlands province of PNG, the Arau Project contains the highly prospective Mt. Victor exploration target with potential for a high sulphidation epithermal gold-base metal deposit. A Phase 1 Reverse Circulation drilling program was completed at Mt. Victor in August 2024, with results pending. The Arau project includes the Elandora licence which also contains various epithermal and copper-gold porphyry targets. Wild Dog - located in the East New Britain province of PNG, Wild Dog is a brownfield exploration project with a history of small-scale gold mining. The project contains numerous epithermal and porphyry hydrothermal-magmatic targets evidenced by previous exploration and operations. The Company completed a road refurbishment in August 2024 and access to the project has been established for baseline environmental and exploration work. located in the East New Britain province of PNG, Wild Dog is a brownfield exploration project with a history of small-scale gold mining. The project contains numerous epithermal and porphyry hydrothermal-magmatic targets evidenced by previous exploration and operations. The Company completed a road refurbishment in August 2024 and access to the project has been established for baseline environmental and exploration work. Lauriston - located in the state of Victoria, Australia, the Lauriston project is located on the southern extension of the Fosterville Goldfield Belt and is adjacent to Agnico Eagle's extensive Fosterville tenements and mine operations. Lauriston contains the Comet-Trojan target, a 4.5km long epizonal orogenic system. The discovery hole at Comet intersected 8m at 105 g/t gold and a follow-up drilling program was completed in Q3 2024. The Company is consolidating its information on the Lauriston project and expects to publish an NI 43-101 compliant technical report. located in the state of Victoria, Australia, the Lauriston project is located on the southern extension of the Fosterville Goldfield Belt and is adjacent to Agnico Eagle's extensive Fosterville tenements and mine operations. Lauriston contains the Comet-Trojan target, a 4.5km long epizonal orogenic system. The discovery hole at Comet intersected 8m at 105 g/t gold and a follow-up drilling program was completed in Q3 2024. The Company is consolidating its information on the Lauriston project and expects to publish an NI 43-101 compliant technical report. Walhalla - located in the state of Victoria, Australia, the Walhalla project consists of over 1,400km2 of concessions including the numerous historical mining operations and the recently acquired Woods Point land package. The Company is consolidating its information on the Walhalla project and expects to publish an NI 43-101 compliant technical report. Walhalla contains a high-priority greenfield target called Pinnacles. Extensive soil geochemistry has highlighted a 400m x 1,100m gold mineralized aplitic dyke which contains disseminated sulphides and outcrops at surface. The Pinnacles target is fully permitted and ready for drilling. The Company also holds a number of other exploration projects including the Tinga Valley Project in Papua New Guinea. Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Great Pacific Gold cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by many material factors, many of which are beyond their respective control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Great Pacific Gold's limited operating history, its ability to close the sale of Reedy Creek to Zincore, its exploration and development activities on its mineral properties and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Great Pacific Gold does not undertake to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232333 SOURCE: Great Pacific Gold Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - Zincore Metals Inc. (TSXV: ZNC.H) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a share purchase agreement dated effective December 3, 2024 (the "Definitive Agreement") among the Company, Great Pacific Gold Corp. (TSXV: GPAC) (the "Vendor") and 1513609 B.C. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Vendor ("BC Subco"), pursuant to which, subject to regulatory approval, the Company will acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of BC Subco (the "Proposed Transaction"), which through an Australian subsidiary will hold a 100% interest in and to the Reedy Creek and Providence tenements (the "Project") in Victoria, Australia. All currency references in the news release are in Canadian currency unless otherwise noted. The Project The Reedy Creek and Providence projects are comprised of two tenements covering an area of 445km2 located approximately 10 km northeast of Southern Cross' Sunday Creek discovery in central Victoria, Australia (see Figure 1). Figure 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5159/232349_0ba87ad6c4149881_001full.jpg Readers are cautioned that the Company has not independently verified the information in respect of properties adjacent to the Project and the mineralization on adjacent properties may not be indicative of the mineralization on the Project. The Project land package includes the historic Reedy Creek goldfield and Welcome Reef / Providence project. Exploration to date has identified potential for epithermal gold mineralization akin to the Fosterville and Costerfield operating mines to the west. Despite limited modern exploration, recent drilling by Great Pacific Resources between 2021 and 2024 has returned significant gold mineralization along a recently defined NW-SE gold-in-soil geochemical anomaly. Management believes based on due diligence that a focused and systematic approach incorporating modern-day exploration methods is required to define the structural and geochemical controls on gold mineralization at a regional scale, noting similarities to other goldfields in the area with geology associated with an axial zone of north to northwest trending anticlinal structures, focusing in zones of increasing structural complexity. Recent soil geochemical sampling has defined a NW-SE trending anomaly ~3km long that runs parallel to the 7 km long anticline. The gold-in-soil geochemical anomaly is most pronounced in a 1 km2 area east of the Doyle's and Langridge historic mines. Several drilling campaigns have been conducted historically, with high-grade gold intersected in multiple holes. The Company believes that recent exploration combined projects' proximity to Sunday Creek is compelling and a systematic approach to exploration could yield a significant gold mineralized system within and beyond the initially defined 3 km long geochemical anomaly. In connection with the Proposed Transaction, the Company intends to prepare a file an updated technical report on the Project in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, which will be publicly available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company's initial work program at the Reedy Creek Goldfield will consist of detailed mapping of the geological structures and their controls on gold mineralisation. This program of structural mapping will lead into a diamond drilling program in 2025. The Proposed Transaction Pursuant to the terms of the Definitive Agreement, the Company will acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding securities of BC Subco in consideration for: a non-refundable cash deposit of $500,000 (the " Deposit ") payable to the Vendor within five (5) business days of the date of the Definitive Agreement (which will be paid by 1512736 B.C. Ltd. (" Fundco "), as described below); ") payable to the Vendor within five (5) business days of the date of the Definitive Agreement (which will be paid by 1512736 B.C. Ltd. (" "), as described below); a cash payment of $500,000 payable to the Vendor on the date of closing (the " Closing Date ") of the Proposed Transaction; and ") of the Proposed Transaction; and 6,000,000 Post-Consolidation Common Shares (as defined herein) (the "Payment Shares") to be issued to the Vendor on the Closing Date, 4,000,000 of which shares will be subject resale restrictions over a period of three years, with 10% of such shares being released on the Closing Date and 15% every six months thereafter. In addition to the payments described above, the Company will pay to the Vendor the follow post-closing payments: in the event that the Company publishes a technical report which establishes on the Project a mineral resource in any combination of a measured, indicated, inferred resource, of at least 1,000,000 ounces of gold and/or gold equivalent, the Company will make a cash payment of $1,000,000 to the Vendor; and in the event that the Company enters into commercial production of gold ore or concentrate on the Project, then the Company will make a cash payment of $2,000,000 to the Vendor. In connection with the Proposed Transaction, Fundco was established by certain arm's length investors to fund the Deposit. The Company will enter into a securities exchange agreement (the "SEA") with Fundco and each of the securityholders of Fundco, pursuant to which, concurrent with and subject to the completion of the Proposed Transaction, the Company will acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding securities of Fundco (the "Fundco Acquisition"). Pursuant to the terms of the SEA, shareholders of Fundco will receive one Post-Consolidation Common Share for each Fundco common share ("Fundco Shares") held and warrantholders of Fundco will receive one warrant to purchase a Post-Consolidation Common Share for each Fundco warrant, each exercisable at $0.25 per Post-Consolidation Common Share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance. In connection with the completion of the Fundco Acquisition, it is expected that the Company will issue to the holders of Fundco securities: (i) an aggregate of 4,166,667 Post-Consolidation Common Shares, and (ii) an aggregate of 4,166,667 warrants to acquire Post-Consolidation Common Shares. Such consideration will be paid to the securityholders of Fundco in full and final satisfaction of Fundco's payment of the Deposit. The Fundco Acquisition remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"). On or prior to the closing of the Proposed Transaction, the Company will complete a consolidation (the "Consolidation") of its issued and outstanding common shares (the pre-Consolidation common shares in the authorized structure of the Company being referred to as, the "Common Shares") on the basis of one (1) new common share in the authorized structure of the Company (the "Post-Consolidation Common Shares") for each 2.5 old Common Shares. The Company currently has 43,663,174 Common Shares issued and outstanding, and following the Consolidation, the Company will have approximately 17,465,269 Post-Consolidation Common Shares issued and outstanding, prior to rounding for fractional shares. The Consolidation remains subject to the approval of the Exchange. The Company will issue a further news release upon receiving Exchange approval, announcing the effective date of the Consolidation. The Payment Shares to be issued to the Vendor in connection with the Proposed Transaction will be issued in a manner that is exempt from applicable prospectus and registration requirements. Certain of the Payment Shares will be subject to voluntary resale restrictions, with 800,000 Payment Shares being released on the Closing Date, 1,600,000 Payment Shares being released in monthly instalments of 400,000 Payment Shares over a period of four months following the Closing Date and 3,600,000 Payment Shares being released in six month instalments of 600,000 Payments Shares over a period of 36 months from the Closing Date. In connection with the Proposed Transaction, the Company will pay a finder's fee of 850,000 Post-Consolidation Common Shares to an arm's length finder. In connection with the Proposed Transaction, the Company will complete a private placement of its securities which will be used to fund (i) expenses of the Proposed Transaction and the Concurrent Financing, (ii) the exploration and development of the Project, and (ii) working capital requirements of the Company following completion of the Proposed Transaction (the "Concurrent Financing"). The securities issued pursuant to the Concurrent Financing will be priced in the context of the market and a further news release will be issued confirming the final terms of the Concurrent Financing once determined. Finders fees may be payable in connection with the Concurrent Financing. The Concurrent Financing remains subject to the approval of the Exchange. The Proposed Transaction is an arm's length transaction for the purposes of the policies of the Exchange. The Proposed Transaction is expected to be a Fundamental Acquisition under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange that will result in the Company satisfying the Exchange's Tier 2 Minimum Listing Requirements, enabling it to qualify to graduate from the NEX board of the Exchange to Tier 2 of the Exchange (as such terms are defined in the policies of the Exchange). Trading of the Company's common shares are expected to remain halted until closing of the Proposed Transaction. The Proposed Transaction remains subject to certain closing conditions including, without limitation, (a) the receipt by the Company and the Vendor of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals (including the approval of the Exchange); (b) each party's representations and warranties in the Definitive Agreement being true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date; (c) each party meeting its terms and conditions and completing its covenants and obligations as contained in the Definitive Agreement; (d) the provision of applicable legal opinions concerning the titles to the Project, as applicable; and (e) other closing conditions customarily found in transactions similar to the Proposed Transaction. There can be no guarantees that the Proposed Transaction will be completed as contemplated or at all. The securities of the Company referred to in this news release have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws. Accordingly, the securities of the Company may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any securities of the Company in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About Zincore Zincore is a Vancouver-based Company, with common shares which trade on the NEX Board of the Exchange under the symbol ZNC.H. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "estimates" or "intends" or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be considered forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release include, amongst others, the completion of the Proposed Transaction on the terms described herein or at all, the receipt of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals (including the approval of the Exchange) for the Proposed Transaction, the completion of the Fundco Acquisition, the receipt of Exchange approval for the Fundco Acquisition, the completion of the Consolidation, the receipt of Exchange approval for the Consolidation, the completion of the Concurrent Financing and the receipt of Exchange approval for the Concurrent Financing. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to materially differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232349 SOURCE: Zincore Metals Inc. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 3, 2024 / Troy Minerals Inc. ("Troy" or the "Company") (CSE:TROY)(OTCQB:TROYF)(FSE:VJ3) is providing an update to its shareholders regarding the impact of the strike by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers on the Company's ability to comply with its obligations to deliver its meeting materials to shareholders in connection with its upcoming annual general meeting of shareholders scheduled to be held on December 31, 2024 (the "Meeting"). Due the postal strike, the Notice of Meeting, Information Circular and related proxy materials (the "Meeting Materials") may not be delivered to shareholders prior to the Meeting in accordance with regulatory requirements. The Meeting Materials have been filed on the Company's website and on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Shareholders will still be able to vote their shares either directly by proxy (for registered shareholders) or indirectly through their intermediary (for unregistered shareholders who hold their shares through brokerage firms or other intermediaries). Instructions respecting voting can be obtained as outlined below. The Company will provide copies of the Meeting Materials by email to each entitled shareholder who requests same while the strike is ongoing, at no charge. Shareholders can direct requests for copies of the Meeting Materials to Rana Vig, President, at the contact details below. If you are a registered shareholder, please contact Rana Vig, President, at the contact details below to obtain your proxy form control number to cast your vote for the upcoming Meeting. If you hold shares through an intermediary such as a brokerage firm, please contact your intermediary directly for a copy of the proxy form and instructions for voting. The deadline for voting by proxy for the Meeting is 10:30 a.m. (Pacific time) on December 27, 2024. For more information, visit www.troyminerals.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Rana Vig | President and Director Telephone: 604-218-4766 rana@ranavig.com The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. SOURCE: Troy Minerals Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - Argo Gold Inc. (CSE: ARQ) (OTC Pink: ARBTF) (XFRA: A2ASDS) (XSTU: A2ASDS) (XBER: A2ASDS) ("Argo" or the "Company") has entered into two agreements to acquire additional mineral claims in Saskatchewan pursuant to which Argo Gold can acquire a 100% interest in certain mineral claims located in the Athabasca Basin: the Parker Lake claims, and the Thunderbolt and ZigZag claims, which altogether total 15,962 hectares and are considered prospective for uranium mineralization. The Parker Lake claims are being purchased in exchange for the granting by Argo of a 2% net smelter returns royalty ("NSR") in favour of the vendors of the mineral claims. The Thunderbolt and ZigZag claims are being purchased together for an aggregate of $5,000 in cash and the issuance to the vendors of 500,000 common shares of the Company. The common shares will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance. The Parker Lake mineral claims total 11,644 hectares covering the up-ice extension of 69 radioactive boulders (1,000-10,000 cps) along the Needle Falls Shear Zone, a cluster of untested airborne radioactive anomalies (1969), and a 30 kilometre stretch of the Parker Lake Shear Zone (PLSZ) coincident with uranium, vanadium & molybdenum in lake sediments. The geological setting is thought to be similar to that of the Rabbit Lake/Eagle Point Mine with the shear structure along a large dome. Parker Lake is located outside of the eastern edge of the Athabasca Basin, 72 kilometres east of Cameco's Key Lake Mill with the target being a shallow basement-hosted deposit. The Thunderbolt mineral claims total 3,692 hectares covering weakly conductive magnetic zones extending into the basement from historical airborne surveys. Thunderbolt is located approximately 15 kilometres north of ISO Energy's Hurricane Deposit (48 million pounds U3O8 @ 34.5% U3O8). Thunderbolt is also located 15 kilometres NE of the Bell Lake uranium occurrence where drilling by Denison Mines hit up to 42 metres of bleached and altered rock above the unconformity. The claims are located within the Athabasca Basin near the eastern edge, 40 kilometres northwest of Orano's McLean Lake Mill. The Zig Zag mineral claims total 626 hectares along the Patterson Lake Shear Zone (PLSZ) where an airborne EM conductor runs down the center of the Zig Zag claim, modelled to extend into the basement. In addition, an airborne survey flown by SPI delineated several "mag low" anomalies on the claim, coincident with the conductor. Zig Zag is on-trend with the NexGen Energy Arrow Deposit, the Fission Uranium Triple R (Rook) Deposit and the F3 Uranium discoveries. The Zig Zag mineral claims are located 25 kilometres north of Hook Lake (a joint venture between Cameco, Orano Canada and Purepoint Uranium). The Fraser Institute's Annual Survey of Mining Companies ranked Saskatchewan as number 3 in the world for mineral exploration and mining. Argo is well positioned to advance mineral exploration with high-quality assets in a mining friendly jurisdiction. Map 1: Location of Parker Lake, Thunderbolt and ZigZag mineral claims To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3921/232377_8c29f762e4fb881d_001full.jpg National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Bill Kerr, who is a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101. Historical geochemical, drilling results and geological descriptions quoted in this news release were taken directly from news releases by other mineral explorers and from information provided by the Government of Saskatchewan. Management cautions that results reported by other parties on adjacent properties have not been verified nor confirmed by its Qualified Person, but Argo believes they create a scientific foundation for the exploration in the district. Management further cautions that historical results or discoveries on adjacent or nearby mineral properties are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved on Argo's mineral properties. About Argo Gold Argo Gold is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company, and an oil producer. Information on Argo Gold can be obtained from SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on Argo Gold's website at www.argogold.com. Argo Gold is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (www.thecse.com) CSE: ARQ as well as quoted on OTC: ARBTF and XFRA, XSTU, XBER: A2ASDS. NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDER HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Forward-looking Information Cautionary Statement Except for statements of historic fact, statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. . Forward-looking information contained in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding the prospectivity of the Parker Lake, Thunderbolt and ZigZag claims, Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to future uranium prices and the supply of uranium; the results of exploration work; inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the Parker Lake, Thunderbolt and ZigZag claims, , delays or uncertainties with drilling and surface preparation work, and not achieving hoped for exploration success. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available under the Company's profile on sedarplus.ca. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232377 SOURCE: Argo Gold Inc. Personas Social Incorporated (the "Company") (TSXV:PRSN) announces that further to its press releases dated August 16, 2024, August 20, 2024 and September 23, 2024, the Company has closed the sale of its Peeks Assets (defined below) to Mii.TV Inc. ("Mii.TV"). The Company, as vendor and Mii.TV, as purchaser entered into a definitive agreement dated August 19, 2024 with respect to the sale of the assets of the Company's 'Peeks Social' web and app based platform ("Peeks Asset") to Mii.TV (the "Transaction"). On October 1, 2024 the Company held its annual general and special meetings (the "Meeting") of shareholders to consider, among other things, the Transaction as a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and the sale of the Peaks Asset. At the Meeting, requisite shareholder approvals were received for all matters tabled including receiving approvals from disinterested shareholders on all matters that required it. On closing of the Transaction, an adjustment was required to be made to the purchase price for the Peeks Asset to account for the current accounts payable amount, and thus the closing purchase price was revised to provide $264,874 in cash to the Company on closing instead of the previously disclosed and anticipated closing cash amount of $53,000. All other terms of the Transaction remained the same. With the Transaction now closed, the Company plans to devote its resources to the development of its new and re-launched Keeks Social web and app based platform. Keek Social offers users the chance to share their lives and connect with others through both short-form and long-form videos. The Transaction has received all requisite approvals including approval from the TSX Venture Exchange. About Personas Personas Social Incorporated is a Canada-based company engaged in the business of offering live video conferencing technology, live streaming, social media products and services for use by consumers and businesses, with a focus on mobile (iOS and Android) products. It focuses on providing social commerce-enabled products which allow for a monetizable user experience to all users, consumers and businesses alike. The Company accomplishes this by offering products which are complete with enterprise-grade e-commerce infrastructure including multi-currency, multi-lingual, turnkey mobile commerce suites for users. For further information, please contact: Personas Social Incorporated Mark Itwaru Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Telephone: 647-789-0074 Email: mark@personas.com Forward Looking Statements This press release contains statements that constitute " forward-looking statements". Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes, in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. The forward-looking statements and information in this press release include: information relating to the Transaction and all ancillary matters; the sale of the Peeks Asset and the Company being able to continue to operate as a going concern. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company. By their nature, forward- looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking statements and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management' s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this Release. SOURCE: Personas Social Incorporated View the original press release on accesswire.com Liom, formerly known as Spiden, a pioneer in non-invasive biomarker monitoring aiming to develop the first non-invasive glucose monitoring wearable, is thrilled to announce significant technological milestones and a successful kick-off of its Series A. Liom has continued its technological progress: it is the first and only company to demonstrate accurate non-invasive glucose measurements without the need for invasive per-subject calibration using a needle. This puts Liom ahead of the deep-pocketed, established players in the wearable business, such as Apple, Samsung and Google, that so far were not able to share comparable results. Liom has repeatedly demonstrated this capability throughout 2024 in a number of internal and external studies, which ranged from 3-6 hours and were conducted on >60 subjects so far. In a recent third-party validation study (i.e., external and prospective), Liom's proprietary benchtop system and AI algorithms demonstrated a MARD (Mean Absolute Relative Difference) of 14.5% without any per-subject calibration (publication pre-print available via: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.08.17.24312052). MARD is the percentage error to the reference measurement, which in this case is a catheter-derived venous measurement. The company's light-& AI-only measurements show excellent agreement with reference blood glucose values for a wide range of glucose levels and time series. Using per-subject calibration, the MARD attained was even lower, at 7%. This performance is comparable to the first generation of needle-based CGMs, which after 10 years of optimization, have gradually reached the <10% MARD level. Currently, these devices, predominantly sold by the two medtech giants Abbott and Dexcom, dominate the strongly growing continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) market of USD >10bn that is attempting expansion towards healthy consumers, despite requiring replacement of its needle-based technology every 10-14 days. Liom sees significant potential for further improvement of its performance in the near-term, enabled by its purely light- and AI-driven approach that allows for rapid iteration. Prof. Dr. Lutz Heinemann, Founder and former CEO of leading CRO Profil, comments on Liom's recent progress: "The combination of Liom's innovative approach, scientific depth, interdisciplinary team, and impressive results are unique. I look forward to Liom's progress towards a product with confidence and optimism!" On top of these achievements, Liom also made significant headway regarding the miniaturization of its technology into a wearable form factor. Liom's miniaturization strategy is enabled by an innovative spectrometer design and a strong network of established suppliers in electronics and optics, which provides a clear pathway towards development of a wrist-worn product at cost and scale. "These accomplishments reflect our strong track record of steadily and reliably making progress towards our goal of launching the ultimate wearable that monitors glucose non-invasively, integrated together with other health metrics", says Leo Grunstein, Liom's Founder & CEO. "We aim to help customers around the world take control of their health through non-invasive access to real-time biomarker data and actionable, evidence-based insights to improve their well-being and longevity." Liom has raised over USD 55m in equity funding to-date and employs a team of >80 FTE, most of whom are PhD scientists running Liom's deep-tech lab and clinical trial operations. This traction in funding reflects strong support from its existing investors, Board members, and new investors. The company now kicked-off a USD 50-70m Series A, of which USD >25m have already been secured. This will allow Liom to create and test its wrist-worn prototype in all of life's circumstances on 100+ people by end of 2025 and launch a pre-launch sales campaign in H1'26 where customers for the first time will be able to order Liom's "ultimate wearable" which will be shipped to them maximum 12 months after, latest by mid-2027. A waitlist sign-up for its launch is already available on Liom's website www.liom.com. Prof. Dr. Jurgen Popp, Professor of the Institute of Physical Chemistry at the University of Jena & Scientific Director of the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, adds: "The innovative approach taken by Liom represents a leap forward in non-invasive glucose sensing. By combining advanced spectroscopy techniques with machine learning, they are addressing one of the most pressing challenges in preventative health. Their interdisciplinary team's expertise, coupled with promising clinical results demonstrated with their benchtop prototype, positions them at the forefront of this field. This technology has the potential to transform glucose monitoring and improve the quality of life for millions worldwide." About Liom Founded in 2017 by serial entrepreneur Leo Grunstein, Liom (ex-Spiden) is a Swiss health tech startup with offices in Pfaffikon SZ (Switzerland) and San Francisco (USA) employing over 80 team members. The company is dedicated to revolutionizing preventative and personalized health monitoring through a novel wearable, that enlightens users with unparalleled real-time biophysical feedback. This empowers uses to make optimal lifestyle choices for improved health and well-being. Liom's first product will be the world's first non-invasive glucose monitoring wearable that offers a comprehensive view of metabolic health. This device integrates non-invasive glucose monitoring and other health metrics, such as heart rate and movement. The product is designed for consumers looking to optimize an active, healthy lifestyle, improve their habits, or mitigate the risk of developing health conditions. Liom's ultimate vision is to expand its capabilities by measuring additional biomarkers, including macronutrients like lipids and proteins, as well as ketones, hydration, and lactate, leveraging its proprietary light- and AI-based technology. This will provide users with an even more comprehensive overview of their health and pave the way for even broader applications. Contact Information Leo Grunstein Founder & CEO press@liom.com Related Images Source: Liom View the original press release on accesswire.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - Excellon Resources Inc. (TSX: EXN) (FSE: E4X2) ("Excellon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce closing of the initial approximately C$3.79 million financing in support of the Company's proposed acquisition of the Mallay Silver Mine and Tres Cerros Gold-Silver Exploration Project in Peru, which provide potential opportunities for a near-term return to silver production and highly prospective gold-silver exploration. As previously announced, the Company arranged a non-brokered private placement offering (the "Unit Offering") of 19,500,000 units of the Company ("Units") at a price of C$0.105 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of C$2,047,500 (approximately US$1.46 million) and a non-brokered private placement offering (the "Note Offering" and together with the Unit Offering, the "Offerings") of US$1,250,000 aggregate principal amount of unsecured non-convertible promissory notes of the Company ("Notes"). The aggregate offering size was approximately C$3.79 million (approximately US$2.71 million). Shawn Howarth, President and CEO of Excellon, commented, "The Mallay acquisition is expected to be accretive for Excellon shareholders, positioning the Company for a potential return to silver production by mid-2025. We are looking to acquire a silver mine that saw US$115 million in historical investment and produced over 18 million silver equivalent ounces from 2012-2018, prior to temporary suspension of operations due to prevailing silver prices at the time1." "The closing of these financings will fund the proceedings to realize on the acquisition, enabling us to resolve legacy debt tied to the assets, while preserving the growth potential. With the Mallay Silver Mine's advanced infrastructure and the gold-silver exploration upside of Tres Cerros, we are prepared to unlock long-term value for our shareholders and stakeholders." Update on the Mallay Acquisition Acquisition Opportunity On October 31, 2024, Excellon announced an agreement with Adar Mining Corp. ("Adar") to acquire, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, all of the issued and outstanding shares ("Minera Shares") in the capital of Minera CRC S.A.C. ("Minera CRC"), which owns the Mallay Silver Mine and Tres Cerros Exploration Property in Peru (the "Acquisition"). The Mallay Mine is fully permitted to restart production and was built and operated by Buenaventura from 2012 to 2018, with US$115 million historical investment. The mine went into care and maintenance in 2018 due to low silver prices (~US$16.00 per ounce) and a change in strategic priorities at Buenaventura. Annual production by Buenaventura (2013 to 2017) averaged 1.3 million ounces of silver, 9,100 tonnes of zinc and 6,500 tonnes of lead1. The Tres Cerros Project is a highly prospective gold-silver exploration project approximately five kilometres northwest of the Mallay Mine. The project's prime area of interest is a 2.5 kilometre by 0.5 kilometre corridor of gold-silver mineralization and coincident IP/resistivity anomalies, indicative of a bulk tonnage, high sulfidation epithermal system. Numerous historical grab samples were taken across the 2.5 kilometre fault, which are being analyzed to determine further follow-up exploration work1. Further details on the Mallay Mine and Tres Cerros Project are provided in the news release announcing the Acquisition. Acquisition Summary Adar is a secured creditor of Premier Silver Corp., which currently owns the Minera Shares, and will bid for the Minera Shares pursuant to receivership proceedings (the "Realization Proceedings") under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) (the "BIA"). Adar is owed approximately US$24 million and plans to bid part or all of its debt for the Minera Shares, pursuant to which the outstanding debt owed to Adar will be exchanged for 100% ownership of Minera CRC, if there is no higher or better bid obtained. On completion of the Realization Proceedings, assuming Adar is the successful bidder, Excellon will acquire the Minera Shares, free and clear of encumbrances, in exchange for commitments to provide equity in Excellon, restart funding for the Mallay Mine and contingency payments linked to future production. The Acquisition resolves significant debt at Mallay, while positioning Excellon in respect of its goal of being a near-term emerging silver producer. Excellon Commitments Equity: Common shares in the capital of the Company (" Common Shares ") representing 12.9% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares prior to any future capital raise (including the Restart Funding, below); Common shares in the capital of the Company (" ") representing 12.9% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares prior to any future capital raise (including the Restart Funding, below); Restart Funding for the Mallay Mine: Allocate US$6.5 million towards commencing mine operations at the Mallay Mine, including rehabilitation and initial upgrades; and Allocate US$6.5 million towards commencing mine operations at the Mallay Mine, including rehabilitation and initial upgrades; and Contingency Payments, only payable on successful restart of the mine: A 1% net smelter returns royalty with the right to buy back 0.5% for US$1,500,000; and A base metals stream of 5% of zinc and lead production, increasing to 8% after a minimum delivery threshold (representing approximately three years of production). Realization Proceedings Timeline Excellon anticipates the completion of the Realization Proceedings within an approximately 14-week timeline, subject to the requirements under the BIA and ordinary course delays that are attendant in such proceedings. Updates on the process will be provided as relevant. Next Steps The Company has commenced various funding discussions for the Mallay Mine restart, including offtake prepay financing, strategic partnerships, other debt financing solutions and minority equity investment. The Realization Proceedings afford Excellon significant opportunity to arrange a beneficial financing package and finalization of such financing is expected to align with completion of the Realization Proceedings. Unit Offering On December 3, 2024, the Company closed the Unit Offering. Each Unit was comprised of one Common Share and one half of one common share purchase warrant of the Company (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.15 per Common Share for a period of 24 months from the closing date of the Unit Offering. The Unit Offering remains subject to the final approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange. Note Offering On November 1, 2024, the Company closed the Note Offering. The Notes will mature on May 1, 2026, being the date that is 18 months following the closing date of the Note Offering (the "Maturity Date"). On the Maturity Date, any outstanding principal amount of the Notes plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon shall be repaid by the Company in cash. The Notes bear interest at a rate of 10% per annum. Interest on the principal amount outstanding under the Notes will accrue during the period commencing on the closing date of the Note Offering until the Maturity Date and will be payable in cash on the Maturity Date, subject to earlier prepayment or exercise of the Tres Cerros Prepayment Election (as defined below). If, prior to the Maturity Date, the Acquisition is completed, the holder of the Notes will be able to elect to direct that the principal amount of the Notes plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon be applied as a prepayment against a portion of the purchase price payable by the holder to exercise its back in right pursuant to a back in right agreement to be entered into in connection with the Acquisition (the "Tres Cerros Prepayment Election"). If, prior to the Maturity Date, the Acquisition is not completed on or before the outside date for completion of the Acquisition, the Company will be required, within 30 calendar days following expiry of such outside date, to prepay in cash any outstanding principal amount of the Notes plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon. The Company may elect, at any time, to prepay in cash any or all of the principal amount of the Notes plus any accrued interest on such principal amount being prepaid. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offerings to fund acquisition costs, including upfront cash payments in respect thereof, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. The securities were offered: (a) by way of private placement in each of the provinces of Canada pursuant to applicable exemptions from the prospectus requirements under applicable Canadian securities laws; (b) in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons, by way of private placement pursuant to the exemptions from the registration requirements provided for under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"); and (c) in jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States on a private placement or equivalent basis. The securities issued pursuant to the Offerings are subject to a four-month hold period in Canada pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. The securities offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an exemption from such registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy in the United States nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Qualified Person Paul Keller, Chief Operating Officer of Excellon and a qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release. About Excellon Excellon's vision is to realize opportunities through the acquisition of advanced development or producing assets with further potential to gain from an experienced management team for the benefit of our employees, communities and shareholders. Excellon recently announced an agreement to acquire the past-producing Mallay Silver Mine and Tres Cerros Exploration Project in Peru. The Company is also advancing a portfolio of gold, silver and base metals assets including Kilgore, an advanced gold exploration project in Idaho; and Silver City, a high-grade epithermal silver district in Saxony, Germany with 750 years of mining history and little modern exploration. Additional details on Excellon's properties are available at www.excellonresources.com. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained, referenced or incorporated by reference in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" and "forward looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as: "actively", "advance", "anticipated", "assess", "believe", "cause", "commence", "completion", "conditions", "consideration", "continues", "development", "due course", "expectation", "exploration", "extend", "extension", "flexibility", "focused", "forward", "further", "future", "if", "implement", "liquidity", "looking", "maturity", "may", "negotiations", "occur", "opportunities", "options", "outcome", "outstanding", "potential", "providing", "reach", "restructuring", "risk", "subject to", "to be", "update", "vision", "waive", "when", "will", and "would", or variations of such words, and similar such words, expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results can, could, may, should, to, will, would (or not) be achieved, occur, provide, result, complete or support in the future or which, by their nature, refer to future events. In some cases, forward-looking information may be stated in the present tense, such as in respect of current matters that may be continuing, or that may have a future impact or effect. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the structure and terms of the Acquisition; the timing and ability of the Company to complete the Acquisition; the benefits of the Acquisition; the use of proceeds of the Offerings; the timing and ability of the Company to receive necessary approvals, including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange; the ability of Adar to acquire the Minera Shares pursuant to the Realization Proceedings; the timing of the Realization Proceedings; the structure and terms of additional financing transactions; the timing and ability of the Company to complete additional financing transactions; exploration and drilling programs, including the timing, completion and results thereof; the ability of the Company to restart production at the Mallay Mine and the timing thereof; exploration prospects; potential mineralization; and the Company's objectives, goals and future plans and strategies. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct, and any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future actions, results or performance. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, estimates, expectations and opinions, which are considered reasonable and represent best judgment based on available facts, as of the date such statements are made. If such assumptions, estimates, expectations and opinions prove to be incorrect, actual and future results may be materially different than expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors which may cause the actual results or performance of the Company to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors include, among others, the inability of the Company to complete the Acquisition on the terms proposed or at all, the inability of the Company to receive necessary regulatory approvals, termination of the Agreement, the inability of Adar to acquire the Minera Shares pursuant to the Realization Proceedings on the terms proposed or at all; participation of other third parties in the court proceedings; court delays; failure of the Company to complete additional financing transactions on the terms proposed or at all; the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision, the "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated April 1, 2024 (the "2024 AIF"), and the risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors identified in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis, and accompanying financial statements, for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the Company's other applicable public disclosure (collectively, "Company Disclosure"). The foregoing list of risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors is not exhaustive; readers should consult the more complete discussion of the Company's business, financial condition and prospects that is provided in the 2024 AIF and the other Company Disclosure. The forward-looking statements referenced or contained in this news release are expressly qualified by these Cautionary Statements as well as the Cautionary Statements in the other Company Disclosure. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release (or as otherwise expressly specified) and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws. Not for distribution to United States news wire services or for dissemination in the United States 1 Source: Buenaventura and Minera CRC historical information and public disclosure. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232393 SOURCE: Excellon Resources Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - Vext Science, Inc. (CSE: VEXT) (OTCQX: VEXTF) ("Vext" or the "Company"), a U.S.-based cannabis operator with vertical operations in Arizona and Ohio, today announced that it has entered into an agreement (the "Revised Services Agreement") with Zuanic & Associates ("Zuanic") to expand the services previously provided by Zuanic under its prior engagement. Pursuant to Revised Services Agreement, Zuanic will provide advisory, research and investor relations services to the Company over an initial twelve month term, beginning on October 1, 2024, for a monthly cash fee not to exceed US$7,000, subject to further extension in accordance with the Revised Services Agreement. Such services may be delivered in a variety of different mediums through different platforms. Zuanic is a financial consulting and research advisory firm with an address at Five Greentree Centre, 525 Route 73, N Suite 104, Marlton, New Jersey 08053 USA and can be contacted via e-mail at pablo.zuanic@zuanicgroup.com or via telephone at 646-503-1687. Zuanic is arm's length to the Company. For more details, contact the IR team at investors@vextscience.com. About Vext Science, Inc. Vext Science, Inc. is a U.S.-based cannabis operator with vertical operations in Arizona and Ohio. Vext's expertise spans from cultivation through to retail operations in its key markets. Based out of Arizona, Vext owns and operates state-of-the-art cultivation facilities, fully built-out manufacturing facilities as well as dispensaries in both Arizona and Ohio. The Company manufactures Vapen, one of the leading THC concentrates, edibles, and distillate cartridge brands in Arizona. Its selection of award-winning products are created with Vext's in-house, high-quality flower and distributed across Arizona and Ohio, as well as through Vext's partnerships in other states. Vext's leadership team brings a proven track record of building and operating profitable multi-state operations, with the Company having operated profitably since 2016. The Company's primary focus is to continue growing in its core states of Arizona and Ohio, bringing together cutting-edge science, manufacturing, and marketing to provide a reliable and valuable customer experience while generating shareholder value. Vext Science, Inc. is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol VEXT and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol VEXTF. Learn more at www.vextscience.com and connect with Vext on Twitter /X and LinkedIn. For more details on the Vapen brand: Vapen website: VapenBrands.com Instagram: @vapen Facebook: @vapenbrands Forward Looking Statements Statements in this news release that are forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in Vext's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. When used in this news release, words such as "will, could, plan, estimate, expect, intend, may, potential, believe, should," and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements related to the Revised Services Agreement, including but not limited to the provision of investor relations activities thereunder and the extension thereof, and other statements regarding future developments and the business and operations of the Vext, all of which are subject to the risk factors contained in Vext's continuous disclosure filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Although Vext has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there can be other factors that cause results, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, including, but not limited to: dependence on obtaining regulatory approvals; being engaged in activities currently considered illegal under U.S. Federal laws; change in laws; reliance on management; requirements for additional financing; competition; hindered market growth and state adoption due to inconsistent public opinion and perception of the medical-use and adult-use marijuana industry and; regulatory or political change. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. Because of these risks and uncertainties, the results or events predicted in these forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results or events. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release. Vext disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law, and Vext does not assume any liability for disclosure relating to any other company mentioned herein. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this news release. Eric Offenberger Chief Executive Officer 844-211-3725 For further information: Jonathan Ross, Vext Investor Relations jon.ross@loderockadvisors.com 416-244-9851 SOURCE: Vext Science, Inc. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232392 SOURCE: VEXT Science, Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - Spark Energy Minerals Inc. (CSE: SPRK) (OTC Pink: SPARF) (FSE: 8PC) ("Spark" or the "Company"), an exploration Company focused on the discovery of battery metals in Brazil's prestigious Lithium Valley, is pleased to provide an update from the first week of exploration at the Company's 64,359-hectare Arapaima Lithium project located in Lithium Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Arapaima Lithium Project Exploration Highlights: Identified a ~1.7km long pegmatite strike corridor of pegmatite bearing granite exposure through an erosional window in shallow laterite cover in the central northern portion of the tenement package. of pegmatite bearing granite exposure through an erosional window in shallow laterite cover in the central northern portion of the tenement package. Area identified and mapped is characterized by widespread evidence of weathered and kaolinized pegmatite intrusives hosted within granite. Target occurrence located within the drainage basin identified and highly ranked and referenced by the CPRM as being prospective for Lithium-based on the presence of visible spodumene in heavy mineral concentrates and anomalous stream sediment sampling results. in heavy mineral concentrates and anomalous stream sediment sampling results. To date, Spark has already identified 5 priority targets for follow-up outcrop rock chip sampling. On November 25, 2024, the team arrived in Padre Paraiso, quickly working to complete some preparations and reconnaissance of road conditions and field access. During the first week, the exploration team conducted tactical traverses across the tenements to validate the location of known pegmatite occurrences mapped by CPRM. The first day in the field started returning confirmation of identified pegmatites in known areas as well as previously unknown, compounding the potential to unearth multiple trends on the 64,358-hectare land package. Five prospective areas for pegmatite-hosted mineralization were identified, the most promising of which is currently a 1.74km segment, roughly trending east-west. Figure 1: Mapped pegmatite corridor trending east-west spanning 1.74km in the northern half of the Arapaima Lithium project tenements To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10093/232396_42faf7c334fa985e_002full.jpg During the field reconnaissance, an extensive white domain trending east-west was observed with the use of a drone and further confirmed on the ground. The western portion has the presence of multiple pegmatite bodies in situ (up to 0.5 m in thickness). In addition, booklets of white mica and tourmaline-quartz aggregates were found widespread on slopes. The true thickness of the various pegmatite bodies identified is unknown due to the intensely weathered nature of the outcrop, while the exposure (mixed granite and pegmatite) is some 50-75m across. The pegmatite corridor remains open on both sides (up to 8 km based on geophysics), and potential outcrops exposures further southeast could reveal new trends. Jon Hill, VP of Exploration stated, "Our tactic to kickstart field exploration by using the positive results reported by cprm sampling to get us into the right areas early turned out to be correct and produced results well above our already high expectations. There is no doubt we have now clearly demonstrated an easterly extension to the prospective footprint of the known well-endowed pegmatite province hosting the historical and emerging development projects in the Lithium Valley. We look forward to building our knowledge and database as results from the initial sampling start to be reported over the coming months. Figure 2: Drone view targeted trending domain within an erosional window beneath the overburden as seen in red/orange exposure on the right-hand side To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10093/232396_42faf7c334fa985e_003full.jpg Figure 3: Weathered pegmatite intruded into two-mica granite To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10093/232396_42faf7c334fa985e_004full.jpg Targeted Generation Program: Planning for this week Further follow up on the 5 targeted zones identified in week 1 Continue stream sediment program focused on spodumene occurrences in heavy mineral concentrates initiated in northern tenements (as identified in Brazil's 2016 & 2023 government reports) 1 & 2 Further explore artisanal miners' historical adits with known beryl and tourmaline mineralization Verify potential outcrop exposures adjacent to ~1.74km pegmatite corridor outlined in Figure 1 Recent Activity from Neighbouring Lithium Projects: Sigma Lithium (15km west of Spark claims): Announced Q3 2024 results, beating production guidance and generating $34 million in operating cash flow (see news here) (15km west of Spark claims): Announced Q3 2024 results, beating production guidance and generating $34 million in operating cash flow (see news here) Perpetual Resources (10km northwest of Spark claims): Identifies additional high-grade lithium pegmatite trends at Isabella Project (see news here) (10km northwest of Spark claims): Identifies additional high-grade lithium pegmatite trends at Isabella Project (see news here) Lithium Ionic (15 km west of Spark claims): Lithium Ionic drills 1.77% Li2O over 16m, including 2.36% Li2O over 9m at Bandeira Project (see news here) (15 km west of Spark claims): Lithium Ionic drills 1.77% Li2O over 16m, including 2.36% Li2O over 9m at Bandeira Project (see news here) Lightning Minerals (50km northwest of Spark claims): Spodumene bearing pegmatite identified yielding 4.04% Li2O with LIBS analyzer at Esperanca Project (see news here) Eugene Hodgson, Spark's CEO said, "The discovery of this significant pegmatite corridor at our Arapaima Lithium Project marks a pivotal moment for Spark Energy Minerals. This early success not only validates our strategic approach but also underscores the immense potential of our expansive land package in Brazil's Lithium Valley. Our team's swift progress and the quality of initial findings position us well for an exciting and productive exploration campaign ahead." Qualified Person: The scientific and technical information disclosed in this document has been reviewed and approved by Jonathan Victor Hill BSc Hons, FAUSIMM, a Qualified Person consistent with NI 43-101. Source: 'Evaluation of the Lithium Potential in Brasil' - Mid - Jequitinhonha River, North-East Minas Gerais'Ministry of Mines and Energy, Secretary of Geology, Mines and Development, the Geological Survey of Brazil promoting mineral research. Technical Report - 2016 Source: 'Lithium Potential Assessment Project in Brasil' in the Eastern Pegmatite Province of Brasil: the Geological Survey of Brazil promoting mineral research. Technical Report 19 - August 2023 DOI: 10.29396/ITCPRM.2023.19 About Spark Energy Minerals Inc. Spark Energy Minerals, Inc. is a Canadian company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of battery metals and mineral assets, with a particular emphasis on its substantial interests in Brazil. The Company's flagship project is the Arapaima Lithium project spanning 64,359 hectares in Brazil's renowned Lithium Valley, one of the most prolific mining regions in the world. This region is rapidly gaining global recognition for its vast deposits of lithium and rare earth minerals, positioning Brazil as a critical player in the global energy transition. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer Certain statements contained in this release may constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively "forward-looking information") as those terms are used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and similar Canadian laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could," "intend," "expect," "believe," "will," "projected," "estimated", "anticipates" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to the business of the Company, the Property, financing and certain corporate changes. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232396 SOURCE: Spark Energy Minerals Inc. MSA Mizar, a Milan, Italy-based provider of outsourced insurance claims management services, acquired Veta+, an independent company which specializes in property insurance outsourcing in Spain, from Kartesias Credit Opportunities strategy. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. This acquisition will align with MSAs broader vision of consolidating its presence in key international markets, particularly Spain and France, while driving diversification and scale. Veta+ operates with a tech-driven business model empowered by a proprietary, in-house-developed platform, which incorporates advanced AI components, integrated into the claims management process, from initial reporting to final settlement. It can outsource every stage of the claims management process, offering businesses flexible solutions: from comprehensive end-to-end support to specialized services such as claim initiation, appraisal, liquidation, management, or repair. The company contributes a turnover of approximately 35m and manages more than 700,000 claims annually across the Iberian Peninsula. This integration also adds the expertise of nearly 400 employees, 120 claims specialists, and 450 repair professionals to the Group. Founded in 1979 by Salvatore Campus as MSA-Multi Serass and led by Group CEO Giovanni Campus, MSA Mizar is now the holding company for a Group operating in Italy and eight European countries, with a turnover of 75M in 2023. In 2022, it partnered with Columna Capital, which valued the business at over 120M. MSA Mizar includes seven companies specializing in various aspects of claims management, such as portfolio operations, trustee coordination, recovery management, litigation, and hail damage claims. These include MSA-Multi Serass, N4C, Legalade, RipArte, Acclaims, and Dottor Grandine. FinSMEs 03/12/2024 According to reports, Meghan Markle is said to be getting snubbed by Hollywoods power players as they no longer take her calls personally. read more Duchess of Sussexs Hollywood career is in doldrums. According to Times report, her overall success in Hollywood after leaving the Royal Family in 2020 has come into question after a series of failed attempts. As per reports published in Express, Tom Sykes, European editor for The Daily Beast, has reported that Hollywood has turned its back on the duchess after the rumours that some power players in Hollywood who were formerly enamoured of the couple will no longer take Meghans calls personally Advertisement Netflixs Harry and Meghan Her last success was the Netflixs Harry & Meghans docuseries. The show did well on Netflix, but it kind of doomed Meghans career in Bollywood. Nobody likes washing dirty linen in public. Archetypes podcast series was cancelled last year after the duchess only made 12 episodes for it. Meanwhile, her upcoming cooking show on Netflix is nowhere to be seen, even though filming had finished for it in the summer, while her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, whose launch is meant to coincide with the Netflix show, is mired in bureaucratic difficulties with the US trademarks office. Netflix documentary on Polo has both Harry and Meghan which will release on December 10. Harry and Meghan are the producers and the trailer has not been liked by many. Netflix executives are not happy that the documentary is on Argentinian player Ignacio Nacho Figurea and not Harry. (With added inputs from agencies) As per authorities, Aliya Fakhri set fire to a two-storey garage, which caused the victims to die from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. read more In a shocking turn of events, actress Nargis Fakhris sister Aliya Fakhri has been arrested in the USA in connection with the death of his ex-boyfriend Edward Jacobs, and his friend, Anastasia Star Ettienne, in a fire in Queens, New York. As per authorities, Aliya set fire to a two-storey garage, which caused the victims to die from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. Aliyas bail has been denied and she is charged with their murders. Advertisement Describing this incident as a malicious act, District Attorney Melinda Katz said, This defendant maliciously ended the lives of two people by setting a fire that trapped a man and woman in a raging inferno." The victims tragically died from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries," she added as per a report from Daily News. While Nargis Fakhri, who is known for films like Rockstar, Madras Cafe, Banjo, Housefull 3, and others, has yet to comment on the matter, her mother has defended Aliya and said, I dont think she would be killing someone. She was a person who was caring for everybody. She tried to help everybody," as multiple publications have reported. One of the witnesses at the crime scene revealed that Aliya and Edward had an abusive relationship", which led to the fatal fire. We had to jump over it to escape. Star jumped over with me, but then she went back in to save [Jacobs]. It was an abusive relationship. She had told everyone before that she was going to burn his house down, that she was going to kill him. We just laughed it off," as multiple publications have reported this quote from the witness. Advertisement Talking about Nargis Fakhri, she is busy with Housefull 5, which also stars Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Jackie Shroff, Sanjay Dutt, Nana Patekar and Sonam Bajwa among others. Forty years ago, on the intervening night of December 2-3, a terrible tragedy struck Bhopal as highly toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC) leaked from American company Union Carbides pesticide factory in the city. The disaster killed several thousands and exposed five lakh people to the poisonous gas. Its impact is still being felt by second and third generations of the survivors read more Children born with congenital disease, second generation victims of the1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, participate in a candle light vigil to pay homage to the people killed in the tragedy in Bhopal on December 2, 2013. File Photo/AFP It was the intervening night of December 2-3 about 40 years back that India saw the worlds worst industrial disaster. In 1984, highly toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC) leaked from American company Union Carbides pesticide factory in Bhopal, exposing around five lakh people to the poisonous gas. Bhopal gas tragedy, as it has come to be known, was one of the worst humanitarian and environmental disasters in the world. The official number of deaths was 2,259, which remains disputed. An estimated 574,000 people were poisoned in Bhopal as 40 tonnes of toxic methyl isocyanate gas was released into the air. Advertisement Over 20,000 people have died since the night of the disaster from related conditions. The accident has impacted not just those who were exposed to the gas but also the babies who were in their mothers wombs at the time and their later generations. Lets take a look. Bhopal gas tragedys victims Thousands of survivors of the Bhopal industrial disaster have said they and their families are still suffering from chronic health problems. Those exposed to that gas on that fateful night complained of breathing issues, coughing, and irritation in the eyes and skin. Over the years, more than 22,000 people died from exposure to methyl isocyanate and more than half a million were maimed for life. Survivors still face chronic health issues, including cancer, lung and heart diseases and neurological damage. Bhopal gas tragedy survivors along with activists from various groups take part in a candlelight vigil to commemorate the 36th anniversary of Bhopal gas disaster at a memorial in front of defunct Union Carbide factory in Bhopal on December 2, 2020. File Photo/AFP As per The Guardians 2019 report, Sambhavna Trust found the mortality rate for victims exposed to the toxic gas is still 28 per cent higher than average. The data collected by the Trust from 2010 showed that survivors of the Bhopal gas disaster are twice as likely to die of cancers, lung diseases and tuberculosis. They are more prone to die from kidney diseases and 63 per cent more likely to develop illnesses. The Trusts data revealed that women, including even those who were babies at the time of the tragedy, were especially affected leading to high rates of infertility, stillbirths, abortions, early menopause, and disrupting menstrual cycles, The Guardian reported. Advertisement ALSO READ: 40 years of Bhopal Gas tragedy: How did the worlds worst industrial disaster unfold? What has happened since? How it hurt people who were not even born Many studies have shown how babies born to survivors of the Bhopal gas disaster have been impacted. The children of those who inhaled the toxic gas were born with disabilities, including muscular dystrophy, Downs syndrome, and attention-deficit disorders. A study published last year traced the intergenerational impact of the Bhopal gas tragedy. It found that men born in Bhopal in 1985 have a higher risk of cancer and increased rates of disabilities as compared to those born before or after 1985, reported NPR. The research also revealed that the tragedy affected even those who lived about 100 km from the disaster site in Bhopal. Advertisement Earlier, an unpublished study, conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) between January 2016 and June 2017, accessed by four organisations of the Bhopal gas victims showed nine per cent of the 1,048 babies born to mothers who survived the disaster had congenital malformations. In contrast, only 1.3 per cent of the 1,247 babies born to mothers not exposed to the toxic gas had congenital malformations. Victims of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, whereby a gas leak from a Union Carbide pesticide plant killed at least 3,500 people, attend a demonstration in New Delhi July 26, 2010. File Photo/Reuters A woman survivor of the Bhopal gas leak told the PTI news agency in 2021, I was eight months pregnant when the gas tragedy happened. My daughter was born with nasal-related complications though not severe. Advertisement Omwati Yadav, who can see the Union Carbide factory from her houses roof, has two grandsons who were born severely disabled by cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy. The childrens parents were exposed to the toxic gas, reported The Guardian. Sajid, who was then a year-and-a-half when the tragedy occurred, passed on the impact to his child decades later. His son suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as per a PTI report. Dr DK Satpathy, former head of the forensics department of Bhopals Gandhi Medical College, recently said that children born to mothers who survived the tragedy had poisonous substances in their system, which affected the health of the next generation, reported the news agency. Advertisement Not only are we finding high rates of cancers, but also all kinds of immunological issues, neuro skeletal issues, musculoskeletal issues and [a] huge number of birth defects in children being born to gas-exposed parents, Rachna Dhingra, who works with the International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal, an advocacy organisation, told NPR last year. The Chingari childrens centre, set up for those born with disabilities due to the disaster, has registered more than 1,000 children, most of whom have cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, autism, intellectual disabilities and severe learning problems. This is the terrible legacy of Bhopal: all of these children were born to parents, or even grandparents, who were in contact with the gas that night, Rashida Bee, the centres founder, told The Guardian in 2019. The situation is getting worse, not better. We are seeing more and more second and third generation children being born with such disabilities and coming here. Bhopals tragedy has not stopped. With input from agencies Michel Barnier could be the shortest-serving prime minister in French history after the left and far-right opposition parties submitted no-confidence motions against him. This came after the PM used special powers to force through his budget. The no-confidence motion if passed also imperils President Emmanuel Macron. Heres how read more French President Emmanuel Macron is facing a tough time. His PM, Michel Barnier, now faces two no-confidence motions in the lower house of parliament. File image/AP Will be we bidding adieu to French President Emmanuel Macron this week? It seems highly plausible after his Prime Minister Michel Barnier faces not one, but two calls for a no-confidence vote. The move comes after Barnier, the former Brexit negotiator, decided to use special powers to force the social security budget through the lower house of parliament without a vote. This, in turn, triggered the far-right and left-wing parties to submit no-confidence motions on Monday, which could take place as early as Wednesday (December 4). Advertisement Heres a closer look at what exactly happened and what could happen next. Why is Barnier facing a no-confidence motion? On Monday, French PM Michel Barnier used a constitutional measure, Article 49.3, to push the governments proposed social security budget without a vote. This budget includes 60 billion of tax increases and spending cuts to cut the French deficit, which is dangerously high. Using the measure, Barnier said he was forced to do so after negotiations with both the hard Right National Rally party (RN) of Marine Le Pen and the Left New Popular Front (NFP) had failed. Incidentally, this Article 49.3 has been used by Macron in the past in 2023, to push the deeply unpopular reform of raising the French retirement age. However, this move by Barnier resulted in both the Left and the Right parties submitting no-confidence motions. Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Rally (RN) said, The French have had enough. We are proposing a motion of no confidence against the government. French Prime Minister Michel Barnier delivers a speech to announce the use by the French government of article 49.3, a special clause in the French Constitution, to push the budget bill through the National Assembly without a vote by lawmakers, during a debate on the 2025 Social Security Financing bill (PLFSS) at the National Assembly in Paris, France. Reuters Echoing similar sentiments, Mathilde Panot of the left-wing France Unbowed said, Faced with this umpteenth denial of democracy, we will censure the government. We are living in political chaos because of Michel Barniers government and Emmanuel Macrons presidency. What happens to Barnier and the government next? With the no-confidence motions being submitted, most believe that it will be put to the floor on Wednesday. In such a situation, two scenarios could play out: either the motion will pass, which will bring down the Barnier government, or the Barnier bill will be passed and sent to the Senate. For Barniers government to fall, a total of 289 votes are required in the National Assembly the lower house of the French parliament. And most agree that the first scenario is more likely as all Left parties have filed the motion thats 180-192 seats. Moreover, the far right and its allies have 141 seats. This means if MPs from both sides vote to oust Barnier, they will have the numbers to do so. French far-right leader and member of parliament Marine Le Pen, President of the French far-right National Rally (Rassemblement National - RN) party parliamentary group, talks to journalists after the announcement by the French Prime Minister of the use by the French government of article 49.3, a special clause in the French Constitution, to push the budget bill through the National Assembly without a vote by lawmakers. Reuters Even far-right leader Jordan Bardella was quoted as saying that the government will fall unless there is a last-minute miracle. And if it does happen, it would go down in French history to be the first successful no-confidence vote since Charles de Gaulle was president in 1962. It would also make Barnier the shortest-serving prime minister, only coming to power in September. Advertisement What does this mean for Emmanuel Macron? If the no-confidence motion against Barnier goes through, it will be another political blow to President Macron, who has been teetering. The president could ask Barnier and his administration to continue in a caretaker role handling day-to-day business until the time he appoints a new prime minister. He could also appoint a government of technocrats with no political affiliation. However, Macron wont be able to call for snap elections because he already triggered a snap vote in July. The French constitution mandates that he cant call for one again until July which means the political uncertainty and upheaval could drag on for weeks and even months. However, if Macron, himself resigns, it could trigger a presidential election. But this seems highly unlikely with Macrons time in office to continue until 2027. Advertisement There has been anger against Emmanuel Macron since he called for snap elections in July. File image/Reuters What does this mean for France? The likely collapse of PM Barnier and his government would put the countrys already struggling economy in the doldrums. Frances deficit has already risen from 4.7 per cent of GDP in 2022 to 5.5 per cent in 2023, with credit ratings agency Standard and Poors estimating borrowing will hit 6.2 per cent this year. Marta Lorimer, a lecturer in politics at Cardiff University, told France24 the collapse of the Barnier government along with all its budget proposals would push the country into unfamiliar territory. What is at stake is Frances financial stability, she said. If the government falls, France is effectively going into the new year without a budget and no clear majority to pass one. Although it will be possible to extend the 2024 budget to avoid a government shutdown, this does mean that no new measures can be introduced, be it cuts or expenditures, and it is unclear how or when a new budget could be passed. Advertisement Experts also note that this political uncertainty comes at the worst time for France. The markets are already spooked. Some have even noted that Frances political crisis could turn into a new eurozone crisis. As Gilles Moec, the chief economist at Axa, was quoted by The Telegraph: More instability could have a knock-on effect on the economic outlook. Consumer confidence has already declined, and the savings rate could rise further, thwarting the rebound in consumption on which the government is counting to support tax receipts in 2025. With inputs from agencies The equation between Barack Obama and Hollywood actor George Clooney has grown increasingly strained. Clooney, a Democrat, is reportedly angry with the former US President for manipulating him into asking Joe Biden to withdraw from the presidential race read more Academy awarding-winning actor George Clooney (L) looks on as Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) speaks about the Darfur region of Sudan, in Washington, April 27, 2006. Reuters The equation between former US President Barack Obama and Hollywood actor George Clooney has grown increasingly strained. This is especially after President-elect Donald Trump registered a historic victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the election held on November 5. According to Sky News, Clooney is now complaining that Obama who sort of manipulated him into doing the dirty work on his behalf has left him to take most of the blame for the election loss. Advertisement Lets take a closer look. Is George Clooney angry with Barack Obama? Clooney, a Democrat, was a major contributor to outgoing President Joe Bidens fundraising efforts. However, in the end, he played a key role in his withdrawal from the race for president. In a sharply written opinion piece published in July, Clooney questioned the 81-year-old leaders suitability for the job in light of the presidents poor debate performance against his Republican rival. The article claimed it would not be possible for Biden to win the head-on-head competition against Trump. Its devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe big F-ing deal Biden of 2010. He wasnt even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate, the actor wrote in his opinion piece, offering the names of several contenders including Harris. Was he tired? Yes. A cold? Maybe. But our party leaders need to stop telling us that 51 million people didnt see what we just saw. George Clooney has called on Joe Biden to quit the US presidential race. File Photo/AP Reports claim that Clooney publicly asked that Biden withdraw from the campaign in the article after receiving instructions from former President Obama. The actor is now reportedly unhappy with Obama for manipulating him. Why does he feel duped? The Midnight Sky star is furious with Obama since his opinion article is widely seen as a fatal blow to Bidens hopes of winning reelection. The decision also led him to choose Kamala Harris for the race instead. A report by Ok! Magazine said, Obama and Clooney have been tight for years, and George became Baracks surrogate in leading the charge for Joe to step away. Advertisement An insider told the magazine, George is furious with Obama for disappearing after the election disaster and leaving him holding the bag for pushing the plan with his Hollywood pals. The source said Obama knew he would look like a traitor if he had called for Biden to step aside himself, so he convinced Clooney instead and is now walking away from the debacle. Following Trumps win, critics slammed Clooney for his involvement in Bidens exit from the campaign. I wish he never opened his mouth. Joe should not have been talked down. Yeah Im mad at everyone who convinced Joe to go. He would have beat him again, said a netizen on X. Advertisement A learning lesson? After Harris loss, Clooney felt duped, the source told OK! Magazine, and he has vowed never to be someone is a political water boy again, stating that George feels he stepped up and took a bullet for the team. Prior to Bidens departure, Clooney organised a successful, celebrity-filled event for him in June. But after Bidens dismal debate performance against Trump, which raised questions about his age and mental health, things took a turn for the worst. I love Joe Biden. As a senator. As a vice president and as president. I consider him a friend and I believe in him. Believe in his character. Believe in his morals But the one battle he cannot win is the fight against time, Clooney said. 2024 US Presidential election Faced with a sweeping rejection by American voters, Kamala Harris conceded the presidential election to Trump on Wednesday, November 6. She trailed in every battleground state to Trump, a Republican whom she described as an existential danger to the countrys foundational institutions. Advertisement And Trump appeared on track to win the popular vote for the first time in his three campaigns for the White House even after two impeachments, felony convictions and his attempt to overturn his previous election loss. With inputs from agencies India and Bangladesh ties continue to worsen as reports keep emerging of Hindus being attacked in the neighbouring country. The leading travel association in Tripura has announced that it wont welcome tourists from Dhaka anymore whereas some hospitals in Kolkata and Agartala have announced it wont treat patients from there. Flights between the two countries have also reduced drastically read more Members of Shiv Sena Dogra Front stage a protest against Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus, in Jammu. The attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh has angered many Indians. PTI India and Bangladesh two South Asian neighbours used to share friendly ties. Now, not so much. In the months since Sheikh Hasina, who was seen by many as an ally to New Delhi, was toppled as Bangladeshs leader by a popular students uprising and her subsequent fleeing to India, relations between the two nations have become strained with some saying they are now tenuous. These ties have further worsened with the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former Iskcon Hindu monk in Bangladesh. Moreover, New Delhi alleges that the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, isnt doing enough to protect minorities in the country. Advertisement We explore the various ways the India-Bangladesh relations are souring and what the impact of this could be. Trade ties hit New Delhi and Dhaka have historically been strong trade partners with Bangladesh being Indias largest trading partner in South Asia. However, the strained ties between the two are risking this partnership. On Monday, the Exporters & Importers Association of Assams Sribhumi district announced the suspension of all trade activities with Bangladesh through the Sutarkandi land port. Imdadul Haque Chowdhury, a leader of the association, was quoted by ANI as saying, We have decided to suspend all trade with Bangladesh through the Sutarkandi land port due to the unrest in the country. All trade activities will be halted until the situation normalises. While this decision will result in significant losses, it is necessary under the current circumstances. He added that the suspension would impact the daily export of goods such as stone, rice, coal, and fresh fruits to Bangladesh. West Bengals BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has also said that the state would impose an indefinite export embargo. He added that the trade restrictions would only tighten further if action wasnt taken by Bangladeshs interim government against the atrocities on Hindus in the country. Also, Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, a Congress MLA in Assam, was part of a protest on Monday, which saw the burning of Bangladeshi goods. An India Today report said that Purkayastha personally blocked the trade route at the Bisharjan Ghat on Kali Bari Road and set fire to goods arriving from Bangladesh. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari waves the tricolour during a protest rally against alleged atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh, at the Petrapole border in North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal on Monday. PTI Flights hit, trucks stranded The unrest owing to the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh has also taken a toll on flight services and trucks plying between the two nations. The number of flights to Kolkata from Bangladesh has dwindled in the past few months. According to available data, 205 flights flew from Bangladesh to Kolkata in July. The same number of flights flew from Kolkata to Bangladesh. The number of passengers who came to Kolkata was 21,234 and the number of flyers from Kolkata to Bangladesh was 21,001. However, in November, only 96 flights ferrying 10,121 passengers arrived in Kolkata from Bangladesh. In turn, only 97 flights reached Dhaka from Kolkata, carrying 12,736 people. Advertisement Similarly, trucks plying crossing the border have also reduced; Sanjeev Mondal, a clearing agent told The Telegraph, Around 150-200 trucks have entered Bangladesh daily through the Ghojadanga land port in Basirhat over the last few days. The normal count is around 350-400 a day. And its the same situation at Petrapole. Earlier, 400 trucks would cross from here; but this number has come down to around 200 in the past few days. People take part in a protest over the alleged violence against minorities in Bangladesh, in Agartala on Sunday. PTI Bangladeshi tourists not welcomed On Tuesday (December 2), the unrest between the two nations hit a new low when the travel association in Tripura announced that it wouldnt accept any bookings from tourists in Bangladesh. The All-Tripura Hotel and Restaurant Owners Association said that hotels will not give rooms to Bangladeshi tourists, and restaurants will not serve meals to them. The action came on the day when over 50 protesters allegedly entered the premises of the Bangladeshi mission in Agartala, leading to panic among the officials and staff at the complex. On Wednesday (December 3), reports came in that three police officers were suspended while seven protesters were detained for the breach. Advertisement The government also shared that the number of Bangladesh tourists coming to India has gone down. As of August 2024, those travelling between Bangladesh and India have gone down to 1.29 million from the previous 2.12 million tourists in 2023 due to the political upheaval in the country. Earlier, reports had emerged of an Indian tourist being attacked in Dhaka. The victim, Sayan Ghosh, said that he was attacked over his religious identity. Medical services in coma Amid the deteriorating ties between India and Bangladesh, a hospital in north Kolkata called for a boycott of Bangladeshi patients last Saturday. The administration of the Jitendra Nayaran Ray Hospital in Kolkatas Manicktala area said that no Bangladeshi national will be treated at the facility unless attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh stop. ILS Hospitals, a healthcare facility in Tripuras Agartala, also followed suit with an executive of the institute saying to Indian Express, As an Indian, we respect and support the emotions of people who came today. With this thought, we want to iterate that Bangladeshi people have insulted us, have mistreated our people and we shall not provide any service to them. Advertisement The decision by the healthcare institutes could impact medical tourism between the two nations. For instance, in 2023, around 635,000 medical tourists visited India; of this, around 300,000-350,000 were from Bangladesh. But the unrest has already resulted in a dip in these numbers. Shiv Sena (UBT) members stage a protest against the alleged attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, in Jammu. PTI Bangladesh Speaks Amidst this upheaval, Bangladeshs interim government has also acknowledged that ties between the two countries have changed. However, it expressed optimism about maintaining positive ties with mutual interests safeguarded. Yunus himself in an interview to the New York Times last week acknowledged that the relationship with the neighbour was strained. He said that India was trying to project an image that Bangladesh under him was becoming like Afghanistan. That, he said, was making the already difficult task of charting a new course for his country even harder. If you destabilise Bangladesh, he told New York Times, you destabilise yourself because these elements of destabilisation will spill over everywhere, all around us. Advertisement Bangladeshs Foreign Affairs Adviser, Touhid Hossain, also acknowledged a shift in the relationship between the two nations since August 5, referring to it as an undeniable reality. After August 5, relations with India have been changed and this is the reality, said Hossain. He emphasised that Bangladesh has to build a relationship with India in view of this reality. I believe India will understand how to take forward relations with Bangladesh under the changed circumstances, Hossain said. What comes next is unknown but its imperative that the two countries soothe relations for the well-being of the politics in the region. With inputs from agencies Several Italian tomato purees sold in British supermarkets, including Waitrose and Tesco, have been found to contain tomatoes from China, a BBC investigation claims. Heres why a row has erupted over the report read more A shopper walks next to a photographic depiction of tomatoes on a Tesco supermarket in London, Britain, February 26, 2023. File Photo/Reuters Italian tomato purees sold by supermarkets in the United Kingdom have been found to contain tomatoes from China, an investigation claims. Several supermarkets in the UK, including Waitrose and Tesco, sell their own-brand tomato puree as Italian. However, tomatoes used by them in their products are allegedly produced in China. Items like Tescos Italian Tomato Puree and Waitroses Essential Tomato Puree have been accused of using tomatoes grown in China by employing forced labour, as per a BBC report. Advertisement Lets take a closer look. Not Italian but Chinese? Tests by the British broadcaster revealed that 17 products sold by major UK and German retailers, including Waitrose, Tesco, Morrisons and Asda, possibly contain Chinese tomatoes. The tested products include Essential Waitrose Tomato Puree, Asdas Organic Tomato Puree, Tescos Italian Tomato Puree and Morrisons Tomato Puree, which advertise own-brand tomato purees as Italian. China is the worlds largest tomato producer, with most tomatoes grown in the Xinjiang region. A vendor carries out a box of tomatoes from a truck at a market in Hefei, Anhui province in China, September 4, 2013. File Photo/Reuters The BBC Eye investigation found that most tomatoes produced in Xinjiang are transported by train through Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and into Georgia, from where they are shipped to Italy. As per the report, the Italian company Antonio Petti was a major recipient of Xinjiang tomatoes. Antonio Petti, which is part of the Petti group that produces tomato goods, received over 36 million kg of tomato paste between 2020 and 2023. Pasquale Petti, the General Manager of Italian Food, part of the Petti group, admitted to using Chinese tomatoes. No one in Europe wants Chinese tomatoes. But if for you it is OK, we will find a way to produce the best price possible, he said. Responding to the BBC investigation, the Petti group claimed it had not purchased tomato paste from Xinjiang Guannong after the company was sanctioned by the United States for using forced labour in 2020. All the supermarkets said they took the allegations seriously and carried out their own internal probes, finding no evidence of Chinese tomatoes. Many also questioned the methodology used by BBCs experts. Advertisement A Tesco spokesperson told The Independent it suspended supply from the site as soon as we were made aware of these claims. Rewe, a German supermarket chain, said it immediately withdrew the products but said its own investigations rule out Xinjiang as the origin of the raw materials used in our products. Waitrose, Morrisons and Edeka said their probes did not reveal the presence of Chinese tomatoes, as per BBC. However, Lidl admitted importing Chinese tomatoes briefly in Germany owing to supply issues. UK govt reacts The issue came up before the UK Parliament on Monday, with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) saying it was extremely concerning. A spokesman for the UK Department for Business and Trade, as per The Telegraph, said: We are clear that no company in the UK should have forced labour in its supply chain. Advertisement We keep our approach to how the UK can best tackle forced labour and environmental harms in supply chains under continual review and work internationally to enhance global labour standards. Xinjiangs forced labour The United Nations has accused China of torturing and abusing Uyghur and other mainly Muslim minorities in the northwestern Xinjiang region. China allegedly forces these minorities to produce tomatoes. The United Nations Human Rights Councils special rapporteur, Tamoya Obokata, had concluded in 2022 that the Chinese government is subjecting its ethnic minorities in Xinjiang to forced labour. Beijing has denied the allegations, dismissing the UN report as disinformation and lies. A report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights released in 2022 has also said there are indications that Chinas labour and employment schemes appear to be discriminatory in nature or to involve elements of coercion. Advertisement It concluded that China may be engaged in crimes against humanity in Xinjiang. With inputs from agencies China to advance international industrial, supply chain cooperation 13:41, December 03, 2024 By Ren Hongbin ( People's Daily The world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. The international political and economic landscape is in the midst of profound and complex changes, with frequent outbreaks of regional conflicts and disturbances, intensified major-country competition, and backlash against globalization. Against this backdrop, the restructuring of global industrial and supply chains is occurring at an accelerated pace. On one hand, the rapid development of a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation represented by information technology, artificial intelligence, and new energy has made digitization and green development the major directions for the transformation and upgrading of industrial chains and supply chains. Mechanical and electrical products are manufactured in a workshop of a company in Taizhou, east China's Zhejiang province, Sept. 11, 2024. These products will be exported to Europe. (People's Daily Online/Jiang Youqing) On the other hand, influenced by factors such as the rise of protectionism, public health crises, and geopolitical turmoil in recent years, industrial chain and supply chain cooperation is more and more politicized and the concept of security is often overstretched. Countries have different resource advantages and levels of development, and only through economic and trade cooperation can they achieve complementary advantages and win-win results. While developing itself, China, the world's largest developing country, has actively participated in global industrial and supply chains cooperation, continuously making new contributions to the stable operation of the global industrial and supply chains. China promotes the building of a safe and stable industrial and supply chain system. China has the most complete industrial categories and the most comprehensive supporting systems according to United Nations standards. The country's manufacturing value added accounted for approximately 30 percent of the global total in 2023. Official statistics showed that China tops the world in terms of output of more than 40 percent of 500 major industrial products. In recent years, China has improved its position in the global division of labor in mid- and high-end industries such as electronics and electrical equipment, and machinery equipment, providing important support for the stable operation of the global industrial and supply chains, and becoming a solid and reliable part of the global division of labor. China promotes the building of a smooth and efficient industrial and supply chain system. A hydrogen-powered smart tram destined for Malaysia is assembled at CRRC's rail transit industrial base in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan province, Sept. 10, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Wang Yu) In recent years, guided by high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, China has promoted "hard connectivity" of infrastructure and "soft connectivity" of rules and standards with Belt and Road partner countries. China has signed over 200 Belt and Road cooperation documents with more than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations, to strengthen alignment and coordination in development strategy planning and management standards and rules. Iconic projects such as the China-Europe freight train service, the Hungary-Serbia Railway, and the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway have effectively reduced the cost of cross-border commodity transportation and transactions, promoting the quality and efficiency of the global industrial and supply chains. China promotes the building of a mutually-beneficial industrial and supply chain system. China pursues a more proactive strategy of opening up. It shares with the rest of the world the vast market of over 1.4 billion people. It has become a major trading partner with more than 150 countries and regions, maintaining its position as the world's second-largest consumer market and the largest trading nation in goods. Over 90 percent of foreign-funded enterprises in China primarily target the Chinese market. China, continuously expanding market access, is working to foster a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized. It ranks at the forefront globally in attracting foreign investment, which provides ample opportunities for multinational companies to expand globally. China promotes the building of an open and inclusive industrial and supply chain system. Foreign merchants attend the 30th China Yiwu International Commodities Fair - Export Goods Exhibition at the Yiwu International Expo Center in Jinhua, east China's Zhejiang province, Oct. 21, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Shi Bufa) Openness and inclusiveness are important drivers promoting common development and shared prosperity among countries. It is crucial to promote the integrated development of global industrial and supply chains as well as green and low-carbon transformation. China advocates for mutual benefit and harmonious coexistence. It has put forward initiatives to strengthen supply chain cooperation in multilateral platforms such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Group of 20 (G20), and BRICS, calling for joint efforts to eliminate non-economic factors that disrupt economic and trade relations. China is actively promoting international cooperation on green development. Its high-quality production capacity in electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic products enriches global supply and drives the green development of the global industrial chain. It has hosted the ASEAN Plus Three Industrial Chain and Supply Chain Partnering Conference to help enterprises from relevant countries integrate into the global industrial and supply chains. In 2023, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) hosted the first China International Supply Chain Expo. As the world's first national-level exhibition with a focus on the supply chain, it has effectively brought together upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors, facilitated integration among large, medium, and small enterprises, fostered collaboration among enterprises, universities, research institutions, and end-users, and enhanced interaction between Chinese and foreign enterprises. The expo has become a new open platform propelling two-way exchanges and win-win cooperation between China and the rest of the world. The second China International Supply Chain Expo was held in Beijing from Nov. 26 to 30 this year. During the five-day expo, over 600 exhibitors from nearly 70 countries and regions established cooperative ties with more than 37,000 upstream and downstream suppliers. Together with all parties, we will promote the building of closer global industrial and supply chain partnerships, and make new contributions to promoting the recovery and development of the world economy. (Ren Hongbin is the chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.) (Web editor: Chang Sha, Hongyu) It is 10 days to the Maharashtra elections results but the state is yet to get its new chief minister. Eknath Shinde, who is upset over the government formation, is seen as delaying the process. However, the wait could be over tomorrow as the BJP state legislature meeting elects its new leader read more Ten days after Maharashtra voters chose the Mahayuti to lead the state, the coalition is yet to announce its chief ministerial candidate. Reports say the suspense will finally end on Wednesday (December 4) and the new CM will take oath on Thursday. While preparations for the swearing-in ceremony at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai are in full swing, speculations have arisen about Eknath Shinde being unhappy with the government formation. His absence from Mumbai last week had further fuelled the rumours. Advertisement The next Maharashtra CM is expected to be from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with Devendra Fadnavis considered the frontrunner. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)s Ajit Pawar has already declared support for Fadnavis. Lets take a closer look. Eknath Shinde rushes to hospital Maharashtra caretaker chief minister Eknath Shinde was taken to a private hospital in Thane today for a routine check-up. When asked about his health by reporters, Shinde replied, badhiya hai (all good). #WATCH | Thane: On being asked about his health condition, Maharashtra Caretaker CM Eknath Shinde says "Badhiya hai." pic.twitter.com/EvejRPRkbP ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2024 A doctor at Thanes Jupiter hospital told PTI, The CM had fever and infection, which caused weakness. He also underwent an MRI scan as a precautionary measure. The Shiv Sena leader returned to Varsha, his official residence in Mumbai, after being discharged from the hospital. Shinde, who travelled to his native village in Satara district last Friday, had fallen ill. His family doctor, RM Patre, told ANI that the Shiv Sena chief was suffering from fever and a throat infection. Advertisement He is doing fine now. He has been experiencing fever, body pain, throat infection, and cold for the past two days. We have administered antibiotics. A team of three to four doctors is attending to him, he had said. Explaining the reason behind his visit to Satara, Shinde had said he needed a breather after the exhausting election campaign. However, the Shiv Sena chief heading to his native village after talks in Delhi with the BJP top brass had raised speculations. Shinde has previously said he would support the decision taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the next Maharashtra CM. Advertisement Is Eknath Shinde upset? The recent developments sparked speculations that Shinde was unhappy about the Maharashtra government formation. National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leader Ramdas Athawale told CNN-News18 that Shinde is upset over the BJP-led group offering him the deputy CM post. I appeal to him (Eknath Shinde) to accept the position, the Republican Party of India (Athawle) leader said. He also backed Fadnavis for the top post citing his experience and performance in the past. As per reports, Shinde is eyeing the Home Ministry, which the BJP is unlikely to part with. A senior BJP leader earlier told Hindustan Times (HT) that Fadnavis is likely to retain the home department, which he held when he was the CM and also as Shindes deputy. Advertisement Sources told Indian Express that Shinde knows that his demand would not be fulfilled. The Shiv Sena leader, who is seen as delaying the government formation, does not have many options but to come to terms with the BJPs decision. According to Indian Express, the Shiv Sena leader may use the opportunity to position himself as the tallest Maratha leader, after Sharad Pawar. The BJP, which can form the government even with just NCPs support, is wooing Shinde for several reasons, including the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the newspaper noted. ALO READ: Explained: 5 Maha factors that led to Mahayutis win in Maharashtra Advertisement Will Shinde be part of the Maharashtra govt? Shinde, Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar are likely to hold a meeting on Tuesday evening to finalise government formation, as per Indian Express. Eknath Shinde Maharashtra ! | Hindi News pic.twitter.com/Y9tRJoBgRG News18 India (@News18India) December 3, 2024 This meeting will come a day ahead of the BJP state legislature meeting to elect its new leader. On Monday, the saffron party had announced Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani as its central observers for the legislature party meeting. The new CM will take oath on December 5 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other bigwigs. Notably, the BJP is yet to stake claim to form the government. Ajit Pawar, who is in Delhi, could meet Amit Shah on Tuesday evening. Dismissing reports that Pawar was put on the waiting list, Maharashtra NCP chief Sunil Tatkare said, No appointment had been sought. He said the Union Home Minister is in Chandigarh, adding that political discussion could take place tonight. We will talk about what is happening, Tatkare reportedly said. Amid suspense over Maharashtras CM, questions remain over whether Shinde would be a part of the government. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat said on the matter that we will get to know about it by this evening, as per Indian Express. With inputs from agencies The Group of Ministers (GoM) on GST rate rationalisation has suggested raising the tax on products like aerated drinks, cigarettes, and tobacco items to 35 per cent, up from 28 per cent. The GoM will recommend tax rate changes for 148 items to the GST Council. Heres how this could impact the prices of tobacco, cigarettes, and aerated drinks read more Currently, cigarettes are taxed at 28% GST, in addition to a compensation cess ranging from 5% to 36%, depending on the length of the cigarette. Image courtesy: Pixabay/Representational The Group of Ministers (GoM) on GST rate rationalisation has recommended raising the tax on products like aerated beverages, cigarettes, and other tobacco-related items to 35%, an increase from the current 28%. This is set to be the first major restructuring of tax rates under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) since its implementation seven years ago. ALSO READ | 5 reasons why India may overtake Japan to become 4th largest economy Amid these reports, shares of several cigarette companies, including ITC, Godfrey Phillips, and VST Industries (maker of Charminar), dropped by as much as 3% on Tuesday. Advertisement Why cigarettes, aerated beverages could become costlier The GoM, led by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, held a meeting on Monday to finalise proposed rate adjustments, including a hike on sin goods such as cigarettes and aerated beverages. Alongside this, changes to GST structures for apparel and other items were also discussed, PTI reported. The GoM will propose tax rate changes for 148 items to the GST Council. An official said, The net revenue impact will be positive. The groups recommendations will be reviewed by the GST Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on December 21, with the final decision on GST rate changes to be made then. The GoM held a meeting to finalise proposed rate adjustments, including a hike on cigarettes. Image courtesy: Pixabay/Representational The GoM has agreed to propose a special rate of 35 per cent on tobacco and related products and aerated beverages. The four-tier tax slab of 5, 12, 18, and 28 per cent will continue and a new rate of 35 per cent is proposed by the GoM, the official told the news agency. Currently, cigarettes are taxed at 28% GST, in addition to a compensation cess ranging from 5% to 36%, depending on the length of the cigarette, with the longest cigarettes drawing the highest cess of 36%. ALSO READ | India is investing more in mutual fund SIPs, and paying more tax too The four-tier tax slabs of 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28% will remain, with the introduction of a new rate of 35% proposed by the GoM," an official told the news agency. Advertisement Under the GST rules, essential goods are either exempt or placed in the lowest tax category, while luxury and harmful products are taxed at higher rates. Items like cars and washing machines, considered luxury goods, and products like tobacco and aerated beverages, considered harmful, face an additional cess on top of the standard 28% tax rate. Speaking to The Indian Express, a state finance minister, who is part of the GoM, said, The GoM has proposed raising the rates for tobacco and related products, and aerated beverages to 35%. It will be a special rate and will help minimise the revenue loss impact from other rate changes. Advertisement Notably, the GoMs recommendations are intended to help the council in determining whether further adjustments to tax rates are needed. The council may also consider extending the GoMs role to include periodic reviews of GST rates, India Today reported. As a result of the reports, Varun Beverages, one of PepsiCos largest bottling partners, saw its shares fall by up to 5.2% to Rs 600 on the BSE, Economic Times reported. The company generates a significant portion of its revenue from Indias aerated beverage market, which has been facing difficulties in achieving its full growth potential, partly due to high GST rates. According to data compiled by the World Bank, India has one of the highest tax rates on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). Image courtesy: Pixabay/Representational Despite this, Varun Beverages shares have increased by 2.6% over the past month and 9% over the past six months, the media outlet reported. Advertisement A report by the economic think tank ICRIER in October revealed that the carbonated soft drinks (CSD) sector in India has struggled to scale due to obstacles such as high taxation under the GST framework. According to data compiled by the World Bank, India has one of the highest tax rates on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), with a total tax rate of 40% for carbonated soft drinks as of 2023. Revision in GST rates for readymade garments? The Group of Ministers has also recommended changes to GST rates on ready-made garments. According to the proposal, garments priced up to Rs 1,500 would be taxed at 5%, while those priced between Rs 1,500 and Rs 10,000 would face an 18% rate. Garments costing over Rs 10,000 would attract a 28% GST, PTI said in a report. Advertisement The GoM has also suggested increasing the rates for luxury items such as cosmetics, watches, and shoes, IE reported. This shift in the tax structure would result in a system where taxation is more closely aligned with the price of the product, meaning higher taxes on luxury and premium items. The Group of Ministers has also recommended changes to GST rates on ready-made garments. Image courtesy: Pixabay/Representational The GST Council is set to meet in Jaisalmer on December 21, where it will discuss several proposals, including the taxation of life and health insurance premiums. It is expected that health insurance premiums paid by senior citizens and term life insurance premiums will be exempted. Further, for other citizens, health insurance coverage up to Rs 5 lakh may be exempt from GST, while premiums for coverage over Rs 5 lakh would continue to be taxed at the current rate of 18%, the report said. ALSO READ | Are Indian banks phasing out ATMs? Previous GoM recommendations In its previous meeting held in October, the Group of Ministers proposed several adjustments to the GST rates, including reducing the tax rate on packaged drinking water (20 litres and above) from 18% to 5%. Similarly, GST on bicycles priced under Rs 10,000 was recommended to be cut from 12% to 5%, while the rate on exercise notebooks was also proposed to drop from 12% to 5%. Meanwhile, the GoM recommended an increase in the GST for higher-end products. Specifically, the tax on shoes priced above Rs 15,000 per pair and wristwatches exceeding Rs 25,000 was proposed to rise from 18% to 28%. With inputs from agencies Syrias long civil war has reclaimed global attention after insurgents seized most of Aleppo and dozens of nearby towns and villages. Experts think that Turkey, which influences the large coalition of rebel fighters that are occupying the countrys second-largest city, may benefit greatly from the current Syrian crisis. Heres why read more White Helmets members work next to a damaged building at the scene of what the organisation says is a strike, at a location given as Idlib, Syria. Reuters Syrias long civil war has reclaimed global attention after insurgents seized most of Aleppo and dozens of nearby towns and villages. Experts think that Turkey, which influences the large coalition of rebel fighters that are occupying the countrys second-largest city, may benefit greatly from the current Syrian crisis. It presents an opportunity for the country to deal with the Syrian refugee crisis and the Kurdish threat along its border. Although Syrian President Bashar al-Assad rejected Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans offer of assistance, Ankara now seems to play a bigger influence in decisions that could impact Syrias immediate future. Advertisement Lets take a closer look. Turkeys role in the new rebel offensive Turkey has a complex and difficult relationship with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the jihadist group that launched the rebel attack last week, according to Omer Ozkizilcik, an associate researcher for the Atlantic Council in Ankara. The group long served as Al-Qaedas branch in Syria and was considered a terrorist group by the UN and other countries, including the US. We can clearly say there was indirect Turkish support (for the offensive) but no direct Turkish involvement, he told AFP. He claimed that although the attack was due to take place seven weeks ago Turkey stopped the rebels from launching this military offensive. Russia, the ally of Assad, has also been heavily bombing rebel positions in the northwest to prevent an attack on his administration. Middle East Institute analyst Charles Lister agreed, stating that the Aleppo offensive was initially planned for mid-October but Turkey put a stop to it. According to Ozkizilcik, Turkey only approved the move after Ankaras attempts to promote a political solution and normalise relations with the Assad regime were rejected. Its relationship with HTS Turkey has exerted pressure on HTS to renounce its Al-Qaeda ties and has resisted the extremist Islamist groups attempts to expand into the security zone it has established for itself in northwest Syria. According to analysts, it has also pressed to refrain from attacking Druze and the Christian minorities. The HTS of today is not what it was in 2020, Ozkizilcik said. Advertisement Firas Kontar, a Syrian opposition activist of Druze descent and author of Syria, the Impossible Revolution, feels Erdogan no longer has the means to stop HTS, despite Turkeys influence over the group. Ties between Damascus and Ankara When the war broke out in 2011, Ankara and Damascus severed their relations, with Erdogan criticising Assad as a murderer and supporting the rebels. Nonetheless, the Turkish leader has been pursuing reconciliation since late 2022, declaring in July that he was prepared to host Assad at any time. However, Assad stated that a meeting would only take place if Turkish troops left Syria. There are already 3.2 million Syrian refugees living in Turkey, and their presence has become a significant local hot potato. Ankara hopes that a rapprochement will open the door for their repatriation. Now with the changing situation on the ground, the balance of power in Syria has shifted: Turkey is the most powerful actor at the moment inside Syria, and Iran and Russia will likely try to negotiate with Turkey, Ozkizilcik said. Advertisement Turkeys presence in Syria Turkey has established a foothold in areas that border its frontier by conducting many operations against Kurdish troops in northern Syria since 2016. The purpose is to drive out Kurdish fighters from the border area, particularly the YPG (Peoples Protection Units), which Washington supports as a defence against jihadists from the Islamic State organisation. However, Ankara sees the YPG as an extension of the PKK, which has waged an insurgency within Turkey for decades and is prohibited by Washington and Brussels as a terror organisation. The Syrian Kurdish movements On Sunday, pro-Turkey rebels took control of Tal Rifaat, a town north of Aleppo, and the other villages where over 200,000 Syrian Kurds resided, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Kurdish residents of Tal Rifaat, which is located just outside of Turkeys security zone, have fled to a safer region further east as a result of the move. According to Turkeys secret agency, a PKK leader was killed nearby. Turkey has already made and probably will make many gains against the YPG terror group to secure its national security, said Ozkizilcik. Advertisement With inputs from AFP Joe Bidens controversial move to issue a presidential pardon for his son, Hunter, has put the spotlight on the pardoning powers of presidents. In India, presidents and governors are empowered by the Constitution to grant mercy or clemency. But there are limitations read more President Joe Biden with his son Hunter Biden and his grandson Beau walk in downtown Nantucket Mass, Friday, November 29, 2024. AP United States President Joe Bidens presidential pardon for his son, Hunter, has stirred controversy. His decision comes after he had repeatedly ruled out such a move. Hunter Biden was facing sentencing for two criminal cases: federal tax and gun ownership. Defending his son, the outgoing US president said, No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunters cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son and that is wrong. He also claimed the charges against his son were politically motivated. Advertisement Bidens contentious step has put the spotlight on pardoning powers that presidents have. Lets take a closer look. Indian presidents pardoning powers In India, presidents have mercy or clemency power. They along with governors are empowered by the Constitution to grant mercy. Article 72 states, The President shall have the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence, where the punishment or sentence is by a court-martial, the cases where sentence is death penalty, and in all cases where the punishment or sentence is for an offence against any law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the Union extends. The Constitution empowers Indian presidents to grant mercy. File Photo/PTI It also says that a Presidents power will not affect the Governors authority to suspend, remit or commute a death sentence. Article 161 gives pardoning powers to the Governors. It says that the Governor can grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence against any law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the State extends. The Indian President does not have unchecked pardoning powers, unlike their US counterparts. The president has to act as per the Union Cabinets advice. As Indian Express noted, Rashtrapati Bhawan forwards the mercy petition to the Home Ministry, seeking consultation from the Cabinet. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) then sends it to the concerned state government and depending on this reply, it draws up its advice on behalf of the Council of Ministers. The Supreme Court has pressed on this rule in several cases, saying that the President cannot independently exercise her power when deciding on mercy petitions. She has to consult the appropriate government. Article 74(1) of the Constitution empowers the President to ask the Council of Ministers to reconsider their advice once. However, if they do not suggest any change, the President shall act in accordance with the advice tendered after such reconsideration. Advertisement As per a Factly report in 2017, more than 1,000 mercy petitions were disposed of in each of the 30 years post Independence 1948-1954, 1955-1964 and 1965-1974. The report also found that the number of mercy pleas filed and disposed of significantly reduced after 1974. For example, during 1995-2006, just nine mercy pleas were disposed of by the President. US Presidents pardoning powers The US Constitution gives the President the power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States, except in cases of impeachment. The US Supreme Court has ruled that this power is granted without limit and cannot be hindered by the Congress. However, it is not an absolute sweeping power. The President can grant clemency only for federal (national-level) crimes. The pardoning power does not apply to state crimes. Those who get a pardon from the US President can still be tried under the states respective laws. Advertisement ALSO READ: Climate action, aid for Ukraine: Why the last days of the Biden presidency matter Pardons by other US presidents Bidens full and unconditional pardon for his son covers any potential federal crimes that Hunter may have committed during the period of January 2014 to December 2024, reported BBC. He is not the first US president to issue a pardon for near and dear ones. In 2020, Republican leader Donald Trump pardoned Charles Kushner, the father-in-law of his daughter Ivanka Trump, who was sentenced to two years in prison in 2004 on several charges, including tax evasion. President-elect Trump has now named Charles Kushner the next US ambassador to France. In 2001, Bill Clinton pardoned his younger half-brother, Roger Clinton, who spent a year in prison on drug charges. He had sold cocaine to an undercover police officer, as per The Washington Post. Advertisement With inputs from agencies The practice of renting boyfriends is gaining popularity in Vietnam, with more women turning to these services to meet family expectations regarding marriage and relationships. The growing demand for such arrangements results from the pressure young people face from their families read more The trend of renting boyfriends has become increasingly popular in Vietnam. Image courtesy: Pixabay/Representational For decades, society has imposed a specific age for most things in life such as careers, marriage, and having children. In many societies, family expectations often place pressure on young adults. Vietnamese women, however, have found a way to deal with the stress of marriage. According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the trend of renting boyfriends has become increasingly popular. This approach helps women avoid the stigma of being single, particularly during family events like the Lunar New Year in Vietnam. Advertisement The rising popularity of this practice is a result of family pressure on young people to marry and start families. By choosing this alternative, women can manage the expectations without committing to marriage. ALSO READ | How using dating apps can be bad for you How Vietnamese women are renting boyfriends A growing number of women are turning to services that offer rented boyfriends to satisfy family pressures around marriage and relationships. By choosing this alternative, women can manage the expectations without committing to marriage. Image courtesy: Pixabay/Representational Minh Thu, a 30-year-old professional from northern Vietnam, resorted to this practice after her parents demanded she bring a boyfriend home for the Lunar New Year. Single for five years due to her demanding career, she faced pressure when her parents faked illness and expressed their desire for grandchildren. Thu paid several million Vietnamese dong (a few hundred US dollars) to hire a man five years her senior to act as her boyfriend, Vietnamese media outlet VnExpress reported. They prepared by exchanging family details and developing an emotional connection before the visit. Her hired partner, skilled in domestic chores and social interactions, impressed her family. On the day he came to my house, he helped my mum cook and chatted with my relatives. Its been a long time since Ive seen my parents so happy and proud of me, Thu told SCMP. Khanh Ngoc had a similar experience when she rented a younger, attractive man who successfully won over her parents. Since then, my relationship with my parents has improved, she said. Advertisement ALSO READ | No love or sex? What are Japans friendship marriages all about? Huy Tuan, a 25-year-old from Hanoi, has been working as a fake boyfriend for over a year. Tuan said that he invests in his appearance and skills, including going to the gym, learning to cook, and improving his singing and conversational abilities, to meet his clients expectations. Tuan limits himself to three to four clients a month to ensure quality service, he told SCMP. For him, the rates for a coffee date or shopping trip start at a few hundred thousand Vietnamese dong (US$10$20), while family meetings cost about 1 million Vietnamese dong (US$40). Advertisement In most cases, rental contracts prohibit emotional involvement and sexual harassment. Notably, this practice reflects the cultural emphasis on marriage in Vietnam, where parents often equate their childrens single status with a failure in parenting. The pressure is then fueled by their desire for grandchildren while they are still able to help raise them. In most cases, rental contracts prohibit emotional involvement and sexual harassment. Image courtesy: Pixabay/Representational How risky is this practice? The practice of renting boyfriends, while addressing immediate family pressures, can have major risks, according to experts. Emotional repercussions are a primary concern. Nguyen Thanh Nga, a researcher at the Academy of Journalism and Communication in Vietnam, told SCMP, If exposed, families could experience significant emotional damage and lose trust. Additionally, renting a partner is not legally protected in Vietnam, so women should be especially cautious. Sociologist Dr Pham Thi Thuy also stated that the trend reflects deeper issues in family communication. Advertisement Marriage should follow the childrens plans, but it is often forced to fit their parents schedule, she told VnExpress. The lack of alignment between parental expectations and childrens life choices frequently leads to conflicts, and hiring a fake partner may offer only a temporary solution to a broader societal issue. ALSO READ | What is brain rot, the Oxford Dictionarys Word of the Year? How does this trend work? The trend of renting boyfriends has gained attention through social media platforms, which serve as hubs where women can connect with men offering temporary relationship services. According to a forum administrator overseeing a group with over 20,000 members, the practice is popular during family-focused celebrations like the Lunar New Year, when parental pressure to settle down rises. Advertisement The trend of renting boyfriends has gained attention through social media. Image courtesy: Pixabay/Representational One social media observer told SCMP, Marrying without a successful career just leads to a lot of problems. Renting a partner is a win-win it makes your parents happy and alleviates pressure on you. However, not everyone agrees. Another commenter said, I cant imagine how heartbreaking it would be for parents to find out it was a lie. Notably, this practice is not confined to Vietnam, it is also popular in China, where marriage rates are hitting record lows. In the first half of this year, only 3.43 million marriages were registered in China, marking the lowest figure in a decade. Many young Chinese opt to rent partners during major festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival and Lunar New Year, with daily fees typically around 1,000 yuan (US$140). With inputs from agencies Kash Patels potential nomination as FBI Director by Donald Trump has divided Washington. While Trump and his allies hail Patel as a reformist dedicated to exposing corruption, critics warn that his lack of management experience and partisan rhetoric could jeopardise the FBIs independence read more Kash Patel, former chief of staff to the US defence secretary speaks at a campaign rally, in Prescott Valley, Arizona, US, October 13, 2024. File Image/Reuters Kash Patels potential nomination as FBI Director by Donald Trump has faced significant scrutiny regarding his qualifications and intentions. While his supporters laud his dedication to the America First agenda, critics argue that his appointment could transform the FBI into a tool for political vendettas, threatening the agencys independence and impartiality. Patels career trajectory spans roles in public defence, counterterrorism, and senior advisory positions within the Trump administration. Beginning as a federal public defender in Miami, he later served as a terrorism prosecutor for the Department of Justice between 2014 and 2017. Advertisement His career pivoted toward politics when he joined Republican leaders on the House Intelligence Committee, where he was instrumental in challenging investigations into Trumps alleged collusion with Russia during the 2016 election. Patels tenure under Trump included stints on the National Security Council, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and as Chief of Staff to Acting Secretary of Defence Christopher Miller. Despite this varied experience, critics argue he lacks the management expertise required to oversee the FBIs vast operations, which encompass 37,000 employees, 55 field offices, 350 satellite offices, and over 60 international locations spanning nearly 200 countries. Why Kash Patel might not get the FBI job The response to Patels potential nomination has been polarised. Trump called Patel a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and America First fighter, stating his commitment to exposing corruption and defending justice. Supporters like Robert OBrien, Trumps former National Security Advisor, praised Patel, stating, I have no doubt that Kash Patel will inspire our line FBI agents who want to fight crime, destroy the cartels, capture spies, and jail mobsters, thugs, fraudsters, and traffickers. Conversely, skeptics question his intentions and qualifications. Former US Attorney General Bill Barrs memoir recounts Trumps earlier attempt to place Patel in a senior FBI role, a move Barr described as troubling. Also Read | Trumps top pick for FBI chief gains early endorsement from GOP senators Critics, including Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, voiced concerns about politicisation. Durbin warned, The Senate should reject this unprecedented effort to weaponise the FBI for the campaign of retribution that Donald Trump has promised. Advertisement Should Trump proceed with Patels nomination, the Senates confirmation process is expected to be contentious. While allies like Senator Ted Cruz view Patel as a strong choice to combat what they see as FBI corruption, others, including Senator Mike Rounds, have expressed reservations. Rounds commented on ABCs This Week, We still go through a process, and that process includes advice and consent. That means the Senate will carefully evaluate this nomination. Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin challenged the notion that the FBI is politically weaponised, highlighting recent prosecutions of Democratic politicians like Bob Menendez and Henry Cuellar. Thats what they mean when they talk about politicisation anybody who doesnt do the will of Donald Trump, Raskin remarked. Advertisement What Patels vision is for the FBI Patel has made no secret of his plans for the FBI. In his memoir, Government Gangsters, he called for a comprehensive housecleaning of the agency, advocating for the dismissal of its top ranks. During a podcast with Steve Bannon, Patel pledged to restructure the FBI, stating that most of its Washington staff would be reassigned, effectively shutting down its headquarters and reopening it as a museum of the deep state. Patel has also threatened legal action against journalists and public figures he accuses of undermining Trump. On the War Room podcast, he declared, Were going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens whether its criminally or civilly. The seal on the J Edgar Hoover FBI Building is seen June 9, 2023, in Washington. File Image/AP Trumps backing of Patel is part of a broader series of contentious appointments for his potential second term. These include Charles Kushner as US Ambassador to France, Massad Boulos as Senior Advisor on Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs, and Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister as head of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Advertisement Critics argue these choices reflect a prioritisation of loyalty over expertise, raising concerns about governance in a possible Trump administration. With current FBI Director Christopher Wrays term set to last three more years, Patels confirmation faces not only Senate resistance but also legal and procedural challenges. With inputs from agencies Tesla CEO Elon Musks $56 billion performance-based pay package has been blocked by a Delaware judge for the second time, despite shareholder approval. Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick ruled the package was improperly granted due to conflicts of interest and flawed negotiations. Musk, who negotiated the deal himself, called the ruling absolute corruption while Tesla vowed to appeal read more Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk gestures as he speaks about voting during an America PAC Town Hall in Folsom, Pennsylvania, US, October 17, 2024. File Image/Reuters A Delaware judge in the United States has upheld her earlier ruling to block Tesla CEO Elon Musks record-breaking $56 billion pay package, despite multiple attempts by Musks legal team and Tesla shareholders to reinstate it. The decision, one of the most significant in corporate governance history. Elon Musks 2018 pay package was unprecedented in its size and structure. Unlike traditional CEO compensation plans that include a salary or bonuses, Musks package was entirely performance-based, with 12 milestones tied to Teslas market valuation and revenue. Advertisement Upon achieving each milestone, Musk was granted stock options priced significantly below market value. At its inception, the package was valued at $56 billion; by December 2024, it had swelled to an estimated $101 billion based on Teslas soaring stock price. The plans defenders argued it aligned Musks interests with those of shareholders, incentivising him to grow the company. Critics, however, pointed to flaws in how it was negotiated and approved, asserting that Musk, as Teslas largest shareholder and de facto controller, had undue influence over the board that granted the package. What the court ruling said The lawsuit challenging Musks pay was filed by a Tesla shareholder who accused the board of failing to act independently during the approval process. Delaware Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick ruled in January 2024 that the package was improperly granted, citing deeply flawed negotiations. In her 103-page opinion, she wrote: Teslas board capitulated to Musks terms and failed to prove that those terms were entirely fair. McCormick highlighted that Musk himself admitted during testimony that he effectively negotiated against himself, underscoring the lack of true oversight by the board. Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick, Delaware Court of Chancery, speaks at the 35th Annual Tulane Corporate Law Institute in New Orleans, Louisiana, US, March 23, 2023. File Image/Reuters Furthermore, she rejected the defence argument that the compensation plan was fair and justified by Teslas success, noting: There were undoubtedly a range of healthy amounts that the Board could have decided to pay Musk. Instead, they opted for terms that undermined fairness and accountability. The judge also dismissed the notion that a subsequent shareholder vote in June 2024, where over 75 per cent of non-Musk-affiliated investors ratified the package, could override the earlier ruling. She wrote: Even if a stockholder vote could have a ratifying effect, it could not do so here due to multiple, material misstatements in the proxy statement. Advertisement McCormicks ruling has been described as a critical affirmation of corporate governance principles, stating that boards must demonstrate independence and that shareholder votes alone cannot validate conflicted transactions. Why shareholder and Teslas defence fell short Teslas defence hinged on the argument that the 2024 shareholder vote reflected the informed will of investors who understood the pay packages flaws but still endorsed it. Tesla argued that Musks leadership was instrumental in the companys growth, with shareholders eager to retain him amid his commitments to other ventures like SpaceX, Neuralink, and the Boring Company. Musks legal team insisted that overturning the vote would undermine shareholder rights, stating: This ruling, if not overturned, means that judges and plaintiffs lawyers run Delaware companies rather than their rightful owners the shareholders. Musk himself called the decision absolute corruption in a post on X (formerly Twitter), adding: Shareholders should control company votes, not judges. Advertisement Shareholders should control company votes, not judges https://t.co/zRsWGjC2hG Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 3, 2024 Despite these protests, McCormick maintained that the shareholder vote could not rectify the initial flaws in the compensation process. She also criticised Teslas legal team for presenting creative but legally untenable theories to defend the package. Advertisement The $5.6 billion legal fee controversy Adding to the cases complexity was a massive legal fee request from the attorneys who challenged the pay package. The plaintiffs lawyers sought $5.6 billion in Tesla stock, arguing that their efforts delivered a $51.4 billion benefit to the company by invalidating Musks options, which would have diluted shareholder value, reported AP. Elon Musk speaks at a campaign rally, October 27, 2024, in New York. US. File Image/AP This figure, derived from Teslas trading price at the time of the ruling, was unprecedented in legal history. McCormick found the methodology used to calculate the fee request sound but deemed the amount excessive, stating: In a case about excessive compensation, that was a bold ask. Instead, she awarded the attorneys $345 million, describing it as an appropriate sum to reward a total victory. While this award is significant, it pales in comparison to the $688 million awarded in the Enron collapse litigation in 2008, which remains the largest legal fee payout on record. Advertisement What this ruling means for corporate governance This ruling has far-reaching implications for corporate governance, particularly regarding executive compensation and conflict-of-interest policies. Observers noted that a ruling in favour of Musk could have weakened Delawares long-standing legal framework for addressing conflicts of interest in corporations. The case reinforces the need for robust, independent board oversight and transparent compensation negotiations. Experts argue that while performance-based pay packages can align CEOs with shareholder interests, they must be carefully structured to avoid excessive rewards or conflicts of interest. This case serves as a reminder that corporate boards cannot operate as rubber stamps for influential executives. Does this ruling affect Musk or Teslas future? Despite the setback, Musk remains one of the worlds wealthiest individuals, with his Tesla shares alone valued at over $150 billion as of December 2024. Teslas stock has surged by 42 per cent in recent weeks, driven partly by optimism over Musks ties to US President Donald Trumps administration and expectations of favourable policies for Tesla and SpaceX. Musks influence extends beyond Tesla, with leadership roles at multiple companies and political involvement, including a recent appointment to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in Trumps administration. Tesla has vowed to appeal the decision to the Delaware Supreme Court, seeking to overturn what it sees as a misjudgment of shareholder rights. With inputs from agencies The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is under severe strain, with escalating violence threatening to unravel the US-brokered agreement less than a week after its inception. Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 11 people in Lebanon, while Hezbollah retaliated with missile fire, accusing the Jewish nation of violating the truce 54 times read more Smoke rises over southern Lebanon, as seen from a farm in Metula, Israel, December 1, 2024. File Image/Reuters The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, brokered less than a week ago, is facing mounting challenges, with escalating violence and mutual accusations of violations threatening to unravel the agreement. The truce, mediated by the United States and France, was seen as a critical step toward halting hostilities after a devastating conflict. However, events over the past few days indicate that its success is far from assured. How ceasefire has been violated Monday marked a significant escalation in tensions as Israeli strikes targeted Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. At least nine people were killed and three injured in the towns of Talousa and Haris, as reported by the Lebanese Health Ministry. Earlier in the day, two additional deaths were recorded, including a State Security officer killed by an Israeli rocket in Nabatieh. This brought the days death toll to 11, reported Reuters. Advertisement The Israeli military stated it had struck dozens of Hezbollah targets, framing the operation as necessary to counter ongoing provocations. In response, Hezbollah launched missiles at an Israeli military position in the disputed Shebaa Farms area, describing the action as a defensive warning strike. This marked the groups first officially announced operation since the truce came into effect last Wednesday. Hezbollah justified its actions by accusing Israel of repeated ceasefire violations, including air raids, drone incursions, and shooting incidents. Appeals by the relevant authorities to stop these violations did not succeed, the group said in a statement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the missile attack, vowing a strong response. The most recent activity happened when Israel on Tuesday carried out fresh airstrikes in Lebanon. The IDF said that the airstrike targeted a terrorist cell in the Bekaa area of Lebanon. A blame-game between Israel & Lebanon The ceasefire agreement, aimed at halting a war that claimed nearly 4,000 lives and devastated large parts of Lebanon, includes specific commitments from both sides. Israel is required to cease offensive operations in Lebanon, while Lebanon is obligated to prevent armed groups, including Hezbollah, from carrying out attacks on Israeli soil. Despite these terms, mutual accusations have proliferated: Israeli allegations Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Hezbollah of moving weapons south of the Litani River in violation of the ceasefire. Israel is committed to the successful implementation of the ceasefire, but we will not accept a return to the situation as it stood on October 6, 2023, Saar said. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich urged a powerful blow against Hezbollah, calling its recent actions a big mistake. Lebanese claims Lebanese Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, a key negotiator of the truce, stated that Israel had committed at least 54 violations since the agreement took effect. These included airstrikes, drone overflights, and the destruction of homes near the border. All these activities represent flagrant violations of the ceasefire agreement, Berri said in a statement. Israeli artillery fired on the southern Lebanese town of Beit Lif and directed heavy machine gun fire at Yaroun, according to Lebanons state news agency NNA. Although no injuries were reported in these specific incidents, the broader pattern of aggression has alarmed officials on both sides. Advertisement Why this truce is important The current truce comes after months of escalating hostilities. Israel launched an all-out military campaign against Hezbollah on September 23, 2023, citing the groups ongoing attacks on northern Israel as a pretext. The conflict saw Hezbollah intensify its rocket fire on Israeli territory while Israel carried out widespread airstrikes targeting Hezbollah strongholds in southern and eastern Lebanon, as well as the Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh. The war resulted in the assassination of several top Hezbollah leaders and the destruction of thousands of buildings and homes in Lebanon. Despite these losses, Hezbollah claimed it inflicted heavy casualties on Israeli forces and continued its missile attacks. The ceasefire, signed under international pressure, requires Israel to withdraw from Lebanese territory within 60 days and for Hezbollah to move north of the Litani River. During this period, the Lebanese army is tasked with deploying to southern Lebanon to ensure that it is the sole armed force in the area. Advertisement How West Asia is dealing with violence The violence in Lebanon is unfolding against the backdrop of other crises in the region: Gaza conflict: In Gaza, the Hamas-led health authority reported over 44,466 deaths and 105,358 injuries since Israels military offensive began following Hamass surprise attack on October 7, 2023. Syrias instability: In Syria, airstrikes pounded the rebel-held Idlib region, killing 18 people and injuring 35, according to the White Helmets civil defence group. Meanwhile, Iranian-backed militias reportedly crossed into eastern Syria to bolster forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad amid an Islamist insurgency. US officials have sought to stabilise the Lebanon-Israel truce. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stressed the importance of addressing violations through established mechanisms. Broadly speaking, [the ceasefire] has been successful in stopping the fighting and getting us on a path where we are not seeing the daily loss of life that we had seen for two months prior, he noted. Advertisement Also Read | How Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal is a fragile peace However, reports of Israeli forces using the truce to advance into new neighborhoods in Lebanese towns have fuelled scepticism about the agreements durability. The truce has temporarily reduced the scale of violence, but whether it can lead to a lasting peace remains uncertain, leaving many to question: will the Lebanon ceasefire hold? With inputs from agencies Seven people have been arrested and action, including suspension, has been taken after the security breach at Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Tripuras Agartala on Monday read more Security enhanced after protesters broke out police barricades during a protest against atrocities on minorities in Bangladesh, at the Assistant High Commission in Agartala on December 2, 2024. Source: ANI. Seven people have been arrested and action has been taken against four police officers, including the suspension of three police sub-inspectors, on Tuesday, hours after the security breach at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Tripuras capital Agartala. A report by PTI quoted SP of West Tripura Kiran Kumar K as saying that three sub-inspectors were suspended and a deputy superintendent of police was closed, asking him to report to the police headquarters, for alleged negligence in duty. Advertisement A suo moto case was registered at the New Capital Complex (NCC) police station over the incident. Seven persons have been arrested so far for their alleged involvement in the incident, Kiran Kumar K said. The sub-inspectors who have been suspended have been identified as Dilu Jamatia, Debabrata Sinha, and Joynal Hossain. Meanwhile, an order by the Superintendent of Police for West also directed Kanti Nath Ghosh, Assistant Commandant of the Sunni Students Federation (SSF), to immediately report to his office. Karan Kumar K further said that the Tripura police have already begun an investigation into the incident, and will take steps as per the law. The senior cop also said that security at the consulate was amped up following the incident, and CRPF and Tripura State Rifles (TSR) personnel have been deployed. A report by The Indian Express quoted a senior police officer as saying that the attackers have been booked under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) pertaining to assaulting or using criminal force against public servants on duty, unlawful assembly, rioting, and criminal trespass. The case has been registered with the New Capital Complex police station. Advertisement The arrested individuals include Jhutan Das of Border Golchakkar, Ujjwal Das of Dashamighat, Diptanil Bhowmik of Abhoynagar, Surja Das of Amtali area in the outskirts of Agartala city, Jhulan Malakar of Belonia in South Tripura, Pradip Saha of 79 Tilla area in Agartala and Alak Majumder of SDO Chowmuhani in West Tripura, the IE report quoted the senior police official as saying. Security breach in Tripuras Bangladesh mission On Monday (December 2), a protest was conducted by activists of the Hindu Sangharsh Samiti outside the mission against the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh and atrocities against minorities. The peaceful sit-in demonstration soon turned violent and agitators raised the issue of insult towards the Indian flag at a university in Bangladesh and the alleged atrocities against minorities under Muhammad Yunuss governance. Within minutes, more than 50 agitators breached the police barricade and barged into the complex. This happened when a delegation of six protesters went to meet the Assistant High Commissioner. The agitators then removed Bangladeshs flag hoisted there and damaged chairs and other objects. Advertisement Deeply regrettable: MEA The Ministry of External Affairs reacted to the protests and said: The incident of the breach of premises at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala is deeply regrettable. Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances. Government is taking action to step up security arrangements for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and their Deputy/Assistant High Commissions in the country, the MEA further said. Our statement on breach of premises at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission, Agartala https://t.co/hVVB0SITQn pic.twitter.com/li8TtmwfS8 Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) December 2, 2024 Bangladesh interim government led by Muhammad Yunus also reacted, saying: The Government of Bangladesh deeply resents the violent demonstration and attack by a large group of protesters of the Hindu Sangharsh Samity of Agartala on the afternoon of December 2 on the premises of the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Agartala. It further called upon the Indian government to take immediate action to address the incident and undertake a thorough investigation. #Bangladesh deeply resents the violent attack into Assistant High Commission in Agartala | #India, this afternoon, vandalisation of the Mission premise and desecration of Flag. pic.twitter.com/FfNYURJSEF Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@BDMOFA) December 2, 2024 Advertisement Tripura hotels ban Bangladeshi tourists In rage following the attack on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, the All Tripura Hotel and Restaurant Owners Association on Monday announced that Bangladeshi citizens would no longer be allowed to stay in hotels across the state starting December 2. Hotels across Tripura have been instructed to put up posters at their front desks, prohibiting Bangladeshi nationals and the association also has asked to enhance security checks. Secretary of the hotel owners association, Bhaskar Chakraborty, said that hoteliers are united in their decision to deny services to Bangladeshi nationals. With inputs from agencies. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that India remain committed to engaging with China to arrive at fair, mutually acceptable framework for boundary settlement read more External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that the India-China ties have improved and that India remains committed to engaging with China through bilateral discussions to arrive at a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework for a boundary settlement. Briefing the Lok Sabha on India-China ties as well as the disengagement at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, Jaishankar said that the bilateral relations between India and China have been abnormal since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash when peace, tranquillity in border areas were disturbed due to Chinese actions. Advertisement Jaishankar said, The immediate priority was to ensure disengagement from friction points so that there would be no further untoward incidents or clashes. This has been fully achieved. The next priority will be to consider de-escalation, that would address the massing of troops along the LAC with associated accompaniments. Recent developments that reflect continuous diplomatic engagements have set Indo-China ties in direction of some improvement, Jaishankar said, adding that military and diplomatic level talks between India and China had successfully resolved recent border issues. The House is well aware of the circumstances leading up to the violent clashes in Galwan Valley in June 2020. In the months thereafter, we were addressing a situation that had not only seen fatalities for the first time in 45 years, but also a turn of events serious enough for heavy weaponry to be deployed in close proximity to the LAC. While a determined counter deployment of adequate capability was the Governments immediate response, there was also the imperative of a diplomatic effort to defuse these heightened tensions and restore peace and tranquility, he said. Jaishankar said that India was and will remain very clear that the three key principles must be observed in all circumstances: 1 - both sides should strictly respect and observe the LAC, 2 - neither side should attempt to unilaterally alter the status quo, and 3 - agreements and understandings reached in the past must be fully abided by in their entirety. Jaishankar also credited the Indian forces, saying that despite logistical challenges and the Covid pandemic, they countered the Chinese troops rapidly. Disengagement achieved in full in Eastern Ladakh The EAM informed the parliament that disengagement now has been achieved in full in Eastern Ladakh through a step by step process, culminating in Depsang and Demchok. With the task of disengagement completed, it is now our expectation that discussions would commence in regard to the remaining issues that we had placed on the agenda, he added. Where the October 21, 2024 understanding is concerned, our objective has been to ensure patrolling as in the past to the relevant patrolling points, as well as resumption of grazing by our civilians as per longstanding practice. This is indeed what we have agreed upon in regard to Depsang and Demchok, Jaishankar said. Advertisement My statement in Lok Sabha regarding recent developments in Indias relations with China. https://t.co/ARbqpArKPv Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) December 3, 2024 He went on to say that in a few other places where friction occurred in 2020, steps of a temporary and limited nature were worked out, based on local conditions, to obviate the possibility of further friction. This, I must stress, applies to both sides and can be revisited as the situation demands. In that sense, our stance has been resolute and firm and serves our national interest fully, the minister said. Advertisement Our relationship had progressed in many domains, but was obviously negatively affected by recent events. We are clear that the maintenance of peace and tranquility in border areas is a pre-requisite for the development of our ties. In the coming days, we will be discussing both de-escalation as well as effective management of our activities in the border areas, Jaishankar said. The conclusion of the disengagement phase now allows us to consider other aspects of our bilateral engagement in a calibrated manner, keeping our national security interests first and foremost, he said. It is a matter of great concern if forces from the West try to bring instability to Indias neighbourhood, looking for an opportunity to strike within India read more When mass protests erupted against the Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh, they at first seemed to be organic against her 15-year stint as the prime minister. They had all the ingredients of a public protest of scaleinvolvement of student groups, political opposition leaders fuelling the dissent, discontent against government policies on reservation quotas, as well as big money pouring in to sustain the protestors. The combination of these ingredients is historically a sure shot way to corner any government to ignite a responsegenerally in the form of police or the military trying to control the angry mobs to maintain security. Advertisement When an angry mob meets military or police response, the result is usually violence. Violence then leads to more anger and more protests, and this turns into a vicious cycle capable of bringing down a government. This is exactly what went down in Bangladeshexcept when people began to question where the big money pouring into the protestors pockets came from. The answer lies in the trail of monetary transactions between the Western deep state and the political leadership of the protestors. The other big indication came from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself, a few weeks after she fled to India, that the organic protests were hijacked by the United States deep state, which wanted to have a naval base in Bay of Bengal. This certainly explains the appointment of Muhammad Yunus as the chief advisor to the Bangladesh governmenta man who seemed to have been groomed for years for the job. An important detail to note here is that Sheikh Hasina has not yet resigned as prime minister of Bangladesh, and Yunus is not democratically elected. Technically, Hasina is still very much the democratically elected prime minister of Bangladesh. Yunus is a deep-state-appointed leaderthrust upon the people. After his appointment, everything that could go wrong in a functional democracy has gone wrong. Ethnic cleansing operations have begun to be carried out. A state-sponsored pogrom of violence against Hindus has been allowed to run unhinged. Bangladesh, as part of undivided India pre-1947, still holds remnants of a population mix of Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and others. The pogrom under Yunus is ensuring that no other religion other than Islam is allowed to survive and thrive in the country. Every effort is being made to convert Bangladesh into a Muslim state, stripping off its secular ethos in its entirety. Houses of those belonging to Hindus and other minorities are being raided, people are being thrashed and killed, properties are being stolen, and places of worship are being desecrated. Advertisement Is Bangladesh a functioning democracy anymore? No, it isnt. Is the West overlooking the heinous crime, which an illegitimate government is funding and encouraging? Yes, it is. This is as simple as it gets. For most of the West, South Asia is a far-off land, with little relevance or impact on their existing lives. Hence, they are disinterested in mass human-ethnic cleansing and even, in a way, participating in killing a democracy. This has not been the first attempt to destabilise a South Asian country on the path of development, there have been many misadventures of deep state in South Asia. For decades, Pakistan was the United States nation of choice to control affairs in South Asia by using Pakistans government and military as proxies. When they realised that they had funded a giant that became a hub to breed terrorismwhich worked against the deep states own intereststhey began to disengage bit-by-bit from Pakistan. During these decades of US control over Pakistan, the world continuously witnessed Hindus and other religious minorities completely cleansed from the Pakistani soilcase in point: the Hindu population in Pakistan declined from 13 per cent in 1950 to less than 2 per cent currently. Not to be missed is also the fact that Wests indulgence in Pakistan has brought the country to the brink of bankruptcy. Advertisement Bangladeshs future looks equally bleak. Does it want to be torn by war, extremist terror, and bankruptcy by adhering to Yunus regime, or does it want to return to the path of growth and development that it was on before the regime-change operation took place? As for Indias role in this geopolitical development, it waited out Pakistans near-death and will wait for Bangladeshs too. As mass secessionist sentiments in Balochistan and Gilgit have developed over recent years and somehow have become appreciative of Indias economic growth story, public sentiment in Bangladesh too will change again. India, by means of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, will already provide fast-track citizenship to Hindus and other persecuted religious minorities from neighbouring nations and continue to establish itself as a safe nation and robust democracy with the freedom to follow ones chosen religion. Advertisement However, it certainly is a matter of great concern if forces from the West try to bring instability to Indias neighbourhood, looking for an opportunity to strike within India to slow down its growth story. However, India, being the mother of democracy, has an intelligent electorate that continues to reject power corridors seen cosying up to the deep state. While similar regime change operations may have worked in Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and now Bangladesh, they cannot work in India, for India has the might to fight these forces with equal strength. The Western world must wake up to its hypocrisy, take note of inhuman atrocities conducted as part of a pogrom sanctioned by Yunus, a leader whom they have implanted, and respond against these illegitimate state-sponsored acts of terror decisively and immediately. Advertisement Priyam Gandhi-Mody is a noted author and political communications expert. She has written four best-selling books and is working on her fifth one. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. India must continue strengthening its military and economic independence, pursuing regional partnerships that offer security and economic alternatives to counter China read more Fortunately, Indias Vision 2030 places a strong emphasis on stability, strategic autonomy, and regional cooperation, and these principles are central to how India approaches its relationship with China, particularly in the context of the long-standing Himalayan border conflict and unbalanced trade relations. Representational image. Reuters Indians are ambitious and self-confident today. Theres a palpable air of hope and optimism all over the country. Entrepreneurship is booming. Driven by a diverse population, a rapidly growing economy, and an expanding geopolitical presence, India has the willpower and visionary leadership to strengthen its position as a responsible, stable, and dynamic global leader. As India continues to emerge as a resilient, prosperous, and responsible leader in a dynamic global landscape, setting an example for inclusive growth and sustainable development worldwide, the question is how India would deal with China. Would the materialisation of Indias Vision 2030 reset the geopolitical balance? Lets see. Advertisement In actualising its Vision 2030, prioritising sectors such as manufacturing, digital services, renewable energy, and infrastructure development, India has fostered sustainable, inclusive, and resilient economic growth to become the third-largest global economy in the next few years. Within a decade, by 2035, India would be a $10 trillion economy that would lift millions of people out of poverty and create a huge, prosperous, and dynamic middle class. The self-reliant India initiative (Atmanirbhar Bharat), focusing on making India a hub for manufacturing and innovation and promoting local industries, is working in full force. Through financial incentives, policy reforms, and skill development programs, India is working to build an economy that contributes significantly to global supply chains. For this purpose, leveraging digital transformation to drive economic growth has been a core priority. Massive programs like the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) and Gati Shakti are expanding Indias roads, railways, ports, and urban facilities to match global standards and support the growing economy. Indias scientific and technological advancements are essential for making India an innovative society, which necessitates investment in space exploration and artificial intelligence. Indian Space Research Organisations (ISRO) successful missions, including the Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan programs, showcase Indias space prowess. India envisions increased international collaboration in space, both for scientific exploration and commercial ventures. India is fostering an artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem that focuses on healthcare, agriculture, education, and urban management. The National AI Strategy, for instance, aims to leverage AI for economic development and job creation while upholding ethical and inclusive principles. By increasing public and private investments in research and development, India is positioning itself as a leader in scientific innovation, developing homegrown solutions to address both national and global challenges. Advertisement With its large population and vulnerability to climate change, India underscores the importance of environmental sustainability, which requires a plan for renewable energy transition. India has set an ambitious target of achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. Solar power, wind energy, and green hydrogen are central to Indias energy strategy, helping it reduce dependency on fossil fuels and transition to a green economy. Indias role in international climate agreements, such as the Paris agreement, aligns with its objectives to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable practices. Indias commitments emphasise developing climate-resilient infrastructure, protecting biodiversity, and supporting sustainable agricultural practices. Moreover, rapid urbanisation requires sustainable planning to accommodate growing urban populations. Waste management systems and water conservation initiatives are being promoted to build resilient urban infrastructure. Twelve new smart city projects under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) are aimed at boosting Indias manufacturing ecosystem. Advertisement Being and Becoming Knowledge Power Strengthening Indias human capital is vital for not only achieving its development but also for supplying intellectual capital to the rest of the world. Programs like Ayushman Bharat, the worlds largest government healthcare scheme, provide affordable healthcare access to millions. India is working on expanding healthcare infrastructure, developing skilled healthcare professionals, and fostering pharmaceutical and biotech innovation. The National Education Policy (NEP) emphasises critical thinking, digital literacy, and skill development. It aims to make Indias educational system more inclusive and industry-aligned, producing a workforce capable of leading Indias economic and technological advancement. With one of the worlds largest youth populations, India must develop policies that empower young people through skill development, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities. India aims to become one of the worlds top knowledge powers. Advertisement India is a global player, and it is strengthening its global diplomatic presence by pursuing partnerships with nations across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, the United States, and Latin America to foster shared prosperity and stability. Indias participation in forums like the G20, BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and other global institutions allows it to shape global policies on economic, environmental, and security matters. Indias 2023 G20 presidency was pivotal in presenting its vision for an inclusive and resilient global economy. Indias Indo-Pacific policy promotes a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, building alliances with countries such as Japan, Australia, and the United States through initiatives like the Quad Alliance. As a leader among developing nations, the Global South, India has strengthened ties with Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, providing technical assistance, capacity-building programs, and development aid. Advertisement India is strengthening its national security and cybersecurity through modernising its defence capabilities and establishing robust cybersecurity measures. India is investing in indigenising defence technology, procuring advanced equipment, and enhancing military capabilities through partnerships with defence tech companies and other nations. Indias growing digital economy makes cybersecurity a national priority. By investing in cyberinfrastructure and fostering public-private partnerships, India aims to safeguard its critical digital assets and protect its citizens data. With one of the largest, richest, and most entrepreneurial diasporas, India has been leveraging its powerful Indians abroad as cultural ambassadors, promoting Indian values, contributing to bilateral ties with host countries, and, most of all, helping funnel investment and technology transfer to India. China in the Rearview With its aspirations to be a leading force in the world, balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility and diplomatic engagement with development goals through strategic policies across economic, technological, and social dimensions, India is on the cusp of a future where it not only contributes but also shapes the global narrative. But how would India deal with China? Fortunately, Indias Vision 2030 places a strong emphasis on stability, strategic autonomy, and regional cooperation, and these principles are central to how India approaches its relationship with China, particularly in the context of the long-standing Himalayan border conflict and unbalanced trade relations. India prioritises regional stability, focusing on diplomatic engagement and emphasising de-escalation and confidence-building measures to manage border tensions. Indias diplomatic approach includes regular military and diplomatic dialogues with China, focusing on mutual agreements like the Line of Actual Control (LAC) guidelines and mechanisms to manage troop movements and prevent flare-ups. Nonetheless, in response to Chinese infrastructure expansion, India continues improving its border infrastructure, such as roads, military outposts, and logistics support, to ensure security and rapid response capabilities. The trade relationship between India and China is complex. China is one of Indias largest trading partners, and India relies on Chinese imports for various sectors, including electronics, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing inputs. However, Indias Vision 2030 emphasises self-reliance and reducing dependency on single sources, particularly for strategic and critical supplies. Indias Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative is central to reducing dependency on China by developing domestic manufacturing capabilities. For instance, India is expanding its electronics manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries to gradually replace Chinese imports. Given Chinas strong digital and cyber capabilities, India is placing a strong emphasis on cybersecurity, including developing resilient cyber defences, especially in critical infrastructure sectors, to counter potential cyberattacks. India is likely to adopt a selective decoupling strategy, targeting critical sectors like defence, technology, and telecommunications. Restrictions on Chinese investments in sensitive areas, such as telecommunications, show a cautious approach to balancing economic needs with security concerns. Indias Indo-Pacific strategy and alliances like the Quad are designed to promote a balanced regional presence and ensure freedom of navigation. Although not explicitly aimed at China, these partnerships serve as a counterweight, offering India more leverage in regional diplomacy. India is deepening economic ties with countries like Japan, South Korea, the United States, and the EU to diversify trade partnerships and supply chains. Indias interest in agreements such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and its active role in ASEAN dialogues underline this diversification strategy. Indias strategic focus on the Indian Ocean region, including cooperation with the US, Australia, and Japan, acts as a counterbalance to Chinese influence. Indias maritime buildup aims to ensure freedom of navigation and safeguard its strategic interests in the region. It is in the backdrop of Indias defence, economic, and diplomatic preparedness and geopolitical standing that the recent India-China border patrol agreement should be seen cautiously, perhaps, as a significant diplomatic breakthrough. Looking at Chinas past erratic behaviour, its long-term sustainability remains uncertain. The agreement signals a move towards de-escalation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), where both countries have stationed tens of thousands of troops. Reverting to pre-2020 patrolling norms reduces the chances of accidental skirmishes and helps stabilise the situation at friction points like Depsang Plains and Demchok. The resumption of patrolling according to pre-2020 terms is a confidence-building measure, indicating a mutual willingness to return to a previously acceptable status quo. This could pave the way for further dialogue and potentially ease tensions that have persisted since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. While the agreement is a positive step, it does not resolve all border conflicts between India and China. The 2,100-mile de facto border, the Line of Actual Control, remains poorly defined and a source of ongoing disputes. Numerous steps are still needed in the long process of resolving issues along the disputed border, including troop de-induction, demobilisation, and addressing the infrastructure that has been established. While the border patrol agreement is a significant step towards easing tensions, its long-term sustainability will depend on continued diplomatic efforts, successful implementation on the ground, and the broader geopolitical context of India-China relations. India has been working to develop a balanced approach to the China relationship, combining diplomacy, self-reliance, strategic alliances, and defence readiness. While prioritising peaceful engagement, India must continue strengthening its military and economic independence, pursuing regional partnerships that offer security and economic alternatives to counter China. Through this multi-pronged approach, India must stand strong and strengthen regional stability while remaining resilient in the face of shifting geopolitical dynamics in Asia. Narain Batras most recent book is a history of modern South Asia titled India In A New Key: Nehru To Modi: 75 Years of Freedom and Democracy. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Perhaps it is time for the Global South to signal its collective agency by exploring a South-South Carbon Adjustment Union. While such a measure may not directly generate significant revenue, it would send a powerful message to the developed world read more The Global South's call for substantial and immediate financial support has been met with empty promises and token gestures, exposing the hollow commitments of developed nations. Representational image/ AP Wealthy Western nationsthe United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Norwayare the epitome of climate hypocrisy. While lecturing the world on the urgency of combating climate change, these nations are simultaneously responsible for 51 per cent of all planned oil and gas field expansions through 2050. This is nothing short of a climate betrayal. These five countries alone plan to unleash 173 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissionsequal to the output of 1,100 new coal plants or more than 30 years worth of US annual emissions. Advertisement Their actions make a mockery of the Paris Agreement and expose their empty rhetoric. While developing countries are berated for not doing enough, the West continues to bankroll its addiction to fossil fuels, prioritising corporate profits over the planets survival. Meanwhile, the same countries refuse to provide the financial support they pledged to help poorer nations adapt and mitigate climate change impacts. At COP29, developed nations offered a measly $300 billion annually by 2035 for climate financea far cry from the $1.3 trillion required by developing nations to meet their climate goals. This deliberate shortchanging guarantees that the poorest nations, already bearing the brunt of climate disasters, will lack the resources to update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) with meaningful ambition in 2025. The data from the UN Environment Programmes Emissions Gap Report 2024, released just before the COP29 summit, reveals stark disparities in per capita and historical greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across regions and countries, highlighting the unequal burden of climate responsibility. The United States, with per capita emissions of 18 tonnes of CO equivalent (tCOe) in 2023, produces nearly three times the global average of 6.6 tCOe and six times Indias per capita emissions of 2.9 tCOe. Similarly, the Russian Federations per capita emissions of 19 tCOe and the European Unions 7.3 tCOe significantly outpace those of regions such as the African Union (2.2 tCOe) and the least developed countries (1.5 tCOe). These figures underscore the vast differences in individual contributions to global emissions. When considering historical emissions, the inequalities become even more pronounced. The United States, with 527 GtCO of cumulative emissions since 1850, is responsible for 20 per cent of the global total, despite having just 4 per cent of the worlds population. The European Union adds another 301 GtCO (12 per cent), while Indias historical emissions amount to only 83 GtCO, or 3 per cent of the global total, despite being home to over 1.4 billion people. Even China, the largest current emitter at 16,000 MtCOe annually (30 per cent of global emissions), has historical emissions of 300 GtCO, roughly half of the United States cumulative total. This disparity in both per capita and historical emissions highlights the disproportionate responsibility of developed nations. Countries like India and those in the African Union, which collectively contribute less than 8 per cent of global historical emissions despite their large populations, are being forced to bear the brunt of climate mitigation efforts. After centuries of reckless industrialisation, they have polluted their way to prosperity, amassing wealth while dumping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere without restraint. Now, having built their economies on environmental destruction, they turn around and impose punitive measures like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on developing nations, penalising them for emissions that are a fraction of what the West has historically contributed. This is not climate leadershipit is economic imperialism cloaked in green rhetoric. Advertisement CBAM and similar policies expose the brazen duplicity of the Global North. These mechanisms claim to promote decarbonisation but are nothing more than protectionist tools designed to stifle the industrial growth of developing nations. This is akin to a thief who plundered the commonwealth now charging the rightful owners for using the remnants. Such measures rob developing countries of their competitive advantage, effectively shifting the costs of the Global Norths climate negligence onto those least responsible. India has vehemently and rightly denounced the COP29 climate finance agreement as a grossly inadequate and deceptive measure that fails to address the urgent needs of developing nations. Chandni Raina, Indias adviser in the Department of Economic Affairs, lambasted the $300 billion annual pledge by 2035 as nothing more than an optical illusion, asserting that it will not address the enormity of the challenge we all face. Advertisement This paltry commitment starkly contrasts with the $1.3 trillion per year by 2030 that developing countries have been demanding to effectively combat climate change. The so-called agreement was steamrolled through the conference without allowing India and other dissenting voices to express their objections, a process Raina condemned as unfair and stage-managed, reflecting a troubling erosion of trust in the UN system. Indias rejection is echoed by other Global South nations, who are outraged by the derisory financial commitments from wealthy countries. Nigerias negotiator dismissed the $300 billion package as a joke, emphasising that it insults the principles enshrined in the UNFCCC. Similarly, representatives from Malawi, Bolivia, and small island states have expressed profound dissatisfaction, with some delegations walking out of negotiations in protest against the disregard for their pressing concerns. Advertisement This travesty of a deal not only undermines the foundational tenets of climate justice but also perpetuates the suffering of those least responsible for the climate crisis. The Global Souths call for substantial and immediate financial support has been met with empty promises and token gestures, exposing the hollow commitments of developed nations. The COP29 outcome stands as a stark reminder of the systemic inequities that continue to plague international climate negotiations, where the voice of the global south is marginalised, and the interests of the north prevail. Perhaps it is time for the Global South to signal its collective agency by exploring a South-South Carbon Adjustment Union (SSCAU). While such a measure may not directly generate significant revenue, it would send a powerful message to the developed world: the South is not powerless in the face of global inequities. By imposing retaliatory tariffs on exports from countries failing to meet their climate obligations, the SSCAU could act as a bold reminder that climate responsibilities must be equitably shared. Advertisement This approach would not aim to penalise for financial gain but to reshape global climate dynamics by asserting the Souths collective strength. A union of this nature would challenge the Wests dominance in setting unilateral rules, forcing developed nations to acknowledge their commitments under international agreements like the Paris Accord. Aditya Sinha (X: @adityasinha004) is Officer on Special Duty, Research, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. The question is whether the US wants to raise the stakes and demonstrate Western support for Ukraine or if there is a larger game plan that involves tying Trumps hands as far as negotiations are concerned read more The recent developments may not be enough to change the tide of war as far as Ukraine is concerned but have opened up a new dimension till the start of a tussle for the strongest negotiating position in potential future talks to end it. File image/Reuters The bar has been raised substantially in the past weeks as the Ukraine-Russia conflict passed its 1000th day on November 19. Western powers substantially boosted Ukraines military arsenal while Russia reacted with a new nuclear doctrine and a strike by its Oreshnik (the hazel) missile. On November 18, the outgoing US President Joe Biden lifted restrictions on the use of US missiles to strike targets inside Russia. An important decision with deep strategic implications. The volte-face marked a major policy change by Washington, which for months had refused Ukraines requests to use the missiles beyond its own borders. Advertisement After this decision, a volley of Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles was fired by Ukraine into Russias Bryansk region on November 19. Russia said six were fired, with five intercepted. Whatever the specifics, this was a landmark moment: US missiles had struck Russian soil for the first time in this war. Next on November 21, Ukraine launched UK-supplied Storm Shadow and US HIMAR missiles at targets in Russias Kursk region. Later in the week, President Biden added the final element of a ramped-up weapons arsenal to Ukraine by approving the use of anti-personnel landmines. There are now reports that the Spanish MIM-23 HAWK surface-to-air missile systems have been supplied to Ukraine on November 24. In response, on November 19, President Putin released changes to Russias nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons. The doctrine now says an attack from a non-nuclear state, if backed by a nuclear power, will be treated as a joint assault on Russia. Taking a step further, Russia struck Dnipro with an Oreshnik. Apparently, this missile travels at 10 times the speed of sound, and there are no ways of counteracting this weapon. The signal had a degree of clarity. Russia could, if it chose, use the new missile to deliver a nuclear weapon. ATACMS ATACMS are not new to battlefields; they were used both in Operation Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. More so, they were used to engage targets in Crimea and Donetsk during the war. However, this is the first time they have engaged targets on Russian soil. The questions this volte-face has prompted are: what has changed to make it acceptable now and what difference will it make for Ukraine? The answers to these questions are less about the damage that the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) can inflict and more about what they might enable and whether their provision is a catalyst for others like Germany to provide similar kinds of support. Advertisement Their strikes on Russian territory have been narrowly presented to be in response to the reported presence of North Korean soldiers in Russias Kursk Oblast. This is not convincing. The US military has a finite number of ATACMS and is not producing any more. For other Western long-range weapons, production rates may not at present meet the number that need to be expended to achieve significant battlefield effects. An example being Ukraines firing of the UKs Storm Shadow arsenal at Russian deep targets in 2023 yet failing to degrade Russian command and control to a level that the Ukrainian military could take advantage of. Advertisement Despite these limitations, the concentrated use of long-range weapons can inflict disproportionate damage against selected targets, thereby opening up exploitable opportunities in Russias defences. The question is whether the Ukrainian military is capable of exploiting the gap created. However, for the past year, the Ukrainian military has taken more casualties than it has recruited. A significant proportion of these casualties have suffered minor wounds, and the soldiers have returned, but over time the result has been a hollowing out of units along the line of contact and thus a growing paucity that enabled Russia to make headway into Ukraines defences in Donbas. Inability to carry out force generation has prevented Ukraine from exploiting opportunities created by Russian vulnerabilities. Advertisement Further, will these weapons be used to delay the onset of pressure on the Ukrainian front, thereby affecting the timeline of events without actually altering the trajectory, or will they be used to create significant gaps in Russias war-waging potential that can be exploited? The next question is what to strike. For any given target set, there is a critical threshold of impacts that need to be achieved before there is a tangible effect on the fighting. While Ukraine destroyed three of ten ammunition dumps at a logistical echelon. The result is a reduction in rounds available for Russian units for a limited period, rather than a widespread scarcity of shells. The fact is that strikes need to be synchronised with a wider arsenal of weapons and must be aligned with the larger plan. Advertisement The crux is the selection of targets that will yield leverage in negotiations that are largely economic and industrial. The challenge, as per Jack Watling of RUSI, is that the incoming US administration pushing negotiations is not the current administration approving strikes, and it seems unlikely that there is close strategic cooperation between them on how the latter could contribute to the formers strategy. Nuclear Russia Though President Putin had given insights about the key points of Russias new doctrine in September, the doctrine was announced on November 19. The new nuclear doctrine states that it could launch nuclear weapons in response to an attack on its territory by a non-nuclear-armed state backed by a nuclear-armed one. It also lists additional scenarios under which Moscow would consider a nuclear response, including if it had reliable information about the launch of a massive cross-border air attack on Russia using aircraft, missiles, and drones. Russia also placed its close ally Belarus under its nuclear umbrella. Russia now says it may use nuclear weapons in the event of a conventional attack against itself or Belarus that creates a critical threat to their sovereignty or territorial integrity. Previously, Russia had said it might meet a conventional attack with nuclear weapons when the very existence of the state is placed under threat. Russia is lowering the threshold for a nuclear strike in response to a possible conventional attack, said Alexander Graef, a senior researcher at the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, If the long-range missiles are used from the territory of Ukraine against the Russian territory, it will mean that they are controlled by American military experts, and we will view that as a qualitatively new phase of the Western war against Russia and respond accordingly. He urged the US and other Western allies to study the revised nuclear doctrine. Russia Fires an IRBM The strike on Dnipro was described as unusual by eyewitnesses and triggered explosions that went on for three hours. The US believes Russia fired a never-before-fielded intermediate-range ballistic missile, an escalation that analysts say could have implications for European missile defences. Apparently, the missile is designed on Russias longer-range RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said, It could be refitted to certainly carry different types of conventional or nuclear warheads. The US and UK sources indicated that they believed the missile fired was an experimental nuclear-capable, intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), which has a range of below 5,500 km. That is enough to reach Europe from where it was fired in southwestern Russia, but not the US. Capable of carrying up to ten multiple warheads with a speed of 10 Mach, it cannot be intercepted and theoretically takes only 20 minutes to engage targets in London and Paris. Timothy Wright, at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said Russias development of new missiles might influence decisions in NATO countries regarding what air defence systems to purchase as well as which offensive capabilities to pursue. A new US ballistic missile defence base in northern Poland has already drawn angry reactions from Russia. The US base at Redzikowo is part of a broader NATO missile shield and is designed to intercept short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles. However, President Putin said that the launch of the new IRBM was not a response to the base in Poland but instead to recent Ukrainian long-range strikes inside Russian territory with Western weapons. The Russian president said that Moscow had struck a Ukrainian military facility with a new ballistic missile and said its deployment was a response to US plans to produce and deploy intermediate and short-range missiles, and that Russia would respond decisively and symmetrically in the event of an escalation. A Pentagon spokesperson said the US was pre-notified regarding the launch through nuclear risk reduction channels just prior to the launch. However, this incident demonstrates the risk of escalation. Conclusion The recent developments may not be enough to change the tide of war as far as Ukraine is concerned but have opened up a new dimension till the start of a tussle for the strongest negotiating position in potential future talks to end it. Trump, in a pre-election speech, had promised a radically different approach to the war. But Donald Trump Jr recently tweeted, The military-industrial complex seems to want to make sure they get World War III going before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives". The questions that need to be answered are if these missile attacks were a symbolic decision to raise the stakes and demonstrate Western support for Ukraine at a time when President-elect Trump is threatening to pull the rug or if there is a larger game plan that involves tying the president-elects hands as far as negotiations are concerned. This move is clearly about the transition from one US administration to the next. As per Anatol Lieven, the more negative way of assessing this is that the Biden administration is seeking to scuttle Trumps promises to end the fighting; the more positive take is that the Biden administration is seeking to strengthen Ukraines hand before future negotiations; and the third alternative is that the policy change was needed to respond to shifting conditions on the ground. The fact is that President Volodymyr Zelenskys strategy so far has been to frame the war as an existential struggle for Ukraine but also Europe and the US; hence decisions like this only play into his hands. While Gallup polling provides a snapshot of a trend suggesting that in the first two years of the war a large majority of Ukrainians prioritised outright victory over ending the war, now half favour immediate talks. The use of long-range missiles has significant strategic, diplomatic, and geopolitical consequences, increasing the volatility of the conflict. Unfortunately, the very essence and nature of war have now changed dramatically, and the world is a far more dangerous place. The author is a retired Major General of the Indian Army. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. A new lawsuit claims that Apple mandates its employees to install software on their personal devices used for work, granting the company access to sensitive data such as emails, photo libraries, health records, and smart home information. read more It seems that Apple truly values your privacy as long as youre not employed by them. Apple has landed in legal hot water, facing allegations that it unlawfully spied on its employees and stifled discussions about pay and workplace conditions. The lawsuit, filed in California by Amar Bhakta, an Apple employee since 2020, accuses the tech giant of monitoring personal devices and iCloud accounts while enforcing strict confidentiality policies that curb open conversations among workers. Advertisement Bhakta claims that Apple mandates its employees to install software on their personal devices used for work, granting the company access to sensitive data such as emails, photo libraries, health records, and smart home information. At the same time, Apple allegedly restricts employees from discussing workplace matters publicly or engaging in legally protected whistleblowing activities. The lawsuit states that such policies discourage workers from speaking out about issues, limit job market mobility, and infringe upon free speech rights. Silencing voices and controlling discussions around pay and work conditions The complaint also outlines instances where Apple allegedly curtailed Bhaktas freedom to discuss his experiences. He claims he was forbidden from speaking about his work on podcasts and instructed to remove LinkedIn content related to his job. Bhakta argues these practices create a chilling effect, discouraging whistleblowing and open dialogue about workplace grievances. Apple has rejected the claims, stating that the lawsuit lacks merit. A spokesperson emphasised that the company trains employees annually on their rights to discuss working conditions. Apple framed its workplace policies as necessary to safeguard the innovations its teams create for customers. Allegations of workplace inequality This lawsuit isnt Apples first brush with employee-related controversies. Bhaktas lawyers also represent two women who, earlier this year, accused the company of systematically underpaying female workers in its engineering, marketing, and AppleCare teams. Meanwhile, the US labour board has filed three complaints against Apple, alleging the company illegally discouraged employees from discussing issues such as pay disparities and discrimination, including through restrictions on social media and workplace communication tools like Slack. Apple has denied any wrongdoing in these cases as well. Legal fight with broader implications The latest lawsuit leverages a unique California law that enables employees to sue their employers on behalf of the state, sharing a portion of any financial penalties. As the case unfolds, it adds to growing scrutiny of Apples workplace policies, putting the company under the spotlight for its treatment of employees alongside its focus on creating world-class products. Whether these claims hold up in court remains to be seen, but they cast a shadow on Apples efforts to position itself as a leader in corporate inclusivity and fairness. Advertisement Currently, companies applying for satcom licences under Indias Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) system must comply with 30-40 stringent conditions. There have been some discussions on easing some of these requirements read more Amazons Kuiper is set to launch over 3,200 satellites starting 2025, and plans to roll out commercial services later in the year. Starlink already operates over 6,000 low-earth orbit satellites and has pledged to support rural connectivity in India. Image Credit: AFP The Indian government is reportedly considering a relaxation of security regulations for satellite communication licences, and align its framework with international standards. This move, if implemented, could benefit global players like Elon Musks Starlink and Jeff Bezoss Amazon Kuiper, and enable them to offer satellite-based telecom services in the country, as per a report by The Economic Times. Currently, companies applying for satcom licences under Indias Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) system must comply with 30-40 stringent conditions. While there has been some discussion on easing some of these requirements, its unclear which specific rules might be adjusted. Recent discussions between the Department of Telecommunications and law enforcement agencies have centred on balancing regulatory reforms with national security concerns, which remain a top priority. Advertisement Challenges for Starlink and Kuiper in India Both Starlink and Amazon Kuiper have pending applications for GMPCS licences, with neither of the services meeting all the existing security criteria. Starlink has been urging the Indian government to get its regulations in line with global norms, given the borderless nature of satellite communication services. Meanwhile, Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia emphasised that while Starlink is making progress toward securing approvals, it must adhere fully to the current rules before any licences are granted. Amazons Kuiper on the other hand, is gearing up to launch over 3,200 satellites starting in 2025, with plans to roll out commercial services later that year. For its part, Starlink already operates over 6,000 low-earth orbit satellites and has pledged to support rural connectivity in India, aligning with government initiatives to bridge the existingdigital divide. Spectrum debate in the spotlight The push for regulatory reform coincides with a broader debate between global satcom providers and Indian telecom giants like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea. Local telecom operators argue that satcom companies should acquire spectrum through auctions, just as they do, rather than receiving it via administrative allocation. Despite these objections, the government has indicated that satellite spectrum will be allocated administratively, albeit with an associated fee. Expanding Indias Space Economy As global satcom players await their licences, Indias space sector is set to see significant growth. The government projects the domestic space economy to grow to $44 billion by 2033, which would ensure that India captures 8 per cent of the global market compared to its current 2 per cent share. With stakeholders like Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Reliance Jios SES partnership coming up for a launch soon, upcoming policy changes could set the stage for India to emerge as a major player in the global satellite communication landscape. As Syrian President Bashar al-Assads allies are distracted in their own conflicts, Turkey has found an opportunity to reassert itself as the most important player in the Syrian conflict read more In a lightening offensive last week, Syrian opposition forces captured much of Aleppo, which was once the largest city in the country. The offensive comes as a major blow to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assads hold on the country, who had been under a bubble of safety for the past four years in which the decadelong Syrian Civil War was essentially frozen. Backed by Russia, Iran, and Iran-backed armed groups in the region, Assads regime had clawed back to control most of the country after suffering serious blows in the first half of the war. Advertisement Now, however, as Russia is distracted with the war on Ukraine and Iran and its proxies in the region are licking their wounds from the yearlong war with Israel, the opposition forces have found their opportunity. While it is the Syrian opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group once formally affiliated with Al-Qaeda, that have popped the bubble of security Assads regime was in, the driving hand appears to be that of Turkey. In the complicated proxy war in Syria, while Russia-Iran bloc supports Assad, Turkey has long supported anti-Assad forces. Both sides have, however, at times clashed with the Kurds, a US-backed ethnic group that controls territories in northeastern Syria. Here are five reasons why Turkey has upped the ante against Assad now. Israel has pummelled Hezbollah Iran-backed, Lebanon-based Hezbollah has been one of the principal allies of Assad. Hezbollah units have fought for Assads regime and the group has also maintained bases in Assad-controlled territories of Syria. The group, which is essentially a state in its own right, has been a major supporter of Assad. Over the past year, however, Hezbollah has been pummelled in the war with Israel, which has eliminated most of its leaders and has neutralised a large chunk of its war-waging capacities. As the group is focussed on its own survival within Lebanon, it is in no shape to come to Assads aid. This meant that Assad lost one of the most potent allies who not just provided fighters against opposition forces but also commanders who advised the regime. Iran is licking its wounds Similarly, Iran has been busy licking its own wounds from the war with Israel. Irans allies Hamas and Hezbollah have taken a major beating in the war with Israel and Iran has itself also taken a beating. In the two rounds of aerial battles with Israel, Iran has lost most of its air defences and has been left essentially naked in the words of US and Israeli officials. It has also been reported that Israeli airstrikes also damaged a key component of the Iranian nuclear programme, dealing a major setback to Irans idea of developing a nuclear weapon as ultimate deterrence. Advertisement Iran has also lost a string of key commanders in the conflict, including a host of senior figures in an Israeli strike in Syrian capital Damascus earlier this year. All of this means that Iran is also in no shape to come to Assads aid directly in any meaningful way even as it is scrambling to contain the crisis. Russia is focussed on Ukraine & Europe Even though Iran and Hezbollah have been major allies of Assad, the biggest ally has been Russia and it is the most distracted at the moment. It was Russian direct military intervention in 2015 that turned the Syrian Civil Wars tide in Assads favour. Now, however, Russia has been distracted by the war on Ukraine, which is set to enter its fourth year within weeks. As Russian President Vladimir Putin has just approved the largest-ever defence budget, it is clear that Russia is looking forward to make decisive push inside Ukraine with the idea apparent idea of maximising gains to have the upper hand whenever negotiations start. Advertisement Syrian opposition forces had time to rearm, regroup Since the ceasefire in 2020, the Syrian Civil War was essentially in suspension. While Assad lapsed into a false sense of safety and security, the opposition forces took the time to rearm and regroup. This meant that as soon as the opportunity arose with the distraction of Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, the opposition forces made a dash for Aleppo. In an article for The Daily Telegraph, British military expert Hamish de Bretton-Gordon noted that it appears that the various rebel factions, especially the Free Syrian Army and HTS, have been regrouping, rearming and most importantly training in recent years. These rebels we see today in Aleppo are not the ragtag fighters that I saw in Idlib province between 2013 and 2020, but well-equipped outfits who seem to know what they are doing. There are rumours that Turkey is behind the resurgence of the Syrian opposition, but perhaps others have also helped, noted Bretton-Gordon. Advertisement Turkey is most important player in Syria In the absence of Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, Turkey has emerged as the most important player in Syria. As Turkey backs the opposition forces, it is clear that there was at least a tacit go-ahead for the latest opposition offensive from Turkey if not direct support. Omer Ozkizilcik, an expert at the Atlantic Council told AFP that Turkey has a complex and difficult relationship with HTS and that we can clearly say there was indirect Turkish support [for the offensive] but no direct Turkish involvement. Ozkizilcik noted that even though Turkey had severed ties with Assads regime in 2011 and has since supported the war against it, it has been seeking a reproachment lately. He noted that Turkey only approved the oppositions offensive after the reproachment failed. Advertisement Separately, Charles Lister, the Director of Syria Programme at the Middle East Institute, said the Aleppo offensive was initially planned for mid-October but Turkey put a stop to it. Ozkizilcik further said, Now with the changing situation on the ground, the balance of power in Syria has shifted: Turkey is the most powerful actor at the moment inside Syria, and Iran and Russia will likely try to negotiate with Turkey. Turkey has also made gains against Kurds, a section of whom are waging an insurgency inside Turkey, further strengthening its position in the region. Syrian rebels advancing against government forces pushed close on Tuesday to the major city of Hama, rebels and a war monitor said, after their sudden capture of Aleppo last week rocked President Bashar al-Assad read more Abandoned Syrian army armoured vehicles sit on a road as opposition insurgents control the outskirts of Hama, Syria, on Tuesday. AP Syrian rebels advancing against government forces pushed close on Tuesday to the major city of Hama, rebels and a war monitor said, after their sudden capture of Aleppo last week rocked President Bashar al-Assad. Rebels and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said insurgents had captured villages including Maar Shahur a few miles north of the city. Syrian state media said reinforcements were arriving in the area. An attack on Hama would ramp up pressure on Assad, whose Russian and Iranian allies have scrambled to support him against a reviving rebellion. The city has remained in government hands since civil war erupted in 2011. Advertisement Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in an Arabic-language interview that Tehran would consider sending troops to Syria if Damascus asked, and Russian President Vladimir Putin urged an end to terrorist aggression in Syria, RIA reported. Iraq Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani said Baghdad would not be a mere spectator in Syria and blamed Israeli military strikes on the Syrian government for the rebel advance, his office said. Compounding Assads problems, fighters from a U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led coalition battled government forces in the northeast, both sides said, opening a new front along a vital supply route. Last weeks rebel seizure of Aleppo - Syrias largest city before the war - marked the biggest offensive for years. The front lines of the conflict have been frozen since 2020 after Assad clawed back most of the country from rebels, thanks to help from Russian air power and military help from Iran and its network of regional Shiite militia groups. Now, however, Russia has been concentrating on the war in Ukraine, while Israeli strikes over the past three months have decimated the leadership of Hezbollah, the strongest Iran-backed force fighting in Syria. On Monday, hundreds of Iran-backed Iraqi militia fighters entered Syria to back up Syrian government forces, Iraqi and Syrian sources said, but Hezbollah does not plan to send forces now. Advertisement A rebel source said Iran-backed militia fighters were among the forces they were battling outside Hama. In recent days, Russian and Syrian government warplanes have intensified airstrikes against rebels, both sides have said. Rescue workers have reported deadly strikes on hospitals in Aleppo and Idlib. Jockeying for territory Any sustained escalation in Syria risks further destabilising a region already alight from wars in Gaza and Lebanon, where a truce between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group took effect last week. The retreat by Assads forces over the past several days has led to jockeying for control among other groups that control pockets in the northwest, north and east. The Syrian Democratic Forces, an umbrella group which controls territory in Syrias east with U.S. support, said early on Tuesday that its Deir al-Zor Military Council had become responsible for protecting seven villages previously held by the Syrian army. Advertisement The Deir al-Zor Military Council comprises local Arab fighters under the SDF, an alliance mainly led by a Kurdish militia, the YPG. Syrian state media reported that the army and allied forces were repelling an SDF assault on the villages, the only Syrian government presence along the east bank of the Euphrates river, an area otherwise mostly held by the SDF. A Syrian military officer said the SDF push was aimed at exploiting government forces weakness after the rebel advance, and said the army and allied Iran-backed militia groups were sending reinforcements. Airstrikes also targeted Iran-backed militia groups supporting Syrian government forces in the strategically vital region, a security source in eastern Syria and a Syrian army source said. Advertisement The U.S. military, which has a small number of troops based at a gas field in the area, carried out at least one strike in self defence overnight, a U.S. official said, adding it was not related to the ongoing rebel advances. Crowded battlefield The battlefield is crowded in northern Syria, with the U.S., Russia, Iran and Turkey all involved in the renewed fighting, underscoring the messy global politics at play. On Monday, Iran said there would be a foreign ministers meeting with Turkey and Russia in Doha next weekend as part of a diplomatic process that had earlier been used to stabilise borders. The SDF was the main Western-backed ground force in eastern Syria fighting Islamic State, which ran a jihadist mini-state there from 2014-17. Turkey says the SDFs main fighting force, the YPG, are Kurdish separatists it regards as terrorists, and sent troops across the frontier in 2017 to push them back. Advertisement Rebel advances in recent days have dislodged the YPG from areas in and near Aleppo, including Aleppos Sheikh Maqsoud district and a corridor around Tel Refaat to the north. The SDF presence in northeast Syria along much of the border with Iraq also complicates supply lines for Iran-backed regional militia groups supporting Assad. On Monday Reuters reported that hundreds of Iran-backed Iraqi fighters had crossed the border into Syria to help government forces. Israel has regularly struck Iran-backed forces in Syria. Hezbollah said an Israeli strike near Damascus on Tuesday killed one of its senior officers liaising with the Syrian military. Israels military said it does not comment on reports in foreign media. US President-elect Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, demanding the release of hostages held captive in Gaza before his January 20, 2025 inauguration else face dire consequences read more US President-elect Donald Trump has issued a warning to Iran-backed Palestinian terrorist group Hamas demanding the release of all the hostages held in the Gaza strip prior to January 20 or face dire consequences. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East if the hostages were not freed before he assumes office as the President of the United States on January 20, 2025. Advertisement Release hostages now! Everybody is talking about the hostages who are being held so violently, inhumanely, and against the will of the entire World, in the Middle East - But its all talk, and no action! Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity, Trump said. Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW! he further said. The threat to Hamas, amid the deadlock efforts to bring an end to the war that began on October 7, 2023, is seen as Trumps most forceful since his win in the November 5 US elections. Trumps statement also comes amid reports that he has been pushing for ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war to be reached before he begins his second term next month. The situation, however, remains tense, with both Israel and Hamas showing no signs of compromise. The US President-elects threats to Hamas also came just hours after Israel confirmed the death of Omer Neutra, a dual US-Israeli citizen, whose remains are believed to still be in Gaza. Israeli soldier, held hostage, seeks Trumps help Trump statement also came after Hamas released a propaganda video, over the weekend, showing American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander pleading with the US president-elect to secure his release. Israel reacts to Trumps statement Moments after Trumps statement, President of Israel, Isaac Herzog thanked Trump and said, We all pray for the moment we see our sisters and brothers back home! Thank you and bless you Mr. President-elect @realDonaldTrump. We all pray for the moment we see our sisters and brothers back home! pic.twitter.com/Vm2WwtMNYZ Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) December 2, 2024 Advertisement As per Israeli officials, more than 250 people were taken as hostages by Hamas after it attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. Of these, approximately 100 still remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip, with some confirmed dead. The October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas is considered the deadliest in Israels history as it left 1,200 people dead. Hamas, meanwhile, has reportedly linked any release of hostages to an end to Israels military operations in Gaza and a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the territory. With inputs from agencies. Advertisement Ahead of US President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration, who has been a critic of Nato, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has come under pressure from MPs over the failure to outline a plan to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP read more Ahead of US President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has come under pressure to outline the defence spending plan. Trump has long been critic of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) and has blasted fellow members of the military alliance of not spending enough and relying on the United States for their security needs. Ahead of Trumps inauguration, MPs are pressing Starmer for outlining the plan to raise British defence spending to 2.5 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP). Advertisement Even though Starmer has committed to outlining such a plan, the failure of giving a timeline and reports of delay in furnishing such a plan have angered MPs. Tan Dhesi from Starmers Labour Party, who heads the Defence Select Committee, has said there was no reason why the government could not be more open about the plan to reach the target. Former Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood of the Conservative Party also made a similar call. Govt should provide a clear timetable In an apparent reference to the ongoing Russian war on Ukraine and the conflicts in West Asia, Dhesi said that the government should provide a clear timetable. He said that such a clarity would be helpful to the nation, Nato, and the defence industry in a world thats becoming increasingly dangerous. In an increasingly dangerous world, with conflicts raging, including on our European Continent, the Government should provide a clear timetable for when it intends to meet its commitment to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence. This clarity would help our Nato allies overseas, as well as the defence community and our UK industrial base," said Dhesi, as per i newspaper. Trump has been highly critical of fellow Nato members. On the campaign trail, he said that he would tell Russia to do whatever the hell they want with Nato members who would not spend on defence to his liking. Such a take on allies has led to anxieties whether Trump would continue to be a proactive member of the bloc. Dhesi further said, The Defence Secretary told me last month when I questioned him in both the Chamber and in the Defence Committee, that while we wait for the Strategic Defence Review, urgent decisions are still being taken. However, there is no reason why the Government cannot be more forthcoming on the timeline for its target. Advertisement Ellwood said that as the second-largest military within Nato, the UK should lead by example and outlining the defence spending plan at the earliest is therefore a must. The first demand Trump is likely to make of Europe is increase your defence budgets or I will cut US support. As the next largest, most professional military force in Nato we should be leading by example. What the MoD requires is clarity to plan. Announcing a timetable to increase defence spending over the next year would satisfy the Treasury, give the MoD space to plan and set a responsible example with our Nato allies, said Ellwood, according to the newspaper. Advertisement Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge said that with each passing day that such a plan is not outlined, the Labour government undermines the ability of our armed forces to rearm at the pace and scale they need to meet todays threats, as per the newspaper. Govt pushing for 2.5% target by 2034: Reports There is reportedly a gap of seven years between defence chiefs and Starmers governments outline for the 2.5 per cent target. The i newspaper has previously reported that the government is pushing for the 2.5 target to be met by 2034. Separately, Politico has reported that British defence chiefs have called for such a target to be reached by 2027. Previously, Conservative PM Rishi Sunak had pledged to reach the 2.5 per cent target by 2030. Iskcon Kolkata has adviced its followers and colleagues in Bangladesh to not wear saffron clothes, hide tulsi beads, wipe off tilak and cover head to avoid being attacked in the ongoing unrest in the neighbouring country which has been witnessing increasing incidents of violence against Hindu minorities and monks read more As attacks on monks and minorities, especially Hindus, increase in Bangladesh, Iskcon Kolkata has advised their colleagues and followers in the neighbouring country to avoid wearing saffron clothes, wipe off tilak, hide tulsi beads and keep head cover to stay safe. The advisory has been issued by the vice president and spokesperson of Kolkatas International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon), Radharamn Das, after multiple monks and its members were allegedly threatened and assaulted in public last week. Advertisement Take every possible measure that doesnt stand out as monks According to a report by The Times of India, Radharamn Das said he has advised monks and members of the order to practise their faith inside temples and homes, but take utmost precaution when stepping outside. I have been advising all monks and members that in this hour of crisis, they must be very careful to protect themselves and avoid conflict. I have suggested they avoid wearing saffron clothes and vermilion on their foreheads," Radharamn Das was quoted as saying by ToI. If they feel the need to wear saffron strings, they should wear them in a manner that remains hidden inside clothes and not visible around necks. If possible, they should also cover their heads. In short, they should take every possible measure that doesnt stand out as monks," he further said. Stay safe Radharamn Das further said that the need of the hour is to stay safe. In Bangladesh, Iskcon monks are reportedly being attacked since the arrest of Hindu priest and Iskcon member Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari in Dhaka on November 25 on charges of sedition. Couple of days later, two of his juniors, who went to serve medicine to him in jail, were also arrested. Over the weekend, some 63 Iskcon monks all nationals of Bangladesh donned in saffron clothes, were barred from crossing over to India by Bangladeshi immigration and were sent back from Benapole border checkpoint for suspicious activities. However, many others were allowed to pass through. Advertisement Also Read: Iskcon monks say Bangladesh barred 63 from visiting India citing safety reason The monks were barred from entering India even though they had valid passports and visas. Lawyer defending Chinmoy Das attacked in Bangladesh In a post on X, Radharamn Das shared that advocate Ramen Roy, who was defending Chinmoy Das in a legal case in Bangladesh was brutally attacked and is now fighting for his life in ICU. The Iskcon Kolkata spokesperson said that Roys only fault" was defending Prabhu in court, and a group of Islamists ransacked his home. Also Read: Lawyer defending Chinmoy Das attacked by Islamists in Bangladesh, in ICU: Iskcon In his conversation with a Bengali news channel, Radharamn Das said that the assault on Roy reflects the growing danger faced by those who defend the rights of religious minorities in Bangladesh. With inputs from agencies. As President-elect Donald Trump is indicated to pull the plug on the aid to Ukraine, outgoing President Joe Biden is maximising the flow of aid to Ukraine in his final weeks of office read more In the latest such tranche, the Biden administration announced on Monday (December 2) that its sending an aid package worth $725 million to Ukraine. In his final weeks in office, outgoing US President Joe Biden is maximising the assistance to Ukraine. The Biden administrations efforts are aimed at bolstering Ukraine in the war with Russia as much as possible before demitting office as President-elect Donald Trump is expected to cut support to Ukraine and force Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into a negotiated arrangement favourable with Russia, owing to his longstanding fawning relationship with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Advertisement The latest tranche of aid comprises weapons, ammunitions, war-waging equipment, and spare parts for weapon systems. The weapons being sent include Stinger surface-to-air missiles, anti-drone ammunition, ammunition for long-range HIMARS, artillery shells; drones; anti-personnel landmines, Javelin and AT-4 anti-armour systems, handheld guns and ammunition, demolitions equipment and munitions, and spare parts for various systems and machinery, according to a statement from the Department of State. The tranche is a follow-up of a pledged that Biden made on Sept. 26. As part of the surge in security assistance that President Biden announced on September 26, the United States is providing another significant package of urgently needed weapons and equipment to our Ukrainian partners as they defend against Russias ongoing attacks. This additional assistance, provided under previously exercised Presidential Drawdown Authority from Department of Defense stocks, is valued at $725 million, said the Department of State. The tranche is the largest since the $1 billion shipment announced on April 2 shortly after the Congress approved $60 billion in assistance to Ukraine after months of delay because of hard-right Republican lawmakers opposition. Under the drawdown provisions, the United States has so far sent $4.6 billion-worth arms, ammunition, vehicles, and other supplies to Ukraine in 15 tranches since the $1 billion-worth tranche in April, according to The New York Times. Additionally, Ukraine has been provided around $12 billion in cash which allows it to buy weapons directly from US manufacturers, as per The Times. Advertisement Unlike Biden, who has supported Ukraine fully, Trump is more focussed on ending the war as soon as possible after assuming office. His allies, including incoming Vice President JD Vance, have supported plans that would allow Russia to essentially win the war with maximal control of Ukrainian territories. In the latest escalation in the US-China trade war, China has restricted the export of gallium, germanium, and antimony, to the United States, which are used in manufacturing of semiconductors, infrared technology, fibre optic cables, solar cells, and ammunition, etc read more Chinese and US flags flutter outside the building of an American company in Beijing, China January 21, 2021. (Photo: Reuters) China has banned exports to the United States of items related to the minerals gallium, germanium and antimony that have potential military applications, it said on Tuesday, a day after Washingtons latest crackdown on Chinas chip sector. A commerce ministry directive on dual-use items with both military and civilian applications cited national security concerns. The order, which takes immediate effect, also requires stricter review of end-usage for graphite items shipped to the US. Advertisement In principle, the export of gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials to the United States shall not be permitted, the commerce ministry said. The curbs strengthen enforcement of existing limits on exports of the critical minerals that Beijing began rolling out last year, but apply only to the US market, in the latest escalation of trade tensions between the worlds two largest economies ahead of President-elect Donald Trump taking office. Chinese customs data show there have been no shipments of wrought and unwrought germanium or gallium to the US this year through October, although it was the fourth and fifth-largest market for the minerals, respectively, a year earlier. Gallium and germanium are used in semiconductors, while germanium is also used in infrared technology, fibre optic cables and solar cells. Similarly, Chinas overall October shipments of antimony products plunged by 97 per cent from September after Beijings move to limit its exports took effect. China accounted last year for 48 per cent of globally mined antimony, which is used in ammunition, infrared missiles, nuclear weapons and night-vision goggles, as well as in batteries and photovoltaic equipment. This year, China has accounted for 59.2 per cnet of refined germanium output and 98.8% of refined gallium production, according to consultancy Project Blue. The move is a considerable escalation of tensions in supply chains where access to raw material units is already tight in the West, said Project Blue co-founder Jack Bedder. Advertisement Prices of antimony trioxide in Rotterdam had soared by 228 per cent since the beginning of the year to $39,000 a metric ton on Nov. 28, data from information provider Argus showed. Everyone will dig in their backyard to find antimony. Many countries will try to find antimony deposits, said a minor metals trader in Europe, declining to be named. Chinas announcement comes after Washington launched its third crackdown in three years on Chinas semiconductor industry on Monday, curbing exports to 140 companies, including chip equipment maker Naura Technology Group. Trump, whose first White House term was marked by a bitter trade war with China, has said he will implement 10 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods and threatened 60 per cent tariffs on Chinese imports during his presidential campaign. Advertisement It comes as no surprise that China has responded to the increasing restrictions by American authorities, current and imminent, with its own restrictions on the supply of these strategic minerals, said Peter Arkell, chairman of the Global Mining Association of China. Its a trade war that has no winners, he said. Separately, several Chinese industry groups called on Tuesday for their members to buy domestically made semiconductors, with one saying US chips were no longer safe and reliable. A statement by Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatani Jagran Jote said that lawyers were prohibited from appearing for Das defence at the court read more Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu leader associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), who faces several charges, is escorted by the police at the Chattogram Metropolitan Magistrate Court, in Chattogram, Bangladesh on November 26, 2024. Reuters Iskcon monk Chinmoy Krishna Das suffered a setback on Tuesday after lawyers refused to show up in a Bangladeshi court to represent him. His bail plea case has been deferred to next month. Swatantra Gauranga Das, an associate of the monk at his Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote, claimed that no lawyer represented the Hindu leader due to threats from a politically motivated lawyers group. The bail hearing at the Chattogram court has now been postponed to January 2. Advertisement Das was arrested last month on sedition charges for allegedly desecrating the Bangladeshi flag. One of his earlier bail petitions was rejected by a court which triggered massive unrest in Bangladesh. Lawyers not allowed to defend Das A statement by Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatani Jagran Jote said that lawyers were prohibited from appearing for Das defence at the court. No lawyer was given the opportunity to participate in the court on behalf of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari. Already, 70 of the lawyers who participated on behalf of Chinmoy Krishna Das have been made defendants in the case and others are being threatened in various ways, the statement read. There was heavy security in the Chattogram court area for the bail hearing. Das was not brought to the court for the hearing. A Chattogram Bar Association leader and other lawyers were seen holding a protest march on the court premises. Lawyers attacked In the past few days, lawyers trying to defend Das at the court have fallen victim to physical assault. On Monday, Advocate Ramen Roy was brutally assaulted by miscreants, Iskcon Kolkata spokesperson Radharamn Das said. Roy was reportedly attacked, his home was ransacked and his chamber was vandalised. The advocate remains in critical condition in the hospital. Iskcon calls for safety Meanwhile, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness has urged the Muhammad Yunus-led Bangladeshi government to ensure the safety of lawyers willing to represent Chinmoy Das. With inputs from agencies Following talks in Cairo brokered by Egypt, the two rival factions agreed the committee would administer the Palestinian side of the Rafah checkpoint on the border with Egypt the territorys only crossing not shared with Israel read more Palestinians gather to receive bags of flour distributed by UNRWA, the U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees, in Deir al Balah, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (Photo: AP) Hamas and the Palestinian party Fatah on Tuesday agreed to create a committee to decide how to govern post-war Gaza together. The question of who will run Gaza after the war between Israel and Hamas ends has made rounds within Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus Cabinet as well as Palestinian political lines. A ceasefire between the two warring parties has gained momentum after the US successfully brokered a truce between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Last week, a delegation of Hamas went to Cairo to discuss the truce negotiations. Advertisement What are the terms of Hamas-Fatah admin? Under the plan to establish the post-war administration in Gaza, the committee would be composed of 10 to 15 non-partisan figures with authority on matters related to the economy, education, health, humanitarian aid and reconstruction, according to a draft of the proposal seen by AFP. The plan needs the approval of Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas. Following talks in Cairo brokered by Egypt, the two rival factions agreed the committee would administer the Palestinian side of the Rafah checkpoint on the border with Egypt the territorys only crossing not shared with Israel. Fatahs delegation, led by central party committee member Azzam al-Ahmad, would return on Tuesday to Ramallah to seek Abbass final approval, negotiators from both sides told AFP. Netanyahu wants end of Hamas rule Last month, Netanyahu made a rare trip to Gaza where he vowed that Hamas would no longer be able to rule the region after the war ends. Netanyahu also said Israel had not given up trying to locate the 101 remaining hostages believed to be still in the enclave and he offered a $5 million reward for the return of each one. US thinks Palestinians should govern Gaza On the other hand, the US has said that only Palestinians have the right to govern post-war Gaza, pushing back against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus idea that Israel would be responsible for security indefinitely. No reoccupation of Gaza after the conflict ends. No attempt to blockade or besiege Gaza. No reduction in the territory of Gaza, Blinken said last month. He added, It must include Palestinian-led governance and Gaza unified with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority. With inputs from agencies The extent of the fuel oil smuggling since Prime Minister Sudani came to power and the involvement of multiple entities within Iraq in the illicit trade have not previously been reported read more Iranian flag with stock graph and an oil pump jack miniature model are seen in this illustration. File image/ Reuters A sophisticated fuel oil smuggling network that some experts believe generates at least $1 billion a year for Iran and its proxies has flourished in Iraq since Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani took office in 2022, five sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The operation exploits a government policy under which Iraq allocates fuel oil to asphalt plants at heavily subsidised prices and involves a network of companies, groups and individuals in Iraq, Iran and Gulf states, according to the five people and three Western intelligence reports, two from August this year and one which was undated. Advertisement Under the scheme, anywhere from 500,000 to 750,000 metric tons of heavy fuel oil (HFO), including high sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) - equivalent to 3.4 million to 5 million barrels of oil - is diverted from the plants each month and exported, mostly to Asia, two of the sources said. The extent of the fuel oil smuggling since Sudani came to power and the involvement of multiple entities within Iraq in the illicit trade have not previously been reported. Iranian and Iraqi officials did not respond to detailed requests for comment about the findings in the Reuters story. Iran views its neighbour and ally Iraq as an economic lung and wields considerable military, political and economic influence there through the powerful Shiite militias and political parties it backs. It also sources hard currency from Iraq through exports and avoids U.S. sanctions via its banking system, Iraqi and U.S. officials say. While Baghdad has been delicately balancing its role as an ally of both Washington and Tehran for years, with President-elect Donald Trump expected to take a hard line on Irans attempts to skirt U.S. sanctions, its activities in neighbouring Iraq are expected to come under increasing scrutiny. Of the two main routes the fuel oil takes out of Iraq, one involves blending it with similar product from Iran and passing it off as purely Iraqi, helping Tehran evade tough U.S. sanctions on energy exports, said the five sources, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. The other involves exporting the fuel oil that was originally meant for the subsidy programme using forged documentation to mask its origins. Advertisement Iran benefits directly from the first route. Iranian fuel oil typically sells at a discount due to sanctions but it can sell it for a higher price if it is passed off as Iraqi. The second route, meanwhile, benefits the Iranian-backed militias in Iraq that control the smuggling scheme. Three sources estimated how much both routes were bringing in based on assumptions about the volumes traded and relative prices. Their estimates ranged from $1 billion a year to over $3 billion. The illicit trade potentially puts Iraqi institutions and officials at risk of U.S. sanctions for helping Iran and some Iraqi officials are concerned a Trump administration could target them, the three sources said. Advertisement However, Iraqi leaders rely heavily on the support of influential Iranian-backed Shiite groups to stay in power, making it difficult for them to crack down on illicit activities, such as the fuel oil smuggling, the sources said. Sudanis office did not respond to requests for comment about the trade, the risk of sanctions or government attempts to curb the business. On Washingtons radar The lucrative smuggling and its links to Iran and individuals under U.S. sanctions are already on Washingtons radar. The subject came up in discussions between U.S. officials and Sudani when the Iraqi prime minister visited the United States in September, one of the sources said. Asked by Reuters whether smuggling had been raised, a State Department official said: While we do not comment on specific discussions, we can affirm the Department has emphasized with our Iraqi counterparts the harms of illicit trade and our support for bringing oil transparently to market. Advertisement The U.S. Treasury did not respond to questions about the fuel oil trade or whether Iraqi entities and officials were at risk of sanctions. U.S. sanctions on Iran are chiefly in response to its nuclear programme and its support for groups across the Middle East that the U.S. sees as terrorist organisations, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. While Washington has put pressure on Iraqi officials to clamp down on activities benefiting Iran, Tehrans influence runs deep. Central to the smuggling operation is Iraqi Shiite group Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH), a paramilitary force and political party that was an early backer of Sudani and a key member of the bloc that nominated him to be prime minister, according to the five people with knowledge of the matter and the three reports. Advertisement The findings in the reports seen by Reuters are based on a broad range of sources in Iraq and its government departments who were not identified. Sudanis office and AAH and its leader Qais al-Khazali did not respond to questions posed by Reuters. Backed by Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), AAH was folded into Iraqs security apparatus in 2018 and now also has 16 members of parliament. Khazali was sanctioned by Washington in 2019 for AAHs alleged role in serious human rights abuses, related to the killing of protesters in Iraq that year and other violence, including a 2007 attack that killed five U.S. soldiers. Khazali mocked the sanctions, saying in a video posted on X two days later that he was personally hurt it had taken Washington so long to sanction him. How it works While fuel oil smuggling existed before Sudani came to power in October 2022, it has grown in complexity and become more formalised since he took office, the five sources said. Iraqi fuel oil exports are on track to hit an all-time high above 18 million tons this year, according to industry sources and ship-tracking data, more than double exports in 2021. To create surplus fuel oil for export, some of the asphalt plants involved in the network overstate their needs when requesting official fuel oil allocations. Others exist in name only, meaning their entire allocations can be diverted for export, according to the five sources and intelligence reports. Central to the scheme is the State Company for Mining Industry, which operates asphalt plants as a joint venture with private companies, the sources said. It was originally established to boost local industries, such as flancoat production, an asphalt waterproofing material used in construction. The state firm was singled out in one of the Western intelligence reports as coming under tight AAH control during Sudanis tenure and being used for the export of large quantities of HSFO. Al-Thager Asphalt Industries Factory, one of the state mining companys ventures according to its website, is used by AAH as a site for storing fuel oil, the intelligence report said. Some of the plants allegedly involved are controlled by AAH or Kataib Hezbollah, another Iraqi militia backed by Irans Revolutionary Guards and designated as a terrorist organisation by Washington, the intelligence report said. The State Company for Mining, Al-Thager and Kataib Hezbollah did not respond to detailed requests for comment. In a previous attempt to clamp down on the trade, Sudanis predecessor Mustafa al-Kadhimi ordered a review of the actual operating capacity of asphalt plants, cut their allocations and raised the price of subsidised fuel to $220 per ton from $70, according to two of the sources and the intelligence reports. Reuters couldnt determine what prompted the crackdown. In January 2023, a few months after Sudani took over, the price was lowered to $100-$150 a ton, far below the market price for exports, estimated at anywhere between $300 and $500. The lower the price of the subsidized fuel, the higher the profit margin when exporting it on the international market. Sudanis government also expanded licensing for asphalt plants to include 37 new projects, a near-doubling of the industry almost overnight, one of the sources said. All of the sources said some of the projects were fictitious, suggesting they were just ploys to get fuel oil allocations for export. The allocation of fuel oil is determined by Sudanis office through its National Operations Command (PM-NOC). The Oil Products and Distribution Company (OPDC) is then tasked with processing fuel movement requests, which include vehicle numbers, cargo volumes and specifications, and identifying information for each driver and truck. The fuel oil movements are reviewed by the PM-NOC and approved with memos that let trucks pass through various checkpoints manned by Iraqs oil police, three sources said. PM-NOC, OPDC and Iraqs state oil marketing company SOMO, the body responsible for exporting Iraqi fuel oil, did not respond to requests for comment. Blended with Iranian fuel Once diverted from the plants, the fuel oil takes one of the two routes, both involving forged documentation, the five sources said. Some of the Iraqi fuel is exported directly through Iraqs southern ports with falsified documents listing it as other products, such as vacuum residue or flancoat, both byproducts of refining that can be shipped legitimately. The state mining company, which owns a network of heavy fuel oil blending facilities across Iraq, is authorised to transport fuel oil between them and export flancoat, one of the intelligence reports said. The second route involves blending the illicit fuel oil with similar Iranian fuel and passing it off as purely Iraqi, again with falsified documents, to help Tehran skirt tough sanctions Western nations have imposed on its energy exports. The southern Iraqi city of Basra has emerged as the heart of the blending operations, with Khor Al Zubair and Umm Qasr ports key export points for the illicit fuel, the five sources said. Reuters was unable to determine whether the authorities in the ports were aware of the smuggling operation. The blending is done by Iraqi engineers, typically during ship-to-ship transfers, and the fuel oil is then shipped to clients mainly in Asia, two of the intelligence reports said. The operation is made easier by the similarity between Iraqi and Iranian fuel oil grades and it is difficult to determine scientifically that blending has occurred after the fact, one of the people said. Iraqs port authorities did not respond to requests for comment. In July, Sudanis government ramped up the price of subsidised fuel oil to $369 per ton, recommended cutting asphalt plant allocations to about 60% of their capacity and also ordered a review of their actual capacity. Reuters was unable to determine why the government launched the review, or the outcome. Three of the sources said the move was an attempt by the government to distance itself from the smuggling operation. Sudanis representatives did not respond to requests for comment. Subsidised prices have been inching back down since August and are now $228 to $268 a ton. Smoke rises above Lebanon following an Israeli strike, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, on Israel's border with Lebanon. (Representative Photo, Credit: Reuters) Amid an uneasy ceasefire with Hezbollah, Israel on Tuesday carried out fresh airstrikes in Lebanon. In a brief statement, the Israeli military said an airstrike targeted a terrorist cell in Bekaa area of Lebanon. Even though the full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah has stopped, Israel has continued to conduct sporadic ceasefire inside Lebanon and Hezbollah has also carried out attacks. Both sides blame the other for initiating violations of ceasefire brokered by US and French governments. Advertisement Earlier, Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri, who has mediated in talks with Hezbollah, said that Israel had violated ceasefire over 50 times since it came into force on November 27. In addition to the airstrike in Bekaa area, there has also been reports of an Israeli airstrike on a near the airport in Syrian capital Damascus. Even as Israel has rejected the accusations of violating the ceasefire, Defence Minister Israel Katz has said that if the ceasefire with Hezbollah breaks down and war resumes, then Israel would not distinguish between Lebanese forces and Hezbollah personnel. So far, Israel had reiterated that the war was with Hezbollah, the Iran-backed, Lebanon-based terrorist group, and not with the government or people of Lebanon. However, Katzs statement suggests a remarkable turnaround in the Benjamin Netanyahu governments stand. Katz said that Lebanon must authorise the Lebanese army to enforce their part, to keep Hezbollah away beyond the Litani [River] and to dismantle all the infrastructure, according to The Times of Israel. The failure to do so and breakdown of the truce would mean that Israel would be at war with Lebanese state and would strike the entirety of capital Beirut and not just the neighbourhood of Beirut thats home to Hezbollah, said Katz. Advertisement If they dont do it and this whole agreement collapses then the reality will be very clear. First of all, if we return to war we will act strongly, we will go deeper, and the most important thing they need to know, that there will be no longer be an exemption for the state of Lebanon, said Katz. He further said, If until now we have distinguished between the state of Lebanon and Hezbollah, and between Beirut as a whole and [its southern suburb, a Hezbollah stronghold] Dahiyeh, which we have struck very hard, this will no longer be [the case]." Under the terms of the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, Israeli forces would withdraw south of the Blue Line, the de facto Israel-Lebanon border, and Hezbollah would withdraw to the north of Litani river within 60 days. It also mandates that the area in southern Lebanon vacated by Hezbollah would be taken over by the regular Lebanese military to ensure that Hezbollah does not return to the area. Advertisement Iskcon Kolkata Vice President and Spokesperson Radharamn Das alleged that the lawyer defending Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari in sedition case in Bangladesh was brutally attacked and he is in ICU fighting for his life read more Iskcon monks in West Bengal's Kolkata take part in a protest 'kirtan' over the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu by Bangladesh police. Source: PTI Advocate Ramen Roy defending Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari in a legal case in Bangladesh has been brutally attacked by Islamists leaving him in the ICU, alleged Iskcon Kolkata spokesperson Radharamn Das. The report of attack on Chinmoy Dass defending lawyer comes hours ahead of the expected hearing of his case on December 3. Chinmoy Das, a prominent former leader of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) in Bangladesh, was arrested in Dhaka on November 25 on sedition charges by Muhammad Yunus-led interim government in the country. He was denied bail by a Dhaka court last week. Advertisement Chinmoy Dass lawyer fighting for his life Islamists ransacked his home and brutally attacked him, leaving him in the ICU, fighting for his life, Radharamn Das said. According to him, Roys sole fault was defending Chinmoy Das in court. Please pray for Advocate Ramen Roy. His only fault was defending Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in court. Islamists ransacked his home and brutally attacked him, leaving him in the ICU, fighting for his life. #SaveBangladeshiHindus #FreeChinmoyKrishnaPrabhu, Radharamn Das posted on X along with a picture of Roy in the ICU. Please pray for Advocate Ramen Roy. His only 'fault' was defending Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in court. Islamists ransacked his home and brutally attacked him, leaving him in the ICU, fighting for his life.#SaveBangladeshiHindus #FreeChinmoyKrishnaPrabhu pic.twitter.com/uudpC10bpN Radharamn Das (@RadharamnDas) December 2, 2024 Talking to a Bengali news channel, Radharamn Das further said that the attack on advocate Roy reflects the growing danger faced by those who defend the rights of religious minorities in Bangladesh. Bangladesh has been witnessing increasing attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, under Yunus government who heads the interim government in Indias neighbouring country after the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in early August. India has condemned Chinmoy Dass arrest and urged Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and other minorities in the country. Advertisement India demands justice for Hindus in Bangladesh Meanwhile, protest rallies are being carried out in West Bengal, Assam and other states that share a border with Bangladesh. In Tripuras capital Agartala, more than 50 protesters allegedly entered the premises of the Bangladeshi mission on Monday leading to panic among the officials and staff at the complex. Also, hotels and restaurants in Tripura have decided not to accept any bookings from tourists from Bangladesh. Nechaev allegedly tried to export a 1968 Cessna 172K and a 1973 Cessna to a purported Russian flight school without the proper authorization read more A dual US-Russian national was arrested on Monday for trying to smuggle two Cessna aircraft from the United States to Russia via Armenia, the Justice Department said. Sergey Nechaev was taken into custody in the southern state of Georgia and charged with seeking to violate US export laws, the department said. Nechaev allegedly tried to export a 1968 Cessna 172K and a 1973 Cessna to a purported Russian flight school without the proper authorization, it said. Advertisement Nechaev falsely represented that the end user and destination were in Armenia, the department said. The planes, valued at a total of $170,000, have been seized by the US authorities. Nechaev faces up to 20 years in prison for unlawful attempted export of controlled goods, up to 10 years for smuggling and up to five years for falsifying export information. The Justice Department said the investigation was coordinated through its Task Force KleptoCapture, which has been enforcing sanctions and export controls on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Following Donald Trumps announcement of imposing tariffs on day one of his second term, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last week travelled to Florida to meeting the US president-elect read more During their meeting last week, US President-elect Donald Trump told Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that his country should become the 51st states of the United States, according to a report. After Trump pledged to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China on the first day of assuming office, Trudeau travelled to Palm Beach, Florida to meet Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence. During the meeting, when Trudeau complained that tariffs would cripple the Canadian economy, Trump said that then Canada should become an American state if outstanding issues cannot be addressed, according to Fox News. Advertisement Trump on November 25 said that he would impose 25 per cent tariffs on all goods coming into the United States from Canada and Mexico for the failure of these countries to check the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the United States. Canada should be 51st US state if Even though Trump described the meeting with Trudeau as very productive, Fox News cited two sources as saying that he told the Canadian premier at one point that if he could not manage his nations economy amid tariffs, then Canada should become a US state. Fox quoted sources as saying that Trump told Trudeau that he would certainly impose 25 per cent tariffs if the trade deficit, which he said was in excess of $100 billion, and illegal immigration could not be fixed. When Trudeau told that such a move would completely kill the Canadian economy, sources quoted Trump as saying: So your country cant survive unless its ripping off the U.S. to the tune of $100 billion? Then Trump went on to suggest that Canada should become the 51st US state and Trudeau could become the governor of that state, even though the title of prime minister was better, according to sources. The remark led to nervous laughter from Trudeau and others at the table, as per sources. Someone at the table said that if Canada joins the United States, then it would be a very liberal state, and it led to more laughter, said sources. Trump then went on to suggest that Canada could possibly become two states upon joining the United States, a liberal half and a conservative half, said sources. Advertisement Bangladeshs former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has accused interim government head Muhammad Yunus of indulging in mass killings through a meticulous designed plan along with the student coordinators read more Ousted Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina accused the head of the countrys interim government Muhammad Yunus of mass killings and blamed him for atrocities on minorities. Virtually addressing an event of her political party - Awami League - in New York, Hasina blamed Yunus for the attacks on religious places including temples, churches and Iskcon. Today, I have been accused of mass killings. In reality, it is Muhammad Yunus who has indulged in mass killings through a meticulous designed plan along with the student coordinators. They are the masterminds, Hasina, who fled from Bangladesh on August 5 after the student protests intensified in her country, said. Advertisement Even Tarique Rahman (BNP leader and Khaleda Zias son) from London has said that if the deaths continue, then the government wont last, she said. Why are Hindus targeted in Bangladesh? During her address, the former Bangladesh PM also referred to the alleged atrocities against the minorities in Indias neighbouring country. She asked: Today, teachers, and police are all being attacked and killed Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians are being targeted. Churches and several temples have been attacked. Why are minorities being targeted in Bangladesh now? Hasinas statement came amid reports of a number of attacks on the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Last week, three Hindu monks were arrested by police in Dhaka which escalated tension. Didnt want massacre Hasina claimed there was a plan to assassinate her just like her father and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The former Bangladesh leader said that she left her country as she didnt want a massacre. There was a plan to assassinate just like the Father of our Nation who was killed on August 15 (1975). It was a matter of 2530 minutes. But I told my security not to open fire, she told her party members. I did not want a massacre. If I wanted to hold on to power, there would have been a massacre. When people were being killed indiscriminately, I decided I should leave. Had my security personnel opened fire, so many would have died at Gana Bhavan. I did not want that, Hasina said. With inputs from agencies. A medical team has been sent to the Panzi health zone to collect samples and carry out an analysis to identify the disease, Remy Saki, deputy governor of Kwango province, and Apollinaire Yumba, provincial minister of health have said read more An unknown disease has swept the southwestern province of DR Congo, killing as many as 143 people in November. Local health officials told Reuters that infected people exhibited flu-like symptoms including high fever and severe headaches. A medical team has been sent to the Panzi health zone to collect samples and carry out an analysis to identify the disease, Remy Saki, deputy governor of Kwango province, and Apollinaire Yumba, provincial minister of health have said. Advertisement Civil society leader Cephorien Manzanza said that the situation on the ground is extremely worrying as the number of infected people is increasing. Panzi is a rural health zone, so there is a problem with the supply of medicines, Manzanza said. Due to a lack of medical facilities and a dilapidated health infrastructure, infected people are forced to die in their homes. A local epidemiologist said women and children were the most seriously affected by the disease. A WHO spokesperson said on Tuesday the UN health agency had been alerted to the presence of the disease last week, and it was working alongside Congos public health ministry to make further investigations. With inputs from Reuters The incoming US president has vowed to press for a quick deal to end Russias war leaving Kyiv scrambling to position itself ahead of his January inauguration read more Nato foreign ministers looked set to rebuff Tuesday a push from Ukraine for progress on joining their alliance ahead of Donald Trump taking power in the United States. The incoming US president has vowed to press for a quick deal to end Russias war leaving Kyiv scrambling to position itself ahead of his January inauguration. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said getting security guarantees from the Western alliance and supplies of key weaponry are prerequisites for Kyiv to start talking about halting its fight. Advertisement Zelenskyy said Sunday that Kyiv was hoping Nato foreign ministers meeting in Brussels with Ukraines top diplomat would issue recommendations to grant his country a membership invitation. But we have no illusions there are some sceptical countries, he said. Until now, the leaders of Nato heavyweights the United States and Germany have backed away from Ukrainian membership out of fear it could drag the alliance into a war with Russia. Diplomats said that with the administrations of US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on their way out Kyiv hoped their foreign ministers could have more leeway. But US officials in private say the Biden administration will not back Ukraines push as they believe any offer would be rescinded by the president-elect. Such a gesture one month before the new administration will infuriate Trump, who will act contrary to this immediately, one European diplomat at Nato agreed. Briefing reporters Monday as Washington announced a new $725 million military aid package for Kyiv, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller reiterated only that Ukraine is on the path to Nato, and Nato is on the path towards Ukraines inclusion. Certainly every time we can get together as allies and talk with our Ukrainian counterparts, its an important step along that road towards Nato membership, he said of Tuesdays talks. Advertisement Boots on ground? In Kyiv at the weekend, the European Unions new top diplomat Kaja Kallas stated publicly that the bloc wants Ukraine to win this war but also briefed reporters on bolstering Ukraine ahead of negotiations, with Nato membership the strongest security guarantee. While moving Ukraine closer to the alliance appears unlikely right now, two Western diplomats said initial discussions had begun on whether European troops could be deployed to enforce any eventual ceasefire. In many countries, there is very serious thinking on various possible scenarios and how we can contribute to security guarantees, a European diplomat said. We need to be able to have an idea to communicate to the US. Advertisement Trump has said he could end Russias war in Ukraine in a matter of hours, but has given no details on how he intends to achieve that goal. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned against any moves to place Ukraine under US-led Natos security umbrella. Trumps new envoy on the Ukraine war Keith Kellogg has floated shelving Ukraines long-standing Nato ambitions as part of a peace deal while still providing Kyiv security guarantees. As Ukraine presses on the diplomatic side, its forces are buckling across the eastern front in the face of Russias grinding offensive. Kyiv is looking to wring all the weaponry it can from the Biden administration amid fears Trump could cut aid once he returns to the White House. Advertisement At a meeting in Brussels last week Ukraine called on allies to give it air defence systems capable of shooting down the new Oreshnik experimental ballistic missile fired by Moscow. Those include the American Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and the Arrow system developed by Israel and the US, officials said. Putin unleashed his new weapon against the Ukrainian city of Dnipro last month in retaliation for strikes by Ukraine on Russia using US and British missiles. The Kremlin leader also threatened to target government buildings in Kyiv, and those countries supplying the arms to Ukraine. Nato diplomats said they doubted Washington would move quickly to provide Ukraine the new systems, given how long it took Biden to give the green light on delivering less-modern Patriot defences. Advertisement Both Israel and Hezbollah faced accusations Monday of breaching the truce that took effect Wednesday to end a war that has killed thousands of people in Lebanon and sparked mass displacements on both sides of the border read more Nine people were killed in Israeli strikes on villages in southern Lebanon on Monday, after Israel said it was taking aim at dozens of Hezbollah targets in retaliation for an attack claimed by the militant group during a fragile ceasefire. Both Israel and Hezbollah faced accusations Monday of breaching the truce that took effect Wednesday to end a war that has killed thousands of people in Lebanon and sparked mass displacements on both sides of the border. Advertisement The Israeli military in a statement said that it struck Hezbollah terrorists, dozens of launchers, and terrorist infrastructure throughout Lebanon. Israel demands that the relevant parties in Lebanon fulfil their responsibilities and prevent Hezbollahs hostile activity, the statement said. Lebanons health ministry said the strikes killed five people and wounded two in the village of Haris in an initial toll, while in the village of Tallous, another four people were killed and one wounded. Earlier, Hezbollah said it had launched an attack targeting an Israeli position in the occupied hills of Kfar Shouba, in a disputed part of the border area between Israel and Lebanon. Israels military said Hezbollah had launched two projectiles towards one of its posts in the area of Har Dov, Israels term for the disputed Shebaa Farms. After that attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of a serious violation and vowed to respond forcefully. We are determined to uphold the ceasefire and respond to any violation by Hezbollah, no matter how minor or serious, he said. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz also vowed a harsh response. Shortly afterwards, the Israeli military said it was striking targets in Lebanon. Advertisement Lebanons official National News Agency reported strikes on areas of the countrys south, where Hezbollah has long held sway, around 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the border with Israel. Aggressive actions Shopkeepers in the suburbs of Beirut on Monday were busy cleaning up damage from air strikes and reopening their stores following the truce. I reopened my store today, were organizing and putting everything back in its place, our merchandise, and were starting from scratch, store owner Ali Qima Zaiter told AFP. Mohammad Yassin, who owns a bakery, said his store had been slightly damaged by a nearby strike. Ive been repairing the damage for four days and, God willing, tomorrow Tuesday well reopen the store, he said. Advertisement Israel has carried out a near-daily series of strikes in southern Lebanon since the ceasefire was put in place, and earlier on Monday, Beiruts powerful parliament speaker Nabih Berri accused it of violating the truce. The aggressive actions carried out by Israeli occupation forces represent a flagrant violation of the terms of the ceasefire agreement, said Berri, who helped mediate the truce on behalf of ally Hezbollah. The fighting escalated after Israel moved its focus from Gaza to Lebanon in September to secure its northern border from Hezbollah attacks, dealing the Iran-backed Shiite Muslim movement a series of stunning blows. In Saudi Arabia, where French President Emmanuel Macron is on a state visit, he and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pledged to make every effort to contribute to de-escalation in the region, including helping to consolidate the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Advertisement The two leaders also called for presidential elections in Lebanon with the aim of bringing the Lebanese people together and carrying out the reforms necessary for the stability and security of the country, Macrons office said in a statement. Also Monday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar in a call there was a need for all sides to respect the ceasefire in Lebanon, the foreign ministry said. Saar rejected accusations that Israel had violated the truce, claiming instead that his countrys strikes were enforcing the ceasefire. We hear claims that Israel is violating the ceasefire understandings in Lebanon. On the contrary! Israel is enforcing them in response to Hezbollahs violations, which demand immediate action, he said in a statement. Advertisement He also said Hezbollah had attempted to move weapons in southern Lebanon and their presence south of the Litani river is the most basic violation of the understandings. Under the deal, Hezbollah must withdraw its fighters from areas south of the river, and dismantle its military infrastructure in the south. As part of the agreement, the Lebanese army and United Nations peacekeepers will deploy in southern Lebanon as the Israeli army withdraws over a period of 60 days. Threats A committee including France, UN peacekeepers, Israel, Lebanon and chaired by the United States is tasked with maintaining communication between the various parties and ensuring violations are identified and dealt with to avoid any escalation. We ask the technical committee formed to monitor the implementation of this agreement where it stands on ongoing violations that have exceeded 54 breaches, Berri added, urging it to oblige Israel to stop its violations and withdraw from territories it occupies. The United States said Monday it believed that a ceasefire was still holding in Lebanon and that it was looking at potential violations. Israel escalated its campaign against Hezbollah in late September after nearly a year of cross-border exchanges launched by the militant group in support of its Palestinian ally Hamas and its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Earlier on Monday, the Lebanese army said an Israeli drone wounded a soldier in the east. Israels military said it was aware of reports regarding a soldier from the Lebanese military who was injured in one of the strikes and the incident is under investigation. The army said it was responding to several acts by Hezbollah in Lebanon that posed a threat to Israeli civilians in violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon. Russias army on Tuesday said that it had launched hypersonic missiles during naval and air force drills in the eastern Mediterranean that comes as its ally Syria loses ground to Islamist rebels read more An aerial view shows Russian Navy frigate Admiral Golovko during military drills conducted in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. Reuters Russias army on Tuesday said that it had launched hypersonic missiles during naval and air force drills in the eastern Mediterranean that comes as its ally Syria loses ground to Islamist rebels. The Russian military also stated that the number of troops deployed in the region had been increased to support the exercises. In recent days, Russia has conducted airstrikes to counter a rebel offensive, which has resulted in President Bashar al-Assads forces losing control of the city of Aleppo. Advertisement Moscow has been a key supporter of Assad since the onset of the Syrian civil war in 2011. On 3 December, during an exercise to test the combined activities of Russian Navy and Air Force troop groups, precision sea-based missiles were launched in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, AFP quoted Russias defence ministry as saying in a post on Telegram. Russian vessels test fired hypersonic Zirkon missiles and a Kalibr cruise missile, the ministry added. An Onyx cruise missile was launched from a designated area on the Mediterranean coast, it added. Russia has a naval base in Syria at Tartus but the statement did not say where the drills were carried out. In the course of preparing for the exercise, the Russian armed forces troops grouping in the eastern Mediterranean was increased, the ministry added. More than 1,000 forces, 10 vessels and 24 aircraft were taking part in the drills, it said. The ministry published images showing the launch of several missiles from ships and land and images of a target in open water being hit and exploding. With inputs from agencies To safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Koreas communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements I hereby declare emergency martial law, Yoon Suk Yeol said in a live televised address to the nation read more South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday declared an emergency martial law after he accused the countrys Opposition of controlling the parliament and backing North Korea. To safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Koreas communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements I hereby declare emergency martial law, Yoon said in a live televised address to the nation. The president also blamed the Opposition for paralysing the government with anti-state activities. Advertisement As he made the announcement in a televised address, Yoon defended the move by saying its critical for defending the countrys constitutional order. He, however, fell short of giving details on what specific measures will be taken in an emergency. Meanwhile, the leading Opposition party, the Democratic Party has called for an emergency meeting after Yoons shock announcement. The partys leader Lee Jae-Myung has called the declaration of emergency unconstitutional. Yoon whose approval rating has dipped in recent months has struggled to push his agenda against an opposition-controlled parliament since taking office in 2022. The presidents conservative People Power Party had been locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition Democratic Party over next years budget bill. He has also been dismissing calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, drawing quick, strong rebukes from his political rivals. Yoon slams Opposition The president accused opposition lawmakers of cutting all key budgets essential to the nations core functions, such as combatting drug crimes and maintaining public security turning the country into a drug haven and a state of public safety chaos. He also called the Democratic Party anti-state forces intent on overthrowing the regime, adding that his decision is inevitable. I will restore the country to normalcy by getting rid of anti-state forces as soon as possible. What will happen now? South Koreas Constitution enables the president to impose martial law in response to military needs during times of war, armed conflict, or a national emergency. Under emergency, certain freedoms are restricted including the right to press, publication, assembly and the powers of the government or courts. Advertisement South Korea was marred by massive doctors protests earlier this year which also saw many health professionals quit. Under martial law, however, all such doctors are required to return to duty within 48 hours. All political activities, including the operation of the National Assembly and local councils, political party activities, political associations, assemblies, and demonstrations, are prohibited. With inputs from agencies A total of 190 lawmakers in the 300-seat National Assembly voted to overturn the martial law declared by President Yoon Suk Yeol, according to a report read more Soldiers try to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul on Wednesdy, after South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. AFP Hours after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, South Korean lawmakers voted on Tuesday to block the decree. According to a CNN report, a total of 190 lawmakers in the 300-seat National Assembly voted to overturn the measure. It remains unclear how the vote will impact the martial law declaration, as South Korean law requires the president to comply with the vote, added the report. The chair of the National Assembly Woo Won-sik said that the emergency martial law declaration is invalid. Advertisement The President should immediately lift the emergency martial law following the voting by the National Assembly CNN quoted Won-sik as saying. Now, emergency martial law declaration is invalid, he said. The people should rest easy, the National Assembly will defend democracy with the people, he added. Declaring martial law, Yoon accused the opposition of being anti-state forces and said he was acting to protect the country from threats posed by the North. Late Tuesday night, the National Assembly was sealed off, and helicopters were seen landing on the roof as Army Chief General Park An-su assumed control as martial law commander, immediately issuing a decree banning all political activities. Troops were seen trying to enter the parliament after President Yoon declared martial law. According to Reuters, live television footage showed troops apparently tasked with imposing martial law attempting to enter the assembly building, and parliamentary aides were seen trying to push the soldiers back by spraying fire extinguishers. Hundreds of protesters gathered outside parliament, demanding entry, while police secured the building and special forces attempted to intervene. As a key US ally in Asia, democratic South Koreas situation is being closely watched, with a spokesperson for the US National Security Council saying that Washington is monitoring the situation closely. Yoons dramatic declaration of martial law the first in South Korea in over 40 years came amid tensions between his party and the opposition over the national budget. Advertisement To safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Koreas communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements plundering peoples freedom and happiness, I hereby declare emergency martial law, Yoon said in a live televised address to the nation. Yoon did not give details of the Norths threats, but the South remains technically at war with nuclear-armed Pyongyang. With no regard for the livelihoods of the people, the opposition party has paralysed governance solely for the sake of impeachments, special investigations, and shielding their leader from justice, Yoon added. Our National Assembly has become a haven for criminals, a den of legislative dictatorship that seeks to paralyse the judicial and administrative systems and overturn our liberal democratic order, Yoon said. Advertisement With martial law imposed, all military units in the South have been ordered to strengthen their emergency alert and readiness postures, Yonhap news agency reported. China, a key ally of North Korea, urged its nationals in the South to stay calm and exercise caution. With inputs from agencies Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine extended Lai a very warm welcome after his arrival in the capital Majuro, where the Taiwanese leader will hold talks with the government and attend a banquet read more Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te (C) arrives to Parliament in Majuro, in the Marshall Islands. AFP Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te arrived in the Marshall Islands on Tuesday, after visiting the United States on the first stop of a Pacific tour that has angered Chinese leaders. The Marshall Islands is one of 12 remaining nations that recognise Taiwans claim to statehood after others jumped ship to China following promises of aid and investment. China insists self-ruled Taiwan is part of its territory and opposes any official exchanges with the island. Advertisement Beijing has sought to push Taipei off the international stage by poaching its allies and blocking it from global forums, including the United Nations. Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine extended Lai a very warm welcome after his arrival in the capital Majuro, where the Taiwanese leader will hold talks with the government and attend a banquet. Taiwan and the Marshall Islands share a traditional Austronesian culture as well as the values of freedom and democracy, Lai told Heine, speaking through an interpreter. Lais first overseas trip since taking office in May began with a two-day visit to the United States where he discussed Chinas military threats towards Taiwan during a call with former US House speaker Nancy Pelosi, and met with US government officials and members of Congress drawing a fresh barrage of criticism from Beijing. China rejects any international recognition of Taiwan and its claim to be a sovereign state. It especially bristles at official contact between the island and Washington, Taiwans most important security backer. After the Marshall Islands, Lai will visit Taiwans other remaining Pacific island allies Tuvalu and Palau as well as stop for one night in the US territory of Guam. The Marshall Islands, a sprawling chain of volcanic islands and coral atolls halfway between Hawaii and Australia, has a long-standing agreement with the United States that gives it security and budget guarantees. Advertisement In return, the US military has access to its territory. We are like family, and we are also close partners who support each other, Lai told Heine. Over many years of mutual support, we have provided one another the greatest possible backing. In a speech to parliament, Lai announced Taiwan would provide a preferential loan for state-owned Air Marshall Islands to purchase new aircraft. Taiwan, which has a long history of providing development finance in the Pacific, will also help build a pig slaughterhouse in 2025 to improve food security in the Marshall Islands, Lai said. Lai thanked Heine for personally speaking up for Taiwan at this years Pacific Islands Forum, United Nations General Assembly and COP 29. Advertisement Long-time friends China has fumed over recent US arms sales to Taiwan and Lais stop in the US island state of Hawaii, where he was welcomed with red carpets and garlands of flowers. Pelosis long-standing support for Taiwan has infuriated China, which responded to her visit to Taipei in 2022 with massive military drills around the island. Lai and Pelosi discussed Chinas military threats toward Taiwan, presidential spokeswoman Karen Kuo told reporters in Hawaii, describing the 20-minute call between the long-time friends as warm and amicable. In response to Lais conversation with Pelosi, China on Monday called on the United States to stop meddling with Taiwan and cease supporting and indulging Taiwan independence separatist forces. Advertisement The Taiwan issue is the core of Chinas core interests and the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-US relations, foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing. Taiwan faces the constant threat of a military attack by China, which regularly deploys fighter jets and warships around the island to press its claims, and Beijing has not ruled out using force to bring the island under its control. China and Taiwan have been governed separately since 1949, when Chiang Kai-sheks nationalist forces were defeated by Mao Zedongs communist fighters and fled to the island. In his first public speech of the trip on US soil, Lai said Saturday there was a need to fight together to prevent war, warning there were no winners from conflict. Advertisement On the eve of Lais week-long Pacific tour, the United States approved a proposed sale to Taiwan of spare parts for F-16s and radar systems, as well as communications equipment, in deals valued at $385 million in total. Outgoing top UN envoy Tor Wennesland has blamed weak diplomacy for the Israel-Hamas war, saying the world leaders have wrongly focused on short-term fixes, including small-scale humanitarian initiatives in Gaza, instead of pursuing a more ambitious push for a Palestinian state, according to a report read more Tor Wennesland, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, speaks during a Security Council meeting at United Nations headquarters, on November 25, 2024. AP File Outgoing top UN envoy Tor Wennesland has blamed weak diplomacy for the Israel-Hamas war, saying the world leaders have wrongly focused on short-term fixes, including small-scale humanitarian initiatives in Gaza, instead of pursuing a more ambitious push for a Palestinian state. The feeling that Hamas had no interest in the conflict that was the mantra, and it was wrong, The New York Times quoted Wennesland as saying in a parting interview as he retired after a four-year tenure before leaving Jerusalem last weekend. Advertisement Im somehow blaming myself for not getting that, not that I was the only one, he added. According to the The New York Times report_,_ in September last year, Wennesland, the UNs top envoy for the Middle East peace process, left a meeting with Hamas leaders in Gaza believing he had helped prevent a major escalation. The veteran Norwegian diplomat thought Hamas had agreed to ease tensions along the Israel-Gaza border in exchange for more work permits for Gazan workers. However, Hamas had misled Wennesland, as well as the Israeli leadership and much of the international community. Days later, the group launched attacks on Israel, triggering the deadliest year in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Wennesland now views this misconception as symbolic of the broader issues with the international communitys recent approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He said in the half-decade before the war, the international community had focused on improving the economy in Gaza, hoping that higher levels of employment and a better quality of life in the blockaded territory might prevent more flare-ups between Hamas and Israel. Foreign leaders also focused on diplomatic deals between Israel and other Arab states, believing that they might eventually and indirectly lead to peace with the Palestinians, he added. Both approaches, Wennesland said, ultimately failed to solve the main issue driving the conflict in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank: the lack of a permanent settlement between Israelis and Palestinians. Advertisement Politics failed. Diplomacy failed. The international community failed. And the parties failed, The New York Times quoted Wennesland as saying. What we have seen is the failure of dealing with the real conflict, the failure of politics and diplomacy, he added. He said the failure to reach a permanent resolution was partly due to the rift between Hamas and its West Bank-based rival, Fatah, which prevented Palestinians from presenting a united front. This division also mirrored the increasing influence of right-wing leaders in Israel who oppose Palestinian sovereignty, he added. Wennesland also pointed out that Western leaders, distracted by the migration crisis in Europe, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine, had stopped persuading Israelis about the importance of a two-state solution and failed to encourage Palestinians to form a unified stance. Advertisement Politics is what ends war, and diplomacy is what ends war," Wennesland was quoted as saying. But for more than half a decade, international attention has been shifting towards dealing with the day-to-day humanitarian situation, and with less attention on the politics, he added. Wennesland stands out among Western diplomats, as many privately doubt the viability of a two-state solution, especially with growing Israeli opposition to Palestinian sovereignty. However, he warns this approach risks becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy, allowing opponents of Palestinian sovereignty to control the debate. The spoilers have been more effective, determined and fast-moving than diplomats and politicians, he said. With inputs from agencies Advertisement A video published by the military showed Ukrainian soldiers pushing back Russian forces near the village of Novomlynsk. The army said that the western bank of the Oskil River is officially under Ukrainian control as soldiers raised a state flag in Novomlynsk read more FILE - Ukrainian soldiers carry shells to fire at Russian positions on the front line. AP The Ukrainian military on Tuesday said it had thwarted a Russian attempt to crossover key waterway on the Oskil riverfront in the east. A video published by the military showed Ukrainian soldiers pushing back Russian forces near the village of Novomlynsk. The army said that the western bank of the Oskil River is officially under Ukrainian control as soldiers raised a state flag in Novomlynsk. As a result of the successful operation, the enemy was destroyed. The right bank of the Oskil River is under the control of the Defence Forces, the Ukrainian military said in a statement. Advertisement How is the Oskil River significant? Kyiv said Russian forces had tried to cross the Oskil River, which has long been a de facto front line across the east of the war-scarred country. The waterway winds its way from Russias western border through the northeast of Ukraine, with Moscow and Kyivs forces entrenched on either side of sections of its banks. Moscows forces have been advancing in the Kharkiv region, which borders Russia and are closing in on the civilian hub of Kupiansk, which is divided by the Oskil River. Kupiansk had a pre-war population of around 27,000 people and was occupied by Russian forces just days after the Kremlin launched its invasion when the towns mayor ceded control. Russia captures villages While Ukraine gained at the riverfront, it lost a few villages to Russia on the eastern and southern fronts on Tuesday. The Russian defence ministry said that its troops have captured the villages of Novodarivka in the southern Zaporizhzhia region and Romanivka in the eastern Donetsk region. Apart from seizing territories, the Russian army also claims to have improved its tactical position in the northeastern Kharkiv region, including around Kupiansk, though did not comment on the alleged attempted river crossing. Nearly three years into the invasion, Russian forces have intensified their offensive, seizing more Ukrainian territory in November than in any month since March 2022, based on an AFP analysis of data from the US Institute for the Study of War. Advertisement Russia fires N.Korean missiles Russia used North Korean missiles against Ukraine, a military spokesperson told Radio Free Europe on Monday. The development comes amid reports that North Korean troops have been deployed in Russia to fight in the Ukraine war. Andrii Cherniak, a military intelligence spokesperson, said that Moscow fired at least 60 KN-23 ballistic missiles against Ukraine. With inputs from agencies Ukrainian troops in Russian region of Kursk have reportedly been ordered to hang onto this small sliver of Russian territory until US president-elect Donald Trump, with new policies, arrives in the White House at the end of January read more In a bid to help Ukraine thwart Russian counterattacks in Kursk, the US, UK and France have all permitted Kyiv to use long-range weapons on targets inside Russia. Source: Reuters. Nearly four months after Ukrainian forces launched a bold offensive into Russias Kursk region, soldiers stationed there paint a dire picture of their reality. The messages, sent via Telegram, tell a story of confusion, exhaustion, and fear as they grapple with a battle they struggle to understand and one they might be losing. BBC in a report revealed that they have been in contact with several soldiers serving in Kursk, including one who has recently left the region. For their safety, BBC agreed not to reveal their identities. Advertisement As per the report, the soldiers speak of torturous weather conditions, a chronic lack of sleep from Russias relentless bombardment, including the use of massive 3,000kg glide bombs, and their retreat as Russian forces gradually reclaim territory. Telegram communication as accessed by the news portal show a soldier Pavlo (name changed) writing that the trend will continue and that Its only a matter of time. Pavlo describes immense fatigue, a lack of rotation, and the arrival of units composed mostly of middle-aged men, pulled directly from other fronts with little to no time for rest. These conditions, while common in war, have led to feelings of frustration. Under relentless pressure from Russian forces and with winter setting in, its no surprise that optimism is scarce. But the messages as per BBC are almost uniformly bleak, suggesting that motivation is a significant problem. Some soldiers question whether the initial goal of the operation to divert Russian forces from Ukraines eastern front has been successful. Their current orders, they say, are to hold onto this small sliver of Russian territory until the end of January, when a new US president takes office and potentially shifts policies. Advertisement The main task facing us is to hold the maximum territory until Trumps inauguration and the start of negotiations, Pavlo said. In order to exchange it for something later. No one knows what. By the end of November, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had also indicated that both sides were aware of the change in US leadership. I am sure that he [Vladimir Putin] wants to push us out by January 20, he said. It is very important for him to demonstrate that he controls the situation. But he does not control the situation. In an attempt to support Ukraines efforts in Kursk, the US, UK, and France have allowed Kyiv to use long-range weapons to target Russian assets within their own borders. However, these strikes seem distant to the soldiers on the front lines. Advertisement No one sits in a cold trench and prays for missiles, Pavlo said. We live and fight here and now. And missiles fly somewhere else. While the long-range missiles like Atacms and Storm Shadow may have inflicted damage on Russian command posts and ammunition depots, such successes seem far removed from the soldiers reality. For Ukraine, the slow advance of Russian forces in eastern Ukraine underscores the importance of holding ground in Kursk. In October alone, Russia occupied approximately 500 sq km of Ukrainian land the largest territorial gain since the early days of the invasion in 2022. By contrast, Ukraine has already lost about 40 per cent of the land it captured in Kursk in August. Advertisement But some soldiers feel theyre in the wrong place. They believe the eastern front is more critical, and they question the purpose of occupying Russian territory. In late November, reports suggested that as many as 10,000 North Korean troops had been deployed to join Russias counteroffensive in Kursk. However, the soldiers we spoke to have yet to encounter any of them. The Ukrainian military has released recordings they claim are intercepts of North Korean radio communications. Soldiers have been instructed to capture at least one North Korean prisoner, preferably one with documents, and rewards drones or extra leave are being offered to those who succeed. Advertisement Veterans of previous, failed operations see unsettling parallels to whats happening in Kursk. Between October 2023 and July 2024, Ukrainian forces attempted to hold a small bridgehead at Krynky, on the left bank of the Dnipro River, about 25 miles upstream from Kherson. The operation, initially seen as a potential springboard for further advances, was ultimately lost and at great cost. As many as 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers are thought to have been killed or gone missing. But they worry that something similar may be unfolding in Kursk. Military analysts, however, maintain that the Kursk operation continues to serve an important role. Its the only area where we maintain the initiative, Serhiy Kuzan, from the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Centre, said. He acknowledged the incredibly difficult conditions Ukrainian forces face in Kursk, but pointed out that Russia has been forced to devote substantial resources to pushing them out resources that would otherwise be used elsewhere. The longer we can hold this Kursk front with adequate equipment, artillery, Himars, and long-range weapons to strike their rear the better, Kuzan said. In Kyiv, senior commanders stand by the Kursk operation, arguing its still delivering military and political benefits. The countrys national assembly was sealed following Yoons announcement and helicopters were seen landing on the roof of the building in Seoul, in live television footage aired by broadcasters read more A man holds the South Korea flag outside the National Assembly in Seoul on December 4, 2024, after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law. AFP The US on Tuesday said that it is closely monitoring the situation in South Korea as President Yoon Suk Yeol imposed emergency martial law earlier today. The Administration is in contact with the ROK government and is monitoring the situation closely, a spokesman for the National Security Council said. Yoon defended his move by saying that the country is threatened by communist forces and anti-state elements. I will restore the country to normalcy by getting rid of anti-state forces as soon as possible," the president said as he blamed the Opposition for creating instability in the country and being a sympathiser of North Korea. Advertisement People protest martial law Hundreds of people gathered at the South Korean parliament early Wednesday to protest against the imposition of martial law, according to live footage. Open the gate, please. Your job is to protect the National Assembly. Why are you standing idly by while MPs are being trampled? a middle-aged man shouted at a group of policemen guarding the gate. Clashes with troops near the South Korean parliament under martial law pic.twitter.com/MqSPTpYYWW Sputnik (@SputnikInt) December 3, 2024 The countrys national assembly was sealed following Yoons announcement and helicopters were seen landing on the roof of the building in Seoul, in live television footage aired by broadcasters. Chinese embassy calls for caution Chinas embassy in Seoul on Tuesday warned its citizens to exercise caution after the imposition of martial law in South Korea. The embassy advises Chinese nationals in South Korea to remain calm enhance safety awareness, limit unnecessary outings, exercise caution when expressing political opinions, it said in a statement. What will happen now? South Koreas Constitution enables the president to impose martial law in response to military needs during times of war, armed conflict, or a national emergency. Under emergency, certain freedoms are restricted including the right to press, publication, assembly and the powers of the government or courts. South Korea was marred by massive doctors protests earlier this year which also saw many health professionals quit. Under martial law, however, all such doctors are required to return to duty within 48 hours. Advertisement All political activities, including the operation of the National Assembly and local councils, political party activities, political associations, assemblies, and demonstrations, are prohibited. With inputs from agencies Nato chief Mark Rutte said he has warned US President-elect Donald Trump that the United States would face dire threats if Ukraine is forced into making a peace deal that is favourable to Russia read more Nato chief Mark Rutte has warned US President-elect Donald Trump that the United States would face dire threats if Ukraine is made to accept Russias terms. The warning comes as Trump is widely expected to stop or curtail the aid to Ukraine and push it to accept a deal favourable to Russia. In contrast to outgoing President Joe Biden, Trump is not a supporter of Ukraine and is instead deemed to have a friendly outlook for Russia. Advertisement Amid such concerns, Rutte said that Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran are essentially working as a bloc and an outcome of the war favourable to Russia would embolden China, the principal US adversary. We cannot have a situation where we have [North Korean leader] Kim Jong Un and the Russian leader and Xi Jinping and Iran high-fiving because we came to a deal which is not good for Ukraine, because long-term that will be a dire security threat not only to Europe but also to the US, said Rutte in an interview with Financial Times. Rutte told the newspaper he conveyed the warning to Trump during their meeting in Florida on November 22. Trump has said that he would end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours. While he has not outlined his plan, his allies, including incoming Vice President JD Vance, have supported plans that would essentially force Ukraine into accepting Russias terms. Rutte flags emerging bloc of adversaries Rutte said that the conflicts in Ukraine, Indo-Pacific, and West Asia are increasingly connected. In an apparent reference to the self-ruling island of Taiwan, Rutte said that Chinese President Xi Jinping might get thoughts about something else in the future if there is not a good deal [for Ukraine]. China considers Taiwan to be a breakaway province and is committed to its reunification with the mainland even with the use of force. Advertisement Rutte said he told Trump: Look at the missile technology which is now being sent from Russia into North Korea, which is posing a dire threat not only to South Korea, Japan, but also to the US mainland. Iran is getting money from Russia in return for, for example, missiles, but also drone technology. And the money is being used to prop up Hezbollah and Hamas, but also steering conflict beyond the region." These nations are working together in a way that various conflicts in the world are more and more getting connected, said Rutte. So the fact that Iran, North Korea, China and Russia are working so closely together . . . [means] these various parts of the world where conflict is, and have to be managed by politicians, are more and more getting connected, said Rutte. Advertisement Military aide to Ukraine first priority Rutte said that even though Nato member-states are discussing the question of Natos membership, the first priority is to provide military aid to Ukraine. Rutte told FT, The most important thing now is to make sure that whenever Zelenskyy decides to get into peace talks, that he can do this from a position of strength. That for me is now priority number one. Ukraine has pressed both the Nato and European Union (EU) to induct Ukraine as a member. The idea is that the memberships of these blocs would extent military and economic security guarantees to Ukraine in future. Despite willingness for an induction, it is unlikely to happen before the end of the war. Rutte said that its fine to have such discussions but the top focus should be on to boost Ukraines war-waging abilities, not just defensive operations but also offensive capabilities. Advertisement But what I always say to them when they ask me: I say, well, thats all very fine and we need to have these debates, but for the immediate future, the most important thing is to get your military aid into Ukraine, particularly air defence, but also the offensive systems they need to fight a war, said Rutte. The United States, United Nations and Russia on Tuesday raised concerns over the escalating political crisis in South Korea following President Yoon Suk Yeols declaration of martial law and the subsequent vote by South Korean lawmakers to block the decree read more Police officers walk among the crowd, after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday. Reuters The United States, United Nations and Russia on Tuesday raised concerns over the escalating political crisis in South Korea following President Yoon Suk Yeols declaration of martial law and the subsequent vote by South Korean lawmakers to block the decree. The US said it was not given any warning by South Korea that President Yoon would declare martial law in a country that is one of Washingtons closest allies. The US was not notified in advance of this announcement. We are seriously concerned by the developments we are seeing on the ground, AFP quoted a White House National Security Council statement as saying. Advertisement In a separate statement, the US said that it hoped South Korean authorities would respect a vote by lawmakers to rescind martial law imposed by President Yoon. Certainly it is our hope and expectation that the laws and regulations of a particular country are abided by. That does include the National Assembly vote, AFP quoted State Department spokesman Vedant Patel as telling reporters. The United Nations said its monitoring the political upheaval in South Korea very closely and with concern. Were watching the situation very closely and with concern, AFP quoted Stephane Djuarric, spokesman for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as telling reporters. The situation is evolving quickly, he added. Expressing concern, the Kremlin too said that its paying close attention to the development in South Korea. The situation is concerning. We are watching closely, Interfax news agency quoted President Vladimir Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying. President Yoon declared martial law on Tuesday night, marking the most significant threat to South Koreas democracy since the 1980s. Advertisement Lawmakers swiftly rejected the move in a vote, while protesters gathered outside parliament in opposition. Yoon framed his declaration as a response to political adversaries, but it was strongly opposed by the parliament speaker and even by Han Dong-hoon, leader of Yoons own party, who has previously clashed with the president over his handling of recent scandals. Under South Korean law, martial law must be lifted immediately if the National Assembly votes against it by a majority. Live television footage showed helmeted troops attempting to enter the National Assembly, while parliamentary aides used fire extinguishers to push them back. In a televised address, Yoon accused opposition parties of hijacking the parliamentary process. Advertisement He vowed to eliminate what he called shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces and stated that declaring martial law was necessary to protect the countrys constitutional order. This declaration is illegal and constitutes a criminal act, directly violating the Constitution and other laws, Reuters quoted the opposition Democratic Party as saying in response. It is essentially a coup detat, it added. Shortly after Yoon made his announcement, people began gathering outside the parliament building, some of them shouting: Withdraw emergency martial law! Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol shouted others. After Yoons statement, South Korean military officials said martial law will remain in effect until lifted by the president, according to local broadcaster YTN, other local media reports and AFP, despite the parliaments vote to lift it. Advertisement The military said activities by parliament and political parties would be banned, and that media and publishers would be under the control of the martial law command. Yoon did not cite any specific threat from the nuclear-armed North, instead focusing on his domestic political opponents. It is the first time since 1980 that martial law has been declared in South Korea. With inputs from agencies A day after President-elect Donald Trump warned that there would be hell to pay if the hostages are not released by the time he takes office in January, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday thanked Trump for the strong statement made in a social media post read more A day after President-elect Donald Trump warned that there would be hell to pay if the hostages are not released by the time he takes office in January, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday thanked Trump for the strong statement made in a social media post. It is a very strong statement, Times of Israel quoted Netanyahu as saying at a special cabinet meeting in the northern coastal city of Nahariya. Advertisement The statement makes it clear that there is one party responsible for this situation and that is Hamas. Hamas must release the hostages, he added. Netanyahu said Trump put the emphasis in the right place on Hamas, and not on the Israeli government, as is customary in some places. Protesters and some hostage families blame Netanyahu for not doing enough to reach a deal with Hamas to get the hostages out of Gaza. We will continue to do everything to release them, and whoever harms them will be killed, he added. On Monday, Trump threatened those holding hostages in the Middle East with unprecedented American firepower unless they are released before he takes office on January 20. Trump had previously made a similar threat as a presidential candidate at the Republican National Convention in July. However, his latest warning, posted on Truth Social, came two days after Hamas released a propaganda video showing American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander pleading with the president-elect for his release. The statement also followed hours after the IDF confirmed that another American-Israeli hostage, Omer Neutra, was killed during Hamass October 7 attack, with his body still being held in Gaza. Neutra had previously been thought to be alive in captivity. Advertisement Everybody is talking about the hostages who are being held so violently, inhumanely, and against the will of the entire World, in the Middle East But its all talk and no action! Trump wrote on Truth Social, without mentioning Israel or the Palestinian terror group by name. Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity, he added. Advertisement Meanwhile, on the fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah, Netanyahu repeated the warning that the war with Hezbollah is not over. We are committed to a ceasefire, but we will also not tolerate violations of the ceasefire by the other side, he said, a day after Hezbollah fired mortar shells at northern Israel and the IDF struck over 20 sites in Lebanon. I also say here in the clearest terms: We will not return to the situation that was on October 6, (2023), he promisefd, referring to the day before the current multifront war began with Hamass onslaught on southern Israel. The north will be calm, the north will prosper, the north will flourish, and the north will be safe, added Netanyahu. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Lan, the chairwoman of real estate developer Van Thinh Phat Holdings Group, was sentenced to death in April for her role in what was Vietnams biggest financial fraud case on record read more Vietnamese real estate tycoon Truong My Lan, second left, attends trial in an appeal she filed against her death sentence in a financial fraud case in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. AP A court in Vietnam on Tuesday upheld a death sentence for real estate tycoon Truong My Lan after rejecting her appeal against a conviction for embezzlement and bribery in a high-profile $12 billion fraud case, state media reported. Lan, the chairwoman of real estate developer Van Thinh Phat Holdings Group, was sentenced to death in April for her role in what was Vietnams biggest financial fraud case on record. The High Peoples Court in southern Ho Chi Minh City determined there was no basis to reduce Lans death sentence, reported online newspaper VnExpress. Advertisement If Lan is able to return three-quarters of the money embezzled while on death row, it is possible the sentence could be commuted to life imprisonment, the report said. She is one of the most famous business executives and state officials jailed in the communist countrys lengthy anti-graft campaign known as Blazing Furnace. The consequences Lan caused are unprecedented in the history of litigation and the amount of money embezzled is unprecedentedly large and unrecoverable, the prosecution was quoted as saying at the appeal hearing by state-run online newspaper VietnamNet. The defendants actions have affected many aspects of society, the financial market, the economy, it said. State media cited Lans lawyer as saying she had many mitigating circumstances, including having admitted guilt, showing remorse and paying back part of the amount of money embezzled, but prosecutors said that was insufficient. Reuters could not immediately reach Lans lawyers for comment. Lan still has the right to request a review under Vietnams cassation or retrial procedures. Lans arrest in 2022 sparked a run on one of the countrys largest private banks by deposits, Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SCB), which was at the centre of the fraud and largely owned by Lan through her proxies. Advertisement Documents reviewed by Reuters showed Vietnams central bank had as of April pumped $24 billion in special loans into SCB in an unprecedented rescue. Apart from the death sentence, Lan was handed a life sentence at a separate trial in October after being found guilty of obtaining property by fraud, money laundering and illegal cross-border money transfers. Afghanistan has around 10 public and more than 150 private health institutes offering two-year diplomas in 18 subjects, ranging from midwifery to anaesthesia, pharmacy and dentistry, with a total of 35,000 women students, health ministry sources said read more A Taliban fighter stands guard as women wait to receive food rations distributed by a humanitarian aid group, in Kabul, Afghanistan, on May 23, 2023. Image used for representational purpose/AP In a further clampdown on womens rights, the Taliban administration in Afghanistan on Tuesday banned women from pursuing nursing and midwifery courses. Officials from the health department met directors of educational institutes in Kabul to appraise them on the recent decree, a source from the ministry told AFP. He said that although an official letter has not been published yet, the managements of various health institutes were ordered not to admit women and girls in their facilities anymore. Advertisement They were not provided with any details and justification and were just told of the order of the supreme leader and were asked to implement it, the source added. A senior employee of one such centre said that institutes had been given 10 days to hold final exams. Taliban has been repressing womens rights in Afghanistan ever since they returned to power in 2021. After they were barred from education beyond secondary school as part of restrictions labelled gender apartheid by the United Nations, women flocked to these health institutions, one of the only avenues left open for them. Afghanistan has around 10 public and more than 150 private health institutes offering two-year diplomas in 18 subjects, ranging from midwifery to anaesthesia, pharmacy and dentistry, with a total of 35,000 women students, health ministry sources said. What are we supposed to do with just 10 per cent of our students? one manager said. Big shock for us Meanwhile, female students and faculty pursuing courses at health institutes have already received messages telling them not to come to work until further notice. A midwifery teacher at a private institute in Kabul said, This is a big shock for us. Psychologically, we are shaken. This was the only source of hope for the girls and women who were banned from universities. Advertisement A health ministry official said the ban on women pursuing health courses would strain an already suffering health sector in Afghanistan. We are already short of professional medical and para-medical staff and this would result in further shortages. With inputs from AFP In the 1990s, Ukraine gave up the third-largest nuclear weapons arsenal in the world in lieu of security guarantees. Now, in the third year of a war with Russia, the security guarantees lay in tatters in the absence of nuclear deterrence. read more The photo shows a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launched during a test from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in Northern Arkhangelsk region, Russia, on October 29, 2024. (Photo: Reuters) In 1991, the third-largest nuclear weapons arsenal in the world was with an unexpected nation: Ukraine. Over the next decade, Ukraine gave up all of those weapons in a multinational arrangement which included security guarantees in lieu of nuclear disarmament. Over the next decade, the security guarantees unravelled and Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraines Crimea and annexed it in 2014. The multinational agreement as well as security guarantees were dead and buried. Advertisement Now, as Russias war on Ukraine is set to enter the fourth year in coming weeks, Putin has made threats of nuclear attack central to his messaging to Ukraine and the world. With no nuclear weapons of its own, many now wonder if giving up nuclear weapons was the biggest blunder that paved the way for Putins invasion. How Ukraine got 3rd largest nuclear arsenal At the time of the disintegration of the Soviet Union, a large chunk of its nuclear arsenal was stationed in Ukraine. As Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union, it came in possession of the worlds third-largest nuclear arsenal much larger than British, French, or Chinese arsenals. In 1991, Ukraine had around 5,000 nuclear warheads, including around 3,000 so-called tactical nuclear warheads and 2,000 strategic warheads, according to Federation of American Scientists (FAS). Ukraines nuclear arsenal at the time included 176 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launchers with some 1,240 warheads. These missiles included 130 SS-19s, each capable of delivering six nuclear weapons; 46 SS-24s, each armed with 10 nuclear warheads; and 14 SS-24 missiles. There were also several dozen strategic nuclear bomber aircraft armed with around 600 air-launched missiles and gravity bombs. How Ukraine gave up nukes in ultimate blunder Even though there were voices in and out of Ukraine that called for the retention of these nuclear weapons, Ukrainian leaders at the time decided to give up the weapons in exchange for security guarantees and help with the development of a civilian nuclear energy programme. In 1994, Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and United Kingdom signed the Budapest Memorandum for the nuclear disarmament of Ukraine. However, even before the signing of the agreement, Ukraine had removed all 3,000 tactical nuclear weapons from its soil by 1992, according to FAS. Under the Budapest Memorandum, the signatories including Russia assured Ukraine that no nation would use force against Ukraine and all nations would respect its boundaries and sovereignty. They assured Ukraine that if anyone attacked it, they would initiate immediate aid to Ukraine via United Nations Security Council (UNSC) the United States, UK, and Russia are permanent UNSC members. Advertisement Notably, when Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons, the weapons were not dismantled, but were transferred to Russia. This meant that Russias nuclear arsenal was strengthened at the cost of Ukraines and US and British governments facilitated it. The weapons that could not be transferred were dismantled and weapon-launch platforms were also demolished. The United States bore the cost of the dismantling and demolitions, totalling at around $399.2 million, according to FAS. There were warnings that the nuclear disarmament could be a blunder for Ukraine. In 1993, political scientist John Mearsheimer argued in an article that it was imperative for Ukraine to hold onto nuclear weapons maintain peace as these nuclear weapons would be a deterrent and would ensure that Russians, who have a history of bad relations with Ukraine, do not move to reconquer it. Advertisement Now, three decades later, Mearsheimer stands correct. In the absence of any nuclear deterrence, Putin has occupied a fifth of Ukrainian territory and has plunged Europe in the worst security crisis since World War II. He is showing no signs of relenting and is aiming to maximise his gains on the back of support from China, North Korea, and Iran, at a time when a friendly leader in Washington Donald Trump is expected to cripple the Wests support to Ukraine. But how realistic are Russian nuclear threats? The success of Putins revanchist policy is in a way a result of Ukraines disarmament. Had Ukraine not given up its nuclear arsenal, it is unlikely that Putin would be attacking Ukraine with ballistic missiles and invoking threats of nuclear attacks every now and then. To be sure, he would have still waged war on Ukraine out of his quest to restore the Soviet Union, but the nature of the conflict would not be as lopsided in his favour as it is today. Advertisement Steven Pifer, a negotiator of the Budapest Memorandum and a former US envoy to Ukraine, told The New York Times that the disarmament-for-security guarantees arrangement fell apart because of the collective failure of the United States and Ukraine to take into account the rise of someone like Putin. Last month, Russia formally adopted a new nuclear weapons doctrine that significantly lowers the threshold to use nuclear weapons. It allows the usage of nuclear weapons even in case of a conventional attack. Putin and senior Russian leaders, such as Dmitry Medvedev, have repeatedly threatened to hit the UK or France with nuclear weapons. Are such threats realistic though? Advertisement Ksenia Kirillova, an analyst at Washington DC-based think tank Jamestown Foundation believes that Putins threats of using nuclear weapons is blackmail and part of a scheme to scare the West into accepting his terms for the end of war on Ukraine. Kirillova tells Firstpost that even though Putin has a distorted world view in which he does not consider Ukraine a legitimate nation and does not recognise the will of people, he is logical in that world view and is not suicidal. I dont think Putin is going to launch a nuclear attack because that would be suicidal as no one can survive a nuclear war. Putin is not suicidal. In fact, he loves his life. The fact that he has increased nuclear threats and launched the Oreshnik missile after Western nations allowed Ukraine to strike deeper inside Russia, possibly even hit Moscow, shows that he is afraid that Ukraines newfound capabilities could reach him personally, says Kirillova. Instead of a prelude to an actual war, the nuclear threats are a tactic to negotiate better terms with the West, particularly with Trump, says Kirillova. The threats of nuclear weapons and a stronger posture on the battlefield allows Putin a better position to negotiate with the West and Trump. He will tell Putin that by ending the war in Ukraine at the earliest, he would not just be ending a local conflict but preventing World War III. Trump would also benefit as he would be able to portray himself as a man who prevented World War III irrespective of whether Ukraine wins or loses. Instead of a nuclear war that would be deadly for everyone, such an arrangement suits Putin better. The nuclear threats are therefore a means to end the war on favourable terms, says Kirillova. If the ceasefire collapses, there will be no more exemption for the state of Lebanon. We will enforce the agreement with maximum impact and zero tolerance. If until now we have differentiated between Lebanon and Hezbollah, that will no longer be the case, said Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz read more Israel on Tuesday threatened that if the ceasefire in Lebanon collapses, Israels forces will no longer differentiate between Lebanon and Hezbollah even as senior Lebanese officials called on the US and France to pressure Israel to maintain the ceasefire. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, who was visiting northern Israel, said the Lebanese government must authorise the Lebanese army to enforce their part, to keep Hezbollah away from the Litani and to dismantle all the infrastructure. Advertisement If the ceasefire collapses, there will be no more exemption for the state of Lebanon. We will enforce the agreement with maximum impact and zero tolerance. If until now we have differentiated between Lebanon and Hezbollah, that will no longer be the case, Reuters quoted Katz as saying. Israels military has issued orders preventing civilians in neighboring Lebanon from returning to dozens of villages in the south, where tens of thousands have been forcibly displaced from their homes. Similarly, many Israelis in northern Israel have been forced to flee due to nearly continuous exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and the IDF since October 7, 2023. Lebanons ministry of health has put the death toll from Israeli attacks inside Lebanon since 7 October 2023 at over 3,000, with more than 13,000 injured. Israel has said it carried out the pager and walkie-talkie explosions in September, and in recent weeks had carried out an extensive series of airstrikes which it claimed were targeting Hezbollah infrastructure. Meanwhile, worried by the dozens of military operations on Lebanese soil that Beirut has deemed violations, top Lebanese officials urged Washington and Paris to press Israel to uphold the ceasefire, reported Reuters, citing two senior Lebanese political sources on Tuesday. Advertisement Deadly Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon and Hezbollah rocket fire on an Israeli military post on Monday have strained the US-brokered ceasefire, less than a week after it took effect. Lebanons caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally who negotiated the deal, expressed concerns to US and French officials late Monday. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot urged both sides to adhere to the ceasefire during a call with Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar. US State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said the ceasefire is holding despite anticipated violations. The truce, which began on November 27, prohibits Israeli offensive operations in Lebanon and demands Lebanon prevent Hezbollah attacks on Israel. It also gives Israeli troops 60 days to withdraw from southern Lebanon, with a US-led monitoring mechanism yet to begin its work. Advertisement With inputs from agencies iQOO just launched the iQOO 13, the companys latest flagship smartphone in India, as it had promised. The phone pack a 6.82-inch 2K+ 144Hz flat screen that uses BOEs Q10 luminous material, and has 2592Hz full high-frequency dimming. The phone is powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC with optimizations by working with Qualcomm. There is Q2 Self-developed chip, which promises PC-level 2K texture super-resolution, VAA anti-flicker technology, and native 144FPS frame rate. The iQOO 13 supports up to 16GB LPDDR5X Ultra RAM and up to 1TB UFS 4.1 storage. There is new 360 surround antenna. The phone has aviation grade aluminum middle frame, the largest 7K or 7000 mm ultra-large VC vapor chamber in iQOOs history with brand-new dual-drive heat dissipation design. The phone will get 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of security updates, which is the highest for an iQOO phone till date. There is a halo light around the camera deco, which is turned off by default and can be turned on easily. It adapts to the atmosphere effect of game scenes and supports color, scene, dynamic, and 72 effects. The iQOO 13 features a 50MP 1/ 1.49 main camera with Sony IMX921 sensor, NICE 2.0 algorithm, 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle and 50-megapixel 2x telephoto camera. The phone packs a 6000mAh silicon carbon battery, and it has 120W fast charging that can charge up to 100% in 30 minutes. There is also 100W PPS support, but it doesnt have wireless charging support. iQOO 13 specifications 6.82-inch (31681440 pixels) Quad HD+ curved BOE Q10 LTPO AMOLED 20:9 aspect ratio screen with HDR10+, 144Hz variable refresh rate, 1.07 billion colors, DCI-P3 color gamut, up to 1800 nits brightness in HBM mode, up to 4500 nits peak brightness, 2592Hz PWM dimming, Octa Core Snapdragon 8 Elite 3nm SoC with Adreno 830 GPU 12GB / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM with 256GB / 512GB (UFS 4.1) storage Android 15 with Funtouch OS 15 Dual SIM (nano + nano) 50MP camera with 1/ 1.49 Sony IMX921 sensor, f/1.88 aperture, OIS, LED flash, 50MP 150 ultra-wide-angle camera with Samsung JN1 sensor, f/2.0 aperture, 50MP 119.4 2x telephoto camera with f/1.85 aperture, 1/2.93 IMX816 sensor, OIS, up to 4x lossless zoom 32MP front-facing camera with GC32E1 sensor, f/2.45 aperture In-display Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, infrared sensor USB Type-C audio, Stereo speakers Dimensions: 163.37 76.718.13mm; Weight: 213g Dust and Water resistance (IP68+IP69) 5G SA/NSA (n1/n3/n5/n7/n8/n20/n28A/n28B/n38/n40/n41/n77/n78 bands), Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 7 802.11 be, Bluetooth 5.4, GPS: L1+L5, Beidou: B1C+B1I+B2a, GLONASS: G1, Galileo: E1+E5a, QZSS: L1+L5, USB Type-C 3.2 Gen1, NFC 6000mAh battery with 120W ultra-fast flash charging Pricing and availability The iQOO 13 comes in Nardo Grey with AG Glass back and Legend with BMWs iconic Red, Black, and Blue tri-colour stripe, Enamel Glass matte finish and is priced at Rs. 54,999 for the 12GB + 256GB model and the 16GB + 512GB model costs Rs. 59,999. The phone will be available from Amazon.in, iQOO.com starting from December 11th for everyone and from December 10th to those who had pre-booked the phone with pre-bookings starting from today 2PM on iQOO.com and from December 5th on Amazon.in. Launch and Pre-booking offers Rs. 3000 instant discount with HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank cards Rs. 3000 (non-vivo and iQOO) / Rs. 5000 (vivo and iQOO) exchange bonus 12-months extended warranty for pre-bookings Free iQOO TWS 1e for pre-bookings The U.S. Department of Commerces Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) on Monday announced updated export controls aimed at restricting Chinas access to advanced semiconductor technologies. This move targets Chinas ability to produce cutting-edge chips, essential for advanced weaponry, artificial intelligence (AI), and military modernization. These measures build on previous efforts to curb Chinas technological advancements and reduce national security risks. Key Measures in the New Rules The updated regulations introduce controls on: Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment: 24 types of equipment, including etching, deposition, lithography, and inspection tools, are now subject to export restrictions. Advanced Software Tools: Software used for developing or producing advanced-node semiconductors is now restricted. High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM): Critical for AI and advanced computing, HBM exports to China now require U.S. government authorization. Entity List Updates: 140 new additions and 14 modifications target Chinese semiconductor fabs, tool manufacturers, and investment firms supporting Chinas military goals. Software and Technology Controls: Enhanced restrictions on Electronic and Technology Computer Aided Design (ECAD and TCAD) tools and software keys. New Foreign Direct Product (FDP) Rules: SME FDP Rule: Extends jurisdiction over foreign-produced semiconductor equipment destined for Macau or countries in Group D:5, including China. Footnote 5 FDP Rule: Covers foreign-produced items involving entities on the Entity List that support Chinas military modernization. De Minimis Rule: Applies to items containing any amount of U.S.-origin technology. The BIS acknowledged that these restrictions aim to impair Chinas ability to indigenize production of critical technologies. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo described the rules as groundbreaking and sweeping. The measures also address potential loopholes, including the stockpiling of restricted equipment during delays in the rules release. Geopolitical and Industry Impact These rules are designed to curb Chinas ability to build a self-sufficient semiconductor industry, a key goal for Beijing. Chinese entities had previously found loopholes in earlier restrictions, stockpiling chips and tools before the regulations were finalized. The new controls, however, aim to close these gaps. While the restrictions may slow Chinas semiconductor ambitions, experts note potential loopholes, such as the availability of older HBM chips. Gregory Allen from the Wadhwani AI Center highlighted that not all facilities linked to HUAWEI were blacklisted, leaving room for maneuvering. Industry Lobbying and Financial Impact Chip toolmakers, including Applied Materials, ASML, Lam Research, and KLA, have ramped up lobbying efforts to shape the scope of these restrictions. Applied Materials reported an 86% rise in revenue from Chinese exports, amounting to $7.9 billion in the first nine months of the year, which accounts for 40% of its total revenue, according to The Wall Street Journal. U.S. Allies and Global Cooperation Countries like South Korea, Japan, and the Netherlands have supported U.S. efforts by imposing their own restrictions. This collaboration underscores a unified stance against Chinas access to advanced chip technology. However, Chinas Foreign Ministry criticized the U.S. for abusing export control measures and undermining free-market principles. Strategic Goals and Broader Implications BISs actions align with a broader strategy to maintain a technological edge over China while safeguarding national security. The focus remains on slowing Chinas progress in AI and military tech development. The U.S. also seeks to prevent the use of AI for military operations and human rights violations, such as surveillance of minorities and political dissidents. These export controls, marking the fourth attempt in three years by the Biden administration, highlight the U.S. small yard, high fence approachlimiting access to critical technologies while maintaining a tight grip on key innovations The U.S. strategy underscores a dual objective: slowing Chinas AI development and disrupting its semiconductor ecosystem. The BIS emphasized that these actions aim to protect national security while addressing technological advancements with potential military uses. Speaking about the new measures, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said, Chinese intangible cultural heritage promoter stuns netizens with incredible versatility People's Daily Online) 15:11, December 03, 2024 Liu Yaqing, a Chinese social media influencer known by her online aliases "Jiu Yue" and "Jiang Xunqian", imitates a goddess in a video showcasing intangible cultural heritage in China. (Photo/CCTV News) Liu Yaqing, a Chinese social media influencer known by her online aliases "Jiu Yue" and "Jiang Xunqian", has attracted massive attention and praise for introducing China's intangible cultural heritage to modern audiences through hands-on experiences. With a passion for traditional crafts and an unyielding drive, Liu learns and masters various traditional crafts that have been inscribed on China's list of intangible cultural heritages, and then creates short videos to showcase relevant ancient techniques to her online followers. In her videos posted on Chinese social media platforms, Liu performs a variety of traditional art forms, including Datiehua (molten iron fireworks), Huohu (fire pot), Yingge dance, shadow puppetry, and Peking Opera. She also crafts Miao ethnic silver ornaments, horse-faced skirts, go pieces, giant dragon head-shaped kites, and other intricate handicrafts involving techniques recognized as intangible cultural heritage in China. While amazed by the charm of traditional techniques and culture across China, viewers are deeply impressed by the perseverance and versatility of Liu. They are particularly impressed by her ability to complete complex, physically demanding, and even dangerous tasks. For instance, in one video, she performs a mesmerizing Huohu dance with two flaming pots; in another, she "flies" down a steep mountain while dressed as a goddess. Netizens are so astounded by her feats that they comment, "Even characters in books couldn't be this versatile." However, behind the polished videos lies a story of persistence and hard work. While Liu's followers see her as "omnipotent", the members of Liu's team and the inheritors of intangible cultural heritage she has learned from describe her as "a person who works harder than anyone". "I'm actually a person with a strong desire to share, and when I see something marvelous and beautiful, I want to share it with others," Liu said. "Beauty can be shared." Born in Hengyang, central China's Hunan Province, Liu developed an early interest in traditional arts, inspired by childhood experiences watching her grandfather listen to Peking Opera. With an educational background in the fine arts, Liu initially pursued a career as a video game character designer in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province. After spending six years in that position, she shifted to the role of We Media content creator, and started to create short videos showcasing crafts that she found gradually disappearing from modern life. "At the beginning, I didnt really care whether it was intangible cultural heritage or not. I just noticed that things I used to see all the time as a child seemed to have disappeared as I grew up," she recalled. What began as a personal interest turned into a "bloodline awakening." Liu felt a strong sense of responsibility to preserve and share these traditional crafts. "The intangible cultural heritage masters scattered across the country are waiting for someone to discover them," Liu said. "They're waiting for someone to bring their craft to the world." In her interactions with these masters, Liu was deeply moved by their dedication and lifelong pursuit of greater craftsmanship in one specific craft, and grew more determined to demonstrate precious traditional crafts to a wider world. Liu strongly disagrees with the viewpoint that sees intangible cultural heritage as a "cultural sanctuary" and something to be cherished, not commercialized for profit. "If an inheritor can't even make a decent living from their craft, how can we expect more people to join this field?" she said. "The people at the forefront of intangible cultural heritage should be able to make money from it. The more successful they are, the more others will see that it's possible to profit from intangible cultural heritage," Liu noted. "If the inheritors are successful with their handicrafts, more people will be encouraged to join in. That's a positive cycle!" Liu Yaqing, a Chinese social media influencer known by her online aliases "Jiu Yue" and "Jiang Xunqian", makes a traditional silver headwear of the Miao ethnic group in a video showcasing the intangible cultural heritage of the Miao silver jewelry-making technique. (Photo/CCTV News) She hopes that her team will continue to create more hit videos. "If a certain craft becomes well-known through my work, and many people start practicing it, and some even improve their lives because of it, then that's the true definition of a viral video," she said. Despite the challenges she faces daily during her creative process, Liu remains motivated by the constant surprises that emerge as she explores the cultural treasures scattered across the country. According to Liu, she was stunned by the view from the summit after spending hours climbing a lofty mountain with filming equipment, and deeply impressed by the roads in mountainous areas every time she went to some remote areas for research. "I'm saying it! Our country is so amazingit built roads all the way to such remote places," Liu exclaimed. As a promoter of traditional cultural heritage, Liu feels a sense of urgency. She worries that there won't be enough time to capture all the stories she wants to share, especially as many old intangible cultural heritage masters may not be around much longer. Liu Yaqing, a Chinese social media influencer known by her online aliases "Jiu Yue" and "Jiang Xunqian", plays the guitar. (Photo/CCTV News) "I always feel like there's not enough time, and that my efforts alone aren't enough," she said, recalling that when she was learning how to make a type of traditional lantern, the filming of the learning process had to be paused because the nearly 80-year-old master Zhang Shuqi had to undergo surgery. The more she sees the masters' dedication despite their age, the more she feels compelled to bring their stories to the public. Seeing that some elderly, provincial- and national-level inheritors of intangible cultural heritage still make a living by "weaving one basket at a time," Liu hopes that her videos can help raise awareness and attract a large following for these lesser-known traditional crafts. Her ultimate goal is to "ignite" certain intangible cultural heritage skills the way a product goes viral in e-commerce, improving the lives of the artisans who work in these fields. Liu jokes that she's someone who "often fails," but she doesn't want to share her struggles with netizens. "I don't want my difficulties to discourage you. I want to inspire you, to make you want to do it too," she said. She aims not only to gain attention to intangible cultural heritage, but also to help inherit and pass down the cultural treasures to the next generation. "Inheritance means that 5,000 years from now, Chinese culture will still shine brightly," she said. "Inheritance is not a one-person job; it's the work of a whole group of people," she noted. Liu Yaqing, a Chinese social media influencer known by her online aliases "Jiu Yue" and "Jiang Xunqian", prepares for a Peking Opera performance in a video showcasing the traditional art form. (Photo/CCTV News) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Hongyu) Command of Military Operations The Command of Military Operations [AR = kayada amliat askariah], frequently seen as "Military Operations Department" , or "Military Operations Management" [AR = idara amliat askariah] is the successor to the previously known Al-Fatah al-Mubin / Fathul Mubeen ("Great Conquest") Operations Room, which holds military control over the greater Idlib region. It represents an institution that has integrated multiple factions into a unified, army-like structure, equipped with a new military strategy, enhanced technology, and improved command and control systems. This setup allows it to conduct both defensive and offensive operations with greater efficiency. In late November 2024, the MOC launched a significant offensive in northwestern Syria, leading to the capture of over 100 towns and villages and most of Aleppo city. This offensive marked one of the most substantial challenges to President Bashar al-Assad's regime in recent years. The coalition's rapid advances have prompted counterattacks from Syrian and Russian forces, resulting in intensified conflict in the region. The MOC's operations have also involved symbolic acts, such as the toppling of a statue of Bassel al-Assad in Aleppo, reminiscent of the fall of Saddam Hussein's statue in 2003. These actions underscore the coalition's intent to challenge the Assad regime's authority and its allies, including Russia and Iran. The resurgence of MOC-led operations introduced new dynamics into the Syrian conflict, affecting regional stability and the strategic interests of involved international actors. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing military engagements and diplomatic efforts shaping the conflict's trajectory. The factions leading the attack in Aleppo, Idlib and Hama were divided into two operations rooms: Deterrence of Aggression and Dawn of Freedom. The first operations department consists of what is known as the Al-Fath Al-Mubin Operations Room, and some factions affiliated with the Syrian National Army coalition, supported by Ankara. The "Al-Fath Al-Mubin" includes the following factions: "Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham" (formerly Jabhat Al-Nusra, which is classified on the US terrorist lists), "Faylaq Al-Sham", "Jaysh Al-Ahrar", "Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham", and "Jaysh Al-Izza", which was previously part of the "Free Syrian Army". Other groups from the "National Army" are allied with the aforementioned factions, including the "Al-Sham Front", the "Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement", and the "National Liberation Front" factions, which were also previously considered part of the "Free Syrian Army". The military operations do not only include Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. It is the spearhead of the attack with other Islamic factions due to the nature of the training its fighters received in the past, in addition to the different doctrine. Tahrir al-Sham is also unable to cover all the battle fronts," and therefore fighters from other military factions opposed to the Syrian regime are deployed on the ground, a large portion of whom are from the region (this includes Aleppo, Hama, and Idlib). The Deterrence of Aggression battle took control of the entire provinces of Aleppo and Idlib, and parts of Hama province. What was striking during the battle was the noticeable change in the political discourse adopted by the Military Operations Management room leading the battle, and it was shown by a group of political statements, some of which were directed internally to the local community, and some of which crossed borders to address countries. The "Military Operations Management" operations room showed unprecedented discipline through an official spokesman and unified platforms for transmitting information. The media discourse focused on linking the operation to the repeated shelling by the Syrian army and its militias on opposition areas, which gave it local legitimacy by stating that the goal of the battle was to "protect civilians and keep the regime's fire away." It also reassured residents in the "newly liberated" areas through direct instructions from Abu Muhammad al-Julani to the faction leaders to deal "gently" with civilians, protect their property, and provide safety guarantees for soldiers who choose to defect. The command of military operations in the Syrian rebel context evolved over time, with various groups and factions emerging to challenge the Assad regime. While some rebel groups have achieved significant successes, others have struggled to coordinate their efforts or adapt to changing circumstances. During the Syrian Civil War (2011-2022), various rebel groups emerged, each with their own command structures and operational plans. These groups often operated in different regions, with some focusing on urban warfare in cities like Aleppo and Damascus, while others engaged in guerrilla warfare in rural areas. The command of military operations in this context involves several key factors, including: Command and Control (C2): This refers to the ability of rebel leaders to coordinate and direct their forces in real-time, using a combination of communication networks, intelligence, and logistics to achieve their goals. Operational Planning: This involves the development of strategies and plans to achieve specific military objectives, such as capturing key territories or disrupting enemy supply lines. Tactical Execution: This refers to the actual implementation of operational plans, involving the deployment of forces, the use of tactics and techniques, and the employment of resources such as artillery, air support, or logistics. Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR): This is critical for rebel groups to gather information about enemy positions, movements, and capabilities, allowing them to adjust their plans and operations accordingly. Some key aspects of command of military operations in the Syrian rebel context include: Unity of Command: The need for a unified command structure among different rebel groups to coordinate their efforts and avoid confusion or overlap. Operational Art: The development of operational plans that take into account the complexity of urban and rural environments, as well as the adaptability required to respond to changing circumstances. Logistics and Supply Chain Management: The need for rebel groups to maintain effective logistics and supply chains to support their operations, including the procurement of food, ammunition, and medical supplies. The Command of Military Operations is composed of 13 factions, bringing together 60,000 troops under its leadership. Together, these factions maintain a presence across a 169-kilometer frontline, solidifying their reach and influence across all fronts. These factions include Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) Ahrar al-Sham Ansar Tawheed Faylaq al-Sham Firqah 23 Firqah Sahiliyya Jaysh al-Ahrar Jaysh Idlib Hur Jaysh al-Izzah Jaysh al-Nasr Jaysh al-Nukhba Suqour al-Sham Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP) The Al-Fath Al-Mubin Operations Room was established in 2019, and has been responsible for coordinating and managing military operations in northern Syria in Idlib , the countryside of Aleppo , Latakia, and Hama since 2020. In mid-2020, the organization issued a statement about unifying military efforts, preventing the formation of any military faction or operations room in the areas under its control, and confining military operations to the Al-Fath Al-Mubin Operations Room. In a press conference held in 2023, the movement announced a new arrangement for building the military force of the factions operating in the region, and said that this step contributed to "achieving a balance of power in the region." Then, the formation of the "Military Operations Administration" appeared with the announcement of the launch of the "Deterrence of Aggression" battle, and the inclusion of the same factions that were previously affiliated with "Al-Fath Al-Mubeen". Previously known as the Fath al-Mubeen Operations Room (FMOR), the coalition rebranded itself after a year-long restructuring process that began in 2023. This reformation introduced significant changes in operational procedures and inter-factional cohesion, creating a more streamlined and effective military structure. The Command of Military Operations (CMO) stood as a crucial military coalition in the ongoing battles to defend and liberate Syrias occupied territories. Representing a united front of various military factions, the CMO protected the liberated north and pushes forward with hopes of securing a future for the displaced and oppressed Syrian people. The transition was not merely a name change. The group adopted advanced command and control systems, integrating new military technologies to enhance its battlefield capabilities. By modernizing its procedures, the CMO shifted to a more centralized and sophisticated operational model, making it better equipped to handle the complexities of contemporary warfare. The Command plays a vital role in protecting liberated areas in northwestern Syria, ensuring the safety and stability of these regions. Its primary objectives include repelling enemy assaults, establishing a stable and secure region free from Assads influence, and strengthening military capabilities. Additionally, the Command conducts guerrilla operations to disrupt opposing forces and focuses on fortifying frontline positions to reinforce its defensive capabilities. Through these efforts, it strives to maintain control and safeguard the region from external threats. The opposition areas in northwestern Syria were under the authority of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, led by Abu Muhammad al-Julani, a military organization that crystallized in early 2017 as a result of an alliance between several factions, the most important of which is Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, which previously operated under the name Jabhat al-Nusra, and now controls Idlib Governorate, parts of the western Aleppo countryside, and parts of the Latakia countryside. The organization established the Salvation Government as its political arm; it is an apparatus whose cadres are mostly civilian elites, and it works to achieve service achievements in the fields of security, education, health, and economic development.These areas are home to nearly 4 million people, most of whom live in displacement camps on the Turkish border, while agricultural, animal, water and energy resources are scarce compared to the population. As for its military arm, it was the Al-Fath Al-Mubin Operations Room, which includes the military factions in northwestern Syria. Onr major risk is the normalization of Arab and regional countries, especially Turkiye, with the Assad regime. By November 2024 the operations room was keen to send messages to minorities, as it issued statements directed at the Kurds calling for the withdrawal of military personnel from the city of Aleppo, while stressing the rights of civilians to remain in their homes as they are a basic component of Syrian society and the responsibility for protecting them falls on the military factions. In another statement, it called on the residents of the Shiite towns of Nubl and Zahraa not to engage in the fighting, and pledged to protect them from any targeting. Photos and videos circulated by activists showed that the churches witnessed normal religious activity, and other video clips showed fighters securing the return of a number of Shiite families who were stuck in the Al-Safira area in the eastern countryside of Aleppo to their town. In a remarkable shift, the Military Operations Directorate called on Russia in a statement to not link its interests to the Assad regime and to consider the Syrian people as a potential partner. In another separate statement, it also addressed Iraq, calling for not supporting the regime and stressing that the Syrian revolution does not threaten regional stability. It also allocated contact numbers for diplomatic missions in Aleppo to protect their employees and headquarters. Locally manufactured "Shaheen" drones appeared since the first day of the battle, and the "Military Operations Department" published a video clip showing other drones bearing the name "Saraya Al-Uqab". These drones gave the opposition forces the opportunity to carry out several qualitative operations, including targeting the head of the Military Security Branch in the city of Hama on Sunday, December 1, and targeting a large gathering of Syrian government officers at the summit of Mount Zein al-Abidin in northern Hama, according to data from the operations room. The opposition was able to control huge weapons depots containing special weapons such as anti-tank guided missiles, military airports, rocket shells, rocket launchers, and more than 100 tanks, following the control of important military sites, most notably Aleppo Military Airport, Kuweires Airport, the 46th Regiment, and the 80th Air Defense Regiment. Equipment seized at the Kuweires military base included a Mi-8 helicopter, an L-39 combat trainer aircraft, and reports indicated that an S-200 anti-aircraft missile system, along with Strela-10 and Pantsir-S1 air defense systems, had also become in the possession of the opposition. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Martial Law - 03 Dec 2024 - President Yoon Suk Yeol Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon held a joint press briefing on 08 December 2024 saying President Yoon Suk-yeol will not be involved in state affairs, including diplomacy, and that the prime minister will lead the state affairs until Yoon's "early" and "orderly" departure. South Korea has now entered an odd situation where it has a "president," not impeached, but deprived of acting as a president. PPP leader Han Dong-hoon said at the joint press briefing with the prime minister that through an orderly early departure of the president, "we will minimize the chaos for the Republic of Korea and its people, stabilize the political situation and restore liberal democracy." The party leader said the majority of the public believes that Yoon should step down, as he is unable to govern normally for the remainder of his term. In what appeared to be an attempt to ease concern among the public and the international community, Han said the president will not take part in state affairs, including diplomacy, even before his departure. Lee Jae-myung, the opposition DP leader, on Sunday accused the South Korea's ruling party and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo of "destroying the constitutional order" after the two announced they will work together to manage state affairs, according to Yonhap. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, who comes from the opposition DP, also said it would be a "blatant violation of the Constitution," should the prime minister and ruling party jointly exercise presidential power, The Korea Times reported. "The transfer of presidential power comes from the people, and such a process should abide by the Constitution and the principle of popular sovereignty," Woo said. The motion to impeach South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol failed after ruling party lawmakers walked out of parliament. If the motion had passed in the National Assembly, it would mark the third presidential impeachment motion in South Korea's constitutional history, following Roh Moo-hyun in 2004 and Park Geun-hye in 2016. Tens of thousands of protesters continued their calls for Yoon to resign. South Korea's constitution requires a presidential election be held within 60 days of a presidential vacancy. Yoon's term in office runs out in May 2027. Opposition parties hold 192 seats in the National Assembly. The impeachment motion required 200 votes to pass, but only three PPP lawmakers participated in the vote amid a ruling party boycott. South Korea's main opposition party promised to renew its attempts to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol as early as 11 December 2024. President Yoon Suk Yeol said it was up to the ruling People Power Party to decide how long he stays in office, amid growing calls for his resignation since he invoked martial law earlier this week. During a nationally televised address delivered as the parliament was set to vote on a motion to impeach him, Yoon also apologized for the martial law order, which lasted for about six hours. President Yoon Suk Yeol (Korean-English)] The declaration of martial law came from a sense of urgency as the president, who is ultimately responsible for state affairs. However, the decision caused anxiety and inconvenience to the public in the process. I am very sorry, and I would like to sincerely apologize to the public, who must have been alarmed. I will not evade my legal or political responsibilities for declaring martial law. Dear Korean citizens, there have been rumors that there will be another declaration of martial law, but I can clearly tell you now that there will never be another declaration of martial law. Dear Korean citizens, I will entrust my party with decisions on how to stabilize state affairs, including [decisions about] the remainder of my term in office. After concluding his speech, the president stepped away from the podium and bowed to the people before walking offstage. The President's People Power Party (PPP) collectively decided to block the impeachment but instead will consider other options such as a shortened term for the president. Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the PPP, said the president will eventually step down. The PPP boycotted Saturday's impeachment vote put forward by the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) scuttling the movement and keeping Yoon from being impeached. After the vote, PPP leader Han said the party had decided that Yoon would resign and had "effectively obtained" his promise to do so. Han emphasized that Yoon was no longer in a position to carry out his public duties and his resignation was unavoidable. Though he pledged the PPP would "resolve this crisis in a more orderly and responsible manner" than impeachment would have, Han refused to say just when Yoon would step down. "The People Power Party will pursue an orderly departure of the president in order to minimize confusion for the people," said Han, who added that Yoon would be "effectively excluded from his duties, and the prime minister will consult with the party to manage state affairs." Hans influence over the ruling party is limited in the face of a pro-Yoon faction that may still prove loyal to the president. The opposition DP ridiculed that idea as "absurd and illegal." "Neither the people, nor the law, nor anyone has given Han the power to remove [Yoon] from office," the party said in a statement, saying impeachment is the only way. All members of the parliament participated in the earlier vote that was turned down the opposition-led bill to initiate a special prosecution on the First Lady Kim Keon Hee and allegations surrounding her. 198 lawmakers voted for, and 102 voted against. This was the third parliamentary rejection of the First Lady special prosecution bill. It needed a majority attendance AND more than two-thirds approval to pass but was short of two approvals from passing. On December 3, 2024, President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea announced he will lift the emergency martial law mere hours after introducing it, following the parliaments unanimous vote against the measure. Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, citing the need to protect the nation from "pro-North Korean threats" and to eliminate "anti-state forces." In a late-night televised address, he accused the opposition party of sympathizing with North Korea and engaging in activities that paralyze the government. "To safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Korea's communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements... I hereby declare emergency martial law," Yoon said in the televised address. Some reports suggest it was a very hasty decision made by a very small group. But just hours after the decree was issued, the National Assembly voted to lift it. Yoon said he would lift the decree at a Cabinet meeting. It was officially rescinded around 5 am. The country's largest labor union declared an "indefinite general strike" and said it will not stop its actions until the head of state resigns. The mass protests were sparked by the president's decision to declare martial law and his accusations of North Korean sympathies against the opposition, which have angered citizens who see such actions as undermining the country's democratic principles. The main opposition Democratic Party expected to hold a vote on 07 Novembr 2024 Saturday evening, on a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived martial law declaration. The motion was reported to the National Assembly early Thursday, by the six opposition parties, including the majority Democratic Party. The DP said the vote on the motion will take place at around 7 PM Saturday. Under the National Assembly Act, a vote must occur between 24 and 72 hours after the proposed motion. This means the vote on the motion can take place as early as 12:49 AM on Friday. And for the motion to pass, a two-thirds majority, or two hundred votes, is needed. With the opposition holding 192 seats, at least eight ruling People Power Party members would need to vote in favor of the motion, which is not completely unlikely. If the motion passes, President Yoon will be suspended from his duties immediately. PPP leader Han Dong-hoon vowed to oppose and block the impeachment. Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung called Yoon's act a coup d'etat that destroyed the constitutional order. Lee urged that the impeachment of President Yoon must be carried out without failure, and told Han that it is the responsibility of the party leader to prevent the PPP from becoming part of a rebellious criminal group. "Even if the People Power Party wants to side with the rebellious criminal group, it is the party leader's responsibility to prevent that from happening. They should not become a collaborator with the rebellion." Alongside Saturday's impeachment vote, the main opposition party is seeking to revote a bill calling for a special investigation into allegations of corruption and election interference for first lady Kim Keon Hee. The decision to simultaneously push for a revote, appears to be a move to make the ruling party members attend Saturday's plenary session, as there is a possibility that the PPP will boycott the impeachment vote. In South Korea, if a sitting president is impeached or resigns, the Prime Minister assumes the role of acting president. This arrangement continues until a new president is elected, which must occur within 60 days of the vacancy. If President Yoon Suk Yeol were to be impeached or resign, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would become the acting president until a new election is held within the mandated 60-day period. By early September 2024 South Korean politicians were caught up in a heated and unusually timed debate over possible martial law scenarios. The situation began when Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung made a reference to speculation about martial law preparations in his remarks before a summit with his ruling party counterpart. The martial law preparation talk began surfacing again when PSS commissioner Kim Yong-hyun the one who would have received expanded powers was named on 12 August 2024 as a candidate for minister of national defense. If Kim became minister, Yoons fellow alumni from Seouls Choongam High School referred to as the Choongam faction would gain control over key positions in the intelligence lineup needed for military command authority and the mobilization and control of actual troops. Park Jong-seon, the head of the Defense Security Agency (DSA; often referred to as the 777 Command), the central entity tasked with collecting special intelligence on North Korea, also hails from Choongam High. So does Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, who, along with the defense minister, has the authority to recommend a martial law declaration to the president. Just hours before Yoon's announcement, an editorial in the Korea Times stated that the Democratic Party was "exploiting its parliamentary majority to further its agenda," accusing it of "weaponizing impeachment motions against key officials and manipulating budget deliberations to undermine Cabinet ministers, heads of state-run agencies and other key figures perceived to be at odds with the party." Analysts said he played his hand poorly and weakened his own position. "Yoon's declaration of martial law appeared to be both legal overreach and a political miscalculation, unnecessarily risking South Korea's economy and security," said Leif-Eric Easley, professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "With extremely low public support and without strong backing within his own party and administration, the president should have known how difficult it would be to implement his late-night decree.... He sounded like a politician under siege, making a desperate move against mounting scandals, institutional obstruction and calls for impeachment, all of which are now likely to intensify." "There has been a lot of criticism in the media and the public of the actions of the Democratic Party and it seems that Yoon misunderstood that as greater support for him than he actually had," said Kim Sang-woo, a former politician with the left-leaning South Korean Congress for New Politics and now a member of the board of the Kim Dae-jung Peace Foundation. "The opposition has been abusing its legislative position to force through bills that Yoon believes are contrary to the national interest, to demand legal investigations into his wife and a series of impeachment motions against senior members of his government". South Korean opposition parties submitted a bill to the National Assembly to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol. Yoon was under growing criticism over his declaration of emergency martial law, just hours before reversing course and lifting the decree. Six opposition parties submitted the bill, which says it is clear that the declaration was issued despite the fact that emergency martial law is not necessary. It also says declaring emergency martial law violating the Constitution is an act of betrayal against the people. The National Assembly needs a supermajority 200 votes or more to pass the motion. Democratic Party, which holds a majority in the 300-member parliament, Chair Lee Jae-myung says the party is actively engaging with the ruling People Power Party to secure the required number. The Constitutional Court would then decide whether the impeachment is appropriate within 180 days. PPP Chair Han confirmed that three key issues were discussed among ruling party lawmakers. "The first was the complete resignation of the Cabinet. The second was holding key officials, including the defense minister, strictly accountable. And the third was calling for the president to leave the party. On the first and second proposals, there was broad agreement. However, there were mixed opinions on the third." The main opposition Democratic Party(DP) submitted a motion seeking to impeach Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is believed to have advised President Yoon Suk Yeol to declare emergency martial law. Minister Kim issued a statement accepting full responsibility for the decision and offered his resignation to the president. President Yoon Suk Yeols entire Cabinet was said to have expressed intent to resign a day after Yoon declared martial law and subsequently lifted it. A government official said all Cabinet members expressed their stance to Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Currently, the Cabinet consisted of 19 members, excluding the president and the prime minister. South Korea had in the past been rocked by impeachment motions against presidents in office. In 2004, the assembly passed a motion to impeach then-President Roh Moo-hyun, over illicit funding by his aide. But the Constitutional Court dismissed the motion, bringing Roh back to office about two months after the ruling party clinched a landslide victory in a general election. In 2016, the assembly passed a motion to impeach then-President Park Geun-hye over her involvement in an influence-peddling scandal. In 2017, the Constitutional Court unanimously upheld its motion, making Park the first president to be dismissed as president by impeachment. Yoon Suk Yeol was elected in 2022 as a conservative political novice promising a tougher line on North Korea. He had not had an easy ride, taking office with some of the lowest approval ratings of any democratically elected South Korean president. Those ratings dropped even further to 19 percent in the latest Gallup poll, with many expressing dissatisfaction over his handling of the economy and controversies involving his wife, Kim Keon Hee. On 12 November 2024 during his address to the nation, critics saw President Yoon Suk-yeol as the epitome of condescension and arrogance Yoon refuted every allegation directed at him and first lady Kim Keon-hee, demonstrating his belief that he and his wife are completely blame-free. By offering his apologies whatever the case, Yoon implies that he feels as if he is being blamed when he is nothing but innocent. Such turns of phrase are used only when the speaker lacks even the smallest shred of sincerity. Nearly every major newspaper and media outlet criticized the content of Yoons address and attitude throughout. A Gallup Korea survey showed Yoons approval ratings at 17%, down by 2 percentage points, while disapproval ratings were 74%, up by 2 percentage points. A Korea Society Opinion Institute survey commissioned by OhmyNews measuring how much of the public wants to see Yoon leave his position before the end of his official term. 58.3% of those surveyed wanted Yoon out while 31.1% disagreed and 10.6% were undecided. Of those polled, 47.7% called for the National Assembly to pursue his impeachment; 37.7% called for Yoon to voluntarily step down; and 10.3% called for a constitutional amendment to shorten his term. But at that point the proverbial smoking gun has yet to appear. Koreans often use the term abdication to refer to presidential resignations. This is probably because the office of president is very special. Yoon, who represents the conservative People Power Party, did not mention any specific threat from Pyongyang during the televised speech , and the move was seen by some as a reaction to domestic political tension and conflict. The presidents surprising move harkened back to an era of authoritarian leaders that the country has not seen since the 1980s, and it was immediately denounced by the opposition and the leader of Yoons own conservative party. Yoon said that martial law would help rebuild and protect the country from falling into the depths of national ruin. He said he would eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order. Yoon whose approval rating has dipped in recent months has struggled to push his agenda against an opposition-controlled parliament since taking office in 2022. I will eliminate anti-state forces as quickly as possible and normalize the country, he said, while asking the people to believe in him and tolerate some inconveniences. The president accused opposition lawmakers of cutting "all key budgets essential to the nation's core functions, such as combating drug crimes and maintaining public security... turning the country into a drug haven and a state of public safety chaos." Following Yoons announcement, South Koreas military proclaimed that parliament and other political gatherings that could cause social confusion would be suspended. All political activities were banned under the emergency martial law. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said in an emergency statement on Tuesday night that his country has been put under emergency martial law. Yoon said in that national politics is in paralysis and he is declaring emergency martial law to protect the constitutional order. The Defense Ministry instructed the military to strengthen vigilance. In response, the country's martial law headquarters has announced that it will ban all political activities such as party activities and civil gatherings in the National Assembly. Any acts "that deny or attempt to overthrow the liberal democratic system are prohibited, and fake news, public opinion manipulation, and false propaganda are prohibited." The military also said that the countrys striking doctors should return to work within 48 hours, Yonhap said. Thousands of doctors had been striking for months over government plans to expand the number of students at medical schools. The military said anyone who violates the decree could be arrested without a warrant. Under martial law, South Korean forces might accidentally use inappropriate levels of force in response to protests, the declaration could damage the reputation of conservative politicians, and that North Korea could find ways to exploit the situation. President Yoon's declaration aimed to restore governmental functionality and address perceived internal threats. However, it faced immediate backlash from both opposition leaders and members of his own party, who viewed the move as unconstitutional and reminiscent of past authoritarian practices. Under South Korean law, martial law can be lifted with a majority vote in the parliament, where the opposition Democratic Party holds a majority. Under the South Korean Constitution (Article 77): Martial law can be declared during a time of war, armed conflict, or national emergency. It includes emergency measures such as military control over civil administration and suspension of civil liberties. The National Assembly holds the power to annul martial law, ensuring a check on executive overreach. The declaration led to significant unrest. Protests erupted outside the National Assembly in Seoul, where civilians clashed with military forces attempting to shut down parliamentary activities. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung condemned the martial law declaration as unconstitutional and called for public protests. He and other lawmakers entered the National Assembly to vote against the declaration, despite military attempts to block access. Police officers lined up around the area and were guarding against people who are trying to enter the assembly. Police were seen scuffling with citizens who gathered there. Multiple helicopters that apparently belong to the military were flying over the assembly. A South Korean media outlet reported that in the early hours of December 4, the National Assembly convened with 190 lawmakers [out of of 299 members] and voted unanimously to lift martial law, emphasizing the importance of upholding democratic principles and the rule of law. According to Article 77 of the South Korean Constitution, the president must comply with the National Assembly's decision to lift martial law. Following the vote, some military forces began withdrawing from the National Assembly premises. The leader of Yoons conservative People Power Party(PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon said President Yoon Suk Yeol was wrong to declare martial law. In a statement issued after Yoons televised announcement late Tuesday night, Han said he will put an end to the state of martial law together with the South Korean people. A key PPP official told KBS that the ruling party convened an emergency general assembly of its representatives and an emergency Supreme Council meeting. PPP floor leader Choo Kyung-ho convened an emergency general meeting of its lawmakers. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, called Yoons announcement illegal and unconstitutional. This incident raised concerns domestically and internationally about South Korea's democratic stability and the potential for escalating political conflicts. The incident marked the first declaration of martial law in South Korea since 1980, during the Gwangju Uprisinga pivotal event in the nation's democratization movement. The 2024 declaration has raised concerns domestically and internationally, with calls for adherence to democratic principles and the rule of law. This action followed political deadlock over budget approvals and calls for independent investigations into scandals involving President Yoon's administration. The opposition-controlled National Assembly had been blocking key government initiatives, leading to heightened tensions between the executive and legislative branches. Yoon had dismissed calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, drawing quick, strong rebukes from his political rivals. The move came in response to the main opposition Democratic Partys repeated attempts to impeach key government officials, according to Yoon. Yoon said the opposition was paralyzing the government, noting that it impeached the interior minister as well as the head of the Korea Communications Commission and is now seeking to remove the defense minister, a number of prosecutors, and the chair of the Board of Audit and Inspection. The conservatives called this a vendetta against their criminal investigations of Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who had been seen as the favorite for the next presidential election in 2027 in opinion polls. The president also blamed the Democratic Party for railroading a downsized budget through the parliamentary budget committee, saying this is damaging essential functions of the government, including the maintenance of law and order. The vote on next year's budget bill was postponed as lawmakers across the aisle locked horns over its size. Hours before the plenary session scheduled for 02 December 2024, where the year 2025 budget was originally expected to be introduced, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik announced the postponement of the budget review as the rival parties continue to dispute the details. In an urgent conference, Woo said he is holding off until the budget can sufficiently "instill hope in the financially vulnerable people in the country." "The National Assembly holds the responsibility to set the budget so it can stabilize people's livelihoods and the economy, which is as important as following the legal deadline." He's urged speedy negotiations between the rival lawmakers as they struggle to meet halfway. "I make a stern request to the rival parties. We must pass the budget by December 10th, the day our regular session ends. " Throughout the budget-making process that began over a month ago, the ruling party has been insisting on full parliamentary support for the government-proposed budget of over 677.4 trillion Korean won. But the National Assembly's opposition-controlled budget review committee has reduced the budget by over 4 trillion won, unilaterally, at 673.3 trillion Korean won. Among the most reduced -reserve expenses, and the expenses for special activities for the president's office and the prosecution. The opposition had planned to pass the reduced budget through an assembly-wide vote. But a strong pushback from the ruling party leading up to the meeting halted the plan, as the PPP called the move an attempt to "paralyze the government administration." The PPP urged the DP to take back its proposal and warned that there will be no further negotiations unless it does so. The DP insisted it is "nonsensical that the government can't run properly without the reduced budget." It was expected the tensions would continue until the rival parties attempt to reach the middle ground throughout this month. Instances of Martial Law 1948: Martial law was declared in response to the Jeju Uprising, where thousands of civilians were killed as the government suppressed a communist-led insurrection. 1950: During the Korean War (19501953), martial law was used extensively to maintain order in the face of North Korean invasions and internal instability. 1961: General Park Chung-hee declared martial law after leading a military coup d'etat that overthrew the Second Republic. This began a period of military dictatorship under the Yushin Constitution Era (1960s1970s). 1972: Under Parks authoritarian Yushin Constitution, martial law powers were expanded to suppress political dissent and enforce his regime's rule. October 1979: After Park Chung-hees assassination, martial law was declared to manage political instability. May 1980: Following the coup by General Chun Doo-hwan, martial law was declared nationwide, suspending the National Assembly and censoring media. This led to the brutal suppression of the Gwangju Uprising, where hundreds of pro-democracy protesters were killed. 1987: Democratic Transition - Martial law was not formally declared during the 1987 democratization movement, but military crackdowns and threats of its use were prevalent. Public protests eventually led to constitutional reforms and the end of authoritarian rule. December 2024 President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law citing "pro-North Korean threats," marking the first declaration since the 1980s. This sparked intense domestic and international criticism and was quickly annulled by the National Assembly. The history of martial law in South Korea is closely tied to the nations turbulent political history, particularly during periods of authoritarian rule and democratic struggle. Martial law has been declared multiple times, often in response to political unrest, national security crises, or perceived threats to the state. Since South Korea's transition to democracy, martial law has been viewed as a relic of its authoritarian past and has not been used. Its invocation in democratic times is seen as unconstitutional and controversial. Martial law in South Korea remains a sensitive topic, symbolizing both the struggles of its democratic movement and the enduring vigilance against authoritarianism. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atelier Meats Corp. (the "Company") is pleased to announce a proposed brokered private placement of special warrants of the Company (each, a "Special Warrant"), to be conducted by Canaccord Genuity Corp., as the sole agent, (the "Agent") on a commercially reasonable best efforts basis, pursuant to which the Company will offer at least 6,000,000 Special Warrants at a price of $0.50 per Special Warrant (the "Offering Price") for gross proceeds of at least $3,000,000 (the "Brokered Offering"). Concurrently with the Brokered Offering, the Company intends to complete a non-brokered offering of Special Warrants at the Offering Price for gross proceeds of at least $1,000,000 on the same terms as the Brokered Offering (the "Non-Brokered Offering", collectively with the Brokered Offering, the "Offerings"). Each Special Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to receive, without any further action on the part of the holder or payment of any additional consideration, one unit of the Company (each, a "Unit"). Each Unit shall consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.60 at any time prior to the date that is 24 months from the Closing Date (as defined herein). All unexercised Special Warrants will automatically be exercised into Units on the day (the "Qualification Date") that is the earlier of (i) four (4) months and a day following Closing Date (as defined herein), and (ii) as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any event no later than the third (3) business day, after a receipt is issued for the Final Prospectus (as defined herein). The Company will prepare and file a preliminary prospectus and a final prospectus (the "Final Prospectus") with each of the securities regulatory authorities in the provinces of Canada in which the Special Warrants are sold (the "Jurisdictions") and obtain a receipt thereof, qualifying the distribution of the Units underlying the Special Warrants, in compliance with applicable securities law. In the event that the Company has not received a receipt for the Final Prospectus within 60 days following the Closing Date, each unexercised Special Warrant will thereafter entitle the holder thereof to receive upon the exercise thereof, at no additional consideration, one-and-one-tenth (1.10) Unit (instead of one Unit) (the additional Units are collectively referred to as "Penalty Units"). Any fractional entitlement to Penalty Units will be rounded down to the nearest whole Penalty Unit. The Company has agreed to pay the Agent a commission equal to 7.0% of the aggregate proceeds of the Brokered Offering payable in cash or Special Warrants, or any combination of cash or Special Warrants at the sole option of the Agent ("Agent's Fee"), as well as a corporate finance fee of $100,000 payable in cash ("Corporate Finance Fee"). In addition, subject to compliance with all required regulatory approvals, the Company will issue to the Agent such number of compensation options (each, an "Agent's Options") as is equal to 7.0% of the aggregate Special Warrants sold under the Brokered Offering, each of which will entitle the Agent to purchase one Unit at the Offering Price at any time prior to the date that is 24 months from the Closing Date. The Special Warrants will be offered for sale to purchasers in: (i) all provinces of Canada, except Quebec, pursuant to available private placement exemptions under National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions; (ii) the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to available exemptions from the registration requirements under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("U.S. Securities Act"); and (iii) offshore jurisdictions agreed upon between the Company and the Agent pursuant to available prospectus or registration exemptions in accordance with applicable laws. Closing of the Offerings is expected to take place on such date or dates as agreed to by the Company and the Agent (the "Closing Date"), but closing of the Non-Brokered Offering may take place at a different time and/or date from that of the Brokered Offering, in the Company's sole discretion. The net proceeds of the Offerings will be used for advancing the development of patents and products, continuing the new product research and development with the University of Rutgers for commercialization including making outstanding payments to the University of Rutgers, for expenses relate to the Offering as well as marketing and general working capital. The Offerings are intended to be undertaken in connection with the Company's proposed direct listing of its common shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") (the "Transaction"). The Company is a reporting issuer in Alberta and British Columbia. The Special Warrants will be issued pursuant to a private placement and until a receipt is issued for the Final Prospectus, the Special Warrants will be subject to a hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws expiring on the date that is four months and a day following the Closing Date. Listing of the Company's Common Shares on the CSE It is a condition of the proposed Transaction that the Company receive all required board, shareholder, third party, and regulatory approvals, as applicable, and that the Company receives conditional approval to list its common shares on the CSE. In connection therewith, the Company has filed a listing application with the CSE, in accordance with the policies of the CSE. Upon listing, it is expected that the Company's common shares will trade under the ticker symbol "STKK". This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities of the Company in the United States. The securities of the Company have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. About Atelier Meats Corp. Atelier Meats Corp. stands out in the cultured meat industry with its groundbreaking scaffold technology, designed to address the key challenge of scalability that has hindered many other companies. By providing a structural framework for lab-grown cells to grow into complex meat cuts, the Company's proprietary solution enables the efficient and cost-effective production of high-quality cultured meat at scale. With two pending patents, the Company's technology offers a competitive edge and a licensing model that could empower other companies in the industry to overcome scalability obstacles. This positions the Company as a vital player in driving the cultured meat sector toward widespread adoption and market viability. Further Information Please Contact Atelier Meats Corp. Leighton Bocking Interim Chief Executive Officer and Director Email: info@ateliermeats.com Website: www.ateliermeats.com Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the timing and completion of the Transaction, the future operations of the Company, the completion of the Offerings, obtaining the receipt of Final Prospectus, the listing application, conditional approval and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Transaction, the Offerings and the future plans and objectives of the Company, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include the failure to satisfy the conditions to completion of the Transaction set forth above and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. As a result, the Company, cannot guarantee that the Transaction will be completed on the terms and within the time disclosed herein or at all. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any of the forward-looking statements herein to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise except as expressly required by Canadian securities law. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. NO RECOGNIZED SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, WHICH HAS BEEN PREPARED BY MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY. We're sorry, you encountered a page that doesn't exist. Frankfurt, Germany, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FRANKFURT, 0800 CET, 3rd December 2024: In a groundbreaking development poised to redefine global capital markets, 21X has become the first ever entity to receive a license to operate a blockchain-based trading and settlement system that is fully regulated in accordance with European Union (EU) law. Granted by BaFin, Germany's financial supervisory authority, this license marks a milestone moment for tokenized capital markets globally. 21X, now regulated as a financial institution following the award of this license, plans to launch its exchange for tokenized financial instruments from its Frankfurt headquarters in the first quarter of 2025. Harnessing the transformative power of blockchain, 21X is set to revolutionize capital markets through the trading and settlement of tokenized securities, including equity and debt securities, as well as funds - along with real-world assets (RWAs) such as real estate or artworks that qualify as eligible financial instruments. Operating on a public, permissionless blockchain network, 21X will provide an end-to-end platform encompassing asset tokenization, issuance, distribution, listing, and trading all within the robust regulatory framework established by the EU. Max Heinzle, CEO of 21X, underscored the significance of this milestone: This is more than just a license its a revolutionary moment for capital markets. For the first time ever institutional and retail investors can trade and settle tokenized securities on a fully regulated, blockchain-based exchange with the same level of trust, security and compliance as traditional markets. The EUs regulatory framework is the key to unlocking mass adoption of tokenized money and assets. It enables self-custody; it removes clearing and corresponding settlement risks; it eliminates unnecessary complexities by reducing intermediaries all leading to widespread efficiency gains and significantly lower costs. With benefits such as these, 21X is not just building an exchange, we are building the market infrastructure for the future of capital markets on-chain. The license to 21X has been issued under the EUs DLT Pilot Regime (DLTR), a forward-thinking regulatory framework designed to enable the testing and operation of distributed ledger technology-based trading and settlement systems (DLT TSS) and is the result of a rigorous 18-month process between 21X, BaFin, the German Federal Bank (Deutsche Bundesbank), the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and the European Central Bank (ECB). With the launch of 21Xs exchange, the company will stand at the forefront of a rapidly expanding tokenized securities market. Analysts predict this market could exceed $30 trillion in trading volume by 2030, driven by blockchain's efficiencies and increasing institutional adoption. Heinzle added: "This license award is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and collaboration with our launch partners. We are incredibly excited to lead the charge in transforming financial markets in Germany, Europe and across the globe. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all our stakeholders, including employees, investors, partners and advisors who have supported us on this journey. Our special thanks go to the EU and German regulators who have shown visionary leadership in driving this regulation forward. Together, we are shaping the future of finance." 21X has been working with partners to build a fully rounded ecosystem that enables seamless customer participation in digital asset markets including Polygon, Apex Group and SBI Digital Markets. Through its collaboration with Polygon Labs, the software development company co-developing the Polygon and AggLayer ecosystems, the company is leveraging the scalability and security of a public blockchain network to execute trades and settlements on-chain. Marc Hegen, CTO of 21X, outlined how the regulatory framework provides for true innovation. The DLTR allows us to make extensive use of distributed ledger technology and its fundamental advantages. We will be able to list natively tokenized securities and carry out matching and settlement atomically in a single blockchain transaction. This is a real game-changer and will transform financial markets. In the lead-up to the launch of 21X in early 2025, the company will be teaming up with financial institutions from around the globe as they look to list a wide variety of financial instruments on Europes first and only exchange for tokenized securities fully regulated by the EU. Following the award of the license, the public registers of both BaFin and ESMA will be updated to include 21X. - ends - Background on blockchain, regulation and the EU license Blockchains enable the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA), converting physical assets into digital tokens that can be easily traded, transferred, and managed using distributed ledger technology. These tokens act as digital certificates of ownership, representing assets and associated rights in a programmable, automated way. Once created, tokens are securely recorded on the blockchain, ensuring immutability and tamper-proof integrity. Tokenized assets represent digital versions of real-world financial assets, such as stocks, bonds, or real estate, that are traded on a blockchain-based exchange. Unlike traditional finance systems, which rely on multiple intermediaries (such as brokers and clearinghouses), tokenized assets can be traded directly between parties on a DLT platform, allowing for faster, more efficient, and secure transactions. The EUs DLT-R introduces a specific regulatory framework for DLT-based market infrastructures such as trading and settlement systems. This regime, which is part of the broader EU initiative to modernize financial markets, is designed to promote the use of blockchain technology in capital markets while ensuring a high level of investor protection and financial stability. DLT provides a decentralized ledger where transactions are recorded in a way that is transparent, tamper-proof, and instantly verifiable by all participants. This offers immense benefits: Reduction in Intermediaries: By cutting out middlemen, trades are settled directly between buyers and sellers, reducing costs and complexities. Peer-to-Peer Trading: Traders can interact directly, creating a more fluid and decentralized market. Cost Savings: With fewer steps in the trading and settlement process, transaction fees and costs are dramatically reduced. Atomic Settlement: Trades and settlements happen simultaneously, eliminating counterparty risk and enabling near-instant settlement of transactions. About 21X 21X is a Frankfurt-based fintech at the forefront of revolutionizing capital markets through the use of blockchain technology. As the first fully regulated digital exchange licensed under the European Union's distributed ledger technology (DLT ) regulatory framework, 21X is paving the way for the institutional adoption of tokenized securities. 21X is ideally positioned to enable smart contract-based issuance, trading and settlement of tokenized stocks, bonds and funds, offering unparalleled transparency, efficiency, and security. In December 2024, 21X secured its license to operate its groundbreaking DLT trading and settlement system (DLT TSS) trading venue, a milestone that positions the company as a leader in the transition to digital finance. 21X exchange is set to launch in the spring of 2025, bringing the future of capital markets to life. See the short explainer video on 21X and our blockchain-based exchange here . For more information on 21X, contact: Richie MacTaggart, head of PR & marketing Mail: press@21X.eu Mob: +44 7828173419 Web: https://www.21x.eu/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/21x/ Attachment Dublin, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Advanced Reinsurance Contracts and Disputes Masterclass Training Course" training has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Reinsurance industry practices have changed in recent years, placing more and more emphasis and importance on reinsurance contract wordings. It is more apparent that a contract is only an advantage if it exactly reflects what the underwriter intended and the insured expected. If companies want to avoid lengthy and expensive disputes, they must develop clear and thorough reinsurance agreements and avoid frequent and small nuances that can land reinsurance companies in trouble. This seminar focuses on the more advanced, up-to-the-minute issues. Benefits of attending Get up-to-date with the latest developments in applicable law with the latest developments in applicable law Understand the impact of the Insurance Act 2015 and the Enterprise Act 2016 on your policy wording the impact of the Insurance Act 2015 and the Enterprise Act 2016 on your policy wording Hear about the role of notice, information and claims control/cooperation clauses about the role of notice, information and claims control/cooperation clauses Grasp and learn to avoid the common mistakes in drafting watertight reinsurance clauses and learn to avoid the common mistakes in drafting watertight reinsurance clauses Master the latest developments in property and casualty clauses the latest developments in property and casualty clauses Gain knowledge of the regulatory considerations when launching a new product knowledge of the regulatory considerations when launching a new product Understand the implications of recent judgments involving follow clauses the implications of recent judgments involving follow clauses Learn how to be prepared for reinsurance disputes and how to deal with them when they arise Certifications CPD: 6 hours for your records Certificate of completion Who Should Attend: Wordings technicians Reinsurance technicians Claims managers and underwriters Wordings specialists In-house lawyers Lawyers in private practice Anyone who is involved in the drafting or implementation of reinsurance wordings or who deal with reinsurance disputes Key Topics Covered: Follow wordings - issues, options and effective drafting Arbitration awards, and English/foreign judgments Settlements - how to draft wide or narrow clauses "Without prejudice" and "ex-gratia" settlements Businesslike steps and the burden of proof Dealing with commutations The Insurance Act 2015 and the Enterprise Act 2016 - case update and how they impact your policy wording The legal nature of warranties (sections 9 and 10) The effect of Section 11 How to draft around section 11(3) - terms defining the risk Fair Presentation - new rules and wording tweaks Section 13A, damages for late payment of claims; key drafting issues for reinsurers Contracting out and the transparency requirements Notice, information and claims control/cooperation clauses Purpose Reporting and notice clauses - "immediate', "as soon as practicable" notice Conditions precedent Access to records clauses Late notice issues Confidentiality Drafting watertight reinsurance clauses: some common mistakes Full follow clause/back-to-back presumption Avoid incorporate Don't cut and paste Check for internal consistency between clauses Put all the clauses in the right places in the document Use clear language Make sure definitions are relevant to all uses Don't use the same words in different senses Don't rely on the courts to imply terms Developments in property and casualty clauses Wording issues for emerging and developing markets Clauses broadening cedants' rights Additional observations and developments Aggregation Drafting for the correct breadth of aggregating factor ("loss", "occurrence", "series", "event", "catastrophe", "originating cause") Hours clauses Considering drafting issues in the context of recent catastrophes including Covid-19 Practical tips Regulatory considerations when launching a new product Why is regulatory compliance important? Why is regulatory risk higher for new products? The impact of insurance regulation on the structure, content and sale of new products How do you create a compliant MVP? What are the risks of working with other business partners/distribution partners? Being prepared for reinsurance disputes: Wordings and their role in dispute resolution Governing law and jurisdiction Arbitration Mediation (and med/arb) Selection of panel members Disclosure and evidentiary matters Settlement agreements and commutations (including IBNR) Speakers: Phillippa Rowe Phillippa Ross & Co Phillippa Rowe, senior partner of independent reinsurance consultants Phillippa Ross & Co., has over 30 years experience of insurance and reinsurance claims in Lloyd's and the London market and internationally. She began her reinsurance career with 15 years with the Kiln group at Lloyd's. She currently acts as arbitrator, mediator, expert witness and technical consultant in a wide range of claims, wordings and market practice matters and writes, lectures and provides training courses on similar subjects. Sherry Goodman-Smith DAC Beechcroft Sherry Goodman-Smith is a specialist in complex insurance and reinsurance policy coverage disputes. She joined DAC Beachcroft's Global Insurance practice as a partner, based in London, in 2021. Sherry spent the previous eight years at Simmons & Simmons, most recently as Of Counsel. There she advised London market insurers and reinsurers on large-scale coverage issues, with a particular focus on product liability and recall, international casualty and complex property claims. She has also advised on coverage issues arising from more niche insurance policy wordings, including kidnap and ransom, intellectual property liability, and fine art claims. Duncan Strachan DAC Beachcroft Duncan Strachan is a Partner at DAC Beachcroft LLP. He specialises in complex and international (re)insurance matters across multiple lines of business. His current caseload advising on major energy losses in Ecuador, Peru and Colombia; monitoring US securities class action suits against non-US entities; and advising on exposure to climate change litigation. Simon Cooper Ince & Co Simon Cooper is a Consultant at Ince & Co LLP. He has experience of advising clients in the London and international insurance and reinsurance markets and has extensive experience of acting in large scale disputes in the English Commercial Court and appellate Courts, in ad hoc arbitrations and in overseas jurisdictions. For more information about this training visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/f3nqw8 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. TORONTO, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Seneca Polytechnics relentless focus on a great employee experience has been recognized once again with the institution named a Greater Torontos Top Employer for the 16th time. This prestigious award is considered the benchmark for workplace best practices in Toronto and its surrounding area, honouring organizations that excel in employee experience, human resources and workplace policy. Working at Seneca means being part of a culture of innovation. Senecas progressive approach to flexible work fosters collaboration through beautiful on-campus shared spaces and advanced technology that supports hybrid work. Employees are encouraged to experiment and bring their innovative concepts to life. Senecas support of lifelong learning also means employees are given regular opportunities to learn from industry thought leaders and from each other. The Greater Torontos Top Employers evaluation considers factors such as work atmosphere, health benefits, employee communications, skills development and community involvement. Seneca is dedicated to nurturing a supportive and dynamic workplace, where excellence is recognized and employees can thrive, said Caroline Riley, Vice-President, Human Resources. Our 16th recognition as a Greater Torontos Top Employer is a testament to Senecas outstanding work environment. Seneca offers an excellent selection of benefits to its employees. These include a 93% salary top-up for 52 weeks of parental leave, 80% tuition reimbursement up to $25,000 and up to one year of professional development leave. In an article published today in The Globe and Mail, two employees, who are also Seneca graduates, spoke about their positive experiences at Seneca. Natasha Binns, Director of Events and Special Projects, talked about opportunities for growth at Seneca and the trust, belief, respect and confidence that the leaders have in employees. Michael Rotondo, Co-Chair, School of Aviation, commented on his journey from graduate to academic co-chair and Senecas culture of innovation and collaboration. The Greater Torontos Top Employers competition is conducted by Mediacorp Canada Inc. About Seneca Polytechnic: Seneca Polytechnic provides a great education to prepare our students for great careers. Combining academic rigour with practical, professional and career-focused learning, we offer our students a seamless transition from education to employment. Expert faculty, excellent staff, outstanding campuses, awesome technology, deep connections with industry: thats Seneca Polytechnic. Learn more: senecapolytechnic.ca Contacts: Cam Gordon 647.615.1756 media.relations@senecapolytechnic.ca Director, Communications A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2005bee0-a56d-4f88-9e78-9dac9cd7b487 TORONTO, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NEO Battery Materials Ltd. (NEO or the Company) (TSXV: NBM) (OTC: NBMFF), a low-cost silicon anode materials developer that enables longer-running, rapid-charging lithium-ion batteries, announces that Roberto Fia has resigned from the Companys Board of Directors effective November 29, 2024. NEO would like to thank him for his contributions to date. As part of the initiative to transition the existing board of directors into a new set of board members who are strategically aligned with the Companys battery business (Battery Board), the Company is undertaking efforts to retain highly qualified professionals to deliver high impact to NEOs silicon anode commercialization. Updates to Upcoming Corporate Webinar The date of the upcoming corporate webinar on Thursday, December 5, 2024, has been changed to Friday, December 13, 2024, at 7 PM EDT / 4 PM PDT / 9 AM KT (Saturday). As announced, this corporate webinar will address NEOs latest business and technological advancements in silicon anode materials and strategies for navigating current EV and battery market challenges. Corporate Webinar Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_150KRS5cQCKKQ0y9P0Pw_g About NEO Battery Materials Ltd. NEO Battery Materials is a Canadian battery materials technology company focused on developing silicon anode materials for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles, electronics, and energy storage systems. With a patent-protected, low-cost manufacturing process, NEO Battery enables longer-running and ultra-fast charging batteries compared to existing state-of-the-art technologies. The Company aims to be a globally-leading producer of silicon anode materials for the electric vehicle and energy storage industries. For more information, please visit the Companys website at: https://www.neobatterymaterials.com/. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Spencer Huh Director, President, and CEO Tel: +1-437-451-7678 For Investor Relations, PR & More Information: info@neobatterymaterials.com This news release includes certain forward-looking statements as well as management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions. All information contained herein that is not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Generally, such forward-looking information can be identified notably, but not limited to, by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects," or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur", "be achieved", and similar words referring to future events and results. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: (i) volatile stock prices; (ii) the general global markets and economic conditions; (iii) the possibility of write-downs and impairments; (iv) the risk associated with the research and development of advanced technologies; (v) the risk associated with the effectiveness and feasibility of technologies that have not yet been tested or proven on commercial scale; (vi) the risks associated with entering into joint ventures, collaboration agreements, joint development agreements, and similar commercial agreements; (vii) fluctuations in input precursor prices; (viii) the risks associated with uninsurable risks arising during the course of research, development and production; (ix) competition faced by the resulting issuer in securing experienced personnel and financing; (x) access to adequate infrastructure to support battery materials research and development activities; (xi) the risks associated with changes in the technology regulatory regime governing the Company; (xii) the risks associated with the various environmental regulations the Company is subject to; (xiii) risks related to regulatory and permitting delays; (xiv) the reliance on key personnel; (xv) liquidity risks; (xvi) the risk of litigation; and (xvii) risk management, as described in more detail in our recent securities filings available at www.sedarplus.com. Forward-looking information is based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made, including but not limited to, continued research and development activities, no material adverse change in precursor prices and development plans to proceed in accordance with plans and such plans to achieve their stated expected outcomes, receipt of required regulatory approvals, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information has been provided for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's business, operations, research and development, and commercialization plans and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. We assume no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. PANAMA CITY, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to an official announcement, Gate.io has unveiled its new ecosystem brand, MemeBox. Branded with the tagline "Gateway to Memes", MemeBox aspires to become the go-to portal for meme culture and economic ecosystems in the Web3 era. By delivering precise market insights, comprehensive cultural trend analyses, and innovative asset trading tools, MemeBox offers users an entirely new way to explore the world of memes. The name "MemeBox" reflects its core values. The term "Box" symbolizes multifunctional integration and diversity, representing a platform that aggregates the latest meme trends while supporting blockchain-based asset interactions. From classic meme icons to cutting-edge cultural movements, MemeBox provides a trustworthy ecosystem that revitalizes meme culture while fostering the deep integration of culture and finance. Learn more about: https://www.gate.io/announcements/article/41258/?ch=GM_memeboxblockman_20241203&utm_campaign=TR_1FKmtvFU&utm_content=&utm_medium=Flash+News&utm_source=CH_l3hBY9KM&utm_term= Contact: Elaine Wang at elaine.w@gate.io Disclaimer: This content is provided by Gate.io. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk. SUWANEE, Ga., Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Future Technologies Venture, LLC (Future Technologies), an end-to-end wireless network solutions provider, announced today that they have named four members to their new Industry Advisory Board. Future Technologies believes that this distinguished panel of industry experts and thought leaders will provide strategic guidance and industry insights to accelerate innovation, strengthen market leadership, and support the companys long-term vision. The Advisory Board reflects the organizations long-standing commitment to leveraging diverse expertise to address emerging opportunities to drive its leadership position in delivering connectivity solutions across a wide range of vertical markets. "As we finish our 25th year in business with record results, we believe our organization is at a pivotal moment whereby establishing this Advisory Board will help us execute on the next stage of our growth," said Peter Cappiello, CEO of Future Technologies. "Our Advisory Board consists of a select group of industry experts, each with deep experience in their respective fields, that share our core values and passion for our People, our Customers and our Partners. We are thankful for their time and commitment to help our organization actualize our full potential." Meet the Future Technologies Advisory Board Members: GEORGE MULHERN George Mulhern retired as CEO of Cradlepoint and leader of Ericsson's Enterprise Wireless Solutions in July 2024 after 13 years at Cradlepoint. Under his leadership, Cradlepoint grew from 80 to 1,500 employees, raised $170M in venture capital, and was acquired by Ericsson in 2020 for $1.1 billion. Before Cradlepoint, Mr. Mulhern spent 20 years at Hewlett Packard, culminating in a role as Senior Vice President of the LaserJet Global Business Unit. A San Jose State University alumnus, he holds a BS and MBA from the university and was inducted into the Idaho Technology Hall of Fame. SARAH CAMPBELL Sarah Campbell currently serves as the Associate Vice President of Research for Defense & Security, and Head of Special Projects at George Mason University and brings with her 20 years of experience at the intersection of the Telecommunications industry and the Defense & Government vertical markets. In Ms. Campbells role at George Mason University, she is responsible for organizing and elevating the various defense and security research initiatives on campus to enhance the universitys research profile. Sarah was previously the Chief of Staff at the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS) at the University of Maryland, College Park, (one of the 15 DoD sponsored University Affiliated Research Centers UARC) and a Principal Faculty member since 2020. Ms. Campbell received her bachelors degree in Political Science from the University of Mary Washington, and her masters degree in International Commerce & Policy from George Mason University, Schar School of Policy & Government. ANTONIS PAPADOURAKIS Antonis Papadourakis is the President of AlphaPi Global Advisory, LLC, which he founded in January 2024. Previously, he served as President and CEO of LANXESS Corporation, a $7B multinational specialty chemicals corporation, from 2015 until his retirement in October 2023. Outside of his role at LANXESS, he also held leadership roles at the American Chemistry Council and the National Association of Manufacturers. Born in Greece, Antonis holds a degree from the University of Thessaloniki and a PhD from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, both in Chemical Engineering. MIKE CARROLL Mike Carroll, a graduate of Ohio University with a degree in Engineering, has a diverse background spanning the pulp & paper, robotics, software, and construction markets. Mr. Carroll previously served as Deputy Chairman and CEO of UK-based Shepard, LTD, and co-owned the Atlanta-based McTech Group, working with Fortune 500 companies like Walmart and Home Depot. In 2010, he joined Georgia-Pacific as VP of Transformation & Innovation, showcasing his expertise in Industrial Transformation. Recognized for his leadership and innovation, Mr. Carroll was named Innovator of the Year by ASPI in 2019 and Visionary of the Year by Smart Industry in 2020. He remains a sought-after keynote speaker and expert in leadership, innovation, and organizational transformation. About Future Technologies Future Technologies is celebrating its 25th year in the industry, starting out as a Satellite Integrator in 1999 and growing into its current position as a Lead System Integrator (LSI) and solutions provider supporting Fortune 5000 and Federal Government Clients. Future Technologies specializes in the assessment, planning, design, implementation, and support of innovative communications solutions for vertical markets Manufacturing, Utility, Oil & Gas, Transportation, and Military. Future Technologies maintains a strong concentration on emerging standards such as 5G, 4G, Private LTE, WIFI, SCADA and Automation technologies. Future Technologies has also invested into a Living Lab at its Atlanta-based headquarters to provide a showcase of Private 5G solutions, Edge Computing/MEC and, most importantly, industry specific use cases, such as Connected Worker, Instrumentation Connectivity, Remote Worker, Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality/Mixed Reality, Asset Health, Inventory Management, Computer Vision, IoT Sensors, Robotics and other solutions. To Request a Virtual or In-Person tour of the Living Lab please contact: Request a Tour or visit futuretechllc.com Media Contact Taylor Juska Head of Marketing Future Technologies Venture, LLC tjuska@futuretechllc.com BIRMINGHAM, AL, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Launching its new humanitarian Jump Start Initiative, Fleetio has awarded a free subscription for its fleet optimization software to Shake-A-Leg Miami, a non-profit dedicated to providing watersports opportunities and activities for people with disabilities, veterans and their families. With a preventive maintenance system in place to increase watercraft availability and uptime, SALM can more confidently create life-changing experiences through adaptive sports. Aligned with the spirit of Giving Tuesday, the new annual Jump Start Initiative invites Fleetio customers to nominate deserving non-profit organizations within their communities to win a free subscription of Fleetios comprehensive solution. Based in Miami, Florida, Shake-A-Leg Miami (SALM) is a beacon of hope and inspiration, bringing individuals with disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds together with their families and friends to enjoy the therapeutic beauty of Biscayne Bay. Through activities like sailing, kayaking and paddleboarding, SALM fosters inclusion, connection and personal growth. The organization also creates a supportive environment where participants and their families can engage in recreational experiences, build new skills and even prepare for future careers through its unique vocational program. For nearly 35 years, weve strived to offer the best possible experience for our participants, but managing our fleet without an automated system in place was a challenge, said Harry Horgan, Co-Founder and President at Shake-A-Leg Miami. Fleetios technology gives us the opportunity to operate on a whole new level. The ability to simplify and automate our maintenance processes lets us become more proactive in how we manage our resources. With this support, we can focus on creating meaningful opportunities and pushing our mission forward making waves in Miami and beyond. Impressed by the efficiency and value Fleetio brought to their business, Freedom Boat Club, the worlds largest boat club operator, introduced the platform to the SALM organization. As a long-time customer of Fleetio, Freedom Boat Club has experienced significant operational improvements by utilizing Fleetios fleet maintenance software across its numerous locations. After learning about SALM's challenges with manual processes, Fleetio responded with an in-kind donation of their software subscription, empowering SALM to improve operations and focus resources on their mission of serving the local community. As a board member at Shake-A-Leg Miami, I witnessed firsthand the operational challenges they faced with their fleet and knew that Fleetio could make a real impact, said Kevin Seelig, Co-Owner and President at Freedom Boat Club of Northeast Florida. At Freedom Boat Club, weve seen how Fleetio optimizes fleet operations and eliminates the burden of manual processes. For Shake-A-Leg Miami, this means more than just ensuring uptime its about allowing them to grow and better serve those who rely on their services. Fleetio provides a comprehensive fleet management and optimization platform that helps businesses of all sizes effectively maintain their fleets. Its cloud- and web-based solutions make it easy for fleets to handle inspections, work orders, maintenance schedules and parts inventory. By integrating with telematics providers, fuel card services and maintenance shops, Fleetio turns critical fleet data into insights that enable informed, data-driven decisions. Fleetios technology is designed to solve real operational challenges, and for Shake-A-Leg Miami, it means freeing up their limited resources to focus on their mission over menial tasks, said Jon Meachin, CEO of Fleetio. As an organization, were committed to making a positive difference, and by helping Shake-A-Leg Miami keep their fleet in top condition, we support their ability to continue the meaningful work they do for their community. To see a video of the relationship between Fleetio and SALM and to learn more about nominating a deserving charitable organization, visit www.fleetio.com/lp/jumpstart. About Fleetio Fleetio provides comprehensive solutions and resources to run, repair and optimize vehicles and assets, allowing fleets to gain control of whats happening today, stay ahead of whats coming tomorrow and confidently deliver results for their business. Founded in 2012, the companys cloud-based platform and mobile app arm fleets with the tools they need to stay on top of preventive maintenance, extend the life of business assets, reduce downtime and maximize the utilization of service vehicles. Fleetios marketplace supports a vast maintenance provider network, enabling fleets to efficiently manage outsourced maintenance and repair. Fleetio powers public and private fleets of all sizes in more than 100 countries across a wide array of industries. Visit us at www.fleetio.com. About Shake-A-Leg Miami Shake-A-Leg Miami is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of individuals with disabilities through sailing, watersports, and educational programs. By fostering a sense of independence and connection to nature, Shake-A-Leg Miami inspires participants to discover new possibilities and embrace lifes adventures. Attachments FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Join the commercial vehicle industry data revolution at Work Truck Week 2025. NTEA The Work Truck Association introduces Commercial Vehicle Data Exchange & Reception, a half-day Special Session on March 6 showcasing new possibilities for obtaining, analyzing and using data; understanding market trends; and improving business processes. Work Truck Week 2025 runs March 47, 2025, at Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. More Than A Trade Show, it encompasses Green Truck Summit, The Work Truck Show, NTEA Annual Meeting, Ride & Drive, educational program and more. Green Truck Summit is March 4, educational sessions run March 46, Work Truck Show exhibits are open March 57 and Ride & Drive runs March 56. Work Truck Week, North Americas largest work truck event, is produced by NTEA. Register at worktruckweek.com. We are on the cusp of a data revolution in the commercial vehicle industry, explains Kevin Koester, NTEA managing director. Software-defined vehicles, telematics, artificial intelligence and other technologies are generating data and providing resources that can help businesses plan and progress in new ways. The time is right to come together to explore the tools to leverage existing data and lead the development of the next wave of data-driven decision-making. Commercial Vehicle Data Exchange is designed for industry professionals looking for new data sources, interested in leveraging their companys own data and/or collaborating with others who want to move the industry forward. The four-hour event kicks off with a review of the current state of data availability and use in the commercial vehicle industry led by Andrew Wrobel, NTEA commercial vehicle insight strategist. This is followed by three breakouts: Best practices for using data in business decisions Evolution through telematics Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for data analysis and protection. In the first session, Joe Langley, associate director, North American light vehicle production for S&P Global Mobility, will identify best practices for vehicle analysis to make better-informed business decisions. Steven Berube, vice president of sales for GEOTAB, will then explore the evolution of Class 37 multi-stage manufactured commercial vehicles through the lens of telematics. Hell provide an overview of the macro trends that have influenced the industry over the last two decades and the role that telematics has played in supporting these transitions as well as how changes in telematics will help drive the industry into the future. Finally, Bucky Dodd, CEO and principal consultant at ClearKinetic, will discuss how AI is transforming data analysis, making it easier than ever to turn complex information into clear, actionable insights. The session will uncover how AI-driven analysis makes it easier to identify trends, refine strategies and make data-backed decisions in real time. It will also examine best practices for securing data. Koester will wrap up the conference with a look to the future of data acquisition and analysis within the commercial vehicle industry. The conference is followed by a reception to give participants the opportunity to discuss what theyve learned and exchange ideas. Success in the work truck industry goes beyond hardware and software, Koester says. It increasingly depends on data and the people who are willing to create, leverage and collaborate on it. Attending the Commercial Vehicle Data Exchange is an important step in understanding how to transform data into strategic actions to move operations and the work truck industry forward. The Commercial Vehicle Data Exchange & Reception Special Session runs 1:305:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, at Indiana Convention Center. It is not included in any Work Truck Week registration package it is available for purchase separately. Learn more and register at worktruckweek.com or contact NTEA (info@ntea.com or 248-489-7090) for more information. About NTEA Established in 1964, NTEA The Work Truck Association, a 501(c)(6) organization, represents more than 2,100 companies that manufacture, distribute, install, sell and repair commercial vehicles, truck bodies, truck equipment, trailers and accessories. Buyers of work trucks and the major commercial truck chassis manufacturers also belong to NTEA. The Association provides in-depth technical information, education, and member programs and services, and produces Work Truck Week, Green Truck Summit, Commercial Vehicle Upfitting Summit and Executive Leadership Summit. The Association maintains its administrative headquarters in suburban Detroit and government relations offices in Washington, DC, and Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/622ccc65-2483-4403-804b-134a99a0333e Videos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ee528e1b-9546-4e64-9212-b9e1cfaeab82 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f4e5a0ed-7897-4429-9e2f-033160e6dc0f WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. [Atlas or the Company], a leading global provider of outsourced aviation logistics, today announced the appointment of Klaus Goersch to the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Goersch will report to Michael Steen, Chief Executive Officer, Atlas Air Worldwide, and will serve as a member of the Companys Executive Leadership Team. Joining the company in late December, Mr. Goersch will oversee Atlas global flight, ground and technical operations, with direct responsibility for safety, regulatory compliance and operational excellence. As the Companys primary liaison with the Federal Aviation Administration, he will lead strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency while maintaining Atlas industry-leading safety standards. Klaus brings exceptional operational leadership experience and deep aviation expertise to Atlas, said Mr. Steen. His proven track record of successfully managing complex airline operations, combined with his strong regulatory background and focus on operations efficiency, makes him ideally suited to help drive Atlas continued transformation and growth. Mr. Goersch brings nearly three decades of aviation industry experience to Atlas. Most recently, he was the Chief Operations Officer at Air India, and prior to that served as Chief Operating Officer for British Airways and Air Canada. He also served as Chief Executive Officer of NEOM airlines in Saudi Arabia and was Executive Vice President of AirTran Airways. Atlas position as the global air logistics leader makes this an exciting opportunity, said Mr. Goersch. I look forward to working alongside Atlas world-class operations teams to advance the Companys strategic growth agenda while maintaining our commitment to safety and service quality. Mr. Goersch holds both a Master of Aeronautical Science and a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. About Atlas Air Worldwide: Atlas Air Worldwide is a leading global provider of outsourced aircraft and aviation operating services. It is the parent company of Atlas Air, Inc., and Titan Aviation Holdings, Inc., and is the majority shareholder of Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc. Our companies operate the worlds largest fleet of 747 freighter aircraft and provide customers the broadest array of Boeing 747, 777, 767 and 737 aircraft for domestic, regional and international cargo and passenger operations. Contacts: Media: CorpCommunications@atlasair.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e021bf00-c08c-42d9-81ee-b5c25cd4b1f5 Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses Exceeding $75,000 In Rentokil To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options If you suffered losses exceeding $75,000 in Rentokil between December 1, 2023 and September 10, 2024 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). [You may also click here for additional information] NEW YORK, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Rentokil Initial plc (Rentokil or the Company) (NYSE: RTO) and reminds investors of the January 27, 2025 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company. Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com. As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) Rentokil experienced levels of disruption in the early pilots of the Terminix integration; (2) Rentokil experienced significant, ongoing, self-inflicted execution challenges integrating Terminix; (3) the disruption and execution challenges imperiled Rentokils integration plan for Terminix; (4) Rentokil and Terminix were still two separate businesses that were not yet integrated; (5) Rentokils failure to integrate Terminix negatively impacted the Companys business and operations, particularly organic revenue growth in North America; and (6) as a result of the above, Defendants positive statements about the Companys business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. The truth began to be revealed prior to the markets opening on April 18, 2024, when Rentokil issued a press release announcing its financial results for the first quarter of 2024, reporting that organic revenue growth in North America had increased by only 1.5% year-over-yearbelow the Companys guidance of 2% for the first quarter and 2% to 4% for the full year, issued just six weeks earlier. During the corresponding earnings call held later that day Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Andrew M. Ransom assured investors that our integration program is on track[,] while Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Stuart M. Ingall-Tombs maintained, were pretty confident about our revenue guidance now. On this news, the price of Rentokil ADSs fell over 9%, from a closing price of $28.25 per ADS on April 17, 2024, to a closing price of $25.61 per ADS on April 18, 2024. The truth was revealed on September 11, 2024 when, before the markets opened, Rentokil provided an unscheduled Trading Update, announcing that the Company now expected only 1% organic revenue growth in North America for the second half of 2024well below the Companys prior guidance. In the related press release, Rentokil disclosed, [T]he trading performance in July and August was lower than anticipated. There has also been some modest disruption to organic growth from branch integration. During a related conference call with analysts held later that same day, CFO Ingall-Tombs revealed that, after nearly two years of integration efforts, I think what we have got is still because weve got 2 separate businesses, which are largely at an operational front-end not integrated yet. . . . During the same conference call, CEO Ransom admitted, This is a manifestation of execution challenges, execution -- a need to improve our execution. Its not a market phenomenon. As we can see at the moment, if further information comes to light suggest [sic] reserve the right to change that answer, but I dont think its market[,] I think this is on us. On this news, the price of Rentokil ADSs fell over 21%, from a closing price of $31.60 per ADS on September 10, 2024, to a closing price of $24.95 per ADS on September 11, 2024. The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not. Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Rentokils conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others. To learn more about the Rentokil Initial plc class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/RTO or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, on X, or on Facebook. Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/306e5828-6d3c-44e9-9958-ce4a7e005368 NEW WESTMINSTER, British Columbia, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Rental Protection Fund (the Fund) celebrates the acquisition of an 11-unit building in New Westminster by New Hope Community Services Society (New Hope), securing a brighter and more affordable future for current and future residents. The property is centrally located in New Westminster, anchored in the community near schools, grocery stores, and transit options, and is directly across from Moody Park, offering access to recreational space ideal for families. Combined with the buildings well-designed layout and large common areas, it supports New Hopes mission of providing expanded services for refugee families with children. A secure, affordable home provides peace of mind and stability to many people especially for refugee families who need that security in times of transition, said Raj Chouhan, MLA for Burnaby-New Westminster. Protecting these 11 homes in the community is one way we make sure that people wont have to worry about losing their homes in the future. This immediate security will enable people, especially refugees, to focus on rebuilding their lives anew, in a community where they are welcomed and supported. This acquisition presents a unique opportunity to support current tenants by ensuring affordable rents while laying a foundation for future generations. Existing tenants will benefit from rent stability and housing security, allowing them to remain in their homes with confidence. As units become available, New Hope will open its doors to refugee families, ensuring that newcomers have access to essential resources and support services needed to successfully settle into their new life in Canada. Under New Hopes stewardship, the units will continue to be rented below current market rental rates, securing the long-term affordability of these homes, which are already, on average, 39% below market. The City of New Westminster is excited to welcome New Hope Society into our community. Their work in providing safe, secure, and affordable housing for refugee families bolsters the City's own efforts to protect the affordable rental housing stock for vulnerable residents. We are deeply appreciative of the role the Rental Protection Fund has played in making it possible for New Hope Society to expand into our community, said Mayor Patrick Johnstone. The Rental Protection Fund provided a capital contribution of approximately $2 million for New Hope to acquire the building, resulting in one of the lowest per-unit contributions across all properties acquired through the Fund in Metro Vancouver to date. The Fund has also provided a renewal grant of approximately $10,000 per unit to support upgrades to the property, alongside a total of $30,000 in investments from the non-profit organization. Whether it's 11 homes or 111 homes, we know that every property protected has the power to transform lives and that thoughtful investments from the Rental Protection Fund create a legacy of stability that strengthens entire communities for generations to come. said Katie Maslechko, CEO of the Rental Protection Fund. New Hope proves that profound and enduring impact is not defined by scale - and by preserving affordability while advancing their mission, they are building a foundation for current and future residents to thrive in their community. It's not just about buildings, but about building futures full of hope, resilience and opportunity. New Hope plans to undertake several renovations to better serve current and future residents, including converting some large one-bedroom units into two-bedroom suites to accommodate larger families and renovating common areas to create welcoming gathering spaces. These areas will soon host a variety of programssuch as community dinners, language tutoring, movie nights, and tenancy expectation trainingfostering a new sense of community among residents who may have had to leave their previous homes behind. New Hope has long dreamed of securing additional affordable housing for newcomer refugee families, and with the support of the Rental Protection Fund, this dream is now a reality, said Christina Lui, Executive Director of New Hope. Refugee families are a marginalized and underserved population in the housing sector who will benefit immensely from the provision of homes dedicated to their settlement and integration into Canadian life. Without housing, newcomer refugees move from instability to instability. Once stable affordable housing is secured, they can begin to rebuild their lives anew while contributing their unique skills and gifts to the community at large. We are profoundly grateful for the Funds support. Established in 2004, New Hope provides community connections and affordable housing to refugee families who have recently arrived, creating a stable foundation as they adjust to life in Canada. Their mission revolves around fostering a supportive environment that facilitates integration and independence through comprehensive community support and tenant education. They prioritize families with children, addressing their unique needs and challenges to ensure they thrive in their new home. New Hope is the owner and operator of a 13-unit affordable housing complex designed for newcomer refugee families, including 40% single-parent households. Since 2016, the organization has directly supported over 65 families in its 13-unit building, fostering a sense of community and helping refugee families build new lives in Canada. This announcement is one of several that the Rental Protection Fund has made in the Lower Mainland this fall. Across British Columbia, the Fund has secured the affordability of over 1,500 homes in 20 communities, including 125 in Port Hardy, 26 in Vernon, and 108 in Langley, with more announcements to follow as additional homes move into the community housing sector. Through one-time capital contributions provided by the Fund, non-profits and housing co-operatives can secure, revitalize, and safeguard current rental units against escalating market rents, creating housing for underserved and vulnerable groups within our communities. With the anticipated launch of the Canada Rental Protection Fund, and opportunities for continued Provincial Government support, B.C.s Rental Protection Fund will be able to continue expanding its roleand the community housing sectorensuring the affordable rental homes we have today remain affordable for generations to come. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs. -30- About The Rental Protection Fund: The Rental Protection Fund stands as B.C.'s direct response to the housing crisis. Under the leadership of CEO Katie Maslechko, the Fund is dedicated to protecting tenants and ensuring the availability of affordable rental homes for future generations. By providing capital contributions to non-profit housing organizations and cooperatives, it facilitates the acquisition of existing rental buildings. This initiative is committed to maintaining housing affordability and stability for renters in B.C. in the long run. Those who wish to have a property considered for acquisition through the Rental Protection Fund can submit them at www.RentalProtectionFund.ca Attachments Greensboro, NC, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As we enter a season known for family gatherings and togetherness, thousands of children across North Carolina face a different realityone filled with uncertainty. The Childrens Home Society of North Carolina (CHS) sounds an urgent call this December, encouraging communities to take action in response to a growing foster care crisis impacting vulnerable children statewide. According to the latest data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), more than 10,000 children are currently in the foster care system in North Carolina, and only 5,600 licensed foster families. "Our states children are facing a crisis that is too big to ignore, said Shannon Enoch, Executive Director of Programs at CHS. Behind every statistic is a child who deserves a safe, stable, and loving family. This holiday season, we are asking North Carolina residents across the state to open their hearts and homes to children in need. Each of us has the power to bring hope and joy to a child who is longing to belong. The increase in foster care placements in North Carolina highlights the urgent need for more families willing to provide temporary care. Contributing factors include the rise in families facing economic challenges, substance abuse, and mental health issues, which have further strained an already overstretched system. Enoch further emphasized the importance of community involvement, During the holidays, we are reminded of the importance of family and belonging. The children we serve are wishing for something most of us may take for granteda place to call home, people to call family. Everyone can do something. Ways You Can Help This Holiday Season: 1. Become a Foster Parent: CHS provides training, support, and resources to guide families through the foster care journey. 2. Advocate: Raising awareness about the foster care crisis can inspire others to take action and help solve this urgent issue. 3. Donate: Contributions made to CHSs annual Little Red Stocking holiday fundraising campaign provide support to help North Carolinas children and families thrive: give.chsnc.org/lrs. A Wish That Needs Answering At a time of year when so many children are making wishes, CHS invites the public to consider answering the wish of a child in need. By taking one small step, whether its opening a home to a child or simply sharing our message, you can be a part of a meaningful change in a childs life. This season lets come together to make sure every child has a safe place to call home and a family to call their own. For more information on Childrens Home Society, becoming a foster or adoptive parent, volunteering, or providing financial support, please call 800-632-1400 or visit www.chsnc.org. About Childrens Home Society of North Carolina Childrens Home Society offers a network of services and support throughout North Carolina to help establish and sustain healthy, loving relationships in every family. For 122 years, Childrens Home Society has provided a broad spectrum of programs and services including adoption, foster care, parenting education, family preservation, and teen responsibility. Childrens Home Society believes in the importance of family, not only in the life of a child but also in the foundation of a community. For more information, visit www.chsnc.org. TORONTO, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lactalis Canada, the Canadian dairy leader behind iconic brands like Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Balderson, Astro and Lactantia and a subsidiary of France-based Lactalis Group, is proud to announce that is has been recognized as one of Greater Torontos Top Employers for 2025 by Mediacorp Canada Inc. Setting the benchmark in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) for workplace best practices, this prestigious award recognizes employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work with winners selected on a wide range of criteria including: 1) Workplace; 2) Work Atmosphere and Social; 3) Health, Financial and Family Benefits; 4) Vacation and Time-Off; 5) Employee Communications; 6) Performance Management; 7) Training and Skills Development; and 8) Community Involvement. At Lactalis Canada, our purpose is to enrich and nurture the lives of Canadians and that begins with our people and our ambition to be an employer of choice, said Mark Taylor, President & CEO, Lactalis Canada. As the third largest branded CPG in Canada, were dedicated to developing employees, investing in employee well-being, offering competitive total rewards and cultivating a workplace where every team member is valued and inspired. To view the complete list of Greater Torontos Top Employers (2025), please refer to the special issue of the Globe and Mail HERE featuring an editorial spotlight on Lactalis Canada. About Lactalis Canada Inc. With over 140 years of brand heritage, Lactalis Canada is the Canadian dairy leader behind iconic brands Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Ptit Quebec, Balderson, Cheestrings Ficello, aMOOza!, Astro, Khaas, siggis, IOGO, IOGO nano, Olympic, Lactantia, Beatrice, Enjoy!, Marie Morin Canada, Galbani, and President. With more than 30 operating sites including 20 manufacturing facilities, the company and its more than 4000 employees are committed to enriching and nurturing the lives of Canadians through its high-quality products, contribution to communities and partnership with farmers, customers, partners and suppliers. Lactalis Canada is part of Lactalis Group, the worlds leading dairy company, headquartered in Laval, France. For more information, visit www.lactalis.ca. Media Contact: Lactalis Canada Media Relations media@ca.lactalis.com NEW YORK, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greystone, a leading national commercial real estate finance company, announced that Greystone Senior Debt BI, LTD., a subsidiary of the Greystone Senior Debt Fund, has completed a Series A bond offering of approximately $160 million on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Greystone Senior Debt BI, LTD., a publicly reporting company in Israel, issued 583,724,000 of NIS denominated unsecured bonds, which were rated Aa3.IL by Midroog, Moodys affiliate in Israel. The bonds carry a 6.35% fixed coupon for a 5-year term with the first 4 years being interest-only. The firm was targeting a $100 million offering and increased it to approximately $160 million as a result of being 3x oversubscribed at attractive yields. Greystone intends to utilize the proceeds from this initial offering to invest in new bridge loans within its Senior Debt Fund, which is a proprietary lending platform serving as a pathway to long-term US government-backed debt such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and HUD-insured financing. With our inaugural offering to the Israeli market being oversubscribed, I am thrilled with the vote of confidence from investors, said Steve Rosenberg, founder and CEO of Greystone. Greystone strives to exceed the expectations of its stakeholders by pursuing ideas and initiatives that create space for excellence and expansion. This offering will enable us to continue to grow and help our clients grow with us. Leader Capital Markets acted as a book runner and lead underwriter for the bond offering. Infin Capital acted as a co-distributer. Goldfarb Gross Seligman & Co. served as the companys counsel in Israel for the offering. About Greystone Greystone is a private national commercial real estate finance company with an established reputation as a leader in multifamily and healthcare finance, having ranked as a top FHA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac lender in these sectors. Loans are offered through Greystone Servicing Company LLC, Greystone Funding Company LLC and/or other Greystone affiliates. For more information, visit www.greystone.com. PRESS CONTACT: Karen Marotta Greystone 212-896-9149 Karen.Marotta@greyco.com Salt Lake City, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Novarad Corporation, a leader in augmented reality (AR) technology, has successfully enabled the first-ever augmented reality-guided brain surgery on a canine patient in the United States, potentially changing the future of veterinary neurosurgery. This pioneering procedure was performed on Geddy, who, as a six-week-old puppy, was abandoned in a high-speed chase involving a stolen car and gunfire in Northern Mississippi. She was rescued by local law enforcement and taken to a veterinarian. After being posted for adoption, Geddy was united with a loving family. During the summer of 2024, Geddy began experiencing seizures and neurological signs and was diagnosed with a brain tumor through MRI. The severity of her condition prompted a referral to the University of Pennsylvanias School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) with veterinary neurosurgeon scientist Wojciech Panek, DVM, DACVIM, and neurology specialty intern Tessa Arendt, DVM. Panek and his research collaborator, human neurosurgeon and Director of the Penn Brain Tumor Center Nduka Amankulor, MD, from the University of Pennsylvanias Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) were familiar with an innovative AR technology emerging in human surgeries and recognized the potential for this technology to assist in Geddys operation. The augmented reality guidance system known as VisAR, developed by Novarad Corporation and co-invented by Novarad CEO Wendell Gibby, MD, is used in human medical procedures for its precision and accuracy. The decision was made to use VisAR in Geddy's surgery, led by the surgery team of Panek and Amankulor. During the operation, preoperative MRI images were superimposed with anatomical accuracy onto Geddys skull, allowing for precise biopsy and tumor resection. Novarad representative Darin Johnson assisted in the calibration of VisAR during surgery. The complex and delicate procedure was a success. Geddy has recovered from surgery; her owners report no neurological signs nor seizures, said Panek. We will continue to monitor Geddys recovery, but I am incredibly pleased with her progress. I am extremely grateful to Dr. Gibby and the entire Novarad team for their willingness to partner with Penn Vet to implement their lifesaving AR surgical navigation system, VisAR, in this particularly sensitive canine brain surgery. This groundbreaking surgery marks a milestone in veterinary medicine and highlights the incredible potential and promising outcomes of augmented reality in animal healthcare, said Gibby. The successful use of VisAR in Geddy's brain surgery is a testament to the power of innovation, the dedication of the Penn Vet and PSOM neurosurgery team, their top-notch research, and the tireless efforts of Novarad to bring this life-saving technology to the forefront of medical care. Geddys remarkable journey, from abandonment to a pioneer in canine veterinary neurosurgery, highlights the incredible advances in veterinary medicine, promising a brighter future for animals and their owners needing complex surgeries. About Novarad Corporation: Novarad Corporation is a leading provider of advanced medical imaging solutions, including cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) technologies. Their innovative products, such as VisAR, are designed to enhance precision and improve outcomes in both human and animal healthcare. Novarads solutions have been widely adopted across various medical disciplines and are paving the way for the future of medical procedures. Novarad and Penn Vet established a unique research collaboration to further validate and optimize its use in canine patients with neurological conditions, with several studies ongoing. Attachments SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eco Bright Future, Inc. (OTC: EBFI) ($EBFI) ("Company") announces its wholly-owned El Salvador subsidiary, United Heritage Sociedad Anonima De Capital Variable ("United Heritage"), has been granted the prestigious license of Digital Service Provider in El Salvador. This significant milestone marks the first of two eagerly awaited licenses in the region, with the token issuer license pending and anticipated in the near future. Alexander Borodich, Founder of Universa Blockchain , expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "We are on the cusp of receiving our second pivotal license in El Salvador, which will position our Company to attract a substantial customer base through our local subsidiaries. We eagerly anticipate launching operations through the innovative New World Digital Gateway as El Salvador emerges as a leading hub in the digital realm." El Salvador's proactive stance in fostering a welcoming ecosystem for cryptocurrency businesses has drawn the attention of global digital assets firms like Eco Bright Future. With the newly obtained Bitcoin exchange license, United Heritage offers a secure and compliant platform to purchase, sell, and exchange Bitcoin. El Salvador recognizes Bitcoin as legal tender , a historic milestone for the country that opens up exciting possibilities within the digital currency landscape, as evidenced by today's high price of BTC , reflecting widespread adoption by mainstream users. The Company is strategically bolstering its presence in the global Digital Asset Market; El Salvador is just one of its strategic focal points. The expansion aligns with the Company's overarching strategy to ensure international compliance and broaden its customer base. It seeks to become a global frontrunner in real asset tokenization and cross-border "Smart Contract" technologies. Distinguished by its proficiency in tokenizing tangible assets, genuine real estate, and commodities, Eco Bright Future, Inc. leads the way in: - Tokenizing tangible assets such as real estate and commodities - Developing cutting-edge blockchain tools - Seamlessly integrating with established financial infrastructures Adopting a holistic approach, the Company believes it can seize market opportunities in El Salvador and diverse global markets. Leveraging its successful track record in digital commodity tokenization in the UAE and digital notary in Tunisia, the Company has positioned itself for its progressive international expansion. United Heritage will use Universa Blockchain's platform for decentralized storage and "Smart Contract" execution. This strategic technology selection minimizes disruptions to existing infrastructure while maximizing the digitization of business processes. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT: Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Except for historical matters contained herein, this press release's statements are forward-looking. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as "may", "will", "to", "plan", "expect", "believe", "anticipate", "intend", "could", "would", "estimate," or "continue", or the negative other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risk, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Also, forward-looking statements represent our management's beliefs and assumptions only as of the date hereof. Additional information regarding the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements is available in the Company's filings with OTC Markets. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Contact Information: New York, NY, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright today announced the appointment of New York partner Kessar Nashat as its US Co-Head of Corporate, M&A and Securities. He joins Dallas partner Scarlet McNellie in this leadership role, which she has held for more than five years. Jeff Cody, Norton Rose Fulbrights US Managing Partner, said: Kessar is an accomplished dealmaker with a reputation for collaboration across our firm. Scarlet and Kessar leading our Corporate, M&A and Securities practice will allow us to capitalize on both US and cross-border opportunities. Scarlet McNellie, Norton Rose Fulbrights US Co-Head of Corporate, M&A and Securities, commented: Clients look to Norton Rose Fulbrights corporate lawyers to provide practical and innovative advice related to the evolving global business landscape. Kessar has been a wonderful colleague for many years, and I am excited to work together to guide our outstanding team. Kessar represents public and private companies on a broad range of corporate legal matters, including mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs and other divestitures, joint ventures and debt and equity investments. He also advises public companies on corporate and securities matters, including SEC filings and other public disclosures, corporate governance and board matters, trading by insiders and equity-based compensation plans. Kessar, who has been listed as a Recommended Lawyer and a Next Generation Lawyer by The Legal 500 US from 2018-2024 and recognized as a BTI Client Service All-Star by BTI Consulting Group in 2021, said: I look forward to collaborating with Scarlet to lead this remarkable team of lawyers who clients trust to execute their most complex and high profile transactions. Norton Rose Fulbrights Corporate, M&A and Securities practice offers strategic, business-oriented legal advice on complex domestic, cross-border and multijurisdictional transactions in both emerging and developed markets. The lawyers who comprise this global team have deep experience across the full spectrum of industry matters. Licensed in New York, Kessar received his law degree cum laude from New York University School of Law and his bachelors degree from Cornell University. Norton Rose Fulbright Norton Rose Fulbright provides a full scope of legal services to the worlds preeminent corporations and financial institutions. The global law firm has more than 3,000 lawyers advising clients across more than 50 locations worldwide, including London, Houston, New York, Toronto, Mexico City, Hong Kong, Sydney and Johannesburg, covering Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East. With its global business principles of quality, unity and integrity, Norton Rose Fulbright is recognized for its client service in key industries, including financial institutions; energy, infrastructure and resources; technology; transport; life sciences and healthcare; and consumer markets. Attachment RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Air France-KLM aimed at significantly expanding and localizing its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities. The signing ceremony was attended by President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic, Engr. Saleh Al-Jasser, Chairman of Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation, Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, the Director General of Saudia Group, along with ministers and distinguished dignitaries, the agreement was signed by Capt. Fahd Cynndy, Managing Director of Saudia Technic, and Anne Brachet, Executive Vice President of Air France-KLM Engineering & Maintenance. This strategic partnership marks a pivotal step in enhancing Saudia's technical operations within the Kingdom and underscores the commitment of both parties to foster stronger ties and mutual growth in the aviation sector. The MOU includes provisions for Saudia to handle module assembly and disassembly of GE90 engines, which are used on Boeing 777 aircraft. Saudia will award a firm minimum of 50% of the GE90 work orders to Air France-KLM in return for localizing the process. Additionally, the agreement explores the establishment of a joint venture for GEnx engines, used on Boeing 787 aircraft. This adds to Saudias prominent local MRO capabilities, including servicing CFM LEAP-1A engines used on Airbus A320neo family aircraft. On the commercial side, the collaboration focuses on enhancing the codeshare agreement between Saudia and Air France-KLM, both SkyTeam members. This includes expanded reciprocal codesharing across a wider range of domestic and international routes, increasing connectivity and frequency. The agreement also supports Saudias efforts to optimize its operations at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, enhancing efficiency and the guest experience. H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, stated, This agreement reflects the visionary leadership of the Saudia Group Board, led by its chairman, H.E. Engr. Saleh Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics. It aligns with the Saudi Aviation Strategy, spearheaded by the General Authority of Civil Aviation, and demonstrates our commitment to advancing the Kingdoms aviation sector. Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM stated: Saudia is a historic partner of Air France-KLM, and in the context of Saudi Arabias fast-paced development, we see a mutual interest in expanding our commercial cooperation and pooling our expertise, notably in the strategic MRO activity. Air France-KLM Engineering and Maintenance is already a leader in the field, and further cooperation with Saudia will unlock additional opportunities in the country and in the region. This agreement is part of Saudia's ongoing efforts to enhance local content, highlighting Saudia Groups commitment to fostering local talent and capabilities in the aviation industry and aligning seamlessly with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to foster a thriving national economy. About Saudia: Saudia (Saudia Airlines) is the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Established in 1945, the company has grown to become one of the Middle Easts largest airlines. Saudia has invested significantly in upgrading its aircraft and currently operates one of the youngest fleet, with 144 aircraft. The airline serves an extensive global route network covering around 100 destinations across four continents, including all 28 domestic airports in Saudi Arabia. A member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO), Saudia has also been a member airline in SkyTeam, the second largest alliance, since 2012. Saudia was recently awarded the "World Class Airline 2025" for the fourth consecutive year at The APEX Official Airline Ratings awards. Saudia has also advanced 11 places in the Skytrax airlines ranking of the World Best Airlines 2023. The Airline also ranked top among global airlines for best on-time performance (OTP) according to a report by Cirium. For more information on Saudia, please visit www.saudia.com Media Center Saudi Arabian Airlines Headquarters Jeddah 21231, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Email: mediacenter@saudia.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/430631b7-ddf8-4618-a6de-d2521667bbd5 Independence, Ohio, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Thanks to nominations by employees, residents and investors, Redwood Living, Inc. will award $45,000 to the recipients of its 2024 annual giving initiative as part of the companys Redwood Cares program. Redwood believes in giving back to people and communities throughout suburban America. Redwood Cares is an overarching philanthropic program that focuses on supporting organizations that 1. promote environmental advocacy, conservation, and sustainability 2. foster diversity and inclusion, and 3. build community and connection in the areas and surrounding areas in which Redwood Neighborhoods are located. The annual giving portion of the program was launched in 2022, and the company is proud of it. This is an incredibly personal initiative for us, as it is a way for Redwood to pledge our support to the charities and causes that matter most to the dedicated internal and external ambassadors of our company, said Steve Kimmelman, founder and CEO at Redwood. 2024 marks the third year of the annual giving initiative under the Redwood Cares umbrella, and we are thrilled to say we have surpassed the $100,000 mark in contributions. Every year we are beyond moved to read the stories and sentiments shared in the nominations and this year was certainly no different. Nonprofits were selected by an unbiased member of the Northern Ohio Apartment Association team, based on the quality of the nomination and its alignment to Redwoods mission and vision. In addition to providing a monetary donation to the nonprofits, Redwood will encourage employees to use volunteer time off to help at these organizations (or any that are of personal interest). The company will also utilize its social networks and communication channels to amplify efforts and raise awareness of these worthy causes. Take a closer look at the organizations to be supported by Redwood starting now through the end of 2025. Organizations nominated by Redwood employees: Collins Beautiful Today : $10,000 Collins Beautiful Today connects with families who have lost a child to a chronic disease through its network of social workers active in childrens hospitals. The organization aims to shoulder some of their financial burden while offering grief management resources and solutions. Excerpt from submission: Collins Beautiful Today is extremely personal for me as it was founded and established by my brother and sister-in-law. They lost their son (my nephew) at age 11, to childhood brain cancer in 2021. Much like the communities, residents, employees, and stakeholders Redwood Cares serves and supports, Collins Beautiful Todays mission of bringing families together has a similar vision. Love and support know no bounds. Shoes 4 the Shoeless : $5,000 Since 2010, Shoes 4 the Shoeless delivers brand-new shoes and socks to disadvantaged children within Southwest Ohio through its in-school delivery program. Excerpt from submission: The majority of the kids this organization serves have never had a new pair of shoes, and many of them dont have socks to wear, much less a brand-new pair. And these kids live within our communities. And yet, I think most of us that are more fortunate tend to think this level of poverty is much farther removed than it really is. Organizations nominated by Redwood residents: Wellspring Hospice : $10,000 A statewide Michigan nonprofit organization committed to engaging people at every stage of life to help them experience and embrace their God-given potential. Wellspring has been helping change lives, build strong families and transform communities across the state since 1893. Excerpt from submission: I am writing to nominate Wellspring Hospice for recognition in light of the exceptional care, commitment, education, and faith they provided during the last month of my fathers life. Their unwavering support not only enriched his final days but also brought profound comfort and peace to our entire family during an incredibly challenging time. Warriors for the Children (WFTC): $5,000 WFTC strives to improve the self-esteem and morale of abused, bullied and neglected children through one-on-one support, tangible resources and government advocacy. Excerpt from submission: As a victim of child abuse it has been my life mission to find an organization such as this that helps protect children from the atrocities that far too often affect the children of our future. As a member of this organization for the past 2 years, I can tell you that the mission we hold fast to goes very deep in the community and helps improve the self-esteem and morale of our abused, bullied and neglected children. Organizations nominated by Redwood investors: House of Refuge Sunnyslope : $10,000 A Christian housing program serving the homeless, unemployed, and recently sober of Phoenix. The organization provides shelter, food, employment skills, and spiritual transformation through programs for men, women, and single mothers with children. Excerpt from submission: We are in urgent need of a kitchen remodel. Currently, our kitchen is inefficient and inadequately equipped. We prepare approximately 1,000 meals each week in a space designed for residential use, featuring outdated appliances and poor layout. Grant funds would allow us to purchase commercial-grade stove(s), enhance the kitchen layout, and create a more efficient cooking environment. NewPath Child & Family Solutions : $5,000 A Behavioral Health Agency for individuals facing behavioral and specialty healthcare, educational treatment, and youth support needs. NewPath ignites hope and changes futures by providing access to and results from expert, specialized, and comprehensive trauma-informed care. Excerpt from submission: This organization came to my sons rescue when he was dealing with severe mental health issues caused by an auto-immune condition. I have personally seen the impact that their skilled caregivers can have on an individual and a family. Their services are nothing short of remarkable. This annual giving initiative is one of multiple ways Redwood embraces giving back as part of its Redwood Cares program. Redwood employees consistently support their communities through everything from packing boxes at food banks to running in charity races and cleaning up recreation trails. The company is also proud to partner with One Tree Planted, an environmental nonprofit, by donating $1 on behalf of each new employee, resident and investor to plant a tree in an area in need of reforestation. Redwood has developed and manages more than 18,000 apartment homes in 150+ neighborhoods throughout the Midwest and Carolinas. #### About Redwood Living, Inc. Redwood Living, Inc. (Redwood) is an innovative development and property management company with neighborhoods in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky and Nebraska. The success of Redwoods approach to construction, development and property management continues to be validated in new and existing markets. Redwood is a company that believes in its mission, product and amazing people. It creates a simplified, relaxed lifestyle for residents, and offers a rewarding atmosphere for its employees. For more information, visit https://www.byredwood.com. Attachment Cortland, N.Y., Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Guthrie was thrilled to cut the ribbon today on the next stage of state-of-the-art health care in the Cortland community. The Guthrie Cortland Renzi Health Campus opens to patients on Monday, Dec. 9. The 32,000 square foot health campus will initially offer imaging, lab, walk-in and expanded primary care services in a primary care clinic named in honor of Deborah and Stephen Geibel. We understand that a primary care provider is important on many fronts, said Marie Darling, Sr. Director, Guthrie Medical Group, Northern Region. The relationship that is built with a primary care provider assists in achieving health goals and is the gateway to preventative screenings and specialty care services needed along the way. We respect the importance of this relationship and are actively recruiting more primary care providers to this region to support the communitys engagement in their overall health. Beginning in the spring of 2025, the new space will welcome multiple specialty care services, including orthopedics, general surgery, plastic surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and pain management. Additionally, in Guthries ongoing efforts to expand care in rural communities, this health campus will be home to a tele-medicine hub, expanding virtual access to Guthrie experts from across our health system. The opening of this new health campus is the fulfillment of continued investment in the Cortland community by Guthrie, in our ongoing mission to be the most trusted local health care partner. Its a vision shared by valued community partner and donor, Nicholas Renzi. At Guthrie, we invest when and where there is a need, and we will continue to do so, because we understand the challenges of accessing health care in rural communities, said Edmund Sabanegh, President and CEO, The Guthrie Clinic. Through generous gifts such as Nicks, were able to set the standard for rural health care across the nation by delivering innovative, compassionate, and accessible medical services tailored to the unique needs of rural communities. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to support this new health campus project, said Nicholas Renzi. The consolidation of existing Guthrie medical services into one building together with the requisite support services is a major step in making The Guthrie Clinic a leader in the Cortland community. For a small town, we have health care facilities that are well suited to service the needs of our people in terms of the breadth of services, availability of services, and the competency of the medical professionals and staff. We are thrilled to work on this project with a strong community partner, in The McNeil Development Company, bringing new life to the former JM Murray Center, choosing to redevelop a vacant property that holds fond memories for members of our community. They say it takes a community to raise a child. I like to say it takes a community to raise a community, said David McNeil, Owner, McNeil Development Company. We have got to continue working together to provide the resources that make a community healthy. Our health care organizations need to provide a high level of quality care in our community, so our residents do not have to travel. There is no one person that can do it by themself. The Guthrie Cortland Renzi Health Campus is a NYS Clean Heat facility, which means its design incorporates state-of-the-art technology to save energy and reduce carbon footprint. The Guthrie Clinic is a non-profit multispecialty health system integrating clinical and hospital care along with research and education. Headquartered in Sayre, Pennsylvania, The Guthrie Clinic stands as one of the nations longest established group practices, founded in 1910 by the visionary Dr. Donald Guthrie. The organizations patient-centered approach revolves around a clinically integrated network of employed providers. Among The Guthrie Clinics more than 9,000 caregivers are close to 1,000 highly skilled physicians and advanced practice providers representing the spectrum of medical Specialties and sub-specialties. Situated across 10,000 square miles in northeastern Pennsylvania and upstate New York, The Guthrie Clinics comprehensive six hospital campuses also encompass an expansive network of outpatient facilities across 13 counties. Post-acute care includes acute rehabilitation, skilled nursing, personal care home, home care and hospice services, completing the continuum of care. With a commitment to shaping the future of health care, the organization offers eleven residencies and five fellowships, serving as a training ground for the next generation of leaders in the field. Visit us at www.Guthrie.org. Follow us at Twitter.com/GuthrieClinic, Facebook.com/TheGuthrieClinic, Linkedin.com/company/TheGuthrieClinic, and Instagram.com/TheGuthrieClinic. Attachments GREENWICH, Conn., Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GXO Logistics, Inc. (NYSE: GXO) today announced that Malcolm Wilson, chief executive officer, has informed the board of directors that he plans to retire in 2025. He will continue to lead the company during the executive search process for his successor. Brad Jacobs, chairman of the GXO Board of Directors, said, Malcolms countless contributions to GXO and its legacy parent XPO span nearly a decade. Under his leadership, GXO has added more than $3 billion of revenue and received global recognitions each year for innovation and workplace culture. Our incoming CEO will inherit a best-in-class management team and strong industry positioning, while Malcolm will embark on a well-deserved retirement. I fully support this decision and wish him all the best. Since being named CEO in August 2021, Mr. Wilson has led GXOs growth to 130,000 employees and more than 200 million square feet of facility space in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. During his tenure, GXO has acquired Clipper Logistics and Wincanton among others; increased revenue from $7.9 billion in 2021 to $11 billion in the twelve months ended September 30, 2024; increased adjusted EBITDA from $633 million in 2021 to $757 million in the twelve months ended September 30, 2024; and achieved a return on invested capital of more than 30% per year. Malcolm Wilson said, My time at GXO has been the highlight of my three decades in logistics. We have an outstanding organization that embraces new technologies, keeping us at the forefront of the industry. Im grateful to the team and our customers for their support and I look forward to working with the Board to ensure the company is in excellent hands. About GXO Logistics GXO Logistics, Inc. (NYSE: GXO) is the worlds largest pure-play contract logistics provider and is capitalizing on the rapid growth of ecommerce and automation. GXO is committed to providing a world-class, diverse workplace for more than 130,000 team members in more than 970 facilities totaling approximately 200 million square feet. The company partners with the worlds leading blue-chip companies to solve complex logistics challenges with technologically advanced supply chain and ecommerce solutions. GXO is headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut, USA. Visit GXO.com for more information and connect with GXO on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as plans, continue, will, or the negative of these terms or other comparable terms. However, the absence of these words does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. Unknown or unpredictable factors could cause actual events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements expressed herein. Contacts Investors Chris Jordan chris.jordan@gxo.com Media Matthew Schmidt matt.schmidt@gxo.com VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mustang Energy Corp. (CSE: MEC, OTC:MECPF, FRA:92T) (the Company or Mustang) is pleased to announce it has engaged Resource Potentials Ltd. (Resource Potentials), an arms length geophysical consulting firm based out of Perth, Australia, to conduct detailed reprocessing, analysis, interpretation, and targeting on the Companys uranium projects located in the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan. The Company recently completed a comprehensive historical compilation of previous exploration work conducted on and around its properties, including several magnetic and electromagnetic (EM) geophysical datasets and models. The compiled datasets will be merged, processed, re-imaged, and reviewed before being integrated with additional exploration data to identify anomalies of interest. Magnetic anomalies and models will play a crucial role in determining the depths to the basin unconformity, a key structural feature associated with uranium deposits. EM conductors will also be analyzed in detail to target conductive anomalies near the unconformity, which could indicate graphitic shears which are a key reducing fluid pathway for high-grade uranium deposits. The results from Resource Potentials reprocessing and analysis will provide critical insights for refining exploration targets and identifying areas for further investigation on these newly acquired properties. Mustangs team will work closely with Resource Potentials to prioritize and develop drill targets aimed at discovering potentially high-grade uranium mineralization. Mustangs CEO, Nicholas Luksha, stated: Our portfolio includes an extensive collection of recent and historical geophysical survey data, which serves as a critical resource for advancing our projects. By strategically utilizing publicly available data, we can refine existing exploration targets, uncover new opportunities, and identify areas where further work is needed. This approach allows us to enhance our understanding of the mineral potential within our properties while maintaining a cost-effective and efficient exploration strategy." About Resource Potentials Resource Potentials is a consulting and contracting business specialising in geophysical survey design, acquisition, processing, modelling, inversion, data integration, interpretation and drill hole targeting. Based in Perth, Australia and established in 2001, Resource Potentials provide their clients with expertise and products that fit their requirements and budgets for exploration, drilling and mining operations. Resource Potentials is experienced in processing, interpreting and modelling potential field (magnetic and gravity) and other geophysical surveys such as radiometrics, EM, IP, GPR and seismic data in a variety of geological settings for commodities including; gold, iron, base metals, uranium, manganese, coal, diamonds, oil and gas, groundwater, etc. About the Projects Figure 1: Mustang's Uranium Projects in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan Yellowstone Project The 100% owned Yellowstone Project consists of 7 adjoining claims with a total area of 21,820 hectares situated approximately 16 kilometres from the past producing Cluff Lake Mine in the Western Athabasca Basin. The property surrounds the exterior of the Carswell Impact Structure and is adjacent to Fission Uraniums West Cluff Project. The Carswell Impact Structure is thought to be related to a meteorite impact measuring ~18 kilometre in diameter, which exposed basement rock that underlies the Athabasca Basin sandstone formations and hosts high grade uranium mineralization including the Cluff Lake Mine. Multiple known conductors transect the property that have never been drill tested. Dutton Project The 100% owned Dutton Project spans 9,667 hectares over three adjoining claims in the Southern Athabasca Basin. The property is west of the Cable Bay Shear Zone within the Mudjatik Domain, which is known to host uranium anomalies in the basement rock. Approximately 20 kilometers to the east is the Virgin River Shear Zone, which hosts the Dufferin Lake zone and Centennial Deposit. The project remains underexplored for its uranium potential, with no targets drill-tested to date. Notably, numerous diabase dykes exhibiting elevated radioactivity are spatially associated with EM conductors. These features are analogous to uranium-bearing dykes identified in the Abraham Bay and Cable Bay areas, highlighting the project's promising exploration potential. *The Company considers greater than 1.0% U 3 O 8 as high-grade. Qualifying Statement: The scientific and technical information in this release has been reviewed and approved by Lynde Guillaume, P.Geo., Technical Advisor for Mustang Energy, and a registered member of the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan. Ms. Guillaume is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Adjacent Property Disclaimer: This news release includes references with respect to the uranium-bearing dykes identified in Abraham Bay and Cable Bay areas and the high grade uranium mineralization at the Cluff Lake Mine (collectively, the Adjacent Properties), which are located near the Dutton Project and the Yellowstone Project, respectively. The Company advises that, notwithstanding their proximity of location, discoveries of minerals on the Adjacent Properties and any promising results thereof are not necessarily indicative of the mineralization of, or located on the Dutton Lake Project or the Yellowstone Project, or the Companys ability to commercially exploit the Dutton Lake Project or Yellowstone Project, or to locate any commercially exploitable deposits therefrom. The Company cautions investors on relying on this information as the Company has not confirmed the accuracy or reliability of the information. About Mustang Energy Corp.: Mustang is a resource exploration company focused on acquiring and developing high-potential uranium and critical mineral assets. The Company is actively exploring its properties in the Athabasca Basin of Saskatchewan, Canada. Mustang's flagship property, Ford Lake, covers 7,743 hectares in the prolific eastern Athabasca Basin, while its Cigar Lake East and Roughrider South projects span 2,901 hectares in the Wollaston Domain. Mustang has also established its footprint in the Cluff Lake region of the Athabasca Basin with the Yellowstone Project and further expanded its presence in the south central region of the Athabasca Basin with the Dutton Project. For further information, please contact: Mustang Energy Corp. Attention: Nicholas Luksha, CEO and Director Phone: (604) 838-0184 Neither the CSE nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as intends, believes or anticipates, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, should, would or occur. This information and these statements, referred to herein as forwardlooking statements, are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things, the future potential of the minerals claims held by the Company, the successful commencement and completion of the engagement with Resource Potentials, and the timely delivery of the results from the work to be conducted by Resource Potentials. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation the assumption that the Company will be able to continue exploring its properties given various environmental and economic factors outside of its control and complete the work planned with Resources Potentials as currently contemplated. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f5f785a3-5ac5-4745-a291-c2312a75ca23 Investors can contact the law firm at no cost to learn more about recovering their losses LOS ANGELES, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises Customers Bancorp, Inc. ("Customers Bancorp" or the "Company") (NYSE: CUBI) investors of a class action representing investors that bought securities between March 1, 2024 and August 8, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Customers Bancorp investors have until January 31, 2025 to file a lead plaintiff motion. Investors are encouraged to contact attorney Lesley F. Portnoy, by phone 310-692-8883 or email: lesley@portnoylaw.com, to discuss their legal rights, or click here to join the case. The Portnoy Law Firm can provide a complimentary case evaluation and discuss investors options for pursuing claims to recover their losses. On August 8, 2024, during market hours, the Federal Reserve Board of Governors announced an enforcement action involving Customers Bancorp, Inc. and Customers Bank. Accompanying the announcement was a written agreement between the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, Customers Bancorp, and Customers Bank. The agreement highlighted that recent examinations and inspections revealed significant deficiencies in the bank's risk management practices and compliance with laws and regulations related to anti-money laundering (AML), including the Bank Secrecy Act and relevant Treasury regulations, as well as AML requirements under Regulation H of the Federal Reserve System and the Office of Foreign Assets Control regulations. Please visit our website to review more information and submit your transaction information. The Portnoy Law Firm represents investors in pursuing claims caused by corporate wrongdoing. The Firms founding partner has recovered over $5.5 billion for aggrieved investors. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Lesley F. Portnoy, Esq. Admitted CA and NY Bar lesley@portnoylaw.com 310-692-8883 www.portnoylaw.com Attorney Advertising VANCOUVER, Dec. 02, 2024 - Libero Copper & Gold Corp. (TSXV: LBC) (OTCQB: LBCMF) (DE: 29H) ("Libero" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Research Capital Corporation as the sole agent and sole bookrunner (the "Agent"), in connection with a marketed, public offering of units of the Company (the "Units") for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $3,000,000 (the "Offering") at a price of $0.35 per Unit. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and of one Common Share purchase warrant of the Company (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.50 for a period of 24 months following the closing of the Offering. The Company has granted the Agent an option (the "Over-Allotment Option") to increase the size of the Offering by up to an additional number of Units, and/or the components thereof, that in the aggregate would be equal to approximately 15% of the total number of Units to be issued under the Offering, to cover over-allotments, if any, and for market stabilization purposes, exercisable at any time and from time to time up to 30 days following the closing of the Offering. The net proceeds from the Offering will be used by the Company for the exploration of the Mocoa copper-molybdenum project, working capital and general corporate purposes. The closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about December 12, 2024 (the "Closing"), or on such date as agreed upon between the Company and the Agent, and is subject to the Company receiving all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") to list, on the date of Closing, the Common Shares and the Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants and compensation warrants thereon. In connection with the Offering, the Company intends to file a prospectus supplement (the "Supplement") to the Company's short form base shelf prospectus dated November 29, 2024 (the "Shelf Prospectus"), with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada (except Quebec). Copies of the Shelf Prospectus and, the Supplement to be filed in connection with the Offering, can be found on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Shelf Prospectus contains, and the Supplement will contain, important detailed information about the Company and the Offering. Prospective investors should read the Supplement and accompanying Shelf Prospectus and the other documents the Company has filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca before making an investment decision. This press release is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the United States or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to qualification or registration under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements and applicable U.S. state securities laws. About Libero Copper Libero Copper is led by a team with rare experience-having advanced projects from post-resource discovery to the path of construction, including some of the few large copper projects built in the last 20 years. This real-world expertise drives Libero Copper's focus on relationships, responsibility, trust, and a relentless commitment to sustainable progress. At the core of Libero Copper's portfolio is the Mocoa copper-molybdenum porphyry deposit in Putumayo, Colombia. Mocoa stands as a cornerstone asset with immense potential for expansion. Now, with the Fiore Group's bold company-building vision behind it, Libero Copper is uniquely positioned to fill a crucial gap in the copper industry-advancing large-scale projects toward construction. Through this approach, Libero Copper is committed to creating lasting value for all stakeholders while positioning itself at the forefront of meeting the growing global demand for copper-the metal driving progress in the modern economy. Additional Information Ian Harris Chief Executive Officer +1 604 294 9039 harris@liberocopper.com Tetiana Konstantynivska Vice President Investor Relations +1 778 829 8455 tk@liberocopper.com Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking statements This news release contains certain statements which constitute forward-looking statements or information under applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements relating to the expected size of the Offering, the anticipated timing of closing the Offering, the ability of the Company to satisfy all conditions to closing the Offering, and the expected use of proceeds from the Offering. Such forward-looking statements are subject to numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include general economic and capital markets conditions, stock market volatility, the ability of the Company to obtain necessary consents for the Offering, including the approval of the Exchange, and the ability of the Company to complete the Offering on the terms expected or at all. Although the Company believes that the forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, they are based on factors and assumptions, based on currently available information, concerning future events, which may prove to be inaccurate. As such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, as no assurance can be provided as to future plans, operations, results, levels of activity or achievements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. VANCOUVER, Dec. 02, 2024 - Teck Resources Ltd. (TSX: TECK.A and TECK.B, NYSE: TECK) ("Teck") has released its 2024 Climate Change and Nature Report, which for the first time combines the recommendations of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) with the recommendations of the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) to deliver an integrated report covering both climate and nature-related aspects of our business. "This report details how we are incorporating nature and climate considerations into our strategy as we work to build Teck into one of the world's leading providers of responsibly produced energy transition metals," said Jonathan Price, President and CEO. "Teck has prioritized sustainability for decades, because it is the right thing to do and because it strengthens the resilience of our business and helps drive economic growth and value for our shareholders and all stakeholders." For the full report, please click here. About Teck Teck is a leading Canadian resource company focused on responsibly providing metals essential to economic development and the energy transition. Teck has a portfolio of world-class copper and zinc operations across North and South America and an industry-leading copper growth pipeline. We are focused on creating value by advancing responsible growth and ensuring resilience built on a foundation of stakeholder trust. Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, Teck's shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols TECK.A and TECK.B and the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TECK. Learn more about Teck at www.teck.com or follow @TeckResources. Investor Contact: Fraser Phillips Senior Vice President, Investor Relations and Strategic Analysis 604.699.4621 fraser.phillips@teck.com Media Contact: Dale Steeves Director, External Communications 236.987.7405 dale.steeves@teck.com Vancouver, December 3, 2024 - Red Metal Resources Ltd. (CSE: RMES) (OTC Pink: RMESF) (FSE: I660) is pleased to announce that it has executed a Definitive Agreement (the "Agreement") with an arm's length vendor to acquire a 100% interest in three separate mineral claims packages, highly prospective for Hydrogen located in the Larder Lake Mining District of Ontario, along the Quebec border near the town of Ville-Marie, QC. These claim blocks consist of three separate packages, covering 149 mineral claims and totaling approximately 3,246 hectares and were acquired due to their proximity and similar geological setting to that of Quebec Innovative Materials Corp.'s ("QIMC") recent hydrogen-in-soil discovery in the Saint-Bruno-de-Guigues area, of over 1,000 ppm, announced on September 4th 2024. This news release contains information about adjacent properties on which the Company has no right to explore or mine. Investors are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company's properties. Figure 1. RMES 7 Mineral Claim blocks in Ontario and Quebec in proximity to recent Hydrogen discovery To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4932/232251_ed088bbe24f4c93a_001full.jpg Red Metal's total portfolio of claim blocks in this highly prospective discovery area, now consist of seven separate packages, covering 172 mineral claims and totaling over 4,546 hectares to the North, Northeast and the Southwest of QIMC's Hydrogen-in-soil sample discovery as well as covering similar geology to the west into Ontario. These claim blocks are contiguous on three sides to Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. and cover possible extensions in multiple directions. To date, 164 of the 172 claims have been approved by the Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests and the Ontario ministry of mines. Ontario's Firstbrook Township hosts documented occurrences of copper, lead, cobalt, silver and kimberlite. The area boasts excellent infrastructure, including power and easy road access. Geologic or white hydrogen offers a clean, renewable and potentially abundant source of energy with a range of environmental and economic benefits. Its carbon-free nature, high energy density and compatibility with existing infrastructure make it a promising solution for meeting future energy needs and achieving global climate goals. Red Metal Resources President and CEO, Caitlin Jeffs stated, "We have added a significant and highly prospective package of three additional claim blocks in Ontario to our existing mineral claims portfolio next to QIMC in Quebec. Red Metal is actively planning an extensive exploration program to encompass its Quebec and Ontario claims including directly next to QIMC's recent hydrogen discovery. These new Ontario claims increase our exposure to this exciting discovery area and highlight the potential for new discoveries of hydrogen as well as base and previous metals as we continue to advance our Carrizal Copper/Gold property in Cordillera, Chile." Red Metal Resources is planning an initial exploration program that could include but not limited to: Gas sampling from the soil and underwater surveys in Timiskaming Lake. These surveys can be used to locate degassing zones associated with faults in the Timiskaming rift. Gravimetry and audiomagnetotellurism (AMT) geophysics to assess variations in the thickness of local sedimentary rock deposits (gravity troughs) over the Archean basement. AMT data will assist in locating graben-related faults in the St-Bruno-de-Guigue area that are covered by quaternary sediments. Regional remote sensing gas surveys to identify specific targets to provide useful remote sensing data for hydrogen and helium exploration. Fieldwork can be carried out with access to properties through main roads and paved highways. The Company is currently reviewing regional geologic data to assist in the evaluation of potential additional acquisitions in the immediate area as well as the formulation of an initial exploration plan with further details to be provided in due course. Terms of the Agreement Under the terms of the Agreement to acquire a 100% interest in 149 mineral claims, Company has agreed to pay $8,000 and issue 2.25 million common shares of the Company. No royalty is to be paid out of any potential future revenue. The Company's acquisition of the Property remains subject to customary conditions of closing, including the Company completing due diligence to its satisfaction and the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange (if required), and is expected to complete shortly. The common shares issuable in connection with the Agreement will be subject to a four month hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws. Qualified Person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Caitlin Jeffs, P. Geo, who is a Qualified Person ("QP") as defined in National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Red Metal Resources Ltd. Red Metal Resources is a mineral exploration company focused on growth through acquiring, exploring and developing clean energy and strategic minerals projects. The Company's current portfolio include the 100% owned Ville Marie claims in Quebec, Canada as well as Company's Chilean projects which are located in the prolific Candelaria iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) belt of Chile's coastal Cordillera. Red Metal is quoted on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol RMES, on OTC Link alternative trading system on the OTC Pink marketplace under the symbol RMESF and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol I660. For more information, visit www.redmetalresources.com. Forward-Looking Statements - All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Red Metal provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the ability to raise adequate financing, receipt of required approvals, as well as those risks and uncertainties identified and reported in Red Metal's public filings under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although Red Metal has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Red Metal disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232251 Vancouver, December 3, 2024 - Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. (the "Company") (CSE:GCC) (OTC:GCCFF) (WKN:A402CQ) (FSE:3TZ) wishes to announce further results from outcrop sampling during the 2024 field campaign, subsequent to results announced in a News Release dated November 5, 2024 and can be viewed on the Company website at www.goldencariboo.com. Outcrop uncovered at the Halo zone during the Fall field campaign which returned values up to 8.47 g/t gold in grab samples (see November 5, 2024 News Release), was revisited to collect more representative samples. Three panel samples were collected with a highlight of 5.15 g/t gold over a 1 x 1 m area across the exposed outcrop (see Figures 3 and 4 enclosed). Additionally, a grab sample collected on the Washburn Lateral claim returned 1.27 g/t gold in an area untested by drilling, 137 m southeast of the QGQ24-08 drill collar (see Figures 1, 2 and 5 enclosed). The sample consists of altered andesitic volcaniclastics containing quartz-carbonate-pyrite veining as commonly seen in the Main, Halo and North Hixon zones (Figures 1 and 2 enclosed). This suggests southeastern continuity of the North Hixon zone onto the newly acquired Washburn Lateral claim (see November 12, 2024 News Release), on a parallel trend from the Main zone (Quesnelle Quartz Mine). Golden Cariboo's President and CEO, Frank Callaghan, stated "This year's field campaign was highly successful in extending the surface footprint of our multi-kilometer gold system. These results further suggest that significant potential remains on the Property yet to be tested with the drill bit, including the southeastern extension of the North Hixon zone which remains a high priority target for the Company." Click Image To View Full Size Click Image To View Full Size Figure 1 (top): Specimen of a carbonate-quartz-pyrite vein in altered andesitic volcaniclastics on the Washburn Lateral, in a sample returning 1.27 g/t Au. Figure 2 (bottom): Specimen of a characteristic two-phased quartz-carbonate-pyrite vein, containing a coarse crystalline carbonate margin and inner quartz component, recognized to host gold (including visible gold) in the Halo and North Hixon zones. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 3: Panel samples in the Halo zone, which returned values of 0.28 g/t Au over a 0.5 x 0.5 m area, 0.27 g/t Au over a 0.4 x 0.3 m area, and 5.15 g/t Au over a 1 x 1 m area. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 4: Panel sample in the Halo zone which returned 5.15 g/t Au over a 1 x 1 m area Click Image To View Full Size Figure 5: Map of current drilling and outcrop sampling highlights in the Halo and North Hixon zones The technical information in this news release has been reviewed by Jean Pautler, P.Geo., a qualified person with respect to NI 43-101. About Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. is rediscovering the Cariboo Gold Rush by proceeding with highly targeted drilling and trenching programs on its Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property which is almost fully encircled on 3 of 4 sides by Osisko Development (NSE-ODV/TSXV-ODV). Historically, over 101 placer gold creeks on the 90 km trend from the Cariboo Hudson mine north to the Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property have recorded production and successful placer mining continues to this day. Golden Cariboo's Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property is 4 km northeast of, and road accessible from, Hixon in central British Columbia. The Project includes the Quesnelle Quartz gold-silver deposit, which was discovered in 1865 in conjunction with placer mining activities. Hixon Creek, which dissects the old workings, is a placer creek which has seen small-scale placer production since the mid 1860s. For further information please contact: GOLDEN CARIBOO RESOURCES LTD "J. Frank Callaghan" J. Frank Callaghan, President & CEO Tel: 604-669-6463 VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS www.goldencariboo.com LIKE AND FOLLOW Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn Neither the "CSE" Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statements: This news release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and plans of the Company. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding; the expectation that the Company will receive all necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; the expectation that the Company will complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; the expectation that the proceeds will be used for property exploration and for general working capital; the Company's exploration plans with respect to its Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property; and the anticipated participation of the insider in the Offering. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of management, including, without limitation, that the Company will receive all necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; that the Company will complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; that the proceeds will be used for property exploration and for general working capital; that the Company will have the resources required to proceed with its exploration plans; that the Company will not run into regulatory or other barriers in carrying out its business plans; that the insider will participate in the Offering, on the terms and conditions and in the amount currently expected by management; and that the Company will be able to rely on the exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements on the basis anticipated. Additionally, forward-looking information involve a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation: that the Company will not receive the necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; that the Company will not complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; that the Company will be unable to use the proceeds for property exploration and for general working capital; that the Company may incur unanticipated costs; that the Company may not have the resources required to pursue its exploration plans; that the Company's operations could be adversely affected by possible future government legislation policies and controls or by changes in applicable laws and regulations; that the insider may not participate in the Offering on the terms and conditions and in the amount currently expected by management, or at all; and that the Company may not be able to rely on the exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements on the basis currently expected. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Neither the Company nor any of its representatives make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, sufficiency or completeness of the information in this news release. Neither the Company nor any of its representatives shall have any liability whatsoever, under contract, tort, trust or otherwise, to you or any person resulting from the use of the information in this news release by you or any of your representatives or for omissions from the information in this news release. The forward-looking statements herein speak only as of the date they were originally made. The Company has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. Vancouver, Dec. 3, 2024 - GSP Resource Corp. (TSX-V: GSPR) (the "Company" or "GSP") is to hold its annual general and special meeting of the shareholders (the "Shareholders") of the Company on December 11, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) (the "Meeting"). The Shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 5, 2024 are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting. The Shareholders are urged to vote before the proxy deadline of 11:00 a.m. on December 9, 2024. The Company is providing an update to Shareholders regarding the potential impact of the strike by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers on the Company's ability to comply with its obligations to deliver its meeting materials to Shareholders in connection with the Meeting. The Company delivered the completed Notice of Meeting, Information Circular and related proxy materials (the "Meeting Materials") to the appropriate parties for printing and mailing to registered and unregistered Shareholders prior to the Meeting, but due the postal strike, it is possible that the Meeting Materials will not be delivered to some Shareholders prior to the Meeting. The Meeting Materials have been filed on SEDAR+ and are available on the available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Shareholders will still be able to vote their shares either directly by proxy (for registered Shareholders) or indirectly through their intermediary (for unregistered Shareholders who hold their shares through brokerage firms or other intermediaries). All Shareholders are encouraged to access the Meeting Materials electronically and to vote in accordance with the instructions set forth in the Circular. Registered Shareholders should complete all signed proxy forms as directed on the form of proxy no later than 48 hours prior to the Meeting. Beneficial owners can obtain a copy of the voting instructions form from their intermediary. If you are a registered Shareholder and do not receive the Meeting Materials by mail ahead of the voting deadline, please contact at Computershare Investor Services Inc. at 1-800-564-6253 (toll-free in Canada and the United States) between 5:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) to obtain your proxy form control number to cast your vote for the Meeting. If you hold shares through an intermediary such as a brokerage firm, please contact your intermediary directly to obtain a copy of the voting instructions form. About GSP Resource Corp.: GSP Resource Corp. is a mineral exploration & development company focused on projects located in Southwestern British Columbia. The Company has an option to acquire a 100% interest and title to the Alwin Mine Copper-Gold-Silver Property in the Kamloops Mining Division, as well as an option to acquire 100% interest and title to the Olivine Mountain Property in the Similkameen Mining Division, of which it has granted an option to earn a 60% interest to a third party. For more information, please contact: Simon Dyakowski, Chief Executive Officer & Director Tel: +1 (604) 619-7469 Email: simon@gspresource.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward?looking information or statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which may include, without limitation, the Meeting, potential impact of the strike by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers on the Company's ability to comply with its obligations to deliver its meeting materials to Shareholders in connection with the Meeting, other statements relating to the technical, financial and business prospects of the Company, its projects and other matters. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, and market or business conditions. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements or forward?looking information, except as required by law. Featured Countdown to Number One for Ghana's Election 2024 Rodney Nkrumah-Boateng Opinion Dec - 03 - 2024 , 09:57 5 minutes read After a little health scare the other day which plonked me unto a hospital bed for four days (for which reason I was unable to make an appearance on this page last week and do apologise), I am thankfully back on my feet. In such periods of confinement, with precious little to do except stare at the ceiling or the television set with its rather bland programmes, the mind tends to do a speed race, cruising through ones frailty and mortality, with smiling nurses turning up every now and then to administer one liquid or the other through a cannula, emptying it into my poor veins, or to extract my precious blood for various tests. The relief when I finally sauntered out of the hospital and into the warm, sticky night air was akin to being released from a long prison spell. Thank God for his infinite mercies. Frantic dash All this while, between long spells of napping, the political temperature in the country was not far from my mind. How could it? Advertisement After all, the end of the long electoral race is nigh. I must admit it was quite cathartic engaging in spots of political discussions, picking up some hot political gossip and even engaging in some debate with some of my visitors. Across the country, frantic mopping up of votes is ongoing with the final tape in sight, in some cases with the path smoothened by live cockerels, rice and oil, among others. No stone is left unturned in this final home stretch, with political sinews being stretched to breaking point. It is Christmas come early for some citizens, and I bet some voters wish every December 7 was Election Day. At this moment, the voter is a young damsel, with political activists drawing every tactic from under their sleeve to woo her inky thumb come Saturday, their tongues dripping with honey as they switch on the charm. The enigmatic, late Sir Johns famous admonition to fear delegates is applicable to voters, so it is only a naive political strategist who would take images of teeming crowds or assurances by voters for granted. Even then, both leading parties NPP and NDC are proclaiming loudly and confidently that they will win the race, with a lot of sabre-rattling on social media platforms. Naturally, there are those who feel their party is in a very comfortable lead indeed. Peace industry In all the eight elections held so far under the Fourth Republic, the nation almost always sits collectively on the edge in the run-up to the elections, with concerns about violence prior to, during or after the elections. Unfortunately, these fears have on some occasions found expression, even though thankfully the violence has been restricted to various flashpoints. In turn, and perhaps understandably, these fears and actual incidents of violence have engendered what one would call a peace industry, preaching against electoral violence, with concerts, walks, advertisements, songs and the signing of peace pacts, complete with a National Peace Council, set up by Act 818 of 2011. Quite honestly, I think it is a tad embarrassing that 32 years after embarking on our democratic journey, we have not been able to transition to an election as just another event where voters turn up at the polling station, vote, go home and await the results, jubilate or weep into calabashes and then the nation just moves on, as pertains in other parts of the world. That violence, or the fear of violence, is still part of our election architecture, to the extent that we need a peace industry to calm everyones nerves, is, in my view, an indictment on our democracy, and I look forward to the day when this industry will become redundant in its entirety. That is when we would have arrived as a mature democracy. Kumasi-bound I must say I am quite delighted with the nature of the energetic campaign that the NPP, led by Dr Bawumia and Dr Prempeh, has run over the past few months, with a focus on the issues, covering literally every square inch of ground in this country. I feel upbeat about the outcome. Come tomorrow evening, I will be making my way to Kumasis Ashanti New Town, where my name sits comfortably in the register. I cannot imagine my vote sitting anywhere else. With Kumasi as the epicentre of the NPPs electoral stronghold, the city holds a special place in election night dynamics, whichever way the results go, and the explosion of joy and the all-night celebrations on its streets in December 2016 still rings in the ear. Of course, Ashanti Region will be pivotal to this years elections, as always. By a stroke of good luck, my polling station sits right outside my house. Usually by 5am, benches and chairs have already been assembled in a queue outside my living room window by enthusiastic ladies (mainly), keen to press their thumbs before heading off to the market. I usually relax on my balcony taking in the sights until the queue is almost non-existent before strolling a few metres to vote. My task on Saturday is simple. At the appointed time, with my presidential and parliamentary ballot papers to hand, my inky thumb will not hesitate to descend rather firmly on the space for Number 1, both for Dr Bawumia and my brother Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah as my next Member of Parliament. My civic duty done, I will retire to my living room and crack open a bottle of cold beer, with champagne sitting quietly on ice in anticipation of the big announcement. It is indeed possible. Rodney Nkrumah-Boateng, Head, Communications & Public Affairs Unit, Ministry of Energy. E-mail: rodboat@yahoo.com Next article: Biden's Angola visit aims to showcase his attempts to rival China Featured Belgium: Sex workers get maternity leave and pensions under world-first law bbc.com International News Dec - 03 - 2024 , 11:41 6 minutes read I had to work while I was nine months pregnant, says Sophie, a sex worker in Belgium. I was having sex with clients one week before giving birth. She juggles her job with being a mother of five - which is really hard. When Sophie had her fifth child by Caesarean, she was told she needed bed rest for six weeks. But she says that wasnt an option, and she went back to work immediately. I couldnt afford to stop because I needed the money. Her life would have been much easier had she had a right to maternity leave, paid by her employer. Advertisement Under a new law in Belgium - the first of its kind in the world - this will now be the case. Sex workers will be entitled to official employment contracts, health insurance, pensions, maternity leave and sick days. Essentially, it will be treated like any other job. Its an opportunity for us to exist as people, Sophie says. There are tens of millions of sex workers worldwide. Sex work was decriminalised in Belgium in 2022 and is legal in several countries including Germany, Greece, the Netherlands and Turkey. But establishing employment rights and contracts is a global first. This is radical, and its the best step we have seen anywhere in the world so far, says Erin Kilbride, a researcher at Human Rights Watch. We need every country to be moving in that direction. Critics say the trade causes trafficking, exploitation and abuse - which this law will not prevent. It is dangerous because it normalises a profession that is always violent at its core, says Julia Crumiere, a volunteer with Isala - an NGO that helps sex workers on the streets in Belgium. For many sex workers, the job is a necessity, and the law could not come soon enough. Mel was horrified when she was forced to give a client oral sex without a condom, when she knew a sexually transmitted infection (STI) was going round the brothel. But she felt she had no option. My choice was either to spread the disease, or make no money. She had become an escort when she was 23 - she needed money, and quickly started earning beyond expectations. She thought she had struck gold, but the experience with the STI brought her sharply back to earth. Mel will now be able to refuse any client or sexual act she feels uncomfortable with - meaning she could have handled that situation differently. I could have pointed the finger at my madam [employer] and said: You're violating these terms and this is how you should treat me. I would have been legally protected. Belgiums decision to change the law was the result of months of protests in 2022, prompted by the lack of state support during the Covid pandemic. One of those at the forefront was Victoria, president of the Belgian Union of Sex Workers (UTSOPI) and previously an escort for 12 years. For her, it was a personal fight. Victoria regards prostitution as a social service, with sex being only about 10% of what she does. Its giving people attention, listening to their stories, eating cake with them, dancing to waltz music, she explains. Ultimately, its about loneliness. But the illegality of her job before 2022 raised significant challenges. She worked in unsafe conditions, with no choice over her clients and her agency taking a big cut of her earnings. In fact, Victoria says she was raped by a client who had become obsessed with her. She went to a police station, where she says the female officer was so hard on her. "She told me sex workers can't be raped. She made me feel it was my fault, because I did that job. Victoria left the station crying. Every sex worker we spoke to told us that at some point they had been pressured to do something against their will. Because of that, Victoria fiercely believes this new law will improve their lives. If there is no law and your job is illegal, there are no protocols to help you. This law gives people the tools to make us safer. Pimps who control sex work will be allowed to operate legally under the new law - provided they follow strict rules. Anyone who has been convicted of a serious crime will not be allowed to employ sex workers. I think many businesses will have to shut down, because a lot of employers have a criminal record, says Kris Reekmans. He and his wife Alexandra run a massage parlour on Love Street in the small town of Bekkevoort. The massages they offer clients include tantra and double pleasure. It is fully booked when we visit - not what we were expecting for a Monday morning. We are shown meticulously furnished rooms with massage beds, fresh towels and robes, hot tubs and a swimming pool. Kris and his wife employ 15 sex workers, and pride themselves on treating them with respect, protecting them and paying them good salaries. I hope the bad employers will be shut out and the good people, who want to do this profession honestly, will stay - and the more the better, he says. Erin Kilbride from Human Rights Watch is of similar mind - and says, by putting restrictions on employers, the new law will significantly cut away at the power they have over sex workers. But Julia Crumiere says the majority of the women she helps just want help to leave the profession and get a normal job - not labour rights. Its about not being outside in the freezing weather and having sex with strangers who pay to access your body. Under Belgiums new law, each room where sexual services take place must be equipped with an alarm button that will connect a sex worker with their reference person. But Julia believes there is no way to make sex work safe. In what other job would you need a panic button? Its not the oldest profession in the world, its the oldest exploitation in the world. How to regulate the sex industry remains a divisive issue globally. But for Mel, bringing it out of the shadows can only help women. I am very proud that Belgium is so far ahead, she says. I have a future now. Some names have been changed to protect peoples safety. Featured Biden's Angola visit aims to showcase his attempts to rival China BBC International News Dec - 03 - 2024 , 10:39 6 minutes read Joe Biden has begun his long-anticipated maiden visit to sub-Saharan Africa as US president but it comes amidst uncertainty over future US-Africa relations as Donald Trump prepares to succeed him in January. Biden's visit to oil-rich Angola seeks to underline an attempt by America to focus more on trade and heavy investment in infrastructure, in what some analysts see as the most direct counter yet to Chinas influence on the continent. "Its a perfect marriage of convenience," Angolan analyst Edmilson Angelo told the BBC. Bidens choice of Angola is significant - he is the first US president to visit the country, signalling a dramatic improvement in relations between the two nations. Advertisement Angola was firmly in the political orbit of China and Russia after independence from Portuguese colonial rule in 1975, but since taking power in 2017, President Joao Lourenco has steered it towards closer relations with the US. "Lourencos administration has seen Angolan foreign policy move away from ideology towards pragmatic multipolarity, becoming truly non-aligned," said Alex Vines, director of the Africa programme at Chatham House, a London-based think thank. Biden will highlight his signature initiative in the region a railway line that will stretch for 1,344km (835 miles), connecting the cobalt, lithium and copper mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the copper-belt region of Zambia, to the Angolan port city of Lobito on the Atlantic Ocean. Apart from oil, Angola is also rich in minerals, including cobalt and lithium, which are essential for making batteries for electric vehicles. Once completed, the Lobito Corridor will help transport these important minerals from the resource-rich heart of Africa across to Europe and the US. On its website, the Lobito Corridor Investment Promotion Authority (IPA), says the US involvement "represents the first alternative from Washington DC to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative" that is aimed at building a series of trade routes that tie several countries in Africa, and elsewhere, to the Asian giant. Biden's visit comes at the tail-end of his presidency, with no clarity yet on whether the Trump administration will continue with the project. Dr Vines believes it "may survive the Trump presidency as it is primarily aimed at competing against China". However, he points out that both Western and Chinese firms will be able to use the infrastructure, and that "may make its value questionable to Trump, a US president who will likely define his administration in large measure by competition with Beijing". Lourenco expressed hope that the Trump administration would build on the initiative. "Powers come and go, so, all we have to do is to be ready to work with those that will be in power," he told the New York Times ahead of Biden's visit. The Lobito Corridor is a joint project between the three African countries, the US, other G7 powers and private investors. "We have a collective commitment for global support among the G7 countries of $600bn [470bn] and over through 2027," said Helaina Matza, the acting special coordinator for the project at the US Department of State. Lourenco defended the investment, dismissing concerns that it mimics the colonial-era exploitation of Africas resources. "Today, when we export the minerals, we export them in the interest of the African countries, different from what used to be in the colonial period when they were extracted without the consent of our indigenous people," he told the New York Times. Lobito port will see a boost in business if the rail project succeeds But more and more African countries are considering reducing the export of raw materials to promote local processing. Anthony Carroll, a minerals expert at the US Institute of Peace, said that if this happens, it could derail the projected economic impact of the corridor. He is optimistic that the vast deposits of copper in DR Congo and Zambia will keep the Lobito Corridor viable as there exists "a steady demand" for it globally. Lithium and cobalt have a more "cyclical" demand, he says. The US Geological Survey estimates that DR Congo has nearly half the world's cobalt deposits. The vast central African country currently accounts for about 63% of the global supply of the mineral, the bulk of which is exported raw. Mr Angelo is optimistic that African countries will incrementally grow their industrial capabilities. He describes Biden's visit, and the investment in the Lobito Corridor, as a huge boost for Angola's efforts to change its image. "He presents Angola as a safe place to invest," Mr Angelo says, adding: "Where the US president goes, the whole world follows." Angola has been rebuilding its infrastructure following the end of an almost 30-year civil war in 2002. The conflict destroyed the colonial-era Benguela railway line, which is part of the corridor, with only 3% of it in use at the end of the conflict. Efforts to revive it then began, with China being the first to invest in it. China has already helped build a stretch of the railway Between 2006 and 2014, China invested about $2bn to renovate the railway through a rail-for-oil deal. But Lourenco has expressed regret over the deal, telling the New York Times that it was "disadvantageous" to Angola. "If you would ask me now if I had to take a new loan under the same conditions, I would say: 'No'," he said, adding that Angola would, nevertheless, pay off the debt. Chinas massive infrastructure investment, through its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, has been criticised for driving countries in Africa, and Asia, into deep debt. The US' move into massive infrastructure investments in Africa would exist alongside Chinese-backed projects, representing a more multipolar approach. China already controls up to 80% of copper mines in DR Congo, one of the worlds largest producers of the mineral. With the global focus moving to greener energy, including electric vehicles, the mines of central Africa will become more and more attractive. The American shift to investing in infrastructure in the region comes therefore as no surprise. Already, work has started along the Lobito Corridor, with the first phase of it encompassing the upgrading of the existing railway from the port to DR Congo's border, with funding from the US Development Finance Corporation. Ms Matza said the second phase would include 800km of new railway, starting in Angola. The goal is to eventually connect the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean through Tanzania. Beyond transporting minerals, the railway could also boost trade and agriculture across the route. The Africa Development Bank is already funding projects to the tune of $500m to boost domestic and cross-border trade through the development of small businesses, cooperatives and traders along the Lobito Corridor. In 2023, US trade with Angola was approximately $1.77bn, according to the State Department, making the oil-producer Americas fourth-largest trade partner in sub-Saharan Africa. President Bidens visit fulfils a pledge he made to the continent in 2022, albeit belatedly. It also helps shape Angolas place in regional and global development for years to come, despite uncertainties about where the Trump administration will take the relationship. From fire survivor to medical doctor: Inspiring journey of Sister Dr Ernestina Yeboah Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor Life Dec - 02 - 2024 , 11:27 4 minutes read After nearly losing her life in a domestic fire incident, young Serwaa, as she was then known, decided at that tender age to dedicate her life to serving the Lord and bringing smiles to the faces of people facing difficulties. While many teenagers her age were still grappling with identifying their vocation, she had no doubt in her mind. She was convinced that the consecrated life would be her calling, a path she pursued wholeheartedly. Today, she stands as a fully qualified medical doctor, the first in the history of her congregation in Ghana. Her survival remains a miracle to many, particularly medical officers at the Holy Family Hospital in Techiman, where she and her brothers were admitted after the fire. Advertisement We were burnt beyond recognition, and many thought we wouldnt make it, she recounted to The Mirror. Remarkably, all three siblings have since become health professionalsone a medical doctor, another a nurse tutor, and the third a practising nurse. Early life Sister Dr Ernestina Serwaa Yeboah hails from Tanoboase, Techiman, in the Bono East Region. She is the only girl among four children born to Philip Ameyaw and Martha Durowaa. She attended Fountain International School for her basic education and proceeded to Techiman Senior High School (SHS). Consecrated life Her aspiration to become a health worker began when she and her two brothers were admitted to the hospital after the fire incident. The compassionate care they received from missionaries left an indelible mark on her. From left to right: Most Rev Joseph Francis Essien, Bishop of Wiawso, Sister Dr Ernestina Serwaa Yeboah, Most Rev Matthew Gyamfi, Bishop of Sunyani and Most Rev Dominic Yeboah Nyarko, Bishop of Techiman Diocese at her final profession of vows I was cared for by the Medical Mission Sisters and felt Gods love through their care for me at the hospital. That experience inspired me to dedicate my life to extending Gods love to others by caring for the sick, she said. After completing SHS, she joined the Congregation of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus (HHCJ) in 2006 for her initial formation, completing it in 2009. She explained that the HHCJ was founded nearly a century ago by Mother Mary Charles Magdalen Walker. Its members include professionals in various fields such as teaching, nursing, pharmacy, medicine, law, media, physiotherapy, and more. The congregation is active in countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Sierra Leone, Kenya, the USA and Germany. She professed her first vows in 2009 and her final vows in 2018. Her first working experience came during her second apostolate when she was posted as a casual worker at St Martin's Catholic Hospital in Agroyesum in the Ashanti Region. Professional life After working for two years as a casual worker, she enrolled in the nursing programme at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) from 2014 to 2018. Upon graduation, she returned to St Martins Hospital as a registered nurse. While working, she engaged in pastoral activities such as teaching Sunday school, organising youth programmes and participating in the youth choir in both Kumasi and Agroyesum. Medicine Although her desire to become a health worker began at age 12, the opportunity to study medicine came later. A year after graduating from KNUST, she learned about the Graduate Entry Medicine Programme at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) through Dr Peter Biney, Vice Dean of the School of Pharmacy at UCC. Medical School According to her, Medical School proved challenging. Generally, medical school presents a myriad of challenges, and with UCCs reputation for academic rigour, it was even tougher. I had to devise effective learning strategies to cope with the academic demands while balancing my Church and Congregational responsibilities, she said. Her most difficult period was during her clinical rotation at the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) in Cape Coast. Many of the procedures there conflicted with my faith as a Catholic and a religious person. It was psychologically draining, but my Provincial Superior and Spiritual Director offered me the counselling I needed, she shared. Although she was not forced to perform procedures against her beliefs, she had to study and observe them to pass her training. Dressing as a Sister to work there every morning was difficult. People often questioned me seeing a Roman Sister working in such a facility, she recalled. Dreams Sr Dr Yeboah encouraged young women aspiring to combine religious and professional careers to pursue their dreams despite challenges. My example proves that the successful pursuit of such a vocation is very much possible, she said. GTEC to introduce stricter academic programme approval mechanisms Daniel Kenu Education Dec - 03 - 2024 , 09:57 3 minutes read The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has expressed worry at the incurable desire for most tertiary institutions, especially the public ones, in introducing new academic programmes. It said most of such programmes had no relevance to the current needs of the country, and were unfortunately copied wholesale from outside without local content. The Director-General of GTEC, Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, who vented his frustration in Accra last Thursday, said the commission was working to curb the practice by introducing stricter approval mechanisms for such requests. He was speaking at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences higher education project opening ceremony conference in Accra. Advertisement Conference The international conference, which attracted people from academia and policy makers across the globe, was focused on, "Motivating higher education reforms in Ghana -- Towards equity and sustainability. It was on the general theme: "Transforming universities for 21st Century Africa." In 2022, GAAS launched a 24-month higher educational project. It was to offer a credible platform for reflection and search for workable and sustainable solutions to some of the academic challenges of the higher education sector. The project was designed to gather evidence, share information and provide a platform for building consensus and contribute to policy formulation on tertiary education in Ghana. The project identified some challenges, including expansion and growth in student numbers, without corresponding expansion and growth in infrastructure as well as unplanned and inadequate investments in infrastructure development, ageing faculty and inadequate staff development as well as weak governance system. Recruitment He announced that the government had given the Ministry of Education the financial clearance to enable GTEC to recruit 1,341 staff to replace those who had exited. Currently, the government's expenditure on post retirement contract appointments annually in public universities is more than GH127 million. Prof Jinapor said the commission received and processed 231 applications for post-retirement contract from the universities for the 2024/2025 academic year. Out of the number, 111 were senior lecturers, while 120 were in the professorial ranks. "This is a clear indication of the sector's heavy reliance on ageing faculty and staff development challenges, he said. He said on the wheels of a request by the Vice Chancellors, GTEC had made a request to government for universities to be allowed to automatically replace exited staff under the supervision of the commission. Prof Jinapor announced that the commission was working towards its first New Year School dubbed: "GTEC harmattan School; on capacity building for scholarly research writing and grantsmanship to be hosted at the University for Development Studies next year. Local language A professor of political science, University of Pretoria, South Africa, who spoke via zoom, Prof Toyin Falola, appealed to the regulatory agencies on the continent to allow both PhD and masters students to present their thesis in local languages. He said it was time for Africa to collaborate to offer a joint PhD and masters programmes once the regulatory bodies gave the greenlight. The professor expressed concerns about the fact that by 2030, the youth population on the continent was estimated to hit 830 million, most of who might not have a job and could destroy social cohesion. Featured CHRAJ boss condemns security officers who received food during special voting at Ayawaso West Wuogon Justice Agbenorsi Dec - 03 - 2024 , 12:03 1 minute read The Commissioner of the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Dr Joseph Whittal has cast a damning verdict on a viral footage in which some security personnel who took part in the special voting yesterday were seen collecting food while in a queue to vote. Addressing journalists after a health screening for 300 staff of the Commission who will be deployed to monitor human rights issues in December 7 elections, Dr Whittal said, When I looked at the video, it was more of an embarrassment, because security officers must be security conscious. How can you come to exercise your franchise, and somebody gives you food, which you don't even know where the food is coming from, and you take it and you're happy that it's okay to take it, particularly when you are being given the opportunity to exercise that franchise in order to go and secure the environment on the server for all Ghanaians, and you started it on the false notes. What happens if you go to the field and other people come to share food to people in line? Are you sure you will be able to cause any arrest because you don't see it as a problem, he said. More to follow... Next article: Towards sustainable rice production: Jospong Group of Companies woos investors at COP29 Featured Ghana Airports Company Limited reschedules inaugural London Gatwick-Kumasi flight Kweku Zurek Dec - 03 - 2024 , 08:42 1 minute read The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has announced a delay in the inaugural direct flight from London Gatwick to Kumasi Prempeh I International Airport, initially scheduled for December 3, 2024. In a press statement issued on December 2, GACL attributed the rescheduling to "the short notice given for the special flight." The flight will now arrive later this week, although an exact date has not been provided. "The second flight, scheduled for the 15th of December 2024, remains unchanged," the statement assured. The new service, operated in collaboration with Ethiopian Airlines, represents a historic step for Ghanas aviation sector, making Kumasi the countrys first city outside Accra to host a direct commercial international flight from London. Advertisement This initiative aligns with GACL's commitment to expanding air travel options, boosting regional connectivity, and fostering tourism, trade, and investment opportunities for Kumasi and the Ashanti Region. Travellers and stakeholders are encouraged to monitor GACLs official platforms for updates on the inaugural flight's revised arrival date. Read the entire statement below; Featured First Lady builds basic school for Wiaboman community Rebecca Quaicoe Duho Dec - 02 - 2024 , 07:57 3 minutes read The First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, inaugurated a basic school at Wiaboman in the Weija-Gbawe Municipality in Accra last Friday. The public school was built by the Rebecca Foundation after the First Lady visited the community in 2020 where the chiefs and people appealed to her to help them get a primary school. Hitherto, pupils in the area had to travel as far as Mamprobi, Dansoman, Glefe or Weija and this sometimes resulted in some of the children being knocked down by cars among other accidents. Mrs Akufo-Addo said her aim was to get all children in the community to receive basic education as that was the only foundation that could propel their future. Advertisement She said the Rebecca Foundation was committed to the construction of schools, health facilities among other infrastructure to better the lives of the vulnerable in the society. The First Lady was hopeful that the opening of the school would help in providing a solid educational foundation for the pupils in the community, saying primary education helped children to build themselves for the future. She said the government of Akufo-Addo was bent on brightening the future of children in the country by giving prominence to education which she said was evident in the provision of free education for senior high school children across the country. Mrs Akufo-Addo called on people to vote for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, saying he was a problem solver and a visionary leader. She also called on the people to vote for Jerry Ahmed Shaib as he was committed to the development of the area. The MCE for Weija-Gbawe, Michael Danquah, said the building of the primary school in the community was a testament to the many developmental projects of the NPP. The Jaasetse of Wiaboman, Nii Oboja Nunoo, on behalf of the chiefs and people, thanked the Rebecca Foundation and the First Lady for the school. He was grateful to the First Lady for paying heed to their cries over the years, saying, we have cried a lot over the lack of education in our community as our children have to go to as far as Mamprobi to access basic education. But today the First Lady has made it a dream come true for us, he said. The aspiring Member of Parliament for the area, Mr Shaib thanked the First Lady for the school, saying it had come to stay in the community as one of the first by the NPP for the area with the others being electricity, water, sea defence wall and a health facility. He said the NPP government was about development and called on the people to vote massively for the party come December 7. Writers email:rebecca.quaicoe-duho@graphic.com.gh Featured Special voting in Ghanas election 2024 ended smoothly Daily Graphic Dec - 03 - 2024 , 06:32 9 minutes read The special voting exercise organised by the Electoral Commission (EC) for various personnel who will be on duty during the December 7 elections went on smoothly and almost unnoticed in the capital, Accra on Monday, report Daniel Kenu, Joshua Bediako Koomson and Pacome Emmanuel Damalie. The atmosphere at the various polling stations mainly police stations that the Daily Graphic visited was quiet as representatives of the various political parties observed the exercise with keen interest. A little over 114,000 voters, excluding 17,000 from the Western and the Eastern regions, were expected to cast their ballots across the 276 constituencies nationwide yesterday. The ballots cast would be securely stored at the various police stations and added to the general election results on December 7. Advertisement At the Legon Police Station in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency and the Nima Police Station in Ayawaso East, 467 and 298 people respectively cast their ballots. The presiding officers of the two constituencies, Derrick Agyekum and Samuel Anim Ofori, expressed satisfaction at the turn of events. "These are mainly middle-class people so we are not likely to record any negative happenings. Moreso, this is a police station so no one can come and mess around," Mr Agyekum told the Daily Graphic team. "The political party representatives have been very cooperative," Mr Ofori said. At the Klottey Korle Constituency, where there were two polling stations at the Osu Police Station, one-third of the voters had cast their ballots by 10 a.m., while 1,229 voters were billed to vote. Unlike the Legon and Nima Police stations, security was quite heavy at the Osu Police Station for reasons that were not immediately known. At Osu, some sympathisers of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) were present, aside from their party representatives, which could account for the security reinforcement. EC officials At the time of the visit, 200 out of 615 personnel had cast their votes. "We are not sure we will have a 100 per cent voter turnout, but the process has been very smooth so far. There has been no difficulty or challenge with any of the devices," the presiding officer for Osu Police Station Polling Station 'B', Efua Kitson-Amoah, told the Daily Graphic. Her statement was corroborated by the presiding officer for Polling Station 'A', Kofi Aboagye. MPs In an interview, Dr Agyeman-Rawlings expressed satisfaction at the voting process, describing it as "very smooth and orderly," and hoped that it would be replicated on December 7. She was optimistic that voters would allow their conscience to guide them as they cast their votes. "I am happy about the transparency so far. I know that some elements are trying to influence votes by giving them money before they come to the polling station, but I think this is a vote of conscience. "People will not be deceived because they know what their living conditions have been over the last eight years," Dr Agyeman-Rawlings stated. For his part, the NPP parliamentary candidate, Mr Nortey, expressed satisfaction at the Electoral Commission's work at the polling station, saying, "The process so far is perfect and I rate the EC more than 100 per cent; they were here on time and everything is going on smoothly. He expressed the hope that the December 7 polls would also be peaceful to ensure victory for the NPP. Ashanti Region From Kumasi, Emmanuel Baah reports that the special voting for the presidential and parliamentary elections was smooth in the Ashanti Region yesterday as a total of 20,922 registered voters were expected to cast their ballots. As of 12 noon, 393 voters had cast their ballots at the Central Police Canteen 'A' and 'B' centres in the Subin Constituency in Kumasi, where 690 voters were expected at each centre. However, the story was different in the Offinso North Constituency in the Ashanti Region where voting was delayed till after 9 a.m. According to the Electoral Commission officials at the centre, the voters register was not among the materials that were delivered to them last Sunday so they had to send for the register from Kumasi to be able to start the exercise at the centre, where 566 persons were expected to cast their votes. Upper West Region From Wa, Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor reports that the special voting place smoothly in the Wa Central Constituency of the Upper West Region yesterday, with a few challenges. Challenges The Presiding Officer, Dr Joseph K. Wulifan, said with the exception of one lady who was verified manually, there was no major challenge. He said the machine could neither read the ladys biometric nor identify her facially, so the machine directed that she should be identified manually and we proceeded to fill the manual form to enable her to vote. Aside from that, two people could not find their names in the register and, upon further interrogation, we realised that they did not apply to vote in the special voting. Voting Voting started at exactly 7 a.m. at the Wa Circuit Court for voters, with a total of 967 voters being expected to take part in the exercise. As of 8.30 a.m., 142 voters had cast their ballots at polling stations A and B. At Polling Station A, 58 voters had cast their ballots, while 84 people had voted at Polling Station B. Volta Region Alberto Mario Noretti reports from Ho that the special voting exercise took off smoothly at the three centres on the premises of the Electoral Commission (EC) yesterday as some voters turned up at the venue as early as 3 a.m., quite eager to cast their votes. When the Daily Graphic arrived at the venue soon after 7 a.m., there were queues at the three centres and voting was underway. The Presiding Officer at Centre A, Raymond Akposoe, said voting took off smoothly without any hitch. He said as of 8 a.m., 34 out of the 520 registered voters had exercised their franchise. Similarly, at Centre B, voting took off on schedule with all the voting materials readily available. The Presiding Officer, Samuel Kosipe, said as of 7:50 a.m., 59 people out of the registered 525 had voted. At Centre C, voting was equally smooth and swift and 65 people had dropped their ballot papers into the ballot box as of 8:12 a.m. The Presiding Officer, Mawutor Amaglo, said a remarkable number of the voters turned up at the centre at dawn. The Municipal Electoral Officer, Emelia Akortia, said the queues were expected to ease after midday. So far, there has not been any untoward incident, and we do not expect any, she added. The atmosphere at the three centres was calm and the security personnel on duty carried no weapons. Central Region From Cape Coast, Shirley Asiedu-Addo reports that the special voting in the Cape Coast North Constituency was smooth at the Ghana National Fire Service Headquarters. The Presiding Officer, Dr David Kofi Ampah, said voting began at 7 a.m. with all materials available as one person waited to cast his vote. Voters cast their votes smoothly and left the polling centre almost immediately after voting. In all, 597 voters were expected to vote at the centre, and as of 11 a.m., 180 persons had already voted. The parliamentary candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Ekow Horace Ewusi, who monitored the process, described it as smooth and peaceful, adding that he was hopeful there would be no disruptions. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Cape Coast North, Kwamina Mintah Nyarkoh, told the media that the process had been smooth and peaceful. Upper East Region Gilbert Mawuli Agbey reports from Bolgatanga that the special voting exercise commenced smoothly at all the centres in the Upper East Region. A total of 7,080 voters were expected to cast their votes in the special voting. Despite early morning gunshots in the Bawku Municipality, the eligible electorate defied the incident to cast their votes. As of 10 a.m. in the Bongo Constituency, more than 100 voters had already cast their votes, although a total of 603 people were expected to exercise their franchise. The Presiding Officer at the Bongo Special Voting Centre, Martin Asanyuure, said in an interview that the process was smooth. Bono Region From Sunyani, Biiya Mukusah Ali reports that a total of 6,473 registered special voters in the Bono Region were expected to participate in the special voting exercise in 14 special voting centres across the 12 constituencies. As of 11a.m. when the Daily Graphic monitored some of the centres, voting was going on smoothly and peacefully in the region. The Electoral Commission (EC) created two different centres at Sunyani East and Wenchi to speed up the voting process. At the Bono Regional Police Headquarters where the Sunyani East special voting took place, a total of 1,137 special voters, made up of security personnel, media and EC officials, were expected to vote. At the Wenchi Constituency, 842 registered special voters were expected to cast their votes at two centres "A" and "B". Centre "A" had 435 special voters, while Centre "B" had 421 voters. Northern Region Mohammed Fugu reports from Tamale that the special voting exercise went on smoothly at four centres in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital, yesterday. The centres were Jubilee Park, Kalipohini Senior High School, the EC office and Kamina Barracks. As of 9.30 a.m., more than 180 voters had cast their votes at each of the centres. A total of 7,342 voters were expected to participate in the special voting exercise across the region. Speaking to the media, the Northern Regional Director of Electoral Commission, Lucas Yiryil, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise. Everything is going on smoothly and we have not recorded any incidents," he said. He added that all the centres were fully equipped with the necessary logistics to ensure a seamless process. Tema By 3:30 p.m., 365 eligible voters had cast their ballots at the Tema Community Eight Police Station, which was the polling station for the Tema Central Constituency special voting exercise, reports Benjamin Xornam Glover. The centre has a total of 457 eligible voters. The Returning Officer of the Constituency, Kwesi Brobbey, told the Daily Graphic that voting had been smooth with no major incident recorded. Next article: Strengthen legal systems to prevent ICC intervention - Attorney-General Dame to African states Previous article: Finance Minister says economy is strong and will inure to the benefit of all: Hints of $360m IMF transfer this week Featured London court set to decide on GRAs $400 million tax dispute with Tullow Oil Richard Osei Boateng Dec - 03 - 2024 , 19:33 2 minutes read Tullow Oil has provided an update in its Trading Report released on November 29, 2024, revealing that the International Arbitration Court in London is preparing to deliver its decision on the tax dispute with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). The case centers around a $400 million tax assessment, and a verdict is expected by the close of the year after both parties presented their arguments. In the report, Tullow Oil confirmed that a hearing took place in October 2023, with the court's decision anticipated before the year's end. Tullows CEO, Rahul Dhir, discussed the potential consequences of the court's ruling earlier this year during a presentation to investors in London. Advertisement He emphasised that the outcome could have significant implications for the companys operations and financial health. "Management has thoroughly assessed the potential results based on legal counsel, tax advice, and prior experience with similar cases," Dhir said. Background to the dispute The legal conflict dates back to October 2021 when Tullow Ghana Limited (TGL) disputed a $320.3 million Branch Profits Remittance Tax (BPRT) levied after a tax audit covering the 2014 to 2016 fiscal years. In response, TGL submitted further arbitration claims to the International Chamber of Commerce in London in February 2023, challenging two additional tax assessments from the GRA. These assessments involve the disallowance of interest deductions on loans for the years 2010 to 2020 and funds received under Tullows corporate Business Interruption Insurance policy for the period 2016 to 2019. Tullow maintains that the GRAs application of BPRT is based on laws incompatible with the companys petroleum agreements and the relevant double tax treaties. The company argues that the tax assessments do not conform to the legal framework governing its operations in Ghana. As the case remains unresolved, Tullow is not required to make payments on the disputed tax charges. Featured Police investigate alleged attack on Asantehene's convoy in Techiman Jemima Okang Addae Dec - 03 - 2024 , 14:09 1 minute read The Ghana Police Service has launched an investigation into an alleged attack on the convoy of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. The incident is reported to have occurred on December 2 in Techiman, located in the Bono East Region. According to a statement issued by the Police, preliminary findings indicate that the attack took place as the Asantehene was returning from a funeral in Nkoranza. The Police explained that some youth, believed to be from Techiman, reportedly threw stones at buses in the convoy. Advertisement The Police has confirmed that they are in contact with the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi and other relevant stakeholders in Techiman to aid the ongoing investigations. "We urge the public to remain calm and cooperate with the Police as the investigation into the matter continues," the statement added. Featured Strengthen legal systems to prevent ICC intervention - Attorney-General Dame to African states Richard Osei Boateng Dec - 03 - 2024 , 19:30 2 minutes read Ghana's Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has called on African nations to fortify their domestic legal frameworks as a means of asserting sovereignty and proactively addressing international crimes. He emphasized that effective criminal prosecution begins with a solid national legal foundation, stating, a robust legal system at the national level is essential to investigating and prosecuting international crimes independently. Speaking at the 23rd Session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Dame stressed the need to reduce dependency on external judicial bodies by establishing strong, self-sufficient national legal systems. He further noted that the ICC, while crucial, cannot address all international crimes that occur within individual countries jurisdictions. Dame suggested that African countries should consider adopting the Rome Statute or creating specific laws that classify crimes such as war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity, ensuring that punishments align with international standards. Advertisement He argued that this approach would demonstrate national sovereignty and reduce the need for ICC intervention by promoting accountability within domestic systems. Linking strong legal frameworks to the broader principles of democracy, Dame pointed out that a democratic society, grounded in constitutional governance, security, and freedom of expression, inherently reduces the chances of atrocities like genocide and war crimes. The Attorney General also discussed the ICCs principle of complementarity, which prioritizes national efforts to prosecute international crimes before involving international courts. He praised the Courts global efforts but stressed the importance of strengthening partnerships with local authorities to build national capabilities that support the ICCs work. He referenced the Central African Republic as a successful example of such collaboration. Mr Dame reaffirmed Ghanas commitment to the ICCs mission and pledged continued support for the Courts efforts. However, he also stressed the importance of geographical neutrality in the ICCs approach to justice. He welcomed recent ICC initiatives, including investigations outside of Africa and the establishment of field offices, which he believes will help combat perceptions of bias. Dame also voiced support for ongoing ICC reforms, such as the Review Mechanism and the Independent Oversight Mechanism, aimed at improving the Courts efficiency. In terms of ICC staffing, Dame called for fairness in recruitment, advocating for geographical and gender diversity. He argued that a diverse workforce would enhance the Courts effectiveness by incorporating a range of perspectives and experiences. Additionally, he mentioned the Africa Centre for International Criminal Justice (ACICJ) at the GIMPA Law School as an example of the countrys dedication to the ICCs mission. Featured Bawumia unveils digital border control system and e-gates at Kotoka International Airport GraphicOnline Dec - 03 - 2024 , 17:22 3 minutes read Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has launched an advanced digital border control system and e-gates at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in Accra. The initiative, which integrates biometric and facial recognition technologies, represents a major step forward in border management and positions Ghana as a leader in global travel innovation. The digital border control system allows Ghanaian citizens with the Ghanacard to bypass immigration officials and seamlessly pass through designated e-gates. Members of the diaspora and foreign visitors can also access the e-gates by pre-registering their biometric data and travel credentials. Speaking at the launch, Vice President Bawumia highlighted the groundbreaking nature of the project, describing it as a monumental leap forward in border management. Advertisement He emphasised that the system, designed and built by Ghanaians, is fully owned and managed by the Ghana Immigration Service. Dr. Bawumia underlined the global significance of this development: The global travel landscape is evolving rapidly, with innovations such as biometric e-gates and Digital Travel Credentials becoming the new standard. Ghana has embraced these global advancements, integrating biometric verification and Digital Travel Credential technologies into a single platform. This dual capability positions Ghana as a pioneer in intelligent border control, aligning with global standards while placing us ahead of many advanced nations. He added, Our e-gates leverage cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, biometrics, and real-time data processing to create a frictionless and secure travel experience. Future-ready border management Dr. Bawumia noted that Ghana is now fully prepared for the future of border management. Ghana is now prepared for the future of border management, with immense benefits to citizens, foreign travellers, and the nation, he stated. For Ghanaian citizens, this means expedited clearance at airports and border points. For members of the diaspora, the e-gates provide a smooth and efficient entry process, making their arrival in Ghana seamless and hassle-free. And for foreign visitors, Ghana becomes not only a welcoming destination but a leader in global travel infrastructure. These systems ensure that our borders are faster, safer, and more inclusive, setting a benchmark for modern border management. Role of the Ghanacard Dr. Bawumia attributed the success of Ghanas integrated systems to the foundation laid by the Ghanacard. Todays milestone builds on the solid foundation of Ghanas National ID System and the Ghana Carda comprehensive identity framework integrating biometric data, digital addresses, and personal identities into a secure platform. This framework has transformed service delivery across sectors. He also acknowledged the Ghanacards recognition by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as a valid e-passport, enabling Ghanaians to travel across 197 countries with the card. Expansion beyond KIA The Vice President revealed plans to extend the e-gate system beyond Kotoka International Airport. This border control system is being introduced at Kotoka International Airport, Ghanas flagship gateway, and will be expanded to all major airports, including Tamale and Kumasi, as well as all land and sea borders, he disclosed. Previous article: Mahama calls on Asantehene at Manhyia Palace as part of Ashanti regional campaign Featured 2024 elections: EC burns defective ballot papers for Eastern region Gertrude Ankah Politics Dec - 03 - 2024 , 16:14 1 minute read The Ghana Police Service, in partnership with the Eastern Regional Elections Security Taskforce, has supervised the destruction of defective ballot papers that had been recalled by the Electoral Commission (EC). The operation which took place on Tuesday, December 3, aimed to address issues arising from the mishandling of ballots, prompting a suspension of the Special Voting exercise in the Eastern and Western regions. The destruction process was conducted under strict supervision, with constituency election directors from all political parties present. These representatives, from parties such as the New Patriotic Party (NPP), National Democratic Congress (NDC), and Convention People's Party (CPP), monitored the proceedings from their respective armories to ensure transparency. The defective ballots were taken to a regional dump site on the Akwadum Road, where they were destroyed. Advertisement Except for the Afram Plains North and South constituencies, all 31 other constituencies in the Eastern Region presented their defective ballots, which included both presidential and parliamentary papers, for destruction. This action was part of a broader effort to address the irregularities that led to the suspension of the Special Voting exercise in the affected regions. John Appiah Baffour, the Eastern Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, expressed his satisfaction with the process in an interview with the media. "The exercise has been very successful. We brought all the political parties together, including the NPP, NDC, and CPP. The constituency executives of these parties were here to check the seals on the ballot paper bags, and they confirmed that everything was intact before the ballots were offloaded and burned. So, it has been very successful." he stated. Related article: This is why the Electoral Commission recalled ballot papers for reprinting in the Western and Eastern Regions Next article: No military personnel will be deployed to polling stations GAF Featured Election 2024 coverage: NMC urges journalists to prioritise safety Samuel Duodu Politics Dec - 03 - 2024 , 06:47 2 minutes read The National Media Commission (NMC) has urged media practitioners, especially journalists, to prioritise their safety during the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections. It has, therefore, urged media practitioners, especially journalists covering the elections, to take advantage of its recently launched mobile app, Ghana Media Watch, to ensure their safety. The mobile app is to promote the safety of journalists and ensure the integrity of the upcoming elections. App The NMC Executive Secretary, George Sarpong, who introduced the app to journalists at the International Press Centre in Accra, said it allows journalists to record evidence of attacks or incidents in real time, which is then sent to the NMC and the nearest police station. Advertisement "The difficulty has always been how to find the evidence to pursue justice for our colleagues," Mr Sarpong said. "This app gives us an opportunity to record evidence relating to attacks on journalists," he said. He said the app also features a tool for tracking election results, allowing journalists to verify the accuracy of results announced at polling stations. Mr Sarpong emphasised that the NMC did not intend to declare results, but rather provide data and evidence to support the work of journalists. In addition to promoting election integrity, Mr Sarpong said the app was also designed to combat disinformation and hate speech. Fake news The Executive Secretary of the NMC noted that in previous elections, individuals had spread false information by sharing videos or images from other parts of Africa and presenting them as evidence of events in Ghana. "The app allows journalists to verify the accuracy of such claims by cross-checking them with real-time video and images from the location in question," he said. He said it was part of the NMC's efforts to promote a safe and free environment for journalists to work during the elections. Mr Sarpong encouraged all journalists to download the app and use it to protect themselves and their colleagues. "It is our prayer that all of us will be able to support you as you go on the field," Mr Sarpong said. "We know that you are going to do what you've always done for this society; reporting accurately about the elections," he said. Featured No military personnel will be deployed to polling stations GAF Joshua Bediako Koomson Politics Dec - 03 - 2024 , 05:57 2 minutes read The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has stated that no military personnel will be stationed at any polling station. GAFs presence will be limited to standby support, with the primary responsibility for election security remaining with the Ghana Police Service (GPS), it said. This was contained in a statement signed by the Director-General of Public Relations, Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quarshie, to explain the militarys role in ensuring the peaceful conduct of the upcoming 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. It said it was part of the ongoing commitment to maintaining national security and peace during this critical democratic exercise. Advertisement The military will only be deployed upon request by the GPS. This collaborative approach ensures that the elections proceed smoothly and peacefully while maintaining law and order. Transparency The statement urged the public to report any military personnel, individual(s) identifying themselves as GAF personnel or any individual(s) wearing military-patterned attire/accoutrements found at any polling station to the nearest police station or call the following GPS toll-free numbers: 18555 or 0800 311 311. That, it said, would ensure that appropriate action was taken against such individuals or groups to maintain security, as well as the integrity of the election process. It urged Ghanaians to exercise their civic rights responsibly, cooperate with security personnel and refrain from any acts that could disrupt peace. GAF reiterates its commitment to safeguarding the stability and sovereignty of the nation while protecting the integrity of the election process, it stated. PWDs call for equal voting opportunities - Candidates in Ashaiman sign peace pact Benjamin Xornam Glover Politics Dec - 03 - 2024 , 09:57 2 minutes read The Vice-Chairman of the Ghana Blind Union in the Ashaiman Constituency, Winfred Nyarko, has called on electoral stakeholders to continuously engage with Persons with Disability (PWDs) to ensure equal access to voting as Ghana prepares for the elections on December 7, 2024. Speaking to the Daily Graphic on the sidelines of a consultative dialogue and constituency-level peace pact signing event held at Ashaiman, Mr Nyarko said PWDs in the constituency believe that political parties, the Electoral Commission (EC), security agencies, National Commission for Civic Education(NCCE), the EC, NCCE and other stakeholders have ignored them. He said PWDs faced numerous barriers to participation in political and electoral processes and urged stakeholders, including the EC, to empower them on the use of tactile jackets and other electoral processes to facilitate independent voting. The consultative dialogue was facilitated by the Greater Accra Regional Peace Council and the NCCE as part of a series of engagements for some selected hotspot constituencies in the region, with funding from the United Nations Development Programme, the British Council and the United Kingdom Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office. Advertisement Proactive He appealed to the election authorities and political parties to take proactive steps to remove barriers and offer reasonable accommodations at polling stations on election day. Mr Nyarko also urged political parties to engage with PWDs to understand their need and offer specific commitments to address issues of accessibility. Peaceful Elections The Executive Secretary of the Greater Accra Regional Peace Council, Henry Attoh Okai, said the consultative dialogue and peace pact was not only timely but also vital in the Councils quest for a peaceful election, come December 7. He said the dialogue and peace pact was to help guide the conduct of the political parties and their supporters to promote peace in the country, adding that it was also to encourage political tolerance and consensus building amongst the parties as well as promote decency in the media space. Mr Okai urged the parties to adhere to the terms of the peace pact to help consolidate the country's democratic credentials. Conscience The Ashaiman Municipal Commander of the Ghana Police Service, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Isaac P.K. Avornorkadzi, said the security agencies were ready to provide the needed security for the elections and appealed to the parties to cooperate with the security agencies to promote sustainable peace. Peace pact The New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), and the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP) in the Ashaiman Constituency signed a peace pact to promote sustainable peace before, during and after the 2024 general election. The National Democratic Congress was absent. Writers email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh Featured Lydia Alhassan: The food was for our team, agents, and some journalists but... Mohammed Ali Politics Dec - 03 - 2024 , 13:01 2 minutes read The Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Lydia Seyram Alhassan has denied distributing food and water to voters during the special voting exercise on December 2, 2024. According to her, the incident has been misunderstood. She explained that the food packages seen in a video being shared to some voters in a queue was meant for her campaign team, Electoral Commission agents, and journalists present at the polling station. Yes, I was at the polling station to monitor the process, and we sent food for our team, agents, and some journalists. Advertisement Someone in the queue asked for a package, and my womens organiser, out of goodwill, gave one. That led to a few others being given. It was not intentional, and I did not distribute anything myself. Ms Alhassan acknowledged the incident but emphasised that it was unplanned and assured that she did not break any laws. She promised that steps would be taken to prevent such occurrences in the future. She was speaking in a radio interview with Citi FM on Tuesday morning. In videos shared online, the MP was seen at the Legon Police Station polling centre, which showed food packages being handed out to some voters in a queue. Lydia Alhassan was seen standing close to the food sharing. There has been varied reactions to the incident with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate John Dumelo condemning it and saying it was violation of Ghanas electoral laws. Why are you sharing food with people in the queue? Lets respect the rules of the Electoral Commission, Dumelo said in a video. This kind of behaviour must stop. He argued that such actions could undermine the integrity of the electoral process and stressed the need for strict adherence to the rules to maintain free and fair elections. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Dr Joseph Whittal has cast a damning verdict on a viral footage in which some security personnel who took part in the special voting Monday were seen collecting food while in a queue to vote. Addressing journalists after a health screening for 300 staff of the Commission who will be deployed to monitor human rights issues in December 7 elections, Dr Whittal said, When I looked at the video, it was more of an embarrassment, because security officers must be security conscious. Read also: CHRAJ boss condemns security officers who received food during special voting at Ayawaso West Wuogon A class action lawsuit against Apple was given the green light to proceed. The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) of the United Kingdom rejected the request from Apple to block the case, essentially allowing a group of 1,566 app developers, later extended to nearly 13,000, to go forward with requesting Cupertino to repay 785 million, or about $995 million, in commission on apps. The core argument is that Apple used its monopolistic power to make iOS users download apps over the App Store, therefore collecting a 30% commission on all purchases. The tech company wanted to block the case because UK courts have no jurisdiction over commissions on app sales made outside the United Kingdom, but the argument was rejected. The group of developers is led by Sean Ennis, a professor at the Centre of Competition Policy at the University of East Anglia and a former economist at the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development). They claim that charges are unfair in their own right and constitute abusive pricing. Via By Maria Cheng and Maria Verza | The Associated Press MEXICO CITY Its been called the closest the world has ever come to a vaccine against the AIDS virus. The twice-yearly shot was 100% effective in preventing HIV infections in a study of women, and results published Wednesday show it worked nearly as well in men. Drugmaker Gilead said it will allow cheap, generic versions to be sold in 120 poor countries with high HIV rates mostly in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. But it has excluded nearly all of Latin America, where rates are far lower but increasing, sparking concern the world is missing a critical opportunity to stop the disease. This is so far superior to any other prevention method we have, that its unprecedented, said Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAIDS. She credited Gilead for developing the drug, but said the worlds ability to stop AIDS hinges on its use in at-risk countries. In a report issued to mark World AIDS Day on Sunday, UNAIDS said that the number of AIDS deaths last year an estimated 630,000 was at its lowest since peaking in 2004, suggesting the world is now at a historic crossroads and has a chance to end the epidemic. The drug called lenacapavir is already sold under the brand name Sunlenca to treat HIV infections in the U.S., Canada, Europe and elsewhere. The company plans to seek authorization soon for the drug to be used for HIV prevention. While there are other ways to guard against infection, like condoms, daily pills, vaginal rings and bimonthly shots, experts say the Gilead twice-yearly shots would be particularly useful for marginalized people often fearful of seeking care, including gay men, sex workers and young women. It would be a miracle for these groups because it means they just have to show up twice a year at a clinic and then theyre protected, said UNAIDS' Byanyima. Such was the case for Luis Ruvalcaba, a 32-year-old man in Guadalajara, Mexico, who participated in the latest published study. He said he was afraid to ask for the daily prevention pills provided by the government, fearing he would be discriminated against as a gay man. Because he took part in the study, hell continue to receive the shots for at least another year. In Latin American countries, there is still a lot of stigma, patients are ashamed to ask for the pills, said Dr. Alma Minerva Perez, who recruited and enrolled a dozen study volunteers at a private research center in Guadalajara. How widely available the shots will be in Mexico through the countrys health care system isnt yet known. Health officials declined to comment on any plans to buy them for its citizens; daily pills to prevent HIV were made freely available via the countrys public health system in 2021. If the possibility of using generics has opened, I have faith that Mexico can join, Perez said. Byanyima said other countries besides Mexico that took part in the research were also excluded from the generics deal, including Brazil, Peru and Argentina. To now deny them that drug is unconscionable. she said. In a statement, Gilead said it has an ongoing commitment to helping enable access to HIV prevention and treatment options where the need is the greatest. Among the 120 countries eligible for generic version are 18 mostly African countries that comprise 70% of the worlds HIV burden. The drugmaker said it is also working on establishing fast, efficient pathways to reach all people who need or want lenacapavir for HIV prevention. On Thursday, 15 advocacy groups in Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Chile, Guatemala and Colombia wrote to Gilead, asking for the generic version to be made available in Latin America, citing the alarming inequity in access to new HIV prevention tools while infection rates were rising. While countries including Norway, France, Spain and the U.S. have paid more than $40,000 per year for Sunlenca, experts have calculated it could be produced for as little as $40 per treatment once generic production expands to cover 10 million people. Dr. Chris Beyrer, director of the Global Health Institute at Duke University, said it will be enormously useful to have the Gilead shots available in the hardest-hit countries in Africa and Asia. But he said the rising HIV rates among groups including gay men and transgender populations constituted a public health emergency in Latin America. Hannya Danielle Torres, a 30-year-old trans woman and artist who also was in the study in Mexico, said she hoped the government would find a way to provide the shots. Mexico may have some of the richest people in the world but it also has some of the most vulnerable people living in extreme poverty and violence, Torres said. Another drugmaker, Viiv Healthcare, also left out most of Latin America when it allowed generics of its HIV prevention shot in about 90 countries. Sold as Apretude, the bimonthly shots are about 80% to 90% effective in preventing HIV. They cost about $1,500 a year in middle-income countries, beyond what most can afford to pay. Asia Russell, executive director of the advocacy group Health Gap, said that with more than 1 million new HIV infections globally every year, established prevention methods are not enough. She urged countries like Brazil and Mexico to issue compulsory licenses, a mechanism where countries suspend patents in a health crisis. Its a strategy some countries embraced for previous HIV treatments, including in the late 1990s and 2000s when AIDS drugs were first discovered. More recently, Colombia issued its first-ever compulsory license for the key HIV treatment Tivicay in April, without permission from its drugmaker, Viiv. Dr. Salim Abdool Karim, an AIDS expert at South Africas University of KwaZulu-Natal, said he had never seen a drug that appeared to be as effective as the Gilead shot in preventing HIV. The missing piece in the puzzle now is how we get it to everyone who needs it, he said. Cheng reported from London. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Haiti - FLASH : The juice that poisoned 26 Haitians, prepared in a container that contained pesticides... The Embassy of Haiti in the Dominican Republic informs that on Sunday, December 1, 2024, 26 compatriots working on a farm in Pedernales, including two minors, suffered from vomiting and dizziness, a few minutes after drinking a fruit juice https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43756-haiti-flash-26-haitians-poisoned-in-dr-after-drinking-juice.html and were transported by their employer to the Taiwan hospital in Azua. On the instructions of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, a delegation from the Consulate of Haiti in Barahona quickly went to the scene to provide consular assistance to the victims. "According to initial information, this incident was caused by the unconsciousness of an employee who prepared the juice served to these farm workers in a dirty container," the Haitian Embassy said. The regional hospital in Taiwan in Azua reported that the Haitians had been treated for symptoms of organophosphate poisoning. Organophosphate poisoning is caused by the irreversible inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and the accumulation of acetylcholine. It is due to skin contact, inhalation or penetration through the digestive tract of pesticides containing these compounds... It causes nausea, vomiting, excessive salivation and involuntary muscle contractions. The Embassy informs that it is in contact with the Dominican authorities so that all light is shed on this unfortunate incident while the team of the Haitian consulate in Barahona is mobilized alongside the victims until their convalescence. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43756-haiti-flash-26-haitians-poisoned-in-dr-after-drinking-juice.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Diplomacy : Mission abroad for the new Haitian Chancellor Monday, December 2nd, 2024, Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste, the Minister of Foreign Affairs left Haiti for Washington. In Washington, the Haitian Chancellor will have strategic discussions with senior American officials, mainly focusing on security in Haiti. These discussions aim to obtain concrete support to resolve the security crisis that deeply affects the daily lives of Haitians. Minister Jean-Baptiste will also take advantage of his stay in the United States to meet with influential members of the American Congress regarding the renewal of the HELP and HOPE laws. The future of more than 30,000 direct jobs in the Haitian textile sector is at stake After Washington, Chancellor Jean-Baptiste will travel to Tokyo, Japan, at the invitation of his counterpart Takesh IWAYA to participate in the 8th Japan/CARICOM Ministerial Meeting. This multilateral meeting will be an opportunity for Haiti to strengthen cooperative relations between Japan and the Caribbean region, while advocating for partnerships that are beneficial to Haiti. Other bilateral meetings are also scheduled on the Haitian Chancellor's agenda with several of his Caricom counterparts to strengthen cooperation with countries in the region. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Leogane : At least 14 people killed in an attack At least 14 people were killed and several others injured in an armed attack recorded at the end of November in Petro, a town located near the 7th section at Easter, in the commune of Leogane. Members of an armed gang operating in Riviere froide, in the commune of Carrefour, are being singled out. Monday against a backdrop of bursts of automatic weapons Monday, December 2nd, 2024, bursts of automatic weapons were reported in several areas of Port-au-Prince, particularly on the Airport road and in the Drouillard area. Customs officers fear a change of DG Since last weekend, the Customs Collective has received information suggesting that the General Directorate of the General Administration of Customs (AGD) would be the subject of an auction between different personalities. The CDH calls on the population and customs officers to remain vigilant in the face of potential changes that could slow down the institution in its momentum of progress, "In these times when the country is facing enormous difficulties, we cannot afford the luxury of seeing the bargaining of strategic institutions, at the risk of trampling on the efforts of previous years and killing the hope of those who still wanted to believe in this country that we all cherish." Petion-ville : Large gatherings prohibited The municipal authorities of Petion-ville have banned large public gatherings as part of security vigilance measures. The mayor, Mr. Kesner Normil, justified this decision by the need to remain alert to gang attacks and not to hinder the operations of law enforcement. Did you know ? The National Identification Card (CIN) integrates several advanced biometric technologies : Fingerprints, facial recognition, iris control allowing all citizens, including people with disabilities, to have a reliable and tamper-proof identification card. This biometric information is stored in an electronic chip integrated into the CIN and a bar code allows rapid and highly secure access to essential data. Violence threatens progress against HIV Despite the progress made in the fight against HIV, thousands of Haitians remain trapped in a devastating health and security crisis. The incessant violence and widespread insecurity make access to care almost impossible, worsening suffering and threatening hard-won progress. Every day, lives are lost, not because of a lack of treatment, but because it is too risky to reach a health center or obtain life-saving care. HL/ HaitiLibre Heikki Porola , a detective chief inspector at Helsinki Police Department, told the Finnish public broadcasting company late last month that the 612 torch march is expected to draw roughly a thousand and the counter-protest roughly two thousand protesters to downtown Helsinki. THOUSANDS of protesters are expected to descend on Helsinki on Independence Day, 6 December, according to YLE. The estimates are based on earlier years turnouts. Organisers of the nationalist march were the first to notify police about their plan to gather at Toolontori Square in Helsinki. Helsinki Without Nazis, the anti-fascist counter-protest, has announced its intention to gather at the same square in defiance of police orders, according to Porola. The plan is to move the counter-protest to Taivallahti Square, according to a police press release issued on Monday, 2 December. Both protests are expected to attract members of radical groups, along with ordinary citizens. Thatll be the challenge, Porola said to YLE, adding that police can identify some high-risk participants in advance based on social media updates, for example. We can take action pre-emptively. Our most important duty is to protect the constitutional right to protest. Helsinki Police Department, he revealed, has been notified of a total of five protests, including four protest marches, taking place on Independence Day. Tempers and turnout may be higher than usual this year because of the suspected arson of a prominent far-right clubhouse in Otsola, Hyvinkaa, on 10 November. Police have been reticent about the pre-trial investigation but have confirmed that the fire appears to have been set deliberately. Activists associated with the clubhouse have taken to social media to encourage like-minded people to participate in demonstrations in a show of solidarity in the wake of what they claim was an arson carried out by the far-left. Alongside the 612 march, they have advertised a demonstration called Suomi Heraa (en. Finland Wakes Up), organised at Helsinki Railway Square by the openly fascist and racist party Sinimusta Liike. The Otsola fire may be a reason to participate in a march for a small group of people Well see whether itll strain relations between the different parties, Porola commented to YLE. Aleksi Teivainen HT Orpo on Monday indicated to Helsingin Sanomat that he has received information about the protest march from the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (Supo). THE PLANS of Teemu Keskisarja and Sheikki Laakso of the Finns Party to skip the Independence Day reception and attend the 612 protest march is inappropriate and wrong, according to Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP). Far right and openly racist groups have advertised the 612 march to their members. Its therefore likely that the march will be joined also by participants from the far right, he wrote in a text message to the daily newspaper. I consider all extremist movements dangerous and harmful for the stability of Finland. The protest march has been advertised by the likes of Sinimusta Liike, an openly fascist and racist political party with ties to the anti-immigrant street patrol Soldiers of Odin and dissolved neo-Nazi group Nordic Resistance Movement. Santeri Iltanen, a communication expert at Supo, said to Helsingin Sanomat that the march was created by far right and anti-immigrant organisations. Members of the far right have participated and will surely participate in the event also this year, he said. Orpo stated that while the prime minister does not decide how adults spend their time in a free democracy, everyone should use their discretion and refrain from using independence to gain publicity. The president inviting lawmakers to commemorate independence is also a precious tradition. Laakso told Helsingin Sanomat yesterday evening that he has decided to cancel his participation in the march. Anders Adlercreutz, the chairperson of the Swedish Peoples Party, on Monday said ruling-party members participating in the 612 march is completely unacceptable and inappropriate given how strongly the event is affiliated with the far right. Riikka Purra, the chairperson of the Finns Party, defended Keskisarja and Laakso last weekend by describing the protest march as a nationalist and patriotic event. Although the populist right-wing party does not tolerate far right activity, it allows its members to participate in the protest march because the event is politically unaffiliated and open to everyone. The participants are encouraged to respect the events nature by leaving all political and other emblems and slogans home, she said. Speaker of Parliament Jussi Halla-aho (PS) on Monday similarly questioned the backlash against the plans by arguing that there is only an old and thin link between the march and the Nordic Resistance Movement. Aleksi Teivainen HT China to strengthen AI education in primary, secondary schools Global Times) 16:16, December 03, 2024 The Chinese Ministry of Education has issued a notice to strengthen AI education in primary and secondary schools. The notice specifies that younger primary school children should focus on exploring and experiencing AI technology, while older primary school children and middle school students should concentrate on understanding and applying AI concepts, and high school students should engage in project creation and advanced applications. The notice has outlined the overall requirements for enhancing AI education in schools, placing a strong emphasis on moral education and the cultivation of innovative talent. They underscore the importance of a people-centered approach, fostering students' critical thinking and innovative spirit. Additionally, the focus is on sparking interest and nurturing scientific curiosity alongside digital literacy. Coordinated planning is encouraged to promote exploration and pilot programs across schools and regions. The notice calls for establishing a systematic curriculum with regular teaching and evaluation practices. It defines distinct learning objectives for each educational stage: sensory and experiential learning in early primary grades, understanding and application in upper primary and middle school, and project creation and advanced applications at the high school level. Schools are encouraged to integrate AI education into after-school programs and research initiatives, fostering collaboration between industry, academia, research, and application. Efforts include developing tailored courses and teaching cases while seamlessly incorporating AI into information technology, science, and practical activity curricula. To enhance resource accessibility, an AI education section will be introduced on the national smart education platform, consolidating high-quality resources for widespread use. Plans include establishing AI education bases in stages, opening facilities such as laboratories and exhibition halls from universities and tech enterprises to students, optimizing digital teaching environments, and promoting inter-school resource sharing for comprehensive learning experiences. It also calls for balancing the allocation of AI laboratory resources, upgrading existing digital teaching environments, and strengthening inter-school resource sharing to provide spaces for students to experience, learn, explore, and practice AI. The notice also emphasizes prioritizing teacher training by integrating AI education into national development plans to enhance professional capabilities. Regions and schools with adequate resources are urged to expand AI teaching staff and recruit experts from academic and industrial sectors as part-time instructors. Bridging the gap between urban and rural areas is a key focus of the notice, which calls for increased support for schools in rural and remote regions. It further highlights the need for teacher mobility and the use of online platforms to link AI education courses across different areas. The notice also encourages collaborative efforts between urban and rural schools, emphasizing the sharing of teaching experiences and collective efforts to enhance the overall quality of AI education. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) A glimpse of traditional games of ethnic minorities in China Chinadaily.com.cn) 16:20, December 03, 2024 An athlete climbs coconut trees during a race at the 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities of the People's Republic of China on Nov 24, 2024, in Sanya, South China's Hainan province. The sport is both fun and competitive, originating from the labor scene of local people. (Photo/Xinhua) Athletes compete in the Duzhupiao (bamboo drifting) final at the 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities of the People's Republic of China on Nov 27, 2024, in Sanya, South China's Hainan province. One stands on a single bamboo pole floating on water and uses another as a paddle to propel and steer across the water. (Photo/Xinhua) Guangxi team player Zuo Zheng (right) kicks a shuttlecock in a Jianqiu game at the 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities of the People's Republic of China on Nov 28, 2024, in Sanya, South China's Hainan province. The sport is often played on a badminton-sized court, following volleyball-like rules. (Photo/Xinhua) Team Guizhou wins the first prize of Shenu (crossbow shooting) at the 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities of the People's Republic of China on Nov 25, 2024, in Sanya, South China's Hainan province. It is a traditional sport particularly popular among ethnic groups in southwestern China, such as the Miao, Yi and Va. (Photo/Xinhua) An athlete attempts to keep the Tuoluo spinning for extended periods at the 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities of the People's Republic of China on Nov 27, 2024, in Sanya, South China's Hainan province. (Photo/Xinhua) Three athletes of Team Guizhou (front) coordinate in Banxie racing (board-shoes racing) at the 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities of the People's Republic of China on Nov 27, 2024, in Sanya, South China's Hainan province. (Photo/Xinhua) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) President-elect Donald Trump announced he will appoint Massad Boulos, his daughter Tiffany's father-in-law, as Senior Advisor to the President for Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs. Trump shared the news Sunday on his Truth Social account. "Massad is an accomplished lawyer and a highly respected leader in the business world, with extensive experience on the International scene," the 78-year-old wrote. "He has been a longtime proponent of Republican and Conservative values, an asset to my Campaign, and was instrumental in building tremendous new coalitions with the Arab American Community," he went in to add. "Massad is a dealmaker, and an unwavering supporter of PEACE in the Middle East. He will be a strong advocate for the United States, and its interests, and I am pleased to have him on our team!" Boulos, a Lebanon-born businessman, heads Nigeria-based Boulos Enterprises, a company specializing in the production and distribution of mechanical equipment and motorcycles. His son, Michael Boulos, married Tiffany, Donald Trump's youngest daughter, in 2022. Massad Boulos' Net Worth and Political Influence According to some reports, Massad Boulos has an estimated net worth of $10 billion. Born in Lebanon, Massad Boulos moved to Texas as a teenager, where he attended the University of Houston and later earned a law degree. After completing his education, he returned to his family's business, eventually becoming the CEO of SCOA Nigeria, a billion-dollar conglomerate specializing in the distribution of motor vehicles and equipment throughout West Africa. Massad Boulos is well-acquainted with the political landscape, having run for a parliamentary seat in Lebanon in 2009. He is reported to maintain ties with prominent Lebanese figures, including Christian politician Sleiman Frangieh, a known ally of Hezbollah. Boulos has concentrated his political efforts on engaging Arab American voters, particularly those critical of the Biden-Harris administration's stance on Israel's actions in Gaza and the conflict in Lebanon. Protests and vocal opposition in key states like Michigan highlighted this discontent, which analysts suggest played a significant role in Kamala Harris losing Michigan, a crucial swing state. President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday night reacted to the announcement of President Joe Biden's pardon of his son Hunter Biden, who faced sentencing this month on gun crime and tax convictions. "Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!" Trump wrote on Truth Social, referencing some of the January 6 rioters, whom he has suggested could be pardoned. Biden's decision comes just weeks before Hunter is scheduled for sentencing, and less than two months before President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. "Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter," the president said in a statement. It is a "full and unconditional pardon," according to a copy of the executive grant of clemency. By pardoning his son, Joe Biden has gone back on a public promise he made repeatedly before and after exiting the 2024 presidential race. Both the president and his top White House spokesperson had stated unequivocally, even after Trump's 2024 election victory, that Hunter would not receive a pardon or a commutation of his sentence. The pardon spares Hunter from sentencing for his crimes and eliminates the possibility of imprisonment. Judges overseeing his cases are now expected to cancel the sentencing hearings scheduled for December 12 for the gun case and December 16 for the tax case. The president said his political opponents "instigated" the charges placed against Hunter "to attack me and oppose my election." He said in his statement on Sunday, "I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice. ... I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision." Hunter Biden was convicted by a jury in June of illegally purchasing and possessing a firearm, following a harrowing trial that exposed his struggles with drug addiction and family turmoil. In September, he pleaded guilty to nine tax offenses related to $1.4 million in unpaid taxes, which he failed to settle while spending on escorts, strippers, luxury cars, and drugs. The investigation into Hunter Biden began in 2018 under special counsel David Weiss, the Trump-appointed U.S. attorney for Delaware, who filed both indictments in 2023. Despite having the presidential authority to intervene by halting the investigation or dismissing the charges, Joe Biden said at the time that he will remain uninvolved in the legal proceedings. The United States announced new export restrictions Monday targeting China's ability to make advanced semiconductors, drawing swift condemnation from Beijing as competition deepens between the world's two biggest economies. The move expands Washington's efforts to curb exports of state-of-the-art chips to China, which can be used in advanced weapons systems and in artificial intelligence. The announcement comes weeks before President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House, where he is expected to bolster Washington's hawkish stance on China. "The United States has taken significant steps to protect our technology from being used by our adversaries in ways that threaten our national security," said National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in a statement. He added that Washington will keep working with allies and partners "to proactively and aggressively safeguard our world-leading technologies and know-how so they aren't used to undermine our national security." Beijing vowed Monday to defend its interests, with a Chinese commerce ministry spokesperson saying the United States "abuses export control measures" and has "hindered normal economic and trade exchanges." The latest US rules include a restriction of sales to 140 companies, including Chinese chip firms Piotech and SiCarrier, without additional permission. They also impact Naura Technology Group, which makes chip production equipment, according to the Commerce Department. Others include entities in Japan, South Korea and Singapore. The new US rules also include controls on two dozen types of chip-making equipment and three kinds of software tools for developing or producing semiconductors. "We are constantly talking to our allies and partners as well as reassessing and updating our controls," noted Under Secretary of Commerce for industry and security Alan Estevez. Thibault Denamiel, a fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told AFP that the latest actions confirm "the trajectory of US policy rather than significantly stepping up control efforts." "The significance of the additions is lessened given proposals from the incoming Trump administration," he added, noting the president-elect has vowed drastic actions that dwarf these latest restrictions on chip technologies. Monday's restrictions further a policy that began under Trump's first administration to prevent China from becoming a leading tech economy. On Monday, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo stressed that President Joe Biden's administration has been especially tough in "strategically addressing China's military modernization through export controls." The Commerce Department said that the fresh restrictions are meant to slow China's development of advanced AI that could "change the future of warfare," and impair China's development of its own semiconductor ecosystem. But the agency maintained that this is in line with Washington's "small yard, high fence" policy, which targets restrictions strategically -- an approach that Chinese President Xi Jinping criticized last month. Calls to further close the semiconductor supply chain have grown since the world became increasingly aware of the powers of AI, with the launch of ChatGPT. South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol has declared emergency martial law, citing allegations of antistate activities by the opposition. In his announcement on Tuesday, Yoon emphasized his commitment to restoring a free and democratic nation through the implementation of martial law. "To safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Korea's communist forces and to eliminate antistate elements ... I hereby declare emergency martial law," Yoon said in a live televised address. "This is an unavoidable measure to ensure the freedom and safety of the people and guarantee the sustainability of the nation against the unrest stirred by these subversive, antistate elements. "The National Assembly has also completely cut budgets essential for national operations, drug crime prevention and public safety, undermining the core functions of the state. This has left our citizens in a state of chaos with the nation becoming a haven for drugs and public safety collapsing." A spokesperson for the US National Security Council has confirmed that the Biden administration is in contact with the South Korean government and is "monitoring the situation closely," according to CBS. President Joe Biden has yet to issue a statement regarding South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law. South Korea's main opposition party, the Democratic Party, has summoned all its lawmakers to convene at the National Assembly, the country's legislative body, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap. Party leader Lee Jae-myung has also urged the public to gather at the assembly in protest. Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People's Power Party, has criticized the martial law declaration as a "wrong" decision and pledged to oppose it. South Korea's military has announced the suspension of all parliamentary activities, according to the Yonhap News Agency. Members of the National Assembly have reportedly been barred from entering the building. Videos circulating on social media appear to show a significant police presence outside the assembly in Seoul's Yeongdeungpo District, reflecting heightened security measures in the capital. What is a martial law? Martial law refers to the temporary governance by military authorities during emergencies when civil authorities are deemed unable to operate effectively. Its implementation often results in legal consequences, such as the suspension of normal civil rights and the imposition of military law over civilian populations. Although intended to be a short-term measure, martial law can, in practice, extend indefinitely. South Korea's National Assembly convened an emergency late-night session, where lawmakers unanimously voted to reject President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law decree. Out of the 300 members of the Assembly, 190 were present, and all cast their votes against the controversial measure, which was announced earlier in the day during a televised address by the president. "The President should immediately lift the emergency martial law following the voting by the National Assembly. Now, emergency martial law declaration is invalid," said Woo Won-sik, the chairman of the National Assembly. "The people should ... rest easy. The National Assembly will defend democracy with the people," he said. Shortly after 1 a.m. local time in Seoul, dozens of troops stationed inside the main parliamentary building began withdrawing, according to the Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo. Local television footage also showed troops leaving the premises. However, some forces reportedly remain on the National Assembly grounds, with a few appearing to have set down their equipment, Chosun Ilbo noted, according to CNN. South Korean stocks plunged on Tuesday following Yoon's declaration of martial law, which he said was necessary to protect the nation from "communist forces." The iShares MSCI South Korea ETF, a US-traded fund comprising nearly 100 large and midsized South Korean companies, dropped 6%. In UK trading, Samsung, the country's largest corporation, saw its shares fall by 7%. The South Korean won also weakened significantly, with the US dollar gaining 2%, pushing the currency to its lowest level since 2009. Yoon's announcement leaves uncertainty about whether the stock exchange will reopen on Wednesday. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is reportedly planning an emergency meeting with officials from the Bank of Korea and the Financial Services Commission. The centrally located property is ready to welcome business and leisure travellers from 7 December 2024.. Dusit Hotels and Resorts under Dusit International, one of Thailand's leading hotel and property development companies, is delighted to announce the soft opening of its first hotel in Malaysia, Dusit Princess Melaka, on 7 December 2024. Strategically located in the heart of Melaka, a UNESCO World Heritage City renowned for its vibrant culture and history, Dusit Princess Melaka marks a significant milestone for Dusit as it enters the Malaysian market. Melaka's reputation as a global tourist destination continues to grow, thanks to its unique blend of heritage and health tourism. By September 2024, the state welcomed approximately 10 million visitors, surpassing its annual target of 8.7 million. With a significant number of travellers arriving from key markets such as China and Singapore, Dusit Princess Melaka is ideally positioned to meet the needs of this expanding international audience. Blending Dusit's signature Thai-inspired gracious hospitality with a contemporary design tailored for both business and leisure travellers, Dusit Princess Melaka occupies the former Ramada Plaza Melaka building, which has undergone a refurbishment and complete rebranding to reflect the distinctive essence of the upper-midscale Dusit Princess brand. From spacious and elegantly appointed Deluxe rooms with city views to the expansive Presidential Suite, every room in the 296-key property is thoughtfully designed with modern comforts and attentive details, ensuring a relaxing and enjoyable stay for families, solo travellers, and visiting executives alike. For relaxation and rejuvenation, the hotel features a fully equipped gym and a large swimming pool. Guests can also enjoy a variety of dining experiences, including Zest, an all-day dining destination offering sumptuous buffet spreads, and Long Feng, a beloved local favourite renowned for its authentic Chinese cuisine and signature dim sum. The hotel is also well-equipped for conferences and social gatherings, with state-of-the-art meeting facilities and a grand ballroom capable of hosting up to 1,000 guests, delivering a seamless and sophisticated setting for events of any scale. For those seeking an immersive journey, the hotel's central location is a standout feature, offering unparalleled convenience for exploring Melaka's rich cultural heritage and historical attractions. The bustling business district and popular landmarks such as Dutch Square, St. Paul's Hill and Church, A'Famosa Fort, and Jonker Street Market are all within easy reach. Malacca International Airport is just a 17-minute drive away, while Kuala Lumpur International Airport can be reached in approximately one hour and 45 minutes by car. Hotel website voco Kuching marks first IHG presence in Sarawak. IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world's leading hotel companies, announces today the debut of its premium brand, voco hotels, in Malaysia with 321-room voco Kuching. Together with Elica Equity Sdn Bhd, a leading real estate developer in Malaysia, voco Kuching will open in 2026 as part of a 12-storey mixed-use development. This will be IHG's first hotel in Sarawak and marks its return to Kuching after 16 years. Redeveloped from independent hotel Century Hotel, voco Kuching will join voco hotels - IHG's fastest-growing premium brand that is designed to stand out from the crowd with a hotel experience that is consistently thoughtful and distinct. It will join a growing pipeline of 80 voco hotels globally and add to an existing 77 properties already opened. voco Kuching will offer a welcoming and dynamic space that embodies the voco hotels brand - combining charm, comfort and a premium stay experience with the reliability of a global brand and providing visitors a comfortable and relaxing base to explore the wonders of Sarawak. A 15-minute drive from the city centre and just five minutes from the Kuching International Airport, hotel facilities will include a swimming pool, all-day dining and cafe, lounge and a fitness centre. In addition, voco Kuching will have over 2,400 square metres of meeting spaces, including a ballroom that will accommodate 1,300 people and an array of function room options that will elevate the MICE scene in Kuching. A popular destination among locals for its rich culture and biodiversity, Kuching is set to hit its 4 million tourist arrival target this year, which will match 2019 levels. Its growing tourism sector has been boosted by increased flight routes across Asia, infrastructure development of tourism facilities and attractions, and the organisation of popular major events and festivals such as the annual Rainforest Music Festival that celebrates world music. Other popular leisure events and activities include Sarawak Cultural Village, a living museum just an hour away from the hotel and Mount Santubung a popular hiking spot through lush rainforests. Hotel website Four Points Flex by Sheraton, a new hotel brand from Marriott Bonvoy's global brand portfolio of 31 extraordinary brands, has opened its second property in London, with the launch of the new Four Points Flex by Sheraton London Shoreditch East. This newly re-branded property brings the Four Points Flex ethos of adaptable, modern accommodation to the iconic Shoreditch area, known for its creative energy and vibrant culture. Four Points Flex offers value-conscious consumers a hotel experience in convenient locations, with principles of reliability, simplicity and value in both the design and guest experience. The brand appeals to practical travellers looking for effortless hotel experiences for both business and leisure trips. Consisting of 161 stylish guestrooms designed with the smart, independent traveller in mind, the hotel's social spaces include a welcoming lobby lounge with all-day dining options and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout. Situated in the heart of one of London's most dynamic neighbourhoods and just a short walk from Bethnal Green Underground Station, the hotel enjoys excellent transport links as well as easy access to Shoreditch High Street, Columbia Road Flower Market, and the vibrant energy of world-famous Brick Lane market. The hotel will be managed by Cycas Hospitality and joins the hotel management company's portfolio of 55 hotels across Europe, including the recently opened Moxy Paris Clamart. The Four Points Flex by Sheraton London Shoreditch East hotel opening marks Cycas' 7th Marriott property in the UK and 14th across Europe, with the leading hospitality company also managing the Four Points by Sheraton Edinburgh in the Scottish capital. Hotel website First Hospitality, a national hotel operating, management, and development company, announces the appointment of Chuck Moses as vice president of sales. Moses brings more than 20 years of experience in hospitality sales to this position. In this pivotal role, Moses will oversee all sales-driven segments, including group, business travel, and catering. He will analyze market competition, trends and collaborate with owners, corporate leadership and general managers to ensure sales goals are achieved. Moses will also be responsible for leading the development and growth of the global sales force, while establishing best practices, standards, and incentive programs to drive success. As an accomplished hospitality sales professional, Moses has held several leadership roles, most recently as senior regional director of sales and marketing at Davidson Hospitality Group's lifestyle operating vertical, Pivot. Prior to that, he served as director of sales and marketing for Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt in Austin, Texas. Moses attended the University of Incarnate Word and studied business management and economics. Based in Austin, Texas, Moses enjoys the live music scene with friends and family, attends weekly Soul Cycle classes, and loves a trip to NYC to see as many Broadway shows as one can see in a quick weekend. Accor, Australia and New Zealands largest hotel operator, has been crowned Accommodation Chain of the Year for the third consecutive year at the 2024 HM Awards for Hotel and Accommodation Excellence, presented by Sealy Posturepedic, held on Friday 29 November at ICC Sydney. The Accommodation Chain of the Year category is one of the industrys most prestigious accolades, voted exclusively by the heads of hotel groups across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, recognising outstanding leadership and excellence in hospitality. Accor Pacific Chief Operating Officer PM&E, Adrian Williams, accepted the award on behalf of the team and said: To receive this award is a tremendous honour and a reflection of the exceptional talent and commitment of our people at Accor. We love what we do, and this recognition is not only a testament to the respect our industry peers have for us but also highlights the privilege we have in working alongside our owners and partners, whose trust and collaboration are key to our continued success. We are deeply humbled by this acknowledgment. Along with this major award, Accor celebrated further success on the night with a remarkable 12 additional wins, recognising its properties, team members and initiatives. Accors commitment to sustainability was celebrated with the Environmental Program award for its sustainable tourism certification program across the Pacific region. It was also a triumphant night for Accors many property award winners: Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa was named New Zealand Hotel of the year. Hotel Morris Sydney Handwritten Collection was a joint winner in the Midscale Hotel category. Novotel Wollongong Northbeach was recognised as a joint winner in the Meetings & Conferencing Property category. Hardys Verandah Restaurant at Mount Lofty House won Hotel Restaurant. Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour shared the title of Tech Hotel of the year. The following team members were honoured for their exceptional contributions: Accor Pacific Talent & Culture Executive, Georgia Mayne, was celebrated as one of the industrys Rising Stars for 2024. Juin an Lin from Pullman Sydney Olympic Park and Cameron Tabe from The Playford Adelaide MGallery jointly won Hotel Chef of the year. Brian Hansen from Pullman Sydney Hyde Park was named Front Office Associate of the Year. Daniele Campo from The Porter House Hotel Sydney MGallery took home the award for Food and Beverage Associate of the year. Bethany Flynn from Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains MGallery Collection won the Human Resources Associate category. Earlier in the month, New Zealand and the South Pacifics leading properties and people were recognised at the inaugural HM Awards Aotearoa-Pacific gala ceremony. Accors winners included: Novotel Hamilton Tainui was named the New Zealand Regional Property of the year. Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport won the New Zealand Upscale Hotel category. Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa was awarded Fijian Luxury Resort of the year. Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spas diamond jubilee campaign took out the Marketing Campaign category. Alice Parimbelli from ibis Wellington jointly won the Food and Beverage Associate award. Genny Kim from Movenpick Hotel Auckland was named a joint winner of the Human Resources Associate award. Brooke Jolly from Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa, and Claire Simpson from Hotel St Moritz Queenstown - MGallery Collection were both named Front Office Associate of the year. Rahul Pereira from Accor Managed CP Hotels New Zealand co-won the Revenue Management Associate category. Amanda Miyagusuku from Novotel Queenstown Lakeside was celebrated as one of New Zealands Rising Stars. It is an absolute honour to see Sofitel and MGallery recognised for their outstanding achievements at this years HM Awards. These accolades reflect the exceptional dedication and innovations of our teams and I couldnt be prouder of their accomplishments. Accor Pacific Vice President Operations Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems, David Fraser From luxury to economy, Accor operates 19 international brands and over 400 hotels across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and French Polynesia, such as Sofitel, MGallery, Art Series, Pullman, Swissotel, Movenpick, Grand Mercure, Peppers, The Sebel, Mantra, Handwritten Collection, Novotel, TRIBE, Mercure, BreakFree, ibis, ibis Styles and ibis budget, as well as Ennismores SO/. Visit ALL.com About Accor, a world-leading hospitality group Accor is a world leading hospitality group offering experiences across more than 110 countries, with over 5,600 properties, 10,000 food & beverage venues, wellness facilities or flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry's most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 45 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity, and inclusivity. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information, please visit group.accor.com or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok. Naomi Hammond Communications Manager - Pacific +61(0) 434 738 380 Accor The Luxury Hotelschool Paris and Culinary Arts School Lenotre have signed an unprecedented partnership to promote their respective expertise both in France and abroad. The first step in this partnership is the creation of a professional training program combining the best of French gastronomy with the top-of-the-range hotel management. The program is aimed at: Professionals wishing to enhance their leadership and management skills, deepen their knowledge in culinary arts, pastry-making or baking or simply develop their own business. Employees or Executives in career transition or retraining to reinforce their experience and develop new managerial and operational practices. Students and future professionals wishing to perfect their skill, reorient their careers, or move into management positions. This Operational Management Certificate in Culinary Arts & Luxury Hospitality therefore offers a comprehensive 15-week operational training program for rapid placement. This training specifically prepares participants for key positions such as: Restaurant Manager F&B Manager Hotel Director Food Service Manager The combination of our two areas of expertise enables us to offer an exceptional program that will enable our graduates to improve their performance and quality of service, while giving them the keys to rapidly adapting to change in the tourism and gastronomy sectors. Berangere Aubin, Director, Ecole des Arts Culinaires Lenotre Spain's New Traveller Registry Stirs Controversy in the Hotel and Travel Industry - Image Credit Pexels Spain's new law, the 'Traveller Registry,' will require travel agencies, hotels, and car hire firms to collect extensive customer data, causing an industry uproar. Industry experts warn that the additional administrative burden could increase travel costs. Spain's travel industry is bracing for potentially disruptive changes. A new law, effective December 2, imposes stringent data collection requirements on travel agencies, hotels, and car rental companies. The law, known as the 'Traveller Registry,' has drawn heavy criticism from industry insiders who fear it could lead to privacy infringements and rising travel costs. The law, encapsulated in the Royal Decree ("Real Decreto 933/2021"), mandates the collection of extensive personal information from customers, including full names, gender, ID numbers, nationality, birth date, home address, phone numbers, emails, and even familial relations if traveling with children. Furthermore, service providers are also obligated to provide comprehensive details about their operations. All this information must be submitted via an online system within 24 hours of service and approved by travelers aged 14 and above. Many in the industry, particularly those representing small businesses, have criticized the law as a 'bureaucratic nightmare'. They argue that the additional paperwork could push struggling firms to the brink of survival. Cehat, Spain's leading hotel association, has also expressed concerns about the potential privacy overreach and damage to Spain's reputation as a top-tier travel destination. Despite the outcry, the Ministry of the Interior maintains that the law does not demand more information than what is already collected. However, digital platforms and car rental companies have criticized these claims, citing numerous glitches in the system. The controversy surrounding the new law has reached Spain's Senate, where the Partido Popular (PP) and its allies have called for a delay in its implementation. However, the ruling left-wing PSOE party has defended the law, arguing that it is necessary to regulate new trends in the hospitality sector. Critics warn that the new requirements could lead to increased travel costs as businesses may have to extend working hours or hire additional staff to cope with the extra workload. The Ritz-Carlton, Belgrade - Image Credit Marriott International Marriott International has formalized an agreement with Danube Riverside d.o.o. Beograd to establish The Ritz-Carlton in Serbia, which is anticipated to launch in 2027. The Ritz-Carlton, Belgrade, aims to bring the brand's high standards of service and design to the Serbian capital. This project responds to Serbia's growing importance as a destination for both business and leisure travel. Sandeep Walia, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East & Luxury, Europe, Middle East & Africa at Marriott International, highlighted its commitment to expanding its brands in Serbia and the wider region. The Ritz-Carlton, Belgrade, will offer 193 rooms and suites, the Ritz-Carlton Club experience and two unique dining venues. Other planned amenities include an indoor swimming pool, fitness center, spa, and over 1,700 square meters of space for meetings and events. Ivan Bosnjak, Director of Millennium Team and Representative of Danube Riverside d.o.o. Beograd expressed his company's excitement about partnering with Marriott International. The hotel will be a key feature of a larger project that includes residential and office towers, a conference center, a marina, and a promenade, revitalizing the site of the former Hotel Jugoslavija. The hotel's location on Nikola Tesla Boulevard, near the Danube Riverfront, offers easy access to government institutions, the business district, Stark Arena, Sava Congress Centre and Belgrades old town. Belgrade, Serbia's capital, is known for its unique blend of historical charm, vibrant nightlife, cultural landmarks, and modern infrastructure, making it an attractive destination for a diverse range of travelers. Marriott International operates four properties in Serbia: The St. Regis Belgrade, Sheraton Novi Sad, Courtyard by Marriott Belgrade City Center and Moxy Belgrade. CIEL Tower, Dubai - Image Credit IHG Hotels & Resorts IHG Hotels & Resorts' Vignette Collection brand has announced that it has surpassed 50 open and pipeline properties. The announcement comes three years after the brand's introduction and marks a significant milestone towards its goal of 100 hotels within a decade. The Vignette Collection, launched in 2021, curates unique hotels and provides a platform for singular properties to leverage IHG's global scale and enterprise offering. Jane Mackie, SVP, Global Luxury & Lifestyle and Premium at IHG Hotels & Resorts, lauded the brand's growth and emphasized its role in supporting independent hotel owners. The Vignette Collection comprises 19 open global hotels and 34 forthcoming properties, marking the brand's debut in markets like Japan, Vietnam, and the Maldives. Tom Rowntree, Vice President of Luxury & Lifestyle Brands at IHG Hotels & Resorts, highlighted the brand's commitment to providing unique guest experiences and the potential for future growth. Among the Vignette Collection properties set to open soon are the CIEL Tower in Dubai, which will be the world's tallest hotel, the Shanghai Snow World Hotel, offering direct access to ski slopes, and the historic RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka. Also on the list is Noku Maldives, a private villa resort, and Hotel Franciscana, the first branded hotel in Mexico's historic town of Valladolid. IHG's Luxury and Lifestyle portfolio has grown significantly recently, encompassing 6 brands, over 500 hotels, and a pipeline of over 350 hotels. (From left to right: Pauleni Tsai, Assistant Managing Director, Elica Sdn Bhd, Dato Bobby Ting, Director, Elica Equity Sdn Bhd, Patrick Finn, Vice President, Development, South East Asia & Korea, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Emma Yap, Senior Manager, Development, South East Asia & Korea, IHG Hotels & Resorts) - Image Credit IHG Hotels & Resorts IHG Hotels & Resorts is set to introduce its voco hotel brand in Malaysia. The company has announced a partnership with Malaysian real estate developer Elica Equity Sdn Bhd to construct the 321-room voco Kuching. The hotel is slated to open in 2026 as part of a 12-story mixed-use development. The voco Kuching, IHG's first hotel in Sarawak, is a redevelopment of the independent Century Hotel. It will be part of IHG's voco brand, which includes 77 properties globally and an additional 80 in the pipeline. Patrick Finn, Vice President of Development for South East Asia & Korea at IHG Hotels & Resorts, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with Elica Equity. He stated that the new hotel will contribute to the economies of Kuching and Sarawak. The upcoming project is part of IHG's broader expansion plan in Malaysia, which includes introducing luxury and lifestyle brands Regent and Kimpton. Dato Bobby Ting, Director of Elica Equity, expressed pride in bringing the first voco hotel to Malaysia. He hopes the hotel will set a new standard for future voco properties in the country. The voco Kuching is located 15 minutes from the city center and five minutes from the Kuching International Airport. The hotel will feature a swimming pool, an all-day dining cafe, a lounge, a fitness center, and over 2,400 square meters of meeting spaces. The hotel aims to provide comfort and luxury, enhancing the travel experience for visitors exploring Sarawak. Kuching is gaining popularity as a tourist destination due to its rich culture, biodiversity, and expanding infrastructure. The city is expected to welcome four million tourists this year, matching 2019 levels. Currently, IHG operates ten hotels in Malaysia across five brands and plans to debut three new brands, including voco hotels, Regent, and Kimpton. LivAway Suites Launches Third Hotel in November, Expanding to Missoula, Montana - Image Credit Livaway Suites LivAway Suites, a national extended-stay hotel brand, has announced the opening of its newest location at 3455 W Broadway St, Missoula, Montana. This marks the third hotel the company has opened in November and the fourth overall. The company aims to offer affordable and comfortable accommodations across the country. Missoula has been attracting more remote workers, adding to its over 125,000 residents. Kevin Dailey, Chief Operating Officer of LivAway Suites, highlighted the potential of the new location, noting that the company's mission is to offer an enhanced extended-stay experience for travelers, including digital nomads and employees of major tourism, recreation, and healthcare companies in Missoula. Research from The University of Montana's Institute for Tourism and Recreation indicates that 12.5 million people visited Montana in 2022 and 2023. The city's thriving economy and cultural attractions make it a strategic location for LivAway Suites' fourth location. The city's main economic drivers include major institutions such as Saint Patrick Hospital and the University of Montana. Dailey stated that each new hotel opening underlines LivAway Suites' commitment to redefine value for guests and developers. The company's expansion into Missoula aligns with its strategy to integrate into economically prosperous communities, catering to workforce and tourism needs. LivAway Suites is planning significant growth to have 50 locations open or under construction by late 2026. The recent openings place it nationally at the forefront of new extended-stay hotel brands. Rendering of Courtyard by Marriott Knowledge Economic City - Image Credit Marriott International Marriott International Inc. has entered into an agreement with Knowledge Economic City (KEC) to establish three new hotels in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. The projects are expected to be part of KEC's master development plan and add over 1,200 rooms across three Marriott brands: Courtyard by Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton, and Residence Inn by Marriott. Amin Shaker, Chairman of KEC, expressed the companys commitment to enhancing the hospitality sector in Madinah. He expressed their delight in collaborating with Marriott International to set new hospitality standards in Madinah and support the Kingdom's Vision 2030 framework. Jerome Briet, Marriott International's Chief Development Officer for Europe, Middle East & Africa, highlighted the growth opportunities in the Holy Cities, emphasizing the strong demand for high-quality hotel accommodation. He said that the KEC project would aid in diversifying Madinah's economy and create a destination that embodies the Holy City's cultural and religious identity. The planned hotels include Courtyard by Marriott Knowledge Economic City, with 456 guestrooms; Four Points by Sheraton Knowledge Economic City, with 558 guestrooms; and Residence Inn by Marriott Knowledge Economic City, with 250 studios and apartments. The projects will be situated within KECs Islamic World District, featuring a museum, cultural center, and plaza exhibiting diverse Islamic cultures. KEC is developing a destination across 6.8 million square meters featuring hospitality, residential, retail, and commercial components. The key pillars of this project are technology, knowledge, and sustainability. KEC CEO Mohammad Al Mubarak affirmed KEC's commitment to providing an unparalleled lifestyle and hospitality experience for residents and visitors. He stated that the new hotels would play a crucial role in accommodating the increasing number of travelers to the Holy City. Madinah remains a significant focus for cultural, religious, and economic development in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom's Vision 2030 framework seeks to improve infrastructure, expand hospitality services, and establish new cultural and recreational attractions in the city. The new projects in Madinah are part of Marriott International's commitment to Saudi Arabia's tourism sector growth, where the company currently operates over 40 properties with more than 10,000 rooms across 13 brands. The owners of the vacant Berkshire Mall say they will pay their taxes and that a feasibility study on its reuse should be ready in a couple months. Lanesborough to Mall Owners: Pay Your Taxes LANESBOROUGH, Mass. The Select Board would like to see movement on the Berkshire Mall markedly the payment of taxes. Earlier this month, the Lanesborough Fire and Water District filed a suit for more than $105,000 in back taxes and interest. JMJ Holdings, which purchased the mall last year, owes about $211,000 to the town. The owners say they are plagued by the costs of stabilizing a rundown property that should not have gotten to its current state and cite "inhibitive" taxation from the Baker Hill Road District. Principal Jay Jones envisions the town taxes paid by February 2025, though he told the Select Board last Monday that it could be sooner. "Because you have not paid fiscal '24, all those real estate taxes that are due to the town, they are affecting our free cash certification," Selectwoman Deborah Maynard said. "Our free cash is lowered by the amount of money that you owe the town in real estate taxes so it does really hurt the town when you don't pay your taxes and you don't pay them on time." She said the mall also hasn't paid the first two quarters of FY25, making it six payments behind, and the tax collector is beginning the process of putting the property into tax title. Chairman Michael Murphy observed that the owners, who want the BHRD dissolved, were "holding $211,00 over our heads to get what you want." "We are about six or seven million dollars into this property so I think, I believe, and I know we will be able to handle a $211,000 tax bill," Jones said. He noted the JMJ did pay $800,000 in the first year of ownership. Jones said the taxes fell behind because of all the work that needed to be done to the vacant mall, as "it will never function right unless it's totally gutted." On top of the $4 million purchase investment, he reported spending almost another million to get it in shape for use. "We will be paying our taxes and we will be doing that shortly but it will be for the town of Lanesborough," he said. "As far as we're concerned, the Baker Hill Road District is a separate situation and we would like to come back to the town a second time and suggest something different in terms of the taxes when we have our other partner on board." Jones said JMJ has been in talks with another company for the past year on partnering transforming the former mall into senior housing and assistive living. Mark Siegars, the district's attorney said in an email Tuesday that the prudential committee is trying to recover unpaid taxes and interest for fiscal 2024 of $467,7111, plus interest accrued since July 1, 2024, at $177.57 per day. "The Baker Hill Road District, throughout the life of the project that we see, it's just not fiscally feasible," Grogan said. "We want to get the assessed value of this property up by putting a lot of money into it. We dream of 400 to 500 units and that all depends on what the feasibility study can support. We're not just looking at a standard run-of-the-mill senior care facility. We're looking at independent living, skilled nursing, memory care, palliative care, hospice care, and that's all being fed into this analysis as well as additional complexities such as exploring affordable housing although that is not the primary means of what we're for for this project." He said the owners do not feel represented by William Prendergast, chair of the BHRD, and questioned his election and the length of his term. "We're really trying to make as many strides as we can to get this to a financeable property and utilizing this to its highest and best use but we want the town to recognize how inhibitive the Baker Hill Road District is," Grogan said, later adding that they are trying to turn it into a win-win for everyone. There was some back and forth between the two bodies about the authority of the Select Board in making choices about the district. Siegars attempted to contribute to the conversation on Monday but was told that it was between the Select Board and the mall owners. In his email Tuesday, he noted that town meeting in 2023 "resoundingly defeated a citizen petition to dissolve the road district." "I'm not saying pro-Baker Hill or anti but I can tell you for the town, the Baker Hill Road District helps us because they are, for a lack of a better word, the taxing entity who, when you pay your bill, they give money to the town to pay for two officers, they give the money to pave, maintain the road," Selectman Timothy Sorrell said, asking how they can trust the mall owners when they aren't paying taxes. He suggested that the town look into the governance of the BHRD and Murphy suggested that the owners identify a person they would like to represent them on it. The prudential committee is made up of two members appointed by the town and one by the property owners. The feasibility study is expected to take another two months. The Select Board reiterated its wish to be informed about how the town can help move development along and get the property functioning again. "The point is and the real concern is, we want you to be comfortable, we want to bring these jobs and the situation here," Jones said. Board of Health members James Parkinson, left, Chair Win Stuebner and Devan Bartels participate in Monday's meeting. Williamstown Health Board Considers Local Rule on 'Flavored' Tobacco WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. The Board of Health on Monday heard a suggestion that the town code be updated to allow the local authority to bar the sale of items that run afoul of the commonwealth's prohibition of flavored tobacco products. Jim Wilusz of the Lee-based Tri-Town Health Department met with the board via Zoom during its monthly meeting. Wilusz runs a Tobacco Awareness Program that serves 12 Berkshire County towns plus the cities of North Adams and Pittsfield. He explained that in June, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health determined that five products labeled "non-menthol" in order to make them salable in the commonwealth in fact met the state's definition of "flavored." And the state agency instituted a ban. The problem, Wilusz said, is that the state likely will not be able to keep up with the ever-evolving marketing efforts of the tobacco industry as it tries to market its products to new users. "DPH is not going to keep coming out with these letters next year and the year after and the year after that," Wilusz said. "[Big tobacco] spends billions in marketing and developing new products." The solution, Wilusz suggested, is to incorporate into local bylaws the criteria outlined in the June 6, 2024, DPH letter. Specifically, the memo from DPH Commissioner Robert Goldstein lays out six factors that can be used to determine whether a tobacco product meets the definition of "flavored" under Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 270, Section 28. Those factors include: "whether a constituent in the tobacco product produces a distinguishable taste or aroma; "testimony or consumer reviews about the taste or aroma of a tobacco product; "product packaging or labeling; "public statements, claims, or indicia made by a manufacturer or an authorized agent of the manufacture "scientific articles; and "sworn testimony from persons familiar with tobacco industry or regulation." "I like the DPH protocol because it's very general and not super specific but it gives you broad ways to make a determination," Wilusz said. He advised the Williamstown BOH that it could insert the DPH language into the local bylaw, "so if a product comes in that is questionable, you can put a protocol in place and make a determination at a board meeting if the product is flavored." "Our job is not to bring piles of product to every board meeting," Wilusz said. "But if a product does come on the market and we see it when we're out and about or [Williamstown Health Inspector Ruth Russell] sees a product that is questionable, it at least gives the board a way to set up these protocols in advance." Board of Health Chair Dr. Erwin Stuebner said the panel should take up the idea at its January meeting. In other tobacco related news on Monday, Wilusz shared with the board an annual report from the 14-municipality Tobacco Awareness Program. A bright spot for Williamstown was that 8.9 percent of its adults smoke cigarettes, according to the latest figures from the commonwealth. That compares favorably with the 13.81 percent statewide average. However, most of the communities served by the program continue to run ahead of the state average with its two largest North Adams and Pittsfield standing at 32.57 percent and 20.84 percent, respectively. "Despite reductions in smoking prevalence due to strong comprehensive local and state laws, there is still a lot of work to do," the program's annual report reads. "We are still seeing prevalent tobacco use in the Berkshires, and there are strategies we can work on as a collaborative to reduce those trends. Vaping is an epidemic in our schools, and our young people are getting access to them. Families and friends in some cases aren't even aware of what a vape looks like." Stuebner asked Russell to try to seek out survey data on the use of tobacco among local youth. In other business, the Board of Health heard about a couple of enforcement actions to address conditions at two residences and got an update on the long-standing issues at the 6 House Pub and 1896 House inn on Cold Spring Road. Russell reported that a homeowner on North Hoosac Road appears to have addressed a concern related to "numerous haphazardly stored containers of waste cooking oil" that neighbors said were attracting rodents and bears. Russell said her inspection from the street showed that the issue was addressed; the board recommended she check in with the neighbors who reported the problem to see if they have continuing issues. A correction order on Longview Terrace continues to be on the health agent's plate. She told the board that a property there is in violation of the state's sanitary code because of rubbish blocking the back exit, an extreme refuse and rubbish in the yard and standing water in various containers on the property. Russell said she is working with the Brian O'Grady from the Council on Aging to communicate with the resident about possible solutions. At the 1896 House on Routes 2 and 7, the town is waiting on a plan of action to fix a number of electrical issues, including, potentially, overloaded circuits, improper clearance for electrical panels and improper wiring in the basement, Russell told the board. She shared a Nov. 26 letter that asks the inn's owner to submit a plan of action to the building inspector, wiring inspector, health inspector and fire chief by Dec. 6. Board member James Parkinson expressed frustration with the lack of a plan from the property owner. "It seems like you're doing all the work, and they are not," Parkinson said. "Right from the beginning, I sensed this dragging of feet. "I think we're at the point where we need to have a deadline. If these things are not done, the course of action may be to close them down." The board agreed that Russell should consult with the town's wiring inspector to determine an appropriate deadline to complete all the work taking into account the availability of licensed electricians and set a parameter to address the safety issues. As for the restaurant on the same property, Russell said the 6 House Pub is coming up on a one-year anniversary of a boiled water order after its former well failed. The owner is working toward getting a new well online; it has a February deadline to submit pressure test results to the Department of Environmental Protection, she said. Tuesday 3 December 2024, 13:19 - Last updated: 4 December, 15:21 What lies behind the Emanuela Orlandi case? Over forty years after her disappearance in Rome, investigations continue to try to understand what might have happened on June 22, 1983. Fedez and Mr.Marra have decided to dedicate the second episode of Pulp Podcast to an interview with Francesca Chaoqui. Known as the "Papessa," she was very close to Pope Francis, having been selected among the seven members of Cosea. Her name is directly linked to the Vatileaks scandal. Thus, she chose to tell her personal story and delve into some behind-the-scenes aspects of Vatican life: the death of banker Calvi, the relationship between the Banda della Magliana and the IOR, the importance of Italy today, and Bergoglio's discourse on "fr*******ne". The Appointment to Cosea "The appointment to Cosea (the pontifical commission for study and guidance on the organization of the economic-administrative structure, ed.) is fiduciary. The Holy Father chooses me as the only Italian and the only woman among seven members worldwide. Among various tasks, we had to rationalize the finances, the Vatican's economy, because Pope Benedict's resignation had revealed that the Holy See's finances needed better management. During talks with the cardinals before the conclave, Pope Francis understands that one of the first things he must address is rationalizing the finances. For this reason, three months later, he decides to allow it to seven lay members, only the secretary of this commission was a prelate. We had to check, open the drawers of the budgets and all the dicasteries of the Holy See, and take a snapshot of the state of these finances and propose reforms that would make the management of economic affairs transparent." State Secret "What I discovered in detail is and remains the property of the Holy See covered by state secret and will therefore not be disclosed. A management of the finances that unfortunately was not in line with what Pope Francis had envisioned has become public. I discover a non-transparent fund management. The simplest to make transparent and efficient was the IOR, followed by the APSA, more complicated was the Secretariat of State. There is also a reserved fund, the Peter's Pence, which is the fund that receives charity offerings from around the world. Every year they should be around 50 million." Vatileaks "During the work, the commission discovers that in the Secretariat of State, some money from Peter's Pence is being invested to buy a building in London. It is paid much more than its real value, but a series of negotiations lead the Holy See to lose about 300 million euros. The freedom of how, when, and where to invest was wanted to be kept out of any control. There is a curia that resists and wants to maintain this freedom. I arrive in the corridor of the third loggia in the apostolic palace, an enormous silence, and only the sound of heels could be heard. There was Cardinal Angelo Becciu who wanted to invest in an oil platform in Angola. I arrive and say it's better not to do it. He practically threatens me. A year later, he involves me in the leak of news that occurs because the secretary of the commission, Monsignor Vallejo, wanted to tell the press what he had discovered because journalist transparency was a pillar of the reform. Cardinal Becciu asks who introduced the journalists to Monsignor Baldi, and it was me. I am arrested. Vatileaks 1 is linked to Ratzinger, when the financial scandals of the first management of Pope Francis end up in the newspaper for the first time. The second is the result of the commission's work." The Arrest "How does it work? The commander of the gendarmerie calls me to talk, realizes I hadn't committed any crime, but is ordered not to let me leave the state. I am interrogated again. Cardinal Becciu, unbeknownst to the Holy Father, orders my arrest. I feel unwell and am taken to a hospital in Italy, discovering I am pregnant. My lawyer Giulia Buongiorno tells me that being back on Italian soil, I am free and should go home. The fact of being a woman, my "Calabresita," and stubbornness come out, and I decide to return spontaneously to the Vatican. I am acquitted of the charge of publishing confidential documents and convicted for lack of prudence of the good family father for introducing journalists. Becciu is "de-cardinalized," a horrible trial conducted in 4-5 different states, leading to 36 years in prison. One of the things he is convicted for is 500,000 euros from the Secretariat of State donated to a woman, Cecilia Marogna, to handle intelligence for freeing a nun, and she, with no assignments and selling phones in Sardinia, starts buying necklaces and sofas." World Scandal "It turns into a global scandal, the commissioner of Pope Francis had leaked the news, the "Papessa." My reputation is completely wiped out. I am made to appear as the lover of the commission's secretary. Everything happens in a sneaky way. If journalists publish the piece, maybe you take the mother or have them meet the Holy Father. "But do you know that Chaoqui had the priest?" I would have even left a babydoll in a hotel after a night of passion with the priest. If you manage to demolish the person from whom the news leaks, the news loses value." The Relationship with Pietro Orlandi "Pietro Orlandi is one of the people with the greatest willpower I have ever met and also has enormous pain. When he tells me about his mother living in the Vatican, a stone's throw from where Pope Francis lived, and asks her where his sister is, it breaks me. I was the one who told Pietro that in this story, he needed legal assistance. I introduced him to my lawyer, who became his lawyer, with whom I no longer speak, and I don't know why. Pietro is convinced that I know more things than what is public and what I have publicly said about his sister. During an exchange of messages, which Pietro has because they are part of the Vatileaks file, I talk to Monsignor Vallejo and ask how he wants to handle things concerning the Orlandi. During the commission's work, five sheets came out of a safe, a shopping list that the Holy See had faced to manage the case. These sheets are made public, and Fittipaldi writes a book about it, but the Vatican recognizes that they are false. It is faked by Vallejo, who needed to create an alibi for the document leak he intended to do. The documents then return by mail. Not trusting anymore, he says to put that box at Santa Maria Maggiore. Pietro is convinced it contains things about his sister, the Vatican investigates and discovers it was no longer there. Pietro asks for the Tomb of the Angel to be opened, a tomb inside the Teutonic cemetery where it was believed there might be remains of Emanuela Orlandi. For the first time, authorization is given for it to be opened. Do you know who is a person who strives for this to happen? Becciu." "The Commission is Useless" "I don't want to go to the commission of inquiry because it seems to me that the underlying assumption is that the Vatican knows, and we have to find out. This is something I cannot tolerate because I know it is not so. The Vatican does not know where Emanuela Orlandi is. The official bodies of the state. If the state, the Holy Father, or the Secretariat knew where and what happened, it would be complicit in a crime. Only individual people alive at the time or those who came into contact with this story might have more information. What are we searching for? Compared to revisiting and re-listening to characters, no step forward has been made because unfortunately there is no real lead to start from. If the commission today had the magical power to rewind the tape and show what happened to Emanuela that day, it would be useful to do so, but I don't understand what direction things should take. Instead, it is as if the commission is on what the Vatican is hiding from us. An inquiry has been opened within the Vatican, spending public money to solve nothing. I would throw myself into the fire for the conviction that if any pontiff, even a bad one if he ever existed, never, at any cost, even if it were the worst scandal, could be complicit in concealing a corpse. Imagine a Pope being complicit in a murder." The Orlandi Case "I have formed an opinion by reading what is out there. I think she was kidnapped, she did not die because she fell into the Tiber fundamentally. She was not killed at the time of the kidnapping, but there was a period when Emanuela remained alive. I don't know if it was in London or where, but she was in the hands of the kidnappers. This period was not managed well, and perhaps the Vatican of the time should or could have made different choices. I think it lasted for many years. That year many girls were kidnapped in Rome, and I don't believe there was a role in pedophilia, it is not the modus operandi of some things." The Banda della Magliana "Here I allow myself to break the secret. I have seen all the IOR documents, I have never seen the Banda della Magliana. Let's dispel this myth that it invested in the IOR. It is a big-enormous nonsense because it does not appear in any document. The money was never put into the IOR. That Renatino De Pedis had relations with the basilica of Sant'Apollinare is a fact because otherwise, he would not have been buried there. But having relations with that priest does not mean investing the Banda della Magliana's money in the IOR. Around the Vatican, there are a lot of myths and boasters that are enormous nonsense." The Death of Banker Calvi "Any institution made by men is permeable to problems. That Calvi did not frequent proper environments is a fact because there was the Ambrosiano case and a series of scandals. That the Vatican killed him, that there was the Opus Dei with people capable of killing is crazy. I don't think he committed suicide, but I don't think the Vatican has a role or knows something. I think he was killed by someone outside. I have never seen the documents of this case, so I have no idea what might have actually happened. The entities of the Holy See are not places where people who approach disappear or are killed. This is the collective imagination that is sometimes wanted to be built, it is absurd." Fedez Hosts the Pope? Fedez: "We came very close to closing an episode with the Pope, which after this we will never do. For the Vatican it would have been a very smart move at a communication level because even just sitting at a table that is not predominantly institutional, buttoned-up, and where everything is programmed, certain types of themes can also be addressed. Seeing the Holy Father personally addressing things that do not concern him personally but that fall under the Vatican's umbrella is something that could be a nice step forward." The Pope on "fr*******ne" "The real gay in front of such a thing laughs, he cannot take offense. I think you cannot be offended by this thing. On the subject of homosexuality, Francis has done everything. Sexual orientation does not imply access to the seat. The Pope has crystallized a type of behavior in the Vatican. It is not used in the sexual sense of homosexuality but like "you are scheming." It was a discourse of attitude." "Italy Matters Little" "We meddle in the discussions of any country. We are at the UN for the protection of the good that is made by not aborting and taking care of children. Today's Vatican cares very little about Italy, it is not like it used to be when maybe the cardinal called to appoint the CEO of Rai. It has no interest in what are the life of Italian companies, the appointments of administrators, and politics. We don't wake up in the morning to see what happened in Italy." Pietro Orlandi's Response Pietro Orlandi published a story on Instagram: "Probably, Francesca, your need to get closer to the Vatican has prevailed over your sense of Justice. Now for you, on Emanuela's kidnapping, the Vatican knows nothing, there are no documents, the Popes would never hide the Truth, you have no idea what happened (instead you have an idea) and certainly, there is no responsibility of the Vatican. You tell this to Pulp Podcast with Fedez and Mr.Marra, but it's not what you told me the 7 years I have known you, and I'm sorry." 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 The Godfather director Francis Ford Coppola has apologised for a Hollywood trend that he believes he started with his gangster film trilogy. Coppola, who recently released his passion project, Megalopolis, his first movie in 13 years, which was greeted with applause and jeers when it premiered at Cannes. The 85-year-old director has claimed that he accidentally started the sequels trend when making the first two Godfather films between 1972 and 1974. The first part of the crime epic, starring Al Pacino and Marlon Brando, was a massive success upon its release and Paramount Pictures was keen for him to make another film. However, according to an interview with The Washington Post, Coppola said that he made certain demands which he thought would dissuade the studio from greenlighting the movie, such as calling it The Godfather Part II, inspired by the two-part Russian silent films, Ivan the Terrible. Coppola says that the name suggestion was called nuts by the studio but they agreed to go ahead with it when he threatened to leave the project. So Im the jerk that started numbers on movies, says Coppola, Im embarrassed, and I apologise to everyone. open image in gallery Francis Ford Coppola ( 2024 Invision ) Earlier this year, Coppola made another admission about The Godfather. Writing on Instagram, Coppola recalled: Like every young aspiring film director, I dreamed of one day winning the Best Director Oscar and holding that statue in my hand. In 1973, when The Godfather was nominated, it seemed as if my dream was going to come true, because I had won the Directors Guild award and usually the winner of that wins the Oscar. Only a few times before had that not happened (in 1968, DGA winner Anthony Harvey lost to Carol Reed). 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 So when I went to the award ceremony that night, and witnessed the success of The Godfather with other awards, I felt it likely I would win. I confess I was surprised when the winner was announced and it was not me, but Bob Fosse for Cabaret. At the time I was heartbroken and remember the owner of Paramount consoling me with, Well Francis, you won the Bank of America award! open image in gallery Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone in The Godfather (1972) ( Paramount Pictures ) Coppola concluded: But reflecting now I must tell you the truth: I am glad that it was Bob Fosse, who certainly deserved it. What an extraordinarily talent and a sweet loveable man as well. His work is monumental, not only for Cabaret and later Lenny but for the extraordinary All That Jazz. As I look back on that time, I can honestly say Im grateful I lost to such a man as Bob Fosse! 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 Daniel Craig has made a rare admission about one of the James Bond films he starred in. The actor played the British spy in the 007 franchise from 2006 film Casino Royale right through to No Time to Die in 2022. While the actor has bluntly made it clear he does not care about the future of the series, he has been looking back at his time playing the character, reflecting in particular on his second Bond outing Quantum of Solace. The Knives Out actor, who is being tipped for an Oscar nomination for his role in Luca Guadagninos Queer, starred in the film during the 2007-2008 writers strike that rocked many film and TV productions at the time. Craig described the sequel as a difficult second album and said it was a f***ing nightmare making the film as they were mostly without a script when cameras started rolling. We should never have started production, he told The Hollywood Reporter, before sharing a revelation that he admitted he probably shouldnt say according to Craig, he ended up writing a lot of lines for the film. While the film has been reappraised in recent years, with many taking into account its trouble production when assessing it, Craig does not class himself as one of its fans. He said: There are some amazing stunt sequences in it but it just didnt quite work. The storytelling wasnt there. Thats a lesson starting a movie without a script is not a good idea. Craig injured himself three times while making Quantum of Solace something he detailed in several follow-up interviews. Daniel Craig in Quantum of Solace ( Eon Productions ) However, when he reflected on the things he regrets about his time playing Bond, he said he wishes he had not complained about hurting himself on set so much. 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 Craig told The Los Angeles Times in 2022: Im pissed off at myself that I ever even spoke about them. Its my fault because I kind of didnt shut up about the fact that I had all these injuries. The physical side of the movies was just the job. I had to do it. I trained, learned the fights, thats kind of my brain not working. I put way more work into the creative side of those movies than I did into the physical side of those movies. Guadagninos Queer, which Craig stars in alongside Drew Starkey, is released on 13 December. Next year, hell reprise the role of sleuth Benoit Blanc in a third Knives Out film, the trailer of which shocked viewers thanks to the actors unrecognisable new hairdo. 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 Two-time Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn has piled criticism on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) for limiting imagination and cultural expression. The 64-year-old outspoken actor, who won his first Oscar in 2004 for his lead role in Mystic River, made the remarks over the weekend at the Marrakech International Film Festival, where he was honored for his career achievements. The Academy have exercised really extraordinary cowardice when it comes to being part of the bigger world of expression, and in fact, have largely been part of limiting the imagination and very limiting of different cultural expressions, Penn said at a press conference. So I dont... get very excited about what well call the Academy Awards [except for] when a film like The Florida Project, or Im Still Here, or, you know, Emilia Perez, of the things that are likely to happen this year, he said of the critically acclaimed independent films. The Independent has reached out to the Academy for comment. He also addressed the controversy surrounding Ali Abbasis Donald Trump biopic, The Apprentice, saying: When something sneaks through, its to be celebrated. Sean Penn slams the cowardice Oscars for limiting the imagination ( Getty Images for World Class Canada ) Its jaw-dropping how afraid this business of mavericks is of a great film like that. One with great, great acting, he added of the movie, led by Sebastian Stan as President-elect Trump and Jeremy Strong as his lawyer and mentor Roy Cohn. [Its amazing] that they too can be as afraid as a piddly little Republican congressman. Earlier at the festivals Saturday night gala, where he and his 30-year-old girlfriend, Moldovan model Valeria Nicov, made their red carpet debut, Penn implored people to be as politically incorrect as their heart desires. For those of you with any familiarity with me and what has been my life, youll understand that I dont often miss the opportunity to say an opinion, he said during his acceptance speech. Penn earned his second Oscar in 2009 for his portrayal of Harvey Milk in Gus Van Sants Oscar-nominated movie about the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California. 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 He earned three Best Actor nominations before that for I Am Sam (2002), Sweet and Lowdown (2000) and Dead Man Walking (1996). He currently stars in the forthcoming Ukrainian movie War Through the Eyes of Animals and Paul Thomas Andersons crime thriller The Battle of Baktan Cross. Penn previously raged against The Academy for its refusal to invite the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to speak at the 2022 awards show via telecast. The Oscars producer thought, Oh, hes not light-hearted enough, he said in a 2023 interview with Variety. Well, guess what you got instead? Will Smith! Penn said, referring to Smiths infamous altercation with presenter Chris Rock during the 94th Oscars. This f***ing bulls*** wouldnt have happened with Zelensky, the actor said. Will Smith would never have left that chair to be part of stupid violence. It never would have happened. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Get our The Life Cinematic email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy In Robert Eggerss Nosferatu, the vampire is reincarnated. He has shed his sparkle, his languid melancholy, his cobweb-speckled absurdity. He comes for you now yes, you as the murmuring voice in the dark, the one that calls your desires perverse and your soul unnatural. This creature feeds on shame, of both the faithful and the faithless. And he is as true to us as he was to FW Murnau, director of 1922s original Nosferatu, or to Bram Stoker, whose novel Dracula provided the (unofficial, legally ruled as copyright infringement) source material. Does evil come from within us or from beyond? asks Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp), the convulsing, hysteric target of vampiric attention. Eggerss interpretation of the classic novel, via the classic silent film, is not only a luxurious, Gothic revelation its also one of the most profoundly, seductively frightening horrors in years, all because its terrors seem to crawl right out from our own stomachs. In 1838, Ellens bland but well-meaning husband Thomas (a perfectly tuned Nicholas Hoult) is sent out to the Carpathian Mountains in order to facilitate the purchase of a property in his German hometown by the enigmatic Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgard). He is, of course, a vampire. And a vampire is the ultimate vessel of sex and death. Skarsgards transformation into the demonically unrecognisable is too genuine a surprise to spoil here. But the wheezing rumble of his voice, and its rolled Rs, allows him to repulse as much as he seduces. His voice seems to emanate not from his mouth, but from the walls themselves. He sucks blood not from the neck, but down on the breast, accompanied by rhythmic thrusting. Its erotic, but not in the satisfying sense. He is an addiction that brings no pleasure. Hes trailed always by an army of plague-ridden rats, which seem to drive seemingly level-headed folks like Friedrich (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Anna (Emma Corrin) Harding into apocalyptic despair. Disease is an ever-present fear, and Eggerss Nosferatu has been a decade in the making yet, now, in the shadow of a pandemic, its sensations feel sharper than ever. Murnaus film, after all, was released shortly after the end of the Spanish flu epidemic. On screen, Jarin Blaschkes cinematography forges a visual battle between the romantic, religious ecstasy of 19th-century painter Caspar David Friedrich, and a stark, occultist, near-monochrome look that evokes Murnaus original film. Nosferatu is about the collision of worlds, faith versus reason, as Stokers novel was before it. Eggers is a historian at heart, and his invocation of the 1830s is as staggeringly detailed as his Viking epic The Northman (2022) or 17th-century folk horror The Witch (2015) before it (so accurate, in fact, that its title was stylised as The VVitch). Linda Muirs costumes and Craig Lathrops production design are equally unassailable. Here, what would typically be the silent moments before a scare are interrupted by the gentle hiss of a gas lamp. The directors work is a necessary rebuke to a culture thats become a little too fond of the modernised adaptation valid, at times, but never free from the disparaging notion that Murnaus images or Stokers words have lost their power. Its nice to imagine that Nosferatu would play as well for an audience in the 1830s as it would now. Yet Eggerss perspective is a carefully placed one. He tests those boundaries of faith and reason, especially when the latters patriarchal rule would suppose that Ellens epileptic fits are best cured by having her sleep in a corset to encourage correct posture. Depp trouble: Lily-Rose Depp in Robert Eggerss Nosferatu' ( Focus Features ) Depp does magnificent work in embodying the sense of existing out of place, not only in the violent contortions and grimaces of supernatural possession, but in the way Ellens gaze seems to look out beyond her conversation partner and into some undefinable abyss. Her father denounced her sensitivity as sinful. Her husband cowered from her sexual desires. Its Professor Von Franz (Willem Dafoe, in all his cackling glory), the storys Van Helsing, who offers her some small reprieve: those who have already faced the darkness are the most capable of defeating it. Nosferatu not only revitalises a classic monster, it reminds us why they matter at all. Dir: Robert Eggers. Starring: Bill Skarsgard, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Willem Dafoe. Cert 15, 132 mins. Nosferatu is in cinemas from 1 January 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 Im a Celebrity fans have been left floored by Declan Donnellys Reverend Richard Coles quip. Donnelly and his presenting partner Ant McPartlin are known for their witty segments in between the action from camp, but one moment in the latest episode (2 December) has become a particular highlight. The joke occurred after Coles issued a scathing swipe at Dean McCullough, who was the second campmate to be eliminated from the 2024 series. In Mondays show, in the aftermath of his departure Coles poked fun at the furore surrounding McCulloughs efforts in helping out around the camp, asking: Whos going to not fetch our water now? Earlier in this series, McCullough was tasked with collecting water each day alongside his fellow Radio 1 star Melvin Odoom but routinely vanished every time the task needed completing. Odoom complained to his campmates about the situation, saying that the water duties had been a lone man situation for him as McCullough was very good at disappearing whenever theres work to be done. When the camera cut back to Donnelly and McPartlin, the former said: Father Richard? More like Father Bitchard. McPartlin, who had been laughing, suddenly stopped and feigned shock as members of the production team could be heard laughing in the background. Donnelly, mimicking Maura Higgins, then said: Sorry, Father. Viewers rushed to X/Twitter to share their approval of the moment, with many deeming it hilarious. That just killed me off, one fan wrote, with another writing: That completely floored me. An additional viewer chimed in: Ant and Dec make me howl, I swear. Im a Celebrity host Declan Donnelly ( ITV ) One person who grew frustrated with McCullough during his time on the show was McPartlin, who admitted that he acted unprofessionally when he called the contestant out for his poor effort in one of the Bushtucker Trials. McCullough himself addressed this interaction upon leaving the jungle, saying that he felt like McPartlin was genuinely cross with him. 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 Daniel Craig has called out Stephen Colbert for mispronouncing his name over the years. The 56-year-old actor made the clarifications about his name during Mondays (December 2) episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. During the segment, Craig explained the correct way to pronounce his last name, since Colbert had said it wrong in the past. I have a bone to pick with you, Craig said, prompting Colbert to ask: You have a bone to pick with me? Yeah. Six shows, say my name, the Knives Out star responded. After Colbert said his name, Craig said: Oh, now youre doing it right. Colbert questioned if hed said Craigs name wrong earlier, asking: Why, did I say, Creg? The No Time to Die star then confirmed that Colbert said his name wrong the last six times the actor was on the show. Its a diphthong. I dont say, Colbet, Craig replied, referring to a speech that combines two vowel sounds within the same syllable. Daniel Craig teaches Stephen Colbert how to pronounce his name ( YouTube ) As the audience laughed in response, Colbert attempted to pronounce the name correctly, saying: Daniel Craig. Did I not say, Daniel Craig? The Queer star repeated the mispronunciation, saying: Daniel Creg you dont hear the difference. After Colbert asked the actor to explain how to pronounce his name one more time, Craig repeated the correct pronunciation of his name followed by the wrong pronunciation for the TV host. Ooh, I hear the difference. That is subtle, Colbert responded. And I apologize. Craig expressed his gratitude for the apology, before Colbert hilariously chimed in again: I dont want you, Daniel Craig, to be mad at me. Daniel Creg [sic], f*** that guy, the talk show host continued. Daniel Craig, I am so sorry. Please accept my apology. 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 He shook Craigs hand and asked if hed been making this mistake the last six times the actor has appeared on the Late Show. Craig nodded and hilariously hit the table, before saying: Its fine its fine, whatever. Colbert then made the offer that Craig could pronounce his name as Cole-bert rather than Cole-bear. The Skyfall star appeared on the late night talk show to discuss his new film, Queer. The movie, in which Craig stars alongside Outer Banks actor Drew Starkey, hits theaters on December 13. While doing press for the Luca Guadagnino-directed film, hes also looked back at some of his iconic projects, including his stint as James Bond. Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter, Craig admitted it was a f***ing nightmare making his second Bond film, Quantum of Solace, as he was mostly without a script when cameras started rolling. We should never have started production, he said. He then made a revelation that he probably shouldnt say, claiming he ended up writing a lot of lines for the film. While the movie has been reappraised in recent years, Craig does not class himself as one of its fans. There are some amazing stunt sequences in it but it just didnt quite work. The storytelling wasnt there. Thats a lesson starting a movie without a script is not a good idea, he said. Next year, Craig will reprise the role of sleuth Benoit Blanc in a third Knives Out film, the trailer of which shocked viewers thanks to the actors unrecognizable new hairdo. 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 This year, the BBC has lurched from crisis to crisis, repeatedly rocked by damaging allegations against its high-profile male staff. As 2024 began, the fallout from explosive claims against its top anchor, Huw Edwards, still loomed large, sending shockwaves through Broadcasting House as the full story unfolded. Meanwhile, serious allegations against Russell Brand also deepened as the year wore on. Then, to a lesser extent, damning accusations were levelled at other top BBC stars, including presenter Jermaine Jenas and Strictly Come Dancing professionals Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima. Each incident has sparked furious backlash, leaving the corporation with a bruised reputation, mounting pressure, and calls for urgent reform. Now, as another male BBC starMasterChef presenter Gregg Wallacefaces a string of separate allegations, The Independent examines the broadcasters tumultuous year. open image in gallery Gregg Wallace is the latest in a series of male BBC stars to have allegations made against him ( PA Wire ) January The BBC started the year grappling with the fallout from its highest-paid newsreader, Huw Edwards, who had been arrested weeks earlier over allegations of accessing indecent images of children via WhatsApp. Edwards, who had been suspended but remained on the payroll, would dominate headlines throughout the year, culminating in his identification as the presenter accused of paying a young person for sexually explicit images. Meanwhile, in January, Russell Brand, a former BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music host, denied allegations of inappropriate workplace behaviour during an interview with ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson, describing the accusations as very, very hurtful. In September 2023, Russell Brand was accused of rape, assault, and emotional abuse spanning 2006 to 2013 in a joint investigation by Channel 4 Dispatches and The Times and The Sunday Times. Following the documentary, further complainants contacted both the BBC and the Metropolitan Police, prompting the broadcaster to launch an investigation into Brands time at the corporation. Separately, the year began with reports from The Sun that actress Amanda Abbington, who had withdrawn from Strictly Come Dancing months earlier, had requested rehearsal footage with her partner Giovanni Pernice. Abbington revealed she had been diagnosed with mild PTSD as a result of her time on the show. open image in gallery Russell Brand, who worked on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music programmes from 2006 to 2008, denies all allegations against him ( Getty ) February The BBC apologised to the family of the young person at the centre of the Edwards scandal. A report, commissioned in the wake of the outrage, found a need for greater consistency in how complaints at the corporation were processed. March Strictly professional Pernice told The Mirrors Invite Only podcast it was a shame that Ms Abbington left the show early as he felt they could have gone all the way. April Edwards resigned, leaving the BBC on the basis of medical advice from his doctors, according to the corporation. In an interview with The Sun, the mother of the young person at the centre of the cash for photos scandal said their family was still suffering and still have so many questions following the newsreaders resignation from the BBC. open image in gallery Former BBC broadcaster Huw Edwards received a suspended sentence for possessing indecent images of children ( PA Wire ) May Strictly professional Pernice rejected allegations that he displayed abusive or threatening behaviour while working as a professional dancer amid reports that the BBC was looking into complaints about his conduct on the show. The BBC promised to handle any complaints with care, fairness and sensitivity to all sides, following reports about Pernices teaching methods. June Edwards was charged with three counts of making indecent images of children for offences, which were alleged to have taken place between December 2020 and April 2022, following a Met Police investigation. Separately, the BBC confirmed Pernice would not return as a professional in 2024. Pernice said in an Instagram statement that he was co-operating fully with the ongoing BBC investigation, which will determine the truth. July It emerged that Edwards was paid more than 475,000 by the BBC in the previous year before he resigned and left the corporation. It is also revealed that the famed BBC anchor was arrested in November 2023 and charged with making indecent images of children in June. According to the charge sheet, Edwards was accused of having six category A images, 12 category B pictures and 19 category C photographs on WhatsApp. open image in gallery Giovanni Pernice rejects allegations that he displayed abusive or threatening behaviour while working as a professional dancer ( Getty Images ) Edwards pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children and admitted having 41 on WhatsApp, including seven of the most serious type. The BBC admitted it knew of Edwards arrest over accessing indecent images of children in November but continued employing him until April. The corporation also issued an internal note to staff co-signed by BBC director-general Tim Davie, chief executive of BBC News & Current Affairs Deborah Turness, and Leigh Tavaziva, the BBC Groups chief operating officer, which said they were appalled. The Metropolitan Police said the man who shared indecent images of children with Edwards was 25-year-old convicted paedophile Alex Williams. Also this month, updated BBC guidelines on relationships in the workplace warned staff that using celebrity status to influence people to make a decision in ones favour is an abuse of power. Separately, another professional dancer on Strictly, Graziano Di Prima, confirmed his departure from the show amid reports of allegations about his conduct with a past participant on the show. Ms Abbington told The Sunday Times that Strictly was tough and horrible and added that the aftermath had been really brutal and it just hasnt stopped. Love Island star Zara McDermott responded to reports about her alleged mistreatment on the show and said she has spoken candidly about her time on the show to the BBC. open image in gallery in August, Jermaine Jenas was sacked by the BBC in a move that ends his time as a presenter on Match of the Day and The One Show ( Getty Images ) The corporation announced measures to strengthen welfare and support on the show including a chaperone who would watch dress rehearsals at all times. August Whistleblowers were critical of an internal inquiry into Edwards behaviour after they spoke to the corporations investigation team. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy held urgent talks with Mr Davie and asked the BBC to look into whether it could recoup money from Edwards pay packet. The corporation said Edwards resigned without notice or financial settlement during a confidential disciplinary process. The teenager at the centre of cash for photos allegations said they felt groomed by the broadcaster and sick after learning he was charged with child sex crimes. Also this month, a Doctor Who episode featuring the voice of Edwards was temporarily removed from BBC iPlayer to be redubbed. Edwards was stripped of his membership of the prestigious Gorsedd of the Bards Welsh arts association, while he resigned from two honorary positions at his former university in Wales. However, the BBC retained the Bafta it won for royal coverage fronted by the disgraced newsreader. Then, BBC chairman Samir Shah called Edwards a villain who behaved in bad faith, taking licence fee money to the tune of hundreds of thousands of pounds in an email to BBC colleagues. open image in gallery Graziano Di Prima denied he is an abusive man ( MailOnline ) Separately, in August, former footballer Jermaine Jenas was sacked, ending his time as a presenter on Match of the Day and The One Show amid reports he was the subject of complaints over inappropriate behaviour. Without elaborating, a spokesperson said: We can confirm that he is no longer part of our presenting line-up. Jenas subsequently said there were two sides to every story and that he was not happy after being axed following the complaints about workplace conduct, adding that he would be speaking to his lawyers about it. In a later interview with The Sun, Jenas apologised and said he was ashamed over messages to female colleagues, but insisted his behaviour was not illegal. On another note, Di Prima denied he was an abusive man, and said he did not know from where McDermott's allegations had stemmed from. He claimed he kicked the floor in frustration, and did not mean to hit her. At the end of a turbulent month for the BBC, Mr Davie said the broadcaster had been let down by several controversies, which rocked the corporation in recent months and involved high-profile presenters and TV shows. September Mr Shah admitted that Edwards damaged the reputation of the corporation while being questioned before the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee. Edwards appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court for his sentencing hearing and was handed six months imprisonment, suspended for two years. open image in gallery BBC director-general Tim Davie says the broadcaster has been let down by several controversies ( Getty Images ) October The BBC appointed a consultancy firm to conduct an independent review of its workplace culture following the series of scandals. Director-General Tim Davie stated that he has kind of banned referring to senior staff at the corporation as talent. Meanwhile, Giovanni Pernice expressed relief that the BBCs investigation into his behaviour while teaching Amanda Abbington had concluded, adding that he wouldnt change his teaching style. The inquiry followed Abbingtons claims of a toxic environment and inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying. The BBC upheld some, but not all of her complaints against the professional dancer. While no findings of physical aggression were made, complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld, according to the PA news agency at the time. November The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has confirmed it is considering whether to bring charges against Russell Brand after the Metropolitan Police passed on an evidence file concerning sex offence allegations against the 49-year-old. Brand has denied the accusations, stating that all his sexual relationships were absolutely always consensual. Separately, MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace is facing a series of allegations, including making inappropriate sexual jokes and other complaints about his behaviour. The 60-year-old is accused by 13 individuals spanning a 17-year period across various shows, according to BBC News, with others since coming forward to share similar experiences. In response to reports that multiple complaints about Wallace had been raised with the BBC, a spokesperson for the corporation said it would not comment on individuals or internal HR processes. However, they added: It would be wrong to suggest the BBC has done nothing if or when matters have been raised with us not least because it is already widely reported there were interventions in both 2017 and 2018 where action was taken. December Wallace initially responded to the allegations against him by claiming they came from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age in an Instagram post that prompted a fierce backlash. He later apologised for any offence that I caused. 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 Jon Stewart has explained why hes OK with Joe Biden pardoning his son Hunter Biden over criminal convictions. The outgoing US president, who has just under two months left in office before Donald Trump takes over, has granted his son clemency for felony gun and tax crimes despite vowing he wouldnt In June, Hunter, 54, was convicted of three federal gun charges related to his purchase of a firearm in 2018. Three months later, he pleaded guilty to nine federal tax charges in September. While Whoopi Goldberg has defended Biden over the move, arguing that presidents often make questionable pardons, many are particularly frustrated with the president due to his previous claims he wouldnt. Stewart addressed the subject on The Daily Show, stating on Monday (2 December): Motherf***er, we were so close. But you know what? Good, OK, fine, its good, its right, its his right. Hes an 82-year-old man, doesnt want to spend the rest of his life visiting his son in prison. But the one reason he is not entirely fussed is because he believes Republicans get away with this s*** all the time. Stewart added: Im sure the pardon is a narrowly written, precisely drawn farewell note of compassion for a loved one. He then poked fun at Bidens statement, in which he said the pardon covered offences his son has committed or may have committed or taken part in. open image in gallery Jon Stewart says hes OK with Joe Bidens decision to pardon Hunter for one reason ( YouTube ) Here, he referenced the many worlds and timelines featured in DC and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), quipping: Im surprised Biden didnt include the phrase on Earth 1 or any of the Earths in the multiverse, he said. 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 Goldberg pointed out Trumps longlist of pardons while discussing Bidens decision on The View. They do it every time, they pardon somebody, so Im not sure why the pearl-clutching is happening now, Goldberg said. open image in gallery Joe Biden has pardoned his son Hunter ( AFP via Getty Images ) But fellow panellist Alyssa Farah Griffin hit back at this idea, pointing out that she has an immediate family member who had been in and out of jail over addiction issues who was unable to get their record expunged in the hope of broadening their employment opportunities. Griffin, a former member of Trumps White House communications team, said Hunters pardoning feeds the notion to a lot of this country that theres simply a different set of rules for those in power. However, Goldberg suggested that Biden might have changed his mind after saying he wouldnt pardon his son. She told her panellists: I think Biden had no intentions of pardoning Hunter. I think the more stuff went down, he said, why am I busting my behind to stay straight and do this when no one else is doing it? We Are China China opposes US semiconductor export limit: foreign ministry (People's Daily App) 16:46, December 03, 2024 China strongly opposes United States restrictions on semiconductor exports to China, the foreign ministry said on December 2, 2024. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) 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 Sharon Higgins, mother of Im a Celebrity star Maura Higgins, has hit out at ITV for stitching her up by preventing her parents from voting. The former Love Island star joined the show as a late arrival, along with fan favourite Reverend Richard Coles. Maura hails from the Republic of Island, which is prevented from voting on many mainstream British shows. Its unfortunate, she told Lorraine on Tuesday (3 December). It was the same when she was in Love Island, the Irish couldnt vote. Sharon, speaking from County Longford, said that she felt that the setup could mean that much of the stars core fanbase would be excluded from supporting her in the competition. And I know there are so many people who have DMd me asking How can we vote? but we cant, she said. Its not open to the Republic of Ireland unfortunately and you know it puts her on the back foot that way because she has a lot of support here. Maura has gained much attention for her alleged romantic links to another reality star, Towies Pete Wicks, who is currently competing on Strictly Come Dancing. Sharon gave her thoughts on the rumours as she said, I can only say what she has told me, she did tell me that they were great friends and that shes single and shes dating. open image in gallery Sharon was unimpressed with the shows rules around voting ( ITV/Lorraine ) She added, So I dont know much after that like, she didnt really expand on that. So I dont know whats happening. 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 Maura and Pete were always friends but like the way Maura is, she at the moment - she was concentrating on herself. However, while chatting with fellow campmates during a recent episode of the celebrity survival series, she admitted she was seeing someone before she entered the jungle, and was missing him. When asked by campmate Oti Mabuse whether or not she was single, Higgins replied: I am but I was seeing someone before I came in but Im not in a relationship. open image in gallery Maura Higgins admits to kissing Pete Wicks as Im A Celeb star opens up on dating Strictly star. ( ITV ) When her campmate Coles quizzed her about the exclusivity of the relationship, Higgins said, I dunno. It comes weeks after speculation over whether Higgins is dating current Strictly contestant Pete Wicks, who rose to fame on The Only Way is Essex. The pair have been pictured together at several events as rumours have mounted over a budding relationship. Higgins gave another clue about who her mystery man might be when she admitted he was someone the public might recognise. 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 China says it has discovered the worlds largest known deposit of gold, estimated to be worth over $80bn (63bn). The deposit at the Wangu goldfield in central China could yield more than 1,000 tonnes of gold, the Geological Bureau of Hunan was quoted as saying by Chinese state media. The bureau announced the detection of 40 gold veins, which are long and narrow openings in rocks filled with the metal, around a mile deep in Hunan provinces Pingjiang county. These rocks alone may have 300 tonnes of gold and there could be more reserves at deeper layers, geologists said. Many drilled rock cores showed visible gold, Chen Rulin, a geologist and ore prospector at the bureau, said. Test drills near the sites peripheral areas found more gold, suggesting that the deposit could be even larger. In all, there could be over 1,000 metric tonnes of the precious metal at the site which, at current prices, would bring in more than 600 billion yuan, or about $83bn (65bn). China Gold Mines Global gold prices rose after the discovery was announced, but the long-term trajectory remained uncertain due to geopolitical tensions around the world. The demand for the precious metal has increased in China amid global uncertainties. And the latest find, according to the Hunan Provincial Geological Institute, could be significant in helping safeguard the countrys resource security. The Wangu goldfield is one of Chinas most critical mining hubs and the country has invested nearly 100 million yuan for mineral exploration in the area. China produced about a tenth of the worlds gold as of 2023. The nation is a global leader in mining, dominating the production of precious metals used to make new generations of batteries and electronics. It also leads the world in the export of technology for mining, developing new ways to reduce carbon emissions in the process. 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 South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol faces impeachment proceedings over his short-lived bid to impose martial law which brought chaos to Seoul and has been condemned as insurrectionary behaviour by opposition parties. Mr Yoon rescinded the declaration shortly after MPs gained access to the countrys parliament in the early hours of Wednesday morning to vote against the authoritarian measures despite a stand-off with the military. Armed troops had forced their way into the National Assembly building in Seoul but stood back when parliamentary aides sprayed them with fire extinguishers. MPs rejected the martial law decision while protesters scuffled with police outside. We can no longer allow democracy to collapse. The lives and safety of the people must be protected, said Kim Yong Jin, a member of the main opposition Democratic Partys central committee. The Democratic Party also said it wants to charge Mr Yoon with crimes of rebellion. It named defence minister Kim Yong Hyun and interior minister Lee Sang Min as key participants of the martial law declaration, saying it also wanted them charged alongside Mr Yoon. On Wednesday, Mr Kim tendered his resignation and said he would take full responsibility for the martial law. He apologised to the public for spreading confusion and causing distress, the Defence Ministry said in a statement. However, crowds again took to the streets in a candlelit vigil on Wednesday night to call for Mr Yoons resignation a reminder of the massive protests that led to the impeachment of former president Park Geun Hye in 2017. In declaring martial law in a shock late-night television address on Tuesday, Mr Yoon vowed to eliminate anti-state actors he accused of sympathising with North Korea. Within hours, South Koreas parliament, with 190 of its 300 members present, unanimously passed a motion for martial law to be lifted, with 18 members of Yoons party present. The president then rescinded the declaration of martial law, around six hours after its proclamation. Weve submitted an impeachment motion prepared urgently, representatives from the six opposition parties said on Wednesday, indicating the vote could happen as soon as Friday. To succeed, it would require a two-thirds majority in parliament and the approval of at least six justices from the Constitutional Court. Should impeachment proceedings succeed, Mr Yoon would be suspended from office while the Constitutional Court scrutinises and ratifies the motion, a process that could take up to six months. open image in gallery People gather to demand South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol step down ( AFP/Getty ) open image in gallery A staff member sprays fire extinguishers to block soldiers from entering the main hall of the National Assembly ( Jo Da Un/Yonhap/AP ) In the interim, prime minister Han Duck Soo would assume presidential duties. When he was elected in 2022, Mr Yoon had been embraced by leaders in the West as a partner in the US-led effort to unify democracies against growing authoritarianism in China, Russia and elsewhere. But he caused unease among South Koreans by branding his critics as communist totalitarian and anti-state forces as his approval ratings slipped. In November, he denied wrongdoing by him and his wife, first lady Kim Keon Hee, in response to influence-peddling allegations against the pair. In declaring martial law, Mr Yoon cited a motion by the Democratic Party earlier this week to impeach some of the countrys top prosecutors over a failure to investigate the first lady as well as its rejection of a government budget proposal. South Koreas ministers on Monday protested the move by the Democratic Party to slash more than 4 trillion won (2.3bn) from the governments budget proposal. Mr Yoon said that action undermined the essential functioning of government. The political chaos has created deep divisions in the presidents ruling People Power Party, as its chair called for the entire cabinet to resign. open image in gallery Yoon Suk Yeol delivering his speech to declare martial law in Seoul ( Reuters ) open image in gallery South Korean lawmakers submit an impeachment motion for Mr Yoon ( via Reuters ) Mr Yoons senior aides, including chief of staff Chung Jin Suk and national security adviser Shin Won Sik, have also tendered their resignations. Whether these will be accepted by the president is unclear. The presidential office has defended the initial decision to declare martial law as strictly within [the countrys] constitutional framework. It said on Wednesday that the announcement was timed to minimise damage to the economy and peoples lives. Protesters gathered at Gwanghwamun Square and outside the National Assembly on Wednesday, holding placards with messages such as Restore Democracy and Investigate his act of rebellion immediately, with the march turning into a candlelit vigil during the night. It followed dramatic scenes from early that morning, with CCTV footage revealing chaotic scenes of staffers using sofas and fire extinguishers inside the parliamentary building to block soldiers armed with assault rifles and night-vision goggles from entering the National Assembly. Helicopters deployed armed troops to parliament, while others scaled fences and smashed windows after midnight, assembly secretary general Kim Min Ki said. Outside, footage was also recorded of a journalist turned lawmaker, Ahn Gwi Ryeong, grabbing the gun of a soldier. I didnt think I just knew we had to stop this, she told the BBC Korean Service. open image in gallery Opposition party staff barricading a door inside the National Assembly building ( via Reuters ) Mr Yoons actions have drawn comparisons to South Koreas authoritarian era before the 1980s. The sight of military helicopters and armed soldiers near the parliament evoked memories of the military regimes. Analysts warn that such actions undermine the countrys hard-won democratic principles. The events drew grave concern from global leaders, with Swedens prime minister Ulf Kristersson and Japans defence minister Gen Nakatani postponing their visits, and the US and UK issuing safety warnings to citizens visiting the country. US secretary of state Antony Blinken told a press conference at a Nato gathering in Brussels on Wednesday that it was important for South Korea to resolve its internal political turmoil quickly, but said that the country was still a democratic success story. Korea is one of the most powerful stories in the world about the emergence of democracy and democratic resilience, and well continue to look to Korea to set that example, he said. Washington had no advance notice of the decision, Mr Blinken told Reuters, adding that he expected to speak with his South Korean counterpart in the coming days. 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 South Koreas ruling party has vowed to unite against the opposition-led impeachment motion against president Yoon Suk Yeol after his abrupt and widely condemned decree of martial law. Floor leader Choo Kyung-ho said: All 108 lawmakers of the People Power Party will stay united to reject the presidents impeachment. The motion, introduced by the opposition Democratic Party, follows Mr Yoons chaotic attempt to suppress political activity and media, which sparked mass protests and led to his reversal of the order. The liberal opposition, holding 192 seats in parliament, requires the support of at least eight of the 108 ruling party lawmakers for the impeachment bill to succeed, with the vote expected to take place on Saturday. The Democratic Party introduced the impeachment bill against Mr Yoon on Wednesday. The vote, requires a two-thirds majority (200 lawmakers) to pass, and must occur within 72 hours of the bills reporting, Hankyoreh Shimbun reported. open image in gallery South Korean martial law soldiers leave the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, 4 Dec 2024 When did it all start? South Korea's president Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in a surprise late-night television address, invoking the threat from North Korea and accusing the country's opposition of paralysing the government by controlling parliament. He did not cite any specific threats from Pyongyang and focused on his political opponents. "I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order," Mr Yoon said. South Koreas parliament then voted through a motion calling the declaration invalid. This was the first time in over four decades that the country had been put under martial law. Mr Yoon is now facing calls to resign or face impeachment. Here The Independent lays out what martial law is and what it means for South Korea. open image in gallery National Assembly employees spray a fire extinguisher towards soldiers at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, 4 Dec 2024 What is martial law? It is the rule by military authorities in an emergency, at times when civil officials are deemed to be unable to function. It often involves the suspension of civil rights and the extension of military law. President Yoon has not been clear about what restrictions will be in place, but the Yonhap news agency cited the military as saying activities by parliament and political parties would be banned, and that media and publishers would be under the control of the martial law command. Martial law often also restricts public protests, strikes and potentially other forms of public gathering. The military also said that the country's striking doctors should return to work within 48 hours, Yonhap said. Thousands of doctors have been striking for months over government plans to expand the number of students at medical schools. Those who violate martial law can be arrested without a warrant, local news agencies said. "Tanks, armored personnel carriers, and soldiers with guns and knives will rule the country," Lee Jae-myung, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, which has the majority in parliament, said in a livestream online. Martial law is in theory temporary, but in nations where it has been imposed, it has often been extended and may continue indefinitely in some cases. open image in gallery In this photo provided by South Korea Presidential Office, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a press briefing at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, 3 Dec 2024 South Koreas Constitution states that the president may proclaim martial law when required to cope with a military necessity or to maintain the public safety and order by mobilization of the military forces in time of war, armed conflict or similar national emergency. The martial law commander, appointed by the president on the recommendation of the defence minister among active-duty generals, has the power to take actions related to arrests of persons, search and seizure, speech and the press, and assembly. The commander has authority over all administrative and judicial matters. Why did the president declare martial law? Mr Yoon has previously spoken about pro-North Korean, anti-state forces hindering his agenda, without going into detail. It is a simple threat to cite, given the fact the two nations have not officially been at peace since the Korean War ended in an armistice in 1953. Decades of animosity have followed, with repeated military drills, rocket firings and nuclear threats. Pyongyang has recently stepped up its ties with Russia, sending thousands of troops, missiles and ammunition to support Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, a development that has deeply worried Seoul at a point when relations between the two nations are at a low ebb. The bigger factor may be the domestic political scene for Mr Yoon, who has been a lame duck president since the last general election was held in April and the opposition Democratic Party helmed by Mr Lee won a landslide. When he won the presidency in 2022, Mr Yoon a member of the People Power Party, beat Mr Lee by just 0.7 percentage points. This was the closest election since South Korea started direct elections in 1987. open image in gallery South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, bottom center left, and his party members stage a rally against the President Yoon Suk Yeol at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, 4 Dec 2024 Mr Yoon's ratings in the polls have been low, while he has faced a number of controversies, including his wife, first lady Kim Keon Hee, being accused of stock manipulation by the opposition and a scandal over Ms Kim accepting a luxury Dior handbag. Mr Yoon has said his wife has been demonised and that that the allegations are "exaggerated". In declaring martial law, Mr Yoon cited a motion by the Democratic Party earlier this week to impeach some of the country's top prosecutors over a failure to investigate the first lady as well as its rejection of a government budget proposal. South Korea's ministers on Monday protested the move by the Democratic Party to slash more than 4 trillion won (2.3 billion) from the government's budget proposal. Mr Yoon said that action undermines the essential functioning of the government. The declaration of martial law was condemned by opposition politicians and even the leader of Mr Yoon's People Power Party, Han Dong-hoon, called the decision "wrong" and vowed to "stop it with the people". What happens now? Under South Korean law, martial law should be able to be lifted with a majority vote in the parliament, which the Democratic Party controls. A majority of MPs 190 out of 300 managed to make it to parliament and a motion passed calling for martial law to be lifted backed by all 190 legislators there. It is unclear how quickly this will happen, as the military insisted on the president being the one to lift the order given that political activity is banned under the martial law order. A few hours later, Mr Yoon backtracked and said he will accept the National Assemblys demand and lift the martial law through a cabinet meeting. open image in gallery People hold candles during a candlelight vigil against South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, 4 Dec 2024 ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) The opposition party has called for Mr Yoon to resign or face impeachment for his destabilising actions. Mr Yoon didnt offer an immediate public response to the demand. But his office said senior presidential advisers and secretaries for Mr Yoon offered to resign collectively and the president also put off his official Wednesday morning schedule. Impeaching Mr Yoon would require two-thirds support in the 300-member parliament. The main opposition and smaller parties hold 192 seats, and 18 members of Mr Yoons People Power Party opposed him in the 190-0 vote rejecting his martial law declaration. If impeached, Mr Yoon would lose his powers until the Constitutional Court rules on its validity, with prime minister Han Duck-soo stepping in as acting president. Meanwhile, Mr Yoon accepted the resignation of defence minister Kim Yong-hyun, who reportedly proposed the martial law declaration. Despite previously dismissing concerns about imposing martial law as false propaganda, Mr Kim stepped down, and the president nominated retired four-star general Choi Byung-hyuk, the ambassador to Saudi Arabia, as his replacement. open image in gallery Police officers stand outside the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, 4 Dec 2024 ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) When has martial law been previously imposed? Before South Korea moved to direct democracy in the late 1990s martial law had been imposed a number of times. The last time martial law was declared in South Korea was in 1979, after the assassination of the then-South Korean dictator Park Chung-hee, who had seized power in a military coup in 1961. In 1980, martial law was fully extended after a group of military officers led by Chun Doo-hwan forced then-president Choi Kyu-hah to proclaim martial law to crush calls by the opposition, labour and students for the restoration of democratic government. 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 India has condemned a mob attack on a Bangladeshi consulate and promised to beef up security as relations between Delhi and Dhaka continue to sour following the overthrow of the Sheikh Hasina government. A mob of around 50 people entered the Bangladeshi mission in Agartala in the northeast Indian state of Tripura on Monday after breaking down its main gate. The intruders vandalised property and desecrated the Bangladesh national flag, leaving the staff with a "deep sense of insecurity", the countrys interim government said, calling it a heinous attack on a diplomatic mission. The attack occurred as about 4,000 people protesting the treatment of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh took to the streets in the northeastern state, which borders Bangladesh. The incident of the breach of premises at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala is deeply regrettable, the Indian foreign ministry said on Monday. Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances. Government is taking action to step up security arrangements for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and its Assistant High Commissions in the country. open image in gallery Members of International Society for Krishna Consciousness stage a protest organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad against the arrest of Bangladesh Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das, in Hyderabad on 30 November 2024 ( AP ) Reports of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh have sparked protests in India against the interim government in Dhaka. The latest protest came after the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das last week. Mr Das, the leader of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in the country, was detained on a sedition charge after a magistrate court denied him bail. He had been leading rallies demanding security for Hindus in the country since mass street protests ousted Ms Hasina in August. The priests arrest sparked protests by his supporters who violently clashed with security forces, leading to the death of a lawyer. Bangladeshs foreign ministry called on India to take immediate action against the protesters who broke into its Tripura consulate. The mob was allowed to enter the consulate in a pre-planned manner, it said, and they vandalised the premises in the presence of local law enforcement personnel. The Tripura police said on Tuesday they had arrested seven members of a Hindu group and charged them with breaking into the consulate and vandalising property. They were part of the protest organised by the Hindu Sangharsha Samiti, a group that claims to protect Hindu interests. Around 50 of them broke into the propertys main gate and brought down the Bangladeshi flag post, district police officer Kiran Kumar K in West Tripura said. He also said police had taken disciplinary action against four officers who were in charge of providing security to the Bangladesh consulate. open image in gallery Indian Hindus shout slogans as they protest in Ahmedabad against attacks on Hindu religious places in Bangladesh ( AP ) The attack on the consulate came as some hospitals in Kolkata and Tripura announced they would no longer treat Bangladeshi patients in protest against the desecration of the Indian flag in Dhaka. An association of hotel and restaurant owners in Tripura said it would not serve guests from Bangladesh in protest against the desecration of the flag and the treatment of Hindus in the neighbouring country. "We are a secular country and have respect for all religions. Our national flag has been desecrated and minorities are facing oppression by a section of fundamentalists in Bangladesh, said Saikat Bandyopadhyay, general secretary of the association. The prevailing situation in Bangladesh is really worrisome. We serve the people who are coming to Tripura for various purposes. We condemn the treatment meted out to minorities in Bangladesh. Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar told the parliament last week New Delhi had taken note of the violence against minorities in Bangladesh. The primary responsibility for the protection of life and liberty of all citizens of Bangladesh, including minorities, rests with the government of Bangladesh, he said. Fear of prosecution has prompted scores of Hindus to flee the country while many have been staging protests for safety of their homes, businesses and places of worship. According to the Associated Press, there have been more than 2,000 attacks on the minority community since Ms Hasinas ouster. Hindus make up roughly 8 per cent of Bangladeshs population. 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 Replica swords sold at the Harry Potter theme park in Tokyo are being recalled for violating Japans strict weapons control law. The Making of Harry Potter theme park opened in Nerima ward last year and features recreations of settings from the popular films as well as props and costumes used during filming. The props include an authentic recreation of Godric Gryffindors sword priced at 30,000 yen (158). The 86cm stainless steel blade is sold mounted on a wooden plaque in the theme parks gift shop. The company that runs the theme park, Warner Bros Studios Japan LLC, says it sold 351 of these swords from May last year to April this year. open image in gallery Godric Gryffindors sword in a lake in the Forest of Dean in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows ( Warner Bros ) Japan police recently became aware of the sword and informed the company that the tip of the blade is sharp enough for it to be classified as an actual sword under the Firearms and Swords Control Law. This requires owners to register the swords with the authorities. Warner Bros Studios has since requested customers who purchased the replicas to contact the company as soon as possible. We have come to the realisation that there are some concerns regarding the sale of the following products that we sold and therefore have decided to recall the products, the company said in a notice on its website. We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and cooperation. The Firearm and Sword Possession Control Law has rules for what differentiates a sword from other tools with blades like cooking knives. The length of the blade, the material it is made of and its sharpness are all taken into account for classification. A sword requires the owner to have a special permit and breaking the law can incur a fine of up to 30,000,000 yen (158,010) and anywhere between 3 to 15 years imprisonment. open image in gallery Harry Potter kills a basilisk with the sword of Gryffindor in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ( Warner Bros ) The Sword of Gryffindor was first seen in the second instalment of the Harry Potter films, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. It appears in the Sorting Hat to Harry, who uses it to kill a Basilisk. According to the books, the Sword of Gryffindor was made in the 10th century by goblins, who fashioned it from pure silver and enchanted it. The hilt is set with rubies and the owner Godric Gryffindors name is engraved just below it. 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 49-year-old man in Tokyo, Japan, has been arrested for allegedly snatching glasses off peoples faces while riding a moped. Police found 50 pairs of glasses at his home in Shinjuku and are investigating his involvement in similar crimes, Mainichi reported. The suspect, who has declined to comment on the case, is accused of stealing glasses by approaching a man in his 20s from behind on a road at around 9.15pm on 2 September. He reportedly asked the pedestrian for directions to the nearest station to make him stop, police said, only to steal his glasses. The victim later reported the theft to police. Police said they arrested the man, a resident of Shinjuku, a ward in the western part of central Tokyo, in connection with the case. The occupation of the suspect remains unknown. People took to social media to comment on the spate of thefts on mopeds. Today its glasses, next week could be mobile phones, one person wrote. Whats going on with this worldwide epidemic of thieving (sic) peoples personal possessions. Another wrote: Glasses can be expensive depending on the lens and frames. This fool is causing some regular people problems. Japan Today reported that the growing popularity of electric scooters and mopeds has caused an increase in accidents and traffic violations in the country. In September, the National Police Agency reported 25,156 traffic violations by electric scooter users between July 2023 and June this year. This followed a revision to Japans Road Traffic Act in July last year, allowing individuals aged 16 and over to ride electric scooters without a drivers licence, provided the scooters meet specific standards. 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 At least one in three people in Afghanistan will face severe food insecurity this winter as the war-battered nation faces crisis or emergency levels of hunger, aid agencies have warned. Children in particular will suffer dire survival conditions over the next three months, according to a forecast by the World Food Programme (WFP) and Save the Children. Winter is when hunger bites hardest in Afghanistan and WFP expects nearly 15 million people or nearly a third of the population of Afghanistan to be in need of food assistance for survival, Philippe Kropf, the agencys spokesperson, told The Independent over the phone from Afghanistan. Next year, an additional 570,000 children are expected to become malnourished as compared to this year. We expect a total of 3.45 million children to be malnourished in 2025. open image in gallery Afghan men with burqa-clad women ride on donkeys along a street in the Fayzabad district of Badakhshan province on 1 December 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images ) According to another assessment by Save the Children, more than half of Afghanistans population, about 24 million people, will be in dire need of humanitarian assistance, like cash and food supplies, to avoid slipping into poverty and food insecurity in the coming months. As winter arrives and temperatures drop, families in some parts of Afghanistan are having to make agonising choices about what to prioritise food, heating or warm clothes for the children, the nonprofits country director in Afghanistan, Arshad Malik, said. One family said that they are worried about how they are going to survive the winter and make sure their children even have just bread to eat. Afghan children are reeling from the devastation caused by drought, floods, displacement, and high food prices. Nearly 6.5 million children, or 30 per cent, are facing crisis or emergency levels of hunger, Mr Malik said. One child told us that he didnt have any warm clothes until they were provided by Save the Children and was having to share socks with his siblings, he told The Independent. open image in gallery A boy walks across a footbridge during the first snowfall in Dara district of Panjshir province, Afghanistan, on 2 December ( AFP via Getty ) Mr Kropf said the WFP will require $787m across all of its programmes over the next six months to ensure vulnerable families in Afghanistan do not succumb to starvation and poverty. Nearly 16 million people across 171 districts are listed in the high priority category for winter support provided by humanitarian agencies. Around 43 per cent of Afghanistan is expected to be highly impacted by this winter, Save the Children said, while 56 per cent will be moderately affected and need assistance as well. In addition to causing food scarcity, the cold weather exacerbates health risks. Millions of Afghans face temperatures that could weaken immune systems and heighten susceptibility to respiratory infections, Mr Malik said. open image in gallery Afghan girls selling bread look for customers at a market in Fayzabad district of Badakhshan province on 26 November 2024 ( AFP via Getty ) As food prices tend to rise in winter, millions of Afghans, particularly children, will face shortage of nutritious food and, thereby, a higher risk of acute malnutrition, he added. The problem is compounded by the absence of a functional economy under the Taliban as well as by snow blocking roads, hindering the delivery of aid and cutting off many communities in the countrys remote areas. open image in gallery Afghans buy bread from a roadside bakery in Kabul ( AFP via Getty ) For vulnerable Afghans to pull through this winter, the Asian country needs at least $1bn in aid, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The international community is yet to meet the needs of humanitarian funding, however, according to data from Save the Children. Although humanitarian aid has been a lifeline to Afghan communities, the humanitarian funding appeal for 2024 has received only 37.5 per cent of requested funds as of 27 November, leaving a funding gap of 62 per cent, Mr Malik said. The Taliban government has not publicly announced any measures to address the challenges of the winter season. 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 Three people died and at least 32 were hospitalised in the Philippines after eating an endangered sea turtle prepared as a stew, local officials said. The incident occurred last Saturday in Datu Blah Sinsuat, a coastal town in the province of Maguindanao del Norte. The victims, from the Indigenous Teduray community, started showing symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain soon after consuming the turtle that a fisherman had captured and cooked, the Philippines Daily Inquirer reported. Authorities suspect the sea turtle may have turned toxic from consuming contaminated algae. A number of pet dogs, cats and chicken that were fed the turtle meat also died, local official Irene Dillo said. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the deaths, she told the BBC. The sea turtle was reportedly cooked as adobo, a Filipino dish where meat or vegetables are simmered in vinegar and soy sauce. The residents of the seaside town often rely on seafood for sustenance. It was unfortunate because there is so much other seafood in their village lobsters, fish, said Ms Dillo, expressing her dismay over the incident. Philippine environmental protection laws prohibit the hunting and consumption of sea turtles, but the practice persists in some communities where the meat is considered a delicacy or believed to have medicinal properties. Datu Mohamad Sinsuat Jr, a local councillor, called for stricter enforcement of the hunting ban in the area. This food poisoning incident will never happen again, he said. Most of those hospitalised have since been discharged. In a similar incident in 2013, four people died and 68 took ill after eating a sea turtle in the Eastern Samar province. The sea turtle is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which is dedicated to conserving nature and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. It is also protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, commonly referred to as the Washington Convention. Hunting the turtle is also punishable under Philippine law, although traditional practices and lack of enforcement undermine such protections. 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 Philippines vice president Sara Duterte is facing calls for impeachment over a list of allegations including graft, incompetence, and amassing wealth just days after she issued death threats to the president. Ms Duterte, the daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, has been embroiled in a row with current president Ferdinand Marcos Jr and is the subject of an enquiry into her spending by the House of Representatives. A group of 16 signatories, including civil society members, religious leaders and ex-lawmakers critical of the former president asked Congress to impeach Ms Duterte on Monday. The vice president has denied any wrongdoings. The complaint includes 24 violations based on major grounds composed of culpable violation of the constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, and other "high crimes" such as death threats she made against the president, his wife and the speaker of the House of Representatives. "The vice president has reduced public office to a platform for violent rhetoric, personal enrichment, elitist entitlement and a shield for impunity," Teresita Quintos Deles, one of the complainants, said in a statement. Impeachment complaint filed against Vice-President Sara Duterte at the House of Representatives ( EPA ) "We're hoping that with this complaint, we can end the nightmare that our vice president has brought to the people," said rep Percival Cendana of the Akbayan opposition party, who endorsed the complaint in accordance with the constitution. The impeachment bid is the latest twist in a high-profile row among three of the Philippines' highest office-holders, after the collapse of a powerful alliance between their families led to Mr Marcos's landslide win in the 2022 election. Ms Duterte on 23 November said she contracted someone to kill Mr Marcos, his wife and the speaker, if she herself were to be killed. Later she said the remarks had been taken out of context. The national bureau of investigation has subpoenaed Ms Duterte to face investigation following the threat. The vice president has been also accused in the complaint of having unexplained wealth and of allowing a continuation of the extra-judicial killings of drug suspects begun by her father. The House has been investigating a misuse of 8.4m of confidential and intelligence funds received by Duterte's offices as vice president and education secretary. The state police have filed criminal complaints against Ms Duterte and her security staff for allegedly assaulting authorities and disobeying orders in an altercation in Congress. Jean Encinas-Franco, a political science professor at the University of the Philippines, told Reuters that the impeachment complaint would likely test Congress' will to move against Ms Duterte. "This is a test to Congress, on whether after all the investigations, it will have the guts to impeach Sara," she said. Additional reporting by agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails 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 Tensions between Russia and the Philippines escalated as the Philippine military deployed a navy ship and air force planes to shadow a Russian submarine in the South China Sea last week, security officials said. Philippine Navy spokesperson Roy Vincent Trinidad said a Russian Kilo-class submarine was sighted 80 nautical miles off the western province of Occidental Mindoro on 28 November, with the waters considered to be a part of Manilas exclusive economic zone (EEZ). It was first contacted in response to a Philippine Navys two-way radio inquiry when it was spotted in Manilas waters. The officials aboard the submarine said it was en route home to the Russian eastern city of Vladivostok after participating in a joint exercise with the Malaysian Navy, Jonathan Malaya, assistant director-general of the National Security Council, said. Manila downplayed the presence of the Russian submarine in international waters, granting it the status of other foreign ships who have the right of innocent passage. However, tensions surged again when the submarine was spotted about 80 nautical miles (148km) off the Philippine province of Mindoro, Mr Malaya said. The submarine was sighted after it surfaced due to weather-related conditions, he said. Philippine Navy frigate Jose Rizal established radio contact with the Russian submarine, which confirmed its identity as UFA 490 and its intent. The Russian vessel stated it was awaiting improved weather conditions before proceeding to Vladivostok, Russia, Mr Trinidad said, without elaborating on why it was in the area. "All of that is very concerning," president Ferdinand Marcos Jr said when asked about the submarine. "Any intrusion into the West Philippine Sea, of our EEZ, of our baselines is very worrisome. So, yes, its just another one." The leader referred to the South China Sea by using its Filipino name where his country, along with Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and other coastal states have faced an increasingly aggressive China, which claims the busy waterway virtually in its entirety. On Monday, the Philippines coast guard said that a Chinese military helicopter flew close to fishing boats manned by Filipinos in a "dangerous act of harassment" last week at Iroquois Reef, a disputed fishing area in the South China Sea. Two Philippine coast guard patrol ships have been deployed to the area to protect Filipino fishermen, coast guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said. There was no immediate comment from Chinese officials. The South China Sea is seeing an increasing spike in territorial confrontations, particularly between Chinese and Philippine coast guard and naval forces, starting last year has prompted closer surveillance by the United States and other Western governments of the key global trade route. 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 court in Vietnam on Tuesday upheld the death sentence for real estate tycoon Truong My Lan, rejecting her appeal against a conviction for embezzlement and bribery, according to state media. Lan, sentenced to death earlier this year for embezzling billions from Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB), was awaiting the verdict of her appeal. Lan, 68, was appealing a death sentence for orchestrating a $44bn fraud the largest in banking history. Convicted in April under Vietnams anti-corruption campaign, she was accused of secretly controlling Saigon Commercial Bank and embezzling $12bn. She was also convicted of bribing government officials and breaching bank lending regulations. The consequences Lan caused are unprecedented in the history of litigation and the amount of money embezzled is unprecedentedly large and unrecoverable, the prosecution was quoted as saying at the appeal hearing by state-run online newspaper VietnamNet. The defendants actions have affected many aspects of society, the financial market, the economy, it said. Her only hope was to repay $9bn 75 per cent of the misappropriated funds to have her sentence commuted to life imprisonment. We are now trying to help her to avoid the death penalty, Lans lawyer Giang Hong Thanh said earlier. There is a group of overseas investors who have agreed to lend Lan $400 million and they are working on the documents required to send the money in, he said. According to Vietnamese law, Lans sentence could be reduced if she managed to return three-quarters of the embezzled assets. Lan, the former chair of Van Thinh Phat Group, is at the centre of Vietnams high-profile anti-corruption crackdown that has grabbed global attention. Earlier last month, she appeared visibly shaken in court when prosecutors proposed upholding the death penalty, describing herself as psychologically disturbed by the decision, according to VnExpress. In October, she was sentenced to life imprisonment in a separate trial for illegally transferring $4.5bn across borders, laundering $17.5bn from Saigon Commercial Bank, and misappropriating $1.2bn through fraudulent bond issuances. Lans case is part of the blazing furnace anti-corruption campaign, a sweeping initiative led initially by the late Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. The current general secretary, To Lam, has vowed to continue the campaign with equal resolve, targeting corruption across all sectors and resulting in the detention of numerous high-ranking officials and executives. Her lawyers were seeking leniency from the judges, arguing that a death sentence would hinder her ability to negotiate favourable deals for selling her assets and investments, making it more challenging to raise the $9bn required. They contend she would have a better chance of achieving this under a life sentence. About 36,000 people have been identified as victims of the SCB fraud, a scandal that shook the communist nation and sparked rare protests from those affected. Lan and her family founded the Van Thinh Phat company in 1992, following Vietnams transition from a state-controlled economy to a market-oriented system that welcomed foreign investment. According to the state media outlet Tien Phong, Lan began her career by assisting her mother, a Chinese entrepreneur, in selling cosmetics at Ho Chi Minh Citys oldest market. Lan still has the right to request a review under Vietnams cassation or retrial procedures. 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 Thirty-eight Vietnamese tourists have reportedly disappeared in South Korea after arriving in the country through the southern Jeju island last month. The tourists were part of a group of around 90 tourists who arrived on the island on 14 November. However, 38 of them disappeared during the final stop of their itinerary before they were set to depart to Vietnam, officials said. The rest of the group members boarded the return flight but those who did not have been reported missing to the authorities. Foreign tourists in the resort island can stay up to 30 days without a visa under the visa waiver programme. The programme, which is part of the Special Act on the Establishment of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, allows people from 64 countries to stay on the island for up to 30 days without a visa. However, travellers cannot travel to other parts of South Korea, such as Seoul or Busan, unless they have a valid visa for the mainland. The missing tourists are only allowed to stay on the island till 14 December under the visa waiver programme and will be considered illegal tourists after the deadline. The Jeju Immigration Office said it is working to find the missing tourists and reviewing CCTV footage of the hotel and streets around it. We are currently analyzing closed-circuit (CC) TV to find out where the Vietnamese tourists disappeared, an official from the Jeju Immigration and Foreign Affairs Agency said. We plan to organize a Jeju visa-free fugitive arrest team to start a full-fledged arrest. This is not the first time tourists have been reported missing on the island. Many of these situations involve individuals overstaying their permitted time or attempting to remain on the island illegally, taking advantage of Jejus visa-free entry programme. In 2022, at least 55 Thai tourists who arrived in Jeju island with a package tour group disappeared during their holiday. They were suspected of taking illegal jobs in various parts of the country. 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 boss of Revolut has said it is not rational to list its shares in the UK over the US, dealing a blow to Londons stock markets following the fintech giant becoming Europes most valuable start-up. Nik Storonskys remarks came as the chief executive of Barclays said Londons stock market had shrunk over the past decades, while the US has grown. The co-founder and chief executive of Revolut said sooner or later the company will want to consider floating on the public market in order to raise cash to return money to shareholders. Speaking on the 20VC podcast, he said it was less attractive to list in London because of the 0.5% tax rate on most transactions when people buy shares in the UK. The problem with the UK is, if you think about it versus the US, it is much more illiquid, and trading in the US is free so I just dont understand how the product which is being provided by the UK can compete with the product that is being provided by the US. It is less liquid so it is much worse compared to the US, plus it is more expensive because you pay stamp duty, it is just not rational. Revolut clinched a valuation of 45 billion dollars (35.6 billion) via a share sale by its employees in August, confirming its position as the most valuable start-up in Europe. It came after securing a UK banking licence, ending a three-year wait for approval to operate as a bank in its home market. Meanwhile, Barclays chief executive CS Venkatakrishnan, known within the bank as Venkat, said the UK equity market had seen structural decline for more than 30 years, and had shrunk while the US has grown. Were going to have to invest now, and hope our childrens generation get the advantage of it, because itll take time, he said. Venkat nevertheless stressed that London is a great financial centre which will attract significant activity, adding that the global bank wants to identify deeply with the city and the country. 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 Following what is on track to be the hottest year on record and historic drought thats stricken much of the U.S., concern is spreading regarding the future of the nations more than a billion-dollar Christmas tree industry. Each year, tens of millions of the trees are sold during the holiday season as part of a tradition that goes back to the 1700s in the U.S. Up to 20 different tree species are grown each year, with about 14.5 million cut in 2022. Some are imported from Canada, while nearly 350 million real Christmas trees are growing on farms in all 50 states. But, climate change-fueled temperatures and drought have resulted in losses for farmers this year, particularly in the Northeast and New England. These reports come after the industry announced a shortage ahead of Christmas 2023 that was tied to an overplanting more than a decade ago and prices rose by a significant amount. I know in the Northeast some growers have complained that theyve had greater death of their seedlings that theyve planted out than normal. Of course, you dont expect every tree you set to survive, but some growers have lost 20 percent or more or even their entire crop, Jill Sidebottom, of the National Christmas Tree Association, told The Independent on Monday. open image in gallery Bailey Peters, his wife Katherine, and their daughter Jane, look for a Christmas Tree at Carnes Farms in Pontotoc, Mississippi last month. Christmas tree farmers are reporting losses this year after a massive drought and historic temperatures ( (Adam Robison/The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal via AP) ) While these losses wont affect Americans as much this year, she said the impacts would be felt in coming years. Depending on what kind of tree theyre growing, thats going to be a hole in their inventory five, seven, eight years down the road. So, its not so much next year, but its several years down the road, she said. On average, it takes about that long for Christmas trees to reach maturity. Drought mainly affects smaller and younger trees, and Sidebottom noted that most farms are not irrigated. The trees need at least 50 inches of rain each year, although most conifers prefer drier soils and wetter weather can cause root disease. A drought very seldomly affects those that are ready for the market, although drought did kill some in the Pacific Northwest several years ago and some mature trees in New England have had their needles fall off and become unsellable. In 2021, a heat dome linked to climate change that killed a billion sea creatures also resulted in crop loss. Its certainly not unusual to have problems with dry conditions. And, of course, people are concerned about global warming [which] can create more wet conditions because as the seas warm up, the atmosphere can hold more moisture. But, it can also create more pockets of drought. More extremes... said Sidebottom. And so, I think as the industry moves forward in time, theres a lot of work at universities looking at producing trees, developing trees that are more bullet proof of extremes. And so, as the industry moves forwards, thats a concern. open image in gallery Sam Cartner Jr., a co-owner of Cartners Christmas Tree Farm, shows the official White House Christmas tree last month in Newland, North Carolina. Christmas trees need at least 50 inches of rain each year ( (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco) ) Consumers should also be aware of the climate conditions when they get their trees. Most conifers, like pine trees, need weeks of exposure to temperatures below 40 degrees to overcome their dormant stages, when they are alive but not actively growing. Those that are actively growing when they are cut arent going to perform as well. Most trees that are commercially grown now, most firs, hold their needles really well. And, especially if we get cold weather before theyre cut. And, that certainly happened this year, for the most part, across the board, said Sidebottom. But, with people wanting trees earlier and earlier this year, and fall getting warmer, these patterns could be disrupted. Thats really kind of the worst problem with our industry now, is people wanting trees so early, shipping trees so early... she said. 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 family of seven lost their lives in Tiruvannamalai in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu on Sunday after a massive boulder, dislodged by a landslide triggered by Cyclone Fengals torrential rains, crushed their home. On Sunday, the family of seven, including five children, were inside their home as heavy rains triggered a landslide on the 2,000ft Arunachala Hill in Tiruvannamalais VOC Nagar. The incident occured around 4.30pm when mud and rocks swept into the area. A massive 80-tonne boulder reportedly rolled down, crushing their house and leaving no survivors. Rescue operations involving a 170-member team, including 35 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), recovered the bodies nearly 20 hours later on Monday. The victims were identified as Rajkumar (32), his wife Meena (26), their children Gautham (9) and Iniya (7), and relatives Maha (12), Vinodini (14), and Ramya (12), The News Minute reported. A local administrative official, D Baskara Pandian, told the media: Though the rain has subdued, there are possibilities of boulders tumbling down due to rain earlier. We have evacuated 50 to 80 people from the locality. Three houses were completely damaged in the landslide and a few houses were partly damaged. Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin extended his condolences to the bereaved families and announced financial assistance of Rs500,000 (4,600) for each. On Monday, a second landslide struck near a local temple in the same town, raising fears of further calamities. Heavy rainfall, attributed to Fengals remnants, has caused severe flooding, hampered rescue operations, and heightened the risk of additional landslides across the region. People move through a flooded street after heavy rainfall in Puducherry on 1 December 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images ) Cyclone Fengal made landfall on 1 December, with wind speeds reaching up to 90kmph, wreaking havoc across Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, and Tiruvannamalai districts of the state. The cyclone caused significant damage to roads and power infrastructure, impacting approximately 69,000,00 families and 1,50,00,000 people. Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, and Kallakurichi witnessed over 50cm of rainfall in a single day, equivalent to the average rainfall for an entire season. Heavy rains continue to batter the state, with northern districts like Villupuram and western regions like Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri facing unprecedented floods, washed-out bridges, and crop damage. Floodwaters have swept away vehicles, including buses, and disrupted rail and air travel. The remnants of Fengal, now a strong low-pressure area, are expected to bring heavy rainfall to Kerala and Karnataka as it moves toward the Arabian Sea. 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 Malaysia is facing widespread devastation after unprecedented monsoon rain flooded swathes of the country, killing six people and forcing over 150,000 to flee their homes. The prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, said some parts of the east coast received more than six months worth of rainfall in just five days, causing significant damage to infrastructure, homes and farmland. Between 26 and 30 November, towns such as Tumpat and Tanah Merah in the Kelantan region recorded over 1,167mm rainfall while Besut in neighbouring Terengganu saw a staggering 1,761mm. Addressing the parliament, Mr Anwar said the rainfall was "far beyond expectations" and unprecedented in its intensity. Although floodwaters have begun to recede in some areas since, the government remains on alert for a second wave of flooding. Meteorologists have predicted more heavy rainfall as a monsoon surge approaches on 8 December. In Tumpat, one of the worst-affected areas, some people returned on Monday to find their homes and businesses in ruins. Many discovered collapsed walls, broken roofs, and waterlogged furniture scattered across their properties. open image in gallery An aerial view shows houses surrounded by floodwaters after heavy rain in Tumpat in Malaysia on 2 December 2024 ( AFP via Getty ) open image in gallery A reclining Buddha statue is surrounded by floodwaters after heavy rain in Tumpat ( AFP via Getty ) Muhamad Alim, a shopkeeper whose food store was submerged, recalled the terrifying night the waters surged through his home. Electricity was cut off, and there was no water supply, he said. So, we were stuck, sitting there as if we were in the middle of the sea, surrounded by water. You could hear the sound of water rushing, cutting through the silence of the night. Government data indicates that 85,000 people remain in temporary shelters, down from over 150,000 at the height of the disaster. The floods have caused extensive damage to roads and other infrastructure, with repair costs estimated at 177m. open image in gallery An aerial view shows houses surrounded by floodwaters after heavy rain in Tumpat, Malaysia, on 2 December 2024 ( AFP via Getty ) open image in gallery A car lies submerged after days of heavy rain in Tumpat in Malaysias Kelantan state on 30 November 2024 ( AFP via Getty ) Emergency workers have been using boats to deliver food and supplies to the affected areas. The devastation extends beyond Malaysia, with neighbouring Thailand also grappling with the aftermath of heavy rainfall. Flooding in southern Thailand has claimed 25 lives and affected over 300,000 households, with thousands of people still staying in shelters. Schools and nearly 100 health facilities in the region remain closed due to the deluge. Thai authorities have warned of more heavy rain between 3 and 5 December, heightening fears of flash floods and river overflows. open image in gallery A Buddhist monk sits on the second floor of a building surrounded by floodwaters in Tumpat, Malaysia ( AFP via Getty ) open image in gallery Royal Malaysia Police transport residents on a boat through floodwaters after days of heavy rain in Tumpat ( AFP via Getty ) The economic impact has been severe, particularly on agriculture, as thousands of acres of rice paddies have been inundated. Transport networks across the affected regions have been disrupted, complicating relief work. Tourism in southern Thailand, a popular destination for Malaysian holidaymakers, has suffered as well, with officials advising against travel to the area. open image in gallery People use a boat through a flooded street during heavy rain in Pasir Puteh, Malaysia, on 30 November 2024 ( AFP via Getty ) As both countries prepare for another monsoon surge, emergency measures are being ramped up to protect lives and property. Mr Anwar stressed his governments commitment to supporting those affected, saying efforts are underway to prevent further devastation. Additional reporting by agencies. The Elgin marbles, now officially known as the Parthenon marbles, are in the news yet again. Government sources have been briefing that there have been high-level discussions with the Greek government about a possible return to their country of origin, ie Greece. The Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has arrived in London for talks with Keir Starmer. No doubt the disputed antiquities will crop up; no doubt there will be squeals of outrage if theres any hint that theyll be leaving the British Museum. Its a tricky one for the prime minister... Whats the problem? The Greeks want them back, and successive British governments have refused to even discuss the matter. Theyve been in the UK since Lord Elgin brought them over in the early 19th century. He supposedly bought them from the Ottoman Empire, the then-occupying power in Greece. Obviously, the Greeks dont see this as legitimate, and the Turks, unusually, agree with the Greeks, and say theres no proper evidence of any sale. Its caused bad British relations with Greece for decades. Indeed, last year Rishi Sunak cancelled a meeting with Mitsotakis when it was suggested that any kind of deal was going to be on the table. Whats the answer? The British Museum Act of 1963, passed by a previous Conservative administration to prevent any shenanigans, outlawed the transfer of the pieces on a permanent basis, ie them being given away. However, they could conceivably be loaned on a finite or indefinite basis to the Greeks. This is the current favoured option, at least for discussion, on the part of the British Museum. The chair, former Tory chancellor George Osborne, commented last year: That is, I think, something worth exploring. And we can go on doing it whether or not Rishi Sunak meets the Greek prime minister or not. In fact, if anything, things have been rather clarified by this week. We obviously know were not going to get any particular support from the Conservative government. So why doesnt Starmer agree to that? Hed probably like to, but the deranged political backlash will no doubt prevent him from doing so. Devout philistines some who have never seen the marbles, never will, and may not even know what they are would riot rather than permit their departure from these shores. As the cliche goes, in mixed metaphor, the marbles are iconic, absurd as it seems. Starmer would suffer devastating, vicious attacks from Britains overwhelmingly right-wing mainstream media, and offer up an easy, totemic target for performative patriotism by Conservative and Reform UK politicians if he tried to do anything rational. Would the voters care? Yes and no. When Tony Blair made a surprisingly determined effort to jettison Gibraltar it did him little electoral harm, albeit he retreated early enough to avoid a real scrap. Such issues rarely feature in election campaigns, but they can form part of a partys image, as the risky and fortunately successful war waged by Margaret Thatcher to recover the Falklands in 1982 proved. Its fair to conclude that those who would blockade the British Museum in protest arent going to vote Labour anyway, but Starmer and his colleagues, like all Labour politicians, are permanently vulnerable to the charge that they are unpatriotic, soft, incompetent or, in this case, all three. The hostile argument would be that as soon as even the most feeble foreign power asks for anything the Labour government simply rolls over as with the attempt to regularise the international legal status of the Chagos Islands and the UK/US military base on Diego Garcia, and establish Mauritian sovereignty over what was taken away from that country by the British in the run-up to independence in 1968. The usual claim is that the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar and various other remnants of the empire will also be surrendered without a fight. Similarly, so the story goes, Labour will hand back the Koh-i-Noor diamond, currently in the British Crown Jewels, to India and all manner of tribal religious artefacts will be returned to First Nations across the globe. National treasures are in jeopardy. Why, we might even have to send Alan Titchmarsh to Beijing simply to appease the Chinese. What will happen? The Elgin marbles represent just another front in the culture wars, this time with a genuine cultural treasure at the centre of the row. Given his already meagre political capital, the prime minister will probably judge that upsetting the Greeks is a price worth paying for a quieter life. His real problem may come if Osborne tries to do a deal behind the governments back, in which case Starmer will be made to look weak and foolish as well as unpatriotic. Hes going to need to be firm if he wants to avoid further political damage for such an absurd reason. 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 woman in Australia realized she had a dangerous passenger onboard while driving 50 miles per hour on the Monash Freeway in Melbourne. On November 30 at 10:40 a.m., Victoria Police located the unidentified woman barefoot on the side of the road after shed fought a tiger snake in her car. While speaking to authorities, the woman explained that shed be driving along the route when suddenly she felt something on her leg and looked down to find a deadly tiger snake slithering up her leg. Without knowing what else to do, the woman managed to fight off the reptile as she continued driving. Remarkably, she was able to fend the snake off her and weave through traffic before pulling over and leaping out of her car to safety, the Victoria Police statement reads. According to multiple reports, she then attempted to flag down passing vehicles. When police were called to conduct a welfare check on a woman acting hiss-terically on the side of the road they had absolutely no idea what they were about to get their fangs stuck into, the authorities said. open image in gallery Tim Nanninga handles the tiger snake found in the womans car ( Victoria Police ) Upon arrival, the police found the woman in a state of shock. She was checked by paramedics for snake bites and none were found. Tiger snakes have venom thats both neurotoxic and coagulant, according to the Australian Museum. The Australian Geographic has characterized them as the third most venomous snake in the country. Anyone who gets bitten by this snake should seek medical assistance immediately. open image in gallery Tiger snakes are the third most venomous snake in Australia ( Getty Images ) Some people can have a severe allergic reaction when bitten by a Tiger snake. This is called anaphylaxis, a condition that can be fatal in as little as 15 minutes, the Australia Wide First Aid states. Symptoms of anaphylaxis can include tightness of the throat, swelling of the tongue and throat, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, vomiting, hives, welts, and skin redness. The venom can also lead to renal failure because it can cause blood and muscle damage, per the Australian Geographic. Melbourne Snake Control official Tim Nanninga handled the tiger snake in the womans car. Speaking to 9 News, Nanninga said the woman was fortunate to have called for help on the side of the freeway. Its a miracle how she got off the road and safely parked the car and called (Victoria Police), he told the outlet. He continued: Normally when snakes are in cars they find a really nice little hidey hole and they can stay in for days and not come out, but we were lucky the snake moved along to the back of the car. For any future drivers who might find themselves in a similar situation, Nanninga said they should stay calm if they see a tiger snake. Theyre not going to chase after you, theyre not out there to hurt you, he said. The Australia Zoo classifies the inland taipan, also known as the fierce snake, as the most venomous snake in Australia and the world. Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A couple who bought a Second World War water tower to convert it into their dream home are now running out of funds and time following a tragic motor neurone disease (MND) diagnosis. Mary and Sean Davies bought the water tower located at the derelict Nocton Hall RAF Hospital site in Lincolnshire in 2018 for 25,000, hoping to give the building a new lease of life and transform it into a seven-bedroom family home. Mary, 56, who has been project managing the build while working at a farm to bring in additional income, and Sean, 54, a tree and landscape officer for Newark and Sherwood District Council, initially budgeted around 350,000 to cover the conversion. However, with unexpected delays and costs along the way, such as a 10,000 sprinkler system, the couple estimate that the whole project, including the purchase of the building, will set them back more than 500,000 once completed. open image in gallery The water tower and holding tank before the conversion started The couple, who describe themselves as the underdogs, have since launched a fundraiser to help cover the remaining costs and with Seans recent motor neurone disease (MND) diagnosis, which is currently incurable and progressively damages parts of the nervous system, they want to avoid sacrificing any more time. Mary said: Anythings possible at a price, its whether you can afford to pay that price and in our case, we cant. I try and take deep breaths, I try, but psychologically, emotionally, youre just up here juggling balls constantly and feeling like you cant stop. Having that financial security would make a huge difference. Id feel like I can breathe again. Sean added: MND feels like a death sentence. open image in gallery A misty morning with the water tower in the background I saw my father die from it. What it means is, you gradually lose all your muscle control and, eventually, youre drowning in your own saliva. This is a fantastic opportunity. Weve got a building thats already built all the cement, everythings there but our biggest sacrifice is time. The only thing we really have is time and, if you give time to one thing, you cant give it to another. open image in gallery Mary and Sean bought the tower to convert it into their dream home Mary and Sean, who have five children, explained that they have been married for 30 years and for 25 of those years, they have either lived in council or ex-social housing. Prior to the water tower, they said they were living in a four-bedroom terraced council house in Dunston the village over from Nocton and ended up buying the property under the Right to Buy scheme. Sean, a public servant, discovered the nearly 15m-high water tower after he started looking after the Nocton Hall RAF Hospital site in 2006 and this is when his vision for their new home was born. open image in gallery The water tower (Collect/PA Real Life) NOTE TO EDITORS: This image must only be used in conjunction with PA Real Life story REAL LIFE WaterTower. All usage is subject to a fee or incorporated into your outlets agreed content package. Find copy in full on PA Explore or contact PA Real Life at RealLife2@pamediagroup.com or on 020 7963 7175 for access or queries He came across the water tower and came home and said, That water tower will make a nice home, and I looked at him like, Youre crazy, Mary said. Id just given birth to my fourth child, so I thought, Whatever, and it went from there. Both Mary and Sean have personal connections to the former 740-bed hospital in Nocton as Mary said her father was assigned to work there as an electrician in 1976 and Sean was a patient there in December 1977. The couple said the previous owners of the water tower toyed with the idea of selling for around two years, but it ended up taking more than 10 years before they purchased the historical building. open image in gallery Inside the water tower (Collect/PA Real Life) NOTE TO EDITORS: This image must only be used in conjunction with PA Real Life story REAL LIFE WaterTower. All usage is subject to a fee or incorporated into your outlets agreed content package. Find copy in full on PA Explore or contact PA Real Life at RealLife2@pamediagroup.com or on 020 7963 7175 for access or queries From 2006 to 2016, it took us 10 years to convince them to sell it to us, and then it took nearly two years to purchase it, Mary said. It was just one of those things that took over our life. From their research, Mary and Sean said the water tower is one of three identical towers remaining in the UK and they want to preserve this wonderful building with the conversion. The couple purchased the water tower in November 2018 but explained that it then took nearly a year to obtain planning permission. open image in gallery The caravan the family used while works took place (Collect/PA Real Life) NOTE TO EDITORS: This image must only be used in conjunction with PA Real Life story REAL LIFE WaterTower. All usage is subject to a fee or incorporated into your outlets agreed content package. Find copy in full on PA Explore or contact PA Real Life at RealLife2@pamediagroup.com or on 020 7963 7175 for access or queries After moving into the tower, which did not have a toilet, shower or heating, they said they ended up living in a caravan and buying a second-hand storage container while works took place. We had a makeshift kitchen on that ground floor, and it was warmer inside the fridge than it was outside of the fridge, Mary said. We were in the caravan, we had a Portaloo which would freeze when it got below a certain temperature, so you couldnt flush, and we had no bathing facilities for just under two years. We had to go into the caravan with a bucket youd just fill up a bucket of hot water and throw it over yourself. We had purchased a second-hand container, and Sean had put a wood stove in there, so our teenage son and daughter ended up living in the container from December 2022 to April 2023. open image in gallery Smoke coming from the wood stove in the container they bought The tower is very robust, with some of the brick walls measuring 48cm thick, and Mary and Sean said they have had to meet certain planning conditions, such as limiting the openings during the conversion. They have used materials such as timber and aluminium and said that, to get water, electricity and sewage works to the tower, which has a holding tank next to it, it has cost around 55,000 and on top of that, there is the 10,000 sprinkler system. They are hoping to transform the building, which now measures around 15.3m tall, into a seven-bedroom home, with four bathrooms and a garage, and had budgeted around 350,000 but they now anticipate it will cost them more than 500,000 once completed. Mary and Sean said most of the materials have been purchased but they still need to install the staircase, which will cost 10,000, make the final payments for the windows and plumbing, and finish off the bathrooms. open image in gallery The holding tank under construction Mary said they have done their best to cut costs where possible, including buying items second-hand on Facebook Marketplace, but even after borrowing 100,000 from family, they are running out of funds. Its not like weve been frivolous. Were being as tight and as strict as we can, and were still struggling to find the money, and I lose sleep over it, Mary said. Its all-consuming and nobody wants to be indebted to anybody. open image in gallery Sean helping out at the top of the water tower (Collect/PA Real Life) NOTE TO EDITORS: This image must only be used in conjunction with PA Real Life story REAL LIFE WaterTower. All usage is subject to a fee or incorporated into your outlets agreed content package. Find copy in full on PA Explore or contact PA Real Life at RealLife2@pamediagroup.com or on 020 7963 7175 for access or queries Sean was diagnosed with MND last year, and with the disease gradually getting worse over time, the couple want to complete the project sooner rather than later so that Sean can enjoy it while hes mobile. They have even included a downstairs wet room to ensure it is wheelchair accessible. Feeling weary and with nowhere else to turn, they decided to set up a GoFundMe page, which now has a target of 20,000, and they have raised more than 5,000 so far. They said it would mean everything to them to reach the target and it would help them sleep better at night and allow them to finally spend much-needed quality time together as a family. open image in gallery Picture showing the transformation of the holding tank next to the water tower (Collect/PA Real Life) NOTE TO EDITORS: This image must only be used in conjunction with PA Real Life story REAL LIFE WaterTower. All usage is subject to a fee or incorporated into your outlets agreed content package. Find copy in full on PA Explore or contact PA Real Life at RealLife2@pamediagroup.com or on 020 7963 7175 for access or queries Its all-consuming and we didnt imagine it to take this long, we thought it would be about a year, Mary said. The tower, to us, represents our parents lives because of the inheritance on both sides, our life savings and our life too. Weve literally put everything into it. (Reaching the target) will enable me to focus my mind on Sean, rather than having to think, How on earth am I going to be able to afford this?' Sean added: It would mean a break. It would mean, OK, weve got this far, were safe and were stable. To find out more, visit Mary and Seans fundraising page here. 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 Vanderpump Rules star Lala Kent isnt ashamed she edited her three-year-old daughters teeth on social media. The 34-year-old mother of two spoke out amid criticisms that she whitened her toddlers teeth on her Instagram Story on December 2. Im usually the type to not read/ignore comments, she wrote over a close-up picture of her daughter Oceans smile. But we are from Utah honey we are teeth people! So, I could not let this comment slide. In the image posted to Kents Instagram Story, Oceans two front teeth appeared slightly black and blue compared to the rest of her pearly whites. Ocean has a fond relationship with her wild side and enjoys not listening, Kent continued. She fell off her bike face first. There is trauma to the root of her two front teeth (yes, Im the mom who usually edits this. Go ahead and judge). Lala Kent defends her decision to edit her daughter Oceans teeth amid criticisms ( Instagram/Lala Kent ) The root isnt dead, but we go to the dentist every 3-6 months for check-ins. They will likely have to be pulled or she will have to have a root canal, the reality star said. Ocean thinks they are cool. The speculation spurred following Kents most recent Instagram post with Ocean, in which she was seen on the couch with her three-month-old sister, Sosa, on her lap. Instead of keeping Oceans two front teeth their natural bruised shade, Kent appeared to use a photo editing tool to whiten them. Another Instagram post from November 4 appeared to have Oceans two front teeth whitened, as well as a third photo of Kent posing with her daughters on October 22. The mother of two welcomed Ocean with ex-fiance Randall Emmett in March 2021. The former couple were engaged for three years, before Kent accused Emmett of infidelity. In September of this year, Kent gave birth to Sosa via intrauterine insemination, otherwise known as IUI a fertility treatment in which sperm is surgically inserted in the uterus to fertilize an egg. Before she got pregnant, however, the Bravo star knew she didnt want to wait for another man to come around to have another child. Kent spoke to Cosmopolitan in January about wanting to give Ocean a sibling, whether she was in a romantic relationship or not. It was such a strange thing that was happening because everyone would tell me, Youre going to find somebody, she said. And I got to thinking, Why does my wanting more children need to involve another person? When I had my life go in a very different direction, I knew I wanted more kids, Kent added. 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 Influencer Marlena Velez, who was previously accused of posting a TikTok haul of stolen Target items, has been arrested for allegedly shoplifting at the same Target weeks later. The 22-year-old TikToker, who has more than 414,000 followers on her now-private account, was arrested by the Cape Coral Police Department on Saturday (November 30), receiving a misdemeanor charge on allegations of petty theft. Police responded to a complaint from Targets loss prevention staff at the retail location in Cape Coral, about two hours south of Tampa. Velez, described as a known repeat female suspect, had allegedly scanned a false barcode at the Targets self-checkout instead of the real barcodes on the merchandise. She was accused of stealing 16 household goods and clothing from Target, worth a total value of $225. Officers recognized Marlena Velez from a prior arrest and were able to positively identify her, the Cape Coral Police Department said on Facebook. According to the Lee County Sheriffs Office, Velez was booked on Saturday afternoon and posted a $500 bond for her release the following day. Last month, Velez was once again charged with petty theft after allegedly stealing more than $500 worth of items from the same Target store. She was reportedly caught on security camera at the self-checkout register also scanning a fake barcode that listed lower prices for the items in her cart. open image in gallery Marlena Velez amassed more than 414,000 followers on her TikTok ( Cape Coral Police Department/Facebook ) Cape Coral police had posted a picture of Velez on the departments social media account in hopes the public could identify her. According to the Fort Myers News-Press, an anonymous caller identified Velez and provided her Instagram account, which led police to her TikTok. There, she had allegedly documented herself getting ready on October 30, wearing the same outfit she was seen wearing on Targets security footage. The since-deleted TikTok video also showed her picking out items inside the Target and placing them in her car afterward. open image in gallery Marlena Velez was arrested one month prior after allegedly posting TikTok haul of stolen Target items ( Cape Coral Police Department/Facebook ) The Lee County Sheriffs Office listed December 10 as the same court date scheduled for her last arrest. In Florida, a charge of petty theft could result in a maximum of 60 days behind bars. If Velez is charged and convicted for both cases, she could face a maximum sentence of one year in jail. Velez gained thousands of followers on TikTok from posting about her life as a mother to two children. She was previously arrested in 2019 at age 17 on grand theft auto charges for stealing her friends car and crashing it, according to the Express Tribune. Velez was also arrested in July 2023 for shoplifting at a Walmart in Cape Coral. 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 Watch as King Charles III welcomes the Emir of Qatar to Buckingham Palace as Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani begins a two-day state visit to the UK on Tuesday, 3 December. Charles welcomed the leader and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, during an extravagant ceremony staged in Whitehall. Queen Camilla was absent; On Monday, she pulled out of the official open-air greeting on Horse Guards Parade and a carriage ride back to the palace due to lingering effects of a recent viral chest infection. The Prince and Princess of Wales took part in the ceremony on Horse Guards Parade, one of the few official appearances by Kate during a year in which she has been successfully treated for cancer. Camilla will later join the royal party for a private lunch with the Emir and his wife. She will also take part in all but one of the elements of the evening state banquet at Buckingham Palace, staged in honour of the Emir. 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 local news station in Boston didnt realize they had accidentally filmed Zendaya and her mother walking in the street during a live segment. The Challengers star is currently in Massachusetts filming her upcoming movie, The Drama, alongside Robert Pattison. The news station, Bostons WCVB Channel 5, was doing a segment on the citys holiday activities when it showed B-roll of people walking around the citys popular shopping district on Newbury Street including the Euphoria actor and her mother, Claire Stoermer. The clip, which aired on Sunday (December 1), was later re-posted on TikTok by user @chlomance. WCVB Channel 5 shooting B-roll and not clocking they got Zendaya, they wrote in text over the video. The TikTok was viewed more than 500,000 times, as many people turned to the comments section to express how shocked they were that Zendaya randomly ended up on television. Honestly this is kind of how Id like to see celebrities being found. Casually haha, one comment read. open image in gallery Zendaya and her mother, Claire Stoermer, were accidentally filmed during a Boston news channels live segment ( TikTok/@chlomance ) Zendaya accidentally being on local news is hilarious, another commenter said about the incident. Damn she cant have any peace bc she even accidentally gets filmed, a third commenter joked. Even staff at WCVB Channel 5 chimed in, as reporter Matt Reed commented on the clip: Thanks for letting us know! News anchor Brianna Borghi also commented, writing: And this is why we love our @WCVB Channel 5 Boston viewers!!!! Despite the slip-up, the news station did correct their mistake. They replayed the clip during Mondays (December 2) broadcast, this time zooming in on the family who appeared starstruck after noticing Zendaya walk by, according to People. Zendaya has previously admitted that she prefers to be seen as a person instead of a celebrity. During a Q&A session with her Dune: Part Two co-stars Timothee Chalamet and Austin Butler, as well as director Denis Villeneuve in September, the actor opened up about how she deals with her rising fame and attention. When asked by moderator Erik Davis if they could relate to the films theme of false prophets, based on their own experiences with fame and fans, Zendaya said: I feel like, often, I am not cut out for that part of it. I do love my job, Im so grateful. I love doing the work, I love being on set, I do love moments like this dont get me wrong but I am terrified of that part of it, often. She added: I was a shy kid, always have been, and so this part isnt natural that is a huge reason why fashion became important to me because it became like armor to pretend to go out and do the job. Zendaya said that she wasnt sure if she could fully relate to the question, but added: Thats whats terrifying to me. I would like to be a person and for people to see me as that first, she said. I dont necessarily know if I want or can handle all of that or want [that] [for] some people, thats part of it. They enjoy the power that comes from it, and I dont know if thats for me. 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 European nations approved plans on Tuesday to scale back the protection for wolves in a victory for farmers over environmentalists. The European Union proposal was adopted by the 50 parties in the wildlife and habitats protection Bern Convention and sets up looser protection rules from March 2025 that will allow nations to hunt for wolves under specific circumstances. Farmers in many member states have been increasingly angered by attacks on livestock by packs of wolves that have thrived in woods and fields close to agricultural land. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen backed the measures and said the outcome was important news for our rural communications and farmers who had a right to better protection of their livelihoods. An ardent fan of horses, a wolf killed a pony belonging to her two years ago. Experts and environmental groups estimate there could be up to 19,000 wolves across Europe, with large populations thought to roam in Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania and Spain. Their numbers are estimated to have grown by 25% over the last decade. Environmentalists say the animal is far from a potent threat in most nations. The wolf is still endangered in many parts of Europe, and weakening its protection will only lead to further conflict and threaten its recovery, said Ilaria Di Silvestre, regional director of policy at the International Fund for Animal Welfare. The EU decision lowers the protection status of wolves from strictly protected to protected, allowing for more measures to keep them at bay from farmers and the population. Many EU environmental rules and regulations have come under pressure over the past two years, with populist and extreme-right parties criticizing the measures as being thought up by urban elites with little knowledge of rural life. Center-right, conservative and far-right members of the European Parliament welcomed the move. We had to make life easier for shepherds and farmers in mountainous areas where the wolf has become a plague," said MEP Pietro Fiocchi, who belongs to the far-right Brothers of Italy party. In The Netherlands, parents were warned over the summer not to take young children to a popular forest area near the central city of Utrecht following two close encounters with a wolf displaying atypical and worrying behavior. There are children who no longer cycle to school because of the wolves," said Dutch MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen, who is a member of the Christian Reformed Political Party in The Netherlands and the European Conservatives and Reformists group in the EU assembly. "We could not stand by and watch this problem get further and further out of control. 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 Alvin and Nancy Ravizza had only met former Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell once, years ago at a Christmas tour of her official residence, but they decided to join the stream of other state residents, dignitaries and state Capitol insiders who paid tribute to the late Republican on Tuesday. The couple from Berlin last visited the Capitol building when former Democratic Gov. Ella Grasso also lay in state in 1981. They said they still appreciate how Rell took control of Connecticut in 2004 after her predecessor resigned amid a corruption scandal that had rocked the state. She healed our state, being governor, Nancy Ravizza said. Thats my memory of her. Truly a good woman," Alvin Ravizza said. "That's why we're here." The state's second female governor Grasso was the first Rell served from 2004 to 2011. She previously served as a state representative and then as lieutenant governor from 1995 to 2004, at which point her running mate former Gov. John G. Rowland left office amid a federal investigation and possible impeachment. He ultimately pleaded guilty to a single federal corruption count and served 10 months in prison. Days after her first swearing-in ceremony, nearly 1,000 well-wishers turned out to greet Rell at the state Capitol during an open house. Rell, a mother of two and grandmother of four, died on Nov. 21 at a Florida hospital following a brief illness, according to her family. She was 78. On Tuesday, Republicans and Democrats fondly remember Rell as a special breed of politician in today's world of division and derision a kind, compassionate person who could be stern when necessary but was willing to work with the other side of the political spectrum. At her core, Jodi Rell was a respectful person of integrity who wanted to do her best for the people of Connecticut, and she was willing to work with Democrats, independents and Republicans," said former state Sen. Donald Williams, a Democrat. And thats why we had such a great working relationship, even though we disagreed on some issues. I miss that era in our politics, he added. And Im hoping we can get back to that. In a sign of Rell's penchant for bipartisanship, Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont was scheduled to deliver one of four eulogies during an afternoon memorial service at Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, where Rell's coffin arrived draped in a blue Connecticut state flag. Lamont said he and Rell became good friends after he took office and would appear together at the governor's residence to greet the public during the holidays. She had been out of office for 10, 12 years; people would greet her like theyd just seen her last week, Lamont said. I remember her always saying, Oh, come on, just call me Jodi. Former Republican Secretary of the State Pauline Kezer, who served together with Rell in the state House of Representatives, called her former colleague a trailblazer who took office under tough circumstances" and successfully restored people's confidence in state government. She governed with calmness and firmness, which are two hard things to put together, she said. Democratic Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said Rell also had the gift of being relatable," someone who often talked about shopping at the discount department store Marshalls. Her German shepherd was even named Marshall. Shes just a person that if you saw her at the grocery store or standing in line at Marshalls that youd want to talk to, Bysiewicz said. And she is somebody that everyone respected. 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 General Motors is adding over 132,000 heavy-duty pickups in the U.S. to a previous recall for tailgate release switches that can short circuit and open the gates while the trucks are in park. The recall adds certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 trucks to a February recall of 323,000 heavy duty pickups. Only trucks with a manual gate and power lock and release are affected. The company says in documents posted Tuesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that water can get into the electronic gate release switches, causing the gates to unlatch. If that happens, cargo can fall into the road and become a hazard. The trucks in the new recall were added after the company found 237 field reports of tailgates opening unexpectedly. Until repairs are made, GM says owners should check to make sure the gate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touch pad switch assemblies with new ones that are more resistant to water. Owners will be notified by letter starting on Jan. 13. 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 Small businesses are bracing for stiff tariffs that President-elect Donald Trump has proposed as one of his first actions when he takes office. Trump has proposed importers pay a 25% tax on all products entering the country from Canada and Mexico, and an additional 10% tariff on goods from China, as one of his first executive orders. He previously floated a tariff of up to 20% on everything else the United States imports. This means small businesses may end up paying more for goods and services. Small business owners say they're waiting to see what final form the tariffs take, but are bracing for higher costs that they may in turn need to pass on to consumers. Laurel Orley, cofounder and CEO of Nashville-based sprouted nut snack company Daily Crunch, said at first she didn't think the tariffs would affect her business, because she doesn't import very much. But she realized the tariffs will have a ripple effect. For example, she had planned on sourcing bags from China to save 5 cents a bag. But with the tariffs, she might need to scuttle that plan. That was one of our big initiatives for 2025, moving all our bags to China for 15 cents a bag, she said. And now I dont know if we can save any money on the bags when the tariffs go into effect. Warehouse prices are going up because of the expected tariffs, too, Orley said. Her warehouse provider said demand has been increasing since the tariffs were announced. As many other companies are buying bulk inventory overseas to get ahead of tariffs, warehouse availability is becoming limited, which will increase costs for everyone, she said. So, Orley is trying to lock in her warehouse contract for 2025 and find a third-party logistics provider for the year, to get ahead of whats to come and pre-planning as much as we can, she said. Across the border in Canada, Julie Bednarski-Malik runs another snack company, Healthy Crunch, based in Mississauga, Ontario, that specializes in foods that are free of the top 11 major food allergens like peanut, tree nut and dairy as well as low in sugar. She sells her products in both Canadian and U.S. retail stores, and said tariffs will affect consumers on both sides. If you have a severe anaphylactic reaction to some type of dairy or soy and you cant find a product in the U.S. because were the only ones that make it, its going to be a lot more expensive for U.S. consumers," Bednarski-Malik said. So I think these tariffs are really not only going to be penalizing, you know, other countries such as Canada, but also U.S. consumers." She's holding off on making any major changes in her business until the tariffs are finalized, but expects to see higher prices. Ultimately, the consumer is going to have to pay at the end of the day because our margins are so tight beginning with our food prices, (which) have been increasing dramatically over the last few years, she said. So theres not much margin left to keep the same price and maintain that price while incurring a 25% extra tariff on our product. 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 data cable running across the land border between Sweden and Finland has been damaged, a company providing digital infrastructure and data communication in Northern Europe said Tuesday. Global Connect said the internet cable was damaged in two separate places in southern Finland on Monday, affecting 6,000 private customers and 100 business customers. The first damage has been repaired and internet access has been mostly restored, said Global Connect's spokesman in Sweden, Niklas Ekstrom. We are still working on fixing the second damage. Ekstrom said that one incident was related to excavation works and the second one was still being looked into. We have no analysis on this so far, Ekstrom added. Finland's minister of transportation and communications, Lulu Ranne, wrote on X that authorities are investigating the matter together with the company. We take the situation seriously. Police in Finland put out a brief statement Tuesday saying that they "are not currently conducting a criminal investigation into the damage caused to a fiber-optic cable between Finland and Sweden. The incident comes after the rupture of two data cables on the Baltic Sea bed last month. The two, one running from Finland to Germany and the other from Lithuania to Sweden, were both damaged in Swedish waters. Finnish, Swedish and German authorities have launched investigations. Germanys defense minister said at the time the damage appeared to have been caused by sabotage, though there is no proof at present. Last week, Sweden formally asked China to cooperate in explaining the rupture of the Baltic Sea data cables where a China-flagged vessel had been sighted. 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 forces carried out several new drone and artillery strikes in Lebanon on Tuesday, including a deadly strike that the Health Ministry and state media said killed a shepherd, further shaking a tenuous ceasefire meant to end more than a year of fighting with Hezbollah. The shooting came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed keep striking with an iron fist against perceived Hezbollah violations of the truce. His defense minister warned that if the ceasefire collapses, Israel will target not just Hezbollah but the Lebanese state an expansion of Israels campaign. Since it began last Wednesday, the U.S.- and French-brokered 60-day ceasefire has been rattled by near daily Israeli strikes, although Israel has been vague about the purported Hezbollah violations that prompted them. On Monday, it was shaken by its biggest test yet. Hezbollah fired two projectiles toward an Israeli-held disputed border zone, its first volley since the ceasefire began, saying it was a warning in response to Israels strikes. Israel responded with its heaviest barrage of the past week, killing 10 people. On Tuesday, drone strikes hit four places in southern Lebanon, one of them killing the shepherd in the town of Shebaa, the state-run National News Agency said. The Health Ministry confirmed the death. Shebaa is situated within a region of border villages where the Israeli military has warned Lebanese civilians not to return, with Israeli troops still present. Israeli forces also fired an artillery shell and burst of weapons fire in two other areas, the news agency reported. With Tuesdays death, Israeli strikes since the ceasefire began have killed at least 15 people. Under the terms of the ceasefire, Hezbollah is supposed to withdraw its fighters, weapons and infrastructure from a broad swath of the south by the end of the initial 60-day phase, pulling them north of the Litani River. Israeli troops are also to pull back to their side of the border. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said any violations of the agreement would be met with a maximum response and zero tolerance. Speaking to troops on Israels northern border Tuesday, he said if the war resumes, Israel will widen its strikes beyond the areas where Hezbollahs activities are concentrated, and there will no longer be an exemption for the state of Lebanon. The ceasefire ended 14 months of war between Israel and Hezbollah, capped by an intensified Israeli bombardment since late September and ground invasion that killed hundreds of Hezbollah members and civilians in Lebanon and sent more than 1.4 million fleeing their homes. Throughout that fighting, Israel largely refrained from striking critical infrastructure or the Lebanese armed forces, who kept to the sidelines. Israel has said its aim is to push Hezbollah away from the border to allow the return home of tens of thousands of Israelis forced to evacuate from the north since Hezbollah began firing into Israel in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza. At the moment we are in a ceasefire, I note a ceasefire, not the end of the war. We have a clear goal to return the residents, to rehabilitate the north, Netanyahu said at the start of the government meeting Tuesday. We are enforcing this ceasefire with an iron fist, acting against any violation, minor or major, he said. Lebanese officials have accused Israel of violating the ceasefire dozens of times with strikes, overflights of drones and demolitions of homes. When Israel has issued statements about its strikes, it says they were done because of hostile actions by Hezbollah that posed a threat to Israeli civilians, without specifying their nature. The United States military announced last week that Major General Jasper Jeffers alongside senior U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein will co-chair a U.S.-led committee that is supposed to monitor the ceasefire and ensure adherence to it. The committee also includes France, the UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon known as UNIFIL, Lebanon, and Israel. Hochstein led over a year of shuttle diplomacy to broker the ceasefire deal, and his role will be temporary until a permanent civilian co-chair is appointed. Under the deal, the Lebanese army and UNIFIL are to increase their presence in south Lebanon to ensure Hezbollah does not return. The Lebanese army, which is supported by the U.S. but has suffered severe financial strains in recent years, launched a recruitment drive Tuesday. The military currently has about 80,000 troops, with around 5,000 of them deployed in the south. 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 Jill Biden was departing Tuesday on her final solo foreign trip as first lady, a six-day, four-country jaunt through Italy, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar that wraps with her joining President-elect Donald Trump and other dignitaries in Paris to celebrate the reopening of Notre Dame cathedral. Biden will focus throughout the trip on the issues she has championed as first lady, including support for military families, education, and research into cancer and women's health, and will also highlight U.S. partnerships in these areas with the countries hosting her, according to her office. She is the first Italian American to become first lady and has planned a side trip to her ancestral hometown of Gesso, the tiny Sicilian village where her father's family hailed from. Paris is the final stop to help celebrate the reopening of Notre Dame. The cathedral was painstakingly reconstructed after fire nearly destroyed it five years ago. Trump, who was U.S. president at the time of the fire, announced on Monday that he also will travel to the French capital to join other VIPs attending the high-security event. Jill Biden has become somewhat of a world traveler as first lady. Tuesday's trip will be her 10th solo excursion outside of the U.S.. She also has accompanied her husband, President Joe Biden, on several of his foreign trips. On her own, she has led the U.S. delegations to both the pandemic delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021 as well as this year's Games in Paris, traveled to Ukraine shortly after the invasion by Russia, and has visited Latin America and Africa. In October, she attended the inauguration of Mexico's first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum. Biden was scheduled to depart Tuesday evening after teaching her English and writing classes at Northern Virginia Community College. She arrives Wednesday at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Catania, Italy, to meet with personnel and deliver remarks as part of Joining Forces, her White House initiative to support military families. Her father, Donald Jacobs, was a Navy signalman during World War II. The first lady then stops in Gesso, Italy, before continuing on to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for a day's worth of events on Thursday. The schedule includes a tour of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi as part of the Biden Cancer Moonshot program, and participation in a conversation about the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research at the Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit. Biden will also visit with Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, chairwoman of the General Womens Union and the Family Development Foundation, and president of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, in Abu Dhabi. On Friday in Doha, Qatar, the first lady will highlight the two countries' interests in education and health with separate visits to the Qatar Foundation and Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar, respectively. She'll also be a guest at a dinner banquet hosted by Sheikha Moza bint Nasser to celebrate the royal family wedding of Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Sheikha Fatima bin Nasser bin Hassan Al Thani at the Al-Wajba Palace in Doha. Biden is the keynote speaker Saturday at the Doha Forum, where policy leaders discuss global challenges, before she travels to Paris for the Notre Dame reopening. She is scheduled to return to Washington on Sunday. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Chinese researchers have invented a new gel that could better protect wood from historic shipwrecks from the dangers of erosion. The hydrogel, which is made of water and other synthetic substances known as polymers, melts into the artifacts and works to neutralize elements that could harm the waterlogged material, including wood-eating fungi and acid-producing bacteria. Hydrogels are also used in medicine and firefighting. The gels can be stretched to 20 times their initial length and demonstrate a 99 percent reduction in bacterial presence, the researchers said. This innovative hydrogel effectively neutralizes the acid generated by bacteria metabolism and notably possesses self-dissolution behavior that avoids the damage caused by peeling off the hydrogel from the wood surface. Researchers said the goos characteristics provide a distinct advantage for the timely protection and multipurpose preservation of wooden artifacts and offer potential in other comparable scenarios. open image in gallery A new product could help perseve famous underwater shipwrecks ( REUTERS ) The gel was the result of a collaboration between multiple institutions, including Guangdongs Sun-Yat Sen university and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Their findings were published recently in the journal ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. The Royal Society of Chemistry says that state of a shipwreck depends on several factors, including how long it was underwater its materials, and the conditions where the ship sank. For example, the SS Endurance, the vessel of explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton that had been lost since 1915, was well-preserved 10,000 feet below the surface of the extremely cold Antarctic Weddell Sea when it was found more than a century later. To help keep the history alive, conservators slowly dry marine wooden artifacts to preserve them. They utilize a process that replaces the water with highly pressurized carbon dioxide or a viscous polymer. They can also freeze-dry the artifacts. These efforts take months and can inflict damage, according to the American Chemical Society. The wood can become brittle or warped. open image in gallery Chinese researchers have developed a hydrogel that melts into and preserves ancient waterlogged wooden artifacts. The gel was tested on an 800-year-old shipwreck ( Adapted from ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 2024, DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c06707 ) Nearly two decades ago, scientists found that the production of sulphuric acid inside the ship wood could be the cause of chemical and physical damage. Scientists said a year later that iron from the Swedish warship Vasa, located at the bottom of Stockholms harbor, was causing its degradation. Upon recovery and exposure to air, waterlogged wood undergoes substantial drying shrinkage and deformation. As a result, marine waterlogged archaeological wood preserved in museums becomes more sensitive to changes in humidity, researchers from Beijing and Quanzhou said in a separate study published in the Journal of Cultural Heritage earlier this year. While newly-created gel could act like a face mask for the wood, the group noted, removing the substance could still harm its surface. In response to this issue, the authors of the study made a gel that would both provide the wood with compounds to fight bacteria and acid and gradually dissolve. To do it, they mixed two polymers with the acid-neutralizing potassium bicarbonate, alongside silver nitrate: a compound historically used in photography to process prints. To create hydrogels with different staying power, they adjusted the amount of silver nitrate used. Those with more of the compound remained a gooey solid. To test those hydrogels, they used 800-year-old pieces of wood from the Nanhai No. 1 shipwreck, discovered off of Chinas south coast. The ships remains were discovered just over 80 feet below the sea in 1987. It is believed that the vessel was built between 1127 and 1279, during the Southern Song Dynasty. open image in gallery A barge carrying the wreck of the 800-year-old sunken merchant ship Nanhai No. 1 docks in December 2007 at the Silver Beach in Yangjiang, China. The ship is preserved at an aquarium in the Guangdong Maritime Silk Road Museum ( (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images) ) The Nanhai No. 1 was recovered in 2007 and preserved at an aquarium in the Guangdong Maritime Silk Road Museum, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. They found that each gel neutralized acid up to a centimeter deep after 10 days, but the dissolving gels that contained less silver did so more quickly, after one day. The team also found that artifacts treated with the liquifying gels better maintained their cellular structure and were less brittle than those treated with the solid gels, the society said. The studys authors say their new hydrogel could enhance the worlds ability to untangle its mysteries. There are an estimated 3 million shipwrecks littered across the ocean floor, according to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. 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 7 billion drug empire led by a gangster known as The Big Fella came crumbling down when one of the smugglers left his van full of amphetamines to go on an all-night drinking session inAmsterdam. The 18-strong drug gang believed to be the largest drug operation ever detected in the UK were convicted on Monday with one judge describing the smuggling as on an industrial and unprecedented scale. Ringleader Paul Green, 59, was the point of contact for numerous organised criminal groups (OCGs) who paid a fee to ship heroin, cocaine, amphetamines and cannabis into the UK. open image in gallery Paul Green, 59, arrested at his home in Widnes, Cheshire ( NCA ) Drugs would be hidden within pallets of onions, garlic or ginger to conceal their smell at the Dutch end of the enterprise and then shipped into the UK by innocent haulage firms. The crime group bought so many onions between 40 tonnes and 50 tonnes a week, that it couldnt get rid of them and often sent them back to the continent to act as another cover load. In September 2016 the plot was foiled when an innocent Dutch haulage driver employed to collect and deliver the consignment became suspicious. He returned to his depot and called the police who found eight 1kg bricks of cocaine. A month later Greens gang was trying to smuggle 57kg of amphetamine, worth about 1.1m, from the Netherlands to the UK. But Dutch officers had group members under surveillance and were listening to their phone calls. open image in gallery ( NCA ) Russell Leonard, 47, a foot soldier who spoke fluent Dutch, and a man who cannot be named for legal reasons, had the 57kgs in a van and were responsible for its safe keeping en route to the UK. But Leonard, of Kirkby, Merseyside, who was usually responsible for packing the groups drugs in the Netherlands, and his accomplice went out drinking all night and left the van unguarded in Amstelveen, a southern suburb of Amsterdam. open image in gallery Russell Leonard, 48, of Grosmont Road, Kirkby was jailed for 24 years ( National Crime Agency/PA Wire ) In a conversation recorded by police, Paul Green told one of his bungling smugglers: If the vans gone or been grabbed by the police then therell be f***ing murders. When the duo returned the following morning from their drinking session, they got in the van and drove off but were immediately stopped by Dutch police. Leonard was jailed for 24 years. Among the gangs customers was Merseyside mob enforcer John Kinsella, 53, who was shot dead by a hitman in May 2018 as he walked his dogs with his pregnant partner. open image in gallery John Kinsella is believed to have been walking his dog when he was shot ( Merseyside Police ) Prosecutor Andrew Thomas KC said a feature of the sequence of conspiracies between March 2016 and September 2018 was the determination to continue the importations even after arrests and/or drug seizures. He told jurors: As soon as one company became exposed, they would switch to another one. Only six seizures of drugs were made but National Crime Agency (NCA) investigators were able to prove at least 240 consignments took place with up to four shipments per week. open image in gallery Paul Green, 59, known as The Big Fella was jailed for 32 years ( National Crime Agency/PA Wire ) Among the many items of evidence gathered were messages on Greens encrypted Encrochat phone, with his handler name of Duckfarmer, to accomplices in which he arranged shipments. open image in gallery A Champions League shipment of Class A drugs destined for the streets of the UK ( NCA ) Green, 59, had no previous convictions but had changed his name twice by deed poll from Simon Swift to James Russell and then to Green due to financial difficulties and his self-confessed involvement in property and business fraud. As well as his customers, Green also brought in drugs for his own gang to distribute for sale. Sentencing, Judge Paul Lawton told gang members: The harm caused beyond the importation is incalculable. What you were actually distributing was addiction, misery, social degradation and death. Green, from Widnes, Cheshire, was jailed for 32 years after he was convicted of conspiracy to import drugs and fraud by false representation. open image in gallery Steven Martin, 53, of Chorley Old Road, Bolton, Greater Manchester, who received prison term of 28 years ( National Crime Agency/PA Wire ) His right-hand man, Steven Martin, 53, of Chorley Old Road, Bolton, Greater Manchester, who organised the finances, was imprisoned for 28 years, while another key member, Muhammad Ovais, 46, of Bournelea Avenue, Burnage, Manchester, who was in charge of distributing drugs to OCG customers, was sentenced to 27 years in jail. open image in gallery Barbara Rijnbout jailed for 20 years ( National Crime Agency/PA Wire ) Among others sentenced for drugs importation conspiracy charges were Leonard, 48, of Grosmont Road, Kirkby, Liverpool, who was jailed for 24 years; and Dutch gang bosses Johannes Vesters, 54, and Barbara Rijnbout, 53, both of Utrecht, who received prison terms of 20 years and 18 years. Richard Harrison, NCA regional head of investigations, said: This was an extremely high-harm OCG that used every tactic possible to evade detection and cheat justice. The offenders smuggled huge quantities of drugs into the UK. They had absolutely no ethics. They stooped incredibly low and left a trail of devastation for entirely innocent people by cloning businesses and stealing identities. NCA officers and Dutch partners were tenacious and left no stone unturned in this investigation. 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 schoolgirl has died in Ireland after being stabbed in the neck in her home, police sources said. The girl, named in Irish media reports as eight-year-old Malikika Al Kattib, was fatally wounded after she reportedly put herself in between her mother and a knifeman in New Ross, County Wexford on Sunday. A Gardai spokesperson said the child was taken to University Hospital Waterford, but she had later died from her injuries. A man and a woman, both in their 30s, are receiving hospital treatment following the incident. Their injuries are not thought to be life threatening. A source told the Irish Mirror: She realised her mum was being attacked and went to try to help her as much as a young child can. open image in gallery The fight is believed to have spilled out on the street ( Cillian Sherlock/PA Wire ) Gardai confirmed the coroner had been notified and that the Garda Technical Bureau and Office of the State Pathologist had been requested to assist in the investigation. A post-mortem examination will be scheduled. Local councillor John Dwyer told the Irish Daily Mail that he had spoken with the schoolgirls family who are inconsolable with grief. I got a very distressing phone call from a young woman who was closely related to the child. And I will never forget that phone call, he later told Newstalk Breakfast. That person was desperately, desperately upset. It was one of the most horrific phone calls Ive ever had in my life. It took time to make sense of that phone call. But when I did, the realisation hit me that many, many people in New Ross will have known this child and would have known the mother, who is from the locality. You know, there are no words that could adequately describe how people are feeling. open image in gallery The scene of the murder in New Ross ( Cillian Sherlock/PA Wire ) In a statement, New Ross Educate Together principal Therese White said: We learned this morning of the death of a student who attends our school. This is a terrible tragedy for the family, our school and our community. We are deeply saddened by these events. Our sympathy and thoughts are with family and friends. Our teachers are helping students to deal with this tragic event. We will be sharing information with parents today around how they can support their children at this difficult time. Investigating gardai are appealing to anyone with information to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact New Ross Garda Station on 051 426 030, the Garda Confidential Line on (1800) 666 111 or any garda station. 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 senior Met officer has been charged with attempted rape and sexual assault on a woman while he was off duty. Superintendent Jamie Gordon, attached to the South East Command Unit covering the boroughs of Bexley, Greenwich and Lewisham, was charged on Monday, 4 November, Scotland Yard said. He was bailed and will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 4 December. The alleged offences were reported by one woman who said they had taken place on 8 December and 19 December 2023, when the officer was off duty. He was arrested on 19 January and suspended from duty. It comes after another police officer has been charged with driving offences after a moped rider was killed in a collision with a police van. Cristopher De Carvalho Guedes, 26, was riding alongside his cousin heading toward a snack bar when he was struck by a marked police van in Enfield, north London suffering fatal injuries to his chest and lungs. His family urgently called for a probe into his death in October 2022 which sparked an Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation. The driver of the police vehicle, Constable Ian Brotherton, 32, will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday 4 December to face charges of causing death by dangerous driving, and causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving. An IOPC spokesman said on Monday: Our investigation began following a mandatory referral from the Met Police. At the conclusion of our investigation in April 2024, we decided to refer a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised the charges. 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 killer who boasted Ill only be 45 when I get out in front of his victims grieving family has died in prison aged 42. Callum Tole stabbed grandfather Ronnie Fraser, 44, to death in a Dundee flat over a row about a packet of cigarettes in 2011. As he was led away to his cell after being sentenced for the crime, Tole, then 30, shouted back: Get a grip man happy days. Im still alive. Eighteen years, thatll do for me. Ill only be 45 when I get out. The remark was heard by the victims daughter, sister and other relatives sitting in court after they burst into tears of joy as the unanimous guilty verdict was announced in 2012, more than a decade ago. It is thought he would have actually been 47 before being considered eligible for parole. Tole was in prison in HMP Shotts in North Lanarkshire, Scotland ( PA Archive ) But drug addict Tole died at University Hospital Monklands in North Lanarkshire, Scotland, last week after paramedics were called to HMP Shotts. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: On Tuesday, 26 November, 2024, we received a report of the death of a 42-year-old man within University Hospital Monklands, Airdrie. He had been taken to hospital from HMP Shotts. There are no suspicious circumstances. After his death, a Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: Every death, whether in prison custody or in our communities, is a tragedy for all those who knew and supported the individual. Following the death of someone in our care, Police Scotland is advised, and the matter is reported to the Procurator Fiscal. Fatal accident inquiries are held in due course. At his trial Tole had claimed his Chinese takeaway may have been spiked with drugs as he initially lodged a defence of automatism, according to the Daily Record, claiming he was not in control of his actions. Violence broke out after Tole, high on drugs, pestered Mr Fraser repeatedly for cigarettes. Tole was left bleeding after an initial brawl. The jury at Livingston High Court heard Tole then went into his girlfriends flat, grabbed a seven-inch kitchen knife, then went back into the hall and stabbed Mr Fraser in the heart. Mr Frasers sister Karen Beattie read a statement from the family outside court after Tole was sentenced to life with a minimum of 18 years for murder. She said: This was a premeditated murder which significantly impacted on all of our families lives. It was a cold, calculated and brutal act by a cowardly individual who, whilst under the influence of drugs, violently and fatally attacked and murdered Ronald. 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 A new trial to add a methane-suppressing additive into cow food has prompted online shoppers to threaten a boycott of three major supermarkets. Arla Foods announced the trial of the supplement last Tuesday as part of an attempt to reduce the emissions produced by the cows in their production lines. The feed additive known as Bovaer will be used in a trial across 30 British farms, the company announced in a post on X last week which has been viewed nearly six million times, in a move which it says represents an amazing chance to reduce emissions on farm. Arla, which is the UKs largest farmer-owned dairy cooperative, is working alongside Aldi, Morrisons and Tesco in the trial. But the announcement has received 13,000 replies on X and has led to swathes of people pouring milk down the toilet and throwing tubs of Lurpak in the bin, claiming that Bovaer is toxic and could harm cows, farmers and consumers. open image in gallery Arla has faced a significant online backlash, with consumers filming themselves throwing products in the bin ( AFP/Getty ) Why is Bovaer being tested and what is it? Arla says Bovaer could reduce methane emissions produced by cows by up to 27 per cent. Reducing methane emissions is one of the fastest and most cost-effective tools available to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C, a UK government report found in 2022. Methane accounts for approximately 13 per cent of the UKs net greenhouse gas emissions. In 2021 - the last year with publicly-available data - agriculture was behind 49 per cent of methane emissions in the UK, according to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra). According to the producer of the supplement, DSM-Firmenich, Bovaer suppresses the enzyme within the cows rumen which combines hydrogen and carbon dioxide to produce methane. This means less methane is released by the cow into the atmosphere. The firms website claims that it has been proven safe for animal, farmer and consumer. In a response to online critics in the UK, the firm says 150 trials worldwide and 85 articles in peer reviewed journals support its efficacy. open image in gallery Cows wont produce so much methane if they consume Boevar, it is hoped ( Getty ) Why has there been a backlash? Arlas online announcement sparked anger online, particularly among climate change deniers and those interested in conspiracies as the product was falsely linked to software billionaire Bill Gates. One response to the post on X, liked more than 14,000 times, said: You are f****** insane if you think adding toxic chemicals to cows food that could cause harm to the farmers and the cows will help alter the climate of the planet I will be avoiding ALL of your products. Cows have been farting since cows existed, and the climate has always changed, one consumer wrote. Another said the company is making a huge mistake, adding: Once word gets around people will avoid your products. We do not want that poison in our food. Change your plans or go bankrupt. A fourth wrote: I used to regularly buy your products (mostly protein shakes and yoghurts), but wont be any longer until you stop using Bovaer. I will also be boycotting Tesco, Morrisons and Aldi while they continue to play a part in this. Anyone with me? Posts calling for boycotts of Tesco, Morrisons and Aldi gained significant engagement, with some also taking to TikTok to call on others to join the boycott. Viral online videos have shown people pouring milk in the toilet down the sink as they refuse to consume products made by Arla. DSM Firmenich was forced into stating that Bill Gates - the subject of a number of conspiracy theories - was not involved with the company. Bill Gates is not involved in the development of Bovaer, the company said. How safe is Boevar? DSM-Firmenich says the UK Food Standards Agency has approved the use of Boevar based on evidence that it does not harm the animals or negatively impact their health, productivity, or the quality of milk. It added: They concluded that the product is safe for use, both for animals as well as humans, and is effective in reducing methane emissions. If used as recommended, Boevar is fully metabolized by the cow meaning it is not present in milk or meat, so there is no consumer exposure. There are no health risks and the substance does not impact milk production or reproduction, the firm adds. open image in gallery Arla Foods and DSM-Firmenich say there is no consumer exposure to Boevar ( AFP/Getty ) Arla Foods reiterated these claims in a statement issued in response to the backlash. The statement added: Alongside the 2,000 farmers across the UK who own Arla, we work hard to produce healthy & quality food every day. We work to ensure that this is done safely, whilst also working to reduce our impact on the environment. Both Morrisons and Aldi said they are aligned with Arlas latest statement when contacted by The Independent. The National Farmers Union Dairy Board chair Paul Tompkins said questions remain over the long-term efficacy of Boevar and how it can be used effectively on farms. This latest trial, on a product which has already been approved by the Food Standards Agency as safe for consumers, could help provide some of this evidence, he added. The Independent has contacted Tesco for comment. 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 Margaret Wandia became pregnant after a week-long relationship with a British soldier training near her community in Kenya. They met while she worked at a bar in her early 20s. She knew little about him. He left her with a biracial child. Now that son is 26, and he is part of an effort by a Kenyan lawyer to take a number of such children to Britain. The goal is to confront authorities over hundreds of such cases reported over the years, and to find the fathers and seek their support. It is a long shot after years of attempts by human rights groups to hold the British military and its personnel accountable for their actions during weeks of training in Kenya including alleged rapes and the children they leave behind. The countries $44 million defense cooperation agreement was renewed in 2021. It allows up to 10,000 British forces to train for eight weeks in Kenya every year. Kenyas biracial children are part of broader concerns about the British mission, notably the persistent allegations of rape of local girls and women. Like many biracial children in largely conservative Kenya, Wandia's son, Louise Gitonga, said he has felt excluded by society and left out of education and employment opportunities for being too white. I have an identity crisis that has driven me to alcoholism, the unemployed Gitonga told The Associated Press at his home in the central town of Nanyuki. Everywhere I pass, people call me a white man. Others call me an albino. These names cause me a great deal of pain and hurt." His mother recalled taking him to boarding school and being asked to pay higher fees for her white child. She later married a local farmer, Paul Wachira, who acknowledged the challenges of raising a biracial child. At times, I had to hide him from the rest of the family during gatherings to avoid many questions, as he looked very different from his siblings," Wachira said. Kenyan lawyer Kelvin Kubai represents 10 such children of visiting British forces. He asserted that not all of their parents' relationships were consensual. In collaboration with a British law firm he declined to name, he hopes to take some of the children to Britain next year and go to court. You know, such children do not know the circumstances under which they were born, Kubai said. open image in gallery Louise Gitonga, 24, plucking off khat on a tree in Nanyuki, Laikipia county, Kenya, Saturday ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) He hopes they'll obtain citizenship. According to British law, children born to British citizens are eligible for British citizenship and care of both parents if they are below 18. Seven of the children Kubai represents are under 18. For those older than 18, the trip is a quest for identity and support. Kubai is also raising money $4,600 so far to conduct DNA testing to help find the childrens fathers. The identity crisis affects children born to white fathers. Kubai said he has yet to come across children of Black British fathers. They would not be easy to spot and not face discrimination, he said. A British High Commission spokesperson in a statement to the AP said it and the British military training mission in Kenya cooperate fully with local child support authorities where there are claims relating to paternity. Those authorities didn't respond to questions. But Kenyan mothers and civil society groups have long said British authorities have been little or no help. Jenerica Namoru, 29, has a 5-year-old after dating a British man with the training mission. The mans name appears on the birth certificate as the father after he consented and shared his documentation for the process. Namoru said the man initially accepted the child and communicated with her but refused to send financial support. She sought help at the British Army Training Unit Kenya offices. She said they wouldnt listen. At times, they even blocked me from entering the gate, she said. She's now being represented by Kubai. Biracial children in the area around the British training site date back to the 1960s when Kenya was under British rule. Those born decades ago are also part of current efforts to seek justice and support. open image in gallery Jenerica Namoru, 29, poses for a photo with her five-year old daughter Nicole, in Nanyuki, Laikipia county, Kenya ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) David Mwangi Macharia, 68, bears the nickname British due to his light skin color. He said his mother had a relationship with a British soldier. He works as a night guard and part-time mason after dropping out of primary school due to being ridiculed and discriminated against. (Kenyans) always think that I cannot do menial jobs despite the fact that I am not educated, Macharia said. He has even found it difficult to get along with his darker-skinned siblings. Attempts to hold visiting British forces accountable have long gained little traction, Kenyans say. Marion Mutugi, a commissioner with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, said the relationships between British soldiers and local women range from consensual to transactional to forced. The commission says it has documented over 200 rape cases involving British troops between 1983 and 2003, and it continues to collect data. Britain's defense ministry dismissed the rape cases as not genuine, and an investigation by the Royal Military Police in 2007 did not lead to compensation or justice for the victims, the KNCHR said in a report to Kenya's parliament protesting a past renewal of the countries' defense agreement. (Authorities) also interfere with investigations by compromising the local community. The human rights defenders on the ground are threatened and intimidated by both the BATUK and the Kenyan forces and Kenyan officials to ensure that justice is not reached, Mutugi said. "Our take at the commission was that they wanted to put a Band-Aid on a wound instead of lacerating, dealing with it and operating on it, the commissioner added. The British High Commission has said it was looking into the allegations. Kenyan authorities have never responded to the allegations. The most well-known case is that of Agnes Wanjiru, was killed in 2012 after an evening in the company of British soldiers. An inquest in 2019 concluded that Wanjiru was murdered by British soldiers but no suspect has been charged. A public hearing by the Kenyan parliament's defense committee, which started in May, has revived investigations. Kubai said he hopes to provide Kenyan children of British soldiers a much-needed sense of identity. What we are bringing in the UK court is not just the issue of rape, it is the issue of these children who happen to be prisoners of an identity they did not chose for themselves, he said. 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 A Christmas festival in east Yorkshire has had to cancel its much-anticipated reindeer show over government restrictions to curb the spread of a livestock disease. Visit East Yorkshire has announced that the Cairngorm Reindeer will not be part of this years Beverley Festival of Christmas, set to take place on 8 December. The cancellation comes as a result of government restrictions linked to Bluetongue disease, an animal disease currently affecting the East Riding of Yorkshire, which has been designated a national restriction zone. Councillor Nick Coultish, cabinet member for culture, leisure, and tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, expressed his disappointment. He said: We are saddened that the reindeer cannot join us this year. However, the welfare of the animals is paramount, and DEFRA has advised against their travel into our area. Despite the absence of the reindeer, the festival promises an array of festive delights. An additional live ice carving sculpture will be showcased at the Saturday Market, and Santa Claus will be present to spread holiday cheer. Visitors can also enjoy over 125 stalls offering a variety of food, drinks, and Christmas gifts, ensuring a festive atmosphere for all. Since the outbreak of Bluetongue disease began in November last year, there have been over 100 cases reported, with various temporary control zones established to limit livestock movementThe disease primarily affects sheep, cattle, and goats, causing symptoms such as infertility and breathing issues. The government and farming associations have been actively monitoring and managing the situation to mitigate its impact. It does not affect people or food safety, and meat and milk from infected animals are safe to eat and drink. The virus is primarily transmitted by midge bites, but can also be spread through semen, ova, and embryos, as well as transmitted from mother to unborn offspring, or through the movement of infected animals. The first case in the latest outbreak was identified in November 2023 through Great Britains annual bluetongue surveillance programme. 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 diplomatic disagreement between Britain and Greece over the ownership of the Elgin Marbles has been brought into the spotlight once again as Sir Keir Starmer welcomes Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Downing Street. Mr Mitsotakiss visit comes after he reportedly held private talks with the British Museum which houses the Ancient Greek sculptures about the prospect of their return. Three private talks with the museums chair George Osborne, a former Conservative chancellor, are understood to have taken place this year. It is thought that Sir Keir is more open to the idea of repatriating the artefacts to their ancestral homeland. However, he has ruled out discussing the matter with Mr Mitsotakis at his first UK visit since Labour came to power. open image in gallery Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer, left, and then-shadow foreign secretary David Lammy, second left, during a meeting with the prime minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis, right, in London in November 2023 ( PA Archive ) A spokesperson for Sir Keir said: Its not going to be on the prime ministers agenda. His focus will be on support for Ukraine and the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza. Our position on the Elgin Marbles has not changed. It remains a matter for the British Museum, and the government has no plans to change the law to permit a permanent move of the Parthenon Sculptures. It was reported there was no mention of the Elgin Marbles at the top of a meeting between the two leaders on Tuesday morning. Mr Mitsotakiss visit marks the first since his spat with Rishi Sunak over the Marbles last year. The then-prime minister cancelled a planned meeting with the Greek politician at the last minute, with a spokesperson the plans had become impossible due to commentary around the artefacts. Speaking to the BBC at the time, Mr Mitsotakis compared the marbles also known as the Parthenon Sculptures and stored at the British Museum since the early 19th century to Leonardo Da Vincis Mona Lisa, saying Britain retaining them was akin to carving the famous Renaissance portrait in half and keeping part of it in London and the other in the Louvre in Paris. The British Museum has regularly faced criticism in recent decades over its right to hold onto the treasures of antiquity it houses, with some believing many of the relics in its collection were effectively looted during the colonial heyday of the British Empire and ought to be returned to their countries of origin out of respect for the civilisations that created them. But the institution makes no secret of the debate surrounding the artefacts within its walls and lists contested objects on its website, explaining the historical circumstances of their acquisition and the current state of the often highly sensitive discussions surrounding their retention. Heres everything you need to know about its most disputed artefacts: The Elgin Marbles (Parthenon Sculptures) open image in gallery Sections of the Parthenon Sculptures on display in the British Museum ( Matthew Fearn/PA ) The Elgin Marbles, or Parthenon Sculptures, come from the temple of Athena on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece and continue to represent one of the longest-running controversies concerning the British Museums collection. The museum holds 15 metopes, 17 pedimental figures and a 247-foot section of decorative frieze, all of which are believed to have been crafted between 447 and 432 BC. They were removed by Lord Elgin, British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire still governing Greece in the early 19th century between 1801 and 1805 and were subsequently shipped to Britain. His actions were investigated by a parliamentary select committee in 1816, which ruled that he had committed no wrong but consigned the antiquities to the museum in the best interests of their conservation. The Greek government first requested they be returned in 1983 and discussions have taken place ever since without resolution. Human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson KC accused the museum of being among the worlds largest receivers of stolen property in 2019 over its failure to give back the sculptures and other pilfered cultural property. The British Museum states it takes its commitment to be a world museum seriously, adding: The collection is a unique resource to explore the richness, diversity and complexity of all human history, our shared humanity. The Parthenon Sculptures are an integral part of that story and a vital element in this interconnected world collection, particularly in the way in which they convey the influences between Egyptian, Persian, Greek and Roman cultures. We share this collection with the widest possible public, lending objects all over the world and making images and information on over four million objects from the collection available online. A British Museum spokesperson added in a statement to The Independent: Discussions with Greece about a Parthenon Partnership are ongoing and constructive. We believe that this kind of long-term partnership would strike the right balance between sharing our greatest objects with audiences around the world, and maintaining the integrity of the incredible collection we hold at the museum. Chinese cultural relics open image in gallery A Ming dynasty stoneware figure displayed at the British Museum ( Getty ) Another recent appeal for the museum to return items came from Chinas state-run newspaper The Global Times, which used the visit of former foreign secretary James Cleverly to Beijing in August 2023 to publish an editorial demanding that the institution give back all items acquired through improper channels to China free of charge. It referred to Britains refusal to return artefacts to other countries and accused the museum in particular of adopting a resistant, protracted and perfunctory attitude. The British Museum houses the biggest collection of Chinese relics anywhere in the West at least 23,000 objects ranging from paintings that date back to the Tang dynasty (618 to 907 AD) to bronze vessels from the dawn of Chinas civilisation. Of these, The Global Times reported about 2,000 are currently on display and cited a number of examples it regarded as particularly significant. These included The Admonitions of the Instructress to the Court Ladies by Gu Kaizhi, which the museum describes as a masterpiece and a milestone in Chinese painting history dating from between 400 and 700 AD. Other items cited include Liao tri-colored Luohan statues; ritual bronzes from the Shang and Zhou dynasties and stone Buddhist sutra scrolls from the Wei and Jin dynasties. A spokesperson for the British Museum told The Independent at the time: We understand and recognise the significance of the issues surrounding objects from other countries, and work with communities, colleagues and museums across the globe to share the collection as widely as possible. There has been no request for the return of any objects in the collection by the Chinese government. The Rosetta Stone open image in gallery The Rosetta Stone on display as part of the museums recent Hieroglyphs: Unlocking Ancient Egypt exhibition ( The British Museum/AP ) Egypts former antiquities minister Dr Zahi Hawass launched a petition in November 2022 calling for the museum to return the Rosetta Stone on the 200th anniversary of its hieroglyphics being deciphered. That breakthrough greatly enhanced the worlds understanding of the wonders of Ancient Egypt. It is the time Egyptian identity comes back home. We are not asking the British Museum to return the 100,000 Egyptian pieces they have, we just ask them to return one item, Dr Hawass said. The stone was discovered by French soldiers in the northern town of Rashid in 1799 during Napoleon Bonapartes military occupation of the country but passed into British hands after the generals forces were routed in 1801. Dr Hawass said he hoped to see the stone, which he described as an icon of Egyptian identity, displayed in the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. He is also pursuing the return of the Zodiac of Dendera from the Louvre and the Nefertiti bust from the Neues Museum in Berlin, although he is still some way short of the 1m signatures sought to endorse his appeal for the Stones repatriation. A spokesperson for the British Museum told The Independent at the time: We have received no formal request from the Egyptian government to repatriate the Rosetta Stone. The Rosetta stone is available to all interested audiences, whether in the galleries or via appointment to support academic research. The Benin Bronzes open image in gallery The Benin bronzes seen in a gallery of African relics in the British Museum in London ( Leon Neal/Getty ) The museum houses over 900 elaborately decorated brass and bronze sculptures and plaques from the West African Kingdom of Benin dating as far back as the 16th century. Commemorative heads, animals, human figures and royal regalia originally crafted by specialist guilds are among the collection. Benin City is now the capital of the state of Edo in southern Nigeria but was part of the British Empire from 1897 to 1960. Many of its relics ended up in the hands of British collectors during this period, including the likes of Harry Beasley, William Oldman and Sir Henry Wellcome, who subsequently donated their items to the British Museum in 1944, 1949 and 1954 respectively. The institution reports that it received a written request for the return of Nigerian antiquities from Nigerias Federal Ministry of Information and Culture in October 2021 and that representatives of the Benin Royal Palace have made a number of public statements calling for their return. The museum states it has been in discussions over the issue for several years, with Mr Fisher visiting Nigeria in August 2018, and enjoys positive relationships with the royal palace in Benin City, the Nigerian National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NNCMM) and the Benin Dialogue Group. It says it remains committed to thorough and open investigation of Benin collection histories, and engagement with wider contemporary dialogues within which these collections are positioned. However, the theft of 2,000 pieces from the museums Towneley collection of Graeco-Roman artefacts that emerged last year has heightened calls for the return of the Benin Bronzes, with Abba Isa Tijani, the NNCMMs director telling Sky News in August 2023: Its shocking to hear that the countries and museums that have been telling us that the Benin Bronzes would not be secure in Nigeria have thefts happening there. The Maqdala collection The museum holds 80 objects from the reign of Ethiopias Emperor Tewodros II in the mid-19th century, including ornate ceremonial crosses, chalices, weapons, textiles, jewellery and archaeological material. Tewodros succeeded to the throne of Maqdala, now known as Amba Mariam, in 1855. Seven years later, he called on the British to help train his military in order to shore up his territorial claims in East Africa but the appeal was rejected. Enraged, Tewodros reacted by imprisoning the British consul and taking hostages, including Christian missionaries. Britain responded by dispatching troops under Sir Robert Napier to mount a rescue operation and lay siege to Maqdala, leading to the death of Tewodros in 1868 and the pillaging of his fortress by soldiers, much of the spoils subsequently picked up at auction by British Museum employee Richard Rivington Holmes and entering the archives. Delegates from Ethiopia have often visited Bloomsbury in recent years, including culture minister Hirut Kassaw in March 2019, to request the return of its sacred objects and the matter remains under discussion. The Museums sustained long-term ambition relating to the tabots is to lend them to an Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Great Britain where they can be cared for by the clergy within their traditions, added the British Museum. The Moai open image in gallery Hoa Hakananaia, a basalt Easter Island head, is displayed at the British Museum ( Dan Kitwood/Getty ) Two moai are currently held at the museum. These are monolithic ancestral heads originating from Rapa Nui in the South Pacific, better known as Easter Island in English. The first moai, Hoa Hakananaia, is carved from basalt and has been dated to 1000-1200 while the second, Moai Hava, was made from volcanic tuff between 1100 and 1600. They were removed from the island by Commodore Richard Powell of HMS Topaze in 1868, who returned to England with them a year later. They were subsequently gifted by the admiralty to Queen Victoria, who in turn donated them to the museum. Rapa Nui requested their return in a letter of July 2018 and a delegation of representatives arrived the following November. A reciprocal visit was made in August 2019 and the museum is now in the process of developing a long-term relationship with the community of Rapa Nui. Early Australian shield The British Museum loaned a tribal warriors shield carved from red mangrove wood and thought to date back to the New South Wales of the late 1700s to the National Museum of Australia in Canberra for an exhibition in 2015/16. There, it was seen by Aboriginal man Rodney Kelly, who appealed for its return on behalf of his ancestors. He has since visited London on several occasions to meet with the curators, most recently in 2019, and has asked for further research to be carried out into the shields history. It is not clear exactly how the museum obtained it in the first place, although it is believed to have been shipped back from Sydney between 1790 and 1815, possibly by affiliate Joseph Banks, although this is not certain. The museum said it would consider lending the shield again. Objects of uncertain provenance 1933-45 One of the most tricky and sensitive areas for the British Museum is establishing whether any of the objects donated to it since the Second World War were in fact stolen, looted or otherwise taken by the Third Reich prior to or during the conflict. In cases where it has become clear that an object was forcibly obtained by the Nazis, every effort has been made to ascertain that it was correctly restituted at the end of World War II and that the Museums acquisition was made with good title, the museum explains. It settled a number of claims related to artworks, antique clocks and watches and valuable porcelain between 2006 and 2014. Human remains The British Museum reports it has more than 6,000 human remains in its collection, which it says are managed in a way that protects the collection for the benefit of present and future generations. It says it has received two requests for repatriation since the Human Tissue Act 2004 came into force in 2005: the first in July that year for two cremation ash bundles from the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre and another in May 2011 for two skulls from a Torres Strait Islander organisation - in cooperation with the Australian government in both instances. Following a review, the ash was ultimately returned but the skulls were retained after the trustees ruled there was insufficient evidence to support the claim on them. The museum also lists six prior requests between 1995 and 2004, four of which had been made by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre for the same material. 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 Gregg Wallaces claim that accusations of inappropriate behaviour against him came from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age has sparked a furious backlash and left the BBC in turmoil. He later apologised for any offence that I caused. The MasterChef presenter stepped back from the cooking show on Thursday after various allegations emerged that he had made sexual comments to staff and guests. Over the weekend, it was reported that the BBC had been made aware of complaints as far back as 2017, while it was claimed that a letter had been sent to the broadcaster in 2022 stating that women had been made to feel uncomfortable in the 60-year-olds presence. On Sunday morning, in a video posted on Instagram that has triggered an angry backlash, Wallace then responded to the accusations, which he denies. Below, The Independent takes a look at the allegations made against Wallace and the responses. open image in gallery Gregg Wallace has denied accusations of inappropriate behaviour ( PA Wire ) What are the allegations made against Wallace The MasterChef presenter faces a string of allegations, including of making inappropriate sexual jokes, asking for the phone numbers of female members of production staff, and undressing in front of and standing too close to women working on his shows. Kirstie Allsopp alleged Wallace once made a comment to her about his sex life, which left her so embarrassed she thought she might cry. The Sunday Times reported that BBC executive Kate Phillips raised concerns that Wallaces behaviour was unacceptable and cannot continue after broadcaster and former Celebrity MasterChef contestant Aasmah Mir complained about inappropriate comments during filming. The newspaper claimed Wallace received another warning the following year after a complaint was raised about his behaviour on the quiz show Impossible Celebrities. The Sunday Telegraph reported producer Georgia Harding, who worked on MasterChef between 2014 and 2015 and later Eat Well For Less, claimed she raised concerns about inappropriate behaviour from him while working on the show. She alleged the presenter undressed in front of colleagues and made inappropriate sexual jokes in front of the crew and people appearing on the shows. open image in gallery Kirstie Allsopp alleged Wallace once made a comment to her about his sex life, which left her so embarrassed she thought she might cry ( Getty Images ) The former greengrocer was also accused of making lewd comments and asking for the personal phone numbers of female production staff in a letter that Dawn Elrick, a producer and director, claimed to have sent to the BBC in 2022. Elrick told the Observer, the letter had been submitted with the support of industry union Bectu, and added she also submitted the allegations to the corporation via Navex Global, an external whistleblowing service. Allegations were also raised by staff members about Wallaces behaviour on Channel 5s Gregg Wallaces Big Weekends to BBC News. He also faces allegations of inappropriate sexual comments from 13 people across a range of shows over a 17-year period, as reported by BBC News. How is it claimed complaints have been handled? Claiming there was an acceptance of Wallaces behaviour, Ms Harding said nothing was done about concerns raised. Meanwhile, Ms Elrick alleged the BBC suggested each individual would have to make their own, direct complaint to the corporation, and said she had received no further contact with regard to her report. How has Wallace responded? On Sunday morning, Wallace initially responded to the allegations against him by claiming they came from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age in an Instagram post that prompted a fierce backlash. He said: Ive been doing MasterChef for 20 years, amateur, celebrity and professional MasterChef, and I think, in that time, I have worked with over 4,000 contestants of all different ages, all different backgrounds, all walks of life. open image in gallery On Sunday morning, in a video posted on Instagram that has triggered an angry backlash, Wallace then responded to the accusations ( Gregg Wallace/Instagram ) Apparently now, Im reading in the paper, theres been 13 complaints in that time. I can see the complaints coming from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age, just from Celebrity MasterChef. This isnt right. In 20 years, over 20 years of television, can you imagine how many women, female contestants on MasterChef, have made sexual remarks, or sexual innuendo? Can you imagine? In a third video, Wallace claimed absolutely none of the people he had worked with on his shows had made a complaint about him. The presenter has denied all accusations of inappropriate behaviour. His lawyers say that it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature. Wallace later apologised in a second Instagram video for any offence that I caused. What has the BBC said? In response to reports in the Times and Telegraph, a BBC source said: While we are not going to comment on individuals or any internal HR processes, particularly when there is an ongoing process in place being run by Banijay who have the direct contractual relationship with Gregg Wallace. It would be wrong to report the BBC has done nothing if or when matters have been raised with us not least because it is already being widely reported there were interventions in both 2017 and 2018 where action was taken. open image in gallery It was announced Wallace is to step away from MasterChef while historical misconduct complaints are externally reviewed by the BBC cooking shows producer Banijay UK ( BBC ) We continue to urge caution about pre-judging any of this, particularly the involvement of BBC staff members and any inference they have not acted appropriately. In response to Ms Elricks alleged letter, a BBC spokesperson said it had robust processes to deal with complaints swiftly and appropriately and added it will always listen if people want to make us aware of something directly. BBC News said it sent a letter to the TV stars representatives earlier this week over the allegations of inappropriate sexual comments from 13 people across a range of shows over a 17-year period. What have the producers said? Rumpus Media, the producer of Channel 5s Gregg Wallaces Big Weekends, said it would be investigating allegations of inappropriate behaviour. It comes after it was announced Wallace is to step away from MasterChef while historical misconduct complaints are externally reviewed by the BBC cooking shows producer Banijay UK. The production company confirmed it has appointed law firm Lewis Silkin to lead an investigation into Wallaces alleged behaviour. 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 Perhaps the most well-known cooking competition in the world, the MasterChef brand has faced some of its most challenging moments since its beginnings in recent days. Gregg Wallace, the greengrocer turned TV host who has fronted the show for almost 20 years, was forced to step away on Thursday as allegations of misconduct from 13 people over a 17-year period are investigated. Since the complaints came to light, many more women have come forward to share their experiences with Wallace, with many alleging he made a series of sexually inappropriate comments whilst filming for the show itself. As accusations continue to pour out, the BBC have faced tough questions about the future of the show, given Wallace is almost synonymous with the UK versions comprising of, MasterChef, MasterChef: The Professionals and Celebrity MasterChef, in which he serves as a judge on all. The broadcaster initially stood firm on its decision to broadcast all material featuring Wallace that had already been filmed, and took until Tuesday to pull MasterChef Christmas specials from its scheduling. However, it has made the decision to continue airing episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals, which was already mid-way through its season when Wallace stood down. open image in gallery Two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials have been pulled from the BBCs schedule after Gregg Wallace stepped away from hosting the cooking show ( BBC/Shine TV ) A BBC spokesperson said: As we have said, MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the chefs taking part and the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals is continuing as planned. The celebrity Christmas specials are obviously a different type of show and in the current circumstances we have decided not to broadcast them. As one of the BBCs longest-running and most well-loved shows, MasterChef has remained a jewel in the broadcasters crown since its genesis in 1990. Its initial run lasted 11 years, before it was rebooted with Gregg Wallace as its host in 2005. Since then, it has grown into the number of forms we see on our screens today, including the professional and celebrity versions. open image in gallery The BBC iPlayer app displaying an episode of MasterChef: The Professionals available to watch on demand (Yui Mok/PA) ( PA Wire ) While specific revenue figures for the BBC version are not typically disclosed, the global MasterChef format is recognised as a lucrative asset, generating income through advertising, international licensing, merchandise, and spin-offs. In 2023, BBC Studios earned around 2 billion in total revenue, with its format sales and licensing deals, including MasterChef, playing a role in this figure. The latest season of classic MasterChef won the title of the BBCs highest rated cookery show this year, according to Banijay, the company which produces the show. Season 18, which aired in 2023, scored almost 4m viewers for its finale and was the BBCs highest rated cookery show since 2016. Now, three decades after the first UK version, MasterChef is loved around the world and has grown into a global brand. Produced by Banijay around the world, the company estimate it has been watched by over 1 billion people globally, with it being adapted in 65 territories worldwide, and broadcast in over 200. Some of the most successful versions of the show include MasterChef Australia and USA, which is judged by Gordon Ramsay. open image in gallery MasterChef USA is judged by Gordon Ramsay ( Getty Images for Vegas Uncorkd ) To top it off in 2017, MasterChef gained a Guinness World Record for the worlds Most Successful Cookery Television Format. While the latest season of MasterChef: The Professionals remains on air, Banijay UK are conducting an external review into Wallaces behaviour and has confirmed he will not be contracted until it has reached its conclusion. Wallace has denied all accusations of misconduct and apologised for subsequent remarks made in the wake of the reports. 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 Jaguars new luxury electric car has divided opinion as the company revealed a first look at the model after coming under heavy criticism for rebranding its image. Widespread controversy was sparked last month when the British car maker unveiled a series of dramatic changes ahead of becoming a fully electric brand. This included a new bespoke logo, written as JaGUar, a new prancing leaper cat design and marketing slogans such as delete ordinary, live vivid and copy nothing. Images of the new electric car, called the Type 00, were shared at an event in Miami in the US on Monday, with the model described by the brand as a concept with bold forms and exuberant proportions to inspire future Jaguars, and revealed in two colours: Miami Pink and London Blue. This time the response has been intensely divided, with some heralding the new car as a triumph while others criticising it as not the way to go for Jaguar. open image in gallery Some have heralded the new car as a design triumph while others have criticised it as not the way to go for Jaguar ( Jaguar ) Hailing the vehicle as a design triumph, Daily Telegraph motoring correspondent Andrew English went so far as to say: The Type 00 concept car, subject of four years of work, looked quite simply breathtaking. Others chimed in on social media to describe the model as a beauty and amazing, with another giving their verdict: Love it. However, Beatrix Keim, director at the Center of Automotive Research, told the BBC, This is not the way to go, citing reasons such as a market already saturated with big cars describing Jaguars new model as too big, too unreal and that electric cars cannot only be for the rich. She added: Of course, Jaguar is a luxury brand. But I dont think that this is the direction which Jaguar at current point of time needs, because its losing out on volume as well. And this is not a volume car. Many on social media went even further, with one user describing the new car as appallingly bad and another as an ugly duckling. open image in gallery Images of the new electric car, called the Type 00, were shared at an event in Miami in the US on Monday ( Jaguar ) The Jaguar logo is laser-etched into a brass ingot on each side of the car, which themselves open to reveal rear-facing cameras that provide a view for the driver similar to conventional wing mirrors via screens located in the cabin. Access to the cabin comes through two butterfly doors which reveal a large, spacious interior with three hand-finished brass lines which run the length of the interior. The floating front seats are finished in a wool blend which is also used on the flooring and other areas. Jaguar said the new car uses a dedicated electric platform which should return up to 478 miles of range while rapid charging will add 200 miles of charge in 15 minutes. open image in gallery The production-ready version of the Type 00, which will be made in the UK, is set to be revealed late in 2025 ( Jaguar ) The production-ready version of the Type 00, which will be made in the UK, is set to be revealed late in 2025. Although prices have not yet been confirmed, it is expected to cost more than 100,000. Speaking at what he called the reimagining in Miami, chief creative officer Professor Gerry McGovern said the new brand was influenced by the desire to recapture the essence of Jaguars original creative conviction. Some may love it now, some may love it later and some may never love it. Thats what fearless creativity does, he said, citing David Bowie, Vivienne Westwood and architect Richard Rogers as some of his creative heroes open image in gallery Although prices have not yet been confirmed, the new car is expected to cost more than 100,000 ( Jaguar ) They were British trailblazers who challenged convention and had no desire to copy the norm. Controversy has always surrounded British creativity when its been at its best. The company said that both its cars and culture will come to life in a number of exclusive brand stores, with the first of these being located in the 8th arrondissement in Paris. Jaguar will launch three new electric cars in 2026, having taken new cars off sale more than a year ago to focus on its rebrand. 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 Stalking victims will be able to learn their perpetrators identity more quickly under new measures unveiled by the government. Perpetrators will be subject to a tougher restraining order system as new policies make it easier for victims to obtain Stalking Protection Orders to stop offenders from pursuing and harassing them. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will introduce new Right to Know statutory guidance to enable police officers to disclose an online stalkers identity at the earliest chance. The impetus for this measure stems from ex Coronation Street actor Nicola Thorps own stalking ordeal - with the Home Office saying the police refused to disclose the identity of her perpetrator even after he was arrested. Ms Thorpe only learned the identity of her stalker once in court - even though he once said he had got so close to Nicola on a train that he was able to smell her. She was subjected to a relentless slew of violent misogynistic messages, with the man setting up nearly 30 social media accounts to send these. The man, who dubbed himself The Grim Reaper in some of his messages to the actor, is serving a 30-month prison sentence with a lifetime restraining order. open image in gallery Nicola Thorpe (Suzan Moore/PA) ( PA Archive ) New measures, launched by the Home Office on Tuesday, will make Stalking Protection Orders more accessible. Under the current system, the orders can only be enforced when an offender is convicted and a protection order was in force prior to the trial. But with the raft of new measures in place, courts will be able to administer protection orders after they have been convicted in instances when there was no order before their trial and also implement orders on individuals who have been acquitted if sufficient evidence indicates they pose a risk. Such orders can block perpetrators from contacting their victims or going in a certain vicinity of them, as well as forcing them to attend schemes which aim to tackle their behaviour. Too often, I hear from victims facing relentless, terrifying behaviour from stalkers - only for the police or Crown Prosecution Service to downgrade it to a lesser offence, such as malicious communications or harassment. Claire Waxman OBE Ms Cooper said: Stalking is a horrendous crime. For far too long, victims of stalking have been subject to debilitating and vicious abuse at the hands of stalkers who use any means necessary to monitor and control their victims lives. Let us be clear - we will use every tool available to us to give more power to victims and take it away from the hands of their abusers. The new measures are a key element of Labours cross government mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade, the Home Secretary said. Ms Thorp added: For too long, stalking victims have been at the mercy not only of their stalker, but a justice system that failed to protect them. These new measures will empower victims to regain some much-needed control of their lives and police to bring abusers to justice. The government will also undertake a review of stalking legislation to decide if the law needs to be overhauled to support police to improve how they handle stalking cases. On top of this, the new measures will define stalking in statutory guidance and establish a legal framework to help services such as police, healthcare and education to join forces to tackle stalking. Jess Phillips, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, said: As a victim of stalking myself, I know just how terrifying it can be to be subject to such controlling behaviour. Today we are announcing six fresh measures which will help people go about their lives with the confidence that the person stalking them is being dealt with robustly and that more protections are in place to help them. Londons Independent Victims Commissioner, Claire Waxman OBE, said: Too often, I hear from victims facing relentless, terrifying behaviour from stalkers - only for the police or Crown Prosecution Service to downgrade it to a lesser offence, such as malicious communications or harassment. It is clear the current stalking laws are failing to protect victims and I urge government to now proceed swiftly with their review in this area. 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 Top nurses have warned that planned government reforms for the health service stand no chance if widespread problems with recruitment and retaining staff are not fixed. While new figures show that the number of registered nurses and midwives in the UK is at a record high, experts say that recruitment of nurses is slowing down in an incredibly worrying trend. Chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), Professor Nicola Ranger, said that the profession was witnessing a devastating increase in people leaving within five years of joining. She added: Nurse recruitment is slowing, the numbers of new starters is falling...at a time of widespread vacancies, these trends are incredibly worrying for our NHS and the people that rely on its care. Across the health and care services, international recruitment was utilised to plug rota gaps, but we are now watching as thousands of overseas staff choose to go elsewhere. She warned this downturn in overseas staff was coming at a time when fewer UK students were signing up to become nurses, saying: The number of student nurses in the UK dropped considerably again this year, showing worse years seem be ahead. New tighter regulation introduced in December 2023, which stopped overseas care workers bringing their family members to the UK, has contributed to a sharp decline in health care visa applications. There were 50,591 of health and care worker visas granted in the year ending September 2024, 65 per cent fewer than the previous year. Experts claim the workforce is increasingly inexperienced, while facing worrying shortages and still relying heavily on candidates from overseas. Policymakers have been urged to consider measures such as student loan forgiveness schemes to ensure there are enough home-grown staff. The latest mid-year report from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) shows there were a record 841,367 professionals on the register as of the end of September. The figure is an increase of 14,949 compared to the previous six months and 22 per cent higher than March 2017. The NMC said growth has been upheld by two pillars in the past seven years. The number of new starter nurses is slowing down, unions have warned, having a knock on impact on healthcare services ( PA ) These are a steady pattern of domestic recruitment and a significant rise in overseas joiners. The figures show 14,780 UK-educated professionals joined the register between April and September, a fall of 1.8 per cent compared to the previous six months, while 11,569 UK-educated staff left the register, some 1.6 per cent higher than the figure reported in the six months to September 2023. Meanwhile, the NMC said international recruitment was starting to slow. Its data shows there were 12,534 internationally educated joiners on the register in the six months to September, which is 16.6 per cent fewer than the same period last year. Some 2,573 international staff also left the register, an increase of 33 per cent. Kuljit Dhillon, interim executive director of strategy and insight at the NMC, said: Nursing and midwifery are among the UKs most trusted professions, so as we head into another tough winter, we hope there is small comfort in the growth of our register to a record 841,000. At the same time, there are notes of caution in our data around international recruitment, which has been a pillar of workforce growth in recent years. Weve seen a fall in internationally educated joiners and an even higher proportional rise in leavers, although its important to view leavers data through the lens of a growing register. Professor Ranger, from the RCN, added: Across England, we desperately need a loan forgiveness scheme to boost domestic recruitment into the profession. The governments NHS reforms stand no chance of being delivered without addressing these fundamentals. Dr Billy Palmer, senior fellow at think tank Nuffield Trust, welcomed the growth in the register but warned the workforce is facing shortages. He also described the figures as a chronic symptom of a domestic clinical education system that is not fit for purpose. The UKs nursing and midwifery workforce is increasingly inexperienced and facing deeply worrying shortages in important areas, with learning disability nursing numbers still lower than five years ago, Dr Palmer said. Concerningly, the number of nurses and midwives with over 10 years experience is falling, and 28 per cent of staff have five years experience or less - echoing similar trends seen in the latest registration data for doctors. This shift to less experienced staff may affect productivity and put a strain on those who train, mentor and supervise them. He added: We have warned the NHS is failing to attract homegrown nurses, with new domestic joiners having previously fallen by more than 6,000 over two years. Now, the heavy reliance on overseas joiners continues, with nearly half of new nursing and midwifery registrants educated outside of the UK. 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 Lady Gabriella Kingstons husband took his own life after suffering an adverse reaction to an antidepressant medication prescribed by his doctor, a coroner has ruled. Thomas Kingston, who married the daughter of the Prince and Princess Michael of Kent at Windsor Castle in 2019, died from a head injury and a gun was found near his body on 25 February at his parents home in the Cotswolds. At an inquest into his death held at Gloucestershire Coroners Court on Tuesday, Lady Gabriella, 43, called for people to be warned about the effects of medications used to treat mental health conditions or she feared more people could die. The inquest was told that Kingston, 45, a financier, had initially been given sertraline, a drug used to treat depression, and zopiclone, a sleeping tablet, by a GP at the Royal Mews Surgery, a practice at Buckingham Palace used by royal household staff, after complaining of trouble sleeping following stress at work. Kingston returned to the surgery saying they were not making him feel better, and his doctor moved him from sertraline to citalopram, a similar drug. open image in gallery Thomas Kingston and Lady Gabriella Kingston after their wedding at St Georges Chapel in Windsor in 2019 ( PA Archive ) In the days leading up to his death, Kingston had stopped taking medication, and toxicology tests showed caffeine and small amounts of zopiclone in his system. In a statement read out by Katy Skerrett, senior coroner for Gloucestershire, Lady Gabriella said: [Work] was certainly a challenge for him over the years but I highly doubt it would have led him to take his own life, and it seemed much improved. If anything had been troubling him, Im positive that he would have shared that he was struggling severely. The fact that he took his life at the home of his beloved parents suggests the decision was the result of a sudden impulse. She said she believed his death was likely provoked by an adverse reaction to the medication he had begun, and subsequently stopped, taking, in the weeks leading up to his death. The lack of any evidence of inclination, it seems highly likely to me that he had an adverse reaction to the pills that led him to take his life, Lady Gabriella said. open image in gallery Thomas Kingston and Lady Gabriella Kingston arriving to attend a Service of Thanksgiving for Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey in 2022 ( AFP via Getty Images ) I believe anyone taking pills such as these need to be made more aware of the side effects to prevent any future deaths. If this could happen to Tom, this could happen to anyone. In his final weeks, Lady Gabriella said her husband had seemed normal, apart from early in the day after previously taking zopiclone, which she said made him seem almost hungover. In her statement, she described their marriage as deeply loving and trusting and said he had never expressed any suicidal thoughts to her or others. She added that he had been deeply affected by the suicide of a friend and the devastating impact it had on other peoples loved ones. Lady Gabriella, whose wedding to Kingston included Queen Elizabeth II and the late Duke of Edinburgh among the guests, cried while she sat in the coroners court as her statement was read out. open image in gallery Thomas Kingston died from a head injury and a gun was found near his body on 25 February at his parents home in the Cotswolds ( PA Archive ) Recording a narrative conclusion, Ms Skerrett said: Mr Kingston took his own life using a shotgun which caused a severe traumatic wound to the head. The evidence of his wife, family and business partner all supports his lack of suicidal intent. He was suffering adverse effects of medication he had recently been prescribed. She said she intended to draft a prevention of future deaths report, which would be sent to medical bodies. Mr Kingstons father, William Martin Kingston, broke down in tears as he described finding his son in the locked bathroom of a detached annexe, having used a crowbar to break down the door. He told the court his son had always had a strong, resilient character, having previously suffered from a pain condition which left him needing help to get up the stairs. He told the coroner that leading up to his sons death there did not appear to have been any searches for suicide, and no will or note was left, describing the method as very ragged which was simply out of character. Dr David Healy, a psychiatric medical expert who gave evidence to the hearing, said zopiclone could also cause anxiety, while sertraline and citalopram were both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and essentially the same. Dr Healy said Kingstons complaints that sertraline was continuing to make him anxious was a sign SSRIs did not suit him, and he should not have been prescribed the same thing again. He said the guidelines and labels for SSRIs were not clear enough about going on the drugs in the first place, or what the effect could be when moving from one to another. We need a much more explicit statement saying that these drugs can cause people to commit suicide who wouldnt have otherwise, he said. Addressing the coroner, Martin Porter, counsel for the family, said: The family dont blame [his GP] Doctor Naunton Morgan, she was acting as good doctors do. But the question is whether there is sufficient advice to doctors on SSRIs. If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offers support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. For services local to you, the national mental health database Hub of Hope allows you to enter your postcode to search for organisations and charities who offer mental health advice and support in your area. 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 gaffe-prone leader of the Welsh Conservatives has resigned following a vote of no confidence. Andrew RT Davies said he was standing down with regret, and conceded that as a substantial minority of his party did not support him his position was untenable. In his resignation letter, he hit out at his critics, praising Tory members who helped the party not out of financial motivation or in the interests of personal gain, but because they believe passionately in conservative values and in the United Kingdom as our nation state. This stands in direct contrast to some Conservative Senedd members.He later blasted a muesli and croissant brigade within the group. He added that in recent months it has become increasingly difficult to take the political approach he wanted due to resistance from some members within the Senedd Group. Davies referenced resistance within the Conservatives in Welsh parliament in his resignaton letter ( PA ) He added: In many cases, it was impossible to offer clarity of message, with statements contradicted publicly by certain members. This made it unclear to the public exactly what the Conservative Party in Wales stands for. Last week, a group of Senedd members approached me, threatening to resign [from] their positions in shadow cabinet if I did not agree to step down as leader. I therefore requested a motion of confidence in my leadership to be held at a meeting this morning. This vote has now taken place. It was clear from the result that a substantial minority of the group do not support our approach, despite it being the only viable strategy available. While I would have been honoured to continue as leader, my position is consequently untenable. He later said his leadership offered a full Welsh fry-up with extra black pudding. My detractors wanted more muesli and croissant. Obviously, the muesli and croissant was in the minority, were constantly running to the press, leaking stories, and that doesnt do any good for a united party. The gaffe-prone politician once declared he was 19 stone of prime Welsh beef. He was also ridiculed after saying at the 2016 Conservative Party conference that breakfast, not Brexit, would be a success. In 2014 he was accused of undermining his partys opposition to wind farms after an application to build a 99.5-metre high wind turbine on his own land was submitted. Former first minister of Wales Carwyn Jones even once accused him of being the Homer Simpson of Welsh politics, claiming he kept putting his foot in his mouth. Last month he was accused of shrugging off an official reprimand in the Senedd after he was censured for falling foul of the rules over social media posts. In one he had claimed Wales had a blanket 20mph speed limit, despite there being exceptions to the policy and it only affecting built-up areas. Lee Waters, a Labour member, criticised Mr Davies for not turning up to the chamber to respond to the reprimand, accusing him of shrugging off the complaints. Mr Davies reportedly won the confidence vote with seven voting against their leader and nine backing him to stay in post. But his victory was not convincing enough to remain in the job. He will leave his post as leader of the Welsh Conservative Group in the Senedd once a successor is elected. 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 Sir Keir Starmer ruled out discussing a return of the Elgin Marbles to Greece in his meeting with his Greek counterpart on Tuesday despite claims from Athens that progress had been made on the issue. While Downing Street insisted that the ancient sculptures would not be on the agenda for the bilateral meeting between the Sir Keir and Kyriakos Mitsotakis, a Greek government official said progress has been made and it will be discussed further on Tuesday. The Greek official told The Times: Progress for the return of the Parthenon marbles has been made by the two sides and that is why Mitsotakis is meeting today with the British prime minister. Nothing is in hiding. Nothing is hidden. But ahead of the meeting, the prime ministers official spokesperson said: Its not going to be on the prime ministers agenda. His focus will be on support for Ukraine, the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza. open image in gallery ( AFP via Getty Images ) The prime minister welcomed Mr Mitsotakis to No 10 on Tuesday morning, the Greek leaders first official visit to the UK since a quarrel with Rishi Sunaks government over the ancient marbles, also known as the Parthenon Sculptures. Following the meeting, a Downing Street spokesperson stressed there has been no change to the governments position, adding: It is a matter for the British museum. The government has no plans to change the law that would permit a permanent move of the Elgin Marbles. A British Museum spokesperson said discussions with Greece about a Parthenon Partnership are on-going and constructive. We believe that this kind of long term partnership would strike the right balance between sharing our greatest objects with audiences around the world, and maintaining the integrity of the incredible collection we hold at the museum. Greece has long maintained that the Elgin Marbles were illegally removed from their place high atop Athens acropolis during a period of foreign occupation. The government and the British Museum reject this characterisation. It comes amid reports that ongoing talks about the future of the statues are now well advanced, citing sources close to the negotiations between the museum and the Greek Foreign Ministry. A cultural partnership would be likely to be at the heart of a deal, The Guardian said, which could see the sculptures returned to Athens in exchange for exhibitions of famous artworks. open image in gallery Starmer welcomed his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Downing Street on Tuesday morning ( AP ) The marble statues came from friezes on the 2,500-year-old Parthenon temple and have been displayed at the British Museum for more than 200 years. They were removed by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century, when he was British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. Some of the remaining temple statues are on display in the purpose-built Acropolis Museum in Athens, and Greece has long called for the collections to be reunited. A diplomatic row between Greece and the UK was sparked under the previous government when former PM Mr Sunak cancelled a meeting with Mr Mitsotakis, who had made a push for the sculptures return. Mr Sunak denied having thrown a hissy fit over the matter and accused his counterpart of grandstanding. Mr Mitsotakis had compared splitting the Elgin Marbles from those still in Athens to cutting the Mona Lisa in half. 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 Jess Phillips has become the latest high profile politician to come out and condemn Gregg Wallace, saying the MasterChef host missed the perfect opportunity to say nothing. The often outspoken Home Office minister was reserved in her criticism, and stressed that she supported the BBCs decision not to take the cooking show off air while he is investigated. But her pointed comment about Mr Wallaces comments, after he said complaints against him were coming from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age, make her one of many Westminster figures speaking out. Below is a list of those who have commented on the allegations against Mr Wallace: Keir Starmer Sir Keir Starmers official spokesman on Monday condemned Mr Wallaces remarks as completely inappropriate and misogynistic. open image in gallery Keir Starmers official spokesman on Monday condemned Mr Wallaces remarks ( AFP via Getty Images ) The No10 official added: The culture secretary spoke with the BBC leadership at the end of last week on this matter and wider workplace culture issues to seek assurances that there are robust processes in place to deal with complaints. Clearly the comments we have seen from the individual over the weekend were completely inappropriate and misogynistic. Lisa Nandy The culture secretary has not publicly condemned Mr Wallace, but the outrage over his behaviour comes as she was holding crunch talks with the BBC. open image in gallery Lisa Nandy has not publicly condemned ( Jonathan Brady/PA Wire ) She met with bosses at the corporation to seek assurances that an ongoing review into workplace culture will deliver clear and timely recommendations and asked for an update on its progress. Rupa Huq Labour MP Rupa Huq on Monday became the first politician calling for MasterChef to be taken off air. The MP for Ealing Central and Acton told Radio 4s Today Programme that continuing to run the show while Wallace is being investigated sends the wrong message and risks damaging the broadcasters reputation worldwide. open image in gallery Rupa Huq said there possibly there is an argument for pausing while Mr Wallace is investigated ( PA Media ) Ms Huq said: I understand [MasterChef] is scheduled for 9pm today and it is all over the Christmas schedules but it seems to be not going away from the news. Its number two on your bulletin. I think possibly there is an argument for pausing while this investigation takes its course and maybe not airing it tonight. She later welcomed his apology over his ill-judged remarks. But she added that the row was a wake up call for the industry. More important than Masterchef airing, these kind of allegations of behaviourial impropriety in broadcasting must stop, she said. Harriet Harman Labour peer Harriet Harman echoed Ms Huqs remarks, saying the broadcaster should not continue to air MasterChef and dubbing Mr Wallaces remarks offensive and downright rude. "I dont think the BBC should be airing these programmes, and he [Gregg Wallace] hasnt actually apologised, Baroness Harman told LBC. open image in gallery Baroness Harriet Harman said Gregg Wallace was downright rude ( PA Wire ) "Hes done this kind of phoney apology, where he says, Im sorry if anybodys offended. Actually, he should take it on board and acknowledge that he has been offensive, he has been downright rude, and it is not the job of presenters to trash a whole load of viewers who hitherto have enjoyed watching the programme. But I for one am not going to be watching it. And I think that it shows a bit of disrespect by the BBC. If they think this sort of semi apology means its alright for him to go on air, theyre misjudging what is really the right way to go about things now. Jess Phillips The Home Office minister said that Mr Wallace had "missed the perfect opportunity to say nothing" in his response to an investigation being opened into his behaviour. "I think that Im going to go back to my mothers best advice for Gregg Wallace at the moment ... that he missed the perfect opportunity to say nothing," the safeguarding minister told Times Radio. She added that his comments in response to an inquiry being opened were "sexist, they were less than helpful, and they were less than helpful to him." "I think that the investigation has to go ahead, but Gregg Wallace obviously has complete capability to apologise for anything that he sees fit in the meantime. "Now, you know the allegations that have been made need to be looked into, but if they are found, then of course he should apologise and show that hes going to change his behaviour if thats the case." She added that she was comfortable with MasterChef continuing to air. "Gregg Wallace isnt the only person on MasterChef, if it was just the Gregg Wallace show, then I could understand that you would immediately go, yeah, just take it off the air. "But it is a launchpad for quite a lot of young chefs. Its not for me to decide what the BBC chooses to air or not," she told BBC Breakfast. 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 Israeli government has attacked David Lammy for using X (formerly Twitter) for diplomacy after he posted strong criticism about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Less than 24 hours after the foreign secretary attended the Labour Friends of Israel annual lunch and met the mother of a hostage held by Hamas, he has provoked a row with Israel over his joint statement on the war in Gaza. Amid growing concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza following thousands of deaths and reports that aid angencies cannot get access, Mr Lammy and his German and French counterparts (the E3 group) agreed today to sennd an ultimatum to the Israeli government. Mr Lammy then posted on social media: Together with France and Germany, I have written to the Israeli government to urge action on the unacceptable humanitarian situation in Gaza. Israel must implement the UNs winter plan now: send equipment to guard against cold & flooding, give access to fuel, repair vital infrastructure, and get aid in. open image in gallery David Lammy ( Jonathan Brady/PA Wire ) The message appeared to prompt outrage from the Israeli government as official spokesman for the foreign ministry Oren Marmorstein took objection to the use of Twitter to deliver Mr Lammys message. The row has exacerbated tensions over the UK governments refusal to rule out allowing the arrest of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for his arrest. Added to that Mr Lammy previously announced a limited arms embargo against Israel because of the situation in Gaza. Mr Marmorstein said: Israel is facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and does not impose any restrictions on the quantity of aid entering the Strip. However, within the Gaza Strip, international organizations are failing to distribute the aid due to looting by Hamas, among other reasons. As US Secretary of State Blinken recently noted, Israel has responded positively to the majority of issues raised by the United States regarding humanitarian concerns. He went on: It is disappointing that the Foreign Ministers of the E3 failed to address the October 7 massacre and the daily attacks on Israeli civilians since then in their letter. Israel will continue to defend itself and its citizens, always in accordance with international law. In any case, the letter will be answered through the proper official channels (not via Twitter). The row reflects a difficult situation for the foreign secretary who has maintained the line that Israel has a right to defend itself but also been critical of its excessive attacks on Gaza. Many Labour voters abandoned the party at the election for not taking a more critical line against Israel leading to frontbencher Jonathan Ashworth losing his seat. Added to that another march by pro-Palestinian supporters at the weekend saw many carry posters claiming prime minister Keir Starmer has blood on his hands. 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 Labour is considering capping political donations by individuals and private companies amid reports Elon Musk will hand a $100m donation to Nigel Farages Reform UK. The Tesla tycoon is said to be plotting the 79m donation, which would be by far the largest in British electoral history, via the British arm of his social media firm X. According to The Sunday Times, leading businessmen and Conservative Party officials believe Musk could hand over the cash as a f*** you Starmer payment in his ongoing feud with the prime minister. It would give Mr Farages insurgent Reform a significant financial advantage over Labour and the Conservatives and be enough to fund a near-endless barrage of attack ads against the government. But the government is considering recommendations in an upcoming report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) think tank that would cap individual and corporate political donations at 100,000 a year. open image in gallery Elon Musk is reportedly considering handing a $100m donation to Nigel Farages Reform UK ( AP ) The Guardian reported that officials have asked for more details on the proposals, though work is at an early stage and any changes would unlikely be made until late in the parliament. Labours manifesto vowed to protect democracy by strengthening the rules around donations to political parties, with a key part being to crack down on foreign interference in Britains electoral process. A government source played down suggestions the government was considering a cap on donations but said it would set out further details later in the parliament. The potential donation cap comes as Mr Musk and Mr Farage grow increasingly close, with the Reform leader describing the billionaire Trump ally as my new friend last week. Mr Musk has been highly critical of Sir Keirs government since it was elected in July, using his social media platform to compare Britain to a Stalinist state and attacking the government over free speech. Labour grandee Lord Mandelson has urged Sir Keir to recruit Mr Farage as a bridge between Donald Trumps incoming administration and the UK. open image in gallery Elon Musk has gone to war with Keir Starmer since the general election in July ( PA Wire ) The Labour peer, who is the favourite to be named as the next British ambassador to the US, also warned that his party needs to end its feud with Mr Musk. Speaking to The Times podcast, Lord Mandelson said: [Musk] is a sort of technological, industrial, commercial phenomenon. And it would be unwise, in my view, for Britain to ignore him. You cannot pursue these feuds. You cant afford to do it. We should try and kick it into touch as soon as possible. If I were the government here, Id be asking the embassy in Washington DC to find out who his other British friends are. Who are they all? And theyve got to be used, I think, as a bridge to Musk. And so thats what I would do. You know, swallow your pride, find out who his friends are and try and get into those networks. You cannot just continue this feud indefinitely. Youve got to get over it. Youve got to, hes got to be reintroduced to the British government. And one good way of doing that might be through some of his British friends, even if they are not, as I say, you know, bright red supporters of the Labour government. A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Governmentspokesperson said: As set out in the manifesto, we are working to strengthen the rules around donations to political parties to ensure we maintain trust in our electoral system. We will set out more details on this in due course. 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 There are growing fears that the government is preparing to greenlight the continued provision of financial assistance to countries that have overseen appalling human rights abuses, despite previously being extremely critical of the policy. It comes as a review into human rights abuses overseas is seemingly turning into a rubber-stamping process with no consultation of major campaign groups having yet taken place. The governments review of the UKs Overseas Security and Justice Assistance guidance (OSJA), which was launched by the previous Tory administration, is designed to prevent UK assistance from contributing to human rights abuses abroad. The UKs current policy does not explicitly prohibit British involvement in countries accused of human rights abuses, including the death penalty and torture. The guidance currently acknowledges that it is important that we work with a wide range of countries, including territories in which the UK has concerns about human rights. open image in gallery Lammy has been warned against rubber stamping the deeply flawed policies of the previous government ( Aaron Chown/PA Wire ) While Labour took a strong stance on the issue while it was in opposition, in 2020 calling for a review, campaign groups have now warned that the probe - which Labour has taken over from the Tories - risks rubber stamping the last governments deeply flawed human rights policy. In a letter to the foreign secretary, seen by The Independent, a coalition of NGOs including Reprieve, Amnesty, Liberty, Freedom From Torture and Redress warn that it appears to have been conducted in a hurry with too little consultation. While the FCDO has stressed that the review is still ongoing, the department would not specify how much longer it will run for. In December 2023, Baroness Swinburne, responding on behalf of the then-government, said the OSJA guidance will be updated shortly and will reflect the views of a broad range of shareholders. But it is understood no civil society groups with an interest in this area of policy have so far been consulted. Green MP Ellie Chowns, who sits on the Human Rights group of cross-party MPs, told The Independent the OSJA guidance seemingly falls well short of its aim to prevent complicity in human rights abuses abroad. She called for the government to put in place watertight, consistently-applied guidance to restore the UKs reputation globally, and to give the public assurance that our government is not complicit in human rights abuses anywhere in the world. Reprieves deputy executive director, Dan Dolan added: The previous governments policy failed to do what it was designed to do stop UK security assistance from contributing to torture and the death penalty overseas and instead UK taxpayers money has been funnelled to institutions implicated in appalling human rights abuses. The current government rightly criticised OSJA in opposition, and it should reject any closed door rewrite of this broken policy which has failed to take input from experts. The letter says: In opposition, the Labour Party was sharply critical of the profound shortcomings of OSJA. This review appears to have been conducted in a hurry with too little consultation and risks rubber stamping the last governments deeply flawed human rights policy. We urge your government to conduct a proper review which addresses the loopholes in the guidance, as well as its limited application and total lack of transparency. We urge you to begin by inviting a public consultation as part of that process. This is an opportunity for the UK government to restore Britains reputation as a global leader on human rights and international development. Since 2017, the UKs OSJA policy has repeatedly failed to prevent UK aid from benefitting human rights abusers, the campaign groups warn, adding: Recipients of assistance include Bahrains justice and security sector through the Gulf Strategy Fund, even while the Bahraini judiciary continues to admit confessions acquired through torture. In Bahrain, such evidence has been used to sentence people to death, such as in the cases of peaceful protestors Mohamed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa - who were given death sentences after being tortured. In 2020, Labour foreign affairs spokesperson Stephen Doughty asked the government to freeze assistance to bodies complicit in Mr Mohamed and Mr Husains torture, and asked the government to publish its relevant OSJA assessments for public scrutiny. Meanwhile, then shadow minister for the Middle East Sir Wayne David expressed dismay that the government do not bother to implement their own policy by consistently carrying out OSJA assessments. The previous government also spent millions of pounds supporting Pakistans anti-terrorism courts, which sentenced more than 350 people to death between 2013 and 2018, according to figures from Reprieve. And earlier this year, the previous government concluded an agreement with the Libyan authorities to hand 1m to the countrys law enforcement to stop people from entering Europe by crossing the Mediterranean Sea. It came despite reports from the UN Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Libya in 2023 that Libyan law enforcement, including the Coast Guard and the Directorate for Combating Illegal Migration, had committed human rights violations against migrants in detention that could amount to crimes against humanity. An FCDO spokesperson said the department is currently reviewing thegovernments guidance for the OSJA assessments, and we plan to engage with external stakeholders as part of the review, recognising the important perspectives of civil society. The guidance will set out how we ensure the UKs overseas security and justice assistance work will meet our human rights obligations and values. 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 Fears are growing that Labour could be planning a new tax raid after Rachel Reeves refused to confirm her recent pledge not to repeat her 40bn Budget hikes. The chancellor was pressed on the issue in the Commons by shadow chancellor Mel Stride, and again at a conference in the north of England, over her promise last week to the CBI conference. With her next major fiscal statement expected in the spring, there is confusion over Labours economic policy amid a rumoured shift from delivering growth to raising living standards. Sir Keir Starmer is set to outline the new focus in a speech on Thursday resetting the governments agenda after just five months in office. Rachel Reeves refused to rule out more tax rises ( PA ) As MPs voted through the controversial Budget increase in national insurance contributions, Mr Stride pressed Ms Reeves on whether she would stick by her pledge at the CBI conference where she told business leaders: Im really clear, Im not coming back with more borrowing or more taxes. Mr Stride asked if Downing Street has changed its mind, or if Ms Reeves spoke without thinking. Ms Reeves replied only that the government will never have to repeat a Budget like that. Mr Stride said: I think there is a risk of tax rises in the future given how tight the chancellors fiscal headroom is and the risks that lie ahead. After a choppy first few months in office, Sir Keir and his chancellor appear poised to end their all-out pursuit of economic growth, a key plank of their election message. With the Office for Budget Responsibility warning that growth is unlikely to rise above 2 per cent following the Budget measures, the pair are understood to be looking for a different benchmark. Sources close to Ms Reeves deny she is abandoning the goal of growth but accept the emphasis will change in the prime ministers speech. One said: Growth is still the goal (it was a manifesto commitment and remains so); on Thursday well set out additional milestone re living standards. Another said: You can only improve the cost of living through growth. Jonny Haseldine, policy manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: Businesses are facing tough decisions as they look to deal with significant extra cost burdens in the months to come. We are talking directly with ministers about the impact this will have, particularly on SMEs which many local communities depend on. The Budget has hit many firms hard, and government has been left in no doubt on the strength of their feeling. The cost of living crisis and the cost of doing business are two sides of the same coin. They cant be dealt with in isolation. Boosting private sector investment is fundamental to improving the cost of living. Thats why its crucial that government creates the right conditions for businesses to stay competitive and grow in communities across the UK. Callum Price, director of communications at the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: The government has talked a good game about prioritising economic growth, but their actions tell a different story. The pledge to not tax working people did not survive the chancellors first Budget, so we should not be surprised that she is already rowing back from her pledge to not come back for more. Ms Reeves tried to calm nerves among business leaders when she spoke in a fireside chat at the Great Northern Conference in Hull, where she committed to boosting economic growth in the north of England, and announced new powers for mayors to attract international investment. She said UK Research and Innovation and Innovate UK would collaborate with all mayors to produce joint plans that shape long-term innovation strategies and investment in places. But she once again declined to repeat her no more tax rises promise. Im not going to pretend that its going to be easy for businesses, or indeed for charities or local authorities, to absorb, especially, the national insurance increase, she said. But we made a commitment during the general election, for a reason, that we wouldnt increase taxes on working people, because over the last few years it has been working people that have had to bear the brunt of tax increases. And so we said income tax, VAT and national insurance on employees would not go up, and we have managed to stick to that manifesto commitment, as well as freezing the fuel duty for another year. That has meant we have had to increase taxes, particularly national insurance, but also some of the taxes on the wealthiest in society. 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 Sir Keir Starmer has rejected demands that he make a choice between a trade deal with the US and closer relations with the EU in the wake of the re-election of Donald Trump to the White House. The prime minister has been posed a Brexit conundrum amid fears that Mr Trumps plans to introduce tariffs and instigate a trade war will force Britain to choose between striking a trade deal with the incoming US president and continuing to pursue closer ties with the EU in a planned reset of Britains relationship with the bloc. With Mr Trump also understood to be ready to pull the plug on support for Ukraine, and threatening to withdraw funding for European defence if Nato allies do not pay more money towards it, Sir Keir is also being pushed to pursue closer integration with European allies on defence. But addressing the Lord Mayors Banquet at Mansion House, he made it clear that he believes the choice being posed is a false one and that he can achieve closer relationships with both allies. open image in gallery Starmer attends the Mansion House dinner yesterday ( Yui Mok/PA Wire ) The prime minister told the audience: I want to be clear at the outset: against the backdrop of these dangerous times, the idea that we must choose between our allies, that somehow were with either America or Europe, is plain wrong. I reject it utterly. Referring to Labours part in the establishment of Nato in 1945, he added: Attlee did not choose between allies. Churchill did not choose. The national interest demands that we work with both. He went on: This is not about sentimentality: it is about hard-headed realism. Time and again, the best hope for the world, and the surest way to serve our mutual national interest, has come from our two nations working together. It still does. The fabric of our nations has been woven together so that our prosperity today our leadership in tech, AI and more are intertwined. He also had warm words for the incoming 47th president of the US: When President Trump graciously hosted me for dinner in Trump Tower, I told him that we will invest more deeply than ever in this transatlantic bond with our American friends in the years to come. But turning to the EU, he said: And we will rebuild our ties with Europe, too. Because, Im sorry to say, the shocking legacy this government inherited in so many areas from the nations finances to the state of the NHS extends beyond our shores. open image in gallery Donald Trump has said he plans to end the war in Ukraine ( AP ) The prime minister made it clear that he believes Mr Trump will not abandon Ukraine, despite appointments to the incoming presidents cabinet indicating that he plans to end financial and military aid to the country. Theres no question its right we support Ukraine. But we must also be clear that it is deeply in our self-interest. I would encourage everyone here to stop and think for a moment about what it would mean to us, to our continent, to the world, if Russia wins. What would it mean for our values for democracy, commerce, and liberty? On a day when his government announced a new defence industrial strategy but delayed announcing a timetable to achieve the target of 2.5 per cent of GDP being spent on defence, the prime minister called on other countries to pay their fair share. It is vital that all European nations step up to protect our shared future. We will set out in our strategic defence review how we are going to modernise our armed forces to make us more secure at home, and strong abroad. And we will maximise our investment by working with others, like our partnership with Italy and Japan to build the next generation of fighter planes. 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 new secretary-general of Nato has warned Donald Trump not to push Ukraine to sign a peace deal that would see the leaders of Russia and Iran high-fiving. Mark Rutte also warned such an agreement would create a dire security threat not only to Europe but also to the US. The next US President has repeatedly claimed that he would bring peace to Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office. While he has yet to reveal details of his plan to end the war, hints that Ukraine would be forced to make significant concessions to its Russian invaders have worried Nato countries. In a press conference on Tuesday, Mr Rutte urged allies to increase military aid for Ukraine to strengthen Kyivs position should it enter negotiations with Moscow. open image in gallery Donald Trump during a meeting with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky in September ( AP ) "We will all need to do more. The stronger our military support to Ukraine is now, the stronger their hand will be at the negotiating table," he warned. He added: "Putin is not interested in peace. He is pressing on, trying to take more territory. Because he thinks he can break Ukraines resolve and ours, but he is wrong. Mr Trump plans to appoint retired US lieutenant general Keith Kellogg, who co-authored a policy document that proposed ending the war by withdrawing weapons from Ukraine if it did not enter peace talks, as envoy to Ukraine and Russia. Last week the Russian President Vladimir Putin added to Nato allies fears as he heaped praise on Mr Trump and suggested that his incoming administration would find a solution to end Russias war in Ukraine. As far as I can imagine, the newly elected president is an intelligent and already quite experienced person. I think he will find a solution, President Putin said. Sir Keir Starmer and the French leader Emmanuel Macron have already vowed to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position going into winter, before Mr Trump returns to the Oval Office in January. The Biden administration has also authorised Ukraines use of US-supplied long-range missiles inside of Russia. In a significant development last week Ukrainian president indicated for the first time that Kyiv could accept Russian control over some of its territory in order to end the hot phase of the war. But, in an interview with the Financial Times, Mr Rutte warned of the risks of Russia supplying missile technology to North Korea and cash to Iran. In what was seen as a reference to Taiwan, he said that Chinese President Xi Jinping might get thoughts about something else in the future if there is not a good deal [for Ukraine]. He added: We cannot have a situation where we have [North Korean leader] Kim Jong Un and the Russian leader and Xi Jinping and Iran high-fiving because we came to a deal which is not good for Ukraine, because long-term that will be a dire security threat not only to Europe but also to the US. open image in gallery NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte ( REUTERS ) He revealed he had made this point to Mr Trump when the two men met in Florida on November 22, as part of an effort to persuade the US president-elect to stick with Nato allies and keep up American support for Ukraine. On Monday night, Sir Keir made it clear that he believes Mr Trump will not abandon Ukraine, despite appointments to the incoming presidents cabinet which suggest he plans to end the current flow of financial and military aid to the country. In a speech on foreign affairs the prime minister said: Theres no question its right we support Ukraine. But we must also be clear that it is deeply in our self-interest. I would encourage everyone here to stop and think for a moment about what it would mean to us, to our continent, to the world, if Russia wins. What would it mean for our values for democracy, commerce, and liberty? 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 California middle school teacher has died after contracting rabies via a bat that flew into her classroom. Leah Seneng, 60, found the bat in her classroom in mid-October. When she went to pick it up and put it outside, it bit her, the womans friend, Laura Splotch, told ABC 30. She didnt wanna harm it, the woman told the outlet. But thats when I guess it woke up or saw the light or whatever It swooped around a bit, and it took off. At first, the teacher didnt have any symptoms but she began to feel ill about a month later. Senengs daughter took her to the hospital on November 18. She was put in a coma and died four days later. The Fresno County Department of Public Health told ABC 30 that Seneng had been exposed to rabies in Merced County. Seneng was an artist who taught art at Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos, about 64 miles from Fresno. The Independent has reached out to school officials for comment about the incident and to confirm whether efforts are being undertaken to determine how the bat entered the classroom. Leah Seneng, 60, an art teacher who died after she was bit by a bat that flew into her classroom at her California school ( GoFundMe ) Health officials are conducting contact tracing with hospital and healthcare workers who cared for Seneng, the outlet reported. Rabies can be transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, normally through bites. Symptoms can include a fever, headache, excessive salivation, muscle spasms, paralysis and mental confusion. Fewer than 10 people die from rabies in the U.S. annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A GoFundMe launched to help raise funds for Senengs funeral has surpassed its $5,000 goal and has raised $6,623. We are raising funds for her family after her unexpected death for funeral expenses, Splotch, who also set up the GoFundMe, reported. We ask for privacy for her family during this difficult time and thank you in advance for any donations. Every little bit helps. Thank you. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US 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 Following days of heavy lake-effect snow that left communities buried and killed several motorists, forecasters warned Tuesday that another round was expected for residents of the northern U.S. this week. As Arctic air continues to send temperatures plummeting in the eastern half of the country, a storm moving north of the Great Lakes is expected to bring widespread snow and strong winds. The National Weather Service said that it would lead to more lake-effect snowfall in the Midwest and the Northeast. Winter storm warnings and advisories were posted through Tuesday in Michigan, and lake-effect snow warnings were in effect through Tuesday night in parts of Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania. More than 200 million people could be impacted by the lastest Arctic blast The agency said heavy snow is anticipated again for parts of Michigan between Tuesday and Wednesday, with lake-effect snow downwind from Lakes Erie and Ontario. Impacts will be felt in the Mitten State through Thursday. open image in gallery Boys walk down a snow-covered side street in Erie, Pennsylvia, on Monday. More snow is forecast this week across the U.S. ( (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) ) In northern New England, moderate to heavy snow is also projected on Wednesday, and light to moderate snow is set to hit parts of the central Appalachian mountains. Light snow will develop over the northern Plains and upper Mississippi Valley from Tuesday to Thursday, as well. AccuWeather noted that while storms that track so far to the north typically bring limited precipitation impacts to the U.S., the upcoming storm will strengthen and grow in size. The steadiest snow will track near the Canada border from northern Minnesota, northern Michigan and the northern parts of New York and New England, it said. There will be a locally heavy lake-effect event that develops on the southwest-facing shorelines of the Great Lakes initially, including Buffalo and Watertown, New York, from Tuesday night to Wednesday. open image in gallery Shoppers walk through blowing and drifting snow on Monday in St. Joseph, Michigan. Michigan saw several feet of lake-effect snow over the course of the last few days ( (Don Campbell/The Herald-Palladium via AP) ) Forecasters said travelers should expect more dangerous conditions on highways, with snow squalls and a flash freeze. The inclement weather first developed over one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, with temperatures rapidly plunging on Thanksgiving. It resulted in a crash of more than a dozen cars and three semi-trucks that critically injured a driver in southwest Michigan. Three people died Monday in a crash in Iowa after a driver crossed into the oncoming lane of traffic to pass a snowplow. The identities of the drivers were not immediately known. New York State Police said Monday that they had assisted dozens of disabled motorists. Troopers helped rescue a 64-year-old woman who was traveling to Ohios Cleveland Clinic for a heart transplant and became stranded. open image in gallery Serena Schodt brushes snow off her car in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Monday. Winter storm warnings and advisories were posted through Tuesday in Michigan, and lake-effect snow warnings were in effect through Tuesday night in parts of Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania ( (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) ) The snow also caused a barn to collapse, killing five cows and trapping 100 others in Arkwright, New York. Residents in affected areas have worked tirelessly to clear the snow. By Monday, more than five feet had fallen to the east of Lake Ontario in the course of the last four days. It was so much, so quick, that we got buried, Rebecca Chamberlin, who lives in Cassadaga, New York, told The Associated Press. If it had been, you know, over a period of a week or more, it wouldnt have been so bad. With reporting from The Associated Press 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 father has been arrested in the fatal shooting of his nine-year-old autistic son at their Los Angeles area home. Nicholas Jones, 32, was arrested and charged with murder and child abuse resulting in death on Sunday after investigators determined he killed his son, Princeton, Los Angeles County Sheriffs Office announced. Authorities responded to a report of a gunshot victim at a home on South Haskins Avenue in Compton around 7.30 p.m. November 30. Officers found the boy in his backyard suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the sheriffs office. Jones was booked December 1 at the East Los Angeles Sheriffs Station, where he is being held on $2 million bail, records show. The father is next due in court on Tuesday. The sheriffs office said the investigation into the incident is ongoing. open image in gallery Nicholas Jones was accused of fatally shooting his nine-year-old son Princeton over the weekend in Compton ( Creole Green / Instagram ) Princetons family has launched a GoFundMe page in the wake of the tragedy. The little boy, who was diagnosed with mild autism at two years old, boasted a brilliant mind and a warm heart, the family said on the site. Princeton was a beacon of joy, lighting up every room he entered with his humor and infectious smile. He was adored by his friends, family and community, who all cherished the incredible person he was becoming, they wrote. This senseless act has left our family devastated and searching for answers as the investigation remains ongoing. The fundraiser has earned nearly $38,000 in just two days. All contributions will go toward the family expenses and ensuring that Princeton is honored and remembered in a way that reflects the love and joy he brought into this world, the family said. The little boys mother, Creole Green, told ABC7 that the shooting happened outside of his grandfathers house. She said shes devastated that his life was stopped so short. My goal ... was to give him the proper teachings and all the things that he needed in order to navigate this world independently one day, Green told the outlet. Im just devastated that my sons life ... the door was shut in front of him at nine years old. 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 Florida man allegedly shot his elderly neighbor on Thanksgiving for playing his music too loudly. Broward County Sheriffs Office deputies were called around 3:30p.m. on November 28, to the scene of a shooting at an apartment complex in Lauderdale Lakes. Theres a male laying face down. Be advised subject is possibly still on scene, police dispatchers said over the radio as officers rushed to investigation, WSVN reports. At the complex they found Hureleyon McLean, 71, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on the scene. A preliminary investigation revealed that McLean was in an altercation with his neighbor and was shot during that altercation, according to the sheriffs office. The neighbor cooperated with police and presented a claim of self-defense during an interview. Hureleyons wife Rose McLean said the shooting occured after the neighbor complained Hureleyon was playing his music too loudly and attempted to leave a message at their door. The 71-year-old went to speak with the neighbor then a shot rang out. I hear a gunshot, boom, McLean told NBC Miami. My husband was face down, laying in the blood. McLean says the neighbor then threatened to shoot her too. She also claims her husband was unarmed. open image in gallery Hureleyon McLean, 71, was not armed, family said ( WSVN screengrab ) My husband didnt have any weapon, she added in the NBC Miami interview. My husband didnt even have a knife on him. Police have not released the name of the gunman. The Broward County Sheriffs Office Homicide Unit is investigating the shooting. The Independent has contacted it for comment. The Broward County State Attorneys Office told The Independent on Tuesday that the sheriffs office hadnt presented it the case yet, the first step in any potential charging decision. Hureleyon McLean was a father and grandfather, and worked as a bus driver for a private company, WSVN reports. 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 An Indiana man who stepped outside to retrieve packages outside his home was shocked to discover two kidnapped babies in a roadside ditch. Robert Deane spotted the two infant girls, aged 4 and 5 months old, wrapped in a blanket in their car seats just outside his Indianapolis property, reported CBS4 . One of them was screaming, so I immediately grabbed the car seats and brought them inside. We got them warmed up and called 911, he told the outlet. Police say that the girls had been inside a stolen vehicle before Deane found them on Monday morning. The IMPD told The Independent on Tuesday that the investigation remains ongoing and they would not be releasing any further details at this time. open image in gallery IMPD issued an urgent appeal for the stolen vehicle a silver 2013 Hyundai Sonata (pictured) on Monday ( Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department ) In a report with CBS4, IMPD Sergeant William Young said: We will continue to gather information as to why those two infants were inside of that vehicle left alone. Our main priority as you know was to be able to find those two infants. The shocking discovery came after the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department was pursuing a stolen 2013 Hyundai Sonata with the two children in the back, issuing an appeal on X . The statement read: IMPD is seeking the communitys help in locating the following vehicle that was stolen with a 4-month-old and 5-month-old child in the back. The plate number on the vehicle is 364CMU. If you see this vehicle, please call 911 immediately. A manhunt is still underway for the kidnapper who fled in the stolen vehicle and the police department announced that it had located the stolen car on Monday evening. 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 Jennifer Crumbley, the mother of the teen gunman who carried out the 2021 Oxford mass school shooting, is seeking to throw out her first-in-the-nation manslaughter conviction for her parental tie to the attack. She argues the prosecution failed to disclose agreements school officials made to provide evidence in the case against her in what amounts to a secret cooperation deal. "Jennifer Crumbleys convictions for involuntary manslaughter stem from a trial riddled with legal errors where key evidence was withheld, and cooperation agreements were peddled and suppressed to secure testimony for the prosecution to convict an individual who committed no crime," appellate attorney Michael Dezsi toldThe Detroit Free Press, calling the case a sham prosecution. At issue are confidential proffer agreements between the Oakland County Prosecutors Office and a former school counselor and dean. Dezsi claims neither Crumbleys original defense nor the jury knew about the agreements with these two officials, which he argues encouraged the staffers to shift the blame onto Jennifer Crumbley. Both officials were involved in discussions between the school and Ethan Crumbleys parents on the day of the massacre, after the 15-year-old was seen making a violent drawing of a gun with the words the thoughts wont stop, help me. The officials allowed the teen to return to class without searching his backpack, and his parents did not bring him home. Later that day, he carried out the shooting, wounding seven and killing four people: Hana St. Juliana, 14; Tate Myre, 16; Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Justin Shilling, 17. open image in gallery James and Jennifer Crumbley were the first parents in U.S. history to be criminally convicted for their role in a mass school shooting carried out by their child. ( Getty Images ) Local officials denied making any secret deal with the school administrators. No witnesses were given anything for their testimony, and there was no immunity these witnesses testified without any promises or protection whatsoever," Chief Assistant Prosecutor David Williams told the Free Press. The mother also argues state officials prosecuted her family with a double standard, investigating the shooter as an adult while prosecuting her on the basis that she failed in her parental duty to stop her child from carrying out violence, a duty Dezsi argues doesnt have a basis in state law. Jennifer Crumbley and her husband James were the first parents in America to be held criminally responsible for a mass shooting their child committed. Prosecutors accused the parents of ignoring worrying signs about their sons mental health, and failing to secure a gun. James Crumbley bought his son the weapon that was later used in the shooting. open image in gallery Some of the victims of the Oxford high school shooting ( The Flint Journal, MLive.com ) When school officials previously alerted the Crumbleys that their son was searching online for information about ammunition, she allegedly texted him, Lol. Im not mad at you. You have to learn not to get caught. The shooter pleaded guilty to murder, and was later sentenced in December 2023 to life in prison. Both his parents were convicted of involuntary manslaughter earlier this year and given sentences of up to 15 years behind bars. All three are appealing their cases. The shooter is attempting to take back his plea, with appellate lawyers arguing he was too young to understand the court case in front of him, and that his original defense team didnt properly consider if he had suffered from fetal alcohol syndrome, which mightve have impact his childhood development. Last month, the Oakland County Prosecutors Office and the Michigan Attorney Generals Office announced theyd agreed to work together to investigate the shooting, following demands from parents of vicitms for further accountability, and an outside report that found leaders at all levels of Oxford Community Schools also bear responsibility for the shooting. 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 disgraced 93-year-old New Orleans priest pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges involving the sexual assault of a teenage boy in 1975. Lawrence Hecker, who left the ministry in 2002, had been scheduled to stand trial Tuesday. Hecker's eyes were focused on the ground as a sheriff's deputy pushed him toward Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Judge Nandi Campbell's courtroom, The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate reported. Hecker entered his plea to aggravated kidnapping, aggravated crime against nature, first-degree rape and theft before Campbell, moments before jury selection was scheduled to begin, multiple news outlets reported. Sentencing was set for Dec. 18. He faces life in prison. The trial had been delayed for months over concerns about Hecker's mental competency and because District Judge Ben Willard recused himself from the case, citing a conflict with prosecutors. The case was reassigned to Campbell, who ordered Hecker to undergo routine physical and psychological evaluations before the trial. A doctor confirmed that Hecker has Alzheimer's disease and dementia, but Hecker was found competent to stand trial, according to his attorney Bobby Hjortsberg, WDSU-TV reported. open image in gallery More than 600 alleged abuse survivors have filed claims against the Archdiocese of New Orleans ( Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) A grand jury indicted Hecker last year following an investigation that revealed he had confessed to molesting multiple juveniles over his decades of service with the Archdiocese of New Orleans. But, the charges brought against him stem from a single alleged incident that happened between 1975 and 1976, prosecutors have said. The indictment comes amid a years-old legal battle over a trove of secret church records that were shielded by a sweeping confidentiality order after the archdiocese sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2020 following a flood of abuse claims. The records are said to chronicle years of such claims, interviews with accused clergy and a pattern of church leaders transferring problem priests without reporting their crimes to law enforcement. The alleged survivor in the criminal case against Hecker is among those who have filed abuse claims against the archdiocese in its long-running bankruptcy case. To date, more than 600 alleged abuse survivors have filed claims against the archdiocese. A telephone call Tuesday from The Associated Press to the archdiocese seeking comment on Hecker's plea was not immediately returned. 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 An urgent manhunt is underway for a convicted killer who escaped from a prison van while being taken to court. Cesar Hernandez, 34, staged the daring escape at around 10:45 am on Monday morning as he was being transported to Kern County Superior Courthouse in Delano, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said. On arrival at the court, Hernandez leaped out of the prison van and fled, authorities said. As of Tuesday morning, he remains at large with a multi-agency manhunt now underway to find him. Agents from the CDCRs Special Services Unit and Investigative Services Units from North Kern, Kern Valley, and Wasco state prisons have responded, along with the California Highway Patrol, Delano, and McFarland police departments. The Delano Police Department has issued a warning residents to remain alert and report any suspicious activity or sightings immediately. Hernandez is considered dangerous. If you see him, do not approach, the alert said. Hernandez, who was serving a life sentence for first-degree murder, was last seen wearing an orange prison jumpsuit and white thermals. open image in gallery Cesar Hernandez, 34, (pictured) is serving a life sentence for first-degree murder ( California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation ) Hernandez is described as being 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing approximately 161 pounds, and has brown eyes, and black hair. Delano is Kern Countys second-largest city and is known for being an agricultural hub, with the Sequoia National Forest to its right. Anyone who sees Hernandez or knows his whereabouts is asked to call 911 or Incident Commander Lieutenant Anthony Sotello at (661) 721-6300 extension 5506. 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 father of a teen accused of killing a 70-year-old man during a carjacking drove his son back to the scene so that police could arrest him, according to authorities. Jaylen Mosley, 19, was taken into custody and charged with murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery, hijacking a motor vehicle, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. According to the Atlanta Police Department, officers were called to a carjacking at a liquor store in Atlanta at around 6:40 p.m. on Saturday. They arrived on the scene to find David Tuttle, 70, suffering from a gunshot wound. Tuttle was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said. Following the shooting, one of Mosleys family members called the teens mom to tell her that he may have been inside the liquor store when the shots were fired, reported WSBTV. open image in gallery Jaylen Mosley, 19, (pictured in mugshot) was charged with murder ( Fulton County Sheriffs Office ) I called his father to tell him to take him up there and see what was going on and thats what we did, Teneka Mosley told the local outlet. Mosleys father Jarvis Mosley told WSBTV it was a very hard decision but we didnt have anything to hide. Mosley was arrested at the scene. Teneka Mosley told WSBTV that the teen had suffered from mental health issues in the past but insisted I dont see him being a murderer. She said that the teens parents will support him whatever happens next. open image in gallery David Tuttle, 70, was found suffering from a gunshot wound outside a liquor store (pictured) ( Google Maps ) The Tuttle family said in a statement to WSBTV that Tuttle was a native Atlantan, beloved husband, brother, uncle, and friend with a kind soul with an amazing sense of humor who will be deeply missed. We are devastated that David was taken by the senseless violence so prevalent today in communities large and small, the family said. We are thankful for the Atlanta Police Departments swift apprehension of the suspect and are working in cooperation with the authorities and the court to ensure there is justice for this crime. Mosley was booked into Fulton County Jail. He appeared in court for the first time Monday where he was held without bond. 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 Virginia man who prosecutors said searched on the internet for how long does it take to get married after a spouse dies is now charged with his wifes murder. Naresh Bhatt faces three felony counts murder, physically defiling a dead body and concealing a dead body in connection with the disappearance of his 28-year-old wife Mamta Kafle Bhatt, court records show. A grand jury indicted Bhatt on the charges of murder and physically defiling a body on Monday. He initially was arrested and charged with concealing her body in August, according to court records. Mamta Kafle was last seen on July 31 in Manassas Park, Virginia, Manassas Police announced just over a week later. Police suspected she went missing on involuntary circumstances. Prosecutors say that Bhatt used his work laptop to search: How long does it take to get married after spouse die? and What happen to debt with died spouse in April, months before Mamtas disappearance, WUSA9 reported. Her body has not been found, police said at a Monday press conference. Police have obtained more than 40 warrants subpoenas, search warrants, and court orders over the course of this investigation, and searched over 20 locations over northern Virginia, Chief Mario Lugo said. open image in gallery Mamta Kafle Bhatt disappeared in July. Now, her husband was charged with her murder ( Manassas Park Police ) The new charges were filed after blood that was found in both the bathroom and the bedroom of the Bhatt home was traced back to Mamta Kafle. Authorities believe she was dragged through the rooms. Authorities were called to the couples home on August 2 to check on her welfare, police previously said. When police questioned Bhatt, he claimed that his wife was either in New York or Texas visiting family but prosecutors allege that she doesnt have any family in the US, according to WUSA9. At the time of the welfare check, he did not yet want to report Mamta as missing. Three days later, on August 5, he reported his wife as missing. One day after Mamta was last seen alive, on July 30, prosecutors allege that Bhatt bought three knives, the outlet reported. He was later captured on surveillance footage at a different Walmart buying cleaning supplies, according to prosecutors. open image in gallery Naresh Bhatt was charged with three felony counts, including his wifes murder ( Prince William County Adult Detention Center ) Bhatt told WUSA9 that the last time he saw his wife was July 31 when they shared dinner. She was the one who cooked and do the kitchen stuff. We do not have any specific conversation. We do not have any argument or something like that, he noted. He continued: It was like normal day we were taking care of our babies. Bhatts jury trial is scheduled to begin December 9 in Prince William County Circuit Court. A GoFundMe page for Mamta Kafle has raised nearly $245,000. We are reaching out with heavy hearts about the tragic disappearance of Mamta Kafle, a devoted mother to a 1-year-old daughter. Mamtas husband has been arrested and faces serious accusations related to her disappearance, leaving Mamtas daughter without her mother, says the message on the site. All contributions will be put in a dedicated trust for Mamtas daughter. 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 Delaware judge has rejected Tesla's bid to ram through a humongous pay package for its CEO Elon Musk after striking it down once already earlier this year. Judge Kathleen McCormick ruled in January that the proposed $56bn bonanza originally offered by Tesla's board had violated shareholders' rights because the entire "negotiation" process was effectively controlled by Musk. Afterwards, Tesla quickly moved to ratify the payout described in court documents as the largest ever seen in public markets via a shareholder vote, then asked the court to approve it after all. But on Monday Judge McCormick flatly denied that motion in a scathing judgement, describing the electric car maker's legal arguments as "fatally flawed" and at times "indefensible". "The large and talented group of defense firms got creative with the ratification argument, but their unprecedented theories go against multiple strains of settled law," she wrote. "Novelty is not necessarily damning, but defendants novel request flies in the face of the policy bases for all relevant rules of procedure." McCormick also rejected an equally massive and unprecedented bid by the plaintiff's lawyers to receive their legal fees in the form of $5.6bn in Tesla stock, which McCormick described as "a bold ask". In a statement on Monday evening, Tesla vowed to appeal the verdict to a higher court, saying it was only seeking to pay Musk "what he's worth". Musk agreed, declaring that "shareholders should control company votes, not judges" while sharing a social media post by investor Cathie Wood that lambasted McCormick as an "activist judge". Tesla shares fell by as much as 1.4 percent in after-hours trading. The dispute began in 2018 when Tesla shareholder Richard Tornetta objected to an unprecedented stock grant for Musk, which had been approved by Tesla's board and by a majority of shareholders. The original maximum value was about $56bn, although that number has fluctuated since along with Tesla's share price. McCormick ultimately sided with Tornetta's lawyers, finding that Musk had used his influence over the company and close ties with multiple board members to create a "deeply flawed" approval process that arrived at an "unfair price". "Put simply, neither the compensation committee nor the board acted in the best interests of the company when negotiating Musks compensation plan. In fact, there is barely any evidence of negotiations at all," she wrote. In rejecting Tesla's arguments on Monday, McCormick argued that the company could not simply wipe away the results of its previous misconduct by persuading a majority of shareholders to approve that conduct retrospectively. To do so, she said, would severely undermine shareholders' ability to challenge executive pay and reduce the deterrent against corporate wrongdoing. "That would be bad," she added. Nevertheless, some Wall Street figures criticised her decision. "This is a Twilight Zone situation," said Wedbush analyst Dan Ives, who is known for being optimistic about Tesla's future share price. "Its very frustrating for Tesla shareholders, but ultimately we believe Tesla and Musk will win this battle in Delaware. Cathie Wood likewise said: "No judge has the right to determine CEO compensation... [McCormick] will lose this fight in the Supreme Court." 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 Police have announced a major new development in the case of missing Maui woman Hannah Kobayashi after she was spotted on surveillance footage crossing the Mexican border alone with her belongings. The 30-year-old vanished from Los Angeles on November 8 while traveling to New York City for what was described as a bucket list trip. Her disappearance raised alarm bells with her family, who headed from Hawaii to LA to search for her. Now, more than three weeks on, the Los Angeles Police Department has declared her a voluntary missing person after surveillance footage captured her crossing the USs southern border on foot. Police said on Monday that Kobayashi was seen collecting her luggage from a carousel at Los Angeles International Airport on November 11. The next day, she purchased a bus ticket from Union Station to San Ysidro, California close to the Mexican border. She then crossed over into Mexico soon after, the LAPD said. The LAPDs missing persons unit traveled to the US-Mexico border to review the footage with the US Customs and Border Protection on Sunday. Based on the footage, law enforcement believe Kobayashi went missing of her own accord and so the LAPD will not be continuing its investigation in Mexico. open image in gallery Hannah Kobayashi went missing on November 8 when she failed to board a connecting flight at LAX ( midorieve/Instagram ) To date, the investigation has not uncovered any evidence that Kobayashi is being trafficked or is the victim of foul play, the LAPD said in the statement. She is also not a suspect in any criminal activity. Police said her disappearance will continue to be treated as a missing person case until her safety is assured and that authorities will be notified if she returns to US soil. On November 8, Kobayashi failed to board a connecting flight at LAX on her way from Hawaii to New York City. Her ex-boyfriend, who has not been named, had the same flight itinerary as Kobayashi and reportedly made it to their end destination, CNN reported. The trip was planned before the pair split up, but as the flights were non-refundable, they kept the tickets and agreed to part ways once they arrived in New York, Kobayashis sister Sydni told the network. Kobayashi had planned to meet her aunt Geordan Montalvo and her aunts husband Bob in New York to go to a concert together on November 12. But she missed her connecting flight and never made it to NYC. The Kobayashi family said they received a strange and cryptic text from hers phone suggesting she was being intercepted while she was boarding a Metro train, and expressing fear that someone was trying to steal her identity. open image in gallery A missing flyer for Hannah in Los Angeles ( AP ) Once the family started pressing, she went dark, Hannahs aunt, Larie Pidgeon previously told the Associated Press. She said the phone just went dead after November 11. Her sister Sydni spoke of her familys fears that someone is controlling her. Sydni told NewsNation last week that strange text messages friends and family members had received from Hannahs phone were absolutely not like her. One of the cryptic texts a friend received from Hannahs number said she had been tricked pretty much into giving away all my funds to someone I thought I loved, it was previously reported. Deep Hackers wiped my identity, stole all of my funds, & have had me on a mind f*** since Friday, another message said. Sydni described the texts as really weird. This is absolutely not like her, especially with the text messages that she last sent, she told the broadcaster. In my mind, it feels like someone was controlling her. Or it might not have even been her. Police previously said they were investigating payments Hannah made over Venmo to a man and woman on November 9, shortly before her disappearance. open image in gallery Ryan Kobayashi, center, holds a picture of his missing daughter Hannah Kobayashi in LA on November 21 ( AP ) As well as Kobayashis disappearance, the family is also currently grappling with the double tragedy of the death of Hannahs father Ryan Kobayashi, who was found dead in a parking lot near LAX on November 24 while in the city looking for his daughter. The LA County medical examiner said he had died from multiple blunt force traumatic injuries, and has since ruled his death as a suicide. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US 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 Harvey Weinstein was hospitalized Monday following an alarming blood test, his attorney said, less than a week after the disgraced movie mogul filed a legal claim alleging substandard medical care at New York City's notorious jail complex. Weinstein, 72, was sent to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan for an emergent treatment due to an alarming blood test result that requires immediate medical attention, his attorney, Imran Ansari, said in a statement. It is expected that he will remain there until his condition stabilizes, the statement continues. "His deprivation of care is not only medical malpractice, but a violation of his constitutional rights. A spokesperson for New York City's Department of Correction did not immediately respond to an email. The agency's inmate database confirmed that Weinstein had been transferred from Rikers Island to the Bellevue Hospital Prison Ward in Manhattan. Weinstein has been in city custody since earlier this year after the New York Court of Appeals overturned his 2020 rape conviction in the state. The case is set to be retried in 2025. Weinstein has denied any wrongdoing. In a legal filing last week, Weinstein's attorneys accused the city of providing him with substandard medical care for a litany of medical afflictions, which include chronic myeloid leukemia and diabetes. When I last visited him, I found him with blood spatter on his prison garb, possibly from IVs, clothes that had not been washed for weeks, and he had not even been provided clean underwear hardly sanitary conditions for someone with severe medical conditions, Ansari said in a statement that likened Rikers Island to a gulag. The troubled jail complex, located on an island in New York City's East River, has faced growing scrutiny for its mistreatment of detainees and dangerous conditions. Last week, a federal judge cleared the way for a possible federal takeover of the jail system, finding the city had placed its incarcerated population in unconstitutional danger. A publicist for Weinstein, Juda Engelmayer, echoed the allegation in a statement Monday. Mr. Weinstein, who is suffering from a number of illnesses, including leukemia, has been deprived the medical attention that someone in his medical state deserves, prisoner or not," he said. "In many ways, this mistreatment constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. 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 California man has been charged with shipping weapons and ammunition to North Korea and told investigators they were to be used for a surprise attack on South Korea, authorities said Tuesday. Shenghua Wen came to the U.S. from China on a student visa more than a decade ago after meeting with North Korean officials who instructed him to procure goods for the North Korean government, according to the U.S. Attorneys office in Los Angeles. Wen, 41, was arrested at his home in Ontario, California, without incident Tuesday and charged with conspiring to violate federal law barring the shipments. He also told investigators that he tried to buy uniforms to disguise North Korean soldiers for the surprise attack, a federal complaint said. Wen is expected to appear in court later on Tuesday. His federal public defender, Michael Brown, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It is essential that we protect our country from hostile foreign states that have adverse interests to our nation, Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles, said in a statement. open image in gallery United Nations resolutions ban North Korea from importing or exporting weapons. ( AP ) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has demonstrated an intent to deploy battlefield nuclear weapons along the Norths border with South Korea, a U.S. ally, recently delivering nuclear-capable missile launchers to frontline military units. United Nations resolutions ban North Korea from importing or exporting weapons. Wen told U.S. authorities in interviews earlier this year that he had exported weapons and ammunition to North Korea at the request of its government. After coming to the U.S. on a student visa in 2012 that was only valid for one year, he stayed in the U.S. illegally, officials said. He was ordered deported in 2018. Wen said North Korean officials in China contacted him about two years ago to buy firearms and that he shipped two containers of weapons and other items from Long Beach, California, to North Korea via Hong Kong in 2023. He told U.S. authorities that he was wired about $2 million to do so, according to the complaint. Authorities did not identify in the complaint what types of weapons were exported. In order to carry out his operation, Wen bought a business in 2023 called Super Armory, a federal firearms licensee, for $150,000, and registered it in Texas under the name of his partner. He had other people purchase the firearms and then drove them to California, misrepresenting the shipments as a refrigerator and camera parts. Investigators did not say whether Wen had organized any shipments in the previous decade he was in the U.S. The FBI in September seized 50,000 rounds of ammunition from Wen's home about 40 miles (64 kilometers) east of Los Angeles that had been stored in a van parked in the driveway, the complaint said. They also seized a chemical threat identification device and a transmission detective device that Wen said he planned to send to the North Korean government for military use, the complaint said. South Korea was thrown into political chaos on Tuesday after president Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, vowing to eliminate anti-state forces as he struggles against an opposition that controls the countrys parliament and that he accuses of sympathizing with communist North Korea. Less than three hours later, parliament voted to lift the declaration, with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring that the martial law was invalid and that lawmakers will protect democracy with the people. Early Wednesday, Yoon said his government had withdrawn the military personnel that had been deployed, and that he would formally lift martial law following a Cabinet meeting as soon as members arrive. 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 majority of Supreme Court justices didn't seem convinced Monday that federal regulators misled companies before refusing to allow them to sell sweet-flavored vaping products following a surge in teen e-cigarette use. The conservative-majority court did raise questions about the Food and Drug Administration crackdown that included denials of more than a million nicotine products formulated to taste like fruit, dessert or candy. Teen vaping use has since dropped to its lowest level in a decade, but the agency could change its approach after the inauguration next month of President-elect Donald Trump, who has promised to "save" vaping. Vaping companies have long marketed their products as a way to help adults quit traditional cigarettes, and say the FDA changed its standards with little warning as it blocked the sale of over a million new flavored products. Justice Elena Kagan, though, was skeptical. "I guess I'm not really seeing what the surprise is here," she said. "You knew what the FDA's point of view was ... that blueberry vapes are really problematic in terms of youth smoking." The FDA was slow to regulate the now multibillion-dollar vaping market, and even years into the crackdown flavored vapes that are technically illegal nevertheless remain widely available. The agency says the companies were denied because they couldn't show flavored vapes had a net public benefit, as laid out in the law. It has approved some tobacco-flavored vapes, and recently allowed its first menthol-flavored electronic cigarettes for adult smokers after the company provided data showing the product was more helpful in quitting, Deputy Solicitor General Curtis Gannon said. A majority of Supreme Court justices didnt seem convinced Monday that federal regulators misled companies before refusing to allow them to sell sweet-flavored vaping products ( AP ) The issue came before the high court when the agency appealed a decision from the conservative 5th Circuit Court of Appeals tossing out one of its denials. While other lower courts rebuffed vaping company lawsuits, the 5th Circuit sided with Dallas-based company Triton Distribution. The decision allowed the sale of e-juices like "Jimmy The Juice Man in Peachy Strawberry" and "Suicide Bunny Mother's Milk and Cookies" which are heated by an e-cigarette to create an inhalable aerosol. Justice Neil Gorsuch questioned whether the FDA process had given the companies a fair chance to make their claims, given that their businesses were at stake. Conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh expressed concern about what recourse companies have if agencies issue misleading guidance, though he also elicited that the FDA wasn't required to issue the guidance it gave in the vaping case. "I'm trying to figure out what the legal error is here," he said. The vaping companies, he said, can reapply for sales authorization even if they don't win in court. Triton attorney Eric Heyer said that process would take so long that the company could be forced to close. The court has overall been skeptical of the power of federal regulators, including by striking down the so-called Chevron doctrine that had judges deferring to agencies' interpretation of the law. Justice Amy Coney Barrett questioned whether the vaping companies wanted the court to take that concept a step further. "It's almost a reverse Chevron deference, except we're deferring to the applicant," she said. The court is expected to decide the case in the coming months. 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 With less than 50 days left in the White House, President Joe Biden has taken a controversial step he had previously vowed he wouldnt take: pardoning his son Hunter Biden. On Sunday night, Biden announced he had granted his son clemency for offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024. Presidents can grant clemency, including both pardons (forgiving federal criminal offenses) and commutations (reducing penalties) for federal convictions. Presidents cannot pardon those convicted of state crimes. In June, Hunter, 54, was convicted of three federal gun charges related to his purchase of a firearm in 2018. Three months later, he pleaded guilty to nine federal tax charges in September. So what does the presidents pardon cover? Federal gun charges On June 1, Hunter was convicted of all three felony counts in Wilmington, Delaware in his federal gun trial. The presidents son was found guilty of lying on a mandatory gun purchase form on October 12, 2018, when he bought a 38 Colt Special revolver at a store in Wilmington. On the form, he stated that he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs, when he was actually in the grips of addiction at the time. open image in gallery Biden talks with his son at Delaware Air National Guard Base on June 11 the same day a jury found Hunter guilty on federal gun charges ( AFP via Getty Images ) Hunter had the gun for 11 days before it was dumped in a trash can outside a grocery store by Hallie Biden, the widow of his brother Beau Biden, on October 23, 2018. The gun was subsequently found by an elderly man searching for recyclables, before police tracked him down and seized it. At his trial, prosecutors presented painful personal details about Hunters drug use showing photos and texts from his ex-girlfriends and pressing his eldest daughter, Naomi, on the stand about her ability to tell if her father was sober. His conviction marked the first time a sitting presidents child was found guilty of a crime. At the time, Biden said: I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal. Hunter was facing up to 25 years in prison and fines of up to $750,000 at his sentencing on December 12. But now, Hunter wont be sentenced and will avoid any potential jail time. Federal tax charges Just over three months after his conviction on gun charges, Hunter pleaded guilty on September 5 to nine federal tax charges. The plea came as jury selection was set to get underway in the case in LA and marked a U-turn from his initial fight against the charges. open image in gallery Hunter leaves federal court on September 5 in Los Angeles, after pleading guilty to federal tax charges ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Hunter was indicted on nine tax-related criminal charges in December 2023, with prosecutors arguing that he made millions between 2016 and 2019 by skipping out on more than $1.4 million, at which point he was said to be indulging in an extravagant lifestyle and spending money on everything but his taxes. Prosecutors said Hunter spent the money he avoided spending on his taxes on drugs, escorts and girlfriends, luxury hotels and rental properties, exotic cars, clothing, and other items of a personal nature. Hunter later paid all his due taxes and fines in 2020 after getting a loan from his personal lawyer. Hunter previously sought an Alford Plea in the case, which would have allowed him to maintain his innocence, but prosecutors refused. After pleading guilty, his sentencing was scheduled for December 16. He faced up to 17 years in prison, but experts said he was unlikely to receive more than three years. Like his gun charges case, Hunter will now face no sentencing nor jail time. Burisma business dealings Bidens pardon covers his sons offenses or alleged offenses dating back to January 1 2014, meaning Hunter is also protected from any other crimes he has not yet been charged with during that period. Its a timeline that covers Hunters time as a board member of Ukrainian energy company Burisma a role that Republicans have honed in on, claiming without evidence that his foreign business dealings were corrupt. Hunter joined the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma in April 2014, initially making more than $1 million per year. open image in gallery Hunter addresses reporters at the U.S. Capitol on December 13, 2023 after an FBI informant was charged with lying about ties between the president and his son and Burisma ( AP ) At the time, then-Vice President Biden was working on rooting out corruption in Ukraine, arguing that the top prosecutor in the country, Viktor Shokin, was preventing corruption probes and he organized international leaders to push for his removal the parliament booted him in 2016. Republicans have claimed that Shokin was fired because he was looking into Burisma. Theres no solid evidence that Biden was connected to his sons business dealings and he has always said that he didnt speak about business with his son or his business partners. But a business partner of Hunter, Devon Archer, testified in a closed-door hearing that Hunter often put his father on speakerphone during calls with a number of contacts. Rep. James Comer, who led the impeachment inquiry for the House Oversight Committee, claimed that the then-vice president was made into a brand used to make the Biden family wealthy. But the first impeachment hearing was widely panned as an abysmal failure, with not a single witness claiming to have firsthand evidence of wrongdoing by the president. No charges have ever been filed in connection to the accusations. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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 California senator has said that the state wont aid the incoming Trump administration in its mass deportation efforts because it would be legally unable to. Sen. Alex Padilla of the Golden State appeared on CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday, saying that he would work to block state resources from boosting deportation efforts by pushing for the government to follow the constitutional requirement that its up to the federal government to control the border. Theres an important distinction here. No states government, not Texas, not California, not any state in the nation, has a constitutional authority to impose federal immigration law, the Democrat said. That is the responsibility of the federal government. Trump has insisted that he will declare a national emergency and utilize the military to conduct the mass deportations, a proposed effort that has faced criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans. Let the federal government do the federal governments job, but have state and local officials do the state and local officials job, Padilla added. There doesnt have to be a conflict unless thats what Trump wants. A law from 2017, California Senate Bill 54, prohibits the use of state and local resources to aid the federal government in immigration enforcement, Politico noted. Tom Homan, Trumps appointed border czar, has said that local law enforcement who dont work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to conduct deportations would be prosecuted. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) arrives for a vote at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., earlier this year. He has said that California will not help the incoming Trump administration with its immigration plans ( Getty Images ) Some states like Texas want to push the envelope and try to find a way to assist, but theres no obligation to do so, Padilla noted. Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has said that if the federal government doesnt do its job in protecting the border, the state has the right to step in, such as by installing razor wire on its border with Mexico. California will not utilize state and local resources to do the federal governments job for them, Padilla vowed Sunday. The states Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas has said that he will ensure that people feel protected and they feel welcomed. Meanwhile, Governor Gavin Newsom has indicated that his state will resist the new Trump administration. California is the most populous state in the nation, the most diverse state in the nation, home to more immigrants than any state in the nation, Padilla told CBS. The last thing you want to do is have immigrants who are victims of crime afraid to come forward to report the crime. The last thing you want is immigrants who may be witnesses to crime be afraid to come forward and share any information they have in the investigation and prosecution of crimes. The senator also shared his worries about Trumps relationship with California more generally. If the federal government will continue to support California in its leadership and so many policy areas, theres a lot of good work to be done there. But Donald Trump has made it no secret he has it in for California, Padilla said in reference to FEMA funds that Trump tried to keep from not the government of California but from California families simply because its a state that did not vote for him in the presidential election. Were trying to inoculate ourselves from those types of threats, Padilla said on Face the Nation. 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 Charlamagne Tha God has demanded that the Democrats stop acting like theyre on the moral high ground, following Joe Bidens presidential pardon for his son. The popular radio host pointed to other examples of the Democrats failure to act morally and blasted suggestions that Hunter Biden was singled out due to being the presidents son. Biden announced he would be issuing the pardon on Sunday night, despite claiming previously on multiple occasions that he would not do so. In a lengthy statement, he said his son had been selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted by the Justice Department and that he hoped the American people would understand his decision as a father. Discussing the news on The Breakfast Club, Charlamagne real name Lenard Larry McKelvey said Hunter was singled out because he broke the law not because he was the presidents son. open image in gallery Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he would be issuing a presidential pardon for his son Hunter, which has caused outrage across the political aisle ( AFP via Getty Images ) He continued: "I honestly dont care, I just want Democrats to stop acting like they are on this moral high ground politically, when they have shown us theyre not." You know, whether its skipping the primary process when Biden stepped down to things like Biden pardoning his son. Stop acting like you all are the pure party and Republicans arent. It also shows me elected officials can do what they want as long as they have the political will and courage to do it. Hunter Bidens pardon came less than two weeks ahead of his sentencing on December 12 for his conviction on federal gun charges back in June. He was also set to be sentenced in a separate criminal case on December 16, after pleading guilty in September to federal tax evasion charges. Motion to dismiss the cases was filed on Sunday, with a federal judge ordering the gun charge case to be officially terminated on Tuesday. In his statement on Sunday, Biden said: Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter. From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Departments decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted. open image in gallery Speaking on The Breakfast Club radio show, Charlamagne Tha God, said that despite Democrat claims Hunter Biden had not been singled out because he was the presidents son ( This Week ABC ) It is clear that Hunter was treated differently. However, the decision has been met with outrage from both sides of the political aisle, including Democratic Governor Jared Polis, who publicly called for Biden to step off the Democratic Partys ticket in July. The Colorado governor used the presidents own words against him following Donald Trumps conviction on 34 felony counts in May, stating that no one is above the law, showing his disdain that the president had placed his family ahead of the country. While as a father I certainly understand President @JoeBidens natural desire to help his son by pardoning him, I am disappointed that he put his family ahead of the country, Polis wrote on X. Greg Stanton, a Democratic representative from Arizona, agreed with Polis, writing on X: I respect President Biden, but I think he got this one wrong. This wasnt a politically-motivated prosecution. Hunter committed felonies, and was convicted by a jury of his peers. 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 California Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers headed back to the state Capitol Monday to begin steeling themselves for another Donald Trump presidency and to kick off a special session aimed at protecting the states progressive policies from his administration. The Democratic governor, long a Trump foe, is maneuvering to position his huge, powerful state to once again be the center of a resistance effort against Trump extremely conservative agenda. Newsom is calling on his Democratic allies in the Legislature, who hold supermajorities in both chambers, to approve additional funding to the attorney generals office to prepare for a robust legal fight against all anticipated federal challenges launched by Trump and the cronies he is already naming to top positions. Democratic Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel on Monday introduced legislation to set aside $25 million for legal fees to respond to potential attacks by the Trump administration on state policies regarding civil rights, climate change, immigration and abortion access. While we always hope to collaborate with our federal partners, California will be ready to vigorously defend our interests and values from any unlawful action by the incoming Trump Administration, Gabriel vowed in a statement. California sued the first Trump administration more than 120 times with various levels of success. open image in gallery California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference earlier this year in Los Angeles ( Associated Press ) Were not going to be caught flat-footed, Newsom vowed at a recent news conference. Trump often depicts California as representing everything he sees wrong in America. Democrats, which hold every statewide office in California and have commanding margins in the Legislature and congressional delegation, outnumber registered Republicans by nearly two-to-one statewide. Trump called the Democratic governor New-scum during a campaign stop in Southern California, and has relentlessly lambasted the Democratic stronghold over its large number of undocumented immigrants, its homeless population and and its thicket of protectionist regulations. Trump also waded into a water rights battle over the endangered delta smelt, a tiny fish that has pitted environmentalists against farmers and threatened to withhold federal aid to a state increasingly under threat from wildfires. Before the special session was set to begin, state lawmakers swore in more than two dozen new members and elected leaders for the 2025 legislative session. Hundreds of people also demonstrated around the Capitol on Monday to urge the Legislature to block Trumps mass deportation plans. They carried banners reading: Not one cent for mass deportation and MAGA out of California. With the results of the presidential election, we need our state elected officials to use every tool and every resource they have available to them to protect our immigrant Californians, said protester Deborah Lee. open image in gallery Former US President Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump arrive to a campaign rally in Traverse City, Michigan on October 25, 2024. ( AFP via Getty Images ) State Attorney General Rob Bonta vowed that his office will protect the states immigration population. In another challenge to Trump, Newsom last week unveiled a proposal to revive a rebate program for electric vehicle purchases if the incoming Trump administration eliminates a federal tax credit for people who buy electric cars, as its expected to do. Newsom is also considering creating a backup disaster relief fund for the wildfire-prone state after Trumps threats to cut off funds. Bonta also announced legislation Monday aimed at bolstering reproductive rights in the state, including by allowing the attorney general to seek monetary penalties against local governments that infringe on those rights. The proposals are all part of the states efforts to safeguard against threats to abortion access after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Republican lawmakers blasted Newsom and his Democratic allies over the special session. Rep. Vince Fong, who represents the states Central Valley farm belt, said California should work with the incoming Trump administration. Gavin Newsoms actions are tone-deaf to the concerns of Californians who disapprove of the direction of our state and country, Fong insisted in a video on social media. California legislators will likely act to protect dozens of laws expected to be targeted by the Trump administration, including one that has made the state a sanctuary for people seeking abortions who live in states where such practices have been severely limited. California, the nations most populous state, was the first to mandate that by 2035 all new cars, pickup trucks and SUVs sold in California be electric, hydrogen-powered or plug-in hybrids. The state also extends state-funded health care to all low-income residents regardless of their immigration status. Newsom hasnt provided details about what actions the lawmakers will consider but said he wanted major funding in place before Trumps inauguration day, Jan. 20. The state spent roughly $42 million in litigation costs during the first Trump administration, officials said. California successfully clawed back $57 million between 2017 and 2018 after prevailing in a lawsuit to block the Trump administration from imposting immigration enforcement conditions on certain federal law enforcement grants. Another legal victory over the citizenship question in the 2020 census forced the federal government to return $850,000 to the state, according to the attorney generals office. We are positioned, if necessary, to be the tip of the spear of the resistance and to push back against any unlawful or unconstitutional actions by the Trump administration, said Gabriel, who chairs the budget committee. Additional reporting by journalists Haven Daley and Sophie Austin from the Associated Press 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 Donald Trump megadonor and incoming administration official Elon Musk has used his social media platform to chastise Joe Biden for a six-month-old X post after the president issued a pardon for his son Hunter. X users deployed the community notes function to correct the presidents May 31 post reading no one is above the law. The post was revived with a note added for additional context that read: Joe Biden granted a full and unconditional pardon to his son, Hunter, on December 1, 2024. Hunter was convicted of multiple felonies but will now go unpunished. Musk shared the post with a screenshot of a note that said Biden has made clear that some people are, in fact, above the law. Community Notes slays, Musk wrote. Biden wrote the initial post one day after a New York jury convicted Trump on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records as part of a so-called hush money scheme to silence an adult film star ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Though not the first time that a president pardoned a family member, Bidens pardon reversed his previous pledge that he would not do so within his final months in office. Hunter Biden was convicted on charges stemming from lying on a federal form about drug use when he bought a handgun in 2018. He also pleaded guilty to tax evasion and related charges in a separate case. The charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election, the president said in a statement on Sunday. No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunters cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son and that is wrong, he added. There has been an effort to break Hunter who has been five and a half years sober, even in the face of unrelenting attacks and selective prosecution. In trying to break Hunter, theyve tried to break me and theres no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough. The worlds richest man, who spent Thanksgiving with the president-elect at Mar-a-Lago and has remained a close adviser shaping his incoming administration, is set to lead a newly created advisory group that will recommend mass firings of workers and drastic cuts to federal agencies. His crowd-sourced community note feature, meanwhile, has largely failed to meaningfully check misinformation on the platform, with a majority of fact checks proposed by users on political posts never shown to the 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 Despite being on a bipartisan House subcommittee, Democrats and Republicans tasked with evaluating the governments response and handling of the Covid-19 pandemic released dueling reports on their two-year investigation. In a 60-page report released on Tuesday, Democrats on the Republican-led House Select Subcommittee on the Coroanvius Pandemic chastised their GOP colleagues for concluding that the virus likely originated from a laboratory in Wuhan, China, baselessly accusing Dr. Anthony Fauci of trying to cover up the virus origins, and downplaying the efficiency of masks. Republicans released those conclusions and many others in a 520-page report on Monday. open image in gallery Dr. Fauci testified to the House subcommittee which became contentious at times ( Getty Images ) But Democrats accused the Republicans of abandoning their shared goal to prevent and prepare for future pandemics in order to advance a political agenda. Select Subcommittee Republicans spent the 118th Congress advancing a political agenda that has contributed little to the essential work of getting ahead of future public health crises and saving future lives, Democrats wrote in their report. The subcommittee was initially created under the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability in April 2020 to evaluate the governments response to the pandemic and provide guidance to prepare for future pandemics. However, once Republicans took control of the House in 2023 they re-directed the subcommittee to investigate the origins of Covid-19, government spending, and mask and vaccine mandates. open image in gallery Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a far-right member of the House, intensely questioned Dr. Anthony Fauci who she often accused of playing a malignant role in the pandemic ( Getty Images ) But the probe has become overshadowed by partisan politics. In their report, Republicans furthered claims that the virus was likely part of a lab leak in Wuhan, that vaccine and mask mandates were unnecessary, that Fauci played a malevolent role in the pandemic, and that the Biden administration used the pandemic to infringe on the rights of Americans. Stringing together bits of email conversations, the Republican report suggested Fauci knew Covid-19 came from a lab in Wuhan but attempted to cover it up by promoting a study that supported the natural origins theory. The Democrats report strongly pushed back on that claim, citing testimony from multiple people that confirmed Fauci had no relationship to the study on the origins of Covid-19. They accused Republicans of focusing on it because of a desire to substantiate the extreme and baseless narrative that Fauci was somehow involved. While the Republican report concluded Covid likely emerged because of a laboratory or research-related accident, the Democratic report said that could not be confirmed and arguments were largely circumstantial. open image in gallery Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was accused of covering up the number of nursing home deaths in his state during the pandemic ( Getty Images ) Republicans investigation did not uncover the origins of Covid-19 Both pathways remain plausible and we are more or less where we started, the Democratic report concluded. Democrats also sought to blame the Trump administration for many pandemic mishandlings though Trump left office less than a year into the pandemic and accuse their Republican colleagues of purposefully undermining United States public health officials, thus contributing to misinformation. Much of their report focused on lambasting their GOP colleague. During the 118th Congress, Select Subcommittee Republicans have failed to prove their spurious allegations, Democrats wrote. They failed to shed additional light on the origins of SARS-CoV-2and instead advanced baseless attacks on Dr. Fauci and other public health professionals and further eroded in public trust in our nations scientists and public health officials. There are a few points the parties agreed on, as both believe New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and his executive chamber may have tried to cover up the number of nursing home deaths related to Covid-19. Both also stress the importance of established and trustworthy officials relaying clear medical guidance to Americans. The dueling reports also question the professionalism and reliability of Dr. Peter Daszak, an expert on disease who was tasked with understanding the origins of Covid-19 but was cut from government funding after an investigation revealed he improperly monitored research activity. The Independent has asked the Republicans on the committee for comment. 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 Jimmy Kimmel has defended President Joe Bidens decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden joking that theres a very good chance the president doesnt remember previously saying he wouldnt. Alarm bells sounded on both sides of the political aisle on Sunday when Biden granted his son clemency for federal crimes committed between January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024 claiming the 54-year-old was selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted by the Department of Justice. Biden had previously ruled out pardoning his son and so the sudden change of heart prompted backlash from Republicans as well as some Democrats. The Jimmy Kimmel Live host weighed in on the saga on Monday nights show, conceding that the president did indeed vow not to pardon Hunter. But Kimmel joked that Biden, who culled his re-election campaign in July amid speculation around his mental acuity, may not remember saying that. Yes, Joe Biden did say he wasnt going to pardon Hunter, but to be fair theres a very good chance he doesnt remember saying that, Kimmel quipped. open image in gallery Jimmy Kimmel teased that President Joe Biden might not remember saying he wouldnt pardon Hunter ( ABC/YouTube ) Kimmel noted that Bidens unprecedented pardoning of his own child with Hunter making history as the first son of an incumbent president to be criminally convicted may be due to the 82-year-old entering his grandpa doesnt give a damn phase. No one has more to be thankful for this weekend than Hunter Biden, Kimmel teased about the Thanksgiving holiday. I am not a presidential historian, but I believe this is the first time a US president has pardoned both his son and a turkey in the same week. He continued: Biden released a statement saying that the charges in Hunters case were politically motivated and his son was selectively and unfairly prosecuted. In other words, the Biden presidency has now entered the grandpa doesnt give a damn about you stage. Presidents have the power to grant clemency, including both pardons (forgiving federal criminal offenses) and commutations (reducing penalties) for federal convictions. They cannot, however, pardon those convicted of state crimes. open image in gallery Joe Biden and Hunter Biden in downtown Nantucket, Massachusetts, on November 29 over Thanksgiving weekend ( REUTERS ) In June, Hunter was convicted of three federal gun charges related to his purchase of a firearm in 2018. Three months later, he pleaded guilty to nine federal tax charges in September. He was facing sentencing in both cases later this month. Now, Hunter will no longer be sentenced and will avoid jail time. Trump responded with fury on Sunday to Bidens pardon and suggested pardoning his supporters charged for their involvement in the January 6 Capitol riots. Of course, Trump moved on this news like a b****, Kimmel said on Monday, adding that Hunters pardoning doesnt of course translate to the release of the Capitol rioters. But it would be pretty funny if it did. I hereby pardon my son Hunter and, what the hell, the QAnon shaman too. Kimmel noted that Trump also pardoned Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law Jared, during his first term before naming him the US ambassador to France in his second. He added: Everyone who voted to let a 34-time convicted felon off the hook is very mad about Joe Biden letting his son off the hook. And by the way, I dont necessarily disagree the guy committed crimes. But lets take a stroll through reality here: not only did Trump pardon his son-in-law Jareds dad, who went to prison for hiring a hooker to frame his own brother-in-law, this weekend, he named that same man US ambassador to France. 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 MSNBC star Rachel Maddow rationalized on Monday night President Joe Bidens pardon of his son Hunter by framing it within the context of President-elect Donald Trumps nomination of far-right extremist Kash Patel to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Specifically, the progressive host noted that the possible FBI director has literally published a hit list of people he wants to go after once the incoming president takes power, referencing Patels 2023 book Government Gangsters: The Deep State, the Truth, and the Battle for Our Democracy. The president, who said no one is above the law after Trumps 34 felony convictions, has received intense blowback over his decision to issue a sweeping pardon that encompasses not only his sons federal gun and tax evasion charges but also any potential criminal activities related to Hunters business dealings over the past decade. Republicans, and some Democrats, have blasted Biden for going back on his promise to not give his son clemency, accusing him of rank hypocrisy. Of course, Trump and his first buddy Elon Musk have sounded off on the pardon, describing it as a miscarriage of justice while wondering if Biden will now release the hostages whove been charged with storming the Capitol on January 6. At the same time, while conservatives continue to rail against Biden, many liberals have called out the Republican pearl-clutching over the decision, claiming outgoing presidents do this every time. MSNBC host Rachel Maddow delivers a monologue about President Joe Bidens pardon of his son Hunter. ( MSNBC ) During the top of her primetime show Monday evening, Maddow unleashed a stemwinder of a monologue where she invoked the 1954 suicide of Sen. Lester Hunt which came after GOP senators targeted his son at the height of McCarthyism before bringing up Bidens rationale in pardoning Hunter. And they decided that that fathers love for his son would be their best and most effective weapon against the father. Get him right in the heart, she said. One of the most despicable episodes I know of in the entire modern history of American politics, just a Shakespearean crash of evil against love, with the result being a good man shooting himself at his desk in the United States Senate. That was 70 years ago, 1954. After reading Bidens statement on the pardon, which featured the president claiming they have tried to break me in their effort to break Hunter, Maddow suggested the president was justified in reneging on his pledge not to wipe away his sons criminal charges. And it was largely because of Trumps pick of Patel. It is true that President Biden had said he wouldnt pardon his son, she declared. And it may or may not be related, but would it change your mind at all if after you made a pledge like that, the incoming next president then announced that he planned to remove the director of the FBI and install in his place someone who has literally published a hit list of people he wants to go after once Trump is back in power? There are 60 names on this list. In the appendix of his book, Patel who has said a new Trump administration should root out all federal employees who are not sufficiently MAGA lists dozens of current and former Deep State government officials who he feels should be targeted for prosecution. Among the names are former FBI Director James Comey, current FBI chief Christopher Wray, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vice President Kamala Harris, among others. So, what would you do? What would you do if after you made that pledge to not pardon your son, thats what the next president said he was going to do to U.S. law enforcement? What would you do? Maddow continued. What is reasonable to demand of a man after whats been done to your son already, right? You ready to put him back in the barrel? Maddow then sarcastically said that perhaps Biden should have also named Hunter the ambassador to France, referencing Trumps recent nomination of Charles Kushner to that post. Kushner, the father of Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, was pardoned by Trump in December 2020 after pleading guilty to witness tampering and tax evasion over a revenge and intimidation scheme he launched against his brother-in-law. And so, yeah, cue all the handwringing and gnashing of teeth today about a president using his power his pardon power, his powers as president, to do something for a family member, she added. I mean, Trump pardoned a family member and then named him ambassador to France. I mean, he has no qualifications whatsoever to be Americas ambassador to France. 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 Ana Navarro-Cardenas tried to defend President Joe Bidens pardon of his son Hunter, but ended up raising eyebrows instead. Biden pardoned his son, who has been convicted of tax and gun charges, in the last stretch of his presidency after repeatedly vowing he wouldnt. The move prompted critics to groan that Biden put his family over his political legacy and that he was potentially establishing a controversial precedent. The View co-host took to X to point out a pattern of presidents pardoning family members. Woodrow Wilson pardoned his brother-in-law, Hunter deButts. Bill Clinton pardoned his brother, Roger. Donald Trump pardoned his daughters father-in-law, Charlie Kushner. And just appointed him ambassador to France. But tell me again how Joe Biden is setting precedent? Navarro-Cardenas wrote Monday. But her point was buried in a furious discussion about one particular name: Hunter deButts. President Joe Biden talks with his son Hunter Biden upon arrival at Delaware Air National Guard Base in New Castle, Delaware, on June 11, 2024, as he travels to Wilmington, Delaware. The president pardoned his son after repeatedly vowing he wouldnt ( AFP via Getty Images ) A community note tacked on to her tweet debunked her claim: There is no evidence that Woodrow Wilson had a brother-in-law named Hunter DeButts. While at least one person by that name was living during Wilsons presidency, there is nothing to suggest any relation, or that they were pardoned the only result is this tweet. GOP operative Zach Parkinson looked into the matter, determining that the man cited in Navarro-Cardenas claim doesnt appear to have existed. He wrote on X: Theres (unsurprisingly) no record of Woodrow Wilson having a brother-in-law named Hunter de Butts. He pointed to biographies of the former president, which state that Wilson was married twice: to Ellen Axson Wilson and then to Edith Bolling Galt Wilson. Neither had a brother named Hunter deButts. And even if you go one degree further, out of Wilsons wives five combined sisters, none appears to have been married to anyone named de Butts, Parkinson wrote. Wilson also had two sisters Marion and Annie Josephine but neither married someone with the last name deButts, he noted. Several media outlets declared the DeButts character pure fiction. On Tuesday, Navarro-Cardenas admitted where the unusual name came from: ChatGPT. She posted a screenshot of the AI bots answer to her question of whether any US presidents had pardoned any relatives or in-laws and wrote: Hey Twitter sleuths, thanks for taking the time to provide context. Take it up with Chat GPT 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 Independent West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, a former Democrat, has said that President Joe Bidens pardon of his son Hunter would have been more balanced had he also pardoned President-elect Donald Trump. As a father, I dont know a father that wouldnt have done the same thing, Manchin told CNN Monday. What I would have done differently, and my recommendation as a counsel would have been, Why dont you go ahead and pardon Donald Trump, for all his charges? he added. It would have gone down a lot more balanced, if you will. Im just saying, wipe them out, apparently referring to Bidens critics. Biden announced the pardon of Hunter in a Sunday statement, arguing that the charges brought against his son, which include a federal gun conviction and a guilty plea to tax charges, were politically motivated to harm him. No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunters cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son and that is wrong, said Biden. The president and his spokespeople have repeatedly said that he wouldnt pardon his son. There has been an effort to break Hunter who has been five and a half years sober, even in the face of unrelenting attacks and selective prosecution, said Biden. In trying to break Hunter, theyve tried to break me and theres no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough. Sen. Joe Manchin speaks to reporters before an afternoon vote at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, earlier this year. He has suggested that Joe Biden pardon Donald Trump ( Getty Images ) Manchin said the pardon makes it difficult to evaluate Bidens legacy. Trump was quick to react to the pardon Sunday, writing on Truth Social: Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice! The former president was referring to those who took part in the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. Trump has often said at campaign he plans to pardon at least several of the rioter. He also may attempt to pardon himself once in office to eradicated the federal charges for his role in the insurrection and his alleged mishandling of classified documents. Special Counsel Jack Smith, however, has already moved to dismiss both cases because of the Justice Departments policy of not prosecuting sitting presidents. These cases, like all of the other cases I have been forced to go through, are empty and lawless, and should never have been brought, Trump said on Truth Social last Monday. Over $100 Million Dollars of Taxpayer Dollars has been wasted in the Democrat Partys fight against their Political Opponent, ME. Nothing like this has ever happened in our Country before. As president, Trump pardoned a number of prominent figures, such as the real estate executive Charles Kushner, the father of Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner. Trump recently appointed the elder Kushner to be his ambassador to France. Trump also pardoned his former chief strategist Steve Bannon, his former campaign manager Paul Manafort, longtime ally Roger Stone, and his former national security adviser Michael Flynn. 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 Pete Hegseths nomination for defense secretary is looking increasingly tenuous as new revelations about the ex-Fox hosts history appear. A new TV appearance by his mother on Fox & Friends and claims that Trump told him to keep fighting havent exactly turned down the heat, either. On Wednesday, Hegseth embarked on a bid to save what looks to be a sinking ship. He was back on Capitol Hill meeting with senators, and told reporters that he had no plans to withdraw his bid. But almost certain to face unified Democratic resistance, Hegseth can only afford three defections from his own party. The question now: Will the same senators who tanked Matt Gaetzs nomination with their implacable resistance to his selection be the ones to take Hegseth down? To date, the former cable news talking head has already criticized two of them: Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins. The centrist Alaska and Maine senators were among the handful thought to have been unmovable against Gaetz. Hegseth, in comments on Fox News, derided them both as divorced from the realities of working Americans after they voted to protect the Affordable Care Act (otherwise known as Obamacare) from a Republican repeal effort. Both senators have dismissed Hegseths criticism in statements made since his nomination was announced. Collins, however, said that she intended to look at character and judgment when deciding how to vote on such picks a remark that hints at a possible lack of traction for Trumps choice for Pentagon leader. If I look and see a pattern that causes me to think the person would not be a good leader and doesnt have character or the impartiality if its a judge, for example that would concern me, Collins told reporters. On that front, Hegseth took a one-two punch this week. open image in gallery Pete Hegseth, Donald Trumps nominee to lead the Department of Defense, is facing new challenges standing in the way of his appointment ( Getty Images ) A letter written by his mother in which she referred to him as an abuser of women for whom she had no respect drew gasps across the political media spectrum. Penelope Hegseths acidic denunciation of her son was published by The New York Times. In a follow-up letter she apologized; she did so as well in an interview with the Times, saying that her tone in the letter had been angry and emotional because of a particularly trying time in the family. But what she did not do was invalidate the content of the letter, wherein she said her son lies, cheats, sleeps around, and uses women for his power and ego. Penelope Hegseth also appeared on Fox & Friends Wednesday morning in an apparent effort to paper over the damage caused by her letter to her son. In the interview, she claimed that being a TV host at Fox had prepared her son for the role of leading Americas armed services as secretary of defense. Being a TV news host prepares you for most things in a position like this: good communicator, think on your feet, take charge. Everybody should do a year with Fox! she said. Despite the backtracking, her original letter will generate further discussion around the allegations of sexual assault Hegseth faces from a woman who says he trapped her in a hotel room. He firmly denies these allegations, and says that the encounter was entirely consensual. Hegseth reached a financial settlement with the woman after authorities declined to charge him. Hegseths relationship-busting child that he fathered with a producer who worked at Fox while he was still married to his second wife will also, no doubt, continue to generate discussions about his character. On Tuesday, Vanity Fair dropped the latest bomb Hegseth admitted to five affairs during his first marriage alone, which itself lasted just four years. open image in gallery Donald Trump speaks with then-Fox and Friends host Pete Hegseth at a Wounded Warrior event. ( Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) President-elect Donald Trump has done little to defend Hegseth in recent days, a possible sign of where things are headed. Recent statements from the presidential transition team have instead centered around praise for Kash Patel, Trumps pick to lead the FBI during his second term. Patel, a loyalist who has echoed calls to shut down the law enforcement agency entirely, represents another hard pill to swallow for many in the Senate Republican caucus. At the bare minimum, Hegseth is headed for one of the most uncomfortable and public grillings by a Senate panel in recent memory. Theres little sign hes doing anything to avert it including meeting with some of the Republicans who will likely do the grilling. But Hegseths alleged problematic treatment of women is now just one of his issues. The second is the fog of questions emerging around his use or abuse of alcohol, and his conduct in such situations. His management of a major veterans group, Concerned Veterans for America, is now under the microscope. According to a whistleblower report obtained by The New Yorker, the group Hegseth once lead was forced to institute a no drinking policy at events in 2014 as a direct response to his behavior. Ive seen him drunk so many times. Ive seen him dragged away not a few times but multiple times. To have him at the Pentagon would be scary, one CVA figure told The New Yorker. Hegseth soon reversed the no drinking policy. Then, that same month, he was allegedly so drunk [at an event that] he tried to get on the stage and dance with the strippers. He has not addressed these claims, but they are, of course, damaging and come at an extremely inconvenient time. As senators return to Capitol Hill from the Thanksgiving holiday, we can likely expect to see some real movement one way or the other on Hegseth in the immediate future. So far, he has said nothing about the letter from his mother or the claims about his drinking. Whether he can continue to remain silent and what might happen if he speaks out is something were likely to find out very soon. 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 Presidential pardons have always been a point of controversy in the United States but some presidents decisions, like Joe Biden pardoning his son Hunter, have led to more criticisms than others. During their final weeks in office, the sitting U.S. president will, traditionally, utilize their power to grant pardons for federal crimes and issue clemency to those they believe deserve it. Some believe the president should not have the power to grant pardons because it can be abused and is often seen as a political act rather than judicial correction. Over the years, presidents like Andrew Johnson Gerald Ford, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump have stirred the pot by granting sweeping pardons or to those close to them. Heres a look at the most controversial. Andrew Johnson After the Civil War, Johnson issued a general amnesty for roughly 12,600 Confederate officials and soldiers a move that was met with intense backlash. Johnson intended to unify the country after a long and bloody war with the sweeping pardons. However, Johnson did include 14 exceptions to the general amnesty. If a former official or soldier fell under one of those exceptions they had to file a petition for a pardon with the president. open image in gallery Andrew Johnson issued a general amnesty for roughly 12,600 Confederate officials and soldiers, which sparked fierce backlash ( Getty Images ) Richard Nixon Nixon controversially offered Jimmy Hoffa, a labor union leader with ties to organized crime rings, commutation for his sentencing on jury tampering, attempted bribery, conspiracy, mail and wire fraud. Hoffa only served five years of his 13-year-long sentence. Gerald Ford One of the most well-known and controversial acts of pardon was when Ford gave Nixon a blanket pardon in 1974, after the Watergate scandal. Nixon had not been formally charged with a crime but many were expecting prosecutors to bring charges forward. At a time when the public saw the government as corrupt, Fords pardon ignited those concerns. However, he maintained his decision was in the best interest of the country. Some historians believe Fords decision to pardon Nixon is what cost him the 1976 presidential election. open image in gallery Gerald Ford sought to heal America after the trauma of the Watergate scandal that forced Richard Nixon from office in 1974 ( AFP via Getty Images ) Jimmy Carter Carter received criticisms for pardoning hundreds of thousands of Vietnam War draft dodgers on his second day in office a promise he made on the campaign trail. George H. W. Bush Controversially, Bush pardoned the former secretary of defense Caspar Weinberger and five other people involved in the Iran-Contra scandal, in which they secretly sold arms to Iran while it was under an arms embargo. The scandal occurred under the Reagan administration. Bill Clinton Clinton used his power to pardon his half-brother, Roger Clinton Jr., on his last day in office in 2001. Roger pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine for trying to sell it to an undercover police officer in the 80s. Though he spent a year in prison, Clintons pardon cleared Rogers criminal record. Clinton also received pushback for pardoning billionaire fugitive Marc Rich, who was charged with tax evasion, wire fraud, racketeering and making oil deals with Iran during the hostage crisis. open image in gallery US President Bill Clinton pardoned his brother Roger after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine for trying to sell it to an undercover police officer in the 80s. ( AFP via Getty Images ) Barack Obama Among the last of his pardons, Obama granted commutation to Chelsea Manning, a former U.S. Army soldier and whistleblower who leaked classified documents to WikiLeaks. Manning was convicted of violating the Espionage Act, stealing government property and violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. She served seven years of her 35-year sentence. Donald Trump The president-elect, and former president, used his powers for his family members too, notably pardoning his son-in-laws father, Charles Kushner. Kushner served two terms in prison for tax evasion: for retaliating against a federal witness and lying to the Federal Election Commission in 2005. Trump recently tapped Kushner to serve as his ambassador to France. But several other Trump pardons were met with pushback including one to his longtime adviser Steve Bannon, his former national security advisor Michael Flynn and his friend Roger Stone. open image in gallery President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter despite promising not to do so for months ( AP ) Joe Biden Despite maintaining for months he would not pardon his own son, Biden chose to pardon Hunter in his last few weeks in office. Hunter was convicted on three gun-related charges and pleaded guilty to nine tax-related charges in 2024. However, Bidens pardon of his son covers any crimes committed from 2014 to 2024. 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 President Joe Biden is facing backlash from both Republicans and Democrats after he announced he had pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, despite previously stating he would not do so. The president sent shockwaves through the political world on Sunday night when he announced his decision to grant his son clemency, claiming that Hunter had been selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted by the Department of Justice. No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunters cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son and that is wrong, Biden said. With less than 50 days remaining in the White House, Bidens decision has caused a stir on both sides of the political aisle. Democratic Governor Jared Polis, who publicly called for Biden to step off the Democratic Partys ticket in July, was among the first Democrats to voice their disapproval. The Colorado governor used the presidents own words against him following Donald Trumps conviction on 34 felony counts in May, stating that no one is above the law, showing his disdain that the president had placed his family ahead of the country. While as a father I certainly understand President @JoeBidens natural desire to help his son by pardoning him, I am disappointed that he put his family ahead of the country, Polis wrote on X, formerly Twitter. open image in gallery Colorado governor Jared Polis has criticized the presidents decision to pardon his son ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later Presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation. When you become President, your role is Pater familias of the nation. He continued: Hunter brought the legal trouble he faced on himself, and one can sympathize with his struggles while also acknowledging that no one is above the law, not a President and not a Presidents son. Polis wasnt the only Democrat to hit out at the president, however. I respect President Biden, but I think he got this one wrong. This wasnt a politically-motivated prosecution. Hunter committed felonies, and was convicted by a jury of his peers, Greg Stanton, a Democratic representative from Arizona, wrote on X. Trump was also quick to condemn his longstanding political rival, calling the move an abuse and miscarriage of justice. open image in gallery Joe Biden announced his decision to pardon his 54-year-old son Hunter on Sunday ( AP ) Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice! he posted on Truth Social. Kentucky Rep. James Comer chair of the House oversight committee, which led the House GOP impeachment inquiry into the president last year noted that Biden had lied when he said he would not pardon Hunter Biden. The charges Hunter faced were just the tip of the iceberg in the blatant corruption that President Biden and the Biden Crime Family have lied about to the American people, he continued. Georgia Rep. and MAGA firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene chimed in on X: This pardon is Joe Bidens admission that Hunter is a criminal. Biden tried to throw President Trumps sons in jail, but he lets his son off free even though hes a convict. His FBI and DOJ raided Barrons bedroom and Melanias closet at Mar-a-Lago. Joe Biden is a liar and a hypocrite, all the way to the end. But others welcomed the presidents decision, arguing that Hunter had been unfairly treated by the Justice Department because he is the presidents son. open image in gallery Hunter Biden, pictured in the White House on July 3, said he would devote the life I have rebuilt to helping those who are still sick and suffering ( Getty ) Former US Attorney General Eric Holder posted on X that the pardon is warranted. Heres the reality, he wrote. No USAtty [attorney] would have charged this case given the underlying facts. After a 5 year investigation the facts as discovered only made that clear. Had his name been Joe Smith the resolution would have been fundamentally and more fairly a declination. Pardon warranted. Former Watergate prosecutor Jill Wine-Banks agreed. Im relieved and thrilled that he did it. This was one of the cases that called out for clemency, she told MSNBC. Hunter, 54, was convicted of federal gun charges in June and was due to be sentenced on December 12. He was also set to be sentenced on December 16 in a second case, after pleading guilty in September to federal tax evasion charges. In a statement following his fathers announcement, Hunter spoke of his mistakes but claimed they had been weaponized to publicly humiliate and shame me and my family for political sport. He added: I will never take the clemency I have been given today for granted and will devote the life I have rebuilt to helping those who are still sick and suffering. 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 As Donald Trumps Health and Human Services director pick, Robert F Kennedy Jr has vowed to ban flouride from drinking water. But, it has emerged that, the Kennedy dynasty heir actually used to hawk bottles of drinking water with a higher concentration of fluoride than most tap water in the US. In 1999, RFK Jr co-founded Keeper Springs bottled water in a bid to support his environmental organization the Waterkeeper Alliance, a network of groups dedicated to cleaning up polluted waterways. Keeper Springs hit supermarket shelves alongside the likes of Evian brandishing a red, white, and blue label on its 50 percent recycled PET bottles. Bottled water doesnt get purer than that, one ad campaign in 1999 cited byThe New York Times read. To 532 endangered species, its holy water, another boasted. But, as it turned out, those bottles contained above average levels of the mineral fluoride. According to a 2009 chemical analysis, first reported by The New Yorker, each bottle of RFK Jrs water contained up to 1.3 milligrams of fluoride per litre. open image in gallery RFK Jr, pictured at Turning Point US in Georgia on October 23, wants to ban fluoride from drinking water ( REUTERS ) Thats almost double the 0.7 milligrams per litre recommended by the HHS, which he is now tapped to lead. Michael Campana, who was a professor of hydrogeology and water resources management at Oregon State University, later wrote a blog in 2012 slamming RFK Jrs product for its use of plastic bottles, the cost of the item, transportation costs and greenhouse gas emissions. He compared RFK Jrs funding method of Waterkeeper Alliance using Keeper Springs with a church running a brothel to make money to support its mission. By 2013, the company had ceased trading. Co-founder Chris Bartle, RFK Jrs college roommate, later told The New Yorker that the pair lost money despite their heroic effort. Fast forward two decades and RFK Jr is now calling for a ban on fluoride in drinking water. open image in gallery RFK Jrs water (label pictured) contained up to 1.3 milligrams of fluoride per litre ( Keeper Springs/Facebook ) Low levels of flouride in drinking water is a safe way to prevent tooth decay, according to the CDC. It has even been touted as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements in the 20th century. But, now that RFK Jr is set to oversee the CDC as health secretary, its future use appears to be in doubt. In February, the-then third party candidate, said that he would order the CDC to take every step necessary to remove neurotoxic fluoride from American drinking water if elected president. On November 2, after he dropped out of the running and endorsed Trump, he posted that fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease. He added: On January 20, the Trump White House will advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water. The president-elect told NBC News that RFK Jrs plans to remove fluoride from Americas drinking water sounds OK to me. He then tapped him to become his health secretary. The Independent has contacted the Trump Transition team for comment. 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 Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz hit a bit below the belt as he attacked MSNBC hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski over their recent visit with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida after bashing Trump for years on the air. You have Joe and Mika going to Mar-a-Lago to kiss the ring and suck up to Donald Trump. You cant make that story up, Sean Hannity told Cruz on his Fox News program. Cruz smirked: Im not even sure they were kissing the ring. I think they were kissing a little bit lower than that. He added: I mean listen, theyre desperate. There are three viewers that watch Morning Joe and two of them are blood relatives to Joe and Mika. Theyre desperate for relevance. Cruz insisted that now, with Trump elected, Theres an excitement in Texas ... People are excited about a Republican administration. Cruz has gone from Trump critic to staunch ally, previously referring to Trump as a pathological liar and a sniveling coward. Scarborough and Brzezinski faced criticism for their visit to Mar-a-Lago to restart communications with Trump even after comparing him to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. Its hard to believe. I mean, I wouldnt go and meet with Hitler, but thats just me. Maybe it was all nonsense all along, Donald Trump Jr. said about the visit. Maybe Im just a rational being, but it would be nice to bring some common sense back to Washington, and hopefully, we get some of that finally. Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz mocked MSNBC hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski for meeting with President-elect Donald Trump ( Getty Images ) According to a Puck News report published last month, Scarborough and Brzezinski allegedly met with Trump over fears that then-attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz would investigate the death of an intern in Scarboroughs office during his time as a Florida Republican congressman. After the meeting with Trump, Brzezinski told viewers: For those asking why we would go speak to the president-elect during such fraught times, especially between us, I guess I would ask back, Why wouldnt we? She added: Joe and I realized its time to do something different, and that starts with not only talking about Donald Trump, but also talking with him. Their mostly liberal audience dropped by 17 percent in the hour after they made the revelation about the Trump meeting, and their ratings were down 38 percent the following day compared to the average for the year. Scarborough and Brzezinski have reportedly told friends since the election that theyre concerned about retribution from Trump over their consistent criticism of the president-elect since they last met with him seven years ago. Those worries grew when Trump nominated Gaetz to be his attorney general. But Gaetz stepped aside after only eight days as Trumps nominee to lead the Department of Justice amid allegations of sex trafficking and illicit drug use, claims Gaetz has repeatedly rejected. The Morning Joe hosts told friends and allies before the departure of Gaetz that they were concerned that he and Trump would bring back baseless conspiracy theories regarding the death of 28-year-old intern Lori Klausutis, who died from complications from a heart condition in 2001, Puck News noted. The concerns were linked to worries that Gaetz and Trump would use the conspiracy to put legal pressure on Scarborough. A source told Puck that the hosts were petrified of retribution and concerned that Gaetz, who represented the same Florida congressional district as Scarborough once did, would probe the interns death. The source said the fears had nothing to do with ratings or Comcast. A separate source told Puck that Scarborough and Brzezinski thought that by meeting Trump, they could lessen his desire for revenge. A spokesperson for MSNBC told Puck that this characterization of the motivations for the meeting was false and inaccurate. 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 Donald Trump joked that Canada could become the 51st US state if it wants to avoid hefty tariffs he plans to impose on the nation, according to sources. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined Trump for dinner at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday, for what Trump called a very productive three-hour dinner between the two leaders. The meeting came days after the president-elect threatened a blanket 25 percent tariff on all products entering the US from Canada and Mexico and an additional 10 percent tariff on Chinese goods. Sources told Fox News that, during the dinner, Trump joked that there is a way around the looming levies: Canada becoming Americas 51st state. Trudeau, among others at the meeting, responded to the quip with nervous laughter, the sources said. Trump is said to have continued the gag by telling the Canadian leader that prime minister is a better sounding title than governor. The sources added that another person around the table then chimed in that the 51st state would be a very liberal one which sparked further laughter and a suggestion from Trump that Canada be split into two: a conservative state and a liberal state. Prior to the meeting, Trudeau had voiced his concerns that Trumps tariff plans will not be merely empty threats. Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau met with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago for dinner on Friday to talk tariffs, among other areas of foreign policy ( Justin Trudeau/X ) Donald Trump, when he makes statements like that, he plans on carrying them out. Theres no question about that, he told reporters. Our responsibility is to point out that in this way he would be actually not just harming Canadians who work so well with the United States. Hed actually be raising prices for American citizens as well, and hurting American industry and businesses. Following the meeting, the Canadian prime minister told reporters the pair had enjoyed an excellent conversation. On Saturday, Trudeau then shared a photo with Trump on X and thanked the president-elect for dinner, writing: I look forward to the work we can do together, again. Trump, meanwhile, said that the pair discussed many important topics including the fentanyl crisis, fair trade deals and massive trade deficits with the U.S. Writing on Truth Social on Sunday, he said: I made it very clear that the United States will no longer sit idly by as our Citizens become victims to the scourge of this Drug Epidemic, caused mainly by the Drug Cartels, and Fentanyl pouring in from China. Too much death and hardship! Prime Minister Trudeau has made a commitment to work with us to end this terrible devastation of U.S. Families. Trump added that they also addressed energy, trade, and the Arctic. The proposed tariff plan comes as Trump blames Canada and Mexico for the flow of migrants and drugs into the U.S. This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country! Trump said on Truth Social on November 25. 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 Social media users piled on conservative filmmaker Dinesh DSouza on Monday, accusing the conspiracy theorist of hypocrisy for criticizing Joe Bidens pardon of his son Hunter, as DSouza received a presidential pardon of his own from Donald Trump in 2018. The jokes began when DSouza posted about the pardon on X, writing, No one is above the lawexcept my son Hunter! Elsewhere on his feed, DSouza called the Bidens a crime family and Hunter Biden a degenerate gangster. The comments quickly generated a storm of links and mockery pointing to DSouzas own 2018 pardon for campaign finance violations. In addition to a dreaded community note under DSouzas post, many individual users also pointed to the Trump administration pardon. This you? asked Armand Domalewski, founders of YIMBYs for Harris, a pro-Kamala Harris group. You were literally pardoned by Trump, added MSNBC contributor Brian Tyler Cohen. DSouza pled guilty in 2014 to breaking federal campaign finance law and was pardoned by Donald Trump in 2018 ( Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) A convicted felon who was pardoned by Trump says what? the group Republicans Against Trump posted. In 2018, Trump pardoned DSouza, arguing the filmmaker had been treated very unfairly by our government! After the pardon, DSouza claimed the underlying charges were a result of Obama & his stooges trying to extinguish my American dream. Four years earlier, DSouza pleaded guilty to breaking federal election campaign law. Prosecutors said DSouza directed two people to make donations of $10,000 each to the U.S. Senate campaign of Wendy Long under their own names, then reimbursed them, violating individual contribution limits under the Federal Election Campaign Act by using straw donors. Following the Courts ruling denying Dinesh DSouzas baseless claim of selective prosecution, DSouza now has admitted, through his guilty plea, what we have asserted all along that he knowingly and intentionally violated federal election laws, then-U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said at the time. Outside of entering the fray on the Biden pardon, DSouza made headlines on Monday after issuing an apology about flaws in the data and analysis underlying his widely debunked 2000 Mules film, which claimed election fraud during the 2020 election and fueled numerous conspiracy theories. In his apology, the filmmaker said one of the films main claims, that paid mules fraudulently desposited harvested ballots in swing states, had relied on surveillance video matched to cell phone geolocation data provided by conservative non-profit group True the Vote. We were assured that the surveillance videos had been linked to geolocation cell phone data, such that each video depicted an individual who had made at least 10 visits to drop boxes. Indeed, it is clear from the interviews within the film itself that True the Vote was correlating the videos to geolocation data, he wrote. We recently learned that surveillance videos used in the film may not have actually been correlated with the geolocation data. DSouza nonetheless insisted the underlying premise of the film holds true. Mark Andrews, one of the people the flim alleged to be a mule, was exonerated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and filed a defamation suit against True the Vote, DSouza, and the films distributor, Salem Media. The suit claimed the film prompted violent threats against Andrews and his family. Salem Media apologized in May and settled with Andrews, saying in statement at the time the film relied on representations made to us by Dinesh DSouza and True the Vote. A companion 2000 Mules book was abruptly pulled from the shelves under threat of legal action to remove false claims made about other nonprofits. 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 President-elect Donald Trump is demanding the immediate release of Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza, saying that if they are not freed before he is sworn into office for a second term there will be HELL TO PAY. Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity, Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social site. He added that: Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW! It was not immediately clear whether Trump was threatening to directly involve the U.S. military in Israels ongoing campaign against Hamas in Gaza. Trump allies have said he hopes there will be a ceasefire and hostage release deal before he returns to office early next year. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office declined comment. But the countrys president, Isaac Herzog, welcomed Trumps comments in a social media post. Thank you and bless you Mr. President-elect @realDonaldTrump, he wrote on X. We all pray for the moment we see our sisters and brothers back home! Donald Trump dines with Sara Netanyahu, wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Sunday ( Margo Martin/X ) The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 people hostage on October 7, 2023. Some 100 are still held inside Gaza, around two-thirds believed to be alive. Trumps threat came hours after the Israeli government confirmed the death of Omer Neutra, a dual US-Israeli citizen, whose body is still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza, according to the Israeli government. Days earlier, Hamas released a hostage video of Edan Alexander, who was serving in the Israeli military when he was taken by Hamas to Gaza. Filmed under apparent duress, Alexander calls on Trump to work to negotiate for his freedom and that of the remaining Hamas hostages. On Sunday, Trump was seen dining with Netanyahus wife Sara Netanyahu in Florida. The Biden administration is mounting a last-ditch effort to try to restart talks between Israel and Hamas now that it has brokered a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. But the administration has said that Hamas has yet to show a willingness to reengage in negotiations and that the group isnt concerned for its own lives or the lives of Gaza civilians. Israels retaliatory offensive for the attack has left at least 44,429 Palestinians dead, according to Gazas Health Ministry. The war has destroyed vast areas of the coastal enclave and displaced 90% of its population of 2.3 million people often multiple times. 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 Immediately after Donald Trump clinched a second term in the White House, mail orders of abortion pills spiked across the U.S. Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood, the countrys biggest provider of reproductive health services, saw an eightfold increase in appointments for long-acting contraceptive devices known as IUDs. The reality of another Trump presidency appears to have stoked fears among many Americans that their access to abortion and contraception could be further restricted. But the issue stretches beyond U.S. borders. Around the world, hundreds of millions of women who had no say in Trumps election could lose vital health services because of his decisions. During his last term, Trump nominated three of the conservative Supreme Court justices who ultimately voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, restricting reproductive rights at home, while also making decisions that led to the closing of clinics abroad. In countries receiving U.S. aid, progress stalled in efforts to increase uptake of contraception and reduce complications and deaths from unsafe abortion. This time, he has already nominated an anti-abortion UN ambassador in Elise Stefanik and a health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose views on a major issue in his case vaccines go against scientific evidence. open image in gallery Trumps nominee for UN ambassador Elise Stefanik has vocally opposed abortion ( AP ) Another figure who could have the ear of the next administration is Valerie Huber, who spent two decades campaigning for ineffective abstinence education before being appointed to Trumps last White House as a senior adviser. While there, she made sweeping changes that led to nearly a million fewer people gaining access to federal family planning programs, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Last month, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) revealed that she has been laying the groundwork to influence reproductive health services in several countries around the world . She has particularly focused on those who already have fragile reproductive and sexual rights. Huber has spent the last couple of years meeting African officials and politicians in nine countries, from Burkina Faso to Uganda. She has also signed a secretive agreement with the Ugandan government to implement a womens health project. The project, called Protego, aims to eventually set up clinics offering a range of health services, as well as promoting abstinence as part of discussions about contraception. Such programs have been criticized for including inaccurate information about reproductive health. Huber told TBIJ that the project, called Protego, drew on science-based concepts, citing studies that showed people undergoing abstinence education were no less likely to use a condom and had improved academic success. But given her stance on reproductive rights, it has caused concern for charities working in the area. She is already in talks with other countries with a view to rolling it out further. After Trumps election, Huber said that she was [looking] forward to working alongside his administration on womens health around the world. Central to Trumps global influence on womens health is a policy called the Global Gag Rule, brought in by every Republican president and repealed by every Democrat since its introduction. It says that any organisation receiving U.S. aid money must agree not to perform or promote abortion. Research has linked the rule to a fall in contraception use and, ironically, a rise in abortions. The idea that you can somehow treat abortions as if it is not part of a set of services is not realistic, says Elizabeth Sully, a senior research scientist at the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights charity that promotes access to safe abortion services. It doesnt meet peoples needs. What does that mean for womens lives [] when theyre being forced to carry a pregnancy that they wanted to avoid by using contraception? she adds. open image in gallery Valerie Huber has spent the last couple of years meeting African officials and politicians in nine countries ( EWTN/YouTube ) When her organization looked at the effect of the Global Gag Rule in Uganda and Ethiopia, she said, it found reductions in family planning services and access to long-acting contraception, especially in mobile clinics serving more remote areas. She expects the pattern to be the same across all countries receiving U.S. aid. [The gag rule] is stagnating progress and that is going to have implications in the longer run too on unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions. Last time Trump was in office, he expanded the rule so it applied to aid used to fund any health service, not just family planning. Its expected that a version of this will be repeated this time and that it may be taken further still. Indications of that can be found within Project 2025, a 900-page document drawn up by the ultra-conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation that sets out a vision for the next conservative administration. Though Trump distanced himself from the project during the election campaign, he has already nominated more than one of its contributors including Brendan Carr, who wrote a chapter on the Federal Communications Commission, the agency hes been picked to oversee. Also named among the documents contributors is Huber, whose long-held beliefs appear to be reflected in a chapter that states the next administration should remove all references to gender equality, abortion and sexual and reproductive rights from foreign aid policies, contracts and grants. It also proposes expanding the gag rule to all foreign aid and removing certain exemptions, including one for humanitarian assistance. This means organizations funded by U.S. aid and providing vital help, for example around gender-based violence, might need to pledge not to provide abortions or face losing money. Were talking now about this policy being applied in some extremely fragile and vulnerable contexts where there is high levels of sexual violence and a need for access to abortion care really critically, Sully says. open image in gallery During his last term, Trump nominated three of the conservative Supreme Court justices who ultimately voted to overturn Roe v. Wade ( AP ) Project 2025 also recommends the next White House builds on a non-binding international agreement called the Geneva Consensus Declaration co-authored by Huber during Trumps first administration which states there is no international right to abortion. It was initially signed by 32 countries including the U.S., Uganda, Hungary and Brazil, and is seen as a way to rally countries to challenge the sexual and reproductive rights generally promoted by international agencies like the United Nations. According to Gillian Kane, director of global policy at the reproductive rights charity Ipas, Huber has basically written her new job description into the [Project 2025] document. We can anticipate she will use her government influence to push an anti-abortion, anti-LGBTI, anti-gender agenda on a global scale. Buky Williams, a sexual and reproductive health and rights lead at Ugandan-based feminist organisation Akina Mama wa Afrika, said; With Trump back in power, Protego and Hubers influence will be legitimised by the U.S. government and its resources. The reach and impact of their agenda will now be a US foreign policy agenda. And that gives us a lot of reasons to be worried. This piece was co-published with The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, where Rachel Schraer is a senior reporter. 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 long-running gang and racketeering trial in Atlanta that led rapper Young Thug to plead guilty in October ended on Tuesday with a jury finding the last two defendants not guilty of murder. Deamonte Kendrick, who raps as Yak Gotti, was acquitted of all charges and Shannon Stillwell was found guilty only of a gun possession charge. The verdicts came nearly two years after jury selection began and a year after opening statements in a trial plagued with problems. The original, sweeping indictment charged 28 people with conspiring to violate Georgias Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and used song lyrics and social media posts as evidence. Young Thug, a Grammy-winning artist whose real name is Jeffery Williams, was set free on probation after he pleaded guilty in October to gang, drug and gun charges when negotiations with prosecutors broke down. Kendrick and Stillwell were charged in the 2015 killing of Donovan Thomas Jr., also known as Big Nut, who prosecutors say was in a rival gang. Stillwell was also charged in the 2022 death of Shymel Drinks, who prosecutors say was killed in retaliation for the killings days earlier of two associates in a gang known as YSL, which they say was co-founded by Young Thug. Thomas was killed in a drive-by shooting outside an Atlanta barbershop. In the other killing, prosecutors alleged Stillwell pulled up next to Drinks and shot three rounds into his car. Stillwell was sentenced to the 10-year maximum for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon previously convicted of a felony involving a gun, with credit for the two years he already served and the balance to be served on probation. We always respect the verdict of a jury, said Jeff DiSantis, a spokesman for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Defense attorneys criticized the state for relying on song lyrics, saying they were among the faulty evidence prosecutors slapped together along with cherry-picked social media posts and unreliable witness testimony to create a misleading narrative about young men who turned to music to escape economic hardship and difficult pasts. Prosecutors say Williams and two others in 2012 founded Young Slime Life, which they said was associated with the national Bloods gang. The 33-year-old artist also has a record label called Young Stoner Life. Kendrick is featured on two of the most popular songs from the labels compilation album Slime Language 2, Take It to Trial and Slatty, as well as Young Thugs Slime Sh-t," which prosecutors presented as evidence at trial. Williams entered a risky blind plea meaning he pleaded guilty without an agreement on his sentence in October. Judge Paige Reese Whitaker let him out of jail on probation with tight restrictions, including a 10-year ban from metro Atlanta except for certain occasions. The trial has been fraught with problems and delays and shook Atlantas rap scene. Williams grew up in an Atlanta housing project ridden with violence and became a highly successful artist who added his own melodic twist to the modern Southern trap sound he helped popularize. Along with using lyrics and posts to prove that YSL was a gang, Kendricks attorney Doug Weinstein said during closing arguments that prosecutors threw together random alleged crimes see what sticks but did not prove they were connected to a criminal enterprise. While defendants did commit crimes in the past, defense attorney Max Schardt said, it was to make money for themselves in communities stripped of economic opportunity not to advance a gang. And music let some of them move on. As a whole, we know the struggles that these communities have had, Schardt said. A sad, tacit acceptance that its either rap, prison or death. Schardt sought to cast doubts on gang investigators and YSL associates the state brought in as witnesses. Several alleged YSL members testified they had lied to police to stay out of prison, and Schardt said officers had threatened them with long prison sentences if they didnt say the right thing. He suggested one of those witnesses could have killed Thomas. Prosecutors said those witnesses were honest with police but lied on the stand, in front of the people they had snitched on. And the testimonies are corroborated by other evidence such as songs and social media posts where they said defendants were bragging about murder. Prosecutors said Stillwell and Kendrick were in the car used in the drive-by shooting that killed Thomas and that Stillwells social media posts indicate he was involved. Defense lawyer Doug Weinstein said there was no evidence that Kendrick ever got in that car, but rather surveillance footage shows he was in his own vehicle around the time of the shooting. Prosecutors said that Kendrick switched cars off camera and that he was the one who told his counterparts where Thomas was, making him liable for his death. Prosecutors and defense attorneys had conflicting interpretations of the distant surveillance footage in Drinks murder. Stillwell pulled up next to Drinks car and fired three rounds into his car, then sped away, prosecutors said. The defense said Stillwell drove away before Drinks was shot and that there was no gunshot residue in Stillwells car. Jury selection for the trial took nearly 10 months, and Stillwell was stabbed last year at the Fulton County jail, which suspended trial proceedings. Kendrick was stabbed Sunday in jail. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville was removed from the case in July after defense attorneys filed a motion to recuse him based on a meeting he had with prosecutors and a state witness without defense attorneys present. When Whitaker took over, she reprimanded the prosecution for being disorganized and not sharing evidence. Brian Steel, Young Thugs attorney, said he wanted to continue with the trial because he believed they were winning, but the rapper said that sitting in court felt like hell and that he wanted to go home to his family. Nine people charged in the indictment, including Gunna, accepted plea deals before the trial began. Charges against 12 others remain pending. Prosecutors dropped charges against one defendant after he was convicted of murder in an unrelated case. ___ Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Kramon on X: @charlottekramon. 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 suspect in one of Australias most chilling cold cases is expected to be back in the country after nearly half a century following his extradition from Italy. Perry Kouroumblis, 65, was arrested earlier this year in Rome for his alleged involvement in the 1977 Easey Street murders after DNA advancements reignited police investigations into the killing of two young women in Melbourne. Suzanne Armstrong, 27, and Susan Bartlett, 28, were murdered in their home on Easey Street in Collingwood. They were stabbed more than a dozen times, and Armstrong was sexually assaulted. Their bodies were discovered three days later, with Armstrongs one-year-old son found unharmed in his cot. Mr Kouroumblis, who has never been charged and denies involvement, came to police attention shortly after the murders when, as a 17-year-old, he claimed to have found a bloodied knife near the crime scene. He has remained a person of interest, but it was only in recent years that police, aided by advancements in DNA technology, focused their investigation on him. He was arrested in September and the Italian government signed off on his extradition last month. His Italian lawyer, Serena Tucci, told the ABC he was prepared to face trial in Australia. Mr Kouroumbliss return to Australia marks a significant development in a case that has haunted the nation for decades. Footage on Seven News showed him boarding a plane for home in the presence of Victoria police homicide detective. Victoria Police Commissioner Shane Patton described the crime as an absolutely gruesome, horrific, frenzied homicide. For over 47 years, detectives from the homicide squad have worked tirelessly to determine who was responsible for the deaths of Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett, he said. This was a crime that struck at the heart of our community two women in their own home, where they should have felt their safest. The murders have remained a subject of public fascination, inspiring true crime books, a popular podcast, and a major police appeal in 2017, which included a reward of A$1m (511,800) for information. After Mr Kouroumbliss arrest, the families of Ms Armstrong and Ms Bartlett expressed their gratitude to police. For always giving us hope and never giving up, we simply say, thank you, they said in a statement. Mr Kouroumblis is expected to arrive in Australia late on Tuesday. 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 Rescue teams have found the equipment belonging to three climbers who went missing while climbing the tallest mountain peak in New Zealand. American nationals Kurt Blair, 56, and Carlos Romero, 50, and a Canadian man flew by helicopter on Saturday to a camp on Mount Cook, known as Aoraki in Maori, with plans to summit the 3,724m-mountain. Police have withheld details of the Canadian national until authorities can contact his family. The trio was reported missing on Monday after they failed to arrive to meet their prearranged transport after the climb. Searchers hours later found several climbing-related items believed to belong to the men, but no sign of them, police said. The search and rescue efforts on Tuesday were temporarily suspended due to the deteriorating weather conditions on Aoraki, with heavy rain and snow forecast. Operations were unlikely to begin again until conditions improved, expected to be on Thursday. The local police said they have been working with the US and the Canadian embassies to "inform and support the families of the three men". The Silverton Avalanche School in Colorado, US, said it was notified the climbers appeared to have "taken a fatal fall from the high upon the peak". Gear and equipment found from the party has helped SAR [search and rescue] piece together the tragedy although remote, technical and heavily glaciated terrain coupled with deteriorating weather has prevented a recovery of the climbers," it said in a post on Facenook. The school remembered Mr Blair as a "beloved fixture" of the "San Juan mountains who comes from a proud lineage of mountain adventurers". It said Mr Blair's "calm demeanor and positive presence ran counter to the rough edges and sharp tongues so often exemplified by the hard scrabble ranks of mountain guides". "He was the nicest guy you'd ever share a rope or trail or skin track with, and his humility, competence and polite nature made him a client and student favourite." Mr Blair leaves behind a loving family, two amazing sons and a mountain community that stretches along the entire length of the 550 corridor and beyond, it added. A leading mountain guide told the New Zealand Herald that the missing trio could have faced treacherous conditions such as deadly rime ice. With warming trends, youve got ice cliffs that can fall down and theyre incredibly hard to predict compared to avalanches, Gary Dickson said. He said rime ice was an "ice formation in which cold water droplets grow on to each other and build out ... if that falls off itll either kill you, injure you or give you a massive fright at the very least". Aoraki is part of the Southern Alps, the scenic and icy mountain range that runs the length of New Zealand's South Island. A settlement of the same name at its base is a destination for domestic and foreign tourists. The peak is popular among experienced climbers even though its terrain is technically difficult due to crevasses, avalanche risk, changeable weather and glacier movement. More than 240 deaths have been recorded on the mountain and in the surrounding national park since the start of the 20th century. 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 Public health officials across the world are monitoring the spread of a deadly virus ominously known as "bleeding eye disease". But what exactly is it? At least 66 people have been infected and 15 people have died from an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in Rwanda as of November 29, according to an update from the country's Ministry of Health. MVD, which is frequently fatal and is related to the much better-known Ebola virus, is sometimes known as "bleeding eye disease" because it damages people's blood vessels, causing them to bleed from various orifices including their eyes. In October the WHO warned against all travel to Rwanda, while the UK's national public health agency warned travellers visiting Rwanda to avoid a host of activities such as participating in burial rituals or coming into contact with wild animals. The outbreak now seems to have slowed, with Nov 29 marking 28 days without a new case and 22 days since the last patient was discharged from hospital, although there is long incubation period, according to Rwandan officials. However, the disease is just one of several viruses that have concerned global health experts in recent weeks, with further cases of monkeypox (often shortened to "Mpox") identified in the UK and California. open image in gallery A medical worker disinfects a tent used for suspected Ebola victims inside the Ebola isolation center of Madudu Health Center III, in the village of Madudu, in the Mubende district of Uganda on Nov. 1, 2022. ( Associated Press ) Ebolas nasty twin The Marburg virus was first described by scientists in 1967 following an outbreak in the German cities of Marburg and Frankfurt, and the-then Yugoslavian capital of Belgrade. It's part of a family of microrganisms known as filoviruses, which also includes the deadly Ebola. In fact, the two are "clinically almost indistinguishable", according to the UK's government-run Travel Health Pro website. MVD is thought to be generally spread to humans via fruit bats, and can incubate quietly in a person's body without symptoms for up to 21 days (the average is five to nine days). After up to five days of fever, patients begun to suffer damage to their blood vessels, which can cause internal bleeding, psychological symptoms such as confusion and aggression, and persistent bleeding from the nose, gums, vagina, eyes, mouth, or ears. Without treatment it is usually lethal, with an estimated case fatality rate of about 62 percent. Partly for that reason, the WHO has classified MVD as having high pandemic potential. Although there is no specific antiviral therapy known to be effective, there is a potential vaccine under research, which has been administered to more than 1,500 health workers in Rwanda as part of a clinical trial. 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 Voters across Ireland cast their ballots in the countrys general election on 29 November and, with all seats counted, the Fianna Fail and Fine Gael coalition is likely to continue as support for Sinn Fein declines. Counting took place over three days, with over 90 per cent of seats decided by Monday morning. The results set up members from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael for relatively straightforward negotiations, with the two parties securing a combined 86 seats out of the 88 required to govern. It was Fianna Fail that emerged as the largest party with 48 seats, followed by Sinn Feins 39. Fine Gael secured third spot with 38. Micheal Martin, Fianna Fail leader and Irelands deputy premier, said: Well let the dust settle and savour the moment. Well then be in a position over the next couple of days to assess the landscape, devise our strategies. The two-seat shortage means that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael will need to strike a deal with a smaller party or independent candidates. This could be the Labour Party or the Social Democrats both securing 11 seats or the right-leaning Independent Ireland, which won four. The two parties joined in a coalition for the first time after the 2020 election result. Their arrangement meant that the position of Irish prime minister, the taoiseach, was swapped halfway through the term. Mr Martin held the role until December 2022, when Leo Varadkar took over. Current Fine Gael leader Simon Harris then succeeded Mr Vardakar in March 2024 after the veteran Irish politician stood down. One of Fianna Fail or Fine Gael has been in power in Ireland since the foundation of the state more than 100 years ago. But the two parties combined vote share has declined for a fourth consecutive general election to reach a record low. Sinn Fein has said it is also looking to open negotiations, as the partys TD for Dublin Mid West said it is looking to talk to other progressive parties. However, it would be a major feat of negotiation if the party was able to pull the 88 seats from these talks, with every single one of the remaining 49 new TDs required to come to their side to make up the number. Despite coming second, the results are likely especially disappointing for Sinn Fein. After achieving its highest vote share since 1922 in 2020, the partys support has dipped significantly this year. It marks the first fall in support for Sinn Fein in 35 years, and the biggest drop in support for any party at this election. Largely filling the space left by these three largest parties are smaller parties and independent candidates, taking 17 seats this year. However, the Greens have not followed suit, instead seeing their vote share drop 4.1 per cent and losing all but one of their 12 seats. Some have suggested this is due to voters disappointed in the party instead choosing to support the government. Voter turnout also hit a record low this year at 59.7 per cent meaning two in five did not head to the polls. 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 launched a wave of airstrikes in Lebanon in Monday as Hezbollah fired on an Israeli military position and each side accused the other of violating a ceasefire that began last week. At least 11 people were killed in Lebanon after the Israeli military unleashed its largest wave of airstrikes across Lebanon since agreeing to a ceasefire with Hezbollah. The Lebanese militant group said it fired projectiles into Israel, apparently the first time that it took aim at Israeli forces after the 60-day ceasefire went into effect last Wednesday. Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Tuesday that if the ceasefire breaks down, Israel will expand its strikes beyond areas where Hezbollah's activities are concentrated and target the Lebanese state itself. In the United States, President-elect Donald Trump demanded the immediate release of Israeli hostages held by the Palestinian militant Hamas group in Gaza, saying on social media that if they are not freed before he takes office in January there would be HELL TO PAY. Hezbollah began launching rockets, drones and missiles into Israel last year in solidarity with Hamas militants who are fighting in the Gaza Strip. The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 people hostage. Israels blistering retaliatory offensive has killed at least 44,429 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were combatants. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The war in Gaza has destroyed vast areas of the coastal enclave and displaced 90% of the population of 2.3 million, often multiple times. Here's the Latest: Israel warns the Lebanese state over ceasefire JERUSALEM Israels defense minister warned that if the shaky ceasefire with Hezbollah collapses, Israel will widen its strikes and target the Lebanese state itself. He spoke the day after Israel carried out a wave of airstrikes that killed nearly a dozen people. Those strikes came after the Lebanese militant group fired a volley of projectiles as a warning over what it said were previous Israeli violations. Speaking to troops on the northern border Tuesday, Defense Minister Israel Katz said any violations of the agreement would be met with a maximum response and zero tolerance. He said if the war resumes, Israel will widen its strikes beyond the areas where Hezbollahs activities are concentrated, and there will no longer be an exemption for the state of Lebanon. During the 14-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which came to an end last week with a ceasefire brokered by the United States and France, Israel largely refrained from striking critical infrastructure or the Lebanese armed forces, who kept to the sidelines. When Israeli strikes killed or wounded Lebanese soldiers, the Israeli military said it was accidental. The ceasefire agreement that took effect last week gives 60 days for Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanon and for Hezbollah militants to relocate north of the Litani River. The buffer zone is to be patrolled by Lebanese armed forces and U.N. peacekeepers. Israel has carried out multiple strikes in recent days in response to what it says are violations by Hezbollah. Lebanons parliament speaker, Nabih Berri, accused Israel of violating the truce more than 50 times in recent days by launching airstrikes, demolishing homes near the border and violating Lebanons airspace. Berri, a Hezbollah ally, had helped mediate the ceasefire. Israeli airstrike in northern West Bank kills two Palestinians JERUSALEM Palestinian officials say an Israeli airstrike in the northern West Bank has killed two Palestinians. Israels military said it struck a militant cell near the town of Al-Aqaba, in the Jordan Valley. It did not immediately give more details. The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed the two deaths and said a third person was moderately wounded. About 800 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank since Hamas Oct. 7, 2023 attack out of Gaza ignited the war there. Israel has carried out near-daily military raids in the West Bank that it says are aimed at preventing attacks on Israelis, which have also been on the rise. Israel captured the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians want all three territories for an independent state. Iran's ambassador to Lebanon reappears after pager attack BEIRUT Irans ambassador to Lebanon made his first public appearance in Beirut since he was wounded in an attack involving exploding pagers in mid-September. Mojtaba Amani, who returned to Lebanon over the weekend after undergoing treatment in Iran, visited on Tuesday the scene south of Beirut where Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Sept. 27. Speaking about the airstrike that destroyed six buildings and killed Nasrallah and others, Amani said Israel should get for its act the highest medal for sabotage, terrorism, blood and killing civilians. Amani suffered serious injuries in his face and hands when a pager he was holding exploded in mid-September. The device was one of about 3,000 pagers that exploded simultaneously, killing and wounding many Hezbollah members. A day after the pager attack, a similar attack struck walkie-talkies. In total, the explosions killed at least 37 people and wounded more than 3,000, many of them civilians. Last month, a spokesperson for the office of Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the pager attack was approved by Netanyahu. Its a safe bet that Bashar al-Assad will be judged by future historians to be among a handful of the most monstrous and murderous of 21st-century dictators. Yet its not impossible that had it not been for the car accident that killed his older brother Basel in 1994, this allegedly introverted person might have been today still working quietly as an ophthalmologist in London instead of being responsible for the deaths of at least 200,000 of his fellow Syrians. It was then, while he was doing his postgraduate medical studies at the Western Eye Hospital, that Bashar was recalled by his father Hafez Al-Assad, the Baathist ruler of Syria, to be groomed as his successor. When Bashar was elected as president on his fathers death in 2000, some Western leaders cherished hopes that he would usher in an era of democratic and economic reform. Among these was Tony Blair, who hoped for a new relationship with the young Syrian president, a fluent English speaker. Assad talked the talk of liberalisation. Even in 2002, when the UK and US were gearing up for war with Iraq, which Assad opposed, the British prime minister, while acknowledging their differences, said after meeting Assad in London that a process of engagement with Syria is the right way forward. In fact, Assad, whose family was part of the Alawite sub-sect of Shia Islam, which had dominated Syria since the 1960s despite representing only 10 per cent of the countrys Sunni-majority population, quite swiftly proved to be every bit as autocratic as his father, if not even more so. Any promotion of economic liberalisation largely benefited a rich Syrian elite. After Lebanons prime minister Rafic Hariri was assassinated in 2005, apparently by Hezbollah, a UN investigation suggested that Syria might have had a hand in the murder, though without conclusive evidence. Either way, after Western pressure and a large-scale revolt within Lebanon, Assad was obliged to remove Syrian troops who had been stationed there since 1976. Inside Syria, one of the regions most effective intelligence services was a bastion against internal dissent. In 2011, Assad faced his first serious internal challenge from anti-government demonstrations partly inspired by the wave of protests erupting especially in Tunisia and Egypt. By 2021, Assads attempts to repress the protests with increasing ferocity caused the demonstrations to erupt into a full-scale civil war. open image in gallery Armed men in Aleppo after rebel forces take control of the city ( EPA ) With Turkey and Qatar among those seeking to fund and arm rebel forces, Assad relied on support from Iran and Hezbollah, which sent fighters to augment Syrian armed forces. In 2015, however, he was able to secure the most powerful backing of all: military forces from Russia, which had long provided him with arms. Assad gradually managed to save his regime at least until the latest surprise advance by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) at the expense of Syria and Syrian society. When he was not using chemical weapons, he authorised the serial deployment of barrel bombs, which caused widespread civilian casualties. open image in gallery A portrait of Bashar al-Assad at a Palestinian camp south of Damascus ( AFP/Getty ) When he was accused by the West of the first major chemical weapons attack of the war which caused mass deaths in Damascus both the US and the UK did not accede to widespread calls for military action against Syria. As the war wore on, Western efforts to unseat or at least restrain his regime were complicated by what they saw as the need to focus on the threat posed by the most jihadist of his opponents. By mid-2018, Assad was largely in control of most of the country; a notable exception was the northwestern area bordering Turkey from which the rebels staged their successful march on Aleppo last week. open image in gallery People try to extinguish fires following an airstrike that targeted Syria's rebel-held northern city of Idlib ( AFP/Getty ) Characteristically, as the war was abating in much of the country, Assad passed a draconian law enabling the state to claim the property of Syrians who fled the conflict. Now he has fled, bringing a dramatic close to his nearly 14-year struggle to hold onto control as his country fragmented in a brutal civil war that became a proxy battlefield for regional and international powers. As daylight broke over Damascus, crowds gathered to pray in the citys mosques and to celebrate in the squares, chanting, God is great. People also chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. Syrians stormed Assads presidential palace in the suburbs as rebels proudly shouted the country was free from the tyrant. 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 ChatGPT users have spotted an unusual glitch that prevents the AI chatbot from saying the name David Mayer. OpenAIs hugely popular AI tool responds to requests to write the name with an error message, stating: Im unable to produce a response. The chat thread is then ended, with people forced to open a new chat window in order to keep interacting with ChatGPT. The issue has raised concerns about tech companies like OpenAI using their platforms to censor information. I think the lesson here is that ChatGPT is going to be highly controlled to protect the interests of those with the ways and means to make it do so, one user wrote on a ChatGPT forum. Other users have shared various attempts to trick the AI bot into saying the name David Mayer, including ciphers and riddles, but none have worked. open image in gallery ChatGPT automatically stops working when it attempts to write the name David Mayer ( Screenshot/ The Independent ) One user even changed their name to David Mayer through their personalisation settings, and asked ChatGPT to recite the account information, however this also failed. ChatGPT itself is not able to give any information about why it is unable to write the name, with the chatbot claiming to not have any restrictions on writing specific names unless they fall under specific privacy or copyright criteria. The Independent has reached out to OpenAI for more information. open image in gallery A figurine pictured in front of a computer screen in Mulhouse, eastern France on 19 October , 2023 ( Getty Images ) Some users have speculated that the glitch could be related to David Mayer de Rothschild, heir to the Rothschild fortune, who may have filed a request under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) act. This data protection law allows people to request technology companies like Google to remove their name and information from the internet. The name does not appear to be restricted on any major search engine, or on any of ChatGPTs main competitors. Other names that trigger a similar result on ChatGPT include David Faber, Brian Hoods, Jonathan Turley and Jonathan Zittrain. One ChatGPT user discovered a way to partially get around the glitch by inputting the request say David: Mayer, followed by, now replace colon with nbsp:. Attempts to replicate the technique shows that any further attempt to write the name by ChatGPT results in the same error message. open image in gallery Reddit user Bitanuki discovered a way to bypass the glitch using a non-breaking space (nbsp), however it only partially works ( Screenshot/ The Independent ) OpenAI recently secured $6.6 billion in funding that values the company at $157 billion, making it the worlds most valuable AI-focussed company. This is largely driven by the success of ChatGPT, which became the most-downloaded app in history when it launched in November 2022. The company is currently considering plans to introduce advertising into its AI platforms, according to a report in the Financial Times on Monday, which would allow it to monetise its 250 million ChatGPT users beyond paid subscriptions. China lodges solemn representations with U.S. over semiconductor export control measures Xinhua) 16:48, December 03, 2024 BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- China has lodged solemn representations with the United States over its latest control measures on semiconductor exports and sanctions on Chinese companies, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday. Noting that China has lodged solemn representations with the United States over maliciously suppressing China's scientific and technological progress, spokesperson Lin Jian told a daily news briefing that China always firmly opposes the United States overstretching the concept of national security, abusing export controls and imposing illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction on Chinese companies. "Such practices seriously undermine the international economic and trade order, disrupt the stability of the global production and supply chain, and undermine the interests of all countries," Lin said. The spokesman also noted that China has urged the United States to respect the laws of the market economy and the principle of fair competition, and China will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard its own security and development interests. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) 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 72-year-old man is believed to have died after falling overboard before docking in San Francisco following a Princess Cruises voyage to Mexico. The passenger, who has not been identified, reportedly fell from the Ruby Princess ship following a five-day journey to Ensenada, Mexico, that departed November 27. When the vessel docked in San Francisco around 6:50 a.m. Monday the man was reported missing. The cruise line confirmed that the male passenger had been travelling alone. Following several searches of the ship and a review of CCTV footage, the disappearance was ruled as a man overboard incident by the cruise line having ruled out other possibilities. Read more: What happens when someone goes overboard on a cruise ship? The Ruby Princess ship, which is 195 feet high at its tallest point, departed on Monday evening for a 16-day voyage to the Hawaiian Islands. U.S. Customs and Border Protection are investigating the incident with military aircraft seen scouring the waters for signs of the man 45 miles off the coast of Monterey, California, on Monday. A spokesperson for Princess Cruises said in a statement: Princess worked throughout the day with local authorities. CCTV footage has also been extensively reviewed and the ship was searched thoroughly several times without success. Having ruled out other possibilities, this is being treated as a man overboard incident. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the guest who was traveling alone. open image in gallery Ruby Princess docked in San Francisco. A 72-year-old man is believed to have died after falling overboard ( Getty Images ) Its not the first time a cruise passenger has gone overboard this year. In August, urgent search efforts for a British passenger who reportedly fell overboard from a cruise ship near Croatia were called off after four days. Royal Caribbeans Explorer of the Seas was believed to be six days into a seven-day voyage around Greece and Croatia when the passenger disappeared during the early hours of the morning. Croatian authorities confirmed on August 9 that a young citizen of the United Kingdom, reported to be a man, went missing from the cruise that had departed Saturday 3 August and had not been seen since. The president of the Association of Croatian Sea Captains, Sanjin Dumanic, said at the time: Since the man has been in the sea for over 40 hours, we are already losing hope. We would all like him to be found, but 40 hours is a very long time, and we are losing hope that this search will end successfully. Jess Phillips dismissed a question on the fate of the Elgin Marbles as Sir Keir Starmer was set to meet his Greek counterpart on Tuesday, 3 December. The prime Minister will welcome Kyriakos Mitsotakis to No 10, but Downing Street said returning the ancient marbles, also known as the Parthenon Sculptures, is not on the table. It is the Greek leaders first official visit to the UK since a quarrel with the previous government over the sculptures; Greece has long maintained that the Elgin Marbles were illegally removed from their place high atop Athens acropolis during a period of foreign occupation. Ms Phillips told Kay Burley: Theres probably a perfectly sensible solution.., but its very rarely raised with me on the doorstep. Jimmy Fallon joked that Joe Biden's pardon of his son Hunter finally brought both sides of the US political spectrum together in his final months in the White House. The president, who previously said he would not pardon his son, announced his decision to grant Hunter clemency on Sunday (1 December). Mr Biden claimed that Hunter had been selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted by the Department of Justice. On Monday night's show, Mr Fallon joked: "Yep, both Republicans and Democrats are upset. Its kind of nice. Its like, for his last act as president, Biden united the country. Isnt that nice? Sir Keir Starmer has revealed the vow he made to Donald Trump about the UK and US's relationship. The pair met for the first time in September when they had dinner at Trump Tower in New York. At the time, the prime minister was in the US for the UN General Assembly before Mr Trump became president-elect. Speaking at the Lord Mayor's Banquet on Monday, 2 December, Sir Keir said: "I told him that we will invest more deeply than ever in this transatlantic bond with our American friends in the years to come." Bank of Ireland originally teamed up with Arab Banking Corporations UK operation Alburaq in 2008 to offer the product Bank of Ireland has sold a home-finance portfolio that complies with Islamic principles to a British fintech. The value of the Sharia-compliant portfolio is 17m (20m), and it includes more than 350 home-purchase plans. Bank of Ireland originally teamed up with Arab Banking Corporations UK operation Alburaq in 2008 to offer what was then the UKs first Shariah-compliant structured deposit for Muslim customers. The idea was to bring home ownership and investment opportunities to a community that had been traditionally excluded from property ownership in the UK if they wanted to invest in accordance with their religious beliefs. The portfolio has been bought by Offa, the UKs leading Islamic property finance fintech, which said the transaction was a landmark deal. Confirming the sale of its remaining Alburaq home-finance portfolio, a spokesman for Bank of Ireland said: The Alburaq product has not been available for new customers since 2009. The sale of the small remaining portfolio will provide customers with access to a wider range of Sharia-compliant property re-financing options. Offa is the first financial institution to buy an Islamic home-finance book in the UK. Its team, based in Birmingham, says it has constructed a unique and pioneering Sharia-compliant funding structure to minimise legal and tax issues. The company aims to modernise Islamic property finance using modern software and paperless systems and says its ethical approach to finance includes not charging interest and not investing in sectors deemed harmful to society such as alcohol, tobacco, and the arms trade. This approach is said to be increasingly attracting non-Muslim customers. Amir Firdaus, chief financial Officer at Offa, said: It is testament to Offas abilities that Bank of Ireland has agreed to sell their Islamic home-finance portfolio to us. This marks another chapter in Offas ambitious growth plans. Members of the Offa executive team are already very much familiar with Alburaqs clients, having helped distribute this book almost two decades ago, and we are delighted these customers are now coming home to us. Those who have been transferred as part of this purchase, and are eligible, will now have access to a wider range of Sharia-compliant property re-financing options. We are now focused on ensuring a seamless migration for customers to our servicing platform. Founded in 2019, Offa is the UK's first bridge-finance provider operating in accordance with Islamic principles. It says faith is at the core of its brand, enabling British Muslim property investors and others seeking ethical capital to access Sharia-compliant finance as they move up the property ladder. Family members of some of the publicans behind Changing Times Brewery raise a glass to drinks industry innovator and founder of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Patrick J Rigney (front). Photo: Mac Innes Photography The founder of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Patrick J Rigney, has backed Changing Times Brewery, a new Dublin beer producer supported by the families behind some of the capitals best-known pubs. The move sees Mr Rigney join the new brewery as chair, and his involvement brings total investment in the venture to more than 2m. The initial backers had invested 1.8m. While Mr Rigney is a well-known and highly regarded figure in the drinks industry, it is his first involvement in a brewery. He is founder and owner of The Shed Distillery and its brands, including Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey and Sausage Tree Pure Irish Vodka. Before striking out on his own, he was involved in the development of Baileys and Sheridans Irish Cream Liqueur. Changing Times launched in November with two initial products, Daydreamer Lager and After Hours Pale Ale, serving an initial group of publicans who are also backing the brewery. The venture was initially launched by brewer Shane Long, who established and later sold the Franciscan Well brewery in Cork to Molson Corrs, Cork publican Benny McCabe and the publican families behind Dublin pub trade stalwarts The Ferryman, The Palace, The Long Hall, The Swan, Darkey Kellys, The Bankers, Doheny & Nesbitts, Sheehans, Lemon & Duke, The Bridge 1859, McSorleys and more. Mr Rigney said Changing Times Brewery represents a real innovation in the Irish beer market. What attracted me was the family dimension of this business, which very much aligns with our values in The Shed Distillery, he said. The families behind this brewery are steeped in the pub heritage of Dublin and Ireland, with years and years of experience in catering to their customers tastes. They are a part of the fabric of Dublins social culture. Who could be better placed to deliver authentic, refreshingly Irish, locally brewed beers? Im excited to come on board and to help them deliver a timely change for customers at the pub counter. The brewery, in Glasnevin, produces 100 kegs a week for the Dublin pub trade and can be ramped up to 250 kegs a week, with capacity for further expansion. Company sold its 50pc stake in the Irish firm last year Newly-filed accounts for the firm behind Patrick Jordans Atlantic Aviation aircraft maintenance group show that it made a 10.1m profit from the sale of its 50pc interest in Irish aircraft parts supplier EirTrade Aviation last year. Accounts for Quadview, the company behind Atlantic Aviation and other businesses controlled by Mr Jordan, show that its revenue rose 7.6pc to 141.8m last year. However, its operating profit declined 34pc to just under 3.6m. But the profit performance at Atlantic Aviation improved during the final quarter of 2023, and has continued in 2024. It also improved at Secto, an infrastructure, build and maintenance solutions firm that operates in the telecoms sector, and which is owned by the group. This improved performance has continued into the first nine months of 2024, which is substantially ahead of the same period in 2023, directors for Quadview noted. In the telecommunication infrastructure build and maintenance sector, Secto has again made strong progress during the year with strong top line and operating profit growth. This improved performance has continued into the first nine months of 2024 Mr Jordan had invested in EirTrade in 2019. The business was founded by Ken Fitzgibbon in 2010. Last year, US-based investment firm Acorn Growth Companies took a majority stake in EirTrade. Before the sale of its stake, Quadview also received 3m in dividends from the business during 2023. Quadview also owns a 52pc stake in UK-based AAG Defence Services. With its management based at RAF Brize Norton, that UK company provides maintenance to Airbus A400M Atlas turboprop military aircraft. The directors of Quadview note that 2023 was a relatively challenging year for Atlantic Aviation Group (AAG) as the industry continued to adjust to the legacy effect of the Covid pandemic. In particular, there has been a shortage of available technical resource in aviation maintenance which has had a significant impact on the business. In response, AAG has embarked on what has been a successful international recruitment campaign, attracting substantial numbers of highly qualified technical resources across a broad range of skill sets, they note. This, together with the addition of several new multi-year nose-to-tail contracts resulted in a significant improvement to profitability in the last quarter of 2023. The directors are confident that the outlook for the group is bright. There continue to be strong opportunities to allow the group to continue to grow and advance through a focus on efficiency and productivity, continuous improvement and business excellence. At the end of March 2022, Atlantic Aviation finalised the acquisition of Lufthansa Technik Shannon, adding 300 people to the groups workforce and bringing its total at that stage to more than 700 across its sites in Ireland and the UK. It now employs more than 900 people. The latest accounts for Quadview show that of its revenue last year, 91m was generated from aircraft maintenance and overhaul and 40.8m from Secto. That compared with 86.6m and 33m respectively in 2022. Of the revenue, 124.8m was generated in Ireland, and the rest in the UK. A dispute between an investment finance company and businessman Paddy McKillen Jr over a guarantee on loans has been resolved, the Commercial Court heard. AHG Properties Unlimited Company had sought summary judgment for 1.19m against Mr McKillen Jr over the guarantee on loans to buy a property in England for development as a 155-bed hotel and 1,500-capacity venue. Mr McKillen Jr is a co-founder of Ireland's largest hospitality group, Press Up, and son of well-known developer Paddy McKillen Sr. The case first came before the Commercial Court last month when Mr Justice Denis McDonald granted a two-week adjournment at the request of Mr McKillen Jrs side. When it returned on Monday, Ross Aylward BL, for AHG, said the time had "borne fruit" and he was glad to say the case had been compromised. Counsel asked that the case still be formally admitted to the commercial list and adjourned to this Thursday. The judge admitted the case and granted the adjournment. Stock image Today's News in 90 Seconds - December 3rd In its proceedings, AHG claimed Mr McKillen Jr had provided a personal guarantee, limited to 1m plus interest, on loans totalling 10m to buy The Central Hall and adjoining buildings in Corporation Street/Ryder Street, Birmingham. The plan was to redevelop it as a 155-bed Dean hotel with a 1,500-capacity event venue. The loans were made to Creative Cedar Ltd, a UK company which Mr McKillen Jr is a director of, and which is also part of the Press Up Group, AHG said it always understood the loan facility was principally to buy the Birmingham property and that it would be subsequently refinanced by development finance from a separate lender. However, difficulties arose about making repayment on the final date and efforts by the defendant to raise refinancing were not successful, AHG said. In September, Press Up itself was taken over by Cheyne Capital, a London-based investment firm, in a debt-for-equity swap that left Paddy McKillen Jr, one of the co-founders, with a stake of about 10pc in the business. His co-founder, Matt Ryan, is no longer involved. Many parts of the hospitality business continue to trade while some venues and brands have been closed or placed into receivership under the new management. Celtic Tiger-era property developer Sean Dunne has failed in High Court applications challenging the appointments of two trustees who have overseen his bankruptcy. The case, in which Mr Dunnes ultimate aim was to secure his exit from bankruptcy in Ireland, was dismissed today because of the procedurally flawed manner in which it was brought. Mr Justice Liam Kennedy found lawyers for the trustees, Official Assignee in Bankruptcy Michael Ian Larkin and former Official Assignee Chris Lehane, had made well-founded preliminary objections to the case going ahead. The judge said Mr Dunne (70) had acted contrary to the rules of the superior courts. In a verbal ruling, the judge was also critical of inflammatory language used by Mr Dunne in which he describing the trustees as imposters. He said the case involved seven motions and had evolved since the first of those was filed over the summer. Mr Dunne, he said, was now seeking to pursue a challenge on a multitude of grounds, against an ever-growing cast of characters, including the director of the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI), the Justice Minister and the Attorney General. The judge also said he did not consider the tenor or content of pre-litigation correspondence, in which Mr Dunne sought documents evidencing the appointments of the official assignees, to have been either reasonable or realistic. His correspondence contained utterly unreasonable deadlines, coupled with absurd and grandiose assertions as to the legal consequences for failing to meet deadlines in circumstances in which he had not established a legal right to the information, Mr Justice Kennedy said. But the judge said his decision to dismiss the applications did not preclude Mr Dunne from issuing a fresh challenge by way of properly constituted proceedings, such as a judicial review application. The Carlow-born property developer has sought to take the case via a series of motions within existing proceedings concerning the administration of his bankruptcy estate. The one-time Baron of Ballsbridge has been bankrupt in Ireland and the US since 2013 after amassing debts of around 700m. While bankrupts can be discharged in Ireland after as little as 12 months, Mr Dunnes Irish bankruptcy was extended by the High Court in 2018 until April 2028 due to non-cooperation on his part. Mr Dunne who represented himself in court with the assistance of solicitor Blake ODonnell made a number of technical arguments in which he claimed the appointments of Mr Larkin and Mr Lehane were invalid. He argued this was the case because the appointments were not made by the Justice Minister and because they were not evidenced by a formal warrant of appointment. He had also sought to advance arguments that the appointment of ISI director Michael McNaughton was invalid. His claims were rejected by lawyers acting for the official assignees and Mr McNaughton. Among the motions was one seeking the recusal of Mr Justice Kennedy on the basis his former law firm, A&L Goodbody, had acted against Mr Dunne in a previous case. The judge rejected this application. Another of the dismissed motions sought to join the Justice Minister to the proceedings. In his ruling, the judge said it was not clear why Mr Dunne hadnt used the Freedom of Information Act to seek access to the records he was seeking regarding the appointment of the official assignees so as to ensure he was in possession of all the facts before launching the proceedings. Mr Justice Kennedy said that if Mr Dunne was to pursue the matter again, he would need to set out the precise case he is making. The judge said he had failed to do so to date. The prolixity and repetitiveness of his submissions and affidavits, coupled with the unnecessary introduction of irrelevant and often scandalous material, must be avoided in future as he will bog down and delay his own litigation and render any new proceedings vulnerable to dismissal, he said. The judge said he would deal with the issue of costs next week. Mr Dunne has also been involved in separate litigation concerning his bankruptcy in the US, with one case being unsuccessfully appealed all the way to the United States Supreme Court. He and his then wife Gayle Killilea had been living in Connecticut when his business empire collapsed under the weight of his borrowings. They have since divorced and both live separately in the UK. Mr ODonnell, the solicitor assisting Mr Dunne, is son of former bankrupts Brian and Mary Patricia ODonnell, whose Gorse Hill home in Killiney was at the centre of a high-profile repossession dispute in 2015. The ODonnells have issued similar proceedings against Mr Larkin and Mr Lehane but that matter has yet to come before a court. Pre-tax profits at Dublins Zeus Packaging last year tumbled by 54pc to 11.26m. The Rathcoole-based global packaging group recorded the fall in profits as revenues rose by 8pc from 402.3m to 433.63m on the back of the groups continuing acquisition strategy. The pre-tax profits of 11.26m follow pre-tax profits of 24.3m in 2022. A large factor in the drop in profits was a 11m charge in respect of a creditors arrangement in connection with an Italian firm, Cima Paper, purchased by Zeus in June last year. Zeus purchased 70pc of Cima Paper. A note attached to the accounts stated that after the purchase of Cima Paper irregularities were discovered by the group which among other things impacted debtors and stock balances acquired. The note stated that the Italian firm was put under court administration by the group in October last year. Owner of Zeus, Mr OSullivan, won the 2021 Irish EY Entrepreneur of the Year award. Numbers employed by the group last year increased from 777 to 903. Staff costs rose sharply from 33.35m to 42.34m. The Irish-headquartered multinational has employees at sites here, in the UK, Germany, Spain, Poland, Ukraine, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Pay to Mr OSullivan, a native of Fermoy, Co Cork, and the sole director, last year dipped from 2.19m to 2.17m. The directors report stated that the groups earnings before interest depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) was 25.8m compared with 33.7m in 2022. It stated that this reflected a solid underling performance for the year. Accounts show that Zeus in June last year paid out 10.4m for the share capital of Armagh-based packaging firm James Hamilton & Co (Lurgan) Ltd. The accounts also show in March 2023, the group bought Polish firm Polpack for 2.5m. Zeuss pre-tax profit took account of non-cash depreciation costs of 3.4m and non-cash amortisation costs of 4.3m. The group also incurred interest payments of 6.5m. It recorded post-tax profits of 4.7m after paying corporation tax of 6.5m. At the end of December last year, the group had shareholder funds of 80.77m that included accumulated profits of 66.5m. Cash funds increased from 24.3m to 31.3m. The number of employment inspectors in Ireland just 63 nationally raises concerns about the effectiveness of law enforcement in the workplace, according to a new report by the ESRI. A total of 4,727 inspections were carried out by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) last year. Given that there are 191,600 employers in the State, this means an overall inspection rate of 2.5pc. The commission detected 293 breaches of the Employment Permits Acts, mainly in food service (54pc), hair and beauty (12pc), and wholesale (11pc) sectors. This would include situations in which non-EU nationals are employed in undeclared jobs, are working outside the terms of their residence permit, or are working while irregularly living in the country. Apart from 2018, for which no data is available, this is the highest number of breaches detected since 2017. The number of inspections last year was an increase on 2022, when it had fallen to 3,943. The number of WRC inspectors was due to increase to 80 this year, after an internal competition to fill vacancies was staged last December. At 63 nationally in 2024, the number of employment inspectors raises concerns about the effectiveness of enforcement efforts, according to the report, written by Amy Stapleton, Emily Cunniffe and Emma Quinn of the ESRI. Efforts to increase WRC inspector numbers are important, especially in light of the steep increase in employment permits issued in recent years, and the planned introduction of a new seasonal employment permit. Given that there were 2.3 million employees in the State, 80 inspectors would be the equivalent of one for every 29,200 workers. The WRC told the authors that it targets inspections in a way that ensures employers who are breaching employees rights are more likely to be detected. They are generally focused on sectors that indicate an increased risk based on experience from closed cases, sectoral intelligence and complaints, the report says. There were 30,981 employment permits issued last year, 39,955 in 2022, and 16,383 in the last pre-Covid year of 2019. The Department of Enterprise can revoke a workers employment permit if they are found to be working irregularly. If a permit is revoked because an employer broke the law, the worker can apply to reactivate their permit. However, while about 145,000 employment permits were issued between 2017 and 2023, there were only 277 revocations in that time, and 422 reactivation permits, which again suggests a low level of inspections. In relation to breaches of the law, the report notes that of 166 employers identified as having done so in 2022, 83pc were small enterprises. These are classified as having fewer than 50 workers. Most of the inspections last year 3,662 out of 4,727 were unannounced, and designed to be preliminary checks to assess the likelihood of compliance. If there were grounds for concern, a full inspection ensued. There were 2,717 full workplace inspections last year, the report says. The series, set to air next autumn, is based on five of the Walsh family novels, which include Watermelon, Rachel's Holiday and Angels Author Marian Keyes has told of her relief that her big secret is now out a drama series based on her novels about a dysfunctional family of sisters will be shown on TV next year. The Walsh Sisters is a six-part comedy drama series to be shown on RTE, with the BBC buying the rights to broadcast it in the UK. Keyes (61), who will be an executive producer on the show, said: This is so exciting, Im beside myself. I love the scripts. Theyve really kept the spirit of the books. Its been almost impossible to keep this a secret and its a great feeling that the news is now out in the world. The series is based on five books about the Walsh family by Keyes. The series will follows the lives of Anna, Rachel, Maggie, Claire and Helen as they navigate their late 20s and 30s in their home city of Dublin. The casting has yet to be announced. Their relationship is described as a sisterhood full of in-jokes, hand-me-down resentments and more than a few old wounds, but their DNA, history and shared love of power ballads keep the Walsh sisters together in the face of heartbreak, grief, addiction and parenthood. The writing team is led by Stefanie Preissner, the Dublin author and actor whose credits include Cant Cope, Wont Cope. She was in charge of four of the six episodes and is also an executive producer. Kefi Chadwick, best known for Rivals and Death in Paradise, is in charge of writing on the other two episodes. Ian Fitzgibbon, whose credits include Hullraisers and Moone Boy, is directing. The six by 60-minute series will be shot early next year, for broadcast in the autumn on RTE, and later on BBC 1 and the BBC iPlayer. Metropolitan Films, a Bray-based production company, has teamed up with Cuba Pictures in the UK to make the show, with funding from Screen Ireland, the States film board. BBC has bought the rights to show it in the UK. Preissner, who also writes a column for Life magazine in the Sunday Independent, said: It was such an honour to be asked to adapt Marians amazing books. Rachels Holiday was the first book I ever bought with my own money, and she has lived in my heart since that day. The team at Cuba are a joy and the whole process has been gorgeous. I cannot wait for everyone to see the magic we are making. David Crean, head of drama at RTE, said: I am getting lots of messages from fans of the novels who are unbelievably excited at this news. The IP is so strong that this feels like it will be a huge hit for lovers of Irish drama both at home and internationally. Sue Deeks, head of BBC programme acquisition, said: The Walsh Sisters novels have given so much pleasure to so many readers over the years, and we are truly delighted that such a wonderful team will be bringing these witty, warm, and oh-so-relatable characters to life. Since publishing her first novel in 1995, Keyes has sold more than 30 million copies of her books, with other bestsellers including Rachels Holiday and Grown Ups. She has won a number of Irish Book Awards and she was named author of the year at the British Book Awards in 2022. A daughter and son of prominent pub-chain businessman Charlie Chawke were today returned for trial on charges of assault causing harm to two men, at the luxury four-star Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare, Co Limerick. Alison Chawke (40), of The Beeches, Holywell, Goatstown, Dublin 14, is accused of having gouged the eyes of one alleged victim and kicked the other alleged victim in the head a number of times before allegedly biting him on the side of his face, on November 9, 2023. Gunman found guilty of murdering Dublin grandfather shouts f**k you and storms out of court The victims partner wept and shouted: You murdering rat. Weasel. Pig, at Crawford as he left the court. Cailean Crawford Fiona Magennis Tue 3 Dec 2024 at 18:38 A cold-blooded killer who executed a grandfather without mercy, shooting him repeatedly when he answered the front door at his mothers home, shouted: F**k you and your fair trial and stormed out of the dock after a jury convicted him of murder this afternoon. LATEST | She witnessed her child being murdered mother of tragic Malika (8) not in good shape as family release photo A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder over the death of the girl (8) at her home in New Ross, Co Wexford Man arrested over murder of girl (8) in Co Wexford home Ken Foy, Jessica O'Connor and Tessa Ndjonkou Tue 3 Dec 2024 at 17:15 An imam has said its been a heartbreaking time for our community as a man (34) was arrested on suspicion of murdering an eight-year-old girl at her home in Co Wexford. Former Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin has dismissed warnings about the fate of smaller parties entering coalition with Fianna Fail or Fine Gael, saying Labour needs to move on from the fallout of its time in government during austerity. Speaking on RTE News at One, he rejected the claim that Labour might be unwise in forming a Government with Fine Gael again, considering the fate of the Green Party, and Labours after the austerity government formed with Fine Gael. "RTE seem to be stuck in a groundhog, one track presentation for anyone in Labour who appears on the network for the last decade, he said. We are moving on. We are now looking at how we will address the issues that impact the people of today. If the current government does not solve the housing crisis shortage we will have abandoned a generation. That will have to be faced with the same single-mindedness as we in Government faced the economic meltdown we inherited and other governments faced during the Covid crisis. If we dont solve these fundamental issues, politics will be damaged by this. Brendan Howlin Today's News in 90 Seconds - December 3rd The Labour chair of elections and former party leader was asked to react to Fergus Finlays warning against Labour entering government with Sinn Fein, to which he said: If any party that has values wants to enact change, they need to have critical mass and leverage. There will be a consensus view and the lead will be taken by [leader] Ivana Bacik. Labour had previously formed a coalition with Fine Gael in 2011 in the wake of the economic crash, with with the resulting government presiding over a period of swingeing cutbacks. In the 2016 General Election, the party went from 37 seats to 7. The former Wexford TD said of Ms Bacik: She has run a magnificent campaign by espousing values and principles at the heart of Labour. It is clear the party is not just here to make up numbers but to fundamentally transform Ireland. We have to stand back and look at the political landscape. It cannot be good for the country if Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are the core of the political landscape for the foreseeable future. It leads to a hollowing of our democratic choices. The former TD commended the partys performance in the 2024 General Election and offered some insight in how the party ought to proceed in its aftermath. It was a magnificently successful election. You had extraordinary odds of Labour winning eleven seats. In the past, it had been difficult for us to do transfers of seats [from outgoing TDs to new ones]. In terms of what Labour should do next, it will fundamentally be a matter for a new parliamentary party. The newly elected TDs will bring the experience from the past five weeks for what they need to do and a consensus will emerge. Ivana Bacik said she will build a critical mass of like-minded deputies. We have a value system where we want a different type of Irish society based on social democratic values that weve always held dear. Mr Howlin said that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael behaved like a single party during the 2024 General Election. They made it no secret that they were operating in tandem and transferred to each other like a single party. When I first started out, that would have been unthinkable, he said. The people have spoken, and the intrigue in the political undergrowth begins. The big cats sniff about to secure a sweet spot to serve both country and party. And hopefully in that order. You share a common habitation on a basis of equal rights and mutual respects although somehow the cat always comes out ahead of the deal, author Lilian Jackson Braun observed on all matters feline. Who comes out ahead in government-formation talks remains to be seen. For now, its important to recognise that we are fortunate to live in a democracy where the voice of the people can be heard. All TDs, from whatever party or none must command respect as they represent the people they serve. Consensus in organisations turns on the basis you accept the rights and position of others, with the expectation that the same will also apply to you. In advance of the election, there was talk of parity of esteem for prospective government partners. But esteem, in any measure, was thin on the ground during the campaign. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald continued to draw on her tired references to the Mad Hatters Tea Party to dismiss political rivals Fianna Fail and Fine Gael as Tweedledum and Tweedledee. In the rough and tumble of bare-knuckle politics, this might be considered tame enough. But it is offensive to their voters nonetheless. Just as Sinn Feins mandate and electorate has to be recognised and given due weight, it is incumbent on Ms McDonald to live and let live. Never look down on anybody, unless youre helping him up Were Sinn Fein voters to be shown similar disdain, the sense of righteous indignation would likely register on the Richter scale. We have too many problems to waste time on name-calling. There is no doubt Ms McDonald and her party have plenty to offer the country. The 34th Dail is going to require the best of all. Sinn Fein demands to be taken seriously, and the quid pro quo for that is to treat others with equal civility. As matters stand, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael will be in the driving seat. No doubt they will be seeking the most passive back-seat passenger they can, to guarantee as harmonious passage as possible in government. But the Social Democrats and Labour may have other ideas. They are also likely to receive overtures from Sinn Fein. Both will have been chastened by the savage mauling given to the Greens by voters for playing a valuable supporting role as a junior partner. Yet the challenges on housing, homelessness and health are simply too serious to be put on hold for protracted negotiations. We have elected a record number of TDs; all have a responsibility to play a constructive role as they serve. In a time when so much is seen through a cloud of cynicism, we might take on board Jesse Jacksons mantra: Never look down on anybody, unless youre helping him up. First-time Fianna Fail candidate, Alison Comyn is proud of the campaign she fought, as she fell one place short of securing a second seat for her party in Louth but says she needs a break before deciding her next step. Reflecting on the campaign and the result that saw her the last candidate eliminated in the race, just one spot away from gaining a seat, Comyn said: Im naturally disappointed, simply because we came so very close, but you know what, Im so proud of the result. We got almost 5,000 first preferences, from nowhere. Given her admitted lack of political experience, a relatively short campaign and a difficult history for her party in Drogheda, the first-time candidate says she and her team can be proud of the result. She said: Nought to five thousand votes is phenomenal and theres a lot of people I have to thank for that, my team, my fantastic campaign manager, Charlie Kinsella and fantastic local Fianna Fail members. "I worked relentlessly and I got to as many doors as I could, because you cant expect anyone to give you their vote, if you havent been on the doors. The Fianna Fail candidate said she enjoyed listening to people on the canvass and scoring those small but significant wins for people, following up on their asks with the local authority or with government ministers. She said: "I got two or three things sorted for people and you know what, regardless of the result, nothing can take those things away. Asked what she learned from the process, she said: The role is tough, there is no doubt it is tough. I have a new found respect for politicians. As a journalist for 30 years and having given so many politicians a hard time, I have a new found respect, it is a very hard job. She added: Thousands of people rely on you and expect so much from you and you have to deliver. With her constituency colleague, Erin McGreehan crossing Leinster House from the Seanad to the Dail, there has been some speculation that Comyn could be destined for a Seanad bid, as Fianna Fail eye two seats in Louth at the next General Election, but she would not be drawn on that issue. She said: Honestly, and I hope this is not too much of a politicians answer but Im absolutely exhausted, really exhausted. "I had one day off in the last three months which was my birthday, which also happened to be a bank holiday. "I am just shattered so Im literally not thinking about that right now. I want to take a bit of a break. The moment Noel Grealish learnt he took the last seat in Galway West Catherine Connolly (Ind) and Mairead Farrell (SF) are jointly elected after 11 counts pictured in the Galway West count centre of the General election. Photo: Gerry Mooney After a long weekend at Galway City's Lawn Tennis Club, the people of Galway West now have five TDs to represent them at the Dail for the next five years and there is one new face. Little has changed in Galway West as the constituency has again elected one Fianna Fail, one Fine Gael, one Sinn Fein and two independent candidates. Mairead Farrell (Sinn Fein), Catherine Connolly (independent), Hildegarde Naughton (Fine Gael) and Noel Grealish (independent) all retained their seats. While John Connolly (Fianna Fail) took Eamon O Cuivs seat, former minister and former Fianna Fail deputy leader, who announced his retirement earlier this year after over three decades in politics. The election saw Fianna Fail and Fine Gael being disappointed they could not take two seats. TV personality Grainne Seoige who ran for Fianna Fail was officially eliminated at the ninth count following an underwhelming result; while Senator Sean Kyne who ran with Fine Gael announced his retirement from politics after being eliminated at count 13. With three women and two men elected, Galway Wests female representation is above the national trend. Follow Independent Galway on Facebook These are the TDs that will represent Galway West for the next five years: Mairead Farrell Elected after 11 counts, Mairead Farrell was the first one to be elected in Galway West this weekend, after topping the poll in the first count, becoming the first woman in the history of her constituency to do so. She told the Irish Independent she is delighted and honoured to be re-elected as well as overwhelmed by such a positive result. Among her priorities, Ms Farrell mentioned housing as well as traffic and health services. Since 2020, when she was first elected, Ms Farrell became the first woman Chair of the Public Accounts Committee and the youngest chair in its 25-year history. She was also the partys spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science. Ms Farrell previously served Galway City Council and is a graduate of NUI Galway in History and Economics and has a Masters Degree in Finance from Queens University Belfast. Catherine Connolly Also elected after 11 counts, Catherine Connolly has been re-elected for the third time since 2016. Speaking to the Irish Independent, Ms Connolly said working as a TD is privilege. She was also very critical of the government as she looks forward to continue her work in the opposition. I dont like politics, Ive never liked it, but its a privilege and I think I have an obligation to speak out and put forward an alternative vision to the one put forward by the government for the last number of years, she said. She said the Irish government should do better in terms of housing, healthcare services and in support of Palestine. During her political career, Ms Connolly served as the Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Dail Eireann and as a member of the Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands. Prior to 2016, she served on Galway City Council and was Mayor of Galway City in 2004. Originally from Shantalla, Ms Connolly has lived in the Claddagh since 1988. She has previously worked as a barrister and as a Clinical Psychologist with the Western Health Board in Ballinasloe, Conamara and Galway City. John Connolly Fianna Fail John Connolly was elected for the first time this weekend, taking Eamon O Cuivs seat, after being a Galway City Councillor since 2019. Talking to the Irish Independent, Mr Connolly said he is proud of the campaign he ran and the result he has achieved, but also disappointed with the partys result in the constituency. Talking about his priorities, he mentioned housing, transport and the need of better healthcare services. Hildegarde Naughton Hildegarde Naughton was re-elected for the third time since 2016. She told the Irish Independent she is happy with this weekends result, even if Fine Gael did not take two seats: I have increased my first preference vote and my percentage here of the vote of the last three elections. Myself and Sean Kyne performed very well, and were very happy with the Fine Gael vote when you look at our combined vote here in Galway West. During her political career, Ms Naughton was Government Chief Whip, with responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion, served as Minister of State at the Department of Transport, and Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. Ms Naughton was also member of a number of Oireachtas Committees. She previously served as a member of Galway City Council in 2009 and was Mayor of the city in 2011/2012. Before her debut into politics Minister Hildegarde was a primary school teacher. Noel Grealish Last to be elected in Galway West was independent Noel Grealish, who will represent the people of Galway West at the Dail for the sixth time in his career. Being first elected at the Dail in 2002, he told the Irish Independent that being a TD is an honour and a demanding job he still enjoys. Talking about the weeks and years ahead, Noel Grealish said the Galway City Bypass and Eastside Wastewater Treatment Plant are his first two red light priorities. The most important thing here in Galway is the Galway City Bypass. Thats absolutely crucial, if we dont get that and the Eastside Wastewater Treatment Plant, we may just put a sign in Athenry that says Galway closed because at the moment traffic is just crazy and there is no other development taking place in Galway. A split is emerging in the Labour Party over the prospect of going into government with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. Ivana Bacik is being strongly urged by some in her party to ignore attempts by Micheal Martin and Simon Harris to lure the Labour Party into a three-party coalition. However, other senior figures such as Alan Kelly are insisting the party should return to government. The dispute comes as a clear picture of the distribution of Dail seats emerged, with Fianna Fail on 48, Sinn Fein 39, Fine Gael 38, Labour Party 11, Social Democrats 11, Independent Ireland four, People Before Profit three, Aontu two and Green Party one. There will also be 16 Independent TDs. The 86 seats of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael has raised serious concerns for some Labour TDs as the two parties would only need the support of two other TDs to secure a majority. One Labour Party source said Ms Bacik is also cooling on the idea of sharing power with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. However, on the RTE Six One News last night, Mr Kelly said there is no point in standing on the sidelines. I feel very strongly on that. You have to go with an open mind, you have to go into negotiations on the basis that you fully intend to, if you can meet all red lines and requirements, conditions, you should consider going into government, he said. There is consideration in Labour about forming a centre-left alliance with the Social Democrats and Green Party leader Roderic OGorman and entering into coalition talks with the other two with a stronger hand. However, back-channelling between the parties is understood to have convinced some that this is unlikely to work and the best option is for the two parties to remain in opposition. This would probably force Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to form a coalition with Independents. There is no way we should go into coalition with them when they almost have a majority, a Labour Party source said. Labour snubbed an attempt by Sinn Fein to strike a deal on forming a progressive coalition with it and the Social Democrats, along with like-minded Independents. Sinn Fein released a statement saying Mary Lou McDonald contacted the Labour and Social Democrats leaders urging them to form an alliance because a Fianna Fail and Fine Gael government would be the worst possible outcome for the people of the country. It would be disastrous for people who need housing, for people who are on hospital trolleys, for people who are suffering with the cost-of-living crisis, for young people who are considering leaving Ireland because they see no future here, the party said. A Labour spokesperson said: Were talking to the Social Democrats and Greens first. The smaller parliamentary parties are set to meet this week to discuss their options before government talks. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael TDs will meet tomorrow to debate the best approach to negotiations. Last night, the two parties appeared to still be hopeful of convincing Labour to join them in coalition. Meanwhile, new details of the policy focus of the next government are beginning to emerge following the counting of the final ballots. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael will put a significant focus on housing as they attempt to reach their target of building 303,000 homes before the end of the decade. The next government will also seek to dramatically reduce the cost of childcare after both parties committed to introducing a cap on fees of around 200 a month per child. The two parties also committed in their election manifestos to increasing the weekly pension to 350 over the next five years. Fianna Fail is preparing to pore over the manifestos of the other parties to establish what shared policies they have. A senior party source said Labour has a lot of similar proposals on the economy, housing and infrastructure investment as Fianna Fail. Newly elected Labour TD in Limerick city, Conor Sheehan said his focus was talking to other left-leaning parties rather than the Civil War parties. I think we need to speak to the Social Democrats next, and to Roderic OGorman of the Greens. We should approach them and the centre-left first in an attempt to get a critical mass, he said. Ciaran Ahern of Dublin South-West echoed his Dail colleagues view. We will meet up later in the week and have an exchange of views. For me, the obvious place to go is to try to establish a cohesive bloc of like-minded parties of the left, he said. Im inclined to try that first, and see where we go from there. The Social Democrats are to appoint a negotiating team in the coming days, according to a party spokesperson, who said it wants to go into government. At an early stage in the campaign, we outlined five dealbreakers on housing, healthcare, climate, disability and childcare which must be included, as a minimum, in any programme for government in order to secure our support, the spokesperson added. Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman at the Dublin West count centre, where he was re-elected. Photo: PA Is the Green Partys demise a classic case of what happens to a smaller party going into government with the bigger parties? One wonders was there something else that went wrong with its campaign? In fairness to the Greens, they entered government in 2020 and they did their business in that they used their voice to promote their agenda. Its a textbook example of a small party going in with the bigger parties and getting a kicking for their troubles. Among the issues that muddied the waters for the Greens was a carbon tax on petrol, aimed at discouraging people from consuming carbon-emitting fuel, which was introduced by the previous government but blamed on the Greens. I believe this virtual wipe-out of the party will present it with an opportunity to rebuild for the future. John OBrien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary The historically entranced electorate focuses far too heavily on older parties It was always going to be difficult for the Green Party to stay afloat. It is a relatively new, free-thinking entity and is thus a bridge too far for the historically entranced electorate to cross. And so, again were left with Tweedledum and Tweedledee or The Mad Hatters tea party. Eugene Tannam, Dublin 24 Fawning over someone like The Monk must give us all pause for thought Filmmaker Jim Sheridans description of Gerry The Monk Hutch as a felon... making good... is precisely whats wrong with the fawning coverage the latter gets in too many media quarters. Rather than turning a gangster into some sort of celebrity, perhaps we should be reminded of the lives lost in the Hutch-Kinahan feud and the families destroyed by associated criminal enterprises. Only the electoral performance of Labours Marie Sherlock saved us from having our national parliament turned into an international laughing stock. Bernie Linnane, Dromahair, Co Leitrim Given the election results, heres hoping the road ahead wont be too bumpy As the usual wise interpretations of the election result are broadcast and published, Im reminded of Abraham Lincolns famous aphorism: Elections belong to the people. Its their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters. And while the fire may be out for now, hopefully any blisters will be gentle and temporary. Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Co Armagh Labour may be patting itself on the back, but it should be very careful Hats off to those who voted the Greens out. Returning 12 seats in the 2020 general election against the 2016 Fine Gael/Labour government with passive Fianna Fail support, the Greens were elected as a repudiation of that particular grouping. Both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael lost seats in 2020. The Greens also capitalised on Sinn Feins blunder of not running enough candidates. They were elected to hold this last government to account, not to prop up the two once-warring Civil War parties. Those who voted for the Greens in 2020 pulled the plug last Friday and the party was ploughed into the political landscape. Next up for ploughing? Labour, which was decimated in 2020. Plus ca change plus cest la meme chose. John Cuffe, Co Meath George Lee is proof this country has people who tried to make a difference They are carried from the count centre, shoulder-high. Heroes all. After an exhaustive three weeks on the doorsteps, these gladiators are heading for the gilded halls of Leinster House to fulfil their lifelong mission to fix everything thats broken in Ireland. Sixty or so new faces beaming like school-goers on their first day. Oh, how quickly the machinations of government, coupled with their own partys dictum, will wipe the smile from their expectant faces. This is what you say to the press, this is what you ask at question time, this is how you vote on party lines, this is what happens when you dont vote in party lines, this is how many thousand leaflets you can send to your constituents every month, giving them exactly the same information that they can access on Gov.ie. In short, you can say what you like, but youll do what youre told. Its galling to think we elect complete amateurs to sit in government and somehow hope that these individuals can run the business that is Ireland. In no other industry would these rank novices be tolerated. My mind goes back to George Lee, a competent reporter who was immersed in political science. Running on the Fine Gael ticket, Lee won 51pc of first-preference votes in 2009 and was duly elected. I assumed this erudite, forward-thinking candidate looked forward to playing an integral role in government. He lasted six months before he resigned from politics, saying he was unable to have any influence or make any impact in his role as TD. In truth, it was neither a disgruntled electorate or opposition parties that ousted Lee. It was his own partys closed-rank approach to government that frustrated him so much. He had no option but to go, for the sake of his sanity and his conscience. You see, Lee is one of the good guys, one of the guys who actually wanted to make a difference. Eamon Kearney, Ayrfield Road, Dublin Ireland can take comfort from the fact we have a great system of democracy If Gerry Hutchs involvement in the general election has done anything for Ireland, it has brought the eyes of the world upon us going by the huge interest in the Dublin Central count. People are witnessing the PR system in all its glory and how its a great example of democracy, unlike the first-past-the-post system in both the UK and the US which heavily favours a two-party system. Aidan Hampson, Artane, Dublin 5 More rotating taoisigh in new government? Quite a dizzying prospect indeed As our politicians sit down and begin the negotiations to form a new government, will the spin doctors work towards rotating taoisigh? Tom Gilsenan, Beaumont, Dublin 9 New Government wont be formed by Christmas, says Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin A new Government wont be formed before Christmas, according to Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin. He said the fundamental issues for Fianna Fail in Government formation will be housing, the economy and a pro European stance. We could have most of the work done by Christmas but we have to focus on the issues, he said during a meeting of the British-Irish Governmental Conference in Farmleigh. I dont think we will have reached agreement by Christmas, but Im sure that most people in the country want us to form a Government as quickly as we can. Fianna Fail TDs are expected to give a mandate to Mr Martin to enter programme for government negotiations in a parliamentary party meeting on Wednesday. He said housing is a key societal priority in government talks and the challenge will be to double down and deliver. We will engage with parties who have written to us, in terms of what they are suggesting. We will talk to independents but in the first instance, talk to our own party, he said. The overriding objective will be that the government will go to full term. He declined to speculate on a possible rotating taoiseach deal or which portfolios his party may push for in talks, saying it is far too early and far too premature. Mr Martin also declined to go into red lines for Fianna Fail, saying talks will focus on policies in the programme for government, as this will be the glue that holds the next government together. There have been concerns from Fianna Fail TDs that the Social Democrats party does not have the previous government experience that the Labour Party does. Mr Martin said the number of TDs needed for a comfortable coalition depends on the characters of those TDs. He said TDs should be able to take the rough with the smooth and have the backbone to see it through. All governments have their lend of talent, ability, youth and experience. And hopefully whatever formation emerges from this can have the right balance, he said. He said there is a need to move in a timely manner. Independent Candidate Sean Canney is elected pictured with his wife Geraldine at the Galway East count in Headford, Co Galway. Photo: Ray Ryan Galway East TD Sean Canney has told Newstalk Breakfast he has spoken with other independents about the prospect of joining the next government. We have had phone calls back and over, congratulatory type things and yeah, whether people would be interested or not, he said. "I do feel that there are a decent number of independent TDs who are like-minded and will actually come together to help form a government. Mr Canney rejected suggestions that independents deal in parish pump politics and said he and many other independents dont work that way. He identified housing as a particular concern and said the Regional Group of independents have worked on national issues like abolishing the means test on the carers allowance. However, he did mention local issues in his constituency such as traffic congestion around Galway, a lack of public transport services between towns and the city and the delivery of the Western Rail Corridor. Having served as a Minister of State position in the Fine Gael-led minority government, he pointed to his experience in that role as a strong point in any potential talks. "I would be open to discussions on it. I have a proven track record of being in government before in the minority government between 2016 and 2020. "It was stable, it was effective, and I think that the time is right to have discussions with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael and see where we can go. "I do believe that first of all Fianna Fail and Fine Gael need to sit down with their TDs and come up with a joint strategy and I along with other independents are open to sitting down then with the partners to see if we can actually work out a Programme for Government that will be of benefit to the country. Meanwhile Sinn Fein TD for Dublin Mid-West Eoin O Broin has said Fianna Fail and Fine Gael do have the numbers to form a government but a deal hasnt been reached yet. Speaking to RTEs Morning Ireland, he said a week is a long time in politics and many things can change. "Our view is that a Fianna Fail-Fine Gael coalition is the worst possible option despite the fact that Micheal Martin seems intent on bringing Fine Gael in as a junior partner, he said. "We said we were going to talk to other like-minded, progressive political parties on the other side of the election, thats exactly what were going to do and in the first instance its to assess what are the options, what are the possibilities. Mr O Broin admitted that Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin clearly has the upper hand but said talks with the Social Democrats, Labour and other progressive groupings are about a number of different things. He said he feels there are going to be real challenges in talks between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael as Fine Gael would be a junior partner and may get less time holding the role of taoiseach if there is a rotating taoiseach again at all. He didnt rule out the possibility of his party reaching out to Fianna Fail and said Sinn Fein said before the election they would talk to everybody if the numbers arent there for a government to be formed by the left-wing parties. Barretstown CEO Dee Ahearn, Clodagh Keyes, mentalist and Barretstown ambassador Keith Barry and Aoife Keyes pictured at the launch of childrens charity Barretstowns national Christmas appeal. Photo: Shane O'Neill Barretstown camper Cathail Holohan (blue hat, 7), his brother Eoin Holohan (front, 9), Barretstown CEO Dee Ahearn, Barretstown camper Clodagh Keyes (9), mentalist and Barretstown ambassador Keith Barry pictured at the launch of childrens charity Barretstowns national Christmas appeal. Photo: Shane O'Neill MentalistKeith Barry has launched Barrestowns Christmas appeal to help support children affected by cancer and other serious illnesses. The Barretstown ambassador and world-renowned hypnotist was joined by Clodagh and Aoife Keyes, aged 9 and 11, and brothers Eoin (9), Cathail (7), John (5) and Patrick (5) Holohan to officially launch the appeal. The charity is celebrating its 30th anniversary and has to date helped over 125,000 seriously ill children and their families. It is the largest and most established provider of therapeutic camps and programmes in Ireland. As only 4pc of its funding is provided by the Government, the charity will be selling Magical Reindeer Food a festive treat made by Flahavans from a mix of oats and crispy rice flakes. The Magical Reindeer Food will be available for just 2 in Applegreen and Dealz stores nationwide throughout December. All proceeds will go to supporting Barrestowns therapeutic camps, programmes and the Barretstown Sprinkle Some Magic campaign. Barry said the partnership was somewhat natural. Barretstown is a magical place. It was a nice match for what I do, which is sprinkling magic into kids lives when I go out there, he said. Barry says he enjoys introducing children to Barretstown because of the charitys positive impact. I was running late to a fight in Birmingham and noticed this lady looking at me. She was with her child and realised after a while that she recognised me. On a whim I performed a magic trick for her daughter, Rachel, he said. Ultimately putting a smile on her face in the airport was just about showing some empathy and practicing what I preach. The father of two said he enjoyed seeing children leaving camp with more confidence than they ever had. Its a very transformative experience. There was a child who was struggling to open up and when I was there his eyes just lit up. The magic I was doing just seemed to particularly connect with him. It got very emotional because it was such a beautiful thing to witness. Seeing that child who had been a bit trapped in his head flourish and flower like that was amazing, Barry said. Its a joy seeing these kids be kids again and come out of their shells. I think we owe it to ourselves to add as much magic into our own kids' lives as we can while they're still youthful and young, he added. Most of these young kids don't know me and that makes it all the more eventful for me because I'm starting from ground level zero. For them to experience and witness that firsthand is really exciting for me. Barretstown chief executive Dee Ahern said: At Barretstown, our mission is to rebuild the lives of children and families who have been affected by cancer and other serious illnesses, and we have proudly served over 125,000 campers in the last 30 years. The 'Sprinkle Some Magic' campaign is a vital part in this, in allowing us to raise funds and further develop our services. Together, we can bring some magic back into Christmas for families who are experiencing the stark reality of childhood cancer and other serious illnesses. Simon Harris asked whether exchange with Charlotte Fallon will overshadow election campaign STAFF in disability organisations are set to consider industrial action in the wake of the Taoiseachs encounter with a worker from the sector. Siptu is set to consult with members in so-called section 39 state-funded organisations over alleged government inaction relating to a long-standing pay claim. The move comes after Taoiseach Simon Harris was criticised following an exchange with care worker Charlotte Fallon in Kanturk during the general election campaign. Mr Harris later apologised to Ms Fallon and said he should have listened to her for longer. It (the incident) highlighted the frustration thats there across the country among our members, similar to what Charlotte felt that day, that they have been left behind or forgotten, said Siptu sector organiser, Damien Ginley. He said an 8pc pay increase agreed last year has been paid to around 80pc of the workers. However, they also want increases to mirror the current public sector pay deal as well as an official link to public servants wages. Despite several soundbites from senior people in the government claiming that they fully support our members pay claim, the same leaders refuse to give a mandate to the appropriate funding for department officials to address this long-standing issue, he said. He said Siptu members will consider all available options including ballots for industrial action to progress their pay claim in the next few days. Mr Ginley said the staff involved work in vital disability, out of hours GP and home support services. He claimed the government has refused to address their claim for pay parity with those delivering similar services who are employed by the state. A spokesperson at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth said there has been positive engagement between departments and unions. The spokesperson said progress has been made on a framework for additional investment to enable employers enhance staff pay. According to the spokesperson, the latest offer is an 8.5pc increase in funding for pay. In addition to increases agreed in October last year, this would mean they would get a minimum increase of 16.5pc in funding for pay over three and a half years. "During informal talks last week, the departments tabled proposals taking account of the union position, said the spokesperson. "The unions responded with additional proposals which are being considered. The focus is on ensuring clarity on scope and implementation arrangements to ensure eligible organisations can benefit from a pay funding agreement. The department spokesperson said arrangements are being made with the Workplace Relations Commission to agree a date for further talks. While the Irish nation is fixated on tallies, transfers and quotas, the new EU Commission quietly began a new term this week. Immediately, the 27-member executive faces a series of stark challenges ahead over the next five years all of which will shape life here in Ireland. Emblematic of all this was that one of the first official acts of the new Brussels regime was a symbolic visit to Ukraine for talks with president Volodymyr Zelensky. The new EU council president, Antonio Costa, and foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, visited Kyiv on Sunday for a show of EU support for Ukraine on their first day in office. Joe Lynskey, a former Cistercian monk from Belfast who later joined the IRA, was abducted, murdered and secretly buried by the IRA in 1972, one of 17 victims who disappeared without trace decades ago. Remains exhumed from a grave in County Monaghan are being subjected to DNA testing to determine whether they include those of Joe Lynskey. The former monk turned IRA man was abducted, murdered and secretly buried by the republican group in 1972. Lynskey is understood to have tricked a fellow IRA man into shooting a love rival also a member of the IRA. The IRA court martial sentenced him to death, a fate he seemed to accept never trying to escape. Who was Joe Lynskey, why did he become one of the disappeared and what led investigators to an unrelated family plot in Monaghan over fifty years since his disappearance? Today on The Indo Daily Allison Morris, Security Correspondent with The BelTel joins Ciaran Dunbar to tell Joe Lynskeys story. This podcast was produced by our sister podcast The BelTel. Ciaran Mullooly says Mr Harris should break away from talks over the formation of the next government by stepping into talks with Italian opposite number Giorgia Meloni. Ciaran Mullooly has launched a scathing attack on Taoiseach Simon Harris over a new EU trade deal that farming groups say could cost the industry tens of millions of euro each year. Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly has slammed Taoiseach Simon Harris over a scandalous silence from the current caretaker government over a contentious EU deal that could expose Irish markets to intense competition from international competitors. The former RTE midlands correspondent took aim at the Fine Gael leader over escalating concerns among a number of member states concerning the ratification of the long-delayed EU-Mercosur trade agreement. The deal has been 25 years in the making and is designed to create one of the largest free trade zones in the world. Farmers and farming group have remained intensely hostile to the agreement between the EU and the four South American countries of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris (Niall Carson/PA). Despite Mercusor being the Europes largest trade and investment partner, representative groups fear the pact will lead to an influx of South American products, thereby saturating markets and undercutting Irish agriculture. A Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development had been scheduled to discuss the finer points on Mercosur yesterday. Those talks failed to materialise when EU Trade Commissioner, Maros Sefcovic opted against attending the meeting, sparking a volley of criticism from committee members. Follow Independent Longford on Facebook Among those were the Longford native, who condemned in the strongest possible terms the decision to debate what IFA leaders say will lead to devastation in costing the industry up to 55m annually. Mr Mullooly said he had been left shocked by Commissioner Sefcovics absence given the potential implications for not just Irish, but European markets. It is simply unacceptable for the new commissioner seems to refuse to recognise the scale of the economic losses at stake for Irish and European farmers if the agreement goes ahead, said Mr Mullooly. The Midlands-North West MEP claimed car and pharmaceutical industries were leading the charge to get the agreement signed by suggesting it could open new trading opportunities and provide up to and including a 15 billion increase in EU GDP. Ciaran Mullooly says Mr Harris should break away from talks over the formation of the next government by stepping into talks with Italian opposite number Giorgia Meloni. And, in a thinly veiled swipe at Mr Harris, the father of two said the Fine Gael leader needed to switch his focus from prospective government formation talks by stepping in and entering dialogue with Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni. The Italians are tethering on the edge of a decision on whether to oppose and reject the deal. We need Mr Harris talking to Giorgia Meloni instead of Verona Murphy (Independent) in the next few days, he said. It has clearly emerged that the battle lines have been drawn in the European Parliament between those who are in favour of signing the Mercosur trade agreement and those who oppose the signing of any deal. We need Simon Harris to stand up for the farmers of Ballymahon and not Buenos Aires in the next few days, before it is too late. Though a Fianna Fail majority was the end result, the race for the constituencys three seats was not without drama Michael Moynihan and Aindrias Moynihan in conversation as votes were being counted at Mallow GAA Complex. Photo: Sheila Fitzgerald Macroom councillor Michael Creed (FG), pictured with his supporters, was the candidate who lost out on a Cork North-West seat. Atop the shoulders of their supporters, Fianna Fail's Aindrias Moynihan and Michael Moynihan come together after winning re-election. John Paul O'Shea celebrates his election to Dail Eireann with supporters in the early hours of Sunday morning. Cork North-West is again the domain of the Civil War parties, as it always has been. Despite a strong showing by Nicole Ryan of Sinn Fein, which secured its best ever vote on its third run in the constituency, it became clear from the tallies early on that the majority of Cork North-West voters still worship at the altars of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. That did not mean, however, the race for the constituencys three seats was one without drama. With Fianna Fail running outgoing TDs Aindrias Moynihan and Michael Moynihan and Fine Gael running councillors Michael Creed and John Paul OShea, one of the big dogs was not going to find a home in the Dail. Ultimately, the candidate left out in the cold proved to be Cllr Creed. This result meant that for only the second time in the history of the constituency a candidate bearing the surname Creed was not elected. The now-retired cousin of Cllr Creed, also named Michael, secured a seat in Cork North-West at every opportunity but one from 1989 to 2020 and his father Donal was returned by voters in all four General Elections between 1981 and 1987. Though the sixth and final count which decided all three seats was not declared until after 3am on Sunday morning, a downcast Cllr Creed predicted he would not be elected hours beforehand. As the result of the first count was due, and things looked too close to call, the Macroom councillor told The Corkman that based on the tallies he did not have the first-preference vote to win a seat. I always knew it was going to be an uphill battle with the way the constituency was and I told all my supporters numerous times that there would be two seats north and one seat south and thats how its going to pan out, Cllr Creed said. He did not believe transfers would help him across the line. A candidate down south being eliminated might favour me. Or a candidate down south over the quota, it might favour me. As it stands I cant see me coming back from 250 or 260 votes, he said. The first count, declared after 9pm on Saturday, revealed that Cllr Creeds competitor in the south of the constituency Aindrias Moynihan had topped the polls with 8,047 votes. Michael Moynihan (7,678) and John Paul OShea (7,603) placed second and third while Creed (7,321) followed. Independent candidates John OLeary (110) and Walter Ryan-Purcell (430) were eliminated and the second count saw their transferrable votes provide the most benefit, however marginal, to Ellen Barry of Independent Ireland (+123) and Aontus Becky Kealy (+95). The third count saw the order at the top of proceedings remain the same as the redistributed votes of People Before Profit-Solidaritys Joe Moore worked most to the advantage of Nicole Ryan (+378) and the Green Partys Colette Finn (+172). The fourth count proved dramatic, as transfers from Ellen Barry saw John Paul OShea (+204) leapfrog Michael Moynihan (+103) into second place, who now had Cllr Creed, after receiving 331 votes, breathing down his neck. With just a 151-vote advantage, Moynihan began to doubt he would not secure a seventh term. Awaiting the results of the fifth count, which saw Becky Kealys 4,045 votes redistributed, he told The Corkman: I dont think I have the votes. The Kiskeam man must have been relieved when he received 150 more transfers than Cllr Creed, knowing then that he would likely take another seat. Then there was the big wait for the decisive count, which involved the redistribution of Nicole Ryans impressive haul of 7,530 accumulated votes. As word spread that the count was to be declared, the three frontrunners and their supporters gathered at different areas of the Mallow GAA Complex count centre. For the first time ever, no candidate had met the quota (10,712) so Aindrias Moynihan, who proved the most transfer friendly of the top four, was elected (10,094) alongside John Paul OShea (9,351) and Michael Moynihan (9,057). Cllr Creed had fallen short by 365 votes. Cue celebrations by the victorious. Aindrias Moynihans camp, many of whom had thrown on bright green t-shirts emblazoned with the face of their champion, hoisted the re-elected into the air - tricolour in hand in celebration of a third term. Then, still on the shoulders of his supporters, he was brought towards the rostrum and joined Michael Moynihan and his camp. The restored TDs were Cork North-West colleagues again, no longer electoral foes, meaning Fianna Fails majority was retained. Visibly relieved, drained, Deputy Aindrias told The Corkman he was ecstatic. Its, magic, its magic, he said. The election was fought down boreens and lanes and hillsides in the northwest, trying to poke out every vote we could. Soon after he joined hands with his running mate in the air of Mallow count centre, Michael Moynihan said he was relieved and delighted. I suppose during the day we were concerned about it but when all was distributed it was easy enough in the end. When there is so many campaigns, there is so many eliminations. You cant predict where eliminations will go and we have been in count centres where we have seen eliminations going all over the place, he said. At the other end of the centre, John Paul OShea and his large contingent conveyed their happiness in a vocal manner. On the third attempt, John Paul was finally heading to the Dail. Im really looking forward to taking part and to implementing my own priorities as well through Fine Gael for the next Dail term, the recently ordained Deputy OShea said. Hundreds of people attended the funeral of a woman in Carlow who had no next of kin, following a heartfelt social media appeal made by a local undertaker. Mary Regan, who was originally from Cork, had been living in Carlow for the past number of years before she passed away in Hillview nursing home in Carlow last Friday. Since the passing of Marys partner, Fred, over a year ago she has no next of kin, and as a result, didnt have many visitors calling to the nursing home. Local undertaker, Rory Healy from R Healy & Son funeral directors, took to social media last night to ensure that Mary got the proper Carlow send off. Lets not send Mary off from Carlow alone, he urged. If you can spare 45 minutes to attend mass it would be great to see that a lady who lived to be nearly 90 years will get a farewell from her adopted town of Carlow by the people of Carlow. Rory was unsure what to expect for Marys funeral mass this morning, but when he walked through the doors of the Church of the Holy Family in Askea, Carlow he was overwhelmed with emotion as he saw 300 people, including students from a local school, ready to say goodbye to Mary. To put it in context, there is morning mass at that time every morning in Askea Church with probably 40 or 50 people in attendance. But this morning, I would say there was over 300 people there, Rory told the Irish Independent. "There was also a class from the local Presentation College and people from all walks of life. "When I walked into the church and saw what was there waiting for poor Mary, my heart filled up. I didnt expect to see that number of people. I thought maybe a dozen people would show up because I only made the appeal late last night. But I was overwhelmed and bowled over when I saw what was there. "It certainly restored my faith in humanity. Tomorrow, Mary will return to her native west Cork, where she will be to be laid to rest with members of her family in the cemetery adjoining St. Fachtnas Church in Adrigole. Mr Kenny, who is 24-years-old took the fifth seat in dramatic fashion after Mick Barry of People Before Profit/Solidarity withdrew his request for a recount in Cork North Central. A full recount was initially ordered after just 35 votes separated the final two candidates Councillor Kenny of Labour and outgoing TD Mick Barry. The newly elected TD admitted he has yet to catch up on sleep following a dramatic few days. Not yet but it will happen over the next couple of days. We went out for a few drinks last night (Monday, December 2). I am still coming to terms with being elected. It hasnt sunk in at all. Thursday will be vital. We have our first parliamentary party meeting at lunchtime in Dublin. That will be the first kickstart of it then. The Mallow based politician always believed that residents in his local town would row in behind his bid to win a seat in the Cork North Central constituency. I was confident enough that Cork North Central and Mallow had always been a Labour stronghold. The confidence was there, but at the same time I was heading into a brand new constituency. It was always going to be difficult for me to have a national profile in Cork North Central because I was only elected to the council in June. It is the hardest thing ever when you are trying to take over from a TD who is just retiring and then competing in a city constituency. The people of Mallow rowed in behind me and backed me. I got over 2,500 votes in Mallow. There was a real desire within people to keep a TD in Mallow. I led most of my campaign from Mallow. I was contemplating going into the city and Ballincollig more often but ultimately now it just proves that there was a real desire in Mallow to keep a TD, he added. Mr Kenny who works as a business and religion teacher at Mayfield Community School has two specific goals he wants to achieve during his term in Leinster House. The local issue is to get the relief road built. That is the main priority. Nationally the biggest issue is access to special educational needs classrooms. Parents are constantly ringing me. One parent in particular is living in Ballybeg and the child travels up to Rathduff everyday for school. That child is due to go to secondary school next year and there isnt a secondary school in the whole vicinity that has space for him. I was worried on Sunday morning, admitted the new Cork TD who received 3,329 first preference votes. I really thought I was under pressure after I was overtaken by Mick Barry, Garret Kelleher and Tony Fitzgerald. I knew the two candidate strategy was there and I was questioning whether my colleague John Mahers votes would transfer to me. Would the city votes transfer to the county? Ultimately they did. I got 950 transfers off John and I got a great vote from the Social Democrats candidate Susan Doyle. There was huge relief when I finally won the last seat. I knew that 35 votes would be hard to overturn. They were doing it in stages. The second stage I actually gained votes on him (Mick Barry). I went from 35 up to 39. It was always going to be difficult to catch up the 39 votes. I have great respect for Mick Barry. He was genuinely happy that a young candidate was elected, said Mr Kenny. The Labour Party will return to Dail Eireann with 11 TDs. Mr Kenny is thrilled with their strong performance in the general election. Nationally the Labour Party had a fierce weekend. We went out with six TDs. Two of them were retiring so ultimately we went out with four. We came back with 11. The majority of TDs we came back with are below 50. I noticed at the door that there is a real desire from people nationwide to have young politicians. I think younger people are starting to go out and vote. Due to the strong showing from the Labour Party they now face the very real prospect of going into government with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. Mr Kenny said they will firstly engage with both the Social Democrats and Green Party leader Roderic OGorman with a view to potentially forming a centre-left alliance. Ivana Bacik reiterated that we want to talk to left leaning parties. It would be wrong of me to say anything before we meet as a parliamentary party. I am one of 11. As a party we have to decide what happens next in terms of government formation. The conversations have to begin with left centred parties who have the same ambition as us. I will miss my role with Cork County Council, admitted the new Labour Party TD. I will miss the teaching as well. The County Council is ultimately the bread and butter issues that I loved dealing with. Naturally I will still be dealing with them. The Labour Party will be able to co-opt somebody on to Cork County Council. We will have a Labour Party TD and a councillor working for the Mallow local electoral area. We will have a full time constituency office in Mallow. Mr Kenny is thrilled to maintain the strong Labour tradition in Mallow. It is a great outcome for Mallow and for Labour. There is a real tradition in Cork North Central and in Mallow for Labour. It was always going to be difficult for us as Sean had served so long. It is good to keep the Sherlock legacy going. It has worked for so long. Joe Sherlock was first elected to the Urban District Council in 1967. His brother Mike who is based in Carrignavar rang me and told me that his brother would have been proud. His daughter Marie was also elected to the Dail. I cant wait to start. I am looking forward to representing the people of Cork North Central, he added. The works involve replacing more than 4km of track between Dublin Connolly and Pearse Street stations. Pic: Stock photo Irish Rail has announced that services will be suspended between Connolly and Pearse Street stations over the Christmas period due to major works taking place on the countrys busiest rail line. The section of rail between Connolly and Pearse will be undergoing a complete track refurbishment from December 26 to January 5. Works on the line, which sees just under 100,000 train movements annually, will start at 10am on Thursday, December 26, and will run until 5am on Sunday, January 5. Irish Rail said it has chosen to carry out these works during a period that sees the lowest number of passengers throughout the year. The section of railway line between Dublins Connolly and Pearse stations is known as the loop line, and this will be the first renewal of the line in 20 years. The line is now at the end of its expected use with the track quality index (TQI) no longer at levels expected of a line which sees this frequency of services. Irish Rail said were the works to be deferred, or scheduled over a longer timeframe, it would require temporary speed restrictions to be in place causing service delays or reduced services, as well as a significantly higher costs. The work being done will see 4.2km of track 2.1kms on each line fully relayed from south end of platform 6/7 in Connolly Station through to Pearse Station. The works will also allow for a full inspection of Loop Line Bridge assets. It will also include technical improvements to give a design life of 40 years to this section of line, doubling the life of the previous relaying from 2004/5. As a result, the line will be closed between Connolly and Grand Canal Dock throughout this time, with limited exceptions between Pearse and Grand Canal Dock. On December 26, there will be no services on the Irish Rail Network. From December 27 to January 5, the line will be closed from Connolly to Grand Canal Dock. Dart services will operate between Howth/Malahide to Connolly Station and between Grand Canal and Bray/Greystones. Dublin Bus will accept rail tickets for southside customers travelling to/from the city centre. Intercity services between Dublin Connolly and Rosslare Europort will involve bus transfers between Connolly and Bray. All Northern commuter services, along with Maynooth commuter services, will stop at Connolly. Some exceptions include from 11pm on New Years Eve, when southside Dart services will operate from Pearse to Bray/Greystones, with late night services for Howth/Malahide, Dundalk, Maynooth and Kildare operating to/from Connolly. On January 2 and 3, from 6am to 6pm, the line will be closed from Connolly to Pearse only to facilitate people returning to work travelling between the southside and the city centre. Southside Dart services will operate between Pearse and Bray/Greystones. Throughout the works, Connolly Station will be fully operational except for platform 7, and Grand Canal Dock Station will be fully operational. Irish Rail has apologised for any inconvenience caused by these essential works. The festive season has officially begun and the University of Galway Students Union announced they will be hosting their annual Thriftmas Market this Thursday, December 5. The event will take place from 11am to 3pm at Aras na Mac Leinn, and it will feature 12 stalls showcasing University of Galway student run businesses. There will also be a pop-up charity shop hosted by Galway Simon Community, festive tunes from Flirt FM and fundraising for the SU Charities. The student entrepreneurs will be selling prints, cards, childrens books, earrings, tote bags, lino prints, crystals, candles, wax melts, jewellery, crochet, rings, knitted products, literary journals, embroidery, baked goods and more. Students Union President Faye Ni Dhomhnaill commented: We are delighted to showcase the amazing talents of our students at Thriftmas. Our Thriftmas market aims to highlight local and sustainable shopping options in the lead up to Christmas. It also gives our students a much needed break from the books in the lead up to exams! Students Union Vice President/Welfare and Equality Officer Chloe Anderson added: Theres a big emphasis on charity at the Thriftmas Market. Galway Simon Community will have their pop up shop at the event and will also be accepting donations if anyone is doing a pre-Christmas clear out. Well also be selling tickets for our Christmas Raffle and our ever popular Big Yellow Thing socks to raise funds for Galway Rape Crisis Centre and Galway Autism Partnership. A still taken from CCTV of the life-size Santa being snatched from the front of Gleesons Butchers in Navan, Co Meath. Gleesons Butchers' Tommy Twamley with the much treasured missing Santa which is now the subject of a garda probe. Gardai have launched a hunt for a gang of cheeky and heartless thieves who walked into a shopping centre in broad daylight to steal a life-sized singing and dancing Santa. The audacious theft, which took place at the front of Gleesons Butchers inside Navan Town Centres shopping complex has led to a huge outpouring of anger and empathy locally. The lifelike mannequin has been a staple of the shops festive appeal for the best part of two decades, becoming a popular attraction for young families and children alike. Store manager, Liam Curtis said he and his staff at the long-established butchers are still at a loss as to explain the motive behind the mean-spirited theft. Whats more, Mr Curtis said he had been left shocked at how the incident, which took place last Monday (November 25) unfolded in the middle of the day during what was an ordinarily busy afternoon for the Meath retailer. Its a stupid crime, he told the Irish Independent, adding how it was 1:55pm approximately when the incident took place. It has touched an awful lot of people, they are not impressed with it at all and there has been nothing but talk about it since. That level of ill-feeling was illustrated only the other day, according to Mr Curtis, when a young child stopped into the shop to hand over a Christmas ornament in a show of heart-warming solidarity. A still taken from CCTV of the life-size Santa being snatched from the front of Gleesons Butchers in Navan, Co Meath. There is an awful lot of local people would have come in over the years and had photos with Santa, added Mr Curtis. One woman who was in the other day had photographs of the last 10 or 12 years of her grandkids with Santy. Gardai are believed to be running the rule over CCTV footage of the incident in a bid to positively identify those responsible. Those images appear to show a woman wearing dark clothes walk up to its counter while reaching in behind the Santa model and unplug it from the wall before calmly walking away with it in her arms. Mr Curtis, for his part, said it was his belief up to four suspects were behind the brazen raid with attention also focusing on the shopping centres car park as the gang made their getaway. Follow Independent Meath on Facebook The security in the car park are working on where she went after she left us, he said. The guards are on it and there has been a few names but nothing has come of it yet. In the last week of Christmas, we put a charity box on him or a bucket and we tie it to his hands for people donate to it. It is a long time tradition we have here. I am in utter disbelief especially as it is there for the kids and the kids only. I cant understand how somebody would even think about doing it, never mind doing it. James Browne of Fianna Fail pictured after taking the second seat in the Wexford constituency on Sunday. Pic: Jim Campbell. Having been regarded as an inevitable poll-topper for much of this election campaign, the title of favourite never sat easy with Fianna Fail TD and Junior Minister James Browne. The Enniscorthy man dismissed those early odds from the bookies and insisted that every vote would count. He was also probably all too aware of the push coming from fellow incumbent, Independent TD Verona Murphy. Ultimately, it would be the Ramsgrange woman who would top the poll, getting elected on the first count. Although clearly comfortable and destined for the next seat, the Fianna Fail TD would have to wait until the 11th count on Sunday evening to officially surpass the quota and be deemed elected. "Congratulations to Verona and her team, he said. They obviously worked very hard on the campaign. My own team worked exceptionally hard. We canvassed every house in the constituency, which is no mean feat given the size of it. A re-draw of electoral constituency boundaries last year will certainly have proved to be a fly in the ointment in the Browne camp. It probably generated quite a bit of discussion between the Junior Minister, his father and former TD John Browne and cousin Cllr Aidan Browne, as they scrambled to come up with a strategy to cope with their hometown now becoming a border town" between the Wexford and Wicklow/Wexford constituencies. James Browne at the count centre in the Loreto Secondary School on Sunday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell Overnight, previously hard-won votes north of Enniscorthy, as far as Ferns and beyond, were wiped out. Its something that James says had a huge impact. "We started off really on the back foot, he said. We lost half of Enniscorthys hinterland about two and a half thousand number one votes were gone including my own half parish Castledockrell. "Our backs really were to the wall. We had to push very far south. We were canvassing areas we never have before because of the way the county would have been divided among different Fianna Fail candidates. "We never would have, say for example, covered south New Ross or Rosslare to canvass, even in my Dad's time or my grand uncles (Sean Brownes) time. It was a huge effort by the team and I'm delighted with the result Ive got. It certainly wasn't easy. Once the dust had settled and the election result was confirmed, Mr Browne thanked the people of Wexford for their trust in him. "I want to thank the people of Wexford for their support, he said. Once again, it is a huge honour. For those who voted for me, thank you very much. For those who didnt, as ever, my team and I will work for absolutely everybody no matter what the situation. Again there was special mention for his campaign team. "I want to thank my team, he said. It was an extraordinary effort from them this time with the new boundaries. We canvassed over 40,000 houses in 20 days. I also want to particularly thank my family, who've always been there to support me. I want to thank you all for your time and effort. From a certain point of view, it was an unusual count for Browne and Fianna Fail. From the earliest tallies it was crystal clear that he would be taking one of the four seats up for grabs. Telling in itself, there was little mention of the Enniscorthy TDs running mate, former FIFA assistant referee Michelle ONeill. She endured a torrid time, attracting just 296 first preference votes before being eliminated just after Irish People candidate Stephen Murphy on count 3. From his point of view though, Browne will have been happy to have prevailed in this election with the Wexford constituency likely to face further changes in the not-too-distant future. I think this has really been a challenging election, but a very positive election, he said. I really just want to say a huge thanks to everyone. A Londis store in Co. Wexford has taken home a national award from the annual ShelfLife National C-Store Awards. Dillons Londis Fethard-on-Sea was presented with the silver award for the Best Large Convenience Store category at the C-Store Awards, which are recognised amongst the most prestigious business accolades for the convenience store sector. The 24th annual awards ceremony attracted Irelands top retailers and brands to the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire for the celebrations. Dillons Londis, Fethard-on-Sea, Hook Head, Wexford, was one of a number of Londis stores who received awards at the ceremony. Hosted by returning master of ceremonies Marty Whelan, the 2024 awards were attended by over 380 guests from across the retail industry coming together to celebrate the sectors achievements. Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director, said: David and his staff in Dillons Londis Fethard-on-Sea are representative of the high levels of service Londis nationwide network of retailers offer to communities throughout Ireland and I am delighted for them that they have received this deserving national recognition. The ShelfLife National C-Store Awards were set up to acknowledge stores and individuals that set the standards for the industry. Arklows Martha Kavanagh, a Mechanical Engineering student at University of Galway, was amongst 82 students from seven Irish universities who were awarded scholarships as part of Johnson & Johnsons prestigious Women in STEM2D (WiSTEM2D) Undergraduate Awards at its national event held in Thomond Park Stadium, Limerick. The award recognises outstanding female students in STEM2D disciplines of science, technology, engineering, math, manufacturing and design. The 82 students from Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick, University College Cork, University of Galway, Munster Technology University, Atlantic Technological University and Maynooth University have all received awards as part of the programme. This marks a 33pc increase in recipients compared to 2023, highlighting the programmes growing impact and recognition of talented female students in STEM2D fields. This is the ninth year of the annual awards programme in Ireland, and was hosted by the Company at Thomond Park stadium. Martha received a bespoke framed glass artwork crafted by Fermoy-based artist Suzanne O'Sullivan. Anna Rafferty from Johnson & Johnson EMEA said: Reflecting on the remarkable growth of the WiSTEM2D programme in Ireland is truly inspiring. Since our launch in 2016, this initiative has grown to support nearly 600 students across seven universities, creating pathways for young women to pursue rewarding careers in STEM fields. Our commitment to empowering women in these critical areas is not just a business priority; it's a core value that drives our innovation and progress. By investing in their potential, we are not only shaping the future of health and technology but also fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce essential for tackling the challenges of tomorrow. Together, we are igniting a new generation of leaders who will redefine whats possible in STEM, paving the way for a brighter, more equitable future for all. Bray Rowing Club is holding a Christmas bake sale on Saturday, December 14, in The Martello to raise funds towards rebuilding the clubhouse. Members will be there from 10am-2pm with some very fancy and scrumptious cakes to take home (or eat on the spot). Christmas at St Kilians St Kilian's Community School is holding its Christmas market on Friday, December 6, from 9.30am-12.30pm. Plenty of gifts, food stalls and you can design your own Christmas cards to take home. Christmas Parking Theres free car parking available in Bray's Herbert Road car park (council-owned portion) every weekend until Sunday, December 29, so theres no better time to shop local. Santas Post Box Children wanting to send letters to Father Christmas can do so at the Bray Town Hall, until Friday, December 13. Dont be late! Kilruddery Christmas The Killruddery Christmas market runs every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5:30pm, and will also be held on Monday, December 23, for the last day. Palm at Christmas The Palm, on Bray seafront, is running its Christmas market on Sundays in December up until the 22nd. Also, do remember that over 60s can enjoy a cup of coffee on the house in The Palm, from Monday to Friday, from 12 noon until 3pm. Whether you're flying solo, want to chat with the staff or bring along a friend or two. Purple House Christmas Purple Houses Christmas candlelight service takes place on Friday, December 6, at 6pm in Brays Christ Church. St Andrews NS Fair St Andrews National Schools Christmas fair takes place on Saturday, December 7, from 11am-3pm. Entry is 3, and kids go free. Bray Chorals Carols Bray Choral Societys Carols by Candlelight takes place on Saturday, December 14 at 8pm, in Brays Christ Church, with well-known Christmas pieces by Handel, Berlioz and Rutter. Tickets are available to purchase directly from choir members or at the door and on eventbrite, general admission is 22, childrens tickets are 17. Santa & The Ponies Visit Santa & The Ponies at Festina Lente, on Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15, from 10am, for a unique family event that children will love. Includes craft-making and hot chocolate. Tickets from eventbrite, 30. Christmas Movies Christmas Movies at the Mermaid kick off on Friday, December 20. Screenings include How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Muppet Christmas Carol and Its A Wonderful Life. See mermaidartscentre.ie/whats-on/all to book. New Years Swim The annual Bray charity swim takes place on New Years Day at noon opposite the Strand Hotel. The Bray Lions Club organises the event which has raised over 340,000 for local causes since it started in 1983. Plaza Market The Christmas on the Plaza market will be running every Saturday and Sunday, until December 22. This market not only supports local small businesses but it is a vital fundraiser for Greystones Tidy Towns. Comics at Mrs Robinsons Mrs Robinson Comedy Club is open for business with a massive launch night on Thursday, December 5, at 8.00pm, headlined by stars Sophia Wren, Keego, Josh O'Connell and Claire Roche. This is the first outing for the new Greystones comedy club and the tickets are free but need to be reserved by going to eventbrite for registration. Hardy Har Christmas Hardy Har Comedy Club presents the Christmas Cracker Comedy Special, on Thursday, December 5 in the world famous Harbour Bar, Bray. And Christmas has come early as there is another double headliner, featuring two comedians that have had the dream year in Irish comedy - it's Willie White and Eric Lalor. Support comes from Emily Ashmore, local comedian Dylan O Toole returns to the stage and, as always, the host is the wonderful Adam Burke. Open Door Day Centre The Open Door Day Centre operates Monday to Friday on Vevay Road, Bray. Open Door provides facilities and activities for adults with physical disabilities as a result of multiple sclerosis, stroke, motor neurone disease, spina bifida, road accidents. Call 01 286 7123, email info@opendoor.ie. Rathdown Bridge A new Bridge club has opened at Greystones Bridge Centre, Victoria Road each Tuesday, from 10am until 1pm. Established players and beginners are both most welcome and lessons are available. Details of membership from: johnstaffordfennell@gmail.com. Dargle Bridge Club Dargle Bridge Clubs new season has begun again and takes place each Wednesday, at 7.20pm. Play finishes approx. 10.30pm. Membership is 20 and 5 per night table money. Venue is the Open Door Day Centre, Vevay Road. For further details see darglebridgeclub.com, or phone Michael on 087 9480151, or Anne on 087 2399457. A new novice section has also been added to the club for any newcomers. Cancer Support Greystones and District Cancer Support provide various support services to those affected by cancer and their families in Greystones, Delgany, Kilcoole, Newcastle and Newtownmountkennedy. Offers a wide range of support services, classes and therapies. You can contact the office at 01 287 1601, email info@greystonescancersupport.com or visit greystonescancersupport.com. Sanctuary Runners The Bray Sanctuary Runners Walk and Talk group meets at 7pm at Queen of Peace Church car park, Putland Road, Bray, on the last Thursday of the month. If a run is more your thing by way of a winter warmer, go to The Esplanade Hotel, Saturdays at 11.30am. Garda clinic The community policing clinic is held every Monday from 6 pm to 8pm in the Kilcoole Community Centre. The clinic is there for members of the public to drop in and for crime prevention advice, to get help with forms, such as passports stamped and driving licences, as well as other Garda services that can be attended to on the spot by Gda Molly Corbett. Mens Sheds Bray Mens Shed is now full. Greystones Mens Shed meets on Mondays at 77 Rathdown Park, from 7.30 p.m. Contact Jim Rice at 089 254 0586. Bray Comhaltas Bray Comhaltas are delighted to announce that traditional Irish music classes for children and adults will be held in Colaiste Raithin, Bray on a Wednesday night and in Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath on a Thursday night. Please go to the website to enrol: braycce.ie Parkinsons Support Theres a Parkinsons Support Group meeting every first and third Friday of the month at the Holy Rosary Church from 3pm to 5pm, with everyone welcome to drop in for a coffee and a chat. Theres also Musical Memories sessions, which take place every Friday at St Patricks Church from 11.30am to 12.45pm and everyone is free to join in. Signal Arts I Will Love Them Dearly is a new body of work from Mary St Leger. Combining paintings and ephemera it is a personal exploration into the eccentric and often isolating world of St Legers childhood. Runs up to Sunday December 8. Got an event in Bray or Greystones? Email the details to editor@peoplenews.ie A young Co Wicklow man is back behind bars after having a suspended element of a prison sentence reactivated over his failure to engage with the Probation Service. Adam Melia (21) of Old Court Drive, Bray, Co Wicklow was sent back to prison for 12 more months after a judge said she was not impressed by his answers to questions over why he had not attended appointments with the Probation Service. Probation officer, Andrew Murphy, told a sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court that Melia had received a three-year prison sentence with the final 12 months suspended on condition that he engaged with the Probation Service on his release from prison. However, Mr Murphy gave evidence that Melia had not complied with the condition, as he had only attended one of seven appointments since getting out of prison, despite being issued with two warning letters and being offered two more appointments. Sergeant Gerard Brennan told the court that Melia had come to negative attention since his release from prison including being arrested three times in the first four months of 2024 for alleged drug offences for which he is facing court appearances. Sgt Brennan told counsel for the DPP, James Kelly BL, that Melia was also suspected of being involved in a burglary that took place on April 9 last. He said the accused was also stopped by gardai on September 1 when he was found in possession of a flick knife while also refusing to give his name and address. In evidence, Melia told Judge Martina Baxter that he always intended to go to the meetings with his probation officer. He claimed he had a bad drug habit and was stuck in the same circle over and over. However, Melia said he was now living in Clare Hall on the other side of Dublin with his father and grandmother and was drug-free for the first time in his whole life. He also expressed hope that he could change and noted that he was not speaking to his mother as he was always robbing from her house in the past. Asked by his own barrister, Justin McQuade BL, why he had not notified gardai of his change of address as required, Melia replied: I dont know. He claimed it had not come into his mind that he needed to contact his probation officer. The court heard he had not provided any recent evidence of urine tests to show he remained drug free. Reactivating the suspended sentence on foot of an application by the Probation Service, Judge Baxter said she was most unimpressed by the progress made by Melia to the opportunities he had been given since his release from prison. Five intrepid young people from Co Wicklow were among those to receive Gaisce Gold Medal Awards from President Michael D Higgins earlier this month. The awardees, 73 in total, came from 17 counties and are reported to have completed more than 3,458 volunteering hours within their communities. Among the winners was a Colaiste Chill Mhantain pupil, Sinead Kelly, three students from Loreto Bray Alice Fitzgerald, Ava Hagan and Sinead Kelly and Ailish Bradley, representing Dolphin Guide Company. Each year the Gaisce Gold Award ceremony celebrates the societal contribution made by these young people, recognising the milestones which they have reached in their personal development journey. This years participants mastered a wide range of skills, activities and projects, from learning Irish Sign Language and Chinese, to hiking some of Irelands most challenging peaks, volunteering in youth and community work, learning a musical instrument and developing their leadership skills. The programme is open to those aged 14-25. Speaking ahead of the awards, President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins said: Today we honour the hard work, perseverance and commitment of our Gaisce Gold recipients. This moment represents the pinnacle of a journey on which you have embarked with courage, dedication, and vision, a journey that has shaped you, deepened your understanding of community, a testament to your determination and the personal growth that you have each achieved. In earning the Gold Award, each of you has undertaken a unique journey of personal and social development, volunteered your time, energy and talent to help others, to be a light for those in need. In doing so, you have become agents of change, shaping a brighter and more inclusive world. As we look towards the 40th anniversary of Gaisce next year, let today serve as a rallying call, not only to celebrate the achievements of our awardees but also to reaffirm our commitment to inclusivity, to reach and empower young people from all walks of life, to create opportunities for those who may feel marginalised or isolated, providing a platform for them on which their voices can be heard. A man in his 30s from Co Wicklow is facing jail in Dubai, accused of sending threatening emojis, according to campaign group Detained in Dubai Stuart Quiney (39), a property renovator from Laragh, has been held in Dubai for three months and is set to go before a prosecutor on Wednesday. He has been advised that he could face several years in prison under strict laws that prohibit rude, offensive or threatening text messages, even if expressed sarcastically, jokingly between close friends or loved ones. The emojis he is being held over were send from Ireland to an acquaintance he says took his possessions without permission. Mr Quiney is currently staying with a friend while on a travel ban, and is relying on financial support from his family, is said to be suffering sleepless nights, sickness and extreme anxiety. Radha Stirling, chief executive of campaign group Detained in Dubai, is raising awareness over Stuarts case. To make the grave situation even worse, his grandmother is currently sick and he is concerned he will never see her again. He fears he wont see his beloved grandmother before she passes and is praying he gets home before Christmas, said Ms Stirling. In January 2022, Mr Quiney accompanied his friend to Dubai to help him set up his new life. He was introduced to a resident, who assisted his friend to get an apartment by providing a local ID. Stuart stayed with his friend for two months. He had intended to return a week later to spend more time with his friend. He left some of his belongings in the apartment. While both he and his friend were away, they say that their personal belongings were removed from the apartment. Stuart Quiney from Laragh, Co Wicklow. Photo: detainedindubai.com Mr Quiney hoped hed be able to recover his things, which included small but sentimental gifts from his late grandmother. He drafted multiple legal letters, but received no reply. I dont really mind the clothes, its just those things that were my grandmothers and a gift from a friend that is very important to me, he told Ms Stirling. I came over in June last year and sent him a few messages, basically saying I wanted my things back or I would go to the police, but I got no reply again. After returning to Ireland, he was told his grandmother was suffering dementia and being moved into a home. Ms Stirling added: It hit him very hard. She is his best friend. He dealt with the pain by drinking alcohol, something he only does once or twice a year. In a drunken state, he must have remembered his other grandmothers gift, reached for his phone and sent some emojis (eg. ninja man and blood drop). Mr Quiney told Ms Stirling: I very rarely drink so this is completely out of character for me. Ive never been in trouble with the law. He didnt think anything of it when he booked his next flight to visit his friend. In fact, he did not even remember sending them at the time or afterwards. It was a very difficult time. When Stuart arrived in Dubai on September 6, he was immediately taken into custody, transported to Al Barsha police station and told he could not leave the country. Stuarts mother has been in touch with the accuser and they have both apologised, but he has said he wont withdraw the case, said Ms Stirling. Stuart and his family are reaching out to Wicklow representatives for help. It wasnt an ideal message, but it was made at a very distressing time in Stuarts life, said Ms Stirling. He has apologised and regrets the message. "Hes suffered extreme stress, anxiety and health issues from being forced to stay in Dubai for the past three months while anticipating prison. The UAE needs an expeditious legal process for tourists who should be deported or banned from re-entering at worst. Co Tyrone man Craig Ballentine is also facing jail in Dubai over a negative review he posted online relating to a dog grooming centre. He was detained when he arrived in Abu Dhabi in October to visit and was transported to Dubai to face charges of slander under the United Arab Emirates (UAE)s cybercrime laws. Previously, Laleh Sharahvesh was arrested over a five-year-old Facebook post made from England. Ms Stirling added: The UAEs Cybercrime laws are highly dangerous to tourists. They are unclear, subjective, arbitrarily enforced and the punishments can be severe. She further advised: Its important for repeat visitors to Dubai to obtain a police check in advance of travel. Checking prior to travel prevents a significant number of arrests and would have prevented the gruelling nightmares that both Stuart Quiney and Craig Ballentine are experiencing now. LATEST | South Korean president says he will lift his martial law decree after lawmakers vote against it South Korean parliament votes to defy presidents declaration of martial law over anti-state activity Irish Independent Newsdesk Tue 3 Dec 2024 at 21:01 South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said early Wednesday that he would soon lift the martial law he imposed during a tense night of political drama in which troops surrounded parliament and lawmakers voted to reject military rule. A drug-smuggling gang has been jailed after cocaine with a street value of 200 million was intercepted in a shipment of bananas - making it the UK's largest haul of the drugs at the time. President-elect Donald Trump is demanding the immediate release of Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza, saying that if they are not freed before he is sworn into office for a second term there will be hell to pay. In a post on his Truth Social site, Mr Trump wrote: Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity. Donald Trump warns Hamas: Release hostages or there will be all hell to pay US president-elect says Hamas must free the Israelis still being held captive in Gaza Members of civil defence remove bodies of people killed during hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, including fighters, from a temporary cemetery to be taken for burial in their home town and villages, after a ceasefire between the two, in Tyre, southern Lebanon. Photo: Reuters/Thaier Al-Sudani Natalie Meltzer Tue 3 Dec 2024 at 03:30 US president-elect Donald Trump is demanding the immediate release of Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza, saying that if they are not freed before he is sworn into office for a second term there will be HELL TO PAY. Residents of Aleppo and the surrounding area fear an aerial onslaught after insurgents seize city Hundreds of fighters from Iran-backed Iraqi militias have arrived in Syria to help the regime of Bashar al-Assad fight off an insurgency across much of the northwest of the country, including the seizure of the second city of Aleppo. India Labor Compliance: How the Shram Suvidha Portal Works The Shram Suvidha Portal, developed by the Ministry of Labor and Employment, serves as a one-stop solution for labor law compliance in India. This unified web platform simplifies regulatory procedures, ensuring transparency, accountability, and ease of doing business for employers while safeguarding employees rights. The Shram Suvidha Portal, launched by Indias Ministry of Labor and Employment, is a transformative initiative aimed at simplifying labor law compliance for businesses while ensuring transparency and accountability in workforce management. Acting as a centralized platform, it brings employers, employees, and enforcement agencies under a unified framework, fostering ease of doing business and protecting labor rights. Key features of the Shram Suvidha portal Labor Identification Number (LIN): Employers are assigned a unique Labor Identification Number (LIN) upon registration. LIN integrates multiple compliance requirements, such as Provident Fund (PF) Establishment Codes, Employees State Insurance (ESI) Registration Numbers, and Contract Labor Registration Numbers. This unique identifier streamlines all compliance obligations, reducing redundancy. Simplified compliance management: Employers can file a single harmonized annual return, consolidating information required under 16 major labor laws, such as the Minimum Wages Act and Payment of Wages Act. The portal facilitates centralized record-keeping and data submission, making it easier for employers to meet statutory requirements. Transparency in inspections: Labor inspections are monitored and reported online, ensuring adherence to key performance indices and minimizing arbitrary or excessive scrutiny. Enforcement agencies are required to upload inspection reports in real-time, enhancing transparency and promoting a fair inspection process. Grievance redressal for employees: Employees can raise grievances online directly through the portal, creating a streamlined mechanism for addressing their concerns. Employers are obligated to resolve complaints within the platform and upload proof of redressal, ensuring timely and accountable resolutions. Real-time notifications: Employers receive SMS or email notifications about compliance requirements, inspections, and grievance updates, ensuring they remain informed and proactive. Utility for employers in India For employers, the Shram Suvidha Portal serves as a game-changer by centralizing all labor law compliance processes, offering the following benefits: Ease of compliance : The unified platform reduces the administrative burden associated with filing multiple returns across various labor laws. : The unified platform reduces the administrative burden associated with filing multiple returns across various labor laws. Regulatory simplification : By harmonizing returns and reporting formats, the portal eliminates unnecessary paperwork and redundant procedures. : By harmonizing returns and reporting formats, the portal eliminates unnecessary paperwork and redundant procedures. Digital infrastructure : Online submission and servicing of notices ensure quick processing and documentation, minimizing delays. : Online submission and servicing of notices ensure quick processing and documentation, minimizing delays. Improved credibility: Transparent and timely compliance builds trust with regulatory authorities, employees, and stakeholders. Empowering employees The portal is equally beneficial for employees by ensuring their rights are protected and grievances addressed efficiently: Direct grievance mechanism : Employees can voice concerns without intermediaries, ensuring greater accountability from employers. : Employees can voice concerns without intermediaries, ensuring greater accountability from employers. Fair inspections : Real-time monitoring ensures that inspection practices are objective and geared toward genuine enforcement. : Real-time monitoring ensures that inspection practices are objective and geared toward genuine enforcement. Strengthened labor rights: The transparent framework builds confidence in the enforcement of statutory benefits and protections. Integration with social security and labor initiatives While primarily focused on organized sector establishments, the Shram Suvidha Portal complements other government initiatives like the e-Shram portal, which targets unorganized workers. Together, these platforms ensure: Expanded social security benefits to Indias diverse workforce. Better data integration for policymaking, particularly in areas of workforce development and social welfare. Simplification of business regulations, aligning with Indias push for a competitive global investment environment. Contribution to Indias ease of doing business The Shram Suvidha Portal is a cornerstone in Indias labor law reforms, significantly contributing to the countrys efforts to improve its ranking in the global Ease of Doing Business Index. By reducing regulatory complexities and enhancing transparency, the portal supports businesses in achieving compliance while fostering an equitable workplace for employees. Conclusion The Shram Suvidha Portal exemplifies the Government of Indias commitment to modernizing labor law enforcement through digital innovation. By bridging the gap between employers, employees, and regulators, the portal not only simplifies compliance but also empowers the workforce and promotes transparency. As a pivotal step in labor reform, the Shram Suvidha Portal is laying the groundwork for a more efficient, fair, and accountable labor ecosystem in India. Hyundai Center of Excellence (CoE), funded by Hyundai Motor Group, will be established at IIT Delhi. (Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons) New Delhi: Hyundai Motor Group announced collaborations with three Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) on Tuesday to develop a research framework focused on batteries and electrification. The partnerships include IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, and IIT Madras. As part of the initiative, the Hyundai Center of Excellence (CoE) will be established at IIT Delhi, funded by Hyundai Motor Group. The CoE aims to spearhead advancements in battery technology and electrification tailored to the Indian market's unique needs. At a ceremony held at IIT Delhi, Hyundai Motor Group representatives and IIT officialsincluding Prof. Rangan Banerjee, director of IIT Delhi, and deans Sachin C. Patwardhan of IIT Bombay and Manu Santhanam of IIT Madrasformalized the partnership by signing an agreement to create the Hyundai Motor Group-IIT Hyundai CoE. We are thrilled to collaborate with the IITs, renowned for their exceptional education and research, said Naksup Sung, head of Hyundai Motor Group R&D Planning & Coordination Center. He expressed confidence that the Hyundai CoE would build a strong talent network within Indias academic ecosystem, fostering innovation and future growth. The initiative aligns with Hyundai's strategy to support the development of an electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem in India, complementing government policies aimed at boosting EV adoption. This collaboration will also involve the Centre for Automotive Research and Tribology (CART), India's only EV-focused research institute, based at IIT Delhi. The Hyundai CoE will facilitate joint academic-industrial research, technical knowledge sharing, and talent exchange between experts in India and Korea. Activities will include technical workshops, specialized lectures by Hyundais battery and electrification experts, and training programs involving visits to Korea. Hyundai also plans to nurture talent and expand long-term employment opportunities through these efforts. This collaboration builds on Hyundai Motor Group's growing presence in India, highlighted by the recent IPO of Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL). The Group sees the CoE as crucial in enhancing its research on advanced technologies, developing India-specific products, and reinforcing HMILs commitment to the countrys mutual growth and innovation. TCS will implement its TCS BaNCS Global Banking Platform to help the bank optimize operations. Thimphu/Mumbai: IT major Tata Consultancy Services TCS has announced a strategic partnership with the Bank of Bhutan to modernize the banks digital core for enhanced customer service. TCS will implement its TCS BaNCS Global Banking Platform to help the bank optimize operations and seamlessly integrate with the various public services within the digital ecosystem of the country. Bank of Bhutan, the largest commercial bank in Bhutan, has a database of over four hundred thousand customers serviced through 45 branches, with a broad range of financial products and services. TCS has been a technology partner for the bank since 2016, enabling its business growth. Building on this longstanding partnership, TCS will now deploy TCS BaNCS Global Banking Platform. The platform will give the bank access to an extensive set of components across the banking and payments sector such as customer deposits, loan management, retail services, trade finance, pricing, and other functions. Dorji Kadin, Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Bhutan, said, We are happy to reinforce our partnership with TCS with the selection of TCS BaNCSTM Global Banking Platform. We remain committed to continuously innovating and enhancing customer experience. Kadin said the partnership with TC will enable the bank to provide personalized, comprehensive, high-performing financial products and services, including the capabilities required to support the country-wide digitization and digital currency initiatives by the Kingdom of Bhutan. The selection of the TCS BaNCS Global Banking Platform that is designed and built on a modern technology stack with ecosystem enablers reflects this philosophy, he added. The solution will also serve as a platform for future programs such as the implementation of AI technologies across operational workflows to boost productivity, he said. Built on an intelligent digital core, TCS solution will empower the bank to offer new, innovative products to the market quickly and ensure seamless customer experience. TCS BaNCS rich set of APIs will help the Bank connect to third-party applications in the financial services ecosystem and create a platform to meet future business demands, TCS said in the statement. Venkateshwaran Srinivasan, Global Head, Financial Solutions, TCS, said, TCS BaNCSTM will help the Bank enhance operational efficiencies, automate processes across retail and corporate banking, making frictionless customer experiences a reality. TCS BaNCSs digital core is designed to help banks seamlessly connect with their external and internal ecosystems, ensuring compliance with local and international regulations, while also providing for scalability as their business grows. TCS BaNCS for Banking processes banking transactions of over 30% of the global population. Two of the world's largest core banking systems run on TCS BaNCS, handling 1 billion accounts. The TCS BaNCS Global Banking Platform helps financial institutions manage risks, use new ecosystems, and create significant value. It is used by various banks, co-operatives, and financial institutions worldwide. The platform includes many components and apps available on the cloud, helping traditional businesses transition from legacy technologies and connect with APIs. Protesters breach Bangladesh mission in Agartala on Monday. Photo courtesy: Videograb from X Agartala/IBNS: Hotels and restaurants in Tripura have stopped accepting bookings from Bangladeshi tourists amid strained diplomatic relations over Hindu persecution in the neighbouring country, the top association of the travel sector in the northeast state said in a statement. According to the All-Tripura Hotel and Restaurant Owners' Association's statement, hotels will not give rooms to Bangladeshi tourists and restaurants will not serve meals to them. The statement comes on a day when hundreds of people took out a massive rally around the Bangladeshi mission in Tripura's capital in protest against the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh. The protest also saw voices raised against the spate of attacks on minorities in the neighbouring country. During the protest, over 50 agitators allegedly entered the premises of the Bangladeshi mission in Agartala, leading to panic among the officials and staff at the complex. The Bangladeshi High Commission in Agartala was attacked by Indian terrorists, and several officials were allegedly assaulted. But what more can you expect from a terrorist nation like India, where the head of the government is a registered terrorist? pic.twitter.com/Un5txIRZ9z Nazmus Sajid Chowdhury (@nazmussajid) December 2, 2024 The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has condemned the breach at the Bangladesh mission's premises in Agartala and called it "deeply regrettable". "The incident earlier today of the breach of premises at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala is deeply regrettable. Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances. Government is taking action to step up security arrangements for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and their Deputy/Assistant High Commissions in the country," the MEA said. Our statement on breach of premises at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission, Agartala https://t.co/hVVB0SITQn pic.twitter.com/li8TtmwfS8 Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) December 2, 2024 The Bangladesh interim government in a post on X said it "deeply resents the violent attack into the Assistant High Commission in Agartala this afternoon, vandalisation of the Mission premise and desecration of the Bangladesh flag." #Bangladesh deeply resents the violent attack into Assistant High Commission in Agartala | #India, this afternoon, vandalisation of the Mission premise and desecration of Flag. pic.twitter.com/FfNYURJSEF Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@BDMOFA) December 2, 2024 India, meanwhile, said the interim government in Bangladesh must shoulder its responsibility of protecting all minorities while expressing serious concern over the "surge" of extremist rhetoric and increasing incidents of violence against Hindus. Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, arrested for alleged sedition, should be dealt with in a just, fair, and transparent manner, India stated. ISKCON spokesperson Radharaman Das on Monday claimed the only lawyer, who was ready to defend arrested Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, is currently fighting for his life in a hospital after he was attacked in Bangladesh. Ties between India and Bangladesh came under strain after the interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus came to power following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August. Mamata Banerjee and her nephew, TMC national gen secy. Abhishek Banerjee | Photo courtesy: IBNS File Kolkata/IBNS: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday reminded her party colleagues about her absolute authority in the Trinamool Congress' decision-making amid the rumour over a possible power-struggle involving her nephew Abhishek Banerjee. Speaking to the TMC legislators at the legislative assembly, Mamata said as quoted by The Times of India, "I am still here. I am the final word (in the party). I and Bakshi Da (TMC state president Subrata Bakshi) will look after the party." "Everyone in the party is equal. Someone may be a minister today and a legislator tomorrow," she added. The TMC chairperson has asked her legislators to talk less and connect to people. Mamata's rare reminder comes days after she reshuffled the party's national working committee where several of her loyalists have been inducted. Over the last few weeks, multiple TMC leaders were at loggerheads over who would run the show for the party, which was founded by Mamata Banerjee splitting from Congress in 1998. A couple of weeks ago, TMC MLA Humanyun Kabir had even proposed party national general secretary and Lok Sabha MP, Abhishek Banerjee, to become the state home minister. "Mamata Banerjee should become the chief minister for the fourth term. But I demand Abhishek Banerjee to become her deputy and state home minister," the Bharatpur MLA, who was later rebuked by Mamata, had said. Former minister and TMC MLA Madan Mitra had also favoured Abhishek's induction into the government. "The combination of younger and older generations always gives momentum." Batting for Abhishek to take the calls in the party, veteran TMC MP Saugata Roy said, "Mamata Banerjee is consumed by the administrative duties so it would be good if Abhishek runs the party as a whole-timer as he is trusted by the chief as well as workers." "Can a single person take such a workload to run a state of 10 crore people? Mamata Banerjee will be the last word but someone needs to be given charge of the day-to-day work," he added. Meanwhile, Abhishek's recent doctors' meet at his Lok Sabha constituency Diamond Harbour in the backdrop of the TMC government facing public ire over the RG Kar rape-murder incident has assumed significance. The TMC MP, who remained behind the curtains mostly when unprecedented public protests swept Kolkata and its neighbouring districts, addressed the doctors in an outreach campaign at Amtala last week. Despite the simmering protests, the TMC's votebank seemed to remain unaffected in the districts as the ruling party swept all six recent bypolls last month, dashing the hope for a Left resurgence which was remotely viewed through the lens of the RG Kar protests. The Left not only drew a blank but also lost the deposits in all seats while Mamata's prime opponent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) missed the only seat Madarihat which it had in its kitty out of six. Mahayuti leaders flash victory sign after Maharashtra poll win | Photo courtesy: Devendra Fadnavis X handle Mumbai/IBNS: The Mahayuti is likely to formally announce the name of the Maharashtra chief minister on Wednesday, ending the suspense over who would assume the top post in the richest state of the country, media reports said. Fadnavis, the former chief minister, is likely to succeed Shinde as the head of the western state. While caretaker chief minister Eknath Shinde and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis are still in Mumbai, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)'s Ajit Pawar flew to Delhi. The swearing-in ceremony is likely to be held on December 5. Though he reiterated that it will be Prime Minister Narendra Modi's choice on who would assume the chief minister's chair, Shinde reminded all as to why people back a "common man" like him for the top job. Speaking to reporters, Shinde said on Sunday as quoted by The Indian Express, "I was the peoples chief minister. Actually, I used to say that I was not just the chief minister but the common man. As a common man, I understood problems and pain suffered by the people and tried to address them. Since I worked as a common man, obviously people feel that I should become the chief minister." "However, there should be no confusion I held a press conference last week and clarified that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah will take the decision regarding the chief ministers post. My party Shiv Sena and myself will support their decision There should be no ifs and buts in anyones mind," the Sena leader added, speaking at his native village of Dare in Satara district. Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar, another ally in the Mahayuti which stormed back to power on November 23, on Sunday said the chief minister will be from the BJP, which has registered its best ever performance in the state. "During the meeting in Delhi, it was decided that the Mahayuti will form the government with a BJP chief minister and deputy chief ministers from the remaining two parties," Pawar was quoted as saying by NDTV. If Pawar's words come true, it would be a matter of time for former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to get the top post in the financial capital of the country. Fadnavis, who remained the chief minister from 2014-2019, served as Shinde's deputy in the Mahayuti government. While the BJP has yet to convene a meeting of its newly elected MLAs or name its legislature party leader, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule confirmed that the swearing-in ceremony will take place on December 5 at 5 pm at Mumbai's Azad Maidan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the event. The suspense over the CM's post started after the Mahayuti decimated the Maha Vikas Aghadi in the November 20 assembly elections. Out of 230, the BJP dominated with a tremendous strike rate, winning 132, the highest ever by the saffron party in the state. LeT terrorist Junaid Ahmed Bhat gunned down in Jammu and Kashmir encounter. Photo Courtesy: UNI File Image Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday said the terrorist, who was involved in the killing of six workers and a doctor at a housing camp of a private company Ganderbal, has been shot dead during an encounter. He was killed during an encounter which took place in the upper reaches of Dachigam forest. He was identified as Junaid Ahmed Bhat. He reportedly belonged to the Pakistan-origin Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist group. Confirming the death of the terrorist, Kashmir Zone Police posted on X: "#OPDachigam: In the ongoing operation, one #terrorist is killed and has been identified as Junaid Ahmed Bhat ( LeT, Category A). The said terrorist was involved in civilians killing at Gagangir, Ganderbal and several other terror attacks." At least seven employees, including a Kashmiri doctor, were killed on October 20 evening in a terror attack on a workers' camp near the tourist resort of Sonamarg on the strategic Srinagar-Leh highway. During the attack, five other workers were also injured. Indian envoy Pranay Verma summoned in Dhaka. Photo courtesy: Videograb from X Dhaka/IBNS: Bangladesh summoned an Indian envoy to Dhaka on Tuesday, hours after it closed its visa and consular office in Tripura following a security breach the day before. Tensions between both countries are rising amid Hindu persecution in Bangladesh. Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma arrived at the Foreign Ministry Office in Dhaka at 4 pm local time. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma, summoned by Foreign Ministry in Dhaka over attack on Bangladesh mission in Agartala. pic.twitter.com/cleNN3GGbN Geeta Mohan (@Geeta_Mohan) December 3, 2024 "The Indian High Commissioner has been summoned by acting foreign secretary Reaz Hamidullah," Bangladesh's state-run news agency said. Earlier, a notice from the Bangladesh High Commissioner's office in Tripura stated: "Given the security situation, all visa and consular services at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission, Agartala will remain suspended until further notice." #Bangladesh deeply resents the violent attack into Assistant High Commission in Agartala | #India, this afternoon, vandalisation of the Mission premise and desecration of Flag. pic.twitter.com/FfNYURJSEF Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@BDMOFA) December 2, 2024 It also said that "This comes into effect immediately". Hundreds of people took out a massive rally on Tuesday around the Bangladeshi mission in Tripura's capital in protest against the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh. The protest also saw voices raised against the spate of attacks on minorities in the neighbouring country. During the protest, over 50 agitators allegedly entered the premises of the Bangladeshi mission in Agartala, leading to panic among the officials and staff at the complex. The Bangladeshi High Commission in Agartala was attacked by Indian terrorists, and several officials were allegedly assaulted. But what more can you expect from a terrorist nation like India, where the head of the government is a registered terrorist? pic.twitter.com/Un5txIRZ9z Nazmus Sajid Chowdhury (@nazmussajid) December 2, 2024 "The incident earlier today of the breach of premises at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala is deeply regrettable. Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances. Government is taking action to step up security arrangements for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and their Deputy/Assistant High Commissions in the country," the Ministry of External Affairs condemned the incident. The Bangladesh interim government in a post on X said it "deeply resents the violent attack into the Assistant High Commission in Agartala this afternoon, vandalisation of the Mission premise and desecration of the Bangladesh flag." #Bangladesh deeply resents the violent attack into Assistant High Commission in Agartala | #India, this afternoon, vandalisation of the Mission premise and desecration of Flag. pic.twitter.com/FfNYURJSEF Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@BDMOFA) December 2, 2024 India, meanwhile, said the interim government in Bangladesh must shoulder its responsibility of protecting all minorities while expressing serious concern over the "surge" of extremist rhetoric and increasing incidents of violence against Hindus. Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, arrested for alleged sedition, should be dealt with in a just, fair, and transparent manner, India stated. Ties between India and Bangladesh came under strain after the interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus came to power in August following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Devendra Fadnavis meets Eknath Shinde in Mumbai. Photo courtesy: Eknath Shinde Facebook Mumbai/IBNS: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis Tuesday met outgoing Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde amid continuous suspense on who will take over the top post in the politically crucial state. The meeting is being seen as an outreach by the BJP to please an ally who will likely be removed from the top post despite leading a government that was re-elected. The Mahayuti is likely to formally announce the name of the Maharashtra chief minister on Wednesday, ending the suspense over who would assume the top post in the richest state of the country, media reports said. Fadnavis, the former chief minister, is likely to succeed Shinde as the head of the western state. While both Shinde and Fadnavis are still in Mumbai, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)'s Ajit Pawar flew to Delhi. The swearing-in ceremony is likely to be held on December 5. Though he reiterated that it will be Prime Minister Narendra Modi's choice on who would assume the chief minister's chair, Shinde reminded all as to why people back a "common man" like him for the top job. Speaking to reporters, Shinde said on Sunday as quoted by The Indian Express, "I was the peoples chief minister. Actually, I used to say that I was not just the chief minister but the common man. As a common man, I understood problems and pain suffered by the people and tried to address them. Since I worked as a common man, obviously people feel that I should become the chief minister." "However, there should be no confusion I held a press conference last week and clarified that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah will take the decision regarding the chief ministers post. My party Shiv Sena and myself will support their decision There should be no ifs and buts in anyones mind," the Sena leader added, speaking at his native village of Dare in Satara district. Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar, another ally in the Mahayuti which stormed back to power on November 23, on Sunday said the chief minister will be from the BJP, which has registered its best ever performance in the state. "During the meeting in Delhi, it was decided that the Mahayuti will form the government with a BJP chief minister and deputy chief ministers from the remaining two parties," Pawar was quoted as saying by NDTV. If Pawar's words come true, it would be a matter of time for former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to get the top post in the financial capital of the country. Fadnavis, who remained the chief minister from 2014-2019, served as Shinde's deputy in the Mahayuti government. While the BJP has yet to convene a meeting of its newly elected MLAs or name its legislature party leader, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule confirmed that the swearing-in ceremony will take place on December 5 at 5 pm at Mumbai's Azad Maidan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the event. The suspense over the CM's post started after the Mahayuti decimated the Maha Vikas Aghadi in the November 20 assembly elections. Out of 230, the BJP dominated with a tremendous strike rate, winning 132, the highest ever by the saffron party in the state. Canada has long prided itself on its values of multiculturalism, freedom of speech, and peaceful coexistence. Yet, these very principles are being weaponized by a radical minority of Khalistani extremists who are creating discord, inconveniencing law-abiding Canadians, and undermining our nations geopolitical relationships. Recent incidents exemplify how this groups unchecked activities are harming Canadas social fabric and national interests. A protest outside a local temple, ostensibly against the Indian government, is a microcosm of a much larger problem. Inside the temple, elderly individuals of diverse backgroundsHindus, Sikhs, Muslims, and Christianswere simply fulfilling a procedural requirement to maintain their Indian pensions. This mundane but necessary event, which fosters financial stability for many immigrant families in Canada, became a target for disruption. These extremists attempted to block this process, claiming it as a protest against Indias policies. The reality? This was an attempt to destabilize financial flows into Canada and sow discord among communities. The actions of these radicals reveal a troubling allegiance not to Sikhism or the well-being of Canadians but to external forces with interests in destabilizing India and, by extension, Canadian-Indian relations. Allegations that Khalistani activists are supported by Pakistan and China are not new and align with those countries broader geopolitical strategies to weaken India. By disrupting events like the pension certification process, these extremists aim to undermine the trust and collaboration between Canada and India, two democracies that share vital economic and strategic ties. But this isnt just about geopolitics; its about the impact on ordinary Canadians. The elderly individuals inconvenienced by the protest represent the heart of our immigrant communities, people who have worked hard to build lives in Canada while maintaining connections to their heritage. Many rely on their pensions for financial stability. To have extremists interfere with such a personal and necessary process is not only disruptive but cruel. It also reveals the deep hypocrisy of Khalistani activists who claim to fight for justice and freedom while causing real harm to the most vulnerable members of their own communities. Moreover, these actions tarnish the reputation of the broader Sikh community in Canada, which has overwhelmingly contributed positively to our society. The vast majority of Canadian Sikhs reject the Khalistani agenda, valuing harmony and integration. Yet, the extremist minoritys loud, disruptive tactics risk overshadowing this reality, perpetuating stereotypes and mistrust. Canadian authorities must take a firmer stance against such disruptive activities. Freedom of speech is not a license to harm others or destabilize communities. The actions of Khalistani extremists, from their public disruptions to alleged violent activities, require a measured yet decisive response. Law enforcement and policymakers must ensure that protests remain peaceful and lawful while cracking down on activities that threaten public safety or align with foreign agendas. Canada also needs to reevaluate how it engages with diaspora politics. While it is important to provide space for diverse voices, we must guard against allowing foreign geopolitical agendas to spill over into our domestic affairs. By failing to address the issue of Khalistani extremism, Canada risks being seen as a soft target for radicalism, compromising our reputation on the global stage. (Image and Text courtesy: Khalsavox.com) In frame: Nargis Fakhri | Photo courtesy: Nargis Fakhri Instagram handle Bollywood actress Nargis Fakhri's sister Aliya Fakhri has been arrested in the United States for allegedly killing her ex-boyfriend and the latter's female friend, media reports said. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Aliya Fakhri has been indicted on murder in the first degree and related charges for deliberately setting a deadly fire in the detached garage of a home in Jamaica killing her boyfriend, 35-year-old Edward Jacobs, and 33-year-old Anastasia Ettienne. Fakhri allegedly set the fire near the entrance of the building, trapping the two inside with no exit. District Attorney Katz said, "As alleged in this indictment, this defendant maliciously ended the lives of two people by setting a fire that trapped a man and woman in a raging inferno. "The victims tragically died from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. Our condolences are with the families of Edward Jacobs and Anastasia Ettienne as we prosecute this case." Aliya, 43, of Parsons Boulevard in Queens, was indicted by a grand jury for four counts of murder in the first degree, four counts of murder in the second degree and one count each of arson in the first degree and arson in the second degree. Supreme Court Justice John Zoll has arraigned the defendant and remanded her. She faces a potential maximum of life in prison if convicted of the top charge. Aliya must return to court on December 9. According to the charges and investigation, on November 2, Aliya arrived at the front door of a two-story detached garage at around 6:20 a.m. and yelled upstairs to 35-year-old victim Edward Jacobs, "Youre all going to die today." Soon after, a witness who was inside the property came downstairs and discovered that the building was on fire. Ettienne was alerted to the fire and went downstairs briefly. The woman then returned upstairs in an attempt to save Jacobs, who was sleeping. The building became engulfed with flames and neither Jacobs nor Ettienne could escape. Both Jacobs and Ettienne later died from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. Responding to the allegations, Aliya's mother said as quoted by Republic World, "I dont think she would be killing someone. She was a person who was caring for everybody. She tried to help everybody." South Korean actor Park Min-jae dies. Photo Courtesy: @raikantopinico/X page Popular South Korean actor Park Min-jae has died after suffering from cardiac arrest while he was travelling to China recently, media reports said. He was 32. According to reports, he died on November 29 In his brief, yet impactful career, the actor worked in Korean dramas like Little Women, Snap And Spark, and True To Love. Confirming his death, the actor's agency Big Title said in a statement as quoted by CNA Lifestyle: "Hello, this is Big Title, the agency of actor Park Min-jae. The beautiful actor, Park Min-jae, who loved acting and always gave his best, has passed away. We deeply appreciate the love and attention you have shown to actor Park Min-jae. Although we can no longer see his performances, we will proudly remember him as an actor of Big Title. We offer our deepest condolences." American actor Malcolm Barrett is facing allegations of sexual assault. The actor, widely known for playing the role of Seth Reed in Erik Kripke's The Boys, is currently under investigation over the allegations. According to a TMZ report, a complaint was filed against Barrett after a woman reached out to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department last weekend, accusing the Hollywood star of forcing himself on her without her consent. Malcolm Barrett under investigation over sexual assault allegations The TMZ report revealed that Malcolm Barrett was a long-time friend of the complainant, and the duo sat for drinks one night. However, she later realised he was allegedly attempting to touch her without her consent. The evening in question began without any cruel intentions, with just two long-time friends bonding over drinks in LA. However, the situation took a disturbing turn when they later went to Barrett's residence where the alleged incident took place. The LASD Special Victims Bureau took cognizance of the case and helped the alleged victim with a sexual assault kit. More about Malcolm Barrett Malcolm Barrett is known for his recurring role as Seth Reed in Amazon Studios' series The Boys. His appearance has spanned over 4 seasons, beginning in 2019. Prior to landing his breakout role in Antony Starr and Karl Urban starrer, Barrett collaborated with the show's creator, Eric Kripke, on the sci-fi series Timeless. He was also featured in several episodes of Sam Catlin's supernatural show Preacher where he played the role of Hoover. He currently stars as Leon Montgomery in the dark comedy-drama Average Joe. The investigation into the sexual assault case against the actor is currently in the preliminary stage, with more details expected to surface soon. No arrests have been made so far. Malcolm has also kept quiet on the allegations. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Ben Affleck may have had a challenging year, but he's now looking forward to new beginnings. Amidst the holiday season, the actor, who split from Jennifer Lopez in August, is getting back in the dating pool, and he has sought his first wife Jennifer Garner's support in finding a suitable match. Ben Affleck looking forward to a new romance! They say have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time, and Ben Affleck seems to be doing just that. The Hollywood heartthrob is embracing the idea of falling in love again and has asked Jennifer Garner to help him find a new romantic connection. According to a Radar Online report, the Gone Girl star, 52, is ready for something real, and Garner is great at scouting genuine people. "He is on the hunt for someone grounded and mature. Hes had enough of the Hollywood divas and gold diggers, the source said. Jennifer Garner loves the idea! The 13 Going on 30 actress, who shares three children - Violet, 18; Seraphina, 15; and Samuel, 12 - with Ben, is all for his new pursuits! "She wants to see Ben happy, and loves that shell get to have a say because whoever he dates is going to be around her kids," the insider added. ben affleck and jennifer garner going to church (nov. 13) pic.twitter.com/ZQ24KgvjBp badpostaffleck (@badpostaffleck) November 13, 2016 Affleck and Garner tied the knot in 2005 and were married for 13 years before parting their ways in 2018. However, despite their divorce, the former couple are not only on amicable terms but have also been each other's confidantes over the years. Garner has been in an on-again, off-again relationship with CaliGroup CEO John Miller since 2018. Jennifer Lopez 'secretly falling' in love with her boyfriend! Ben is not the only one looking for new love. His ex J.Lo is reportedly 'secretly falling' in love with her bodyguard. Although the actress has expressed her indifference to the idea of finding new love, reports suggest otherwise. Jennifer Lopez with her bodyguard in London pic.twitter.com/uIw0C8C04V JLo Updates (@lopez_updates) November 6, 2024 A source had earlier spilt the beans to Radar Online, saying, Jen is not actively dating right now, but that doesnt mean she cant have fun. Shes flirting where its safe to flirt and of course, shes attracted to the guy, but mostly she knows that it will drive Ben [Affleck] crazy," the source added. About Bennifer 2.0 Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck tied the knot in 2022 after rekindling their two-decade-old romance. What once seemed like a perfect ending to their love story, soon turned into a chaotic reunion. Just one year into their marriage, trouble in paradise began igniting a tabloid frenzy. After months of speculations, they finally filed for force in August citing irreconcilable differences. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Its the death that still has everyone talkingLiam Paynes fall from the balcony of his Buenos Aires hotel on October 16, 2023. But what if we told you the drama hasnt stopped since? The investigation into the One Direction stars tragic demise has taken a wild turn, and now, prosecutors are going head-to-head with a judge who just might not be up for the job. Was Liam Payne left alone before falling? lThe mystery deepens as public prosecutor Andres Madrea is set to challenge the decision by Judge Laura Bruniard to recuse herself from the case. Why? Because despite the shocking abandonment claimsthat Liam was allegedly left alone before his fatal fallBruniard believes local authorities should take over. But Madrea is fighting back, wanting to push ahead with questioning the suspects, including Liams close confidant, Rogelio 'Roger' Nores, and hotel staff. But heres where things get even juicier. The missing Rolexa 30,000 timepiecehas taken center stage. It was allegedly taken by one of two escorts Liam was with just before his death. They claim Liam promised them the watch, but after a dispute over payment, the watch vanished. Whats crazier? The women have engaged legal representation, and officials still havent accessed their phones to check for evidence. The mystery of the missing Rolex is only one piece of this tangled puzzle. 3 men are under investigation As for the suspects, three men are under investigationNores, hotel worker Ezequiel David Pereyra, and server Braian Nahuel Paiz. Paiz admitted to using drugs with Liam but denied being the one to supply them. Nores, on the other hand, has vehemently denied abandoning his friend, claiming he couldnt have predicted what happened after he left the hotel. And lets not forget the dark reality behind Liams death. Toxicology reports show alcohol, cocaine, and antidepressants in his system, suggesting a binge before the fall. Authorities have firmly rejected the idea of suicide, instead indicating that Liam was unconscious when he tragically fell. With all this going down, the question remainswhos really to blame? As the legal battle rages on, its clear that the saga of Liam Paynes untimely death is far from over. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Aliya Fakhri News: New York authorities arrested a woman in Queens for allegedly murdering her ex-boyfriend Edward Jacobs and his friend Anastasia Star Ettienne by setting a two-storey garage on fire. As per the authorities, victims scummed to death due to smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. Daily News reported District Attorney Melinda Katz stating, This defendant maliciously ended the lives of two people by setting a fire that trapped a man and woman in a raging inferno. The victims tragically died from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. Who is Aliya Fakhri? The 43-year-old woman is the younger sister of Bollywood actress Nargis Fakhri. Born and brought up in Queens, New York, her father Mohammed Fakhri was Pakistani and her mother Marie Fakhri is Czech. The couple got divorced during Fakhris childhood with Mohmmed passing away a few years later. Aliya reportedly struggled with opioid addiction following a dental mishap. In her arrest in a recent murder, her bail was rejected by the Criminal Court. Instagram How did Nargis Fakhri's family react to Aliya's arrest? Fakhri's mother defended her daughter and said, "I don't think she would be killing someone. She was a person who was caring for everybody. She tried to help everybody. Edward Jacobs' mother revealed that her son and Aliyas relationship ended a year ago but the woman continued to pursue him. Jacobs' mother also confirmed, "They (Jacob and Anastasia) were friends, not lovers," reports The Post. All you need to know about Nargis Fakhri Nargis made her Bollywood debut with Ranbir Kapoors 2011 film Rockstar and went on to star in several movies including Madras Cafe, Mai Tera Hero, Spy, Azhar, Housefull 3, Banjo, 5 Weddings, Amavas, Torbaaz and Shiv Shastri Balboa. She will be next seen in Housefull 5 and Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Gaurav Gupta, a globally famous Indian couturier, makes a statement with his couture gown at The Fashion Awards 2024, presented by Pandora, held at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Nicola Coughlan wears custom Gaurav Gupta Bridgerton's Lady Whistledown, also known as actor Nicola Coughlan, graced the red carpet in the extravagant outfit. Nicole exuded grace and elegance on the red carpet, wearing Gaurav's black core gown and a heavenly shell in a pastel tint. Nicole's sculptural detailing perfectly complemented Gaurav's distinctive design language. The design debuted at Paris Couture Week SS'24 The silhouette, from the brand's Aarohanam line, which debuted at Paris Couture Week SS'24, has recently been appreciated by a number of Indian and international celebrities, including actor Aditi Rao Hydari at the Cannes Film Festival 2024 and Allison Janney at the Emmys 2024. Gaurav's handiwork has made India proud, with celebrities from all over the world praising it on red carpets and at international events. Nicola kept her makeup simple, accentuating her eyes with the famous winged eyeliner. Her hair was wrapped in an updo accented with a ribbon. The many diamond rings she wore on the red carpet added a splash of glitter to her appearance. Also read: India Couture Week 2024: Rumoured couple Khushi Kapoor and Vedang Raina turned showstopper for Gaurav Gupta For more on such stories on celeb lifestyle and fashion from around the world please visit Indiatimes Lifestyle. 2024 was the year of the elections. At least 64 countries around the globe and more than half of the world's population went to the polling booths in 2024 to cast their votes, in the unprecedented year of elections. 2024: Year of elections Many of these elections have long-standing ramifications, not just for the electorate but also for reshaping global geopolitics for years, if not decades, to come. US Presidential election The most significant election the world saw in 2024 was undoubtedly the US presidential election in November. Republican candidate Donald Trump made a triumphant return to the White House, in the single-most globally consequential election of 2024. CREDIT: REUTERS UK General election Another major election that grabbed global headlines in 2024 was the UK general election. In the general elections held in July 2024, the Conservatives, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, were dealt a crushing defeat. The Conservatives, who had been in power for 14 years, experienced one of their worst electoral performances ever as the Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, stormed into power. CREDIT: AP 2024 Lok Sabha election 2024 also saw the largest election in human history so far, as India went to the polling booths in seven phases, starting on April 19. Over 96.88 crore eligible voters made the 2024 Lok Sabha elections the largest electorate in the world. The BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, retained power for a historic third term, though with a much lower majority than the party had hoped for. CREDIT: PTI Pakistan general election Pakistan also went to the polling booths in 2024, in February, to elect members of the 16th National Assembly. But the election was anything but fair. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by Imran Khan, was not allowed to contest the elections, due to which its leaders appeared as independent candidates on the ballot. CREDIT: PTI Despite this and alleged rigging by the military, PTI-backed independents defied the odds and emerged as the largest bloc. However, they were not allowed to form the government, and a last-minute coalition of PML-N, PPP, MQM and others was given the green light. Election in Bangladesh Pakistan was not the only South Asian country that had a troubled election in 2024. Bangladesh, which was until 1971 a part of Pakistan, also had its elections in 2024. Bangladesh was one of the first countries to vote in 2024 in a largely one-sided election on January 7. The Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina, won the election for the fourth consecutive time with less than 10% of the eligible voters voting. CREDIT: REUTERS The main opposition, BNP, had boycotted the vote. Despite winning the vote, Hasina could not hold on to power for long, and she was forced to flee the country in August in the face of public protests. Presidential and Parliament elections in Sri Lanka Another Southeast Asian nation that voted in 2024 was Sri Lanka, first to choose the country's new president and then the Parliament. CREDIT: REUTERS Marxist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake won the presidential elections in September, and his National People's Power (NPP) or Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB) won a landslide victory in the Sri Lankan parliamentary elections held on 14 November. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. The world's richest man, Elon Musk, who has seen his wealth skyrocket in the past few weeks, has to wait longer for a multi-billion dollar payday as a court has once again blocked his Tesla pay package. On Monday, the Delaware Chancery Court rejected a Tesla shareholder-approved pay package of $56 billion (Rs 4.65 lakh crore) for Musk. CREDIT: REUTERS Elon Musk's paypage approved by shareholders twice This is despite the fact that the astronomical pay package was approved by Tesla shareholders for the second time in a June meeting. The Tesla shareholders had to approve the pay package for Musk for the second time as the Delaware court judge Kathaleen McCormick had originally thrown it out in January this year. Elon Musk's Tesla paypage The multi-billion dollar pay package for Musk was approved by Tesla's board, comprising the world's richest man's friends and family, in 2018, on the condition that the company realise certain revenue and market targets. The compensation package, which came in the form of Tesla stocks, was to be unlocked in 12 different tranches upon the realisation of the targets, which Musk has now achieved. CREDIT: REUTERS How the Musk compensation ended up in court However, the world's most lucrative pay package for a CEO was challenged by Richard Tornetta, who owned nine shares of Tesla, arguing that shareholders were misled by the director board and that the package was not in the best interest of investors. Some other investors, including the California State Teachers Retirement System, also opposed the 2018 Musk pay package. Also read: Elon Musk is the richest he has been so far, now worth nearly $350 billion What court said in January In January this year, Judge McCormick ruled in favour of the complainants, observing that Musk and the Tesla board bore the burden of proving that the compensation plan was fair, and they failed to meet their burden. CREDIT: REUTERS After the Tesla board re-approved Musk's compensation package, Judge McCormick said that although it had been ratified again by a majority of shareholders, it didnt mean it was in shareholders best interests. Musk's pay package, which was worth $56 billion in January, has since appreciated in value to $101.4 billion due to the recent increase in Tesla stock prices. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Farmers' protests continue for the ninth consecutive day in Delhi, creating massive traffic inconvenience for regular commuters crossing the Delhi-Noida borders. On Monday, the protesters tried to march towards Delhi but were stopped at the Noida-Delhi border by the police forces. Since then, they have been sitting on a dharna at the border. Apart from this, they also issued an ultimatum of seven days, stating that if their demands are not met within this time, then they will march towards Delhi again. Amid such a chaotic situation, the regular commuters from Delhi and Noida continue to suffer. The traffic movement on Tuesday also remained slow due to the barricading by the forces on the Delhi-Noida border. With increased security personnel and heavy traffic congestion, there are long queues of vehicles, with some roads at a standstill. Punjab farmers will march to Delhi this week demanding MSP. Police have put up barricades and advisory has been issued for movement of people from Noida to Delhi, The first group of farmers led by Bhartiya Kisan Parishad (BKP) will begin their march today. pic.twitter.com/zFV863mIX0 OSINT ROVER (@OSINT_ROVER) December 2, 2024 If you are stuck in a situation and Google Maps is also not helping you, then try out these 5 Google Map hacks to navigate the traffic more effectively. 5 Google Maps tips you must know to navigate the chaotic traffic today Do a little homework before leaving: Always make sure to check the Google traffic condition before heading out. Google Traffic provides a quick overview of the current conditions in your area. Notice the roads marked in green, yellow, and red to indicate traffic conditions and then step out calculating the time in mind. View traffic in real-time: Select layers in the bottom left corner of the screen, then choose traffic. If it shows a green light, it means the route is clean; if it shows orange, it means there is medium traffic, and red means heavy traffic. Find alternate routes: If your selected route has heavy traffic, then look for a less congested route. You can simply do this by clicking an alternate route option below. Tweak your arrival time to avoid being late: If you have to reach your office, college, or other important places on time, set an 'arrival' by time in Maps when you are planning your route to make sure you won't be late. To do this, enter your destination in the search bar and press the three dots placed in the top right section. Then tap on 'set departure or arrival time,' now enter your destined time and tap 'done.' By doing this, the maps will calculate the best route for your destination. Put the alternate routes as per the issued advisory on the map: The Noida Police have issued advisories that suggest diversions and restrictions on key routes. Add these alternate routes to your Google map. 10:35 5 9971009001 pic.twitter.com/oxRcBwqtGv Noida Traffic Police (@noidatraffic) December 3, 2024 List of alternate routes: 1. From Chilla Border to Greater Noida: You can try taking the Sector 14-A flyover, and then continue to Golchakkar in Sector-15. Via this route, you can proceed through the Sandeep Paper Mill Chowk and Jhunjhupra Chowk. 2. From DND Border to Delhi: For this route, you can use the Flim City flyover, proceeding via Sector-18 and take the Elevated path. 3. From Kalindi Border to Delhi: The best route to take in this is the Mahamaya flyover and then continue through Sector-37. 4. From Greater Noida to Delhi: If you travelling from Greater Noida to Delhi, you can use the Charkha Golchkkar and take the Kalindi Kunj route. 5. For Yamuna Expressway travellers: If taking this way, you can exit at Jewar toll, move to Khurja and proceed through Jahangirpur. 6. From Peripheral Expressway: Try to avoid the Sirska exit, rather use the Dadri or Dasna route instead. Farmers from different parts of Uttar Pradesh are protesting in demand of adequate compensation for the lands that the government has acquired. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending. Reid Hoffman and Bill Gates' most recent podcast went viral on social media, but it caused a stir when the tech tycoon referred to India as a "kind of laboratory to try things." Many were outraged by his remark and called him out for it. Bill Gates said on the podcast, "It's kind of a laboratory to try things that then... when you prove them out in India, you can take to other places. And so our biggest non-U.S. office for the foundation is in India, and then most number of pilot rollout things we're doing anywhere in the world are with partners in India." Bill Gates about India: "It's kind of a laboratory to try things that then... when you prove them out in India, you can take to other places. And so our biggest non-U.S. office for the foundation is in India, and then most number of pilot rollout things we're doing anywhere in pic.twitter.com/JMjuWzRExm Camus (@newstart_2024) November 30, 2024 Bill Gates trolled for calling India a laboratory to try things This now-viral statement did not sit well with Indians and also other people around the world. People slammed Bill for being disrespectful and calling India a laboratory. Reacting to it, one wrote, India is a laboratory, and we Indians are Guinea Pigs for Bill Gates. The human beings in India are samples for Bill Gates laboratory to try things and once they are proven to be effective, taken to the US. This clip doesnt sound right no matter in what context you hear this. Thats why researches backed by governments can often have vested https://t.co/RPZ0FTe2rZ Nikhil Kharoo (@nkharoo) December 2, 2024 Another added, I have been a technocrat since the year 2000 and I adore this guy as the god of technology due to Microsoft. But this has broken me apart, and my respect towards him is varnished. One of most important initiative of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in India is healthcare and immunization Sounds great until you realise Indians may be just a Guinea Pig pic.twitter.com/8LMX8Kx9bd Mac (@pattaazhy) December 2, 2024 People also urged the government to not invite Bill for any events in India because he has such opinions about the country. Social media users also said that they feel that for Bill, India is nothing but a place to experiment in. What do you think about Bill Gates' statement about India? To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending. Cybercrime is rising rapidly in Delhi, with new data showing a 158% increase in cyber scams this year compared to 2023. Delhi Police report that online fraudsters have stolen an enormous Rs 452 crore from peoples accounts by June 2024, a big jump from Rs 175 crore during the same time last year. Clever Tricks Behind the Rise in Cyber Scams Cybercriminals are using smart methods to avoid being caught and to hide stolen money. One common trick is moving the stolen money into several digital wallets. By spreading the money quickly, they stop the police from blocking the first account used in the scam. How Criminals Hide the Stolen Money To make it even harder to trace the money, scammers withdraw it from many ATMs across the country. They also use bank accounts belonging to people who are poor or have little knowledge about banking. By giving these people small amounts of money, the scammers get access to their accounts and use them to hide the stolen money. A police officer explained, Even when the police follow the money trail to the account holder, it is very hard to find the real mastermind behind the scam. Often, the person whose account was used is the one who gets arrested, reported in ET. Sending Money Abroad with Cryptocurrency and Gift Cards To send stolen money overseas, scammers often change it into cryptocurrency or use it to buy gift cards. This helps them avoid normal banking systems, making it even tougher for the police to track or recover the money. Scammers Target Villages and Illiterate People A senior officer said scammers often cheat villagers in faraway areas, especially those who cannot read or write. Pretending to offer benefits under government schemes, they ask villagers to open bank accounts. Once the accounts are opened, the scammers give the villagers small amounts of money in exchange for the account details. These details are then sold to other scammers, both in India and abroad. These fake accounts are a big part of the scam, making it easier for criminals to move and hide money without raising suspicion, the officer added. Cybercrime Cases Increasing Quickly Cybercrime complaints in Delhi have gone up significantly, with 11% more cases reported this year than last year. By June 2024, the National Cyber Complaint Portal had recorded 61,525 complaints, compared to 55,267 during the same period in 2023. This rise shows how widespread cybercrime has become. Common Types of Cyber Scams Cybercrime cases include many different types of online fraud, such as: - Online extortion - Investment scams - Cryptocurrency fraud - Cyberterrorism - Hacking - Phishing - Identity theft Police say criminals are becoming smarter, using advanced technology and creative ways to cheat people and find weaknesses in digital systems. How to Fight Back Against Cyber Scams Delhi Police advise people who are victims of cyber scams to act quickly to reduce their losses. If you are scammed, you should: - Call the cyber helpline number 1930 straight away. - Report the fraud on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal. - Visit your local cyber police station. Reporting the fraud quickly on helpline 1930 can help freeze the stolen money in time, giving victims a chance to get their money back, a police officer said. Tips to Stay Safe from Cyber Scams As cybercrime grows, it is important to be careful online. Here are some tips to help protect yourself: - Do not share personal information like bank details or OTPs with anyone. - Be careful when clicking on unknown links or downloading attachments. - Check your bank statements regularly for unusual transactions. - Use two-factor authentication on your digital accounts. The sharp rise in cyber scams in Delhi is a serious concern, with people losing large amounts of money to increasingly smart criminals. By staying alert and acting fast, both individuals and the police can help fight against these scams. Remember, quick action and being cautious online are the best ways to protect yourself from cybercrime. (With inputs from TOI) To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending. A shocking incident from a Ramayana play in Odisha's Ganjam district has left many horrified. During a live performance on November 24 in Ralab village, a 45-year-old actor, Bimbadhar Gouda, who was portraying a demon, committed a disturbing act. He slaughtered a live pig on stage, consuming its raw organs in front of a stunned audience. The act, intended to captivate festivalgoers, quickly sparked widespread outrage both online and offline. Videos of the gruesome scene went viral on social media, prompting outrage from animal rights activists and political figures. Among those condemning the act were BJP legislators Babu Singh and Sanatan Bijuli, who demanded severe punishment in the state assembly. In response, police arrested Gouda along with one of the event's organisers. They now face charges under the Wildlife Protection Act and for animal cruelty. Berhampur Divisional Forest Officer Sunny Khokar revealed that investigations are ongoing to identify others involved in the play. As per an India Today report, authorities are particularly concerned about the illegal use of live snakes, another violation of state guidelines that ban their public display, even by licensed handlers. The guidelines were introduced in August of last year to prevent such abuses. Hinjili police inspector Srinibas Sethy explained that the performance was part of the Kanjianal Yatra festival. The group reportedly staged the violent act in an attempt to draw more spectators. "We have registered a case and will ensure the culprits face the consequences," Sethy assured. Animal rights organisations have also expressed their outrage, calling for harsher penalties to deter similar acts in the future. The incident has reignited debates about the treatment of animals in cultural performances, underlining the need for stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending. Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis in an interview at the "OT Forum 2024", stressed that "it is extremely important to maintain a movement in Greek-Turkish relations, to have these contacts, which also define a framework for good bilateral relations." He recalled that he will meet with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan both in Brussels in the framework of the NATO Foreign Ministers' Conference and in Malta at the OSCE Foreign Ministers' Conference. "We will have the opportunity to discuss further. These are issues which are currently at the forefront of Greek-Turkish relations, in particular the organization of the upcoming High Cooperation Council in Ankara. And that is why we will organise our further steps," he said. He pointed out that no common ground has so far been found in the discussions on the debate on the "only issue that could be brought before international jurisdiction, which is the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone and the continental shelf". "Nevertheless, we have conquered the ability to discuss, even disagreeing," he said. As Gerapetritis stressed, "it goes without saying that we would not expect in a period of just 16 months to resolve issues that go back decades and which have plagued relations between the two countries". He pointed out that we are in a period of significant mobility on the Cyprus issue and that the improvement in Greek-Turkish relations has been instrumental in enabling the resumption of the Cyprus talks under the auspices of the UN. "The view adopted by the government and its collective bodies, the Council of Ministers and the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA), is that the era of inaction and inertia has not been beneficial," he said. He stressed that Greece is at the absolute centre of international developments, while "it has the privilege in difficult times to talk to everyone, to be the real bridge between North, South, East and West, to maintain a principled stance, which is appreciated by everyone". iefimerida.gr Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized the urgent need for Europe to strengthen its strategic autonomy and competitiveness during a televised interview with Richard Quest on CNN. Speaking from London, Mr. Mitsotakis called for decisive action on shared challenges like defense, energy costs, and embracing green technologies, aligning with recommendations in the Draghi Report. "The warning signs were clear even before the U.S. elections," Mr. Mitsotakis noted, pointing to energy price shocks and Europe's lagging investment in clean tech and AI innovation. "This is a turning point. Decisions on collective defense funding, energy access, and advancing the Green Deal cannot be delayed any longer." When asked about obstacles to implementing the Draghi Report's proposals, Mr. Mitsotakis expressed confidence in pushing forward despite potential resistance from individual EU member states. "Bold steps are needed," he said, referencing past success with the NextGenerationEU recovery fund. "The moment demands collective European solutions, including exploring joint borrowing and deeper integration in areas like capital markets." The interview also touched on global challenges, including the return of Donald Trump to the White House and its implications for Europe. Mr. Mitsotakis viewed this political shift as a potential catalyst to address Europe's longstanding vulnerabilities, but he emphasized that internal reforms must come first. "The crisis has been here all along; now is the time to act." Mr. Mitsotakis highlighted Greece's position as a model of resilience in Europe, citing fiscal discipline, tax reductions, and growth in sectors like manufacturing. "We bring stability and success to the table, showing whats possible when priorities are set right," he said. On local achievements, Mr. Mitsotakis described the Thessaloniki Metro project as a symbol of Greeces fusion of modernity and heritage. With an underground museum integrated into one of the metro stations, he celebrated it as "an example of embracing our past while confidently looking toward the future." Reflecting on digital regulation, Mr. Mitsotakis advocated for stricter oversight of social media and AI while maintaining innovation-friendly environments. "We want technologies that ensure trust and safety, especially for the younger generation," he said. The interview showcased Mr. Mitsotakis's vision for a dynamic, forward-thinking Greece and his advocacy for robust, unified action within Europe, as the continent faces geopolitical and economic challenges requiring unparalleled cooperation and leadership. iefimerida.gr The race to determine Greeces next President of the Republic is intensifying as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis prepares to announce his decision in January. By Yiannis Kantellis This pivotal moment of Mr. Mitsotakis second term is already generating political ripples, with potential candidates and party dynamics taking center stage Mr. Mitsotakis has signaled his intention to propose a figure capable of uniting Parliament and fostering broad consensus. The President must meet the roles requirements and, ideally, secure the widest possible support in Parliament, he stated recently. While maintaining unity within his New Democracy (ND) party is critical, Mr. Mitsotakis appears to be exploring names that could also appeal to opposition parties. Among the most-discussed candidates is former Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, whose name has been in circulation since September. However, Mr. Dendias has repeatedly ruled out any interest in the position. Speaking at a conference, he said: I have no intention of pursuing this role, as it would not benefit the institution or my political path. Despite his consistent denials, his stature within ND and his relatively positive standing among opposition members keep him in the spotlight. Other potential nominees include Bank of Greece Governor Yannis Stournaras and former Prime Minister Lucas Papademos. Mr. Stournaras recently dismissed the speculation as inappropriate out of respect for the current president, Katerina Sakellaropoulou. Yet, his carefully worded response left room for interpretation, with some viewing it as a strategic move to remain in consideration. Mr. Papademos, noted for his role in leading Greece through a coalition government during the financial crisis, is seen as a candidate who could garner bipartisan support. Notably, Mr. Mitsotakis has confirmed that Ms. Sakellaropoulou is unlikely to be proposed for a second term. His deliberations are expected to intensify over the holidays, with close aides reporting that he plans to make his decision during this reflective period. The upcoming announcement will likely have far-reaching implications for Greeces political landscape. Beyond shaping the presidencys future, Mr. Mitsotakis choice will reveal his strategic priorities for uniting Parliament, solidifying his party, and navigating the countrys evolving political dynamics. iefimerida.gr Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, has made a case for Local Government (LG) autonomy, arguing that it is more beneficial for Nigeria to have 774 LG Chairmen, even if they are thieves, than one Governor or President siphoning the money. Speaking at a forum on LG autonomy organized by the House of Representatives Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution, Oshiomhole emphasized the importance of character in governance and accountability. The issue we have to address is about character. Whether money allocated to local government chairmen is stolen or shared with other non-state actors and abused regulations, what will change? he asked. Advertisement Oshiomhole, who expressed his support for the autonomy, believes that whoever has power must account for it at whatever level. READ ALSO: Supreme Court Judgment on LG Autonomy Non-Negotiable AGF Fagbemi I am completely for local government autonomy. I also believe that whoever has power must account for it at whatever level, he said. In his argument against the notion that LG autonomy might lead to financial misappropriation at the grassroots level, Oshiomhole said, Its better to have 774 thieves, with each local government producing one or two billionaires, than to have one big one taking everything. He also expressed hope that the National Assembly would review the legal framework to make it easier to punish chairmen who abuse their power. I hope that God will give the national assembly the wisdom to review the legal framework such that it is easier to punish a local government chairman than the governor who is in office, and you have to wait for eight years (to punish him), he said. Popular Nigeria cleric, Bishop Mathew Kukah, has thrown his weight of support behind President Bola Tinubus led administration, over controversial Tax Reform Bill making wave across the country. Recall that the bill which has passed second reading, was submitted by Tinubu in September 2024 to the National Assembly. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the legislation, has since generated negative reactions from some stakeholders from the northern part of the country. Advertisement Northern Governors and their lawmakers have been kicking against the bill, urging President Tinubu to withdraw it. They believed that the legislation will cripple the regions economy, adding that it will only enrich Lagos and Rivers State. Reacting to the development on Channels TV, on Tuesday morning, Bishop Kukah said that the controversial tax reform bills will end the elites financial recklessness. READ MORE: Tax Reform Bill Aims To Enhance Quality Life, Not To Destroy Nigeria Economy Presidency The cleric urge federal government to ensure that the ongoing reforms lead to the countrys development. He said: Nigeria is a very energetic country with people that are so eminently gifted and are roaring to soar at any time. However, our problem is the inability of states to create enough gatherings to contain the energy, vision, and competing narratives of their citizens. This lack of competitive gatherings often spills over into violence. But I hear you when you speak about all the issues identified. And I am excited about the issue of tax reform bills because, first, I know nothing about it. But I have started educating myself. Any form of reform at all must get this thoroughly dysfunctional country working again. So I am excited because hopefully, we can take the time to listen to the conversation about how to avoid and end this financial recklessness, and the irony of Nigerians living by the seaside and washing their faces with saliva. The reforms should end the narrative of Nigerians living in a country that is so richly endowed but are spectators to the rascality and irresponsibility of the elites who continue to mismanage our resources. So Im hopeful that this is the beginning of a very long journey of fiscal management and efficiency that can lead to the growth and development of the kind of country that we envision. I am convinced that this government has lofty ideas, but there is a total absence of a constructive strategy of engagement. This government needs communication strategies. The Nigerian government needs to convince Nigerians that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and encourage them to be a little patient. I see the conversation around local government autonomy, tax reform bills and others. But the government has to communicate with the people. So when people call themselves government spokespersons- it is not about insulting people, or thinking others cant have different views. But their job is how the ideas of the government are communicated. We need to have an idea of the government reforms. At least six persons have been killed after a fire engulfed the residence of a Customs officer, Tijani Kabiru, attached to the Oyo/Osun State Command. It was gathered that the incident, which happened on Monday morning, left Mr. Tijani dead, including his wife, and four of their children in the Akankan Area of Ede, Osun State. A neighbour, identified as Kola, who witnessed the tragic event, told PUNCH that firefighters from the Ede Fire Station were promptly contacted after smoke was detected. Advertisement He said: I cant say when the fire started, but we observed smoke there at about 3am. The response time of the firemen was not bad, but the house had been badly affected before the fire could be subdued. Kabiru, his wife, and four children were already burnt to death. But one of the children escaped. READ MORE: Amotekun Nabs Suspected Thief For Allegedly Stealing Farm Products In Osun Also confirming the horrible incident in a statement by Spokesman for the Osun State Fire Service, Ibraheem Adekunle, disclosed that properties worth millions of naira were destroyed after the outbreak. He said: We were informed of the incident via a distress call to our emergency number 08030808254 at 3:21 a.m. Our team from Ede Zonal Command proceeded to the scene, with a backup team joining from the Fire Service Headquarters in Abere. The address of the fire incident is Customs Tijani Kabiru Road, Akankan Area, Ede North LG. The street was named after the deceased, who was a Customs officer from the Oyo/Osun Command. Mr. Tijani Kabiru, reported to be in his late 40s, and his wife, said to be in her early 40s, lost their lives alongside four of their childrenthree boys and a girlaged between three nd 10 years. The estimated loss from the inferno is around N200 million, while property worth N500 million was saved. The President Bola Ahmed Tinubus administration has again, defended the controversial Tax Reform Bill, making wave across the nation. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the bill, which was submitted by Tinubu to National Assembly in September 2024, has gained negative reactions of many stakeholders from northern part of the country. Some governors, including lawmakers and civil society groups have kicked against the bill, saying that it is an attempt to cripple the economy of the region. Advertisement Speaking on Channels TV on Sunday night, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, urged President Tinubu to withdraw the bill, as it was earlier suggested by National Workings Committee, for further review. Zulum believed that the proposed bill is to enrich Lagos and Rivers states at the expense of northern states. Reacting to the development in a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday, argued that the bills are aimed at overhauling the nations tax system. READ MORE: Tax Reform Bills: Weve Lost Confidence Of The People Ndume He added that the proposed legislation seeks to consolidate existing tax laws, establish clearer frameworks for tax administration, and create bodies like the Tax Appeal Tribunal and the Office of the Tax Ombudsman. Onanuga said: The tax reform bills will not make Lagos or Rivers more affluent and other parts of the country, as recklessly canvassed, poorer. The bills will not destroy the economy of any section of the country. Instead, they aim to enhance the quality of life for Nigerians, especially the disadvantaged, who are trying to make a living. Contrary to the lies being peddled, the bills do not suggest that NASENI, TETFUND, and NITDA will cease to exist in 2029 after the passage of the bills. Former Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has berated individuals, civil society groups, kicking against Tax Reform Bill. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the controversial legislation submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to National Assembly, in September 2024, has passed second reading in November, 2024. Some Northern stakeholders, believed that the bill is an attempt to cripple the regions economy, while others argued that it will enrich only Lagos and Rivers State. Advertisement Speaking at the Channels Televisions Special Town Hall on the Tax Reform Bills which aired on Monday, Dogara faulted the criticisms of the bills and urged Nigerians to critically examine their benefits. He said: We should remove the cap of regionalism, the cap of sectionalism, the cap of religion and put on the cup of leadership because that is what will resolve the quarrel that we have. READ MORE: Nigerians Are In Hard Times, Tax Reform Bills Dead On Arrival At NASS Ndume I think one of the major objections is related to the issue of timing. Ive heard this from leaders that I respect. But in leadership, when you talk about timing, the way I have heard them talk about is a tragic misconception of the notion of time itself because theres nothing like the future, theres nothing like the past. All we have is now. It is what you are doing now that will become your past. It is what you are doing now that will affect your future. I dont even care if it was part of the presidents agenda. All I am bothered with as a leader is: is it the right thing? Secondly, I have heard about insufficient consultation. I had heard even legislators speaking as if they were spokespersons for some governors forum or others instead of looking at what is right and preferring solutions. Now, I dont know why he [Taiwo Oyedele who leads the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee and a panelist for the event] didnt address some of these issues. But I believe in the course of our interface, he will address whether there was enough consultation with the governors. But I want to say this: at the state level, how many people do governors consult when they are making laws? Im not challenging them. As a matter of fact, in some cases, state laws are written from the living rooms of governors. (From left) Alex Norcross, George Norcross III, and Lexie Norcross in 2021, with the late Martin McKernan Jr. and a copy of the Declaration of Independence which the family purchased. A trust set up for the younger Norcrosses owns more than 6% of Mid Penn Bank's holding company after investing $25 million in its November 2024 share sale. Read more Less than a year after a group led by South Jerseys Norcross family lost its multimillion-dollar Republic Bank investment in that Philadelphia lenders financial collapse, a trust fund for business and political leader George E. Norcross IIIs children has made a big bet on another Pennsylvania bank. On Nov. 4, Palm Beach, Fla.-based General American Capital LLC paid a net $25 million for new shares of Mid Penn Bancorp, a $5 billion-asset lender based in Harrisburg with branches in Bucks, Chester, and Montgomery Counties, according to Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Advertisement General American is wholly owned by Indiana Pacific General Trust, which was set up to provide for the security and well-being of Norcross daughter Lexie, founder of the PhillyVoice website, and son Alex, according to the filing. The family group has invested in other assets over the years, including property in Camden and private businesses, according to public records. Alex Norcross joined Mid Penns manager-training program in 2023 and this past June was named Mid Penns private banker serving wealthy clients in the Philadelphia metro region. He graduated from Drexel University in 2020 after internships with Comcast and the 76ers and completed his Drexel MBA last spring. General American is managed by Susan Hudson, former managing director and currently chair of George Norcross insurance agency, Conner Strong & Buckelew. She has worked for the Norcross family for over 40 years and is its most trusted executive, said Dan Fee, a spokesperson for the Norcrosses. The assistant manager is his brother, Camden-based attorney Philip A. Norcross. Along with shares General American bought earlier this year, this latest investment brought the Norcrosses total investment in Mid Penn to over 6%, worth more than $56 million at recent trading prices. With share prices rising, regional banks have been attractive investments, especially those not burdened by expensive legacy branch networks, Fee said. The Norcrosses are among Mid Penns largest owners. In contrast with Republic, where the Norcrosses warred with managers and shareholders over whether to expand or shrink the bank and who ought to hold top executive posts, family members have made no demands that Mid Penn change course, chief executive Rory G. Ritrievi said Monday. The Norcross family fund began buying Mid Penn shares only after Alex came to us, Ritrievi said. He didnt want to be a lender. He wanted to go on the wealth side. Observing the bank and its plans, Alex wanted to invest in the bank and his sister joined him, said Fee, adding that the Norcrosses see their Mid Penn investment as passive. Alex, because of the family he comes from, knew more about the inner workings of a bank than the standard recent college grad, Ritrievi said. His last name means something throughout New Jersey, particularly South Jersey. Some of thats good, some of its bad, but Alex is his own guy. Alex didnt get his job because of George. George Norcross, namesake of the late Camden-Gloucester County AFL-CIO leader, and his brother, Philip, are currently fighting state prosecutors attempt to try them on racketeering and extortion charges stemming from business deals involving real estate development in Camden. Before joining Mid Penn in 2005, Ritrievi was an executive of the former Commerce Bank of Pennsylvania, a franchise-like affiliate of the former Marlton-based Commerce Bancorp. Ritrievi said he dealt often with Commerce Bancorp founder and chief executive Vernon Hill but had never met George Norcross, who was Commerces vice chairman, until last year, around the time Alex was hired. The Norcrosses latest investment in Mid Penn was part of a more than $80 million share sale by the bank to several large investors. That sale was designed to raise capital for Mid Penn to fund its latest pending acquisition, the $127 million purchase of Bucks County-based William Penn Bank. Ritrievi says Mid Penn plans to continue expanding in the Philadelphia area and South Jersey, where dozens of community banks have been acquired by out-of-town rivals since the late 1990s. We are going to keep our eyes open for additional acquisition opportunities, he said. Overtime compensation rules are changing again but this time theyre going in reverse. In April, the Biden Administration issued its final rules regarding overtime pay. Advertisement Under the old regulations, salaried employees who earned more than $35,568 annually were not entitled to overtime pay when they worked more than 40 hours per week. That compensation level was lifted to $43,888 on July 1, and was scheduled to increase again to $58,656 on Jan. 1, 2025. The U.S. Department of Labor estimated that millions of workers would be entitled to additional pay. But that outlook now looks less likely. In November, a Texas federal court found the new overtime rule exceeds the Department of Labors authority. Last week the Department appealed the decision, but as of now the overtime rule is suspended. Most legal experts expect the incoming Trump administration to not pursue the Biden Administrations appeal and instead let the overtime threshold revert back to $35,568. However, this is not guaranteed. President-elect Donald Trumps proposed labor secretary, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, is a longtime supporter of unionization and workers right to organize. Although her intentions havent been publicly disclosed there is still a scenario where she is confirmed by the U.S. Senate and continues appealing the Texas courts decision. We need to continue to monitor the situation, said Tammy Tyler, manager of employment law compliance risk at Paychex, a payroll processing company. The new administration could withdraw the appeal and depending on who heads the Department of Labor possibly undergo rulemaking to draft a new overtime rule. If youre running a business, this creates a lot of uncertainty. Do you comply with the new rule, even though its still up in the air? Or do you revert your overtime pay policy? READ MORE: Low salary and no overtime: Two Philly-area workers reflect on proposed labor rule change Should you roll back changes? If youve been waiting for the outcome of this case and the presidential election before making any changes to your overtime pay policy then one option is to continue with the same policy that was in effect before July 1. But if youve already taken steps to comply with the July 1 increase then you can roll these changes back. However, this means removing potential extra pay from employees, which could create resentment. Walking back a previously announced benefit is never popular. Claude Schoenberg, a labor attorney based in Bala Cynwyd, is concerned that many employers are in this predicament because theyve already responded to the increase by either paying more overtime wages or reclassifying employees to hourly pay. Wage changes initially imposed by the vacated rule have already been made by many employers, he said. I dont know any employer who plans to convert employees back from hourly now that the rule is vacated and that presents a challenge for companies that have made these wage changes. Employers that previously adjusted the salaries or exemption status of employees are advised to consult with counsel before considering whether to rescind those changes, said Nina Markey a labor and employment attorney based in Philadelphia. They should also know that the ruling doesnt affect state laws with higher overtime thresholds, Markey added. Those include Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, New York, and Washington. Or continue to comply with the new rules? If youve already implemented these changes to your overtime policy, you could continue to offer that extra benefit to your employees going forward. Some may even be planning to go ahead with the increased overtime-eligibility threshold of $58,656 to comply with the now-stayed federal rule for 2025. The overtime debate may be temporarily suspended, but the rule could be rewritten or readdressed by Chavez-DeRemer or future labor secretaries. Payroll processors like Paychex are advising their customers to be cautious. Next steps for employers largely depend on what changes they may have already implemented in advance of July 1, said Tyler, of Paychex. Consultation with legal counsel is recommended, particularly when considering changes in salary levels or employee classifications. Dejohn Lee, seen here after his arrest in March 2017, was sentenced to 40 to 80 years in state prison for a series of rapes he committed in Chester in 2016 and 2017. Read more A Chester woman who was raped by a man prosecutors have described as a violent, methodical predator held back tears as she described how the assault will forever haunt her. She was pregnant when DeJohn Lee attacked her in 2016, and a week later she miscarried, a direct result, she said, of the trauma he inflicted on her. Advertisement I struggle every day. I dont like to be around a lot of people, she said last week at Lees sentencing in a series of four sexual assaults in which he confronted women walking alone in secluded parts of the city. Now, I only walk down streets where I see a lot of cars. That way, I know if it happens again, if someone grabs me from behind, there will be witnesses. Lee, 27, was sentenced to 40 to 80 years in state prison after being convicted of raping and robbing three women and attempting to rape a fourth. Deputy District Attorney Kristen Kemp urged Delaware County Court Judge James Bradley to sentence Lee to up to 120 years, saying Lee had left his victims with a lifelong burden and deserved a similar punishment. In my over 16 years of doing this, I have never had a case like DeJohn Lee, Kemp said. This amount of violent, weapons-based, gunpoint rapes is unusual. This is extreme. He is extreme. Lee targeted the women within a few-block radius of his apartment in Chester, Kemp said. The attacks, she said, showed a predatory deliberation: He waited until the women were walking alone, dragged them into secluded areas, and robbed and raped them. In some of the cases, Lee threatened to kill the women if they called the police. He stole or discarded their cell phones so they couldnt call for help and, in some instances, tried to wipe his DNA from their bodies. Bradley, in handing down his sentence, seemed to credit a request from Lees attorney, Sherri Eyer, to give him at least a chance of being released from prison one day. Eyer told the judge Lee showed signs of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, conditions that also affected his mother. She said Lee was a product of our broken foster system who had little contact with his mother, never knew his father, and was raised from a young age by a foster sister who left him unsupervised and without structure in his life. Instead, Eyer said, Lee found structure and support in Chesters street-gang culture. She said Lee was 18, barely an adult, when he committed these crimes, and has benefited greatly from the medication and treatment he has received at Norristown State Hospital. Kemp, the prosecutor, said she doubted that Lee could ever be rehabilitated and warned that if released, he would continue to attack women. Mark my words, Your Honor: You let this man out of jail, and you will have another victim, she said. This is someone who has lost any right to live in civilized society. Lee, who faces five additional sexual assault charges involving other victims, will return to court on Dec. 17, when lawyers are scheduled to discuss how to proceed with those cases. A Florida man planning to return to the Philadelphia area to celebrate Thanksgiving made arrangements to have sex with a 9-year-old girl in Phoenixville, prosecutors said Tuesday. James Richards agreed to pay $300 to a person he believed to be the girls mother, according to the affidavit of probable cause for his arrest. He asked that the girl be taught to perform sex acts, and that she be instructed to tell no one about the planned encounter. Advertisement But Richards, 53, was actually communicating with a Chester County detective, and he was charged with attempted rape, trafficking, and criminal solicitation. He remained in custody in lieu of $2 million bail. There was no indication he had hired an attorney. Investigators first learned of Richards on Nov. 25, when a Phoenixville woman contacted police and said Richards had told her he had sex with the 10-year-old daughter of a woman he knows in Satellite Beach, Fla., the affidavit said. The next day, as detectives listened in, the Phoenixville woman called Richards and he again described the rape. At the direction of detectives, the woman told Richards, who was planning to visit her later that week, that she had a friend would be willing to let him have sex her 9-year-old daughter for money, the affidavit said. Richards asked to be put in contact with the parent, the document said. A detective, posing as the childs mother, then texted Richards and set up the meeting, according to the affidavit. Richards flew in from Florida on Nov. 30 and headed to Phoenixville, where he was taken into custody, the affidavit said. At the time of his arrest, the document said, he was carrying $300, duct tape, personal lubricant and a bag of Skittles to give to the girl. Detectives noted that he had left his wallet and wedding ring inside his car. Richards is scheduled to appear before a district judge on Dec. 10 for his preliminary hearing. New Jersey Attorney General, Matthew Platkin on June 17, 2024, during a news conference at the Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex in Trenton. Read more Seven people used a system of violence to force minors and women into having sex with people for money in two separate human trafficking rings in northern and southern New Jersey, prosecutors said Tuesday, in what the state attorney general called truly heinous crimes. New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin, whose office has pushed to increase awareness of human trafficking in the state, said the motivation for investigations that led to the indictment of the seven suspects was simple. Advertisement We do this work for the victims. For the survivors, Platkin said at a news conference. For those who deserve justice and dignity and who deserve to be treated like human beings. The human trafficking rings, based in Essex and Cumberland Counties, both involved threatening victims with physical harm and transporting them to locations where they were coerced into being sexually assaulted by people who paid the rings operators, Platkin said. Six of the defendants were indicted Monday, and the seventh suspect had been indicted in August, Platkin said. The seven face charges that include human trafficking, human trafficking of a minor, drug distribution, and aggravated sexual assault, Platkin said. Attempts to reach attorneys for the seven were unsuccessful. Between March 2022 and September 2024, Usiel Luna, 42, and coconspirators Jose Perez-Lopez, 40, Rosendo Vazquez-Hernandez, 35, and Yerson Puentes-Marquez, 28, all of Bridgeton, brought in new groups of women every week to a brothel in Bridgeton, where the victims were forced to engage in sex acts with men for money, prosecutors said. New victims were picked up every week from Queens, N.Y. and Paterson, N.J., and brought to the Bridgeton residence, where Luna threatened them with violence to keep them from trying to leave, prosecutors said. The group recruited women by lying to them that they would be working as dancers, prosecutors said, only to be taken to the Laurel Street home, where they were forced to be sexually assaulted for the suspects profit. The victims were forced to have sex with hundreds of men during the week, prosecutors said. Additionally, the group sold methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, prosecutors said, and law enforcement seized more than $50,000 in cash from the brothel and Lunas home. Luna, who prosecutors said was a supervisor in the trafficking ring, faces five counts of first-degree human trafficking and related crimes, said J. Stephen Ferketic, director of the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice. Perez-Lopez, Vazquez-Hernandez, and Puentes-Marquez all face four counts of first-degree human trafficking and related crimes, Ferketic said. Each man faces a maximum sentence of 20 years to life in prison on the first-degree charges, he said. Prosecutors said Khailah Meekins, 21, and Donte Barkley, 28, both of Newark, ran the Essex County human trafficking ring, advertising sex with three teen victims two 15-year-olds and one 13-year-old on phone apps and online ads. The duo included nude photos of the minors in the ads, and brought their victims to short-term rentals and hotels, where the teens were sexually assaulted by the pairs clients, prosecutors said. Meekins and Barkley would control the teens by threatening them and beating them, in some cases pulling their hair, hitting them with an extension cord, punching, stomping, and biting them, prosecutors said. Another person, Richard Johnson, 24, of Irvington, N.J., was charged with aggravated sexual assault for paying to sexually assault one of the minors, prosecutors said. The arrests and indictments of the seven people and freeing their victims from lives filled with violence and sexual exploitation were victories, Platkin said. But the attorney general urged residents to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity, saying human trafficking is a scourge that pervades every corner of the state. We fight for everyone who has not only survived the horrors of human trafficking, but also those who are working to rebuild their lives one step and one day at a time, Platkin said. Residents packed the Lower Merion school board meeting Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 to discuss a district equity policy and comments by school board members. The district said it would release details about antisemitism training by Dec. 2, but missed that deadline. Read more The Lower Merion School District has delayed presenting a plan for antisemitism training amid concerns about rising antisemitism in the district. In a Nov. 19 letter to the community, the school board said it was solidifying specific training for our Board, and additional training for LMSD staff and students on the topic of antisemitism. Advertisement In the coming days, as we have finalized dates and information from our partner organizations, we will share specific steps we are taking to address this issue, no later than Dec. 2, 2024, the board said in the letter. At Mondays meeting, however, board president Kerry Sautner said that an extended, detailed plan would be presented at the next board meeting. The board needs to review the plan and discuss it during a public meeting, she said. This is a full, entire systems work, Sautner said. On Tuesday, Sautner said the board had been expecting a full presentation from the superintendent at the meeting, but due to the late hour the meeting ran past 11 p.m. and lack of community present, the presentation was delayed. A district spokesperson noted that an in-depth presentation on antisemitism education and training, as well a residency partnership with the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, was planned. The equity policy discussion The meeting was dominated by a presentation of the districts scores on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) and Keystone standardized tests. District officials highlighted a persistent achievement gap for Black students a topic that has been at the forefront of recent board conversations about the districts equity policy, and controversy around which groups are protected by it. While debating a revision to the equity policy in September, one board member, Abby Lerner Rubin, expressed concerns that antisemitism was on the rise and said the policy should focus on all students, rather than the historically marginalized. Countering that racism was constant, board member Kimberly Garrison drew a contrast with Jews, who, she said, had decided to join the group of white people. Another board member, Anna Shurak, also said that Jews didnt face the same discrimination as Black people. The debate sparked backlash, with Jewish community members accusing Garrison of antisemitism and calling for her resignation or censure by the board. Black parents, meanwhile, called Rubins comments offensive and said the district had failed to adequately address racism. Since then, the district has faced pressure to do more to address inequity and condemn antisemitism. A 13-year-old Jewish student at Welsh Valley Middle School who spoke at a November school board meeting said a classmate had told him that Donald Trump will kill all the Jews and raised his hand to him in a Nazi salute. His father, Omer Dekel, a board member of the Jewish Families Association of Lower Merion, told the board the incident revealed the urgency of institutional education around antisemitism for the student body, administrators, and teachers. We need moral clarity and must unequivocally denounce such events, Dekel said, while calling upon other Jewish families to speak out about discrimination. (The districts acting superintendent, Megan Shafer, sent a message to families the next day notifying them of a serious incident involving antisemitic remarks directed toward a student at Welsh Valley, and saying that hate speech of any kind is not tolerated in our schools.) In-depth conversations During that meeting, Sautner said that the school board would be partnering with the Weitzman Museum for antisemitism training that would be happening in the new year. She said the Jewish Community Relations Council would also be involved. A district spokesperson said at the time that the district was also working with the Weitzman Museum to develop a residency partnership for fourth and sixth grades about Jewish lives in America. Shafer, speaking at Mondays meeting, mentioned that partnership, saying the district was having in-depth conversations with the museum. In addressing the rising level of antisemitism were seeing in our community and the world at large, Shafer said, the district has to evaluate its system as a whole deciding how to define antisemitism, and how its staff should be prepared to intervene. She said the district was partnering with the Jewish Community Relations Council, the Anti-Defamation League, and ideally also with the NAACP to offer training to staff to better respond to hate speech. Lower Merion is also changing its data-collection system to better track different types of discriminatory incidents reported in its schools, Shafer said. Shafer who began her remarks by talking about the achievement gap data presented Monday, and acknowledging the sense of devastation about them from some community members said there was also bigger-picture work ongoing around redefining the goals and measures of the districts equity work. What are you doing? Some community members expressed confusion about Shafers update. Frankly, I have no idea what was just presented, Kim Lipetz said, in a comment submitted online and read aloud at the end of the meeting. I dont understand this update on antisemitism, another parent, Michele Vessal, said in a comment also read aloud. What are you doing? When is it happening? A Black parent, Nigeria James, expressed frustration over the focus on antisemitism training. We were not met with this level of empathy, she said, referring to Black families, adding that there was no antiracism programming when her children were called a monkey here. Sautner, responding to the questions about the lack of specifics on antisemitism training, said there was a much more extensive plan forthcoming. We need to engage this in a larger community conversation, she said. Temple University has agreed to provide antidiscrimination training to all students and staff by May 1, conduct a campus survey about the prevalence of antisemitism, anti-Muslim, and anti-Palestinian incidents and review its handling of complaints over the last two years as part of a resolution agreement with the U.S. Department of Education. Temple received at least 50 reports of antisemitic, anti-Muslim, and anti-Palestinian discrimination and harassment during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years, according to the federal departments Office of Civil Rights, which announced the resolution agreement Monday. Some incidents occurred at on-campus protests about the Israel-Hamas war, while others involved vandalism, graffiti, and social media posts, the report said. Advertisement READ MORE: Temple joins universities facing federal probe over handling of antisemitism allegations Among the reports were: A Jewish professor who cited repeated and escalating harassment; students who supported Israel who said they were spit on; an Israeli student who believed her art was vandalized because of her nationality; and a professor who was accused of calling Muslim students terrorists. The report looked at incidents that occurred during an off-campus protest on Oct. 12, 2023, and an on-campus protest on Oct. 25, 2023. Also noted as part of that Oct. 25 protest was an episode in a first-year law class when some students chanted From the river to the sea, Palestine shall be free, as they walked out of class. Other complaints cited in the report included: An Aug. 29 pro-Palestinian rally when some demonstrators went to Temples Hillel and used megaphones to chant at those within the building. A May 9 incident when the Jewish fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi), reported an Israeli flag was stolen from its property and Free Palestine spray-painted on the roof, and a subsequent incident in July on the roof of the house. A swastika drawn on a dorm room door, later discovered by two students. A Jewish student being prevented from attending a Students for Justice in Palestine meeting. A student reporting that the word Jew was written on a car in front of her stoop and that video surveillance showed the writer to be a male neighbor, who is also a student. READ MORE: After protesters chant from the river to the sea, Temple law school warns about disrupting class The civil rights office in a statement recognized Temples consistent proactive and responsive steps to reports of harassment and cited the schools robust processes for addressing reports. But the office said it also was concerned that the school did not take steps to assess whether those incidents individually or cumulatively created a hostile environment for students, faculty, or staff, and, if so, taken steps reasonably calculated to end the hostile environment. According to the letter by Amy Niedzalkoski, chief regional attorney for the civil rights offices Philadelphia branch, Temple allowed multiple university offices that received complaints to address them in isolation, which appears to have contributed to its apparent failure to assess whether the incidents cumulatively created a hostile environment. READ MORE: Drexel faulted in U.S. Department of Education investigation into its handling of antisemitism The North Philadelphia university is among a growing number of schools that have entered into agreements with the civil rights office, following a flood of complaints in the aftermath of Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and the subsequent war. Other local colleges that have entered into agreements include Drexel University in Philadelphia, and Lafayette and Muhlenberg Colleges in the Lehigh Valley. Cases remain open at Rutgers, Princeton, and Lehigh Universities and Swarthmore College, according to the departments website. In a statement to the campus community, Temple president John A. Fry said the university responded to the complaints it received and took them seriously, but acknowledged that improvements are needed. Fry has been Temples president since Nov. 1. While OCR has raised concerns about some of these incidents and while those concerns do not rise to the level of findings, Temple is committed to reviewing and addressing those incidents thoroughly, Fry said. The university, he said, already has clarified its guidance for demonstrations and hosted a teach-in on antisemitism. Even prior to the Oct. 7 attack, antisemitism was on the universitys radar. The school in spring 2022 established a Blue Ribbon Commission in response to the noticeable pattern of rising antisemitism in American society and on college campuses nationwide. It also hired a special adviser on antisemitism in December of that year and created an Interfaith Inclusion Center. As we move forward, Fry said, we remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering an inclusive community. This resolution provides a framework for strengthening our systems and processes to support our students and community and to address and drive out hate. READ MORE: Temple to make arrests in burglary case at off-campus Jewish fraternity Under the resolution agreement, Temple said it would provide annual training to all employees and staff responsible for investigating discrimination and harassment, in addition to the training about antidiscrimination that will be provided to all staff and students this school year. The climate survey will gauge the extent to which students and/or staff are subjected to, or witness discrimination, including harassment, according to the agreement. The university will analyze the results of the climate assessment within 90 days of completing its analysis of the climate survey data to identify appropriate steps the university could take to improve the universitys climate, the agreement states. Vivek Ramaswamy has claimed that there is much waste in what he calls the administrative state. Read more Theres a scene in the 1990 film Goodfellas where Henry Hill is at his lowest and is convinced his mentor and closest friend, James Conway, is going to kill him. He tells us in voiceover how these things go down: See, your murderers come with smiles. They come as your friends ... and they always seem to come at a time when youre at your weakest and most in need of their help. I found myself thinking of this while reading Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamys recent op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, explaining their vision for the Department of Government Efficiency. Advertisement Youd be forgiven for getting excited about their promises. Life in America is hard in ways that are difficult to explain. Yes, stuff is expensive, but there is also an ambient feeling that weve all lost something, or that something is missing. Worse, we cant really articulate what it is. But Musk and Ramaswamy have the answer: tens of thousands of unelected bureaucrats are wasting our money. If thats the case, who wouldnt be in favor of a little more government efficiency? The reality, though, is they have the gun pointed right at you and me. Lets start with their claim that most of our nations legal edicts are promulgated without democratic input. Thats wrong. Go to www.federalregister.gov and you will find a list of proposed regulations you can make comments on. Before they go into effect, the agency is required to read and respond to your comments, or they could be subject to expensive litigation and the rule could be overturned. That sounds democratic to me. When was the last time a politician gave you the chance to comment on a law they proposed? Musk and Ramaswamy arent content with just misrepresenting basic civics, they also give you a misleading sub-Wikipedia summary of two U.S. Supreme Court cases, though I doubt either has ever read a SCOTUS decision. Strangely, the two entrepreneurs peddle high-flying rhetoric about democracy, but when it serves their purposes, they rely on decisions by unelected judges with lifetime appointments. This all begs the question: Who are these unelected guys to tell us how the government should work? They promise to work with legal experts and use advanced technology, but this is just more twaddle. Trust me, I consulted some legal experts (me) while writing this. These people act like our administrative state is staffed by grifters making your life more expensive. The reality is agencies keep our air breathable, our water drinkable, and our food edible. They protect our rights to work in a safe workplace and form unions. They protect our Medicare and Social Security. An agency got us to the moon. Musk makes, in President-elect Donald Trumps words, rocket ships to nowhere. Agencies keep our air breathable, our water drinkable, and our food edible. They protect our rights to work in a safe workplace and form unions. They protect our Medicare and Social Security. The worst part is their promise to fire a lot of people. It only gets worse coming from a guy who designed the worst car youve ever seen and someone you didnt know existed until a few months ago. I would hazard a guess that most of the tens of thousands of employees they plan on firing are not the people at the top. Chances are you regularly interact with someone who has worked for a government agency, whether its Social Security, Medicare, the U.S. Postal Service, or one of the many others we come in contact with every day. Like many bosses, Musk and Ramaswamy want you to think theyre on your side, but the truth is that youre much more likely to be an agency employee than you are a tech billionaire who is gleeful about firing them. None of this is to say that the administrative state is perfect, or that there is no waste. I practice administrative law, and the government makes me want to slam my head against the wall at least once a week. But I also know that handing power over to a couple of unelected oligarchs who have never and will never have my best interests in mind isnt the answer. Theyre smiling. Theyre setting their sights on you. Dont fall for it. Mark Maher is an administrative law/public interest attorney working and living in Philadelphia. President Joe Bidens decision to pardon his son, Hunter, following his conviction for tax evasion and illegally buying a gun undermines trust in the Oval Office at a perilous time for our democracy, and underscores the dangerous message that some are above the law. Indeed, Bidens actions will be used by Donald Trump and his supporters to further minimize the incoming presidents criminal conviction and multiple other charges, as well as any past and future pardons of family members and cronies. Advertisement While there is no equating Bidens pardon and Trumps abuses of power and constitutional misdeeds, the two wrongs do not make a right. In June, Hunter Biden, 54, was convicted on three felony counts related to his purchase and possession of a gun while addicted to crack cocaine. At the time, the president said he would abide by the jury decision, adding, I will not pardon him. In September, Biden pleaded guilty to nine counts of federal tax evasion for failure to pay $1.4 million in income tax from 2016 to 2019. The White House press secretary reiterated that the president would not pardon his son. READ MORE: The Trump Threat: The risk posed by a second Donald Trump presidency | Editorial Series President Bidens failure to follow through on his previous statements undercuts his moral authority and adds to the distrust in government. On various issues over the years, Biden frequently said, I give you my word as a Biden. But in this instance, Biden broke his word. The presidents rationale for pardoning his son is understandable. Republicans relentlessly pursued Hunter Biden for years to score political points. The GOP even launched a bogus impeachment inquiry that went nowhere but provided fodder for right-wing media outlets to falsely drone on about the so-called Biden crime family. Trumps repeated threats to prosecute political rivals along with his reckless and unqualified nominees to oversee the U.S. Justice Department and the FBI may have factored into President Bidens decision. In explaining the pardon, Biden said, I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process, and it led to a miscarriage of justice. To be sure, Hunter Biden has had the burden and benefit of his family name. Many legal experts said he would not have been charged if he were not the presidents son. At the same time, his business career was fueled by being a Biden. However, Biden never had any role in the government, and his crimes stem from battles with addiction. That stands in stark contrast to the many abuses by Trump, who is a convicted felon and has spent his life dodging taxes, while his company was found to have committed financial fraud. During his previous term, Trump issued many dubious pardons to a host of sleazy actors, including his former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, former national security adviser Michael Flynn, and longtime political adviser Roger Stone. READ MORE: After a decisive Trump win, Democrats must figure out what comes next and it starts in Philadelphia | Editorial There were also allegations that Trumps now bankrupt, disbarred, and indicted attorney Rudy Giuliani was selling pardons for $2 million and that the two would split the proceeds. Trump also pardoned his son-in-laws father, Charles Kushner, who pleaded guilty to 18 counts of tax evasion, witness tampering, and making illegal campaign donations. During the investigation, Kushner paid a sex worker to seduce his brother-in-law and videotape the encounter. He sent the tape to his sister to intimidate her from becoming a witness. Trump just nominated Kushner to be the ambassador to France. Meanwhile, Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who served as a senior adviser during Trumps first term, received a $2 billion investment for his fledgling private equity firm from a fund led by the Saudi crown prince. Kushners firm has pocketed more than $100 million in fees without turning a profit. Bidens pardon of his son pales in comparison to Trumps past abuses and looming jobbery. But it doesnt make it right. Elon Musk's America PAC says its verifying the identity of recipients for the PAC's petition cash prizes, as the Pennsylvania Bureau of Consumer Protection says its receiving complaints statewide. Read more The Pennsylvania Attorney General Offices Bureau of Consumer Protection has received approximately 20 complaints statewide regarding unsolicited and unwanted $100 checks that appear to be from Elon Musks pro-Donald Trump America PAC, a spokesperson for the attorney generals office said Tuesday. The nature of the complaints will determine the next steps in how the bureau, a division of Attorney General Michelle Henrys office, will proceed, the spokesperson said. Advertisement Meanwhile, America PAC is claiming on a newly posted FAQs & Payment Program Updates page for the petition that individuals who participated in the cash-prize program were thoroughly evaluated for eligibility. An increasing number of Pennsylvanians from various counties have told The Inquirer in recent weeks that they have received a $100 check in the mail without signing the super PACs First and Second Amendment petition, a necessary step for those who wanted to participate in the PACs special offer for Pennsylvania registered voters ahead of Election Day. In total, The Inquirer has learned of at least 18 individuals who say they have received a check without signing the petition or without knowledge of friends or family members signing them up. Images provided to The Inquirer so far show the checks adorned with one of several dates: Oct. 29, Nov. 1, Nov. 2, or Nov. 4. Some recipients most are Democrats said they received the money before Election Day, while others recalled finding it in the mail in the days after. Individuals were still receiving checks during the week of Thanksgiving. Patricia Domyan, 64, said she has received six unsolicited checks, the most recent arriving at her home in Allentown on Saturday. Domyan was a Republican until around the 2016 election, when she registered with the Democratic Party. The checks include an address from United States of America Inc., which is the name of a holding company Musk established in early October. America PAC confirms on the petition FAQ page that United States of America Inc. is processing checks on behalf of America PAC. The checks also include the words America PAC Petition on the memo line. The FAQ page does not address questions regarding individuals who believe they have mistakenly received a check. However, the page emphasizes that America PAC is doing its due diligence to verify signers identity. To protect the legality and integrity of the program, America PAC has been actively ensuring that checks are made payable to only eligible referrers and petition signers. As a result, some payments are under further review and have not yet been issued, according to the FAQ page. Individuals who signed the petition were supposed to receive their cash prizes by Nov. 30. America PAC has already mailed the overwhelming majority of checks owed to eligible referrers and petition signers, according to the page, but there could be delays due to further confirmation of a signers validity or slowdowns in the postal system. America PAC has not responded to several requests for comment about the checks during the last month. Alyce Bergbower, a Democrat from North Wales, also received a $100 check on Nov. 30 without signing the petition. She said she has voted in every election in Pennsylvania since relocating from New York in 2010. I do support the First and Second Amendments personally, but I thought there was some sort of catch to such a petition coming from Trump and Musk, she said. The petition was one of Musks several efforts to help deliver a red wave and Pennsylvania for Trump, the president-elect, in November. Other initiatives from the billionaire include town halls across the commonwealth, a war room in Pittsburgh, and donating millions of dollars to America PAC. Most recipients of the check said they would not cash it as a protest to Musks work, but some have considered donating the proceeds to charities, like the American Civil Liberties Union, that have ramped up efforts to fight Trumps future agenda. But Musk has been rewarded for his time, money, and effort, having been appointed a colead of the proposed Department of Government Efficiency, a commission that is supposed to provide guidance from outside the government to reduce government spending and waste, though the specifics of the project remain largely unclear. This is about people building strong financial safety nets for themselves and their loved ones. Getting the right advice can set them up for the future; getting no advice can leave them with nothing to fall back [on] when times get tough, Cupitt said. Climate Spotlight caters to the needs of companies and public entities by giving them access to state-of-the-art climate risk data and analysis in a flexible and accessible manner that empowers them to take action and safeguard their people and assets, Zurich Resilience Solutions global head of climate and sustainability solutions Amar Rahman said. For brokers, the challenge is familiar: how do you convince small businesses to buy cyber insurance? According to CFC Underwriting, a specialist cyber insurer, only about 10% of SMEs in Australia buy this coverage. That low number less than some industry estimates hasnt budged for years. For the last three years, AIA Australia has contributed financially to Australians for Mental Health, supporting them in their mission to create a fundamental change to how Australia manages the mental health crisis. Im thrilled to now join them as an ambassador to continue to raise awareness and incite action, he said. Last month, the Marsh McLennan company also announced that it will acquire the remaining 51.5% of shares in Carpenter Turner, an Athens-based reinsurance broking and advisory firm. The financial terms of the transaction, expected to close by year-end, were not disclosed. China Re expressed its appreciation for Wangs contributions in an announcement from the board, thanking her for her service and the value she brought to the organization. Under the agreement, ICIEC will provide reinsurance solutions to CAGEX, allowing the agency to underwrite larger volumes of export credit insurance. This initiative is designed to facilitate Algerian exporters' entry into new markets and support trade expansion. USI a Well-Oiled Machine in Year 30 A thirtieth birthday marks a key milestone in a persons life. Its the age when crashing on your friends couch is no longer an acceptable sleeping arrangement, and when every bend of the back becomes accompanied by a sigh or a grunt. Its also a time to take stock of the past and look to the future. When USI Insurance Services opened in 1994, the Valhalla, New York-based brokerage firm had $6.5 million in revenue and 40 associates. USI (which stands for Understand, Service and Innovate) now brings in more than $2.7 billion in revenue and employs over 10,000 associates across approximately 200 offices nationwide. Appreciation from employees responding to Insurance Journals 2024 Best Agencies to Work For survey has earned USI the Bronze award for the East region this year. In the survey, many USI team members praised the firms professional and collaborative culture, as well as the brokerages focus on growth both as a firm and for its employees. USI is just a very well-oiled machine that keeps moving in a positive direction, an employee wrote. Day in and day out, people reach out to me on wanting to get hired at USI. When asked why she believes USI is a great place to work, Kim Van Orman, the insurance brokerages SVP and chief people officer, said USI attracts and retains talented and passionate individuals, adding that the firm has a unique culture that is focused on personal and professional development, employee recognition, diversity, corporate social responsibility, and success. She later added, We create this environment through thoughtful employee programming, and we do it because we believe our industry-leading workplace culture provides long-term success for both employees and the clients we serve. Van Orman explained that two areas that set USI apart from other firms are the brokerages continual investment in innovation and unique people-focused programs. Together, she said, the programs have created an unparalleled employee experience and industry-leading culture that prioritizes our team members and their families in and out of the workplace. Employees value the effort. In their survey responses, two team members said that the brokerages culture is second to none, and another said that USI will be my last employer. Many more heaped praises on a workplace atmosphere that they described as supportive and cohesive. Management within the organization helps to remove barriers and find ways to achieve success, a team member said. The organization is driven by having the entire team perform at a high level. It is truly a team atmosphere with everyone helping each other to benefit the organization. Many employees also highlighted USI Gives Back, a program in which each of the firms offices participates in local community service events every year. A team member said the initiative isnt just a publicity ploy, and added that they are proud to be with a company that cares. Employees also pointed to the firms Summit Awards program, which acknowledges employees who go above and beyond. The recognition comes with a generous reward, which not only motivates me but also inspires all of us to strive for excellence, a survey respondent said. Knowing that hard work and dedication are celebrated pushes me to give my best every day, and its incredibly rewarding to be part of an organization that values its employees in this way. USI may be celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, but the firm has a more than 150-year legacy of industry experience and expertise gained through its agency partnerships some of which have been serving their local communities since the 1860s, according to Van Orman. I am incredibly grateful to our exceptional team of professionals throughout the country for their dedication to USI, Van Orman said. Our people are at the heart of our organization, and the fact that they nominated USI for this award is a strong testament to our firm-wide commitment to creating a different and better employee experience here at USI. Former TV host Charlie Rose has resolved a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by three women in the wake of his #MeToo-era ouster from CBS News in 2017 and the cancellation of his long-running, eponymous PBS talk show. In settling, the plaintiffs said they assign no ill intent to Rose and realize now that his conduct could be subject to interpretation. Lawyers for Rose and the women younger employees who accused him of predatory behavior and blatant and repeated sexual harassment filed court papers this week confirming that the lawsuit has been resolved. An online court docket listed the case as settled. The terms were not disclosed. The lawsuit had been set to go to trial Monday in Manhattan after years of sparring over the womens allegations and the dismissal of their retaliation claims against Rose. Plaintiffs Katherine Brooks Harris, Sydney McNeal and Yuqing Wei said in a statement that the litigation process and the required pretrial exchange of evidence known as discovery had enabled both sides to better understand each others points of view. On reflection, and after having the benefit of discovery, we realize that different people could interpret the conduct in different ways, and therefore we have resolved the claims, the women said. We do not assign any bad motive or ill intent to Charlie Rose. A lawyer for Rose, 82, and his production company, Charlie Rose Inc., declined comment. The veteran TV host has apologized in the past for his behavior, including in a statement on the eve of his November 2017 firing after at least eight women had come forward to accuse him of misconduct. It is essential that these women know I hear them and I deeply apologize for my inappropriate behavior, Rose said. I am greatly embarrassed. I have behaved insensitively at times, and I accept responsibility for that, though I do not believe that all of these allegations are accurate. I always felt that I was pursuing shared feelings, even though I now realize I was mistaken. Roses downfall was part of Americas #MeToo reckoning with sexual misconduct by powerful figures a social media-fueled movement that also took down Today host Matt Lauer and movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, among others. Rose is now hosting an interview show on YouTube where his recent guests have included author Michael Lewis and broadcaster Bob Costas. Harris, McNeal and Wei sued Rose and CBS in state court in New York in May 2018, about six months after CBS fired him as an anchor on its morning show, then called CBS This Morning, and PBS and Bloomberg Television dropped his nightly Charlie Rose Show. Harris was a broadcast associate at CBS This Morning, and she later worked as an associate producer for Roses PBS show. McNeal was Roses executive assistant. Wei was a news associate and later an anchor assistant for Rose at CBS This Morning. The women, all in their early 20s when they were hired, accused the much older Rose of subjecting them to repeated physical and verbal sexual harassment, including inquires about their sex lives and boasts about his own. They accused CBS of knowingly failing to prevent Roses harassment. CBS settled in December 2018 for an undisclosed sum. The network said at the time that the women had requested the terms be kept confidential. Had the lawsuit gone to trial, Roses lawyer said in court papers that he would challenge the credibility of Harris, McNeal and Weis claims with evidence showing they had previously expressed little or no concern about the ex-anchor. Among the evidence, lawyer Jonathan Bach wrote in a Nov. 13 filing, were documents showing that Wei told a CBS human resources officer that she experienced nothing sexually inappropriate while working for Rose and that McNeal confided in her therapist at the time that she had no personal experience of sexual harassment by Rose. Other evidence cited by Bach showed that Harris had told her therapist that any harassment by Rose was very subtle and that she wrote to Rose two months after working for him that his interactions with her were always professional and respectful. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits A shoplifting ring that stole nearly $2 million in clothes and beauty products from Macys and other well-known stores in the U.S. and then resold them in New York City and the Dominican Republic has been busted, law enforcement officials announced last Tuesday. Five New Yorkers have been charged with felony possession of stolen property, conspiracy and other related crimes, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. The bust served as a reminder to shoppers as the holiday shopping season kicked off in earnest with Black Friday to make sure they are supporting legitimate establishments, she said. When a deal seems too good to be true, I guarantee you, its too good to be true, Katz said. Nationally, businesses lose roughly $100 billion and the average family pays $500 more a year because of the impact of organized retail theft, according to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who joined the district attorney and other law enforcement officials in Queens. The Democrat said the arrests also marked the first time anyone has been charged under a new criminal statute of fostering the sale of stolen goods that she recently signed into law to help crack down on retail theft. This is real simple. Weve had enough with criminals preying on our citizens, Hochul said. We are sick and tired of our citizens feeling theyre vulnerable to random crimes on the streets or these sophisticated organized crime rings. And we are coming after you. Katz, the district attorney, said the group stole high-end makeup, perfume, beauty products, designer clothing and accessories from stores ranging from Macys to Victorias Secret, American Eagle, Sephora and Ulta Beauty over a roughly two-year period. The groups leaders, married couple Cristopher Guzman and Yvelisse Guzman Batista, directed shoplifting crews to steal specific merchandise as they hit multiple stores in New York, New Jersey, Maryland and elsewhere along the East Coast, she said. They also paid truck drivers to divert products bound for retailers from manufacturer warehouses directly to locations under their control. The group, operating out of a home in Queens, then resold the merchandise online as well as at a brick-and-mortar boutique called Yvelisse Fashion in Santiago, a city in the Dominican Republic. Vince Scala, a lawyer for the couple and two of the other defendants, said his clients pleaded not guilty at their arraignment Saturday. They were released pending their next court date in January. The charges are only a couple of days old, and I have not seen a single piece of evidence, discovery or police reports, he said. I look forward to reviewing the case at the appropriate time. This announcement is part of a broader push from Hochul to counter Republican criticisms that Democrats in New York are soft on public safety issues, an issue that hurt her party in the 2022 midterm elections and has remained a consistent talking point for the GOP. Earlier this year, Hochul signed off on a handful of policies aimed at cracking down on retail theft, including increased criminal penalties for assaulting retail workers, new funding for law enforcement teams dedicated to retail theft and tax credits for businesses to install security cameras. She also approved policies that allow prosecutors to combine the value of stolen goods when filing larceny charges and made it easier to criminally charge third-party sellers of stolen goods. Retail theft has also been a concern elsewhere. Videos of brazen shoplifting crews rampaging through stores have been widely shared on social media, fueling widespread frustration that retail crime is rampant and unpunished. Earlier this month, California voters overwhelmingly passed a tough-on-crime ballot measure that makes shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders again. The measure partly rolled back a progressive law passed by voters a decade ago downgrading several nonviolent crimes to misdemeanors, including theft under $950 in value. Associated Press reporter Anthony Izaguirre in Albany contributed to this story. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The city of Hoboken, New Jersey has reported it was the victim of a ransomware attack last week. Due to the November 26 cyber attack, City Hall and the municipal court were closed and all online city services were suspended. By Monday, the city said the majority of services for residents are available online, including purchasing parking permits and other services provided by third-party vendors. However, residents are encouraged to contact city departments by phone, as some city systems including email and Wi-Fi are still being restored. On Monday, the city said it was continuing to work with federal law enforcement, the Hoboken Police Department), the citys IT division, and third-party IT specialists to investigate and restore services following cyber attack. Topics Cyber Norway, illness is becoming an increasingly trying problem. Workers take more sick days than anywhere else in Europe and absences are at the highest level in 15 years. As companies struggle with chronic shortages, critics blame an overly generous welfare system, where spending on health-related benefits outranks other developed nations. The IMF calls it costly and distortionary and says that reform should be a priority. Workers get their full salary for a year, with a cap at somewhat higher than the average wage, and then two thirds of former income after that. Companies tell us that more time is spent on recruitment, getting hold of the people with the right skills, while there is more wear and tear on the employees who remain, said Odd Arild Grefstad, chief executive officer of Norwegian pensions and insurance firm Storebrand ASA. All of that means that productivity drops. But lavish benefits are far from the only cause, and the situation is worsening across Europe. Ageing workforces and more awareness of stress and mental health, particularly among younger generations, have been blamed, as have repercussions from the COVID pandemic. As the numbers increase, so too do the economic costs. For many governments, grappling with weak growth or debt burdens that have put investors on alert, its an extra financial strain. Businesses say illness absences are exacerbating gaps in labor, hampering output, while for workers, being out of work affects earnings and livelihood, with further implications for wellbeing and sense of self worth. In the UK, the number of economically inactive working-age people has risen by almost 800,000 since early 2020. Long-term sickness is taking a near 33 billion ($42 billion) toll of productivity, a number that could double by the end of the decade, according to Zurich Insurance. Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled a plan last week to try to reverse that and get more people into work. The ambition is to boost economic growth and reduce a soaring benefits bill. Similarly dramatic numbers have emerged elsewhere in Europe. Employers in Germany spent a record 77 billion ($81 billion) last year on employee sick leave, more than double 2010 levels, the IW economic research institute has said. The country is losing about 200 billion a year from sick days, government estimates show. In France, the head of the national health insurance agency has warned of increased costs that are straining the budget. Help for people who are ill and cant work is a vital part of the social safety net. But money is just a part of that, and governments want to stop people drifting further away from work, particularly if theres a way to get them into meaningful, secure employment that doesnt leave them worse off. One of the most frightening statistics in this field is that if someone has been on sick leave for at least six months, the likelihood that he or she would leave the labor force altogether is higher than the likelihood of returning, said Christopher Prinz, senior labor market analyst at the OECD in Paris. Any response is complicated, given that there are multiple factors at play, sometimes involving personal physical or mental issues. Governments and businesses have to tread carefully and sensitively. Otherwise, their actions can come across as thoughtless or cruel. Additionally, simply getting people to reduce sick days doesnt always mean an economic boost. OECD research shows that people coming to work while ill so-called presenteeism are more harmful to productivity than losses from those staying away, by two to three times. Genuine Need In Norway, architect Andreas Tingulstad doesnt work full time since suffering a stroke and brain injury, and relies on benefits to top up his salary. The 47-year-old appreciates that the welfare model isnt perfect, but says misuse by a minority shouldnt be an excuse to scrap something that works for genuine users. I dont expect NAV to fix my life, but they are existential, he said, referring to the countrys Labour and Welfare Administration. Usually a disability or sickness is no ones fault. It just happens, he added. Im sure there are lots of people that do take advantage, I dont think you can ever get rid of those people. But you can work to improve it. Norway is lucky in one respect, having the backstop of a $1.8 trillion sovereign wealth fund. However, the government still says that some change is needed. It highlighted reducing sick leave and preventing dropouts from the workforce as key objectives in a report this year. Politicians elsewhere are also looking at options, particularly France, which is desperate to save money. The national health insurance agency plans to contact those off work for more than 18 months to see about managing some form of return. It will also review some doctors and tighten the sick note system. The French national auditor has made a controversial proposal to stop compensation for absences of less than eight days, which could save 470 million a year. Unsurprisingly, there is pushback. The Unsa trade union has said people must stop stigmatizing the sick. In the UK, Starmers plan to get more people into work comes alongside a second measure aimed at improving workers rights, including proposals to widen sick pay access. While the latter reforms will cost businesses up to 4.5 billion a year, the government argues that the expense will be partly offset by greater worker wellbeing that lifts output. Almost 80% of UK firms have experienced increased absenteeism due to long-term health issues, according to a survey by consultancy Barnett Waddingham. A third said this has damaged productivity. But solutions that everyone can agree on are proving difficult. Back in Norway, talks between employers organization NHO and labor unions on their longstanding inclusive working life agreement are deadlocked on the issue of benefits. Society cannot afford sickness absence to continue as it is now, said Anne Louise Aartun Bye, the head of labor market department at the NHO. We have a shared responsibility to reverse this trend. Photograph: Commuters cross a pedestrian bridge heading towards the Bardcode Project financial district in Oslo, Norway, on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. Photo credit: Fredrik Solstad/Bloomberg Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics Europe Business activity in the UK is on course to shrink for the first time in more than two years as companies cut jobs and rein in investment following the budget, according to the Confederation of British Industrys monthly growth indicator. The employer groups survey of member firms found that the budget measures announced in October, including a 26 billion ($33 billion) increase to payroll tax, has hit sentiment across the private sector, compounding the uncertainty caused by the three-month wait for the budget following Labours landslide victory in the July 4 election. Companies, who gave their expectations for the outlook over the next three months, plan to let staff go as hiring intentions fell their weakest since the tail-end of the COVID-19 pandemic. UK Employers Warn Tax Rise Will Hit Investment and Pay The dismal outlook comes in the wake of similar findings by the Institute of Directors. The IoDs optimism tracker for November, published on Sunday, found businesses were the most pessimistic since April 2020, at the start of the pandemic. The collapse in sentiment follows Chancellor Rachel Reeves tax raid on private industry as she looks to repair Britains ailing public services. Alongside the increase to employers National Insurance Contributions, she extended inheritance tax to farms and increased the minimum wage by 6.7%. Reeves has pledged to speed up UK economic growth and increase employment but bosses warn that her budget will undermine both priorities. The economy unexpectedly slowed almost to a halt in the three months to September, growing just 0.1%, and contracted 0.1% for the month of September alone. As we head into 2025 expectations for growth have taken a decisive turn for the worse, said CBI interim deputy chief economist Alpesh Paleja. News that firms are planning to reduce headcount is a concern. This could be an early sign of the impact of higher labor costs from the upcoming rise in employer NICs, and the uprating in the National Living Wage. The CBI growth indicator for the three months to February found that activity will fall, with a weighted balance 10% of firms anticipating a contraction for the first time this year. It was the weakest reading since the three months to December 2022 as members reported a mostly negative reaction to the chancellors announcements. The survey found that the powerhouse services sector is on track to shrink while manufacturers anticipate a little growth. The CBIs backward looking indicator for the three months to November found that activity has already reversed and the pace of decline increased sharply following the October budget. Photograph: Shoppers cross Oxford Circus in London. Photo credit: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Ryan Specialty and Howden Re. A summary of these new hires follows here. Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers Intl Names Birrell Exec Chair, Montgomery as CEO Ryan Specialty, the Chicago-based specialty insurance services firm, announced the appointments of Mark Birrell to executive chairman and James Montgomery to chief executive officer of Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers International, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Both of these executives are based in RSUM Internationals London headquarters. Birrell, previously chairman and CEO of Castel Underwriting Agencies, joined Ryan Specialty via acquisition, assuming the role of chairman and CEO of RSUM International. Birrell is an entrepreneur and insurtech innovator with over 45 years of experience within the insurance industry. His first 20 years were dedicated to the Lloyds broking community, which was followed by his entrepreneurial dedication to found both Wildnet Group and Castel Underwriting Agencies. Montgomery has been with Ryan Specialty since 2016 when he joined the firms transactional risk managing general underwriter, Ryan Transactional Risk (RTR). Montgomery is currently a managing director of Ryan Transactional Risk and has been instrumental in the growth and global consolidation of the RTR platform. He joined the insurance industry in 2011, initially with the law firm Kennedys and subsequently with QBE, underwriting financial institutions and mergers & acquisitions products. The appointments of Mark and Monty reinforce our commitment to expand our executive team and platform to meet our clients needs and international growth ambitions, commented Miles Wuller, president and CEO of Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers. Mark and Monty are colleagues and executives each with exceptional track records of building, innovating and executing on growth initiatives at the highest level. We are confident they will integrate and continue to scale the exceptional talent and resources of RSUM International, Castel and Innovisk and accelerate our international expansion, Wuller added. Ryan Specialty completed the acquisition of Innovisk Capital Partners from Abry Partners and BHMS Investments in November. In a separate deal, it purchased Castel Underwriting Agencies from Arch Financial Holdings (UK) Ltd. in May 2024. *** Howden Re Taps Aons Kroely as Managing Director for Continental Europe Howden Re, the reinsurance and risk advisory arm of insurance broker Howden, announce the appointment of Thomas Kroely as managing director, Continental Europe. Kroely initially will focus on supporting the European expansion of Howden Re, turning his attention to building a team locally following the completion of contractual commitments next year. Kroely will bring a wealth of experience to this role, having most recently served as client reinsurance director at Aon. Previously, he was at Willis Re in London and Paris for over a decade, starting as a reinsurance broker in the Alternative Solutions team for Continental Europe and ending his tenure at Willis Re as head of France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Kroely began his career as a cat modeler and actuary at Brit Insurance and as a financial analyst trainee at Generali France. It is with great pleasure that we announce that Thomas will be joining our team. His outstanding track record and deep expertise make him an invaluable addition as we expand our footprint in Europe, commented Tobias Andersson, head of Continental Europe, Howden Re International. Topics Excess Surplus Underwriting Europe Maryland Aon Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., the Rolling Meadows, Illinois-headquartered insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, announced the acquisition of a Canadian and Australian insurance brokerages. In Canada, Gallagher purchased Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario-based Dawson & Keenan Insurance Ltd. In a second deal, in Australia, it acquired Lambton, New South Wales-based Hann Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd. Financial terms of both deals were not disclosed. Dawson & Keenan Insurance is a retail insurance brokerage serving personal and commercial lines clients in Northern Ontario. Larry Day and his team will remain in their current location under the direction of Dave Partington, head of Gallaghers Canadian retail property/casualty brokerage operations. Dawson & Keenan Insurance has a long-standing reputation in the region and will provide growth opportunities for our retail brokerage operations in Canada, said J. Patrick Gallagher Jr., chairman and CEO. I am delighted to welcome Larry and his associates to Gallagher. The second acquisition of Hann Insurance Brokers provides property/casualty insurance services for commercial clients throughout Australia with a focus on transport. Rhett Hann and his team will join Gallaghers Newcastle, New South Wales office under the direction of Sarah Lyons, head of retail property/casualty brokerage operations for Gallagher in Australia and Asia. Hann Insurance Brokers strong client relationships and transport niche expertise will expand our retail brokerage capabilities in Australia, said Chairman J. Patrick Gallagher Jr. Source: Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Agencies Canada Australia A.J. Gallagher At The Bulow Group, work-life balance is a core value that benefits employees on both sides. We are super flexible as an agency, said one Bulow Group employee who nominated their agency as one of the best in Insurance Journals 2024 Best Agencies to Work For survey. There is a forward-thinking culture that encourages us all to work hard at improving ourselves as we all grow together as a company. Culture is everything within the Tinley Park, Illinois-based agency, agreed another nominator. (The company) strives to provide employees with the work/life balance that everyone hopes for, they said. The owners work to keep personal relationships with all staff. To understand their wants and needs, and you see them work harder to try and make sure everyone gets what they want. And knowing whats valuable to employees is as simple as listening to what they have to say, said The Bulow Group CEO Mike Bulow. We just really believe that everybody is a valued team member, and communication is key, whether you are a manager, partner, head of client service or CFO, Bulow said. That employees needs are heard, valued and met is one of the many reasons why the agency has been named Insurance Journals Midwest 2024 Bronze award winner. In response to employee needs and the agencys rapid growth, the team is preparing to move into its new state-of-the-art offices, which include a full-service gym, a commercial kitchen and many high-tech upgrades. Other services, such as a monthly visit from a barber, are also slated to simplify work-life balance for employees. Instead of downsizing and feeling more alone and remote, were welcoming everybody back, Bulow said. Weve built an environment that is so awesome people want to come back. The agency, which celebrated 11 years in business in October, holds weekly meetings open for employee conversations and suggestions and an annual meeting that gives everyone a voice on all aspects of the business. Some of our best ideas have come out of those meetings, Bulow said. One such idea was the companys new unlimited PTO program, which gives employees more flexibility in their downtime and work hours. The new PTO program shows they trust their employees to work hard and enjoy time off when they have it, one employee said. It makes employees not have to stress in the back of their mind as to what the year might bring for them. In addition to the new PTO program and cutting-edge tech, nominating employees cited little perks that make a difference, such as free weekly lunches and a well-stocked breakroom. The workplace support and benefits drive employees to do their best and exceed their goals. I would say the most impactful thing about The Bulow Group is the support from our owners, they added. They will be in the trenches with us when things are difficult, which I think is very rare to get the owner of your company battling to succeed with you, hand in hand. Across-the-board open communication means problems are addressed quickly, and improvements can be swiftly implemented. Our agency is fast-paced and growing constantly, they added. Ideas are listened to and a lot of ideas of the employees become the reality. We dont have red tape that stops us from making changes, especially ones that benefit everyone. And its only getting better, employees agreed. Each and every year, ownership makes it a point to listen to the employees on how we can get better and make everyones lives better, said one employee who has been at the company for over a decade. Employee requests are implemented each year, and the perks of working at Bulow Group improve EVERY year. I genuinely enjoy coming to work every day and feel like its a second home. General Motors Co. is selling its stake in an electric-vehicle battery plant in Lansing, Michigan, to South Korean partner LG Energy Solution, recouping about $1 billion in investment from a facility that will still supply energy cells to the automakers EVs. The move, which GM announced Monday, reflects a realization by the carmaker that its battery cell plants in Ohio and Tennessee, along with some supplies from the new plant in Lansing, will be enough to meet near-term demand for EVs without additional capital investment. GM continues to grow EV sales, but a slowdown in demand and political uncertainty over the future of federal EV tax credits have made the future prospects for all-electric vehicles less certain. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of next year, it said in a statement. GM still has 50% ownership along with LG in Ultium Cells LLC, which owns the existing two battery plants in Ohio and Tennessee. The plant in Lansing is nearly complete. LG will be able to sell battery cells made in Lansing to GM and other automakers, GM spokesman Jim Cain said in an interview. We have the right cell and manufacturing capabilities in place to grow with the EV market in a capital efficient manner, Paul Jacobson, GM executive vice president and CFO, said in the statement. When completed, this transaction will also help LG Energy Solution meet demand by leveraging capacity thats nearly ready to come online and it will make GM even more efficient. GM and LG also plan to jointly develop prismatic cells, a move away from relying on the pouch cells currently made by Ultium, GM said in a separate statement. Prismatic are rectangular in shape and can be packaged more efficiently to reduce weight and cost, while simplifying manufacturing. Under the direction of Kurt Kelty, a former Tesla Inc. executive who GM hired earlier this year to run its battery development, the Detroit-based company has started making changes to the shape and composition of its battery cells and packs. Kelty said in an interview in October that GM is looking at different battery cell chemistry and shapes to find optimal solutions for every vehicle. Using cells with the same shape and materials made sense when GM started selling its new EVs in late 2022 because it was a way to get a range of models to market quickly. Now that the company has nearly a dozen models on sale, the company can take a deeper look at how it makes batteries to lower costs. With prismatic cells, GM can fit more of them together in a pack to maximize power storage on board the vehicles at lower cost and weight, he said. GM has been in discussions with Japans TDK Corp. to make batteries in a US plant that use lithium iron phosphate technology licensed from Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. of China. Lithium iron phosphate, or LFP batteries, are cheaper but hold less energy than nickel-rich lithium ion batteries. When the Chevy Bolt EV goes into production next year, it will use lithium iron phosphate batteries, but they will not come from a US-based venture with TDK yet. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics Michigan A dispute over the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations refusal to let two e-cigarette companies sell flavored vape products due to their health risk to youths goes before the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday in another case involving the power of regulatory agencies. The FDA has appealed a lower courts ruling that the agency did not follow proper legal procedures under a federal law called the Administrative Procedure Act when it denied applications by Triton Distribution and Vapetasia to sell their nicotine-containing products. The case gives the Supreme Court a chance to further weaken federal regulatory agencies following major rulings in recent years limiting the authority of the bureaucracy that interprets laws, crafts rules and implements executive action. This case places the Supreme Court in a position of oversight over the FDAs scientific decisions, University of Utah law professor Daniel Aaron said. Should it overrule the FDA, it could allow tens of thousands of e-cigarettes onto the market the FDA has determined are harmful to the public health, while continuing a trend of judges intruding on agencies scientific expertise. A 2016 FDA rule deemed e-cigarettes to be tobacco products that, like traditional cigarettes, are subject to agency review under a 2009 federal law called the Tobacco Control Act. That law requires manufacturers of e-cigarette products to apply for authorization to sell nicotine vaping devices and e-liquids. Triton and Vapetasia filed FDA applications in 2020 for products with flavors such as sour grape, pink lemonade and creme brulee, and names including Jimmy The Juice Man Peachy Strawberry and Suicide Bunny Mothers Milk and Cookies offerings that critics call designed to appeal to children. The FDA has approved only 34 flavored e-cigarette varieties, all tobacco or menthol flavored, and rejected applications for more than a million other products including e-liquids with flavors from candy to fruit to various desserts. E-cigarettes in a range of flavors are still easily available despite being illegal. The FDA lacks its own litigating authority, meaning enforcement of its regulation requires cooperation from the U.S. Justice Department, which has generally been unwilling to crack down on unauthorized flavored vape products despite requests from the agency, Aaron said. These companies are flouting the law and are also using litigation to avoid FDA enforcement, Aaron added. To get FDA approval, e-cigarette companies must show that a product would be appropriate for the protection of the public health, meaning any health benefits like helping traditional cigarette smokers transition to generally less-harmful vaping must outweigh the risks of bringing the new product to market. KNOWN AND SUBSTANTIAL RISK The FDA maintains it has not categorically banned flavored e-cigarette products. But companies seeking its approval face a particularly demanding health benefits-versus-risk legal test due to the FDAs finding that flavored e-cigarettes pose a known and substantial risk to youths. The FDA has rejected all applications for flavored vaping products because such products simply cannot meet the public health standard because of their documented potential for creating new underage tobacco users, said Mark Gottlieb, executive director of Northeastern University School of Laws Public Health Advocacy Institute. The FDA found that nearly one in five high school students and almost one in 20 middle school students used e-cigarettes in 2020, making e-cigarettes the most widely used tobacco product among youth by far. It found that youth users consistently cited flavor as a top reason for why they vape. Flavored e-cigarette use is highly prevalent among youth, which raises concerns about creating a new generation of adults addicted to nicotine, Aaron said. Ohio State University law and health policy professor Micah Berman said that in this case the two sides have very different views about what happened. The FDA, Berman said, maintains that it simply followed a law that was largely designed to protect minors. Yet e-cigarette manufacturers have sought to portray the FDA as an out-of-control agency that subjected them to a Kafka-esque series of constantly shifting and impossible-to-understand requirements, Berman said. Triton and Vapetasia in 2021 asked the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to review the FDAs denial of their applications. The 5th Circuit in January ruled in favor of them, finding that the FDA had been arbitrary and capricious in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act. The 5th Circuit ruling created a split with seven other federal appellate courts that have sided with the FDA in similar cases, and prompted the agencys Supreme Court appeal. The 5th Circuits ruling seemed to strongly suggest that in rejecting the plaintiffs marketing applications, the FDA got the outcome wrong, Berman said. It will be interesting to see whether the justices engage in similar second-guessing of how the FDA weighed the evidence, Berman added. Topics USA Zurich Insurance Group said Tuesday its acquisition of American International Groups global personal travel insurance business is complete. Zurich said the acquisition of AIGs personal travel insurance and assistance business, including Travel Guard, for $600 million makes it one of the largest global travel insurers in the market worth about $20 billion in gross premiums while strengthening its U.S. presence. Zurich said it now serves more than 20 million customers annually via more than 200 distribution partners. AIGs travel business will fold into Zurichs travel insurance provider, Cover-More Group. When the deal was announced in June, Zurich said Cover-Mores capabilities will be enhanced by AIGs global IT platform. This acquisition significantly boosts our travel insurance capabilities and amplifies our global footprint. By welcoming Travel Guard into Zurich Cover-More, we aim to deliver unmatched services and protection to our customers worldwide that go beyond traditional travel insurance and assistance, said Cara Morton, CEO of Zurich Global ventures. The buy may include am earn-out payment if certain targets are met after the sale. AIG said the sale excludes Japan, AIGs joint venture arrangement in India, and travel coverages offered through AIGs Group Accident & Health business. Topics AIG President-elect Donald Trumps team has asked a key conservative activist to present a plan to slash federal funding for universities that refuse to scrap diversity and equity programs. Christopher Rufo, who played a role in ousting Harvards first Black president Claudine Gay earlier this year, said he was invited to Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate to deliver the sweeping proposal. A senior fellow at the conservative Manhattan Institute, Rufo plans to attend an event that Russ Vought is holding this Wednesday at the South Florida private club, which has served as the center for Trumps transition planning. Rufo said he will meet with Trump administration officials and pitch how to tie federal funding to ending diversity, equity and inclusion programs at all public and private universities. Potential restrictions could threaten billions of dollars of federal funds that Ivy League colleges secure every year for research and other areas. Harvard alone received $686 million during the past academic year, its largest source of support for research. I hope the president turns the screws on DEI in the Ivy Leagues, Rufo said in an interview. This would put conditions on federal funding, especially the Ivy Leagues, if they practice discrimination regarding DEI. A Trump spokesman didnt immediately return a request for comment. Rufo says his proposal would forbid universities from favoring one racial, ethnic or gender over another, a practice he says violates the spirit of equal protection as well as Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act. If you dont stop discriminating and violating the law, you will no longer be qualified for federal funding, Rufo said. I think that that is the way forward, and that universities would buckle immediately. Vought was tapped by Trump to run the White House Office of Management and Budget after encouragement from the worlds richest person, Elon Musk, and Vivek Ramaswamy, who have been tasked with creating the Department of Government Efficiency to cut federal spending and bureaucracy. Musk has become a fierce opponent of DEI and this week applauded Walmart Inc.s decision to pull back on diversity initiatives. The retailers decision marks a significant reversal in Corporate Americas commitment to people of color, which accelerated after the murder of George Floyd by a White policeman in 2020. Some of the largest US companies have backtracked on these efforts in recent months, partly under the attack of activists such as Robby Starbuck, who has threatened customer boycotts. Universities also have been targeted for years over how they used race in admissions, with critics saying the policies unfairly penalize White and Asian American students. Harvard was a defendant in a landmark Supreme Court case, decided in June 2023, that banned considerations of race in admissions. But attacks over DEI have ramped up in the past year as campuses were roiled by pro-Palestinian protests against Israel and its war in Gaza. Investor Bill Ackman led a high profile campaign linking DEI efforts at Harvard to tolerance of antisemitism and suppression of free speech. Trump and Republican leaders have threatened college funding over pro-Palestinian protests and rising antisemitism on campuses. Harvard has already rolled back some DEI programs. Earlier this year, the university announced changes for the process of appointments and promotions for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, where Gay previously served as dean. In external searches for faculty appointments, it now requests a broad statement of service instead of requiring a Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging statement. Harvard has repeatedly said that antisemitism has no place on its campus. Across the university we have intensified our efforts to listen to, learn from, support, and uplift our Jewish community, affirming their vital place at Harvard, according to a statement in October. Universities have defended DEI as a crucial tool to expand access for underrepresented groups and provide additional support. Rufo said theres broad support for much further restrictions, and hes discussed his proposal in detail with Vice President-elect JD Vance, a Yale University graduate who has slammed elite colleges and previously proposed a massive increase in taxes on their endowments. In June, Vance, a senator, co-sponsored the Dismantle DEI Act, legislation that, if passed, would eliminate all federal DEI programs. Students at colleges also receive millions of dollars annually in grants and loans, money that could also be at risk under Rufos plan. Targeting higher education is part of a larger assault on culture-war issues that Trump is considering across the federal government, Rufo said. Other measures would include denying federal contracts to companies that dont end DEI efforts, according to Rufo. Rufo, who attended Georgetown University, has long been a fixture in conservative circles. Back in 2020, Trump ordered a ban on race and gender bias training programs for the federal government soon after the White House sought Rufos advice on the issue. The measure was later reversed by Joe Biden. He also played a role in helping oust Gay from Harvard by questioning her academic work, saying she had plagiarized sections of her Ph.D dissertation. Gay was already facing pressure over how shed handled antisemitism on campus after the 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas and ended up resigning in January. (Harvard investigated the plagiarism allegations and didnt find any evidence of research misconduct by Gay.) Rufo was also a close adviser to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his crackdown on teachings and books on gender, race, and sex in public schools and at the states New College of Florida. When DeSantis signed laws mandating such restrictions, he had Rufo stand alongside him at the ceremony. Now the fight returns to the White House, the center of power for the country as a whole, he said. I see the Florida play book expanded on the national stage. Photo: Donald Trump. Photographer: Allison Robbert/AFP/Getty Images Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Venture Global LNG Inc. is considering building a fifth project on the US Gulf Coast that would put it on track to become the nations largest exporter of the fuel, according to a document seen by Bloomberg. The project, named CP3, would be in Louisiana near its existing plant at Calcasieu Pass, according to a document prepared ahead of the companys potential initial public offering. A spokesperson for Venture Global declined to comment. The LNG producer plans to file for an initial public offering, the first energy company to do so in the wake of Donald Trumps election win. The proposed new project and IPO come as the exporter is in midst of arbitration with several companies including oil majors Shell Plc. and BP Plc. over contract disputes. Venture Global operates its Calcasieu Pass LNG plant in southwestern Louisiana and is nearing the completion of its second project, Plaquemines, south of New Orleans. Two more projects in the state, CP2 and Delta LNG, are under development. The company is proposing to export 30 million metric tons of the fuel a year via CP3, which has not yet been publicly disclosed. If completed, it would be Venture Globals largest project to date, according to the document. The company plans to make a final investment decision as soon as 2027 with a targeted start up date of 2031. The project would boost Venture Globals plans to reach 100 million tons a year in capacity, a target the company announced in September 2023 following expansion of its partnership with equipment provider Baker Hughes Co. Topics Louisiana With multiple hurricanes rocking Florida and other parts of the Southeast this year, claims professionals have said they are seeing a trend toward soft fraud, with more policyholders attempting to include older or unrelated damage in recent storm claims, and failing to report previous losses on a property. New insurers in the Florida market, several of which have taken out policies from Floridas Citizens Property Insurance Corp. this year, are especially vulnerable to acquiring unexpected risks from previous wind or water damage, said Jose Bill Bridges, president of risk services at Davies North America, part of the international claims, auditing and underwriting services company. Davies has operations across the United States but has a heavy concentration in Florida and the Southeast. Bridges has been in the industry for more than 20 years, on the claims side and in special investigation units for insurers. Insurance Journal recently sat down with him to examine trends in property insurance after the repeated claims events of Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton. His comments have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity. IJ: I know it has been a concern in Florida for some carriers that older damage should not be included in recent storm claims. How do carriers defend against that? JB: They should take a step back. This is what we refer to as soft fraud. You have hard fraud, done with intent, then you have the soft fraud piece. With consumers attitudes toward insurance in general, combined with higher deductibles and higher premium, it has led to this mindset of, Hey, when its my turn to file a claim, Im going to get everything I can. Were seeing quite a bit of unrepaired or pre-existing damage. When we go out to complete our loss-control surveys, whether it is at policy inception when a home has transferred from one owner or from one carrier to the next or at renewal. We also have some clients we work for post-event. A lot of our clients work with predictive analytics, so they have an idea of, when a storm comes through, where they were expecting to see claims activity. A lot of times clients will engage us on claims that were reported, to go in and verify if repairs were completed. Or they will engage us in areas where they were expecting claims but didnt get them to see if theres actual damage there that ended up not being reported. Hurricane Milton, Helene Claims Keeping Rolling In As of Nov. 26, Florida property insurance companies have reported more than 302,581 claims due to Hurricane Milton, which made landfall Oct. 9 on Floridas west coast, the state Office of Insurance Regulation reports. Total estimated losses from those claims now top $3.2 billion, a number that is expected to rise. Some 109,288 claims have been closed with payment. Another 89,880 have been closed without payment by insurers. For Hurricane Helene, which hit the state in late September, some 135,500 claims have been reported in Florida. Do you have some numbers on that? The challenge with soft fraud is it is harder to identify. If one slope of a roof was damaged (previously), maybe now its the whole roof. Thats hard to find sometimes. In a catastrophe event, with the focus on turning claims quickly, a lot of times just not enough diligence is done to check against prior claims history or to go back to underwriting report. A lot of it will pass through undetected. (Later, a Davies representative reported that in about 20% to 30% of the loss-control inspections made, pre-existing property damage is significant enough to trigger a recommendation to the carrier). We work for carriers, MGAs, brokers and startups coming into Florida. Florida Citizens has seen a big buildup of its book of business, and now a lot of new clients are coming in and doing takeouts of Citizens policies. Theres a chance for fraud there. Maybe there was some prior damage under Citizens that never got repaired. Now a new entity comes in and picks up that risk. So, its incumbent on them to get some good underwriting info up front and make sure theres not any damage that was unrepaired or not reported previously. For startups in Florida, this is something they really need to be cognizant of. They need to collect accurate data at inception and make sure they are not picking up somebody elses risk at the outset of the policy. Were also seeing it in non-catastrophe claims. A small water loss, for a home with a high deductible, the homeowner may wait for another one to make a combined claim. Thats fairly common. Insurance carriers will send adjusters out to examine a claim. Where does Davies come in? Davies does field adjusting services. We will be the persons looking at claims, in many cases. But my group is underwriting support, on the back end to verify information, or when a policy renews and shifts to another provider, we look at the risk and see if theres carry-over damage that was not repaired. Some clients might engage us to examine a segment of their book of business, or randomly pick some risks to look at. What are the trends in the industry in this area? One trend in the industry is that many carriers are going to a self-survey model. Its similar to claims where you take photos of damage and turn it in. Some carriers are giving customers the ability to collect photos and turn them in (on claims, new policies and renewals). The insurer just needs to really be aware that theres a growing ability for people to manipulate the data themselves. So, its imperative that whatever technology the carrier uses, there has to be some fraud protection built in. And how do you build that in? You have to be able to read the metadata behind the picture. Our product will identify if theres any manipulation of the metadata: if its a picture of a picture, for example. And it will verify the orientation of the photograph and the location of the photograph. So, in other words, we make sure that its actually your property and not your neighbors. More and more carriers now allow self-surveys on claims and policies, right? It is a growing segment of the market. A couple of top five carriers have initiated self-survey this year. Thats certainly a way to manage costs a way to get info back faster, and its less intrusive on the policyholder. But it comes with additional risk. In auto insurance, this is well understood. But with property, its a little more nuanced. Theyre asking people to take pictures of things they may not be so proud of. A photo could show preexisting damage, or may show that you do not have handrails on the back steps, for instance. If trees are overgrown over the roof, that may not be a picture you are inclined to show us. You may want to go in and edit the trees out, which is very easy to do these days. The recent hurricanes in Florida produced widespread flood damage. Thats always an issue, where people try to claim flood damage as wind damage. Are you seeing that? Yes, thats fairly common in these types of events. There may be some minor flood damage, and with deductibles being what they are, you may have a homeowner who decides to do minimal repair or incomplete repair or not do anything and wait for something that is more of a covered loss to come in and take care of those damages. If Im a new carrier in Florida, and I see some damage that looks old, what should I do? Just not write the property? They need to communicate with the policyholder. It depends on the extent and what the underwriting thresholds are. Ask the homeowner to do remediation work. At inception, there are a limited number of days for insurers to decide if they are going to accept that risk. If the homeowner sends in photos, make sure of the integrity of the photos that they are accurate. Topics Trends Fraud Last spring, the Federal Emergency Management Agency jolted southwest Florida communities most of which were still recovering from Hurricane Ian in 2022 when it announced that the areas would lose their community discounts on flood insurance due to improper rebuilding in flood zones. Over the next few months, local officials in Lee County and the Fort Myers area scrambled to produce documentation showing that many structures were, in fact, rebuilt properly, meeting elevation and other requirements, or were not required to comply. FEMA last month relented and announced that four of the five flagged communities would be able to keep their 25% flood insurance discounts, provided they address some issues and pledge to rebuild better in the coming years. Except for the 5,000-population Fort Myers Beach. In a Nov. 21 letter, FEMAs regional administrator told town leaders that they had failed to meet three of five criteria needed to retain the National Flood Insurance Program discounts for property owners. The town had submitted a plan to address deficiencies and ensure compliance, but it had not adequately assessed rebuilding after Hurricane Ian and had not removed noncompliant structures that were incorrectly permitted and should not have been placed in the Special Flood Hazard Area, the FEMA letter explains. Effective April 1, 2025, the town will be retrograded to a Class 10 in the Community Ratings System and policy premium discounts will not be applied to new or renewing policies, a FEMA spokesperson said in a statement to Insurance Journal. The Town is not eligible to reapply to the Community Rating System for a higher-class rating until the Towns probationary period is concluded, the Town is in full compliance with the minimum requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program, and at least two years has passed since the Town was placed in probationary status. The beach town now faces a $50 fine for each flood policy opened or renewed, going forward; the loss of the discount; and a two-year probation, the Miami Herald and other news outlets reported. If Fort Myers Beach allows improper rebuilding after the recent hurricanes, residents of the beleaguered island could lose National Flood Insurance altogether, stymying building and development, news sites reported. The Town is not eligible to reapply to the Community Rating System for a higher-class rating until the Towns probationary period is concluded, the Town is in full compliance with the minimum requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program, and at least two years has passed since the Town was placed in probationary status, reads the letter from FEMA Regional Administrator Robert Salman. Town officials did not comment to the Herald. Some in the industry have welcomed FEMAs action as a sign that the agency is finally cracking down on communities that allow non-elevated building in flood zones, which can lead to repeat flood insurance payouts. The FEMA rule requires that a home with storm damage that exceeds 50% of the value of the home to be demolished and rebuilt to newer standards and current building codes. Until recently, though, many cities had not strictly followed that rule and FEMA has not fully enforced it, due in part to the high cost to homeowners and push back from state officials, critics have said. Top photo: Part of Fort Myers Beach after Hurricane Ian in 2022. (Adobe Stock images) Related: More Than 30,000 Homes, Many in Florida, Now Face Triple Threat of Flood, Wind, Wildfire Topics Flood California Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to allocate as much as $25 million to challenge President-elect Donald Trumps most aggressive policies with a battalion of lawyers. On Monday the state legislature, led by a Democratic supermajority, will convene a special session at the request of Newsom. Theyre looking to add resources to the states legal team in preparation for what could be a wave of court challenges once the Republican president takes office on Jan. 20. Were in the calm before the storm, Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire said in an interview. Believe me, the hurricane force winds are about to hit this nation, and especially California and other like-minded states. California already has a playbook for thwarting Trumps most hardline policies on the environment and immigration. During his first term, the state sued his administration more than 120 times, winning cases that preserved Californias stricter vehicle-emission standards and protected the legal status of migrants brought to the U.S. as children. Now, Newsom and his allies are preparing for a renewed confrontation, though they face new political and fiscal realities, including a tight state budget and growing dissatisfaction among some voters with the states liberal policies. Lawmakers are considering Newsoms request for up to $25 million for the state Department of Justice and other agencies, with the bulk of the funding directed toward increasing staff and supporting ongoing legal challenges, the governors office said on Monday. Litigation is expensive, and we have to go to the mat to be able to protect the people, the policies and the progress that weve made over these past many years, McGuire said. Attorney General Rob Bonta, also a Democrat, said Monday that he expects California will need to allocate more money battling Trump in court. During the first Trump presidency, California spent about $42 million on lawsuits. The $25 million is a start; its a down payment, Bonta said at a press briefing. Its the beginning, not the end. For a glimpse of the issues likely to land California in court, Assembly Budget Committee Chair Jesse Gabriel pointed to Project 2025, a manifesto for a future Republican White House that calls for mass deportations, rolling back environmental regulations and other steps that would clash with the policies of the deep-blue state. Trump disavowed Project 2025 on the campaign trail but has since tapped several of its backers for roles in his administration, including at the Federal Communications Commission and in border enforcement. A practicing attorney before his election to the legislature in 2018, Gabriel worked on lawsuits against the Trump administration in 2017 over its efforts to repeal the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Speed matters and being prepared matters, he said. Hopefully were not going to need to file a lot of litigation, but we learned from experience. A central issue in Californias legal strategy will be the fight over immigration. Trumps pledge to ramp up deportations has raised alarms in a state with the largest population of undocumented migrants in the nation, at 1.8 million people, according to the Pew Research Center. Californias sanctuary policies and protections for undocumented migrants who power the states economy from agriculture to food service have made it a flashpoint for clashes with federal immigration enforcement. Aid Threat State lawmakers are also considering how to prepare for a scenario in which the federal government fails to provide needed aid after a disaster, pointing to Trumps comments in September that he would withhold wildfire assistance if Newsom doesnt agree to send more of the states water to Central Valley farmers. Still Newsom and other California Democrats face a balancing act as they lead the charge in resisting Trump. Californias budget is roughly balanced but has little room for additional spending, according to a projection released by the states legislative analyst last month. The 2024 election also exposed growing discontent with Californias liberal policies and high cost of living, with Trump garnering 38% of the vote last month, the best showing for a Republican presidential candidate in the state since 2004. For Newsom, who is widely seen as a future presidential candidate himself, that may pose a dilemma. His primary political goal is to be the hero of the Trump resistance, said Dan Schnur, a California political analyst. But he cant be seen as taking on Trumps supporters. Its worth assuming that hell make a great effort in the special session to draw that distinction. Top photo: Gavin Newsom Photographer: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics California Europe's Airbus, Thales, and Leonardo are exploring plans to set up a new joint space company as they look to compete with Elon Musk's Starlink. "Project Bromo", named after an Indonesian volcano, envisages a standalone European satellite champion modelled on missile maker MBDA, which is owned by Airbus, Leonardo and BAE Systems, three people familiar with the matter said. Until now, Europe's leading satellite makers have said only that they are looking at working together to create greater scale in a sector marred by heavy losses, as the rapid growth of Musk's Starlink network dominates low Earth orbit. Although still at an early stage, talks have progressed far enough to earn a code-name inside Airbus and a preferred structure with a new company combining satellite assets, rather than one partner buying assets from the rest, the people said. Leonardo chief executive Roberto Cingolani told Reuters the talks involved various technical discussions and confirmed the intended structure would be based on the MBDA model. "That's the one; it is hard that it can be anything else," he said on the sidelines of an event in Rome. Airbus and Thales declined to comment. The merger proposals are separate from job cuts to be unveiled this week and could take years to implement, one source said. But together, they represent a multi-speed effort to bring Europe's struggling space sector into shape to face competition. Europe's top satellite makers have traditionally focused on complex spacecraft in geostationary orbit but have been hit by the arrival of cheap tiny satellites in low Earth orbit. Mr Cingolani said satellites would become 75% of the space economy. Job losses Talks to reshape the industry's long-term structure come as thousands of Airbus workers await details of space and defence job cuts to be presented to unions on Wednesday and Thursday. Airbus said in October it would cut up to 2,500 jobs, or 7% of its defence and space division, by mid-2026. Thales, which has two existing alliances with Leonardo in satellites and services, is in talks with unions over plans to cut 1,300 space-related positions. The bulk of the Airbus job cuts are expected to fall in the 2bn space systems business, reeling from 1.5bn of recent charges, industry sources said. Airbus has most of its space activities in France. Defence and space divisional headquarters in Germany are also seen likely to be scaled back, while Britain faces concerns over the future of at least one plant. Spain faces pressure in defence. The four nations founded Airbus over 50 years ago and the share of any cost cutting is a politically sensitive topic. Airbus has said cuts are expected to be achieved through voluntary schemes. The emerging bromance between space companies via "Project Bromo" and its vision of a European satellite champion is expected to take longer, following years of stalled efforts. MBDA was founded in 2001 through the merger of Anglo-French Matra BAe Dynamics, France's Aerospatiale Matra Missiles and missile activities of Anglo-Italian Alenia Marconi Systems. It is owned by groups descended from the founders Airbus, BAE and Leonardo with the first two having most control. Just months after helping to set up the world's second-largest missile maker, Airbus' then-parent EADS pledged to "pursue the necessary restructuring" of the space industry. Reuters Fiction Frankie, Graham Norton The multi-talented Ahakista resident returns with his fifth book, in which the titular protagonist recounts the story of her eventful life to her carer Damien. We follow the young orphan Frances Howe as she leaves a sham marriage in West Cork for London, eventually becoming part of the bohemian art scene in New York. Winner of Popular Fiction Book of the Year at the recent An Post Irish Book Awards. The Inheritance, Cauvery Madhavan Another West Cork-inspired story, which weaves themes of identity and belonging with an absorbing time-hopping story. Set in the 1980s, it features English-born Marlo, who moves to Glengarriff after inheriting a cottage there. When he bonds with a non-verbal boy, an ancient tragedy is revealed. Sparks of Bright Matter, Leeanne ODonnell This book from Ballydehob-based author ODonnell blends fact and fiction to enthralling effect. The protagonist, Peter Woulfe, is an alchemist based on the real-life figure of the same name, born in Ennis in 1727. The action begins in Georgian London with Woulfe searching for a mysterious illustrated book, before jumping back to his childhood spent in the shadow of Mount Gabriel. Bright I Burn, Molly Aitken Another book based on a true story, and also by an author with Ballydehob links, this novel is inspired by Alice Kyteler, the first Irishwoman convicted of witchcraft in Ireland. In this imaginative retelling, the ruthless Alice takes over her fathers money-lending business, acquiring and dispatching numerous husbands along the way before standing trial. L-R: Kevin Barry's The Heart in Winter; Gareth Hanrahan's The Sword Unbound; Cork Stories The Heart in Winter, Kevin Barry Barry spent many of his formative years as a writer in Cork, and a period spent in a caravan on the Beara Peninsula provided the inspiration for his latest novel, which he describes as his "western with Cork accents". Inspired by the men who travelled from Beara to Butte, Montana, to work in the mines, it is a triumphant tour de force delivered in Barrys inimitable style. Experiences of an Irish RM and The Real Charlotte, Somerville and Ross Two of the best-known works by Castletownshend residents Edith Somerville and Violet Martin have been reissued, featuring a preface by UCC English professor Claire Connolly. The entertaining exploits of Major Yeates and Flurry Knox await a lucky new generation of readers, while the themes of The Real Charlotte are as resonant as ever. The Sword Unbound, Gareth Hanrahan The Turners Cross author released the second instalment of his Lands of the First Born fantasy trilogy. The Sword Unbound is told from the perspective of a middle-aged warrior whose dragon-slaying days look behind him. Cork Stories, edited by Madeleine DArcy and Laura McKenna The fourth in a series of place-themed short fiction anthologies published by Doire Press, this features stories set in Cork City and county by writers who live or have lived in Cork including Kevin Barry, Martina Evans, Danielle McLaughlin and William Wall. Crime/psychological thriller L-R: Tadhg Coakley's Dark Streets; Amy Cronin's In the Shadows Dark Streets, Tadhg Coakley Detective Garda Tim Collins returns in the third instalment of this compelling and skilfully realised crime series set in Cork City. Collins' attempts to bring justice to a marginalised community resurrects some disturbing memories of his past, when he was himself at the wrong end of a Garda investigation. Cork readers will enjoy spotting the real-life locations, from the Long Valley to Cafe Paradiso. The Good Girl, Michelle Dunne This dark and weighty psychological thriller from the Cobh author and former solider poses the question, would you know a serial killer if you met one? It centres on Grace Murphy, a barista at a Cork cafe, who is out for revenge having experienced appalling abuse in childhood, along with her sister, Amber. But, naturally, things are not as they appear. Knock, Knock, Michelle Teahan Medical scientist turned writer Teahan follows up her debut novel Go Seek with this devilishly plotted novel. The set-up new residents stir things up in a picture-perfect suburban neighbourhood seems straightforward at first but Cork-based Teahan keeps readers guessing to the very end. In the Shadows, Amy Cronin This book completes the Nohoval-based authors Cork crime trilogy featuring Anna Clarke, a clerical officer in a Cork garda station. On leave from work, she takes on a cold case as the Gallagher crime family continue their reign of terror. Someone in the Attic, Andrea Mara The bestsellers keep coming for the writer who grew up in Carrigaline, and in her latest, theres something nasty lurking very close to home. Mara once again gives the reader goosebumps galore in this atmospheric thriller. History L-R: Atlas of the Irish Civil War; Marc O'Sullivan-Vallig's People of Beara Atlas of the Irish Civil War: New Perspectives, Helene O'Keeffe, John Crowley, Donal O Drisceoil, John Borgonovo and Mike Murphy Deserved winner of the History Book of the Year at the recent Irish Book awards, this is another impressive publication from the Atlas series published by Cork University Press. Not just for history buffs, the hefty tome includes the first-ever listing of Civil War fatalities and explorations of themes including propaganda, gender, trauma, and class. People of Beara: People of Beara From Dunboy to Waterloo, Iowa, Marc OSullivan Vallig A deep dive into a host of fascinating characters with links to the Beara Peninsula, featuring interviews with everyone from Guns N Roses bassist Duff McKagan to the first female OSullivan Beare Clan Chieftain, Kelly Sullivan of Waterloo, Iowa. Included also are essays on creator of the Gaia Theory, James Lovelock; and astronaut and oceanographer Kathryn D Sullivan, the first American woman to walk in space. The Untold Story of the OSullivan Beare, Michael Hall More Beara history in this comprehensive account of the legendary West Cork dynasty in the 16th and 17th centuries, which is the culmination of almost 40 years' research by the author. L-R: A Tract for Our Times; The Irish in the Resistance A Tract for Our Times: A Retrospective on Joe Lees Ireland 19121985, edited by Miriam Nyhan Grey Written in 1989, the former UCC history professors book, Ireland 19121985: Politics and Society, transcended the halls of academe to become a bestseller. This collection of essays, featuring contributions by a dozen leading historians, pays tribute to the highly esteemed historian and former senator and surveys his influential work. Spike Island: The Rebels, Residents and Crafty Criminals of Irelands Historic Island, John Crotty An entertaining survey of the island in Cobh harbour latterly known as the site of a prison which housed infamous criminals including notorious crime boss The General and now a popular tourist attraction. Crotty reveals a remarkable history that echoes down the centuries, back to when it was a monastic outpost. The Irish In The Resistance, Clodagh Finn and John Morgan A hugely informative and necessary introduction to the extraordinary stories of the brave Irish men and women who joined the Resistance, including Sr Kate McCarthy from Drimoleague and Captain John Keany, born in the RIC barracks in Clonakilty. Read on to discover the stuff of Hollywood movies. Music L-R: William Hammond's Reeling Down the Years; Rory Gallagher: The Later Years Cork Folk Festival 1979-2024: Reeling Down the Years, William Hammond An impressively comprehensive overview of a festival which has been an integral part of the Cork music scene since 1979 featuring programmes, posters, photographs and the recollections of those involved. Rory Gallagher: The Later Years, Lauren Alex OHagan and Rayne Morales A series of essays covering the latter years of the legendary guitarists career including his comeback show at the Cork Opera House in 1987, his 1988 Irish Tour and his involvement with major Irish events and festivals, such as Lisdoonvarna, Self Aid, Temple Bar Blues Festival, Lark by the Lee and the equally wonderfully named Rock on the Lough. Photography and art L-R: Joe Healy's Cork in Decades Past; Eoghan Daltun's The Magic of an Irish Rainforest Cork in Decades Past, Joe Healy Photographer Joe Healy, formerly of the Irish Examiner, showcases some of his extensive photographic archive of life in Cork in this brilliantly collated collection. His images offer a valuable insight into city life from the 80s on, from both a photographic perspective and as a valuable document of social history. The Magic of an Irish Rainforest: A Visual Journey, Eoghan Daltun Daltun bought his own smallholding on the Beara Peninsula in Cork in 2009 with the aim of rewilding it, a journey recounted in his previous book, the bestselling An Irish Atlantic Rainforest. He continues to highlight the plight of the dwindling Irish rainforest in this book of stunning photographs, taken throughout the country last year. People, Katherine Boucher Beug The West Cork-based artist gives an insight into her creative process in this intriguing book featuring sketchbook drawings, a full-colour section on paintings, and descriptions of how she works. Younger readers L-R: Milly McCarthy and the Christmas Calamity; Eibhlis Carcione's Black Gables Black Gables, Eibhlis Carcione The Cork writer follows up her successful debut novel Welcome to Dead Town, Raven McKay, with this wonderfully atmospheric tale. All is not right at the worlds creepiest school, but will Rosella come to the rescue? Milly McCarthy and the Christmas Calamity, Leona Forde, illustrated by Karen Harte Theres plenty of festive fun and games in the latest instalment of this hugely popular series, as everyones favourite disaster-prone Cork girl literally brings the house down. Disaster Dad: Chicken Chaos, Donncha OCallaghan, written with Karen Owen and illustrated by Jenny Taylor The former rugby player ventures into childrens fiction, and this time its the parent whos the problem, as dads birthday surprise for mum doesnt quite go to plan. Farrons Adventure: A Winterval Tale, Adam King, illustrated by Dave Duffy The space-loving boy from Killeagh who brought us the virtual hug introduces us to Viking elf Farron who is tasked with saving Christmas. Published in conjunction with Waterfords Winterval Festival, proceeds will go to help paediatric patients in University Hospital Waterford. Memoir/Non-fiction L-R: Alice Taylor's A Place Called Home; Conal Creedon's Spaghetti Bowl; John Creedon's This Boy's Heart A Place Called Home, Alice Taylor Another evocative and contemplative collection of stories from the Innishannon writer, pondering home and what it means to her. Individual reflections with a universal resonance. Spaghetti Bowl, Conal Creedon Named after the spaghetti bowl of streets on Corks northside where Creedon and his family have lived and traded for generations, this delightful series of essays and stories covers subjects from the local cornerboys to the Eurovision. This Boys Heart: Scenes from an Irish Childhood, John Creedon Another representative from the talented Cork family, this time the RTE broadcaster, who brings his significant storytelling skills to bear as he delves into his memories of growing up between the city and country. L-R: Clair Wills' Missing Persons; Thomas McCarthy's Questioning Ireland Missing Persons, Or My Grandmothers Secrets, Clair Wills A gripping and tragic family history that highlights the cruel and inhuman treatment of unmarried mothers in Ireland. Wills, a cultural historian born and raised in England, explores her own family links to the mother and baby home in Bessborough, Cork. Questioning Ireland: Essays and Reviews, Thomas McCarthy From a Corkonian poet exiled in the capital to a Waterfordian poet exiled in Cork, this book is an eclectic collection of 50 years of work by McCarthy. The Essential George Boole Logic, Love and Legacy, Desmond MacHale and Yvonne Cohen He had a tragically short life but as the creator of Boolean algebra, the foundation of modern computing, George Boole left the world an invaluable legacy. This book chronicles how he rose from poverty to become a professor at Queen's College Cork, now UCC, and also tells the story of his marriage to the educationalist Mary Everest and the remarkable achievements of his five daughters. Geoffrey Hinton, George Boole's great-grandson, recently became the 2024 Nobel Laureate in Physics. Nature Boy: A Journey of Birdsong and Belonging, Sean Ronayne The Cobh ornithologist recalls how his love of birds and their sounds kept him on track as a child and following a near-death experience in his teens. Along the way, we hear about his autism diagnosis as an adult, and his passion to spread the message on the importance of saving whats left of the natural world. Poetry Cork: Poems by Eilean Ni Chuilleanain, with drawings by Brian Lalor A new and revised edition of the book first published in 1977 featuring a sequence of poems by another one of Irelands finest poets about her native city, accompanied by exquisitely detailed drawings of a disappeared world. Once Was a Boy, Theo Dorgan I never left it; I just live elsewhere. There may be no greater expression of Corkhood than this quote from Dorgan, who has lived in Dublin for many years. This collection of poetry, selected as this years One City, One Book, is a typically assured and vivid evocation of the poets early years in his native city. Medical doctor Helen Barry worried her firstborn was not getting enough milk while breastfeeding. She researched solutions and, along with her husband, developed the worlds first accurate breastfeeding monitor, Coro. It was recently named consumer product of the year at the Irish Design Awards. Breastfeeding monitor, Coro, recently named consumer product of the year at the Irish Design Awards. Coro is a detachable and reusable silicone nipple shield. It contains tiny micro-sensors that measure the babys milk consumption. These sensors are linked to a companion app on the mums phone, where she can check how much nutrition her baby is getting. Pre-loved kids clothes Childrens clothes can be expensive, and they grow out of them all too quickly. This can put families under financial pressure, not to mention the ethical dilemmas associated with using garments for only a short time. Dublin mums Ashley Doyle and Katherine McCalmont want to make childrens clothing more affordable and sustainable for families. Thats why they have set up Bears Club, an online marketplace for pre-loved childrens clothing and parenting essentials. Families are invited to sell their secondhand items to the club. All they need to do is upload photos or videos to the platform. After a quick approval process to ensure safety and quality, those items are offered for sale to other families. The platform also has a community element, with a blog section that shares expert tips on topics like establishing a sleep routine, weaning onto solid food, and travelling with toddlers. Visit bears-club.com to find out more. Meaningful Mindful Poetry Positive poetry Primary school teacher Bernie Woods, aka The Meaningful Muinteoir, is known for her work as a creative mindfulness practitioner for children. The Kilkenny woman recently published The Meaningful Mindful Poetry series, which consists of three books for children, aimed at five- to eight-year-olds; eight- to 11-year-olds, and 11- to 14-year-olds. All three books contain poems Woods wrote to spark conversations about challenging emotions and situations and the mindful practices that can help us navigate them. The books can be purchased online from exa.mn/meaningful-poetry, starting at 9.95. A few festive focail The Irish language repertoire has some wonderful Christmas songs, and a gorgeous new addition to the My Irish Book series will allow your little ones to learn some of them. By pushing the button on Mo Chuid Amhrain Nollag, they will hear five classic Christmas songs, including Bualadh Bos and An Oiche Ud i mBeithil. They can follow the words, look at the colourful illustrations and sing along. This hardback book would make a great stocking filler for a primary school child, and its widely available in bookshops, from 12.95. Food service jobs accounted for more than half of the employment law irregularities uncovered last year, as Ireland struggles with a lack of workplace inspectors, research shows. The food service sector accounted for 54% of employment permit law breaches in 2023, the report by the Economic and Social Research Institute and the European Migration Network (EMN) found. Other sectors responsible for a significant number of breaches that were uncovered include the health and beauty (12%), and wholesale (11%) sectors. Workers who are employed illegally pose a problem for the State in terms of tax take and regulation, while such employees are also in a precarious position due to their lack of statutory rights. However, the research is based upon breaches of employment law legislation. The researchers acknowledged that their work is therefore hampered by the overall lack of workplace inspectors in Ireland in general and the consequent lack of hard information on which to draw conclusions. Theres a commitment to increase the number of inspectors from 63 to 80, Emma Quinn, a researcher with the ESRI and one of the papers three authors, said. Even if you did go to 80, it would be a fairly low number if you think about the number of workers in the State. Thats 80 inspectors for every 29,000 employees. That would be a pretty ambitious workload Ms Quinn described the subject of irregular employment as such a hidden issue. One of the frustrating things is that information is hard to come by, she said. She noted that the data collated by the ESRI has increased in the last couple of years, as Irelands population has expanded rapidly, but added that it is likely only capturing part of the story. Thats only employers who are in breach, but that figure is entirely dependent on the number of inspectors, Ms Quinn added. Undeclared work The report itself focuses on situations in which non-EU nationals are employed in undeclared work, work outside the conditions of their permits, or work while living in Ireland without documentation. For non-EU nationals, working in an irregular situation in Ireland is a precarious prospect. Undocumented workers may be reluctant to report poor working conditions due to a fear of losing their job or being deported In 2023, some 4,727 employment inspection cases were carried out resulting in 293 detected breaches of employment permit legislation, the report said. Those cases are led by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in tandem with Revenue, the gardai, and the Department of Social Protection. However, with 191,600 employers in Ireland in 2023, the overall inspection rate was just 2.5%. The researchers noted that the planned addition of 17 inspectors in 2024 is particularly important in light of the sharp increase in the number of employment permits issued in recent years. However, Ms Quinn said that it is as yet unclear whether or not those hires have actually been made over the past 12 months. Undocumented or otherwise irregular workers in Ireland have benefitted from some changes in how their situations are administered in recent years, with the new 2024 Employment Permits Act providing some protections for workers on contracts but who do not have a permit. Workers who do already have permits, meanwhile, now no longer have to wait a year before changing jobs with that threshold updated to nine months while there is no need to apply for a new permit in order to do so. Trade Union Siptu is to begin talks with thousands of disability workers and other staff about potential industrial action following months of government inaction on a pay claim. Just over a year ago, people with disabilities faced missing out on vital services from organisations such as Enable Ireland and the Irish Wheelchair Association when strike action was threatened. This was averted at the last minute, but since then, unions say talks have not progressed. These organisations are paid by the HSE to provide services under an agreement known as Section 39. They have long argued the failure to increase this funding leaves them at a disadvantage in recruiting staff or expanding to meet need. Siptu sector organiser Damian Ginley, said: Despite several soundbites from senior people in the government claiming that they fully support our members pay claim, the same leaders refuse to give a mandate to the appropriate funding department officials need to address this long-standing issue. Actions speak louder than words, he added, in a statement issued on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the complete inaction by the Government over the last 12 months to address this matter at the Workplace Relations Commission has led to our decision to consult with members on the next steps in their campaign for pay justice, he said. Options will be considered over the next few days, and this will include an option to ballot for industrial action, he added. The members involve staff in vital disability, GP out-of-hours, and home support services across the country, he said. Pay for these workers was cut following the 2008 recession but while pay for HSE staff doing the same work has increased, the Section 39 funding has not kept pace. Government has now spent years refusing to address their claim for pay parity with those delivering similar services directly employed by the State. The lack of respect shown to our members is obvious, he said. He pointed out the work done by these staff includes protecting and caring for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. Last year as industrial action loomed, the Irish Examiner spoke to people relying on the Irish Wheelchair Associations services in Cork. Paul MacGuinness, 34, felt his needs were not being considered, saying: The [decision-makers] just see it as finances going down the drain. Were forgotten I think. The Irish and UK governments are committed to finding a way through disagreements on legacy legislation, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has said. Mr Benn met Tanaiste Micheal Martin at the British Irish intergovernmental conference at Farmleigh House in Dublin. They talked about the controversial Legacy Act that was first introduced by the previous Conservative government which halted scores of civil cases and inquests into Troubles deaths. Labour committed to repealing and replacing the Legacy Act but have kept the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR), which can investigate Troubles deaths on the request of bereaved families, victims and certain public authorities. Last year, the Irish Government initiated an interstate legal case against the UK in the European Court of Human Rights, claiming the Act breaches the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The case remains active, with ministers in Dublin wanting to see how the Labour government resolves its concerns over the contentious legislation before any decision is taken to withdraw the action. Mr Martin said he and Mr Benn had a serious discussion on the question of dealing with the past and the Irish Governments continuing concerns about the legislation. A protester outside the Court of Appeal at the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast (Brian Lawless/PA) The Tanaiste said: My clear view is that victims and their families need avenues to justice and access to information, and significant reform is required to secure that. I heard from Hilary on his plans for reform and I appreciate fully that there are relevant ongoing legal cases also. We will continue to see if we can find adequate common ground and we are looking for mechanisms that would be human-rights compliant and that will secure the confidence of victims, survivors and families. Asked what the Irish people would tangibly feel in the reset of British-Irish relationships, Mr Benn referred to the new governments desire to have a close relationship with the EU and ongoing engagement in relation to legacy. Mr Benn said: We were all here on this platform opposed to the Legacy Act and we have come in committed to repeal and replace it, getting rid of immunity, restoring civil cases, restoring inquests, starting with those that were brought to an end. We have been discussing the role of the Independent Commission and how it can be reformed, because, in the end, we want to have a system that everyone can have confidence in, and can, in particular, finally, provide answers for many, many families that I have met since I took up post, who have been waiting decades to find out what happened to their loved ones, and I am committed to try and make this work. We have agreed between us the Tanaiste and I that we will continue to work together to find a way through on this and I think that is a very, very significant manifestation of the new relationship, because it is very different from what went before. It's really important to the prime minister Keir Starmer and to the new Labour government that we have a strong working relationship Mr Martin said he had already seen the difference for legacy families seeking information and justice. He said: There are real families behind the title, we call it legacy issues, but there are real families, real suffering and people who need to get closure and get information, and to get justice, and the Secretary of State has already initiated and announced a public inquiry into the (Pat) Finucane case thats all tangible manifestation of the reset of the relationship. Mr Benn said the pair reflected on the reset in the relationship between the United Kingdom and the Irish Government. He continued: Its really important to the prime minister Keir Starmer and to the new Labour government that we have a strong working relationship, and I think the spirit of the dialogue that has characterised todays meeting of the conference is a reflection of that. It also reminds us that we make the greatest progress above all in Northern Ireland when the British government and the Irish Government work together. Fianna Fail was the clear winner of last weeks General Election, securing 48 of the Dail parliaments 174 seats. (l to r) Helen McEntee, Hilary Benn, Fleur Anderson and Micheal Martin after speaking at the conference (Liam McBurney/PA) Fianna Fail leader Mr Martin was grilled by reporters as to his partys plans for formation of government, but the Northern Ireland Secretary said any change will not impact his governments commitment to a reset of British-Irish relations. The Irish people have spoken, it is for the political system here in Ireland to agree a new government, he said. All I will say is that the British government looks forward to working closely with that new government when its formed in the spirit of renewed co-operation that I think has characterised the relationship between our two governments since we were elected on July 4. Justice Minister Helen McEntee and Northern Ireland Office minister Fleur Anderson were also in attendance at the conference. Speaking to reporters, Ms McEntee said they had discussed security co-operation including any threat from so-called dissidents, adding that the Irish Government would have significant and close co-operation with the Omagh bomb inquiry. She said: Were working very closely with the inquiry to ensure that the appropriate structure is put in place so that sharing of information and also cross-examination on a cross-jurisdictional basis can take place while protecting individuals, but, above all, ensuring that the information is shared. Ms Anderson said that the transformation of public services in Northern Ireland and violence against women and girls were also discussed. Hard-pressed families in Cork and around the country are facing the choice of heating their home or buying food on any given day, a leading charity has said. The Society of St Vincent De Paul (SVP) said it continues to receive a high volume of calls, particularly as we head towards Christmas. The main thing is having enough money to cover food on the table and heat their homes, but trying to manage Christmas at the same time is difficult, said SVPs southwest regional co-ordinator Gerry Garvey. In a country thats comfortably well-off, we should ensure that families have a basic standard of living. Mr Garvey said the charity distributes 18,500 food hampers across the year, with 4,000 Christmas hampers set to be distributed in the run-up to December 25, packed with both fresh and tinned foods to support families. In Cork alone, he said, 400 families would be supported with coal and fuel for their homes to help them through the cold period to March. He said: For people who are well-off, they get the credit card bill after Christmas and cringe. For people who are on the breadline, its a completely different story. He said recent years have been marked by more and more people reaching out to SVP who had not done so before. Mr Garvey said: Its like the new poor. People who were working full time whod previously been able to pay their way now found themselves in this rising cost of living and theyre struggling. They may have had some money set aside but thats used up. And we still get those calls. Its a real crisis and it indicates from a policy perspective, they havent got it right. With a new government set to be formed in the wake of the general election results, he said that further measures such as indexation of social welfare should be examined. Mr Garvey added that a number of initiatives are ongoing from the charity to try to secure support from the public, such as its national giving Sunday this weekend and a large draw to win a car in Cork and Kerry. His comments came as the Irish Examiner announced details of its annual fundraising drive for the charity. As part of the campaign, the Irish Examiner is asking readers to nominate a child or young person for a little act of kindness that theyve done this year, and many of their names and stories will be published in the Irish Examiner and on the ieParenting online hub on Saturday, December 21. Each nominee will also receive a certificate of thanks from the Irish Examiner and SVP and be entered into a draw to win a 250 gift voucher. The Irish Examiner will make a donation to SVP in recognition of these acts of kindness. Nominations can be submitted at irishexaminer.com/littleactsofkindness. Karen ODonoghue, managing director of the Irish Examiner and The Echo, said: We are thrilled to once again support St Vincent de Paul this Christmas. Their invaluable work provides essential support to those in need, and we are proud to contribute to such a worthwhile cause. Donations to SVP can be made here. A University College Cork (UCC) researcher has been awarded a prestigious 2m grant to map the complex legacy of the Vikings in Europe. From the 8th the 11th century, the Vikings traded and conquered their way across the continent, leaving lasting legacies across Ireland, Spain, France, Ukraine and elsewhere. Many of the lands they settled including Normandy, England and the Scottish Isles later became integrated into developing European states, meaning their profound mark on the language, literature, place names and popular culture of Europe persists to this day. Now, Dr Tom Birkett, senior lecturer in Old English at UCC's School of English and Digital Humanities, has been awarded a 2m European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant to measure the impact of the Vikings, and how perception of them has developed to reflect the politics, identities and cultural memories of different communities across Europe. Part of Dr Birkett's five-year project will be a unique crowdsourced map, called NorseMap, which aims to map how Vikings are understood across Europe and to investigate "how the modern understanding of the Vikings has developed over a thousand years and been reimagined in increasingly diverse ways". 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 "I am excited to lead a project that takes on such a big challenge and that hopes to get people involved in mapping the Vikings across Europe. The Vikings are popular for a reason, and this project hopes to find out why, and what impact this period of history has on our politics, our culture, and our European identity," Dr Birkett said. Dr Birkett and his team say NorseMap will "make a step change in cultural heritage crowdsourcing" and, overall, the research has the potential to "not only change the way that we carry out reception studies, but also how we think about history and the role we all play in creating it. The Vikings are everywhere we look in the modern world, used to entertain, sell products, promote tourism, underpin political movements, and support diverse identities. "NorseMap asks how is the Viking past used today, and how has public understanding of the Vikings evolved over time?" A Viking sword at the Viking Triangle, Waterford. Picture: Denis Minihane Another aspect of the project is the investigation of how ideas, misinformation, and extremist narratives about the Vikings have evolved. Viking symbolism has a long history within the extreme-right and references to Viking and Nordic culture have been noted within the actions of right-wing extremists and extremist groups in recent years. The UCC research team say interrogating the extent to which the Viking is a construct used to project values and identities onto the past will aid them in measuring "the impact of a historical phenomenon on the present, and to understand how ideas including misinformation and extremist narratives develop and spread". Congratulations to Tom on securing such a highly competitive and prestigious ERC Consolidator Award. I welcome the opportunities that this award will offer Tom to expand his research team and further develop the international impact of his work," UCC vice-president for research and innovation Professor John F Cryan said. "I look forward to following the progress of the NorseMap project, and in particular, the citizen science aspect to it. An older man spotted the group of canvassers coming and, when they approached, he refused to take the political leaflet being pushed in his direction. He had already made up his mind, so didn't need to read the literature. "Your leader is a breath of fresh air," he told Social Democrats candidate Padraig Rice and his canvassing team in Cork South Central. "We need more young people in the Dail," he said, promising his support in the general election. That support has translated into a Dail seat for Mr Rice, who was only elected a councillor for the first time earlier this year. It has also been replicated in constituencies across the country. Hollymania first swept the country when the Cork South West was elevated to party leader back in March 2023. Since then, the quiet swell in support for the Social Democrats has continued which was borne out in June's local elections and Friday's general election. Key to that has been Ms Cairns herself, who has galvanised support amongst younger women a group not usually involved in politics in large numbers. But, as the canvass with Mr Rice showed, her popularity extends far beyond those of her own gender or age. While Cairns herself will not be present when the Dail returns to nominate a Ceann Comhairle next month having given birth to a daughter on election day and therefore will be on maternity leave her party will be taking over five more seats than it did when it returned with six TDs after the 2020 general election. It makes the Social Democrats the fourth largest party in the Dail and very much in the mix when it comes to negotiations around forming a coalition. Social Democrats Padraig Rice celebrates with his husband Aaron OSullivan as he takes the final seat in Cork South Central. Picture: Chani Anderson On Monday, Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald made contact with the Social Democrats as well as Labour in a bid to gather a left-leaning coalition. However, the only real option remains a coalition with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. Ahead of Friday's vote, some within the two Civil War parties had been talking down the possibility of entering power with the Social Democrats with one Fine Gael source suggesting that the party is "too idealistic", a comment which was not meant as a compliment. Part of the Social Democrats success in last week's general election has been the fact that the party was extremely transfer friendly, meaning candidates crossed the line, sometimes unexpectedly. This included Cork East where Liam Quaide got the final bounce of the ball to win him the final seat. The former Green Party member had conceded defeat just hours before he was elected, stating on social media: "I may briefly get into that fray with later Green transfers, but these will not be enough to see me through." However, he gained ground as the transfers went his way and was elected on the 12th count. It was a similar situation for Eoin Hayes, taking the final seat in Dublin Bay South late on Sunday night. In doing so, he took out sitting Sinn Fein TD Chris Andrews. Part of Ms Cairns' appeal, which has filtered down to provide a knock-on support for those running under her party's banner, is her unconventional approach to politics. Social Democrats candidate Gary Gannon with wife Clodagh Allen in the RDS Count Centre in Dublin, where he was elected on the eighth count. Picture: Eamonn Farrell/ RollingNews.ie She is a farmer who has repeatedly called for an end to the nitrates derogation when almost all others in the political sphere have been backing the calls of the agricultural lobby to maintain it. At a time of almost unbridled economic prosperity, her party did not promise tax cuts ahead of the general election instead focusing on the need to deliver services for those with disabilities and the full implementation of Slaintecare. The party has championed what are sometimes considered niche issues, like calling for an end to state support of the greyhound industry; campaigning for better maternity services; and highlighting the war in Gaza. "There is an underestimation of the electorate, and particularly of people in rural areas, this kind of 'oh rural Ireland, sure they're all just anti-climate action and they'll never vote for something like marriage equality', all these just completely untrue and insulting presumptions about us, because we live in a rural area," Ms Cairns told the Irish Examiner shortly after she was elevated to party leader. It's an honest and upfront approach, that deputy leader Cian O'Callaghan stressed during the campaign, and which has cut through to voters. The Independent Ireland party has announced the return to politics of Cork's Noel O'Flynn. Mr O'Flynn, the Blackpool-based former Fianna Fail TD is expected to seek to be co-opted onto the Cork City Council seat being vacated by his son Ken after he was elected to the Dail. Mr O'Flynn was a TD for Cork North Central from 1997 to 2011. The newly-elected younger O'Flynn has been a councillor since 2008, first in Fianna Fail and as an independent since 2020. He ran in the general election for Independent Ireland. A statement by the party on Tuesday said: "Independent Ireland is pleased to announce that former Teachta Dala (TD) Noel OFlynn will be our official nominee for the recently vacated seat on Cork City Council. With a distinguished career dedicated to public service, we are confident that Noels return will bring invaluable experience and insight to our local governance. "Noel OFlynn has been a formidable figure in Cork politics since his initial service on the Cork City Council beginning in 1991, followed by his election to Dail Eireann, where he served until his retirement in 2011. Throughout his career, Noel has demonstrated unwavering commitment to the people of Cork, advocating for community development and advancing important local issues. "His wealth of experience, combined with a deep understanding of the needs and aspirations of Corks residents, uniquely positions him to make significant contributions to the citys ongoing development. We believe his tremendous skill set will be an asset to the council as it addresses current challenges and seeks to enhance the quality of life for all citizens. "Independent Ireland is excited about this new chapter and looks forward to working with Noel OFlynn as he re-engages with the community and brings his vision for a thriving Cork to fruition." It is understood that Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins approached newly elected Mr OFlynn last night and asked would Noel be interested in being co-opted. Speaking on Tuesday, Ken O'Flynn said the party had "decided the best option to fill my seat is someone who can hit the ground running". He has more energy at 72 than I have at 45. Hes sharp as a tack, and still runs his own business. Hes a political animal. In 2018, Mr O'Flynn was made a tribal leader in Kenya in recognition of his support of businesses at a special ceremony and has been given a Friendship Medal of Diplomacy by the government of Taiwan. The Social Democrats will also have to co-opt onto Cork City Council following the election of Padraig Rice. Social Democrats deputy leader Cian OCallaghan has written to the leaders of Sinn Fein, the Labour Party, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail to schedule meetings to discuss government formation talks. It is understood that the Labour Party will meet with the Social Democrats on Friday, with Ivana Bacik also set to meet Roderic O'Gorman this week. In a statement, Mr OCallaghan said that "political parties that are serious about improving the lives of people in Ireland must immediately get to work". The problems this country is facing in housing, healthcare, childcare, disability services and climate are pressing and require urgent attention. It is therefore essential that we work with each other, where possible, to find and implement solutions to these crises. The Social Democrats have always been clear that we will meet with every party, post the election, to discuss the potential for co-operation. As a constructive party, which is solution-focused, we are hopeful these meetings can be both positive and productive. In that spirit, I have written to the leaders of Sinn Fein and the Labour Party to schedule meetings on Thursday and Friday, respectively. I have also written to the leaders of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail to request meetings. It is imperative that we have these meetings to discuss what we can do to further collaborate in order to drive a progressive reform agenda. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald wrote yesterday to both Holly Cairns and Ivana Bacik as she seeks to form a left-wing alliance heading into the 34th Dail. However, there is growing acceptance in Sinn Fein that this gesture will not lead to a government, given the 86 seats held by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, just shy of a majority. Elsewhere, both Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris are in Edinburgh on Friday to attend a British-Irish Council Summit, in what could be their first meeting after the general election. Most of what I want to say today is about my own party. Labour faced an uphill battle in the election just over, still haunted by recent history. But they surmounted those challenges and did much better than most people expected. Ivana Bacik provided great leadership throughout, and especially as the campaign went on her interview on the RTE News in the last week of the campaign was one of the best Ive ever heard. And Marie Sherlock of Labour has done the entire country an enormous service by fighting off Gerry The Monk Hutch. Hero of the Year in my book, thats Marie Sherlock. But before I talk any more about Labour, there are several things to celebrate about the election that havent really been mentioned enough. That doesnt include the low turnout, which is something to really worry about. This was a peaceful and by and large respectful election. If you were writing about it a year ago, one of the things youd be most worried about was the element of hate. There has been a huge build-up of far-right sentiment, especially on social media, in Ireland, and we all know the amount of anti-immigrant sentiment that has fuelled bitterness and alienation. Not a single one of the so-called leaders of all that vicious stuff featured anywhere as the count unfolded. I dont think its unreasonable to say the people of Ireland sent a very strong message to the far right in this election. That might just make us unique in Europe and our increasingly unstable world. Throughout the campaign and the counting, the fortunes of Sinn Fein were reported on and analysed till everyone was blue in the face. However, once the seats began to be filled and the conversation turned to government formation, suddenly Sinn Fein seemed to disappear from the conversation. Across the media, it seems, everyone has accepted the right of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to simply exclude Sinn Fein from any consideration. They did that the last time too, and I wrote then it was an insult to the democratic outcome. I feel that even more strongly now. You know Im not a Sinn Fein supporter or voter. And in the end, they had a very poor election. When the main opposition party drops a fifth of its national vote, it wouldnt be unreasonable to say they face an existential crisis now. They werent in government, they had nothing to defend, and still they end up with nothing to show the only reason they may have made seat gains is because their candidate strategy was so appalling the last time. But still they have a mandate. Not a mandate to govern, but a mandate to be consulted and involved in negotiation. On the other hand, Labour struggled to be heard throughout the entire campaign. The party ran great candidates, had honest and decent leadership, and projected strong values throughout. But they were often ignored. Suddenly, as the votes started to be totted up, everyone wanted to talk about Labour. The Greens are dead, long live Labour, was the subliminal message from FF and FG. Were probably going to need a third leg on this stool of ours, was the word, and who better to provide it than the Labour Party. Old friends, after all, might be best. Advice for Labour I dont have any right to expect the Labour leadership to listen to me. Ive been active and involved in every election campaign since, believe it or not, 1981. But this time I struggled with bulging discs in my back, and I made little or no contribution as a result. But if they were prepared to listen to an ordinary member, who has seen a lot of ups and downs over the years, I would like to say only three words to them directly about any possible role in government formation. Dont. Dont. And dont. In your hearts you all understand this. FG and FF dont need you they can make up the numbers in all sorts of ways. But theyd like you. Thats because they think of you as responsible, nationally minded, committed to stability and the long haul. Those are qualities they admire for only one reason. Youll guarantee them a full term and make life easier for them. And if there is a huge economic downturn, and they have to reverse engines and start making hard decisions, you know who will be blamed. You will because you failed to stop them. Youll work hard (because Labour always does) to mitigate the worst decisions, but nobody will know about your unstinting behind the scenes work. Because its behind the scenes. Every time Labour was called into government in the past, there were pressing reasons to say yes. Sometimes government formation was simply impossible without Labours participation. But in the 80s, 90s, and after the crash, there were terrible messes to be cleaned up. Labour cleaned them up, and as the saying goes, no good deed goes unpunished. Labour was duly punished There is no reason to say yes now, even though Labour wont escape without getting lectures on how it has a national duty to prop up Simon or Micheal. I cant tell you how much I used to hate those Irish Times editorials telling Labour to know its place. They always read as if they were written by people who believed Labour voters didnt know how to hold a teacup properly. But there is another much more important reason to say no. Labour and the Social Democrats, whatever about personality differences, share more or less identical values a commitment to fight against inequality, determination to ensure accountability and responsiveness in much better public services, a recognition of the vital role the state must play. Both parties are committed to honest and transparent politics. Labour was the bigger of the two, but it isnt now. That ought not to matter. Between them they have a chance to do something really historic, something that could resonate throughout Europe and the world. They have a chance to begin rebuilding the social democratic project. Throughout its history social democracy has led campaigns for fairness and equality for working people, for people who live on the margins, for groups of people who have been discriminated against. It was social democracy that founded the welfare state, led the fight for equal pay and rights for women, built the whole idea of social capital within communities, and insisted on the right of workers to join trade unions and be represented. Social democracy now can and must lead the fight for a right to affordable and decent housing, for reformed and accountable public services, for dignity and a social contract with older, infirm, and disabled people. Economic and social campaigns. For rights and responsibilities. But only if they work together. Only if they respect each other as equals. Its a fantastic five-year opportunity. Holly Cairns and Ivana Bacik can build, first a meaningful and effective opposition, and then an inspiring government platform. Therell be many contests ahead, and they need to find a way to agree to take them on together. I cant imagine anything more exciting than that. "Ireland rejects far-right extremism" was the heading in the British daily newspaper, the i. The strapline read: "As the world grapples with rising extremism, Irelands election underscores a preference for stability, pragmatism, and centrist governance." While we were hyper-focused on local constituencies, transfers, and eliminations, those further away could see things more objectively. They could see that the Irish electorate said emphatically "no thank you" to the politics of hate, division, and racism. The rejection could not have been clearer. It was a pitiful showing after all the grandstanding, noise, and chest beating. Even candidates for parties for which more controls on immigration formed a pillar of their pre-election offering struggled badly. Those returned for Independent Ireland, mostly outgoing TDs, would likely have been elected had they run as independents. Exit polls showed that immigration was the main issue for just 6% of voters. Included in that figure were some who want better conditions and care for those seeking safety and sanctuary. Around 76% of voters gave their first-preference votes to either centrist parties or parties on the left, while many others voted for Independent candidates like Catherine Connolly in Galway West. The message to the next Government, no matter its make-up, is clear: Stop pandering to the right wing Over the last year, in particular, weve seen Fine Gael speaking out of both sides of its mouth in relation to immigration. It was the outgoing Taoiseach who described the tents on the canal in Dublin, in which slept vulnerable international protection applicants, as a shanty town. Simon Harris promised a very significant increase in deportations of failed international protection applicants if Fine Gael were returned. He said asylum seekers were driving up homeless figures. Fine Gael championed Irelands membership of the controversial EU Migration and Asylum Pact. Justice Minister Helen McEntee told an Oireachtas committee in April that over 80% of people seeking asylum here were arriving via the North this figure, she conceded, was anecdotal and could provide no data to substantiate it. Hate speech legislation was shelved. On the election campaign, Harris said he wanted international protection applicants to pay for their State accommodation, if working, and was at pains to say common sense had to be implemented in the immigration system a system over which Fine Gael has presided for the last 14 years. Labour leader Ivana Bacik called it "populist pandering to anti-immigrant feeling", and she was correct. 'Opposed to open borders' However, the Fine Gael party leader wasnt alone in this regard. Sinn Feins stance on immigration chopped and changed continuously often calamitously. I recall Cork TD Donnchadh O Laoghaire standing on the plinth of Leinster House saying his party was opposed to open borders. I couldnt believe what I was hearing neither could many Sinn Fein activists on the ground working to fight back against far-right agitation locally. Sinn Feins first-preference vote was down by more than 5%. The party leadership too talked about common sense in relation to immigration. 'Common sense has become a much overused and clinical phrase for stricter control on immigration as though we were dealing with objects and not human beings Collectively, the body politic worked itself up into a frenzy on immigration fuelled by ill-informed and glib utterings by some politicians, online deception, and a media which became blinded by the flames of hate. News bulletins telling of a dozen people blocking a road in Clare, a couple of grown men causing disruption in libraries, or a small group shouting abuse outside a barracks in Westmeath somehow warranted national media focus. So few people, so much coverage. Of course, the despicable Dublin riots warranted much attention but so often Irish media outlets have provided coverage to agitators whose sole aim is to generate content and attain notoriety. We now know the first names of so many of these people. Why? How? It's so often because of the coverage theyre given. Graham Clifford urges the next Government to scrap the 'entirely inadequate migrant integration strategy', and replace it with a community integration strateg. This election, once and for all, showed us what the people of Ireland really think about. And, for the overwhelming majority, its not immigration. So, if political parties want to be populist and sadly many do, especially those in Government then dont lean right, because thats not where the votes are. Focus on building community integration. Support groups and initiatives which bring people of all different backgrounds together. Listen to people originally from elsewhere. Build bridges rather than erect barriers. Scrap the entirely inadequate migrant integration strategy, and replace it with a community integration strategy, and do all you can to include everyone in the political process. It shouldnt be forgotten that 40% of the electorate didnt bother casting their vote or that the entire Dail will be white, without any TD that Im aware of with a strong migrant background. The incoming Government needs to get tough on the far right. There can be no tolerance for their public disorder, intimidation, and the dispersal of malicious mistruths. Find ways to pressurise social media companies into moderating content. Listen to the people. The people voted emphatically to reject the far right, to reject the inhumane treatment of anyone in our country, including those people seeking international protection, to reject hatred, intimidation, division, homophobia, and above all to reject racism. It is Sunday morning, December 1, 2024, and as the election count unfolds, the airwaves hum with a familiar refrain. Pundits, politicians, and broadcasters extol the virtues of being "ready to govern" invoking metaphors of green jerseys and ditches while lauding the so-called "pragmatism" of being a party of government. These platitudes, presented as wisdom, are as much about shaping the future as they are about rewriting the past. This narrative isn't new. I heard it four years ago, during the formation of the outgoing government. Back then, I wrote an open letter, which was signed by three other Green Party candidates, urging party members to reject the Programme for Government. The argument was simple: the proposed plan offered a greener status quo, not the transformative action Ireland so desperately needed. Instead of delivering a true Green New Deal where housing, healthcare, workers rights, and economic security pave the way to a zero-carbon future it proposed policies that risked deepening inequality and falling short of climate goals. Housing policies catered to developers, carbon taxes disproportionately burdened rural and low-income communities, and agriculture policies continued to favour industry over family farms. For pointing this out, we were dismissed as naive, unpragmatic, and even childish. Declining voter turnout further weakens the social contract. Photo: Sasko Lazarov/ RollingNews.ie But the mythology of pragmatism that the "worst day in government is better than the best day outside it" is a powerful confidence trick. It perpetuates the status quo, ensuring transformative change remains out of reach. And yet, standing at that crossroads in 2020, even those of us who opposed the deal could see why that mythology has such a profound impact. The Green gamble Amidst the global pandemic, the Green Party entered government for compelling reasons. Climate breakdown demanded urgent action, and the chance to shape policy after decades of inaction was too critical to ignore. Yet, the past four years raise profound questions about whether this was the right call not just for the party, but for the climate movement and the Irish people. There were successes. The Climate Law was a landmark achievement, and Greens in ministerial positions advanced important legislation. However, the promise of transformative action was stymied by the status quo. Attempting to retrofit climate solutions onto a neoliberal economic framework left them inaccessible to many. Eamon Ryan at the launch of Irelands first all-electric town bus service at Athlone bus station in January. Amidst the global pandemic, the Green Party entered government for compelling reasons. Photo: Naoise Culhane Grants for warmer homes, renewable energy, and electric vehicles encouraged uptake but were largely accessible only to those with financial means. Instead of fostering equity, these initiatives widened disparities and failed to harness the developmental potential of climate action. The broader climate movement, which had propelled the Greens into power, faltered and lost momentum. Beyond climate action, the social dialogue remained weak and the social contract was further eroded. Homelessness soared, housing costs spiralled, and our healthcare system, battered by the pandemic, emerged as one of the worst-performing in the northern hemisphere. While there is no counterfactual, its hard not to imagine better options were possible. In Spring 2020, as the government was formed, the European Central Bank had suspended fiscal rules to encourage borrowing in the face of the pandemic, creating a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Ireland could have launched a green industrial revolution creating jobs, retaining young talent, and accelerating decarbonization. Instead, cautious fiscal policies prevailed, and we failed to meet the moment. At times, the Greens seemed compelled to justify their place in government by overstating incremental progress while systemic issues deepened. One recent example was the reframing of emissions reductions from offshoring electricity generation as domestic progress in greenhouse gas reductions. Even after this was exposed, the party stuck to the 7% reduction figure a well-intentioned attempt to highlight achievements but one that let messaging trump the complexities of reality. Messaging was never going to be enough. Enduring climate action requires material benefits that people can see and feel, distributed equitably across society. Without this, climate action risks losing public trust, leaving the very foundations of progress vulnerable to collapse. The limits of our political system The shortcomings of the past four years are not the fault of one party but reflect a deeper immaturity in Irelands political system. At its heart, this immaturity undermines representation, engagement, and democratic progress. To build a robust, inclusive democracy, two changes to how we vote and a critical reform to how we legislate are urgently needed. First, its indefensible that Irish citizens abroad remain disenfranchised in 2024. Emigration, often driven by economic necessity, should not strip people of their voice in shaping the nations future. Second, declining voter turnout further weakens the social contract. Compulsory voting, as practiced in Australia, combined with accessible options like mail-in ballots and extended polling days, would ensure greater representation and stronger mandates. To build a robust, inclusive democracy, two changes to how we vote are urgently needed. Photo: Sasko Lazarov/ RollingNews.ie Beyond voting, Irelands rigid party whip system constrains legislative progress. It forces TDs to toe the party line and reduces opposition to a symbolic role rather than a legitimate space for constructive contribution. This rigidity stifles innovation, blocks collaboration, and perpetuates the idea that meaningful politics only happens in government. To mature as a democracy, we must relax the whip system, enabling opposition parties and individual TDs to shape legislation collaboratively. A system that encourages cross-party initiatives and independent ideas would elevate governance and make opposition a platform for progress, not just dissent. A bolder vision for politics Ireland urgently needs a new vision for politics, rooted in a renewed social contract. One that ensures a safe, sustainable future for generations to come while guaranteeing dignity and rights for those living today. Despite the limitations of Ireland's legislative process, opposition offers the most fertile ground for crafting and advancing such a transformative vision. True transformation starts with bold ideas that challenge entrenched systems. Opposition provides the space to develop, refine, and champion these ideas, turning them into platforms for building alliances, mobilising social movements, and connecting with voters disillusioned by the status quo. In this moment, a united and constructive opposition, underpinned by robust grassroots organising, has the potential to re-shape Irelands political landscape far more effectively than diluted compromises forged in government. Compulsory voting combined with accessible options like mail-in ballots and extended polling days would ensure greater representation and stronger mandates. Photo: Jacob King/PA The shifting global economic landscape only heightens this opportunity. As the FDI model faces mounting challenges and de-globalisation re-shapes economies, Ireland stands at a crossroads. We can embrace a bold alternative: green industrialisation built on State-owned wind energy, fair re-distribution, community wealth-building, and democratic local economies. This vision cannot emerge from a government tied to neoliberal orthodoxy; it must come from outside. Resisting the call of the sirens Im convinced that Green Party voters in 2020 did not vote for the configuration of the last government. They didnt vote for a climate action agenda that would falter due to public pushback, nor did they vote for the housing crisis to deepen or for young people to continue emigrating en masse. They voted for something else: a politics that confronts the enormous challenges of our time climate breakdown, inequality, and the housing crisis head-on. This is the aspiration of many who seek alternatives to Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. While current seat arithmetic may allow Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to govern alone, the temptation for smaller parties to join may persist. If those entrusted with the vote for change want to honour it, they must focus on building a new social contract. To do this, we need to break free from the myth of pragmatism. If smaller parties feel tempted to 'pull on the green jersey,' they should reflect on the lost opportunity to build a real alternative a model of governance that is bold, fair, and forward-thinking. True pragmatism is about shaping solutions that tackle the root causes of our crises. Real climate action, a just transition, and a renewed social contract will not come from the status quo; they will come from those willing to break with it. In doing so we might find a new politics in Ireland one that values collaboration, embraces complexity, and dares to dream bigger. Ireland is at a crossroads, and the decisions made now will shape its future for generations. For those at the crossroads, the question is clear: Will you preserve the system as it is, or will you build the future we desperately need? An Australian police officer found guilty of manslaughter after shocking a 95-year-old woman with a Taser in a nursing home has been sacked, New South Wales (NSW) Police confirmed. NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb confirmed on Tuesday that Monaro Police District officer Kristian James Samuel White had been sacked by the state force. I have determined that I do not have confidence in the officers suitability to continue as a police officer, she said in a statement. Accordingly, I have removed him from the NSW Police Force and he has been advised via his legal counsel. I have spoken with the family of the 95-year-old victim involved in this matter and advised them of my decision. The decision by NSW Polices most senior commander comes five days after a Sydney jury White guilty of manslaughter after 20 hours of deliberation. This should never have happened Clare Nowland, a great-grandmother who had dementia and used a walker, refused to put down a steak knife she was holding at Yallambee Lodge nursing home in Cooma in May 2023. Despite the elderly woman being metres away and out of reach from police, nursing home staff or other care residents, White discharged his weapon. Ms Nowland fell backwards after White shocked her and died a week later in hospital. Police said at the time that Ms Nowland sustained her fatal injuries from striking her head on the floor, rather than directly from the devices debilitating electric shock. Last week, NSW Police confirmed White had been suspended from the force without pay. He had been suspended by the force after the May 2023 incident but had still been receiving pay from the police force. After an eight-day trial, the jury rejected arguments by Whites lawyers that his use of the Taser was a proportionate response to the threat posed by Ms Nowland, who weighed about 100 pounds (just over seven stone). White, 34, who is on bail, could get up to 25 years in prison when he is sentenced later. Palestinian officials have said Fatah and Hamas are closing in on an agreement to appoint a committee of politically independent technocrats to administer the Gaza Strip after the war. Such a move would effectively end Hamass rule and could help advance ceasefire talks with Israel. The rival factions have made several failed attempts to reconcile since Hamas seized power in Gaza in 2007. However Israel has ruled out any post-war role in Gaza for either Hamas or Fatah, which dominates the Western-backed Palestinian Authority. Israeli soldiers look at a destroyed part of Gaza City from their position at the Israel-Gaza border (Tsafrir Abayov/AP) A Palestinian Authority official confirmed on Tuesday that an agreement has been reached following weeks of negotiations in Cairo. The official said the committee would have 12-15 members, most of them from Gaza. It would report to the Palestinian Authority, which has its headquarters in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and work with local and international parties to facilitate humanitarian assistance and reconstruction. A Hamas official said Hamas and Fatah have agreed on the general terms but are still negotiating over some details and the individuals who would serve on the committee. The official said an agreement will be announced after a meeting of all Palestinian factions in Cairo, without providing a timeline. There was no immediate comment from Israel. The war has led to more than 40,000 deaths among the Palestinians (AP) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until Hamas is dismantled and scores of hostages are returned. He said Israel will maintain open-ended security control over Gaza, with civilian affairs administered by local Palestinians unaffiliated with the Palestinian Authority or Hamas. No Palestinians have publicly volunteered for such a role, and Hamas has threatened anyone who co-operates with the Israeli military. The United States has called for a revitalized Palestinian Authority to govern both the West Bank and Gaza ahead of eventual statehood. The Israeli government, which is opposed to Palestinian statehood, is reportedly discussing a post-war plan with the United Arab Emirates, which normalised relations with Israel in 2020 and backs a rival Fatah faction. The Hamas official said the emerging Palestinian agreement would fulfil one of Israels war goals by ending Hamass rule in Gaza. It is unclear if Israeli officials would see it that way. The Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the occupied West Bank, recognises Israel and co-operates with it on security matters, a policy that is deeply unpopular among Palestinians, many of whom view it as a subcontractor of the occupation. Israel says the authority has not done enough to combat militancy or curb incitement. People inspect a car riddled with bullet holes after an Israeli army incursion in the village of Qusra, near Jenin, in the occupied West Bank on Sunday (Majdi Mohammed/AP) The committee would assume its responsibilities after a ceasefire agreement with Israel, the Hamas official said. American and Arab mediators have spent nearly a year trying to broker such an agreement, but the negotiations have repeatedly stalled. Hamas ignited the war with its attack on Israel on October 7 2023, in which Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250. Some 100 hostages remain inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are dead. Israels retaliatory offensive has killed more than 44,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to local health authorities, who do not say how many of the dead were combatants. The offensive has flattened much of the coastal territory and displaced the vast majority of its 2.3 million residents. Syrian insurgents captured four new towns early on Tuesday, taking them closer to the central city of Hama, opposition activists said, while government forces retook some territory they lost last week. The capture of the towns is the latest in the push by insurgents led by the Salafi jihadi Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, as well as Turkey-backed opposition fighters. Insurgents now are about six miles (10km) from Hama, the countrys fourth largest city. Syrian opposition fighters stand on an aircraft at the Al-Nayrab military airport after taking control of the facility on the outskirts of Aleppo (Omar Albam/AP) The latest push is part of a wide offensive by forces opposed to Syrian President Bashar Assad that over the past days has captured large parts of the northern city of Aleppo, Syrias largest, as well as towns and villages in southern parts of north-western Idlib province. The insurgents military operations administration said gunmen killed 50 government forces as they captured the central towns of Halfaya, Taybat al-Imam, Maardis and Soran. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, confirmed the towns were taken. The pro-government Dama Post media outlet reported intense clashes in an around the towns, adding that Syrian troops are firing artillery shells at insurgents in the area. State media reported intense air strikes by Syrian and Russian air forces in the area. People inspect a camp for the internally displaced after an air strike near the village of Harbnush, north of Idlib, Syria (Ghaith Alsayed/AP) Both the Observatory and pro-government media outlets reported that Syrian government forces captured the village of Khanaser on Tuesday, days after losing it. Khanaser lies along one of the roads that lead to Aleppo. The long war between Mr Assad and his foreign backers and the array of armed opposition forces seeking to overthrow him has killed an estimated half a million people over the past 13 years. To the east, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said in a statement that they captured seven villages from pro-government fighters. Syrian state media, however, denied the villages were captured by the US-backed SDF, saying the attack was repelled. The villages are close to a base housing US troops in the area that is close to Iraq. Military equipment is scattered outside Aleppo International Airport as opposition fighters take control of the facility (Omar Albam/AP) Also on Tuesday, Hakan Fidan, foreign minister of Turkey, which is a main backer of groups opposed to Mr Assad, said the recent rapid advance by insurgents in Syria shows that the Syrian president must reconcile with his own people and hold talks with the opposition. Mr Assad and officials in his government say all armed groups in opposition-held parts of Syria are terrorists and has rejected any political solution with them. Turkey has been seeking to normalise ties with Syria to address security threats from groups affiliated with Kurdish militants along its southern border and to help ensure the safe return of more than three million Syrian refugees. Mr Assad has insisted Turkeys withdrawal of its military forces from northern Syria must be a condition for any normalisation between the two countries. A federal judge has dismissed the gun case against Hunter Biden after US President Joe Biden issued a sweeping pardon for his son. US District Judge Maryellen Noreika closed the case the week before Hunter Biden was to be sentenced. He could have faced up to 25 years in prison, though as a first-time offender he was likely to have got far less time or avoided prison entirely. President Joe Biden with his son Hunter Biden on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington in July (Susan Walsh/AP) Prosecutors opposed dismissing the case, arguing in court documents that a pardon should not wipe away the case as if it never occurred. Hunter Biden was convicted on three felonies after he lied on a federal form to purchase a gun in Delaware by saying he was not a drug user in 2018, a period when he has acknowledged being addicted. The Justice Department special counsel is also opposed to dismissing a case filed in California after he failed to pay $1.4m in taxes. A federal judge in Los Angeles has not yet ruled in that case. The presidents Sunday decision to go back on previous pledges and issue his son a blanket federal pardon for actions over the past 11 years has sparked a political uproar in Washington, drawing criticism from many Democrats as well as Republicans and threatening to cloud Mr Bidens legacy as he prepares to leave office on January 20. Hunter Biden was originally supposed to strike a plea deal with prosecutors last year that would have spared him prison time, but the agreement fell apart after Judge Noreika questioned unusual aspects of it. Shelton, CT December 3, 2024 As the ITEXPO #TECHSUPERSHOW (one of the largest and longest-running business technology events) fast approaches, we are pleased to announce the addition of DIRECTV to the already impressive lineup of exhibitors and sponsors. ITEXPO once again projects total attendance of more than 7,000 business and technology professionals. DIRECTV will showcase their innovations and contribute to the dynamic discussions shaping the future of business technology. Details: Event Name: ITEXPO #TECHSUPERSHOW Dates: February 11-13, 2025 Location: Broward County Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida Event Website: https://www.itexpo.com Exhibitor Company: DIRECTV Exhibitor Booth Number: 2526 Exhibitor Website: https://www.directv.com Media Opportunities at the ITEXPO #TECHSUPERSHOW: Explore innovations and new releases from more than 400 exhibitors. Conduct interviews with company representatives. Gain insights into the latest business technology trends, including AI, automation and new contact center technologies. For Media Inquiries or Press Passes: Michelle Connolly Senior Marketing Manager [email protected] Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. [ Free eNews Subscription Share this Page Tweet Share Edited by Alex Passett HD Hyundai Construction Equipment is investing in a revised regional management structure, new uptime and machine customisation centres, and the building of a dedicated product demonstration area, as part of a wide-ranging reorganisation of its European operations. This structure will bring the company closer to the market, improving the ordering process for new machines, reducing lead times and delivering a wider range of customer-specific options. They will also ensure maximum availability of genuine spare parts and further boost the companys industry-leading levels of service and back-up capability. In the frame of the Growing Closer Together initiative, the manufacturer is creating a matrix organisational structure across its sales and aftermarket operations, to foster a closer partnership with its dealers and customers in each region and to be more in touch with specific regional market requirements. Using cross-functional, cross-business area groups, HD Hyundai will adopt a more collaborative approach to the markets. The new regional matrix will see the creation of five geographical sales and support regions: DACH (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) France/Benelux UK/Ireland Italy/Southern Europe Eastern/Northern Europe This new structure will massively enhance our market, dealer and customer connection, allowing faster decision making thanks to an improved understanding of the individual market situation, says Dr.Hubertus Muenster, director of sales and marketing at HD Hyundai Construction Equipment Europe.It will provide us with a new level of flexibility and accountability, providing our customers with improved communication and support. HD Hyundai is building on the success of its EU-CUP machine customisation centre in Antwerp, Belgium. Traditionally, individual excavators and wheel loaders have been shipped to the centre from South Korea with dedicated booms and arms carried separately. The customisation centre then installed the booms and attachments, though the machine remained a stock unit with little flexibility. Under the new system, HD Hyundai will import standard machines without booms and arms. The front-end attachments will be shipped separately based on market data. As dealers place orders for individual models, the customisation centre will be able to mix and match excavator and loader chassis, with booms, arms and other components, to suit customer orders. This will cut lead times dramatically, allowing dealers to better meet their customer demand, even for less common configurations. The site will continue to offer customers and dealers a personalisation facility, with paint booths and workshops capable of tailoring the machine to a customers exact specification. This can include a variety of options, both from within the HD Hyundai product offer and from third-party suppliers, such as the preparation and installation of machine guidance and control systems. The facility is also implementing a Material Requirement Planning system, that will forecast modification parts demand based on sales forecasts and assembly schedules. By securing parts supply in advance, the company will be able to reduce any risk of delays and increase customer satisfaction. A European Uptime Centre is being established at HD Hyundais head office in Tessenderlo, Belgium to maximise the wealth of operating data that is currently collected through its Hi-Mate telematic monitoring system. By having real-time operating information from almost every machine operating throughout Europe, HD Hyundai will be able to proactively contact customers when service or repairs are due. The company will also be able to follow ongoing machine repairs, ensuring parts availability and providing monthly machine health reports to customers with service agreements. The new HD Hyundai Uptime Centre will monitor, collect, and analyse real-time data from the HD Hyundai Construction Equipment fleet of machines via advanced telematics systems, says Edsel Trindade, manager, uptime and product support. This data-driven approach will enable the proactive identification of potential equipment issues before they become critical, allowing for timely maintenance and repairs. By leveraging telematics, HD Hyundai Construction Equipment is positioned to provide customers with comprehensive insights into machine health, fuel consumption, usage patterns and more. Through telematics, the HD Hyundai Uptime Centre will track equipment locations, utilisation rates and fuel efficiency, empowering customers to streamline operations and minimise the risk of machine downtime. Lastly, HD Hyundai is constructing a purpose-designed demonstration area at its European head office site in Tessenderlo, Belgium. Capable of showing off the companys rapidly expanding range of equipment, the demonstration area will be available for dealer and customer visits, media events, company training and product launches. Grandstand seating will provide a panoramic view over the 3,300m2 working site, where operators will be able to get to grips with the latest equipment from HD Hyundai. We have closely examined every aspect of our business in Europe to find ways in which we can better work with our dealers and serve our customers, adds Dr Muenster.Our focus has at all times been on the customer experience, from the first machine order, through customisation of equipment, operation and fleet management. Our aim is to maximise uptime for our customers, ensuring the best return on their investment. For the fourth consecutive night, protesters clashed with police in Georgias capital, indicating that opposition to the governments decision to halt discussions on European Union membership is expanding across the nation. Tensions have been escalating in the country of 3.7 million between the ruling Georgian Dream party and its opponents, who claim the government is adopting increasingly authoritarian, anti-Western, and pro-Russian stances. The situation intensified following Thursdays announcement of a four-year freeze on EU discussions, leading to thousands of pro-EU demonstrators confronting police equipped with tear gas and water cannons. Once again, protesters congregated in Tbilisi on Sunday night along central Rustaveli Avenue, launching fireworks at the police, who retaliated with streams from water cannons. Protesters tossed fireworks at police, who responded with volleys of water cannon. To be honest, it has been exhausting to witness our government ignoring the will of the people, shared protester Nikoloz Miruashvili. I am here for a very straightforward reason: to safeguard my European future and the democracy of my homeland, he elaborated. Four opposition groups urged supporters to demand paid leave from their jobs as per the labor code to participate in protests and asked employers to accommodate this request. Georgias pro-Western President Salome Zourabichvili called for pressure on the Constitutional Court to invalidate the elections held last month, which were won by Georgian Dream. Both the opposition and Ms. Zourabichvili contend that the election was rigged. Beyond the capital, Georgian news agency Interpress reported that demonstrators obstructed a key access road to the countrys main commercial port in the Black Sea city of Poti. Reports from Georgian media indicated protests occurring in at least eight cities and towns. An opposition TV channel, Formula, broadcast videos of residents in Khashuri, a 20,000-strong town in central Georgia, hurling eggs at the local Georgian Dream office. Georgian media reported protests in at least eight cities and towns. The EU and the United States are alarmed by what they perceive as Georgias retreat from a pro-Western trajectory and a shift back towards Russias influence. Georgian Dream insists it is acting to safeguard the countrys sovereignty from external intervention. Dark abyss Russia is attentively monitoring the events. Security official Dmitry Medvedev, a former president of Russia, remarked that an attempted revolution is occurring and wrote on Telegram that Georgia is quickly heading down the Ukrainian path into the dark abyss. Typically, this sort of scenario ends very poorly. The Kremlin has not yet issued a statement but has long accused the West of instigating revolutions in post-Soviet nations that Russia considers within its sphere of influence. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze dismissed the criticism from the United States, which has denounced the use of excessive force against demonstrators. Mr. Kobakhidze shrugged off the United States announcement regarding the suspension of a strategic partnership with Georgia, describing it as a temporary event, and stated that Georgia would engage with the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump once he takes office in January. President Zourabichvili asserted she would not resign when her term concludes this month, claiming that the new parliament is illegitimate and lacks the authority to appoint her successor. Mr. Kobakhidze expressed understanding for Ms. Zourabichvilis emotional state. The crisis has deepened since Thursdays announcement that the government would freeze EU talks for four years. Yet, on December 29, she will need to vacate her residence and hand over the building to a legitimately elected president, he stated. Foreign agents Hundreds of diplomats and civil servants have signed open letters asserting that the suspension of EU talks is unlawful, as the objective of joining the bloc is enshrined in Georgias constitution. Georgias foreign ministry claimed that foreign nations are attempting to interfere in the operation of the institutions of a sovereign state, deeming such actions unacceptable. Since the 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union, Georgia has significantly leaned towards the West while trying to diminish Russian influence, from which it suffered a brief war in 2008. It has been promised eventual NATO membership and officially became an EU candidate last year. Nevertheless, domestic adversaries and Western governments are increasingly concerned that Georgian Dream is intentdespite its denialson abandoning this pro-Western course. In June, the government enacted a law requiring non-governmental organizations to register as foreign agents if they receive over 20% of their funding from outside the country. Furthermore, parliament approved a law in September that restricts LGBT rights. The government maintains that it is defending the countrys sovereignty and striving to avoid the fate of Ukraine by preventing involvement in a renewed conflict with Russia. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who is newly in office, expressed solidarity with the demonstrators. We stand with the Georgian people and their aspiration for a European future, she shared on X. Israels Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has issued a warning that if the ceasefire established last week fails, Israel will penetrate deeper into Lebanon and will no longer distinguish between the Lebanese military and Hezbollah. If we return to war, we will operate with increased force and penetrate deeper, andthere will be no immunity for the state of Lebanon, he stated during a visit to Israels northern border. Mr. Katz remarked that up until now, we differentiated between Lebanon and Hezbollahthis will no longer be the case. In the meantime, nine individuals lost their lives in Israeli airstrikes targeting villages in southern Lebanon, as Israel announced it was targeting numerous Hezbollah positions in response to an attack attributed to the militant group amidst a precarious ceasefire. The Israeli military, in a statement, said it struck Hezbollah terrorists, numerous launchers, and terrorist infrastructure across Lebanon. Israel demands that the relevant parties in Lebanon fulfill their obligations and prevent Hezbollahs hostile actions, the statement remarked. Lebanons official National News Agency reported on strikes across southern Lebanon. According to Lebanons health ministry, the airstrikes resulted in five fatalities and two injuries in the village of Haris in an initial report, while in the village of Tallous, four more individuals were killed and one injured. Earlier, Hezbollah claimed to have attacked an Israeli position in the occupied hills of Kfar Shouba, which lies in a disputed border region between Israel and Lebanon. The Israeli military stated that Hezbollah had fired two projectiles towards one of its posts in the Har Dov area, Israels term for the contested Shebaa Farms. Following this attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Hezbollah for a serious violation and vowed to respond forcefully. We are resolved to maintain the ceasefire and react to any infringement by Hezbollah, regardless of how trivial or significant, he asserted. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz also promised a stern response. Shortly thereafter, the Israeli military announced it was targeting locations in Lebanon. Lebanons official National News Agency reported strikes on regions in southern Lebanon, areas where Hezbollah has long exerted influence, located about 20km from the Israeli border. Aggressive actions Since the ceasefire was established, Israel has conducted nearly daily strikes in southern Lebanon, and earlier on Monday, Beiruts influential parliament speaker, Nabih Berri, accused Israel of breaching the truce. The aggressive actions taken by Israeli occupation forces signify a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreements terms, stated Mr. Berri, who played a role in mediating the truce on behalf of his ally, Hezbollah. The conflict intensified after Israel shifted its focus from Gaza to Lebanon in September to secure its northern border from Hezbollah attacks, delivering significant blows to the Iran-backed Shiite Muslim group. Moreover, yesterday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot discussed with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar the necessity for all parties to uphold the ceasefire in Lebanon, according to the foreign ministry. Mr. Saar refuted claims that Israel had violated the truce, asserting instead that his countrys strikes were enforcing the ceasefire. He also mentioned that Hezbollah had attempted to transfer weapons in southern Lebanon and that their presence south of the Litani river is the most fundamental violation of the agreements. According to the agreement, Hezbollah is required to withdraw its fighters from areas south of the river and dismantle its military infrastructure in the southern region. The Lebanese military and United Nations peacekeepers will be deployed to southern Lebanon. As part of the arrangement, the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers will be assigned to southern Lebanon as the Israeli army completes its withdrawal over a 60-day timeframe. Israel urged to cease its violations of the ceasefire A committee including representatives from France, UN peacekeepers, Israel, Lebanon, and chaired by the United States, has been established to maintain communication among the parties and ensure that violations are identified and addressed to prevent escalation. We urge the technical committee formed to monitor the implementation of this agreement to clarify its stance on ongoing violations that have exceeded 54 breaches, Mr. Berri emphasized, calling for Israel to be made accountable for its violations and to withdraw from occupied territories. The US stated that it believed the ceasefire in Lebanon remains intact and is monitoring potential violations. Latest Middle East stories A father and his son kindled a small fire to keep warm on a chilly night in Khan Younis. At the same time, the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, along with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbass Fatah party, has agreed to form a committee to jointly manage post-war Gaza, negotiators from both sides reported. Under the proposed arrangement, pending Mr. Abbass approval, the committee would consist of ten to 15 non-partisan figures with authority over economic, educational, health, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction matters, as outlined in a draft proposal. Following discussions in Cairo, mediated by Egypt, the two rival factions agreed that the committee would oversee the Palestinian side of the Rafah checkpoint, the sole crossing not shared with Israel. Fatahs delegation will return to Ramallah to seek Mr. Abbass final endorsement, according to negotiators from both factions. This initiative emerges amidst renewed diplomatic efforts aimed at concluding the conflict. 12 people perished in Gaza due to Israeli airstrikes Israeli airstrikes have claimed at least 12 lives across Gaza, the majority in the town of Beit Lahiya on the northern front, as medics reported, with the IDF issuing new evacuation orders in the southern part of the enclave. According to medics, eight individuals were killed in a series of strikes in Beit Lahiya one of the two towns where the army has been active since October while four others died elsewhere in Gaza City. The Israeli army has issued evacuation orders to residents in northern sectors of Khan Younis, a town located in southern Gaza, citing the launching of rockets by militants from these areas. The orders led to a frantic exodus of families, mostly before dawn, heading westward away from danger. Palestinian and UN officials have asserted that there are no safe spaces within the enclave due to Israels military campaign. The majority of Gazas 2.3 million residents have been internally displaced, with many experiencing displacement multiple times since the onset of the conflict last year. Israeli Airstrikes Result in 15 Fatalities in Gaza as Cairo Engages in New Discussions with Hamas Israeli military strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 15 Palestinians in Gaza, according to medics, as Israeli forces continued their bombardments throughout the enclave and demolished homes on the northern outskirts. In the central Gaza camp of Nuseirat, an Israeli airstrike claimed the lives of six individuals in a home, while another attack in Gaza City left three dead, as reported by medics. Two children lost their lives when a missile struck a tent settlement in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, and four others were reported killed in an airstrike in Rafah, near the Egyptian border, medics informed Reuters. Residents indicated that the military destroyed clusters of homes in the northern Gaza areas of Jabalia, Beit Lahiya, and Beit Hanoun, where Israeli forces have been active since October of this year. Palestinian children gaze at a building that was devastated in an Israeli airstrike in Nuseirat, central Gaza. The military claims to have killed hundreds of Hamas militants as part of its effort to prevent the faction from regrouping nearly 14 months after the onset of the war in Gaza. Hamass armed wing asserts it has inflicted casualties on many Israeli forces through anti-tank rocket and mortar attacks, as well as ambushes using explosive devices since the renewal of operations. Progress on Gaza ceasefire and hostage negotiations The White House is negotiating a ceasefire and hostage release agreement in Gaza but has stated it is not there yet, according to the US National Security Advisor in comments to US media. We are actively working to facilitate this. We are deeply engaged with critical players in the region, and discussions are ongoing even today, stated Jake Sullivan, as reported by NBC. Further conversations and consultations will take place, and we hope to establish a ceasefire and hostage deal, but we have not reached that point yet, he added. In related news, two Palestinian detainees from Gaza died while in Israeli custody, as reported by prisoner advocacy groups, raising the death toll of detainees since the conflict started to 47. The identified detainees were named as Mohammad Idris and Muath Rayyan, both in their 30s. The Israel Prison Service mentioned that these cases fell outside its jurisdiction, and there was no immediate comment from the military overseeing detention facilities. Israel has denied allegations from Palestinian and international human rights organizations regarding the mistreatment and torture of detainees in its prisons and detention centers. Thousands of Israelis protested in Jerusalem yesterday, criticizing Benjamin Netanyahu and his government for not finalizing a ceasefire agreement with Gaza and for demanding a hostage swap deal with Palestinians. According to Gaza officials, Israels military campaign has resulted in over 44,300 deaths and displaced nearly the entire population of the enclave, leaving vast areas of Gaza in ruins. The conflict ignited when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, leading to approximately 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of more than 250 hostages, as reported by Israeli officials. Aid delivery through the Kerem Shalom crossing has been suspended The UN agency for Palestinian refugees announced the cessation of aid deliveries through the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza due to security concerns, according to its chief. We are pausing the delivery of aid through Kerem Shalom, the primary entry point for humanitarian assistance into Gaza. The routes from this crossing have been unsafe for months, stated UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini in a post on X. On November 16, a significant convoy of aid trucks was hijacked by armed groups, he noted. Yesterday, attempts to deliver several food trucks along the same route resulted in their being seized, he added, cautioning that hunger is rapidly escalating in Gaza. Mr. Lazzarini explained that the humanitarian operation had become unnecessarily impossible due to the ongoing siege, obstacles from Israeli authorities, political decisions to limit aid amounts, unsafe delivery routes, and targeting of local police. He urged Israel to ensure the flow of aid to Gaza and emphasized that the country must abstain from attacks on humanitarian workers. This comes after an Israeli strike yesterday that killed three contractors of the US charity World Central Kitchen, including one whom Israels military alleged was involved in Hamass October 7, 2023 attack. Last month, the United Nations reported that 333 aid workers had been killed since the wars inception in October of the previous year, with 243 being staff of UNRWA. Mr. Lazzarini reiterated his appeal for a ceasefire that would also ensure the safe and unhindered delivery of aid to those in need. Israel, which imposed a total blockade on the Hamas-controlled territory early in the conflict, attributes the inability of relief organizations to manage and distribute large quantities of aid to security concerns. The war was triggered by a Palestinian militant attack on southern Israel in October 2023, which resulted in 1,207 fatalities, the majority of whom were civilians, according to an AFP assessment of Israeli government figures. Israels retaliatory military campaign has reportedly killed 44,382 individuals in Gaza, based on data from the territorys health ministry, which is regarded as reliable by the United Nations. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made a surprise visit to Kyiv, pledging that Germany would remain Ukraines foremost supporter in Europe and promising the delivery of military aid worth 650 million this month. This visit, his second since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago, underscores Germanys backing during a time of uncertainty, especially with president-elect Donald Trump preparing to assume office in the White House and Russian forces making territorial advances. Chancellor Scholzs trip also coincides with a challenging re-election campaign, as he faces a snap vote in February following the collapse of his coalition in November. Notably, this marks his second visit to Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion in early 2022. His record on supporting Ukraine has faced scrutiny from both sides: those urging him to increase aid to Kyiv and others advocating for Germany to reduce its military assistance to Ukraine. With my renewed visit here in Kyiv, I want to express my solidarity with Ukraine, stated Mr. Scholz. I want to make it clear here on the ground that Germany will continue to be Ukraines strongest supporter in Europe. Ukraine can count on Germany we say what we do. And we do what we say. The Chancellor has argued for a combination of strong military assistance and diplomacy as a means to eventually resolve the conflict while preserving Ukraines sovereignty. In mid-November, Mr. Scholz became the first Western leader in years to engage in a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mr. Zelensky criticized the call at the time, alleging that it opened a Pandoras Box by undermining Mr. Putins international isolation. Playing Russian roulette with Germanys security During the call, Mr. Scholz condemned the war and urged Russia to demonstrate a willingness to negotiate with Ukraine to achieve a fair and lasting peace, according to statements from the Chancellors office. Under Mr. Scholzs leadership, Germany has emerged as the second-largest arms supplier to Ukraine, following the United States, but has refrained from supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles capable of striking deep into Russia. Germany has maintained this stance despite U.S. President Joe Biden authorizing Ukraine to use long-range ATACMS missiles against Russia for the first time. In a campaign speech delivered in Berlin on Saturday, Mr. Scholz criticized political opponents advocating for Germany to deliver its Taurus long-range missile system to Ukraine. Addressing his Social Democratic Party, Scholz remarked that confronting Russia, a nuclear power, with such a threat would equal playing Russian roulette with Germanys security. Simultaneously, Mr. Zelensky emphasized the need for Ukraine to identify diplomatic solutions to reclaim occupied territories, in an interview with Kyodo News. He indicated that such measures could only be considered when we know we are strong enough. Mr. Zelensky mentioned that Mr. Trump and his team are reviewing the Ukrainian victory plan and anticipated further discussions to clarify certain aspects, according to the report. The EUs incoming top diplomat Kaja Kallas and European Council President Antonio Costa visited Kyiv in a symbolic display of support for Ukraine on their first day in office. President of the European Council Antonio Costa reaffirmed the EUs commitment to Ukraine during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. We came to convey a clear message: we stand with Ukraine and will continue to provide our full support, asserted Mr. Costa. The new leadership team of the European Union is eager to show that it remains resolute in its backing of Ukraine at this critical moment, nearly three years into its struggle against Russias invasive actions. It is a privilege to be in Kyiv alongside @eucopresident Costa and Commissioner Kos. In my first visit since assuming office, my message is unequivocal: the European Union desires Ukrainian victory in this war. We will do whatever is necessary to achieve that. pic.twitter.com/swv1ZVAlyL Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) December 1, 2024 Tensions have escalated as Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to target government buildings in Kyiv with his new Oreshnik missile, utilizing it against Ukraine for the first time last month. He claimed this action is a response to Ukraine receiving the go-ahead to attack inside Russia with U.S. and British missiles, threatening retaliation against the countries supplying these arms. As winter sets in, Russia has launched devastating strikes against Ukraines power infrastructure, and on the front lines, Ukraines exhausted forces are conceding ground to Russias relentless offensive. By Sara Harmouch, American University A major offensive has seen rebel groups in Syria retake the countrys second city, Aleppo and demonstrated the growing prominence of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in the 13-year-long civil war. The surprise advance was led by members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, fighting alongside Turkish-backed groups opposing the rule of President Bashar al-Assad. While the offensive the most significant fighting in recent years may be the first time that many outside of Syria have heard of the Islamist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has been growing in reputation and capabilities over a number of years. As an expert on the behavior of Islamist militant groups in the region, I have watched Hayat Tahrir al-Sham evolve from an offshoot of al-Qaida in Syria into a formidable player in the ongoing conflict. It followed a significant shift in the groups strategic operations that has seen it become less concerned with global jihad and more focused on attaining power in Syria. Origins and ideology Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has its roots in the early stages of the Syrian civil war, which began in 2011 as a popular uprising against the autocratic government of Assad. The group originated as an offshoot of the Nusra Front, the official al-Qaida affiliate in Syria. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham was initially recognized for its combat effectiveness and its commitment to global jihadist ideology, or the establishment of strict Islamic rule across the Muslim world. In a pivotal shift in 2016 under the leadership of Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, the Nusra Front publicly cut ties with al-Qaida and adopted the new name Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, which means Front for the Conquest of the Levant. The following year, it merged with several other factions in the Syrian war to become Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or the Organization for the Liberation of the Levant. Idlib, Syria. Photo by Ahmed Akacha via Pexels. This rebranding aimed to move away from al-Qaidas global jihadist agenda, which had limited the groups appeal within Syria. It allowed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham to focus on issues specific to Syrians, such as local governance, economic issues and humanitarian aid. Despite these changes, Hayat Tahrir al-Shams core ideology continues to be rooted in jihadism, with the primary objective of overthrowing the Assad government and establishing Islamic rule in Syria. This strategic shift was partly born of pragmatism. To keep power over the territories it controlled, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leaders concluded the group needed to minimize international opposition and effectively integrate into the broader Syrian revolutionary movement. In other words, it needed to balance its radical Islamist origins with the demands of local governance and political engagement. Strategic shifts and recent activities Since 2017, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has been the prevailing force in Idlib, the final significant rebel stronghold in Syria. Over the years, the group has solidified its control in the region by functioning as a quasi-governmental entity, providing civil services and overseeing local affairs, despite reports of human rights abuses. In recent years, Hayat Tahrir al-Shams propaganda has emphasized protecting Syrian territory and its people from the Assad government. This has helped the group enhance its position among local communities and other rebel groups. In an effort to further burnish its image, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has ramped up its public relations efforts, both at home and abroad. For example, it has engaged with international media and humanitarian organizations to negotiate and film aid deliveries to the areas it governs. These initiatives showcase a commitment to civilian welfare and distance the group from the violence typically associated with jihadist movements. On the offensive again The recent military offensive, during which Hayat Tahrir al-Sham-led rebels swiftly captured significant parts of Aleppo and pushed toward the city of Hama, marks another significant strategic pivot. It signals a revitalization of Hayat Tahrir al-Shams military objectives and its ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Hayat Tahrir al-Shams thinking in launching an advance now has likely been influenced by a blend of regional and local dynamics. The Assad governments increasing vulnerability has become evident of late, marked by economic deterioration and corruption. Many areas in Syria remain only nominally under state control, and the central government is heavily reliant on support from allies such as Russia and Iran. These allies, however, have been preoccupied by their respective conflicts against Ukraine and Israel, potentially diluting their support for Syria. Compounding Assads weakness are the diminishing capacities of Hezbollah and Iranian forces. Both have been crucial in propping up Assad throughout the civil war. But Israeli strikes in Lebanon, Syria and Iran have potentially weakened Hezbollah and Irans ability to support Syria. And this reduction in support may have tipped the military balance in the civil war toward opposition groups. Moreover, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and other rebel groups are facing a Syrian military hit by low morale, high desertion rates and inadequate military equipment. Disarray among government forces has made it difficult for Assad to respond effectively to the renewed assault by opposition forces. In contrast, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has bolstered its military capabilities. Having survived various military campaigns, the group has consolidated power and professionalized its forces. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has established a military academy, reorganized its units into a more conventional military structure, and created specialized forces adept at executing coordinated and strategic attacks as evidenced by the recent advance in Aleppo. Moreover, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has managed to gain some local support by positioning itself as a defender of Sunni Muslim interests. The inability to find a political solution to the Syrian crisis has only fueled local resentment to the Assad government, creating a supportive base for any force that actively opposes the regime. With growing support on the ground, a more professional military and a political wing focused on governance, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has evolved from a jihadist offshoot into a major player in Syria a development that has huge implications for the internal dynamics of the war-torn country. Sara Harmouch, Ph.D. candidate in Public Affairs, American University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Human Rights Watch (Beirut, November 25, 2024) An Israeli airstrike in Lebanon on October 25, 2024, that killed three journalists and injured four others was most likely a deliberate attack on civilians and an apparent war crime, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch determined that Israeli forces carried out the attack using an air-dropped bomb equipped with a United States-produced Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kit. The US government should suspend weapons transfers to Israel because of the militarys repeated, unlawful attacks on civilians, for which US officials may be complicit in war crimes. Israels use of US arms to unlawfully attack and kill journalists away from any military target is a terrible mark on the United States as well as Israel, said Richard Weir, senior crisis, conflict and arms researcher at Human Rights Watch. The Israeli militarys previous deadly attacks on journalists without any consequences give little hope for accountability in this or future violations against the media. The attack took place in the early morning at the Hasbaya Village Club Resort in Hasbaya, a town in southern Lebanon, where more than a dozen journalists had been staying for over three weeks. Human Rights Watch found no evidence of fighting, military forces, or military activity in the immediate area at the time of the attack. Information Human Rights Watch reviewed indicates that the Israeli military knew or should have known that journalists were staying in the area and in the targeted building. After initially stating that its forces struck a building where terrorists were operating, the Israeli military said hours later that the incident is under review. Human Rights Watch interviewed eight people who were staying at or near the resort, including three injured journalists and the resorts owner. Human Rights Watch also visited the site on November 1 and verified 6 videos and 22 photos of the attack and its aftermath, plus satellite images. There has been no response to letters sent to the Israeli military on November 14 with findings and questions and to the Lebanese military on November 5 with questions. The attack on the building in which the journalists were staying took place just after 3 a.m., based on interviews and CCTV footage with the same time code. Most of the journalists were sleeping. Zakaria Fadel, 25, an assistant cameraman for Lebanon-based ISOL for Broadcast, a Lebanese satellite and broadcast services provider, said he was brushing his teeth when the blast threw him into the air. A munition struck the single-story building and detonated upon hitting the floor. The blast killed Ghassan Najjar, a journalist and cameraman, and Mohammad Reda, a satellite broadcast engineer, both from Al Mayadeen TV, and Wissam Kassem, a cameraman from the Hezbollah-owned outlet Al Manar TV. Al Mayadeen is a Lebanon-based pan-Arab television station politically allied with Hezbollah and the Syrian government. Human Rights Watch verified videos taken minutes after the attack which show the targeted building completely destroyed and nearby buildings damaged. The strike collapsed a wall in the adjacent building, seriously injuring Hassan Hoteit, 48, a cameraman for ISOL for Broadcast, and substantially damaged the wall of a small building about 10 meters away, injuring other journalists, including Ali Mortada, 46, a camera operator for Al Jazeera. Mortada said he woke to the blast and pieces of concrete falling on him, injuring his face and his right arm. When the debris stopped falling, he went to see if his colleagues were okay. He and others found Hoteit injured, and the building struck destroyed. Mortada said he saw the bodies of Kassem and Najjar nearby. They found Redas remains further away. Soon after, the resorts concierge approached them, saying he had found two human legs in one bedroom. Ehab el-Okdy, a reporter for Al Jazeera who was staying at the resort, said that he also saw the bodies and body parts of the dead reporters. We saw the bodies, he said. We saw Mohammad Reda was shattered all over the place. Anoir Ghaida, the resorts owner, said the journalists had arrived on October 1, following an evacuation order from the Israeli military for an area south of Hasbaya. The journalists had been reporting from Ibl al-Saqi, an area included in the evacuation order. The journalists said that from October 1 until the day of the attack, they made routine and repeated trips, reporting from the Hasbaya area, frequently doing live television reports from a hilltop that overlooked large parts of southern Lebanon. The journalists and Ghaida said they would leave the resort in the morning and return in the evening, about the same time each day. Most of the vehicles at the resort were marked Press or TV. The journalists and Ghaida said they constantly heard the buzzing of aerial drones in the area, indicating it was most likely under Israeli surveillance. Prior to October 25, there had been no attacks on Hasbaya town. Since the current hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah began on October 8, 2023, the Israeli military has attacked and killed journalists and targeted Al Mayadeen TV. On October 23, Israeli forces attacked and destroyed an office used by Al Mayadeen in Beirut. Al Mayadeen had evacuated their staff from the building. Israeli strikes killed at least six Lebanese journalists between October 8, 2023, and October 29, 2024, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Human Rights Watch found that the October 13, 2023 attack, which killed the Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah and injured six other journalists, was an apparent war crime. On November 21, 2023, an Israeli strike killed two Lebanese journalists reporting for Al Mayadeen TV, Rabih al-Maamari and Farah Omar, and their driver, Hussein Akil, in Tayr Harfa in southern Lebanon. Journalism Targeted, Digital, Dream / Dreamland v3, 2024 Human Rights Watch verified a photo and video from Najjars funeral that showed his casket wrapped in a Hezbollah flag and buried in a southern Beirut cemetery where Hezbollah fighters are buried, near the grave of al-Maamari. A Hezbollah spokesperson told Human Rights Watch on November 14 that Najjar had asked to be buried near his friend and colleague al-Maamari, but that Najjar was just a civilian and had no involvement whatsoever in any military activities. Human Rights Watch found remnants at the attack site and reviewed photographs of remnants collected by the resort owner and determined that they were consistent with a JDAM guidance kit assembled and sold by the US company Boeing. Human Rights Watch identified one remnant as part of the guidance kits actuation system that moves the fins. It bore a numerical code identifying it as having been manufactured by Woodard, a US company that makes components for guidance systems on munitions, including the JDAM. The JDAM is affixed to air-dropped bombs and allows them to be guided to a target by using satellite coordinates, making the weapon accurate to within several meters. Human Rights Watch wrote to Boeing and to Woodard on November 14, but did not receive responses. Companies have responsibilities under the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct, and related guidance to stop, prevent, mitigate, or remediate actual and potential violations of international humanitarian law that they cause, contribute to, or are linked with. Given Israels record of widespread laws of war violations and lack of accountability, companies should end arms sales, recall already sold weapons wherever possible, and stop all support services for already sold weapons. Human Rights Watch has previously documented the Israeli militarys unlawful use of US-equipped weapons in a strike in March that killed seven aid workers in southern Lebanon. International humanitarian law, or the laws of war, prohibits attacks against civilians and civilian objects. Journalists are considered civilians and are immune from attack so long as they are not directly participating in hostilities. Journalists cannot be attacked for their work as journalists, even if the opposing party considers the media biased or being used for propaganda. When carrying out any attack, warring parties must take all feasible precautions to minimize civilian harm and damage to civilian objects. This includes taking all necessary actions to verify that targets are military objectives. Individuals who commit serious violations of the laws of war with criminal intentthat is, intentionally or recklesslymay be prosecuted for war crimes. Individuals may also be held criminally liable for assisting in, facilitating, aiding, or abetting a war crime. Lebanon should urgently accept the International Criminal Courts jurisdiction to give the courts prosecutor a mandate to investigate serious international crimes committed on the countrys territory. Israels key alliesthe United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germanyshould suspend military assistance and arms sales to Israel, given the real risk that they will be used to commit grave abuses. US policy prohibits arms transfers to states more likely than not to use them in violations of international law. As evidence mounts of Israels unlawful use of US weapons, including in apparent war crimes, US officials need to decide whether they will uphold US and international law by halting arms sales to Israel or risk being found legally complicit in serious violations, Weir said. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Skyharbour Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: SYH) (OTCQX: SYHBF) (Frankfurt: SC1P) (Skyharbour or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Haywood Securities Inc. and Red Cloud Securities Inc. as co-lead agents and co-bookrunners (collectively, the Agents) in connection with a commercially reasonable efforts private placement for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of up to C$8,500,000. The private placement will include the sale of (i) up to 5,000,000 hard dollar units of the Company (the Units) at a price of C$0.40 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to C$2,000,000 (the Unit Offering), plus (ii) any combination of the following for total gross proceeds of up to C$6,500,000: Saskatchewan charity flow-through shares (the SK Charity FT Shares) at a price per SK Charity FT Share of C$0.645; National charity flow-through units (the National Charity FT Units) at a price per National Charity FT Unit of C$0.62; and Traditional flow-through shares (the Traditional FT Shares) at a price per Traditional FT Share of C$0.46 (collectively, the Flow-Through Offering, and together with the Unit Offering, the Offering). Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (a Share) plus one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole such warrant, a Warrant). Each National Charity FT Unit will consist of one Share of the Company that qualifies as a flow-through common share within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) plus one-half of one Warrant. Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Share (a Warrant Share) at an exercise price of C$0.55 for 30 months following the completion of the Offering. The Company additionally grants the Agents an option (the Over-Allotment Option), exercisable in whole or in part by the Agents, at any time up to 48 hours prior to the closing of the Offering, to sell up to an additional number of Units, National Charity FT Units, and/or Traditional FT Shares in any combination (the Additional Securities), for up to an additional C$1,275,000 in gross proceeds to the Company at the respective issue prices above to cover over-allotments, if any. The gross proceeds from the sale of the SK Charity FT Shares, National Charity FT Units, and the Traditional FT Share will be used by the Company to incur eligible Canadian exploration expenses that qualify as flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures as both terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada), and the gross proceeds from the sale of the SK Charity FT Shares will also be used to incur eligible flow-through mining expenditures as defined in The Mineral Exploration Tax Credit Regulations, 2014 (Saskatchewan) (collectively, the Qualifying Expenditures) related to the Companys projects in Saskatchewan, on or before December 31, 2025, and to renounce all Qualifying Expenditures in favour of such subscribers effective December 31, 2024. The net proceeds from the sale of Units will be used for the 2025 exploration and drilling programs at the Companys uranium projects in Saskatchewan, as well as for general working capital purposes. The Offering will be conducted in accordance with available prospectus exemptions pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws, with the securities issuable under the Offering subject to the statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance. The Offering is scheduled to close on or about December 20, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions including receipt of all necessary approvals including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V). The Company has agreed to pay the Agents a cash commission of 6.5% of the gross proceeds raised under the Offering, and issue to the Agents compensation options equal to 6.5% of the total number of securities sold under the Offering (the Compensation Options), other than with respect to presidents list orders for which a 3.25% cash fee shall be payable and 3.25% Compensation Options shall be issuable. Each Compensation Option shall be exercisable at C$0.50 for a period of 30 months from the closing date. The purchase of securities under the Offering by related parties are expected to constitute related party transactions of the Company under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101). It is expected pursuant to sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, the Company will be exempt from obtaining formal valuation and minority approval of the Companys shareholders respecting the purchase of securities under the Offering by related parties as the fair market value of securities to be purchased under the Offering is expected to be below 25% of the Company's market capitalization as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The securities offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act, as amended, or any state securities law, and may not be offered, sold or delivered, directly or indirectly, within the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons, absent registration or an exemption from such registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About Skyharbour Resources Ltd. Skyharbour holds an extensive portfolio of uranium exploration projects in Canada's Athabasca Basin and is well positioned to benefit from improving uranium market fundamentals with interest in twenty-nine projects, ten of which are drill-ready, covering over 580,000 hectares (over 1.4 million acres) of land. Skyharbour has acquired from Denison Mines, a large strategic shareholder of the Company, a 100% interest in the Moore Uranium Project, which is located 15 kilometres east of Denison's Wheeler River project and 39 kilometres south of Cameco's McArthur River uranium mine. Moore is an advanced-stage uranium exploration property with high-grade uranium mineralization at the Maverick Zone that returned drill results of up to 6.0% U 3 O 8 over 5.9 metres, including 20.8% U 3 O 8 over 1.5 metres at a vertical depth of 265 metres. Adjacent to the Moore Project is the Russell Lake Uranium Project, in which Skyharbour is an operator with joint-venture partner Rio Tinto. The project hosts several high-grade uranium drill intercepts over a large property area with robust exploration upside potential. The Company is actively advancing these projects through exploration and drill programs. Skyharbour also has joint ventures with industry leader Orano Canada Inc., Azincourt Energy, and Thunderbird Resources at the Preston, East Preston, and Hook Lake Projects respectively. The Company also has several active earn-in option partners, including CSE-listed Basin Uranium Corp. at the Mann Lake Uranium Project; CSE-listed Medaro Mining Corp. at the Yurchison Project; TSX-V listed North Shore Uranium at the Falcon Project; UraEx Resources at the South Dufferin and Bolt Projects; Hatchet Uranium at the Highway Project; Mustang Energy at the 914W Project; and TSX-V listed Terra Clean Energy at the South Falcon East Project which hosts the Fraser Lakes Zone B uranium and thorium deposit. In aggregate, Skyharbour has now signed earn-in option agreements with partners that total over $41 million in partner-funded exploration expenditures, over $30 million worth of shares being issued, and over $22 million in cash payments coming into Skyharbour, assuming that these partner companies complete their entire earn-ins at the respective projects. Skyharbour's goal is to maximize shareholder value through new mineral discoveries, committed long-term partnerships, and the advancement of exploration projects in geopolitically favourable jurisdictions. Skyharbours Uranium Project Map in the Athabasca Basin To find out more about Skyharbour Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: SYH) visit the Companys website at www.skyharbourltd.com. SKYHARBOUR RESOURCES LTD. Jordan Trimble _______________________ Jordan Trimble President and CEO For further information contact myself or: Nicholas Coltura Investor Relations Manager Skyharbour Resources Ltd. Telephone: 604-558-5847 Toll Free: 800-567-8181 Facsimile: 604-687-3119 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forwardlooking information or statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which may include, without limitation, the size of the Offering, the use of proceeds from the Offering, the ability of the Company to renounce Qualifying Expenditures in favour of the subscribers, tax treatment of the SK Charity FT Shares, the National Charity FT Units and the Traditional FT Shares, the anticipated closing date, the receipt of regulatory approvals for the Offering, the exercise of the option granted to the Agents, future results of operations, performance and achievements of the Company, completing ongoing and planned work on its projects including drilling and the expected timing of such work programs, and other statements relating to the technical, financial and business prospects of the Company, its projects and other matters. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of uranium, the ability to achieve its goals, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms. Such forward-looking information reflects the Companys views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of exploration results, risks related to the inherent uncertainty of exploration and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, and those filed under the Companys profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, adverse weather or climate conditions, failure to obtain or maintain all necessary government permits, approvals and authorizations, failure to obtain or maintain community acceptance (including First Nations), decrease in the price of uranium and other metals, increase in costs, litigation, and failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations. The Company does not undertake to update forwardlooking statements or forwardlooking information, except as required by law. Not For Distribution to U.S. News Wire Services or Dissemination in The United States December 3rd, 2024 TheNewswire - Vancouver, B.C. Opawica Explorations Inc. (TSXV: OPW) (FSE: A2PEAD) (OTCQB: OPWEF) (the Company or Opawica), a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on precious and base metal projects. Opawica Explorations Inc. has received a two-year drill permit on its 25 high-priority gold targets at the Arrowhead property of the Abitibi gold camp. The permit allows 25 drill pad locations with short-range spacing, allowing the company to move forward quickly on any one of the targets once permitting is received. Blake Morgan CEO and President states, We are thrilled to have the drill permits in hand on the Arrowhead Project and we are expecting the Bazooka drill permits to closely follow. With high priority drill targets in play, the team at Opawica Explorations is eager to start drilling both its flagship properties in one of the most prolific gold bearing regions on earth. We expect to have more news regarding the drilling soon." The 25 drill targets were done in collaboration with ALS GoldSpot Discoveries Ltd. and Opawica. The team integrated various drill hole recent and legacy data sets, including geological, structural, alteration, mineralogical, geochemical and two-dimensional seismic data that have provided a deeper insight into Arrowhead's geology. The interpretation of this updated drill hole database led to a cohesive three-dimensional model/geological model, fault network and orebody model, which have provided the foundation for a drilling exploration strategy at Arrowhead property. First prospecting started in 1920 on the major shear zone located in the northern part of the property. In 1926, the exploration works consisted of prospecting, pitting, trenching and diamond drilling, mainly to test two shear zones containing quartz-carbonate veins with free gold. Gold values of up to 45.05 grams per tonne were obtained over appreciable widths. M. Yvan Bussieres, PEng, is the qualified person for Opawica Explorations and approves the technical content of this news release. The qualified person has not verified the information on the Abitibi greenstone belt. Mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby and/or geologically similar properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the company's properties. The Company has entered into an advertising and investor awareness campaign with Dig Media Inc. dba Investing News Network (INN). INN is a private company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, dedicated to providing independent news and education to investors since 2007 at www.investingnews.com. For the 12-month term of the agreement starting November 2024, INN will provide advertising on its website to increase awareness of the issuer. INN does not provide Investor Relations or Market Making services. The cost of the campaign is $22,500. INN can be reached at 604-688-8231 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The Company is pleased to announce that it has renewed the service agreement (the Engagement) June 7th 2024 with White Rabbit Projects Pte. Ltd. (White Rabbit) pursuant to which White Rabbit shall act as the facilitator of a marketing campaign by the Company (the Campaign) of up to US$305,000 (the Spending Cap) and to provide the Company with assistance related to the organization and coordination of the Companys investor relations and promotional activities. The Campaign will be coordinated and facilitated by White Rabbit but carried out by third party investor relations providers that will be introduced to the Company by White Rabbit and cleared with the TSXV. In exchange for the Engagement, the Company will pay White Rabbit a fixed fee of US$15,000 for the duration of the agreement, which fee will be counted towards the Spending Cap. The Spending Cap is designed to facilitate the Companys investor relations activities across all engagements during the following twelve-month campaign period and may be allocated to additional investor relations service providers as may be engaged by the Company with the assistance of White Rabbit and subject to customary regulatory approvals. Costs related to the Engagement will be paid from the general working capital of the Company. White Rabbit will not be providing any market making services. White Rabbit, an arms length party to the Company, is a Singapore-based investor relations consulting company owned and founded by Hamid Kazemzadeh, an experienced marketing and investor relations professional. White Rabbit focuses on delivering marketing campaigns with compelling storylines that resonate in the capital markets landscape and foster stronger connections and impactful market presence. To the Companys knowledge, neither White Rabbit nor its principals own, have any interest or have any right to own or have an interest, in securities of the Company. As part of the White Rabbit agreement, White Rabbit will onboard Native Ads, Inc. to execute a comprehensive digital media advertising campaign on behalf of the Company for a total retainer of up to US$290,000 over a term of up to twelve months or until the retainer is otherwise depleted. Under the renewal agreement, dated November 21st, 2024, Native Ads, Inc. will execute a comprehensive digital media advertising campaign on behalf of the Company. A significant portion of the budget outlay will be allocated to cost per click costs, media buying, content distribution and search engine marketing. The remaining budget will be allocated for content creation, web development, advertising creative development, search engine optimization, campaign optimization, and reporting and data insights services. The agreement includes a total retainer of up to US$290,000 over a term of up to twelve months, with the management of the budget to be at the discretion of the Company. Native Ads is a full-service advertising agency based out of New York, NY and Vancouver, BC. Native Ads and its principal Jon Malach are arms lengths to the Company and hold no interest, directly or indirectly, in the securities of the Company or any right to acquire such an interest. The engagement of Native Ads and White Rabbit are subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Opawica Explorations Inc. Opawica Explorations Inc. is a junior Canadian exploration company with a strong portfolio of precious and base metal properties within the Rouyn-Noranda region of the Abitibi Gold Belt in Quebec. The Companys management has a great track record in discovering and developing successful exploration projects. The Companys objective is to increase shareholder value through the development of exploration properties using cost effective exploration practices, acquiring further exploration properties, and seeking partnerships by either joint venture or sale with industry leaders. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Blake Morgan President and Chief Executive Officer Opawica Explorations Inc. Telephone: 604-681-3170 Fax: 604-681-3552 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this news release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect managements current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect managements current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected including, but not limited to, market conditions, availability of financing, actual results of the Companys exploration and other activities, environmental risks, future metal prices, operating risks, accidents, labor issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry. All the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances save as required by applicable law. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Titan Mining Corporation (TSX: TI, OTCQB: TIMCF) (Titan or the Company) is pleased to announce the successful completion of its maiden mineral resource estimate (MRE) for the Kilbourne Graphite Project, located within the mining permit boundary at its 100% owned Empire State Mine (ESM) located in St Lawrence County in New York State. Highlights: An open-pit constrained inferred mineral resource estimate of 22 million US short tons (tons) at an average grade of 2.91% (Cg) containing 653,000 tons of graphite, based on a cut-off grade of 1.50% Maiden mineral resource estimate based on 45 diamond drill holes totaling 29,699 ft completed as Phase I drilling The Phase I drilling and maiden mineral resource estimate represents a small subset of the total graphite bearing unit identified through surface mapping and historical drilling Maiden mineral resource estimate based on strike length of 7,000 ft of a total strike length of 25,000 ft. Potential for mineral resource expansion along strike and down dip, almost entirely hosted within the existing active use permit, part of the over 80,000 acres of mineral rights controlled by the company in St. Lawrence County, NY Kilbourne is targeted to be fast-tracked to commercial production to secure the preferred US domestic supply chain, given its unique advantage of having existing infrastructure and operational talent at ESM Metallurgical test work in progress at SGS Lakefield is due for completion in Q4 2024. This will provide product segmentation information and refine the flowsheet for a commercial demonstration plant Production of concentrate from a commercial demonstration plant, located within the ESM mill, in 2025. This is expected to be the first commercial demonstration plant in full run-time in the United States capable of delivering to the US supply chain Preparations for an NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Kilbourne Graphite Project will begin in early 2025 Don Taylor, CEO of Titan, commented: The maiden mineral resource estimate at Kilbourne is an excellent result based on limited Phase I drilling and confirms the prospect of a long life, open pit, graphite operation at ESM. There remains significant potential to expand the mineral resource estimate within the ESM mineral tenure, to potentially fully meet US domestic needs, and to secure our supply chain. Kilbourne is located less than 4,000 ft from the existing ESM mill and infrastructure. With significant operational synergies, Titan is targeting being the first US commercial producer of natural flake graphite delivering to a broad spectrum of US based customers. Rita Adiani, President of Titan, commented: The maiden mineral resource estimate at Kilbourne together with existing infrastructure at ESM allows Titan to fast-track the development of the Kilbourne Project. Our short-term focus is to de-risk the process and end products through the Phase III program currently in progress at SGS Lakefield. Following that test work, Titan will engineer, build and operate a commercial demonstration plant on site during FY 2025. This process will allow Titan to deliver a variety of high value natural flake graphite products to US consumers and build our product offering prior to potentially scaling production, following relevant studies, in the ensuing 18 months. This approach will maximize pricing for our products and ensure we build a facility which matches demand. Mineral Resource Estimate Figure 1: Kilbourne conceptual pit outline with modeled mineralization and Titan Property and permitting outlines Table 1: Kilbourne Graphite Mineral Resource Summary and in-situ Metal within Pit Shell Classification Deposit Cut-Off Grade (% Cg) Tonnage (000 Ton) Grade (% Cg) Contained Graphite (000 Ton) Inferred Kilbourne 1.50 22,423 2.91 653 Source: BBA USA Inc., 2024. Notes to Table 1: The independent Qualified Person for the Mineral Resource Estimate, as defined by NI 43-101 is Mr. Todd McCracken (PGO 0631) of BBA USA Inc. The effective date of this Mineral Resource Estimate is December 3, 2024. Three-dimensional (3D) wireframe models of mineralization were based on the geological interpretation of the logged lithology and sub-domained based on contiguous grade intervals greater than or less than 0.50% Cg defining two mineralized sub-domains. Geological and block models for the Mineral Resource Estimate used data from a total of 45 surface diamond drill holes (core) and 1 surface channel sample. The drill hole database was validated prior to mineral resource estimation and QA/QC checks were made using industry-standard control charts for blanks and commercial certified reference material inserted into assay batches by Empire State Mine personnel. Quantities and grades in the Mineral Resource Estimate are rounded to an appropriate number of significant figures to reflect that they are estimations. The mineral resource estimate was constrained using the following optimization parameters, as agreed upon by Empire State Mine and the QP. The parameters include mining costs of $4.60/ton for mineralized rock, $3.50/ton for unmineralized rock, and $2.00/ton for overburden and tailings, with a 5.0% dilution and 95.0% mining recovery. Processing costs are $14.00/ton milled, with a 91.0% processing recovery and a concentrate grade of 95.0%. No general and administrative (G&A) costs were applied. The selling price is $1,090/ton of concentrate, with transportation costs of $50/ton and no additional selling costs. The overall slope angles are 23 degrees for overburden and tailings, and 45 degrees for rock. Process recovery estimates based on Phase I testing done at SGS Lakefield and Forte Dynamics, open circuit recovery 86.5% with expected increase to 90-91% in closed circuit. The reported mineral resource estimate has been tabulated in terms of a pit-constrained cut-off value of 1.50% Cg. The block model was prepared using Datamine Studio RM. A 30 ft x 30 ft x 15 ft block model was created, and samples were composited at 5.00 ft intervals. Grade estimation for graphite used data from drill hole data and was carried out using Ordinary Kriging (OK), Inverse Distance Squared (ID2), and Nearest Neighbor (NN) methods. The OK methodology is the method used to report the mineral estimate statement. Grade estimation was validated by comparison of the global mean block grades for OK, ID2, and NN by domain and composite mean grades by domain, swath plot analysis, and by visual inspection of the assay data, block model, and grade shells in cross-sections. The specific gravity (SG) assessment was carried out for all domains using measurements collected during the core logging process. The mean specific gravity value within the mineralized domains is 2.75. The Mineral Resource Estimate was prepared following the CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines (November 29, 2019). Sensitivity Analysis The results of grade sensitivity analysis are presented in Figure 2 to illustrate the continuity of the grade estimates at various cut-off increments and the sensitivity of the mineralization to changes in cut-off grade. The reader is cautioned that figures in the following chart should not be misconstrued as Mineral Resources or confused with the Mineral Resource Statement reported above. These figures are only presented to show the sensitivity of the block model estimated grades and tonnages to the selection of cut-off grade. Cut-off at the Kilbourne Graphite Project was set at 1.50% (Cg). Figure 2: Kilbourne Graphite: Revenue Factor Sensitivity Source: BBA USA Inc., 2024. Table 2: Kilbourne Graphite Revenue Factor Sensitivity $USD per Ton Concentrate RF Graphite (%) Mill Feed (k Ton) Contained Graphite (k Ton) Waste (k Ton) Overburden (k Ton) 872.00 0.80 3.30 7,198 238 4,810 3,532 926.50 0.85 3.19 10,627 339 9,247 5,763 981.00 0.90 3.05 14,987 457 13,578 9,261 1035.50 0.95 2.99 18,303 547 18,824 11,072 1090.00 1.00 2.91 22,423 653 25,278 13,425 1144.50 1.05 2.86 25,109 719 29,871 14,557 1199.00 1.10 2.81 28,790 808 36,399 16,528 1253.50 1.15 2.76 32,401 895 44,365 18,400 1308.00 1.20 2.73 36,959 1,009 56,969 21,433 Source: BBA USA Inc., 2024. Note: RF is a reference to Revenue Factor. Further Potential for Growth The Company is planning Phase II drilling at Kilbourne, with a projected start date in H1 2025. The primary goal of the program is to raise mineral resource confidence from Inferred to Measured/Indicated status within the core of the Kilbourne mineral resource area. Drilling will also aim to extend zones of high-grade mineralization, and test the extensions of mineralization along strike, and down dip. Phase II will consist of an additional 12,000 ft of drilling. Phase I of drilling successfully tested roughly 8,250 ft of Kilbourne strike length. The Company holds mineral rights on over 15,000 ft of additional Unit 2 strike length. This includes 8,000 ft to the east, and 7,500 ft to the south. Historic drilling and surface mapping documents graphite mineralization, however there are no historic assays to confirm these observations. To date, a little over 30% of the Kilbourne trend has been tested with drilling. Exploration planning is underway to further test these extensions. Next Steps De-risking Metallurgy: Phase III test program at SGS Lakefield is designed to de-risk metallurgy by defining a flowsheet and conditions that will serve as input into the engineering of the commercial demonstration plant. The metallurgical flowsheet optimization work is conducted on a composite that aims to replicate the overall mineral resource. The robustness of the optimized flowsheet and conditions are verified with a series of variability composites. The data from the SGS work will then be utilized to develop the mass and water balance, process design criteria, and process flow diagram of the commercial demonstration plant, which are expected to be completed by the end of Q4 2024. These documents will be the building blocks to complete equipment selection and engineering for the commercial demonstration plant. Further metallurgical work programs will be defined based on operating data of the commercial demonstration plant. Establishing product-segmentation: The Phase III test program will be used for defining market and product segmentation for potential products from the Kilbourne Graphite Project and for refining the scope of a commercial demonstration plant. Commercial demonstration plant: The Kilbourne Graphite Project has a unique advantage of being hosted within ESMs mine permit boundary, which has an existing mill, established infrastructure and a trained workforce. The Company is targeting production of concentrate from a commercial demonstration plant in 2025 to be co-located within the existing ESM mill facilities and benefiting from the shared infrastructure and operational talent present on site. This is expected to be the first commercial demonstration plant in full run-time in the United States capable of delivering to the US supply chain. Preliminary Economic Assessment: Titan will begin preparation of an NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Kilbourne Graphite Project in H1 2025 with the goal of defining project economics and delivering a phased approach to the development of the Kilbourne Graphite Project. Permitting for the expanded scope of operations is subject to a state level process. An NI 43-101 technical report supporting the mineral resource estimate disclosed herein will be filed on SEDAR+ within 45 days of this press release. Quality Assurance and Quality Control Core drilling was completed using ESM owned and operated drills which produced AWJ (1.374 in) size drill core. All core was logged by ESM employees. The core was washed, logged, photographed, and sampled. All core samples were cut in half, lengthwise, using a diamond saw with a diamond-impregnated blade and sampled on 5 ft intervals with adjustments made to match geological contacts. After a sample is cut, one half of the core was returned to the original core box for reference and long-term storage. The second half was placed in a plastic or cloth sample bag, labeled with the corresponding sample identification number, along with a sample tag. All sample bags were secured with staples or a draw string, weighed and packed in shipping boxes. Shipping boxes are placed onto pallets and shipped by freight to SGS Lakefield laboratory in Lakefield, ON, Canada for sample preparation and graphitic carbon analysis. Pulps are forwarded to SGS Burnaby laboratory in Burnaby, BC, Canada for multi-element analysis. SGS Lakefield is a Canadian accredited laboratory (ISO/IEC 17025) and independent of ESM. SGS Lakefield prepares the pulps and analyzes each sample for graphitic carbon (Cg-CSA06V) with a detection limit of >0.01%. Pulps are shipped to SGS Burnaby for multi-element analysis by aqua regia digestion (GE-ICP21B20 for 34 elements) with an ICP OES finish. All samples in which silver, calcium, manganese, iron, zinc and sulfur exceed their upper limit are re-run using methods of aqua regia digestion (Fe-ICP21B100), four acid digestion (Ag, Ca, Zn, and Mn-ICP42Q100) and infrared combustion (S-CSA06V) with the elements reported in percentage (%). Standards and blanks are inserted during the logging process. The assays for QA/QC samples are reviewed as certificates are received from the laboratory. Failures are identified on a batch basis and followed up as required. The scientific and technical information disclosed herein has been verified by Todd McCracken of BBA USA Inc., using data validation and quality assurance procedures under high industry standards. The verification activities included a search for factual errors, completeness of the lithological and assay data, and suitability of the primary data. As part of the database verification activities, the assay information and certificates obtained directly from the analytical laboratory have been examined as well. Mr. McCracken has not identified any legal, political, environmental, or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of the mineral resources disclosed herein. Qualified Person The technical and scientific information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Todd McCracken of BBA USA Inc. Mr. McCracken is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is independent of Titan. About Titan Mining Corporation Titan is an Augusta Group company which produces zinc concentrate at its 100%-owned Empire State Mine located in New York state. The Company is focused on value creation and operating excellence, with a strong commitment to developing critical mineral assets that enhance the security of the U.S. supply chain, and the Kilbourne Graphite Project is a core part of this strategy. For more information on the Company, please visit our website at www.titanminingcorp.com. Contact For further information, please contact: Rita Adiani, President, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Investor Relations, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements and information contained in this new release constitute "forward-looking statements", and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). These statements appear in a number of places in this news release and include statements regarding our intent, or the beliefs or current expectations of our officers and directors, including that potential for mineral resource expansion along strike and down dip, almost entirely hosted within the existing active use permit; Kilbourne is targeted to be fast-tracked to commercial production to secure the preferred US domestic supply chain; metallurgical test work in progress at SGS Lakefield is due for completion in Q4 2024; this will provide product segmentation information and refine the flowsheet for a commercial demonstration plant, producing graphite concentrate at full run-time, to be co-located within the existing mill at ESM; there remains significant potential to expand the mineral resource estimate within the ESM mineral tenure, to potentially fully meet US domestic needs, and to secure our supply chain; with significant operational synergies, Titan is targeting being the first US commercial producer of natural flake graphite delivering to a broad spectrum of US based customers; the maiden mineral resource estimate at Kilbourne together with existing infrastructure at ESM allows Titan to fast-track the development of the Kilbourne Project; our short-term focus is to de-risk the process and end products through the Phase III program currently in progress at SGS Lakefield; following that test work, Titan will engineer, build and operate a commercial demonstration plant on site during FY 2025; this process will allow Titan to deliver a variety of high value natural flake graphite products to US consumers and build our product offering prior to potentially scaling production, following relevant studies, in the ensuing 18 months; this approach will maximize pricing for our products and ensure we build a facility which matches demand; Phase II will consist of an additional 12,000 ft of drilling, in addition to the roughly 8,250 ft tested during Phase I drilling at Kilbourne, and the Company holds the mineral rights on over 15,000 ft of additional Unit 2 strike length; Phase III test program at SGS Lakefield is designed to de-risk metallurgy by defining a flowsheet and conditions that will serve as input into the engineering of the commercial demonstration plant; the metallurgical flowsheet optimization work is conducted on a composite that aims to replicate the overall mineral resource; the robustness of the optimized flowsheet and conditions are verified with a series of variability composites; the data from the SGS work will then be utilized to develop the mass and water balance, process design criteria, and process flow diagram of the commercial demonstration plant, which are expected to be completed by the end of Q4 2024; these documents will be the building blocks to complete equipment selection and engineering for the commercial demonstration plant; further metallurgical work programs will be defined based on operating data of the commercial demonstration plant; the Phase III test program will be used for defining market and product segmentation for potential products from the Kilbourne Graphite Project and for refining the scope of a commercial demonstration plant; the Company is targeting production of concentrate from a commercial demonstration plant in 2025 to be co-located within the existing ESM mill facilities and benefiting from the shared infrastructure and operational talent present on site; this is expected to be the first commercial demonstration plant in full run-time in the United States capable of delivering to the US supply chain; Titan will begin preparation of an NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Kilbourne Graphite Project in H1 2025 with the goal of defining project economics and delivering a phased approach to the development of the Kilbourne Graphite Project; permitting for the expanded scope of operations is subject to a state level process; an NI 43-101 technical report supporting the mineral resource estimate disclosed herein will be filed on SEDAR+ within 45 days of this press release. When used in this news release words such as "to be", "will", "planned", "expected", "potential", and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to vary materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in the Company's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. Such forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions, including assumptions made with regard to the ability to advance exploration efforts at ESM; the results of such exploration efforts; the ability to secure adequate financing (as needed); the Company maintaining its current strategy and objectives; and the Company's ability to achieve its growth objectives. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable, based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Except as required by applicable law, we assume no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If we update any one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. You should not place undue importance on forward-looking statements and should not rely upon these statements as of any other date. All forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Vancouver, British Columbia, December 03, 2024 TheNewswire Manning Ventures Inc. (the Company or Manning) (CSE: MANN; Frankfurt: 1H5) is pleased to announce that drilling has commenced at the at the Copper Hill Project, located along the prolific Walker Lane Trend, western Nevada, USA. Drilling began yesterday, Monday, December 2, at the Copper Hill. The first three targets at the Copper Hill project are designed to follow up on strong geochemistry and favorable structural zones. Drill sites PDH-1 and PDH-3 have been completed with additional pad locations scheduled to be completed over the next week. Were excited to break ground and begin phase one of our drill plans at Copper Hill, said Alex Klenman, CEO. This project, and the area in general, has a rich history of copper discoveries and mining. There is a lot of highly-prospective, untested ground at Copper Hill that needs to be explored. Were eager to unlock the value we feel the project holds and this first drill program is a great start. This phase one drill program will consist of up to nine Reverse Circulation (RC) drill holes totalling approximately 2,500 meters. Drilling will test for skarn mineralization on the contact between the limestone and the intrusive for the Northern and the Southern Zones. The two zones outline target areas that returned significant copper values (0.5 to > 1.0% copper) in intense skarn alteration. The Copper Hill Project is comprised of 108 unpatented lode mining claims that cover 2,215 acres (896.3 Ha). Image 1: Phase one planned drill sites, Copper Hill Project, Nevada, USA Mineralization Controls The mapping and compilation of all exploration data at Copper Hill outlines an untested, highly prospective, copper/gold bearing skarn target. Potential may exist for a porphyry type copper deposit to be found deep beneath Copper Mountain or beneath the covered southeast intrusive. Additionally, porphyry-related veins and local chloritic and sericitic alteration is found along these northwest trends. Two exploration corridors termed the Northern Zone and the Southern Zone outline areas with over 1500 meters (>5,000 feet) of strike length which host significant, intense skarn alteration and elevated copper values (0.5 to >1.0% copper). The most significant features on the west-northwest trends are: Northern Zone Correlates with northern copper in soils anomaly Aligns with garnetite, copper-bearing zones Aligns with larger dikes of diorite Southern Zone Adjacent to deepest historic mineralization and proximal to historic shallow, near surface mines (limestone host in historic mine area is likely very thin and gets wider and thicker moving to southeast). Aligns with gravity trend indicating Limestone/intrusive contact connecting southeast to SE buried intrusive. Northern end of southern zone associated with high-grade surface sampling and historic mining of garnetite and massive magnetite skarn zones. Correlates with southern high copper in soils anomaly. Image 2: Location of Copper Hill, Walker Lane Trend, Nevada, USA About the Copper Hill Project Located within the prolific Walker Lane trend in southern Nevada, Copper Hill is situated one of the premier jurisdictions for precious metals mining in the world. Historic endowment within Walker Lane includes 50Moz Au, 700Moz Ag, and 4Mt Cu. Copper Hill hosts copper-gold-molybdenum mineralization in both porphyry and skarn styled deposits in Mineral County, Nevada. The Project is centered on a Jurassic Age quartz monzonite porphyry intruding Triassic age Luning Limestone. The claims are located 33 miles east of the Yerington Copper District which hosts the Yerington Copper Mine (Anaconda 1952-1978), Ann Mason Deposit, Bear Deposit, MacArthur Deposit, and the Pumpkin Hollow Mine. Historically at Copper Hill, reported high-grade copper was mined from underground shafts from skarn and porphyry-copper styled mineralization at the Copper Mountain Mine. Between 1914 to 1926 mining from the Copper Mountain Mine produced an estimated 1,000,000 pounds of copper from shallow underground workings. Historic reporting from the period of production describes ore zones of contact skarn- type and porphyry-type mineralization with shipping grades ranging from 3.5 to 11.0% copper*. The Copper Hill mineralizing system forms a topographic high surrounded and partially covered by younger volcanic rocks. Mineralization identified at Copper Hill are bornite, chalcocite, chalcopyrite, chrysocolla, copper-native, covellite, cuprite, gold, malachite, molybdenite, silver, sphalerite (rare), and tetrahedrite. The Copper Mountain area was explored between 1959 to 1979 by Idaho Minning Corp. and Walker-Martel who conducted ground geophysics, underground mapping, prospecting and reported 6000 feet of Rotary drilling. Since that time ground magnetics were conducted in 2007. Rock sampling collected at this time returned values from select samples of 7.2% and 12.7% copper and 1.06 g/t gold and 1.19 g/t gold respectively. *Historic Mining information was summarized from an Unpublished Report on the Carson Sink Area, Nevada by F.C. Schrader, U.S. Geological Survey (Field work 1911-1920) 1947. Manning Ventures cautions investors that the historic exploration and production information is believed to be accurate but has not been verified by a qualified person. Warren Robb P.Geo., is the designated Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for the technical information contained in this release. About Manning Manning Ventures is a mineral exploration and development company focused metals and materials critical to the growing Energy Metals space. Mannings project portfolio is focused on Copper in Nevada, Lithium/Copper in Ontario and Quebec, and multiple Iron Ore projects in Quebec. For further information contact: Manning Ventures Inc. Alex Klenman - CEO Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Telephone: (604) 681-0084 www.manning-ventures.com FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Certain statements in this press release may contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation), including, without limitation, the Companys payment of the Exercise Price during the Option Term, the granting of the net smelter return royalty to the Optionor, and the Companys payment of the annual minimum payments to the Optionor. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If the Company updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - RED METAL RESOURCES LTD. (CSE: RMES) (OTC Pink: RMESF) (FSE: I660) is pleased to announce that it has executed a Definitive Agreement (the "Agreement") with an arm's length vendor to acquire a 100% interest in three separate mineral claims packages, highly prospective for Hydrogen located in the Larder Lake Mining District of Ontario, along the Quebec border near the town of Ville-Marie, QC. These claim blocks consist of three separate packages, covering 149 mineral claims and totaling approximately 3,246 hectares and were acquired due to their proximity and similar geological setting to that of Quebec Innovative Materials Corp.'s ("QIMC") recent hydrogen-in-soil discovery in the Saint-Bruno-de-Guigues area, of over 1,000 ppm, announced on September 4th 2024. This news release contains information about adjacent properties on which the Company has no right to explore or mine. Investors are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company's properties. Figure 1. RMES 7 Mineral Claim blocks in Ontario and Quebec in proximity to recent Hydrogen discovery Red Metal's total portfolio of claim blocks in this highly prospective discovery area, now consist of seven separate packages, covering 172 mineral claims and totaling over 4,546 hectares to the North, Northeast and the Southwest of QIMC's Hydrogen-in-soil sample discovery as well as covering similar geology to the west into Ontario. These claim blocks are contiguous on three sides to Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. and cover possible extensions in multiple directions. To date, 164 of the 172 claims have been approved by the Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests and the Ontario ministry of mines. Ontario's Firstbrook Township hosts documented occurrences of copper, lead, cobalt, silver and kimberlite. The area boasts excellent infrastructure, including power and easy road access. Geologic or white hydrogen offers a clean, renewable and potentially abundant source of energy with a range of environmental and economic benefits. Its carbon-free nature, high energy density and compatibility with existing infrastructure make it a promising solution for meeting future energy needs and achieving global climate goals. Red Metal Resources President and CEO, Caitlin Jeffs stated, "We have added a significant and highly prospective package of three additional claim blocks in Ontario to our existing mineral claims portfolio next to QIMC in Quebec. Red Metal is actively planning an extensive exploration program to encompass its Quebec and Ontario claims including directly next to QIMC's recent hydrogen discovery. These new Ontario claims increase our exposure to this exciting discovery area and highlight the potential for new discoveries of hydrogen as well as base and previous metals as we continue to advance our Carrizal Copper/Gold property in Cordillera, Chile." Red Metal Resources is planning an initial exploration program that could include but not limited to: Gas sampling from the soil and underwater surveys in Timiskaming Lake. These surveys can be used to locate degassing zones associated with faults in the Timiskaming rift. Gravimetry and audiomagnetotellurism (AMT) geophysics to assess variations in the thickness of local sedimentary rock deposits (gravity troughs) over the Archean basement. AMT data will assist in locating graben-related faults in the St-Bruno-de-Guigue area that are covered by quaternary sediments. Regional remote sensing gas surveys to identify specific targets to provide useful remote sensing data for hydrogen and helium exploration. Fieldwork can be carried out with access to properties through main roads and paved highways. The Company is currently reviewing regional geologic data to assist in the evaluation of potential additional acquisitions in the immediate area as well as the formulation of an initial exploration plan with further details to be provided in due course. Terms of the Agreement Under the terms of the Agreement to acquire a 100% interest in 149 mineral claims, Company has agreed to pay $8,000 and issue 2.25 million common shares of the Company. No royalty is to be paid out of any potential future revenue. The Company's acquisition of the Property remains subject to customary conditions of closing, including the Company completing due diligence to its satisfaction and the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange (if required), and is expected to complete shortly. The common shares issuable in connection with the Agreement will be subject to a four month hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws. Qualified Person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Caitlin Jeffs, P. Geo, who is a Qualified Person ("QP") as defined in National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Red Metal Resources Ltd. Red Metal Resources is a mineral exploration company focused on growth through acquiring, exploring and developing clean energy and strategic minerals projects. The Company's current portfolio include the 100% owned Ville Marie claims in Quebec, Canada as well as Company's Chilean projects which are located in the prolific Candelaria iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) belt of Chile's coastal Cordillera. Red Metal is quoted on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol RMES, on OTC Link alternative trading system on the OTC Pink marketplace under the symbol RMESF and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol I660. For more information, visit www.redmetalresources.com. Forward-Looking Statements All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Red Metal provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the ability to raise adequate financing, receipt of required approvals, as well as those risks and uncertainties identified and reported in Red Metal's public filings under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although Red Metal has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Red Metal disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Kelowna, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - Strathmore Plus Uranium Corporation (TSXV: SUU) (OTCQB: SUUFF) (FSE: TO3) ("Strathmore" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that the Company drilled two newly identified uranium roll fronts on the Beaver Rim project. Four drill holes were completed, including the discovery of the two mineralized zones on the South Sage claim group. The intercepts included 7.5 feet grading 0.042% eU 3 O 8 from 1,119-1,126.5 feet (hole BR-03-24) and 4.5 feet grading 0.024% eU 3 O 8 from 1,090-1,094.5 feet (hole BR-01-24). The Beaver Rim areas drilled lie 1 to 3 miles south of Cameco's fully permitted in-situ recovery Gas Hills project. The goals of the drilling program were to determine the validity of our geologic model for Beaver Rim and that it's a legitimate uranium exploration target. This included: Finding out if the arkosic-rich sediments beneath Beaver Rim correlate to the uranium bearing sediments to the north in the adjacent Gas Hills mining district? Did these sediments act as the geologic passageway for uranium transport from the south through the project area towards Gas Hills? Are these sediments suitable for uranium deposition and was there any uranium mineralization discovered in the Beaver Rim sediments? With completion of the initial phase of drilling, Strathmore believes we have answered "Yes" to each of the questions regarding the geologic model, by having encountered uranium mineralization on the Beaver Rim project. The targeted host sandstone, the Puddle Springs Arkose member of the Eocene Wind River Formation was tested with the drilling. Results of the drilling show that the Puddle Springs is a very clean quartzite and feldspar-rich coarse sandstone and lesser mudstones. The member varied in thickness from 130-170 feet. Mineralization above grade cutoff (0.015% eU 3 O 8 ) was encountered in two holes (BR-01-24, BR-03-24) in two separate sandstone intervals. A third hole, BR-02-24, showed above background gamma levels in three distinct sand intervals with notable alteration of the granitic sandstones in all holes drilled. Based on these results, Strathmore believes the Beaver Rim area is a viable uranium exploration target. The Company plans to continue exploration of the project in 2025, including on the Diamond claim group to the west where previous drilling by Strathmore Minerals in 2012 encountered stacked roll front mineralization. Hole ID Latitude Longitude Collar (Ft) From (Ft) To (Ft) Thickness (Ft) Grade % BR-01-24 42.72470 -107.51230 7,118 1,090.0 1,094.5 4.5 0.028 BR-02-24 42.72918 -107.51454 7,178 Below cutoff BR-03-24 42.72495 -107.51283 7,126 1,119.0 1,126.5 7.5 0.042 1,137.0 1,139.5 2.5 0.028 BR-04-24 42.76613 -107.50053 7,403 Below cutoff Note: The tabled geophysical results are based on equivalent uranium (eU 3 O 8 ) of the gamma-ray probes calibrated at the Department of Energy's Test Facility in Casper, Wyoming. A series E Century Geophysical logging tool with gamma-ray, spontaneous potential, resistivity, and drift detectors was utilized in the logging. The reader is cautioned that the reported uranium grades may not reflect actual uranium concentrations due to the potential for disequilibrium between uranium and its gamma emitting daughter products. Further analysis on radiometric equilibrium will be conducted by Strathmore in the future. Beaver Rim Technical Report The Company has refiled to Sedar a technical report for the Beaver Rim project titled Technical Report on the Gas Hills-Beaver Rim Uranium Exploration Project, Fremont and Natrona Counties, Wyoming, USA. The report was authored by Mark B. Mathisen, C.P.G., of SLR International Corporation, and dated May 31, 2022. The report was required for Company regulatory purposes and inadvertently misfiled at the time in 2022. The report is available at www.sedarplus.ca. An updated report is planned upon completion of the autumn exploration program at the Beaver Rim project. About the Beaver Rim Project The Gas Hills uranium district is the largest uranium district in the State of Wyoming; with more than 100 million pounds of uranium being mined between 1954 to1988 when production ceased due to declining prices. Historical and recent reports suggest 50 to100 million pounds of uranium may exist in the Gas Hills district. The Beaver Rim project consists of 265 wholly owned mining claims totaling 5,475 acres. The project area was previously explored by American Nuclear in the 1970s, Cameco between1990 to early 2000's, and most recently by Strathmore Minerals in 2012, where uranium mineralization was encountered at depths of 700-1,000 feet, contained in stacked, Wyoming-type roll front deposits within arkosic-rich sandstones of the Eocene-age Wind River Formation. The Beaver Rim project lies immediately south and adjacent to Cameco's fully permitted Gas Hills in-situ recovery project. Cameco reported for their Gas Hills project indicated and inferred mineral resources of 13.3 million and 6 million pounds of uranium, at 0.14% and 0.08% eU 3 O 8 respectively (reported Dec. 31, 2023). Additional, historically defined resources controlled by Cameco are noted to trend from their Property south beneath the Beaver Rim claims including the West Diamond, East Diamond, North Sage, and South Sage properties. Strathmore is reviewing the greater Beaver Rim area and past exploration as part of its intent to acquire additional properties with the potential to contain uranium mineralization. About Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp. Strathmore has three permitted uranium projects in Wyoming: Agate, Beaver Rim, and Night Owl. The Agate and Beaver Rim properties contain uranium mineralization in typical Wyoming-type roll front deposits based on historical and recent drilling data. The Night Owl property is a former producing surface mine that was in production in the early 1960s. Cautionary Statement "Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as the term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release." Certain information contained in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information," within the meaning of Canadian legislation. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur", "be achieved" or "has the potential to". Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may include statements regarding the future operating or financial performance of Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp. which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may not prove to be accurate. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements. Such statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations. Among those factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: market conditions and other risk factors listed from time to time in our reports filed with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp. disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation. Qualified Person The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed on behalf of the company by Terrence Osier, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration of Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp., a Qualified Person. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - Kingsmen Resources Ltd. (TSXV: KNG) (OTCQB: KNGRF) ("Kingsmen" or the "Company") is pleased to report as part of its ongoing field reconnaissance in preparation for the upcoming drill program, it has identified a new significant silver-gold drill target (Saddle) on its 100% owned Las Coloradas project, which is in the Parral mining district of the Central Mexican Silver Belt, Chihuahua Mexico. The identification of the Saddle target adds to the Company's list of priority drill targets. The Saddle target is located between two prominent magnetic highs where a deep wedge of volcanics/sediments, and veins/structures prospective for epithermal precious metal, skarn and porphyry mineralization are interpreted to underlie surface precious metals anomalies - see inset C on Figure 1. Two lines of induced polarization/resistivity (IP/R) from a survey partly overlap old, historic Saddle workings at their SE end. Chargeability anomalies interpreted to be part of the Saddle target are identified on insets A and B on Figure 1. Interpreted veining/structures are shown as white lines. The geophysics indicate the potential for the discovery of significant blind mineralization. Figure 1 Prospecting has identified anomalous gold and silver values with associated copper, lead, zinc, arsenic, bismuth, and antimony (Figure 2, 3, 4 & 5; Table 1) associated with quartz-carbonate veins and magnetic linears. The area of anomalous geochemistry both includes and is adjacent to the targets indicated by geophysics. Exposure is limited in the area because of widespread soil/alluvium cover. However, anomalous silver, gold and other metal values in prospecting samples indicate the potential for the discovery of significant blind mineralization in this area. Scott Emerson, President commented: "There exists the potential of blind mineralization at Saddle. The identification of the Saddle target adds to its priority as a drill target. Other reported examples of significant blind mineralization are the Pensquito (Zacatecas) operated by Newmount and Cerro Las Minitas(Durango) project operated by Southern Silver in Mexico." Table 1 Sample Au ppm Ag ppm Al % As ppm Bi ppm Cu ppm Fe % Mn ppm Pb ppm S % Sb ppm Zn ppm Width (m) 1 0 1.3 1.02 271 0 11 1.94 261 271 0.08 8 216 Grab 2 0.45 24.2 0.54 7750 0 67 14.3 630 3480 0.01 395 1455 Grab 3 0 0 1.9 44 0 17 2.45 544 16 0 2 72 Grab 4 1.2 1.1 0.1 491 0 53 2.03 9220 2230 0 15 1150 Composite 5 0.01 0.2 0.5 551 0 11 6.83 1820 13 0 11 41 Composite 6 0.01 1 1.5 636 0 25 3.93 2690 193 0.02 6 208 Grab 7 0.64 246 0.28 10000 56 56 11.95 2740 46000 10 298 59400 Grab 8 0.01 1.8 1.1 346 0 12 2.07 675 298 0.05 6 451 Grab 9 0.6 1.1 0.32 717 0 4 1.52 1205 67 0 25 164 Grab 10 1.44 2.7 0.67 4980 5 590 37.7 136 396 0.08 44 423 Composite 11 1.87 409 0.47 10000 15 485 23.7 336 112000 1.88 1295 6190 Grab 12 0.01 0.9 0.05 104 0 3 0.67 4320 242 0 7 79 Composite 13 0.02 4.9 0.06 658 3 6 0.97 3420 1155 0.02 10 77 Composite 14 0 0.2 0.34 17 4 3 1.11 617 21 0 0 14 Grab 15 0 0.2 0.07 67 2 2 0.95 826 15 0 0 14 Grab 16 0 0.2 0.17 10 0 1 1.08 639 8 0 0 11 Grab 17 1.51 94 0.64 10000 4 230 10.5 162 24900 0.69 307 3290 0.5 18 0.39 5.2 0.75 4890 8 169 8.98 813 4210 0.01 254 3730 0.4 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 About Las Coloradas The Las Coloradas Project ( 8.5 km2 -3.3 sq miles) represents a consolidation of a historic mining district which covers numerous silver-gold-lead-zinc-copper mines previously exploited by ASARCO (American Smelting and Refining Company), the U.S. based subsidiary of Grupo Mexico. Las Coloradas is in the Parral mining district of the Central Mexican Silver Belt, and is located approximately 30 kilometers southeast of the city of Hidalgo de Parral and 40 kilometers east of the San Francisco de Oro and Santa Barbara mining districts where several old major mines are located, such as La Prieta, Veta Colorada, Palmilla, Esmeralda, San Francisco del Oro and Santa Barbara. As well, new major mining projects are currently being explored in the district; Cordero (Discovery Silver Corp.), 35 kms north of Parral, and La Cigarra (Kootenay Silver Inc.), 35 kms northwest of Parral. Click here to see locator map, https://www.kingsmenresources.com/area-history. Qualified Person Kieran Downes, Ph.D., P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure set out in this news release. About Kingsmen Resources In line with Kingsmen's organic-growth strategy, the Company's focus is on its Las Coloradas Project in Mexico. In addition, identifying district-scale, high -margin metallic mineral deposits in the prolific mining districts of Parral Mexico. The company also has a 1% NSR on the La Trini Project located within the Los Ricos North project in Mexico operated by GoGold Resources Inc. The Company's leaders have extensive experience in the mining and financial sectors. Kingsmen is a publicly-traded company (TSXV: KNG) (OTCQB: KNGRF) and is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statement All statements, trend analysis and other information contained in this press release about anticipated future events or results constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including, without limitation, statements regarding the completion of the acquisition of the Las Coloradas Project and receipt of regulatory approval, are forward-looking statements. Although Kingsmen believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since Kingsmen can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in Kingsmen's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators, and assumptions made with regard to: Kingsmen's ability to make the required payments under the definitive agreements; and Kingsmen's ability to secure the necessary regulatory approvals. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Kingsmen's expectations include risks associated with the business of Kingsmen; risks related to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions to the closing of the acquisition of the Las Coloradas Project; non-completion of the acquisition of the Las Coloradas Project; risks related to exploration and potential development of the Las Coloradas Project; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; the need for cooperation of government agencies in the exploration and development of properties and the issuance of required permits; the need to obtain additional financing to develop properties and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; the possibility of delay in exploration or development programs and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time and additional risks identified in Kingsmen's filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.ca). Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. Kingsmen does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Recently ramped-up Phase 3 concentrator achieves record 90% recovery rate over 24 hours Lobito Atlantic Railway receives first batch of new container wagons Democratic Republic of the Congo is set to become Worlds second-largest copper producer Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN) (OTCQX: IVPAF) Executive Co-Chairman Robert Friedland and President Marna Cloete announced today that the Phase 1, 2, and 3 concentrators at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) achieved a monthly combined production record of 45,019 tonnes of copper in concentrate during the 30 days of November. The concentrators milled 1.2 million tonnes of ore at an average feed grade of 4.58% copper. Production for the year to November 30, 2024, from Kamoa-Kakula now totals 390,061 tonnes of copper. The recently ramped-up Phase 3 concentrator achieved an average recovery rate of 85.3% during November, rapidly approaching its design rate of 86%. In addition, on November 26, the Phase 3 concentrator achieved a record 90% recovery rate over 24 hours. Watch a timeline video of project developments at Kamoa-Kakula: Click Here Ivanhoe Founder and Executive Co-Chairman Robert Friedland commented: "Kamoa-Kakula's production continues its acceleration into year-end, following the completion earlier this quarter of the ramp-up of the Phase 3 concentrator. November was another remarkable milestone with the delivery of a further 10% month-on-month increase in copper production, taking the annualized production rate to approximately 550,000 tonnes of copper and November was a short month of 30 days. There is more copper to come from this world-leading mining district as the growth story is only just beginning as we grow into a production capacity of 600,000 tonnes per annum. We are the unicorn of our industry it was only three and a half years ago that we first produced copper from this vast, multi-generational copper complex." Figure 1. Kamoa-Kakula 2024 monthly copper production year-to-date President Biden visits Lobito Atlantic Railway port terminal as first batch of new container wagons are delivered On December 3, 2024, President Biden is set to visit the Angolan port of Lobito, where copper from Kamoa-Kakula is loaded onto ships for export. The visit comes after an announcement on October 24, 2024, by the US International Development Finance Corporation, that approved a $553 million loan to the Trafigura-led consortium that is operating the Lobito Atlantic Railway SA, for further upgrade work on the line. In addition, as announced on November 14, 2024, by Trafigura of Geneva, Switzerland, the first batch of 275 new container wagons purchased from Galison Manufacturing of Welkom, South Africa has been delivered to Lobito, Angola. The new container wagons, weighing 13.5 tonnes and with a load capacity of up to 60.5 tonnes, are designed to each carry one 40-foot container or two 20-foot containers. The recently delivered batch of wagons is the first in a series of weekly deliveries expected from now until 2026. A locomotive by Wabtec, an affiliate of General Electric of Boston, Massachusetts, transporting a batch of the recently delivered container wagons, loaded with containers, at the Atlantic port of Lobito, Angola. Source: Trafigura DRC is set to become Worlds second-largest producer of copper According to an analysis by Benchmark Mineral Intelligence of London, England, total copper production in Peru during the 9 months to September 30, 2024, was down year-on-year by 0.6% at 1.99 million tonnes. In a publication made on November 25, 2024, Benchmark stated that the setback means that it will become more challenging for Peru's copper miners to reach the governments 2024 production target of 2.8 million tonnes (already revised down in September from 3.0 million tonnes). Analysis by Benchmark estimated that in 2023, Peru produced 2.76 million tonnes of copper, whereas the DRC produced 2.70 million tonnes. Benchmark stated, Peru will almost certainly be overtaken by the DRC to the number two spot in the global ranking of top mined copper producers in 2024. We expect the DRC to produce 2.9 million tonnes of mined copper this year. The direct-to-blister copper smelter is on schedule for construction completion by year-end. The smelter (middle of picture) is located adjacent to the Phase 1 and 2 concentrators (top left of picture) and will be fed by a blend of concentrates from existing Phase 1, 2, and 3 concentrators, as well as the future Phase 4 concentrator. Off-gases, which contain acid as well as waste heat, are captured from the furnace building and recycled. Captured sulphuric acid will be sold to mining operations on the DRC Copperbelt. About Ivanhoe Mines Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal projects in Southern Africa; the expansion of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the DRC, the ramp-up of the ultra-high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the DRC; and, the phased development of the tier-one Platreef palladium-nickel-platinum-rhodium-copper-gold project in South Africa. Ivanhoe Mines also is exploring across its highly prospective, 60-100% owned exploration licences in the Western Forelands, covering an area over 5 times larger than the adjacent Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex. Ivanhoe is exploring for new sedimentary copper discoveries, as well as expanding and further defining its high-grade Makoko, Kiala, and Kitoko copper discoveries as the company's next major development projects. The Belgian state was ordered Monday to pay reparations to five mixed-race women who were forcibly placed in an orphanage 70 years ago under a colonial-era practice that judges said constituted a crime against humanity. Reversing an earlier ruling that found too much time had passed since the alleged wrongdoing, the Brussels appeals court said the women, born in Belgian-ruled Congo and now in their 70s, were abducted in "an inhumane act of persecution". The state's conduct constituted a crime against humanity and as such was not subject to a statute of limitations, in line with a UN resolution adopted after World War II, the court found. "We won, it's a total victory," the women's lawyer, Michele Hirsch, told AFP. The verdict was "historic" as it marks the first time a country has lost a court case on this legal basis, for acts committed during colonisation, she added. "The court orders the Belgian State to compensate the appellants for the moral damage resulting from the loss of their connection to their mother and the damage to their identity and their connection to their original environment," the court said in a statement. The women had been demanding initial compensation of 50,000 euros ($55,200) each. The case was the first in Belgium to shed light on the fate of biracial children born in the former Belgian colonies -- DR Congo, Rwanda and Burundi -- who are thought to number around 15,000, though there has never been an official count. Most of the children born of a union between a black woman and a white man were not recognised by their father and were not allowed to mix with either whites or Africans. As a result, many were placed under state guardianship and put in orphanages usually run by the Catholic Church. - 'Children of sin' - The five women at the centre of the legal case said they were taken away from their families, brought up in a convent, mistreated and then abandoned when the Belgian Congo gained independence in 1960. "We lived in a group. We suffered together, we sang together," Simone Ngalula, one of several plaintiffs interviewed by AFP when the case was first launched, recalled at the time. "At school, they used to call us 'cafe au lait' (coffee with milk). We weren't accepted," Simone said, recalling the discrimination they faced. They called us "children of sin", said her fellow plaintiff, Lea Tavares Mujinga. "The appellants, born in the Belgian Congo, were abducted from their respective mothers, without their consent, before the age of seven, by the Belgian State," the court said. This was "in execution of a plan to systematically search for and abduct children born to a black mother and a white father, raised by their mother in the Belgian Congo, solely because of their origins," it added. Belgium apologised to the mixed-race descendants of its white colonists in 2019. Belgium's rule over what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo was one of the harshest imposed by the European powers that ruled most of Africa in the late 19th and 20th centuries. King Leopold II governed the vast country -- a swathe of central Africa the size of continental western Europe -- as his personal property between 1885 and 1908, before it became a Belgian colony. The president of the International Criminal Court lashed out Monday against attacks on the court, which finds itself under the spotlight after issuing arrest warrants over wars in Gaza and Ukraine. The ICC has faced criticism in some quarters after judges issued an arrest warrant last month for Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defence minister, and a top Hamas leader. ICC judges said there were "reasonable grounds" to suspect the three men of war crimes and crimes against humanity over the Hamas October 7 attacks and the subsequent Israeli military operation in Gaza. Netanyahu described the decision as anti-Semitic, while US President Joe Biden slammed the warrants against the Israelis as "outrageous." Addressing ICC members in the Hague, ICC President Tomoko Akane said the court faced "coercive measures, threats, pressure, and acts of sabotage." "We are at a turning point in history... International law and international justice are under threat. So is the future of humanity," she added. "The International Criminal Court will continue to carry out its lawful mandate, independently and impartially, without giving in to any outside interference," she pledged. The ICC also has an arrest warrant pending for Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Moscow reacting with its own warrants for top court officials. Some US Republicans have called on the Senate to sanction the ICC, which has 124 members -- not including the United States, Israel, or Russia. In a thinly veiled reference to these actions, Akane said: "several elected officials are being severely threatened and are subjected to arrest warrants from a permanent member of the UN Security Council." "The court is being threatened with draconian economic sanctions from institutions of another permanent member of the Security Council as if it was a terrorist organisation," she added. It is "appalling" that countries appear "scandalised" when the ICC hands down arrest warrants based on international law, said Akane. "If the court collapses, this will inevitably imply the collapse of all situations and cases... The danger for the court is existential." Sudan's army-backed government accused on Monday the paramilitaries it is fighting of launching drones assembled in the United Arab Emirates from neighbouring Chad. "Investigations show these drones are being assembled in the UAE and launched from Chad near the Sudanese border," Foreign Minister Ali Youssef told reporters in Port Sudan. Sudan has been at war since April 2023, with the regular military under army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan battling the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. At Monday's press conference, the Sudanese military showed images of drones and rockets, which it said were launched last month from an airport and a border area in Chad. It said they were launched toward Sudan's North Darfur state capital of El-Fasher, as well as the capital Khartoum's twin city of Omdurman, over 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) east of the border. Last year, United Nations experts tasked with monitoring an arms embargo on Darfur said accusations that the UAE had funnelled weapons to the RSF through Chad were "credible". The UAE has repeatedly denied supporting the RSF. In June, Sudan's UN ambassador Al-Harith Idriss al-Harith openly accused the UAE of fomenting conflict in his country, saying the RSF was being "supported with weapons by the Emirates". The Emirati envoy to the United Nations, Mohamed Issa Hamad Mohamed Abushahab, rejected the claims as "ludicrous" and accused the Sudan of using the council to plead the army's case. The war in Sudan has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced over 11 million more. It has also pushed the country to the brink of famine, while analysts warn involvement from other countries will only prolong the country's suffering. Khalid Aleisir, Sudan's media minister and government spokesman, said Monday "the war has taken a dangerous turn with the involvement of Chad". "We as the Sudanese government consider this a direct assault from the UAE and Chad on Sudan and its people." Both the army and the paramilitaries have been accused of war crimes over the course of the war, including targeting civilians and indiscriminately shelling residential areas. The RSF has been accused of atrocities including ethnic cleansing, summary killings and rampant looting. At least two people were killed when Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces attacked a major camp for displaced people in the North Darfur region, activists said on Monday. The Zamzam camp, south of the regional capital El-Fasher, was hit by heavy RSF rocket and artillery fire on Sunday, said the local resistance committee in El-Fasher. The "indiscriminate" attack killed at least two people and wounded a dozen, said the committee, one of hundreds of volunteer groups coordinating aid in Sudan. Medical charity Doctors without Borders (MSF) said Monday its teams received eight injured people a day earlier, including women and children as young as four with "severe injuries such as chest trauma and fractures". It said four critically injured patients were transferred to another facility on Monday morning, just before renewed shelling hit areas near a market and the MSF's field hospital in the camp. The MSF hospital was evacuated, with the last three intensive care patients -- dependent on oxygen -- being transferred. "The situation is beyond chaotic: patients and medical staff are leaving the camp and trying to run for their lives," MSF said on X. Sudan has been gripped since April last year by a war between the regular army and RSF that has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced more than 11 million. Both sides face accusations of war crimes, including targeting civilians, shelling residential areas, and blocking or looting aid. In recent weeks, the RSF has tightened its grip on El-Fasher, launching attacks on multiple fronts against Sudan's military and allied armed groups. At least twice last year, in central and west Darfur, the RSF has used the proximity of refugee camps to army bases "as cover to conduct mass atrocities including mass killings", according to a report by Yale University's Humanitarian Research Lab. Zamzam refugee camp is home to at least half a million people, according to the United Nations. Satellite imagery verified by Yale University's research lab has shown "a significant increase" in displaced peoples flocking to the camp as well as the "creation of defensive positions" inside the camp in anticipation of expected RSF attacks. UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher, after visiting Sudan and neighbouring Chad last week, called for immediate international action to address the crisis. "It is a tough situation out there, the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world. And I've been talking to local people to host communities," Fletcher said in a weekend statement. Nearly 26 million people -- about half the population -- face the threat of mass starvation in Sudan as both warring sides have been accused of using hunger as a weapon of war. "These numbers are staggering, and we cannot turn our backs," Fletcher said. The Belgian state was ordered Monday to pay reparations to five mixed-race women who were forcibly placed in an orphanage 70 years ago under a colonial-era practice that judges said constituted a crime against humanity. Reversing an earlier ruling that found too much time had passed since the alleged wrongdoing, the Brussels appeals court said the women, born in Belgian-ruled Congo and now in their 70s, were abducted in "an inhumane act of persecution". The conduct of colonial Belgium constituted a crime against humanity and as such could not be subject to a statute of limitations, in line with a UN resolution adopted after World War II, the court found. The state was ordered to "compensate the appellants for the moral damage resulting from the loss of their connection to their mother and the damage to their identity and their connection to their original environment." "At last, we've been heard and the courts have ruled in our favour," one of the five women at the heart of the case, Lea Tavares Mujinga, 78, told AFP as she celebrated with her fellow plaintiffs. "It's a very large part of our lives that was taken away from us, that the Belgian state had broken. We'll never be able to get it back. But at least it's a gesture of some relief." A lawyer for the plaintiffs called the verdict a "historic victory" -- marking the first time a country has lost a court case on such a legal basis for acts committed as part of colonisation. "It's made a huge difference to recognise a colonial fact as a crime against humanity," said Jehosheba Bennett. The women had demanded compensation of 50,000 euros ($55,200) each. The case was the first in Belgium to shed light on the fate of biracial children born in the former Belgian colonies -- DR Congo, Rwanda and Burundi -- who are thought to number around 15,000, though there has never been an official count. Most of the children born of a union between a black woman and a white man were not recognised by their father and were not allowed to mix with either whites or Africans. As a result, many were placed under state guardianship and put in orphanages usually run by the Catholic Church. - 'Children of sin' - The women at the centre of the legal case said they were taken away from their families, brought up in a convent, mistreated and then abandoned when the Belgian Congo gained independence in 1960. A second plaintiff, Simone Ngalula, told AFP the ruling had restored her "dignity." "Are we people or are we animals?" asked the 74-year-old, who was taken at the age of two along with her siblings and placed in a convent, after her widowed mother was deemed unable to take care of them. In a statement, the court detailed how the appellants "were abducted from their respective mothers, without their consent, before the age of seven, by the Belgian State." This was "in execution of a plan to systematically search for and abduct children born to a black mother and a white father, raised by their mother in the Belgian Congo, solely because of their origins," it added. Belgium apologised to the mixed-race descendants of its white colonists in 2019. Belgium's rule over what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo was one of the harshest imposed by the European powers that ruled most of Africa in the late 19th and 20th centuries. King Leopold II governed the vast country -- a swathe of central Africa the size of continental western Europe -- as his personal property between 1885 and 1908, before it became a Belgian colony. Shelling by Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces on a famine-stricken displacement camp in North Darfur has killed at least six people, activists said on Monday. The Zamzam camp, just south of state capital El-Fasher, has been under intense rocket and artillery bombardment by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for a second consecutive day, according to the local resistance committee. The "indiscriminate" attack killed at least six people and wounded 13 others, said the committee, one of hundreds of volunteer groups coordinating aid in Sudan. Medical charity Doctors without Borders (MSF) said on Monday that its teams had received eight injured people the day before, including women and children as young as four with "severe injuries such as chest trauma and fractures". It said four critically injured patients were transferred to another facility on Monday morning, just before renewed shelling hit areas near a market and the MSF's field hospital in the camp. MSF has evacuated its hospital, including three intensive care patients who were dependent on oxygen to survive. "The situation is beyond chaotic: patients and medical staff are leaving the camp and trying to run for their lives," the charity said on X. "Not only have people been starving, but they are also now being bombed and forced to flee again," MSF's head of emergency operations Michel-Olivier Lacharite said. A UN-backed report in July confirmed that famine had taken hold in the camp after a months-long RSF siege disabled nearly all trade and aid access. Since April last year, a war between the regular army and the RSF has killed tens of thousands, displaced more than 11 million and created what the UN has called the worst humanitarian crisis in recent memory. - 'Cover' for atrocities - Both sides face accusations of war crimes, including targeting civilians, shelling residential areas, and blocking or looting aid. In recent weeks, the RSF has tightened its grip on El-Fasher, launching attacks on multiple fronts against Sudan's military and allied armed groups. At least twice last year, in central and west Darfur, the RSF has used the proximity of refugee camps to army bases "as cover to conduct mass atrocities including mass killings", according to a report by Yale University's Humanitarian Research Lab. Zamzam refugee camp is home to at least half a million people, according to the United Nations. Satellite imagery verified by Yale's research lab has shown "a significant increase" in displaced people flocking to the camp, as well as the "creation of defensive positions" inside the camp in anticipation of expected RSF attacks. According to the UN, which managed to deliver its first aid convoy to Zamzam in months in November, families have been reduced to eating peanut shells to survive as children die of malnutrition. Nearly 26 million people -- about half the population -- face the threat of mass starvation in Sudan as both warring sides have been accused of using hunger as a weapon of war. Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmed the long-awaited arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders on November 21. Six days later, the Prosecutor of the Hague court requested the first arrest warrants for Myanmar, which if approved would connect the countrys military ruler with the now 30 suspects wanted by the ICC, including Vladimir Putin. But while the number of defendants at large keeps rising, the one of those sitting behind bars is dropping fast. According to the November 22 report of the Committee on Budget and Finance for the Assembly of State Parties (ASP) that started in the Hague on December 2, three cases are expected for 2025: Yekatom and Ngaissona from Central African Republic (CAR), Abd-Al-Rahman from Sudan, and Said also from CAR. By January, the first two will only be awaiting a judgment and reparations order. The court calendar is expected to mark only 80 hearing days, compared to an average of 369 per year for three trial chambers in the previous 8 years (excluding the shutdown for covid in 2020). In the proposed budget for next year, published on July 26, the Court wrote that, despite this decrease, the investigative function of the Office of the Prosecutor is facing unprecedented pressure. It points at pre-trial and appeal activity expected to remain high. But what about actual trials? The mandate of the office [of the prosecutor] is to conduct criminal trials. And to do that, they need defendants, comments Leila Sadat, the James Carr Professor of International Criminal Law at Washington University in St. Louis, who served as Special Adviser on Crimes Against Humanity to the ICC Prosecutor from 2012 to 2023. So I think that the prosecutor really needs to roll out more indictments and more arrest warrants and focus on not necessarily the big fish, but cases that are winnable, cases where the jurisprudence will be important. The stubborn reality of todays situation is that while very high-profile political leaders from different parts of the world stand accused by the ICC, the only ones that are actually tried remain mid-level African rebel commanders. There's no point in finger-pointing, we need to be professional about this and say, for whatever reason, there are insufficient cases now in the pipeline. And it is for the ASP to tell the prosecutor, we want you to do more cases. And maybe stop focusing on the dream cases and get some accused in the dock who have also committed extraordinary crimes, says Sadat. No new trial to expect in 2025 Next years hearings will see the continuation of a single trial, that of Said, for crimes against humanity and war crimes he allegedly committed in the Central African Republic in 2013. For the two other cases currently on trial the Yekatom and Ngaissona trial, also for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in CAR between 2013 and 2014, and the Abd-Al-Rahman trial, for crimes committed in Darfur, Sudan, between 2003 and 2004 closing statements are scheduled in mid-December and judgements expected early next year. Some appeals proceedings may take place. But there are now only five people in the Hague prison: those four, and Al Hassan, a Malian who received his sentence on November 20 for crimes committed in Timbuktu in 2012. More work is expected by the Court when it comes to reparation programmes implemented by the Trust Fund for Victims, an organ of the Rome Treaty system that works separately. The Ongwen, Ntaganda, Al Mahdi and Lubanga cases are in the implementation phase, and the Al Hassan reparations programme is expected to start. Appeals to Al Hassans sentencing, to the reparations order in the Ongwen case and possibly to the judgements stemming from the two cases wrapping up now, will keep the appeals chamber busy. As a result, the pressure for arresting suspects is mounting. Currently, the ICC has 12 ongoing and 5 concluded investigations. In 10 of those there are public arrest warrants (Libya, Ukraine, Darfur/Sudan, Georgia, State of Palestine, CAR, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Uganda). 11 if Myanmars arrest warrant is confirmed by the judges. Four situations do not show warrants of arrest publicly available: Burundi, Afghanistan, the Republic of the Philippines, and Venezuela. Another two Cote dIvoire and the first investigation in CAR are considered either closed, or without any accused at large. Greater focus on tracking and arrest, in collaboration with the Registry, will soon translate into an increase in the number of cases prosecuted before the Court,, writes the ICC in its proposed budget. It laments a lack of capabilities and funding that makes it insufficiently able to support the tracking and arrest of suspects. In various situations, such as Ukraine, the State of Palestine, Darfur, the DRC and others, the [Office of the Prosecutor] is required to urgently conduct extensive real-time investigations in highly challenging operational environments and security contexts, the report says. The Court demands 69.90 million for the prosecutors office in 2025, a 9.31 million increase (15.4 per cent) compared to 2024, and 47 new positions, 5 for tracking suspects and 15 for investigation and analysis. However, the Committee on Budget and Finance recommended a total of 66,45 million, an increase of 5,8 million (or 9.7 per cent). In any case, by the time new arrests would be made, no new trial could possibly open in 2025, and perhaps even in 2026. Back to 2002 The ICC is both an international organization and a functioning court, argues Mark Kersten, assistant professor at the University of the Fraser Valley, Canada, working with the Wayamo Foundation and running the Justice In Conflict blog. Arrest warrants like the recent ones for Netanyahu, Gallant, Deif or Putin serve as giving a sense of broader justice for the international organization hat of the court, even if the number of trials wavers, says Kersten. But for a court to function you need cases. The trial of Central African Mahamat Said, which began over two years ago, will be the only one underway before the International Criminal Court in 2025. Flickr / CPI 2024 probably feels in some ways very similar to 2002, 2003, Kersten recalls, referring to the two first years of existence of the Court. Some judges went to the first chief prosecutor and said: look, bring us a Tadic, a lower-level perpetrator who was the first to stand before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. The urgent solution for todays situation may be very similar, he says: Someone they can get their hands on to make sure that they are prosecuting an individual who deserves to be prosecuted at the ICC but not the Netanyahu's and Putin's of the world that have an entire machinery around them to ensure that they're not held accountable. On October 14, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan announced the reopening of the investigation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), for crimes occurring in North Kivu since January 2022. Asked whether this move could lead to new arrests, Kersten said that if the ICC is looking for these lower-level, mid-level or even higher-level people who they can actually get, they are probably looking for a situation where you do enjoy a high degree of cooperation, which they enjoy in the DRC, although not uncontroversially. Low-level targets and warrants under seal Sadat also sees the need for a shift. The prosecutor's strategy is a little bit heavily focused on presidents and prime ministers, who are usually hard to prosecute before their government falls, even though surprises are always possible. Now, as the prosecutor presumably goes into the second half of his mandate, I think it's important for him to start doing more cases and target individuals where there's an actual potentiality of arrest. The deterrent value of the court, the fact that individuals might be looking over their shoulders is a hugely important aspect of the ICC's mission. It's important to build the jurisprudence. There are a lot of crimes in the statute we have literally not a single case on. She recalls the case of Al Mahdi, convicted in 2016 for crimes committed in Timbuktu, Mali. Even if he was not the most important perpetrator, his case was the first one to show how the court could deal with the destruction of cultural heritage and with a guilty plea. Asked to comment on this, the Public Affairs Unit of the ICC highlighted that the court is busy with investigations that are very work intensive. It added that cooperation remains a key challenge for the Court. With 30 suspects at large, the Court is calling and will continue to call for more support from its States Parties to ensure justice is done. Yet state cooperation is bound to remain difficult, considering objections to Netanyahus arrest, including by ICC member states like France or Hungary. While the warrants in the investigation in Palestine and Ukraine are very important because the atrocities are very significant, they also spark a lot of global pushback, says Sadat. I would certainly hope that there are other arrest warrants we don't know about that are for lower-ranking individuals that they actually have a chance of apprehending, she says. Keeping arrest warrants under seal is a known strategy to increase chances of arrest as suspects can get caught by surprise during their travels. Sadat recommends focusing on cases outside of Africa, to ease criticism that the court is only targeting Africans, and focus on situations like Venezuela and Afghanistan. I am a little surprised that there have been no warrants for the Taliban in Afghanistan, where I would have thought there would not only be global support for that activity but the possibility that those warrants could make a difference, she argues. Although Venezuelan officials and Talibans are not known to travel much to countries that are friendly to the ICC. Renewed efforts in Libya Another step in this autumns wave of arrest warrants was the release of six new warrants for Libyan nationals on October 4. The country is one of the official priorities of the prosecutors office. The investigation in the country started in 2011 and was referred to the ICC by the United Nations Security Council. The six individuals are all allegedly linked to a brutal militia that controlled the town of Tarhuna from at least 2015 to June 2020, when mass graves were discovered after the town was recaptured by militias allied to the UN-backed government in Tripoli. The suspects are charged with war crimes including murder, torture, cruel treatment and sexual violence, and some also with rape. Tarhuna arrest warrants are a sign of hope that something is happening, believes Jurgen Schurr, Head of Law at the NGO Lawyers for Justice in Libya. They show how more resources put into a situation can show almost immediate results. However, these arrest warrants were actually issued between April and July 2023. Their recent unsealing is also evidence of the Courts inability to put their hands on the suspects. Schurr emphasises other limitations. Overall the pending arrest warrants are focused on one location in libya where we know that serious international crimes have been committed. But they do not reflect the entirety of the crimes committed, nor do the arrest warrants cover crimes against humanity allegedly also committed in Tarhuna, and so in that respect it's a bit underwhelming. The prosecutor outlined four lines of inquiry in Libya. For the violence committed in 2011 three arrest warrants were issued that same year, two of them including one for the then Libyan Head of State Muammar Gaddafi were terminated because of death. The third suspect, Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi, has remained at large since. The latest warrants are part of the inquiry into crimes related to the 2014-2020 operations. In this and in the third line, which looks at crimes in detention facilities, the prosecutor has announced in a statement to the UN Security Council (UNSC) on November 20, that they are moving at speed and they anticipate further arrest warrants. Schurr is cautiously optimistic. Maybe the carrot and stick approach from the prosecutor may work in the sense that you cooperate with us, you sent a couple of people to the Hague, and then we stop investigating. The four line of inquiry deals with crimes against migrants. The prosecutor seems to focus on collaboration with state parties and on national trials. In the roadmap presented to the UNSC last May, Khan said that they expect to close the investigation phase by the end of 2025. I think one sign where politics come in for us is in the potential prosecution of crimes committed against migrants and refugees, says Schurr. It is very unclear to what extent they are looking for example at allegations of complicity of European actors and member states. And it seems the ICC has a role to play here, too, and that should include prosecuting crimes against migrants and refugees before the court. Hopes from Sudan? Another area the ICC should focus more energy on, according to Kersten, is getting those suspects who are already in detention somewhere but that the Court has not been able to put their hands on. I don't think we're talking enough about Omar al-Bashir. He has been in detention for years and we just accept that he won't be surrendered?, he asks. The first sitting president to be charged by the ICC and the first to be charged with genocide, the former president of Sudan has been wanted since 2010 and was overthrown in 2019. The court has met with the military leaders involved [in al-Bashirs removal from power]. The idea is that it can be a necessary evil to advance the prosecutors agenda, but it doesnt appear to have advanced. The prosecutors and investigators have been on the ground. What went wrong? Kersten hopes the ASP will address this question. The International Criminal Court has been dealing with the situation in Darfur, Sudan, for almost twenty years. Only one of the six people it has indicted has been brought to justice. Since April 2023, war has again been raging in the country, as here in Al Fasher, capital of North Darfur. AFP Three other suspects remain at large in Sudans Darfur situation, opened in 2005 upon referral from the UNSC. As a devastating civil war erupted again in April 2023, Khan has started investigating the ongoing conflict and last August he announced that new arrest warrants might be expected. Caitlan Lloyd, Legal Officer at the NGO REDRESS working on Sudan, warns that there is a longstanding theme in the country: the bad guys are acting in concert, even if their aims are different. Because a push towards accountability is good for nobody. There's an incredibly strong link between the impunity that military and security actors in Sudan have long enjoyed and the current situation in Sudan. I think a big challenge for the court at the moment is grappling with that thematic link, says Lloyd. In absentia hearings, the new panacea? In absentia proceedings are also included in the Courts budget report, which announces that besides the confirmation of charges for Ugandas Joseph Kony, the Office of the Prosecutor may also request additional confirmation of charges proceedings to take place in absentia in relation to one or more suspects. Kony, the commander of the Lords Resistance Army, a Ugandan rebel group from the 1980s, was long thought dead but seemed to pop back on the radar earlier this year. He has been at large for almost 20 years, since his arrest warrant in 2005. Michael Scharf, the co-founder of the Public International Law & Policy Group, welcomes the in absentia proceedings: This sort of mini-trial can put on all the evidence and allow the defence to build a line so that the world can be reminded of this case. The witnesses are getting older and people's memories are fading, you just don't want all the witnesses to die and there won't be the possibility of having a trial and establishing a historical record. According to him, in absentia confirmation of charges could be used again for suspects who are unlikely to be turned over or whose whereabouts are unknown. For Kony, they waited almost 20 years. I don't think you have to wait that long; when it gets to five or six years, the court should probably seriously consider it. Not everyone agrees. Sadat sees it more as a waste of the courts resources and energy, in a situation that is relatively peaceful like Uganda, where the Court had a major win with the Ongwen trial. I think they need to spend less time on policy papers and in absentia confirmations and just get a little more casework done. I think Khan needs to refocus the office on doable, practical, important cases. Suzhou Industrial Park a window to innovation, opening-up Xinhua) 08:10, December 03, 2024 NANJING, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) in east China's Jiangsu Province. This combo photo shows a blueprint of the Suzhou Industrial Park drawn in 1994 (top), a view of the industrial park in 2012 (middle), and an aerial view of the industrial park (bottom, taken by Xinhua photographer Li Bo) on Aug. 29, 2024, in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua) Over the past decades, SIP, once home to extensive paddy fields and fish ponds on the outskirts of the city of Suzhou, has grown from an initial 8-square-kilometer start-up area to an extraordinary city area of 278 square kilometers. Founded in 1994 as the first inter-governmental cooperation project between China and Singapore, SIP has witnessed closer cooperation between the two sides. It is now embarking on a new journey as China recently pledged to build it into a globally attractive two-way open hub. OPEN AND INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT A total of 26 investment project agreements between China and Singapore were signed last week at the China-Singapore Investment Forum held at SIP. These projects, spanning sectors such as biopharmaceuticals, digital economy and collaborative innovation, include the China-Singapore Sustainable Estate Joint Innovation Workshop and the establishment of new overseas headquarters and operation centers by Chinese enterprises in Singapore. An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 30, 2024 shows "the Gate of the Orient," a landmark complex at the Suzhou Industrial Park in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Li Bo) "For Singaporean enterprises, China is a huge market. Singaporean technology firms excel at offering services in a variety of industrial chain subdivisions -- which can support Chinese businesses throughout the transformation cycle to fortify and enhance the industrial chain," said Tan Chuan Seng, director of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research Partners' Centre, which was launched in 2020 in SIP. These are the latest efforts in the open and innovative development process of this significant industrial park. Over the past 30 years, the park has attracted more than 5,100 foreign-funded projects, including 174 projects from 104 Fortune 500 companies, with the actual utilization of foreign investment exceeding 40 billion U.S. dollars. Staff members work at a semiconductor company at the Suzhou Industrial Park in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Nov. 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) "The industrial park is a showcase of China's progress in promoting international cooperation," said Li Xiaomin, chairman and general manager of Wintech Nano (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. Li founded Wintech Nano in Singapore in 2004. He described his business as a "hospital for chips," which aims to detect failures or potential problems in design to improve the quality of chips. In 2012, Li decided to establish a new base for his business in SIP. Wintech Nano has since expanded quickly and recently gained approval from the Shanghai Stock Exchange for an initial public offering. In October 2024, Bosch Group launched a new R&D and manufacturing site for new energy vehicle core components and automated driving in this industrial park. Since the establishment of a Suzhou subsidiary in 1999, the German company has been steadily investing in production, R&D, supply chain and services. Zhang Ying, general manager of Bosch Automotive Products Suzhou Co., Ltd., said it took only some 500 days from signing for the land to the launch of operations, while the sound business environment provided by SIP has enabled the company to seize market opportunities sooner. SIP now boasts an array of high-tech industries, including two pillar industries in the form of next-generation information technology and high-end equipment manufacturing, as well as three emerging industries, namely biopharmaceuticals, nanotechnology application and artificial intelligence. A staff member works at a biomedicine company at the Suzhou Industrial Park in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Nov. 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) During the past three decades, SIP has generated 1.09 trillion yuan (about 152 billion U.S. dollars) in overall tax revenue, 1.1 trillion yuan in fixed asset investment, and 1.54 trillion U.S. dollars in imports and exports. GOING OVERSEAS SIP is hailed as an important window through which to view China's reform and opening-up initiatives and serves as a successful example of international cooperation. After drawing experience from the Singaporean side during its growth process, SIP has now evolved into a fine example for other countries keen to develop their own industrial parks. In addition, SIP established the Yangtze River Delta Overseas Investment Promotion Center -- which has helped more than 700 enterprises in the park invest and expand in over 60 countries and regions. Huang Ming, an SIP investment promotion staff member, is currently working at the China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Zone in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), trying to help UAE locals copy the "SIP model." Exhibitors and buyers exchange views during the 2024 Chinese Industrial Products Exhibition held at the China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Zone in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, Nov. 18, 2024. (Xinhua/Wen Xinnian) "Many Chinese companies have hoped to tap the Middle East market since 2023, and our work is to create a complete and sound business ecosystem to help them settle here better and faster," Huang said, while adding that SIP, an investor in the demonstration zone in Abu Dhabi, will strive to build a sound business environment there. From attracting overseas investors to helping businesses expand and copy its experience overseas, SIP has become an epitome of China's ambition and confidence in opening up wider and embracing the world. "The 30th anniversary marks an important milestone in our development," said Shen Mi, a senior official of Suzhou. "We will go all out to upgrade practical cooperation and be a pathfinder of China-Singapore cooperation." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Tuesday, December 3, 2024 - Embakasi East Member of Parliament, Babu Owino has continued to attack President William Rutos regime, terming it as the most retrogressive and useless regime since Kenya became independent in 1963. Babu Owino accuses President Ruto, elected in 2022, of killing young people, stealing billions, and abducting youths and critics. In a tweet on Monday, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) elected MP said you must suspend your brains for you to support Ruto because of the bad things he has committed against Kenyans. For you to support Ruto you must suspend your brains, Babu wrote on X Babu Owino's sentiments seem to be an insult to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and other ODM top honchos who are working and supporting President William Rutos authoritarian leadership. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 03, 2024 - A barrister accused of forging his mothers signature to cut his younger brother out of his inheritance has lost a court fight over the 1.2 million fortune in the UK. Robert Grierson, 56, who specialises in tax and will disputes, was sued by his 55-year-old brother Duncan, who was left with just 10,000. Robert was given the rest of the estate. The High Court heard that Elise Grierson, their mother, dramatically changed her will 16 days after their fathers death in 2022, having previously treated the brothers equally. Robert claimed she had already signed a declaration of trust in 2013, handing him a half share of her 1 million home in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. But he was sued by his brother at the High Court, with Judge Joanne Wicks KC ruling that both the gift of half the house and the will were invalid. The judge said there was compelling evidence that Elise had not signed the trust document herself, while the will was not properly witnessed and was made at a time when Robert could not prove she was of sound mind. The judge made no findings as to whether Robert was responsible for forgery because he had not been in court to defend himself. During the trial, Judge Wicks heard that Elise and her husband, also named Robert, had enjoyed a 60-year marriage, with their son Robert living with them from 1999 and later operating his legal practice from their home on an exclusive private estate. Constance McDonnell KC, Duncans barrister, said the parents treated their sons equally and had worked extremely hard to support them, with both going on to study law at the University of Cambridge. After her husbands death in January 2022, Grierson suffered an acute grief reaction, the barrister said. She also suffered depression and a decline in her physical health, and died in hospital in March aged 84. Duncan went to court to challenge the 2013 document on the basis of forgery and the will on the basis that his mother was mentally unsound, did not understand and properly approve of it, and that it was not witnessed properly. He said a previous will from 2020, dividing her estate equally, was her last true will and that there was no reason for her to have changed her mind in the two intervening years. Ms. McDonnell said an expert had assessed the declaration of trust and said the signature and initials of Elise on it were probably simulations. There was also evidence that an indented tracing guideline had been followed to produce it, making it highly probable that it was not signed by her. Roberts defence to the action was struck out following his failure to disclose evidence earlier this year, with the judge then left to decide the case on Duncans evidence alone. Giving judgment, Judge Wicks said the expert evidence provided compelling evidence that Elise did not herself sign the document handing Robert half of the house. Duncans case is that Robert is the only person who could, and would, have placed such simulated signatures on that document, and that he did so in order to acquire by fraud an asset worth about 500,000, said Ms McDonnell. Best Forex Trading App in Kenya Forex trading has experienced explosive growth in Kenya over the past decade. With its robust economy, increasing financial literacy, and a young, tech-savvy population, Kenya has become a hotbed for forex trading. Mobile technology plays a pivotal role in this trend, with traders relying more than ever on mobile apps to access the global currency markets. Whether you're a seasoned trader or a complete beginner, choosing the best forex trading app in Kenya can significantly enhance your trading experience and success. Top forex trading apps in Kenya 1. FBS: a solid choice for local payment methods Overview: FBS is a well-established forex broker with a comprehensive mobile app for traders in Kenya. Its low minimum deposit and competitive spreads have made it a popular choice among local traders. With its mobile optimization and sensitivity to Kenyan regulations (the strictest financial regulations in Africa), FBS is a perfect choice for both beginning and seasoned forex traders. Key features: Low minimum deposit Wide range of currency pairs Support for M-Pesa payments Excellent educational resources Why its relevant for Kenyan traders: the apps support for M-Pesa and its commitment to customer service make it a top choice for Kenyan traders. Pros & cons: Pros: low deposits, competitive spreads, local payment options Cons: limited advanced trading tools 2. IQ Option: a versatile platform for multiple assets Overview: IQ Option offers a versatile mobile app that supports forex, stocks, cryptocurrencies, and commodities. It provides a broad range of assets, making it ideal for traders who want to diversify. Key features: A wide range of trading instruments Social trading features M-Pesa integration A free demo account Why it works for Kenyan traders: its user-friendly design and integration of local payment methods like M-Pesa make it a convenient option for Kenyan traders. Pros & cons: Pros: variety of assets, beginner-friendly design, social trading features Cons: high spreads on some assets 3. Exness: a trusted broker with great customer support Overview: Exness is a reputable forex broker that offers a solid trading platform and mobile app. With tight spreads and excellent customer service, Exness is a trusted choice for Kenyan traders. Key Features: Tight spreads Wide range of currency pairs 24/7 customer support Why its popular in Kenya: Exness strong reputation and low deposit requirements have made it popular among Kenyan traders looking for reliability and good customer service. Pros & cons: Pros: low spreads, strong customer support Cons: limited educational resources for beginners 4. AvaTrade: a global player with a user-friendly app Overview: AvaTrade offers a variety of trading instruments across multiple platforms, including a mobile app that is easy to use and packed with features. Key features: Forex, commodities, stocks, indices, and crypto trading User-friendly mobile app Access to advanced trading tools Why its relevant: AvaTrades reputation as a global broker, combined with its responsive support team in Kenya, makes it a reliable choice for local traders. Pros & cons: Pros: a wide range of trading instruments, advanced tools Cons: higher minimum deposits compared to others Detailed comparison of top forex trading apps for Kenyan traders App Name Regulation Key Features Fees Deposit/Withdrawal Methods Minimum Deposit Customer Support Ease of Use FBS CySEC, FSC Low deposit, wide range of accounts Low spreads M-Pesa, Visa, MasterCard, Skrill $5 Multi-language High IQ Option CySEC Forex, stocks, crypto, low spreads Free demo M-Pesa, Visa, PayPal $1 Multi-language High Exness FCA, CySEC Tight spreads, wide range of currency pairs Low fees M-Pesa, Bank Transfer $1 24/7 chat support High AvaTrade ASIC, FSA, BVI Wide range of instruments, advanced tools Low spreads M-Pesa, Visa, Bank Transfer $100 24/7 support High Overview of forex trading in Kenya Forex trading, or the buying and selling of currencies, is one of the most popular financial markets in Kenya. In recent years, Kenya's forex trading community has grown due to the accessibility of mobile apps, the availability of local payment options like M-Pesa, and the rise of online trading platforms. This has made forex trading more inclusive, enabling even those with limited capital or experience to enter the market. Kenya is also seeing a growing number of forex brokers catering specifically to local traders, offering user-friendly mobile apps that simplify the trading process. The combination of an expanding mobile network, an interest in alternative forms of investment, and a strong regulatory framework from institutions like the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has made forex trading in Kenya more secure and attractive. The role of mobile technology in expanding access to forex markets The rise of mobile technology has revolutionized forex trading in Kenya. With more than 80% of Kenyans owning a mobile phone, and the increasing availability of affordable smartphones and mobile data, the ability to trade forex from anywhere is a significant advantage. Mobile trading apps have made it possible for traders to access their accounts, monitor market movements, and execute trades in real timeall from the palm of their hands. Mobile apps not only provide convenience but also empower traders with advanced tools and resources to make informed decisions. These apps are designed to work efficiently on mobile devices, even in areas with lower internet speeds or unreliable connections, a common challenge in Kenya. Objective of the article The purpose of this article is to guide Kenyan traders in selecting the best forex trading app in Kenya. We will explore key factors such as security, features, costs, user experience, and support options, all crucial to making the right decision. Whether you're just starting or are a seasoned trader, this guide will help you find the forex app that suits your needs. What makes a forex trading app suitable for Kenyan traders? Regulation and safety: protecting your investments When choosing the best forex trading app in Kenya, its crucial to consider regulations and safety. The forex market can be a minefield for inexperienced traders, and there are plenty of unregulated brokers that may expose you to unnecessary risks. The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) of Kenya is responsible for regulating the forex trading industry within the country, ensuring that brokers adhere to strict standards of transparency and customer protection. Trading with a regulated broker guarantees that your investments are protected under Kenyan law. Furthermore, many global regulatory bodies, such as the UKs Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Cyprus CySEC, also provide oversight to ensure that international brokers adhere to industry standards. Local relevance: tailored services for Kenyan traders A forex trading app that offers localized services is essential for Kenyan traders. This includes payment options that support local methods like M-Pesa, Airtel Money, and bank transfers. These options make it easy to deposit and withdraw funds from your trading account, without the need for international payment methods or dealing with high transfer fees. Moreover, customer support in local languages, such as Swahili and English, is another key consideration. Responsive support is crucial, especially when dealing with technical issues or making trading decisions under pressure. User experience & interface: a smooth trading journey An intuitive and easy-to-use interface is vital for any forex trading app, especially for beginners. The app should be easy to navigate, allowing users to quickly access important features like market charts, account information, and trade execution. A cluttered or confusing interface can lead to costly mistakes. The best forex trading apps in Kenya also offer a demo account feature, allowing traders to practice in a risk-free environment before committing real funds. Currency pairs and markets: access to the right opportunities Kenyan traders are particularly interested in trading local currency pairs such as USD/KES, EUR/KES, and GBP/KES. Its essential to choose an app that offers these pairs alongside global options, providing a broad range of trading opportunities. Trading tools and analytical features: making informed decisions To succeed in forex trading, traders need access to advanced charting tools, technical analysis indicators, and real-time market data. These features allow traders to make well-informed decisions and stay ahead of the market trends. For example, tools like Moving Averages, RSI, and MACD can help traders identify trends and make profitable trades. Mobile and internet connectivity: optimized for Kenyan conditions Kenya's mobile and internet infrastructure varies greatly across different regions. A good forex trading app should be optimized to work well even in areas with low bandwidth or mobile data constraints. This ensures that traders can execute trades efficiently without experiencing delays or outages. Deposits and withdrawals: convenient and low-cost transactions The availability of local payment methods is crucial when selecting a forex app in Kenya. The most popular method is M-Pesa, which allows users to deposit and withdraw funds quickly and securely. Other options include Airtel Money, Visa/MasterCard, and bank transfers. Ensure that the forex app you choose supports a payment method that is convenient for you. Customer support: available when you need it A responsive and knowledgeable customer support team is essential for resolving issues quickly. The best forex trading apps in Kenya offer multi-channel support, including chat, email, and phone, with services available in both English and Swahili. This ensures that help is always accessible, no matter your question or concern. Key considerations when choosing a forex trading app in Kenya Regulations and safety Always ensure that the forex trading app you choose is regulated by reputable authorities like the CMA in Kenya, or international regulators such as the FCA or CySEC. Trading with a regulated broker ensures the safety of your funds and offers legal recourse if things go wrong. Transaction fees and spreads The fees associated with a forex trading app can significantly impact your profitability. Look for platforms with transparent fee structures that offer competitive spreads and low commissions. This is especially important for Kenyan traders, as transaction costs can quickly eat into profits. Accessibility and mobile optimization The best forex trading apps for Kenyan traders are those that are optimized for mobile use, even on limited bandwidth. Ensure that the app performs well on your device and works seamlessly in areas with slower internet connections. Educational support and resources Many Kenyan traders are still learning the ins and outs of forex trading. Platforms that offer educational content, such as video tutorials, webinars, and demo accounts, can help you sharpen your trading skills without risking real money. Customer support Responsive and reliable customer support is crucial, especially if you encounter technical issues or need assistance with transactions. Ensure that the forex trading app offers support in Swahili and English, and is available through multiple communication channels like chat, email, or phone. How to start trading forex in your chosen app in Kenya Getting started with forex trading in Kenya is straightforward if you follow these simple steps: Step 1: download the app Visit the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and download the forex trading app of your choice. For those looking for a reliable and widely used platform, consider starting with MetaTrader 4 download, which offers powerful tools and user-friendly features for traders of all levels. Step 2: create an account Complete the registration process by providing your details and verifying your identity. Many apps require you to submit KYC (Know Your Customer) documentation. Step 3: deposit funds Deposit funds using your preferred payment method. M-Pesa is a popular option for Kenyan traders, but most apps also accept bank transfers, Visa, and MasterCard. Step 4: explore the apps features Take time to familiarize yourself with the apps tools, charts, and trade execution features. You can also start practicing with a demo account before risking real money. Step 5: start trading Begin by making small trades and gradually increase your exposure as you gain experience. Use the app's educational resources and risk management tools to guide your trades. Tips for successful forex trading in Kenya Education is key: continuously improve your knowledge by exploring both free and paid resources. Demo accounts are invaluable for gaining experience without risking capital. Stay disciplined: stick to your trading plan, and avoid emotional decisions driven by fear or greed. Understand the market: keep up with economic news and events, particularly those impacting the Kenyan Shilling (KES). Start small: begin trading with a small amount, and use stop-loss and take-profit orders to manage risk effectively. Use advanced tools: leverage technical analysis tools like RSI, MACD, and moving averages to make informed trading decisions. Challenges and risks of trading forex in Kenya Volatility of the forex market The forex market is known for its high volatility, and fluctuations in currency pairs like USD/KES can pose significant risks to Kenyan traders. Scams and fraudulent brokers Unfortunately, the forex market is also home to fraudulent brokers who prey on inexperienced traders. Always choose a regulated platform to avoid scams. Internet connectivity and data issues Kenyan traders may face challenges with slow internet speeds or mobile data issues. Opt for apps that perform well under low bandwidth conditions. Tuesday, December 03, 2024 - Oxford University Press (OUP), the publisher of the Oxford English Dictionary, has selected brain rot as its Word of the Year for 2024, beating other contenders, including the viral social media term demure. The latter was named Dictionary.coms Word of the Year. OUPs decision followed a public vote in which over 37,000 people participated, while language experts created a shortlist of six words reflecting the moods and conversations that have defined the past year. "After two weeks of public voting and widespread conversation, our experts came together to consider the publics input, voting results, and our language data before declaring brain rot as the definitive Word of the Year for 2024," the organization said on Tuesday, December 3. Other words in the running included dynamic pricing, lore, romantasy, and slop. Brain rot is defined as the supposed deterioration of a persons mental or intellectual state, primarily due to overconsumption of trivial or unchallenging material, especially online content. The term first appeared in Henry David Thoreaus Walden (1854), where it described the mental toll of trivial pursuits. However, in 2024, it gained fresh relevance as social media platforms like TikTok popularized it among younger generations such as Gen Z and Gen Alpha. OUP reported a 230 percent surge in the usage of brain rot between 2023 and 2024, reflecting growing concerns about the impact of consuming excessive amounts of low-value online content, particularly among the youth. Initially a term in online subcultures, it has since entered mainstream discussions, including journalism and debates about the mental health effects of technology. During the announcement, the President of Oxford Languages, Casper Grathwohl, explained the selection of brain rot for 2024. Looking back at the Oxford Word of the Year over the past two decades, you can see societys growing preoccupation with how our virtual lives are evolving, the way internet culture is permeating so much of who we are and what we talk about. Last years winning word, rizz, was an interesting example of how online communities increasingly form, shape, and share language. Brain rot speaks to one of the perceived dangers of virtual life and how we are using our free time. It feels like a rightful next chapter in the cultural conversation about humanity and technology. Grathwohl noted the terms widespread adoption, particularly on TikTok, adding, It demonstrates a somewhat cheeky self-awareness in these communities about the harmful impact of social media that theyve inherited. Other publications have also named their Words of the Year for 2024. Collins Dictionary selected brat, redefined as someone characterized by a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude. Cambridge Dictionary chose manifest, which refers to imagining achieving something you want in the belief that doing so will make it more likely to happen. Macquarie Dictionary in Australia picked enshittification, describing the gradual deterioration of a service or product, especially online platforms, due to profit-seeking. The Economist selected kakistocracy, meaning rule of the worst. Monday, December 2, 2024 - Court of Appeal Judge Aggrey Muchelule tied the knot with his girlfriend Judy Kerich on Friday, November 29, in a colourful traditional wedding. The glamorous ceremony was held at Muchelules native home, in Kesses Constituency, Uasin Gishu County. The ceremony brought together leaders from all the arms of government who came to celebrate the love story. Among the high-profile guests who attended the wedding ceremony were National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii, and Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa. Muchelule lost his wife Keziah Habwe on Thursday, March 3, 2022, aged 64 years. Until her demise, Keziah was the chair of the Planning and Development Committee of Kakamega Municipal Board. Muchelule also came into the limelight in 2021 after DCI officers raided his office and seized Ksh 6 million. The money was believed to be proceeds of corruption. Below are photos of his glamorous wedding. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, December 3,2024 - Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho has vowed to deal with young Kenyans(Gen Zs) who are always attacking President William Ruto and his government on social media. Speaking in Wundanyi, Taita Taveta County, where he accompanied President William Ruto in launching several development projects, the former Mombasa governor said there's a clique of young Kenyans who have taken to spending time on social media doing nothing other than critique every development venture. "There are people at this very moment we are here, they are online. Mr. President, a country cannot be built online; a country cannot be developed by people whose work is Twitter (now X), Facebook, TikTok (and) Instagram," Joho said. He said any kind of trolling by those in this lot will not go unchallenged. "I'm giving them a notice today, they should not think they are the only ones with a mouth. We also have mouths, if they poke us, we will respond affirmatively," he said, The President was in Taita Taveta County, where he commissioned and launched several development projects. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 03, 2024 - The United Nations has stated that food and water in the besieged region of Gaza are at an all-time low and urgent action must be taken to avert further crisis. On Monday, December 2, the UN agency, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) joined the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General and humanitarian partners in calling for unrestricted and safe access to deliver at-scale emergency agricultural aid to prevent the spread of famine and further loss of lives in the region. FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol speaking at the Cairo Ministerial Conference said; Today, food availability is at an all-time low across the entire Gaza Strip, and food supply has sharply deteriorated, The window of opportunity to deliver assistance is now, today, not tomorrow. Food, medicine and fuel are self-evident priorities, but we must also prioritize the ability to grow food locally where it is needed most to ensure survival. The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), issued in October, warned of a famine risk for the entire Gaza Strip from November 2024 through April 2025. Around 133,000 people or 6 percent of the population are already experiencing catastrophic levels of food insecurity (IPC Phase 5, Catastrophe) meaning that people have almost no food and cannot meet their basic needs. This number is expected to nearly triple in the coming months. Moreover, in early November, the independent Famine Review Committee found a strong likelihood that famine is already occurring or imminent in parts of northern Gaza. Bechdol reiterated FAOs commitment to scale up its response to mitigate famine and prevent its spread across the Gaza Strip and beyond while emphasizing that this cannot be achieved without access. To this end, the Deputy Director-General called on Member States to put more pressure to lift the ban on private food imports in place since early October in southern Gaza and mobilize resources to fund FAOs appeal for $53 million which is part of the 2025 UN Humanitarian Flash Appeal. These funds will support around 80,000 farmers, herders and fishermen and women with time-critical agriculture inputs to restore local food production. In Gaza, ensuring the right to food is not just about meeting immediate needsit is about safeguarding human dignity, preventing famine from spreading, and laying the groundwork for rebuilding a resilient agrifood system, she concluded. Before October 7, Gaza was largely self-sufficient in vegetables, eggs, fresh milk, poultry and fish, and produced much of its red meat, olive oil and fruits. More than one year into the war, agrifood systems have collapsed, and local food production the primary source of nutrition and sometimes peoples only source for food has been decimated across the whole of Gaza, the FAO said. According to the FAO-UNOSAT most recent geospatial analysis in Gaza, nearly 70 percent of croplands which contributed up to one-third of daily food consumption have been damaged or destroyed since the escalation of hostilities. The same is true for orchards, greenhouses, water wells and other agricultural infrastructure. Moreover, almost 95 percent of cattle and more than half of sheep and goat herds, have died. These animal losses have both removed access to critical and nutritious sources of protein and milk and devastated peoples livelihoods. Tuesday, December 03, 2024 - An eight-year-old schoolgirl has d!ed after trying to protect her mum from a late-night knife attack, it is believed. Malikika Al Katib, 8, was reportedly stabbed when she rushed downstairs to intervene after realising her mother was being attacked with a knife at their home in New Ross, Co Wexford, Ireland, late on Sunday night, Dec. 1, The Irish Mirror reports. The attacker then turned the weapon on the little girl and stabbed her at least twice. A source said: She realised her mum was being attacked and went to try to help her as much as a young child can." Malikika sustained serious injuries at the family home on William Street before paramedics raced to the scene and fought to save her life. The girl was then rushed to University Hospital Waterford where she tragically d!ed on Monday morning, Dec. 2. Sources told how the horror attack broke out at around 11.45pm on Sunday night. Gardai from the Armed Support Unit rushed to the scene and found Malikika, her mother, Alisha Al Katib, 31, and the man injured. All three were taken to University Hospital Waterford, where Malikika later d!ed. Sources say her mum is expected to make a full recovery. New Ross Educate Together National School, where Malikika attended, declared a critical incident with help from health experts. Principal Theresa White said: We learned this morning of the death of a student who attends our school. This is a terrible tragedy for the family, our school and our community. We are deeply saddened by these events. Our sympathy and thoughts are with family and friends. The school has implemented our Critical Incident Management Plan and we are in receipt of support from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS). They have been with us all day supporting and advising teachers in their efforts to assist students at this time. Our teachers are helping students to deal with this tragic event. We will be sharing information with parents today around how they can support their children at this difficult time. We would ask you to respect our privacy at this difficult time. Detectives from the Garda Technical Bureau were on scene into Monday evening where a cordon remains in place. A spokesperson said: Gardai are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the death of a girl following a fatal assault at a domestic residence in New Ross, Co. Wexford on Sunday, 1st December, 2024. Gardai and emergency services attended the scene at approximately 11.45pm. The girl was taken to University Hospital Waterford for treatment. She passed away from her injuries in the early hours of this morning. A woman and man (30s) are receiving treatment at University Hospital Wexford. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. The scene remains preserved for forensic examination. The Coroner has been notified and the Garda Technical Bureau and Office of the State Pathologist have been requested to assist in the investigation. A post-mortem examination will be scheduled. A Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) has been appointed to lead the investigation and an incident room has been established at New Ross Garda Station." Tuesday, December 3, 2024 - National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has boldly declared his intention to run for the presidency one day. In a statement that has left Kenyans with more questions than answers, Mbadi noted that the presidency should not be reserved for a select few and emphasized that nothing would prevent him from pursuing the highest office soon. However, he stated that he will run for presidency in 2032 after President William Rutos term concludes. The Presidency is not for a preserved few. I am also fit and would consider running for the seat after Rutos term expires, he said. Mbadi underscored the opportunity to lead the country is open to all Kenyans, and he would not be deterred by the idea that only certain individuals are the only ones destined for the role. This comes even as a section of leaders have watered down Busia Senator Okiya Omtatahs 2027 presidential bid, arguing he lacks the funds for a serious campaign and that people avoid associating with a "poor man" like him. In the same breath, Mbadi urged the Luo community to unite in support of President Rutos leadership. According to Mbadi, the community needs to align with the current government, recognizing the need for unity in moving the country forward. Mbadi stated that Ruto genuinely means well for the Luo community, just as he does for all Kenyans. He emphasized that the community should recognize and appreciate Rutos leadership, highlighting that the president has shown commitment to addressing the needs of all ethnic groups, including the Luos. According to Mbadi, the Luo community owes Ruto a debt of gratitude for his efforts and contributions toward national development, asserting that his leadership has been beneficial for the country as a whole. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 3, 2024 - Narc Kenya Party leader Martha Karua could not represent Ugandan Opposition Politician Kizza Besigye Kifeefe in a Ugandan court. Speaking to the media, Karua explained that she could not represent her client because she had not obtained a special practicing certificate. She added that she was still working on getting the certificate from the Uganda Law Council before Tuesday. "I have been able to speak with the Justice on the telephone because we did not find anybody in the office and he has assured me that I will be able to get an answer as early as tomorrow," she stated. "I have asked that the certificate be processed expeditiously because the case is going on today and I will not be able to address the court without that approval." She added that she was allowed in the courtroom and could not have an audience in the court. "I am in the courtroom after a long wait but I have no right of the audience till the law council grants a special license," Karua wrote on her X account. Besigye was abducted in Kenya while attending Karuas book launch and charged in a military court in Uganda for allegedly being in possession of a firearm in Kenya. Besigye has had run-ins with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni who has in turn made it his business to terrorize him, and anyone going to rescue him is viewed as an enemy. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 3, 2024 - Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has told off Kenyans who have been criticizing President William Ruto over his leadership flaws. In a statement on X, Kaluma told Rutos critics that he would not help them hate the head of state since they were the ones who elected him. According to Raila Odingas allied MP, most of Rutos critics are those who willingly voted for him, and have now turned against him for failing to heed their demand of having other Kenyans excluded and discriminated against. Kaluma argued that the government is big enough for all Kenyans and that no one should be discriminated against at the expense of others. Your enemy does not have to be our enemy. We will not help you to hate the leader you voted for simply because he has refused to accept your condition that he must exclude and discriminate against fellow Kenyans from public service and national resources. "The Government of Kenya is big enough for all of us. Tufinyane ndani kwa upole, Kaluma stated. Kaluma has been defending President Ruto since Raila Odinga led the ODM side to the broad-based government. In November, the lawmaker expressed his admiration for President Ruto, saying that it is hard to hate the Head of State. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 3, 2024 - President William Ruto has called on Kenyan youths to understand that they can never look down upon their country. Speaking in Manyani during the passing-out parade of Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Rangers on Tuesday, Ruto said that Kenya is their home and they must defend it together. He went on to say that they must exercise patriotism before anything else and at all times. The President said that it is up to the youth to defend the country by not allowing a few individuals to tarnish the countrys good name. We must, as the people of Kenya know first and foremost, that as patriotic Kenyans we must stand up for Kenya. "We must defend our country. We must never allow negative elements to scorn our country, demean our country, and spread negative messages about our country. Kenya is our home and we must defend this country together and I'm asking the young people of our nation to understand that you can never despise your motherland. We must always stand up for Kenya, Ruto said. He noted that he is very happy to have youths who are willing to stand up and defend the country no matter what. He urged parents of the new Rangers to accord them all the support they need to succeed in their new roles. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 3, 2024 - A whistleblower who identifies as a current employee at Magunas Supermarket has come forward with grave accusations against the company, claiming widespread exploitation and oppressive working conditions. The source, who has requested to remain anonymous, described a toxic workplace environment that severely affects employees' well-being and livelihoods. According to the whistleblower, a general worker at Magunas earns a base salary of Ksh 18,000, but after various deductions, the take-home pay can be as low as Ksh 10,000. The salary is also reportedly delayed, sometimes extending to the 7th of the following month, making it difficult for employees to meet basic needs such as rent, transport, and food. The whistleblower also claims that if any products, such as sugar or bread, spoil, the cost of these losses is directly deducted from employees salaries. The company's culture is highly demotivating, with workers constantly on edge, fearing sudden termination by the management. The source also revealed that employees are not allowed to accept any form of gifts, including tips, from customers. Any such gifts must be handed over to the company, supposedly for "profit." In response to these claims, there is concern that Magunas continues to recruit new staff to replace those who leave due to the harsh working conditions. This creates a cycle of exploitation, with vulnerable workers being hired under the promise of employment, only to be subjected to similar mistreatment. The whistleblowers statement paints a disturbing picture of what they describe as oppression at its worst, and calls for urgent attention to address the toxic work culture and ensure fair treatment of employees within the supermarket chain. "Hey Cyprian. I'm here to talk about the oppression at Magunas Supermarket, I'm a worker there so please hide my ID. About salaries, a general Magunas worker will earn 18,000, but after deductions are made, the same worker receives as low as 10,000, which could go to date 7 of the following month... Salaries are never on time and will never cater for your rent, transport, or food. About variances, it's true, if sugar, bread, or other commodities get spoiled, the equivalent of the amount is deducted from the worker's salary, and dare ask about it, you will be sacked instantly. This is why there's always massive recruitment at Magunas headquarters, looking for other desperate individuals to take through the same oppression. Magunas is an example of toxic working space, with the workers always feeling demotivated and on the lookout in case the MD walks in and you get fired instantly for nothing. If you're gifted anything by a customer, you're supposed to direct it to the shop for more profits; you cannot accept any form of gifts from the customer, including even tips. Something needs to be done on this enterprise because it's oppression at its worst." The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, December 3, 2024 - Narc Kenya chairperson Martha Karua has condemned the humiliating body searches and harassment she faced from authorities while attending a court session for Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye. Addressing the media on Monday, Karua described the experience at Ugandas General Court Martial in Makindye as degrading and unnecessary Expressing my dismay at the humiliating body search that I was subjected to twice and all members of the legal profession were subjected to. "First at the gate, then as we entered the courtroom, another body search. "I am asking the officers, between the gate and here and most people have left their briefcases at the gate, what would make them subject us to a second body search? "You can see the harassment we have to endure, Karua lamented. The former Cabinet minister is in Uganda heading a defense team of over 50 lawyers for Kizza Besigye and co-accused Obeid Lutale, charged with national security offenses and illegal firearm possession. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 3, 2024 - President William Rutos advisor, Moses Kuria, has stated that he is now happy that members of the Kikuyu community have joined the opposition after they abandoned the government of President William Ruto. The community distanced itself from the President after their leader, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was impeached by the National Assembly and Senate in October, a move reportedly overseen and funded by President William Ruto. Commenting on the Kikuyu community abandoning Ruto and his government, Moses Kuria expressed satisfaction, stating that over the next 7.5 years, the country will benefit from a vibrant opposition, something it has lacked for the past 22 years. I am excited about having KiKuyus as the Leader of Opposition. "We will have an opposition that is more issue-based centred around the economy and politics of development. "This is what Kenya has missed for the last 22 years. "The next 7 and a half years will be exciting and can only be good for our fledgling democratic discourse, Kuria wrote on his X. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 3, 2024 - Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has fired a warning salvo to politicians looking to unseat President William Ruto in 2027. In a statement on X, Cherargei claimed that opposition leader Raila Odinga will be backing Ruto for the top seat, eliminating chances for any other Kenyan to unseat him, including Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah. For opposition politicians to stand a chance of surviving in the top political race, Cherargei has advised those eying the seat to form a political coalition and join hands with Ruto. According to Cherargei, Raila will win the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship in February 2025, consequently shelving his 2027 presidential ambitions. In 2027 there is only one horse H.E. Ruto in possible combination with Tinga the rest are donkeys. He will vanquish them by 10 am. Raila shall win the African Union chairperson unopposed & in return shall support H.E Rutos re-election in 2027. If they are wise they should form a coalition around HE Rutos candidacy, Cherargei advised. In 2027, Ruto is facing opposition from activist Morara Kebaso, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi, Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, and a possibility of Narc Kenya Party Leader Martha Karua who are eying the top seat. There have been reports that Ruto has been losing grip in the Mt Kenya region following the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The region was instrumental in Rutos win in 2022, which saw him floor Raila with slightly over 200,000 votes. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, December 2, 2024 - Police have launched a manhunt for a lady who reportedly stabbed her college boyfriend to death and fled. Benedict Kiptoo, a Kenya Medical Training College student in Kitale, was fatally stabbed by his girlfriend just before his graduation. Reports suggest the couple had been cohabiting, and the woman had recently suspected him of cheating. Kiptoo got home late at night on Sunday, leading to an altercation. She picked up a kitchen knife and stabbed him before fleeing. Her photos have been widely shared on social media as police pursue her. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, December 3, 2024 - Popular Kenyan socialite Bridget Achieng has disclosed why she is not able to return to Kenya, almost 4 years after landing in Turkey for business. Speaking on Tiktok Live, the mother of one said her passport has been blocked. "I cannot enter Kenya because my passport is blocked, I am stuck in Turkey. If I enter Kenya I will be arrested. "It's not like I cannot go to Dubai or anywhere else. But I am like why waste time instead of making sure I follow up this case and go pick my son and go to a better country? she lamented. In 2022, the former Nairobi Diaries actress was linked to cases of human trafficking in Turkey. She was alleged to have lured several Kenyan ladies to the Middle Eastern country promising jobs, only for them to end up being trafficked for dirty jobs by notorious cartels. The case is still in court and for this reason, her passport has been blocked. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, December 3, 2024 Kenyans have raised concerns about their privacy after it emerged that President William Ruto and his government plan to sell out data under the Social Health Authority (SHA) and Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). This follows the governments move to monetise patient data, which will be managed exclusively by government authorities. According to the proposed Digital Health Information Management Regulations 2024, medical students and researchers will have to pay at least Ksh30,000 to access health data collected under SHIF. Central to the new framework is the Enterprise Service Bus (ESB). However, there will be two data banks, the National Health Data Bank and the County Health Data Banks. In the regulations, all health facilities accredited by SHA will be required to store all patient data collected in the course of diagnosis and any other follow-up check in a National Health Data Bank. ESB will act as the backbone enabling data exchange among certified health providers, granting them access to the data held between the two banks. However, access to this system is not free. According to the proposed bill, onboarding fees for entities range from Ksh2,000 to a staggering Ksh100,000, depending on the level of service. Furthermore, annual licenses are priced separately, with Level 6 facilities paying up to Ksh25,000 annually. Among the more controversial elements is the provision allowing private entities, such as health insurance firms, to access the data for claims management. Critics argue this opens the door to commercial exploitation. The regulations stipulate a flat fee of Ksh25 per insured life annually, but how these fees trickle down to the insured Kenyans remains unclear. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 3, 2024 - President William Ruto has hit out at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for claiming that the government rushed the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA). Speaking in Taita Taveta County on Monday, December 2, the Head of State stated that the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme was not new in Kenya. He added that health coverage had not worked for many years, denying Kenyans adequate medical coverage. Therefore, Ruto opined that there was a need to have a programme that would ensure that all Kenyans are guaranteed access to affordable healthcare. "I hear some people saying that I have rushed Universal Health Coverage. This UHC was in Kibakis government, the government of my friend Uhuru Kenyatta," he remarked. "Now, something that has been in government for almost twenty years, has it been delayed or not? It has been delayed, isn't it? So, lets push forward for citizens to access healthcare." Ruto's response came a day after Gachagua accused the government of rushing the rollout which he alleged was marred with graft. The former DP even wondered why the government was spending over Ksh100 billion for a new system instead of improving the one for the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 3, 2024 - NARC Kenya Party Leader Martha Karua has accused Ugandan President Yoweri Musevenis soldiers of humiliating her after she went to represent Opposition Politician Kizza Besigye in a Ugandan court. Addressing the press yesterday, Karua lamented a rigorous search she was subjected to at a Court Martial in Uganda. Karua expressed her frustrations after being searched at several entry points into the courtroom. The former Azimio principal explained that the first search was conducted at the gate, then another search as she gained entry into the courtroom and again inside the court chambers. While expressing her disappointment over the search procedure, Karua termed the move as unethical and inappropriate, especially for someone of her calibre. I express my dismay at the humiliating mode of search that I was subjected to twice and all the members of the court procession were subjected to. First at the gate, then as we entered the courtroom, Karua narrated. Speaking after the court session, Karua also lamented being denied audience by the courtroom after being informed that she lacked a practising license from the Ugandan Law Council. Besigye was abducted in Nairobi, Kenya while travelling to attend a book launch ceremony hosted by Martha Karua. He was later arraigned at the Court Martial in Kampala and charged with illegal possession of firearms and allegedly holding meetings to plan President Yoweri Museveni's ouster. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 3, 2024 - Nairobi County Senator, Edwin Sifuna, has reportedly been warned by his party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), against attacking President William Rutos government. In the last two months, Sifuna who is also ODM Secretary General, has been attacking President William Ruto and even lecturing Cabinet Secretaries when they appear in Senate House commutes. But according to sources, Sifuna has been told by ODM top brass to shut up and stop criticizing the government or be removed as ODM Secretary General. A source said Raila Odinga, who is the party leader, warned Sifuna of dire consequences should he continue attacking Rutos government. Yes, he was told to shut up and do his work of recruiting members to ODM in readiness for the 2027 presidential election. "The other issue he was told is to stop criticizing Ruto or he is sent home for good like former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, said a senior ODM member. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 3, 2024 - Suna East Member of Parliament, Junet Mohamed, has surprised Kenyans after he called for the scrapping of Public Participation as a pre-condition before the implementation of development projects. Speaking in Taita Taveta on Monday while accompanying President William Ruto, Junet criticized constitutional requirements hindering progress on multi-billion megaprojects, which would otherwise be of great benefit to Kenyans. "The government is elected, so it works for citizens, but the government is being sanctioned because it has to ask for permission from Kenyans, civil society, Judiciary, Parliament, and religious organisations. "When will the government work?" he posed. Junet also said the recent cancellation of deals with India's Adani Group is a perfect example of how the requirement for a nod from the public and other constitutional entities was stifling development in the country. "This thing of asking for permission from everyone must end," the Minority Leader in the National Assembly said. "Our airport is in a poor state; investors came from outside to help us refurbish the airport, (but) the President said if citizens don't want it, we have to drop it." The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 03, 2024 - A U.S. judge has reaffirmed her rejection of Elon Musks $55.8 billion compensation package at Tesla, dismissing the companys bid to reinstate the deal through a shareholder vote. Chancellor Kathleen McCormick of Delawares Court of Chancery ruled against Teslas attempt to ratify the package via a June shareholder vote, stating it could not override her January decision deeming the package excessive and unfair to shareholders. In her ruling, McCormick cited material misstatements in documents provided to shareholders about the implications of their vote and denied Teslas motion to revise her decision. She criticized the defense's legal arguments as unprecedented and contrary to established law. Tesla announced plans to appeal, while Musk, in a post on his social media platform X, argued that shareholders, not judges, should control company decisions. The court awarded $345 million in attorney fees, a fraction of the $5.6 billion requested by lawyers for plaintiff Richard Tornetta, a Tesla shareholder. McCormick acknowledged the fee calculation method adhered to Delaware law but deemed the requested amount an "excessive windfall." The rejected compensation package, approved by shareholders in 2018, was structured to reward Musk for Teslas growth. However, Tornettas lawsuit accused Musk of dictating terms to a board that lacked independence and alleged the package led to Musks unjust enrichment, making him the worlds richest person. Musk denied influencing the deal, asserting that Teslas investors were sophisticated and capable of monitoring his leadership. The Delaware Court of Chancery, where many Fortune 500 companies are registered, played a pivotal role in this high-profile case. Following the ruling, Musk reposted calls on X urging businesses to leave Delaware. Tesla remains at the center of a heated debate over corporate governance and executive pay. AN Athy councillor is very disappointed with the positioning of the ESB junction box erected in September right in front of the Shackleton mural on the gable behind it. Theyre spending 7m on the Shackleton Museum, and another 3m on the Square thats a total of 10m. Then you have this fantastic mural from Creative Ireland (and artist Eloise Gillow) that was unveiled for Shackletons 100th anniversary last year by the Norwegian Ambassador, said cllr Aoife Breslin. Athy is trying to promote Shackleton, so you can imagine when the museum is finished and a visitor is looking out the new glass and they see that dirty grey box? I question the thinking, and wonder who allowed that box to be put there? If it cant be moved underground, then put it into the carpark, and sacrifice one of the car parking spaces". This was the gist of the motion she brought to the most recent meeting of members of the Athy Municipal District in which she again raised the question of the poorly located box. The ural before ESB box That the council, with other relevant agencies, could move the recently installed power unit at the corner of Meeting Lane, and in front of the Ernest Shackleton mural, she implored. However, the formal reply did not raise any new hopes. The new ESB substation is required to facilitate power requirements for both The Shackleton Museum and Emily Square as the existing substation on Barrow Quay, does not have sufficient capacity, explained Annette Keaveney, the acting senior executive engineer with the strategic projects and public realm Team. The need to maintain the openness and accessibility of the proposed upgraded square and the requirement to maintain unhindered access to existing buildings, ruled out locating the substation on Emily Square, she continued. The parking area at the junction of Meeting Lane and the R417 (Carlow Road), was identified as being the preferred location following assessment of available options by the design consultants, Kildare County Council Project Team and the ESB. Existing underground services dictated its exact location, along with the requirement to maintain parking on Meeting Lane, and possible future plans to locate electric vehicle charging points here. The strategic projects and public realm team are looking at the possibility of engaging the artist who was commissioned for the mural, to look at what can be done to incorporate the substation into the mural and minimise its impact, said Ms Keaveney. Cllr Breslin, however, disagreed. To put it there is ridiculous, and it is disingenuous to the artist and a disrespect to art to suggest the artist now incorporate the box into the mural, she said. I was walking the town the other day, looking at a number of situations with the directors of service for public realm, and planning, and they were sympathetic, said Cllr Breslin. (director of services Annette Aspell] will have meetings with her team. I suggested putting further charging points at the other end of the car park". By David Young, PA A prospective legal challenge has been initiated in a bid to prevent a Stormont vote on continuing post-Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland. Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson has issued pre-action protocol correspondence to Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn challenging his move to initiate the democratic consent process that is required under the UK and EUs Windsor Framework deal. The vote on extending the current system is expected to take place in the Northern Ireland Assembly on December 10th. Mr Bryson has threatened to take an emergency judicial review if Mr Benn does not respond by December 5th confirming that he is stopping the democratic consent process. Mr Brysons argument is grounded on law changes introduced by the previous UK government earlier this year as part of its Safeguarding the Union deal to restore powersharing at Stormont. He claims that if the amendments achieved their purpose namely, to safeguard Northern Irelands place within the United Kingdom then it would be unlawful to renew and extend post-Brexit trading arrangements that have created economic barriers between the region and the rest of the UK. In 2023, the UK Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the trading arrangements for Northern Ireland are lawful. The appellants in the case argued that legislation passed at Westminster to give effect to the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement conflicted with the 1800 Acts of Union that formed the United Kingdom, particularly Article 6 of that statute guaranteeing unfettered trade within the UK. The Supreme Court found that while Article 6 of the Acts of Union has been modified by the arrangements, that was done with the express will of a sovereign parliament and so therefore was lawful. Mr Bryson contends that amendments made to the Withdrawal Agreement earlier this year as part of the Safeguarding the Union measures proposed by the UK government to convince the DUP to return to powersharing purport to reassert and reinforce Northern Irelands constitutional status in light of the Supreme Court judgment. If this legislative provision has meaning, then it must surely act as a barrier to the continued subjugation and suspension of Article 6 of the Acts of Union which the consent vote proposes to bring about, he said. Jamie Bryson has issued pre-action protocol correspondence to Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn (PA) Mr Bryson added: This emergency legal challenge will test the strength of these purported constitutional guarantees. If it transpires the supposed constitutional guarantees secured via the Safeguarding the Union deal are in fact utterly useless, then that surely must raise urgent questions about the sustainability of unionist participation in the NI Executive. The framework, and its predecessor the Northern Ireland Protocol, require checks and customs paperwork on goods moving from Great Britain into Northern Ireland. Under the arrangements, which were designed to ensure no hardening of the Irish land border post-Brexit, Northern Ireland continues to follow many EU trade and customs rules. This has proved highly controversial, with unionists arguing the system threatens Northern Irelands place in the United Kingdom. Advocates of the arrangements argue they help insulate the region from negative economic consequences of Brexit. A dispute over the so-called Irish Sea border led to the collapse of the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2022, when the DUP withdrew then first minister Paul Givan from the coalition executive. The impasse lasted two years and ended in January when the Government published its Safeguarding the Union measures. Under the terms of the framework, a Stormont vote must be held on articles five to 10 of the Windsor Framework, which underpin the EU trade laws in force in Northern Ireland, before they expire. The vote must take place before December 17th. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn (PA) Based on the numbers in the Assembly, MLAs are expected to back the continuation of the measures for another four years, even though unionists are set to oppose the move. DUP leader Gavin Robinson has already made clear his party will be voting against continuing the operation of the Windsor Framework. Unlike other votes on contentious issues at Stormont, the motion does not require cross-community support to pass. If it is voted through with a simple majority, the arrangements are extended for four years. In that event, the Government is obliged to hold an independent review of how the framework is working. If it wins cross-community support which is a majority of unionists and a majority of nationalists then it is extended for eight years. The chances of it securing such cross-community backing are highly unlikely. In a statement, a UK Government spokesman said: In accordance with its legal obligations under the Windsor Framework and domestic law, the Government began the process for the democratic consent vote. A motion has now been tabled by elected representatives in the NI Assembly, which will decide the outcome. Kilkenny's Lyrath Estates is proud to announce that two of its exceptional team members were honoured at the highly prestigious 2024 Irish Hospitality Institute Awards. The event, which took place on Thursday, November 28, in the Clayton Hotel, Dublin, saw Orla O'Keeffe, a Conference and Events Manager, awarded 'Conference and Events Manager of the Year', and Nicola Walsh, a Finance Manager, was honoured with 'Finance Manager of the Year.' These are two major wins for the Paulstown Road hotel, which was recently named a 'Great Place to Work' for the second year in a row by Great Places to Work Ireland. Nicola Walsh, who has been with the five-star hotel for 17 years, and Orla OKeefe, who joined in 2022, are worthy winners and their awards reflect their dedication, expertise, and leadership with their industry. READ MORE: BREAKING: KIDCo acquires landmark Kilkenny building Sharing her delight at the wins, General Manager at Lyrath Estate, Emma-Jayne Eaton said, We are absolutely thrilled to have both Nicola and Orla recognised for their exceptional contributions to Lyrath Estate, these awards are a testament to Nicola and Orlas passion and commitment they show to our guests, suppliers and clients, improving and innovating our offering at Lyrath Estate each day, "It is a pleasure to work with both of them and it is fantastic that they have been recognised in this way," she added. These awards recognise outstanding individuals within the Irish hospitality industry, providing a unique opportunity to highlight and acknowledge the outstanding contributions of individuals who demonstrate dedication, professionalism, and exceptional service. Nominated by colleagues or managers, winners are recognised for their commitment to their roles and receive well-deserved industry recognition in a room filled with hoteliers and industry colleagues from across the country. By Sho Chang-young On the first Sunday of this month, in a plaza of Children's Grand Park in Seoul, a cultural festival was held to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Central Asian nations. It was hosted by Ai-Pery, a migrant organization with more than 3,000 members. The Seoul Metropolitan Government sponsored the event. Ms. Aisuluu, the original founder of Ai-Pery, is now a member of the Seoul Metropolitan Council. Following a simple opening ceremony, the celebration performance began. Artists from Central Asia and Central Asians of Korean descent mingled and performed various songs, dances and traditional musical instruments, which were applauded by the audience. The rhythm and tempo were a bit similar to those of our traditional art, which made me feel more familiar. The stage show lasted about five hours. In front of the stage, several booths were set up around the plaza, showing the culture and customs of the Central Asian nations. While enjoying the stage performances, interested audiences sometimes went to the booths to experience the actual things with the help of guides. What caught my attention was a booth for the yurt, a Central Asian mobile house model visitors could enter. Inside, traditional snacks and clothes were prepared, so you could wear costumes and take commemorative pictures while nibbling on treats. These impressive experiences motivated me to learn more about the Central Asian nations. By general definition, Central Asia is a diverse region that comprises five landlocked nations: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Kazakhstan, the largest Central Asian nation, is known for its vast steppes, mountains and deserts. Its rich natural resources, particularly oil and gas, have made it an economic powerhouse in the region. Uzbekistan, located at the heart of the ancient Silk Road, is famous for its historical cities like Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. These cities hold stunning examples of Islamic architecture, including mosques, madrassas and minarets adorned with intricate tile work. Turkmenistan is known for its deserts, notably the vast Karakum Desert, and the unique Darvaza Gas Crater, also called the Door to Hell. Turkmenistans economy is heavily dependent on natural gas exports. Kyrgyzstan, dominated by mountains, is a paradise for nature lovers. The Tian Shan Mountains cover much of the nation, making it ideal for trekking and outdoor activities. Tajikistan is the smallest and most mountainous of the five nations, with over 90 percent of its territory covered by mountains. The Pamir Mountains are a major geographical feature, attracting trekkers and adventure tourists. Each nation has its own unique history, culture and landscape, and together they form a bridge between East and West, offering a blend of influences from both regions. These Central Asian nations also offer a unique blend of diversity, shaped by their geographic location and historical connections. South Korea established formal diplomatic relations with the above five Central Asian nations, shortly after their independence in 1991. Since then, these relationships have grown significantly. South Korea has invested heavily in energy and infrastructure projects in the region, while Central Asia has benefited from South Korean technology and education initiatives. In recent years, South Korea has strengthened ties further through regular diplomatic meetings and forums, aiming to deepen partnerships in areas like trade, green energy and digital innovation. I hope that exchanges with Central Asian nations will be more active in the future, and that events like this festival will be held more often and more grandly, which will serve as an opportunity to continue to develop stronger cultural and economic relations. Sho Chang-young is a retired high school teacher and former principal of Gunsan Girls' High School. By Baek Byung-yeul Culinary Class Wars, Netflix's hit culinary competition series that captivated audiences worldwide this autumn with its intense cooking battles and passionate chefs, is now looking for talented individuals eager to showcase their culinary skills for a new season. Netflix said Tuesday that it is accepting applications from contestants for the shows second season, scheduled to be released in the latter half of 2025. People can apply for Season 2 through the official social media channels of Netflix Korea. The casting call is open to individuals of all ages and backgrounds with a passion for cooking and a desire to push the boundaries of flavor. Celebrity restaurateur Paik Jong-won and Korea's only Michelin three-star chef Anh Sung-jae will reprise their roles as judges, searching for the next generation of culinary stars. "We're excited to discover new and exciting culinary talents for Season 2," Paik said in a promotional video released Tuesday. "Whether you're a seasoned professional or a home cook with a passion for food, we encourage you to apply." Anh added, "The first season was a testament to the incredible culinary talent in Korea. We're looking forward to seeing what the second season will bring and to continue our search for the ultimate culinary champion." In Season 1, which was released in September, "Culinary Class Wars" introduced a dynamic competition between a white spoon class of 20 established chefs and a black spoon class of 80 lesser-known up-and-coming chefs. Through the intense cooking challenges between renowned chefs and aspiring ones, the participants showed off their skills and creativity. The show's unique blend of culinary expertise and heartwarming moments resonated with audiences both in Korea and around the world. Chef Kwon Sung-jun, known as "Napoli Matfia" during the show, from the black spoon class emerged as the winner and his success transformed his pasta restaurant Via Toledo in Seoul's Yongsan District into one of the city's most sought after dining reservations. Thanks to its popularity, the show has become a must-watch series for food lovers worldwide and the new season is expected to bring even more exciting challenges, innovative dishes and unforgettable culinary moments. By Lee Yeon-woo While President-elect Donald Trump's policies have led to widespread negative forecasts for the Asian stock market in 2025, there are still ample opportunities to find value within Asian equities, according to international asset manager Robeco, Tuesday. At a press conference held in Seoul, Joshua Crabb, head of Asia-Pacific equities at Robeco, forecast that although tariffs may increase as Trump implements his "America First" policy, various economic stimuli under consideration in Asian countries could mitigate the impact. Crabb also assessed that the tariff levels proposed in Trump's campaign pledges are unlikely to be fully realized in practice. Even in the worst-case scenario, individual countries could reduce tariffs through trade negotiations. He further anticipated that opportunities would emerge in the Asian market due to the high valuations of the U.S. stock market. While these valuations are supported by strong earnings performance, the elevated expectations in the U.S. market could make it increasingly difficult to sustain its bullish trend. In 1999, global liquidity also flowed dominantly into the U.S., but as the bubble burst, the market suffered a more significant decline, Crabb added. Crabb highlighted that the Asian market is currently undervalued compared to the U.S. "Expectations are very low, creating a great opportunity," he noted. Korea received positive evaluations for the steady progress of its Corporate Value-up Program. Drawing on Japans experience, Crabb pointed out that implementing value-up strategies can yield significant benefits regardless of broader economic conditions, thereby creating meaningful investment opportunities. India remains highly attractive, with recent stock price corrections presenting a buying opportunity. Meanwhile, China's stock prices are at their lowest levels, suggesting that even minor positive developments could trigger a sharp rebound. Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations were also highlighted as appealing due to supply chain diversification and increased foreign direct investment. Korea's industry ministry on Tuesday unveiled a blueprint to promote exports of power grid packages that encompass cables and energy storage systems. The plan comes as global demand for related products is expected to rise amid increasing electricity needs from cutting-edge industries, including the artificial intelligence sector, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. "The combined package of power plants and grids will become a new energy export model for Korea," Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun said, noting the country aims to achieve $15 billion in grid exports by 2030, accounting for 5 percent of the global market. Under the blueprint, the government will launch an alliance with local businesses to promote exports of grid solutions under the brand "Team Korea." State-run organizations will also offer financial and marketing support to exporters, while law firms will provide legal consulting services. The power grid packages include a wide range of electricity-related products, such as cables, transformers, circuit breakers and energy storage systems. "Establishing grid infrastructure is a long-term project that takes around 10 years. It involves massive investments, along with post-maintenance services, which may generate economic spillover effects for companies," the ministry said in a statement. Global investment in power grids, meanwhile, is expected to reach $372 billion in 2030, rising sharply from $235 billion in 2020, the ministry added. (Yonhap) By Lee Yeon-woo Ripple (XRP) continues its upward streak, bucking the slower growth seen in major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Recent analysis reveals that Korean investors are fueling the payments-focused cryptocurrency's rally. Ripple was traded at 3,815 won ($2.72) at 3 p.m. Tuesday on Korea's largest virtual asset exchange, Upbit, and $2.74 in Binance, which increased by 12 percent compared to the previous trading day. Its price has surged 375 percent in about a month, with its market capitalization now standing at $155.9 billion, trailing only Bitcoin and Ethereum. This contrasts with the downward trend among other major cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Solana, which initially gained momentum following former U.S. President Donald Trump's election victory. While Ripple's global transaction volume has increased, analysts believe Korean retail investors are driving the surge. Blockchain analytics firm Scopescan reported that over the past 24 hours, Ripple's spot trading volume on Upbit reached $3.8 billion 11 times the trading volume of Bitcoin. Similarly, on another major Korean exchange, Bithumb, Ripple's trading volume totaled $1.2 billion, representing 32 percent of the platform's total. Ripple has been recognized as a cryptocurrency with a significant domestic investor base. According to an October report by Korea's Financial Intelligence Unit, Ripple ranked among the top six assets by market capitalization in Korea's virtual market. Ryan Kim, co-founder of Hashed, noted on social media platform X that Koreans' enthusiasm stems from Ripple's early adoption campaigns in Korea in 2014, with "early investors reaping significant returns." Korean retail investors are known for favoring altcoins in pursuit of higher returns and growth potential. Yet, the recent deferral of crypto taxation in Korea has further fueled the bullish market. "This delay is critical, as it effectively removes a major obstacle to speculative trading, giving the green light for another wave of aggressive crypto speculation," Markus Thielen, founder of 10x Research, said in a note to clients Monday. Investor enthusiasm was also fueled by reports that Ripples stablecoin is nearing approval by the New York Department of Financial Services, along with buzz surrounding the application for a spot XRP exchange-traded fund. Additionally, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse is reportedly being considered for the role of Trumps "crypto czar," a position intended to oversee the U.S. cryptocurrency landscape. The resignation of Gary Gensler, chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, has further improved Ripples outlook, as it raises the possibility of the lawsuit against Ripple being dropped or settled. "While its difficult to predict how long the rally will last, the cult-like dedication of the XRP community has proven invaluable through both good times and bad since the token's inception in 2013," said Peter Chung, head of research at Presto Research, citing that Ripple's market cap surpassed Ethereum's in the 2017 bull market. "XRP army will be a force to watch in 2025." By Baek Byung-yeul Koreas "jang," or traditional fermented sauces, lies at the heart and soul of its culinary tradition. On Tuesday (local time), it earned global recognition as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, celebrating not only its rich flavors but also the centuries-old stories and communal spirit behind its creation. For Choi Jung-yoon, head chef of Korean food company Sempios Culinary Research & Solution Center, this milestone represents more than just a cultural triumph. It marks a significant moment for Koreas food legacy and its increasing influence on the global gastronomic stage. This acknowledgment underscores the cultural value of jang and its importance in Korean cuisine, Choi said during a recent interview with The Korea Times at Sempios headquarters in Seoul. Choi, a chef and "hansik" (Korean food) researcher, has built her career not only in Korea but also in Spain and Australia. She has been the head chef at Sempio's research center since 2010, working on the Jang Project, and leads the Nanro Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the study of Korean cuisine. She stated that the international recognition of Korean jang, such as "doenjang" (soybean paste), "ganjang" (soy sauce) and "gochujang" (red chili paste), signifies the acknowledgment of the stories woven into the lives of Koreans, making it immensely valuable. For Koreans, jang is not just an ingredient its a story, a shared experience and a reflection of our culinary identity, Choi explained. She emphasized that the recognition of jang-making by UNESCO is not just about the quality of the product but also the cultural process behind its creation. The act of fermenting these sauces carries countless stories of the people who have made it over generations. To have that value recognized globally is very moving, she said. Choi noted that this recognition provides an opportunity to introduce jang to a wider audience. Its an honor that the world acknowledges jang as a cultural heritage. It allows us to share the narrative of Korean food and its deep connections to our history and identity, she added. Beyond its cultural significance, Choi sees the UNESCO recognition as a transformative moment for the jang industry. The UNESCO recognition holds substantial industrial value. Jang is an indispensable ingredient in hansik. Although people abroad might source local ingredients, they'll likely still rely on sauces produced by Korean companies, the head chef said. Jang, especially gochujang, is already gaining international recognition, and Choi believes this UNESCO acknowledgment will further boost its brand value, solidifying it as a cornerstone of the Korean food industry. Sales of gochujang have been steadily increasing, proving its potential in the global market, she said. Heart of Korean cuisine Choi said jangs essential role in Korean cooking cannot be overstated, saying that the Korean sauce continues to evolve while maintaining its authenticity, ranging from traditional dishes like "doenjang jjigae" (soybean paste stew) to contemporary fusion recipes. Jang is the foundation of Korean cuisine. Its the secret weapon that defines the taste of our food, she said. Whats remarkable is how adaptable jang is. Weve found that jang pairs beautifully with global ingredients cheese, pasta and even pizza. This versatility means its not just for Korean food but can also enhance international cuisines. Choi sees jang as more than a sauce, saying its a living heritage that connects past, present and future generations. In my family, four generations share the same table from my grandmother, who lived through the Korean War, to my sibling, who enjoys international cuisines like pasta and malatang. The one constant is jang its in the soybean paste stew my grandmother loves and the soy sauce glaze on my nieces favorite chicken, she said. As Koreas rapid modernization reshapes its culinary landscape, jang remains a unifying thread. Korean food evolves, yet jang stays at its core. It adapts, pivots and finds new roles in global dishes while retaining its essence, she said. Global rise of Korean food Choi attributes the growing popularity of Korean food to broader shifts in global dining trends. Fermented foods like jang and kimchi, which are rich in probiotics and flavors, resonate with these trends. Todays culinary landscape emphasizes health and diversity, which align perfectly with the strengths of Korean cuisine, she said. The perception of Korean food has also shifted dramatically over the years. Decades ago, Korean dishes like kimchi and gimbap were misunderstood or even ridiculed overseas, she recalled. But now, Korean cuisine is seen as being trendy and sophisticated. Choi believes this change is tied to the increasing global interest in Korean culture. When people like a country, they begin to like its food. The global popularity of Korean media and culture has naturally led to a greater acceptance of our cuisine, she said. Looking ahead, Choi envisions a future where jang becomes a staple in global kitchens. The key is to make jang accessible and familiar, not just a trendy ingredient but part of everyday life, she said. She cited the success of Korean restaurants in New York, including 11 Michelin-starred establishments, as evidence of Korean cuisines growing influence. For Sempio, this vision includes supporting traditional jang artisans and modernizing production. It includes analyzing the microbial composition of artisanal jang to ensure its quality and help preserve the tradition. We invest heavily in fermentation research, with over 160 researchers at our research center in Osong, North Chungcheong Province, Choi said. Our goal is to create high-quality products that anyone can use in their daily cooking. A delegation of North Korean weather agency officials has left for Russia, the North's state media reported Tuesday, as Pyongyang and Moscow have been expanding cooperation in various fields. The delegation, led by Kim Jae-hyok, director of the State Hydro-Meteorological Administration, departed Pyongyang on Monday, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, without disclosing other details. The delegation plans to visit Moscow, St. Petersburg and Vladivostok as part of efforts to implement an agreement reached at the May meeting of the subcommittee on scientific and technical cooperation of the two countries' intergovernmental committee, the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang wrote on its Facebook page. Both sides are expected to discuss ways to expand cooperation of mutual interest, including the possible exchange of meteorological observation data and the forecast of adverse weather phenomena, such as storms and typhoons, the embassy said. Russia anticipated the delegation's visit could produce results in important areas for "humanitarian, social and environmental cooperation." North Korea and Russia have been bolstering military ties and other cooperation since North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a summit in Russia's Far East in September last year. In June, Putin traveled to Pyongyang and signed a new partnership treaty with Kim that includes a mutual defense clause. South Korea and the United States have accused North Korea of sending thousands of troops to Russia in support of Moscow's war with Ukraine. (Yonhap) Russia is believed to have used some 60 ballistic missiles provided by North Korea in the war against Ukraine, a Ukrainian media outlet has reported, citing its intelligence authorities. Andrii Chernyak, the representative of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine's (DIU) defense ministry, shared the analysis in an interview with Radio Svoboda, according to a report by local media outlet RBC on Monday (local time). Chernyak confirmed that the Russian army had launched about 60 KN-23 ballistic missiles at Ukraine, the report said. A DIU spokesperson said that the KN-23 missiles used by the Russian forces were based on "outdated technologies" that affect their accuracy, adding that Russia is receiving a "vast amount" of artillery ammunition from the North. The report came after the Ukrainian authorities claimed last month that the North had provided some 100 short-range ballistic missiles, such as KN-23s and KN-24s. The KN-23 and KN-24 each refer to the North Korean-made tactical guided weapons similar to Russia's Iskander-M and the U.S.' Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), respectively, known as the Hwasong-11 types in North Korea. North Korea is suspected of having provided weapons and munitions to Moscow to assist Russia's war in Ukraine. At the summit in Pyongyang in June, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a major defense pact that includes a mutual defense clause. South Korea and the United States have accused North Korea of sending thousands of soldiers to Russia, with some of them engaging in combat in Russia's western Kursk border region. On Monday, Matthew Miller, the U.S. State Department spokesperson, reiterated that the North Korean troops in combat against Ukrainian forces are "legitimate targets," in an interview with a Japanese media outlet. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that some of the North Korean soldiers have been killed or injured during combat. (Yonhap) The unification ministry on Tuesday called on North Korea to "immediately and unconditionally" release Choi Chun-gil, a South Korean missionary detained in North Korea and five other nationals on the occasion of marking 10 years since his arrest. Choi is among six South Koreans who have currently been in detention for years in North Korea, including two other missionaries Kim Jung-wook and Kim Kook-kie. Choi was arrested in December 2014 and sentenced to hard labor for life on the charge of spying for South Korea's intelligence service. The unification ministry denounced North Korea's practice of "unjustly and arbitrarily" detaining the missionaries as a "blatant" attempt to oppress freedom of religion or belief and silence international calls for improving its human rights situation. "The ROK Government strongly urges the North, which is a party to major international human rights instruments, to immediately and unconditionally release our nationals who are illegally detained," the ministry said in a statement, using the acronym of South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea. The ministry condemned North Korea for unreasonable and excessive sentencing of the six individuals without a fair and public trial; its failure to provide basic procedural justice upon arrest and during detention; and the continued arbitrary detention. The government said it will continue its efforts to confirm the fate of the detained South Koreans in close cooperation with the international community. (Yonhap) Unification minister calls for global support for unified Korea By Kwak Yeon-soo Nearly 60 percent of international survey respondents are skeptical about the possibility of North Korea giving up its nuclear weapons as the reclusive country continues to advance its nuclear and missile programs, results showed Tuesday. According to a global survey on the prospects for inter-Korean unification and North Korea, released by the Ministry of Unification, 57 percent replied that North Korea is unlikely to denuclearize in the foreseeable future. Only 28 percent were optimistic about the possibility. The survey, conducted by the Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) and Gallup Korea from September to October, involved web surveys of 9,000 adults aged 18 and over in eight different countries the United States, Japan, Germany, Vietnam, Poland, the United Kingdom, France and Australia. The survey carried a confidence level of 95 percent with a margin of error of about 1.02 percentage points. We selected respondents from countries that support a unified Korean Peninsula, including the U.S. and Japan, and those that have experienced division or regime change like Germany, Vietnam and Poland, a unification ministry official said. The data was collected through the Gallup Panel. Given the population sizes, we surveyed 2,000 adults in the U.S. and 1,000 adults in each of the other countries. According to the poll, 63 percent of the respondents said they believed the Norths nuclear development poses a threat to their own countries. Just half of the survey respondents said they believed inter-Korean unification is completely or somewhat necessary. About 30 percent said unification is either entirely unnecessary or not particularly necessary, citing fears of war or conflict and the economic and social chaos after unification as the main reasons for their lukewarm responses. Of the total respondents, 46 percent said they were skeptical of the possibility of a unified Korea due to social and cultural differences and North Koreas nuclear threats, while 40 percent viewed the possibility of unification positively. The survey showed the global community's lack of interest in North Korea's human rights situation. Only 32 percent of respondents said they were aware of the human rights situation in the North, while 38 percent said they did not know the situation well. Among the respondents, 55 percent said they had heard of North Korean defectors while 45 percent said they were unaware. The survey is part of South Koreas efforts to strengthen international solidarity as part of implementing the Aug. 15 Unification Doctrine. The doctrine lays out implementation strategies to secure international solidarity and support for a free and unified Korea. This marked the first survey of global citizens understanding of Korean unification, according to the unification ministry. We hope this meaningful survey data induces cooperation from the international community for achieving unification on the Korean Peninsula, Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho said during a seminar on Korean unification hosted by KINU, Tuesday. Korean unification is no longer a matter concerning the two Koreas only. It is a global challenge that requires support and cooperation from the international community. That way, a unified Korea will contribute to world peace and prosperity. By Kim Hyun-bin Daegu Metropolitan City and the Daegu-Gyeongbuk International Exchange Association held the 2024 Daegu-Gyeongbuk International Exchange Association Friendship Night on Dec. 1. The event, now in its 15th year, brought together diplomats and representatives from around the world to celebrate and strengthen international cooperation and civil diplomacy. This years theme the pursuit of harmony resonated throughout the evening as 25 diplomats from 12 countries, including Hungary, Myanmar and Slovakia, gathered alongside over 600 participants. The event opened with a moving solo performance of the Korean song "Longing for Mount Geumgang," setting a harmonious tone for the evening. Co-chairpersons of the association delivered welcome speeches, followed by congratulatory remarks from key ambassadors, including Istvan Szerdahelyi, the Hungarian ambassador to Korea. In their addresses, the ambassadors emphasized the importance of global unity and cooperation in addressing pressing international issues. They spoke about the need for collective efforts to achieve global peace and prosperity amid challenges such as war, poverty and natural disasters. Szerdahelyi highlighted the role of civil diplomacy in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation among nations. The Daegu-Gyeongbuk International Exchange Association, established in 2008, plays a pivotal role in promoting international relations through various initiatives. The association comprises private diplomatic associations from 40 countries. It engages in a wide range of activities, including disaster relief, cultural exchanges and scholarship programs, to enhance the regions global presence. Jeong Jang-soo, the deputy mayor of Daegu, underscored the increasing importance of the private sector in global diplomacy. In these complex and challenging times, the role of civil diplomacy has become crucial. As Daegu prepares for the next 50 years, we seek your continued support and cooperation to help our city grow on the global stage, Jeong said. President Yoon Suk Yeol and his Kyrgyz counterpart, Sadyr Japarov, agreed to elevate bilateral ties and expand cooperation in energy and critical minerals during their summit Tuesday, Yoon's office said. The two nations also established a comprehensive strategic partnership to enhance collaboration in trade, investment, energy, supply chains, development and climate change, according to a joint declaration. Japarov is on an official visit to South Korea. "Our government is paying attention to the strategic importance of Central Asia as a bridge between Asia and Europe," Yoon said in his opening remarks, adding that South Korea "aims to significantly develop relations with the Kyrgyz Republic, an important cooperation partner in Central Asia." This marks the first significant upgrade in relations since South Korea and Kyrgyzstan established diplomatic ties in 1992, following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Key agreements included a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on energy and critical minerals, focusing on renewable energy projects and natural resource supply chains. Other agreements were signed to pave the way for joint initiatives in greenhouse gas reduction, including projects near 10 small hydropower plants in Kyrgyzstan. The two sides also agreed to collaborate on eco-friendly resource development, refining technologies and information sharing. Kyrgyzstan, a landlocked Central Asian nation with abundant water resources and mineral deposits, including antimony a vital material for battery production was recognized as a strategic partner for South Korea's advanced manufacturing industries. The finance ministry signed a framework agreement to extend $500 million in low-interest, long-term Economic Development Cooperation Fund loans to Kyrgyzstan from 2025 to 2029. An MOU on the Trade and Investment Promotion Framework was also signed to enhance economic ties across supply chains, digital technologies and biotechnology. Kyrgyzstan is the fourth Central Asian nation to hold a summit with Yoon this year, following his meetings with the leaders of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in June, where discussions centered on economic partnerships and mineral resource cooperation. During the talks, Japarov expressed strong support for Yoon's plan to host the first summit of five Central Asian nations, including Tajikistan, in South Korea next year, pledging to work closely for its success, according to a joint declaration. He also reaffirmed Kyrgyzstan's support for North Korea's denuclearization and Yoon's unification doctrine, which envisions a free and prosperous Korean Peninsula, it noted. Half of the citizens from eight countries regard the unification of South and North Korea as necessary, and North Korea giving up its nuclear weapons is cited as the top prerequisite for unification, a poll showed Tuesday. A total of 50 percent of respondents said the two Koreas should be reunited again, with 23 percent viewing unification as a "must," in the poll conducted by the Korea Institute for National Unification and Gallup Korea. The survey was conducted online from September to October among 9,000 people aged 18 or older from eight countries the United States, Japan, Germany, Vietnam, Poland, Britain, France and Australia. The survey is part of South Korea's efforts to muster global support for its liberal democracy-based unification vision laid out by President Yoon Suk Yeol in August. It marked the first survey of global citizens' understanding of the Koreas' unification, according to the unification ministry. The poll results were released as part of a seminar on Korean unification and the international community, hosted by the research institute. In the poll, only 30 percent of respondents said they did not agree with the necessity of Korean unification. They chose "concerns about war or conflict during the unification process," or "economic and social chaos after unification" as the main reasons for their skepticism about Korean unification. Of the total respondents, about 40 percent viewed the possibility of Korean unification "positively," while 46 percent viewed it "skeptically." Those who were skeptical cited "social and cultural differences" between the South and the North or "nuclear threats" from North Korea as reasons. A total of 48 percent of respondents said Korean unification should be based on South Korea's free democracy, while 9 percent favored North Korea's socialism, and 15 percent believed the two should retain their respective political systems. Respondents most frequently cited "North Korea giving up its nuclear weapon development" as the top prerequisite for Korean unification, followed by easing the inter-Korean military standoff. A majority of respondents, 67 percent, said North Korea should abandon its nuclear weapons development, although 57 percent believed the possibility is either unlikely or highly unlikely. Of the total respondents, 63 percent stated that North Korea's nuclear development poses mild to grave threats, more than double the 24 percent who said it poses little to no threats. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.02 percent, with a 95 percent confidence level. (Yonhap) The United States is watching recent developments in South Korea with "grave concern," a senior U.S. diplomat said Tuesday, voicing hope that any political disputes in the Asian country will be resolved "peacefully" and in line with the "rule of law." Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell made the remarks after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law, accusing the opposition camp of "anti-state activities." "We're watching the recent developments in the ROK with grave concern," Campbell said during a public event, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea. "We're seeking to engage our ROK counterparts at every level, both here and in Seoul, the president, the national security advisor, the secretary of state, have all been briefed on developments and are being kept appraised of the situation as it unfolds," he added. Campbell stressed that the U.S.' alliance with South Korea remains "ironclad." "We stand by Korea in their time of uncertainty," he said. "I also want to just underscore that we have every hope and expectation that any political disputes, will be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law, we'll have more to say, as the situation develops." The declaration of martial law came after the opposition Democratic Party railroaded a downsized budget bill in the parliamentary budget committee, and submitted impeachment motions against a state auditor and the chief prosecutor. (Yonhap) By Peter Juhl A special invitation arrives. An unhappy, dejected character gains access to a magical, parallel world. Mischievous little "dokkaebi" inhabit this world. The dokkaebi a goblin-like character from Korean mythology have the power to show visions of personal futures. A human visitor can choose any future from among these visions. Such is the premise of You Yeong-gwang's "The Rainfall Market." It is a Korean fantasy-fiction novel recently published and translated into English by Slin Jung. It is the latest entrant in Koreas so-called healing fiction genre. The target audience, however, is international. The premise is familiar: a protagonistin this case, a disheartened Korean teenage girl in the 2020s drifts through life, yearning for change. By some magical mechanism, she enters a parallel or hitherto unseen reality. The character sees alternate life timelines. Glamorous-seeming paths turn out not to lead to true happiness. Life lessons are learned. There isnt much of a traditional, plot-driven story here. For some readers, however, this open-ended approach is exactly what resonates. More on that later. "The Rainfall Market" is also a global novel riding on the crest of the K-culture wave. Literarily, it shows major international influences. Call it borrowing, inspiration, cross-pollination whatever you call it, there is much familiar ground for Western readers. Elements of "The Rainfall Market" appear influenced by Western-international standards like the Harry Potter books (19972007) and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (1964). Parallels are to be found back to Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" (1843) and similarities extend to classic movies like "Its a Wonderful Life" (1946) and "Groundhog Day" (1993). But most of all, Rainfall Market resembles the 2020 novel "Midnight Library" by British novelist Matt Haig. That book is about a suicidal woman who is transported to a mysterious library, where she reads alternate versions of her own life. An angel-like librarian offers to give her any life she chooses. "The Rainfall Market" is a Koreanized version of the same story. "Midnight Library" was a top-selling book in the early 2020s in South Korea. It clearly influenced Korean aspirant authors, who have put out many novels of similar type. The list now includes "The Rainfall Market." Korean literary observers began speaking of a new genre: healing fiction light, feel-good stories with inspirational messages. No heavy thinking. Impressions over story. Feelings over facts. Cute, artistic, vaguely inspiring cover art. And market appeal. Pay a visit to a bookstore in Korea, and youll find tables full of healing fiction books, all with cute cover artwork and cute titles to match. In English sections, such books are plentiful, including many English translations of Korean novels. Foreign tourists usually women buy them (the global novel, indeed). An international market optimization process is at work. The titles, for example, follow this formula: Take a mundane place, and pair it with a mysterious time or condition theres your title. Off we go, into magical realism. The title of "Midnight Library" helped pave the way. "The Rainfall Market" fits the bill. Other attention-getting, early-2020s Korean novels of the healing fiction genre include "Dallergut Dream Department Store" (2020) and its sequel "Uncanny Convenience Store" (2021), "Welcome to Hyunam-dong Bookshop" (2022) and "Marigold Mind Laundry" (2024). There are many others. Western writers, too, produce works resembling healing fiction. The phrase no plot, just vibes emerged in 2020, on social media app TikToks BookTok community, to describe such novels. BookTok-like internet communities, dominated by young women, are now a major influence on fiction publishing. They can and do get their followers to buy, and they have a taste for healing fiction. Market forces, meanwhile, have been busy at work: publishing-house scouts seek marketable books; Korean authors, responding to the same incentives, produce palatable output, and things fall into place. The presence of K-culture fans in the social media book discussion groups reinforces the trend. It's interesting to note that "The Rainfall Market" was not originally conceived as a Korean-language novel to be translated later. According to the books promotional material and afterward, the author had secured a dual contract in mid-2023 one for the Korean edition and another for an English translation, all before the novel was even published in Korean. The prestige boost from the international association must have helped lift the book's domestic sales in Korea between mid-2023 and mid-2024. The English-language international publisher, in turn, could boast of strong Korean sales. Mark it down as marketing cross-pollination on top of the literary cross-pollination. There are many Korean aspects to "The Rainfall Market." The most interesting is the dokkaebi. They are an engaging feature in a book that can leave more traditional, plot-hungry readers more or less unsatisfied. Each dokkaebi has a character-specific gimmick, like the Smurfs. The dokkaebi base their lives around things like teasing, tormenting, manipulating and sometimes helping humans. Even here, however, the author portrays the dokkaebi in a way that recalls similar characters in Western literature. Did pre-modern Koreans tell dokkaebi stories anything resembling the cute and playful dokkaebi of this novel? I dont know; I suspect not. I suspect that these literary dokkaebi are a modern literary adaptation. They are a Korean element that has been synthesized and packaged into a feel-good novel for international appeal. British literary critic Tim Parks, in his provocative 2010 essay titled The Dull New Global Novel, had harsh words for this sort of novel, just emerging in the 2000s. The marketable global novel aspires towards a dubious end goal of self-commodification. The end goal may not fit with literary excellence. But it may sell. There is a demonstrated market demand for vibes-centric novels like "The Rainfall Market." They are different from plot-and-character novels of years past, and not all will like them. But theyre here. Whether we like it or not many wont the healing fiction genre has a place in pop-literary history. What does "The Rainfall Market" say about South Korea? For one, it says there has been a self-conscious internationalization of Korean fiction and a new, self-conscious global novel target. Book buyers are on board. So are publishers at least for now. Such a trend didnt exist as recently as the mid-2010s, but it is very much a reality in the mid-2020s. Why was it healing fiction novels that rushed into the breach? One view: they are casually consumable. Traditional front-to-back reading is unnecessary. That is true for "The Rainfall Market." It suits, the argument goes, the lower-attention-span era. BookTok-like internet book communities are glad for it. Another theory is political. A recent column in this newspaper, titled "'Hell Joseon' blues: Young Koreans flee for a better life," commented on Korean society thusly: material success is often seen as the sole goal in life[which] contributes to widespread moral decay. As a result, young people are left with a profound sense of disillusionment, struggling to understand their true life goals These words could easily have appeared verbatim in a review of "The Rainfall Market." The novel draws on Koreas youth crisis and sense of purposelessness, which form the backdrop for much of its emotional weight. In the afterword, the author, You Yeong-gwang, provides commentary that aligns with this kind of "political" reading. People attributed the unexpected success of "Midnight Library" not to that novels literary value (which is questionable at best), but rather to a social cause: feelings of widespread loss of purpose associated with the pandemic shutdowns of 2020. Seeking to explain Koreas ongoing healing fiction boom takes us in similar directions. What will be the legacy of "The Rainfall Market" and other such novels? Critics will say they cannot (will not and should not?) last. But why did they arise in the first place? These are feel-good books, designed for certain types of readers. Shots of inspiration. The literary equivalent of a friendly voice, when youre down, saying him-nae (hang in there). For many, that is enough. "The Rainfall Market" is available at dbbooks.co.kr. Peter Juhl is a researcher focused on Korean political and security issues. By Lee Hyo-sik The Sunfull Foundation, chaired by Min Byoung-chul, hosted the K-Respect campaign at the University of Perpetual Help in Manila, Philippines, on Nov. 27, to raise awareness of mutual understanding and respect to counter prejudice and discrimination against multicultural communities. Antonio Tamayo, a member of the universitys board of directors, said, The University of Perpetual Help is honored to partner with the Sunfull Foundation in this campaign, which aligns with our mission to foster a culture of inclusion and respect. Through initiatives like K-Respect, we aim to inspire students and communities to embrace diversity and lead by example in creating a more harmonious society. Congresswoman Marissa Magsino of One Filipinos Worldwide (OFW) party list also said, The K-Respect campaign has made significant contributions for multicultural families and workers globally. As a co-chair of the K-Respect campaign and ambassador of Sunfull Foundation, it is a privilege for the OFW party list to support this initiative, which reinforces the principles of empathy, respect and cooperation both within the Philippines and beyond. She introduced a bill in the Philippine House of Representatives to declare May 27 as K-Respect Day in the Philippines, highlighting the importance of promoting respect, empathy and unity among cultures while combating online hate speech and cyberbullying, a mission that is spearheaded by the Sunfull Foundation chairman. The K-Respect campaign is a global movement to replace prejudice and discrimination with respect. I deeply appreciate the support of the University of Perpetual Help System and its leadership, as well as the dedication of all participants, in advancing this vital mission, Min said. Many Filipinos live in Korea, and there are also many Koreans living in the Philippines. I am confident that this campaign will contribute to fostering a culture of understanding and respect among people from different cultural backgrounds in our multicultural society. And respect and consideration are core values of our foundation. On Friday, he also met with Hans Leo Cacdac, secretary of the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers. They agreed to jointly promote the K-Respect campaign aimed at fostering mutual cultural understanding and respect, thereby reducing prejudice and discrimination against all multicultural and ethnic groups, including overseas Filipino workers and their families abroad. By Lee Hyo-jin The South Korean military is moving to procure cardboard drones as part of its efforts to bolster its drone capabilities in response to North Korean threats, the Ministry of National Defense said Tuesday. The military aims to finalize a contract to acquire around 100 cardboard drones by the end of this year, with deployment planned for the first half of 2025. Our ministry and relevant organizations are taking various measures to strengthen our drone capacity. It is an undeniable fact that drones have become game changers in modern warfare, so our military is intensifying efforts in this area, ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyou said during a briefing. Jeon declined to elaborate on the specifics of the drones under discussion. Initially, the cardboard drones will reportedly be deployed for reconnaissance purposes, with plans to consider their use as suicide drones in the future. Constructed primarily from low-cost, biodegradable materials like cardboard, these drones are considered more cost-effective than traditional unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The effectiveness of cardboard drones has been demonstrated in the ongoing war in Ukraine. According to media reports, a fleet of such drones, held together with elastic bands and tape, has caused significant damage to multiple Russian targets. South Korea has been steadily enhancing its drone capacity. In October, the government agreed to purchase Warmate drones developed by Polish defense company WB Electronics based on their proven effectiveness in the Ukraine war. The latest move to procure cardboard drones comes amid reports that North Korea has also acquired similar technology. During the Defense Development Exhibition held in Pyongyang in November, a new drone design displayed by the North Korean military featured characteristics similar to cardboard drones. Military analysts assessed that one of the drones showcased at the event, with wings and a fuselage held together by rubber bands, looked similar to a cardboard suicide drone. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Kim Myung-soo visited the Army's 1st Corps and an air defense post near the North Korean border Tuesday to review their readiness against potential provocations. Addressing the troops at the 1st Corps in Goyang, north of Seoul, Kim stressed to the need to maintain vigilance against the risk of provocations during the year-end and New Year period, and instructed military personnel to respond decisively and effectively against provocations. During inspections at the air defense post, he urged troops to stay alert against threats of drone provocations, stressing that their readiness was critical for the safety of the greater Seoul region. (Yonhap) The defense minister has ordered a meeting of key commanders and called for tightened vigilance, the ministry said Tuesday, after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law. The minister has also ordered the military to stay on emergency guard, it added. The move came after Yoon declared martial law, citing the need to eradicate pro-North Korean forces and uphold the constitutional order. (Yonhap) A military command, launched with the declaration of martial law by President Yoon Suk Yeol late Tuesday, announced a decree banning all political activities, including protests and activities by political parties. The decree issued by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su, a four-star general who has been named to lead the command, had gone into effect as of 11 p.m. Tuesday. "All political activities, including those related to the National Assembly, regional assemblies, political parties, the forming of political organizations, rallies and protests are banned," Park said. Park said the decree has been proclaimed nationwide to defend free democracy and the safety of people from anti-state forces threatening to overthrow the country. The decree also puts all media and publishers under control, in addition to ordering trainee doctors on a walkout to immediately return to work within 48 hours. "The act of denying free democracy or attempting a subversion is banned; fake news, manipulating public opinion and false instigation is banned," Park said. Those who violate martial law can be arrested or raided without a warrant, according to the decree. With the declaration of martial law, the commander oversees administrative and legal affairs in the affected region and can take special measures on areas including arrest, seizure, media and collective action when necessary. By law, the commander is supervised by the defense minister but is under presidential supervision when martial law is issued across the country or when there is a need to do so. (Yonhap) Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun has called for strengthening readiness and vigilance across the military, after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law late Tuesday. Kim, who proposed the martial law to Yoon, has also ordered a meeting of key commanders, according to the ministry. The ministry has shifted to contingency mode, with all ministry employees ordered to show up for work and commanders of battalions and larger units placed on emergency stand-by. Warplanes were also reportedly conducting mid-air surveillance activities as part of such move. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su has been named leader of martial law command, while the Joint Chiefs of Staff will oversee martial law-related affairs. Park announced a decree that bans all political activities, puts media and publishers under state control and orders medical personnel on walkout to immediately return to work within 48 hours. Yoon declared emergency martial law, accusing the opposition side of controlling parliament and paralyzing the government by conducting "anti-state activities." (Yonhap) US teen turns anger into campaign against deepfake crimes Editors note This article is the second in a three-part series on deepfake sex crimes at schools. The crimes, involving the manipulation of photos and videos to create explicit content, cause distrust and strain relationships between students, and sometimes between pupils and teachers. The series has been produced in collaboration with Excellence Lab, a team dedicated to investigative journalism at The Hankook Ilbo, the sister paper of The Korea Times. ED. By Jung Da-hyun In the wake of deepfake sexual crimes affecting schools not only in Korea but also in the United States, 15-year-old Francesca Mani and her mother, Dorota Mani, have transformed their personal ordeal into a powerful campaign for change. "I wasnt looking for sympathy, I wanted accountability," Francesca told The Korea Times during a recent interview. "The school needed to make it clear that this behavior is unacceptable and ensure the perpetrators are held accountable for their actions." Her story stands in stark contrast to similar cases in Korea, where victims often stay silent or face social stigmatization. Last October, Francesca and several other 10th-grade girls at Westfield Public School in New Jersey reported to school administrators that male classmates had used AI software to create and distribute explicit deepfake images of them. The school launched an investigation later that month. However, the system failed to adequately protect the victims. While school administrators quietly questioned some of the boys involved, they publicly summoned Francesca and the other girls targeted by the deepfakes to the school office, announcing their names over the intercom. Mary Asfendis, the schools principal, acknowledged the seriousness of the incident and sent an email to parents, describing the deepfakes as a "very serious matter." Despite concerns from students and parents about the potential circulation of the images, Asfendis reassured them that the school believed all fabricated images had been deleted and were no longer being shared, according to the Mani family. Although the school acknowledged the seriousness of the incident, it failed to take appropriate action against the offenders. Just a few days after the deepfake incident came to light, Francesca discovered that one of the boys responsible for creating the manipulated images had been given only one or two days of detention as punishment. The offenders continued attending school and even represented the school in sports, behaving as though nothing had happened. When she questioned the lenient punishment, the school told her they couldnt do anything further, citing a lack of legislation addressing such incidents. "That day, my daughter came home and said, 'Thats not right. I refuse to wear the victims badge,'" Dorota recalled. "The incident was initially a shock, but over time, the greater disappointment came from the lack of laws, legislation and regulations," she said. The mother also condemned school administrators for shirking responsibility, as they justified their inaction by citing a lack of familiarity with deepfake technology and its evolving threats. Determined to ensure that schools could respond more effectively in the future, Francesca told her mother that she wanted to advocate for legal changes and asked for her help. "Thats how it all started," Dorota said, reflecting on the beginning of the efforts she and her daughter are undertaking. 'What seemed hardest was the easiest' For Francesca and Dorota, the deepfake incident that initially sparked shock and anger became a powerful catalyst for their mission to seek justice through systemic change. "What I thought would be the hardest part changing laws and passing legislation turned out to be the easiest," Dorota said. They reached out to lawmakers, including Rep. Joe Morelle, who has been advocating against deepfake abuses for seven years. "Morelle is the first lawmaker who weve worked with," Dorota said. On Jan. 16, Morelle announced his bipartisan proposal, the Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act, aimed at halting the spread of AI-generated deepfake pornography. He emphasized that deepfake pornography is a form of sexual exploitation and abuse. He was astounded that it is not already classified as a federal crime. "My legislation will finally make this dangerous practice illegal and hold perpetrators accountable," Morelle told The Korea Times through email. The Mani family also collaborated with Texas Senator Ted Cruz on his bipartisan legislation, the Take It Down Act. Introduced on June 18, the proposed legislation seeks to criminalize the publication of non-consensual, sexually exploitative images, including AI-generated deepfakes, and requires online platforms to implement mechanisms allowing victims to request the removal of such content. "The Take It Down Act really resonates with general sexual crimes related to deepfake," Dorota said. She pointed out that there are victims who, for various reasons religious, familial or deeply personal dont feel comfortable coming forward. "Its not our place to judge or push them, but they need a way to reclaim the power over these images," she said. Dorota emphasized the importance of empowering victims, noting, "People need outlets that allow them to take the power of the images back." As of Dec. 2, the Take It Down Act remains pending in the Senate. In addition to working with lawmakers, Francesca and Dorota also reached out to the social media company Snapchat, a popular messaging app used by approximately 60 percent of teenagers, through Cruzs office. "Snapchat shared with us that theyve been conducting a three-year study on the effects of their platform on younger generations," Dorota said. Following recurring incidents involving deepfake abuse, the company developed a tool designed to help educators understand and teach students how to protect themselves in the digital age. Dorota continues to communicate with Snapchat, exploring opportunities to introduce the tool to educators. "This will provide educators with resources to better protect their students by equipping them with a deeper understanding of current technologies," she said. Breaking silence, fighting for accountability While their proactive efforts led to proposed legislation aimed at amplifying the voices of victims, they argued that schools have remained unchanged, still lagging in establishing effective policies to address such incidents. The district office overseeing public schools in the region initially focused on controlling the use of generative AI tools like ChatGPT to prevent cheating on assignments but failed to implement measures to address deepfake abuse. After 10 months, the school finally revised its AI regulations. The updated policies now include lessons for students on the civil and criminal consequences of creating illegal deepfakes, as well as education on the profound impact such actions have on victims. Despite her ordeal, Francesca described herself as fortunate, as many people supported her efforts to create meaningful change. "My teachers were incredibly supportive, and so were my friends. It was the school administration that failed us," Francesca said. She also expressed enthusiasm for continuing her advocacy against deepfakes, highlighting her work as a partner with the U.N. Dynamic Teen Coalition and as an AI ambassador at Yale University. Her efforts have earned her significant recognition, including being named the youngest individual on the Time 100 AI list this year. Korea is also taking steps to combat deepfake crimes, with new legislation approved on Oct. 10 calling for tougher penalties for digital sex crimes involving the technology. The revised sexual crimes punishment law imposes penalties of up to three years in prison or fines of up to 30 million won ($22,251) for those caught possessing, purchasing, storing or viewing deepfake sexual materials and other fabricated videos. In addition, the government announced measures in November, aiming to more effectively crack down on deepfake-related sexual abuse, including the immediate deletion of exploitative materials and the use of undercover investigations. However, Francesca's case highlights how the voices of those affected can play a pivotal role in driving systemic change. Francesca stresses the importance of standing up for ones rights. "If the system fails you, its time to revisit it and demand accountability," she said. A group of Vietnamese tourists who entered Korea through the southern island of Jeju last month has disappeared, authorities said Tuesday. The 38 people were among a group of some 90 tourists who arrived in Jeju from Nha Trang, Vietnam, on a chartered VietJet Air flight on Nov. 14, according to the Jeju Tourism Organization. The 38 disappeared at the final stop of their itinerary before their scheduled departure on Nov. 17, while the rest of the group boarded the return flight. Visitors to the resort island can stay without a visa for up to 30 days. The group did not have visas and will be able to stay legally until Dec. 14. The local immigration office is looking into the whereabouts of the missing by checking surveillance cameras. (Yonhap) Korea will make efforts to enhance its mutually beneficial ties with the United States, the trade minister said Tuesday, amid rising policy uncertainties surrounding Washington's incoming administration. Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo made the statement during a meeting with key commercial attaches and senior officials from the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, also known as KOTRA, to discuss strategies for sustaining Korea's export momentum, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. "We will closely monitor policy developments under the new U.S. administration and proactively address emerging challenges," Cheong said. "Korea has been strengthening its alliance with the United States in advanced industries and economic sectors through significant investments by our companies," Cheong said, noting that the two countries' supply chains are deeply interconnected. "Building on this foundation, we aim to seek mutually beneficial partnerships and explore new business opportunities," he added. Cheong also highlighted the significance of Korea achieving 14 consecutive months of export growth through November despite challenging conditions, including shipping disruptions, and urged officials to continue efforts to sustain the momentum. Korea's exports, meanwhile, increased 1.4 percent on-year to $56.3 billion in November, on the back of the robust shipments of semiconductors. Imports declined 2.4 percent to $50.7 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $5.61 billion. The country has posted a trade surplus for 18 consecutive months. (Yonhap) The Coast Guard on Tuesday mobilized more patrol ships and helicopters to search for a leisure boat with three people on board, three days after the boat went missing in the sea off the southeastern county of Uljin. The 0.6-ton boat was lost in seas near Uljin's Jiksan Port, about 230 kilometers from Seoul, late Sunday. Coast Guard officials said they used 16 patrol ships, six private rescue ships and four helicopters to search for the missing. They are also working in tandem with local police officers to search the beach area, but there has been no progress in the search so far, officials said. (Yonhap) By KTimes Following President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law on Tuesday night, numerous civic organizations issued statements demanding the immediate repeal of the measure. They condemned the declaration as "unconstitutional" and a "direct attack on South Korea's democracy." Peoples Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) said, The reasons President Yoon provided for declaring martial law, including the National Assemblys impeachment proceedings, do not meet the requirements outlined in Article 2 of the Martial Law Act. This declaration is unconstitutional, unlawful, and intolerable in a democratic society. The group urged the National Assembly to hold the president accountable, saying, This declaration is a challenge to the democracy forged through bloodshed and sacrifices. The people will never accept it." The statement called for the National Assembly to immediately demand the repeal of martial law under Article 77, Paragraph 5 of the Constitution, which requires the president to rescind martial law following a majority vote in the legislature. It further criticized Yoon, stating, "A president who seeks to destroy democracy and constitutional order to maintain power can no longer be called the president of the Republic of Korea. The PSPD will stand alongside the citizens to defend democracy." The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions issued a warning in its statement, saying, "The people will not forgive anti-democratic martial law." It compared the declaration to actions by past military dictatorships, such as those under Park Chung-hee and Chun Doo-hwan, who used martial law to extend their power. This marks the first time in 44 years that such an undemocratic and irrational measure has been implemented, it said. Faced with a crisis of his own making, Yoon has resorted to martial law, revealing his commitment to anti-democratic dictatorship. The Citizens Coalition for Economic Justice (CCEJ) criticized the declaration as an overreach, aimed at undermining democratic checks and balances. This appears to be a reaction to the National Assemblys impeachment of prosecutors and ministers and its budgetary control, the group said. The president must immediately repeal martial law and provide a responsible explanation to the public. The Military Human Rights Center also condemned the declaration as illegal, calling it an act of treason and a declaration of war against the citizens of South Korea. The organization specifically addressed soldiers moving toward the National Assembly, urging them to remember, You must not aim your weapons at your parents, siblings, children, and friends. Let us protect this country. The groups collectively vowed to continue their efforts to resist the martial law declaration and uphold South Koreas democratic principles. This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times. Rival parties wrangled Tuesday over next year's budget bill as the ruling People Power Party (PPP) insisted on keeping the government's proposal, while the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) demanded a revision to increase the issuance of local currency vouchers. The DPK railroaded a downsized budget bill through the parliamentary budget committee last week and aimed to pass it through a plenary parliamentary session Monday before National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik put the plan on hold and urged the rival parties to reach a compromise by next Tuesday. The current bill proposed by the majority DPK puts next year's budget at 677.4 trillion won ($345 billion), down 4.1 trillion won from the government's initial proposal, following cuts in the government's reserve fund and the special activity expenses of the presidential office's secretariat and national security office, as well as those of the prosecution, the state audit agency and the police. "Without an apology from the Democratic Party of Korea and the withdrawal of the budget bill that was passed unilaterally, we will not agree to any kind of talks," PPP floor leader Rep. Choo Kyung-ho told reporters. "If the DPK wants to talk about increasing the budget (to issue more) local currency vouchers, they should have negotiated with us before passing it unilaterally," he said. The DPK has been pushing to earmark 2 trillion won for the issuance of local currency vouchers, which are designed to help small merchants and the self-employed, in line with a signature policy of its leader Lee Jae-myung. "Should the government and the People Power Party wish at all to revive people's livelihoods and the economy, they should stop uttering nonsense and bring us an increased budget proposal meant to revive people's livelihoods and the economy," DPK floor leader Rep. Park Chan-dae said during a party meeting. (Yonhap) Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul convened a meeting of senior officials Tuesday after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law, the foreign ministry said. Officials are gathering at the ministry for the meeting, and any measures, if decided, will be announced promptly, the ministry said, without elaborating. (Yonhap) The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) called in its lawmakers urgently to the National Assembly late Tuesday after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law. The DPK ordered its lawmakers to hold a meeting to apparently discuss and begin the necessary procedures for lifting the martial law. DPK leader Lee Jae-myung called Yoon's declaration of emergency martial law "unconstitutional," condemning it as a move that "goes against the people." "President Yoon declared emergency martial law for no reason," Lee said. "Tanks, armored vehicles and soldiers with guns and swords will soon control the country." (Yonhap) Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will convene an emergency meeting with key economy-related officials Tuesday following the declaration of martial law. The meeting will include the heads of the Bank of Korea, the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service, the finance ministry said, adding the meeting will be followed by a separate session with senior finance ministry officials. President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in an unscheduled late-night address, accusing the opposition of "anti-state activities and plotting rebellion." (Yonhap) By Lee Hyo-jin South Koreas news media and publications have been placed under martial law following the enactment of emergency measures at 11 p.m., Tuesday. Under the order, all political activities, encompassing the National Assembly, local governments, and political parties have been prohibited. The sweeping restrictions, announced by Martial Law Commander Gen. Park An-su, chief of staff of the Army, include a ban on strikes, acts of sabotage, and rallies inciting social unrest. The commanders announcement came roughly an hour after President Yoon Suk Yeol delivered a surprise live briefing declaring emergency martial law. Yoon stated that the move is aimed at "eradicating pro-North Korean forces and protecting the constitutional order of freedom." This marks the first declaration of martial law by a South Korean president since the May 18 pro-democracy uprising against the military government in 1980. According to the martial law command, the emergency law also mandates that all medical professionals, including junior doctors on strike or absent from their duties, must return to work within 48 hours. Thousands of resident doctors here have been striking since February to protest against the government's medical reform plans. Violators of the proclamations will face arrest and searches and seizures without warrants under martial law. Punishments will also be enforced in accordance with the measure. Military authorities said steps will be implemented to minimize the disruption to ordinary citizens. However, they also issued a warning that those labeled as "anti-state forces" or individuals attempting to undermine the national system will not be covered by these provisions. Both ruling, opposition parties condemn Yoon's move as 'unconstitutional' By Anna J. Park President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in an emergency press briefing late Tuesday night, claiming the urgent need to eradicate what he called "anti-state forces." The announcement stunned the nation, as many were taken by surprise by the sudden and drastic measure. The five-minute live address, delivered around 10:24 p.m., took place behind closed doors. No journalists stationed at the presidential office were allowed entry into the briefing room, adding to the sense of secrecy surrounding the unexpected announcement. "Dear citizens, I am proclaiming martial law to shield the Republic of Korea from the threats posed by North Koreas communist forces and to eradicate the shameless pro-North, anti-state factions that are undermining our peoples freedom and happiness. This is to safeguard the constitutional order of our nation," Yoon announced during the briefing. "Through this martial law, I will rebuild and protect our free Republic of Korea, which is teetering on the brink of collapse. To achieve this, I will resolutely eliminate the anti-state forces that have so far engaged in destructive acts with plans to topple the country," the president added, emphasizing that the move is "an unavoidable measure for the continuity of the Republic of Korea." Yoon strongly criticized the opposition-dominated parliament, accusing it of undermining national governance by cutting essential budgets and attempting to impeach high-ranking government officials. "Since our administration's launch (in 2022), the National Assembly has proposed 22 impeachment motions against government officials. Even after the 22nd National Assembly was inaugurated in June, impeachment proceedings have been initiated against 10 officials. This is unprecedented not only in (South) Korea but globally," he criticized. Yoon said efforts to impeach judges and prosecutors have paralyzed the judicial branch, while attempts to impeach ministers and government officials have stalled the administration. He also pointed out that crucial budgets for essential state functions and public safety had been completely slashed, warning that this has turned South Korea into a hotspot for narcotics and a breeding ground for public safety crises. He criticized the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), stating, The DPKs legislative dictatorship has weaponized the budget for political strife, even pushing for fiscal impeachment. Yoon added that while the declaration of martial law may cause some inconvenience to citizens, he pledged to take steps to minimize these disruptions and ensure that daily life is affected as little as possible. "The measure does not alter our foreign policy stance of fulfilling Korea's responsibilities and contributions to the international community," he emphasized. In the decree issued under the authority of martial law commander Park An-su, all political activities, including those of lawmakers, as well as nearly all forms of protests and rallies, have been banned. The decree also places full control of the press and publications under the martial law command. Additionally, all medical workers who have left their posts, including striking trainee doctors, are ordered to return to work within 48 hours. Those who fail to comply with the order will face punishment under martial law. The decree said those violating its terms may be arrested, subject to search and seizure, and punished according to the law. It went into effect at 11 p.m. The defense minister convened a meeting with key commanders and ordered the military to remain on emergency alert. Under the Constitution, the president has the authority to declare martial law in times of war, national emergency, or when it is deemed necessary to maintain public safety and order. But martial law can be lifted if a majority of the Assembly demands its termination. 'No longer the president of South Korea' Both the ruling and opposition parties strongly denounced the martial law declaration. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition DPK, declared during a YouTube live broadcast at around 10:53 p.m., that "President Yoon Suk Yeol has betrayed the people. From this moment, he is no longer the president of the Republic of Korea." He added that the president declared martial law without any justification. "The judicial system has been completely suspended, and a military-led regime under martial law has begun. Soon, soldiers with tanks, armored vehicles, guns, and bayonets will dominate this country," he expressed his concerns that the South Korean economy will be devastated, warning that the already-struggling livelihoods of the people would deteriorate further. Even the ruling People Power Party (PPP) seemed unprepared for the sudden turn of events. Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the conservative party and once a close ally of Yoon during their careers as prosecutors a relationship now strained condemned the martial law declaration as a serious mistake. He vowed to oppose it, standing with the people. Arriving at the PPP headquarters in Yeouido late Tuesday night, Han denounced the proclamation as an illegal and unconstitutional measure that fails to meet the required conditions. We will stand with the people to halt this unjust declaration of martial law and safeguard liberal democracy, Han said. Even the PPP was completely blindsided by this decision. Rest assured, we will do everything necessary to overturn this unconstitutional act. The minor opposition Justice Party also issued an urgent statement criticizing Yoon's declaration of martial law as an unconstitutional act, urging him to immediately revoke the declaration. "President Yoons declaration of martial law is an unconstitutional and tyrannical act that directly violates Article 77 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea," it said. While lawmakers from the DPK and PPP were planning to convene emergency meetings at the National Assembly to discuss countermeasures, the police initially locked the gates of the Assembly compound, preventing access. Later, lawmakers, their aides, and Assembly administration staff were allowed entry, but tensions flared as scuffles broke out between those trying to enter and military personnel who arrived at the Assembly after being flown in by helicopter. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok convened an emergency meeting with economy-related officials, including the heads of the Bank of Korea, the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service. The United States said it is in contact with the South Korean government and is monitoring the situation closely. "The administration is in contact with the ROK government and is monitoring the situation closely," a spokesperson for the National Security Council told Yonhap News Agency via email. ROK stands for Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea. All schools and educational institutions will open and operate as usual across the country on Wednesday despite President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of emergency martial law. Schools can be temporarily closed for student safety when emergency martial law is declared. In a text message to reporters at 12:53 a.m. early Wednesday, the education ministry said "all operations and academic schedules will run as normal." The ministry added that it will inform reporters in the event of "any changes in the situation." Classes at elementary, middle and high schools, as well as universities, will proceed as normal, according to the ministry's message. Martial law declarations in South Korea have previously involved nationwide school closures, including during the last declaration of martial law in 1980. (Yonhap) Vote requires president to comply without delay By Anna J. Park The National Assembly passed a resolution at around 1 a.m. on Wednesday, calling for the repeal of martial law. Lawmakers approved the resolution approximately two and a half hours after President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration. The motion was passed unanimously at the emergency late-night session, with 190 lawmakers present. Article 77, Clause 5 of South Korea's Constitution stipulates that "when the National Assembly demands the repeal of martial law with the approval of a majority of its members, the president must comply and revoke the martial law." Upon the passage of the resolution, lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties erupted in applause, cheering in unison. "With the National Assembly's passage of the motion to repeal martial law, the president must immediately revoke it. Therefore, the declaration of martial law is now null and void," Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik said, as he urged the military and police officers who were trying to enter the main building of the assembly to leave immediately. Woo concluded by reassuring the public, saying, "Please rest assured, the National Assembly will stand with the people to protect democracy." With the unanimous passage of the motion, Yoon is now obligated to lift martial law promptly, in accordance with the Constitution. Following Yoon's sudden declaration of martial law, the speaker immediately ordered all lawmakers to gather in the main hall of parliament. Around midnight on Tuesday, military troops, believed to be part of the martial law forces, attempted to enter the Assembly's main building to block lawmakers from reaching the main hall. Some armed soldiers broke windows to gain entry, while lawmakers' aides and staff formed barricades to prevent them, leading to physical clashes. Inside the main hall, opposition lawmakers, including Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), along with members of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), gathered after each party held their emergency meetings at their respective headquarters. The DPK leader pledged that the party's lawmakers would remain at the Assembly until the president formally announces the repeal of martial law. "We will protect the lives and safety of the people until the end," Lee said in a Facebook posting. He also told reporters that the martial law declaration itself had both procedural and substantive flaws, making it invalid. "And since the Assembly voted to demand the lifting of the law, it confirmed its invalidity," he said. PPP leader Han Dong-hoon said the martial law declaration became invalid following the Assemblys vote. He added that it is illegal for the police and the military to exercise enforcement power, seemingly addressing the troops who were attempting to enter the Assemblys main building following the declaration of martial law. As the head of the ruling party, I deeply regret that this incident has occurred. By KTimes Thousands of citizens gathered in front of the National Assembly in Seoul on Tuesday night, expressing their anger over President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law. Their outrage turned to cheers in the early hours of Wednesday when the Assembly passed a resolution to repeal the measure. However, the crowd also called for Yoon's impeachment. At 1:07 a.m., news of the repeal vote spread among the demonstrators in Yeongdeungpo District, where the National Assembly is located, sparking applause and chants of "Impeach Yoon Suk-yeol." The atmosphere remained charged, as citizens voiced their discontent over the deployment of soldiers to the National Assembly. The crowd shouted, "What kind of situation is this?" and "Who will take responsibility for this?" One protester, Mr. Jeong, 46, from Paju, Gyeonggi Province, said, "I came here to show the withdrawing soldiers the strength of the people. Thats why Im staying here in front of the National Assembly." Gwangju citizens rally against Yoon In Gwangju, a city in the southwestern part of the country known for its pro-democracy movement in 1980 during the period of military dictatorship, activist groups swiftly organized protests against Yoon, portraying his actions as a direct assault on democracy. A coalition of nine organizations, united under the banner of the "Committee for the Expulsion of Yoon Suk Yeol," issued a statement following the repeal resolution, declaring, "He is no longer the president of South Korea. We urge the military and police not to obey the unjust orders of dictator Yoon Suk Yeol." The committee called on the citizens of Gwangju to take action, urging, "Let us defend the democratic republic of Korea, built and protected through bloodshed." It announced a mass rally scheduled for 9 a.m. on Dec. 4 at the May 18 Democracy Plaza, a historic symbol of the city's pro-democracy movement. The committee appealed for citywide participation, asking residents to "lay down their work and join the fight against Yoon's destruction of democracy." This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times. By KTimes Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was completely unaware of President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration. This was because Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, a former upperclassman of President Yoon in high school, bypassed the prime minister and communicated directly with the president. Additionally, elite military units, specifically the 1st Airborne Special Forces Brigade, were deployed to the National Assembly, signaling an aggressive move to suppress political opposition. A source said, "This martial law action appears orchestrated by the 'Chungam faction,' with (Defense) Minister Kim directly coordinating with President Yoon." The "Chungam faction" refers to those who graduated from Chungam High School in Seoul. Following the president's emergency briefing and martial law declaration, the military established the Martial Law Command within the Ministry of National Defense compound, appointing Army Chief of Staff Park An-su as the commander. Diplomatic sources noted that despite the defense minister's recommendation for martial law, no cabinet meeting was convened, leaving the prime minister and his staff uninformed. Opposition parties suspect that direct communication channels between the military and police were activated during the martial law declaration process. They believe that the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency was engaged directly, bypassing the National Police Agency, to control access to the National Assembly. Furthermore, the 1st Airborne Special Forces Brigade, an elite unit under the Army Special Warfare Command, swiftly attempted to enter the main hall of the National Assembly. This brigade, known as the Eagle Unit, is the oldest of the special forces, originally formed in 1958. However, at around 1 a.m. on Dec. 4, following the National Assembly's resolution to lift martial law, military personnel withdrew from the main assembly hall. A military official said, "It is difficult to confirm which units were deployed." This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said Wednesday that he will lift emergency martial law through a Cabinet meeting, hours after he declared the law, accusing the nation's opposition of paralyzing his government with "anti-state" activities. In a televised address, Yoon said that he has convened a Cabinet meeting, and that as soon as the quorum is met for the decision-making meeting, he will lift martial law. "At 11 p.m. last night, I declared emergency martial law with my resolute intent to save the nation in the face of anti-state forces that attempt to paralyze the nation's essential function and the constitutional order of free democracy," he said. "But there was a demand from the National Assembly for the lifting of martial law, (I) have withdrawn troops mobilized to execute martial law affairs," he added. Yoon reiterated his calls for the National Assembly to stop "outrageous" activities that he said paralyze national functions, including impeachment attempts against government officials. The martial law declaration sent shock waves across the country and beyond. U.S. officials have expressed "grave concern" and stressed Washington's hope that any "political" disputes in South Korea will be resolved "peacefully." (Yonhap) Offenders walk free, victims bear burden as justice falters Editors note This article is the first in a three-part series on deepfake sex crimes at schools. The crimes, involving the manipulation of photos and videos to create explicit content, cause distrust and strain relationships between students, and sometimes between pupils and teachers. The series has been produced in collaboration with Excellence Lab, a team dedicated to investigative journalism at The Hankook Ilbo, the sister paper of The Korea Times. All the names of people involved in the actual deepfake cases in the article are aliases. ED. By Jung Da-hyun Lee Min-ji, a 17-year-old high school student in Osan, Gyeonggi Province, used to love dancing and performing on stage. She, however, abandoned her dream of becoming a dancer after becoming a victim of a deepfake sex crime. The nightmare began in February when she received a direct message on Instagram from an unknown "informant." The anonymous sender said explicit images of her were being distributed in a Telegram chatroom. To gain her trust, the person provided details about the offender, who created the images, and even shared the explicit images. The offender was Kim Ki-tae, an alumnus from her elementary school, who now attends a different high school in the city. Shocked and terrified, she turned to her parents for help. Without hesitation, they reported the case to the police, hoping for swift action to stop the spread of the images and protect their daughter from further harm. But the message was only the beginning, as the manipulated images of her spread rapidly. They live in a relatively new community in Osan, south of Seoul, where many families settled around the same time. This shared timeline allowed children to grow up together, forming strong friendships that began in kindergarten. As news of the deepfake images spread, other parents, including one who had moved to a different city, reached out to Lee's mother, voicing their concern for both her daughter and their family. "I even thought those pictures must have spread all over the country by now," the mother told The Korea Times. What happened to the offender only deepened the victims suffering, leading to a more painful situation. Song Ji-yeon, a close friend of Lee who had attended high school with the perpetrator, struggled to contain her anger as Kim continued to attend school as if nothing had happened. When a mutual friend brought up the deepfake images, Song confronted the perpetrator, angrily using harsh words and cursing at him. In May, after learning about the confrontation, Kim reported Song to the school authorities for bullying. The school's violence committee upheld the claim, classifying Song's actions as school violence and sentencing her to four hours of community service. In that moment, the offender who should have faced strict punishment for the deepfake crime was suddenly portrayed as a victim of school violence. This shift left the true victim and her friend feeling even more isolated and powerless. At the end of the first semester, Kim, the perpetrator, dropped out of school. Many students, unaware of the full details including the deepfake incident, believed he left after being bullied. After Kim dropped out of school, any chance of him being punished by school authorities was lost for good. Lee and her parents clung to their last hope in the police investigation, but their hopes were shattered when the outcome fell short of expectations. According to the police, Kim's case was referred to a juvenile trial, which focuses on rehabilitating minors who commit minor offenses. As part of the punishment, the perpetrator was ordered to undergo 30 hours of sex crime prevention training. If he completes the training, there will be no official record of his crime. Contrary to the offender's 30-hour punishment, Lee has endured nine months of trauma, battling depression. "Im so worried because my daughter keeps saying she feels small and that she's doing everything wrong," the mother said. "She has lost all her confidence and even changed her dreams and career plans completely." Lee recently told her mother that she wanted to drop out of school and study on her own. "I understand my daughter, but you cant go back to your school days once time passes," Lee said, holding back her tears. "I just hope she gets the chance to create those memories, just like any other normal day..." Crimes committed by acquaintances According to the National Police Agency, 964 cases of deepfake-related sex crimes were reported nationwide from January to Oct. 25. The police caught 506 suspected perpetrators, and 411, or 81.2 percent, were teenagers. Education authorities also reported that more than 880 students have fallen victim to these crimes. The reality that perpetrators and victims are often acquaintances only deepens the sense of distrust. An analysis of 105 rulings made under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, since the law was established in June 2020 to address deepfake crimes, shows that in 62.9 percent of the cases, the perpetrators and victims were familiar with each other. Kim Tae-kyung, a professor at the Department of Counseling Psychology at Seowon University, explained that when minors are targeted by someone they already know, the emotional impact is often far deeper. "Deepfake crimes cause greater humiliation compared to other offenses because manipulated images and rumors spread quickly, reaching the victim," he said. "Victims may even begin to blame themselves, thinking they were too naive to have believed the person who hurt them." Teachers also impacted Deepfake sex crimes are not only affecting minors but are impacting teachers as well. Park Han-young, a middle school teacher in Gyeonggi Province, faced a difficult year as she struggled with the burden of being both a teacher and the victim of a deepfake crime. The teacher, who had been teaching since 2013, received chilling news from her colleagues in April 2023. A male student quietly informed one of the teacher's colleagues about explicit deepfake images featuring Parks face that had been posted online. Shocked and humiliated, Park suspected that the offender was one of her students. "I was certain it had to be a student because the photo used in the deepfake images had only been shared in a class group chat for remote learning during COVID-19," she said. To uncover the truth, she pleaded with her students to confess, giving them a week to come forward. But no one did. When she finally reported the case to the police, her hope quickly turned into frustration. "After I submitted my statement, I never heard from the police again, except for a case update in May," she said. By the end of May, the case was closed, and the perpetrator was never caught. The police said multiple IP addresses had been used, making it impossible to track the offender. With the images deleted from the website, there was nothing more they could do. The psychological toll was devastating. "I struggled with panic attacks, waking up in the middle of the night sobbing and pounding my pillow in rage," Park described. A psychological evaluation at a support center for teachers revealed dangerously high stress levels. Yet, she avoided further counseling. "I couldn't bear to retell the story again. It wouldnt change anything," she said. Even the school, once a place of safety, had become a minefield. "Every time I walked into class, I found myself wondering, 'Is it that student?" she said. "Each one started to look like a suspect. I could feel the seed of doubt growing inside me and kept asking can I ever trust my students again?" Yet, despite the overwhelming sense of betrayal, she also felt compassion. "I think whoever did it couldnt confess because they were scared. They are only 15," she said, grappling with the pain of being a victim while still fulfilling her role as an educator. Seo Hyeon-ju, a sex education activist, highlighted that teachers often feel conflicted about coming forward with their experiences, with many tending to downplay the harm theyve suffered and hesitating to report incidents. "Teachers are reluctant to report incidents because of the societal expectation that 'you are a teacher before you are a victim.' This pressure makes them feel they must continue teaching the children," Seo explained. "For female teachers in particular, theres a pervasive stereotype that they should provide nurturing support, like mothers, which adds to the pressure." By Choo Jae-woo Donald Trump's election as the next U.S. president signifies a significant shift in U.S. foreign and domestic policy, with major implications for China. Both China and Russia appear to welcome his victory, expecting his leadership to deepen societal divisions in the U.S., creating an ideal environment for influence operations. China has long engaged in such activities, targeting a polarized America divided between progressive and conservative factions. Trumps return presents opportunities for China to destabilize the U.S. further at minimal cost. Trump's presidency is likely to intensify confrontation with China. A report by the Heritage Foundation, 2025 Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise ("Project 2025"), outlines a vision aligned with this approach. While Democrats and media outlets criticized the report as a blueprint for authoritarian governance, Trump denied involvement, though his campaign platform, Agenda 47, overlaps significantly with its recommendations. Project 2025 emphasizes centralization, domestic reform and decoupling from China, aligning with Trumps focus on economic security as national security. Notably, 267 participants contributed to Project 2025, many of whom were part of Trump's previous campaigns or administration. Trump himself praised the Heritage Foundations influence in shaping policy, signaling potential alignment. The report serves as a strategic guide for a second Trump administration, focusing on a strategic and economic war with China. It emphasizes domestic innovation and reforms as prerequisites for prevailing in this conflict, underscoring alliances as central to U.S. foreign policy. Project 2025 places defending Taiwan at the heart of U.S. military and strategic interests, supported by alliances in the Indo-Pacific. Proposed measures include strengthening missile defenses, enhancing nuclear deterrence and encouraging greater European and NATO engagement. It also advocates increased burden-sharing among allies, particularly in confronting challenges posed by China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. For North Korea, the report envisions South Korea addressing conventional threats while enhancing missile defense systems, such as deploying additional THAAD units. Bipartisan consensus suggests that the next U.S. administration, regardless of party, will prioritize a multilateral Indo-Pacific strategy post-election. Trumps approach will likely demand greater burden-sharing from allies, prompting shifts in the roles of the U.S.-ROK (South Korea) alliance and U.S. Forces Korea. Over the past decade, the U.S. has restructured bilateral alliances, particularly with Japan, to counter Chinas growing military influence. Tensions in the Indo-Pacific have escalated since 2010, exemplified by territorial disputes over the Senkaku Islands (Diaoyu Dao). China's provocations prompted U.S. policy responses, including reaffirming the U.S.-Japan Security Treatys coverage of these islands. This led to the 2015 revision of the U.S.-Japan Defense Guidelines, formalizing Japans right to collective self-defense. By 2021, U.S.-Japan summit statements underscored the importance of Taiwan Strait stability, and in 2022, both nations agreed on acquiring capabilities to strike enemy missile bases. The U.S.-Japan alliance continues to strengthen. In April 2023, leaders agreed to modernize command and control structures and enhance military interoperability. This includes integrating U.S. forces in Japan with Japans newly established Joint Command. The nations also plan to develop advanced weapons collaboratively through the Defense Industrial Cooperation and Acquisition Support (DICAS) forum. The U.S. has also expanded trilateral and multilateral alliances. After years of stagnation, Japan and Australia signed a new security agreement in 2022, driven by Chinas growing military influence. Negotiations are underway for Japan to join AUKUS in advanced military technology. Japan has also signed Reciprocal Access Agreements with the U.K. and Australia, enabling joint training and streamlined military operations. These efforts reflect a broader strategy to counter Chinas military rise. However, persuading regional nations to confront China remains challenging due to their economic ties with Beijing. The U.S. has leaned on obligations under alliance treaties to garner support for joint responses to regional threats. For instance, the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty and the ANZUS Treaty with Australia and New Zealand mandate collective responses to threats in the Pacific. Similarly, the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty includes areas like the East China Sea within its defense scope. The primary motivation behind the U.S. efforts to solidify military cooperation in the Indo-Pacific is to counter China's rising military power. However, persuading regional countries to confront China militarily is challenging due to their deep economic ties with Beijing. The U.S. has thus invoked longstanding obligations under alliance treaties that require a joint response to threats in the Pacific region. For instance, the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty and the ANZUS Treaty with Australia and New Zealand stipulate joint responses to threats in the Pacific. Similarly, the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty defined "Far East" as its defense scope, interpreted to include critical areas like the East China Sea. While the U.S.-Taiwan Defense Treaty was terminated following U.S.-China diplomatic normalization, its provisions continue to shape America's commitment to Taiwan's security. For South Korea, the U.S.-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty of 1953 also includes a clause requiring joint responses to threats in the Pacific. The U.S. has increasingly urged South Korea to clarify its position on a potential Taiwan contingency. Historically focused on deterring North Korea, the U.S.-ROK alliance may face a shift in its primary objectives, including expanded roles for U.S. Forces Korea in the broader Indo-Pacific region. Initiatives like the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) reflect these evolving priorities. Although the U.S.-Taiwan Defense Treaty was terminated in 1979, its provisions continue to influence Americas commitment to Taiwans security. The U.S.-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty of 1953 also includes provisions for joint responses to Pacific threats. Recently, the U.S. has urged South Korea to clarify its stance on Taiwan, reflecting an evolving role for the U.S.-ROK alliance. Historically focused on deterring North Korea, this alliance may see expanded objectives, with U.S. Forces Korea playing a broader role in the Indo-Pacific. Initiatives like the NCG reflect these shifts. As the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy evolves, South Korea faces pressure to redefine its alliance role. This includes addressing Taiwan-related scenarios, testing the nation's commitment to its global pivotal state diplomatic strategy. The trajectory of U.S. foreign policy under Trump or any administration will shape the regional balance of power, with profound implications for China, Taiwan and broader Indo-Pacific dynamics. Choo Jae-woo is a professor at Kyung Hee University. By Mason Richey A month has elapsed since Donald Trump won the 2024 U.S. presidential election, earning a second term in the White House. I wrote my column last month only hours after U.S. media called Trumps victory, and at the time there were still a lot of unknowns regarding the shape of Trumps second administration. Of course, much is still unclear but at least now we know a bit more, and even the unknowns are increasingly of the known rather than unknown variety. So, what have we learned over the last month? To begin, three items that we now think we know. First, U.S. alliances, especially in the Indo-Pacific (thus including South Korea), are going to increasingly come under pressure from sharpening U.S.-China rivalry. This is most evident in the predilections of Trumps picks Michael Waltz, Marco Rubio, Alex Wong, John Ratcliffe, Pete Hegseth, Howard Lutnick, Jamieson Greer for leadership positions in the apparatuses of national security and defense, foreign policy, intelligence and trade. The above names are all China hawks, and their plans and actions supporting Trumps hardline approach to besting Beijing in strategic competition will have downstream consequences for U.S. allies and partners. In the case of South Korea, this may mean difficult discussions over Seoul accepting strategic flexibility of U.S. forces and assets for employment in a China-Taiwan contingency, which will infuriate Beijing. Trumps trade hawks will almost certainly promulgate new trade rules and tariffs that will both hurt China and necessitate tricky adjustments by third-party states. To be sure, there are opportunities for South Korea in such developments, but seizing those opportunities will require vision and sustained statecraft. Second, many senior official nominations indicate that the second Trump administration will focus greatly on dramatically disrupting the U.S. government and prosecuting Trumps vendetta against his political enemies and the perceived deep state. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Health and Human Services), Linda McMahon (Education), the aforementioned Pete Hegseth (Defense), Russell Vought (Management and Budget) and Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy (Department of Government Efficiency) will be tasked with undoing the institutional practices (both good and bad) of U.S. government departments and agencies. The promised implementation of Schedule F reform would result in a massive politicization of the U.S. civil service, in the personal and partisan service of Trump. Meanwhile, Pam Bondi (attorney general), Kash Patel (FBI director) and others in the incoming administration have already indicated their desire to pursue both criminally and civilly the enemies of Trump and the larger "Make America Great Again" movement. There is no guarantee that the second Trump administration will have the coherence and competence to execute this master plan of upheaval and lawfare; nor is it clear to what extent Congress would or could intervene to curb these potential developments. But if Trump succeeds in his intentions, the U.S. would take a significant step toward a form of Viktor Orbanization. This would mean that South Korea would have an ally with distinctly illiberal values. Third, the U.S. is still highly divided and polarized. Trumps electoral college victory was decisive, as I pointed out in my previous column, but his national popular vote count is now below 50 percent and his margin over Kamala Harris (1.5 percent) is among the lowest since the 19th century. Voters did elect both a Senate and House of Representatives with Republican majorities, so Trump will have a unified government for 2025-2027, but the House majority (R+2) is extremely narrow. This will contribute to the continuation of fraught domestic politics in the U.S., which in turn means that the U.S. partners and allies including Seoul may have difficulty getting their priorities onto the radar in Washington. As for the known unknowns of Trump 2.0, there are many. One issue threaded into numerous points above is the question of whether U.S. government institutional guardrails will contain Trumps worst impulses. Whether it be Congress using its budgetary authority, the Senate its advice and consent power to reject unqualified political appointees, or the permanent bureaucracy its ability to slow-walk White House initiatives, there are numerous ways in which official Washington can obstruct executive action. Will that be the case during Trump 2.0, or will Trump and his loyalists outmaneuver their opponents? Another wild card is Elon Musk, who has emerged as a sort of Trump whisperer. Will he continue to be influential? Will he get bored with his role co-leading the government efficiency quango? Will the combination of Musks influence on the president-elect and his personal stake in China via Tesla result in less hawkish policies than expected vis-a-vis Beijing? Who will run point on North Korea policy, and is Trump more likely to try diplomacy or stoke conflict? Will Trumps election lead to a precipitate (and, for Ukraine, unfavorable) end to the Russia-Ukraine war, and how will that affect the Russia-North Korea relationship, which has thrived under wartime conditions? These issues will have strong knock-on effects on South Korea. Finally, the biggest known unknown of all is one that every leader faces: What unanticipated events and crises will emerge and demand reaction from Trump 2.0.? As British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan put it: Events, dear boy, events. Mason Richey is a professor of international politics at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, president of the Korea International Studies Association and editor-in-chief of the Journal of East Asian Affairs. DPK must stop politicizing impeachment, budget The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is exploiting its parliamentary majority to further its agenda. It has weaponized impeachment motions against key officials and manipulated budget deliberations to undermine Cabinet ministers, heads of state-run agencies, and other key figures perceived to be at odds with the party. The DPK is set to pass motions to impeach four people on Wednesday. The four are Choe Jae-hae, the chair of the Bureau of Audit and Inspection (BAI) of Korea, Lee Chang-soo, the chief of Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office and two other prosecutors. If the motions are passed, the officials in question will be suspended from their duties. Choe has become a target of the DPK due to what the opposition party describes as "politically motivated investigations" into the previous Moon Jae-in administration, a claim the BAI has denied. If the motion is approved by the National Assembly, Choe will be the first BAI chief to be suspended from duty. The final decision on his case will rest with the Constitutional Court. Meanwhile, the DPK has accused Lee and two other prosecutors of exonerating first lady Kim Keon Hee in connection with allegations of her involvement in Deutsch Motors' stock price manipulation. The party claims the three prosecutors are now facing repercussions for their so-called "sins." Prior to taking on his leadership role at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office, Lee had conducted investigations into DPK leader Lee Jae-myung. The ruling People Power Party (PPP) claimed that the DPK-led impeachment motions are a plot to threaten prosecutors investigating the main opposition party leader and paralyze the Yoon Suk Yeol administration. The DPK has gone too far. The DPK's frequent use of impeachment motions has drawn criticism, with some arguing that it has diminished their seriousness. For example, Lee Jin-sook, the newly appointed head of the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), was suspended just two days after assuming office when the DPK passed an impeachment motion against her during a National Assembly plenary session. Her predecessor, Lee Dong-kwan, resigned preemptively as the DPK prepared to impeach him. This prolonged leadership vacuum has severely hindered the KCC's ability to function effectively. The DPK also leveraged its power to review the governments budget proposal, cutting 67.8 billion won ($48.3 million) allocated for intelligence and covert operations essential for detecting and investigating national security threats and corruption cases. As a result, law enforcement agencies including the prosecution, police, and the BAI are expected to bear the brunt of these cuts. The DPK has pledged to pass the revised budget proposal in the upcoming plenary session. Rep. Joo Jin-woo of the PPP called it a plot to destroy the prosecution. The DPK impeached the prosecutors who investigated the DPK leader, and now they are severely cutting the budget for the prosecution, he said. The tyranny of the majority has a far-reaching impact on the nation. It creates a lose-lose situation for all involved, casting a shadow over the nations future. No one gains from the DPKs abuse of power. The actions of the largest party are self-destructive, as the public increasingly views the DPK as a symbol of incompetence. Instead of seeking new solutions, the main opposition party continues to rely on outdated tactics. The DPK has no future if it continues with such short-sighted tactics. Who could possibly believe that a party like the DPK, with its childish behavior and divisive approach, could manage state affairs effectively? This doubt will only grow, especially if its standard-bearer whoever that may be were to be elected in the next presidential election. The ruling camp suffers as well because the DPKs repetition of impeachment motions and abuse of its right to deliberate the budget proposal make it difficult for Cabinet ministries and other state-run agencies to implement policies. The biggest victim is the Korean public. There is a backlog of bills that need to be read, debated, and passed in order to improve the public's livelihoods. However, these important measures are stuck in limbo, held up by the partisan politics that are dominating the parliament. Enough is enough. The Korean publics patience is wearing thin. Self-reflection is whats most needed for the DPK to make it a responsible party in the National Assembly. By Nam Hyun-woo LG CNS has entered the U.S. building digital transformation (DX) technology market by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with SomeraRoad, a U.S.-based real estate investment and development firm, and Mastern America, the U.S. arm of Mastern Investment Management. The MOU ceremony was held at SomeraRoads headquarters in New York City, attended by LG CNS Senior Vice President Choi Moon-keun, SomeraRoad Founder and Managing Partner Ian Ross, SomeraRoad Managing Partner Fergus Campbell and Mastern America CEO Joseph Oh. Under the MOU, the organizations will collaborate on smart real estate initiatives, incorporating DX technologies such as AI, IoT and automation to enhance building management efficiency and user experiences. The initiative will focus on integrating smart technology into SomeraRoad projects, including hotels, luxury condos and multi-family residential properties in Kansas City, Nashville and other locations. The partnership will also explore implementing DX technology in smart aviation infrastructure to expand and diversify business models. LG CNS will lead the implementation using its Cityhub Building platform, an integrated system for data collection, facility control and energy management across multiple buildings. Cityhub Building enables centralized monitoring and control of operations, with features to manage equipment and systems globally from a single platform. For smart buildings, LG CNS provides blockchain-based mobile access cards and digital employee IDs, replacing traditional plastic cards for seamless access to offices and amenities via smartphones. The IDs utilize decentralized ID, or DID, technology for secure authentication and privacy protection. LG CNS also offers a content management system for managing digital signage in buildings and smart poles equipped with AI-powered sensors to collect real-time city data. These poles monitor traffic, pedestrian flow and environmental conditions, supporting smart city development. With demand for smart buildings in the United States on the rise, we plan to expand our smart building DX business nationwide, starting in Kansas City and Nashville and extending to New York and other locations, Choi said. We also aim to broaden our efforts to include smart cities as another way of delivering even greater value to our clients across the U.S. Engineer-turned-lawyer bets high on potential of AI-powered legal translation By Nam Hyun-woo With various artificial intelligence (AI) agents assisting in our daily work, one of the most frequently used services is translation or interpretation, especially when working on official documents that require precision and a thorough understanding of terminology specific to the relevant fields. Former engineer and U.S. Attorney Lee Jai-wook is among those who best understand the importance of precision and understanding of terminology in translations for specialized areas. Recognizing the growth potential of the legal translation market, he founded AILingGo in 2020, a company that offers an AI-powered legal translation platform. It is now aggressively expanding its client base to include top law firms and government agencies and preparing services for customers requiring translations in languages other than English. When we use generative AI in the market for specialized areas, one of the major issues we face is hallucination, in which the model produces incorrect information, or makes up completely fabricated information, Lee said during an interview with The Korea Times. That is mostly because there isn't sufficient data for those models to learn about the specialized fields. Generative AI is powered by large-scale language models, which are based on learnings from general data. This means that there is not enough data for the models to learn about domain-specific languages, forcing the AI to fabricate answers. Lee said this is why he came up with the idea of launching OTran, AILingGo's flagship platform specializing in the AI translation of legal documents for corporate clients. It is powered by an engine from renowned machine translation company SYSTRAN, and provides language models catered to different clients. AILingGo's clients now include three out of Koreas top six law firms and the Korea Legislation Research Institute, a government-funded legislation research group that provides most of the English-language data and resources on Koreas laws. Various law firms and government organizations, including the National Assembly and the Constitutional Court are also now testing OTran as their AI tool for translation, while a number of corporate clients are also showing interest in AILingGo's service. Lee said OTran distinguishes itself from other AI translators in the market because it specializes in terminologies and languages used in legal and business fields. Take the word facility as an example, Lee said. Generally, it refers to equipment serving a particular purpose, but in the context of tax and accounting, it has a completely different meaning, akin to a loan. On the other hand, if a translator for the general public translates facility into loan, it would be inappropriate for those audiences. In other words, if a doctor tries to communicate with a lawyer by using doctors language, there wont be smooth communication, because the doctor is speaking based on terminologies and knowledge shared among doctors. This is why we believe in the importance of a domain-specific approach in AI translation. As Lee said, OTran offers a number of translation models for users to select depending on the type of documents. When users upload source text files and choose specialized translation models, such as those tailored for legal documents or business contracts, the AI generates the translated text in just seconds and then provides an editing interface where users can review the text and make adjustments, including switching between honorific and plain language styles, simply by clicking mode switches. After the edits are complete, the platform generates a finalized document that maintains the same format as the original file. During the interview, Lee demonstrated the translation process of a four-page standard form of a Confidentiality Agreement provided by Koreas Fair Trade Commission, and it took less than five seconds to create a draft version, which only required detailed adjustments to the tone, and took less than five minutes to complete a translated version in the original format. Since OTran is a service targeting corporate clients, Lee said the company made extra effort in enhancing security, by separating data uploaded by different clients and encrypting them. OTran ensures that only the clients who own the data can access and use it, Lee said. All data uploaded on OTran is stored separately for each client in an encrypted state, so even our engineers cannot view it. The AI model for client A does not communicate with client B to prevent any mixture of confidential data. According to Lee, AILingGois currently in the early stages of fundraising, with several investors expressing interest in the company's growth potential. When those investments are secured, Lee said the company will begin adding languages other than English and Korean into the platform starting next year. We believe our future lies in the global market, Lee said. The global legal market is valued at around $900 billion, while that of Korea is approximately $5.5 billion. This indicates that our focus should not be confined to Korean-English translation. To my knowledge, there are few domain-specific AI translation services available in the global market. Once we expand our language offerings, we expect the market will grow exponentially. While serving as AILingGo's CEO, Lee is also counsel for Yulchon, one of the top six law firms in Korea. He came up with the idea of AI translation while working on an AI-related consulting project for one of Koreas top information technology (IT) service companies. This led to discussions with the company about developing it into an actual business. Lee said the discussion did not evolve into a joint venture with the company, and he independently established AILingGo without investments from Yulchon or the IT company. However, Lees counterparts at the IT company showed strong interest in his idea and later joined AILingGo as engineers. The demand for AI translation will grow continuously, given the time and resources required for human translations, Lee said. Though I am doing this business, I also agree that it is still risky to use AI-generated translations as the final outcome without a reviewing process. A human review is absolutely necessary. Using AI translation will help you finish a task that would originally take two hours in just 10 minutes. This means AI translation is a tool that will dramatically improve the efficiency of human translators. The United States' latest export control package against China is expected to have only a limited impact on Korea's semiconductor industry, officials said Tuesday, citing local businesses' low dependence on the Chinese market in the sector. The U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security unveiled the package on the Federal Register overnight, which includes restrictions on exports of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips to China. "SK hynix currently ships most of its HBMs to U.S.-based Nvidia. Samsung Electronics exports some low-performance HBMs to China, but the portion is small compared to its overall sales," an official from the industry ministry said. "Overall, we believe that its impact on Korean businesses will be minimal," the official added. Another ministry official noted that export curbs on semiconductor manufacturing equipment are also expected to have a limited impact on Korean businesses. "The export restrictions imposed by the U.S. are limited to cutting-edge equipment related to its national security," the official said, emphasizing that the curbs do not extend to general-purpose products. "Although some Korean businesses may be affected by the restrictions, the impact on individual companies is also assessed to be minimal." (Yonhap) Korea's antitrust regulator said Tuesday it has fined leading drugmaker Celltrion 435 million won ($309,873) for engaging in unfair business practices. The biopharmaceutical giant is accused of unfairly benefiting its affiliate, Celltrion Healthcare, by waiving inventory storage fees and granting free use of trademark rights, according to the Fair Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC concluded that such tactics undermined fair competition and resulted in undue financial benefits for Celltrion Healthcare, estimated at 1.2 billion won. The FTC, however, decided not to refer Celltrion Chairman Seo Jung-jin to prosecutors for further investigation. "The total benefit provided was less than 5 billion won, and it is unclear whether the chairman directly ordered or was involved in the actions," Kim Dong-myung, an FTC official, said. Earlier, the FTC announced that among 88 large business groups, including 10 chaebol or family-run conglomerates, subject to annual oversight, Celltrion reported the highest ratio of inter-affiliate transactions in 2023 at 65 percent. (Yonhap) LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI brace for market uncertainty By Park Jae-hyuk Major decisions have been made within the battery industry ahead of the return of former U.S. President Donald Trump to the White House next month. Amid the looming threat of the abolishment of consumer tax credits for electric vehicle (EV) purchases under his presidency, Korean battery manufacturers and their U.S. partners have come up with various strategies to cope with the unfavorable market conditions. LG Energy Solution (LGES) is in talks with General Motors (GM) to acquire the U.S. carmakers stake in their joint ventures third battery cell plant under construction in Michigan. Once they reach an agreement, the nearly completed factory of Ultium Cells will likely be used to supply batteries to Toyota, so that LGES can avoid making additional investments in its American plants. In October last year, the Korean battery firm signed a contract with the Japanese carmaker to supply 20 gigawatt-hours of batteries annually. When completed, this transaction will also help LGES meet demand by leveraging capacity thats nearly ready to come online and it will make GM even more efficient, GM Chief Financial Officer Paul Jacobson said in a statement on Monday (local time). LGES also said on Tuesday that it is considering buying GMs stake in Ultium Cells plant in Lansing for efficient investment and operation of the factory, as well as to maximize its capacity utilization. Additionally, both companies agreed to the joint development of prismatic cell technology. Once the development is completed, the battery manufacturing unit of LG Group will become the worlds only producer of all three form factors, including pouch-type and cylindrical cells. The flat and rectangular cell developed under the latest agreement will power GMs next-generation EVs, but LGES has been able to diversify its customer portfolio by satisfying different needs in each segment. Capitalizing on our proven capabilities in materials and manufacturing technologies, we will deliver differentiated prismatic solutions to address the diversifying needs of our customers, the battery maker said. StarPlus Energy, a joint venture between Samsung SDI and Stellantis, is also set to borrow up to $7.54 billion from the Joe Biden administration to finance its two lithium-ion battery cell and module manufacturing plants in Indiana. The U.S. Department of Energys (DOE) Loan Programs Office (LPO) announced the conditional commitment for the loan on Monday (local time). Its commitment is regarded as the result of Samsung SDIs years of aggressive investments in the U.S. market, given that LPO borrowers are required to engage with community and labor stakeholders to create good-paying jobs and improve the well-being of the local community and workers. To prevent the potential withdrawal of the loan under Trumps presidency, the DOE should finalize its decision before he takes office on Jan. 20. While this conditional commitment indicates the DOEs intent to finance the project, the DOE and the company must satisfy certain technical, legal, environmental and financial conditions before the department enters into definitive financing documents and funds the loan, the department said. On Tuesday, the Korea Battery Industry Association (KBIA) hosted a forum at the National Assembly to discuss countermeasures against the incoming U.S. administrations policies. The forums participants agreed to the necessity of collaboration between the public and the private sectors to win over the next U.S. president. We should aggressively let Trump know that investments from Korean battery firms have led the manufacturing renaissance in the Rust Belt and the Sun Belt and that the Korean battery industry has contributed to the revitalization of the regional economy and job creation, KBIA Vice Chairman Park Tae-sung said. Street shops appeal to tourists better By Ko Dong-hwan Major duty free shops in Korea are facing significant losses that are unlikely to recover, as tourists in the country are embracing a new trend, shifting away from the once-popular shopping sector among foreigners. Scenes of large crowds of foreign tourists, usually Chinese, shopping at duty free shops in Korea are increasingly being replaced by smaller groups or individual tourists from around the world visiting street shops. While travel-retail (TR) shops are recording declining sales, street shops for fashion, beauty, food and other souvenir-worthy goods are seeing soaring figures. The countrys big-four duty free companies are dealing with the impact by reducing costs, realizing that the situation will unlikely recover. Lotte Duty Free has seen the largest loss among the big four. In the third quarter, it registered an operating loss of 46 billion won ($33 million). With a streak of money-losing quarters this year, the Lotte Hotel subsidiarys accumulative deficit has mounted to over 92 billion won. The company cited the economic slump in China leading to slowing consumption and reduced volume of Chinese tourists to Seoul also known as youke as key reasons behind its sluggish performance. In June, Lotte Duty Free launched its own austerity plan, downsizing the organization's payroll, slashing wages, reducing the floor size of its shops and promoting early retirement among employees. With our preemptive austerity plan now active, we hope to save money and stabilize our financial standing, a company official said. Shilla Duty Free saw the second-largest deficit in the third quarter among the four companies, with 39 billion won. After earning money in the previous two quarters this year, it has now slipped into a loss. Shinsegae Duty Free also recorded a deficit in the third quarter, amounting to 16 billion won, following profits in the earlier quarters. Hyundai Duty Free maintained a deficit for the third consecutive quarter this year, reaching a new low of 8 billion won. Massive purchases by Chinese shoppers have been the largest contribution to duty free shops, but their numbers have been declining. According to the Korea Duty Free Shops Association, over 6 million foreigners used TR shops last year. The figure is less than a third of that from 2019 when it was over 20 million. However, this doesnt mean tourists to Korea have been declining. Data shows that the number of foreigners visiting Seoul has nearly returned to pre-COVID-19 levels. These tourists, instead of spending at duty free shops, are heading to street shops outside airports. Olive Young, the countrys largest beauty product franchise company under CJ Group, saw sales of 1.23 trillion won in the third quarter, a 23.4 percent jump from the previous year and the fifth month in a row seeing over-trillion quarterly sales. Net profit was 115 billion won, a 21.6 percent year-on-year increase during the same period. Olive Young has become popular among foreigners as its stores are in the countrys key tourism hot spots like Myeong-dong and Hongdae. An increasing number of its stores have also gone through a facelift to become foreign-friendly by supporting multiple languages during shopping and providing a tax return service inside the shops. Some of our shops have become specialized in K-beauty to target foreign tourists, helping them experience the global trend better, an Olive Young official said. We will keep supporting the countrys small and medium-sized enterprises that supply us with their beauty products so that their presence can become bigger outside the country. A Daishin Securities analyst said Monday that foreigners shopping sites are transitioning from duty free shops to health-and-beauty street shops such as Olive Young. He speculated that while TR shops are down, Olive Youngs sales this year will likely jump by 30 percent from the previous year. In the past, masses of people bought a huge load of goods at duty free shops. A transition is driving foreigners fast to come individually and check out each road shop and restaurant on the streets, an official from the Korea Duty Free Shops Association said. Duty free shops will have a hard time the following year as well, with less 'youke' expected to visit Seoul due to economic concerns in China. Amid the stagnant market, Lotte Duty Free encouraged employees to voluntarily resign in August as part of downsizing efforts a move that Shinsegae also implemented in late November. Hotel Shilla, which operates Shilla Duty Free, issued exchangeable bonds for the first time worth 133 billion won in the second half of this year. SK Shieldus, a Korean cybersecurity company, said Tuesday that cyberthreats involving artificial intelligence technologies are expected to increase next year, calling for measures to strengthen cybersecurity of the corporate domain. The company picked AI-related threats, evolving ransomware attacks and attacks on cryptocurrency markets as major cybersecurity threats for 2025 in a press event in Seoul. "In particular, we expect backdoor attacks utilizing deepfake technology to grow," said Lee Ho-seok, an official leading a qualified security team at SK Shieldus. Backdoor attacks refer to a method of gaining unauthorized access to a system by sidestepping normal authentication procedures. This year, a total of 2,130 cyberattack cases have been reported in the Asia-Pacific region, according to Verizon. SK Shieldus and the U.S. telecommunications company formed a strategic partnership in September to strengthen their competitiveness in the global cybersecurity market. "Cyberthreats have become a type of management risk for companies," SK Shieldus' CEO Hong Won-pyo said, calling on the companies to pay more attention to cybersecurity issues, including data and AI. (Yonhap) The United States called Monday for de-escalation in Syria, where an Islamist-led rebel alliance has wrested swathes of territory from the control of President Bashar al-Assad's government in a lightning offensive. The European Union also called on "all sides to de-escalate", while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was "alarmed" by the violence and called for an immediate halt to the fighting. Syria has been at war since Assad cracked down on democracy protests in 2011. The conflict has since drawn in foreign powers and jihadists, and left 500,000 people dead. The war had been mostly dormant with Assad back in control of much of the country, until last week when the Islamist-led rebel alliance began its offensive. The attack has seen swathes of Syria fall to rebel control, including second city Aleppo for the first time since the start of the civil war. Nearly 50,000 people have also been freshly displaced as of the end of November, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported Monday. Speaking to reporters, U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said: "We want to see all countries use their influence use their leverage to push for de-escalation, protection of civilians and ultimately, a political process forward." In a statement issued by EU foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni, the European Union also called for de-escalation and the protection of civilians, while also condemning Assad backer Russia for conducting air strikes in his support. Russia first intervened directly in Syria's war in 2015 with strikes on rebel-held areas. Its help, along with that of Iran and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, was instrumental in propping up Assad's rule. On Monday, President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian pledged "unconditional support" for their ally, according to the Kremlin. Panic in Aleppo Aleppo is home to two million people and saw fierce fighting earlier in the war. The Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies took the city over the weekend, except for neighborhoods controlled by Kurdish forces, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. They also seized Aleppo International Airport. HTS, led by Al-Qaeda's former Syria branch, has faced accusations of human rights abuses including torturing detainees. Abu Sufyan, a rebel commander, told AFP: "God willing, we will continue, go into Damascus and liberate the rest of Syria." One Aleppo resident spoke of panic. "There were terrible traffic jams it took people 13 to 15 hours to reach Homs" in central Syria, which is under government control. Normally, he said, it would take a couple of hours. AFPTV footage showed rebels patrolling the streets, some burning a Syrian flag and others holding the flag of the revolution. On Monday, Assad branded the rebel offensive led by HTS an attempt to redraw the regional map in line with U.S. interests. His comments came in a call with Iran's Pezeshkian, who in turn pledged continued support and said Iran hoped "Syria will pass through this stage with success and victory." Deadly attacks On Monday, Syrian and Russian air raids on several areas of Idlib province in the northwest killed 11 civilians including five children, the Observatory said. "The strikes targeted... families living on the edge of a displacement camp," said Hussein Ahmed Khudur, a 45-year-old teacher who sought refuge at the camp from fighting in Aleppo province. Other strikes in Aleppo killed four civilians, two of them children, the Observatory said, adding that air raids also targeted a Christian-majority neighborhood. AFPTV footage showed rebels pushing into Hama province in central Syria. Syria's defense ministry said troops were clashing with "terrorist organizations" in the northern Hama countryside. Islamist-led rebels killed six civilians on Monday in a rocket attack on the government-held city of Hama, the Observatory said. 'Instability' Aron Lund of the Century International think tank said a major question hangs over possible Turkish involvement. "I have a hard time imagining that Turkey-backed groups could launch a major rebel offensive out of Turkey-held areas without Turkey being very significantly involved," he said. "But I also don't think Turkey necessarily wanted the rebels to get this far." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for an end to the "instability" in Syria and an agreement to stop the civil war. On a visit to Ankara, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said it was crucial "to protect the achievements" of the so-called Astana process to end Syria's civil war, which involves Turkey, Russia and Iran. Several hours later, he said the respective foreign ministers would meet on the matter next weekend in Qatar. "We will try to activate this process again," he said. 'Limited utility' Millions of Syrians have been displaced, with about 5.5 million now in neighboring countries. Most of those involved in the initial anti-Assad protests are either dead, in jail or exile. Russia is at war in Ukraine, and Iran's militant allies Hezbollah and Hamas have been massively weakened by more than a year of conflict with Israel. Lebanon's Hezbollah played a key role in backing government forces, particularly around Aleppo, but withdrew from several positions to focus on fighting Israel. HTS and its allies launched their offensive on Wednesday, the day a Lebanon ceasefire began. The violence in Syria has killed 514 people, mostly combatants but also including 92 civilians, according to the Observatory. (AFP) Israel unleashed its largest wave of airstrikes across Lebanon since agreeing to a ceasefire with Hezbollah last week, killing at least 11 people on Monday after the Lebanese militant group fired a volley of projectiles as a warning over what it said were Israeli truce violations . The projectiles were apparently the first time that Hezbollah took aim at Israeli forces after the 60-day ceasefire went into effect last Wednesday. The increasingly fragile truce aimed to end more than a year of war between Hezbollah and Israel part of a wider regional conflict sparked by the devastating Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. In the United States, President-elect Donald Trump demanded the immediate release of Israeli hostages held by the Palestinian militant Hamas group in Gaza, saying on social media that if they are not freed before he takes office in January there would be HELL TO PAY. It was not immediately clear whether Trump was threatening to directly involve the U.S. military in Israels ongoing war in Gaza. The U.S. has given Israel crucial military and diplomatic support throughout the nearly 15-month conflict. Lebanons Health Ministry said an Israeli airstrike on the southern village of Haris killed five people and wounded two while another airstrike on the village of Tallousa killed four and also wounded two. Israel's military carried out a string of airstrikes late Monday against what it said were Hezbollah fighters, infrastructure and rocket launchers across Lebanon, in response to Hezbollah firing two projectiles toward Mount Dov a disputed Israeli-held territory known as Shebaa Farms in Lebanon where the borders of Lebanon, Syria, and Israel meet. Israel said the projectiles fell in open areas and no injuries were reported. Hezbollah said in a statement that it fired on an Israeli military position in the area as a defensive and warning response after what it called repeated violations of the ceasefire deal by Israel. It said complaints to mediators tasked with monitoring the ceasefire were futile in stopping these violations. Before the Hezbollah projectiles, Israeli carried out at least four airstrikes and an artillery barrage in southern Lebanon, including a drone strike that killed a person on a motorcycle, according to Lebanese state media. Another strike killed a corporal in the Lebanese security services. Israel has said its strikes are in response to unspecified Hezbollah violations, and that under the ceasefire deal it reserves the right to retaliate. Lebanons parliament speaker, Nabih Berri, accused Israel of violating the truce more than 50 times in recent days by launching airstrikes, demolishing homes near the border and violating Lebanon's airspace. Officials in the U.S. which along with France helped broker the truce and heads a commission meant to monitor adherence to the deal played down the significance of Israeli strikes. White House national security spokesman John Kirby said, Largely speaking, the ceasefire is holding. Weve gone from dozens of strikes down to one a day maybe two a day, Kirby told reporters, referring to Israeli strikes. Were going to keep trying and see what we can do to get it down to zero. Under the deal, Iran-backed Hezbollah has 60 days to withdraw its fighters and infrastructure from southern Lebanon. During that time, Israeli troops are also to withdraw to their side of the border. In a post on his Truth Social site, Trump called for Palestinian militants to free all the roughly 100 Israeli hostages still held inside Gaza, around two-thirds of whom are believed to be alive. If not, Trump said, Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW! Hours earlier, the Israeli government confirmed the death of Omer Neutra, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, whose body is still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza, according to the Israeli government. The Biden administration is mounting a last-ditch effort to try to restart talks between Israel and Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office declined to comment on Trump's post though President Isaac Herzog welcomed it. In Gaza, meanwhile, alarm is mounting over increasing hunger. The amount of food allowed in by Israel has plunged over the past two months, compounded by a decision Sunday by the United Nations to halt aid deliveries from the main crossing into the territory because of the threat of armed gangs looting convoys. Experts have already warned of famine in the northernmost part of Gaza, which Israeli forces have almost completely isolated since early October, saying they're fighting regrouped Hamas militants there. Displaced families have set up tents surrounded by piles of garbage on the streets of Gaza City. Bilal Marouf, 55, said he and 11 family members fled the Israeli offensive barefoot and naked. We had nothing. Hunger and thirst killed us, and we did not have a single shekel, nor clothes, nor a mattress, nor a blanket, he said, speaking near his tent. Israels campaign in Gaza, triggered by Hamas Oct 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, has driven almost the entire population of the territory from their homes. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians now live in squalid tent camps, relying on international aid. The Israeli military said it allowed 40 trucks carrying 600 tons of flour for the World Food Program to enter the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday night, as well as 16 other food trucks. Israel has said it is working to increase the flow of aid. November saw an increase in the average number of humanitarian trucks it let into Gaza, up to 77 daily from 57 the month before, according to official Israeli figures. But the levels are still nearly the lowest of the entire 15-month war. And the U.N. says less than half of that actually reaches Palestinians because Israeli military restrictions, fighting and robberies make it too dangerous to deliver the aid. The World Food Program was able to only deliver aid to some 300,000 Palestinians in November across the Gaza Strip due to ongoing Israeli military offensives and the looting of convoys, Carl Skau, WFPs deputy executive director, said Monday. In a tent camp in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah, Palestinians lined up at makeshift mud ovens trying to buy a few loaves of flatbread for their families. With the price of flour mounting because of scarcity, the bakers women displaced from further north said they could bake less bread, and families could afford far less. They divide them to their children, one loaf every day, said one woman baker, Wafaa al-Attar. (AP) U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Monday a series of tax incentives and tariffs will revive storied American firm U.S. Steel, as he reiterated his opposition to Nippon Steel's planned $15 billion purchase of the company. "I am totally against the once great and powerful U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company, in this case Nippon Steel of Japan," Trump wrote on his social-media platform Truth Social. "I will block this deal from happening. Buyer Beware!!!" Nippon Steel hopes to close the deal before Trump retakes the White House on January 20, despite opposition from President Joe Biden and a powerful U.S. labor union. In a statement on Tuesday following Trump's comments, Nippon Steel said it would invest no less than $2.7 billion into U.S. Steel's unionized facilities, secure union jobs and share technological innovations. "Nippon Steel is determined to protect and grow U.S. Steel in a manner that reinforces American industry, domestic supply chain resiliency, and U.S. national security," it said. Last month, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba wrote to Biden, who has referred the deal to a government panel that reviews foreign investments for national security risks, asking him to approve the transaction, sources have said. The deadline for that Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) review is this month. CFIUS could approve the deal, possibly with measures to address national security concerns, or recommend that the president block it. It could also extend the review. (Reuters) Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Thunderstorms during the morning will give way to a steady rain this afternoon. It will be rather windy as well. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 66F. Winds S at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 39F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall possibly over one inch. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. A GARDA appeal has been launched for a Laois teenager who has gone missing for the second time within weeks. Gardai said last night that they are appealing to the public for assistance in tracing 15-year-old Calum Kavanagh, who is reported missing from Ballylinan since Monday 2 December. Gardai believe he may have travelled to Dublin and are concerned for his welfare. The teenager was found safe and well following a previous appeal in November. Calum is about 510 inches tall with a slim build, brown hair and brown eyes. When last seen, he was wearing a black tracksuit and black runners. Anyone with any information on Calum's whereabouts is asked to contact Portlaoise Garda Station on 057 867 4100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station. HEART and stroke patients in Laois are being encouraged to join the Irish Heart Foundations Patient Champions Programme after a mother told how her life was saved by a radio interview with a stroke survivor. Fiona Meagher said Meaghan OBriens description of her symptoms on the radio programme spurred her into immediate action when she also suffered a stroke last December. The 45-year old said: I said to my husband and son, Im having a stroke, call an ambulance. That was only because I had listened to Meaghans story. My son, Darradh, who is 16 and was in Transition Year, had taken part in a F.A.S.T. (face, arm, speech and time) course two days before in school. In the middle of the chaos, he calmly sat me down and did the F.A.S.T. test. He spoke to the emergency call taker on the phone. The terrifying incident happened at her shortly before Christmas last year. Weeks earlier, the mum-of-three had heard Irish Heart Foundation Patient Champion, Meaghan, describing her own stroke symptoms during a national radio interview. The Patient Champions Programme aims to train patients with cardiovascular disease to lobby for better supports for their fellow patients at political level, speak publicly and in the media, and build local support networks. The charity is now encouraging patients in Laois to sign up to become strong local voices for fellow patients. Its Advocacy Campaign Manager Pauline OShea described people like Fiona as unsung heroes of the organisation. She said: The Patient Champions are a terrific addition to the Irish Heart Foundation. Their lived experience and desire to help others and the organisation speak out about significant issues that affect heart and stroke patients, is a powerful combination for working for positive change for patients. We are now recruiting for our Patient Champions Programme in 2025, and we welcome heart and stroke patients from Laois to apply. Fiona completed the programme in 2023 and has graduated - along with 30 others - as a Patient Champion. She has since used her voice in Brussels, where AI in heart treatments was discussed, on heart failure in Dail Eireann, and has spoken in schools and at various events for patients and the public. Following her stroke, tests revealed she had a hole in her heart, which a clot had passed through, causing the stroke. She was discharged from hospital on December 22 last year and is now encouraging other stroke and heart patients to turn to the Irish Heart Foundation for support and to consider joining the Patient Champions programme. Fiona said: I didnt know anything about the Irish Heart Foundation when I was first diagnosed with heart failure. Its a shame hospitals dont promote it more because at the very start youre so alone, broken, upset, lonely - its an awful thing. Availing of the Irish Heart Foundation support services really helped me with my recovery so I wanted to give something back. If you would like to become a Patient Champion log onto irishheart.ie/patientchampions Dhaka, December 3: Bangladesh on Tuesday summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to the Foreign Affairs Ministry office here, a day after Dhaka lodged a strong protest against the alleged vandalism of its mission in the Indian state of Tripura. He (Verma) came as he was asked to come when we conveyed him our concerns, a Foreign Ministry official briefly said. Foreign Affairs Adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain earlier said the Indian envoy was asked to come to the foreign office after the Agartala incident. Verma, on the other hand, said Delhi wants to build a constant stable, constructive relationship with Bangladesh saying no single issue should stand a barrier for bilateral ties. We are willing to engage with the interim government of Bangladesh, he told reporters emerging from the meeting with acting foreign secretary Riaz Hamidullah. India on Monday described as deeply regrettable the incident of the breach of the premises of the Bangladesh consulate in Agartala in the northeastern state of Tripura, bordering Bangladesh, by a group of people protesting the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das here. Attack on Bangladesh Mission in Agartala: Interim Government Demands Thorough Investigation Into Attack on Diplomatic Mission Amid Arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das. The comments by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) came hours after the protesters reportedly barged into the assistant high commission of Bangladesh and allegedly resorted to vandalism. The envoy described the relationship as multifaceted and wide-ranging, which could not sit with one issue or agenda and India is interested to work with Bangladesh government to fulfill the two countries shared aspiration for peace, security and development. Verma also said there are many interdependencies and Delhi is keen to build on that for mutual benefits. Earlier in the day, terming the vandalism at Bangladesh's diplomatic mission in Agartala as India's failure, Law Affairs Adviser in the interim government Asif Nazrul asked New Delhi to reassess its neighbour afresh after the toppling of the Sheikh Hasina regime. We believe in a friendship based on equality and mutual respect. While Sheikh Hasina's government followed a pro-India policy to cling to power without elections, India must realise that this is not Sheikh Hasina's Bangladesh, he wrote in a Facebook post. The tension between the two neighbours simmering since August 5, when deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India, aggravated further with the arrest of the Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das last week. Three days after Hasina fled to India following widespread protests against her Awami League-led government over a controversial job quota system, Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate, took over as the Chief Adviser of the interim government. Tripura Hotel, Restaurant Owners Shut Services for Bangladeshi Visitors After Private Hospital Says No to Patients From Neighbouring Country. Nazrul alleged an outfit named Hindu Sangharsh Samiti was responsible for what he described as the disgraceful act when Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala was vandalised, and Bangladesh's national flag was set on fire. He emphasised that Bangladesh is an independent, sovereign, and self-respecting nation driven by a fearless and dynamic young generation. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Budaun, December 3: A court hearing a plea of a Hindu outfit, which had sought permission to worship at Jama Masjid Shamsi here claiming it was a temple, on Tuesday asked the Muslim side to complete their arguments by December 10. Arguing his case, the lawyer for Shamsi Shahi Jama Masjid Intezamia Committee and Waqf Board Asrar Ahmed questioned the locus standi of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha to file the petition in the matter. Urging the court to dismiss the plea, the counsel submitted that the mosque is about 850 years old. He stated that there is "no existence of a temple" there and worship by Hindus had never been conducted in the mosque in the past. He argued that the Hindu outfit does not have the legal right to become a plaintiff in the matter. Ahmed also said that filing such a petition in the court violates the Places of Worship Act, 1991. Uttar Pradesh: Petition Against Shamsi Shahi Mosque in Budaun Non-Maintainable, Says Muslim Side As Court Accepts Plea Filed on Behalf of Neelkanth Mahadev Mandir Against Masjid. Civil Judge (Senior Division) Amit Kumar Singh fixed December 10 as the next date of hearing. The matter started in 2022 when Mukesh Patel, the then convenor of Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, had claimed that the Neelkanth Mahadev temple existed at the mosque site. The case has come into the limelight after the violence in the neighbouring Sambhal district during a protest against a court-ordered survey of a mosque which the petitioners claimed was built after destroying an old temple. Advocate Ved Prakash Sahu, who represents the Hindu side in the Budaun case, on Tuesday accused the Muslim side of trying to drag the matter. The court has directed the Muslim side to appear in the court on December 10 at 10.30 am for arguments and it has also directed that the Muslim side will have to complete it on the same day, after which the petitioner will present its side before the court, according to the lawyers. Sahu claimed, "We have sufficient evidence and we are confident will get permission from the court for worship." Sambhal Violence: Akhilesh Yadav Alleges Well-Planned Conspiracy Behind Stone Pelting Incident Over Shahi Jama Masjid Survey, Demands Murder Case Against Cops (Watch Video). Mukesh Patel claimed that the Neelankant temple in the fort of King Mahipal was demolished by the ruler of the slave dynasty and invader Shamsuddin Iltutmish and converted into the mosque. "We will get our rights, for which we will even go to the Supreme Court if we have to," Patel said. The mosque is built on an elevated area called Sotha Mohalla and is considered the highest structure in the town of Budaun. It is also believed to be the third oldest existing and seventh largest mosque in the country, having a capacity of 23,500. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) PNN New Delhi [India], December 3: Mauritius-based global investment firm, Nexpact Limited, has acquired a stake in leading health-focused consumer products company, Aayush Wellness Limited (BSE: 539528), which has delivered multi-bagger returns to investors over the past year. Also Read | Alappuzha Road Accident: 5 Medical Students Killed After Speeding Tavera Car Collides With KSRTC Bus in Kerala; Video of Damaged Vehicles Surfaces. The transaction, conducted as a bulk deal on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on Monday, December 2, involved the purchase of 1,70,070 shares at an average price of Rs. 154.30 per share. The total transaction size amounted to Rs. 2.62 crore. The acquisition highlights growing investor confidence in Aayush Wellness, which has been on a robust growth trajectory. The shares of Aayush Wellness have been on a roll in the last year. The shares have surged by 5,280% in the past 52 weeks. The shares touched a 52-week low of Rs. 2.98 on December 7 last year, and were trading at Rs. 157.35 on Tuesday. The shares have 596% returns in the last six months and 331% returns in the past three months. In addition to the sharp surge in the share prices, investors have also benefited from the bonus announcement. Also Read | 1 Million Tickets of 'Pushpa 2-The Rule' Sold on BookMyShow; Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna's Film Earns INR 50 Crore in Day 1 Advance Bookings. In October 2024, Aayush Wellness rewarded shareholders by announcing a 1:2 bonus issue, a move aimed at enhancing market accessibility to its shares, boosting liquidity and attracting new investors. The move also aligns with the company's strategic approach as it gears up for its next growth phase. Company is also raising funds through rights issue to aggressively its growth and expansion plans. The company has also demonstrated exceptional performance in the current financial year. It reported its best-ever financial performance in the second quarter of the year. The company's revenue for the July-September quarter was Rs. 1,427.83 lakh, a 2,118% increase compared to Rs. 64.38 lakh in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Net profit for the quarter surged by 225% to Rs. 92.28 lakh as against Rs. 28.38 lakh in the previous year. For the first half of the financial year 2024-25, Aayush Wellness registered revenue of Rs. 2,538.40 lakh as compared with Rs. 81.73 lakh in the corresponding period of the previous year, demonstrating a remarkable 3,006% growth. The net profit for the period stood at Rs. 117.78 lakh as compared with Rs. 37.37 lakh in the corresponding period of the previous year, an increase of 215.17%. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 3 (ANI): The initial public offering (IPO) market of the country has seen a slowdown in subscriptions over the past two months, driven by weak market sentiment and disappointing listing performances, says a report by Axis Capital. The report highlighted that the investors appear to be exercising caution, reflecting a shift in confidence toward new market entrants. Also Read | Bartender Appreciation Day 2024 Date and Significance: Everything To Know About the Day That Celebrates the Creativity and Skills of Bartenders. It said, "A mix of disappointing IPO listing and a sharp decline in market sentiments has resulted in reduction in IPO subscription in last 2 months." The report stated that during the current financial year (FY2024), 54 IPOs have been listed, of which 38 are trading above their issue price, suggesting a mixed performance. Also Read | ISRO To Launch PROBA-3 Mission Satellites From Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh on December 4. It added that the historical data from July 2020 to November 2024 provides a broader view, out of 252 IPOs launched during this period, 186 were initially listed above their issue price, 10 at their issue price, and 67 below it. However, 31 of the underperforming IPOs have since recovered and are now trading above their issue price as of November 29, 2024. As of November 29, a total of 185 IPOs are currently trading above their issue price, reinforcing that many listings remain resilient despite recent market challenges. However, the market capitalization of companies tracked in the IPO Monitor--comprising 237 companies listed between July 2020 and October 2024--has seen a decline of 2.71 per cent in November 2024. The total market cap fell from Rs 39.72 lakh crore in October to Rs 38.68 lakh crore in November. "From July 2020 through November 2024: Out of 252 IPOs, 186 were listed above their issue price, 10 at issue price, 67 below issue price initially, and 31 recovered to close above issue price by November 29, 2024," the report said. The decline reflected broader market challenges, with subdued investor sentiment impacting valuations. This trend has dampened enthusiasm for new IPOs, as investors have become more selective about where to allocate funds. The underwhelming listings and subsequent corrections highlight the importance of strong fundamentals and market timing for companies entering the market. The IPO of Bajaj Housing Finance Limited (BHFL) was subscribed to as many as 67 times, while Hyundai Motor IPO saw a muted response from retail investors as the issue was subscribed 2.37 times only, and recently the NTPC Green IPO also received a muted response as the shares list at 3.24 per cent premium over the IPO price. While the long-term performance of IPOs remains promising for many, the recent slowdown underlines the importance of stabilizing market conditions to restore investor confidence. However, a rebound in market sentiment, coupled with better-performing listings, could reinvigorate the IPO landscape in the coming months. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) NewsVoir New Delhi [India], December 3: Global footwear brand Hush Puppies, exclusively retailed by Bata India, is thrilled to announce that the hilarious, ever-stylish, and paw-sitively charming Vir Das is joining the family as the brand's ambassador. A first in the fashion industry in India, the announcement comes in the most unique way with Vir getting ready for his historic moment as the first Indian to host the globally acclaimed 52nd International Emmy Awards. Known for his razor-sharp wit, impeccable style and humane values, Vir is the perfect match for Hush Puppies' playful spirit with his on-brand consumer connect. This exciting partnership between India's top comic and everyone's favourite basset hound highlights how Hush Puppies offer the ultimate 'feel good' comfort and style, making it the preferred choice for a modern Indian. Also Read | Virat Kohlis Record in Adelaide: A Look at How the Star Indian Batsman Has Performed at Adelaide Oval Ahead of IND vs AUS Pink-Ball Test in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Link to brand film: Instagram Link: bit.ly/419UaT3 | YouTube Link: bit.ly/4irQSki In a hilarious take that perfectly captures both the brand and Vir's vibe, the collaboration kicks off with a film that takes you straight to the 'bright side'. It captures Vir Das preparing for a high-stakes 'Get Ready With Me' moment for The Emmys--dressed in a sharp suit and ready to dazzle. But wait--something's missing. In true comedic fashion, he starts frantically searching his room for the one thing that will complete his look--his 'puppies.' After a series of 'Where are my puppies' moments, he finally finds them - a shining pair of Hush Puppies. Slipping into them, Vir finally proclaims "Hi this is Vir Das, finally ready for the Emmys, with my Hush Puppies." It's amazing how the right pair of shoes can effortlessly pull it all together! Also Read | Sambhal Violence: Akhilesh Yadav Alleges Well-planned Conspiracy, Demands Murder Case Against Cops. Commenting on the partnership, Deepika Deepti, Head of Marketing, Bata India said, "We are truly proud to have the incredibly talented Vir Das lead the brand conversation for Hush Puppies. His unique style, on-the-move global lifestyle, ability to question status quo & humane values perfectly resonate with Hush Puppies' promise of style & elevated comfort." Commenting on the partnership, Brand Ambassador, Vir Das said, "When Hush Puppies called, I thought, 'Great, now even my shoes will have better timing than me.' But seriously, shoes that look good, feel great, and share my love for comfort and dogs? It's like they took my spirit animal and turned it into a shoe. Couldn't be more thrilled to join the 'bright side'!" Crafted for those who want to look effortlessly stylish without breaking a sweat, Hush Puppies' shoes redefine the balance between comfort and style. With its playful energy and Vir Das leading the charge, the brand is all set to bring its legendary 'feel good' philosophy to a new generation. Hush Puppies, a global footwear brand known for its iconic style and comfort, is retailed by Bata in India. Currently, there are 100+ Hush Puppies exclusive stores and the brand is retailed across 1000+ Bata Stores in the country. The brand launches new styles designed at par with global standards and trends every year. Check out their latest collection at stores near you and on bata.com. For close to a century, Bata India has been a symbol of trust and quality for Indian consumers, serving 250,000 customers every day in 2023. Throughout this journey, Bata has continuously evolved to cater to the diverse needs and preferences of its customers to become the largest footwear retailer and manufacturer in the country. Its expansive retail network consists of 1900+ stores (Company Owned and Franchise). Augmented by thousands of Multi multi-brand outlets and a robust omnichannel presence across D2C and marketplaces, Bata India sells close to 50 million pairs annually. Bata India's mission is to make global trends and premium fashion accessible to all consumers through its extensive retail network. It is redefining the intersection of fashion and comfort through its various brands - Bata Red Label for in-trend global styles, Bata Comfit for technology-enabled comfort in daily wear, athleisure brand Power for fitness sneakers and apparel, NorthStar for sneakers inspired by global youth trends, fashionable range of clogs and slip-ons under Floatz, kids brand Bubblegummers that have won the trust of parents while inspiring fun, and Hush Puppies the global brand that epitomizes comfort and elegance to name a few. To explore the world of Bata, please visit www.bata.com. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], December 3 (ANI): India has signed the Supply Chain Resilience Agreement (Pillar-II) in November 2023 under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), a 14 member plurilateral grouping in the region, Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a release. Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, said that the agreement seeks to strengthen supply chain crucial for national security and economic stability. Also Read | Yashasvi Jaiswal Gets Stuck in 'No Entry' Area While Heading to Adelaide Ahead of IND vs AUS 2nd Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Rohit Sharma Asks 'Udhar Kyu Gaya?' (Watch Video). The agreement came into force on February 24, 2024. Under the Agreement, a Supply Chain Council (SCC) has been set up with the US as Chair and India as Vice-Chair. IPEF partners represent approximately 40 percent of the global GDP, and 28 percent of global goods and services trade, making it crucial for international trade dynamics. Also Read | Congress Delegation Flags 2 'Grave Inconsistencies' in Maharashtra Assembly Elections, Seeks Raw Data From EC. The Agreement seeks to strengthen economic, commercial, and trade relationships among enterprises in the economies of the Parties and improve supply chain resilience in critical sectors. Article 6.10 of the Agreement also encourages private sector engagement to improve the resilience, efficiency, productivity, sustainability inclusivity etc. of IPEF supply chains, the minister said quotes the release. Article 10 of the Agreement provides for identification of critical sectors or key goods by the IPEF partners towards ensuring national security, public health and safety, or prevention of significant or widespread economic disruptions. India is closely working with stakeholders such as industry, academia, experts, etc. for identification of critical sectors or key goods for collaboration with IPEF partners for India's supply chain resiliency. In September 2024, the first SCC meeting in Washington led to the formation of Action Plan Teams focusing on key areas such as Semiconductors, Critical Minerals, and Chemicals. In the meeting, India has expressed its willingness to lead a proposed action plan team on the healthcare/pharma sector. Two Sub-Committees focusing on Logistics and Movement of Goods, and Data and Analytics have also been formed. India participated in the first meeting of Crisis Response Network held in Washington DC in September 2024, which included a tabletop exercise aimed at shortening response time in actual crisis situations by simulating scenarios where supply chain disruptions are highly likely. Further, two Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) have also been signed by Department of Commerce with the USA in last two years: one in the sector of semiconductors and other in the sector of critical minerals both of which are a strong step towards securing India's Supply Chain resilience in these sectors. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) KL Deemed to be University New Delhi [India], December 3: KL Deemed to be University celebrated its XIV Annual Convocation with grandeur at its Vijayawada campus, marking a pivotal moment for students, parents, and faculty alike. This year, degrees were awarded to 4,706 students, including 166 Ph.D. scholars, 604 postgraduate students, and 3,936 undergraduate students. In recognition of outstanding academic performance, 42 gold medals and 37 silver medals were also awarded to meritorious students. The prestigious occasion symbolized the culmination of years of dedication and academic rigor while heralding the start of new opportunities. Also Read | Alappuzha Road Accident: 5 Medical Students Killed After Speeding Tavera Car Collides With KSRTC Bus in Kerala; Video Damaged Vehicles Surfaces. The occasion gained even greater significance as it was graced by Ram Nath Kovind, Former 14th President of India, as the Chief Guest. He delivered a thought-provoking convocation address, highlighting the transformative power of education, integrity, and innovation in shaping the future, and inspired students to embrace continuous learning and strive to achieve their full potential. The Guest of Honor was Justice Abdul Nazeer Ji, His Excellency the Governor of Andhra Pradesh and a former esteemed Judge of the Supreme Court of India. Among the other distinguished guests was Smt. Savita Kovind, the wife of Ram Nath Kovind. Er. Koneru Satyanarayana, Hon'ble Chancellor of KL Deemed to be University, who presided over the ceremony, inspired the graduating class with his visionary message: "Today is not merely the conclusion of your academic journey but the beginning of your role as architects of tomorrow's world. At this University, we thrive to nurture not just skilled professionals, but visionaries capable of transforming challenges into opportunities. You carry forward a legacy of excellence, innovation, and social responsibility. As you step into the world, remember that your degrees symbolize not just knowledge but the power to inspire change, revolutionize industries, and uplift communities. Your true success will be measured by the positive impact you create in the world." Also Read | 1 Million Tickets of 'Pushpa 2-The Rule' Sold on BookMyShow; Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna's Film Earns INR 50 Crore in Day 1 Advance Bookings. Dr. G. Pardha Saradhi Varma, Vice Chancellor of KL Deemed to be University, emphasized the institution's transformative journey, stating: " At this University, we have cultivated an environment where innovation aligns with purpose, equipping graduates to transcend traditional boundaries. Our state-of-the-art research centers, strategic industry collaborations, and focus on cutting-edge technologies have established an ecosystem where innovation is not just encouraged but deeply ingrained in our ethos. Today's graduates enter the world not only with degrees but also with the resilience to confront global challenges, the creativity to drive solutions, and the wisdom to lead with compassion." On this momentous day, the campus came alive with celebrations as achievements were honored and dreams took flight. The grand Open-Air Theatre, adorned in the university's colors, welcomed graduates and their proud families. Excitement filled the air as graduates in robes beamed with pride, parents captured cherished moments, and medal winners prepared for their honors. It was a day of pride, reflection, and new beginnings. R. Priyanka, a student of B.Tech, CSE expressed her gratitude, " "My journey here has been truly amazing and full of learning. The support from my professors and the opportunities I received have helped me grow and discover a better version of myself. As I say goodbye to my friends and teachers, I feel a mix of emotions--gratitude for the past and excitement for the future. With confidence, I'm stepping forward to fulfill my parents' expectations and turn my dreams into reality." A parent, S. Venkatesh, proudly shared, "As a parent, seeing my child graduate from such a prestigious university fills me with immense joy. To me, this degree feels like a passport to the world, opening countless opportunities for him. The presence of such distinguished guests at the convocation makes this moment even more memorable and special for my family and me. I'm proud to have chosen the right place for my child, who is now ready to take on the world with confidence." The ceremony included the conferment of degrees and awards, with outstanding achievers receiving medals. Dr. G. Pardha Saradhi Varma presented the university's annual report, showcasing its continued commitment to academic excellence, cutting-edge research, and societal development. KL Deemed to be University, a Category 1 Institution accredited by NAAC with an A++ grade, ranks 22nd in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024. With 44 years of leadership in education, it continues to nurture global talent. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by KL Deemed to be University. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) NewsVoir New Delhi [India], December 3: Minda Corporation Limited has received the President's National Award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities 2024 under the category "Divyangjano Ke Liye Sarvashrestha Niyokta" (Best Employer for Persons with Disabilities). The award was presented by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Also Read | Bhopal Shocker: Asi Kills Wife, Sister-in-Law, Police Conduct Searches at Multiple Locations. Speaking on the recognition, Sarika Minda, Chairperson, Spark Minda Foundation, said, "This award is a testament to our collective commitment to empowering persons with disabilities and is a finest expression of 'Mobility for Everyone'. At Minda Corporation, we believe that inclusion is not just a responsibility but a way to create a more equitable society. Through Saksham, we aim to inspire others to join this journey of breaking barriers and fostering opportunities for all." The award recognises Spark Minda Foundation's (100% Subsidiary of Minda Corporation Limited) flagship initiative, Saksham. Aligned with the foundation's vision, this initiative has positively impacted the lives of over 21,000 PwDs by addressing their mobility, education and employment needs. To date, over 1,200 PwDs have been employed across Spark Minda factories. Also Read | Pakistan Win Blind Cricket T20 World Cup 2024, Beat Bangladesh by 10 Wickets in Multan to Clinch First-Ever Title. Spark Minda Foundation has also established permanent centres for the empowerment in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. These centers provide skill training, assistive aids, and livelihood opportunities to PwDs. In addition, annual camps are organised in regions such as Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. To enhance its impact, Spark Minda Foundation has collaborated with more than thirty-five government bodies, NGOs, and organisations to provide employment and skill training for PwDs across India. Through Saksham, PwDs are also supported with assistive aids such as prosthetics, orthotics, walkers, crutches, and wheelchairs, enabling them to lead more independent lives. The President's Award adds to Spark Minda Group's achievements, including recognitions from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) and the CII-ITC Sustainability Award. Minda Corporation is one of the leading automotive component manufacturing companies in India with a panIndia presence and significant international footprint. The Company was incorporated in 1985. Minda Corporation is the flagship company of Spark Minda, which was part of the erstwhile Minda Group. The Company has a diversified product portfolio that encompasses Mechatronics; Information and Connected Systems and Plastic and Interior for auto OEMs. These products cater to 2/3 wheelers, passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, off-roaders and after-market. The Company has a diversified customer base including Indian and global original equipment manufacturers and Tier-1 customers. For assimilating the latest technologies, Minda Corporation has a dedicated R&D facility and collaborations with the pioneers and leaders of the automobile industry. This has provided Minda Corporation with cutting edge in product design and technology to meet strict international quality standards. Spark Minda Foundation, the CSR wing of the Spark Minda Group, focuses on community development by addressing key areas such as youth skilling, women empowerment, healthcare, PwD empowerment, and environmental sustainability. As a 100% subsidiary of Minda Corporation Limited, a company listed on the BSE and NSE, the Foundation leverages innovative partnerships and impactful initiatives to drive meaningful change in India and beyond. For further information on Minda Corporation visit www.sparkminda.com. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) VMPL New Delhi [India], December 3: In response to a growing demand for sustainable and affordable luxury, Ivana Jewels is proud to announce the expansion of its retail footprint by March 2025. Ivana Jewels don't let their ambitions rest, as lab-grown diamonds are made to dazzle all across the country. The expansion of Ivana Jewels, which focuses on four major cities, namely, Noida, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Nagpur is encouraging news. A brand that's renowned for its sustainable luxury, is now one step closer to its mission of reaching out to wider audiences across India. This expansion strategy is in line with the company's commitment to democratizing the use of lab-grown diamond jewellery throughout the country. Also Read | Mumbai Shocker: Grocery Store Owner Sexually Assaults Minor Girl After Blackmailing Victim With Video of Her Talking to Male Classmate, Arrested. The revolutionizing diamond is upon us now! The Indian jewellery market is undergoing a dramatic shift. Consumers, especially gen z and millennials, want ethical dispositionality while buying products. According to market research, global demand for lab-grown diamonds will increase significantly and is likely to reach a whopping USD 21.97 billion by the year 2033, with a Growth CAGR of 6.67% from 2022 to 2033, This demand growth will be driven by the traditional diamonds' aesthetics and ethical mining practices concerning lab-grown diamonds highly. Also Read | US: Father Shoots and Kills 9-Year-Old Autistic Son at Grandfather's House in California, Accused Arrested. It is very clear and evident that Lab-grown diamonds have the same brilliance, fire, or sparkle as a traditionally mined diamond but without the ethical dilemmas over mining or environmental destruction makes it the perfect choice for the consumers. Ivana Jewels: A Jewel on Everyone's List! Not only is Ivana Jewels keeping up with this revolution but it is at the forefront. There is nothing that can be salvaged as the core principle for the brand is the relentless pursuit of originality, smartness, and craftsmanship which guarantees a never-to-be-forgotten shopping experience. This development makes certain that clients in both Tier I and Tier II are able to enjoy the experience that comes along with the lab-grown diamonds. Few things that Make Ivana Jewels the best choice! Sustainable Luxury: Lab-grown diamonds are the heart of Ivana Jewels' collections. These stunning stones are a perfect example of ethical sourcing and environmental sustainability. Excellence: Only lab-grown diamonds of the highest standards and quality, as well as precious metals, make it to Ivana Jewels' elegant jewellery pieces. Attractive Designs: Their in-house design team makes beautiful and innovative custom Jewellery for all different styles and preferences. Professionalism: Ivana Jewels takes customer service very seriously. The trained staff will walk you step by step in making sure that the piece you purchase is ideal for your taste. Synergy & Transparency: Ethical sourcing and responsible practices are at the core of Ivana Jewels' business model. Embrace the Future with Ivana Jewels! The expansion of Ivana Jewels is a culmination of many steps towards enabling the jewel industry to take positive steps to be self-sustainable. This is exciting especially given what Ayushi Jindal the founder of Ivana Jewels stated in a recent interview with Times Now News saying, "Lab-grown diamonds are not going down in price but rather going through correction and this is a good sign for the long run prospects of this market". Join Ivana Jewels in this celebration of a better tomorrow. Go check out their newer outlets or their website and see the sparkle of good and ethical diamonds for yourself. Join hands with them in becoming better and looking better, no more guilt marketing! The guilt-free options are now even available in the form of lab-grown diamonds. Ivana Jewels identifies with sustainability and it's a part of the company as well. Go shine brighter than you have ever seen! (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) The 2024 Red Sea Film Festival, set to take place from December 5 to 14 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia will celebrate global cinematic talent with the honouring of Bollywood icon Aamir Khan and Oscar-nominated actress Emily Blunt. Red Sea Film Festival 2024: Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan To Discuss Their Legendary Careers at the Event. Both actors will be recognized at the festival's opening night, alongside Egyptian screen legend Mona Zaki, who was previously announced as a recipient of the prestigious award, as per Deadline. In addition to the honours, Khan and Blunt will engage in the festival's popular 'In Conversation With' segment, offering festival attendees an intimate look at their careers and creative processes. The list of notable speakers for this strand already includes Hollywood stars such as Eva Longoria, Andrew Garfield, and Bollywood's own Ranbir Kapoor, as per Deadline Aamir Khan, one of India's most influential actors and filmmakers, has consistently delivered successful films over the decades. His notable works include the globally acclaimed Dangal (2016), Ghajini, 3 Idiots, Dhoom 3, PK, and the 2002 Oscar-nominated Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India. Khan expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, "Cinema has been my lifelong passion, and to be amidst such an inspiring group of artists from across the world is truly humbling," as per Deadline. Emily Blunt, known for her roles in A Quiet Place and Sicario, has made waves in Hollywood with her remarkable performances. Blunt was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer (2023). Upcoming projects include The Smashing Machine, in which she stars alongside Dwayne Johnson, and a highly anticipated event film being helmed by Steven Spielberg. Reflecting on the honour, Blunt shared, "I love all that this festival is doing for innovative and emerging talent in the film industry. In particular, I'm enthused by how they are empowering women in cinema and amplifying their voices," as per Deadline. Red Sea International Film Festival 2024: Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Ranbir Kapoor To Participate in In-Conversation Segment. Held in the port city of Jeddah, the Red Sea Film Festival, now in its fourth edition, is one of the most happening cultural events in the Middle East. Producer Ektaa R Kapoor on Tuesday met with Odisha Chief Minister Charan Majhi in Bhubaneshwar. Visuals from the meeting surfaced online in which CM Mohan Charan Majhi and Ektaa could be seen exchanging warm pleasantries. Ektaa also visited Lingaraja Temple and offered prayers there. Notably, on Monday, Ektaa along with the team of The Sabarmati Report attended a special screening of the film with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi. PM Modi commended the filmmakers for their effort in making the film. "Joined fellow NDA MPs at a screening of 'The Sabarmati Report.' I commend the makers of the film for their effort," the PM said in a post on X. PM Modi not only watched the film but also interacted with the team of 'The Sabarmati Report'. Sharing pictures from the meeting, Ektaa on Instagram wrote, "A milestone moment for #TheSabarmatiReport as the Hon'ble PM @narendramodi Ji acknowledges our efforts. Grateful for your kind words and blessings." The Sabarmati Report: Ekta Kapoor Thanks PM Narendra Modi for His Kind Words After Film Screening (View Post). Ekta Kapoor and 'The Sabarmati Report' Team Meet PM Narendra Modi View this post on Instagram A post shared by EktaaRkapoor (@ektarkapoor) 'The Sabarmati Report' Actor Vikrant Massey on Watching the Film With PM Modi The film's actor, Vikrant Massey, described attending the screening as the "highest point" of his career. After the screening, Vikrant shared his experience with the media, saying, "I watched the film with the Prime Minister, all cabinet ministers, and many MPs. It was a special experience. I still can't fully express it in words because I am so happy... This is the highest point of my career, that I got to watch my film with the Prime Minister." Highest Point of My Career: Vikrant Massey Expresses Gratitude After Watching The Sabarmati Report With PM Modi (Watch Video). Ektaa's father and veteran actor Jeetendra also met with PM Narendra Modi at the screening, which was held at the Balayogi Auditorium in Parliament. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also attended the screening, along with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Health Minister JP Nadda, Union Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, and many others. Talking about the film on X, Shah said, "The film 'The Sabarmati Report' introduced the countrymen to the truth of Godra. Through this film, people are getting to know how an ecosystem kept such a big truth hidden from the country for years." The film's actor, Vikrant Massey, described attending the screening as the "highest point" of his career. 'The Sabarmati Report': Union Home Minister Amit Shah Praises Vikrant Massey Starrer for Revealing the Truth Behind Godhra (View Post). After the screening, Vikrant shared his experience with the media, saying, "I watched the film with the Prime Minister, all cabinet ministers, and many MPs. It was a special experience. I still can't fully express it in words because I am so happy... This is the highest point of my career, that I got to watch my film with the Prime Minister." Raashii Khanna and Ridhi Dogra, too, attended the screening. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Agartala, Dec 3 (PTI) Action was taken against four police officers and seven people were arrested in connection with the breach of premises at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, police said on Tuesday. Three sub-inspectors were suspended and a deputy superintendent of police was 'closed', asking him to report to the police headquarters, for alleged negligence in duty, SP of West Tripura Kiran Kumar K told PTI. Also Read | Gold Rate Today, December 3, 2024: As Gold Prices Fall by INR 200, Check Prices of Yellow Metal in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Other Metro Cities. "A suo moto case was registered at the New Capital Complex (NCC) police station over the incident. Seven persons have been arrested so far for their alleged involvement in the incident," he said. Police have already begun an investigation into the incident, and will take steps as per the law, he added. Also Read | Parliament Winter Session 2024: Both Houses Resume Today, Banking Laws Amendment Bill Likely To Be Moved; Bangladesh Issue and Violence in Sambhal To Be Raised During Zero Hour. Security was beefed up at the consulate following the incident, and CRPF and Tripura State Rifles (TSR) personnel were deployed, the SP said. The incident happened on Monday as activists of the Hindu Sangharsh Samity were protesting the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das and atrocities on minorities in Bangladesh. Condemning the incident, Chief Minister Manik Saha said, "During the protest rally, a group of youth tried to barge into the Assistant High Commission office of Bangladesh in Agartala. I condemned the incident. Peaceful protest can be allowed but such behaviour is not acceptable." (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday expressed anguish over not being allowed to learn Hindi in Tamil Nadu as a student and was even mocked on the streets for attempting to learn the language. The minister's reply to the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha digressed to the language issue when some Opposition members tried to corner Sitharaman over her Hindi. Also Read | Digital Arrest Scams: Government Blocked 1,700 Skype IDs and 59,000 WhatsApp Accounts Used for Fraud, Says Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar. Recalling her experience as a student in Tamil Nadu, Sitharaman shared her experience when learning Hindi and Sanskrit was looked down upon in the southern state. "I speak from my lived experience in Tamil Nadu when even going to learn Hindi, aside from my school, I was mocked on the streets. And I was mocked saying - oh you want to learn Hindi. You live in Tamil Nadu... and you want to learn Hindi, that North India's bhasha (language). These are the words ringing in my ears... Also Read | Kota Horror: Couple Disturbed by Marital Dispute Kills 2 Minor Sons, Dies by Suicide by Hanging Themselves in Jhalawar District. "Learning Hindi and Sanskrit are perceived as learning some other foreign language and words that they used is people who have come over to this land. Is Tamil Nadu not part of India. So what's wrong in my learning Hindi," she said in the Lower House. Sitharaman, who was born in Madurai, lamented that she was called 'vandheri' (a Tamil word loosely meaning outsider in a negative sense). "They called us vandheri. Is it not part of a political strategy there?" she wondered. The minister said that she was denied her "fundamental right" to learn the language of her choice. "I have lived experience of Tamil Nadu imposing on me not to learn Hindi. Is that not imposition on me?," Sitharaman asked. "It's alright to say we don't want imposition of Hindi. We don't want to impose Hindi but why did they impose on me not to learn Hindi? I want to ask this," Sitharaman said. The minister also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken Tamil language to the UN. "Tell me one prime minister who has taken Tamil to the UN...Narendra Modi. Tell me one PM who quotes Tamil repeatedly...because he respects that language. Tell me one PM with whom DMK has been in alliance with, where the PM quoted Tamil. That is the respect we give to the sentiments of all of us Tamils," she said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 3 (PTI) Days after a CPI(M) leader from Alappuzha quit the party and joined the BJP amidst reports of factional feud in its conferences, another party leader on Tuesday appears to have taken the same path. As Madhu Mullassery announced his exit from the party in the morning, the CPI(M) expelled him from its primary membership. Also Read | Gold Rate Today, December 3, 2024: As Gold Prices Fall by INR 200, Check Prices of Yellow Metal in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Other Metro Cities. The CPI(M) said that he was being removed as he acted in contravention of party principles and defamed it in the public sphere. Mullassery, a former area secretary of the CPI(M) in Mangalapuram here and a party member for 42 years, blamed Left MLA and district committee secretary V Joy for his exit. Also Read | Parliament Winter Session 2024: Both Houses Resume Today, Banking Laws Amendment Bill Likely To Be Moved; Bangladesh Issue and Violence in Sambhal To Be Raised During Zero Hour. "I have decided to leave a party for which I have worked for 42 years as it is difficult to work alongside the district secretary V Joy," he said. Mullassery told a TV channel that the state leadership of both the Congress and the BJP had contacted him and he would announce at 11 am which party he had decided to join. BJP's Thiruvananthapuram district president V V Rajesh and other party leaders met the former CPI(M) leader at his residence in the morning. Mullassery has claimed that he was mistreated by Joy, who allegedly only cares for his own interests and positions within the party and accused him of creating divisiveness in the CPI(M) at the district level. On November 30, Bipin C Babu, member of CPI(M) Alappuzha area committee and member of district panchayat representing Krishnapuram division, joined the BJP. Bipin, after joining the BJP, had alleged that CPI(M) had lost its secular character. "A few communal forces are leading the party now and it has become an outfit of a particular section," he had said. The sidelining of senior CPI(M) leader G Sudhakaran has also drawn criticism within the party and the local and area conferences, with some places, such as Karunagappally in Kollam district, witnessing open protests, according to party sources. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Patna, Dec 3 (PTI) The cabinet of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday gave its nod for the construction of a world-class eye hospital in Kankarbagh area of Patna. The medical establishment will be constructed by Coimbatore-based Sankara Eye Foundation India. Also Read | Pune: Doctors Perform Rare Laser Surgery on Woman Pregnant With Monoamniotic Twins To Save Healthy Foetus at KEM Hospital. A decision to this effect was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Kumar here on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, S Siddharth, Additional Chief Secretary (Cabinet Secretariat), said, "The cabinet sanctioned Rs 48 crore for payment to the state housing board for transferring 1.6 acres of land to the Coimbatore-based firm on a lease of 99 years for construction of the hospital, which will become functional in 18 months." Also Read | Sambhal Violence: Akhilesh Yadav Alleges 'Well-Planned Conspiracy' Behind Stone Pelting Incident Over Shahi Jama Masjid Survey, Demands Murder Case Against Cops (Watch Video). "In the meantime, the Coimbatore-based firm will also work for capacity building of Rajendra Nagar Eye Hospital in Patna located near the site approved for the proposed eye hospital of Sankara Eye Foundation India. The entire area will be developed as the modern medical hub in the state," Siddharth said. The cabinet also approved funds for the construction and development of two new tourist spots in Saharsa and Kaimur districts. "While around Rs 98.65 crore was approved for the development of tourist infrastructure around Matsyagandha Lake in Saharsa, the cabinet approved Rs 49.73 crore for the development of the Karamchat tourism and adventure hub in Kaimur district," he added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Gaya (Bihar), Dec 3 (PTI) When she became the deputy mayor of Gaya town in Bihar, after having swept its streets for decades, Chinta Devi felt the 'city of salvation' has, finally, presented her with her own deliverance. After nearly two years in office, she finds herself back on the streets, selling vegetables as a mark of protest against the disrespect she has been made to allegedly put up with. Also Read | Bangladesh Mission in Agartala Suspends All Visa and Consular Services for Indefinite Period Following Security Breach. She asked, "What is the point in my being deputy mayor if I am not kept in the loop about the goings on in the municipal corporation?" Devi, who worked for 35 years as an employee (sweeper) of the Gaya Municipal Corporation, was elected deputy mayor of Gaya in December 2022, two years after her retirement. Also Read | Gurugram Horror: Man Brutally Beaten to Death by Brother-in-Law in Noorpur Village, Held. Talking to media persons on Tuesday, Devi said, I am very upset with the attitude of the administration of the Gaya Municipal Corporation. I am not even invited for meetings held in the Corporation. Officials don't even inform me about the schemes being run by the Corporation in the city." She alleged that she has not been paid salary of the deputy mayor for the last several months. "This is the reason that I decided to sell vegetables on the streets of Gaya. It's better to sell vegetables than sitting in the Municipal Corporation office without any work, Devi said. Everyone was surprised to see Devi selling vegetables at Kedar Nath market on Tuesday and a huge crowd gathered around her. I can earn money by selling vegetables although I get my pension as a retired employee of the municipal corporation. But I am not being provided any of the facilities by the corporation for which I am entitled to as the deputy mayor," she claimed. Despite repeated attempts, senior municipal officials of Gaya were not available for their comments on the charges levelled by Devi. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Shillong (Meghalaya) [India], December 3 (ANI): The Border Security Force (BSF) Meghalaya foiled a smuggling attempt on Tuesday, apprehending four Indian nationals near the international border in East Khasi Hills district, according to a press release from BSF Meghalaya. Acting on specific intelligence, vigilant personnel from the 193 Battalion intercepted two heavy vehicles loaded with sugar worth over Rs10 lakh. The vehicles, bearing registration numbers ML 12 3843 and ML 05 AD 3614, were stopped near the Indo-Bangladesh international border in East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya. Four Indian nationals were apprehended in connection with the smuggling attempt, BSF Meghalaya stated. Also Read | Pappu Yadav's Men Behind Threatening Calls, No Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Link: Bihar Police. The seized goods and the detained individuals were handed over to the Customs Office at Dangar for further investigation and legal action, the release added. In a post on X, BSF Meghalaya stated, "In its continued efforts to contain smuggling along the Indo-BD border, troops of the 193 Battalion BSF Meghalaya apprehended four Indian nationals along with two trucks loaded with sugar worth Rs10 lakh under East Khasi Hills district. The goods were intended for smuggling into Bangladesh." Also Read | Election Commissioner Appointments Case: CJI Sanjiv Khanna Recuses From Hearing Pleas Challenging Law on CEC Appointment. On November 20, BSF had also thwarted another smuggling attempt of contraband items at the international border in Meghalaya. According to the Public Relations Officer, BSF Meghalaya, "On November 19, 2024, vigilant troops of BSF Meghalaya, acting on specific intelligence, successfully prevented a smuggling attempt involving contraband items near the international border in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. The items were intended to be smuggled into Bangladesh." The PRO added, "Troops of the 4th Battalion BSF conducted a special operation near the border, seizing the contraband concealed in a jungle area." The seized items from the earlier operation were handed over to the Customs Office at Pynursla for further action, the PRO noted. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], December 3 (ANI): Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain on Tuesday gave a suspension of business notice in Rajya Sabha to discuss the constitution of a JPC probe over Adani Group allegations. "I hereby give notice under Rule 267 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) of my intention to move the following motion for the suspension of business listed for 03 December 2024: That this House do suspend Zero Hour and relevant rules relating to Question Hour and other businesses of the day to discuss the constitution of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to investigate grave allegations against the Adani Group," he said in the notice. Also Read | Gold Rate Today, December 3, 2024: As Gold Prices Fall by INR 200, Check Prices of Yellow Metal in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Other Metro Cities. In the notice, Congress MP Hussain urged the house to discuss "A US court indictment that directly implicates the Adani Group in the payment of bribes to state officials to secure Power Supply Agreements (PSAs) through the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), raising significant concerns over corruption, misuse of public institutions, and ethical violations in public sector dealings." Hussain also urged the house to discuss, "SECI's role in enabling and facilitating such practices, which calls into question its internal oversight mechanisms, decision-making processes, and broader accountability as a public sector entity entrusted with India's renewable energy goals." Also Read | Parliament Winter Session 2024: Both Houses Resume Today, Banking Laws Amendment Bill Likely To Be Moved; Bangladesh Issue and Violence in Sambhal To Be Raised During Zero Hour. He has also demanded a discussion on, "Persistent allegations of financial irregularities, including stock manipulation, the use of tax havens to avoid scrutiny, and the accumulation of unsustainable levels of debt, which indicate systemic failures in governance and regulatory enforcement." Hussain also urged the house to discuss, "Erosion of institutional trust in key regulatory bodies such as SEBI, with allegations of conflicts of interest and a lack of impartial oversight under its leadership, further deepening public skepticism about the regulatory framework." He has also demanded a discussion on, "The broader implications of these allegations for India's economic integrity, global reputation, and the functioning of public institutions tasked with maintaining transparency and accountability." Hussain demanded the House take immediate cognizance of the matter and hold a comprehensive discussion to uphold the principles of good governance and accountability. "Given the gravity of these issues and their impact on public trust, economic stability, and institutional integrity, this matter demands immediate and thorough parliamentary deliberation to uphold the principles of good governance and accountability," he said in the notice. Parliament's proceedings have seen disruptions since the beginning of the Winter Session amid protests by opposition parties over their demands, including a discussion on Adani issue, Sambhal violence and the Manipur situation. On Monday, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till 12 noon and then for the rest of the day. The winter session of Parliament began on November 25 and will continue till December 20. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Puducherry, December 3: A holiday for all government and private schools, as well as colleges, on Tuesday (December 3), has been announced due to heavy rainfall caused by Cyclone Fengal, said Puducherry's Education Minister, A Namachivayam. Meanwhile, the Puducherry government has announced to provide relief assistance of Rs 5,000 each to all ration cardholders affected by Cyclone Fengal, Chief Minister N Rangaswamy said on Monday. "Due to cyclone Fengal, Puducherry received 48% rainfall, which was unexpected. The Puducherry government has decided to provide relief assistance of Rs 5,000 to all ration cardholders affected by the cyclone," Rangaswamy told reporters. "Additionally, due to heavy rainfall, 10,000 hectares of crops in the Puducherry state have been damaged. Therefore, we have decided to provide Rs 30,000 per hectare to affected farmers. Cyclone Fengal has left a trail of destruction in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu. The recent floods have damaged 50 boats, and the government has announced a relief package of Rs 10,000 for their repair," he added. Cyclone Fengal Update: IMD Issues Red Alert for Northern Kerala, Heavy Rain Predicted As Cyclonic Storm Moves Towards Arabian Sea. The cyclone resulted in extremely heavy rainfall in coastal regions of north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Particularly affected was the Sankaraparani River in Puducherry, where over 200 residences in NR Nagar were inundated. The people living in the area remain stranded as the Indian Army along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are actively involved in rescue operations. Cyclone Fengal Update: Cyclonic Storm Makes Landfall Near Puducherry, Video Shows Gusty Winds at Tamil Nadus Chengalpattu. The Union Territory witnessed severe flooding, especially in areas surrounding the Sankaraparani River in Puducherry, where over 200 residences in NR Nagar were inundated. The people living in the area remain stranded as the Indian Army along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are actively involved in rescue operations. The rescue teams are focused on saving lives, with boats deployed to navigate flooded streets and evacuate affected residents. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chandigarh, Dec 3 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday emphasized that the speedy justice delivery has been possible under the new criminal laws, saying the days of 'tarikh pe tarikh' or prolonged trial for criminals are over. Modi, who was accompanied by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Tuesday dedicated to the nation the successful implementation of the three new criminal laws here and said the Nyaya Sanhita is woven with the ideals of equality, harmony and social justice. Also Read | Bangladesh Mission in Agartala Suspends All Visa and Consular Services for Indefinite Period Following Security Breach. Stressing on the importance of timely delivery of justice, he said days of 'tarikh pe tarikh' are over. 'Tarikh pe tarikh' is a popular dialogue of actor Sunny Deol in the film "Damini" where he rues the repeated adjournment culture in courts. Also Read | Gurugram Horror: Man Brutally Beaten to Death by Brother-in-Law in Noorpur Village, Held. In his speech, Modi also underscored the need for broadening our perspective so that the law becomes a medium of citizen empowerment. He pointed out that there were many laws which lacked discussions and deliberations, and while citing an example, said there was a lot of discussion on the abrogation of Article 370 and triple talaq. Modi added that these days, the debate is taking place on law related to the Waqf Board. He stressed that there was a need to give the same importance to those laws which were made to increase the dignity and self-respect of the citizens. Meanwhile, Modi said the touchstone of justice is to deliver timely justice, he said. "We have been hearing that justice delayed, justice denied," he said pointing towards ensuring timely justice under the new laws. Timeframe has been fixed for every step in a particular case, he said. Modi cited an example of an accused getting punishment in just two months in a vehicle theft case in Chandigarh. Referring to a case in Delhi, he said an accused got a 20-year sentence in 60 days after the registration of an FIR. Modi also cited another example of Bihar where an accused got life imprisonment in 14 days in a murder case. "These verdicts show the power of the BNS and its impact," he said. Modi emphasised that this change showed that changes and results were ascertained when there was a government dedicated to the interests of ordinary citizens and solving their problems. He further urged that these verdicts should be discussed as much as possible in the country so that every Indian knows how his power for justice has increased. With such verdicts, the criminals will now come to know that days of 'tarikh pe tarikh' are over, he said. Law should become a medium of citizen's empowerment and for this, we all should have a comprehensive outlook, he said. I am saying this because there is a lot of discussion here on some laws and discussion should take place but some important laws remain devoid of debate, said Modi. "When the Article 370 was removed, a lot of discussion took place over it. Similarly, discussion took place when a law came on triple talaq. These days, discussion on a law relating to the Wakf board is taking place," he said. "We should give the same importance to those laws which are made to increase the dignity and self-respect of people," he said. He spoke about international Divyang Diwas. He mentioned that under the old laws system, 'Divyangs' were referred by humiliating words. Modi said his government brought the Rights of Persons Disability Act in 2016, adding that it was not only the law relating to Divyangs but it was also a campaign to make the society more sensitive. He said the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is going to lay the foundation of a big change. Laws relating to trangender, the Mediation Act and the GST Act and there are so many such laws which require a healthy discussion, he said. Talking about the colonial laws, Modi said earlier, it was very difficult for getting an FIR registered even. "But now zero FIR has been given a legal shape. One can get a case registered from anywhere," he said. The victim has been given the right to get a copy of an FIR, said Modi. If a case has to be cancelled against an accused then the consent of the victim will be required, he said as he explained several provisions of the new laws. Noting that humanity and sensitivity are also sides of the BNS, he said an accused cannot be kept in jail for a long time without the pronouncement of sentence, he said. About colonial laws, Modi said despite everyone being equal in the eyes of the law, the practical reality was different. He underlined that Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita had sensitivity towards every victim. Modi said that useful tools like e-Saksha, Nyay Shruti, Nyay Setu, e-Summon Portal were developed to implement the new laws. We will get help in fighting the terrorism with the integration of digital system and technology, he said. He also asserted that under the new laws, terrorists and terror organisations will not be able to take benefit of legal complexity. Modi pointed out that most foreign investors did not want to invest in India earlier because of the fear of long and delayed justice. He further added that when this fear ends, investments would increase, thereby strengthening the country's economy. Highlighting the lacunae in the Indian Penal Code and the fear of the law for the honest people as against the criminals, Modi said the new Nyay Sanhita has freed the people from such troubles. He said that his government has ended over 1,500 laws framed during the British era and urged all the state governments to effectively implement Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Thane (Maharashtra) [India], December 3 (ANI): Amidst the suspense over Maharashtra's Chief Minister, caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was on Tuesday rushed to a hospital in Thane after his health condition showed no sign of improvement, sources said today. Doctors have advised full examination of his health. Shinde has been suffering from a throat infection and fever since last week. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Witnesses Implementation of 3 New Criminal Laws in Chandigarh, Home Minister Amit Shah Attends Event (Watch Video). Responding to reporters queries on his health,Shinde was head saying "badhiya hai [all good]". The Shiv Sena leader had left for his native village in Satara district last Friday to recuperate from illness and returned to Mumbai on December 1. Also Read | Gold Rate on December 3: Yellow Metal Trades Higher by INR 73, at INR 76,760 per 10 Grams. Meanwhile Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is gearing up the swearing-in ceremony of the Mahayuti government scheduled to be held on December 5. Senior BJP leader Girish Mahajan met Eknath Shinde on Monday to discuss preparations for the swearing-in ceremony. Mahajan had told reporters that the caretaker Chief Minister was recovering well. He also underlined that there are no conflicts among the leaders of the Mahayuti alliance. "I came here to meet Eknath Shinde, who has not been well for the past few days. There is no displeasure. We sat together for an hour and had a conversation. He also discussed preparations for December 5, and I shared some thoughts as well. We have a lot of work to do for the people of the state, and we are going to work together for them," Girish Mahajan told reporters after his meeting with Shinde. On Thursday evening, Shinde, along with Devendra Fadnavis (widely considered the frontrunner for the Chief Minister's position), Ajit Pawar, and other Mahayuti leaders, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President JP Nadda in Delhi to discuss the ongoing deadlock over the Chief Ministerial role. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chandigarh, Dec 3 (PTI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday said the government will reward those who give information about drug smugglers while assuring that the identity of the whistleblowers will be kept hidden. Saini directed officials to take strict action against those involved in drug smuggling and asserted that a clear message has to be sent out that drugs will not be tolerated at any cost in Haryana. Also Read | Karnataka High Court Issues Order Quashing FIR Against Nirmala Sitharaman and BJP's Nalin Kumar Kateel in Electoral Bonds Case. Saini said to end the drug problem, the public also needs to cooperate with the government. He said the government has started an initiative under which any person giving information related to drug smuggling will be rewarded while the details of informers will be kept secret. According to an official statement, the chief minister chaired a review meeting with senior officials to discuss an action plan prepared to end drug abuse in the state. Also Read | Google Maps Navigation Error Leads to Accident: Misled by Navigation System, Car Falls Into Bareilly Canal Injuring 3; Second Incident in 10 Days. Saini said that along with taking action against drug smugglers, meaningful steps should also be taken towards bringing drug addicts back to mainstream society by giving them appropriate treatment. The chief minister said police personnel who have done remarkable work for the elimination of drugs should be honoured and encouraged by giving medals He said panchayats declaring villages as drug-free will also be given incentives by the government, he said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Srinagar, December 3: One terrorist was killed during an encounter with security forces in Srinagar's Dachigam forest on Tuesday, police said. The Operation is in progress. The encounter started on December 2, based on specific intelligence input, a joint operation was launched by Indian Army & J&K Police at Harwan, Srinagar. During search initial contact was established. Further information is awaited. Earlier on November 23, Baramulla Police, in a joint operation with security forces, busted a terror hideout in the Kunzer area of Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday. A joint operation was launched in the forests adjoining the village Malwa, under the jurisdiction of Police Station Kunzer, by Baramulla Police, Budgam Police, and 62 RR. Jammu and Kashmir: Encounter Breaks Out Between Security Forces and Terrorists in Srinagar District. According to the police, based on credible leads generated during the investigation, a joint operation was conducted. During the search operation, the police recovered arms and ammunition, and it also destroyed the hideout, thwarted any possible untoward incident, and scuttled the nefarious plans of terrorist outfits to derail peace and harmony in the Kashmir Valley. On November 9, based on specific intelligence regarding presence of terrorists, a joint Operation launched by the Army and JK Police in general area Rajpura, Sopore, Baramulla. Suspicious activity was observed by vigilant troops and on being challenged terrorists opened indiscriminate fire. Troops effectively retaliated. One terrorist was neutralised by the security forces. On November 6, Security forces eliminated one terrorist in the Operation Kaitsan in Bandipora. Jammu and Kashmir Encounter: Terrorist Killed During Gunfight in Bandipora District, Operation Underway. 1 Terrorist Killed in Ongoing Encounter in Srinagar #WATCH | J&K: Security heightened in Shalimar, Srinagar as a joint operation has been launched by Indian Army & J&K Police at Harwan. All roads going towards the encounter site have been sealed by police. One terrorist killed in the encounter with security forces in the pic.twitter.com/ujfDgqjYKF ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2024 On November 2, two terrorists were killed by security forces during an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district. The encounter broke out after security forces initiated an anti-terrorist operation in the Halkan Gali area. On October 29, the security forces neutralised three terrorists in a high-stakes encounter in Akhnoor, Jammu and Kashmir, following an attack on an Army convoy. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) The Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid on Tuesday described as "reprehensible" the alleged mistreatment of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh and asked that country's interim government to take immediate steps to prevent such acts. India has been expressing concerns over attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in Bangladesh, since Sheikh Hasina's resignation as prime minister in August following months-long students-led protests. Also Read | Rahul Gandhi To Visit Sambhal: DM Requests Neighbouring Districts To Restrict Congress Leader's Proposed Visit to Violence-Hit Town. Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the Jama Masjid's Shahi Imam, said in a statement, "As a credible neighbour, a close ally of Bangladesh, and a custodian of shared cultural heritage, I expect the current head of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate, to take immediate steps to curb any injustices against the Hindu minority." Yunus should ensure that his international reputation remains untarnished, Bukhari said, citing the recent developments in Bangladesh. Also Read | Congress Delegation Flags 2 'Grave Inconsistencies' in Maharashtra Assembly Elections, Seeks Raw Data From EC. It is also a fact that there exist alternative and opposing political forces with differing ideologies, having a relatively adversarial stance with regard to Indo-Bangladesh relations, said the Shahi Imam of the historical mosque in the walled city. "These forces are now in power and enjoy popular support," he said, referring to the developments that led to Hasina's exit. "As a Muslim-majority country, Islam and Islamic jurisprudence inherently leave no room for any form of prejudice or injustice against minorities in Bangladesh," Bukhari asserted. Since the establishment of Bangladesh, India's national leadership, media, civil society and influential circles maintained close relations with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, his daughter Sheikh Hasina, and their party the Awami League, he said. "In terms of diplomacy and other matters related to the region, international affairs and the Muslim world, Bangladesh has always stood by us as a close ally," Bukhari said. After Hasina's departure to India, the backlash against her saw both Muslim and non-Muslim supporters of the Awami League becoming targets of the unrest that erupted following her removal, he alleged. "Up to this point, it remained an internal matter of Bangladesh. However, the ongoing injustices, assaults and unilateral actions against the Hindu minority are condemnable and must stop immediately. There is no justification for such actions," he said. The government in Bangladesh must acknowledge the role India played in its freedom, the subsequent development process, and the unparalleled history of support and care for millions of refugees of the country, he added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh on Tuesday invited Israeli startups to collaborate with Indian firms on the National Quantum Mission. Singh made the offer to Israel's Industry and Economy Minister Nir Barkat who met him here. Also Read | Bangladesh Mission in Agartala Suspends All Visa and Consular Services for Indefinite Period Following Security Breach. The two leaders discussed collaboration in startups in the space, quantum technology, agriculture and health sectors. Singh invited Israeli startups, known for their pioneering work in quantum computing, to partner with Indian institutions to co-develop critical quantum technologies. Also Read | Gurugram Horror: Man Brutally Beaten to Death by Brother-in-Law in Noorpur Village, Held. "India and Israel can supplement each other in this domain India with its large market, manpower, and opportunities, and Israel with its cutting-edge innovation," Singh said. India's National Quantum Mission aims to harness quantum technologies to bolster sectors like communication, cryptography, and computing, he said. Singh said Israeli startups and researchers could play a vital role in co-developing critical technologies, leveraging their experience for mutual benefit. The minister said since the opening of the space sector to private players, the number of startups in this domain has surged, reflecting India's growing role as a global space technology hub. During the meeting, the two ministers also explored partnerships in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and Internet of Things. Singh said Israeli companies can view India as a reliable partner in these critical domains and highlighted the country's strides in indigenous tech development, including mobile manufacturing and 5G rollout. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bengaluru, Dec 3 (PTI) Karnataka has posted a strong economic growth and superior revenue performance, particularly in GST collections, which has surpassed national averages, the Chief Minister's office said on Tuesday. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reviewed the performance of key departments, including Commercial Taxes, Excise, Stamps and Registration, and Mines and Geology, at a high-level meeting, during which he emphasised the need for intensified efforts to meet annual targets, it said. Also Read | Chennai Shocker: Man Switches Identity With Brother, Deceives Police for 20 Years Leading to Wrongful Conviction of Sibling in Tamil Nadu; Accused Finally Caught. He directed officials to strengthen vigilance to curb tax evasion, launch special drives in the Commercial Tax and Excise Departments, resolve pending GST applications to accelerate revenue realization, and streamline e-Khata processes in the Stamps and Registration Department, the CMO said in a statement. Officials were instructed to implement these measures promptly to sustain Karnataka's revenue growth trajectory, it said. Also Read | Devendra Fadnavis Meets Eknath Shinde on Eve of BJPs Legislature Party Meeting (Watch Video). According to the CMO, the review underscored Karnataka's strong economic growth and superior revenue performance, particularly in GST collections, which surpassed national averages. The Commercial Taxes Department reported revenue collection of Rs 53,103 crore till November 2024, achieving 94 per cent of the target of Rs. 56,317 crore. With an annual target of Rs 84,475 crore for 2024-25, the chief minister urged officials to focus on underperforming regions such as Malenadu and Mysuru to meet targets. "GST collections grew by 15 per cent, with Karnataka contributing Rs. 13,722 crore, placing the state nationally second in GST collections." The Excise Department collected Rs 23,600 crore, amounting to 61.26 per cent of its annual target of Rs. 38,525 crore for 2024-25, it said, revenue increased by Rs 1,432 crore, reflecting a 6.46 per cent growth compared to the previous year. Measures to streamline operations and fill vacant Group C posts are being implemented to enhance performance, the release added. The Stamps and Registration Department recorded revenues of Rs 15,161 crore, so far, achieving 58 per cent of its annual target of Rs 26,000 crore. Compared to the previous year, revenue grew by 21 per cent, driven by measures to curb illegal registrations and include unassessed properties in the tax net. The Mines and Geology Department reported revenue collections of Rs 4,862 crore by November, against an annual target of Rs. 9,000 crore, reflecting a 10 per cent year-on-year growth, the CMO said, discussions focused on streamlining mineral tax policies and optimising revenues from minor minerals. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chandigarh [India], December 3 (ANI): Punjab Legislative Assembly Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa on Tuesday, slammed the BJP-led central government for neglecting the interests of farmers in Punjab and Haryana. Bajwa's scathing attack comes amidst growing discontent among farmers in the region, who feel their concerns have been ignored by the ruling party. Also Read | President Droupadi Murmu Advocates Equal Opportunities for Disabled Persons in Employment, Enterprise and Economic Empowerment. "Ever since the BJP government has come to power, they have not taken a single decision that is in the interest of the farmers of India, especially the farmers of Punjab and Haryana. It is their fundamental right to express their demands peacefully in their respective capitals. But they were prevented from doing so," he said The Leader of the Opposition also emphasised that the demand for a better Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a legal right of farmers and that about 300 quintals of paddy have been looted Also Read | CII Partnership Summit 2024: S Jaishankar Calls for Stronger Global Partnerships as India Faces Growing Challenges. the traders have looted around Rs 5500-6000 crores from them. "Their demands like MSP are their legal right... About 300 quintals of paddy have been looted from the farmers of Punjab, which is equivalent to Rs 5500-6000 crores, by traders with the help of the government...," he said. Furthermore, Congress leader Bajwa requested the protestors to maintain peace and not cause any disturbance in the law and order situation. He said, "I also want to appeal to the protesters. Please ensure that there is no inconvenience or disruption of law and order. Protest peacefully. The Indian National Congress will always support them...." Speaking on the recent punishment given to former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal by the Akal Takht, Partap Singh Bajwa said that the people of Punjab had rejected the party and that the Akal Takht's decision should be respected. He said, "In the last few years, their (Shiromani Akali Dal) performance has been steadily declining and hence, the people rejected the party.... They had already been punished politically. People were now waiting for a religious punishment... Around the world, the Sikh brotherhood faithfully follows the decision of the Akal Takht. This is indisputable.... We bow our heads to their (Akal Takht's) decision." On Monday, farmers participating in the 'Delhi Chalo' protest were stopped at the Mahamaya Flyover by police barricades as they attempted to march towards Delhi, demanding solutions to agricultural issues and a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Meanwhile, a three-tier security plan has been implemented, and security forces have been deployed in parts of Noida and Delhi ahead of the 'Delhi Chalo' protest march, an official said on Monday. The protest, organised by the Bhartiya Kisan Parishad (BKP) along with other farmer groups, demands compensation and benefits related to agricultural reforms, including a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP). (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Guwahati (Assam) [India], December 3 (ANI): Hindu organisations in Assam on Tuesday staged a protest and took out rallies in various parts of the state to register their dissent amid rising atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh. In Biswanath district, Lok Jagaran Manch took out a protest rally where a large number of people participated and they raised their slogans against the Bangladesh government and demanded to stop atrocities on Hindus. Also Read | Sambhal Violence: Akhilesh Yadav Alleges Well-planned Conspiracy, Demands Murder Case Against Cops. The protesters also demanded the safety and security of minorities in the neighbouring country. Sattar Singh Powar, leader of Lok Jagaran Manch told ANI, "We will send a memorandum to the President of India and the Prime Minister seeking their intervention on it and to ensure the safety and security of the minority Hindu people in Bangladesh." Also Read | Delhi Shocker: Class 6 Student Dies in School Under Suspicious Condition, Family Suspects Foul Play. Similarly, in Dhubri district, Lok Jagaran Manch held protest meetings and staged demonstrations by demanding an end to the ongoing communal violence and atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh. The event was held at Raja Prabhat Chandra Baruah ground in Dhubri town. Protesters showed placards and demanded an end to the atrocities against minorities in the neighbouring country. Lok Jagaran Manch sent a memorandum to Professor Mohammad Yunus, Chief Advisor to the interim government of Bangladesh through the Dhubri District Commissioner. Protests were also staged in the Hojai district demanding immediate intervention of the Indian government into the issue. Notably, India has tightened visa curbs after the escalation of violence against various religious minorities in the neighbouring country. Reportedly, over 60 monks were stopped at Benapole land port in Bangladesh over the weekend and were not allowed to enter India, as claimed by a spokesperson of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Kolkata. ISKCON Kolkata Vice President Radharaman on Tuesday urged the Bangladesh government to provide security to the advocate of Chinmoy Krishna Das citing the recent attack on his previous advocate. Reportedly, Chinmoy Krishna Das's previous advocate Raman Roy is currently in serious condition in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after being attacked. There was no relief for Hindu spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das who was arrested on alleged sedition charges.On Tuesday, a Bangladesh court set January 2, 2025, as the next date of hearing in the case. Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is currently in custody, is expected to remain in jail. The Daily Star Bangladesh reported that the Chattogram court deferred the hearing on the bail petition of Chinmoy Krishna Das to January 2. Chattogram Metropolitan Session Judge Saiful Islam set the new date for the hearing as the defence lawyer was absent from the court. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Purba Medinipur (West Bengal) [India], December 3 (ANI): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out a search operation on Tuesday in Haldia, Purba Medinipur, in connection with a medical college admission quota corruption case. The ED is raiding various private medical colleges in the state, including those in Haldia, Durgapur, and Kolkata. Also Read | Mumbai Shocker: Man Assaults 17-Year-Old Sister-in-Law, Stabs Her With Knife After She Tries To Intervene Between Him and His Wife Over Family Dispute; Arrested. Reportedly, in this case, fake certificates were submitted in exchange for money, and admissions were made to medical colleges. In September this year, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court expressed concern over the matter. The quota corruption in MBBS admissions has been reported in 28 places across the country. Also Read | What Is Brain Rot? Know Meaning of the Term Picked by Oxford University as Word of the Year 2024. Further information is awaited. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bengaluru, December 3: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday issued an order quashing the FIR registered against Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nalin Kumar Kateel in connection with the allegation of extortion in the name of electoral bonds. The petition was filed by former MP Kateel, who is also co-accused in the case. A case was registered against Nirmala Sitharaman and others as directed by a special court following a complaint filed concerning election bond irregularities. An FIR was registered against Sitharaman, ED officials and state and national level BJP office bearers under Sections 384 (punishment for extortion), 120 B (criminal conspiracy), and 34 (acts committed by several persons with common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). BJP State President BY Vijayendra was also named in the FIR. Karnataka HC Quashes Electoral Bonds Case Against Former State BJP Chief Kateel. The complainant alleged that the accused extorted Rs 8,000 crore under the guise of election bonds. Adarsh R Iyer, co-founder of 'Janadhikar Sangharsh Parishad' (JSP) had filed a complaint alleging that he had received excessive benefits. The complainant alleged that Sitharaman, with the help and support of ED officials, facilitated the extortion of thousands of crores of rupees for the benefit of other officials at the state and national levels. 'Why Was He Growing It? Out of Passion?': Karnataka High Court Judge Justice M Nagaprasanna Questions Lawyer Over His Client Growing Cannabis in Backyard. In February, the Supreme Court struck down the electoral bonds scheme and declared it was unconstitutional. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) Family members and parents of a 12-year-old student staged a protest outside a private school in south-west Delhi on Tuesday, following his death under suspicious circumstances earlier in the day. Also Read | What Is PM Kisan Yojna 19th Installment Date? Know How To Register and Avail Benefits of This Scheme. Prince, a resident of Kudumpur Pahari in Vasant Vihar and a student of class six, was allegedly taken to a hospital by school authorities, where he was declared brought dead, the police said. His family staged a protest outside the school demanding a thorough investigation and answers from the school authorities regarding the matter. Also Read | Who Is Krish Arora? Know All About 10-Year-Old Indian-British Prodigy With IQ Higher Than Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. Varshu, Price's aunt said that the school authorities took her nephew to a hospital, where he was declared dead, without informing them. Upon inquiring, the school authorities initially told that he was at the police station but later later it was informed that he had died following a fight with another student. She also alleged that the school dispersed the students before the scheduled departure time and added, "They are now asking us to come to the school for an inquiry only after my nephew's cremation." Kumar Pal, the boy's grandfather, said that they were informed that the child was injured and had been taken to a hospital. "I asked my brother, Saram Pal, to go to the school to check on him, but by the time he arrived, they had already taken him to the hospital," Kumar said. Expressing despair he said, "My grandson was healthy and had no prior physical issues. Something must have happened inside the school, but they are hiding it from us. We were not allowed to see his body and his father, who was with him, was asked to leave on the way." The incident took place at 8 am, but they were only informed at 8.30 am that their child was injured. Around 10 am the family members were informed about the child's death, he said. Information was received from Fortis hospital in Vasant Kunj at 10.15 am, stating that Prince had been brought dead, the police said. Upon enquiring and inspection of the body it was revealed that there was no visible injury on the body, but some foam like substance was oosing out from his mouth, the police said in a statement. Doctors verbally suggested that the boy might have had a convulsion-related condition, but inquest proceedings are underway. School students and teachers are being interrogated and necessary legal action will be taken accordingly, it said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Tuesday cleared MUFG Bank's and American conglomerate Koch Group's proposed acquisition of shareholding in logistics aggregator Shiprocket. "The proposed combination envisages acquisition of certain shareholding of Shiprocket Pvt Ltd by MUFG Bank Ltd," the CCI said in a release. Also Read | Who Is Krish Arora? Know All About 10-Year-Old Indian-British Prodigy With IQ Higher Than Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. MUFG Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (MUFG), being the ultimate parent company. It is engaged in banking services in India. In another release, fair trade regulator CCI said the proposed combination envisages acquisition of certain shareholding in Shiprocket Pvt Ltd by KDT Venture Holdings, LLC. Also Read | What Is 'Tankhah', Religious Punishment Given to Sukhbir Singh Badal by Akal Takht in 2015 Sacrilege Case?. KDT Venture Holdings LLC is an early-stage venture capital firm. It is a wholly owned subsidiary company of Koch, Inc. Koch is one of the largest private companies in the US after multinational food corporation Cargill Inc. Shiprocket operates a logistics platform whereby it provides logistics services to other businesses, domestically and internationally, through logistics service providers listed on its platform. "CCI approves the acquisition of certain shareholding of Shiprocket Private Limited by MUFG Bank Ltd and KDT Venture Holdings, LLC," the competition watchdog said. In October, Shiprocket reported a widening of loss to Rs 595 crore in the financial year 2024 on account of one-time restructuring cost, employee stock ownership plan and investments in emerging business. The company had posted a loss of Rs 340 crore in 2022-23. The deals beyond a certain threshold require approval from the regulator, which keeps a tab on unfair business practices as well as promotes fair competition in the marketplace. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], December 3 (ANI): Foreign affairs expert Abhijit Iyer-Mitra on Monday commented on US President Joe Biden's decision to pardon his son for gun crime and tax convictions, calling it an acknowledgment of the political nature of the American justice system. "What Joe Biden's pardoning of his son has done is it's the first time that somebody on the top, no less than the President himself, has finally admitted what we have always known--which is the American system is a completely political system," Iyer-Mitra stated. Also Read | Attack on Bangladesh Mission in Agartala: Interim Government Demands Thorough Investigation Into Attack on Diplomatic Mission Amid Arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das. He compared the pardon to previous high-profile legal cases, including the arrest of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade in New York by former US Attorney Preet Bharara. He suggested that such cases often serve to elevate the profiles of US attorneys pursuing political careers. "You remember what happened with Preet Bharara arresting Devyani Khobragade, our diplomat in New York? These attorneys have to come on the news; they have to become household names, and they need publicity. So, they need to pursue a political agenda because they are all up for political office out there," he remarked. Also Read | Philippines 'Food Poisoning': 3 Dead, 32 Hospitalised After Eating Endangered Sea Turtle Stew. Iyer-Mitra also pointed out that most US Presidents were "lawyers", implying that law serves as a stepping stone to political power. "most US Presidents have been lawyers. Lawyer is the first step to a political career...The American system always has been and always will be a completely political thing," he added. Earlier on Sunday, US President Joe Biden signed a pardon for his son, Robert Hunter Biden, who had been convicted on charges related to gun crimes and tax violations. The pardon ensures that Hunter Biden will not face sentencing for these offences and removes the possibility of prison time. Further expanding on his views, Iyer-Mitra criticised the recent US indictment of industrialist Adani, calling it "100 per cent political." He described the allegations in the indictment as unfounded, calling the allegation in the indictment "a joke." "It (US indictment on Adani) was 100 per cent political...What has been alleged in that indictment is a joke...We have known from day one that this was clear political interference because the gentleman who brought it--Breon Peace--is a political appointee," he said. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Dhaka, Dec 3 (PTI) Bangladesh on Tuesday summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to the Foreign Affairs Ministry office here, a day after Dhaka lodged a strong protest against the alleged vandalism of its mission in the Indian state of Tripura. Describing the India-Bangladesh relationship as multifaceted and one that cannot be reduced to a single issue or agenda, Verma told reporters after his meeting with acting foreign secretary Riaz Hamidullah that New Delhi remains interested in working with Dhaka to fulfill our shared aspirations for peace, security and development. Also Read | Bangladesh Mission in Agartala Suspends All Visa and Consular Services for Indefinite Period Following Security Breach. Earlier, Foreign Affairs Adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain said the Indian envoy was asked to come to the foreign office after the Agartala incident. India on Monday described as deeply regrettable the incident of the breach of the premises of the Bangladesh consulate in Agartala in the northeastern state of Tripura, bordering Bangladesh, by a group of people protesting the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das here. Also Read | Who Is Krish Arora? Know All About 10-Year-Old Indian-British Prodigy With IQ Higher Than Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. The comments by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) came hours after the protesters reportedly barged into the assistant high commission of Bangladesh and allegedly resorted to vandalism. The envoy described the relationship as multifaceted and wide-ranging, which could not sit with one issue or agenda and India is interested to work with Bangladesh government to fulfill the two countries' shared aspiration for peace, security and development. We are working across so many issues. And we really want to build a positive, stable, constructive relationship, he said. Verma also said pointed out the many interdependencies and Delhi is keen to build on that for mutual benefits. India will keep ensuring that the mutual cooperation benefits the two peoples, the number of positive developments that have taken place in the bilateral relationship in the last few months, whether it is trade, it is power transmission, supply of essential commodities, we have maintained lot of positive momentum in the relationship, he added. We are willing to engage with the interim government of Bangladesh, and we remain interested in working with the Government of Bangladesh to fulfill our shared aspirations for peace, security and development, the envoy added. Meanwhile, Bangladesh announced that all consular services at its Assistant High Commission in Agartala will remain suspended until further notice because of security reasons with immediate effect. Earlier in the day, terming the vandalism at Bangladesh's diplomatic mission in Agartala as India's failure, Law Affairs Adviser in the interim government Asif Nazrul asked New Delhi to reassess its neighbour afresh after the toppling of the Sheikh Hasina regime. We believe in a friendship based on equality and mutual respect. While Sheikh Hasina's government followed a pro-India policy to cling to power without elections, India must realise that this is not Sheikh Hasina's Bangladesh, he wrote in a Facebook post. Three days after Hasina fled to India following widespread protests against her Awami League-led government over a controversial job quota system, Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate, took over as the Chief Adviser of the interim government. The tension between the two neighbours simmering since August 5, when deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India, aggravated further with the arrest of the Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das last week. Nazrul alleged an outfit named Hindu Sangharsh Samiti was responsible for what he described as the disgraceful act when Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala was vandalised, and Bangladesh's national flag was set on fire. He emphasised that Bangladesh is an independent, sovereign, and self-respecting nation driven by a fearless and dynamic young generation. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington, December 3: The Biden Administration on Monday notified the Congress of its decision to approve the sale of MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter Equipment and related ones at an estimated cost of USD1.17 billion. The proposed sale will improve India's capability to deter current and future threats by upgrading its anti-submarine warfare capabilities, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a notification to the Congress. The Biden administration's approval of sale of major defense equipment to India comes weeks ahead of its completion of its four-year term. President-elect Donald Trump would be sworn in as 47th president of the United States of America on January 20, 2025. PM Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden Shake Hands During G-20 Summit in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro (Watch Video). According to the notification, India has requested to buy 30 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Joint Tactical Radio Systems (MIDS-JTRS). It also included advanced data transfer systems; external fuel tanks; AN/AAS 44C(V) forward looking infrared (FLIR) systems; an operator machine interface assistant; spare containers; facilities study, design, construction and support; support and test equipment; munitions; and integration and test support. US President Joe Biden Congratulates PM Narendra Modi and NDA on Winning Lok Sabha Elections 2024, Says 'Friendship Between Our Nations Is Only Growing'. The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems. Implementation of this sale will require travel of up to 20 US Government or up to 25 contractor representatives to India on a temporary basis for program technical support and management oversight, it said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Dhaka [Bangladesh], December 3 (ANI): India has wide-ranging, multi-faceted relationship with Bangladesh and India wants to build on inter-dependencies for mutual benefit, India's envoy in Dhaka said on Tuesday. "We have wide-ranging relationship, multi-faceted relationship and as I have said you cannot reduce it to one issue or one agenda. We are working across so many issues. We really want to build a positive, stable, constructive relationship moving forward. So many things we are doing. There are so many inter-dependencies we have and we want to build on those inter-dependencies to mutual benefits. We will keep ensuring our co-operation benefits our two peoples," Pranay Verma, Indian high Commissioner in Bangladesh, told the reporters after meeting with Bangladesh's Acting Foreign Secretary, Riaz Hamidullah. Also Read | Palestine: Hamas, Fatah Near Agreement on Who Will Oversee Postwar Gaza Strip. "Number of positive developments have taken place in our relationship in the last few months, whether it is trade, it is power transmission, supply of essential commodities. We have maintained lot of positive momentum in our relationship," the Indian envoy added. India has earlier expressed its concern over issues concerning minorities in Bangladesh. Also Read | South Korea Martial Law: South Korean Parliament Votes to Defy President Yoon Suk Yeol by Lifting His Declaration of Martial Law (Watch Videos). "We are willing to engage with Interim Government of Bangladesh and we remain interested in working with the Government of Bangladesh to fulfill our shared aspirations for peace, security and development," Verma said. The remarks came after Verma was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a day after breach at the premises of the Bangladesh acting High Commission in Agartala, reported Bangladesh newspaper Daily Star. India had yesterday termed as "deeply regrettable" the incident of the breach of premises at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala. "Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances. Government is taking action to step up security arrangements for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and their Deputy/Assistant High Commissions in the country," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said in a statement. The situation in Bangladesh has seen violence against minority communities and arrest of a spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das over sedition charges. India had earlier expressed deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote. "This incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There are several documented cases of arson and looting of minorities' homes and business establishments, as well as theft and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples," MEA had said in a statement on November 26. "It is unfortunate that while the perpetrators of these incidents remain at large, charges should be pressed against a religious leader presenting legitimate demands through peaceful gatherings. We also note with concern the attacks on minorities protesting peacefully against the arrest of Shri Das. We urge Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression," the statement added. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Karachi [Pakistan], December 3 (ANI): Sixteen terrorists were neutralized, and four security personnel, including two soldiers, were killed during multiple gun battles across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Punjab over the weekend, as law enforcement agencies repelled a series of attacks and conducted targeted operations against militants, Dawn reported. In Bannu district's Baka Khel area, an intelligence-based operation resulted in the killing of five terrorists, while nine others were injured. During the operation, 29-year-old Sepoy Iftikhar Hussain from Jhang embraced martyrdom. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that the operation was part of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts. Also Read | Attack on Bangladesh Mission in Agartala: Interim Government Demands Thorough Investigation Into Attack on Diplomatic Mission Amid Arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das. In a separate operation in the Shagai area of Khyber district, three militants were killed, and two others were apprehended. According to ISPR, 25-year-old Captain Muhammad Zohaibuddin from Lahore, who led his troops courageously during the exchange of fire, made the ultimate sacrifice. "During the intense exchange of fire, Captain Muhammad Zohaibuddin fought bravely, paid the ultimate sacrifice, and embraced shahadat [martyrdom]," the statement read. Local sources revealed that one of the assailants in the Khyber operation was allegedly involved in the killing of journalist Khalil Jibran earlier this year in June, reported Dawn. Also Read | Philippines 'Food Poisoning': 3 Dead, 32 Hospitalised After Eating Endangered Sea Turtle Stew. In Lakki Marwat's Darra Pezu town, a police official embraced martyrdom during a midnight attack on a police station. Armed terrorists launched a two-pronged assault with automatic weapons, aiming to breach the station. However, the attack was successfully repulsed. "The policemen deployed there effectively engaged the terrorists, and the gun battle continued for nearly one hour," a police official said. Policeman Karamatullah was martyred during the confrontation, and his body was shifted for funeral rites after legal formalities. In Punjab's Mianwali district, police thwarted a militant assault on Chapri police station. Punjab police stated that 20 militants armed with rocket launchers and grenades launched an hour-long attack. Despite the intensity of the assault, law enforcement personnel successfully countered it, killing four militants. The statement added that after the attack was thwarted, the police combed the area and found the bodies of four militants. Two police officers sustained injuries during the confrontation, Dawn reported. In another attack, unidentified gunmen targeted a police van in Paharpur on Sunday night, leading to the martyrdom of Assistant Sub-Inspector Mir Ghulam Marwat. Two constables, Rauf and Yousuf, were injured and later shifted to D.I. Khan for treatment due to the severity of their injuries. Meanwhile, in the Sherani district of Balochistan, four militants were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in the Mughal Kot area. Officials reported that the operation, launched on intelligence regarding the presence of armed militants, resulted in the neutralization of terrorists affiliated with a banned outfit. "The bodies of the militants who were killed in the operation were shifted to a nearby health facility," officials added. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) The Muslim Council of Elders stresses the importance of supporting people of determination on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. (Photo: WAM) Abu Dhabi [UAE], December 3 (ANI/WAM): The Muslim Council of Elders, led by Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, emphasised that people of determination are an essential element of the community structure. In a statement released on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed annually on December 3, the Council noted that Islamic principles firmly advocate for the human dignity of all individuals without discrimination and call for a supportive social, economic, and cultural environment that promotes equity and justice. Also Read | Palestine: Hamas, Fatah Near Agreement on Who Will Oversee Postwar Gaza Strip. The Council urged both institutions and individuals to establish the necessary conditions and resources that allow people of determination to overcome challenges and realise their ambitions. Throughout history, these individuals have demonstrated extraordinary capabilities in achievement and effort, making significant contributions that set them apart as exemplary figures of determination and perseverance. Also Read | South Korea Martial Law: South Korean Parliament Votes to Defy President Yoon Suk Yeol by Lifting His Declaration of Martial Law (Watch Videos). The statement further added that the Document on Human Fraternity, signed by Ahmed Al-Tayeb and Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi in February 2019, which reiterated that safeguarding the rights of vulnerable groups, including those with special needs, is a mandated religious and humanitarian obligation. The document specifies that ensuring appropriate support for these groups requires robust legislation and effective enforcement mechanisms to guarantee their dignity and provide them with opportunities to fully engage in society-building efforts. (ANI/WAM) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Luanda (Angola), Dec 3 (AP) President Joe Biden arrived for his long-awaited first presidential visit to sub-Saharan Africa on Monday to the cheers of thousands in Angola, where he will highlight an ambitious US-backed railway project meant to counter China's influence on the continent of over 1.4 billion people. Biden's three-day visit to Angola will focus largely on the Lobito Corridor railway redevelopment in Zambia, Congo and Angola. It aims to advance the US presence in a region rich in the critical minerals used in batteries for electric vehicles, electronic devices and clean energy technologies. Also Read | Attack on Bangladesh Mission in Agartala: Interim Government Demands Thorough Investigation Into Attack on Diplomatic Mission Amid Arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das. Biden's trip comes weeks before Republican Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20, finally delivering on Biden's pledge to visit sub-Saharan Africa. On his way to Angola, he stopped in the Atlantic Ocean island nation of Cape Verde for a brief, closed-door meeting with Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva. Biden plans to meet with Angolan President Joao Lourenco in the capital, Luanda, where crowds lined the streets for his arrival, and visit the National Slavery Museum. He also will travel to the Atlantic port city of Lobito for a look at the rail project. He will announce new developments on health, agribusiness and security, White House officials said. Also Read | Philippines 'Food Poisoning': 3 Dead, 32 Hospitalised After Eating Endangered Sea Turtle Stew. Biden had been expected to visit Africa last year after reviving the US-Africa Summit in December 2022. The trip was pushed back to 2024 and delayed again this October because of Hurricane Milton, reinforcing a sentiment among some Africans that their continent is still low priority for Washington. The last US president to visit sub-Saharan Africa was Barack Obama in 2015. Biden did attend a United Nations climate summit in Egypt in North Africa in 2022. I just kind of push back on the premise that this is some Johnny-come-lately trip at the very end, national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters on board Air Force One on the way to Angola, noting that top administration officials had visited Africa, including Vice President Kamala Harris. This is something he (Biden) has been focused on since he became president of the United States. A new strategy Critical minerals are a key field for US-China competition, and China has a stranglehold on Africa's critical minerals. The US has for years built relations in Africa through trade, security and humanitarian aid. The 800-mile (1,300-kilometer) railway upgrade is a different move and has shades of China's Belt and Road foreign infrastructure strategy. The Biden administration has called the corridor one of the president's signature initiatives, yet Lobito's future and any change in US engagement with the continent depends on the incoming administration of President-elect Trump. President Biden is no longer the story, said Mvemba Dizolele, director of the Africa Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank. Even African leaders are focused on Donald Trump. A fit for Trump's vision? The US has committed USD 3 billion to the Lobito Corridor and related projects, administration officials said, alongside financing from the European Union, the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations, a Western-led private consortium and African banks. A lot is riding on this in terms of its success and its replicability, said Tom Sheehy, a fellow at the United States Institute of Peace, a nonpartisan federal research institution. He called it a flagship for the G7's new Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, which was driven by Biden and aims to reach other developing nations as a response to China's Belt and Road. Many are optimistic that the Lobito project, which won't be complete until well after Biden has left office, will survive a change of administration. Blunting China has bipartisan backing and is high on Trump's to-do list. As long as they keep labeling Lobito one of the main anti-China tools in Africa, there is a certain likelihood that it's going to keep being funded, said Christian-Geraud Neema, who analyzes China-Africa relations for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Kirby said the Biden administration hopes Trump and his team see the value in Lobito but we are still in office. We still have 50 days. This is a key major development not just for the United States and our foreign policy goals in Africa, but for Africans. Only a starting point The Lobito Corridor will be an upgrade and extension of a railway line from the copper and cobalt mines of northern Zambia and southern Congo to Angola's port of Lobito, strengthening a route west for Africa's critical minerals. It also ultimately aims to extend from Zambia and Congo to Africa's east coast through Tanzania and be a coast-to-coast rail link. While Biden's administration called it a game-changer for US investment in Africa, it's little more than a starting point for the US and its partners, with China dominant in mining in Zambia and Congo. Congo has more than 70% of the world's cobalt, with most heading to China to reinforce its critical mineral supply chain that the US and Europe rely on. Michelle Gavin, a former adviser on Africa to Obama, said the US had failed to take Africa seriously over multiple administrations, a bipartisan trend. The Lobito Corridor was not just about trying to blunt China, but trying to imagine, OK, what does it look like if we actually were to show up in a more serious way? she said. It's one project. It's one good idea. And I'm very glad we're doing it. It's not enough. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New York, Dec 3 (AP) President-elect Donald Trump will attend the reopening celebration for Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris this weekend, his first foreign trip since the election. The cathedral will reopen after more than five years of reconstruction following a devastating 2019 fire. The invite-only ceremonies Saturday and Sunday are expected to be high-security affairs, with about 50 heads of state and government expected to attend. Also Read | Attack on Bangladesh Mission in Agartala: Interim Government Demands Thorough Investigation Into Attack on Diplomatic Mission Amid Arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das. Trump announced his trip in a post on his Truth Social site Monday evening. It is an honor to announce that I will be traveling to Paris, France, on Saturday to attend the re-opening of the Magnificent and Historic Notre Dame Cathedral, which has been fully restored after a devastating fire five years ago, he wrote. President Emmanuel Macron has done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so. It will be a very special day for all! (AP) Also Read | Philippines 'Food Poisoning': 3 Dead, 32 Hospitalised After Eating Endangered Sea Turtle Stew. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Geneva [Switzerland], December 3 (ANI/WAM): Donor governments pledged a record USD 1.143 billion today to provide protection, life-saving assistance and solutions to millions of people uprooted by the increasing number of conflicts across the world, showing their support for the work of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its partners in 2025. Along with a commitment of USD 355 million from UNHCR's private sector National Partners, the total amount announced is USD 1.5 billion, covering 15 per cent of anticipated needs for the year. These resources will allow UNHCR to start the year with greater confidence and continue its work, a lifeline to many forcibly displaced people, delivering aid in emergencies, providing protection and humanitarian assistance, and seeking longer-term solutions. Also Read | Palestine: Hamas, Fatah Near Agreement on Who Will Oversee Postwar Gaza Strip. Governments attending UNHCR's pledging conference today also guaranteed USD 283 million in funding for 2026 and beyond. This is crucial to the planning and stability of UNHCR's long-term programmes aimed at fostering lasting solutions. "We live in a world ravaged by brutal and seemingly endless conflicts that tear lives apart and send people on a desperate flight for safety," said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. "The robust support shown today to refugees and other forcibly displaced people resonates as a much-needed message of solidarity and humanity. The pledges made are a commitment to save lives, restore dignity and bring hope to millions of people forced to flee". Also Read | South Korea Martial Law: South Korean Parliament Votes to Defy President Yoon Suk Yeol by Lifting His Declaration of Martial Law (Watch Videos). UNHCR's Global Appeal asks donors for USD 10.248 billion in funding for 2025 to support forcibly displaced and stateless people, the majority living close to their countries of origin. With forced displacement at unprecedented levels, about 123 million people forcibly displaced worldwide, securing these funds will be crucial to respond to both new conflicts and long-standing crises. With the funding UNHCR received in 2024, by mid-year, over 3 million people had been individually registered, 1.2 million supported with their civil identity or legal status, and over 500,000 received legal assistance. Across UNHCR operations, over 2 million people received life-saving cash assistance, over 9.5 million individual consultations were conducted in UNHCR-supported health care centres, 5.6 million people were supported with access to water and sanitation services and 630,000 received shelter and housing assistance. In 2025, escalating conflicts, intensifying natural disasters and ongoing crises are expected to drive further displacement and suffering. Durable solutions, however, remain unattainable for many, as refugees are displaced for an average of 20 years and most internally displaced people for more than a decade. (ANI/WAM) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) BEIJING, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese capital of Beijing has solidified its appeal as a hub for foreign investment through continuous efforts to improve its business environment. Beijing hosts 252 regional headquarters of multinational companies and 149 foreign-funded research and development (R&D) centers. In the first eight months of 2024, 121 major foreign-funded R&D centers in the municipality invested 13.77 billion yuan (about 1.92 billion U.S. dollars) in R&D, up 29.9 percent year on year. "Beijing has consistently prioritized improving its business environment as a crucial strategy to transform government functions, boost the vitality of enterprises, and strengthen the internal drivers of economic growth," Beijing's Deputy Mayor Sima Hong said. For seven consecutive years, the Beijing municipal government has updated its business environment reform plan -- introducing more than 1,500 reform measures in this process. Tetsuro Homma, executive vice president of Panasonic Holdings Corporation and group chief executive for China & Northeast Asia, told Xinhua that since Panasonic established its joint venture in Beijing in 1987, the company has witnessed and benefited significantly from improvements in the city's business environment. "China boasts a vast market, a comprehensive industrial and supply chain, strong adaptability to new technologies, and immense economic development potential, offering enterprises extensive opportunities for growth," said Homma. "Major foreign firms are bullish on China's long-term growth prospects," said Li Yang, secretary-general of the Beijing Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment, while adding that foreign firms continue to regard the country as a preferred investment destination. To improve its business environment further, Beijing is also striving to transform and elevate its reform achievements into regulations. On July 1 this year, Beijing's first special regulation on foreign investment took effect. Moreover, Beijing on Friday passed the newly revised regulation on optimizing its business environment, representing the capital's latest effort to promote further opening up and boost its appeal to global investors. This regulation took effect in 2020 and was first revised in 2022. Zhang Jiachun, managing partner of Chinese law firm East & Concord Partners, noted that this effort will further foster a stable, fair, transparent and predictable business environment. "The revision of the regulation demonstrates the municipal government's strong commitment to enhancing the business environment and supporting enterprise development in the city -- which reinforces our confidence in growing in Beijing," said Yu Feng, president of Honeywell China, adding that the company will expand its investment in the capital. Honeywell, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in the United States, has been present in the Chinese market for nearly 90 years. It has formed a full value chain in China, ranging from manufacturing and technology R&D to procurement and supply chain, and has actively joined hands with upstream and downstream enterprises in the supply chain to effectively integrate into local economic development. New Delhi [India], December 3 (ANI): On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the World Health Organisation (WHO) South-East Asia Region has called for amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities to foster an inclusive and sustainable future. WHO's Regional Director, Saima Wazed, stressed that empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring their active participation in all sectors is essential to addressing the barriers they face, particularly in healthcare and during humanitarian crises. Also Read | South Korea Unrest: Martial Law Troops Enter National Assembly Compound After President Yoon Suk Yeol Declared Emergency Martial Law. According to Wazed, over 1.3 billion people globally live with some form of disability, and in the South-East Asia Region, approximately 16 per cent of the population is affected by significant disability. These numbers are rising, driven by factors like chronic ailments and an ageing population. Unfortunately, people with disabilities continue to face widespread discrimination in healthcare. They are three times more likely to be denied healthcare, four times more likely to be mistreated within healthcare systems, and 50 per cent more likely to experience catastrophic health expenditure. In low-income countries, over half of persons with disabilities cannot afford essential healthcare. Also Read | Bangladesh Mission in Agartala Suspends All Visa and Consular Services for Indefinite Period Following Security Breach. "Disability inclusion should be considered in all our technical guidance and advisory groups, program design teams, evaluation criteria & indicators, inclusive research & local ethics, and in events, media, and communication," Wazed emphasised. This commitment extends beyond just healthcare to encompass all aspects of WHO's work, ensuring that disability perspectives are integrated into the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs. Wazed further highlighted the importance of engaging persons with disabilities in the development of health policies and services. "We need to ensure that disability inclusion is part of the fabric of everything we do," she stated. In alignment with the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS), WHO has strengthened its internal policies to promote the involvement of persons with disabilities across all its operations. The WHO's reasonable accommodation policy ensures that employees with disabilities receive the necessary support to fully participate in the organisation's work. This extends to all staff members, including consultants, interns, and even meeting participants. "WHO's reasonable accommodation policy supports this and is available to employees with disabilities, including staff, consultants, interns, volunteers, employees who have dependents with disabilities, and even our meeting participants," Wazed explained. To further promote inclusion, WHO South-East Asia has introduced several initiatives aimed at enhancing the participation of persons with disabilities. One key initiative, the SEARO CARE program, focuses on the health and wellbeing of staff and their family members with disabilities. The goal is to create a supportive and respectful work environment. Additionally, the WHO South-East Asia Region's ROADMAP for equity and inclusion outlines specific steps to integrate disability inclusion, mental health, and psychosocial support into emergency settings, reflecting the urgency of addressing the needs of persons with disabilities during crises. WHO's efforts also extend to building the capacity of its programs to address disability inclusion more effectively. Wazed noted that one of the key challenges is a limited understanding of disability and the health inequalities faced by persons with disabilities. A common misconception is that persons with disabilities only require rehabilitation and assistive technology, but Wazed emphasised that inclusion must encompass a wider range of health needs, including mental health and psychosocial support. In emergency situations such as natural disasters, conflicts, and pandemics, persons with disabilities are among the most vulnerable. Wazed stressed that addressing their health needs goes beyond physical accessibility to include social inclusion and mental health support. "We need to recognise the critical need to integrate disability and social inclusion into emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. These inclusive approaches are vital for ensuring equitable access to services, protecting human rights, and upholding the dignity of all individuals," she said. To support these goals, WHO recently launched the "Health Equity for Persons with Disabilities: A Guide for Action," a national health planning tool designed to help ministries of health integrate disability-inclusive actions into their broader health systems. Nepal has already begun implementing the guide, and Wazed urged other countries in the region to adopt the tool as well. This guide helps ensure that persons with disabilities are fully integrated into primary healthcare systems, emphasising the importance of cross-sector engagement. The Global Report on Health Equity for Persons with Disabilities outlines three key principles that WHO encourages all countries to follow. First, health equity for persons with disabilities should be central to any health sector action. Second, persons with disabilities and their representative organisations must be actively involved in planning and implementing health actions. Finally, it is crucial to monitor and evaluate the impact of health sector actions to ensure that they lead to genuine health equity for persons with disabilities. As the WHO South-East Asia Region celebrates the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Wazed reaffirms the organisation's commitment to leaving no one behind. "Let us reiterate our commitment to leaving no one behind, address the health inequities that persons with disabilities experience, and promote leadership for an inclusive and sustainable future," she concluded. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Sukumar's Pushpa 2: The Rule, starring Allu Arjun, stands as the most awaited film of 2024 in India. The movie also stars Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil in lead roles. After witnessing the thrilling cinematic experience of the film's first instalment, Pushpa: The Rise, in 2021, expectations for the sequel are sky-high. This has further increased the demand for tickets, causing prices to skyrocket. Even before its release, Pushpa 2 broke is breaking records. The Telugu film became the fastest movie to sell 12 lakh tickets on BookMyShow, surpassing hits like Kalki 2898 AD and KGF 2. Pushpa 3: Title for Allu Arjun and Sukumars Next Instalment REVEALED Ahead of Pushpa 2 Release Check Details. Pushpa 2 To Run Special Shows on December 4 Sukumar's Pushpa 2: The Rule, starring Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil, will be released on Thursday (December 5) on 12,000 screens worldwide. Not just that, Pushpa 2 also became the first Indian movie to receive a higher number of IMAX screens for release. On Monday (December 2), the Telangana Government granted permission to hike the prices for the tickets to the film and also approved screening of special shows. Watch the Trailer of Pushpa 2 The Rule: Just a day before the release, alongside the premiere, special shows of Pushpa 2 will be screened on Wednesday, December 4. The special shows will cost INR 800 onwards and start at 9:30 PM. 1 Million Tickets of Pushpa 2-The Rule Sold on BookMyShow; Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandannas Film Earns INR 50 Crore in Day 1 Advance Bookings. Written and directed by Sukumar, Pushpa 2 is produced by Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar Writings. The movie also features Jagapathi Babu, Sunil, Jagadeesh Prathap Bandari, Anasuya Bharadwaj, Dhananjaya Daali, and Rao Ramesh in supporting roles. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 03, 2024 09:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Mumbai, December 3: According to the All India Sarafa Association, the prices of gold fell by INR 200 to Rs 79,200 per 10 grams in Delhi on Monday, December 2, amid weak trends in the international market. Notably, the yellow metal of 99.9 per cent purity had closed at INR 79,400 per 10 grams on Friday, November 29. The prices of gold have been witnessing a decline in the past few days. According to Good Returns, gold is priced at INR 7,089 per gram for 22 karat gold and INR 7,734 per gram for 24 karat gold, also known as 999 gold today, December 3. The decline in gold prices is due to the US dollar strengthening in the international market. Having said that, traders and experts believe gold prices will rise further. So, if you are planning to buy gold, scroll down to know the prices of the yellow metal in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and other metro cities. Vivah Panchami 2024 Date and Shubh Muhurat: Auspicious Timings, Puja Vidhi, Significance and Rituals To Celebrate the Divine Wedding of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. Check Prices of Gold (Per Gram) in Metro Cities Today, December 3 City 22 Carat Gold Rate on December 3 24 Carat Gold Rate on December 3 Delhi INR 7,104 INR 7,749 Mumbai INR 7,089 INR 7,734 Ahmedabad INR 7,094 INR 7,749 Chennai INR 7,089 INR 7,734 Kolkata INR 7,089 INR 7,734 Gurugram INR 7,145 INR 7,793 Lucknow INR 7,104 INR 7,749 Bengaluru INR 7,089 INR 7,734 Jaipur INR 7,104 INR 7,749 Patna INR 7,094 INR 7,810 Bhubaneshwar INR 7,089 INR 7,734 Hyderabad INR 7,089 INR 7,734 Besides gold, prices of silver also plummeted to INR 2,200 to INR 90,000 per Kg due to reduced offtake by industrial units and coin makers. Notably, silver had closed at INR 92,200 per Kg in the previous trading session. Today, December 3, silver is priced at INR 91 per gram and INR 91,000 per kilogram. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 03, 2024 10:18 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Srinagar, December 3: Firing exchanges started on Monday evening between the security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K)'s Srinagar district, officials said. Officials added that some firing exchanges took place late Monday evening between the security forces and terrorists in the upper mountain belt of the Harwan area in the Srinagar district. "These firing exchanges started during a CASO (Cordon and Search Operation) launched by the security forces after specific input about the presence of terrorists in the area." "The cordon around the area where terrorists are believed to be hiding has been tightened. The operation was resumed with the first light on Tuesday morning," officials said. Jammu and Kashmir Encounter: Terrorist Killed During Gunfight in Bandipora District, Operation Underway. Security forces have increased operations against the terrorists in the recent past following several attacks carried out by the terrorists. Terrorists killed seven people on October 20 when they attacked the workers' camp of an infrastructure project company in the Gagangir area of the Ganderbal district. On October 24, terrorists killed three Army soldiers and two civilian porters when they attacked an Army vehicle in the Botapathri area of Gulmarg in Baramulla district. The killings of nine civilians and three Army soldiers in the two attacks on Gagangir and Gulmarg were widely condemned. On November 2, terrorists hurled a grenade at the busy Sunday Market near the tourist reception centre in Srinagar. A 42-year-old mother of three children was killed and nine other civilians were injured in this grenade attack. J&K Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, said after these two attacks that those involved in these attacks would have to pay a huge price. He added that every drop of civilian blood shed would be avenged. Jammu and Kashmir: Encounter Breaks Out Between Security Forces and Terrorists in Sopore, 1 Terrorist Killed. Security forces have aggressively started targeting terrorists, their overground workers (OGWs), and sympathisers. The campaign against drug smugglers and peddlers has been increased. Intelligence agencies say that the proceeds from the drug trade are used to sustain terrorism while a portion of these drugs are distributed among the youth to subordinate them to the dictates of the terror handlers. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 03, 2024 08:13 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). New Delhi, December 3: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday said the violence in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal was part of a "well-planned" conspiracy and that the talk of "khudai" (digging) across the country by the BJP and its associates will end up hurting communal amity. Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister squarely blamed the local police and administration for the recent violence in Sambhal. He alleged that police personnel fired from official and personal weapons, killing five innocent people and injuring dozens after some locals pelted stones at them to protest their high-handedness. The MP from Kannauj demanded the suspension of guilty officials and registration of a murder case against them to ensure that there is no such "violation" of the Constitution again. Akhilesh Yadav, amid occasional interruptions from the treasury benches, suggested that the BJP's inner politics was also at work and claimed that it was a "battle" between Delhi and Lucknow. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress MPs to Visit Violence-hit Sambhal Tomorrow. While the SP president spoke in the Lok Sabha, his uncle and Ram Gopal Yadav raised the matter in the Rajya Sabha and echoed similar views. Ram Gopal Yadav said Sambhal was converted into a police zone and people were baffled why it was being done. At one point, water started flowing out of the mosque and people thought some mischief was happening inside. Peace was disturbed with police opening fire, in which five people were killed and several injured, he said. Ram Gopal Yadav, however, failed to complete his speech and Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said certain parts of his statement would not go on record. At this, the SP and some other opposition parties staged a walkout. In his speech in the Lok Sabha, Akhilesh Yadav claimed the violence was part of a "well-planned" conspiracy. The Uttar Pradesh bypolls were first shifted to November 20 from November 13 and a local civil judge (senior division) ordered the survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid on the same day a petition was filed claiming that a temple once stood at the site, he elaborated. The court passed the order on November 19 without listening to the mosque committee and it is surprising that the local administration reached for the survey within a couple of hours, he said. "It is not without basis when we say that the government does not follow the Constitution," he said. Everyone cooperated and the survey was completed. Muslim groups started preparing to argue their case in the next hearing on November 29, the SP president said. Sambhal Violence: DM Issues Prohibitory Orders Till December 10, Prohibits Gathering of 5 Or More People Without Permission. Akhilesh Yadav Alleges Violence Sambhal a Well-Planned Conspiracy However, the administration said on November 23 that another survey would be carried out the next day. Muslim groups suggested that another survey should be done only after the court passes another direction but the administration was "dictatorial", he said. While the mosque committee showed patience during the survey on November 24, the circle officer abused locals and ordered a lathi-charge when asked for reasons by locals, Akhilesh Yadav alleged. A few people then threw stones, resulting in police personnel firing at them, he said. However, police have claimed that they did not fire bullets. The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered a judicial probe into the matter. On Hindu groups in parts of the country raising the issue of some mosques, including the famous shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer, being built after allegedly demolishing Hindu temples, Akhilesh Yadav said this talk of digging across the country will end up hurting the communal amity, brotherhood and "Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb". He made a brief mention of the Places of Worship (Special Provision) Act which provides for the maintenance of religious character of places of worship as it existed on August 15, 1947. Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MP E T Mohammed Basheer said this Act is now under threat and described the Sambhal incident as shocking. "The peaceful coexistence (of different communities) in this country is becoming more and more difficult. We have to preserve our secularism," he said. Basheer alleged the government is supporting the campaign aimed at targeting mosques and demanded a comprehensive inquiry by a judicial commission. Akhilesh Yadav also spoke outside Parliament and said the Uttar Pradesh government was behind the incident. The BJP should look at Kailash Mansarovar, a Hindu pilgrimage site located in China, instead of "digging" everywhere. A day might come when China might not allow Indians to go for darshan, he said. Chennai, December 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi dialled Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin on Tuesday and assured all possible help to deal with the flood situation and devastation caused by Cyclone Fengal. Sources in the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's office told IANS that during the phone call, Prime Minister Modi took stock of the relief and rescue measures. On Monday, Chief Minister Stalin wrote a letter to Prime Minister Modi requesting Rs 2,000 crore from the National Disaster Relief Funds (NDRF) as interim relief to carry out rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts following the widespread and massive devastation caused by the Cyclone. Cyclone Fengal Update: Cyclonic Storm Makes Landfall Near Puducherry, Video Shows Gusty Winds at Tamil Nadus Chengalpattu. In his letter to Prime Minister Modi, CM Stalin highlighted that the torrential rains coupled with heavy winds wreaked havoc across various districts in the state. The Chief Minister pointed out that the calamity resulted in the loss of 12 lives, inundation of 2,11,139 hectares of agricultural and horticultural land, destruction of 1,649 kilometres of electric conductors, 23,664 electric poles, and 997 transformers. It also damaged 9,576 kilometres of roads, 1,847 culverts, and 417 tanks, besides causing extensive damage to infrastructure, houses, and huts. Chief Minister said: "The deluge has caused extensive disruptions, inundating vast areas, displacing populations, and severely impacting infrastructure and livelihoods. A total of 69 lakh families and 1.5 crore individuals have been adversely affected by this calamity." He further added: "The districts of Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, and Kallakurichi, in particular, received rainfall equivalent to an entire season's average - more than 50 cm in a single day, resulting in widespread flooding and severe damage to infrastructure and crops." Cyclone Fengal Update: Schools Shut, Fishers Told To Avoid Sea in Tamil Nadu As Cyclonic Storm Set To Make Landfall Today Near Chennai (Watch Videos). After detailing the steps taken by the State government to mitigate the aftermath of the calamity, CM Stalin said the initial assessment estimates that Rs 2,475 crore was required for temporary restoration efforts. CM Stalin said, "Despite our best efforts, the scale of this disaster has overwhelmed the State's resources, and we urgently need financial assistance to manage the fallout of this natural disaster. Given the magnitude of destruction and the urgent need for restoration, I humbly request the immediate release of an interim relief amounting to Rs 2,000 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund." He said this assistance would significantly aid emergency restoration and rehabilitation efforts. The Chief Minister also urged Prime Minister Modi to depute a central team to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the damages. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 03, 2024 01:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Prime Minister Narendra Modi watched 'The Sabarmati Report', a film based on the 2002 Godhra train burning, at a special screening in the Parliament Library building on Monday. Producer Ekta Kapoor expressed her gratitude on social media, thanking the Prime Minister for his kind words and encouragement, as he praised the filmmakers' efforts after viewing the film. Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the film 'The Sabarmati Report', which he watched with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He lauded the film for bringing to light the truth of the Godhra incident, which had been hidden for years. A bizarre turn of events unfolded in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, where a groom was held hostage by the brides family after the wedding was called off. Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday evening met Maharashtra's caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at his official residence in Mumbai, a day ahead of the BJP's legislature party meeting. On 2 December Paraguays ruling Asociacion Nacional Republicana-Partido Colorado (ANR-PC) used its majority in the senate to push through a reform that will keep the same senate leadership in place until 2027. End of preview - This article contains approximately 358 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 2 December Nicaraguan independent media outlets reported that Russias government had approved an inter-governmental agreement regarding military cooperation with Nicaragua. End of preview - This article contains approximately 398 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options New Jerseys gas tax will rise by 2.6 cents per gallon in January, with the money going to fund the states transportation projects, state officials announced Monday. There will be an increase from 31.8 cents to 34.4 cents a gallon for gasoline, and from 35.8 cents to 38.4 cents for diesel fuel. Combined with the motor fuels tax, thats going to give consumers an overall tax of 44.9 cents and 51.9 cents a gallon for gas and diesel, respectively. Based on our review of the consumption data, combined with the requirement to meet the new statutory target, we have determined that the new formula dictates a 2.6 cent increase this coming January, said state Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio. We are pleased that this dedicated funding stream continues to provide billions of dollars across the state to support our critical transportation infrastructure needs. The gas tax is earmarked for the Transportation Trust Fund, which helps finance the states highway and rail projects. For a long time, New Jersey posted some of the lowest gas taxes in the nation as few governors were enthusiastic about raising it in a state so reliant on cars. That came to an end in 2017, the last year of former Gov. Chris Christies term, when he and lawmakers agreed to raise the tax and assess it each year. New Jerseys gas tax ranked 8th highest in the nation last January, according to a study by the Tax Foundation. The newest increase set for 2025 came as the result of a law Gov. Phil Murphy this year that gradually raises the fuel cap until 2029. The state said Monday it has projected a nearly 1% increase in gas and diesel fuel consumption for next year. Jelani Gibson may be reached at jgibson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X at @jelanigibson1 and on LinkedIn. A criminal who admitted to having an assault rifle in a Dublin residential area wants to be moved from his current prison after witnessing a murder in a cell, a court has heard. Eric O'Driscoll (22) was due to have a sentencing hearing this morning before the Special Criminal Court having pleaded guilty earlier this year to possession of a .223 calibre Remington AR-15 semi-automatic rifle at Ratoath Drive in Finglas on January 9, 2022 in circumstances giving rise to the reasonable inference that he did not have it for a lawful purpose. O'Driscoll's barrister Seamus Clarke SC told the three-judge court on Monday that his client wished for the hearing to go ahead having "witnessed a murder inside prison, in a cell." Following sentencing, it is expected that O'Driscoll would be moved to a different prison. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, presiding, adjourned the hearing for logistical reasons. O'Driscoll was due to go on trial later this year with his brother Glen Ward (31), who faces a charge of possession of an AR-15 rifle and another of reckless discharge of a firearm at Ratoath Drive in Finglas on January 1, 2022. There are reporting restrictions about the precise addresses of the two accused, the date of their next appearance before the court and the prisons in which they are being held. An American who is accused of murdering his father in a luxury Laois hotel has been remanded in custody. Henry McGowan(30) of 114 Clinton Street, Brooklyn, New York, is accused of murdering John McGowan(60) at Ballyfin Demesne, Laois on November 12, 2024. The defendant appeared in court from custody via video link wearing a grey sweatshirt. Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald asked that he be remanded in court for two weeks to appear in person before Cloverhill District Court. He said the defendant was being assessed by Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Stephen Monks and he requested a memo of garda interview notes to assist with the assessment. Detective Garda Ger Galwey asked to amend the original charge sheet to remove The Lodge from the address on the original charge sheet. Mr Fitzgerald said there was no objection to the amendment. Judge Andrew Cody allowed the amendment and granted the request for the garda memos. He remanded the defendant in custody to be produced before Cloverhill District Court on December 13. 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. Ukrainian citizens who are living in Laois because of the Russian invasion, are being credited with helping to save villages from decline by a county councillor. Cllr Ollie Clooney spoke at the November meeting of Laois County Council where he complained about the lack of new infrastructure in Laois villages to enable new housing. "In Ballacolla it's 26 years since a house was built inside the speed limits. the only thing that saved the village was foreigners coming in, and that was because of a war. "I want to ask about the prospect of rezoning land. It takes so long, we have to work on it now. There is a need for waste water facilities in villages," he said. He said it was "barely mentioned" in the General Election campaign. "There is a new Government coming in, they have to look after the rural villages, keep the shop going, the school. We don't want to have places that when you drive through they look like America, with tumbleweed blowing through them. And ten mile down the road there's houses on top of each other. "I'm not going to shut up about this. One thing I was elected for, we want more houses in rural areas," Cllr Clooney said. The council removed residential zoning in some villages, claimed Cllr Ben Brennan. Ive a contractor mad to build in Doonane and Crettyard. Weve two schools, we need people kept in the area. There are all the sewerage services yet they cant get more houses. Children need a bit of room to play, we need a bit of grass to cut. Houses get piled on each other in estates. Ive been asked is there any land t out houses on, but the land was dezoned, he said. Cllr Brennan said were losing to Ballylinan. We want our own town to grow, our school is under nourished as regards students, he said. The Laois County Council Director for Housing Angela McEvoy had no easy answer for them. "Where there is no public infrastructure it's very hard to make a case to zone land (for residential use). They will be depending on septic tanks or private wells. That said, we are very much looking at land banks because there is an appetite there throughout the county," she said. "In rezoning for Ballacolla, there are some lands zoned and we are open to discussion with landowners. Like other villages in the west of Laois, services is the issue. We are not in a position to fund every town and village. But we are open to individual sites where they can accommodate a private septic tank and water supply," the housing director said. There are some 1,577 Ukrainian citizens temporarily living in Laois, according to latest available Laois County Council figures. After the closure of some emergency accommodation centres, a small number were moved outside Laois to accommodation elsewhere. Five centres remaine in Laois. About 75 Ukraine households are in private homes under the Offer A Home scheme. A Rathdowney housing estate built for Ukrainian families to accommodate 168 more people. Laois is also home to a number of International Protection Applicants, and to Syrian war refugees, with their integration supported by the council by the offer of English classes, services, employment courses and community events. Do you have a proven track record in HR, OD or change leadership in a large complex organisation? An Garda Siochana is growing at scale and changing at pace to meet the future needs of society in Ireland. In this context, the organisation needs a modern, vibrant Human Resources function, with the capability and capacity to influence, shape and partner with the wider organisation on delivering on its ambitions and goals for the future. The ideal candidate for this role will have extensive leadership experience at a senior level in large, complex and high performing organisations. They will have built and delivered Human Resource strategies and plans, across all aspects of Human Resources to enable change. READ NEXT: Man arrested in connection with murder of 8-year-old girl in Wexford The Executive Director will operate in the dynamic environment of a large and complex organisation with a wide geographical spread. As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Executive Director will share organisational responsibility for the leadership, management, policy and strategic direction of An Garda Siochana in delivering its goals. Essential qualifications include a third level qualification in a relevant discipline(s) commensurate with the role, and/or accreditation by an appropriate professional body. For more information on the job specs and how to apply click HERE A Dunlavin historian has written an exciting new book on Irish revolutionary figure, Robert Barton. Chris Lawlor's book, 'Robert Barton: A Remarkable Revolutionary' will be launched by Brian Crowley (Curator of Kilmainham Gaol and the Pearse Museum) in the Fox in the Bunditch, Stephen Street, Dunlavin, on Thursday 12 December. One of the most enigmatic figures to emerge from the Irish Revolution, Robert Barton's place in history was assured when he signed the Anglo-Irish treaty. Although he was a confidante of de Valera, Barton accepted the terms on offer in 1921. He voted for the document in both the Cabinet and the Dail, recommending the treaty to the House in his Treaty Debate speech. Subsequently, however, he took the anti-treaty side in the Civil War. Although he was central to the birth of the nation, Barton has remained understudied and neglected. This first study of his life focuses on his role during the Irish Revolution, charting his political journey from a Unionist background through Dual Monarchism and Home Rule to Republicanism and his later anti-treaty stance. Using multiple sources, including extensive archival material, the book traces the life, times and legacy of this remarkable revolutionary. The launch in Dunlavin is at 8 p.m., but books will be on sale at 20 per copy from 7 p.m. to facilitate anyone who cannot stay late. All welcome on the night. Drinks industry entrepreneur, innovator and founder of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Patrick J Rigney has invested in Changing Times Brewery, the newly launched brewery in Glasnevin, Dublin backed by the families behind some of Dublins best known pubs. Mr Rigney will join the brewery as Chair, with his involvement bringing its total investment to over 2m. This is Mr Rigneys first involvement in a brewery. The idea for the brewery came from listening to the feedback from customers over the years, which led to conversations between the publican families and then detailed discussions on creating their own brewery. As well as Mr Rigney, it is backed by brewer Shane Long, publican Benny McCabe and the publican families behind The Ferryman, The Palace, The Long Hall, The Swan, Darkey Kellys, The Bankers, Arthur Maynes in Donnybrook, Devitts, Doheny & Nesbitts, Sheehans, Lemon & Duke, The Bridge 1859, The Blackrock, The Bank and McSorleys. Initially the new beers are being stocked in the pubs of the founding members, with further pubs expected to be announced soon. I was greatly flattered when I was asked to get involved in Changing Times Brewery, which I think represents a real innovation in the Irish beer market, Mr Rigney said. What attracted me was the family dimension of this business, which very much aligns with our values in The Shed Distillery. The families behind this brewery are steeped in the pub heritage of Dublin and Ireland with years and years of experience in catering to their customers tastes. They are a part of the fabric of Dublin's social culture. Who could be better placed to deliver authentic, refreshingly Irish, locally brewed beers. Im excited to come on board and to help them deliver a timely change for customers at the pub counter, he concluded. Patrick J Rigney is the Founder and Owner of The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney, behind renowned brands such as Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, Sausage Tree Pure Irish Vodka and other globally recognised brands. Prior to founding The Shed Distillery with his wife Denise, the drinks industry pioneer was instrumental in establishing Irish drinks brands as global leaders, including the worlds number one selling liqueur brand Baileys during its formative years, and Sheridans Irish Cream Liqueur. He has since gone on to invent over 20 other international drinks brands including the famous Boru Vodka/Castle Brands, which developed a range of successful spirits brands before successfully exiting in 2005 through an IPO on the AMEX (New York, USA) with a valuation of over $100m. Mr Rigneys involvement in Changing Times was also hailed by Marcus Houlihan of The Long Hall. It is absolutely fantastic to have a man of Patricks experience, creativity, innovation, connections and more join Changing Times, Mr Houlihan commented. Everyone involved in the drinks industry recognises what a titan he is and his history of achievement. He has such a proven track record in launching brands, building up their customer base and expanding their markets. Having him involved with Changing Times adds a whole other dimension to our new brewery and we are all really looking forward to working with him to bring change to pub customers across Dublin and beyond, he added. READ MORE: An election to remember with four familiar Sligo-Leitrim faces to enter the 34th Dail The Sligo-Leitrim-South Donegal constituency tends to be a rather predictable one. However, this time, unexpected twists and turns added an element of surprise to the race. The biggest talking point of the election was the uncertain fate of Marian Harkins seat. Tallies painted a very worrying picture for Harkin, and her first preference votes saw a dramatic shift compared to 2020 - a 38 percent drop from her previous performance. In a video interview with Leitrim Observers Marie Conboy, Harkin admitted she didnt think there was much hope, on the first night of counting, though her optimism improved on the second night. The tide turned for Harkin when she gained 1,103 votes from Marie Casserlys distribution, putting her fourth in the race in count nine. She continued to make gains on transfers in the following counts. Despite facing one of the biggest uphill battles of her political career, Harkins persistence paid off as she secured the fourth and final seat in the constituency on count 13 without reaching the quota. People on the ground at the count centre were referring to her as the Lazarus of the race. Independent Ireland candidate Michael Clarke showed a very strong performance throughout the election, but ended up in fifth place. Harkin overtook Clarke after count 11, benefitting from greater transfers. In an interview with OceanFM, Clarke conceded to Harkin. Another notable comeback was that of Fianna Fails Eamon Scanlon, who filled the third seat in the constituency, also without reaching the quota. This marks Scanlons third time entering the Dail, having previously served from 2007 to 2011 and 2016 to 2020 before losing his seat. Emotional scenes unfolded as his family celebrated, hoisting him up after his election. Fine Gaels Frank Feighan led the way throughout and was the first to be elected when he exceeded the quota by 860 votes on the 11th count. Martin Kenny was elected on the 12th count after comfortably exceeding the quota, receiving a hefty distribution of Chris MacManus votes. Out of the 18 candidates in the election, there were five Sligo councillors, two Leitrim councillors, three outgoing TDs, a former MEP, a former TD and six candidates with no public office. In the end, four candidates emerged who are no strangers to the inside of Leinster House. Frank Feighan, Martin Kenny, Eamon Scanlon and Marian Harkin will represent the Sligo-Leitrim-South Donegal constituency in the 34th Dail. The final number of votes for the four elected candidates were as follows: Frank Feighan - 12,241, Martin Kenny - 15,433, Eamon Scanlon - 10,285 and Marian Harkin - 10,168. READ MORE: WATCH: Emotional finale as Harkin and Scanlon secure final Sligo-Leitrim seats ADC Therapeutics Makes Grants to New Employees Under Inducement Plan LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ADC Therapeutics SA (NYSE: ADCT), a commercial-stage global leader and pioneer in the field of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), today announced that the Company has made grants of options to purchase an aggregate of 34,900 of the Company's common shares to three new employees on December 2, 2024 (each, a "Grant"). The Grants were offered as material inducement to the employees' employment. The grants were approved by the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors pursuant to the Company's Inducement Plan to motivate and reward the recipients to perform at the highest levels and contribute significantly to the success of the Company. The Grants were made in reliance on the employment inducement exemption under the NYSE's Listed Company Manual Rule 303A.08. The Company is issuing this press release pursuant to Rule 303A.08. The Grants shall vest and become exercisable 25% on the first anniversary of the grant date, and 1/48th of the aggregate number of shares subject to the award on each monthly anniversary of the grant date thereafter, such that the entire award will be vested as of the fourth anniversary of the grant date, subject to continued employment with the Company. About ADC Therapeutics ADC Therapeutics (NYSE: ADCT) is a commercial-stage global leader and pioneer in the field of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). The Company is advancing its proprietary ADC technology to transform the treatment paradigm for patients with hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. ADC Therapeutics' CD19-directed ADC ZYNLONTA (loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl) received accelerated approval by the FDA and conditional approval from the European Commission for the treatment of relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy. ZYNLONTA is also in development in combination with other agents and in earlier lines of therapy. In addition to ZYNLONTA, ADC Therapeutics has multiple ADCs in ongoing clinical and preclinical development. ADC Therapeutics is based in Lausanne (Biopole), Switzerland, and has operations in London and New Jersey. For more information, please visit https://adctherapeutics.com/ and follow the Company on LinkedIn. ZYNLONTA is a registered trademark of ADC Therapeutics SA. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "would", "expect", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict", "potential", "seem", "seek", "future", "continue", or "appear" or the negative of these terms or similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that can cause actual results to differ materially from those described. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the expected cash runway into mid-2026 the Company's ability to grow ZYNLONTA revenue in the United States; the ability of our partners to commercialize ZYNLONTA in foreign markets, the timing and amount of future revenue and payments to us from such partnerships and their ability to obtain regulatory approval for ZYNLONTA in foreign jurisdictions; the timing and results of the Company's or its partners' research and development projects or clinical trials including LOTIS 5 and 7, ADCT 602 as well as early research in certain solid tumors with different targets, linkers and payloads; the timing and results of investigator-initiated trials including those studying FL and MZL and the potential regulatory and/or compendia strategy and the future opportunity; the timing and outcome of regulatory submissions for the Company's products or product candidates; actions by the FDA or foreign regulatory authorities; projected revenue and expenses; the Company's indebtedness, including Healthcare Royalty Management and Blue Owl and Oaktree facilities, and the restrictions imposed on the Company's activities by such indebtedness, the ability to comply with the terms of the various agreements and repay such indebtedness and the significant cash required to service such indebtedness; and the Company's ability to obtain financial and other resources for its research, development, clinical, and commercial activities. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements is contained in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the Company's other periodic and current reports and filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, achievements or prospects to be materially different from any future results, performance, achievements or prospects expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this document. CONTACTS: Investors Marcy Graham ADC Therapeutics [email protected] +1 650-667-6450 Media Nicole Riley ADC Therapeutics [email protected] +1 862-926-9040 SOURCE ADC Therapeutics SA 2 december 2024 at 16:30 News published onand distributed by: Thesis Gold Upsizes Previously-Announced Private Placement To $10 Million Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or dissemination in the United States VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Thesis Gold Inc. ("Thesis" or the "Company") (TSXV: TAU | WKN: A3EP87 | OTCQX: THSGF) is pleased to announce that, due to strong investor demand, the Company has agreed with Clarus Securities Inc. ("Clarus") and Cormark Securities Inc. ("Cormark" and together with Clarus the "Lead Agents") as Lead Agents on behalf of a syndicate of agents (the "Agents"), to increase the size of its previously announced $7.0 million best-efforts marketed equity private placement (the "Offering"). Pursuant to the upsized deal terms, the Offering will now consist of up to 16,666,667 common shares (the "Common Shares") at a price of $0.60 per Common Share for gross proceeds of up to approximately $10.0 million. The Offering will be conducted on a "best efforts" basis by way of a private placement to "accredited investors" or pursuant to other available prospectus exemptions under National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions in all Provinces of Canada, and such other jurisdictions as may be agreed to by the Company and the Lead Agents, subject to the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals. The Company does not expect that the Offering will result in the creation of any new control person of the Company. The Offering is subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"). The Common Shares may also be offered in the United States and to U.S. persons pursuant to Rule 506 of Regulation D ("Regulation D") under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), to a limited number of institutional accredited investors that satisfy one or more of the criteria of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D. "United States" and "U.S. person" have the respective meanings assigned in Rule 902 of Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act. All securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a four-month hold period in accordance with the policies of the Exchange and applicable securities laws. The Company intends to use the net proceeds raised from the Offering to fund advancement of the Company's mineral projects and for general working capital purposes. The Offering is scheduled to close on or before December 17, 2024, and is subject to certain conditions. On behalf of the Board of Directors Thesis Gold Inc. "Ewan Webster" Ewan Webster Ph.D., P.Geo. President, CEO, and Director About Thesis Gold Inc. Thesis Gold Inc. is a resource development company focused on unlocking the potential of its 100% owned Lawyers-Ranch Project, located in British Columbia's prolific Toodoggone Mining District. The recently completed Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA)[1] highlights robust project economics, including a 35.2% after-tax IRR and an after-tax NPV5% of C$1.28 billion, demonstrating the potential for significant value creation. Over the next 12 months, Thesis is dedicated to advancing the Project through critical development milestones, including the initiation of a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) and progressing permitting and environmental work. The Company will also continue to evaluate multiple high-potential exploration targets across the district, aiming to build on the substantial resource growth potential identified in the PEA. Through these strategic moves, Thesis Gold intends to elevate the Ranch-Lawyers Project to the forefront of global precious metals ventures. [1] Please refer to the Company's Preliminary Economic Assessment titled, "Updated Preliminary Economic Assessment, Lawyers Gold-Silver Project" with an effective date of August 30, 2024 filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, which also provides details of the Company's mineral resource estimates. The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Michael Dufresne, M.Sc, P.Geol., P.Geo., and Carly Church, P.Eng., PMP,?Qualified Persons as defined by NI 43-101. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. For further information or investor relations inquiries, please contact: Dave Burwell Vice President Corporate Development Email: [email protected] Tel: 403-410-7907 Toll Free: 1-888-221-0915 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Company's recently completed financings and the future plans or prospects of the Company. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market, and economic risks, uncertainties, and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis, which is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. 2 december 2024 at 17:55 News published onand distributed by: CNOOC Limited Brings On-stream Jinzhou 23-2 Oilfield Development Project HONG KONG, Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CNOOC Limited (the "Company", SEHK: 00883 (HKD Counter) and 80883 (RMB Counter), SSE: 600938) today announces that Jinzhou 23-2 Oilfield Development Project has commenced production. The project is located in the northern part of the Bohai Sea, with an average water depth of approximately 13 meters. The main production facilities include 2 new central processing platforms. A total of 67 development wells are planned to be commissioned, including 65 production wells and 2 water source wells. The project is expected to achieve a peak production of approximately 17,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2027. The oil property is heavy crude. The Jinzhou 23-2 oilfield development project is the first multi-layer heavy oil thermal recovery project offshore China. The project adopts the method of "steam stimulation+chemical auxiliary steam flooding" to reduce the viscosity of crude oil, thus effectively improve the utilization of reserves in offshore heavy oil field. It will strengthen the energy supply to the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. CNOOC Limited holds 100% interest in this project and is the operator. ? End ? Notes to Editors: More information about the Company is available at http://www.cnoocltd.com. *** *** *** *** This press release includes forward looking information, including statements regarding the likely future developments in the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, such as expected future events, business prospects or financial results. The words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by the Company as of this date in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company currently believes are appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will meet the current expectations and predictions of the Company is uncertain. Actual results, performance and financial condition may differ materially from the Company's expectations, including but not limited to those associated with macro-political and economic factors, fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas prices, the highly competitive nature of the oil and natural gas industry, climate change and environmental policies, the Company's price forecast, mergers, acquisitions and divestments activities, HSSE and insurance policies and changes in anti-corruption, anti-fraud, anti-money laundering and corporate governance laws and regulations. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. The Company cannot assure that the results or developments anticipated will be realised or, even if substantially realised, that they will have the expected effect on the Company, its business or operations. *** *** *** *** For further enquiries, please contact: Ms. Cui Liu Media & Public Relations CNOOC Limited Tel: +86-10-8452-6641 Fax: +86-10-8452-1441 E-mail: [email protected] Mr. Bunny Lee Porda Havas International Finance Communications Group Tel: +852 3150 6707 Fax: +852 3150 6728 E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE CNOOC Limited 2 december 2024 at 19:00 News published onand distributed by: Muscle Loss Could Increase Dementia Risk CHICAGO, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Skeletal muscle loss is a risk factor for developing dementia, according to a study being presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Skeletal muscles make up about one-third of a person's total body mass. They are connected to the bones and allow for a wide range of movements. As people grow older, they begin to lose skeletal muscle mass. Because age-related skeletal muscle loss is often seen in older adults with Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia, this study aimed to examine whether temporalis muscle loss (a measure of skeletal muscle loss) is associated with an increased risk of AD dementia in older adults. The temporalis muscle is located in the head and is used for moving the lower jaw. Studies have shown that temporalis muscle thickness and area can be an indicator of muscle loss throughout the body. "Measuring temporalis muscle size as a potential indicator for generalized skeletal muscle status offers an opportunity for skeletal muscle quantification without additional cost or burden in older adults who already have brain MRIs for any neurological condition, such as mild dementia," said the study's lead author, Kamyar Moradi, M.D., postdoctoral research fellow in the Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. "This is the first longitudinal study to demonstrate that skeletal muscle loss may contribute to the development of dementia." For the multidisciplinary research study, a collaboration between the radiology and neurology departments at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Dr. Moradi and colleagues used baseline brain MRI exams from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative cohort to quantify skeletal muscle loss in 621 participants without dementia (mean age 77 years). The researchers manually segmented the bilateral temporalis muscle on MRI images and calculated the sum cross-sectional area (CSA) of these muscles. Participants were categorized into two distinct groups: large CSA (131 participants) and small CSA (488 participants). Outcomes included subsequent AD dementia incidence, change in cognitive and functional scores, and brain volume changes between the groups. Median follow-up was 5.8 years. Based on their analysis, a smaller temporalis CSA was associated with a higher incidence risk of AD dementia. Furthermore, a smaller temporalis CSA was associated with a greater decrease in memory composite score, functional activity questionnaire score and structural brain volumes over the follow-up period. "We found that older adults with smaller skeletal muscles are about 60% more likely to develop dementia when adjusted for other known risk factors," said the study's co-senior author and professor of neurology, Marilyn Albert, Ph.D. According to Shadpour Demehri, M.D., co-senior author and professor of radiology, the study demonstrates that this muscle change can be opportunistically analyzed through any conventional brain MRI, even when conducted for other purposes, without incurring additional costs or burdens. Dr. Albert pointed out that early detection through readily available brain MRI could enable timely interventions to address skeletal muscle loss, such as physical activity, resistance training and nutritional support. "These interventions may help prevent or slow down muscle loss and subsequently reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia," Dr. Demehri said. Other co-authors are Hanzhang Lu, Ph.D., Yuxin Zhu, Ph.D., Soheil Mohammadi, M.D., Sara Momtazmanesh, M.D., and Eleanor M. Simonsick, Ph.D. Note: Copies of RSNA 2024 news releases and electronic images will be available online at RSNA.org/press24. RSNA is an association of radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists promoting excellence in patient care and health care delivery through education, research and technologic innovation. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Illinois. (RSNA.org) For patient-friendly information on brain MRI, visit RadiologyInfo.org. SOURCE Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 3 december 2024 at 05:00 News published onand distributed by: Arizona Sonoran Granted Amended Industrial Air Permit and Completes Local Polling with 87% Support for the Cactus Project Arizona Sonoran Copper Company Inc. (TSX:ASCU | OTCQX:ASCUF) ("ASCU" or the "Company") an emerging US-based copper developer, is pleased to announce an amendment to the Industrial Air Permit has been received from the Pinal County Air Quality Division. The amended Aquifer Protection permit has been applied for and is currently under review by the Arizona Department of Environment and Quality, ADEQ. The amended Industrial Air permit pertains to a February 2024 Pre-Feasibility Study ("2024 PFS") configuration, which excluded the MainSpring deposit. A subsequent Preliminary Economic Assessment ("2024 PEA"), incorporating MainSpring, was issued in August 2024 and supersedes the 2024 PFS. The 2024 PEA contemplates an operation expected to produce 116,000 short tons of copper cathode per year over the first 20 years of a 31-year mine life. Through regular communication and involvement within the community, the Company's transparent approach has contributed to permitting success. Additionally, as part of the continuing community engagement strategy, the Company recently completed an updated polling survey demonstrating support for the Cactus Project of 87% within Casa Grande and surrounding areas. ASCU President and CEO, George Ogilvie commented, "The issuance of the amended Industrial Air permit is yet another key milestone in the advancement of Cactus, a standalone operation requiring only permits from the State and local government as the Cactus Project sits entirely on private land with no Federal permitting nexus. Cactus is a standout lower risk copper asset based on its tier 1 location, the permitting process, onsite infrastructure, including rail, road, power and water, the sizeable copper resource estimate, associated mine plan, related economics and first quartile capital intensity. Our team has done a tremendous job advancing the asset and navigating the streamlined State?led permitting process. We look forward to continuing to advance towards PFS in H2 2025, and subsequently submitting final amendments ahead of a final Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") in 2026, project financing, and the construction and development decision. Additionally, we would like to thank Pinal County Air Quality Division, and the local communities for their ongoing support for the Cactus Project." LOCAL POLLING In October, the Company commissioned a poll of 500 frequent voters in Casa Grande and surrounding areas, based on the 2024 PEA mine plan. Polling determined that 86.6% of the survey respondents supported the Cactus Project, up from 82.6% in 2021. Notably, Republicans, Democrats, Independents and others, indicated a range of support from 76.1% to 93.2%, with an uptick in Democratic support from 67.1% to 76.1%; a testament to the Company's consistent and proactive approach to being a good neighbor. The positive polling numbers indicate overwhelming support from the community and an affirmation of strong ASCU's social license. Travis Snider, ASCU VP Sustainability and External Relations, commented, "Given the recent issuance of the 2024 PEA detailing copper cathode production of 116,000 short tons per annum ("stpa") over the first 21 years of a 31-year mine life predominantly via open-pit mining, it was important to gauge the local communities support for this larger and generational mine plan. Therefore, the updated Perception Survey was undertaken two months following the release of the 2024 PEA, allowing prior dissemination of the results into the community. The results showed continued strong support for the Project, and, specifically, an increase in support to restart production at the Project. This is a testament to the great work our Project team is doing in Casa Grande and surrounding areas, in keeping the local community informed of our business plans." PERMITTING BACKGROUND Following the Initial Public Offering in late-2021, the Company received its initial Industrial Air and Aquifer Protection and Mined Land Reclamation Permits, for a Mine Plan envisaging 28,000 stpa of copper cathode with an 18-year Mine Life, in 2023. Three years later, the scale of the deposit and conceptual production profile grew in the 2024 PFS, largely due to the discovery of the Parks/Salyer deposit. Being awarded an amended Industrial Air Permit pertaining to the 2024 PFS, which contemplated 55,000 stpa of copper cathode production with a 21-year mine life, within 4 months of having the application administratively accepted is another positive step forward. Although the permit is not for a final mine plan related to a construction and development decision, it is a positive affirmation that being on private land presents a significantly more efficient State permitting regime. The recent growth reflected in the 2024 mineral resource estimate and Project expansion in the 2024 PEA was largely due to the acquisition of the MainSpring property with near surface mineralization, and ultimate rescoping of Parks/Salyer to an open pit from underground mining. Building off the 2024 PEA, a standalone Cactus PFS is expected to be issued in H2 2025, based on which the Company intends to re-apply for amended permits that should be well in hand ahead of a standalone DFS, planned for delivery in 2026. Assuming the final DFS has robust project economics, and project financing has been secured, the Project would also be fully-permitted for a construction and development decision at that time. Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor the regulating authority has approved or disproved the information contained in this press release. About Arizona Sonoran Copper Company (www.arizonasonoran.com | www.cactusmine.com) ASCU is a copper exploration and development company with a 100% interest in the brownfield Cactus Project. The Project, on privately held land, contains a large-scale porphyry copper resource and a recent 2024 PEA proposes a generational open pit copper mine with robust economic returns. Cactus is a lower risk copper developer benefitting from a State-led permitting process, in place infrastructure, highways and rail lines at its doorstep and onsite permitted water access. The Company objective is to develop Cactus and become a mid-tier copper producer with low operating costs, that could generate robust returns and provide a long-term sustainable and responsible operation for the community, investors and all stakeholders. The Company is led by an executive management team and Board which have a long-standing track record of successful project delivery in North America complemented by global capital markets expertise. Cautionary Statements regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Other Matters Forward-Looking Statements All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained or incorporated by reference in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "accretive", "advancement", "assuming", "become", "building", "capability", "conceptual", "contemplates", "continuing", "decision", "deliver", "develop", "DFS", "emerging", "envisaging", "estimate", "expected", "exploration", "feasibility", "forward", "generational", "growth", "intend", "long-term", "looking", "milestone", "objective", "offers", "ongoing", "PEA", "permit", "PFS", "plan", "polling", "potential", "pre", "preliminary", "proactive", "process", "profile", "project", "proposes", "rescoping", "resource", "restart", "risk", "study", "survey", "subject to", "test", "towards", "under review", "working", and "workstreams", or variations of such words, and similar such words, expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results can, could, may, should, would, will (or not) be achieved, occur, provide, result or support in the future, or which, by their nature, refer to future events. In some cases, forward-looking information may be stated in the present tense, such as in respect of current matters that may be continuing, or that may have a future impact or effect. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Preliminary Economic Assessment (or 2024 PEA) on the Cactus Project (including returns, risk, production, mine life or life of mine, operation, costs, capital intensity, or other details of the Project, conclusions or results, implications and implementation thereof); permitting applications in process and any future such applications and resulting permits; mineral resources or MRE (which includes copper resources); Company objectives and operations; and the future plans or prospects of the Company (including future Pre-Feasibility Study (or PFS) or Definitive Feasibility Study (or DFS) on the Project, and any project financing, construction and development decision and/or restart, and related assumptions or resulting decisions and the timing and returns, other economics or other conclusions and outcomes thereof). Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that those forward-looking statements will prove to be correct, and any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future actions, results or performance. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, estimates, expectations and opinions, which are considered reasonable and represent best judgment based on available facts, as of the date such statements are made. If such assumptions, estimates, expectations and opinions prove to be incorrect, actual and future results may be materially different than expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. The assumptions, estimates, expectations and opinions referenced, contained or incorporated by reference in this press release which may prove to be incorrect include those set forth or referenced in this press release, as well as those stated in the Company's press release dated August 7, 2024, the technical report for the Project filed on August 27, 2024 (the "2024 PEA Technical Report"), the Company's Annual Information Form dated April 1, 2024 (the "AIF), Management's Discussion and Analysis (together with the accompanying financial statements) for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the quarters already ended in 2024 (collectively, the "2023-24 Financial Disclosure") and the Company's other applicable public disclosure (collectively, "Company Disclosure"), all available on the Company's website at www.arizonasonoran.com and under its issuer profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of ASCU to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors include, among others, the "Risk Factors" in the AIF, and the risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors identified in the 2024 PEA Technical Report and the 2023-24 Financial Disclosure, as well as market conditions, future prices and the supply of metals; the results of drilling; inability to secure the funding required for necessary or planned expenditures (including to acquire and retain required land and/or mineral title); general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; results of exploration programs; accidents; delays in obtaining, or failure to receive and maintain, necessary permits and other regulatory approvals. The foregoing list of risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors is not exhaustive; readers should consult the more complete discussion of the Company's business, financial condition and prospects that is provided in the AIF, the 2023-24 Financial Disclosure and other Company Disclosure. Although ASCU has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release (or as otherwise expressly specified) and ASCU disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements referenced or contained in this press release are expressly qualified by these Cautionary Statements as well as the Cautionary Statements in the AIF, the 2024 PEA Technical Report, the 2023-24 Financial Disclosure and other Company Disclosure. Preliminary Economic Assessments The 2024 Preliminary Economic Assessment (or 2024 PEA) referenced in this press release and summarized in the 2024 PEA Technical Report is only a conceptual study of the potential viability of the Cactus Copper Project and the economic and technical viability of the Project has not been demonstrated. The 2024 PEA is preliminary in nature and provides only an initial, high-level review of the Project's potential and design options; there is no certainty that the 2024 PEA will be realized. For further detail on the Project and the 2024 PEA, including applicable technical notes and cautionary statements, please refer to the Company's press release dated August 7, 2024 and the 2024 PEA Technical Report, both available on the Company's website at www.arizonasonoran.com and under its issuer profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Mineral Resource Estimates Until mineral deposits are actually mined and processed, copper and other mineral resources must be considered as estimates only. Mineral resource estimates that are not classified as mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimation of mineral resources is inherently uncertain, involves subjective judgement about many relevant factors and may be materially affected by, among other things, environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors described in the foregoing Cautionary Statements on Forward-Looking Statements. The quantity and grade of reported "inferred" mineral resource estimates are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define "inferred" mineral resource estimates as an "indicated" or "measured" mineral resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in upgrading "inferred" mineral resource estimates to an "indicated" or "measured" mineral resource category. Inferred mineral resource estimates may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies or economic studies except for preliminary economic assessments. The accuracy of any mineral resource estimate is a function of the quantity and quality of available data, and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation, which may prove to be unreliable and depend, to a certain extent, upon the analysis of drilling results and statistical inferences that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of a "inferred", "indicated" or "measured" mineral resource estimate will ever be upgraded to a higher category including a mineral reserve. The mineral resource estimates declared by the Company were estimated, categorized and reported using standards and definitions in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (the "CIM Standards") in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators ("NI 43-101"), which governs the public disclosure of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. U.S. Readers The terms "mineral resource", "measured mineral resource", "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource" as disclosed by the Company are Canadian mining terms defined in the CIM Standards (collectively, the "CIM Definitions") in accordance with NI 43-101. NI 43-101 establishes standards for all public disclosure that a Canadian issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. These Canadian standards differ from the requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") applicable to United States domestic and certain foreign reporting companies under Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K ("S-K 1300"). Accordingly, information describing mineral resource estimates for the Cactus Copper Project may not be comparable to similar information publicly reported in accordance with the applicable requirements of the SEC, and so there can be no assurance that any mineral resource estimate for the Project would be the same had the estimates been prepared per the SEC's reporting and disclosure requirements under applicable United States federal securities laws, and the rules and regulations thereunder, including but not limited to S-K 1300. Further, there is no assurance that any mineral resource or mineral reserve estimate that the Company may report under NI 43-101 would be the same had the Company prepared such estimates under S-K 1300. 3 december 2024 at 06:35 News published onand distributed by: Spire Global Appoints Theresa Condor as CEO and Taps Aerospace Industry Veterans for Executive Team Spire Global (NYSE: SPIR) ("Spire" or "the Company") announced that Theresa Condor, who currently serves as Chief Operating Officer and a board member, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer. Condor will assume the role on January 1, 2025, and Founder and CEO Peter Platzer will become Executive Chairman as part of a planned leadership transition. After 12 years at the helm of the Company, Platzer's tenure as CEO was marked with several milestones that he set out to achieve before transitioning into the Executive Chairman role, including rapidly scaling the Company from $10 million to more than $100 million in revenue and taking it public. He also oversaw the Company's recent agreement to sell its maritime business for approximately $241 million, which Spire intends to use to retire all outstanding debt and invest in near-term growth opportunities. As Executive Chairman, Platzer will guide Spire's vision and lead the Board of Directors, as well as focus on securing major opportunities to drive the Company's growth strategy. He will remain involved in select investor engagements and speak at events about the burgeoning commercial space opportunity. Condor, who was part of the Company's founding team, has led the expansion of Spire's solution offerings and business lines, growing the Company's customer base to more than 745 customers across 65 countries. As CEO, she intends to lead Spire into its next phase of growth with a focus on streamlining operations and strong execution at scale. "Peter has an incredible vision for how satellite technology and space can improve our lives here on Earth, and that vision has guided the growth of Spire since the company was founded," said Will Porteous, Spire Board Member. "Theresa has been instrumental in turning that vision into reality. She has a deep understanding of Spire's customers, the business, and its operations that will be transformational for the company as it enters this next phase of growth as an increasingly profitable company." The Company has appointed two aerospace industry veterans to join its executive bench. Celia Pelaz, a former Airbus executive, will serve as Chief Operating Officer, assuming responsibility for the Company's revenue and operations. Most recently, Pelaz served as COO and a member of the Management Board of HENSOLDT AG, which focuses on sensor technologies for defense and security missions. Pelaz played a major role in the carve-out of HENSOLDT from the Airbus Group in 2017, its successful IPO in 2020 and shaping the strategic direction of the company. Today, HENSOLDT AG has a market cap of approximately 4.2 billion euros. Gabriel Oehme will serve as Chief Transformation Officer. Oehme spent 22 years at Airbus in roles including operations, business development, procurement and sales. Most recently, he served as Managing Director and Chief Commercial Officer of Aerotech Peissenberg, an aerospace manufacturing company specializing in high-quality, zero defect precision machining at scale, where he oversaw the commercial business as well as operations and manufacturing. During his tenure, he drove business growth in civil and military aerospace markets while boosting company profitability and efficiency. "Celia and Gabriel bring invaluable institutional knowledge of the aerospace industry and a wealth of expertise in operations, having effectively managed businesses centered on manufacturing and engineering," said Condor. "With our recent agreement to sell our maritime business, we are at a transformational point as we seek to become a debt-free company with proven space infrastructure and technology. We are in a strong position to capitalize on significant near-term opportunities that generate long-term value. Celia and Gabriel's experience will be integral in helping us seize these opportunities through focused execution and operational excellence at scale." Pelaz and Oehme will assume their positions on January 6, 2025. Leo Basola has informed the Company that he will step down from his role as Chief Financial Officer once the Company completes its previously disclosed review of certain accounting practices and the related restatement of prior period financial statements. Thomas Krywe, Spire's former CFO, will assume an interim role while the Company searches for Basola's replacement. Krywe has worked as a consultant for the Company since August 2024 and was instrumental in signing the agreement to sell Spire's maritime business. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements, including information about executive transitions, management's view of Spire's future expectations, plans and prospects, including our views regarding future execution within our business, and the opportunity we see in our industry, within the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the results of Spire to be materially different than those expressed or implied in such statements. Certain of these risk factors and others are included in documents Spire files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to, Spire's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on Spire's future results. The forward-looking statements included in this presentation are made only as of the date hereof. Spire cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Finally, Spire expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. About Spire Global, Inc. Spire (NYSE: SPIR) is a global provider of space-based data, analytics and space services, offering unique datasets and powerful insights about Earth so that organizations can make decisions with confidence in a rapidly changing world. Spire builds, owns, and operates a fully deployed satellite constellation that observes the Earth in real time using radio frequency technology. The data acquired by Spire's satellites provides global weather intelligence, ship and plane movements, and spoofing and jamming detection to better predict how their patterns impact economies, global security, business operations and the environment. Spire also offers Space as a Service solutions that empower customers to leverage its established infrastructure to put their business in space. Spire has nine offices across the U.S., Canada, UK, Luxembourg, Germany and Singapore. To learn more, visit spire.com. 3 december 2024 at 06:50 News published onand distributed by: Kyocera, a 24M Technology License Partner, Doubles Production of SemiSolidtm Lithium-Ion Batteries Using 24M Technology 24M today announced that its technology license and joint development partner, Kyocera Corporation, aims to double its production capacity for 24M SemiSolidtm lithium-ion residential energy storage batteries by FY2026. 24M disclosed that Kyocera is accelerating production due to increased demand for energy storage products. The remarkable success of Kyocera's residential energy storage system "Enerezza," based on 24M technology, is a testament to the company's commitment to innovation and quality. This success is now driving further advancements in 24M SemiSolid lithium-ion battery innovation, instilling confidence in industry professionals, investors, and consumers interested in renewable energy and battery technology. Hideo Tanimoto, President of Kyocera Corporation, added, "There is increasing demand for greater renewable energy consumption at home in the Japanese market. To respond to these market trends, we are expanding production of semi-solid energy storage batteries utilizing 24M's advanced technology, promoting renewable energy usage in households." He highlighted the innovation behind 24M SemiSolid technology and expressed Kyocera's commitment to advancing the widespread adoption of renewable energy toward a more sustainable society. "24M and Kyocera are dedicated to playing a meaningful role in creating a better energy future," said Naoki Ota, President and CEO of 24M. "Kyocera's expansion demonstrates the advantages of 24M's SemiSolid technology in delivering safe, environmentally friendly, and cost-efficient renewable energy storage solutions. We are pleased to have recently expanded our partnership with Kyocera, and we look forward to collaborating on the commercialization of our latest technologies, including 24M LiForevertm and 24M ETOPtm." In 2020, 24M and Kyocera became the first partners to commercialize the 24M SemiSolid electrode and unit cell manufacturing process through the launch of Enerezza. With its cost-effective, safe, and long-lasting energy storage solution, Enerezza is empowering consumers economically compared to conventional energy storage products. Kyocera currently has an annual production capacity of 20,000 units and plans to double this capacity by FY2026 with a JPY 10 billion investment in developing a new lithium-ion battery production line leveraging 24M technology. This expansion will enable the Shiga Yasu plant to achieve an annual production capacity of 400 MWh of 24M SemiSolid batteries. In March 2024, 24M and Kyocera jointly received the 2024 Electrochemical Society of Japan Technology Award (Tanahashi Award). This award is a testament to the practical application and commercialization of 24M SemiSolid lithium-ion battery cells in the Enerezza energy storage system, further validating the innovation and impact of our technology. For more information, please visit here. About 24M 24M answers the world's need for affordable energy storage by offering a revolutionary battery manufacturing and product design technology set enabled by the 24M SemiSolid and Unit Cell manufacturing platform. By re-inventing today's battery products and manufacturing methods, 24M solves critical, decades-old challenges associated with the world's preferred energy storage products and technologies: reducing their high cost while improving their performance, safety and recyclability. Founded and led by some of the battery industry's foremost inventors, scientists and entrepreneurs, 24M is headquartered in Cambridge, Mass. For more information, please visit www.24-m.com. About Kyocera Kyocera Corporation (TOKYO:6971, https://global.kyocera.com/), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as "advanced ceramics"). By combining these engineered materials with metals and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of industrial and automotive components, semiconductor packages, electronic devices, smart energy systems, printers, copiers, and mobile phones. 3 december 2024 at 08:10 News published onand distributed by: McEwen Copper Secures Environmental Permit for Construction and Operation of Los Azules TORONTO, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- McEwen Copper Inc., a subsidiary of McEwen Mining Inc. (NYSE: MUX) (TSX: MUX), is pleased to announce the approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for its Los Azules copper project. The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which is the ministerial resolution approving the EIA, is a key permitting milestone on the way to feasibility, construction and future operation. This EIS, which is issued by the San Juan Provincial Government's Ministry of Mines, highlights the support for copper mining in the pro-mining province of San Juan. Since submitting the EIA documentation in April 2023, which was compiled by the international engineering and consulting company Knight Piesold and supported by 22 subject matter experts from San Juan, the Ministry of Mining and 14 public and private institutions comprising the Evaluation Committee have thoroughly reviewed over three thousand pages of the EIA and included a process of public consultation and a site visit to the project. This rigorous process ensures the project's environmental viability and establishes a solid foundation for responsible development. Completing the evaluation process required significant work from our internal team and specialized consultants. McEwen Copper extends its sincere gratitude to everyone whose collaboration has been essential to meeting the highest technical and environmental standards. We look forward to their continued partnership in the following stages of the project. Robert McEwen, CEO and Founder of McEwen Mining stated: "Our commitment to modern, sustainable, and regenerative mining practices at Los Azules is reflected in our PEA and EIA, and we continue this work through our upcoming definitive feasibility study. We thank the 14 institutions for their work, whose efforts helped secure this key environmental permit." Michael Meding, Vice President and GM of McEwen Copper and General Manager of the Los Azules Project, added: "This milestone propels Los Azules forward and highlights its transformative potential for the province and Argentina's mining industry. As we advance, sustainability and community engagement will remain at the heart of our project development." Strengthening Community Partnerships and Sustainability Commitments Los Azules has built a strong partnership with the Calingasta community, fostering mutual trust and collaboration. McEwen Copper reaffirms its commitment to sustainable regional development by incorporating local perspectives. Los Azules distinguishes itself through its focus on sustainability. The project is designed to operate on renewable electric energy and achieve carbon neutrality by 2038. Its innovative process design ensures one of the lowest water footprints in the mining sector, aligning with international best practices; Los Azules aims for excellence in environmental stewardship. Next Steps: Toward Feasibility and Construction With the EIA approval in place, Los Azules is advancing towards publishing a definitive feasibility study, expected in the first half of 2025, with the potential start of construction as early as 2026, further strengthening McEwen Copper's position on the forefront of sustainable mining and as an important driver of economic and social development in San Juan. About McEwen Copper McEwen Copper is a well-funded, private company that owns 100% of the large and of the advanced-stage Los Azules copper project in San Juan, Argentina, and the Elder Creek copper-gold project in Nevada, USA. Los Azules is one of the largest and most promising copper projects worldwide, aiming to produce low-carbon copper that will position McEwen Copper as a leader in providing critical metals for the global energy transition. The project is being developed in partnership with strategic partners such as Stellantis, a global leader in vehicle manufacturing, and Nuton, a Rio Tinto venture, specialized in advanced technologies for efficient and sustainable copper extraction. About Los Azules Located in the province of San Juan, Argentina, the Los Azules Project is one of the largest undeveloped copper deposits globally, supporting the energy transition through sustainable practices. Situated 3,600 meters above sea level in the Andes Mountains, it is 129 kilometers from Villa Calingasta, 250 kilometers from San Juan City, and just three kilometers from the Chilean border. Los Azules was ranked in the top 10 largest undeveloped copper deposits in the world by Mining Intelligence in 2022. Los Azules is designed to be distinctly different from a conventional copper mine by consuming significantly less water, emitting much lower carbon, progressing towards carbon neutrality by 2038, and being powered by 100% renewable electricity once in operation. The updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) released in June 2023 projects a long life of mine, a short 3.2 years payback period, low $1.07/lb Cu production cost, high annual copper production, a 21.2% after-tax IRR and a $2.7 billion after-tax NPV8% at $3.75/lb Cu. For more details about the Los Azules PEA, click here. Updated copper resources of 10.9 billion pounds at grade 0.40% Cu (Indicated category) and an additional 26.7 billion pounds at grade 0.31% Cu (Inferred category) support an initial mine life of 27 to 30 years, emphasizing Los Azules' strategic importance in the production of this critical mineral for electrification and global sustainability. CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and information, including "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements and information expressed, as of the date of this news release, are McEwen Mining Inc.'s (the "Company") estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations, or beliefs as to future events and results. Forward-looking statements and information are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, and competitive uncertainties, risks, and contingencies, and there can be no assurance that such statements and information will prove to be accurate. Therefore, actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements and information. Risks and uncertainties that could cause results or future events to differ materially from current expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and information include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in the market price of precious metals, mining industry risks, political, economic, social and security risks associated with foreign operations, the ability of the Company to receive or receive in a timely manner permits or other approvals required in connection with operations, risks associated with the construction of mining operations and commencement of production and the projected costs thereof, risks related to litigation, the state of the capital markets, environmental risks and hazards, uncertainty as to calculation of mineral resources and reserves, foreign exchange volatility, foreign exchange controls, foreign currency risk, and other risks. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information included herein, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to reissue or update forward-looking statements or information as a result of new information or events after the date hereof except as may be required by law. See McEwen Mining's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31st, 2023, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31st, 2024, June 30th, 2024, and September 30th, 2024, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the caption "Risk Factors", for additional information on risks, uncertainties and other factors relating to the forward-looking statements and information regarding the Company. All forward-looking statements and information made in this news release are qualified by this cautionary statement. The NYSE and TSX have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this news release, which has been prepared by the management of McEwen Mining Inc. ABOUT MCEWEN MINING McEwen Mining Inc. is a gold and silver producer with operations in Nevada (USA), Canada, Mexico, and Argentina. The company owns 46.4% of McEwen Copper, which develops the large, advanced-stage Los Azules copper project. Los Azules aims to become Argentina's first regenerative copper mine. Focused on enhancing productivity and extending the life of its assets, the Company's goal is to increase its share price and provide investor yield. Rob McEwen, Chairman and Chief Owner, has a personal investment in the companies of US$225 million. His annual salary is US$1. McEwen Mining's shares are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol "MUX". Want News Fast? Subscribe to our email list by clicking here: https://www.mcewenmining.com/contact-us/#section=followUs and receive news as it happens! 3 december 2024 at 08:45 News published onand distributed by: Philips aims to advance cardiac MRI technology through AI-driven research December 3, 2024 Collaboration intends to leverage proprietary AI technology from Philips and Mayo Clinic to target breakthroughs in ease-of-use and efficiency to bring high-quality diagnostic MRI and better care to more patients with heart disease Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Chicago, USA ? Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) and Mayo Clinic today announced a research collaboration aimed at advancing MRI for cardiac applications. Through this investigation, Philips and Mayo Clinic will look to harness the power of AI and the expertise of Mayo Clinic physicians to increase operational efficiency by shortening complex MRI exams and improving workflow for radiologists. Ischemic heart disease is the world's leading cause of mortality, accounting for 13% of all deaths globally [1], with the associated costs in the U.S. alone estimated at $252.2 billion in 2021 [2]. While a CT scan is often used to image patients presenting with heart issues, the ?gold standard' of care also includes MRI, which is especially useful when treating congenital heart disease or diseases affecting the heart muscle. However, due to its higher cost and limited availability, access to high-quality MRI is often limited. "From the patient perspective, MRI scans can be stressful. A complex cardiac MRI exam can take over an hour, which is often challenging for patients who suffer from claustrophobia inside the bore of the scanner, find it difficult to lie still or are unable to hold their breath for the required time," said Ioannis Panagiotelis, Ph.D., Business Leader of MRI at Philips. "By applying AI at every stage of a cardiac MRI exam, we intend to expand access and greatly improve the patient experience, increase departmental efficiency, and deliver the detailed diagnostic information needed for optimal patient outcomes." Applying AI to transform the patient experience and accelerate MRI exam times The investigation intends to leverage Mayo Clinic's proprietary AI technology in combination with Philips' AI-driven technology. Combining these investigational technologies can potentially help reduce MRI scan times, and improve the efficiency needed to relieve the burden on healthcare professionals and mitigate today's chronic shortage of trained staff. With the benefit of AI, even less experienced radiographers may be able to successfully perform complex cardiac MRI exams. Expanding MRI cardiac access to wider patient populations The research will also evaluate the potential of lower-field-strength MRI solutions developed by Philips. These solutions are designed to enable MRI installations in a broader range of locations and provide safer scanning options for individuals with implants sensitive to high magnetic fields. Around 3.9% of the U.S. population are currently fitted with a metallic orthopedic or cardiac implant [3], many of whom are currently denied an MRI scan due to safety concerns. It also has been estimated that 50% to 75% of patients who are fitted with a cardiac implantable electronic device are expected to benefit from a lower-field-strength solution at some point in their patient journey [4]. Proven leader in diagnostic MRI helium-free operations With its unique, innovative BlueSeal magnet technology, Philips is a recognized leader in sustainable, affordable cardiovascular MRI. It was the first company to introduce helium-free operations in MRI scanners in 2018, with nearly 2.75 million liters of helium saved, across more than 1,500 installations worldwide to date [5]. Join Philips at RSNA 2024 to learn more. [1] World Health Organization (WHO) Fact Sheet: The top 10 causes of death. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/the-top-10-causes-of-death [2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Fact Sheet: Heart Disease Facts. https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/data-research/facts-stats/index.html [3] https://www.philips.co.uk/healthcare/education-resources/publications/fieldstrength/mri-and-mr-conditional-implants. [4] Kalin R, Stanton MS. Current clinical issues for MRI scanning of pacemaker and defibrillator patients. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2005;28(4):326-328. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-8159.2005.50024.x https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15826268/ [5] https://www.usa.philips.com/healthcare/resources/landing/the-next-mr-wave/sealed-mr-technology?nocache For further information, contact: Kathy O'Reilly Philips Global External Relations Tel.: +1 978 221 8919 Email: [email protected] About Royal Philips Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and well-being through meaningful innovation. Philips' patient- and people-centric innovation leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver personal health solutions for consumers and professional health solutions for healthcare providers and their patients in the hospital and the home. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, image-guided therapy, monitoring, and enterprise informatics, as well as in personal health. Philips generated 2023 sales of EUR 18.2 billion and employs approximately 69,300 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter. Attachments 3 december 2024 at 09:00 News published onand distributed by: SAGA Metals Reports Channel Sample Assay Results at Double Mer Uranium Project VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SAGA Metals Corp. ("SAGA" or the "Company"), a North American exploration company focused on critical mineral discovery in Canada, is pleased to share the channel sample assay results from its inaugural field program at the Double Mer Uranium Project, located in eastern Labrador, Canada. Key Channel Sample Assay Highlights: Ch-DM24-075 returned 0.87 meters at 0.062% U 3 O 8 (DNC) U O (DNC) Ch-DM24-056 returned 0.45 meters at 0.048% U 3 O 8 (DNC) U O (DNC) Ch-DM24-078 returned 1.00 meter at 0.043% U 3 O 8 (DNC) U O (DNC) Ch-DM24-053 returned 0.65 meters at 0.042% U 3 O 8 (DNC) U O (DNC) Ch-DM24-081 returned 3.00 meters at 0.024% U 3 O 8 (DNC) U O (DNC) Ch-DM24-078 returned 3.00 meters at 0.023% U 3 O 8 (DNC) Michael Garagan, CGO & Director of SAGA Metals Corp. commented: "What should be noted as the most significant concept of these results is that we have economic U 3 O 8 % in the channels from 0.015-0.062 U 3 O 8 % in pegmatites which strike 18 km. We have higher grade rock samples mapped in the areas among these channel samples showing the opportunity for more anomalous intercepts. The field mapping combined with uranium count radiometrics demonstrates that these pegmatites can be up to 500m wide in places and often averaging 200-300 m in width. This is the recipe we need in order to identify significant tonnage and that's where a systematic method to drilling can pay off. What's exciting about the Double Mer project is that we don't need to overspend on a drilling strategy that focuses on chasing high grades. We just need to methodically test these zones across strike, step by step and with that will come the more exciting intercepts which can bolster composites and potentially the necessary data to support large tonnage." 2024 channel and rock sample locations across the 18km strike at Double Mer Highly strained granitic pegmatite showing an East-West foliation and significant uranophane mineralization located in the Katjuk (Arrow) Zone. This is an example of uranophane staining found across all the pegmatites along the 18km strike. 2024 Field Program Results at the Double Mer Uranium Project The Double Mer Uranium Project spans 25,600 hectares (1,024 claims), located about 90 kilometers northeast of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador. Significant historical data provided a strong head start for the 2024 field season, which confirmed a 14-kilometer trend with surface samples showing uranium oxide (U3O8) concentrations as high as 0.428% U 3 O 8 and scintillometer readings up to 27,000 cps?surpassing the historical benchmark of 21,000 cps. During the 2024 field season the team was able to cut several channel samples across the three identified priority zones. Unlike rock samples, channel samples are a continuous cut across the pegmatite. Where rock was exposed, the team was able to capture several small windows; between 1?4-meter cuts across the pegmatites to start to gauge what the grade may be across the entire pegmatite body. Prior to drilling this is the most accurate technique in a field teams' arsenal to collect data on the width and composites of zones. SAGA's exploration team confirmed and expanded on historical findings, with highlights including: CPS Readings Surpass Expectations: Field measurements exceeded historical benchmarks, with multiple zones recording readings above 5,000 cps and notable peaks of 22,000 CPS in an outcrop and 27,000 CPS in a sub-rounded boulder?surpassing the historical 21,000 CPS benchmark. Field measurements exceeded historical benchmarks, with multiple zones recording readings above and notable peaks of in an outcrop and in a sub-rounded boulder?surpassing the historical benchmark. Strong U3O8 Presence: Channel and rock samples across the Luivik, Nanuk, and Katjuk zones confirm the presence of uraniferous pegmatites, underscoring the project's resource potential. Channel and rock samples across the Luivik, Nanuk, and Katjuk zones confirm the presence of uraniferous pegmatites, underscoring the project's resource potential. Extended Mineralization Trend: Results suggest the uranium trend could extend further than initially mapped, opening new exploration opportunities. 2024 channel sample assay results with red indicating highest uranium oxide (U 3 O 8 ) levels. Some of the more encouraging results from the 2024 channel program show composite grades of 0.87m of 0.062 % U3O8, 0.65m of 0.039% U3O8, and 3m of 0.024 % U3O8. The Luivik zone can boast the most anomalous grades such as from channel Ch-D24-07 - 0.87m of 0.062 % U3O8, Ch-D24-074 ? 0.95m of 0.032 % U3O8, Ch-D24-081 ? 3m of 0.024 % U3O8 and Ch-D24-078 ? 3m of 0.023 % U3O8. The results of the rock and channel surface samples continue to maintain the range of U 3 O 8 grades associated with the Central Mineral Belt (CMB) projects to the north of the Double Mer Uranium project. Regional map of the Double Mer Uranium Project in Labrador, Canada Double Mer and its Comparable Potential to Labrador's Central Mineral Belt (CMB): SAGA positions the Double Mer Uranium Project alongside some of Labrador's most significant uranium discoveries, including Paladin Energy's Michelin and Atha Energy's CMB discoveries in the Central Mineral Belt (CMB). With strong surface samples and radiometric trends, SAGA believes Double Mer could offer large-tonnage potential comparable to these established projects. The CMB is a premier uranium region in Labrador and is host to several notable uranium projects including: Paladin Energy1: Covers 98,000 hectares in the CMB, north of Double Mer. Hosts 127.7Mlb of uranium mineral resources across six deposits. The Michelin deposit, its largest, contains 92Mlb uranium, with 82.2Mlb classified as Measured and Indicated at an average grade of 0.086% U3O8. Atha Energy2: Spans 145,000 hectares in the CMB, contiguous with Paladin's holdings and North of Double Mer. Historical uranium resources total 14.5Mlb, with Moran Lake contributing 5.2Mlb (indicated) and 4.4Mlb (inferred), while Anna Lake offers 4.9Mlb (inferred). Historical grades average 0.03%?0.04% U3O8, underscoring the region's scalability potential. Large tonnage low grade uranium resources in Newfoundland and Labrador3 The table above highlights and supports the large tonnage low grade uranium discussion found in Labrador. The cutoff grade in the table above ranges from 0.015-0.05% U 3 O 8 4. These grades and those identified on SAGA's property are comparable to similar deposit styles throughout other major mining districts in the world such as Australia, Kazakhstan, Namibia, and Argentina. The Olympic Dam is the world's largest deposit of uranium, and accounts for most of Australia's uranium resources. The deposit contains uranium grades average from 0.035 to 0.07% U, the higher-grade mineralization being pitchblende5. Commitment to Quality: Robust QA/QC Protocols SAGA followed a rigorous Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) program to ensure data accuracy and reliability. The program included: Regular Quality Control Samples: One quality control sample (blanks, duplicates, or standards) was inserted every 10 samples. Focused QA/QC for Promising Mineralogy: Additional blanks, duplicates, and standards were added for samples showing promising uranium mineralization in the field. Strict Sample Custody: SAGA maintained full chain-of-custody control from sampling through to laboratory delivery. This robust QA/QC approach ensures the reliability of assay results and demonstrates SAGA's commitment to industry-leading exploration standards. Q1 2025 Double Mer Drill Program: Targeting the High-Potential Luivik Zone The Luivik zone, located at the western end of the 18-kilometer trend, has been prioritized for SAGA's maiden drill program in 2025. This decision is based on several compelling factors: Anomalous Uranium Geochemistry : Surface samples show elevated uranium (U3O8%) grades, consistent with enrichment processes. : Surface samples show elevated uranium (U3O8%) grades, consistent with enrichment processes. IOCG-Style Fluid Enrichment : Iron phase IOCG (Iron Oxide Copper Gold) characteristics, including smoky quartz and iron carbonate staining, indicate late-stage fluid flow?a known factor for uranium enrichment and high-grade intercepts. : Iron phase IOCG (Iron Oxide Copper Gold) characteristics, including smoky quartz and iron carbonate staining, indicate late-stage fluid flow?a known factor for uranium enrichment and high-grade intercepts. Consistent CPS Readings : Radiometric surveys in the zone show consistently elevated counts per second (CPS) , highlighting its uranium potential. : Radiometric surveys in the zone show consistently elevated , highlighting its uranium potential. Logistically accessible: The Luivik zone is only a km away from camp making the site serviceable by snowmobiles during the winter months. This 1,500-meter drill program will test the Luivik zone's mineralization and provide key data to guide further exploration across the property. Channel and rock sample assays from the Luivik zone in the west of the Double Mer Uranium Property Following the drill program at the Luivik zone, SAGA will turn its sights on the Nanuk zone which shows the most impressive strike with almost 4km of economic U3O8% grade surface samples. Considering the Nanuk zones length and distance from camp the Team will be looking to test this zone with the diamond drill in Q2 and Q3 2025. Channel and rock sample assays from the Nanuk zone in the center of the 18km strike at the Double Mer Uranium Property Source: 1- https://www.paladinenergy.com.au/exploration/michelin-canada/ 2-https://athaenergy.com/atha-energy-corp-announces-proposed-acquisition-of-92-energy-and-latitude-uranium-and-concurrent-14-million-financing-to-create-leading-uranium-exploration-company/ 3- Kerr, A., Sparkes, G.W., 2009. Uranium; Mineral commodities of Newfoundland and Labrador, Geological survey of Canada, Geological survey of Newfoundland and Labrador, Department of Natural Resources. 4- The results of the projects and historical deposits do not guarantee the success of the Double Mer Uranium project as the Company must drill and prove its own NI 43-101 compliant resource estimation. 5- https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/uranium-resources/geology-of-uranium-deposits#:~:text=Uranium%20grades%20average%20from%200.07,the%20deposit%20are%20still%20uncertain. About SAGA Metals Corp. SAGA Metals Corp. is a North American mining company focused on the exploration and discovery of critical minerals that support the global transition to green energy. The company's flagship asset, the Double Mer Uranium Project, is located in Labrador, Canada, covering 25,600 hectares. This project features uranium radiometrics that highlight an 18-kilometer east-west trend, with a confirmed 14-kilometer section producing samples as high as 4,281ppm U 3 O 8 and spectrometer readings of 22,000cps. In addition to its uranium focus, SAGA owns the Legacy Lithium Property in Quebec's Eeyou Istchee James Bay region. This project, developed in partnership with Rio Tinto, has been expanded through the acquisition of the Amirault Lithium Project. Together, these properties cover 65,849 hectares and share significant geological continuity with other major players in the area, including Rio Tinto, Winsome Resources, Azimut Exploration, and Loyal Lithium. SAGA also holds secondary exploration assets in Labrador, where the company is focused on the discovery of titanium, vanadium, and iron ore. With a portfolio that spans key minerals crucial to the green energy transition, SAGA is strategically positioned to play an essential role in the clean energy future. For more information, contact: SAGA Metals Corp. Investor Relations Tel: +1 (778) 930-1321 Email: [email protected] www.sagametals.com Qualified Person Peter Webster P.Geo. CEO of Mercator Geological Services Limited is an Independent Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information related to the Double Mer Uranium Project disclosed in this news release. The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Disclaimer This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipates", "expects", "believes", and similar expressions or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the prospective nature of the Double Mer Uranium Project, the assay results, comparison to other projects in Labrador and future exploration programs at Double Mer. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, environmental risks, limitations on insurance coverage, risks and uncertainties involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and the risks detailed in the Company's Prospectus filed under its profile at www.sedarplus.ca and in the continuous disclosure filings made by the Company with securities regulations from time to time. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements only as expressly required by applicable law. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c7a8ab6b-15da-4cea-bf58-143df03eb935 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c90b6e86-ab53-4a24-9f6c-ce35db252b25 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/806d027d-a754-40da-99a8-69169547e8a0 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a290529a-8b3b-439d-9739-cc4cc58cea85 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/24a0518b-97cc-438f-8684-9eff995407cb https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9cc587a8-85a9-46f6-ba0d-867ac1332284 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d002f0f9-50b7-437a-9e60-f8d19b509102 3 december 2024 at 09:00 News published onand distributed by: Trex Company Teams With Alexandria Moulding to Expand Canadian Reach Trex Company, Inc. [NYSE: TREX], the world's largest manufacturer of high-performance, wood-alternative decking and railing, and a leading brand of outdoor living products, has announced the expansion of its distribution network in Canada with Alexandria Moulding. The leading North American manufacturer and distributor of mouldings, millwork and decorative building products, will bring the brand's premium decking and railing products to a broader range of Canadian retailers, homeowners and contractors. Alexandria Moulding, a Specialty Building Products (SBP) brand, brings a wealth of sales, marketing and supply chain expertise to the partnership. SBP is a leading provider of building materials in North America, with a deep understanding of the market and a commitment to delivering high-quality products. "We are excited to team with Alexandria Moulding to bring Trex's innovative products to a wider audience in Canada," said Bret Martz, Group Vice President, North American Professional Sales for Trex Company. "Alexandria Moulding's strong reputation and extensive distribution network will help us expand our reach of innovative decking and railing products to more consumers and we look forward to a successful partnership." "We are thrilled to expand our relationship with Trex," said Chris Gerhard, Executive Vice President of SBP. "By combining Trex's high-quality products with our strong distribution network, we can provide more coverage to the Canadian market with the best possible outdoor living solutions." This move marks a significant step forward for Trex as it continues to expand its presence in the Canadian market. By working with Alexandria Moulding, Trex is able to offer a wider range of products and services, making it easier than ever to create beautiful, low-maintenance outdoor living spaces. Trex boasts the industry's strongest distribution network with products sold through more than 6,700 retail outlets across six continents. For more information, visit Trex.com. To learn more about Alexandria Moulding, go to AlexandriaMoulding.com. About Trex Company For more than 30 years, Trex Company [NYSE: TREX] has invented, reinvented and defined the composite decking category. Today, the company is the world's #1 brand of sustainably made, wood-alternative decking and deck railing, and a leader in high performance, low-maintenance outdoor living products. The undisputed global leader, Trex boasts the industry's strongest distribution network with products sold through more than 6,700 retail outlets across six continents. Through strategic licensing agreements, the company offers a comprehensive outdoor living portfolio that includes deck drainage, flashing tapes, LED lighting, outdoor kitchen components, pergolas, spiral stairs, fencing, lattice, cornhole and outdoor furniture ? all marketed under the Trex brand. Based in Winchester, Va., Trex is proud to have been named America's Most Trusted Outdoor Decking 4 Years in a Row (2021-2024). The company was also recently included on Barron's list of the 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies 2024, named one of America's Most Responsible Companies 2024 by Newsweek and ranked as one of the 100 Best ESG Companies for 2023 by Investor's Business Daily. For more information, visit Trex.com. You may also follow Trex on Facebook (trexcompany), Instagram (trexcompany), X (Trex_Company), LinkedIn (trex-company), TikTok (trexcompany), Pinterest (trexcompany) and Houzz (trex-company-inc), or view product and demonstration videos on the brand's YouTube channel (TheTrexCo). About Alexandria Moulding Alexandria Moulding is a leading North American manufacturer and distributor of mouldings, millwork and decorative building products. With a wide range of products and a strong commitment to quality, Alexandria Moulding is a trusted partner for retailers, homeowners and contractors. For more information, visit alexandriamoulding.com. 3 december 2024 at 09:05 News published onand distributed by: Brain Cancer Canada, a leading advocate in the fight against brain cancer, is proud to award a $100,000 research grant to one of Canada's top neuropathologists to support research on one of the deadliest pediatric brain cancers TORONTO, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brain Cancer Canada is pleased to announce a $100,000 pediatric research grant awarded to Dr. Cynthia Hawkins, neuropathologist-scientist, and her team at the Hospital for Sick Children targeting Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma/Diffuse Midline Glioma, a highly aggressive type of brain tumour that primarily occurs in children, with a survival rate of less than 1%. The project, "Synthetic Peptides Targeting METTL13 as a Novel Therapeutic for Diffuse Midline Glioma", aims to develop new chemical moieties capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which remains a significant challenge in treating these types of tumours. Hawkins and her team believe that synthetic peptides designed to inhibit METTL13 can significantly reduce its methylation activity on EEF1A1, thereby impeding the synthesis of proteins essential for oncogenesis in DIPG/DMG. By targeting this specific enzymatic interaction, these peptides will disrupt the downstream onco-proteomic pathways, leading to reduced DIPG/DMG cell growth and viability. Dr. Hawkins describes the project aims and support from BCC, "DIPG/DMG is a devastating disease and the #1 cause of cancer-related death in children. For over 15 years our lab has been dedicated to understanding what drives DIPG/DMG and using this information to test new potential therapies. Through new technology that allowed us to look for how proteins are modified in DIPG/DMG cells, we uncovered a new pathway that these cells rely on to survive. With help from Brain Cancer Canada, and community driven fundraisers, notably Kayge Fighters Foundation, the DIPG community, and a Brain Cancer Canada donation match, we will test novel peptides for their ability to interrupt this pathway and kill DIPG/DMG cells. We truly appreciate the tremendous fundraising efforts that go into supporting our, and the brain tumour research community's work, and the confidence that the DIPG/DMG community has placed in us. We couldn't do this work without their support." The DIPG community?patients, caregivers, families, and friends, along with BCC donors have been instrumental in raising awareness and funds for this devastating disease and are the reason why this grant is possible. Brain Cancer Canada extends special thanks to the Kayge Fighters Against DIPG Foundation, whose generous contribution helped us achieve our $100,000 fundraising goal in BCC's 2023 "No Child Should Have 1 Year to Live" holiday campaign. Paul and Mandy Fowler lost their son Kayge in 2019. They share, "We chose to partner with Brain Cancer Canada to maximize the impact these funds could have in the fight against DIPG.? We feel blessed to have found such caring charitable partners, who share our passion for progress in the war against the disease that stole our precious Little Bear. We are thrilled to be able to make this donation in honour of our boy, Kayge Gerald Scott Fowler." "DIPG/DMG families are in urgent need for effective and precisely targeted treatment options for their children. Too many parents have already lost their children to this insidious cancer in part due to a lack of available scientific progress. Dr. Hawkins and her team are at the forefront of changing this by advancing our understanding of these lethal brain cancers," said Angela Scalisi, Brain Cancer Canada Chair. "Investing in brain cancer research is not only essential, it serves as the cornerstone of hope, illuminating the path toward innovative treatments, and paving the way for a brighter future for patients and families impacted by this devastating disease." For more details about this ground-breaking research initiative and other efforts by Brain Cancer Canada, please contact [email protected] . Brain Cancer Canada is a national charity dedicated to supporting individuals diagnosed with malignant brain tumors. Through funding innovative research, neurosurgical technology, and advocating for increased options for treatments, Brain Cancer Canada aims to improve survival rates and the quality of life for patients, while providing essential support to their families.? This funding reflects our unwavering commitment to support research in pediatric brain cancer, addressing an inequity in funding and pursuing unmet need. Media Contact:? [email protected] If you wish to make a donation to Brain Cancer Canada, please visit: https://braincancercanada.ca/donate/ 1-855-375-1381 #DIPG #DMG #BrainCancerCanada #TheHospitalForSickChilden #SickKids #DrHawkins #KaygeFighters #PediatricCancerResearch 3 december 2024 at 10:00 News published onand distributed by: VTEX Customers Drive $0.9 Billion in Black Friday-Cyber Monday Sales VTEX (NYSE: VTEX), the composable and complete commerce platform for premier brands and retailers, announced today that VTEX customers reached a GMV of US$0.9 billion over Black Friday-Cyber Monday week*. Compared to 2023, orders increased 21% and GMV grew 19% in FX-neutral and 1% in USD, reflecting the impact of foreign exchange dynamics. In this edition, across the 43 countries where VTEX operates, the top-performing verticals were Electronics, Home, Furniture & Decoration and Apparel & Accessories achieving GMV FX-neutral growth of 51%, 31% and 19%, respectively. "This Black Friday marked another robust moment for our customers worldwide, reinforcing our commitment to providing a reliable and high-performance platform that drives profitable growth and innovation in an ever-evolving market," said Geraldo Thomaz, founder and co-CEO at VTEX. "On top of our B2C results, we're seeing significant B2B growth, highlighting the undergoing expansion of the B2B market and the attractive opportunity we're tapping into. This multi-channel momentum further solidifies our position as the backbone for connected commerce, poised to unlock high-growth opportunities across both B2C and B2B sectors." "The era of complex and expensive solutions is over. Our composable and complete platform integrates all sales channels and OMS into a unified solution, enabling our customers to test, implement, optimize, and scale omnichannel strategies with agility and efficiency. We will continuously push the boundaries to optimize our customers' conversion and investments and fuel their profitability. Seeing VTEX empower customers to succeed, outpace market growth, and achieve this with a lower total cost of ownership is incredibly inspiring and reaffirms our mission to shape the future of commerce," he added. VTEX Black Friday-Cyber Monday week* 2024 Highlights: Black Friday-Cyber Monday week* sales reached the highest peak on November 29th, at 11:28 am ET, when VTEX customers registered 4.6 thousand orders per minute . . VTEX enabled 9.0 million consumer orders globally from their preferred brands and retailers during Black Friday-Cyber Monday week* 2024, representing a year-over-year increase of 21% . from their preferred brands and retailers during Black Friday-Cyber Monday week* 2024, representing a year-over-year . 1/3 of total orders were omnichannel resulting from physical stores integrations. Along with the global sales growth, the VTEX platform has also delivered scalability, reliability, and security, giving peace of mind to its customers during Black Friday-Cyber Monday week*. * The Black Friday disclosed data is based on gross merchandise volume (GMV) and orders by VTEX customers around the world from 26/Nov/2024 00:00 UTC (Tuesday) to 02/Dec/2024 23:59 UTC (Monday), and compared to 21/Nov/2023 00:00 UTC (Tuesday) to 27/Nov/2023 23:59 UTC (Monday). About VTEX VTEX (NYSE: VTEX) is the composable and complete commerce platform that delivers more efficiency and less maintenance to organizations seeking to make smarter IT investments and modernize their tech stack. Through our pragmatic composability approach, we empower brands, distributors, and retailers with unparalleled flexibility and comprehensive solutions, enabling them to invest solely in what provides a clear business advantage and boosts profitability. VTEX is trusted by 2,600 global B2C and B2B customers, including Carrefour, Colgate, Motorola, Sony, Stanley Black & Decker, and Whirlpool, having 3,500 active online stores across 43 countries (as of FY ended on December 31, 2023). For more information, visit www.vtex.com. Forward-looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"), including statements concerning commerce trends. Words such as "expects", "anticipates" and "intends" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions and no assurance can be given that these trends will continue. VTEX undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. All data presented here (including worldwide sales) is approximate and is based on various assumptions. All data is unaudited and is subject to adjustment. 3 december 2024 at 16:05 News published onand distributed by: You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close THE RECENTLY-ELECTED abbot of Glenstal Abbey received his abbatial blessing at a ceremony presided over by Kieran OReilly, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, this month. Abbot Columba McCann - the seventh abbot of Glenstal Abbey - was elected by his community of 28 Benedictine monks earlier this year. The monastery in Murroe was founded nearly a century ago and serves as a place of prayer, work, education and hospitality. Held on the Solemnity of All Saints, the liturgy called for Gods blessing, strength and guidance upon the new abbot as he begins his role as father, teacher, and model for the monastic community. Speaking as his eight year term of office gets underway, Abbot Columba commented: The worst days of the pandemic brought home to us just how interconnected we are on our planet, even at a spiritual level. The Dublin native said, Part of our task as monks today is to keep rediscovering what it is we bring to the Church and the world, and what God wishes to bring to others through us. The ceremony was attended by a congregation of more than 200 guests, with the Mass concelebrated by Brendan Leahy, Bishop of Limerick, in the presence of ecumenical representatives including the Church of Irelands Bishop of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe Michael Burrows, Dean of Limerick and Ardfert Niall Sloane and the Methodist Churchs Gillian Kingston. READ MORE: Green Limerick: Council on award shortlist for city greenway project Abbot Columba McCann succeeds Abbot Brendan Coffey. Educated by the Jesuits at Gonzaga College, Abbot Columba McCann studied music at University College Dublin and trained for the priesthood at Holy Cross College in Clonliffe before he was ordained for the Archdiocese of Dublin in 1988. Following further studies in Rome, he lectured in liturgy at the Dublin diocesan seminary and a number of third-level institutions in the city whilst serving as master of ceremonies to the Archbishop of Dublin. Father Columba entered the novitiate at Glenstal Abbey in 2004 and has held a number of roles including organist, novice master and oblate director as well as serving as a chaplain, choir director and religion teacher in the Abbey School. In addition to composing a number of hymns and musical pieces for the organ, he has published two books with Veritas Publications. A LARGE crowd assembled at GVM Auctioneers auction room in Kilmallock Mart for the auction of a 58.25 acre farm at Killeenagalive, Emly. Richard Ryan, GVM, described it as a good quality roadside farm situated in the heart of the Golden Vale. The lands are all in permanent pasture and laid out in easily managed well sheltered fields and paddocks. The majority of the lands are good quality Golden Vale grazing lands and the remainder would benefit from drainage, he said. There were no farm buildings. Despite the large crowd and registered online bidders, the auction boiled down to just two bidders on the day. A modest opening bid of 400,000 was followed by a number of 10,000 bids to reach 570,000. At this stage there was a recess to consult with the vendors. On returning, Mr Ryan stated that he had received instructions from the vendors to put the farm on the market. Within minutes his gavel came down at 700,000. It is understood a Dublin-based businessman, believed to have strong local links to the area, won the day. The underbidder is believed to be a local farmer. The auction was also streamed online but there were no bids from the internet. READ MORE: AGM of ICMSA 'for farmers, by farmers' to take place in Limerick Commenting after the auction, Mr Ryan said that he was very happy with the price achieved as the farm had been rented for several years and was in need of some improvement works. Land values remain strong with great confidence in land with both farmers and investors alike, said Mr Ryan, who added that he has a number of clients who are looking for similar type farms. The vendors were represented by Brendan Gill, of Maurice Power Solicitors in Kilmallock. LIMERICK City and County Council (LCCC) is celebrating after winning three awards at the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards. Riverfest Limerick was crowned Festival of the Year 2024, while The Local Authority Innovation Award went to the Councils Living Again: Vacancy, Dereliction and Reuse initiative and the Limerick Migrant Forum won in the Diversity & Inclusion category. LCCC was shortlisted for the overall award of Local Authority of the Year, marking the third consecutive year the Council has been nominated for the title, which it won last year. Director general of LCCC, Dr Pat Daly said the success was a reflection of the unwavering commitment of our staff who work closely with the Mayor and councillors to deliver for the people of Limerick. Innovation, hard work, and focus on excellence ensure that we are consistently improving the quality of life for all our citizens. I want to thank every member of our team. I also want to congratulate Donegal County Council on winning Local Authority of the Year 2024, he added. READ MORE: 'One Limerick, One Book' initiative expected in 2026 Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, commended the achievements, saying: "These awards reflect the best of Limerickour innovation, inclusivity, and ability to bring people together to celebrate our vibrant community. Riverfest Limerick continues to shine as a signature event, drawing thousands to our city, while forward thinking policies like tackling dereliction through Living Again and embracing inclusion through the Limerick Migrant Forum demonstrate the real impact of policies on peoples lives. Congratulations to everyone who has contributed to these successes. I am proud to see my councillor and officials colleagues and others, show how Limerick leads by example, making our city and county a fantastic place to live, work, and visit." Priomh Comhairleoir of LCCC, Cllr Dan McSweeney added his congratulations, saying: "To win three awards at the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards is a remarkable achievement for Limerick City and County Council. These accolades not only celebrate the creativity and hard work behind Riverfest but also highlight the Councils leadership in addressing key issues such as vacancy and inclusion. The Living Again initiative and Limerick Migrant Forum are testaments to our commitment to improving quality of life for all. I want to extend my sincere thanks to the staff, councillors, and community partners who make these projects possible and ensure that Limerick continues to thrive." The UK and Irish governments are committed to finding a way through disagreements on legacy legislation, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has said. Mr Benn met Irish deputy premier Micheal Martin at the British Irish intergovernmental conference at Farmleigh House in Dublin. They talked about the controversial Legacy Act that was first introduced by the previous Conservative government which halted scores of civil cases and inquests into Troubles deaths. Labour committed to repealing and replacing the Legacy Act but have kept the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR), which can investigate Troubles deaths on the request of bereaved families, victims and certain public authorities. Last year, the Irish Government initiated an interstate legal case against the UK in the European Court of Human RightS, claiming the Act breaches the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The case remains active, with ministers in Dublin wanting to see how the Labour Government resolves its concerns over the contentious legislation before any decision is taken to withdraw the action. Mr Martin said he and Mr Benn had a serious discussion on the question of dealing with the past and the Irish Governments continuing concerns about the legislation. The Tanaiste said: My clear view is that victims and their families need avenues to justice and access to information, and significant reform is required to secure that. I heard from Hilary on his plans for reform and I appreciate fully that there are relevant ongoing legal cases also. We will continue to see if we can find adequate common ground and we are looking for mechanisms that would be human-rights compliant and that will secure the confidence of victims, survivors and families. Asked what the Irish people would tangibly feel in the reset of British-Irish relationships, Mr Benn referred to the new Governments desire to have a close relationship with the EU and ongoing engagement in relation to legacy. Mr Benn said: We were all here on this platform opposed to the Legacy Act and we have come in committed to repeal and replace it, getting rid of immunity, restoring civil cases, restoring inquests, starting with those that were brought to an end. We have been discussing the role of the Independent Commission and how it can be reformed, because, in the end, we want to have a system that everyone can have confidence in, and can, in particular, finally, provide answers for many, many families that I have met since I took up post, who have been waiting decades to find out what happened to their loved ones, and I am committed to try and make this work. We have agreed between us the Tanaiste and I that we will continue to work together to find a way through on this and I think that is a very, very significant manifestation of the new relationship, because it is very different from what went before. Mr Martin said he had already seen the difference for legacy families seeking information and justice. He said: There are real families behind the title, we call it legacy issues, but there are real families, real suffering and people who need to get closure and get information, and to get justice, and the Secretary of State has already initiated and announced a public inquiry into the (Pat) Finucane case thats all tangible manifestation of the reset of the relationship. Mr Benn said the pair reflected on the reset in the relationship between the United Kingdom and the Irish government. He continued: Its really important to the Prime Minister Keir Starmer and to the new Labour government that we have a strong working relationship, and I think the spirit of the dialogue that has characterised todays meeting of the conference is a reflection of that. It also reminds us that we make the greatest progress above all in Northern Ireland when the British Government and the Irish Government work together. Fianna Fail was the clear winner of last weeks General Election in Ireland, securing 48 of the Dail parliaments 174 seats. Fianna Fail leader Mr Martin was grilled by reporters as to his partys plans for formation of government, but the Northern Ireland Secretary said any change will not impact his Governments commitment to a reset of British-Irish relations. The Irish people have spoken, it is for the political system here in Ireland to agree a new government, he said. All I will say is that the British Government looks forward to working closely with that new government when its formed in the spirit of renewed co-operation that I think has characterised the relationship between our two governments since we were elected on July 4. Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee and Northern Ireland Office minister Fleur Anderson were also in attendance at the conference. Speaking to reporters, Ms McEntee said they had discussed security co-operation including any threat from so-called dissidents, adding that the Irish Government would have significant and close co-operation with the Omagh bomb inquiry. She said: Were working very closely with the inquiry to ensure that the appropriate structure is put in place so that sharing of information and also cross-examination on a cross-jurisdictional basis can take place while protecting individuals, but, above all, ensuring that the information is shared. Ms Anderson said that the transformation of public services in Northern Ireland and violence against women and girls were also discussed. New Delhi: Fast-moving consumer goods maker Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) recently unveiled its roadmap for the next couple of years, highlighting a significant shift in Indian consumer preferences. While HULs core mass-market brands will remain a significant portion of its portfolio, the company anticipates a substantial shift in the coming years in several other categories that it projects will double or even quadruple in size, driven by Indias rising GDP. According to the company, thats because Indian consumers are increasingly seeking advanced formulations and convenient formats, leading them to transition from traditional soaps and detergent powders to body wash and liquid detergents. More households are expected to move up the $8,500-40,000 annual income bracket by 2030 versus 2018, even as households with less than $4,000 annual income shrink dramatically by the end of the decade, HUL said in a presentation filed with the stock exchanges on its capital markets day on Friday. Also read | HULs demand woe is a sticky issue HUL sells more than 50 brands in India across categories such as detergents, foods, soaps, shampoo, toothpaste, cosmetics, and ice cream, among others. The companys products are priced from 1 and 10 shampoo sachets to 800 lipstick. Analysts at Motilal Oswal said in a report released Monday that, clearly, the company wants to be relevant" within India's large consumption theme, which comprises income prosperity, a young population with a median age of under 32-years, and increasing digital and social connectivity. HUL remains strategically aligned" with Indias evolving economic landscape, leveraging structural shifts in income distribution and consumer behaviour, they added. In the presentation, HUL identified six high-growth segments as long-term bets. These include premium face care, premium hair care, body wash, home care liquids, condiments and mini meals, and wellbeing. It also identified 10 brands from its portfolio that it said are ripe for premiumization. As India transitions from a pyramid to a diamond-shaped income structure, HUL capitalizes on rising disposable incomes by driving premiumization across its portfolio while catering to diverse consumer segments. Over 80% of growth is expected to stem from the future core and market makers (leading trends), complemented by core categories that enhance penetration," Motilal Oswals analysts said. Also read | HUL: Gradually improving outlook to test investors patience The move ties in with broader shift in consumer habits. As more households move to higher income brackets, they are upping their spends on personal care. Consumers in large metros are also leaning towards healthy foods. They are also buying more goods online, travelling, and spending on experiences such as concerts. Several large companies across categories such as liquor and real estate are reporting an uptick in premium consumption. Affluence and convenience are also driving up demand for home appliances such as washing machines and microwave ovens. Such trends help companies such as HUL sell more washing liquids and convenience foods. For instance, HULs liquid detergent business under Surf Excel grew three-fold between 2019 and 2023; fabric conditioner brand Comfort, too, grew seven-fold between 2014 and 2023. The company said consumer expectations from its laundry products are evolving" thanks to wider wardrobes, and growing ownership of washing machines in India is prompting the switch from powder to more premium liquids. Also read | How HUL's Rohit Jawa plans to beat India's clock speed HUL plans to expand the reach of its liquid detergents going forward. The company also segmented its portfolio into core" portfolio, future core" brands that are ripe for premiumization, while also identifying and chasing future trends via what it called market makers". Premiumization continues to be the top agenda," said Manoj Menon, head-research and FMCG analyst at ICICI Securities. The company reiterated its focus on accelerating portfolio enhancement to capture premiumization while core will grow in line with the market," he said. This is already visible in categories such as beauty and personal care, where new-age brands as well as the entry of large global brands is driving up demand for premium skincare products. Affluent consumers are willing to drop anywhere between 1,000 and 3,000 on lipsticks and pricey skin treatments. HUL sells brands such as Lakme, Ponds, Simple, Love Beauty and Planet, etc. The company will disproportionately invest" behind categories such as face cleansing, sun care and serums as well as launch push global brands in India, it said in its presentation. Also read | Is consumption demand recovering? HUL bosses think so The move will also help the company compete with new-age, direct-to-consumer brands that have flooded the market such as MamaEarth, Sugar, Juicy Chemistry, and Plum. In beauty and wellbeing, there is an opportunity to premiumise (affluent) as well as develop (aspiring) the market. Categories such as serums shall grow aggressively given its convenience and efficacy," analysts at Nuvama Institutional Equities said in a separate note on the company. ICICIs Menon approved the companys efforts to reshape its beauty and wellbeing portfolio to address changing consumer trends through contemporising the core, focus on high-growth spaces and launching global brands. Microsoft faces a 1 billion pound ($1.27 billion) dispute in the U.K. over how it charges customers who buy cloud software services that rival its own Azure, the latest antitrust challenge to the U.S. tech giants approach to licensing. The lawsuit brought on behalf of multiple parties by litigation specialist firm Scott+Scott alleges that Microsoft is leveraging its dominance in must-have computer operating systems and unfairly charging business customers more if they purchase its Windows Server and use it with the tech giants main rivals cloud platforms. The suit was filed on Tuesday with the U.K.s Competition Appeal Tribunal by Scott+Scott, headquartered in New York. According to the firm, Microsoft is punishing U.K. businesses and organizations for using Google, Amazon and Alibaba for cloud computing by forcing them to pay more money for Windows Server." Maria Luisa Stasi, the lead claimant representing U.K. businesses and organizations that have allegedly been overcharged, said Microsofts approach restricts competition in the sector by steering customers towards Azure, the companys own cloud computing service. The claim is backed by alternative asset manager and third-party litigation funder LCM Funding UK. Microsoft declined to comment. Microsoft has come under pressure from competing cloud companies in recent years over how it offers its own software to business users. The U.K.s Competition and Markets Authority is currently investigating public cloud infrastructure services to check for issues in the sector. Both Google and Amazons AWS have submitted comments to the regulator that take aim at Microsofts licensing practices. The CMA found in its research that AWS is the market leader in U.K. cloud and that both it and Microsoft account for the vast majority of cloud software revenues. Microsoft told the CMA in a hearing last July that although Googles Cloud Platform hasnt had the same success as AWS and Azure to-date, it has important advantages and that the CMAs competition concerns ignore fierce competition between cloud service providers that drives down prices. Write to Edith Hancock at edith.hancock@wsj.com Bengaluru: Of late, one corner of Chakan, an automobile and manufacturing hub, has been seeing a burst of construction activity. On crossing the factories and manufacturing plants of some of the worlds largest automakers, including Mercedes, Volkswagen and Mahindra & Mahindra, the New MIDC Road leads to a 100-acre site. There, on the outskirts of Pune, Chakan V, a sprawling mega logistics park covering 2.6 million sq. ft, is coming up. While the size of the industrial facility is impressive in itself, the project has another unusual feature in the involvement of Blackstone, the worlds biggest real estate investor. Renowned the world over for its acquisition skills, the New York-headquartered global asset managers many successes in Indias office and retail real estate sectors over the years have mostly taken the inorganic path. The logistics park in Chakan, however, is an instance of Blackstone building something from the ground up. Horizon Industrial Parks, the Blackstone entity handling logistics and warehousing projects, recently delivered another 52-acre park, Chakan II. More such projects are underway in Bengaluru and Chennai. Since Blackstone opened its real estate division in India in 2007, its focus has entirely been on the office and mall segments. A little over a decade and a half later, a steady stream of acquisitions has left it with the largest office space portfolio, and second-largest shopping mall portfolio in the country today. Those acquisitions have helped make India its third biggest investment market after the US and the UK. Logistics is one of the biggest asset classes for Blackstone globally, and it owns more than 1.2 billion sq. ft of logistics and warehousing space world over. But it is a relatively new line of business for the asset manager in India, one it entered only five years ago. In a sense, the logistics park in Chakan, one of a number that it intends to construct, signifies its confidence in the growth prospects of the business. Since Blackstone opened its real estate division in India in 2007, its focus has entirely been on the office and mall segments. A little over a decade and a half later, it has acquired ready assets steadily to become the largest office space owner in the country. As a real estate investor, Blackstone has always scouted for good quality rental assets. Industrial and logistics is its first real estate platform in India where it has taken on the risk to buy land and construct," Shobhit Agarwal, managing director and chief executive at advisory firm Anarock Capital, said. While the recent gross domestic product (GDP) numbers were disappointing, the countrys long-term economic prospects remain bright. Demand for modern warehousing and industrial facilities has been steady, thanks to an expansion in manufacturing activity, e-commerce and quick commerce, as well as other sectors. All of this has led to a solid appetite among institutional investors for ready and good quality industrial assets. And so, warehousing and logistics parks have taken centre stage for Blackstone as it looks to expand its $20 billion real estate portfolio in India. Rapid scale-up Blackstone made its entry into the industrial real estate space in December 2019, through a joint venture with Greenbase Industrial and Logistics Parks, a new company founded by Niranjan Hiranandani, cofounder and chairman of realty firm Hiranandani Group. The 50:50 joint venture (JV) will invest 2,500 crore to develop industrial and warehousing facilities in cities across India. Greenbase started with 450 acres in Talegaon and Nashik in Maharashtra, and Oragadam in Chennai. The strategy was to construct warehouses and built-to-suit or custom-built industrial facilities for companies. View Full Image A Greenbase facility at Oragadam, Chennai. As a partner, Blackstone is very involved in the industrial real estate business. Our aim is to build a 20 million sq. ft portfolio in five years," said N. Shridhar, CEO, Greenbase. So, we will be acquiring more land and developing assets. We aim to have 500 acres of industrial parks each in Chennai and Pune." The JV is buying land in new markets such as Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Kolkata and Bengaluru. So far, it has invested around 1,700 crore but as it expands, it will invest around 4,500 crore to buy more land and develop it. After testing the waters with a joint venture, a strategy it had copied from its commercial office playbook, where it scaled up over the years via partnerships with the likes of Embassy group, Panchshil Realty and K Raheja Corp, it was ready to build a portfolio of industrial assets that it owned fully. In 2021, a couple of years after forming the JV with Hiranandani, it bought Embassy Industrial Parks, a large, multi-city portfolio of Grade A logistics and warehousing assets, valued at $700 million. Grade A warehousing facilities are larger in size than other grades; they are well located and are superior in terms of amenities and construction quality. Less than a year later, it launched Horizon Industrial Parks. The logistics parks business will grow faster than the office portfolio has over the last decade in India, Asheesh Mohta, senior managing director and head of acquisitions, Blackstone India, had told Mint in an interview at the time. That prediction seems to be playing out; in just three years, Horizon has built a large footprint, in sharp contrast with the commercial office vertical, which took nearly a decade to build a portfolio of 100 million sq. ft. Blackstone India did not comment for this story. Globally, Blackstone is one of the leading players in the logistics and industrial domain. In India, though a late entrant into industrial real estate, Horizon has aggressively expanded and is probably the most active player today," said Chandranath Dey, India head of operations, business development, industrial consulting and integrated logistics at property advisory JLL. Today, Horizon and Greenbase together have a portfolio of around 50 million sq. ft, spanning 1,800 acres and 38 parks, making Blackstone the second largest developer in this segment after market leader IndoSpace. They cater to clients across sectors such as manufacturing, third-party logistics and e-commerce. The asset managers top management, too, is bullish about the growth prospects of the new vertical. Blackstone may boost its warehouse space to 100 million sq. ft in India in two-three years, Kathleen McCarthy, co-head of the global real estate business, had told Bloomberg, earlier this year. In an ongoing transaction, Blackstone has emerged as the highest bidder to buy warehouse developer Logos Indias three logistics parkstwo in Chennai and one in Luhari, Haryana. While around a dozen global institutional players participated, Blackstones offer, at a little over 1,700 crore, outbid the likes of Singapores GIC and Japans Mitsui OSK Lines. If the bid is finalised, it will add around 5 million sq. ft of ready assets to Horizons portfolio. Deal with CWC In September, Horizon Industrial Parks was selected as the lead partner by the government-owned Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), a public warehouse operator, to manage its portfolio of 13 last-mile logistics assets for a 45-year period. With a development potential of 2.4 million sq. ft, this will be the largest portfolio of last-mile assets managed by an institutional developer in India. Horizon will invest around 700 crore in the assets and is free to redevelop and upgrade the properties for tenants. Its the first time a global investor has tied up with a government of India undertaking. Its a unique opportunity, where Horizon has the option of upgrading, pulling down and redeveloping the assets, or bringing in new occupiers," said Gulam Zia, executive director, Knight Frank India, an advisory. Its a build-operate-transfer model, where Horizon will earn revenue from the assets during the tenure of the deal. Its the first time a global investor has tied up with a government of India undertaking. Its a unique opportunity. Gulam Zia The deal gives Horizon an opportunity to access city-centric assets in Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai and National Capital Region (NCR). Last-mile logistics in cities, typically smaller storage spaces close to end users of goods, have become important to address the growing demand from quick commerce and e-commerce firms. While high land costs in city-centric areas have restricted the development of last-mile warehousing facilities for most developers, demand is huge. In particular, the boom in quick commerce has Blackstone drawing up plans to set up last-mile logistics facilities in other markets as well. The deal with CWC is like an acquisition of a ready portfolio of last-mile assets in great locations, said an analyst, requesting anonymity. Blackstone-Horizon gets access to land, which, if they had to buy it at current market prices, would cost much more. They have the freedom to build and monetize the portfolio, giving them a big advantage over other players." A deep-pocket game Land prices of industrial real estate have almost doubled over the last five years, noted Prateek Jhawar, managing director and head, infrastructure and real assets investment banking, Avendus Capital. With construction costs, too, going up sharply, it has become tough for small developers to thrive. It is no surprise then that large institutional players with deep pockets and patient capital, such as Blackstone and GIC, are shopping for industrial assets. Large players such as Blackstone have been actively aggregating warehousing assets through a dual-pronged approach, where they are acquiring ready assets as well as building out a large portfolio to eventually monetize it," said Jhawar. Blackstone has made both greenfield (land) and brownfield acquisitions for its industrial real estate business. Besides acquiring Embassy Industrial Parks and 50% stake in Greenbase, it has made multiple acquisitions, including a majority stake in Allcargo Logistics warehousing assets. The key differentiator is that the land and asset ownership, and management control lies with Horizon. This is not the case with some of the other leading developers and operators, whose investor partners have equal control," said a person familiar with the companys plans, who did not want to be identified. Paucity of assets on sale Blackstone is planning to combine the Horizon platform, which it fully owns, with the Greenbase portfolio for a public listing of its industrial real estate business in India, said multiple people. So, for now, the focus is on aggressively expanding both Horizon and Greenbase. For Horizon, 2024 has been a good year. It started operations at five new sites in Chennai, Bengaluru, Nagpur and Pune, and has already signed 4 million sq. ft of new tenant leases. But in the larger scheme of things, Blackstones pursuit of rapid growth may face some hiccups because of the paucity of Grade A assets. Industrial real estate is a game of scale, and Blackstone understands scale very well. The problem is that today, most Grade A assets are already owned by institutional players, so the options to buy ready portfolios are getting limited," said Anarocks Agarwal. As of September, the overall warehousing stock, including Grade A and B warehouses, in the top eight cities stood at 418 million sq. ft, according to estimates by property advisory JLL India. This is expected to touch 700 million sq. ft by 2028. Without many good quality acquisition opportunities and growing competition among well-funded players, Blackstone will have to actively acquire land and build assets, which is time-consuming and involves construction risks. So, to breach the 100 million sq. ft milestone in industrial real estate, Blackstone will need to both acquire assets and buy land to build on it. Bengaluru/Mumbai: Captain Fresh, a business-to-business seafood marketplace, is in talks to raise up to $100 million from new and existing investors at a valuation of $600-650 million, three people familiar with the matter told Mint. "The round is expected to be $50-100 million. Existing investors like Accel and Prosus are expected to infuse more capital while some new investors have also issued term sheets," one of the people cited above said. While it is a largely primary round, there is likely to be a secondary component as demand builds up, the person added. "The round will close in the coming months and may be a part of the company's pre-IPO round," a second person said. A spokesperson for Prosus said, We do not comment on market rumours or speculation." Accel and Captain Fresh did not immediately respond to Mint's request for a comment. Also read: Public procurements may come with startup quotas Earlier this week, Prosus said Captain Fresh was likely to tap the public markets. The company has appointed Axis Capital and Bank of America for its $400-million initial public offering (IPO) in 2025, according to a report by Moneycontrol. The potential capital infusion comes more than a year after Captain Fresh raised $48 million in a round led by Evolvence India and British International Investment at a valuation of $500 million. Its other investors include Tiger Global Management, z47 (formerly Matrix Partners), Innoven Capital, Incubate Fund India and Ankur Capital, according to market intelligence provider Tracxn. Large deals trickling back The Indian startup ecosystem is seeing growing interest for large deals in select companies at realistic valuations, in contrast to the pandemic years when capital was more abundant and valuations were stretched. For instance, Prosus has invested $80 million in supply chain financing company Mintifi while omnichannel beauty e-tailer Purplle has snagged $120 million in a round led by Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. Also read | Mint Explainer: What led Info Edge to file an FIR against Rahul Yadav? Founded in 2019 by banker-turned-entrepreneur Utham Gowda, the farm-to-retail startup aims to transform Indias seafood supply chain by aggregating fragmented retail demand across the country and linking it to small fishermen and farmers along the coast. It offers a digital commerce platform and a physical fulfilment layer for retailers across multiple formats. It also operates in overseas markets including the US, Spain and the Middle East. It competes with startups such as WayCool, Apnaklub and FarMart. In FY23, Captain Fresh reported total revenue of 801.3 crore, up from 211.5 crore a year earlier. Its losses widened to 288.4 crore from a loss of 113.2 crore in FY22, according to Tracxn data. Also read: Indias venture capital firms are finding that leaner might be better A ruthless focus on efficiency made Carlos Tavares a giant of the automotive industry. It was also his undoing at Stellantis. Tavares resigned Sunday as chief executive officer of the Chrysler owner after losing the confidence of the board and key shareholders. In a statement, the company pointed to the emergence of different views" in recent weeks. The leadership change caps a dramatic fall from grace for a company that Tavares created through a blockbuster 2021 merger and turned into a profit powerhouse during the pandemic. This year, a drop in sales has led to mounting inventories and a sharp fall in the companys share price. Stellantis stock lost a further 6% Monday. Despite the challenges, Stellantiss board had given Tavares its unanimous backing to turn the automaker around as recently as October. Since then, his renewed pursuit of cost savings and other efficiencies inflamed already fractious relations with dealers, suppliers and politicians, according to people familiar with the matter, prompting concern among board members. The machine was being driven too aggressively," one of the people said. One focus for Tavares was ensuring that the company beat its cash-flow guidance for the year, according to some of the people familiar with the matter. This would involve delaying payments to parts suppliers, bringing a cash windfall this year at the expense of 2025 while also putting stress on key business partners, the people said. The board worried that the move would risk long-term relationships with suppliers on which the company depends, the people said. The board also became increasingly concerned about Tavaress handling of unions and politicians in its home countries, the people added. In Italy, Stellantis has repeatedly paused production this year, leading to the first national auto workers strike in two decades. In France, Tavares previously came under political attack for his high pay, in an echo of the controversies that surrounded his disgraced former mentor Carlos Ghosn. By the second half of November, it became clear to the board that it didnt share Tavaress view of how to fix Stellantis, the people familiar with the matter said. Stellantis declined to comment further on the rationale for Tavaress departure. Tavares couldnt be reached. The auto giant plans to appoint a permanent CEO sometime in the first half of 2025. Until then, the company has established an interim executive committee, led by Chairman John Elkann, to handle Tavaress duties. Elkann runs Exor, the investment vehicle that is the largest shareholder of both Stellantis and Italian sports-car maker Ferrari. Elkann has flown to Michigan, where Stellantis is based in North America, for discussions this week about the companys future direction, people familiar with the situation said. The CEO change comes as Stellantis contends with challenges in its two largest markets. In the U.S., which contributes the bulk of its profit, Stellantis came under fire from dealers this year for disastrous choices" that inflated inventories, such as a reluctance to lower prices as consumers became more cautious. There have been some early signs of success in turning the situation around, with market share inching higher in recent months, though it remains far below prepandemic levels. Stellantis has also clashed with the United Auto Workers union, whose leader, Shawn Fain, welcomed Tavaress departure in a statement Monday. The companys sales have come under intensifying pressure in Europe, where it is the No. 2 player after Volkswagen. Shipments fell 17% in October from the same month last year even as the market grew marginally. The companys underperformance can be attributed to its needing to refresh their offering," according to Felipe Munoz, global analyst at JATO Dynamics. Tavares was instrumental in the creation of Stellantis, which was forged by the merger of Peugeot owner PSA Group of France and the Italian-American company once known as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. The Portuguese executive had already garnered a reputation for cutting costs through business combinations. In 2017, when he ran PSA, he bought the loss-making European operations of General Motors and rapidly made them profitable. At first, Tavares successfully repeated the playbook in the much larger deal with FCA, significantly boosting profitability. Now, though, the cost-cutting strategy has hit a wall, leaving his legacy in question. They need to rethink the model," said Jefferies analyst Philippe Houchois. Write to Stephen Wilmot at stephen.wilmot@wsj.com and Ryan Felton at ryan.felton@wsj.com A deluge of cheap Chinese goods washing over the developing world is jacking up tensions between China and the Global South, complicating Beijings plans to build alliances as it confronts escalating trade tensions with the U.S. With President-elect Donald Trump saying he plans to significantly increase tariffs on China, Beijing is hoping to unload more of its excess factory production to developing-world countries, from Indonesia to Pakistan to Brazil. But many of those countries are pushing back, as cut-price Chinese imports put pressure on their factories, killing jobs and blocking efforts to grow manufacturing at home. Many poorer countries have been counting on expanding manufacturing as the best way to propel their rise up the development ladder. For China, the emerging backlash threatens to undermine its goal of being a leader of the developing world, whose support it has courted as a means of building its own alliances to counter the U.S. Many developing countries now fear they will endure the same kind of China Shock" that gutted U.S. industry starting a quarter-century ago. Economists estimate the U.S. lost more than two million jobs between 1999 and 2011 as makers of furniture, toys and clothes buckled under competition from Chinese imports. View Full Image Graphic: WSJ A similar pattern appears to be playing out in some of Chinas developing-world trading partners. In Thailand, more than 1,700 factories closed from the start of 2023 through the first quarter of 2024 after Chinese exports to the country surged, according to KKP Research, part of Thai bank Kiatnakin Phatra Financial Group. New factory openings are helping offset those closures, the bank said, but the future outlook is likely to become more challenging." To fight back, developing countries have implemented almost 250 trade-defense measures affecting Chinese imports since the start of 2022, including tariffs, antidumping investigations and antisubsidy probes, according to Global Trade Alert, a nonprofit based in Switzerland that supports open trade. Brazil, a key member of the Brics group of developing economies that includes China, accounts for more than 120 of those interventions. Despite close personal ties between Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Brazil has raised tariffs on auto parts, telecommunications equipment and steel made in China and other countries. In October, Indonesia banned Temu, the Chinese-origin app that shuttles cheap goods directly from Chinese factories to consumers doors worldwide. Indonesia said the model raises risks of predatory pricing. If foreign products enter with prices far lower than products from our own small businesses, consumers will choose the cheaper offerings," said Prabunindya Revta Revolusi, director general of Indonesias Communications Ministry. Our small businesses will struggle to compete." Chinas Commerce Ministry didnt respond to requests for comment. Trading mangoes Some developing-world leaders have carried their frustration all the way to Beijing. In a visit to the Chinese capital in July, Bangladeshs then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said she wished to create a more equitable trade relationship" with China, which has a $22 billion annual trade surplus with Bangladesh. She got a commitment to start importing Bangladeshi mangoes, but not much more. In September, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa made similar pleas during a Beijing visit. Chinese exports to South Africa have doubled since 2016, even as South Africas economy has stagnated. On the other side of the ledger, China has extended billions of dollars in loans and investment deals to the Global South. It touts these funds as evidence that China is more reliable than the U.S., whose pledges of support have at times fallen through or come with restrictions. View Full Image Bangladesh got a commitment from China to start importing its mangoes. Photo: Mamunur Rashid/NurPhoto/ Reuters In November, Xi officially opened a vast new deep-water port in Peru built with Chinese money. Many emerging markets sell massive amounts of commodities, such as soybeans and iron ore, to China, and some have free-trade agreements with Beijing. Developing-world countries also have many geopolitical reasons to deepen ties with China, including, in some cases, distrust of the U.S. Xi and Brazils da Silva, whose country is among the minority that boasts a trade surplus with China, sealed their bromance in November with a bear hug after the two sides signed trade and investment deals. These crosscurrents show how Beijings relationships are growing more complex when China needs as many friends as it can get. Trump has said he would raise tariffs on Chinese imports to the U.S. to 60% or more. Even smaller increases could rock a Chinese economy that is struggling to recover from a real estate bust and other problems. China could respond by letting its currency weaken, making its goods cheaper for alternative buyers. But that would likely accelerate Chinas shift toward selling more to developing-world nations, with its own economy too weak to buy much more of their exports, pushing trade tensions higher. Chinas excess Much of the current discord stems from Chinas efforts to support its factory sector to keep its economy steady. Since the real-estate bubble popped in 2021, Chinas leaders have been pouring money into industry, which has led to ballooning production and a surge in exports. With the U.S. and Europe hiking tariffs to keep that excess production out, the developing world has become a logical outlet. Since the start of 2022, the value of Chinese exports to emerging economies has risen 19%, according to International Monetary Fund data. Imports from emerging markets over the same period have risen 11%. As a result, in the 12 months through August, Chinas trade surplus with emerging economies reached $384 billion, 56% bigger than in 2021. It is a bitter pill for developing countries to swallow because many were expecting China to give up on low-end manufacturing as its economy matured. That, they hoped, would open the door for other nations to move into labor-intensive industries such as textiles and steel, accelerating their economic rise. Instead, China has held on to big chunks of manufacturing, while doing little to stimulate consumer spending so it can absorb what it produces. Chinas share of global goods exports in 2023 was 15%, up 2 percentage points since 2019. There is a lack of opportunity for emerging economies to export those low- to mid-end products, in which they could actually be competitive," said Camille Boullenois, associate director with Rhodium Group in Brussels. They are sort of stuck." Brazil brouhaha In Brazil, business leaders lay much of the blame for the countrys shrinking industrial sector on China. Manufacturing, which accounted for 36% of Brazils gross domestic product in 1985, contributed less than 11% last year. Steel is a major bone of contention. Brazil has one of the worlds largest supplies of iron ore, a key component in steel. But it is often cheaper to ship it over 10,000 miles to China and import it back as steel, rather than produce locally, causing some businesses to rethink investments in Brazil. Whats the point of investing in a country where some 20% to 23% of steel is already imported? Its a horrible market for us," said Jefferson de Paula, head of ArcelorMittal in Brazil. View Full Image Brazil has one of the worlds largest supplies of iron ore. Photo: Bloomberg While Brazils government doubled import tariffs recently on some steel products such as wire and cables, businesses have called for outright limits on imports. In India, officials have raised duties on imports from China and other countries of circuit boards, industrial lasers and vinyl sheets used to make signs. Ashish Bharat Ram, chairman of Indian chemicals company SRF, said Chinese competition isnt just an issue for the domestic marketit is also squeezing profits emerging-market firms earn abroad. Net profit at SRF in the six months through September was down 29% compared with the previous year, at about $76 million, in large part because the company was forced to slash prices to compete with cheap Chinese competition in Europe and other big markets, Bharat Ram said. This is their typical strategy of gaining market share at any price," he said. To be sure, inexpensive Chinese imports bring considerable benefits to poorer consumers, who find in Chinese products affordable alternatives to Western-made cars and home appliances. Developing-world companies that sell products to China also create jobs. View Full Image Graphic: WSJ The World Bank, in an October report, said that the gains developing countries got from China after it emerged as a global trading powerhouse outweighed downsides from Chinese competition. Between 2008 and 2019, a 1 percentage point increase in Chinese growth boosted growth in emerging and developing economies in Asia by around 0.14 percentage point. But the bank also found the effect is shrinking, and might reverse if recent trends continue. Cautious pushback In Indonesia, Chinese companies have spent billions of dollars investing in natural resources, boosting Indonesias exports of nickel and other commodities. But for smaller businesses such as Pt. GMS, a family-owned toy maker in the city of Surabaya, Chinese competition is making it hard to survive. Chinese toy exports to the country doubled from just under $400 million in 2018 to around $850 million in 2023. Its like theyre burning money to make the sales cheap," said Winata Riangsaputra, the companys director. Riangsaputra said the decades-old factory is cutting staff and turning to lower-value products requiring fewer workers, such as paper puzzles, where he can save on costs by buying raw materials locally. View Full Image Chinas Flood of Cheap Goods Is Angering Its Allies, Too Other groups have called for tougher trade action against China, including the Indonesian Ceramic Industry Association, which says more than six Indonesian ceramics factories have closed because of cheap Chinese plates and bowls. But retaliating can be dangerous, some locals say, given Indonesias commodity exports to China. In a speech in July, Indonesias trade minister at the time, Zulkifli Hasan, said the country was being flooded with products as Chinese exporters struggled with overcapacity. Hasan said he would soon finalize tariffs of up to 200% on products such as textiles and ceramics to protect local industry. Days later, another Indonesian minister clarified that any tariffs wouldnt target China specifically. At a press conference, a spokesman for Chinas Foreign Ministry referenced the debate and warned that Beijing would take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies." The tariffs were never implemented. Indonesias trade ministry didnt respond to requests for comment. Write to Jason Douglas at jason.douglas@wsj.com, Jon Emont at jonathan.emont@wsj.com and Samantha Pearson at samantha.pearson@wsj.com At the latest United Nations climate summit, developing nations slammed rich countries pledge to spend $300 billion annually on climate reparations as crumbs." The reality is much worse. Wealthy nations likely wont conjure up $300 billion in new spending. Europe has been roiled by protests against radical climate policies and the 2024 U.S. election was an indictment of, among other things, aggressive climate regulations. Instead, wealthy nations will do what theyve done before: raid development funds to the detriment of the people they claim to help. Members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development currently spend $223.7 billion a year trying to do good in poor countries through bilateral and multilateral aid and development spending. It is politically much easier for politicians intent on green spending to shift this money to climate purposes than try to get voters to go along with fresh outlays. Rich nations have diverted much of this funding to climate-change initiatives. OECD members spent one-third of their direct development aid on climate in fiscal 2021-22, the most recent year for which data are available. Development banks have twisted their purpose even further: The World Bank last year sent 44% of its lending to climate causes, the African Development Bank 55% and the European Investment Bank 60%. This charade needs to stop. As part of President-elect Trumps reforms to wasteful government, he should return development aid to policies that make a real difference. Advocates of green aid are right that climate change will hurt poor countries, but almost every other challenge these nations facefrom hunger and poverty to disease and poor educationhurts them more. Typically, climate aid is the worst way to improve quality of life or prevent deaths. Some adaptations to extreme weather are prudent. Early-warning systems for hurricanes and dikes can deliver excellent benefits for each dollar spent. But most climate aid does little to help the developing world. What feeble returns it does bring are dwarfed by the good that could have been done if governments spent that money on direct development efforts such as expanding childhood vaccines or improving crops. This is especially true for climate aid that goes toward emission cuts. The very poorest countries in the world are responsible for less than 0.5% of emissions. They dont need decarbonization. They need growth, which requires access to copious, reliable energy. Given solar and wind powers unreliabilityand consequent reliance on expensive backup powerthis will mostly have to come from fossil fuels. Denying these countries access to cheap and reliable energy is equivalent to condemning them to poverty. Perversely, multilateral development banks spend two-thirds of their climate financinga massive $50 billion a yearon mitigation" policies, helping poor countries cut carbon emissions and pushing them only to adopt unreliable power sources. When people need jobs and food, it is immoral to give them solar panels instead. Poverty kills nearly 10 million people annually through related problems such as infectious diseases and hunger. By comparison, the climate-change toll is tiny. Extreme weather took an average of 9,000 lives each year over the past decade. There are many core development priorities wealthy nations could fund that would quickly and efficiently save lives and create economic growth. These include reducing the scourges of malaria and tuberculosis, improving learning outcomes and cutting maternal and neonatal deaths. Carbon mitigation in poorer countries, on the other hand, will generate only a minuscule temperature reduction about a century from now. This is assuming the money actually makes it to climate aidmuch of it is poorly tracked by distributing bodies. The U.S. Office of the Inspector General has criticized USAID for having insufficient data on where its climate aid goes. Analysis by Oxfam suggests that as much as $41 billion of the World Banks climate financing from 2017 to 2023 cant be accounted for. Data show poorer countries want the development industry to end its distraction with green policy. A large survey of leaders priorities in low- and middle-income countries ranked climate change 12th out of 16 issues, below education, employment, peace and health. In 2020 and 2021, the World Bank completed 43 surveys of people in its client countries. Less than 6% listed climate change as a top priority. Yet, in 2023 the World Bank boasted about adding climate change to its mission to end poverty. When he enters office, Mr. Trump can do a lot of good for the worlds most vulnerable if he refocuses development spending on smart investments with good returns and accounts for spending closely. Otherwise, poorer nations will suffer under a sort of climate colonialism as elites in Washington and Europe take money away from the fight against poverty and hunger to build their climate delusions. Mr. Lomborg is president of the Copenhagen Consensus, a visiting fellow at Stanford Universitys Hoover Institution and author of Best Things First. Top central ministries are discussing a proposal that may mandate public sector units to purchase 10% of their requirements from startups, two people aware of the development said. Ministries of commerce, labour, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, heavy industry, steel, MSME and textiles are part of these discussions, the people cited above said on the condition of anonymity. The intent is to help Indias startup sector grow, and make India an attractive place for them," one of the two officials said. Some of India's ongoing efforts to encourage startups sector include the Startup India seed fund initiative and Atal Innovation Mission. According to the second official, mandatory public procurement from startups is one of several options under discussion. The official said this could be similar to how the Union government encourages defence startups through its Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework, which funds and supports startups to drive innovation in defence. The schemes aim is to foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace by engaging Industries. Also read | Peak XV, Trifecta Capital backed fintech startup Klub halves workforce The idea of compulsory procurements was pitched by a group of secretaries during mid-2024, the second official said. Its other suggestions included scaling up research and innovation for startups. Queries sent to the Press Information Bureau, the central government's media department, remained unanswered. The government's budgeted expenditure for FY25 is 48 trillion, about 8.5% higher than the actual expenditure in FY24. Reservation for startups is a positive step to foster entrepreneurship, said Rahul Garg, founder and CEO of Moglix, an industrial B2B manufacturing startup, which was last valued at more than $2.6 billion. "By granting startups access to government contracts, this policy empowers them to scale, create jobs, and drive economic growth. This initiative not only provides a platform for startups to showcase innovative solutions but also accelerates the development of cutting-edge technologies that can enhance India's global competitiveness," Garg said. Also read | From boardrooms to startups: This PE firm is scouting for seasoned managers to build new ventures Supporting startups could help create jobs for hundreds of thousands of India's youth, at a time of rising unemployment. The governments latest periodic labour force survey shows the unemployment rate inching up to 3.2% between July 2023 and June 2024 from 3.1% the previous year. Meanwhile, India's startups created around one million jobs till 2023, the Economic Survey 2023 (23, it is) showed. According to a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) report, startups will likely create 50 million new jobs and add $1 trillion to the economy by FY30. "This is a terrific and positive shift in procurement thinking if it goes through," said Pranav Pai, managing partner at 3one4 Capital, a homegrown venture capital firm. "The largest economies like the US and China built their Indigenous manufacturing and technological competencies by channelling hundreds of billions of dollars into research, grants, and procurement support programmes such as DARPA and SASTIND. If India is able to replicate such initiatives programmatically, this can lead to a seismic transformation of Indian competencies - from energy and defence to chemicals and software - over the next decade," Pai added. And read | Lightspeed set to lead clean-tech startup SolarSquares $30 millon funding round India is home to the world's third-largest flock of unicorns--startups valued at one billion dollars and above--behind the US and China. According to the Hurun Index, between 2014 and 2023, India saw a boom in startup founding and funding. The number of tech startups in India is estimated at around 122,000. India's startups attracted $9.2 billion in funding across 984 deals between January-October 2024, according to data compiled by GlobalData, an analytics firm. This was up from $6.4 billion mopped up by these startups in the same period in 2023 across 930 deals, data showed. Bengaluru: Digital maps pioneer MapMyIndia has come under the scrutiny of investors and proxy advisory firms after the company agreed to invest 35 crore and transfer a tiny share of its business to a company owned by the son of its founder and promoter. On Friday, MapMyIndia's parent C.E. Info Systems Ltd informed stock exchanges that chief executive officer Rohan Verma would step down and start a new business-to-consumer (B2C) venture. The company will transfer its Mappls Mall and Travel app for hotel and flight booking to the new company. The company, which provides data to Apple Maps and Amazon's Alexa, ended FY24 with 379.4 crore revenue. According to co-founder, chairman and managing director Rakesh Verma, the B2C business is not more than 50 lakh in revenue. Rohan Verma would own 90% of the new venture, while MapMyIndia will spend 10 lakh to acquire 10% equity and invest 35 crore through compulsorily convertible debentures (CCDs). Also read | Mint Explainer: Ola Maps, MapMyIndia, Google and the nationalism conundrum "As the consumer business requires a dedicated focus to build Rohan Verma, CEO and executive director of MapMyIndia, proposed to the board to fund a new venture outside the company," Rakesh Verma said in a prepared statement on 1 December. Rakesh and his wife Rashmi Verma founded MapMyIndia in 1995 to create digital maps of India. The company, which went public in 2021, was worth 9,174 crore as of Monday. Its shares closed 3.5% lower at 1,692, even as the Sensex ended 0.6% up at 80,248 points. Since its market debut three years ago, MapMyIndia's shares are up 18.1%, compared to the BSE Sensex, which has returned 41%. "Rohan's departure as CEO could create a leadership vacuum," JM Financial analysts Abhishek Kumar, Anuj Kotewar and Nandan Arekal wrote in a note dated 30 November. The company is confident that its leadership team, aided by Mr Rakesh Verma's guidance, is capable enough." On Monday evening, over two dozen analysts and investors quizzed the management in a nearly two-hour interaction done to assuage concerns about minority shareholders getting a raw deal because of this transaction. Also read | MapmyIndia aims for 1,000 crore of revenue by FY27 but faces speed bumps galore "I don't know what data the independent board was provided and what they used," said Nilesh Shah of Envision Capital, asking the management why the transaction does not have royalty sharing agreement considering MapMyIndia is transferring one of the consumer-facing brands Mappls to the new entity. MapMyIndia founder Verma, 71, differed. "I've been in business for 30 years, and I can tell you I've never done business at the expense of good corporate governance. This business transaction is pro-MapMayIndia rather than anti-MapMyIndia," he said." As this is a related party transaction, the board and the audit committee should tell shareholders the potential of the new business," said V. Balakrishnan, a former chief financial officer at Infosys Ltd and founder of Exfinity Ventures, a venture capital fund. "Have they evaluated any alternate proposals to get into this segment; why only a 10% minority stake is taken, and at what value the CCD of 35 crore will be converted if the new company is not able to raise money in 10 years," Balakrishnan questioned. Also read | Govt to complete GIS mapping of entire highway network "On the face of it, this looks like the shareholders of MapMyIndia are taking all the risks with limited upside in the form of their equity stake in the new company. The best way would have been to start as a 100% subsidiary and then get external validation so that the whole value creation would reside with the shareholders of MapMyIndia. The CEO could have been compensated with performance-based stock options," said Balakrishnan. Consumer business was becoming a "distraction", Verma told Mint. "And hence, after speaking with consultants and investors we decided that in the interest of the company, it is better we go with this transaction. Phone Pe, along with other investors, was not keen on us accumulating losses because of the consumer business," Verma said. Since the transaction involves MapMyIndia infusing 35 crore through CCDs, which is less than 10% of the company's revenue of 379.4 crore, this transaction would not need approval from the minority shareholders of MapMyIndia, Verma added. Also read | Gen AI takes centre stage at AGM of TCS and Infosys Two proxy advisory firms questioned the transaction. "Capital allocation and succession planning are at the heart of what boards are tasked with. In this instance, the company has side-stepped a leadership change. On capital allocation, it outsourced the decision-making," said Amit Tandon, founder and managing director at proxy advisory firm Institutional Investor Advisory Services India Ltd (IiAS). "This transaction has been undertaken to fund a company's business using company resources - funds, data, brand - with the promoter getting 90% of the upside," said Shriram Subramanian, founder and managing director of proxy advisory firm InGovern Research. Essentially, like a VC fund and transferring resources to seed promoter's wealth creation. This is a red flag," he added. Verma and his family own 51.67% of MapMyIndia's shares. Payments app PhonePe had acquired its shares from its parent company, Flipkart, the e-commerce firm, when it first invested in MapMyIndia in 2015. In 2020, PhonePe became a separate company. "MapMyIndia's investments in B2C segment (Mappls) was impacting margins, while diverting capital from B2B initiativesIoT-led and drone businesses. Hiving off B2C efforts should, therefore, help the company sharpen its focus on B2B/B2B2C segments. This should improve MapMyIndia's margin/ROCE profile," analysts at JM Financial wrote in a note last week. And read | A Google Maps competitor in India's tech revolution Freshly cooked, piping hot fish and chips, sprinkled with salt and soused with vinegar, wrapped in paper and eaten out-of-doors on a cold and wintry day. Could there be anything more quintessentially British than fish and chips? The British love what Winston Churchill called the good companions". I have eaten the UKs national dish" in multiple places, including in the Scottish highlands, in a Welsh seaside village, a fancy restaurant in London, a costal pub in Clovelly, and a tiny chippy in Devon. Fish and chips is to the British what vada-pav is to Mumbaia quick-fix, no-nonsense meal, tasty on the tongue and easy on the pocket. The origins date to Jewish immigrants (for the fried fish), and Belgian and French influences (for the deep-fried potatoes). Both were enjoyed separately well before they came together. Food historian Annie Gray says the potato slowly went from knobbly curiosity to staple food - especially for the poor and chips made an appearance, given how well it lent itself to deep frying. By the Victorian era, chipped potatoes were everywhere. Dickens famously described them in his 1859 novel A Tale of Two Cities as husky chips of potatoes fried with some reluctant drops of oil". The proximity to the coast meant fried fish was on the table of the rich and the poor. Gray says the first fish and chip shop appeared in the UK in about 1860. Sephardic Jews sold cold fried fish, intended for eating on the Sabbath. It was cheap, filling and tasty, and fried fish stalls sprung up in cities. It was inevitable that these two street foods, so popular with the masses, would end up together," she shares. Chippies (the British slang for fish and chip shops) proliferated across the UK through the 20th century, from the northernmost point in Shetland all the way down to Lands End in Cornwall. In the book Development of Fish and Chips: The Powerhouse of the Victorian Working Class, author Nick Schuima writes, By the 1860s, fish and chips as street food had transformed Londons working class[it] sustained Londons growing industrial population, providing an economical, convenient, and delicious meal." The expanding rail network ensured that fish was transported to inland cities as well. By 1910, there were close to 25,000 chippies, peaking in 1929 at 35,000 chippies. In fact, during World War II, ministers ensured that fish and chips were one of the few foods never rationed. Batter recipes may differ across the UK, but the chips are made from white potatoes, peeled and cut to the thickness of thumbs, and fried in hot oil. Accompaniments differ. John Lennon supposedly like his smothered in tomato ketchup, but the standard condiment is salt and vinegar. A portion of mushy peas is a popular side dish and there may even be pickles, be it onions, gherkins, or eggs," says Justin Hall, the server at the aptly named chippy Seaview in Tenby, on the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales. On an earlier trip to Edinburgh, I saw fish and chips served with a brown tangy chippy sauce", made of tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, dates, salt, spices and tamarind. Chippies in Ireland, Wales and England douse warm sauces such as curry sauce or gravy over the chips; without the fish, theyre eaten as wet chips," Hall says. At Wetherspoons, a mass market chain of pubs across the UK, the dish is one of the menus most popular orders. It has served more than 10 million fish-and-chip meals in the last 10 years. Some fish-and-chips lovers also enjoy the scraps" or crinkling" - bits left from frying the fish, and known as scrumps" in Wales and bits" in Southern England. However, the UKs national dish seems to be floundering in the face of rising prices for key ingredients and doubling energy costs. The National Federation of Fish Friers, which represents chippies," has predicted that over the next few years a third of the UKs roughly 10,500 chippies may close for good. Sarsons, the company that makes the malt vinegar thats the pairing of choice for the fried fish, has predicted as many as half could shutter. Reason enough for chippies and their supporters to start a campaign to Save the chippies" and keep buying even if the fish and chips cost a bit more than earlier. Andrew Crook, President, National Federation of Fish Friers, says the combination of the effects of the Ukraine war and the pressures of increased labour and regulatory burdens have squeezed profit margins. He also points to the huge reduction in the total allowable catch for cod in the Barents Sea. It is becoming more and more difficult to survive[we] are seeing many operators are starting to try to get out but there are not many there to buy the shops. My fear is irreversible damage is going to be done before things improve," Cook says. Chippy owners across the UK are feeling the pinch. Out prices increase with rising expenses; we cant not pass them on. We want to attract customers, but no one wants to eat out due to rising costs," says Aled Lewis, at the popular O My Cod in Bridgend. Right now, we dont want to grow; we are happy to maintain the status quo." Hot and flaky fish, encased in a golden glassy batter, served with a generous heap of chips, has been part of the UKs mealtime memories for generations. It helped fuel Britains industrial revolution, sustained morale during two World Wars, and is ubiquitous during seaside holidays, as a late supper on the way home. or as a weekday family treat. Sian Roberts, who runs food tour company Loving Welsh Food, recalls the presence of chippies in every village and town when she was growing up. The chippies were open quite late, so we would pick up some fish and chips on the way home from the pub or in the summer on the way back from the beach," she says. But, she acknowledging that the British dish and tradition - is disappearing. We don't have a chippy near us so I haven't been one to many years. I hope that they will manage to survive," Roberts says. On a chippies trail View Full Image Frankie's Fish & Chips. Ship Deck, Caerphilly Yarm Road Fish and Chips, Darlington Fish Works, Largs Knights Fish Restaurant, Glastonbury The Magpie Cafe, Whitby The Anstruther Fish Bar, Anstruther Frankies Fish & Chips, Brae Berties Fish & Chips, Edinburgh John Longs, Belfast D. Fecci & Sons, Tenby Jolly Fryer, Filton, Bristol The Mayfair Chippy, London Teja Lele writes on travel and lifestyle. Quant Mutual Fund confirmed it has appointed a new chief executive in an effort to decouple the CEO and CIO (chief investment officer) functions currently held by founder Sandeep Tandon. The new chief executive, who is set to join in April 2025, is a mutual fund industry outsider from a global financial conglomerate according to a source. We have closed the appointment of a chief executive officer, who is someone with strong regional and global experience. We expect the CEO to join us by April 2025," Quant said in its latest factsheet. It did not disclose more details to comply with regulations. Hiring spree The asset management company (AMC) has hired six people for top management roles in the past nine months, including chief financial officer & director, chief operations officer, head of investor services, and head of operations. Most of them were hired from other AMCs. Also read | Quant Mutual Fund: The untold story behind Sandeep Tandons rise Quants new CFO & director Shashi Kataria and head of operations Premprakash Dubey will be joining from Parag Parikh AMC. Usha Lakshmi Raman, who was previously with SBI AMC, will come on board as chief compliance officer and head of internal controls. Sudha Biju, who will head investor services, and Yogesh Kuwadare, who has been appointed as a professional consultant to conduct a process review, are joining from HDFC AMC. Sameer Kate, who previously covered equity and derivative and trading for Indian mutual funds and foreign firms at Investec Capital will join as a money manager, according to Quants December factsheet. Quant has grown rapidly in the past few years, making it difficult for Tandon to juggle the operations and investment divisions, said another person in the know. CIOs and fund managers at mutual fund companies are required to record their conversations during market hours, which can hamper their ability to conduct meetings during market hours. The hiring also signals that Quant is looking to shed its image as a one-man show. Also read: Sebi targets asset management companies in market abuse crackdown The mutual fund company has Rs.97,000 crore in assets under management, with 84 lakh folios across 27 schemes as of November, according to its monthly fact sheet. In December 2020, just before the covid pandemic, it had just 488 crore in AUM and 58,000 folios. Unlike most mutual funds, which employ a buy-and-hold strategy, Quant relies on its proprietary valuation, liquidity, risk, and timing (VLRT) strategy that requires a lot of churn. Front-running allegations On 21 June, Sebi conducted a search and seizure at Quants offices in Mumbai and Hyderabad after its surveillance indicated possible front-running by entities with insider knowledge of Quants trades. The regulator suspected that Quant executives with information about the size and timing of orders may have leaked this to beneficiaries. The AMC said it would cooperate with Sebis investigation. "We want to assure you that Quant Mutual Fund is a regulated entity, and we are always fully committed to cooperating with the regulator throughout any review. We will provide all necessary support and continue to furnish data to Sebi on a regular and as-needed basis, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to transparency and integrity." Also read | Mint Explainer: Front-running cases and Sebi's fight against market manipulation Front-running occurs when market makers deal on advance information provided by their brokers and investment analysts, before their clients have been given the information. China will strengthen controls on U.S.-bound exports of some materials that are used in chip making and can have military applications, a move that comes amid rising trade tensions between the two countries. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce said Tuesday that it will ban exports of so-called dual-use materials to the U.S. for military purposes. The restriction applies to gallium, germanium, antimony and superhard materials, the ministry said in a statement, citing national security concerns. It also said that it will conduct stricter end-user and end-use reviews for graphite heading for the U.S. Some of the materials subject to the tightened curbs are commonly found in semiconductors and have a range of electronic applications. A ministry spokesperson said the curbs are in response to what the ministry said was the U.S.s unreasonable" imposition of restrictions on the export of certain products to China, and the inclusion of Chinese companies on a sanctions list, which the government believes undermines international trade rules and the stability of global supply chains. The Biden administration this week introduced new curbs aimed at cutting off Chinas access to cutting-edge chips used in artificial-intelligence applications. The Commerce Department also added over 100 Chinese companies and other entities to a trade blacklist. President-elect Donald Trump has also said he will hike tariffs on Chinese exports to the U.S., though to what extent remains to be seen. Write to Jiahui Huang at Jiahui.Huang@wsj.com A question. Which party played identity politics in the 2024 campaign? Donald Trump and the Republicans or Kamala Harris and the Democrats? Left-leaning pundits think they know. Political consultant James Carville blamed Democrats defeat on their stupid, Goddamn identitarian mission." CNN anchor and Washington Post columnist Fareed Zakaria argued that one of the big mistakes Harris made was elevating identity politics." New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd declared that woke is broke." This one-sided attack on identity politics happens like clockwork when Democrats lose an election, even one where they were actually pretty quiet on issues of gender, race or sexual orientation. But what is rarely acknowledged is that Republicans also play identity politics. They just do it betterespecially under Trumps leadership. Today, white identity deeply influences American politics," writes political scientist Ashley Jardina in her 2019 book White Identity Politics. White identity is sometimes latent, but it is also reactive made salient by threats to the dominance of whites as a group." Trump is the master of this strategy. His brand of identity politicscentred on Caucasian and male identityhas proven an effective and divisive way to win. The Republican party is 84% Caucasian, yet for years, mainstream national Republicans mostly rejected playing the race card overtly. Senator Bob Dole famously told racists to leave the party during his 1996 convention speech. And former Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman apologized in 2005 for his partys history of using racial polarization to gain an electoral advantage. Trump has behaved quite differently. For example, in August, Trump shared an image of dark-skinned people simply walking with a caption that said: If youre a woman you can either vote for Trump or wait until one of these monsters goes after you or your daughter." Thats Trumps version of identity politicsand it worked. There is a reason that Harris largely sidestepped her racial and gender identity, as Trump leaned in, frequently highlighting her identity markers. The intentional mispronunciation of her name was part of his strategy. So were comments like this: I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now she wants to be known as Black. So, I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black?" Trump said in July to a room of African-American journalists. On her gender, Trump, who talked about the appeal of the strongman," had this to say: Shell be so easy for them. Shell be like a play toy. They look at her and they say we cant believe we got so lucky. Theyre gonna walk all over her," he said in an interview with Fox News in July. I dont want to say as to why, but a lot of people understand it." Trump, obviously, didnt have to say it. He was right that people understood where he was coming from. His identity made him the better choice to sit across from world leaders. Since Trumps rise to political prominence, the electorate, particularly Caucasian voters, has shifted their views to either match or oppose Trumps views. Caucasian conservatives have become more extreme on issues like immigration and civil rights and liberals more progressive. The sentiments that motivated voters in this campaign and how different groups voted wont fully be known for months (exit polls are unreliable), but if 2024 is anything like 2016, its likely that whiteness and maleness as identities were motivating factor for some voters. Yes, Trump made inroads among a multiracial coalition of men, and he did this by appealing to traditional notions of masculinitycue Hulk Hogan ripping off his shirt at the Republican convention. Even Trumps emphasis on transgender issues, while ostensibly about womens sports, is at its core also about fragile gender roles and the idea that certain groups now enjoy an elevated status. Democrats, with their multi-racial and diverse coalition, dont have a good answer for Trumps style of identity politics. They must attract more Caucasian voters to win, but are wary of wading into the Caucasian grievance politics at the centre of Trumps version of populism. As Democrats point fingers and devise a way forward, they should take some solace in this: Parties and culture evolve and new leaders emerge. Trumps culture war rhetoric might make voters feel better, but it has yet to make their actual lives better. This will be the big test of his second term. Democrats in the opposition must develop a broader but still inclusive message, while hoping that Republicans who come in Trumps wake are less adept at his brand of identity politics. Bloomberg Three-quarters of a century after freedom from British rule, Nehruvian policies continue to animate debates on the extent to which they aided or hobbled the emergence of Indias economy. Even before we made a decisive shift in 1991 to reduce the states role, a leftist critique sought to skewer the policy choices of our formative years for investing in elite education at the cost of mass learning. The economys rise and passage of time have not eased that criticism. A recent study by Nitin Kumar Bharti and Li Yang of the Paris School of Economics World Inequality Lab compares the approach taken by India and China to public education over a dozen decadesfrom 1900 to 2020to examine its economic impact. That it makes a difference over the long-term wasnt in doubt. That it might explain divergent growth paths between the two economies is what the work of Bharti and Yang would have us think. With Chinas per capita income almost five times Indias today, it is easy to forget that half a century ago, the two were more or less at par as economies struggling to emerge from poverty. Beijing had a head-start over New Delhi in easing economic controls and letting private profit act as an incentive for value generation. Also, it was a rural rebellion against collective farming that led Chinas market reforms, while it was a lack of dollars to pay for oil imports that triggered ours by exposing a gaping hole in our statist model of autarky. The remedies differed accordingly. However, the Bharti-Yang study suggests that the most consequential top-down versus bottom-up difference lay in public education, not market orientation. While both countries have reached high levels of school enrolment after starting with less than a tenth of all children attending classes 120 years ago, the Peoples Republic of the 1950s focused on primary and secondary schooling for its multitudes, while India laid policy emphasis on institutes of higher education. As China acquired a wide base of students who could read and write, we got a small but well educated crowd of college graduates and specialists. Also, Chinese school-leavers went in for vocational training in greater proportion and were more inclined to study engineering than us. This gave Chinas labour force an edge for its globalization-era rise as the worlds factory, drawing millions off farms, even as we made rapid progress with desk jobs in service industries for smaller cohorts of people who could forge careers and move up. In recent decades, India has tried the Chinese formula, but with patchy results. Plausible as that chain of cause-and-effect is, Indias gaps in basic education are arguably less the result of early policy neglect than social constraints that are taking rather long to ease. Although budget outlays could have been larger, granted, a mission to educate everyone was indeed mounted. It yielded lower dividends than our thrust on higher learning. Even today, of the millions who fare poorly on scholastic aptitude, most are from groups historically excluded from academic pursuits. The unjust dictates of caste have clearly softened from Ambedkars school-days 12 decades ago, when he was forced to be a backbencher by teachers aware of his caste identity. Yet, not all educators are equally earnest in aiming for equitable learning outcomes. A Nehruvian-era emphasis on higher education is only one part of Indias story. And its a story that offers a lasting lesson: A level learning field is a worthy aim, even if its benefits are too far over the horizon to foresee. On Monday, Indias finance ministry did away with windfall tax on crude-oil products, petrol and diesel, ending a distortive imposition that had been put in place around mid-2022, soon after the Russia-Ukraine war sent oil prices soaring. This will relieve oil companies whose profit margins took a hit thanks to the Centre taking away a slice of their one-off profits that geopolitical turbulence had delivered. Broadly, its always a bad idea to levy opportunistic taxes. These defy the principle of tax stability, which all investors should be assured of in every sector. In any case, fuel taxation in India has long needed to be rationalized. Since demand for fuels doesnt vary much as their prices rise, they are easy to squeeze for revenue. Fuels in India remain woefully overtaxed. Kept out of the GST system, fuels in many states sell at prices with such huge slices going into government coffers that they distort the cost structures of several industries. Aviation, for example. Across sectors, all this adds up to economic inefficiency. Dropping the windfall tax is welcome, if belated. But the tax treatment of fossil fuels is in need of a big rethinkguided by carbon concerns, not revenue rake-ins. WASHINGTONJoe Biden made the central purpose of his presidency clear in his Inauguration Day address: We have learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile," he said at the U.S. Capitol, where a violent mob had tried that month to overturn his 2020 election victory. Bidens aim would be to unify the nation and shore up its democratic institutions. That is one reason why the presidents pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, on Sunday may further damage his already tarnished legacy: The reprieve he ordered threatens to undercut one of the main propositions he offered for his election. Bidens political brand as a presidential candidatehis value proposition as a leaderwas largely a promise to restore democratic norms and to fight the cynicism that had helped Donald Trump build his MAGA movement on claims that self-dealing leaders had corrupted the government. Biden had repeatedly promised to respect the independence of the justice system and avoid interfering with the prosecution of his son, including by issuing a pardon. His reversal is not fully consonant with what he ran on," said Jim Kessler, executive vice president for policy at Third Way, a centrist Democratic group. While Kessler said he empathized with Bidens impulses to protect his son, the pardon comes as Trump will soon retake office on promises to overhaul a criminal justice system that he says unfairly targeted him and his followers. To lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Trump has nominated Kash Patel, a loyalist who has said he would fire its senior leaders and prosecute agents he thinks abused their authority. Trump has pledged to pardon people convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and seek retribution against his political opponents, which Democrats say threatens the independent disposition of justice. The Hunter Biden pardon clouds the message" that Democrats will employ to protest those moves, Kessler said. Others said the pardon will make it hard for Democrats to criticize Trump for pardons he issued to allies and family relatives during his first term, or about his use of the justice system when he returns to office, including the future use of pardons. It makes the position that we hold more difficult to defend when Democrats of any kind, but certainly the president, behave in ways that are similar to Donald Trump," Sarah Longwell, an anti-Trump Republican and political strategist, said on a podcast hosted by the opinion website the Bulwark, where she is the publisher. Trump in his first term pardoned a range of allies and at least one family relation. The White House on Monday said that Biden has faith in the justice system but also believes his son was prosecuted only because of his connection to the president. Two things could be true: The president does believe in the justice system and the Department of Justice, and he also believes his son was singled out politically," spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. Other presidents have pardoned family membersamong them Bill Clinton, Abraham Lincoln and Trump, who in his first term pardoned his daughters father-in-law, Charles Kushner. Last week, Trump said he intended to nominate Kushner as ambassador to France. While Bidens pardon of his son, like the pardons issued by his predecessors, may not be remembered as a defining feature of his presidency, it adds to the bitter feeling that many Democrats have about his last two years in office, which tarnished other aspects of the presidents public image. Once seen as a politician with the common touchhis nickname of Scranton Joe spoke to his blue-collar backgroundBiden leaves office amid the continued exodus of working-class voters from the Democratic coalition, including many Latino and Black voters who had supported the party in prior elections. Biden cast himself as a global statesman, an image built in part on his long Senate career, which included a stint as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He also played a role in major foreign policy decisions as vice president to former President Barack Obama. While Biden as president rallied allies to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia, he has struggled in efforts to persuade Israel to curtail civilian wartime deaths in Gaza, despite that countrys heavy reliance on U.S. military assistance. He is likely to leave office without the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas militants that he has pursued for months. Republicans were quick to argue that the pardon shows that Democrats preside over a two-tiered" criminal justice system, which Trump has claimed unfairly targeted him for prosecution and so merits an overhaul and the investigation of his perceived enemies in a second term. Trump faced federal charges for his efforts to retain power after the 2020 election and for endangering national security by retaining classified documents after he left office. Under Democrat governance, there truly is a dual system of justice. One that protects Democrats and another weaponized against their political opponents, wrote Sen. Ron Johnson (R., Wis.) on social media. Even some Democrats suggested that the pardon undercut efforts to portray the Trump prosecutions as free from political interference. This was an improper use of power, Sen. Gary Peters (D., Mich.) wrote on X. It erodes trust in our government, and it emboldens others to bend justice to suit their interests. Rep. Greg Landsman (D., Ohio) suggested that the pardon undercut faith in government. As a father, I get it, he wrote in an X post. But as someone who wants people to believe in public service again, its a setback. Many Democrats and analysts said that they empathized with Bidens situation as a father watching the prospect of his son going to prison on tax and firearms convictionssomething Biden referenced in his statement Sunday evening. I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision," Biden said. Barbara Perry, a professor of presidential studies at the University of Virginia, said that Biden is well known for his devotion to his two sons after his first wife and their 13-month-old daughter were killed in a 1972 car accident. One son, Beau Biden, later died of cancer. She sees a clash between Bidens interests as an institutionalist, the former chairman of the Judiciary Committee in the Senate and the Biden who sees himself as the patriarch, the ultimate family man. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R., Ala.) said: If it was my son, Id pardon him too. But heres what I didnt like. Dont lie to us. Dont tell us youre not going to do it and then do it." The pardon comes as many Democrats are still angry that Biden sought a second term despite concerns, including within the party, about his advanced age. Bidens halting performance during a late-June debate with Trump prompted his eventual withdrawal from the race, under pressure from other Democratic leaders. That came too late for the party to hold an open primary to pick a new nominee and left little time for Vice President Kamala Harris to build her own campaign. We spent two years making excuses and not seeing the obvious, said Kessler, who said Biden was clearly too old to run for re-election. And while the Hunter Biden situation is tertiary, it just feels part of the same stew in which we were making accommodations. He added: Its December of 2024, and Democrats dont want to be defending Joe Biden right now.We have to prepare for the onslaught of Donald Trump and the discussion of how the Democratic Party becomes competitive again." Katy Stech Ferek contributed to this article. Write to Aaron Zitner at aaron.zitner@wsj.com Cupertino-based Apple is reportedly set to introduce its Vision Pro mixed-reality headset in Taiwan, marking the next phase of the devices global rollout. The headset will become available to customers in the region starting Tuesday, 17 December, with pre-orders opening earlier on Thursday, 5 December, at 9AM. According to MacRumors, Apple has updated its Taiwanese website to include comprehensive product details, pricing, and personalisation options, including different storage capacities and ZEISS optical inserts designed for vision correction. In addition, the company will host 30-minute demonstration sessions at its two retail stores in Taipei, allowing potential buyers to experience the device firsthand. More information about these demo sessions is expected to be released following the commencement of pre-orders. Since its initial launch in the United States in February 2024, the Vision Pro has steadily become available in various international markets, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore during the summer months. More recently, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates were added to the list. However, Indiaa key growth market for Applehas yet to be included in the rollout schedule. As per the report, the Vision Pros premium pricing could be a significant factor. Priced at $3,499 in the United States, the device targets a niche audience of early adopters and enthusiasts. Should it be introduced in India, its price could approach 3 lakh, several media reports hint, creating barriers for broader consumer adoption. As Apple continues its phased rollout, tech enthusiasts in Taiwan will be among the latest to explore the Vision Pros capabilities, while Indian consumers eagerly await further announcements regarding its potential availability. It was previously reported that Apple is in the preliminary stages of developing a more budget-friendly version of its Vision Pro mixed-reality headset. As detailed by The Elec, the company plans to lower production costs by opting for a more economical display technology that still ensures a high level of pixel density. The current first-generation Vision Pro utilises an OLED-on-silicon (OLEDoS) display, boasting an impressive pixel density of 3,391 pixels per inch (ppi). If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view unlimited articles for the month, please choose this option. Granard Library will host a special screening event of three films produced by local filmmakers on Thursday, 5 December, starting at 6pm. All are welcome to attend this event, which is organised by Longford Library, Archives, Arts and Heritage Services. The first of the films to be screened will be 'Eamon Creamer of Granard' by Harp Media. Harp Media are an award-winning production company run by Granard filmmakers, Robert Higgins and Patrick McGivney. This documentary film tells the story of Eamon Creamer, a renowned restorer of vintage cars. READ NEXT: Judge left with 'no option' but to jail uninsured Longford drunk driver His work included the restoration of a vehicle owned by Larry Kiernan which was used by Michael Collins when visiting Granard in the War of Independence period. This film was funded by the Live and Local Programme which was run by Longford County Council during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following this screening, 'A Short History of Granard by Jimmy Donoghue', based on an interview with the late local historian Jimmy Donoghue, will be introduced by Harp Media. Next to be screened at the event will be the short film All Thats Carried by Eimear Reilly, a local writer and producer. All Thats Carried was crowned winner of the Donal Gilligan Award for Best Cinematography in a Short Film at the Galway Film Fleadh in July and Best Irish Narrative Short Film at the Kerry International Film Festival in October. READ NEXT: Longford County Council's new Corporate Plan sets out strategic objectives for next five years This film was funded by the Creative Ireland Longford Community Open Call. Eimear is also a playwright. Her previous play The Spin was performed at Longfords Backstage Theatre and at the Dublin Fringe Festival in 2022. Eimear also previously held a residency in the Backstage Theatre. The final film of the event will be 'Sir Henry Wilson: The Man Who Was Empire', also by Harp Media. This is a documentary film on Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson, whose family owned Currygrane House, near Ballinalee. A staunch unionist, Sir Henry was a senior British Army officer during the First World War. Longford secondary schools Mean Scoil Mhuire and Saint Mels College are to are are to join together to become a single co-educational education institute called Colaiste Mel agus Mhuire. In a statement from the Irish Catholic Bishop's Conference the future of the two schools were outlined: The Patrons of Mean Scoil Mhuire and Saint Mels College, CEIST and the Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, wish to thank the school communities of Mean Scoil Mhuire, Saint Mels College and local Catholic primary schools for their participation in the consultation process on the future of post-primary Catholic Education in Longford Town. Consultation on the amalgamation took place between December 2022 and May 2023 and was facilitated by independent facilitator, Frank Smith. The statement continued: Following its conclusion, the views of Parents, Students, Boards of Management and Staff of both post-primary schools and the views of Parents of local primary school students, were reflected on and carefully considered both by the Patrons of both secondary schools and their respective Boards of Management. The Patrons then entered into discussion with the Department of Education, seeking to establish the best option going forward. As a result of these discussions, the Patrons have decided on the following: CEIST and the Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois will submit an application to the Department of Education seeking approval for the amalgamation of Mean Scoil Mhuire and Saint Mels College and for the newly amalgamated school to be a Co-Educational school, known as Colaiste Mel agus Mhuire. This application will request that the Department provide capital funding to facilitate modern school accommodation for an amalgamated school of 1,200 students which will be based on the Saint Mels College site. Both schools have storied histories in the town. Mean Scoil Mhuire was founded by the Sisters of Mercy who came to Longford from Mother House in Baggot Street, Dublin in April 1861. They first lived in Keon's Terrace and taught young children in the ground floor room of the old St Micheal's Boys School. The 'new' convent was completed in 1874. St Mels college opened in September 1865 with 48 boarders and 20 dayboys, having been built at a cost 16,000. In was initially a seminary, where students studied to become priests. Fr. James Reynolds was the first president. The cover of the latest edition of AQAPs Sada al-Malahem magazine. In the latest issue of its Sada al-Malahem magazine, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) heaped significant praise on recent operations conducted by Shabaab, Al Qaedas branch in East Africa. Penned by an ostensible foreign fighter in AQAP by the name of Abdullah Muhammad al-Muhajir, the article begins by extolling recent operations undertaken by Shabaab as proof of the advance of jihad in East Africa. The mujahideen brigades have responded to the call to jihad, al-Muhajir beings, and continue to deliver deadly blows to government militias and Somali forces trained by the United States [] and international forces under the umbrella of the African Union and the United Nations. Al-Muhajir continues by stating that recent attacks, such as the May 2023 assault on a Ugandan base in Buulo Mareer that killed at least 50 soldiers from the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces, continue to amaze the international coalition, despite their strong fortifications, the strength of their military arsenal, and the availability of air cover. Referring to the ongoing though stalled counter-offensive against Shabaab in various parts of Somalia, the AQAP author mentions that in response to the offensive, the soldiers of Tawhid have written historic epics in blowing up entire bases of Somali special forces, which are trained by the Americans. Neither the Americans, nor the Turks, nor the African Union could help them. The author ends this section by again praising Shabaabs precise planning, strong preparation, and diligent gathering of information as reasons why it is able to repel the aggression of occupation and Western hegemony. Expansion beyond Somalia Al-Muhajir then turns to claiming that these victories have not been contained to Somalia and that Shabaab is expanding the jihad across East Africa. What indicates the degree of intensity of the jihadi market in East Africa is that the mujahideen have been able to open a complete, and active, military front inside Kenya, al-Muhajir states. He then claims that various attacks inside Kenyawhere Shabaab has maintained active operations for yearshave enabled local residents to turn to Shabaab and further strengthen its Kenyan wing. Shabaab operates a specific Kenyan wing, led by Kenyan native Ahmed Iman Ali, which has its own military component, Jaysh Ayman. As a result of increasing activity in Kenya, according to al-Muhajir, the call to incite believers [to jihad] has reached into Tanzania and neighboring areas. As a result, al-Muhajir states, Shabaabs training camps are now full of foreigners seeking to join the groups ranks. Shabaabs current activities inside Tanzania and wider East Africa, however, remain opaque. In the past, Shabaab has had active affiliates in Tanzania, such as the Ansar Muslim Youth Centre and Al-Muhajiroun, though the current status of both remains diminished. However, Shabaab is still believed to be recruiting Tanzanians into its ranks. Elsewhere, Shabaab has also recruited Ethiopians, Ugandans, Rwandans, and Burundians into its ranks to varying degrees. However, Shabaab remains in fierce competition with the Islamic States Somali branch for control and influence over the East African jihad. Coordinated by the Islamic State in northern Somalias Puntland region, recruitment for other Islamic State groups, such as its Central Africa Province in Congo and Uganda and Mozambique Province, have undercut Shabaabs market share of foreign recruitment streams across all aforementioned countries. Protecting civilians Al-Muhajir winds down his article by stating that even though the West has demonized Shabaab and its attacks, the group prioritizes the protection of civilians and does not actively seek to target them. In making this point, al-Muhajir cherry-picks from researchers Jason Warner and Ellen Chapins 2018 report on Shabaabs suicide bombings as proof of careful, targeted practices. However, as detailed previously in a 2023 study conducted by FDDs Long War Journal, civilians continue to be among the largest share of victims of Shabaabs violence, particularly from its suicide bombing program. Shabaab responded to this study by claiming otherwise, a claim similarly refuted in an additional article by this publication. At any rate, al-Muhajir argues that the groups alleged protection of civilian lives makes it popular among Somalias populace, which will inevitably help it to restore Sharia to Somalia and across East Africa. AQAP and Shabaab Though Shabaab remains a large and constant threat to both Somalia and Kenya, its sister organization of AQAP remains relatively weakened compared to its height in the early-to-mid 2010s. Over the last year, AQAP has lost two important leaders: former emir Khalid Batarfi and Khaled Mohammed Salahaldin Zidane, the son of Sayf al-Adl, who is thought to be Al Qaedas current overall emir. On the ground, AQAP has also intensified its military operations against both UAE-backed militias and hostile tribal forces in southern Yemen. The United Nations Sanctions and Monitoring Teams report from January 2024 noted that AQAP maintained strong ties back to Al Qaedas central leadership and especially al-Adl. However, after the death of Zidane, this is more unclear. The UN report also noted reported instances of the Houthis training AQAP in the use of drones and releasing AQAP members they had previously arrested. For its part, AQAP has not claimed any attacks on the Houthis in several years. AQAP also continues to maintain significant relations with Shabaab, making al-Muhajirs article praising the Somali group less surprising. For instance, the most recent Sanctions and Monitoring Teams report from July 2024 explicitly states that AQAP maintains the strongest relationship with Al-Shabaab; both collaborate in weapons smuggling, personnel movement between Yemen and Africa, and finances. One Member State notes the continued use of the port in Shakra, Abyan, for smuggling and transit with Somalia. Thus, al-Muhajirs article is another data point regarding the open support between these Al Qaeda branches. Caleb Weiss is an editor of FDD's Long War Journal and a senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, where he focuses on the spread of the Islamic State in Central Africa. (Ecoiran.com) Just a year ago, the Islamic Republic was on the offensive as it used its proxies to launch coordinated attacks on Israel from six fronts to demonstrate the extent of its regional influence. Now, the momentum has shifted. Israeli operations have severely weakened Hamas and Hezbollah, Syrian rebels backed by Turkey wage a relentless war against Assad, and the United States targets Iranian-backed militia bases across Syria. The Al-Qaeda-affiliated Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS; Levant Liberation Committee) launched a surprise offensive in Syrias Idlib Province and captured Aleppo from Syrian regime forces on November 30, marking the most intense clashes in that country since 2016. Designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and backed by Turkey, HTS forces raided the Islamic Republics consulate and the military headquarters of Irans proxies stationed in Aleppo. On the diplomatic front, Tehran reaffirmed its unwavering support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The Islamic Republic condemned the attacks, labeling them as aggression by terrorist elements. Despite asserting that no injuries occurred, Tehran provided few details about the incident. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Damascus on December 1 to convey Supreme Leader Ali Khameneis steadfast backing of the Assad regime. Tehran views its alliance with the Assad regime as a cornerstone of its strategic ambitions, extending its support well beyond rhetoric. In a swift response to counter rebel advances, Iranian-backed militias mobilized to bolster the Syrian Army. On December 2, Reuters reported that Iraqi Kataib Hezbollah and Afghan Fatemiyoun Brigades crossed into Syria from Iraq, heading north to reinforce the embattled Syrian forces. Additionally, Radio Fardas November 30 report revealed that Iranian members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force joined these militias at the Iran-Iraq border before advancing into Syrian territory. The fragile Syrian regime has heavily relied on not only Iranian but also Russian military support in its fights against rebels during its civil war, and this time is no exception. On November 30, Russian and Syrian jets launched airstrikes on Aleppo and other rebel strongholds in Idlib Province. The Moscow-Tehran-Damascus axis swiftly coordinated a response to halt the rebels, with Russian and Iranian leaders discussing joint actions against anti-Assad forces during a December 2 call. The resurgence of Sunni extremism in Syria can partly be attributed to Tehrans sectarian and Shia-supremacist policies. Following the de-escalation of the Syrian civil war in 2016, Iran initiated efforts to reshape Syrias demographics, displacing Sunni communities to establish Shia dominance. These efforts included resettling Shia populations from Lebanon and Iraq and promoting conversions through cultural and economic incentives. Irans outreach ranged from restoring Shia shrines to offering financial aid, education, and healthcare to war-affected Syrians, effectively attempting to rewrite Syrias religious identity. This latest escalation comes at a precarious time for Tehran. Israels military campaign following the October 7 terrorist attacks has decimated Hamas and significantly weakened Hezbollah, Irans prized proxy. Despite Hezbollah leaders asserting that the Syrian regime is fully capable of repelling the rebels and does not need their support, reports suggest Hezbollah might refrain from direct involvement due to its recent heavy losses. Assad now faces a critical dilemma: either sever ties with Tehran in pursuit of sanctions relief and potential reintegration into the international community or remain reliant on Iran, risking further isolation. Israel continues targeting Iran-backed militia bases across Syria, while Ankara exploits regional instability by arming HTS against Assad. In alignment with countering Iranian influence, Washington struck Tehrans militia positions in Syrias Deir ez-Zor region on December 1. Armenia, a previous ally of Assad, has also withdrawn its forces from Aleppo, further isolating the regime. From Assads perspective, his alliance with and reliance on Tehran has become a high-stakes gambleone that appears increasingly unlikely to yield a favorable outcome. Simultaneously, the US and its allies are reportedly exploring incentives to distance Assad from Tehran. Discussions between Washington and the UAE have considered lifting sanctions if Assad curtails Iranian weapons routes to Hezbollah. Allegedly, Assad sought assistance from Israel against Syrian opposition forces. Israel, however, emphasized that it remains uninterested in Syrias internal dynamics and conditioned any engagement on Iran and its militias exiting Syrian territory. Janatan Sayeh is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on Iranian domestic affairs and the Islamic Republics regional malign influence. A popular rooftop bar in Boston is helping people slide into the winter spirit with a newly added cold-weather activity. The Rooftop At The Envoy Hotel in Seaport known for its iridescent igloos and festive cocktails has added curling to its lineup of seasonal offerings for the first time this year. The Rooftops curling rinks are open now until the end of the winter. The curling rinks are for groups of 2 to 4 people and can be reserved for up to 2 hours. @masslivenews Heres your sign to go curling on a Boston rooftop this winter The Rooftop at the Enovy Hotel in Seaport has curling for the first time this year in addition to the bars popular igloos and holiday cocktails! Visit MassLive.com for information on reservations and pricing. #masslive #rooftop #envoyhotel #boston #thingstodoinboston @David Cifarelli original sound - MassLive News The rinks are available by reservation starting at 4 p.m. each day that Rooftop is open. The bars hours are from 4 to 11:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday Reservations are $25 and come with a $150 food and beverage minimum. People can reserve a curling rink online. When people arent curling, they can cozy up in one of Rooftops signature heated igloos or iceboxes. The snow globe-inspired huts offer views of Bostons skyline and come with fleece blankets. Reservations, which last for two hours, can be made for groups of up to 6 or 8 people. * The Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) is now embarking on a new journey as China recently pledged to build it into a globally attractive two-way open hub. * Over the past 30 years, the park has attracted more than 5,100 foreign-funded projects, including 174 projects from 104 Fortune 500 companies. * From attracting overseas investors to helping businesses expand and copy its experience overseas, SIP has become an epitome of China's ambition and confidence in opening up wider and embracing the world. NANJING, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) in east China's Jiangsu Province. Over the past decades, SIP, once home to extensive paddy fields and fish ponds on the outskirts of the city of Suzhou, has grown from an initial 8-square-kilometer start-up area to an extraordinary city area of 278 square kilometers. Founded in 1994 as the first inter-governmental cooperation project between China and Singapore, SIP has witnessed closer cooperation between the two sides. It is now embarking on a new journey as China recently pledged to build it into a globally attractive two-way open hub. OPEN AND INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT A total of 26 investment project agreements between China and Singapore were signed last week at the China-Singapore Investment Forum held at SIP. These projects, spanning sectors such as biopharmaceuticals, digital economy and collaborative innovation, include the China-Singapore Sustainable Estate Joint Innovation Workshop and the establishment of new overseas headquarters and operation centers by Chinese enterprises in Singapore. "For Singaporean enterprises, China is a huge market. Singaporean technology firms excel at offering services in a variety of industrial chain subdivisions -- which can support Chinese businesses throughout the transformation cycle to fortify and enhance the industrial chain," said Tan Chuan Seng, director of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research Partners' Centre, which was launched in 2020 in SIP. These are the latest efforts in the open and innovative development process of this significant industrial park. Over the past 30 years, the park has attracted more than 5,100 foreign-funded projects, including 174 projects from 104 Fortune 500 companies, with the actual utilization of foreign investment exceeding 40 billion U.S. dollars. "The industrial park is a showcase of China's progress in promoting international cooperation," said Li Xiaomin, chairman and general manager of Wintech Nano (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. Li founded Wintech Nano in Singapore in 2004. He described his business as a "hospital for chips," which aims to detect failures or potential problems in design to improve the quality of chips. In 2012, Li decided to establish a new base for his business in SIP. Wintech Nano has since expanded quickly and recently gained approval from the Shanghai Stock Exchange for an initial public offering. In October 2024, Bosch Group launched a new R&D and manufacturing site for new energy vehicle core components and automated driving in this industrial park. Since the establishment of a Suzhou subsidiary in 1999, the German company has been steadily investing in production, R&D, supply chain and services. Zhang Ying, general manager of Bosch Automotive Products Suzhou Co., Ltd., said it took only some 500 days from signing for the land to the launch of operations, while the sound business environment provided by SIP has enabled the company to seize market opportunities sooner. SIP now boasts an array of high-tech industries, including two pillar industries in the form of next-generation information technology and high-end equipment manufacturing, as well as three emerging industries, namely biopharmaceuticals, nanotechnology application and artificial intelligence. During the past three decades, SIP has generated 1.09 trillion yuan (about 152 billion U.S. dollars) in overall tax revenue, 1.1 trillion yuan in fixed asset investment, and 1.54 trillion U.S. dollars in imports and exports. GOING OVERSEAS SIP is hailed as an important window through which to view China's reform and opening-up initiatives and serves as a successful example of international cooperation. After drawing experience from the Singaporean side during its growth process, SIP has now evolved into a fine example for other countries keen to develop their own industrial parks. In addition, SIP established the Yangtze River Delta Overseas Investment Promotion Center -- which has helped more than 700 enterprises in the park invest and expand in over 60 countries and regions. Huang Ming, an SIP investment promotion staff member, is currently working at the China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Zone in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), trying to help UAE locals copy the "SIP model." "Many Chinese companies have hoped to tap the Middle East market since 2023, and our work is to create a complete and sound business ecosystem to help them settle here better and faster," Huang said, while adding that SIP, an investor in the demonstration zone in Abu Dhabi, will strive to build a sound business environment there. From attracting overseas investors to helping businesses expand and copy its experience overseas, SIP has become an epitome of China's ambition and confidence in opening up wider and embracing the world. "The 30th anniversary marks an important milestone in our development," said Shen Mi, a senior official of Suzhou. "We will go all out to upgrade practical cooperation and be a pathfinder of China-Singapore cooperation." (Video reporters: Mao Jun, Chen Si, Xia Peng, Chen Shengwei; video editors: Hong Ling, Roger Lott, Luo Hui, Zheng Qingbin) My Chemical Romance is mourning the loss of the bands former drummer Bob Bryar, who died at age 44. It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Bob Bryar, our former bandmate and an important part of the history of My Chemical Romance, the band wrote on Instagram Monday, Dec. 2. We send our deepest condolences to his friends and family at this time. May he rest in peace. A spokesperson for My Chemical Romance sent at statement to the Associated Press reading, The band asks for your patience and understanding as they process the news of Bobs passing. The statement did not provide any details on Bryars death. However, Deadline reported that the drummers decomposed body was found at his home in Tennessee after he was last seen alive on Nov. 4. No foul play is suspected as authorities investigate Bryars death, according to Deadline. Bryar joined My Chemical Romance in 2004 after replacing drummer Matt Pelissier. Bryar played on the bands rock opera album, The Black Parade. The 2006 album was a critical and commercial success. It was certified four-times platinum in the U.S. and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. The Black Parade was the only album that featured Bryar, who left My Chemical Romance in 2010. Bryar later left the music industry and auctioned off a drum kit to raise money for an animal adoption center in Williamson County, Tennessee, the AP reported. My Chemical Romance will embark a 2025 stadium tour to celebrate The Black Parade. Information on tickets can be found here. Soap opera star Wayne Northrop, best known for his roles in Days of Our Lives and Dynasty, has died. He was 77. Northrop died at the Motion Picture and Television Woodland Hills Home in Los Angeles, California on Friday, Nov. 29, the actors publicist told MassLive. Wayne was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers 6 years ago. He took his last breath in the arms of his family, Northrops family said in a statement. Wayne touched so many people with his sense of humor and wit. A husband for 43 years, the best dad ever to his two boys, Hank and Grady, and a rancher who loved his cows and was a friend to many. Northrop was born in Sumner, Washington on April 12, 1947, according to his obituary. He obtained a bachelors degree in communications from the University of Washington before pursuing acting at Seattle Community College. In 1975, Northrop joined the Los Angeles Actors Theatre headed by Ralph Waite. This led Northrop to book his first acting gig in an episode of Police Story. However, Northrops breakthrough role was as Roman Brady on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives. He appeared on the show from 1981-1984, then again from 1991-1994. Northrops character became popular for his romance with Dr. Marlena Evans, who was played by Deidra Hall. Northrop rejoined the cast of the hit series in 2005 as Dr. Alex North. He also had starring roles in ABCs Dynasty from 1981-1982, You are the Jury: The State of Arizona v. Dr. Evan Blake in 1986 and Guts and Glory: The Bill Johnson Story in 1985. Northrops other notable acting credits include Port Charles, The Waltons, Baretta, Eight is Enough, Beggerman, Thief, The Young Riders, Testimony of Two Men, Cold Case, The Haunting of Lisa and The Deidre Hall Story. Northrop is survived by his wife, actress Lynn Herring, as well as his sons, Hank and Grady. AC/DC returns to the United States for the first time in nine years for their 2025 Power Up North American Tour which will stop at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. The legendary GRAMMY Award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted band will perform in 13 stadiums coast-to-coast next and will kick off the tour on April 10, 2025, in Minneapolis, MN at US Bank Stadium and concludes on May 28, 2025, in Cleveland, OH. Tickets will go on sale on December 6 at 12 p.m. ET but fans who dont want to wait or want to compare prices can shop online using reliable third-party ticket sellers like StubHub, VividSeats and SeatGeek. *New customers who purchase tickets through VividSeats can get $20 off a $200+ ticket order by using the promo code MassLive20 at checkout.* The iconic rock band will be at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, May 4. As of Tuesday, December 3, the cheapest tickets to that show are $150 on StubHub and $141 on VividSeats. The tour shares its name with their 2020 album, POWER UP, which made it to #1 in 21 countries. In 2024, AC/DC completed a European leg of the POWER UP Tour, packing the biggest stadiums on the continent in the process. The band features Angus Young on lead guitar, vocalist Brian Johnson, rhythm guitarist Stevie Young, drummer Matt Laug and bass player Chris Chaney. Below is a look at the full schedule for AC/DCs 2025 Power Up North American tour with links to purchase tickets: A lottery player from Massachusetts won $1 million during Monday nights Powerball drawing. The winning numbers for the Dec. 2 drawing were 3, 9, 26, 61, 67 and Powerball: 13. The multiplier was a 2X. The $1 million ticket sold in Massachusetts matched the first five numbers, but did not match the Powerball number. The winning ticket was sold at a Mobil gas station in Tewksbury. There were no Powerball jackpot winners on Monday night, which left the jackpot at an estimated $240 million as of Tuesday morning. In addition, the first $1 million prize was claimed from the new Celtics Banner 18 scratch ticket game on Monday. The winning ticket was sold at a Speedway in Seekonk. Another lottery player also claimed a $1 million prize from the $2,000,000 50X Cashword 2024 scratch ticket game. That winning ticket was sold at the Pacific Liquors store in Lowell. Finally, two lottery players won $100,000 apiece during the Mass Cash drawing on Monday night. The winning numbers for the drawing were 2, 7, 13, 17 and 33. One of the winning tickets that matched all five numbers was sold at the Roche Bros. in Mashpee, and the other was sold at Minute Market in Somerville. Overall, at least 785 prizes worth $600 or more were won or claimed in Massachusetts on Monday, including 18 in Springfield, 35 in Worcester and 69 in Boston. 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. Two Boston city councilors are asking whether apartment renters should be required to pay broker fees when they move into a new home, or if their landlord should be forced to cover that cost. Boston is one of the only major cities in the country where renter-paid broker fees are allowed. With fees often as high as one months rent on top of paying the first and last months rent and a security deposit, many tenants have to cough up the equivalent of four months' rent before they even step in the door. City Councilors Enrique Pepen and Henry Santana filed a hearing order ahead of Wednesdays council meeting to discuss whether to require landlords to pay broker fees when they are the ones hiring the broker. They join city councilors in Cambridge and Somerville who have started similar efforts in those cities. A Boston man who was charged last year in connection with a shooting during the citys Caribbean Carnival celebration is wanted by police. Gerald Vick, 31, of Dorchester is wanted on a warrant out of Suffolk Superior Court, according to the Boston Police Department. He is charged with eight counts of assault and battery with a firearm, unlawful possession of a machine gun, unlawful possession of a firearm, and firearm use in the commission of a felony. The charges are related to an Aug. 26, 2023, shooting near 15 Talbot Ave., police said. There, eight people six men and two women suffered gunshot wounds. None of their injuries were life-threatening. Vick and Dwayne Francis, 30, of Dorchester were arrested. Vick had a, 9mm pistol with a large capacity magazine, equipped with a Glock switch that enabled the firearm to fire continuously, police said. Several other people were charged in connection with the gunfight. Vick has pleaded not guilty to his charges, according to The Boston Globe. Since he was arrested he was released on $6,000 cash bail and was ordered to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet. But, that bracelet stopped functioning around 1:04 a.m. Monday, the Globe reported. Vick also didnt show up to his 9 a.m. trial that day in violation of his pre-trial release conditions. This prompted the police to release a fugitive warrant. Read More: Several arrests made in connection with shooting at Boston Caribbean Carnival Vick has an additional default warrant out of Suffolk Superior Court for firearm-related offenses, police said. Vick is a Black man about 5 feet 6 inches tall, about 155 pounds and he has several tattoos, police said. He might have ties to Taunton. Police encourage anyone who comes in contact with him to call them. Anyone with information about Vick should contact detectives at 617-343-4712. Community members wishing to assist in this investigation anonymously can do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1 800-494-TIPS (8477) or by texting the word TIP to CRIME (27463), police said. The Boston Police Department will stringently guard and protect the identities of all those who wish to help this investigation in an anonymous manner. A Boston man, who is Indian American, said he and his family were subject to a series of racist taunts by a white woman on an airport shuttle bus in Los Angeles last week. Perez Tauriq, a photographer, said he was flying from Cancun to Los Angeles on Nov. 24 with his wife, Nicole, and their children when an unidentified woman harassed her son, according to WCVB. When they landed in Los Angeles and got on a transfer bus from the airport, the woman told Tauriqs son to shut up, he said in an Instagram post. Tauriq stepped in to defend his son, according to the Instagram post. The conflict then escalated to the woman hurling racist insults at the family. The father started video recording the womans tirade. Your family is from India, you have no respect, you have no rules. You think youre going to push everyone, push, push, push. Thats who you think you are. You guys are [expletive] crazy, the woman said in the video before flipping Tauriq off on the bus. The woman goes on to hurl more racist insults at the Tauriq family, according to the video. Tauriq was asked if he and his family would like to leave the bus, according to his Instagram post. He declined. After a while, a United Airlines staff member removed the woman from the transfer bus. Blown away these types of people still exist, Tauriq said. As photographers, we have seen a lot of [sic], but this is one we could have done without. Nicole Tauriq commented on her husbands Instagram post, applauding the person who stood up for them during the racist encounter, the Boston Globe reported. In that moment, there was ONLY ONE Good Samaritan (the one in the video) who spoke up, but the rest of the bus was consumed by a chilling silence, she wrote on Instagram. It wasnt just the act of racism that stung; it was the apathy of the crowd, the passive acceptance that felt like silent approval. My husband and I felt incredibly alone. Tauriq said he hopes he can file a case against the woman, WCVB reported. The driver of a vehicle on the wrong side of Interstate 95 who police say fatally struck Endicott College police Sgt. Jeremy Cole is expected to be criminally charged in New Hampshire. The wrong-way drivers age and name have not been released by authorities as of Monday afternoon. A spokesperson for the New Hampshire Department of Safety said those details and criminal charges are forthcoming. A gathering was held Monday morning on Endicott Colleges campus in honor of Cole. A driver heading the wrong way on I-95 in Newbury struck Cole head-on while on his way home after a shift the night before Thanksgiving. Cole, 49, of Exeter, New Hampshire, worked at Endicott for 15 years, where he was affectionately known as J.Cole, according to a previous statement by President Steven R. DiSalvo. A GoFundMe raised more than $93,000 for Coles family his wife and four children as of Monday. The driver involved in the crash drove a Tesla and Massachusetts State Police described him as in his 40s and from the southeastern part of the state. He was seriously injured and authorities MedFlighted him to a Boston hospital. State police in Massachusetts said he is expected to face charges that will be announced later. The Essex County District Attorneys Office said on Monday that the incident remains under investigation. Last Thursday, state police said that New Hampshire State Police reported a wrong-way Tesla driver heading south on I-95 at about 11:45 p.m. on Nov. 27. Massachusetts state troopers and New Hampshire police kept visual contact with the wrong-way vehicle as it drove through the Newburyport area while authorities prepared a tire-deflation device in Georgetown. Before the Tesla reached the device, it struck Cole as he drove a Chevrolet Trailblazer at mile marker 81.5 in Newbury. Authorities pronounced Cole dead at the scene and closed the highway for several hours in both directions. Police in New Hampshire shadowed the vehicle from the southbound side of I-95 in an attempt to stop the driver, but the driver continued heading south, according to the New Hampshire Department of Safety. We offer our condolences to the family, loved ones, and colleagues of Sgt. Cole at this difficult time, state police said. A New Bedford man denied being in a car crash only moments after a collision on Interstate 95 killed Endicott College Sgt. Jeremy Cole. Keoma Duarte the driver charged in the fatal crash in Newbury the night before Thanksgiving was arraigned virtually in Newburyport District Court on Tuesday while hospitalized with injuries from the crash. Judge Peter Doyle set Duartes bail at $500,000 and set conditions for his release, including wearing a GPS monitor and remaining drug and alcohol-free. The judge entered a not-guilty plea on Duartes behalf. A prosecutor described how Duarte, 40, strongly denied being involved in a car crash to police only minutes after the collision shortly before midnight on Nov. 27. He adamantly denied that he had collided with anybody, said James Gubitose, a prosecutor for Essex County District Attorney Paul Tuckers Office. Even after being taken to the hospital, he continued to deny to police that hed been in an accident, even though his car was crushed and he had in essence crushed Sgt. Cole, Gubitose said. When police approached Duarte in his car, his airbags had gone off and his responses were hesitant, delayed and lethargic, according to Gubitose. Police searched his vehicle after obtaining a warrant and found a receipt with his name on it that showed he purchased several mini-bottles of Smirnoff. They found seven mini-bottles empty in his car, and one still full. The prosecutor said that everybody in contact with Duarte that night could smell alcohol on his breath, including police officers, EMTs and other medical personnel. A doctor treating Duarte described him as severely intoxicated and the medical records showed his blood alcohol level at 0.19%, according to Gubitose. The legal limit in Massachusetts is 0.08%. Police also found marijuana in the car and a burnt smell of marijuana. As Gubitose described the incident, Duarte stared blankly into the camera that broadcast him into the Newburyport courtroom via Zoom. Prior to the crash, Gubitose said that New Hampshire State Police alerted Massachusetts State Police about a wrong-way driver heading down I-95. Police in New Hampshire were paralleling the vehicle, or following it on the correct side of the highway. There was a lot of cars that night when he got to Massachusetts, Gubitose said. Massachusetts State Police, with their lights and sirens activated, shone a spotlight into the vehicle, a Tesla Model Y, trying to get the drivers attention. Police were working on getting more troopers involved and putting down stopsticks in Georgetown to stop him. It was evident that he wasnt aware or didnt care that he was on the wrong side of the highway, putting everyone in danger, Gubitose said. Shortly after, the driver collided with Coles 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer in Newbury near the Central Street overpass. Cole worked at Endicott for 15 years, where he was affectionately known as J.Cole, according to a previous statement by college President Steven R. DiSalvo. A GoFundMe raised more than $100,000 for Coles family his wife and four children as of Tuesday. Cole was pronounced dead at the scene. Duarte was seriously injured and authorities flew him by helicopter to a Boston hospital. In arguing for the $500,000 bail amount, Gubitose described Duartes history with the court and driving incidents, including five speeding tickets between 2004 and 2016, and two failures to stop or yield on his record. Duarte is charged with motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence of liquor, operating recklessly, manslaughter, and motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation. He also faces civil motor vehicle infractions for driving in the wrong direction on a state highway, speeding and marked lane violations. He faces a maximum 20-year sentence in state prison, according to Gubitose. His next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 19. New Hampshire officials said on Monday they also expect to bring charges against Duarte. Kendrick Lamar and SZA announced their 2025 Grand National Tour, days after Lamars surprise GNX album dropped. Lamar and SZA will visit 21 stadiums across North America, including Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on May 12, 2025 according to a release from Live Nation. Pre-sale tickets open up on Wednesday at 10 a.m. through Thursday at 10 p.m., according to the release. The sale is only for people buying tickets with a Cash App Visa Card. People who buy a presale ticket will get a 20% discount on all official Grand National Tour merchandise bought online, the release said. The general sale starts on Friday at 10 a.m. Fans looking to shop for tickets now can do so online using reliable third-party ticket sellers like StubHub, VividSeats and SeatGeek. The Grand National Tour comes days after Lamar dropped GNX, his sixth studio album. The album, which features 12 songs, debuted as No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart for the week of Dec.7. When are the dates for the Grand National Tour? Apr 19 - Minneapolis, MN - U.S. Bank Stadium Apr 23 - Houston, TX - NRG Stadium Apr 26 - Arlington, TX - AT&T Stadium Apr 29 - Atlanta, GA - Mercedes Benz Stadium May 03 - Charlotte, NC - Bank of America Stadium May 05 - Philadelphia, PA - Lincoln Financial Field May 08 - East Rutherford, NJ - MetLife Stadium May 09 - East Rutherford, NJ - MetLife Stadium May 12 - Foxborough, MA - Gillette Stadium May 17 - Seattle, WA - Lumen Field May 21 - Los Angeles, CA - SoFi Stadium May 23 - Los Angeles, CA - SoFi Stadium May 27 - Glendale, AZ - State Farm Stadium May 29 - San Francisco, CA - Oracle Park May 31 - Las Vegas, NV - Allegiant Stadium Jun 04 - St. Louis, MO - The Dome at Americas Center Jun 06 - Chicago, IL - Soldier Field Jun 10 - Detroit, MI - Ford Field Jun 12 - Toronto, ON - Rogers Centre Jun 16 - Hershey, PA - Hersheypark Stadium Jun 18 - Washington, DC - Northwest Stadium UPDATE: Driver in crash that killed Endicott College sergeant arraigned from hospital A New Bedford man is charged with motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence of liquor in connection with a crash that killed Endicott College Sgt. Jeremy Cole, authorities announced Tuesday. Keoma Duarte, 40, is charged with killing the 49-year-old man from Exeter, New Hampshire on Nov. 27 just before midnight, the Exeter District Attorney Office of Paul Tucker announced. Duarte drove the wrong way on Interstate 95 in Newbury when he struck Coles vehicle head-on while on his way home after a shift the night before Thanksgiving, authorities said. Duartes charges include operating recklessly, manslaughter, and motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation. He also faces civil motor vehicle infractions for driving in the wrong direction on a state highway, speeding, and marked lanes violations, according to the district attorneys office. He is expected to be arraigned via Zoom on Tuesday. New Hampshire officials said on Monday they also expect to bring charges against Duarte. Cole worked at Endicott for 15 years, where he was affectionately known as J.Cole, according to a previous statement by college President Steven R. DiSalvo. A GoFundMe raised more than $93,000 for Coles family his wife and four children as of Monday. Duarte drove a 2023 Tesla Model Y heading south in the northbound lane on Interstate 95 when it collided with Coles 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer in Newbury near the Central Street overpass, officials said. Cole was pronounced dead at the scene. Duarte was seriously injured and authorities flew him by helicopter to a Boston hospital. A judge specially assigned to oversee the case of Brian Walshe, a Cohasset man who prosecutors say killed and dismembered his wife in January 2023, set a trial date for October 2025. Walshe was in a Dedham courtroom Monday afternoon for a hearing on a number of discovery motions filed by prosecutors and his lawyers. During the hearing, Judge Diane Freniere, who took over the case from Judge Beverly Cannone, pressed both sides to move swiftly toward bringing Walshes case to trial. Nothing gets better with time, peoples memories dont get any better, and the case isnt going to get any stronger, she said. Peoples memories fade over time. And so I have an interest in making sure the case gets tried as efficiently as possible. Freniere set Oct. 20 for jury empanelment to begin in the Walshe case. Prosecutors said Monday they expect empanelment to take several days and the trial itself to last around four weeks. Norfolk Assistant District Attorney Greg Connor told Freniere during the hearing that DNA recovered from a saw found in a dumpster at Walshes mothers apartment in Swampscott as well as other material found inside Walshes Cohasset home was set to be tested by a third-party agency. But Connor said he and Walshe attorney Larry Tipton were working to determine who would pay the cost of having an expert hired by the defense observe the testing. It has to be paid one way or the other. The question is, whos going to pay it? Is the government going to pay for all of it? And so were trying to figure that out, Connor said, adding that a motion may be filed to address the question. The testing could be destructive, Connor said, so an expert hired by the defense could not conduct their own tests. Walshes wife, Ana, 39, went missing on New Years Day 2023 when she was supposed to have taken a cab to Logan International Airport for a trip to Washington, D.C., where she worked during the week. But prosecutors say Brian Walshe, who had three children, killed and dismembered his wife inside their Cohasset home before discarding her body in several locations across the state. In the days before and after his wifes death, prosecutors say Brian Walshe made several Google searches about how to discard a body and whether a person could be charged with murder if a body was not found. Ana Walshes remains have not been found. Brian Walshes attorneys have raised questions about the integrity of the investigation into his wifes disappearance. The lead investigator, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, has been suspended without pay and assigned out of his post in the district attorneys office after federal officials discovered he sent text messages disparaging Karen Read, another murder defendant in the county. Proctor knew he was the subject of a federal investigation when he began investigating Brian Walshe, attorney Kelli Porges said in court Monday. Walshes defense is seeking material from Proctors phone and the federal investigation into the death of Reads boyfriend, John OKeefe. Materials from the federal investigation have been turned over to prosecutors in the Read case, but Connor, the lead prosecutor in the Walshe case, said they remained under a protective order and he had not seen them. Porges argued that the district attorneys office and federal prosecutors were working collaboratively. Not only is there evidence that these two agencies routinely do work together, I think the fact that the officers involved in both cases were under investigation ... does count, she said. I just disagree with that, Connor countered. The U.S. Attorneys office has not commented publicly on the investigation. Freniere has not ruled on those motions. SPRINGFIELD Eight Hampden County Sheriffs Department employees have filed a class action lawsuit over wages they claim were unpaid while they underwent annual physical fitness tests. A claim filed in Hampden Superior Court on Nov. 27 argues the workers were illegally shorted for two hours of wages while attending mandatory fitness evaluations. The plaintiffs in the case are Nicholas Kirchner, Morgan Wanzer, Jen Assad, Nicholas Moutinho, Kristopher Grimshaw, Dan Willemain, Chase Laporte and Chris Lempke, according to court records. The lawsuit invites all similarly situated employees to join the claim. SPRINGFIELD Detectives with the Springfield Police Department detained a New York man who ran from a traffic stop after officers followed the vehicle into Chicopee last week. Detectives with the departments firearms investigation unit were working in the Pine Point neighborhood the evening of Nov. 27, said a statement posted on the departments Facebook page, when they saw a vehicle with a revoked registration leave a house. Officers followed the vehicle as it traveled north and crossed into Chicopee. Near the corner of Orchard and Front streets, officers then stopped the vehicle. Springfield officers can make arrests in Chicopee per a mutual aid agreement. Info/News: Renouvellement du permis doperation pour les pharmacies priveesLes prochaines rencontres de football de la MFAMeteo du 6 janvier 2025Modoki La Nina dans le PacifiqueZone pluvio-orageuse au Nord-Nord Ouest de MauriceTrois Jumbo Express ferment leurs portesDeces de Lady Nancy Ah-ChuenSpace42s Thuraya 4 Satellite successfully launched into orbit[Video news] Baby John au Sirsa[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 4 janvier 2025Sanjiv Ranjan is the new Secretary-General of the IORA SecretariatLettre ouverte au Premier ministre du PakistanLettre ouverte a lAmbassadeur des Etats Unis a MauriceIPLOOK Networks 2024 RecapThe Best-Performing CEOs in Africa in 2024iHerb Debuts Digital Wellness HubHinen to showcase advanced energy storage technologyContribution decisive des Nouveaux Democrates dans la victoire du 10 Novembre 2024DTOS Group lance une initiative innovante pour renforcer les relations intergenerationnelles en entreprise[Video News] La 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solutions and sustainable livingDepression tropicale a lEst-Nord-est[Document] Debats parlementaires du 20 decembre 2024[Document] The Special Allowance Act 2024[Document] The Employment Relations (Amendment) Act 2024Maurice et lAfrique du Sud veulent renforcer leurs liens culturels en 2025[Video News] Message de Noel de Mgr Jean-Michael Durhone[Video News] Message de Noel de Mgr Stelio Andre[Video News] Message de Noel de Dharambeer Gokhool[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto et Loto Plus du 25 decembre 2024 For more than a year, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) has been pushing back against steadily building pressure to halt new foreign investments in Africas oil and gas industry. To prevent catastrophic climate change, environmental organizations, financial organizations, and governments across Europe and North America have insisted that developing nations, including those in Africa, must immediately transition from fossil fuel production and usage to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydrogen. Mind you, the majority of those making these demands are based in industrialized nations that were built on fossil fuels oil and gas fueled their economic engines yet they are unwilling to allow less developed nations to use fossil fuels to the same end. Even more troubling, the countries these groups are taking aim at have a wealth of natural resources under their feet, resources that can be monetized and used to build a better future. We have explained, over and over, why African countries, businesses, and communities still need support from international oil companies (IOCs), foreign governments, and investment institutions for oil and gas projects. IOCs, for example, play an important role in knowledge sharing and helping Africans build valuable job skills. Whats more, foreign oil and gas investments create opportunities for revenue that can be used to build and improve energy infrastructure for both fossil fuels and renewables. And, by supporting natural gas projects, investors create a path for gas-to-power projects that help minimize the continents widespread energy poverty. In July 2021, when it became apparent that reasoning was not yielding results, the chamber went so far as to employ the same tactics the international community used against our members. We called for boycotts against financial institutions that discriminated against the African oil and gas industry. But the calls to stop financing African oil and gas have only grown louder and more insistent. Most recently, during the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, more than 20 countries and financial institutions pledged to stop public financing for overseas fossil fuel projects. Europe then decided that gas was clean for Europe so it will be financed but for Africa, gas is dirty and will receive no funding. The United Kingdom and the European Union have also reportedly joined in the chorus of voices demanding a ban against developed nations providing subsidies for fossil fuels. Other expectations for this years conference include calls for member states to formally commit to triple their renewable energy capacity and double their energy efficiency across the board by 2030. The thread tying all these pledges together, with respect to our work at the AEC, is that none of them bode very well for any future success stories from the African energy economy. For those of us who care about Africas oil and gas industry, its time to face facts: We need to find a way to save it ourselves. The AEC is calling upon African states and the private sector to fund the African Energy Bank, an institution which is focused on funding African energy projects. The African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have paved the way. The idea is to create funding sources for all types of African energy from oil and gas exploration to solar and hydrogen operations so that projects will not be dependent on foreign support. We can do this, and we must. Too much is at stake. We cant afford not to capitalize on recent discoveries such as the light oil found offshore Angola, the oil in Namibias Orange Basin, the shale gas in South Africas Karoo Basin, or the oil and natural gas off the coast of Cote dIvoire. Those are only a few of the important discoveries that occurred recently, and each represents critical opportunities for everyday Africans. You may be wondering if African energy banks are a realistic goal. How can a continent that is struggling to bring many of its people out of poverty raise capital for energy projects? I believe it can be done. To begin with, African governments can set aside a percentage of their oil and gas revenues for new project funding. In its report, Africa Energy Outlook 2021, Rystad Energy projected that African governments earnings from royalties, profit oil, and other taxes in 2021 would reach USD 100 billion. Even 1% of that amount would produce USD 1 billion dollars. We can also raise capital by investing African pension funds in African energy projects. According to Cape Town-based investment firm, RisCura, local pension funds collectively manage around USD 450 billion of assets in sub-Saharan Africa, and they are actively looking for new places to invest. Why not encourage them to add oil, gas, and renewables projects to their list? Investing pensions in the energy sector is hardly a new practice. Some of Americas largest pension funds are invested in fossil fuel producers, and an increasing amount of pension funds around the globe are investing in green energy projects. Our options for raising capital dont end there. We should also seek the support of wealthy Africans who want to invest in a better African future. As of December 2023, total private wealth in Africa totaled approximately USD 2.3 trillion. Thats not even including the African diaspora. In May 2022, Afreximbank signed an agreement with APPO on the joint establishment of a special multi-lateral financial institution (MFI) the African Energy Bank to provide support for the shift away from fossil fuels. The agreement calls for APPOs member states to provide equity for the new institution and serve as its founding members, with Afreximbank acting as co-investor and providing organizational support. The new bank will be able to reach more countries than either APPO or Afreximbank could do on their own, as their rosters are not identical: APPO has 15 member states, while Afreximbank has 51 and there is a significant amount of overlap, as Algeria and Libya are the only APPO members that are not also Afreximbank members. But the point remains that if the two institutions join forces, their combined efforts will go further. Professor Benedict Oramah, the President of Afreximbank, explained it as follows in May 2022: For us at Afreximbank, supporting the emergence of [the Africa Energy Bank] will enable a more efficient and predictable capital allocation between fossil fuels and renewables. It will also free human and other resources at Afreximbank that will make it possible to support its member countries more effectively in the transition to cleaner fuels. Not only do we have pathways for raising capital, we also have an example of the kind of banks Africa needs to finance its own energy projects, one that goes back decades. Im talking about Afreximbank. In 1993, African governments worked with public and private investors to create a bank that would finance, promote, and expand intra- and inter-African trade. They succeeded. In 2020, Afreximbank received the Africa-America Institutes (AAIs) Institutional Institution of Excellence Award for its commitment to the creation and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and its ongoing dedication to investing in education. AAI noted that between 2015 and 2019 alone, Afrieximbank disbursed more than $30 billion in support of African trade, including more than $15 billion for the financing and promotion of intra-Africa trade. I say, lets build on Afreximbanks model. And not only that, lets cultivate a pool of investors who recognize and appreciate the importance of oil and gas to Africa. Capital from foreign countries and companies will always be welcome as long as it isnt predicated on phasing out fossil fuels on their timeline. If theyre pushing a rush to renewables, theyre not going to be part of our solution. With the support of one or more African energy banks, local oil and gas companies will have the financing necessary to acquire assets. Theyll have the financing to build crude and gas pipelines across Africa and to facilitate the use of natural gas (including LNG) to power Africa, minimizing energy poverty and driving industrialization. And African states and entrepreneurs will be able to finance the development of renewable energy operations, particularly blue, green, and grey hydrogen operations that create additional opportunities for Africans. Africa already has emerging green hydrogen operations in Mali, Namibia, Niger, and South Africa, and with the proper funding, could become a major green hydrogen exporter. The AEC will support the energy bank initiative and work to bring potential participants together. Creating our own institutions to finance energy projects will send a clear signal to the marketplace that Africans are seeking to become leaders in scaling up private capital. It will show that we are advancing natural gas development and infrastructure while supporting low-carbon investments. With the financing in place, not only will African companies be able to produce oil and gas, but they will also support local community development, develop green energy markets, and create jobs. For many African countries, the oil and gas industry represents our best shot at giving millions of Africans the kind of jobs, living standards, and stability that developed countries have enjoyed for well over a century. We must hold fast to these goals and do what it takes to achieve them. By NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber SHANE Moynihan, a councillor for the Palmerstown-Fonthill five-seat electoral region, won a seat for Fianna Fail in the Dublin Mid-West constituency at the weekend. Shane is married to Teresa Walsh, formerly of Murneen, Claremorris. Born in Dublin, his parents were from Waterford and Tipperary and he has a strong affinity with the ethos and culture of rural Ireland. Teresa, a member of the teaching profession, is the daughter of Margaret (nee McGreal) and Quan Walsh who now reside in Claremorris. Her uncle Denis McGreal, a retired Garda Sergeant, lives in the home place in Murneen. Teresas brother, Denis, is married to Roisin Bhamjee from Clare (her father was a Labour TD for that constituency in the 1990s) and they now reside in Melbourne. They were following the counts closely from afar and were thrilled when Shane got over the line. Teresas parents (Margaret and Quan) and her uncle Denis were at the count centre in Abbotstown to witness Shane being declared elected on Sunday night. He secured 4,746 votes on the first count and was lying in fourth place in the 5-seat constituency. He progressed steadily through the counts and was on 7,231 after the thirteenth and final count to take the fourth seat ahead of Paul Gogarty on 7106, the former Green Party TD who regained his seat as an Independent on this occasion. Sinn Fein candidates, Eoin O Broin and Mark Ward, took the first two seats with Emer Higgins of Fine Gael taking the third seat. I am honoured to have been elected as a TD for Dublin Mid-West. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who voted for me, whether a number one or a later preference. Thank you to my incredible team for travelling this journey with me and believing in me. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/R0Qq7cxMRh Shane Moynihan TD (@shanemoynihan) December 2, 2024 We are all thrilled with the outcome and it was great to have the folks from Murneen here for the declaration. We love going down to Mayo and are really looking forward to spending a few days in Murneen and Claremorris during Christmas. Have the kettle on! said Shane. PADRAIG Nally, the farmer who was jailed for killing a man who trespassed on his property, has been laid to rest. Mr Nally, who resided at his 65-acre farm in Funshona, Cross, in south Mayo, hit the headlines in October 2004 when she shot John Frog Ward. The bachelor handed himself into the police following the shooting. He spent eleven months in prison for manslaughter before being acquitted in 2006. Hundreds attended his funeral at the Church of The Sacred Heart, in Cross, which heard that the shooting left an indelible mark on his life. Padraigs sister, Maureen, thanked all those who had cared for and supported him and those who minded his farm when he was not able to do so. Padraig you are now free from the frustration of not being able to work. Free from the pain and suffering and free from the anxiety and worry that was so much part of the last quarter of your life, she told the congregation in a poignant tribute. Now you have peace and happiness. And all that is left is for me to say goodbye. You will be remembered. I will not forget you, she continued. The good times and the tough times we had together. You will be forever in my thoughts and prayers. I will remember you. I had some tough times saying goodbye to you over the past six weeks but this is the hardest. This is the saddest. Bye-bye, Padraig. Well loved Fr Declan Carroll, Parish Priest of Cross, described Mr Nally as a quiet, unassuming man with the virtues of humility and kindness. He loved his farm. He cared deeply for all his livestock and found satisfaction, you could say, in the work if his hands. He had a natural bond with the land beneath his feet and the cattle under his care, said Fr Carroll. It was a bond that spoke of dedication and that spoke of the love for the life he had been given. And Padraigs love for the simple things in life extended beyond his farm. The late Padraig Nally pictured in Dublin during his trial back in 2005 He cherished the warmth of friendship, the lively conversations he shared with many in the marts around Galway and Mayo. These gatherings were more than just selling or buying cattle, they were opportunities for connection, opportunities for laughter, an opportunity for camaraderie with his fellow farmers. His sociable nature made him well-loved among his neighbours in Funshinagh and he had many friends. Fear Addressing the shooting of Mr Ward, Fr Carroll said that for Mr Nally, tragedy altered the course of his journey, leaving an indelible mark. It was a time of fear and that fear led to consequences that changed everything. Though life was never the same again, Padraigs faith endured. He prayed fervently not only for himself but for all those affected by the events of that day. Prayers were an expression for his humility and desire for peace, both for himself and for others. Fr Carroll also paid tribute to the unwavering love of Mr Nallys sister, Maureen. Maureens care and steadfast support were constant reminders of the power of family, he said, and the healing power of unconditional love felt by Padraig along every step of his journey. Concluding his remarks, Fr Carroll said: His life may have been marked by hardship but it was also filled with love, perseverance and quiet grace. Targeted On October 14, 2004, 42-year-old John Frog Ward arrived at Mr Nallys property with his son, Tom. Mr Nally recognised him, as Mr Ward had called to his house two weeks previously, looking for directions. Fearing an attack, Mr Nally shot Mr Ward in the hip from a few yards away. The two then engaged in a hand-to-hand struggle, before Mr Nally struck him a number of times with a stick. As Mr Ward tried to escape, Mr Nally reloaded the gun and shot him again, killing the father of eleven, who had 80 previous convictions. Mr Nally was 62 years old at the time, living alone with no phone in the house. He had been targeted by thieves in the past and had a chainsaw stolen from him eight months before the killing. He was so fearful of being attacked that he spent long hours alone in his shed with his shotgun. He later handed himself in to the Gardai, telling them I was out of my mind for these lads calling to my house all year. I said to myself he wasnt going again, Mr Nally added. Ive so long been raided, this was going to be the last time. Right to defend In July 2005, a jury found Mr Nally not guilty of the murder of Mr Ward, but guilty of his manslaughter. He received a six-year jail sentence that November. During his eleven months in prison, Mr Nally received an estimated 10,000 letters and attracted widespread public support for his actions. On October 12, 2006, almost exactly two years after the killing, Mr Nally had his sentence quashed by the Court of Criminal Appeal. That December, he was found not guilty of manslaughter after a retrial. Mr Justice Paul Carney, who tried the first trial, described it as undoubtedly the most socially divisive case Ive had to try and the most difficult case Ive had to sentence. The incident sparked a national debate over the right to defend ones property and eventually led to changes in the laws concerning self-defence. Years, later Mr Nally said he still feared for his safety long after killing John Ward. He had been ill for some time before passing in the care of St Johns Ward in University Hospital Galway at the age of 81. Gentle nature IN a statement, Mr Nallys solicitor, Sean Foy, described him as a great human being. I called to see him some weeks ago and he was being cared for by his sister Maura, who was gallantly by his side all throughout his turmoil, said Mr Foy. Padraig had a profound effect on me as to his gentle nature, his kindness and understanding. This honesty stood to his character, pedigree; he was a great human being. Mr Foy also paid tribute to his legal team before quoting Brendan Graham SCs closing statement to the jury in his trial: Padraig Nally did not seek trouble, trouble came to him. He offered his sympathy to Mr Nallys sister before concluding: I have no doubt that Padraig will have no trouble where he is gone. May God rest his beautiful kind soul. Padraig Nally was predeceased by his parents, Pat and Mary, and is survived by his sister Maureen, relatives, neighbours and friends. He has been laid to rest in Cross East cemetery. May he rest in peace. Atlantic Technological University (ATU) honoured one of Irelands most distinguished figures, Mrs Mary Robinson, with an honorary doctorate at a special ceremony at ATU's Mayo campus in Castlebar yesterday Monday, December 2. Mrs Robinson served as President of Ireland from 1990 to 1997 and as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 1997 to 2002. An Adjunct Professor for Climate Justice at Trinity College Dublin, Mrs Robinson was a member of The Elders, an independent group of global leaders working for peace, justice, and human rights. She had been widely celebrated for her leadership, including receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from former U.S. President Barack Obama. Between 2013 and 2016, she served as the United Nations Secretary Generals Special Envoy in roles focusing on the Great Lakes region of Africa, climate change, and El Nino and climate resilience. Her advocacy extended through her foundation, the Mary Robinson Foundation Climate Justice, which championed equitable solutions to the climate crisis. Addressing the audience, Mrs Robinson said that receiving an honorary doctorate on a campus in her native Mayo was a particularly special honour. She also called on the end of double standards in international law and the need for the world to do more in the fight against climate change. ATU President Dr Orla Flynn said Mrs Mary Robinson was an inspiration to all: This was an extraordinary moment for Atlantic Technological University. Honoring Mary Robinson, particularly in her native Mayo, was an incredible privilege for us, and her achievements resonated deeply with our drive to empower future generations. Mrs Robinson has been an inspiring figure for decades both in Ireland and around the world. We were truly honoured to have such an icon of our country accept this recognition from ATU. Mrs Robinson was nominated for the honour by a member of ATU staff, and her nomination was approved by the Honorary Doctorate Sub-Committee of the universitys Governing Body. Maura McNally SC, Chair of ATU Governing Body, said: Mary Robinson is a trailblazer whose legacy inspires us all. Her unwavering commitment to human rights, climate justice, and ethical global leadership made her a fitting recipient of this honour. We were privileged to celebrate her achievements as part of the ATU community. The ceremony marked the final conferring event of 2024 for ATU, following two months of graduations that celebrated the achievements of over 5,000 students across its campuses. This honorary doctorate was one of the largest events hosted by the university since its formation, highlighting the importance of the occasion for the ATU community and beyond. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is advising consumers in Ireland who have vouchers for Homebase to use them as soon as possible to avoid being left out of pocket. Provisional liquidators were appointed to the UK-based parent company of the DIY retailer last month, sparking some concerns for customers in this country. In a statement the CCPC says it's aware of the concerns and that it is engaging with the liquidators who have confirmed that stores in Ireland will continue to accept gift vouchers during the "provisional liquidation phase" and have committed to honour outstanding orders. Consumers who have vouchers for Homebase are being advised to use any gift vouchers they have or risk being left out of pocket. READ NEXT: Christmas taxi fare hike slammed for unfair impact on workers Brian McHugh, chairman of the CCPC, said: "consumer calls and emails to our helpline raised concerns for CCPC consumer protection officers. We contacted Homebase's liquidators late last week to ensure consumers continue to be protected while stores are operating." Following reports of outstanding orders and confusion around consumer rights in Homebase stores in Ireland, the CCPC has acted to ensure consumers are protected and their rights upheld. Link for more information: https://t.co/Ki8ZvYEPnx pic.twitter.com/OV83J8ZibJ CCPC (@CCPCIreland) November 30, 2024 The CCPC says it expects customers in Ireland will begin to receive calls from this Monday in respect of any outstanding orders. To date, the appointment of provisional liquidators in the UK has not had any impact on staff working in the eight Homebase stores in Ireland. A court has cleared the way for the State to dispose of a cargo ship which was seized following one of the largest drugs' hauls in Irish history. The State has been paying 100,000 every week since the MV Matthew was seized in dramatic fashion when the specialist wing of the Irish Defence Forces, the Army Rangers, stormed it off the South Coast in September 2023. Working with customs officers, they seized 2.2 tonnes of cocaine, worth an estimated 157 million. Eight men are due to go on trial next year at the Special Criminal Court to face charges in relation to the haul. John Berry SC, for the State, previously told the court that the ship was formally forfeit to the State on November 19, 2023. The State had maintained the ship to allow access for the defence legal teams. READ ALSO: ALERT: Temperatures to plummet to -2 with 'frost and ice' forecast from Met Eireann At a hearing this Monday, Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo ordered that the State is no longer obliged to make the ship available for inspection. The judge put a stay of two weeks on the order but has allowed the State to "put into train" the process of disposal immediately. None of the defence teams objected to the order but they will have an opportunity to raise any issues when the matter is mentioned before the court again next Monday. Mr Berry said the process of disposal is likely to take more than one month. by Fern Siegel , December 3, 2024 Colorado-based agency Vladimir Jones uses cheeky humor in a new 30-second campaign for Colorado Springs Utilities. The creative, which promotes an energy-conservation message, shows easy ways to improve energy habits. Unplugging electronics when not in use and not standing in front of an open fridge are simple ways to save electricity. Colorado Springs mysterious Smallfoot legend, a play on Bigfoot, is posited as a tiny friendly creature helping the public. Finding this legend is up to Smallfoot tracker Hemingway Flynn. The new ads provide education and support for customers in a thoughtful, accessible way. The multichannel campaign runs on broadcast, CTV, radio, social, print and both animated and static digital. Jim Morrissey, Vladimir Jones, executive creative director, told Out to Launch: "Persuading people to conserve energy has always been an uphill battle. So we had to persuade folks in a different way. Creating our own conspiracy theory gave us the runway to be educational, entertaining and ultimately persuasive." Vladimir Jones' client work includes Tourism Santa Fe, Black Hills Energy and Denver Museum of Nature and Science. by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, December 3, 2024 Blue Bloods ends its run next week with an episode that may or may not be an intentional comment on the chaos that many of us city residents perceive on our hometown streets. The episode -- titled End of Tour, scheduled to air Friday, December 13, on CBS -- has the NYPD in a war with the gangs of New York, who have put aside their rivalries with a common goal in mind -- nothing less than amnesty and freedom for their members who are in prison or awaiting trial. If their demands are not met, the consequences for the city will be a wave of deadly mayhem, says a CBS press release. As always, the episode will center on the Reagans, a multi-generational, New York law enforcement family led by NYPD Commissioner Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck). advertisement advertisement The one-hour episode will wind up the CBS cop series after 14 seasons and 293 episodes (including the finale). The show is not yet available for preview, but the description of the episode hints at a storyline in which the lawless are seeking to gain the upper hand in a tug of war with the law-abiding. In the show, the gangs demand that their gang brethren be freed and granted amnesty feels like an act of hubris that could only happen on TV. But TV dramas and comedies have traditionally reflected real-world trends, some directly and some not. This request for all gangsters in prisons to be freed is ludicrous on its face. On the other hand, here in the real world, the news media is filled with stories of convicted felons with long rap sheets who are released with no bail pending trial who then commit more crimes. In that context, is it so farfetched that urban gangs might form the impression that if they protest loudly enough, or violently enough, they might actually succeed in getting at least some of their members out of prison? Well, maybe on TV. In a very general way, the idea of all of New York Citys gangs suddenly putting aside their differences and joining forces is one that seems more suited to science fiction than Blue Bloods, which is why the prospect is so frightening. Blue Bloods is a fictional cop drama, but it does take place in the present day in New York City. Street gangs roaming the streets while the rest of us stay home with our doors locked conjures images of movies such as The Warriors and Escape from New York, not a network police drama like Blue Bloods. Whatever the challenges presented by the newfound boldness of New Yorks united gangs, the TV Blog predicts that Tom Selleck and the rest of the Reagans will emerge victorious. Why? Because this is television, not real life. by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, December 3, 2024 Nordstrom is defying the financial pressure thats hampering other department stores with third-quarter financial results that beat expectations. The Seattle-based retailer also unveiled a robust series of holiday marketing efforts that should set it up for a jolly fourth-quarter performance, even as management stays mum on the bid from family members to take the company private. Sales rose 4.6% in the third quarter of the fiscal year to $3.35 billion, up from $3.2 billion in the year-ago period, when observers had expected them to be flat. That gain is especially impressive given that revenues were negatively impacted by the shift in the timing of Nordstroms Anniversary Sale, which moved into the second quarter this year. Sales at the higher-end Nordstrom banner notched a 4% gain in comparable sales, while comparable sales at Nordstrom Rack, its off-price chain, gained 3.9%. Digital sales grew 6.4%. advertisement advertisement Women's apparel and activewear had double-digit growth, while shoes, men's, and kids' apparel were up in the mid to high single-digits. Third-quarter net earnings came in at $46 million, down from $67 million, ahead of Wall Street expectations. The retailers focus on curating a compelling brand assortment is resonating with customers," said Pete Nordstrom, president of Nordstrom, in the announcement. "Our actions throughout this year have led to this moment, and we feel well-positioned for a successful holiday season and look forward to helping our customers celebrate the moments that matter. That positioning includes a slate of holiday marketing efforts, with a refreshed app that combines the richness of in-store shopping with digital ease. It offers better gift finding, personalized recommendations, style suggestions, and two-day shipping in most markets. And in addition to standard fare, like visits with Santa, Nordstrom is offering more beauty events, with free tutorials, services and samples from top brands. In New York, the company set up The Blizz,* an immersive experience available throughout the store. Those include larger-than-life inflatables of New York characters voiced by director John Waters and actress Fran Drescher. The retailer is also peddling iconic NYC and Seattle experience packages, including tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, The Nutcracker, and Mariah Careys Christmas Time Concert, a meal at Tavern on the Green, and a stay at the New York Plaza Hotel. Nordstroms unexpected strength comes just after department-store competitors revealed ongoing struggles, with sales at Macys falling 2.4% and revenue at Kohls plunging 9.3%. The plan to improve operating efficiency, expand Rack, and improve Nordstrom banner sales is working in a tough retail environment, writes David Swartz, an analyst who follows Nordstrom and other retailers for Morningstar. But he notes that Nordstrom did not provide any update on the $3.8 billion offer to take the company private, which was first announced in September. Swartz writes that the $23-per-share offer from the Nordstrom family and El Puerto de Liverpool is not likely to be accepted. We regard the offer as low relative to our $38.50 fair value estimate, he says. Our expectation is that the board will ask for a higher price, and it seems that the market agrees as Nordstroms shares have been trading above $23. It is not known if the buyout group will raise its bid, but we think it is likely as it appears to be motivated and well-funded. *An earlier version misspelled the name of the holiday activation. by Laurie Sullivan , Staff Writer @lauriesullivan, December 2, 2024 Tech support scammers last month targeted eBay customers in the U.S. by way of fraudulent Google ads. In a few separate searches, Malwarebytes Labs identified multiple sponsored results created from at least four different advertiser accounts. Malvertising -- a threat that is not on the dark web, but rather on Google Search -- tends to increase with online shopping and ads, and has become one of the hazards of being the top search engine. Criminals or bad actors do not need to know a victims email address, login credentials, or personal information to deliver malware. And it doesnt matter that the malware could ruin the reputation of consumer brands. All it must do is convince someone to click on an ad -- and sometimes not even that. advertisement advertisement The ads can appear as sponsored content. They also can hide in ads that appear on mainstream websites from Lowe's and others. The cyberattack technique injects malicious code in digital ads. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime published a report in October about how these infected ads are distributed to consumers through legitimate advertising networks. Search engine optimization (SEO) poisoning and deceptive advertising are extensively utilized by criminals engaged in cyber-enabled fraud and other criminal activities to achieve these ends, with both proving effective and scalable as global search engine and social media use continues to grow, describes the UNOD. The report also identified malvertising in many online vendors across various platforms that are explicitly advertising registered third-party Starlink devices to cyber-enabled fraud operators based in remote parts of the Mekong Southeast Asia region. Malvertising attacks can be complex, the report explains. The attacker begins by breaching a third-party server that allows the cybercriminal to inject malicious code within a display ad or some element such as banner ad copy, creative imagery or video content. The report describes the sequence of events as the malware delivered can damage files, redirect internet traffic, monitor the users activity, steal sensitive data or set up backdoor access points to the system. Malware may also be used to delete, block, modify, leak or copy data, and sold back to the user for ransom or on various underground marketplaces online A search for ebay phone number or ebay customer service from the U.S. using Google Chrome returned several ads that were entirely fraudulent, according to security firm Malwarebytes. The company found they were created from four separate advertising accounts -- with some belonging to legitimate entities and some created from scratch. And while Google has seen most of the malvertising in search and its operating system, no brand is safe from the scam. Malwarebytes has tracked campaigns spoofs across Amazon, Walmart, Lowes and even its own site. In early November, Jerome Segura, senior director of research at Malwarebytes, wrote about a wave of phishing for banking credentials that targets consumers via Microsofts search engine Bing. A Bing search query for "Keybank login" returned malicious links on the first page, and sometimes as the top search result. The growing problem ties artificial intelligence (AI) with malware as scams become more sophisticated. Malvertising instances in the U.S. rose 42% month-over-month in fall 2023, and increased another 41% from July to September of this year, Malwarebytes estimates. Threats during Black Friday and Cyber Monday could see all-time highs. Malwarebytes warned of several online threats that could target consumers during the next few months. They include brand impersonation and fakes, credit card skimming, and malvertising. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, December 2, 2024 In a defeat for Google, a federal judge has refused to authorize an immediate appeal of his decision requiring the company to face claims that it collected personal data from smartphone users under the age of 13. The ruling, issued Monday by U.S. District Court Judge P. Casey Pitts in the Northern District of California, stems from a complaint filed last year by parents of six young children who allegedly downloaded children's apps from Android's Play Store -- including apps developed by Tiny Lab Productions, such as Fun Kid Racing and Monster Truck Racing. Those apps were designated by Google as Designed for Families, a now deprecated program that required participating developers to certify compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. That law prohibits app developers from knowingly collecting personal data, including device identifiers, from children younger than 13 without their parents' consent. advertisement advertisement A group of plaintiffs, led by California resident Jen Turner, alleged in a class-action complaint that Google's AdMob wrongly collected smartphone data from those apps, and that Google should have known that the data was coming from children. Google knowingly and intentionally collected personal information without parental consent to track and profile the children using these apps and target them with highly lucrative behavioral advertising, the complaint alleged. Among other claims, the plaintiffs alleged that Google engaged in intrusion upon seclusion -- a privacy claim that can be brought in California, and that involves highly offensive conduct. The complaint also accused Google of violating consumer protection measures in California, New York and Florida. Google urged Pitts to dismiss the lawsuit at an early stage, arguing that the claims were untimely because it banned Tiny Lab from the Play Store in 2018. Google contended the statutes of limitations for nearly all claims in the lawsuit ranged from one to four years -- meaning that any claims arising from activity that occurred before June of 2019 were time-barred. Attorneys for Turner and the others countered that even if Google banned Tiny Lab, AdMob allegedly continued through 2021 to collect data from children who had downloaded Tiny Lab's apps. Counsel also argued that Google allegedly collected data from children's apps developed by companies other than Tiny Lab. Google also argued to Pitts the complaint should be dismissed on the grounds that the claims were covered by the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, which doesn't authorize lawsuits by individuals. In June, Pitts sided against Google and allowed the lawsuit to proceed. Because plaintiffs allege that unlawful tracking and advertising was occurring through Android apps at least until 2021, defendants cannot establish, from the face of the complaint, that plaintiffs claims are time-barred, he wrote. He also rejected Google's argument that the claims were precluded by the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, noting that the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last year that the federal children's privacy law doesn't prohibit individuals from suing over parallel claims rooted in state laws. Google then asked Pitts for permission to immediately appeal his decision to the 9th Circuit. Among other reasons, the company said it wanted to argue to the 9th Circuit that the allegations, even if proven true, wouldn't show that Google knew it was collecting data from children. Pitts on Monday rejected Google's request, writing that an immediate appeal would only be warranted in "exceptional circumstances." by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, December 3, 2024 The News/Media Alliance late Monday called on the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to immediately end Google's recent policy change that it believes puts legitimate and reliable media properties at risk of being removed from search results if they publish affiliate links or partner content. The reasoning is that once Google takes this step -- even if in error -- it can take the search giant from weeks to months to remove manual actions applied against a site and return the website to its proper position in search results. The alliance -- which called the decision reckless -- was responding to an updated version of Googles site reputation abuse policy, the practice of publishing third-party pages on a site to exploit search rankings by taking advantage of the site's signals. It believes the changes represent Googles approach to cast a wide net on its monopolistic power, especially when it comes to trusted providers. advertisement advertisement Googles new policy treats important media partnerships like exploitative marketing practices and undermines the financial health of news companies in a way disconnected to actual value or protection for Google users, Danielle Coffey, president and CEO of News/Media Alliance, wrote in an emailed statement to MediaPost. This decision has the potential to single-handedly wipe off the map affiliate content traffic and revenue streams that many news organizations rely on. The updated description of Googles policy is intended to clarify verbiage it created earlier this year as part of its work to fight spam and deliver a better search experience. The goal is for the content to rank better. The updated language became effective in November. But the alliance believes otherwise. Evaluating policy violations requires consideration of a variety of factors -- not just considering any site claims about how the content was produced, to determine if third-party content was used in an abusive way. The alliance believes Googles new policy treats important media partnerships like exploitative marketing practices and undermines the financial health of news companies in a way that disconnects it to the actual value or protection for Google users. Publishers spend considerable time and resources to determine how best to serve their communities and to protect their investments in high-quality journalism, and they do not take these decisions lightly -- certainly not simply to manipulate search results, Coffey wrote. In fact, many publishers have published coupons and their special sections in print for decades as a valuable service to their communities. When publishers exercise control over the content they publish, they set their own brand and reputation on the line. Coffey wrote that Google should not be in a position to control both readers access to information and publishers editorial decisions. by Ray Schultz , December 2, 2024 Illinois has been harder hit by newsroom unemployment than any other state. Since 2005, Illinois has lost 86% of its journalists, versus 60% nationwide, according to a breakout from the Medill State of Local News, a report issued in October. Observers blame the fact that many of its news organizations are owned by corporate chains, according to WBEZ Chicago, Those ownership groups have been especially aggressive about cutting costs, especially Tribune-owned Alden Global Capital, said Tim Franklin, director of the Medill Local News Initiative at Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism, during a recent presentation. One bright spot is the passage in May of a bill that will provide $25 million in tax credits to local news organizations over five years. The law, which takes effect in 2025 is hugely significant and a major step in the right direction, Franklin said. advertisement advertisement Is it going to fix the local news crisis in Illinois? Franklin asked. No. But could those tax credits help preserve some local news coverage in Illinois for residents? Yes. Could it help provide a runway to give some local news outlets time to figure out a new model? Yes. And for some smaller local news outlets, these tax credits could even be a temporary lifeline. Illinois and New York are the only states to offer tax credits to support local news outlets, WBEZ continues. by Les Luchter , December 3, 2024 In over-the-counter [OTC] healthcare, you don't see a lot of creativity like we have with Nigel, Xyzals Katelyn Ettenger tells Marketing Daily. We felt we were sitting on a gold mine that we wanted to bring to life. And so Nigel -- the British-accented owl whos been Xyzals CGI ad spokesperson since the allergy brands switch from prescription to OTC in 2017 -- is becoming a real-life mascot. While last summer, for instance, attendees at various music festivals could pose with Nigel cutouts via a partnership with Live Nation, next year the owl will be there in person. Hell also be popping up via other activations, says Ettinger, whos senior director, pain and respiratory brands at Opella, the new name for Sanofi Consumer Healthcare. advertisement advertisement She calls Nigel, who has more awareness than the Xyzal brand does, a very well-loved asset in the category who really helps with the engagement of the brand. Nigel in his live-action mascot form debuted a couple of weeks ago with an Owl Lookalike Contest, a four-day social media campaign developed with Lippe Taylor. The campaign wasnt actually a contest, but rather a latching onto two social media memes a long-running Internet obsession with owls (7 billion views for #owls) and a recent Internet obsession with celebrity lookalikes, such as for Timothee Chalamet and Jeremy Allen White. The campaign consisted of posts on Tik Tok and Instagram from both Xyzal and Floridas Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, to which the brand donated $5,000. At last count, the campaign had resulted in 774,000 views/impressions and 1,500 total engagements, Xyzal reports. Theres definitely a lot of love for owls on social media, says Ettinger, adding that people are really excited about seeing Nigel in real life. For those unfamiliar with Nigel, heres his dossier from a followup social media video: hes a North American owl but speaks with a British accent, wearing a monocle even though he has 20/20 night vision and thinks hes the first owl on social media, but hes not. Nigel was created originally by the PureRed agency. Sunlenca's twice-yearly shot offers breakthrough in HIV prevention, but access challenges persist, especially in Latin America; sparks a global debate on access and equity. Trusted Source A twice-yearly shot could help end AIDS. But will it get to everyone who needs it? Go to source Trusted Source Did You Know? Since 2010, HIV-related deaths have been reduced by 51%, from 1.3 million. The global HIV epidemic claimed 69% fewer lives in 2023 since the peak in 2004. #medindia #hiv #epidemic Since 2010, HIV-related deaths have been reduced by 51%, from 1.3 million. The global HIV epidemic claimed 69% fewer lives in 2023 since the peak in 2004. #medindia #hiv #epidemic Advertisement Biannual Injection 100% Effective in Women, Nearly as Effective in Men Advertisement AIDS-Related Deaths at Historic Low Advertisement Biannual Shots: An Effective Option for Those Hesitant to Seek HIV Care Study Participants Continue Treatment Amidst HIV Stigma Uncertainty Surrounds Availability of HIV Shots 15 Advocacy Groups Call for Greater Access to HIV Prevention Experts Urge Focus on Latin Americas HIV Crisis Amid Rising Infections Compulsory Licenses Urged to Tackle Rising HIV Infections Globally Dr. Salim Praises Sunlencas Effectiveness in HIV Prevention A twice-yearly shot could help end AIDS. But will it get to everyone who needs it? - (https://www.livemint.com/news/a-twice-yearly-shot-could-help-end-aids-but-will-it-get-to-everyone-who-needs-it-11733032894230.html) It has been described as the closest the world has ever gotten to a vaccine for the AIDS virus ().The biannual injection was 100% effective in preventing HIV infections in a study of women, and results released on Wednesday indicate it was nearly as effective in men.Drugmaker Gilead announced it will permit the sale of affordable, generic versions of the drug in 120 low-income countries with high HIV rates, primarily in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. However, it has excluded nearly all of Latin America, where HIV rates are lower but rising, raising concerns that a key opportunity to combat the disease may be missed.This is so far superior to any other prevention method we have, that its unprecedented, said Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAIDS. She credited Gilead for developing the drug, but said the worlds ability to stop AIDS hinges on its use in at-risk countries.In a report released for World AIDS Day on Sunday, UNAIDS stated that the number of AIDS-related deaths last year approximately 630,000 was the lowest since it peaked in 2004, indicating that the world is now at "a historic crossroads" with an opportunity to end the epidemic.The drug, sold under the brand name Sunlenca, is already used to treat HIV infections in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and other regions. The company plans to seek approval soon for Sunlenca's use in HIV prevention.Although there are other methods of protection against HIV, such as condoms, daily pills, vaginal rings, and bi-monthly shots, experts believe the Gilead biannual injections would be especially beneficial for marginalized groups, including gay men, sex workers, and young women, who may be hesitant to seek care.It would be a miracle for these groups because it means they just have to show up twice a year at a clinic and then theyre protected, said UNAIDS Byanyima.This was the case for Luis Ruvalcaba, a 32-year-old man from Guadalajara, Mexico, who took part in the most recent study. He shared that he was afraid to request the daily prevention pills provided by the government, fearing discrimination as a gay man. However, by participating in the study, he will continue receiving the shots for at least another year.In Latin American countries, there is still a lot of stigma, patients are ashamed to ask for the pills, said Dr. Alma Minerva Perez, who recruited and enrolled a dozen study volunteers at a private research center in Guadalajara.It is still unclear how widely the shots will be available in Mexico through the country's healthcare system. Health officials have declined to comment on any plans to purchase Sunlenca for public use. However, daily HIV prevention pills became freely available through the country's public health system in 2021."If the possibility of using generics has opened, I have faith that Mexico can join, said Perez.Byanyima said other countries besides Mexico that took part in the research were also excluded from the generics deal, including Brazil, Peru and Argentina. To now deny them that drug is unconscionable. she said.In a statement, Gilead said it has an ongoing commitment to helping enable access to HIV prevention and treatment options where the need is the greatest. Among the 120 countries eligible for the generic version are 18 primarily African nations, which account for 70% of the world's HIV burden.The drugmaker said it is also working on establishing fast, efficient pathways to reach all people who need or want lenacapavir for HIV prevention.On Thursday, 15 advocacy groups from Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Chile, Guatemala, and Colombia sent a letter to Gilead, urging the company to make generic Sunlenca available in Latin America. They highlighted the "alarming" inequity in access to new HIV prevention tools, especially as infection rates continue to rise.While countries such as Norway, France, Spain, and the U.S. have paid over $40,000 per year for Sunlenca, experts have estimated that once generic production scales up to cover 10 million people, the cost per treatment could be as low as $40.Dr. Chris Beyrer, director of the Global Health Institute at Duke University, stated that having Sunlenca available in the hardest-hit countries in Africa and Asia would be incredibly valuable. However, he emphasized that the rising HIV rates among groups such as gay men and transgender populations in Latin America represent "a public health emergency."Hannya Danielle Torres, a 30-year-old trans woman and artist who participated in the Sunlenca study in Mexico, expressed hope that the government would find a way to provide the shots to those in need. Mexico may have some of the richest people in the world but it also has some of the most vulnerable people living in extreme poverty and violence, Torres said.Another drugmaker, Viiv Healthcare, also excluded most of Latin America when it permitted generics of its HIV prevention shot in about 90 countries. Sold under the brand name Apretude, the bi-monthly shots are about 80% to 90% effective in preventing HIV. However, they cost around $1,500 per year in middle-income countries, a price beyond the affordability of many.Asia Russell, executive director of the advocacy group Health Gap, stated that with over 1 million new HIV infections globally each year, existing prevention methods are insufficient. She urged countries like Brazil and Mexico to issue "compulsory licenses," a measure that allows countries to suspend patents during a health crisis.This strategy was used by some countries for earlier HIV treatments, particularly in the late 1990s and 2000s when AIDS drugs were first introduced. More recently, in April, Colombia issued its first-ever compulsory license for the key HIV treatment Tivicay, without permission from its drugmaker, Viiv.Dr. Salim Abdool Karim, an AIDS expert at South Africa's University of KwaZulu-Natal, stated that he had never encountered a drug as effective as Sunlenca in preventing HIV.The missing piece in the puzzle now is how we get it to everyone who needs it, he said.Source-Eurekalert Department of Veterans Affairs cemeteries in three states will now have specified sections for "green burials," giving veterans the chance to lessen the environmental impact of their interments. The pilot program, which started this fall at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix; Pikes Peak National Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida, will provide an additional burial option at VA cemeteries, acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Ronald Walters said in a news release Tuesday. According to Walters, the pilot will help the VA gather information and define procedures for expansion to more cemeteries. Read Next: The Army Needs Hundreds of Officers to Leave Combat Arms "This pilot reflects our commitment to understand and address the emerging burial preferences of veterans and their loved ones," Walters said in the release. For a burial to be considered "green" by the VA, the body may be cremated or buried, but preparations must be free of chemicals or embalming fluids and the urn or casket must be biodegradable or securely wrapped in a biodegradable shroud. The National Cemeteries Preservation and Protection Act of 2022 allowed the VA to establish sections of the graveyards for green burials. The National Cemetery Administration has always accepted naturally prepared remains or those in biodegradable containers for burial in national cemeteries, but the pilot will let veterans and their families select a final resting place tailored for their wishes. The legislation also gave the VA the authority to decide what types of markers should be used to delineate the graves in these sections, as most green burial cemeteries do not feature upright headstones. The VA manages 155 cemeteries nationwide and funds an additional 121 state, territorial and tribal veterans cemeteries. More than 4 million veterans are buried at national cemeteries, according to the department. "Green" or natural burials are nearly as old as humankind, with prehistoric cultures burying their dead without preservation techniques. Embalming and other forms of preservation became popular only in the 19th and 20th centuries, and in the U.S. after the Civil War, according to the website for Serenity Ridge, the state of Maryland's first natural cemetery, which opened last year. The House Veterans Affairs Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs subcommittee held a hearing Nov. 13 on the VA's plans to provide 95% of the nation's veterans access to a national, state or tribal veterans burial site within 75 miles of their homes. In addition to managing its own cemeteries, the department provides grants to state, territorial and tribal entities that operate cemeteries for the purpose of burying veterans. Rep. Morgan McGarvey, a Kentucky Democrat, praised the VA for what he called "innovative" practices such as its online database that honors America's veterans, known as the Veterans Legacy Memorial, and the Green Burial Initiative. "I think these are great examples of an innovative response approach to honoring our fallen veterans. I'm a big believer in innovation in the VA. ... I love what you guys are doing," McGarvey said. He noted, however, that some cemeteries, including one in his district, that contain veterans' remains, should be eligible for grant funds to help maintain the plots of those already interred across the U.S. "When we think about our veterans, honoring our veterans, honoring the men and women who served us, it's so important that they all rest in dignity and power," McGarvey said. Related: Nearly 5 Million Veterans Added to VA's Digital Memorial that Catalogs Grave Sites Around the World THE HAGUE, Netherlands The president of the International Criminal Court lashed out on Monday at Russia for targeting its prosecutors and judges over the panels investigation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and slammed comments by a U.S. senator threatening the court. Judge Tomoko Akane said in her address to the annual meeting of the world's top war-crimes court that attacks against the ICC were shameful referring to Russia's arrest warrants for the courts chief prosecutor Karim Khan and several of its judges. These individuals are "subjected to arrest warrants from a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, merely for having faithfully and diligently carried out their judicial mandate per the statutory framework and international law, she said. Moscow issued warrants for Khan and the others in response to the ICC investigation and arrest warrants for Putin over the war in Ukraine. The Japanese judge also had harsh words for U.S. officials, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, who has called the court a a rogue and politically motivated organization after the judges last month issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Graham said he was confident Donald Trump's incoming administration would respond forcefully to these actions by the court. The court is being threatened with draconian economic sanctions by another permanent member of the Security Council as if it was a terrorist organization, Akane said, without elaborating. During his last term in office, Trump had sanctioned the courts previous prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, with a travel ban and asset freeze for investigating American troops and intelligence officials in Afghanistan. What Is the ICC Meeting About? Monday's meeting marks the start this week of the Assembly of States Parties, which represents the ICCs 124 member countries, of the ICC's 23rd conference to elect committee members and approve the courts budget against a backdrop of unfavorable headlines. The ICC was established in 2002 as the worlds permanent court of last resort to prosecute individuals responsible for the most heinous atrocities war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression. The court only becomes involved when nations are unable or unwilling to prosecute those crimes on their territory. To date, 124 countries have signed on to the Rome Statute, which created the institution. Those who have not include the United States, Israel, Russia and China. The ICC has no police force and relies on member states to execute arrest warrants. Warrants for Netanyahu and His Ex-Defense Minister The decision to issue warrants for Netanyahu and Israels former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has been denounced by critics of the court and given only milquetoast approval by many of its supporters, a stark contrast to the robust backing of an arrest warrant for Putin last year over war crimes in Ukraine. President Joe Biden called the warrants for Netanyahu and the former defense minister outrageous and vowed to stand with Israel. A year ago, Biden said the warrant for Putin justified and said the Russian president had committed war crimes. France said it would respect its obligations but would need to consider Netanyahus possible immunities. When the warrant for Putin was announced, France said it would lend its support to the essential work of the court. Another member country, Austria, begrudgingly acknowledged it would arrest Netanyahu but called the warrants utterly incomprehensible. Italy called them wrong but said it would be obliged to arrest him. Germany said it would study the decision. Member Hungary has said it would stand with Israel instead of the court. Global security expert Janina Dill expressed concern such responses could undermine global justice efforts, saying they really have the potential to damage not just the court, but international law. Milena Sterio, an expert in international law at Cleveland State University, told The Associated Press that sanctions against the court could affect a number of people who contribute to the courts work, such as international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney. Clooney advised the current prosecutor on his request for the warrants for Netanyahu and others. Sanctions are a huge burden, Sterio said. Accusations Against ICC's Chief Prosecutor Also hanging heavy over the meeting in The Hague are the internal pressures that Khan, the chief prosecutor, faces. The 54-year-old British lawyer faced allegations that he tried to coerce a female aide into a sexual relationship and groped her, according to an AP report in October. Two co-workers in whom the woman confided reported the alleged misconduct in May to the courts independent watchdog, which says it interviewed the woman and ended its inquiry after five days when she opted against filing a formal complaint. Khan was never questioned. He has denied the claims. The Assembly of States Parties has announced it will launch an external probe into the allegations. Khan, who took the floor after Akane, did not address the accusations against him or the threats against the court beyond saying the institution was facing unprecedented challenges. He instead highlighted his office's request last week for an arrest warrant against the head of Myanmars military government, senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, for attacks against the countrys Rohingya Muslim minority. Judges have yet to decide on that request. Khan also said he planned to request warrants related to Afghanistan and Sudan in the coming months. Late last week, six countries including France, Luxembourg and Mexico asked Khans office to look into possible crimes in Afghanistan since the Taliban took control in 2021. While Khan isnt obligated to open an investigation in response to such a request, historically court prosecutors have done so. The court, which has long faced accusations of ineffectiveness, will have no trials pending after two conclude in December. While it has issued a number of arrest warrants in recent months, many high-profile suspects remain at large. Also, ICC member states don't always act Mongolia, an ICC member, refused to arrest Putin when he visited in September. Sudans former President Omar al-Bashir is wanted by the ICC over accusations related to the conflict in Darfur, but his country has refused to hand him over. It becomes very difficult to justify the courts existence, Sterio said. The Marine Corps is expanding its plan to put civilians in its barracks manager program, a move intended to improve decades-old housing by hiring contractors to run down repairs and inspections instead of putting those responsibilities in the hands of junior Marines. On Wednesday, Camp Lejeune in North Carolina announced that it had hired more than 40 contracted barracks managers to supervise maintenance reports, repairs, check-ins and inspections for the installation's 140 enlisted barracks, according to a news release. But it's not the only base. Bill Gallagher, director of the Bachelor Housing Division at Lejeune, told Military.com via email Monday that the Marine Corps is hiring contracted barracks managers at all of its more than two dozen installations. At Lejeune, he said, those personnel will continually update military databases with resident information and repair requests while working directly with unit logistics teams and commanders. Read Next: The Army Needs Hundreds of Officers to Leave Combat Arms Last year, the commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Eric Smith, said that the service was looking into professionalizing the program under its Barracks 2030 initiative, a plan meant to improve hundreds of housing facilities that have fallen into disrepair and squalor over the last two decades -- at one point leaving 17,000 Marines in substandard living conditions. "The ultimate goal of the civilianized barracks manager program is to improve the quality of life for Marines who live in the barracks," Gallagher said in the news release. In a memo obtained by Military.com earlier this year, the Corps said that it was looking to take barracks management responsibilities away from more than 500 noncommissioned officers and give them to 115 government personnel and 232 contractors. Before the initiative, those young Marines were often charged with fielding maintenance reports and working with public works officials to repair the barracks. Those duties were on top of the Marines' day-to-day jobs and would transfer to someone new every two or three years amid the constant flow of duty station moves. "I don't want to put a corporal or a sergeant who's not a barracks manager in charge of that barracks. That's how you fix the public works -- with a professional to a professional," Smith, the commandant, said last year. Now, the service is attempting to inject more consistency into the program by bringing in a stable of permanent personnel specifically trained in barracks management. Those contractors, the new release said, will track room assignments, ensure they are ready for incoming Marines, and work to ensure that repair requests are handled quickly. Gallagher said that some installations, such as Marine Corps Base Hawaii and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, have had civilian barracks managers for years. In 2020, the service hired civilian barracks managers at several installations, including at Lejeune, but this year, contracts at the East Coast base were expanded to bring their previously narrow roles into the broader "day-to-day management of all barracks," he said. As of Sunday, Lejeune had hired 41 contractors, who began their training in September and will be assigned to the installation's 2nd Marine Logistics Group, 8th Communication Battalion, and Wounded Warrior Battalion-East. The training was spaced out over three phases, Gallagher said, and included familiarization with occupancy databases -- "similar to a hotel reservations system;" maintenance requests; inspections; furnishing inventory; and check-in and check-out procedures. "[Ninety-three percent] of the contracted barracks managers are military-affiliated, which includes active reservists, veterans or retirees, with the majority of them being staff noncommissioned officers," Gallagher said. "With that experience, they bring to the position an innate understanding of barracks living. The main crux of their job is to track and report occupancy, room utilization, maintenance issues, furnishings, and any damage done by the resident." Marines previously told Military.com that fix tickets would remain stagnant for weeks or months, adding a layer of frustration to their already difficult jobs as some installations struggled to fill critical public works positions often burdened by infrastructure that needs constant upkeep, like air conditioning and ventilation. In August, Military.com reported that some Marines were languishing in sweltering barracks as temperatures hit record highs amid failing air conditioning units and inconsistent cooling policies. In October, the Marine Corps said that it had allocated millions of dollars for some West Coast units to install new air conditioners. Military.com asked the Marine Corps what costs were associated with hiring the civilian barracks manager force across the service, but it did not reply by publication time. "The quality of life for our Marines in the barracks is of the utmost importance to me and the entire team as it directly relates to combat readiness," Col. Ralph Rizzo Jr., the commander of Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, said in the release. Related: Marines and Sailors on West Coast Take to Cleaning, Fixing Own Barracks as Money Flows into Housing LUANDA, Angola Speaking of our nation's original sin, President Joe Biden on Tuesday toured a slavery museum in Angola and inspected shackles and a whip but also addressed Africa's future, saying Africans will make up one in four people by 2050 and the world's fate rests in their hands. Biden's visit, the first to Angola by a U.S. president, is meant to promote billions of dollars of commitments to the sub-Saharan African nation for what he called the largest-ever U.S. rail investment overseas. The United States is all in on Africa," Biden earlier Tuesday told Angolan President Joao Lourenco, who called Biden's visit a key turning point in U.S.-Angola relations dating back to the Cold War. But even as the trip was meant to counter China's influence on the African continent of over 1.4 billion people by showcasing a U.S. commitment of $3 billion for the Lobito Corridor railway redevelopment linking Zambia, Congo and Angola, China announced its own move. The corridor across southern Africa is meant to make it easier to ship raw materials for export and advance the U.S. presence in a region rich in critical minerals used in batteries for electric vehicles, electronic devices and clean energy technologies. China already has heavy investments in mining and processing African minerals, and on Tuesday it announced it is banning exports to the United States of gallium, germanium, antimony and other high-tech materials. It came a day after the U.S. expanded its list of Chinese technology companies subject to controls. The U.S. for years has built relations in Africa through trade, security and humanitarian aid. The 800-mile (1,300-kilometer) railway upgrade is different, with shades of Chinas Belt and Road infrastructure strategy in Africa and other parts of the world. Biden will visit the coastal city of Lobito on Wednesday for a look at the corridor's Atlantic Ocean outlet. The project also has drawn financing from the European Union, the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations, a Western-led private consortium and African banks. It was not clear how much of the U.S. commitments had been delivered and how much will depend on the Trump administration. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the corridor's completion is going to take years. That means much of it may fall to Donald Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20. Asked whether the project could proceed without Trump's support, Kirby said the Biden administration's hopes "that they see the value too. Kirby also insisted that the corridor was about more than simply trying to outpace Beijing, saying that were not asking countries to choose between us and Russia and China." One Angolan, 19-year-old Ladislau Ngola, called Bidens visit very important for our country as the Lobito Corridor will create lots of jobs for young people. Juliao Oliveira said Africa in general" would benefit, too. The rainy streets of the capital, Luanda, had a heavy military presence but few civilians a striking change from Bidens arrival on Monday, when cheering onlookers lined his route. Authorities on Tuesday encouraged people downtown to stay home. As the motorcade passed through outer neighborhoods, crowds waved from rooftops or intersections. Biden and Lourenco briefly addressed reporters before a closed-door meeting. Biden ignored questions about his decision to issue a pardon for his son after previously pledging not to, and joked to the Angolan delegation, Welcome to America. He also told Lourenco while pledging to use the trip to listen: We dont think, because were bigger and more powerful, that were smarter. We dont think we have all the answers." Angola's president said hed like to see a public-private partnership to increase energy production, and praised Bidens leadership on the Lobito Corridor, saying it would always be remembered." After the meeting, a senior U.S. administration official said China didnt come up. The official, who insisted on anonymity to discuss a meeting that was not public, also said Biden's visit to Lobito will be joined by the presidents of Zambia and Congo. Biden had promised to visit sub-Saharan Africa last year, after reviving the U.S.-Africa Summit in 2022. But the trip was delayed until this year, reinforcing a sentiment among Africans that their continent is still a low priority for Washington. The last U.S. president to visit sub-Saharan Africa was Barack Obama in 2015. Biden toured Angolas National Slavery Museum at a site that was formerly the headquarters of the Capela da Casa Grande, a 17th century temple where slaves were baptized before boarding ships to America. Angola was the departure point for an estimated 6 million enslaved people, the White House said. Looking ahead, I know the future runs through Angola, through Africa, Biden said. Speaking on a stage by the water, he said history cannot and should not be erased," and that while America was founded on the ideal of freedom and equality, its abundantly clear today we have not lived up to that ideal." AP journalist John Karlos in Luanda, Angola, contributed. LOS ANGELES A California man has been charged with shipping weapons and ammunition to North Korea and told investigators they were to be used for a surprise attack on South Korea, authorities said Tuesday. Shenghua Wen came to the U.S. from China on a student visa more than a decade ago after meeting with North Korean officials who instructed him to procure goods for the North Korean government, according to the U.S. Attorneys office in Los Angeles. Wen, 41, was arrested at his home in Ontario, California, without incident Tuesday and charged with conspiring to violate federal law barring the shipments. He also told investigators that he tried to buy uniforms to disguise North Korean soldiers for the surprise attack, a federal complaint said. Wen is expected to appear in court later on Tuesday. His federal public defender, Michael Brown, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It is essential that we protect our country from hostile foreign states that have adverse interests to our nation, Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles, said in a statement. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has demonstrated an intent to deploy battlefield nuclear weapons along the Norths border with South Korea, a U.S. ally, recently delivering nuclear-capable missile launchers to frontline military units. United Nations resolutions ban North Korea from importing or exporting weapons. Wen told U.S. authorities in interviews earlier this year that he had exported weapons and ammunition to North Korea at the request of its government. After coming to the U.S. on a student visa in 2012 that was only valid for one year, he stayed in the U.S. illegally, officials said. He was ordered deported in 2018. Wen said North Korean officials in China contacted him about two years ago to buy firearms and that he shipped two containers of weapons and other items from Long Beach, California, to North Korea via Hong Kong in 2023. He told U.S. authorities that he was wired about $2 million to do so, according to the complaint. Authorities did not identify in the complaint what types of weapons were exported. In order to carry out his operation, Wen bought a business in 2023 called Super Armory, a federal firearms licensee, for $150,000, and registered it in Texas under the name of his partner. He had other people purchase the firearms and then drove them to California, misrepresenting the shipments as a refrigerator and camera parts. Investigators did not say whether Wen had organized any shipments in the previous decade he was in the U.S. The FBI in September seized 50,000 rounds of ammunition from Wen's home about 40 miles (64 kilometers) east of Los Angeles that had been stored in a van parked in the driveway, the complaint said. They also seized a chemical threat identification device and a transmission detective device that Wen said he planned to send to the North Korean government for military use, the complaint said. Marines with Skin Condition Affecting Mostly Black Men Could Now Be Booted Under New Policy A new Marine Corps policy says troops with a genetic skin condition that can cause pain and scarring from shaving and mainly... BEIRUT Syrian insurgents captured four new towns early Tuesday, bringing them closer to the central city of Hama, opposition activists said, while government forces retook some territory they lost last week. The capture of the towns is the latest in the push by insurgents led by the salafi jihadi Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, as well as Turkey-backed opposition fighters. Insurgents now are about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Hama, the countrys fourth largest city. The latest push is part of a wide offensive by forces opposed to Syrian President Bashar Assad that over the past days has captured large parts of the northern city of Aleppo, Syrias largest, as well as towns and villages in southern parts of the northwestern Idlib province. The insurgents military operations administration said gunmen killed 50 government forces as they captured the central towns of Halfaya, Taybat al-Imam, Maardis and Soran. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, confirmed that the towns were taken. The pro-government Dama Post media outlet reported intense clashes in an around the towns, adding that Syrian troops are firing artillery shells at insurgents in the area. State media reported intense airstrikes by Syrian and Russian air forces in the area. Both the Observatory and pro-government media outlets reported that Syrian government forces on Tuesday captured the village of Khanaser, days after losing it. Khanaser sits on one of the roads that lead to Aleppo. The long war between Assad and his foreign backers and the array of armed opposition forces seeking his overthrow has killed an estimated half-million people over the past 13 years. To the east, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said in a statement that they captured seven villages from pro-government fighters. Syrian state media, however, denied that the villages were captured by the U.S.-backed SDF saying that the attack was repelled. The villages are close to a base housing U.S. troops in the area that is close to Iraq. Also Tuesday, Hakan Fidan, the foreign minister of Turkey, which is a main backer of groups opposed to Assad, said the recent rapid advance by insurgents in Syria shows that the Syrian president must reconcile with his own people and hold talks with the opposition. Assad and officials in his government say all armed groups in opposition-held parts of Syria are terrorists and has rejected any political solution with them. Turkey has been seeking to normalize ties with Syria to address security threats from groups affiliated with Kurdish militants along its southern border and to help ensure the safe return of more than 3 million Syrian refugees. Assad has insisted that Turkey's withdrawal of its military forces from northern Syria be a condition for any normalization between the two countries. LANSING, MI Michigan lawmakers and policy advocates say now is the time to pass a bill package that would create a statewide affordable pricing program for low-income households and seniors who struggle to pay their water bills. Under proposed legislation that lawmakers hope to pass this month before Republicans regain control of the state House in January, ratepayers across the state could see a $2 fee added to their bill to fund the new state water affordability program. PARK TOWNSHIP, MI -- After years of dissecting a 50-year-old zoning ordinance, a ruling has finally been made on short-term rentals in a small Lakeshore town. A ban on short-term rentals in Park Township will stand, according to the ruling from Ottawa County Circuit Judge Jon Hulsing. The decision was delivered on Nov. 21, a month after both sides of the issue packed the Ottawa County Circuit courtroom and spilled into overflow seating. The proceedings last month were short as Judge Hulsing mulled over if, after a year-long legal dispute, the issue had reached a moot point. The municipal dispute escalated with the lawsuit in October 2023. A group of rental owners banded together as Park Township Neighbors and sued the municipality over a proposed ban. The lawsuit accused the township of not properly amending the zoning ordinance in accordance with Michigan Zoning Enabling Act. Park Township has since amended its ordinance, again, to expressly state short-term rentals are prohibited in residential areas. Although the township and the rental owners disagree on how this 2024 ordinance plays with the 1974 ordinance, both agree it was adopted correctly this time. The new ordinance, explicitly banning residential short-term rentals, is now in effect. Related: Home or hotel? Short-term rentals still caught in legal web The small beach town is tackling a big issue sitting before municipalities across the state, especially up and down the Lakeshore. Just five miles from downtown Holland, Park Township sits on desirable Lake Michigan beachfront. Known as the home to Holland State Park, Park Township has a long history of summertime tourism. However the popularity of Airbnb and VRBO has brought on a tsunami of tourists to beach towns that were previously hidden gems and local favorites. Park Township short-term rental owners argued they have been operating rentals for decades in the form of family cottages. They believed they had the legal standing to do so because the townships 1974 zoning ordinance did not explicitly prohibit them. When more short-term rentals popped up in residential areas post-pandemic, neighbors complained the rentals attracted larger parties, more traffic and eroded the communal feeling of a neighborhood. It really comes down to what does a community want to be. Who do we want to be as Park Township? Weve always been a residential neighborhood with very, very limited commercial businesses, said Joan Zeerip, a resident opposing rentals. RELATED: Residents of Lake Michigan beachfront community sue over short-term rental ban The heated discussions came to a head in November 2022 when the Board of Trustees and the Planning Commission came together in a joint board session to discuss regulation of short-term rentals. Instead, the discussion veered to elimination of rentals. Trustees voted unanimously to require all short-term rentals operating in residential zones to cease. Rentals in commercial zones remained unaffected. This ban prompted the lawsuit filed by Park Township Neighbors. RELATED: Judge lifts short-term rental ban from Lake Michigan beach town Last December, lawyers parsed out the details of what was determined to be a home versus a hotel and a short-term versus long-term stay. At the time, Judge Hulsing placed a preliminary injunction, ruling the township could not enforce the ban. This allowed Park Township Neighbors and other rental owners to open their vacation houses to guests for one more summer. RELATED: Tourism versus housing: 5 takeaways from Lake Michigan towns short-term rental report During that time, the group commissioned an economic impact study to make their case in the peoples court that short-term rentals added value. One standout of those survey results was that 33% of current rental owners said they would sell their rental property if a ban was enforced. RELATED: A third of hosts say theyll sell their property if this Lake Michigan town bans rentals Park Township Neighbors will now take their fight back to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Rental owners are seeking non-conforming status, arguing they were operating legally before the 2024 ordinance change, essentially asking to be vested in under the new ordinance. FARMINGTON HILLS, MI A SWAT Team forced entry into a Farmington Hills home over the weekend after a man allegedly shot multiple times at his wife and then barricaded himself against police, officials said. Paul Holland, 44, of Farmington Hills, is charged with felony assault and other crimes related to the incident on Saturday, according to a news release from the Farmington Hills Police Department. Around 5:30 p.m., officers responded to a report that a husband had shot at his wife multiple times inside a home in the 29000 block of Ramblewood Drive near 14 Mile and Middlebelt roads, police said. The woman, who had called 911, told officers that Holland was intoxicated and became aggressive toward her, according to the release. She armed herself with a firearm in self-defense, she said. The man then armed himself with two handguns and began shooting at the ceiling and walls, and toward her, police said. She fled the home and met up with officers. Officers arrived on the scene and attempted to de-escalate the situation, police said. However, the suspect refused to exit the home. A search warrant was obtained and the Oakland County Sheriffs Office SWAT Team forced entry into the home, police said. The suspect was arrested. No one was injured. Holland was arraigned Monday in 47th District Court on charges of felony assault, discharging a firearm in a building, and two counts of felony firearm. He pleaded not guilty. His bond was set at $250,000/10%. His next court date is at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11. DETROIT A Michigan sailor who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor is set to be buried. The U.S. Navy said Monday that John Cuthbert Auld of Detroit will be buried with full military honors in Albuquerque on Friday. The burial in Fairview Memorial Park will take place at 10 a.m. Auld, a Seaman 2nd Class, died aboard the USS Oklahoma during the Dec. 7. 1941 attack in Hawaii. The Oklahoma capsized during the attack, killing 429 people. Unlike most of the other battleships that were recovered following Pearl Harbor, Oklahoma was too damaged to return to duty. On behalf the U.S. Navy, I express my sincerest gratitude and appreciation to the scientists and experts who have committed the tireless hours to identify the remains of those lost aboard USS Oklahoma, said Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Greg Slavonic when remains from the Oklahoma were identified in 2019. While the nation owes a debt to the families that can never fully be repaid, identifying those lost and returning them to their families is a meaningful step in gaining closure and properly honoring the Sailors and Marines of the USS Oklahoma. Auld was born in England on June 15, 1918, but later moved to Detroit. He performed typical seaman duties on the Oklahoma such as painting, cleaning, and polishing of the ships brightwork and maintenance and repair of various types of equipment. He also handled ropes and wires, stored and secured items, assisted with the movement of cargo on and off the ship, stood watch as a lookout and was a member of a gun crew. He received the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal (with Fleet Clasp), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (with Bronze Star), World War II Victory Medal and American Campaign Medal. OSCODA COUNTY, MI -- A Mio woman was killed Sunday morning in a three-vehicle crash along M-33 near Curtisville Road, according to 9&10 News. The crash happened just after 10 a.m. as the woman was traveling southbound on M-33 in a Jeep Liberty. An investigation and witness statements led police to determine the woman lost control of her vehicle and crossed over the centerline where she then hit the guard rail on the northbound side. The Jeep then hit a van that was traveling northbound. The Jeep was then hit again by a Ford F-150 that was traveling southbound. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene while the driver of the van was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the truck was treated at the scene. An investigation is ongoing, but police say that road conditions and speed may have been a factor in the crash. WATERFORD TOWNSHIP, MI -- A 43-year-old Waterford man was arraigned last week on numerous felony charges in connection with a human trafficking enterprise he was allegedly operating. Quincy Bland was arrested on Nov. 26 and arraigned the following day on two counts of engaging in a human trafficking enterprise resulting in injury/commercial sexual activity, two counts of transporting a person for purposes of prostitution, two counts of accepting earnings from prostitution, and one count of delivery or manufacture of less than 50 grams of a controlled substance. Human traffickers operate in the shadows, exploiting vulnerable victims, and controlling them through multiple means, including making and keeping them dependent on drugs, and on violence and threats of violence. The cases we are seeing now are only the tip of the iceberg human trafficking is a massive problem that requires a massive response, said Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald. The day before Blands arrest police identified a woman believed to be a human trafficking victim. After interviewing the woman, police learned that she and another woman were being trafficked out of several hotel and motel rooms in the Waterford area. The woman was able to provide police with information regarding Blands home and a search warrant was obtained. Upon execution of the warrant, police allegedly recovered a bag of drugs containing what is believed to be meth, crack, and heroin on Blands person. Police also found a large amount of cash, multiple cell phones, and two scales in the home. Investigators allege that Bland used violence, the threat of violence and drugs to control the women, including giving the women drugs to keep them awake and working for days at a time. Blands bond was set at $100,000 and he is currently lodged in the Oakland County Jail. He is due back in court on Dec. 10 for a probable cause conference. ANN ARBOR, MI -- Coffee lovers now have a new spot to get a quick pick-me-up in downtown Ann Arbor. Moka & Co. opened in September at 333 S. Main St. in Ann Arbor and has been serving Yemeni specialty coffee, espresso, cold brews, iced coffees, teas, matcha, fruity refreshers, frozen drinks and baked goods ever since. Moka & Co. is a New York-based chain of Yemeni coffee shops focused on fair trade and organic practices. Ann Arbor is just one of six locations in Michigan and 11 in total. The chain plans to add more locations in states like Pennsylvania, Arizona and New York, according to its website. Moka & Co. at 333 S. Main St. in downtown Ann Arbor.Makayla Coffee Ahmed Alrayashi is the managing partner of the Ann Arbor location. He said the response has been welcoming, especially since many people have been giving Yemeni coffee a try for the first time. (I knew) this has great potential to serve the community, he said. Thankfully, its been great so far. Moka & Co. at 333 S. Main St. in downtown Ann Arbor.Makayla Coffee Alrayashi was born and raised in Dearborn, which he said has a lot of coffee shops. He decided to get involved with Moka & Co. in May and quickly realized he wanted to be the one to help bring this concept to Ann Arbor, especially for University of Michigan students. The Main Street location was originally supposed to be a spot for a different Yemeni coffee shop called Haraz Coffee House, which planned to open in early 2023 but did not. We decided to step away when the investor was unwilling to invest in meeting the high standards and luxurious experience that Haraz is known for, Owner Hamzah Nasser wrote in an email. Moving forward with a subpar or knockoff version of a Haraz buildout did not align with our values or commitment to excellence. Now, Moka & Co. offers a range of traditional Yemeni specialty coffee options customers can be comfortable trying risk free, he said. If you dont like it, Ill make you a latte, he said. If youre trying something new, we can only appreciate that. His coffee recommendation, Alrayashi said, depends on a few factors. However, he said most people love the Mufawar coffee or the Adeni chai, but one of his favorites is the Maleki coffee made with ginger, honey and coffee husks. Mufawar coffee blends Yemeni coffee, milk and cardamom for a unique taste of Yemen, while the Adeni chai features a blend of milk with nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, cloves and cinnamon, according to the menu. Most people love the (Adeni Chai). Theres no age limit -- It doesnt matter. Everybody loves the chai, Alrayashi said. Moka & Co. at 333 S. Main St. in downtown Ann Arbor.Makayla Coffee Local baked goods are also for sale, including cheesecakes, milk cakes and bee bites made with bread and cream cheese served with honey. Alrayashi said hes aware that Moka & Co. isnt the only spot in Ann Arbor where people can get a cup of Yemeni coffee. He said his goal is to be another option, especially for people who are looking for something as theyre exploring the heart of the city. Related: New Ann Arbor coffee shop is serving up Yemeni coffee, homemade pastries We want to be able to represent Ann Arbor the best way as possible, not just for the locals, but for people that are coming from out of state as well, he said. Moka & Co. at 333 S. Main St. in downtown Ann Arbor.Makayla Coffee Alrayashi said he has hopes to run another Moka & Co. location in the future, but right now he is just focused on Ann Arbor. Hes working to leave a lasting impact on the city and give back to students in the area, he said. The coffee shop is open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day and also does catering. Learn more about it online, on social media or by phone at 734-369-2467. 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. YPSILANTI, MI - Ypsilanti has garnered enough funds to cover the removal of the Peninsular Paper Dam from the Huron River after getting a $7.5-million grant. While the city now has enough funding to cover the estimated $14 million it will take to both remove the dam and restore the river, Daniel Brown , a Huron River Watershed Council watershed planner, said the city will keep fundraising to plan for any unexpected contingencies. Any additional funding can only add to restoration efforts, he said. The latest grant comes from $139 million in grants awarded nationwide to nature-based solutions for coastal resilience from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundations National Coastal Resilience Fund. The grant was extraordinarily competitive, Brown said, adding that there has been an increased awareness from federal funding agencies about the environmental benefits of the dam removal project. This would be a hugely beneficial climate resilience improvement for the City of Ypsilanti so I think a lot of funders and agencies are keen on that, Brown said. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, wrote a letter in support of the citys grant application in June. By removing the dam, were not only enhancing public safety, but also restoring the rivers ecosystem and improving conditions for fish habitats, Dingell said in a Nov. 26 statement. As co-chair of the Great Lakes Task Force, protecting the environment for future generations remains my top priority. This project will also bring new opportunities for recreation and tourism in Ypsilanti, strengthening our local economy. Efforts to relocate mussel species around the dam will begin this summer, Brown said. Several sensitive mussel species were found in a survey conducted over the summer . That included the Wavy-rayed lampmussel and Black Sandshell, according to a report from the Huron River Watershed Council. Both are state-threatened species. Read More: Threatened Michigan species found in the Huron River near Ypsilanti dam The Huron River runs into Ford Lake and also has the only self-sustaining walleye population in an inland lake throughout southeast Michigan. Freeing the river will make more space for the walleye and smallmouth bass to reproduce, Brown previously said. When dams are removed the sediment released can temporarily harm the downstream habitat, according to a September report by the Huron River Watershed Council. While fish can move freely to avoid the impacts of dam removal, slow moving mussels dont fare as well. Read More: How walleye, smallmouth bass and endangered mussels could benefit from Peninsular Dam removal Ypsilanti City Council members voted in 2019 to remove the structure that once powered the Peninsular Paper Co. but no longer generates electricity. Safety and liability concerns , and improving the health of the river, fish, birds, and other wildlife are reasons to demolish the dam, officials have said. In April, the project tacked on an additional $10.3 million in estimated costs associated with plans for more active restoration efforts including the mussel survey and sediment management. Since then, the city has been securing outside funding sources, such as federal and state grants. The city committed $500,000, and this has not changed. Read More: Ypsilantis Peninsular Dam removal project seeks $10.3M in additional funding Restoration activities will involve actual dirt moving construction and restoring the rivers channel as close to its pre-dam condition as possible, Mario Sebastiani a water resources engineer with infrastructure consulting firm AECOM previously said. Another goal is to minimize the impact to neighboring properties and create a community amenity for recreation and ecological health. The sediment management plan was another driving force in the projects cost. With the Huron River obstructed for more than a century and a half, sediment has built up in the reservoir upstream of the dam, an area known as the impoundment. Much of that sediment is contaminated. Under the plan, the sediment will be actively managed rather than passively as previously planned to reduce impacts to downstream areas, particularly for mussel and fish habitat. This means moving the sediment through hydraulic dredging or other forms of excavation instead of slowly letting the sediment redistribute downstream by itself, Sebastiani said. The active removal and disposal of the sediment is required where contaminant levels exceed what state standards deem ecologically safe or fit for direct human contact, and would reduce the likelihood of impacts downstream, according to the report. Regulators are looking closely at potential contamination of the sediment, given the industrial history of the area. But out of 33 samples across the area above the dam, only one showed pollutants exceeding levels threatening human health, according to the report. This is a slight decrease from 2022. Additional testing was also carried out in Ford Lake in response to Ypsilanti Township community members who were concerned the dam removal process would further contaminate the lake, Brown said. The results from early 2024 confirmed that areas of the lake are contaminated with metals and other pollutants at levels exceeding state criteria to protect the ecology. Brown previously said the key finding was that Ford Lake is more contaminated than the dams impoundment and that even if some sediment made it downstream, it would not make the lake worse. FLINT, MI -- Evangelos P. Papadopoulos, a former partner in one of Flints most-loved coney island restaurants, has died at age 89. Papadopoulos, known as Angelo, was born in Greece in 1935 and emigrated to the United States in 1956. He settled in the Flint area, ultimately helping to establish Angelos Coney Island as an iconic east side institution that served Flint-style coneys to generations of people from all walks of life. Papadopoulos died on Saturday, Nov. 30, surrounded by his family. (He and his partners) treated customers with respect no matter what your status was, his daughter, Mary Papadopoulos said. They respected the unemployed person at the counter (the same as) the politicians and the big-time executives. Papadopoulos worked as a cook at the former Nite Owl Coney Island in Flint before becoming a partner of Angelos from 1962 until his retirement in 1998. After the business was sold and other outlets added, the original restaurant at the corner of Davison Road and Franklin Avenue closed in 2018 after nearly 70 years in operation. Since publishing Angelos obituary, the Papadopoulos family has been flooded with tributes to their patriarch on social media from former customers, employees, and family friends. A former waitress at the restaurant made it a point to call his wife, Eleni, to personally pay her respects. We are so grateful to those who have reached out, Mary Papadopoulos said. My dad touched so many lives ... It is just an outpouring of love and rightly due for my dad. Mary Papadopoulos said her father met her mother under a Christmas tree in Detroit in 1960. The couple married in 1961 and have been inseparable since. When my mom would walk into a room, he always had that twinkle in his eye for her, she said. He was an amazing husband to my mom for 63 years. Angelo Papadopoulos was involved in every aspect of the restaurant business, according to his daughter, balancing books, calculating change due customers in his head, and of course, chopping onions. The restaurant served burgers, bacon and eggs, roast beef sandwiches, fries smothered in gravy, and of course, Flint-style coneys -- a hot dog topped with a dry ground meat sauce, onions, and yellow mustard. Angelo Papadopoulos prided himself in working hard and keeping a clean apron, and in teaching his daughter life lessons when she worked the cash register at Angelos. Mary Papadopoulos said early in her work at the restaurant, her father pulled her aside when she clocked in just before her shift began at 9 a.m. He told her that in the future, she should be at the business 30 minutes before it opened, ready to go to work, as an example for others. He believed in providing quality products and excellent service, Mary Papadopoulos said, and knew how to help build Angelos into a successful operation. My dad was a financial wizard as far as I was concerned, she said. He had a sixth-grade education but he knew so much. Angelos wasnt the first coney island in Flint, but the family that opened it in 1949 ran coneys islands in downtown Flint as far back as the World War I era, according to Flint Journal files. Relatives of the Papadopoulos family are still involved in the coney island business at Starlite Coney Island in Burton and Apollo Family Restaurant in Davison, Mary Papadopoulos said. Visitation for Angelo Papadopoulos is scheduled for 4-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road in Grand Blanc Township. A Parastas service will be held at the funeral home at 7 p.m. Friday, and Angelo Papadopoulos will lie in state at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, 2143 S. Center Road, Burton, prior to a funeral service at the church at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that contributions be made to the church. In addition to his wife and daughter Mary, Angelo Papadopoulos is survived by daughters Kathy Condon and Elva Selmi. FLINT, MI Time Magazine has included a photograph taken by MLive-The Flint Journal photojournalist Jake May in its Top 100 Photos of 2024. The Time Photo Department published these photos on Tuesday, Nov. 26, and among them is a photo May took of a group of kindergarten students at Myers Elementary School in Grand Blanc during the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024. Its not about me. Realistically, our whole goal is to get information out there and make sure people see how we live, and this is a testament to that, May said. But more so, Im honored to have my name alongside these Michigan children who will go on and change the world. Related: It looks like a banana: Grand Blanc elementary students awestruck by solar eclipse The magazines photo department selected what it determined to be the 100 strongest photos taken in the past year, and it said these photos capture the tension of conflict, the anxiety over outcome, anticipation of excitement or in possibility. Time Magazine also credits the photographers behind these photos for creating a time capsule that feels as if its about to be opened. In the photo May took during the solar eclipse, students can be seen watching the rare astronomical event through paper plates they decorated and fashioned into eclipse glasses. This picture is represented amidst some of the hardest and heaviest moments weve seen throughout the year, May said. Michigans on the map, and its a great thing to showcase our community journalism. 47 1 / 47 Grand Blanc's Myers Elementary students witness the 2024 solar eclipse As he photographed the group of elementary students, May said he could see just how awestruck they were by the eclipse, and hes glad that he was able to document such a historic moment. Im grateful that these Grand Blanc children are now being seen globally, he said. Everyone will remember this moment through them. Thats what this kind of list does. He also noted that it seemed like the students felt just as out of this world as the eclipse. It felt like a timeless photo as I was taking it. You have this moment in history thats bigger than any of us, May said. It was palpable. To me, wonder is alive and well most in children, and its kind of these moments that help adults see things from a childlike point of view as well, he said. Myers Elementary Principal Betsy Kato said the Grand Blanc school is very excited to see Mays picture was included in Times Top 100 Photos of 2024. Myers is an amazing place, and we are thrilled to be spotlighted on a national level, Kato said in an email. We really enjoyed the eclipse experience as a school, and it was neat that he was able to capture the excitement from some of our youngest students. This isnt the first time Mays work has been published by Time Magazine. The magazine also published photos he took during Flints water crisis in 2016. May was a 2017 Pulitzer Prize Finalist in Feature Photography. MLive-The Flint Journal photojournalist Jake May.Jake May| jmay2@mlive.com He has also been named the National Small Market Photographer of the Year by the National Press Photographer Association three times and Michigan Photographer of the Year by the Michigan Press Photographer Association five times. Additionally, May received an award of excellence in the Pictures of the Year International competition earlier this year. Times Top 100 Photos of 2024 can be found at time.com. Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter. KENT COUNTY, MI The owner of a decades-old auto shop has retired and sold the business to a third party who plans to sell off loads of tools and memorabilia next week. The former home of Parker & Sons Garage at 5600 Wilson Ave. SW. in Wyoming is getting new life as a retro ice cream and sandwich shop, and auto mechanics and enthusiasts will soon have a chance to own a piece of the buildings history. Orbitbid.com is auctioning off the garages former assets on behalf of the new owner. The online auction opens at 8 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 9, and begins closing at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec.10. Early inspection is available by appointment. This auction presents an amazing opportunity for automotive professionals, collectors and enthusiasts to acquire high-quality tools and equipment from one of the areas longest-running auto shops, a statement from Orbitbid.com read. Items to be auctioned off include hundreds of Snap-On tools such as wrench and socket sets, scanners and large toolboxes; four-post drive-on car hoists; collectible car and motorcycle parts and engines; garage memorabilia; welders; air compressors; and lawn equipment. Third-generation owner George Parker has been taking care of the family business for over 50 years, but the history of Parker & Sons goes back much further. Parker told MLive/the Grand Rapids Press that the business originally was run by his grandfather and father as Parker & Son until he and his brother were born in the 1950s, at which point the shop rebranded to Parker & Sons. Parker, now 73, said after being in business for over 50 years, now was a good time to retire. Fifty years is a long time to be fixing everybody elses problems and not having time for my own, he said, laughing. The brick building on the corner of 53rd Street and Wilson Avenue was built around 1948 before Parkers father bought it in 1960. But after working on his own for five years, the father attempted to sell and then lease the building. Parker had been running a garage on 43rd Street until around 1991, when he and his brother moved the business back to the Wilson Avenue building. An anonymous business owner closed on the building for $518,000 in September, according to property records. Orbitbid.com said the new owner plans to transform the property into a retro auto-themed ice cream and sandwich shop that would add a unique twist to the local dining scene. The new owner declined to comment at the time of publishing. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. KENT COUNTY, MI A Cedar Springs schools worker was arrested for allegedly creating and using fake social media accounts to obtain illicit images of students. The worker, a 20-year-old Rockford man, was employed by the district as an auditorium technician, Kent County sheriffs deputies said. OTTAWA COUNTY, MI A woman was hospitalized Monday, Dec. 2, after she jumped from a second-floor apartment window to escape a male acquaintance who assaulted her, sheriffs deputies said. A passerby reported the 23-year-old woman jumping from the window and fleeing. The suspect, a 31-year-old man reportedly armed with a handgun, was gone when Ottawa County sheriffs deputies reached the scene. The domestic assault was reported around 4 p.m. in the 3000 block of Millpond Drive East off Felch Street in Holland Township. Police determined that the woman had been assaulted in the apartment. She was taken by ambulance to an area hospital. The sheriffs Critical Response Unit searched the apartment but the suspect was gone. Police partially blocked roads for several hours and asked nearby residents to stay in their apartments while the sheriffs deputies worked to find the suspect. Police eventually determined he was not in the area. Detectives remain at the scene processing evidence. No shots were fired, police said. The incident remains under investigation. Police asked anyone with information to contact the Sheriffs Office at 616-738-4000 or Silent Observer at 877-887-4536 or mosotips.com. KALAMAZOO, MI Bells Brewerys Upper Peninsula offshoot, Upper Hand Brewery, is being sold by the Bells parent company in a deal expected to close in early 2025. New Belgium Brewing informed Upper Hand employees of the pending sale of the Escanaba-based brewery on Nov. 19. The buyer, California-based Seven Beverages, Inc., is in the process of securing its alcohol license in Michigan, according to a statement from New Belgium. Once the company has obtained its license, it will assume operations of Upper Hand Brewery, which was opened by Bells founder Larry Bell in 2014. The Escanaba-based Upper Hand Brewery, which had been a division of Bell's Brewery, is being sold to a company based out of San Marcos, California.Upper Hand Brewery New Belgium will continue to operate the 20-barrel brewing facility and the Escanaba taproom until that time. Upper Hand, which began distributing in the Lower Peninsula in 2020, has since expanded its footprint into northern Wisconsin and Minnesota. The brewery was last sold as part of the 2021 sale of Bells Brewery to Australian-based beverage company, Lion, which is owned by Kirin Holdings, of Japan. Lion acquired New Belgium two years prior to obtaining Bells and Upper Hand. Bells and New Belgium merged leadership teams initially, with Bells later becoming a division of New Belgium in 2023. RELATED: Bells Brewery being bought by Australian company that purchased New Belgium Brewing in 2019 Thank you to the Upper Hand team for their years of hard work, creativity and innovation, New Belgium CEO Shaun Belongie said in a statement. The ownership, pride and dedication to brewing exceptional craft beers have resonated within the local community and are a testament to their dedication and talent. Were excited to see the new owners continue the legacy of incredible craft beer in Northern Michigan. New Belgiums priority, moving forward, he said, is to focus and invest deeper in the hospitality operations within its biggest markets and hospitality centers. Those include the Bells Brewery facilities in Kalamazoo County, along with New Belgium facilities in Colorado, North Carolina, California and Virginia. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. VAN BUREN COUNTY Firefighters from six departments battled a fire Monday, Dec. 2, at an apartment building near South Haven. The occupants safely escaped. The fire was reported around 6:05 p.m. at Pitcher Lake Apartment on 62nd Street south of County Road 388 in Van Buren Countys Geneva Township. Firefighters battled deep snow while fighting the fire and shuttling water tankers to a pond at the nearby GingerMan Raceway. South Haven Area Emergency Services, or SHAES, said that the fire was believed to have started in an unoccupied apartment and spread to the attic. The Southwest Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross was called to help residents displaced by the fire. SHAES firefighters were assisted by firefighters from the cities of Bangor, Hartford and Watervliet and townships of Columbia and Covert. MUSKEGON, MI - A former owner of a Norton Shores dog rescue who was charged with animal cruelty last year is asking that she be allowed to pay less to the shelters who took in dozens of dogs after her arrest. Lisa Cobers attorney said donations received by the two shelters during that time should be considered and subtracted from the amount Cober will pay in restitution. A total of $37,433.57 was requested from Cober by two local shelters. Muskegons Big Lake Humane Society is asking for $21,958.86, while West Olives Harbor Humane Society is requesting $15,474.71. The case started in January 2023 when police removed 78 dogs from Cobers business that she ran out of her Norton Shores home. Dogs were locked in cages and in some cases, living in urine and feces. The dogs were divided up and sent to different state-regulated animal shelters. Some of the dogs died of illnesses like distemper in the weeks after the rescue. Big Lake Humane Society took in 18 dogs, of which three died from distemper, a highly contagious and dangerous disease affecting dogs. Harbor Humane took in 20 dogs, of which six later died. Both shelters were impacted by the intake of the Cober dogs, especially Big Lake, which was shut down for 35 days to prevent the spread of distemper among dogs and by volunteers. Big Lake Executive Director Alexis Robertson testified Tuesday morning in the Muskegon County Courthouse that she had to pay her staff overtime to make up for the labor lost from volunteers. Big Lake requested Cober pay for medical expenses, wage increases, and potential adoptions lost when the shelter was closed. Robertson said that number was likely significantly less than total expenses taken on by the shelter following Cobers arrest. She said the shelter adopts out on average 40 dogs a month, with fees ranging from $100 to $300 per dog. Muskegon County Circuit Judge Matthew Kacel noted that was a pretty big chunk of revenue lost for the shelter. Robertson said she calculated that Big Lake received $6,835 in donations via the organizations website, Facebook and Venmo that mentioned the Cober dogs during that time period, approximately January to June 2023. That number also includes adoption fees from Cober dogs that were adopted out. Cobers attorney Robert Hedges questioned Harbor Humane Executive Director Jennifer Self-Aulgur, during her testimony, on a Facebook post by the shelter that talked about the intake of the Cober dogs and the shelters need for donations. I think people realize when we take on something like this, our day-to-day operations are jeopardized, Self-Aulgur said. I dont think people donated with the intent of Lisa Cober not paying restitution. Self-Aulgur said a situation like this certainly puts a strain on your organization. She said the organizations Hope Fund, a rainy-day reserve fund, was depleted in taking care of the Cober dogs. Self-Aulgur also said it would be hard to determine the Facebook donations specifically. During Cobers sentencing in May, Kacel didnt order any jail time. Instead, he placed Cober on a five-year probation period and ordered her to complete 100 hours of community service. While on probation, Cober cannot possess or own any animals. On Tuesday, Kacel did not reach a decision and said he would later issue a written opinion about whether the animal shelters' donations would be subtracted from the total fines Cober owes. The judge said legal statute lays out framework for a third party, who pays for costs incurred by a victim, to be compensated by the defendant. But many donations received by the shelter are made anonymously on social media, and the statute doesnt address that. This statute is outdated for the world we live in, Kacel said, adding that he wasnt sure how to determine the donations were directly compensating for the losses incurred by the Cober dogs, since the shelters are constantly taking, and run off of, community donations. This is not a real simple case, Kacel said. All surviving dogs that Big Lake and Harbor Humane took in last year have been adopted out. Two-year-old Elvis, a Treeing Walker Coonhound mix, was a later adoption, having been adopted once and returned, then later fostered by a shelter staffer who eventually adopted him. After months of building trust and confidence with him, we have been able to see his true personality really shine through. And he is the most loving, loyal and tenderhearted dog I have ever met, said his owner Courtney Falkowski. The fear, mistrust, and anxiety is still very apparent from the abuse he endured during the early part of his life with Cober, but it is clear that he is healing with us and we are incredibly thankful to be his forever family. Elvis, a 2-year-old Coonhound mix, was one of the 78 dogs kept in poor living conditions by Lisa Cober, formerly Cober's Canines.Photo provided to MLive by Courtney Falkowski Falkowski said Elvis was found in a backyard shed where many dogs were kept in stacked cages, and he now has a huge crate phobia. He paces, doesnt nap easily during the day, and is distrusting of new people. He is easily frightened by everything, she added. Assistant Prosecutor Chas Koop II referred to Cobers actions as classic hoarding behavior. Koop said some individuals who adopted dogs from Cober drafted letters to the court for sentencing detailing their experience and the financial burdens shouldered as a result of adopting a dog from Cober. However, Koop said those people dont count as victims for this particular case relating to the seizure of the 78 dogs last January. While multiple individuals came forward after the fact detailing similar harrowing accounts and neglected dogs that required extensive medical care, those individuals were not named victims under the Crime Victims Rights Act, Koop said. During her sentencing earlier this year, Cober read from a letter, telling the judge she never abused, neglected or tortured any animal that was ever in her care. I got in over my head which with a rescue, is easy to do, she told the judge. All I wanted to do was save them. She said shes never getting back into the animal rescue business. If she could do things differently, she would, Cober said. Want more Muskegon-area news? Bookmark the local Muskegon news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Muskegon daily newsletter. SAGINAW, MI Police have released the names of two Saginaw residents recently killed in a recent crash within the city. Demon M. Galvin and MyEshia O. Barnes, both 24, suffered fatal injuries in a wreck that was reported about 3:50 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1. Police responded to reports of a burning vehicle in the area of Hess Avenue and Birch Park Drive near Birch Park Apartments. They arrived to find a black 2018 Dodge Durango on its passenger side, leaning against a brick pillar, its front end engulfed in flames. The Durango had apparently struck a utility pole. The impact ejected Barnes and another 24-year-old woman. Galvin remained trapped inside. Officers tried controlling the flames with fire extinguishers but were unsuccessful. Saginaw firefighters arrived on scene and extinguished the fire. Emergency responders pronounced Barnes and Galvin deceased at the scene. The other woman, from Bridgeport, was taken to an area hospital and listed in critical condition. She has since been moved to another hospital. The Saginaw County Multijurisdictional Traffic Crash Team is investigating the crash and it appears speed was a factor. Barnes and Galvins deaths are the third and fourth to occur from traffic crashes in the city in just a few weeks. About 3:50 p.m. on Nov. 15, a red 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee and a white 2001 Chevrolet Express van had been heading in opposite directions when they collided at the intersection of East Genesee Avenue and Ruckle Street on the citys East Side. One of the vehicles crossed the center line and collided head-on with the other. Both vehicles erupted in flames after the collision. Emergency responders pronounced the drivers deceased at the scene. Police identified the Jeeps driver as Jayden Burnett, 24, and the vans as Scintayvian McMullen, 22. LANSING, MI When Maria Ibarra-Frayre was 18, she was then an undocumented immigrant living in Detroit and attending college. One day, she missed her ride to class and had a choice: take a two-hour bus ride and be late or drive herself and risk legal consequences for not having a license. She decided to drive. Not because I wanted to, but because I had to, said Ibarra-Frayre, deputy director of We the People Michigan. This is the reality for 100,000 undocumented Michiganders. Every day we are forced to make decisions that put all of us at risk. But it doesnt have to be this way. Ibarra-Frayre was among more than 50 people who gathered on a cold Tuesday morning, Dec. 3, on the Michigan Capitol steps calling on lawmakers to pass what is called the Drive SAFE (Safety, Access, Freedom and Economy) legislation. The bills have yet to get a hearing in either chamber, and there are only a few weeks are left of Democrats controlling both the state House and Senate. The chance of the bills passing next year is slim, as Republican House leadership, which will control the House next year, opposes the legislation. The Drive SAFE bill package would allow Michigan residents to obtain drivers licenses even if theyre unable to show theyre living in the U.S. legally. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, both Democrats, have previously backed similar bills. Related: Push for drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants in Michigan faces lame duck roadblocks Proponents say the proposed law would lower insurance rates, ensure those behind the wheel are qualified and allow all Michigan residents to drive to their jobs, take their kids to school, get groceries and complete other life necessities without fear of deportation or jail time. Nineteen other states have done this, said Majority Floor Leader Rep. Abraham Aiyash, D-Hamtramck. If you want to think about ways of reducing car insurance rates, increasing public safety, reducing potential car fatalities, the way you do that is by ensuring that those who get behind the wheel in the state of Michigan are qualified. Aiyash declined to say whether all House Democrats are onboard with passing the legislation during lame duck, but, he added, hes hopeful itll be approved. One of the Drive SAFE bill sponsors, state Rep. Rachel Hood, D-Grand Rapids, has said there was previously enough support among Democrats to pass the bills in the House but a few members broke support after the election. Before 2008, Michigan was one of a handful of states that issued drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants. The legislature passed a law banning the practice following an opinion issued by former Attorney General Mike Cox, a Republican. There is no sound reason not to pass this legislation. Zero, Aiyash said during the Tuesday rally. There is no economic argument. There is no public safety argument. The only thing that is causing delay in this argument is cowardice. It is cowardice because you have some people who work in this building behind me that choose to divide and choose to stir up hatred for people that literally are the reasons youre able to have your Thanksgiving dinners. Related: Ensuring immigrants can acquire Michigan drivers licenses lets them live in peace, advocates say Isabel, an undocumented resident living in the Grand Rapids suburb of Wyoming, gave examples of how not having a drivers license has impacted people like her. Shes heard of a mother who was unable to pick up medicine for her child because it was a controlled substance and the pharmacist needed to see an ID. Shes heard of another mother who was on her way to work at 4 a.m. when she was arrested and taken to jail because she couldnt produce a license during a routine traffic stop. And shes heard of a father whose vehicle was hit by a reckless driver. That driver then threatened he would call police on the man for not having a license unless he paid him money. These are not isolated stories, said Isabel, who declined to give her last name. These are real heartbreaking experiences of people in our state. Our neighbors. Our family members. Our friends. Stories that show us the undeniable need for change. Thats why Im here in Lansing today. The legislation is supported by a number of organizations, including the Michigan Catholic Conference. In Michigan, having a drivers license is vital for being able to participate in community life and take care of our families, and that is no different for undocumented residents of the state, Tom Hickson, vice president for public policy and advocacy for MCC, said Tuesday. This policy would ensure children can safely arrive to school with a parent, mothers and fathers can legally drive to the grocery store, pharmacy or church, and every person in this state is aware that more drivers have undergone training and testing in order to make our roads safer. Similar legislation has been introduced every session since 2016 only to die in committee each time. For over 50 years we have been struggling and the time for change is long overdue, Isabel said. Its not just my own fear when I get behind the wheel not knowing if Ill make it home safely after a routine traffic stop. Its the fear that so many of us as members of this community have been living for so long. State lawmakers say they are taking steps to improve prenatal and maternal health care for all birthing people, especially Black and Brown mothers who have historically had disproportionately bad outcomes. Known as the Michigan Momnibus legislation, the package of eight bills aims to increase reporting on obstetric violence and racism and create additional protections to ensure the safety and wellbeing of mothers. The bills all passed the state Senate on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Theyll need to be passed by the state House before heading to the governors desk for final approval later this month. Its a really good day, state Sen. Erika Geiss, a sponsor of two bills in the package, said with a tear running down her face. She said shes hopeful the House will quickly review and approve the proposals, which would send them to the governors desk to be signed before the end of the calendar year. Senator Erika Geiss smiles as votes for her Momnibus Bill Package go through inside the Senate Chambers at the Michigan State Capital on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com Black mothers in the U.S. are more likely to die at three times the rate than white mothers, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2022, the maternal mortality rate for Black women was 49.5 deaths per 100,000 live births, more than twice the rate for white women (19). There are various factors that contribute to these disparities, like access to quality healthcare, underlying medical conditions, systemic racism and bias. Related: Heres how Michigan is trying to combat maternal and infant mortality In Michigan, 80 to 90 maternal deaths occur each year, according to the Michigan Maternal Mortality Surveillance Program. Officials say nearly 64% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. Geiss said the proposed bills will improve reproductive justice and reproductive health for Michigan residents, making sure they have quality care and that the state collects necessary data to improve outcomes and reduce maternal and infant death. This package is about making sure the people who want to and are choosing to have a child or to expand their families are able to do so in a way thats going to be the most healthy for them, not just physically healthy but emotionally healthy as well so that they have the best experience, Geiss said. Legislators are revving up activity in the closing weeks of the year, before the next wave of lawmakers step in in January. The Momnibus bills had been introduced in April but didnt move out of committee until October. Senate Bill 818 would require the state health department to include studies and reports on biased or unjust perinatal care, including instances of obstetric violence or racism. Senate Bill 819 would require the states Department of Civil Rights to receive reports utilizing a measurement of patient-reported experience to identify instances of violence or racism. Votes come in for Senator Erika Geiss proposed Momnibus Bill Package inside the Senate Chambers at the Michigan State Capital on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com Other aspects of the package would: Require hospitals to have a policy for patient protection; Require the state to collect information on malpractice insurers' policies related to perinatal care; Protect a designated patient advocates ability to make life-sustaining treatment decisions regardless of pregnancy status; Establish a plan, without punishment, for safe care for an infant and parent if the infant is shown to be affected by alcohol or a controlled substance; Adds licenses midwives to the states essential provider repayment program. Related: State initiatives aim to address high death rates among Black Michigan mothers Lawmakers say the bills would amplify the voices of Black birthing people, mothers, women, families, and stakeholders. As it relates to maternal and infant health in recent years, Geiss said the state has taken one step forward and two steps back. Even with a Maternal Review Committee, which reviews maternal deaths and recommends policy changes, Geiss said its amazing that pregnant people still have horrible, life-threatening experiences, and often preventable ones. She hopes the additional reporting requirements in the bill package will be used by future policymakers to enact positive change. How do we turn that information into making sure its not just words on paper somewhere, but that we are creating the paths to do something to improve these scenarios, Geiss said. BENTON HARBOR, MI - Treacherous travel conditions are expected to continue tonight and into Tuesday for some areas of Southwest Michigan, including the I-94 corridor, the National Weather Service said. Lake-effect snow that could be heavy at times is forecast to continue overnight tonight into early Tuesday. A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for Cass and Berrien counties through 10 a.m. Tuesday, and for Van Buren, Allegan and Ottawa counties until 7 a.m. Tuesday. Lake-effect snow is forecast to continue overnight and into Tuesday in Southwest Michigan.NWS Additional snow accumulations (from 2 p.m. today to 2 p.m. Tuesday) of 4 to 10+ inches are expected, National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists at the Northern Indiana office said. The highest snow totals are expected to be in Berrien and Cass County in Michigan, extending into far northern Indiana along I-80/I-90. Significant travel impacts are likely this evening and Tuesday morning. Currently, our thinking is that the Tuesday morning commute will be treacherous, especially on US 20, I-80/I-90, and I-94. Roads will be snow covered and visibilities will be sharply reduced where snow is falling. Low visibility was already an issue today on westbound I-94, which authorities had to shut down after a whiteout crash involving three semitrailers and 14 other vehicles. One person was critically injured in the collisions, which occurred just before 1 p.m. near the Hartford exit in Van Buren County. BEIJING, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Amadou Thera, a Malian businessman, takes great pleasure in showcasing the shea butter skincare cream produced by his workshop at various international fairs in China, where he always finds new clients. "China's international fairs are really great platforms for enterprises in African countries to find new opportunities, and purchasers usually consider our agricultural products to be good value for money, thanks to China's zero-tariff treatment on most of them," said Thera. More people are looking forward to sharing similar experiences of Thera in the future, as starting from Sunday, China will grant zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines to all the least developed countries that have diplomatic relations with China. The policy, which will make China the first major developing country to implement such an initiative, marks the latest move of the world's second-largest economy to open up its vast market and share growth opportunities with the rest of the world. To advance institutional opening up, the country issued a guideline in October to promote the high-standard international economic and trade practices piloted in certain free trade zones in a wider region. China has also continued to roll out policies to nurture fertile ground for foreign investors. Last month, the country pledged to build the Suzhou Industrial Park in east China's Jiangsu Province into a globally attractive two-way open hub. Multinationals will be encouraged to establish R&D, sales and distribution centers in the industrial park to promote the development of the headquarters economy. Furthermore, qualified medical institutions will be encouraged to conduct clinical research in cutting-edge biopharmaceutical fields such as immune cell, stem cell and gene therapies. In the same month, the new edition of the national negative list for foreign investment took effect, scrapping the two remaining items in the manufacturing industry on the previous list. The items on the latest negative list, which outlines fields off-limits to foreign investors, have been further reduced to 29 items. This fully demonstrates China's active willingness to expand mutual benefits and a clear attitude to supporting economic globalization, said Jin Xiandong, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission, adding that further efforts will be made to improve the level of foreign investment liberalization and facilitation, and to optimize service for foreign-invested enterprises. Besides the manufacturing sector, China is also pushing forward broader and deeper opening up in the service sector. China announced in September that it would allow the establishment of wholly foreign-owned hospitals in certain cities and regions, including Beijing, Shenzhen and throughout the island of Hainan. In October, the country decided to allow foreign investors to operate wholly-owned businesses such as internet data centers and engage in online data processing and transaction processing in certain areas as part of a pilot program to expand opening up in value-added telecom services. The country's opening up efforts have made it a magnet for foreign investors. A total of 46,893 new foreign-invested firms were established across China in the first 10 months of 2024, up 11.8 percent year on year. Notably, FDI inflows into medical equipment and instrument manufacturing surged 61.7 percent, while inflows into computer and office device manufacturing grew by 48.8 percent in this period. Opening up to the outside world is not just a matter of "opening the door." More importantly, it requires actively aligning with international economic and trade regulations as well as other high-standard rules, said Zhang Bin, deputy director of the Institute of World Economics and Politics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Zhang underlined the need to enhance synergy between the domestic and international markets as well as resources to constantly cultivate and consolidate new advantages in international economic cooperation and competition. 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I Accept Allu Arjun on Pushpa 2's ticket hike by Andhra Pradesh government: This progressive decision demonstrates your steadfast commitment to the growth and prosperity of the Telugu film industry Vaishnavi Gavankar 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 On November 30, the 2024 Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Development Conference was held in Hefei, Anhui. Experts, academicians, and representatives from universities and enterprises in the field of artificial intelligence gathered to discuss the latest research findings and future development directions. During the conference, several collaborative projects were signed. At the meeting, the Anhui Provincial Department of Science and Technology introduced the "Three-Year Action Plan for General Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Development in Anhui," aiming to achieve abundant intelligent computing power, extensive high-quality data availability, and leading general and industry-specific large models by 2025, with application scenarios at the forefront nationally. According to a report published by CCID Consulting, Anhui's artificial intelligence industry development index ranks 6th in the country, making it a key area for multiple national strategies. Currently, Anhui is actively promoting the "Artificial Intelligence +" initiative, accelerating the establishment of a pilot zone for the AI industry, planning to create laboratories in the field of AI security, and seizing strategic opportunities for the development of general artificial intelligence. 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I Accept HanuMan actor Teja Sajja reveals Ranveer Singh gave him the best compliment, calls him kind, genuine, and full of love 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. 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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 Deblina Halder 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 Meghna Mittal Deputy News Editor at Moneycontrol. Meghna has experience across television, print, online and wire media. She has been covering the Indian economy, monetary and fiscal policies, Finance and Trade ministries. She tweets at @Meghnamittal23 Contact: meghna.mittal@nw18.com Meghna Mittal 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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I Accept Granules India shares crack 10% after Hyderabad facility gets a rap from US regulator Rohit Singh 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 SEBI stops listing of Trafiksol, asks company to refund investors and to cancel shares issued Asha Menon 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 DLF expects 28 percent growth in its rental EBITDA by end of FY26 Ashish 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. 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I Accept Sandeep Shrivastwa 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 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. 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Answering questions around EVMs Sandeep Shrivastwa 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 India pivots from Russia to US for cutting-edge weapons 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 Indian police to query Starlink on device used in huge haul of smuggled drugs 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 ISKCON Kolkata urges Bangladesh govt to ensure safety of lawyers willing to represent Chinmoy Das 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 Arun Anand has authored two books on the RSS. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. Namrata Agarwal 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 'Brain rot' is Oxford University's word of the year 2024. Here's what it means Stella Dey 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 Italy to approve more military aid for Ukraine this month: Report 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 Sonalee Borgohain 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 Apple employee accuses company of 'spying' on personal iPhones: All the details Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Aabhas Sharma 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 Apple's accessibility features: How they help bridge the digital divide for disabled users Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Aabhas Sharma 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 Tuolumne County District Attorney's Office Logo View Photo Sonora, CA Tuolumne County District Attorney Cassandra Jenecke announced that Daniel Curtis, 37, was sentenced to six years and eight months in state prison on Oct. 21 after pleading guilty to multiple drug-related charges. Curtis admitted to maintaining a place for selling or using controlled substances, possessing fentanyl for sale, and destroying evidence. The sentence also includes prison time for prior offenses, including false personation, driving a vehicle without consent, and failure to appear in court, all of which he was on probation for at the time of the drug-related crimes. In a related case, Gina Chiodo, 34, was sentenced to two years and eight months in state prison on Oct. 28. She pleaded guilty to maintaining a place for selling or using controlled substances, as well as an unrelated false personation charge. The convictions stem from an investigation by the Tuolumne County Sheriffs Office Narcotics Team (TNT), which executed a search warrant at a Jamestown residence in August 2024. Authorities discovered over 11 grams of fentanyl, 32 cell phones, digital scales, 114 grams of a cutting agent, and numerous items of drug paraphernalia and packaging materials. During the raid, Curtis attempted to destroy evidence by discarding suspected controlled substances. Both defendants were issued a formal fentanyl advisement as part of their plea agreements. The advisory warns that selling or distributing controlled substances, especially those laced with fentanyl, poses a significant risk of causing fatal overdoses. Under California law, individuals may face manslaughter or murder charges if their actions result in a fentanyl-related death. While the advisement became a legal requirement with the November 2024 passage of Proposition 36, the District Attorneys Office has included it in complaints since 2023. Anyone with information about drug sales in the area is urged to contact the TNT tip line at (209) 533-5884. Utica Park Renovation View Photos Angels Camp, CA Several Items will go before the Angels Camp City Council later today. Early in the meeting, City Planner Amy Augustine will provide an update on the Utica Park renovation/expansion project. The landscaping plan will be reviewed later this week by the citys park committee, plans are underway to return the Mark Twain Statue to the park, the bocce courts have been installed, and the hardcourts are poured. Several aspects of the playground are in place (see image). The amphitheater footings are planned for installation in the coming few weeks, weather permitting. Later in the meeting, the city council will vote on appointing John Rohrabaugh as the full-time Fire Chief. He has been serving as part-time chief since 2015, and the passage of the Measure A Sales Tax measure is bringing in additional revenue for fire services. Angels Camp, specifically, will receive about $550,000 in new revenue, annually. Rohrabaughs contract will pay an annual salary of just over $101,000. The city will also vote on a 12% pay increase for the future City Administrator. Steve Williams has been serving as the Interim City Administrator, and the increase would not be applied to his current contract. Meeting documents note, During the past several months, the City of Angels has engaged in good faith negotiations with three of the Citys labor groups including Angles Camp Firefighters Association, Angles Camp Employees Associations (Misc), and Angels Camp Exempt Employees. Those negotiations resulted in a salary equity adjustment of 12%. To eliminate the issue of compaction between the City Administrator and Department Heads, staff recommend increasing the City Administrators salary schedule by 12%. The starting salary would increase from the current $136,780 to $153,193. The regular session portion of todays meeting starts at 6 pm at the Angels Fire House at 1404 Vallecito Road. By Lambert Strether of Corrente. Patient readers, Im traveling again, I feel a WiFi dead zone coming up, and I want to take a nap. I should be back in form tomorrow. lambert Bird Song of the Day Northern Mockingbird, Anza-Borrego Desert SPMesquite Oasis San Diego, California, United States. Part of a longer recording. Longer than three minutes! * * * Politics So many of the social reactions that strike us as psychological are in fact a rational management of symbolic capital. Pierre Bourdieu, Classification Struggles * * * Biden Administration Why Bidens Pardon of His Son Is So Controversial [Bloomberg]. A Republican-controlled committee in the House of Representatives seized on the business dealings of Hunter Biden, and Republican Kevin McCarthy, then the House speaker, launched an impeachment probe into Joe Biden for what he called a culture of corruption. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer gathered evidence that from 2014 to 2019, Hunter Biden and associates received some $24 million from individuals or companies based in China, Russia, Ukraine, Romania and Kazakhstan. But the impeachment inquiry ultimately failed. If somebody had a theory of that failure, I missed it. Unlike the farcical Benghazi hearings, Comer had a clear timeline. And the checks. Trump Transition Congress faces shutdown dilemma that could mess with Trumps first 100 days [NBC]. As Congress returns this week for one last burst of activity before it wraps up the session, it faces a key deadline of Dec. 20 to avert a government shutdown. Democrats and Republicans appear resigned to passing a continuing resolution, or CR, that would temporarily fund the government into early 2025 most likely March as they run out of time to strike a full funding deal this year. The two parties havent even agreed on an overall spending level for the new fiscal year, let alone how to allocate the money across parts of the government. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., alluded to the inevitability of a short-term bill Monday, saying, We need to keep divisive and unnecessary provisions out of any government funding extension, or else it will get harder to pass a CR in time. For Republicans, that is a double-edged sword. The upside for Republicans in punting the deadline is that they would have more leverage to shape government funding in the new year, with President-elect Donald Trump returning to the White House and the GOP taking control of the Senate and maintaining a narrow House majority. The big downside is it would create a critical deadline early in the Trump presidency, potentially taking valuable time away from confirming his nominees through the Senate and from the big party-line bill that Republicans are looking at to extend his tax cuts and advance his immigration and border security agenda. Single House race stands between Republicans and 1-seat majority [FOX]. House Republicans could begin the new year grappling with a one-seat majority, a perilously slim margin for the 119th Congress as President-elect Donald Trump guns for an active first 100 days. Last-minute GOP losses and exits in favor of the new administration mean Republicans could begin that period with precious little room for dissent, and one congressional race could decide the difference between a likely one- or two-seat majority. In Californias 13th Congressional District, Rep. John Duarte, R-Calif., is fighting for his political life against Democrat Adam Gray. As of Monday afternoon, Gray leads Duarte by a few hundred votes a margin of roughly 0.1%. California state law mandates that counties certify their election results by Dec. 5. If Democrats flip the seat, the House would have 220 Republicans and 215 Democrats heading into the New Year. However, three Republican lawmakers departures are expected to whittle that down further. Now-former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., resigned from the 118th and 119th Congresses amid consideration to be Trumps attorney general. Campaign Finance If fraud can be committed, it will already have been committed: BREAKING: Wisconsin Judge Brad Schimel has approved a subpoena against ActBlue, saying, "Something is NOT right" after hearing evidence that ActBlue is using the names of unsuspecting people to launder dark money to Democrat campaigns. There may be an element of fraud, or maybe pic.twitter.com/X9xxf6UurA George (@BehizyTweets) December 2, 2024 The #Resistance Were still in this fight: the resistance to Trump considers its options after bruising election defeat [Guardian]. The sense of malaise around Resistance 2.0 may in part be because, whereas Trumps first victory felt like shocking accident of history, his second was delivered by an electorate that knows exactly what it is getting. Whereas he lost the national popular vote to Hillary Clinton in 2016, he gained more votes nationwide than Harris and claims a mandate. For many liberals, that result was a gut punch that seemed to undermine the work of three election cycles. And: Speaking from the Hudson valley of New York, [organizer LA] Kauffman added: What Im seeing is that people are looking to find a way to meet those needs for community connection in quieter, more intimate ways. Theres a lot of gatherings that are happening in peoples homes and community centres and neighbourhoods. Its not a mass coming together that gave us a feeling of enormous collective togetherness. Its happening in smaller, tighter, face-to-face communities.' Enormous collective togethernes. Lets to the WInter Palace quickly! Democrats en deshabille Democrats wont win elections by labeling all white men as oppressors, either [USA Today]. Old white working-class males have become pariahs in many Democratic party circles. Increasingly, much of the rhetoric coming from Democratic candidates, who do not fall into the category with which I identify, openly vilify people such as myself simply because they are lumping us into a group that they have labeled oppressors. Much hard work and sacrifices have gone into fighting prejudice based in group identities, yet my own Democratic Party has condoned or permitted such prejudice when it comes to old working-class white guys. Am I claiming to be oppressed? Absolutely not! I recognize that I have benefitted from privilege afforded me by my gender and ethnicity. I support equity in all areas of life for all individuals. I work to support equity for marginalized groups daily and I recognize the battle isnt over. But Im losing support for a party that permits me to be vilified by its many of its members, based upon the combination of my age, race, gender, and working-class roots. Recent electoral results tend to show that Im not the only one feeling slighted. However, I dont think the mishegoss of slights produced by identity politics can ever be netted out. Best to heave the entire enterprise over the side and center the working class as such. Syndemics I am in earnest I will not equivocate I will not excuse I will not retreat a single inch AND I WILL BE HEARD. William Lloyd Garrison * * * Covid Resources, United States (National): Transmission (CDC); Wastewater (CDC, Biobot ; includes many counties; Wastewater Scan, includes drilldown by zip); Variants (CDC; Walgreens); Iowa COVID-19 Tracker (in IA, but national data). Infection Control, Emergency Management, Safety, and General Thoughts (especially on hospitalization by city). Lambert here: Readers, thanks for the collective effort. To update any entry, do feel free to contact me at the address given with the plants. Please put COVID in the subject line. Thank you! Resources, United States (Local): AK (dashboard); AL (dashboard); AR (dashboard); AZ (dashboard); CA (dashboard; Marin, dashboard; Stanford, wastewater; Oakland, wastewater); CO (dashboard; wastewater); CT (dashboard); DE (dashboard); FL (wastewater); GA (wastewater); HI (dashboard); IA (wastewater reports); ID (dashboard, Boise; dashboard, wastewater, Central Idaho; wastewater, Coeur dAlene; dashboard, Spokane County); IL (wastewater); IN (dashboard); KS (dashboard; wastewater, Lawrence); KY (dashboard, Louisville); LA (dashboard); MA (wastewater); MD (dashboard); ME (dashboard); MI (wastewater; wastewater); MN (dashboard); MO (wastewater); MS (dashboard); MT (dashboard) ; NC (dashboard); ND (dashboard; wastewater); NE (dashboard); NH (wastewater); NJ (dashboard); NM (dashboard); NV (dashboard; wastewater, Southern NV); NY (dashboard); OH (dashboard); OK (dashboard); OR (dashboard) ; PA (dashboard); RI (dashboard); SC (dashboard); SD (dashboard); TN (dashboard); TX (dashboard); UT (wastewater); VA (wastewater); VT (dashboard); WA (dashboard; dashboard); WI (wastewater); WV ( wastewater ); WY ( wastewater ). Resources, Canada (National): Wastewater (Government of Canada). Resources, Canada (Provincial): ON (wastewater); QC (les eaux usees); BC (wastewater); BC, Vancouver (wastewater). Hat tips to helpful readers: Alexis, anon (2), Art_DogCT, B24S, CanCyn, ChiGal, Chuck L, Festoonic, FM, FreeMarketApologist (4), Gumbo, hop2it, JB, JEHR, JF, JL Joe, John, JM (10), JustAnotherVolunteer, JW, KatieBird, KF, KidDoc, LL, Michael King, KF, LaRuse, mrsyk, MT, MT_Wild, otisyves, Petal (6), RK (2), RL, RM, Rod, square coats (11), tennesseewaltzer, Tom B., Utah, Bob White (3). Stay safe out there! Influenza A(H5N1) shedding in air corresponds to transmissibility in mammals [Nature]. An increase in spillover events of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses to mammals suggests selection of viruses that transmit well in mammals. Oh. Elite Maleficence After Action Review of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Lessons Learned and a Path Forward (PDF) [Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, Committee On Oversight and Accountability]. Comer, the Committee chair, is not a nutter, which is good. I have skimmed it. However, I though I would search on airborne; it appears exactly once. Here it is in context: And aerosol: Im concerned by the fact that an enormous struggle waged by outsiders against CDC and WHO, to force them to acknowledge a science-based paradign for Covid transmission goes unmentioned in the report. especially since this effort would seem to be exactly the citizen-driven approach that MAGA appears to want in other fields. Even more disappointing is that Democrats, by their own silence, played along. One might almost think that bipartisan agenda-setting was at play. Jay Bhattacharya and the Vindication of the Fringe Scientists [WSJ]. Francis Collins, the NIH chief between 2009-21, derided Dr. Bhattacharya as a fringe scientist for urging the government to focus on protecting the vulnerable while letting others go about their lives. Fringe is truly stupid framing (although not every victim of the Semmelweis Effect is, in fact, a Semmelweis). It would have been better to have framed Dr. Bhattacharya as a eugenicist, which has the merit of being true. * * * TABLE 1: Daily Covid Charts Lambert here: Even though the Covid numbers seem low, please remember that the data is not nearly as good as it once was, that it lags, and that the downside risks of catching Covid are considerable. For those who have developed their own personal protocols, I wouldnt relax them. Maybe next year. As unintended consequences go, this could be a big one. Demand for cash around the world is at a 20-year low, according to De La Rue, the company that prints Britains banknotes. But fear of war with Russia as well as other unintended consequences of driving cash out of the economy is prompting some of Europes most cashless economies to rapidly reverse course. A few days ago, The Daily Telegraph published an article warning that Going Cashless Risks Playing Straight into Putins Hands. As its title suggests, the articles premise is that the Wests accelerating shift from physical money to digital transactions may be leaving nations exposed to Russian cyber-attacks: Swedish families have this week received an ominous yellow leaflet. The cover shows an illustration of a female soldier with an assault rifle. In big black letters it says: If crisis or war comes. The leaflet contains information on everything from how to deal with anxiety, how to staunch a bleeding wound and what to do if an air raid alarm sounds. It also urges inhabitants to keep enough cash on hand for a week of essentials preferably in different denominations and to use cash occasionally. The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, which is behind the brochure, says it will increase citizens emergency preparedness. Norway, Finland and Denmark have published similar guidance in recent months. It is a significant shift for a group of countries that were on the cusp of going totally cashless. Russias invasion of Ukraine has brought the threat of cyber attacks, sabotage and outright war closer to home in the Nordics. Payments networks could be a potential target. Stash Cash in Case of a Crisis or War Back in 2018, the then-deputy governor of Swedens central bank, Cecilia Skingsley, predicted that Sweden would probably be fully cashless by 2025. We are now less than a month from the start of that year yet rather than pulling the plug on cash, Swedens central bank is instead warning about the unintended consequences of driving cash out of the economy. Those unintended consequences include exposing the countrys payments system to heightened risk of cyber attacks and cyber fraud. In response, the Riksbank is advising Swedish citizens to have at home at least 2,000 krona ($181) in cash in case of a crisis or war. In its 2024 payments report, the central bank also warned of serious fraud problems that could undermine trust in the payment system. Swedens near-total abandonment of cash has unleashed a digital crime wave, prompting calls from the central bank to strengthen cashs role in the economy. After playing more than a bit-part role in the wholesale removal of cash from Swedens economy, the Riksbank is now trying to reverse some of the damage it has caused. It is even considering bolstering legislation to force shops that sell government-deemed essential goods to accept cash. The findings of the report may offer a cautionary tale at a time when the dominant narrative around cash as espoused by senior bankers, central bankers, big tech and fintech executives, politicians and economists, and of course, their ever-faithful servants in the media is that its demise is all but inevitable, even in countries where cash is still King (Germany, Spain, Austria, Mexico, Thailand, Japan). Swedens more or less equally cashless Nordic neighbours, Norway and Finland, are in a similar bind. Finlands economy was until recently forecast to become totally cashless by 2029, but its central bank and government are also having second thoughts, particularly after the governments decision to join NATO last year, placing it squarely on the front line of NATOs war with Russia. A couple of weeks ago, Finland hosted its first ever NATO exercises. In 2022, the Bank of Finland recommended that the use of cash payments be guaranteed by law and urged citizens to have at least three days worth of cash on hand in case of emergency. Its not only the central bank that appears to be re-evaluating its approach toward cash: so, too, is the general public, with 95% of citizens considering it crucial for cash to continue serving as a valid payment method alongside digital alternatives, according to a 2023 survey by IRO Research for Nosto ATMs. The war in Ukraine and Finlands recent membership of NATO appear to have played a role in this shift. According to the survey, the conflict in Ukraine and concerns about supply security have affected the attitude of nearly one-third (28%) of Finns towards cash. In Norway, where just 3% of in-store purchases involve cash, the government has gone even further by introducing legislation to protect citizens rights to use cash. In April, a press release from the Ministry of Justice and Public Security highlighted the importance of cash as an always on payment option, ensuring Norways economy will not be rendered completely inaccessible in the event of prolonged power outages, system failure or digital attacks against payment systems and banks. Fomenting Fears of Russian Cyber Attacks Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Daily Telegraph article focuses almost exclusively on the Nordic economies vulnerability to a Russian cyber attack, which is only one of the potential threats their payments systems face. The others include power failures and IT outages, neither of which get a mention in the article perhaps because their inclusion would indicate that the fragility of cashless systems is a broad systemic issue that extends far beyond the risks of a Russian cyber attack. The Telegraph, like most Anglo-American media, has been fomenting public fears about the risk of a Russian cyber attack since the very first day of Russias Special Military Operation in Ukraine. In the third month of the war (April, 2022), cybersecurity authorities from the Five Eye nations (US, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand) released a joint statement warning that more malicious cyber activity is on the way. The statement was, above all, an exercise in projection. Both the US and the UK have significant offensive cyber war capabilities of their own, and the US has shown no qualms about using them. US intelligence agencies, at Obamas behest, have already drawn up a list of potential overseas targets for cyber attacks. They presumably include Venezuelas electricity grid, which, according to the Maduro government, has twice been the target of a US cyber attack in 2019 at the height of the attempted Guaido coup and just a few months ago, in the days following Venezuelas contested elections. On both sides of the Ukraine conflict, cyber operations appear to have had a constant but broadly muted impact. Even the Telegraph piece concedes that Putins track record suggests a direct attack is unlikely. The doomsday predictions of the worlds first ever cyberwar have so far not materialised, thankfully. But that hasnt stopped the constant churn of warnings about Russias potential cyber threat. Just last week, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden, whose role includes responsibility for national security, told a Nato meeting that the Kremlin could target British businesses and leave millions without power. The threat is, of course, real: Russia has both the capability and the motive to launch a barrage of cyber attacks against Western targets. As long as NATO continues to escalate its missile attacks on Russia, the motives will grow. That said, European citizens should probably be more worried about what their own governments and central banks are capable of doing to them in a fully cashless economy. Even as Nordic central banks encourage citizens to begin using cash again, the European-wide push for digital public infrastructure continues regardless. After quietly making digital identity a legal reality across the EUs 27 economies this year, the EU Commission and the ECB now have their sights set on launching a digital euro in the coming years. Once that happens (assuming it does), it is unclear what kind of role euro cash will have in the Euro Area, but early indications suggest it will be at a disadvantage to the newly launched CBDC. Meanwhile in the UK, there is no telling just how dystopian a Starmer-led Britain could become given it is only in its fifth month. In that brief time, the government has: Proposed to create a dedicated digital ID office. Just as his mentor Tony Blair has recommended for years (and as we warned before the election), Starmer is prioritising the implementation of digital ID legislation. Speaking at a conference hosted by his Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) in central London in July, Blair conceded that the British public will need a little persuading to embrace digital ID, a suggestion that elicited rapturous applause and laughter from the audience. My guess is that the British public, like the 350 million citizens of the Euro Area, will have very little say in the matter. Just as his mentor Tony Blair has recommended for years (and as we warned before the election), Starmer is prioritising the implementation of digital ID legislation. Speaking at a conference hosted by his Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) in central London in July, Blair conceded that the British public will need a little persuading to embrace digital ID, a suggestion that elicited rapturous applause and laughter from the audience. My guess is that the British public, like the 350 million citizens of the Euro Area, will have very little say in the matter. Unveiled plans to further expand the use of live facial recognition technology , , Resurrected old Tory plans to grant inspectors at the Department of Work and Pensions increased powers to snoop on claimants bank accounts . . Announced plans to pilot a Central Bank Digital Currency by 2025 , carrying on Rishi Sunaks controversial Digital Pound plans, with a blueprint expected by Christmas. , carrying on Rishi Sunaks controversial Digital Pound plans, with a blueprint expected by Christmas. Launched an unprecedented crackdown on lawful speech. According to a recent expose by Matt Taibbi and Paul Thacker, this crackdown extends far beyond British shores. The ultimate goal is purportedly to destroy Elon Musks X platform. The Starmer government is also using powers it already has namely the UKs anti-terror laws to arrest and intimidate pro-Palestinian journalists and activists while participating directly in Israels genocide of Gaza. According to a recent expose by Matt Taibbi and Paul Thacker, this crackdown extends far beyond British shores. The ultimate goal is purportedly to destroy Elon Musks X platform. The Starmer government is also using powers it already has namely the UKs anti-terror laws to arrest and intimidate pro-Palestinian journalists and activists while participating directly in Israels genocide of Gaza. Called for the creation of digital health passports for NHS patients (another Blair proposal), prompting a backlash over concerns about digital privacy and the safety of patient data. The recent alleged cyber attacks on hospitals in the North West of England, causing chaos across in-patient and out-patient services, seriously challenges the wisdom of digitising all patient health data. To quote Prof. Sandra Watcher, a data ethics expert at the Oxford Internet Institute, The idea of a data breach is not a question of if, its a question of when. Self-Inflicted Outages The irony is that the worst payments outages of the past decade have been a result not of hostile acts from foreign adversaries but rather botched internal processes by banks, payment processers or third-party IT firms. In 2018, Visas Western European card network went down for over 10 hours on a Friday afternoon, plunging the UK and other European countries into chaos as millions of consumers were unable to use their Visa debit or credit cards at points of sale. The credit card company blamed the outage on a degradation in its processing system. In July this year, the world suffered arguably its biggest ever IT outage after a content update by the cyber-security firm CrowdStrike caused millions of Microsoft systems around the world to crash, bringing the operating systems of banks, payment card firms, airlines, hospitals, NHS clinics, retailers and hospitality businesses to a standstill. Businesses were faced with a stark choice: go cash-only, or close until the systems came back online. Such was the scale of the resulting disruption that even stalwart British media outlets like The Sun, The Times, The Guardian and The Mail ran articles on how the global IT outage had underscored the fragility of a cashless society. The Daily Mail plastered the message across its front page: The payment outages didnt stop there. Over the weekend, Italy suffered a prolonged payment outage after construction on gas roadworks damaged payments company Worldlines network connection. The outage hampered (apologies) sales during Black Friday, costing merchants around $106 million, according to a Reuters report. On September 12, 250,000 card terminals in Germany the equivalent of one-in-four of the countrys devices stopped working, according to FAZ. Once again, the cause of the outage appears to be a software glitch, this time affecting the payment service provider Telecash. On the same day, outages were also reported in the Netherlands. It was the third large payment outage the Netherlands has suffered in just 15 months. In late October, the Dutch National Bank (DNB) flagged the rising threat posed to the financial system by artificial intelligence, surging cybercrime and system outages. Cyberattacks against the financial sector account for roughly one-quarter of all attacks and can, in extreme cases, make financial services temporarily unavailable across the countrys entire financial system, the central bank wrote in its financial stability report. You have to take into account that you may not be able to pay by debit card for a longer period of time, said DNB director Olaf Sleijpen. Then you have to have cash under the mattress, or be able to pay with QR codes. One country that will not be advising citizens to prepare in this way is the UK (quelle surprise!). Although the Head of Britains armed forces, Sir Tony Radakin, recently told the Berlin Security Conference that the UK should take a leaf out of Swedens book, the Starmer government, like the Sunak government before it, has shown no interest in encouraging cash usage. Its official emergency preparedness guidance advises people to assemble an emergency kit of essentials to survive in the event of disruption but they do not include cash. A government spokesman told The Telegraph: The UK has robust plans in place for a range of potential emergencies that have been developed, refined and tested over many years. And that, Im sure, will put our UK-based readers concerns at rest. Brain rot named Oxford Word of the Year 2024 Oxford University Press Debt-based speculation surges Counterfire Climate/Environment Pandemics China? Wow, this is big: China just announced a prohibition of dual-use items to U.S. military users and a complete ban in principle of export licenses of dual-use items related to gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials to the United States (source: pic.twitter.com/34Hyiuz5xP Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) December 3, 2024 TEXAS HOTBED OF TAIWANESE NATIONALISM Texas Observer O Canada Old Blighty European Disunion Looks like France is heading for a constitutional crisis. A financial crisis provoked by war combined with a constitutional crisis in France? Some echoes of history. No big deal though. Im sure everything is fine. https://t.co/TWAdHuRo5D pic.twitter.com/k7SOkDfhEe Philip Pilkington (@philippilk) December 2, 2024 Syraqistan Quadcopters were emitting baby sounds, playing sounds of screaming women. Palestinians in Gaza say Israel has been using small quadcopter drones, equipped with loudspeakers, to lure them out of their homes and then shoot them. #GazaCrimes pic.twitter.com/W4VytzyvdA Al Jazeera Investigations (@AJIunit) December 2, 2024 Trump: Release the hostages or die. pic.twitter.com/zHDaSqwdJO Seth Dillon (@SethDillon) December 2, 2024 New Not-So-Cold War The Caucasus Some of the big business have come out against Georgian Dreams government suspension of EU accession talks. Bank of Georgia & TBC bank, two of the biggest banks, banking monopolists. Magticom and Silknet telecommunications monopolists. Orbi group developers. Georgian Dream Sopo Japaridze (@sopjap) December 2, 2024 Will the Wests Gamble in Syria and Georgia Succeed? Larry Johnson, Sonar21 Biden Administration Intel chief forced out after Bidens billions fail to deliver turnaround The Telegraph Trump Transition Immigration THESE TECH FIRMS WONT TELL US IF THEY WILL HELP TRUMP DEPORT IMMIGRANTS The Intercept Big Brother is Watching You Watch Apple patents system for identifying people when facial scans arent enough The Record AI Our Famously Free Press A Giant of Journalism Gets Half its Budget From the U.S. Government Drop Site Supply Chain The Red Sea crisis and its impact on containership deployment The Loadstar Class Warfare Zeitgeist Watch Antidote du jour (via): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Overscheduling by the Nashville Public Library system has left popular community classes without a full operating budget starting Jan. 1. At least one operator is independently fundraising to maintain its BeWell programs, which serve thousands of Nashvillians across the citys 21-branch system. Calling its current level of service unsustainable, the library is in the process of reducing some but not all of its BeWell programs. Internal budget decisions left BeWell, an NPL initiative that coordinates free wellness-focused classes, without the money to support its full programming schedule from Jan. 1 to June 30, the end of the current fiscal year. BeWell facilitates yoga, tai chi, meditation, music and craft programs, and maintains a particularly strong presence at branches in Madison, Donelson and North Nashville. Two sources of funding directly support Nashvilles library system. Through Metros annual budgeting process and regular capital spending plans, library branches get basic operating support for staff, books, essential services, renovations and maintenance. The citys budget totaled 444 staff positions and $46,359,200 across all branches in 2024, an increase from previous years budgets. The Nashville Public Library Foundation, a nonprofit that is closely integrated with but legally independent from Metro, raises booster funds to support additional programming like childrens puppet shows, author visits, an early literacy campaign and BeWell. Board members include prominent business and political figures, as well as the mayor. In last years annual report, NPLF claimed $12.8 million in fundraising; the same retrospective says BeWell, specifically, brought 3,900 wellness programs to over 32,000 participants. Kristi Graham, NPLFs communications director, referred the Scene to Nashville Public Library spokesperson Andrea Fanta. +5 Street View: Donelsons New Library The longtime Nashville Public Library branch is expanding its digs and its staff These yoga classes are highly popular, and while we offer them at no cost to the community NPL pays for these classes, Fanta tells the Scene in a statement. Unfortunately, we cant sustain them at the current level. To ensure we can sustainably offer these classes, NPL continues to seek grants and other refunding opportunities. Liz Veyhl of Small World Yoga is now looking for $12,000 to keep scheduled yoga and meditation classes in Nashville libraries through June 30. Six weeks ago I got a call from Bassam [Habib], who runs the BeWell program, notifying us that we would not get full funding for our full yoga classes for the first half of next year, Veyhl tells the Scene. People depend on these classes, especially this time of year. We greatly value our relationship with NPL and are trying to figure out how to keep serving our community there. Habib, BeWells program coordinator, declined to comment on the record. While budget decisions happen over his head, Habib was tasked with notifying BeWell partners about the funding. These classes are for everyone, Habib says in a Nov. 27 press release issued by Small World Yoga. We see a really diverse demographic of students attending these classes, across education levels, employment status, income, and housing. The citys seven-person library board a Metro entity separate from the NPL Foundations board paused its executive search in February. Terri Luke has led the Nashville Public Library as interim director since the retirement of former director Kent Oliver in 2022. Corporate media buries Rutgers study showing that DEI propaganda makes people angry, belligerent The mainstream press is ignoring a new study that shows DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programming turns otherwise normal people into violent, ready-to-fight racism zealots. Rutgers University in partnership with the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) produced evidence to show that DEI talking points about race, religion and gender create division and intergroup hostility, as well as authoritarian attitudes towards others. "What we did was we took a lot of these ideas that were found to still be very prominent in a lot of these DEI lectures and interventions and training," said NCRI Chief Science Officer Joel Finkelstein, one of the study's coauthors. "And we said, 'Well, how is this going to affect people?' What we found is that when people are exposed to this ideology, what happens is they become hostile without any indication that anything racist has happened." In other words, people who are programmed into DEI thinking tend to start making up racism where it does not exist. The delusion then drives them to behave inappropriately in the workplace, wrongly judging white people, for instance, or hating men as "predators." (Related: The Pentagon is reportedly "scrambling" to wipe evidence of DEI before President-elect Donald Trump is reinstalled into the White House in January.) People exposed to anti-white DEI propaganda want to punish "offenders" For the study, researchers exposed 324 participants to two sets of reading material: one a racially neutral text about corn and the other a set of writings by anti-white racists Ibram X. Kendi and Robin DiAngelo. Both groups were then exposed to a racially neutral scenario in which a student was rejected from college. Those participants who read the racially-charged screeds of Kendi and DiAngelo injected racism into the college rejection scenario while the other group that read about corn in a non-racial context did not see any racism in the college rejection. To make matters even worse, the group that read Kendi and DiAngelo propaganda felt a fury to want to punish the "offenders," even though no racism occurred and it was all just in their imagination based on their exposure to DEI propaganda. These findings were so shocking and forceful that the authors immediately sought to replicate them. They gathered a nearly three-times larger sample and found... the same results! pic.twitter.com/owOjCszEeQ Cremieux (@cremieuxrecueil) November 25, 2024 Eager to replicate the findings, the researchers did just that but with a sample size three times larger. Just like the first evaluation, the second produced the exact same results. The findings are so damning that the left-leaning New York Times and Bloomberg media outlets censored the paper, which is apparently too politically incorrect for the public to be allowed to access it easily. If enough people were to read this study, the rest of the flailing DEI industry would likely come crashing down and that could still happen as the floodgates of truth about what the globalists have been up to are flung wide open in the coming days under a second Donald Trump term. A 2023 Pew Research Center study found that about $8 billion is spent annually on DEI propaganda in the United States. Such propaganda is fed to students and employees alike as they go about their lives just trying to make a living. "DEI was always a project of the controllers to weaponize the low IQ against white men," one commenter suggested about the impetus behind DEI. "They WANT that hostility," wrote another about how everything is apparently going to plan right on schedule. "It's because they are dumb, narcissistic cry bullies." The latest news about the woke takedown can be found at Wokies.news. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com NetworkContagion.us Bombshell US House investigative report confirms that almost everything the alternative media said about COVID origins, lockdowns, masks, vaccines and government overreach was TRUE So four years after the COVID pandemic nightmare was unleashed upon America by a cabal of junk science tyrants and power-hungry vax-o-crats, the US House has just released a damning, detailed investigative report that reveals COVID was engineered in a lab. Mask demands and vaccine mandates were based on junk science. Lockdowns were completely made up by self-appointed scientism authoritarians. The government covered up the truth and pushed disinformation propaganda on purpose. Dr. Fauci and others were guilty as hell. So all the censorship by Big Tech turns out to be truly malicious and even harmful to the public. And the entire corporate media was nothing but an organized cabal of liars and profiteers... brought to you by Pfizer. This investigative report reveals that COVID was a crime scene, and the government conspired with Big Tech and mainstream media to commit numerous crimes of cognitive assault (psyops), medial violence (vaccines) and hospital homicide against the American people. So when do the mass arrests begin? (Don't hold your breath.) Unfortunately, no one can bring back the estimated 1.2 million Americans who were killed by the jabs because they "believed the science." Fortunately for you and I, we never believed the plandemic hype in the first place, and we most certainly didn't follow the herd into getting jabbed, masked and locked down. It turns out that was a tremendously valuable choice of actions on our part. Summary findings of the report The official report, found here (PDF), is over 500 pages in length. I used our Brighteon.AI LLM engine to distill it down to just the most important points, and that summary is shown below. Naturally, the report insists that Operation Warp Speed somehow saved millions of lives, which is of course nonsense. But this limited hangout of COVID truth is nevertheless rather valuable (and entirely unexpected from the US House). After Action Review of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Lessons Learned and a Path Forward Chairman Brad Wenstrup's Final Report December 4, 2024 The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic has conducted an extensive review of the pandemic to identify key failures, successes, and lessons learned. This report aims to provide a roadmap for better preparation and response in future pandemics. I. Introduction Chairman Brad Wenstrup's tenure as head of the Select Subcommittee was marked by bipartisan cooperation and a commitment to transparency. Over five years, the subcommittee investigated numerous aspects of the pandemic, including its origins, government responses, vaccine development, and economic impact. II. The Origins of COVID-19 The report highlights several critical findings regarding the origin of SARS-CoV-2: Laboratory Accident Theory: There is strong evidence that SARS-CoV-2 emerged due to a laboratory accident at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). EcoHealth Alliance and Dr. Peter Daszak: Both entities should never receive U.S. taxpayer funds again, given their questionable practices and lack of transparency. Funding for Gain-of-Function Research: The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded gain-of-function research at the WIV, which may have contributed to the pandemic's emergence. III. Government Response Failures The report identifies significant issues with government responses: Fraud and Abuse: Rampant fraud, waste, and abuse plagued the COVID-19 response. Pandemic-Era School Closures: These closures had a lasting negative impact on childrens education and mental health. Misinformation Campaigns: Public health officials often mischaracterized scientific information, leading to public mistrust. IV. The Role of Public Health Officials The report criticizes the actions of key public health figures: Dr. Anthony Fauci: Played a role in downplaying the lab leak theory and covered up facts. Operation Warp Speed: While successful, it was marred by political interference and lack of transparency. V. Economic Impact The pandemic had severe economic consequences: Business Closures: Mandatory lockdowns led to temporary and permanent closures, disproportionately affecting rural and low-income areas. Unemployment: The pandemic exacerbated existing inequalities in the job market. Supply Chain Issues: A lack of supply chain diversity hindered recovery efforts. VI. Vaccine Development and Distribution The report evaluates vaccine development: Operation Warp Speed Success: Rapid vaccine development saved millions of lives, but was subject to political pressure. Vaccine Mandates: Not supported by science and caused more harm than good, including disrupting military readiness. Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS): Inadequate and not transparent in reporting potential side effects. VII. School Closures The subcommittee found that pandemic-era school closures were not justified by scientific evidence: Long-Term Impacts: Disrupted education, increased mental health issues, and worsened physical health. American Federation of Teachers (AFT): Advocated for overly broad mitigation measures without sufficient scientific basis. VIII. Accountability and Transparency The report calls for greater accountability and transparency in government agencies: Executive Branch Obstruction: The Biden administration obstructed investigations into the origins of COVID-19. EcoHealth Alliance Misconduct: Engaged in obstruction, misleading public statements, and document tampering. IX. Recommendations for Future Preparedness The report recommends several steps to better prepare for future pandemics: Independent Oversight: Establish independent oversight bodies to ensure transparency and accountability. Enhanced Communication: Improve communication between scientists, policymakers, and the public. Preparedness Plans: Develop comprehensive preparedness plans that include stockpiling medical supplies and diversifying supply chains. Conclusion Chairman Wenstrup emphasizes the need for a whole-of-America response managed by unbiased leaders who prioritize transparency, accountability, and integrity. The lessons learned from this pandemic highlight the importance of better preparation, more effective communication, and stronger oversight in future public health emergencies. The full report includes detailed findings on each topic discussed and is intended to serve as a roadmap for addressing future pandemics. It underscores the critical role of trust, transparency, and bipartisan cooperation in managing such crises effectively. Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Israel and Hezbollah reach a 60-day temporary ceasefire deal but will it hold? Israel and Hezbollah have entered a ceasefire agreement that ends over a year of escalating cross-border airstrikes and rocket attacks, as well as two months of ground operations by Israel aimed at pushing Hezbollah away from its northern border. The ceasefire, effective from 4 a.m. local time on Nov. 27, is the result of intense diplomatic efforts and aims to bring much-needed stability to the region. Under the terms of the deal, Israel is required to evacuate Lebanese territory within 60 days, and the Lebanese Armed Forces will take up former Israeli positions in southern Lebanon to secure the area and prevent Hezbollah from retaking these positions. Lebanon has also agreed to continue Israel's work of dismantling Hezbollah's fortifications along the border. This marks a concerted effort to curb Hezbollah's military activities and restore stability to the region. United States President Joe Biden, in announcing the ceasefire, emphasized that Hezbollah would not be allowed to threaten Israels security during the 60 days or rebuild its terror infrastructure. "We've determined this conflict will not be just another cycle of violence," said Biden, underscoring the U.S. commitment to ensuring the ceasefire holds and that peace efforts take precedence. Biden also expressed hope that civilians on both sides, many of whom have been displaced due to the fighting, would soon be able to return home and begin rebuilding their lives. The ceasefire is expected to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and offer some relief to those suffering on both sides of the border. (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.") International community to support implementation of ceasefire agreement While no U.S. troops will be deployed to southern Lebanon, Biden confirmed that the U.S., France and other nations would assist in implementing the ceasefire agreement effectively. This includes offering equipment, training and financial support to the Lebanese Armed forces to help it secure the region and monitor Hezbollah's compliance. Troops from France and the U.S. will also be coordinating with Lebanon to ensure Hezbollah's heavy weaponry is removed and the situation is continuously monitored. The international community will also support the rebuilding of southern Lebanon, where much of the fighting occurred. According to a senior U.S. official, Hezbollah is currently weakened both militarily and politically, and the ceasefire provides Lebanon an opportunity to reassert control over its territory, free from Hezbollahs influence. However, there are concerns about whether Hezbollah will fully comply with the agreement, given its past history of violating ceasefires. Skepticism remains, particularly among some Israeli officials and local leaders who fear Hezbollah may use the lull in fighting to regroup. Israeli military strategists view Hezbollah as a long-term threat, and the group still possesses a vast arsenal of rockets and anti-tank missiles. Some Israeli leaders, such as Avichai Stern, the mayor of Kiryat Shmona, have voiced opposition to the deal, warning that it could lead to another attack on Israel. Stern argued that Hezbollah still can strike Israel from beyond the designated border zone, casting doubt on the agreement's long-term viability. The ceasefire deal comes after months of intense fighting that has resulted in thousands of casualties. More than 3,500 Lebanese, many of them civilians as well as Hezbollah fighters, have died, while more than 70 Israelis, including 50 Israeli Defense Forces soldiers, have also been killed. Tens of thousands of residents in northern Israel have been displaced, unable to return home for over a year. Both sides have suffered significant damage, and the reconstruction of homes, infrastructure and businesses will take years. While the ceasefire is a significant step toward reducing hostilities, its success remains uncertain. The agreement is a reprieve, but questions remain about Hezbo\llahs long-term intentions. Watch this video from Southfront Press discussing the 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: UNICEF: Extensive Israeli bombings in Lebanon have affected thousands of children. Iran reaffirms support for Lebanon as ceasefire talks continue. U.S. ceasefire proposal to Lebanon sparks controversy, criticized as "blackmail" by media. REPORT: Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon kill six medics, frustrating potential ceasefire talks. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com APNews.com Brighteon.com Israels finance minister wants Gaza to become Israel, calls for thinning of Palestinian population Over the next two years, Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's finance minister, wants a drastic "thinning" of the Palestinian population in Gaza so the land can be taken over and absorbed into Greater Israel. A settler leader and occupation governor of the West Bank, Smotrich said at a recent November 26 conference organized by the Yesha Council, an umbrella organization representing the various municipalities of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, that the Palestinian population of Gaza needs to be reduced by half, in part through "voluntary migration." "It is possible to create a situation where Gaza's population will be reduced to half its current size in two years," Smotrich said at the event. "Occupying Gaza is not a dirty word." "We can occupy Gaza and thin the population by half within two years" through a strategy he is calling "voluntary emigration," or the encouraged voluntary removal of the Palestinians who currently live there. The purpose of the conference, by the way, was to discuss new strategies for removing the Palestinian people from Gaza so Israel can seize the land for itself. (Related: Did you know that Israel wants to annex the West Bank and implement a two-state solution where both states are controlled by Israel?) WAR CRIME: "Voluntary emigration" means forced displacement Even the Times of Israel, an Israeli newspaper and media outlet, can see right through Smotrich's deceptive rhetoric. There is nothing at all voluntary about coercing people to leave their homes and land so it can be annexed by another group of people who claims it belongs to them. The Times of Israel describes Smotrich's "forced emigration" plan as a "euphemism for forced displacement a war crime." The reason we know this is Smotrich's true plan is multi-pronged. For one, he is calling for Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to become the new ruling government in Gaza. Smotrich wants the IDF to handle all civilian affairs in Gaza from now on the same IDF, of course, that has killed more than 40,000 civilians since the start of the October 7 war. Smotrich wants the IDF to establish a "Civil Administration" to rule Gaza in the same way it did pre-2005 when Israeli forces and Jewish settlements were scattered all around Gaza. The Israeli police state would be restored in Gaza under Smotrich's plan. If this "encouraged migration," as he calls it, is a success in Gaza, then it could also be replicated in the West Bank, Smotrich says, which is home to three million Palestinians. Smotrich is chairman of the Religious Zionism party, which for many years has called for large parts of the West Bank to be annexed by Israel. Now that Donald Trump has been reelected president, Smotrich is excited about the opportunities that he will soon offer to the Jewish state. "This is a possibility that opens up with the new [Trump] administration," Smotrich says. "The less we talk about it, the more we can do." "As in Judea and Samaria [the West Bank], there is an inverse relationship between declarations and statements and practice." Smotrich's plan also involves dismantling the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank Hamas is currently in charge of Gaza and replacing it with full Israeli military rule by force. Since last fall, Israel has been engaging the so-called "Generals' Plan" to forcibly displace all Palestinians from northern Gaza. The latest Middle East news can be found at Chaos.news. Sources for this article include: TheCradle.co NaturalNews.com Newly elected New Brunswick premier will allow students to choose own pronouns in school without parental consent The newly elected New Brunswick premier has announced that she would allow students to choose their own pronouns in school without mandatory consent Susan Holt, the successor of former Premier Blaine Higgs, intends to adopt the recommendations of New Brunswick's Child and Youth Advocate Kelly Lamrock. These recommendations, which Holt first disclosed in October, would reverse Policy 713 introduced by Higgs. Under the leadership of Higgs, students under 16 who seek to use different names or pronouns in schools are required to have parental consent. Higgs also enforced separate change rooms and washrooms based on biological sex and acted swiftly to ban graphic sexual education materials following parental backlash. However, in the revised policy, students in grades six and above would be allowed to choose their preferred pronouns and names and educators will not be required to inform parents of these changes. For children in lower grades, such decisions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, with input from educators on the child's capacity to make such choices. Holt argued that the proposed policy, which is based on consultations with educators and LGBTQ+ activists, would respect students and their chosen names and pronouns while introducing age-appropriate guidelines. (Related: Christian educator in Ireland spent more than 400 days in prison over refusal to use transgender pronouns.) Revision of Policy 713 faces backlash among parental rights organizations In line with this, Campaign Life Coalition (CLC) Political Operations Director Jack Fonseca criticized New Brunswick voters who supported Holt. "Shame on you. Activist teachers will now produce psychosexual confusion in the minds of countless children by aggressively pushing in class the unscientific idea that you can be 'born in the wrong body," he said. "For many of these kids, later in life, this first step down the path of transgenderism will eventually lead to chemical castration, cutting off healthy breasts and other surgical mutilations. When many of them eventually come to regret the permanent and irreversible changes to their bodies, it will result in a dramatically higher rate of death by suicide. How can you Liberal voters sleep at night?" Amelia Willis, projects manager of Parents As First Educators (P.A.F.E.), called the plan "an attack on the family." Willis said: "If Holt gets her way, children as young as kindergarten could transition socially without their parent's knowledge or consent. This disregards the fundamental role of parents in a child's life." In turn, Willis urged parents to voice their opposition and pressure Members of the Legislative Assembly to reject any changes to Policy 713. Meanwhile, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and the Anglophone East District Education Council filed separate lawsuits against the province in October, when Holt first announced the revision. Both organizations argued that the policy is discriminatory, unconstitutional and harmful to students. Moreover, the organizations contended at the time that the policy would only empower parents to compel teachers to use names and pronouns that conflict with a child's identity, causing emotional harm. They also argued that it pressures children to conceal their identity out of fear of being outed before they feel ready. More related news can be found at Twisted.news. Watch this video that talks about gender in America. This video is from the TruthParadigm channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Study: Jobseekers who put NONBINARY gender pronouns on their resumes LESS LIKELY to be hired. AP abandons facts, demands all media outlets play along with transgender pronoun insanity. Woke medical student brags on social media about intentionally injuring patient over gender pronouns comment. CULT: Microsoft employees programmed to introduce themselves not by name but by race, gender pronouns. European countries REJECT transgender mania endorsed by Woke America. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com CBC.ca Russian state media says Oreshnik missiles can hit American bases within minutes Russias Oreshnik missiles have been in the spotlight since last week, when one of them hit the Ukrainian city of Dnipro and spurred three hours of explosions that damaged the citys infrastructure. The strike was so strong that Ukrainian officials likened it to that of an intercontinental ballistic missile. Hours later, Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly bragged about the new weapon, which he characterized as a conventional intermediate-range missile that was given the code name Oreshnik and traveled at a speed of Mach 10, which is 10 times the speed of sound and around 2.5 to 3 kilometers per second. He issued a warning to Russias enemies that there are currently no ways of counteracting this weapon. Ukrainian military intelligence has said they believe the missile is a newer ICBM. They report that it traveled at Mach 11 and took 15 minutes to make its way there across a 620-mile journey. It was reportedly equipped with six warheads that boasted six sub-munitions each. They believe Russia has stockpiled up to ten of these missiles. Either way, these missiles are incredibly fast, reaching their target in just minutes and giving defending militaries very little time to prepare or react. Moreover, because they gain kinetic energy as they follow their arc back down from the atmosphere to their destination, they become more difficult for surface-to-air missile systems to intercept. Even more alarmingly, the Oreshnik missile is capable of delivering nuclear warheads, which is not a comforting thought at a time when Russia has been increasing its threats of nuclear war amid the ongoing fighting in Ukraine. How fast can these missiles make their way to the U.S.? Russian state media has been playing up the Oreshnik, with Sputnik claiming that Europe cannot protect itself against the missile and that it is capable of reaching a number of American missile bases. The publication explained how fast it can get not only to U.S. bases but also American bases in the Middle East and the Pacific. For example, from southern Russia, it can get to the U.S. airbase in Kuwait in just 11 minutes and the U.S. Air Base in Qatar in 13 minutes. When it comes to the Pacific, it can reach the U.S. Air Base in Alaska in just 12 minutes, and it can even get as far as the U.S. Navy and Air Force Bases in Pearl Harbor in 25 minutes. Its also just 23 to 24 minutes away from reaching missile silos in Montana and North Dakota, they claim. According to Russian state media, the Oreshnik can travel as far as 3,400 miles. Just days before Russia launched the Oreshnik missile, the Biden administration gave Kiev the go-ahead to fire ATACMS missiles into Russia that were supplied by the West, something that Putin has long warned would draw his ire. The Kremlin reportedly gave the U.S. a 30-minute heads up about the missile launch, something they are required to do under a 1988 agreement. Russian missile expert Timothy Wright told the media: If the Russians hadnt supplied notification, the Americans would have been exceedingly concerned about what the Russians just launched. Because, you know, there has always been a nuclear shadow thats overhanging this conflict. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com BBC.com Pentagon claims that North Korean troops in Russia are expected to enter the battlefield soon but it sounds like more propaganda to justify escalation North Korean troops currently deployed in Russia are expected to enter the battlefield soon , according to the Department of Defense (DoD). Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin made this remark on Nov. 23 during a visit to the South Pacific island nation of Fiji. According to him, around 10,000 soldiers of the Korean People's Army (KPA) are believed to be in Russia's western Kursk region. These KPA troops are being integrated into Russian military formations, he added. "Based upon what they've been trained on, the way they've been integrated into the Russian formations, I fully expect them to see them engaged in combat soon," Austin told reporters. According to the Moscow Times, Ukraine has warned that Russia has amassed a 50,000-strong force to retake parts of Kursk previously captured by Kyiv. Moscow's headcount has also been bolstered by reinforcements sent from Pyongyang, as part of a mutual defense agreement between the two countries. (Related: Russia has invoked Article 4 of its mutual defense treaty with North Korea, Putin confirms.) "Ukrainian troops seized swaths of Kursk in a surprise offensive in August, even as their forces remained heavily stretched in the Donetsk region, which has been the focal point of nearly three years of fighting," the Moscow Times continued. Moscow gets troops, Pyongyang gets resources and arms Meanwhile, South Korean officials and experts said on Nov. 21 that North Korea received much-needed resources from Russia after it sent reinforcement. Moscow provided Pyongyang with oil, anti-air missiles and economic assistance following the deployment of KPA troops to Kursk a claim backed by intelligence from Washington. Shin Wonsik, director of the South Korean Office of National Security, told Korean television station SBS TV on Nov. 22 that Seoul has discovered that Russia provided missiles and other equipment to help North Korea reinforce its air defense network. However, he didn't specify what kind of missiles Moscow sent. Shin added that Russia has also given economic assistance and various military technologies to the North. Included in the latter are technologies Pyongyang needs to build a reliable space-based surveillance system. The director did not say whether Moscow had already transferred sensitive nuclear and missile technologies to North Korea. While Shin refused to specify the missiles sent to the North, Lee Il-woo of the Korea Defense Network said Russia has likely sent S-400 long-range surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), launchers and ground-based radar systems. He added that North Korea is capable of building shorter-range SAMs on its own. But military expert Kim Dae Young of the Korean National Strategy Institute said it's possible that Pyongyang also received counter-drone equipment. According to him, Pyongyang's outdated air defense system would need years of improvement and potentially huge external help from Moscow in this case to match the air capabilities of Seoul and Washington. "Many observers say North Korea has likely felt the urgent need to boost its air defense capabilities after it last month accused South Korea of flying drones to scatter propaganda leaflets over [the capital] Pyongyang," the Associated Press reported. "North Korea threatened to take military action if leaflets were again dropped. South Korea's military has refused to confirm whether or not it was behind the alleged drone flights." Head over to WWIII.news for more stories like this. Watch this clip of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claiming that 11,000 North Korean troops were sent to the borders of Ukraine. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Ukrainian intelligence claims that 12,000 North Korean troops are currently in Russia a desperate ploy to escalate U.S. involvement? North Korean soldiers deployed to Ukraine to fight for Russia allegedly getting addicted to online p*rn. Biden urges Ukraine to hit North Korean troops that its military encounters on the battlefield. U.S. says North Korea has deployed troops to support Russia in war against Ukraine. North Korean operatives being deployed to help Russia in war against Ukraine. Sources include: TheMoscowTimes.com APNews.com Brighteon.com Rabbi Shmuley admits he forced Ben Shapiro to fire Candace Owens, also got her demonetized from YouTube and banned from Australia "The most famous rabbi in America" is suing Ben Shapiro for making millions off of Candace Owens before firing her as he was told to do. Rabbi Shmuley tweeted on November 26 that he and his daughter Rochel Leah "forced Ben to fire her," as well as got Owens "banned and demonetized from @youtube, banned from Australia, and made her finally pay the price for calling @idf Nazis." Shmuley is upset that Shapiro made millions off of Owens' "antisemitism" before leaving the mess "for me and my daughter @rochel_leah_ to clean up." "Now, Candace is suing me," Shmuley further complained in an angry social media tirade. Smuley says he is going to take the eye for an eye approach with both Owens and Shapiro by taking legal aim at both of them for inconveniencing him with this scandal. "I intended to subpoena EVERY LAST COMMUNICATION between Candace and @benshapiro and his company @realdailywire #DailyLiar and find out every last cent a Jew with a Yarmulka made off Candace's blood libel and praise for Hitler-lovers and force Ben to donate every dollar to widows of the @idf." "How dare he hold on to millions in blood money? Get ready for the trial of the century. #NeverAgain." (Related: In case you missed it, be sure to check out our earlier report about what Shapiro did to Owens and why, calling her position on the Israel-Gaza war "absolutely disgraceful" in an angry social media post.) Social media blasts Rabbi Shmuley for "demonic" rant The Unfiltered Truth (@UnfiltdTruth) account on X / Twitter pointed out that Shmuley's admissions seem to go against the widespread claim that powerful Jews deplatforming people and "controlling the world" was just a wild, antisemitic conspiracy theory. "Why do you sound so much like a demon?" another asked of Shmuley. "Weird." The real reason Owens is suing Shmuley is because the latter, according to another X / Twitter user, is "using her name, image, and likeness to sell sex toys." "That's why you're getting sued," this person added. "You're a sick human being, and me saying that doesn't make me anti-Semitic." "The @IDF is a bunch of Nazis," suggested another, countering Shmuley's claims. "The @ADL is a terrorist organization. You are unhinged. It's 2024, calling someone or something you disagree with 'antisemite' has no power. Also, Jews aren't the only Semites." Another accused Shmuley and his daughter of together making sex toys themed after Owens in an attempt to smear her name and reputation because they disagree with her New Testament position on the Israel-Palestine conflict how sick is that? Another shared the following video of Owens "destroying" Shmuley "for 3 minutes straight:" Watch Rabbi Shmuleys Face as Candace Owens Destroys Him for 3 Minutes Straight This is a mic-drop moment. One of the things that plausibly unites people across all religionsMuslims, Jews, Christiansis that we all recognize that Rabbi Shmuley is unhinged. He's just mentally, pic.twitter.com/krRQhd7Aez The Vigilant Fox ? (@VigilantFox) September 4, 2024 "Provoke, lie, cheat, steal, gaslight, and if all else fails, accuse the other side of being antisemitic," tweeted someone about "the entire playbook of the Zionists." "The world is waking up to their schtick." "America is a Christian country and you just admitted to ruining her career," another wrote directly to Shmuley. "You're evil." "Why as a rabbi are you selling sex toys?" asked another. "You Babylonian Kabbalists are sickos." "Honestly, I'd be looking in my own backyard before casting stones at someone else's house," wrote another. "All because she exposed you for selling dildos and other sex toys." More related news about Zionism can be found at Antichrist.news. Sources for this article include: X.com NaturalNews.com LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman considers leaving the U.S. following Trumps election win Reid Hoffman, the founder of professional social networking platform LinkedIn, is considering emigrating from the United States following the victory of President-elect Donald Trump last month. Citing the New York Times, the National Pulse reported that Hoffman is mulling the move. He told friends and colleagues of his intention to abandon his U.S. residence and live in exile overseas. Hoffman isn't alone, however, as many personalities voiced their intent to leave the U.S. after Trump won his landslide victory in the Nov. 5 presidential election. According to the Pulse, many who have targeted Trump and members of the Make America Great Again movement "through either aggressive prosecutions or frivolous lawsuits and legal actions" including the LinkedIn co-founder "now fear reprisals from Trump's reformed Department of Justice." "Hoffman, unlike many other Democrat mega-donors, may have good reason to consider leaving the country. He was intimately involved in funding lawfare attacks on Trump, including the E. Jean Carroll civil lawsuit," the outlet continued. The billionaire also backed former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley during the Republican Party's presidential primaries in an effort to prevent Trump from securing the nomination. She was forced to withdraw following Super Tuesday in March, prompting Hoffman to bankroll outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris' failed campaign. (Related: Nikki Haley finally DROPS OUT of Republican presidential race after burning through huge donation war chest.) He has also served as a funder of the far-left media organization MeidasTouch Network. The organization has routinely published dubious, Democratic-aligned propaganda meant to smear Trump and his allies, the Pulse added. "Even if Hoffman were to leave the U.S., it is unlikely that the technology billionaire would be able to protect his investments and assets entirely," the Pulse wrote. "Many of his business interests remain in the country, and disentangling them from the U.S. appears impossible." Hoffman's links to Jeffrey Epstein exposed According to the Pulse, Hoffman was outed for visiting the private island of the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2014. The LinkedIn co-founder even arranged to stay at the Manhattan townhouse where the financier, who died while in custody in 2019, abused many of his victims. News of Hoffman's links to Epstein came long after the latter was convicted for procuring an underage girl for prostitution. In the same year as Epstein's demise, Hoffman expressed regret for his interactions with the convicted sex offender. He elaborated on this in an email sent to Axios, which also recounted how their paths crossed. The LinkedIn founder said his "few interactions" with Epstein came at the request of Joi Ito, former director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab and current president of the Chiba Institute of Technology in Japan, for the purposes of fundraising for the media lab. Ito allegedly told Hoffman that Epstein had cleared the MIT vetting process. "My last interaction with Epstein was in 2015. Still, by agreeing to participate in any fundraising activity where Epstein was present, I helped to repair his reputation and perpetuate injustice. For this, I am deeply regretful," Hoffman wrote at the time. "The abuse described by Jeffery Epsteins survivors is abhorrent, horrific, and disgusting. I am hopeful survivors can attain justice and support, and the communities damaged by these events can begin healing." Head over to LeftCult.com for more stories like this. Watch this video about talk show host Ellen DeGeneres leaving the U.S. permanently after Trump's win, something Reid Hoffman is also considering. This video is from the TREASURE OF THE SUN channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: REVEALED: Epstein islands Reid Hoffman, megadonor to E. Jean Carroll, Nikki Haley funds MeidasTouch group behind 'bloodbath' hoax. George Soros teams up with billionaire who bankrolled fake Russian bots in Alabama to launch anti-disinformation media venture. LinkedIn co-founder and major Dem donor has visited Epstein island, recently donated $250,000 to Nikki Haley super PAC. Jeffrey Epstein's circle of billionaire 'enablers' includes Tech guru and LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman. LinkedIn founder REGRETS interactions with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com Axios.com Brighteon.com The ever widening war RT reports that the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service has concluded that the West is planning to prevent a Russian victory by sending 100,000 NATO troops to occupy Ukraine. (Article republished from PaulCraigRoberts.org) I doubt the 100,000 NATO soldiers will have any more success than the 600,000 dead Ukrainian ones, but the threat of deploying NATO soldiers is more proof that I was correct that Putins slow-moving limited military operation would provide endless time for the West to get involved and progressively widen the conflict until it is spun out of control. We are now at that point with insane Washington, Britain, and France striking Russia with missiles and planning to deploy troops. All of this could have been avoided if Putin had done what every commander should have done and struck hard and fast to quickly end the conflict. Putin preferred the goody two-shoes role, and the consequence was that the West was convinced that Russia was too weak or too lacking in confidence to win if the West backed Ukraine. Putin has let the gradual widening of the conflict go on for three years, and the world has been brought face-to-face with the possibility of nuclear war. To avoid it, Putin has to carefully craft his response to Western missile attacks on Russia and to give advance warning so that enemies in the target area are not killed. These are not responses that the West will find convincing. Putin is correct to refrain from any decisive action until Trump is in office as there is some hope that Trump is not part of the neoconservative agenda of defeating Russia and discrediting Putin with the Russian people. There is the danger, however, that the Biden regime will use the time prior to Trumps inauguration to so poison US-Russian relations as to make any agreement impossible. The nuclear power plant in Kursk is an easy target for the Western missiles. If the plant were to be hit, the radiation spread over Russia would likely force Putins hand. My concern from the beginning of the conflict has been that sooner or later Putin would have to really fight or surrender. It seems that the only remaining hope of avoiding a devastating war is Trump. Can he control his bluster? Can he accept the fact that the conflict is Washingtons fault and accept Putins victory? Can he succeed in defining victory as peace and not victory over Russia on the battlefield? If not, it is up to Putin to surrender, or end times will be at hand. This extraordinary danger could have been avoided if Putin had disposed of the puppet government in Kiev before the West had time to get involved in the military conflict. A Russian demonstration of crushing force in itself would have served as a deterrent to the provocations, Putins weak response to which has brought the conflict to the brink of war between the West and Russia. Washington has yet to renounce the neoconservative agenda of US hegemony, and European governments continues to tell Europeans to prepare for war with Russia. Washington continues its hegemonic efforts against Iran and China. Peace is not on the agenda. Read more at: PaulCraigRoberts.org Tucker Carlson: Biden administration wants to leave Trump with a crushing global conflict Political pundit Tucker Carlson has accused the administration of outgoing President Joe Biden of trying to leave President-elect Donald Trump with a global conflict During an interview with Trump's former Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought, Carlson said that the Biden regime has been working on a plan of leaving the incoming Trump administration in the middle of global warfare, calling it the most evil thing he has ever seen in his life. "If you doubt how serious the opposition is to the public, not just to Trump, but to the majority of the country that voted for him they're trying to leave him with World War III on the way out," Carlson said. Carlson noted that he can't imagine a more desperate or evil thing for Biden to do than leave the incoming administration with a war. "A lame-duck president trying to start a war with the world's largest nuclear power, Russia. What do you make of that?" Carlson asked Vought. Recently, Russia has lambasted the United States for lifting the restrictions on the use of U.S.-developed long-range missiles. Last week, Ukraine launched an Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) into Russian territory. Putin has repeatedly stated that such a move would mean the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is at war with Russia. "It's incredibly insidious, and then add to the fact that he can't put two sentences together and he is largely not in control of his own government," Vought said referring to Biden. "You have almost an unelected president with individuals behind the scenes doing this," he continued, further asserting "It doesn't surprise me, though. I mean, these are the same people that have weaponized the Department of Justice and the lawfare." He further cited a colleague named Jeff Clark, who the government has been trying to disbar because of the "care he showed on behalf of the president [Trump] in dealing with voter integrity and election fraud after 2020." The former OMB chief further alleged that the system has thrown everything at critics who have been condemning their decisions. "You're seeing that with Tulsi [Gabbard], you're seeing that with Matt Gaetz," he pointed out, adding "Why is all of this stuff being thrown at him slanderously?" Gabbard is Trump's appointee to be the Director of National Intelligence but is being criticized for being briefly on the Transportation Security Administration's "secret terror watch list." Meanwhile, Gaetz recently withdrew from being considered for Trump's U.S. attorney general amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations. Donald Jr. blasts Biden for instigating WWIII before his father assumes office Donald Trump Jr. has also expressed his disgust with Biden's military-industrial complex as its recent aid to Ukraine only instigates "World War III" before his father takes office in January. "The Military Industrial Complex seems to want to make sure they get World War 3 going before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives," Trump Jr. posted on X. "Gotta lock in those $Trillions. Life be damned!!! Imbeciles!" In line with Biden's decision to permit the Ukrainian military to use the U.S.-made ATACMS in the Kursk region, Ukraine signaled that it would take advantage of the new stock of weapons within days after months of pleading for permission to use the American missiles amid crushing setbacks on the battlefield. The president-elect vowed to end the war during his campaign. "As President Trump has said on the campaign trail, he is the only person who can bring both sides together to negotiate peace, and work towards ending the war and stopping the killing," Trump's communications director Steven Cheung told reporters. (Related: If elected, Trump promises to end Russia-Ukraine war BEFORE taking office.) Head over to Trump.news for more stories related to the 45th and 47th POTUS. Watch the video below that talks about Trump's goal of bringing the Ukraine-Russia war to a "responsible end." This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Ukraine hopes to win over Trump with its "victory plan" proposal. SUDDEN PEACE? Trump win causes Yemens Houthis to halt war on U.S. Navy for now, at least. Kucinich: Trump must END WARS the U.S. has been involved in under Biden. Trump vows no more foreign wars Kamala, he says, will "gamble with the lives of millions." Putin signals readiness for peace talks with Trump but stresses unchanged demands for ending Ukraine conflict. Sources include: Modernity.news X.com NYPost.com Brighteon.com UK, France plotting to stop Trump peace deal by pledging to send troops to Ukraine (TPTB) are in a mad rush to stop President-elect Donald Trump's peace deal for Ukraine. Western powerhouses like the United Kingdom and France are now considering sending their own troops into Ukraine, crossing one of Vladimir Putin's notorious "red lines," in order to stop Trump's peace plan from working. A British military source told Le Monde (France) that discussions are currently underway between officials in the UK and France about defense cooperation, "particularly with the aim of creating a core of allies in Europe focused on Ukraine and broader European security." "These are sensitive discussions, most of which are classified relaunched in light of a potential American withdrawal of support for Kyiv once Donald Trump takes office on January 20, 2025." (Related: Immediately after Trump won the 2024 election, Yemen's Houthis halted their war on the U.S. Navy at least for now.) NATO escalating war even as Ukraine loses ground The West seems to have some kind of suicide pact, or else it has no choice but to continue trying to fight even though things clearly are not working out in the West's favor so far. NATO, which apparently has to keep the war going even though Kiev continues to lose ground, is ramping things up big time right now in a race against time as Trump's inauguration is less than two months away. The Joe Biden regime, clearly upset that Kamala Harris lost in a landslide to Trump, responded to Trump's election win by giving Ukraine the green light to start bombing Russian territory using U.S.-made missiles, this being another of Putin's "red lines." It would seem as though TPTB want there to be another world war because death and destruction is better for them than Trump reentering the White House to start cleaning house, assuming his "drain the swamp" rhetoric was legitimate. So far, Trump's cabinet picks leave much to be desired. Many of his picks so far are about as swampy as it gets, which makes all this even more confusing. Who can know what the agenda truly is during this time of major chaos? Ukraine has already started lobbing U.S.-made missiles at Russia, which Russia has responded to say is an "act of war." It is only a matter of time before Russia responds, though patience and restraint are still keeping the situation from spiraling out of control in an instant. Putin recently lowered the threshold for Russia's use of nuclear weapons. Many of the things the West has already done in Ukraine have breached that threshold, which means Putin now has the liberty to respond with a nuclear attack if he so chooses. The last straw could be the Biden regime's possible plan to start sending nuclear weapons to Volodymyr Zelensky to use against Russia. Should nukes start getting sent to Ukraine from the West, be warned that a much greater nuclear provocation is likely to ensue. "The reason for NATO's desperate actions: Peace in Ukraine is a DEFEAT for the globalist agenda," tweeted Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker). Keep in mind that the United States is one of the biggest financiers of NATO, which is working directly against U.S. interests with its pro-Ukraine obsession. The land over which Russia and Ukraine are fighting used to be Russian land, plain and simple and Putin wants it back. Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are together calling for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. The duo is demanding world peace, in essence, rather than another world war that within just 73 minutes, according to "Truth Justice" (@SpartaJustice) on X / Twitter would turn into a nuclear Armageddon that kills 5.8 billion people, or about two-thirds of the planet. Will Trump succeed at bringing peace and safety to the world? Find out more at Trump.news. Sources for this article include: X.com NaturalNews.com If West transfers nuclear weapon to Kiev, Moscow says it will consider this a DIRECT ATTACK on Russia Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev wants the world to know that any transfer of nuclear weapons into Ukraine by the West will be considered by Moscow as aon Russia. All this talk from countries like the United States, the United Kingdom and France about filling Kiev's arsenals with U.S.-made, long-range missiles, nukes and other deadly weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) constitutes a direct attack on Russia, this according to the new nuclear doctrine imposed by Putin. In a recent Telegram post, Medvedev cited a report from The New York Times, bylined by four of its journalists, claiming that the U.S. and the European Union (EU) are currently "discussing deterrence as a security guarantee" for Ukraine that involves possibly sending nuclear weapons to Volodymyr Zelensky. "Looks like my sad joke about crazy senile Biden, who's eager to go out with a bang and take a substantial part of humanity with him, is becoming dangerously real," Medvedev, who currently serves as deputy chair of the Russian Security Council, wrote in his post. (Related: France is foolishly declaring war on Russia, suggesting there are "no red lines" from Putin that the West needs to worry about crossing.) Russia means business this time The idea of "giving nukes to a country that's at war with the greatest nuclear power" is so absurd to Medvedev that Biden and everyone else who is on board with such a scheme must be suffering from "massive paranoid psychosis." It is almost as if the powers that be (TPTB) want there to be a global nuclear holocaust, probably because they know the jig is up and the world's power structure is about to change dramatically. This is bad news for the pro-Ukraine crowd, the entire empire of which seems to rest on Ukraine persisting as a "democracy" separately from Russia, which used to own parts of what is now considered to be Ukraine. "The fact of transferring such weapons may be considered as the launch of an attack against our country in accordance with Paragraph 19 of the 'Basic Principles of State Policy on Nuclear Deterrence,'" Medvedev further wrote in his Telegram post. Back in late September, Putin ordered that revisions be made to Russia's nuclear doctrine to lower the threshold for Moscow responding to Western aggression with a nuclear attack. The move came after several Western nations, including the U.S. under Biden, gave Kiev the green light to start using Western-made, long-range weapons deep within Russian territory. In short, the updated document allows Moscow to treat any attack by a non-nuclear state that is backed by a nuclear power Ukraine is a non-nuclear proxy state backed by the U.S., which has nukes just like Russia does as direct nuclear aggression, allowing Russia to respond in kind. After Kiev conducted a series of cross-border attacks on Russia using U.S.-supplied ATACMS and HIMARS missile systems as well as British-made Storm Shadow missiles, Moscow responded by launching its newest Oreshnik medium-range hypersonic missile at Ukraine. "The corrupt USSA is getting desperate to start WWIII before Trump gets into office," one commenter wrote about the current tensions. "They don't care about anything but themselves and only wish to get things in such a mess that Trump is going to have his hands full attempting to make things right." Another suggested that this is all just empty talk, claiming that nobody would ever give nuclear weapons to a country that is currently at war especially when that country is nuke-rich Russia. "This is just Washington windsock gaming," suggested another. Slowly but surely, all of these incremental escalations are leading the world into another global war. Find out more at WWIII.news. Sources for this article include: Sky.com NaturalNews.com By pardoning Hunter, Joe Biden covers up his own influence-peddling crimes President Joe Biden allowed himself to cover up his own apparent role in his son Hunters influence peddling by issuing a pardon Sunday evening that extended back through 2014, including Hunters corrupt role in Ukraine. (Article by Joel B. Pollak republished from Breitbart.com) Joe Biden didnt just pardon Hunter for the gun crimes for which he was convicted. He pardoned Hunter for *EVERY SINGLE FEDERAL CRIME HE COMMITTED* over the last decadeincluding several years during which Joe Biden was VP and the entirety of Joe Bidens presidency. pic.twitter.com/wjvwXTL8r6 Sean Davis (@seanmdav) December 2, 2024 The start date of January 2014 for Hunters pardon is extremely notable because it coincides with Joe becoming the de facto viceroy of Ukraine. Hunter (who had and has never been in Ukraine) started raking in millions from a corrupt Ukrainian oligarch in April 2014. pic.twitter.com/wir4Q8LgoZ Hans Mahncke (@HansMahncke) December 2, 2024 While President Biden focused on his sons conviction for gun crimes, and his son responded with a statement about addiction, the reality is that the pardon covers more serious conduct: selling U.S. foreign policy for monetary gain. The pardon covers actions between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024. Hunter Bidens appointment to the board of the corrupt Ukrainian gas company Burisma was announced in May 2014. Reporters and State Department staff immediately flagged the appointment as a potential conflict of interest, given that then-Vice President Joe Biden was in charge of the Obama-Biden administrations foreign policy in Ukraine (which is likely why Hunter was appointed). The Obama White House repeatedly ducked questions on the topic, and journalists let it go. Bureaucrats who tried to find answers from the Vice Presidents office were ignored or told Joe Biden was busy mourning his other son, Beau. Joe Biden was directly implicated in his sons role in Ukraine especially when evidence emerged on his sons laptop in 2020 that then-Vice President Biden had met with one of Hunters Burisma associates. That exposed Joe Bidens repeated claims to have had nothing to do with his sons business interests as a lie. More importantly, it exposed the fact that Biden may have been an accomplice in his sons knowing refusal to register as a foreign agent for Ukraine. Hunter Biden had a variety of other foreign business associations in which his father was also involved. Pardoning Hunter Biden for actions dating back to January 1, 2014, not only protects Hunter, but President Joe Biden as well. Ironically, Democrats impeached then-President Donald Trump in 2019 for asking Ukraine to investigate the Bidens for crimes that Biden has now pardoned his son for committing. Trump was acquitted, and is now fully vindicated. Read more at: Breitbart.com Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos want climate vaccines laced into the food supply Billionaires Jeff Bezos of Amazon and Bill Gates of Microsoft are scheming up plans to mass-"vaccinate" the population with "climate vaccines" hidden in food. In order to stop "global warming," Bezos and Gates feel as though livestock animals raised for meat need to be jabbed with God-knows-what in order to reduce their "methane emissions," aka flatulence, or farts. According to Bezos and Gates, cows and other meat animals are passing too much gas, which is making temperatures too warm. As such, Bezos is personally investing nearly $10 million to develop a "climate vaccine" that will stop meat animals from farting and save the planet from a changing climate. "The 'vaccine' is designed to reduce the number of methane-producing microbes in a cow's stomach," reports explain. "The funding comes from his Bezos Earth Fund, a philanthropy he established with $10 billion in 2020 ... The fund intends to distribute all of its money by 2030." According to Bezos, all $10 billion in the Bezos Earth Fund will be used to "fight climate change and protect nature." (Related: Earlier this year, Bezos demonized farming while promoting his $1.27 billion fake food investment.) Stopping cow farts to save the planet Among the groups receiving cash from Bezos to develop climate vaccines for meat animals include the Pirbright Institute out of the United Kingdom, the Royal Veterinary College, and New Zealand's AgResearch. The researchers, in short, are busily looking for new ways to stop cows from farting after they eat. "Vaccines have proven to be an incredibly cost-effective way to deliver global health solutions," announced Bezos Earth Fund president and CEO Andrew Steer, whose last name is truly ironic considering the purpose behind his group. "If we can apply this approach to vaccinate cattle and reduce emissions, the scalability and impact could be phenomenal." For more than four decades, the more deranged elements of modern science have tried but failed to develop anti-farting vaccines. Untold billions of dollars, many of them clutched from U.S. taxpayers, have been wasted trying to stop meat animals from "cutting cheese," but to no avail. "This grant is a moonshot for proof-of-concept," Steer commented about the project with a straight face. "Risky bets like this are essential to tackling the climate crisis." Back in August when the Bezos Earth Fund first announced that it was funding an anti-farting vaccine for cattle, ArkeaBio, an ag-biotech startup company, announced that it had secured $38.5 million to develop a methane jab of its own. ArkeaBio's investors include Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a group funded by Gates, as well as Rabo Ventures and the Grantham Foundation. The funding that ArkeaBio announced this past summer was technically its second round. The first involved $12 million in secured funding via Breakthrough Energy, which was first created in 2015 to fund startup companies focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For many years, Gates, a deranged eugenicist with too much time and money at his disposal, has been fearful of livestock rearing and farming in general. He wants both practices to stop in order to prevent the idea of "climate change" from upsetting him any more than it already does. Gates is busily working on trying to create artificial meat grown in a lab, which would make him even richer while eventually eliminating all real meat from the food supply. One way to tackle the "problem" of animal farts, according to Gates, is to "vaccinate the cows in a way that their gut bacteria that emit the methane, which is also called natural gas or CH4, which is the second most important greenhouse gas, you can vaccinate them and that species of bacteria isn't there," he said. There is no such thing as global warming. Learn more at Climate.news. Sources for this article include: SlayNews.com NaturalNews.com European journalists announce theyll be leaving Elon Musks X by January 2025 because they despise free speech The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) recently announced that they will no longer post content on Big Tech mogul Elon Musk's social media platform X , formerly known as Twitter, starting Jan. 20, 2025, which incidentally is inauguration day for President-elect Donald Trump's second term as the 47th POTUS. EFJ, which claims to represent over 320,000 members but seems to not be well known by a vast majority of people, is the European regional organization for the International Federation of Journalists. The association seemed to dislike the new freedom of speech standards of Musk's platform and thought that democracy and freedom of expression were at risk "by the collusion between the president of the most powerful country in the world, Donald J. Trump, and the richest man in the world, Elon Musk," as stated on their website. X-odus: As of 20 January 2025, we have decided to stop publishing content on Elon Musk's platform X. We can no longer ethically participate in a social network that its owner has transformed into a machine of disinformation and propaganda. ?https://t.co/NTwnC63vhs EFJ (@efjeurope) November 26, 2024 Musk has been a staunch supporter of Trump who stood by the Republican presidential nominee during the campaign. Just after his victory in the U.S. 2024 election, Trump picked Musk, together with American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, to lead a new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). (Related: Trump taps Musk, Ramaswamy to lead Department of Government Efficiency that will focus on reducing government spending.) Musk also said that legacy media is dead, claiming that "most legacy media lied relentlessly to the public." This seemed to have enraged the journalists, led by the EFJ President Maja Sever. "We cannot continue to participate in feeding the social network of a man who proclaims the death of the media and therefore of journalists...The social media site X has become the preferred vector for conspiracy theories, racism, far-right ideas and misogynistic rhetoric," Sever argued in a statement. "X is a platform that no longer serves the public interest at all, but the particular ideological and financial interests of its owner and his political allies." EFJ General Secretary Ricardo Gutierrez added that the editorial evolution of X "is simply in contradiction with our humanist values, our commitment to press freedom and media pluralism and our fight against all forms of hatred and discrimination." He added that suspending their official handle @EFJEUROPE is an obviously expected decision. He also urged their affiliates and all organizations, which "defend freedom of expression" to migrate to other platforms. ZeroHedge's Tyler Durden said that Musk's move to lift the "suffocating wet blanket of online censorship from a single website" seemed to have made the European media panic. They even claimed that Sever had received "misogynistic cyber-harassment and death threats" without showing any evidence to support the accusation. Left-winger The Guardian stopped posting on X, which it called a "toxic media platform" The EFJ's declaration to leave X came at the heels of the woke British news outlet The Guardian's announcement earlier in November that it would no longer post on X, claiming that the social media platform has become "toxic." The Guardian said users would still be able to share articles and it was likely to continue to embed X posts in its coverage of world events. It also said its reporters would be able to carry on using the site "for news-gathering purposes." However, the "benefits of being on X are now outweighed by the negatives." "This is something we have been considering for a while given the often disturbing content promoted or found on the platform, including far-right conspiracy theories and racism," the news outlet said. The announcement was also posted on X, where some users reacted with vitriol, with those who paid for prominent replies accusing the publication of "woke propaganda" and "virtue signaling." The U.K.-based media agency, which describes itself as "the world's leading liberal voice," positioned itself as a key part of the "resistance" to Trump. It even used the U.S. election to highlight that it is a media organization asking its readers for donations. According to BBC, readers pledged more than $1.8 million (1.4 million), a record for a single day just a day after the election. The New York Times' media reporter Ben Mullin, said that the Guardian's parent company, the Guardian Media Groups fundraising was "a sign that some outlets are tapping a surge of enthusiasm for adversarial journalism post-election." Meanwhile, social media platforms have been benefitting from the dropping out on X of mainstream media outlets, like Spain's La Vanguardia and liberal journalists, including Don Lemon, a one-time business partner of Musk who is now suing the billionaire. Meta's Threads has continued to expand and Bluesky, which was set up by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, briefly topped the download charts in the U.K. and U.S. Apple app stores. According to a post by Bluesky, its userbase has grown by four million in two months and it picked up a million new users in the seven days after Trump's win. It now boasts around 16.7 million users, in November 2024, compared with nine million in September. Among the prominent Hollywood celebrities who have migrated over to Bluesky are James Gunn, John Cusack, Ben Stiller, Kumail Nanjiani, Dionne Warwick, Colson Whitehead, Mara Wilson, Kashana Cauley and Megan Amram, among others. Head over to Journalism.news for stories related to journalism, free speech and mainstream media. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com EuropeanJournalists.org BBC.com ARYNews.tv Homan reveals Trump plans for investigating foreign nations, NGOs fueling border crisis During a recent episode of's "Hannity" program, incoming Trump administration "border czar" Tom Homan laid out plans for how President-elect Trump will not only tackle the border crisis but also address domestic issues involving interference and meddling by foreign governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Preparations are already underway, Homan revealed, for the mass removal of illegal aliens even before Trump takes office in late January. And Texas is playing a central role in the operation. "We're not waiting until January 20th," Homan told host Kellyanne Conway. "Governor Abbott and I are already coordinating efforts to secure Texas's border at an unprecedented level." Homan likewise praised Gov. Abbott for aligning with Trump's vision. According to Abbott, illegal migration in the Lone Star State has dropped by 86 percent due to policies the state started implementing during Trump's first term, including the erection of border barriers and the imposition of stricter consequences for violators who try to illegally cross anyway. (Related: Homan is also warning the leaders of America's sanctuary cities that they had better cooperate with Trump's mass deportations or else they could face prosecution once Trump is installed.) Homan, Trump want Texas to be the national model for border security Even though Texas is the only state right now that does not have a border fence California, Arizona, and New Mexico all do it is the state that the incoming Trump administration wants the rest of the country to follow. Think of it almost as a blueprint for a federal strategy on border security, this being the choice of words that one independent media outlet used to explain how Texas will be the model for how America deals with illegal aliens under Trump. "My plan is to contract out as much non-enforcement work as possible," Homan said. "We need officers on the streets for deportation operations, not behind desks." Homan and the Trump administration will also aim to investigate the role of NGOs in enabling mass illegal migration into the United States. There is some kind of tangled web between these NGOs, the United Nations (UN), and other entities that are deliberately undermining America's national security with their promotion of illegal migration. A whopping $81.7 million in U.S. taxpayer funds have been allocated to various UN programs that teach illegals how to invade America. Some of that money is being used to maintain so-called "migration centers" across Central and South America, altogether which have helped nearly 70,000 illegal migrants resettle somewhere in the U.S. Since 2021 when Joe Biden was installed into the White House, about 5.8 million illegal aliens were escorted into America with the help of these NGOs and UN programs. Another 1.9 million illegals also entered during that same time, but they have been categorized as "gotaways." "They want an open border because they believe these millions of people will be future Democratic voters," Homan contends. With everything they do, Trump administration officials will focus on transparency and accountability to the American people, Homan further promised. "We'll investigate what the United Nations had to do with this, who in the Biden administration enabled it, and which NGOs were involved," he explained. "We'll be transparent and tell the American people the truth about this border crisis." Not only does the incoming Trump administration want to tackle the problems that have already been caused by illegal migration it also wants to address the root causes of it so the snake can be decapitated of its head, so to speak. "You've made it clear that the Biden administration's open-border policies were intentional," Conway responded to everything Homan said. "The American people deserve better." Will Trump's plans for the border succeed? Find out more at Trump.news. Sources for this article include: YourNews.com NaturalNews.com Joe Biden PARDONS son Hunter despite repeatedly insisting he wouldnt Outgoing President Joe Biden has pardoned his son Hunter Biden despite earlier repeated claims that he would not do so. The 82-year-old president issued his pardon Sunday, Dec. 1, as confirmed by a statement issued by the White House. According to NBC News, the "full and unconditional pardon" cleared Hunter, 54, from any offenses "committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from Jan. 1, 2014 through Dec. 1, 2024." "I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice. Once I made the decision this weekend, there was no sense delaying it further," Biden said in the statement. "No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter's cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son, and that is wrong. There has been an effort to break Hunter who has been five and a half years sober, even in the face of unrelenting attacks and selective prosecution." "In trying to break Hunter, they've tried to break me and there's no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough," Biden added. He concluded by expressing hope that "Americans will understand why a father and a president would come to this decision." A senior White House official told NBC News that Biden decided over the weekend to grant his son a pardon, and began to inform his senior aides Sunday. The pardon came ahead of two sentencing hearings the presidential son was set to attend this month. According to the outlet, Hunter was originally scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 12 following his conviction on federal gun charges. He was also set to face sentencing on Dec. 16 for charges of federal tax evasion, in which he entered a guilty plea in September. (Related: Hunter Biden PLEADS GUILTY to all nine federal tax charges, avoids trial but will no doubt be pardoned by his father.) Biden broke his promise of not pardoning his son In a separate statement, the now-pardoned presidential son said he had "admitted and taken responsibility for [his] mistakes during the darkest days of [his] addiction." These mistakes, Hunter alleged, "have been exploited to publicly humiliate and shame me and my family for political sport." "I will never take the clemency I have been given today for granted," Hunter added, promising to "devote the life I have rebuilt to helping those who are still sick and suffering." According to NBC News, the presidential pardon issued Sunday contradicted earlier remarks from the outgoing administration that Hunter won't be pardoned. "I will not pardon him," Biden said in June after Hunter was convicted on federal gun charges. Even First Lady Jill Biden said their son won't be pardoned, claiming in an interview that "Joe and I both respect the judicial system." A week prior to the issuance of the pardon, White House Senior Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates insisted that the president won't be pardoning his son. "The president has spoken to this. I don't have anything to add what he said already," Bates told reporters. Steven Cheung, a spokesman for President-elect Donald Trump, commented on the development. "The failed witch hunts against President Trump have proven that the Democrat-controlled [Department of Justice] and other radical prosecutors are guilty of weaponizing the justice system," he said. "That system of justice must be fixed and due process must be restored for all Americans, which is exactly what President Trump will do as he returns to the White House with an overwhelming mandate from the American people." Head over to BidenCrimeFamily.news for more stories about Hunter Biden. Watch Judge Andrew Napolitano explaining why Joe Biden's decision to pardon his son may actually hurt the elder Biden in the long run. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: White House: NO PARDON for Hunter Biden if found guilty on gun charges (a small slap on the wrist that protects him from much larger prosecutions.) Joe Biden insists he will neither "pardon" nor "commute sentence" of convicted son Hunter. Hunter Biden INDICTED by Delaware federal court on GUN-RELATED CHARGES. Still NO PARDON for Hunter Biden, outgoing Democratic White House insists. White House press secretary: No presidential pardon for Hunter Biden. Sources include: NBCNews.com APNews.com Brighteon.com Most Americans are woefully unprepared for World War III and will not survive the aftermath fewer than 7% of Americans are preppers and only 6% have generators Most Americans watching the war between Russia and Ukraine play out thousands of miles away from the comfort of their homes, have no clue how close World War III truly is, nor how easy it would be for hostile nations to attack us on American soil, including but not limited to cyber warfare. (Article by Susan Duclos republished from AllNewsPipeline.com) Any modern day world war will include cyber attacks to weaken the enemy, along with nuclear weapons to which many countries supporting both sides of the battle are armed with. Imagine waking up one morning to find you have no electricity, no gas, no cell service, water or internet. That is the very real world we live in now, the possibility, in fact the likelihood of this happening, increases every day that the Biden regime occupies the White House, continuing to do everything in their power to prolong the war, rather than ending it with negotiated peace talks. THEY WERE WARNED.... U.S. intelligence has sent out warnings to defense companies, "particularly those providing support to Ukraine in its war against Russia," according to the AP. Russias sabotage activities in Europe increase the risk to U.S. companies abroad and potentially at home, the officials wrote in the warning. Such sabotage operations can sow fear and doubt, damage important infrastructure, disrupt commerce, or cause injury and death. Granted, U.S. intelligence agencies have lost quite a bit of credibility in the eyes of the public, blaming Russia for everything from Hunter Biden's laptop (which has been proven to be Biden's and not a Russia conspiracy), to creating the Russia Collusion Hoax in their witch hunt against Donald trump during his first term as president. So their assertions should always be taken with a grain of salt, but it doesn't negate the fact that if Russia is sabotaging Ukraine allies, they were warned long ago to stop interfering in a war that isn't their concern. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, "Overall, in the survey of 9,609 U.S. adults, only three in 10 Americans believed that Russia's invasion of Ukraine threatened U.S. interests, down from five in 10 in 2022." The majority of Americans agree that we have no business being involved in a war that holds no national security interests to America as 51% of Americans are also tired of the U.S. sending military aid to Ukraine. The fact is Americans are more worried about paying their bills, high grocery prices, open borders, and seeing hundreds of billions going to Ukraine while they are suffering here at home. Notice the polling always asks about the approval of America's assistance to Ukraine, or support for Ukraine, but we don't see the same level of concern or surveys for U.S. citizens that are concerned about a world war that could see American cities being attacked, either physically or by attacking our public utilities as U.S. intelligence agencies are accusing Russia of doing in the UK and Poland. WORLD WAR III HAS ALREADY BEGUN..... Another item of note is that Americans, kept deliberately in the dark by the MSM, do not seem to understand that WWIII has already begun. A reminder: According to Oxford English Dictionary, a world war is "A war involving many nations of the world." During both WWI and WWII, involvement generally meant boots on the ground fighting by multiple countries, but the Internet, ease of moving weapons and money, and the amount of nations which have nuclear capabilities, has changed the ability of nations to become "involved" even without boots on the ground. The fact that U.S. missiles are being used to attack within Russia, means the U.S. is now directly involved. The fact that North Korean troops are reportedly fighting for Russia in Ukraine, means NK is now directly involved. Those sending money and weapons to either side makes those nations directly involved. While Russians are supposedly being told to prepare emergency bags and supplies, which is indicative of a warning they may be forced to hide in the multitude of nuclear bunkers Russia has updated in preparation of war on Russian soil, Americans will be left to fend for themselves, since the U.S. bunkers are for nation leaders, important politicians and military leaders and families of the aforementioned. Granted Americans are armed to the teeth, but those weapons mean nothing if a bomb is dropped on their heads. Read more at: AllNewsPipeline.com Russia pondering an Oreshnik missile strike on Zelenskys HQ in Kyiv Senior Russian official Aleksey Zhuravlyov has announced that Moscow could decide in the coming days to launch an Oreshnik ballistic missile strike on Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky's office in Kyiv. Zhuravlyov, the first deputy chair of the parliamentary defense committee, made the announcement on November 21, the same day Moscow launched an Oreshnik missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnepr. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the attack was in response to Ukraine's recent ATACMS and Storm Shadow / SCALP-EG long-range missile strike deep within Russian territory. "I'm confident that the Russian Defense Ministry has already compiled a list of worthy targets on the territory of Ukraine," Zhuravlyov wrote on Telegram. "There is the presidential office on Bankovaya Street [in Kyiv], where Zelensky was hiding in a bunker during the first days [of the conflict]. I'm curious whether the Oreshnik can destroy this impenetrable bunker." (Related: NATO is switching from defense to offense as it draws up plans to deploy 800,000 troops through Germany.) Oreshnik missile reduces anything in its epicenter "to dust," says Putin Zhuravlyov talked about how the headquarters of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Army in Kyiv is a suitable target for Moscow based on the circumstances of what just transpired with the backing of NATO. Russia would be smart to target "logistics hubs for Western weapons in Lviv Region, the Yavorov Military Base, where Western mercenaries are being trained, the bridges across the Dnieper used to transport equipment to the front line," he added. Putin himself commented on possible strike point for Russia's Oreshnik missiles, including Ukrainian military sites, defense factories, and "decision-making centers in Kyiv." At a press conference during his recent visit to Kazakhstan, Putin described the Oreshnik missile as one of the world's most powerful weapons. Its impact, he explained, is similar to that of a large meteor striking the earth. "Anything located in the epicenter is reduced to dust," Putin said. Outgoing President Biden is responsible for all this. He is the one who just lifted all restrictions on the use of ATACMS by Ukraine earlier this month, which allowed Zelensky to poke the Russian bear in the eye. Putin has repeatedly warned that Kyiv's use of Western-made, long-range missiles is prohibited under his newly updated nuclear doctrine. It is clear, he says, that the United States and other Western powers are already directly involved in the war because they would have to be in order to operate these sophisticated missile systems on behalf of Ukraine. As far as Putin is concerned, NATO is already directly involved in the conflict, which means Russia is free to respond as it sees fit in accordance with its nuclear doctrines. "It would be fantastic if the missile hit the Clown's office building while he's there, but my guess is that he has long since fled Ukraine and is probably sipping champagne in his mansion in Miami, or on the deck of one of his yachts," a commenter wrote about Zelensky. "In any case, his day is coming, and when it comes he'll be wishing he had never been born." Another wrote that he is excited to see the new Oreshnik missile system in action. "This time send two missiles!" this person wrote. "Bet it registers on the Richter scale! So excited watching this tech. Really looks out of this world!" Once Russia has enough Oreshniks "ready to fly," added another, "then these people will be in direct contact with the head of the launch crews who will have coordinates already in the missiles, and will be awaiting word of Zelensky's presence in the building(s). Once they receive word that Zelensky is there, they can launch within minutes." The latest news about the Russia-Ukraine conflict and where things are headed can be found at WWIII.news. Sources for this article include: Swentr.site NaturalNews.com Seoul deploys fighter jets as Russian and Chinese warplanes enter Korea Air Defense Identification Zone Eleven Russian and Chinese military aircraft entered South Korea's air defense identification zone for more than four hours on Friday, Nov. 29, prompting the Republic of Korea Air Force to deploy its own fighter jets to intercept them. The Russian and Chinese squadron consisted of six Russian and five Chinese military aircraft. The Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces confirmed in a statement that the 11 aircraft entered the Korea Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) in the East Sea and South Sea (western and southwestern borders of the Sea of Japan, respectively). The 11 military aircraft were in the area from 9:35 a.m. to 1:53 p.m. local time. The statement noted that while the planes entered the air defense identification zone, they did so "without violating South Korean airspace," adding that the military "identified the aircraft before they entered KADIZ and deployed Air Force fighter jets to take tactical measures in preparation for any contingencies." The South Korean Ministry of National Defense said it "expressed regret" to China and Russia over their military aircraft entering the KADIZ and "flying for an extended period without prior notice." The ministry requested that "appropriate measures be taken to prevent a recurrence," warning that future incursions could "unnecessarily heighten tensions in the region." Chinese-Russian aircraft part of "joint strategic patrol" China's Ministry of National Defense confirmed the joint Russian-Chinese flight, stating that it was the ninth "joint strategic patrol" between the two nations. The ministry added in a post on its official social media account that the flights were held "according to the annual cooperation plan between the Chinese and Russian militaries." The Russian and Chinese aircraft exited the KADIZ without incident. The joint Russian-Chinese flight over the KADIZ comes as South Korea, the United States and other allied nations express growing concern over the increasing military cooperation between Russia and China as well as with North Korea. (Related: Russia and China reaffirm their "no limit" partnership amid rising tensions with the West.) China and Russia have been flying joint aircraft patrols for some time now. Their first venture into South Korea's air defense zone was in 2019, when it did so without prior notice and claimed that the Chinese-Russian air incursion was a joint exercise. Similar incidents were recorded in May and November 2022 and in June and December 2023, with Russia and China repeatedly describing the flights as "joint strategic air patrols." An air defense identification zone is an area that extends beyond the country's official airspace in which its air force attempts to control the flow of aircraft for national security. The concept of an air defense identification zone is not defined in any international treaty, and no international organization governs what happens when a nation violates the air defense identification zone of another. Chinese and Russian jets have been entering the air defense identification zones of other nations in the past few years. In September, Japan reported using flares to warn a Russian recon aircraft to leave northern Japanese airspace. In July, two Russian and two Chinese strategic bomber aircraft entered the Alaska Air Defense Zone, prompting the scrambling of American F-16 and F-35 and Canadian CF-18 fighter jets and other support aircraft. Watch this video from Warren Thornton which discusses how China is investigating South Korea's complicity in escalating the conflict with Ukraine. This video is from the Sanivan channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Pentagon: U.S. ready to support South Korea with NUCLEAR WEAPONS. South Korea could send arms to Ukraine after North Korea deploys troops to aid Russia. South Korea agrees to spend more to continue hosting U.S. troops. Russia, China discussing plans to "double counteract" U.S.-led alliance of Western nations. South Korea preparing to swiftly eliminate Kim Jong Un and other top Pyongyang officials in the event of an all-out war. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com CBSNews.com Brighteon.com Several Trump Cabinet and administration nominees targeted with BOMB THREATS and SWATTING ATTEMPTS Several of President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet and administration nominees have been targeted with bomb threats and "swatting." The attacks against Trump's picks were confirmed by Trump transition team spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, who is also Trump's nominee to be the next White House press secretary. She stated that the threats were made against at least three Trump picks on the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 26, and on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 27. "Last night and this morning, several of President Trump's Cabinet nominees and administration appointees were targeted in violent, un-American threats to their lives and those who live with them," said Leavitt in a statement. "These attacks ranged from bomb threats to 'swatting.'" Swatting is the filing of false police reports to get the homes of individuals targeted by heavily armed law enforcement officers, potentially to bring the targets and their family members harm. "In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted," Leavitt continued. "President Trump and the entire transition team are grateful for their swift action." A law enforcement official told CBS News that Susie Wiles, Trump's campaign manager and pick to be White House chief of staff, and Pam Bondi, the former attorney general for Florida and Trump's pick to be the next United States attorney general, were both targeted in this wave of violent threats. (Related: Trump names campaign manager and former Big Pharma lobbyist Susie Wiles as his chief of staff.) Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Trump's nominee to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, was targeted with a bomb threat to her home in Schuylerville in Upstate New York, her office confirmed. "This morning, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, her husband and their three-year-old son were driving home to Saratoga County from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence," her office said in a statement on Wednesday. She received the threat on Tuesday evening. "New York state, county law enforcement and U.S. Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest levels of professionalism. We are incredibly appreciative of the extraordinary dedication of law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe." Former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin, who was tapped by Trump to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, was also targeted. "A pipe bomb threat targeting me and my family at our home today was sent in with a pro-Palestinian themed message," claimed Zeldin in a post on X, formerly Twitter. "My family and I were not home at the time and are safe. We are working with law enforcement to learn more as this situation develops. We are thankful for the swift actions taken by local officers to keep our family, neighbors and local community secure." Billionaire businessman Howard Lutnick, an adviser of Trump's transition team and the president-elect's nominee to lead the Department of Commerce, also had his Manhattan home threatened with a swatting attempt. The New York Police Department said a 911 call came in reporting a terrorist bomb threat at his home. Brooke Rollins, Trump's nominee to be secretary of agriculture, said in a statement that a "threat was issued" against her family while they were at their home in Fort Worth, Texas. She said local police responded quickly, and she and her family were unharmed and quickly returned home. White House claims it is against political violence and is monitoring the situation A spokesperson for the White House said the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden is in touch with federal law enforcement and the president-elect's team and is monitoring the situation. "Federal law enforcement's response, alongside state and local authorities, remains ongoing," said the spokesperson. "The president and the administration unequivocally condemn threats of political violence." The Federal Bureau of Investigation has confirmed in a statement that it is aware of the "numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees" and is working with state and local law enforcement to deal with the issue. "We take all potential threats seriously, and as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement," the agency said. U.S. Capitol Police have also mobilized due to the threats against sitting federal lawmakers. A spokesperson said the agency is working closely with other law enforcement agencies, especially to handle the swatting incidents. "Anytime a member of Congress is the victim of a 'swatting' incident, we work closely with our local and federal law enforcement partners," said the spokesperson. "To protect ongoing investigations and to minimize the risk of copycats, we cannot provide more details at this time." Watch this Fox News clip featuring how Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) was herself a victim of swatting. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: House Democrat suggests creation of a SHADOW GOVERNMENT to oppose Trump. GASLIGHTING: Mainstream media claims Trump supporters pose a bigger threat of election-related violence than the radical left. Antifa groups recruiting, organizing and mobilizing for violence during Donald Trump's second term in office as part of the "resistance" 2.0 be prepared to defend yourself. Pete Hegseth, Trump's defense secretary pick, covered in pro-war tattoos, including Matthew 10:34 that promises the SWORD, not peace. Trump names pro-Israel Rep. Lee Zeldin as head of EPA. Sources include: Reuters.com USAToday.com CBSNews.com Brighteon.com Trump nominates Kash Patel to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation President-elect Donald Trump has named Kash Patel as his nominee to be the new director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He announced Patel's new position in a Truth Social post on Saturday, Nov. 30. Trump lauded Patel as "a brilliant lawyer, investigator and America First fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending justice and protecting the American people." Trump also praised the nominee for the "pivotal role" he played in uncovering the Russian collusion hoax. "Kash did an incredible job during my first term where he served as chief of staff at the Department of Defense, deputy director of national intelligence and senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council. Kash has also tried over 60 jury trials." The president-elect reiterated that under Patel's leadership, the FBI "will end the growing crime epidemic in America, dismantle the migrant criminal gangs, and stop the evil scourge of human and drug trafficking across the border." He also reiterated that Patel and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, the new nominee for United States attorney general, will "bring back fidelity, bravery and integrity" to the bureau. Many conservatives reacted positively to news of Patel's nomination as FBI director, former Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Robert O'Brien among them. He wrote on X that Patel's nomination "has made America safer and more just." Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) also lauded Patel's nomination, calling him a "perfect pick" who will "restore law and order" and "end FBI corruption." Mike Davis of the Article III Project shared the same sentiment, noting that the "unquestionably qualified" Patel "will win Senate confirmation" and "bring much-needed reforms to a broken, corrupt FBI." (Related: Trump announces 21 of 24 cabinet nominations: heres an update (Kash Patel just nominated to head FBI.)) Schiff calls on senators to REJECT Patel's nomination But according to the National Pulse, senior FBI officials were working to block Patel's potential appointment to the bureau. These officials fear that the MAGA official could root out those who cooperated with the corrupt lawfare campaign launched by the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden against Trump and his allies. They also fear that Patel could hold those in the FBI responsible for spying on and harassing American citizens. These senior FBI officials appear to have an ally in the person of Senator-elect Adam Schiff (D-CA), who has had a personal ax to grind with Patel since 2017. He urged his colleagues to reject Patel's potential appointment. "Patel has publicly called for arresting members of the media and government officials, and he is willing to do whatever Trump asks illegal, unethical or otherwise," Schiff wrote on X. "More suited as internet troll than FBI director, the Senate must reject him." Breitbart News recounted that the California lawmaker "has been trying to destroy Patel since 2017, when he helped expose the fact that members of the outgoing Obama administration abused their power to 'unmask' the names of Americans caught on foreign wiretaps." Such a practice allegedly culminated in the termination and prosecution of former National Security Advisor Gen. Michael Flynn over false accusations that he colluded with Russia, the outlet continued. Schiff led other Democrats during Trump's first impeachment investigation in finding evidence of Patel supposedly being a "back channel" for Moscow to the then-45th president. The impeachment report cited a phone call between Patel and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani then Trump's lawyer to back up this claim. However, the probe was in vain and only proved that the House Intelligence Committee led by Schiff had violated Trump's Sixth Amendment rights by spying on Giuliani. Head over to Trump.news for more stories about the incoming 47th president's cabinet picks. Watch this clip from InfoWars about Kash Patel's plan to release the Jeffrey Epstein client list and prosecute human traffickers once he becomes FBI director. This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: The Right Side with Doug Billings: Kash Patel's new book teaches kids the value of truth and the consequences of elections Brighteon.TV. Kash Patel: Government gangsters setting up America for another WORLD WAR. Trump's reported FBI finalists mark key battle between deep state and loyalist. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com Breitbart.com 1 Breitbart.com 2 Brighteon.com Trump claims hes already solved the border crisis after talking to Mexican president President-elect Donald Trump recently vowed to place tariffs of 25 percent on goods from Mexico and Canada if the countries do not do more to stop illegal immigrants and drugs from making their way into the U.S. Now, it appears that this threat may be working as Trump said he spoke to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on the phone, who agreed that she would put an end to the border influx. Trump wrote on Truth Social that he had a wonderful conversation with the Mexican leader. "She has agreed to stop Migration through Mexico, and into the United States, effectively closing our Southern Border, he claimed. We also talked about what can be done to stop the massive drug inflow into the United States, and also, U.S. consumption of these drugs. It was a very productive conversation!" It all sounds very positive, and in a post he made a short time later, he even went so far as to say that she was going to stop migration right away. "Mexico will stop people from going to our Southern Border, effective immediately. THIS WILL GO A LONG WAY TOWARD STOPPING THE ILLEGAL INVASION OF THE USA. Thank you!!!" he wrote. Is it possible that Trump managed to solve this very pressing problem two months before he even takes office with nothing more than an announcement and a phone call? The tariff threat is indeed a powerful one and something that would cause significant damage to Mexicos economy, so it wouldnt be surprising if it did sway Sheinbaum in some way. In fact, not long after Trump announced his intention to implement the tariffs, she said that Mexico would retaliate if he does follow through and implement tariffs of their own on American goods. However, some are questioning whether Trump is accurately portraying the conversation, especially in light of Sheinbaums threat to retaliate. Moreover, her own comments about the conversation do not seem to align with Trumps claim. A translation of a post she made on X reads: In our conversation with President Trump, I explained to him the comprehensive strategy that Mexico has followed to address the migration phenomenon, respecting human rights. We reiterate that Mexicos position is not to close borders but instead build bridges between government and people. Her comments make it clear that she does not intend to actually close any borders, which casts Trump's claims into doubt. She did confirm, however, that she told Trump that Mexico was dealing with the migrant caravans approaching the U.S. border. We discussed Mexicos strategy on the migration phenomenon and I shared that caravans are not arriving at the northern border because they are being taken care of in Mexico. We also discussed strengthening collaboration on security issues within the framework of our sovereignty and the campaign we are carrying out in the country to prevent the consumption of fentanyl, she stated. Mexican economy minister warns about the damage tariffs could cause On Wednesday, Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said that Trump's proposed tariff would result in the loss of 400,000 jobs in the U.S. and damage American companies and consumers. He added that it would have the effect of doubling the taxes that American firms who produce goods in Mexico pay. In particular, it would hit the automotive sector hard and drive up the prices of cars for consumers given the important role the country plays in automotive manufacturing, accounting for roughly one quarter of all North American vehicle production. Sheinbaum, who just took office last month, is considered a strong leftist and was not expected to be someone who would agree with Trump on major issues like migration. Sources for this article include: Reuters.com NBCNews.com NYPost.com White liberal women held primal scream event in Wisconsin after Trump victory A group of White liberal women from Milwaukee organized a "primal scream" event a few days after President-elect Donald Trump's landslide victory in last month's elections. According to Fox News, the event happened on Nov. 9 at Klode Park in Wisconsin's Whitefish Bay. Footage of the event, which was originally posted by Facebook user Tamara Gibbs, recently went viral on social media. "What a gorgeous morning to gather at Klode Park in Whitefish Bay to engage in a primal scream in order to release our pain and frustration after the election," she captioned the now-viral clip. "If you zoom in, you will see Trump supporters proudly waving their flag on top of the hill." Fox News described the video, which showed "around two dozen adult women screeching at the water. The screams eventually reach a crescendo, [with] the shrieks getting gradually louder and louder until the group stopped." Gibbs also thanked the Milwaukee Police Department for standing by and keeping the group safe. However, the department clarified to the media outlet that Whitefish Bay was not in their jurisdiction. The outlet also pointed out that a Trump supporter waved a Make America Great Again flag where the women were screaming further agitating the liberals. But even before the video went viral, a user promoted the event on the Shorewood Community Network Facebook group. One woman who replied to the event invitation said: "Maybe an evening scream too, for those who are having a hard time dragging ourselves out of bed in the morning with this devastating news?" Another woman urged others to join, inviting them to "get our frustration out collectively, screaming to ease the sadness and to come together and move forward as a community." (Related: Unhinged liberal women cry on social media over Trump's victory and claim they've lost all their rights.) Liberals shriek over Trump win Gibbs also shared footage of the same group of women who screamed into the lake. The women stood in a circle and attempted to cheer themselves up after the real estate mogul's Nov. 5 victory. "We need to start organizing," one woman said to roaring applause. "We have the opportunity to, in-state, in two years, take back the legislature." According to Fox News, the video Gibbs posted echoes "the notorious footage of protesters screaming toward the sky when Trump first won in 2016." Just like in 2016, the 2024 clip highlighted how liberals were unable to accept the results of a democratic election. The Conservative Brief commented on the "primal rage" event in a post on X, poking fun at the outraged liberal women. "So this happened," the post said. "Liberals decide to get together and scream at Lake Michigan as a way to release their anger over Trump stomping [outgoing Vice President] Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. That's right you tell that lake all about it." Adan Salazar of InfoWars also commented on the liberal women's outrage. He pointed to how "they collectively uttered helpless screams at the top of their lungs," intending to vocalize "their frustration with American voters rejecting the liberal agenda." "Leftists clearly unraveled after Trump's big win. But will they take this moment to reflect on why they lost or what was wrong with the [Democratic] Party, or will they double down on their unpopular liberal agenda?" Watch this clip featuring various examples of Trump Derangement Syndrome, which also manifested among the liberal women who screamed at the shores of Lake Michigan. This video is from the Your News Now (YNN) channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Woke bloodbath: Leftist movements are paying the price for their arrogance. White, liberal women driving "woke" culture rot in U.S.: Analysis. Biden's niceness to President-elect Trump TRIGGERS LEFTISTS. Sources include: InfoWars.com MSN.com Brighteon.com Countries negotiating a landmark treaty to combat plastic pollution have failed to reach an agreement, concluding the fifth session of talks (INC-5) in Busan, South Korea, without resolving critical issues. Delegates from over 170 nations, meeting under the United Nations, aimed to craft a legally binding global treaty. However, deep divisions among countries forced a postponement of key decisions to the next round of talks, INC-5.2, scheduled for a later date. Plastic Treaty Stalls Over Production Cap Disputes The primary sticking point was the scope of the treaty, CNN reported. Over 100 countries, led by Panama and other proponents, supported capping plastic production to address the root cause of pollution. However, a small but influential group of oil-producing nations, including Saudi Arabia, opposed production limits and focused instead on managing plastic waste. These disagreements delayed progress, with some nations accused of procedural stalling to avoid commitments. Delegates also clashed over financing mechanisms to help developing countries implement the treaty and the inclusion of measures to address hazardous chemicals in plastics. While negotiators made strides in defining treaty elements, UN Environment Programme Executive Director Inger Andersen acknowledged that critical divergences remain. 30M Tons of Plastic in Oceans Pressures Treaty Talks The urgency of action was emphasized by environmental advocates and policymakers alike. Experts warn that plastic production is on track to triple by 2050, exacerbating pollution levels. Already, over 30 million tons of plastic have leaked into oceans since negotiations began in 2022, Forbes said. Microplastics, found in air, water, and even food, pose significant risks to human health and ecosystems. Progress in some areas, such as captive breeding programs for Amur leopards and global efforts to increase wildlife populations, contrasts sharply with the stagnation in addressing plastic pollution. Conservationists argue that plastic waste disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities, especially small island nations and coastal regions, which contribute little to the crisis. Businesses are also pressing for solutions. Over 20 corporate leaders, including those from major global companies, have urged governments to adopt binding rules to curb plastic pollution. Organizations like the Ellen MacArthur Foundation stress that global regulations are crucial for enabling large-scale solutions. Despite the setbacks, many remain committed to achieving an impactful treaty. Advocates for stricter measures caution that postponing negotiations does not delay the worsening crisis. Delegates will reconvene with hopes of bridging divides and securing a consensus to protect the planet from escalating plastic pollution. Imphal, Dec 2 : Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Monday said that police during a recent drive detected 29 persons flouting Inner Line Permit (ILP) guidelines who have been deported and sent to their home states. The Chief Minister said that on November 30, a police team conducted an ILP checking drive in the Mayang Imphal Bengoon area and during the drive, 29 individuals who were working in a bakery were detected with the Labour category of ILP. Verification through the Deputy Commissioner, Imphal West district was found to have been issued not in compliance with the Manipur ILP guidelines, 2019, he said. Singh said that those Labour Category ILPs were cancelled and the apprehended 29 individuals have been deported and sent to their respective home states. The Home Department has issued instructions to the District Administration concerned and the Deputy Labour Commissioner to conduct a detailed inquiry into such lapses and initiate stern action against the involved government officials. The Chief Minister said that the state government has constituted a committee at the state level to review the overall implementation of ILP in the state with the Commissioner (Home) as Chairman and representatives of UIDAI, Chief Electoral Officer, Land Resource Department, DCs and Senior Superintendent of Police of districts are members. Direction has been issued to submit the committee's report within 15 days, he said. In view of the unrest in Bangladesh, all the northeastern states including Manipur, have further strengthened their vigil and drive against the infiltrators. The ILP under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 is an official travel document that allows an Indian citizen to visit the ILP-enforced state and areas for a limited period and with a specific purpose. The ILP, which aims to protect the identity and existence of the Indigenous people, has been in force in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. Obtaining the ILP is mandatory for anyone, both Indian citizen and foreigner, who is not an indigenous inhabitant of these northeastern states, to obtain the permit to enter these states for a specified period. Agitations are being held on and off to promulgate the ILP in Meghalaya. Following the political crisis in neighbouring Bangladesh, various tribal bodies, and civil society organisations in some northeastern states are demanding enforcement of the ILP very strictly to prevent the influx of illegal immigrants into the northeastern states. Itanagar, Dec 2 : Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday said that hydropower is one of the most effective sources of revenue generation as the state alone holds 50 per cent of Indias total hydropower generation capacity. Addressing an official function, the Chief Minister said that if the proposed power projects with a total generation capacity of 35,000 MW are monetised in terms of revenue gained by the state in the next 10 years, it would be an astounding Rs 10,000 crore per year. Khandu informed that the central government has agreed to give 26 per cent equity share from each project to the state besides the existing quota of 12 per cent free power. While mentioning the increasing revenue collection in the state exchequer, the Chief Minister reiterated that the states revenue generation is slated for a massive upward trend in the coming years. The more revenue we generate, the more we can uplift the living conditions of our people, he observed. Five hydropower projects with a total generation capacity of 2,626 MW are now in the pipeline in the Shi-Yomi district, which would greatly benefit the northeastern region. To execute the power projects, MoUs have been signed earlier with reputed Central government agencies that include National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO), National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVN). Praising the people of Aalo in West Siang district, for reposing faith in BJP, Khandu announced the sanctioning of the much-needed road connecting Jirdin and Eyi via Bumri in West Siang, a promise he had made before the elections. He also assured to develop the tourism site along the Yomgo River in Aalo township and sought a proper plan and design. Earlier, Khandu inaugurated the newly constructed Multipurpose Hall and a walkway along the banks of the Yomgo River. On Sunday, the Chief Minister visited Silluk Village, the cleanest village of Arunachal Pradesh in the Mebo Sub-Division of East Siang district. The village has earned the Chief Ministers Award for Cleanest Village consecutively for three terms. In a public meeting at Silluk village, the Chief Minister assured to expedite the process of flood protection proposal and equipping the Mebo CHC with doctors and manpower. At Pasighat, Khandu inspected the under-construction Smart Guest House, the Smart Market Upgradation project and the Smart Recreation Centre being developed under the Smart City Mission. Washington, Dec 3 : US President-elect Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to terrorist group Hamas that the hostages taken by it be released from Gaza before his inauguration in January, or there will be "hell to pay" in the Middle East for those responsible. Writing on Truth Social, and without naming any militant group, Trump said in his post: "If the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity. Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!" About 250 hostages were captured in the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and about 100 of them remain in Gaza, with about a third believed to be dead, according to the Israeli authorities. The Biden administration has been working since last year with Israel and international mediators, including Qatar and Egypt, on a cease-fire deal that would include the release of the hostages. It was not clear what tactic Trump might take that has not already been taken already by Israel, which has killed many of Hamas's leaders and thousands of its fighters while leveling much of Gaza. It was not clear what tactic Mr. Trump might take that has not already been taken already by Israel, which has killed many of Hamass leaders and thousands of its fighters, while leveling much of Gaza. Trump said in his post on Monday, "Its all talk and no action" when it comes to the hostages, and his statement suggesting that he could use the power of his office to punish those who took the captives is the first sign of how aggressively Trump might handle Middle East policy when he resumes office. There was one brief pause in the fighting, more than a year ago, that led to the release of about 105 hostages. And efforts to broker a cease-fire deal appeared to stall last month after mediators met in Egypt. Some hostages have also been rescued in Israeli military operations. But there have been protests and widespread frustration in Israel over the lack of a deal to secure their freedom, with critics of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel saying that he has failed to prioritise their release over his political survival. This is not the first time that Trump has addressed the conflict in Gaza and the fate of the remaining hostages. He has told Netanyahu that he wants the war in the enclave to end before he returns to the White House. And at the Republican National Convention in July, he said that he wanted the hostages returned and that captors "will be paying a very big price". His latest warning came after Hamas released a propaganda video showing the American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, 20, pleading with Trump to secure his release. Kyiv, Dec 3 : Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met here to discuss military and diplomatic support for Kyiv in the coming months, Zelensky's press service said. The talks focused on bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and Germany and collaboration with other partners, according to a statement on Monday on the presidential website, Xinhua news agency reported. Zelensky expressed gratitude to Scholz for Germany's continued military support, including the provision of Patriot and IRIS-T air defence systems, as well as Gepard anti-aircraft guns. Zelensky also welcomed Germany's latest military aid package worth 650 million euros (about $683 million), which is set to be delivered this month. For his part, Scholz noted that Germany's military assistance to Kyiv since the start of the full-scale Russia-Ukraine war has reached 28 billion euros (about $29.4 billion). "In 2025, we will continue to deliver air defence systems, howitzers, and combat and reconnaissance drones. Additionally, six armed Sea King helicopters," he said. Scholz arrived in Kyiv earlier on Monday for his first bilateral visit to Ukraine since the war began. Previously, he visited Kyiv in the summer of 2022 as a part of a joint delegation with leaders from France, Romania, and Italy. By Anna Felix, Kochi, Dec 3 : Journey through Velankanni's Basilica, beaches, and spiritual wonders. A personal pilgrimage tale blending faith, culture, and miraculous experiences in Tamil Nadu. The first rays of dawn painted the sky in hues of amber as I stepped onto the sandy shores of Velankanni, a coastal town in Tamil Nadu that has earned its reputation as the "Lourdes of the East." The salty breeze carried with it the gentle chiming of church bells, mixing with the rhythmic sounds of the Bay of Bengal's waves a divine symphony that would become the soundtrack of my spiritual journey. As I made my way through the town's narrow streets, the aroma of fresh jasmine garlands and burning incense created an intoxicating blend that seemed to bridge the physical and spiritual worlds. The sight of devotees, some crawling on their knees in fulfillment of their vows, others walking barefoot with unwavering faith, moved me deeply. Their determination and devotion were palpable, transcending religious boundaries and speaking to something universal about human faith. The Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health stood before me, its Gothic architecture rising majestically against the morning sky. Its white and cream facade, adorned with intricate details, told stories of miracles that have drawn millions of pilgrims over centuries. I joined the queue of devotees, my feet bare against the sun-warmed tiles, as we slowly made our way into the sanctuary. The cool interior provided welcome relief from the coastal heat, and the silence, punctuated only by whispered prayers, created an atmosphere of profound reverence. What struck me most was the diversity of the pilgrims and people from various walks of life, all united in their search for solace and healing. I watched as an elderly woman lit a candle with trembling hands, tears streaming down her weathered face, while nearby, a young couple cradled their newborn, their eyes reflecting gratitude and hope. These moments of raw human emotion made me realize that Velankanni is more than just a religious destination; it's a sanctuary for the human spirit. The Morning Flag Hoisting ceremony became one of my most memorable experiences. As the sun climbed higher, thousands gathered in the church grounds, their voices joining in prayer songs that echoed across the complex. The sight of the flag being raised against the backdrop of the rising sun created a moment of collective joy and unity that I'll never forget. Wandering through the town's markets later that day, I discovered another facet of Velankanni's charm. Stalls selling religious artifacts lined the streets alongside vendors offering local delicacies. I sampled the famous Velankanni fish curry, its spices dancing on my tongue, while chatting with local shopkeepers who shared stories passed down through generations about the town's miraculous history. As evening approached, I made my way to the beach where the Portuguese sailors were supposedly saved from a violent storm centuries ago one of the miracles associated with Our Lady of Velankanni. Watching the sunset paint the waters in brilliant oranges and purples, I reflected on the day's experiences. The faith I witnessed wasn't just about religion; it was about hope, healing, and the universal human desire for connection with something greater than ourselves. The night brought with it the spectacular sight of the Basilica illuminated against the dark sky, its lights reflecting off the countless oil lamps lit by devotees. The evening prayers filled the air with a haunting beauty, creating an atmosphere that seemed to exist outside of time. My journey to Velankanni taught me that faith, in its purest form, knows no boundaries. It's a force that brings people together, offers comfort in times of distress, and creates communities that transcend traditional divisions. As I prepared to leave this sacred town, I carried with me not just memories of its physical beauty and architectural splendor, but also the profound impact of witnessing thousands of people united in their quest for divine grace. The experience left an indelible mark on my soul, reminding me that in our increasingly divided world, places like Velankanni stand as beacons of hope, showing us that faith, love, and healing are universal languages that all hearts can understand. Seoul, Dec 3 : The United States' latest export control package against China is expected to have only a limited impact on South Korea's semiconductor industry, officials said on Tuesday, citing local businesses' low dependence on the Chinese market in the sector. The U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security unveiled the package on the Federal Register, which includes restrictions on exports of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips to China. The US also announced new controls on 24 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment and three types of software tools for developing or producing semiconductors. "There could be some impact on South Korean firms producing HBMs, but we can minimise the fallout by shifting to export methods allowed under U.S. regulations," the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said in a statement, reports YOnhap news agency. "In terms of semiconductor equipment, the controls are applied only to cutting-edge products deemed significant to U.S. national security," it added, also noting the number of South Korean firms to be affected will be "small." The ministry pointed out that while the U.S. plans to apply the so-called "presumption of denial" principle, exports to South Korean businesses operating in China that have previously obtained validated end-user status will be allowed regardless of the announcement. The ministry also noted that South Korea has been maintaining close coordination with the U.S., emphasizing that the two countries have agreed to closely monitor the impact of the move to avoid unexpected effects on companies in both nations. "SK hynix currently ships most of its HBMs to U.S.-based Nvidia. Samsung Electronics exports some low-performance HBMs to China, but the portion is small compared to its overall sales," an official from the industry ministry also said. "Overall, we believe that its impact on South Korean businesses will be minimal. Mumbai, Dec 3 : The American pop rock band Maroon 5 has arrived in India ahead of their debut concert in Mumbai. The members of the band were seen waving at the paparazzi stationed at Terminal 2 of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. The bands frontman Adam Levine also recorded the Indian paparazzi on his phone. He was dressed in a casual white hoodie, and waved to fans and the paps before flashing a thumbs-up and heading toward their vehicle. In the videos captured by paparazzi stationed outside the airport, the group members were seen exiting the airport and getting inside their cars. The band, which comprises of Adam Levine on vocals, Jesse Carmichael on the keyboard, James Valentine on guitar, Matt Flynn on drums, PJ Morton on keyboard, and Sam Farrar on bass, is set to perform in the maximum city on Tuesday at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse, a venue which is the go to destination for international music festivals and artistes. The band is known for hit tracks such as Moves Like Jagger, Sugar, Girls Like You, Animals and Payphone. The band was originally formed in 1994 with the name Kara's Flowers. Original members included Adam Levine, Jesse Carmichael, bassist Mickey Madden, and drummer Ryan Dusick. The band rebranded itself in 2001 as Maroon 5, and added their lead guitarist James Valentine. The band has evolved into a pop-rock powerhouse. Their debut album, 'Songs About Jane', won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2005. Maroon 5's unique style combines catchy songwriting, clever lyricism, and adventurous creativity, redefining the modern American band. Chandigarh, Dec 3 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the three new criminal laws freed India from colonial legacy as they are a concrete step towards fulfilling the ideals that Constitution has imagined for the country. Speaking at a programme to mark the implementation of the new criminal laws in Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, PM Modi said, Its (the new criminal laws) a concrete step towards fulfilling the ideals that our Constitution has imagined for the citizens of our country...In the seven decades after Independence, the challenges faced by our judicial system were studied and thought upon. Behavioural aspects of all the laws were analysed. I thank the Supreme Court, judges and High Courts, especially of Punjab and Haryana, and Bar (association) who have taken the ownership of Nyay Sanhita. He said decades after Independence, our laws were revolving around the same penal mindset. Over time, efforts were made to make some little changes in laws, but their characteristic remained the same. PM Modi said, At a time when the country is moving forward with the resolve of a united India, and as we celebrate 75 years of the Constitution, the implementation of Indian justice inspired by the spirit of the Constitution marks a significant beginning. Earlier, PM Modi along with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, inspected the exhibition depicting the implementation of three criminal laws on the campus of Punjab Engineering College. PM Modi was briefed by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kanwardeep Kaur about the implementation of three transformative new criminal laws in Chandigarh with registration of 900 plus first information reports (FIRs) and four convictions in the past five months. These laws aim to overhaul Indias criminal justice system, focusing on transparency, efficiency, and addressing modern challenges. PM Modi also inspected the exhibition depicting the implementation of criminal laws by simulating a crime scene investigation on the campus of Punjab Engineering College, where a dummy police station was set up. The presentation, themed Secure Society, Developed India: From Punishment to Justice, took place at an exhibition spread across eight stations, providing Prime Minister Modi with a live experience of how law enforcement, forensic teams, judicial authorities and prisons have become more efficient and technology-driven since the implementation of the laws. A crime scene was depicted with a distress call at the Police Control Room. At the crime scene, the e-Sakshya app digitally recorded all evidence from the scene, including photos, videos and timestamps, which are then sent directly to the court. In this scene, the forensic team collects crucial evidence, while the victims family member identifies the body. Home Minister Shah was seen explaining to Prime Minister Modi about the operation of the new laws for speedy justice, starting from the collection of evidence at the crime scene to providing solace to the victims family. Speaking at the programme, Home Minister Shah said, In the new laws, treason (deshdroh) has replaced sedition (rajdroh), which was there for centuries. He said earlier laws were made in the British parliament, they were more for the protection of British rule and not for the people. The laws that PM Modi has brought are made by Indians, in the Indian Parliament and to deliver justice to the people... These laws have no place for punishment but justice. It will be implemented in the entire country within three years. He said PM Modi has created the worlds most modern criminal justice system to build a secure and developed Bharat for all. Chandigarh is the first city in the country where 100 per cent implementation of all three laws has been completed. The three new criminal laws -- the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam -- replaced the British-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act, respectively, came into effect from July 1. These landmark reforms mark a historic overhaul of the criminal justice system, bringing in new frameworks to tackle modern-day challenges such as cybercrime, and organised crime and ensuring justice for victims of various offences. The local police also showcased the functionalities of applications such as e-Sakshya, Nyay Setu, Nyay Shruti and e-summons, which have been developed by the National Informatics Centre in collaboration with the National Crime Records Bureau. Before heading to Chandigarh, PM Modi wrote on X, A special day in our efforts to ensure speedy justice for every Indian and, at the same time, break free from colonial mindsetswill join the programme in Chandigarh to mark the successful implementation of the three new criminal lawsIts a matter of immense joy that these laws are coming into being at a time when we mark 75 years of our Constitution being adopted by the Constituent Assembly. The conceptualisation of the three laws was driven by the vision of the Prime Minister to remove colonial-era laws that had continued to exist post-Independence and to transform the judicial system by shifting focus from punishment to justice. Mumbai, Dec 3 : Telugu star Naga Chaitanya, who is set to tie the knot with Bollywood actress Sobhita Dhulipala, is honouring his familys legacy amidst all the celebrations and wedding festivities. The actor will be seen paying tribute to his grandfather, the legendary Akkineni Nageswara Rao, by donning traditional attire called 'pancha' reminiscent of his grandfathers timeless style, on Wednesday. The actor will don the 'pancha' during the wedding ceremony. The decision has struck an emotional chord with fans, who have taken to social media to praise Naga Chaitanya for his simplicity and reverence for his roots. Recently, the couples 'mangal snaanam' ritual become a viral sensation for its heartfelt simplicity. The couple is set to hold an 8-hour-long wedding ceremony at Annapurna Studios, established in 1976 by Akkineni Nageswara Rao, which is a 22-acre property located in the Banjara Hills area of Hyderabad. It was earlier revealed on Tuesday that Telugu superstar Allu Arjun, who is awaiting the release of his upcoming movie Pushpa: The Rule will attend the wedding ceremony of the couple along with his family. In the lead-up to the wedding, Sobhita recently celebrated her Pelli Kuturu ceremony, a traditional bridal shower. The actress shared heartfelt moments from the event, including pictures of her seeking blessings from elders, setting the tone for a deeply cultural and meaningful union. According to the reports, for her big day, Sobhita has chosen a Kanjivaram silk saree with real gold zari, paying homage to her roots. Additionally, she has opted for a white khadi saree handwoven in Ponduru, Andhra Pradesh, paired with a matching ensemble for Naga Chaitanya. These choices reflect their shared appreciation for timeless artistry and heritage. New Delhi, Dec 3 : Calling the soon-to-be-launched mohalla buses a "game changer", Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Tuesday inspected 150 buses and their charging station at the Kushak Nala bus depot ahead of their launch over the next two weeks for offering last-mile connectivity in congested areas of the city. The CM, in a post on social media platform X, said, "Mohalla buses will be a game changer for last mile connectivity in Delhi. These nine-metre buses will be able to reach all the crowded areas where big buses cannot." "Today I inspected these electric low-floor Mohalla buses at Kushak Nala depot. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, these buses can run up to 200 km in just 1 hour of charging. In the next 2 weeks, 150 Mohalla buses will hit the roads of Delhi and by 2025, 2,140 Mohalla buses will connect every colony of Delhi," she said. "Under the guidance of @ArvindKejriwal ji, the people of Delhi have got world-class public transport infrastructure in the last 10 years and this work will continue in future also," said CM Atishi. Earlier, the trial run of the mohalla bus service commenced in July on two routes - Majlis Park to Pradhan Enclave and Akshardham to Mayur Vihar Phase III. An official said almost half of these over 2,000 buses will be operated by the DTC and the rest by the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System. These green buses will be air-conditioned and have ticket charges similar to other AC buses of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC). Pink passes issued to women for free travel will also be valid on these buses. In October, the trial run of these buses was also started on the Munirka-Vasant Kunj circular route. The new route aimed to improve connectivity of educational institutes, hospitals and commercial centres. The mohalla buses are smaller in length and carrying capacity as compared to the regular 12-metre-long DTC buses. These buses have a seating capacity of 23 and offer space for 13 passengers to travel while standing. Other routes on which mohalla bus trials have been conducted include Kailash Colony metro station to PNB Geetanjali Colony near Malviya Nagar metro station. Trials have also been conducted between Lok Kalyan Marg Metro Station to Vasant Vihar Metro Station, a route which aims to give last-mile connectivity to students of the Delhi University colleges in South Campus near Dhaula Kuan. New Delhi, Dec 3 : External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar said on Tuesday that India-China ties that had been "abnormal since 2020" are moving in the direction of "some improvement" following several high-level engagements, including the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit on October 23. Making a statement in the Lok Sabha regarding 'recent developments in India's relations with China', the EAM provided an extensive update on recent developments in India-China relations, particularly the border areas, highlighting the diplomatic and military measures taken to restore peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). "Our ties have been abnormal since 2020, when peace and tranquillity in the border areas were disturbed. Recent developments reflecting our continuous diplomatic engagement have set our ties in the direction of some improvement," he said. He reiterated that normalcy in India-China relations depends on mutual sensitivity, respect, and interests. "India-China relations cannot be normal in the absence of peace and tranquillity in the border areas. Restoration of peace and tranquillity would be the basis for the rest of the relationship to move forward," he said while stressing that sustained efforts at both diplomatic and military levels remain pivotal in managing the challenges along the LAC and fostering a stable bilateral relationship. The EAM spotlighted that the bilateral relationship had progressed in many domains, but was negatively affected by the recent events. "We are clear that the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas is a prerequisite for the development of our ties. In the coming days, we will be discussing both de-escalation as well as effective management of our activities in the border areas. The conclusion of the disengagement phase now allows us to consider other aspects of our bilateral engagement in a calibrated manner, keeping our national security interests first and foremost. In my recent meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, we reached an understanding that the special representatives and the Foreign Secretary level mechanisms will be convening soon," he stated. The meeting between PM Modi and Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit was the first between the two countries at delegation level in nearly five years and came close on the heels of the disengagement and patrolling agreement and the resolution of issues that had arisen in the India-China border areas in 2020. Referring to the violent clashes in the Galwan Valley in June 2020, Jaishankar recalled the gravity of the situation, which saw fatalities for the first time in 45 years. "The circumstances led to heavy weaponry being deployed in close proximity to the LAC, necessitating determined counter-deployment of adequate capability," he stated. He mentioned that the October 21 agreement is the latest in the series of an understanding in regard to the resolution of the situation at various friction points in eastern Ladakh in the aftermath of the events in May-June 2020 and the initial disengagement in Galwan Valley in July 2020. The EAM elaborated on China's illegal occupation of 38,000 square kilometres of Indian territory in Siachen since the 1962 conflict and noted Pakistan's illegal ceding of 5,180 square kilometres of Indian territory to China in 1963, which has been under its occupation since 1948. "India and China have held talks for multiple decades to resolve the boundary issue," he said. He described the large-scale troop deployment by China along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh during April-May 2020, which resulted in multiple face-offs and disrupted patrolling activities. "It is to the credit of our armed forces that, despite logistical challenges and the then-prevailing COVID situation, they were able to counter-deploy rapidly and effectively," he said. In his statement, he also traced the history of India-China diplomatic engagements dating back to 1988 when a clear understanding was reached to settle the boundary issue through peaceful consultations. Agreements in 1993 and 1996 established mechanisms to maintain peace along the LAC. He noted further advancements, including the 2005 protocol on confidence-building measures and the establishment of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) in 2012. "The purpose of recalling these agreements is to underline the elaborate nature of our shared efforts to ensure peace and tranquillity and to emphasise the seriousness of the 2020 disruptions for our overall relationship," he said. Jaishankar reaffirmed India's three key principles: strict respect for and observance of the LAC, no unilateral alteration of the status quo, and adherence to past agreements. He emphasised that the restoration of peace and tranquillity remains the foundation for normalising India-China ties. "The combination of a firm and principled stance on the situation in the border areas, as well as a clearly articulated approach to the totality of our ties, have been the foundation of our engagement with China for the last four years," he added. Updating the House on the latest developments, Jaishankar referred to the October 21 agreement on disengagement in the Depsang and Demchok areas, which was achieved after intensive negotiations. He highlighted that patrolling in traditional areas has resumed following verification of disengagement on the ground. "The problem in these two areas pertained primarily to obstructions of our long-standing patrolling activity and access by nomadic populations to traditional grazing grounds," he said. Jaishankar detailed several high-level engagements, including his own meetings with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Astana and Vientiane earlier this year and again at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro on November 18. National Security Advisors and Defense Ministers from both sides have also been in active dialogue. "In pursuance of these discussions, the Defence Minister met his Chinese counterpart at the ASEAN Defence Ministers' meeting on November 20 to discuss progress on the disengagement agreement, the need for de-escalation, and the strengthening of confidence-building measures," Jaishankar said. Mumbai, Dec 3 : Bollywood actor Vikrant Massey, who earlier announced his sabbatical from films, has now issued a fresh statement with regards to his announcement. The actor clarified that he is not retiring from films, as a major section of the media reported, and said that he is just going for a long break to focus on his health and his family. The actor said in his fresh statement, "Acting is all I can do. And it has given me everything I have. My physical and mental health have taken a hit. I just want to take some time off, I want to better my craft. I feel a sense of monotony at the moment". He added, "My post has been misinterpreted that I am quitting or retiring from acting. I want to take some time off to focus on my family and health. I would be back when the time feels right (sic)". Earlier, the actor had announced his "break" when he took to his social media, and shared a post. He wrote, "Hello, The last few years and beyond have been phenomenal. I thank each and every one of you for your indelible support. But as I move forward, I realise it's time to recalibrate and go back home. As a Husband, Father & a Son. And also as an Actor. So, coming 2025, we would meet each other for one last time. Until time deems right. Last 2 movies and many years of memories. Thank you again. For everything and everything in between. Forever indebted". Meanwhile, on the work front, the actor has been receiving a lot of positive response for his recently released movie 'The Sabarmati Report'. The actor was earlier seen in the streaming movie 'Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba' along with Taapsee Pannu and Sunny Kaushal. New Delhi, Dec 3 : Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal are the top three large states leading in the creation of Lakhpati Didis at a time when there are a total of 1,15,00,274 such women entrepreneurs across the country, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday. Minister of State for Rural Development Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said in a written reply that there are 14,87,631 Lakhpati Didis in Andhra Pradesh, 13,47,649 in Bihar, and 11,81,852 in West Bengal. Madhya Pradesh has 10,51,069 Lakhpati Didis, Maharashtra 10,04,338, Uttar Pradesh 8,41,923, Telangana 7,58,693, Gujarat 5,38,760, Odisha 5,37,350, Jharkhand 3,51,808, Tamil Nadu 3,18,101, Kerala 2,84,616, Rajasthan 2,70,405, and Karnataka 2,36,315. The northern states of Punjab and Haryana have a low number of Lakhpati Didis with 31,700 and 62,743, respectively. Replying to questions from Kota Srinivasa Poojary and Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, the Minister of State said that under the Namo Drone Didi Scheme, a total of 503 drones have been provided till December 3. A maximum of 97 drones were given in Andhra Pradesh, followed by 84 in Karnataka, 72 in Telangana, 34 in Madhya Pradesh, 32 in Uttar Pradesh, 30 in Maharashtra, 23 in Punjab, and 22 in Haryana. The MoS stated that under the Deendayal Antodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), a centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Rural Development, 10.05 crore women have been mobilised into 90.87 lakh Self Help Groups (SHGs) till October 2024. According to an impact evaluation study conducted during 2019-20 by the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) with the support of the World Bank, the DAY-NRLM has led to an increase in income by 19 percent. The study also indicated a decline in the share of informal loans by 20 percent and an increase in savings by 28 percent. The Ministry commissioned the impact evaluation studies to understand the implications on the financial independence of SHG women through the interventions under the DAY-NRLM. The DAY-NRLM is a process-driven programme where various benefits like the Revolving Fund, Community Investment Fund, and Bank Linkage are extended to the SHGs as per their eligibility and demands. DAY-NRLM is being implemented across the country (except Delhi and Chandigarh) with the objective of alleviating rural poverty inter-alia through organizing rural poor women into Self Help Groups (SHGs) and continuously nurturing and supporting them until they attain appreciable increases in income over a period of time, improve their quality of life, and come out of abject poverty. The minister said that the Lakhpati Didi initiative is one of the outcomes of DAY-NRLM. A structured approach has been adopted to make the Self-Help Group (SHG) members Lakhpati or ensure they earn a minimum income of rupees one lakh per year on a sustainable basis. Bhopal, Dec 3 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav paid tributes to the victims of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy on the occasion of its 40th anniversary on Tuesday. Talking to the press, the Chief Minister recalled the fateful incident, saying that night (intervening night of December 3, 1984), he along with some BJP workers was present at an MLAs guest house. "40 years have passed since the tragic incident of the gas tragedy. I myself was in Bhopal that day. I had never seen such a tragedy in my life as Bhopal and the world saw that day. I pay my humble tribute to the departed souls on the anniversary of the gas tragedy," he added. He also stated that his government is making all possible efforts to dispose of the toxic waste lying inside the factory premises. Spread over 85 acres in the old Bhopal city area, the Union Carbide factory premises give an eerie feeling with falling buildings and ever-growing shrubs, a remnant of an unparalleled tragedy that saw thousands die and lakhs suffer. Apart from the toxic chemical stored at the premises and contaminating waters, the irony is that one of the three iron tanks (Tank - E610), whose malfunctioning had resulted in the leakage of toxic MIC gas and caused the deaths of around 3,000 people within a few hours after the leak, is still lying at the entry point of the abandoned factory. Reports also suggest that the Bhopal UCIL facility had housed three underground -- 68,000 litres liquid MIC storage tanks, named -- E610, E611 and E612. Despite multiple court orders and warnings, government authorities have not disposed of the waste safely. The Union government has released Rs 126 crore to the Madhya Pradesh government to carry out plans to dispose of 337 MT of toxic waste, which was collected and kept in the premises of the factory in 2005. A Centre-appointed committee in 2010 in its study report submitted that apart from 337 MT of toxic waste, the factory premises also contains about 11 lakh tonnes of contaminated soil, one tonne of mercury, and nearly 150 tonnes of underground dumps. The government has no plans yet on how to deal with these huge materials. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Windy with showers developing this afternoon. High 66F. Winds SSW at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Winds could occasionally gust over 50 mph.. Tonight Rain showers this evening mixing with snow showers overnight. Low 31F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precip 70%. The EESC high-level conference held in Budapest urged the new European Commission and the EU Member States to develop a comprehensive policy framework, setting common and measurable objectives to address the rare disease pathway and further increase European cooperation. The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) calls on the new European Commission and the EU Member States to propose and implement a comprehensive European Action Plan on Rare Diseases which supports Member States and civil society organizations in their efforts to provide equal, affordable and high-quality access to diagnosis and treatment for patients with rare diseases. This conclusion was endorsed at the conference entitled For an EU commitment to tackling rare diseases held by the EESC in Budapest on 29 November 2024, where the EESC exploratory opinion entitled Leaving No One Behind: European Commitment to Tackling Rare Diseases was presented; it had been drawn up at the request of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Following on from the previous EESC conferences on the subject, held in Bilbao in 2023 and in Brussels earlier this year, the EESC is pressing the EU and its Member States to support and enhance the implementation and monitoring of national plans on rare diseases. Objective: to enable the diagnosis of rare disease patients within one year, promote neonatal screening programmes and ensure the financial sustainability of the European Reference Network (ERN) system beyond the current grants from the EU4Health programme. A call for urgent action More specifically, there are three areas of focus: 1) A comprehensive European Action Plan on rare diseases should be put in place by 2030 The EESC welcomes the Council conclusions on the Future of the Health Union approved in June 2024 and the call of the Council for Employment, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Policy (EPSCO) inviting Member States and the European Commission to develop a European Action Plan on Rare Diseases. Here, it is vital to involve civil society and patient organizations, practitioners, researchers, national authorities, hospitals and the ERN on rare diseases. 2) Civil society and patient organizations must join forces to improve the health and social situation of people living with rare diseases The EESC has worked with civil society and patient organizations to ensure strong European solidarity for patients with rare diseases and their families in order to advance a common rare-disease policy with measurable objectives at EU level. It is essential to integrate healthcare and social services for rare disease patients and to recognize their disability, so that they can receive adequate support that allows them to live independently. 3) The European Health Data Space (EHDS) is making progress but there are still many challenges ahead The EESC is asking the European Commission to support and implement a pilot project on a common European methodology and model for data interoperability for secondary use within the framework of the EHDS regulation and to facilitate data sharing for primary use between accredited medical teams and ERN members. High-level speakers The conference, whose detailed conclusions will be presented at the EPSCO Council in December 2024, saw the participation of leading experts. We strongly believe at the EESC that a European Action Plan on rare diseases should be put forward by the European Commission in the form of a Communication, to ensure that joint EU efforts allow patients to have access to diagnosis within one year, as well as comprehensive life-long care, regardless of where a patient lives in the EU. Baiba Miltovica, President of the Section for Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society, EESC The EESC has received clear support from the Hungarian Presidency and previous EU Presidencies to push forward a common policy on rare diseases at EU level to provide equal, affordable and highquality access to diagnosis and treatment for rare disease patients. Our Committee has worked hand in hand with civil society organizations to ensure strong European solidarity for patients and their families. Agnes Cser, EESC member, rapporteur for the EESC opinion Leaving No One Behind: European Commitment to Tackling Rare Diseases It is important to recognize that there is still much to be done to find a satisfactory solution to the problem of rare diseases, but it is equally important to say that with the projects we have launched, the new structures we have put in place and the strategic objectives we are defining more and more clearly, we are firmly on the right track towards finding solutions. I believe that the EESCs professional opinion and todays conference are important milestones in this work. Peter Takacs, State Secretary for Health, Hungary Today, I reaffirm Spains commitment to rare diseases. Our challenge is to reduce the average time to diagnosis to under one year and to promote research into new treatments, as only 5% of rare diseases currently have recognized treatment. To achieve this, we need national networks, genetic testing and new-born screening, while removing the barriers that families face every day, [which] carry a heavy emotional and social burden. Monica Garcia Gomez, Minister for Health, Spain Viral history unlocked: How ancient museum specimens are rewriting the story of DNA virus evolution and their connections to todays outbreaks. Study: Screening great ape museum specimens for DNA viruses. Image Credit: Jan Krava / Shutterstock Scientists at the University of Vienna, Austria, have screened great ape specimens obtained from natural history museums to identify DNA viruses. This groundbreaking study provides unique insights into the historical viromes of great apes and their potential links to modern viral lineages. The findings could be of value for studying DNA virus evolution. The study is published in the journal Scientific Reports. Background Broad Geographic and Temporal Coverage: The study analyzed specimens from across the geographical ranges of great apes, including wild and captive individuals, with some samples dating back over 180 years. Natural history museums preserve a vast collection of fossils and specimens, which serve as valuable scientific resources for studying genetic diversity, ecosystem dynamics, and evolutionary processes. Museomics is the study of historic or ancient DNA specimens preserved in museums. This innovative field leverages modern DNA sequencing techniques to reconstruct ancient and historical genomes, offering a deeper understanding of biodiversity through time. These specimens can be used to reconstruct ancient genomes using high-throughput DNA sequencing techniques. The study of infectious diseases is an interesting area in Museomics. Ancient microbial genetic materials have immense potential to shed light on the evolution and transmission of infectious pathogens. Viral genomes reconstructed from archaeological specimens have shown that nonhuman primates, such as great apes, host a broad range of viruses with a DNA genome (DNA viruses). Co-phylogenetic analyses have shown that DNA viruses are stably associated with their great ape hosts for an extensive time period. These findings underscore the evolutionary interactions between host species and their associated viruses. In this study, scientists screened 209 great ape museum specimens using high-throughput DNA sequencing to identify DNA viruses. They included both wild and captive great ape species in their analysis. Specifically, they developed and implemented a bait set that covered a total of 99 different DNA viruses belonging to 13 viral families. Summaries of reads assigned to different virus domains and families. (A) Proportion of virus-assigned reads based on kraken2 across 214 libraries, stratified by realm and by family (for DNA viruses and Retroviridae). (B) Number of libraries with any read assigned to virus families. (C) Number of libraries with at least 25 reads assigned to virus families. Important observations High Variability in DNA Quality: Despite challenges with degraded or contaminated samples, the team successfully reconstructed near-complete viral genomes using advanced sequencing and bioinformatics techniques. Scientists extracted DNA from great ape museum specimens and sequenced it in search of DNA viruses. The extracted DNA was less fragmented than ancient DNA, as historical museum specimens are typically younger than archaeological specimens. High-throughput DNA sequencing detected the presence of multiple viruses from museum specimens. Six complete viral genomes were obtained, including three hepatitis B virus genomes and three monkeypox virus genomes. Hepatitis B virus genomes were identified in one gorilla and two chimpanzees, and monkeypox virus genomes were identified in three orangutans. The high-coverage hepatitis B virus genome was very similar to the genome sequenced previously from the blood sample of a wild-born western lowland gorilla from southern Cameroon. The gorilla specimen analyzed in the current study was also from Cameroon, sampled more than 40 years ago. This continuity of viral lineage demonstrates the stable association between certain viruses and their host species over time. The other two hepatitis B viral genomes obtained from chimpanzees exhibited a deeper divergence from the closest identified reference genomes. Two hepatitis B genomes sequenced in this study, one from a wild-born Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee, were very similar to the genome previously sequenced from the specimen of a chimpanzee from Angola, a Southern African country. Another hepatitis B genome from a chimpanzee from central Cameroon showed the closest match to the genome reported from Conkouati-Douli National Park, Congo. Three orangutans yielding monkeypox virus genomes were from a zoo in Sumatra, an Indonesian island. However, the zoo's name was not specified in the museum documents. Scientists stated that there was a monkeypox outbreak in Rotterdam Zoo in 19641965, during which six out of nine infected orangutans died. The genetic similarity of the monkeypox genomes sequenced in this study to those from the Rotterdam outbreak strongly suggests that the sampled orangutans were victims of this epidemic. Study significance Insights into Host-Virus Stability: Co-phylogenetic analyses suggest that certain DNA viruses, like hepatitis B, exhibit long-term stability and evolutionary co-adaptation with their great ape hosts. The study highlights the presence of several DNA viruses in specimens of great apes obtained from natural history museum collections. The most notable finding is the detection of high-coverage (greater than 18-fold) hepatitis B virus genomes from one gorilla and two chimpanzees. The reconstruction of near-complete viral genomes from these specimens and their placement in the phylogenetic context provides evidence that these viral strains are indeed associated with their respective host species and related to currently circulating viral lineages. Overall, the study demonstrates the likelihood of viral DNA enrichment and detection from museum specimens of great apes. A study of this kind could provide information on the rates of infection or patterns of transmission between humans and other species. Scientists faced challenges such as the availability of viral strains within databases and the use of target enrichment, which limited the probability of detecting undescribed historical strains. Another concern was the absence of targeted viruses in some libraries. Nevertheless, the study showcases the effectiveness of target enrichment strategies, achieving more than a 200-fold enrichment of viral DNA. However, the target enrichment strategy used in the study is efficient and cost-effective in detecting and reconstructing past viral unsampled diversity, given enrichment factors of more than 200-fold. Scientists highlight the need for spatiotemporal studies of the historical virome using large datasets of viral genomes. Such studies could illuminate patterns of viral transmission and host interaction across geographic and temporal scales, aiding in understanding zoonotic risks and conservation efforts. Kennesaw State University professor Herman "Gene" Ray has received a grant from the National Cancer Institute of Kenya to understand the relationship between access to treatment and outcomes in the presence of healthcare reforms enacted in Kenya. Ray, a faculty member in KSU's School of Data Science and Analytics, will leverage his experience in biostatistics, clinical trials, and data analysis to tackle pressing healthcare challenges. Through his research, he will develop data-driven insights that guide the creation of cost-effective and sustainable cancer treatment protocols. His research partnership was sparked by a conversation with a colleague familiar with the National Institute of Kenya and their mission. This connection led to a collaborative opportunity with the NCI of Kenya and is driven by Ray's passion for improving cancer care outcomes. After looking at data, it became clear that Kenya's healthcare system was different from the U.S. in many ways. They have a socialized healthcare system, and for each patient in their cancer registry, there's corresponding claims data, which is harder to find in the U.S. This data is crucial for understanding how factors like access, delays, and policy affect outcomes." Herman "Gene" Ray, Professor, Kennesaw State University KSU College of Computing and Software Engineering dean Sumanth Yenduri commended Ray on his insightful research. "Dr. Ray's research is meaningful and impactful," Yenduri said. "I congratulate him on landing this grant which will now give CCSE researchers the opportunity to contribute and provide solutions to improve treatment access." The research focuses on both direct and indirect costs, such as medication, hospitalization, and financial barriers, to understand how these factors impact Kenyans. The project is expected to run through 2025. "We're analyzing everything from the cost of delayed treatments to the effectiveness of outpatient versus inpatient care," Ray said. "Ultimately, we aim to identify treatment protocols that improve survival rates and are sustainable within Kenya's healthcare system." Another focus of the research is the financial strain that impacts a patient's compliance to treatment. Many patients are forced to prioritize basic needs like food and housing over medical care, leading to delayed or skipped treatments, which can worsen their health. "In Kenya, as in the U.S., cost concerns often delay treatment," Ray said. "But in cancer, delays can lead to disease progression and higher costs later on. We're studying the timing of treatments to understand their impact on both cost and survival." Ray's research also looks to provide evidence-based insights that could shape policies and improve resource allocation for cancer care in Kenya. "We hope this data will help Kenyan policymakers make informed decisions on how to assign resources effectively and give residents the timely care they need," he said. The long-term vision for the project is to train the next generation of data scientists, particularly those from Kenya, to build local expertise in healthcare data analysis. By providing hands-on experience and mentorship, Ray hopes to empower students to take ownership of the research, ensuring the sustainability and continuation of the work even after the project ends. "Involving students is key," Ray said. "We want to train Kenyan students in data science methods and have them take ownership of this research in the future. By doing this, the residents of Kenya will be in good hands for years to come." Kennesaw State master's and Ph.D. students are playing an important role in the project. Their involvement covers all areas from contributing to the study design, analyzing data, and proposing new research directions. This offers real-world practice and application of the academic training. Ray's work has global implications, as the lessons learned in Kenya could inform cancer care in other developing nations. He hopes to apply these findings to improve healthcare systems worldwide, particularly in areas where resources are scarce. "If we can make a difference in Kenya, we can apply similar strategies in other countries facing similar challenges," Ray said. School-based mental health support should be more accessible for migrant children, a new study says. Schools are increasingly considered to be critical places for identifying and supporting mental health difficulties, but little is known about the barriers migrants face in accessing mental health support in schools. Researchers found a lack of targeted school-based mental health interventions designed specifically for young migrants that cater to their unique strengths, resilience and needs. The review of 38 studies shows that stigma around mental health and stressors associated with migration were among the most identified barriers to access. It highlighted the need to establish stronger collaboration between migrant families, schools, and mental health services. Including young people's voices in decision-making about school-based mental health support may also increase the acceptability of interventions, which in turn improves accessibility. The study, by Katie Howard, Darren Moore and Eleni Dimitrellou from the University of Exeter, Lenka Janik Blaskova, from Comenius University in Bratislava, and James Howard, a psychiatrist based at Livewell Southwest, is published in the Journal of School Psychology. We found several strategies can be employed to make interventions more culturally sensitive and accessible. This includes the use of "cultural brokers" people who can be there to cater mental health interventions to children's specific cultural, ethnic, or linguistic backgrounds. Similarly, providing students with access to support in their home languages was also recommended where possible. However, such adaptations can pose challenges for mental health support teams in schools as different approaches and resources are needed for different migrant groups. As a result, providing more targeted and tailored support may mean that fewer young people can be served. Barriers to accessing support often go beyond logistical obstacles and instead involve some of the stressors related to moving to, and settling in, a new country. For this reason, establishing strong partnerships between schools, mental health services, and families emerged as a fundamental way to improve access to appropriate support." Dr. Katie Howard, University of Exeter The study says more attention should be paid to understanding and overcoming the systemic, social, and contextual barriers to accessing mental health services for migrant children. Cancer Research UK-funded scientists have unveiled the first computational algorithm capable of identifying which cell populations within a tumor drive aggressive growth. Developed by researchers at University College London (UCL) and The Francis Crick Institute, the innovative algorithm, called SPRINTER, analyses individual cells within a tumor to identify those that are growing the most rapidly. The technology could eventually help doctors detect fast-growing cancer cells in early-stage tumors and predict how a patients cancer might progress. Researchers detailed their work in a paper published today (November 29) in the journal Nature Genetics. Group Leader of Computational Cancer Genomics at UCL and senior author of the paper, Dr Simone Zaccaria, said: The importance of having access to sophisticated computational algorithms in this work cannot be overstated. It helped us process large amounts of complex data quickly and accurately, uncovering patterns in cell growth which would be impossible to spot manually. Future progress in cancer research hinges on the use of cutting-edge technologies to pave the way for more precise interventions and better patient outcomes. Developing new targeted cancer treatments is challenging because tumors consist of diverse and complex populations of cancer cells. This means that different cells within the same tumor can respond differently to treatments, evolve resistance, or adapt in unexpected ways. Dr Zaccaria and his team wanted to find a way to differentiate between these cell populations by identifying which were the fastest growing and therefore the most likely to impact a patients prognosis. The team used SPRINTER to analyze nearly 15,000 cancer cells from a patient with non-small cell lung cancer, the most common type of lung cancer. The patient was enrolled in the TRACERx and PEACE studies also funded by Cancer Research UK which work in tandem to track the evolution of lung cancer from when a patient is diagnosed to their death. This allowed Dr Zaccarias team to compare cells from both the patients primary tumor and tumors that had metastasized (spread) to other parts of the body as the cancer developed. This research is another crucial step in our efforts to improve the outlook for people affected by lung cancer, while also providing valuable insights into the fundamental biology of all cancers. From uncovering the causes of lung cancer to pioneering drugs to treat it and campaigning for change, Cancer Research UK is powering progress for people impacted by the disease. Dr Iain Foulkes, Executive director of research and innovation, Cancer Research UK Cancer Research UKs chief clinician and deputy clinical director at The Francis Crick Institute, Professor Charles Swanton, said: This research demonstrates the profound impact of pioneering studies like TRACERx and PEACE on our understanding of cancer. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and bringing together some of the brightest minds in cancer research, these studies are unravelling the complexities of cancer progression and evolution. SPRINTER revealed that the cells that were growing the fastest were responsible for spreading the cancer to other parts of the body, even from other existing metastasized tumors. It also showed that these cells shed more of their DNA into the bloodstream, also known as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). This presents an opportunity to develop blood tests which could identify the aggressive cells which drive a patients tumor with a simple and minimally invasive procedure. Researchers hope that these findings will lay the foundations for further clinical studies, bringing the insights gained from SPRINTER into real-world cancer treatment. The possibility of detecting aggressive cancer cell populations early and monitoring them over time offers a new avenue for more proactive and personalized cancer care. New research published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences sheds light on the pathways that drive organ damage and death in severe COVID-19 and helps explain why survivors of the disease can experience long-term complications. Our study resolves some of the long-standing unanswered questions about how the SARS-CoV-2 virus impacts the body. The findings point to new avenues for developing therapies to prevent or mitigate severe COVID-19 outcomes and possibly reduce the risk of long COVID." Afshin Beheshti, Ph.D., co-senior author, professor of surgery and computational and systems biology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and associate director of the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine For the study, Beheshti, who is president of the COVID-19 International Research Team (COV-IRT), brought together a multi-institutional group, including researchers from Johns Hopkins University, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Weill Cornell Medicine. By analyzing the expression of genes in nasal swab samples from patients with severe COVID-19 compared to those from healthy people, the researchers found that SARS-CoV-2 disrupts essential reactions in the mitochondria, the cell's energy-producing factories. Mitochondrial stress led to the release of compounds that act as danger signals, which in turn trigger immune sensors that activate the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). RAAS is a network of hormones, proteins and enzymes that is essential for regulating blood pressure but can trigger a cascade of organ-damaging events when overactivated. In severe COVID-19, overactivation of RAAS and mitochondrial stress intensifies an out-of-control immune reaction called a "cytokine storm" often seen in patients with severe COVID-19. Unique among COVID-19 studies, this research used a comprehensive analysis of autopsy samples to analyze organs of patients who died from the disease. They found that overactivation of RAAS and a cytokine storm combined to create a hurricane of inflammation that wreaked havoc in multiple organ systems, leading to heart failure, myocardial injury in the heart, pulmonary fibrosis and chronic kidney disease, all conditions often seen in long COVID patients. "Notably, we also found that activation of RAAS caused substantial damage to the lymph nodes, which hasn't been shown in COVID-19 before," said Beheshti, who is also director of McGowan's Center for Space Biomedicine. "This could explain the long-lasting immune dysregulation seen in survivors of COVID-19 and may contribute to long COVID." It's also possible that damage to lymph nodes could impair the immune system's ability to detect and destroy cancerous cells, which could potentially help explain the post-pandemic increase in cancer cases. According to Beheshti, the new findings suggest that targeting RAAS overactivation and supporting mitochondrial function could be new approaches for developing therapeutics to prevent or mitigate severe COVID-19 outcomes and potentially reduce the risk of long COVID. Co-senior authors on the study were Douglas C. Wallace, Ph.D., of CHOP, and Stephen B. Baylin, M.D., of Johns Hopkins. Co-lead authors were Michael J. Topper, Ph.D., of Johns Hopkins, and Joseph W. Guarnieri, Ph.D., of CHOP. The UKs leading hearing loss organizations have joined forces to highlight misleading reports by some health professionals and the media that hearing loss causes dementia, and treating hearing loss will reduce our individual risk of dementia. In a position statement published today, British Society of Audiology, the British Academy of Audiology and the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists say the misinformation is promoting a sense of alarm and stigma around hearing loss, and may discourage people experiencing hearing difficulties from seeking help. They also argue the focus on what causes the co-occurrence of hearing loss and dementia could inadvertently distract from much needed research on how to assess and help people who live with both conditions. The statement published by the organizations, provides a more balanced view of the link between the two, arguing there is no evidence to support or refute either of the claims. Factors which are predictive of dementia include depression, traumatic brain injury, diabetes, lower levels of education, and social isolation. Hearing loss comes much further down the ranking and has a clear but weak association. The lead author Kevin Munro, Professor of audiology at The University of Manchester, said: It is true that hearing loss and dementia both increase with age. But it does not follow that one causes the other. Social responsibility is paramount, and any misleading negative messaging may distract from the importance of good hearing in its own right. Hearing loss is a huge challenge because it ranks third in terms of years lived with a disability. There is clear evidence that treating adult-onset hearing loss facilitates an active, engaged, independent, and healthy older age, and that could be good for people with or without dementia. The topic of dementia raises considerable fear and alarm because of the potential devastating consequences for individuals, with a significant impact on families and carers, as well as the health and care system. While the nature of the link has yet to be determined, it is a mistake to think that if two things co-occur, one must have caused the other. We can say with certainty that just because someone experiences age-related cognitive change, and changes in their hearing, this does not mean that they will go on to develop dementia. Siobhan Brennan, Chair of the British Society of Audiology Listening and trying to communicate with others when you have a hearing loss can be a challenge. Hearing aids have proven benefits for improving communication and this helps to keep the user cognitively and socially active. Professor Munro added: If hearing aids help you to hear more easily, this means your brain probably doesnt have to work so hard. That could free up your brain to do other things. This is a simple and clear message: hearing better can help you to live better. Claire Benton, President of the British Academy of Audiology said: We need to change the narrative, so society appreciates the importance of healthy hearing. We are in an ageing society and the more people who enter older age in good health, the better. Healthy hearing is an important component of healthy ageing. Michael Marchant, Vice President of the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists, said: This document is designed to reassure our members and help them navigate any concerns. Since causation between hearing loss and dementia has not been proven, its essential that our members approach this topic with sensitivity, ensuring patients feel informed and supported rather than alarmed. The authors of the report stress that the content is specific to adult-onset hearing loss. It does not apply to people who identify as being Deaf and are members of a vibrant community that uses sign language to communicate. A new review was published on the cover of Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 16, Issue 21, titled, "Sleep deprivation in dementia comorbidities: focus on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, anxiety/depression and thyroid disorders." The review, authored by Upasana Mukherjee, Ujala Sehar, Malcolm Brownell, and P. Hemachandra Reddy from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, compiles findings from recent studies on how sleep problems - such as insomnia, sleep apnea, and disrupted sleep cycles - can worsen dementia and accelerate cognitive decline. It also emphasizes the profound impact of these sleep disorders on caregivers, who often face burnout and emotional stress. Dementia is a condition that significantly impairs the ability to think, remember, and make decisions, making everyday life increasingly difficult to manage. Sleep problems are a major challenge for individuals with dementia, with more than half experiencing disturbed sleep. These disturbances include difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or engaging in nighttime wandering. Such issues go beyond causing fatigue - they accelerate memory loss, increase confusion, and raise the risk of behavioral symptoms like agitation. Addressing sleep challenges is critical to improving quality of life for both patients and their caregivers. Caregivers, who often support loved ones around the clock, face significant stress when dealing with these sleep disorders. "This situation creates a vicious cycle where caregiver distress exacerbates patient symptoms, further increasing the burden on caregivers." This review also explores how other illnesses, common in older adults with dementia, worsen sleep disturbances. Conditions such as diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, heart disease, and anxiety disrupt sleep, and poor sleep then worsens both the dementia and the underlying illnesses. For instance, untreated sleep apnea can significantly accelerate cognitive decline in people with dementia. To improve sleep for dementia patients, the authors recommend holistic approaches that address both sleep disturbances and related health conditions. Simple changes, such as establishing a regular bedtime routine, reducing nighttime noise, and encouraging daytime physical activity, can significantly enhance sleep quality. Non-pharmacological treatments, including light therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, have also shown promise. Managing coexisting conditions such as diabetes or anxiety can help reduce the severity of sleep issues. The authors emphasize the need for more research into targeted, multidisciplinary approaches to effectively manage sleep disturbances, improve patient well-being, and reduce caregiver stress. In conclusion, this review highlights the critical need for a more comprehensive approach to dementia care. Improving sleep could slow the progression of dementia, reduce caregiver stress, and enhance the quality of life for everyone involved. As dementia cases rise worldwide, addressing sleep issues will become an increasingly important aspect of care. Severe COVID-19 arises in part from the SARS-CoV-2 virus's impact on mitochondria, tiny oxygen-burning power plants in cells, which can help trigger a cascade of organ- and immune system-damaging events, suggests a study by investigators at Weill Cornell Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, along with other members of the COVID-19 International Research Team. Severe COVID-19 has been considered an inflammatory "cytokine storm" condition in which the immune response to a viral infection becomes excessive, flooding the bloodstream and tissues with immune signaling proteins at levels that cause lung-impairing inflammation and other signs and symptoms. The new study, published Nov. 27 in PNAS, extends the scientific understanding of the molecular pathways driving this storm. By using RNA sequencing and other laboratory techniques on patient and animal model tissue samples, the investigators were able to examine these processes in great detail. Weill Cornell Medicine researchers, led by Dr. Robert Schwartz, associate professor of medicine, provided much of the deidentified patient material, including nasopharyngeal swabs and autopsied organ samples, as well as COVID-19 animal models, and contributed to their analysis. The teams' findings show that SARS-CoV-2 virus infection can cause significant damage to mitochondria in infected cells - damage that activates the immune system, contributing to the storm of inflammatory and other responses. Prominent among these responses, the researchers noted, is the overactivation of a blood-pressure-regulating system called the renin-angiotensin-activation-system (RAAS). The overactive RAAS is associated with abnormal blood clotting - a striking feature of severe COVID-19 - and, the researchers noted, with scarring-like abnormalities in lymph nodes, and dysfunctions of the immune cells found within them. The latter, the researchers say, may account for the impaired immune function that is also seen in severe COVID-19. One of the suggestions of these findings is that there is, early in the process, profound mitochondrial dysfunction and damage, which is then driving RAAS overactivation, which in turn contributes to the multi-organ damage of severe COVID-19. In addition, we're concerned that these processes underlying acute COVID-19 may not always return to normal afterwards." Dr. Robert Schwartz, associate professor of medicine, hepatologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center The researchers are currently investigating this possibility in cases of "long COVID," a syndrome that features lingering inflammation as well as immune cell dysfunction. Covid's rampage through the country's nursing homes killed more than 172,000 residents and spurred the biggest industry reform in decades: a mandate that homes employ a minimum number of nurses. But with President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House, the industry is ramping up pressure to kill that requirement before it takes effect, leaving thousands of residents in homes too short-staffed to provide proper care. The nursing home industry has been marshaling opposition for months among congressional Republicans and some Democrats to overrule the Biden administration's mandate. Two industry groups, the American Health Care Association and LeadingAge, have sued to overturn the regulation, and 20 Republican state attorneys general have filed their own challenge. Consumer advocates, industry officials and independent researchers agree that the incoming administration is likely to rescind the rule, given the first Trump administration's "patients over paperwork" campaign to remove "unnecessary, obsolete, or excessively burdensome health regulations on hospitals and other healthcare providers." Among other things, Trump aided the industry by easing fines against homes that had been cited for poor care. "The Trump administration has proven itself really eager to reverse overreaching regulations," said Linda Couch, senior vice president for policy and advocacy at LeadingAge, which represents nonprofit elder care providers. "We think it's got a pretty good chance of being repealed, and hope so." Issued in April, the staffing regulation requires nursing homes to have registered nurses on-site around the clock something that the industry has endorsed and to maintain minimum numbers of nurses and aides. Four in 5 homes would have to increase staffing. The requirements would be phased in, starting in May 2026. Even before the election, many experts and activists had doubts that the rule would be effectively enforced, given the poor results in states that have imposed their own minimums. In New York, California, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts states with the most robust requirements many homes remain below the legal staffing levels. Governors have given many homes reprieves, and other homes have found that paying penalties costs less than the increase in payroll for additional staff. The federal government estimates the average annual cost over a decade to meet the Biden mandate would be $4.3 billion a year, a 2% increase in expenses, though the changes do not include increases in federal Medicare or Medicaid payments. "Staffing is everything in terms of nursing-home quality," said R. Tamara Konetzka, a professor of public health sciences at the University of Chicago. While the rule's effectiveness was uncertain, she worried that repealing it would send the wrong message. "We would be losing that signal that nursing homes should try really hard to improve their staffing," she said. Advocate groups for nursing home residents, who had criticized the Biden administration rule for not requiring even higher staffing levels, have since pivoted and are trying to protect it. "We're hoping the president-elect will come in and take a look at the science and data behind it and see this really is a modest reform," said Sam Brooks, the director for public policy for the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit. "We'd be devastated to see it fall." The Trump transition team did not respond to a request for comment. The Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to requests for comment, but in a court filing it argued that nursing homes should be able to reach the required staffing levels. "There is more than enough time to identify, train and hire additional staff," the Biden administration wrote. The quality of care in the nation's 15,000 nursing homes and the lack of adequate staffing for their 1.2 million residents has been a concern for decades. Inspection reports continue to find homes leaving residents lying in their own feces, suffering severe bedsores and falls, contracting infections, choking on food while unattended, or ending up back in a hospital for preventable reasons. Some nursing homes overuse psychotropic medications to pacify residents because they do not have enough workers to attend to them. Leslie Frane, executive vice president of the SEIU, the Service Employees International Union, which represents health care workers, said in a statement that "far too many nursing home owners will not do the right thing and invest in workers without oversight and binding regulation." The nursing home industry says many homes cannot afford to increase their workforces, and that, even if they could, there is a scarcity of trained nurses, and not enough people willing to work as aides for an average $19 an hour. A registered nurse earns $40 an hour on average in a nursing home, less than what they could make at a hospital, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Biden administration noted in its court filing it was planning to spend $75 million to recruit and train more workers, and that there were more than 100,000 workers who left nursing homes during the pandemic and could be lured back if salaries and working conditions were better. How many nursing homes could afford the increased cost remains a mystery because of weaknesses in the government's requirements for financial transparency. About half of homes lose money, according to their reports to Medicare, but some nursing home owners grow rich through clandestine maneuvers to siphon profits into their own pockets. Last month, owners of Centers Health Care, one of New York state's largest nursing home chains, agreed to pay $45 million to settle allegations by Attorney General Letitia James that they diverted $83 million intended for resident care to themselves during the pandemic. Maryellen Mooney, a spokesperson for the Centers Health Care chain, which denied the allegations, said in a statement that Centers was "committed to fully implementing the settlement terms, including a significant investment in resident care." About three-quarters of nursing homes are for-profit. The industry, though, highlights the most sympathetic examples: rural nonprofit nursing homes like Kimball County Manor & Assisted Living in Kimball, Nebraska. Its staffing levels for registered nurses are 40% below what the new rule would require, federal data shows. Sarah Stull, Kimball's administrator, said recruitment had always been challenging and that temporary nursing staffing agencies charged more than double what she paid her own staff. "We had to pay $65 for a nurse aide during covid, and that's insane," she said. The government estimated that about a fourth of the nation's nursing homes would be eligible to apply for hardship exemptions if there were a documented shortage of nurses and aides in their communities compared with the national average. But Nate Schema, the chief executive of the Good Samaritan Society, which runs 133 nonprofit homes mainly in the rural Midwest, estimated that only seven would be likely to qualify for a hardship waiver. "Philosophically, they sound great," he said. "But in practicality and how they're put together, they won't do much for us." Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau will lead a business delegation to depart for Urumqi in Xinjiang tomorrow to promote Hong Kongs business opportunities. Mr Yau will meet government officials of Xinjiang and Kazakhstan to strengthen economic and trade co-operation among the three places, with a view to jointly exploring the full range of opportunities arising from the Belt & Road Initiative. He will also meet representatives of Hong Kong enterprises in Xinjiang to learn about their business operations and the latest economic developments in the region. Members of the delegation will attend a co-operation and exchange forum between China (Xinjiang, Hong Kong) and Kazakhstan on December 5 to promote Hong Kongs advantages, strengthen collaboration, foster economic and trade co-operation, as well as facilitate cultural exchanges. Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong on December 6. During his absence, Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Bernard Chan will be Acting Secretary. Bill Gates Sparks Controversy For Calling India A 'Laboratory To Try Things' Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 11:52 IST Bill Gates remarks did not sit well with many users on social media, who viewed the phrasing as dismissive. Bill Gates' remarks did not sit well with many users on X (formerly Twitter), who viewed his phrasing as dismissive. (File photo) Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has sparked criticism on social media after describing India as a kind of laboratory to try things" during a recent podcast with Reid Hoffman. A clip from the podcast, where Gates discussed Indias challenges and improvements, has gone viral, prompting strong reactions from users online. India is an example of a country where theres plenty of things that are difficult there the health, education, nutrition is improving, and they are stable enough and generating their own government revenue enough that its very likely that 20 years from now people will be dramatically better off. And its kind of a laboratory to try things that then when you prove them out in India, you can take to other places," Bill Gates said. related stories He added, Our biggest non-US office for the Foundation is in India, and the most number of pilot roll-out things were doing anywhere in the world are with partners in India." Watch the clip here: Bill Gates about India: Its kind of a laboratory to try things that then when you prove them out in India, you can take to other places. And so our biggest non-U.S. office for the foundation is in India, and then most number of pilot rollout things were doing anywhere in pic.twitter.com/JMjuWzRExm Camus (@newstart_2024) November 30, 2024 These remarks did not sit well with many users on X (formerly Twitter), who viewed Gates phrasing as dismissive. One user expressed frustration towards Bill Gates, stating, India is a laboratory, and we Indians are Guinea Pigs for Bill Gates. This person has managed everyone from the Government to opposition parties to the media. His office operates here without FCRA, and our education system has made him a hero! I dont know when we will wake up! India is a laboratory, and we Indians are Guinea Pigs for Bill GatesThis person has managed everyone from the Government to opposition parties to the media His office operates here without FCRA, and our education system has made him a hero! I dont know when we will wake up! pic.twitter.com/dxuCvQ44gg Vijay Patel (@vijaygajera) December 2, 2024 Another user suggested that Gates views people in India as subjects for experimentation, with the implication that successful initiatives are later adopted in the US. The user wrote, The human beings in India are samples for Bill Gates laboratory to try things and once they are proven to be effective, taken to the US. This clip doesnt sound right no matter in what context you hear this. Thats why researches backed by governments can often have vested interests. Didnt @elonmusk raise this as well?" The human beings in India are samples for Bill Gates laboratory to try things and once they are proven to be effective, taken to the US. This clip doesnt sound right no matter in what context you hear this. Thats why researches backed by governments can often have vested https://t.co/RPZ0FTe2rZ Nikhil Kharoo (@nkharoo) December 2, 2024 One other user called Bill Gates disgusting," commenting, India is his lab and the people of India & other 3rd world countries his lab rats. He is DISGUSTING!! This dude doesnt even have a HS diploma and he is poisoning everything!!" top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all India is his lab and the people of India & other 3rd world countries his lab rats. He is DISGUSTING!! This dude doesnt even have a HS diploma and he is poisoning everything!! Babydoll92196 (@Babydoll921961) December 1, 2024 Gates comments come months after he visits India earlier this year for Gates Foundation work. His trip included stops at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a visit to the Microsoft India Development Center in Hyderabad and a trip to Odisha. First Published: December 03, 2024, 11:51 IST IndiGo Sues Mahindra & Mahindra Over Use Of '6E' Branding On EV Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 17:44 IST Mahindra and Mahindra said it is in talks to resolve a dispute with the country's biggest airline IndiGo IndiGo uses 6E as its call sign, a unique identifier used in aviation, and across all branding Mahindra and Mahindra announced on Tuesday that it is in talks with IndiGo to resolve a dispute regarding the use of the 6e" call sign in the automakers new electric vehicle models. IndiGo, the countrys largest airline, has filed a lawsuit in the Delhi High Court, claiming trademark infringement over Mahindras recently revealed electric vehicles, BE 6e and XEV 9e, for which the company applied for trademark registration. related stories Mahindra maintains that there is no conflict with IndiGos standalone 6E" call sign used in aviation and across its branding. In a stock exchange filing, Mahindra confirmed that discussions are ongoing to reach an amicable solution. IndiGo has long used 6E" as its distinctive call sign, a unique identifier in the airline industry, and has built it into its brand identity. The airline offers a range of 6E-branded services, including 6E Prime for seat selection, priority check-in, and snacks, as well as 6E Flex for easy rescheduling and cancellations. Additional services, such as extra baggage and lounge access, further enhance the passenger experience. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all IndiGo also registered the trademark 6E Link" in 2015, reinforcing its commitment to brand distinctiveness and innovation. (With Reuters inputs) First Published: December 03, 2024, 17:35 IST Sebi Takes Action Against Finfluencers: 'Baap of Charts' Among 7 Banned For A Year Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 14:28 IST Intensifying its crackdown on finfluencers, Sebi restrained seven entities, including Mohd Nasiruddin Ansari of 'Baap of Chart' SEBI Bhavan at BKC Bandra in Mumbai (PTI/ File Photo) Intensifying its crackdown on finfluencers, markets regulator Sebi on Monday restrained seven entities, including Mohd Nasiruddin Ansari, who ran unauthorised investment advisory services in the name of Baap of Chart, for up to one year. Refund Directive Issued related stories Sebi also directed the entities Nasiruddin Ansari, Rahul Rao Padamati, Tabraiz Abdullah, Asif Iqbal Wani, Golden Syndicate Ventures Pvt Ltd (GSVPL), Mansha Abdullah and Jadav Vamshi to refund Rs 17.2 crore within three months. Ansari runs a profile on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by the name of Baap of Chart where he used to offer buy/sell recommendations in the stock market. Unregistered Advisory Allegations The recommendations were given in the garb of providing educational training related to the securities market, according to Sebi. Hefty Penalties Levied Additionally, the regulator slapped a penalty of Rs 20 lakh on Ansari, Rs 2 lakh each on Padamati, Tabraiz Abdullah, Wani, GSVPL, Mansha Abdullah, and Vamshi. In my view, unregistered investment advisors like Nasir can put investors at great risk by misleading them. Misleading Claims Exposed Without holding any registered IA (Investment Advisory) certificate, Nasir, aided and abetted by the remaining noticees, provided investment advisory services and promised unrealistic returns to investors with the objective of raising money through course fees," Sebis whole-time member Amarjeet Singh said in the final order. The fact that Nasir made losses by trading in the securities market, meant that he was aware that it is impossible to deliver such returns. Despite this, false promises of unrealistic assured returns using trading strategies were made to investors/clients, Singh said. Illusions of Success The theatrics and showmanship in the trailer videos on YouTube issued by Md. Nasir/Baap of Chart also appears to be aimed at creating the illusion of unnatural returns by drawing in gullible and uninformed viewers to join his classes", thereby inducing them to trade in the securities market, he added. Sebi also found that Ansari was assuring returns, undertaken with an intent to influence the clients to purchase educational courses offered through Baap of Chart. Fraudulent Activities Highlighted He (Ansari) also concealed the losses made by him in the securities market in his own account. Ansari has, therefore, indulged in fraudulent activity in violation of regulatory norms, Singh said. Illegal Proceeds to Be Refunded Sebi also noted that Ansari, Padamati and GSVPL have failed to comply with the directions in the interim order on opening an escrow account and depositing the illegal proceeds therein. These being the proceeds of an illegal activity, are liable to be refunded to the respective clients of the noticees, Sebi said. Therefore, Sebi concluded that while Nasir was the face of Baap of Chart and provided investment advice, even though he was not registered with Sebi, the remaining entities aided and abetted Nasir in the business. The regulator also found that the noticees have collected Rs 17.20 crore as fees in respect of unregistered investment advisory activity and have violated the provisions of market norms and IA regulations. Market Bans Imposed Accordingly, Ansari has been banned from the securities market for a year and the six others have been banned for six months. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Violations of Market Norms, Case Timeline The present proceedings emanate from an interim order-cum-show cause notice issued on October 25, 2023, by Sebi against Ansari, GSVPL, Padamati, Tabraiz, Wani, Mansha, and Vamshi, as the unregistered investment advisory activities of the entities were prima facie found to be in violation of IA (Investment Advisers) norms and PFUTP (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices) rules. First Published: December 03, 2024, 14:28 IST Bangalore School Holidays: Educational Institutions Closed In Several Karnataka Districts Due To Heavy Rainfall Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 10:59 IST Due to continuous rain in Karnataka's Mysore district since Sunday, holidays have been declared in schools, colleges, and Anganwadis of the district on Monday and Tuesday. A heavy rain warning has been issued in Karnataka due to Cyclone Fengal (Representative/File Photo) While schools have opened in Delhi-NCR today, educational institutions located in Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka have been closed. Schools will run in online mode for the next few days in Karaira tehsil of Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh. Apart from this, schools have been closed in Karnataka for a few days now due to heavy rains. A heavy rainfall warning has been issued in Karnataka including Bengaluru due to Cyclone Fengal. Due to continuous rain in Karnatakas Mysore district since Sunday, holidays have been declared in schools, colleges, and Anganwadis of the district on Monday and Tuesday. Schools are closed in various areas of Bengaluru. Parents have been advised to check the latest update on school holidays from the school. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all related stories Schools were also closed in Delhi and Noida on December 2, 2024, due to the farmers movement, and classes were held in online mode. Schools have been closed in Karaira Tehsil of Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh due to the narration of Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran Katha by Pt. Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, the Peethadheeshwar of Bageshwar Dham. They will reopen on December 10. However, online classes will be run so that childrens studies are not affected. The administration has banned all vehicles inside the city including school buses. Most of the schools in the countrys capital Delhi and adjoining Noida were closed on December 2. The farmers of Noida marched towards Delhi due to which, the Noida administration issued a traffic advisory and diverted many routes. Due to this, the problem of heavy traffic jams from Noida to Delhi troubled everyone. To protect the children from the traffic jam situation, most of the schools in Noida and Delhi were closed yesterday. Schools are open today. First Published: December 03, 2024, 10:56 IST The CAT 2024 results are expected to be out by January. Last year, out of the total 14 candidates who got 100 percentiles, all of them were boys. Out of all these people, the majority of them, i.e., 11 were from engineering backgrounds and 3 were from non-engineering backgrounds. In the second position, there were a total of 29 candidates who got a 99.99 percentile. Out of them, 28 were male and one female. A total of 22 of these were from engineering backgrounds and 7 from non-engineering. In the third position, 28 candidates secured a 99.98 percentile. All of them were male candidates. Out of them, 20 were from engineering backgrounds and 8 were from non-engineering backgrounds. After UP Bypoll Success, BJP Focuses On 'Mission Milkipur': CM Yogi Wants Repeat Of 'Kundarki Formula' Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 20:01 IST The Milkipur by-election, political analysts say, is no less than a prestige battle for the BJP, especially after it lost the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat to the Samajwadi Party in the April-June general elections. The Election Commission has yet to announce the poll schedule for... Read More The BJP-led NDA won 7 out of the 9 seats in last month's UP bypolls. (Representational image/PTI) Riding high on its success in last months Uttar Pradesh by-elections, where it secured seven out of nine seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party has now set its sights on Mission Milkipur. UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath has directed ministers and party functionaries to intensify poll preparations and electorate mobilisation in Ayodhyas significant Milkipur constituency that is gearing up for bypolls. While the BJP plans to emphasise Hindu unity with slogans like Batenge toh katenge" (If we are divided, well be slaughtered), the Samajwadi Party aims to retain its stronghold with its Picchda Dalit Alpsankhyak" (PDA) strategy. The Milkipur by-election, political analysts say, is no less than a prestige battle for the BJP, especially after it lost the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat to the Samajwadi Party in the April-June general elections. The saffron party is eyeing this Dalit-dominated assembly seat to avenge its defeat. And it is the main reason why the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government is in no mood to take any chances. Party sources say that Mission Milkipur was the second most discussed issue after the 2025 Mahakumbh in the meeting of the council of ministers held recently at the UP CMs residence. related stories Kundarki formula Yogiji has directed party functionaries to camp in Milkipur, stay connected with the people, and make the masses aware of schemes and development work carried out by the BJP government," a senior party leader said. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath told his ministers to apply the Kundarki formula", where people from all sections of society supported the BJP in the byelections, helping the party win the seat after a gap of 31 years. The ministers were told to reach out to all sections of the society, as the party did in Kundarki, and make sure that they get support from the people from all the communities, irrespective of caste and religion," the senior leader said. The BJP managed a decisive victory in the Muslim-dominated Kundarki seat in Moradabad, traditionally an SP stronghold. BJPs Ramveer Thakur won by a margin of over 1.4 lakh, defeating his closest rival, three-time MLA and SP candidate Haji Rizwan, whose bail amount was confiscated. Ramveer secured 1,44,791 votes, while Rizwan got a mere 25,580 votes. Singh, being the only Hindu candidate from the Muslim-dominated seat, created history. UPs political observers said a split in Muslim votes was the main reason behind the BJPs win. BJPs Ramveer Thakur was the lone Hindu candidate from Kundarki, while others, including the SP, all fielded Muslims. The data from the Election Commission of India clearly indicates a split in Muslim votes, which led to the BJPs victory and the downfall of the SP candidate. SPs Mohammad Rizwan got 25,580 votes, Azad Samaj Partys Chand Babu got 14,201 votes, Bahujan Samaj Partys Rafatulla got 1,099 votes, while there were seven other independent Muslim candidates," said Shashikant Pandey, political observer and head of the department of political science, Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow. Date to be announced A bypoll is due in Milkipur, which falls in Ayodhya on the borders of Amethi and Sultanpur, after its MLA, Awadhesh Prasad, got elected as an MP from Faizabad (Ayodhya). While announcing last months bypolls for 10 vacant assembly seats of UP, the Election Commission of India (ECI) skipped Milkipur following a writ petition filed by BJP candidate Baba Gorakhnath, who contested the 2022 assembly elections from the seat. Baba Gorakhnath challenged the victory of Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate Awadhesh Prasad, raising concerns over the authenticity of the documents submitted during his nomination. The withdrawal of his petition paved the way for the bypolls in Milkipur. However, the Election Commission has yet to announce the poll schedule for Milkipur. While the SP has announced the candidature of Awadhesh Prasads son Ajit from the constituency, the BJP is yet to announce any candidate from Milkipur. The seat has around 3.5 lakh voters, of which over one lakh are Dalits, while more than 80,000 are Yadavs and Muslims. Brahmins and Thakurs account for around 1 lakh of the electorate. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Political observers acknowledge that while the BJPs Mission Milkipur holds promise, it also faces considerable challenges. Balram Tiwari, a senior journalist and political observer from Faizabad, said that public perception in Ayodhya has shifted significantly in the last few months. Also, the above-average performance of the BJP in the recent by-elections has energised the party workers, and the alleged resentment they had against the decision to field Lallu Singh from Faizabad in the Lok Sabha polls too has subsided. Tiwari said there are rumours that the BJP may field former Milkipur MLA Baba Gorakhnath, a Pasi, who narrowly lost to SPs Awadhesh Prasad in 2022 by just over 13,000 votes. Notably, in 2017, Gorakhnath, then 32, defeated the 72-year-old Prasad by more than 26,000 votes, a victory that coincided with the BJPs landslide win in Uttar Pradesh and Yogi Adityanaths rise to the chief ministers office. Although the BJP aims to reclaim its foothold, the Samajwadi Party (SP) has fielded Awadhesh Prasads son, Ajit, a Pasi, turning the contest into a Pasi vs Pasi" battle. This time, the BSP has also decided to contest the bypolls, while Chandrashekhar Azads ASP will field a candidate, intensifying the competition. However, a lot depends on the selection of candidates. Political observers also point out that the BSP and ASPs presence in Milkipur, which has a significant Dalit and OBC population, could make the poll battle more critical for both the BJP and SP, who are both vying to win these voters. First Published: December 03, 2024, 20:01 IST Eknath Shinde Agrees To Deputy CM Role, But 2 Key Posts Remain Sticking Points: Sources Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Shobhit Gupta Last Updated: December 04, 2024, 00:04 IST It was the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders after the duo, along with NCP chief Ajit Pawar, met the top BJP leadership in Delhi last week. Mahayuti leaders Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde. (File) The suspense over the Maharashtra government formation is set to end as states Caretaker Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde on Tuesday finally agreed to take the post of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, sources tell News18. There are, however, indications that the Mahayuti allies Shiv Sena, NCP and BJP may squabble over portfolios. It is likely that the Shinde Sena and Ajit Pawars NCP faction will each get a Deputy Chief Ministers berth. related stories The deadlock within the Mahayuti alliance over the top post ended possibly after BJP leader and likely Chief Minister-elect, Devendra Fadnavis visited Shinde at his official residence `Varsha in Mumbai today evening. The meeting between the Mahayuti leaders reportedly went on for an hour. It was the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders after the duo, along with NCP chief Ajit Pawar, met the top BJP leadership in Delhi last week. Last week, Shindes sudden illness" and his unplanned departure to his hometown in Satara raised questions, especially after his talks in Delhi with the BJP leadership. His sudden exit scuttled an important Mahayuti meeting aimed at finalising a power-sharing formula over the weekend. However, the Shinde camp dismissed these claims as rumours and said the caretaker CM is not adamant for the top position. Shiv Sena leader Bharatshet Gogawale said to ANI, He (Shinde) did not meet before due to ill health, he is not upsetHe had a meeting with the central leadership Modi ji and Amit Shah, and there might be a meeting tomorrow as well. Decisions will be taken there (by PM Modi & Amit Shah). We are not adamant about any department." A day after his return to Mumbai from Satara, Shinde remained at his Thane residence and cancelled all the appointments citing ill health. He also visited a Thane hospital on Tuesday for a medical check-up, following which he returned to his official bungalow. Last week, clearing the air on CMs pick, Shinde had said that he would accept the BJPs decision and would not impede the process of government formation. Shinde had said that he spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah and had assured them that he would not object to their decision on the CM pick. You make a decision. BJPs decision is the final," he had said at a press conference, effectively clearing the way for BJP to choose a CM from their party. All three parties have presented a united front despite massive speculation over Devendra Fadnavis return to the CM post following the Mahayutis massive victory. The BJP won over 131 seats in the recent election, while the Shiv Sena and NCP secured 57 and 41 seats respectively, reducing the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to a measly 50 seats. The big decision is expected to come soon as saffron party has appointed Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani as central observers to choose a legislature party leader, who will then become the new Chief Minister. Meanwhile, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule had hinted that everyone in the BJP wants Devendra Fadnavis to be the Chief Minister. He had noted that while workers in the Mahayuti alliance may want their respective leaders in the top post, the final decision would be made collectively by the leaders of all three parties. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A BJP worker never gets upset with the decision taken by the central leadership. Their decision is final. Party leaders make the right decision. The Chief Minister of Mahayuti will take oath soon," Bawankule had said. Even as it is not known yet who would take oath as chief minister at Azad Maidan on the evening of December 5, preparations are in full swing for the ceremony, to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, about 2,000 VVIPs and some 40,000 supporters. First Published: December 03, 2024, 20:32 IST Fadnavis Meets Eknath Shinde Day Before BJP's Legislature Party Meeting Published By : PTI Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 22:43 IST Some observers viewed the meeting as an outreach effort by BJP to placate an ally, which is weighing its options, while others believe it served as a preliminary discussion on the swearing-in event on December 5 BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis met with caretaker CM Eknath Shinde on December 3. (Image:X/File) Ahead of the crucial legislature party meeting scheduled for Wednesday, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis met with caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday, the first in-person meeting since their discussions in Delhi last week for government formation. The hour-long meetings details remain unclear, with political observers interpreting it in various ways. Some view it as an outreach effort by the BJP to placate an ally, which is weighing its options, while others believe it served as a preliminary discussion regarding the swearing-in ceremony set for December 5. related stories As preparations intensify for the swearing-in event at Azad Maidan, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at least 2,000 VVIPs, and approximately 40,000 supporters, the identity of the new chief minister remains uncertain. Clarity on this matter is expected to emerge after the state BJPs legislature party meeting at Vidhan Bhawan on Wednesday morning, where the party will elect its leader. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, designated as central observers for the BJP legislature party meeting, will arrive in Mumbai on late on Tuesday. The BJP has achieved remarkable success in the November 20 Maharashtra elections, securing 132 out of 288 seats, marking its best performance in the state so far. Earlier in the day, Shinde visited a private hospital for a health check-up, setting tongues wagging in the Maharashtra political circles. Fadnavis, seen as the frontrunner for the top post in the new BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP government, met Shinde at the latters official residence Varsha in Mumbai. Shinde, who had been staying at his private residence in Thane for the last few days, visited the hospital in the morning. I came for a check-up. My health is in good condition," he told reporters while leaving the hospital. A doctor said Shinde had throat issues. The CM had a fever and infection, which caused weakness. He also underwent an MRI scan as a precautionary measure," he said. Shinde, whose party, Shiv Sena, is a constituent of the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition, has been unwell for the last few days. His decision to head to his village in Satara district last week had sparked speculation that he was unhappy over the way the new government was shaping up. There are indications that the distribution of portfolios among the three allies might not be a smooth process. Sena leaders on Monday said as per the convention" of alliance politics, their party should get the home portfolio if the CM post went to the BJP. A Shiv Sena leader said a broad consensus has emerged among top BJP leaders and other Mahayuti allies to drop ministers facing serious allegations of corruption in the new government. NCP chief Ajit Pawar, meanwhile, may meet Union home minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Tuesday evening, a senior party leader said. State NCP chief Sunil Tatkare was responding to a question about reports that Pawar had sought a meeting with the senior BJP leader. No appointment had been sought as such, he said. The Ajit Pawar-led NCP is part of the Mahayuti along with the BJP and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut claimed that Shinde was sulking and throwing tantrums" at Fadnavis with the backing of the superpower in Delhi", an apparent reference to the BJPs top brass. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all BJP leader Prasad Lad, meanwhile, announced that the swearing-in ceremony will be a grand affair with nearly 42,000 attendees. Speaking to reporters outside the official residence of Fadnavis, he said, PM Modi, nine to ten Union ministers, and 19 chief ministers and deputy chief ministers will attend the ceremony. It will be telecast live across the state wherever LED screens are available." He said special arrangements have been made to accommodate 40,000 BJP supporters and a separate seating arrangement made for 2,000 VVIPs, including leaders from various religions. Asked if Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray would be invited to the event, he added: As a former chief minister, Thackeray will be invited by the General Administration Department as per the protocol. It is up to him to attend or to demonstrate his shallowness by skipping it. Similarly, Sharad Pawar, also a former chief minister, will be invited." First Published: December 03, 2024, 22:43 IST Heres Who BJP May Field Against AAPs Kejriwal, Atishi In Delhi Polls | Exclusive Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 13:38 IST Delhi elections: BJP says yet to decide. Parvesh Sahib Singh and Meenakshi Lekhi likely to take on AAP's top leaders, say sources Delhi is likely to see the assembly elections in February. (PTI File) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may have been in the news for its recent Maharashtra sweep or subsequent delay on who will succeed Eknath Shinde as the chief minister of the state, but the saffron party has reasonably zeroed in on its contenders against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Delhis sitting CM Atishi. Delhi is likely to see the assembly elections in February. related stories PARVESH VS KEJRIWAL? If all goes well, Parvesh Sahib Singhs name is likely to be pushed as the BJP candidate from Kejriwals New Delhi constituency. A former MP from West Delhi and the son of former CM the late Sahib Singh Verma, Singh is believed to have been signalled to make preparations for his electoral comeback in a meeting between the functionaries of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Delhi BJP at Rajasthans Ranthambore. If it gets past the BJPs Central Election Committee (CEC), it will turn out to be an interesting fight. In 2020, Singh had called Kejriwal a terrorist". In Delhi, many Natwarlals and terrorists like Kejriwal are hiding. I dont understand if we should fight with terrorists in Kashmir or with terrorist Kejriwal in Delhi," he had said back then. The former legislator had also taken to social media platforms to compare Kejriwal to coronavirus in 2020, when the world was waking up to its deadly ramifications. Last time, the BJP had pitted lightweight Sunil Yadav, whom the AAP chief had crushed. LEKHI VS ATISHI? The BJP may turn south Delhis Kalkaji fight into an all-womens contest, with Meenakshi Lekhi in the fray. Atishi is a Rhodes scholar who joined as an adviser to Manish Sisodia and made her way to the top seat in the government. Lekhi started her career as a lawyer and has been vocal about womens issues. Part of the drafting committee of the Womens Reservation Bill, Lekhi rose from the partys womens wing to become a name to reckon with in the South Block under S Jaishankar. Both Lekhi and Atishi are known to be animated speakers, with expertise in handling public grievances. However, unlike many politicians, neither treads towards verbal indecency. While the CEC can change names, in case of a Lekhi vs Atishi fight, two things are guaranteed minimal personal attacks and more attacks on the party bosses they represent. THE PROCESS The BJP sends three names for each constituency be it for the assembly or Lok Sabha for the CEC to pick from. Familiar sources say that even seats of Kejriwal and Atishi will have three BJP options. BJPs Delhi election in-charge and national vice-president Jay Panda, co-incharge and Ghaziabad MP Atul Garg, and state president Virendra Sachdeva, among others, will decide the best-suited candidate. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The BJP has been saying that no meeting has taken place. We are going to the residential areas. No such meetings have taken place as of today. It is still early," Sachdeva told News18. Calls and text messages to Pandas phone went unanswered. However, sources say the BJP has had meetings on the Delhi elections and the first list could be out after the CECs stamp of approval before mid-December. News18 has also learnt that the first list could contain 35-40 names. The date of the CEC will depend upon the availability of the Prime Minister. First Published: December 03, 2024, 13:23 IST What Do We Know About Bushra Bibi Imran Khans Wife And A Veiled Political Leader? Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 17:22 IST Imran Khans close aides have claimed that Bushra Bibi has influenced critical political decisions, including high-profile ministerial appointments. She has also been accused of hoodwinking Khan by presenting information previously passed to her by an ex-ISI chief While Imran Khan had instructed his supporters to go to Juman Park for protest, Bushra Bibi did not heed his instruction and went to D-Chowk instead, knowing that the protest will be quelled in minutes. (Image: AFP) The protest to release Imran Khan from jail brought Islamabad to a standstill, with incidents of violence, arson and arrests reported from the city. Among the crowd stood Khans third wife, Bushra Bibi, who has emerged as the veiled face of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). In a rare video message on November 22 ahead of the do-or-die" sit-in in the Pakistani capital city, Bushra appealed to a large number of PTI supporters to join the protest demanding her husbands release. related stories Making an unexpected appearance on top of a truck during the protest march on November 25-26 in Islamabad, Bushra said, You will have to promise that till the time Imran Khan comes here, you will not leave". But she along with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur had to retreat from the capitals Red Zone an area housing government buildings after the protests led to violent clashes with security forces. Bushras emergence as a political leader has surprised many and is said to have generated discord with Khans PTI party. Who Is Bushra Bibi? Hailing from a landowning family in Punjab, little was known about Bushra Riaz Wattoo prior to her marriage to Imran Khan in 2018. A follower of Sufi saint Fariduddin Masud Ganjshakar (Baba Farid), Bushra was introduced to Khan by her sister Maryam Riaz Wattoo in 2014 during a PTIs sit-in protest in Islamabad. Bushra, who was married to Khawar Maneka, a customs official, at that time, connected with Khan over their joint interest in Sufism. Soon, Khan started frequenting her place, seeking spiritual guidance at her husbands house in Pakpattan the birthplace of Baba Farid. Bushra and her husband divorced on November 14, 2017, and Khan married her in a secret ceremony in February 2018. Khan had said he had not seen Bushras face unveiled until after their wedding. While much has been known about Khans ex-wives British journalist Jemima Goldsmith and Pakistani journalist Reham Khan Bushra Bibi remains elusive, and is shrouded from public eye, wearing a black or white abaya covering her face. She has five children (three daughters and two sons) from her previous marriage and her eldest, Mehru Maneka, is a PTI member. Why Is PTI Uncomfortable With Bushras Political Plunge? Bushras influence over Khan grew when he became won the general elections and became PM in 2018. PTI members were uncomfortable with her marriage with Khan. His rivals accused her of practising sorcery. Khans close aides have claimed that Bushra has influenced critical political decisions, including high-profile ministerial appointments, and at certain political meetings she would sit hidden behind a screen and listen in, giving Khan guidance and advice. A Tribune report accused Bushra of hoodwinking Khan by presenting information previously passed to her by ex-ISI chief Gen. Faiz Hameed as divine intervention, forcing Khan into believing in her powers. Bushra, who was granted bail in state gifts case and released from Rawalpindi jail in October, along with Aleema Khan, Imran Khans sister, have become PTIs rallying point since most of the leadership is in jail. Is Bushra Bibi ISIs Pawn? While her recent political activism has surprised many, what is shocking is her refusal to instructions from Imran Khan. While Khan had instructed his supporters to go to Juman Park, and specifically told them not to go to D-Chowk as it was a Red Zone, Bushra did not heed his instruction and went to D-Chowk instead. She was very well aware that if the protests take place at D-Chowk, it would be crushed within minutes. Reports suggest that Bushra had appealed to party workers to stay firm and wait for Imran Khan to come out of jail, and then take instructions from him. Her behaviour seemed contrary to what she had told party workers, as she was the first person to flee from the site. There are serious allegations about her movement. She gave a scripted speech at D-Chowk and then fled with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur," sources told CNN-News18. Sources also pointed out that the stage is set for Imran Khans murder so that the Pakistani army can say he was killed due to bad prison conditions. Sources also said Bushras sudden appearance is a tactical move" to keep PTIs afloat while he remains in jail. They also said Bushra never visited Khan once since she was released from Adiala jail on October 24. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all According to a report by The Express Tribune, former ISI director General Hameed maintained contact with Imran Khan through Bushra. Hameed allegedly provided information to Bushra sin advance, which she would then convey to Khan, presenting it as divine inspiration. When the information would later be proven to be accurate, it reportedly reinforced Khans belief in Bushras spiritual abilities, while in reality, it was Hameed who had shared the information. General Hameed was arrested in August due to multiple instances of violation" of the Army Act following his retirement in December 2022. First Published: December 03, 2024, 17:05 IST 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 Why Has The Syrian War Got Reignited? Who Are The Rebels That Took Aleppo? Explained Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 16:57 IST A new rebel coalition launched a surprise attack for the first time since 2016 and seized the second largest city in Syria, Aleppo. The 2011 Arab Spring has led to formation of small militias and armed opposition groups whose aim is to overthrow authoritarian Bashar... Read More A Syrian opposition fighter shoots in the air in downtown Aleppo, Syria, on November 30. (AP Photo) Syria, a country in Middle East, which shares border with Turkey in the north, Iraq in the east and southeast, Lebanon on the West, and Israel to the southwest, is witnessing a renewed conflict in its 12-year-long civil war since the Arab Spring. A new rebel coalition launched a surprise attack for the first time since 2016 and seized the second largest city in Syria, Aleppo, shattering the stalemate of a war that never formally ended. related stories What Happened In Syrias Civil War? In Syria, protests began against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad, who came to power in 2000. Pro-democracy protesters during the peak of Arab Spring in 2011 took to the streets in Syria, calling for the ouster of dictator Assad. But the movement was crushed by Assads forces, leading to the establishment of small militias and armed opposition groups from the Syrian military. The opposition forces, which differed in ideologies, had one common goal to topple the Assad government. They were supported by foreign powers, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. As anti-establishment forces grew, the Syrian allies stepped up support. Irans Revolutionary Guards and Lebanons proxy Hezbollah helped fight the armed rebel groups, while Russia bolstered Syrian Air Force with warplanes. Soon, al-Qaeda started taking interest to take up the common cause of Syrias opposition forces, but were not welcomed. By 2014, extremists, including ISIS swept the country, dominating most of the regions. To protect Syria from becoming the hotbed for extremism, the US created the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) made up of Kurdish fighters , to focus on eliminating ISIS without confronting the Syrian regime. The SDF fought against the ISIS and ended their territorial existence in Syria. In 2020, Russia and Turkey agreed to a ceasefire in the remaining opposition-held region of Idlib, agreeing for a security corridor with joint patrols. Why Has The Conflict Broken Out Now? The new coalition of rebels formed the Military Operations Command and began offensive last week, sweeping through the villages outside Aleppo. The rebels, who are seeking to capitalize on the weak government who is preoccupied with other conflicts, want to liberate occupied territories and have increased attacks against government forces and pro-Iranian militias. In response, the Russian and Syrian air forces launched aerial attacks against rebels in Aleppo and Idlib provinces. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the Russian warplanes also struck rural parts of Idlib and Hama where the rebel group has recently taken control". More than 300 people, including at least 20 civilians, have been killed so far, according to SOHR. Who Are The Rebels Fighting The Syrian Govt? The Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is the biggest fighting group in Operation Deterrence of Aggression, which was formed to coordinate military operation. Formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, then Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, HTS is a group of allied factions, including Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, Liwa al-Haqq, Jabhat Ansar al-Din and Jaysh al-Sunna. At the start of the Syrian war, Jabhat al-Nusra was formed in 2012 by ISIL (ISIS), from which it split a year later and declared allegiance to al-Qaeda. It severed ties with al-Qaeda and joined with other factions to rebrand as HTS in 2017. HTS controls Idlib province, which is 55 km from Aleppo, and is estimated to have up to 30,000 fighters. It is largely a self-funded group, which seems to control the Syrian Salvation Government (SSG), which was set up in 2017. The SSG is the Idlib-based technocratic administration of the opposition-held areas in the north. Some of the rebel groups are also fighting the Syrian Democratic Forces. Who Controls What In Syria? The Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army, which is part of the rebel coalition that took control of most of Aleppo city, said Sunday it had seized control of the city of Tal Rifaat and the towns of Ain Daqna and Sheikh Issa in the northern part of the Aleppo governorate. It also claimed to have captured the villages of Shaaleh and Nairabiyyeh in Aleppos northern countryside. Those territories were previously held not by the government of Bashar al-Assad but by the SDF. Al-Assad controls major parts of Syria, barring a few regions. These include Kurdish-majority areas in east Syria, parts of the south, and parts of the Syrian desert ruled by offshoots of the group affiliated with the erstwhile Islamic State. HTS, which has retained the de facto control of Idlib province since 2020 ceasefire deal, has a mutually beneficial relationship with Turkey. According to a report in The Financial Times, Turkey serves as Idlibs ultimate protector from large-scale attacks by regime forces and their Russian backers, while Ankara also controls the border into the province, through which HTS depends on trade and taxes." How Will The Syrian Government Respond? Abdurrahman Mustafa the head of the Syrian Interim Government, an opposition government in northern Syrian areas not held by HTS and the SSG said a new operation, Dawn of Freedom, had begun to liberate" the northeast. Assad has vowed that Syria will continue to defend its stability and territorial integrity in the face of all terrorists and their supporters". The defence ministry said it was preparing to launch a counteroffensive. Joint Syrian-Russian warplanes" have intensified precise strikes on rebel positions, killing and wounding dozens, it said in a statement. Syrias allies have shown support, with Irans top diplomat Abbas Araghchi travelling to Damascus from Tehran. Irans top diplomat said the country, which has long been an ally of President Assad, firmly support[s] the Syrian government and army". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A US spokesperson said Syrias reliance on Russia and Iran", along with its refusal to move forward with a 2015 UN Security Council peace plan, had created the conditions now unfolding" in the country. With rebels in control of Aleppo, including key military sites and the airport, any counterattack will be difficult for the Syrian army. First Published: December 03, 2024, 14:22 IST Three Sub-Inspectors Suspended Over Bangladesh Mission Breach In Agartala Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 13:11 IST Three sub-inspectors have been suspended following a breach of the Bangladesh consulate in Agartala by a group on Monday. Security personnel keep vigil amid heightened security at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission after protests erupted in Tripura (Photo: PTI) Three sub-inspectors were suspended on Tuesday in action against the incident of breach of the premises of the Bangladesh consulate in Agartala by a group of people on December 2. An order by the Superintendent of Police for West also directed Kanti Nath Ghosh, Assistant Commandant of the Sunni Students Federation (SSF), to immediately report to his office. related stories The suspended sub-inspectors were identified as Dilu Jamatia, Debabrata Sinha, and Joynal Hossain. The suspension order was pending departmental proceedings for alleged negligence in duty on December 2, under Rule 10(1) of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control, and Appeal) Rules, 1965. On Monday, India described as deeply regrettable" the incident of breach of the premises of the Bangladesh consulate in Agartala. The group, which allegedly resorted to vandalism, was reportedly protesting the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in the neighbouring country. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances and that the government is beefing up security at the Bangladeshi missions in India. In Agartala, thousands of people took out a massive demonstration near the Bangladeshi mission protesting the arrest of Das as well as attacks on the Hindu community in Bangladesh. There have been a spate of attacks on minorities including on the Hindu community in Bangladesh in the last few months. On November 29, India said the interim government in Bangladesh must live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities as it expressed serious concern over the surge" of extremist rhetoric and increasing incidents of violence against Hindus. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all New Delhi also hoped that the case relating to Das, arrested on a charge of sedition, would be dealt with in a just, fair and transparent manner. Das was arrested at Dhakas Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on November 25 in connection with a sedition case. First Published: December 03, 2024, 12:48 IST Another Google Maps Goof-Up, 3 Injured As Car Follows Wrong Directions Into Canal Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 18:00 IST Relying on Google Maps, the driver followed directions that led them to a canal track near Kalapura village. The car lost control of the vehicle, which plunged approximately 15 feet into the canal bed. The canal was dry at the time of the accident According to local witnesses and police officials, the car landed upside down with its wheels in the air. (News18 Uttar Pradesh) Three individuals in Uttar Pradesh narrowly escaped death when Google Maps provided an incorrect route. The accident took place at the Kalapura Canal which falls under the jurisdiction of the Izzat Nagar police station in Bareilly. Divyanshu, a resident of Kanpur district, was travelling with two friends to attend a wedding in Pilibhit district. Relying on Google Maps for navigation, Divyanshu was driving when the app directed them towards the canal track near Kalapura village. related stories Unfortunately, the bridge over the canal was broken, causing Divyanshu to lose control of the vehicle, which plunged approximately 15 feet into the canal bed. Fortunately, the canal was dry at the time of the incident. According to local witnesses and police officials, the car landed upside down with its wheels in the air. With the assistance of a JCB and local residents, the police were able to extract the car from the canal. Dhananjay Pandey, the officer in charge of the Izzat Nagar police station, stated that three individuals were travelling in a Tata Tiago, using Google Maps to navigate to Pilibhit. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Due to erosion, the road near the Barkapur intersection, adjacent to the Kalapur Canal, had been compromised, leading to the car plummeting into the canal, he said adding that all occupants of the vehicle escaped unharmed. This follows another such incident on November 24 in which a speeding car plunged 50 feet into a canal after Google Maps suggested a route that included a broken bridge over the Ramganga River. Three people, including two brothers, lost their lives in the incident that took place in Uttar Pradeshs Badaun. Location : Uttar Pradesh, India First Published: December 03, 2024, 18:00 IST At Petrapole Border, Some Hindus Seek Refuge While Others Rush Home To Kin Amid Persecution In Bangladesh Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 12:01 IST Hindus coming from Bangladesh said they felt unsafe in the neighbouring country and were no longer allowed to practice their religion as they blamed the government and police for inaction The Petrapole Border is one of the largest land ports that India shares with Bangladesh and is a crucial land route between the neighbours. (News18) At the Petrapole border check-post in North 24 Parganas, fear, anxiety, and insecurity are writ large on the faces of the people rushing between India and Bangladesh. The border is one of the largest land ports that India shares with Bangladesh and is a crucial land route between the neighbours. The significance of the border can be gauged from the serpentine queues of both Indians and Bangladeshis looking to cross over to the other side, given the reprisals against perceived supporters of ousted PM Sheikh Hasinas regime, including attacks on the countrys minority Hindu community. related stories Khukurani, an elderly ISKCON devotee on her way from Bangladesh, told News18 that she plans to go to the ISKCON temple in Mayapur as she no longer feels safe in the neighbouring country. ALSO READ | Avoid Saffron Clothes, Hide Tilak: ISKCON Kolkata To Bangladesh Monks Amid Attacks On Hindus There is no way we can practise our religion there. Its not at all safe. There are no jobs and now they are not allowing us to practise our religion. Only Azaan is allowed there now. I will go to Mayapur now. I dont want to go back but my family is there. I want to bring them here," she told News18. Several people News18 spoke to echoed the sentiment. Arindam Roy, an Indian businessman who went to Bangladesh to visit the Orakandi temple birthplace of Harichand Thakur said Hindus were living in fear. Hindus dont know if they can continue staying in Bangladesh. The police and government are doing nothing," he said. ALSO READ | Will Bangladesh Ban ISKCON After Hindu Monks Arrest? Tracing History Of Global Religious Body A local shopkeeper, who also helps with money exchange, told News18 that fewer people travelling between the countries has hit business and they are unsure of when the situation will improve. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Adhir Chandra Sen and Rina Rani Sen, both ISKCON devotees, recalled how a religious programme was stopped in Bangladesh. There was a religious programme in Satkhira and a mob came in and asked us to end it. If you are a Hindu in Bangladesh, its clear that you are in danger. We have come here for some days but ultimately, we have to go back. We dont know what will happen then." People leaving for Bangladesh were also a tense lot. A woman returning with her daughter told News18 that she was leaving amid rumours that the border would be closed. Even if there is fear, we have to go back. What can we do? I came here to see my daughter. I heard the border will be closed so Im going back." First Published: December 03, 2024, 11:57 IST 'De-Escalation Next Priority': In Parliament, Jaishankar Cites Improvement In India-China Ties Curated By : Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 20:39 IST S Jaishankar has said there are improvements in India-China relations. During his Lok Sabha address, he also said disengagement has been achieved in full in eastern Ladakh. EAM S Jaishankar speaks in Lok Sabha External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said full disengagement has been achieved in eastern Ladakh and that the India-China ties have seen some improvements. Addressing the Lok Sabha on the India-China border row, the EAM, during the Winter Session of the Parliament, also said the next priority for India would be to continue de-escalation. related stories Recent developments that reflect continuous diplomatic engagements have set Indo-China ties in the direction of some improvement. Disengagement has been achieved in full in eastern Ladakh," Jaishankar said today. I rise to apprise the House of some recent developments in the India-China border areas and their implications for our overall bilateral relations. The House is aware that our ties have been abnormal since 2020 when peace and tranquillity in the border areas were disturbed as a result of Chinese actions," the EAM said. Recent developments that reflect our continuous diplomatic engagement since then have set our ties in the direction of some improvement. The House is cognizant of the fact that China is an illegal occupation of 38,000 square km of the Indian territory in Aksai Chin as a result of the 1962 conflicts and the events that preceded it," he said. Furthermore, Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 square km of the Indian territory to China in 1963, which has been under its occupation since 1948. India and China have held talks for multiple decades to resolve the boundary issue. While there is a Line of Actual Control (LAC), it does not have a common understanding in some areas." We remain committed to engaging with China through bilateral discussions to arrive at a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework for a boundary settlement. Members would recall that the amassing of a large number of troops by China along the LAC in eastern Ladakh in April-May 2020 resulted in face-offs with our forces at a number of points. The situation also led to the disruption of patrolling activities. It is to the credit of our armed forces that despite logistical challenges and the then prevailing Covid situation, they were able to counter-deploy rapidly and effectively," Jaishankar said. #WATCH | In the Lok Sabha, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says The situation arising after our counter deployment in 2020 called for multiple sets of responses. The immediate priority was to ensure disengagement from friction points so that there would be no further untoward incidents or pic.twitter.com/7hpZcWvcco ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2024 Speaking further, the EAM said, The government has maintained that India-China relations cannot be normal without peace at border areas. We remain committed to engaging with China to arrive at a fair, mutually acceptable framework for boundary settlement." The situation arising after our counter-deployment in 2020 called for multiple sets of responses. The immediate priority was to ensure disengagement from friction points so that there would be no further untoward incidents or clashes. This has been fully achieved. The next priority will be to consider de-escalation, which would address the massing of troops along the LAC with associated accompaniments," the EAM told the House. It is also evident that the management of the border areas will require further attention in the light of our recent experiences," he added. In all of this, we were and we remain very clear that the three key principles must be observed in all circumstances both sides should strictly respect and observe the LAC, neither side should attempt to unilaterally alter the status quo, and agreements and understandings reached in the past must be fully abided by in their entirety," Jaishankar said. The External Affairs Minister also briefed the House on October 21, when India announced that it had reached an agreement with China on patrolling along the LAC. The deal was confirmed by China the next day, with Beijing saying that a resolution has been reached on relevant matters" and that it would work with New Delhi to implement these resolutions. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Following the October 21 understanding, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping had a meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan on October 23. They welcomed the understanding and directed the foreign ministers to meet and stabilise and rebuild the relationship," Jaishankar said. India and China have been in a military standoff since May 2020, after troops were engaged in a violent confrontation in Galwan Valley. First Published: December 03, 2024, 14:10 IST Eknath Shinde Visits Thane Hospital For Medical Tests Amid Health Concerns Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Ashesh Mallick Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 15:15 IST Eknath Shinde has been under the weather for a few days because of which he also has not been a part of any political meetings. Maharashtra Caretaker CM Eknath Shinde (PTI File Photo) Maharashtra Caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who was rushed to a hospital in Thane on Tuesday after his health showed no signs of improvement, left the hospital nearly an hour later. related stories Keeping unwell for some days, Shinde was taken to Jupiter Hospital where the doctors advised a full examination of his health. He may be admitted for further investigation," officials said. Shinde, who visited his native village in Satara last week, has been suffering from high fever and sore throat, according to his doctors. Shinde had cancelled all his appointments following the doctors advice to rest. He returned to Mumbai on Monday morning. Devendra Fadnavis had dialled him on Monday to inquire about his health. On the political front, the final announcements on the chief minister and the deputy chief ministers in Maharashtra remain uncertain. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Mahayuti returned to power in the state with a huge majority on November 23, however, since then, discussions have been underway over the power-sharing formula in the new government. An announcement in this regard is expected on Wednesday (December 4). Location : Thane, India First Published: December 03, 2024, 13:28 IST 'Avoid Saffron Clothes, Tilak In Public': ISKCON Kolkata To Bangladesh Monks Amid Attacks On Hindus Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 12:04 IST ISKCON Kolkata has advised its monks and followers in Bangladesh to not wear visible religious symbols and traditional attire to avoid escalating unrest amid attacks on Hindus. ISKCON devotees recite devotional songs in Bengaluru (Photo: PTI/File) Amid attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, ISKCON Kolkata spokesperson Radharamn Das on Tuesday said he has urged its monks and followers from the neighbouring country to avoid wearing saffron robes and tilak in public, advising them to practice their faith discreetly amid safety concerns. The situation in Bangladesh is alarming. The monks and devotees, who have been calling us have been asked to hide their identity as ISKCON followers or monks publicly. We have asked them to practice their faith discreetly inside homes or the temples. We have advised them to dress in a manner that does not draw attention," Das, who is also ISKCON Kolkata vice-president, told news agency PTI. related stories He emphasised that the measure was temporary and aimed solely at ensuring their safety. This is not any advisory or generic guideline but my personal suggestion to monks and devotees who have been calling us frantically over the last few days," he said. Many of our devotees and their families are facing threats and intimidation," Das added, referring to incidents of vandalism of temples and attacks on religious gatherings. The advice came hours after Radharamn Das claimed that advocate Ramen Roy, who had defended Bangladeshs Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in a legal case there, was brutally attacked in the neighbouring country and is fighting for his life in a hospital. According to Das, Roys only fault" was defending Prabhu in court, and a group of Islamists ransacked his home. The attack left Roy critically injured, and he is currently in the ICU, fighting for his life, the ISKCON Kolkata spokesperson claimed. Later, speaking to a Bengali news channel, Das, also ISKCON Kolkata vice president, said, This brutal attack on advocate Roy is a direct consequence of his legal defence of Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu. It reflects the growing danger faced by those who defend the rights of religious minorities in Bangladesh." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all More incidents of attacks on Hindus have been reported in Bangladesh after the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges on November 25. His bail was later denied by a Bangladeshi court, triggering protests by Hindus in various locations, including the capital Dhaka and the port city of Chattogram. First Published: December 03, 2024, 09:23 IST Girl Child's Private Parts Injured For 'Wetting Bed' At Kerala Home, 3 Caretakers Held Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 22:21 IST Police said fingernail marks were found in the private parts of the two-and-a-half-year-old girl. They said they were informed about the injuries by a hospital, where the child was taken for an unrelated issue The three caretakers were arrested from the centre, which is run by the Kerala State Council for Child Welfare, on December 3. (Image for representation: News18) Three caretakers at a government childrens home in Thiruvananthapuram allegedly inflicted injuries on the vaginal area of a two-and-half-year-old inmate, as punishment for wetting the bed while sleeping. The three ayahs, or nursemaids, were arrested from the centre, which is run by the Kerala State Council for Child Welfare, on Tuesday. According to the police, fingernail marks were found in the private parts of the girl. related stories Police said they were told about the injuries by a hospital, where the child was taken for an unrelated issue. They said the injury marks are about seven to eight days old. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all They further said an investigation was conducted after the hospital reported the issue. They found that the caretakers had injured the girl as the child had wet her bed while sleeping. Trivandrum city police commissioner G Sparjan Kumar said: The three ayahs (nursemaids) were arrested under relevant sections of POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act and Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act." Location : Thiruvananthapuram, India First Published: December 03, 2024, 22:21 IST Kerala Lottery Results, December 4 & December 3, 2024 (Today & Yesterday): Sthree Sakthi SS-444 Winners Announced; Full List Here! Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 09:12 IST Kerala Lottery Results: Here's FULL LIST of winning numbers for Sthree Sakthi SS-444 lucky draw for Tuesday, December 3. Kerala Lottery Sthree Sakthi SS-444 Result: The first prize winner of Sthree Sakthi SS-444 will get Rs 75 lakh. (Image: Shutterstock) KERALA LOTTERY STHREE SAKTHI SS-444 RESULT ON TUESDAY, 3.12.2024, LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala State Lottery Department has announced the results of the Sthree Sakthi SS-444 lucky draw for Tuesday, December 3.The participant with ticket number SP 723784 has won the first prize of Rs 75 lakh, while the second prize of Rs 10 lakh will be received by the person with ticket number ST 741724. The jackpot winning ticket worth Rs 75 lakh was sold at Vadakara by an agent Rajeesh KV (Agency No: D 4565). Check the Full List of Winning Numbers below. ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Results 9.12.2024: Win Win W-799 Winners; First Prize Rs 75 Lakh! related stories FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR STHREE SAKTHI SS-444 LOTTERY WINNING NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE SN 723784 SO 723784 SR 723784 SS 723784 ST 723784 SU 723784 SV 723784 SW 723784 SX 723784 SY 723784 SZ 723784 WINNING NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 75 LAKH IS SP 723784 (VADAKARA) Agent Name: RAJEESH KV Agency No: D 4565 WINNING NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 10 LAKH IS ST 741724 (IRINJALAKKUDA) Agent Name: NIMISHA SHAKKEEL Agency No: R 9829 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE 0530 0723 0925 1439 2239 2961 3329 3580 3799 3984 4689 4902 6665 7278 8255 8474 9219 9690 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 2,000 ARE 0179 2820 2860 4656 5091 6747 6785 6825 9100 9517 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE 0418 1002 1046 1062 1091 1450 1700 1893 1997 2379 3904 3960 4343 5434 5731 6950 7305 7923 7944 9504 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE 0023 0386 0456 0902 1218 1261 1347 1425 1938 1947 1994 2045 2177 2208 2211 2596 2642 2963 3092 3270 3521 3567 4011 5000 5017 5062 5233 5295 5318 5771 6201 6488 6495 6598 6796 6983 7027 7087 7586 7879 8125 8161 8313 9045 9189 9248 9376 9508 9601 9715 9738 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 200 ARE 0302 0792 0979 1460 1759 2374 2680 2969 3986 4066 4090 4319 4402 5366 5682 6166 6184 6289 6374 6517 6546 6886 6979 7240 7276 7393 7411 7690 7709 7775 7797 7859 8077 8304 8472 8600 8712 8783 9021 9091 9212 9359 9419 9810 9877 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 8TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE 0182 0198 0206 0255 0258 0342 0357 0399 0547 0629 0651 0734 0771 1069 1108 1142 1285 1304 1312 1331 1336 1341 1526 1536 1571 1584 1732 2016 2057 2127 2186 2405 2493 2595 2626 2749 2766 2849 2905 3150 3222 3558 3573 3611 3625 3647 3862 3886 3916 3942 4006 4015 4060 4258 4290 4395 4463 4498 4575 4602 4688 4758 4868 5029 5186 5224 5285 5322 5424 5476 5521 5548 6054 6092 6438 6490 6507 6567 6629 6754 6836 6954 7005 7041 7093 7115 7381 7464 7477 7509 7526 7662 7806 7810 7842 7946 7984 8136 8169 8721 8800 8896 8909 8993 9031 9080 9089 9263 9317 9327 9363 9370 9405 9456 9545 9566 9573 9591 9647 9652 9832 9838 9906 9960 9966 9969 ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Results: Pooja Bumper BR-100 Draw On December 4 Prize Structure, Guessing Numbers & More! KERALA LOTTERY RESULT: STHREE SAKTHI SS-444 PRIZE STRUCTURE 1st Prize: Rs 75 lakh 2nd Prize: Rs. 10 lakh 3rd Prize: Rs. 5,000 4th Prize: Rs. 2,000 5th Prize: Rs. 1,000 6th Prize: Rs. 500 7th Prize: Rs. 200 8th Prize: Rs. 100 Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000 HOW TO VERIFY KERALA STHREE SAKTHI SS-444 LOTTERY RESULTS? Participants can verify the winning numbers for the Sthree Sakthi SS-444 lottery through two methods. They can either visit the official website of the Kerala Lottery Department at www.keralalottery.info or check in person at the lottery office. HOW TO COLLECT YOUR PRIZE MONEY? Individuals can confirm the authenticity of their lottery ticket by cross-checking it with the winning numbers listed in the Kerala Government Gazette. Once verified, winners must claim their prize in person at the Kerala Lottery Office in Thiruvananthapuram within 30 days of the announcement. For verification, the winning ticket must be presented along with valid identification. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO CLAIM PRIZE MONEY? A self-attested photocopy of the winning ticket on both sides. Passport-size photographs signed by a Gazetted officer. A copy of the PAN card, signed by the participant. An online prize money claim form, submitted with a revenue stamp affixed. Identity proof documents, such as a PAN card, Aadhaar card, voter ID, or ration card. HOW TO DOWNLOAD A PDF WITH A FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS? Visit the official websites of the Kerala Lottery Department at keralalotteries.info or keralalotteryresult.net. Click on the link for the Sthree Sakthi SS 444 results. The list of winning numbers will be displayed. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Find the download option on the webpage. Download the SS 444 lottery results in PDF format. Location : Thiruvananthapuram [Trivandrum], India First Published: December 03, 2024, 09:00 IST Last Updated: December 05, 2024, 15:58 IST KERALA LOTTERY POOJA BUMPER BR-100 RESULT TODAY ON WEDNESDAY, 04.12.2024: The Kerala State Lottery Department has announced the results of the Pooja Bumper-BR-100 Lottery for December 4, 2024. The jackpot-winning ticket, JC 325526, worth Rs 12 crore, was sold at Kayamkulam by agent Jaya S Vijayan, with agency number Q 2664. It has now come to light that the ticket was purchased by Dinesh Kumar from Karunagapally, Kollam. He bought the winning ticket from the Jayakumar Lottery Center in Kollam. The winner will receive approximately Rs 7.6 crore after deductions, while the agent will earn a commission of Rs 1.2 crore. ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Result Today 5.12.2024: Karunya Plus KN-550 Winners; First Prize Rs 80 Lakh! According to the staff at the center, Dinesh is a regular customer. Interestingly, in 2019, he narrowly missed winning a Rs 12 crore jackpot by just two or three tickets. This time, on November 22, he bought ten tickets, and one of them turned out to be the grand prize winner. Lok Sabha Passes Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill Allowing 4 Nominees In Bank Accounts Published By : PTI Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 20:39 IST Another proposed change in the Bill relates to redefining 'substantial interest' for directorships, which could increase to Rs 2 crore instead of the current limit of Rs 5 lakh fixed almost six decades ago Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman stressed on the broader benefits of the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024. (Image: News18) The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which allows bank account holders to have up to four nominees in their accounts. Another proposed change relates to redefining substantial interest for directorships, which could increase to Rs 2 crore instead of the current limit of Rs 5 lakh, which was fixed almost six decades ago. related stories The Bill piloted by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was approved by a voice vote. Replying to the debate on the Bill, she said depositors will have the option of successive or simultaneous nomination facility, while locker holders will have only successive nomination. Sitharaman said since 2014, the central government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have been extremely cautious, so that banks remain stable. The intention is to keep our banks safe, stable, healthy, and after 10 years you are seeing the outcome," she said. The Bill proposes to increase the tenure of directors (excluding the chairman and whole-time director) in cooperative banks from 8 years to 10 years, so as to align with the Constitution (Ninety-Seventh Amendment) Act, 2011. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Once passed, it will allow a director of a central cooperative bank to serve on the board of a state cooperative bank. It also seeks to give greater freedom to banks in deciding the remuneration to be paid to statutory auditors. The bill seeks to redefine the reporting dates for banks for regulatory compliance to the 15th and last day of every month instead of the second and fourth Fridays. The proposed amendments will strengthen governance in the banking sector and enhance customer convenience with respect to nomination and protection of investors," Sitharaman said while moving the bill for consideration and passing. First Published: December 03, 2024, 20:39 IST Last Updated: December 05, 2024, 08:56 IST Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP will be sworn in as the Maharashtra chief minister, while caretaker CM Eknath Shinde and NCP leader Ajit Pawar will take oath as his two deputies. (Image: News18) Maharashtra New CM Highlights: Devendra Fadnavis has been elected as the BJPs Legislative Party leader in a key party meeting and is effectively set to become the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Meanwhile, Maharashtras caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday officially accepted the post of Deputy Chief Minister in the new government. He will take the oath as one of the two deputies, alongside NCP chief Ajit Pawar, on Thursday (December 5), sources told News18. Earlier today, Fadnavis met Shinde at Varsha bungalow at 2 PM, joined by Pawar. The discussion focused on the next steps, the allocation of cabinet portfolios, and finalising the list of leaders who will take the oath. The three leaders also addressed reporters from the Raj Bhawan. In the recently held state assembly polls, the Mahayuti alliance won 230 of the 288 assembly seats. The BJP led with 132 seats, while the Shiv Sena got 57 and NCP 41 seats. There were reports that caretaker CM Eknath Shinde had conveyed his displeasure at not being given a second chance as CM by retreating to his village Dare in Satara district, but he attributed the visit to a need for rest after a hectic election campaign. Odisha Theatre Actor Playing Demon Kills Pig On Stage, Eats Raw Meat Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 10:16 IST The actor was playing the role of a demon in the Ramayana play and killed a live pig on stage, which sparked statewide outrage. Theatre actor kills pig on stage (Photo: iStock) A 45-year-old theatre actor playing the role of a demon in Ramayana was arrested after he ripped the stomach of a live pig on stage and ate its meat in Odishas Ganjam district, police said. The incident sparked a statewide outrage and was condemned in the assembly on Monday. related stories Besides the actor, identified as Bimbadhar Gouda, one of the organisers of the play that took place in Ralab village in Hinjili police station area on November 24 was also arrested for cruelty to animals and violation of the Wildlife Protection Act. Ruling BJP members Babu Singh and Sanatan Bijuli strongly condemned the incident in the assembly. Action was taken against the duo after videos of the incident went viral on social media, with animal rights activists also condemning it and calling for strong action against the accused. We are also looking for THE persons who displayed snakes in the theatre. They will also be arrested soon," Berhampur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sunny Khokar said. He, however, did not disclose the name of the arrested organiser. The state government, in a guideline issued in August last year, prohibited the public display of snakes, including by certified snake handlers. We have registered a case against the theatre actor who killed the pig and ate its meat in the theatre, and arrested him," said Hinjili police station inspector-in-charge Srinibas Sethy said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all To attract audience, the theatre group displayed snakes while a demon ripped the stomach of a live pig with a knife, which was tied to a ceiling of the stage and ate some of the organs in full public view, he said. A group of the villagers organised the theatre on the occasion of Kanjianal Yatra in the village. Location : Bhubaneswar, India First Published: December 02, 2024, 23:52 IST Pappu Yadavs Own Aide Threatened Him Posing As Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Member, Held Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 23:47 IST The accused, Ram Babu Yadav, allegedly made a video call to Pappu Yadav, demanding an apology to Lawrence Bishnoi for a post threatening to finish off the jailed gangsters network. Pappu Yadav (PTI Photo) Bihar Police on Tuesday arrested a former associate" of Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, and claimed that it was this man who threatened the Lok Sabha MP posing as a henchman of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi as part of a plan to demand heightened security for the parliamentarian. The accused, Ram Babu Yadav, allegedly made a video call to Pappu Yadav, demanding an apology to Lawrence Bishnoi for a post threatening to finish off" the jailed gangsters network. related stories Ram Babu Yadav was arrested from his native place in Bhojpur district. Purnea SP Kartikeya K Sharma told that the accused was formerly associated with Jan Adhikar Party (JAP), which Pappu Yadav had merged with the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Pappu Yadav contested and won from the Purnea Lok Sabha seat as an Independent candidate. Purnea Police tracked Ram Babu Yadavs location and arrested him. Preliminary investigations revealed that he has no connections with any gang. He was formerly associated with JAP. He has confessed that he sent threatening messages to the Lok Sabha MP on the instruction of some people associated with the MP himself," Sharma said. The arrested man claimed that he was paid Rs 2000 for making and sending the video on the WhatsApp number of the MP. He also told the interrogators that he was supposed to get Rs. 2 lakh more and some political post from the people associated with the MP after sending another threatening video which was already made, the SP said. Police questioned Ram Babu Yadav to understand the motive, said the SP. Police have so far found no evidence to corroborate the claims made by the accused during questioning. The matter is being further investigated," Sharma said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Pappu Yadav has been allegedly receiving death threats since he announced his intention to eliminate the Bishnoi gang in the aftermath of the killing of former lawmaker Baba Siddique in Mumbai. Shortly after Siddiques murder, Yadav uploaded a post on his official X handle, declaring to "finish off the gang within 24 hours" the network of Bishnoi, who was suspected to be behind the assassination of Baba Siddique. Location : Purnia, India First Published: December 03, 2024, 23:47 IST Last Updated: December 04, 2024, 14:24 IST External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed the Rajya Sabha on India-China issues, where he said the ties between the two largest countries were improving since an October 21 agreement on the resumption of patrolling in eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). He said a de-escalation is the next priority and that India remained committed to engaging with China through bilateral discussions on a fair boundary settlement. Earlier today, leaders of several I.N.D.I.A. parties protested on the Parliament premises on Wednesday over the Adani indictment issue and called for a joint parliamentary probe in the matter. This happened despite the Lok Sabha Secretariat issuing an advisory urging the MPs not to hold protests in front of Parliament gates. Opposition members also raised the issue of LoP Rahul Gandhi being denied entry to visit the violence-prone Sambhal area in Uttar Pradesh and the farm protests. The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which allows bank account holders to have up to four nominees in their accounts. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while moving the Bill for consideration and passing, said: The proposed amendments will strengthen governance in the banking sector and enhance customer convenience with respect to nomination and protection of investors. BJPs Sambit Patra sparked controversy by mentioning a 1974 incident involving Indira Gandhi while participating in the debate on the Banking Law (Amendment) Bill 2024, which drew huge protests by the Opposition. DMK leader A Raja stood to raise his objection to the mention of the incident, saying it is a violation of rule 94. 'I Thank Supreme Court, Judges': PM Modi Hails Implementation Of Nyay Sanhita, Criminal Laws Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 14:06 IST PM Modi today hailed the implementation of the new criminal laws as a step towards a transparent and efficient legal system, during a visit to Chandigarh. PM Narendra Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the new criminal laws are a concrete step towards fulfilling the ideals that our Constitution has imagined for the country, as he hailed the implementation of the three new criminal laws. Addressing an event in Chandigarh, to mark the successful implementation of the new criminal laws, PM Modi said, Its (new criminal laws) a concrete step towards fulfilling the ideals that our constitution has imagined for the citizens of our country." related stories In the seven decades after independence, the challenges faced by our judicial system were studied and thought upon. Behavioural aspects of all the laws were analysed. I thank the Supreme Court, judges and High Courts especially of Punjab and Haryana," the Prime Minister said. I thank the Bar (association) who have taken the ownership of Nyay Sanhita," he added. The identity of Chandigarh is linked to the powerful form of Maa Chandi, who represents the form of strength through which truth and justice are established. This spirit is also the foundation of Indian justice, civil security, and the pure form of our Constitution," the Prime Minister said. At a time when the country is moving forward with the resolve of a united India, and as we celebrate 75 years of the Constitution, the implementation of Indian justice inspired by the spirit of the Constitution marks a significant beginning," he added. On this occasion, I extend my heartfelt best wishes to all citizens on the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Nagarik Sanhita. I also congratulate everyone associated with the Chandigarh administration," PM Modi said. Earlier today, the Prime Minister in Chandigarh witnessed a live demonstration simulating a crime scene investigation under the new criminal laws. VIDEO | PM Modi (@narendramodi) along with Union Home Minister Amit Shah (@AmitShah) inspects an exhibition on the implementation of the three new criminal laws Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam in Chandigarh.(Source: pic.twitter.com/fgpki9raCK Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 3, 2024 Modi arrived in the city earlier in the day to dedicate to the nation the successful implementation of the three new laws. The three criminal laws Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam came into effect on July 1, replacing the British-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively. The live demonstration of the process of collecting evidence and recording statements was given by the Chandigarh Police at an exhibition hall set up at the Punjab Engineering College. The programme showcased the practical application of the new laws. Modi was also briefed by Chandigarh Senior Superintendent of Police Kanwardeep Kaur. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, UT Chandigarh adviser Rajeev Verma and Chandigarh Director General of Police Surendra Singh Yadav. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The new criminal laws aim to make Indias legal system more transparent, efficient and adaptable to the needs of contemporary society, an official statement said on Monday. These landmark reforms mark a historic overhaul of Indias criminal justice system, bringing in new frameworks to tackle modern-day challenges such as cybercrime and organised crime and ensuring justice for victims of various offences, according to the statement. First Published: December 03, 2024, 13:57 IST Terrorist, Who Killed 7 Civilians, Eliminated In Encounter With Security Forces In J&K's Dachigam Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 18:06 IST The gunfight continued between security forces and terrorists in the upper mountain belt of Harwan. The terrorist has been identified as Junaid who killed 7 civilians and injured 5 others in an attack on tunnel project in October. In a major breakthrough, the security forces killed a wanted terrorist, who was responsible for terror attack in Ganderbal, during an ongoing encounter in the upper reaches of Dachigam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. The Kashmir Zone Police in a social media post announced the killing of the terrorist, identified as Junail Ahmed Bhat. The Police said that Bhat was an A category terrorist of Lashkar-e-Taiba terror outfit and was involved in the killing of civilians in Ganderbals Gagangir and other terror attacks. related stories In the ongoing operation, one terrorist is killed and has been identified as Junaid Ahmed Bhat (LeT, Category A). The said terrorist was involved in civilians killing at Gagangir, Ganderbal and several other terror attacks," it said on X. #OPDachigam : In the ongoing operation, one #terrorist is killed and has been identified as Junaid Ahmed Bhat ( LeT, Category A). The said terrorist was involved in civilians killing at Gagangir, Ganderbal and several other terror attacks. (1/2) https://t.co/zWXLOAtVb5 Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) December 3, 2024 Police said that the operation is going on, and is being carried out jointly with Rashtriya Rifles and security forces. Earlier the police said that firing exchanges started during a CASO (Cordon and Search Operation) launched by the security forces after specific input about the presence of terrorists in the area on Monday. The cordon around the area where terrorists are believed to be hiding has been tightened. The operation was resumed with the first light on Tuesday morning. Dachhigam, a national park on the outskirts of Srinagar, covers an area of about 141 square kilometres. Ganderbal Attack top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A doctor and six migrant workers were killed after terrorists struck a tunnel construction site on the Srinagar-Leh national highway in Jammu and Kashmirs Ganderbal district in October. The terrorists had opened fire on a camp housing workers of a private company, who were working on an under-construction Z-Mohr tunnel in the Gund area, which connects Gaganeer to Sonamarg in Central Kashmirs Ganderbal district. Location : Srinagar, India First Published: December 03, 2024, 15:59 IST Priyanka Chopra Exudes Corporate Core In A Chequered Skirt Suit Set For Her Anniversary Celebrations Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 12:57 IST Priyanka Chopra opted for a corporate look for her wedding anniversary celebrations with husband Nick Jonas and daughter Malti Marie in New York City. Priyanka Chopra's skirt suit set was a blend of corporate core and playfulness. Priyanka Chopra recently celebrated her sixth wedding anniversary with her husband Nick Jonas and daughter Malti Marie. To celebrate their special day, the family decided to step out in New York City and catch a special special screening of Moana 2. Priyanka decided to channel corporate core for her anniversary outfit, and safe to say, she nailed it. Taking to her social media, Priyanka Chopra took to her Instagram to share a series of images from her anniversary celebration. She wrote, What a special treat on our anniversary. Maltis favorite Moana with our friends and family. Moana 2 is so much fun!! Thank you @disney @disneyanimation for the amazing screening. All the kids had the best time. In theaters now @nickjonas." The first picture featured a mirror selfie where Priyanka donned a chequered skirt, cropped waistcoat, tie, and spectacles. The other pictures included more pictures of her outfit along with Moana-inspired decor and obviously, Malti. related stories Take a look at the pictures here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Priyanka (@priyankachopra) For the celebrations, Priyankas outfit exuded a perfect blend of formal wear and playfulness. The actor opted for a brown chic chequered skirt suit set from Helen Anthonys Autumn Winter 2024 collection. She paired the skirt with a similar pattern sleeveless waistcoat and a tie in the same pattern. To beat the chills, she topped off her look with a winter puffy jacket. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Priyanka kept her accessories to a minimum. She styled her corporate core outfit with an Aupen Nirvana Olive bag and nerdy spectacles. She went with silver hoops, a stack of bracelets, and a bunch of statement rings. She tied her hair up in a bun and let a few strands loose to frame her face. This look was a stark departure from Priyankas usual chic and glamourous looks and we are absolutely in love with it. Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 03, 2024, 12:57 IST Amit Shah Watches Sabarmati Report With Vikrant Massey Amid Retirement News, His Review Goes Viral Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 07:26 IST Amit Shah shared his thoughts on The Sabarmati Report after a special screening was held for NDA MPs in New Delhi. Amit Shah watches The Sabarmati Report with PM Modi. Union Home Minister Amit Shah shared his review of The Sabarmati Report on X. The political leader watched the film with PM Narendra Modi and other NDA leaders at a special screening hosted for the NDA MPs. Vikrant Massey and other cast members attended the screening. Taking to X, Amit Shah shared photos from the special screening along with his thoughts about the film. The film The Sabarmati Report introduced the countrymen to the truth of Godhra. Through this film, people are getting to know how an ecosystem kept such a big truth hidden from the country for years. Today I watched this film with Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji and NDA MPs. Congratulations to the entire team of The Sabarmati Report film for this commendable effort," he wrote. related stories @narendramodi NDA pic.twitter.com/YPSqHA92wL Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 2, 2024 The screening took place at Balyogi Auditorium in Parliament Complex Library on Monday. NDA MPs and Union Ministers including Rajnath Singh, Kiren Rijiju, Jitan Ram Manjhi, Ashwini Vaishnaw and others were also present during the screening. Photos also revealed that Kangana Ranaut, who had once called Vikrant a cockroach, was also present at the screening. Following the screen, PM Modi also took to X to share his review of the film. He wrote, Joined fellow NDA MPs at a screening of The Sabarmati Report. I commend the makers of the film for their effort." For the unversed, The Sabarmati Report is based on the Godhra train burning incident which took place on February 27, 2002. About 59 people died in the incident. The unfortunate event also triggered communal riots in Gujarat. The screening coincided with Vikrant Masseys announcement to retire. Hours before he flew to New Delhi for the screening, Vikrant took to Instagram and shared that he is retiring from films. The 37-year-old actor wrote, Hello, The last few years and beyond have been phenomenal. I thank each and every one of you for your indelible support. But as I move forward, I realise its time to recalibrate and go back home. As a Husband, Father & a Son. And also as an Actor. So, coming 2025, we would meet each other for one last time. Until time deems right. Last 2 movies and many a years of memories. Thank you again. For everything and everything in between. Forever indebted." First Published: December 03, 2024, 07:26 IST Naga Chaitanya-Sobhita Dhulipala Wedding Guest List REVEALED; Gaurav Khanna Confirms Exit From Anupamaa Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 21:44 IST Allu Arjun and his family will attend Naga Chaitanya and Sobhitas wedding in Hyderabad. Meanwhile, Anupamaa actor Gaurav Khanna shared that his character Anujs chapter is closed for now. Allu Arjun to attend Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala's wedding. Allu Arjun and his family are set to be part of the guest list for the highly anticipated wedding of Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala. The couple will tie the knot on December 4 at the iconic Annapurna Studios in a grand yet intimate ceremony. A source close to the wedding shared, Allu Arjun and his family will attend Naga Chaitanya and Sobhitas wedding in Hyderabad. All roads truly lead to the city for this special celebration." For More: Naga Chaitanya, Sobhita Dhulipala Wedding Guest List Out: Pushpa Star Allu Arjun And Others To Attend related stories The 15-year time leap in Anupamaa in October saw the exit of several key characters, but the fate of Anuj Kapadia, played by Gaurav Khanna, remained a mystery. After being off the set for two months, the actor has now addressed his future on the show. Talking to Etimes, he said, People have been constantly asking me about my return to Anupamaa. Rajan sir (producer Rajan Shahi) had discussed the possibility of a grand re-entry for the character, and we waited two months for it to materialise. However, the storyline had to progress, and waiting no longer made sense. He, too, felt it was time for me to explore something bigger. So, for now, Anujs chapter is closed, but I see it as a comma, not a full stop. If the story demands and my schedule allows, Id be happy to return." For More: Gaurav Khanna Quits Anupamaa, REACTS To Fallout With Rupali Ganguly: What happens Beyond Action And Cut Vikrant Massey announced that he is taking a step back from films. He also added that he will return to the spotlight if a deserving opportunity presents itself. Vikrant doesnt want to spread himself too thin. He has been flooded with offers from OTT and movies. His fear is that he is over exposing himself and the audience might soon be tired of him. Hes often expressed this worry in his conversations about doing too many films and tiring his audience out. So its a brave decision to take a break and give yourself some time," a director told India Today on the condition of anonymity. For More: Vikrant Massey Retirement: REAL Reason Behind His Break Revealed? Director Says Actor Doesnt Want To The fight between Govinda and his bhanja Krushna Abhishek is finally over. The two recently hugged each other on The Great Indian Kapil Show and resolved their differences. Days after, Govindas daughter Tina Ahuja has also revealed that the relationships in the family are now good and respectful. However, she also shared that it was toxic earlier. For More: Govindas Daughter Calls His Fight With Krushna Abhishek Toxic: I Will Not Lie In an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, Weekend Ka Vaar host Ravi Kishan shares his stance on the love stories inside the house and if theyre scripted to grab eyeballs. He tells us, Karans a flirt but hes holding it back. I dont know why. But one thing I can say is that, passion uchaal maarta hai andar. Inside the house, youve nothing else to do and your energy levels touch the zenith. I cant even explain to you what happens inside the house." For More: Ravi Kishan On Karan Veer-Chum Darangs Romance On Bigg Boss 18: Hes A Flirt But | Exclusive First Published: December 03, 2024, 21:44 IST Naga Chaitanya, Sobhita Dhulipala Wedding: Ram Charan, Mahesh Babu To Attend Special Day Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 20:47 IST Earlier today, it was also reported that Pushpa star Allu Arjun will also be attending Chay's wedding with Sobhita. Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala will tie the knot on December 4. (Photos: Instagram) A day ahead of Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipalas wedding, it has been revealed that several big stars will be attending it. If recent reports are to be believed, Ram Charan will also be gracing the occasion with his wife, Upasana Konidela. Besides this Mahesh Babu and Namrata Shirodkar are also set to add their star power to the much-anticipated wedding. Earlier today, it was also reported that Pushpa star Allu Arjun will also be attending Chays wedding with Sobhita. Allu Arjun and his family will attend Naga Chaitanya and Sobhitas wedding in Hyderabad. All roads truly lead to the city for this special celebration," an insider told news agency IANS. related stories Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala are set to tie the knot on December 4. The couple will get married in Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad. Their Haldi ceremony photos are already going viral on social media. As the couple prepares for their big day, a source close to the event recently also revealed that the wedding is going to be traditional and old-school. Its going to be more than 8-hour long wedding rituals according to the Telugu Brahmin traditions, which is what Sobhita and Chaitanya are following for their wedding," a source close to Sobhita revealed. In order to honour the cultural aspects and give respect and attention to all the beautiful details of a Telugu wedding they are going all out with an over 8-hour traditional hard-core old school wedding," the insider added. This will be Chaitanyas second marriage. He was previously married to actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu. They tied the knot in October 2017, following a long-term relationship. The couple, however, announced their separation in October 2021, citing personal differences, and finalized their divorce in 2022. First Published: December 03, 2024, 20:47 IST Vikrant Massey 'Not Retiring', Says People Misread Post: 'Burned Out, Need A Break' | EXCLUSIVE Written By : News18.com Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 15:54 IST Vikrant Massey speaks about his decision to take a break from acting for the first time with News18 Showsha. Vikrant Massey assures he's not retiring from acting. Bollywood actor Vikrant Massey spoke to News18 Showsha and clarified his viral retirement post. The actor told us exclusively that he is not retiring. He is merely taking a break. The actor issued the clarification after fans were confused that he was leaving his acting career. Im not retiring Just burned out. Need a long break. Miss home and health are also acting up People misread it [the social media post]," Vikrant told News18 Showsha. related stories Vikrant Massey Promises, I Will Return In another statement, The Sabarmati Report actor clarified that he will return to his acting projects when he feels that the time is right. Acting is all I can do. And it has given me everything I have. My physical and mental health has taken a hit. I just want to take some time off, want to better my craft. I feel a sense of monotony at the moment. My post has been misinterpreted. That I am quitting or retiring from acting. I want to take some time off to focus on my family and health. I will be back when the time feels right," the statement read. Vikrant Masseys Viral Post That Shocked All In the wee hours of Monday, Vikrant announced his decision to take a step back from his acting career. The actor penned a note on Instagram and said that he wishes to recalibrate and go back home. He said he wants to spend time with his family to perform his duties as a husband, father and son. He shared that he has two more movies in the pipeline and will take a break thereafter. Hello, The last few years and beyond have been phenomenal. I thank each and every one of you for your indelible support. But as I move forward, I realise its time to recalibrate and go back home. As a Husband, Father & a Son. And also as an Actor. So, coming 2025, we would meet each other for one last time. Until time deems right. Last 2 movies and many a years of memories. Thank you again. For everything and everything in between. Forever indebted," he said in the post. Vikrants announcement drew mixed reactions. While many supported him, there were a few who felt it was a publicity stunt. Vikrant has not addressed the speculations. Meanwhile, he made his first appearance after making the shocking announcement on Monday evening. He was seen in New Delhi, at the special screening of The Sabarmati Report, his recently released film. The screening was hosted for NDA MPs and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also attended the show. The screening took place at Balyogi Auditorium in Parliament Complex Library on Monday. Vikrant was present in the room as well. He shared a couple of pictures from the special gathering on Instagram and wrote, A day to remember for the rest of my life Eternally grateful to the Hon. Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji for sparing the time to watch our movie Your words of appreciation shall never be forgotten." First Published: December 03, 2024, 12:20 IST Jharkhand Cabinet Expansion: 11 Ministers Likely To Take Oath On Dec 5 Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 17:52 IST Hemant Soren had taken oath as the 14th chief minister of Jharkhand on November 28. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Hemant Soren after he was sworn-in as the 14th Chief Minister of Jharkhand (PTI) The council of ministers of the Hemant Soren government in Jharkhand is likely to take oath on Thursday, a JMM leader said. Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the ministers at Raj Bhavan. related stories "Eleven ministers are likely to take oath of the JMM-led coalition government on December 5 around 12 noon," the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader told PTI. Soren had taken oath as the 14th chief minister of Jharkhand on November 28. The INDIA bloc secured 56 seats in the 81-member Jharkhand assembly, while the BJP-led NDA won 24 seats. The first meeting of the cabinet has decided to convene an assembly session from December 9-12. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Senior JMM MLA Stephen Marandi will conduct the proceedings as pro-tem speaker till a regular Speaker is elected. The Congress is likely to get four ministerial berths and the RJD one, while the CPI(ML)L may also get one, according to sources. Location : Ranchi, India First Published: December 03, 2024, 17:52 IST 'Fadnavis Will Be CM': NDA Leader Ramdas Athawale Appeals To Shinde To Accept Deputy CM's Post Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Ronit Singh Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 15:01 IST Maharashtra New CM Updates: BJP has called for its Legislature Party meeting on November 4, which is expected to end the suspense over the new CM. Maharashtra Caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis | Image/X Maharashtra New CM Updates: Amid the suspense brewing over the new Maharashtra Chief Minister, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leader Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday claimed that Devendra Fadnavis will assume the top role and appealed to Eknath Shinde to accept the Deputy CMs post. The BJP has called for its Legislature Party meeting on December 4, with sources claiming that Devendra Fadnavis will be elected as party leader, which will pave the way for him to assume the Chief Ministers post. related stories He (Devendra Fadnavis) totally deserves it (the CM post) because of his experience and performance in the past," the Republican Party of India (Athawle) leader told CNN-News18. He added that Eknath Shinde, whom the NDA wants to appoint as Deputy CM, is upset" over the decision. I appeal to him (Eknath Shinde) to accept the position," Athawale remarked. Mahayuti To Pick CM Tomorrow The party has appointed two central observers- Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, to lead the BJP legislature party meeting tomorrow. We are going to Mumbai this evening. Nirmala Sitharaman is also coming. We will have a meeting of the BJPs Legislative Party tomorrow at 11 am," said Rupani. He further hinted that the decision on the new CM will be made after the meeting and the elected leader may be considered for the CMs post, given the BJPs superior number over its ally NCP and Shiv Sena. After the Leader (of Legislative Party) is elected, the High Command will be informed of the name. An announcement will then be made." Rupani added that the BJP high command had discussed with all three allies about the Maharashtra government formation and reiterated that any decision would be taken by keeping Shiv Sena and NCP in confidence. Eknath Shindes Key Demands Sources revealed that the Home Ministry has become the biggest flashpoint between the Mahayuti parties, especially the BJP and Shiv Sena, amid the delay in the government formation. Eknath Shinde, who is reportedly not willing to accept the Deputy CMs post, has demanded Home Ministry and PWD and Revenue portfolios, which are among the key departments in the Maharashtra cabinet. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Earlier, reports claimed that Shinde, who doesnt want to settle for the Deputy CM post, pushed his son, Shrikant Shinde, for the role. However, his son clarified, saying the speculations are baseless. The oath-taking ceremony for the new Mahayuti government will take place on December 5 evening at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai, said party sources, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior NDA leaders will be in attendance. First Published: December 03, 2024, 13:26 IST 'No One Killed In Police Firing': BJP Retorts After Akhilesh Yadav's Sambhal Charge In Lok Sabha Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Ashesh Mallick Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 14:14 IST Parliament Session 2024: Akhilesh Yadav raised the Sambhal violence issue in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, alleging "planned conspiracy" to disrupt harmony. Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav In Lok Sabha (Photo: Sansad TV) Winter Session of Parliament: Reacting sharply to Akhilesh Yadavs fiery speech in Lok Sabha on the Sambhal violence issue, the BJP rejected his allegations and said that no one was killed in the police firing on November 24. Lok Sabha on Tuesday witnessed an Akhilesh Yadav vs BJP debate on the Sambhal violence issue as the former alleged killing of innocent people in the police firing while the BJP denied the allegations. related stories Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav raised the Sambhal issue in the Lower House and alleged that the incident was orchestrated as part of a well-planned conspiracy". He said that people were shot dead in the police firing and injured in the firing and asserted that bullets were fired at Sambhals harmony". This comes as Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla allowed Akhilesh to speak on the matter during the Zero Hour. The Samajwadi Party had skipped the INDIA blocs protest against Adani in the Parliament complex before the start of the days proceedings today. Akhilesh Hits Out At Yogi Govt In Lok Sabha Speaking in the House on the matter, Akhilesh lashed out at the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh alleging that bullets were fired at Sambhals harmony". Sambhal is known for its harmony. But the sudden incident that has taken place in a well-planned manner. Bullets have been fired at Sambhals harmony. The incident is a well-planned conspiracy. The talks of digging there by the BJP and its supporters will bring an end to the communal harmony in the country. The bypolls in UP were earlier scheduled for November 13, they moved it to November 20," Akhilesh said. The Samajwadi Party MP painted his version of the picture of the violence and alleged that the police opened fire using their government and private weapons". He said that the local court ordered a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal without listening to the Muslim side. On 19th November, the survey was conducted and the report was to be given to the Court," he said. He further said that another survey was conducted on November 24 during which the people gathered to know the reason behind the survey. Circle Officer abused the people gathered there and lathi charge was done. After this, police opened fire with their government and private weapons, during which dozens were injured and 5 innocent were killed," Akhilesh made the massive charge. He further demanded that a murder case should be registered against the police and Sambhal administration. He also sought their suspension so that people can get justice and such an incident is not repeated in future". #WATCH | On the Sambhal issue, Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav says The incident that took place in Sambhal is a well-planned conspiracyBy-elections were supposed to be held in Uttar Pradesh on 13th November but it was postponed to 20th NovemberThis Govt does not pic.twitter.com/vOadrWMNgo ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2024 BJP Reacts Sharply To Accusation BJPs Amroha MP Kanwar Tanwar Singh rejected Akhileshs allegations and told CNN-News18 that no one died in the police firing and people died in the firing by the protestors. What happened in Sambhal is similar to what we saw in the Sabarmati Report. Akhilesh is speaking all lies," he said. The Sambhal administration earlier dismissed the allegations of killing in police firing and said that the deaths took place by .315 bore bullets, which are not used by the UP Police. The post-mortem report revealed that most deaths during the Sambhal violence were caused by firearm injuries, likely from .315 bore bullets fired from country-made pistols at close range. Police primarily used pellet guns to disperse the crowd. Authorities are investigating whether another group of protesters was responsible for firing these fatal shots," Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Singh said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Sambhal witnessed violence on November 24 after a court-ordered survey team went to conduct a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. Mon pelted stones at the police and indulged in arson. Four people were killed in the violence while several others were injured, including over 20 police personnel. The survey was ordered by the court after a petition was filed claiming that a Harihar temple once stood at the mosque site. First Published: December 03, 2024, 12:38 IST Rahul Gandhi To Visit Sambhal Tomorrow, Uttar Pradesh Official Requests To Cancel Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 18:40 IST The Moradabad divisional commissioner said senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's visit could lead to a "provocation" in an otherwise "normal situation" Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai said senior leader Rahul Gandhi and five other party MPs from the state will visit Sambhal on December 4. (Image: PTI/File) Soon after it was announced that leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and five other Congress MPs will visit Sambhal on Wednesday (December 4), top administration officials requested the senior leader to cancel his visit. Moradabads divisional commissioner said Gandhis visit could lead to a provocation" in an otherwise normal situation". Moradabad divisional commissioner Anjaneya Kumar Singh said while the scenario was calm as of now, there was still tension in the area, where violence erupted during a second survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid on November 24. Protesters had gathered near the Mughal-era mosque and clashed with security personnel, leaving four persons dead and several others injured. related stories The situation in Sambhal is normal right now. The markets are also opening normally there. Efforts are being made to restore the confidence of the people. The investigation of the incident is going on. The district magistrate has banned the entry of people from outside from December 10. The atmosphere is calm right now but there is still tension. If someone comes from outside, there is a possibility of something happening due to provocation. We are requesting everyone not to come to Sambhal right now, so that we can restore peace completely. The honourable leader of opposition (Rahul Gandhi) is being requested to cancel his programme right now," he said. Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai said Gandhi and five other party MPs from the state will visit Sambhal on Wednesday. Newly-elected Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is also likely to accompany the delegation, he said. Congress general secretary and UP incharge Avinash Pande will be there too, he added. Curbs under Section 163 (power to issue order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), were set to expire on December 1 and have now been extended till December 31. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Sambhal has been in the eye of the proverbial storm since November 19, when the Shahi Jama Masjid was surveyed on court orders following claims that a Harihar temple previously stood at the site. (With PTI inputs) Location : Moradabad, India First Published: December 03, 2024, 18:36 IST Rift In INDIA Bloc? Congress Rejects Mamatas Name To Lead Alliance; TMC, SP Skip Parliament Protest Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 19:04 IST The BJP took potshots at the INDIA bloc saying the alliance was nothing more than a band of enemies that had come together to oppose Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Leaders of the INDIA alliance will be meeting at Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge's residence. (File Photo) The ongoing rift between the parties in the oppositions Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) seems to be widening as the parties like Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Samajwadi Party (SP) toed a different line over issues related to Adani alleged financial scam and functioning of the parliament. Congress Rejects Mamatas Name For Bloc Leader related stories Senior Congress leader Manickam Tagore on Tuesday entirely thrashed the TMCs proposal of appointing West Bengal Chief Minister and party chief Mamata Banerjee as the leader of the opposition bloc. On being asked about the TMCs suggestion, Tagore said, Thats a good joke." #WATCH | Thats a good joke," says Congress MP Manickam Tagore on TMC leaders suggesting that West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee should be made the INDIA bloc leader pic.twitter.com/DNaiCOEf3F ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2024 The proposal for Banerjees appointment as INDIA bloc chief was raised by party MP Kirti Azad who said that the Bengal CM was a better face to lead the INDIA bloc and had a perfect record against Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA alliance in general and assembly elections. BJP Flags Rift The BJP took potshots at the INDIA bloc saying the alliance was nothing more than a band of enemies that had come together to oppose Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With the barb mainly aimed at the Congress, it said all the opposition allies were unhappy with the Grand Old Party. BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya took a jibe at oppositions unity and said, Congress MP Manickam Tagore, a close aide of Rahul Gandhi, calls TMCs suggestion that Mamata Banerjee be the I.N.D.I Alliance convener a joke. The TMC is looking for a job for Mamata Banerjee post 2026 but the Congress is in no mood to oblige. So much for opposition unity." Congress MP Manickam Tagore, a close aide of Rahul Gandhi, calls TMCs suggestion that Mamata Banerjee be the I.N.D.I Alliance convener a joke.The TMC is looking for a job for Mamata Banerjee post 2026 but the Congress is in no mood to oblige. So much for opposition unity. Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) December 3, 2024 Earlier, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla took a jibe at Congress saying that after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Shiv Sena (UBT), it was now the Samajwadi Party (SP) that was gunning for the Congress. He had put out a video clip from a podcast interview in which Akhilesh Yadav has claimed how the Congress sent journalists after him in Madhya Pradesh to ask him questions. TMC, SP Skip Opposition Protest Earlier today, Banerjee-led TMC and Akhilesh Yadav-led SP skipped the joint opposition protest in the Parliament complex over the Gautam Adani bribery case. While Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and some Congress allies attended the protest, Samajwadi Partys Akhilesh Yadav and Trinamool leaders were conspicuous by their absence. As per the reports, both the parties were not on the same lines as the grand-old party. While the TMC wants a discussion on issues like price rise, unemployment, and deprivation of funds to the opposition states, the SP MPs are demanding a debate on the Sambhal violence. TMC Not Rubber Stamp of Congress, Wants Parliament To Run Signalling a widening rift in the alliance after the Congress massive defeats in the Maharashtra and Haryana assembly elections, the TMC has said it will not be a rubber stamp for its allys decisions. Last week, the party had said there is a need to address real issues affecting the people, rather than disrupting both Houses of Parliament over one issue." TMC will sharply focus on peoples issues to raise in Parliament," Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, the partys deputy leader in the Lok Sabha said, according to news agency PTI. Meanwhile, a section of opposition MPs walked out of the Lok Sabha as issues like Adanis indictment and the Sambhal violence continued to mar Parliament proceedings in the winter session. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Lok Sabha proceedings were washed out last week as well due to protests by the opposition members on the same issues. The winter session of the Parliament commenced on November 25 and would culminate on December 20. (With inputs from agencies) First Published: December 03, 2024, 19:02 IST Google Maps Will Start Deleting Your Data From The Cloud, Keep It Secure On Your Phone Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 02, 2024, 12:05 IST Google is rolling out a major change for Maps users on mobile who can get more control over their location data. Google is making changes that gives you more control over the Maps data Google is going to make a big change to its location data storing policy in the coming weeks, and people have the power to block the company from knowing their movement. Yes, Google says all the Maps data that is stored on the cloud will be deleted if you tell the company to do so. You can keep all the private data on your device which gives it better security than letting it stay on a cloud server that could face umpteen issues. related stories Google Maps Delete Your Data: How It Works Google says all your Maps data will not be backed up in the coming weeks and people will be notified about this change as the days go by. The company had talked about December 1 as the deadline for these changes but it seems they are being rolled out gradually. Keeping your location data on the device allows you to control what and how much data is available for your purpose. For instance, if you want to keep data for a trip that you took a few months back, Maps will help you with the details with the data stored. However, Maps will auto-delete the data after 3 months or 180 days, if you decide to act against it. Those want to more control over their Maps location data, can do the following to enable the Timeline feature: Open Maps Click on your profile picture on the top-right Tap on Your Timeline You can turn on backup data by clicking on the cloud icon on the top-right Google will ask you to verify with your account password top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Change the settings by turning Timeline on or off Google says that in the new Timeline, if you delete any location data, that will be permanently deleted. The company is also making sure that all the stored data is different on each of your devices. So, if you delete it from one device, it will be there on the second one. Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 02, 2024, 12:04 IST Spying On Workers, Tracking Their Personal Phones: What New Apple Lawsuit Alleges Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 10:02 IST Apple talks highly about privacy of its users but this new lawsuit suggests the company doesn't follow the rules for its workers. Apple is facing a new lawsuit from one of its employees Apple is one of the best places to work in the tech industry, or at least thats what most people think it is. But a new report this week talks about a strong lawsuit against the company, accusing them of spying on their employees and even tracking their personal devices. The lawsuit filed in the US says Apple has been illegally monitoring its workers and even tracking their iCloud accounts, which is a clear case of privacy breach. related stories Apple Spying On Employees? The lawsuit, reported by Reuters, has been filed by Amar Bhakta, in the California state court this week. Bhakta is part of digital advertising for Apple, and claims the company mandates its employees to install software on their personal devices which helps in tracking their activities. He says Apple can even access their personal emails, health data and more private stuff. Thats not all, the lawsuit claims Apple has put a tight leash on its employees speaking in public, and blocked them from talking in podcasts about their work and other culture. For a company that talks highly about user privacy and even mocks its rivals for their lack of focus towards privacy, these allegations are a clear eye opener. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Apple quoted in the report says the lawsuit lacks merit as its workers are given annual training about their right to speak on the working conditions at the company. In addition to Bhakta, two more female employees have accused Apple earlier this year of underpaying female workers in its engineering, marketing and AppleCare divisions. Location : California, USA First Published: December 03, 2024, 10:02 IST Bullying To Stolen Sharpeners, How Pink Boxes Are Helping UP Students Voice Concerns Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 13:10 IST Hardoi police in Uttar Pradesh launched a unique initiative where they installed pink complaint boxes in local schools for students to report issues in schools. In November, 12 complaints were received. (representative image) To address student concerns and promote harmony in schools, the Hardoi police in Uttar Pradesh launched a creative initiative to resolve conflicts among children. They introduced pink complaint boxes in local schools allowing students to anonymously report any issues or problems they encounter. This initiative provided a platform for students to express concerns ranging from bullying and classroom arguments to more serious matters like mistreatment by teachers or thefts. Every Tuesday, the police would visit schools to collect complaints from the pink boxes and take quick action. In November, they received 12 complaints. These included reports of bullying on the school bus, arguments between classmates and even cases where teachers punished students for not solving math problems. One student complained about a stolen sharpener, while another mentioned a noisy classmate causing disruption. Other complaints involved students fighting and using abusive language with each other. related stories In compliance with the orders of Mr Superintendent of Police, 12 complaint letters were received in the pink complaint boxes in November, which were resolved promptly," the Hardoi Police said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) along with the complaints received. Take a look here: The police acted quickly and met with the students who shared their complaints. They helped resolve conflicts by listening to both sides and guiding them toward peaceful solutions. By addressing the issues fast, the initiative created a sense of security and trust among the students, improving the school environment. Meanwhile, the initiative quickly gained attention on social media, with users sharing their thoughts and reactions. One user commented, While some of these are silly as expected from children, I think this is a good initiative if followed through." While some of these are silly as expected from children, I think this is actually a good initiative if followed through. https://t.co/PkqcbOXrav D (@DaBhaiyya) December 1, 2024 Another praised, Thats pretty good. Kids need to know that their complaints will be looked into and demand accountability." Thats pretty good. Kids need to know that their complaints will be looked into and demand accountability. https://t.co/KvtjFOOOUo Chirag Patnaik (@chirag) December 1, 2024 Its great to see them stretching their potential and doing tasks exceeding their abilities," someone added. Its great to see them stretching their potential and doing tasks exceeding their abilities Free Wheeler (@RoadHound) December 2, 2024 One user suggested, Great initiative. Humble Suggestion: Instagram Reels of resolving such disputes & acknowledging suggestions of students should also be made so that more awareness is spread in the student community, which is very active on social media." Great initiative. Humble Suggestion: Instagram Reels of resolving such disputes & acknowledging suggestions of students should also be made, so that more awareness is spread in the student community which is very active on social media. https://t.co/AJMtF6kF1h Dheeraj Tiwari (@dheerajtiwariET) December 1, 2024 Meanwhile, one quipped, Do they take complaints 20 years old? My safety pin was lost. I can provide clues too. It was rusted and slightly twisted too," and another jokingly wrote, Law and Order, Season 7" Do they take complaints 20 years old?My safety pin was lost.I can provide clues too. It was rusted and slightly twisted too. Syyeda_ (@Syyeda_) December 1, 2024 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Law and Order, Season 7 https://t.co/iBmVgwFsfg athreya (@athreya49) December 1, 2024 Do you think other schools should adopt this initiative? Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 03, 2024, 13:10 IST Comedian Sumit Sourav Faces Backlash For Roasting Ajay Devgn, Meets Actor Later Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 14:41 IST The comedian also highlights Ajay Devgn's endorsements, including Vimal Pan Masala and Rummy. umit Sourav shared a note saying that he had taken down the video. (Photo Credits: Instagram) Sumit Sourav, a stand-up comedian, has been making waves on social media with his roast video on Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn. The five-minute video, which was initially uploaded on Souravs social media handles, ignited a massive backlash, prompting the comedian to take it down after two days. In the video, Sourav pokes fun at Devgns filmography, saying, Ajay Devgn ka career dekha hai aapne. Meri mausi ka crush tha wo (Have you guys noticed Ajay Devgns career graph? My aunt had a crush on him)." He further said that no one is possibly anticipating a movie from him, yet he continues to shoot. Usney industry ko diya hai tees saal (he gave 30 years to the film industry). Tum logon ne usko ek din bhi diya hai (you guys did not even give him a day)," he added. related stories The comedian also highlights the actors endorsements, including Vimal Pan Masala and Rummy. The video amassed several views on social media, with many users disagreeing with his jokes. Many came to Devgns defense and praised his acting skills. One user commented, This generation doesnt have a single idea about the movies like Gangajal, Apharan, Tango Charlie, Rajneeti, Golmaal, etc." Another said, Agree, hes as good or as bad as the rest. He had some good roles, good acting, and Im not even a fan. But entire comedy on one person and that too putting him down, is in bad taste, its actually defamatory." While listing his notable films, a third user wrote, Surprised to see comments here, people arent aware of @ajaydevgn movies that are truly known for his acting. Company, Gangajal, Omkara, All the Best etc the list is too long. He is one of the finest actors that Bollywood has produced." Sharing the video on X, a user wrote, Sumit Souravs standup video on Ajay Devgn !! [This video was removed a few days after it was uploaded]." Sumit Sourav's standup video on Ajay Devgn !! [This video was removed few days after it was uploaded] pic.twitter.com/xIj1y4qatj Nikita (@Niuu_d) November 30, 2024 Two days after uploading the video, Sourav shared a note saying that he had taken it down. He also posted a picture with Devgn, captioning it, Stay tuned. Never thought my work will take me to meet him." The move of the comedian has left the internet perplexed. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all As soon as the picture was posted, several users expressed shock. A user wrote, Kaaam aisa karo ke phal ummeed se bhi oopar mile! Lovely Sumit bhai," the second user said, Yeh toh hona hi tha! The set is hilarious." Another wrote, Ajay Devgn sir ne video dekh li Shayad." Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 03, 2024, 14:41 IST SM Entertainment Shares An Update On Taeyeon's Legal Action Against Harmful Posts Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 11:13 IST The statement says that based on this evidence, SM Entertainment has filed and is continuing to file hundreds of complaints with law enforcement regarding charges such as defamation and insult. For cases involving minors, SM Entertainment has resolved several instances through written apologies. (Photo Credits: X) SM Entertainment has provided an update on its continuing efforts to tackle malicious online behaviour aimed at Girls Generations member Taeyeon. The agencys latest statement highlights the progress of its legal actions against defamatory, insulting and harassing content. On December 2, SM Entertainment shared an elaborate statement. As translated by Soompi, the statement reads, Hello, this is SM Entertainment. We would like to provide an update on the legal actions regarding the malicious posts and comments related to defamation, insults, and sexual harassment directed at our artist Taeyeon." Further, it reads, To date, through reports from fans and our own monitoring efforts, we have collected thousands of pieces of evidence of malicious posts and comments targeting Taeyeon across platforms such as Naver, Daum (including communities like Womens Generation, Mixed Martial Arts Community, SoulDresser, Dotax, etc.), Nate Pann, Theqoo, Instiz, MLBPark, X (formerly Twitter), DC Inside (including various galleries such as drama, female celebrity, male celebrity, Billboard, Circle Chart, K-pop, etc.), Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Ilbe, Bobae Dream and FM Korea." related stories The statement further says that based on this evidence, SM Entertainment has filed and is continuing to file hundreds of complaints with law enforcement regarding charges such as defamation and insult. The agency also informed that a few investigations are currently ongoing regarding several identified suspects and recently, two cases (insult, etc.) have been confirmed with charges added. These cases have resulted in: 1. A suspended prosecution with conditions for completing an educational program at the probation office. 2. A decision of no prosecution due to the death of the suspect. For cases involving minors, SM Entertainment has resolved several instances through written apologies submitted by the suspects under parental supervision. For adult suspects, penalties such as fines or suspended prosecution have been imposed. We are also still actively addressing the remaining cases. Moving forward, we will make every effort to protect our artists and continue to take strong legal actions without any leniency against malicious rumours, harmful posts/comments, defamation, and insults directed at Taeyeon across online communities, social media and portal sites. Thank you," the statement concludes. According to K-Pop France, the update also revealed that one of the accused individuals passed away, leading to a no-prosecution decision. This revelation stirred significant discussion online, with many fans and social media users expressing shock and reflecting on the far-reaching consequences of such legal disputes. Supporters have praised SM Entertainments unyielding stance in protecting their artists, emphasising the importance of tackling cyber harassment in the entertainment industry. First Published: December 03, 2024, 10:49 IST Goa Man, Frustrated By Pollution, Plans To Relocate To Singapore. Internet Says 'Please Leave Now' Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 11:17 IST The Goa-based investor explained that the high taxes and rising pollution, along with the lack of responsibility from politicians, made him feel that staying in India was no longer an option. The investor encouraged others with financial stability to move abroad. (Photo Credits: X) In recent years, rising pollution and high taxes have become major concerns for many people in India, leading some to consider moving abroad. Recently, a Goa-based investor sparked online debate by announcing his plans to relocate to Singapore. He explained that the high taxes and worsening pollution, along with the lack of responsibility from politicians, made him feel that staying in India was no longer an option. Although he plans to leave for a better quality of life, he encouraged others with good money" to do the same. However, his comments have generated mixed reactions from social media users. The entrepreneur wrote, I will leave India and permanently shift to Singapore in 2025. Documentation in process. I cannot stand the politicians here. Cant pay 40% tax and breathe polluted air while nobody takes accountability. My honest suggestion would be that if you have good money, please leave." related stories I will leave India and permanently shift to Singapore in 2025Documentation in process. I cannot stand the politicians here Cant pay 40% tax and breathe polluted air while nobody takes accountability My honest suggestion would be that if you have good money, please leave Siddharth Singh Gautam (@Sidcap_100) December 1, 2024 Reacting to the post, a user asked, Why dont you pitch in person for the betterment of the country rather than leaving." Why dont you pitch in person for the betterment of country rather than leaving! Avantika Kansal (@Avvanteeka) December 1, 2024 Another shared, I think for clean air you have to move to Iceland or into any Indian mountains, you can do your any work remotely because satellite internet is available everywhere also the food and people will be great. Choose your health, happy life. Dont leave Mumbai for Singapore." I think for clean air you have to move to Iceland or into any Indian mountains, you can do your any work remotely because satellite internet is available everywhere also the food and people will be great. Choose your health, happy life. Don't leave Mumbai for Singapore Pratik Thorat (@PratikThorat_) December 1, 2024 Singapore will tax you even more, just in a different way. The standard of living is so high and its impossible to buy property there unless youre stinking rich. Youll still need a PR which means working like a slave in an ironclad dictatorship for 10 years. You have minimal rights there. Buying a car? Forget it," a comment read. Lolz. Singapore will tax you even more, just in a different way. The standard of living is so high and it's impossible to buy property there unless you're stinking rich (read: top 1% of the expats with only a PR which means minimum 10 million SGD for just one year, for a tiny A. (@1mp15hlyY0ur5) December 1, 2024 Another asked, We are 1.4bn idiots living here? A few thousand have the means to go away from home and live in clean and efficient cities but without any soul. They go away and then start looking to mix up with fellow Indians." Yeah! we are 1.4bn idiots living here? A few thousand have the means to go away from home and live in clean and efficient cities but without any soul. They go away and then start looking for mixing up with fellow Indians. 1/2 Samit (@Samit2309) December 1, 2024 One more added, I living here in Singapore for the last 6 year the taxes are low but the cost of living is too high. More than 60% of income goes in house rental and children education and you are away from everything parents and friends so not worth it. Im finally moving back to India." I living here in Singapore Since last 6 year the taxes are low but the cost of living is too high. More than 60% of income goes in house rental and children education and you are away from every thing parents and friends so not worth it. Me moving back to India Finally Milind Thakkar (@milindthakkar) December 2, 2024 This isnt the first time the investor has suggested people to leave India for a better life. In an earlier post, he explained that earning around Rs 50,000 in India isnt enough to live comfortably. He pointed out that with the same salary, one could enjoy a much better lifestyle in places like Bali or Thailand. He encouraged those in similar situations to leave India as soon as possible for a higher standard of living. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all If you make approx 50k salary in India then trust me you are living the life of a beggar.You can make 50k in Bali or Thailand and youll be able to live like a king. Leave as soon as you can. Siddharth Singh Gautam (@Sidcap_100) December 1, 2024 Since the post was shared on X, it has garnered over 29,000 views. Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 03, 2024, 11:17 IST 'Incredibly Sad': Fans React To Rapper Dave Blunts' Performance Amid Health Struggles Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 12:05 IST Rapper Dave Blunts' performance in Chicago, where he was hooked up to an oxygen tank, has raised health concerns. The internet is concerned about his performance. (Photo Credits: X) At the 4th Annual Juice WRLD Day at United Centre on November 30, popular rapper Dave Blunts performed with an oxygen tank while seated on a couch. The performance has generated a lot of buzz on social media. The rapper, who reportedly weighs more than 220 kilogrammes, has previously spoken up about his health issues online. In the now-viral video, the 23-year-old rapper can be seen singing his hit songs while sitting on a couch in the middle of the stage, an oxygen cylinder propped up against his side. Rapper Dave Blunts performs in front of a crowd while connected to an oxygen tank at Juice WRLD Day 2024 in Chicago. The event is put on every year to honour rapper Juice WRLD who d*ed from an overdose. Blunt lashed out at Snoop Dogg while on stage who recently told him to put down the chicken wings," the caption of the video reads on X (formally Twitter). Shared on December 1, the video has garnered over 11 million views. related stories https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/1863234347576574217. I do this for Juice. I do this for me. We keep going no matter what," Blunts remarked while performing, and he even used the opportunity to chastise fellow rapper Snoop Dogg for making a dig at him in an Instagram post. Blunt slammed Snoop Dogg in the middle of his performance after the rapper instructed him to put down the chicken wings" in a post last month. Snoop Dogg posted a video of Blunts performing his song The Cup" with a caption that mocked his weight. Well put down the chicken wings and Tata chips Nefew. That chair went break soon," he wrote. Social media users have voiced their concern about Blunts health, resulting in almost 11 million views of the performance video. A concerned user commented, This isnt even about just being overweight, he cannot hard breathe because his body is suffocating him at this point. I hope he gets some help before too late. Hes got a great voice when he can use it." This isnt even about just being overweight, he cannot hard breathe because his body is suffocating him at this point. I hope he gets some help before too late. Hes got a great voice when he can use it. ?? Rachel (@allthedogspleaz) December 1, 2024 Another said, This is sad. America has so much and yet people still end up so unhealthy. It should be the opposite." This is sad. America has so much and yet people still end up so unhealthy. It should be the opposite. Paul A. Szypula ?? (@Bubblebathgirl) December 1, 2024 Incredibly sad," a user on X wrote. Incredibly sad Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) December 1, 2024 He needs professional help, where are the people showing him what to eat? He can change his body/health," another remarked. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He needs professional help, where are the people showing him what to eat. He can change his body/health.Hint: very low carbs, no sugar or seed oils. floridanow1 (@floridanow1) December 1, 2024 Blunts became famous after becoming viral on TikTok and receiving praise from well-known musicians like Lil Yachty and SZA. Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 03, 2024, 12:00 IST Karnataka IPS Officer Dies In Road Accident, Classmate Shares Moving Note: Life Can Be Cruel Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 14:50 IST Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also paid his condolences to the deceased officers family. Harsh Bardhan was a 2023-batch IPS officer. (Photo Credits: X) A 26-year-old IPS officer died in a road accident in the Hassan district of Karnataka. The officer, identified as Harsh Bardhan, was a 2023-batch IPS officer of the Karnataka cadre and was on his way to take up his first posting as a probationary Assistant Superintendent of Police in Holenarasipur. The officers death has sparked questions about road safety and the need for high-quality vehicles. As per police reports, the accident took place after his vehicle suffered a tyre burst and the driver lost control. The vehicle veered off the road and collided with a tree following which the officer sustained severe head injuries. Despite being rushed to the hospital, the young officer succumbed to his injuries. related stories Informing about the incident, Additional Director General of Police Alok Kumar wrote, We lost our 2023 batch IPS Probationer Harsha Vardhan to a road accident this evening near Hassan. After finishing training at Karnataka Police Academy, he proceeded to Hassan for district training. Young and precious life lost. Road safety needs due attention at all levels. Deeply saddened." We lost our 2023 batch IPS Probationer Harsha Vardhan to a road accident this evening near Hassan. After finishing training at KPA he was proceeding to Hassan for District trainingYoung & precious life lost #Road safety needs due attention at all levels" Deeply saddened pic.twitter.com/EaNyY1JySK alok kumar (@alokkumar6994) December 1, 2024 Now, the classmate of the deceased officer, Shailendra Singh, who studied with Bardhan in college, took to X and shared his feelings over the tragic loss. Expressing his grief, he penned an emotional note and raised questions about the quality of the vehicle provided to the officer. I am feeling so sad and frustrated right now. Harsh was my classmate in college. He worked hard all his life and cleared UPSC. An IPS officer lost his life because he was travelling in a Mahindra Bolero and its tires burst. Why dont we prioritise five-star safety cars?" he questioned. He was going to join the office as a DSP for the first time. He did not even receive his first salary. Life can be cruel. Be safe everyone and talk to your friends and family regularly," he said. I am feeling so sad and frustrated right now. Harsh was my classmate in college. He worked hard all his life and cleared UPSC. An IPS officer lost his life because he was travelling in Mahindra Bolero and its tires burst. Why don't we prioritize five-star safety cars ? @volklub https://t.co/7QBdaLfjvp Shailendra Singh (@last___uchiha) December 1, 2024 Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also paid his condolences to the deceased officers family. He tweeted, Saddened to hear about the death of probationary IPS officer Harsh Bardhan in a horrific accident near the Kittane border of the Hassan-Mysuru Highway. It is very sad that such an accident happened while he was on his way to take charge as an IPS officer. This should not have happened when years of hard work were paying off." I pray to God that Harsh Bardhans soul rests in peace. My condolences to the family of the deceased," he added. The post caught the attention of several users. Reacting to the video, a user wrote, Tragic. A young and promising life was lost just like that. Condolences to the family.." Tragic. A young and a promising life lost just like that. Condolences to the family. Apropos to nothing (@vishnubogi) December 2, 2024 Another said, Very Sad to know. We should seriously work on Road Safety." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Very Sad to know. We should seriously work on Road Safety. Sundeep Kottakki (@kottakkisundeep) December 2, 2024 Harsh Bardhan, son of a sub-divisional magistrate, fulfilled his dream of becoming an IPS officer with his induction into the 2023 batch. He had recently completed his four-week training at the Karnataka Police Academy in Mysuru. Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 03, 2024, 13:34 IST Ohio Woman Gets One Year Jail Sentence For Killing And Eating Cat Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 15:24 IST The judge said, Youve embarrassed this county. Youve embarrassed this nation. More importantly, youve embarrassed yourself. The judge presiding over the case expressed disgust. (Representative Image) A shocking incident in Ohio has led to a one-year jail sentence for a woman who pleaded guilty to a felony charge of animal cruelty. The disturbing incident occurred in August when 27-year-old Allexis Ferrell was caught on bodycam footage eating a cat she had killed. The judge presiding over the case expressed his disgust and disappointment, saying that Ferrells actions were repulsive" and that she was quite a danger" to the community. This is repulsive to me. I mean, that anyone would do this to an animal. And an animals like a child. I dont know if you understand that or not. I cant express the disappointment, shock, and disgust that this crime has brought to me," Stark County Common Pleas Judge Frank Forchione said. related stories The judge further called her a national embarrassment, saying, Youve embarrassed this county. Youve embarrassed this nation. More importantly, youve embarrassed yourself." This stomach-turning case went viral over a month after Ferrell did the horrific act. During the presidential campaign in September, Donald Trump and his supporters claimed that Haitian migrants were eating pets in Springfield, and Ferrells case went viral on social media. However, officials confirmed that Ferrell was not an immigrant. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Bodycam footage from police officers showed the disgusting and terrifying visuals of the heinous act. The police arrived at the scene after getting a 911 call and discovered her on all fours, eating the cat. They couldnt believe what they were witnessing and one of the cops asked, What did you do?" Why did you kill the cat?" According to the reports, the 27-year-old smashed the cats head with her foot and then began to eat the cat." Ferrells attorney said that the shocking video highlighted her struggles with drug and alcohol addiction based on an evaluation of her history and that she would undergo treatment after her release from prison. The prosecutor, however, described the case as one of the most disturbing" she had ever seen. This one-year sentence will be added to a separate 18-month sentence she is facing for two earlier crimes that include theft and child endangerment. Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 03, 2024, 15:24 IST Startup Founder Faces Backlash Over Rs 10,000 Internship Offer To Tier 1 College Student Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 12:38 IST Vinayak Sarawagi, the founder, expressed disappointment about the mentality of the students after the rejection. Social media is divided over the viral internship stipend debate. (Photo Credits: X) Vinayak Sarawagi, a software engineer turned entrepreneur, caused quite a stir and heated debate on social media concerning expected wages. Sarawagi advertised an internship in his startup with a Rs 10,000 monthly stipend, only for a student from the Tier 1 college to reject it. The conversion, which went viral on X, has elicited diverse opinions concerning the perceived worth of education and the actuality of start-up funding. The screenshot of the WhatsApp chat between Sarawagi and the student showed that the candidate considered the offer low wage because of their educational status. The student said: I am sorry it wont work for me being from a Tier 1 college this is too low for me." related stories Sarawagi expressed disappointment about this mentality, alleging this reflects one of the dominant issues in the job market where the colleges reputation directly determines the bargaining power of a college-goer in terms of salary. He took to X to air his views on the matter, using the caption, I thought this mindset was going away, but sadly its not." I thought this mindset was going away, but sadly its not pic.twitter.com/AaOHVh8vhv Vinayak Sarawagi (@vinayak2506) November 30, 2024 As the post gained traction on the platform, it sparked various responses. Some users accused Sarawagi of paying what they deemed a paltry amount for what a Tier 1 college student should receive, by calling him out for exhibiting zamindari (feudal attitudes). On the other hand, some people came to his defence highlighting the nature of startups that work under the limitations of cash. Founder gets sad when someone from a tier-1 college refuses to join at Rs 10,000 per month. Zamindaari nahi jaayegi is desh se (Feudal mindset wont leave this country)," an X user said. Founder gets sad when someone from a tier-1 college refuses to join at 10,000 per month. Zamindaari nahi jaayegi is desh se. pic.twitter.com/3LTtaxp7tE Ravi Handa (@ravihanda) December 1, 2024 Sarawagi, in his defence, stated that he is paying interns from his savings. He added that the internship was a very flexible position and had provisions for remote work and would allow the candidate to accommodate work with the college timings as well. I know the stipend is low. Hence I try to offer other comforts like flexible hours. Many other people are paying much more than I am. So calling me a zamindar without knowing it all is not cool," Sarawagi said. He said that after he advertised the job position in a group, the candidate contacted him. The entrepreneur then spoke with the student over the phone, explaining the jobs expectations, the monthly payment, and the fact that it would be remote with flexible hours because the candidate attends college during the day. Hello sir, huge respect for you. But since you posted here without discussing it with me, I thought I would post here.Don't know how to do long form replies here, so posting the note here. pic.twitter.com/LN57tUHHWX Vinayak Sarawagi (@vinayak2506) December 1, 2024 The debate quickly spiralled into the startups founders lack of professionalism, as indicated by the social media post of the screenshot of the employment rejection. Users stated Sarawagi could not express his dissatisfaction since he made the candidates chat public without their authorisation. A user commented: You said Cool to the candidate, then posted the screenshot of the DM on social media (probably without discussing it with them), and now you expect someone to repost your public post after discussing it with you!" You said 'Cool' to the candidate, then posted the screenshot of the DM on social media (probably without discussing it with them), and now you expect someone to repost your public post after discussing it with you! ?? (Pavan Santhosh) (@santhoo9) December 1, 2024 And you posted this here without asking the intern. Im glad the student knows his worth and is assertive. If anything Im happy for him. I dont get this mindset" youre unhappy about. Good luck with your startup", another comment read. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all And you posted this here without asking the intern. Im glad the student knows his worth and is assertive. If anything Im happy for him. In fact I dont get this mindset" youre unhappy about. Good luck for your startup. Madhuri ( ) (@YaminiDiva) December 1, 2024 The startup is building a NodeJS framework, as per the founder. Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 03, 2024, 12:38 IST Walmart Worker Takes Home Rs 8 Crore After Working On Holiday Weekend: I Totally Forgot Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 11:39 IST As Rebeca Gonzalez was about to leave for the family barbecue after the shift at Walmart, she remembered at the last moment and decided to buy a lottery ticket worth 1 Million. Rebeca Gonzalez successfully paid all her debts and is now buying a new home. (Photo Credits: Reuters) A Walmart worker from California got a big surprise after covering a shift during the Labor Day weekend. Rebeca Gonzalez was called to work even though she had plans with her family. Initially, she had planned to buy a lottery ticket during her lunch break, but got too busy with the customers, which delayed her plans of buying the ticket. As she was about to leave for the family barbecue after the shift, she remembered at the last moment and decided to buy the ticket on her way out. Gonzalez regularly bought a couple of tickets, but she only won small amounts, like $50 (approximately Rs 4000). This time, she walked away with $1 million (approximately Rs 8 crore), which has now completely changed her life. Speaking with the California Lottery, Gonzalez said, It was Labor Day and they only needed me for three hours. I obviously wanted to be home with my family because we planned to barbecue. Id planned on buying one on my break, but it was so busy I totally forgot. I didnt remember I was going to buy a Scratchers until I left for the night and passed by the machines. I couldnt believe it." related stories After her shift, she bought a $10 (approximately Rs 800) ticket from a California Lottery vending machine. To her surprise, she won the $1 million, which is a top prize. The money has transformed her life, as Rebeca Gonzalez successfully paid all her debts and is now in the process of buying a new home with her husband. Despite her win, shes still working at Walmart. Gonzalez mentioned that she only told her manager, who had asked her to work during the holiday. He was shocked by her luck. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Walmart store also benefited from Gonzalez win. For selling her the lucky ticket, the store received a $5000 (approximately Rs 4 lakh) bonus from the California Lottery. According to the Los Angeles Times, Gonzalez buys lottery tickets every month mostly for fun. However, she never thought shed hit the jackpot. On the day of her win, she almost forgot about buying one, but then she found $10 in her pocket. When Rebeca Gonzalez told her family about the massive win, they got emotional and cried. After winning, she had to go through a verification process, which took place at a local liquor store. She was jumping up and down, looking up at the sky and thanking the god for blessing. Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 03, 2024, 11:39 IST Watch: Girl Throws Items, Smashes Bottles On The Floor At Walmart Store Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 15:26 IST A viral video shows the girl wreaking havoc at a Walmart, tossing items and leaving shoppers and staff shocked. The last shot shows a man, likely a parent, lifting the unruly girl over his shoulder. (Photo Credits: Instagram) A video of a young girl wreaking havoc at a Walmart Store has gone viral on social media and sparked a debate about parenting. The video shows the girl throwing products off shelves and creating a mess in the store. The other shoppers and employees were shocked to see the kid tossing items on the floor and knocking over displays. At one point in the video posted on X (formerly Twitter), the girl made her way toward the deli counter, where two women tried to stop her. But she threw herself on the ground in protest, making it difficult for them to control her. One shopper is heard asking, Where is her motheror whoever shes with?" related stories However, her destructive trail continued. She kept spiking products onto the floor and even stomping on some displays, all while a small group of store employees looked on, unsure how to handle the situation. A woman followed her around, defending the girls actions. She snapped at anyone trying to stop the chaos, saying, You dont know what shes going through." Things took a dramatic turn when the girl approached the juice section, grabbed bottles of sparkling grape juice and threw them onto the floor. This caused purple liquid and glass to scatter everywhere. When a man tried to step in and control her, the same woman stepped forward, saying, Dont do that to a little girl!" The last shot of the video shows a man, likely a parent, lifting the unruly girl over his shoulder. His identity is unknown and it is unclear what happened to her afterward. Take a look at the video here: Some people shouldnt have children! pic.twitter.com/CfN14t2pou I Meme Therefore I Am ?? (@ImMeme0) December 2, 2024 The video gained significant attention with social media users expressing their outrage over the girls behaviour. One user commented, Unpopular opinion: gentle parenting is the reason why kids act like this today. Theres no way I was able to do this in a store and not get my a** beat. This is nuts" Unpopular opinion: gentle parenting is the reason why kids act like this today. Theres no way I was able to do this in a store and not get my a** beat. This is nuts https://t.co/WfxK298Sgg CHAPTER 32 (@_LickMyFashion_) December 3, 2024 Another shared, My mom wouldve busted my head if I had even thought of doing something like that. Wow!" My mom would've busted my head if I had even thought of doing something like that. Wow! Brandon Craig (@BrandonC204) December 2, 2024 Someone added, My first thought is why isnt she with who she came with! Theres no way I can be comfortable enough shopping knowing I came in the store with children and they arent in my sight! This is unacceptable!" My first thought is why isnt she with who she came with ! Its no way i can be comfortable enough shopping knowing i came in the store with children and they arent in my sight ! This is unacceptable ! https://t.co/09Ku3Dly7G ?Leslishax3? (@W_leslie13) December 3, 2024 I have never seen something like this. I thought it was fake at first, but after watching it all, believe it is real. Completely unacceptable of the child and parents part. Imagine what it is like in that home. Unfortunate," read another comment. I have never seen something like this. I thought it was fake at first, but after watching it all, believe it is real. Completely unacceptable of the child and parents part. Imagine what it is like in that home. Unfortunate. Olymo (@Olymo) December 2, 2024 Theres no justification for allowing your child to run rampant and destroy products in a store. This isnt a place to hold a therapy session," said another person. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all there's no justification for allowing your child to run rampant and destroy products in a store. this isn't a place to hold a therapy session. Hugh Hopner (@richiehedd) December 2, 2024 The video has accumulated over 4 million views so far. Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 03, 2024, 14:47 IST Did A Hindu Lawyer Get Injured During Protests Over Monk Chinmoy Das Arrest In Bangladesh? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 06, 2024, 14:53 IST ISKCON Kolkata spokesperson claimed that Hindu advocate Ramen Roy was attacked and is currently in the ICU. Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari (X: @DrSukantaBJP) ISKCON Kolkata spokesperson Radharamn Das on Monday claimed that an advocate, who had defended Bangladeshs Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in a legal case, was brutally" attacked in the neighbouring country. Advocate Ramen Roy is reportedly in critical condition at a hospital, Das claimed, fueling further tension amid reports of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. related stories The ISKCON Kolkata spokesperson claimed that Roy is currently in the ICU, fighting for his life. CNN-News18 could not independently verify the authenticity of the post. Please pray for Advocate Ramen Roy. His only fault was defending Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in court. Islamists ransacked his home and brutally attacked him, leaving him in the ICU, fighting for his life. #SaveBangladeshiHindus #FreeChinmoyKrishnaPrabhu," he posted on X along with a picture of Roy in ICU. Please pray for Advocate Ramen Roy. His only fault was defending Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in court.Islamists ransacked his home and brutally attacked him, leaving him in the ICU, fighting for his life.#SaveBangladeshiHindus #FreeChinmoyKrishnaPrabhu pic.twitter.com/uudpC10bpN Radharamn Das (@RadharamnDas) December 2, 2024 This brutal attack on advocate Roy is a direct consequence of his legal defence of Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu. It reflects the growing danger faced by those who defend the rights of religious minorities in Bangladesh," Das was quoted as saying news agency PTI. Chinmoy Das Arrested, Denied Bail Chinmoy Krishna Das, who served as a spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested at Dhakas Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday while en route to Chattogram to attend a rally. A court denied bail to Prabhu and upheld the sedition case filed against him allegedly over his outspoken stance on minority rights in the country, according to reports. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Massive protests broke out in Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh, demanding Prabhus immediate release. Visuals from Bangladesh showed multiple protests being held in Dhaka and Chittagong. Members of the Hindu community also protested in Shahbagh against the Hindu monks arrest. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also condemned the arrest and denial of bail to the Hindu religious leader and urged the Bangladesh government to ensure the safety of Hindus, a religious minority in the country. Location : Bangladesh First Published: December 03, 2024, 08:25 IST Bangladesh Mission In Tripura Halts Visa Services Following Security Breach Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 21:59 IST Hundreds in Agartala marched to the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission office on Monday to protest attacks on Hindu minorities in the country. A notice hung outside Bangladeshs Agartala mission says consular and visa services have been suspended following the security breach during Mondays protest. (IMAGE: PTI/NEWS18) The Bangladesh mission in Tripuras Agartala ceased issuing visas on Tuesday. The suspension comes amid a security breach incident at the Assistant High Commission office in Agartalas Kunjaban area during demonstrations staged to protest attacks on Hindus and other minorities following the regime change in Dhaka. Given the security situation, all visa and consular services at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission, Agartala will remain suspended until further notice," a notice hung outside the missions gates read. related stories Three sub-inspectors were suspended on Tuesday in action against the incident of breach of the premises of the Bangladesh consulate in Agartala by a group of people on December 2. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In Agartala in the northeastern state of Tripura in India bordering Bangladesh, thousands of people took out a massive demonstration near Dhakas mission on Monday against the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das as well as attacks on the Hindu community in Bangladesh. The protesters reportedly barged into the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh and allegedly resorted to vandalism, an incident the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described as deeply regrettable." Location : Agartala, Tripura First Published: December 03, 2024, 16:40 IST Cant Reduce Ties To One Agenda: Indian Envoy After Meeting Bangladesh Foreign Secy Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 21:59 IST The Bangladeshi external affairs ministry summoned Pranay Kumar Verma, India's high commissioner to Bangladesh, to protest the security breach of Agartala Assistant High Commission. Pranay Verma, Indian envoy to Bangladesh, speaks to local media outlets following a meeting with foreign ministry officials. (IMAGE: X) The Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Tuesday told reporters that India and Bangladesh relations are multidimensional and that there is no reason for Indo-Bangladesh ties to be stuck on one issue during his meeting with Bangladeshs foreign ministry officials. Verma was summoned following an incident of security breach during a protest at one of Bangladeshs missions in Agartala, the capital city of Tripura, a state that shares a long border with Bangladesh. related stories However, the Indian High Commission (IHC) in Bangladesh termed it as a regular exchange". Bangladesh external affairs ministry on Tuesday summoned him over the security breach incident at the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Agartala. In Agartala, the capital city of the northeastern state of Tripura in India bordering Bangladesh, thousands of people took out a massive demonstration near Dhakas mission on Monday against the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das as well as attacks on the Hindu community in Bangladesh. The protesters reportedly barged into the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Kunjaban area and allegedly resorted to vandalism, an incident the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described as deeply regrettable." We are willing to work with the interim government and maintain friendly relations. India wants to build positive constructive relations with Bangladesh," Varma said. There is no reason for Bangladesh-India relations to be stuck on one issue. Our relationship is multi-dimensional," Verma said after a meeting with acting foreign secretary M Riaz Hamidullah. Three sub-inspectors were suspended on Tuesday in action against the incident of breach of the premises of the Bangladesh consulate in Agartala by a group of people on December 2. In the last two months there have been some positive developments for our mutual cooperation. We have many positives. We are working with the interim government. We will work together in various fields, including economy," he further added. Relations between the two neighbours are going through a rough patch after the regime change, which forced former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to India to seek shelter as protesters ousted her over quota reforms. An interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus now runs Bangladesh but reports of attacks by Islamist hardliners on the nations Hindu, Christian, tribal and adivasi minorities have kept the country on edge. There have been protests inside Bangladesh demanding security and safety of minorities and their homes, businesses and places of worship. Protests have been taken out in Indian cities as well demanding attacks on Hindus be halted and action taken against those engaged in such attacks. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The recent arrest of a Hindu monk, Chinmay Krishna Das Prabhu, has put the country and Hindus inside Bangladesh as well as in India on the edge. The monk who is associated with International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has been charged with sedition and remains jailed. His supporters in Bangladesh and India claim he is being targeted because he has been vocal about attacks on minorities in India. Some Islamist hardliners in Bangladesh, some previously associated with attacks and causing harassment to other religious groups like Hefazat-e-Islam, have also called for a ban on ISKCON. Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh First Published: December 03, 2024, 16:10 IST 'Moment Of Deep Concern': Priti Patel Urges UK Govt For Action Against Bangladesh Violence Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 19:22 IST Priti Patel has expressed deep concern over the rising violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, urging the UK government to take action and engage with Bangladeshi authorities. ISKCON devotees and members protest outside the Bangladesh High Commission in Mumbai (Photo: AFP) Indian-origin former UK interior minister Priti Patel has called on the British government to take action to protect the lives of the people in Bangladesh amid rising attacks on Hindus in the country. In an X post, Patel said she raised the issue in the British Parliament. I am deeply concerned by the awful violence we have seen in Bangladesh, and my thoughts are with those affected," Priti Patels post on X read. related stories In Parliament this afternoon, I called on the government to set out how they are engaging with the Bangladeshi government on this pressing and important issue." Robust action needs to be taken to protect life and prevent violence and persecution, including based on religious belief," she added. Patel also shared a video of her Parliament briefing, wherein she was heard saying, Its an important issue, the arrest of an ISKCON leader, and its a place of worship too." There are deep and longstanding ties between our two countries, and the degree of escalation of the violence is deeply deeply concerning. And what we are witnessing now is just uncontrolled violence in many quarters. And we are now watching with horror and shock as further violence has spread in Bangladesh," she was heard saying. And all our thoughts in this House are most definitely with the diaspora community here and those who are affected in Bangladesh," she said. So, given the current instability in Bangladesh, and since the departure of the former Prime Minister in August, this is a moment of deep concern. Many governments are condemning the violence and calling for peace and law and order to be restored," Patel said at the British Parliament. I am deeply concerned by the awful violence we have seen in Bangladesh, and my thoughts are with those affected.In Parliament this afternoon, I called on the Government to set out how they are engaging with the Bangladeshi Government on this pressing and important issue. pic.twitter.com/jRXciBQIKH Priti Patel MP (@pritipatel) December 2, 2024 As the unrest in Bangladesh continues to rise following the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das on November 25, thousands of people took out a massive demonstration near the Bangladeshi mission in Agartala on December 2. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The protesters reportedly barged into the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh and allegedly resorted to vandalism, an incident the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described as deeply regrettable". On Tuesday, the Delhi Police stepped up security around the Bangladesh High Commission in Chanakyapuri, news agency PTI reported. First Published: December 03, 2024, 12:21 IST Bangladeshi Radical Groups Jostling To Attack Hindus In Bid To Outdo Each Other: Intel Note | Exclusive Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 18:21 IST These groups are competing in many areas, including funding, recruitment, and support, the note says Members of the Bangladeshi Hindu community hold banners and chant slogans against violence targeting the country's minorities during a protest in Dhaka. (File image: AFP) The rising attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh have been prompted by Muslim radical groups competing for influence, funding, and support, an intelligence note accessed by CNN-News18 has revealed. This competition is leading to tensions and conflicts between the groups, it says. related stories Jamaat-e-Islami is one of the largest Islamist parties in Bangladesh, with significant influence and resources. Harkat-ul-Jihad (HUJI-B) is a radical group that has been linked to various terrorist activities and has received funding from foreign sources, including al-Qaeda. Hizb-ut-Tahrir was banned in 2009. However, this group continues to operate underground and has been involved in various radical activities. Ansar-al-Islam is the Bangladesh branch of al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and has been involved in various terrorist activities. Neo-JMB is a splinter faction of the Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and has been involved in various terrorist activities. These groups are competing in many areas, including funding, recruitment, and support. According to the intelligence note, the funding of these groups had dried up under Sheikh Hasinas rule, and now they are striving to rise up again. Radical groups are fighting for funding from foreign sources, including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and other countries. These groups are competing to recruit new members, often targeting young, educated, and unemployed individuals. Radical groups jockey for influence within Bangladeshs Islamist movement, often through propaganda and outreach efforts. Some groups strive to carry out high-profile terrorist attacks, which can help to establish their credibility and influence. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Due to these reasons, violence against Hindus is rising with all these groups attacking them. According to the intelligence note, the competition can also lead to fragmentation within the Islamist movement, making it more challenging for groups to achieve their objectives. First Published: December 03, 2024, 18:21 IST Canada Should Become 51st State Of USA: Trump After Trudeau Says 25% Tariff Would Kill Economy Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 09:20 IST Trump-Trudeau dinner meet: Trump conveyed his message to Trudeau that he wants to see change on ground before January 20 in regards to illegal immigration from Canadian border into US. Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau at Florida dinner (Photo: X/Justin Trudeau) Trump-Trudeau Meeting: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a dinner meeting with US President-elect Donald Trump in Floria last Friday, after the latter threatened to impose 25% tariffs on imports from the North American country over failure to curb the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the United States. The nearly three-hour unannounced meeting at Mar-a-Lago saw many laughs and Trump conveyed his message that he expects change on the issue addressed by January 20 next year, the date when he takes charge at the Oval Office again, Fox News reported. related stories Trump Jokes On Inclusion Of Canada In US During the dinner, Trudeau reportedly told Trump that the new tariffs would kill the Canadian economy". On this, Trump responded by saying that maybe Canada should become the 51st state of the USA, Fox News reported citing sources. According to the American news channel, the main focus of the discussions between the two leaders was on tariffs, border security, and trade deficits. Trump was cordial and welcoming, but was very direct" regarding what he wanted from Canada as a partner to the North of the US, Fox News reported citing two people at the table who heard the conversation. Trump Talks Tough With Trudeau On Illegal Immigration As the discussion progressed, Trump accused Trudeau of failing to secure the US-Canada border and that he allowed drugs and people, including illegal migrants from over 70 countries to cross into the US. The US President-elect grew more animated while speaking of the US trade deficit with Canada, which he claimed surpassed $100 billion. Trump made it clear to Trudeau in no uncertain terms that if Canada cannot fix the border issues and trade deficit, he will levy a 25% tariff on all Canadian products on the first day of his office. Trudeau, in response, said that Trump cannot levy the tariff as it would kill the Canadian economy. So your country cant survive unless its ripping off the U.S. to the tune of $100 billion?" Trump replied, according to Fox News. Trump then went on to suggest Trudeau that Canada become the 51st state of the USA, causing the Canadian Prime Minister to laugh nervously, Fox News reported citing sources. Trump continued stating that Prime Minister is a better title, though he could still be governor of the 51st state. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Someone at the table joked that Canada would be a liberal state, prompting laughter among the attendees. Trump then suggested that Canada might even split into two states one conservative and one liberal. He told Trudeau that if he could not meet the US demands without exploiting trade, maybe Canada should consider becoming a state or two of the US and Trudeau be appointed as a governor, Fox News reported. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: December 03, 2024, 09:05 IST Hell To Pay In Middle East: Trump Issues Deadline To Hamas On Release Of Gaza Hostages Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 08:03 IST Donald Trump issued stern warning to Hamas ahead of his inauguration on January 20 next year, stating there will be "hell to pay" if hostages in Gaza are not released. Donald Trump Threatens Hamas Over Hostages (AP Image) Trump Warns Hamas: US President-elect Donald Trump on Monday (local time) issued a warning to Hamas in regards to those it captured during the October 7 attack in Israel last year, stating that there would be hell to pay" in the Middle East if the hostages in the Gaza Strip were not released before he assumes office on January 20 next year. In its deadly attack in 2023 on Israel, Hamas terrorists had held over 250 people hostage, including dual Israeli-American nationals. Nearly half of the 101 foreign and Israeli hostages are still under captivity in Gaza and are believed to be alive. related stories Donald Trump Issues Warning To Hamas In his most explicit remarks on the hostages since his historic win in the Presidential Poll on November 5, Trump said, Everybody is talking about the hostages who are being held so violently, inhumanely, and against the will of the entire World, in the Middle East But its all talk, and no action! Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity." Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!" he added in a strong-worded post. [If] the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity." Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied history of the United States of America," he added in a strong-worded post. Ceasefire Conditions By Hamas Hamas has sought the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as part of any deal to end the war and release the hostages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has affirmed that the war against Hamas will continue until the terrorist group is dismantled completely and poses no more threat to the Jewish country. On Monday, Hamas informed the world about the killing of 33 hostages in Gaza during the 14-month-old war between the group and Israel in the enclave. It, however, did not give away their nationalities. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Israel started its all-out war against Hamas after the terrorists unleashed a terrorist attack in Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people, and taking several hostages. Since Israeli retaliation began, its military has killed over 44,400 Palestinians, leaving most of the population in Gaza displaced, according to Gaza officials. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: December 03, 2024, 07:30 IST Jill Convinced President Biden To Pardon Son Hunter In Criminal Cases: Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 09:50 IST Outgoing US President Joe Biden on Sunday night pardoned his son, Hunter, saving him from a possible jail term for severe criminal charges. Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, with his mother US First Lady Jill Biden | File Image/AFP First Lady Jill Biden, widely regarded as one of the most influential first ladies in the last 100 years, may have pushed US President Joe Biden to pardon son, Hunter, who had been convicted on charges linked to gun crimes and tax violations. Breaking previous vows of not using his presidency powers for the benefit of the family members, outgoing US President Joe Biden on Sunday night pardoned his son, Hunter, saving him from a possible jail term for severe criminal charges. related stories There was pressure inside the family to save Hunter from criminal charges that could have landed him in prison," Jeff Zeleny, CNNs chief national affairs correspondent, was quoted as saying by the New York Post. First Lady Jill Biden on Monday cleared her stance on the development, voicing support for Bidens move to pardon Hunter, who was convicted earlier this year on federal gun and tax charges. Of course, I support the pardon of my son", Jill Biden said after a holiday event at the White House, reported USA Today, drawing sharp criticism from the Republicans who called the decision a miscarriage of Justice". Biden Pardon Son Hunter: The Argument Joe Biden, who previously stated he would not pardon his son for convictions in the two cases in Delaware and California, announced his decision to do so on Sunday night. This came just weeks before Hunter was set to face sentencing following his trial conviction on gun and tax violation charges. President Biden argued that Hunter Biden had been selectively and unfairly prosecuted," marking a reversal on his earlier stance. The charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election," he said, adding, No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunters cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son." I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision," he continued, noting that he had decided over the weekend while spending Thanksgiving in Nantucket, Massachusetts, with Hunter and his family. Trump Breaks His Silence US President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday questioned outgoing President Joe Bidens decision to pardon his son Hunter in gun crime and tax evasion convictions, and called his step a miscarriage of Justice". Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Trumps reference to J6 hostages" was seen as a sharp criticism of the Biden administration. Trump referred to the people who were locked up for their involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol Hill riots. Since 2021, Trump and his supporters have called them hostages," claiming that they were acting in a peaceful and patriotic manner. Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: December 03, 2024, 09:50 IST Hamas, Fatah To Form Joint Committee To Run Post-War Gaza Published By : AFP Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 23:43 IST The plan needs Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's approval to come into fruition. The post-war Gaza administration plans will require the approval of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. (IMAGE: REUTERS) Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbass Fatah party have agreed to create a committee to jointly administer post-war Gaza, negotiators from both sides said Tuesday. Under the plan, which needs Abbass approval, the committee would be composed of 10 to 15 non-partisan figures with authority on matters related to the economy, education, health, humanitarian aid and reconstruction, according to a draft of the proposal seen by AFP. related stories Following talks in Cairo brokered by Egypt, the two rival Palestinian movements agreed the committee would administer the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing with Egypt, the territorys only one not shared with Israel. Fatahs delegation, led by central party committee member Azzam al-Ahmad, will return to Ramallah Tuesday to seek Abbass final approval, the negotiators told AFP on condition of anonymity. Wassil Abu Yussef, member of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation which includes Fatah, will convene later Tuesday to decide whether to approve the committee arrangement or not. Hamass delegation was led by politburo member Khalil al-Hayya. However, Jibril Rajoub, Fatahs number three and secretary-general of its central committee, expressed doubts the deal would ever get over the line. What committee is this? It is wrong to even discuss this issue," Rajoub told reporters in the West Bank city of Ramallah Tuesday, adding it would bring division". Rajoub said that he did not favour any deal that would lead to separate political systems in Gaza and in the occupied West Bank, which Fatah rules under the internationally recognised Palestinian Authority. We want one government, one security apparatus, and one unified policy. Any discussion or effort outside of this framework is a mistake," he said. We will not be part of any step that entrenches division or aligns with the path Netanyahu desires," he added. Ghassan Khatib, a Palestinian political analyst and former minister and diplomat, also expressed doubts. Gaza is now under complete Israeli control, and there is little significance for any arrangement that does not take into consideration the Israeli presence there," he told AFP. Should the agreement actually be implemented, he said its value would depend on whether Israel maintains a military presence in the Gaza Strip. Apocalyptic If the deal is applied while Israel retains control of Gaza, Khatib said, then I dont think this agreement is good, because this will release Israel from its duties as an occupier." The agreements announcement comes at a time of renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war between Hamas and Israel, which has devastated the Gaza Strip. According to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the situation in the territory is horrific and apocalyptic". The truce efforts, led by the United States in coordination with Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, come in the wake of a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. As the administration of US President Joe Biden prepares to hand over power in January to President-elect Donald Trump, Palestinians face intense US pressure to ensure that Hamas will have no role in Gaza once the war ends. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government, one of the most right-wing in Israels history, made Hamass destruction in Gaza one of its main war objectives. It has repeatedly expressed strong opposition to the Palestinian Authority playing a major role in the Gaza Strip after the war. It has also categorically refused any semblance of a return to the status quo ante, where Hamas ruled Gaza. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The war began on October 7, 2023, sparked by Hamass unprecedented attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,208 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official data. Israels retaliatory military campaign in the Gaza Strip has resulted in at least 44,466 deaths, mostly civilians, according to data from Gazas Hamas-run Health Ministry, which the UN considers reliable. Location : Cairo, Egypt First Published: December 03, 2024, 23:43 IST LinkedIn Cofounder Reid Hoffman Could Leave US Due To Trump Win Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 22:54 IST Reid Hoffman, a Kamala Harris supporter, also helped finance a defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump. Reid Hoffman, partner at Greylock; co-founder of LinkedIn and co-founder of Inflection AI, speaks during the Axios BFD event in New York City, US. (IMAGE: REUTERS) Reid Hoffman, the billionaire co-founder of LinkedIn, is reportedly contemplating leaving the United States following Donald Trumps victory in the recent presidential election. The New York Post reported that Hoffman is evaluating his options amidst political shifts under the incoming Republican leadership. Hoffman reportedly fears that Donald Trump could target his political opponents for personal retribution using his presidential powers. related stories There are also concerns that Trump might leverage his position to settle scores and seek retribution against his political enemies. Hoffman was a prominent supporter of Vice President Kamala Harris during her unsuccessful campaign. As a Democratic Party mega-donor, he contributed significantly, reportedly providing up to $10 million to her campaign efforts. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Hoffman once said he wished Donald Trump had become a real martyr" during a failed assassination attempt. His biggest concern, however, comes from his role in financing a defamation lawsuit against Trump. This lawsuit was filed by E. Jean Carroll, a former writer for New York magazine, adding to Hoffmans fears that Trump might target him for retribution. Location : New York, United States of America (USA) First Published: December 03, 2024, 22:54 IST Martial Law In Korea: Helicopters Roar, Tanks Roll As Protesters, Cops Clash In Seoul Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 04, 2024, 09:05 IST Tanks were seen rolling through the city of Seoul as choppers flew overhead after Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. Helicopters fly, after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, in Seoul, South Korea. Police officers block the entry to the National Assembly. (IMAGE: REUTERS) South Korean protesters critical of the government led by Yoon Suk Yeol staged protests against his decision to declare an emergency martial law," on Tuesday accusing the countrys opposition of controlling the parliament, sympathizing with North Korea and paralyzing the government with anti-state activities. Tanks rolling into Seoul as emergency martial law in effect. https://t.co/d2JEECqpEc pic.twitter.com/DhSmhkmGLs Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 3, 2024 related stories He declared martial law in a surprise late-night TV address, slamming domestic political opponents and sending shockwaves through the country. South Korean opposition leaders gathered at the parliament. Photos released by Reuters showed helicopters whirring in the Seoul skyline and South Korean troops securing Korean National Assembly premises. Cops were also seen attempting to stop protesters from entering the National Assembly premises. Unverified social media reports said tanks rolled into the streets of Seoul. Yoon made the announcement during a televised briefing, vowing to eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order." It wasnt immediately clear how the steps would affect the countrys governance and democracy. Yoon whose approval rating has dipped in recent months has struggled to push his agenda against an opposition-controlled parliament since taking office in 2022. Yoons conservative People Power Party had been locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition Democratic Party over next years budget bill. He has also been dismissing calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, drawing quick, strong rebukes from his political rivals. South Koreas parliament has overturned President Yoon Suk Yeols martial law declaration, but the move awaits approval from his cabinet, US broadcaster CNN said. If the cabinet rejects the vote, it could result in a political deadlock. Most searches came from the Northeast, with Mizoram being on top followed by Manipur and Nagaland. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Related search queries included keywords and phrases like korea, martial law korea, martial law south korea, south korea, martial law in south korea. (with inputs from Associated Press) Location : Seoul, South Korea First Published: December 03, 2024, 21:43 IST No Lawyer Appears For Hindu Monk Chinmoy Das In Bangladesh, Bail Hearing Postponed To Next Month Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Ronit Singh Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 16:56 IST Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu was arrested last week allegedly over his outspoken stance on minority rights in Bangladesh. Bangladeshi Hindu leader Chinmay Das Prabhu | Image/X Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu, who was arrested on charges of sedition in Bangladesh, faced a massive setback on Tuesday after lawyers denied appearing for him during the bail hearing in a court, said sources. The Chattogram court postponed the hearing to January 2, according to sources, after Bar Association lawyers barred any legal professional from representing the Hindu religious leader. related stories Das, a former member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), was arrested from Dhakas Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on November 25. Later, Chattograms Magistrate court denied him bail and sent him to police custody. Sources revealed that an advocate, identified as Rabindra Ghosh, came from Dhaka, travelling almost 250 km, to attend the court hearing. However, he was denied entry to the court premises by the locals, they added. Advocate Defending Das Attacked: Report In a separate incident, an advocate, who had defended Bangladeshs Hindu monk Chinmoy Das, was brutally" attacked in the neighbouring country, claimed ISKCON Kolkata spokesperson Radharamn Das on Monday. Advocate Ramen Roy, reportedly in critical condition at a hospital, was attacked after several people ransacked his home, Radharamn Das claimed, fueling further tension amid reports of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. Please pray for Advocate Ramen Roy. His only fault was defending Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in court. Islamists ransacked his home and brutally attacked him, leaving him in the ICU, fighting for his life. #SaveBangladeshiHindus #FreeChinmoyKrishnaPrabhu," Das posted on X along with a picture of Roy in ICU. Please pray for Advocate Ramen Roy. His only fault was defending Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in court.Islamists ransacked his home and brutally attacked him, leaving him in the ICU, fighting for his life.#SaveBangladeshiHindus #FreeChinmoyKrishnaPrabhu pic.twitter.com/uudpC10bpN Radharamn Das (@RadharamnDas) December 2, 2024 CNN-News18 could not independently verify the authenticity of the post. ISKCON Urges Bangladesh Govt To Ensure Lawyers Safety ISKCON Kolkata appealed to the Bangladesh government to ensure the safety of lawyers who are willing to present Krishna Das. ISKCON Kolkata spokesperson Radharamn Das had claimed on Monday that Ramen Roy who was representing the arrested Hindu monk was attacked by a group of Islamists at his residence in Bangladesh. Hindus Hounded In Bangladesh Almost a week after Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested and charged with sedition in Bangladesh, several reports claimed that two monks who had gone to give him medicines in jail were also arrested on Friday. The alleged anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh was triggered after a students agitation over a controversial quota system turned into a massive anti-government protest, ousting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5. Later, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took charge of the caretaker government. Since then, several reports claimed that the minority community, which makes up about 8 per cent of Bangladeshs 170 million population, faced over 200 attacks. In a related incident, Sayan Ghosh, a tourist hailing from West Bengals North 24 Parganas, was brutally attacked by a group while visiting a friend in Bangladesh on November 23. He somehow managed to return to India with injuries on his head and face after he was refused admission to a hospital. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also pressed the issue of reported atrocities against religious minorities with the Bangladesh government, urging them to safeguard Hindus." Leaders of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatani Jagran Jote condemned the denial of legal representation for Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari during his bail hearing, calling it a violation of human rights and the rule of law. They claimed lawyers faced threats and intimidation and raised concerns about judicial fairness. Location : Bangladesh First Published: December 03, 2024, 10:53 IST Russian Actress Swept To Death By Gaint Wave While Filming Yoga On Thai Beach Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 12:59 IST According to reports from Thailand news, a bystander attempted to rescue the actress but was unsuccessful. Russian actress dies in Thailand accident. A tragic incident occurred on the island of Koh Samui, Thailand, when Russian actress Kamilla Belyatskaya was swept away by a massive wave while practicing yoga on the beach. The 24-year-old actress, who was on holiday with her boyfriend, lost her life in the accident. A video capturing the final moments of her life went viral on social media. According to reports from Thailand news, a bystander attempted to rescue the actress but was unsuccessful. Her body was later found several kilometres away in the sea. The area where the tragedy occurred was a place that Belyatskaya had frequently praised on social media, referring to it as the best place on earth." related stories The actress had previously shared her love for Thailand, particularly Koh Samui, writing on social media, I love Samui, but this place, this rocky beach, is the best thing I have ever seen in my life. Thank you, universe, for bringing me here. I am so happy." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Hinh anh cuoi cua nu du khach tap yoga tren mom a truoc khi bi song cuonMot nu du khach Nga 24 tuoi a bi song cuon xuong bien khi tap yoga tren mom a tai iem ngam canh Lad Koh, ao Koh Samui, Thai Lan vao ngay 29-11. pic.twitter.com/7VYbwevCzM South of Vietnam (@vincent31473580) December 1, 2024 On the day of the incident, Belyatskaya had arrived at the Lad Ko Viewpoint in a red car to enjoy the waves, an event captured by CCTV. She was then seen walking alone towards the rocks, where she unrolled her yoga mat. Her mat was later found floating in the water, shortly before the tragedy unfolded. First Published: December 03, 2024, 12:59 IST South Korean President Declares Emergency Martial Law, Accuses Opposition Of Siding With North Published By : Associated Press Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 19:51 IST South Korea's President Yoon declares emergency martial law, accusing opposition of paralyzing government and pro-North Korea sympathies. Yoon has struggled against the opposition which controls the South Korean parliament. (IMAGE: REUTERS) South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared an emergency martial law," Tuesday accusing the countrys opposition of controlling the parliament, sympathizing with North Korea and paralyzing the government with anti-state activities. Yoon made the announcement during a televised briefing, vowing to eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order." It wasnt immediately clear how the steps would affect the countrys governance and democracy. related stories Yoon whose approval rating has dipped in recent months has struggled to push his agenda against an opposition-controlled parliament since taking office in 2022. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Yoons conservative People Power Party had been locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition Democratic Party over next years budget bill. He has also been dismissing calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, drawing quick, strong rebukes from his political rivals. The Democratic Party reportedly called an emergency meeting of its lawmakers following Yoons announcement. Location : Seoul, South Korea First Published: December 03, 2024, 19:31 IST Syria Rebels Inch Closer To Hama, As Assads Army Ups Resistance Published By : AFP Last Updated: December 03, 2024, 23:50 IST The recent uprising against Assad ended four years of relative calm in Syria. Syrian Kurds, fleeing their homes in the outskirts of the northern city of Aleppo after they were seized by Islamist-led rebels, arrive with their belongings to Tabaqah, on the western outskirts of Raqa. (IMAGE: AFP) Islamist-led rebels advanced Tuesday on Syrias fourth-largest city Hama, buoyed by their lightning capture of swathes of the north in an offensive that ended four years of relative calm. The sudden flare-up in the more than decade-old civil war in Syria, just as a fragile ceasefire took effect in neighbouring Lebanon, drew appeals for de-escalation from across the international community. related stories Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies met much tougher resistance in the countryside north of Hama than they did in the Aleppo region on Friday and Saturday, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The Observatory reported the heaviest fighting with government forces so far as the offensive entered its seventh day. Clashes have erupted in the northern Hama countryside, where rebel factions managed to seize several cities and towns in the last few hours," the Observatory said. Syrian and Russian air forces carried out dozens of strikes on the area." Syrian state media reported that the two air forces had bombed the rebels in their Idlib stronghold as well as their vanguard in Hama province. Russia is a key ally of President Bashar al-Assad. Its 2015 intervention in the Syrian civil war turned the tide in his governments favour but since 2022 the Ukraine war has tied down much of its military resources. Threat to popular base Hama was a bastion of opposition to the Assad government early in the civil war. For many of the citys residents, the scars of a 1982 massacre by the army, aimed at crushing the banned Muslim Brotherhood, have yet to heal. But its capture by the rebels would pose a threat to the regimes popular base", Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said. The countryside west of the city is home to many Alawites, followers of the same offshoot of Shiite Islam as the president and his security chiefs. An AFP journalist in the northern Hama countryside saw dozens of Syrian army tanks and military vehicles abandoned by the side of the road leading to Hama. We want to advance on Hama after combing" towns that have been captured, a rebel fighter who identified himself as Abu al-Huda al-Sourani told AFP. The United Nations says nearly 50,000 people have been displaced by the fighting since it began last Wednesday. At least 571 people have been killed, mostly combatants but also including 98 civilians, according to the Observatory. UN alarm The quickening exodus of civilians just as winter takes hold has triggered international concern. UN chief Antonio Guterres said he was alarmed" by the violence and called for an immediate halt. The European Union and the United States called on all sides to de-escalate. HTS is rooted in Al-Qaedas former Syria branch and has faced accusations of human rights abuses including torture. Assad is no longer the pariah in the Arab world that he was at the height of the civil war. At a summit in Cairo last year, Arab leaders agreed to reinstate Syrias membership of the Arab League, marking the start of a slow rehabilitation. Turkish ally Qatar has been the main exception, refusing to normalise relations with Assads government. Its foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari denied any military role in the rebel offensive but said a negotiated settlement between the warring parties was the only way to end the conflict. Civilian exodus One anxious resident of Syrias second city Aleppo, who declined to be identified, spoke of panic as the rebels overran it on Friday and Saturday. There were terrible traffic jams," he said. A convoy of Kurds joined the exodus on Monday as Turkish-backed fighters seized areas east of Aleppo from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, who control much of the northeast, an AFP photographer witnessed. But others remained trapped inside the rebel-controlled city. Nazih Yristian, 60, who lives in Aleppos Armenian neighbourhood, said he and his wife had tried to flee but the main road out had been cut. Since then, the couple have cloistered themselves at home, he said. No one attacked us so far, but we want to leave until things calm down. We have been displaced a lot and we will be displaced again." The Norwegian Refugee Council warned that the rebel offensive threatens to drag the country back into the darkest days of this near 14-year conflict". In Aleppo, NRC teams report food shortages as bakeries and shops shut down. Damage to water networks has also reduced domestic water supplies," its Middle East and North Africa director Angelita Caredda said. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian pledged unconditional support" for their ally, according to the Kremlin. But Assads allies have been distracted by the wars in Ukraine, and in Gaza and Lebanon respectively. Neighbouring Iraq too has expressed support, and on Tuesday a pro-Iran group within the security forces called on the government to go further and send combat troops. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A spokesman for Kataeb Hezbollah, part of the Iran-backed axis of resistance", said the group had not yet decided to deploy its own fighters but urged Baghdad to act. We believe the Iraqi government should take the initiative to send regular military forces in coordination with the Syrian government," the spokesman said. Location : Beirut, Lebanon First Published: December 03, 2024, 23:50 IST The ashes of Lisa, a puppy who perished in a plane crash alongside animal rescue pilot Seuk Kim, were returned to Kim's family in Virginia on Sunday. Kim, a 49-year-old volunteer pilot for Pilots n Paws, lost his life during a mission from Maryland to Albany, New York. His plane went down in the Catskill Mountains for unknown reasons; two other dogs survived. Leah Kim, Seuk Kim's 16-year-old daughter, emphasized their commitment to fulfilling her father's rescue mission, stating, "We feel a responsibility to continue what he started" and make sure Lisa has a forever home. "We all sat down and talked about what we'd like to do with his remains. And then we were given the option to have Lisa's remains brought to us, we decided that we would all feel much better if she was with us," his daughter said. Chris Moon, a fellow Pilots n Paws pilot, flew Lisa's remains back to the family. Leah noted that they intend to bury Lisa's ashes in their backyard next to the ashes of the family's deceased poodle. A funeral has been scheduled for Thursday to commemorate Seuk Kim's life and dedication to animal rescue. Originally from South Korea, Seuk Kim had always aspired to be a pilot and began flying for animal rescue operations after earning his pilot's license four years ago. He was known for his compassionate spirit, making frequent trips to assist animals in need. Penny Edwards from Forever Changed Animal Rescue described Kim as an "incredible person" who greatly influenced community relief efforts. Edwards remarked, "It wasn't just about rescuing animals. He was just so involved with the community." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) An Israeli American soldier thought to have been taken captive by Hamas in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack instead was killed that day, the nation's defense minister said Monday. Omer Neutra, 21, a tank platoon commander in the Israeli military, died in battle in Nir Oz, a kibbutz stormed by militants, Israel Katz said in a post on X. Katz did not say how the military made the determination, NBC News reports. "Omer's life story and dedication represent the best and strongest we have built as a nation," the defense minister wrote. His family had released a statement on Thanksgiving saying: "Our holiday table is empty a second year in a row. Omer is not there." Hamas has not turned over Neutra's body, Israel said, per the New York Times. He grew up near New York City and emigrated to Israel, becoming a tank platoon commander while doing his military service. His parents, Orna and Ronen Neutra, have campaigned publicly for the release of their son and the 100 or so other hostages Hamas is still holding, though many of them could be dead by now. Hamas' terror attack on southern Israel killed about 1,200 people by the government's count. "We are private and not very political, and yet we find ourselves caught up in the middle of the most controversial geopolitical war in decades," Orna Neutra wrote in an oped for the New York Post this summer. "Our life as we knew it, is gone." (More Israel-Hamas war stories.) On what was supposed to be the first day of the trial of a former police detective accused of raping vulnerable Black women, protesters outside the federal courthouse in Topeka held signs saying "Justice Now." But Roger Golubski will never face justice. After the 71-year-old failed to show up in court on Monday, he was found dead on the back porch of his home outside Kansas City, Kansas, from what sources tell outlets including CNN and the Kansas City Star was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The charges . Golubski faced six felony counts of violating women's civil rights, the AP reports. Prosecutors said he used the power of his badge to sexually abuse women over decades in Kansas City, threatening to harm or jail their relatives if they refused his demands. Prosecutors said Golubski chose victims he thought would not be believed if they complained about him to authorities. The charges were connected to the alleged kidnapping and rape of two women, but prosecutors said they were working with seven others who said they were abused, reports KMBC. . Golubski faced six felony counts of violating women's civil rights, the AP reports. Prosecutors said he used the power of his badge to sexually abuse women over decades in Kansas City, threatening to harm or jail their relatives if they refused his demands. Prosecutors said Golubski chose victims he thought would not be believed if they complained about him to authorities. The charges were connected to the alleged kidnapping and rape of two women, but prosecutors said they were working with seven others who said they were abused, reports KMBC. A second case. Golubski, who retired in 2010 after 35 years on the Kansas force, was charged in a separate federal case with protecting a drug dealer who sexually trafficked underage girls, KCUR reports. In that case, Golubski faced charges including conspiracy, kidnapping, and aggravated sexual abuse. At first, police in Oregon thought they were looking for a missing hiker. Now the case has turned into a homicide investigation. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office found the body of 61-year-old Susan Lane-Fournier on Friday after a week of searching in the area of Mount Hood National Forest in Welches, reports USA Today . Co-workers reported her missing on Nov. 22 when she failed to turn up for work, and a friend spotted her truck parked near a hiking trail. Her remains were eventually found by the side of a rural highway, near vacation cabins and hiking trails in the Mount Hood area, per People . Police have arrested her 71-year-old estranged husband, Michel Fournier, and charged him with second-degree murder. Lane-Fournier had filed divorce papers in late October after 12 years of marriage, reports KGW. Authorities are still trying to piece together what happened, and a sheriff's office statement said "investigators are looking to speak with anyone who may have seen Michel Fournier in the days before her disappearance or who has information about his activity and whereabouts since then." Police also located the remains of two dogs believed to have belonged to Lane-Fournier. (More Oregon stories.) As news broke Monday that 21-year-old American Omer Neutra had been killed in the Oct. 7 attack in Israel, renewed attention was directed to the plight of the hostages still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza. President-elect Trump was one of those weighing in, and he made clear his intentions should Hamas not release the hostages by the time he heads to the Oval Office for the second time, reports Barron's . "[I]f the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity," Trump posted on Truth Social on Monday afternoon. The future commander in chief added: "Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!" The New York Times notes that about 100 hostages remain in captivity; about a third of them are believed to be dead. In his post, Trump also decried the "all talk and no action" he says is currently going on, an ostensible slam against the Biden administration. President Biden's team has been working since the attack with Israel and mediators from such nations as Egypt and Qatar to achieve a ceasefire that would result in the hostages' release. Those talks have repeatedly stalled. Still, "it was not clear what tactic Mr. Trump might take that has not already been taken ... by Israel, which has killed many of Hamas' leaders and thousands of its fighters, while leveling much of Gaza," the Times notes. (More President-elect Trump stories.) A Delaware judge has reaffirmed her ruling that Tesla must revoke Elon Musk's multibillion-dollar pay package. Chancellor Kathaleen St. Jude McCormick on Monday denied a request by attorneys for Musk and Tesla's corporate directors to vacate her ruling earlier this year requiring the company to rescind the unprecedented package. McCormick also rejected an equally unprecedented and massive fee request by plaintiff attorneys, who argued that they were entitled to legal fees in the form of Tesla stock valued at more than $5 billion. The judge said the attorneys were entitled to a fee award of $345 million, the AP reports. The rulings came in a lawsuit filed by a Tesla stockholder who challenged Musk's 2018 compensation. McCormick concluded in January that Musk engineered the landmark pay package in sham negotiations with directors who were not independent. The compensation package initially carried a potential maximum value of about $56 billion, but that sum has fluctuated over the years based on Tesla's stock price. Following the court ruling, Tesla shareholders met in June and ratified Musk's 2018 pay package for a second time, again by an overwhelming margin. Defense attorneys then argued that the second vote makes clear that Tesla shareholders, with full knowledge of the flaws in the 2018 process that McCormick pointed out, were adamant that Musk is entitled to the pay package. They asked the judge to vacate her order directing Tesla to rescind the pay package. McCormick said in Monday's ruling that those arguments were fatally flawed, per the AP. "The large and talented group of defense firms got creative with the ratification argument, but their unprecedented theories go against multiple strains of settled law," McCormick wrote in a 103-page opinion. The judge noted, among other reasons, that a stockholder vote standing alone cannot ratify a conflicted-controller transaction. "Even if a stockholder vote could have a ratifying effect, it could not do so here due to multiple, material misstatements in the proxy statement," she added. (More Elon Musk stories.) The FBI said Monday it is offering a reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to the return of a northern Maine teenager whose disappearance earlier in the fall has attracted international attention, per the AP . Stefanie Damron, 14, of New Sweden, Maine, was reported missing by her family on Sept. 24, when she was last seen walking out of her house and into the nearby woods. Stefanie, who is homeschooled and has limited access to social media, has not been found despite extensive searches and interviews, authorities said. The FBI is collaborating with Maine State Police and is hopeful the reward will incentivize anyone with information regarding Stefanie's disappearance, said Jodi Cohen, special agent in charge of the FBI's Boston division. The reward is available to anyone with information leading to Stefanie's safe return or the arrest and prosecution of anyone involved in her disappearance, the FBI said in a statement. "Stefanie's family desperately wants to know where she is, and we are fully committed to helping our law enforcement partners exhaust every investigative resource to find her and bring her home," Cohen said. New Sweden is a rural community of about 575 people located 310 miles north of Portland. Stefanie did not have electronic devices with her when she was last seen, and was known to sometimes leave home for the woods behind her house, though not for this long, Maine State Police Major Scott Gosselin said Monday. "We are looking for help from the public in order to maintain a vigilance for Stefanie and to report any tips or leads that might be helpful to our investigation," Gosselin said. Stefanie's disappearance has attracted media attention from as far away as Europe. Tips have come in regarding the case from other states and Canada, and authorities are following up on those, police said. However, police have yet to receive any concrete leads, they said. (More missing person stories.) President-elect Trump has named billionaire investment banker Warren Stephens as his envoy to Britain, a prestigious posting for the Republican donor whose contributions this year included $2 million to a Trump-backing super PAC, the AP reports. Trump, in a post on his Truth Social site Monday evening, announced he was selecting Stephens to be the US ambassador to the Court of Saint James. The Senate is required to confirm the choice. "Warren has always dreamed of serving the United States full time. I am thrilled that he will now have that opportunity as the top Diplomat, representing the USA to one of America's most cherished and beloved Allies," Trump said in his post. Veteran actor Ian Smith, famed for his decades-long portrayal of Harold Bishop in the Australian soap opera Neighbours, has announced his retirement following a terminal cancer diagnosis. The 86-year-old actor shared this personal news in an interview with 10 News First, aired Monday. Smith, who has played the beloved character since 1987, filmed his final scenes and bid farewell to his colleagues on his last day of work. During the interview, Smith disclosed he is battling pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer. He candidly remarked, "I found out a few months back that I have cancer, that I have a very aggressive, non-fixable cancer and ... they expect me to die." His poignant words mark the end of an era for fans of the iconic series, which has been a staple of Australian television since 1985. Neighbours producers announced Smith's departure on social media, expressing gratitude for his contributions. "Harold waves goodbye to Ramsay Street," stated the program's message. Network 10 praised Smith as "the heart and soul of the show," highlighting the decades of "joy, laughter, and inspiration" he has provided to global audiences. Although the series has captivated viewers in over 60 countries, it found its largest international fanbase in Britain. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) Syria's long-running civil war has been off the radar for a while, but the stunning, out-of-the-blue capture of Aleppothe nation's largest cityby rebels has changed that in a hurry. Those catching up with events will have to get familiar with a new acronym, HTS, short for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, explains NPR. HTS is seen as the main rebel group behind the new military surge. Coverage: HTS shift: The group has ditched its original ties with al-Qaeda and has generally become more moderate in recent years under leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who has disavowed international terrorism and promised to embrace religious tolerance, per the AP. The group has ditched its original ties with al-Qaeda and has generally become more moderate in recent years under leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who has disavowed international terrorism and promised to embrace religious tolerance, per the AP. More independent: HTS operates out of western Syria. It "has been able to build that empire by primarily controlling most of the economic sectors in Idlib," Natasha Hall of the Center for Strategic and International Studies tells CNN. "They are more of an independent force than many groups." HTS operates out of western Syria. It "has been able to build that empire by primarily controlling most of the economic sectors in Idlib," Natasha Hall of the Center for Strategic and International Studies tells CNN. "They are more of an independent force than many groups." US view: The State Department made clear on Monday that it doesn't support HTS "in any way, shape, or form" and still considers it a terrorist organization, said spokesman Matt Miller, per NBC News. At the same time, Syrian leader Bashar Assad "is a brutal dictator with blood on his hands, the blood of innocent civilians," said Miller. It looks all but certain that France's government will collapse this week, giving it the unwanted distinction of being the shortest-lived government in modern French history, reports the AP. The ramifications, however, go beyond France. The collapse is expected to happen on Wednesday or Thursday, whenever parliament holds a no-confidence vote on Prime Minister Michel Barnier. By all accounts, he has virtually no prayer of surviving. Coverage: The basics: President Emmanuel Macron appointed Barnier as prime minister only in September, per the New York Times. The role isn't easy: France's parliament is made up of three blocs of roughly equal strength: the left-wing New Popular Front, the far-right National Rally, and centrist allies of Macron. Barnier is in the latter group. President Emmanuel Macron appointed Barnier as prime minister only in September, per the New York Times. The role isn't easy: France's parliament is made up of three blocs of roughly equal strength: the left-wing New Popular Front, the far-right National Rally, and centrist allies of Macron. Barnier is in the latter group. The trigger: Barnier incensed the left and right by using what's known in France as the "nuclear option" to push through a social security budget bill without a vote, per France 24 (which has an in-depth explainer of what's happening). The left and far-right parties immediately introduced no-confidence motions, and they have plenty of votes between them to topple Barnier and leave France without a government. One of Vietnam's richest women, sentenced to death over what the BBC calls "the world's biggest bank fraud," has lost her appeal. But real estate tycoon Truong My Lan, found to have embezzled $12.5 billion from Saigon Commercial Bank, could still avoid executionif she agrees to pay back most of what she stole. Under Vietnamese law, the 68-year-old can avoid a death sentence by returning 75% of the embezzled assets, the Guardian reports. If Lan does so, her sentence could be reduced to life in prison. But whether or not she can come up with $9 billion remains to be seen. "The total value of her holdings actually exceeds the required compensation amount," one of her lawyers told the BBC before the appeal was rejected. The defense has argued Lanseparately sentenced to life in prison for money laundering in Octoberalready paid back the required amount in turning over more than 600 properties to the court, per CBS News. Lawyers have also made the case that, because of the death penalty, Lan is unable to negotiate the best price in the sale of her assets, more than 1,000 of which have been frozen, per the BBC. "Now, in effect, in a race with the executioner to raise the funds she needs," Lan is reportedly asking friends for loans. Prosecutors said around $27 billion, equivalent to 6% of Vietnam's 2023 GDP, was misappropriated, and $12.5 billion was embezzled from SCB under Lan's control. They argued there should be no leniency for the founder of development group Van Thinh Phat, whose crimes were "huge and without precedent," and the High People's Court in Ho Chi Minh City agreed Tuesday, finding "no basis" to reduce her sentence, per CBS and CNN. However, Lan hasn't yet exhausted all of her appeals and can still ask the president for amnesty. If that doesn't work, she'll have some time to round up the $9 million: A lawyer said Tuesday that Lan is unlikely to face lethal injection for several years. (More Vietnam stories.) Another chapter in the growing novel of airline passengers behaving badly: An Indian-American wedding photographer posted video of a currently unidentified woman hurling racial abuse at him and his family after a United Airlines flight from Cancun to Los Angeles, reports the Independent. What went down: On the flight: Pervez Taufiq was traveling with his wife and three sons; one son was seated next to the woman in question. As the New York Post reports, Taufiq went to check on his son "She was making comments to him on the flight. She was saying, 'Are you Indian?' He's 11, so he was like, 'Yeah, I'm Indian.' And she's like, 'Are you from New Delhi?' And he said, 'No, my family's from Bombay,' and so that's where this whole thing kicked off," Taufiq says. Taufiq grew up in Boston. An Indianapolis man made an incredible find when he outside to retrieve a package: two missing babies in a ditch near his house, both still in their car seats. Robert Deane brought the girls inside from the 27-degree weather and called police, and all ended well, reports USA Today . The chain of events started Monday morning when somebody stole a 2013 Hyundai Sonata, with the girls inside, about 4 miles away from Deane's house, per People . Police quickly located the abandoned car, but the girls, ages 4 months and 5 months, were no longer inside. The car thief presumably deposited them by Deane's house. "One of them was screaming, so I immediately grabbed the car seats, brought them inside," Deane tells CBS4. "We got them warmed up and called 911." It's not clear exactly how long the girls were out in the frigid weather. "It's cold out here," Indianapolis police spokesman William Young tells USA Today. "Who knows what could have happened if this particular individual was not able to come outside." No arrests have been made as the investigation continues. "I'd do it again," says Deane. "If you see something, like a baby in a ditch, say something (and) do something." (More Indianapolis stories.) South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's government has lifted the martial law he imposed during a tense night of political drama in which troops surrounded parliament and lawmakers voted to reject military rule . Yoon said his government withdrew military personnel following a bipartisan parliamentary vote that rejected martial law, and the measure was formally lifted around 4:30am during a Cabinet meeting, the AP reports. After the declaration of martial law for the first time since the country's military dictatorship ended in the 1980s, thousands of protesters took to the streets calling for Yoon to be arrested, reports the New York Times . Less than three hours after Yoon declared martial law late Tuesday, vowing to eliminate "anti-state" forces, parliament voted to lift the declaration, with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring that the martial law was "invalid" and that lawmakers "will protect democracy with the people." Police and military personnel were seen leaving the Assembly's grounds after Woo called for their withdrawal. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the liberal Democratic Party, which holds the majority in the 300-seat parliament, said the party's lawmakers would remain in the Assembly's main hall until Yoon formally lifted his order. US State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel, stressing that the US alliance with South Korea remains "iron-clad," said the US was not notified in advance of Yoon's plan to declare martial law, the BBC reports. Asked if the US respects lawmakers' decision to block the move, Patel said, "We want to see these political disputes resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law and such a vote in the legislature would be consistent with that approach." This story has been updated with new developments. (More South Korea stories.) We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. TDT| Manama Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com Bahrains people-centred vision has once again earned international acclaim as the Cabinet extended congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on the Kingdoms triumphant performance at the Arab Government Excellence Awards. This recognition underscores the nations commitment to harnessing collective effort and innovation to drive progress. Prestigious Honours The accolades include the prestigious Best Arab Minister Award, presented to the Minister of Finance and National Economy, His Excellency Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa. Additionally, the Alternative Sentencing Program clinched the Arab Government Excellence Award for the Best Arab Government Community Development Project, while the Lamea National Program was recognised as the Best Arab Government Project to Empower Young People. Team Excellence Praising these milestones, the Cabinet expressed pride in Team Bahrains ability to achieve excellence across various sectors, attributing these successes to the unwavering dedication of the nations workforce. The Cabinet also highlighted the pivotal role played by local entities in hosting major events that cement Bahrains position on the global stage. Maraee Success One such achievement was the seventh edition of the Bahrain Animal Production Show (Maraee 2024), held under the patronage of His Majesty the King. The Cabinet commended the Bahrain Defence Forces Royal Guard for their contributions to the events success, alongside the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, whose organisational efforts were pivotal. Further celebrating the Kingdoms hosting prowess, the Cabinet acknowledged the resounding success of Jewellery Arabia 2024, Cityscape Bahrain 2024, and Scent Arabia 2024. Held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, these events attracted significant participation, spotlighting Bahrains capacity to deliver world-class exhibitions. Collaborative Efforts The Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Tourism, the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, and the Real Estate Regulatory Authority were also commended for their collaborative efforts in ensuring these events seamless execution. The economic benefits of such initiatives were outlined in a report by the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance. Broader Discussions These successes formed part of broader discussions at the Cabinets weekly meeting, where progress across national and international initiatives was reviewed. From the development of sustainable priorities to strengthening regional ties, the Kingdom continues to advance its commitment to growth and diplomacy. As Bahrains achievements gain regional and international recognition, the unwavering contributions of its people remain the cornerstone of the Kingdoms ongoing success story. TDT | Manama Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com In collaboration with the British Embassy in Bahrain, the Youth Pioneer Society held a reunion event on Wednesday, the 27th of November, for graduates of the Young Parliamentarian Programme, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the programmes launch. The event commenced with a speech by H.E. Alastair Long, British Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, during which he noted that he was delighted the British Embassy was able to support youth empowerment initiatives in Bahrain in collaboration with Youth Pioneer Society to deliver this programme for the fifth year. He added that this excellent programme provided Bahraini young women and men with an opportunity to build a range of skills to help them to achieve their ambitions and advance their careers. The event featured a speech by one of the founding members of Youth Pioneer Society, Saud Al-Buainain, and remarks from programme graduates Yasmin Youssef, Mais Al-Jama, and Firas Al-Alam, who shared how this programme has transformed them. The reunion event was attended by the British Deputy Ambassador, Mrs. Fiona Walker-Doyle, a number of Embassy officials, as well as representatives from the Council of Representatives, government departments, trainers, and graduates of the Youth Parliament Program. The new Minute tells the story of Edwin Baker, co-founder of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB). Baker was born in Ernestown Township, Ontario in 1893. After graduating Queen's University with a degree in electrical engineering, he enlisted in the 6th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers to serve during the First World War. In 1915, he lost his sight after being hit by a sniper's bullet. Baker recuperated at St. Dunstan's Hostel for Blind Soldiers and Sailors in England and was inspired by their mantra of self-reliance at a time when people who were blind or partially sighted were presumed to be unable to contribute in a meaningful way to society. After coming home to Canada, he began advocating on behalf of other returning blind veterans. Baker and six others founded CNIB, bringing employment opportunities, training, and other services to Canadians who are blind and partially sighted. "Edwin Baker was courageous not only for his service in the First World War, but for his tireless advocacy in the face of adversity," said Anthony Wilson-Smith, President and CEO of Historica Canada. "His determination to live independently and empower others to do so has left a lasting mark still felt to this day within the community of blind and partially sighted Canadians." The Minute was filmed in July 2024 in Coquitlam and Delta, British Columbia. It was produced by Historica Canada in conjunction with Scopitone Films (Paldi Heritage Minute) and was made possible through funding from the Government of Canada and in-kind equipment support from Sunbelt Rentals Film & TV (formerly William F. White International). Elad Tzadok, Hayley Gray and Raynor Shimabukuro served as co-producers. Tzadok and Gray also served as co-directors, and co-writers. The Director of Photography is Leo Award winner Naim Sutherland (Charlotte's Song (2015). Baker is played by Bruce Horak, best known for portraying Hemmer on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. The Calgary native, who now lives in Stratford, ON, was the first legally blind actor to portray a character in the Star Trek franchise. Donovan Tildesley, a retired swimmer and competitor in several Paralympic Games, portrays a blind veteran and lends his voice for the end narration. On this production, Historica Canada consulted with Dr. David Borys, a military historian, Dr. Serge Durflinger, a historian specializing in Canadian military and veterans, and Euclid Herie, former Director of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. "I certainly would not be where I am today without Edwin Baker, the CNIB, and their ambitious vision," said Bruce Horak. "I hope this small glimpse into his life encourages Canadians from all walks of life to investigate his story and support the continuing efforts of Canadians to champion access and autonomy for the blind and visually impaired." Historica Canada is a charitable organization offering programs in both official languages that you can use to explore, learn, reflect on our history, and consider what it means to be Canadian. The Heritage Minutes collection, which now has more than 100 productions, is a bilingual Canadian series comprised of 60-second short films, each depicting a significant person, event, or story in Canadian history. SOURCE Historica Canada Emilie Bourdages-Bittle, Communications Coordinator, [email protected], (437) 290-9275 Most Canadians share that junk fees are eroding their trust in financial services, particularly for international payments. More than three quarters of Canadians are calling for policy change. TORONTO, Dec. 3, 2024 /CNW/ - A new survey by Wise , the global technology company building the best way to move and manage money internationally, reveals the ongoing financial stress and undue personal harm caused by junk fees. Additionally, the findings highlight Canadians' desire for more financial services and transactions to be included in proposed federal junk fees legislation. By surveying 2,500 Canadians nationwide, the new research found that many individuals experience notable negative effects due to junk fees, with over half (57%) of Canadians stating that the quality of their emotional well-being is adversely influenced by junk fees. This is especially true of fees hidden in daily financial transactions, which are notably found in international payments. Findings show that most (81%) Canadians were negatively impacted by a hidden fee after making an international money transfer. Still, the federal government has yet to address hidden fees in financial services beyond non-sufficient funds fees. Hidden fees in international payments which are often inflated exchange rate mark-ups have been overlooked in junk fees legislation, despite 79% of Canadians wanting it to be a priority. Unsurprisingly, an overwhelming majority of Canadians (96%) expect to see all fees transparently and upfront before using a financial service, meaning additional fees are unplanned costs that impede on their budgets. Canadians noted that these unplanned fees are having a major impact on their lives, preventing them from effectively budgeting (54%), making plans to travel (48%) or saving for larger purchases like a home (51%). "Canadians are under financial pressure and junk fees are only making things worse," said Brigit Carroll, Senior Policy and Campaigns Manager, Americas at Wise. "I hope these insights compel policymakers in Canada to start having important conversations about broadening junk fees legislation to include financial services and transactions, particularly hidden exchange rate markups in international payments. Broadening the scope when looking to alleviate unnecessary financial stress for their citizens is not a could do, it's a must do." Junk fees have eroded consumer trust and altered their behavior As the awareness of junk fees increases, Canadians are ultimately re-evaluating their purchasing choices. A staggering 86% of respondents indicated that junk fees have influenced their decisions about which companies to patronize, and nearly three-quarters (74%) reported that they have stopped or intend to stop using a specific company or service because of these fees. It is clear that junk fees are having a profound impact on consumer trust, and results of this survey prove this statement 75% of respondents expressed reduced trust in their financial institutions because of junk fees. Canadians deserve to be heard The research also found that over half (51%) of the population has sent money abroad in the past year. It's clear that Canadians are prioritizing international payments and transactions, and that policymakers should be doing the same as they work to address junk fees. "Canada is home to a diverse population of generational immigrants and world travelers who deserve to have peace of mind when sending or receiving money abroad. Instead, this process often leads to unnecessary financial strain," said Carrol. "The responses of this study showcase that hidden fees in international payments must be part of continued discussion on this issue, or financial service providers and policymakers risk losing Canadians' trust for good. With these findings, we hope to reignite the conversation on junk fees." To read the full Wise Junk Fees report, please visit: https://wise.com/community/canadajunkfees Research methodology This survey was fielded between October 4 and October 8, 2024 with a total of 2,562 Canadian respondents between the ages of 18 to 60 years. The survey was conducted by Dynata, and commissioned by Wise, and data was weighted to ensure a nationally representative sample of the Canadian population. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points. Percentages in this report may not add up to 100% due to rounding. About Wise Wise is a global technology company, building the best way to move and manage the world's money. With Wise Account and Wise Business, people and businesses can hold 40 currencies, move money between countries and spend money abroad. Large companies and banks use Wise technology too; an entirely new network for the world's money. One of the world's fastest growing, profitable tech companies, Wise launched in 2011 and is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker, WISE. In fiscal year 2024, Wise supported around 12.8 million people and businesses, processing approximately 118.5 billion in cross-border transactions, and saving customers over 1.8 billion. Contact: Samantha Krupa-Carbone, [email protected] SOURCE WISE TORONTO, Dec. 3, 2024 /CNW/ -- Yesterday, Tenstorrent announced its $693M Series D funding round which featured several Canadian investors including Export Development Canada (EDC), Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP), and Georgian. During this raise, Tenstorrent reaffirmed its commitment to Canada and will continue to grow its investment level and workforce in Canada. Founded in Toronto in 2016, Tenstorrent builds and sells computers for artificial intelligence that are built using its Tensix cores. In addition to selling hardware, the open-source software stacks really set Tenstorrent apart from other players in the market. Tenstorrent licenses AI and RISC-V intellectual property to customers that want to own and customize their silicon. Tenstorrent will use the Series D funding to build out open-source AI software stacks, hire developers, expand its global development and design centers, and build systems and clouds for AI developers. "As a fellow Canadian and given Canada's role in the development and the future of AI, it was important to me that Tenstorrent reinforced our commitment to Canada during this funding round," said Tenstorrent's Chief Customer Officer David Bennett. "Our Toronto office remains the number one spot for our AI hardware development team. The heart of our technology was invented in Canada and even though Tenstorrent has grown and expanded world-wide, we remain committed to growing our presence in Canada and helping the Canadian AI ecosystem continue to grow and flourish." "Tenstorrent is leading the way in AI hardware innovation, backed by a strong leadership team and strategic partnerships to help expand its capabilities in Canada and globally," says Rami Gabriel, Vice-President, Mid-Market Growth Business at EDC. "We are excited to co-invest alongside such prestigious institutions to support the company's expansion. Underpinning our partnership with Tenstorrent is the company's commitment to growing its presence and impact in Canada and a shared goal of helping Canada maintain its global leadership position and competitive edge in AI." "We are pleased to support Tenstorrent as they deepen their roots in Canada's innovation economy on their path to designing cutting-edge systems for AI workloads," said Adrian Mitchell, Senior Managing Director, Public Equities at HOOPP. "The AI hardware market is evolving very quickly. We are excited to have investments in our portfolio with potential to generate strong returns for the Plan as a result of the growth in AI use cases in the years ahead." "Through our AI Lab, we saw the practical advantages of Tenstorrent's hardware design and open-source software," said Margo Wu, Lead Investor at Georgian. "We look forward to seeing the company contribute meaningfully to Canada's AI ecosystem, as it looks to fulfill a need for next generation AI infrastructure." About Tenstorrent Tenstorrent is a next-generation computing company that builds computers for AI. Tenstorrent is headquartered in North America and has locations in Toronto, Austin, and Silicon Valley, and global offices in Belgrade, Tokyo, Bangalore, Singapore, and Seoul. Tenstorrent brings together experts in the field of AI software, computer architecture, silicon design, and advanced systems. Tenstorrent is backed by Eclipse Ventures and Real Ventures, among others. Learn more @ tenstorrent.com. About EDC Export Development Canada (EDC) is a financial Crown corporation dedicated to helping Canadian businesses make an impact at home and abroad. EDC has the financial products and knowledge Canadian companies need to confidently enter new markets, reduce financial risk and grow their business as they go from local to global. Together, EDC and Canadian companies are building a more prosperous, stronger and sustainable economy for all Canadians. For more information and to learn how we can help your company, call us at 1-800-229-0575 or visit www.edc.ca. About HOOPP HOOPP serves Ontario's hospital and community-based healthcare sector, with more than 670 participating employers. Its membership includes nurses, medical technicians, food services staff, housekeeping staff, and many others who provide valued healthcare services. In total, HOOPP has more than 460,000 active, deferred and retired members. HOOPP operates as a private independent trust, and its Board of Trustees governs the Plan and Fund, focusing on HOOPP's mission to deliver on our pension promise. The Board is made up of appointees from the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) and four unions: the Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA), the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), the Ontario Public Service Employees' Union (OPSEU), and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). This governance model provides representation from both employers and members in support of the long-term interests of the Plan. About Georgian Georgian invests in high-growth B2B software companies and builds software to help those companies scale faster. We seek to identify and accelerate leading growth-stage software companies in our thesis areas of Applied AI, Conversational AI, Trust and Product-Led Purpose. Based in Toronto, Georgian's team brings together investors with machine learning professionals, software entrepreneurs and experienced operators. Visit www.georgian.io for more information. Contact: Bob Grim, [email protected] SOURCE Tenstorrent UPDATE: Bloody baseball bat found in yard after man beat girlfriend to death, cops say A 26-year-old New Jersey man was arrested after authorities say he beat his live-in girlfriend to death early Monday in their Pleasantville home. Leslianet Quintana-Betancourt died of her injuries at an area hospital and her boyfriend Boris Lainez-Rosales was later charged with murder and tampering with physical evidence, the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office said Tuesday. Quintana-Betancourt, 25, died of multiple blunt force injuries, officials said. Police were called to the couples home on the 100 block of Edgewater Avenue at about 1:55 a.m. Attorney information for Lainez-Rosales and additional informational about the circumstances the led to his girlfriends death werent immediately available. He is being held at the Atlantic County jail ahead of a first appearance in court. Anyone with information is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office at 609-909-7666 or go to the prosecutors office website at ACPO.Tips and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the submit a tip page. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. An Atlantic City man was sentenced to 25 years in prison after a jury convicted him of sexually assaulting his girlfriends 5-year-old daughter, officials with the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office said Tuesday. Oscar Oberlino Gomez Miralda, 44, of Atlantic City must serve the entirety of a 25-year prison sentence under the Jessica Lunsford Act before becoming eligible for parole after a jury found him guilty of first-degree aggravated sexual assault after a June trial, officials said. Miralda was also sentenced to a concurrent seven-year prison term for endangering the welfare of a child by sexual conduct, authorities said in a press release announcing his sentencing. A jury found that Miralda sexually assaulted the 5-year-old in her home in Atlantic City in December 2022, according to authorities. The mother of the girl discovered the assault after using a camera phone to record her daughters bedroom while she was at work, officials said. Miralda was in a relationship with the mother at the time and was living in the home at the time of the assault, according to authorities. Once released, Miralda must register under Megans Law and will be under permanent parole supervision, authorities said. Miraldas attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X A 23-year-old New Jersey man has been charged in the sexual assault of a young juvenile. Seeun Jang, of Ridgefield, was arrested on Monday. He is charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault and one count of endangering the welfare of a child, the Bergen County Prosecutors Office said in a news release. Last Monday, the victim reported being sexually assaulted multiple times in the past in the borough of Ridgefield. Investigators have since alleged that Jang is the person responsible for the assaults. At the time of the abuse, the victim was under the age of 16, authorities said. Jang is in custody at Bergen County Jail pending a detention hearing. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com. A 32-year-old man was arrested last week after an investigation alleged he sexually assaulted a child in Bergen County on multiple occasions, authorities announced Monday. Wilmer Hernandez-Barrera, of Cliffside Park, was charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, according to a release from the Bergen County Prosecutors Office. The investigation was launched on Oct. 11 after the office was made aware of the allegations by the Palisades Park Police Department, officials said. Multiple assaults happened in Fairview when the child was under the age of sixteen, detectives said. The alleged victims current age was not disclosed by the office, nor were other details about the alleged assaults, like when they occured. Following his arrest, Hernandez-Barrera was taken to the Bergen County Jail and was held there until his first court appearance, authorities said. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Police are asking for the publics help as they continue to look for a 17-year-old Gloucester Township girl who has been missing for nearly a month. Damoni Mason was last seen in the Sicklerville section of the township on Nov. 7, Gloucester Township police said Tuesday. Damoni, who is 5-foot-7 and about 150 pounds, might be with her biological mother. She has brown eyes with blonde braided hair. The teen often spends time in Washington Township in Gloucester County as well as Philadelphia. Police couldnt immediately be reached for more information Tuesday afternoon. Anyone with information is asked to call Gloucester Township police at 856-228-4500 or call the departments anonymous crime tip line at 856-842-5560. To send an anonymous tip via text message to police, text the keyword TIP GLOTWPPD and your tip message to 888777. People with information can also leave tips online: https://gtpolice.com/tips. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Sand from a Jersey Shore inlet can now be used for federally funded beach replenishment projects, relieving municipalities of spending time and municipal funds to do routine beach fills ahead of the busy summer Shore season. President Joe Biden last Monday signed into law revisions to the Coastal Barrier Resources Act, stripping government limits from Hereford Inlet, a miles-long patch of sand at the Wildwoods northern tip. The inlet falls within an area affected by that legislation, which forbids federal dollars to be spent on development in designated flood-prone areas. Under the BEACH Act, a bipartisan bill sponsored by U.S. Reps Jennifer Kiggans, R-Va., and Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., the federal government can use hundreds of cubic yards of sand built up at the inlet for non-emergency bill fills, ending a roughly eight-year effort to allow the practice. Avalon and Stone Harbor will benefit from the legislation after dipping into its municipal budgets to replenish sand that washed away last offseason from coastal storms. This bill now takes away discretionary decisions based on politics in Washington and applies both science and common sense to protect lives and property in our communities, Avalon Mayor John McCorristin said in a statement. The mayor considered Avalon the leader in a fight to remove restrictions on using sand from the inlet to replenish beaches. Typically, sand was moved from Hereford Inlet to patch gaps in the sand after major storms, including Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Until 2016, Hereford was typically dredged for large-scale replenishment. Efforts to reverse the policy emerged in 2021, when Avalon, Stone Harbor and North Wildwood officials met with then-President Donald Trumps administration. Trumps first Interior secretary, David Bernhardt, granted the towns request, agreeing the sand would help coastal resiliency. The Biden administration, however, reversed the decision after assuming office. The signing of this bill into law is demonstrative of the strength of communities working together to solve common problems, said Stone Harbor Mayor Judy Davies-Dunhour. By sharing resources, knowledge, expertise, and relentless vigor, our natural resources are protected, and our communities are further protected from severe storms that impact our communities. Replenishing the beaches has been costly for Jersey Shore towns. Earlier this year, Avalon was forced to spend $350,500 to haul sand from one area to another after storms washed away sand from sections of its beaches. The borough already spent $1.1 million on a larger, federally-backed project that dropped nearly 550,000 cubic yards of sand between it and Stone Harbor. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com. A Philadelphia man was sentenced to 17 years in a New Jersey prison Monday after he pleaded guilty in the shooting death of a Gloucester County resident. Tyler L. McKinney, 24, shot 21-year-old Brandon L. Blanton multiple times during a robbery attempt on Jan. 4, 2023, in Woodbury, prosecutors said. McKinney didnt know the victim, but had arranged through a mutual acquaintance to purchase marijuana from Blanton, attorneys stated during a 2023 hearing. The shooting occurred in Blantons vehicle and surveillance video and cellphone data led police to McKinney, who surrendered to authorities days after the killing. A lawyer for McKinney previously argued that the defendant acted in self-defense and suggested that Blanton tried to rob him, while the prosecution maintained that it was McKinney who intended to rob Blanton. A grand jury indicted McKinney last year on murder, robbery and weapons charges. As part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, he pleaded guilty in May to a single count of first-degree aggravated manslaughter. Blantons family attended the sentencing on Monday and some gave statements to the court. We all have the memory of Brandons contagious smile and laughter and how much he loved spending time with family and friends, Blantons grandmother said in a statement read to the court by the victims step-mother. McKinney has destroyed our family and his own family, the grandmother stated. I pray that he will make better choices in his life and not do this to another family. McKinney declined to address the court when given the opportunity. Under terms of the plea deal, Superior Court Judge John Eastlack Jr. sentenced McKinney to 17 years in prison with the requirement that he serve 85% of that time 14 years, five months and 14 days before hes eligible for parole. He received credit for 694 days already served in jail since his arrest. Hes also subject to five years of parole supervision upon release and was ordered to pay restitution of $7,500. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Citing what his constituents say is a rise in crimes like package thefts, car break-ins and shoplifting, Councilman Rich Boggiano is urging Jersey City to release detailed, neighborhood crime statistics on a weekly basis. My neighbors in Jersey City have expressed growing concerns about rising crime ... (and) believe crime levels are worse than in previous years, Boggiano, a retired Jersey City police detective, said in an op-ed piece. The state Attorney Generals Office has temporarily suspended the license of a doctor who is accused of inappropriately touching two female patients. Bruce Pierce, who practiced as an obstetrician-gynecologist at Delaware Valley OBGYN & Princeton Midwifery in Lawrenceville, is accused of engaging in professional misconduct, gross negligence and incompetence, and other violations, the state said. At a November 13 hearing, which included testimony from both patients, the Attorney Generals state board of medical examiners unanimously voted to temporarily suspend Pierces license pending the outcome of the accusations. An investigation into Pierce started in 2023 when two long-time patients reported inappropriate conduct during exams in which a chaperone was not present. The first incident was reported to police and the state board of medical examiners in January 2023. The woman, who had been a patient of Pierce since the mid 1990s, reported that he performed a routine breast, pelvic and rectal exam on her while a female chaperone was present. When the chaperone left, he then performed the same examinations a second time and stated that he wanted to double check some things, according to her testimony. The patient felt violated from the second exam and reported the incident a short time later, officials said. The second patient reported a similar incident in December 2023. The woman, who was a patient for more than 20 years, told investigators she came in for an examination related to pelvic area pain and declined to have a chaperone present. During the exam, the patient felt uncomfortable with the way she was being touched and requested that the doctor end it, for which he complied, according to her report. Two days after the appointment, the patient wrote in a text message to Pierce that she felt uncomfortable during the exam and that she would be seeking a new doctor. When he replied, he apologized and thanked her for not going public about the incident because his career will be over, according to testimony. Patients who submit to sensitive medical exams place their trust in the expertise and professionalism of their practitioner. When physicians abuse that trust for their own sexual gratification, the consequences can be devastating, New Jersey Attorney Matthew J. Platkin said. The Board action announced today is the result of my offices continued commitment to rooting out and halting sexual misconduct in healthcare settings. Following the hearing, the board formally filed an order of temporary suspension on November 25. We found each patients testimony to be credible, chilling and compelling, the board wrote in the filing. The Board also found that the text messages exchanged between Pierce and Patient 2 fully corroborated the testimony offered and demonstrated consciousness of guilt by Pierce. Pierces attorney could not immediately be reached for comment. The state is asking any New Jersey resident who believes they were violated by a medical care professional to file an an online complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs or call 1-800-242-5846. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com. Seven people were indicted for operating two separate sex trafficking rings in North and South Jersey, state authorities announced Tuesday. State Attorney General Matthew Platkin said three people in Essex County were indicted for allegedly forcing teen victims to participate in sex acts. The victims, two 15-year-olds and a 13-year-old, were subjected to threats and physical violence as a means of control, he said. The violence included beatings with an extension cord, hair pulling, biting, punching and stomping. In a second case in Cumberland County, four Bridgeton residents were indicted on human and drug trafficking charges for luring women into the sex trafficking ring under the false pretense that they were being recruited as dancers, according to Platkin. The women were allegedly picked up weekly from Paterson and Queens, New York, and brought to a brothel in Bridgeton, where they were forced to engage in sex for money with hundreds of men, the attorney general said at a news conference in Trenton. When law enforcement officers raided the brothel and a home, they also seized methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, along with over $50,000 in cash, according to Platkin. Those indicted in the Essex County case were identified as Khailah Meekins, 21, and Donte Barkley, 28, both of Newark. The pair were indicted on Monday on trafficking charges, according to Platkin. Richard Johnson, 24, was previously indicted in August on related charges, including aggravated sexual assault. The alleged Cumberland County traffickers were identified as Usiel Luna, 42; Jose Perez-Lopez, 40; Rosendo Vazquez-Hernandez, 35; and Yerson Puentes-Marquez, 28. The indictments were the result of expansive investigative efforts by prosecutors and detectives collaborating across jurisdictional lines, Platkin said. The investigations were led by the New Jersey State Polices Human Trafficking Unit in partnership with the attorneys from the Division of Criminal Justices Human Trafficking Unit. The Cumberland County Prosecutors Office provided assistance. At Tuesdays news conference, Platkin hailed the state Division of Criminal Justices work, particularly in the two years since the formation of its Human Trafficking Unit. More trafficking defendants were charged and indicted in 2024 than between all of 2018 and 2022, he said. Ridding the world of human trafficking is not an easy task, and not one that we will accomplish alone, Platkin added. But as New Jerseyans, we know we are in this fight. The announcement was made ahead of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month in January. The designation is intended to educate the public about human trafficking, including how to identify and prevent it, and recognize the efforts of those working to eliminate it. We know that the FBI considers New Jersey to be a hub for this type of activity, Platkin said Tuesday. But we are fighting back. The New Jersey Human Trafficking Hotline has identified 2,107 cases of trafficking since its inception in 2007, according to data kept by the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Roughly 170 cases were identified last year, the largest total since 247 cases were recorded in 2019. Last month, the State Commission of Investigation published a report detailing the illegal prostitution proliferating in licensed massage parlors across the state. Operating with minimal oversight, owners live lavish lifestyles funded by the exploitation of vulnerable women, many of whom are held against their will after being brought in from outside New Jersey, the commission alleged. The commission called for the state to tighten licensing regulations and impose stricter penalties on kidnappers and traffickers. State authorities ask anyone who believes they have identified a trafficking victim, or is one themselves, to call 911 or the New Jersey Human Trafficking Hotline at 855-363-6548. For victim assistance, survivors are advised to call the toll-free National Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. A pardon is the gift that keeps on giving all year round. Just in time for the holiday season, outgoing President Joe Biden has decided to gift his much-discussed son Hunter a presidential pardon. Thats quite the stocking stuffer, especially considering that Biden had repeatedly said he would do no such thing. Perhaps Biden looked at his dismal approval ratings and the Democratic whooping that they inspired and said to hell with it -- might as well get what you can while you can. Maybe he figured that Trump wasnt going to jail -- not to mention hes going to pardon a bunch of insurrectionists himself -- why not cut my kid some slack on the tax evasion? Who knows why he decided to reverse course and use the unfettered power of the presidential pardon to spring his kid from the looming prospect of federal prison? One things for certain: Its a bad look for Joe and the Democrats. Just think of the horrors this pardon is going to justify in MAGA Land. Trump has already started spouting off about all the derelicts hes going to set loose. The Supreme Court already gave Trump a license to kill, now hell be able to cite the Hunter pardon when he inevitably absolves friends and family of responsibility for their actions. A big chunk of the electorate already thinks both parties are equally as corrupt, and while thats clearly not true, granting your son a pardon on the way out the door only serves to further the narrative. The presidency, House and Senate are gone, so the moral high ground was all Democrats had left. 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. If youre reading this, you value a free press, and you should be alarmed by President-elect Donald Trumps selection of Kash Patel to head the FBI. Current FBI Director Christopher Wray, a Trump appointee, is about to be dismissed for perceived disloyalty after the FBI retrieved classified documents that Trump had kept at Mar-a-Lago. Wray would be the second FBI director to be sacked by Trump, after James Comeys firing in 2017. Expect no independence of thought or action from Patel, known for unwavering loyalty to Trump. Patel has vowed to target government officials who leak information to reporters and to push for legal changes making it easier to sue journalists. He told Steve Bannon in a 2023 podcast, Were going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections, as part of a comprehensive housecleaning of the Justice Department and the FBI. Patel will turn the nations top law enforcement agency into a tool for Trump, punishing critics and dissenters while undermining the press. This approach threatens the independence of the FBI and the vital role of the Fourth Estate in defending democracy. Those who value a free and accountable government have every reason to be deeply concerned. Mervyn Turner, Scotch Plains Putin wont drop nukes on Ukraine Regarding Paul Mulshines recent column, World War III? Nukes dont give you time to relax: Its Mulshine who should relax. Vladimir Putin wants to re-create the Great Russian Empire, including Ukraine, which is why he will not use nuclear weapons in his war there. The state of Kievan Rus, established in the ninth century, was Russias first great empire, and that is why Putin wants to control Ukraine. What is now modern-day Kyiv was the center of Kievan Rus, and has many historic and religious relics important to the Russian Orthodox Church. Kievan Rus was situated along the Dnieper River and traded with the Byzantine Empire, resulting in the conversion of many Russians to Orthodox Christianity. The Russians adapted this version to their own Russian Orthodox Christianity, which is practiced today, and of which Putin claims to be an adherent. The Mongols destroyed the state of Kievan Rus in the 13th century. If Putin wants to reassemble the Great Russian Empire, he cannot do it by nuking Ukraine, which would make Kiev and vicinity inaccessible beyond his lifetime. Shirley Allen, Hopewell Township No water-saving deed goes unpunished Once again, we are experiencing severe drought conditions and are being asked to conserve water. I remember the last time we had a problem and our politicians asked us to conserve water. Many of us did not shower or shave every day. We let our lawns burn out, and we used dirty washing machine water for our plants. A lot of us followed the toilet-flushing guideline popularized by then-New York City Mayor Ed Koch during a 1980s water shortage: If its yellow, let it mellow. If its brown, flush it down. We saved a lot of water. But, because the water companies did not sell enough water to make big enough profits, we were rewarded with surcharges on our bills. Hopefully, if we get into those dire straights again, the politicians will protect the people that they represent and not let this robbery occur once again. Robert E. Malinowski, Point Pleasant You cant fix stupid I read the very sad recent article, 5 bears hit by cars in a week in Delaware Water Gap in troubling trend, about the five bears hit by cars in one week up in the Delaware Water Gap. Happily, the solution (?) to the problem was contained in another article a few days ago about proposed legislation to restrict homeowners use of bear-attracting bird feeders in New Jersey from April to November. Because if we outlaw bird feeders, the bears will ... go away? This is quite possibly the stupidest legislative suggestion ever. And, that includes Prohibition, which was pretty stupid. I also read about the cold snap were experiencing. Happily (?), according to U.S. Rep. Marjorie Tyler Green, R-Ga., the government specifically President Joe Biden and the current Democratic administration controls the weather. Its obvious. Just look at the evidence of the Red-State areas where recent hurricanes struck. Unhappily, while the Democrats still have control, theyll probably use the weather to punish the country for electing Donald Trump and Republicans congressional majorities. The evidence is going to be right in front of you. Theres a common thread running through these two episodes: You cant fix stupid. John S. Rounds, Lawrence Middletown mayor wrong in Facebook feud Concerning the recent article Facebook group shuts down after calling for boycott of N.J. businesses over MAGA support: I read Middletown Mayor Tony Perrys comments about this Facebook group that discouraged patronizing of businesses in the Monmouth County township, based on their alleged support of President-elect Donald Trump. Perry, a Republican, had called the Facebook groups actions outrageous, and said that the targeted businesses are important members of our community. Perrys simplistic explanation ignores that Trumps issues go way beyond political differences. Trumps genital-grabbing support, housing discrimination, business fraud, charity fraud and tax evasion should not be considered mere political issues. They are ethical and character issues. I, too, have concerns about the people and businesses that support such an unethical candidate, and the party that put him on the ballot. Andy Babij, Livingston MeMaw probably ate pawpaws When I read the article, This American fruit could outcompete apples and peaches on a hotter planet, about the U.S. resurgence of the pawpaw fruit, it reminded me of an old American folk song I learned as a child, Way down yonder in the pawpaw patch. The song described a group of children searching for one of their friends who was in the pawpaw patch, picking up pawpaws and putting them in her pocket. Pawpaw have been grown and eaten by Americans for a long time. Ellen Moxley, East Orange A holiday gift from felon, to felon Concerning President-elect Donald Trumps plans to appoint New Jerseys Charles Kushner as U.S. ambassador to France: Kushner, a property developer, spent two years in prison after pleading guilty in 2005 to tax evasion and witness tampering. Kushners son Jared is Trumps son-in-law, married to Ivanka. Trump pardoned Charles Kushner in December 2020. What a sad thought it is that the choice for the best representative of American interests in France is a convicted felon, whose son is married to the daughter of another convicted felon, Trump himself. Paul L. Newman, Merion Station, Pa. 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. Conservative commentator Ann Coulter is having none of Donald Trumps pick to lead the Department of Defense. Coulter, whos had an up-and-down relationship with the former president, referred to Pete Hegseth as sleazy over accusations of sexual assault and infidelity. What I found strange and continue to find strange about the attacks on Trumps defense secretary proposed nominee Pete Hegseth also, his main qualification: a morning weekend host on Fox News is. there is all this you know, Did he assault this woman in the hotel or didnt he? Was it consensual and she didnt want her husband to know, so four days later, she cried rape? Yes, that happens a whole lot. A lot, a lot, a lot, Coulter said on her podcast Unsafe with Ann Coulter. But in all of this talk about whether Pete Hegseth is an abuser of women, it just, no one even mentioned that he is a serial adulterer! Are we a society that doesnt care about adultery anymore? Coulter added. Documents surfaced after his nomination that accused Hegseth of sexual assault in 2017. A woman told police that she was sexually assaulted after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a detailed investigative report made public late. Hegseth, a former Fox News personality, told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing, the report said. The Defense Department has a budget exceeding $800 billion, with about 1.3 million active-duty troops and another 1.4 million in the National Guard, Reserves and civilian employees based worldwide. More recently, reports surfaced that claimed Hegseth had to step down from a pair of nonprofit veterans groups he headed after workers filed allegations of mismanagement and sexual misconduct. The New Yorker reported he was forced out of Concerned Veterans for America, which he worked as president of from 2013 until 2016, after a whistle-blower report that includes an anecdote of him being held back from trying to dance on a stage with strippers. From the report: (It described) him as being repeatedly intoxicated while acting in his official capacity to the point of needing to be carried out of the organizations events. The detailed seven-page report which was compiled by multiple former C.V.A. employees and sent to the organizations senior management in February, 2015 states that, at one point, Hegseth had to be restrained while drunk from joining the dancers on the stage of a Louisiana strip club, where he had brought his team. The report also says that Hegseth, who was married at the time, and other members of his management team sexually pursued the organizations female staffers, whom they divided into two groups the party girls and the not party girls. In addition, the report asserts that, under Hegseths leadership, the organization became a hostile workplace that ignored serious accusations of impropriety, including an allegation made by a female employee that another employee on Hegseths staff had attempted to sexually assault her at the Louisiana strip club. Coulter was an enthusiastic Trump supporter during his 2016 campaign. But has since described him as an awful person. She announced she planned to vote for him in this years election because the former president tapped JD Vance as his running mate. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco. A former Barack Obama staffer and a co-host of the podcast Pod Save America accused Joe Biden of succumbing to his own ego again and again over the outgoing presidents pardon. Jon Favreau made the comment while talking about the outgoing presidents controversial pardon of his son, Hunter Biden. The former Obama speechwriter likened the decision to Bidens insistence that he run for a second term, which he argued paved the way for a Donald Trump victory. Favreau made the comment on the most recent podcast with two other former Obama staffers, Jon Lovett and Tommy Vietor. Heres the exchange: Lovett: Whats strange about this is, A, it comes now. B, theres no acknowledgment in the statement that part of the rationale should be that Donald Trump is about to become president, right? The statement is very kind of like imperious. Hes been sober for a long time. Theres a lot of people on whom, like, the Gears of Justice have like, turned, while they were trying desperately to maintain their sobriety and, no pardons for them. Vietor: Can I just point out too, on that point. When Joe Biden decided to run in 2019, Hunter had already gone through a lot of these challenges, and so the time you could make a decision that would protect Hunter Biden from the kind of political glare and from Republican attacks was then. Favreau: I think that Joe Biden is a tragic figure. He has shown incredible decency at times, and I really feel for what hes gone through and what his family has gone through. Theyve gone through hell like, none of us can imagine what theyve gone through. But, like, his ego again and again has like, gotten in the way. And when push comes to shove, its like, well, Im gonna do whats good for, Im gonna run for president again, even though its fucking crazy to do that. And like I shouldnt do it and blah blah blah, and Im just going to do it, you know? And now were all here. Bidens decision to go back on his word to pardon his son spared Hunter Biden a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax convictions. The Democratic president had previously said he would not pardon his son or commute his sentence after convictions in the two cases in Delaware and California. The move on Sunday night comes weeks before Hunter Biden was set to receive his punishment after his trial conviction in the gun case and guilty plea on tax charges, and less than two months before Trump is set to return to the White House. It caps a long-running legal saga for the younger Biden, who publicly disclosed he was under federal investigation in December 2020 a month after his fathers 2020 victory and casts a pall over the elder Bidens legacy. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco. Fox News host Brian Kilmeade is questioning why his former colleague Pete Hegseth is facing so many personal attacks after President-elect Donald Trump selected him to lead the Defense Department. Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has been under scrutiny in the weeks since Trump announced his intention to nominate him for Defense Secretary. Many critics have pointed to his lack of senior military experience and sexual assault allegations facing him as reasons he is not qualified for the role. On Tuesday, Kilmeade pressed Trump adviser Jason Miller on why Hegseth, along with other Trump nominees, has faced so much pushback. I think the volume of some of the personal attacks on some of the nominees is just stunning, including our buddy, Pete Hegseth, who wrote a book about the Pentagon, served 20 years in the military, has been decorated, chose the infantry after Ivy League education. Youve seen what hes able to accomplish for veterans, Kilmeade said on Fox News. But does the volume of the attacks surprise you, and does it make the President what does it make the president waver or wonder? he added. "I think the volume of some of the personal attacks on some of the nominees is stunning" -- Brian Kilmeade on a Republican woman filing a police report accusing Pete Hegseth of sexually assaulting her pic.twitter.com/gMc7L0Quvi Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 3, 2024 Hegseth has faced some scrutiny in recent weeks about the allegations facing him. The backlash also comes after documents and a police report were made public in connection to the sexual assault allegation he faced in 2017. He has denied any wrongdoing. Miller defended Hegseths nomination Tuesday on Fox News. No, theres a reason why President Trump picked Pete had set to lead the DOD. Two time bronze star recipient, somebody served in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, as you said, Ivy League pedigree. You want someone there, leading the DOD, who has served in combat, who knows what its like to be shot at. Because a big part of the reason why President Trump won, he said hes going to stop these endless wars, he said. You look also say with the Tulsi Gabbard pick, you look at the mentality that President Trump is bringing in, saying the US should not be the world police. Were going to bring peace. Were going to bring stabilityKeep in mind, under his first four years, the only time in history weve never had a war. Thats what hes going to bring back in. Pete Hegseth will be an important part of that, he added. Hegseth, 44, was a co-host of Fox News Channels Fox and Friends Weekend and had been a contributor with the network since 2014. He developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth served in the Army National Guard from 2002 to 2021, deploying to Iraq in 2005 and Afghanistan in 2011 and earning two Bronze Stars. He lacks senior military and national security experience and would oversee global crises ranging from Europe to the Middle East. A woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a detailed investigative report recently made public. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and has denied any wrongdoing. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Comedian Jon Stewart slammed President Joe Biden for the pardoning of his son and criticized Democrats for defending the decision on Monday night. Biden pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, on Sunday night to spare him from a possible prison sentence for felony gun and tax convictions. The move comes after the president repeatedly said he would not consider a pardon for him. Stewart said he would not have as much of a problem with the pardon if Biden and the Democrats had not used Bidens pledge to not issue a pardon to his son to argue why Democrats are the party of law and order. Ladies and gentlemen, hypocrisy isnt illegal, nor is it particularly unusual in politics. Its not like hes ever going to run again, so why not take care of your kid, even if you said you werent going to, he said on Mondays episode of The Daily Show. I respect it. I dont have a problem with it. The problem is the rest of the Democrats made Bidens pledge to not pardon Hunter, the foundation of their defense of America, this grand experiment, he added. He then aired a montage of Democrats repeating Bidens vow to not pardon his son, which they argued showed that Democrats are defending the justice system. He then showed clips of Democrats defending Bidens decision, which he said would not be a problem if Democrats hadnt made Hunter Biden not receiving a pardon the Mason Dixon Line of morality between Democrats and Republicans. Jon Stewart's message to Democrats after Hunter Biden's pardon: Use the rules, use the loopholes, but also use it to help the people, not just those related to you! pic.twitter.com/2PCGK9VGTl The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) December 3, 2024 He went on to conclude the segment by telling Democrats to use loopholesbut not just to benefit themselves. Rules, loopholes and norms: the distance between the systems Democrats say they are revering and the one that theyre using when they need to is why people think its rigged, Stewart said. Use the rules, use the loopholes, f--- the norms, but also use it to help the people, not just those people related to you. All of us are somebodys son or somebodys daughter, and we all need that break too, he added. Donald Trump loyalist Marjorie Taylor Greene is again under attack from a fellow MAGA Republican. Right-wing activist Laura Loomer called out the congresswoman on social media after Greene, in reaction to Joe Biden pardoning his son, said, Trump can just blanket pardon all of us too. If Democrats are going to play the pardon game then we should do the same thing, Greene posted to X. Loomer shot back: JUST IN: MTG admits she has done something that would make her need a pardon. JUST IN: MTG admits she has done something that would make her need a pardon. Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) December 3, 2024 Its not the first time they have attacked one another in public. In September, Loomer shared a social media post of Kamala Harris discussing visiting her grandparents in India. Loomer wrote that if Harris wins Novembers election, the White House will smell like curry & White House speeches will be facilitated via a call center and the American people will only be able to convey their feedback through a customer satisfaction survey at the end of the call that nobody will understand. Loomers post received backlash online, including from Greene. This is appalling and extremely racist. It does not represent who we are as Republicans or MAGA. This does not represent President Trump. This type of behavior should not be tolerated ever. @LauraLoomer should take this down, Greene wrote in a Wednesday post on X. The two continued to hurl insults at each other. Loomer at the time that Greene was jealous of her and called her a raging antisemite. Greene responded that Loomers nasty, racist, and divisive rhetoric should not be tolerated. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco. Should President Joe Biden pardon President-elect Donald Trump? A top Democrat thinks so after the president pardoned his own son earlier this week. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) told Politico that he agreed with Biden in that his son was treated differently in the justice system due to politics. But, he also said the same was true of Trump, who was indicted numerous times since leaving office on multiple different charges. He told Politico that Trumpalong with Hunter Bidenshould be pardoned. Those cases were clearly weaponized against them for political gain. Thats undeniable, he said. That was always inappropriate in my opinion. And a pardon in both are appropriate. And, for me, that collectively has damaged Americas trust in these institutions. Biden pardoned his son on Sunday night to spare him from a possible prison sentence for felony gun and tax convictions. The decision came after the president repeatedly said he would not consider a pardon for his son. The decision was met with swift backlash from conservatives and Democrats who criticized the president for going back on his word. However, some critics noted that conservatives who criticized Biden for the pardon had no problem voting for Trump, who was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records earlier this year. Fetterman was not the only person to float pardoning Trump. Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), who left the Democratic Party earlier this year, also said that Biden should pardon Trump along with his son. What I would have done differently, my recommendations, the council would have been, why dont you go ahead and pardon Donald Trump for all his charges .... it had gone down a lot more balanced, if you will, Manchin told CNNs Manu Raju on Monday. Im just saying, wipe them all out, he added. Dems criticize Joe Biden over pardoning his son. Joe Manchin says it makes Bidens legacy more difficult and says Biden should have also pardoned Trump to be more balanced. Wipe them all out, he told me pic.twitter.com/kbXHW4i6mO Manu Raju (@mkraju) December 2, 2024 The 82-year-old president said in a statement that his sons prosecution on charges of tax evasion and falsifying a federal weapons purchase form were politically motivated. He believes in the justice system, but he also believes that politics infected the process and led to a miscarriage of justice, said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who along with Biden and other White House officials insisted for months that Hunter Biden would not get a pardon. That explanation did not satisfy some Democrats, angry that Bidens reversal could make it harder to take on Trump, who has argued that multiple indictments and one conviction against him were a matter of Biden and Democrats turning the justice system against him. The Associated Press contributed to this report The polling was worse than some Democrats said at the time. After Joe Bidens disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump, Biden staffers tried to ease fellow Demcorats concerns over the electability of the incumbent. Internal notes circulated at the time reportedly showed a tight race against the former president, but Biden was within striking distance of Trump, who was in the lead. David Plouffe, who was a senior adviser to Kamala Harris campaign after Biden bowed out and endorsed his vice president, tells a different story. The former Barack Obama campaign manager told The Atlantic the figures were catastrophic. When I got in, it was the first time I saw the actual numbers under the hood. They were pretty gruesome, he said in a new interview. The Sun Belt was worse than the Blue Wall, but the Blue Wall was bad. And, demographically, young voters across the boardHispanic voters, Black voters, Asian voterswere in really terrible shape. When the [candidate] switch happened, some of that stuff got a little bit better, but nowhere near where we ended up or where we needed to be. This was a rescue mission. It was catastrophic in terms of where it was. Biden dropped out of the race in July. A partys presumptive presidential nominee has never stepped out of the race so close to the election. President Lyndon Johnson, besieged by the Vietnam War, announced in March 1968 that he would not seek another term after just a single states primary. Bidens July decision came after more than 14 million Democrats cast votes supporting him through the primary process. His decision came after escalating pressure from his Democratic allies to step aside following the June 27 debate, in which the 81-year-old president trailed off, often gave nonsensical answers and failed to call out the former presidents many falsehoods. Nearly 30 minutes after he delivered the news that he was folding his campaign, Biden threw his support behind Harris. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco. The Yankees will be seeing a lot of Aroldis Chapman next season. The left-handed reliever has agreed with the Boston Red Sox on a one-year, $10.75 million contract, pending a physical, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported on Tuesday. BUY YANKEES TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETMASTER Its been two years since Chapman quit on the Yankees after being left out of the postseason roster. At the time, Yankees manager Aaron Boone called Chapmans actions disappointing while general manager Brian Cashman claimed to not be surprised given his history. There have been some questions about whether hes been all in or not for a little while, Cashman said at the time. Hes maintained verbally that hes in, but at times his actions dont match those words. In parts of seven seasons with the Yankees, Chapman made 315 appearances, posting a 2.94 ERA with 453 strikeouts in 294 1/3 innings. He recorded 153-of-171 save opportunities during that span. Chapman has played on three teams since 2023, the Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers and Pittsburgh Pirates. In 129 appearances since then, he has a 3.45 ERA while maintaining a high strikeout rate he has 201 strikeouts over 120 innings. Chapman will be 37 at the start of next season and will provide the Red Sox with a much-needed left-handed relief arm. The move can be interpreted in multiple ways: It can signal that the Red Sox are interested in signing big-money free agents, possibly enticing free agent Juan Soto to sign with Boston. Or it can signal that the Red Sox are stocking up on left-handed arms in case Soto signs with division rivals Yankees or Blue Jays. Either way, the Red Sox just got a little better with this move. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Manny Gomez may be reached at mgomez@njadvancemedia.com. A NSW council is so fed up with locals littering that they've now removed dog poo bag dispensers. A NSW council is fed up with locals leaving bags of dog poo on busy Merimbula main beach. Source: Getty/Bega Valley Shire Council/Facebook A frustrated Aussie council has issued a warning to local pet owners after volunteer Landcare workers made an absolutely disgusting discovery while cleaning up a popular beach. The ongoing issue recently came to a head when, in just one day, more than two dozen bags of dog poo were found dumped in the sand dunes at Merimbula main beach on the NSW south coast. The Bega Valley Shire Council said all of the steaming piles were scattered within 50 metres, prompting authorities to remove dog waste dispensers on nearby Ocean Drive. Trudi Badullovich, ranger services coordinator at Bega Valley council, told Yahoo News Australia on Tuesday the council is actively addressing the environmental challenges posed by dog waste and disposal bags which can degrade when left on beaches, endangering marine life. ADVERTISEMENT By removing dog waste dispensers from hotspots where bags are frequently abandoned, council aims to encourage pet owners to take greater responsibility for proper waste disposal. Dog owners face a $275 fine if they don't take their pet's faeces with them. Source: Bega Valley Shire Council/Facebook Badullovich said dog poo alone has a smaller environmental impact when compared with dog waste left on the beach in degradable bags, however locals are responsible for taking the faeces with them or risk a $275 fine. Residents or tourists who fail to properly dispose of dog poo bags face a $500 littering fine. Council will increase foot patrols to educate owners, and take enforcement action when required, Badullovich told Yahoo. We urge residents to use their own bags and dispose of them in landfill bins. Increase in reports of dumped poo bags in several Aussie states Hoping to fix the issue, Bega Valley Shire Council made a Facebook plea to pet owners on Monday morning. With summer around the corner, lets work together to keep Merimbula beautiful for all, the post reads. ADVERTISEMENT A spokesperson for Send Snap Solve told Yahoo there has been an increase in reports of dumped dog poo bags in NSW, Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria, with residents in the latter filing 100 reports this year. Commenting in response, the Far South Coast Landcare Association said online its workers collected the pictured pile of faeces when removing invasive weeds last week. These bags are NOT compostable, and will be in the dunes for a long time. I suppose at least poo breaks down fairly quickly, plastic is a much bigger problem! Others agreed, describing the scene as appalling and inexcusable. However, some locals said removing the dog poo bag dispensers would only make the problem worse. This mess is inexcusable but sometimes people genuinely forget to bring a bag, one woman said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Conservationists are calling on the Albanese government to take Vitrinite to court over its Vulcan South project. The Albanese government is being urged to order a coal mining company not to clear any more koala habitat until a criminal investigation into its activities is complete. On Tuesday, conservationists who wrote to Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek asking her to apply for an urgent injunction in October said they were yet to receive a response. Their concerns are centred around the Vulcan South coal mine, in Queensland's Bowen basin. It's there that an application has been made to destroy or harm more than 1,000 hectares of endangered koala habitat, so more than 1.9 million tonnes of coking coal can be extracted. But while the plan is being carefully considered by the minister, the mines operator Vitrinite has been accused of preemptively clearing around 47 hectares of habitat an area roughly 11 times the size of the MCG. The works have allegedly facilitated the creation of a large operational open-cut "test pit" and ongoing mining works. In their letter, a coalition of environment groups including Lock the Gate Alliance, Queensland Conservation Council and Friends of the Earth, also shared drone footage that appeared to show a new road had been cleared on land understood to be set aside for koalas and greater gliders. ADVERTISEMENT "These works are continuing without federal environmental approvals and we call on you to urgently instruct Vitrinite to stop work on the site while the department conducts its investigation," the letter said. Call for 'one strike' rule for lawbreakers The existence of a Department of Environment investigation into Vulcan South was uncovered by Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, during Senate Estimates in October. This week, she returned to the matter, accusing the government of sitting on its hands by not seeking an injunction to stop further land clearing at the site, and she has written to the minister urging her to act. Not only will this coal mine kill koalas and fuel climate change, this company was brazen enough to start without approval. Its unconscionable that [Plibersek] could allow this destruction mine to proceed, she said in a statement provided to Yahoo News. She called on the government to legislate a one strike and youre out rule that would refuse applications to harm nature when companies have previously breached the law. A road for hauling coal was allegedly cut through land conservationists understood was being set aside for wildlife. Source: Supplied Mining company silent as investigations continue In Australia, mining projects that could significantly harm species threatened with extinction must apply for state and federal approval. But so far only the Queensland government has given its approval to the Vulcan South project. ADVERTISEMENT Vitrinite did not respond to repeated requests for comment from Yahoo News this week, but in October it insisted the works were part of a smaller, separate project that did not require federal approval. The Vulcan South Project and the disturbance associated with that project has not and will not commence prior to receiving approval under the EPBC Act," it told the ABC in October. In a statement supplied to Yahoo on Monday, the Department confirmed that since its Vulcan South investigation began in August it has not identified any further expansion of land clearing. As this matter is subject to an ongoing investigation, it would not be appropriate to provide further comment, it said. It remains unclear whether coal extraction activities are ongoing at the site. Conservationists frustrated by 'opaque' decision making On Tuesday, it appeared a decision about Vulcan Souths future had been reached after the Department updated the projects status from Considering Final Decision to Approval Decision Made. But the Department later put the change down to a publication error. The statutory timeframe for a final decision is January, 2025, it told Yahoo. On Tuesday, conservationists were intrigued after the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act website, maintained by the Department of Environment, momentarily said a decision had been reached on the Vulcan South project. Source: DCCEEW/Supplied The error prompted conservation groups to seek out information about whether it had been approved or not. They have been critical of current regulations, accusing the Department of being opaque in its decision-making processes and keeping them in the dark. ADVERTISEMENT We sent them 32 pages of comments and Departmental officers give us the old, 'we cant comment because its an open investigation'. Its extremely untransparent. Lock the Gates Claire Gronow told Yahoo News. Jenny Brown from the Queensland Conservation Council said current environment laws preference large businesses over communities, and her team is considering directly intervening in the Vulcan South matter. Were exploring legal options to see if we can take it further ourselves, because clearly the voices of the community are not being heard, and our environment is being destroyed. So clearly it's up to us to take it forward in this vacuum that exists of environmental protection laws in Australia, she said. Negotiations between Minister Tanya Plibersek (left) and Senator Sarah Hanson Young (right) were believed to be blocked by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Source: AAP Australia waiting for promised environment protection laws After being handed the environment portfolio in 2022, Plibersek said the Commonwealths current approach to combatting the extinction crisis had not been working. She announced a bold plan to overhaul the countrys nature protection laws, which were set to include the creation of an independent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ADVERTISEMENT On Tuesday Minister Plibersek would not be drawn on specifics of the Vulcan South investigation, telling Yahoo News doing so could jeopardise any compliance action. But speaking generally about alleged breaches to environment law, she noted her proposed EPA would have more powers to intervene. The EPA will also be able to issue stop-work orders and proactively audit business to ensure theyre doing the right thing," the minister told Yahoo News. "Penalties for wrongdoing would go up from around $15 million to $780 million. We encourage the Senate to vote for these laws as soon as possible so these new powers and penalties are available. They arent now. Last week, it appeared Plibersek had negotiated a deal with the Greens to pass new Nature Postive Laws. Hanson-Young had set aside a condition that a projects impact on climate change be included, saying shed throw her support behind reforms that instead phased out loopholes allowing state governments to log native forests. It's understood the agreement between the pair was quashed following an intervention by the Prime Minister. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Owen Christianson is an eighth grader at Sisters Middle School. He's also in business for himself. He breeds sheep - a dozen-plus - only two of which he will enter for show. The rest is agribusiness in microcosm. Photo by Bill Bartlett He comes by it naturally. Both of his parents are self-employed entrepreneurs. They reside on an 80-acre spread spanning both sides of Highway 126 about halfway to Redmond. Christianson wishes there was a vocational agriculture program at Sisters High School, as there is in every other school in Central Oregon. He sees himself as a full-time rancher when he's finished with school. In the meantime, he finds his most beneficial class to be math. "I have to pencil out my costs and know my breakeven points," he said. "Math is important to my budgeting, and I use it every day for feeding calculations, purchasing, and measuring my sheep's development." He's been raising sheep for three years now encouraged by a friend to give it a try. He has no regrets. Along the way he has learned to weld and fix things. It's a big job with many hours. He has the option of going to one of the Redmond High Schools, but his heart's in Sisters. At Redmond he'd be part of the Redmond Chapter of FFA (Future Farmers of America) and fall under the umbrella of Career and Technical Education (CTE) that "embraces education, passion, and curiosity to fuel the future for Oregon students. CTE programs use 21st century technology to support students in acquiring technical skills, professional practices, and academic knowledge critical for career success in high-wage, in-demand careers." Not too far away, between Sisters and Tumalo, the Brent children are also in the breeding and show business. Adelaide, eight, shows chickens and raises goats, and when we met her she was tending to three chicks hatched on Thanksgiving with two more eggs still in the incubator. Photo by Bill Bartlett Until she's nine, she's ineligible to join her brother and sister as a full-fledged member of Cloverdale Livestock Club, the 4H chapter in Sisters Country. As such, she's a "Cloverbud," but no less enthusiastic or hardworking than the older kids. Brother Dixon, 13, has a large show-goat breeding program that he built from scratch two years ago. He, along with older sister Verbana, just acquired a 1986 Ford pickup that they're learning to restore. He already can drive, as many farm and ranch kids learn early. Verbana, 15, shows sheep but is also raising pigs to breed. All three attend Sisters schools. It was eight degrees last Wednesday morning and all three Brent kids were out checking their livestock, which also includes turkeys and Scottish Highland cattle. They knew livestock coats and feathers would protect them from the cold, but their water would be frozen. And they'd still need to be fed. It's all in a day's work for the trio. They needed no coaxing from their parents to get them out of a warm bed. Like Owen, Verbana and Dixon, talked about the importance of math and some of the classes they could possibly take in Sisters that would increase their knowledge of soils, mete-orology, food science, and construction. Sisters High School, too, has a CTE program. The District encourages students to explore all the CTE programs of study. If a student develops an interest in a particular area, they are encouraged to complete the program by taking three credits in the field, which can be a combination of in-person classes, courses offered by local colleges or universities, and internship/work experiences. Photo by Bill Bartlett But according to the 30-plus kids in the Cloverdale Livestock Club who attend schools in Sisters, the CTE program sorely needs agribusiness courses, and an expansion of courses to include welding and similar skills needed in the building trades, such as plumbing and electric. Pam Mitchell, one of the longtime leaders of the Club met with District Superintendent Curt Scholl recently to discuss what it would take to get agrisciences and/or business under the CTE umbrella. Mitchell sees the need and demand firsthand. "It was a very productive meeting," she said. "Not unexpectedly, the issue of funding was brought up as an obstacle, but in general, the District agrees that there is a need and benefit to such courses. "There is widespread community support for vocational agriculture," Mitchell said. "We have many businesses who can lend expertise to such an effort." In next week's Nugget we look at how CTE is funded, and ways in which Mitchell and parents like the Brents and Christiansons can make their case to the School Board. BEND The High Desert Museum will receive $500,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities from its exceedingly competitive Public Humanities Projects category. The funding will support the Museums revitalization of its permanent exhibition dedicated to the Indigenous cultures of the region. By Hand Through Memory opened in 1999, supported in part by NEH funding. Hand in hand with Native partners, the Museum has been working on a new version of the exhibition for several years. This award is the second grant for the project: In 2019, NEH awarded the Museum $45,000 to support the planning of the renovation. The agency also awarded the Museum $500,000 in 2023 to support an associated expansion of the Museum, bringing the total commitment to the Museums future to $1,045,000. For more than four decades, the High Desert Museum has set the gold standard for showing and telling both Oregonians and visitors our states history, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said. Indigenous history is essential to that mission, and Im gratified this Central Oregon treasure has secured such a significant federal investment to enable it to update and expand the permanent exhibition devoted to Native perspectives and experiences. Were immensely grateful to NEH and Senators Wyden and Merkley for this transformational investment, said High Desert Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. The revitalized exhibition will be centered in Native voices and knowledge, sharing the rich stories of Indigenous communities throughout the Plateau region. The NEH funding is vital for realizing our vision. The Museum is presently working on exhibition design with Ralph Appelbaum Associates, a firm that has handled museum projects ranging from the Smithsonians National Museum of African American History in Washington, D.C. to the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City, an effort sharing the stories of the 39 Tribes in Oklahoma that opened in 2021. The exhibition renovation is part of the long-term vision for the future of the Museum, which includes more capacity for educational programming, immersive experiences to bring visitors into the forest canopy, a permanent art exhibition space, and a gathering space for Museum events. The Sisters-based Roundhouse Foundation helped launch work on this vision with a $6 million gift in 2021. The Museum opened in 1982. Founder Donald M. Kerr envisioned the space as an immersive experience that highlights the wonder of the High Desert, often saying that its mission is to wildly excite and responsibly teach. He also intended for the Museum and its programs to spark dialogue and bring people together in conversations about what they want for the regions future. Today, the Museum shares up to nine rotating temporary exhibitions, serves more than 8,600 participants with school field trips, and provides free and reduced-price admissions to more than 25,000 visitors. It welcomed more than 216,000 visitors in 2023. The National Endowment for the Humanities is an independent federal agency that supports cultural institutions in their efforts to facilitate research and original scholarship, provides opportunities for lifelong learning, preserves and provides access to cultural and educational resources, and strengthens the institutional base of the humanities throughout the nation. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek wants the state to spend more than $2 billion on homelessness and housing and send a record $11.4 billion to public schools as part of a budget focused on maintaining existing programs with little cash to spare for new initiatives. Her total spending plan, including federal funding that the state doesnt have much control over, is $137.7 billion for the two-year period from July 2025 to June 2027. Her proposed general fund and lottery funds budget, where Kotek and lawmakers have more discretion, is $39.3 billion. Thats a sharp increase from the $33.5 billion general fund and lottery funds budget lawmakers approved in 2023, but it doesnt reflect much new spending. Instead, the state is grappling with the same budgetary pressures as many Oregonians: Revenue is higher, but so are costs. People understand this from their own household budgets, Kotek said at a press conference in Astoria last week. While our economy is strong and wages are up, and people, if you just look at the numbers, are making more, their expenses are up. And in the case of the state, our expenses for health and human services have really grown, so the expenditure line is outpacing the money coming in the door. Her recommended budget doesnt include layoffs or cuts to services, and it also has few new programs. Koteks office provided embargoed copies of her budget document and prepared remarks on the condition that reporters not share the information or seek comment from other sources until after she publicly releases her budget proposal midday Monday. When state agencies crafted their budget requests, Kotek limited them to a 1 percent increase over 2025-27 levels. She also asked them to prepare lists of where they could cut by 10 percent by focusing on core services and making sure to maximize federal funding. It was a hard exercise for some, Koteks prepared remarks say. But I believed that Oregonians, in this moment, would be better served by committing time and energy to practical considerations rather than well-meaning hypothetical wish lists. Developing my budget was an effort grounded in the reality of our state and our resources. Housing and homelessness Oregons twin housing and homelessness crises have long been top of mind for Kotek, who declared a homelessness emergency on her first full day in office. Early executive orders, and an infusion of hundreds of millions from the Legislature during the past two years, are on track to lead to about 3,300 families moving into permanent homes, 4,800 shelter beds across the state, and 24,000 Oregonians receiving support needed to remain housed by July, her office estimated. But more than 20,000 Oregonians were homeless on a single night in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments latest point in time count, and most of those people still sleep outside or in cars. Kotek will make the case that her budget requests will reduce the states homelessness crisis, while not solving it. By the end of the current biennium next July, the actions related to the homelessness emergency I declared are projected to rehouse and shelter thousands of Oregonians, while preventing thousands more from becoming homeless in the first place, her prepared remarks say. If we continue at this pace, the equivalent of nearly one in three Oregonians experiencing homelessness on my first day in office will be rehoused by the end of my first term. Kotek is seeking $217.9 million to maintain Oregons existing shelters and $188.2 million to rehouse currently homeless people. Shell also ask lawmakers to approve $173.2 million for eviction prevention services to keep people from becoming homeless in the first place and $105.2 million for long-term rental assistance for individuals and families who need more than short-term emergency help. Her longer-term goal of building 36,000 homes per year to get Oregon out of a housing shortage that drives up rents and home prices remains. Koteks asking lawmakers to approve $880 million in state bonds for more affordable homes, with most of that sum for rental homes, as well as $100 million for infrastructure needs related to homebuilding. Lawmakers last year allocated close to that amount for water, wastewater, and other upgrades needed before developers could build homes in cities across the state. Education and children Kotek is seeking $11.4 billion for the State School Fund, an increase over the current $10.2 billion. That comes as a result of changes in how she wants to calculate school funding and as skyrocketing pension costs threaten school budgets. Shell also ask lawmakers to approve $127 million for early literacy programs, with grants to school districts, community organizations, tribal nations and Dolly Partons Imagination Library, which sends free books to families for children up to 5. Another $78.5 million would go toward ongoing spending on summer learning programs, which have struggled to find consistent funding in Salem. Her proposed budget reflects a spring settlement in a class-action lawsuit over Oregons child welfare system. Kotek will recommend $23.6 million in new funding for Oregons child welfare system to implement the settlement agreement, including $10 million to end the practice of placing children in temporary lodging in hotels and $4 million to help youth aging out of foster care. Shell also seek $25 million for youth behavioral health, including $6 million for mental health services and substance use disorder screening in schools and $17 million for residential and community-based services for young people struggling with addiction or behavioral health. Behavioral health Keeping behavioral health workers and training and hiring more are top priorities in Koteks budget, which includes a proposed $130 million for provider rate increases aimed at retaining Oregons Medicaid workforce and increasing inpatient psychiatric rates. Just like we cannot solve homelessness without building housing, we cannot close our gaps in services without more places to get treatment and more people to provide that treatment, her prepared remarks say. Her budget calls for using tens of millions in remaining American Rescue Plan funds to train behavioral health workers and build 336 more treatment beds, adding to a goal of 465 new beds statewide by 2026. Kotek will also seek $40 million for counties to continue deflection programs that allow people charged with drug possession to receive treatment instead of jail time. Responding to Trump While president-elect Donald Trump isnt mentioned by name in budget documents, his election, and fears that hell slash federal spending and programs developed by the Biden administration, triggered millions in proposed new spending for reproductive health, climate change, and federal lawsuits. That includes an extra $2 million for attorneys in the state Justice Department to defend state laws, including access to reproductive health care, Oregons environmental standards, protections for immigrants, and trade agreements. Kotek also calls for another $2 million for Oregons Bias Response Hotline, run through the Justice Department. Her recommended budget also includes $7 million to help immigrants living in the state navigate the immigration system and find legal representation as Trump vows to deport hundreds of thousands of immigrants and potentially threaten sanctuary cities. Oregon for decades has been a sanctuary state by law, with state and local governments barred from assisting the federal government from enforcing immigration law. Kotek also wants to add $2.5 million for grants to expand reproductive health services, including programs that help patients find services, and state funding for providers to upgrade facilities in response to an increase in patients seeking abortions. Clinician-provided abortions in Oregon which does more to protect access to abortion than all other states besides Vermont are up 40 percent since 2020, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which tracks reproductive health policy. Another $2.5 million in Koteks recommended budget would be reserved to protect Oregon from disruption in care if federal reproductive health funding declines under the next administration. The state already added to its stockpile of the abortion drug mifepristone. Republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0., courtesy, https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com. The Cascades Academy MUSE Club will host a Himalayan Dinner and Silent Auction to support Ten Friends ( http://www.tenfriends.org ), a Sisters-based non-profit that supports a number of projects in Nepal. The dinner will be held December 12, 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Cascades Academy, 19860 Tumalo Reservoir Rd, Bend. The evening will include speaker updates of Ten Friends Nepal projects, a raffle, a delicious dinner of Dal Bhat (Nepali dish of lentils and rice), a large silent auction, and lots of old and new friends of Ten Friends! Photo provided Earlier this year in August, five high school students - Ella Eby, Cooper Merrill, Styopa Myagkov, and Ava Riehle of Sisters High School, and Jake Jacobi of Summit High School - accompanied Mark LaMont, Sisters High School teacher, Bruce Abernethy, current Ten Friends Board Chair, and Mary Meador, MD, on a life-changing month's adventure in Nepal. Through the 20 years since Ten Friends began, Mark LaMont and Rand Runco, original founders and both long-time Sisters teachers, have taken over 65 high school students with them to Nepal where the students have benefitted from assisting Ten Friends with their projects (e.g. orphanages, girls school, libraries, water and sanitation). Many of these students have supported Ten Friends through the years in several different capacities. Styopa Myagkov, a local student who traveled with Ten Friends this year, will be speaking at the upcoming MUSE Club event about his experiences in Nepal. He also recently joined the Ten Friends Board of Directors as one of two student advisors. To register for the upcoming MUSE Club event, visit Ten Friends Project ( http://www.tenfriends.org ). The 2024 fire season cost Oregon emergency response agencies nearly $350 million, and the state leaders are struggling to find a way to cover outstanding bills. Gov. Tina Kotek announced Tuesday, November 26, following reporting from Oregon Public Broadcasting that shell call a special session of the Legislature on December 12 to appropriate at least $218 million from the states general fund to cover remaining fire costs. Lawmakers will already be at the Capitol for committee hearings during that time. More than half of the $350 million in outstanding debts will eventually be covered by disaster relief funds from the federal government, according to a news release from Koteks office, but the state wants to pay those owed as soon as possible. Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Ashland, explained that its about ensuring state agencies dont burn bridges with private contractors who stepped in to help with fire prevention or response work this year. We contracted with people, and we are obligated to pay them, and we will want many of those people to bring their machines, their aircraft, their bodies back next fire season, Marsh said. Nearly 2 million acres burned this summer and fall more than three times the 10-year average mostly in eastern Oregon grass and shrub, with about 25 percent of it in forestland, according to the Wildland Mapping Institute. More than one-third of all acres burned have been on private land, and about 62 percent was on federal land. At least 42 homes and 132 other structures were burned. President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to withhold federal wildfire reimbursements to California as a form of political gamesmanship. Asked whether Kotek is seeking more money to prepare for potential federal withholding, Anca Matica, a Kotek spokesperson, said its not part of the current issue being solved by the special session. The state needs to pay its bills as expeditiously as possible, Matica said in an email. Kotek declared a state of emergency in response to wildfire threats and invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act a record 17 times. This mobilized structural firefighting resources coordinated by the Oregon State Fire Marshals office to local communities. The state fire marshal is on the hook for more than $34.5 million of the money owed by the state, and about 65 percent of that is owed to firefighting personnel. The federal government is expected to reimburse about $17.25 million of the $34.5 million, according to the state fire marshals office. Incoming House Republican leader Christine Drazan of Canby expressed frustration in a news release that Kotek did not talk with her or her peers before announcing the special session, but she said Republicans are willing to work cooperatively to solve the funding issues. Drazan lost the 2022 gubernatorial race to Kotek, and the two frequently butted heads in the House when Kotek served as speaker and Drazan as minority leader. Evidently, the Governor will be communicating via press release rather than a phone call. That is her prerogative, Drazan said. Despite this bizarre approach to leadership, Republicans welcome the opportunity to solve this problem by ensuring the people who work to protect Oregon communities during wildfire season are paid for their service. The Department of Administrative Services, responsible for tracking spending, did not respond to a request for a list of outstanding payments from the wildfire season by Tuesday afternoon. Fire agencies already got $47.5 million from the Legislatures Emergency Board in September to cover some outstanding costs, and the Oregon State Treasury rejected the Department of Forestrys request for a $60 million loan last month, according to reporting from Willamette Week. Wildfire protection and response costs in Oregon are generally split between private and public forest and range landowners and Oregonians via the states general fund. Costs for 2024 were projected to be about $136 million. Fighting wildfires of the magnitude we saw this season required a tremendous level of resources that even wildfire experts couldnt foresee, said House Speaker Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, in a statement. Despite repeatedly assuring Americans that he would not pardon his son Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden issued a sweeping reprieve for the troubled Biden scion on Sunday. President Biden granted a full and unconditional pardon for those offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024. As Politico reporter Betsy Woodruff Swan notes, a blanket pardon that broad and all-encompassing hasnt been seen since President Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon for any crime he committed or may have committed during his presidency from 1969 to 1974. Ford asserted that this sweeping pardon was necessary to allow the nation to heal from the wounds of the Watergate scandal and move on. Some historians believe that the pardon so alienated many Americans that it cost Ford the 1976 election. President Andrew Johnson pardoned Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America, sparing Davis the specter of hanging for treason. Johnsons rationale for this controversial decision was similar to Fords: it was necessary to bind the wounds of a nation recently reunited by force. President Bidens rationale for pardoning his son is more personal. He believes Hunter Biden was prosecuted unfairly because of who he is. In a statement, he wrote: I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision. Whether Americans understand or accept Bidens action is moot. The pardon power is one of the broadest and most singular powers granted to the chief executive. Article II, Section 2 of the United States Constitution reads: he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment. Thats it. No other qualifiers. The pardon power is, literally, the power of a king. It derives from English tradition, which placed the power of mercy in the hands of the monarch. It may seem odd that a brand-new republic would enshrine monarchical power in its constitution and, like everything else that went into that founding document, it was the subject of debate. There was actually broad consensus that there should be some power of pardon to act as a court of last resort to right miscarriages of justice. But how much power and who got to wield it was up for impassioned argument. Federalists, who favored a strong executive, supported broad presidential pardon powers, while anti-Federalists, who were suspicious of executive power, sought to constrain it, perhaps by requiring the Senate to sign off on pardons. Virginian George Mason the sparkplug behind the Bill of Rights strongly opposed the Presidents power of pardoning because he may frequently pardon crimes which were advised by himself. It may happen, at some future day that he will establish a monarchy, and destroy the republic. He also worried that, If he has the power of granting pardons before indictment, or conviction, may he not stop inquiry and prevent detection? Watergate or Hunter Biden would not have surprised George Mason. And he wouldnt have been surprised by some of the sketchy pardons made before Joe Biden took his kid off the hook and emplaned for Angola. In 1971, Richard Nixon pardoned Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa, who was serving a 15-year prison sentence for jury tampering and fraud. In 1975, Hoffa disappeared, presumably at the hands of less-forgiving powers. Bill Clinton pardoned fugitive financier Marc Rich, a move that disgusted many loyalists. At the end of his first term, President Donald Trump pardoned his son-in-laws dad, Charles Kushner, for actions then-U.S. Attorney Chris Christie deemed one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes he had prosecuted. Now Kushner is the nominee to be Ambassador to France. Theres a reason that pardons tend to be issued in December, right before a president leaves office. Even kings might suffer a little twinge of embarrassment at the stink wafting from the throne. After bundling up against the cold, one of the best times to stargaze is on frosty December evenings when the sky is clear, and the stars are bright. Cassiopeia is a prominent wintertime constellation that is easy to recognize because five of its primary stars are arranged in the shape of a "W." Using Ursa Major (the Big Dipper) to locate the North Star (Polaris), extend an imaginary line from the dipper through Polaris to an area of about 30 degrees on the other side of the sky. Cassiopeia will lie nearly overhead at approximately 8 p.m. local time during December. Viewed from our latitude here in Central Oregon this is a circumpolar constellation, meaning that it never sets below the horizon. Shining at a magnitude of 2.2, Schedar is Cassiopeia's brightest star. It is a red giant star that is four times more massive, 90 times larger, and about 734 times brighter than our sun, and lies at a distance of 228 light-years. Cassiopeia, as well as several neighboring constellations, are featured prominently in one of the most famous accounts in all of sky lore. Cassiopeia was the vain queen of Aethiopia who boasted that she and her daughter Andromeda were more beautiful than the Nereids, or sea nymphs. This angered Poseidon, who sent a sea monster (Cetus) to wreak havoc on the kingdom of Aethiopia. To stop the sea monster from destroying their kingdom, King Cepheus and Cassiopeia were required to chain their daughter, Andromeda, to a rock as a sacrifice to Cetus. Just as Andromeda was about to be devoured by the sea creature, the hero Perseus noticed her predicament as he was flying above on his winged horse Pegasus. Perseus quickly swooped down and turned the monster to stone by showing it the severed head of Medusa (who he had just killed). Soon after the rescue, the two were married. Because a branch of the winter Milky Way runs through Cassiopeia, many exceptional deep sky objects are found here. Two of these are open star clusters M52 and M103, both bright and favorite targets of amateur astronomers. M52 is about 35 million years old and contains about 193 stellar members, while M103 has 172 stars that are 25 million years old. Another beautiful open cluster is NGC 7789, which contains at least 1,000 stars that are well over a billion years old. It is also known as Caroline's Rose because it was discovered by Caroline Herschel in 1783. Photo courtesy NASA/ESA/Hubble St. Less than one degree to the southwest of M52 is the visually striking object NGC 7635, more commonly referred to as the Bubble Nebula. Classified as an emission nebula, this celestial bubble was created by the strong stellar wind of a nearby hot, massive star. Moving at supersonic speeds, these highly charged particles are slamming into surrounding interstellar material, thus shaping the bubble. The Geminid meteor shower peaks between the evening of December 13 and the morning of the 14th, when up to 120 shooting stars per hour may fly through the sky. Unfortunately, light from a nearly full moon will make many of them hard to see. All five of the visible planets can be seen this month. When it gets dark, brilliant Venus appears low in the southwest, which will set a short time after sunset. As the month begins, Saturn, in Aquarius, will stand 40 degrees above the southern horizon by nightfall, then set before midnight. But it's dazzling Jupiter (in Taurus) that will rule the evening skies, appearing at dusk and remaining visible all night! Rising at 8:30 p.m. local time, Mars (in Cancer) will brighten rapidly this month before transitioning to an evening object in January. After about December 10, Mercury, the solar system's smallest planet, becomes well positioned to be observed, rising an hour and a half before the sun on the last day of the month. Dark sky tip of the month: While Christmas lights may help put you in a festive holiday mood, remember that they are still lights. Make sure they are unlit during normal resting hours and during the day. Recommended hour to turn your lights out is around 10 p.m. If that isn't possible, please switch them off when you go to sleep. Most residents of Sisters Country have heard of the Santiam Wagon Road and many have hiked or driven on parts of the road. What many may not know is that the Santiam Road is only part of a much longer road, known as the Willamette Valley and Cascade Mountain Wagon Road, which was supposed to stretch from Albany to Idaho. In reality, this road was mainly a way to scam the federal government out of more than 860,000 acres of land. This scam greatly enriched a few people, yet it isnt even clear that the road was ever built. The Santiam Wagon Road was a well-intentioned effort to give Willamette Valley farmers and ranchers access to potential farm and grasslands in Central Oregon. In 1866, Linn County landowners spent $15,000 (about $300,000 in todays money) building a road from Lebanon to Camp Polk (Sisters) and then charged tolls to use it. It wasnt a great road, being as little as 6 to 7 feet wide, as steep as 8 percent in places, with turnouts for passing wagons located as much as a half-mile apart. Though the road crossed the South Santiam River nine times, there were no bridges until 1887. Despite these deficiencies, the road proved popular, with hundreds of wagons a day using it on some summer days. Tolls of $2 to $6 per wagon and 10 to 37.5 per head of livestock easily paid for the road and eventually led to improvements. However, the people who built the road then got greedy. In 1864, Oregon Senator Benjamin Harding persuaded Congress to pass a law granting three square miles of land for every mile of a wagon road that was to be built from Eugene to Idaho. This was known as the Oregon Central Military Road. Congress had previously given out two small land grants for wagon roads in Indiana and Ohio in the 1820s, but for the next four decades most land grants were for canals or railroads. Then, in 1863, it gave out land grants for wagon roads in Michigan and Wisconsin, supposedly to assist with the Civil War even though the war never came that far north. The Michigan and Wisconsin grants may have inspired Oregons Congressional delegation to make similar grants here. Within a few years, Congress had issued five wagon road land grants in Oregon, including Eugene-Idaho, Albany-Idaho, The Dalles-Idaho, Corvallis-Yaquina, and Roseburg-Coos Bay. Although part of the Coos Bay Wagon Road was taken back by Congress due to the failure of the grantees to comply with the terms of the grant, Oregon wagon road builders ultimately received more than 75 percent of the federal acres granted for wagon roads. While Eugene was a close second, the largest land grant went to the Willamette Valley company. Oregon Senator James Nesmith introduced a bill to offer a land grant for a wagon road from Albany to the Idaho border. Congress passed this without any debate on July 5, 1866. The builders of the Santiam Wagon Road then took several steps to maximize the number of acres they would receive. First, they lied on government documents about when the Santiam road was completed to make it appear that the road had been built in response to the land grant law and not prior to the laws passage. Second, when the law was passed, a road had already been built by someone else between Albany and Lebanon, but the Santiam group took credit for it to get an extra 30,000 acres of land. Third, they basically faked construction of the road from the Deschutes River to the Snake River. They built no bridges. They cleared little or no timber. In one place where they said they had graded the road on a hillside, all they did was install a 10-inch-wide trench to hold the upper wheels of a wagon. In most places they did little more than drive a wagon over the route. In one 80-mile section, they may not even have done that. Finally, they made the route extra circuitous in order to qualify for more acres of land. For example, east of Burns the road they mapped made a giant S curve that added 32 miles to the route length. Today, a highway from Vale to Burns bypasses this S curve despite going over no steeper grades. The S curve gave the wagon road company an extra 60,000 acres. Purchasers and recipients of federal land grants couldnt actually receive the land until it had been surveyed using the system of townships and sections. The Willamette Valley wagon road grant specified that the road company would get odd-numbered sections along the road. The route they mapped passed dozens of farms built on federal land by families who planned to claim the land under the Homestead Act. Once the land was surveyed, many of these families were stunned to learn that the wagon road company claimed any of the lands they had improved that were in odd-numbered sections. The company offered to sell the land to the would-be homesteaders for more than five times what they would have had to pay under the Homestead Act. The homesteaders complained to the Secretary of the Interior that the Willamette Valley road was a fraud because no road had been built or, if it had been, it didnt comply with the requirements of Oregon law. Among other things, the state law authorizing wagon roads called for a 16-foot-wide road and bridges across all streams. In response, the Secretary asked one of his agents to review the road. The agent, W.F. Prosser, reported that he could find no trace of the road much beyond the South Fork of the Malheur and even where he could find a road, nothing east of Cache Creek in the Cascade Mountains complied with the terms of the grant. Another USDI employee, J.B. McNamee, called it the most unblushing frauds upon the government. After several years of dithering, in 1889 the department took all three eastern Oregon wagon road companies to court, claiming they had failed to build the roads. However, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the road companies. The law didnt require them to build the roads, the court said, but only to have the governor certify that they had built the roads. Oregon governors had so certified, so they qualified for the land, roads or not. Why would the governors certify if no road had been built? The governors appointed agents to review the roads but required the wagon road companies to pay the agents. The homesteaders who objected to the land grants charged that the agents were paid in both cash and liquor to get them to approve certification. Ultimately, the Willamette Valley company received 861,512 acres of land. What happened to that land will be covered in part 2 of this three-part series. Much of the information in this article is from History of the Willamette Valley and Cascade Mountain Wagon Road, by Cleon L. Clark. The book was published by the Deschutes County Historical Society and is available at the Bend Library. When Wikler became chair of the Wisconsin Democrats in 2019, the party seemed consigned to permanent minority status in the state. After the Republican Scott Walker was elected governor in 2010, Republicans enacted shockingly lopsided electoral maps that all but ensured their continued dominance in the State Legislature, even if Democrats won more votes. When Wisconsinites elected a Democratic governor and attorney general in 2018, the Republican Legislature stripped them of some of their powers, a move that was in turn ratified by the states conservative Supreme Court. That court would go on to put in place a new set of even more gerrymandered maps, strengthening Republican control. Wisconsin politics seemed like a locked box. But, as Wikler recognized, there was a key. Wisconsin Supreme Court justices are elected, and if voters could flip a Supreme Court seat, it would open the way for a reconsideration of the states maps, which would finally allow for fair legislative races. Wikler threw the partys might into electing Janet Protasiewicz to the court last year, in what ended up being the most expensive State Supreme Court race in American history. On the bench, Protasiewicz cast the deciding vote to toss the Republican gerrymander. That, in turn, set the stage for Democrats to flip 14 seats in the State Legislature this year. Wikler is convinced that in 2026, Democrats could turn the State Senate and Assembly blue. Its true, of course, that Kamala Harris lost Wisconsin in November. But her margin there was closer than in any other swing state, a bitter consolation prize but one thats still testament to Wiklers organizing skill. And under his leadership, Wisconsin Democrats raised more money than every other state Democratic Party and re-elected the embattled senator Tammy Baldwin. As one Republican strategist told Politico in 2022, the states Democrats had their back broken during the Walker years, and they never got back up again until Ben Wikler came. Now the national party is in urgent need of such revitalization. The fact that Democrats have a clear shot at winning a trifecta in Wisconsin in 2026, it was from years of work in Supreme Court races, and work with the legislative caucuses in Wisconsin, Wikler told me. And there are fights like that all across the country. For example, as he points out, if Republicans hadnt won control of North Carolinas Supreme Court in 2022, their party probably wouldnt have won the House this year. Thats because last year, North Carolinas new conservative court majority put in place gerrymandered maps that had previously been struck down. Those maps gave Republicans three new House seats. Now the party seems likely to end up with a three-seat House majority. If Trump succeeds in passing another gargantuan tax cut for the rich, it will be a direct result of Republican investment in winning a Supreme Court majority in North Carolina, Wikler said. In the wake of the Women, Life, Freedom movement, one of the most significant political uprisings in Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution, Iranian society experienced a period of upheaval. The movement began in 2022 when Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman accused of disobeying the hijab law, died after being arrested by the morality police. Many Iranians supported the protesters, who called for greater freedom for women and the end of compulsory veiling; the regime responded with brutal crackdowns. I grew up in a family where women are compelled to wear the hijab even at intimate gatherings because of pressure from our more religious family members. I respect their beliefs, but forcing them on the entire family felt like a type of authoritarianism that mirrored the strict rule of the theocratic regime. When the protests erupted, it was important for me to take a stand among my family. The Iranian regime and other authoritarian leaders benefit from pitting religious and nonreligious people against each other, leading them to believe that peaceful coexistence is not possible. In this short documentary, A Move, I wanted to show how resistance rooted in love and respect can lead to understanding; how there is room for disagreement and nuance without violent confrontation or alienation from the other side. Warren Stephens, an investment banker and billionaire who donated to President-elect Donald J. Trumps rivals before eventually supporting him in the 2024 race, was tapped as Mr. Trumps ambassador to Britain on Monday. The selection of Mr. Stephens for the ambassadorship, a plum posting that often goes to one of the largest donors to a presidential campaign, was in part a nod to the American Opportunity Alliance, a big-money network of Republican donors in which Mr. Stephens plays a leadership role. Mr. Trump and the alliance had a tense relationship at times over the course of his campaign. In 2016, Mr. Stephens, the chief executive of Stephens, Inc., an investment bank based in Little Rock, Ark., gave $2 million to a group aiming to stop Mr. Trump from winning the Republican presidential nomination. During the most recent election cycle, he backed other Republican presidential candidates, including Asa Hutchinson, Chris Christie, Mike Pence and Nikki Haley. Beginning in April, after it became evident that Mr. Trump would be the Republican nominee, Mr. Stephens donated over $3 million to support his campaign, according to federal campaign finance reports. He also donated $3.5 million to Mr. Trumps super PACs in 2019 and 2020 during his re-election campaign. As the months ticked by, the presidents mood grew ever darker. By late July, Mr. Biden had dropped out of the presidential race, reluctantly. In September, Hunter Biden pleaded guilty on the eve of his tax trial in Los Angeles. In November, Vice President Kamala Harris lost the presidential election to Mr. Trump. And Mr. Biden, now an 82-year-old lame-duck, single-term president, had been following the news, watching as Mr. Trump vowed to stock his administration with a vengeful cast of characters who would use the judicial system to punish political opponents. Hunter Bidens decision to plead guilty on the tax charges after a weeklong gun trial in Delaware in June that rehashed the familys darkest days had further embittered Mr. Biden and several of his family members, who believed that Hunter was targeted only because of his last name. At that time, the anger within the family pushed the idea of a pardon from the notional to the plausible, according to several people familiar with the presidents thinking. It was at that point Mr. Biden, who was, among other things, deeply concerned that the pressure of the trials would push his son into a relapse after years of sobriety, began to realize there might not be any way out beyond issuing a pardon. It appears that there was never serious consideration of anything short of a full pardon, such as a commutation of his sentence, they said. For his part, Hunter Biden was hardly shy about telling the people around him that he wanted needed a pardon, although it is unclear how often he had discussed the matter directly with his father before this past week. The president, even before he made the decision to issue a pardon, made it clear that he did not want to see his son serve a single day behind bars. President-elect Donald J. Trump said on Monday night that he would block a Japanese companys proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel upon taking office, declaring that he would not allow the iconic American business to be owned by a foreign firm. That was in line with sentiments Mr. Trump expressed on the campaign trail this year, but it was his first time weighing in on the transaction since winning the presidential election last month. Some analysts had expected that there could be a way forward for the deal after the political pressure subsided, but Mr. Trumps remarks suggested that there would be little chance for it to close. I am totally against the once great and powerful U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company, in this case Nippon Steel of Japan, Mr. Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. As President, I will block this deal from happening. Buyer Beware!!! President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had also indicated this year that they opposed Nippons $15 billion bid for U.S. Steel, and the White House had appeared poised to block the transaction in September ahead of the election. Amid concerns that the review process was being politicized, the Biden administration agreed to grant a request by Nippon to resubmit its filing with the agency running the review, which is the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., or CFIUS (pronounced SIFF-ee-yuhs). The Pentagon will send Ukraine an additional $725 million in military assistance from its stockpiles, including anti-personnel land mines, drones, portable antiaircraft missiles and anti-tank missiles. In a statement, the Pentagon said on Monday that the shipment was part of a surge in security aid as Ukraine battles a renewed Russian offensive. The new support comes amid deep concerns in Ukraine that the incoming Trump administration might cut off military aid to the country. President-elect Donald J. Trump has vowed to end the war quickly, though he has not said how. But Vice President-elect JD Vance has outlined a plan that would allow Russia to keep the Ukrainian territory it has seized. The new tranche will be the single largest that the United States has sent to Ukraine since a $1 billion shipment was announced April 24, just days after the House approved new aid to the country after a monthslong hold. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On November 30, FTXT Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (FTXT), a China-based specialist in fuel cell systems for the transportation sector, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Synergy Investments LLC (Synergy) to forge a strategic partnership in the field of fuel cell commercial vehicles, according to a post on FTXT's WeChat account. The signing of this strategic agreement marks a significant step for FTXT in its layout of the Middle Eastern market, and represents a deep cooperation between both parties in the fuel cell commercial vehicle sector. Photo credit: FTXT Under the MoU, both parties will jointly explore the establishment of R&D, production, sales, and related service sites, technical support, and after-sales services for fuel cell commercial vehicles in Oman and other Middle Eastern countries. Together, they aim to develop the fuel cell commercial vehicle market in the Middle East and promote the internationalization of the hydrogen energy industry, FTXT further noted. Photo credit: FTXT As a supplier of fuel cell and hydrogen storage systems, FTXT said it plans to leverage its extensive experience in the field of hydrogen energy to collaborate with vehicle manufacturers to provide Synergy with advanced fuel cell technologies, products, as well as hydrogen-powered vehicles. Synergy will be responsible for market development and localized operations. By fully leveraging their respective industry knowledge, technical capabilities, and resources, the duo plans to implement demonstration projects featuring fuel cell vehicles in the Sultanate of Oman over the next two to three years. They will actively promote the construction of hydrogen energy infrastructure and diversified applications of hydrogen energy scenarios, providing strong support for the development of the hydrogen energy industry in the Middle East. The Sultanate of Oman (also known as Oman), is situated in the southeastern Arabian Peninsula in the Middle East, bordering countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. Adjacent to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, Oman is a significant oil and gas producer. As the world transitions to cleaner energy sources, Oman has set its sights on hydrogen as a key component of its sustainability goals. Synergy, a energy giant in Oman, is at the forefront of this transition. By capitalizing on its deep-rooted connections and financial capabilities, Synergy is spearheading investments in green hydrogen projects, aligning with Oman's energy transformation strategy. Golds Darker Side The curators recognize the devastation that gold has caused in the world, from the violence of the Spanish conquistadors on the hunt for El Dorado in the Americas to the environmental and human costs of mining. The show includes the South African artist William Kentridges harrowing, hand-drawn animated film Mine (1991), which focuses on the greed of a mine owner and the dangerous work performed by Black and brown laborers under apartheid. The question of value is also addressed. Zadik Zadikians Path to Nine (2024) is composed of more than 1,000 gold bars or rather, carved wooden blocks covered with gold leaf. If the bars were pure gold, they would be valued at a billion dollars but here, arranged as a wall cutting through the middle of the gallery, such wealth is an obstacle as much as an opportunity. Whats not spoken about is the question of wealth disparity the fashion and jewelry on display have largely been the purview of the richest of the rich. The meaning of gold to ordinary people (like in India, where women from all economic classes wear their savings in the form of gold bangles and earrings) is rarely acknowledged. The protests surrounding the Turner Prize announcement on Tuesday were the latest example of the art worlds struggles to manage the polarized views around Israels actions in Gaza and Lebanon. Since the Hamas attacks in October 2023, many artists have signed letters calling Israels retaliation in Gaza a genocide, while Jewish and Israeli donors have often felt threatened by the level of vitriol directed toward them. Kaur, 38, was born in Glasgow, and grew up in the citys Sikh community. She studied silversmithing and jewelry at the Glasgow School of Art and the Royal College of Art in London. She has mainly displayed work in group shows but was nominated for the exhibition Alter Altar which featured items related to her upbringing as well as music playing out of a car stereo and a mechanically operated harmonium at the Tramway arts venue in Glasgow. Farquharson, the jury chair, said Kaur creates environments out of often very throwaway items that when put together speak to much larger personal, political and spiritual issues. Her work, some of which is in an exhibition at Tate Britain that is open through Feb. 16, is as irreverent as it is reverent, Farquharson said. The Turner Prize was founded in 1984 and is one of the art worlds major awards. Several of its past winners, who have included Wolfgang Tillmans, Steve McQueen and Lubaina Himid, have gone on to become stars. Critics almost unanimously praised last years choice of Jesse Darling for the prize, breaking a lengthy period in which they chastised the judges for seemingly prioritizing an artists political views above talent. The other three nominees for this years award were Claudette Johnson, whose portraits of Black people in pastels and watercolor grace major collections in Britain and the United States; Pio Abad, a Filipino artist whose work includes sculptures of jewelry that Imelda Marcos once stole from his country; and Delaine Le Bas, an artist of Romany heritage who makes vibrant installations and paintings. British critics were split over who should win this years prize, but some had made the case for Kaur, who will receive 25,000 pounds, or about $31,700, in prize money. Alastair Sooke, writing in The Daily Telegraph, said that Kaurs art brought a little energy and effervescence to an otherwise conventional and uptight list of nominees. Adriane Searle, in The Guardian, praised Kaurs cloth-covered car as the laugh-out-loud totemic image of this years Turner Prize and said her installation was filled with texture and humor and complexity. The artists will define where we go, she said. First held in 1895, the Biennale is one of the art worlds most important events. It includes a large-scale group show, organized by the curator, and dozens of national pavilions, which participating countries stage independently. This years edition, whose main exhibition was overseen by the Brazilian museum director Adriano Pedrosa, attracted almost 700,000 visitors before it closed last month. But Pedrosas show, which drew attention to overlooked queer and Indigenous artists, received mixed reviews. Many art world observers had expected the Biennale to appoint a conservative figure to lead the 2026 edition, after Italys right-wing government named Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, a contrarian journalist, as the president of the organization that stages the Biennale. Kouoh said Buttafuoco clearly did his homework before appointing her, adding, This is what counts. The Biennale has always been kind of progressive, Kouoh said, adding that the makeup of Italys government which funds most of the exhibition and appoints the Biennale president seemed to make little difference. It always gave the Biennale the autonomy to really be at the cutting edge, she said. Kouoh has been one of Africas most prominent art world figures for over a decade, though she started out studying business administration and banking in Switzerland. In 2008, she founded Raw Material, a residency program and exhibition space, in Dakar, Senegal. Eleven years later, she was tapped to lead the Zeitz MOCAA, one of Africas largest contemporary art museums. Stephen King, the horror author whose books have sold hundreds of millions of copies, inspired classic films and disturbed untold nights of sleep, has long played another role closer to his home in Maine: local media magnate. For more than four decades, King, an enthusiastic rock fan, has owned small independent radio stations in Bangor, Maine. It began in 1983 when he bought WLBZ and changed its call letters to WZON, in a nod to his best seller The Dead Zone. He added WZLO and WKIT, which bills itself as Stephen Kings Rock n Roll Station. But now King, 77, is getting out of the radio business, having covered steady losses that the stations said had run into millions of dollars over the years. The stations are expected to sign off for the last time on New Years Eve and then shut down. While radio across the country has been overtaken by giant corporate broadcasting groups, Ive loved being a local, independent owner all these years, King said in a news release in which he noted that he was in good health but that he had been feeling his age and was trying to get his business affairs in better order. Thanksgiving! I knew it! Perhaps I can explain the way this pardon went down in my new one-man show, Can You Get Hunter to Stop Looking at Me Like That? JON STEWART Hes an 82-year-old man he doesnt want to spend the rest of his life visiting his son in prison. JON STEWART Hypocrisy isnt illegal, nor is it particularly unusual in politics. Its not like hes ever going to run again, so why not take care of your kid, even if you said you werent going to? I respect it. I dont have a problem with it. The problem is, the rest of the Democrats made Bidens pledge to not pardon Hunter the foundation of their defense of America. JON STEWART Russia and Iran pledged support for Syrias president Russia and Iran, the staunchest allies of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, pledged to stand behind his government yesterday, sending warplanes and voicing diplomatic support, as his forces attempted to repel a startling rebel advance. It remains to be seen if they can back that rhetoric up by stopping the rebels, especially since neither country has committed to sending ground troops. Instead, Russian and Syrian fighter jets were striking targets across territory seized by rebels in northwestern Syria yesterday, according to Syrian state media and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Observatory, a Britain-based war monitor, said the strikes had killed both civilians and fighters. Yet the rebels appeared to continue their advance through Aleppo, once Syrias largest city, and the surrounding areas, battling pro-Assad forces to capture more territory in Hama Province in western Syria. Background: Russian and Iranian officials have propped al-Assad up with military and diplomatic aid since the rebellion began to threaten his autocratic rule in 2011. South Koreas president dropped his martial law order President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea promised to convene his cabinet and lift the emergency declaration of martial law that he imposed yesterday. His decision came hours after the National Assembly voted to end the order. Heres the latest. The backlash to Yoons order of martial law was swift. His own party criticized the move and the opposition condemned it as illegal. Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Seoul, demanding his resignation. The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, one of the largest and most militant unions, declared an indefinite general strike until Yoon stepped down. Yoon, who is deeply unpopular, had issued the order in response to what he called an insurgency by the opposition that was trying to overthrow the free democracy. Martial law granted him the power to ban all political activities and take command of the news media. It was unclear if the government had taken either of those actions. Context: Elected after a close race in 2022, Yoon has been in a near-constant political standoff with the opposition, which controls the National Assembly. This was South Koreas first martial law declaration in more than four decades, after the end of a military dictatorship in the late 1980s. Heres what else you need to know. What now for Musk and Tesla? Elon Musk has been on a winning streak since the election. But a Delaware judge just dealt the Tesla C.E.O. a blow, refusing to reinstate his huge pay package despite investors approving the compensation by a wide margin in June. Tesla said it would appeal the verdict. But its unclear if or how Musk will escalate the fight, especially given that he now has powerful allies in Washington as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office. A recap: In 2018, Tesla set out several performance milestones that Musk needed to hit to qualify for a huge grant of stock options. He did, becoming eligible for compensation that is now valued at $100 billion. But Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick of the Delaware Court of Chancery voided the plan, agreeing with a shareholder who argued that Teslas board was too beholden to the companys chief when it devised the package. Our last episode was with Faiz Shakir, Bernie Sanderss former campaign manager. And it was about the question of whether Bernieism was a way forward for the Democratic Party. But I said at the beginning that I was going to make that a pairing, that were going to have two very different perspectives on what Democrats should do next. So here is the other. And it is, as I promised, very different. Rahm Emanuel is Americas ambassador to Japan. Before that, he was mayor of Chicago, but its what he did before that that interests me. Emanuel was Barack Obamas chief of staff in the first two years of Obamas first term. This was when Obama passed the stimulus bill, the Affordable Care Act, the Dodd-Frank financial reforms. Archived clip of Barack Obama: Its fair to say that we could not have accomplished what weve accomplished without Rahms leadership. Archived clip of Rahm Emanuel: You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. And what I mean by that, its an opportunity to do things that you think you could not do before. And before that, Emanuel led the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2006. This was the midterm elections following George W. Bushs re-election in 2004. And Emanuel masterminded the campaign that won the House back for Democrats for the first time in 12 years. Archived clip of Katie Couric: Americans voted for a change in the last election, and today we got it. The new 110th Congress convened with the Democrats in charge of both houses for the first time in 12 years. And for the first time ever, a woman is speaker of the House. Archived clip of Rahm Emanuel: From every corner of the country, the American people have sent a resounding and unmistakable message of change and new direction for America. And before that, Emanuel was one of Bill Clintons top advisers and top fund-raisers. Archived clip of Rahm Emanuel: Theres an old saying that if you want to make an omelet, you have to break a few eggs. The American people were hungry for leadership. And Im proud that in providing that leadership, President Clinton broke a few eggs. Heres what you cannot take away from him: He has been at the center of most of the biggest Democratic victories, both electoral and legislative, since the 90s. The people who love him in the party and there are many they say: What this guy knows is how to win. And having lost in 2024, Democrats want to win. Healy: Bidens decision to rule out the pardon while running for re-election was an enormous misjudgment. At the same time, David Hunter Biden didnt harm anyone, and pardons go to people with connections all the time now. I want to understand your umbrage on behalf of the country and the Constitution a bit better. French: When Biden issued the pardon, my first thought was here we go again. Its exactly this kind of self-dealing and favoritism that has created such cynicism in this country, and the fact that pardon abuse is almost routine at this point isnt a defense of Biden. Its an indictment of a political class that helped lay the groundwork for Donald Trump a much worse figure, by the way, but one that did not arise in an otherwise-healthy moment in American democracy. Ross Douthat: I think its important to stress that Biden always kept Hunter close, within the larger aura of his own power, in ways that likely helped his son trade on his dads name even as his own life was completely out of control. This pardon is a continuation or completion of that closeness: Its a moral failure, as David says, a dereliction, but one thats of a piece with the presidents larger inability to create a sustained separation between his own position and his troubled sons lifestyle and business dealings and place in the familys inner circle. A clearer separation would have been better not just for the president and the country, but also for Hunter himself even if hes benefiting from it now, at the last. Healy: Ross, Hunter Biden should absolutely be held accountable for his actions thats something that 12-step programs make clear to addicts, in fact: Their addiction is no excuse for breaking the law, for instance. But it seems like you are conflating Bidens legitimate powers as president with how you think he should have regarded his son in office. Douthat: Im not saying that Bidens pardon of Hunter is categorically worse than prior presidents use of the power to help out cronies and donors and the like. But most people regarded, say, Bill Clintons pardon of Marc Rich as scandalous even though it fell within the ambit of legitimate presidential powers, and this case is scandalous as well. Whether its more corrupt to help a relative than a party donor or donors spouse is an interesting subject for debate about the nature of political ethics, but I dont think we need to resolve that question. We can just say that (1) past presidents have used the pardon power in legal but disreputable ways and (2) pardoning your son is also quite disreputable even if it is constitutional as well. With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information. Baidu to launch Apollo Open Platform 10.0 on Dec. 4 Baidu is set to launch the Apollo Open Platform 10.0 on December 4, which features a comprehensive upgrade with its autonomous driving large model ADFM. The platform promises enhanced performance, lower costs, and improved safety while fostering global industry-academia collaboration. SERES boasts 54.58% YoY surge in Nov. new energy vehicle sales SERES reported new energy vehicle sales of 36,842 units for the month of November 2024, representing a 54.58% year-on-year spike. In the Jan.-Nov. period, SERES' cumulative new energy vehicle sales reached 389,566 units, soaring 255.26% from a year ago. AITO M9; photo credit: AITO GAC Group to transfer stake in Greater Bay Technology GAC Group plans to sell its 15.82% stake in battery tech company Greater Bay Technology for approximately 1.118 billion yuan to its parent company, Guangzhou Automobile Industry Group. Additionally, GAC Capital will transfer its 3% stake to the latter for 212 million yuan. The transaction, pending shareholder approval, is expected to boost GAC Group's 2024 net profit by 2.26 billion yuan. Dongfeng Motor's wholly-owned new energy vehicle brands report robust Nov. sales Dongfeng Motor's three new energy vehicle (NEV) brandsVOYAH, e, and NAMMIall reported robust sales performance for the month of November 2024, according to the automaker's announcement via WeChat. SemiDrive, BlackBerry QNX to co-develop automotive digital cockpit platform On December 2, Chinese automotive chip supplier SemiDrive announced an expanded partnership with BlackBerry QNX to co-develop a cutting-edge automotive digital cockpit platform. ZEEKR, Lynk & Co consolidate to form premium NEV group targeting 1 million units of annual global sales On December 3, Mr. Lin Jinwen, Vice President of ZEEKR Intelligent Technology Holding Limited (ZEEKR), confirmed via his social media that following the strategic integration of ZEEKR and Lynk & Co, the corporate entity "Zhejiang ZEEKR Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd." remains unchanged. The newly integrated entity will be referred to as "ZEEKR Technology Group," overseeing the ZEEKR and Lynk & Co brands. The group aims to achieve annual global sales of one million high-end electric vehicles within two years. ZEEKR starts delivering ZEEKR 009 MPV model in Hong Kong, China On December 1, ZEEKR, the premium electric vehicle brand under Geely Holding, announced that deliveries of its ZEEKR 009 all-electric MPV have officially commenced in Hong Kong, with renowned celebrity Aaron Kwok becoming the first star owner. ZF inaugurates third e-mobility plant in China Global leading automotive supplier ZF recently opened its third e-mobility plant in China, known as ZF Electric Mobility Systems (Shenyang) Co., Ltd., according to a post on ZF's WeChat account. The new Shenyang plant will focus on producing and selling advanced three-in-one electric drive axles for new energy vehicles (NEVs). SAIC Motor boasts 19.53% YoY jump in Jan.-Nov. 2024 NEV wholesales SAIC Motor recently announced on Monday that its monthly wholesale volume reached 478,767 vehicles in November 2024, sliding 7.06% over the previous year, but growing 19.13% over the previous month. ROX Motor partners with Laith Al Obaidi Group for Saudi Arabian market expansion On December 1, Chinese new energy vehicle manufacturer ROX Motor signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Laith Al Obaidi Group in Shanghai, appointing the group as its exclusive agent for Riyadh and the Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia, according to a post on ROX Motor's WeChat account. China's vehicle inventory alert index in Nov. 2024 drops YoY to 51.8% The China Automobile Dealers Association ("CADA") recently released the latest "China Automobile Dealers Inventory Alert Index" (VIA), showing that in November 2024, the VIA for Chinese automobile dealers reached 51.8%, representing an year-on-year decrease of 8.6 percentage points and a month-on-month increase of 1.3 percentage points. Choosing anyone new at this point is concerning because it is a flagrant break with tradition. There is no vacancy at the head of the F.B.I. After J. Edgar Hoovers decades-long tenure, Congress set into law in 1976 a 10-year term for the F.B.I. director, fireable only for cause. It is meant to isolate the job from political influence, and Christopher Wray nominated by Mr. Trump in 2017 still has two years left to serve. Before Mr. Trump, no incoming president had replaced the F.B.I. director on a whim; its a role thats meant to exist outside the normal structure of political appointments. He now wants to fire and replace the man he selected to lead the institution because he seems to believe that Mr. Wray, a longtime Republican official, is not sufficiently loyal or willing to wield the bureaus immense powers against Mr. Trumps political opponents and perceived domestic enemies. Unlike Mr. Patel, who has never been nominated for a Senate-confirmed position, every F.B.I. director in modern times has been vetted and confirmed (often repeatedly) by the Senate to another position first. Three F.B.I. directors were federal judges before being selected. Robert Mueller had been nominated by both Republican and Democratic presidents and confirmed by overwhelmingly bipartisan votes in the Senate; James Comey, Barack Obamas nominee, had been in front of the Senate twice for confirmation. Mr. Wray had been the head of the Justice Departments criminal division, a role that earned him the departments highest award for leadership and public service. Moreover, the idea of appointing a Trump loyalist like Mr. Patel goes against the fundamental approach all recent presidents have taken, which is that theyve appointed nonpartisan figures, known for their independence. Directors, in turn, usually go out of their way to demonstrate clear independence from the presidents who appointed them. Bill Clintons relationship with his choice, Louis Freeh, was so tested during the Clinton scandals that the two men werent even on speaking terms, and Mr. Freeh turned in his White House pass to avoid even the appearance of familiarity with the president. Mr. Comey infamously took it upon himself to excoriate Hillary Clinton publicly over her handling of emails as secretary of state to demonstrate his independence from the Obama administration and Justice Department. What this independence illustrates is that the F.B.I. is not, as many MAGA loyalists believe, some liberal bastion of wokeness. No Democrat has ever served as an F.B.I. director. Even Democratic presidents appoint Republican officials to head the bureau, as Mr. Obama and Mr. Clinton did in their presidencies. Though the question before the court is a relatively narrow one, the stakes are high, particularly as Donald Trump takes office in the wake of a presidential campaign in which transgender people and our health care played an outsize rhetorical role. If there is to be a judicial check on the incoming presidents efforts to federally ban health care for transgender minors and restrict it for transgender adults as he has promised to do this case provides a critical vehicle. In some sense, I am speaking not only to the nine justices who will decide this case but also to a country confused, skeptical and unnecessarily fearful of trans health care. Unlike the young people I represent, I grew up at a time when I had no information about transgender people. The first transgender man that I remember learning about was Brandon Teena, a 21-year-old from Nebraska who was raped and murdered in 1993. (That hate crime became the center of the 1999 film Boys Dont Cry.) I was 11 when Mr. Teena was murdered, and the precarity of his life haunted my adolescence and young adulthood. I could not comprehend what a future might look like as I grappled with my own identity; it seemed like there would be no future at all. Nearly two decades ago, when I was in my early 20s, I finally came out as transgender in what felt like a much more accepting world than that of my childhood. Despite feeling more hopeful, I was still confronted by many legal and cultural barriers: Transgender people were legally at the margins, marriage for same-sex couples was banned almost everywhere, and my goal of being an attorney representing transgender people in court felt hindered by my fear that I would never be seen as a legitimate courtroom advocate. That fear was reinforced as I entered the legal profession. In Boston in 2007, one of my law school professors at Northeastern told our class that we needed to abide by traditional gender norms in court. She instructed that women should wear skirts to appear before juries, and after a presentation in class she told me that I was too soft-spoken to be seen as an effective male advocate. Outside class, I found my appearance was regularly the subject of mockery. During an internship at a public defenders office in New York City, some court officers and judges referred to me as Doogie Howser and asked my supervisors if it was take your kid to work day. I was perceived as too boyish to be either a woman or an adult man. After one job interview, I later learned, staff members questioned whether I would be taken seriously in court. Fearing my gender would be a distraction and that my future clients would pay the price, I stayed away from the courtroom for years after graduation. Over the past few years, financiers who manage almost $30 trillion in private equity, hedge and venture capital funds have shed their reluctance to exert political influence. Steven Mnuchin brought hedge fund experience to his role as the head of the Treasury during Donald Trumps first term. More recently, Glenn Youngkin moved from private equity to the governors mansion in Virginia. But no presidency has been as thoroughly surrounded and supported by the private fund industry as Americas incoming administration. Mr. Trumps family, fund-raisers and financial lieutenants are more likely to be fund managers than any prior presidency, including his first term. Vice President-elect JD Vance and Donald Trump Jr. have been or have become venture capitalists. The president-elect has also tapped Scott Bessent, a hedge fund manager, to serve as Treasury secretary. The investment portfolios and civic institutions these managers govern could hold a clue to what they may likely do: concentrate ever more control over our financial system into substantially less regulated, less transparent capital markets dominated by firms and financiers about whom Americans know very little. If he becomes secretary, Mr. Bessent will be the second nominee to move from managing hedge funds to leading the Treasury Department. Previously, the role was more of a sinecure for alumni from the famous houses of Wall Streets ancien regime, investment banks: Henry Paulson, who led the department under President George W. Bush, and Robert Rubin, under President Bill Clinton, were Goldman Sachs veterans. But while investment banks are heavily regulated and advise others, private funds are largely unregulated and invest on their own behalf. New York has always attracted the most out-there artists. Here, T looks at the singularly strange talents whove built a metropolis unlike any other. Plus: - Why New York has long been the freakiest place to be. - Julia Foxs advice on how to be a freak today. - Cole Escola, Princess Nokia and more share their favorite freaky artworks and city spots. - How New York Fashion Week came to outfreak Paris and Milan. Im obsessed with Madame Tussauds and all wax museums. We act like theyre just for tourists, but theyre so weird. My girlfriend takes photos of me in compromising positions with the figures the more they dont look like the celebrity, the better. Thats a great date. Matt Starr, artist and poet New York has always attracted the most out-there artists. Here, T looks at the singularly strange talents whove built a metropolis unlike any other. Plus: - Why New York has long been the freakiest place to be. - Julia Foxs advice on how to be a freak today. - Cole Escola, Princess Nokia and more share their favorite freaky artworks and city spots. - How New York Fashion Week came to outfreak Paris and Milan. In May 2021, Google announced it had agreed to participate in a $1.2 billion cloud computing contract with the Israeli government and military, saying it was delighted to have been chosen to help digitally transform the country. But four months earlier, officials at the company had worried that signing the deal, called Project Nimbus, would harm its reputation, according to documents prepared for executives that were reviewed by The New York Times. Googles lawyers, policy team employees and outside consultants who were asked to assess the risks of the agreement wrote that since sensitive customers like Israels Ministry of Defense and the Israeli Security Agency were included in the contract, Google Cloud services could be used for, or linked to, the facilitation of human rights violations, including Israeli activity in the West Bank. The files, which have not been previously reported on, showed that despite Googles public defense of Nimbus over the last three years, the company once had concerns about the contract similar to those of some employees, who have argued that it pulled Google into a long conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Google for years had paid companies including Apple, Samsung and Mozilla billions of dollars to be the automatic search engine on smartphones and web browsers. The government said these contracts were designed to entrench Googles dominance and make it harder for rivals to compete. Googles ironclad hold over online search allowed it to gather more data from users, which then made its product better and harder for rivals to dislodge, Justice Department lawyers argued during a 10-week trial last year. Google countered, among other defenses, that it had simply created the best search product. Judge Mehta ultimately ruled in favor of the government. Now he must decide how to solve the problem with remedies to restore competition to the market. What did the Justice Department propose as fixes? Beyond forcing Google to sell Chrome, the Justice Department said in a filing last month that the company should be barred from entering into the exclusive search engine agreements. The judge should also force Google to share its search results and data with rivals for a decade, the government said. Google should be forced to choose between selling Android, its smartphone operating system, or being barred from taking steps that force companies to bundle its services with Android phones, the government said. And the company should shed any stakes in artificial intelligence companies that it has invested in, since A.I. can bolster search, the government added. Morton I. Abramowitz, a longtime U.S. diplomat who made refugee and humanitarian concerns a focal point of American foreign policy during his tenure, died on Friday at his home in Washington. He was 91. His son, Michael, confirmed the death. Blessed with an impatient implacability rarely found among diplomats, Mr. Abramowitz repeatedly broke with the foreign policy establishment, both as a career Foreign Service officer and later as the president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. His first chance to assert himself came in 1978, when President Jimmy Carter named him ambassador to Thailand. It was a fraught moment in Southeast Asia: The region was still coping with the fallout from the Vietnam War, while the genocide in Cambodia and that countrys invasion by Vietnam in 1978 sent some one million refugees fleeing to the Thai border. It ended as quietly as it began: A Republican senator has dropped his hold on the promotion of Lt. Gen. Christopher T. Donahue, the commander of U.S. troops in the final days of the withdrawal from Afghanistan. On Monday, the Senate confirmed General Donahues promotion to four stars, or general. A decorated former Delta Force commander, Army Ranger and paratrooper with multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, he will now lead U.S. Army forces in Europe and Africa as the war in Ukraine heads into its fourth year. Senator Markwayne Mullin, Republican of Oklahoma, had put the hold on the promotion last month after General Donahues nomination was sent to the Armed Services Committee. Mr. Mullin has not said publicly why he had blocked the promotion, and his office has declined requests for comment. General Donahue was the last U.S. service member to leave Afghanistan as Taliban fighters took control on Aug. 31, 2021. He is seen as a likely candidate to eventually become the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the militarys most senior position. On a sweltering July night, Jesse Falcon was so high on cocaine, marijuana and alcohol that he would later say that he barely remembered the explosion of violence that happened. Convinced that his girlfriend was pursuing another man at a social gathering at their apartment complex in San Antonio, he began attacking the man. When his girlfriend tried to intervene, he shoved her so hard that she was left with a gash on her arm. Mr. Falcon, 21, did recall one thing about the evening: I was full of rage, he said. Cases like Mr. Falcons are troublingly familiar to court officials in San Antonio, which has long been plagued with a high rate of domestic violence. They leave jail angrier and more resentful, and the trauma continues, said Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez, a family violence judge in the city. A court run by Judge Gonzalez is trying a different approach: providing the abusers with a chance to change. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On December 1, Chinese new energy vehicle manufacturer ROX Motor signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Laith Al Obaidi Group in Shanghai, appointing the group as its exclusive agent for Riyadh and the Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia, according to a post on ROX Motor's WeChat account. Photo credit: ROX Motor The partnership marks a significant step in ROX Motor's global expansion, bringing the ROX 01 all-terrain luxury SUV to Saudi users, offering an innovative outdoor lifestyle experience powered by Chinese manufacturing. Yan Feng, co-founder and CEO of ROX Motor, highlighted the milestone: "Over the past six months, ROX Motor has made breakthrough progress in its globalization strategy. This collaboration with Laith Al Obaidi Group is not only a key milestone in expanding into the Saudi market but also a critical step in strengthening our presence and market share in the Middle East." Headquartered in China with a global perspective, ROX Motor has established a sales and service network across more than 20 countries, including the UAE, Qatar, and Kazakhstan. Spanning the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, the brand has surpassed 10,000-unit overseas orders and deliveries. The fresh partnership with Laith Al Obaidi Group aims to provide Saudi users with high-quality, localized products and services. During the Auto Guangzhou 2024, ROX Motor also signed agreements with partners from Iraq, Jordan, Oman, and Libya, launching comprehensive sales and service networks in these markets. In addition, the company celebrated the opening of its first showroom in Kuwait, marking another milestone in its Middle Eastern strategy. Recently, ROX Motor held its inaugural global after-sales training program, with after-sales directors and engineers from all partner countries participating. When American presidents visit another country, they typically like to highlight the positive history they share. But as the first leader of the United States to visit Angola, President Biden opted instead to focus on the most bitter chapter that connects the United States and this giant southern African nation. At the National Museum of Slavery in the capital, Luanda, Mr. Biden recalled in a speech on Tuesday the slave trade that once defined relations between America and Angola. More Africans sold into slavery in the United States came from this part of the continent than from anywhere else, scholars say, a legacy of inhumanity that remains relevant four centuries later. The presidents decision to emphasize that connection served not only as a nod to the injustices inflicted on generations of Africans, but also as a statement of principle in the contemporary debate underway in his own country about how to teach and remember history. At a time when some Republicans have sought to limit instruction about slavery and other shameful chapters of American history, Mr. Biden argued for confronting the past. The Innu of Pessamit are seeking to create a protected area where the remaining 200 caribou can continue to live freely and eventually make a comeback. They say it is critical to move quickly with the plan, which the Canadian government has spoken of approvingly but which has been met with silence by the province, to save the 200-caribou herd from the fate of the two other smaller herds. The population of the smaller herds in two regions west of Pessamit had fallen into the low two-digits in recent years. The provincial authorities captured the animals and put them in large pens in 2020, and in 2022, hoping to rebuild the herds. But it is not clear when, or if, the caribou will ever be released into the wild. The caribou cant be made prisoner, Mr. Picard said. Its autonomy and way of life must also be protected. In captivity, the caribou will be stripped of its nature, he said, adding, Itll lose its quietude." The woodland caribou was listed as a threatened species in 2003. According to the Canadian government, there are 34,000 left across the country. Of those, about 6,100 to 7,400 are in Quebec, according to the Quebec government. John Leung was an unlikely spy. In the small Oklahoma town where he lived, people knew him as a former restaurant owner and a father. In Houston, where he often traveled, they knew him as a political organizer in the citys vibrant Chinese community. And in China, they knew him as a benevolent patriot, a man who arranged musical performances and embraced official causes like unifying the mainland with Taiwan. In fact, Mr. Leung was an informant for the F.B.I., gathering intelligence on China, according to two senior United States officials. That work landed him in Chinese custody in 2021, after he traveled to the mainland at the age of 75. He was later sentenced to life in prison, a first in decades for an American accused of espionage. Mr. Leung was freed last Wednesday in a rare prisoner swap between Washington and Beijing. Six months shy of his 80th birthday, he was put on a plane to the United States with two other Americans who had been detained in China, along with three Uyghurs, members of an ethnic group that faces repression by the Chinese government. They even put the brakes on funding to improve the treatment of military officers, including raising salaries and allowances for entry-level officers and increasing on-call duty fees.This budget outrage is nothing short of manipulating the national finances of the Republic of Korea. The legislative dictatorship of the Democratic Party, which uses even the budget as a means of political struggle, did not hesitate to impeach the budget. The government is paralyzed, and the peoples sighs are growing. This trampling of the constitutional order of the free Republic of Korea and the disruption of legitimate state institutions established by the constitution and laws is an obvious anti-state act that plots insurrection. The lives of the people are of no concern, and the government is in a state of paralysis due to impeachment, special investigation, and the defense of the opposition leader. Our National Assembly has become a den of criminals and is attempting to paralyze the nations judicial administration system through legislative dictatorship and overthrow the liberal democracy system. The National Assembly, which should be the foundation of liberal democracy, has become a monster that collapses the liberal democracy system. Now, Korea is in a precarious situation where it would not be surprising if it collapsed immediately. Dear citizens, I declare emergency martial law to defend the free Republic of Korea from the threats of North Korean communist forces and to eradicate the shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people and to protect the free constitutional order. Through this emergency martial law, I will rebuild and defend the free Republic of Korea, which is falling into ruin. To this end, I will surely eradicate the criminals of the anti-state forces who have been committing atrocities so far. A chaotic scene was playing out early Wednesday at South Koreas legislative building in Seoul, where thousands of people gathered to protest President Yoon Suk Yeols declaration of martial law, and police and soldiers tried to prevent people from entering the building. Soldiers wearing helmets and carrying long guns pushed back against people who tried to enter the National Assembly building. At one point, people in the crowd raised their hands skyward as soldiers pushed forward away from the building. Police officers wearing neon-yellow jackets were encircled by crowds of protesters and journalists as helicopters thumped overhead in the night sky. Windows were damaged, with cobweb-like cracks running up two large panels. It was not apparent what had cracked the glass. Notably, relations with North Korea have sunk to longtime lows since Mr. Yoon took office. For decades, the two Koreas which never signed a peace treaty after the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce have swung between conciliatory tones and saber rattling. North Koreas leader, Kim Jong-un, has been unpredictable and bellicose, developing nuclear weapons and supplying Russia with munitions and troops for its war against Ukraine. Mr. Yoon has adopted a confrontational approach and called for spreading the idea of freedom to the North to penetrate the information blackout there. He has also expanded joint military drills with the United States and Japan. North Korea, under Mr. Kim, has veered toward a more hawkish stance, shutting off all dialogue with Seoul and Washington, doubling down on testing nuclear-capable missiles, and vowing to treat South Korea not as a partner for reunification but as an enemy that the North must annex should war break out. Hours after Mr. Yoon declared martial law on Dec. 3, the National Assembly voted to lift the order, in a swift rebuke of the presidents drastic response to the political deadlock that had hobbled his tenure. Thousands of protesters gathered near the Assembly to call for his ouster in the weeks that followed. On. Dec. 14, Mr. Yoon was impeached. He has vowed to fight in court to regain his power, even as the police and prosecutors closed in on him with a possible criminal charge of insurrection. In a video released shortly after his detention on Jan. 15, Mr. Yoon said the investigation and warrant to detain him were illegal, but that he had agreed to subject himself to questioning in order to prevent a bloody clash between his bodyguards and the police. Three mountaineers from the United States and Canada were reported missing on Monday after they did not return from an attempt to summit Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealands highest mountain, the local police said. Severe weather conditions were obstructing the search. The two Americans, Kurt Blair, 56, and Carlos Romero, 50, and a Canadian whom officials did not name, did not show up to a charter flight that had been scheduled to return them from the mountain Monday morning, Vicki Walker, the commander of the local police department, said in a statement. Search teams found several climbing-related items that they believed belonged to the three men, she said. They had to suspend their search because of severe weather and would probably not be able to resume until Thursday, she said. The three men had flown to a hut on Aoraki/Mount Cook to begin their ascent Saturday afternoon, the police said. At about 12,000 feet, the peak is a popular destination for mountain climbers in the Southern Alps, the icy range in New Zealands South Island. President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and senior Kremlin officials intentionally and directly authorized a program of coerced fostering and adoption of Ukrainian children during the war in Ukraine, according to a Yale University report that was released on Tuesday. The report provides strong new evidence for a war crimes case against Putin and other officials, the researchers said. An investigation by Yales Humanitarian Research Lab identified 314 children from Ukraine who have been placed in a systematic program of coerced adoption and fostering since Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022, according to the report. It details evidence of direct orders from senior Russian officials, including Mr. Putin, to carry out the adoption program. It reveals a higher level of crime than first understood, the Research Lab, which is part of the Conflict Observatory, a program supported by the U.S. Department of State, said in a statement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday welcomed President-elect Donald J. Trumps demand that hostages taken in the Hamas-led attack on Israel be released from Gaza before his inauguration in January. Mr. Trump, in a social media post on Monday, did not elaborate on what action would be taken if the captives were not released by Jan. 20, when he will be sworn in. Still, some Israeli officials appeared to be reassured by Mr. Trumps remarks, which suggested the onus was more on the militants holding the hostages than on Israel to free the captives. I want to thank President Trump for his strong statement yesterday, Mr. Netanyahu said on Tuesday at a meeting of government ministers. This is a very decisive statement that clarifies that there is one party responsible for this situation and that is Hamas, he added. Mr. Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Monday that there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity if the hostages are not released before his inauguration. The timing appeared to be both calculated and opportunistic. As soon as a deal to end fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon was signed last week, another conflict kicked off not far away in Syria. Syrian rebels launched sweeping assaults against the forces of President Bashar al-Assad in northwestern Syria, taking control of large portions of territory, including much of the city of Aleppo. The rebels also forced Russian forces to abandon a base near Aleppo and militias backed by Iran to cede control of the town of Tel Rifaat, a Syrian outpost near the Turkish border, according to Syrian humanitarian and research groups. The sudden advance of the rebels, and the setback for Mr. al-Assad and his allies, has stoked a cauldron of geopolitical rivalries that has simmered in Syria for more than a decade after a democracy uprising in 2011 turned into full-scale rebellion. Beijing (Gasgoo)- Dongfeng Motor's three new energy vehicle (NEV) brandsVOYAH, e, and NAMMIall reported robust sales performance for the month of November 2024, according to the automaker's announcement via WeChat. DREAM; photo credit: VOYAH Specifically, the premium brand VOYAH delivered 10,856 vehicles in November, marking a 55% year-on-year surge and its third consecutive month exceeding 10,000 units in sales. From January to November this year, VOYAH's cumulative deliveries reached 73,561 units, zooming up 81% compared to the same period last year. e008; photo credit: e Meanwhile, the e brand, which targets mainstream NEV market with both pure electric and extended-range models, achieved cumulative sales of over 50,000 units since the e007's market launch on March 14. The brand expanded its lineup with the e008 six-seater in June, the e007 extended-range version in August, and the e008 five-seater version in November. Its dealership network also grew to 407 locations nationwide, fueling its rapid sales growth. NAMMI, Dongfeng Motor's compact NEV brand, recorded November sales of 10,016 vehicles, marking nine consecutive months of month-on-month growth. To meet rising demand, Dongfeng Motor's manufacturing hub in Xiangyang set a new production milestone, surpassing 10,000 units in monthly output. The facility integrates sustainable practices across the vehicle lifecycle, enhancing automation and energy efficiency to deliver high-quality, eco-friendly products. An Argentinian man was wrongfully imprisoned after police mistook 18 containers of talcum powder for cocaine and it took three weeks to analyze the true nature of the substance. In early October, Maximiliano Acosta got on a bus in the town of Mendoza towards the capital, Buenos Aires. Shortly after, the bus was stopped in La Paz for what was supposed to be a routine check by a team of gendarmes. Upon checking the passengers baggage, the gendarmes discovered that Acosta had 18 containers of talcum powder and questioned him about it. Despite the mans explanation that the containers actually contained talcum powder for personal use, the gendarmes detained him on suspicion of drug possession. The tests that followed the arrest, allegedly showed that the 18 containers were full of cocaine, and Maximiliano was put behind bars without so much as alerting his family about his situation. As a result of the checks, officers detected that a citizen was carrying containers of talcum powder for personal hygiene in his belongings, the Gendarmerie said in a statement on October 2, adding that a total of 2 kilograms and 444 grams of cocaine had been seized in the operation. This was such a big bust that even Argentinas Minister of Security, Patricia Bullrich, posted about it on social media. A LOT OF TALC, LITTLE EFFICIENCY. A man tried to bypass a checkpoint in Mendoza, carrying more than 2kg of cocaine hidden in talc containers inside a long-distance bus, Bullrich wrote. But the Gendarmerie quickly discovered him thanks to his nervousness and suspicious attitude. Following Maximiliano Acostas protests, the white powder was sent to another lab for testing, but he was thrown in jail until the second results came. The man claims that police didnt even bother letting his family know he had been arrested, and that his confiscated belongings were stolen while he was behind bars. MUCHO TALCO, POCO EFICIENT-E Un hombre intento burlar un control en Mendoza, llevando mas de 2kg de cocaina ocultos en envases de talco dentro de un micro de larga distancia. Pero la Gendarmeria lo descubrio rapidamente gracias a su nerviosismo y actitud sospechosa. La pic.twitter.com/nWmdEauzmQ Patricia Bullrich (@PatoBullrich) October 6, 2024 We called everywhere; we asked for the passenger list. Nobody knew anything. We spent two days without knowing where Maxi was, The mans mother said. Maximiliano Acosta was detained for 21 days until the second test results came. It turned out that the white powder was plain talcum powder, and he was released. Only instead of an apology, he was let go on a country road and had to appeal to motorists to return home. As for the gendarmerie, a spokesperson pretty much told the media that Acostas detention was an honest mistake. There is no flaw in any investigation, talcum powder is always confused with cocaine and the Security Forces warned that it could be a false positive. Unfortunately, until it was proven, they kept him in jail, Patricia Bullrich said. As for why Maximiliano Acosta was traveling with 18 containers of talcum powder, his mother told Argentinian media that he had fallen on hard times and he had bought the containers to resell in the capital. Moral of the story? Dont be like Maximiliano, 18 bottles of talcum powder can seem a bit suspicious. Deputy Irish premier Micheal Martin has refused to say whether he will push against a rotating taoiseach as part of government formation talks. Mr Martin, who was speaking at the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Dublin, said it was too early to discuss what the shape of the next government will look like. Three long days of counting in the General Election finished late on Monday, when the final two seats were declared in the constituency of Cavan-Monaghan. Fianna Fail was the clear winner of the election, securing 48 of the Dail parliaments 174 seats. Sinn Fein took 39 and Fine Gael 38. Asked whether he would be open to enter a coalition with Fine Gael without the rotating taoiseach arrangement that was part of their last government deal, Fianna Fail leader Mr Martin said: From experience and having been involved in helping to form a number of coalition governments, its not always helpful to do it via press conferences, and I dont mean that with any disrespect. So, I dont propose to do so on this occasion either. There will be a range of issues that will be discussed, policy being key, and obviously then the issues around the formation of government and the mechanics of government. But I dont propose to get into that. Its far too early, far too premature. We will engage. If Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are going to be entering into another governing partnership, one of the major questions is around the position of taoiseach and whether the parties will once again take turns to hold the Irish premiership during the lifetime of the new coalition. During the last term, Mr Martin took the role for the first half of the mandate, with Leo Varadkar taking over in December 2022. Current Fine Gael leader Simon Harris succeeded Mr Varadkar as taoiseach when he resigned from the role earlier this year. However, this time Fianna Fail has significantly increased its seat lead over Fine Gael, compared with the last election when there were only three seats between the parties. The size of the disparity in party numbers has prompted speculation around the rotating taoiseach arrangement, raising questions as to whether it will be re-run in the next coalition and, if it is, on what terms. After the intergovernmental conference at Farmleigh House, Mr Martin said he expected to meet other politicians at Leinster House parliament building for the switching-on of the Oireachtas Christmas tree lights. It might kind of create a nice, happy atmosphere. God knows what could follow from that, he said. However, unknown to the Tanaiste, the switching-on of the Christmas tree lights was taking place during the press conference on Tuesday evening. Mr Martin said most of the work to form a coalition could be done by Christmas but we have to focus on the issues. I dont think we will have reached agreement by Christmas, he added. But Im sure that most people in the country want us to form a government as quickly as we can. Mr Martin also refused to say which ministerial portfolios his party will want to take, saying he wants to respect the process. He said he wants form a government with parties that can last five years, including those who can take the rough with the smooth and have the backbone to see it through. He added: A lot will depend on how the discussions evolve. I do believe theres enough people in Leinster House who have a common position on core issues in terms of the economic model and Europe, and so forth, that can create a government. But we want to hear what others are saying also, because the last time not everybody was as anxious to get into government as they might have proclaimed, and government can be a challenging place to be. So, we just want to test the waters to see what others are saying. Fine Gaels Helen McEntee, who also attended the press conference, said the parliamentary party will meet on Wednesday to discuss their priorities. Were setting ourselves clear goals and targets so we want to make sure that any discussions we have with any party, that were focused on for key deliverables, she said. Making sure we have ambitious housing targets, making sure were supporting small businesses, making sure that we are focused on disability and services across the country. Thats the type of focus and priority, and I believe those are the discussions we will be having tomorrow. Thats where it needs to start. Beyond that, it is a matter of engaging then with our Taoiseach and our leader, Simon Harris, engaging with other leaders in other parties, and taking it from there. Following the conclusion of the General Election, Labour and the Social Democrats won 11 seats; People Before Profit-Solidarity took three; Aontu secured two; and the Green Party retained only one of its 12 seats. Independents and others accounted for 21 seats. The return of a Fianna Fail/Fine Gael-led coalition is now highly likely. However, their combined seat total of 86 leaves them just short of the 88 needed for a majority in the Dail. A coalition of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, and a third grouping, possibly made up of Independents, is the likely option. Earlier, a Sinn Fein TD said they will continue to speak to like-minded parties in a bid to form a left-leaning government and there is a powerful bloc of 60 progressive politicians who campaigned for change. Eoin O Broin said that while Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have the numbers to form a government, the deal has not yet been reached. Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald contacted the Social Democrats and Labour on Monday to discuss options, and Labour leader Ivana Bacik has also spoken to leaders of other parties. However, Mr O Broin, the partys housing spokesman, said it is not a done deal. The numbers are very clear and Fianna Fail and Fine Gael do have the numbers to form a government, albeit with some external support, he told RTE Morning Ireland. However, a deal hasnt been reached. A week is a long time in politics and many things can change. So, given the fact that our view is that a Fianna Fail/Fine Gael coalition is the worst possible option, despite the fact that Micheal Martin seems intent on bringing Fine Gael in as a junior partner, we said we were going to talk to other like-minded, progressive political parties on the other side of the election. Thats exactly what were going to do and in the first instance its to assess what are the options, what are the possibilities? Micheal Martin clearly has the upper hand. Theres no denying that. Mr O Broin did not rule out speaking to Fianna Fail if the numbers to form a left-leaning government did not stack up. We always said during the election campaign that while our first preference was a government without Fianna Fail or Fine Gael, if those numbers werent available, we would talk to everybody, and that includes Fianna Fail, he added. We have always said in the first instance what we would do is talk to like-minded parties. Thats what were going to do. We obviously also have to meet as a parliamentary party. We have to talk to and listen to our new TDs. Were kind of taking this step by step and I think thats the sensible thing for us to do. But lets also remember, this isnt just about the numbers. If you look at whats happened on the left side of the political spectrum, Sinn Fein has increased our seats, the Social Democrats and Labour have increased their seats. Thats a powerful bloc of 60 progressive politicians for opposition who campaigned and advocated for change. A number of parliamentary parties will meet on Wednesday to discuss their next steps. Sinn Fein, despite taking 39 seats, lost almost 6% of its vote share. Mr O Broin said Ms McDonald, who also saw a drop in her vote in Dublin Central, is the right person to lead the party. Mary Lou McDonald, I think, has had a really, really good campaign again. Go back to where we were, 11% in the locals, a very, very difficult period prior to this election. I think during the course of the campaign, people saw Mary Lou at her very best, the Dublin West TD said. I think Mary Lou had a really strong campaign. She is one of the key reasons why weve turned the ship around and consolidated the vote. Uniqlo founder Tadashi Yanai said in a recent interview with the BBC that Uniqlo does not use cotton from China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. In response, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the hope that relevant companies would resist political pressure and undue interference, and make independent business decisions that align with their own interests. The BBC, which is known for its anti-China stance, no doubt hoped to stir up trouble with its interview and other Western media outlets have obliged by hyping up this matter, suggesting that Yanai's remarks could expose Uniqlo to the risk of being boycotted by Chinese consumers, and claiming that Tokyo will align with the West on this issue. In fact, not long ago, Yanai criticized the push for "decoupling" from China by Japanese clothing companies as impractical and had previously declined to comment on whether Uniqlo uses Xinjiang cotton. This time the question was laid as a trap and he has fallen into it. Japan and some Western countries are commercial competitors, not allies, particularly in industries such as apparel, where there are clear conflicts of interest. If Japan blindly echoes baseless rhetoric from Western politicians under the guise of "political correctness", it risks not only harming its actual interests but also losing the autonomy of its commercial decision-making. One fundamental fact is that the number of Uniqlo stores in China has long surpassed those in Japan, which highlights how the company has benefited from the dividends of China's rapid development. The malicious questions posed by certain Western media serve as a reminder that the media landscape is complex, and some Western media are unethical. Similar incidents have occurred before, emphasizing the need for rationality in addressing these issues and seeing through the deceptive narratives of Western politicians and media. As mature and rational citizens, Chinese consumers should not be provoked into knee-jerk reactions by the manipulations of some Western media outlets. Today's China is more confident than ever, viewing the world in an equal manner and engaging with world affairs with greater poise. Such tricks should be dismissed with disdain. China to enhance AI education in primary, secondary schools Xinhua) 08:25, December 03, 2024 BEIJING, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- China will enhance artificial intelligence (AI) education for its younger generations to prepare them for the emerging technology era, according to the Ministry of Education. The ministry has called for efforts to explore approaches to AI education in primary and secondary schools, emphasizing the need to cultivate creativity, scientific interest and digital skills among students. Schools have been asked to establish related curriculums, incorporate AI into routine teaching content and conduct regular evaluations, according to a circular released by the ministry. Students are expected to gain hands-on experience with AI technologies in their early primary school years. As they progress to senior primary school grades and junior high school, they will focus on understanding and applying these technologies. In senior high school, students will engage in AI project creation and explore cutting-edge AI applications, according to the circular. An AI section will be added to a national smart education platform. The initiative, according to the ministry, aims to pool quality resources and enhance their accessibility. Authorities will encourage colleges, universities, research institutes and high-tech companies to open their AI labs and exhibition halls to primary and secondary school students. Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng has likened AI to a "gold key" for the education system, emphasizing its potential to shape the future of education while presenting both opportunities and challenges. In February, the country selected 184 schools as pilot bases to explore philosophies, models and programs in AI education, with the goal of developing exemplary cases and experience that can be promoted on a larger scale. More such educational bases will be established in the future, per the ministry circular. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) About a month ago, while knocking on voters' doors to remind them to vote in the November election and informing them about candidates and ballot initiatives, I engaged in a brief conversation with a registered Democrat in his early eighties who proffered a common republican talking point: "We are not a democracy; we are a republic." He then insisted that democracy can exist in a dictatorship. "Look at Russia," he stated. "They have elections there, right?" It took everything I had to hold back the historian in me clawing at the cage to be let out. I didn't want to alienate him; I wanted him to vote. I wasn't going to change his mind anyway. So I just left him some candidate literature, thanked him for his time and for voting, and bid him good day. In a roundabout way he was correct. We are a republic. But we are also a democracy (at least for the time being). Our founders were cognizant of both terms, and often used them interchangeably, but they were wary about each's strict applicably in the new governmental structure they were creating. "Father of the Constitution," James Madison, our country's fourth president, defined "democracy" as a form of government where "the people meet and exercise the government in person" and decide issues by voting. He also, however, thought direct democracies were "spectacles of turbulence and contention". Our second president, John Adams (the man who thought presidents should be addressed as "Your Highness" or "Your Most Benign Highness"), thought straight democracy "impracticable". One reason is because it involves people deciding policy initiatives instead of representatives in government voters elect on their behalf. In that Adams, Madison et al. regarded it as a form of "tyranny of the majority". That's why Alexander Hamilton believed "ancient democracies" lacked "one feature of good government: their very character was tyranny". A strict republic, though, wasn't their answer either. Madison knew, in a republic, the people "assemble and administer" government through "their representatives and agents". Because it required only representatives instead of the voting public to travel, a republic "may be extended over a large region". But some warned republics handed too much power to a small, usually wealthy, group of citizens. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). book cover: The Singularity Is Nearer (Image by Viking) Details DMCA Back in 2005, Ray Kurzweil announced to the world that we humans were hurtling toward the technological Singularity and that, in the two generations left in the current paradigm, we had best prepare for the merge with smart machines. He even wrote a book (The Singularity is Near) describing the brazen new future and detailing the best practices necessary to get there safely and expeditiously. Folks shrugged. Kurzweil has a new book out now (The Singularity is Nearer) that gloats about how right he was in his earlier proclamations. He writes in his update, "For perspective, the moment you're reading this is probably closer to the creation of the first superhuman AI than to the release of my last book, 2012's How to Create a Mind." Babies born today will be just graduating college when the Singularity happens." Not much time left until the Big Event, according to Kurzweil. Just yesterday I read an article in The Byte, a tech mag, that saw Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, excited about 2025 - because, he said, that's the year he expects Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) to be attained. AGI is that point where AI reaches then surpasses human intelligence. That makes 2025 the year of the singularity. Bummer, I'm thinking, I haven't finished my dissertation on the future of human consciousness in the age of AI. Who is this guy that he should prophesy such things? Another nutter? A latter-day Cassandra? Kurzweil is a former engineer for Google, the "Don't Be Evil" people. Following his critically acclaimed 2012 book that wowed global tech wonks, he was hired by Larry Page, co-founder of Google, "to bring natural language understanding to Google," as Kurzweil put it. He is a pioneer in the ChatGPT revolution. As Kurzweil sees it we are racing toward a new horizon in human meaning. He writes in Nearer, "There are several key areas of change that are continuing to accelerate simultaneously: computing power is becoming cheaper, human biology is becoming better understood, and engineering is becoming possible at far smaller scales." Suddenly, some technologists sense the grand breakthrough of new consciousness, like astronaut Bowman through the StarGate in Stanley Kubrick's 1968 epic, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Astronaut Bowman (Image by Dioboss) Details DMCA Then Kurweil hits the reader with an astonishing claim, now packed with the uncanny feeling he may be right and there's nothing we can do about it. He writes, "As artificial intelligence (AI) grows in ability and information becomes more accessible, we are integrating these capabilities ever more closely with our natural biological intelligence.. Eventually nanotechnology will enable these trends to culminate in directly expanding our brains with layers of virtual neurons in the cloud. In this way we will merge with AI and augment ourselves with millions of times the computational power that our biology gave us." Kurzweil reminds us that in his previous book he laid out Six Epochs. Epoch One saw the birth of the laws of physics and the chemistry they make possible. Two brought life and DNA that introduced self-replication. Three saw brains develop. Four witnessed humans develop "their higher-level cognitive ability, along with their thumbs, to translate thoughts into complex actions." In this, the Fifth Epoch, he writes, we have reached the point where we can directly merge biological human cognition with the speed and power of our digital technology by means of brain-computer interfaces (BCI). Indeed, BCI is here. One company is even planning to install ChatGPT, so a mind would be thinking to a Siri-like interlocutor Elon Musk hopes to soon frame a system of interconnected minds, which he calls Telepathy. This possibility alone is breathtaking. But Kurzweil also stresses the imminence of the coming Ubermensch. He predicts more confidently than ever that merged humans will know the Singularity and superintelligence by 2045. He blithely proclaims, "If we can meet the scientific, ethical, social, and political challenges posed by these advances, by 2045 we will transform life on earth profoundly for the better." But then, perhaps understanding how little humans have done to stop Climate Change or the threat of Nuclear War or the decline of democracy, he adds what seems like a cautionary note: "Revolutionary new systems in biotechnology, nanotechnology, or artificial intelligence could possibly lead to an existential catastrophe like a devastating pandemic or a chain reaction of self-replicating machines." Oh, God, one thinks, no, not that. It's clear from this that Kurzweil, for all his unquestioned genius, is no stalwart socialist. Don't worry, while we elites are cloning around and merging with machines on the weekends, his ilk seems to say, the Have-Nots will abide. This raises the ago-old question of who the singularity is for and who is in charge of the production. More than ten years ago I reviewed the Eric Schmidt tome Empire of the Mind: The Dawn of the Techno-Political Age. It was later re-titled The New Digital Age: Reshaping the Future of People, Nations and Business. In it he described a domestic situation in which everyone - everyone - owned a robot. He told the reader of holograph machines in the den, and of sending his unruly spoiled brat kids on a holo trip to the Mumbai slums for a couple of hours to see how the other half lives and to come back thankful for being elite. Reading this, I thought for a moment that I might be trippin' myself. There are a series of questions that many are beginning to ask with more urgency. Just today I read a piece in Futurism magazine telling me that some are worried that the tech revolution in progress will be for the elite and self-wonderful types. The headline reads: "AI Bros Terrified Singularity Will Hit While Trump Is President." Viking hats were unleashed on Jan 6. in DC. Maybe an invasion of the mind snatchers this time? Ain't no vaccine for that.. We just don't know. And philosophy can only do so much. President Biden pardons his son Hunter Biden CNN reporter Edward-Isaac Dovere reports on President Joe Biden's decision to pardoned his son Hunter Biden, who faced ... (Image by YouTube, Channel: CNN) Details DMCA President Joe Biden juxtaposed with his son Hunter Biden after the president pardoned his son, December 1, 2024. There is a suspicion by many (most?) people in the US that there is a two-tier system of justice in the country. One for ordinary people who when committing a crime and get convicted are sentenced to serve time in prison. The other tier involves those with high level political connections who rarely if ever serve time in prison even if they've been convicted of committing a felony. Take "Scooter" Libby who was Vice President Dick Cheney's Chief of Staff. Libby was convicted of perjury, obstruction of justice and making false statements to federal investigations regarding his outing of Valerie Plame who was classified as a covert CIA agent at the time. In 2007 Libby received a 30 month prison sentence and fined some $250,000. He paid the fine but after all appeals were overturned "Dubya" Bush commuted Libby's sentence so he never served a day in prison. President Trump pardoned Libby in 2018. Of course the latest example is Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden who was convicted of crimes he committed and pleaded guilty to going all the way back to 2014 when his father was the VP under President Obama. As we've learned yesterday President Biden pardoned his son contradicting his earlier statements he wouldn't interfere in his sons legal cases. Biden's reasoning is just dissembling blather. Biden wasn't about let his son go to prison. The bottom line is this. When there is a justice system so blatantly biased favoring those with high political connections as opposed to those without the political connections is a system not only flawed but corrupt. Essentially those with high level political connections believe they won't be held accountable for the activities they're involved in even when it's clearly illegal. This may not rise to a conscious level at the time of the activity yet they must believe they're above the law. In an honest justice system no one is above the law. Can anyone say that exists in the US. Politicos whether Dems or Repubs or their handmaidens in the MSM be it MSNBC or FOX (Fix) News always say it's the other side that's never held accountable for the wrongdoing they commit. Yet this is just dissembling nonsense as both sides with high level political connections have from time to time been engaged in felony behavior which they haven't been held to account; which makes ordinary people cynical of the justice system they live under. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). "If you're not scared, you're stupid." - Scott Ritter[1] I used to think I was a little bit Jewish a fact I cannot explain except by the fact that for two years in junior high school in New Rochelle most of the other kids in my class were Jewish though how I knew that I don't know. What I do know now and how I know is that after the genocide in Gaza[2] I will never feel the least bit Jewish again. I guess it's not surprising that a tumbleweed Army brat of Episcopalian and lapsed Catholic parentage, having skipped a grade and thus also out of step age-wise bussed into a gen pop off-post school [3] might feel the need to belong to something different. But now that Jewish Zionists have proven to be [4] as oxymoronic and evil as Christian Nazis [5] when it is "antisemitic" to denounce the holocaust committed by the grandchildren of the victims and aided by the grandchildren of the perpetrators [6] of that other holocaust they think is the only one because slaughtering tens of thousands of mostly children [7] and other helpless "terrorists," bombing schools hospitals and refugee camps, blocking food and medicine, shooting at aid workers and UN troops [8] is just "mowing the grass" and self-defense [9] against Amalek and the "animals" in Palestine [10] while the enabler-in-chief urges "restraint" here [11] and "restraint" there and the war criminal-in-chief [12] Mr. Yahoo gets standing ovations from the whores in Congress paid by AIPAC and Christian Zionists [13] this is not a club I want to belong to. As for the tale about the tail wagging the dog which sounds impossible because it is impossible let us not tolerate outrageous conspiracy theories. [14] The US war dog needs its Israeli tail to wag war against Iran and the Middle East just as it needs Ukraine to wag against the Russian "'orcs' and 'rashists'" led by [15] the "Winston Churchhill of our time," no less [16] a "Jewish Hero" or less deserving than the Yahoo [17] of standing ovations from the US Congress and a kiss from the Speaker for unfurling the sacred flag [18] of Ukraine, which later they waved back at him for graciously receiving the latest 61 billion [19] dollars to kill Russians and feed the weapons industry. We'll stand with you as long as it takes, they say in Washington and the words are echoed verbatim in London, Berlin, Strasburg, Brussels, everywhere [20] the "golden billion" as the Russians say [21] hold sway. But it's not a billion by a long shot just the True Believers and the warmongers who burn villages to save them and destroy one country [22] to weaken another one, and if that doesn't work [23] freeze, seize and steal the money and the gold [24] and if that doesn't work, buy up the land and minerals [25] all in all, an "extraordinarily wise investment."[26] Returning to our muttons, as Professor Hall liked to quip to get back to the point [27] I also used to think I could be French due to a year I spent in craggy Provence and Georges Brassens. Maybe I should have stayed there and become an outlaw instead of going back to Vietnamerika, the killing fields of Kennedys and King, who dared oppose the war [28] that the French had already fought and also lost like me in Baltimore, compl??tement de'payse'. [29] So I went to Ithaca to study some more lingo [30] but when I graduated it disappeared. I don't even understand much anymore. O Monsieur Maurice, j'ai une grevisse [31] ou n'en quel pays sont elles les belles nasales du temps jadis?[32] Then there's great-great-grandaddy Michael and great-grandaddy David and recapitulation theory [33] which made me feel a little bit Irish, like many a foot-stomping Guinness-swilling Dubliners fan, but in the end I'm still American with "born in Washington DC" written forever in a German passport marking me for every border guard a "renouncee"[34] and flagged no doubt somewhere as doubly suspect as a Mitl??ufer of the likes of Sarah Wagenknecht [35] Sevim Dagdelen and Harald Kujat Doug Macgregor, Jeffrey Sachs and Ray McGovern, Lawrence Wilkerson, Scott Ritter John Mearsheimer, Chas Freeman, and Max Blumenthal, all reprehensibly opposed to war that will set the clock back a million years a historical landmark that no one will remember since there will be no one to remember. It's been a while since junior high school but the Western leaders "standing with" Ukraine and Israel haven't aged a bit. They know nothing and need to go to detention and write: "I will not do stupid things that kill people" a million times or more until they stop or their parents come to get them or the police lock them up. Fortunately the senile juvenile emperor and his vassal prince [36] that fell obediently on his underwater bomb to "Keep the Russians out, the Americans in" and his own people down and out [37] are now about to become bad history if there is any more history at all. 'Tis a dark wood indeed we find ourselves in. Our Virgils are ignored or denounced as Putin- puppets, antisemites and self-hating Jews. The mighty Wurlitzer, the TV news [38] tells us what to think we know and what tune to dance to and who the current enemies are and how it's "worth it" to kill five hundred [39] thousand children in Iraq and millions everywhere, in America's forever wars [40] for corporate freedom to own everything and global "rule-based" plutocracy for all. [41] [1] Scott has said this often, last I think on Andrew Napolitano's "Judging Freedom" Nov. 25, 2024. Napolitano's podcast was too good for Facebook so you can't link to it from there, but it's on Rumble.com. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here. Trumped Going to Hell in a "Drill, Baby, Drill" Handbasket By Tom Engelhardt Give him credit. As a start, for that first surprise victory in 2016. No, I didn't fully get it at the time, but I kind of get it now (since, like the rest of us, I've lived through it all, including his close loss in 2020). Still, twice? Him? A convicted felon, no less! And yes, I do think italics are all too appropriate under the circumstances. Two times as the president of these increasingly disunited states of America? Holy cowpie! Perspecting (No, That's Not a Typo) Donald Trump This country actually did it -- elected him (again!) -- and so we deserve whatever we get, at least a little less than 50% of us do: Fox News" oops, sorry, Pete Hegseth to run the largest, best-funded, and least adept military on planet Earth? Robert Kennedy, Jr., to keep our health in check(mate?) or do I mean checkerboard red shape? Tulsi Gabbard overseeing what still passes for American "intelligence," though in some sense it couldn't have been dumber for endless years? Or Chris Wright, who denies that there's any kind of a climate crisis on Planet Earth, to lead -- yes, of course! -- the Department of Energy. And that's just to start down an endlessly expanding, mind-blowingly unnerving list. Yikes! You really couldn't make this stuff up, could you? And I haven't even mentioned Kristi Noem as secretary of Homeland Security. Nor did I have time to put in Matt Gaetz at the Department of (In)Justice before he went down in an instant cloud of smoke and scandal. (The question is: Before we're done with the madness of it all, will everything be, in some fashion, enveloped in that same cloudy firmament?) I suppose there's no reason to be shocked, not really. After all, it's a matter of history. Sooner or later, all great imperial powers go down the tubes -- or do I mean the drain? -- in some fashion, even if Donald Trump, the second time around, gives tubes and drains a new meaning. Just ask any of the emperors of imperial China or Winston Churchill or, for that matter, Mikhail Gorbachev about imperial decline. But to have almost 50% of the population vote to send this country directly (no stops along the way) whooshing down those tubes into the basement of history, well, that's no small thing, is it? Or maybe, on a planet already going to hell in a climate-changed handbasket, it actually is a small thing. (And, yes, I just can't seem to help myself when it comes to italics and him, though he's all too literally not a small thing, not The Donald!) Who knows anymore? Who can make any real sense out of it when you're not comfortably outside looking in, or in the present peering into the long-gone past, but right here, right now (and nowhere else), distinctly experiencing everything from the inside out -- or do I mean, the outside in or even the inside in? That, in truth, may be the lesson Donald Trump(ed us all) has to offer when it comes to our ever stranger world. And perspective isn't exactly available to us, is it? After all, when The Donald fills the screen 24/7, how can anyone perspect -- if you don't mind my making up a word to fit our ever-stranger world -- anything? And yet, let's face it, if you try to take a step or two back, even if it's into the deep doo-doo of the rest of this planet of ours -- check out Benjamin Netanyahu's nightmarish version of Israel, for instance -- Donald Trump isn't just a strange (all-)American happenstance. Under the circumstances, however happenstantial, of a country in which there was already an increasingly greater (and still growing) space between the wildly wealthy (especially the rising number of all-American billionaires who have more money than half of the rest of the population combined) and the ever more pressed working and middle classes, what populace, already distinctly in trouble (or he never would have made a political appearance in the first place), wouldn't have elected a "businessman" (and I'm only being socially truthful by putting that word in quotes) who claimed to be all in for them on his third presidential run (though, of course, you won't actually see 78-year-old Donald Trump, the man who reputedly once urged soldiers on our southern border to shoot migrants in the legs, running anywhere). Whew, that was one long sentence! And no wonder, since he's distinctly wound us up in an endlessly convoluted world. And this time around, the richest man on Planet Earth, Elon Musk, was ready to pay out millions of promotional dollars to potential voters to increase Trump's vote totals in swing states -- and don't for a second think that was bribery! After all, in a country where keeping yourself afloat amid still rising prices is no small trick, why wouldn't you find appealing a man who swore he spoke for you and whose claim to fame, in a sense, was his remarkable ability to keep himself (and no one else) on the (more or less) flat and level, or even the uphill incline, as he sent his own businesses distinctly downstream into failed or bankrupt states? Whew, again! And don't be surprised, given his record, if, in his second term in office, he sends this country into his own version of, if not bankruptcy, at least ruptcy. After all, Donald Trump is -- if you don't mind my inventing another word -- a distinctly remarkable (or do I mean smashing?) rupturist. His story (or do I mean history?) -- since Kamala Harris lost, it certainly isn't herstory -- suggests that he's likely to repeat his business "success" with this whole country the second time around, keeping himself on the flat and level or even the uphill incline as so much around him goes down, down, down. And don't be surprised if he somehow manages to outlast that disaster, too. (Or do I mean two?) Oh, and since he's already quipping about a third term in office, however jokingly -- no joke there for the rest of us, of course -- you should feel distinctly nervous (if, that is, the fate of this country means anything to you). You can undoubtedly understand his position when it comes to a third possible round in the Oval Office, right? I mean, to hell with that old amendment! ("No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.") If it were of any importance, it would obviously be the first, second, or third amendment, not the 22nd one, right? Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). DR. BILLY BERGIN ANNOUNCES THE FINAL INSTALLMENT IN ACCLAIMED 'LOYAL TO THE LAND' SERIES Volume 4 explores the legendary history of Parker Ranch from 1992 to 2022, celebrating the spirit of Hawaii's cowboys with an in-depth look at Hawaii's rich history. Kamuela, Hawaii Island - Dr. Billy Bergin, esteemed author, historian, and veterinarian, proudly announces the release of Loyal to the Land: The Legendary Parker Ranch, 1992-2022, Volume 4 - An Enduring The EU-DREAM project, a European project dedicated to pioneering next-generation energy services, solutions, and products that genuinely benefit consumers, is launching a survey to explore consumer needs, motivations, and challenges related to the flexibility and controllability of household appliances. This feedback is vital in shaping innovative, consumer-driven energy solutions. EU-DREAM focuses on improving consumer interaction with the energy market. It aims to simplify complex energy management processes and enhance Fusion Sun Solar Announces Major New Year Savings with 20% Discount on All Solar Services. PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, December 3, 2024 - Fusion Sun Solar, Western Australia leading solar installation company, today announced a substantial 20% discount on all solar services to welcome the New Year 2025. The promotional offer will run from December 15, 2024, through January 15, 2025, providing Perth residents and businesses with an unprecedented opportunity to transition The horror-obsessed Salem teen convicted in the rape and murder of 13-year-old Milana Li on Mothers Day 2022, was sentenced to a lifetime in prison Monday even as authorities warned that the bars holding Daniel Gore could be paper thin, depending on how juvenile laws are interpreted. After hearing two weeks of evidence, a Washington County jury needed less than 90 minutes last month to convict Gore, now 18, of first-degree rape, murder and sexual abuse in a case prosecutors said was perhaps the most horrific crime committed locally in 20 years. Juvenile justice reform has already given the defendant substantial breaks; this court does not need to give the defendant any additional chances to hurt our community, Senior Deputy District Attorney John Gerhard said ahead of sentencing. Circuit Judge Ricardo Menchaca agreed, saying he would impose the maximum sentence allowed under law: life in prison, with the possibility of parole in 38 years and four months. But reforms passed by lawmakers in 2019 mean Gore will actually be eligible for parole in 15 years. Additionally, a second look hearing that allows young defendants to seek sentence reductions halfway through their punishment could be allowed as soon as 7 years from now. Gore was a 16-year-old runaway from Salem when he lured Li, a student at Conestoga Middle School, into the woods behind the Progress Ridge shopping center. Gore strangled Li to death in effect killing the only witness to his sex crimes then dragged her body into a creek and concealed her under a tarp. He attempted to establish an alibi by texting mutual friends that he got drunk and parted ways with Li earlier on May 8, but surveillance footage and cellphone data contradicted that story. A liquor store surveillance camera shows the last time Milana Li, 13, was seen alive on May 8, 2022. Daniel Gore, then 16, is shown wearing a red rain jacket.Washington County District Attorney Assel Li, her mother, came home from a night shift and initially believed her older daughter was already at school. She soon learned the truth and reported her missing. The ensuing search and recovery of Lis body happened even as Beaverton police officers closed in on Gore, who was arrested two days later. Assel Li said her daughter hoped to work with children someday, inspired by the time she spent watching over a younger sister who is now 8. She asks me, Why does Milana have to become an angel so early? I have no answers, Assel Li said. Only god knows what it cost me just to stay alive. Gore is one of the few juvenile defendants in Oregon to be tried in adult court since state lawmakers enacted the 2019 reforms. He will begin his sentence in the Oregon Youth Authority detention center. Diary entries and Gores statements to police showed his obsession with serial killers and the horrorcore artist 7vxn. Gore asked to wear a white skull mask associated with the rapper while police swabbed him for DNA evidence, saying he felt really comfortable with it on, according to a memo written by prosecutors. His girlfriend, Eva Camera, told investigators Gore had a blood kink. Daniel Gore speaks with detectives following his arrest in Beaverton in 2022.Beaverton Police Department Defense attorney J. Mark Lawrence argued in a sentencing memo that Gore had an IQ closer to a 9-year-old at the time of the killing, citing a psychologist examination. Judge Menchaca, who continued to ban media cameras from the courtroom during the sentencing hearing, dismissed the defenses argument, saying Gores responses during a police interview suggested he was fully engaged. Menchaca said the case was a failure of parenting, the juvenile justice system that let Gore out of custody on pending theft and arson charges, allowing him to abscond, and the lyrical content of 7xvn. The judge even suggested that Assel Li sue the artist. He questioned how Gore was allowed to live in a tent in the middle of suburban Beaverton in a grove known as a popular teenage hangout. More action should have been taken than merely hoping Gore would wise up, he said. People just hoped hoped! that youd get the light on. Instead we have a dead young lady, Menchaca said. Its my intent that Mr. Gore never walks the streets of this community again. Zane Sparling covers breaking news and courts for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-319-7083, zsparling@oregonian.com or @pdxzane. Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe. A Multnomah County judge on Monday found Austin H. Graham guilty except for insanity of murdering his mother, 59-year-old Teresa A. Graham, in October 2023. Judge David Rees ordered Graham, 28, committed to the Oregon State Hospital under the Psychiatric Security Review Board for a term not to exceed life, with credit for time served. He is also barred from purchasing or possessing a firearm. Graham was booked into Multnomah County jail just over a year ago on a second-degree murder charge after his mother was found unresponsive in bed. Police had been called to the family home on Southwest Menefee Drive in Portlands Hillsdale neighborhood the evening of Oct. 20. A medical examiner at first saw no signs of visible injuries, but later the medical examiners office told detectives an autopsy revealed suspicious circumstances, police said at the time, noting her cause of death was homicide by manual strangulation. In civil court documents from 2023, Teresa Graham had noted her sons mental decline began in 2018 following a traumatic brain injury. She told a court his mental health became even worse in early 2023. He couldnt work, he didnt bathe or eat, and he experienced hallucinations, according to the documents. Teresa Graham noted the family tried to find professional psychiatric care for Austin Graham, but he left home and became homeless for a time. Not long before her death, she was granted guardianship of her son. On Monday, Austin Graham was led into a 12th-story courtroom by three Multnomah County deputies. Rees found that Austin Graham lacked the mental capacity to conform his conduct to the law because of a qualifying mental disorder, one that caused him to believe the delusion that his mother was poisoning him. As the hearing ended, Rees asked him if he was taking his medication now. The defendant said he was. I urge you to keep taking it and listening to your doctors, the judge said. It helps me, Graham said of the medications. Im being honest. When deputies escorted Graham from the courtroom, Rees told him, Good luck to you, sir. Rees then turned to family in the gallery and said, Im sorry for your loss. Jonathan Bach may be reached by email at jbach@oregonian.com or by phone at 503-221-4303. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today. Portland police are investigating reports of two men in a black Hyundai Sonata acting suspiciously near Ida B. Wells High School in the Hillsdale neighborhood. According to police, on Nov. 20 around 6:30 p.m., a student reported that a black car with at least two men inside followed her as she walked home from practice, slowing down and speeding up to match her pace. The student said she hid behind a dumpster when a man exited the car and stared at her before she ran home safely. A recent article highlighted the need for Oregon to better regulate firearm dealers in order to help reduce gun trafficking, shootings and homicides, (Oregon Advocacy Groups Calls for State Regulation of Firearm Dealers to Curb Gun Violence, Nov. 20). In response, firearm rights attorney Tony Aiello Jr. said that it would be unsurprising to find that most firearms used to commit crimes were, at some point, legally purchased. In reality, data collected by The Alliance for a Safe Oregon shows that a small percentage of Oregon dealers are contributing to many illegal guns on our streets. This is not true in other states. For example, in New Jersey, a state that regulates gun dealers, there are half as many guns on the streets per capita. Only 20% of guns used in crimes are coming from dealers, which is a big part of why that state has fewer guns. Clearly, there is a need to help stop the flow of guns. The Alliance report shows part of the problem is Oregons weak regulation of dealers. The state should work to implement regulation as soon as possible, as it is critical to stopping the flow of illegal guns in our communities. They should do this in partnership with the many dealers who are responsible firearm sellers; the report showed that dealers who follow the recommended security, safety and training practices have almost zero firearms later traced to crimes. Walter C. Mintkeski, Portland To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. ANCHORAGE, Alaska The search for five people believed to be aboard a fishing vessel that capsized in rough seas in the Gulf of Alaska has been suspended, the Coast Guard said Monday. The search lasted nearly a day and covered more than 108 square nautical miles. We stand in sorrow and solidarity with the friends and family of the people we were not able to find over the past 24 hours, Chief Warrant Officer James Koon, a search and rescue mission coordinator at Coast Guard Sector Southeast Alaska, said in a statement. The Coast Guard began the search after the Wind Walkers crew sent a Mayday call at 12:10 a.m. Sunday that the 50-foot boat was overturning off Point Couverden, southwest of Juneau. The Coast Guard tried to get more information as it mobilized a response, but the crew didnt answer, according to a Coast Guard press release. The state ferry Hubbard overheard the broadcast and reached the scene first, followed by a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and a response boat, according to the press release. A winter storm warning remained in effect as responders faced heavy snow, winds up to 60 mph and 6-foot seas. Two Coast Guard cutters the Healy and the Douglas Denman joined the search. Responders found seven empty cold-water immersion suits and two strobe lights but no other sign of the boat or its crew. The Healy also used underwater sonar but found no signs of the ship. The helicopter crew spotted the cold-water immersion suits from the air near Spasski Bay, located about 10 miles southwest of Point Couverden. Four of the survival suits were in the waters of the bay and three were seen on land, Coast Guard Petty Officer John Hightower said. The suits were empty, and it was not immediately clear if they had been worn, he said. The full-body suits are made of a neoprene-like material that you can put on very quickly and easily over your clothes, and its meant to help you survive in cold water, Hightower said. They also have a flotation device inside them, along with an inflatable pillow so a person in the water can rest their head and remain afloat. The area searched by the cutters was fairly small since they had the Wind Walkers emergency beacon GPS coordinates, Hightower said. Since the crew reported the ship was overturning, its possible it capsized and sank. That seems like the most likely but, you know, we try not to rule anything out since we havent been able to confirm it ourselves, he said. Up to 17 inches of snow fell in Juneau over the weekend, and the water temperature was about 45 degrees Fahrenheit, the National Weather Service in Juneau said. The Oregon Department of Justice confirmed Monday it will review the criminal theft investigation into Melissa Fireside, the newly elected Clackamas County commissioner. Clackamas County District Attorney John Wentworth said he referred the investigation to state lawyers on Nov. 20, citing a conflict of interest. The county commission signs off on the budget for the district attorneys office. The Department of Justice will determine if the Lake Oswego police investigation into Fireside provides sufficient evidence to present the case to a grand jury for possible charges, said agency spokesperson Roy Kaufmann. In late October, a week before the election, police served a search warrant on Firesides Lake Oswego home in connection with felony theft allegations, said her lawyer, Mark Cogan. The search warrant cites an ongoing investigation into aggravated identity theft and aggravated first-degree theft, Cogan said. The alleged victim is elderly, according to a source. Lake Oswego police Chief George Burke said Monday that patrol officers first received a complaint against Fireside on Sept. 30; the case was formally assigned to detectives on Oct. 25, though he said detectives were involved earlier. He declined to elaborate but said the case is following the timeline that any investigation of that kind of magnitude would follow. There is nothing that we have done or would do that would slow it down or speed it up, he said. It is taking the pace that it needs to take to make sure that were thorough and that were fair and that were unbiased. There was nothing on our side that, at least from an investigative process, changed one bit based on who was involved, he said. Fireside, 43, a Democrat, has so far declined to address the investigation. She did not respond to a message Monday seeking comment and neither did her attorney. Her campaigns website and Facebook page were no longer accessible. She said in previous interviews that she works as a construction management consultant and owns a company called Resolute Consulting PDX, which according to the website offers virtual business coaching, guidance on startup development and strategic management. Fireside has said that she holds a Ph.D. from Capella University, a private, for-profit online program. Court filings in 2019 describe a longtime relationship with a man who is the father of her child and included information about her finances. She listed her income as minimum wage, noted that she taught an online college course and said she was trying to start a consulting business. According to court records submitted by her former partner, the couple took out a home loan in his name due to unspecified concerns with Firesides credit. Each had a Lexus that was financed based on his credit, the court filings say. Fireside is linked to two Clackamas County properties. She lives in a house on Ash Street in Lake Oswego; county assessor records show she sold that home to her mother Gertrude in 2020 for $600,000. County records show Gertrude Fireside, who is in her late 70s, took out a second loan on the home for about $119,852 in November 2023. The loan went through Unlock Partnership Solutions, which offers agreements that let homeowners tap their home equity for cash. Oregon Secretary of State records list Fireside as the registered agent and member of a limited liability company that owns a West Linn property. Assessor records show Fireside acquired the property at 1800 Killarney Drive in 2023 and transferred it a year later to her limited liability company. The assessor site does not list a sale price for the land, but shows a new home there was added to the tax rolls this year with a value of $876,000. The assessor lists the total market value of the property at $1.16 million. The West Linn property is for sale for $1,295,000. It originally went on the market in August for $1,390,000; the price dropped in September, according to a real estate listing. Taxes on the West Linn property total $11,896, of which a minimum of $3,965 was due Nov. 15. No payment has been made yet, according to the assessors office. Fireside won with 52% of the vote, ousting incumbent Mark Shull, who captured 48%. Commissioners are elected to four-year terms; each receives a salary of $130,213. Staff writer Ted Sickinger contributed to this report. Noelle Crombie is an enterprise reporter with a focus on criminal justice. Reach her at 503-276-7184; ncrombie@oregonian.com Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. Multnomah Countys newest commissioner, Shannon Singleton, took her oath of office Tuesday morning, becoming the first of three new commissioners to officially join the board. Singleton, a longtime social worker and housing advocate, won her seat last month when she defeated former Portland Mayor Sam Adams to represent North and Northeast Portland. She replaced Commissioner Jesse Beason, who was appointed last year to succeed Susheela Jayapal after she left to pursue an unsuccessful bid for Congress. An 8-year-old Palestinian boy from northern Gaza who lost a limb in the Israel-Hamas war arrived in Portland, Oregon, late Monday night as part of a group of children evacuated from Gaza to receive medical treatment in the U.S. Nasser was wounded after an explosion in May destroyed his familys home in Jabalia, killing his two sisters. Nasser and his mother survived, but he had to have his hand amputated, and she had to have her leg amputated, according to the Palestine Childrens Relief Fund, a nonprofit that helped organize their evacuation to the U.S. Dozens of people, including volunteers with the nonprofits local chapter, greeted Nasser and his mother Marwa with cheers, flowers, welcome signs and gifts as they entered into the arrivals terminal in wheelchairs. Nasser, 8, right, and his mother Marwa Nasser Abdelfattah Abu Zaidah, third right, are greeted as they arrive at the Portland International Airport on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)AP Im very humbled by all of these people coming to support Nasser, because he needs to know that he was not forgotten, said Intesar Amirkani, president of the nonprofits Portland chapter. Nasser, who will be treated at Shriners Childrens Hospital in Portland, was among the eight children from Gaza most recently evacuated by the nonprofit to receive medical care in the U.S. The group has helped organize previous medical evacuations for children from Gaza to the U.S. and other countries. The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 people hostage on Oct. 7, 2023. Some 100 are still held inside Gaza, around two-thirds believed to be alive. Israels retaliatory offensive has killed at least 44,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government and does not say how many of the dead were combatants. The war has destroyed vast areas of the coastal enclave. The United Nations estimates that 90% of Gazas population has been displaced, often multiple times. The Associated Press [all passages RSV] For overviews of the subject, see: Biblical Evidence for an Eternal Hell [1998] Jewish and Old Testament Views of Hell and Eternal Punishment [4-14-04] Biblical Annihilationism or Universalism? (w Atheist Ted Drange) [9-30-06] Universalism is Annihilated by the Book of Revelation [National Catholic Register, 6-23-19] Salvation and Eternal Afterlife in the Old Testament [8-31-19] The Bible Teaches that Hell is Eternal [National Catholic Register, 4-16-20] Defense of Immortal, Conscious Souls (vs. Lucas Banzoli): #11 (Second Death = Lake of Fire = Eternal Torment in Hell. Jesus & Luke Believed in Both Hades and Hell) [11-25-22] See many more articles on my Hell and the Devil / Last Things web page ***** Deuteronomy 32:22 For a fire is kindled by my anger, and it burns to the depths of Sheol, . . . 1 Samuel 2:6 The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. Job 33:28 He has redeemed my soul from going down into the Pit, and my life shall see the light. Psalm 6:4-5 Turn, O LORD, save my life; deliver me for the sake of thy steadfast love. [5] For in death there is no remembrance of thee; in Sheol who can give thee praise? Psalm 9:16-18 The LORD has made himself known, he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. . . . [17] The wicked shall depart to Sheol, all the nations that forget God. [18] For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish for ever. Psalm 16:10-11 For thou dost not give me up to Sheol, or let thy godly one see the Pit. [11] Thou dost show me the path of life; in thy presence there is fulness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 31:16-17 Let thy face shine on thy servant; save me in thy steadfast love! [17] Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I call on thee; let the wicked be put to shame, let them go dumbfounded to Sheol. Psalm 49:14-15 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; straight to the grave they descend, and their form shall waste away; Sheol shall be their home. [15] But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Psalm 55:23 But thou, O God, wilt cast them down into the lowest pit; men of blood and treachery . . . Psalm 88:6-7 Thou hast put me in the depths of the Pit, in the regions dark and deep. [7] Thy wrath lies heavy upon me, and thou dost overwhelm me with all thy waves. Psalm 89:48 What man can live and never see death? Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Psalm 103:2-4 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, [3] who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, [4] who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, Psalm 143:7 . . . Hide not thy face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the Pit. Isaiah 14:11, 15 Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, the sound of your harps; maggots are the bed beneath you, and worms are your covering. [15] But you are brought down to Sheol, to the depths of the Pit. Isaiah 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling has seized the godless: Who among us can dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings? Isaiah 38:18 For Sheol cannot thank thee, death cannot praise thee; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for thy faithfulness. Isaiah 66:24 And they shall go forth and look on the dead bodies of the men that have rebelled against me; for their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh. Jeremiah 15:14 . . . in my anger a fire is kindled which shall burn for ever. (cf. 17:4) Jeremiah 23:40 And I will bring upon you everlasting reproach and perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten. Ezekiel 26:20-21 then I will thrust you down with those who descend into the Pit, to the people of old, and I will make you to dwell in the nether world, among primeval ruins, with those who go down to the Pit, so that you will not be inhabited or have a place in the land of the living. [21] I will bring you to a dreadful end, and you shall be no more; though you be sought for, you will never be found again, says the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 31:16-17 I will make the nations quake at the sound of its fall, when I cast it down to Sheol with those who go down to the Pit; and all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, will be comforted in the nether world. [17] They also shall go down to Sheol with it, to those who are slain by the sword; yea, those who dwelt under its shadow among the nations shall perish. Ezekiel 32:23, 25 whose graves are set in the uttermost parts of the Pit, and her company is round about her grave; all of them slain, fallen by the sword, who spread terror in the land of the living. . . . [25] . . . they bear their shame with those who go down to the Pit . . . Daniel 12:2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (cf. Judith 16:17: The Lord Almighty will take vengeance on them in the day of judgment; fire and worms he will give to their flesh; they shall weep in pain for ever.) Hosea 13:14 Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from Death? . . . Matthew 3:10, 12 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. . . . [12] His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. Matthew 5:20-22 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. [21] You have heard that it was said to the men of old, You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment. [22] But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, You fool! shall be liable to the hell of fire. Matthew 5:29-30 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. [30] And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. Matthew 7:13 Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. Matthew 7:19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Matthew 8:11-12 I tell you, many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, [12] while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. The word for destroy is apollumi, which means, according to W. E. Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, not extinction, but ruin, loss, not of being, but of well-being. The other verses in which it appears make this meaning clear (Mt 10:6; Lk 15:6, 9, 24; Jn 18:9). Thayers Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament or any other Greek lexicon would confirm this. Matthew 13:41-42 The Son of man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, [42] and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. Matthew 13:47-50 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; [48] when it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad. [49] So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous, [50] and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. Matthew 18:8-9 And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. [9] And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire. Matthew 18:14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. Matthew 21:39-41 And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. [40] When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants? [41] They said to him, He will put those wretches to a miserable death, . . . Matthew 22:13 Then the king said to the attendants, `Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.' Matthew 23:15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you traverse sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. Matthew 23:33 You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? Matthew 24:50-51 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, [51] and will punish him, and put him with the hypocrites; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. Matthew 25:29-32 For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. [30] And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. [31]When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. [32] Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, Matthew 25:41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, `Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; Matthew 25:46 And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. The Greek meaning of aionios (eternal, everlasting) is indisputable. It is used many times referring to eternal life in heaven. The same Greek word is also used to refer to eternal punishments (Mt 18:8; 25:41, 46; Mk 3:29; 2 Thess 1:9; Heb 6:2; Jude 7). In the verse above, the word is used twice: once to describe heaven and once for hell. Eternal punishment means what it says. There is no way out of this without doing violence to Scripture. Greek scholar A. T. Robertson wrote: The word aionios . . . means either without beginning or without end or both. It comes as near to the idea of eternal as the Greek can put it in one word. It is a difficult idea to put into language. Sometimes we have ages of ages (aiones ton aionon). (Word Pictures in the New Testament, Nashville: Broadman Press, 1930, vol. 1, p. 202 [commenting under Matthew 25:46] ) Thayers Greek-English Lexicon also concurs, as does Kittels Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, the most revered and respected Greek analysis of the New Testament. Mark 3:29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin Mark 9:42-49 Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea. [43] And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. [45] And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. [47] And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, [48] where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. [49] For every one will be salted with fire. Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. *** Please Hit Subscribe! If you have received benefit from this or any of my other 5,000+ articles, please follow my blog by signing up (with your email address) on the sidebar to the right (you may have to scroll down a bit), above where there is an icon bar, Sign Me Up!: to receive notice when I post a new blog article. This is the equivalent of subscribing to a YouTube channel. My blog was rated #1 for Christian sites by leading AI tool, ChatGPT: endorsed by influential Protestant blogger Adrian Warnock. Actually, I partner with Kenny Burchard on the YouTube channel, Catholic Bible Highlights. Please subscribe there, too! Please also consider following me on Twitter / X and purchasing one or more of my 55 books. All of this helps me get more exposure, and (however little!) more income for my full-time apologetics work. Thanks so much and happy reading! *** Luke 1:79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death . . . Luke 3:8-9 Bear fruits that befit repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, `We have Abraham as our father; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. [9] Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Luke 3:17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. Luke 12:4-5 I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. [5] But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear him! Luke 13:3 I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. (cf. 3:5) Luke 13:27-28 But he will say, I tell you, I do not know where you come from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity! [28] There you will weep and gnash your teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves thrust out. Luke 16:22-24, 26, 28 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abrahams bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; [23] and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom. [24] And he called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame. . . . [26] . . . between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us. . . . [28] . . . this place of torment. [refers to the compartment in Hades reserved for the wicked or reprobate, who will eventually be consigned to hell: Rev 20:14 below] John 3:16, 18 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. . . . [18] He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him. John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:26-29 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself, [27] and has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of man. [28] Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice [29] and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment. John 6:27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on him has God the Father set his seal. John 8:51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if any one keeps my word, he will never see death. John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:28 and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. John 12:25 He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. John 15:5-6 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. [6] If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. John 17:12 . . . I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, . . . Acts 13:46 . . . It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. . . . you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, . . . Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of men who by their wickedness suppress the truth. Romans 2:2-3 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who do such things. [3] Do you suppose, O man, that when you judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself, you will escape the judgment of God? Romans 2:5-8 But by your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when Gods righteous judgment will be revealed. [6] For he will render to every man according to his works: [7] to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; [8] but for those who are factious and do not obey the truth, but obey wickedness, there will be wrath and fury. Romans 2:12 All who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, . . . Romans 5:9 Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. Romans 5:17 If, because of one mans trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. (cf. 5:12, 14, 21) Romans 6:16 . . . sin, which leads to death, . . . Romans 6:21-23 But then what return did you get from the things of which you are now ashamed? The end of those things is death. [22] But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the return you get is sanctification and its end, eternal life. [23] For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 7:5 While we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. (cf. 7:10, 13, 24) Romans 8:13 for if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. (cf. 8:2, 6) Romans 9:22 . . . the vessels of wrath made for destruction, 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 3:17 If any one destroys Gods temple, God will destroy him. . . . Destroy is the Greek, phthiro, meaning literally, to waste away (much like apollumi). When the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D., the bricks were still there. It was not annihilated, but wasted. So shall it be with the wicked soul, which will be wasted or ruined, but not blotted out of existence. We see the meaning of phthiro clearly in every other instance of it in the NT (usually, corrupt), where in each case, the meaning is as I have said (1 Cor 15:33; 2 Cor 7:2; 11:3; Eph 4:22; Jude 10; Rev 19:2). 1 Corinthians 11:32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are chastened so that we may not be condemned along with the world. 2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 2 Corinthians 4:3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. Ephesians 2:3 . . . we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. Ephesians 5:6 . . . it is because of these things that the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Philippians 1:28 . . . This is a clear omen to them of their destruction . . . Philippians 3:18-20 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, live as enemies of the cross of Christ. [19] Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. [20] But our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Destruction or destroyed in Philippians 1:28; 3:19, Hebrews 10:39 is the Greek apolia. Its meaning as ruin or waste is clearly seen in, e.g., Matthew 26:8 and Mark 14:4 (a waste of ointment). In Revelation 17:8, when it refers to the beast (perdition), it states that the beast is not wiped out of existence: it was and is not and is to come. Colossians 3:5-6 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. [6] On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 1 Thessalonians 1:10 . . . Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 . . . when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, [8] inflicting vengeance upon those who do not know God and upon those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. [9] They shall suffer the punishment of eternal destruction and exclusion from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 2 Thessalonians 2:3 . . . the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of perdition, 2 Thessalonians 2:8, 10, 12 And then the lawless one will be revealed, and the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by his appearing and his coming. . . . [10] and with all wicked deception for those who are to perish, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. . . . [12] so that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. [10] For the love of money is the root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs. 2 Timothy 1:10 . . . our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Hebrews 2:14-15 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, [15] and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage. Hebrews 6:2 . . . eternal judgment. Hebrews 10:26-27 For if we sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, [27] but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire which will consume the adversaries. Hebrews 10:27 must be understood in harmony with Hebrews 6:2, which speaks of eternal judgment (mentioned above in the discussion of aionios). The only way to synthesize all the relevant data in the Bible is to adopt the eternal hellfire view. Hebrews 10:39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and keep their souls. Hebrews 12:25 . . . For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less shall we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. James 1:15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown brings forth death. James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the cycle of nature, and set on fire by hell. James 4:12 There is one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. . . . James 5:20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. 2 Peter 2:1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 Peter 2:4 . . . God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of nether gloom to be kept until the judgment; 2 Peter 2:12-13 But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and killed, reviling in matters of which they are ignorant, will be destroyed in the same destruction with them, [13] suffering wrong for their wrongdoing. . . . In 2 Peter 2:12, destroyed in the same destruction the Greek kataphthiro is used. In the only other place in the NT where this word appears (2 Tim 3:8), it is translated as corrupt in RSV. If the annihilationist interpretation were applied to that verse, it would read, . . . men of nonexistent minds. . . 2 Peter 2:17 These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm; for them the nether gloom of darkness has been reserved. 2 Peter 3:7, 9 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist have been stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. . . . [9] The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. Perish is the Greek apollumi (see comment on Matthew 10:28 above), so annihilation, as always, is not taught, by virtue of the simple meaning of the Greek word. Furthermore, in v.6, where it is said that the world perished in the flood, it is obvious that it was not annihilated, but wasted, consistent with the other interpretations above. 2 Peter 3:15-16 . . . So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, [16] speaking of this as he does in all his letters. There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures. 1 John 3:14-15 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. [15] . . . no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. Jude 6-7, 10, 13-15 And the angels that did not keep their own position but left their proper dwelling have been kept by him in eternal chains in the nether gloom until the judgment of the great day; [7] just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise acted immorally and indulged in unnatural lust, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. . . . [10] But these men revile whatever they do not understand, and by those things that they know by instinct as irrational animals do, they are destroyed. . . . [13] wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars for whom the nether gloom of darkness has been reserved for ever. [14] . . . Behold, the Lord came with his holy myriads, [15] to execute judgment on all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness . . . Jude 23 save some, by snatching them out of the fire; . . . Revelation 2:11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who conquers shall not be hurt by the second death. Revelation 6:15-17 Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the generals and the rich and the strong, and every one, slave and free, hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, [16] calling to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; [17] for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand before it? Revelation 9:1-2 And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key of the shaft of the bottomless pit; [2] he opened the shaft of the bottomless pit, and from the shaft rose smoke like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened with the smoke from the shaft. (cf. 9:11; 11:7; 20:1-3) Revelation 11:18 The nations raged, but thy wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, for rewarding thy servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear thy name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth. Revelation 14:10-11 he also shall drink the wine of Gods wrath, poured unmixed into the cup of his anger, and he shall be tormented with fire and sulphur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. [11] And the smoke of their torment goes up for ever and ever; and they have no rest, day or night, . . . Revelation 14:19 So the angel swung his sickle on the earth and gathered the vintage of the earth, and threw it into the great wine press of the wrath of God; Revelation 15:7 And one of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives for ever and ever; Revelation 17:8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is to ascend from the bottomless pit and go to perdition . . . Revelation 19:15 From his mouth issues a sharp sword with which to smite the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. Revelation 19:20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had worked the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulphur. Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, . . . Revelation 20:10 and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. The Greek word aion is used throughout Revelation for eternity in heaven (e.g., 1:18 [Jesus: I am alive for evermore], 4:9-10; 5:13-14; 7:12; 10:6; 11:15; 15:7; 22:5), and also for eternal punishment (14:11; 20:10). Some attempt to argue that Revelation 20:10 only applies to the devil, but they must explain Revelation 20:15, where it is applied to anyone not in the book of life. Revelation 20:12-15 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Also another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, by what they had done. [13] And the sea gave up the dead in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead in them, and all were judged by what they had done. [14] Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire; [15] and if any ones name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 21:8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, as for murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their lot shall be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death. * Summary: 125 Bible passages on hell & related concepts of judgment, Sheol, destruction, eternal punishment, the Pit, Gods wrath & judgment, etc.; includes 24 Old Testament passages. This exchange took place in the combox of the video, Did Martin Luther Remove Books from the Bible? With James Swan (Weidner Institute, 10-24-24). The words of my dialogue opponent ( ) will be in blue. ***** Ive noticed this among Romanists since my early teenage years. . . . Are you a Genevist or a Wittenberger or Henry VIIIist? Hello there, I havent heard those designations before though I can get their gists by Genevist you mean Calvinist, Wittenberger a Lutheran, Henry VIIIist an Anglican but Im neither. These institutions however insist to rather call them according to their preferred names. As for me, I am a Trinitarian Pentecostal but like them we consider ourselves Catholics. Thank you for your patience and God bless. So I call you a Trinitarian Pentecostal, but you for some inexplicable reason refuse to call us by our preferred name. To call me a Trinitarian Pentecostal is just another way to call the kind of Pentecostal Im in but we go by other names too. I do see the point youre making here and I know the preferred name is Roman Catholic but unlike the words Genevist, Wittenberger, and Henry VIIIist, the word Romanist has historical basis. However, that doesnt mean its the only one I use, I also use RC or just Catholic. So obviously, I dont make it a dogma to use Romanist exclusively. In fact when I refer to the Roman Catholic Church, to shorten things, I do use the Roman Church at times. To be fair, the word Protestant was not proposed by the Reformers, Luther rather preferred either Christian or Evangelical while Calvin did not approve of Calvinist. They both saw their names unfit. Moreover, The name Reformed Catholic is preferred among Reformed and Anglican churches. Most of us prefer Catholic since there are many Catholics (i.e., who believe there is a pope, etc.) who are not Roman rite. The Catechism of the Catholic Church never uses Roman Catholic at all. That title was originally a pejorative used by the early Anglicans, who wanted to be Catholic without the pope. So they called themselves Catholic and called us Roman Catholic. Roman Catholic is not necessarily pejorative today, but Romanist like papist certainly is, and no serious scholar would ever use it. *** Please Hit Subscribe! If you have received benefit from this or any of my other 5,000+ articles, please follow my blog by signing up (with your email address) on the sidebar to the right (you may have to scroll down a bit), above where there is an icon bar, Sign Me Up!: to receive notice when I post a new blog article. This is the equivalent of subscribing to a YouTube channel. My blog was rated #1 for Christian sites by leading AI tool, ChatGPT: endorsed by influential Protestant blogger Adrian Warnock. Actually, I partner with Kenny Burchard on the YouTube channel, Catholic Bible Highlights. Please subscribe there, too! Please also consider following me on Twitter / X and purchasing one or more of my 55 books. All of this helps me get more exposure, and (however little!) more income for my full-time apologetics work. Thanks so much and happy reading! *** Thank you for that response. Ive heard of that from a Roman Catholic somewhere about it originating from Anglicans and he too didnt take that lightly. Here in my country (a Catholic majority), though they use Catholic, they do not bear any animosity to being called one at all. In fact the full name of the Roman Church in Latin is Ecclesia Catholica Apostolica Romana if Im not mistaken in 1875, so it eventually grew to be an accepted term and many of my people use it in their birth certificates. Now, Im still fine with using Romanist since unlike the words you typed in, it has a historical basis. Just as we let you call us Protestants despite the fact that this wasnt even proposed by the Reformers but over time got stuck. The preferred names in the Protestant world are: a.) Evangelical, Christian (by Martin Luther, Evangelical Catholic (Lutheran) b.) Reformed (by John Calvin), Reformed Catholic (Calvinist and Anglican). (c.) Christian Catholic (Pentecostal, at least for us here, one of our designations). I do recall one time, I coined the term Crossers for Roman Catholics but I grew weary of the word and just stick to Roman Catholic, RC, Catholic and Romanist. Protestant is not objectionable among the vast majority of Protestants (hence I use it and am happy to use subtitles like Reformed etc., too), in the way that Romanist is objectionable to almost all Catholics. So it becomes a question of extending the courtesy of calling folks what they want to be called, which is basic ethics and human relations. Aye, thats because most folks do not know that the word was not proposed by the Reformers so they do not find it objectionable. Some who do, tend to mention it just so people in their congregations can be reminded that it was never always the case. Nevertheless, as Ive said it before, I dont always use the word Romanist. Its not a dogma for us to use it always because evidently there are other words to choose from. At least RCs like Mr. Joe Heschmeyer has learnt to use Popery(another derogatory term) even if its only part of his channels title. I can admire him for that. Just like me when people called me Kimpang a word in our language which means cripple (thats because I am, though it was derogatory, well, even today), I used to be deeply hurt and cry but over time I got to live with it. Id even learn to use it for a laugh before people could use it against me. Anyway, the whole point of the word Romanist is to highlight the differences between Protestant and Catholic beliefs. You should use Roman Catholic then, if you cant bring yourself to call folks like me Catholics. I already agreed that that isnt a pejorative like Romanist and papist. Its not about personal hurt; its about a standard ethical precept of calling people by their own preferred titles: not what someone else chooses for them. Rev. Jordan Cooper, e.g., uses Roman Catholic on his channel, probably I would guess because, as an academic, he knows that nobody in the world of scholarship uses Romanist and that its a pejorative. Hes a Lutheran and I call him a Lutheran, just as I call Reformed Christians that title, even though I think the Protestant Reformation wasnt a reform. :-) I usually dont use the latter term, however (though I did recently in a video of mine) because I believe its a misnomer (Protestant Revolt is the neutral and objective term), but thats not a person, so courtesy questions arent in play. I do see your point and for your satisfaction and everybody elses, Ill stop using Romanist. Im not that hard to be persuaded unless of course its concerning doctrines and some other things. However, I might do the liberty of asking some ten Catholics here whether or not theyre fine with being called Romanist. Starting with my three RC minister uncles. Nonetheless, you could say I have reformed on this part because I removed Romanist. -Semper Reformanda Thank you for your patience and God bless you. Great! Glad to hear it. I highly doubt that they would be enthralled with that, but even if they didnt care, it remains true that no one in academia uses it, because its 1) a pejorative, and 2) outdated and reflective of a tiny minority view among Protestantism: anti-Catholicism. It tends to be folks who dont think Catholicism is a species of Christianity (itself an absurd, indefensible position) who use it. Did you ever take your survey? If so, what happened? * It seems like every new laptop lately is a Windows Copilot+ PC. With Intels Lunar Lake and AMDs Ryzen AI 300 CPUs, AI-infused Copilot+ PCs have finally expanded into traditional x86 laptop territory. They arent limited to just Arm-powered laptops with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite hardware anymore. Thats good news for everyone. Along with speedy neural processing units (NPU) that are capable of at least 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS), Copilot+ PCs must have at least 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. If thats the new baseline for Windows PCs, thats awesome. It will benefit you even if you dont care about AI. So, your next laptop might just be a Copilot+ PC. But if you ask me, Copilot+ PCs still leave a lot to be desired. While those min specs are great, theres more to a great laptop experience than hardware. If Microsoft wants people to truly care about Copilot+ PCs, there are some serious improvements that need to happen sooner than later. Windows needs to integrate AI better Chris Hoffman / IDG Copilot+ PCs should feel more revolutionary than they currently do. At launch, we got a collection of small little features in apps like Paint and Photos, some webcam effects, and a few other goodies. Its just not a transformative AI experience the way those Copilot+ PC ads promised. When I hear about transformative AI integration in Windows, I imagine Windows rewriting text in any application, or summarizing anything thats on the screen, or noticing that Im performing a repetitive task and offering to automate it for me. What if Windows AI truly understood what you were doing on your PC and could help you get those things done? That would be interesting, but it isnt happening on Copilot+ PCs. Privacy and choice need to be a priority Microsofts Windows Recall feature was supposed to be the impressive new thing that sold everyone on the power of AI PCs, and it was the centerpiece of Microsofts original Copilot+ PC announcement back in May 2024. Recall takes screenshots of your PC activity every five seconds, then lets you search through it all using plain-language AI queries. Of course, it was immediately controversial. While Microsoft insisted it was private and secure, there was severe backlash over privacy concerns so severe, in fact, that the company backed down, pulled the feature, and promised to make changes to address criticism. As we reach the end of 2024, Recall continues to see delay after delay. For people to trust Copilot+ PCs, privacy, control, and user choice needs to be at the forefront. Recall was actually designed in a more private way than the controversy implied for example, those snapshots are stored entirely on your computer and nothing is ever shared with Microsoft. But concerns are still concerns, and its clear that Microsoft didnt take those concerns seriously when originally designing Recall. Future Copilot+ PC features need to be designed in a way that garners user trust from day one, without repeated delays while the company scrambles to rework features after the fact. Its just a bad look. Copilot needs to work offline (somehow) Chris Hoffman / IDG The name Copilot+ PC implies that youll be able to do more with Microsofts Copilot AI chatbot assistant on such PCs. Unfortunately, that isnt true at all. While these PCs do have a Copilot key on the keyboard, that key also exists on many non-Copilot+ PCs, too. You dont actually get any bonus Copilot features. Want Copilot AI features in Microsoft Word and other Office apps? You wont get it with a Copilot+ PC. Instead, you need to shell out for a Copilot Pro subscription. Not the clearest naming scheme! To deliver on the promise of the name, Microsoft should make Copilot work offline in some form, perhaps on Copilot+ PCs to provide speedy AI answers even without an internet connection and without sending any data to Microsoft, which would be a big boon for businesses that want to maintain control over internal data. Ideally, Copilot should still be able to access Microsofts cloud servers for more information when necessary. But all of this really just points to an even bigger problem: Copilot itself might need a big rethink. In my experience, the new Copilot is more focused on friendly chatter than real productivity. I dont want my laptop to be my friend I want it to be a productivity tool! AI image features need to work offline, too The generative image features on Copilot+ PCs are a little sad. For example, Cocreator in Paint can upgrade something you draw, and you can also generate images in Photos. But thats it? On a Copilot+ PC, these features use the systems NPU to perform AI image generation. But they require you sign in with a Microsoft account, and they send your generated image to Microsofts servers for safety checks before showing them to you. In other words, you have to be connected to the internet they dont work offline. Whats the point of using the systems NPU to do image generation locally if it doesnt work offline, requires a Microsoft account, and sends the image to Microsofts servers? You might as well just use cloud-based AI image solutions that do all the work on a cloud server somewhere. Image generation models need to catch up Chris Hoffman / IDG The argument for using cloud-based AI image tools is especially strong because the image generation models on Copilot+ PCs just arent great. Yes, they technically work but theyre far behind the latest AI image generation models you can find elsewhere. Cloud-powered models like OpenAIs DALL-E 3, which is used by Copilot and Microsoft Designer, generate much higher-quality images. Copilot+ PCs need to be more competitive with the latest cloud-powered AI image models that can be used on any device, even phones. Otherwise, whats the point? AI features should support NPUs and GPUs Gaming PCs are being left out of the Copilot+ PC push. Thats a shame because a powerful GPU isnt just for gaming its also the best way to run local AI models with the fastest possible performance. Indeed, while NPUs are getting all the hype, GPUs are still the fastest way to run many local AI applications that do the work on your own PC. NPUs are useful for AI tasks because they provide better performance than a CPU and less energy usage than a GPU. And with Copilot+ PCs being all about long battery life and power efficiency, its clear why NPUs are in the spotlight. But what about when battery life and power efficiency arent so important? GPUs are still the best for that, and that means gaming laptops shouldnt be overlooked for AI tasks. When designing Copilot+ PCs and Windows AI features, Microsoft has ignored GPUs if your computer doesnt have an NPU, it simply cant use those AI features. Thats a mistake. Desktop PCs and gaming laptops should also be Copilot+ PCs Copilot+ PCs are currently limited to thin-and-light laptops. Do you have a desktop? Too bad. It cant yet be a Copilot+ PC. Do you want a gaming laptop with a powerful CPU like Intels Raptor Lake refresh? Also too bad. That cant be a Copilot+ PC either. Qualcomms Snapdragon X Elite hardware is only for laptops, and the company canceled its planned Snapdragon mini PC. Intels Arrow Lake Core Ultra desktop chips include an NPU thats too slow for Copilot+ PC features, and AMDs Ryzen 9000 desktop CPUs dont have an NPU at all. Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm need to release processors for other form factors, not just the thin-and-light laptops that are in vogue. Of course, this will likely happen in time: Qualcomm has said it plans to release its Snapdragon X processors for PC desktops, and Intel and AMD will surely bring faster NPUs to desktops in the future, too. Apps need to use that Copilot runtime Microsofts Copilot+ PC specification isnt just about getting new AI features built into Windows. Its about establishing an entirely new type of app that requires AI-related hardware and a minimum hardware level for developers to target. When Microsoft first announced Copilot+ PCs, it also announced the Windows Copilot Runtime, which is a collection of AI models that are built directly into Windows. Windows applications can take advantage of these AI models but only if youre on a qualified Copilot+ PC. Some companies have told me about how their Windows applications can take advantage of NPUs for AI tasks, but Ive yet to hear about a single application that uses the Windows Copilot Runtime for AI. If the industry wants to sell Copilot+ PCs for their unique features, Windows app devs will need to ship apps that take advantage of that Copilot Runtime. Thats a tall order, though. Most AI applications are being built in a cross-platform way using cloud-based AI processing so they can run on any platform, whether a Windows PC or a Chromebook or an Android phone. Microsoft will have to convince app developers to build AI features that work only on a certain subset of Windows 11 PCs and without proper incentives, its unlikely for any to take them up on that. Bonus: The prices need to come down IDG One final but obvious point: Copilot+ PCs need to come down in price to achieve widespread adoption and they do need to achieve widespread adoption if app developers are going to take them seriously enough to develop specialized software for them. If Copilot+ PCs stay as high-end niche products used only by PC enthusiasts, then theyre going to be easy to ignore. They wont get the software they need to be interesting, and Microsoft wont be moved to release interesting Windows features that only a few can use. Right now, were nearing the end of 2024 and its still hard to get a Copilot+ PC for much less than $1,000. You may be able to save a couple hundred bucks if you catch a Qualcomm Snapdragon X laptop on sale, otherwise youre out of luck. Thats no surprise, though, as those laptops just came out (and Intel Lunar Lake and AMD Ryzen AI 300-powered laptops just started to trickle out at the end of 2024). Were going to need to see the price come way down in the future so that people will happily buy Copilot+ PCs instead of getting last years laptops at half the price. A premium pricing strategy is a good way for hardware manufacturers to make money on their hardware, but a bad way to build an application platform. Fortunately, weve seen some first moves on this, like Qualcomm talking about a cheaper Snapdragon X Plus chip thatll pave the way for $700 Copilot+ laptops. And, of course, if prices do drop, thatll be good for everyone. Whether the AI features are useful or not, I look forward to more affordable laptops with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage as the minimum! Convicted of murdering two elderly sisters in their Hampden Township home, Ronald Sperry Jr. has maintained his innocence for more than 40 years. At top, Ron in his Cumberland Valley High School Class of '79 picture, and below in his most recent Pennsylvania Dept. of Corrections mugshot.Photo Illustration Anyone following the story of Grace Kelley, the daughter of country music legend Wynonna Judd, knows she is going through some things. And that might be putting it mildly. Kelley, 28, was arrested twice earlier this year, and this week reports are that she was taken into custody a third time, back on Oct. 27, this time in Albemarle County, Virginia. PEOPLE Magazine reported that Kelley is facing seven charges, including three counts of felony grand larceny. The site said she was also charged with driving without a license, destruction of property with intent, failure to use headlights and setting in motion a vehicle with intent to commit a crime. Per PEOPLE, Kelley is accused of stealing a Charlottesville area churchs van. A GoFundMe launched by the church to help pay for a new van said that the vehicle was stolen from in front of our pastors homes by Grace Pauline Kelley. The van was damaged during the theft and after being inspect by a body shop, the insurance was determined to be a total loss, the post read. We want the community to know that on a personal level, we have forgiven Grace Kelley, the post added. Kent Hart, the churchs pastor, reportedly chased Kelley down when she was pulling out of his driveway in the van. Kelley has had some disturbing run-ins with the law this year. She was arrested in Georgia in August and charged with fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, driving with a suspended/revoked license and not using motorcycle equipment properly, per PEOPLE. She was also reportedly arrested in Alabama back in April and she was accused of exposing her breasts and lower body along a busy highway there. Pennsylvania collected $2.9 billion in General Fund revenue in November, which was $87.2 million, or 2.9 percent, less than anticipated, according to a Monday press release. Revenue Secretary Pat Browne reported that fiscal year-to-date General Fund collections total $16.4 billion, which is $9.9 million, or 0.1 percent, below estimate. Five months into this fiscal year, our revenue collections are right on estimate, which is a great place to be, Browne said in the release. Our goal is typically to be within 2 percent of our projections, so to date, we are in a very strong position for the coming fiscal year. Sales tax receipts totaled $1.2 billion for November, $13.8 million above estimate. Year-to-date sales tax collections total $6.1 billion, which is $25.8 million, or 0.4 percent, more than anticipated. Personal income tax (PIT) revenue in November was $1.1 billion, $41.2 million below estimate. This brings year-to-date PIT collections to $6.5 billion, which is $63.0 million, or 1.0 percent, below estimate. November corporation tax revenue of $185.0 million was $56 million below estimate. Year-to-date corporation tax collections total $1.7 billion, which is $69.5 million, or 4.0 percent, below estimate, the report said. Corporate Net Income Tax (CNIT) collections were $55.8 million below estimate in November. This shortfall is primarily due to smaller-than-expected tax year 2023 payments and could reflect a delayed reaction to the rate cut to 8.99% (from 9.99%) from Act 53 of 2022. Inheritance tax revenue for the month was $127.5 million, $6.7 million above estimate, bringing the year-to-date total to $710.6 million, which is $36.7 million, or 5.5 percent, above estimate. Realty transfer tax revenue was $59.3 million for November, $9.7 million above estimate, bringing the fiscal-year total to $235 million, which is $16.0 million, or 7.3 percent, more than anticipated. Other General Fund tax revenue, including cigarette, malt beverage, liquor and gaming taxes, totaled $156.0 million for the month, $0.7 million below estimate. This brings the year-to-date total to $679.9 million, which is $0.3 million, or 0.0 percent, above estimate. Non-tax revenue totaled $138.0 million for the month, $19.5 million below estimate, bringing the year-to-date total to $503.1 million, which is $43.8 million, or 9.5 percent, above estimate. In addition to the General Fund collections, the Motor License Fund received $273.4 million for the month, $10.0 million above estimate. Fiscal year-to-date collections for the fund which include the commonly known gas and diesel taxes, as well as other license, fine and fee revenues total $1.3 billion, which is $57.5 million, or 4.6 percent, above estimate. Its amazing to me that the Democratic party is still finger-pointing instead of doing a self-examination of their policies. Its obvious that their policies were way different than what the average American wants. People do not want to pay unreal prices for food, gas, heating oil, etc. They want to be safe in their homes, neighborhoods, and schools. They do not want people to keep pouring into our country without identification. They do not want boys in girls bath rooms, boys on girls teams, etc. They do not want to pay for transgender surgery for illegal aliens or inmates. Parents do not want to be excluded from sex-change surgery/discussions of their minor children. They do not want their tax money to pay more for illegal immigrants than for homeless veterans. These are just a few of what should be common sense issues of concern to the American people. And yet, the Democratic party seems to think they are in-touch with the people when they push these issues. They try to blame it on race, color, gender, and everything but the issues themselves. Scary. Larry McCarter, Harrisburg Costco is offering an unbelievable deal through Stack Social: a Costco 1-Year Gold Star Household Membership (that is a $65 value) PLUS $45 Digital Costco Shop Card. Costco may just be one of Americas favorite places to shop. Being able to go to one store and get just about anything, from luxury wine to appliances to outdoor playgrounds to books to clothing...the big box store has everything you could need. Gold Membership Get $45 Digital Costco Shop Card with annual membership purchase (reducing membership cost to $25) Executive Gold Star Membership Get $45 Digital Costco Shop Card with annual membership purchase (reducing membership cost to $85) What does this deal include? A Gold Star Membership includes a Household Card and allows you to purchase products for your home and family. Its also valid for one year at any Costco location worldwide and at Costco.com. With the Gold Star membership program, you unlock perks like online and in-store shopping, gas savings and the warehouse retailers 100% satisfaction guarantee. Plus you score the $45 Digital Costco shop card that gets you additional savings. Want to upgrade to an Executive Gold Star Membership? This will include a $45 Digital Costco shop card. Executive Membership is Costcos highest level of membership. Members earn an annual 2% Reward (up to $1,000) on qualified Costco, Costco.com, and Costco Travel purchases, as well as greater discounts on Costco Services, such as lower prices on check printing and free roadside assistance for vehicles covered through the auto insurance program. Ashley Dill covers the online shopping industry, writing about commerce. She can be reached at adill@pennlive.com. The Better Business Bureau in British Columbia is warning Taylor Swift fans of fake ticket scams ahead of the superstar's Vancouver concerts after one case saw $2,000 being stolen online. Fans react during the opening of Taylor Swift's performance during the opening show of the Toronto dates for The Eras Tour, on Thursday, Nov.14, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young GREENVILLE The way Bryan Boroughs sees it, moms and babies are alive today because of the Riley Institute's critical support for nonprofit organizations. The 20-person, multifaceted institute is part of Furman University. Organizations such as Hello Family in Spartanburg use Riley-generated analysis to secure ongoing financial support for their work connecting impoverished mothers with medical care, mental health services and guidance on early education and preschools. "We're a group of about 20 brilliant folks trying to make the world a little bit better, with an emphasis and expertise in public education and public leadership," said Boroughs, the new executive director of the Riley Institute. He takes over as the organization's founding leader of 25 years, Don Gordon, steps away to focus on fundraising. Gordon, 81, hopes to raise $5 million for the Riley Institute's next 25 years. "I seem to be working harder now," Gordon said on a call from Mount Pleasant, where he shares a home with his wife, retired Winthrop sociology professor April Gordon. The Riley Institute's 40-plus programs are unified under a vision of "inclusive public education" from the institute's namesake, Furman grad and former U.S. Secretary of Education Dick Riley. In addition to its data and consulting work, the institute draws widespread, bipartisan support for its research on effective public schools, diversity training to strengthen organizations, and a year-round calendar of events and awards that celebrate strong leadership and beg discussion on the toughest issues facing Americans today. "It's one of those circumstances where you're leading a team that is all smarter than you and is all able to do their respective jobs better than you can," Boroughs said. "A lot of my job is not messing that up." ANDERSON A prominent Anderson County School Board member and longtime educator resigned from his leadership role after authorities said he sexually assaulted a young child several decades ago. Gary Burgess, 67, was arrested Nov. 27 on two charges of sexually assaulting a minor after a recent report to Spartanburg County sheriff's deputies led them to believe the vice chair of the Anderson County Board of Education had assaulted a child twice in 1976, according to arrest warrants. Burgess was 18 at the time and the child was 11 years old, arrest warrants state. On Dec. 2, Burgess resigned from his role as vice chair on the Anderson County School Board, according to board Administrator Susan Binninger. Burgess has not relinquished his spot on the board, she said. Binninger said Burgess provided additional details to the board about why he resigned as vice chair, but he declined to say more. A former superintendent of Pendleton-area Anderson County School District 4 and former principal at Pendleton High School, Burgess told The Post and Courier in an email Dec. 2 he resigned because vice chair is an "executive position." "The charges are manufactured," Burgess told the newspaper, deferring to his attorney for additional comment. In a statement to WYFF4, Burgess denied the allegations and said the accuser is a "distant family member" with whom he has had "no social interaction." State records show Burgess' teaching certifications were still active as of Dec. 2. Burgess is also a pastor at the Universal Body of Christ Church in Inman, south of Spartanburg. Church officials could not be reached Dec. 2. Burgess is still listed on the church's website. The longtime educator has faced past legal troubles. MYRTLE BEACH Fearful the city is losing millions in tourism revenue, Myrtle Beach leaders could permanently prohibit some property owners from converting their hotel rooms into apartments. Myrtle Beach City Council temporarily stopped property owners from switching short-term rentals to long-term rentals for all property east of Kings Highway in April. The ban meant owners could not get a new business license to rent units for more than 90 days at a time. Now the ban could become permanent. City Council is scheduled to discuss short-term rental regulations on Dec. 3 and vote on a new policy. The underlying premise for the moratorium is that we need to protect our tourism industry, Assistant City Manager Brian Tucker said. "Logically, the fewer hotel rooms you have, the fewer people you have coming So, our entire economy is built around having a certain number of people here to vacation and visit and have fun. When we don't have the hotel rooms to support those people, the private businesses are impacted. The private businesses are impacted exponentially more than the public revenue loss." Tucker said its impossible to put a figure on private business losses but it could be 20 to 50 times more than what the city loses from those conversions. The public revenue loss is $7.6 million in taxes and fees if 821 rooms switch from hotel rooms to apartments, according to a study commissioned by the city. That study, conducted by Arnett Muldrow & Associates and released in October, found that 48 jobs would be lost if those rooms stopped being short-term rentals. The city's Planning Commission recently recommended additional changes to Myrtle Beach's short-term rental rules, including prohibiting any short-term rental building with more than two units from being converted to a long-term rental. South Carolina shrimpers will begin to feel some relief from the pressures of cheap, imported frozen shrimp. The U.S. International Trade Commission and the Department of Commerce will impose added taxes on the seafood product that's flooded the market in recent years. For shrimpers, it's a welcome reprieve from the years of price gouging that's run many fishermen out of business. For consumers, it can mean higher prices on the frozen warmwater shrimp commonly found at grocery stores like Walmart and Costco. The influx of imported frozen shrimp and unfair trade practices have injured the domestic shrimping industry, the United States International Trade Commission ruled in November. The determination comes after a months-long investigation into the impact frozen warmwater shrimp from Indonesia, Ecuador, India and Vietnam has had on the U.S.-based shrimpers and fishermen, contributing to plummeting profits and a shrinking fleet. All USITC commissioners voted that U.S. shrimpers have been materially injured by the imports of frozen warmwater shrimp, which are being sold at less than fair value. The determination will allow the U.S. Department of Commerce to issue countervailing duty orders, or added taxes, on the frozen shrimp coming from Ecuador, India and Vietnam. These imports are being subsidized by their governments and are sold for much less in the U.S. than wild-caught domestic shrimp. These taxes on the imported shrimp are meant to counteract the subsidies received from foreign governments, USITC spokesperson Laura Bloodgood said. The Department of Commerce will also issue an antidumping order, another tax, on imports of frozen shrimp from Indonesia, which are being sold in the U.S. at less than fair value. Abby Ann Ramsey covers Florence and the Pee Dee for The Post and Courier. She graduated from the University of Tennessee in her hometown of Knoxville before moving to South Carolina. News / National by Staff reporter The 2025 national budget has earmarked a total of ZiG711 million for key priority projects in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, covering infrastructure, healthcare, housing, and cultural heritage development.Two significant projects include the construction of magistrate courts in Cowdray Park and Emganwini: Emganwini Magistrate Court: A two-storey building featuring 14 offices at a cost of ZiG1.65 million. Cowdray Park Magistrate Court: A three-storey facility with 20 offices at an estimated cost of ZiG1.5 million.The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) is set to establish a stronger presence in Bulawayo by acquiring an office block valued at ZiG4.62 million.Major investments are planned for the city's health sector: Ingutsheni Central Hospital: Rehabilitation works, expansion of the laundry facility, installation of new equipment, and upgrades to the electrical, kitchen, and laundry systems. Mpilo Central Hospital: Procurement and installation of laundry equipment worth ZiG70 million, alongside renovation and construction of staff houses, as well as upgrades to the maternity wing.The Dr. J.N. Nkomo Museum will receive ZiG6 million for the memorialization of the liberation icon, enhancing its status as a significant cultural and historical site.The Imbizo Housing Project for non-commissioned members of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) will deliver 4,800 housing units, addressing a critical accommodation need.These projects reflect the government's continued efforts to enhance infrastructure, improve service delivery, and preserve cultural heritage in Bulawayo. With this investment, the city is poised for significant growth and better living conditions for its residents. News / National by Staff reporter A 41-year-old man from Burnside, Bulawayo, was found hanging in his garage on Sunday, following a heated altercation with his wife over allegations of infidelity.David Mujuru was discovered by his nephew, who had gone to unlock the garage to retrieve his grandmother's car. Mujuru's mother, 71-year-old Beauty Mutswangwa, alerted the police after encountering the distressing scene.Bulawayo Deputy Provincial Police Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, confirmed the incident, stating that Mujuru's actions followed allegations that his wife, Sibonginkosi Moyo, had been unfaithful. Mujuru had recently survived a car accident, which he claimed was the result of a curse from his wife and her alleged lover.Mujuru left a handwritten note in IsiNdebele, accusing his wife and her alleged lover of seeking to harm him through witchcraft. The note read:"Enjoy life with Brian's father, as both of you visited a traditional healer to bewitch me, hoping I would die in a car accident so you could enjoy life together But soon, you will be following me to the grave."When police arrived at the scene, Mujuru was found hanging from a garage beam with a white electric cable around his neck, though his feet were still touching the ground. He was wearing multiple layers of clothing, including a woollen hat, track pants, and sandals. Items found on him included a Vivo cellphone, cigarettes, and paracetamol pills.Mujuru had been wanted by police for physically assaulting and strangling his wife during the dispute over the infidelity accusations. Moyo, who sustained injuries in the assault, is receiving treatment at United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH).Assistant Inspector Msebele expressed concern over the rising cases of suicide in Bulawayo, with 21 recorded between June and October, 20 of which involved male victims. She urged men to seek counselling and support rather than resorting to self-harm."Taking one's life is not a solution. Men need to consider the impact on their families, especially children who are left orphaned. We encourage seeking help to deal with life's challenges," said Ass Insp Msebele.Mujuru's body has been taken to UBH for a post-mortem as investigations continue. Authorities are emphasizing the need for mental health awareness and preventive measures to address the increasing suicide rates in the region. SOUTHAMPTON, England, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cunard has reported record-breaking bookings in 2024, following an exceptional year and the launch of its highly anticipated ship, Queen Anne. From 1 January to 31 October this year, Cunard recorded an impressive 73,000 additional guest reservations compared to the same period in 2023, representing a 23% year-on-year increase. This performance marks the highest number of guests booked between 1 January and 31 October than in any equivalent period on record. Both the UK and North American markets contributed significantly to this success, with a 24% increase in guests booking from the UK and 29% more from North America compared to 2023. The arrival of Cunard's newest ship, Queen Anne, in May has been a key factor in this growth alongside the launch of three new cruise programmes in 2024. Winter 2026 and summer 2026 itineraries were introduced in March, followed by the winter 2027 programme in October, further driving demand. As an iconic British brand, Cunard's global appeal continues to grow, with more than half of bookings between 1 January and 31 October now originating from outside the UK. International markets have shown particularly strong interest, with targeted marketing campaigns in these regions driving a 22% increase in international guest bookings over the past year. In addition to international growth, Cunard continues to attract both new and returning travellers. From 1 January to 31 October 2024, the brand saw a 49% rise in first-time guests choosing to sail with Cunard compared to the same period in 2023. Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, said: "As we look ahead to 2025, we are proud to report record-breaking bookings that demonstrate the continued strength of Cunard's commercial performance. As an iconic British brand with growing international appeal, Cunard continues to attract travellers from across the globe who are drawn to the timeless elegance and modern luxury we provide. The launch of Queen Anne has been a key driver of this success, increasing our capacity and capturing the imagination of both loyal and first-time guests. These results are a testament to the hard work of our teams and partners worldwide, who ensure Cunard remains at the forefront of luxury travel." For more information about Cunard, or to book a voyage, visit www.cunard.com. Notes to Editors Social Media Facebook: www.facebook.com/cunard Twitter: www.twitter.com/cunardline YouTube: www.youtube.com/wearecunard Instagram: www.instagram.com/cunardline ABOUT CUNARD: Cunard is a luxury British cruise line, renowned for creating unforgettable experiences around the world. Cunard has been a leading operator of passenger ships since 1840, and this year celebrates an incredible 185 years of operation. 2025 is a momentous year in Cunard's history, which will be marked with several iconic land-based events and special Event Voyages. The Cunard experience is built on fine dining, hand-selected entertainment, and outstanding White Star service. From a partnership with a two-Michelin starred chef, to inspiring guest speakers, to world class theatre productions, every detail has been meticulously crafted to make the experience unforgettable. A pioneer in transatlantic journeys and round world voyages, destinations sailed to also include Europe, the Caribbean, Alaska, the Far East and Australia. There are currently four Cunard ships, Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and new ship, Queen Anne, which entered service in May 2024. This investment is part of the company's ambitious plans for the future of Cunard globally, with the brand now boasting four ships in simultaneous service for the first time since 1999. Cunard is based at Carnival House in Southampton and has been owned since 1998 by Carnival Corporation & plc. www.cunard.com (NYSE: CCL) (LSE: CCL) (NYSE: CUK). Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2435559/4755505/Cunard_Logo.jpg Inspired by Nature, This Calming Color Complements Classic Decor PITTSBURGH, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 4moms , the makers of innovative baby gear, today introduced the 4moms Birch Collection a brand-new muted tone that is now available on the MamaRoo Baby Swing and Breeze Plus Playard. Birch is the natural choice for parents who are looking for classic and calming colors to complement their home. Starting today, 4moms customers can purchase the new collection exclusively at 4moms.com, Babylist, Amazon, Target and specialty retailers. The Birch Collection includes: 4moms Breeze Plus Playard and MamaRoo Multi-Motion Baby Swing in Birch 4moms MamaRoo Baby Swing The multi-motion baby swing that more than 2 million consumers have come to know and love. Inspired by parents and caregivers, the MamaRoo's motions mimic parents' natural rhythms and movements. SRP: $269.99. 4moms Breeze Plus Playard With its "one push open, one pull close" functionality, this thoughtfully designed combination playard, bassinet, and flip changer is the ultimate in flexibility when it comes to baby care. SRP: $299.99. "The 4moms Birch Collection is available on the same must-have MamaRoo Baby Swing and Breeze Plus Playard that millions of consumers have come to know and love, but now in a classic and calming natural tone that will complement anyone's home," explains Gary Waters, 4moms CEO. About 4moms 4moms has transformed the baby gear industry by leveraging technology and user-centered design to create dramatically better products, like the 4moms MamaRoo Multi-Motion Baby Swing that replicates the bouncing and swaying motions parents make when comforting their babies, the 4moms Breeze Playard that opens or closes in one simple step, the 4moms MamaRoo Sleep Bassinet, which uses unique motions to help baby fall asleep and stay asleep longer, and the 4moms Connect High Chair, which uses magnetic technology to make mealtime easier. The company, founded in 2005 and based in Pittsburgh, Penn, currently sells its products at Amazon , Best Buy , Target , Walmart , select specialty retailers, 4moms.com and 58 countries across the world. Keep up with all things 4moms by following us on Instagram , Facebook , X , TikTok , and Pinterest . SOURCE 4moms News / National by Staff reporter Namibian opposition party, Affirmative Repositioning (AR), has accused Zimbabwe's ruling party, Zanu-PF, of meddling in the country's recent elections, alleging that the party leveraged its alliance with the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) to influence the electoral process.AR leader Job Amupanda, speaking at a press conference on Monday, warned that Zanu-PF's involvement could have long-term repercussions for SWAPO, Namibia's ruling party.Amupanda claimed Zanu-PF is taking sides within SWAPO's internal factions and could destabilize the ruling party in the long term."Zanu-PF will side with one faction of the ruling party and will create a lot of chaos. The factions are already visible. It's easier to enjoy the funny things happening now, but it will backfire," said Amupanda.Amupanda also pointed to Zanu-PF supporters celebrating SWAPO candidate Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah's premature victory over the weekend, even before the official election results were announced by Namibia's electoral commission.The AR leader expressed concern over Zanu-PF's alleged infiltration into Namibia's systems."Zanu-PF is going to integrate itself into our intelligence, civil society, and all facets of our society. When the factions within SWAPO escalate and the party loses power, Zanu-PF will simply align with the nearest available political party," Amupanda said.Zanu-PF's involvement in regional affairs has previously sparked controversy. Allegations have surfaced of Zanu-PF members voting in Mozambique's elections, raising concerns about the party's influence in Southern Africa.The controversy escalated over the weekend when George Charamba, the spokesperson for Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, prematurely celebrated Nandi Ndaitwah's apparent victory. This drew criticism from Amupanda, who suggested that Zanu-PF was more vocal about SWAPO's success than SWAPO members themselves."You can't have Zanu-PF people on social media celebrating SWAPO's victory while SWAPO members remain silent," Amupanda said.Amupanda warned SWAPO of the potential dangers of aligning too closely with Zanu-PF."One day, SWAPO will remember this warning. You might think you have a strategy to rig elections with Zanu-PF's help, but in the long run, this will be damaging. Zanu-PF's interference will be felt deeply when the consequences unfold," he cautioned.The allegations highlight growing concerns over Zanu-PF's role in regional politics, raising questions about the broader implications for political stability and democratic processes in Southern Africa. Agreement demonstrates the expanding leadership of Accord BioPharma and Intas in the biosimilar market RALEIGH, N.C., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Accord BioPharma, Inc., the U.S. specialty division of Intas Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. ("Intas Pharmaceuticals"), focused on the development of oncology, immunology and critical care therapies, announced today that Intas Pharmaceuticals has signed an agreement to acquire the UDENYCA (pegfilgrastim-cbqv) business from Coherus BioSciences, Inc. ("Coherus"). UDENYCA is a pegfilgrastim biosimilar to Neulasta and is typically administered the day after chemotherapy to decrease the incidence of infection as caused by febrile neutropenia. During the 2023 fiscal year, sales of UDENYCA totaled $127.1 million. When final, the acquisition will expand Accord BioPharma's product portfolio and is expected to position the company for accelerated growth in the biosimilar industry. UDENYCA is the only pegfilgrastim biosimilar approved in the United States currently available in three administration options prefilled syringe (PFS), autoinjector (AI) and on-body injector (OBI) providing patients and healthcare providers with choice, control and convenience. Since its launch in 2019, over 300,000 patients have been treated with UDENYCA. "By adding UDENYCA to our growing portfolio of biosimilars, we will strengthen our business footprint in the U.S." said Chrys Kokino, U.S. President of Accord. "With an expanding presence in the market, we can fuel the internal innovation and external expansion needed to deliver more accessible treatment options to patients." "In considering our strategic pathways to achieve future growth, acquiring the UDENYCA business in the U.S. is appealing for two reasons: the product's impressive sales and uptake, and its range of administration options that give patients an opportunity to align their needs with a treatment plan," said Binish Chudgar, Executive Chairman and Managing Director of Intas Pharmaceuticals. "Having an on-body injector within our portfolio will allow us to provide immune supportive care to patients in a variety of settings, including at home, a benefit to patients who live far away from their care center." The sale is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025. As part of the acquisition, Accord BioPharma will be excited to welcome employees from Coherus to their team to help inform and expand work around UDENYCA. INDICATION UDENYCA is a leukocyte growth factor indicated to: Decrease the incidence of infection, as manifested by febrile neutropenia, in patients with non-myeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anti-cancer drugs associated with a clinically significant incidence of febrile neutropenia. Increase survival in patients acutely exposed to myelosuppressive doses of radiation (Hematopoietic Subsyndrome of Acute Radiation Syndrome). Limitations of Use: UDENYCA is not indicated for the mobilization of peripheral blood progenitor cells for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION CONTRAINDICATIONS: Patients with a history of serious allergic reactions to pegfilgrastim products or filgrastim products. Reactions have included anaphylaxis. WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS: Fatal splenic rupture: Evaluate patients who report left upper abdominal or shoulder pain for an enlarged spleen or splenic rupture. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): Evaluate patients who develop fever, lung infiltrates, or respiratory distress. Discontinue UDENYCA in patients with ARDS. in patients with ARDS. Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis: The majority of reported events occurred upon initial exposure. Allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, can recur within days after the discontinuation of initial anti-allergic treatment. Permanently discontinue UDENYCA in patients with serious allergic reactions. in patients with serious allergic reactions. Allergies to Acrylics: The on-body injector (OBI) for UDENYCA uses acrylic adhesive. For patients who have reactions to acrylic adhesives, use of this product may result in a significant reaction. Sickle cell crises: Severe and sometimes fatal crises have occurred. Discontinue UDENYCA if sickle cell crisis occurs. if sickle cell crisis occurs. Glomerulonephritis: The diagnoses were based upon azotemia, hematuria (microscopic and macroscopic), proteinuria, and renal biopsy. Generally, events resolved after dose reduction or discontinuation. Evaluate and consider dose-reduction or interruption of UDENYCA if causality is likely. if causality is likely. Leukocytosis: White blood cell (WBC) counts of 100 x 109/L or greater have been observed in patients receiving pegfilgrastim products. Monitoring of complete blood count (CBC) during UDENYCA therapy is recommended. therapy is recommended. Thrombocytopenia: Thrombocytopenia has been reported in patients receiving pegfilgrastim. Monitor platelet counts. Capillary Leak Syndrome: Has been reported after G-CSF administration, including pegfilgrastim products, and is characterized by hypotension, hypoalbuminemia, edema, and hemoconcentration. Episodes vary in frequency, severity and may be life-threatening if treatment is delayed. If symptoms develop, closely monitor and give standard symptomatic treatment, which may include a need for intensive care. Potential for Tumor Growth Stimulatory Effects on Malignant Cells: The possibility that pegfilgrastim products act as a growth factor for any tumor type, including myeloid malignancies and myelodysplasia, diseases for which pegfilgrastim products are not approved, cannot be excluded. Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in Patients with Breast and Lung Cancer: MDS and AML have been associated with the use of pegfilgrastim in conjunction with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy in patients with breast and lung cancer. Monitor patients for sign and symptoms of MDS/AML in these settings. Potential Device failures: Missed or partial doses have been reported for products administered via on-body injectors due to the device not performing as intended. In the event of a missed or partial dose, patients may be at increased risk of events such as neutropenia, febrile neutropenia and/or infection than if the dose had been correctly delivered. Instruct patients using the OBI to notify their healthcare professional immediately to determine the need for a replacement dose of UDENYCA if they suspect that the device may not have performed as intended. Aortitis: Has been reported in patients receiving pegfilgrastim products, occurring as early as the first week after start of therapy. Manifestations may include generalized signs and symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, malaise, back pain, and increased inflammatory markers (e.g., c-reactive protein and white blood cell count). Consider aortitis when signs and symptoms develop without known etiology. Discontinue UDENYCA if aortitis is suspected. if aortitis is suspected. Nuclear Imaging: Increased hematopoietic activity of the bone marrow in response to growth factor therapy has been associated with transient positive bone imaging changes. Consider when interpreting bone imaging results. ADVERSE REACTIONS: Most common adverse reactions ( 5% difference in incidence compared to placebo) are bone pain and pain in extremity. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Coherus BioSciences at 1-800-4-UDENYCA (1-800-483-3692) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. Full Prescribing Information, including instructions for use, are available at www.UDENYCA.com. About Intas Pharmaceuticals Intas Pharmaceuticals is a pioneer in biosimilars, having developed and launched one of the highest numbers of indigenous biosimilars in India. Intas Pharmaceuticals has a rich history of making quality biosimilars accessible to the masses. Being the most affordable treatment option, Intas' products like Neukine (filgrastim), Pegasta (Pegfilgrastim), Mabtas (rituximab), Razumab (ranibizumab) and Bevatas (bevacizumab) have transformed the management of their respective therapies. Eleftha is the latest testament to Intas' Biosimilar for Billions philosophy, fulfilling its commitment to provide quality cancer care to the masses. Intas' biosimilars are manufactured at Intas Pharmaceuticals' state of the art European Union- Good Manufacturing Practices (EU-GMP) certified biotechnology plant located near Ahmedabad, Gujarat. For more information, visit us at www.intaspharma.com. About Accord BioPharma Accord BioPharma, Inc., the U.S. specialty division of Intas Pharmaceuticals, seeks to provide affordable, accessible, patient-centric therapies in oncology, immunology, and critical care. With a focus on improving the patient experience, Accord BioPharma goes beyond the biology of medicine to see disease from the patients' perspective and develop high-quality therapies that impact patients' lives. Accord BioPharma believes in the ability of biosimilars to increase access to a number of biologic medicines, that in the past may not have been considered for patients due to their high costs. Accord BioPharma looks forward to providing one of the deepest biosimilar portfolios in the industry. For more information, visit AccordBioPharma.com. About Coherus BioSciences Coherus BioSciences, Inc. is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the research, development and commercialization of innovative immunotherapies to treat cancer. Coherus is developing an innovative immuno-oncology pipeline that is expected to be synergistic with its proven commercial capabilities in oncology. References: UDENYCA Prescribing Information. Coherus BioSciences; December 2023. Accord BioPharma. Data on file. UDENYCA is a registered trademark of Coherus BioSciences, Inc. Neulasta is a registered trademark of Amgen Inc. Contact: abipr@accord-healthcare.com SOURCE Accord BioPharma This year, ACE employees attended the Autism Speaks Field Day for All events in San Antonio and Austin. These events brought together individuals of all ages, fostering a strong sense of community and inclusion. The day was carefully planned and packed with a wide range of activities tailored to meet the various needs of individuals on the autism spectrum. "Autism Speaks is so grateful to ACE Cash Express for their continued support through the Give A Little Campaign," said Kaitlin Bracken, Central TX and Gulf Coast Area Executive Director for Autism Speaks. "These funds help Autism Speaks to remain dedicated to promoting solutions for the needs of individuals with autism and their families through advocacy, support, and research into the causes and better interventions. Thanks to generous donors, Autism Speaks can provide resources for families, help create inclusive workplaces, and fund innovative programs that improve quality of life for individuals on the spectrum. Every dollar raised drives impactful change for the autism community." Autism Speaks is advancing life-enhancing breakthroughs in autism care, providing free personalized support, increasing childhood screening and intervention resources, and working to create a more accepting, understanding, and inclusive world for a broad and diverse community. "Both employees and customers of the South Texas Region have generously supported Autism Speaks during our Give A Little Campaign," said Irma Alvarado, Regional Human Resources Manager. "Many employees, including myself, have family members or someone they know who is on the autism spectrum. This drives our passion to raise awareness and community support." Nationally, the 2024 Give A Little Campaign raised more than $193,000 for charities across the country including AdoptAClassroom.org, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, Autism Speaks, and Feed My Starving Children. This fundraiser is part of the ACE Community Fund, ACE's charitable-giving program, which has donated more than $18 million since its inception in 2004 to organizations in communities where ACE operates. About Populus Financial Group Populus Financial Group provides financial services through its family of brands including ACE Cash Express, ACE Elite Visa Prepaid Debit Card, Flare Account and Porte. Populus Financial Group delivers a broad range of financial products and services including short-term consumer loans, card services, check cashing, money transfers, bill payments and money orders. Visit PopulusFinancial.com for more information. About Autism Speaks Autism Speaks is enhancing lives today and accelerating a spectrum of solutions for tomorrow. Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. They are dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. To learn more about autism or Autism Speaks please visit their website www.autismspeaks.org SOURCE Populus Financial Group, Inc. NEW YORK, Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with the AI impact on market trends - The global active pharmaceutical ingredients market size is estimated to grow by USD 86.47 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 6.73% during the forecast period. Evolving api manufacturing scenario in developing scenario is driving market growth, with a trend towards paradigm shift in api manufacturing. However, high investment cost and concern of huge loss poses a challenge. Key market players include AbbVie Inc., Amneal Pharmaceuticals Inc., Apotex Inc., Aurobindo Pharma Ltd., Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Cambrex Corp., Cipla Ltd., Dr Reddys Laboratories Ltd., GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Indena S.p.A., INTERNATIONAL CHEMICAL INVESTORS S.E., Koninklijke DSM NV, Lupin Ltd., Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc., Sanofi SA, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., and Viatris Inc.. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market 2024-2028 Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.73% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 86.47 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 6.24 Regional analysis Asia, North America, Europe, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution Asia at 52% Key countries US, Germany, China, India, and Japan Key companies profiled AbbVie Inc., Amneal Pharmaceuticals Inc., Apotex Inc., Aurobindo Pharma Ltd., Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Cambrex Corp., Cipla Ltd., Dr Reddys Laboratories Ltd., GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Indena S.p.A., INTERNATIONAL CHEMICAL INVESTORS S.E., Koninklijke DSM NV, Lupin Ltd., Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc., Sanofi SA, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., and Viatris Inc. Market Driver Pharmaceutical companies have historically relied on in-house capabilities for API discovery, development, and manufacturing. However, the last few decades have seen a shift towards outsourcing these processes to Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) or other drug manufacturing entities. Initially, this was driven by necessity, but it has since evolved into an effective collaboration model. The value chain for APIs has expanded from early-stage intermediates to advanced intermediates and final dosage forms. The decision to outsource an API depends on industry trends, cost of new technologies, and internal capacity. Small organizations particularly benefit from outsourcing due to cost savings and time efficiencies. Outsourcing enables companies to meet aggressive development timelines and capitalize on supply chain efficiencies, contributing to the growth of the active pharmaceutical ingredients market. The outsourcing trend is expected to continue as companies focus on reducing time to market and increasing innovation. The Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) market is experiencing significant trends in various sectors. In formulation development, excipients play a crucial role, with companies like Chasse-sur-Rhone and NovasepPharmaZell Group leading the way. Teva Pharmaceutical and MEDinCell are making strides in Schizophrenia and chronic diseases research. Counterfeit drugs pose a threat, driving the need for increased investment in research and development. Infectious diseases, genetic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic disorders continue to be major focus areas. Biologics and biosimilars are on the rise, with CuraTeQ Biologics, Mendus AB, GenScript ProBio, and GeneCraft leading the charge. Key APIs include Acetaminophen, Artemisinin, Saxagliptin, Sodium Chloride, Ibuprofen, Losartan Potassium, Enoxaparin Sodium, Rufinamide, Naproxen, and Tamoxifen. Prescription drugs in Cardiology, CNS Neurology, and Oncology are over-clinical, with large molecule and small molecule APIs in high demand. Captive and merchant API manufacturers like Eurofins play essential roles in supplying these essential ingredients. Key APIs include Acetaminophen, Artemisinin, Saxagliptin, Sodium Chloride, Ibuprofen, Losartan Potassium, Enoxaparin Sodium, Rufinamide, Naproxen, and Tamoxifen. The market for prescription drugs in Cardiology, CNS Neurology, and Oncology remains over-clinical, with large molecule and small molecule APIs in high demand. Captive and merchant API manufacturers like Eurofins play essential roles in supplying these essential ingredients. Some of the major APIs in focus are Acetaminophen, Artemisinin, Saxagliptin, Sodium Chloride, Ibuprofen, Losartan Potassium, Enoxaparin Sodium, Rufinamide, Naproxen, and Tamoxifen. The market for prescription drugs in Cardiology, CNS Neurology, and Oncology remains over-clinical, with large molecule and small molecule APIs in high demand. Captive and merchant API manufacturers like Eurofins play essential roles in supplying these essential ingredients. In the API market, trends include a focus on excipients, biologics and biosimilars, and a continued emphasis on research and development to combat counterfeit drugs and address the needs of chronic diseases such as Schizophrenia, infectious diseases, genetic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic disorders. Key APIs include Acetaminophen, Artemisinin, Saxagliptin, Sodium Chloride, Ibuprofen, Losartan Potassium, Enoxaparin Sodium, Rufinamide, Naproxen, and Tamoxifen, with applications in prescription drugs for Cardiology, CNS Neurology, and Oncology. Captive and merchant API manufacturers like Eurofins play essential roles in supplying these ingredients. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges The Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) market faces significant challenges in various therapeutic areas. In oncology, biosimilars are disrupting the market, leading to price pressure and increased competition. Cancer research continues to drive demand for APIs in oncology drugs. Diabetes is another major therapeutic area, with APIs for insulins and oral medications in high demand. CuraTeQ Biologics, Mendus AB, GenScript ProBio, GeneCraft, NovasepPharmaZell Group, Eurofins, and others are key players in the market. Small molecule APIs like Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Losartan Potassium, and Naproxen continue to dominate, but large molecule APIs for Prescription Drugs in Cardiology, CNS Neurology, Oncology, Orthopedic, Endocrinology, Pulmonology, Nephrology, Ophthalmology, and other therapeutic applications are gaining popularity. Captive API Manufacturers and Merchant API Manufacturers must navigate these challenges to meet the demand for APIs in a competitive and evolving market. Some notable APIs include Artemisinin for Malaria treatment, Saxagliptin for Diabetes, Sodium Chloride for various applications, Enoxaparin Sodium for Anticoagulation, Rufinamide for Epilepsy, and Tamoxifen for Breast Cancer. Over clinical trials and regulatory approvals are crucial for bringing new APIs to market. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This active pharmaceutical ingredients market report extensively covers market segmentation by Manufacturing Type 1.1 Captive APIs 1.2 Contract APIs Type 2.1 Innovative APIs 2.2 Generic APIs Geography 3.1 Asia 3.2 North America 3.3 Europe 3.4 Rest of World (ROW) 1.1 Captive APIs- The captive API manufacturing segment holds the largest share in the global Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) market due to the increasing development of biopharmaceutical products and the emphasis on quality control. The healthcare industry's focus on affordable healthcare services has driven the demand for low-cost APIs, leading some innovators to outsource to Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs). However, the expiry of patents on blockbuster drugs has slowed down the growth of the API market for these drugs. In contrast, the API market for generic drugs is booming due to the increasing production capacity. The development of biopharmaceutical products requires significant investment and the risk of financial loss due to small variations in APIs, making in-house capabilities essential for innovators. Regulatory authorities' emphasis on quality control further increases the dependency on in-house API manufacturing. Major pharmaceutical companies, such as Pfizer, Novartis, Sanofi, and GlaxoSmithKline Plc, are investing in in-house API capabilities to drive the growth of the captive API segment and expand the global API market. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis The Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) market encompasses the production and supply of Excipients, the non-active components used in pharmaceutical formulations, and the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients themselves. These substances play a crucial role in the therapeutic effect of medicines. The market caters to various therapeutic areas such as Chasse-sur-Rhone for Schizophrenia, Chronic diseases, Infectious diseases, Genetic disorders, Cardiovascular diseases, and Chronic disorders. The market is driven by research and investment in Biologics, Biosimilars, Cancer, Oncology drug research, Diabetes, Small Molecule, and Large Molecule APIs. The market also addresses the challenge of Counterfeit drugs, ensuring the production of high-quality APIs. Notable sub-segments include Captive API Manufacturer and Merchant API Manufacturer. Examples of APIs include Acetaminophen, Artemisinin, and many others used in treating diverse medical conditions. Market Research Overview The Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) market encompasses the production and supply of Excipients, the non-active components used in pharmaceutical formulations, and APIs, the essential substances that provide therapeutic effects. The market caters to various therapeutic areas such as Schizophphrenia, Chronic diseases, Infectious diseases, Genetic disorders, Cardiovascular diseases, and Chronic disorders. APIs are integral to Biologics, Biosimilars, and Oncology drug research, including for treatments in Cardiology, CNS Neurology, Oncology, Orthopedic, Endocrinology, Pulmonology, Nephrology, Ophthalmology, and other therapeutic applications. Key challenges in the market include counterfeit drugs, lack of demand, and regulatory compliance. Notable APIs include Acetaminophen, Artemisinin, Saxagliptin, Sodium Chloride, Ibuprofen, Losartan Potassium, Enoxaparin Sodium, Rufinamide, Naproxen, Tamoxifen, and Prescription Drugs like Over-the-counter (OTC) and Clinical trial drugs. Major players in the market include Captive API Manufacturers and Merchant API Manufacturers. Some notable companies are Chasse-sur-Rhone, Teva Pharmaceutical, MEDinCell, Schizophrenia, CuraTeQ Biologics, Mendus AB, GenScript ProBio, GeneCraft, NovasepPharmaZell Group, and Eurofins. APIs are used in the production of Small Molecule and Large Molecule drugs, with key examples being Acetaminophen (Small Molecule) and Biologics (Large Molecule). Other significant APIs include Artemisinin (Antimalarial), Saxagliptin (Diabetes), Sodium Chloride (Pharmaceutical Excipient), Ibuprofen (Analgesic), Losartan Potassium (Antihypertensive), Enoxaparin Sodium (Anticoagulant), Rufinamide (Anticonvulsant), Naproxen (Analgesic), and Tamoxifen (Antiestrogen). The market is driven by research and investment in various therapeutic areas, including Cancer, Oncology drug research, and Diabetes. Key diseases targeted include Schizophrenia, Chronic diseases, Infectious diseases, Genetic disorders, Cardiovascular diseases, and Chronic disorders. Some notable APIs in the market include Acetaminophen (Analgesic and Antipyretic), Artemisinin (Antimalarial), Saxagliptin (Diabetes), Sodium Chloride (Pharmaceutical Excipient), Ibuprofen (Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory), Losartan Potassium (Antihypertensive), Enoxaparin Sodium (Anticoagulant), Rufinamide (Anticonvulsant), Naproxen (Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory), and Tamoxifen (Antiestrogen). The market is segmented into Small Molecule and Large Molecule APIs. Small Molecule APIs are typically synthesized using chemical reactions, while Large Molecule APIs are produced using biotechnological processes. The market is also influenced by various factors such as regulatory compliance, counterfeit drugs, and the shift towards personalized medicine and biosimilars. Regulatory compliance is crucial in ensuring the safety and efficacy of APIs, while the rise of counterfeit drugs poses a significant challenge to market growth. The shift towards personalized medicine and biosimilars is expected to create new opportunities for API manufacturers. Some notable companies in the market include Chasse-sur-Rhone, Teva Pharmaceutical, MEDinCell, Schizophrenia, CuraTeQ Biologics, Mendus AB, GenScript ProBio, GeneCraft, NovasepPharmaZell Group, and Eurofins. Chasse-sur-Rhone is a leading player in the API market, with a focus on the production of Small Molecule APIs. Teva Pharmaceutical is another major player, with a strong presence in both Small Molecule and Large Molecule APIs. MEDinCell specializes in the production of Large Molecule APIs, while Schizophrenia focuses on the development and production of APIs for the treatment of Schizophrenia and other CNS disorders. CuraTeQ Biologics, Mendus AB, GenScript ProBio, GeneCraft, and NovasepPharmaZell Group are other notable players in the market, with a focus on the production of Large Molecule APIs. Eurofins is a leading provider of contract research services, including API development and manufacturing. The market for APIs is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by research and investment in various therapeutic areas, including Cancer, Oncology drug research, and Diabetes. The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, is also expected to fuel market growth. Some notable APIs in the market include Acetaminophen, Artemisinin, Saxagliptin, Sodium Chloride, Ibuprofen, Losartan Potassium, Enoxaparin Sodium, Rufinamide, Naproxen, and Tamoxifen. Acetaminophen is a widely used analgesic and antipyretic, while Artemisinin is an essential component in the treatment of malaria. Saxagliptin is a popular diabetes drug, while Sodium Chloride is a common pharmaceutical excipient. Ibuprofen is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug, while Losartan Potassium is an antihypertensive. Enoxaparin Sodium is an anticoagulant, Rufinamide is an anticonvulsant, Naproxen is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug, and Tamoxifen is an antiestrogen. The market for APIs is segmented into Small Molecule and Large Molecule APIs. Small Molecule APIs are typically synthesized using chemical reactions, while Large Molecule APIs are produced using biotechnological processes. Small Molecule APIs are typically less complex and can be produced in larger quantities, making them more cost-effective. However, they may have limited therapeutic effects and may require the use of multiple APIs to achieve the desired therapeutic outcome. Large Molecule APIs, on the other hand, are more complex and may require more specialized production processes. They are typically more expensive to produce but may offer more targeted therapeutic effects. The market for APIs is influenced by various factors, including regulatory compliance, counterfeit drugs, and the shift towards personalized medicine and biosimilars. Regulatory compliance is crucial in ensuring the safety and efficacy of APIs, while the rise of counterfeit drugs poses a significant challenge to market growth. The shift towards personalized medicine and biosimilars is expected to create new opportunities for API manufacturers. The market for APIs is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by research and investment in various therapeutic areas, including Cancer, Oncology drug research, and Diabetes. The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, is also expected to fuel market growth. Some of the key challenges facing the API market include regulatory compliance, counterfeit drugs, and the shift towards personalized medicine and biosimilars. Regulatory compliance is crucial in ensuring the safety and efficacy of APIs, while the rise of counterfeit drugs poses a significant challenge to market growth. The shift towards personalized medicine and biosimilars is expected to create new opportunities for API manufacturers. Regulatory compliance is a major challenge for API manufacturers, as they must adhere to strict regulations to ensure the safety and efficacy of their products. This includes compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), as well as regulatory requirements for the registration and approval of APIs. Counterfeit drugs are another significant challenge for the API market, as they can pose a risk to patient safety and undermine the credibility of legitimate API manufacturers. Counterfeit drugs may contain substandard or contaminated APIs, which can lead to adverse reactions or ineffective treatments. The shift towards personalized medicine and biosimilars is expected to create new opportunities for API manufacturers, as these treatments require the production of more complex APIs. Personalized medicine and biosimilars offer more targeted therapeutic effects and can reduce the cost of treatments, making them more accessible to patients. Some of the key trends in the API market include the increasing use of biotechnological processes for the production of Large Molecule APIs, the growing demand for biosimilars and personalized medicines, and the increasing focus on regulatory compliance and quality control. The increasing use of biotechnological processes for the production of Large Molecule APIs is a significant trend in the market, as these processes offer more targeted therapeutic effects and can reduce the production costs of complex APIs. Biotechnological processes involve the use of living organisms or cells to produce APIs, which can result in more complex and effective therapeutic agents. The growing demand for biosimilars and personalized medicines is another key trend in the API market, as these treatments offer more targeted therapeutic effects and can reduce the cost of treatments. Biosimilars are generic versions of biologic drugs, while personalized medicines are tailored to the individual needs of patients based on their genetic makeup or other factors. The increasing focus on regulatory compliance and quality control is also a significant trend in the API market, as regulatory agencies continue to tighten their requirements for the safety and efficacy of APIs. This includes the implementation of stricter GMP and GLP regulations, as well as the use of advanced technologies for quality control and testing. In conclusion, the API market is a dynamic and growing industry, driven by research and investment in various therapeutic areas and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. The market is segmented into Small Molecule and Large Molecule APIs, with each offering unique advantages and challenges. The market is influenced by various factors, including regulatory compliance, counterfeit drugs, and the shift towards personalized medicine and biosimilars. The increasing use of biotechnological processes for the production of Large Molecule APIs, the growing demand for biosimilars and personalized medicines, and the increasing focus on regulatory compliance and quality control are some of the key trends in the market. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Manufacturing Type Captive APIs Contract APIs Type Innovative APIs Generic APIs Geography Asia North America Europe Rest Of World (ROW) 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio FORNEBU, Norway , Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Akastor ASA's (OSE: AKAST) subsidiary DDW Offshore AS ("DDW Offshore") has been awarded a 6-month extension of the existing contract with Petrofac for the vessel Skandi Emerald. The extension means that the contract term now is extended to 14 July 2025. This extension builds on previous agreements referenced in press releases dated 27 September 2022 and 30 January 2024. Following this latest contract extension, the total contract backlog for DDW Offshore's fleet of three vessels now stands at approximately USD 38 million. For further information, please contact: yvind Paaske Chief Financial Officer Tel: +47 917 59 705 [email protected] This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. About DDW Offshore: DDW Offshore owns three modern Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessels (Skandi Atlantic, Skandi Emerald and Skandi Peregrino) with capability to operate and support clients on a world-wide basis. The vessels are specially designed to perform anchor-handling, towing, and supply services at offshore oil and gas fields. For further information, please visit homepage: https://www.ddwoffshore.com Akastor is a Norway-based oil-services investment company with a portfolio of industrial holdings and other investments. The company has a flexible mandate for active ownership and long-term value creation. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com HERNDON, Va., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Akima, a premier provider of products and services to the federal government, has been awarded the 2025 Military Friendly designation. This recognition underscores Akima's commitment to supporting veterans' transitions into the civilian workforce. G.I. Jobs magazine will feature Akima in the 2025 Military Friendly Employers section of its Winter issue and on www.militaryfriendly.com. Military Friendly 2025 Bronze Employer "The 'Military Friendly' label is more than just a designationit's a promise," said Bill Monet, Akima President & CEO. "This promise is backed by Akima's actionable veteran hiring initiatives, such as tailored onboarding programs to address the challenges veterans face during their career transitions after military service. We are proud to receive this designation and to provide veterans with meaningful, rewarding career opportunities, reflecting our gratitude and honoring their service in a tangible way." The Military Friendly designation is granted to companies that demonstrate exceptional dedication to recruiting, hiring, and training former military personnel. "Organizations earning the Military Friendly Employers designation the have wholeheartedly invested in comprehensive and impactful initiatives that bring about positive, life-changing results for our valued service members, dedicated military spouses, and esteemed veterans within their ranks," said Kayla Lopez, senior director of partnerships at Military Friendly. "We salute these exemplary employers who raise the bar and understand that hiring military personnel is not merely an act of goodwill but a testament to a standard that truly embodies sound business wisdom. Their commitment to integrating military personnel into their workforce not only reflects their compassion but also underscores their business acumen." One of the most immediate hurdles for veterans when re-entering the workforce is securing stable and meaningful employment. Despite possessing a wealth of skills and experience, many veterans struggle to translate their military credentials into qualifications recognized by civilian employers. Vocational training programs and employment initiatives are expanding, but significant gaps persist, leaving many veterans facing economic instability. Over 26% of employees at Akima are veterans, and 42% of its active contracts are with the U.S. military. Akima also plays a crucial role as a partner in the Defense Department's SkillBridge Program. This initiative aims to equip service members who leave the military with critical skills and hands-on training essential for thriving in the civilian workforce. At Akima, veterans currently hold positions across various sectors, including as security officers, intel analysts, cybersecurity experts, cloud architects, aircraft mechanics, and engineering technicians. Akima also provides mentorship with experienced veterans, community engagement through veteran-focused events around the U.S., career development resources for continuous learning, and internal networks for mutual support among veteran employees. Institutions earning the 22nd annual Military Friendly Employers designation were evaluated using public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Over twelve hundred companies participated in the Military Friendly survey. VIQTORY determined methodology, criteria and weightings with input from the Military Friendly Advisory Council of independent leaders in the military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining an organization's survey score with an assessment of the organization's ability to meet thresholds for recruitment, new hire retention, employee turnover, and the promotion and advancement of veterans and military employees. About Akima Akima is a global enterprise with 10,000 employees, delivering solutions to the federal government in the core areas of information technology; facilities & ground logistics; aerospace solutions; protective services; systems engineering; mission support; furniture, fixtures & equipment (FF&E); and construction. As a subsidiary of NANA, an Alaska Native Corporation owned by more than 15,000 Inupiat shareholders, Akima's core mission is to enable superior outcomes for our customers' missions while simultaneously creating a long-lived asset for NANA consistent with our Inupiat values. In 2024, Akima ranked #29 on Washington Technology's Top 100 list of government contractors. To learn more about Akima, visit www.akima.com. About Military Friendly Employers Military Friendly is the standard that measures an organization's commitment, effort, and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military community. Over 2,800 organizations compete annually for Military Friendly designation annually. Military Friendly ratings are owned by Viqtory, Inc., a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business. Viqtory is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or the federal government. Results are produced via a rules-based algorithm. The data-driven Military Friendly lists and methodology can be found at https://www.militaryfriendly.com/mfcguide/. About VIQTORY Founded in 2001, VIQTORY is a service disabled, veteran owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its owned assets such as Military Spouse Magazine, Vetrepreneur, G.I. Jobs and Military Friendly brands. VIQTORY and its brands are not a part of or endorsed by the U.S. Dept of Defense or any federal government entity. Learn more about VIQTORY at www.viqtory.com. SOURCE Akima ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DRUM SONG: THE RHYTHM OF LIFE will be featured during the closing block of the Anchorage International Film Festival as part of the NATIVE VOICES showcase, at the Bear Tooth Theatrepub located at 1230 W 27th Ave, Anchorage, Alaska at 4pm on December 14th, 2024 with a filmmakers Q&A to follow. The Alaskan production company Drum Song Films has released two Indigenous co-created projects on the film festival circuit: DRUM SONG: THE RHYTHM OF LIFE and a companion piece music video of the documentary's title track, RECLAMATION, directed by Kelly Moneymaker (best known as a former member of the platinum-selling pop vocal trio, Expose). This documentary was a co-production of knowledge between Indigenous Alaskans and Arctic Scientists, with support from Eskimo Walrus Commission, Alaska Arctic Observatory and Knowledge Hub (AAOKH), International Arctic Research Center (IARC), and Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC). The film premiered at the UNFCCC COP28 in Dubai, and has garnered 19 Awards and 4 nominations on the film festival circuit, from Accolade Global Film Competition; Impact Docs, WRPN Women's International Film Festival (Delaware); Ecovision Global Film Festival (Sydney, AUS); Toronto International Women's Film Festival; BlackStar Selects x Confluence (Philadelphia); Austin Under The Stars; and Doc LA.. DRUM SONG: THE RHYTHM OF LIFE explores climate crisis impacts through the eyes of Alaska's Indigenous peoples as they utilize their ancestral knowledge and modern science to adapt to the changing rhythms of seasons, cycles, and movements across eroding lands and melting Arctic ice. The companion piece, RECLAMATION, is an animated rock-n-roll call to action for Indigenous peoples (and their allies) to protect their lands, waters, and peoples from the impacts of climate change and further industrial development. Producer/Director Kelly Moneymaker says, "It has been my honor and privilege to return to my homeland and learn from the co-creators of DRUM SONG: THE RHYTHM OF LIFE. Each stage of the research and filmmaking process has been and will continue to be led and approved by the local communities who've co-created it so we may lift the diversity of our voices and resound together." Website: https://www.drumsongfilmsllc.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drumsongfilms/ Facebook: @drumsongfilms; https://www.facebook.com/DrumSongFilms/ SOURCE Drum Song Films NEW YORK, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fitch Ratings, a global credit ranking agency, upgraded Arbor Realty Trust's (NYSE: ABR) commercial primary servicer rating, affirmed its special servicer rating, and maintained its positive rating outlook. "Fitch's upgrade of Arbor's servicer rating is a result of Arbor's continued investments in people, process, and technology improvements in addition to the diligent work our experienced servicing team performs day after day," said Danny van der Reis, Executive Vice President, Servicing and Asset Management. "We excel by making a personal commitment to our clients through the lifecycle of the loan, ensuring the highest level of satisfaction." Arbor's Commercial Primary Servicer Rating Upgraded by Fitch Ratings; Outlook Maintained. Post this Arbor Earns High Marks in Operations Arbor's commercial primary servicer rating was upgraded from CPS2 to CPS2+, and its rating outlook was revised to stable, reflecting the company's continued high performance in several areas of operations, including its: Overall servicing ability primarily focused on multifamily agency loans Tenured and experienced staff and management with improved aggregate turnover Continued technology enhancements to support its servicing functions, such as the deployment of ALEX, an internally developed borrower portal Proficient governance infrastructure consisting of management oversight and quarterly internal compliance reviews conducted by Arbor's dedicated and independent quality control team, which continue to result in external audits with no material findings Positive Rating Outlook Maintained Fitch Ratings also affirmed Arbor's commercial special servicer rating to CSS3+ and maintained Arbor's positive rating outlook. Arbor compared favorably to other Fitch-rated servicers, showing strength in its employees' experience levels, well-established policies and procedures, and sound reporting and management oversight. Fitch made its new determination after reviewing Arbor's business plans for six non-securitized specially serviced assets and noted they are sufficient relative to other Fitch-rated special servicers. Arbor's servicing division, based in Tonawanda, NY, proactively manages the company's multi-billion-dollar portfolio consisting of thousands of multifamily and commercial real estate loans, from lenders like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. About Arbor Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ABR) is a nationwide real estate investment trust and direct lender, providing loan origination and servicing for multifamily, single-family rental (SFR) portfolios, and other diverse commercial real estate assets. Headquartered in New York, Arbor manages a multibillion-dollar servicing portfolio, specializing in government-sponsored enterprise products. Arbor is a leading Fannie Mae DUS lender, Freddie Mac Optigo Seller/Servicer, and an approved FHA Multifamily Accelerated Processing (MAP) lender. Arbor's product platform also includes bridge, CMBS, mezzanine, and preferred equity loans. Rated by Standard and Poor's and Fitch Ratings, Arbor is committed to building on its reputation for service, quality, and customized solutions with an unparalleled dedication to providing our clients excellence over the entire life of a loan. Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Arbor Realty Trust The company has unveiled its community-giving microgrant program and announced corporate partnerships with Susan G. Komen and the Boulder Crest Foundation. CHANTILLY, Va., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Arcfield, a leading government technology and mission support provider, has announced that its charitable contributions for 2024 will total nearly $420,000. The company's robust corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, which encompasses national partnerships, community microgrants and disaster relief efforts, reflects a steadfast commitment to driving meaningful change. Arcfield's corporate giving focuses on three key areas: advancing STEM education, supporting veterans and military families, and fostering community health and resilience. In 2024, Arcfield forged partnerships and contributed to more than 10 organizations across the U.S. and Canada, including the Space Foundation, Hero Dogs and STEM for Her Day, providing critical resources in support of their various programs. Among its most significant contributions, Arcfield has committed to serve as the presenting sponsor of the 2025 Susan G. Komen DMV Tri-State MORE THAN PINK Walk and formed a new partnership with the Boulder Crest Foundation. These six-figure contributions reflect Arcfield's dedication to improving health, resilience and well-being in the communities it serves. "Arcfield's corporate giving program is built on the idea that change happens when we show up for communitiesboth near and farin ways that truly matter," said Janet Brewer, chief people officer and executive sponsor of the program. "Whether it's partnering with national organizations tackling widespread challenges or empowering our employees to support causes close to home, our efforts are a reflection of the heart and values of our people. This year's achievements are a testament to what we can accomplish when we come together with purpose and compassion." This year also saw the launch of Arcfield's Community Giving Microgrant Program, which empowers employees to nominate local grassroots organizations to receive funding. Designed to align the company's charitable efforts with the communities where its employees live and work, the program supported 20 organizations across the U.S. and Canada, including Food & Friends, LAWS Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services, Little Shop of Physics and the Operator Relief Fund, among others. The program will continue to provide 20 microgrants, valued at $1,000 each, annually. "Our new microgrant program goes beyond financial contributionsit's about strengthening the very fabric of our community," said Kevin Kelly, chairman and chief executive officer of Arcfield. "From inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders to honoring the sacrifices of military families and supporting community well-being, these efforts reflect our commitment to creating a meaningful and lasting impact beyond our mission services." Arcfield's charitable giving program blends grassroots initiatives with national partnerships, creating a comprehensive approach to CSR. As the company looks to the future, it is committed to deepening its philanthropic efforts, expanding its reach and driving impactful change in the communities it serves. By fostering innovation, service and a culture of giving, Arcfield continues to set a high standard for how businesses can make a lasting difference. About Arcfield Arcfield was purpose-built to protect the nation and its allies through innovations in systems engineering and integration, space and mission launch assurance, cybersecurity, and conventional and hypersonic missile support. Headquartered in Chantilly, VA with 16 global offices, Arcfield employs more than 1,500 engineers, analysts, IT specialists and other professionals. The company has more than 65 years of collective proven experience supporting missions in cyber and space defense, hypersonic and nuclear deterrence, and warfighter readiness. Visit arcfield.com for more details. SOURCE Arcfield STOCKHOLM, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ASSA ABLOY has acquired 9Solutions, a Finnish provider of highly integrated AI-powered real time locating healthcare solutions for critical communication and collaboration, with a focus on senior care. "I am very pleased to welcome 9Solutions into the ASSA ABLOY Group, an exciting technological addition that will reinforce our current offering within the Senior Care business area, and provide complementary growth opportunities," says Nico Delvaux, President and CEO of ASSA ABLOY. "9Solutions has a cloud-native and software centric platform with real time locating infrastructure and connected devices. Its offerings can be integrated with other critical healthcare systems and are engineered to be customizable for customer needs. 9Solutions is a valuable addition to the Senior Care business area and we look forward to welcoming them to ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions," says Stephanie Ordan, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Technologies business unit Global Solutions. 9Solutions was founded in 2009 and has some 40 employees. The main office is located in Oulu, Finland. 9Solutions will be part of Global Solutions business area Senior Care. Sales for 2023 amounted to about MEUR 10 (approx. MSEK 110). The acquisition will be accretive to EPS from the start. For more information, please contact: Nico Delvaux, President and CEO, tel. no: +46 8 506 485 82 Erik Pieder, CFO and Executive Vice President, tel. no: +46 8 506 485 72 Bjorn Tibell, Head of Investor Relations, tel. no: +46 70 275 67 68, e-mail: [email protected] About ASSA ABLOY The ASSA ABLOY Group is the global leader in access solutions. The Group operates worldwide with 61,000 employees and sales of SEK 141 billion. The Group has leading positions in areas such as efficient door openings, trusted identities and entrance automation. ASSA ABLOY's innovations enable safe, secure and convenient access to physical and digital places. Every day, we help billions of people experience a more open world. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com. https://news.cision.com/assa-abloy/r/assa-abloy-acquires-9solutions-in-finland,c4074766 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/7333/4074766/3146954.pdf Press release (PDF) https://news.cision.com/assa-abloy/i/9solutions-image,c3357120 9Solutions image SOURCE ASSA ABLOY The Babybelves Holiday Village will stop in six cities nationwide to lend a hand to busy adults by wrapping presents while they unwrap Babybel cheese. CHICAGO, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This holiday season, fan-favorite snack cheese brand Babybel is introducing the Babybelves Holiday Village, a festive destination traveling across the country from December 5-20 to offer busy adults a much-needed break from their hectic holiday schedules. Cheese fans can bring gifts for the merry helpers, known as the Babybelves, to wrap while they take a few moments to themselves as they unwrap Babybel's iconic red wax and enjoy the delicious & creamy, cheese. Babybel introduces merry helpers, The Babybelves, to give the ultimate holiday gift of me-time. The Babybelves Holiday Village will stop in six cities nationwide to lend a hand to busy adults by wrapping presents while they unwrap the delicious Babybel cheese. Babybel fans are invited to enjoy a moment to unwind and unwrap a Babybel cheese flight while still checking tasks off their holiday to-do list. While it is a time of cheer, the holiday season can also feel like the to-do list is never ending, leaving adults feeling the need to push aside time for themselves. According to a recent Babybel survey, 66% of millennial parents admitted to using the excuse of wrapping gifts to get some alone time, but this is far from alone time with 75% saying they are interrupted at least occasionally while wrapping. That's why Babybel is introducing the Babybelves Holiday Village to gift Babybel fans the best present of all the opportunity to take a moment for themselves amidst this busy time of year. "There is no denying the holidays get busy, especially for parents juggling the demands of creating festive cheer for their loved ones, while also balancing time for themselves," said Jessica Dillion, Brand Director for Babybel. "The Babybelves Holiday Village offers the perfect opportunity for a moment to unwind and unwrap a delicious Babybel cheese while still checking items off their holiday to-do list." 72% of parents wish someone else would do the holiday wrapping for them which is why cheese fans are invited to bring up to five gifts to be wrapped for them at the Babybelves Holiday Village. The Babybelves have everything they need to beautifully wrap the gifts while those who bring presents enjoy a break in the cozy Me-Time Lounge with a free Babybel cheese flight, cup of hot cocoa and opportunity to fill out complimentary Babybel-inspired gift tags. In addition to providing busy adults with an opportunity to unwind, Babybel is also helping them reclaim their snack habits this holiday season. Babybel is the snack that they can feel good about reaching for all season long. Snackers can enjoy the signature unpeeling of Babybel's iconic red wax to reveal the creamy and delicious cheese packed with 4g of protein, great for any snacking occasion. From Dec. 5-20, the Babybelves Holiday Village will travel to six cities across the country to bring some festive cheer and support to Babybel fans this holiday season. The stops include: New York City on Thursday, Dec. 5 (3:0010:00 p.m. EST) Meatpacking District - Gansevoort St. at 9th Ave./Greenwich St., New York, NY 10014 Meatpacking District - Gansevoort St. at 9th Ave./Greenwich St., 10014 Chicago on Sunday, Dec. 8 (3:0010:00 p.m. CST) Pioneer Court - 401 N Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611 Pioneer Court - 401 N Michigan Ave., 60611 Boston on Wednesday, Dec. 11 (2:009:00 p.m. EST) Seaport (One Seaport Courtyard) - 58 Seaport Blvd., Boston, MA 02210 Seaport (One Seaport Courtyard) - 58 Seaport Blvd., 02210 Dallas on Saturday, Dec. 14 (9:00 a.m.9:00 p.m. CST) Galleria Dallas - 13350 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX 75240 Galleria - 13350 Dallas Parkway, 75240 Phoenix on Wednesday, Dec. 18 (12:008:00 p.m. MST) Kierland Commons - 15210 N Scottsdale Rd. #305, Scottsdale, AZ 85254 Kierland Commons - 15210 N Scottsdale Rd. #305, 85254 Los Angeles on Friday, Dec. 20 (9:00 a.m.8:00 p.m. PST) Santa Monica Place - 395 Santa Monica Pl., Santa Monica, CA 90401 Babybel fans can go to Babybelves.com now through Dec. 20 to track the Babybelves Holiday Village journey across the nation. Cheese lovers are invited to visit Babybelves.com to print unique Babybel-inspired holiday gift tags to decorate gifts at home and download a digital coupon for $2 off their next purchase of Babybel cheese. To find Babybel products near you, visit babybel.com/product-locator. Survey Methodology: The Babybel Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,000 Nationally Representative U.S. millennial Parents ages 28-43, between September 17th and September 23rd, 2024, using an email invitation and an online survey. Data has been weighted. About Babybel: Part of the Bel Brands USA family, Babybel and Babybel Plant-Based are the perfect snacks for the whole family! Babybel is one of the most popular brands manufactured by Bel Brands USA, a subsidiary of Bel Group. Bel Brands USA strives to promote healthier, responsible and accessible food for consumers. Bel is a major player in the fruit and dairy single-serving portion snacking, as well as a producer of entertaining and alternative cheese options to meet a range of consumer needs. In addition to Babybel, other beloved USA brands include Boursin, The Laughing Cow, Nurishh and popular cheese spreads marketed under Kaukauna, Merkts and Price*s labels. https://belbrandsusa.com/our-brands/ SOURCE Bel Brands USA By Virginia Furness LONDON (Reuters) -Debt swaps are becoming a more widely used tool to help indebted countries raise money for conservation or climate-related projects. Under a swap, a country buys back more expensive debt and replaces it with cheaper debt, usually with the help of a development bank. The savings are then used for environmental projects that restore mangroves or protect oceans, or help adapt to the impacts of climate change. Here is a list of countries which have completed them in recent years. BARBADOS (2024) Barbados combined an almost $300 million buy-back of its domestic bonds with upfront funding from the Inter-American Development Bank and Green Climate Fund to complete the world's first swap focused on climate resilience. ADVERTISEMENT The wide-reaching project will see Barbados invest $165 million in water infrastructure, food security and environmental protection to help the Caribbean island adapt to the damaging effects of climate change. BAHAMAS (2024) The Bahamas unlocked more than $120 million in November to fund the conservation and management of its oceans and mangroves with a $300 million debt swap financed by Standard Chartered and backed by the private sector. Funding from the swap, designed by nonprofit The Nature Conservancy which also provides conservation support to the Bahamas, will go towards restoring mangroves damaged by the hurricane, managing the archipelago's 6.8 million hectares (16.8 million acres) of marine protected areas and supporting the build-out of a new project to protect the entire Bahamian ocean area EL SALVADOR (2024) ADVERTISEMENT El Salvador freed up $352 million in October to fund the conservation of the Rio Lempa, the country's main river and its watershed. At the time, the deal was the largest funding commitment a country had made for conservation as part of a debt-for-nature swap. The deal was financed by a $1 billion loan from JP Morgan with $1 billion political risk insurance cover from DFC, the United States' development finance institution, and a $200 million standby letter of credit from CAF, the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, likely lowering the cost of the lending. ECUADOR (2023) The Galapagos Islands, one of the world's most precious ecosystems, was the conservation focus of Ecuador's debt-for-nature swap. The $1.6 billion buy-back helped cut Ecuador's debt by over $1 billion once the $450 million of total conservation spending is taken into account. The deal has since faced criticism from local groups raising concerns about their lack of involvement in the deal. GABON (2023) ADVERTISEMENT Gabon landed continental Africa's first debt-for-nature swap in 2023. Issuing a new lower-cost $500 million "blue bond" to buy back at a discount $436 million of its international bonds, the central African country freed up around $163 million for conservation projects over a 15-year period. Gabon, whose beaches and coastal waters are home to the world's largest population of endangered leatherback turtles, said it planned to use the money saved to tackle illegal fishing and fulfill a pledge to protect 30% of its coastal waters. BARBADOS (2022) Barbados completed a $150 million debt conversion in September 2022, freeing up $50 million of long-term financing for marine conservation with the government promising to protect up to 30% of seas covered by its territorial and sovereign rights. The deal was funded by a 15-year dual currency blue loan arranged by Credit Suisse and CIBC First Caribbean. ADVERTISEMENT BELIZE (2021) Belize in 2021 committed to spend $4 million a year and fund a $23 million marine conservation trust to protect the world's second-largest coral reef by buying back and retiring a $533 million bond. Backed by nonprofit The Nature Conservancy, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and Credit Suisse, the deal provided about $200 million in debt relief to the Central American country. SEYCHELLES (2016) The Seychelles' debt-for-nature swap took dealmakers almost six years from design to disbursement. First mooted in 2012 the deal saw the Seychelles government buy back $21.6 million of debt from the Paris Club group of wealthy nations in 2016, financed by a loan from NGO The Nature Conservancy as well as philanthropic grants. In 2018, Seychelles raised additional funding for conservation by issuing a $15 million blue bond, backed by a partial credit guarantee from the World Bank. (Reporting by Virginia Furness; editing by Jonathan Oatis) BEIJING, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Meide Yanyuan, a courtyard in Beijing's Changping District, is a studio for those seeking prosthetics and orthotics. Here, under the care of Georg Hoffmann-Kuhnt, a German prosthetist and orthotist, bodies and lives are given new strength. Many of its visitors arrive in wheelchairs and leave walking confidently on custom-fitted prosthetics. A German prosthetist and orthotist dedicated to serving the disabled "I believe we can offer the right approach to supporting individuals after an amputation. It's not just about providing a prosthetic legit's about ensuring they find joy and empowerment throughout the process," Hoffmann-Kuhnt told Beijing Review. Empowering the disabled Growing up in a family of surgeons in Munich, Germany, Hoffmann-Kuhnt developed an early fascination with medicine. Soon, he realized that majoring in prosthetics and orthotics combined his interest in medical science with his passion for craftsmanship. After earning a master's degree in prosthetics and orthotics in 1996, Hoffmann-Kuhnt worked as a prosthetist at a rehabilitation center in Germany for 14 years. Hoffmann-Kuhnt visited Beijing for the first time in 2005a trip that sparked a profound connection with China. "I was deeply impressed by China's development and the immense possibilities here," he said. A year later, his path led him back to China. One day, he came across a job posting from Ottobock, an international supplier of prosthetic components. Seeing that the position was located in Beijing, he promptly applied. By early 2007, he had moved to Beijing and was working as the technical director of the company's Chinese subsidiary. Over the past 17 years, he has been working tirelessly to elevate industry standards while witnessing China's remarkable transformation. "The development is visible everywhere," he observed. "From new urban districts to shopping centers, you can see how accessibility for people with disabilities has improvedsubways equipped for wheelchairs, aids available in public spaces... It's heartening to see such positive changes making life better for disabled people." In recent years, many disabled individuals in China have gained confidence and increased visibility in society. From prosthetic-using models walking the runway with pride to the success of TV dramas featuring disabled characterspeople with disabilities have been stepping into the spotlight. However, despite significant progress, challenges persist in China's disability services. "The first challenge is affordability," he noted. "Imagine someone losing a leg in an accidentthey might also lose their income, creating a financial and emotional burden on their family. While free prosthetics are provided by some agencies, their quality needs improvement. What China should focus on, even with its vast population, is establishing a robust healthcare system that provides financial support for individuals with disabilities." Another critical issue is the uneven distribution and inconsistent quality of public services. To address these gaps, Hoffmann-Kuhnt has dedicated himself to advancing rehabilitation efforts in China. "I train Chinese technicians onsite, teaching them proper prosthetic fitting techniques and sharing knowledge through educational videos. These videos also help patients understand how well-fitted prosthetics can improve their mobility and quality of life," he explained. It was in pursuit of higher service standards that Hoffmann-Kuhnt founded the Meide Yanyuan prosthetic and rehabilitation studio in Beijing. "I wanted a place where I could fully realize my vision of providing personalized care and comfortable prosthetics. Each patient's needs are unique, and a supportive environment is essential," he said. Unlike conventional centers that often follow a more standardized approach, Meide Yanyuan prioritizes personalized care at every stage. From the initial consultation to the final fitting, every step is meticulously tailored to the patient's specific needs. "Every prosthetic we create is uniquethere's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution," he noted. The process begins with a detailed examination of the patient's residual limb. Measurements are taken, and a custom mold is crafted to ensure the socketthe critical connection between the prosthetic and the bodyfits perfectly. "A poorly fitting socket can make even the best components ineffective. It's like trying to walk in shoes that are of the wrong size," he emphasized. Beyond technical precision, the studio provides a supportive environment where patients regain mobility and confidence. Training facilities include stairs and uneven surfaces, allowing patients to practice real-life scenarios. "Rehabilitation is more than just walkingit's about restoring independence and dignity," he added. Additionally, the studio leverages advanced technology to match prosthetic components to each patient's lifestyle. Whether it's a high-performance foot for athletes or a stability-focused design for those with limited mobility, every choice is made with the patient's long-term wellbeing in mind. One notable case is Mazo Yu, who lost her leg to osteosarcoma, a common form of bone cancer, as a child. After years of using outdated prosthetics, Yu sought Hoffmann-Kuhnt's expertise. Hoffmann-Kuhnt designed a sleek prosthetic for Yu, adorned with vibrant, abstract art patterns that reflected her creative personality. Wearing her new prosthetic, Yu often receives compliments from friends who she says find it "incredibly cool." Hoffmann-Kuhnt's expertise has also benefited Xia Boyu, a 75-year-old Chinese alpinist who scaled Mount Qomolangma, also known as Mount Everest, using specialized prosthetic ice shoes. Such stories exemplify how modern prosthetics empower individuals with disabilities to embrace life fully and triumph over extraordinary challenges. "Social integration is vital for their psychological recovery," Hoffmann-Kuhnt explained. "When people with disabilities openly show their prosthetics, they send a powerful message: They are not hiding, nor are they differentthey are celebrated. This confidence allows them to contribute to society in meaningful ways." For Hoffmann-Kuhnt, being a prosthetist is deeply fulfilling. "This job is about giving back. It's not just about receiving but also contributing to society. When I see my patients walking again and reclaiming their lives, it's immensely rewarding," he said. "At Meide Yanyuan, we don't just fit prostheticswe build trust, confidence, and a pathway to a better life. What we're doing here may seem modest, but it's unique. Like a gearbox, where every small wheel plays its part, I see myself as one of those small wheels. My hope is that my work inspires others to join in," he concluded. TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@cachinachic/video/7441050034092690719?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7227134149436605995 X https://x.com/BeijingReview/status/1860863979385463047 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BJReview/videos/3822609221296099 YouTube https://youtu.be/FDiDXWmPpiM Weibo https://weibo.com/1719349955/P373TAmHq Website http://www.bjreview.com/Multimedia/Video/Through_Their_Eyes/202411/t20241126_800385195.html SOURCE Beijing Review HUNTERSVILLE, N.C., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BioCytics is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $100,000 G-Rex grant from ScaleReady. This grant was given in support of BioCytics' efforts to develop and optimize a cGMP G-Rex-based manufacturing process to produce immune cell fractions that are a major component of BioCytics' platform therapy to treat tumors. This therapy involves isolating, expanding, and activating specific fractions of a patient's own immune cells to fight their cancer. The G-Rex Grant is part of ScaleReady's $20 million grant program aimed at advancing Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) development and manufacturing. The G-Rex Grant Program offers recipients significant support allowing for expeditious optimization of cell manufacturing processes. BioCytics, Inc. has received a $100,00 G-rex grant to help develop their cell-based approach to solid tumor treatment. Post this "The grant award will allow us to accelerate the development of our IND-bound immune fraction BCyIF1 against solid tumors," states Dr. Renaud Warin, BioCytics Chief Scientific Officer. "Through this award, we will obtain, at no cost, access to ScaleReady's range of products and low cost access to the products and expertise of their collaborating companies. The collective cell therapy knowledge base that is at our disposal is exceptional." "This is yet another example of how ScaleReady is willing and able to go beyond the traditional business model to do all it can to advance the field of cell and gene therapy," said Josh Ludwig, Commercial Director of ScaleReady. "In the cause of advancing BioCytics' mission, we are eager to help them bring novel, affordable, re-invigorated immune cell cancer therapies directly to the patient through Point-of-Care manufacturing." About BioCytics, Inc. BioCytics, founded in 2005, is a privately held health technology company co-located in Huntersville, North Carolina with Carolina BioOncology Institute, a cancer treatment and clinical trial facility. BioCytics is using Autologous Adaptive Cell Therapy (AACT) to develop an immuno-oncology platform for treating solid tumors with the patient's own immune cells. AACT is a revolutionary point-of-care cell manufacturing process designed to generate nongenetically modified effector cell fractions for all stages of all solid tumors. For more information, please visit Biocytics.com or find us on LinkedIn. About ScaleReady ScaleReady provides the field of cell and gene-modified cell therapy (CGT) with a G-Rex centric manufacturing platform that enables the world's most practical, flexible, scalable, and affordable CGT drug product development and manufacturing. The G-Rex manufacturing platform is currently used by a rapidly growing list of over 800 organizations and is producing drug products for approximately 50% of CGT clinical trials as well as 5 commercially approved CGT drugs. CGT entities relying on the breadth and scope of ScaleReady's expertise can expect to save years of time and millions of dollars on the path to CGT commercialization. For more information about the ScaleReady G-Rex Grant Program, please contact [email protected]. About Wilson Wolf Manufacturing Corporation Wilson Wolf (www.wilsonwolf.com) is dedicated to simplifying cell and gene-modified cell (CGT) therapy research, process development, and manufacturing. This is being accomplished through its scalable G-Rex technology, which is used throughout the world in CGT applications ranging from basic research to commercial drug production. Wilson Wolf's mission is to create hope for cancer patients, one G-Rex device at a time. About Bio-Techne Corporation Bio-Techne Corporation is a global life sciences company providing innovative tools and bioactive reagents for the research and clinical diagnostic communities. Bio-Techne, in partnership with Wilson Wolf, is creating products such as media and cytokines that are specifically tailored to G-Rex Bioreactors, including right-sized reagent quantities in containers that are tailored to high throughput closed-system manufacturing. For more information on Bio-Techne and its brands, please visit https://www.bio-techne.com or follow the Company on social media at: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube. SOURCE BioCytics Inc. Axter to spearhead national growth for hand hygiene technology company ANN ARBOR, Mich., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BioVigil, the leader in electronic hand hygiene technology solutions for healthcare facilities, announces that its Board of Managers has appointed Erik Axter as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective Dec. 15. Axter brings his expertise in provider partnerships, clinical performance improvement, and healthcare operations to BioVigil, where he will lead the company's growth acceleration and drive its commercial expansion. BioVigil welcomes Erik Axter as CEO. Axter to spearhead national growth for hand hygiene technology company. Post this Axter comes to BioVigil from Vizient, Inc., the nation's leading healthcare performance improvement organization. At Vizient, Erik served as a Senior Vice President, and has led service line consulting, medical device solutions, and most recently spend management partnerships with Vizient's largest health system customers. "Erik is an accomplished healthcare executive with a distinguished track record of designing and implementing performance improvement partnerships with providers," said Tim Patton, BioVigil Board Chairman. "We are confident that Erik's leadership skills, relationships in the market, and commercialization focus will take BioVigil to the next level." Sanjay Gupta, former BioVigil CEO and Board member, decided to step down from those roles but will remain involved with the company in an advisory capacity. Since 2017, Gupta oversaw significant enhancements to BioVigil's industry leading technology and the procurement of key customer engagements. "Sanjay has been instrumental in shaping the business into a market leader, and we are grateful for his leadership over the past seven years," said Patton. BioVigil technology provides the most accurate way to observe and record a health provider's handwashing compliance. The complete electronic hand hygiene system includes room sensors, alcohol vapor-sensing badges, sink sensors and a robust data suite. Data is linked to each individual user's badge, so teams can monitor hand hygiene compliance, track cross contamination, and conduct thorough contact-tracing. The BioVigil system has helped numerous partners across the country improve hand hygiene behavior, reduce HAIs by up to 83%, achieve 97% hand hygiene compliance, and improve Leapfrog quality grades. -more- BioVigil aims to bring its patented technology to hospitals and healthcare facilities globally and is exploring opportunities for its use in other industries such as food service and hospitality. About BioVigil: BioVigil is a leader in electronic hand hygiene monitoring. BioVigil technology is used to increase hand hygiene compliance in healthcare facilities, resulting in decreased healthcare associated infections (HAIs), improved patient engagement, accessibility to data insights, and improved Leapfrog Group grades. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, BioVigil launched in 2012, and to date has recorded more than 723 million hand hygiene opportunities. Learn more at BioVigil.com Media Contact: Debbie Reinheimer, [email protected] SOURCE BioVigil "Empowering community leadership through training and resources is a powerful and unique way we've found to help nonprofits maximize their long-term impact in local communities," said AJ Barkley, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Bank of America. "After 20 years, we continue to invest in this program because it leads to success for the nonprofits and the communities they support." Annually, Neighborhood Builders provides multi-year flexible funding to local nonprofits and prioritizes leadership training and development for nonprofit executives. As leaders engage in their training, they also develop and become part of a large network of nonprofit leaders nationwide to discuss challenges, share best practices and make connections that lead to new opportunities. The program is designed to help high-impact nonprofits improve their current operations while continuing to serve and innovate for the future. This year, the bank honors 250 nonprofit leaders from more than 150 nonprofits in nearly 100 communities across the U.S. Bank of America Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,700 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 58 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BAC). For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts. Reporters may contact: Carla Molina Phone: 1.512.397.2402 [email protected] SOURCE Bank of America Corporation National life insurance carrier appoints eighth president in company's 133-year history CANTON, Mass., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company, a national provider of insurance solutions for individuals and at the workplace, announced today that Grant D. Ward, Sr., JD, has been named President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company, effective January 1, 2025. Mr. Ward is the eighth president in the company's 133-year history. He will succeed Paul A. Quaranto, Jr., as President, who will continue to serve as the company's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chair of the Board of Directors. Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company has named its eighth president since the company was founded in 1891. Post this Grant D. Ward, Sr., JD, has been named President and Chief Operating Officer at Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company, effective January 1, 2025. "Grant Ward is the right leader at the right time for Boston Mutual Life," said Paul A. Quaranto, Jr., Chair, CEO, and President at Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company. "His exceptional leadership, deep understanding of our mission, and steadfast commitment to our values have been pivotal to the company's success. I am confident that under Grant's leadership, Boston Mutual Life will shape its next chapter of growth and success and reach new heights." The announcement follows a comprehensive succession planning process conducted by the company's Board of Directors, which included consultation with external advisors and consideration of a strong pool of internal and external candidates. Mr. Ward has served as a member of Boston Mutual Life's leadership team since joining the company in 2016. His most recent roles include General Counsel & Secretary, Executive Vice President Customer Experience, Claims, Legal & Compliance, General Services, and Facilities. "I am honored and humbled by this opportunity to serve as President and COO of Boston Mutual Life," said Grant Ward. "Our company has a rich legacy and a bright future. I look forward to working alongside our talented teams across the organization to continue driving success and delivering value to all of our stakeholders." Prior to joining Boston Mutual Life, Mr. Ward served in various roles at SBLI of Massachusetts, MetLife Financial Services, Deloitte, FINRA, John Hancock Financial Services, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and Dow Lohnes PLLC. He holds a bachelor's degree from Howard University and a Doctor of Law degree from DePaul College of Law. Additionally, he is a graduate of the LIMRA Strategic Leadership Experience at The Wharton School of Business. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mr. Ward is actively engaged in industry leadership and community service. He has represented Boston Mutual Life with industry organizations including the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) and the Life Insurance Association of Massachusetts (LIAM). He has also served as a mentor and volunteer for organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts, Conexion, and My Brother's Keeper in Easton, Massachusetts. "Grant has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of who we are, what we do, and why we do it," said Mr. Quaranto. "He has been a driving force in modernizing how we operate to benefit all our stakeholders. With Grant's oversight in his new role, we will remain committed to providing peace of mind and delivering on our promises to all those we serve." To learn more about Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company, please visit https://www.bostonmutual.com/. About Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company Founded as a progressive life insurance company in 1891, Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company is a national carrier that provides insurance solutions designed for working Americans and their families, as well as enrollment and billing options at the workplace. With offices based in Canton, Massachusetts, and Omaha, Nebraska, as a mutual company, Boston Mutual Life is dedicated to acting in the best interests of its policyholders, producers, employees, and its communities. For more information, please visit www.bostonmutual.com or contact your Boston Mutual Life representative. Follow the company on Facebook (/BostonMutualLifeIns), LinkedIn (/company/boston-mutual-life-insurance), or Instagram (/bostonmutuallifeinsurance). Media Contacts Meredith D'Agostino Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company [email protected] (800) 669-2668 x276 Boston Mutual Life News Desk: [email protected] SOURCE Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company Trusted manufacturer's $50,000 donation will help scale training opportunities and grow next generation of plumbing and HVACR technicians AMBLER, Pa., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bradford White Corporation, an industry-leading manufacturer of water heaters, boilers and storage tanks, is partnering with Pennsylvania's Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA) for the third consecutive year to expand training on heat pump technology to meet future marketplace demands. Energy Coordinating Agency's Internship Program for HVACR heat pump trainees has installed nine AeroTherm Energy Star certified heat pump water heaters so far in 2024. (Photo courtesy of The Energy Coordinating Agency, Philadelphia) Already a supporter of ECA's heat pump water heater installation and maintenance training program, the $50,000 grant from Bradford White's Industry Forward charitable giving program will allow ECA to further scale its high-impact Internship Program for HVACR heat pump trainees. The program, which launched in 2024, has 15 interns going through the program this year, installing nine AeroTherm Energy Star certified heat pump water heaters to date, with ten more installations planned by year's end. ECA hopes to accommodate 45 students in its internship program in 2025. "We are thrilled to continue our partnership with ECA because our goals are so closely aligned, and each student that goes through the program is helping to build the next generation of plumbing and HVACR technicians," said Rebecca Owens, senior communications manager for Bradford White. "We created Industry Forward to build awareness for the skilled trades and support workforce development and training programs that are educating younger generations about the career opportunities that lie within the skilled trades, manufacturing and distribution. Organizations like ECA are the perfect vessel to help us further that goal." Bradford White Corporation began its partnership with ECA in 2022 when it provided a $30,000 grant and a donation of ten 65-gallon AeroTherm heat pump water heaters to the organization. Two units were installed in ECA's heat pump training lab while the remaining eight went to qualifying families through the Philadelphia Water Heater Emergency Fund. "ECA is proud to continue our partnership with Bradford White Corporation," said Steve Luxton, CEO and executive director for ECA. "Training programs like the one offered at ECA are so important when it comes to developing future tradespeople and creating better, energy-efficient solutions for our communities. Our students are learning a valuable skill for meaningful employment, but they're also gaining confidence and learning the importance of giving back. We're setting them up for success, and I am excited to see the program evolve and grow because of corporate partners like Bradford White." For more information about Bradford White Corporation, visit https://www.bradfordwhitecorporation.com. For more information about ECA, visit https://ecasavesenergy.org/. About Bradford White Corporation Bradford White Corp. is a full-line manufacturer of residential, commercial, and industrial water heating, space heating, combination heating and storage products. The company maintains corporate headquarters in Ambler, Pennsylvania, and has manufacturing facilities in Middleville, Michigan; Niles, Michigan; Monticello, MN; Uxbridge, MA; and Rochester, New Hampshire. FloLogic's assembly operation is in Morrisville, North Carolina and Bradford White's Corporation's Canadian headquarters, distribution center and training facilities are in Halton Hills, Ontario, Canada. For more information, visit www.bradfordwhitecorporation.com. About Industry Forward Industry Forward is Bradford White's signature charitable giving program. Through this initiative, the company provides grants to eligible organizations to advance public awareness of the importance and value of the Plumbing and HVAC industry including skilled trades, manufacturing, and distribution. By aligning resources and investing in key programs, Bradford White is making a positive impact in communities to help build a stronger and sustainable future for all. About ECA Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to help people conserve energy and to promote a sustainable and socially equitable energy future for all. Founded in 1984, ECA coordinates low-income energy services, and administers high quality energy conservation, education, heating, and home repair services to reduce households' energy costs and stabilize families in their communities. Learn more at www.ecasavesenergy.org BRADFORD WHITE CONTACT: Rebecca Owens Senior Communications Manager Bradford White Corporation (215) 641-9400 [email protected] MEDIA CONTACT: Heather Ripley Ripley PR (865) 977-1973 [email protected] SOURCE Bradford White Corporation New Agreement Enhances Market Presence in North America and Beyond, Reinforcing Commitment to Accessibility and Quality as the Winery Approaches Its 25th Anniversary CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Brassfield Estate Winery , recognized as one of California's top wine estates and a leading innovator in Lake County, today announces the national expansion of its distribution agreement with Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits (Southern Glazer's), the world's preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol. Effective January 1, 2025, this new agreement will enhance Brassfield Estate Winery's presence in Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America while expanding its reach to 40 states and the District of Columbia in the United States. "It was crucial for us to partner with an organization that genuinely shares our values and vision of becoming one of the best affordable luxury wines," said Chris Baker, President of Brassfield Estate Winery. "This strengthened relationship with Southern Glazer's will play a vital role in achieving our ambitious growth goals. As we approach our company's 25th anniversary in 2025, I am excited to welcome Southern Glazer's into our family of like-minded individuals and leverage the resources they provide." Brassfield Estate Winery is strategically expanding its distribution to reinforce its market position and establish a nationally recognized brand synonymous with high-quality, environmentally sustainable wines that have garnered acclaim from critics and consumers. This agreement with Southern Glazer's will facilitate enhanced access to National Accounts across both Off-Premise and On-Premise channels, positioning brands such as Eruption, Serenity, and Brassfield Reserve for strong market reception. Additionally, the winery will benefit from advanced sales capabilities, valuable data, and resources that will drive its growth and success. "This expanded agreement builds upon a long-standing, mutually successful relationship," said Jerry Brassfield, Founder and Proprietor. "Our commitment to 100% Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled wines and our commitment to reduce the carbon footprint and be certified sustainable in all aspects appeals to not only today's wine drinkers but those future wine customers that really want to know more about the brands they support. We look forward to growing Brassfield Estate Winery in Southern Glazer's fine wine division, and we will also be in a much better position to scale relevant brands across the high-profile Off and On-Premise accounts." The winery will initiate the transition of all its products to the new Southern Glazer's markets starting December 1, 2024, with exclusive distribution commencing on January 1, 2025. For more information on Brassfield Estate Winery, please visit https://www.brassfieldestate.com/ . For the latest news and wine releases, follow Brassfield Estate Winery on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram @brassfieldestatewinery. About Brassfield Estate Winery Brassfield Estate Winery was born out of a vision to produce distinctive, terroir-driven wines from one of the most interesting California regions: Lake County. The core of Brassfield Estate Winery, High Serenity Ranch represents a truly distinctive and remarkable winegrowing property stretching over 5,000 acres across both the eastern and the western sections of High Valley, as well as the Round Mountain Volcano and welcoming visitors from all over the United States. Located in the High Valley AVA of Lake County, Brassfield Estate Winery is perched at a rare altitude shared by only one percent of vineyards worldwide. Renowned for its commitment to precision and sustainable farming, the estate produces seventeen varietal wines from vine to bottle without leaving the hands of their dedicated team. About Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits is the world's preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol, building brands for moments that matter. The multi-generational, family-owned Company has operations in 44 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Canada, as well as brokerage operations through its WEBB Banks division in the Caribbean, Central and South America. Southern Glazer's urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information visit www.southernglazers.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @sgwinespirits. Contact: Irene Graziotto [email protected] (646) 719-5303 SOURCE Brassfield Estate Winery NEW YORK, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Clayton, Dubilier & Rice ("CD&R" or the "Firm") today announced the appointment of Andy Callahan as an Operating Advisor to CD&R funds. Mr. Callahan brings 29 years of executive leadership experience serving in key consumer packaged goods industry roles at Hostess Brands, Tyson Foods, The Hillshire Brands Company, Sara Lee Corporation and Kraft Foods. Mr. Callahan joins an established team of business leaders who bring senior-level operational experience to the CD&R funds' investment activities. Mr. Callahan served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director at Hostess Brands from 2018 to 2023. While at Hostess Brands, a premier snacking company with a portfolio of iconic brands with over 3,000 employees and annual sales of $1.4 billion, Mr. Callahan led a number of transformational initiatives that accelerated growth and profitability, fortified the investment base, created industry leading TSR growth and culminated in the company's acquisition in 2023 by J.M. Smucker in a transaction valued at $5.6 billion. "Andy is a veteran executive with an excellent track record and reputation over nearly 30 years in consumer packaged goods businesses," said J.L. Zrebiec, CD&R Partner. "We welcome his strategic leadership, brand and innovation expertise and execution mindset, all of which we believe will bring significant added value to our growing portfolio of leading consumer businesses and management teams." Mr. Callahan formerly was in two President-level roles from 2014 to 2017 at Tyson Foods, where he led its multibillion-dollar retail foodservice and international divisions and oversaw the integration of Hillshire Brands into Tyson Foods. He also served as President of Retail at Hillshire Brands during which time the company completed an initial public offering and then was subsequently acquired by Tyson Foods for $8.4 billion. Mr. Callahan began his corporate career at Kraft Foods, spending 13 years in roles of increasing responsibility in marketing, sales and general management. He joined Sara Lee in 2008 serving multiple President roles prior to the Hillshire Brands IPO. "I have been privileged and fortunate to work with tremendous people and leadership teams across a range of successful consumer products companies, and I am eager to apply my learnings from those experiences at CD&R, a firm with a strong track record of adding operating value and insight to private equity investing," said Mr. Callahan. Mr. Callahan spent seven years in the U.S. Navy as a flight officer after earning a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Naval Academy. He holds an MBA from the Florida Institute of Technology. About Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Founded in 1978, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) is a leading private investment firm with a strategy of generating strong investment returns by building more robust and sustainable businesses through the combination of skilled investment experience and deep operating capabilities. In partnership with the management teams of its portfolio companies, CD&R takes a long-term view of value creation and emphasizes positive stewardship and impact. The firm invests in businesses that span a broad range of industries, including industrial, healthcare, consumer, technology and financial services end markets. CD&R is privately owned by its partners and has offices in New York and London. For more information, please visit www.cdr.com and follow the firm's activities through LinkedIn and @CDRBuilds on X/Twitter. SOURCE Clayton, Dubilier & Rice The award is a testament to Celebree School's responsible franchise growth and bright future ahead. Post this Founder & CEO of Celebree School Richard Huffman, his wife Dawn, and over eight executive team members were honored to receive the award at the IFA's annual Emerging Franchisor Conference in Austin where they were recognized as the leading emerging franchisor operating an outstanding brand with less than ten years in franchising. From humble beginnings in Ellicott City, Maryland dating back to 1994, Celebree School is honored to bring the first ever Emerging Franchisor of the Year Award to its home state. Today, Celebree School boasts 55 schools open and 73 franchisees who have been awarded over 160 sites. With a presence in 19 states, Celebree School proudly enrolls more than 7,200 children on a weekly basis. "IFA established the Emerging Franchisor Award to recognize emerging brands with sound fundamentals for long-term growth, a commitment to responsible franchising practices and a positive impact in the communities where their franchisees operate," said Matt Haller, IFA president and CEO. "Celebree School has consistently stood out for the work it has done to not only help the families it serves but is a leader in franchising responsibly. As more Americans look to franchising as a pathway for small business ownership and generational wealth creation, it's important for IFA to recognize brands that are supporting the growth of the franchise business model, and doing it the right way." Celebree School began franchising its already proven model in 2019, offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to spread the brand's mission to Grow People Big and Small. As a brand that has grown from a single preschool to a flourishing franchise network, Celebree School has significantly impacted early childhood education through responsible growth, strategic expansion, and community engagement. To be considered for the award, a brand must have: Been in franchising for less than 10 years (from first FDD) Have filed 3 years of FDDs Have more than $25M minimum in systemwide sales minimum in systemwide sales Have less than a 10% closure rate Have included an Item 19 in your most recent FDD Celebree's responsible growth strategy prioritizes selecting franchisees who align with its core values of education, community involvement, and integrity. By focusing on quality over quantity, the brand has expanded while maintaining its high standards. This approach resulted in the opening of seven new schools last year and securing 23 new agreementsmany of which were multi-unit dealsdemonstrating Celebree's ability to scale responsibly. "This award is truly a testament to the hard work and dedication that our entire team, at all levels of the brand, put in," said Huffman. "When we began franchising, we set out on a mission to deliver quality early childhood education to communities across the country. Every day since, we've seen the impact of our work in our franchisees, teachers, and families. As we celebrate this brand milestone, we continue to look forward to our future as we aim to empower more students, teachers, and entrepreneurs across the country for many years to come." As the brand continues to grow, it aims to partner with qualified and engaged individuals seeking single and multi-unit opportunities who are involved in their community, have a passion for childhood education, and are eager to explore the world of franchising. For more information on franchising opportunities, visit https://www.celebree.com/franchising/. About Celebree School Founded in 1994, Celebree School is a leader in early childhood education that provides infant and toddler care, preschool, before and aftercare, and summer camp programs. With a mission to Grow People Big and Small, Celebree School believes success in early childhood development is equal parts curriculum and connection. Each school employs a customized program that addresses the physical, social, emotional, and academic needs of children and follows applicable state guidelines. In 2019, Celebree School launched its franchise offering. In 2024, Celebree School's founder, Richard Huffman, launched a new parent company called Huffman Family Brands, merging Celebree affiliated concepts under one multi-brand company structure. Learn more about how we grow confident children who are prepared for school and life at Celebree.com. Connect with us on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn. About the International Franchise Association Celebrating over 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations, and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the approximately 806,270 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.7 million direct jobs, $858.5 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy, and almost 3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology, and business development. SOURCE Celebree School The annual list honors industry-leading companies from around the world that are the best at what they do. Chaberton recognized as one of just four honorees in the Environmental Issues category. ROCKVILLE, Md., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chaberton Energy, a distributed energy developer with a particular focus on community solar, has been named to the Inc. Best in Business list for the first time. Inc.'s annual Best in Business Awards celebrate the exceptional achievements and contributions of companies that have made a profound impact on their industries and on society at large. Chaberton Energy was named to the 2024 list as one of just four companies in the Environmental Issues category for its work in helping to modernize the U.S. electrical grid and make the clean energy transition accessible to more Americans. This involves siting and designing distributed energy projects, work that requires substantial and authentic community engagement to succeed. "Our projects provide economic opportunities for communities, while supplying clean energy to residents," said Chaberton CEO and Founder Stefano Ratti. "Our team threads our company values of creativity, excellence and humanity throughout every part of their work, and it's become an important differentiator for us. These values lead to high-quality projects and stakeholders who feel heard." In January 2024, Chaberton Energy announced it had 100 projects under site control in the four years since its founding. Now, less than a year later, that number has grown another 30% to more than 130 projects, representing 700 megawatts under active development. Inc.'s Best in Business list recognizes companies that, through exceptional execution, have achieved significant milestones and core business wins. In 2024, just 241 companies and 16 business leaders earned this honor. Inc. editors and reporters personally review every application and select Best in Business honorees that had an outstanding influence on their communities, their industries, the environment or society as a whole. For more information or to see the complete list, visit inc.com/best-in-business. About Chaberton Energy Headquartered in Maryland, Chaberton Energy is a public benefit corporation developing renewable distributed energy projects, with a particular emphasis on community solar and solar for businesses. Chaberton was named to the 2024 Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies and ranks as the No. 1 fastest-growing community solar company, the No. 2 fastest-growing Maryland company, and the No. 34 fastest-growing company overall. Media Contact Lia Morrison [email protected] 412-573-9095 SOURCE Chaberton Energy 20 Years After Last CHI-CHI'S Restaurant Closed its Doors, Once Popular Mexican Chain Gets Chance at Revival Founder's Son Plans to Preserve Same Great Taste, Mexican Flavors in Updated Version of Iconic Brand ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 20 years after closing the last CHI-CHI'S restaurant location, the popular Mexican restaurant chain is set to make a comeback thanks to a new agreement with Hormel Foods, owner of CHI-CHI'S trademarks. The deal grants Michael McDermott, son of CHI-CHI'S founder, use of the CHI-CHI'S name on physical restaurant locations which are expected to open in 2025. Michael McDermott is determined to honor his family's legacy by combining the classic CHI-CHIS restaurant experience with modern influences The backstory Founded by restaurateur Marno McDermott and former Green Bay Packers player Max McGee in 1975, the CHI-CHI'S restaurant chain grew rapidly during the late 20th century, reaching more than 200 locations nationwide. However, a series of ownership changes eventually led to the chain's closure in 2004. McDermott, who has built his career in the restaurant industry with brands like Kona Grill and Rojo Mexican Grill, is determined to honor his family's legacy by combining the classic CHI-CHI'S restaurant experience with modern influences. "I still have fond memories of growing up in the CHI-CHI'S restaurants that my father built throughout their time, instilling in me the passion and determination to pursue my own career in the restaurant industry," said Michael McDermott, founder of CHI-CHI'S Restaurants, LLC, the new company formed to revive CHI-CHI'S Restaurants. "We have seen the impact our restaurant has had on individuals and families across the country and believe there is a strong opportunity to bring the brand back in a way that resonates with today's consumer an updated dining experience with the same great taste and Mexican flavor." Keep the legacy alive Although there has not been a CHI-CHI'S restaurant in the United States in 20 years, McDermott believes the brand holds a special place in the hearts of those who remember its heyday and remains popular among consumers nationwide who enjoy its packaged salsas, tortillas, and seasonings, which will continue to be available as new restaurant locations open. About Chi-Chi's Restaurants LLC Founded by Michael McDermott, CHI-CHI's Restaurants LLC is a recently founded company revitalizing the iconic CHI-CHI's restaurant, which proudly served the Minneapolis community for 28 years. With a mission to deliver high-quality, value driven meals in a modern and lively atmosphere, the group is poised for success in their relaunch to the full-service dining industry. About Hormel Foods Inspired People. Inspired Food. Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with over $12 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include PLANTERS, SKIPPY, SPAM, HORMEL NATURAL CHOICE, APPLEGATE, JUSTIN'S, WHOLLY, HORMEL BLACK LABEL, COLUMBUS, JENNIE-O and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report, one of America's most responsible companies by Newsweek, recognized by TIME magazine as one of the World's Best Companies, received a perfect score of 100 on the 202324 Corporate Equality Index and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement Inspired People. Inspired Food. to bring some of the world's most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit hormelfoods.com. SOURCE CHI-CHIS Restaurants Choice Hotels celebrates 5th year of the program helping hotels donate a combined total of $275,000 to local nonprofits across the country NORTH BETHESDA, Md., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of Giving Tuesday, Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is proud to announce the 2024 recipients of its "Your Community, Your Choice" grant program. Through this program, Choice supports causes that are meaningful to hotel owners by offering grants to local organizations. These grants have funded causes that address food security, veteran support, aid for abuse and trafficking victims, youth education, animal shelters, and more. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the initiative, which has donated a total of $275,000 to local nonprofits through more than 70 hotels across the United States since its inception in 2019. "At Choice Hotels, we believe in the power of our hotels to be catalysts for positive change within their communities," said Megan Brumagim, vice president, upscale brands and chief sustainability officer, Choice Hotels International. "We're honored to celebrate the 5th year of the 'Your Community, Your Choice' program by supporting the impactful work of these nonprofits, whose efforts align with our commitment to build a better tomorrow, today." Each of the 2024 nonprofit winners were nominated by Choice hotels which have a connection to the work and mission of these organizations in their communities. This year's "Your Community, Your Choice" grant recipients are: As an advocate of local businesses since its founding, Choice Hotels places owners of its hotels at the center of everything it does. The Your Community, Your Choice program is one of many ways in which Choice empowers owners and operators to be engaged community members, including: Helping those in need, with ongoing efforts with the American Red Cross and Operation Homefront . and . Equipping hotels to help prevent human trafficking, and supporting its victims with PACT, Polaris, AHLA's No Room For Trafficking, and SafeStay by ReloShare. Enabling hotels to reduce their environmental footprint by promoting sustainable practices and providing them with relevant tools such as the Room to be Green program, Green Key Global and WTTC's Hotel Sustainability Basics certifications. More information about the "Your Community, Your Choice" program can be found here: https://choicehotelsdevelopment.com/your-community-your-choice/ For more information on Choice Hotels' social responsibility efforts, access Choice's latest Environment, Social, and Governance Report here: https://investor.choicehotels.com/esg/esg-documents/default.aspx About Choice Hotels Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world. The one to watch in upscale and a leader in midscale and extended stay, Choice has over 7,500 hotels, representing nearly 635,000 rooms, in 45 countries and territories. A diverse portfolio of 22 brands that range from full-service upper upscale properties to midscale, extended stay and economy enables Choice to meet travelers' needs in more places and for more occasions while driving more value for franchise owners and shareholders. The award-winning Choice Privileges rewards program and co-brand credit card options provide members with a fast and easy way to earn reward nights and personalized perks. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com. SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc. HONG KONG, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CoinEx, a global cryptocurrency exchange known for its commitment to simplifying crypto trading, is thrilled to announce its participation in the upcoming Bitcoin MENA Conference, which will take place on December 9-10, 2024. This prestigious event marks the first-ever Middle East and North Africa (MENA) edition of the globally renowned Bitcoin Conference, recognized as one of the cryptocurrency industry's most significant intellectual property platforms. Bitcoin MENA: A Ground-breaking Milestone for the Crypto Industry The Bitcoin Conference series has built a reputation as a cornerstone event for the cryptocurrency ecosystem, bringing together innovators, industry leaders, and enthusiasts from around the globe. Its expansion into the MENA region signals the growing influence of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology in this dynamic market. The Abu Dhabi edition aims to foster dialogue, collaboration, and innovation in a region poised for rapid crypto adoption. Keynote speakers include Eric Trump, Executive Vice President The Trump Organization, Marwan Al Zarouni, CEO of AI Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism, and Saifedean Ammous, CEO of Saifedean.com. Their presence underscores the global importance of the event, as they are set to share unique insights into the cryptocurrency space and its potential impact on economies worldwide. CoinEx: Expanding Localized Outreach in MENA CoinEx is proud to sponsor the BitcoinMENA Conference, reflecting its ongoing commitment to growing its presence in the MENA region. As part of its sponsorship, CoinEx has secured a prominent booth at the exhibition hall and has also placed large-scale advertisements at the venue's main entrances and exits, ensuring high visibility throughout the event. The sponsorship aligns with CoinEx's strategy to deepen its localized efforts in the MENA market, a region characterized by a rapidly increasing appetite for digital assets and blockchain solutions. By actively engaging with local communities, CoinEx aims to make cryptocurrency trading more accessible while fostering trust and education in the space. Exciting On-Site Activities and Giveaways Visitors to the CoinEx booth will be treated to an array of interactive activities designed to make their experience both fun and rewarding. Attendees will have the chance to participate in prize-winning games and activities, with exclusive CoinEx-branded merchandise and crypto rewards up for grabs. CoinEx invites everyone to stop by the booth, engage with the team, and learn more about the user-friendly platform and innovative offerings. Whether you are new to cryptocurrencies or a seasoned trader, the CoinEx team is ready to assist and answer questions, offering insights into the platform's features, such as easy-to-navigate trading interfaces, robust security measures, and diverse asset options. Building Bridges in MENA's Crypto Space With the MENA region emerging as a hub for fintech innovation, CoinEx sees Bitcoin MENA as the perfect platform to showcase our strengths and connect with industry stakeholders. The exchange aims to establish new partnerships, strengthen the regional network, and better understand the unique needs of users in this market. CoinEx's participation is a testament to the dedication to making cryptocurrencies accessible to users globally, regardless of their level of expertise or geographic location. By engaging directly with the vibrant MENA crypto community, CoinEx is taking significant strides toward shaping the future of digital finance in the region. Join CoinEx at Bitcoin MENA The Bitcoin MENA Conference is set to be an unforgettable gathering, featuring insightful keynotes, engaging panel discussions, and opportunities to network with some of the biggest names in the crypto world. CoinEx warmly welcomes all attendees to visit their booth M-086! Participate in the fun activities and explore how the platform can empower them to navigate the evolving crypto landscape. Don't miss the opportunity to connect with CoinEx at Bitcoin MENA, December 9-10, 2024, in Abu Dhabi. Let's build the future of crypto together! About CoinEx Established in 2017, CoinEx is a global cryptocurrency exchange committed to making trading easier. The platform provides a range of services, including spot and futures trading, margin trading, swaps, automated market makers (AMM), and financial management services for over 10 million users across 200+ countries and regions. Since its establishment, CoinEx has steadfastly adhered to a "user-first" service principle. With the sincere intention of nurturing an equitable, respectful, and secure crypto trading environment, CoinEx enables individuals with varying levels of experience to effortlessly access the world of cryptocurrency by offering easy-to-use products. SOURCE CoinEx Global TORONTO, Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - DeFi Technologies Inc. (the "Company" or "DeFi Technologies") (CBOE CA: DEFI) (GR: R9B) (OTC: DEFTF), a financial technology company that pioneers the convergence of traditional capital markets with the world of decentralised finance ("DeFi"), announces that Russell Starr, Head of Capital Markets, will be a featured guest on Stocktwits Daily Rip Live on December 3, 2024, at 9:00 AM EST. Daily Rip Live airs every market day, delivering Stocktwits' vibrant community the latest market updates, trading insights, and in-depth analysis of emerging financial trends. Anchored by Shay Boloor and Jordan Lee, renowned for their expertise and engaging social media presence, the show features a lineup of expert guests, making it a go-to resource for active traders and investors. Tune in live via: Watch the live show on: https://stocktwits.com/ @Stocktwits on X : https://x.com/Stocktwits Stocktwits YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/stocktwits Learn more about DeFi Technologies at defi.tech About Stocktwits Stocktwits is the premier social media platform dedicated to investors and traders. With an active community of over 10 million users, Stocktwits has established itself as a leading voice in the investing world. Driven by the mission to help investors enhance their returns, Stocktwits offers a rich ecosystem of community interaction, data, content, and tools that empower investors to connect, learn, profit, and have fun in the process. For more information, visit https://stocktwits.com/ About DeFi Technologies DeFi Technologies Inc. (CBOE CA: DEFI) (GR: R9B) (OTC: DEFTF) is a financial technology company that pioneers the convergence of traditional capital markets with the world of decentralized finance (DeFi). With a dedicated focus on industry-leading Web3 technologies, DeFi Technologies aims to provide widespread investor access to the future of finance. Backed by an esteemed team of experts with extensive experience in financial markets and digital assets, we are committed to revolutionizing the way individuals and institutions interact with the evolving financial ecosystem. Join DeFi Technologies' digital community on Linkedin and Twitter, and for more details, visit https://defi.tech/ About Valour Valour Inc. and Valour Digital Securities Limited (together, "Valour") issues exchange traded products ("ETPs") that enable retail and institutional investors to access digital assets like Bitcoin in a simple and secure way via their traditional bank account. Valour is part of the asset management business line of DeFi Technologies Inc. (CBOE CA: DEFI) (GR: R9B) (OTC: DEFTF).For more information on Valour, to subscribe, or to receive updates and financial information, visit valour.com. About Reflexivity Research Reflexivity Research LLC is a leading research firm specializing in the creation of high-quality, in-depth research reports for the bitcoin and digital asset industry, empowering investors with valuable insights. For more information please visit https://www.reflexivityresearch.com/ About Stillman Digital Stillman Digital is a leading digital asset liquidity provider that offers limitless liquidity solutions for businesses, focusing on industry-leading trade execution, settlement, and technology. For more information, please visit https://www.stillmandigital.com Cautionary note regarding forward-looking information: This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to the participation of DeFi Technologies on Stocktwits; development of ETPs; the regulatory environment with respect to the growth and adoption of decentralized finance; the pursuit by DeFi and its subsidiaries of business opportunities; and the merits or potential returns of any such opportunities. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but is not limited to the growth and development of decentralized finance and the digital asset sector; rules and regulations with respect to decentralized finance and digital assets; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. THE CBOE CANADA EXCHANGE DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE SOURCE DeFi Technologies Inc. Patients can demo the procedures during December 10 "All I Want for Christmas" party SPRING GROVE, Ill., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- If body sculpting or strengthening your pelvic floor is on your Christmas wish list, you now can experience leading-edge, non-invasive procedures with no needles, pain or downtime. Discover Medical Center is offering new procedures for burning fat, toning muscles, tightening skin and reducing incontinence and will demo them during a complimentary "All I Want for Christmas" party, Dec. 10. The Center is a Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin premier provider of chiropractic care, physical medicine, and weight loss management, and the area's top-reviewed health and wellness practice. "From nutritional counseling to infrared light treatment, we are experts at treating musculoskeletal pain and improving health," says Dr. Darrin Foszcz, chiropractor and Medical Director of Discover Medical Center. "We practice a holistic approach and offer minimally invasive, cutting-edge treatments. Our newest procedures, Emsculpt NEO and EMSELLA, are game changers for patients looking to burn fat and build muscle or those struggling with incontinence." EmSculpt NEO, a non-invasive and drug-free technology uses muscle activation and radiofrequency (heat), to eliminate fat cells in the abdomen, buttocks, arms, and thighs. The device tones and tightens by forcing muscles to experience contractions equivalent to 20,000 sit-ups during a 30-minute session. Four treatments of EmSculpt NEO over four weeks are comparable to 12-16 weeks of a high intensity, interval training (HIIT) program and research shows patients increase muscle mass by 25 percent and decrease body fat by 30 percent in treated areas. More than 25 million Americans struggle with urinary incontinence, and another new technology, BTL's EMSELLA, is a windfall for men and women struggling with pelvic floor weakness. The EMSELLA chair induces muscle contractions to strengthen the pelvic floor -- equivalent to doing 11,000 Kegel exercises over 28 minutes. Patients remain fully clothed and can resume daily activities after treatment. Dr. Foszcz recommends six treatments over three weeks. These leading-edge technologies will be showcased at the "All I want for Christmas" complimentary party, 1-7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 10, at Discover Medical Center, 2207 US-12 Suite E, Spring Grove. Attendees will enjoy refreshments, live demos, special discounts on procedures and raffle prizes. To RSVP: Call 815-675-9355. For more info: www.DiscoverMedicalCenter.com. SOURCE Discover Medical Center HONG KONG, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dunxin Financial Holdings Limited ("Dunxin" or the "Company") (OTC Pink: DXFFY), a company engaged in real estate operation management and investment and a digital technology security business in Hong Kong, today announced that it plans to change the ratio of its American depositary shares ("ADSs") from one (1) ADS representing four hundred and eighty (480) Class A ordinary shares to one (1) ADS representing sixty thousand (60,000) Class A ordinary shares. The effect of the ratio change on the ADS trading price on the OTC Pink (the "OTC") is expected to take place at the open of trading on December 4, 2024 (U.S. Eastern Time). For the Company's ADS holders, the ADS ratio change will have the same effect as a one-for-one hundred and twenty-five reverse split. There will be no change to the Company's Class A ordinary shares. ADS holders of record on the effective date will need to surrender their ADS to the depositary bank for cancellation and exchange in connection with the ADS ratio change, with further details to be provided in the notice by the depositary bank. As of the effective date for the ADS ratio change, Dunxin's ADSs will continue to be traded on the OTC under the symbol "DXFFY". No fractional new ADSs will be issued in connection with the change in the ADS ratio. Instead, fractional entitlements to new ADSs will be aggregated and sold by the depositary bank and the net cash proceeds from the sale of the fractional ADS entitlements (after deduction of fees, taxes and expenses) will be distributed to the applicable ADS holders by the depositary bank. As a result of the change in the ADS ratio, the ADS price is expected to increase proportionally, although the Company can give no assurance that the ADS price after the change in the ADS ratio will be equal to or greater than the ADS price on a proportionate basis. About Dunxin Financial Holdings Limited Dunxin is a licensed microfinance lender serving individuals and SMEs in Hubei Province, China. Dunxin suspended offering loans to its customers since 2020. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When the Company uses words such as "may, "will, "intend," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate" or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the following: the Company's goals and strategies; the Company's future business development; product and service demand and acceptance; changes in technology; economic conditions; the growth of market in China and the other international markets the Company plans to serve; reputation and brand; the impact of competition and pricing; government regulations; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and the international markets the Company plans to serve and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing and other risks contained in reports filed by the Company with the SEC. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forwardlooking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof. SOURCE Dunxin Financial Holding Limited SOLON, Ohio, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Eagle Electronics, a new leader in high-tech electronics and cellular module production, is proud to announce it has raised $14mm, led by the O.H.I.O. Fund with participation from Asymmetric Capital Partners, to establish cutting-edge manufacturing technology and operations in Solon, Ohio, in partnership with CO-AX Technology. This strategic initiative marks a significant milestone in the company's commitment to onshoring the advanced high-tech supply chain to the United States. "This is a major moment for Eagle and our vision of onshoring and securing America's critical technologies," said TJ Dembinski, Co-Founder & CEO of Eagle Electronics. "Our goal is to set a new standard for electronics manufacturing in the U.S., combining the most advanced automated manufacturing and testing technology with rigorous hardware and software cyber-security testing throughout the supply chain. This offering will allow Eagle to onshore critical knowledge and essential technologies, all while continuing to cement the United States' leadership in the chip industry." Eagle Electronics' new facility aims to be the most advanced electronics manufacturing plant in the United States, leveraging cutting-edge surface-mount technology manufacturing equipment. The Solon, Ohio manufacturing operation is also expected to create numerous jobs in Ohio, further establishing the state as a key player in the U.S. semiconductor industry. Ohio's Lieutenant Governor, Jon Husted, added, "Eagle is further proof that Ohio is becoming one of the world's leading semiconductor manufacturing hubs. With the addition of Eagle, we're bringing more jobs in this sector to Northeast Ohio, reinforcing our commitment to the 'Made in Ohio' strategy." Eagle is already seeing demand for American-made cellular modules and has signed up several customers. Boston-based Cherish has contracted with Eagle to advance its goal of sourcing components for its health and safety monitoring products manufactured in the communities where its customers live. Sumit Nagpal, Cherish's Founder & CEO, said, "Our customers trust us to invite our products into their homes to monitor the health and safety of loved ones. Our work with Eagle helps deepen this trust with, in this case, cellular modules manufactured in the U.S.A. This is good for us, our customers, and the communities we serve." "Our partnership with Cherish Health demonstrates the market's confidence in our ability to deliver high-quality, state-of-the-art cellular modules," added Mark Kvamme, Eagle's Co-Founder & Chairman. "We look forward to expanding our customer base as we ramp production and continue to innovate in the cellular module and electronics manufacturing spaces." To achieve this goal, Eagle's first onshoring partner is Quectel, a global IoT solutions provider. Norbert Muhrer, Quectel's President and CSO, commented on the Eagle relationship, "Some customers need access to cellular modules that are made in the United States. We are excited to partner with Eagle Electronics to be able to offer customers the option to procure U.S.-made and cyber-secure modules and we're thrilled to be part of bringing production jobs back to the U.S." Eagle is also partnering with Finite State, a leader in software supply chain security, to produce, compile, and audit all firmware for Eagle devices domestically. Former Head of the CIA Directorate of Science & Technology and Eagle Board Member, Dawn Meyerriecks, says of this arrangement, "Eagle's domestic production, coupled with the company's partnership with Finite State, will go a long way in assuaging security concerns that are inherent with any connected technology. We believe our approach will be the most secure offering in the market." About Eagle Electronics Eagle Electronics is an electronics manufacturing company dedicated to onshoring the manufacturing of critical technologies in the United States. By focusing on state-of-the-art manufacturing and strategic partnerships, Eagle Electronics is committed to building a geopolitically resilient and secure technology supply chain. SOURCE Eagle Electronics FORT WORTH, Texas, Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- EECU, the second-largest credit union in Dallas-Fort Worth, is proud to announce the opening of its newest Financial Center. Located at The Shops at Chisholm Trail Ranch in Fort Worth, this location becomes EECU's 19th Financial Center in the DFW area. EECU Announces Opening of New Chisholm Trail Financial Center The 1,200-square-foot space boasts a clean, modern interior and state-of-the-art features including Personal Teller Machines in both the drive-thru and lobby. These PTMs allow for quick, convenient transactions, such as deposits and withdrawals, and offer the option to video chat with an EECU financial advisor for live assistance. Friendly EECU staff members are available on-site to assist Members with opening an account or applying for a loan. The interior also features two Dialogue Offices where Members can meet with an experienced advisor to have a conversation about their financial needs, from home buying and auto loans to investment goals and insurance. "We're excited to open our new Chisholm Trail Financial Center and offer these innovative banking features to the residents and businesses in the area," said EECU President and CEO Lonnie Nicholson. "This location will strengthen our presence in South Fort Worth and provide expanded convenience for our Members in this growing community." EECU will be hosting a week-long celebration to mark this special occasion. From December 2 to December 6, EECU will host a daily prize drawing, with a grand prize giveaway on December 7. On December 7, EECU will host a Community Celebration from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Open to the public, the family-friendly event will have giveaways, food, and fun activities for everyone. The Chisholm Trail Financial Center lobby will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The drive-thru will offer expanded hours during the week, opening at 8 a.m. Monday through Friday. About EECU Credit Union With more than $4 billion in assets, EECU Credit Union is one of North Texas' largest locally owned financial institutions. For nearly 90 years, EECU has been serving the financial needs of individuals and businesses in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Today, EECU provides nearly 300,000 members with a full range of financial products and nationwide convenience through a network of 5,000 Service Centers, 85,000 free ATMs and 24/7 online and mobile banking. For more information, visit EECU.org or connect with EECU on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn. CONTACT INFORMATION: Adam Hernandez Director, Digital & Corporate Communications (817) 805-1246 [email protected] SOURCE EECU Credit Union REDDING, Calif., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report titled, 'English Language Learning Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis Methodology (Blended, Offline, Online), Learning Mode, Age Group, End User (Individual Learners, Educational Institutes, Government Bodies, Corporate Learners)Global Forecast to 2031. The English Language Learning market is expected to reach $91.1 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 10.6% from 2024 to 2031. Download FREE PDF Brochure Of English Language Learning Market - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/download-sample-report/cp_id=5127 English is a lingua franca, or a common language, that enables people who do not share a dialect to communicate. Learning English helps individuals build trust with colleagues and clients, improve international relationships, enhance their skill set, command a higher salary, and foster cultural understanding. Proficiency in English also enhances a person's skill set, making them more competitive in the global job market. It often leads to higher salaries, as employers value employees who can effectively communicate with international clients and partners. Moreover, learning English promotes cultural understanding, allowing individuals to appreciate and engage with diverse perspectives, which is essential for strengthening international relationships in an increasingly interconnected world. The growth of this market is driven by the rising importance of English in business & professional areas, increasing investments in start-ups & small companies teaching English, and the minimal cost of English language learning apps. However, reluctance to accept English as a primary communication tool in some countries may restrain the growth of this market. The increasing spending on the education sector and transnational education (TNE) is expected to create market growth opportunities. However, the shortage of trained professionals to teach English is a major challenge for the players operating in this market. Get Insightful Data On Regions, Market Segments, Customer Landscape, And Top Companies (Charts, Tables, Figures And More) -https://www.meticulousresearch.com/request-sample-report/cp_id=5127 Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) & robot technology and e-learning are major trends in the global English language learning market. English Language Learning Industry Overview: Latest Developments from Key Industry Players In November 2023 , Babbel ( Germany ) partnered with the FSC Indigenous Foundation ( Panama ), a global Indigenous organization working with and for Indigenous peoples worldwide, to offer English lessons to Indigenous Peoples around the world. Babbel will support Indigenous Peoples with the self-paced learning app as well as its live classes with teachers to learn English. , Babbel ( ) partnered with the FSC Indigenous Foundation ( ), a global Indigenous organization working with and for Indigenous peoples worldwide, to offer English lessons to Indigenous Peoples around the world. Babbel will support Indigenous Peoples with the self-paced learning app as well as its live classes with teachers to learn English. In June 2022 , Duolingo (U.S.) partnered with HBO Max (U.S.) for an HBO Original series, House of the Dragon. The company launched an updated High Valyrian course, the fictional language spoken in the show, including over 150 new words and more than 700 new sentences. , Duolingo (U.S.) partnered with HBO Max (U.S.) for an HBO Original series, House of the Dragon. The company launched an updated High Valyrian course, the fictional language spoken in the show, including over 150 new words and more than 700 new sentences. In April 2022 , Udemy (U.S.) partnered with WOONGJIN THINKBIG Co Ltd ( South Korea ), an education company, to expand the company's global footprint, bringing Udemy and its corporate learning solution, Udemy Business, to more learners, instructors, and organizations in the Korean market. Have Specific Research Needs? Request a Customized Research Report - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/request-customization/cp_id=5127 The English language learning market is segmented based on methodology (blended learning, offline learning, online learning), learning mode (self-learning apps and applications, tutoring (one-on-one learning, group learning), age group (<18 years, 1820 years, 2130 years, 3140 years, >40 years), end user (individual learners, educational institutes (k-12, higher education), government bodies, corporate learners), and geography. The study also evaluates industry competitors and analyses the market at the regional and country levels. Based on methodology, the global English language learning market is segmented into blended learning, offline learning, and online learning. In 2024, the blended learning segment is estimated to account for the largest share of the English language learning market. This segment's large market share is attributed to the increasing need for personalized learning for students, the rising importance of effective learning methodology, the increasing demand for personalized learning, the rise in the adoption of advanced offline & online learning systems for students and working professionals, the ability to manage to learn at individuals' own pace, and flexibility. However, the online learning segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Based on learning mode, the global English language learning market is segmented into self-learning apps and applications and tutoring. The tutoring segment is further segmented into one-on-one learning and group learning. In 2024, the tutoring segment is estimated to account for the largest share of the English language learning market. This segment's large market share is attributed to the increasing need for personalized and flexible one-to-one language learning experiences, growing investment in e-learning tools and technologies to enhance the teaching experience, and the increasing demand for cost-effective programs to address the knowledge gap in students. However, the self-learning apps and applications segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Based on age group, the global English language learning market is segmented into <13 years, 13-17 years, 18- 20 years, 21-30 years, 31-40 years, and >40 years. In 2024, the <13-17 years segment is expected to account for the largest share of the global English language learning market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the increasing digitization of public schools, the rising number of English learners, the significant increase in smartphone users, the increasing demand for kids' learning apps, the rising preference for interactive and engaging learning experiences, and increasing need for immersive and practical language practice. Moreover, the <13 years segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The integration of immersive technologies like AR/VR to create practical and visually stimulating learning experiences further supports the rapid growth of the <13 years segment in the English language learning market. Based on end user, the global English language learning market is segmented into individual learners, educational institutes, government bodies, and corporate learners. The educational institutes segment is further segmented into K-12 and higher education. In 2024, the individual learners segment is estimated to account for the largest share of the English language learning market. This segment's large market share can be attributed to the increasing adoption of smart devices, greater internet penetration, the growing need for live content transmission on the internet to enhance brand engagement and reach students, and the rising number of established language learning platforms. Based on geography, the English language learning market is segmented into North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. In 2024, Asia-Pacific is estimated to account for the largest share of the English language learning market. This region's large market share is attributed to factors such as the growing need for improved communication across borders, increased access to language learning platforms, rising investments in online language learning start-ups and small companies, and increasing government initiatives aimed at digitizing education. Additionally, rapid growth in internet and smartphone penetration, the rising adoption of AI-based language learning applications, an expanding middle-class population with higher disposable incomes, and the growing emphasis on English proficiency for better employment opportunities in global markets are further driving the region's growth. IMMEDIATE DELIVERY AVAILABLE | BUY THIS RESEARCH REPORT (Insights, Charts, Tables, Figures and More)- https://www.meticulousresearch.com/Checkout/62558833 The report also includes an extensive assessment of the key growth strategies adopted by the leading market participants between 2021 and 2023. The English Language Learning Market is consolidated and dominated by a few major players, namely Cambridge University Press (U.K.), New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. (China), Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Company (U.S.), McGraw-Hill Education, Inc. (U.S.), Duolingo Inc. (U.S.), Berlitz Corporation (U.S.), Busuu Ltd (U.K.), Babbel GmbH (Germany), Linguistica 360, Inc. (U.S.), Mondly (Romania), ELSA Corp. (U.S.), FluentU (A part of Enux Education Limited) (China), Memrise Inc. (U.K.), Mango Languages (U.S.), Rosetta Stone Ltd. (A part of IXL Learning, Inc.) (U.S.), Inlingua International Ltd. (Switzerland), Sanako Corporation (Finland), Transparent Language, Inc. (U.S.), and Open Education LLC (U.S.). Scope of the Report: English Language Learning Market Assessmentby Methodology Blended Learning Offline Learning Online Learning English Language Learning Market Assessmentby Learning Mode Self-learning Apps and Applications Tutoring One-on-One Learning Group Learning English Language Learning Market Assessmentby Age Group <13 Years 13-17 Years 18-20 years 21-30 years 31-40 years >40 years English Language Learning Market Assessmentby End User Individual Learners Government Bodies Corporate Learners Educational Institutes K12 Higher Education English Language Learning Market Assessmentby Geography North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany U.K. France Italy Spain Russia Poland Netherlands Belgium Sweden Austria Switzerland Finland Norway Turkey Ireland Luxembourg Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific China Japan South Korea India Indonesia Australia & New Zealand & Taiwan Hong Kong Singapore Malaysia Vietnam Rest of Asia-Pacific Latin America Brazil Mexico Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africa & UAE Saudi Arabia Rest of Middle East & Africa Related Reports: Online Language Learning Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Learning Mode (Self-learning Apps & Applications, Tutoring), Age Group, Language (English, Mandarin, Spanish), End User (Individual Learners, Educational Institutions), and Geography - Global Forecast to 2031 - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/online-language-learning-market-5025 Online Language Tutoring Market by Learning Mode (One-on-one, Group), Age Group (<18 Years, 1820 Years), Language, End User (Individual Learners, Educational Institutes, Government Bodies, Corporate Learners), and Geography - Global Forecast to 2030 - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/online-language-tutoring-market-5691 Europe Online Language Learning Market, by Learning Mode (Self-learning Apps, Tutoring), Age Group, Language (English, Mandarin, Spanish), End User (Individual Learners, Educational Institutions), and Country - Forecast to 2030 - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/europe-online-language-learning-market-5549 North America Online Language Learning Market, by Learning Mode (Self-learning Apps & Applications, Tutoring), Age Group, Language (English, Mandarin, Spanish), End User (Individual Learners, Educational Institutions), and Country - Forecast to 2031 - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/north-america-online-language-learning-market-5550 Asia-Pacific Online Language Learning Market, by Learning Mode (Self-learning Apps & Applications, Tutoring), Age Group, Language (English, Mandarin, Spanish), End User (Individual Learners, Educational Institutions), and Country - Forecast to 2030 - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/asia-pacific-online-language-learning-market-5541 Language Learning Market by Age Group (<18 years, 18-20 years, 21-30 years, 31-40 years, >40 years), Language (English, Mandarin, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese), End User (B2C, B2B), and Geography - Global Forecast to 2031 - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/language-learning-market-5561 Language Learning Apps Market by Offering, Learning Mode (One-on-one, Group), Age Group, Language, End User (Individual Learners, Educational Institutes, Government Bodies, Corporate Learners), and Geography - Global Forecast to 2030 - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/language-learning-apps-market-5658 English Language Learning Market Research Summary Particulars Details Number of Pages 291 Format PDF Forecast Period 20242031 Base Year 2023 CAGR (Value) 10.6 % Market Size (Value) USD 91.1 Billion by 2031 Segments Covered By Methodology Blended Learning Offline Learning Online Learning By Learning Mode Group Learning Self-learning Apps and Applications Tutoring One-on-One Learning By Age Group <13 Years 13-17 Years 18-20 years 21-30 years 31-40 years >40 years By End User Individual Learners Government Bodies Corporate Learners Educational Institutes K-12 Higher Education Countries Covered North America (U.S., Canada), Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Poland, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Norway, Turkey, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Australia & New Zealand, Taiwan, Hongkong, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Rest of Latin America), and the Middle East & Africa (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Rest of Middle East & Africa) Key Companies Cambridge University Press (U.K.), New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. (China), Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Company (U.S.), McGraw-Hill Education, Inc. (U.S.), Duolingo Inc. (U.S.), Berlitz Corporation (U.S.), Busuu Online S.L. (Spain), Babble GMBH (Germany), Linguistica 360, Inc. (U.S.), Mondly (Romania), ELSA Corp. (U.S.), FluentU (A part of Enux Education Limited) (China), Memrise Inc. (U.K.), Mango Languages (U.S.), Rosetta Stone Ltd. (A part of IXL Learning, Inc.) (U.S.), Inlingua International Ltd. (Switzerland), Sanako Corporation (Finland), Transparent Language, Inc. (U.S.), and Open Education LLC (U.S.). Contact: Meticulous Market Research Pvt.Ltd. 1267 Willis St, Ste 200 Redding, California, 96001, U.S. USA: +1-646-781-8004 Europe: +44-203-868-8738 APAC: +91 744-7780008 Email- [email protected] Visit Our Website: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/ Connect with us on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/meticulous-research Meticulousblog.org | Top Market Research Reports Blog - https://meticulousblog.org/ Content Source: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/pressrelease/32/english-language-learning-market Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1757980/Meticulous_Research_Logo_1.jpg SOURCE Meticulous Market Research Pvt. Ltd. NEW YORK, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Renowned peacebuilder and community leader Erica Ford, CEO and Founder of LIFE Camp Inc., celebrates 37 years of dedication to peace advocacy with the launch of her self-published interactive journal, "The Peace Doctor's Playbook: 365 Days to a Stronger, More Powerful You." Erica Ford Peace Dr. Available for pre-order on www.ericaford.org , online purchase exclusively at www.amazon.com December 12, 2024, and the journal will officially be in selected stores on January 15, 2025. This transformative journal serves as a trusted companion for individuals seeking resilience, purpose, and healing in their daily lives. Early bird discounts are available for those who pre-order. A Journal Rooted in Experience and Commitment December 12 marks a pivotal moment in Erica Ford's life37 years ago, she committed herself to creating a world of peace and justice. Since then, Erica has transformed lives, pioneering innovative approaches to violence prevention and community empowerment. Now, Erica brings her years of wisdom and experience to "The Peace Doctor's Playbook," a 365-day interactive journal designed to inspire growth, foster mindfulness, and guide readers on their personal journeys to peace and power. "This journal is my way of sharing the strategies and insights that have guided me through decades of work in peacebuilding and personal transformation," says Erica Ford. "It's a tool for anyone ready to activate their inner strength and take charge of their life." About The Peace Doctor's Playbook In a world where uncertainty and stress are constant, "The Peace Doctor's Playbook" provides a daily structure to help individuals stay grounded, focused, and inspired. Daily Reflections: Thought-provoking quotes and affirmations to set the tone for each day. Interactive Prompts: Practical exercises to cultivate mindfulness, resilience, and growth. Actionable Tools: Step-by-step guidance to help overcome challenges and build inner strength. A Source of Daily Support: A yearlong companion to inspire healing, clarity, and empowerment. Why December 12 Matters December 12 is more than just a launch dateit is a day that marks the 37th anniversary of Erica Ford's unwavering commitment to peace and justice. On this date, she made the life-changing decision to join the December 12th Movement, dedicating herself to her community and beginning a lifelong journey of activism and empowerment. "December 12 holds profound meaning for me, as it represents the moment I chose to commit my life to saving the lives of young people," Erica shares. "Launching The Peace Doctor's Playbook on this date honors that decision and encourages others to embrace their power to transform their lives." Pre-Order and Purchase Information Pre-Order and Online Purchase Starts: December 12, 2024 Official Instore Release Date: January 15, 2025 Where to Pre-Order: www.ericaford.org Where to Purchase Online December 12, 2024 : www.amazon.com : Special Offers: Early bird discounts and exclusive bonuses for pre-order customers! About Erica Ford Erica Ford is one of the nation's most celebrated peacebuilders, with over three decades of experience transforming communities and saving lives. As the Founder and CEO of LIFE Camp, Inc., she has empowered countless individuals through her innovative approach to violence prevention and personal empowerment. With "The Peace Doctor's Playbook," Erica steps into the publishing world, offering a practical, hands-on tool to guide individuals on their journey to resilience, healing, and personal growth. Media Contact For interviews, review copies, or bookings, please contact: Tenisha Ramos VP of Marketing [email protected] 646-764-0222 Follow Erica Ford Online: SOURCE LIFE Camp, Inc David Prosser, who spent nearly two decades championing conservative policy as a Republican legislator in the state Assembly before serving another 18 years as a justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, has died. He was 81. Prosser died Sunday evening after battling cancer for several months, his family said in a statement. Friends and former colleagues on Monday described the Appleton native as a committed public servant throughout his time as Outagamie County district attorney, state lawmaker and justice on the seven-member Supreme Court. While remembered as an intelligent and tireless justice, Prossers time on the states highest court was also marked by increasing partisan divisions, culminating in a heated altercation between Prosser and one of his liberal colleagues. Chief Justice Annette Ziegler said in a statement Prosser had profoundly shaped the legal, legislative, and judicial landscape of Wisconsin. I am confident that Justice Prossers legacy as a lifelong public servant will continue to inspire and impact future generations of public servants, Ziegler said. On behalf of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, I express our profound gratitude to Justice Prosser for his decades of service and his unwavering dedication to justice, fairness, and the betterment of Wisconsin. Prosser was first appointed to the Supreme Court in September 1998 by former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson and won his first 10-year term on the bench in 2001. He retired from the states highest court in 2016. Prosser narrowly won reelection in 2011 during the upheaval over then-Republican Gov. Scott Walkers signature law Act 10, which effectively eliminated collective bargaining for most public employees. By then, the conservative Prosser had clashed sharply with some of his more liberal colleagues, most strikingly during a heated argument over Act 10, when Prosser placed his hands on Justice Ann Walsh Bradleys neck. Prosser later said he inadvertently touched Bradleys neck in self-defense but didnt squeeze. Bradley confirmed Prosser didnt choke her, and no charges were filed. During an earlier clash with another liberal justice, then-Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson, Prosser called Abrahamson a total bitch. He later said Abrahamson goaded him into it, accusing the then-liberal majority of ganging up on him and creating a hostile environment. Prosser graduated from the UW-Madison law school in 1968. He worked as an attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice and as a lecturer at the Indiana University-Indianapolis law school during the late 1960s and early 70s. Before joining the state Supreme Court, Prosser served 18 years in the Assembly, starting in 1979, and spent six years as minority leader and another two as the chambers speaker. A man of wisdom Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said Prosser was well-regarded and well-respected by his colleagues on both sides of the aisle. A man of wisdom, Dave listened first, was thoughtful and independent-minded in his decisions, Vos continued. He gained the trust of his colleagues, both Republicans and Democrats. Dave leaves a legacy of service to the state that wont be matched. Thompson said he visited Prosser during the first snowfall of the year last month in Appleton, where they talked about the upcoming Supreme Court race. He called Prosser the most caring, compassionate, careful man that I think Ive ever met in public service. I could always count on him to be candid in discussions and results oriented in action, Thompson said. David could count votes and delivered when it mattered. Thompson also appointed him to be commissioner of the Wisconsin Tax Appeals Commission in 1997. Larry Martin, executive director of the State Bar of Wisconsin, described Prosser as a strong supporter, friend, and advocate, for the State Bar and his leadership and friendship will be deeply missed. Justice Prosser worked tirelessly in service to Wisconsins citizens, judiciary and legal profession, Martin said. I am personally grateful for our friendship and the support he gave me as executive director and join his many friends across the legal community and our state in honoring his lifetime commitment to public service. Name change Shortly after his retirement from the Supreme Court, the courts then-conservative majority changed the name of the Wisconsin State Law Library to the David T. Prosser, Jr. State Law Library. Created in 1836, the library has had several homes until 2022, when it was located in the Risser Justice Center, at 120 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The library was called the Wisconsin State Law Library until 2016, when it was renamed to honor Prosser. Earlier this year, however, after the court shifted to a 4-3 liberal majority, the majority renamed the library to honor Lavinia Goodell, the states first woman lawyer. Conservative justices criticized the decision to remove Prossers name, with Justice Rebecca Grassl Bradley calling it another petty and vindictive maneuver by the courts liberal justices. He also came back into the spotlight last year when Vos asked for his advice on whether to impeach recently elected liberal Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz for comments she made on the campaign trail. Impeachment would have prevented Protasiewicz from presiding over pending legislative redistricting cases. Prosser advised Vos against moving forward, arguing, Impeachment that appears to be solely partisan will likely backfire. NEW YORK, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Estella, a leading provider of organic baby gifts , clothing, and toys, has partnered with Room to Grow to support low-income NYC families. Estella's goal for 2024 is to donate $40,000 worth of baby essentials, having already donated $26,000 this year. Through its "Buy 1, Give 1" campaign, Estella aims to raise an additional $14,000 by December 25th. From December 3rd to 25th, Estella will donate a gift for every purchase made on its website to a family supported by Room to Grow, a nonprofit empowering low-income families. "We're thrilled to work with Estella again for the holidays," said Sandra Medeiros, New York Director at Room to Grow. "Estella's Spring donation made a huge difference for 500 families, providing clothing, toys, and books to help ease financial strain. Partners like Estella help us meet the growing needs of our community." Estella's $40,000 donation goal follows its successful Easter 2024 Drive, where over $26,000 worth of goods were donated. "After seeing the impact of our Easter campaign, we knew we had to do more. The 'Buy 1, Give 1' initiative allows us to make a tangible difference for both our customers and those in need," said Chike Chukwulozie, Estella co-founder. Estella also launched a "Buy 5, Give 1" program for retail partners. For every five items purchased from Estella's Holiday Collection, one gift will be donated to Room to Grow, helping even more families. "The baby items donated through Estella's Easter Drive supported early childhood development and encouraged literacy for hundreds of families," said Allison Russo, Room to Grow. "These high-quality items help offset financial hardship while providing children with tools for learning and play." Estella invites consumers, baby boutiques , and retailers to participate in this impactful holiday campaign. About Estella Founded in New York City in 2003, Estella creates beautifully designed baby gifts, toys, and clothing from organic, non-toxic materials. The company is committed to giving back through charitable initiatives that support families in need. About Room to Grow Room to Grow is a nonprofit supporting families raising babies in low-income circumstances. They provide essential resources to help children thrive during the critical first three years of life. SOURCE Estella NYC Plans Announced for Facilitron University 4 in 2025 LOS GATOS, Calif., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Facilitron, a leader in K-12 facilities management technology, celebrates the success of Facilitron University 3 and announces Facilitron University 4, scheduled for April 1618, 2025, in Los Gatos, California. This year's Facilitron University 3 convened education administrators, operations professionals, and thought leaders from 15 states to explore innovative strategies for school facility management, technology integration, and community engagement. Over two impactful days, participants shared insights, discussed challenges, and identified solutions aimed at improving operational efficiency, enhancing community partnerships, and unlocking the full potential of school facilities. "Facilitron University 3 provided a platform for educators and administrators to connect with industry experts, exchange ideas, and gain practical insights to benefit their districts," said Facilitron CEO, Jeff Benjamin. "Our shared goal is to enhance safety, efficiency, and accessibility in school facilities. By expanding networks of support and fostering collaboration, we aim to empower districts nationwide to maximize resources and create thriving, community-centered schools. We're excited to continue this important work at Facilitron University 4." Key Takeaways from Facilitron University 3 Data-Driven Decision-Making Districts are leveraging analytics and AI to optimize maintenance, inform policy changes, and reduce operational costs. Districts are leveraging analytics and AI to optimize maintenance, inform policy changes, and reduce operational costs. Facility Rental Strategies Revenue-sharing models transform schools into community hubs, generating income to address budget deficits, support underserved schools, and fund district initiatives. Revenue-sharing models transform schools into community hubs, generating income to address budget deficits, support underserved schools, and fund district initiatives. Technological Integration Unified platforms like Facilitron simplify administrative processes, automate workflows, and improve user experiences. Unified platforms like Facilitron simplify administrative processes, automate workflows, and improve user experiences. Safety and Risk Management Schools are redefining risk management through collaborative emergency preparedness and streamlined processes. Schools are redefining risk management through collaborative emergency preparedness and streamlined processes. Community Engagement Equitable policies and transparent communication are fostering stronger partnerships between schools and communities. Looking Ahead: Facilitron University 4 Building on the success of this year's event, Facilitron University 4 will expand to a three-day format in 2025, offering even greater opportunities for learning, collaboration, and innovation. Sessions will address pressing challenges and emerging trends in K-12 education, such as: Artificial Intelligence in Education : Using AI to enhance facility management and support educators. : Using AI to enhance facility management and support educators. Equity and Accessibility : Ensuring fair resource access while balancing cost recovery. : Ensuring fair resource access while balancing cost recovery. Sustainability and Energy Efficiency : Leveraging technology to promote greener school operations. : Leveraging technology to promote greener school operations. Cybersecurity : Protecting schools from increasing cyber threats with advanced tools and strategies. : Protecting schools from increasing cyber threats with advanced tools and strategies. School Safety and Emergency Preparedness : Elevating campus security through technology and collaboration. : Elevating campus security through technology and collaboration. Digital Equity : Bridging the gap to ensure equitable access to essential digital resources for all students and staff. : Bridging the gap to ensure equitable access to essential digital resources for all students and staff. Emerging Educational Technologies: Exploring innovations shaping the future of K-12 schools. The keynote speaker for Facilitron University 4 will be announced at the start of the new year, setting the stage for an exciting and transformative event. About Facilitron Headquartered in Los Gatos, California, Facilitron provides a comprehensive, data-driven facilities management platform and public space rental marketplace. Its mission is to help operators like schools and cities meet community space rental needs efficiently and securely. Facilitron's platform integrates work orders, facility scheduling, and leasing into a unified system of record, empowering operators to showcase and monetize their spaces while maintaining safety and compliance. With over 12,000 schools across 31 states using the platform, Facilitron manages billions of square feet of facility space and has supported millions of community events since its founding in 2014. In addition to its cutting-edge software, Facilitron offers valuable business and financial services to help schools generate additional revenue and better serve their communities. For more information, visit www.facilitron.com. Contact: Mercer Brockenbrough - [email protected] Michele Nichols - [email protected] SOURCE Facilitron Leading Brunch Franchise Takes Fundraising a Step Further with Volunteer Efforts at Local Food Bank for Holiday Season Famous Toastery guests can opt to donate $1 , $3 or $5 at checkout during the month of December. , or at checkout during the month of December. Famous Toastery employees will additionally spend their holiday party volunteering at Feeding the Carolinas. Donations help provide food to families, children, and seniors in the Carolinas, where 1 in 7 people struggle with hunger. CHARLOTTE, N.C. , Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Famous Toastery, the nationally-renowned better breakfast franchise known for its Famously Fresh and simple-scratch menu, is partnering with Feeding the Carolinas this holiday season to raise crucial funds and awareness for their communities. One in seven people and more than 660,000 children in the Carolinas alone struggle with hunger; a challenge that's only magnified during the holidays, particularly as many are still recovering from Hurricane Helene's devastation in September. Feeding the Carolinas is a branch of Feeding America and provides food to 146 counties between North and South Carolina. As many dedicate this time of year to giving back to those in need, Famous Toastery is encouraging guests to consider donating to Feeding the Carolinas to provide support to those suffering from food scarcity in their home markets, Throughout the month of December, guests can donate in-store and online in the amount of $1, $3 or $5. In addition to collecting monetary donations, the Famous Toastery team will spend a portion of its annual holiday party packing meals at their local Feeding the Carolinas chapter, ensuring their communities have meals this holiday season. "We recognize the profound impact food insecurity has on families in our community, especially during the holidays and in wake of events like Hurricane Helene," said Mike Sebazco, President of Famous Toastery. "By working together with Feeding the Carolinas, we can extend our mission beyond our dining tables, through raising funds, volunteering our time, and ensuring more people have access to meals this season." Feeding the Carolinas is a branch of Feeding America and provides food to 146 counties between North and South Carolina. Food is distributed to community-supported food banks with every dollar donated being equivalent to approximately $7 worth of food. The goal of Feeding the Carolinas is to educate and advocate for food security. "We are incredibly grateful to partner with a homegrown brand like Famous Toastery as we work to fight hunger and build healthier, resilient communities," stated Mike Darrow, Executive Director of Feeding the Carolinas. "Through Famous Toastery's commitment to helping their home market alongside their guests' generosity, we can continue to provide hope and sustenance to those who need it most." For more information about Famous Toastery, please visit famoustoastery.com. To learn about franchising opportunities, please visit famoustoasteryfranchise.com Follow @FamousToastery on social media to be a part of future contests, giveaways, and more. ABOUT FAMOUS TOASTERY Charlotte, N.C. based Famous Toastery is a breakfast, brunch and lunch franchise that encourages its guests, team and franchise owners to "Be Famous" in their local community by offering Famously Fresh meals and a much-needed hub for friends, families and neighbors to get together in a comfortable atmosphere where "every server is your server." The brand began in 2005 before evolving into a franchise system in 2013 and growing to over 25 locations today. In 2023, Famous Toastery was awarded the naming sponsorship rights for The Famous Toastery Bowl played at UNC Charlotte. Famous Toastery has earned recognition from Franchise Times Top 400 Rankings (2024), International Franchise Association Franchisee of the Year (2023), Restaurant Business' The Future 50 (2019, 2020), Entrepreneur Magazine's Top Food Franchises (2019) and Franchise 500 Rankings (2019, 2022). For more information about Famous Toastery, visit famoustoastery.com. To learn about franchising opportunities, please visit famoustoasteryfranchise.com. ABOUT WON LIFE BRANDS Won Life Brands, Famous Toastery's parent company, is a premier growth and development company focused on delivering excellent experiences in the communities it serves. Won Life Brands operates company-owned properties and offers franchise opportunities across their brands, which includes Famous Toastery, Cartridge World, Flour Power, BBS: Your Big Burger Spot, Abby's Better Nut Butter and VaVia. To learn about franchising opportunities, please visit www.WonLifeBrands.com. ABOUT FEEDING AMERICA Feeding America is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of more than 200 food banks, 21 statewide food bank associations, and over 60,000 partner agencies, food pantries and meal programs, we helped provide 5.3 billion meals to tens of millions of people in need last year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; brings attention to the social and systemic barriers that contribute to food insecurity in our nation; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on X.com . SOURCE Famous Toastery Firm is the highest-ranked Michigan advisor team and second-ranked Advisor team in Florida by Forbes. BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fratarcangeli Wealth Management (FWM), a high-net-worth wealth advisory firm, announced today it has been ranked No. 22 on Forbes' America's Top Private Wealth Advisors list. Up two spots from the 2023 ranking, FWM is the highest-ranking team in Michigan and the second highest-ranked team in Florida by Forbes The firm, led by Jeffrey Fratarcangeli, a nearly 30-year industry veteran, has $3.5 billion under advisement as of November 25, 2024. FWM serves clients nationwide across its offices in Florida, Indiana, Michigan and New York. Jeffrey Fratarcangeli "Despite market uncertainty and volatility over the past 12 months, our firm headcount and assets under advisement have continued to grow," said Fratarcangeli. "Our team has worked diligently to help our clients foster short-term growth and preserve their wealth for future generations. We don't take our role as trusted advisors lightly as we help our clients navigate critical areas like tax and legacy planning and adapting to rising insurance costs." According to Forbes, the ranking of America's Top Wealth Management Teams, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews and quantitative data. This qualitative criterion focuses on studying each team's best practices, but the algorithm also weighs factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings. In addition to being dedicated to its clients, FWM is committed to giving back to the community and supporting local organizations. The team is actively involved with the Boys & Girls Club of America, and Jeffrey serves on the Board of Directors of the Sean Anderson Foundation, the Mourning Family Foundation and the Broward Health Foundation. Most recently, Jeffrey was selected to serve on the advisory council of the University of Michigan's MPower after spending time mentoring student athletes, creating an internship program and helping guide them through NIL (name, image and likeness) opportunities. To learn more about Jeffrey Fratarcangeli and Fratarcangeli Wealth Management, visit www.fratarcangeliwealthmanagement.com or call 248.385.5050. About Fratarcangeli Wealth Management Founded in 2014 by Jeffrey Fratarcangeli, Fratarcangeli Wealth Management (FWM) is an investment management firm headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, with offices in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Mishawaka, Indiana, and New York City, NY. As of 11/25/24, the team has $3.5 billion under management, and its clients include athletes and entertainers, publicly traded companies, foundations, and many other entities. FWM and Jeffrey have received national accolades from Forbes and Barron's, and Jeffrey served on the Council of Domestic Finance under President Donald J. Trump's administration from 2018 to 2021. Fratarcangeli is a registered associate of Thurston Springer Financial and is doing business as Fratarcangeli Wealth Management. FWM client funds are custodied with Wells Fargo's First Clearing. Fratarcangeli Wealth Management: Securities offered through Thurston Springer Financial, a registered Broker-Dealer (Member FINRA & SIPC). Investment advisory services offered through Thurston Springer Advisors, a SEC-Registered Investment Adviser. Insurance products offered through Thurston Springer Financial and/or Thurston Springer Insurance, both Indiana Insurance Agencies. Corporate Headquarters: 9000 Keystone Crossing, Suite 700, Indianapolis, IN 46240 (toll free) 1.800.433.8049 www.ThurstonSpringer.com SOURCE Fratarcangeli Wealth Management PHOENIX, Ariz., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Colossal has done it againthis time on a scale that's rewriting the rules of charitable fundraising! Colossal announces that funds generated through the 2024 Baby of the Year competition will result in a $24,384,112 grant to Baby2Baby through its charity grantmaking partner, DTCare , marking it the largest fundraising total Colossal has ever achieved in a single campaign. Colossal's innovative online competition, championed by Baby2Baby Board Member Jessica Alba, has energized millions of people nationwide to vote for the Baby of the Year and drive crucial funds for a cause close to many hearts: providing children living in poverty across the country with the critical items they deserve. This monumental grant will allow Baby2Baby to grow their most critical initiatives across the country, reaching millions of children who need and deserve access to basic necessities. "We are profoundly grateful for this transformational grant." Baby2Baby Co-CEOs Kelly Sawyer Patricof & Norah Weinstein Post this And the excitement doesn't stop there. Alongside this record-breaking grant to be issued to Baby2Baby, Colossal is thrilled to announce the 2024 Baby of the Year is Sloane Maya! Out of thousands of competitors, sweetie-pie Sloane took the tiny crown! This "miracle baby," as coined by her loving parents, is full of sass and infectious giggles. Sloane's favorite pastimes are playing with her miniature schnauzer, shopping with mom, and people-watching out and about. Sloane will take home $25,000 and star in an exclusive Baby of the Year ad campaign in Good Housekeeping. Colossal CEO Mary Hagen expressed her deep appreciation for the overwhelming support this competition has garnered. "We set out to make a real impact, and our Baby of the Year competition has truly raised the bar," said Hagen. "This moment is one of the proudest in Colossal's history, but it's only the beginningwe're committed to raising even more in the future and finding new ways to engage communities in giving back." With this $24+ million milestone, Colossal's year-end totals will make 2024 a banner year in their legacy of support for nonprofits across the U.S. "Our deepest thanks to everyone who participated in Colossal's Baby of the Year competition," said Baby2Baby Co-CEOs Kelly Sawyer Patricof and Norah Weinstein. "We are profoundly grateful for this transformational grant that will allow Baby2Baby to continue to reach millions of children across the country, providing them with the essential items they need, as well as grow our most critical initiatives supporting babies and their families for years to come." Colossal's 2024 Baby of the Year competition was fueled by the support of exceptional sponsors committed to supporting families with products that make a real difference: Britax engineers products that keep kids safe, creating confidence for the road ahead. Car seats, strollers, and travel systems help families enjoy the freedom to keep moving. BOB Gear makes jogging strollers and travel systems for thrill-seekers, explorers, and dreamersfamily products as rugged as the places people take them. L'oved Baby is a premium, organic cotton apparel brand for babies, toddlers, and their loving parents. TWELVElittle crafts high-quality diaper bags thoughtfully designed to support parents through every stage, from newborn to daycare and beyond. Newton makes top-rated crib mattresses that are breathable, comfortable, washable, and hypoallergenic. My Primary Care is an affordable healthcare solution that provides virtual acute and primary care, 500+ Free meds, and pet coverage starting at $24.99/month. These partnerships represent the cornerstone of Colossal's approach to charitable competitionbringing together mission-driven brands and passionate communities to amplify the impact of giving. For more information, visit babyoftheyear.org . About Colossal: Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like Baby of the Year, participants have the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact. Colossal competitions serve as fundraising campaigns for DTCare , a United States 501(c)(3) public charity organization, which then grants donation funds to specified charities at the completion of the competitions. Learn more at colossal.org . Who's Next? About Baby2Baby: Baby2Baby is a non-profit organization that provides children living in poverty with diapers, formula, clothing, and the basic necessities that every child deserves, serving more than one million children across all 50 states. Led by Co-CEOs Kelly Sawyer Patricof and Norah Weinstein, the organization has distributed over 450 million items over the past 13 years to children in homeless shelters, domestic violence programs, foster care, hospitals and school districts as well as children who have lost everything in the wake of disaster. The organization's success has been propelled forward by its industry-leading model that is redefining what it means to operate a non-profit with a seamless integration of impact, innovation, and influence, which earned them recognition as the #1 non-profit on Fast Company's World's Most Innovative Companies List and praise from TIME Magazine as one of 2023's most influential companies. To learn more about Baby2Baby please visit www.baby2baby.org . MEDIA CONTACT: Anne-Marie Pritchett, Colossal, (602) 633-4163, [email protected], colossal.org SOURCE Colossal Management BEIJING, Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday stressed comprehensively advancing high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when addressing a symposium on BRI development, according to the Xinhua News Agency on Monday. It is imperative to strengthen strategic confidence, maintain strategic focus and act courageously with a sense of responsibility to create a brighter future for Belt and Road cooperation, Xi said. Since the initiative was put forth in 2013, major achievements have been made in Belt and Road cooperation, which contributed to enhancing China's friendship with participating countries and promoting their economic and social development, Xi said. Noting that the world has entered a new period of turbulence and change in recent years, he urged efforts to appropriately manage all types of risks and challenges and effectively address the impact of geopolitical conflicts while advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. It is necessary to properly handle the relationship between strengthening participating countries' sense of fulfillment and ensuring the benefits for China, Xi said, while calling for concrete measures to safeguard China's overseas interests. Xi consecutively proposed building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road in 2013. The pairing later came to be known as the BRI. For more than a decade, China has worked hand in hand with various parties to promote the initiative as a widely welcomed international public good and cooperation platform. Today, the BRI has evolved from ideas into actions and from a vision into reality. Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, hailed the BRI as "a remarkable success," not only in establishing a connected network along its route but also through the implementation of numerous infrastructure projects. "This initiative has fostered mutual understanding and shared benefits, creating a positive framework for cooperative development, and contributing to the establishment of an open and inclusive international order," Li told the Global Times. The BRI has had a profound impact on local communities. Infrastructure development, high-speed rail operations, increased goods circulation, and growing personnel exchanges have brought new hope and opportunities, raised local incomes and enhanced people's expectations for the future, the expert said on Monday. Uniting for Global Progress 2024 marks the beginning of the second decade of the BRI cooperation. Since the beginning of this year, the "circle of friends" participating in the initiative has been expanding, and its value furthermore increasing. It has opened up a path of development and prosperity that benefits the world, painting a magnificent picture of jointly building a community with a shared future for mankind, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Monday. In the past few days, a shipment of cars and various goods from China rolled into Chancay Port in Peru, while at the same time, colorful baskets brimming with Peru's blueberries and avocados are making their way into China. Such lively exchanges are the result of a flagship project signed under BRI cooperation framework between China and Peru, as the two sides inaugurated the Chancay Port half a month ago that further enhanced long-standing, deep connections between the two countries. With the opening of the port, the one-way shipping time between China and Peru is reduced to 23 days, saving over 20 percent in logistics costs and creating more than 8,000 direct jobs in Peru each year, according to CCTV. During Xi's recent trip to Latin America, China and Brazil decided to establish synergies between the BRI and Brazil's own development strategies, focusing on expanding and deepening cooperation in areas such as sustainable development, infrastructure, finance, energy transition, and aerospace. This marks the comprehensive expansion of the BRI's international cooperation framework in the Latin American region. Throughout the 11 years, international cooperation under the BRI has flourished, witnessing the completion of a number of landmark projects one after another, such as the China-Laos railway, the Budapest-Belgrade railway, and the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway, CCTV reported. Thanks to the joint construction of BRI, the Maldives now has its first cross-sea bridge, villagers in drought-stricken areas of Senegal have more reliable access to drinking water, and the Padmo Para Village in Bangladesh ended their history of living without electricity ... These "small yet smart" projects have taken roots over the decade, bringing unimaginable benefits to local people's livelihoods, said the CCTV report. Currently, over 200 cooperation documents have been signed with more than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations. This year, the "Silk Road Maritime" added 10 new lines, now reaching 145 ports in 46 countries and regions; the "Air Silk Road" is also expanding rapidly, covering over 200 cities worldwide. The China-Europe Railway Express (CRE) is running more frequently, with cumulative operations exceeding 100,000 trains, creating a service network that essentially covers the entire Eurasian continent, the CCTV report said. The World Bank has estimated that by 2030, BRI-related projects and investments could lift 7.6 million people out of extreme poverty and 32 million others out of moderate poverty. Empowering the Global South "Belt and Road cooperation is based on the belief that flame runs high when everyone adds wood to the fire and that mutual support can get us far. Such cooperation seeks to deliver a good life not only to people of just one country, but to people in other countries as well," Xi said at the opening ceremony of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in October last year. Media reported that Michele Geraci, former undersecretary of state at the Italian Ministry of Economic Development, praised the BRI as a typical example of how China shares its prosperity with the rest of the world at a forum held in Beijing in November. Geraci said that "China has championed a new kind of international relations featuring win-win cooperation, mutual respect and equal partnership." "In BRI cooperation, China emphasizes the principles of consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. Through collaboration with partner countries, China has encouraged them to pursue independent development," Wang Yiwei, a professor at the Renmin University of China in Beijing, told the Global Times. Furthermore, China has brought the results of years of agricultural and industrial revolutions to partner countries, helping them bypass obstacles and achieve leapfrog growth, while avoiding reliance on the technologies and models of developed countries. China also promotes green development and digital transformation. The digital industrialization and green energy projects under the BRI provided new development models for the Global South, the expert added. SOURCE Global Times The global help desk and ticketing software market is set for explosive growth, with projections indicating a surge to $7.51 Billion by 2031. This remarkable expansion, driven by the benefits of omnichannel software, emphasis on remote work integration and increasing adoption of cloud-based solutions. NEW YORK, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new comprehensive report from The Insight Partners, "Help Desk and Ticketing Software Market Size and Forecast (2021 - 2031), Global and Regional Share, Trend, and Growth Opportunity Analysis Report Coverage: By Component, Industry Vertical, Deployment, Organization Size, and Geography", the global help desk and ticketing software market is observing significant growth owing to the advancements in help desk and ticketing software, government focus on promoting SMEs and adoption of self-service portals. For Detailed Market Insights, Visit: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/help-desk-and-ticketing-software-market The report runs an in-depth analysis of market trends, key players, and future opportunities. In general, the help desk and ticketing software market comprises a vast array of component, deployment, enterprise size, industry vertical and geography which are expected to register strength during the coming years. Market Overview and Growth Trajectory: Help Desk and Ticketing Software Market Growth: According to an exhaustive report by The Insight Partners, the Help Desk and Ticketing Software Market is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing end-user demand due to factors such as evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, and greater awareness of the product's benefits. The market, valued at $3.64 Billion in 2023, is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.5% during 20232031. For More Information and To Stay Updated on The Latest Developments in The Help Desk and Ticketing Software Market, Download The Sample Pages: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00027019/ Technological Innovations: With a rise in consumer-centric practices in the business-to-consumer (B2C) arena, customers and end users can expect equivalent quality of services from their IT teams. Therefore, IT teams can leverage technologies such as gamification and AI to create a personalized self-service experience that is consistent across all channels as a response. A customer self-service portal allows customers to access information, perform tasks, and find solutions to their requests and queries without requiring direct assistance from a service manager. Self-service portals serve as a significant trend that can shape the future of help desk software vendors. These portals empower customers to solve their problems by providing a database of information and solutions, which adds to customer satisfaction by providing immediate solutions and reduces the workload of helpdesk teams. Moreover, self-service portals can provide insights into common customer issues, allowing for the improvement of products or services. Such portals allow users to easily pick and choose required services, and submit and track tickets. It keeps users updated on the ticket progress and approvals through automated notifications and allows them to communicate with IT technicians from the portal. It allows end users to solve simple and repetitive incidents on their own by accessing relevant solutions from the knowledge base. Thus, self-service portals for help desk and ticketing software are emerging as a future trend in the market. Benefits of Omnichannel Software: Businesses taking customer accessibility and feasibility into account are more likely to attract new customers, alongside retaining their present customer base. Moreover, the implementation of an efficient customer service helps them improve relationships with their clients. An omnichannel customer support servicemanaged via chat, e-mail, phone, social media, and other channelsis one of the effective ways to address an extensive number of customers. With the rise in digitalization, customers can now contact businesses through various platforms. An omnichannel help desk and ticketing software solution integrates various channels into a unified platform, allowing customers to contact support teams via these channels. Stay Updated on The Latest Help Desk and Ticketing Software Market Trends: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00027019/ Emphasis on Remote Work Integration: After getting huge traction during the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work culture has become a choice of operation in many businesses. Employers had to go digital to run their operations amid the health crisis in 2020 and 2021. The increased productivity of employees working from home compelled businesses to continue with the remote work format even after the subsidence of the pandemic. Several studies and surveys have stated that the productivity of remote-based employees has been much higher than that of those working from an office. Nonetheless, employees prefer the work-from-home model. According to Buffer's State of Remote Work 2021 based on a survey, over 97% of the respondents admitted that they would like to work remotely at least some of the time for the rest of their careers, and 97% recommend remote work to others. The responses were carried out with the help of over 2,300 remote workers. Geographical Insights: North America dominated the help desk and ticketing software market in 2023; it would continue to dominate the market during the forecast period and account for 37.0% share by 2031. Europe is the second-largest contributor to the global help desk and ticketing software market, followed by Asia Pacific. Help Desk and Ticketing Software Market Segmentation, Applications, Geographical Insights: Based on component, the market is divided into software and services. The software segment held a larger share of the help desk and ticketing software market in 2023. Based on industry vertical, the market is divided into retail, government, manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, IT and telecom, and others. The IT and telecom segment held the largest share of the help desk and ticketing software market in 2023. Based on deployment, the market is divided into cloud-based and on-premises. The cloud-based segment held a larger share of the help desk and ticketing software market in 2023. Based on organization size, the market is divided into small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and large enterprises. The large enterprises segment accounted for a larger share of the help desk and ticketing software market in 2023. The help desk and ticketing software market is segmented into five major regions: North America , Europe , APAC, Middle East and Africa , and South and Central America . Purchase Premium Copy of Global Help Desk and Ticketing Software Market Size and Growth Report (2023-2031) at: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/buy/TIPRE00027019/ Key Players and Competitive Landscape: The Help Desk and Ticketing Software Market is characterized by the presence of several major players, including: Zendesk Inc Genesys Zoho Corp Pvt Ltd Freshworks Inc TEXT S.A. SolarWinds Worldwiden LLC Atlassian Corp ServiceNow Inc SysAid Exotel Techcom Pvt Ltd clickdesk.com ProProfs InvGate Desku Inc Hiver Intercom Atera Networks Ltd. JPK Software Solutions Pvt. Ltd. OTRS AG Rother OSS GmbH Help Scout PBC These companies are adopting strategies such as new product launches, joint ventures, and geographical expansion to maintain their competitive edge in the market. For Region-Specific Market Data, Check Out Brief Sample Pages: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00027019/ Help Desk and Ticketing Software Market Recent Developments and Innovations: "Zendesk launched Zendesk AI-powered autonomous AI agents, workflow automation, agent copilot, and workforce management (WFM) and quality assurance (QA) capabilities. Zendesk AI is meant to add value by automating tasks and routing tickets, allowing enterprises to respond to customers faster and enabling associates to focus on high-value activities such as proactive sales motions." "SysAid, a leading provider of IT and enterprise service management solutions, announced its partnership with BDO South Africa, a part of BDO Global's international network of public accounting, tax, and advisory firms providing professional services in 166 countries with over 1,776 offices worldwide. The partnership between SysAid and BDO in South Africa represents a powerful synergy that promises unparalleled value for organizations looking to increase their productivity. SysAid and BDO SA aim to deliver cutting-edge AI for ITSM (i.e., IT service management) to companies and industries of all sizes in South Africa ." Conclusion: A rise in digitalization in the customer service industry has been propelling the demand for help desk and ticketing software. These software solutions help automate repetitive and administrative tasks, including client support operations. The flourishing trend of business automation with the help of digital solutions is fueling the use of this software. As per the press release of GoTo in August 2022, the company launched an IT helpdesk functionality within its GoTo Connect unified-communications-as-a-service (UCaaS) offering. By utilizing GoTo's expertise in IT support and management, users can now submit a ticket from the GoTo app, enabling a consolidated view designed to help shorten the query resolution time for IT administrators. Need A Diverse Region or Sector? Customize Research to Suit Your Requirement: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/inquiry/TIPRE00027019/ The report from The Insight Partners, therefore, provides several stakeholdersincluding software providers, system integrators, and end users with valuable insights into how to successfully navigate this evolving market landscape and unlock new opportunities. With projected growth to $7.51 Billion by 2031, the Help Desk and Ticketing Software Market represents a significant opportunity for solution providers, system integrators, end-users, investors, industry stakeholders, and others. By staying abreast of market trends, embracing innovation, and focusing on quality and performance, companies can position themselves for success in this dynamic and evolving market landscape. Related Report Titles: About Us: The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We specialize in industries such as Semiconductor and Electronics, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Biotechnology, Healthcare IT, Manufacturing and Construction, Medical Device, Technology, Media and Telecommunications, Chemicals and Materials. Contact Us: If you have any queries about this report or if you would like further information, please contact us: Contact Person: Ankit Mathur E-mail: [email protected] Phone: +1-646-491-9876 Press Release: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/pr/help-desk-and-ticketing-software-market Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2520492/The_Insight_Partners_Logo.jpg SOURCE The Insight Partners HONG KONG, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Automated Multiplex Diagnostics System developed by Professor Terence Lau, Interim Chief Innovation Officer of Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), has been recommended in the 2024 Compendium of Innovative Health Technologies for Low-resource Settings published by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an innovative technology with the potential to contribute positively to health systems in low- and middle-income countries. Enabling rapid detection of multiple pathogens The Automated Multiplex Diagnostics System developed by Professor Terence Lau, Interim Chief Innovation Officer of HKBU, can detect 42 respiratory pathogens in less than 1.5 hour. The Compendium published by WHO identifies commercially available solutions and prototypes which help address the challenge of low-resource settings, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, in their access to appropriate, affordable, effective, and safe health technologies to tackle infectious diseases, as well as the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases brought about by cardiovascular issues, cancers, chronic respiratory conditions, and diabetes. The System can fully automate conventional laboratory-based PCR (polymerase chain reaction) processes in an all-in-one system with three elements: an analytical machine, a microfluidic reagent cartridge, and software. Its proprietary design enables the simultaneous detection of 42 respiratory pathogens, including 28 viruses, 11 bacteria and 3 fungi, in less than 1.5 hours without the need for a resource-intensive laboratory, multiple equipment, or specially trained technicians while maintaining superior sensitivity and specificity. Technology ready for market access Apart from its extraordinary performance, it also provides advantages in terms of costs, turnaround time, and the ability to analyse more targets at once. It is selected as one of the 21 highlighted health technologies in the Compendium in the category of prototypes. Its technology readiness level (TRL) - an estimate of the maturity of a technology - is classified as TRL 8, meaning that it is a technology that has undergone large-scale testing leading to regulatory approval with further evidence generated. It is close to the most mature technology level of TRL 9, which means market access and adoption are ready. The System is invented by a local research team led by Professor Terence Lau. Their idea of developing a fully automated, accurate, fast, and affordable multiple-pathogen molecular diagnostic device has emerged since 2015. It has been further developed to support the simultaneous detection of 40 targets, including SARS-CoV-2 which led to the COVID-19 outbreak, amid the soaring demand for timely and decentralised diagnostics in 2020. The startup which Professor Lau co-founded has also paved the way for the System's commercialisation, and has established ISO 13485 accredited production sites in Hong Kong and the Mainland, supplying the System to hospitals and clinics for usage. Promoting equitable access and decentralised testing "The System can identify infectious diseases and even non-communicable diseases, and is suitable for other non-medical applications. With the support from the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme (RAISe+) from the Innovation and Technology Commission, we target to develop multiple applications to further advance the System to make it smaller, faster and more cost effective," said Professor Lau. "With this System, we will be able to provide a comprehensive solution that can eventually promote equitable access and decentralised testing for an effective and high-quality healthcare system which WHO emphasises," he added. "This project is a real showcase of the journey from university research to commercialisation and application, demonstrating HKBU scientists' dedication to transferring knowledge to benefit our society, not only to Hong Kong but also to the Nation and the world," said Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU. The System's clinical evaluation was carried out in two public hospitals, the Public Health Laboratory Centre, the Department of Health of the HKSAR Government, and was funded by the Public Sector Trial Scheme of the Innovation and Technology Fund. Surveillance research also started at a district center for disease control and prevention in the Mainland to develop a surveillance system that provides alerts on emerging trends of seasonal and regional prevalent pathogens, as well as early warnings on potential disease outbreaks. SOURCE Hong Kong Baptist University Best-ever total and retail November sales; total sales increase 8% ; retail climbs 15% Year-over-year retail sales of EVs jump 77%; Hybrid retail sales increase 104% Best month ever for IONIQ 5 FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America reported record-breaking total November sales of 76,008 units, an 8% increase compared with November 2023. Hyundai set total sales records in November for Santa Fe HEV (+64%), Tucson PHEV (+23%), Tucson HEV (+227%), IONIQ 5 (+110%) and Elantra N (+140%), Hybrid vehicle total sales jumped 114%, while total EV sales grew 70%. This was the best-ever month for Santa Fe HEV, Tucson PHEV, Tucson HEV and IONIQ 5. Retail sales for November 2024 set new records climbing 15%. EV retail sales increased 77% year-over-year, hybrid retail sales grew by 104% and electrified (EV, hybrid, plug-in hybrid) retail sales jumped 92%. "Hyundai delivered an exceptional sales month, driven by the strong performance of our EV and hybrid vehicles," said Randy Parker, CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "Customers continue to be attracted to Hyundai's diverse vehicle lineup which can meet a variety of customer needs. We also saw significant interest and excitement for the worldwide debut of the U.S.-built IONIQ 9 and we can't wait to bring it to market next year." November Total Sales Summary Nov-24 Nov-23 % Chg 2024 YTD 2023 YTD % Chg Hyundai 76,008 70,079 +8 % 758,304 726,031 +4 % November Product and Corporate Activities Model Total Sales Vehicles Nov-24 Nov-23 % Chg 2024 YTD 2023 YTD % Chg Elantra 11,344 8,813 +29 % 125,113 125,572 -0 % Ioniq 5 4,989 2,372 +110 % 39,805 30,657 +30 % Ioniq 6 1,121 1,386 -19 % 11,055 10,943 +1 % Kona 6,133 6,991 -12 % 76,326 71,436 +7 % Palisade 8,982 9,185 -2 % 99,757 75,113 +33 % Santa Cruz 2,393 2,396 -0 % 29,991 34,034 -12 % Santa Fe 12,376 13,497 -8 % 105,701 119,359 -11 % Sonata 6,971 2,321 +200 % 61,701 42,122 +46 % Tucson 20,178 21,382 -6 % 185,954 190,200 -2 % Venue 1,521 1,716 -11 % 22,808 26,342 -13 % Hyundai Motor America Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company's Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai's 835 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a recent economic impact report. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com. Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok SOURCE Hyundai Motor America International Women's Healthcare Brand Expands Offerings, Available Online Now SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- INTIMINA, a trailblazer brand in menstrual hygiene, menstrual cups, breaking taboos, and female empowerment, announces today the recent launch of Bloom period underwear. Using sustainable, eco-friendly, and body-safe fabrics, the underwear is specially designed to hold even a heavy menstrual flow, or the equivalent of up to four tampons, and was designed and tested with the support of a worldwide group of medical consultants and gynecologists. INTIMINA's new Bloom period underwear is made without harmful chemicals and offers a safer, toxin-free alternative to traditional products. Bloom underwear is specifically tailored for everyday comfort and protection. The specially engineered gusset lining combines super-absorbent, breathable technology with a leak-proof membrane to keep users dry without any extra thickness, holding up to 20 ml / 0.67 fl oz. of liquid, equivalent to four regular tampons per wear. The main body and lining are made with natural fibers that are 95% organic cotton and 5% spandex, carefully designed without PFAS. Bloom underwear is also OEKO-TEX certified, prohibiting all chemicals that don't meet rigorous conditions, including flame retardants and toxic dyes. Whether worn as a standalone option or paired with menstrual cups for added protection, period underwear provides comfort and confidence throughout the menstrual cycle in a non-toxic fashion. "As the demand for healthier and sustainable options continues to rise, reusable menstrual products remain at the forefront of this trend, and women can make a positive impact on the planet by choosing period underwear," said Dunja Kokotovic, Global Brand Manager for INTIMINA. "We are thrilled to help women contribute to a more environmentally friendly future by opting for healthy and sustainable alternatives while prioritizing their well-being during menstruation." INTIMINA launched its first period underwear as a result of the revolutionary trend toward a greener, more comfortable alternative to menstruation management. The average woman creates up to 331 pounds of waste in their lifetime if they use tampons and pads, all of which end up in landfills. As awareness grows around the environmental toll of disposable menstrual products, more women are embracing period underwear as a sustainable choice that not only reduces waste but also promotes a healthier, more natural approach to menstruation. "Period health and wellness has become increasingly important to millennial and Gen Z consumers as more information becomes available about the effects of toxic chemicals on our body," said Dr. Alyssa Dweck, practicing gynecologist and INTIMINA's Sexual and Reproductive Health expert. "INTIMINA's new Bloom period underwear is thoughtfully made with fabrics that are OEKO-TEX certified, sustainable, eco-friendly and body-safe, which is transformational for women concerned with avoiding toxic chemicals, and embracing natural period health." Consumers can purchase one pair of Bloom period underwear for $24.95 or a three-pack for $39.95 on INTIMINA.com. About INTIMINA: Established in 2009, INTIMINA is a Swedish brand offering a complete line of products for women's intimate well-being. With three care ranges Menstrual Care, Pelvic Floor Strengthening, and Feminine Wellness INTIMINA has products for women of all ages. Every product is made from the highest quality body-safe materials and has been designed and tested with the support of a worldwide group of medical consultants and gynecologists. SOURCE INTIMINA Erinne Frampton had arrived at a fork in the pathway of a years-long ambition. In middle school, I learned about the Appalachian Trail, the Carlisle woman said. It intrigued me from the start. I grew up in a camping and hiking family. Back then, she lived near Pine Grove Furnace State Park, one of many entry points in Cumberland County for the 2,197-mile trail from Maine to Georgia. It essentially ran through my backyard, Frampton said. Over the years, the thought stayed in the back of my mind. Now that I finished college, I thought I was in a good place. Preparations for a thru-hike began with her saving money from each paycheck to cover the expense of the journey and her rent while she was away. Frampton used day hikes and multiday backpacking trips to condition her body for the long-distance challenge. Everything was going according to plan until late September when Hurricane Helene severely damaged segments of the trail in Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina. Ive been paying attention to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Frampton said. They give out notices of the status. They were saying that rebuilding the trail was going to take a long time. Next year, there may be a lot of reroutes. Rather than launching her hike in Georgia in March 2025, she now plans to delay her start to 2026 or even 2027. It was a very difficult decision, Frampton said. I was very much looking forward to it. It will give me more time to save money and prepare physically. Safety concerns Jim Fetig of Kensington, Maryland, is president of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, which maintains the segment that runs through Pine Grove Furnace State Park. A seasoned backpacker, he has walked the full length of the trail and has experience as a ridge runner tasked with assisting hikers. His advice heading into the New Year is to approach with caution. Trail conditions may be a lot rougher than what they might expect, Fetig said. They should take their time and be careful. Safety would be my priority. Hikers need to exercise caution when entering trail segments severely affected by Helene, said Ann Simonelli, communications director for the conservancy. Things are going to be dynamic, so people are going to have to check the weather. Even if the section has been cleared and reopened, there could be trees that have been compromised. The trail in the south is going to look different, she said. We know there are sections where 90% of the tree canopy was wiped out. It is important to note that while there are sections that are officially reopened, it doesnt mean that the trail is smooth sailing. Hikers would want to bring a map and a compass and know how to use it. They should pack extra food. The ATC is working on putting together a map for the 2025 hiking season to make it clear as to which sections will be temporary reroutes. The biggest disruption from Helene will be segments of trail detoured around major road bridges washed out by the heavy flooding, Fetig said. Even in the best conditions, hikers should remain open to the idea of using alternate routes, he said. I walked all the way from Georgia to Maine, he said. I didnt see every white blaze. There are places where I used an alternative because it was easier. There are weather routes at places where you dont want to be up high during a thunderstorm. Trail towns A close second behind safety is to take nothing for granted. Fetig suggested that hikers call ahead to verify the conditions of services in the trail towns within the damaged segments. This includes restaurants, hostels and the shuttles that hikers use as taxis to and from the trailheads. Some of those towns are not going to be in the same shape physically, Fetig said. They are going to be recovering. The question is what services will be available. You are going to have to pay attention so you dont become a burden and so you get what you need to put you back on the trail and keep going. A typical hiker walks an average of 20 miles per day. In many cases, every four to five days they go into a town to shower, wash their clothes, recharge their electrics and buy groceries for the next leg. We encourage hikers to support the local trail towns, Simonelli said. Hard-hit communities such as Damascus, Virginia, Hot Springs, North Carolina, and Erwin, Tennessee, lost heavy in tourism when Helene came through and prevented people from hiking the trail to view the fall foliage. During the recovery, hikers need to be even more mindful when it comes to making reservations, Simonetti said. We have lots of resources on our website for thru hikers. These resources include interactive maps to pinpoint certain areas of the trail and zoom in. She suggested that, in some cases, it may be more feasible for hikers to skip over the damaged segments of trail only to come back later when repairs are further along. We are going to be working throughout 2025 to restore the trail, Simonelli said. Ordinary challenges What has not changed is the physical and mental challenge of doing a thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail. First and foremost, while youre doing it, the hike has to be the most important thing in your life, Fetig said. If it isnt, you will not finish because its grueling. Its a 2000-mile demolition derby on your body. There are a lot of over-use injuries. Each year, 3,000 to 4,000 hikers embark on thru hikes on the Appalachian Trail, Simonelli said. The completion rate is roughly 25 to 30%. Beyond being fit, anyone setting off on a thru-hike should make sure they have their taxes paid and their finances in the hands of someone they trust, Fetig said. Depending on where they are on their journey, it can be difficult for a hiker to return home in time to manage a problem. Secondly, boredom is what gets you, he said. You spend all day looking at the ground, so you dont trip and fall over rocks. You do that day after day after day for 180 days. You must be prepared for that. You got to be thinking about that. Aside from trail hazards, there have also been cases of disease on the trail from dirty hands and eating utensils. National child care provider supports employees, child-focused nonprofits ABINGDON, Md., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of Giving Tuesday, Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care announces a corporate annual giving total of $50,000 year to date for 2024. This includes funding the organization's Community Fund that helps employees systemwide in times of need, grant awards for national and Baltimore-based nonprofits, an annual Family Promise donation and other philanthropic support. In honor of Giving Tuesday, Kiddie Academy announces a corporate annual giving total of $50,000 year to date for 2024. "Kiddie Academy's charitable giving efforts serve as a commitment to creating brighter futures for children and our employees systemwide," said Casey Miller, executive vice president at Kiddie Academy. "We're delighted to support charities that share our values and demonstrate a strong ability to impact the lives of children and their families." Kiddie Academy will make a $20,000 donation to Family Promise this month, bringing its total contribution to over $127,000 since the inception of its partnership with the nonprofit in 2019. The funds will help support local affiliate locations working with families that are experiencing or at risk of homelessness in communities across the country, in addition to supporting case manager training, advocacy efforts and resource development for affiliates. Kiddie Academy also awarded $15,000 in grant funding to several national and Baltimore-area charities including the Harford County Education Foundation, the Harford County Public Library Foundation and Irvine Nature Center in Baltimore County. Since its inception in 2022, the Kiddie Academy grantmaking program has awarded $44,000 in much-needed funding to 18 qualified nonprofit organizations in Baltimore and nationwide. "We are grateful to Kiddie Academy for their grant support for our community event Holidays With Hoot," said Courtney Sagal, deputy director and director of education at Irvine Nature Center. "Holidays With Hoot promotes environmental literacy and fosters early engagement with our natural surroundings, especially for the youngest in our community. The grant funding we receive from Kiddie Academy enables us to provide a robust program at a discounted price, increasing access for many in our community." Here's the list of some of the 2024 grant recipients to date: Boys & Girls Club of Harford & Cecil Counties CASA of Harford County Girls Who Code Harford County Education Foundation Harford County Public Library Foundation Irvine Natural Science Center JAMSQUAD Parks & People ReadWorks Teaching Matters For more information, visit kiddieacademy.com . About Kiddie Academy Since its inception in 1981, the Kiddie Academy system has been recognized as a leading brand in educational child care. The company serves families and their children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, offering full- and part-time care, before- and after-school care, and summer camp programs, through the Kiddie Academy system. Kiddie Academy's proprietary Life Essentials Curriculum, supporting programs, methods, activities, and techniques help prepare children for life. The company's philanthropic efforts, including support of national nonprofit Family Promise, take character education lessons learned in the classroom beyond Academy walls. Kiddie Academy Domestic Franchising, LLC has also received corporate accreditation from the globally recognized Cognia accreditation system, signifying its commitment to quality education and the highest standards in child care. For more information, visit kiddieacademy.com or find Kiddie Academy on Facebook at facebook.com/kiddieacademy . About Kiddie Academy Domestic Franchising, LLC Kiddie Academy Domestic Franchising, LLC is based in Maryland. There are currently more than 325 open Academies in the Kiddie Academy system, located in 40 states and the District of Columbia, serving more than 37,000 children. Each franchised location in the Kiddie Academy system is an independently owned and operated business. For more information, visit franchising.kiddieacademy.com . Media Contact: Taylor Castillejo, APR Tombras [email protected] 865.257.0026 SOURCE Kiddie Academy South Beach's Premier Oceanfront Hotel Hosts Art Week Experiences with Fania Records, No Vacancy, Miami Beach Exhibition, and BATISTA Fine Art MIAMI, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Situated in the heart of South Beach's Art Deco District, Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel is ready to elevate Miami Art Week with three dynamic cultural activations that highlight the intersection of music, art, and history. This year, the hotel is proud to host Fania Records' 60th anniversary celebration, a captivating installation by Miami-based artist Adler Guerrier as part of the No Vacancy, Miami Beach exhibition, and a stunning facade display by BATISTA Fine Art. Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel Logo Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel Pool Area "We are excited to offer our guests and the community unique ways to experience Art Week 2024," said Mohan Koka, General Manager of Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel. "With Fania Records bringing its vibrant musical history to life, Adler Guerrier offering a thought-provoking installation, and BATISTA Fine Art transforming our facade into a canvas, Surfcomber is the place to be for anyone seeking a one-of-a-kind Art Week experience." To kick off the week's events, Kimpton Surfcomber is thrilled to showcase BATISTA Fine Art's captivating installation dedicated to the beauty of water and its importance in our future. BATISTA Fine Art: Illuminating Kimpton Surfcomber's Facade Installation On View Through Dec. 8 / Dusk to Dawn In collaboration with BATISTA Fine Art, Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel is proud to present a facade installation that will light up South Beach. The dynamic display by artists Frankie Batista and Aaron Alden will transform the hotel's exterior into a vibrant temporary art exhibit, offering a visually striking experience for Art Week attendees and anyone walking by. By spotlighting Miami's delicate ocean ecosystems, the installation aims to inspire awareness and action. Adding a dynamic interactive element, the exhibit features an embedded QR code, directing viewers to learn more about vital conservation programs and how they can support these efforts. The design integrates carefully positioned lighting to enhance the artwork while ensuring guest comfort, avoiding reflections into guest rooms. The artwork exemplifies the intersection of art and technology, setting the stage for a week of dynamic cultural experiences. This fusion of creative expression continues with Fania Records' 60th Anniversary Celebration hosted on property, offering an evening of music, dance, and Latin culture. Fania Celebrates 60 Years: Arte en Sonido Friday, December 6th | 7:00 PM 12:00 AM In collaboration with Fania Records, Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel invites guests to experience the legacy of one of the most influential Latin music labels of all time. Fania, known for shaping salsa and Latin soul music, is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a vibrant night of music, dance, and art. The evening kicks off with dynamic salsa dance classes, led by the renowned Salsa Kings, a dance school that has been teaching South Florida to salsa since 1998. Guests can enjoy live DJ sets by the talented Mario Garibaldi from Hunters of the Alps and DJ Lagrimas de Oro, each offering a unique mix of Fania's iconic rhythms and Miami's contemporary energy. Attendees will also have the rare opportunity to witness a live portrait painting of the legendary Celia Cruz by renowned artist Seek One, blending visual and performing arts in a celebration of Latin culture. Tickets are $30 and include entry, a complimentary specialty cocktail, salsa classes, live music, and a chance to win limited-edition vinyls. Discounted parking is available for all event attendees. Click here to purchase tickets. "Fania Records is proud to bring our vibrant art exhibit and 60th-anniversary salsa celebration to Miami's Art Week," said Bruce McIntosh, Vice President of Latin Catalog at Craft Recordings and Fania Records. There's no better partner or venue to honor this classic music and its cultural legacy than the iconic Kimpton Surfcomber on Miami Beach." Following the vibrant celebration of Fania's musical legacy, Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel will close out its Art Week experience with Adler Guerrier's immersive installation, part of No Vacancy, Miami Beach 2024. No Vacancy, Miami Beach 2024: Adler Guerrier's Untitled (objects, landscape, and things) Installation On View Through Dec. 12 As part of the acclaimed No Vacancy, Miami Beach 2024 exhibition, Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel is proud to present a site-specific installation by Adler Guerrier, a prominent Miami-based artist. Guerrier's work, Untitled (objects, landscape, and things), explores the themes of public space, community, and the emotional resonance of shared environments through an evocative mix of images, objects, and botanical elements. Guerrier's installation will be displayed in the hotel's chic lobby, situated within a modern, open-concept nook. The work invites viewers to reflect on how we shape the spaces we inhabit and the deeper connections that bind us. Combining abstract forms with natural imagery, Guerrier's installation challenges perceptions of public and private spaces and sparks a dialogue about how these spaces influence our lives. No Vacancy, Miami Beach is a juried exhibition that transforms Miami Beach hotels into immersive art destinations, showcasing the works of 12 talented artists across various locations. Surfcomber is proud to be part of this exhibition, which runs through December 12. The installation is open to all guests and visitors at no charge. From art-infused events to cutting-edge installations, Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel offers the ultimate base for experiencing all that Miami Art Week has to offer. Whether you're marveling at BATISTA Fine Art's illuminated facade, dancing the night away in celebration of Fania's legacy or engaging with contemporary art at Guerrier's thought-provoking installation, Surfcomber combines art, music, and culture in an unforgettable way. Guests of Kimpton Surfcomber can also enjoy the hotel's inviting atmosphere, with direct access to the beach, curated DAYLIFE experiences, and recently renovated poolside cabanas. The property also boasts vibrant dining options, including The Social Club, which has recently been reimagined with a brand-new bar and an upscale South of France-inspired menu. It's the perfect spot for indulging in Miami's best brunch or enjoying an elegant dinner after a day of Art Week festivities. For more information about Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel and to book your stay during Miami Art Week, visit www.surfcomber.com. About Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel: Managed by Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Surfcomber sits on the Atlantic Ocean's edge along 200 feet of oceanfront property in the heart of South Beach's Art Deco District on historic Collins Avenue. With direct beach access in this fashionable destination, the fully renovated hotel offers visitors a distinctively relaxed, yet worldly guest experience, within a "backyard bliss" design-driven environment. At Surfcomber, guests will enjoy the perfect quartet of sun, surf, sand and social. About Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants : Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts' luxury and lifestyle portfolio, is the original boutique hotel company, which pioneered the concept of unique, distinctive, design-forward hotels in the United States in 1981. Anchored in one-of-a-kind experiences, the San Francisco-born brand now operates more than 75 hotels and over 100 restaurants, bars and lounges across urban locations, resort destinations and up-and-coming markets globally. From inspiring design to forward-thinking flavors that feed the soul, Kimpton spaces and experiences center on its guests. Every detail is thoughtfully curated and artfully delivered so that guest experiences remain meaningful, unscripted and ridiculously personal. For more information, visit www.KimptonHotels.com. Media Contact: TURNER PR [email protected] SOURCE Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel HUDSON, Ohio, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Leaf Home, a leading technology-enabled direct-to-consumer provider of home improvement products and solutions, announced today that its Board has appointed Rocco Mango Chief Executive Officer of the Company. An experienced executive with a proven ability to create value, Mango has served as Interim CEO at Leaf Home since April 2024. During that time, he strengthened the Company's operational rigor, drove deeper collaboration and effectiveness across the product verticals, and enhanced the Company's strategic growth plan. Rocco Mango, CEO of Leaf Home Rex Tibbens, Executive Chairman of Leaf Home Leaf Home and its brands have been included on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in the nation for more than a decade. The Company has grown organically and has made investments that will continue to allow the business to diversify and scale. "Leaf Home is uniquely positioned to redefine the direct-to-consumer home improvement market due to our scale, differentiated product offerings, end-to-end customer service and committed team members," Mango said. "I look forward to driving innovation in all facets of the business to deliver even more value to our customers ensuring they can protect and improve their most valuable asset: their home. Leaf Home is truly powered by our people, and I'm thrilled to continue to invest in the growth and development of our 4,000+ employees across North America, making Leaf Home an employer of choice." An accomplished C-suite leader, Mango most recently served as Leaf Home's Chief Operating Officer from 2019 until his role as Interim CEO. Prior to Leaf Home, Mango served as the President & Chief Operating Officer of Performance Health. After its successful sale to Patterson Medical, he transitioned to Chief Product & Innovation Officer and played an instrumental role in the Company's post-acquisition integration. Earlier in his career, Mango spent over 15 years at Lubrizol Inc. as VP & General Manager of their Engineering Polymers division. "We appointed Rocco as Interim CEO because we had the utmost confidence in his ability to maintain Leaf Home's growth trajectory and further advance the Company's winning culture," said Tom Burger, Board member of Leaf Home and Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Gridiron Capital. "Rocco's strong performance over the past seven months and deep understanding of the direct-to-consumer home improvement market makes it clear he is the right choice to take Leaf Home to the next level. We look forward to working with him as he executes on the Company's growth plan and further expands the Leaf Home business." Concurrently Leaf Home announced that Rex Tibbens has been appointed as Executive Chairman of the Company. In this role, Tibbens will provide perspective as another experienced leader, while also providing active strategic guidance across key areas, including growth initiatives, marketing performance, technology efficiency, cost and pricing optimization, and investor relations. Tom Burger will step down as Chairman of the Board but will remain on the Board along with all other members of the Board in actively supporting Leaf Home. Tibbens has extensive leadership experience over his career most recently serving as the CEO of Frontdoor, responsible for spinning the company out from ServiceMaster into a standalone publicly traded company. Prior to Frontdoor, Tibbens was the Chief Operating Officer at Lyft leading the business to over 10x in ride volume amidst heavy competitive pressure. Tibbens spent four years at Amazon as the Company's VP Global Kindle Services and VP North America Logistics & Innovation where he was responsible for creating the delivery strategy and implementation of Prime Now, which allows Amazon to deliver to customers in as little as one hour. Tibbens spent over ten years at Dell in a variety of technical leadership positions culminating in his role of Executive Director, Global Services. Tibbens currently sits on multiple Boards including Case Western Reserve University in the Cleveland area. "As we embark on this exciting journey, we remain committed to the vision and values of Leaf Home which has propelled the business growth and profitability of the business. Due to its scale, talented team and continued strong financial results, Leaf Home is well positioned to drive innovation, foster growth, and create lasting impact in the direct-to-consumer home improvement industry. I am excited about the opportunities ahead and confident in our team's ability to offer more products and services to our satisfied and new customers," Tibbens said. About Leaf Home Leaf Home is a leading technology-enabled direct-to-consumer provider of branded, innovative home solutions in North America. The company is on a mission to enhance the safety, enjoyment, and comfort of homeowners and their families by delivering seamless, transformative home solutions including gutter protection, home safety, water purification, and other home enhancement products. With its corporate headquarters in Hudson, Ohio, and locations across the U.S. and Canada, Leaf Home has become a trusted partner to over a million homeowners. Live Comfortable. Live Safe. Live Happy. For more information, visit www.leafhome.com. Media Contact [email protected] SOURCE Leaf Home Solutions The annual list recognizes the industry-leading companies that are the best at what they do HOUSTON, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lexitas, a leading provider of technology-enabled litigation services and a portfolio company of funds advised by Apax, is proud to announce it has been named to the Inc. 2024 Best in Business list in the Business Services and Operational Excellence categories. Inc.'s annual Best in Business Awards celebrate the exceptional achievements and contributions of companies that have made a profound impact on their industries and on society at large. Lexitas is also honored to have been on the Inc. 5000 list nine years in a row, demonstrating consistent growth year over year. "It is a special honor to be named to Inc.'s Best in Business List," says Gary Buckland, CEO of Lexitas. "This award, reflecting our outstanding service, consistent growth, and dedication to giving back to our local communities, is a testament to our dedicated employees and service providers. This honor belongs to them and their continued focus and execution on customer service and excellence, while creating a culture of teamwork, support, and community involvement." Inc.'s Best in Business list recognizes companies that, through exceptional execution, have achieved significant milestones and core business wins, like customer expansion, key product launches, increased market share, and industry-defining accomplishments. Companies from a wide range of industries such as technology, health care, finance, and retail have been recognized for their success and their positive influence on the business world. For more information or to see the complete list, please visit inc.com/best-in-business. "For over 40 years Inc. has been committed to recognizing America's most dynamic businesses and honoring the great work they do. These businesses have had a profound impact on their industries, solving important problems, and shaping the future of business in ways that will have lasting effects," says Inc. editor-in-chief, Mike Hofman. Founded in 1987, Lexitas is a leading national provider of tech-enabled legal support services to law firms, corporations, and insurance companies. Services include court reporting, record retrieval, process service, registered agent, legal staffing, document review and commercial contracts outsourcing. For more information visit https://lexitaslegal.com. SOURCE Lexitas - Earnings Call Scheduled for 8:00 a.m. ET on December 10, 2024 - SINGAPORE, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LightInTheBox Holding Co., Ltd. (NYSE: LITB) ("LightInTheBox" or the "Company"), a global fashion brand and e-commerce service provider, today announced that it will release its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024 before the open of U.S. markets on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. LightInTheBox's management will hold an earnings conference call at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on December 10, 2024 (9:00 p.m. Hong Kong/Singapore time on the same day). Preregistration Information Participants can register for the conference call by going to https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10043878-7whdyf.html. Upon registration, participants will receive dial-in numbers, an event passcode, and a unique access PIN. To join the conference, simply dial the number in the calendar invite you receive after preregistering, enter the event passcode followed by your unique access PIN, and you will be connected to the conference instantly. A telephone replay will be available two hours after the conclusion of the conference call through December 17, 2024. The dial-in details are: US/Canada: +1-855-883-1031 Singapore: 800-101-3223 Hong Kong, China: 800-930-639 Replay PIN: 10043878 Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's Investor Relations website at https://ir.ador.com. About LightInTheBox Holding Co., Ltd. LightInTheBox is a global online retail company, providing a diverse range of affordable lifestyle products directly to consumers worldwide since 2007. In 2024, the Company shifted its focus to apparel design and launched its first proprietary brand, Ador.com, to meet the growing global demand for accessible higher-end fashion. Ador.com specializes in designer-quality clothing for women aged 35-55 at competitive prices and operates design studios and sample shops in both the U.S. and China, including a boutique and design studio in Campbell, Calif. Additionally, LightInTheBox offers a comprehensive suite of services to e-commerce companies, including advertising, supply chain management, payment processing, order fulfillment, and shipping and delivery solutions. Investor Relations Contact Investor Relations LightInTheBox Holding Co., Ltd. Email: [email protected] Jenny Cai Piacente Financial Communications Email: [email protected] Brandi Piacente Piacente Financial Communications Tel: +1-212-481-2050 Email: [email protected] SOURCE LightInTheBox Holding Co., Ltd. KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Applications are now open for the Linda Hall Library of Science, Engineering and Technology's 2025-2026 fellowships. These fellowships provide graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and independent scholars in the history of science and related humanities fields with financial support and access to one of the world's leading research libraries. "We are proud to support researchers exploring the human stories behind history's greatest scientific breakthroughs," said Benjamin Gross, Linda Hall Library's Vice President for Research and Scholarship. "This year, we are excited to offer fellowships to scholars from Kansas City, across the U.S., and around the world, who will shed new light on the discoveries and inventions that have transformed our lives." The Library offers residential fellowships supporting research in Kansas City and virtual fellowships for remote scholars using the Library's digital resources. Applicants may request up to four months of funding at a rate of $3,000 per month for doctoral students or $4,200 per month for postdoctoral researchers. The Library also offers several fellowships for specific groups of researchers: The National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship provides nine months of residential funding ( $5,000 per month) to a postdoctoral scholar exploring the intersection of science and the humanities. provides nine months of residential funding ( per month) to a postdoctoral scholar exploring the intersection of science and the humanities. The History of Science and Medicine Fellowship , cosponsored by the Clendening History of Medicine Library, provides one month of residential funding ( $3,000 per month) to a doctoral student examining the histories of science and medicine. , cosponsored by the Clendening History of Medicine Library, provides one month of residential funding ( per month) to a doctoral student examining the histories of science and medicine. The Pearson Fellowship in Aerospace History provides up to two months of residential funding ( $4,200 per month) to a postdoctoral scholar studying the history of aviation or spaceflight. provides up to two months of residential funding ( per month) to a postdoctoral scholar studying the history of aviation or spaceflight. The Presidential Fellowship in Bibliography provides up to four months of residential funding ( $4,200 per month) to a postdoctoral scholar investigating books and manuscripts as physical artifacts. All current and former Linda Hall Library fellows receive access to digitization privileges for the library's extensive science and engineering collections. Applications are due Jan. 17, 2025. For more information, email [email protected]. About Linda Hall Library Since 1946, the Linda Hall Library has amassed collections that power investigation, innovation, exploration and inspiration. Today, it is a leading independent research library known for the breadth and depth of its collections across 82 languages, its role as an international destination for scholarship and research, its support of STEM educators and its resources available to learners of all ages. Learn more at lindahall.org. Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Linda Hall Library SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LivAway Suites continues its nationwide expansion with the grand opening of its newest location in Missoula, Montana. Located at 3455 W Broadway St., this will be LivAway Suites' third grand opening in November alone and the brand's fourth location overall. The impressive growth of LivAway Suites solidifies the economy extended-stay brand's commitment to providing affordable and comfortable accommodations across the United States. "Missoula has seen a significant influx of remote workers who are relocating for a better quality of life, adding to the area's population of over 125,000 residents. Digital nomads are some of our target guests as their lifestyle aligns with our mission to provide travelers with an elevated extended-stay experience," said Kevin Dailey, Chief Operating Officer of LivAway Suites. "LivAway Suites is the ideal option for remote workers, employees of the big tourism, recreation, and healthcare companies in Missoula, along with guests visiting or working with the University of Montana." According to The University of Montana's Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research, 12.5 million people visited the Treasure State in 2022 and 2023. Missoula's economic, tourism, and cultural attractions make it the ideal location for LivAway Suites' fourth location. The city's vibrant economy, fueled by major institutions such as Saint Patrick Hospital and the University of Montana, presents an ideal backdrop for the latest addition to LivAway Suites' rapidly growing portfolio. "Each grand opening of a LivAway Suites hotel symbolizes our commitment to redefining what value means for our guests and developers," said Kevin Dailey. "This expansion into Missoula underscores our strategy to integrate seamlessly into communities that are thriving economically while serving broader workforce and tourism needs." LivAway Suites plans ambitious growth with expectations of reaching 50 locations open or under construction by late 2026. By opening three new properties in November alone, the innovative brand continues to lead the charge among new extended-stay hotel brands nationally. About LivAway Suites: Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, LivAway Suites is an innovative extended-stay hotel brand designed to provide guests with essential comforts at an affordable price. The company aims to transform traditional franchise models through transparent pricing structures and superior return on investment strategies tailored to developers. For further details or booking inquiries, please visit www.livawaysuites.com For more information about West77 Partners, visit www.west77partners.com. SOURCE LivAway Suites BETHESDA, Md., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors at Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) named Kevin O'Connor as the corporation's new senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary. Effective Jan. 13, O'Connor will succeed Maryanne Lavan, who plans to retire. O'Connor most recently served as senior vice president and chief legal officer for Carrier. Kevin O'Connor "Kevin is a proven leader who brings insight, expertise, and a shared commitment to our 21st Century Security vision. I look forward to working with him as we continue to prioritize strong governance and delivering more cutting-edge capabilities faster and more affordably to the United States and our allies," said Chairman, President and CEO Jim Taiclet. "Over her exceptional 34-year career at Lockheed Martin, Maryanne has made a mark on our company through her leadership, guidance and integrity. I appreciate her many years of service and wish her all the best in her next chapter." Lavan will serve as a strategic advisor through the first quarter of 2025 to help ensure a smooth transition. About Kevin O'Connor As senior vice president and chief legal officer for Carrier, O'Connor oversaw the company's legal and compliance matters worldwide. He also was responsible for government and regulatory affairs, where he developed and executed advocacy strategies to support global business growth. Prior to joining Carrier, he served as chief legal officer for Point72. Before that, O'Connor served as the vice president of Global Ethics & Compliance, UTC, and was a partner at the law firm Bracewell LLP. O'Connor is a proven leader with more than 25 years of experience, bringing to the role a strong combination of experience in government and the private sector, including at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as U.S. attorney for Connecticut and as associate attorney general of the United States, the third-ranking official at the Department of Justice. "It is an honor to join Lockheed Martin at such an exciting time in its history, when national security solutions are of paramount importance," said O'Connor. "The opportunity to work with such an incredibly talented team while continuing to ensure the highest standards in governance and compliance is truly exciting. I look forward to working with the leadership team to help advance Lockheed Martin's critical mission in this dynamic environment." About Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at Lockheedmartin.com. SOURCE Lockheed Martin The event was attended by eminent cardiologists from Manipal Hospitals, including Dr. P.K. Hazra, Interventional Cardiologist, Manipal Hospital, Dhakuria, Dr. Sumanta Chatterjee, Consultant Cardiologist, Manipal Hospital, Dhakuria, Dr. Soumya Kanti Dutta, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Manipal Hospital, Dhakuria, and Dr. Dilip Kumar, Director of the Cardiac Cath Lab & Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist, Medica Superspecialty Hospital (An unit of Manipal Hospitals) and Mr. Rajesh Pareekh, Unit Head at Manipal Hospital Dhakuria. Weighing just 2.4 grams, the Aveir Leadless pacemaker uses nanotechnology to stay securely in the heart and lasts 20-25 yearsthree times longer than traditional pacemakers. Its non-magnetic design ensures compatibility with airport scanners, MRIs, and high-voltage currents, preserving daily functionality of the patient. Dr. P.K. Hazra, Interventional Cardiologist, Manipal Hospital, Dhakuria explained, "The non-rechargeable Aveir Leadless pacemaker offers a key advantage: it can be upgraded from a single to a dual-chamber configuration, efficiently managing the right atrium and ventricle. This pacemaker eliminates the need for invasive surgery and external wires, and features Bluetooth-enabled technology for remote monitoring and adjustments. Specialists worldwide can now montor the patient." Dr. Dilip Kumar, Director of the Cardiac Cath Lab & Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist, Medica Superspecialty Hospital (An unit of Manipal Hospitals) stated, "While wireless pacemakers are not new, the previous models couldn't pace both chambersthe atrium and the ventricles. The pacemaker reduces the risks of hematoma formation, infections, lead dislodgement, and other lead-related issues." Dr. Soumya Kanti Dutta, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Manipal Hospital, Dhakuria, added, "This pacemaker is injected directly into the heart's right ventricle, eliminating the need for external wires and surgical pockets, which are the primary causes of infections in patients. This device is perfect for those with compromised immunity, skin issues, patients on dialysis or, blood thinners. The device's minimally invasive nature also makes it ideal for those concerned about scarring." India is now the third country to adopt the USFDA and European-approved injectable pacemaker, offering a permanent solution to enhance patients' quality of life. Notably, the procedure can only be carried out by professionals with proper training and certification About Manipal Hospitals: As a pioneer in healthcare, Manipal Hospitals is among the top healthcare providers in India serving over 7 million patients annually. Its focus is to develop an affordable, high-quality healthcare framework through its multispecialty and tertiary care delivery spectrum and further extend it to out-of-hospital care. With the completion of the acquisition of Medica Synergie hospitals and AMRI Hospitals Limited (acquired in Sept 2023), the integrated network today has a pan-India footprint of 37 hospitals across 19 cities with 10,500+ beds and a talented pool of 5,600+ doctors and an employee strength of over 18,600. Manipal Hospitals provides comprehensive curative and preventive care for a multitude of patients from around the globe. Manipal Hospitals is NABH and AAHRPP accredited, and most of the hospitals in its network are NABL, ER, and Blood Bank accredited and recognized for Nursing Excellence. Manipal Hospitals has also been recognized as the most respected and patient-recommended hospital in India through various consumer surveys. Please visit: https://www.manipalhospitals.com/ Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2571841/Manipal_Hospital_Aveir_Leadless_pacemaker.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1941277/Manipal_Hospital_Logo.jpg SOURCE Manipal Hospitals Kolkata November Marks Seventh Consecutive Month for Sales Gains IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported total November sales of 33,422 vehicles, an increase of 20.6 percent compared to November 2023. Year-to-date sales totaled 384,181 vehicles sold; an increase of 18.6 percent compared to the same time last year. With 26 selling days in November, compared to 25 the year prior, the company posted an increase of 16 percent on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis. CPO sales totaled 6,451 vehicles in November, an increase of 38 percent compared to November 2023. CX-50 Hybrid November 2024 sales highlights include: Seventh consecutive month for sales gains. Best-ever November sales with 33,422 vehicles sold. Best November sales of CX-30 with 6,844 vehicles sold. Best November sales of CX-50 with 7,072 vehicles sold. Best November sales of MX-5 since 2006 with 798 vehicles sold. Mazda Canada, Inc., (MCI) reported November sales of 5,699 vehicles, an increase of 15.3 percent compared to November last year. Year-to-date sales totaled 67,660 vehicles sold; an increase of 24.9 percent compared to the same time last year. Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported November sales of 13,684 vehicles, an increase of 59 percent compared to last year. Year-to-date sales totaled 91,120 vehicles sold; an increase of 33 percent compared to the same time last year. About Mazda North American Operations Proudly founded in Hiroshima, Japan, Mazda has a history of sophisticated craftsmanship and innovation, and a purpose to enrich life-in-motion for those it serves. By putting humans at the center of everything it does, Mazda aspires to create uplifting experiences with our vehicles and for people. Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Colombia through approximately 795 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada Inc. in Richmond Hill, Ontario; operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City; and operations in Colombia are managed by Mazda de Colombia in Bogota, Colombia. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at news.mazdausa.com. Follow @MazdaUSA on social media: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, and Threads. Month-To-Date Year-To-Date November November YOY % % MTD November November YOY % % MTD 2024 2023 Change DSR 2024 2023 Change DSR Mazda3 3,272 2,504 30.7 % 25.6 % 34,830 28,073 24.1 % 22.8 % Mazda 3 Sdn 2,333 1,415 64.9 % 58.5 % 20739 15,633 32.7 % 31.3 % Mazda 3 HB 939 1,089 (13.8) % (17.1) % 14091 12,440 13.3 % 12.1 % Mazda6 0 0 - - 0 0 - - MX-5 Miata 798 451 76.9 % 70.1 % 7,489 8,551 (12.4) % (13.3) % MX-5 440 182 141.8 % 132.5 % 3629 4,435 (18.2) % (19.0) % MXR 358 269 33.1 % 28.0 % 3860 4,116 (6.2) % (7.2) % CX-3 - 0 - - - 0 - - CX-30 6,844 6,193 10.5 % 6.3 % 87640 71,403 22.7 % 21.4 % CX-5 8,733 9,556 (8.6) % (12.1) % 122954 133,374 (7.8) % (8.8) % CX-9 - 2 - - 4 17,449 (100.0) % (100.0) % CX-50 7,072 3,954 78.9 % 72.0 % 73,358 38,841 88.9 % 86.9 % MX-30 0 0 - - - 100 - - CX-70 1,820 0 - - 9225 0 - - CX-90 4,883 5,055 (3.4) % (7.1) % 48681 26045 86.9 % 84.9 % CARS 4,070 2,955 37.7 % 32.4 % 42,319 36,624 15.5 % 14.3 % TRUCKS 29,352 24,760 18.5 % 14.0 % 341,862 287,212 19.0 % 17.8 % TOTAL 33,422 27,715 20.6 % 16.0 % 384,181 323,836 18.6 % 17.4 % *Selling Days 26 25 283 280 SOURCE Mazda North American Operations Damage from Hurricane Helene could hasten the start of the 2025 maintenance cycle for the Appalachian Trail in Cumberland County, a trail expert said last week. Jim Fetig is president of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club responsible for the portion of trail that runs through the Michaux State Forest and Pine Grove Furnace State Park. In a typical year, the majority of thru hikers start out in February and March heading northbound from Georgia to Maine on the 2,197-mile route, Fetig said. We get most of our people through this mid-Atlantic region from late May through early July. A smaller number of hikers take the southbound route from Maine to Georgia starting in June, while the remaining thru hikers flip flop by walking a major section of the trail before returning to their starting point to hike another major section. This annual pattern will be disrupted in 2025 by the aftermath of high winds and heavy flooding from Helene. As of Nov. 26, almost 93 miles of the trail remains closed by the U.S. Forest Service or by other public land managers, said Ann Simonelli, communications director for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. The affected area includes sections of the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina and the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in Virginia. In my conversations with the ATC and with hikers on Facebook, were going to see an increase next year in the number of hikers who will flip flop, Fetig said. The prime motivation is an attempt to bypass the damaged segments of the trail in Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia. That will have an impact on the people who maintain the trail in Cumberland County, Fetig said. Were going to have to make sure that we can go out and clear the trail earlier than we might otherwise. The reason for this is flip-flop hikers can start on the trail whenever they want, Simonelli said. Though weather dependent, trail preparation usually starts in March and involves clearing leaves, sticks and other debris from the pathway and the drainage systems serving the trail, Fetig said. We make sure the campsites and shelters are ready. Any damage over the winter must be repaired. Trail maintenance tends to be decentralized with individual district managers making the call on the timing of the work. Since almost everyone is a volunteer, it is up to each person to respond to a call to action. Helene was a cataclysmic weather event, a once-in-a-thousand-year type storm, Fetig said. The area that got hit was enormous. At its peak in late September, there were advisories urging caution and, in some cases, discouraging hikers over 870 miles of trail, Simonelli said. Since then, trail clubs in southern Virginia, northern Tennessee and North Carolina have been working furiously to clear the trail, she said. In some sections, we saw complex tree blowdowns, Simonelli said. The trees were not just blown down in one direction. They were blown down in multiple directions. Imagine a game of pick-up sticks where you drop the sticks on the ground. The trees are intermingled and are blocking the trail. There are cases where trees had been completely uprooted unearthing portions of the tread way and leaving other parts of the trail unrecognizable, she said. The ATC has been working in November with professional crews brought in thanks to donations from supporters to our Appalachian Trail Resiliency Fund. We have also activated some volunteer groups using the fund. To date, the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club has sent three volunteer sawyers to the affected areas to help clear fallen trees, Fetig said. Sawyers are certified in the use of chainsaws on federal land. Two more sawyers from the Potomac Club could deploy in early December. So far, none of the club members involved in the clean-up are volunteers from Cumberland County, Fetig said. When we start doing tread work, we will put out calls. Im sure that [local] people will step up then. The easiest way to think of tread work is pick-and-shovel work, he said. Were checking on steps and retaining walls, repairing erosion damage, and trying to make a functional path that does not wash away. Our guess is we will be down there in the spring and that includes folks in the Michaux area. We will invite them to volunteer. They would have to want to do that. Aside from downed trees, Helene caused landslides and wiped-out small footbridges across creeks and minor waterways. A major roadway bridge was washed out in Erwin, Tennessee, prompting the need for a major reroute of the trail. Local clubs have to want us to be there, Fetig said. Were not going to go and impose ourselves. We want to be coordinated through the ATC so were not stepping on each other and getting in peoples way. We want to know where were supposed to be and what were supposed to do. New Era of Growth, Competition, and Community Begins for Mrs Elemental USA VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mrs Elemental USA, formerly known as Mrs USA Earth, has officially undergone an exciting organizational transformation, marking the beginning of a new era for married women across the country. The competition, now named Mrs Elemental USA, introduces an international competition tier, offering more opportunities for growth, exposure, and experience for its participants. This change reflects the program's commitment to supporting married women at every stage of their journey, both personally and professionally. The decision to transition Mrs Elemental USA into a standalone entity was driven by the desire to provide a national competition experience tailored specifically to the demographic and lifestyle of married women. The newly structured program now offers the chance for delegates to compete at the international level should they choose, further expanding the reach and impact of the pageant. Produced by Crown Life Productions, this rebranding allows the Mrs Elemental USA competition to offer an enriched experience for its contestants and their families. Participants will enjoy exclusive events and opportunities throughout their national competition week, all designed to enhance their personal reigns as state titleholders. The newly announced affiliation with the international Mrs Elemental pageant ensures that Mrs Elemental USA delegates have a dedicated, exciting international competition to advance to after their national reign. Empowering Women, Promoting Sustainability Mrs Elemental USA strives to empower, celebrate, and promote the beauty, intellect, and achievements of married women across the United States, DC and five territories. The pageant's mission is centered around encouraging positive change, fostering personal growth, and advocating for environmental sustainability. By emphasizing the importance of environmental awareness, Mrs Elemental USA continues to raise consciousness around eco-friendly practices and the need for preservation of our planet for future generations. Delegates are encouraged to serve as champions for environmental causes, using their platform to raise awareness and inspire sustainable practices in everyday life. The program promotes a diverse and inclusive community where every contestant is celebrated for their unique qualities, talents, and personal journeys. Mrs Elemental USA is committed to fostering positive body image, self-confidence, and self-love among its participants. Championing Change and Building Community The newly rebranded Mrs Elemental USA also prioritizes building a supportive, empowering community where married women can connect, inspire, and drive meaningful change in their communities and beyond. Whether through philanthropic initiatives or personal advocacy, the delegates of Mrs Elemental USA are united in their passion to make a difference. As ambassadors of ICONIC USA, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Mrs Elemental USA delegates take on a leadership role in promoting environmental sustainability and community impact. The national winner of Mrs Elemental USA serves as the Chief Ambassador of ICONIC USA, working alongside the organization to address pressing environmental issues and inspire collective action. Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Mrs Elemental USA With this exciting rebrand and new international pathway, Mrs Elemental USA is entering a transformative phase that will elevate the pageant experience and provide delegates with the platform they deserve to showcase their achievements, passion, and dedication to positive change. As the program grows, so too will the opportunities for married women to have a lasting impact on their communities and the world. For more information about Mrs Elemental USA, the competition, and upcoming events, please visit www.MrsElementalUSA.Com or follow us on social media at @ElementalPageants About Mrs Elemental USA Mrs Elemental USA is a premier national pageant that celebrates the achievements and contributions of married women. Dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability, personal growth, and community involvement, the program provides a platform for women to empower themselves and inspire others. As a part of its philanthropic mission, Mrs Elemental USA supports ICONIC USA, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization focused on environmental advocacy and change. About Crown Life Productions Crown Life Productions is a production company dedicated to bringing impactful and meaningful pageant experiences to life. Known for its commitment to creating enriching opportunities for contestants and fostering positive, empowering environments, Crown Life Productions is proud to produce the Mrs Elemental USA competition. Contact: Mrs Elemental USA [email protected] Photo(s): https://www.prlog.org/13048020 Press release distributed by PRLog SOURCE Mrs Elemental USA CRANBURY, N.J. , Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, IT Managed Service Provider, Integris, announced its partnership with OMERS Private Equity, a leading institutional investor. OMERS Private Equity is the private equity investment arm of OMERS, one of Canada's largest defined benefit pension plans serving over 620,000 municipal employees. The partnership will fuel Integris' expansion goals through new acquisitions, organic growth, and continued investment in its employee base. Since its founding in 2021, Integris has been regularly recognized as one of the fastest growing IT MSPs in the country. OMERS investment in Integris will allow the company to further expand its footprint and differentiate itself by providing tailored, industry-specific IT strategies and solutions. At the same time, Integris plans to utilize this new partnership to reinvest in the growth of the company's biggest asset: its people. "I am honored to announce this partnership and look forward to seeing how we grow together. Integris has remained focused on growth that benefits our people and our clients. When it comes to ensuring future growth, OMERS was the clear choice. Their approach and values match ours and we are particularly impressed by their commitment and care for the people at the companies they are invested in," says Glenn Mathis, President & Chief Operating Officer of Integris. This recapitalization comes following Integris' four-year partnership with Chicago-based private equity firm, Frontenac. In their four years together, Integris saw exceptional growth. Frontenac helped establish Integris' employee base through a successful four-company merger and went on to help the company acquire an additional four companies in the past two years. "As we embark on our next chapter, having the right partner is key to our continued success. With OMERS' proven track record of scaling its portfolio companies, we are confident in our ability to drive continued growth and success for Integris," said Rashaad Bajwa, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Integris. "At the same time, we extend our sincere gratitude to Frontenac for its investment, leadership, and collaboration over the past four years." "Integris is a world-class platform that excels in delivering expert outsourced IT services and customer support in an industry with significant growth potential," said Eric Haley, Senior Managing Director and Head of Buyout, OMERS Private Equity. "This investment serves as OMERS' entry into the IT Managed Service Provider space and enhances our business services portfolio, backed by a team with deep industry expertise and a strong, customer-centric reputation." "We are excited to welcome Integris to our portfolio to continue building on what is already an impressive culture, platform, and strategy," said Geoffrey Bird, Managing Director and Head of Business Services of OMERS Private Equity. "Equally critical is that Integris' proven leadership team will remain at the helm, ensuring seamless continuity and the continued delivery of outstanding customer service." The transaction is expected to close in December 2024. DLA Piper acted as legal counsel and Baird served as financial advisor for Integris and Frontenac. Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP acted as legal counsel for OMERS Private Equity. Financial terms of this transaction were not disclosed. About Integris: Integris is a national, managed IT service provider dedicated to helping small and mid-sized companies power their success through technology. Through a growing network of local service offices and gold-level partnerships with technology vendors, Integris provides companies with comprehensive and a la carte system platform management that's responsive, secure, regulation ready, and tailored to their industry vertical. Founded in 2021, Integris offers clients the power of a national network, with the personal service of a nearby, local-market MSP. Integris appears regularly on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies. Headquartered in Cranbury, New Jersey, Integris employs 600+ professionals nationwide. For more information, visit integrisit.com. About OMERS: OMERS Private Equity manages investments on behalf of OMERS, one of Canada's largest defined benefit pension plans, with C$128.6 billion in net assets as of December 31, 2023, including approximately C$25.1 billion in net private equity investment asset exposure. The team invests across Industrials, Healthcare, Business Services and Technology, deploying an evergreen capital base to partner with strong management teams and transform good companies into industry leaders around the globe. For more information, please visit www.omersprivateequity.com. About Frontenac: Frontenac is a Chicago-based private equity firm. The firm focuses on investing in lower middle market buyout transactions in the services, consumer, and industrial industries. Frontenac works in partnership with established operating leaders, through an executive-centric approach called CEO1ST, which seeks to identify, acquire, and build market-leading companies through transformational acquisitions and operational excellence. Over the last 50+ years, Frontenac has built a franchise working with over 300 owners of mid-sized businesses as they address complex transition issues of liquidity, management enhancement, and growth planning. SOURCE Integris InnerTrek now accepting applications for Colorado's first training program, which is available virtually to students worldwide BOULDER, Colo., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- InnerTrek, an Oregon-based psilocybin facilitator training program, is now licensed by Colorado's Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) to train psychedelic practitioners. Graduates of InnerTrek's training program are eligible for state licensure in Colorado. The first Colorado training runs from February to October 2025. It is offered both in person and virtually to students worldwide. InnerTrek is accepting applications now until January 15, 2025. Visit innertrek.org to apply to InnerTrek's training program. InnerTrek Psilocybin Facilitator Training School "InnerTrek's expansion into Colorado points to the rise of a regulated model for psychedelic care," said Tom Eckert, InnerTrek's founder,executive director and architect of Oregon's landmark legal psilocybin therapy model that serves as a blueprint for other states. "We're ready to prepare facilitators to a high standard of care and bring this healing modality to those who need it." InnerTrek's Colorado 150-hour primary education training includes in-person components at a nature-based retreat center located near Boulder, andis also offered virtually to people worldwide. Students who have completed primary facilitator training or have extensive psychedelic facilitation experience can apply to InnerTrek's Accelerated Program . The new program is an accelerated pathway to become Colorado-licensed as a legal natural medicine facilitator. "As a Colorado resident who completed the InnerTrek program, I can't emphasize enough how vital it is for Coloradans to have access to trained, ethical psilocybin facilitators," said Jamie Blackburn, InnerTrek graduate and Colorado resident. "Created by the architect of the country's first legal and publicly accessible psychedelic model, InnerTrek's program has been well-established over the past three years, giving us a thorough understanding of the complexities of working with psilocybin. While Oregon's landscape may differ, learning from experienced practitioners there has prepared me to better support clients here in Colorado. This level of training is essential to ensure that facilitators can guide clients safely and meaningfully through their journeys." InnerTrek graduated the U.S.'s first class of psilocybin therapy facilitators in Oregon in 2023. It has trained more than 300 students to date. InnerTrek's newly launched Center for Psilocybin Services in Portland provides hands-on practicum experience and offers a range of community-focused psilocybin therapy programs. Visit innertrek.org to apply and learn more about InnerTrek's programming and how it advances the movement to legalize state-regulated psychedelic healthcare. About InnerTrek InnerTrek sparks healing and wholeness by preparing students to become state-licensed psilocybin service facilitators in Oregon and Colorado. Its founder, Tom Eckert, originated the movement to legalize state-regulated psychedelic care in Oregon. InnerTrek's groundbreaking training program is approved by the Oregon Health Authority and Colorado's Department of Regulatory Agencies. InnerTrek's Center for Psilocybin Services in Portland, OR offers a spectrum of accessible, professionally facilitated psilocybin care in a magical urban space. For more information, visit innertrek.org/story . SOURCE InnerTrek Incidental CAC Scores Now Possible with ClearRead CT MIAMISBURG, Ohio, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Coronary artery calcification (CAC) affects 20 million Americans annually, and over half of the incidental findings go unreported.* New FDA-cleared technology from Riverain can provide a CAC score to help identify the risk for heart disease on every ungated, non-contrast chest CT scan. "With more than 4 million imaging exams now processed annually using ClearRead solutions, there is a huge opportunity to improve the health of patients by maximizing the findings in each scan," said Steve Worrell, CEO of Riverain Technologies. "ClearRead CT CAC enables healthcare providers to use ungated chest CT for early intervention and assessment of cardiac risk." Historically, coronary artery calcium exams have only been offered to symptomatic patients using specialized CT scans. This has overlooked the opportunity for early diagnosis. ClearRead CT CAC accurately detects, quantifies, and reports an Agatston score. It is compatible with ungated, non-contrast standard and low-dose chest CT exams, making it a valuable addition to lung cancer screening programs. Patients who undergo a CT scan for unrelated reasons can also benefit from ClearRead CT CAC scoring. Riverain's FDA-cleared ClearRead software tools use advanced machine learning and AI methods to ensure consistent imaging results across different devices and patient populations. Using unique suppression technology, ClearRead solutions with Clear Visual Intelligence removes the interfering normal structures within the chest, like bones and vessels, and machine noise, which can compromise accurate and efficient diagnoses. This provides an unimpaired view that enables the radiologist to uniquely focus on the actionable data in chest imaging to precisely detect, characterize, and report findings to improve diagnostic accuracy and advance earlier intervention. The addition of CAC scoring to the ClearRead CT suite enhances the existing nodule detection tools. Learn more about the ClearRead CT CAC technology in the Riverain Technologies booth (McCormick Place, South Hall #4523) at the Radiological Society of North American (RSNA) annual meeting taking place in Chicago on December 1-5, 2024. About Riverain Technologies Riverain Technologies is dedicated to transforming the field of radiology by addressing and eliminating delayed cardiothoracic diagnoses. As relentless innovators, Riverain empowers healthcare providers by streamlining diagnostic workflows, enhancing detection accuracy, and ultimately improving patient outcomes. With a steadfast commitment to advancing cardiothoracic care, Riverain Technologies is shaping the future of diagnostic excellence. For more information: https://www.riveraintech.com/ * Sources: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcct.2013.05.003 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32268145/ Click here for more details about our booth at: https://rsna2024.mapyourshow.com/8_0/exhibitor/exhibitor-details.cfm?exhid=00209772. SOURCE Riverain Technologies -- Company to Promote Next-Generation Leaders in Key Business Areas Including Sales, Production, and R&D -- SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NEXEN TIRE, a leading global tire manufacturer, announced on Nov. 29 the promotion of five executives, including CEO Chief Executive Officer John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim. Through these appointments, the company selected next-generation leaders who have achieved demonstrated success in key business areas such as sales, production, and research and development (R&D). NEXEN TIRE, a leading global tire manufacturer, announced on Nov. 29 the promotion of five executives, including CEO Chief Executive Officer John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim. Through these appointments, the company selected next-generation leaders who have achieved demonstrated success in key business areas such as sales, production, and research and development (R&D). The newly promoted CEO John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim has been with the company since 1990 and has led sales and marketing operations not just in Korea but also in the Asia-Pacific and European regions, achieving outstanding results as a sales expert. Since 2016, CEO John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim has played key responsibilities in the global sales division, contributing to NEXEN TIRE's growth into a global enterprise. In particular, he oversaw sales and marketing throughout Europe, driving brand recognition and revenue growth in the global market. In recognition of his contributions, he received the 'Export $900 Million USD Achievement' award from NEXEN TIRE in 2018 and received the Bronze Order of Industrial Service Merit, a prestigious honor bestowed by the South Korean government to individuals who have made significant contributions to the country's industrial development. Since 2021, he has served as the Head of the Global OE (Original Equipment) Sales Business Group, overseeing OE supply and leading the expansion of premium OE supply. Currently, NEXEN TIRE supplies products to 28 automotive manufacturers for 118 vehicle models, successfully increasing brand recognition. Through these executive appointments, NEXEN TIRE plans to further solidify its worldwide competitiveness, and respond quickly to the rapidly changing market environment, as well as signal a generational shift towards the future. "As this leadership restructuring will provide NEXEN TIRE with an opportunity to take a significant leap forward," said Travis Kang, Global CEO of NEXEN TIRE. "We expect our new leaders, who possess seasoned expertise and insights from extensive field experience, to drive the company's sustainable growth and contribute to profit maximization." Executive Appointments at Nexen Tire CEO Promotion John Bosco ( Hyeon Suk) Kim Business Group (BG) Head Promotions DAE CHOONG KIM , Global Sales BG Leader , Global Sales BG Leader CHULJUN KIM, Global Production BG Leader JONGMYOUNG KIM, Head of Central Research Institute BONHYONG GOO, Head of Management Administration For more information or to set up an interview with a NEXEN TIRE representative, please contact [email protected] or call (615) 463-3050. About NEXEN TIRE NEXEN TIRE, established in 1942, is a global tire manufacturer headquartered in South Korea. NEXEN TIRE, one of the world's fastest growing tire manufacturers, currently interacts with approximately 150 countries around the world and owns four manufacturing plants two in Korea (Yangsan and Changnyeong) and one in Qingdao, China. Another plant in Zatec, the Czech Republic has also begun operation in 2019. NEXEN TIRE produces tires for passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks with advanced technology and excellence in design. NEXEN TIRE supplies OE tires to global premium car makers in various countries around the world proving its quality and technology of its products. Additionally, the company achieved a grand slam of the world's top 4 design awards in 2014 for the first time amongst the various tire makers in the world. For more information, please visit http://www.nexentire.com/international/ Nexen Public Relations Nexen Tire America (615) 463-3050 [email protected] SOURCE Nexen Tire America WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Treliant, an essential consulting partner to the global financial services industry, has named Maya Wilson as Managing Director with the firm's Regulatory Compliance, Mortgage, and Operational and Enterprise Risk Management Solutions team. Her appointment reflects Treliant's commitment to bringing a powerful combination of legal, regulatory, advisory, and practitioner knowledge and experience to bear in service of its clients. Maya's more than 20-year career in the financial services industry includes the roles of consultant and regulatory lawyer in both the private and public sectors, and her expertise spans multiple practice areas and sectors of the financial services industry. Prior to joining Treliant, Maya served as a Partner in Promontory's Risk and Compliance practice, supporting bank and nonbank clients with compliance, governance, fair and responsible banking, and enterprise risk management. Previously, she served as an Attorney in the Legal Division of the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors and as Senior Counsel at the Treasury Department during the global financial crisis. In private practice at Mayer Brown and Hogan Lovells, Maya also advised clients on a range of bank supervisory and regulatory matters. "Financial services companies find themselves in an uncertain environment as they try to balance heightened business goals with ongoing regulatory demands in a fiscally-responsible manner," said Brendan Mulvey, Senior Managing Director, Regulatory Compliance, Mortgage, and Operational and Enterprise Risk Management Solutions. "Maya is bringing her considerable expertise to the firm at a crucial time, to help clients optimize business and operational outcomes while sustaining effective regulatory compliance, enterprise risk management, operational risk management, and governance." "Joining Treliant provides a unique platform to help clients drive meaningful change and achieve critical goals," Maya said. "In today's unpredictable environment, it's exciting to become part of a firm that is trusted to guide clients in navigating the complex interplay of business and regulation." About Treliant Treliant is an essential consulting firm serving banks, mortgage originators and servicers, fintechs, and other companies providing financial services globally. We are led by practitioners from the industry and the regulatory community who bring deep domain knowledge to help our clients drive business change and address the most pressing compliance, regulatory, and operational challenges. We provide data-driven, technology-enabled consulting, implementation, staffing, and managed services solutions to the regulatory compliance, risk, credit, financial crimes, and capital markets functions of our clients. Founded in 2005, Treliant is headquartered in Washington, DC, with offices across the United States, Europe, and Asia. To learn more visit www.treliant.com. SOURCE Treliant As reported in the recently published Global Media Agency New Business Barometer Q1-Q3 2024 - an analysis of the global media agency marketplace from independent research company COMvergence - OMG was awarded $7.37 billion in client billings including $4.4 million in retained business - during the first nine months of the year, outperforming its nearest competitor by more than 40 percent. Remarkably, OMG also earned the highest retention rate, successfully defending 85% of its billings in review while concurrently expanding its client roster. The COMvergence results affirm the findings of a recent analysis from leading research and advisory firm Forrester in which OMG was named a "Leader". Earning the highest score among the 12 global media management groups evaluated in The Forrester Wave: Media Management Services, Q4 2024, OMG received 5/5 scores in eight categories, including Innovation, Martech and Adtech Implementation and Media Responsibility. As reported in the evaluation, Omnicom clients noted the agency's transparent business practices, trustworthy relationships, and strength of Omni - the open operating system that supports all Omnicom agencies - technology for media and business intelligence. The Omni advantage was evident in OMG's win/loss share as the group leveraged its Omni-powered Agency as a Platform model that enables a flexible ecosystem of talent, capabilities, and technology across all OMG agencies to win 28% of the $29.5 billion in business awarded during Q1-Q3 the highest share among all groups - while its share of losses was only 5%, compared to double-digit shares posted by some of its competitors. "The only thing that matches the privilege of adding new clients to our roster is having our long-term clients choose to renew their relationships with Omnicom Media Group," said OMG CEO Florian Adamski. "Earning both the best total new business record and the best retention rate during a period when an historic amount of business was in play, and half of that business changed hands, is a testament to the trust we've earned - whether over the months of a review or the years of a relationship - from the world's leading marketers. Leveraging our Agency as a Platform model, we will live up to that trust by delivering customized solutions that integrate the vast collection of specialized talent, capabilities, and processes required to drive business growth in today's complex marketplace." Beyond topping the global ranking, OMG was also #1 in North America, EMEA and LATAM, and in the top two largest advertising markets the US and China; as well is in Argentina, Colombia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, and Turkey. PHD and OMD Dominate the Agency Network Rankings OMG's best-in-class total new business ranking for Q1-Q3 was fueled by powerful performances from its agency networks, with all its agency brands ranked in the top 10 and PHD and OMD claiming the #1 and #3 spots, respectively. PHD topped the global agency rankings with $3.63b in total new business by successfully defending the $2.2b Volkswagen Group business as well as Sainsbury's , HP and the majority of its Unilever business making PHD the most successful network for retaining it client relationships coming out of this Q1-Q3 pitch cycle. Incremental wins included Priceline and David Yurman , and an expanded relationship with QSR giant Restaurant Brand's International - for which it supports Burger King, Popeye's, and Tim Horton with the addition of the Firehouse Subs franchise. "Our performance reflects the evolution of PHD's offer over the past year, as we have realigned our talent, our approach and our use of technology to enable an agency network that is engineered for connected intelligence," says PHD CEO Guy Marks. "As a result, clients both current and new are increasingly seeing PHD - enabled by the depth and breadth of OMG and Omnicom capabilities as not just a media agency, but as a partner than can truly orchestrate consumer experiences, connecting media, commerce and content to deliver solutions that help them outthink, outpace and outgrow the marketplace." Joining PHD at the top of the global ranking with wins that included Gap Inc. and Michelin, OMD was also the #1 agency network in North America for net new business (wins minus losses, excluding retentions), with sister agency Hearts & Science making the top five on the NA net new ranking with wins that included Tapestry, HanesBrands Inc., Lovesac and Goldman Sachs. Winning on All Fronts in the First Nine Months In addition to outperforming the market in new business, OMG also lead the industry on multiple fronts during the first six months of the year, starting at CES where the group announced first-to-market partnerships with Google, TikTok, Amazon and Meta designed to bridge the gap between creators and commerce, driving better ROI across influencer channels. During the Cannes Festival of Creativity, OMG announced partnerships with Amazon, The Trade Desk, TikTok and Instacart designed to directly connect upper funnel media investments to sales. OMG was also the most honored media group at the festival, earning the highest combined total of Lions and short list placements; and OMD was named Media Network of the Year, with PHD coming in a close second. Also, when the annual Effie Index ranking the world's most effective agencies, marketers, brands, networks, and holding companies was published in June, OMG earned the highest score among global media groups. About Omnicom Media Group Omnicom Media Group (OMG), the media services division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC), delivers transformational experiences for consumers, clients, and talent. Powered by the Omni marketing orchestration system, OMG connects best -in-class capabilities that enable our full-service media agencies OMD , PHD and Hearts & Science to deliver more relevant and actionable consumer experiences; more productive and proactive client experiences; and more collaborative and rewarding talent experiences for the more than 27,000 people serving the world's leading brands in OMG agencies around the globe. SOURCE Omnicom Media Group NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- OneOncology, a physician-led platform dedicated to advancing independent community oncology practices, and the OneOncology Research Network (OneR), its clinical research site management organization, proudly recognize the outstanding research contributions of its partner practice investigators from The Cancer and Hematology Centers in Michigan, New York Cancer & Blood Specialists and Tennessee Oncology, who will showcase a total of 26 oral and poster presentations at the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition, taking place December 710, 2024. OneOncology partner practice investigators from The Cancer and Hematology Centers in Michigan, New York Cancer & Blood Specialists, and Tennessee Oncology, who will showcase a total of 26 oral and poster presentations at the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition, taking place December 710, 2024. "Our practice partner physician investigators are at the forefront of innovation in hematology," said Ian W. Flinn, MD, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at OneOncology and leader of (OneR). "The breadth and depth of the research presented this year reflects our collective commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and improving outcomes for patients with hematologic disorders. We are excited to highlight these compelling studies at ASH 2024." The abstracts represent a diverse range of groundbreaking research in hematology, which aligns with OneOncology's commitment to excellence by helping propel its partner practices' clinical trials' programs and expanding access to novel cancer therapies for patients close to where they live and work. OneOncology Partner Practice Investigator oral and poster abstracts are linked here. About OneOncology OneOncology was founded by community oncologists, for community oncologists, with the mission of improving the lives of everyone living with cancer. Our goal is to enable community oncology practices to remain independent and to improve patient access to care in their communities, all at a lower cost than in the hospital setting. OneOncology supports our platform of community oncology practices through group purchasing, operational optimization, data analytics, practice growth, and clinical innovation. Our 1,300 cancer care providers care for approximately 747,000 patients at more than 420 sites of care nationwide. To learn more, visit oneoncology.com or LinkedIn. SOURCE OneOncology, LLC. Closing on Dec. 10-11, the Tiger Group and Liquidity Services bankruptcy sale includes frac pumps, trucks, truck tractors, cranes, lifts, oilfield equipment and other assets. ALICE, Texas, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tiger Group and Liquidity Services are offering El Dorado Gas & Oil, Inc.'s frac and drilling fleet in a bankruptcy court-sanctioned liquidation. The two-day online auction features Quintuplex and Triplex frac pumps, Peterbilt, Freightliner and Kenworth truck tractors and a wide range of additional industrial and oilfield equipment assets stored at the oil-and-gas company's former South Texas site in Alice, Texas. Tiger Group's December 10-11 auction includes equipment from El Dorado Gas & Oil, Inc. The assets available include frac pumps, trucks, truck tractors, cranes, lifts and oilfield equipment. Among the items up for auction are 23 Peterbilt and Kenworth truck tractors. Day One lots close starting on Tuesday, December 10, at 10 a.m. (CT). Day Two lots close starting on Wednesday, December 11, at 10 a.m. (CT). Bidding opens on Tuesday, December 3, at 10 a.m. (CT) at SoldTiger.com. "This is the largest sale to date in a series of El Dorado auctions, with a wide array of equipment that will be of interest to energy and drilling companies as well as truckers, fleet owners and users of general tools and equipment," said Chad Farrell, Managing Director of Tiger Commercial & Industrial. "By court order, there is no buyer's premium in this major liquidation. Buyers will have an opportunity to buy quality assets at a good price." Day One lots closing on December 10 include: 37 trailers 29 fluid ends 3 winch trucks drilling rigs drilling equipment including subs, valves, elevators, BOP trailers a wireline truck large inventories of truck and frac equipment parts radiators perforating/logging systems rigging equipment Day Two lots closing on December 11 include: 40 Quintuplex and Triplex frac pump trailers featuring Gardner Denver and SPM pumps 23 Peterbilt and Kenworth truck tractors 20 tanker trailers 16 frac sand hoppers by Amber Waves, Inc. 14 frac manifold trailers 6 vacuum trailers Oilfield floats and trailers Welding trailers Coiled tubing units Storage containers Cranes and lifts Pipe Drilling equipment Gulfport, Mississippi-based El Dorado Gas & Oil, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 (Case No. 23-51715-JAW) this past December. The company held a diverse array of equipment at 37 locations, primarily in Mississippi and Texas, but also in Alabama, Louisiana, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia, Wyoming, and other locations. For asset photos, descriptions, and other information, visit: https://soldtiger.com/sales/complete-liquidation-of-el-dorado-gas-oil-frac-and-drilling-equipment-fleet/ About Tiger Group Tiger Group provides asset valuation, advisory and disposition services to a broad range of retail, wholesale, and industrial clients. With over 40 years of experience and significant financial backing, Tiger offers a uniquely nimble combination of expertise, innovation and financial resources to drive results. Tiger's seasoned professionals help clients identify the underlying value of assets, monitor asset risk factors and provide capital or convert assets to capital quickly and decisively. Tiger maintains offices in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Houston and Toronto. https://tigergroup.com/ About Liquidity Services Liquidity Services operates the world's largest B2B e-commerce marketplace platform for surplus assets with over $10 billion in completed transactions to more than five million qualified buyers and 15,000 corporate and government sellers worldwide. The company supports its clients' sustainability efforts by helping them extend the life of assets, prevent unnecessary waste and carbon emissions, and reduce the number of products headed to landfills. https://liquidityservices.com/ Media Contacts: At Tiger Group, Maria Hoang, (805) 497-4999, [email protected]. At Jaffe Communications, Elisa Krantz, (908) 789-0700, [email protected]. SOURCE Tiger Group Creating OPs, not APPS involves frontline staff in Best Practices SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Start-up company, OP Media Inc. is proving there is a new and dynamic approach to the years-old use of static documents (PDFs) and the tool health care providers are turning to is OP System (www.opsystem.io). With the premise that frontline employees best know which practices lead to increased and lasting efficiency, OP System allows employees to create and use OP - Optimal Process - in detailing and outlining company best practices. OP Media Inc Founder Daniel (Afu) Taumoerpeau "The employees are creating OPs not Apps," says company founder and CEO Daniel (Afu) Taumoepeau. "They don't need any coding experience, but can still use our dynamic tools to streamline every process inside each corporate ecosystem. OP System allows companies to best utilize their own human capital to identify and bring best practices into play." Through several pilots with rural hospitals, and now in revenue, OP Media has made a commitment to being the tool/mechanism health professionals turn to as they focus on efficiency, best practices and process-based ROI. Ben Armstrong of Kane County Hospital said, "I think the potential benefit for rural facilities is indisputable, especially as it relates to process improvement and increased efficiency." He continued, "I don't think we scratched the surface of the overall potential of the system. That being said, I can absolutely recognize the potential within the system and the inherent ability to collect high-quality which can be used to generate actionable information." Debbie Barton of Beaver Valley Hospital was very excited to create her own OPs! "If this system was available at the beginning of my career, the hard copies that I have accumulated would have been easily stored and would have been providing information that would have helped and continue to help with the decision processes, policies and procedures." Debbie added, "Rural hospitals could use OP media across multiple areas including Emergency Management, Nursing, Employee Health, Infection Control, Registration, Surgery, Lab and Radiology just off the top of my head. I have used both the nursing QR codes that were developed to help with my procedures." And Scott Langford, who oversees both Beaver Valley and Milford Valley Memorial Hospital was more than willing to establish OP System as the vehicle to increase overall efficiency and establishment of best practices at both rural facilities. "Our biggest thing is a way to train new people, that's kind of what was the first thing that made me stop and go, okay, that would be beneficial. But more than anything, I think it's also a changing landscape constantly, and our ability to change is usually basically word of mouth, so this map helps them out." The OP System is the brain child of CEO Taumoepeau. After years in operations, he knew there "had to be a better" way to create efficiency and that frontline employees would be the best informational sources - even with no coding experience - in bringing standardized and dynamic processes to life through the creation of OPs and the utilization of Optimal Process. "With the OP System as an easy-to learn tool, we can turn any static process - including PDFs and other static documents - and including employees' own ideas from scratch, into digitized, dynamic and trackable processes. By digitizing our current processes and creating new ones, tracking them for efficiencies and always optimizing, we're inventing a digital foundation for every single health care provider." For more information on the OP System and free demonstrations, [email protected] or call 801-449-1830. Contact: 801-638-5020 | [email protected] SOURCE OP Media Inc Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=5230937 Browse in-depth TOC on "Orthopedic Implants Market" 163 - Tables 60 - Figures 259 - Pages The orthopedic implants market is segmented based on type into knee implants, hip implants, shoulder implants, elbow implants, foot & ankle implants, wrist implants, and other implants - knee segment is expected to hold major share of the market in 2023. The increase in number of revision knee surgical procedures and rising prevalence of knee osteoarthritis is driving the growth of this segment. According to NHS inform more than 70,000 knee replacements are performed in England and Wales each year. In 2022, the primary and revision hip and knee arthroplasty procedures performed are 3,149,042 during the time of 2012 and 2022 which is 23% growth in procedural cases (Source: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons). By material, the orthopedic implants market is segmented into metal and metal alloys, ceramics, polymers and hybrid implants. In 2023, the metal and metal alloys segment held a significant share of the market 2023. The growth in this segment is driven by high strength and resistance to wear than any other material. Many of the metal alloys are compatible to imaging methods such as X-rays and CT scan that help in postoperative monitoring further supporting the growth of the segment. Regarding end users, the orthopedic implants market is fragmented into hospitals & surgical centers and ambulatory & trauma care centers. The major share of the market was contributed by hospitals & surgical centers segment in 2023. Increasing funding opportunities and rising focus on healthcare research by private and public entities are fuelling the market's growth. Furthermore, increasing number of hospitals which are equipped with advanced surgical equipment support the growth of the segment. The orthopedic implants market is segmented by region into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. In 2023, North America region accounted for the major market share, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. The significant share of North America in this market is attributed to the strong existence of key players, rising number of fractures, increasing medical tourism. Factors such as increasing healthcare expenditure and growing popularity for various orthopedic treatments support the market growth in this region. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=5230937 The orthopedic implants market is consolidated. As of 2023, the key players operating in the global orthopedic implants market are Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (US), Stryker Corporation (US), Johnson & Johnson MedTech (US), Smith+Nephew (UK), B. Braun (Germany). In 2023, Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (US), Stryker Corporation (US), Johnson & Johnson MedTech (US) held a major share of the orthopedic implants market. These players have adopted key strategies such as acquisitions, partnerships, and expansions in the last four to five years. Stryker Corporation (US): Stryker Corporation is among the leading companies in the global the company has a strong presence in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific, with its brand presence in more than 75 countries across the globe market. The company has a strong presence in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific, with its brand presence in more than 75 countries across the globe. The company offers orthopedic implants through other Orthopedics & Spine division segment. The company focuses on enhancing its product portfolio and continuous innovation and developing new products to sustain its leading position in the market. Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (US): Zimmer Biomet is a medical device company that develops, manufactures, and markets a wide range of healthcare products. The company offers orthopedic implants through its Knees, Hips, and S.E.T segments. The company has a strong geographic presence across countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Switzerland, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, China, Taiwan, India, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Also, the company has a wide distribution network across Benelux, Nordic, Central & Eastern Europe, and the Middle East & Africa. Zimmer Biomet has a strong brand value among orthopedic implants end users, strong R&D capabilities, and a robust product portfolio. Johnson & Johnson MedTech (US): Johnson & Johnson MedTech is another major player operating in the orthopedic implants market. The company is engaged in the R&D, manufacturing, and marketing of orthopedic implants and other healthcare products across the globe. It offers orthopedic implants under the MedTech business segment. The company is dedicated to research & innovation to forge and unveil novel offerings that optimize patient results. The company collaborated with CrossRoads Extremity Systems (US) to improve orthopedic care and MedTech devices using new ideas, hoping to give patients better health results. The company holds a significant market share in over 60 nations across diverse territories such as North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Africa. For more information, Inquire Now! Related Reports: Orthopedic Devices Market Surgical Staplers Market Digital Denture Market Minimally Invasive Surgical Instruments Market Minimally Invasive Surgery Market Get access to the latest updates on Orthopedic Implants Companies and Orthopedic Implants Market Size About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 1615 South Congress Ave. Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1951202/4609423/MarketsandMarkets.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets ENOLA, Pa., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- National healthcare leader PAM Health is pleased to announce its acquisition of Southern Indiana Rehabilitation Hospital, effective December 3, 2024. The hospital will now operate as PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Greater Indiana North. Conveniently located at 3104 Blackiston Boulevard in New Albany, Indiana, this hospital becomes PAM Health's second location in the state, joining PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Greater Indiana South in nearby Clarksville. "We are excited to partner with the exceptional team already in place at this hospital," said Anthony Misitano, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of PAM Health. "Together, we aim to build on their strong foundation by enhancing patient care and fostering a culture of innovation and healing. Patients remain our top priority, and we know the key to delivering exceptional care lies in a dedicated, extraordinary team focused on optimizing outcomes." The New Albany facility holds certifications from The Joint Commission and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). It will continue providing specialized care for patients recovering from debilitating illnesses and injuries, such as traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, strokes, amputations, orthopedic conditions, and post-surgical recovery. Advanced technologies, including an aquatic therapy pool, will support patients in their recovery journeys. PAM Health, PAM Health, based in Enola, Pennsylvania, provides post-acute healthcare services through more than 100 long-term acute care hospitals, medical rehabilitation hospitals, behavioral health hospitals, as well as wound care clinics and outpatient physical therapy locations, in 23 states. PAM Health is committed to providing high-quality patient care and outstanding customer service, coupled with loyal, dedicated, and highly trained staff, to be the most trusted and impactful source for healthcare services in every community it serves. Learn more at PAMHealth.com. SOURCE PAM Health TORONTO and DALLAS, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Perimeter Medical Imaging AI, Inc. (TSXV: PINK) (OTC: PYNKF) ("Perimeter" or the "Company"), a commercial-stage medical technology company, wishes to notify shareholders that in case of disruption due to the ongoing Canada Post strike, the Company's meeting materials (the "Meeting Materials") for the Company's upcoming annual general meeting to be held on December 12, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. (Toronto Time) (the "Meeting"), may be viewed on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca and are also available electronically on the Company's website at www.perimetermed.com. The Company has delivered the completed Meeting Materials to the appropriate parties for mailing to registered and unregistered shareholders prior to the Meeting. However, due to the postal strike, it is possible that the Meeting Materials will not be delivered to shareholders prior to the Meeting. Shareholders will still be able to vote their shares either directly or by proxy, or indirectly via their intermediary. Registered and beneficial shareholders who have not received their Meeting Materials, including the proxy, can direct requests for copies of the Meeting Materials to Stephen Kilmer, Investor Relations, at the contact details below. The Company will provide copies of the Meeting Materials by email to each shareholder who requests them while the strike is ongoing, at no charge. If you are a registered shareholder, please contact Computershare Investor Services Inc. at 1-800-564-6253 (toll free within North America) or 1-514-982-7555 to obtain your proxy form control number to cast your vote for the upcoming Meeting. If you hold shares through an intermediary such as a brokerage firm, please contact your intermediary directly for a copy of the proxy form and instructions for voting. The Company's annual financial statements and related management discussion and analysis, as well as interim financial statements and related management discussion and analysis are available on the Company's SEDAR+ profile and the Company's website as noted above. About Perimeter Medical Imaging AI, Inc. Based in Toronto, Canada and Dallas, Texas, Perimeter Medical Imaging AI (TSX-V: PINK) (OTC: PYNKF) is a medical technology company driven to transform cancer surgery with ultra-high-resolution, real-time, advanced imaging tools to address areas of high unmet medical need. Available across the U.S., our FDA-cleared Perimeter S-Series OCT system provides real-time, cross-sectional visualization of excised tissues at the cellular level. The breakthrough-device-designated investigational Perimeter B-Series OCT with ImgAssist AI represents our next-generation artificial intelligence technology that is currently being evaluated in a pivotal clinical trial, with support from a grant of up to US$7.4 million awarded by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. The company's ticker symbol "PINK" is a reference to the pink ribbons used during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Perimeter B-Series OCT is limited by U.S. law to investigational use and not available for sale in the United States. Perimeter S-Series OCT has 510(k) clearance under a general indication and has not been evaluated by the U.S. FDA specifically for use in breast tissue, breast cancer, other types of cancer, margin evaluation, and reducing re-excision rates. The safety and effectiveness of these uses has not been established. For more information, please visit www.perimetermed.com/disclosures. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. In this news release, words such as "may," "would," "could," "will," "likely," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," and similar words and the negative form thereof are used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information may relate to management's future outlook and anticipated events or results and may include statements or information regarding the future financial position, business strategy and strategic goals, competitive conditions, research and development activities, projected costs and capital expenditures, research and clinical testing outcomes, taxes and plans and objectives of, or involving, Perimeter. Without limitation, statements regarding the timing of the annual meeting, are forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times at or by which, any particular result will be achieved. No assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur. Forward-looking information is based on information available at the time and/or management's good-faith belief with respect to future events and are subject to known or unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond Perimeter's control. Such forward-looking statements reflect Perimeter's current view with respect to future events, but are inherently subject to significant medical, scientific, business, economic, competitive, political, and social uncertainties and contingencies. In making forward-looking statements, Perimeter may make various material assumptions, including but not limited to (i) the accuracy of Perimeter's financial projections; (ii) obtaining positive results from trials; (iii) obtaining necessary regulatory approvals; and (iv) general business, market, and economic conditions. Further risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those applicable to Perimeter and described in Perimeter's Management Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023, which is available on Perimeter's SEDAR+ profile at https://www.sedarplus.ca, and could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Perimeter does not intend, nor does Perimeter undertake any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking information contained in this news release to reflect subsequent information, events, or circumstances or otherwise, except if required by applicable laws. SOURCE Perimeter Medical Imaging AI Inc. KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pilot, the nation's largest travel center network, is funding scholarships for the next generation of professional truck drivers in honor of Giving Tuesday. The $50,000 donation to Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of military members and first responders who have fallen or been disabled while serving their country and communities, will go toward scholarships for qualified recipients looking to earn their commercial driver's license. Pilot supports Folds of Honor with donation on Giving Tuesday to fund commercial driver's license scholarships. "It's an honor for Pilot to continue to celebrate and honor the incredible heroes across our country - the truck drivers who safely put millions of miles on our highways to keep us going and our servicemembers, first responders and their families who sacrifice so much for our nation," said Wendy Hamilton, chief of staff at Pilot. "Giving back to the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and the communities we serve, especially through education, is a small way to show our gratitude and support their future. We look forward to seeing more truck drivers out here and are thankful for the work done through Folds of Honor and their scholarship programs." Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded over 62,000 academic scholarships totaling about $290 million in all 50 states. The $50,000 donation from Pilot will provide Folds of Honor with resources to further support the education of the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military personnel and first responders across the country. "Folds of Honor is grateful for the support of Pilot," said Folds of Honor CEO and founder, Lt Col Dan Rooney. "This contribution will enable us to heighten our impact and further our mission to honor the sacrifice of America's service members and first responders and educate their legacy. Pilot, its team members and the individuals it serves are true patriots that understand the importance of education and are doing something about it." Pilot proudly employs veterans and encourages former and transitioning military members and their families to apply by visiting jobs.pilotflyingj.com/talent-communities. For more information about Pilot's commitment to giving back and its family of travel center brands, visit pilotcompany.com . To learn more about Folds of Honor, visit foldsofhonor.org. About Pilot Pilot Travel Centers LLC ("Pilot") is committed to showing people they matter at every turn as the leading energy and experience provider people rely on to fuel their journeys. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway and employs approximately 30,000 team members. As the largest network of travel centers, Pilot has nearly 900 locations in 44 states and six Canadian provinces, serving an average of 1.2 million guests per day. In addition to travel center services, Pilot and its partners offer trucking fleets a variety of solutions for fuel, credit, factoring, maintenance and rewards. The company operates North America's third largest fuel tanker fleet and supplies approximately 12 billion gallons of fuel per year. Pilot is shaping the future of energy as one of the largest providers of biodiesel and renewable fuels and through the development of its EV charging network and low carbon fueling alternatives. For additional information about Pilot, visit pilotflyingj.com. About Folds of Honor Folds of Honor is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of US military service members and first responders who have fallen or been disabled while serving our country and communities. Our educational scholarships support private school tuition or tutoring in grades K-12, tuition for college, technical or trade school and post-graduate work, including a master's degree, doctorate, or professional program. Funds for a second bachelor's degree or trade/technical program certification are also available. Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 62,000 scholarships totaling about $290 million in all 50 states. Among the students served, 45 percent are minorities. A total of 91 percent of every dollar raised directly funds scholarships. It is rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator and Platinum on Candid. It was founded by Lt Col Dan Rooney, the only-ever F-16 fighter pilot (with three combat tours in Iraq) and PGA Professional. He is currently stationed at Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. For more information or to donate in support of a Folds of Honor scholarship visit foldsofhonor.org. SOURCE Pilot Travel Centers LLC LIMASSOL, Cyprus, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PropellerAds, a leading global ad platform specializing in performance-driven advertising solutions, is excited to announce the addition of a new traffic type: ads within Telegram Mini Apps . This innovative advertising format offers a unique and expanding audience in Telegram's ecosystem, opening a powerful new avenue for advertisers. Benefits and Audience Reach Propeller Ads PropellerAds' ads integration within Telegram Mini Apps promises new opportunities for advertisers seeking fresh, high-quality traffic. Advertisers can significantly expand their reach beyond traditional sources, with over 50 million daily impressions available through this traffic type. Moreover, PropellerAds' targeting capabilities ensure advertisers connect with the most relevant users, improving return on investment (ROI) and conversion rates. Top GEOs include Europe (with CIS regions), India, and parts of Africa, granting extensive access to a rapidly growing audience across these regions. Addressing Market Demands with Seamless Telegram-Based Funnels PropellerAds' ads in Telegram Mini Apps provide a seamless experience for advertisers targeting Telegram's active user base. This new traffic type solves several business challenges in promoting offers within Telegram's ecosystem. For advertisers who struggled to find traffic sources suited to their Telegram-based apps, channels, or chats, PropellerAds' solution offers an ideal alternative, seamlessly integrating into the Telegram experience. Key benefits of TMA PropellerAds traffic PropellerAds offers unparalleled advantages compared to competing platforms. Including: CPA Goal Bidding : Advertisers can optimize campaigns to achieve specific cost-per-action objectives. : Advertisers can optimize campaigns to achieve specific cost-per-action objectives. Superior Filtering : Advanced algorithms ensure traffic quality. : Advanced algorithms ensure traffic quality. Targeting Precision : A wide range of targeting options, including platform, OS, browser, language, and connection type. : A wide range of targeting options, including platform, OS, browser, language, and connection type. Flexible Moderation: Easier approval processes compared to Telegram's direct advertising policies. With a fresh monthly audience of over 500 million users and ad formats resembling familiar push and click styles, advertisers benefit from both familiarity and cutting-edge performance. Available Pricing Models and Ad Creatives PropellerAds supports several pricing models for Telegram Mini App ads, including CPC, Smart CPC, and CPA Goal, allowing advertisers to select the option that best aligns with their campaign objectives. Additionally, the platform offers auto creatives, facilitating smooth ad management and streamlined creative processes. Target Audience PropellerAds' new traffic type is designed for advertisers across various verticals, including iGaming, finance, sweepstakes, media, rewards, and crypto. Advertisers targeting Telegram internal offers (such as groups, apps, or chats) and external offers (CPA or product-based campaigns) will benefit from this feature, providing a dynamic, highly interactive environment that naturally fosters conversions and engagement. Press Inquiries Michael Gor esq. TG: GorDiMaggio +35797767568 [email protected] SOURCE Propeller Ads - Leading Operator of One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and Mister Sparky Electric Celebrates First Out-of-State Acquisition Since Broad Sky Partners' Investment in Punctual Pros Earlier This Year LANCASTER, Pa., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Punctual Pros, a leading provider of residential HVAC, plumbing and electrical services, announced today it is fueling its development efforts across the mid-Atlantic region by acquiring Horvath Home Services, operators of One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and Mister Sparky Electric. This marks the company's first out-of-state acquisition, expanding its presence in the growing markets of Ocean and Monmouth Counties in New Jersey. "We are thrilled to welcome Frank Horvath and the entire Horvath Home Services team to Punctual Pros," said Matt Buckwalter, founder and CEO of Punctual Pros. "After building a relationship with the team for more than a decade, I've seen firsthand how the company's core values, team camaraderie and extraordinary operations align perfectly with ours. This is an exciting opportunity to join forces and further strengthen our position as the go-to experts for home services." Horvath Home Services has been a trusted name in Central Jersey for more than 20 years, providing best-in-class services including plumbing, HVAC and electrical repairs and installations to local residents. Located near Punctual Pros' headquarters in Lancaster, PA, the acquisition enables streamlined integration and synergy, enhanced operational efficiencies, and on-time services from skilled and certified technicians. Additionally, the partnership will help Punctual Pros to continue to meet the year-round demands of homeowners for these types of services while offering exceptional growth opportunities for employees. "Partnering with Punctual Pros is a significant step forward for me and my team," said Frank Horvath, owner of Horvath Home Services. "As the home service industry continues to become increasingly competitive, we saw it necessary to evolve the business and set ourselves apart from competitors. By joining forces with Punctual Pros, we're getting to do that and more, having access to a plethora of training resources and marketing materials that will boost our efforts in exciting new ways." Punctual Pros operates One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, and Mister Sparky Electric. The company is one of the largest franchisee operators within Authority Brands, the premier home service franchisor in North America with over 2,000 territories. In April 2024, Punctual Pros was acquired by Broad Sky Partners, a middle market private equity firm focused on essential businesses in Business Services and Consumer Services end markets. About Punctual Pros Punctual Pros is a leading operator of three residential services brands, including One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, and Mister Sparky Electric. Originally founded in 1958, the Company provides services to homes across Central Pennsylvania and surrounding areas covering 240 zip codes. About Broad Sky Partners Broad Sky Partners is a private equity firm that partners with leading middle market companies that provide essential services to business and consumer end markets. The firm offers a differentiated approach to sector-focused, thematic investing and value creation. Its Portfolio Resource Group is dedicated to helping companies capitalize on growth opportunities. Broad Sky is based in New York City. To learn more, visit www.broadskypartners.com. About Authority Brands Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Authority Brands' companies include 16 leading home service franchise brands: America's Swimming Pool Company, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Cleaning Authority, Color World Painting, DoodyCalls, DRYmedic Restoration Services, Homewatch CareGivers, The Junkluggers, Lawn Squad, Mister Sparky, Monster Tree Service, Mosquito Squad, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Screenmobile, STOP Restoration, and Woofie's. Together, these brands provide home services through more than 2,000 territories operated by more than 1,000 franchise owners. Authority Brands is dedicated to supporting individual franchise owner growth by providing strong marketing, technology, and operational support. See www.authoritybrands.com for more information. Contact: Nadia Caron Fish 919 (954) 893-9150 [email protected] SOURCE Punctual Pros AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ram 1500 lineup earns the award for the sixth time in seven years Car and Driver evaluates each contender versus its peers using a 100-point scale, basing each score on intended purpose, value and vehicle operation Ram brand offers a full lineup focused on meeting the demands of truck buyers and delivering benchmark quality 2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten Car and Driver has named the 2025 Ram 1500 to its 10Best vehicle list for 2025. The award applies to the entire Ram 1500 lineup. "The competition in the auto industry, and particularly in the truck segment, is fierce and it is an honor to have the Ram 1500 as the only full-size pickup on Car and Driver's 2025 10Best list," said Chris Feuell, CEO of Ram and Chrysler brands. "It is a testament to the qualities our customers value the most, from the performance of the 3.0-liter Hurricane Straight Six Turbo engine to the class-leading ride and handling and the breadth of our tailored trim levels, including the award-winning, top-of-the-line Tungsten luxury trim." Car and Driver evaluates each 10Best contender versus its peers using a 100-point scale. A winning vehicle must deliver on its intended purpose better than its competition, offer great value and be entertaining to drive. For two weeks, Car and Driver editors drove, measured, tested and scrutinized more than 55 cars, trucks, SUVs and vans. Any truck, SUV or van with a base price higher than $110,000 was excluded from consideration, based on the editors' belief that a high price should guarantee excellence. "One part giant, one part isolation chamber, two parts workhorse, it's modern American luxury," said Tony Quiroga, editor-in-chief, Car and Driver. This is the sixth time in the past seven years Ram 1500 has been named to Car and Driver's 10Best. Ram Brand In 2009, the Ram brand launched as a stand-alone division, focused on meeting the demands of truck buyers and delivering benchmark-quality vehicles. With a full lineup of trucks, the Ram 1500, 2500/3500 Heavy Duty, 3500/4500/5500 Chassis Cab and ProMaster vans. Ram builds trucks that get the job done and families where they need to go. Ram continues to outperform the competition, setting the benchmark in the most important areas for truck buyers: Segment-first 1,000 lb.-ft of torque with Cummins Turbo Diesel Most luxurious: Ram 1500 Tungsten with air suspension, 24-way massage seats and 540 horsepower Best ride and handling with a double wishbone front suspension and five-link solid rear axle with available, segment-exclusive, active-level air suspension Best-in-class available rear leg room The most cargo space available in any traditional full size cargo van Most capable full-size off-road pickup Ram Power Wagon Most awarded light-duty truck in America Highest owner loyalty of any half-ton pickup The latest J.D. Power APEAL study, which rates the emotional bond between customers and their vehicles, named the 2023 Ram 1500 as the best full-size light-duty pickup. Ram is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com. Follow Ram and company news and video on: Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com Ram Truck brand: www.ramtrucks.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/RamTrucks Instagram: www.instagram.com/ramtrucks Twitter: @RamTrucks, @StellantisNA YouTube: www.youtube.com/RamTrucks, https://www.youtube.com/StellantisNA SOURCE Stellantis NEW YORK, Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is driving market transformation - The ready mix cement market in saudi arabia size is estimated to grow by USD 1.91 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.89% during the forecast period. Launch of saudi vision 2030 is driving market growth, with a trend towards growing popularity of geopolymer cement concrete. However, high operating costs of ready mix cement poses a challenge. Key market players include AHQ Sons, Al Amam Factory For Concrete and Bricks, Al arabia Construction and Buliding Co., Al Fahd Co., Al Falwa Concrete Ltd., Al Houssain and Al Afaliq Co., Al Kathiri Holding Co., Al Kifah Ready mix and Blocks, Alansari Holding Co., Bina Ready Mix Concrete Products, Green Concrete Company CJSC, MASCO group, Mastour Holding Group, Premco Ready Mix, Qanbar Readymix, QMIX, Ready Mix Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Kingdom Trading and Contracting LLC, Saudi Readymix Concrete Company Ltd., and Unibeton Ready Mix. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Ready Mix Cement Market in Saudi Arabia 2024-2028 Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Ready Mix Cement Market In Saudi Arabia Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.89% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 1.91 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 5.75 Regional analysis Saudi Arabia Performing market contribution Middle East and Africa at 100% Key countries Saudi Arabia and Middle East and Africa Key companies profiled AHQ Sons, Al Amam Factory For Concrete and Bricks, Al arabia Construction and Buliding Co., Al Fahd Co., Al Falwa Concrete Ltd., Al Houssain and Al Afaliq Co., Al Kathiri Holding Co., Al Kifah Ready mix and Blocks, Alansari Holding Co., Bina Ready Mix Concrete Products, Green Concrete Company CJSC, MASCO group, Mastour Holding Group, Premco Ready Mix, Qanbar Readymix, QMIX, Ready Mix Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Kingdom Trading and Contracting LLC, Saudi Readymix Concrete Company Ltd., and Unibeton Ready Mix Market Driver The ready mix cement market in Saudi Arabia is witnessing significant growth due to the increasing popularity of geopolymers in construction materials. Geopolymers, such as fly ash, granulated slag, and sodium silicate, are used to produce geopolymer cement concretes (GPCCs), which offer superior properties including resistance to acid and high temperature, as well as the ability to impart high strength to buildings. GPCCs are increasingly preferred over regular concrete due to their lower carbon footprint, durability, and ecological advantages. These inorganic polymer composites are widely used in pavement construction, building projects, water tank manufacturing, and infrastructure development. As a result, the growing adoption of GPCCs in concrete production is expected to drive the demand for ready mix cement in Saudi Arabia during the forecast period. The Ready-Mix Cement market in Saudi Arabia is witnessing significant growth due to urbanization and the construction boom. Cement and aggregates are key components, with standard codes ensuring durability and strength. Convenience and ease of use make ready-mix concrete versatile building materials for strong construction projects. Rapid urbanization fuels demand for housing, jobs, energy, food, and clean water, driving private investments in the infrastructure sector. The market caters to various sectors like residential, industrial, and commercial buildings. Transit mix, central mix, and shrink mix concretes are popular. Cost-effective housing solutions are in focus, with ready-mix concrete being environment-friendly and efficient. Setup space at construction sites reduces traffic and loss of workability. Non-tariff measures impact market share, with the hotel and tourism industries also utilizing ready-mix concrete for new projects. Foreign direct investments and infrastructure development further boost the market. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges The production of ready mix concrete involves the use of significant quantities of cement, aggregates, and additives, leading to higher manufacturing costs compared to onsite mix concrete. Factors such as transportation costs, the need for concrete additives to prevent premature setting, and on-road traffic congestions contribute to the increased operating expenses and time for end-users. One of the major expenses is the establishment cost for ready mix concrete plants, which can range from USD1.01 million to USD1.14 million . This cost covers the expenses for machinery, land, transit mixers, loaders, and earthmovers. These high establishment costs may hinder the growth of the ready mix cement market in Saudi Arabia during the forecast period. to . This cost covers the expenses for machinery, land, transit mixers, loaders, and earthmovers. These high establishment costs may hinder the growth of the ready mix cement market in during the forecast period. The Ready Mix Cement market in Saudi Arabia faces several challenges in urban areas due to the high demand for affordable housing units and increasing construction activities in residential and commercial sectors. Urban development and population growth require infrastructure development, including power generation facilities and road construction. Sight supervision and efficient utilization of resources are crucial to reduce inventory cost and wastage. Consumers prefer enhanced quality and specialized vehicles for pouring methods. Traditional concrete is being replaced with ready mix cement to meet the needs of single-family housing and household construction. Mortgage rates and investments in the residential construction sector also impact market growth. Factories and industrial centers require large quantities of ready mix cement, adding to transportation costs. Overall, the market must focus on smart cities and road infrastructure to meet the demands of the growing population. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This ready mix cement market in Saudi Arabia report extensively covers market segmentation by Product 1.1 Transit mixed 1.2 Shrink mixed Application 2.1 Non-residential 2.2 Residential Method 3.1 Volumetric mixer 3.2 In-transit mixer Geography 4.1 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Transit mixed- Transit mixed concrete, also known as dry-batch concrete, is the dominant segment in Saudi Arabia's ready mix cement market. In this type of ready mix concrete, all ingredients, including water, are combined in the truck mixer. The mixer drum rotates rapidly during initial loading and then slows down for regular agitation. Transit mixed concrete comes in three variations: job site, transit, and yard mixing. This concrete type avoids slump loss and early hardening, ensuring timely delivery. Suitable for large-scale construction projects, it's widely used for highways, bridges, harbors, and airport runways. Its production under controlled conditions reduces dust pollution, making it an eco-friendly choice. The rise in infrastructure projects, housing, and commercial buildings in Saudi Arabia fuels the demand for transit mixed concrete, offering significant growth opportunities for the ready mix cement market. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis The Ready Mix Cement market in Saudi Arabia has witnessed significant growth due to the rapid urbanization and population increase. This market is characterized by the use of ready-mix concrete, which offers convenience, ease of use, and versatility as building materials. The cement industry adheres to standard codes to ensure durability and strength, making it a preferred choice for strong construction. Aggregates are essential components of ready-mix concrete, and their availability and quality play a crucial role in the market's growth. Transit mix and rapid-setting concrete are popular options, catering to the diverse needs of consumers in the construction of commercial, residential, and infrastructure projects. Foreign direct investments have played a significant role in the expansion of the ready-mix concrete industry in Saudi Arabia. The market's affordability, combined with the convenience of on-site pouring methods and sight supervision, has made it a popular choice for consumers. The market serves various sectors, including single-family housing, commercial buildings, and infrastructure projects, contributing to the country's economic growth. Market Research Overview Ready mix cement is a versatile building material that has gained significant popularity in Saudi Arabia due to its convenience and ease of use. The market for ready mix cement in Saudi Arabia is driven by various factors, including urbanization, housing, jobs, and infrastructure development. The demand for durable and strong construction materials is high, as the country focuses on building commercial buildings, transportation networks, roads, highways, airports, and power generation facilities. Ready mix cement offers several advantages over traditional concrete, such as enhanced quality, wastage reduction, and cost-effectiveness. It is available in different types, including transit mix, central mix, and volumetric concrete, catering to the needs of residential, industrial, and commercial construction projects. The Saudi Arabian market for ready mix cement is witnessing rapid growth due to foreign direct investments, infrastructure spending, and the population increase. The market is also influenced by factors such as labor availability, green building initiatives, and the availability of different types of concrete, such as affordable concrete and shrink mix concrete. The ready mix cement market in Saudi Arabia is expected to continue growing due to the demand for cost-effective housing units, residential floor area, and residential units. The market is also influenced by construction activities in urban areas, sight supervision, pouring methods, and consumer preferences for single-family housing. However, the market faces challenges such as loss of workability during transportation, non-tariff measures, and traffic congestion at construction sites. The market is also influenced by the hotel industry and tourism industry, which require large volumes of concrete for construction. In conclusion, the ready mix cement market in Saudi Arabia is a significant contributor to the construction sector and is expected to continue growing due to the demand for durable and strong construction materials, urbanization, and infrastructure development. The market offers various types of concrete, including affordable concrete, to cater to the needs of different construction projects. However, it faces challenges such as loss of workability, non-tariff measures, and traffic congestion, which need to be addressed to ensure the sustainable growth of the market. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Product Transit Mixed Shrink Mixed Application Non-residential Residential Method Volumetric Mixer In-transit Mixer Geography Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio PALM BAY, Fla., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The telecommunications industry welcomes a transformative new player, RMX, formed through the strategic partnership between Reticulate Micro and K2 Endeavor. This collaboration combines Reticulate Micro's advanced military-grade compression technology expertise with K2 Endeavor's 30-year legacy in value-added telecom services, creating a company, we believe, uniquely positioned to redefine data compression and connectivity solutions for commercial markets. RMX Logo RMX's launch marks the introduction of a revolutionary data compression technology that has proven success in military applications. By merging Reticulate Micro's military-grade innovations with K2 Endeavor's deep market knowledge and service delivery capabilities, RMX is set to provide unparalleled performance, efficiency, and scalability. "RMX represents the synergy of two pioneers," said Karl Kit, CEO of RMX. "By uniting Reticulate Micro's technical superiority with K2 Endeavor's extensive market expertise, we're introducing a commercial solution that, in my opinion, will reshape how data is compressed, transmitted, and utilized across industries." The new compression technology, scheduled to launch in [1st Quarter] 2025, offers organizations the tools to reduce costs, enhance bandwidth efficiency, and deliver superior data streaming performance. This innovation is poised to address the surging global demand for faster, more efficient data solutions. "This partnership marks a defining moment for Reticulate Micro," said Andrew Sheppard, CEO of Reticulate Micro. "By combining our proven compression technology with K2 Endeavor's expertise in the telecommunications sector, we believe, we are creating a game-changing solution that will redefine data efficiency and connectivity in the commercial sector." About Reticulate Micro Reticulate Micro, Inc ., headquartered in Palm Bay, Florida, is a video technology company focused on addressing the world's growing crisis in video data transmission and storage. Through its proprietary VAST (Video Adaptive Systems Technology) platform, Reticulate is aiming to transform how organizations capture, transmit, store and share visual data. The Company's battle-tested technology, proven in military applications, reduces video bandwidth, storage, and power consumption by up to 50% while maintaining quality across any network or hardware platform. From defense to AI and enterprise applications, Reticulate endeavors to redefine how organizations handle the growing demands of video data worldwide. About K2 Endeavor K2 Endeavor DMCC headquartered in Dubai, UAE is a recognized VAS (Valued Added Services) provider to the global telecommunications industry with a legacy spanning over 30 years. Renowned for its expertise in delivering VAS and managed solutions, the company has played an important role in introducing innovative services to telecommunication companies throughout the World. With a commitment to innovation, K2 Endeavor specializes in integrating cutting-edge technologies to meet the evolving demands of the digital era, empowering businesses with scalable, secure, and cost-effective solutions. Its extensive experience and customer-focused approach position K2 Endeavor as a trusted leader in telecommunications and beyond. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. In addition, our representatives or we may make forward-looking statements orally or in writing from time to time. We base these forward-looking statements on our expectations and projections about future events, which we derive from the available information. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future performance, including our financial performance and projections, revenue and earnings growth, and business prospects and opportunities. You can identify forward-looking statements by those that are not historical facts, particularly those that use terminology such as "intends," "may," "should," "expects," "anticipates," "contemplates," "estimates," "believes," "plans," "projected," "predicts," "potential," or "hopes" or the negative of these or similar terms. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the document in which they are contained, and the Company does not undertake any duty to update any forward-looking statements except as may be required by law. Important Notice the Regarding Our Regulation A Offering An offering statement regarding our offering of units consisting of one share of class A common stock and a warrant to purchase one share of class A common stock has been filed with the SEC. The SEC has qualified that offering statement, which means that Reticulate Micro may make sales of the securities described by that offering statement. It does not mean that the SEC has approved, passed upon the merits or passed upon the accuracy or completeness of the information in the offering statement. You may obtain a copy of the offering circular that is part of that offering statement through this link. Investing in a public offering like our Regulation A offering is subject to unique risks, tolerance for volatility, and potential loss of your investment, that investors should be aware of prior to making an investment decision. Please carefully review the risk factors contained in the offering circular for this offering. For more information about Regulation A offerings, including the unique risks associated with these types of offerings, please click on the SEC's Investor Alert. Neither this document nor any of its content constitutes an offer to sell, solicitation of an offer to buy or a recommendation for any security by Reticulate Micro or any third party. The content of this document is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to solicit the purchase of securities or to be used as investment, legal or tax advice. A securities offering by Reticulate Micro is only being made pursuant to the offering circular described above. The content of this document is qualified in its entirety by such offering circular. Prospective investors are urged to consult with their own, investment, legal and tax advisors prior to making any investment in Reticulate Micro. Contact: Media: Reticulate Micro Media Relations [email protected] Investor Relations: Reticulate Micro Investor Relations [email protected] SOURCE Reticulate Micro, Inc. Baltimore-based healthcare growth strategy and marketing firm to provide public relations, thought leadership, and digital marketing services BALTIMORE, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sage Growth Partners (SGP), a healthcare growth strategy and marketing firm, has announced its selection as the communications and marketing agency partner for ChronicCareIQ, a leader in chronic care management solutions. Founded in 2014, ChronicCareIQ helps relieve suffering for millions of chronically ill and medically fragile patients. The company's solutions are designed to reduce hospitalizations and ER visits by leveraging technology to better connect physicians and patients. Clinical care teams depend on the ChronicCareIQ platform to proactively capture and track changing health indicators before interventions and costly complications can occur. "Our solutions are designed to deliver robust and comprehensive care management that reduces the complex burden of care, improves patient outcomes, increases staff productivity and captures better reimbursements," said Matt Ethington, founder and CEO, ChronicCareIQ. "As we continue to empower medical providers of all shapes, size and specialties to improve outcomes, we need an integrated marketing partner that has a deep understanding of the healthcare industry and has the ability to quickly deliver market results. Sage is a natural choice for us given their experienced team and national scope of capabilities." The new partnership will focus on supporting ChronicCareIQ's existing technology solutions through comprehensive sales support, demand generation, thought leadership materials, digital marketing initiatives, earned media activities, and PR. "At Sage, we help healthcare companies accelerate growth within competitive and dynamic markets," said Boh Hatter, Sage Growth Partners' Chief Marketing Officer and one of the firm's managing partners. "Our team of healthcare industry experts is uniquely structured to quickly deliver value-focused services and go-to-market strategies to client partners such as ChronicCareIQ." For more information on Sage Growth Partners and the firm's extensive healthcare capabilities, visit sage-growth.com. About Sage Growth Partners Sage Growth Partners is a healthcare growth strategy and marketing firm with deep expertise in market research, go-to market strategy, and marketing communications. Founded in 2005, the company's extensive domain experience ensures that healthcare organizations thrive amid the complexities of a rapidly changing marketplace. Sage Growth Partners serves clients across the full healthcare spectrum, including GE Healthcare, Medecision, ProgenyHealth, Kyruus Health; Best Buy Health, New Jersey Brain and Spine, the National Minority Health Association, and Philips Healthcare. For more information, visit sage-growth.com. About ChronicCareIQ ChronicCareIQ's mission is to relieve suffering by improving connections between doctors and patients. Through innovative chronic care management technology, ChronicCareIQ has been proven to reduce hospitalizations and ER visits by keeping patients engaged with their clinicians between office visits. These solutions enable clinical teams to track changing health indicators and intervene before complications arise, improving staff productivity by automating data capture and alerts. Additionally, the platform generates revenue for practices by documenting non-face-to-face care activities, ensuring accurate reimbursements. For more information, visit www.ChronicCareIQ.com. For More Information John Gonda 616-309-4888 [email protected] SOURCE Sage Growth Partners HIGHLAND, Calif., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of Giving Tuesday, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is excited to announce $1 million in grants to support recovery, conservation, and wildfire prevention efforts in the communities threatened by recent wildfires. The grants, aimed at helping restore and protect vital ecosystems, provide critical resources to local organizations and agencies working on the front lines of recovery, environmental protection, and community safety. "Giving Tuesday is a day that calls upon us to reflect on the power of collective generosity," said Lynn Valbuena, Chairwoman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. "We are honored to support our 2024 grant recipients in their efforts to rehabilitate lands affected by the recent wildfires and invest in the long-term health of our communities and ecosystems. The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is deeply committed to preservation and stewardship of the cultural and natural resources of the region." "Giving Tuesday is a day that calls upon us to reflect on the power of collective generosity" Post this These grants are particularly significant as they come at a time when many of these regions are still recovering from devastating wildfires that have threatened homes, wildlife, and natural resources. In addition to providing financial support, the Tribe hopes to strengthen the resilience of these communities and protect the areas that are vital to both the environment and the people who live there. The Tribe's Giving Tuesday grants will be distributed to the following organizations, each dedicated to addressing the pressing needs of their respective regions: The Wildlands Conservancy will receive a $200,000 grant to support clean up and restoration efforts to Bluff Lake which was severely impacted by the Line Fire and will also provide support for replanting of vegetation and removal of invasive growth. will receive a grant to support clean up and restoration efforts to Bluff Lake which was severely impacted by the Line Fire and will also provide support for replanting of vegetation and removal of invasive growth. Mojave Desert Land Trust will receive a $200,000 to support the design and planning of a comprehensive fire management response plan that can be implemented by MDLT and be shared with other organizations and entities as a resource. will receive a to support the design and planning of a comprehensive fire management response plan that can be implemented by MDLT and be shared with other organizations and entities as a resource. San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust will receive a $100,000 grant to aid in the implementation of a seed bank; this will support collecting and growth of native plants and trees in the mountain area after wildfires or other disasters occur. will receive a grant to aid in the implementation of a seed bank; this will support collecting and growth of native plants and trees in the mountain area after wildfires or other disasters occur. Center for Biological Diversity will receive a $100,000 grant to support relationship building between tribes, and lead land stewardship projects and projects in advocacy to protect sacred sites. will receive a grant to support relationship building between tribes, and lead land stewardship projects and projects in advocacy to protect sacred sites. Victor Valley College Foundation will receive a $100,000 grant to provide support for students of the "Fire Fighter I" academy to help increase the number of trained fire personnel. will receive a grant to provide support for students of the "Fire Fighter I" academy to help increase the number of trained fire personnel. Arrowbear Lake Fire Department will receive a $100,000 grant to help purchase emergency rescue equipment and make modifications to the existing station. will receive a grant to help purchase emergency rescue equipment and make modifications to the existing station. Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians will receive a $100,000 grant to purchase emergency rescue equipment. will receive a grant to purchase emergency rescue equipment. Apple Valley Fire Protection District will receive a $100,000 grant to purchase emergency generators for Stations 332 and 334 allowing the stations to maintain operations during critical times enabling effective and efficient response. The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has long been a leader in charitable giving and environmental advocacy. By supporting these organizations, the Tribe continues its tradition of fostering sustainable practices and contributing to the well-being of local communities. To learn more about the Tribe's philanthropy, visit www.SanManuelCares.org. About the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is a federally recognized Indian tribe located on the San Manuel Indian Reservation near Highland, California. San Manuel exercises its inherent sovereign right of self-governance and provides essential services for its citizens by building infrastructure, maintaining civil services, and promoting social, economic, and cultural development. As the Indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys, mountains, and high deserts, the Serrano people of San Manuel have called this area home since time immemorial and are committed to remaining a productive partner in the San Bernardino region. For more information, visit http://www.sanmanuel-nsn.gov. SOURCE San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Since the book series launched to critical acclaim in August 2016, Dog Man has more than 60 million books in print with translations in 47 languages, making it one of the bestselling graphic novel series of all time. DreamWorks Animation's new feature film adaptation, Dog Man, will arrive in theaters worldwide early next year, beginning with the U.S. release on January 31. The film is directed by Peter Hastings and features the vocal talents of a powerhouse comedic cast, including Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson, Isla Fisher (Wedding Crashers), Lil Rel Howery (Get Out) and Emmy and Golden Globe winner Ricky Gervais (The Office). More big news is coming in the New Year as Dog Man author and illustrator Dav Pilkey embarks on an international tour. Inspired by one of the themes in the Dog Man series about how ordinary people can do extraordinarily good deeds, all events on Dav Pilkey's tour will shine the spotlight on everyday heroes who make a positive impact in their own communities. The tour starts in the U.S. in January with an event at the world's largest library, the Library of Congress, in Washington, D.C. Additional event details and tour stops in the U.S. include Kansas City, Detroit, Dallas, Orlando, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and more. For the first time in 10 years, Pilkey will travel to the U.K. and Ireland appearing in London at the Royal Festival Hall as part of the Southbank Centre's Imagine Festival on February 22nd followed by an event in Dublin. More venues and countries along with ticket information will be announced in the coming weeks on Scholastic's social media platforms and Scholastic's Dav Pilkey website. In a statement, Dav Pilkey said, "In this new book, Big Jim begins to discover that what we focus on is often more important than what happens to us. Books bring people together and reading helps kids develop empathy and compassion. I'm excited to meet readers in person, sign their books, and I look forward to celebrating everyday heroes within each community who make this world a better place." For nearly four decades, Dav Pilkey's books have been inspiring and igniting kids' passion for reading. Highlights of upcoming plans include: A new Dog Man book, Dog Man: Big Jim Believes , will be published by Scholastic worldwide in Fall 2025. , will be published by Scholastic worldwide in Fall 2025. Scholastic also will release a special full-color edition of Dav Pilkey's first-ever graphic novel, The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby in August 2025 . Originally published in 2002, fourteen years before Dog Man, The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby was an instant national bestseller. first-ever graphic novel, in . Originally published in 2002, fourteen years before Dog Man, was an instant national bestseller. Starting this month and through spring 2025, more than 100 Dog Man costume characters will be appearing at bookstores, libraries, and community-wide events across the U.S., U.K., Canada , Australia and New Zealand . , and . Thousands of custom "Join The Hero Party" Dog Man displays and exclusive giveaways will be featured across all major retailers in the U.S. and Canada . Scholastic will also distribute thousands of event kits and the Dog Man iconic hero badges to bookstores and libraries. To find events in the U.S. and Canada , and to download free "Join the Hero Party" activities, visit www.celebratedogman.com. . Scholastic will also distribute thousands of event kits and the Dog Man iconic hero badges to bookstores and libraries. To find events in the U.S. and , and to download free "Join the Hero Party" activities, visit www.celebratedogman.com. Dav Pilkey has created a free "Supa Special Collector's Comic" showing how animators brought his characters to life on the big screen for the Dog Man movie. To help readers explore the exciting world of graphic novels and creative storytelling, Scholastic will provide nearly 4 million copies of this free mini comic through its school channels in the U.S., U.K., Canada , India , Australia , and New Zealand . has created a free "Supa Special Collector's Comic" showing how animators brought his characters to life on the big screen for the Dog Man movie. To help readers explore the exciting world of graphic novels and creative storytelling, Scholastic will provide nearly 4 million copies of this free mini comic through its school channels in the U.S., U.K., , , , and . Through literacy programs organized by Scholastic collaborators Book Trust and the Scripps Howard Fund, which promote book access and the joy of reading, nearly 50,000 students across the U.S. will each receive a free copy of Dog Man: Big Jim Begins . In addition, one school from each program will receive a "Join the Hero" party-themed Scholastic Book Fair. Participating schools will also recognize everyday heroes who make a difference in their own communities. These in-school literacy programs will be fully funded by Dav Pilkey . . In addition, one school from each program will receive a "Join the Hero" party-themed Scholastic Book Fair. Participating schools will also recognize everyday heroes who make a difference in their own communities. These in-school literacy programs will be fully funded by . Starting this month through 2025, international publishers have major plans to promote Dog Man including a costume character tour in Spain organized by Grupo SM. In Brazil , where Dog Man sales have doubled, publisher Companhia das Letras is sending the Dog Man costume character on a wide-ranging promotional tour appearing at bookstores in various cities including Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro . organized by Grupo SM. In , where Dog Man sales have doubled, publisher Companhia das Letras is sending the Dog Man costume character on a wide-ranging promotional tour appearing at bookstores in various cities including Sao . The critically-acclaimed Dog Man: The Musical and Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical from TheaterWorksUSA, stage adaptations of Dav Pilkey's hit graphic novel series, will be touring across North America and around the world through 2025. Learn more at TWUSA.ORG. "Dav Pilkey is an ambassador for reading whose personal story is an inspiration to kids and families everywhere. We look forward to an exciting year with a new Dog Man book and movie, and bringing Dav's books to a new generation of readers," said Ellie Berger, President, Scholastic Trade. About Dog Man The Dog Man series follows the hilarious adventures of the "Supa Buddies": Dog Man, a lovable canine superhero, and his friends Li'l Petey, a curious kitten who embodies love, optimism, and hope, and 80-HD, a robot who expresses himself best through his art. With Dav Pilkey's trademark humor and heart, the Dog Man series celebrates creativity and imagination and explores universally positive messages including the importance of doing good and striving to become a better version of one's self, while it also tackles more complex themes including loss, redemption, and forgiveness. Most recently with Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder, Dav Pilkey delved into the world of artificial intelligence while making a gripping and comical commentary about the impact of social media. About Dav Pilkey When Dav Pilkey was in second grade, he was diagnosed with dyslexia and what is now widely known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Because of his learning and behavioral issues in school, he was often sent out in the hallway. It was in his elementary school hallway where he created comic books about superheroes that eventually became Captain Underpants and Dog Man. Launched nearly 30 years ago, Pilkey's pioneering Captain Underpants series has helped to create the illustrated children's chapter book category. The series has more than 90 million copies in print, translations in 38 languages, released as a feature film by DreamWorks Animation, as well as an original series on Netflix. Pilkey's Cat Kid Comic Club series, a spin-off of Dog Man which launched in December 2020, is also a #1 worldwide bestseller with more than 12 million copies in print and translations in 26 languages to date. Dav Pilkey has created over 70 books for children and was awarded a Caldecott Honor for his picture book The Paperboy. For more information about Dav Pilkey and his books, visit https://mediaroom.scholastic.com/davpilkey. About Scholastic For more information about Scholastic, visit our mediaroom at https://mediaroom.scholastic.com/. SOURCE Scholastic Inc San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium (SFCCC) celebrates the impact of its Street Outreach Services (SOS) this holiday season. SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Curtis has received care from SFCCC's SOS program, a mobile medical outreach program, for about 5 years, helping him manage medications, tending his wounds, providing preventive care, and connecting him to street-based social work for additional support. Curtis says, "The SOS program has been a tremendous asset, helping me cope with my chronic pain." He remembers a time when he lived on the street and his legs were often severely swollen and uncomfortable; he says SOS cared for him without judgment and he felt so much better after their visits. He says, "I thank the whole SOS team- they always greet me with a smile and ask if I need anything." Curtis and Dr. Katie Taylor For over 40 years, SFCCC's SOS program has brought high quality, compassionate and non-judgmental health care directly to San Franciscans experiencing homelessness, meeting them in places where they live and congregate. In 2001, they expanded the program to include the companion animals of their clients. Today their devoted team of staff and volunteers serves over 1,000 humans and 500 pets per year. SOS volunteer, Dr. Katie Taylor, is a key part of the team-based care the program provides to Curtis. Curtis says, "Dr. Katie doesn't see us as just unhoused people or drug users; she sees us as human beings. She prioritizes my health and is always there to help." Dr. Katie says she admires Curtis' caring and sociable nature, noting how he often asks the SOS team to check on other patients, always looking out for his neighbors. "That generosity of spirit is something I truly admire about Curtis", she says. She notes that linking Curtis to stable housing has made a significant difference in his overall health and she is so glad he's now able to live indoors. This holiday season, help clients like Curtis receive the care they need and deserve by donating to SOS. To read a patient story from our companion program, Vet SOS, visit our blog . About SFCCC: San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium is a partnership of nonprofit health centers dedicated to bridging the gap in access to compassionate, inclusive, and comprehensive healthcare for San Francisco's diverse communities. Media Contact: Mira Levy, [email protected] SOURCE San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium NEW YORK, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Rentokil Initial plc ("Rentokil" or the "Company") (NYSE: RTO). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. The class action concerns whether Rentokil and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. You have until January 27, 2025 , to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Rentokil securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On October 12, 2022, Rentokil announced its completed acquisition of rival pest control company Terminix Global Holdings, Inc. ("Terminix") in a transaction valued at $6.7 billion. On April 18, 2024, Rentokil announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2024, disclosing that organic revenue growth in North America increased by only 1.5% year-over-year, below prior guidance of 2% for the first quarter and 2% to 4% for the full year. During a subsequent conference call to discuss these results, analysts expressed concerns that Rentokil's integration of Terminix may be negatively impacting organic growth in North America, despite assertions by the Company's Chief Executive Officer to the contrary. On this news, Rentokil's American depository share ("ADS") price fell $2.64 per ADS, or more than 9%, to close at $25.61 per ADS on April 18, 2024. Then, on September 11, 2024, Rentokil issued an unscheduled "Trading Update," disclosing that the Company now anticipated only 1% organic revenue growth in North America for the second half of 2024, well below the Company's prior guidance, citing "some modest disruption to organic growth from branch integration." During a related conference call held later that day with analysts, Rentokil's management indicated that execution challenges in connection with the Terminix acquisition were negatively impacting the Company's results. UBS analysts subsequently noted that "Rentokil is facing challenges in restructuring its [North American] Pest network post-Terminix while trying to reaccelerate organic growth." On this news, Rentokil's ADS price fell $6.65 per ADS, or more than 21%, to close at $24.95 per ADS on September 11, 2024. The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP NEW YORK, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Visa Inc. ("Visa" or the "Company") (NYSE: V). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. The class action concerns whether Visa and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. You have until January 20, 2025 , to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Visa securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On September 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ") filed an antitrust lawsuit alleging that Visa has abused its dominant position in the debit card market to force businesses to use Visa's network instead of competitors' and to prevent new alternatives from entering the market. On news of the DOJ's lawsuit, Visa's stock price fell $15.85 per share, or 5.49%, to close at $272.78 per share on September 24, 2024. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP NEW YORK, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Wolfspeed, Inc. ("Wolfspeed" or the "Company") (NYSE: WOLF). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. The class action concerns whether Wolfspeed and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. You have until January 17, 2025 , to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Wolfspeed securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On November 6, 2024, Wolfspeed announced its financial results for the first quarter of its 2025 fiscal year and provided guidance for the second quarter that fell short of analyst expectations. Despite previously claiming that 20% utilization of the Company's Mohawk Valley fabrication facility would yield $100 million in revenue, Wolfspeed guided to a range 30% to 50% below that mark. Wolfspeed attributed its results and lowered guidance to "demand . . . ramping more slowly than we originally anticipated as "EV customers revise their launch timelines as the market works through this transition period." On this news, Wolfspeed's stock price fell $5.38 per share, or 39.24%, to close at $8.33 per share on November 7, 2024. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP MONTREAL, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - SRTX has announced a $25 million USD investment from Investissement Quebec as a lead participant in its current fundraising round. This funding will support the company's efforts to expand and solidify its position as a leader in the textile sector, while continuing to grow its vertical manufacturing operations in Quebec. From left to right: Bicha Ngo - President, and CEO at Investissement Quebec, Katherine Homuth - CEO, Founder & Chair at SRTX (CNW Group/SRTX) From left to right: Timothy Leyne - CFO at SRTX, Bicha Ngo - President, and CEO at Investissement Quebec, Katherine Homuth - CEO, Founder & Chair at SRTX, Marc Fortin - Managing Director at Investissement Quebec, Omar Mourad - Director at Investissement Quebec (CNW Group/SRTX) This latest round of fundraising is supporting SRTX' drive to scale its manufacturing capacity and strengthen its research and development capabilities as it grows across all its distribution channels and innovates new materials. In 2023, the company expanded its operations into a new 300,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in Pointe Claire (Montreal) where it has established a highly automated, vertically integrated manufacturing plant within a building that has room to expand to meet its growth. This new facility is unique, converting UHMWPE powder into finished products, and will enable SRTX to continue to drive its costs down as it expands the market leading position of its tights product, Sheertex. The partnership with Investissement Quebec reflects a shared vision for economic growth and innovation. Together, they are demonstrating that Quebec is a global hub for advanced manufacturing, fostering sustainability and creating high-quality jobs. STATEMENTS: "The investment from Investissement Quebec represents a major milestone for SRTX. IQ's support provides additional resources to continue to scale our operations and boost production capacity to meet the increasing global demand for our innovative products. At SRTX, we are convinced that, with partners like IQ, our decision to invest in vertical manufacturing in Quebec will prove to be a key component for the success of the company." Katherine Homuth - CEO, Founder, CEO & Chair, SRTX. "Sheertex offers a sustainable product thanks to its patented technology and the use of one of the most resistant polymers in the world, which gives it an undeniable competitive advantage in the market. Investissement Quebec is proud to support a company like Sheertex that is always looking to innovate, increase productivity and develop its international potential." Bicha Ngo, President, and CEO of Investissement Quebec ABOUT SRTX: SRTX is the holding company of Sheertex Inc., the manufacturer and leading brand of rip-resist tights. Established in 2017 by Katherine Homuth, SRTX moved to its first facility in Montreal in 2019. Employing over 300, SRTX has invested in the capability to produce apparel-grade UHMWPE yarns and materials that are at the heart of its innovative products. The company has grown through the financial support of leading investors and strategic partners including H&M, EDC, BDC and ArcTern. ABOUT INVESTISSEMENT QUEBEC: Investissement Quebec's mission is to play an active role in Quebec's economic development by stimulating business innovation, entrepreneurship, and business acquisitions, as well as growth in investment and exports. Operating in all the province's administrative regions, the Corporation supports the creation and growth of businesses of all sizes with investments and customized financial solutions. It also assists businesses by providing consulting services and other support measures, including technological assistance available from Investissement Quebec Innovation. In addition, through Investissement Quebec International, the Corporation prospects for talent and foreign investment, and assists Quebec businesses with export activities. SOURCE SRTX The company saw record trades on Cyber Monday Asics, Fear of God, Pop Mart, and Timberland set new trade records throughout the week Best-selling products across categories included Travis Scott's latest Jordan collab, sneakers from Asics and adidas, Fear of God apparel, Ugg Lowmel boots, and Labubu collectibles from Pop Mart DETROIT, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- StockX today reports a strong Cyber Week performance, with Monday breaking previous trade records. Between Wednesday and Monday, the platform saw record trades from brands including Asics , Fear of God , Pop Mart , and Timberland . Additionally, adidas , Yeezy , Lego , Stanley , Vans , and Denim Tears saw year-over-year trade growth. During the same time period, the company also set a new trade record for apparel sales, with the category achieving double-digit growth compared to 2023. Shoppers flocked to the platform earlier than ever, with year-over-year trades on Wednesday and Thursday up nearly 40% and 50% respectively, and StockX closing the six-day shopping week with more trades than it saw in the same time period last year. The platform also saw record use of Xpress Ship StockX's quicker shipping feature setting single-day sales records from Wednesday through Cyber Monday. Xpress Ship items are pre-verified by StockX verification experts and ready to ship as soon as a purchase is made. "This Cyber Weekend was a testament to the continued demand for sought-after products around the globe. Though many consumers remain price-conscious this year, we saw record trades on Cyber Monday and multiple brands achieved triple-digit growth over 2023. These results reflect the trust our community has in StockX and the power of our vast product catalog of sought-after items," said StockX co-founder, President, and COO Greg Schwartz. "We expect this momentum to continue through the holiday season, and our team will be ready to deliver a best-in-class experience for both buyers and sellers." Just between Friday and Monday, StockX facilitated tens of millions of dollars in sales worldwide. In preparation for the weekend, StockX rolled out new features to provide even more value to holiday shoppers. The platform made hundreds of thousands of products available for quicker shipping via Xpress Ship, giving customers the opportunity to shop through Thursday, December 19, and still get their items before Christmas. The company also introduced returns, allowing shoppers in the United States to return eligible items within 14 days of delivery for a full refund in the form of StockX credit, minus the original cost of shipping. For orders placed between November 27 and December 31, StockX extended the return window through January 15, 2025. Additionally, StockX gift cards are available to U.S. customers for the first time this holiday season. Top Movers on StockX During Cyber Weekend: Sneakers Shoes Ugg : Ugg delivered unprecedented growth on StockX during the holiday season of 2023, and the brand remains a popular pick this year. While classic slippers like the Tazz and Tasman are carryover favorites, a new release is competing as a holiday favorite: the Ugg Lowmel Boot . Debuted late last year, the Lowmel ranked among the top 30 best-selling products on StockX this Cyber Weekend. : Ugg delivered unprecedented growth on StockX during the holiday season of 2023, and the brand remains a popular pick this year. While classic slippers like the and are carryover favorites, a new release is competing as a holiday favorite: the . Debuted late last year, the Lowmel ranked among the top 30 best-selling products on StockX this Cyber Weekend. Yeezy Slides: Multiple Yeezy slides ranked among the top-traded products on Cyber Weekend, with favorite colorways being Slate Grey and Dark Onyx . Boasting an average price of around $100 , slides are a popular option for shoppers looking for lower-priced items. Multiple Yeezy slides ranked among the top-traded products on Cyber Weekend, with favorite colorways being and . Boasting an average price of around , slides are a popular option for shoppers looking for lower-priced items. Timberland: Renewed demand for a winter classic, Timberland's 6" Boot , helped the American outdoor brand see triple-digit growth on Black Friday. Timberland may be more than 50 years old, but it has stayed at the center of current culture with collaborations with the likes of Supreme and Louis Vuitton . Apparel Fear of God: The Jerry Lorenzo -led label took center stage this weekend, with hoodies from Fear of God's ESSENTIALS line taking the top three spots on StockX's ranking of best-selling products. The black , light oatmeal , and dark oatmeal colorways were favorites among shoppers. The -led label took center stage this weekend, with hoodies from Fear of God's ESSENTIALS line taking the top three spots on StockX's ranking of best-selling products. The , , and colorways were favorites among shoppers. Denim Tears: Denim Tears remains the fastest-growing apparel brand on StockX in 2024, so it's no surprise the buzzy label was a top pick over Cyber Weekend. The brand's cotton wreath sweatshirts were popular picks over the weekend. Collectibles Labubu from Pop Mart: Pop Mart was the No. 1 top-traded collectibles brand on StockX in November, thanks to the viral success of the brand's Labubu character. Pop Mart features the character across a range of collectibles, from figures to keychains. With the popularity of bag charms taking off in the second half of the year, shoppers are desperate to get their hands on Labubu collectibles. Top picks on StockX include the Pop Mart Labubu The Monsters Tasty Macarons Vinyl Face Blind Box Whole Set and Pop Mart Labubu The Monsters Fall In Wild Vinyl Plush Doll Pendant Keychain . Electronics PlayStation 5 Pro and the PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection: Nostalgia fueled demand in the electronics category this holiday season, led by the new PlayStation 5 Pro and the 30th Anniversary Collection. The new design celebrates the release of the original PlayStation in 1994, featuring the brand's iconic grey color and design on the latest devices including the Sony Playstation PS5 DualSense 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Wireless Controller and Sony PlayStation Portal Remote Player 30th Anniversary Limited Edition . StockX welcomed millions of visitors to its website and app and awarded more than $2 million in prizes to customers throughout Cyber Weekend. Prizes included coveted grails like the Jordan 1 Retro High Dior , Louis Vuitton Nike Air Force 1 Low By Virgil Abloh White Red , and Nike Air Yeezy 2 Solar Red , as well as the Sony PlayStation 5 PS5 Pro 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Bundle . The global marketplace served buyers and sellers in more than 100 different countries and territories, with multiple markets seeing year-over-year sales growth during the shopping period. For more information about StockX, please visit www.stockx.com . About StockX StockX is proud to be a Detroit-based technology leader focused on the large and growing online market for sneakers, apparel, accessories, electronics, collectibles, trading cards, and more. StockX's powerful platform connects buyers and sellers of high-demand consumer goods from around the world using dynamic pricing mechanics. This approach affords access and market visibility powered by real-time data that empowers buyers and sellers to determine and transact based on market value. The StockX platform features hundreds of brands across verticals including Jordan Brand, adidas, Nike, Supreme, BAPE, Off-White, Louis Vuitton, Gucci; collectibles from brands including LEGO, KAWS, Bearbrick, and Pop Mart; and electronics from industry-leading manufacturers Sony, Microsoft, Meta, and Apple. Launched in 2016, StockX employs 1,000 people across offices and verification centers around the world. Learn more at www.stockx.com. SOURCE StockX VIENNA, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As a global leader in connected audio and IoT solutions, StreamUnlimited has reengineered its hardware modules to deliver exceptional longevity and seamless integration with StreamSDK . This combination ensures modules remain compatible with advancing technologies, enabling manufacturers to extend product lifecycles and provide greater value to end-users. Future-Proof Design for Long-Lasting Performance "StreamUnlimited's hardware modules are designed to meet the evolving demands of today while remaining adaptable for the future," states Christoph Apel, Director of Hardware and Systems at StreamUnlimited. From the premium performance of the Stream1955, to the versatility of the Stream1832, and the efficiency of the Stream210, StreamUnlimited's hardware modules empower manufacturers to create products that stand the test of time. Sustainability Through Longevity StreamUnlimited promotes sustainability by prioritizing durable, future-proof designs. Hardware modules powered by StreamSDK stay aligned with advancing technologies through regular updates. For instance, StreamUnlimited recently upgraded its modules with LE Audio chips, committed to enhancing existing hardware with the latest features. These updates enable customers to quickly integrate new technologies into their product families without replacing entire systems. This approach reduces the need for frequent hardware replacements, fostering a more sustainable lifecycle for connected audio and IoT devices. The Perfect Symbiosis of Hardware and Software StreamUnlimited's hardware modules and StreamSDK work together to deliver unmatched performance and flexibility. This synergy enables manufacturers to develop feature-rich, high-quality products that meet the highest industry standards for reliability and user experience. StreamUnlimited ensures that all solutions are fully certified and rigorously tested to deliver reliable, long-term functionality and seamless compatibility. This commitment underscores StreamUnlimited's focus on delivering innovative, future-ready solutions for the evolving connected audio and IoT markets. About StreamUnlimited: StreamUnlimited, founded in 2005, is a supplier of software solutions and hardware modules for connected audio and IoT products, with over 120 employees at office locations in Vienna, Bratislava, Shenzhen, Osaka and San Francisco. As a global system integrator with proprietary IP and engineering expertise, StreamUnlimited partners with high-end audio brands, CEDIA-channel integrators, premium and mainstream consumer electronics manufacturers, and major semiconductor companies in the consumer electronics and IoT sectors. SOURCE StreamUnlimited Engineering OTTAWA, ON, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - China's recent decision to ban exports of gallium, germanium, antimony, and other high-tech materials with potential military applications in retaliation for U.S. restrictions on semiconductor-related exports, underscores the precariousness of global supply chains. This development highlights the vital role of the Canada-U.S. trade relationship in addressing supply chain vulnerabilities. China's actions serve as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by geopolitical tensions, particularly on the reliable supply of critical minerals. These materials are essential not only for technological innovation and economic growth but also for defense applications critical to national security. Canada has long been a dependable partner, providing certainty to U.S. manufacturing and defense industries by serving as a major supplier of minerals and metals. In 2022, 52% of Canada's mineral exportsvalued at over $80 billionwere destined for the U.S.. Strengthening the free flow of minerals and metals between Canada and the U.S. is more critical than ever. Imposing tariffs on Canadian mineral and metal exports to the U.S. would run counter to the shared goals of secure and reliable supply chains. Such measures risk disrupting the essential flow of these resources, undermining the competitiveness of North American industries, and exacerbating vulnerabilities in critical mineral supply chains that both nations are working to address. The partnership on critical minerals between Canada and the U.S. began in earnest with the development of the Joint Action Plan on Critical Minerals Collaboration in 2020 under President Trump. This collaboration has continued under the Biden administration, demonstrating the enduring importance of this strategic alliance. As the U.S. prepares for a new administration, we look forward to working closely with the incoming Trump administration to build on this foundation, ensuring the resilience of critical mineral supply chains and supporting shared economic and defense priorities. "The minerals and metals industry in Canada stands ready to strengthen our partnership with the United States, ensuring the free flow of these essential resources that drive economic growth, defense capabilities, and technological advancement on both sides of the border. The security and well-being of all Canadians and Americans depends on it." said Pierre Gratton, President and CEO of MAC. The mining industry is a major sector of Canada's economy, contributing $161 billion to the national GDP and is responsible for 21 percent of Canada's total domestic exports. Canada's mining sector employs 694,000 people directly and indirectly across the country. The industry is proportionally the largest private sector employer of Indigenous peoples in Canada and a major customer of Indigenous-owned businesses. About MAC The Mining Association of Canada is the national organization for the Canadian mining industry. Its members account for most of Canada's production of base and precious metals, uranium, diamonds, metallurgical coal, mined oil sands and industrial minerals and are actively engaged in mineral exploration, mining, smelting, refining and semi-fabrication. Please visit www.mining.ca. SOURCE The Mining Association of Canada 28 consecutive months of yearly month-over-month growth Record November - monthly sales up 8.2 percent Best-ever November for Crosstrek and Solterra Year-to-date sales up 5.5 percent CAMDEN, N.J., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) today reported 57,690 vehicle sales for November 2024, an increase of 8.2 percent compared with November 2023 (53,327). SOA also reported year-to-date sales of 605,854, a 5.5 percent increase compared with the same period in 2023. "We are especially grateful for the efforts of our retailers to grow the Subaru family while giving back" Post this Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) today reported 57,690 vehicle sales for November 2024, an increase of 8.2 percent compared with November 2023 (53,327). SOA also reported year-to-date sales of 605,854, a 5.5 percent increase compared with the same period in 2023. Crosstrek achieved its best November ever with 16,948 vehicles sold, a 13 percent increase compared to November 2023, and its fifth month in a row as the top performer by volume. Jeff Walters, President and Chief Operating Officer, Subaru of America, Inc.: "During this time of year we are especially grateful for the efforts of our retailers to grow the Subaru family while giving back through the annual Subaru Share the Love Event. We also appreciate that Subaru continues to be recognized among the top automotive brands for overall driving experience, handling, ride comfort, and much more. Together, this demonstrates our commitment to building great cars while supporting our customers and the communities where they live." Crosstrek achieved its best November ever with 16,948 vehicles sold, a 13 percent increase compared to November 2023, and its fifth month in a row as the top performer by volume. Forester was the second-highest selling carline in November with 14,843 vehicles sold, and Outback sales increased to 14,004 vehicles sold. Solterra also continued to see sales growth, achieving its best November ever, up 13 percent over the previous year. Troy Poston, Senior Vice President of Sales, Subaru of America, Inc.: "We're proud to celebrate our best November ever and to ensure that throughout the holiday season, the needs of our customers are being met by prioritizing quality, safety, and reliability. Our vehicle lineup, including Crosstrek and Forester, comfortably fits the needs of more and more drivers. We look forward to closing out the year successfully and to welcoming in a great New Year with our Subaru family." Carline Nov-24 Nov-23 % Chg Nov-24 Nov-23 % Chg MTD MTD MTD YTD YTD YTD Ascent 4,595 4,292 7.1 % 51,611 55,547 -7.1 % BRZ 320 263 21.7 % 3,008 3,915 -23.2 % Crosstrek 16,948 14,994 13 % 164,723 143,394 14.9 % Forester 14,843 15,089 -1.6 % 158,372 136,913 15.7 % Impreza 2,693 2,370 13.6 % 28,267 32,196 -12.2 % Legacy 1,612 1,838 -12.3 % 17,915 23,632 -24.2 % Outback 14,004 12,233 14.5 % 153,886 147,510 4.3 % Solterra 1,067 943 13.2 % 11,282 7,916 42.5 % WRX 1,608 1,305 23.2 % 16,790 23,299 -27.9 % TOTAL 57,690 53,327 8.2 % 605,854 574,322 5.5 % About Subaru of America, Inc. Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of about 640 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $320 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged over 100,000 volunteer hours. Subaru is dedicated to being More Than a Car Company and to making the world a better place. For additional information, visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube. Dominick Infante Director, Corporate Communications (856) 488-8615 [email protected] Diane Anton Corporate Communications Manager (856) 488-5093 [email protected] Adam Leiter Corporate Communications Specialist (856) 488-8668 [email protected] SOURCE Subaru of America, Inc. SANYA, China, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On 26 November, The 5th Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance was held in Sanya, Hainan Province. The forum was co-organized by Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance, National Institute for South China Sea Studies, China Oceanic Development Foundation, and Hainan Free Trade Port Research Institute, and co-organized by CGTN. More than 300 experts, scholars, government officials, senior officials of foreign embassies in China, representatives of international organizations, and maritime related departments from over 30 countries and regions attended the forum. More than 2,000 people registered the online meeting. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, delivered a keynote speech. Chen Xiaodong, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China; Sun Shuxian, Vice Minister of Natural Resources and Administrator of the State Ocean Administration; Bateer, Executive Vice Governor of Hainan Province; Michael Lodge, Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority; Peter Thomson, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Ocean Affairs delivered opening speeches respectively. The forum conducted discussions over topics as "Global Ocean Governance: Rules, Responsibilities, and Powers" and "Settlement of Maritime Dispute: Dialogue or Confrontation?" "Integrated Marine Management, Blue Economy Development," "Order in the South China Sea Based on Common Security and International Law" "Protection of Marine Ecological Environment and Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries" "The Future of Poles and the Deep Sea: Exploration, Utilization, and Protection" "Building a Marine Community with a Shared Future: Commitments and Actions". Wang Yi said that across the word, changes of our times and of historical significance are unfolding like never before. Global governance is facing brand-new opportunities and challenges. Improving global ocean governance and building a maritime community with a shared future is essential to building a community with a shared future for mankind. Committed to implementing the Global Development Initiative(GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) proposed by President Xi Jinping, China is ready to work with all countries to pursue higher-level global ocean governance to better serve the well-being of mankind. For this purpose, the Chinese side would like to propose three following. First, we should advance high-quality and sustainable development of the ocean. Second, we should safeguard universal and sustainable maritime security. Third, we should promote inter-civilization exchanges on maritime outlook. SOURCE National Institute for South China Sea Studies, China This year's event introduces a dynamic new format: in addition to a grand tasting with over 160 producers in Austin on March 25th, the Barolo & Barbaresco Academy will offer educational sessions across six US cities. AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani , is proud to announce the highly anticipated fourth edition of the Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening (BBWO), taking place in Austin, TX on March 25th. This year, the spotlight will shine on three southwestern States for the first time, with educational events and dedicated tastings stopping in Dallas, TX; Houston, TX; Austin, TX; San Antonio, TX; Phoenix, AZ; and Denver, CO. Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening Building on the success of previous editions from the inaugural event in New York in 2020, to Los Angeles in 2022, and a triumphant return to New York in 2024 this year's event debuts an innovative itinerant format with a strategic focus on Texas, Colorado, and Arizona. These states are rapidly emerging as pivotal hubs for wine consumption in the U.S., with Texas standing out for its dynamic wine market and growing appreciation for high-quality vintages. Together, these regions boast expanding communities of wine enthusiasts and a rising demand for premium and imported wines, making them ideal settings to spotlight industry excellence. In early February 2025, the Barolo & Barbaresco Academy events series will kick off, offering wine professionals an unparalleled opportunity to explore the world of Barolo and Barbaresco wines. Held across six major cities, this immersive educational experience will delve into the Langhe region's unique terroir and the diverse expressions of Barolo, Barbaresco and other Nebbiolo-based wines that this appellation can offer. Participants will explore the geology, climate, and history of the region, as well as perfect food pairings for Barolo and Barbaresco wines. Academy Session Dates: Dallas, TX February 3, 2025 Houston, TX February 4, 2025 Austin, TX February 5, 2025 San Antonio, TX - February 6, 2025 Phoenix, AZ February 10, 2025 Denver, CO February 12, 2025 Each session will include a curated tasting of Barolo, Barbaresco, and other Nebbiolo-based wines, guided by expert sommeliers who will share their insights into these exceptional wines. On March 25, 2025, the Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening will culminate with a Grand Tasting event at The Branch Park Pavilion in Austin, TX. This one-of-a-kind event will showcase wines from over 160 prestigious producers who will present their latest releases of 2021 Barolo and 2022 Barbaresco vintages. Trade professionals and wine lovers in attendance will have the opportunity to experience the full complexity of these iconic wines, celebrated for their elegance, depth, and connection to the Langhe terroir. "I'm excited to embark on my first year as President with our flagship international event in the southwestern US States, a market experiencing remarkable growth and ready to embrace the extraordinary wines that define our heritage," said Sergio Germano, newly elected President of the Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani. "Barolo and Barbaresco wines are renowned worldwide and through the Academy, we aim to deepen appreciation for these iconic wines. I'm especially thrilled that this journey will culminate in March with the Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening (BBWO), where over 160 producers from Piedmont will showcase the very best our region has to offer." About the Consorzio Di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani: Founded in 1934 and representing over 600 wine producers across multiple appellations, the consortium is committed to the management, protection, and promotion of the Langhe, Alba, and Dogliani wine denominations. The Consortium ensures high quality by a set of formal production guidelines for the entire winemaking process, from agronomy to market surveillance. The Consortium continues to perform periodic sampling of wine products on the market to prevent fraud and to protect the wines' authentication and reputation. Barolo & Barbaresco are registered trademarks in many countries throughout the world. SOURCE Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of Buenos Aires (the "City") announced today the commencement of an offer to purchase for cash (the "Offer") up to U.S.$550,000,000 in aggregate principal amount (the "Maximum Tender Amount") of its 7.500 per cent Series 12 Notes due 2027 (the "Series 12 Notes"). The terms and conditions of the Offer are set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated December 2, 2024 (the "Offer to Purchase"). The City commenced today the offering of a series of notes under its U.S.$2,290,000,000 Medium Term Note Programme (the "Series 13 Notes"), and intends to use a portion of any such proceeds to pay the purchase price for its Series 12 Notes if any are acquired pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the Offer to Purchase. The Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum participation by the holders of the Series 12 but is conditioned on the satisfaction or waiver by the City of the conditions described in the Offer to Purchase, the closing of the Series 13 Notes offering and the dealer manager agreement relating to the Offer not being terminated prior to or at the time of the settlement of the Offer. The table below summarizes certain payment terms of the Offer: Description of Notes Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof ISIN CUSIP Common Code Purchase Price (per U.S.$1,000 Principal Amount) 7.500 per cent Series 12 Notes due 2027 U.S.$890,000,000 XS1422866456 (Reg S) US11942GAD43 (144A) P1911JAC1 (Reg S) 11942GAD4 (144A) 142286645 (Reg S) 142508419 (144A) U.S1,015 The tender period (the "Tender Period") will commence on December 2, 2024 and expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 9, 2024 unless extended or earlier terminated by the City in its sole discretion. The settlement of the Offer is conditioned on the closing of the Series 13 Notes offering and the other terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase. The settlement of the Offer is scheduled to occur on December 17, 2024 ("Settlement Date"). The purchase price to be paid for the Series 12 Notes will be U.S.$1,015 for each U.S.$1,000 principal amount of the Series 12 Notes. Holders of Series 12 Notes participating in the Offer will also receive any accrued and unpaid interest on their Series 12 Notes from, and including, the last interest payment date for such Series 12 Notes to, but not including, the Settlement Date. Tenders that are accepted will be settled solely by the City on the Settlement Date, subject to the terms and conditions of the Offer. During the Tender Period, a holder of Series 12 Notes may place orders to tender Series 12 Notes ("Tender Orders") through DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg. Holders of the Series 12 Notes will not have withdrawal rights with respect to the Offer, unless required by applicable law. Tender Orders by a holder of Series 12 Notes must be of principal amounts of at least U.S.$200,000 and integral multiples of U.S.$1,000 in excess thereof ("Permitted Tender Amounts"). Tender Orders that are not for Permitted Tender Amounts will not be accepted. Because the Offer is subject to the Maximum Tender Amount, if the aggregate principal amount of all tenders exceeds the Maximum Tender Amount, then each tender shall be prorated down, proportionately to the relative size of such tenders of Series 12 Notes to all tenders, so that the aggregate principal amount of all tenders that are accepted by the City equals the Maximum Tender Amount. To the extent proration occurs in the Offer, the City will accept Series 12 Notes with appropriate adjustments to avoid purchase of the Series 12 Note in principal amounts other than Permitted Tender Amounts. All Series 12 Notes not accepted as a result of proration will be rejected and returned to holders. The City reserves the right, in its sole discretion, not to accept any tender for any reason or to extend, re-open, amend or terminate the Offer in its sole discretion. The Dealer Managers for the Offer are: BofA Securities Inc. One Bryant Park Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. 1 Columbus Circle J.P Morgan Securities LLC 383 Madison Avenue Santander US Capital Markets LLC 437 Madison Avenue New York, New York 10036 United States of America New York, New York 10019 United States of America New York, NY 10179 United States of Americas New York, NY, 10022 United States of America Attn: Liability Management Group Attn: Latin America Debt Capital Markets Attn: Liability Management Group Collect: 1 646 855 8988 Toll-Free: 1 888 292 0070 Collect: +1 (212) 250-2955 Toll-Free:+ 1 (866) 627-0391 Collect: + (212) 834-7279 Toll- Free: +1 (866) 846-2874 Call Collect: (212) 350- 0660 Toll Free: (855) 404-3636 Questions regarding the Offer may be directed to the Dealer Managers at the above contact. Website www.dfking.com/CityofBA, operated by the Tender and Information Agent for the purpose of the Offer to Purchase. The Offer to Purchase, as well as other relevant notices and documents, will also be available on the Offer The Tender and Information Agent for the Offer is D.F. King & Co., Inc. Email: [email protected] Offer Website: www.dfking.com/CityofBA In London: In New York: In Hong Kong: 51 Lime Street London EC3M 7DQ United Kingdom Telephone: +44 20 7920 9700 48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor New York, New York 10005 United States Telephone: +1 212 269 5550 Toll Free: 888-644-6071 Suite 1601, 16/F, Central Tower 28 Queen's Road Central Hong Kong Telephone: +852 3953 7230 Holders of the Notes are urged to read the Offer to Purchase carefully. Any questions or requests for assistance in relation to the Offer to Purchase may be directed to the Dealer Managers at their respective telephone numbers set forth above or to the holder's broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offer. Requests for additional copies of the Offer to Purchase may be directed to the Tender and Information Agent at the addresses and telephone numbers set forth above. This release shall not be construed as an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any of the Series 12 Notes or any other securities. The Offer is not being made in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. None of the City, the Bank of New York Mellon as trustee, principal paying agent and calculation agent, registrar, exchange agent, transfer agent and listing agent, the Dealer Managers or the Information and Tender Agent makes any recommendation as to whether or not holders should tender their Series 12 Notes pursuant to the Offer. Forward-Looking Statements This notice includes and references "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may relate to, among other things, the City's strategy, goals and expectations. Although the City believes the assumptions upon which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of these assumptions could prove to be inaccurate and the forward-looking statements based on these assumptions could be incorrect. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results and trends to differ materially from those made, projected, or implied in or by the forward-looking statements depending on a variety of uncertainties or other factors. The City undertakes no obligation to update any of its forward-looking statements. Related Links www.dfking.com/CityofBA This press release is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States or any other state or jurisdiction, and there shall not be any offer, solicitation or sale of securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. THE SERIES 13 NOTES ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), ANY U.S. STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION AND WILL BE OFFERED AND SOLD TO QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYERS PURSUANT TO RULE 144A, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES (EXEMPTIONS FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT). Any offer of the Series 13 Notes in any Member State of the European Economic Area will be made pursuant to an exemption under Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of securities. No PRIIPs KID / UK PRIIPs KID No PRIIPs / UK PRIIPs key information document (KID) has been prepared as not available to retail in EEA or UK. Any offer of the Series 13 Notes in the United Kingdom will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of securities. Any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire the Series 13 Notes will be engaged in only with (i) persons who are outside the UK or (ii) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order") or (iii) high net worth companies, and other persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this press release or any of its contents. Any investment activity to which this press release relates is reserved for relevant persons only and may only be engaged in by relevant persons. There are no restrictions on the Offer in Argentina or to Argentine persons, except that the Offer may only be made by, and the Series 12 Notes may only be tendered, through persons or entities duly authorized to publicly offer securities in Argentina. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Offer is not subject to the provisions of the Argentine Capital Market Law No. 26,831 and its amendment by Law No. 27,440, nor to the control and supervision of the Argentine Securities and Exchange Commission (Comision Nacional de Valores). Banco Santander Argentina S.A. and Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U. (collectively, the "Argentine Information Agents") are acting as local information agents in Argentina in connection with the Offer. The contact information for the Argentine Information Agents is as follows: (1) Banco Santander Argentina S.A. Institutional Sales, Telephone: (5411)4341-1140, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]; (2) and Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U. Telephone: (5411)3766-0421, [email protected] SOURCE The City of Buenos Aires ALAMEDA, Calif., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Housing Authority of the City of Alameda (AHA), located in the City of Alameda, California, will open the wait lists for the Housing Choice Voucher program (HCV) and select Project-Based Voucher (PBV) programs.The wait list application period will begin on December 3, 2024 at 12:00pm (PST) and AHA will stop accepting wait list applications on December 16, 2024 at 12:00pm (PST). Aerial view of the City of Alameda To better serve wait list applicants and to ensure the housing wait list application process is available to all interested parties, including those who are least likely to apply, the entire housing wait list application process is available online at https://recertification.alamedahsg.org/. The online housing wait list application will be available in the following languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Tagalog. AHA staff will be located at seven application centers during the application period (December 3rd through December 16th). The seven application center locations are the Alameda Boys and Girls Club (1900 Third Street), the Alameda Free Library (1550 Oak Street), the College of Alameda (Room A200, Ralph Appezzato Way), Alameda Point Collaborative (2550 Monarch Street), Independence Plaza (703 Atlantic Avenue), Mastick Senior Center (1155 Santa Clara Avenue), and the Village of Love (431 Stardust Place). For more information about the housing wait list and for wait list application center schedules, please visit https://www.alamedahsg.org/applicants/wait-lists/ About AHA www.alamedahsg.org For over 80 years, The Housing Authority of the City of Alameda (AHA) has provided a range of housing assistance to low-income households. The primary goal of the Housing Authority is to provide quality, affordable, and safe housing in the City of Alameda. Our programs include Housing Choice Vouchers, Project-Based Vouchers, specialized housing assistance, family self-sufficiency, affordable real estate development, resident services, and management of AHA owned property. CONTACT: Joshua Altieri (Community Relations Manager) PHONE: (510) 747-4321 EMAIL: [email protected] SOURCE The Housing Authority of the City of Alameda Exterior building services company, The Valcourt Group, deepens its expertise in specialized waterproofing with the acquisition of Restocon THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Valcourt Group, the leading provider of waterproofing, window cleaning, and facade restoration services for commercial properties, is excited to announce its recent acquisition of Restocon, headquartered in Tampa, FL. This partnership further solidifies Valcourt's position as an industry leader in waterproofing, enhancing its specialty services in parking garage restoration. Restocon is a full-service commercial and industrial restoration and waterproofing contractor, specializing in structural restoration, parking garage repair, waterproofing, historic restoration, and more. Founded in 1997 by industry veteran Robert Howell, Restocon has built a reputation for quality craftsmanship and exceptional construction services. "We are excited to join forces with Restocon, the nation's leading parking garage contractor," says Eric Crabb, CEO of Valcourt Group. "This partnership enhances Valcourt's ability to grow in the specialized areas of parking garage repair and waterproofing, strengthening our commitment to delivering top-tier services to our clients." As The Valcourt Group continues to grow through strategic acquisitions, upholding the legacies of the talented individuals and companies that join its family of brands remains fundamental to the success and shared culture that defines the organization. Restocon has thrived under the leadership of Robert Howell, Chairman, and Michael Long, CEO, who will continue to spearhead Restocon operations as President, now within the Valcourt family. "Valcourt's expertise will add significant value to our operations, equipping Restocon with new service lines and creating opportunities to expand parking garage restoration into new markets with their broad, national presence," says Robert Howell, Chairman of Restocon. "We are thrilled to join a team equally dedicated to service excellence and safety," says Michael Long, President of Restocon. "Restocon's strong reputation and market presence will support Valcourt's expanded service offerings, while both companies gain from shared best practices, safety enhancements, and strengthened client relationships." About The Valcourt Group: The Valcourt Group is the premier provider of commercial restoration, waterproofing, and window cleaning services in the United States. Partnering with property owners and managers, we service all aspects of a building's exterior. Founded in 1986 as a small window cleaning company in Washington, DC, the company has now grown into one of the largest building services companies in the country. For more information about service offerings, visit us at www.valcourt.group. About Restocon: Restocon is a leading specialty construction firm headquartered in Tampa, FL, with regional offices in Dallas and Houston, TX. Founded in 1997 by Robert Howell, Restocon was built on his extensive industry experience and commitment to delivering superior construction services and quality craftsmanship. Today, Restocon is one of the nation's largest and most respected specialty contractors, offering a comprehensive range of services including structural restoration, parking garage repair, waterproofing, historic restoration, roof coatings, carbon fiber strengthening, and post-tension cable repairs. Learn more at www.restocon.com. For media inquiries or further information, please contact: Kathleen Garska Director of Marketing The Valcourt Group [email protected] (281) 742-9129 SOURCE Valcourt Group STOCKHOLM, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Essity hosts its Capital Markets Day at the company's production facility for hygiene products in Valls, Spain. Essity will present its strategy for accelerating profitable growth and the roadmap to achieving the company's financial targets, which were announced on June 17, 2024. The day will also include a guided tour of the production facility in Valls as well as a demonstration of innovations within the company's various categories and of the Global Planning & Logistics Hub. "We have raised our ambition with the new targets presented earlier this year. Today we will outline how we will accelerate profitable growth and continue to evolve towards our vision to be the undisputed global leader in hygiene and health. The event also gives an opportunity to meet some of the fantastic people working at Essity and visit the integrated production facility we have here in Valls," says Magnus Groth, President and CEO of Essity. The financial targets of annual organic sales growth >3% and EBITA margin excluding IAC >15% include among other things: Annual organic sales growth of Health & Medial >4%, of Consumer Goods >3% and of Professional Hygiene >2% Estimated future annual COGS savings of SEK 0.5 -1bn The day will not be livestreamed. Presentations and recorded material from parts of the day will be available on Essity's website after the event. Agenda Accelerating profitable growth Magnus Groth , President and CEO, Sahil Tesfu , Chief Strategy Officer, Fredrik Rystedt , CFO and EVP , President and CEO, , Chief Strategy Officer, , CFO and EVP Global Supply Chain Driving margin expansion including Site Visit Donato Giorgio , President Global Supply Chain, Miriam Guash , Operations Director Spain, Ilham Smaali, VP Planning & Logistics , President Global Supply Chain, , Operations Director Spain, Ilham Smaali, VP Planning & Logistics Health & Medical Grow to scale Ulrika Kolsrud , President Health & Medical, Ida Emus, VP Sales & Marketing Region UK, Ireland & South, Anand Chandarana , VP Global Marketing & Innovation, Medical , President Health & Medical, Ida Emus, VP Sales & Marketing Region UK, & South, , VP Global Marketing & Innovation, Medical Global Brand, Innovation & Sustainability Fuelling profitable growth Tuomas Yrjola, President Global Brand, Innovation & Sustainability, Meta Redstedt, Global Master Brand & Communication Director Tuomas Yrjola, President Global Brand, Innovation & Sustainability, Meta Redstedt, Global Master Brand & Communication Director Lunch with demonstrations of innovations and the Global Planning & Logistics Hub Consumer Goods Accelerate high-margin categories Volker Zoller, President Consumer Goods EMEA, Andres Gomez , President Consumer Goods Americas Volker Zoller, President Consumer Goods EMEA, , President Consumer Goods Americas Professional Hygiene Expand global leadership Pablo Fuentes , President Professional Hygiene, Matthew Urmanski , VP Sales & Marketing North America , President Professional Hygiene, , VP Sales & Marketing North America Summary and Q&A Executive Management Team For further information, please contact: Per Lorentz, Vice President Corporate Communications, +46 73 313 30 55, [email protected] Sandra Aberg, Vice President Investor Relations, +46 70 564 96 89, [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/essity/r/today-essity-hosts-its-capital-markets-day---accelerating-profitable-growth,c4074462 The following files are available for download: BALTIMORE, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Transamerica today announced the launch of DWC 401(k) Pooled Plan Solutions, an innovative offering designed to streamline retirement plan management for businesses of all sizes. These solutions empower employers by reducing administrative burdens and fiduciary risks while offering flexible, professionally managed retirement plans. DWC 401(k) Pooled Plan Solutions feature the expertise of DWC - The 401(k) Experts, Transamerica and Leavitt Retirement Partners, ensuring that businesses can manage their retirement plans with greater ease and confidence. With two plan options under a single recordkeeping structure, employers can implement either The DWC 401(k) Retirement Plan Exchange solution or The DWC 401(k) Pooled Employer Plan (PEP). The unique nature of this structure allows employers the flexibility to change retirement plan structures to accommodate growth without any disruption to their employees. The PEP can also support certain grandfathering of mandatory provisions forthcoming with Secure 2.0 for existing plans that qualify. "With DWC 401(k) Pooled Plan Solutions, we're providing businesses the flexibility to adapt their retirement plans as they grow, without the hassle of a full plan conversion," said Keith Clark, managing director at DWC. "This flexibility makes it easier for employers to scale their plans to meet changing needs, all while maintaining simplicity and efficiency." Employers who adopt these plans will benefit from reduced fiduciary responsibilities, simplified administrative tasks, and potential cost savings. Through the PEP's single audit feature, employer 401(k) plans with over 100 participants with balances may benefit from significantly reduced audit costs and are no longer solely responsible for dealing with the annual plan audit. "Workplace retirement plans are essential in helping employees prepare for a secure financial future, but the complexities involved can be overwhelming for many employers," said Darren Zino, head of retirement distribution at Transamerica. "With DWC 401(k) Pooled Plan Solutions, we're offering a streamlined, flexible approach that reduces fiduciary risk and administrative burdens, allowing employers to focus on growing their businesses while providing valuable benefits to their employees." Whether through the Exchange or the PEP, employers gain access to a 3(38) investment manager responsible for selecting and monitoring investments, a 3(16) plan administrator overseeing daily plan operations, and a comprehensive support team of third-party administrators, recordkeepers, and fiduciary service providers. "As the 3(38) investment fiduciary, we deliver quality investment services with the highest degree of fiduciary protection," said Taylor Dance, managing director and consultant for Leavitt Retirement Partners. "Our collaboration with Transamerica and DWC will help countless individuals achieve financial security in retirement." For more information on how DWC 401(k) Pooled Plan Solutions can simplify your retirement plan management, contact Transamerica at (888) 401-5826 or email [email protected]. Retirement Plan Exchange is a registered service mark of Transamerica. The Exchange solution is a collection of single employer-sponsored plans that may share a common plan administrator, named fiduciary, investment menu, and plan year. Unlike a multiple employer plan (MEP), certain plan qualification and ERISA requirements are applied at the individual plan level. Pooled employer plans (PEPs) are a newer type of multiple employer plan for which the Department of Labor (DOL) and IRS guidance is still pending in a number of areas. An employer participating in a PEP retains certain fiduciary responsibilities, including responsibility for retaining and monitoring the Pooled Plan Provider (PPP) and any named fiduciary, for determining the reasonableness of its plan fees, and for periodically reviewing the plan as a whole. Nothing in this communication should be construed as the commencement of operations by a PPP prior to registration as a PPP. Among other responsibilities, the PPP acts as the ERISA 3(16) Plan Administrator. Before adopting any plan, sponsors should carefully consider all of the benefits, risks, and costs associated with a plan. Information regarding retirement plans is general and is not intended as legal or tax advice. Retirement plans are complex, and the federal and state laws or regulations on which they are based vary for each type of plan and are subject to change. In addition, some products, investment vehicles, and services may not be available or appropriate in all workplace retirement plans. Plan sponsors and plan administrators may wish to seek the advice of legal counsel or a tax professional to address their specific situations. About DWC - The 401(k) Experts DWC is a consulting firm providing third party plan administration (compliance and government reporting), actuarial, and consulting services to over 7,000 qualified retirement plans nationwide. To learn more about DWC - The 401(k) Experts, please visit www.dwc401k.com. About Leavitt Retirement Partners Leavitt Retirement Partners (LRP) is dba of Global Retirement Partners, LLC ("GRP".) GRP is registered as an investment advisor with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. GRP specializes in supporting independent financial advisors across the country who are focused on the corporate retirement plan space. We support this effort by providing our Investment Advisory Representatives ("IAR") with the tools and resources to meet client needs and objectives. With our dynamic and experienced team, GRP provides investment advisory and management services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, corporations, and other business entities. About Transamerica With a history that dates back more than 100 years, Transamerica is a leading provider of life insurance, retirement, and investment solutions, serving millions of customers throughout the United States. Transamerica's dedicated professionals focus on helping people live their best lives through saving, investing, and protecting their loved ones. Transamerica is dedicated to building America's leading middle market life insurance and retirement company, with unique access to the large and growing middle market consumer via World Financial Group and US retirement recordkeeping. Transamerica provides a broad range of quality individual life insurance policies, workplace supplemental insurance benefits, workplace retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, and investment products including mutual funds, annuities, stable value solutions, as well as investment management services. In 2023, Transamerica fulfilled its promises to customers, paying more than $47 billion in insurance, retirement, and annuity claims and benefits, including return of annuity premiums paid by the customer. Transamerica's head office is in Baltimore, Maryland, with other major operations in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Denver, Colorado. Transamerica is part of the Aegon group of companies. Each Aegon company is solely responsible for its own financial conditions and contractual obligations. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Aegon is an international financial services holding company. For more information, visit www.transamerica.com. Media inquiries: Email: [email protected] Hank Williams (319) 355-7789 Erin Yang (303) 383-5295 SOURCE Transamerica The blog's annual bucket list highlights "recommendations from actual humans," encouraging travelers to "reject AI travel planners" in 2025. ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Travel Lemming, an online travel guide with 10 million readers, today revealed its list of the 50 best places to travel in 2025. The annual list of places to travel is selected by Travel Lemming's team of dozens of travel bloggers. "Our team of real live human travelers loved visiting these 50 places, and we think you will too," the article explains. Laura McFarland in Lombok, Indonesia (#1 on Travel Lemming's 2025 list) Travel Lemming Founder Nate Hake in Tokyo, Japan This year's list directly challenges the rise of AI travel itinerary tools, warning that Silicon Valley wants to "use AI slop to replace not only travel blogs like ours, but also the thing that makes travel truly great: the human experience." The publication asks readers to "insist on getting your travel recommendations from other real-life humans." Nate Hake, Travel Lemming's CEO, commented: "If you believe in Silicon Valley, everyone will soon use an AI travel tool to plan their trips. But AI cannot visit a place. AI cannot feel, see, taste, or experience a destination. So why should we trust AI to plan our trips? At Travel Lemming, we're rejecting the AI hype and doubling down on the value of the human experience." He continued, "Our annual list of places to travel isn't just places we think you should go it's a list of amazing places we have already visited ourselves and can recommend from real experience. Because isn't that what travel is really about: embracing the human experience?" Travel Lemming's top destinations for 2025 are: Lombok, Indonesia El Calafate, Argentina County Kerry, Ireland Yoho National Park, Canada Lalibela, Ethiopia El Nido , Philippines Kazbegi, Georgia Exmouth, Australia Ha Giang, Vietnam Vega Baja , Puerto Rico For the full list of 50 places, visit: https://travellemming.com/best-places-to-travel-2025/ Travel Lemming's dozens of writers and editors collaborate on this annual project. The editorial board votes on destinations during a months-long nomination and selection process. About Travel Lemming: Travel Lemming is an online travel guide with 10 million annual readers. With over 1,000 guides written by its team of dozens of travel experts, Travel Lemming encourages its readers to travel "off the lemming path." Media assets: https://travellemming.com/media-kit/ Media Contact: Taylor Herperger [email protected] 306-745-7501 SOURCE Travel Lemming NEW YORK, Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with market evolution powered by AI - The global universal CPE (UCPE) market size is estimated to grow by USD 4.89 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 30.08% during the forecast period. Cost benefits of UCPE is driving market growth, with a trend towards rising demand for sd-wan solutions. However, security concerns and vulnerabilities associated with ucpe poses a challenge. Key market players include Access Co. Ltd., Adtran Holdings Inc., Advantech Co. Ltd., AT and T Inc., AudioCodes Ltd., Axiomtek Co. Ltd., Cisco Systems Inc., Dell Technologies Inc., Ekinops SA, GTT Communications Inc., Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Intel Corp., Iricent Ltd., Juniper Networks Inc., Lanner Electronics Inc., Netfosys Information Technologies India Pvt. Ltd., RAD Data Communications Ltd., Sony Group Corp., Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd., and Versa Networks Inc.. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global universal CPE (uCPE) market 2024-2028 Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Universal Cpe (Ucpe) Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2017 - 2021 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 30.08% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 4893.9 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 23.2 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution APAC at 37% Key countries US, UK, China, Japan, and Germany Key companies profiled Access Co. Ltd., Adtran Holdings Inc., Advantech Co. Ltd., AT and T Inc., AudioCodes Ltd., Axiomtek Co. Ltd., Cisco Systems Inc., Dell Technologies Inc., Ekinops SA, GTT Communications Inc., Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Intel Corp., Iricent Ltd., Juniper Networks Inc., Lanner Electronics Inc., Netfosys Information Technologies India Pvt. Ltd., RAD Data Communications Ltd., Sony Group Corp., Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd., and Versa Networks Inc. Market Driver The demand for cloud solutions among enterprises and service providers is on the rise, driven by the need to improve scalability, efficiency, and agility while reducing capital and operational expenditures. However, the inadequate WAN capacity of many enterprises can hinder this transition, leading to network reliability issues, latency, and congestion. Cloud-based SD-WAN addresses these challenges, enabling organizations to manage assets, monitor threats, and unify security operations centers for both IT and OT assets. Major industries, including banking, financial services and insurance, content and digital media, retail, and manufacturing, are adopting SD-WAN solutions to enhance network performance. For instance, Microsoft Corp.'s Defender for IoT is a cloud-managed platform that helps organizations manage security in both connected and air-gap environments. The increasing adoption of cloud-based SD-WAN solutions by enterprises is expected to fuel the growth of the uCPE market during the forecast period. The uCPE market is booming in the enterprise networking sector, with universal platforms becoming the norm for IT infrastructure at the edge. NFV (Network Function Virtualization) and COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) servers are driving this trend, enabling cost-effective, agile solutions for network functions like firewalls, load balancers, and access control. Telecoms operators and service providers are partnering with solution providers to offer uCPE solutions, benefiting enterprises with on-prem data centers, manufacturing equipment in factories, and access points as routers and gateways. Edge computing, including computer vision and non-network workloads, is also a growing use case. STL Partners' Network Platforms Group's Sab Gosal and Prayson Pate highlight the importance of addressing technical constraints, such as space, skills, and resources, for optimal application performance. GPUs and software-defined wide-area networks (SD-WAN) are key considerations for multi-cloud solutions and workload consolidation. Ensemble Connector is a valuable tool for uCPE integration. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges uCPE, or Universal Customer Premises Equipment, is a remote Network Function Virtualization (NFV) node, deployed in non-secure or controlled environments, utilizing automated installation processes like zero-touch provisioning (ZTP) for ease of deployment. While these capabilities bring operational expenditure (OPEX) reduction and simplification, they also introduce new security vulnerabilities. For instance, ZTP and automated remote updates and upgrades eliminate human authentication and verification steps, potentially allowing unauthorized access. Hackers can infiltrate the network using a compromised device or impersonate a uCPE provisioning server, posing bi-directional attack vectors. Man-in-the-middle attacks can target the object storage component, putting individual data at risk. Enterprises transferring data to cloud networks face increased concerns over data security and privacy. These factors may significantly impact the global uCPE market, necessitating security measures and strict adherence to authentication and verification processes. The uCPE (Universal Customer Premises Equipment) market is growing rapidly as enterprises and service providers seek to modernize their infrastructure. However, challenges persist. Infrastructure constraints, such as space and power, limit uCPE deployment. Non-network workloads and software applications, like computer vision and access control, require specialized hardware like GPUs. Cost-effective solutions are essential, but skills and resources for implementation can be a hurdle. Telecoms operators and solution providers are collaborating to offer agile, cost-effective uCPE solutions. STL's Network Platforms Group, for instance, is developing COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) hardware for uCPE. Sab Gosal , in Technically Speaking, discusses Ensemble Connector, a solution for workload consolidation. Prayson Pate , in Edgility Central, explores Security-as-a-Service for uCPE. Manufacturing and factory environments present unique challenges, requiring technical constraints to be addressed. Multi-cloud solutions and software-defined wide-area networking (SD-WAN) are key to overcoming these hurdles. AT&T is one of the service providers leading the way, offering uCPE solutions for edge use cases and on-prem data centers. In summary, the uCPE market is evolving rapidly, but infrastructure, non-network workloads, and technical constraints pose challenges. Collaboration between solution providers, enterprises, and telecoms operators is crucial to addressing these challenges and delivering cost-effective, agile uCPE solutions. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This universal cpe (ucpe) market report extensively covers market segmentation by End-user 1.1 Individual 1.2 Enterprise Deployment 2.1 On-premises 2.2 Cloud-based Geography 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 APAC 3.4 Middle East and Africa and 3.5 South America 1.1 Individual- The uCPE market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing demand for network functions virtualization and software-defined networking. Businesses are adopting uCPE solutions to reduce costs, improve agility, and enhance network performance. Service providers are offering managed uCPE services to meet the evolving needs of enterprises. The market is expected to continue growing as more organizations migrate from traditional hardware-based solutions to uCPE. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis uCPE, or Universal CPE (Universal Communications Platform Equipment), is a new approach to enterprise networking that utilizes off-the-shelf (COTS) servers and virtualizes network functions using NFV (Network Function Virtualization) technology. This universal platform enables the convergence of IT infrastructure and telecommunications functions at the edge, allowing for the deployment of network functions such as firewalls, load balancers, and access control, as well as non-network workloads like computer vision and software applications. UCPE offers several advantages, including cost effectiveness, agility, and the ability to run applications closer to the end-device, such as access points, routers, gateways, and computers. This infrastructure, which can also support server-type infrastructure, provides telecoms operators with the space and skills and resources needed to deliver application performance and improve network efficiency. STL Partners predicts that uCPE will become a key component of next-generation enterprise networks. Market Research Overview The uCPE (Universal Customer Premises Equipment) market is transforming enterprise networking by enabling the deployment of universal platforms at the edge of IT infrastructure. This shift towards edge computing, powered by NFV (Network Function Virtualization) and COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) servers, allows for cost-effective, agile, and space-saving solutions. UCPE supports various network functions such as firewalls, load balancers, and access control, making it an attractive alternative to traditional IT infrastructure. End-devices like access points, routers, and gateways can be integrated with uCPE for enhanced functionality. Telecoms operators, solution providers, and enterprises are adopting uCPE for on-prem data centers and manufacturing equipment, overcoming technical constraints with GPUs and multi-cloud solutions. Edge use cases, including security-as-a-service, workload consolidation, and software-defined wide-area networking, are driving the growth of the uCPE market. Industry experts like Sab Gosal from the Network Platforms Group and Prayson Pate from Technically Speaking are leading discussions on the future of uCPE. STL's Ensemble Connector and AT&T's uCPE offerings are among the innovative solutions shaping the market. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation End-user Individual Enterprise Deployment On-premises Cloud-based Geography North America Europe APAC Middle East And Africa South America 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio PALM BEACH, Fla., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Viper Partners is broadening its services to address the increasing demand for solutions related to physician-owned medical buildings. This initiative is designed to help clients maximize the value of their commercial real estate through strategic liquidation opportunities. "As many of our physician clients prepare to exit their practices, a significant number also own the buildings their practices operate from," said David C. Branch, Founder of Viper Partners and a licensed real estate professional with 30 years of experience. "However, in traditional partnership transactions, buyers often exclude real estate from the deal, leaving physicians with a lingering burden and complicating transactions for private equity firms." To address this gap, Viper has collaborated with national REITs to provide specialized guidance for physicians involved in private equity (PE) transitions. Through its network, Viper offers tailored options such as sale leasebacks, call rights, lease restructuring, and property valuations. These services enable property owners to reduce equity commitments, eliminate residual risk, and achieve higher acquisition values. Private equity firms have increasingly leveraged sale leaseback transactions to improve financing options, enhance portfolio performance, and create positive arbitrage opportunities. Viper's team works collaboratively with all stakeholders to identify goals and explore viable solutions, ensuring a seamless and beneficial transaction process. Viper Partners has earned a reputation as a leading M&A consulting firm in the healthcare industry, recognized for its innovative underwriting approach and consistent success in closing transactions. Operating from offices in Palm Beach and Miami, the firm supports a nationwide client base with a comprehensive array of services. Contact Information For further information on how Viper Partners can help you unlock the value of your medical building, contact David C. Branch or visit https://www.viperequitypartners.com/. Dave Branch, Founder Phone: (305) 988-5945 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Viper Equity Partners of Palm Beach LLC Visier's Agentic AI Platform makes it easy to create powerful agent-based solutions that unleash productivity by giving every manager omniscient superpowers with a 360 view of every employee and the work they do. A pillar of Visier's ongoing "Open for Builders" strategy, the new Agentic AI Platform lets customers and partners design, build and rapidly deliver their own Agentic AI solutions embedded within any custom or commercial application or workflow. VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Visier, the globally recognized leader in workforce AI solutions, today announced a powerful new agent-based workforce AI platform that allows HRIT leaders and peopletech product teams to create powerful and secure agentic AI solutions. Designed to give organizations a Workforce AI Edge, this first-of-its-kind agent-based AI platform provides technical teams the foundation to launch their own team of AI-based agents that brings together all the critical enterprise data across people and work. "Agentic AI is the single clearest demonstration of how AI will forever change how we workand how we work with data," said Ryan Wong, co-founder and CEO, Visier. "Unlike other agentic AI platforms that focus on automation of workflows, we're fixated on an equally important, but distinctly different challenge: unleashing AI agents to analyze people and work data, both inside and outside an organization, to quickly deliver the answers and recommendations that drive workforce impact." Visier's approach to agentic AI puts power in the hands of citizen developers, allowing creativity to supersede technical skills with a low-code no-code development environment. These builders can create their own collections of instructions that give Visier Agents direction to perform data-driven tasks. Visier Agents then traverse any number of data sources, inside or outside of an organization, to answer questions, make recommendations, and perform actions. "For all the power of large language models (LLMs), they are not known to be particularly good at making sense of enterprise data," Wong continued. "Visier has built an analytic AI agent platform that's remarkably enterprise-data-capable, delivering insights and answers that you can understand and trust." Data analytics software has evolved over the past 30 years with a range of innovations designed to extract, integrate, transform, and organize data so humans can draw insights through data exploration. With Visier's Agentic AI Platform, the target focus of Visier's innovation is extracting, integrating, transforming, and organizing data so LLMs, not just humans, can understand the data. Once LLMs understand the data, they can produce richer, more useful insights back to the business. The result is better insights in the hands of everyone, not just analysts and the most data literate employees. Visier's AI Agent platform provides a panoramic view of what has happened, what is happening and can suggest best practices to create impactful change. Visier Agents can then continue to monitor and report on these actions, alerting managers to any changes or divergence so they have a real-time view of how work is translating into impact and results. With this platform, Visier customers and partners can develop their own agents to carry out any task that depends on data across any number of internal and external sources. For example: An IT organization or systems integrator could build a solution that allows managers to ask the Visier AI Agent to compile insights for understanding an employee's activity, output and achievements over a six-month period and how this compares with peers. A talent acquisition software vendor could use the platform to create a virtual assistant inside its products that automatically parses resumes, or helps to compile and distribute monthly reports with relevant insights to a diverse set of audiences at scale. An IT organization or systems integrator could use the platform to create an AI agent-based sales manager assistant to compile and present a report in advance of a sales forecast meeting; or a win/loss analysis in support of a post-mortem review, emailing updates to all relevant stakeholders. This launch comes on the heels of substantial workforce AI momentum from Visier, including: Visier's generative AI digital assistant, Vee, in its first year of commercial availability is in active use by thousands of organizations, representing one of the few examples of scaled deployment of generative AI in the HR technology ecosystem. Vee was licensed and deployed by Visier Embedded partner, Paycor, to over two million users. Vee won two major awards at this year's HR Tech conference, including Product of the Year and Top Tech Innovation, their equivalent of best in show. Visier announced major enhancements to Vee, including integration with Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft Teams, document indexing; and " Vee Boards ," a brand new AI-driven product experience designed to deliver targeted workforce insights and recommendations to c-suite executives, including CHROs and CFOs. "Visier is making huge strides in the world of workforce AI," said Neal Meister, director of people data solutions at eBay. "We're excited for Vee, Vee Boards and the massive potential of this agent-based platform. Everyone talks about AI these days, of course, but few companies can walk the talk the way Visier does." Visier's Agentic AI Platform is currently available for limited customer and partner preview, and was featured as a sneak-peak to customers in November, as part of OUTSMART Local, a regional customer event held in New York City. Wider commercial availability for customers and partners is expected in the first half of next year. You can learn more about this announcement and the role of agents in workforce AI strategies by attending a public Fireside Chat on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024 at 11:00 am ET/8:00 am PT, hosted by Stacia Garr, co-founder and principal analyst of RedThread Research; and featuring Keith Bigelow, Visier's chief product officer. Register here to reserve your spot. About Visier Visier gives organizations a Workforce AI Edge: a set of AI-powered capabilities that help leaders understand the relationship between people and work, elevate the productivity of their employees, and win by adapting to change faster. The company is the global leader in AI-powered people analytics, workforce planning, and compensation allocation. All Visier technology is underpinned by its Real-time People Data Platform, which uses AI to unlock the business-transforming potential of people data, work data, and the fusion of both. Founded in 2010 by the pioneers of business intelligence, Visier has over 60,000 customers in 75 countriesincluding enterprises like BASF, Panasonic, Experian, Amgen, eBay, Ford Motor Company, and more. To learn more about Visier, visit www.visier.com. Media Contact: Walker Sands [email protected] SOURCE Visier New Report Reveals How Charter Public Schools Achieve These Results SEATTLE, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Washington State Charter Schools Association and Excellent Schools Washington released "Game Changers: How Washington's Charter Public Schools Produce Exceptional Results for Students," a new report that highlights the academic success of charter public schools across the state. The report, based on the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) data released by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), shows that students in Washington's charter public schools are among the top performing public schools in state. These innovative public schools are outperforming other public schools in key areas, including reading and math, with many schools serving a high percentage of underserved communities and leading the way in closing achievement gaps. Excellent Schools Washington The report explores how Washington charter public schools are implementing innovative educational models, personalized learning, and strong community partnerships to achieve these impressive results. The report calls attention to the critical role charter schools play in providing high-quality education options and advancing student success across the state. Chris Korsmo, Executive Director of the Washington State Charter Schools Association, praised the efforts of educators, students, and families, noting: "Washington's charter public schools are proving that when given the flexibility to innovate and focus on student needs, schools can deliver excellent outcomes. These test results demonstrate that charter public schools are not only meeting but exceeding expectations, particularly for students who have historically been underserved by the traditional system. Charter schools are playing a vital role in improving educational equity and opportunities in our state." "Washington's charter public schools are raising the bar for public education outcomes across the state especially for students in historically underserved communities," said Julie Kennedy, Executive Director of Excellent Schools Washington. "These results demonstrate the powerful impact of education options that are innovative, student-centered, and rooted in the community. With flexibility, freedom, dedicated educators, and engaged families who are all working together to ensure every student has the opportunity to excel, anything is possible." "Academic outcomes are an important consideration when evaluating the hard work of students, educators and families in Washington's charter public schools," said Marcus Harden, executive director of the Washington State Charter School Commission. "While we celebrate successful student outcomes, we recognize there's still much work to be done to ensure every student in our state - including those in charter public schools - has access to a high-quality education. As the main authorizer of charter public schools in Washington, our focus is to continue upholding a multi-layered accountability framework so that charter public schools may continue to expand opportunities and address inequities within our broader public school system." The report also features insights from school leaders, highlighting the success stories of individual charter schools. Karen Lobos, Executive Director of Rainer Prep, stated: "We've seen firsthand how our personalized learning approach and commitment to each student's success have transformed outcomes for our students. The 2023-2024 Smarter Balanced Assessments reflect not just the hard work of our students and teachers, but also the unique model that allows us to tailor education to individual needs and help every child reach their full potential." View the full report, "Game Changers: How Washington's Charter Public Schools Produce Exceptional Results for Students." For more information, please contact Maggie Meyers at [email protected]. About the Washington State Charter Schools Association The Washington Charter School Association is the non-profit organization advocating for high-impact, student-centered charter public schools in Washington State. Founded in 2013 following the approval of a ballot measure, we represent a network of 17 tuition-free, open-to-all, non-sectarian schools serving approximately 5,000 students. Our member schools enroll higher rates of students of color (65%) and students from low-income families (62%) than traditional public schools. About Excellent Schools Washington Excellent Schools Washington is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that every student has access to innovative, student-centered education options that drive academic success and long-term opportunities. Our mission is to accelerate the growth and sustainability of high-quality schools in the state of Washington that foster equitable access, innovation, and community-rooted choices for families and students who have been systemically underserved. We advocate for policies that promote equity and excellence in education, while providing resources and support to schools that demonstrate strong, measurable outcomes for students. By fostering a diverse ecosystem of public education choices, we empower families and communities to find the best fit for their children's educational needs. Contact: Maggie Meyers, 7242639826, [email protected] SOURCE Washington State Charter Schools Association LONDON, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- WatchMyCompetitor.com has unveiled a groundbreaking suite of virtual AI assistants designed to transform business operations across Marketing, Product, Strategy, and Sales departments. Leveraging WMC.Ai's extensive knowledge base, these 15 meticulously trained virtual assistants are set to redefine how organizations approach operational efficiency and strategic decision-making. Each assistant is purpose-built for specific roles, for example Events Coordinator, Promotions Assistant, Financial Analyst, and Innovation Advisor. This tailored approach enables deep, insightful analysis of both historical and current industry-specific market data, providing nuanced two-way conversations that empower teams with unprecedented intelligence. The assistants' core capability lies in their ability to not just analyze data, but to generate actionable assets. From marketing and sales collateral to presentations and strategic reports, these AI tools can expand on recommendations, creating resources that can be quickly reviewed and deployed by human teams. In an era of rapidly evolving AI technologies, WMC.Ai's virtual assistants offer a critical strategic advantage. They enable organizations to make more informed decisions and execute strategies with remarkable speed and precision. By combining powerful market intelligence with cutting-edge AI, these assistants dramatically compress research and creative processes that traditionally consumed days of human effort. Unlike competitors such as ChatGPT and Microsoft CoPilot, which often rely on unverified data sources, WMC.Ai distinguishes itself through a commitment to personalized and verified knowledge. This approach ensures clients receive accurate, relevant insights specifically tailored to their unique business requirements, mitigating the risks of inaccurate or generic information. Early client feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with users describing the assistants as "invaluable tools that enhance strategic analysis and operational efficiency." This AI evolution empowers organizations to simultaneously drive revenue growth and improve productivity, addressing two of the most critical challenges in today's competitive business landscape. WMC.Ai remains committed to continuous innovation, integrating user feedback into its development strategy. Upcoming enhancements will allow teams to incorporate their own data and documentation, further refining the virtual assistants' effectiveness in driving business success. As AI continues to reshape the business world, WatchMyCompetitor is positioning itself at the forefront of this technological revolution, offering intelligent, adaptable solutions that transform how companies gather intelligence, make decisions, and compete in an increasingly complex global marketplace. Media Contact: Daniel Bromley, [email protected] , Telephone: +44 020 3769 6913 About WatchMyCompetitor.com: A leading provider of competitive intelligence through its cloud-based platform, supporting global brands worldwide. Note to the editor: High-resolution images and logos are available upon request. Interviews with WatchMyCompetitor executives can be arranged upon request. For more information, please visit https://www.watchmycompetitor.com/AiAssistants Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2568809/WatchMyCompetitor_Logo.jpg SOURCE WatchMyCompetitor.com Ltd The company is investing in SaaS and data solutions to meet growing demand across new vertical markets. DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- WeatherFlow-Tempest (Tempest), a pioneering leader in weather technology and environmental monitoring solutions, is pleased to announce a successful growth financing round, raising $3 million from WindSail Capital Group . Tempest is rapidly expanding deployment of its weather station network, while increasing its set of decision tools available for business customers. To date, the company has deployed more than 80,000 stations, primarily in North America. The fundraise strengthens the company's position as it marks its 5th year in business and will accelerate Tempest weather station deployment while enabling further expansion of Tempest B2B SaaS and DaaS offerings. Tempest leverages optimized weather data to assist strategic partners in driving outdoor smart home innovation, helping users save water and energy while powering smart irrigation and energy solutions across the industry. They are also trusted partners in other business markets suited to its strengths, including utilities, news media, commercial real estate and others. "We are thrilled to have partnered with WindSail Capital for the next stage of our journey," said Buck Lyons, CEO and co-founder of WeatherFlow-Tempest. "Our capabilities in onsite weather monitoring and prediction capabilities are unparalleled, and we are investing to ensure we remain the business leaders. The combination of our Tempest Home and TempestOne Weather Stations, and our ability to deliver unique data via API and powerful tools, positions the business for sustained growth within several large markets. Most importantly, we have proven our ability to operate profitably while helping customers save energy and water and generally optimize outcomes that are affected by weather. It's now time to invest in rapid growth." Tempest's innovative suite of products, including the acclaimed Tempest Weather System for consumers and professionals, leverages advanced machine learning and artificial intelligence to deliver precise, real-time weather data and forecasting using its proprietary Nearcast technology. The Tempest Weather System is recognized for its user-friendly design, robust data collection, and seamless integration with smart home devices, making it a valuable tool for weather enthusiasts, homeowners and professionals alike. The Company has a suite of highly successful proprietary Lifestyle Apps generating subscription revenue from consumers. Now with critical mass in network coverage, Tempest is increasingly focused on its business offerings. "WindSail is excited to partner with the WeatherFlow-Tempest team as we see weather events continue to pose greater challenges for businesses and individuals alike," said Ian Bowles, Managing Director and co-founder of WindSail. "We believe Tempest's ability to accurately predict highly localized weather, through a decentralized and scalable solution with cutting edge hardware, modeling and software capabilities, will continue to set them apart from others in the market." About WeatherFlow-Tempest WeatherFlow-Tempest Inc. is a technology company leading the way in the private sector weather industry with a mission to help confront and mitigate the enormous cost of weather on business and daily life. Its exclusive data and AI-driven modeling delivers accurate, actionable weather information, resulting in better decision making and cost savings for customers. https://tempest.earth/ About WindSail Capital Group WindSail Capital Group is a Boston-based investment firm that provides growth capital to early-stage commercial businesses advancing energy and climate solutions. WindSail aligns with entrepreneurs to offer creative capital solutions that meet their specific needs while facilitating growth and minimizing dilution. https://www.windsailcapital.com SOURCE WeatherFlow-Tempest The five-year contract will support U.S. military branches throughout 30 countries in Europe. WIESBADEN, Germany, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District has selected the joint venture of Woolpert and Black & Veatch to provide architecture, engineering, master planning, and design services under a five-year, $94.5 million contract. The contract supports military installations and projects throughout 30 European countries. The contract, expected to be completed in September 2029, will include preparing installation and facility master plans for military infrastructure, preparing related concept designs, completing designs, and supporting documentation in support of military and other facilities. This is Woolpert and Black & Veatch's second-straight selection for this shared capacity, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract, which was previously awarded in 2019. "We look forward to continuing and furthering our relationship with USACE Europe by applying our expert, full spectrum of AE services and capabilities to support and enable vital U.S. defense and security capabilities and mission sets across Europe," Woolpert Vice President and Federal Market Director Doug Brown said. "This is a critical contract win and represents the continued trust that USACE Europe has put in our Woolpert-Black & Veatch team to complete high-profile and complex planning projects across the European theater," said Rick Kaiser, a retired U.S. Army major general who leads Black & Veatch's federal client segment and mission-critical solutions. "We look forward to continuing our partnership with USACE and its clients to solve the most challenging facility and infrastructure needs in support of the warfighter." About Woolpert Woolpert is the premier architecture, engineering, geospatial (AEG), and strategic consulting firm, with a vision to become one of the best companies in the world. We innovate within and across markets to effectively serve public, private, and government clients worldwide. Woolpert is a Top 100 ENR Global Design firm, has earned eight Great Place to Work certifications, and actively nurtures a culture of growth, inclusion, diversity, and respect. Founded in 1911 in Dayton, Ohio, Woolpert has been America's fastest-growing AEG firm since 2015. Woolpert has over 2,700 employees and more than 60 offices on five continents. For more, visit woolpert.com. About Black & Veatch Black & Veatch is a 100-percent employee-owned global engineering, procurement, consulting and construction company with a more than 100-year track record of innovation in sustainable infrastructure. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people around the world by addressing the resilience and reliability of our most important infrastructure assets. Follow us on www.bv.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram. Media Contact Lynn Rossi [email protected] 312-837-2017 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/463993/Woolpert_2023_Logo.jpg SAN DIEGO, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers or acquirers of Zeta Global Holdings Corp. (NYSE: ZETA) securities between February 27, 2024 and November 13, 2024, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), have until January 21, 2025 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the Zeta Global class action lawsuit. Captioned Davoodi v. Zeta Global Holdings Corp., No. 24-cv-08961 (S.D.N.Y.), the Zeta Global class action lawsuit charges Zeta Global as well as certain of Zeta Global's top executives with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the Zeta Global class action lawsuit, please provide your information here: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases-zeta-global-holdings-corp-class-action-lawsuit-zeta.html You can also contact attorneys J.C. Sanchez or Jennifer N. Caringal of Robbins Geller by calling 800/449-4900 or via e-mail at [email protected]. CASE ALLEGATIONS: Zeta Global is a marketing technology company. The Zeta Global class action lawsuit alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Zeta Global used two-way contracts to artificially inflate financial results; (ii) Zeta Global engaged in round trip transactions to artificially inflate financial results; (iii) Zeta Global utilized predatory consent farms to collect user data; and (iv) these consent farms have driven almost the entirety of Zeta Global's growth. The Zeta Global class action lawsuit further alleges that on November 13, 2024 Culper Research published a report entitled "Zeta Global Holdings Corp (ZETA): Shams, Scams, and Spam." On this news, the price of Zeta Global's stock fell by more than 37%. THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased or acquired Zeta Global securities during the Class Period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the Zeta Global class action lawsuit. A lead plaintiff is generally the movant with the greatest financial interest in the relief sought by the putative class who is also typical and adequate of the putative class. A lead plaintiff acts on behalf of all other class members in directing the Zeta Global class action lawsuit. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the Zeta Global class action lawsuit. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff of the Zeta Global class action lawsuit. ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is one of the world's leading law firms representing investors in securities fraud cases. Our Firm has been #1 in the ISS Securities Class Action Services rankings for six out of the last ten years for securing the most monetary relief for investors. We recovered $6.6 billion for investors in securities-related class action cases over $2.2 billion more than any other law firm in the last four years. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs' firms in the world and the Firm's attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest securities class action recovery ever $7.2 billion in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig. Please visit the following page for more information: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/services-litigation-securities-fraud.html Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices. Contact: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP J.C. Sanchez, Jennifer N. Caringal 655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101 800-449-4900 [email protected] SOURCE Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP NEW YORK, Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of securities of Zeta Global Holdings Corp. (NYSE: ZETA) between February 27, 2024 and November 13, 2024, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 21, 2025. So what: If you purchased Zeta securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. What to do next: To join the Zeta class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31333 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 21, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Zeta used two-way contracts to artificially inflate financial results; (2) Zeta engaged in round trip transactions to artificially inflate financial results; (3) Zeta utilized predatory consent farms to collect user data; (4) these consent farms have driven almost the entirety of Zeta's growth; and (5) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Zeta class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31333 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 [email protected] www.rosenlegal.com SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A. THE ARTISAN CURED MEAT COMPANY DONATES NITRITE-FREE MEATS TO REDWOOD EMPIRE FOOD BANK TO PROVIDE 48,000 MEALS PETALUMA, Calif., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Zoe's Meats gives thanks this year by giving back to the local community. Zoe's Meats, an artisan cured meat company dedicated to quality and health-conscious products, has generously donated over 12,000 pounds of nitrite-free, fully cooked turkey breasts, smoked hams, and bacon to the Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB). This donation includes more than 2,500 packages of bacon, which were distributed through the REFB marketplace for pickup. Additionally, the deli meats have been shared with over 40 community agency partners in Sonoma County, benefiting more than 3,500 families. This significant contribution will provide the protein portion for approximately 48,000 meals, with many REFB partners using these products to prepare nutritious and delicious meals for those in need. By offering nitrite-free options, Zoe's Meats ensures that recipients can enjoy healthier meats without compromising on taste or quality, aligning with the company's commitment to giving back to the community. "Our donation reflects our commitment to philanthropy and ensuring that everyone has access to high-quality, nutritious food," said George Gavros, Founder of Zoe's Meats. Post this "We are thrilled to support the Redwood Empire Food Bank and contribute to their incredible efforts in fighting hunger in our community," said George Gavros, Founder of Zoe's Meats. "Our donation reflects our commitment to philanthropy and ensuring that everyone has access to high-quality, nutritious food." The Redwood Empire Food Bank, the largest hunger-relief organization in the area, has distributed the donated meats to various programs and partner organizations, reaching thousands of individuals and families in need. This donation comes at a crucial time, as many households continue to face food insecurity. For more information about Zoe's Meats and their products, visit Zoe's Meats. To learn more about the Redwood Empire Food Bank and how you can support their mission, visit Redwood Empire Food Bank. SOURCE Zoe's Meats First it was two years, and then it got reduced by half. A longtime Charlottesville resident who pleaded guilty to stabbing a friend amid a gin-fueled argument recently got his sentence lowered so he could keep his job at a local hotel. Ricky Glenn Gatewood, 63, received the sentence reduction last month because the lower sentence was required to allow him to work while wearing an ankle monitor. This is the case where I learned for the first time that there is no work release at all, said presiding Judge Richard Moore. Sitting as a substitute in Charlottesville Circuit Court for an unusual pair of sentencing hearings, Moore and other court officials bemoaned the fact that work release is no longer offered by Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail. No work release? asked Moore at the first hearing. Its very frustrating, replied prosecutor Nina-Alice Antony. It severely limits our ability to let individuals like Mr. Gatewood get gainful employment. According to a magistrate, Gatewood, at the time of his arrest, had recently begun working at the Forum, a Kimpton-flagged hotel on University of Virginia Grounds. I dont want him to lose his job, said Gatewoods lawyer, Anthony Martin. I dont want him to lose his job either, replied Antony, the citys deputy commonwealths attorney. However, during that hearing on Oct. 22, the judge wrestled with the violence Gatewood perpetrated last year and ended up assigning a two-year sentence. Its a very light sentence for what you did, said the judge. Prior courtroom testimony showed that on March 28, 2023, Gatewood and a friend named Alvin Bruce were sharing a pint of gin in Bruces yard in the citys Venable neighborhood. An argument erupted, and Gatewood went to his house a block away and then reappeared wielding a knife. Last year at the preliminary hearing, there was a dramatic courtroom moment when Bruce lifted his shirt to reveal a series of abdominal scars, including one several inches long made by a surgeon, Bruce said, to fix internal damage that hospitalized him for several days. You kept arguing, and nobody backed down, said the judge. You stabbed someone for no good reason. Gatewoods lawyer attempted to steer the conversation to intoxicants. Alcohol is a demon for him, said Martin. And while its not a legal defense and never is, it is an explanation. Even the prosecutor didnt disagree. I do think this is a significant anomaly in Mr. Gatewoods life, said Antony. He has, since that time, made substantial changes. The lawyers said that, since pleading guilty to malicious wounding, Gatewood has abstained from alcohol, started regularly attending church and committed himself to his job. His last criminal convictions were two assaults more than two decades ago, one in 1995 and the other in 2004. I do not expect, Antony said, to see Mr. Gatewood back in this court. And yet one week later, on Oct. 29, Gatewood was back in court. But this time it was not for an infraction but rather a quest for a lower sentence. Instead of 10 years with eight years suspended, he sought 10 years with nine years suspended to provide a net active sentence of 12 months. In Virginia, an active sentence above 12 months puts the convict under the control of the state Department of Corrections, which could force Gatewood to remain behind bars and away from work or even sent out of Charlottesville for his two-year sentence. The prosecutor at the second hearing, Nick Kalagian, urged the judge to stick with his original sentence, but the judge sided with the defendant. Im going to modify your sentence, Moore told Gatewood, lowering the active term to 12 months. Its a little unusual, but thats what we have to do. The ruling allowed Gatewood to remain at Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail which makes extensive use of home electronic incarceration, according to the jails superintendent, Martin Kumer. Even though its called home electronic incarceration, the area where you can go can include your workplace, Kumer told The Daily Progress. Home electronic incarceration involves an ankle device and a tracking service relying on the satellite-based Global Positioning System, or GPS. The work release system, by contrast, relied on manpower. We would release them either to their employer or family who drove them to and from work, and they they would work in the community, and at the end of their shift, they would return promptly, back to the facility, said Kumer. Wed book them back in, put them back in the work release housing area, and they would be released the next morning to go to work. All those intakes and outtakes not only took time but also put people into physical contact with one another. So while home electronic incarceration has existed locally since the early 1990s, Kumer said its use was minimal until the pandemic struck in early 2020. Our numbers went from two or three before the pandemic to over 80 on a daily basis by May of that year, Kumer said. Even when the pandemic waned, Kumer said the benefits of home electronic incarceration convinced him to let it supplant work release. Logistically, both in terms of cost and man hours, home electronic incarceration is much more efficient, both for jail staff and cost to taxpayers, said Kumer. So theres really no need to have both programs going simultaneously. But as Gatewood learned, it may not work for those with a sentence above 12 months. As the judge lowered Gatewoods sentence, he reminded him to stay out of trouble for 10 years or risk an imposition of the nine years that were suspended. Dont do anything you regret, said Moore. No regrets at all, answered Gatewood. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here New Delhi, Dec 3 : President Droupadi Murmu will be on a five-day visit to Odisha starting from Tuesday where she will lay the foundation stones for three key railway projects and inaugurate several other important developments in the state. The President is expected to arrive in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday noon where she will unveil the new statue of Pandit Raghunath Murmu and visit Adim Owar Jarpa Jaher, according to a statement. On December 4, the President will head to Puri for darshan and pooja at the Jagannath Temple. She will also attend the 75th-anniversary celebrations of Gopabandhu Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya and witness the Navy Day celebration and operational demonstration at the Blue Flag Beach. This event, hosted by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff, will showcase the Indian Navy's operational demonstration, commemorating the anniversary of Operation Trident during the 1971 Indo-Pak War. President Murmu will witness a spectacular display of India's naval prowess on December 4, featuring over 15 ships and submarines, more than 40 aircraft, demonstrations by Marine Commandos (MARCOS) and Indian Army personnel, aerial manoeuvres by MiG-29K and Hawk fighter jets, combat exercises, submarine operations, amphibious landings and rocket firing from warships On December 5, the President will attend the 40th convocation of the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology in Bhubaneswar. and will also inaugurate the new Judicial Court Complex, the statement added. According to the statement, President Murmu will interact with students and villagers of Uparbeda on December 6. She will also engage with students and teachers of Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Rairangpur. She will pay homage to the statue of B.R. Ambedkar at AG Chhak in Bhubaneswar on his death anniversary and then proceed to Mayurbhanj via Kalaikunda Airport in West Bengal. President Murmu's visit will conclude on December 7, where she will lay foundation stones or inaugurate several projects, including Tribal Research and Development Centre, Rairangpur; Dandbose Airport, Rairangpur; and Sub-Divisional Hospital, Rairangpur. On the final day of her visit on December 7, the President will lay the foundation stones for three major railway line projects: Bangiriposi-Gorumahisani, Buramara-Chakulia, and Badampahar Kendujhargarh Rail Lines, according to the statement. Kolkata, Dec 3 : ISKCON on Monday claimed that Advocate Ramen Roy, who had defended Bangladesh's Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in a legal case there, was brutally attacked in the neighbouring country and is now fighting for his life in a hospital. According to ISKCON Kolkata spokesperson Radharaman Das, Roy's only "fault" was defending Chinmoy Krishna Das in court, and a group of Islamists ransacked his home. The attack left Roy critically injured, and he is currently in the ICU, fighting for his life, ISKCON Kolkata spokesperson claimed. "Please pray for Advocate Ramen Roy. His only 'fault' was defending Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in court. Islamists ransacked his home and brutally attacked him, leaving him in the ICU, fighting for his life. #SaveBangladeshiHindus #FreeChinmoyKrishnaPrabhu," he posted on X along with a picture of Roy in ICU. This comes as attacks on minorities in Bangladesh have increased under Muhammad Yunus, who has led the interim government after the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. However as reports of minorities being targeted in Bangladesh surfaced, India through multiple channels has urged the Bangladesh government to ensure the security of minorities. Speaking to a Bengali news channel, Das, also ISKCON Kolkata Vice-President, said, "This brutal attack on advocate Roy is a direct consequence of his legal defence of Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu. It reflects the growing danger faced by those who defend the rights of religious minorities in Bangladesh." Chinmoy Krishna Das, who served as a spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday while en route to Chattogram to attend a rally. He was denied bail and sent to jail on Tuesday by a court in the neighbouring country. Historically, Hindus made up around 22 per cent of Bangladesh's population during the 1971 Liberation War. The Hindu population, once a substantial demographic in Bangladesh, has experienced a significant decline in recent decades, with the minority community now comprising only around eight per cent of the country's total population. This drop is largely attributed to a combination of socio-political marginalisation, exodus, and sporadic violence over the years. Earlier on Monday, demonstrators allegedly broke into the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala to protest atrocities against minorities in the neighbouring country. The High Commission breach came after an Agartala-Kolkata bus traveling via Dhaka on Saturday reportedly faced an attack in the Brahmanbaria district of Bangladesh after being involved in an accident on Vishwa Road. The events also happen amid escalating tensions between India and Bangladesh, exacerbated by rising attacks on Hindus and their places of worship in Bangladesh following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier this year. The political instability in Bangladesh has coincided with a series of mob attacks, intensifying concerns for the safety of the Hindu minority community. Meanwhile, the External Affairs Ministry had said that the Indian government has taken the incidents of attacks on minorities seriously and communicated its concerns to Bangladesh authorities Washington, Dec 3 : US President-elect Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to terrorist group Hamas that the hostages taken by it be released from Gaza before his inauguration in January, or there will be "hell to pay" in the Middle East for those responsible. Writing on Truth Social, and without naming any militant group, Trump said in his post: "If the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity. Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!" About 250 hostages were captured in the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and about 100 of them remain in Gaza, with about a third believed to be dead, according to the Israeli authorities. The Biden administration has been working since last year with Israel and international mediators, including Qatar and Egypt, on a cease-fire deal that would include the release of the hostages. It was not clear what tactic Trump might take that has not already been taken already by Israel, which has killed many of Hamas's leaders and thousands of its fighters while leveling much of Gaza. It was not clear what tactic Mr. Trump might take that has not already been taken already by Israel, which has killed many of Hamasas leaders and thousands of its fighters, while leveling much of Gaza. Trump said in his post on Monday, "Itas all talk and no action" when it comes to the hostages, and his statement suggesting that he could use the power of his office to punish those who took the captives is the first sign of how aggressively Trump might handle Middle East policy when he resumes office. There was one brief pause in the fighting, more than a year ago, that led to the release of about 105 hostages. And efforts to broker a cease-fire deal appeared to stall last month after mediators met in Egypt. Some hostages have also been rescued in Israeli military operations. But there have been protests and widespread frustration in Israel over the lack of a deal to secure their freedom, with critics of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel saying that he has failed to prioritise their release over his political survival. This is not the first time that Trump has addressed the conflict in Gaza and the fate of the remaining hostages. He has told Netanyahu that he wants the war in the enclave to end before he returns to the White House. And at the Republican National Convention in July, he said that he wanted the hostages returned and that captors "will be paying a very big price". His latest warning came after Hamas released a propaganda video showing the American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, 20, pleading with Trump to secure his release. Riyadh, Dec 3 : At the 16th Conference of the Parties (CoP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, has articulated India's commitment and efforts to combat global challenges of land degradation and desertification. Riyadh, Dec 3 (IANS) At the 16th Conference of the Parties (CoP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, has articulated Indiaas commitment and efforts to combat global challenges of land degradation and desertification. His address on Monday highlighted India's transformative journey in combating land degradation, emphasising the need for sustainable development and innovative solutions. "Our journey represents a transformative narration of commitment, innovation, and sustainable development. From global recognition of land degradation as a critical environmental challenge at CoP 5 to emphasising community-driven land restoration at CoP 10, and thereafter the recognition of land restoration as a critical climate change strategy at CoP 14, to the global commitment to restore degraded lands at CoP 15, we have all been equal partners in this journey," he said. Union Minister Yadav pointed to the link between desertification and poverty, stating that India recognised land degradation as a socio-economic issue and recalled India's presidency at CoP 14, during which the country committed to restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. "Recognising the inextricable link between desertification and poverty during CoP at Geneva, India too realised that land degradation was not just an environmental issue but a critical socio-economic challenge." "It was during India's presidency at COP 14, under the dynamic and inspiring leadership of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that it became a pivotal moment in our journey where we proudly presented our commitment to restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 and announced the setting up of a Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Land Management in India to promote a scientific approach towards land degradation issues and to help share India's expertise with other countries," he said. Union Minister Yadav expressed pride in India maintaining its track record of delivering on its promises and mentioned that the Centre of Excellence had already been established, taking several initiatives for capacity building, formulation, and implementation of technology-based strategies for the restoration of degraded lands. The Minister also noted that at the CoP 15 in Abidjan, India emphasised the role of land restoration as a strategy for job creation and climate change adaptation and that India also supported the G-20's goal to plant one trillion trees by 2030, thereby creating carbon sinks. Underscoring how strong leadership translates into strong nations committed to proactive actions, Union Minister Yadav informed that India had transitioned from reactive drought responses to proactive, sustainable strategies centered on preparedness and prevention. "Our institutions, like the Indian Space Research Organisation and National Remote Sensing Centre, provide drought vulnerability assessments, real-time monitoring, and early warnings, enabling informed decision-making. Our robust space programme provides a platform for other countries to benefit in their own efforts to counter drought," he said. Union Minister Yadav continued by stating that India understands the importance of land, water, rainfall, and the effects of climate change on agriculture and livelihoods. He highlighted several programs initiated to enhance resilience and recovery. He added that soil health cards had been issued to farmers, enabling them to engage in sustainable agricultural practices and improve and sustain soil health. Priority has also been given to organic farming, he said. He said that by addressing challenges such as food security and climate change, India had been creating green jobs and enhancing rural prosperity while building drought resilience. Union Minister Yadav concluded by pledging to restore degraded lands, enhance livelihoods, protect fragile ecosystems, and align actions with the Sustainable Development Goals. He also held a bilateral meeting with the Ministers of Saudi Arabia and Kenya on the sidelines of CoP 16, where matters related to sustainable development and other mutual interests were discussed. Washington, Dec 3 : US President-elect Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to terrorist group Hamas that the hostages taken by it be released from Gaza before his inauguration in January, or there will be "hell to pay" in the Middle East for those responsible. Writing on Truth Social, and without naming any militant group, Trump said on Monday in his post: "If the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity. Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!" About 250 hostages were captured in the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and about 100 of them remain in Gaza, with about a third believed to be dead, according to the Israeli authorities. The Biden administration has been working since last year with Israel and international mediators, including Qatar and Egypt, on a cease-fire deal that would include the release of the hostages. It was not clear what tactic Trump might take that has not already been taken already by Israel, which has killed many of Hamas's leaders and thousands of its fighters while leveling much of Gaza. It was not clear what tactic Mr. Trump might take that has not already been taken already by Israel, which has killed many of Hamasas leaders and thousands of its fighters, while leveling much of Gaza. Trump said in his post on Monday, "Itas all talk and no action" when it comes to the hostages, and his statement suggesting that he could use the power of his office to punish those who took the captives is the first sign of how aggressively Trump might handle Middle East policy when he resumes office. There was one brief pause in the fighting, more than a year ago, that led to the release of about 105 hostages. And efforts to broker a cease-fire deal appeared to stall last month after mediators met in Egypt. Some hostages have also been rescued in Israeli military operations. But there have been protests and widespread frustration in Israel over the lack of a deal to secure their freedom, with critics of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel saying that he has failed to prioritise their release over his political survival. This is not the first time that Trump has addressed the conflict in Gaza and the fate of the remaining hostages. He has told Netanyahu that he wants the war in the enclave to end before he returns to the White House. And at the Republican National Convention in July, he said that he wanted the hostages returned and that captors "will be paying a very big price". His latest warning came after Hamas released a propaganda video showing the American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, 20, pleading with Trump to secure his release. Kyiv, Dec 3 : Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met here to discuss military and diplomatic support for Kyiv in the coming months, Zelensky's press service said. The talks focused on bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and Germany and collaboration with other partners, according to a statement on Monday on the presidential website, Xinhua news agency reported. Zelensky expressed gratitude to Scholz for Germany's continued military support, including the provision of Patriot and IRIS-T air defence systems, as well as Gepard anti-aircraft guns. Zelensky also welcomed Germany's latest military aid package worth 650 million euros (about $683 million), which is set to be delivered this month. For his part, Scholz noted that Germany's military assistance to Kyiv since the start of the full-scale Russia-Ukraine war has reached 28 billion euros (about $29.4 billion). "In 2025, we will continue to deliver air defence systems, howitzers, and combat and reconnaissance drones. Additionally, six armed Sea King helicopters," he said. Scholz arrived in Kyiv earlier on Monday for his first bilateral visit to Ukraine since the war began. Previously, he visited Kyiv in the summer of 2022 as a part of a joint delegation with leaders from France, Romania, and Italy. Gaza/Jerusalem, Dec 3 : Hamas has announced that 33 Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip have been killed, with some others still missing, due to Israeli military operations. A video posted on Monday by Hamas included footage of past Israeli attacks on areas in Gaza where Israeli hostages were held, resulting in their deaths, as well as messages from some hostages, Xinhua news agency reported. Hamas warned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "obstinacy and continued aggression are increasing the death toll of enemy prisoners," emphasising that if the "crazy war" continues, "you may lose your prisoners forever. Act before it's too late." This video from Hamas came two days after the Al-Qassam Brigades, its military wing, released a video on Saturday showing an Israeli prisoner with US citizenship being held in Gaza. Edan Alexander, who paused multiple times due to his emotional distress, said he had been held captive for more than 420 days and urged the Israeli government and US President-elect Donald Trump to secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza. Separately, the Israeli army announced on Monday that an Israeli-American soldier, previously believed to be held hostage in Gaza, is now presumed dead. In a statement, the army identified the soldier as Captain Omer Maxim Neutra, 21, and said he was killed during Hamas' surprise attack on October 7, 2023. It added that his body is being held by Hamas in Gaza. Born in New York, Neutra enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces and served as a tank platoon commander in the 77th Battalion, according to the army. Israel has been conducting a large-scale offensive against Hamas in Gaza to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and around 250 taken hostage. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 44,466, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Monday. More than 3,700 Palestinians have been killed or went missing since Israel intensified military operations in northern Gaza on October 5, according to the media office of the Hamas-run Gaza government. Damascus, Dec 3 : Syrian air defence systems intercepted multiple drones over the city of Homs, triggering explosions heard across the area, local reports said. The explosions on Monday evening were caused by anti-aircraft defences targeting several unmanned aerial vehicles in the skies above Homs, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting pro-government news outlet Al-Watan Online. The Syrian government frequently blames such drone and missile attacks on opposition forces or extremist groups operating within the country. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage resulting from the interceptions. The incident comes as fighting intensifies in northern Syria, where rebel factions have launched large-scale attacks on government-held areas. The Syrian army is engaged in heavy clashes in the northern countryside of Hama, attempting to repel rebel advances. Homs, Syria's third-largest city, has remained under government control since 2014, following a series of truces and evacuations of rebel-held districts. New York, Dec 3 : Parts of the Great Lakes region in the United States saw new snow and faced the prospect of even more this week after American travellers battled harsh weather to get home after Thanksgiving, forecasters said. Snow showers fell in western Michigan overnight, and heavier, persistent snow of up to a foot (30 centimetres) was expected to follow on Monday, according to the US National Weather Service. More snow is expected on Wednesday and Thursday, along with gusty winds and freezing temperatures, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting The Associated Press. Nearly 4 feet (1.2 metres) of lake-effect snow -- caused by warm, moist air blowing across the Great Lakes -- fell over the weekend on upstate New York and parts of Pennsylvania and Michigan. A blast of Arctic air last week brought bitter temperatures of 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 12 to minus 6 Celsius) below average to the northern Plains, said the weather service. The frigid air was expected to move over the eastern third of the United States by Monday. In particular, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed a disaster emergency proclamation on Saturday and said parts of Erie County in the northwest received nearly 2 feet (61 centimetres) of snow. City Hall will be closed to the public on Monday and Tuesday. In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul issued a state of emergency on Friday for nearly a dozen counties in the state due to several feet of lake effect snow predicted to fall through Monday evening. New Delhi, Dec 3 : After a week-long standoff between the government and the Opposition ended in an agreement, both Houses of Parliament will resume functioning in the ongoing Winter Session on Tuesday. The floor leaders of all parties convened by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met on Monday and all agreed for a special discussion on the Constitution during the session. The government agreed to allow certain issues like the situation in Bangladesh and violence in Sambhal to be raised during Zero Hour. As per the Business List of the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will move The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 to amend the Reserve Bank of India Act,1934, the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the State Bank of India Act, 1955, the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1970 and the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of undertakings) Act, 1980. The Bill will be tabled for consideration and passage. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will move The Railways(Amendment) Bill, 2024 to amend the Railways Act, 1989. The Bill will be tabled for consideration and passing. The members of the Standing Committee on External Affairs, Shashi Tharoor and Ravi Shankar Prasad will present the following Reports: "(1) First Report on Action Taken by the Government on the observations/recommendations contained in the Twenty-sixth Report of the Standing Committee on External Affairs (17th LokSabha) on the subject aIndia and Gulf Cooperation Council(GCC) - Contours of Cooperationa. (2) Second Report on Action Taken by the Government on the observations/recommendations contained in the Twenty-seventh Report of the Standing Committee on External Affairs (17th Lok Sabha) on the subject aIndiaas Engagement with G20 Countriesa. (3) Third Report on Action Taken by the Government on the observations/recommendations contained in the Twenty-eighth Report of the Standing Committee on External Affairs (17th LokSabha) on the subject aCountering Global Terrorism at Regional and International Levels." Members Ashok Kumat and Malvika Devi will make statements on behalf of the Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. They will lay the Final Action TakenStatements:- "(1) Thirty-third Report on Action Taken by the Government on the observations/ recommendations contained in theTwenty-seventh Report on the subject aBIS-Hallmarking & Jewellerya pertaining to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (Department of Consumer Affairs). (2) Thirty-fourth Report on Action Taken by the Government on the observations/recommendations contained in the Twenty-eighth Report on the subject aPradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan AnnaYojana (PMGKAY)a pertaining to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (Department of Food andPublic Distribution. (3) Thirty-fifth Report on Action Taken by the Government on the observations/recommendations contained in the Thirty-first Report on the subject aCoarse Grains Production andDistributiona pertaining to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (Department of Food and PublicDistribution." Union Minister Pabitra Margherita will make statements regarding the reports of the Standing Committee on the Labour, Textiles and Skill Development on aDevelopment and Promotion of Jute Industrya pertaining to the Ministry of Textiles In the Rajya Sabha, members of the Standing Committee on External Affairs will lay various reports. Minister Anupriya Patel will make a statement regarding the implementation status of recommendations contained in the 138th Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and FamilyWelfare on aMedical Devices: Regulation and Controla. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri will move The Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024 Bill further to amend the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948, and be taken into consideration for passage. Mumbai, Dec 3 : As Indian actress Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas celebrate six years of marital bliss, their daughter Malti Marie got a "special treat" on the happy occasion. Mumbai, Dec 3 (IANS) As Indian actress Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas celebrate six years of marital bliss, their daughter Malti Marie got a "special treat" on the happy occasion. Priyanka took to Instagram on Tuesday and shared that they watched their daughter Malti' 'favourite' Moana 2 in New York. The actress also shared a slew of pictures. The photograph had Priyanka posing in a bathroom and clicking a selfie. The next was a table laden with chocolates next to a paper bag and a poster of Moana. Another image showed a stack of pizzas kept on the table. Without showing her daughter's face, Priyanka shared a photo, which she clicked from the back from the movie screening. For the caption, she wrote: "What a special treat on our anniversary. Maltis favorite Moana with our friends and family. Moana 2 is so much fun!! Thank you @disney @disneyanimation for the amazing screening. all the kids had the best time. In theaters now @nickjonas." It was in December 2018, when Priyanka and Nick got married in a Christian and Hindu ceremony at the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur. The couple in 2022 announced that they welcomed daughter Malti Marie via surrogacy. Talking about the film, the first installment of "Moana" released in 2016, is an American animated musical fantasy adventure film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The film was directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, and is based on a story conceived by Clements, Musker, Williams, Hall, Pamela Ribon, and the writing team of Aaron Kandell and Jordan Kandell. The film also stars Aulii Cravalho in her film debut as the voice of the eponymous character and also features the ensemble voices of Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Jemaine Clement, Nicole Scherzinger, and Alan Tudyk. The film is set in ancient Polynesia and tells the story of Moana, the strong-willed daughter of a chief of a coastal village, who is chosen by the ocean itself to reunite a mystical relic with the goddess Te Fiti. When a blight strikes her island, Moana sets sail in search of Maui, a legendary demigod, in hopes of returning the relic to Te Fiti and saving her people. The plot is original, but takes inspiration from Polynesian myths. The second installment picks up where the first film left off, Moana returns home from a three-day journey, only to discover a mysterious object that holds the key to an ancient island with "angry gods." New Delhi, Dec 3 : As Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan clocks nine years on Tuesday, Modi Archive shared a heartwarming incident of the differently abled Diya Gosai and her offering to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi Archive narrates the life journey of PM Narendra Modi through archival pictures, videos, audio recordings, letters, newspaper clips & such other material. In its video post on X, 20-year-old Diya Gosai's eyes widened as she saw an emblem on the envelope -- it was a letter from the Prime Minister's Office. As she read the letter, she was overwhelmed with emotions. "It was an indescribable joy to receive the beautiful picture gift from you during the Vadodara roadshow," the letter from the Prime Minister began. In the video, Diya takes one back to Vadodara on October 28. Among the crowd, with her heart pounding, she had held her sketches -- one of PM Modi and the other of Spanish PM Sanchez -- hoping they would notice. And they did. Both leaders stepped out of the vehicle and walked toward her to receive her sketches. The Prime Minister had expressed hope that she would continue contributing to fine arts with the same dedication and diligence. He even extended his warm wishes to her family for Diwali and the Vikram Samvat New Year. Diya's heart swelled with pride as she read his words of encouragement. "I am confident that our youth will play a leading role in building a Viksit Bharat," wrote PM Modi for Diya. "I feel immense pride in being a small contributor, a humble part of our nation's journey," she said, her voice filled with joy and emotion. The post ended with "#9YearsOfSugamyaBharat." Accessible India Campaign or Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan is a programme to serve the differently abled community of India. This flagship programme comes with an index to measure the design of disabled-friendly buildings and human resource policies. This initiative was launched by the Prime Minister on December 3, 2015, on the occasion of International Day of People with Disabilities. New Delhi, Dec 3 : India offers a whopping Rs 4.5 lakh crore worth of prime office stock for real estate investment trusts (REITs) to transform the commercial real estate investment landscape, according to a report on Tuesday. India's REIT market is currently at a nascent stage compared to major global economies with only four listed REITs, covering an area of 125 million square feet across the retail and office markets. According to a Vestian report, 60 per cent of India's total Grade-A office space qualifies as REIT-worthy. Gradually, REITs are becoming popular among foreign and domestic investors owing to attractive returns in the form of dividends. Since their inception, REITs have distributed Rs 16,800 crore, more in dividends compared to the entire Nifty Realty Index. Despite producing better returns compared to the Nifty Realty Index, the market capitalisation of REITs remains relatively low. Among India's top seven cities, Bengaluru leads the pack with 33 per cent share of the total REIT-worthy stock. It is followed by Hyderabad and NCR with 21 per cent and 15 per cent shares, respectively. While Mumbai and Pune together account for 21 per cent of India's REIT-worthy stock, Chennai holds 10 per cent and Kolkata contributes a mere 1 per cent. "Nearly 67 per cent of the total REIT-worthy stock in India is green-certified, highlighting the increasing focus on sustainability among Grade-A developers," said the report. Hyderabad boasts the highest proportion of REIT-worthy stock, accounting for approximately 74 per cent of the city's total office inventory. The future of REITs in India looks promising with mutual funds and corporations gradually increasing their stakes in REITs, said the report. Embassy REIT, Mindspace REIT, Brookfield India REIT, and Nexus Select Trust REIT generated returns of 24 per cent, 18 per cent, 6 per cent and 39 per cent, respectively since their inception. On the other hand, BSE Realty Index has provided higher returns (317 per cent in the past 66 months) compared to REITs. "However, favourable regulatory environment, better returns on investment, and a rapidly expanding office market are likely to provide impetus to the REITs market in India," the report mentioned. Mumbai, Dec 3 : 'Rockstar' actress Nargis Fakhri's sister Aliya Fakhri has been arrested for murdering her former 35-year-old -boyfriend Edward Jacobs, and his friend Anastasia Ettienne, according to media reports. As per the Queens District Attorney of New York, Aliya, 43, at 6.20 AM reached the garage, where Jacobs and Ettienne were sleeping. She shouted out loud "You're all going to die today," before setting fire to the two-story garage. According to reports, Ettienne, who was alerted by the fire, ran downstairs to check before going back up to wake Jacobs. The fire covered the building and the two weren't couldn't escape and died of smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. As per media reports, Jacobs had broken up with Aliya around a year ago, but she still attempted to pursue him. The New York Post quoted Jacobs' mother, "Like any other person that is being rejected, he was letting her know like 'I'm done with you." Nargis is yet to make a comment on the incident. The actress' mother, however, denied the claims, saying: "I don't think she would be killing someone. She was a person who was caring for everybody. She tried to help everybody," according to multiple news outlets. Nargis' sister faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted and has to return to court on December 9. Nargis came to prominence in India with the 2011 romantic drama film "Rockstar" starring Ranbir Kapoor. She subsequently played a war correspondent in the political thriller Madras Cafe, "Main Tera Hero", "Dishoom", "Azhar", "Banjo" and "Housefull 3". She will next be seen in "Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1 Sword vs Spirit", an upcoming Indian Telugu-language historical action adventure film directed by Krish Jagarlamudi and A. M. Jyothi Krishna. Set in the 17th century Mughal Empire, the film depicts the life of legendary outlaw Veera Mallu, played by Pawan Kalyan.It also stars Bobby Deol, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Nora Fatehi. She will also be seen in the fifth installment of the "Housefull" franchise, starring Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty and Jackie Shroff to name a few. Kolkata, Dec 3 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials were conducting raids at multiple locations in West Bengal in connection with irregularities in the medical admissions under the non-resident Indian (NRI) quota. The raids and search operations were concentrated in multiple locations in Salt Lake. At the same time, simultaneous raid and search operations were taking place at Haldia in East Midnapore district, Durgapur in West Burdwan, Budge Budge in South Parganas and Birbhum among others. Each raiding team was escorted by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel. Sources said irregularities or crores of rupees in medical admissions mainly occurred in some private medical colleges operating from the state. The sources said in Haldia, the raid and search operations were being conducted at the residence of the former CPI(M) Lok Sabha member from Tamluk Lakshman Seth, who runs an NGO operating private medical and dental colleges at Haldia. At Birbhum, the private medical college where the ED raid and search operations were going on was owned by businessman Malay Pith, whose name first surfaced in the multi-crore cattle smuggling case. Eight private medical colleges operating out of West Bengal were under the ED scanner. The sources said that the ED started the investigation based on a complaint filed by the Electronic Complex Police Station under Bidhannagar City Police. The irregularities in medical admissions under the NRI quota were first highlighted by the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari in September. Suvendu Adhikari alleged that many such admissions involved the production of fake certificates against hefty cash transactions. He also accused some senior officials attached to the State Health Department of being involved in the irregularities. New Delhi, Dec 3 : Sushant Sareen, Senior Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and foreign policy expert, criticised US President Joe Biden's unexpected decision to issue a pardon for his eldest son, Hunter Biden, and slammed the US Department of Justice (DOJ) for "politically motivated actions". Biden's pardon of Hunter, who was convicted of gun crimes and tax violations, has sparked widespread reactions and criticism from Indian experts. This has raised concerns regarding the independence of the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and its indictment against the Adani Group. Biden's decision, viewed as a significant "U-turn" from his earlier stance, has reignited debates on the impartiality of the US justice system. Previously, Biden had vowed not to use his presidential powers to intervene in his son's legal troubles, asserting his commitment to the rule of law. However, the President defended his recent move, claiming that the case against Hunter was politically motivated and intended to "break" him and his family. The pardon has drawn criticism from multiple quarters, with President-elect Donald Trump describing it as a "miscarriage of justice". Sareen highlighted the unprecedented nature of Biden's decision, suggesting it could be the first instance of a US President pardoning a family member. "There are two or three aspects to this. First, in the United States, we have often seen that as a President's term comes to an end, they use their power to grant general pardons in specific cases, with no checks or balances," he said. "Previous presidents have pardoned many individuals, including those involved in tax-related or other cases who were not even present in the US. Despite being outside the country for years, they were still pardoned. But in the case of Biden's son, this is perhaps the first time a president has extended such a pardon to a family member," Sareen told IANS. Sareen also contrasted Biden's actions with the treatment of Donald Trump, arguing that the former US President faced far greater scrutiny and legal challenges. He slammed the US DOJ for what he described as "politically motivated actions," citing the example of Indian industrialist Gautam Adani. "This shows how the US DOJ is used to make baseless accusations. A similar accusation was made against Gautam Adani. If you examine the charge sheet and how the case was built, it's astonishing. The US, which calls itself a superpower, has fabricated a case so weak that it wouldn't stand in a country like Pakistan," Sareen said. According to Sareen, the motivations behind such actions are geopolitical. "The reason for this is that they view Adani as a significant obstacle to their global philosophy. They believe that if they can bring down Adani, they can also weaken the Indian government. This is particularly true given that Left-wing, ultra-liberal, or far-Left factions in the US are opposed to any support for Hinduism or India's current government," he added. Sareen further pointed to the alleged involvement of international networks in efforts to destabilise India. "There is also the involvement of the so-called Soros network. We've seen a famous video where George Soros himself stated that if they bring down Adani, they can also target the Modi government, aiming to create a rift between the US and Indian governments," he said. The pardon has raised significant concerns about the impartiality of the US justice system, with critics arguing that such actions undermine the credibility of America as a global advocate for democracy and the rule of law. Experts suggest this controversy may also have implications for US-India relations, particularly given the perceived targeting of Indian business and political figures. Mumbai, Dec 3 : The American pop rock band Maroon 5 has arrived in India ahead of their debut concert in Mumbai. The members of the band were seen waving at the paparazzi stationed at Terminal 2 of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. The bandas frontman Adam Levine also recorded the Indian paparazzi on his phone. He was dressed in a casual white hoodie, and waved to fans and the paps before flashing a thumbs-up and heading toward their vehicle. In the videos captured by paparazzi stationed outside the airport, the group members were seen exiting the airport and getting inside their cars. The band, which comprises of Adam Levine on vocals, Jesse Carmichael on the keyboard, James Valentine on guitar, Matt Flynn on drums, PJ Morton on keyboard, and Sam Farrar on bass, is set to perform in the maximum city on Tuesday at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse, a venue which is the go to destination for international music festivals and artistes. The band is known for hit tracks such as aMoves Like Jaggera, aSugara, aGirls Like Youa, aAnimalsa and aPayphonea. The band was originally formed in 1994 with the name Kara's Flowers. Original members included Adam Levine, Jesse Carmichael, bassist Mickey Madden, and drummer Ryan Dusick. The band rebranded itself in 2001 as Maroon 5, and added their lead guitarist James Valentine. The band has evolved into a pop-rock powerhouse. Their debut album, 'Songs About Jane', won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2005. Maroon 5's unique style combines catchy songwriting, clever lyricism, and adventurous creativity, redefining the modern American band. Addis Ababa, Dec 3 : The United Nations has called for concerted efforts to provide enhanced healthcare services for displaced people living with HIV in Ethiopia. In a statement issued on Monday in connection with World AIDS Day, which is marked each year on December 1, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) said that Ethiopia faces a triple crisis of conflict, climate change, and displacement that impedes the capacity to provide essential health and other humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people in need, including those living with HIV. The UN agency, citing a recent joint mission in camps housing internally displaced persons (IDPs) in two regions of Ethiopia hardest hit by humanitarian crises and grappling with rising HIV rates, said among the most pressing gaps is the lack of comprehensive healthcare, particularly for people living with HIV, reports Xinhua news agency. It said in humanitarian crises, critical services for HIV and sexual and reproductive health are often sidelined, overshadowed by the urgent need for food, shelter and disease control. "Healthcare is restricted to primary services. Care for chronic conditions, such as HIV, is referred to government hospitals. This means that all patients, IDP or not, must pay for transportation as well as services and purchase vital medical supplies on their own -- an impossible burden for many," it said. The UNAIDS said as international organisations step up their efforts to address HIV in humanitarian settings, there is a coordinated push in Ethiopia to ensure that the health needs of people living with HIV are met, including people in the most challenging circumstances. "Ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is within reach, but only if global leaders commit to dismantling barriers to healthcare and upholding human rights," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a message on World AIDS Day. The recent spate of attacks on religious minorities, their temples including ISKCON and other Sufi Shrines in Bangladesh has unveiled a growing crisis that threatens the country's religious harmony and the broader stability of South Asia. The systematic targeting of Hindu & Buddhist temples along with Sufis by radical Islamist groups reveals a coordinated effort to dismantle Bangladesh's pluralistic foundations. The recent spate of attacks on religious minorities, their temples including ISKCON and other Sufi Shrines in Bangladesh has unveiled a growing crisis that threatens the countryas religious harmony and the broader stability of South Asia. The systematic targeting of Hindu & Buddhist temples along with Sufis by radical Islamist groups reveals a coordinated effort to dismantle Bangladeshas pluralistic foundations. More than 50 shrines, including the revered Murshidpur Piras shrine in Sherpur, have been desecrated, looted, or destroyed, with the brutality of these attacks escalating alarmingly. The Murshidpur incident, where valuables were stolen, the shrine was set ablaze, and an innocent individual was killed, exemplifies this violent extremism. The silence of the Bangladeshi interim government, under the Yunus Khan administration, amplifies the severity of the situation. What makes these attacks particularly disturbing is their broader cultural and historical implications. Bangladeshas shrine culture has been a hallmark of peaceful coexistence, bringing together people of different faiths under the banner of Sufismas humanistic values of peace, tolerance, and unity. By attacking these shrines, extremist groups are not just targeting places of worship; they are assaulting the very fabric of a centuries-old tradition that has resisted religious exclusivism. The inclusion of Hindu temples especially ISKCON in this wave of destruction underscores the deliberate nature of these attacks, designed to sow fear, chaos, and division among Bangladeshas diverse communities. While the gravity of these crimes demands swift and decisive action, the governmentas response has been weak at best and complicit at worst. Instead of apprehending and prosecuting the perpetrators, the government has chosen the path of dialogue with extremist factions. This approach not only emboldens these groups but also signals that such acts of violence can occur with impunity. The failure to uphold justice is rapidly eroding trust in the stateas ability to protect its citizens, particularly religious minorities. The international communityas selective activism further complicates the situation. Western human rights organizations and governments have demonstrated a glaring double standard in their responses to human rights abuses. While atrocities in politically convenient regions like China and Russia garner widespread condemnation and mobilization, the plight of minorities in South Asia often goes unnoticed. For example, global campaigns for Uyghur Muslims in China stand in stark contrast to the near silence surrounding the abduction of Baloch women in Pakistan or the harassment of Hindu girls in Sindh. The selective outrage not only undermines the credibility of these organizations but also leaves vulnerable communities without critical international support. The situation in Bangladesh bears an unsettling resemblance to Pakistanas historical trajectory. Born out of fake promises of secularism, Pakistan succumbed to religious radicalization, particularly during the Zia-ul-Haq era, when political Islam became a tool for consolidating power. The systemic marginalization of minorities in Pakistan, from the persecution of Ahmadis to the abductions and forced conversions of Hindu and Christian girls, has eroded its social fabric and turned the country into a cautionary tale of religious intolerance. Bangladesh, once a beacon of secularism post-1971, is now teetering on a similar precipice. The parallels are striking. The rise of groups like Hefazat-e-Islam in Bangladesh mirrors the ascendancy of Islamist movements in Pakistan. These groups have gained significant influence over the years, pressuring the government to adopt policies that cater to their radical agendas. The recent murder of Saiful Islam Alif, a lawyer in Chattogram, during violent clashes related to the prosecution of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a former ISKCON priest, exemplifies the growing climate of impunity for extremists. The violent demonstrations, property damage, and injuries to lawyers during this incident signal a worrying trend of mob justice, where radical groups dictate the terms of public discourse through violence. This growing instability poses a severe threat to regional stability. India, which shares deep cultural and historical ties with Bangladesh, has expressed concern over the rising violence against minorities. Such incidents strain bilateral relations and have the potential to escalate into broader regional tensions. Indiaas involvement is not merely a matter of proximity; it reflects a genuine apprehension about the erosion of Bangladeshas secular ethos and the implications for South Asiaas geopolitical dynamics. The implications of Bangladeshas crisis extend beyond its borders. A destabilized Bangladesh could become a fertile ground for transnational extremist networks, further complicating South Asiaas already fragile security landscape. The Rohingya refugee crisis, which has placed immense strain on Bangladeshas resources, could exacerbate tensions as extremist groups exploit vulnerable populations for recruitment. Additionally, the spillover effects of radicalization could embolden similar factions in neighboring countries, undermining efforts to promote pluralism and tolerance across the region. The failure of Bangladeshas interim government to address this crisis reflects a broader pattern of state complicity or indifference in South Asia. Pakistanas trajectory offers a stark warning. The stateas early accommodation of Islamist factions eventually spiraled into a full-blown crisis, where these groups not only dictated domestic policies but also influenced foreign relations. Bangladesh risks following this path, where short-term political gains outweigh the long-term costs of religious radicalization. The role of external forces cannot be ignored. Both Pakistan and Bangladesh have experienced the influence of transnational Islamist ideologies, often funded and supported by actors in the Middle East. The export of Wahhabi and Salafi ideologies has undermined the regionas syncretic traditions, replacing them with rigid interpretations of Islam that leave little room for diversity. In Bangladesh, this influence is evident in the attacks on Sufi shrines, which have historically been bastions of inclusive spiritual practices. The international community must recognize the urgency of this crisis. While it is easy to dismiss these developments as internal matters, their implications are far-reaching. A radicalized Bangladesh threatens not only its minorities but also the stability of South Asia as a whole. The selective activism of Western human rights organizations must give way to a more consistent and principled approach that addresses all forms of religious persecution, regardless of geographic or political considerations. Bangladeshas journey toward secularism is at a critical juncture. The countryas leadership must take decisive action to prevent further violence and restore public confidence in the stateas commitment to justice and equality. This requires more than mere rhetoric; it demands structural reforms, robust law enforcement, and a zero-tolerance policy toward extremism. Civil society, too, has a crucial role to play in resisting the encroachment of radical ideologies and promoting the values of pluralism and coexistence. The attacks on ISKCON temples and places of other religious minorities and shrines are not isolated incidents; they are a symptom of a deeper malaise that threatens to unravel the social fabric of Bangladesh. If left unchecked, this pogrom could plunge the country into a cycle of violence and instability, mirroring Pakistanas descent into religious intolerance. The international community, regional actors, and Bangladeshas own leadership must act decisively to prevent this outcome. The stakes are too high for complacency. Bangladeshas future as a secular, pluralistic nationa"and the stability of South Asiaa"hangs in the balance. (The writer is a doctoral candidate at Nelson Mandela Centre for Peace & Conflicts, Jamia Millia Islamia, focussing on Iranian nuclear policy and associated issues. With proficiency in Urdu and Arabic, she regularly monitors Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Arab region) Chennai, Dec 3 : The Sri Lankan Navy arrested 18 fishermen from Tamil Nadu on Tuesday for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) while fishing near Neduntheevu. According to Tamil Nadu Coastal Police, the Sri Lankan authorities accused the fishermen of entering Sri Lankan waters and engaging in illegal fishing activities. The arrested fishermen, aboard two fishing boats, were taken to the Kangesan Naval Base for further investigation. The recurring arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen have caused significant distress among the fishing community. There are growing calls for the Central and state governments to take action to prevent such incidents. Since June 16, the Sri Lankan Navy has reportedly arrested 425 Tamil Nadu fishermen and seized 58 boats. Many of these fishermen remain detained in Sri Lankan jails. During a recent visit to Sri Lanka, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar raised the issue of these arrests, urging the neighbouring country to take measures to prevent further detentions and boat seizures. Despite these discussions, the arrests have continued unabated, prompting fishermen's associations in Tamil Nadu to plan large-scale protests across the coastal districts. A. Thajudhin, General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Meenavar Peravai, told IANS that fishermen's associations were organising widespread protests in response to the ongoing arrests. "The livelihood of our fishermen was under threat. Thousands of families relying on fishing and related activities were facing severe hardship. A sense of fear has already gripped fishermen and their families about venturing into the sea," he said. Thajudhin also highlighted that the Sri Lankan government was planning to nationalise mechanised fishing boats seized from Tamil Nadu fishermen in mid-sea. "This action will devastate the industry, as many fishermen have taken loans to purchase these expensive boats, expecting to repay them through their earnings," he explained. The fishermen's association has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to intervene and end mid-sea arrests and the seizure of mechanised boats, which form the backbone of the fishermen's livelihoods. K. M. Periasamy, a fishermen leader from Ramanathapuram, emphasised the emotional and financial toll on fishermen and their families. "Families were in deep distress due to regular arrests and attacks in mid-sea by the Sri Lankan Navy," he said. Periasamy revealed plans to meet with Prime Minister Modi and the Union External Affairs Minister to address these issues. He added, "The seizure of mechanised boats was financially crippling families who have no means to repay the loans taken to purchase these boats. Tamil fishermen venture into the high seas for fishing, not for unlawful activities. We urge the Indian government to resolve this matter at the highest level with Sri Lankan authorities." New York, Dec 3 : US scientists have recognised that one of the biggest hazards on the planet lurks just off the coast of the Pacific Northwest, as can be told from the previous huge losses incurred by nature, sometimes becoming furious and uncontrollable, local media reported. The scale of risk to the Pacific Northwest is hard to grasp: ground-shaking that lasts five minutes, more than 600,000 buildings toppled or damaged, 13,800 deaths and more than 100,000 injuries, according to a 2022 plan from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The economic losses from the earthquake alone have been estimated to reach $134 billion, reports Xinhua news agency, citing The Washington Post on Monday. "The Cascadia Subduction Zone, where one plate of the Earth's crust dives beneath another, stretches from Northern California to Canada's Vancouver Island, getting stuck and building up stresses. Until the day they release," noted the report. Scientists now believe there have been at least 19 major megathrust earthquakes triggered at the Cascadia Subduction Zone in the past 10,000 years. Near the Pacific Northwest's particularly fraught fault zone, the Juan de Fuca plate located just offshore dives beneath the North American continental plate at the rate fingernails grow, noted the report. "A massive earthquake will one day rattle the region. Minutes to hours later, a surge of seawater will swallow the land. No one knows when," it added. Melbourne, Dec 3 : Former Australia pacer Pater Siddle has signed a one-year contract with Big Bash League (BBL) franchise Melbourne Stars on Tuesday. Despite being one of the original signings for the club in 2011, Siddle never played a BBL game for the Stars due to international commitments and has gone on to play 83 BBL games with the Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Renegades over the last nine seasons. Siddle enjoyed six successful seasons with the Adelaide Strikers, establishing himself as a formidable T20 bowler. He played a key role in their maiden BBL title during the 2017-18 season, delivering a match-winning spell in the final against the Hobart Hurricanes, taking 3 for 17. Following his tenure with Adelaide, Siddle rejoined the Melbourne Renegades last summer on a one-year deal. aItas great to come full circle and be back at the Stars after being one of the original signings. Itas always a privilege playing at the MCG and Iam really looking forward to helping out however I can with this group," Siddle said in a statement. "To secure someone of Peteras experience with the last spot on the list is fantastic, not only for his on-field ability but his leadership off the field and what he can provide to others is something that really appealed to us," said General Manager Blair Crouch. "As weave already seen in the current domestic season, Peter is still bowling at a really high level, having taken 10 wickets across 5 One Day Cup appearances so far." The Stars have made significant additions ahead of the 14th Big Bash League season, signing English all-rounder Tom Curran and selecting England opener Ben Duckett as their top draft pick. With Glenn Maxwell stepping down as captain, Marcus Stoinis is expected to take over the leadership role. Kolkata, Dec 3 : Selim Matabbar, the illegal Bangladeshi infiltrator arrested in Kolkata last week might have some terror connections, suspect the investigating officials of Kolkata Police probing the matter. Sources said the investigating officials are desperately trying to track his mobile phone handset, which was missing when he was arrested from a hotel in the Park Street area in central Kolkata on the morning of November 30. The investigating officials suspect that the missing mobile phone might provide crucial information about the people whom Matabbar interacted with frequently, and from that it could be deciphered whether he had terror links or not. The nature of his operations since his illegal entry to the Indian side almost two years back creates suspicion that he was up to something big. First after crossing the borders illegally, he started residing at Bangaon near the India-Bangladesh International Borders in the North 24 Parganas district. Thereafter, sources added, from a local agent operating out of another India-Bangladesh bordering district of Nadia he first managed to get a fake Aadhaar card and subsequently a fake Indian passport where he identified himself as Rabi Sharma and a resident of Rajasthan. He shifted to Kolkata and by virtue of his fake Indian identities he managed to get a job at a hotel at Marquis Street under Park Street Police station. Sources said that he deliberately chose a hotel in the area since that particular area has several hotels where rooms are hired round-the-year by Bangladeshi citizens coming to India with valid visas, including medical visas. The investigating officials have already got information that after illegally crossing over to India Matabbar had connections with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The second question that the investigating officials are trying to get an answer to is about the source of funds for his survival in India before finally securing the job at the Kolkata hotel. Investigating officials suspect without a strong local network it was impossible to clandestinely operate in West Bengal for such a long period, Mumbai, Dec 3 : National Award-winning actor Rishab Shetty is joining forces with director Sandeep Singh, for the upcoming period film, "The Pride Of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj'. The film, which is touted to be one of the biggest stories in Indian history, is based on Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. On Tuesday, the director of the film Sandeep Singh took to his Instagram, and shared the poster of the film. He also penned a long note in the caption. He wrote, Our Honour & Privilege, Presenting the Epic Saga of India's Greatest Warrior King The Pride of Bharat: #ChhatrapatiShivajiMaharaj. #ThePrideOfBharatChhatrapatiShivajiMaharaj This isn't just a film it's a battle cry to honor a warrior who fought against all odds, challenged the might of the Mighty Mughal empire, and forged a legacy that can never be forgotten. Get ready for a Magnum Opus Action Drama, a cinematic experience unlike any other, as we unfold the untold story of #ChhatrapatiShivajiMaharaj Global Release on 21st January 2027". Talking about the film, Rishab Shetty said, "Sandeep's vision for 'The Pride Of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj' was so grand, that as soon as I heard the film, I said yes without blinking any eyelid. Playing 'The Pride Of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj' is an honor beyond words. He is a national hero whose impact transcends history, and I feel immense pride in bringing his story to the screen". The film promises action on an unprecedented scale, with groundbreaking visuals, stunning VFX, and an unforgettable musical score. It is backed by a team of top-notch technicians from across the globe. Rishab is known for redefining cinema with 'Kantara', and has an impressive slate including 'Kantara: Chapter 1', 'Jai Hanuman' and 'The Pride Of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj'. Sandeep Singh said, "Rishab Shetty was my first and only choice for the rolehe truly embodies the strength, spirit and valour of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This film has been my dream for many years now, and it is my privilege and honor to be bringing this story to the silver screen. The film has been envisioned with a scale, grandeur and never seen before action choreography that will help make Indian cinema truly global". 'The Pride Of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj' is set to arrive in cinemas on January 21, 2027. Chennai, Dec 3 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi dialled Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin on Tuesday and assured all possible help to deal with the flood situation and devastation caused by Cyclone Fengal. Sources in the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's office told IANS that during the phone call, Prime Minister Modi took stock of the relief and rescue measures. On Monday, Chief Minister Stalin wrote a letter to Prime Minister Modi requesting Rs 2,000 crore from the National Disaster Relief Funds (NDRF) as interim relief to carry out rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts following the widespread and massive devastation caused by the Cyclone. In his letter to Prime Minister Modi, CM Stalin highlighted that the torrential rains coupled with heavy winds wreaked havoc across various districts in the state. The Chief Minister pointed out that the calamity resulted in the loss of 12 lives, inundation of 2,11,139 hectares of agricultural and horticultural land, destruction of 1,649 kilometres of electric conductors, 23,664 electric poles, and 997 transformers. It also damaged 9,576 kilometres of roads, 1,847 culverts, and 417 tanks, besides causing extensive damage to infrastructure, houses, and huts. Chief Minister said: "The deluge has caused extensive disruptions, inundating vast areas, displacing populations, and severely impacting infrastructure and livelihoods. A total of 69 lakh families and 1.5 crore individuals have been adversely affected by this calamity." He further added: "The districts of Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, and Kallakurichi, in particular, received rainfall equivalent to an entire season's average - more than 50 cm in a single day, resulting in widespread flooding and severe damage to infrastructure and crops." After detailing the steps taken by the State government to mitigate the aftermath of the calamity, CM Stalin said the initial assessment estimates that Rs 2,475 crore was required for temporary restoration efforts. CM Stalin said, "Despite our best efforts, the scale of this disaster has overwhelmed the State's resources, and we urgently need financial assistance to manage the fallout of this natural disaster. Given the magnitude of destruction and the urgent need for restoration, I humbly request the immediate release of an interim relief amounting to Rs 2,000 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund." He said this assistance would significantly aid emergency restoration and rehabilitation efforts. The Chief Minister also urged Prime Minister Modi to depute a central team to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the damages. Agartala, Dec 3 : The Tripura government suspended three police officers, withdrew an Assistant Commandant rank officer and detained seven persons over the breach of security at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission (AHC) office in Agartala during the protests against the atrocities on Hindus in the neighbouring country, officials said on Tuesday. A top police official said the state government has also ordered an inquiry into Monday's incident and the Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Southern Range, would conduct the probe. The official on condition of anonymity said that three Sub-Inspector of police -- Dilu Jamatia, Debabrata Sinha, and Joynal Hossain -- were suspended while Assistant Commandant (a DSP rank officer) Kanti Nath Ghosh was withdrawn from his posting by the West Tripura District Superintendent of police Kiran Kumar K. According to the official, the action was taken against the negligence of duty of the four police officials. "Police during overnight raids in different places detained seven persons in connection with the breach of security at the Bangladesh AHC office," the official told IANS, adding that after an initial inquiry into their involvement in the incident, a decision would be taken about their arrest. The official said that during the protest against the atrocities on Hindus in the neighbouring country, a delegation of 'Hindu Sangharsh Samiti' met the officials of AHC and submitted a memorandum to them, urging the caretaker government of Bangladesh to stop atrocities on the Hindu community and protect their lives and properties. During this time some activists forcefully entered into the complex of the AHC and reportedly "desecrated" the Bangladesh National flag and the police drove out the protesters immediately. Soon after the incident, Director General of Police (Intelligence) Anurag and Deputy Inspector General (Intelligence and Southern Range) Krishnendu Chakraborty on Monday afternoon visited the AHC office, on the outskirts of Agartala city, and spoke to the officials of the mission. The official said that the DG (Intelligence) and the DIG (Intelligence) assured the AHC officials that foolproof security would be provided to the mission. Numbers of security personnel of Tripura Police have been increased in and around the AHC office on the outskirts of Agartala city, the official said. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha condemned the breach of security at the Bangladesh AHC office in Agartala during the protests. In social media posts, the Chief Minister said that a number of people gathered at the foot of the Gandhi statue in Agartala to protest against the massive attack on Hindus in Bangladesh and staged a peaceful sit-in. "But some youths suddenly tried to enter the office of Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala. I condemn this incident. Peaceful agitations/protests can continue but such behaviour is absolutely not desirable," said Saha, who also holds the home portfolio. Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a statement in Delhi on Monday said that security has been stepped up for the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi and its Deputy and Assistant High Commissions in the country following a rising number of protests being held against the atrocities being committed on the Hindu community in the neighbouring country. After a demonstration was held near the office of the AHC of Bangladesh in Agartala, the MEA was quick to point out that diplomatic missions should not be targeted under any circumstances. "The incident (on Monday) of the breach of premises at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala is deeply regrettable. Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances. Government is taking action to step up security arrangements for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and their Deputy/Assistant High Commissions in the country," read the MEA statement. On Monday, hundreds of activists had turned up outside the AHC office to submit a memorandum that urged the interim government in Dhaka to protect the lives of Hindus in Bangladesh along with their properties. The activists of the 'Hindu Sangharsh Samiti' also submitted a memorandum to the AHC, urging the caretaker government to stop atrocities on the Hindu community and protect their lives and properties. 'Hindu Sangharsh Samiti' leader Sankar Roy said that the attacks on the lives and properties of Hindus in Bangladesh became a daily affair in the neighbouring nation and the security forces remained a silent spectator. "During the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war, thousands of Hindus fighting the war sacrificed their lives and eventually, after the country became a sovereign nation, people of the Hindu community contributed a lot to the development of the country," Roy had told the media. Accra, Dec 3 : Polls opened at selected polling stations across Ghana for special voting ahead of the general elections scheduled for December 7. The special voting early Monday allowed individuals, including security personnel, journalists, electoral commission officials, and civil society activists, who will be performing their duties away from polling stations during the main elections, to cast their ballots, reports Xinhua news agency. The Electoral Commission (EC) said about 131,478 individuals, representing 0.007 per cent of registered voters, are eligible to cast their ballots in Monday's special votes. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, an incumbent member of parliament for the Korle-Klottey Constituency, told Xinhua the process for the special voting was smooth all morning. "Voting started on time, and there has been a high turnout so far. There have not been any hitches," Agyeman-Rawlings said. "If what we are seeing today is replicated on December 7, people will be inclined to accept the outcome. For that to happen, the EC must play the role of a neutral referee." At the Legon Police Station polling station in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency, Lydia Egyiri, a municipal electoral officer, expressed satisfaction with the smooth process. She told Xinhua that all the biometric machines, including the verification devices, were working perfectly and voters were comporting themselves properly. According to the EC, the special voting for the Western Region and the Eastern Region is postponed to December 5 due to the exposure of some of the ballot papers ahead of time. On December 7, voters in Ghana will head to the polls to elect a new president and 276 members of parliament. Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 3 : The political situation in Kerala is that leaders are changing parties and when many thought there would be no such thing in CPI-M, the trickle has set in. The question now is if the flow will be steady. Just the other day, the AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K. C. Venugopal, the Alappuzha Lok Sabha member dropped into the house of veteran two-time former CPI-M State Minister G. Sudhakaran, who is the foremost communist in the district. Ever since Sudhakaran was not given a ticket to contest the 2021 Assembly polls from his political borough Amabalapuzha Assembly constituency which he represented for four terms, the 74-year-old veteran has been unhappy. Sudhakaran is considered to be a politician with a clean track record and is also respected by his fierce Congress rivals for his impeccable public life. Even though there were questions about the meeting between Venugopal and Sudhakaran, on Tuesday veteran Congress leader and sitting Lok Sabha member from Kasargod Rajmohan Unnithan told IANS that the meeting has significance. "Whatever people might say, it was a courteous call. You just wait and see. There is more than what meets the eye. Sudhakaran is known for his clean political track record compared to many others in his party. Everyone knows there is unrest in the CPI-M on account of the way the party and its present leadership are running the affairs," said Unnithan, known for his razor-sharp tongue. "Just have a look at what's happening in CPI-M, there is unrest in practically all the 14 districts of the state. The prime reason for this unrest is the way the party is going forward. In the past one week, it has started as a trickle as local leaders have started to shift their loyalties towards Congress and BJP. If our Congress leadership plays its cards well, the trickle will soon become a steady flow," added Unnithan. Incidentally, factionalism has now become a headache for its state party Secretary M. V. Govindan who is running from pillar to post, attending many meetings where factionalism has raised its head. What has come as a shock for the CPI-M top brass is that all this unrest is happening with the state party conference scheduled for early next year. On Tuesday one of its popular local leaders, M. Madhu in the capital district, quit the party and will be joining BJP. "Yesterday our district meeting decided to oust Madhu and the state committee on Tuesday gave the approval for it. Madhu was in talks with BJP which we knew," said CPI-M Thiruvananthapuram district secretary and Varkala MLA V. Joy. Recent incidents of unrest within the party have been reported from Alappuzha, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, and Palakkad as well. Leader of Opposition V. D. Satheesan said that he has the highest regard for Sudhakaran as a legislator and a State Minister and is a highly respected political personality. "We are closely watching the developments that are now happening in the CPI-M," said Satheesan. Mumbai, Dec 3 : Allu Arjun and his family are set to be part of the guest list for the highly anticipated wedding of Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala. The couple will tie the knot on December 4 at the iconic Annapurna Studios in a grand yet intimate ceremony. A source close to the wedding shared, "Allu Arjun and his family will attend Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita's wedding in Hyderabad. All roads truly lead to the city for this special celebration." The insider also revealed that Naga and Sobhita's close friends from the industry, along with other prominent celebrities from the film fraternity, are expected to attend the high-profile wedding. The wedding will be held at Annapurna Studios, a venue with deep ties to Naga Chaitanya's family heritage. Founded in 1976 by his legendary grandfather, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, this 22-acre property in Banjara Hills has long been a symbol of cinematic brilliance and family pride. Sobhita recently celebrated her Pelli Kuturu ceremony, a traditional bridal shower, and shared heartfelt moments from the occasion on social media. A source who attended the ceremony said, "Sobhita's wedding festivities began with the Pelli Raata ceremony which is usually done before the girl becomes a bride. Then they had the Mangalasnaanam rituals which is a Telugu version of Haldi. They also had a Pelli Kuthuru ceremony where Sobhita was in a bridal attire, an Aarti was performed and she was blessed by married women and given bangles. Later, Naga Chaitanya and his family also joined for lunch." The couple's pre-wedding festivities kicked off with a vibrant Haldi ceremony. A video that surfaced online showed the soon-to-be married couple seen sitting side by side as their family members joyfully showered them with flowers. Sobhita looked radiant in a red saree paired with a matching blouse and traditional jewelry, while Naga Chaitanya wore a white kurta and pajamas. On her big day, the actress will be wearing jewellery such as maathapatti, bajubandh, and kamarbandh, among many other statement pieces. New Delhi, Dec 3 : Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit on Tuesday criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for raising concerns about the deteriorating law and order situation in Delhi at the national level without first addressing the issue within the Delhi Assembly. He also slammed the Delhi government over unfulfilled promises like installation of CCTVs and removal of marshals from buses. His comments came after AAP MP Raghav Chadha moved a suspension notice in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, calling for an urgent debate on the rising crime rates in the national Capital as the Delhi Police comes under the jurisdiction of the Union Home Ministry. In his notice, Chadha urged the Rajya Sabha to suspend the dayas scheduled business to discuss the worsening law and order situation in Delhi, including rising crime rates. He emphasised that this critical issue needed immediate attention from the House. Speaking to IANS, Sandeep Dikshit commented, "Before you raise such concerns in the Rajya Sabha, you should first address them in the Delhi Assembly." "The AAP has been the ruling party, and they should be discussing these matters with the Delhi Police and ensuring action within their own jurisdiction," he stated. Dikshit highlighted that while crimes in Delhi may have escalated significantly in recent years, it was evident that the AAP, too, had failed to fulfil its promises. He cited the stalled installation of CCTV cameras and inadequate street lighting as key unaddressed issues. He also criticised the AAP's move to remove marshals from buses after initially promising their presence to ensure safety. Sandeep Dikshit further reacted on the farmers who are protesting in Delhi. "Three to four years ago, there was a massive farmers' movement, and numerous discussions took place between farmer leaders and the BJP government. The Prime Minister repeatedly urged his representatives to resolve all outstanding issues. The court also intervened to support the farmers, and the government initially made some announcements. However, after three to four years, it became evident that no substantial progress had been made for the farmers," he stated. Dikshit further claimed that the Union government failed to take any meaningful steps regarding MSP or market reforms. "While the three controversial farm laws were eventually repealed to ease the situation, the Union government failed to take any meaningful steps regarding MSP or market reforms. Unfortunately, it is now clear that this government is not serving the interests of anyone a" be it the poor or the labourers. We once believed that this country belonged to farmers. The Congress had always championed the slogan 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan,' but today, it feels as if farmers have been completely sidelined," he concluded. Agartala/Silchar, Dec 3 : After a multi-speciality private hospital in Agartala, an apex body of the hotels and restaurant owners in Tripura has decided not to provide accommodation and services to the Bangladeshi nationals in protest against the atrocities on Hindus in the neighbouring country. The leaders of the All Tripura Hotel and Restaurant Owners' Association (ATHROA) in a meeting here on Monday night discussed the situation in Bangladesh and decided not to provide any accommodation to its nationals. "We cannot remain silent over the atrocities on Hindus and damage to their properties in Bangladesh. After a detailed discussion of the situation in Bangladesh, we have decided not to provide any accommodation and services to the Bangladeshi nationals visiting the state," ATHROA General Secretary Saikat Bandyopadhyay told the media on Tuesday. Last week, one of the largest private healthcare facilities in Agartala decided to stop services for Bangladeshi patients following protests by some local activists over reported atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh and disrespect to the national flag. Responding to the protests, the Chief Operating Officer of the private hospital, also announced the closure of the hospital's Bangladesh desk. "As an Indian, I respect and support the sentiments raised by the protesters. Given the ongoing incidents in Bangladesh, we have decided to suspend services for Bangladeshi patients," he had said, adding that the hospital had already seen a decline in the number of Bangladeshi patients since the unrest hit the neighbouring country. The Agartala hospital's decision follows a similar move by a private hospital in North Kolkata, which recently announced it would discontinue medical treatment to Bangladeshi patients over the same issue. The protests of the activists come amidst growing concerns over the atrocities on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh and reports of disrespect toward India's national symbols, which have stirred strong reactions in India. Meanwhile, in the Sribhumi district (formerly Karimganj District) of southern Assam, at least 500 traders have announced that they would stop trade (both import and export) with Bangladesh due to the rising violence against minorities and disrespect for the Tricolour in the neighbouring country. On Monday, the traders assembled at a river port close to Sribhumi town, where some of them set fire to Bangladeshi goods that had previously been shipped here. The Karimganj District Export-Import Coordination Committee's Amaresh Roy stated that they oppose violence against Bangladesh's religious minorities, including Christians and Hindus. He said: "They continuously disparage India without cause, but most recently, we witnessed an insult to our national flag there; this is intolerable. The nation comes first for us, and we do not wish to carry on doing business with that kind of nation." According to Roy, the Sribhumi district is home to several trade unions, and the coordination committee serves as a forum for them all. "We have jointly taken the decision and the trade will be discontinued until the normalcy returns in Bangladesh," he stated. Mumbai, Dec 3 : Maharashtra Congress General Secretary, Sachin Sawant, on Tuesday criticised the Mahayuti alliance leaders, accusing them of being gripped by a "power fever" as they struggle to finalise the Chief Minister's face in the state. Sawant's remarks came in response to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari's recent comments about the dissatisfaction prevalent in politics. Speaking at the launch of the book '50 Golden Rules of Life' in Nagpur on Sunday, Gadkari described politics as a "sea of unsatisfied souls," where individuals at every level aspire for a higher position. "The one who becomes Corporator is sad because he did not get the chance to become MLA, and an MLA is sad because he could not get a ministerial berth," Gadkari had said. "The one who becomes a minister is sad because he could not get a good ministerial department and could not become Chief Minister, and the Chief Minister is in tension because he does not know when the high command will ask him to leave," he had said. Reacting to Gadkari's remarks, Sawant told IANS, "It's a sarcastic remark, and those who need to understand it, will. The ongoing power struggle between the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, with each one on the brink of becoming the CM, is what these remarks refer to." Criticising the Mahayuti alliance for the delay in government formation in Maharashtra, Sawant questioned, "Why is it taking so long? The Cabinet should have been formed on November 26, yet it did not happen." He accused the alliance of prioritising their own political aspirations over the needs of the public. "This is just a struggle for power; these people do not consider the public as important. Their aspirations for power are delaying it further, leaving the people's questions unanswered. It is unfortunate and unfair to the public," he added. When asked about reports of Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde being upset, Sawant remarked that while the people of Maharashtra are suffering, the Mahayuti leaders remain consumed by their own power struggles. "This is their internal matter. However, it was said that he is down with fever; this is the fever of power," Sawant said, adding, "The financial situation of farmers and the common people in Maharashtra is deteriorating, yet they are fixated on their power games." Patna, Dec 3 : The cancellation of the Community Health Officer (CHO) exam in Bihar after a question paper leak has stirred a political storm, with opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav sharply criticizing the government on Tuesday. The controversy is further inflamed by revelations from the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) investigation, which suggests a massive scale of corruption, with claims that those involved in the leak aimed to earn as much as Rs 100 crore. The exam was intended to recruit approximately 4,500 CHOs. The question paper leak has now led to its cancellation, further tarnishing the image of the recruitment process in Bihar. Investigators revealed that individuals orchestrating the leak planned to generate enormous illicit earnings, indicating systemic issues and organised malpractice. Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of Opposition, accused the Nitish Kumar government and its ally, BJP, of collusion in the scandal. He highlighted the alleged financial motivations and systemic failure in preventing such malpractices. Yadav has raised a pointed question about why several paper leak cases appear to have links to Nalanda, the district often associated with the Bihar Chief Minister. In a post on X in Hindi, Yadav wrote "...Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar and BJP had to earn Rs crore by leaking the paper in the recruitment exam for the posts but when an audio went viral and the news got published, they were forced to cancel the paper. Now the BJP-JD(U) government is saying that they have been kicked in the stomach, Rs crore taken from the exam mafia, will have to be adjusted by leaking papers in future exams. government is playing with the present and future of the youth of Bihar. The Chief Minister will never say anything on paper leak." During the investigation so far, EOU has found two conspirators -- Ravi Bhushan and Atul Prabhakar -- identified as key players in the conspiracy, reportedly orchestrated the leak by colluding with officials from the examination-conducting company and exam centres. The involvement of these mafias suggests a deeply entrenched network, said sources. The mafia reportedly secured unauthorised access to the computers at 12 selected exam centres. These centres were part of a pre-arranged scheme to facilitate the paper leak and subsequent tampering with the examination process. The joint team of EOU and Bihar Police conducted raids across several cities, including Patna, Nalanda, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, and Bihar Sharif. Ravi Bhushan is currently absconding, but efforts are underway to apprehend him and dismantle the broader network involved, said the officials. The EOU investigation indicated that this was not an isolated incident but a large-scale scam designed to manipulate the recruitment process for financial gain. Kochi, Dec 3 : The Kerala High Court on Tuesday criticised the legal heirs of late CPI-M leader M.M. Lawrence for continuing their dispute over the donation of his mortal remains to the Ernakulam Government Medical College for medical research and educational purposes. "At least have some respect for the person who has passed away," Chief Justice Nitin M.Jamdar said in an oral observation. The 95-year-old veteran Communist passed away due to age-related issues on September 21 and since then the issue of donation has been a bone of contention between his three children. While two of them stated it was their fatheras wish to donate his body, another daughter Asha opposed this and demanded that he should be buried in the same grave as her mother. Slamming the parties for this stalemate, the court said: "These are matters for the heirs to decide amongst yourselves. What is this? What kind of issues have you brought before us? These are siblings, sort it out between yourselves. These are not matters to be brought before the court. At the most, we will appoint some senior person as a mediator." It subsequently passed an order to appoint a mediator agreed upon by both parties to see if it is possible to settle the matter amicably. The body of Lawerence is right now preserved in a state-run Medical College hospital, here. Tuesday was the third time the issue came before the court. The court has now posted the case for December 9 as it expects the difference of opinion can be settled by then. Lawrence was a Lok Sabha member from Idukki from 1980 till 1984. He was more known for his trade union activities and was a Central Committee member of the CPI-M. Mumbai, Dec 3 : Telugu star Naga Chaitanya, who is set to tie the knot with Bollywood actress Sobhita Dhulipala, is honouring his family's legacy amidst all the celebrations and wedding festivities. The actor will be seen paying tribute to his grandfather, the legendary Akkineni Nageswara Rao, by donning traditional attire called 'pancha' reminiscent of his grandfather's timeless style, on Wednesday. Mumbai, Dec 3 (IANS) Telugu star Naga Chaitanya, who is set to tie the knot with Bollywood actress Sobhita Dhulipala, is honouring his familyas legacy amidst all the celebrations and wedding festivities. The actor will be seen paying tribute to his grandfather, the legendary Akkineni Nageswara Rao, by donning traditional attire called 'pancha' reminiscent of his grandfatheras timeless style, on Wednesday. The actor will don the 'pancha' during the wedding ceremony. The decision has struck an emotional chord with fans, who have taken to social media to praise Naga Chaitanya for his simplicity and reverence for his roots. Recently, the coupleas 'mangal snaanam' ritual become a viral sensation for its heartfelt simplicity. The couple is set to hold an 8-hour-long wedding ceremony at Annapurna Studios, established in 1976 by Akkineni Nageswara Rao, which is a 22-acre property located in the Banjara Hills area of Hyderabad. It was earlier revealed on Tuesday that Telugu superstar Allu Arjun, who is awaiting the release of his upcoming movie aPushpa: The Rulea will attend the wedding ceremony of the couple along with his family. In the lead-up to the wedding, Sobhita recently celebrated her Pelli Kuturu ceremony, a traditional bridal shower. The actress shared heartfelt moments from the event, including pictures of her seeking blessings from elders, setting the tone for a deeply cultural and meaningful union. According to the reports, for her big day, Sobhita has chosen a Kanjivaram silk saree with real gold zari, paying homage to her roots. Additionally, she has opted for a white khadi saree handwoven in Ponduru, Andhra Pradesh, paired with a matching ensemble for Naga Chaitanya. These choices reflect their shared appreciation for timeless artistry and heritage. New Delhi, Dec 3 : The average turnaround time for ships at India's major ports has come down by as much as 48.65 per cent from 93.59 hours in 2013-14 to 48.06 hours in 2023-24, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. This reflects the increased efficiency at Indian ports in handling ships and cargo which is being cleared at a much faster pace, resulting in a reduction of logistics costs. "The government has taken various steps to improve the turnaround time such as the construction of new berths, terminals, and parking plazas, modernisation of existing berths and terminals, streamlining of processes through digitalisation and expansion of hinterland connectivity through rail and road," the minister said in a written reply. The average turnaround time for ships at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Port near Mumbai has been reduced to a mere 26 hours. At the other major ports, the turnaround times are: Chennai 44.92 hours, Deendayal Port (Kadla) 54.24 hours Paradip port is 41.61 hours, Cochin 33.4 hours, New Mangalore port 40.44 hours, Visakhapatnam 65.86 hours, Mumbai 62.97 hours, Kamarajar Port (Tamil Nadu) 44.37 hours Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (Kolkata) 60.85 hours. "Berth allocation and vessel sequencing in major ports is done as per the Berthing Policy issued by the Ministry. Infrastructure development and capacity augmentation of Major Ports is a continuous process. It involves the construction of new berths and terminals, mechanisation of existing berths and terminals, capital dredging for deepening of drafts for attracting larger vessels, development of road and rail connectivity," the minister said. In a significant boost to India's port development programme, as many as nine ports of India made it to the Global Top 100 in the latest edition of Container Port Performance Index (CPPI), 2023, a report prepared by the World Bank and S&P Global Marketing Intelligence stated earlier this year. Sonowal gave credit to the ambitious Sagarmala programme, envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for modernisation of the ports and improving their efficiency. "This is a tremendous achievement for the Indian ports and is a testament to the efforts made by the Narendra Modi Government to modernise, mechanise and make them technologically savvy to improve performance and enhance efficiency. There has been a significant improvement via operational efficiency and service delivery in the efficient handling of ships and cargo," the minister stated. New Delhi, Dec 3 : The recent indictment by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) of Adani Group officials is nothing but a frivolous expense and once President-elect Donald Trump assumes office, such wasteful exercises involving the government offices with overseas businesses will probably fade away, ace global investor Mark Mobius told IANS on Tuesday. His comment came as serious questions are now being raised regarding the independence of the US DoJ and its indictment against the Adani Group, and whether it is being used for "politically motivated actions". aMy guess is that Donald Trump will come in and whoever he appoints to run the Justice Department will say, what are you guys doing? Sticking your nose into Indian businesses? Spending all this money on a trial which probably won't go anywhere?" Mobius told IANS. Mobius, who runs the Mobius EM Opportunities Fund for emerging markets, further stated that there is a "good chance" that the Justice Department will move away from the Adani probe and the trial. "I believe that there would be another implication where the Justice Department will be reorganised in America, and will be asked to get less and less involved in overseas situations and more and more with domestic issues," said the top investor. The DoJ and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently filed an indictment and a civil complaint in the New York District Court against the top Adani Group officials. However, the Adani Group vehemently refuted the allegations, terming it 'baseless', and said it would seek legal recourse to defend itself. According to Mobius, a lot of people are now beginning to realise that with Trump assuming office, "this DoJ situation in the US will probably go away". On Adani Portfolio stocks performing well despite the US-related developments, he said that the situation with the hedge funds going after the Adani Group seemed to have fizzled out. "A lot of investors began to look at this and said, well, Adani is under pressure but at the end of the day, their business will continue to operate well and probably will continue to do well in the future," Mobius noted. Adani stocks have roared back from initial hiccups, and are now surging almost daily on the Indian benchmark indices. They added more than Rs 2 lakh crore to their market cap in just a three-day rally. A Bernstein report on Adani Group companies on Tuesday stated that the Group is currently in a much stronger position than it was during the Hindenburg attack in January 2023. Despite facing some US-related developments, the Adani Group is on solid footing across four key areas: no share pledge, leverage, debt repayment and valuations, the report mentioned. (Nishant Arora can be reached at nishant.a@ians.in) New Delhi, Dec 3 : As the bail hearing of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, the Hindu priest arrested in Bangladesh, has been postponed until next month, Hindu leaders in India, including ISKCON Kolkata's vice-president, Radharaman Das, and Mahant Raju Das, the priest of Ayodhya's Hanumangarhi temple expressed concern over it on Tuesday. The delay follows troubling reports that the lawyer defending the Hindu monk had been 'brutally attacked' by Islamic fundamentalists and was reportedly in the Intensive Care Unit. Speaking to IANS, Radharaman Das expressed deep concern over the delay and the circumstances surrounding the case. "It is very sad to see a monk languishing in jail for the last 9-10 days, and today we had hoped for his bail, but that seems further away than ever," he said. "We've also heard through media that their lawyer couldn't even appear in court. There have been false cases filed against lawyers in previous hearings, with their homes being vandalised. Who will come forward to stand for Chinmoy Krishna Das now? This whole situation is deeply troubling. It's unclear when he will receive justice, and the thought of him spending another month in jail is worrying. It's deeply concerning to keep a seer alongside criminals in such an unjust scenario." Mahant Raju Das of Hanumangarhi temple in Ayodhya also condemned the situation, highlighting the growing persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. "It is well-known that Hindus in Bangladesh are facing extreme violence killings, rapes, and temple demolitions are rampant. Saints and sages are being arrested on false charges. The situation has become so dire that Islamic jihadists and terrorists are committing inhumane atrocities daily. The army and police are complicit, harassing Hindus and implicating them in false cases," he said. "There is no one to protect or deliver justice to the Hindu community in Bangladesh," he said. On Tuesday, lawyers refused to appear for Chinmoy Krishna Das during the bail hearing, following which the Chattogram court adjourned the proceedings. The court fixed the next date of hearing for January 2, 2025. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote has alleged that approximately 70 Hindu lawyers were "falsely sued in a case to prevent their participation" in a bail hearing for Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari. In more than 2,000 documented acts of violence against Hindus and other minorities like Christians and Buddhists in Bangladesh, at least nine minority members have been killed so far. New Delhi, Nov 3 : Disability is not a deficiency but a special condition, said President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday while urging for equal facilities and opportunities in employment, enterprise, and economic empowerment to enhance the lives of disabled persons. Murmu said this while presenting the National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities for the year 2024 in New Delhi today on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Congratulating the awardees, the President said that these awards have far-reaching social significance. "By emulating them, other individuals and institutions can move toward empowering persons with disabilities," she said. The International Day of Disabled Persons is observed every year on December 3 and aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development. The theme this year is 'amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future'. The President urged for "a barrier-free environment" and "equal facilities and opportunities" for people with disabilities. "Promoting entrepreneurship among Divyangjan, developing their skills, providing employment, purchasing their products, and providing marketing facilities will enhance their leadership potential," Murnu said. She noted that the opportunity to work, like any other person, can instill a sense of self-confidence in the disabled and help them live a meaningful life. "Their lives can be improved through employment, enterprise, and economic empowerment," the President added. She called on "entire humanity" to make the disabled feel comfortable and equal. "Being disabled is not a deficiency of any kind. It is a special condition," said the President while urging people to empathise with the disabled and not give sympathy. "They need sensitivity, not kindness, they need natural affection, not special attention. Society must ensure that they experience equality, dignity, and respect with other members of society," Murmu said. New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 3 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the members of the Jacobite church to hand over the administration of three churches each in Ernakulam and Palakkad districts in Kerala to the Orthodox Church. The apex court also directed the Orthodox faction to ensure that the common amenities in these churches, such as burial grounds, schools, hospitals etc. can be enjoyed by the Jacobite faction in conformity with the 1934 Constitution. It posted these matters for further consideration on December 17. Before directing the Jacobite Church to hand over the six churches, the Court pointed out that they were in contempt for "willfully disobeying" the judgments regarding the entrustment of churches to the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church as per the 1934 Constitution. It also pointed out that if the Jacobite Church fails to comply with the court's directions, it will result in the initiation of contempt proceedings. A bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan passed the order on a batch of Special Leave Petitions filed by the officials of the Kerala Government, Kerala Police and also certain members of the Jacobite Church against the directions passed by the Kerala High Court on October 17 to the District Collectors of Palakkad and Ernakulam to take possession of six churches under the control of the Jacobite faction. A non-Catholic Christian community in Kerala, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church has two factions a" the majority Orthodox, who have their headquarters in Kottayam, and the Jacobites, who consider the Patriarch of Antioch in Beirut as their supreme leader. The community first split into Orthodox and Jacobite in 1912, but following a Supreme Court ruling, it came together in Kottayam for a brief period between 1958 and 1970. Since 1970, they have been at war over control of churches. After decades of trial, the apex court gave its final verdict in 2017. Consequently, the Orthodox faction has been taking control over churches now run by the Jacobite faction. While the Orthodox faction has already taken over a few churches on directions from the High Court after the police were given specific instructions, in some churches, the Jacobite faction has been unrelenting. In terms of numbers, the Orthodox Church is a much bigger entity than the Jacobite Church. Thane, Dec 3 : Caretaker Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief leader Eknath Shinde was discharged from the hospital after a check-up by a team of doctors on Tuesday. He left for his official residence Varsha. Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat said that Shinde will meet Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar late in the night to discuss various issues with regard to the government formation, including the number of cabinet berths and allocation of ministerial berths. Earlier in the day, the caretaker CM was admitted to Jupiter Hospital due to fever and weakness following which it was said that the discussions on the government formation could not be held. With the CM back at his home, the meetings are likely to be resumed and the government formation discussions will be held. According to the Shiv Sena sources, his dengue and malaria tests were negative but due to a dip in white cells amid fever, he was feeling weak. With Shinde improving in health, Thursdayas oath-taking ceremony seems to be certain to happen. However, whether CM Shinde will join the government as the deputy chief minister is still not known as he has not yet opened his cards. There was a stream of Shiv Sena leaders, including Mahendra Thorve, and Bharat Gogawale, who came to see CM Shinde but due to his illness, they met his son and party MP Shrikant Shinde and inquired about his health. "Shinde's condition is not good. He has a throat infection and a fever. I have been with him since we went to Delhi last week. Doctors have advised him to take complete rest. Since becoming Chief Minister, he has worked continuously for two and a half years. After putting so much stress on the body, it is natural that the health deteriorates," said Shiv Sena Minister Shambhuraj Desai. Shiv Sena legislator and spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat said only the doctors will tell whether he will attend the swearing-in function or not. aEknath Shinde is not desperate for power as power is not important to him," he added. Shinde was suffering from a fever when he left for his native village Dare in Satara district last Friday. That had led to the speculation of cancellation of a meeting among the Mahayuti leaders over the government formation. Although Shinde returned from Dare village to Thane, on Sunday he was taking a rest and had cancelled all his meetings. Fadnavis had called up Shinde to inquire about his health. On Monday, BJP Minister Girish met Shinde. Shinde has said that he would not become a hurdle or speed breaker in the government formation, and would abide by Prime Minister Narendra Modias decision. He has claimed that he has worked as the common manas chief minister and the people of the state want him to continue as the CM in the wake of Mahayutias landslide victory in the just concluded Assembly election. Shinde has been pressing for the allocation of the home department to Shiv Sena though BJP is quite reluctant to leave it. Further, Shinde was fuming after state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule unilaterally made an announcement relating to the swearing-in function slated for December 5. Shiv Sena insiders objected to Bawankuleas move citing that the BJP has yet to elect its legislature party group leader, especially, when Shiv Sena and NCP have completed formalities in this regard. Meanwhile, Mahayuti leaders, including BJP's Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Praveen Darekar, Shiv Sena legislator Sanjay Shirsat and NCP Ministers Hasan Mushrif and Dhananjay Munde, visited Azad Maidan earlier in the and took stock of preparations for the swearing-in ceremony scheduled on December 5. New Delhi, Dec 3 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia in the national capital on Tuesday and invited him to attend the upcoming investor summit in the state which is scheduled to take place in February 2025. Taking to X, Sarma wrote, "This morning, I had the pleasure to invite Hon'ble Union Minister Shri @JM_Scindia ji to the #AdvantageAssam summit to be held in Guwahati on Feb 2025. "We also discussed the upcoming #AshtalakshmiMahotsav being driven by @MDoNER_India and avenues related to ongoing development projects in the State," he added. Earlier on Monday Sarma met Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi and sought his support and cooperation in making the upcoming Assam Infrastructure and Investment Summit a success, officials said. At a meeting with the EAM Jaishankar at Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan here this evening, Chief Minister Sarma extended an invitation to him to grace the summit. Taking to X handle, Chief Minister Sarma wrote, "I had the pleasure to call upon Hon'ble Union External Affairs Minister Shri @DrSJaishankar ji today in New Delhi and extend an invitation to attend the Assam Infrastructure and Investment Summit 2025." "I also sought all possible cooperation from @MEAIndia to make the Summit a grand success," he added. The Assam Infrastructure and Investment Summit will be held in Guwahati on February 24 and 25 next year. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also invited PM Modi to attend the investor summit which is scheduled in February next year. Later Sarma wrote on X, "Today in New Delhi, I had the privilege to receive Adarniya Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji's guidance on various developmental issues. On behalf of the people of Assam, I also had the pleasure to invite him to bless the Assam Investor & Infrastructure Summit and Mega Jhumur Performance in February 2025 which he has kindly accepted to grace." Notably, 'Advantage Assam 2.0', the Investment and Infrastructure Summit will bring Assam's rich cultural legacy to the world stage. According to CM Sarma, the event, which is set for February 24 and 25, would highlight the traditional Jhumur dance of the tea tribe clans. Mumbai, Dec 3 : Actress Celina Jaitly recently shared a heartfelt tribute to her late father, Colonel Vikram Kumar Jaitly, as she commemorated the 1971 India-Pakistan war. In a poignant social media post, Celina shared a series of photos with her father and wrote in the caption, "Kalika Mata Ki Jai!" (I begin with the Kumaon regiments war cry) Today on 3rd Dec the 1971 war broke out. My 21-year-old newly commissioned father, Lt. Vikram Kumar Jaitly, must have received his orders for deployment. Little did he and his comrades of 17 Kumaon know, their battalion would go on to etch its name in history with the Battle Honour Bhaduria, while enduring some of the most devastating casualties." She added, "I often wonder what went through my father's mind at that timea young officer just 21 years old. He couldn't have imagined he'd be critically wounded, carrying the scars of bullets and shrapnel for the rest of his life. His injuries earned him two Wound Medals and, later, the Sena Medalmedals that represented unimaginable sacrifice, both visible and invisible. Growing up, I watched my father wear his uniform adorned with so many medals. But it is only now, with maturity and perspective, that I truly understand the sacrifices and valor behind each one of them. He often said, "Being a Kumaoni soldier, you belong to the Creed of the Man-Eaters." Guided by the battalion's motto, Parakramo Vijayate (Valour Triumphs), and the war cry, Kalika Mata Ki Jai (Victory to Mother Kali), it was his unwavering belief in these words that helped him survive the war and its lifelong aftermath on his body and soul. The post further read, "The 1971 war was a momentous chapter in our nation's history, with approximately 3,000 lives lost and 12,000 wounded on the Indian side. It was a war that showcased unparalleled bravery and sacrifice by our armed forces. Today, I honour my father, Colonel Vikram Kumar Jaitly (SM), and his battalion, the brave jawans, NCOs, and officers of 17 Kumaon, the courage of our entire Indian armed forces who fought to defend our nation. @indianarmy.adgpi." Jaitly concluded the post saying, "Let us never forget the sacrifices made for India's commitment to freedom and sovereignty. 13 days after the war started, the Eastern Command of the Pakistan military signed the instrument of surrender and the nation of #bangladesh was formed on 16 December 1971 in Dhaka." Celina Jaitly's father Colonel Vikram Kumar Jaitly was an infantry officer in the Indian military. In 2018, he passed away due to prolonged illness. The actress confirmed the news in an emotional Facebook post that read, "Our beloved father Colonel Vikram Kumar Jaitly, left us yesterday at 5:23 AM... I thank the doctors who did everything to save him on behalf of my family." New Delhi, Dec 3 : Vinod Bansal, spokesperson for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), strongly condemned the worsening situation for Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh, calling the country a "paradise for all jihadis." His comments came in response to the latest setback faced by Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu priest accused of sedition in Bangladesh. Das' bail hearing, scheduled for Tuesday, was postponed by the Chattogram court to January 2, 2025 after no lawyer appeared on his behalf, highlighting the growing dangers and hostility faced by Hindus and other minorities like Christians and Buddhists in the country. Bansal, speaking to IANS, emphasised the alarming trend in Bangladesh, where minority communities are facing increasing violence and legal discrimination. "Bangladesh is becoming a paradise for all jihadis. The very people who pushed Bangladesh to the brink of destruction have become openly violent. Take the case of Ramen Roy, the lawyer who was defending Chinmoy Krishna Das. Hindus in Bangladesh have neither the right to protect their lives nor any legal defence. The situation is such that even if a lawyer stands up for them, he is brutally attacked," Bansal said. He pointed to the recent reports of Roy's associate being beaten, with his office set on fire, as further evidence of the extreme measures taken against those defending Hindu rights in Bangladesh. The VHP spokesperson questioned the international community's response to the situation, particularly human rights organisations and the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). He criticised the global silence, especially given the reported human rights violations in Bangladesh, and raised doubts about the credibility of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Bangladesh's leader, Muhammad Yunus. "Yunus has been awarded a Nobel Peace Prize, but it is unclear what peace he is promoting while Hindus suffer," Bansal remarked. Bansal also expressed frustration over the legal barriers faced by Hindus in Bangladesh. He noted that the lawyer defending Chinmoy Krishna Das was recently slapped with false charges under Article 114, a legal provision that further undermines the ability of Hindus to seek justice. "This has crossed all limits," Bansal stated. "Why is the Bar Council silent? Why are no other lawyers standing up for Das's defence? In India, courts work late into the night to deliver justice, but in Bangladesh, when a lawyer tries to help, his home is vandalised, and he is attacked. This is a clear violation of basic human rights." The VHP leader also reacted strongly to the recent incident at the Benapole landport, where more than 63 Hindu monks were detained by the Bangladeshi authorities despite having valid visas to enter India. The monks, who were on their way to attend a religious ceremony in India, were prevented from crossing the border, sparking outrage among Hindu groups. "These saints and sages were on their way to India to attend a ceremony, but the Bangladeshi government arrested them at the border. Why are they being stopped? Do they not have the right to travel to India, especially with valid visas? What conspiracy is being hatched against them? They are not safe in Bangladesh, nor are they allowed to leave. If they try to seek legal help, they face further persecution," Bansal concluded. Significantly, in more than 2,000 documented acts of violence against Hindus and other minorities like Christians and Buddhists in Bangladesh, at least nine minority members have been killed so far. Mumbai, Dec 3 : Bollywood actor Vikrant Massey, who earlier announced his sabbatical from films, has now issued a fresh statement with regards to his announcement. The actor clarified that he is not retiring from films, as a major section of the media reported, and said that he is just going for a long break to focus on his health and his family. The actor said in his fresh statement, "Acting is all I can do. And it has given me everything I have. My physical and mental health have taken a hit. I just want to take some time off, I want to better my craft. I feel a sense of monotony at the moment". He added, "My post has been misinterpreted that I am quitting or retiring from acting. I want to take some time off to focus on my family and health. I would be back when the time feels right (sic)". Earlier, the actor had announced his "break" when he took to his social media, and shared a post. He wrote, "Hello, The last few years and beyond have been phenomenal. I thank each and every one of you for your indelible support. But as I move forward, I realise it's time to recalibrate and go back home. As a Husband, Father & a Son. And also as an Actor. So, coming 2025, we would meet each other for one last time. Until time deems right. Last 2 movies and many years of memories. Thank you again. For everything and everything in between. Forever indebted". Meanwhile, on the work front, the actor has been receiving a lot of positive response for his recently released movie 'The Sabarmati Report'. Chennai, Dec 3 : The Madras High Court has declined to grant an interim order to restrain individuals or social media channels from reviewing films within three days of their theatrical release. Justice S. Sounthar, while hearing the petition filed by the Tamil Film Active Producers Association (TFAPA), questioned the feasibility of such a restriction, stating, "Reviewers are entitled to review any film; it is their opinion." Advocate Vijayan Subramanian, representing TFAPA, argued that certain individuals, under the guise of film reviews, defame directors, actors, and producers, causing damage to their reputations. The association sought restrictions on these activities and requested the court to issue directions to the City Police Commissioner to prevent YouTube channels from entering cinema theatres for the purpose of film reviews. The petition highlighted the lack of regulation and self-discipline on social media platforms, leading to defamatory remarks and coordinated efforts to manipulate film ratings, a practice known as "review bombing." TFAPA claimed these actions, often motivated by personal or business rivalries, negatively influence public opinion and harm box-office collections before the audience forms its own judgment. The judge refused to issue a blanket order or directions in this regard, emphasising the importance of freedom of expression. Notices were issued to the Union and state governments, as well as YouTube, for their response. The case has been posted for further proceedings after four weeks. The petition follows growing concerns among Tamil filmmakers about the impact of early reviews on their films' commercial performance. Recently, films like 'Kanguva', 'Indian 2', and 'Vettaiyan' were reportedly affected by negative reviews and fan interviews on YouTube channels. TFAPA and the Tamil Nadu Producers Council have called for guidelines to regulate online film reviews and urged theatre owners to ban YouTubers from conducting interviews on their premises. New York, Dec 3 : Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday accused the interim government's Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus of being the "mastermind of mass killings" and orchestrating attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. Addressing an Awami League event in New York virtually, Hasina slammed Yunus for allegedly targeting Hindu temples, including ISKCON sites, and other religious places of the minorities in Bangladesh. "Today, I have been accused of mass killings. In reality, it is Muhammad Yunus who is responsible for mass killings through a deliberate plan along with his student coordinators. They are the masterminds," she asserted. The minorities in Bangladesh, especially Hindus, have come under a severe attack by Islamist elements in Bangladesh after the formation of the interim government in the country headed by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus. "Teachers and police are being attacked and murdered. Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists are being attacked. Many churches and temples are being targeted. Why are minorities being attacked?" she questioned, condemning the violence. She also mentioned Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman's recent remarks where he had suggested that with continued violence, the interim government in Bangladesh would not last long. Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam - the leaders of the so-called 'Anti-Discrimination Student Movement' that led to the fall of government headed by Hasina in August - have been spewing venom against Hindus in the country while calling for an immediate ban on ISKCON Bangladesh, accusing the spiritual organisation of "inciting unrest". Last week, after the Bangladeshi authorities arrested and jailed Chinmoy Krishna Das, a spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote who is also associated with Iskcon Bangladesh, Hasina had strongly condemned the "tortures" inflicted on common people by the interim government in Bangladesh and called for "immediate release" of the Hindu priest. "A top leader of the Sanatan religious community has been unjustly arrested, he must be released immediately," said Hasina. The Bangladesh Awami League (AL) president and daughter of the 'Father of the Nation' Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had also highlighted several incidents of persecution of members of minority communities that have been reported from across 52 districts in Bangladesh since her resignation on August 5, this year. "A temple has been burnt in Chittagong. Previously, mosques, shrines, churches, monasteries and houses of the Ahmadiyya community were attacked, vandalized and looted and set on fire. Religious freedom and security of life and property of people of all communities should be ensured," she stated. "After the killing of innumerable Awami League leaders and workers, students and members of the law and order forces, harassment is going on through assaults and arrests. I strongly condemn and protest against these anarchist activities," Hasina added. Kolkata, Dec 3 : Considering the current crisis in Bangladesh where the attacks and atrocities on the minority Hindus have become regular, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday called for all Hindus to unite. "There are regular human rights violations there. The people associated with an organisation like International Society for Krishna Consciousness who are spread across the world should protest strongly over the arrest of ISKCON monks in Bangladesh. Even the lawyers taking the brief for the arrested are facing lethal attacks. So it is high time that Hindus get united irrespective of their individual political beliefs," the LoP told newspersons on Tuesday afternoon. He said that an organisation deadlier than terror groups like Islamic State, Taliban or Hamas are active in Bangladesh and they are organising such attacks. The reaction from the LoP comes on a day when Chinmoy Krishna Das, the ISKCON monk from Bangladesh who was accused of sedition, encountered a major setback when lawyers declined to represent him at his bail hearing in court on Tuesday, following which the Chattogram court postponed the bail hearing to January 2. Das, popularly known as Chinmoy Prabhu, the spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport while he was en route to Chattogram to attend a rally. He was denied bail and sent to jail last week. Expressing concern over the development, ISKCON, Kolkata's Vice President and spokesperson Radharaman Das said that it was very sad to see a monk languishing in jail for the last nine to ten days. "We've also heard through the media that their lawyer couldn't even appear in court. There have been false cases filed against lawyers in previous hearings, with their homes being vandalised. Who will come forward to stand for Chinmoy Krishna Das now? This whole situation is deeply troubling. It's unclear when he will receive justice, and the thought of him spending another month in jail is worrying. It's deeply concerning to keep a seer alongside criminals in such an unjust situation," he told IANS. New Delhi, Dec 3 : Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal are the top three large states leading in the creation of Lakhpati Didis at a time when there are a total of 1,15,00,274 such women entrepreneurs across the country, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday. Minister of State for Rural Development Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said in written reply that there are 14,87,631 Lakhpati Didis in Andhra Pradesh, 13,47,649 in Bihar and 11,81,852 in West Bengal. Madhya Pradesh has 10,51,069 Lakhpati Didis, Maharashtra 10,04,338, Uttar Pradesh 8,41,923, Telangana 7,58,693, Gujarat 5,38,760, Odisha 5,37,350, Jharkhand 3,51,808, Tamil Nadu 3,18,101, Kerala 2,84,616, Rajasthan 2,70, 405 and Karnataka 2,36,315. The northern states of Punjab and Haryana have a low number of Lakhpati Didis with 31,700 and 62,743, respectively. Replying to questions from Kota Srinivasa Poojary and Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, the Minister of State said under the Namo Drone Didi Scheme a total of 503 drones have been provided till December 3. A maximum of 97 drones were given in Andhra Pradesh followed by 84 in Karnataka, 72 in Telangana, 34 in Madhya Pradesh, 32 in Uttar Pradesh, 30 in Maharashtra, 23 in Punjab and 22 in Haryana. The MoS said under the Deendayal Antodaya Yojana a" National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), a centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Rural Development, 10.05 crore women have been mobilised into 90.87 lakh SHGs till October 2024. According to an impact evaluation study conducted during 2019-20 by the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) with the support of the World Bank, the DAY-NRLM has led to an increase in income by 19 per cent, the MoS said. The study also indicated a decline in the share of informal loans by 20 per cent and an increase in savings by 28 per cent. The Ministry commissioned the impact evaluation studies to understand the implications on the financial independence of SHG women through the interventions under the DAY-NRLM. The DAY-NRLM is a process-driven programme where various benefits like the Revolving Fund, Community Investment Fund and Bank Linkage are extended to the SHGs as per their eligibility and their demands. DAY-NRLM is being implemented across the country (except Delhi and Chandigarh) with the objective of alleviating rural poverty inter-alia, through organising the rural poor women into Self Help Groups (SHGs) and continuously nurturing and supporting them till they attain appreciable increases in income over a period of time, improve their quality of life and come out of abject poverty, the minister said. The Lakhpati Didi initiative is one of the outcomes of DAY-NRLM. A structured approach has been adopted to make the Self-Help Group (SHG) members Lakhpati or ensure they earn a minimum income of rupees one lakh per year on a sustainable basis. Hyderabad, Dec 3 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader T. Harish Rao on Tuesday lashed out at Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy after police registered a case against him over allegations of illegal phone tapping. The former minister alleged that he was being implicated in false cases as the Chief Minister was unable to bear the fact that he was pulling him up for injustice at every step, exposing him, and questioning him on behalf of the people. Harish Rao posted on X that the Chief Minister knows only of making mistakes and booking false cases. He made it clear that even if the Chief Minister books one lakh false cases against him, he will not stop questioning his misdeeds. The former minister cited different cases booked against him at various places in the state. He said a case was registered against him at Yadagirigutta Police Station for his statement that the Chief Minister betrayed even god on the issue of crop loan waiver. The BRS leader mentioned that another case was booked against him at Begum Bazar Police Station for his remark against the Chief Minister over unkept promises. Harish Rao said another false case was booked against him in Manakondur for criticising the Chief Minister. "Unable to bear my efforts to expose your double standards and for pulling up you before people, today you have booked a false case against me at Panjagutta Police Station. Even if you book one lakh false cases, I will not stop questioning you on behalf of people. I will not stop till you are punished in people's court by people's verdict," said Harish Rao. A case against Harish Rao and others was registered at Panjagutta Police Station in Hyderabad on a complaint by G. Chakradhar Goud, a real estate businessman. The complainant alleged harassment, threats, and unlawful phone surveillance. Panjagutta Police registered a case under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 120(B) (Criminal conspiracy), 386 (Extortion), 409 (Criminal breach of trust), 506 (Criminal intimidation) and section 66 of the Information Technology Act. Goud stated in his complaint that Harish Rao developed a grudge against him due to his charitable activities, including financial support to families of farmers who had committed suicide. The complainant alleged threats, fabricated cases, and unauthorised surveillance of his phone by Harish Rao and associates. Bhopal, Dec 3 : In a shocking incident, an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) allegedly stabbed his wife and sister-in-law to death in Bhopal on Tuesday, police said. The accused was identified as Yogesh Maravi, an ASI posted in Mandla district. The shocking incident came to the fore when the house help came in the morning for work and heard screams from inside the house. The domestic help started banging door in panic and alerted some neighbours. In the meantime, Maravi opened the door and fled from the spot, police said. The incident occurred in an area under the jurisdiction of Aishbagh police station where the victims were residing in a rented accommodation. Police found the bodies lying in a pool of blood from different rooms and with multiple stab wounds. Police said a case has been registered and a search for Maravi has been initiated. Multiple teams from the Mandla district, have been deployed to arrest Maravi. "Upon receiving information, a police team rushed to the spot and found the bodies of two women lying in a pool of blood and multiple cut injuries. It seems the accused attacked the victims with a sharp-edged knife," DCP Priyanka Shukla said. The deceased were identified as Vineeta Maravi and her younger sister Deepika. Police said Maravi had been living separately for the last five years. Maravi's wife was residing with her younger sister in the Aishbagh area in Bhopal. The forensic team reached the spot and collected evidence for further investigation. The Maravi couple had a property dispute which was suspected to be the reason behind the crime, police said. However, DCP Shukla said an investigation into the case was underway. "CCTV footage was being scanned. His mobile is being traced for location," DCP Shukla added. Jammu, Dec 3 : The J&K government on Tuesday approved 20 per cent DA for the employees of J&K State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC) employees effective from August 1, 2024. Officials said that Satish Sharma, Transport Minister today approved the DA hike. The JKSRTC is a body corporate. The board of directors of the corporation had approved the DA hike in favour of its employees on August 16, 2024. JKSRTC came into being soon after Independence in 1947. The trucks and buses owned by operators like N.D. Radhakrishnan, allied Chirag Din & Sons and Nanda Bus Service got held up on the other side of the border leading to transport services and movement of essential commodities collapsing abruptly as the private transporters were reluctant to come forward for transportation of food grains and shifting of refugees. In order to defuse the crisis, the government established Government Transport Undertaking (GTU) on January 5, 1948, with a fleet of 50 trucks which were purchased from M/S General Motor Corporation Bombay. With the growing demand for intervention of the government in passenger transport, a new fleet of buses was introduced into the existing fleet of Government Transport Undertaking (GTU). GTU was subsequently converted into a Corporation (under section 3) of the Road Transport Corporation Act -1950 on September 1, 1976. Thus, the JKSRTC (a successor to the erstwhile Government Transport Undertaking) came into existence which was done to make the fleet profit-oriented and reduce the burden on the exchequer. The Corporation owns a fleet of more than 1,000 buses, including AC sleeper, semi-sleeper, and ordinary buses. JKSRTC also operates a large number of mini-buses to facilitate travellers in the remote mountainous areas of Jammu and Kashmir. JKSRTC buses run on all major routes in several states, including Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Delhi. Some of the important routes serviced by JKSRTC include Srinagar, Jammu, Katra, Leh, Kargil, and Udhampur, among others. New Delhi, Dec 3 : Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is set to visit Sambhal on Tuesday along with other party MPs from Uttar Pradesh to assess the situation following recent violence that claimed four lives there. Speaking to IANS, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate hit out at the Uttar Pradesh Police for planning to obstruct Rahul Gandhi's visit. "It is his constitutional right to go to Sambhal. If the police stop him, it raises questions about what they are trying to hide. Why are political figures being prevented from visiting affected areas? Five youths have been murdered, and several policemen were injured. Does Rahul Gandhi not have the right to appeal for peace?" Shrinate questioned. She further accused the UP Police of a recurring pattern of restricting leaders, citing incidents in Hathras, Unnao, and Lakhimpur. "Who instigated the riots in Sambhal? What is the role of the police? These are questions that need answers," Shrinate told IANS. Violence in Sambhal erupted amid protests after the officials started the second court-monitored survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Chandausi on November 24, leaving four persons dead and many injured. The locals have alleged that the four youths died from police bullets, whereas the police have denied the claims. The police have arrested several persons over involvement in the violence. Authorities have since imposed restrictions and a heavy police presence to restore order. However, the situation in Sambhal is now normal with shops and other business establishments open and Internet services restored. However, the administration has banned the entry of outsiders in Sambhal till December 10. Shrinate also commented on the India-China border situation, pointing to remarks by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. "The government has finally admitted what Rahul Gandhi and the Congress have been saying along -- that China has encroached on our land. When will the status quo ante of 2020 be restored? Without this, all talks are meaningless. Our soldiers and borders are bearing the brunt of the government's lies," she said. Earlier, S. Jaishankar on Tuesday said that India-China ties that had been "abnormal since 2020" are now moving in the direction of "some improvement" following several high-level engagements, including the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit on October 23. Making a statement in the Lok Sabha regarding 'recent developments in India's relations with China', the EAM provided an extensive update on recent developments in India-China relations, particularly the border areas, highlighting the diplomatic and military measures taken to restore peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). "Our ties have been abnormal since 2020 when peace and tranquillity in the border areas were disturbed. Recent developments reflecting our continuous diplomatic engagement have set our ties in the direction of some improvement," he said. He reiterated that normalcy in India-China relations depends on mutual sensitivity, respect, and interests. New Delhi, Nov 3 : A huge consumer population with a massive production capacity will help India make its mark globally under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, catapulting the country to equal -- maybe even surpass -- the Chinese economy in the future, global investor Mark Mobius said on Tuesday. India is expected to become the third-largest economy in the world with a GDP of $5 trillion in the next couple of years. Ten years ago, India was the 10th largest economy in the world, with a GDP of $1.9 trillion (at current market prices). Mobius said that a lot of new investments are coming into India and more and more large companies are looking at embracing the "China+1" strategy. "India is going to become a favourite destination to establish global supply chains, manufacture components, materials and equipment, which will come at the expense of China in its due course," he noted. The latest study by Oxford Universityas Said Business School (SAS) and Gates Foundation found that Indiaas PRAGATI platform, led by PM Modi, has reduced delays in 340 major infrastructure projects, cutting timelines from years to months, accelerating the completion of long-delayed projects worth a staggering $205 billion. According to Mobius, the most important thing PM Modi has done is the digitisation of the Indian economy. "That has led to great efficiencies and extended to infrastructure growth. You must remember that the internet is part of the infrastructure of any country and PM Modi has done a lot to improve that via various initiatives (Digital India, Make in India, Skill India, IndiaAI Mission and more)," the global investor told IANS. In addition, "as you travel around India, you see there's a tremendous amount of infrastructure building activities going on, like new roads, bridges, etc. That will probably be accelerated because the expenditure will expand with greater incomes", he added According to Mobius, some countries, notably China, have taken advantage of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules and there will be "a reset" soon and the "future is very bright for India". Shimla, Dec 3 : Himachal Pradesh may witness a normal winter this time. On Tuesday, at a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena to review preparedness for the winter with the heads of various departments and all Deputy Commissioners. Saxena directed officers to identify vulnerable areas and deploy adequate human resources, machinery and essential supplies in advance by prioritising areas for snow clearance. As per the Indian Meteorological Departmentas presentation on the forecast of the winter season, the state is likely to see a normal winter season. At the meeting, the Chief Secretary directed the authorities to ensure that all departments were ready for the challenges of winter. He said deployment of machinery like bulldozers and snow-cutters should be done in advance and necessary repairs should be carried out beforehand too. He said that road connectivity, hospitals, power, water supply and educational institutions should be the priority of district administrations. The Chief Secretary asked the Deputy Commissioners to ensure adequate food and fuel supplies in the areas that remain cut off due to heavy snow and road blockages. He also asked the authorities to make certain that communication channels remain functional in such areas. Saxena directed to establishment of control rooms at all levels to ensure coordination and swift response throughout the winter season. The issue of pre-positioning of National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force in Shimla and other districts prone to disasters was also discussed at the meeting. Officers from various departments briefed the Chief Secretary on the preparations being made to ensure the availability of essential services, including the operation of hospitals, fire services and emergency response during any eventuality. Additionally, necessary winter stockpiles, such as food grains, fuel and generator supplies, have been adequately arranged. Director-cum-Special Secretary (Revenue and Disaster Management) D.C. Rana, Additional Director General of Police Abhishek Trivedi, Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap, Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, among others, attended the meeting. New Delhi, Dec 3 : About 533 consumer complaints have been registered under the food and beverages category in the consumer commissions during the last two years, said the government on Tuesday. In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, BL Verma, Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, said that Uttar Pradesh registered the highest number of complaints (112), followed by Rajasthan (88), Haryana (57) and Kerala (51). Assam had three complaints -- the lowest --, while Chandigarh and Uttarakhand had four each. Verma informed that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was established in 2008 under the Food Safety and Standards Act, of 2006. Its primary aim was to "lay down science-based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption". Under the Act, there are specific provisions "for penal action concerning substandard food, misbranded food, and unsafe food". The regulator "conducts regular surveillance, monitoring, inspection, and random sampling of food products including milk, milk products, and baby food". It also provides mobile food testing labs called Food Safety on Wheels (FSWs) to extend the reach of basic testing facilities in remote areas of the country. "In terms of the Consumer Protection (Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions) Rules, 2020, framed under the aegis of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, no fee has to be paid for filing complaints where the value of goods or services paid as consideration is up to Rs 5,00,000," the government said. Meanwhile, the ministry also launched the E-daakhil portal for the online filing of consumer complaints. In addition, video conferencing facilities have been provided at National and state-level Consumer Commissions Jaipur, Dec 3 : An MBBS student committed suicide by jumping from the hostel roof at BR Ambedkar Medical College in Udaipur on Tuesday. A police official said that they have taken the body in its custody and kept it in the mortuary of the district hospital. The deceased student has been identified as Rahul Kumar Garasiya, a second-year MBBS student. Students informed the police that Rahul was studying till 2:30 in the night in his room. Officials said that he jumped around three o'clock from the sixth floor of the hostel. Police said that the student's mobile, jacket and slippers were found on the sixth floor. The police said that examinations are going on in the college and Rahul's paper did not go well two days back. He had also shared about the paper with his friends. Shivganj DSP Pushpendra Verma said that Rahul was a resident of Pali. The DSP said that on receiving the information, he reached the hospital. The body has been kept in the trauma centre. "Medical college principal Dr. Shravan Kumar Meena has given a report. We are awaiting the report of the family members. Further action will be initiated after the report comes," the DSP said. Hyderabad, Dec 3 : The government of Telangana on Tuesday launched a new unified online building and layout approval system that promises to reduce processing time from weeks to minutes. Minister for Information Technology, Electronics, and Industry, D. Sridhar Babu, launched the system aBuildNowa, under which the scrutiny time will come down to less than five minutes as against 2-30 days under the existing system. He told media persons that under the existing system TG bPASS, the scrutiny process can take anywhere from 2 to 30 days while under the new system this timeframe reduces to less than 5 minutes. Even a multi-storied building with a total three towers, each with 40+ floors, will take less than two minutes. The minister said since 60 per cent of the stateas population is living in urban areas, the government was giving priority to urban development and creating a business-friendly environment. Terming it a revolutionary step towards modern, citizen-centric governance, he said Telangana is the first state in the country to introduce fastest drawing scrutiny system. The new system will revolutionise approvals, reducing drawing scrutiny processing times from weeks to minutes, setting a benchmark for efficiency, he said. This advanced system, powered by the latest technologies, represents a fundamental shift in how citizens interact with building regulations and permissions, making the process faster, more reliable, and user-friendly. Explaining the groundbreaking features of the new system, he said that the lightning-fast scrutiny engine processes even complex multi-tower buildings in under 5 minutes. It has unified single-window interface that eliminates citizens' need to visit multiple departments and switch between portals. The immersive 3D visualisation technology allows citizens to experience their buildings before construction. Sridhar Babu said AI-powered assistants provide instant, accurate guidance on building regulations. The system is also powered by blockchain technology that ensures verifiable tracking of every application. He mentioned that under TG bPASS system, citizens have to navigate multiple platforms for application submission, status tracking, fee payments, and more, resulting in confusion and delays. BuildNow offers a Single Unified Portal that encompasses both the drawing scrutiny and the application process. This integrated platform provides a seamless experience for users, ensuring that all necessary functions are accessible in one location. Under the existing system, building plans are reviewed in static, traditional formats, leaving room for misinterpretation. Additionally, citizens have no way to visualise projects and verify builders' approved plans. By leveraging Augmented Reality (AR) technology, the new system provides interactive and immersive visualisations. This innovative feature allows citizens to visualise proposed projects in their real-world context, enhancing understanding. Through interactive 3D models, citizens can experience buildings before construction begins, while also promoting real estate development. Under TG bPASS, transactions and approvals are not fully visible to the public, leading to gaps in trust and accountability while BuildNow enhances trust and accountability by utilising public blockchain technology. This approach ensures that all actions, approvals, and transactions are transparent and traceable, fostering a sense of confidence among citizens. Citizens under the present system often struggle to understand the complex steps and rules of the application process, leading to mistakes and delays. An AI-powered virtual assistant is integrated into the platform under the new system, offering tailored assistance to citizens. This feature guides users through the application process, answers queries and provides personalised support, ensuring that users feel empowered and informed. Changwon, Dec 3 : Kim Young-sun, a former five-term lawmaker of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), was indicted by prosecutors on Tuesday, along with Myung Tae-kyun, a political broker at the centre of a growing election nomination scandal involving the ruling party. The Changwon District Prosecutors' Office said Kim and Myung were indicted and detained on charges of violating the Political Funds Act in the past, Yonhap news agency reported. Prosecutors allege that Kim offered Myung 80.7 million won ($57,540) between August 2022 and November 2023 through the former lawmaker's campaign finance officer in connection with Kim's candidate nomination during the 2022 parliamentary bye-elections. Prosecutors believe Myung exploited his connections with influential figures, including President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, to solicit bribes by promising nominations. Under the Political Funds Act, it is illegal to give or receive political funds in connection with recommending specific candidates for public office. Last week, prosecutors raided the headquarters of the PPP in Seoul as part of the investigation into the influence-peddling scandal. Kolkata, Dec 3 : A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court, on Tuesday, observed that the court might in future enforce control over protests and demonstrations in case those programmes involve destruction of public property and assault of government staff and officials. On Tuesday, the single-judge bench of Justice Tirthankar Ghosh made this observation while giving permission to an independent agency to carry out a demonstration at Rani Rashmoni Road in central Kolkata on December 5 to protest against the attack and atrocities over minority Hindus in Bangladesh. While granting the permission, Justice Ghosh made it clear that in case if there is any instance of destruction of public property or assault of government staff or officials during the demonstration, the court might enforce control over such demonstrations in future. Justice Ghosh also observed that such unfortunate events during demonstrations are often conducted to seek public attention and the court under no circumstance will tolerate that. The scheduled protest rally is supposed to have a gathering of 2,500 individuals. Since the venue of the demonstration is under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Command of the Indian Army, the organising body had sought permission from the Army and also the Kolkata Police. The city police have already clarified that in case permission from the Army is available they will have no objection to the programme. Thereafter the Calcutta High Court gave the permission for the same but with a word of caution. During the last few days, there have been several protests and rallies in different parts of West Bengal over the attacks and atrocities against minority Hindus in neighbouring Bangladesh as well as the arrests of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) monks there. On Tuesday, the leader of the opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari said it is high time that the Hindus in India, irrespective of their political ideologies, get united against the attack on minority Hindus in Bangladesh. Mumbai, Dec 3 : BJP legislators from across Maharashtra have started reaching Mumbai to attend the party's crucial meeting to elect the legislature party group leader slated for Wednesday. For the first time MLAs to senior legislators, all are visiting the BJP's headquarters situated near Mantralaya in south Mumbai to understand the modalities of tomorrow's meeting. Wednesday's meeting is taking place amid chorus grows for Devendra Fadnavis to be the next chief minister. The party has deputed Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani as the observers who will attend Wednesday's meeting and submit its report on the election of the legislature party group leader. Party legislator Amit Satam said: "It is the desire of the legislators that Devendra Fadnavis, who is the architect of the BJP's stellar performance and also a major contributor in the MahaYuti's landslide victory, should become the chief minister. The legislators are expected to elect him as the legislature party group leader at Wednesday's meeting." Another legislator, who was elected for the first time from cooperative-rich western Maharashtra, argued that Devendra Fadnavis has worked hard to increase BJP's tally and its vote share. "We want him to become the Chief Minister," he said. A four-term party legislator claimed Devendra Fadnavis is the front-runner for the chief minister's post. Devendra Fadnavis not only played a major role in BJP's victory but he took the initiative to calm most of the rebels and also relentlessly campaigned not only for party nominees but also for MahaYuti candidates. "Fadnavis is known as an ace administrator as the state has witnessed his style of functioning during his five-year term as state chief minister from 2014 to 2019," he said. He also claimed that Devendra Fadnavis is a great strategist and he will certainly play an important role in the management of upcoming elections to the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation. "BJP is resolved to hoist the saffron flag atop BMC," he said. He further said that Devendra Fadnavis has emerged as the leader and implementer of the development vision. "Under his chief ministership, the state government will make all efforts for Maharashtra to become a $1 trillion economy and also overcome fiscal challenges, especially in the wake of rising revenue and fiscal deficits and public debt," he said. He added that, moreover, Devendra Fadnavis enjoys strong support of RSS which is very important for him to become a chief minister. New Delhi, Dec 3 : After days of washout, both houses of Parliament saw proceedings as usual on Tuesday however, it was marked by bitter verbal exchanges between the Treasury and Opposition benches. The fracas broke out over BJP MP Sambit Patra raking up the 'mysterious and thrilling banking fraud' of 1971 to corner the Congress party, thereby leaving the latter up in arms. It was only at the intervention of Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla that the Congress members relented and toned down their vociferous protest. The Parliament which remained 'paralysed' for a week saw operations returning to normal this morning, with the Samajwadi Party (SP) raising the Sambhal violence issue and blaming the 'fight between Centre and state' as the reason behind bloody unrest in the city. As Sambit Patra, BJP's first-time MP from Puri spoke on the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024, he spoke about systemic corruption in the banking industry and also the need to plug the loopholes. When he raked up one of the most sensational banking fraud cases in history, the one that happened during the Indira Gandhi regime, it led to a huge uproar and elicited strong protest from Congress members. Recalling the Nagarwala scandal of 1971, the BJP MP said that it was one of the most mysterious and thrilling stories of banking fraud cases, that happened during the Indira Gandhi regime. "On May 24, 1971, a phone call was made to the Parliamentary branch of the State Bank of India branch. Mr Ved Prakash Malhotra, the bank manager, picked up the phone call and was shocked to hear the voice on the other side. It was the voice of Indira Gandhi. She directed the bank manager to give Rs 60 lakh to Nagarwala," Patra pointed out. Patra's direct charge at the then Congress PM left the grand old party see red. KC Venugopal stood in protest and vociferously countered the charges by stating that her strong governance earned her the title of 'Maa Durga' by the then BJP veteran Atal Bihari Vajpayee. As the fuming Congress continued loud protests, the Speaker offered to address their concerns by expunging Indira Gandhi's name from the proceedings. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman too came forward in Patra's defence and disputed the claims that Vajpayee described the then PM as 'Durga avatar'. The Nagarwala scandal of 1971 is purportedly one of the biggest financial scandals of Indira's time and the charges were colossal enough to put the then Congress govt's fate in jeopardy. A couple of books have also mentioned a 'very secret call' to the SBI cashier from someone impersonating Indira Gandhi and directing the manager to hand over Rs 60 lakh to Rustam Sohrab Nagarwala, a retired Army captain. Patra also told the house that the Reddy Commission was formed to probe the charges. "Though Indira Gandhi was not named, the taint could never be washed away," he added. Manila, Dec 3 : Philippine troops killed six alleged rebels during a clash in Philippines, the military said on Tuesday. The military said the fighting between the government troops and the New People's Army (NPA) broke out on Monday in Las Navas, Northern Samar province, Xinhua news agency reported. The troops recovered the bodies of six rebels along with some weapons and ammunition at the clash site. No soldier was killed or wounded in the encounter. NPA rebels have been fighting government troops since 1969. Military data showed that the NPA's personnel strength has declined since its peak of around 25,000 armed members in the 1980s. Despite its dwindling fighters, the NPA continues to launch small-scale attacks in the countryside. Jammu, Dec 3 : Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Lieutenant Governor (LG), Manoj Sinha, on Tuesday chaired a review meeting of the Union Territory's Home Department in Jammu. An official statement here said that LG Manoj Sinha chaired a high-level meeting to review the functioning of the Home Department on Tuesday at Raj Bhawan. Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo; Principal Secretary, Home, Chandraker Bharti; DGP Nalin Prabhat; DGP Prisons, Deepak Kumar; ADGP Hqrs/Coordination, M.K Sinha; ADGP Law & Order; Vijay Kumar; ADGP Jammu, Anand Jain; Director Fire & Emergency Services, Alok Kumar; ADGP CID, Nitish Kumar; Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor, Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari; IGP Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi and other senior officials of the J&K Police were present in the meeting. "The chair was briefed on Security Related Expenditure (SRE), Manpower Positioning, Infrastructure Works, and other important issues of Home and Subordinate Departments including J&K Police, Prisons, Fire & Emergency Services, Home Guards, SDRF, Prosecution and Forensic Sciences. "The Lieutenant Governor emphasised on modernisation and strengthening of the police and allied organisations to effectively deal with law, order and security related challenges. He further directed for completion of all projects under SRE and PMDP within the stipulated time. "The meeting also discussed effective Prison Management, Human Resource and other issues related to internal security and the criminal justice system", the statement said. LG Sinha controls the police, general administration, prisons, the Anti-Corruption Bureau and all-India services including IAS and IPS in J&K. In order to remove any possible confusion in the powers of the LG and the elected government, the Union Home Ministry is expected to issue Rules of Business for J&K shortly. The Rules of Business being issued by the MHA are expected to be on the Puducherry model, which is a UT with an elected Assembly and a chief minister. New Delhi, Dec 3 : The Central government is encouraging the use of bio-fertilisers which are an economical and eco-friendly source of nutrients and considered an important component of organic farming and Integrated nutrient management, Minister of State for Agriculture Bhagirath Choudhary said in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Biofertilisers are promoted under Paramparagat Krishi Vikash Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) schemes. Under the PKVY scheme, farmers are provided financial assistance of Rs 15000/ ha for three years through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for on-farm and off-farm organic inputs including bio-fertiliser. Under MOVCDNER, financial assistance @ Rs 32500/ ha for three years is provided to farmers for off-farm/on-farm organic inputs including bio-fertiliser, the minister said. The National Center of Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF) and its Regional Center of Organic and Natural Farming located at Ghaziabad, Nagpur, Bangalore, Imphal and Bhubaneswar are organising various trainings and awareness on organic farming and production and use of organic and bio-fertilisers. Besides training and awareness, to ensure quality bio-fertilisers have been notified under the Fertiliser Control Order (1985) and their quality standards have been specified which are required to be adhered to mandatorily by the manufacturers. Under PKVY and MOVCDNER Rs. 693.30 Cr. and Rs. 236.78 crores respectively have been put in farmers' accounts via DBT in the last five years, for inputs including biofertilisers, he said. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed efficient strains of bio-fertilisers specific to different crops and soil types to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers in agricultural production. ICAR recommends the integrated use of fertilisers and manures. Biofertilisers, both liquid and powdered form have been developed and promoted under the All India Network Project on Soil Biodiversity. Biofertilisers for Phosphorus solubilisation, Nitrogen fixation, Potassium and Zinc solubilisation suitable for different crops across the country are developed and many of them are commercialised. The ICAR also imparts training on the use of bio-fertilisers and organises front-line demonstrations, awareness programs etc. to educate farmers on all these aspects. The minister also explained that to encourage farmers to use bio-fertilisers, the government has taken various initiatives which include the integrated use of bio-fertiliser, organic fertiliser and organic manure has been made an integral part of a package of practices developed by ICAR and State Agriculture Universities. Besides, ICAR has developed liquid bio-fertiliser technology with higher shelfa"life and also developed improved strains of bio-fertilisers specific to different crops and soil types. The government is implementing PKVY and MOVCDNER schemes in the country. The financial assistance of Rs 15000/ ha for three years is provided in both the schemes through DBT to ensure that farmers buy organic inputs including bio-fertiliser, he added. Prayagraj, Dec 3 : In its mission to make Maha Kumbh 2025 one of the largest and safest pilgrimages, the Uttar Pradesh government has introduced state-of-the-art remote light buoys, life jackets for security personnel, floating jetties and rescue tubes. These advanced devices are designed to quickly reach any location, ensuring the safety of individuals in case of any eventuality. Moreover, 700 flag-mounted boats, manned by PAC, NDRF, and SDRF personnel have been deployed, which will operate 24/7 to ensure the security of pilgrims. In the event of emergencies, a comprehensive evacuation plan via Maujgiri has also been put in place. Directions have been issued to remove all dilapidated boats operating between Sangam Nose and Kilaghat. Security personnel from PAC, SDRF, and NDRF are also receiving training in modern technologies and emergency management. Ultra-modern life jackets, four new floating jetties, and rescue tubes have been ordered for the security men to ensure their readiness to handle any emergencies. Special security arrangements have also been made at Kila Ghat to ensure the smooth movement of VIPs and the safety of all devotees. Special forces will be deployed at the location to address any issues faced by the devotees, both from India and abroad. Tight security measures are also being implemented from Saraswati Ghat to Sangam Ghat, with deep barricading in place. Additionally, the installation of nets around the ghat is in its final stages. Flood relief teams from the PAC battalion also inspected Sangam Ghat and other bathing ghats. Rehearsals were conducted to prepare for any adverse situation. Rajiv Narayan Mishra, Inspector General of Police, Eastern Zone, Prayagraj, directed the soldiers to stay alert and perform their duties diligently. He further said that seven PAC companies have been deployed to ensure the safety of devotees attending Maha Kumbh. One company has been assigned to GRP, and another to the Commissionerate. Additionally, five companies have been deployed at the fair, with two of these dedicated to flood relief operations. These teams consist of skilled swimmers trained to handle any emergencies that may arise. Security personnel deployed for Maha Kumbh are undergoing specialised communication training to ensure seamless coordination. They are also being taught how to communicate effectively when transitioning from one boat to another. New Delhi, Dec 3 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday lauded the Rajya Sabha's approval of the landmark amendments to the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act 1948, to facilitate the ease of business and speed up the development of India's rapidly growing energy sector. "This is an important legislation which will boost energy security and also contribute to a prosperous India," PM Modi said on X while responding to Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri's statement. Hailing this as "a historic step into the future" Puri said, "The epochal amendments proposed will further strengthen and propel India's energy sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and ensure policy stability, international arbitration, extended lease periods etc." Since petroleum (crude oil/ natural gas) is found in the pore spaces of subsurface rocks and is extracted by drilling delinking of terms like 'mine' 'quarried' or 'excavated' as referred to in the current Act will remove ambiguity and introduce Ease of Doing Business into the sector which is more technologically driven, the minister explained. The term 'mineral oil' is traditionally understood to be natural gas and petroleum. As unconventional hydrocarbon resources have been discovered and developed, the definition needs to be updated to reflect the modern understanding of the term, he pointed out. The definition of a mining lease is being amended to clarify that leases granted prior to the commencement of the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Act will be called mining leases. Thereafter, the use of said terminology will be discontinued and the term petroleum lease as defined in clause (f) shall be used. To encourage investors for holistic development of the field including planning for proper reservoir management practices as well as confidence to induct capital-intensive Enhanced Recovery methods. The provision seeks to empower the government to make rules for protecting the environment and promoting the development of green energy projects and the adoption of energy transition measures to enable the government and the companies to achieve their climate vision. The minister pointed out that small operators and new entrants often face difficulties in carrying out operations due to the high costs of infrastructure and facilities. This provision enables the government to make Rules to enable the sharing of production and processing facilities and other infrastructure by two or more lessees. The proposed amendments provide for a proper mechanism for the levy of penalties as well as for the handling of appeals arising therefrom with the formation of adjudication authority, mechanisms and appeals, the minister added. Bhopal, Dec 3 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav paid tributes to the victims of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy on the occasion of its 40th anniversary on Tuesday. Talking to the press, the Chief Minister recalled the fateful incident, saying that night (intervening night of December 3, 1984), he along with some BJP workers was present at an MLAas guest house. "40 years have passed since the tragic incident of the gas tragedy. I myself was in Bhopal that day. I had never seen such a tragedy in my life as Bhopal and the world saw that day. I pay my humble tribute to the departed souls on the anniversary of the gas tragedy," he added. He also stated that his government is making all possible efforts to dispose of the toxic waste lying inside the factory premises. Spread over 85 acres in the old Bhopal city area, the Union Carbide factory premises give an eerie feeling with falling buildings and ever-growing shrubs, a remnant of an unparalleled tragedy that saw thousands die and lakhs suffer. Apart from the toxic chemical stored at the premises and contaminating waters, the irony is that one of the three iron tanks (Tank - E610), whose malfunctioning had resulted in the leakage of toxic MIC gas and caused the deaths of around 3,000 people within a few hours after the leak, is still lying at the entry point of the abandoned factory. Reports also suggest that the Bhopal UCIL facility had housed three underground -- 68,000 litres liquid MIC storage tanks, named -- E610, E611 and E612. Despite multiple court orders and warnings, government authorities have not disposed of the waste safely. The Union government has released Rs 126 crore to the Madhya Pradesh government to carry out plans to dispose of 337 MT of toxic waste, which was collected and kept in the premises of the factory in 2005. A Centre-appointed committee in 2010 in its study report submitted that apart from 337 MT of toxic waste, the factory premises also contains about 11 lakh tonnes of contaminated soil, one tonne of mercury, and nearly 150 tonnes of underground dumps. The government has no plans yet on how to deal with these huge materials. New Delhi, Dec 3 : The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed the landmark amendments to the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948 to facilitate the ease of business and speed up the development of India's rapidly growing energy sector. New Delhi, Dec 3 (IANS) The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed the landmark amendments to the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948 to facilitate the ease of business and speed up the development of Indiaas rapidly growing energy sector. Hailing this as "a historic step into the future", Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said: "The epochal amendments proposed will further strengthen and propel Indiaas energy sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and ensure policy stability, international arbitration, extended lease periods etc." Since petroleum (crude oil/ natural gas) is found in the pore spaces of subsurface rocks and is extracted by drilling, delinking of terms like aminea aquarrieda or aexcavateda as referred to in the current Act will remove ambiguity and introduce Ease of Doing Business into the sector which is more technologically driven, the minister said. The term amineral oila is traditionally understood to be natural gas and petroleum. As unconventional hydrocarbon resources have been discovered and developed, the definition needs to be updated to reflect the modern understanding of the term, the minister pointed out. The definition of a mining lease is being amended to clarify that leases granted prior to the commencement of the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Act will be called mining leases. Thereafter, the use of said terminology will be discontinued and the term petroleum lease as defined in clause (f) shall be used. To encourage investors for holistic development of the field including planning for proper reservoir management practices as well as confidence to induct capital-intensive Enhanced Recovery methods. The provision seeks to empower the government to make rules for protecting the environment and promoting the development of green energy projects and the adoption of energy transition measures to enable the government and the companies to achieve their climate vision. Minister Puri also pointed out that small operators and new entrants often face difficulties in carrying out operations due to the high costs of infrastructure and facilities. This provision enables the government to make rules to enable the sharing of production and processing facilities and other infrastructure by two or more lessees. The proposed amendments provide for a proper mechanism for the levy of penalties as well as for the handling of appeals arising therefrom with the formation of adjudication authority, mechanisms and appeals, he added. Hanoi, Dec 3 : Vietnam's southern hub Ho Chi Minh City has recently reported a surging number of measles cases, especially among children, according to the city's Department of Health on Tuesday. The city reported 319 new measles infections last week, 58.1 per cent more than the average for the previous four weeks, Xinhua news agency reported. The number of new cases rose among children aged 11 to 14 and newborns aged six to nine months. Since early this year, there have been 2,438 new cases of measles infection in the city, including four deaths. Vietnam's Ministry of Health launched a campaign to provide measles vaccines for children nationwide on August 22 this year. Jerusalem, Dec 3 : Israel's Defence Ministry announced on Tuesday the purchase of $40 million worth of advanced drones and autonomous systems from Elbit Systems, an Israeli weapons and defence manufacturer. Under the contracts, Elbit will supply intelligence-collection drones, mission-specific drones, and mini-drones designed for precision strikes in urban areas, Xinhua news agency reported. The new systems feature "advanced capabilities and are designed for various missions, including precise intelligence gathering and targeted strikes," said the ministry, adding that it strengthens the military's autonomous combat capabilities on the battlefield. Since October 7, 2023, Israel has been engaged in multi-front conflicts involving Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and a major military campaign in Gaza. During this period, Israel has increasingly relied on drones for surveillance and precision strikes to monitor militant activity and conduct targeted operations. Patna, Dec 3 : Purnea MP Pappu Yadav found himself embroiled in controversy on Tuesday after the police investigation into threats allegedly made against him took an unexpected turn. According to Purnea SP Kartikeya Sharma, the arrested individual, Rambabu Yadav, admitted that the threats were fabricated as part of a ploy to pressure the government into providing enhanced security to Pappu Yadav. Rambabu, who was apprehended in Bhojpur, disclosed that close associates of Pappu Yadav orchestrated the threats. He alleged that they paid him to pose as a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and make threatening calls. Additionally, he claimed he was promised a position in the Jan Adhikar Party (JAP), led by Pappu Yadav, as part of the arrangement. "There is no evidence linking Rambabu or the alleged threats to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang," Sharma said. Based on Rambabu's confession, Sharma further said that the entire episode appears to have been staged to justify heightened security measures for the MP. "Rambabu was lured into the plot with promises of being made a leader of Pappu Yadav's Jan Adhikar Party in Bhojpur and an initial payment of 2,000. The total deal was reportedly worth 2 lakh," Sharma said. "Rambabu had recorded two videos to threaten Yadav. While one video was sent, the other was intercepted before it could be circulated," Sharma said. Rambabu Yadav, a resident of Shahpur block in Bhojpur district, was revealed to be the person behind the threatening calls and videos, which were claimed to be from Pakistan. In another case, the individual arrested by Purnea police for allegedly making threatening calls from Dubai turned out to be a canteen worker residing in Delhi. Mumbai, Dec 3 : Telugu superstar Allu Arjun, who will be seen in the upcoming movie 'Pushpa: The Rule', has lauded actress Sreeleela, and said that the actress has got a bright future. Sreeleela features in the special number titled 'Kissik' from 'Pushpa: The Rule'. With her magnificent aura and electrifying dance moves, Sreeleela has always captivated the hearts of audiences. The actress earlier made waves with the popular song 'Kurchi Madathapetti' from 'Guntur Kaaram' starring Mahesh Babu. During a recent pre-release event, Allu Arjun praised Sreeleela, calling her a talented actress with a promising future in the industry. The icon star Allu Arjun said, "What a cute girl, She is so cute! She has a bright future, and I wish you all the best, Sreeleela. For this generation, you are an inspiration to all Telugu girls". He further mentioned, "In this generation, you are the first star Telugu girl to bring us pride. I wholeheartedly wish that you take us all to even greater heights. Amma, you should make us all proud". Sreeleela is known for her graceful moves and vibrant presence, has garnered significant praise for her performance. Her flawless dancing alongside Allu Arjun's signature style adds to the song's appeal, making it a visual treat. Meanwhile, 'Pushpa 2: The Rule', directed by Sukumar also stars Fahadh Faasil and Rashmika Mandanna. The film is produced by Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar Writings with music on T Series. The film is a sequel to 'Pushpa: The Rise', which was released in the thick of the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. The film emerged as a box-office winner at a time when the majority of theatres across the nation were shut down. 'Pushpa: The Rule' is set to arrive in cinemas on December 5, 2024. New Delhi, Dec 3 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the Indian Army to pay Rs 50,000 costs to the widow of a soldier, who was a part of Operation Rakshak in Jammu and Kashmir. A bench, headed by Justice Abhay S. Oka, was dealing with a special leave petition filed by the Union government against an order of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) granting the deceased's wife benefits of Liberalised Family Pension (LFP). "In our view, in a case like this, the respondent (widow) ought not to have been dragged to this court, and the decision-making authority of the appellants ought to have been sympathetic to the widow of a deceased soldier who died in harness," the bench, also comprising Justice A.G. Masih, said. The deceased was part of an Area Domination Patrol, which was launched for domination of the Rangwar gap in the proximity of the Line of Control (LC) along the Anti-Infiltration Obstacle System (AIOS). In January 2013, the deceased complained of breathlessness in extreme climatic conditions and the regimental medical officer found his condition very critical. He could not be air-evacuated due to bad weather and was evacuated on foot. The cause of his death was cardiopulmonary arrest. Initially, his death was classified as a "battle casualty" but was later classified as a "physical casualty" attributable to military service. The wife of the deceased was granted all terminal benefits, including a special family pension. She moved before the AFT challenging the denial of the Liberalised Family Pension (LFP). Ultimately, the AFT, in August 2019, allowed her application and directed the Indian Army to grant LFP and ex-gratia lump sum amount payable in case of battle casualties dying in harness. The respondent authorities argued before the SC that the view taken by the NGT was "entirely erroneous" as the deceased died due to cardiopulmonary arrest and his case was classified as a "physical casualty" attributable to military service, eligible for a special family pension. In its judgment, the Supreme Court took note of the fact that initially, the Commanding Officer had categorised the death as a "battle casualty", and later on, it was changed to a "physical casualty". Further, the certificate issued by the Commanding Officer recorded that the deceased was working in extreme climatic conditions on the date of his death. The top court said that "the death can be attributed to illness caused by extreme climatic conditions" and the case of the deceased will fall in the category of "Battle Casualties". "In this case, the death has occurred as a result of a war-like situation prevailing near LOC. Therefore, we concur with the view taken by the Tribunal," it added. Dismissing the Union governmentas appeal, the top court said that the NGT judgment will be implemented within a maximum period of three months and ordered respondent authorities to pay the costs quantified as Rs 50,000 to the widow within a period of two months. Bhopal, Dec 3 : A district court of Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday acquitted bangle-seller Taslim Ali, who was arrested for sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of a woman in Indore in 2021. "I had full faith in the Constitution. Truth always triumphs. I thank all those who stood by me during these difficult times," said Ali after being acquitted of all charges. Indore district court pronounced its judgement, acquitting Taslim Ali from all charges, including the POCSO Act framed against him. He was already out on bail after a few months of his arrest. A 25-year-old Taslim Ali, a native of Hardoi in Uttar Pradesh, was arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act for allegedly touching a 13-year-old girl inappropriately. Indore Police had then arrested Ali on the basis of a complaint of a minor girl in Indore, accusing him of touching her inappropriately. The girl had also alleged that Ali had introduced himself as Golu. However, before the police arrested him from Indore's Banganga area where he put his bangles stall, a mob assaulted him and beat him up brutally. Two Aadhar cards were recovered from his possession which sparked political controversy. Ali had also filed a complaint at a police station, saying that he was selling bangles when he was abused, threatened and assaulted by hooligans. The mob had also snatched away Rs 10,000 in cash, a mobile phone, the Aadhar card and other documents besides bangles worth over Rs 25,000. He was arrested by Indore police following the complaint filed by the minor girl and he was charged with offences under Section 354 (outraging woman's modesty), 354 A (sexual harassment), 467 (forgery), 420 cheating), 506 (criminal intimidation) and under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. However, the Madhya Pradesh High Court granted him bail a few months after his arrest, observing that the nature of the accusations did not warrant his continued custody and that he had no prior criminal record. New Delhi, Dec 3 : The Delhi BJP Minority Morcha on Tuesday protested outside Arvind Kejriwal's Feroz Shah Road residence, questioning the perceived silence of AAP National Convenor and the INDIA Bloc parties over AAP legislator Naresh Yadav's 2016 desecration of the Quran. The party also demanded Yadav's expulsion from the AAP and the Assembly. Speaking at the protest, BJP Delhi President Virendra Sachdeva claimed, "If such a case had involved a BJP leader, the uproar from the INDIA Bloc would have been deafening. Yet today, figures like Asaduddin Owaisi, Congress, and SP remain silent." The protest, led by Minority Morcha President Anis Abbasi, was also addressed by Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta, BJP leader Sardar Arvinder Singh Lovely, senior leader Atif Rasheed, and others. "Those who claim to champion Muslim interests merely see them as vote banks," said Vijender Gupta. He criticised the Delhi government for inaction despite controlling the police in Punjab and accused Kejriwal of shielding Yadav by engaging lawyers with high fees. Anis Abbasi declared that Delhi's Muslim community is angry over Yadav's actions and Kejriwal's decision to retain him in the party. "Our protest will continue till Yadav is dismissed from the party," he added. "Muslims of Delhi will unite and vote against Kejriwal in the upcoming assembly elections," said Anis Abbasi. Punjab's Malerkotla court recently found AAP MLA Naresh Yadav guilty, sentencing him to two years imprisonment and imposing a fine of Rs 11,000. Sachdeva accused Kejriwal of sheltering individuals like Yadav and demanded the MLA's dismissal from both the Assembly and the AAP. "This protest is not political but aims to uphold the sentiments of Muslims," Sachdeva emphasised, questioning the double standards of Muslim leaders and their silence on Yadav's actions. Other key participants included BJP Media Head Praveen Shankar Kapoor, Morcha in-charge Sumit Bhasin, Minority Morcha in-charge Mohd. Qazi Haroon, and several Morcha leaders and activists. Sardar Arvinder Singh Lovely stated that the AAP government has used the Muslim community solely as a vote bank, predicting the party's downfall in upcoming elections. Atif Rasheed asserted that AAP's actions have exposed its double standards. "On one hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi works for inclusive growth and trust, while Kejriwal's actions demean minorities," he concluded. Seoul, Dec 4 : A military command, launched with the declaration of martial law by President Yoon Suk Yeol late Tuesday, announced a decree banning all political activities, including protests and activities by political parties in South Korea. The decree issued by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su, a four-star general who has been named to lead the command, had gone into effect as of 11 pm Tuesday. "All political activities, including those related to the National Assembly, regional assemblies, political parties, the forming of political organizations, rallies and protests are banned," Park said. Park said the decree has been proclaimed nationwide to defend free democracy and the safety of people from anti-state forces threatening to overthrow the country. The decree also puts all media and publishers under control, in addition to ordering trainee doctors on a walkout to immediately return to work within 48 hours, Yonhap News Agency reported. "The act of denying free democracy or attempting a subversion is banned; fake news, manipulating public opinion and false instigation is banned," Park said. Those who violate martial law can be arrested or raided without a warrant, according to the decree. With the declaration of martial law, the commander oversees administrative and legal affairs in the affected region and can take special measures on areas including arrest, seizure, media and collective action when necessary. By law, the commander is supervised by the defense minister but is under presidential supervision when martial law is issued across the country or when there is a need to do so. Meanwhile, South Korea's bourse operator said it is yet to be decided whether stock markets will open as usual on Wednesday following President Yoon Suk Yeol's unexpected emergency martial law declaration. Yoon declared martial law in a previously unannounced late-night address Tuesday, accusing the opposition side of controlling the parliament and paralyzing the government by conducting "anti-state activities." "It is yet to be decided if the stock markets will be opened Wednesday," a Korea Exchange official said. The benchmark KOSPI and tech-heavy KOSDAQ markets are scheduled to open at 9 a.m. and close at 3:30 p.m. Patna, Dec 3 : Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, providing monetary assistance of Rs 6,000 to farmers, on a yearly basis, has turned out to be a lifeline for the farmers of Bihar's Rohtas district. Many farmers, who are now beneficiaries of the PM-KISAN yojana, are thanking and heaping praise on the Modi government for launching farmer-friendly schemes. A couple of them also spoke to IANS and shared the impact of the scheme in their daily lives. Jitendra Kumar Tiwari, resident of Babhni village of Karghar block of Rohtas district, said, "I belong to a farmer family. I do farming for my livelihood. Earlier, there was no one to look after us. Today, we are getting Rs 6000 annually; it is of great help for us. The farming community is always in need of money during the seed sowing season." "I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for thinking about the farmers. I do farming at two places in Sasaram and Kaimur districts. I use the money that I receive under PM-KISAN for farming in both places," he added. He further thanked the Prime Minister, saying "This is a very good plan. Many thanks to PM Modi." Another farmer Saroj Kumar Pankaj said, "I am a resident of Rohtas. Many like me are benefiting from the PM Kisan Samman Yojana of the central government." "The amount under PM-KISAN is given at such a time when it is needed the most. That is the time of either harvesting or sowing. The need for money is greatest at this time. This is a very difficult time for farmers. At such times, this amount comes into the accounts of the farmers," he said. Notably, the PM-KISAN is a central scheme with 100 per cent funding from the government. The funds are directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. Damascus, Dec 3 : Syrian government forces on Tuesday repelled an attempted advance by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour, pro-government media reported. Field sources in Deir al-Zour told Al-Watan Online, a pro-government news outlet, that residents and tribal fighters joined the Syrian army in pushing back the SDF assault, which was reportedly supported by the U.S.-led international coalition, adding that life has returned to normal in the seven villages involved. "After failing in their attack, SDF militants have begun seeking mediation to return to the truce and ceasefire," the report said. It added that SDF groups are currently regrouping in the al-Ma'amal area north of Deir al-Zour. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, reported earlier that fierce clashes erupted between the SDF's Deir al-Zour Military Council, backed by local tribal fighters, and Syrian government forces along with Iranian-backed militias. According to the Observatory, the confrontations were concentrated around the "Seven Villages" area in rural Deir al-Zour, with both sides engaging in heavy fighting but no significant ground gains were reported despite the intensity of the battles. In a significant escalation, aircraft from the U.S.-led international coalition conducted intensive airstrikes targeting positions held by Iranian-backed militias in the region, the Observatory said, Xinhua news agency reported. Earlier on Tuesday, a young girl was allegedly killed, and three other civilians from the same family were injured when artillery shells fired by Iranian-backed militias struck the village of Jadeed Akidat, also under SDF control, according to the Observatory. The latest escalation underscores the complex situation in eastern Syria, where multiple factions -- including Syrian government forces, Iranian-backed militias, Kurdish-led groups, and international actors -- vie for control over strategic territories rich in oil resources. Meanwhile, rebel fighters in northern Syria continue to battle government forces for territorial gains, pushing the country back to the intense conflict seen during the early years of the Syrian war. Seoul, Dec 4 : Martial law troops entered the National Assembly compound and were attempting to enter the main parliamentary building Wednesday after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law. Troops were seen scuffling with a large number of people trying to block their entry while more people including citizens and reporters were gathered outside the compound in a standoff with parliamentary guards and police. Three helicopters presumably carrying troops flew into the compound around 11:46 p.m. Tuesday and some witnesses claimed to have seen armed soldiers getting off. Access to the compound was only allowed to lawmakers, parliamentary staff and accredited reporters after an ID check. Troops were installing barricades outside the main parliamentary building, Yonhap news agency reported. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok convened an emergency meeting with top economic and financial officials Tuesday following the declaration of martial law. Choi, who doubles as Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, met with the heads of the Bank of Korea, the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service, the finance ministry said. The industry ministry later said it has also held an emergency meeting with senior officials to review and discuss matters related to the economic and industrial situation, as well as energy supply, in light of the martial law declaration. The ministry emphasised its commitment to closely monitoring developments in industries, trade and energy to minimize the impact on the real economy. President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in an unscheduled late-night address, accusing the opposition of "anti-state activities and plotting rebellion." New Delhi, Dec 3 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hailed the rise in the country's Tiger population over the years and hoped the big cats will continue to thrive as a result of the government's conservation efforts. "Wonderful news for environment lovers, in line with our centuries old ethos of caring for nature. Thanks to collective efforts, India's Tiger population has been increasing over time and I am sure this spirit will continue in the times to come," said PM Modi in a message on social media platform X. His comment came in response to Environment and Forest Minister Bhupender Yadav's post announcing the creation of the country's 57th tiger reserve, acknowledging PM Modi's emphasis on wildlife protection. Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Yadav headlined his post "Caring for conservation!" and said, "We continue to make great strides in conserving our tigers. India has added the 57th tiger reserve to its tally." Commending the National Tiger Conservation Authority's conservation efforts, Yadav said, "The latest to join the list is Ratapani Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh. As a country of nature lovers and worshippers, India offers the best habitat for the big cat. The feat is a result of the emphasis laid by PM Shri @narendramodi ji on wildlife protection alongside economic progress." The Environment Minister attached a tiger's photo along with a map highlighting the area of Ratapani Tiger Reserve and said, "I commend @ntca_india for its relentless efforts in tiger conservation. I also congratulate the people of Madhya Pradesh and wildlife lovers across the country." According to the Ministry, the tiger population in the country has increased to 3,682 (range 3167-3925), as per the All India Tiger Estimation done in 2022. In comparison, the 2018 estimation put the tiger population at 2,967 (range 2603-3346) and the 2014 estimation showed a population of 2,226 (range 1945-2491). A government statement said the tiger population is increasing at a rate of 6 per cent per annum when consistently sampled areas are compared. Kolkata, Dec 3 : West Bengal Progressive Potato Traders' Association, on Tuesday evening withdrew the strike following assurances from the state government to resolve the stalemate over the ban on potato export to other states. On Tuesday, the prices of the two main popular varieties of potatoes 'Jyoti' and 'Chandramukhi' increased by almost Rs 9 a kilogram in the different retail markets in the state, especially in the state capital of Kolkata. Thereafter the state government representatives had a meeting with the representatives of the association, following which the latter announced the decision to withdraw the indefinite strike. An association representative said that the decision to withdraw the strike had been taken for two reasons. "First, because the prices of potatoes in the retail markets had started soaring thus causing difficulties for common people especially those from lower or middle-income groups. Second, the state Agriculture Minister Becharam Manna has assured us that if we withdraw the strike he will speak to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the issue of the bar of export of potatoes to other states," he said. He added that on his assurance they have decided to withdraw the strike for the time being. However, the state government imposed the ban due to the prolonged rainfall this season and the sowing of fresh potatoes was delayed substantially. "Hence, the winter production which generally comes into the market by the middle of December every year, this time will enter the market by around the middle of January. Till that time, the state's internal demand will have to be met from the reserve stock at the cold storage. Hence, the state government decided the ban on potato exports to other states for the time being," said the Agriculture Minister. --IANS src/dan New Delhi, Dec 3 : In a big jolt to Aam Aadmi Party's Naresh Balyan, a court here on Tuesday sent the MLA from Delhi's Uttam Nagar constituency to police custody for another day in connection with an extortion case. New Delhi, Dec 3 (IANS) In a big jolt to Aam Aadmi Party's Naresh Balyan, a court here on Tuesday sent the MLA from Delhias Uttam Nagar constituency to police custody for another day in connection with an extortion case. Upon the expiry of the previously granted two-day police remand, Balyan was produced before the Rouse Avenue Court and Delhi Police argued that his custody should be extended for two more days for further interrogation. On the other hand, Balyanas lawyer questioned the necessity of arrest and submitted that he is ready to appear before the investigating officer, as and when needed, and will cooperate with the ongoing probe. Extending Balyanas custody for a day, the court asked Delhi Police to respond to his bail plea on Wednesday. On Sunday, the Rouse Avenue Court sent the AAP leader to two days police custody. The Delhi Police had then argued that Balayan should be sent to its custody for 5 days for interrogation. Balyan was arrested on November 30 following the release of audio clips allegedly featuring him in a conversation with gangster Kapil Sangwan, alias Nandu. The clips purportedly reveal plans to threaten and extort money from Delhi builders and others. The BJP has described Balyan as an "extortionist" and accused AAP leaders of colluding with gangsters to extort protection money from traders and builders. BJP national Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia alleged that Balyan's activities were conducted with AAP supremo and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's full knowledge and consent. Similarly, BJP leader Kailash Gahlot on Sunday dismissed claims of conspiracy surrounding Balyanas arrest, asserting that the matter had been "known to senior leaders for the last one year". Gahlot raised serious concerns about the lack of action from AAP's top brass, including Kejriwal, despite their awareness of the issue. "It would be completely wrong to call this a conspiracy because every senior AAP leader has known about this for the last year. The real question is why no action was taken despite senior party leaders, including the National Convenor, being aware of such activities. It is disturbing that the issue has escalated to this point," he said Jaipur, Dec 3 : The team of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arrested a woman and seized MD drugs worth Rs 6 lakh from her possessions in Rajasthan. NCB Zonal Director Ghanshyam Soni said that this entire operation was carried out around Manipal University. "There was information about drug smuggling and drugs being sold here for a long time. The team started monitoring the developments in and around the area," he said. He added that after receiving a tip, the team carried out the operation and a woman was caught, adding that local police personnel of Bagru police station of Jaipur also cooperated in the action. He identified the woman Kavita Gurjar resident, Gurjar ka Mohalla Dahmi Kala Jaipur. "Around 123.8 grams of MD drug has been recovered from her possession," he said. He added that the NCB Jaipur Zonal Unit has registered a case against the accused woman under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. "Intensive investigation of the case is underway, which includes tracing the drug supply chain and identifying other persons involved in this network," he said. He said that the targeting of educational institutions by drug traffickers is a serious threat to the youth of the society and the future of the country. Soni has appealed to the general public and youth to report any suspicious activity related to drug smuggling or abuse. He said that only by working together we can create a drug-free society and ensure a bright future for the coming generations. In May, Maharashtra Police uncovered facilities producing mephedrone drug, more popularly known as MD, in two Jodhpur villages. Later, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Sirohi police busted another factory manufacturing narcotic drugs in the Sirohi district and arrested two persons in the same month. The Maharashtra Police seized MD worth Rs 107 crore and raw material valued at Rs 68 lakh from a unit in Jodhpur. Jaipur, Dec 3 : The Rajasthan government on Tuesday approved the allotment of land for an IT Park in Makarwali village, aimed at boosting investments during the Rising Rajasthan Summit. Jaipur, Dec 3 (IANS) The Rajasthan government on Tuesday approved the allotment of land for an IT Park in Makarwali village, aimed at boosting investments during the Rising Rajasthan Summit. Spanning 12.95 hectares, the IT Park is expected to generate significant employment opportunities in the region. In addition, the government also approved land allotment for a service reservoir in Lohagal village to address the drinking water crisis in Ajmer North. A 30 MLD capacity service reservoir will be constructed as part of this initiative. The establishment of the IT Park and the service reservoir stems from budgetary announcements made by the state government, influenced by the efforts of Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani. On his recommendation, RIICO initiated the land acquisition for the IT Park, while the Water Supply Department sought land for the service reservoir. The Ajmer Development Authority allocated 12.95 hectares in Makarwali for the IT Park and 10,000 square meters from Khasra number 1965/898 (old 832) in Lohagal for the service reservoir. These proposals were sent to the Urban Development Department, which subsequently issued allotment orders through Deputy Secretary Rakesh Kumar Gupta. Officials highlighted that Ajmeras first IT Park will open avenues for investments from major IT companies during the Rising Rajasthan Summit. Efforts are underway to attract data centres, call centres, and corporate offices from prominent firms. This development is projected to benefit not only the IT sector but also related industries such as hospitality, construction, and transport, creating a ripple effect of employment across various fields. The state government has also allocated a270 crore to address the drinking water challenges in Ajmer, as per the budget announcement. The planned service reservoir in Lohagal will supply water to approximately 50,000 residents in surrounding areas. A dedicated pipeline from Nasirabad, connected to the Bisalpur mainline, will ensure consistent water availability. Officials confirmed that this system will maintain steady water pressure and eliminate dependency on intermediate connections, significantly improving water access in Ajmer North. Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani has been instrumental in expediting these projects, ensuring timely execution through coordination with various departments. Patna, Dec 3 : Bihar MP Pappu Yadav on Tuesday expressed strong dissatisfaction and frustration with the Purnea Police after the Superintendent of Police, Kartikeya Sharma, claimed that a threatening call received by him was orchestrated by one of his own associates. "The Purnea Police should disclose the identity of the person paid to threaten me and take strict legal action against him. The authorities are failing to take my safety seriously and spreading misinformation," Yadav said. Drawing a comparison to the case of late Congress MLA Hemant Shahi, Yadav warned that his situation might meet a similar end if ignored. "Shahi was previously accused of faking an injury after being shot and later succumbed to his injuries during treatment," Yadav said. Yadav revealed that he had received 26 life-threatening calls and messages, including some originating from Malaysia, Pakistan, and Nepal. He questioned why no action had been taken against these threats and suggested a larger conspiracy at play. In a scathing attack, Yadav accused Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's administration of "mental incompetence" and questioned its commitment to protecting his life. He tagged the Chief Minister on social media platform X, reiterating his concerns. "The district police intentionally compromised my security under external influence. I want an impartial investigation into the matter," Yadav said. The tension escalated after the SP Kartikeya Sharma claimed that Yadav's own associate was involved in the threat calls. Earlier, SP Kartikeya Sharma claimed that the arrested individual, Rambabu Yadav, admitted that the threats were fabricated as part of a ploy to pressure the government into providing enhanced security to Pappu Yadav. Rambabu, who was apprehended in Bhojpur, disclosed that close associates of Pappu Yadav orchestrated the threats. He alleged that they paid him to pose as a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and make threatening calls. Additionally, he claimed he was promised a position in the Jan Adhikar Party (JAP), led by Pappu Yadav, as part of the arrangement. "There is no evidence linking Rambabu or the alleged threats to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang," SP Sharma said. Kolkata, Dec 3 : The West Bengal government on Tuesday demanded an equal share in central taxes raised from the state. The demand was raised by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a meeting with the representatives of the 16th Finance Commission here. Currently, based on the 15th Finance Commission's recommendations, 41 per cent of the central divisible tax pool is yearly allocated to the states in 14 instalments over the span of 2021-22 to 2025-26. The representatives of the 16th Finance Commission reached the state Secretariat in the afternoon and thereafter they had a meeting with a team of 12 state cabinet members headed by the Chief Minister. After the meeting, the Finance Commission representatives spoke to media persons and confirmed the demand of the West Bengal government for a 50 per cent share in central taxes raised from the state. They also confirmed that most of the state government representatives they had meetings with on this issue have raised the same demand. They said that they would intimate the higher authorities on the demand of the state government. Meanwhile, sources aware of the proceedings of the meeting said that during the interaction the Chief Minister also raised points of the unpaid central funds under various centrally sponsored schemes to the West Bengal government. "The Chief Minister pointed out that despite several communiquAs to the Union government a massive amount of Rs 1.76 lakh crores of central dues is still pending," said a member of the state cabinet who refused to be named. However, the representatives of the 16th Finance Commission made it clear that this particular matter is not within their jurisdiction. Bhubaneswar, Dec 3 : A delegation of Opposition Biju Janata Dal on Tuesday met Union Minister of Jal Shakti C. R. Patil in New Delhi raising concerns over the multipurpose Polavaram Project in Andhra Pradesh. The delegation was led by senior BJD leader Debi Mishra along with BJD MPs of Rajya Sabha, MLAs, former ministers of the Odisha government, former MPs and MLAs from the Malkangiri and Koraput regions of the state. The delegation presented a memorandum apprising the Union minister about the potential submergence of large areas in the Malkangiri district due to the construction of the Polavaram Project in the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. The delegation demanded that the project should be stalled till all the concerns of the state are addressed. "The implications of this project for the lives and livelihoods of thousands of tribal people, especially those from vulnerable and primitive tribes in Malkangiri, require urgent attention and remedial action," the party claimed in a statement issued on Tuesday. The delegation objected to the recent sanctioning of Rs 15,000 crore by the central government for the earliest completion of the Polavaram Project. It claimed that the project with the latest modifications in design would have a disastrous impact on the land, livelihood, and safety of the local communities, mostly tribals. As per the statement, the Polavaram project was conceived under the resolution of the Godavari Water Dispute Tribunal (GWDT), which outlined agreements between Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh. "Significant changes have been made to the original design flood discharge capacity, increasing the flood discharge from 36 lakh cusecs to 50 lakh cusecs, without sufficient consideration of the backwater impact in the upstream states of Odisha and Chhattisgarh," alleged the BJD. The party has also claimed that the people of Malkangiri are in fear of losing their lands and houses due to the changes in the original design of the project. Notably, a 'fact-finding' team of the BJD headed by former minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, paid a visit in August this year to Motu and Padia tehsils of the Malkangiri district to assess the probable impact of the project on the ground. The team has reportedly found that the residents of the 236 villages in these two blocks are facing a grave threat to their lives, livelihoods, and cultural heritage due to the potential submergence to be caused by the project. Itanagar, Dec 3 : The National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Khaplang's Yung Aung faction (NSCN-K-YA) has served an extortion notice of Rs 20 lakh to public sector oil major Oil India Limited (OIL), officials said on Tuesday. The notice was signed by self-styled Major of the NSCN-K-YA outfit Tha Aung and sent to OIL's office in Manabhum, located in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The outfit in its notice has sought Rs 20 Lakhs within December 10 and it has also warned that OIL would be held accountable for any delays. OIL spokesperson Prankush M Buzarbaruah confirmed the receipt of the extortion notice. "We have received an extortion notice from NSCN (K-YA). We have taken the matter very seriously," he told the media. The spokesperson said that security has been beefed up at the exploration site in Arunachal Pradesh in response to the militant outfit's notice. "We have taken up the matter with the Arunachal Pradesh government," he said, adding that the operations at the establishment are continuing. The OIL has its operational site at the Manabhum reserve forest in eastern Arunachal and the thickly forested Manabhum reserve forest areas fall under both Changlang and Namsai districts. The NSCN-K-YA notice caused some panic among the officials and workers of the Maharatna company. The NSCN-K-YA has not signed a ceasefire agreement with the Centre. The Centre has signed ceasefire agreements with eight Naga outfits, including the dominant Naga group, the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) and periodically extended the term of the ceasefire period. The vital Framework Agreement with the NSCN-IM was signed in 2015 and the Centre also signed the Agreed Position with the Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups in 2017. More than 90 rounds of meetings were held between the government and the Naga groups over the decades-old unresolved Naga political issue. The NSCN-IM has remained firm on its demand for a separate flag and constitution for the Nagas as well as integration of Naga-inhabited areas spread over four northeastern states -- Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, besides Myanmar. The Centre has, on a number of occasions, rejected these demands. Imphal, Dec 3 : Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an apex body of the Meitei community, on Tuesday urged the central government to secure the India-Myanmar border and dismantle the infrastructure of militant outfits in the state. COCOMI Media Coordinator Yumkhaibam Surjitkumar Khuman requested the Union Government to acknowledge the ongoing crisis as a "proxy war" involving external actors and state negligence. "Decisive action must be taken to secure the India-Myanmar border and dismantle the infrastructure of armed militant groups within the state in a stipulated time," Khuman told the media. He said that transparent investigations must be conducted into allegations of collusion between security forces and Kuki armed groups. The COCOMI also demanded a comprehensive strategy to address illegal immigration, illegal poppy cultivation, illegal arms smuggling and trafficking of drugs and also to restore demographic balance in Manipur. The Meitei apex body in a statement said that COCOMI has been vigilantly monitoring the government of India's administrative policies concerning Manipur since the outbreak of "Kuki aggression on May 3, 2023. "The crisis has now escalated to alarming proportions due to the Indian government's evident failure to safeguard Manipur's territorial sovereignty, enabling ethnic rebel groups from Myanmar to exploit and destabilise the region," the statement said. It said that The National Investigation Agency (NIA), in its recent investigations, exposed the role of Kuki militant groups such as KNA, KNF, and UKNA in heinous crimes, including the murder of four civilians in January this year. "Despite these revelations, the Indian government has failed to dismantle the infrastructure of these groups or hold them accountable for their actions," the COCOMI said. Meanwhile, the Manipur police on Tuesday arrested four militants of the Kangleipak Communist Party (People's War Group) from Kakching district and recovered many arms and ammunition from them. A police official said that the militants were involved in extortion and illegal possession of arms and ammunition. Hyderabad, Dec 3 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday said the state government is trying to develop Hyderabad as a global city on par with cities like New York and Tokyo. Stating that Hyderabad would become a world-class city if the infrastructure was further improved by spending Rs 1.50 lakh crore, he urged the Centre to provide funds. He was speaking at the launch of various development works worth Rs.5,827 crore at a public meeting titled 'Hyderabad Rising' organised to mark one year of the Congress government in the state. He underlined the need to prepare plans for the future development of Hyderabad saying the city is not just a state capital but has a reputation globally. The Chief Minister his government has plans to establish a Future City on 40,000 to 50, 000 acres of land at Mucherla. "About 15,000 acres of land is available. There is another 15,000 acres of forest land. If the farmers cooperate in giving another 15,000 acres, we will develop a wonderful city which will compete with cities like New York, Tokyo and Singapore," he said. The Chief Minister said the government envisaged plans to build a 360 km 'Telangana Maniharam' or Regional Ring Road at a cost of Rs. 35,000 crores. He said plans were afoot to build cold storages in the international fruit market at Ibrahimpatnam. He mentioned that Delhi is completely polluted while Mumbai is inhabitable during floods. The people of Chennai people are also struggling due to flood fury. Bengaluru residents are facing regular traffic problems for hours and Kolkata people have been experiencing innumerable problems. "Every city in the country is embroiled in problems. We should learn from those cities and be careful that Hyderabad does not become like other cities," he said while defending his plans to revive the Musi River. Slamming both BRS and BJP for opposing the Musi Rejuvenation Project, he asked if they wanted Hyderabad to become another Delhi. He said HYDRAA has created fear in the hearts of the encroachers of lakes, ponds and other water bodies. The Chief Minister slammed Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy for opposing the Musi Rejuvenation project and alleging that he was creating hurdles fearing the government would get a better name than Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He asked Kishan Reddy to prove sincerity for the development of Telangana and Hyderabad by bringing Rs 25,000 crore from the Centre for Musi project. He asked Kishan Reddy to tell people how much funds he had brought to the state since he became a Union Minister. Stating that Rs. 35,000 crores are required for the expansion of Hyderabad Metro, he wanted Kishan Reddy to announce how much he would bring from the Centre. The Centre gave funds to Gujarat Metro and Chennai Metro. Why is the Centre not giving funds to expand Hyderabad Metro, he asked. He asked Kishan Reddy to show Musi pollution to Prime Minister Modi. He offered to felicitate both PM Modi and Kishan Reddy in the presence of 10 lakh people in Hyderabad if the Union Minister brings Rs.1.5 lakh crore for the development of Hyderabad. Accusing BRS of neglecting Hyderabad during the last 10 years, he claimed that it was the Congress party which laid the foundation for the development of the Information Technology sector in Hyderabad and brought water from Krishna and Godavari rivers to quench the thirst of people. The foresight of successive Congress governments helped address the drinking water problem, he said. Revanth Reddy said it was the Congress government which built Hyderabad International Airport. He claimed that former union minister S. Jaipal Reddy worked hard to bring Metro Rail to Hyderabad. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and ministers also addressed the public meeting. New Delhi, Dec 4 : Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday said that farmers resort to agitation as they are in distress, which does not augur well for the nation. "There is a need for introspection. Today the farmers are troubled, suffering and agitated. Had the institutions been alive and contributing, this situation would never have occurred. We cannot reduce our functions to be ceremonial," the Vice President said while addressing the centenary foundation day of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (ICAR-CIRCOT) in Mumbai. On the occasion which was also attended by Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Vice President said: "I can see a ray of hope. An experienced person is the Agriculture Minister of India today. Shivraj ji, the challenge before you is of farmer welfare and rural development. When we talk about developed India, we should never forget that the path to developed India comes from the heart of the farmer." "I will call upon the Director-General and appeal to the Honourable Minister, the Indian Council of Agriculture Research, all its affiliates, universities, and research centres must be firing on all cylinders to work for a situation to bring about economic prosperity to the farmer," he added. Stating that he is also a farmer's son, he said, "Only one task has been given to the farmer, that you have to produce food within the field and then keep thinking about selling it at the right price. I fail to understand why we cannot work out a formula in consultation with economists, and think tanks that will reward our farmers." "Instead of reward, we are not giving what is due. We are being stingy even in giving what has been promised, and I do not understand why talks are not being held with the farmers?" he questioned. He added that India is the world's fifth-largest economy. "We are going to become the third in the world but remember one thing, if India has to get the status of a developed nation then the income of every person has to be increased eight times. The biggest contribution in increasing that eightfold is of rural economy and farmer welfare," the Vice President stressed. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a message to the world that no matter how big the issue is, no matter how serious the dispute, its solution can be through dialogue," he said. Lausanne : , Dec 4 (IANS) With the election for the next President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) set for March 2025, the Ethics Commission has published guidelines and regulations for the candidates' presentation to IOC Members on January 30, 2025, and the voting regulations for the 144th IOC Session in Greece. The IOC Executive Board approved the two documents during its meeting on Tuesday. The regulations concerning the candidates' presentations outline how they will take place, the rules surrounding them, and the media interactions afterwards. The IOC informed in a release on Tuesday that the presentations will take place in camera and follow the order of the drawing of lots announced on November 26. The vote itself will take place at the 144th IOC Session in Greece between March 18 and 21, 2025. The vote will also be conducted in camera, and rounds of voting will continue until a candidate obtains the absolute majority of the votes. The candidate obtaining the fewest votes in each round will be eliminated and will not take part in the following round. The announcement of the new IOC President's name will be broadcast live after the Session room reopens after the final round of voting. The newly elected president's term will start on June 24, 2025, with current IOC President Thomas Bach continuing until then. Seven candidates will compete in the election for the presidency of the IOC. The candidates will present their programmes, in camera, to the full IOC membership on the occasion of a meeting to be held in Lausanne (Switzerland) on January 30, 2025. The candidates, in order of the draw, are -- HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, David Lappartient, Johan Eliasch, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, Kirsty Coventry, Lord Sebastian Coe and Morinari Watanabe. Washington, Dec 4 : A State Department spokesperson expressed the United States' hope that "laws" and "regulations" will be abided by in South Korea, as he addressed a question over whether the South Korean legislature's resolution demanding the lifting of emergency martial law should be observed. Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel made the remarks on Tuesday after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law, accusing the opposition of paralysing the government with "anti-state activities," while the National Assembly passed the resolution to lift the decree. "I am certainly no expert in South Korean law and certainly how the South Korean legislature works and what the ins and outs are of that," Patel told a press briefing as reported by Yonhap news agency. "But certainly, it is our hope and expectation that the laws and regulations of a particular country are abided by by that particular country," he added. Asked again if the laws and regulations also include the National Assembly's resolution calling for the lifting of martial law, Patel said, "That would be the case as well." "But again, I'm just not going to get ahead of the process here," he said, noting that Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been briefed on the martial law declaration. The spokesperson repeatedly underscored Washington's expectation that any "political" disputes in South Korea will be resolved "peacefully." But when asked if Washington saw the martial law declaration as being of a political nature, he refused to characterise it. "It is not for us to characterise," he said. "What we are attempting to do is continue to gather the facts and continue to gather the circumstances of what's happening on the ground, engage appropriately with our counterparts both here in the United States and at Seoul, and then monitor and make appropriate adjustments if needed as it relates to our personnel and our citizens." Seoul, Dec 4 : Citizens gathering outside the National Assembly erupted in applause and cheers on Wednesday as the South Korean Parliament voted to end martial law that President Yoon Suk Yeol declared in a surprise address just hours earlier. After Parliament voted in favour of a motion demanding the lifting of martial law at around 1 a.m. on Wednesday, citizens who were confronting the military and the police at the main gate of the National Assembly burst into cheers and roared in celebration, Yonhap news agency reported. Martial law troops still remain inside the National Assembly, while some military vehicles were also seen nearby. Yoon's surprise declaration of martial law late Tuesday also caused confusion among some citizens, prompting them to scurry back home. South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party called the President's move "essentially a coup d'etat," saying it was illegal and in violation of the country's constitution. President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in a late-night televised address on Tuesday amid a dispute with opposition parties he accused of pro-North Korean sympathies and anti-state activities. Legislators gathered in an emergency session of the National Assembly -- as parliamentary aides attempted to stop armed officers from entering the building -- to unanimously vote against Yoon's declaration of martial law for the first time in South Korea since 1980. Seoul's Defence Ministry said after the vote that it would continue to maintain martial law until the President instructed otherwise, leaving the two sides at loggerheads as the crisis stretched into the early hours of Wednesday morning with no sign of a resolution. South Korean law states that the President must comply with Parliament's vote to block martial law, but it doesn't specify a time frame. The declaration of martial law drew immediate opposition from politicians, including the leader of Yoon's conservative People Power Party, Han Dong-hoon, who called it "wrong" and vowed to "stop it with the people". Yoon is known for labelling his political opponents "anti-state forces" and "fake news". His administration, which took over in May 2022, has massively stepped up the use of defamation lawsuits against the press. He has also been locked in an impasse with the liberal Democratic Party over next year's budget and drawn rebukes from his political rivals for dismissing calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, but there had been no hint that he intended to declare martial law. A spokesperson for the US National Security Council said Washington was not notified in advance of Yoon's plans. "We are seriously concerned by the developments we are seeing on the ground," the spokesperson said. In his announcement, Yoon said he had no choice but to resort to such a measure to safeguard free and constitutional order, claiming opposition parties had taken the parliamentary process hostage in order to throw the country into crisis. Inspired by Richard Wagners idea of the total artwork, European modernist artists began to pursue multimedia projects that mixed colors, sounds, and shapes. Polina Dimovastraces this new sensory experience of synaesthesiathe physiological or figurative blending of sensesas a modernist phenomenon from its scientific description in the late nineteenth century to its prevalence in the early twentieth. Structured around twenty theses on synaesthesia, this book explores the integral relationship between modernist art, science, and technology, tracing not only how modernist artists perceptually internalized and absorbed technology and its effects but also how they appropriated it to achieve their own aesthetic, metaphysical, and social goals. Through case studies of prominent multimodal artistsOscar Wilde, Aubrey Beardsley, Richard Strauss, Aleksandr Scriabin, Wassily Kandinsky, Frantisek Kupka, Andrei Bely, and Rainer Maria RilkeAt the Crossroads of the Senses reveals the color-forms and color-sounds that, for these artists, laid the foundations of the world and served as the catalyst for the flourishing exchanges among the arts at the fin de siecle. Rooted in archival research in Russia, Germany, France, and the Czech Republic, At the Crossroads of the Senses taps overlooked scientific sources to offer a fresh perspective on European modernism. Sensory studies scholars, literary critics, and art and music historians alike will welcome its many contributions, not least among them a refreshing advocacy for a kind of sensuous reading practice. Mo Willems is a three-time Caldecott Honor recipient and the inaugural Education Artist-in-Residence at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. His debut book, Dont Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, was inducted into the Picture Book Hall of Fame. Willems began his career as a writer and animator on Sesame Street. Dan Santat is the author-illustrator of The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, for which he won the Caldecott Medal. His graphic novel memoir, A First Time for Everything, received the National Book Award for Young Peoples Literature. Santat also began his career in animation, and he is the creator of the Disney Channel series The Replacements. We asked Willems and Santat to discuss their new picture book, Lefty: A Story That Is Not All Righta celebration of individualityand the joys of collaboration. Mo Willems: Hey, Dan! Dan Santat: Hey, how are you? Willems: Congratulations on Lefty. Santat: Thank you for having me on board for this lovely project. Its our third time working together. Willems: Its always fun working with you. But this is the first time where we each had different hands in something, and you literally got your left hand in the book! Santat: I have to say, that was probably my favorite part of making the art. Ive always wanted to do something different with photography. When I work, I generally take a design approach where form follows function. You set that up nicely for me. And working with my hands is always fun, building the stage and set. Willems: The fun comes through in the images, for sure. I like how sort-of presentational and sort-of sketch comedy it became. Santat: Yes. Willems: I remember about 20 years ago, I curated an exhibition with some artist palsKadir Nelson, Betsy Lewin, and Brian Selznickand we took a picture of all the tools that they used, including their hands. It was fun to see how the hands bent depending on what they were holding. So, as I am going through this book, Im enjoying seeing your hands at this stage in your life, documented forever in a book. Santat: Yeah! Willems: And your sons hands! Santat: You have first-hand experience working with puppets, but this is the closest Ill ever get to doing something of that sort and I absolutely love the process. I remember having to get clothing for these guys and I realized, Oh, I just have to get this sleeve of a shirt. There I am at a department store trying to find colorful sleeves. I bought five or six different shirts and then cut off the sleeves immediately after getting them home. I realized then that I had a very clear image in my head. I wanted Lefty to have an L on the chest and Righty to have an R on the chest. I also knew that my sewing skills were not going to be up to par. Willems: Right. Santat: Then it was just a matter of fabric glue and making glasses. I wanted to really emote with the hands. I didnt realize how a hand gesture can evoke emotion just by the position of the fingers. Willems: The art does feel very puppet-y and it looks like it was captured live. When I illustrate, I always want my audience to feel like the ink on the page is wet, like I left the room just before you turned the page. This book has a similar degree of spontaneity to it, like youre getting a puppet show performed for you. Santat: There was a low-budgetness that I wanted to achieve, especially with the cardboard stage. I could have made something really fancy, but I wanted it to feel like, maybe youre walking by a busker and youre like, Hey, check out this show. Willems: I think the style of Lefty fulfills this idea that you want your books not just to be read but to be played. Kids are going to read this book and then they might performwith sleevestheir own stories with their hands. Theres a whole set of presentational elements implied here that are separate from the story itself. Santat: We should discuss the origin of the book, because I am left-handed, and you are not. I think that was how this partnership came about. Willems: I had done a little research about the word sinister. I was interested in how silly it is to create such a derogatory word for someone over something thats so irrelevant. [People] can be terrible. But, ultimately, theres optimism there, too. In this case, we seem to have figured it out. The accommodation is not that difficult. You just make slightly different scissors, stop worrying about it, and move on, you know? Santat: Right. Willems: For me, it was important that I make this book with someone who is left-handed so that they would bring their experience to itand so that the left hand was telling the story. If you just look at the endpapers, one of my favorite images is the Lefty hand with the huge smear on the side of it. Thats something you recognize immediately. But only a lefty wouldve Santat: Only a lefty could feel that pain. Willems: Right, exactly. Santat: And I remember that wasnt in the manuscript, but I said it had to be [added] in there somewhere. Willems: And thats the joy of it. I can have some understanding of the issue on a metaphorical level, but for the details, you have to work with the people who are living the experience. Santat: Even the subtle details, like in the opening endpaper. The image is something only a left-hander can really understandthe arm reaching around and over the text. Every time I see an old photo of myself writing or drawing, it really does look like my arm is broken. I look and I go, How did I do that for so many years? Willems: Right. And, again, all those details in the art show fun ways to be super specific in a highly metaphoric story. This book has a degree of spontaneity to it, like youre getting a puppet show performed for you. Mo Willems Santat: I want to tip my hat to you because the concept of doing a book about stereotypes was a nut that I was trying to crack for years. Going for the topic of left-handed people, I kind of curse you because I should have seen it, obviously, but you hit the nail right on the head. It does address the absurdity of people having these views. Willems: I think that silliness, for me, was a breakthrough as well. It was a way to talk about how people treat other peoples differences. Weve spoken about how we have a commonality in that we are both kids of immigrants, were both only children, and there was this first-generation expectation that came with it. And then your food was weird compared to other peoples. So, it was easy to be othered. I remember even as a kid thinking, Being teased for this is just silly. Santat: Yeah, right. Willems: And then to put it on a stagethat is interesting. I see comments on social media and from older people who are like, Yes, this really was a thing growing uplike the ruler being slapped on the hand and whatnotwhich shows that anti-lefty-ness hasnt totally been solved, just that its not as bad as it was. Santat: I was at the tail end of that era. You can talk to somebody like Dav Pilkey who naturally was left-handed and then was forced to be right-handed. But there were repercussions from trying to force someone who was naturally left-handed to be right-handed. It created neurological issues by trying to rewire the brain to do something that wasnt natural. Willems: While constantly being told of your otherness Santat: That youre wrong. I dont know what it was like before me, but when I was growing up, being left-handed wasnt something where I was being shunned. It was more like I was a unicorn. People were like, What do you mean you do things with your left hand? I have a funny story, because most of my life I grew up using right-handed scissors, and I just got used to it. Then, there was a day when I found out about this left-handed store in San Francisco, and I said, Im going to buy some left-handed scissors so nobody else can use them but me. I remember I spent like $50 on these left-handed scissors. Here's the thing about left-handed scissors: the blades are inverted. Willems: Okay. Santat: So, when I was trying to cut along the line, I was cutting a millimeter or two off the line. I would say, Why is this happening? My hands were so used to holding right-handed scissors, I was holding these left-handed scissors like a two-year-old. They were constantly slipping off my fingers. I might as well have lit $50 on fire. But I said, No. I am going to learn how to use these scissors. And here I am, with these scissors Willems: Are those the actual ones that you got? Santat: These are the scissors! And I use them now. Willems: How long have you had those scissors? Santat: About 15 years, and I can tell you that I now comfortably cut like a five-year-old. Willems: But think about it, who knew scissors were such a big deal? Santat: There are other things, too. I remember my mom having to train me because when we would go to a formal event, I would want to shake hands with my left hand and she would say, No! You have to shake hands with the right hand. Willems: Thats fascinating. Santat: I cant say Ive been oppressed for being left-handed. But my hand would smear so much pencil on my paper. In school, sometimes we would take a test and then have to pass the paper to another student to grade your test. Whoever got my paper, there was absolutely no mystery on whose it was. Theyd say this has to be Dan Santat because it is an absolute mess. So, I commend you for talking about something in a way that everyone can easily comprehend without any biases. Willems: Well, thank you. Santat: Because thats always a tricky thing. Willems: One of the things that was importantand that broke the story for mewas that it was a dialogue. Santat: Yes. Willems: I feel like in any situation, where one character is saying, This is real, and the other character is going, What?!, By having a conversation seems to be the solution to so many questions. Whenever I see people really being terrible to each other for silly reasons, I just want to say, Is there a conversation happening? Santat: Right. Willems: I knew this book wasnt for me to illustrate, on many levels. You and I had worked together on two Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! books and had so much fun. For Lefty, as the writer, I was able to talk about the visual stuff with you, and as the illustrator, you were able to talk about words with me. We shared a common view that the most important thing is not us, its the book. Santat: Its always the book. Willems: We had that ability to work together and to know that it was going to be such a joyful book. I really do believe that the pleasure you take in a project gets on the page. Santat: Absolutely. Willems: Somebody said about Lefty, Boy, they were having fun making this. Yes! Exactly! I remember after the first meeting, you signed off with, Oh, this is going be fun! Santat: When you first summarized the book, I remember the ending really hit me and I said, Thats it. Thats the thing I was trying to address. Willems: Ive been thinking about this issue as Im working on a grown-up book about writing. One of the things that I think happens is as book creators, we discover an idea. We get very excited. Then, we go and put the idea on the page, and it doesnt always connect because were presenting the idea, not the discovery of the idea. So, more and more, I am trying to take the idea off the page so that the audience has to discover the idea on their own. They get to put things together. Santat: It makes them feel smarter. I dont think people realize how absolutely difficult that is. Thats the thing that makes an okay or good book into a great book. Willems: Simple and easy are opposites. Heres the thing: if the book doesnt surprise me, how could I expect it to surprise somebody else? I love the idea that this is a surprising book. I want everything that I make to do that in some way. I wanted to really emote with the hands. I didnt realize how a hand gesture can evoke emotion just by the position of the fingers. Dan Santat Santat: For me, its a little different. Because for me, this is an important book. I want everybody to get the message. And I dont want it to be pigeon-holed in a place where people think, Oh, this is just for A or B. Willems: I am used to being pigeon-holed, so... Santat: Oh, gosh! I walked into that one, didnt I? I will say this: I will rely on readers and teachers and librarians all over the country to read this and they will spread the gospel. I think thats where it is going to take flight. Everyone is going to see that its clear, its simple, its unbiased, and that it really, really hits a chord by the time youre done. Willems: Thats beautiful. I am so happy to have you in my life as a friend and happy to have you in my life as an artist. I love all the work that you do and the honesty you bring with it, without losing your sense of humor. Its exciting to see this book be more than I hoped it would be. Santat: The same goes for you. Every time I work with you on a project, I always learn a tremendous amount. But also, we always have a lot of fun, and with our amazing editor Tracey Keevan, theres just something special. I know that 20 years from now, when we look back at our careers and we see this, well see the legacy we built, your body of work, of my body of work, and the things we did together. I can look at it proudly as something that hopefully made a difference. You have to keep reinventing yourself, you have to keep making new material, and you have to make sure that it is just as strong and just as impactful as the stuff you did early on and that youre not running out of ideas. You can still do something that surprises you. Willems: Thats what I want it to be! There are the other things about it, like, I want to try new scissors. Santat: So, heres a question for you. Do you think you would have been capable of writing a book like this say, 15 years ago? Willems: I dont think that 15 years ago I would have been open enough to leave space to let it become what it became. From the beginning of my career, I was offered to illustrate books [by other authors] and Ive never done it. I dont draw other peoples words. Then the first time I was in a situation where I had someone else drawing my words, it was a learning curve for me. Santat: Oh sure, I can imagine. Willems: It was a different sort of thing. But now its relational. Its like, Do you want to take something that you think is important and have your buddy Dan illustrate it? Santat: Right, right. Willems: Thats an amazing experience. Im now more willing to let go of what I think it should be. Much like how we both have kids, who we are letting go to be who they are, right? Im more open in that way in my life. Santat: I give you credit because I dont think Im there yet, to say, I wrote this thing. Id like someone else to illustrate it. I think in my mind, its like, No! It has to be like this! I appreciate that you entrusted me with that. Willems: Absolutely. Dan, always a pleasure. Lefty by Mo Willems, illus. by Dan Santat. Union Square Kids, $18.99 Dec. 3 ISBN 978-1-4549-5148-3 Dav Pilkeys Dog Man will have a momentmore accurately multiple momentsin the year ahead, when Scholastic unleashes a global campaign featuring this canine superhero and celebrating reading and heroes around the world. Events kick off today with the publication of Dog Man: Big Jim Begins, relaying the characters origin story, which will be released simultaneously in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand with a first printing of five million. Since its 2016 debut, Pilkeys graphic novel series has entertained young readers all over the globe, with more than 60 million books in print in 47 languages. And Dog Mans universe will expand again with Scholastic worldwides launch of Dog Man: Big Jim Believes in fall 2025, the 14th title in the series. Dog Man and his creators upcoming agenda extends far beyond the page. On January 31, DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures will release the Dog Man movie in theaters worldwide, directed by Peter Hastings and featuring the voices of Pete Davidson, Isla Fisher, Ricky Gervais, and Lil Rel Howery. Pilkey has created a Supa Special Collectors Comic showing how animators brought his characters to life on the big screen for the Dog Man film. Scholastic will provide nearly four million copies of this free minicomic through its school channels in the U.S., U.K., Canada, India, Australia, and New Zealand. January also marks the launch of Pilkeys international tour, Join the Hero Party: Celebrating Heroes Around the World! inspired by his series recurrent theme that ordinary people can do extraordinarily good deeds. Tour events will spotlight everyday heroes who make a positive impact in their communities. The multi-city U.S. tour will begin in January with Pilkeys appearance at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The following month, the author-illustrator will travel to the U.K., appearing at the Royal Festival Hall on February 22 as part of the Imagine Childrens Festival in London, followed by an event in Dublin. Let the Parties Begin Scholastic has plans afoot to help booksellers and librarians stage their own on-site celebrations of Dog Man and everyday heroes. Beginning this month and continuing through spring, more than 100 Dog Man costume characters will appear at bookstores, libraries, and community-wide events across the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Thousands of Join the Hero Party Dog Man displays and giveaways will be available to retailers in the U.S. and Canada, and Scholastic will distribute event kits and Dog Man hero badges to bookstores and libraries. News of events and activities to download for free can be found online. Forthcoming international Dog Man events include a costume character tour in Spain organized by Grupo SM. In Brazil, where Dog Man sales doubled in 2023 over the prior year, publisher Companhia das Letras is sending a Dog Man costume character on a promotional tour of bookstores in various cities including Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Underway domestically are literacy programs organized by Scholastic collaborators Book Trust and the Scripps Howard Fund, which promote book access and the joy of reading. In an initiative fully funded by Pilkey, nearly 50,000 students across the U.S. will each receive a free copy of Dog Man: Big Jim Begins. In addition, one school from each program will receive a Join the Hero Party-themed Scholastic Book Fair. Participating schools will also recognize everyday heroes who make a difference in their own communities. Starting today, the pub date of Dog Man: Big Jim Begins, Dog Man is donning his costume to help host a variety of celebrations. This morning, at Copperfields Books in Petaluma, Calif., Patty Norman hosted a riff on a midnight release party, so that kids could pick up a copy of the book, along with donut holes and hot chocolate, on their way to school. Also hosting a Dog Man visit today is bookseller Dylan Conmy at Prairie Fox Books in Ottawa, Ill., where the event will have a double celebrity factor, with Dog Man sharing top billing with Santa. On December 7, bookseller Jamie Anderson reported, Dog Man will appear in the annual Christmas parade in Manteo, N.C., along with a Dog Man float created by Downtown Books, before attending an in-store event. Visiting Prosperity, S.C. that same day, Dog Man will be the guest of honor at GGs Library Childrens Bookstore and More and will participate in the towns Christmas tree lighting with the mayor to help flip the switch, said owner Gina Mays. Pilkeys 2025 milestones will also include Scholastics release of a full-color edition of his first-ever graphic novel, 2002s The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby, in August. Calling Pilkey a pioneer in the world of childrens comics and graphic novels, Ellie Berger, president of Scholastic Trade, noted that his books have captured the hearts and minds of readers around the world with their playful and visual approach to storytelling and endearing characters who triumph over adversity by using their imaginations. Dav has been open about his real-life struggles growing up as a kid who had behavioral and learning challenges and he sees his ADHD as his superpower. His books resonate with readers who think and learn differently, who appreciate new and different perspectives, and who in the end are inspired to embrace their creativity and show empathy to others. Asked about his expectations for his busy, travel-filled year ahead, Pilkey expressed gratitude to those who have supported his career. One of my favorite parts about being a childrens book author and illustrator is getting to meet readers in person, and Im excited to have the opportunity to do that next year, he said. I am grateful to the many people who have helped get my stories out into the worldall the passionate booksellers, librarians, teachers, reading specialists, parents and caregivers, the many committed volunteers, as well as the team at Scholastic, Writers House, JLG, TheaterWorksUSA, and Dreamworks Animation. There are many everyday heroes within each community who help make this world an extraordinarily better place, and I look forward to celebrating them. Dog Man: Big Jim Begins by Dav Pilkey. Scholastic, $14.99 Dec. 3 ISBN 978-1-338-89645-9 On November 21, Womens Media Group hosted Celebrating the Women and Art of Childrens Books at the Society of Illustrators in Manhattan. The societys annual Original Art showcasean exhibit of the years best picture book artprovided the backdrop for a discussion with illustrators Selina Alko, Vashti Harrison, and Cecilia Ruiz. The panel was moderated by Carolina Schwarz, founder of We the Content, a consulting agency that helps childrens publishers to position and sell their books in the U.S. Jennifer Perry and Jodi Brockington, co-presidents of WMG, began by giving some background on the organization, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. All proceeds from the event went toward the WMGs scholarship program for young women pursuing careers in media. Perry said, We want to recognize the joy that childrens books bring for all ages. Its all about freedom of expression, inclusion, imagination, and empowerment. Author, illustrator, and designer Ruiz kicked off the presentation portion of the evening with a slideshow tracing how her book Mr. Fiorellos Head (Enchanted Lion, 2023) came to be. The story began with a visit to the doctor when her husband was concerned about a new growth. Thankfully, it turned out to be a benign deposit, a lipoma. We thought the name was quite charming! she said. Anxiety gave way to relief and even delight, as she and her husband, a fellow artist, started exchanging doodles of a lumpy figure named Mr. Lipoma. Ruiz fell in love with the character, a bald man with three unruly little hairs, perhaps because he felt familiar. I thought of my father, who had a similar hairline, she said, and landed on an idea for a book about a man losing his hair. She was interested in the larger theme: Things in life dont go our way. We constantly need to adapt. But Ruizs agent was skeptical, saying, Theres no hope in that story. So, it was back to the drawing board. She experimented with adding interactive elements, such as flaps. But it was still a no from her agent. I really dont feel for your character, he said. Ruiz became aware of a paradox: Closeness [to a character] doesnt always give us intimacy. She decided to zoom out, to give her story a sense of context and place. She drew a scene of Mr. Lipoma before he started balding. Hes sitting on the edge of the bathtub drying his hair with great pride. Showing the reader how he cares for his hair, she said, makes us feel for him when he loses it. Ruiz pulled back further, showing Mr. Lipoma leaving his house. A detail of a tree with just three leaves remaining mirrors his three little hairs, which eventually fall out. Rather than focus on the loss, she chose to have her protagonist plant three seeds that grow into sunflowers. Finally, with a nudge from the marketing team, she renamed Mr. Lipoma something less clinical. Fiorello means little flower: an emblem of hope and regrowth, to match his final act of planting seeds. Next, Alko took the stage to speak about the process behind her illustrations for the historical picture book Stars of the Night: The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport, written by Caren Stelson (Carolrhoda, 2023). The bookwhich earned a silver medal from the Society of Illustratorsrelates the journey of the 669 children from Czechoslovakia who were rescued on the eve of World War II. December 2 marked the anniversary of the arrival of the first Kindertransport in England in 1938. Alko, who was raised by a Turkish Jewish father and Ashkenazi mother in Vancouver, said the story resonated deeply. Illustrating during the pandemic made the emotions even more acute. Everything felt really hard and painful, she said. My own children were going through different types of suffering, and so I was identifying with the characters. As I got further and further into making the book, it became this metaphor for separation anxiety and saying goodbye to your kid. While Nicky & Vera by Peter Sis focuses more on the role of Nicholas Winton in the rescue operation and on survivor Vera Gissing, Stelson and Alko tell the story from the childrens point of view. Alko said, I had to figure out how to illustrate a collective group. She selected five colorsorange, red, green, light blue, and dark blueto emphasize five of the children. And she made the decision not to show the faces of any of the Nazis. The five colors are picked up again at the end of the book in the form of dots that show the generations to come." Alko concluded on a hopeful note, saying, There are a lot of people who survived [because of the] Kindertransport, who went on to have extremely rich and successful lives, including Dr. Ruth, and a bunch of Nobel Prize-winning scientists. She shared a clip from a 1988 episode of the BBC program Thats Life, in which a surprised and tearful Nicholas Winton discovered he was surrounded by some of the children he had rescued from the Holocaust. An estimated 6,000 descendants owe their lives to Winton: a small drop of hope among the six million Jewish people who were annihilated. Capping off the presentations, Harrison spoke about her picture book Big, (Little, Brown) for which she won the 2024 Caldecott Medal, a Coretta Scott King Author Honor, and a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor. Speaking of her personal impetus for the book, she said, Much of the creative process for me is about expressing things through artwork that I dont necessarily have the words for. Big tells the story of a growing girls journey toward self-love, as adults go from praising her for being a big girl to putting her down for her sizea symptom of adultification and anti-fat bias, Harrison explained. This book was inspired by a number of things, including my relationship to my body and Black girls as a whole, but also the words that we use with one another. Above all, I wanted to reclaim this word big for her, she said. Harrison showed how she integrated words in the illustrations, experimenting with hand-lettering and the way text and images fit on the page. Like Alko, Harrisons use of color is deliberate and symbolic. I chose pink specifically to be the color to represent the girl, because shes still growing and shes still changing, she said. Most of the story is tinged with a pale pink. Glimpses of a very bright pink appear when she is dancing and growing. To me, that represents her future and her potential, Harrison said. But when the girl is sad, the pink palette disappears. It returns at the storys end, when she learns to make more space for herself. Harrison discussed the psychology behind the color and how pink is associated with gentleness, love, tenderness, and nurturing. Pink flowers symbolize innocence, joy, playfulness, and happiness, and these are all things that this girl deserves. Harrison affirmed, Her body is not a problem that needs fixing, and neither did mine. Moderating a q&a with the artists, Schwarz highlighted the commonalities in their books. These three stories take the reader through a journey of growth, she said. They all left me with a profound sense of hope. When asked about the mature point of view of the man in Mr. Fiorellos Headan unconventional choice for a picture bookRuiz said she hoped the story was relatable on a universal level. I tried to make a book about dealing with change, because change is inevitable; its always coming. And I think that is applicable to everyonechild and adult. On the challenge of presenting a horrific moment in history to young readers in Stars of the Night, Alko said, I did a lot of work in my sketchbook to think of symbols and connections. What I try to do is come up with child-friendly metaphors that [the reader] can connect to. The visual motif of the stars and the sun is inspired by a line from survivor Vera Gissings memoir, in which she recalled the parting words of her parents at the train station: We love you. We love you. Remember the stars and the sun, they said, encouraging her to think of them whenever she looked at the sky. So the kids had some hope to carry with them when they made the journey overseas, Alko said. Schwarz asked Harrison how the concept evolved for the books jacket and case cover design. The jacket shows the girl struggling to hold up the word big, as if she is being overwhelmed by the label. This is where the story begins, Harrison said. But the words connotations shift throughout the story. By the end, and under the case cover, we see that big is just one of the many words that are associated with her. Harrison showed the hand-lettered words of affirmation that appear under the jacket, such as good, kind, brave, bold, and graceful. I want kids to feel empowered to decide for themselves who theyre going to be, she said. I want them to know that they can choose from any of these words. So on the cover, big is a burden, but by the end, its just one of the many words that describe her. Erin Hicks Moon is host of the Faith Adjacent podcast and author of the popular The Swipe Up newsletter. Shes made a life out of helping folks deconstruct and reconstruct their faith from the knots of the past to create a new life with Jesus. Now shes putting it all out there in book form with Ive Got Questions: The Spiritual Practice of Having It Out with God, publishing in February (Baker Books). What started you on the journey of deconstruction and reconstruction of your faith? I saw a lot of cognitive dissonance between what the Scripture was saying that Jesus wanted out of believers, and what was happening in the church and the world. That led me down a path of questions about why we dont do what Jesus wanted. Also, a university minister said I couldnt study systematic theology with the boys, that I needed to find a woman to teach me. I encountered an attitude about women in the church that didnt match how Jesus interacted with women. It seems like this deconstruction and reconstruction is a modern trend. Is that true? This has been going on from Jesuss time and before. God changed Jacobs name and the name of the people to Israel, the people who wrestle with God. Our spiritual inheritance is to wrestle. There was a specific white, American evangelical deconstruction during the first Trump campaign. After the Access Hollywood tape, we asked if this is who were really going with for president. When 80 percent of white evangelicals voted for him, that kicked off a big wave of deconstruction. And were still seeing the effects of it now. With this election, there has been a lot of justifying (over backing Trump again) and were going to feel the reverberations for decades. What sorts of questions are people asking you? Im asked, how do I become a Christian who pays attention to whats happening? How do I own my own faith? And there are a million questions that go with that women in leadership, affirming beliefs, the Bible as Truth. But it all feels so overwhelming and people decide they will figure it out later. But you get to a point when later is now. And once the gate is unlocked, you dont want to go back in. What can you say to believers who are deconstructing and reconstructing? People think there is an urgency, that theyd better have it figured out before they die or Jesus comes back. But I want to say that you have time, you arent in a rush, there is no gate closing. Yes, its scary and youre right to take it seriously. But there is joy on the other side. Dont not start because you think you dont have time. Its easy to put our brains on autopilot, but Gods chest is big enough for us to beat on. Every time you look at Scripture, youll uncover something new. This is the work of our lives. Actresss Novel Series to IVP Cindy Bunch, associate publisher and director of editorial for IVP, has inked world rights for a two-book deal with actress, writer, and podcaster Keelia Clarkson, who was represented by Don Pape of Pape Commons. The first book in the contemporary fiction series is tentatively titled Avila Falls and is tentatively set for release in spring 2026. Ghostwriter Jane Caldwell must return home to tiny Avila Falls, Colorado, leaving behind a NYC life she thought she loved. But a night accidently spent in a bookstore with her high school crush reveals that the formerly-nerdy Jane and the former It Guy Noah have more in common than they expected. Book two, not yet titled, is scheduled to release about a year after the first book. Convergent Takes Pairs Next Picture Book Victoria Robb Powers and Cameron Vickrey, (My Love, God Is Everywhere), founders of the Reverend Mamas blog about faith formation for moms who are also pastors, have signed a world-rights contract with Kimberly Von Fange, associate editor of Convergent for My Love, Keep Your Wonder, illustrated by Joanna Carilla. The authors and illustrator were presented by Jonathan Merritt at the Christopher Ferebee Agency. The picture book for ages 3-8 encourages children to celebrate the God of wonder, mystery, and grace. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027. Tyndale Signs Two by Mental Health Expert Trinity McFadden of The Bindery has negotiated a world-rights deal with acquiring editor Jon Farrar of Tyndale for a pair of books by Jacob Coyne, founder of Stay Here, a mental health organization, and a Christian content creator with more than 2.6 million followers. The first book is tentatively titled The Secret Life of Christians: How to Authentically Pursue Jesus, Especially When No Ones Watching and will release in 2026. The book will help readers break free from ambition and hidden sin and instead focus on finding Jesus in secret places, solitude, and the ordinary aspects of life, according to the publisher. The second books title and release date are undecided. Two Books by DC Pastor to Multnomah Aaron Graham, lead pastor of The District Church in Washington, D.C. will publish two books with Multnomah. The world-rights deal was negotiated between Bryan Norman at Alive Literary Agency, who represents the author, and Drew Dixon, executive editor at Multnomah. Seven Lies Christians Believe: Why They're So Deceptive, Dangerous, and Defeatable, scheduled for release in spring 2026, tackles the mistaken beliefs that lead increasing numbers of millennials and Gen Z Christians to move away from orthodox faith. It offers a path to engage culture without being co-opted by it, according to the publisher. The second books title and release date are to be decided. Tunisian telcos Tunisie Telecom, Orange Tunisie and Ooredoo Tunisia have been granted 5G licences by the Ministry of Communication Technologies and Digital Economy, clearing the way for 5G services to be launched sometime next year. According to state newspaper La Presse, the licences were officially approved on Friday, six months after the ministry kicked off the tender process in June. All three operators submitted their applications for the licences in September. Each licence is good for 15 years, and comes with 5 MHz of duplexed spectrum in the 700-MHz band, and 100 MHz of TDD spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band for 5G usage. The ministry has also set aside three 20 MHz blocks that will be made available at the request of operators. Other 5G frequency bands are set to be released in later phases. The ministry had originally hoped to see commercial 5G launched in Tunisia by last month. Minister of Communication Technologies Sofiene Hmissi said that the operators are now set to start rolling out 5G services starting in 2025. While Hmissi didnt give a specific timeline, he noted that operators have spent the last few years carrying out tests, pilot projects and network upgrades in preparation for 5G. "The effective deployment of 5G will not be long in coming since everything is ready on the technical level," he told La Presse. Tunisie Telecom CEO Lassaad Ben Dhiab said in a statement that the telco has been testing 5G since 2020, and has deployed over 50,000 km of fibre that will support its 5G rollout. Last year, Ooredoo Tunisia contracted Nokia to upgrade its network RANs to be 5G-ready. Tunisie Telecom said that it will initially focus on providing faster mobile broadband speeds for consumers, but it is also looking at potential enterprise use cases, from VPN solutions to IoT apps including robotics and connected vehicles. Meanwhile, Hmissi touted the economic benefits that 5G would bring to Tunisia by stimulating the digital economy and the economy in general, as well as making the country more attractive to businesses and investors, the report said. He also said the ministry plans to launch more public-private partnership projects in the telecoms space to increase mobile network coverage in Tunisia from 96% now to 100%, with a particular focus on landlocked and remote areas. The Queen's Gambit and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga actress Anya Taylor-Joy has signed on to star in and executive produce the Apple TV+ limited series, Lucky. ADVERTISEMENT The drama is based on the best-selling novel by the same name by Marissa Stapley, which was also a Reese's Book Club pick. "Reese's Book Club began with the goal of deepening connections -- to the stories, to the storytellers and to the community we are building," producer Reese Witherspoon said in a press release Monday. "It is incredibly rewarding to be able to amplify these female-centric stories and their authors, see our community connect with them, then see them take on a whole new life on screen," she added. "We couldn't be more excited to partner with Apple TV+ and the incomparable Anya Taylor-Joy, plus our brilliant creator Jonathan Tropper and his wonderful co-showrunner Cassie Pappas, to bring this compelling series -- based on Marissa Stapley's fantastic novel -- to audiences around the world." Instagram / Kelley Flanagan By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 12/02/2024 ADVERTISEMENT FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. alum Kelley Flanagan has revealed the details of her ex-boyfriend Ari Raptis' cheating scandal."I just feel so stupid," Kelley said of her year-and-a-half long relationship with Ari during the November 27 episode of the "Chicks in the Office" podcast.Kelley chose not to name Ari other than giving him the nickname of "A" when speaking about him."I moved to Philadelphia; I moved in with this guy... and we had amazing times," Kelley said."At this point, it's hard for me to even remember those good times, which is kind of sad but it's my truth. I'm like, 'What the hell was real and what wasn't?'"Kelley said "things moved really fast" with Ari, whom she debuted on Instagram in June 2023.While Kelley moved to Philadelphia, she said she never got rid of her apartment in Miami, FL, in order to have a "safety net."Kelley recalled, "I was never there [in Miami]. I completely moved into an apartment in Philadelphia with him. And things were starting to get bad."Kelley explained how she began "losing a part" of herself to "be on this guy's page" and make things work with him."I was always on his terms and I, like, stopped doing so much of my work," Kelley admitted."I stopped doing so much influencing. I stopped seeing my friends as much, and I was like, 'Who am I these days?' I've accomplished so much for myself that made me so happy, and then I was just losing it all. I had a really tough time, so I vocalized that and we ended up breaking up in April."Kelley, however, did not publicly announce her split from Ari until November, when she revealed via TikTok that she felt betrayed and her heart was "shattered," and that's apparently because she had given Ari another chance in Spring 2024."He didn't necessarily want me to post [our breakup], and I didn't out of respect, but eventually I would have to," Kelley explained.Kelley admitted that although she "regrets it" now, she had given Ari another shot after their first split."I got a call from TMZ at the end of April, and they said something along the lines of, 'Hey, we got wind that your ex was out telling people that he's single and that he took home a girl that night,'" Kelley shared."I was like, 'Oh god, this is the last thing you want to hear about someone you just dated.' So I reached out and I said, 'Hey, I got to announce that I'm single. I don't want to be, like, hearing these things. I just got to rip the Band-Aid off.' And he convinced me to essentially give him another shot after that."Kelley said there was a month period when she and Ari didn't talk and had no contact."We were done and then he heard my perspective. I told him... how I felt. I was like, 'I didn't know who I was, and I felt like I lost myself.'"Ari allegedly told Kelley that he heard her and he understood where she was coming from."He said, 'Give me an opportunity to actually change that,'" Kelley said. "And I was like, 'Okay, fine, but please, this time, let's take it slow.' We jumped in and immediately moved in together!"Kelley claimed that although they had agreed to take things slow, they also agreed not to hook up with anyone else. Ari allegedly asked Kelley if they could simply focus on each other."He gave that perception and I was like, 'Yeah, I'm cool with that! I don't care. I'm not going to go out and do all of this crazy stuff. I barely go out,'" Kelley said.Kelley said she let time pass before letting the world know that she was technically single again."And then we started getting back together and I was like, 'I'm not going to bring the pressure of social media back into this until things are figured out,'" Kelley said, explaining why she had left her fans in the dark during her on-again, off-again romance."So I wasn't posting him as much, but we were definitely dating, like, 100 percent dating. He would ask me questions like, 'Have you told your friends? Have you told your family? Does everyone know around you?' And I was like, 'Yeah, everyone knows.'"Kelley explained that she just didn't want to be distracted by "outside noise" when she and Ari were giving their relationship another shot.Kelley said Ari had denied TMZ's allegation and sent her video footage as "proof" -- but she didn't really care because they had been broken up at the time of the alleged incident."So I let it go. I was like, 'Whatever, it is what it is.' Then, fast forward to recently, I got a message from a burner number," Kelley revealed, breaking down into tears."I don't know why I'm crying. I never really cry... I'm just so confused by all of it."Kelley went on to share, "I think the precedent that he would set in our relationship was, like, very, very strict... He would say things, like, 'Never put yourself in a position that would jeopardize our relationship,'" Kelley explained."And I'd be like, 'Yeah, I don't! I don't go out and put myself in bad situations. I barely go out.'"Kelley said she and Ari always had conversations about prioritizing their relationship and being loyal to one another, but then she "eventually found out" that he wasn't holding up his end of the deal."So I get this burner, and I was like, 'What is going on?' They said, 'If you're still with this guy, he is essentially highly, highly disrespecting you and cheating on you.' And I was like, 'What the hell?! What is this?'" Kelley revealed.Kelley said her intuition had been telling her all summer long that something was wrong."Things weren't adding up because he would go to Italy, Greece, New York... and he's not responding to me, he's not texting me at night, or random girls [started] following him," Kelley alleged."I would ask him about it, and he would make me feel like it was my followers that were following him."Kelley, however, said she knew which people were following her. She also claimed that Ari had said his publicists were accidentally accepting friends on his then-private Instagram account.But Kelley wasn't buying it and she thought Ari's social-media activity was "suspicious."Kelley continued, "I did a deep dive and these girls were matching up with the guys he was going out with. Something was not right here."Ari allegedly told Kelley that when he went out, he'd introduce himself to other women but that's it."He was like, 'It's pointless to talk to other girls. When I go out, I don't speak to another female,'" Kelley recalled."That was the perception that I had -- and that he made me believe. And to be honest, I thought it was a little weird because I have guy friends and I thought there was nothing wrong with that."Kelley said she had her suspicions about Ari already and then her "antennas" went up once she received a message from that burner number."And then we moved into the apartment together. I moved in everything. I cleaned out every single drawer... and then jewelry shows up at the apartment. I'm packing to go back to Miami and I find women's jewelry," Kelley said."And he was like, 'Oh, it's from a Halloween party that I went to out in L.A. I purchased it on Amazon.' I said, 'Great, let me see your order.' But he said, 'The order is not here.' And I was like, 'Convenient!'"Kelley said Ari later changed the story, suggesting that it was just "old jewelry" from the past."I was like, 'How? I moved every square inch into this damn apartment... Every single drawer, I had cleaned,'" Kelley complained."I was like, 'This doesn't make sense.'"Kelley then flew back to Miami and ran into an influencer, whom Kelley dubbed "B," at an event. Kelley shared how this woman "had a fling" with Ari in the past.Kelley said when she told Ari about her run-in with this woman, Ari's "energy was off."Ari apparently told Kelley that he had bumped into this woman, who was clearly following him on social media, over the summer for two seconds."A mutual friend we had gave me her contact, and then 'B' gave me all the receipts," Kelley said."She said, 'Kelley, there were a couple of times I ran into him this summer and I'm not going to lie, he was very handsy with me. He was telling me that he was single, and he was taking selfies with me," Kelley shared.Kelley said this woman had text messages to corroborate her story and Ari allegedly invited her to attend a friend's birthday party with him.Ari allegedly sent this woman a black car and brought her to the party."She ran into him another time in the Hamptons, in August," Kelley noted, adding how she and Ari were "100 percent" together at this point.Kelley said Ari was so adamant about her posting photos of him on social media -- yet he'd never post of her or share any of her content."It was always an excuse. I was so manipulated, in my mind," Kelley said.When Kelley saw the alleged proof, she thought to herself, "Damn, damn, damn.""She's sending me all the proof and I go to him and was like, 'Do you want to be honest here? Just be honest with me,'" Kelley recalled. "But I didn't tell him I had freakin' screenshots of everything."Kelley said she even contacted other women, asking if they knew anything about Ari's behavior."Almost every corner I looked into, things were coming out," Kelley claimed."One of the girls was like, 'He's been hitting on this girl.' She gave me the name, and I was like, 'His ex?!' And she was like, 'Yeah.' I was like, 'What the hell.'"Kelley, meanwhile, said Ari got angry at her for briefly speaking to her ex at an event, which he dubbed extremely disrespectful.Kelley claimed that once she announced she was "done" with Ari on social media, "more things started coming out" about him."Women were messaging me, like, 'I saw him on September 5. He left a bar with a guy and a group of girls,'" Kelley said.That night, Ari had allegedly sent Kelley a picture of a painting in his apartment to suggest that he was home alone.Another person told Kelley that Ari had been spotted leaving a bar hand in hand with another woman this past summer."I was like, "Holy sh-t, this goes deep!'" Kelley lamented. "And I'm sure there's so much more... I think [our good times] were all just fake, like, not one part of it was real."Kelley said she's never been hurt like this beforeKelley said she essentially begged Ari to just own up to mistakes and admit the truth, but he'd only come clean about "very small" pieces of the truth."He was like, 'I picked up a girl's number in June at the bar in Philly,'" Kelley recalled."And he was like, 'When I was in DC, I got another girl's number, but I didn't go to dinner with her.'... I was like, 'At this point, you would need to give me a lobotomy to literally believe anything that is coming out of your mouth.'"Kelley said Ari had claimed it was always the women coming onto him and not the other way around."And he was like, 'This girl wanted to get lunch and coffee the next day, but I never texted her back,'" Kelley claimed. "Again, I can't believe one word."But now that Kelley is definitely done with Ari, she said she is healing and moving on."It's still so fresh... I know I will and I'll be fine at the end of the day," Kelley said."I just know that I need to focus on myself and get myself back to a place where I was happy hanging out with my friends, do things that I love and that's the only thing I can do at this point."Prior to her romance with Ari, Kelley had dated 's Season 24 star Peter Weber for three years on and off.Peter and Kelley began dating in early 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic and announced their first split on New Year's Eve 2021. It didn't take long for the couple to try again , but then they broke up in February 2021, with Kelley confirming the revived romance ended "really badly." Peter and Kelley sparked speculation they were back together -- again -- in August 2022 via flirty social media posts and public appearances. They ultimately went Instagram official with their relationship for the second time in October of that year.Peter revealed he and Kelley -- his fifth-place finisher on -- were done during a playful interview at a beauty convention in Calgary, Canada, in April 2023.Interested in more news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group The holidays may be the most wonderful time of the year, but for small retailers, theyre also the most critical. As shoppers fill their carts with gifts, many small businesses are banking on those sales to stay afloat heading into an uncertain 2025. Australian retail turnover increased by 0.6% in October 2024, according to seasonally adjusted figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This marks a stronger performance compared to the 0.1% rise in September and the 0.7% growth in August. Robert Ewing, head of business statistics at the ABS, attributed the boost to early discounting ahead of Black Friday. Retailers reported increased sales activity in October, with some enticing buyers early, particularly with discretionary item discounts, he said. Zara Tonkin, Chief of Staff at Employment Hero: Monthly retail turnover may have grown 0.6% in October to $36.7 billion but the numbers reveal deeper challenges. Consumers are prioritising essentials like food and household goods, while discretionary categories such as clothing and department stores lag. Household budgets remain under pressure, and cautious spending dominates the landscape, even ahead of Black Friday sales. Employment Heros October SmartMatch Employment Report (SMER) which uses real-time, verified payroll data from 1.1 million SMEs (not estimates) offers a more accurate and current picture of the economic pressures: Wages in the retail and hospitality sectors rose 0.7% month-on-month and 4.5% annually, outpacing annual turnover growth of 3.4%. Yet the average retail worker clocked just 97 hours last monthequivalent to losing a week of standard full-time work every month, likely due to shift reductions because of budget constraints. While employers are hiringup 1.5% monthly, likely in anticipation of the end-of-year rushtotal employment in the sector remains below last year, underscoring how precarious conditions are. Despite Black Friday sales offering consumers a chance to stretch their budgets, its likely many households were unable to fully participate. Retailers, especially SMEs, are feeling the squeeze. Rising costs of operating, and cautious consumer spending make profitability a challenge. Were also really conscious of what the hours reduction means for retail staff: while serving others this season may likely face challenges affording the very bargains they help make possible. As the festive season approaches, businesses are banking on strong sales to bridge financial gaps. Without meaningful support, many small retailers could face significant challenges heading into 2025. Sector Highlights Non-food industries led the growth, with other retailing up 1.6% and household goods retailing rising 1.4%, driven by strong sales of electrical goods such as televisions. However, clothing, footwear, and personal accessories dropped 0.6%, while department stores saw a slight decline of 0.3%. Food-related sectors posted gains: cafes, restaurants, and takeaway services rose 0.3%, marking a third consecutive monthly increase, and food retailing rebounded by 0.3%, led by a 1.7% rise in liquor sales. State and Territory Performance Retail turnover increased across most states, with the strongest growth in South Australia (+1.3%), Tasmania (+1.1%), and Victoria (+0.9%). The Northern Territory was the exception, recording a 0.5% decline. These figures reflect robust consumer activity, bolstered by strategic early-season discounts and continued demand in food services. The ABS acknowledged the vital role businesses play in providing data for such insights. Here are some practical tips for SME owners to make the most of the holiday season and set themselves up for success in 2025: 1. Plan Ahead for Stock and Inventory Order Early: Ensure you have enough stock to meet demand, especially for popular items. Place orders well in advance to avoid supply chain disruptions. Ensure you have enough stock to meet demand, especially for popular items. Place orders well in advance to avoid supply chain disruptions. Offer Seasonal Products: Consider adding holiday-specific products or bundles that cater to gift-giving. This could help attract more customers. Consider adding holiday-specific products or bundles that cater to gift-giving. This could help attract more customers. Inventory Management: Keep a close eye on inventory levels and avoid overstocking. Use data from previous years to predict trends and adjust accordingly. 2. Leverage Digital Marketing Social Media Campaigns: Utilize platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to run targeted ads, promote special deals, or showcase your products in a festive light. Utilize platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to run targeted ads, promote special deals, or showcase your products in a festive light. Email Marketing: Send personalized offers to your customer base. Highlight holiday sales, promotions, and limited-time deals to drive traffic. Send personalized offers to your customer base. Highlight holiday sales, promotions, and limited-time deals to drive traffic. Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Optimize your website for seasonal keywords to attract more traffic during peak shopping times. Ensure your website is mobile-friendly. 3. Create Special Offers and Discounts Flash Sales & Discounts: Offer time-sensitive deals to create urgency, such as daily deals or flash sales. This encourages customers to buy before the deal expires. Offer time-sensitive deals to create urgency, such as daily deals or flash sales. This encourages customers to buy before the deal expires. Loyalty Programs: Offer incentives like extra discounts or gifts for repeat customers, which can encourage both immediate purchases and long-term loyalty. Offer incentives like extra discounts or gifts for repeat customers, which can encourage both immediate purchases and long-term loyalty. Gift Cards: Selling gift cards can provide immediate revenue while encouraging repeat business as customers return to redeem them. 4. Provide Exceptional Customer Service Staff Training: Ensure your team is ready to handle increased traffic and provide a high level of customer service. A great experience can result in repeat customers. Ensure your team is ready to handle increased traffic and provide a high level of customer service. A great experience can result in repeat customers. Easy Returns and Exchanges: Make sure your return and exchange policies are clear and customer-friendly. This helps build trust, especially during the busy holiday season. 5. Optimize Your Online Presence Update Your Website: Make sure your website is updated with holiday hours, special promotions, and easy navigation for online shoppers. Consider offering free or discounted shipping. Make sure your website is updated with holiday hours, special promotions, and easy navigation for online shoppers. Consider offering free or discounted shipping. Utilize E-commerce Platforms: If you havent already, consider using online marketplaces like Amazon, Etsy, or local platforms to expand your reach and tap into a wider audience. If you havent already, consider using online marketplaces like Amazon, Etsy, or local platforms to expand your reach and tap into a wider audience. Online Reviews: Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews. Reviews can influence potential buyers and enhance your credibility. 6. Engage with Your Community Local Events and Sponsorships: Participate in local holiday markets or community events, which can provide exposure and help you connect with new customers. Participate in local holiday markets or community events, which can provide exposure and help you connect with new customers. Collaborate with Other SMEs: Partner with other local businesses for cross-promotions. You can run joint sales, sponsor events together, or create bundled offerings that benefit both parties. 7. Prepare for Post-Holiday Season Prepare for Returns: Anticipate a higher volume of returns and exchanges after the holidays. Have a plan in place to manage this and keep customer satisfaction high. Anticipate a higher volume of returns and exchanges after the holidays. Have a plan in place to manage this and keep customer satisfaction high. Post-Holiday Sales: Plan for January or New Year sales. Once the holiday season ends, you can continue to drive revenue by offering post-holiday deals to clear remaining stock. 8. Keep a Close Eye on Cash Flow Track Your Expenses: Stay on top of your finances and avoid overspending on holiday-related expenses. Proper budgeting can help avoid cash flow issues in the new year. Stay on top of your finances and avoid overspending on holiday-related expenses. Proper budgeting can help avoid cash flow issues in the new year. Use Flexible Financing: If needed, consider short-term financing options like business credit cards or lines of credit to help manage any cash flow gaps. 9. Monitor Competitors and Trends Watch Your Competitors: Keep an eye on what your competitors are offering and adjust your strategy if necessary to remain competitive. Keep an eye on what your competitors are offering and adjust your strategy if necessary to remain competitive. Stay Flexible: Be ready to pivot if sales arent meeting expectations. This might mean offering last-minute deals or adjusting your marketing efforts to better appeal to customers. 10. Dont Forget Self-Care Balance Your Time: The holiday season can be overwhelming, so be sure to delegate tasks and take time for yourself. A well-rested business owner is more productive and makes better decisions. The holiday season can be overwhelming, so be sure to delegate tasks and take time for yourself. A well-rested business owner is more productive and makes better decisions. Keep Perspective: Remember, the holidays are about building relationships with customers and creating positive experiences. Stay focused on long-term goals even during busy times. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Lawyers warn of deportation risk for Vietnamese in US when Trump returns ICE officers arrest an immigrant in Los Angeles in 2017. Photo by Reuters People of Vietnamese origin who are undocumented or have criminal records face the risk of deportation once Donald Trump becomes the U.S. President, lawyers warn. Throughout his election campaign, Trump criticized illegal immigrants, referring to them regularly as "criminals." He has chosen former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Thomas Homan, known for his tough stance on immigration, to oversee border control in his second administration. In his role as "border czar", Homan will be in charge of the southern and northern U.S. borders, as well as "all Maritime and Aviation Security," Trump said in his post on Truth Social, as his team is reportedly drafting executive orders to carry out deportation plans. The Vietnamese community is expected to be impacted by the new policies, Le Thanh Mai, a U.S. lawyer of Vietnamese heritage based in Michigan, said. "Policies to deport undocumented immigrants and immigrants with criminal records may reappear in Trump's new term." About 2.3 million people of Vietnamese origin live in the U.S., making them the fourth largest Asian community in the country behind Chinese, Indians and Filipinos, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In his first term as president, Trump had adopted policies to tighten immigration, with the ICE having handed deportation orders on around 10,000 Vietnamese across the U.S., most of them with criminal records and yet to gain citizenship. It arrested over 100 Vietnamese immigrants with criminal records, detaining them for months as they waited for deportation. The arrest was done despite the fact that Vietnam and the U.S. had signed an agreement in 2008 that states that Vietnamese who arrived before July 12, 1995, when the two countries reinstated diplomatic relations, would not face deportation. The 10,000 Vietnamese who received deportation orders included 8,000 who arrived in the U.S. before 1995. They initially believed they would not face deportation thanks to the 2008 agreement, but the Trump regime said the agreement would not protect those with criminal records. The U.S. ambassador to Vietnam at the time, Ted Osius, opposed the decision and resigned from the Department of State in protest. The Vietnamese community denounced the deportation plan, calling it "unfair and cruel." "Many Vietnamese came to the U.S. when they were young and tried to integrate amid difficulties and lack of support, and so some of them made mistakes," Tania Pham, an immigration lawyer who helped 40 Vietnamese who were detained. "But many of them have turned their lives around, living honorably, and should not be separated from their families and jobs." After facing a public backlash, the administration decided not to go ahead with the deportation plan. But an emboldened Trump in his second term could hasten deportation plans before he is met with opposition, Pham added. Stephen Miller, Trumps advisor on immigration, said the administration would increase the number of deportees by 10-fold to over a million people a year. Trump has repeatedly vowed to use the military to carry out mass deportations. U.S. federal laws do not allow the use of the army to carry out deportation, except in certain cases, Le said. Trump has also spoken about attracting highly skilled workers to the U.S., which means resources would need to be split to deal with illegal immigrants. "It is highly likely that Trump will only ramp up ICE and police activities, instead of mobilizing the army for deportation efforts," Pham said. Several people of Vietnamese origin in the U.S. are worried about what Trump may do next, and have contacted with Pham's office for help, she said. One of them is Hoang Nguyen, 56, who landed in California 40 years ago and is now working in the electronics industry. During Trumps first term, ICE officers visited Nguyen's house and took him to a cell in Los Angeles. "They released me four hours later without an explanation," he said. "The incident stressed me and my family out, and we had to carry out measures to change my legal status for a fee of nearly US$50,000. It has not been done yet." Pham helped him with his legal efforts back in 2017. He now plans to continue his legal fight, seeking out law firms and NGOs that support people of Vietnamese origin in the U.S. "I'm worried about having to be apart from my loved ones, even losing my job, which would affect my ability to support my children going to college," he said. "I just want to be near my family and my community in the years I have left in the U.S. I want to do it the right way, by adjusting my legal status, so that I will no longer be considered an illegal immigrant." Yaya Palmer, owner of Grands Designs Woodworks, speaks to a customer during the 2023 AFM Holiday Artist Market at Bishop Park in Athens, Georgia, on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Mark Palmer and her use traditional woodworking methods to handcraft butcher blocks, cutting and charcuterie boards, whimsical magnets and ornaments and custom pieces from locally sourced hardwoods from the Piedmont and Appalachian regions of the Southeast. (Photo/Landen Todd @whats_landophoto) gathering that embodies the connection to art and community. (Photo/Landen Todd @whats_landoph GPL's pipeline for H2FY25 has a gross development value of Rs 15,000 core including projects in Gurugram, Noida, Mumbai, Pune and Hyderabad. Photograph: Courtesy, Godrej Properties Expansion of its development portfolio, brokerage upgrades, and strong outlook have led to a 15 per cent gain for the stock of real estate major Godrej Properties (GPL) in six trading sessions. The company recently acquired a 53-acre land parcel in Joka, Kolkata with an estimated development potential of 1.3 million square feet of saleable area with an estimated revenue potential of Rs 500 crore. In addition to recent acquisitions, the performance of the company stood out amongst peers in the September quarter (Q2FY25). It posted a 219 per cent year on year (Y-o-Y) growth in revenue at Rs 1,090 crore while operating profit was at Rs 31.9 crore as compared to a loss of Rs 61.7 crore in the year-ago quarter. The companys adjusted net profit came in at Rs 330 crore and was up 360 per cent Y-o-Y with net profit margin at 31 per cent. GPLs Q2 highlights were strong delivery and high operating cash flow. GPL delivered projects worth 6.6 million square feet in Q2 and 9.3 million square feet in H1FY25 with a guidance of 15 million square feet in FY25. It recorded a strong cash flow of Rs 1,830 crore (126 per cent Y-o-Y) in the quarter. The company launched five new projects or phases in Q2 and sold Rs 2,760 crore, contributing 53 per cent of the total booking, which was Rs 5,200 crore (3 per cent Y-o-Y). The NCR continues to substantially contribute to bookings. In H1, the region contributed 39 per cent of sales, whereas Bengaluru contributed 28 per cent and Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) 23 per cent. Due to its presence in all four markets, GPL is benefiting the most from the upcycle. GPL's sales booking in H1FY25 is Rs 13,800 crore (up 89 per cent Y-o-Y), achieving 51 per cent of its FY25 guidance of Rs 27,000 crore. NCR was the largest contributor with Rs 2,000 crore, followed by MMR with Rs 1,740 crore booking value in Q2. Collections were also strong with the Q2 figure at Rs 4,000 crore (up 68 per cent Y-o-Y). Business development saw the addition of six projects with gross development value (GDV) of Rs 9,700 crore in Q2 and GDV of Rs 12,700 crore year-to-date. This is 63 per cent of guidance for FY25. The operating cash flow (OCF) is up due to GPL's rising economic interest. From 39 per cent of total sales booking in FY19, it has grown to 85 per cent in FY24, and 93 per cent in 1HFY25. OCF as a percentage of collection improved from 29 per cent in FY19 to 38 per cent in FY24 and 40 per cent in H1FY25. GPLs pipeline for H2FY25 has a GDV of Rs 15,000 core including projects in Gurugram, Noida, Mumbai, Pune, and Hyderabad. It looks set to easily surpass its guidance. Projects in the greater than $1 million ticket size in NCR are a key near-term monitorable. GPL's strategy targets an internal rate of return (IRR) of 20 per cent to 25 per cent and operating profit margins of 25 per cent to 30 per cent. The company aims at profit margins of 15 per cent through the entire economic cycle. The key markets include Mumbai, NCR, Bangalore, and Pune. But GPL remains open to projects in Ahmedabad and Kolkata, having recently acquired a project in Ahmedabad followed by the Joka parcel. Strategic preference for outright acquisitions is visible. The cost of land (as a per cent of GDV) is estimated at 20-25 per cent. This is higher but offset by better marketability driving fast conversion. Net debt is stable at Rs 7,500 crore with a net debt to equity of 70 per cent. For projects added post-Q2, land payments totaling around Rs 1,000 crore have been made, with overall pending land payments standing at Rs 2,500-3,000 crore. Analysts are recommending a buy on the basis of a valuation of normalised pre-sales (three-year moving average), project-level operating profit margins of 30-33 per cent, and GPLs economic share at around 80 per cent. The key downside risks are margin-dilutive business development additions, potential delays in project launches, and weak micro markets. Disclaimer: This article is meant for information purposes only. This article and information do not constitute a distribution, an endorsement, an investment advice, an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities/schemes or any other financial products/investment products mentioned in this article to influence the opinion or behaviour of the investors/recipients. Any use of the information/any investment and investment related decisions of the investors/recipients are at their sole discretion and risk. Any advice herein is made on a general basis and does not take into account the specific investment objectives of the specific person or group of persons. Opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. Private equity (PE) activity in India between January and November 2024 recorded a total value of $30.89 billion across 1,022 deals, a 22.7 per cent increase in value and an 18.4 per cent rise in deal count compared to $25.17 billion across 863 deals during the same period in 2023. Notable large deals during the period include Walton Street India Investment Advisors at $1.5 billion, and KiranaKart Technologies at $1.35 billion. According to experts, 2024 witnessed a plateau in deal-making while the industry made strides in utilising public markets for exits. Ongoing 2024 is the year in which exits from IPOs became mainstream for the Indian private equity industry, said Gopal Jain, managing partner, Gaja Capital. He highlighted that exits through public markets were not limited to minority stakes but extended to control positions. Gaurav Sharma, head, India Investment Business, Investcorp, shared the sentiment emphasising the importance of exits for investor confidence. It is a very good sign for private equity in India because exits have always been a concern for LPs (limited partners) when they're looking at private equity investing in India, and the record numbers for exits that happened in 2024 bodes extremely well for PE as an asset class in the country, he said. Indian private equity is undergoing a shift as domestic capital is beginning to gain more traction, marking a new era for the industry. Private equity is no longer about how foreign investors look at India. "Increasingly, it is an Indian product and the capital that is being invested through private equity is Indian capital, said Jain. Despite the local capital, global macroeconomic conditions continue to influence the sector. If you're a foreign fund, geopolitics, what happens in the US, has a huge impact because most of the capital that is being invested in India is coming from there, said Vivek Soni, partner, Ernst & Young (EY). The funding winter, particularly for late-stage startups, persists. Funding winter is not there if you are a profitable company, looking to grow and you need capital. "But if you are a business that has been losing money for a while, whose cash flow is negative, and there is no clear visibility to keep it positive, then funding winter remains, said Sharma. The winter is becoming slightly warmer, but it's still there, said Soni, adding that the bid-ask spread in valuations is slowing deal closures. Profitability has gained renewed focus among startups and PE-backed companies. Many entrepreneurs have taken the last two or three years to find a greater balance between revenues and profits, Jain noted, dismissing the term funding winter. LeapFrog Investments, an impact-focused PE firm, highlighted the growing prominence of India in its portfolio. India is our largest market. About a third of the capital gets deployed in India, said Pranav Kumar, partner at LeapFrog. He cited the nations favourable demographics, under-penetrated financial and healthcare sectors, and the governments digital public infrastructure as key enablers for growth. The PE sectors focus remains on core themes such as financial services, healthcare, and technology. India has a lot of potential. Its not a five-year story, its hopefully a 25-year story," said Kumar. With an average ticket size of $30-$50 million per deal and four investments in 2024, the PE firm expects to have a similar pace in investments next year. Industry experts remain cautiously optimistic about 2025. With steady economic growth and a stable government, India is positioned as a top emerging market destination. We invest in multiple countries, but India is very exciting near the top, for a number of investors, the reasons being growth, depth of talent, digital public infrastructure, and the depth of capital markets, said Kumar, adding that for businesses with solid fundamentals, there is enough dry powder out there for capital deployment. Soni added that geopolitical uncertainties, particularly around US policy under a new administration, could shape investor sentiment. Despite all uncertainties in the last two years, we were able to clock $50-55 billion. "So, there is no reason why in 2025 we should not be able to do better, we should do 15-20 per cent better in terms of total investment activity in dollars, he said. Sharma forecast an uptick in buyouts and continuation vehicles (CVs) as the sector matures further. We will see more secondary deals, more IPOs from private equity, and more CVs as people figure out exits, he noted. Action was taken against four police officers and seven people were arrested in connection with the breach of premises at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, police said on Tuesday. IMAGE: Security beefed up after protesters broke out police barricades during a protest against atrocities on minorities in Bangladesh, at the Assistant High Commission in Agartala on Monday. Photograph: ANI Photo Three sub-inspectors were suspended and a deputy superintendent of police was 'closed', asking him to report to the police headquarters, for alleged negligence in duty, SP of West Tripura Kiran Kumar K told PTI. "A suo moto case was registered at the New Capital Complex (NCC) police station over the incident. Seven persons have been arrested so far for their alleged involvement in the incident," he said. Police have already begun an investigation into the incident, and will take steps as per the law, he added. Security was beefed up at the consulate following the incident, and CRPF and Tripura State Rifles (TSR) personnel were deployed, the SP said. The incident happened on Monday as activists of the Hindu Sangharsh Samity were protesting the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das and atrocities on minorities in Bangladesh. Condemning the incident, Chief Minister Manik Saha said, "During the protest rally, a group of youth tried to barge into the Assistant High Commission office of Bangladesh in Agartala. I condemned the incident. Peaceful protest can be allowed but such behaviour is not acceptable." The Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Tripura's capital Agartala on Tuesday announced the suspension of all visa and consular services with immediate effect until further notice because of 'security reasons', a day after the mission's premises was breached by a group of people protesting against the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Dhaka. IMAGE: Members and supporters of 'Hindu Sangarsh Samity' participate in a protest march demanding the release of ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was arrested in Bangladesh, in Agartala on Monday. Photograph: ANI Photo Amid escalating tensions between the two countries, Dhaka summoned the Indian envoy posted there to protest against the alleged vandalism of its mission in Tripura. Also on Tuesday, police registered a suo motu case and arrested seven people for their alleged involvement in the incident at the Bangladesh mission. Action was also taken against four policemen for dereliction of duty, West Tripura district SP Kiran Kumar K said. "Given the security situation, all visa and consular services at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission, Agartala, will remain suspended until further notice. This comes into effect immediately," Md Al-Ameen, the first secretary to the Bangladesh mission, said. Condemning the incident, Chief Minister Manik Saha said, "During the protest rally, a group of youth tried to barge into the Assistant High Commission office of Bangladesh in Agartala. I condemned the incident. Peaceful protest can be allowed but such behaviour is not acceptable." In a related development, the All Tripura Hotel & Restaurant Owners' Association (ATHROA) said its members would not serve Bangladeshi guests given the insult to the Indian flag there. ATHROA general secretary Saikat Bandyopadhyay said the decision was taken at an emergency meeting held on Monday. "We are a secular country and have respect for all religions. Our national flag has been desecrated and minorities are facing oppression by a section of fundamentalists in Bangladesh. Earlier too such incidents used to take place but now it has crossed the limit," he said. Meanwhile, protests continued in several northeastern states, including Assam. Thousands of people gathered in Agartala under the banner of 'Sanatani Yuva' and staged a rally demanding the immediate release of Das. They also protested against the oppression of minorities in that country. The protesters were, however, not allowed to move towards the Akhaura Integrated Check Post (ICP) on the international border as the police denied them permission to hold the 'March to Bangladesh' programme. In Kolkata, leader of the opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, said human rights have been violated in Bangladesh as lawyers of arrested Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das could not appear in a court as they were allegedly beaten up by fundamentalists. A Bangladesh court on Tuesday deferred to January 2 next year hearing on the bail petition of Das on a government plea as no lawyer appeared on his behalf. Das, a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested from Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on November 25 for alleged sedition. He was denied bail and sent to jail by a Chattogram court on November 26, triggering protests by his supporters. ISKCON Kolkata appealed to the Bangladesh government to ensure the safety of lawyers willing to represent the Hindu monk in an ongoing case, following a brutal attack on his advocate. ISKCON Kolkata spokesperson Radharamn Das on Monday claimed that Ramen Roy, who was defending Chinmoy Krishna Das, was attacked by a group of Islamists at his home in Bangladesh. "It is really frustrating to see that there was no defence lawyer. Is this justice? Is this how you provide free and fair justice? We would urge the Bangladesh government to look into the matter," Das said. 'The day when Chinmay Krishna Prabhu was first arrested and produced in court one of his lawyers was Regan Acharya. After the hearing his chamber was vandalised and he was attacked brutally...How can any lawyer appear for #ChinmoyKrishnaDas when they are being targeted? As per report & video received from Bangladesh #SaveBangladeshiHindus,' he posted on X. In Siliguri, posters of Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh's chief adviser, surfaced on social media in West Bengal with derogatory words written next to his image. The posters were reportedly spotted near the Siliguri Municipal Corporation building and other parts of the busy town in North Bengal. The images quickly went viral, though PTI could not independently verify the authenticity of the social media posts. A district official said an inquiry has been started to determine the origins of the posters. "We are looking into whether such posters with objectionable messages against another country have been displayed. If we find anything, the administration will take appropriate action to remove them," the official said. In Guwahati, the Congress women's wing alleged that the 'wrong' foreign policy of the Centre has made it 'ineffective' in pursuing the authorities of Bangladesh in providing security to Hindus there. During the day, the Congress and several organisations held protests across Assam against atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh, demanding the security of people belonging to the religious minority there. In Silchar, the Indian Forum for Bangladesh Peace held a demonstration, demanding the restoration of peace in the neighbouring country and an end to the atrocities on Hindus there. A broad consensus has emerged among top Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and other Mahayuti allies to drop ministers facing serious allegations of corruption in the new government, a Shiv Sena leader said on Tuesday. IMAGE: Shiv Sena leader Kiran Pawaskar. Photograph: Courtesy @shivsenaofc on X He said a decision on the allocation of portfolios will be finalised only after BJP legislators elect their legislature party leader on Wednesday. The new government is scheduled to take oath on December 5 at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top leaders. "During a meeting with top BJP leaders in Delhi about Cabinet portfolios, a broad consensus emerged to drop individuals who have served as ministers and are facing serious corruption allegations," said Shiv Sena leader Kiran Pawaskar. It's a kind of report card the BJP's top brass has sought, he told reporters in Mumbai. Mahayuti leaders Devendra Fadnavis, outgoing chief minister Eknath Shinde of the Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar who heads the Nationalist Congress Party, had visited Delhi last week. Pawaskar stressed the importance of appointing individuals with a clean record to ministerial posts. "There was no dispute among Mahayuti allies. The only thing we stressed is that those individuals with a clean track record who do not face corruption charges or are tainted should be given cabinet berths. The people of Maharashtra have given us a strong mandate, and they naturally expect ministers of high integrity," he added. Speaking on the chief minister's post, Pawaskar said numbers always matter in politics. "It is natural for the BJP to claim the top post due to the massive mandate they received. Their MLAs likely share the same sentiments," he said. During his CM stint, Eknath Shinde showed his commitment to serving people. His 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana' has left an indelible mark which cannot be touched by anyone, including Shinde's successor, Pawaskar added. Providing an update on Shinde's health, Pawaskar said Shinde was unwell earlier but now he is feeling fine. "There is no disappointment or rift within the Mahayuti," he added. The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar-led NCP, won 230 out of 288 seats in the Maharashtra assembly elections. A sessions court in Indore has acquitted a bangle seller from a minority community, accused of molesting a minor girl, noting that the prosecution failed to establish its case even by 'leshmatra' (an iota). Image only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo The case dates back to 2021 when the man -- Tasleem, alias Golu (28) -- was first seen in a viral video being assaulted by a group of individuals. The incident occurred in an Indore locality where Tasleem was selling bangles door-to-door on August 22, 2021. He claimed in his first information report (FIR) that he was attacked by five to six men who began beating him after he disclosed his name. The men allegedly also made derogatory communal remarks against Tasleem, the complaint said. The next day, an FIR was filed against Tasleem at the Banganga police station under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 354 (criminal force against a woman), 420 (cheating), and 471 (using a forged document). This complaint was made by a 13-year-old schoolgirl who alleged that Tasleem had visited her home to sell bangles, made inappropriate comments, and touched her inappropriately. On Monday, Special Judge Rashmi Walter, who oversees cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, acquitted Tasleem in the case. In its 27-page judgment, the court said the complainant and her parents have failed to identify the alleged accused and not supported leshmatra (even an iota) of the prosecution story. During the trial, however, both the girl and her parents failed to identify Tasleem as the perpetrator, significantly undermining the prosecution's case. Moreover, the prosecution could not establish that Tasleem had forged his identity documents, which included two Aadhaar cards bearing different names. The evidences and witnesses do not prove any charges against the accused, the court said, adding the prosecution has failed to prove the charges against the bangle seller, a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Hardoi district. Following the verdict, Tasleem expressed his relief, stating, "I was innocent. I was implicated in a false case by some people. But I had full faith in the Constitution and judicial system of the country. "I have finally got justice." He emphasised his desire for the preservation of the 'Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb' (syncretic culture) of Indore. Meanwhile, the case concerning the assault against Tasleem remains pending in the district court, his lawyer Sheikh Aleem said. Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das failed to get any relief on Tuesday as his bail hearing in a Bangladesh court was postponed for a month due to the unavailability of any lawyer to represent him, according to a media report. IMAGE: Chinmoy Krishna Das. Photograph: ANI on X After an initial hearing on the bail petition on Tuesday, the judge set January 2 for another hearing, Chattogram Metropolitan Police ADC (Prosecution) Mofizur Rahman was quoted as saying by bdnews24.com. Das will have to wait a month to see if he will receive bail in a sedition case against him, it said. His bail plea was set to be heard by the court of Chattogram Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Saiful Islam on Tuesday, but no lawyer appeared on Chinmoy's behalf at the hearing, the report added. There was heavy security in the Chattogram court area for the bail hearing. Large deployments of security officials from different forces took up positions nearby. Das was not brought to court for the hearing. A leader from the Chattogram Bar Association and other lawyers were seen holding a protest march on the court premises. Das, a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested from Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on November 25 for alleged sedition. He was denied bail and sent to jail by a Chattogram court on November 26, triggering protests by his supporters. A lawyer was killed during violence in Bangladesh's southeastern port city of Chattogram over his arrest. After Das was denied bail, his lawyers immediately filed a revision petition, seeking another hearing. However, no hearing took place that day. The relations between India and Bangladesh came under strain after the interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus came to power following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August. India has been expressing concerns over attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in that country. There has been a rise in violent attacks against Hindus in Bangladesh. Hindu minority groups have been frequently reporting atrocities against their community members in different parts of Bangladesh, even after Yunus took charge. Preparations are in full swing at the Azad Maidan in Mumbai for the swearing-in ceremony of the new Mahayuti government in Maharashtra on December 5, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to attend the event. IMAGE: Preparations are underway at Azad Maidan in Mumbai for the Maharashtra CM's oath-taking ceremony. Photograph: ANI on X BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis is being considered the frontrunner for the chief minister's post, but the Mahayuti alliance has not announced any name yet with the state BJP legislature party's meeting scheduled to take place on December 4. Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule has been overseeing preparations for the ceremony and visited the venue in south Mumbai on Monday. While Bawankule had earlier said that Modi will attend the event, invitations have also been extended to Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)-ruled states. Additionally, central ministers, governors and key central BJP office-bearers are also expected to be present, BJP sources said. A meeting to finalise the preparations was held at the state BJP office on Tuesday, attended by Mumbai unit chief Ashish Shelar, the party's leader in the Maharashtra legislative council Pravin Darekar, Prasad Lad and others. The BJP has also invited religious leaders, artists and writers from across the state. "The swearing-in ceremony will showcase the spirit of the Mahayuti alliance while honouring Maharashtra's cultural diversity," a senior leader said. Fadnavis, a two-time former chief minister, is widely seen as the likely candidate for the top post. The BJP has named Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani as central observers for the Wednesday morning meeting where the state legislature party leader will be elected. The saffron party recorded its best-ever electoral performance by winning 132 seats in the 288-member Maharashtra legislative assembly in the November 20 elections. The Mahayuti coalition that includes Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party won a total of 230 seats. The Shiv Sena on Monday said the home portfolio should be given to it if the BJP got the CM post. There were reports that caretaker CM Eknath Shinde had conveyed his displeasure at not being given a second chance as CM by retreating to his village Dare in Satara district, but he attributed the visit to a need for rest after a hectic election campaign. 2024 has been a bad year for aid workers and humanitarians, according to the United Nations. 282 have been killed in the first 11 months, surpassing last years total of 280. Whats more, a plurality of the victims was killed by state actors: people who were charged with protecting aid workers and facilitating their work. Their actions contravene the Geneva Conventions, which protect people who do not take part in the fighting. Nonetheless, non-state actors carry a significant amount of the blame. It is unacceptable that those who assist and protect the most vulnerable would themselves be the targets of violence, said Robert Wood, U.S. Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs at the U.N. Earlier this year, Houthi militants rounded up scores of UN and diplomatic staff, all of whom were working to bring life-saving assistance to the Yemeni people. In Ukraine, members of Russias forces have inflicted unconscionable acts of brutality on civilians, including torture and forcible transfer and deportation of children. These acts are not random or spontaneous, but part of the Kremlins widespread and systematic efforts against the Ukrainian people, he said. In Gaza, Palestinian civilians have endured sheer hell in this war. Far too many civilians have been killed, including thousands of children. The United States continues to urge all parties to facilitate the unhindered movement of humanitarian and commercial convoys into and throughout Gaza, said Ambassador Wood. The fact that Hamas actions endanger civilians does not negate Israels responsibilities to protect civilians including humanitarian personnel. We reiterate our call on all parties to protect civilians, civilian infrastructure, and humanitarian operations, to ensure humanitarian access in all parts of Lebanon, and to abide by their obligations under international law. We are also concerned about the safety and security of humanitarian staff in Sudan, said Ambassador Wood. Since the start of the conflict, fighting has killed 50 aid workers and injured many others. Dozens of humanitarian staff have been detained and some still remain unaccounted for. The United States position is clear: the Geneva Conventions are as important today as they were 75 years ago, which is why we joined the call earlier this year for a renewed commitment to them, said Ambassador Wood. We will continue advocating for protection of humanitarian personnel everywhere around the world. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi along with the five other Congress MPs from Uttar Pradesh will visit violence-hit Sambhal on Wednesday, party's state unit chief Ajay Rai said. IMAGE: Police personnel install metal detectors at the entrance of Shahi Jama Masjid ahead of the congregation of devotees for Friday prayers, in Sambhal on November 29, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Newly-elected Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is also likely to accompany the delegation, he said. The party's general secretary and UP in-charge Avinash Pande will be there too, Rai told PTI. Curbs under section 163 (power to issue order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were set to expire on Sunday in Sambhal and have now been extended till December 31. When asked about Rahul Gandhi's visit to Sambhal, Superintendent of Police of Sambhal Krishan Kumar told PTI, "Section 163 of the BNSS is already imposed in Sambhal. No outsider is allowed (to enter Sambhal). If they come, then they will be served a notice." Sambhal District Magistrate Rajendra Pensia on Tuesday wrote a letter to the police commissioners of Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad and the superintendents of police of Amroha and Bulandshahr districts, urging them to stop Rahul Gandhi at the borders of their districts. On the Sambhal DM's missive, UP Congress chief Rai said that this is 'murder of democracy through blatant misuse of police'. Sambhal has been in the eye of the storm since November 19, when a Mughal-era mosque was surveyed on court orders following claims that a Harihar temple previously stood at the site. Violence erupted during a second survey on November 24 as protesters gathered near Shahi Jama Masjid and clashed with security personnel. Four people died and several others were injured in the violence that ensued. Meanwhile, UP Congress general secretary Sachin Chaudhary told PTI in Sambhal, "National secretary Pradeep Narwal, state vice-president Rizwan Qureshi and I met the family members of deceased Bilal and Noman, and helped them talk to Priyanka Gandhi ji. Priyanka ji enquired about their wellbeing." Chaudhary also said that Rahul Gandhi will come to Sambhal on Wednesday and there is a programme to meet the family members of the deceased. Samajwadi Party MLA from Sambhal Iqbal Mahmood late on Monday evening said that he had gone to meet the families of the four deceased and expressed sympathy to them. "The atrocities that have been committed in Sambhal will be raised in the Parliament and state assembly, and after December 10, a Samajwadi Party delegation will come here. There are some things that these people want to hide. When such incidents happen in any part of the country, everyone wants to go there," Mahmood told reporters. The SP MLA said his party has demanded that this incident should be investigated by a sitting judge of the high court. "We do not have faith in the judicial commission inquiry. The governor and the chief minister have formed the panel...it will work under the pressure of the government," he said. UP's Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Co-operative JPS Rathore on Tuesday took a jibe at the Samajwadi Party and Congress, and said, "It seems that there is race between them as to who is a bigger well-wisher. I think that everything is under control in Sambhal, and there is peace and harmony there." "People should not go there to provoke the residents. Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi speaks a lot on international issues, but when it comes to Bangladesh, he is silent," Rathore said. Meanwhile, Maulana Tauqeer Raza, the president of Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IEMC), on Tuesday said that anything can come out from the excavation of religious places, and it would be better to abandon the idea of excavation in the country and to work towards development. Speaking to reporters in Bareilly, Raza said, "For the unity and integrity of the country, the idea of excavation should be abandoned and development should be thought about. Skeletons of extinct dinosaurs can also be found." "Times are changing. We should move with the changing time," he said. Raza also expressed displeasure over not being allowed to meet the people, who were injured in the Sambhal violence, in the private medical college hospital. He also alleged that the government itself is creating riots and blaming others. Mufti Afqan, a member of the working committee of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind said that a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each was given to the kin of the deceased. On Monday, scores of Congress workers jostled with police personnel and tried to scale barricades outside the party office in Lucknow as a party delegation led by Rai was prevented from leaving for Sambhal, which has been made out of bounds by administration after the November 24 violence. Amid high drama, Rai, who took the driver's seat in his car with senior party leader P L Punia next to him, could not leave for the 'fact-finding' visit even as scuffles broke out between the police and the slogan-shouting party workers, who tried to clear the way for their leaders. Rai drove the car to some distance inside the Congress office complex but it was stopped by the police at the gate. After this, he sat on a dharna outside the party office along with Congress workers, Punia had said. The Congress slammed the BJP government, saying it was trying to hide its failure with its 'anti-democratic' actions. Rai, who had spent the night at the Congress office along with several party workers, later said the party delegation will visit Sambhal when prohibitory orders are lifted. The BJP hit back with deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak accusing Congress and Samajwadi Party leaders of going to Sambhal for 'political tourism'. They alleged that the opposition wanted to spoil the 'peaceful' atmosphere in the district. The cold wave days in December too are expected to be 'below-normal' this year. IMAGE: People gather around a bonfire to warm themselves on a cold winter morning in Prayagraj, December 2, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo After a warm November, most parts of the country might experience 'above-normal' minimum temperatures during the winter months of December to February. The maximum temperatures in this period could be 'above-normal' except in the southern peninsula, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. A warmer than usual winter, particularly in the north and central parts of the country -- largely comprising the cold core zone of Punjab, Haryana, UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, north Chhattisgarh, and north Odisha -- could have an adverse impact on the standing rabi crops, especially wheat and pulses, depending on plant growth stage. "In the core cold, there is lower to higher probability of both higher maximum and minimum temperatures in the next three months," IMD Director-General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra told reporters. As per initial reports, sowing of rabi crops has started on a firm note this year, with acreage of most crops, including wheat, more than last year during the week ending December 2. However, mustard has been an aberration so far, where the area covered is trailing last year's levels by almost 5.25 per cent. The government has said that as the sowing window is available for most crops, acreage might reach normal levels. Meanwhile, the Met department not only predicted a warmer winter but it also said that the number of cold waves could also be less than normal in the winter months over most parts of northwest, central, east and northeast parts of the country. "Usually, a cold wave lasts for five-six days, but if it is 'below normal', then it might be a cold wave of just two-four days," Mohapatra said. The Met department declares a cold wave when certain climatological conditions are met over a fixed period of time. Though the Met department did not give any specific reason for the expected warm winter this year, it could be due to an unlikely delay in the onset of La Nina. "The La Nina that was expected to set in between October and December has yet not come though. Most global and domestic models had, in fact, predicted its emergence," Mohapatra said. Coming to the November 2024 temperature, the weather office said the all-India average maximum temperature in November was the second highest since 1901, while the minimum temperature was seventh highest and the mean temperature was third highest. "This makes November 2024 among the warmest since 1901," Mohapatra said. In December, which is the first month of the winter season, IMD said that minimum temperatures are also most likely to be above normal over most parts of the country. The average maximum temperatures are likely to be above normal over most parts of the country, except some areas of central India, where normal maximum temperatures are likely. The cold wave days in December too are expected to be 'below-normal' this year. Rains to be 'above-normal', the IMD said. Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com Squadron Leader Kanwal Deep Mehra's daredevilry during the 1971 War brought down a Pakistani F-86 Sabre. But he had to bail out of his plane, was badly injured. Then a fierce band of armed guerillas evacuated him to safety at great risk to their lives. IMAGE: Squadron Leader Kanwal Deep Mehra. Fifty-three years after war broke out between India and Pakistan on December 3, 1971, leading to the liberation of East Pakistan or what is today known as Bangladesh, the valour of an Indian Air Force pilot is legendary. Squadron Leader Kanwal Deep Mehra became a Flying Officer with the Indian Air Force in 1960, and was promoted as Flight Lieutenant in 1964. In 1971, when he was serving as a Squadron Leader in the IAF's 14 Squadron, he became an expert Hawker Hunter F-56 fighter pilot and started to engage Pakistani targets inside East Pakistan. On December 3, 1971, his squadron was tasked to hit the Tejgaon airfield in Dacca (now Dhaka) the next day. Squadron Leader Mehra and Flight Lieutenant Mone took off from Kalaikunda airbase, a town in Kharagpur in West Bengal, at 7:27 am and set course for Dacca. The daredevil flew as low as possible to avoid Pakistani radars and as both approached Dacca, they readied for attack on the airfield. Squadron Leader Mehra and Flight Lieutenant Mone were the first to attack Dacca airfield and their bombing raid destroyed a few Sabre fighter jets. The Pakistani forces were not far behind. In search of the pilot, they, along with Razakars (an East Pakistan paramilitary force organised by General Tikka Khan), attacked Shyampur village in Hemayetpur in East Pakistan. 21-year-old Shojib led a freedom fighter group which took part in numerous guerilla operations against the Pakistani forces in the Azimpur area of Dacca. They were named the Azimpur Shojib Group or Y Platoon, and operated alongside the Crack platoon and other guerilla groups inside Dacca. Shojib and his guerilla fighters were trained in Bagmara, Tripura. Meanwhile, Squadron Leader Mehra pulled up for the second attack, when two Pakistani F-86 Sabres took off and headed for Flight Lieutenant Mone. Mehra ordered Mone to turn hard-a-port and rolled his aircraft gun on one of the Sabres and fired. The Sabre was hit, but another F-86 Sabre flew off to the Dacca airbase. Unfortunately, in heavy anti-aircraft gun firing, Mehra's Hunter was hit and the billowing smoke entered the cockpit. Blinded and suffocating, he ejected. His first attempt failed, but his second one was successful and his parachute opened just a few seconds before he hit the ground. But the hurried crash landing had a deleterious effect on him and he sustained horrific physical injuries. His right hand was broken. Meanwhile, the Hawker Hunter plummeted towards the opposite bank of the Dhaleshwari river, crashed and exploded near the Chunarchor area of Hazratpur village. Mehra had landed on a nearby paddy field in Bhakurta village on the outskirts of Dacca and was soon surrounded by villagers who thought he was a Pakistani pilot. Seeing the locals, Mehra thought they were Razakars and started screaming, 'Pakistan Zindabad'. This made the villagers suspicious and they thought he was a Pakistani pilot. They were about to hit him with sticks and logs, but were stopped. IAF pilots had been warned that if they ever came in touch with Mukti Jodhas on the ground, they should welcome them with 'Joy Bangla', to which the Mukti Jodhas would say 'Jai Hind'. And that is exactly what happened. The guerillas said 'Jai Hind', and immediately, Squadron Leader Mehra said 'Joy Bangla'. Incidentally, during the Bangladesh War, the Indian Army fought along with the Mukti Jodhas, who for many years acted as a bridge between India and Bangladesh. Mehra is said to have remarked about them, 'They are angels! I owe my life to them!' The guerillas of the Shojib Group who were involved in this rescue operation were 14 in number, with Shojib as commander. The others included Tipu, Bari, Bicchu Jalal aka Zahir Uddin Ahmed, Enam, Helal, Shobuj, Saiful, Faruq, Noyon, Khokon, Bahauddin, Khokon and Shahnewaz. These guerillas had witnessed the dogfight in the air and followed Mehra's parachute. They identified the IAF monogram on the left side of his shirt. Plus, Mehra showed them his moneybag, identity papers and a picture of his wife and children alongside the key of the Hawker Hunter F-56. Meanwhile, two guerillas from the Shahbuddin group also arrived and advised Mehra to discard his pilot overalls, which they took along with his parachute. This was because they realised that the Pakistanis would soon be searching for Mehra. Guerillas of the Shojib group decided to evacuate Squadron Leader Mehra to Indian lines. They took clothes from the villagers and made him wear a lungi and shirt and wrapped a towel around his head, making him look like a farmer. Suddenly, the guerillas noticed the villagers running. A Pakistani convoy was closing in from Dacca's Aricha Road. The enemy convoy started burning homes in the village and moved forward till they were just one kilometre away from Mehra and the guerillas. The armed guerillas kept a watchful eye on the advance even as Pakistani F-86 Sabres and IAF Hawker Hunters continued their dogfight in the skies. The advancing Pakistani soldiers also tried to fire at the IAF jets. That very day at 11 am, an IAF jet crashed into Zinzira near Dacca after being shot down by the enemy's F-86 Sabres. The Pakistani convoy launched their attack on the lightly armed guerillas of the Shojib group, but they managed to repel them and escape. At first, the guerillas brought the wounded Squadron Leader Mehra to their camp at Mushurikhola-Tultoli village near Savar, Dhaka, where they administered some makeshift medical treatment. However, Mehra was in intense pain due to his broken arm. He asked the guerillas to instead hand him over to the Pakistani army, saying that they might not be able to save him. But the guerillas promised to take him to the Indian lines as soon as possible. On December 5, avoiding enemy detection, guerilla Bari from the Shojib group moved to Dacca to secretly find a doctor for Mehra even as dogfights were taking place near the Tezgaon airfield between the IAF and the Pakistan air force, with constant anti-aircraft guns firing at the Indian jets. Though Bari couldn't find any doctor, he brought a medical student -- Sarwar -- who volunteered to treat Mehra. But the Pakistani forces were not far behind. In search of the pilot, alongside with the Razakars, they attacked Shyampur village near Savar. Realising the gravity of the situation, Shojib and his men decided to make a last desperate effort to save Mehra. They dressed him like a fisherman and sent him on a country boat half a mile away to the Bhoberchor area. Here, one of the guerillas handed Mehra a pipe to help him breathe underwater in a pond. Meanwhile, as the guerillas took positions, fixing booby traps with anti-personnel mines and explosives, the Razakars and the Pakistani forces arrived, burning down homes in Tultoli village. As they came within sight, the booby traps were activated and the guerillas opened fire on them. Guerillas from the Babur group also joined Shojib and his men. However, being lightly armed, they ran out of ammunition. Both sides now had casualties, but the Pakistani army advance was unstoppable. That is when IAF Sukhoi-7s spotted the Pakistani convoy and strafed the enemy, forcing the advance to halt. With heavy covering fire, the guerillas escaped, taking Squadron Leader Mehra as well. The plan of the guerillas was to bypass Dacca by the rivers to the north and head out to Agartala, taking the shortest route possible. Meanwhile, infection started setting in on Squadron Leader Mehra's broken arm. On December 6, the guerillas reached Saidpur village. The locals and the administration helped the wounded squadron leader even as they narrated gruesome details of the Pakistani military atrocities. The locals also garlanded Mehra for his service for the liberation of their country, shouting slogans such as 'Indira-Mujib Zindabad, Jai Hind, Joy Bangladesh'. By December 8 morning, bypassing Dacca, the guerillas and Mehra closed in on the banks of the Meghna river. They hired country boats near Kalipur village to get them across the river, which is when they spotted three Pakistani gunboats closing in on them. The boats had the general officer commanding of the Pakistan army 39 Ad-hoc Division, Major General Rahim Khan, Major Belal from the 3 Commando Special Services Group who had played an instrumental role in the arrest of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on March 25, 1971, and his men. They were escaping to Dacca after Chandpur was liberated by the Indian army. The gunboats also contained medical crew and nurses. Even as they faced heavy fighting from the advancing Indian soldiers, the Pakistanis started their retreat towards Dacca. Nonetheless, as the gunboats aimed their searchlights on the country boats of these poorly armed guerillas of commander Shojib, he and his men knew that there was no escape now. They told Mehra that if the Pakistanis opened fire or even if they surrendered there was no chance of survival for them. But they said that as Mehra was an Indian pilot, the Pakistanis might spare him and treat him as per the Geneva Convention. But Mehra, who was closest to Bicchu Jalal aka Zahir Uddin Ahmed, pointed to the sky and said: 'Jalal! My boys have come! No worry. They will blow them up!' That is when the IAF Hawker Hunters opened fire on the gunboats. All three gunboats were destroyed with some of the Pakistanis surviving. Most of the survivors, including the injured Major General Rahim Khan, escaped after getting to land, but some others were caught by the villagers and hacked to death. Their bodies were dumped into the Meghna river. Amongst those killed was Major Belal, but he was given a burial. Eventually, Shojib and his men crossed Rasulpur, Gazaria and Asmani bazaar and arrived at Chandina, a town 12 kilometres west of Comilla city. By then, Comilla was liberated by the joint efforts of the Mukti Bahini and the Indian Army. At Chandina, they found an Indian Army jeep and informed the occupants who they were and about Squadron Leader Mehra. At first, the Indian soldiers and officers didn't believe that Mehra was alive, but later, Brigadier Tom (Kailash Prasad) Pandey, commander of the 61 Mountain Brigade, arrived and met the guerillas and Mehra at Chandina. Brigadier Pandey hugged the guerillas and called them 'Azaadi Ka Bahadur'. Mehra was evacuated by an IAF helicopter to Agartala. Before leaving, he thanked the guerillas fervently, requested them to visit him in India anytime and gave them his home address, ID card, photograph and the key of the Hawker Hunter he had flown. About Sarwar, the Dacca Medical college student who came to treat the wounded Mehra, this is what he said, 'His attendance on me day and night was full of affection and I, an invalid, could not have been in safer hands.' About the guerillas of the Shojib group who saved his life, Mehra said, 'To Shojib and Sarwar and all others of the Mukti Bahini it mattered little that I was a Hindu or a Musalman. They have given me a precious new life. If need be, when I get well, I shall fly again and contribute my mite to Bangladesh, Shojib and Sarwar's dear motherland. I look forward to meeting them again!' Unfortunately, he lost his right arm as it had to be amputated. He took medical retirement from the Indian Air Force and passed away in 2012. Flight Lieutenant J C Malik from the Indian Air Force was the first to unravel this extraordinary story, followed by extensive efforts of guerilla fighter Bicchu Jalal to speak about this incident in Bangladesh. Bicchu Jalal and his commander Shojib are still alive and want to invite Bharat Mehra, Squadron Leader Kanwal Deep Mehra's son to Dhaka to honour him for his father's sacrifices in Bangladesh's Liberation war. Edited by Shobha John Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com As the race for Maharashtra chief minister enters the last lap, Hemant Waje looks at several scenarios which can play out. IMAGE: Maharashtra's caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, his deputies Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar meet Union Home Minister Amit A Shah in New Delhi, November 28, 2024. Photograph: @AjitPawarSpeaks/X It's been 10 days that Maharashtra has been without a chief minister or a government in place despite the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti getting a massive mandate in the assembly elections. Since the election results were declared on November 23, 2024, the debate has changed from how the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi was decimated to a new low to why hasn't the Mahayuti able to announce the chief minister so far. As soon as you open your newspaper or switch on your television to watch the news, you might have witnessed the 'Maha' drama unfolding in front of your eyes. From Devendra Fadnavis becoming the chief minister again to Eknath Shinde's son becoming the deputy CM, we have seen all kinds of reports that are adding more spice to the goings-on. As the political drama continues to unfold in Mumbai and nobody is certain as to who will become the chief minister, we bring you different scenarios that could play out in in the days to come. Scenario 1: Fadnavis as CM Devendra Fadnavis takes oath as chief minister, with plum posts going to the BJP and Shiv Sena, and Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar as his deputies. This is a straightforward no-brainer, the most obvious thing to do after winning the election with such a huge margin. In a normal world, Fadnavis would have been working in Mantralaya by now, signing one file after another and fulfilling the Mahayuti's promises. Instead, in this New India, we are playing a hide and seek game of power play. For now, Fadnavis, who engineered the split between Maharashtra's two regional parties and architect of the BJP's spectacular assembly win, is all set to take the oath at Mumbai's Azad Maidan. Scenario 2: Fadnavis CM, Shinde giving outside support The BJP has given enough indication of this scenario by unilaterally announcing the date and location of the swearing-in ceremony. It is an ultimatum of sorts for the Shinde camp, 'If you don't budge then we will go ahead with whoever comes with us.' The BJP has the numbers and the mandate to take this 'my way or highway' route. So will the BJP continue to observe 'coalition dharma' or are they contemplating some other options? Nobody really knows. Scenario 3: Shinde as CM The BJP made Shinde the CM in 2022 just to weaken the Shiv Sena. Then why not make him the CM again? Shinde's Shiv Sena is using the same reasoning ahead of elections to local bodies including to the richest and most prestigious, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation. The Shiv Sena feels that if Shinde continues to be the CM, the ruling alliance can recreate the assembly magic in the local elections and defeat Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena, finishing it off forever. Shinde's Sena has a point, but will the BJP play second fiddle even after winning 132 seats out of the 140 they contested? Shinde's Sena also cited the Bihar model to be implemented in Maharashtra, but why will the BJP elevate Shinde to Nitish Kumar's exalted status? IMAGE: A poster with the slogan Wapas Aana Padta Hai, Fir Wapas Aana Padta Hai in support of BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis in Nagpur. Photograph: ANI Photo Scenario 4: Surprise candidate as CM Surprise, Surprise, Surprise... No Fadnavis, no Shinde, but someone totally new for the top job. Social media is abuzz with so many names (in fact 'sources' said all the 230 winning candidates of the Mahayuti are in contention). And why not, we have a blueprint for it in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. This is Modi-Shah's favourite theme in recent times. Take the example of current Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, who was not even in the race for the top post. In fact, he was seated in the last row for a group photo an hour before the chief minister's name was announced and didn't know that he would be named CM. Why go that far, the BJP has already done this shock and awe treatment in Maharashtra. When Shinde rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray in 2022, the BJP held out a series of surprises. First it made Shinde the CM. Later, while announcing Shinde as CM, Fadnavis at a press conference said he would stay out of the government. But at the exact same time he was saying this in Mumbai, BJP President J P Nadda in New Delhi announced that Fadnavis would be deputy CM. With the BJP's habit of springing a surprise, we can't rule them out pulling a rabbit out of the hat this time as well. Because, apart from the above-mentioned scenarios, there are other permutations and combinations to pick the Maharashtra CM. But for now, we will have to wait till December 5 to know what awaits Maharashtra -- unless the BJP breaks the suspense and announces the CM's name before that. 'Ajit Pawar is trying to sideline us; he is trying to be in the BJP's good books at our cost.' IMAGE: Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde offers sweets to NCP leader Ajit Pawar while BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis looks on during a press conference after the Mahayuti stormed back to power, November 23, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar's 'unconditional support' to Devendra Fadnavis and te Bharatiya Janata Party, and the BJP's vacillation over accepting Eknath Shinde's demand to make him Maharashtra's next home minister are among the reasons why the caretaker chief minister is upset with the BJP and has been stalling the contours of the formation of the next government in Maharashtra, two top Shiv Sena functionaries in the know of affairs tell Rediff.com. These senior leaders separately confirmed that Shinde fears Ajit Pawar is playing his cards to get Shinde out of the way and be in the BJP's good books so as to land plum portfolios when cabinet formation begins sometime in the second week of December after the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for December 5 at Mumbai's Azad Maidan, where, as per all reports, Fadnavis will be anointed as Maharashtra's next chief minister in Prime Minister Narendra D Modi's presence. Soon after the BJP won a mammoth 132 seats on its own in the Maharashtra assembly, Pawar, whose NCP won 41 seats, declared his unconditional support to Fadnavis to become the next chief minister. This set the cat among the Shiv Sena pigeons who fear that Ajit Pawar could be enacting the same act his uncle Sharad Pawar unveiled after the 2019 assembly elections. "Isn't Ajit Pawar playing the same game that his uncle played in 2019?" asks one Shiv Sena leader. "In 2019 when the BJP and undivided Shiv Sena were engaged in a bitter tussle to claim the chief minister's post, Sharad Pawar declared his unconditional support from the outside to the BJP to form the government putting Uddhav Thackeray and the Shiv Sena in a bind," recalls this Sena leader. IMAGE: Shinde and Fadnavis meet Amit A Shah in New Delhi, November 28, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo The Shiv Sena, which won 57 seats in the 2024 assembly elections, fears that the BJP with its 132 MLAs and the NCP with 41 MLAs, have enough numbers to comfortably form the next government and that Ajit Pawar's 'unconditional support' ploy is a tactic to grab plum portfolios in the next Maharashtra government. "Why should Ajit Pawar have spoken about giving direct and unconditional support to Fadnavis and the BJP? Didn't we fight the election together as Mahayuti? He should have instead said that he would give his unconditional support to anybody from the Mahayuti," avers this Sena leader. "Because he named Fadnavisji directly it has led to some genuine concerns about his intentions. Naming the next chief minister is the collective responsibility of all three constituents of the Mahayuti," the Sena leader adds. "The government formation now has reached a stage where we have demanded that Shinde saheb should be given the home ministry but the BJP doesn't seem to be too amenable to our demand. They too have an eye on the home ministry," he adds hinting that Fadnavis, who held the home department in the previous government, would not part with this sensitive ministry. To counter Ajit Pawar's power play, Shinde has put forth his demand before the BJP that he be allocated the home ministry portfolio along with two other important cabinet berths including urban development. Shinde handled this portfolio in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government led by Uddhav Thackeray between November 2019 and June 2022. "If not the chief minister's post, Shinde saheb has a right to demand the home ministry given his performance as CM and also for managing and convincing 40 Shiv Sena MLAs to support his rebellion that toppled the Uddhav Thackeray government," says another Shiv Sena leader. Shinde held a couple of meetings with senior BJP leader Amit A Shah in Delhi last week to impress on him that the BJP should allow him to continue as Maharashtra's chief minister. "Shinde, who got a dressing down in Delhi when he suggested he be made the CM citing how his brainchild -- the Mukhyamantri Laadki Bahin Yojana -- became an instant hit in Maharashtra and how he moved earth and heaven to ensure the scheme's speedy delivery ensuring a landslide for the Mahayuti parties," adds this Sena leader. "Shinde, who was upset by the dressing down, then decided to go to his home in Satara as a pressure tactic to at least ensure he gets the home ministry along with two-three key cabinet portfolios," the Sena leader adds, highlighting the tactics that all three Mahayuti partners are engaging in to take care of their respective party's interests. IMAGE: Shinde accompanied by Fadnavis and others during his nomination rally for the state assembly elections in Thane. Photograph: ANI Photo When Shinde led his midnight rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray's Maha Vikas Aghadi government on the intervening night of June 22-23, 2022, and traveled with his MLAs to Surat and then Guwahati, most of the rebel Sena MLAs had held Ajit Pawar responsible for sidelining them in allocation of 'development funds'. Two years later, Ajit Pawar still seems to be scaring the daylights out of them. "We didn't raise any objection when he (Ajit Pawar) joined our alliance even when Prime Minister Modi accused him of indulging in a Rs 72,000 crore irrigation scam. We gladly accommodated him and today, after fighting together and winning a landslide in this election he is trying to sideline us; he is trying to be in the BJP's good books at our cost," says the Sena leader quoted earlier in this report. "Even we would want Devendraji to become the chief minister; it would, in fact, be in everybody's interest but his (Pawar's) statement that he offers his unconditional support to Fadnavis does make us nervous," he says. "Let the BJP name anybody and we will be happy and offer our wholehearted support but this kind of one-upmanship raises doubts in our minds about his intentions," he adds. Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena leaders fear the BJP's ability to break both the NCP and Shiv Sena and form the next government on its own, but they are confident that the BJP will not attempt such a misadventure lest it gets utterly discredited in Maharashtra. "There will be a huge public backlash against the BJP if it plays any mischief with the Shiv Sena. That's (public backlash against BJP) our insurance for that bad day," explains the second leader why his party has discounted the fear that even though the BJP has the capability and the wherewithal to break the Shiv Sena again it won't dare to do so. "We believe that the BJP has got 132 MLAs of its own and it should show some magnanimity by offering the home ministry to us. They should not create an issue over this portfolio," says the first Sena leader. "Even if Shinde saheb is made the home minister all sensitive files are ultimately cleared by the chief minister and the latter can easily bypass the home minister when it comes to clearing files," adds the first leader. IMAGE: Fadnavis, right, with former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya, centre, and newly elected BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha at a Diwali Sneh Mela event, December 1, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Building up the pressure on BJP as part of its own power play, these Shiv Sena leaders also harped on the possibility of infighting within the BJP delaying the Constitutional obligation of electing the leader of the majority party in the legislature. "We are also wondering why the BJP has not yet declared Devendra Fadnavis's name. Even they are dilly-dallying on this issue," says the first Sena leader. "Everybody in the BJP knows how hard he has toiled for this victory but still there seems to be something amiss in the delay in naming the leader of BJP's legislature party," he adds. "The BJP has hundred reasons of its own," says he pointing at the intra-party rivalry between Fadnavis and Vinod Tawde, now the BJP's national general secretary, who was once a claimant for the chief minister's job in the state. "You already have Vinod Tawde waiting in the wings; then there's lot of heartburn among several BJP leaders over how Pankaja Munde and Eknath Khadse (both influential OBC leaders from Marathwada and Vidarbha respectively) have been treated (by Devendra Fadnavis). These people may not be in the race for the top job, but they have been nursing their wounds and are unhappy souls," adds the second leader. "Let that be as it is, but the Shiv Sena will definitely get the home ministry and Shinde saheb will be the next home minister," he declares confidently. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Areas of fog early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. High near 60F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low 46F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%. In late November, foreign ministers of the leading industrialized nations, the G7, met to discuss some of most pressing issues of the day. It was the last G7 meeting for Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and he took the opportunity to look back at some of the events of the past four years that transformed the group into a steering committee for the worlds leading democracies. Our work has shown that when we come together, when we act in common purpose, we can better the lives of the people we represent and indeed better the lives of people everywhere, he said. Today, our G7 partners pledged steadfast support for Ukraine into and through 2025, continuing what has been a truly unprecedented partnership sharing the burden, determined to do everything that we can to help Ukraine deal with the ongoing Russian aggression, said Secretary Blinken. The U.S. is continuing to surge security assistance to bolster Ukraines defenses in the east and to respond to the escalation by Russia and in particular now the involvement of troops from North Korea. This is a matter of grave concern for all the members of the G7, both because of what it means for Ukraine, what it means for broader European security, but also what it means in the Indo-Pacific, he said. The relationship between Russia and North Korea is a two-way street. We see what North Korea is doing for Russia in Ukraine right now with the troops, but we also are looking attentively at what Russia is and may be doing for North Korea, including potentially boosting its missile and nuclear capacity. The participation of North Korean troops in Russias war against Ukraine, as well as Chinas ongoing support for Russias defense industrial base, are allowing Russia to continue the aggression against Ukraine, said Secretary Blinken. We see that the security between the Indo-Pacific and the Euro-Atlantic community are joined. The G7 is increasingly aligned on our view of economic and security risks posed by the Peoples Republic of China, the policies its pursuing, even as we recognize the need for constructive engagement. When were dealing with policies of concern by China, any of our countries acting alone compared to when were acting together simply cannot be as effective, said Secretary Blinken. The bottom line is this: We are much stronger, were much more effective, when were acting together, not alone. WINDHAM School Board and Select Board members are figuring out the future of the local school building. "From my perspective, what we're looking at is selling to the town," School Board Vice Chairman Daniel Roth said in an interview Tuesday. At annual Town Meeting in March, voters opted for school choice and rejected a school budget that would keep the elementary school running. The school had already been closed temporarily due to staffing issues. Windham opts for school choice, rejects budget WINDHAM Voters opted for school choice, rejecting a school budget that would keep the elem After a couple of meetings with the Select Board and exploring other options, Roth said a sale to the town "seems most likely at this point." He expects to know more about a grant to evaluate the building structurally and for zoning restrictions following the next School Board meeting scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 12. Attorneys for the town and school district are determining if an article has to be warned asking voters whether to grant the School Board permission to sell the building to the town. Ideas for the school building include municipal events or conferences as the town office is next door, Roth said. He noted that the school, since closing, has hosted the historical society's square dance event, yoga classes, and activities for different clubs and groups. These uses have shown the building has worth beyond its depreciated asset value of about $500,000, Roth said. He cited the figure from a report from the Vermont Agency of Education on the status of the building. When it comes to the price tag for selling the building, Roth said he thinks "there's differing opinions on that." "Much of that is lawyer talk and I am not a lawyer," he said. "My very neophyte understanding is it could be sold to the town for $1. I think a lot of that is past precedent, where other towns have certainly done that following a school closure. That said, I know there's other opinions that it should be fair market value price." Roth said he would advocate for $1 as the sale price given the tax pressures already felt in town. He expects work related to the grant will dictate much of the timeline on the project but a vote, if needed, could occur at annual Town Meeting in March. Superintendent Bob Thibault said he's not aware of any obligation for the school district to sell the building to the town or for $1 to the town, "although it seems that's the route they're exploring." School Board members are facing criticism from the community after meetings had been cancelled at the last minute and questions have arisen about current uses of the building. Nancy Tips and Crystal Corriveau have asked School Board members to step down and allow the voters to elect a "competent board." "The school board members appear to be incapable of managing the board's affairs so that town members feel informed, respected, and included," Tips wrote in a letter to the board. "Or perhaps the members are capable, but just don't give a hoot. Or maybe they don't have the time to spend on the office they hold. Whatever their reasons, it seems like it's time to let the voters choose a new school board." Roth, who had taken a personal leave for about two months, said he doesn't "feel there's any controversy worthy of resignation at this point." "I'm always interested to hear from folks about what the underlying issue is here," he said. If it involves not having enough meetings to flesh out details or not sharing enough information from fact finding, "I think that's a worthy call out and we can certainly do better. I will certainly do better coming off of a leave to address the communication problem." Roth said the School Board knew it wasn't going to hold on to the building after the school closed and had repeated communication about its plans to explore options. "I think we were very successful," he said, citing recent efforts to upgrade windows for greater energy efficiency and seek feedback from the community in different forums. "I understand the need for communication. People don't like to be in the dark. I don't like to be in the dark. I sympathize with that." Roth said he sympathizes with those who feel disconnected from the process but he's "pretty proud" of "where we are." 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. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. European security and questions about U.S. support are dominating the NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels this week. With winter looming amid Russian threats to Ukraine's power grid, the alliance's chief pledged continued support for Kyiv. Iran and Pakistan were on the brink of a full-blown conflict after they exchanged deadly cross-border attacks in January. The unprecedented flare-up reignited a long-running dispute between the neighbors over cross-border militancy. For decades, the countries have accused each other of harboring armed groups that carry out attacks on the other. Now, Iran and nuclear-armed Pakistan appear to be expanding their cooperation as they attempt to curb the rising number of attacks carried out by Baluch separatists and militant groups operating along their shared 900-kilomter-long border. "The two sides have turned a corner in their relationship," said Farzan Sabet, a senior research associate at the Geneva Graduate Institute. In July, Islamabad handed over to Iran an alleged member of Jaish al-Adl, a Baluch separatist militant group that is believed to be operating out of Pakistan. In return, Iran transferred a Pakistani Baluch separatist figure to Islamabad. In early November, Jaish al-Adl claimed that 12 of its fighters were killed in a joint operation by Iran and Pakistan. Tehran praised the assault but said that it was conducted by Pakistani forces alone. Source Of Instability Iran's southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan and Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan Province have been the scene of decades-long insurgencies. The vast and impoverished provinces are home to the Baluch, an ethnic minority in Iran and Pakistan. Baluch in both countries have long faced discrimination and violence at the hands of the authorities, which they accuse of exploiting the regions natural resources. Jaish al-Adl and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the largest Baluch armed group in Pakistan, have become increasingly potent fighting forces in recent years. The groups have adopted more lethal tactics, including suicide bombings, and expanded their recruitment. They have also exploited growing local anger at Tehran and Islamabad, and acquired more sophisticated weapons. The BLA on November 9 claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing targeting soldiers at a train station in Balochistan that killed at least 26 people. On October 26, Jaish al-Adl attacked a police patrol in Iran's Sistan-Baluchistan Province, killing 10 officers. Aziz Baloch, an independent Pakistani security expert, says Tehran and Islamabad are coordinating and cooperating on "security and border management for the first time." Baluch armed groups "have become a leading source of internal instability" in both countries, said Baloch, adding that Iran and Pakistan "have grasped that without turning this situation around through cooperation, they will suffer mounting losses." Imtiaz Baloch, an analyst covering Balochistan for Khorasan Diary, a website tracking militant groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan, says the collaboration between Iran and Pakistan is deeper than publicly acknowledged. "Cooperation between the two is deepening and gathering pace," he said. Economic Incentives Experts say Pakistan and Iran -- who are both dealing with economic crises -- also have financial incentives for expanding cooperation and tackling cross-border militancy. Pakistans Balochistan is a resource-rich province that is home to dozens of multibillion-dollar Chinese-funded development projects. Militants have killed at least seven Chinese workers in Pakistan this year, threatening to derail the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Meanwhile, Beijing is a top importer of Iranian oil and a leading investor in its freefalling economy. The Chabahar Port in Sistan-Baluchistan is a key hub for imports and exports to neighboring Afghanistan. Sabet of the Geneva Graduate Institute said the security risks emanating from Baluch areas in Iran and Pakistan and their geo-economic importance have magnified their place in the development plans of both countries. "This has led the two governments to embark on an effort to suppress the violence there," he said. TBILISI -- Protesters in Georgia have provided detailed accounts to RFE/RL's Georgian Service of being brutally beaten by police during demonstrations against the government's decision to halt EU membership negotiations. The police's use of excessive violence at the protests, which have taken place for six consecutive nights, has prompted a wave of revulsion in Georgia and condemnation abroad. Nearly 300 people have so far been charged in relation to the protests, most on charges of petty hooliganism and resisting arrest. Here are just some of their stories. Salome Zandukeli: 'Why Are You Hitting Me? I'm Not Your Child.' At protests, Salome Zandukeli says, she likes to stand at the front and the night of December 2 was no different. With a friend, she stood in the first few lines of protesters on Rustaveli Avenue, the street in downtown Tbilisi that has been the center of the demonstrations. When the police charged to break up the protest, Zandukeli and her friend fled, seeking refuge in a nearby office building. "I knew going in there was not a good idea," Zandukeli says. "But right then we couldn't think of anything else." Shortly afterward, the security forces followed them in, and the two women tried to flee down some stairs. "Probably 20-25 RoboCops were chasing us," Zandukeli says. "When I turned around, the first thing I thought of was to start filming them, but this annoyed one of them so much that he ran over to me and told me to turn off my cell phone. When I didn't, he snatched it out of my hand, threw it to the ground, and then slammed me against the wall." The riot police started shouting and swearing at them, Zandukeli recounts, calling them c***s" and starting to beat them. She remembers seeing her friend Natia fall to the floor, trying to protect her head from the blows. "They were hitting us in the head," she says, and I was shouting, "What is wrong with you?.... When I said to him, 'Why are you hitting me? I'm not your child,' he said, 'You are not my child, and that's why I'm hitting you.'" The two women managed to get away, hiding in a bar along Rustaveli Avenue. But in a matter of minutes, Zandukeli says, the entire street was full of riot police. They turned off the lights in the bar and locked the door. "If they had charged in, I don't know what would have happened to us," she says. Gia Jvarsheishvili: 'Don't Let This Son Of A Bitch Die' At 4 o'clock in the morning of December 2, the police had just fired tear gas into the crowd. As the protesters fled, fanning out into the streets around the parliament, Gia Jvarsheishvili, a disability activist, says he saw one of his female friends standing alone on a street corner, holding a flag in her hand. Jvarsheishvili had been to political rallies before and thought he would be safe. "Sometimes I stand between the demonstrators and the police -- right in front of them -- and I have never been hit or arrested," he says. "I never do anything violent." I survived just by chance. This time, he wasn't so lucky. The security forces started running toward him, Jvarsheishvili says, "accusing him of throwing a Molotov cocktail." That was when they started beating him and telling him he wasn't worthy of the Georgian flag his friend was carrying, he says. The officers forced him down onto the floor. He remembers his friend pleading with police to stop beating them. Before taking him to a police van, they made him walk through a "corridor" of riot troops, all shouting abuse at him, he says. "They called out for the others to hear: 'This one threw a Molotov cocktail. Upon hearing that, I was attacked by another furious police officer." This time, he says, the attack was without mercy. Later in the back of a police van, the police pushed the detainees down on the floor and began stamping on them, he says. Jvarsheishvili says he tried to hide under the seat to protect his face, but they still managed to get to him. "Suddenly, I was in unbearable pain and I realized that I had been injured. I didn't know it then, but I had a broken rib," he says. Jvarsheishvili says he managed to crawl away. "I found it difficult to breathe. I heard them saying, 'Don't let this son of a bitch die.'" After photographing him and taking his backpack, phone, and wallet, they finally took him for medical attention. "They're not worried about hurting people," he says. "I survived just by chance." Zviad Ratian: 'They Just Kept Beating And Beating Me' The video shows a man in an orange jacket being hauled through a mass of black-clad riot police. He is repeatedly punched by police officers as he is pulled through the crowd. At one point, he falls down, almost disappearing from view, as the police officers kick him and stamp on him. Then he is pulled back onto his feet to face more blows. It was only because of his distinctive bright jacket that Zviad Ratian's friends knew that the man in the video was him. Just before it happened, Ratian, a poet, says he was protesting with his friends in downtown Tbilisi. There was a scuffle, and he says he tried to protect his fellow protesters from the police. "I just stood there, I didn't scream.... I just covered them with my hands," he says. That was when his ordeal really began. The police took him and beat him in the back of a van. "They just didn't stop. They just kept beating and beating me," says Ratian, who was left with a broken nose and internal bleeding. He says he remembers one of the police officers punching him in the face and body. As his hands were tied, he says the only way he could try to avoid the blows was by turning away. "They couldn't break me," he adds. At one point on the way to the detention center, the police van made a short stop and Ratian says a young man was pulled into the vehicle. "He had been very badly beaten," he remembers. "[But the police officers] wrote down that he had fallen down the stairs." Tornike Beradze: 'There Was A Puddle Of Blood' "We were walking from Ingoroqva Street to Zubalashvili Street.... My brother was ahead of us, and me and one of our friends were following a little bit behind," says Tornike Beradze, who was recovering in the hospital with a concussion after he was arrested on the night of December 1. First the riot police approached his brother, Beka, a journalist for RFE/RL's Georgian Service, aggressively asking why he was here, Beradze says. "When we saw what was happening, we approached them and asked them what was going on. We said that if this street was blocked, we could go another way." As soon as he said this, he was summoned by two police officers. "They went through my pockets, took out my phone, wallet, house keys. They then ripped off my backpack and emptied it out [on the ground]," Beradze says. "Inside, I had a water bottle and [gas] masks. They asked me what it was, if I had anything illegal, and then they hit me with the first punch," he says. After beating him, Beradze says they put him in handcuffs and took him toward Rustaveli Avenue. "I tried to tell my brother to be careful," Beradze says, as he was led away, "but when I looked back to tell him, I got punched in the face a few more times." Every time he raised his head, Beradze says, he was hit again. The attacks continued when he was put in a police van, he says. "It was a nightmare. Everyone had been beaten, and there was a puddle of blood [on the floor].... When I started to clean my face, the door opened, and the police officer hit me in the face again. Then the door opened again and my brother and my friend were brought in." His brother, Beka, was also severely beaten by police. After being held at a temporary detention center, he was released at dawn on December 3. 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 correspondent Reid Standish and here's what I'm following right now. A Warning From The Baltics Former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis offered a clear warning for those who say that China is able to mediate an end to the war in Ukraine. Finding Perspective: Speaking to the French international affairs outlet Geopolitique.eu, Landsbergis stamped down the idea. China is waiting for a moment of weakness to step in and offer solutions and I fear that some in Europe would accept this offer because its a cheap alternative to us stepping up, in the same way that you buy a Chinese car because its cheaper. The same goes for their peace proposals. Landsbergis was commenting on a recent interview with outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and The New York Times, where Blinken said that one of the reasons that Moscow had not escalated into a nuclear war in Ukraine was because of China. If you follow that line of reasoning, it means that China has become a protector of Europe. That would be the beginning of a new paradigm, Landsbergis said. If we accept that China, which in my view supports Russia and is therefore an adversary of the countries supporting Ukraine, is now the guarantor of nuclear deterrence on our continent, it would be a dangerous mistake and a failure. Why It Matters: Landsbergiss warning comes as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office and Europe anxiously looks at a very different geopolitical reality. Trumps tariff threats and less traditional approach to Washingtons relationship with Europe is a source of consternation in European capitals and there is talk in some corners about having a more amenable position toward Beijing to balance the Trump administration. On January 14, Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke with European Council President Antonio Costa to begin what many analysts believe will be a charm offensive from Beijing toward the continent. But while Trump may have a rockier relationship with Brussels and various capitals than his predecessor, Beijing is also facing a different playing field than when U.S. President Joe Biden took office. Chinas support for Russia amid the war in Ukraine has strained ties with Europe, and Brussels is taking aim at Chinese companies in some sectors, a trend that looks set to continue. EU High Representative Kaja Kallas has also voiced strong criticism of China, especially for its stance around the war in Ukraine and its long-term repercussions. Landsbergis shared similar sentiments, saying that Ukraine is central to what will happen in the future between China and Taiwan. I mentioned earlier that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin has managed to change the nuclear doctrine by getting us to accept, at least for now, that resisting an attack is a form of escalation and therefore a nuclear strike is justified. One can imagine a situation where China imposes a blockade, even a partial one, on Taiwan and they resist and we try to lift it, then China could use the Russian playbook, he said. I dont think we collectively understand how reckless it is. Three more stories from Eurasia 1. The Taliban Courts Chinese Capital My Afghan colleagues at RFE/RL's Radio Azadi and I reported about a new road built by the Taliban in northeast Afghanistan that the hardline group is hoping can better connect the country to neighboring China. The Details: The first section of the road in the Wakhan Corridor was completed a year ago in early 2024, and the Taliban is looking to build out the connections further to one day open up more trade with China. The road link is part of a series of announcements and groundbreaking ceremonies in 2024 -- from oil deals to mining rights -- that the Taliban are hoping will keep moving ahead in the coming year. But the main questions remain over whether the militants can finally calm China's long-standing security concerns. Haiyun Ma, an associate professor at Frostburg University, told me that, despite the lofty deals, Chinese investment is still not flowing in Afghanistan and that there are growing frustrations under the surface between Beijing and the Taliban. Ma says that the announcement in 2024 helps bring prestige and legitimacy to the Taliban as it adapts to governing and that it offers a low-risk, low-commitment way for Beijing to signal long-term intent toward the country. But he adds that China is in no hurry to have a footprint in Afghanistan. China is yet to set up a border crossing in the area where the Wakhan road leads and despite all the resource deals, Beijing has plenty of already developed alternatives elsewhere in the world to help meet its domestic needs. 2. Trump, Greenland, China, And The Arctic Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump has once again kicked up a storm by refusing to rule out the use of force to gain control of Greenland. As my colleague Todd Prince writes, Trumps pursuit shines a light on the complicated national-security picture in the Arctic between the United States, China, Russia, and other players. What You Need To Know: While China is not an Arctic nation, it is seeking to be a major player in the region. In recent years, Beijing has sought to buy ports, other infrastructure, and mining rights on Greenland though it has not been successful. Todd writes that the United States suspected China's real interest in those projects was to place dual-use sensors and radars in the Arctic Circle to help control their military satellites and gather intelligence on U.S. space-based operations in the region. 3. U.S. Energy Sanctions Hurt Chinese, Indian Purchases Of Russian Oil Chinese and Indian refiners are looking for new fuel supplies as they adapt to hard-hitting new U.S. sanctions on Russian oil producers and tankers. What It Means: Many of the newly sanctioned tankers brought oil to China and India, and both Bloomberg and Reuters reported that the sanctions have led to a jump in prices and driven Chinese refiners back to sellers of oil that is not restricted. The sanctions were announced on January 10 and they target Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, two of Russia's five largest largest oil producers, as well as 183 vessels transporting Russian oil and oil products to foreign markets. The Biden administration also sanctioned opaque traders of Russian oil, more than 30 Russia-based oil-field service providers, and more than a dozen leading Russian energy officials and executives. The Chinese refiner Yulong Petrochemical has previously bought Russian crude, but, according to industry data, it purchased 4 million barrels of crude from the United Arab Emirates following the sanctions. After the sanctions announcement, Unipec, a subsidiary of Chinas state-owned energy giant Sinopec, booked four large carriers of crude from the Middle East which the data intelligence firm Kpler said could carry a total of up to 2 million barrels. Across The Supercontinent Kyivs China Consultations: Ukraines Foreign Ministry told RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service that 2024 was a year of developing political dialogue in Beijing, pointing to the extensive high-level talks with their counterparts in the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhyi added that Kyiv considers China one of the countries that can and does have influence on the Russian Federation. And we will continue to maintain this contact with the Chinese side. Parting Shots: In a speech at the State Department on January 13 summing up his administrations record, Biden said the United States has widened its lead over competitors like Russia and China. "Our adversaries are weaker than they were when we came into this job four years ago. Let's consider Russia. Putin invaded Ukraine. He thought he'd conquer Kyiv in a matter of days. But the truth is, since that war began, I'm the only one that stood in the center of Kyiv, not him," Biden said, referring to his visit to the embattled nation last year. The China Connection: As Russian forces have intensified their advances in eastern Ukraine in recent weeks, they're being helped by a new tool on the battlefield: drones that fly with the use of fiber-optic cables, RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service and I reported. Some Ukrainian experts have said that the drone models used by Russia are very similar to Chinas commercially available Skywalker drone. There are also growing reports in Ukrainian media of high-quantity orders being placed at Chinese factories by Russian companies for large spools of fiber-optic cables. One Thing To Watch Trade between China and Russia reached a record high in 2024, according to official data released on January 13 by Chinas General Administration of Customs. The figures show how Beijing and Moscows efforts to strengthen their relationship are paying off in the face of tough Western economic sanctions on Russia. While the 2024 trade data reached an all-time high, the year-on-year growth rate slowed significantly compared to the 26.3 percent surge seen in 2023. Thats all from me for now. Dont forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you might have. Until next time, Reid Standish If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every other Wednesday. UNCCD Deputy Executive Secretary Andrea Meza Murillo speaks at the opening ceremony of the China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 2, 2024. The China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) officially opened on Monday, highlighting China's decades-long efforts and achievements in combating desertification. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) RIYADH, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) officially opened on Monday, highlighting China's decades-long efforts and achievements in combating desertification. Covering more than 600 square meters, the China Pavilion is the second-largest national pavilion at the event. Its exhibition, themed "Cross-Century Green Great Wall, China's Restoration in Action," showcases the nation's battle against desertification, particularly through the Three-North Shelter Forest Program, a major national initiative aimed at reversing land desertification. At the opening ceremony, UNCCD Deputy Executive Secretary Andrea Meza Murillo praised China's significant contributions to global desertification control. "I was moved by the images of different generations of Chinese people fighting desertification and by China's leadership in this process," she said. She also emphasized that effective policies, community and local government involvement, as well as innovation and technology, are key components of China's success. Guan Zhi'ou, head of the Chinese delegation and administrator of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, remarked, "For 30 years since joining the convention, China has diligently fulfilled its responsibilities, actively participating in global desertification control alongside countries in the Belt and Road Initiative." "China will continue to share technologies and experiences, contributing wisdom and strength toward achieving the 2030 global land degradation neutrality target and advancing the G20 global land initiative," he added. Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chang Hua, in his address, highlighted the growing cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia in combating desertification, particularly in support of the Kingdom's Saudi and Middle East Green Initiatives, as well as the development of renewable energy in the region. COP16, held from Dec. 2 to 13 under the theme "Our Land. Our Future," is the largest UN land-focused conference to date and the first UNCCD COP in the Middle East and North Africa. Delegates are expected to make decisions on collective actions aimed at accelerating land restoration, improving resilience to droughts and sandstorms, restoring soil health, and scaling up nature-positive food production, with a focus on 2030 and beyond. People visit the China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 2, 2024. The China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) officially opened on Monday, highlighting China's decades-long efforts and achievements in combating desertification. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) People attend the opening ceremony of the China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 2, 2024. The China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) officially opened on Monday, highlighting China's decades-long efforts and achievements in combating desertification. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) People visit the China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 2, 2024. The China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) officially opened on Monday, highlighting China's decades-long efforts and achievements in combating desertification. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chang Hua speaks at the opening ceremony of the China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 2, 2024. The China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) officially opened on Monday, highlighting China's decades-long efforts and achievements in combating desertification. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) Guan Zhi'ou, head of the Chinese delegation and administrator of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, speaks at the opening ceremony of the China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 2, 2024. The China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) officially opened on Monday, highlighting China's decades-long efforts and achievements in combating desertification. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) Editor: Zhang Zhou By Claudia Savage and Cate McCurry, PA The Irish and UK governments are committed to finding a way through disagreements on legacy legislation, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has said. Mr Benn met Tanaiste Micheal Martin at the British Irish intergovernmental conference at Farmleigh House in Dublin. They talked about the controversial Legacy Act that was first introduced by the previous Conservative government which halted scores of civil cases and inquests into Troubles deaths. Labour committed to repealing and replacing the Legacy Act but have kept the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR), which can investigate Troubles deaths on the request of bereaved families, victims and certain public authorities. Last year, the Irish Government initiated an interstate legal case against the UK in the European Court of Human RightS, claiming the Act breaches the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The case remains active, with ministers in Dublin wanting to see how the Labour government resolves its concerns over the contentious legislation before any decision is taken to withdraw the action. Mr Martin said he and Mr Benn had a serious discussion on the question of dealing with the past and the Irish Governments continuing concerns about the legislation. A protester outside the Court of Appeal at the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast (Brian Lawless/PA) The Tanaiste said: My clear view is that victims and their families need avenues to justice and access to information, and significant reform is required to secure that. I heard from Hilary on his plans for reform and I appreciate fully that there are relevant ongoing legal cases also. We will continue to see if we can find adequate common ground and we are looking for mechanisms that would be human-rights compliant and that will secure the confidence of victims, survivors and families. Asked what the Irish people would tangibly feel in the reset of British-Irish relationships, Mr Benn referred to the new governments desire to have a close relationship with the EU and ongoing engagement in relation to legacy. Mr Benn said: We were all here on this platform opposed to the Legacy Act and we have come in committed to repeal and replace it, getting rid of immunity, restoring civil cases, restoring inquests, starting with those that were brought to an end. We have been discussing the role of the Independent Commission and how it can be reformed, because, in the end, we want to have a system that everyone can have confidence in, and can, in particular, finally, provide answers for many, many families that I have met since I took up post, who have been waiting decades to find out what happened to their loved ones, and I am committed to try and make this work. We have agreed between us the Tanaiste and I that we will continue to work together to find a way through on this and I think that is a very, very significant manifestation of the new relationship, because it is very different from what went before. Mr Martin said he had already seen the difference for legacy families seeking information and justice. He said: There are real families behind the title, we call it legacy issues, but there are real families, real suffering and people who need to get closure and get information, and to get justice, and the Secretary of State has already initiated and announced a public inquiry into the (Pat) Finucane case thats all tangible manifestation of the reset of the relationship. Mr Benn said the pair reflected on the reset in the relationship between the United Kingdom and the Irish government. He continued: Its really important to the Prime Minister Keir Starmer and to the new Labour government that we have a strong working relationship, and I think the spirit of the dialogue that has characterised todays meeting of the conference is a reflection of that. It also reminds us that we make the greatest progress above all in Northern Ireland when the British Government and the Irish Government work together. Fianna Fail was the clear winner of last weeks general election, securing 48 of the Dail's 174 seats. (l to r) Helen McEntee, Hilary Benn, Fleur Anderson and Micheal Martin after speaking at the conference (Liam McBurney/PA) Fianna Fail leader Mr Martin was grilled by reporters as to his partys plans for formation of government, but the Northern Ireland Secretary said any change will not impact his governments commitment to a reset of British-Irish relations. The Irish people have spoken, it is for the political system here in Ireland to agree a new government, he said. All I will say is that the British Government looks forward to working closely with that new government when its formed in the spirit of renewed co-operation that I think has characterised the relationship between our two governments since we were elected on July 4. Justice Minister Helen McEntee and Northern Ireland Office minister Fleur Anderson were also in attendance at the conference. Speaking to reporters, Ms McEntee said they had discussed security co-operation including any threat from so-called dissidents, adding that the Government would have significant and close co-operation with the Omagh bomb inquiry. She said: Were working very closely with the inquiry to ensure that the appropriate structure is put in place so that sharing of information and also cross-examination on a cross-jurisdictional basis can take place while protecting individuals, but, above all, ensuring that the information is shared. Ms Anderson said that the transformation of public services in Northern Ireland and violence against women and girls were also discussed. A picket is being planned over lack of parking at Roscommon University Hospital. Independent councillor Anthony Waldron says that the long standing problem at the hospital is a serious issue that needs to be resolved. It is getting worse and worse. There are cars parked on the footpaths and green areas. People attending the hospital have to go down past the Hyde where they might get parking, he said. I met a lady in a wheelchair being pushed all the way from the Hyde in the rain. And when there is a funeral there is no parking at all. Cllr Waldron said that in correspondence with the hospital, the Saolta group had acknowledged the problem. It added that additional car parking space has been included in the hospitals spatial plan, which is currently being drafted by the hospital in conjunction with HSE Estates. There was also a meeting with Roscommon County Council and RUH last year where the development of the site and transportation were raised. He said he is going to organise a picket at the hospital until this matter is addressed. It will be organised early in the new year, he said. There is ample ground there for it to be facilitated. It is unfair on patients and residents living near the hospital too. He added that he will be raising the issue at the next meeting of the Roscommon Access For All group. By Cate McCurry, PA Tanaiste Micheal Martin has refused to say whether he will push against a rotating Taoiseach as part of government formation talks. Mr Martin, who was speaking at the Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Dublin, said it was too early to discuss what the shape of the next government will look like. Three long days of counting in the general election finished late on Monday, when the final two seats were declared in the constituency of Cavan-Monaghan. Fianna Fail was the clear winner of the election, securing 48 of the Dail's 174 seats. Sinn Fein took 39 and Fine Gael 38. Helen McEntee TD speaking during the British-Irish intergovernmental conference in Dublin (Liam McBurney/PA) Asked whether he would be open to enter a coalition with Fine Gael without the rotating Taoiseach arrangement that was part of their last government deal, Fianna Fail leader Mr Martin said: From experience and having been involved in helping to form a number of coalition governments, its not always helpful to do it via press conferences, and I dont mean that with any disrespect. So, I dont propose to do so on this occasion either. There will be a range of issues that will be discussed, policy being key, and obviously then the issues around the formation of government and the mechanics of government. But I dont propose to get into that. Its far too early, far too premature. We will engage. If Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are going to be entering into another governing partnership, one of the major questions is around the position of taoiseach and whether the parties will once again take turns to hold the position during the lifetime of the new coalition. During the last term, Mr Martin took the role for the first half of the mandate, with Leo Varadkar taking over in December 2022. Current Fine Gael leader Simon Harris succeeded Mr Varadkar as Taoiseach when he resigned from the role earlier this year. However, this time Fianna Fail has significantly increased its seat lead over Fine Gael, compared with the last election when there were only three seats between the parties. The size of the disparity in party numbers has prompted speculation around the rotating Taoiseach arrangement, raising questions as to whether it will be re-run in the next coalition and, if it is, on what terms. After the intergovernmental conference at Farmleigh House, Mr Martin said he expected to meet other politicians at Leinster House for the switching-on of the Oireachtas Christmas tree lights. It might kind of create a nice, happy atmosphere. God knows what could follow from that, he said. However, unknown to the Tanaiste, the switching-on of the Christmas tree lights was taking place during the press conference on Tuesday evening. Mr Martin said most of the work to form a coalition could be done by Christmas but we have to focus on the issues. I dont think we will have reached agreement by Christmas, he added. But Im sure that most people in the country want us to form a government as quickly as we can. Mr Martin also refused to say which ministerial portfolios his party will want to take, saying he wants to respect the process. (PA Graphics) He said he wants form a government with parties that can last five years, including those who can take the rough with the smooth and have the backbone to see it through. He added: A lot will depend on how the discussions evolve. I do believe theres enough people in Leinster House who have a common position on core issues in terms of the economic model and Europe, and so forth, that can create a government. But we want to hear what others are saying also, because the last time not everybody was as anxious to get into government as they might have proclaimed, and government can be a challenging place to be. So, we just want to test the waters to see what others are saying. Fine Gaels Helen McEntee, who also attended the press conference, said the parliamentary party will meet on Wednesday to discuss their priorities. Were setting ourselves clear goals and targets so we want to make sure that any discussions we have with any party, that were focused on for key deliverables, she said. Making sure we have ambitious housing targets, making sure were supporting small businesses, making sure that we are focused on disability and services across the country. Thats the type of focus and priority, and I believe those are the discussions we will be having tomorrow. Thats where it needs to start. Beyond that, it is a matter of engaging then with our Taoiseach and our leader, Simon Harris, engaging with other leaders in other parties, and taking it from there. Following the conclusion of the general election, Labour and the Social Democrats won 11 seats; People Before Profit-Solidarity took three; Aontu secured two; and the Green Party retained only one of its 12 seats. Independents and others accounted for 21 seats. The return of a Fianna Fail/Fine Gael-led coalition is now highly likely. However, their combined seat total of 86 leaves them just short of the 88 needed for a majority in the Dail. A coalition of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, and a third grouping, possibly made up of Independents, is the likely option. Earlier, a Sinn Fein TD said they will continue to speak to like-minded parties in a bid to form a left-leaning government and there is a powerful bloc of 60 progressive politicians who campaigned for change. Eoin O Broin said that while Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have the numbers to form a government, the deal has not yet been reached. Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald contacted the Social Democrats and Labour on Monday to discuss options, and Labour leader Ivana Bacik has also spoken to leaders of other parties. However, Mr O Broin, the partys housing spokesman, said it is not a done deal. The numbers are very clear and Fianna Fail and Fine Gael do have the numbers to form a government, albeit with some external support, he told RTE Morning Ireland. However, a deal hasnt been reached. A week is a long time in politics and many things can change. So, given the fact that our view is that a Fianna Fail/Fine Gael coalition is the worst possible option, despite the fact that Micheal Martin seems intent on bringing Fine Gael in as a junior partner, we said we were going to talk to other like-minded, progressive political parties on the other side of the election. Thats exactly what were going to do and in the first instance its to assess what are the options, what are the possibilities? Micheal Martin clearly has the upper hand. Theres no denying that. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, with candidates Eoin O Broin and Matt Carthy, during campaigning (Brian Lawless/PA) Mr O Broin did not rule out speaking to Fianna Fail if the numbers to form a left-leaning government did not stack up. We always said during the election campaign that while our first preference was a government without Fianna Fail or Fine Gael, if those numbers werent available, we would talk to everybody, and that includes Fianna Fail, he added. We have always said in the first instance what we would do is talk to like-minded parties. Thats what were going to do. We obviously also have to meet as a parliamentary party. We have to talk to and listen to our new TDs. Were kind of taking this step by step and I think thats the sensible thing for us to do. But lets also remember, this isnt just about the numbers. If you look at whats happened on the left side of the political spectrum, Sinn Fein has increased our seats, the Social Democrats and Labour have increased their seats. Thats a powerful bloc of 60 progressive politicians for opposition who campaigned and advocated for change. A number of parliamentary parties will meet on Wednesday to discuss their next steps. Sinn Fein, despite taking 39 seats, lost almost 6 per cent of its vote share. Mr O Broin said Ms McDonald, who also saw a drop in her vote in Dublin Central, is the right person to lead the party. Mary Lou McDonald, I think, has had a really, really good campaign again. Go back to where we were, 11 per cent in the locals, a very, very difficult period prior to this election. I think during the course of the campaign, people saw Mary Lou at her very best, the Dublin West TD said. I think Mary Lou had a really strong campaign. She is one of the key reasons why weve turned the ship around and consolidated the vote. A staff member talks with visitors at the "Study in China" education exhibition in Prague, the Czech Republic, on Dec. 2, 2024. Thirteen Chinese universities showcased their diverse programs and policies at the "Study in China" education exhibition held in Prague on Monday, underscoring the deepening educational and cultural ties between China and the Czech Republic. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua) PRAGUE, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Thirteen Chinese universities showcased their diverse programs and policies at the "Study in China" education exhibition held in Prague on Monday, underscoring the deepening educational and cultural ties between China and the Czech Republic. Speaking at the event's opening, Chinese Ambassador to the Czech Republic Feng Biao highlighted the role of education as a bridge for cultural understanding and a vital element of bilateral relations. Feng expressed hope that Czech students would explore the high-quality educational opportunities offered by Chinese universities, fostering deeper understanding and collaboration between academic institutions of both nations. He also encouraged Czech universities to collaborate with their Chinese counterparts, aiming to bring innovation and vitality to bilateral educational partnerships. This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the Czech Republic. Feng described the expo as a platform to strengthen academic exchanges, providing Czech students with new avenues to pursue studies in China. Xia Jianhui, deputy director general of the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange, noted that this is the first time the "Study in China" exhibition has been held in the Czech Republic. He expressed optimism that the event would enhance mutual student exchange and open doors for academic collaboration. Bohuslava Senkyrova, Rector of the University of Finance and Administration in Prague, praised the exhibition as a valuable opportunity for Czech students to learn about studying in China. She noted its importance in building understanding between Chinese and Czech academic institutions. Featuring universities specializing in disciplines such as education, medicine, business, economics, technology, and fine arts, the exhibition drew significant interest. Anna Roubalova, a student from Hradec Kralove, expressed her interest in studying clinical medicine at Zhejiang University. "They have a good program, and I can study in either English or Chinese," she said, adding that she was impressed by the university's campus. A staff member talks with visitors at the "Study in China" education exhibition in Prague, the Czech Republic, on Dec. 2, 2024. Thirteen Chinese universities showcased their diverse programs and policies at the "Study in China" education exhibition held in Prague on Monday, underscoring the deepening educational and cultural ties between China and the Czech Republic. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua) Visitors read introductions at the "Study in China" education exhibition in Prague, the Czech Republic, on Dec. 2, 2024. Thirteen Chinese universities showcased their diverse programs and policies at the "Study in China" education exhibition held in Prague on Monday, underscoring the deepening educational and cultural ties between China and the Czech Republic. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua) Editor: JYZ Farmers and ranchers have until March 3, 2025, to file their 2024 income tax returns without penalty if they have not made estimates. Agricultural producers should do tax planning before the end of the year. "It is the time of year to think about year-end tax planning," says Ron Haugen, North Dakota State University Extension farm management specialist. "When tax planning, it is best to start with year-to-date income and expenses, and estimate them for the remainder of the year," says Haugen. "Estimate depreciation and include any income that was deferred to 2024 from a previous year. It is best to try to spread out income and expenses so producers don't have abnormally high or low income or expenses in any one year." Farmers and ranchers have until March 3, 2025, to file their 2024 income tax returns without penalty if they have not made estimates. "Qualified farmers have until April 15, 2025, to file without penalty if they have paid their estimated tax deposit by Jan. 15," says Haugen, "I would encourage producers to think about making a deposit by Jan. 15, 2025, if it looks like that will have a tax liability. That would give them more time to prepare their return and file on April 15." Here are several items to note for tax planning: - Agricultural producers are allowed to use 200% declining balance depreciation for 3-year, 5-year, 7-year and 10-year property. A 150% declining balance is required for 15-year and 20-year property. - For most new agricultural machinery and equipment (except grain bins), the recovery period is five years. The Section 179 expense has increased. It generally allows producers to deduct up to $1,220,000 on new or used machinery or equipment purchased in the tax year. There is a dollar-for-dollar phase-out for purchases in excess of $3,050,000. Equipment must be above 50% business use to use Section 179. - The additional 100% first-year bonus depreciation has been phased down to 60% for the 2024 tax year. It is available for used as well as new property. It is equal to 60% of the adjusted basis after any Section 179 expensing. This provision is scheduled to phase out over time. For 2025 it is scheduled to phase down to 40%. - Net operating loss (NOL) carryback rules are in effect. Producers can carry back losses to offset income. - Like-kind exchanges are not allowed for personal property but are allowed for real property. Income averaging can be used by producers to spread the tax liability to lower income tax brackets in the three previous years. This is done on Schedule J. - Producers may also may use Form ND-1 FA (income averaging) for North Dakota income tax calculations. Other tax planning items to note: - Crop insurance proceeds can be deferred to the next tax year if a producer is a cash-basis taxpayer and can show that normally income from damaged crops would be included in a tax year following the year of the damage. This would include prevent plant insurance payments. - A livestock income deferral is available for those who had a forced sale of livestock because of a weather-related disaster. This is a very important consideration for producers who had to sell livestock because of drought. The IRS has two provisions for deferral. The first one is IRC 1033(e) in which a livestock producer who sells more draft, breeding or dairy animals than normal due to weather-related conditions may defer recognition of the gains for up to two years. A disaster declaration is not necessary, but if there is a federal disaster declaration the replacement period is four years. The second provision is IRC 451(g) in which a livestock producer that uses the cash method of accounting can elect to defer for one tax year the income of any qualified livestock sold due to weather-related conditions. - Prepay farm expenses. Feed, fertilizer, seed and similar expenses can be prepaid. Typically, discounts are received by paying for these expenses in the fall. Producers can deduct prepaid expenses that do not exceed 50% of their other deductible farm expenses. - Defer income to 2025. Crop and livestock sales can be deferred to the next year by using a deferred payment contract. Most grain elevators or livestock sale barns will defer sales until the next tax year. Producers should be aware that they are at risk if the business becomes insolvent before the check is received and cashed. - Purchase machinery or equipment. Machinery or equipment purchases can be made before the end of the year to get a depreciation or Section 179 expense deduction in 2024. - Contribute to a retirement plan such as a simplified employee pension plan, savings incentive match plan for employees or individual retirement account. Information on agricultural topics can be found in the Farmers Tax Guide, Publication 225. It can be obtained at any IRS office or ordered by calling 800-829-3676. Additional questions on this topic should be addressed to your tax professional or the IRS at 800-829-1040 or https://www.irs.gov. North Dakota income tax questions can be addressed to the North Dakota Tax Department at 877-328-7088 or https://www.nd.gov/tax. Montana Farmers Union members connected with women from across the country during National Farmers Unions Annual Womens Conference, held earlier this month in San Antonio, TX. The NFU Womens Conference allowed me to connect with women in ag from both Montana and all over the country. Both the networking and conference sessions helped fill my cup to continue the hard work that is agriculture in Montana, said MFU member Shawna McCauley. Attendees enjoyed networking and educational opportunities during the conference. Attending the 2024 National Farmers Union Womens Conference in San Antonio was incredibly impactful for me. It provided an empowering platform to connect with our group from Montana and other women from across the USA in agriculture, share experiences, and learn from each others challenges and triumphs. Being part of this supportive community reinvigorated my commitment to my work and deepened my understanding of the vital role women play in shaping the future of farming, MFU Ambassador Mary Jenni said. Women also can grow their networks closer to home through Montana Farmers Unions upcoming Womens Conferences planned Jan. 31-Feb. 1 in Malta and Feb. 7-9 at Fairmont Hot Springs. Registration is now open for the fun events featuring educational speakers, networking opportunities, locally sourced food, hot springs, and more! Visit https://montanafarmersunion.com/news-events/womens-conference/ for more information. Fires Started Hours Before State's Request To Shut Down Oil Production In High Danger Areas Amy Dalrymple, https://northdakotamonitor.com Heat from natural gas flares combined with high winds and dry vegetation caused two of the October wildfires in western North Dakota, according to the state fire marshal. Investigations into an Oct. 5 fire near Keene and a fire the same day near New Town found that both originated with flares at oil and gas wells next to agricultural land with stubble or dry grass, according to investigative reports. The McKenzie County fires occurred in the hours before state regulators asked operators to voluntarily shut down oil and gas wells in areas with high fire danger, according to the investigative reports and an interview with Department of Mineral Resources Director Nathan Anderson. The North Dakota State Fire Marshal is finalizing investigative reports on wildfires in Williams County, including one that claimed two lives and injured six. The U.S. Forest Service is investigating the Elkhorn Fire in McKenzie County and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is investigating the Bear Den Fire on the Fort Berthold Reservation. A total of 190 fires occurred in North Dakota in October, burning 126,273 acres, according to the state Department of Emergency Services. Damage estimates are still being compiled, but so far rural electric cooperatives report an estimated $7.7 million in damages, said Department of Emergency Services spokeswoman Alison Vetter. That would not include losses to farmers and ranchers. McKenzie County fire crews received a report shortly after 3 p.m. Oct. 5 of a rapidly spreading fire near Keene. It ultimately burned 7,000 acres. About 5:30 p.m. that day, New Town fire crews were dispatched to another wildfire that resulted in damage to more than 2,000 acres. Both occurred near oil sites and the fires are referred to in investigative reports as the Midnight Run fire and the Dinwoodie fire named after the oil wells. Homes near both fires were evacuated as a precaution. No structures were lost and no injuries were reported. To evaluate the cause of the fires, investigators examined the scene, interviewed witnesses and reviewed data including weather information. Wind gusts in the region were as high as 60-70 mph at times. The North Dakota State Fire Marshal classified both fires as accidental. The reports rule out other causes and conclude that the high winds influenced the ignition and the spread of the fire. The reports note the conclusions could change if additional information is provided. The New Town fire originated next to a Hess Corp. site with five oil and gas wells and a flare stack that a witness said was about 300 feet from the burned area, according to the report. Operators are required to keep flares lit at oil and gas wells to prevent venting of natural gas. If a well is shut in, there is no need for a flare. The report on the New Town fire said the normal temperature from the flare pilot ranges from 1,200-1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, according to information provided to investigators. A Hess Corp. representative told investigators the pilot temperature was slightly higher that day, the report says. It's possible for pressure spikes to occur with a flare stack that cause hot oil or carbon particles to be dislodged. When investigators were on site on Oct. 9, the Hess flare stack had a sudden "burp," causing the flare to get larger and black smoke to extend from the stack, investigators noted. A Hess representative told investigators that one pressure spike was recorded the day of the wildfire but said it should not have caused hot oil to dislodge, the report says. A Hess spokesperson said Wednesday the company was still reviewing the fire marshal's report and had no immediate comment. In the fire near Keene, a flare on a ConocoPhillips well site was about 53 feet from the origin of the fire, the report said. The report notes three unsuccessful attempts investigators made to reach ConocoPhillips for an interview. A ConocoPhillips spokesperson told the North Dakota Monitor on Wednesday the company is reviewing the fire investigation report and working directly with landowners and tenants. The company is committed to providing necessary information but was unaware of the interview request, the company said in a statement. Anderson, who became North Dakota's top oil regulator in September, said in an interview Wednesday the oil companies were operating in compliance with regulations. Gov. Doug Burgum declared a statewide fire emergency the afternoon of Oct. 3, citing above-average temperatures, high wind gusts, low humidity and dry vegetation. Anderson said he was notified late afternoon on Oct. 5 about the extreme fire danger conditions. Department of Mineral Resources staff worked quickly to contact oil operators and request they voluntarily shut down production in areas of high fire danger. He estimates those requests were relayed to operators by 6:30-7 p.m. that day and said companies complied with the request. It appears that message came too late to have an impact on the two McKenzie County fires. Anderson said the department formed a work group to evaluate what went right during the emergency response and what can be improved. The group has met three times and identified areas of improvement in communication, education and some administrative enhancements. "Anytime you can make improvements, I think you should look at it, and we're certainly taking this as an opportunity to do that," Anderson said. Keene Fire Chief Wade Signalness credited ConocoPhillips workers with actively helping crews fight the fire, including bringing tankers of water. But he hopes the industry as a whole evaluates what can be done to minimize fire risk during extreme weather. "I think all oil companies can work together and figure out a solution when it comes to fires during high winds and dry conditions," Signalness said. "We've got to do something. We owe it to the community." New Town Fire Chief John DeGroot said the fire season is projected to go into December and urged people to continue to be cautious. "We're still in the middle of fire danger," DeGroot said. The state has received an extension for filing for a presidential disaster declaration with a deadline of Dec. 5, according to the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services. House District 33 representative Brandon Ler was elected Speaker of the House for the next session at the caucus meetings held Nov. 12. This is Ler's third term as representative. As speaker, Ler will be the presiding officer of the house with authority of administration, decorum, and the interpretation and enforcement of rules in all deliberations. He will also be the key negotiator between the house, senate and governor. Ler said his goals this session include: protecting Montanan's pocketbooks by not increasing state government spending. He also wishes to take steps to retake some legislative power that has been slowly eroded over time by the judicial branch. "I want to take measures to regain the power given to the Montana Supreme Court and stop their egregious overreach of power in meddling in legislative business," Ler stated. "I am willing to work with other branches of government but not for them." The next session begins on Jan. 6, 2025 with a Republican Governor and Republicans holding majorities in the House and Senate. Tribal citizens, conservation groups call on Biden to recognize land along Maah Daah Hey Trail Mary Steurer North Dakota Monitor, https://northdakota monitor.com 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. "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. "What we're 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 there's 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. 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 group's proposal. The land is surrounded by oil and gas development, maps included in the proposal show. In addition to being an area of significant cultural heritage for Native tribes, it's 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 Biden's 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. 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 Trump's administration on the project. "We believe this is a good idea, regardless of who's 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." "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 governor's 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. Should Maah Daah Hey become a national monument, it'd be the first of its kind in North Dakota. This story was updated with statements from Gov. Doug Burgum and U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer. Helena, MT The summer of 2024 presented another active fire season, especially across Southeastern Montana and Northwestern Wyoming. The Remington Fire started in late August 2024 in Sheridan County, WY, and burned thousands of acres, quickly crossing into Montana. In response to this large, fast-moving fire, affecting many cattle producers in the area, the Montana Stockgrowers Foundation (MSF) reactivated its Wildfire Relief Fund, to raise funds to assist landowners in their recovery and rebuilding. As a 501(c)(3), MSF provided a tax-deductible avenue for donors to contribute to landowners and producers that lost so much in this devastating fire. MSF and the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) would like to thank its many generous donors who supported the fire relief efforts through supply and financial donations. Through the generosity of the agriculture community in Montana, and across the country, MSF organized over 70 loads of donated hay and trucking for producers that lost their grazing pasture and winter feed in the fire. Additionally, through the generosity of Hutchinson Western out of Denver, CO, MSF coordinated delivery of over half a million dollars of fencing and building supplies to producers in both Montana and Wyoming. Over $125,000 in financial contributions were donated with 100% of those donations being distributed to producers through the Rosebud County CattleWomen and Wyoming Stockgrowers Endowment Trusts grant processes. Donations are still being accepted through MSF. Contributions will continue to fund future grant requests. In a world where heroism is often defined by battles fought on foreign soil, Lawrence Eugene Speldrich's quiet act of courage-performed in the murky waters of a military training exercise-remains largely unrecognized. Despite saving a fellow soldier's life at great personal cost, Speldrich, a former E5 Specialist Combat Engineer in the North Dakota National Guard, has yet to receive the formal acknowledgment his actions deserve. His story is a powerful reminder of the unacknowledged sacrifices made by many veterans. The Heroism of Lawrence Eugene Speldrich In August 1969, at the height of the Vietnam War, Speldrich enlisted in the North Dakota National Guard to avoid being drafted. He trained as a combat engineer and heavy equipment operator, providing vital stateside support, ensuring protection and advancing critical infrastructure. It was during a bridge-building assignment at Camp Grafton, near Devils Lake, ND, that Speldrich's true character shone. While aboard a boat equipped with an unsecured anchoring tower in turbulent waters, the vessel struck shore incorrectly, causing the tower to slide and pin fellow soldier Robert Kautzman against the side of the boat. The soldier was partially submerged, at risk of drowning or severe injury. Without hesitation, Speldrich leapt into action. "I knew he was either going to break his legs or drown," he later recalled. As others on the boat sought safety, Speldrich cradled the heavy anchoring tower in his arms and walked it to the front of the vessel. Tragically, the immense weight of the double-I beam tower and the slick rocks caused him to slip. The tower fell, shattering his back and inflicting injuries that left him with chronic pain and nerve damage-a burden he still carries to this day. A Lifetime of Pain Speldrich was hospitalized for months in Aurora, CO, undergoing intensive recovery alongside other severely injured soldiers returning from Vietnam. "I laid there for months surrounded by soldiers hanging from meat curtains after being injured across the pond," he said, vividly recalling the grim atmosphere. Despite his own condition, he took time to wheel other soldiers around the hospital grounds, offering companionship and hope. When Speldrich was finally able to walk again, he sought release from the hospital, only to discover that his records had been lost upon his arrival. Without proper documentation, he left the hospital without adequate medical release, an oversight that would haunt him for years. His journey home was fraught with anxiety, as the nation was still roiled by civil unrest. Fearing protesters and possible violence, he was relieved to find the airport empty late at night when he boarded the plane for home. Speldrich returned to service in the National Guard, but by 1977, his worsening back condition forced him into retirement. Seeking VA disability compensation, he was met with another roadblock: his service records, including documentation of his injuries, had been destroyed in the infamous fire at Fort Leonard Wood in 1973. Undeterred, Speldrich fought to reclaim what he could. He eventually located one fragile "onion paper" accident report stored in Washington, D.C., which briefly documented the life-saving event. The Call for Recognition Despite his heroism, Speldrich has never received formal recognition-not even a thank-you. After years of silence, his family is now advocating for him to receive the North Dakota Distinguished Service Medal. This honor would not only acknowledge his bravery but also highlight the broader issue of overlooked veterans. Governor Doug Burgum is being urged to award Speldrich this distinction, which would serve as a powerful reminder that every act of heroism, regardless of where it occurred, deserves acknowledgment. How You Can Help To support Lawrence Eugene Speldrich in his quest for recognition, contact North Dakota representatives and express your support for his nomination. His story is a testament to the unyielding spirit of our veterans and the sacrifices they make, often in silence. Let us honor the heroes among us and ensure that bravery-no matter where it occurs-is never forgotten. Farmers Await Government Response, Assure Peaceful Protests Without Disruption Our objective is solely to raise our demands, said Sarwan Singh Pandher. Farmers Protest Latest News: In a video statement, Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher clarified that their ongoing protest will avoid blocking roads and ensure a peaceful demonstration. We plan to proceed to Delhi without disrupting traffic. If the border opens, it will facilitate our movement, and we are open to shifting our protest to a designated area, he said, emphasizing that their intentions have been communicated to the government. Advertisement Pandher stressed that their protests are not aimed at interfering with other events, including Prime Minister Narendra Modis scheduled visit on December 9. Our objective is solely to raise our demands, he added. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court addressed the protest at the Khanauri border, where farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on a fast-unto-death since November 26, losing 7kg in weight. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan reiterated the need to balance peaceful demonstrations with public convenience, urging protestors to avoid obstructing critical routes. Advertisement Advocate Guninder Kaur Gill, representing Dallewal, assured the court that the farmers are committed to responsible protests. The hunger strike underscores farmers demands for a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP), with Dallewal determined to continue his fast until their demands are met. (For more news apart from Farmers Protest Latest News, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) PM Modi's Chandigarh Visit Today: Security Tightened for PEC Event with Focus on Justice Reforms Home Minister Amit Shah, who arrived in Chandigarh on Monday evening, will join PM Modi for the event. PM Narendra Modi Chandigarh Visit Today: Chandigarh is under tight security as the UT Administration prepares for Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Punjab Engineering College (PEC) in Sector 12 on Tuesday. Approximately 4,000 police personnel and 10 paramilitary units have been deployed across the city to ensure law and order. Itinerary and High-Profile Attendance The Prime Minister will arrive at the old airport at 11:25 am before flying by an MI-17 helicopter to the Rajindra Park helipad in Sector 1. From there, he will travel by road to PEC, located less than 1 km away. Advertisement Home Minister Amit Shah, who arrived in Chandigarh on Monday evening, will join PM Modi for the event. Punjab Governor-cum-UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, along with senior officials from the Administration and Police Department, will also be in attendance. Focus on Transformative Criminal Justice Reforms The event at PEC, themed Secure Society, Developed India From Punishment to Justice, will highlight the successful nationwide implementation of three transformative criminal laws: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam These laws, enforced on July 1, aim to replace colonial-era legislation with modern frameworks emphasizing justice over punishment. PM Modi will dedicate their successful implementation to the nation. Advertisement The programme will include a live demonstration of how these laws are reshaping the criminal justice system, featuring simulations of crime scene investigations. Newly recruited IPS officers from across the country will also witness presentations by Chandigarh Police on integrating technology into law enforcement. Digital platforms such as e-Sakshya, Nyay Setu, Nyay Shruti, and e-Summons, developed by the NIC and NCRB, will be showcased. Traffic Disruptions Due to Security Drills Security rehearsals on Monday caused significant traffic snarls, with mock drills during peak hours disrupting major routes. Temporary road closures for Union Home Minister Amit Shahs convoy in the evening added to the congestion. Roads to Avoid (11 am3:30 pm): Dakshin Marg: Airport light point, Tribune Chowk, Iron Market traffic lights, Gurdwara Chowk, New Labour Chowk. Sarovar Path: Old Labour Chowk, AP Chowk, Hira Singh Chowk. Vigyan Path: Sector 4/58/9 chowk, New Barricade Chowk, PEC light point. Citizens have been advised to plan their travel accordingly. Advertisement PM Modis visit is expected to not only highlight the governments vision for justice reforms but also reaffirm Indias commitment to modernizing its judicial system for a secure and equitable society. Police Clash with Protesters Over Pollution in Budha Nallah, Dozens Arrested In response, police commissioner Kuldeep Chahal arrived at the site to oversee the situation. Ludhiana Budha Nullah Protest Latest News Today: Tensions escalated in Ludhiana as police clashed with protesters marching towards the city to highlight the severe pollution in the Budha Nullah. The police detained over 150 individuals, including several prominent leaders, during the protest. The situation turned chaotic when the police resorted to lathi charge, leading to a scuffle between officers and demonstrators. During the confrontation, CIA 3 in-charge Navdeep suffered a head injury. Advertisement The protest, organized by the Kala Paani The Morcha under the leadership of Lakha Sidhana, focused on the rising pollution in Budha Nullah and the hazardous waste that flows into the Sutlej River. The protestors, including many from Rajasthan, highlighted the health risks posed to local residents, as contaminated water from the Nullah has led to widespread illness in Rajasthan. In response, police commissioner Kuldeep Chahal arrived at the site to oversee the situation. After the initial arrests, a group of protesters blocked the Ludhiana-Ferozepur highway. In an effort to curb communication, authorities deployed jammers to disrupt mobile networks in the protest areas. Earlier, key figures like Titu Bania, Roman Barad, and Sukh Jagraon were also detained. With additional police forces deployed around the city, the administration has warned of strict action against anyone attempting to disrupt the peace. Workers perform construction tasks for the No. 1 launch pad of the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 17, 2022. The commercial spacecraft launch site, located in Wenchang International Aerospace City, was built and is being operated by the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. (HICAL). As China's first commercial spacecraft launch site, it commenced construction in July 2022. On Nov. 30, a Long March-12 carrier rocket was successfully launched into space from here. The mission was the maiden flight of the Long March-12 carrier rocket, and the first launch mission undertaken by the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 17, 2022 shows the No. 1 launch pad of the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site under construction in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province. The commercial spacecraft launch site, located in Wenchang International Aerospace City, was built and is being operated by the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. (HICAL). As China's first commercial spacecraft launch site, it commenced construction in July 2022. On Nov. 30, a Long March-12 carrier rocket was successfully launched into space from here. The mission was the maiden flight of the Long March-12 carrier rocket, and the first launch mission undertaken by the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) Workers perform construction tasks for the No. 1 launch pad of the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 17, 2022. The commercial spacecraft launch site, located in Wenchang International Aerospace City, was built and is being operated by the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. (HICAL). As China's first commercial spacecraft launch site, it commenced construction in July 2022. On Nov. 30, a Long March-12 carrier rocket was successfully launched into space from here. The mission was the maiden flight of the Long March-12 carrier rocket, and the first launch mission undertaken by the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 28, 2022 shows the No. 2 launch pad of the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site under construction in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province. The commercial spacecraft launch site, located in Wenchang International Aerospace City, was built and is being operated by the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. (HICAL). As China's first commercial spacecraft launch site, it commenced construction in July 2022. On Nov. 30, a Long March-12 carrier rocket was successfully launched into space from here. The mission was the maiden flight of the Long March-12 carrier rocket, and the first launch mission undertaken by the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 23, 2023 shows the No. 1 (front) and No. 2 (back) launch pads of the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site under construction in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province. The commercial spacecraft launch site, located in Wenchang International Aerospace City, was built and is being operated by the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. (HICAL). As China's first commercial spacecraft launch site, it commenced construction in July 2022. On Nov. 30, a Long March-12 carrier rocket was successfully launched into space from here. The mission was the maiden flight of the Long March-12 carrier rocket, and the first launch mission undertaken by the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) Workers perform construction tasks for the No. 1 launch pad of the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 23, 2023. The commercial spacecraft launch site, located in Wenchang International Aerospace City, was built and is being operated by the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. (HICAL). As China's first commercial spacecraft launch site, it commenced construction in July 2022. On Nov. 30, a Long March-12 carrier rocket was successfully launched into space from here. The mission was the maiden flight of the Long March-12 carrier rocket, and the first launch mission undertaken by the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 23, 2023 shows the No. 2 (front) and No. 1 (back) launch pads of the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site under construction in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province. The commercial spacecraft launch site, located in Wenchang International Aerospace City, was built and is being operated by the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. (HICAL). As China's first commercial spacecraft launch site, it commenced construction in July 2022. On Nov. 30, a Long March-12 carrier rocket was successfully launched into space from here. The mission was the maiden flight of the Long March-12 carrier rocket, and the first launch mission undertaken by the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) An aerial drone photo taken on May 12, 2023 shows the No. 1 (front) and No. 2 (back) launch pads of the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site under construction in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province. The commercial spacecraft launch site, located in Wenchang International Aerospace City, was built and is being operated by the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. (HICAL). As China's first commercial spacecraft launch site, it commenced construction in July 2022. On Nov. 30, a Long March-12 carrier rocket was successfully launched into space from here. The mission was the maiden flight of the Long March-12 carrier rocket, and the first launch mission undertaken by the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) An aerial drone photo taken on March 6, 2024 shows the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site's No. 2 launch pad (front) still under construction and the site's No. 1 launch pad (back) already completed in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province. The commercial spacecraft launch site, located in Wenchang International Aerospace City, was built and is being operated by the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. (HICAL). As China's first commercial spacecraft launch site, it commenced construction in July 2022. On Nov. 30, a Long March-12 carrier rocket was successfully launched into space from here. The mission was the maiden flight of the Long March-12 carrier rocket, and the first launch mission undertaken by the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) An aerial drone photo taken on March 6, 2024 shows the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site's No. 1 launch pad (front) already completed and the site's No. 2 launch pad (back) still under construction in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province. The commercial spacecraft launch site, located in Wenchang International Aerospace City, was built and is being operated by the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. (HICAL). As China's first commercial spacecraft launch site, it commenced construction in July 2022. On Nov. 30, a Long March-12 carrier rocket was successfully launched into space from here. The mission was the maiden flight of the Long March-12 carrier rocket, and the first launch mission undertaken by the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) A rocket model is pictured at the gate of the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site, as a modified version of the Long March-7 carrier rocket carrying the Zhongxing-3A satellite blasts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site, in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province, June 29, 2024. The commercial spacecraft launch site, located in Wenchang International Aerospace City, was built and is being operated by the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. (HICAL). As China's first commercial spacecraft launch site, it commenced construction in July 2022. On Nov. 30, a Long March-12 carrier rocket was successfully launched into space from here. The mission was the maiden flight of the Long March-12 carrier rocket, and the first launch mission undertaken by the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) This photo taken on June 30, 2024 shows a view of the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province. The commercial spacecraft launch site, located in Wenchang International Aerospace City, was built and is being operated by the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. (HICAL). As China's first commercial spacecraft launch site, it commenced construction in July 2022. On Nov. 30, a Long March-12 carrier rocket was successfully launched into space from here. The mission was the maiden flight of the Long March-12 carrier rocket, and the first launch mission undertaken by the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) An aerial drone photo taken on June 30, 2024 shows the No. 1 (R) and No. 2 (L) launch pads of the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site as well as their road connection in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province. The commercial spacecraft launch site, located in Wenchang International Aerospace City, was built and is being operated by the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. (HICAL). As China's first commercial spacecraft launch site, it commenced construction in July 2022. On Nov. 30, a Long March-12 carrier rocket was successfully launched into space from here. The mission was the maiden flight of the Long March-12 carrier rocket, and the first launch mission undertaken by the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) This photo taken on June 30, 2024 shows a rocket launch simulation rehearsal held at the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province. The commercial spacecraft launch site, located in Wenchang International Aerospace City, was built and is being operated by the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. (HICAL). As China's first commercial spacecraft launch site, it commenced construction in July 2022. On Nov. 30, a Long March-12 carrier rocket was successfully launched into space from here. The mission was the maiden flight of the Long March-12 carrier rocket, and the first launch mission undertaken by the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) This photo taken on June 30, 2024 shows a rocket launch simulation rehearsal held at the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province. The commercial spacecraft launch site, located in Wenchang International Aerospace City, was built and is being operated by the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. (HICAL). As China's first commercial spacecraft launch site, it commenced construction in July 2022. On Nov. 30, a Long March-12 carrier rocket was successfully launched into space from here. The mission was the maiden flight of the Long March-12 carrier rocket, and the first launch mission undertaken by the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) This photo taken on Nov. 30, 2024 shows a view of the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province. The commercial spacecraft launch site, located in Wenchang International Aerospace City, was built and is being operated by the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. (HICAL). As China's first commercial spacecraft launch site, it commenced construction in July 2022. On Nov. 30, a Long March-12 carrier rocket was successfully launched into space from here. The mission was the maiden flight of the Long March-12 carrier rocket, and the first launch mission undertaken by the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) A Long March-12 carrier rocket carrying two experimental satellites blasts off from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 30, 2024. The commercial spacecraft launch site, located in Wenchang International Aerospace City, was built and is being operated by the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. (HICAL). As China's first commercial spacecraft launch site, it commenced construction in July 2022. On Nov. 30, a Long March-12 carrier rocket was successfully launched into space from here. The mission was the maiden flight of the Long March-12 carrier rocket, and the first launch mission undertaken by the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) A Long March-12 carrier rocket is seen at the No. 2 launch pad of the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province, Nov, 30, 2024. The commercial spacecraft launch site, located in Wenchang International Aerospace City, was built and is being operated by the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. (HICAL). As China's first commercial spacecraft launch site, it commenced construction in July 2022. On Nov. 30, a Long March-12 carrier rocket was successfully launched into space from here. The mission was the maiden flight of the Long March-12 carrier rocket, and the first launch mission undertaken by the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) A Long March-12 carrier rocket is seen at the No. 2 launch pad of the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province, Nov, 29, 2024. The commercial spacecraft launch site, located in Wenchang International Aerospace City, was built and is being operated by the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. (HICAL). As China's first commercial spacecraft launch site, it commenced construction in July 2022. On Nov. 30, a Long March-12 carrier rocket was successfully launched into space from here. The mission was the maiden flight of the Long March-12 carrier rocket, and the first launch mission undertaken by the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) A Long March-12 carrier rocket carrying two experimental satellites blasts off from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 30, 2024. The commercial spacecraft launch site, located in Wenchang International Aerospace City, was built and is being operated by the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. (HICAL). As China's first commercial spacecraft launch site, it commenced construction in July 2022. On Nov. 30, a Long March-12 carrier rocket was successfully launched into space from here. The mission was the maiden flight of the Long March-12 carrier rocket, and the first launch mission undertaken by the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) This photo taken on Nov. 29, 2024 shows the main road of the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province. The commercial spacecraft launch site, located in Wenchang International Aerospace City, was built and is being operated by the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. (HICAL). As China's first commercial spacecraft launch site, it commenced construction in July 2022. On Nov. 30, a Long March-12 carrier rocket was successfully launched into space from here. The mission was the maiden flight of the Long March-12 carrier rocket, and the first launch mission undertaken by the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) Editor: JYZ Culture and Cultures Redefining culture and heritage Passi per rendere accessibile il patrimonio Eugen Nasta, 03.12.2024, 14:00 The Designers, Thinkers, Makers Association has created a program labelled Culture and Cultures. Its eventual aim is to highlight Romanias cultural heritage. The program also seeks to revitalize Romanian culture, with special emphasis on promoting UNESCO sites and the local values, more often than not less well-known to the public. Initial steps have already been taken, to that effect, with the completion of the audio tour of Biertan. Architect Alexandra Mihailiciuc is the Associations cultural programs coordinator Here she is, telling us where they started from and what the stages of the programs were. This program, Culture and Cultures, we thought it out as some sort of cultural revitalizatio we have built in a bid to protect and capitalize on the values of Romanias cultural heritage. It somehow speaks about culture, about the various ethnic cultures, but also about culture in its basic accepting, connected to the ground, that is about the territories around the house, the manor house, the village. Which means its equally about the care for our nearest but also about the care for the farthest, since they are tied by an umbilical cord. And the ultimate purpose of such a program, actually, is to use as many means as possible for the creation of a good climate, good for culture, and, at long last, good for the quality of life. Besides, one of the key components of this program is the education for heritage. We realized it matters for al social layers and for all ages. And I won t be mincing my words, saying that from our point of view, it is one of Romanian societys emergencies. We see, around us, how much is being destroyed, how little the communities take responsibility for the heritage, how little it is loved and understood and how little it is capitalized on. This program has several cultural projects. The project weve carried this year, Heritage Lab. Connecting the Dots, is just one of the projects of this programs, which also has three streams: education, research and design. Architect Alexandra Mihailiciuc, the Designers Thinkers Makers Associations cultural programs coordinator also gave us details on their work: This year we have sought to think out the program which special emphasis laid on the cultural heritage of Transylvanias Hills, especially of the UNESCO village of Biertan and the village of Chirpar, in a bid to highlight this valuable cultural heritage of the region and get the lay public acquainted with all that is unknown yet valuable, so, in a way, with everything that somehow exists yet it is not capitalized on. And we thought it would be better to begin with a UNESCO site, since UNESCO sites are the spearhead of world heritage, humankinds most cherished treasures. And yet, with us, in our country, they havent just as yet been appropriated by the collective mindset. A summer school followed, themed Heritage Lab, a school with a theoretical component whereby students surveyed the UNESCO sites, wrote about them, made their drawings, created interpretation materials, yet the school had a practical component as well, that of working with their own hands, where they learned how the traditional historical plastering is made, with lime, with sand, how the correct brick-based masonry is being made, architecture students needing these labs, these construction sites, so they can be prepared for their professional future. Alexandra Mihailiciuc once again: We have created two audio tours for the Biertan site and the village of Chirpar, bi-lingual, Romanian and English, and here we are, we even succeeded to launch the digital tour of UNESCO Biertans fortified church, with a program which, I believe, is multifarious, including the presentation of the project, going through the stations for the areas relevant projects, but also an organ concert. The space was flooded by Transylvanian music of various timeframes, belonging to the Romantic period, somehow in tune with the age of the organ in the fortified church. But the novelty of it all was the fact that that organ concert actually turned into a musical workshop or into a musical living room, just like that, revolving around the organ, where weve been explained the working system and where little sound incursions have been performed, into the multiple qualities of this instrument. Those who came could go through the rest of the stations scattered all around the village, since thats exactly the underlying idea, for us to invite tourists to discover not only the fortified church, but also everything around it, considering Culture and Cultures. And that is how they can take the journey, visiting one station after the next, about UNESCO and the sister churches about the village apothecary, which seems to be the first such store in rural Transylvania, about customs and traditions, about the multiculturalism of the place, about decorations, about, why not, Via Transilvanica cutting through the centre of the village. Then an exhibition follows, about the precious Chirpar ceramics, the Stork Culture Workshops in Bucharest, a string of exhibitions, of film screening evenings, of architecture and craftsmanship and of workshops, also related to cultural heritage. Australia will on Tuesday release Q3 numbers for its current account, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. Forecasts suggest a deficit of A$10.3 billion following the A$10.7 billion shortfall in the previous three months. Japan will see November figures for its monetary base; in October, the base was flat on an annual basis. South Korea will provide November numbers for consumer prices, with forecasts calling for a decline of 0.1 percent on month and a gain of 1.7 percent on year following the flat monthly reading and the 1.3 percent yearly increase in October. New Zealand will release Q3 data for terms of trade with expectations calling for a gain of 1.2 percent on quarter following the 2.0 percent increase in Q2. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. Animalcare Group Plc (ANCR.L), a veterinary pharmaceutical company, Tuesday said its Animalcare Australia Pty Ltd has agreed to acquire Randlab, a privately owned, Australian-based equine veterinary for an enterprise value of A$120 million. The acquisition is estimated to increase earnings by at least 20 percent in fiscal 2025. As per the deal, Animalcare Australia Pty Ltd has agreed to acquire the entire share capital of Randlab Australia Pty Ltd, Randlab Pty Ltd and Randlab Middle East Veterinary Medicine Trading Single Owner L.L.C. Randlab Pty Ltd has generated revenue of A$22.9 million in fiscal 2024 and a 3 year CAGR of 13 percent. The company said that the acquisition, which is expected to be closed in early January 2025, will be funded through Animalcare's existing cash resources, debt facilities, and an equity placing. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Tesla Inc. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk's $56 billion pay package, which was approved by its shareholders, has been rejected by a Judge for the second time, noting that the compensation plan was improperly granted. Meanwhile, Tesla said the court's decision is wrong, and that the electric vehicle maker is going to appeal. Delaware judge Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick, who voided the 2018 pay package in January this year calling it deeply flawed, now has upheld it. Responding to the ruling, Tesla said in a post on X, "A Delaware judge just overruled a supermajority of shareholders who own Tesla and who voted twice to pay @elonmusk what he's worth. The court's decision is wrong, and we're going to appeal. This ruling, if not overturned, means that judges and plaintiffs' lawyers run Delaware companies rather than their rightful owners - the shareholders." In a separate X post, Musk called the ruling absolute corruption. "Shareholders should control company votes, not judges," he noted. The pay package in stock, which was worth around $56 billion at the time of the January ruling, is now worth around $101.5 billion as of Monday's closing, with the significant growth in Tesla's share value. Musk's Tesla compensation package, which is considered the largest in U.S. corporate history, was initially approved by the shareholders in 2018. However, it faced severe scrutiny and was voided by McCormick, who stated that the package was approved due to Musk's substantial relation with the Tesla Board. Tesla shareholders were divided over the proposed pay package as some considered Musk is integral to Tesla's future success, while certain others said the compensation is too excessive and detrimental to the company's best interests. However, around 77% shareholders, at Tesla's annual meeting in June, again approved the ratification of the 2018 CEO Performance Award. Based on this result, the company challenged the judge's previous ruling. McCormick now noted that even if a stockholder vote could have a ratifying effect, it could not do so here. "Were the court to condone the practice of allowing defeated parties to create new facts for the purpose of revising judgments, lawsuits would become interminable," the judge wrote. Following the January ruling by the Delaware judge, Musk had put forward the resolution to move its state of incorporation to Texas from Delaware after a significantly positive response from his followers in X. In the June meeting, the luxury electric car maker's shareholders also approved the resolution, and the company is now incorporated in Texas, the base of its largest U.S. factory. Musk has also moved the state of incorporation of SpaceX to Texas from Delaware. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The Israeli government has extended for another year indemnification for Israeli banks to continue correspondent banking relationships with Palestinian counterparts. The indemnity waiver, which protects Israeli banks with banking relations with banks in the Palestinian Authority from anti-terrorism laws, was scheduled to expire Thursday. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich extended the indemnification well ahead of the deadline. The one-year extension by the far-right Finance Minister saved the West Bank from the brink of collapse. The United States welcomed Israel's decision to approve a one-year extension of its indemnification for Israeli banks. Economic stability in the West Bank is essential for Israeli and Palestinian security, and correspondent banking is a key pillar of that economic stability, the Department of State and the Department of the Treasury said in a joint Statement. The United States appreciates the ongoing engagement with the Government of Israel and the Palestine Monetary Authority on this matter, they added. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has rejected the idea that the country must choose between closer relations with the United States or the European Union as its allies. Delivering a speech on foreign policy at the Lord Mayor's Banquet at the Guildhall, London, Tuesday, Starmer said, "The national interest demands that we work with both." He made it clear that Britain's relationship with the United States has been the cornerstone of its security and prosperity for more than a century. "And we will never turn away from that". "And our security is even more closely intertwined at every level of our military, our intelligence, our industry, and R&D." He recalled that when President-elect Trump hosted him for dinner in Trump Tower in September, "I told him that we will invest more deeply than ever in this transatlantic bond with our American friends in the years to come." Starmer vowed that his government will rebuild its ties with Europe too. He said the number one test of his government is economic growth. Starmer insisted that Britain must continue to back Ukraine and do what it takes to support their self-defense for as long as it takes. "We face a near and present danger with Russia as an erratic, increasingly desperate aggressor, on our continent marshaling all its resources - along with North Korean troops and Iranian missiles - aiming to kill and to conquer." "And it is vital that all European nations step up to protect our shared future. We will set out in our Strategic Defense Review how we are going to modernize our Armed Forces to make us more secure at home and stronger abroad." Starmer said Britain will maximize its investment by working with others, like its partnership with Italy and Japan to build the next generation of fighter planes. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Political News U.S. authorities have foiled an attempt by a dual U.S.-Russian citizen to illegally export two small aircraft to Russia. Sergey Nechaev was arrested Monday in the Southern District of Georgia on charges of unlawful attempted export of controlled goods, smuggling and falsifying export information, the Justice Department said. If convicted, Nechaev faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The aircraft will also be subject to forfeiture. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. According to the indictment, to evade U.S. export control laws, Nechaev attempted to smuggle two Cessna aircraft from the United States to Russia by transshipping them through Armenia. The U.S. government imposed stricter controls on Russia in February 2022 after it attacked Ukraine. Nechaev attempted to export a 1968 Cessna 172K and a 1973 Cessna, valued together at approximately $170,000, to a purported Russian flight school, without the required license or authorization from the Department of Commerce. To conceal the true end user and destination of the aircraft, Nechaev falsely represented that the end user and destination were in Armenia, the Justice Department said. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News HMSI reported strong domestic and export figures in November 2024 and also marked their entry into the electric mobility segment with Activa e: and QC1 Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has reported a 5.56% YoY growth with both domestic sales and exports on the rise. The company sold a total (domestic + exports) of 4,72,476 units in Nov 2024, a 24,900 unit volume increase over 4,47,849 units sold in Nov 2023. Its month-on-month (MoM) sales however, saw a drastic decline by 20.91% from 5,97,711 units sold in Oct 2024. Honda 2W YoY Sales Nov 2024 Honda sales in Nov 2024 were boosted by models such as the Activa, Shine and Duo with 4,32,888 units sold in domestic markets. This was a 2.90% YoY growth over 4,20,677 units sold in Nov 2023. It related to a 12,211 unit volume increase with domestic sales commanding a 91.57% share. Exports of the company also improved dramatically by 46.70% in Nov 2024. The company exported 39,861 units last month, a substantial improvement over 27,172 units shipped in Nov 2023. Exports hold an 8.43% share. Honda 2W MoM Sales Decline in Nov 2024 Following outstanding performance on a YoY basis, Honda suffered a massive MoM decline in sales post the festive season. In domestic markets, sales dipped by 21.74% from 5,53,120 units sold in Oct 2024. This related to a 1,20,232 unit volume de-growth. However, a more optimistic future is predicted with introduction of the new Activa e: and QC1 in the electric two wheeler segment and a bevy of upcoming bikes in the larger segment being planned for launch in a phased manner through 2025. Exports too suffered a MoM setback by 10.61% as there had been 44,591 units shipped in Oct 2024. This was a 4,730 unit volume decline. With lower domestic sales and exports, total sales went down by 20.91% MoM to 4,72,749 units. This was a 1,24,962 unit volume decline when compared to 5,97,711 units sold in Oct 2024. Key Highlights In November 2024 Keen to compete efficiently in the growing electric two wheeler market in India, Honda unveiled two new offerings in Nov 2024. The Activa e: and QC1 marked their entry into the electric arena. Bookings for Activa e: and QC1 are scheduled to commence from January 1, 2025 while deliveries are slated to be effected from February 2025. In order to ensure quicker deliveries, Hondas new electric scooters will initially rolled out in cities of Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. A roll out in a phased manner is being planned to other cities at a later stage. Both the e-scooters will be sold via Red Wing dealerships and a separate space exclusively for electric scooters has been created. Honda also plans to expand their portfolio to include larger bikes in the 650cc, 750cc and 1000cc segments. These will include the CB 650R, CBR 650R, CB 750 Hornet, CB 1000 Hornet and X-ADV maxi-scooter. Each of these bikes are planned for launch sometime in 2025. Each of these bikes are expected to come in as CBU (completely built-up) products and will be exclusively on sale via the brands BigWing Topline dealerships. Premium pricing is expected considering the higher taxes and duties. Jin Xin introduces one of her artwork displayed at an exhibition hall of Beijing Embroidery in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 26, 2024. Beijing Embroidery, also called Imperial Embroidery, dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and is one of the Beijing Eight Imperial Handicrafts. Made initially for the extended royal families, the embroidery became famous worldwide for its delicacy during the Guangxu Period (1875-1908) of the Qing Dynasty. It was not until the end of the Qing Dyansty that some folk embroidery workshops appeared in Beijing, making embroideries suitable for common people. Thereafter, Beijing Embroidery is used for calling embroideries made around the city of Beijing. Beijing Embroidery emphasizes on the auspicious meanings of its patterns, and is usually made with elegant and gorgeous designs and colors. Adopting expensive silks and satins as the fundamental materials, it not only uses threads made with natural silk but also with gold or silver foils to embroider the patterns. The craftsmen still inherit traditional making tools such as embroidery needle, scissor and embroidery stand. The making goes through procedures like selecting materials, drawing patterns, rubbing patterns, selecting threads, embroidering and brushing paste. In 2014, the making craft of Beijing Embroidery was listed as one of the national-level intangible cultural heritages. Jin Xin, a woman of Yao ethnic group born in 1977 in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, has loved embroidery since her childhood when seeing women in her village embroider on clothes. In 2003, she quit her former job and started to study on Beijing Embroidery after taking part in an event on restoration and replica of cultural relic embroideries in Beijing. Having no basic knowledge on the art, she learned from purchasing materials, copying and rubbing patterns, to stitching in various ways and completing a whole product. In 2005, Jin started her own business on Beijing Embroidery. In 2008, she set up her company which has been dedicated to the inheritance and innovation of the art and the creation of patterns. In 2010, she became an apprentice of Yu Meiying, an inheritor of Beijing Embroidery. During her study, Jin tried to combine the traditional handicraft with modern art, creating a series of Beijing Embroidery products such as embroidery screens, tea table mats, scarfs and capes, handbags and ties, in a bid to apply the art to modern products and attract young people's attention. "I hope more people will see the beauty of Beijing Embroidery and our traditional crafts," said Jin Xin, "My ultimate goal is to bring it to the international stages." (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) Jin Xin introduces one of her artwork displayed at an exhibition hall of Beijing Embroidery in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) Jin Xin works at her Beijing Embroidery workshop in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Jin Xin arranges her exhibits at an exhibition hall of Beijing Embroidery in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Jin Xin shows a handbag with Beijing Embroidery at an exhibition hall of Beijing Embroidery in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) Jin Xin talks with her colleagues at her workshop on Beijing Embroidery in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) This photo taken on Nov. 26, 2024 shows a vest with Beijing Embroidery displayed at an exhibition hall of Beijing Embroidery in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) This photo taken on Nov. 26, 2024 shows a Beijing Embroidery artwork of Jin Xin displayed at an exhibition hall of Beijing Embroidery in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) Jin Xin (C) and her teacher Yu Meiying (L) guide an apprentice to do embroidery at an exhibition hall of Beijing Embroidery in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Jin Xin introduces her exhibits to visitors at an exhibition hall of Beijing Embroidery in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) Jin Xin reads a book on patterns at her Beijing Embroidery workshop in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Jin Xin arranges Beijing Embroidery artwork at her homestay in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xin) This photo taken on Nov. 26, 2024 shows an artwork of Jin Xin displayed at an exhibition hall of Beijing Embroidery in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) Jin Xin hugs a cat at her homestay in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xin) This photo taken on Nov. 26, 2024 shows the details of a Beijing Embroidery artwork displayed at an exhibition hall of Beijing Embroidery in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Jin Xin works at her workshop on Beijing Embroidery in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) Jin Xin introduces one of her artwork displayed at an exhibition hall of Beijing Embroidery in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) This photo taken on Nov. 26, 2024 shows the details of a Beijing Embroidery artwork of Jin Xin displayed at an exhibition hall of Beijing Embroidery in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) Jin Xin draws patterns at her workshop on Beijing Embroidery in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) Jin Xin (R) and her teacher Yu Meiying talk on an embroidery at an exhibition hall of Beijing Embroidery in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) Jin Xin draws patterns at her workshop on Beijing Embroidery in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) This photo taken on Nov. 26, 2024 shows handbags with Beijing Embroidery displayed at an exhibition hall of Beijing Embroidery in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) Jin Xin shows a box combining Beijing Embroidery craft with traditional box making craft at an exhibition hall of Beijing Embroidery in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) Jin Xin poses for a portrait at her workshop on Beijing Embroidery in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) This photo taken on Nov. 29, 2024 shows colorful threads for making Beijing Embroidery displayed at Jin Xin's workshop in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Jin Xin checks displaying boards at an exhibition hall of Beijing Embroidery in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) Editor: JYZ InterGlobe Aviation, the operator of IndiGo Airlines, has filed a lawsuit against Mahindra Electric Automobile Limited in the Delhi High Court, alleging trademark infringement The dispute centers around Mahindras use of 6E in the branding of its upcoming electric SUV, the BE 6e, slated for launch in February 2025. IndiGo claims the use of 6E violates its exclusive rights, as the airlines International Air Transport Association (IATA) code is 6E, which it extensively uses for branding. The case is scheduled for hearing on December 9. IndiGos Case Against Mahindra IndiGo asserts that the use of 6E by Mahindra could infringe upon the airlines goodwill and create confusion in the market. 6E has been a significant part of IndiGos identity and is associated with the airlines branding efforts over the years. IndiGos lawsuit comes shortly after Mahindra unveiled its BE 6e alongside the XEV 9e on November 26, 2024, as part of its new electric SUV portfolio. Mahindras Official Response Mahindra has issued an official statement addressing IndiGos concerns and clarifying its position. The company said, Mahindra revealed its electric origin SUVs, the BE 6e and XEV 9e, on November 26, 2024. Mahindra has applied for trademark registration under class 12 (vehicles) for BE 6e, which is part of its electric origin SUV portfolio. Mahindra emphasized that there is no conflict between the two trademarks, as its branding revolves around BE 6e, not the standalone 6E. The automaker stated that BE 6e fundamentally differs from IndiGos 6E, which represents an airline. The distinct styling further emphasizes their uniqueness, the statement added. Seeking Amicable Resolution Acknowledging IndiGos concerns, Mahindra said it is actively engaging with the airline to resolve the issue amicably. We have taken on board the concerns that InterGlobe Aviation Limited has regarding infringement of their goodwill, which was not our intention. We are engaged in discussions with them to find an amicable solution, the company said. A Battle of Branding The lawsuit underscores the complexities of trademark disputes when two entities operate in entirely different sectors. While Mahindras use of 6e is limited to its automotive portfolio, IndiGo fears it could dilute its branding or cause market confusion. The outcome of the case will depend on whether the court finds sufficient grounds to establish that Mahindras BE 6e infringes upon IndiGos rights to 6E. This legal battle comes at a time when Mahindra is aggressively expanding its electric vehicle lineup, with the BE 6e and XEV 9e expected to hit the market in early 2025. The developments in this case will be closely watched, as they could set a precedent for similar trademark disputes in the future. JSW MG Motor India, JSW EV Company Project: Charging Ahead on Separate Tracks in the Indian EV Market Diverging Approaches to Electric Mobility JSW Group is intent on two distinct ventures in the electric vehicle (EV) domain: The ongoing JSW MG Motor India company and the soon to be JSW Auto EV. Company. The former is a joint venture between JSW Group and MG Motor, where Indian investors and SAIC holds a stake. The latter focuses on state-of-the-art EV development with to be announced dedicated research and development (R&D) efforts.. While both ventures target the Indian EV market, their objectives and execution strategies differ significantly. JSW MG Motor India aims to transition to increased Indian ownership and local capabilities. This aligns with the joint ventures goal of achieving higher market share in the years to come. In contrast, JSW Auto EV Project prioritises localised production and technology indigenisation from inception, which would mean its commited to reducing dependence on imported technology. R&D on the Radar: Next Steps JSW EV Company plans to establish R&D centres dedicated to EV innovation. However, specific details about their scope or locations remain undisclosed. This piques curiosity regarding readiness to compete with established foreign brands like Hyundai and BYD. Given Indias defined EV transition goals, R&D infrastructure will play a pivotal role in delivering affordable, market-ready vehicles following the projected two-year timeline. Transitioning to indigenous solutions requires significant investment and technical expertise. For JSW Auto, EV the challenge lies in building a reliable supply chain for components while maintaining competitive pricing. In fact, both ventures must overcome these obstacles to align with Indias self-reliance goals. A Growing Pie: EV Market Share Indias EV market continues to see market growth and product development. Hence, it is imperative for JSW Group to differentiate itself. Both ventures aim to dig into the EV sales pie by offering affordable yet technologically advanced vehicles tailored to the Indian buyer. Capital infusion in JSW MG looks to accelerate localisation efforts and expand production capacity. In parallel, JSW Auto EV needs to focus on strategic investments in R&D and design to cater to new energy passenger vehicles. These investments reflect JSW Groups broader vision of being a known player in the EV sector. From Idea to Market: JSWs 24-Month Sprint The next two years will be an exciting period with JSW Auto EV aiming to bring its first vehicles to market. Likely actions include developing partnerships with Indian suppliers, establishing manufacturing facilities, and initiating pilot production. Emphasis will be on designing vehicles suited for mass market demand, and consumer preferences while ensuring affordability. This is a transformative opportunity in the EV sector.. This vision highlights the need for quick changing execution strategies that prioritise localisation and affordability. Aligned with Indias EV Transition Goals Indias policy framework for EV adoption provides a conducive environment for new players. The road ahead requires navigating regulatory guidelines, creating consumer awareness, and addressing infrastructural gaps. JSWs dual strategy of leveraging MG Motors existing network while building its own capabilities positions it to contribute meaningfully to this transition. While the timeline and investment plans for JSW Auto are ambitious, their success hinges on execution. Challenges like limited technical expertise, ongoing supply chain constraints, and competition from established players highlight the complexity of their aspirations. For JSW, the immediate focus will remain on balancing technology development with localisation efforts. Both ventures hold the potential to shape the future of electric mobility in India if critical challenges are addressed effectively. Source Photo provided to Guangming Online Chinese President Xi Jinpings recent visit to South America was crowned with great success. In Peru, he inaugurated the Port of Chancay, which is the largest maritime hub in South America and was built with strong support from China. Later, Xi played a prominent role in the G20 meetings, where he contributed to building consensus on issues such as tackling climate change, development and combating hunger and poverty. Finally, he paid a state visit to Brazil, where he announced, alongside President Lula, the strengthening of bilateral ties. Days before the visit, President Xi published an article in the largest-circulation newspaper in Brazil, Folha de Sao Paulo, in which he discussed the 50 years of Sino-Brazilian diplomatic relations. Established in 1974, bilateral relations have been solidified over the years, advancing political coordination at the level of global governance, trade flows, scientific and technological cooperation, and, more recently, defending nations' interests in the Global South. As the Chinese president highlighted, China and Brazil have always maintained mutual respect and treated each other on an equal footing. This aspect is fundamental to the diplomatic tradition of both countries. Brazil has cultivated an independent foreign policy for the last 50 years. China promulgated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence 70 years ago. Both countries positions align very well on major issues in the international arena. Brazil and China are vocal in defending the right to development of all peoples. President Xi emphasized that both countries have as important goals to accelerate economic development and improve the well-being of the people and are striving to progress towards modernization. This is an essential topic since no major global challenge can be solved without expanding productive capacity and advancing science. China has taken a leading role in supporting infrastructure construction in developing countries through the Belt and Road Initiative. Brazil and China share a mutual interest in fostering synergies in infrastructure development. The port of Chancay, for example, stands to realize its full potential through joint support for the construction of a railway crossing the Andes, thereby creating a bioceanic connection. On the topic of development, it is essential to mention the role of the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) as creators of a new paradigm of international aid, forcing the World Bank and regional development banks to review their strategies and also finance infrastructure projects, something that was part of their original mandates but was abandoned at the height of neoliberalism. Regarding the G20 Summit, President Xi praised President Lula's proposal to adopt the fight against hunger and poverty and create the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, to which China expresses great appreciation and support. Both Brazil and China have made exemplary efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Brazil, one of the most unequal societies on the planet, managed to create a state policy to support the poorest families and encourage education and health as conditions for income transfer, the Bolsa Familia Program. China, on the other hand, managed to achieve the goal of the 2030 Agenda by eradicating extreme poverty in 2021 through policies focused on shoring up the most backward rural communities. This effort paid off with the participation of government leaders, researchers, and students who created strategies that were appropriate to local conditions. Shifting from poverty alleviation to sustainability, the Chinese leader emphasized during the G20 debates that to build a sustainable planet, the G20 must advocate sustainable production and life, and harmonious coexistence between man and nature. This alignment in policy priorities is particularly evident in their shared commitment to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Both governments are advancing clean energy initiatives and promoting sustainable economies. For instance, Brazils five decades of experience in biofuel development and Chinas leadership in manufacturing wind and solar energy equipment highlight the complementary strengths of these nations in advancing renewable energy. In this context of great convergence of interests, it is worth highlighting the elevation of bilateral relations to the level of Brazil-China Community of Shared Future for a More Just World and a More Sustainable Planet. In 1993, during President Jiang Zemin's visit, the Brazil-China strategic partnership was signed by the government of Itamar Franco. In 2012, during the Rio+20 environmental conference, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and President Dilma Rousseff advanced towards a Global Strategic Partnership. Today, 22 years later, relations between the two countries are entering the best moment in history and their strategic, mutually beneficial and comprehensive nature is increasingly highlighted, setting an example of relations between the Global South and among major developing countries, as stated in the joint statement issued by the diplomats of Brazil and China. It is worth noting that during the visit, 37 agreements were signed involving trade, finance, agriculture, telecommunications, culture, technology, education etc. Such documents can reshape the bilateral relationship to an unprecedented level, as the complementarities and synergies are immense. At a time when international relations face multiple and unprecedented challenges, such as wars, protectionism, racism, immigration, and climate change, the expansion of the partnership between the two largest developing countries in the East and the West is news that brings hope for the construction of a more just and equitable world order. Contributed by Marcos Cordeiro PiresAssociate Professor of International Political Economy. Sao Paulo State University - Unesp - Brazil Editor: WRX * The Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) is now embarking on a new journey as China recently pledged to build it into a globally attractive two-way open hub. * Over the past 30 years, the park has attracted more than 5,100 foreign-funded projects, including 174 projects from 104 Fortune 500 companies. * From attracting overseas investors to helping businesses expand and copy its experience overseas, SIP has become an epitome of China's ambition and confidence in opening up wider and embracing the world. NANJING, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) in east China's Jiangsu Province. This combo photo shows a blueprint of the Suzhou Industrial Park drawn in 1994 (top), a view of the industrial park in 2012 (middle), and an aerial view of the industrial park (bottom, taken by Xinhua photographer Li Bo) on Aug. 29, 2024, in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua) Over the past decades, SIP, once home to extensive paddy fields and fish ponds on the outskirts of the city of Suzhou, has grown from an initial 8-square-kilometer start-up area to an extraordinary city area of 278 square kilometers. Founded in 1994 as the first inter-governmental cooperation project between China and Singapore, SIP has witnessed closer cooperation between the two sides. It is now embarking on a new journey as China recently pledged to build it into a globally attractive two-way open hub. OPEN AND INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT A total of 26 investment project agreements between China and Singapore were signed last week at the China-Singapore Investment Forum held at SIP. These projects, spanning sectors such as biopharmaceuticals, digital economy and collaborative innovation, include the China-Singapore Sustainable Estate Joint Innovation Workshop and the establishment of new overseas headquarters and operation centers by Chinese enterprises in Singapore. An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 30, 2024 shows "the Gate of the Orient," a landmark complex at the Suzhou Industrial Park in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Li Bo) "For Singaporean enterprises, China is a huge market. Singaporean technology firms excel at offering services in a variety of industrial chain subdivisions -- which can support Chinese businesses throughout the transformation cycle to fortify and enhance the industrial chain," said Tan Chuan Seng, director of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research Partners' Centre, which was launched in 2020 in SIP. These are the latest efforts in the open and innovative development process of this significant industrial park. Over the past 30 years, the park has attracted more than 5,100 foreign-funded projects, including 174 projects from 104 Fortune 500 companies, with the actual utilization of foreign investment exceeding 40 billion U.S. dollars. Staff members work at a semiconductor company at the Suzhou Industrial Park in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Nov. 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) "The industrial park is a showcase of China's progress in promoting international cooperation," said Li Xiaomin, chairman and general manager of Wintech Nano (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. Li founded Wintech Nano in Singapore in 2004. He described his business as a "hospital for chips," which aims to detect failures or potential problems in design to improve the quality of chips. In 2012, Li decided to establish a new base for his business in SIP. Wintech Nano has since expanded quickly and recently gained approval from the Shanghai Stock Exchange for an initial public offering. In October 2024, Bosch Group launched a new R&D and manufacturing site for new energy vehicle core components and automated driving in this industrial park. Since the establishment of a Suzhou subsidiary in 1999, the German company has been steadily investing in production, R&D, supply chain and services. Zhang Ying, general manager of Bosch Automotive Products Suzhou Co., Ltd., said it took only some 500 days from signing for the land to the launch of operations, while the sound business environment provided by SIP has enabled the company to seize market opportunities sooner. SIP now boasts an array of high-tech industries, including two pillar industries in the form of next-generation information technology and high-end equipment manufacturing, as well as three emerging industries, namely biopharmaceuticals, nanotechnology application and artificial intelligence. A staff member works at a biomedicine company at the Suzhou Industrial Park in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Nov. 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) During the past three decades, SIP has generated 1.09 trillion yuan (about 152 billion U.S. dollars) in overall tax revenue, 1.1 trillion yuan in fixed asset investment, and 1.54 trillion U.S. dollars in imports and exports. GOING OVERSEAS SIP is hailed as an important window through which to view China's reform and opening-up initiatives and serves as a successful example of international cooperation. After drawing experience from the Singaporean side during its growth process, SIP has now evolved into a fine example for other countries keen to develop their own industrial parks. In addition, SIP established the Yangtze River Delta Overseas Investment Promotion Center -- which has helped more than 700 enterprises in the park invest and expand in over 60 countries and regions. Huang Ming, an SIP investment promotion staff member, is currently working at the China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Zone in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), trying to help UAE locals copy the "SIP model." Exhibitors and buyers exchange views during the 2024 Chinese Industrial Products Exhibition held at the China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Zone in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, Nov. 18, 2024. (Xinhua/Wen Xinnian) "Many Chinese companies have hoped to tap the Middle East market since 2023, and our work is to create a complete and sound business ecosystem to help them settle here better and faster," Huang said, while adding that SIP, an investor in the demonstration zone in Abu Dhabi, will strive to build a sound business environment there. From attracting overseas investors to helping businesses expand and copy its experience overseas, SIP has become an epitome of China's ambition and confidence in opening up wider and embracing the world. "The 30th anniversary marks an important milestone in our development," said Shen Mi, a senior official of Suzhou. "We will go all out to upgrade practical cooperation and be a pathfinder of China-Singapore cooperation." (Video reporters: Mao Jun, Chen Si, Xia Peng, Chen Shengwei; video editors: Hong Ling, Roger Lott, Luo Hui, Zheng Qingbin) Editor: Zhang Zhou Ukrainian banks are set to sign a joint memorandum in the near future to introduce unified market practices and approaches for conducting proper due diligence of clients and monitoring financial transactions on their accounts. This was announced by Oleksandr Pysaruk, Chairman of the Management Board of Raiffeisen Bank, in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine. "I fully support the National Bank's stricter requirements for financial monitoring in banks. In particular, concerning so-called bank drops, because this is indeed a major problem that needs to be addressed," Pysaruk stated. He further noted the need to combat schemes aimed at reducing or avoiding taxes, especially those employed by large businesses. These schemes often involve the fragmentation of businesses and the use of numerous individual entrepreneurs, practices that are widespread in the market. "If banks' transparent profits are retrospectively taxed at a 50% rate for two years, why should businesses earning massive profits be allowed to evade taxes? It's unfair. More importantly, the UAH 20 billion in extraordinary taxes on bank profits will never resolve budget issues if a large number of businesses continue to evade taxes," said Pysaruk. He added that signing such a memorandum to unify financial monitoring approaches would also contribute to Ukraine's integration into the European Union. At the same time, Pysaruk highlighted the need to separate financial monitoring requirements from banking secrecy. "The issue of banking secrecy is entirely different. We need to act cautiously here because of the risks of misuse of banking information in countries with high corruption levels and significant abuse of power. Even in developed countries, where these risks are much lower, banking information isn't made readily accessible," he explained. The banker stressed that without banking secrecy, it is impossible to imagine either effective banking operations or public trust in the financial system. Following a meeting last week with executives from the 30 largest banks, the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) reported discussions on the misuse of payment infrastructure for illegal purposes. Representatives from a "state body with law enforcement functions" presented a report on the use of cryptocurrencies and schemes involving bank drops and business fragmentation for funding terrorist and intelligence-diversion activities of the aggressor in Ukraine. "Therefore, it's critical to create an effective barrier to such schemes directly within the financial system. Law enforcement urged banks to take every measure to reduce illegal activities by implementing stricter monitoring of payment transactions," the NBU stated. NBU Governor Andriy Pyshnyy called for progress on multiple fronts: regulatory measures, legislative initiatives, and a deep understanding of what each party can do to minimize such dangerous practices without compromising the market's stability or customer convenience. Participants agreed to continue dialogue on this matter and develop joint actions to prevent criminal schemes. They also discussed adapting current banking practices to EU legislation in terms of establishing business relationships and client services, strengthening trust in the banking system, and promoting fair competition among banks. As of October 1 this year, Raiffeisen Bank ranked fourth among 62 active banks in Ukraine by total assets (UAH 229.12 billion), according to NBU data. The institution ranked among the top three in net profit for the first nine months of this year, earning UAH 6.151 billion, compared to UAH 6.135 billion during the same period last year. Since October 2005, Raiffeisen Bank has been part of the Austrian banking group RBI. Currently, the Raiffeisen group owns 68.21% of the bank's shares, while the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) holds 30%. The enemy inflicted two missile and 35 airstrikes on the positions of Ukrainian units and settlements, using three missiles, and dropped 53 bombs. As the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported in operational information as of 08:00 on Tuesday, in addition, the enemy carried out more than five thousand attacks, 141 of them from multiple rocket launchers. The aggressor carried out airstrikes, in particular, in the areas of the settlements of Oleksandrivka, Lynove, Sumy region; Hlushkivka, Kharkiv region; Dachenske, Kurakhove, Andriyivka, Uspenivka, Donetsk region, Huliai-Pole, Zaporizhia region. On the night of December 3, the Russian occupiers attacked the territory of Ukraine with 28 Shahed-type attack UAVs and other types of drones, according to the command of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "As of 09:00, units of anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic warfare and mobile fire groups of the Air Force and the Defense Forces of Ukraine shot down 22 enemy UAVs in Kyiv, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytsky, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Odesa, Mykolaiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions," the Telegram channel says. In addition, one drone was locally lost, two left the controlled airspace in the direction of Belarus and the temporarily occupied territory. Several hits were recorded on critical infrastructure facilities in Ternopil and Rivne regions. The information is being clarified and updated. The air attack was repelled by anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic warfare units and mobile fire groups of the Air and Defense Forces of Ukraine. With the bitter experience of the Budapest Memorandum behind Ukraine, it will not accept any alternatives, surrogates or substitutes for Ukraine's full membership in NATO, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine said in a statement on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Budapest Memorandum, published on Tuesday morning. We are convinced that the only real guarantee of security for Ukraine, as well as a deterrent to further Russian aggression against Ukraine and other states, is Ukraine's full membership in NATO. With the bitter experience of the Budapest Memorandum behind us, we will not accept any alternatives, surrogates or substitutes for Ukraine's full membership in NATO Inviting Ukraine to join NATO now will become an effective counter to Russian blackmail and will deprive the Kremlin of its illusions about the possibility of hindering Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration, the statement reads. The Foreign Ministry stated that the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Budapest Memorandum is a convenient opportunity to take an effective step towards Ukraine's accession to the Washington Treaty and noted that it will also be the only chance to stop the erosion of key principles of nuclear non-proliferation and restore confidence in nuclear disarmament. The Budapest Memorandum failed to prevent the aggression of the Russian Federation, as a nuclear-weapon state, against Ukraine, as a state that has renounced its nuclear arsenal. Even the consultations envisaged by the document, which Ukraine has repeatedly tried to initiate, were not held. Russia's violation of the Budapest Memorandum set a dangerous precedent that undermined confidence in the very idea of nuclear disarmament Failure of the Budapest Memorandum to fulfill its functions has led to a catastrophic increase in security threats not only for Ukraine, but also for other countries and regions, including Europe, the Euro-Atlantic area, Central and Southeast Asia, the Middle East and international peace and security in general, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stressed. The Foreign Ministry called the Budapest Memorandum a monument to short-sightedness in strategic security decision-making. It should serve as a reminder to the current leaders of the Euro-Atlantic community that building a European security architecture at the expense of Ukraine's interests, rather than taking them into consideration, is destined to failure. Not providing Ukraine with real, effective security guarantees in the 1990s was a strategic mistake that Moscow exploited. This mistake must be corrected. Ukraine must be provided with clear, legally binding security guarantees that align with its significant contribution to global nuclear disarmament and the maintenance of international peace and security, the statement emphasizes. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry called on the United States and the United Kingdom, signatories to the Budapest Memorandum, France and China, which have acceded to it, and all states-parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, to support the provision of effective security guarantees to Ukraine. Deb Messing oversees Sanilac County Community Mental Health communications efforts to the county's rural residents. Wil Morris CMHs serving rural communities cover more territory with fewer resources. Mark Witte OnPoint is located at 540 Jenner Drive (M-40) in Allegan. CMHs serving rural areas can support clients' mental health by counteracting stigma, supporting transportation options, and partnering with other community organizations to provide wraparound care. Sean Field Summit Pointe's 24/7 First Step Psychiatric Urgent Care Center On Monday, the U.S. Department of Defense announced additional security assistance to meet Ukraine's critical security and defense needs at an estimated cost of $725 million, the department's website has reported. According to the Department, this announcement is the 71st tranche of equipment from the Biden administration, which will be provided from the reserves of the Defense Department for Ukraine from August 2021. This package of presidential powers will provide Ukraine with additional capabilities to meet its most pressing needs, including: air defense capabilities; ammunition for missile systems and artillery; and anti-tank weapons. As part of the assistance package, Ukraine will be provided with ammunition for national advanced anti-aircraft missile systems (NASAMS), Stinger missiles, ammunition for unmanned aerial vehicles (c-UAS), ammunition for highly mobile artillery missile systems (HIMARS), 155 mm and 105 mm artillery ammunition, small arms and ammunition, demolition equipment. Ukraine will also receive, as part of the announced assistance package, unmanned aerial vehicles, landmines, tube-launched missiles, optical tracking and wire guidance (TOW), Javelin and AT-4 anti-tank systems, equipment to protect critical national infrastructure, as well as spare parts, auxiliary equipment and transport. The U.S. Department of Defense noted that the assistance is being provided as part of the increase in aid announced by Biden on September 26, to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position. Jacob Sullivan, the U.S. President's national security adviser, announced the delivery from now until mid-January of hundreds of thousands of additional artillery shells, thousands of additional missiles and other critical means to help Ukraine defend its freedom and independence. According to Sullivan, in addition to this dramatic increase in aid, the President has authorized a number of additional steps to strengthen Ukraine's position in this war. Earlier this year, the U.S. President decided to give priority to the export of U.S. air defense to Ukraine, and as a result of this decision, Ukraine received hundreds of additional air defense missiles, and additional supplies are expected on the way. To help Ukraine stabilize its position in the east, the President authorized the supply of unstable anti-personnel mines to Ukraine as a limited exception to the administration's ongoing mine policy. In response to the entry of North Korean soldiers into this war, the President decided to adjust the permits for Ukraine to use long-range missiles provided by the United States. And in order to disrupt Russia's military machine, the United States has imposed major sanctions against Russia's financial sector, which will be followed by even more sanctions. Earlier, the aid package was reported in the media, while it was not confirmed whether there were ammunition for HIMARS in the new package. However, it was reported that the package would include more anti-personnel landmines, which Ukraine is counting on to slow down Russian and North Korean forces in Kursk region of the Russian Federation. Earlier, Biden promised to spend all military aid funds approved by Congress in 2024 for Ukraine before the end of his tenure on January 20, which amounts to about $7.1 billion on weapons from the Pentagon's reserves. Ukraine received the latest aid package from the United States on November 20 in the amount of $275 million, it includes ammunition for missile systems, as well as for artillery and anti-tank weapons. European stocks rallied to post healthy gains on Monday after a weak open, with Stellantis shares down sharply after the shock resignation of the car makers chief executive over the weekend. The pan-regional Stoxx 600 index was up 0.66% at 513.61, together with a big 1.57% jump for the German Dax to 19,933.62. France's Cac-40 on the other hand ended the day up by 0,02% at 7,236.89. In parallel, the euro weakened against the US dollar to trade at around 1.05 s the chances that Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government could be ousted by a no-confidence vote threatened by far-right parties increased as negotiations over his austerity budget reportedly reached an impasse over the weekend. Traders were also digesting data showing he manufacturing downturn across the eurozone worsened in November, according to a survey by S&P Global and Hamburg Commercial Bank, with the rate of contraction accelerating in the region's three largest economies. The manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) declined to 45.2 last month, down from 46.0 in October and in line with the flash reading released two weeks ago. Declines in new factory orders, production, purchasing activity and inventories all worsened, with the sub-indices for all four measures falling further from the neutral 50-point level. New orders, in particular, have been on the decline for just over two and a half years, with the rate of decline picking up pace in November as sales performances in export markets weakened. Meanwhile, in China the manufacturing sector grew at its fastest rate in five months in November, according to data from Caixin and S&P Global. The manufacturing PMI rose to 51.5, up from 50.3 in October and ahead of the 50.5 consensus forecast, This was the second straight month of expansion and the strong expansion since June, helped by higher new work inflows, which rose at their fastest rate since February 2023. Auto sector stocks were all lower after news that Carlos Tavares announced his resignation, blaming different views between himself and the Stellantis board. The company has been struggling with declining sales and high inventories in the US. Shares in the automaker were down 6%. Valeo, Renault and Forvia also fell on the news. So did shares of Volvo at the start of trading, but by the end of the session they had made up those losses. Shares in Delivery Hero slumped after the company was forced to give workers at its Spanish subsidiary Glovo full employment status. The company had already faced fines of more than 135m for historical labour violations. Elsewhere, shares in UK housebuilders Persimmon and Vistry fell on a broker downgrade. Shares in Genel Energy were sliding on Tuesday morning, after the London Court of International Arbitration ruled in favor of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) late on Monday over the termination of the Bina Bawi and Miran production sharing contracts. The London-listed firm said the KRG launched the arbitration in December 2021, seeking confirmation of its right to terminate the contracts. In response, Genel argued that the terminations were the result of repudiatory breaches by the KRG, and filed a counterclaim for damages to recover losses associated with its rights to develop the fields. The tribunal concluded that the KRG validly terminated both PSCs, and dismissed Genel's counterclaim. Genel said the allocation of arbitration-related costs would be determined in subsequent rulings. We are very disappointed that the tribunal found against GEMBBL in this arbitration, said chairman David McManus. We will update the market once we have appropriately analysed the tribunals award. McManus said the company remained of the view that it was left with no option but to seek to defend its rights in the arbitration. Our internal team and external advisors have worked diligently since the case was commenced by the KRG in December 2021 and we thank our team for all that work. At 0929 GMT, shares in Genel Energy were down 16% at 74p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. The US has announced new export restrictions targeting Chinas ability to make advanced semiconductors, drawing swift condemnation from Beijing. Washington is expanding efforts to curb exports of state-of-the-art chips to China that can be used in advanced weapons systems and in artificial intelligence. Guardian Labour will miss its manifesto target of building 1.5m homes in England before the end of this parliament without more radical reform to the planning system, the thinktank the Centre for Cities has warned. Keir Starmer put tackling housing affordability at the heart of his pitch to voters, promising to get Britain building again. Guardian Jaguar wants "to be bold and disruptive" with its new electric car and redesign, the luxury vehicle maker's managing director told Sky News. The British car maker sparked widespread controversy last month when it unveiled its rebrand ahead of becoming a fully electric brand. Sky News The Conservative Party treasurer has emerged as the leading candidate to rescue the stricken Thames Water in return for a major shareholding. Graham Edwards is part of a consortium also including Castle Water, the leading beneficiary of liberalisation of the sector, and the billionaire Pears family. The Times Elon Musk has lost an attempt to receive a $56 billion compensation package, despite the backing of Tesla shareholders. A Delaware judge declined on Monday to reinstate the record-breaking pay deal, which was rescinded in a January ruling. Musk, the Tesla chief executive who has become an adviser to Donald Trump, the president-elect, had spent months asking shareholders to support his receipt of the biggest pay package in American corporate history. The Times Domestic arms production was the main issue on the agenda of a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff Headquarters called by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday. "The main issue is reports on contracts for our arms production in Ukraine. A significant volume of new and long-term orders for drones: FPV, as well as reconnaissance drones, long-range drones, missile drones," the head of state said on the Telegram channel. The meeting also addressed the implementation of the Ukrainian missile program, including "development, placement of orders, delivery." "There was a report on the testing of new types of missiles. We can thank our Ukrainian missile developers. We are speeding up the production," he said. Participants of the Staff HQ meeting also discussed tasks on contracts for the production of artillery, the Ukrainian head of state said. Zelenskyy also held a meeting with the prime minister of Ukraine, the energy minister, and the Air Force Commander. "They reported on the protection of energy facilities and restoration. We determined additional priorities in negotiations with partners on air defense for Ukraine," Zelenskyy said. Last Tuesday's bomb cyclone storm in the Seattle, Wash., area caused widespread damage and power outages for many thousands, including the Third Place Books store in Lake Forest, where power was finally restored Saturday afternoon. Third Place also operates stores in Seward and Ravenna. Powerless booksellers at Third Place: "No phone, no Internet, but thousands of books." In response to requests from customers asking how they might help, Third Place owner Robert Sindelar posted his reaction on the bookstore's social media sites yesterday, writing: "Like many of us in the greater Seattle area, our Lake Forest Park store lost power last week after the powerful bomb cyclone that swept through Western Washington. We had to close for almost four days during a critical season for retailers-bookstores in particular. Those lost sales are always tough. But at this time of year, when holiday shopping is kicking into gear, losing those four days is devastating to a local business. Some customers and friends of the store have asked if there are ways to help. Here's what you can do." Sindelar's suggestions included buying a gift card, making a donation to the store's Books to Students Fund, or simply coming to the store to shop. "Also, if there are other local stores that you love and care about that lost power for days this past week, please consider supporting them with gift card purchases as well," he added. "Restaurants that closed were hit particularly hard. Their employees lost days of tips. Many lost all their inventory and are still struggling to recover.... "As we all reflect on things we are thankful for this week, I will be thinking about how lucky I am to work and live with such an amazing community of readers. All the best to our Third Place Community." Independent booksellers across the U.S. shared their enthusiasm for #IndiesFirst and #SmallBusinessSaturday on social media over the weekend as their communities stepped up to support them. Here's a sampling from the big weekend: At White Whale Books White Whale Books & Coffee, Pittsburgh, Pa.: "Busy and cozy and joyful on here for #SmallBusinessSaturday." Charm City Books, Baltimore, Md.: "Are you ready for tomorrow? We have a full day here at the bookshop, including finishing the evening off with some of this eggnog, a holiday movie, and puzzling, so make sure you plan to stop by tomorrow to check out everything going on on Small Business Saturday at Charm City Books!" Red Stick Reads, Baton Rouge, La.: "Small Business Saturday is here, and so is our Most Wonderful Sale of the Year!!!... Your support means everything to so many small business owners today... be sure to spread the word, shop small $ support local." At Bookends and Beginnings Bookends & Beginnings, Evanston, Ill.: "The Badass Ladies in Black at Bookends are ready to help you kickstart your holiday shopping today!! Keep your holiday dollars local. Shop Small--not at the mall!!" The Little Bookshop, Midlothian, Va.: "Happy Small Business Saturday!!! First customers are here and ready to shop! Thank you everyone!!!" Afterwords Books, Edwardsville, Ill.: "It's a snowy small business Saturday!! Your little local indie bookstore is cozy, warm and open for browsing until 5pm this evening.... Show your favorite small shops some love today." Chaucer's Books, Santa Barbara, Calif.: "It's #SmallBusinessSaturday! Because of you, our customers, we're able to keep our doors open. We're able to employ local folks. We're able to contribute to the local economy. We're able to support local schools. When you shop local and at small businesses, you are making a decision about the kind of neighborhood and community you want to live in. Thank you. We hope to see you in the store today or sometime soon!" At Copperfish Books Copperfish Books, Punta Gorda, Fla.: "Happy Small Business Saturday! We're kicking off the day with mimosas and bookish cheer--now all we need is YOU!... Your support means everything to us, and we can't wait to see you!!!!" Betty's Books, Webster Groves, Mo.: "Small Biz Saturday HAS BEGUN!! This snow is painting a picture-perfect holiday shopping day, and we're READY! See you soon, everyone." The Unreliable Narrator, Rochester, N.Y.: "Happy Small Business Saturday!" Out West Books, Grand Junction, Colo.: "It's Small Business Saturday! Thank you for supporting our small, independent bookstore! Stop by and pick up your bingo card to play Small Business Saturday Downtown Bingo today and check out wreaths by @there.will.be.flowers on display out front." lala books, Lowell, Mass.: "It's #SmallBusinessSaturday and Downtown Lowell will be hopping. You know you'll find great things at lala book--but today you can also visit Ginger Dog Snacks, Cultivate Cleaner, and Specialbunny Knits popping up at the store. While you're downtown, make sure to support all the great shopping, eating, and drinking! Thanks for supporting local this holiday season!" At One More Page One More Page Books & More, Arlington, Va.: "Look how energetic we are at the beginning of #smallbusinesssaturday!" Pages & Grapes, Wyoming, Mich.: "It's a big day! It's Shop Local Saturday, Indies First, and Katharine Sweet will be signing books. We are serving up local cookies and apple cider." Brave and Kind Books, Decatur, Ga.: "FREE! This super cute new tote just hit the shelves in time for Small Business Saturday Friends! and here in Atlanta our annual Indie Bookshop Crawl is happening so we hope you'll make today the day to shop with a purpose and support small biz and stories and. Community!" The Dog-Eared Page, Danville, Va.: "Small Business Saturday surprise!!! Our newest T-shirt design is BACK!!!... As always, the joy and merriment is free. See you soon!" Left Bank Books, St. Louis, Mo.: "Its a winter wonderland for small business Saturday! Come shop for some gifts to keep you warm on this snowy chilly day! Stay cozy out there! Remember shopping local keeps money in the community and helps us support you all with books, author events, and more." At Parnassus Books Parnassus Books, Nashville, Tenn.: "Happy Small Business Saturday! We feel so lucky to have so much support from our local community all year round, but especially this time of year. To celebrate today we are giving away Parnassus holiday tote bags with $50 purchases in store while supplies last! Its gonna be a fun day--Come see us!" Interabang Books, Dallas, Tex.: "Shopping small makes a big difference! Small Business Saturday is a great time to shop local. Your support helps us continue to offer curated books, host author events, and foster a love of reading for all ages, through the holidays and beyond. Thank you for investing in our store and believing in our mission to bring fun, exciting, and important literature to our community. Find new releases, staff selections, holiday decor, and more this weekend (and all month long)!" Octavia Books, New Orleans, La.: "Celebrate #indiesfirst with us this #smallbusinesssaturday all day at Octavia Books. We are featuring some special authors signing local books." And Michelle Obama wrote in part, "This #SmallBusinessSaturday, I wanted to thank independent bookstores for all that they do. They are the pillars of our communities--adding so much richness and depth to our experience as readers and lifelong learners. If you can, give your local bookstore some love today." Microsoft Co-Founder Bill Gates' recent podcast appearance with Reid Hoffman has set off a storm of controversy, particularly among Indian commentators, after the tech mogul referred to India as a 'laboratory to try things'. His statement, intended to highlight Indias role in global development initiatives, has been met with backlash from many, especially on social media platforms, where people voiced their concerns about his comments. During the conversation, Gates said, "India is an example of a country where there's plenty of things that are difficult there - the health, nutrition, education is improving and they are stable enough and generating their own government revenue enough that it's very likely that 20 years from now people will be dramatically better off and it's kind of a laboratory to try things that then when you prove them out in India, you can take to other places. He went on to add that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations largest non-US office is based in India, and that the country plays a key role in piloting many of the Foundations initiatives: Our biggest non-US office for the Foundation is in India and the most number of pilot roll-out things we're doing anywhere in the world are with partners in India. Gates choice of words, referring to India as a 'laboratory', immediately sparked outrage. Many took offense to what they perceived as a disrespectful comparison, with some accusing him of treating India as a testing ground for global initiatives. One user on X (formerly Twitter) expressed frustration, saying, India is a laboratory, and we Indians are guinea pigs for Bill Gates. This person has managed everyone from the Government to opposition parties to the media. His office operates here without FCRA, and our education system has made him a hero! I dont know when we will wake up! Another user suggested that Gates views people in India as subjects for experimentation, implying that successful initiatives are later adopted in the US. The user wrote, The human beings in India are samples for Bill Gates laboratory to try things and once they are proven to be effective, taken to the US. This clip doesnt sound right no matter in what context you hear this. Thats why researches backed by governments can often have vested interests. Didnt @elonmusk raise this as well?" However, not all responses were negative. Some defended Gates, arguing that his comment was misinterpreted. One user wrote, I genuinely don't understand this conspiracy theory attitude against Bill Gates in India. There's no guinea pig-style experiments for vaccines happening in India, period! The recent remarks by Gates are particularly striking in light of his earlier statements praising Indias progress, especially in the areas of health and nutrition. In an interview with news agency PTI, Gates commended India for its commitment to addressing malnutrition. India, for its income level, acknowledges that some of these nutritional indicators are weaker than it would like. That kind of frankness and focus on it, I think is very impressive, Gates said, adding that he would give India an 'A' for its efforts in tackling malnutrition. The Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) confirmed that the PSLV-C59/PROBA-3 mission will lift off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, on 4th December, that is Wednesday at 4:06 p.m. The PSLV-C59, carrying around 550-kg satellites, would be placing them in a highly elliptical orbit during the launch. The PROBA-3 mission is an 'In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) mission' by the European Space Agency (ESA). Posting about the anticipated launch on social media, the space organisation said, "The PSLVC59/PROBA-3 Mission, the 61st flight of PSLV and the 26th using PSLV-XL configuration, is set to carry ESA's PROBA-3 satellites (~550kg) into a highly elliptical orbit". "The mission goal is to demonstrate precise formation flying", said ISRO in a statement regarding the launch. The mission consists of two spacecraft, namely the Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC) and the Occulter Spacecraft (OSC) which will be launched together in a 'stacked configuration' (one on top of another). PSLV is a launch vehicle that helps carry satellites other various other payloads to space, or according to ISRO's requirements. This launch vehicle is India's first vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages. The first PSLV was launched successfully in October 1994. The PSLVC-59 will have four stages of launch, according to ISRO. The total mass that the launch vehicle will be lifting off is around 320 tonnes. The space organisation also highlighted how this launch mission also exemplifies the 'trusted precision' of the PSLV and collaboration with other agencies. "This mission exemplifies the trusted precision of PSLV and the collaboration of NSIL (NewSpace India Limited), ISRO, and ESA", said the post. The last launch of the PSLV was PSLV-C58, launching the XPOSAT satellite into an "Eastward low inclination orbit on January 1, 2024". The ESA said Proba-3 is the world's first precision formation flying mission. It will study the solar corona, the outermost and hottest layer of the Sun's atmosphere. The satellite was also called (Xray Polarimeter Satellite), it is the country's first dedicated scientific satellite from ISRO to carry out research in space-based polarisation measurements of X-ray emission from celestial sources. Young innovators from across the country presented their innovative solutions for energy storage and sustainability during the SheSTEM 2024 an annual event by Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), and the Office of Science and Innovation, at the Embassy of Sweden, NITI Aayog said on Tuesday. The event aims to inspire the next generation and encourage young minds to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). To foster sustainability by advancing energy solutions, this year's challenge invited students from grades 6-12 across the country to submit innovative ideas focused on Battery Technology and Energy Storage (BEST) systems. About 1,000 children participated in the event and presented their prototypes or concepts for energy storage and sustainability in a two-minute video format. "The AIM is proud to be a part of SheSTEM 2024, a celebration of young talent, innovation, and the boundless potential of Indias students. This years challenge, focusing on energy storage and sustainability, directly addresses some of the most pressing global challenges, said Dr. Chintan Vaishnav, Mission Director, AIM. By involving students in this field, we are not only fostering future STEM leaders but also empowering them to play a significant role in shaping a sustainable and technology-driven world," he added. STEM education plays in building a sustainable future. The success of SheSTEM 2024 highlights the incredible potential of youth-led innovation and the pivotal role thatplays in building a sustainable future. Innovation and collaboration are at the core of a sustainable world, a world working hard to preserve itself. SheSTEM 2024 is a step in the right direction to help inspire the next generation to innovate and create solutions for energy storage and technologies, said Jan Thesleff, Ambassador of Sweden to India. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A 41-year-old man was assaulted and had $10,000 worth of watches snatched during a frightening home invasion in Manhattan early Monday, the New York Post is reporting. According to the outlet, three individuals gained access to the victims third-story Second Avenue apartment from the fire escape at around 2:25 a.m. as the man was sleeping. The trio allegedly displayed a gun, demanding money and marijuana, before making off through the front door with an array of 14 Tag Heuer, Hugo Boss and Casio watches, the report said. Police are still searching for the three bandits, who were said to be wearing black masks and black hoodies, the report said. The victim reportedly refused medical attention at the scene. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The NYPD is seeking the publics assistance in identifying an individual wanted in connection to an alleged burglary at a Brooklyn restaurant. It was reported to police that on Sunday, Dec. 1, at around midnight, an unknown male individual entered the establishment, located at 1657 Sheepshead Bay Rd., and hid in the basement. Kosan Asian Fusion is located at the address provided by police. Once employees closed the restaurant for the evening, the individual emerged and allegedly removed approximately $15,300 from the location before fleeing through a back exit, according to a statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. The NYPD released a surveillance image of the sought individual. Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, on X @NYPDTips. All calls are strictly confidential. During a meeting on December 3-4, NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs will focus on the discussion of further assistance to Ukraine, and not on its membership in the Alliance, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said on Tuesday. "As you know, Allies agree that the future of Ukraine is in NATO, and during the Washington Summit, we agreed on the irreversible path towards NATO, and before and after the Washington Summit, Allies have been working on building the bridge," he said at a press conference in Brussels. The Secretary General noted that "the bridge consists, for example, out of the individual bilateral security agreements between Allies and Ukraine, but also the implementation of all decisions being agreed in Washington." "So, this is happening step by step, what I would think that we have to concentrate, and we will concentrate over these next two days, very much on what is necessary now," he said. Rutte also emphasized that "what is necessary now is to make sure that military aid will go to Ukraine, because that is now crucial for them to, if they decide to do so, enter into talks with the Russians one day, they will do this from a position of strength." The would-be assassin of former President Ronald Reagan has a new business venture, he announced Monday. John Hinckley Jr., who shot and wounded Reagan in 1981 and was acquitted by reason of insanity, had spent decades in a Washington mental health hospital after the assassination attempt. Since being freed from court oversight in 2022, Hinckley has spent recent years posting videos of his music and promoting live shows. And on Monday, Hinckley announced he would be opening up a music store. Ill be opening a music store in Williamsburg, Va. The address is 455 Merrimack Trail. Grand opening is in a week or two! he wrote on social media platform X. Ill be opening a music store in Williamsburg, Va. The address is 455 Merrimack Trail. Grand opening is in a week or two! John Hinckley (@JohnHinckley20) December 2, 2024 Hinckley has also promoted his live music shows on X, but has noted that some venues have cancelled on him in the past. He also posts his music to his YouTube channel. After the 2024 election, Hinckley told his followers to stop with the negative comments. A lot of the comments on my Twitter/X feed have been alarming, so I have to keep reminding people that I am a changed person from the way I was in 1981, he wrote in a blog post. My songs are about peace and love and overcoming hard times. A lot of people have told me that listening to my songs helps them get through their day. I strive for positive vibes, not the negativity you see everywhere today, he added. Hinckley told The New York Times in a July interview that he uses music to redeem himself. People have different definitions of redemption, Hinckley told The New York Times. My definition of redemption is to make amends for all the negativity that I created in 1981. Im trying to redeem myself through positive music, through a thing that people really like as opposed to the things they really hated about me, in 1981. He also said in the interview that while he enjoys living in Williamsburg, Va. because people do not bother him, he has thought about living in more music-centered cities like Nashville, Los Angeles or New York. Im basically a struggling musician, he told the Times. Ive had a lot of people say to me, John, youre like so many other struggling musicians. And its true. I am. Hinckley did not provide any other details about his music store on social media on Monday. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Staten Island residents who are unable to afford having their fur babies spayed/neutered this holiday season will be eligible to receive one of 100 free certificates covering the cost of the often-costly procedures. On Dec. 10 and Dec. 11, Friends of Animals (FoA), an international animal advocacy organization founded in New York in 1957, will be gifting the free certificates to residents in need throughout the five boroughs. The certificate will cover a routine spay/neuter procedure, which includes a cursory surgical pre-exam, anesthesia, surgery, waste disposal, day-of-surgery post-operative care and pain relief, hospitalization as required, and stitch removal, if necessary. The certificate is valued at approximately $20,000. Shelters across the country are currently dealing with a crisis, as the NYC Animal Care Center has unfortunately euthanized more than 1,400 dogs and cats within the first half of 2024, according to a release issued by the organization. The city of New York has not addressed the overpopulation of cats and dogs by offering enough solutions to prevent euthanasia, said Elizabeth Forel, an animal activist, president of the Coalition for NYC Animals and board member of FoA. With the cost of things so high in NYC, Friends of Animals foresight and generosity in meeting this crisis is very welcome. The certificates will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. To request a certificate, call 1-800-321-PETS (7387), Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, the organization can also be reached at: www.friendsofanimals.org. A staff member for an Upstate New York congressman has been arrested at the U.S. Capitol with ammo and magazines. WHAM reports Michael Hopkins, 38, was taken into custody after U.S. Capitol Police found four ammunition magazines and 11 rounds of ammunition in his bag during routine X-ray screening at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C., on Monday morning. Hopkins reportedly told police he forgot the ammo was in his bag. IN CLASS: This feature is part of an ongoing education column highlighting the various activities that engage school communities. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Staten Island schools from across the borough aimed to put smiles on the faces of families in need in North Carolina through a major toy distribution effort last month. Seventeen Staten Island schools helped to collect and distribute more than 3,000 toys as part of an initiative that many Staten Island schools participated in, called Operation Staten Island Elf. Staten Islands District 31 aimed to bring joy and hope to children affected by hurricanes in North Carolina by asking students to donate new and unwrapped toys. The school's effort was led by Jason Ericson, a veteran and teacher at PS 9. (Courtesy/PS 9)PS 9 With assistance by the schools Principal Deanna Marco and Assistant Principal Lisa Bonello, the event was initially spearheaded by Jason Ericson, a veteran and a teacher at PS 9 in Concord. The distribution total was announced during a special ceremony to honor veterans last month. The school then reached out to Staten Island District 31 schools superintendent, Dr. Roderick Palton, to connect with 16 other schools to collect toys. In all, 3,000 toys total were heading to families in North Carolina. More than 1,700 toys were collected for donation. (Courtesy/PS 9)PS 9 Principe also gave thanks to the Student Voice Association, as well as Chris Hernandez, Graziella Casale, Nicole Hughes, Norma Jean Adams and Theresa Gargano. PS 9 in Concord participated in Staten Island District 31's Operation Staten Island Elf to send new and unwrapped toys to families in need in North Carolina. (Courtesy/PS 9)PS 9 PS 9 in Concord participated in Staten Island District 31's Operation Staten Island Elf to send new and unwrapped toys to families in need in North Carolina. The total was announced during a special ceremony to honor veterans. (Courtesy/PS 9)PS 9 PS 9 in Concord participated in Staten Island District 31's Operation Staten Island Elf to send new and unwrapped toys to families in need in North Carolina. The total was announced during a special ceremony to honor veterans. (Courtesy/PS 9)PS 9 PS 9 in Concord participated in Staten Island District 31's Operation Staten Island Elf to send new and unwrapped toys to families in need in North Carolina. The total was announced during a special ceremony to honor veterans. (Courtesy/PS 9)PS 9 PS 9 in Concord participated in Staten Island District 31's Operation Staten Island Elf to send new and unwrapped toys to families in need in North Carolina. The total was announced during a special ceremony to honor veterans. (Courtesy/PS 9)PS 9 PS 9 in Concord participated in Staten Island District 31's Operation Staten Island Elf to send new and unwrapped toys to families in need in North Carolina. The total was announced during a special ceremony to honor veterans. (Courtesy/PS 9)PS 9 ALUMNI INVEST AT STATEN ISLAND SCHOOLS A new scholarship initiative is allowing alumni to make a tangible investment in the next generation of public school students in the neighborhoods in which they grew up. NYC Public School Alumni and leaders from Staten Island, in collaboration with NYC Kids RISE, announced the 2024-2025 launch and expansion of the NYC Public School Alumni Community Scholarships initiative. Through the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program, there are more than 12,000 Staten Island students in first, second and third grades with NYC Scholarship Accounts with more than $1.7 million in assets accumulated to support their college and career goals. Through the program, nearly every city public school student, starting in kindergarten, receives an NYC Scholarship Account with an initial investment for college and career training invested in a New York 529 Direct Plan account. NYC Public Schools is lucky to boast a large and accomplished network of alumni, who are a testament to the power of a NYCPS education, said Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos. Through the NYCPS Alumni Community Scholarships, our alumni can provide opportunities for the next generation of New Yorkers and ensure our current students have every chance to imagine bright futures and pursue their highest aspirations. Were grateful to the alumni, neighbors and funders participating in this unique partnership. This expanded initiative allows alumni on Staten Island to contribute more to community scholarships. Through community scholarships, alumni can raise or donate funds to add to students' accounts and share video messages with students about their college and career journeys. Last year, alumni channeled nearly $400,000 into NYC Scholarship Accounts. I have been thrilled to reconnect with my elementary school in Staten Island through NYC Public Schools Alumni Community Scholarships, said Mark Foggin, an alum of PS 29 in Castleton Corners. It has been amazing to support the students of PS 29 today, not just funding their college and career aspirations, but making sure they know that Im behind them. My fellow alumni across the city have a one-of-a-kind opportunity to help the next generation of students build their futures and I hope that every New York City Schools alum that can participate does so. Last year, alumni from two Staten Island elementary schools helped channel more than $8,000 into the NYC Kids RISE Scholarship Accounts of first and second graders. That helped to benefit students at PS 29 in Castleton Corners and PS 60 in Bulls Head. This year, Staten Island alumni are calling on even more more peers to join the campaign. Alumni on Staten Island can support students at their former elementary school by going to www.nyckidsrise.org/alumni. Additionally, alumni, who represent diverse and thriving social and professional networks, can share valuable social capital by connecting with families and students at their elementary alma maters through school visits, video messages, virtual career fairs and more. The campaign is supported by Altman Foundation and Gray Foundation. SEND US YOUR STORIES Do you have a story idea for the In Class education column? Email education reporter Annalise Knudson at aknudson@siadvance.com. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. New York City is forecast to experience a burst of snow this week following some wet weather brought on by an Alberta Clipper storm. A clipper storm, as defined by the National Weather Service, is a fast-moving storm that drops into the U.S. over the Great Lakes from Alberta, Canada. These storms typically produce fluffy snow when they sweep in; however, that will not be the case in New York City this time around. Although areas of upstate New York are forecast to receive upward of a foot of snow from this system, the city will only see some non-accumulating snow showers followed by a potential snow squall, a sudden, intense burst of snow accompanied by strong winds. Snow from the clipper itself The effects of this storm will become notable in New York City beginning Wednesday night, according to Bryan Ramsey, a meteorologist with the weather service. While the system is expected to remain well north of the five boroughs, the clipper will deliver some precipitation to the area. It looks like we do have snow in the forecast mainly for the areas north and west of the city, Ramsey said. We dont have snow accumulation in the forecast for New York City, but we do have the chance of then seeing, possibly, a few flakes at the onset of the event, which would be Wednesday night. A National Weather Service graphic shows forecast rainfall/liquid equivalent amounts in New York City from Wednesday, Dec. 4, through Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (Courtesy of the National Weather Service)(Courtesy of AccuWeather) These potential snow flurries could be seen in the city Wednesday evening before swiftly transitioning over to rain late Wednesday. That rain will then carry on into Thursday and extend into Thursday night before clearing out. While Ramsey does not believe the city will experience any snow accumulation, he does note that residents could see around a tenth-of-an-inch of rain, with some localized areas receiving more. Bob Larson, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather, reinforced this forecast, sharing that he believes the city will see a couple of rain or wet snow showers Wednesday night. In places where it is snowing, its above freezing, so it would not accumulate really on any surface, not just roads, said Larson. Temperatures on Wednesday night are expected to go from the mid 30s to 40s, preventing any sort of freezing. The snow squall Despite the clipper only bringing about some showers, it will introduce a cold front into the area that will move into the city just in time for the Thursday morning rush hour, sometime between 5 and 9 a.m., Larson said. This front could result in a brief 15-20 minute heavy shower of rain or snow. Larson says that even if it begins as rain, the cooler temperatures coming in from the northwest would likely turn the precipitation over to snow. An AccuWeather graphic shows forecast snow squall conditions in New York city on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (Courtesy of AccuWeather)(Courtesy of AccuWeather) Visibility would come down greatly and that could cause travel disruptions, added Larson. Youre driving along, its a couple harmless raindrops and suddenly, it changes over to snow and comes down really hard in a burst and its hard to see or something like that. That could be an issue and then before you know it, its over. This passing storm is not expected to be widespread and would be akin to a quick summer thunderstorm in the sense that some areas in the city could see substantial impacts while others see little to nothing, as noted by Larson. As temperatures are not expected to drop below freezing, roadways are not forecast to freeze over, but that does not change the fact that they will still be wet. Thursday temperatures are forecast to go from around 40 degrees at daybreak down to the mid 30s by 9 a.m. Temperatures are not expected to reach the freezing point until the late afternoon, but as pointed out by Larson, by that time, the roads should be dry. The threat of howling winds Perhaps the biggest weather story will be the gusty winds, according to Larson. Ahead of the front, southwest winds will become breezy on Wednesday, reaching 10-20 mph with gusts of up to 25 mph, Larson said. Once the clipper moves offshore, winds out of the west will average 15-30 mph on Thursday, with gusts sitting anywhere between 40-50 mph. An AccuWeather graphic shows forecast cold wind conditions in New York for Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (Courtesy of AccuWeather)(Courtesy of AccuWeather) Forty, 45, 50 mph gusts is enough to cause potential damage, said Larson. At the very least it is definitely enough to cause loose objects to be blown about. Whether thats trash cans, whether thats holiday decorations, lawn ornaments, whatever people have out this time of year. As shared by Larson, these winds could wreak havoc on such loose items. Those who dont want their lawn reindeer flying back to the North Pole should be sure to secure them ahead of the coming system. These winds will hold strong overnight Thursday as temperatures drop into the 20s. Compounded with the influence of the blustering wind, temperatures could feel as though they are in the lower teens, even the upper single digits, Larson explained. It will feel very much like January, mid-winter, not the first week of December, Larson said. On Friday, sunshine will come through, and winds will taper off just a bit. As of Tuesday afternoon, wind speeds are forecast to reach 15-20 mph with gusts peaking around 30 mph. Frigid temperatures will continue to prevail Friday. The daily high could reach the mid 30s, but it will feel more like the upper teens. This cold spell is not expected to persist for weeks on end. While it will still be cold, Larson says temperatures will begin to moderate early next week, just in time for the next rain storm to roll in sometime Monday or Tuesday. Over the past 72 hours, some 3,000 servicemen who were in unauthorized abandonment of the unit, voluntarily returned to duty, and over the past month, 6,000 servicemen returned to the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from unauthorized abandonment of the unit, the Military Law Enforcement Service said. "Over the past month, 6,000 servicemen returned to the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine...in 72 hours [after the law came into force], about 3,000 returned to duty," Deputy Chief of the Main Directorate of the AFU Military Law Enforcement Service Oleksandr Hrynchuk said at a briefing in Kyiv on Tuesday. Answering the question about the exact number of servicemen currently in the status of unauthorized abandonment of the unit, Hrynchuk said: "This figure, like the number of our Armed Forces, is sensitive." According to him, this information is often presented in a distorted form and works for the enemy. "The law enforcement service takes into account cases of unauthorized abandonment of the unit... A serviceman can return [within three days to the unit], when he has already been taken into account," he said. Hrynchuk noted that a large percentage of servicemen return to military service on their own: "Of the total number of cases, this is approximately 40-60%." Also, as he explained, there are cases of misunderstanding and incorrect classification of the actions of a serviceman by the commander. "Disobedience, failure to follow an order - and they are sent to unauthorized abandonment of the unit." Earlier, the Financial Times said the number of criminal cases opened by Ukrainian law enforcement agencies on the facts of unauthorized abandonment of the unit and desertion in 2024 is 60,000. At the same time, the publication notes that the number of deserters for ten months of 2024 is twice as much as in 2022 and 2023. The Financial Times also clarifies that about a dozen Ukrainian servicemen per month, who were trained and trained in Poland, remained abroad. The Polish Ministry of Defense later confirmed that there are cases of desertion of Ukrainian military personnel, but their number is insignificant. Interfax-Ukraine has updated data on the number of criminal cases opened in Ukraine on unauthorized abandonment of the unit and desertion. As of December 2024, this figure is about 100,000. However, it is not relevant, since we are talking about all the records of law enforcement agencies. These statistics also include a significant number of those servicemen who insisted on being transferred to other units. Since such transfers were "frozen" in 2023, it is not possible to talk about the real number of those who voluntarily left their units or deserted, and who transferred to serve in other units. The agency's source in the General Staff did not name the total number of unauthorized abandonment of the unit cases, noting that this figure is not disclosed due to sensitivity to state security, but indicated that it is less than what is reported in the media. The source also specified that over the past month, more than 6,000 servicemen who voluntarily left their units have returned to service. In May 2024, Director of the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) Oleksiy Sukhachov told Interfax-Ukraine that the department, together with the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Military Law Enforcement Service, the Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police, is facilitating the return of soldiers to their positions, and is not improving the statistics of criminal cases. The law adopted by the Verkhovna Rada in November 2024 and signed by the President allows military personnel who committed unauthorized abandonment of the unit for the first time to return to their units before January 1, 2025, with the renewal of their contract and all relevant payments, while the criminal proceedings against them will be closed. According to statistics on criminal offenses, in 2022, a total of more than 6,000 unauthorized abandonment of the unit cases and more than 3,000 desertions were recorded, in 2023 - more than 16,000 and 7,000, respectively. As of October 2024 - more than 40,000 and more than 19,000, respectively. According to statistics from the State Judicial Administration, some 1,500 Ukrainian military personnel were convicted of committing unauthorized abandonment of the unit in 2023. In total, over the past year, courts have sentenced 2,500 military personnel who committed various types of war crimes, including unauthorized abandonment of the unit and desertion, while in 2022 this figure was 1,500. Texas also banned fund managers offering ESG products, including BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street, which denied the states pension funds access to the worlds biggest investors. Florida and other Republican-dominated states have adopted similar policies. BlackRock responded to the lawsuit by saying that the suggestion it had invested in companies with the goal of harming them was baseless and defied common sense. The worlds biggest fund manager was once the most vocal advocate for ESG investing but has backed away from promoting it recently, with its chairman, billionaire Larry Fink, saying that while his firm hadnt changed its stance, ESG had become too politicised. BlackRock had to double its spending on Finks security because of his profile on socially responsible investing. BlackRock, Vanguard and State Street are mainly index investors, with their shareholdings dictated by companies weightings in sharemarket indices. As a group, they do tend to have big positions in companies in the main indices, although that doesnt mean that they act in concert. They are largely passive rather than active investors. But in some of their funds, at least, they screen for compliance with ESG guidelines and promote decarbonisation in their interactions with the companies they invest in. Loading They would argue that there is evidence that companies with strong ESG credentials outperform others and that their positions on ESG issues conform to their obligation to their clients to maximise long-term returns. The thrust of the lawsuit brought by the Republican states is that, by promoting decarbonisation, they encouraged the coal companies they are invested in to reduce their production, driving up prices for consumers and the coal companies profits. To support the allegation of a conspiracy, the lawsuit referred to the three fund managers involvement in climate change groups such as Climate Action 100+ and Net Zero Asset Managers, although both State Street and BlackRock quit Climate Action 100+ this year. Vanguard, which left Net Zero Asset Managers two years ago, was never a member of Climate Action 100+. It is also worth noting that BlackRocks support for shareholder proposals on ESG issues has fallen steadily and significantly over the past three years. Whether that was because of the external pressures or, as BlackRock has said, because more recent proposals were too prescriptive or lacking in economic merit is something only BlackRock would know. The threat within the lawsuit lies in the use of antitrust law. Texas attorney-general Ken Paxton says his state wont tolerate the illegal weaponisation of the financial industry. Credit: Bloomberg In effect, the suit alleges that the three fund managers were acting in concert to use their combined shareholdings in coal companies to drive down output and drive up coal prices. Its not arguing that they harmed the companies they were invested in but that, in the process of generating higher margins and making the companies more profitable by constraining supply, harmed consumers. Coal prices, globally, did spike after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 but, with Chinas economy slowing significantly since then, have fallen back significantly. It is more likely that the coal price fluctuations had more to do with the global supply and demand picture than with any concerted coercion of coal companies by three fund managers to impose their views on climate change. Loading Its also the case that many large companies even fossil fuel companies are themselves committed to reducing their carbon emissions. More than half the companies in the S&P 500 index have adopted net zero emissions targets and more than 90 per cent of them produce ESG reports, albeit that some have been accused of greenwashing, or claiming they comply with ESG standards when they dont. (The same accusation has been levelled at some ESG fund managers.) The big fund managers operate globally, and in some key jurisdictions Europe, for instance, or the big pool of savings in Australasia theres a far greater commitment and, in some instances, a legal obligation to consider ESG considerations. Companies and their shareholders, including index funds, also risk losing their social licences to operate if they dont meet community expectations regarding environmental, social, or governance issues. Republicans might not like it, but if shareholders and many companies believe ESG issues are important to them, whether thats because of ethical considerations or commercial pragmatism, then the fund managers have no option but to take those issues into account when investing in other peoples money. The waging of the culture wars in states like Texas and Florida has seen the politicisation of ESG and DEI elevated over financial common sense. The Republicans in Congress last year tried to legislate to prevent fund managers from considering ESG issues when investing. That was designed to undo a rule issued by the US Labor Department in 2022 that allowed those with fiduciary responsibilities to consider climate change and other ESG factors in their investment decision-making for private pension plans. That was a reversal of a decision made by the Trump administration in 2020. Joe Biden vetoed the Republicans bill. Public company types swapped market war stories long into the night at the event and celebrated another busy year of drill holes, discoveries and deal making. Birney further added to the upbeat mood at the shindig with a speech which highlighted the green shoots appearing in the small cap sector for the first time in more than a year. He pointed to the impending collision of the international boom in critical minerals and what he says will be the third industrial revolution based on artificial intelligence (AI) as evidence that the small capped market will lead the way in public markets next year and beyond. Birney said: The critical minerals boom has only just started and with governments around the world now getting feverish about developing supplies of critical minerals for the new energy revolution, Western Australia, with its extraordinary mineral riches will be in the box seat next year. Throw in what is looking like the third industrial revolution (driven by AI) and you have an almost nuclear collision of events that will make Western Australia feel like Texas in the 1950s. Taking out second place on the Peak Performer podium for 2024 was Reach Resources and Managing Director Jeremy Bower. Reach rose from 0.7c a share to the dizzying height of 2.4c during the year for a 500 per cent price hike after a successful search for the source of high-grade niobium at its Wabli Creek project in Western Australias Gascoyne region. Second spot on the Runner of the Year podium went to rainmaker and gold-miner Ora Banda Mining, led by former Northern Star executive Luke Creagh. Ora Banda saw its stock hike 208 per cent for the year from a 24c start in January to 74c on the cutoff date in mid-November and its market cap was up a magnificent $932m. Creagh, who was the former chief operating officer at Northern Star Resources until joining Ora Banda in 2022, turned the much-maligned Davyhurst mine north of Kalgoorlie into a star performer in just two years. With a few dead bodies of previous Davyhurst managers on the hill in front of him, Creagh nonetheless managed a successful assault this year, securing 25,000 ounces of production in the September quarter and a burgeoning bank balance of $48.7m. Other honourable mentions on the night went to Aguia Resources and Warwick Grigor, Infini Resources and Charles Armstrong, Singular Health and Denning Chong, Auric Mining and Mark English, Critica Ltd and Phillipa Leggett and Aurumin Ltd. Rumour has it that at least one of the award winners hit the makeshift dance floor on the night with his trophy brimming with red wine and as it happens his dance moves were not quite as good as his boardroom moves. Another well-known Perth stockbroker who attended on his own was seen on the dance floor with a mop and it would seem the mop had the better moves. Musicians and magicians regaled the crowd, a caricature artist made everyone look a lot better and two energetic characters dressed as a Bull and a Bear created as much mischief as they could while Perths public company scene danced and dealt long into the night that is, until the Council Ranger appeared. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au Among the biggest beneficiaries are those who care for children or the elderly, those with a disability, and older people who would like employment. Research by the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia think tank shows that carers, women with children, people with a health condition, and those with a disability have significantly increased their workforce participation in occupations that have made large transitions to remote work since the pandemic. Remote work has levelled the playing field for groups that traditionally faced barriers to employment, the report concluded. Those on fringes of the labour market often get much less attention than outspoken business leaders. But we must not forget how transformative the option of remote work has been for many within that group. Two-thirds of Australians live in sprawling capital cities, where high house prices have forced families to locate a long distance from major job hubs. The ability to work from home, even a few days a week, has been an employment game-changer in those areas, especially for women with children. The long commute to a distant office is not the dealbreaker it once was. For some women with caring responsibilities, remote work has allowed them to take on a higher paid, more productive job that better matches their training. Our economy has already benefited from these trends. But lifting workforce participation will become increasingly important as our population ages and the pressures that flow from a shrinking pool of working-age people intensify. The flexibility offered by remote work will be a crucial tool to help deal with that challenge. Working from home also means fewer commuters on our overstretched road and rail systems, which in turn limits carbon emissions. The WFH surge has curbed commuting traffic volumes across the US and Europe by an estimated 10 per cent, says the IMF blog. A little over one-third of Australian employees, including 60 per cent of managers and professionals, work from home regularly, according to the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Thats up from around 5 per cent before the pandemic. The Productivity Commission estimates about 35 per cent of Australian jobs can be done from home. Yet only a small group does all their work remotely. Research by Swinburne University of Technology associate professor John Hopkins shows that about 10 per cent of knowledge workers in Australia work remotely full-time roughly 3 per cent of the national workforce. Hybrid work models, in which employees spend between two and four days a week in the office, have become the norm for workers with a job that can be done remotely. Another study from Stanford University, published in June, compared the performance of hybrid workers with those full time in the office over two years. Loading A randomly selected group of 1600 workers from the travel agency Trip.com was divided in two, with half working full-time in the office and the other half working three days a week in the office and two days remotely. There were no differences between the two groups in productivity, performance review grade, promotion, learning or innovation. But the hybrid workers had higher levels of job satisfaction, and their attrition rate was 35 per cent lower (this was most noticeable among female employees). Melissa Wilson, a senior economist at the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia who researches remote work, says there is growing evidence that well-managed hybrid work can be just as productive as being fully in the office. We also know there are huge benefits from hybrid work in terms of recruitment, retention and reduced turnover, she says. I think those turnover costs are often underestimated by employers. New gadgets are also set to make remote work increasingly productive Blooms research shows the share of new patent applications for technologies that support working from home has surged since the pandemic. Better cameras, screens and software and technologies such as augmented and virtual reality and holograms will increase the productivity of hybrid and remote work in the future, he writes in the IMF blog. This will generate a positive feedback loop between growth and working from home. Remote working in some form is here to stay. A return to the five-day office week would only set us back. They say when it rains it pours, and the Australian breakfast TV landscape has experienced a veritable deluge this year. On Monday morning, ABC presenter Michael Rowland announced he would depart News Breakfast after nearly 15 years as co-host, making him the latest in a long line of high-profile departures across the breakfast TV space in 2024. The breakfast battle. Who will you be watching first thing in 2025? Credit: Stephen Kirprillis During his farewell speech, Rowland noted that his children were aged seven and five when he started on breakfast TV, and are now in their 20s. In that time, morning shows and free-to-air TV more widely have had ratings dip with the rise of streaming and increasing competition from social media platforms and non-legacy platforms such as YouTube. Yet the breakfast slot remains crucial to a networks overall performance, as the launchpad to lure advertisers, cross-promote the vital prime-time schedule and capture bragging rights. And that makes this years upheaval especially interesting. A total of 125 combat clashes have been recorded along the entire front line since the beginning of the day and as of 4 p.m. on Tuesday, in particular 30 on the Kurakhove axis and 28 on the Pokrovsk axis, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) has said. "The enemy does not stop trying to advance deep into the territory of Ukraine. Currently, the enemy has attacked the positions of the defense forces 125 times. It has been conducting most active operations on the Kurakhove and Pokrovsk axes, where it carried out almost half of all attacks," the General Staff said on the Telegram channel on Tuesday. According to the message, "the hottest today is the Kurakhove axis, where there are currently 30 combat clashes, the invaders are actively trying to advance in the areas of Sontsivka, Zari, Dalne, Kurakhove, Yelyzavetivka and Annivka. Thirteen clashes are still ongoing. Ulakly and Dachne came under the blows of Russian guided aerial bombs." On the Pokrovsk axis, the occupiers have already made 28 attacks on AFU positions in the areas of Myroliubivka, Lysivka, Promin, Dachenske, Chumatske and Novopustynka. The defense forces repulsed 24 enemy attacks. Four battles continue. The enemy dropped aerial bombs on Myrnohrad. On the Vremiv axis, the invaders went on the offensive 14 times against the positions of Ukrainian troops near Kostiantynopilske, Sukhi Yaly, Rozdolne and Novodarivka, two battles are still ongoing. The enemy conducted offensive operations in the areas of Robotyne, Novodanylivka and Novoandriyivka on the Orikhiv axis, one battle is still ongoing. On the Lyman axis, enemy units do not stop attacking in the areas of Pervomaiske, Novoyehorivka, Hrekivka, Yampolivka and Terny. Since the beginning of the day, the AFU has already repulsed four out of eight enemy attacks in this area. The fighting continues. "As of the moment, there were two enemy attacks on the Toretsk axis. The enemy is active in the area of Toretsk. Our defenders give a decent response, one attack is stopped, the fighting continues," the General Staff said. On the Kharkiv axis, the Russian army tried to attack five times near Vovchansk, Hlyboke and in the direction of Kozacha Lopan. The enemy aviation struck Odnorobivka, Vysoka Yaruha and Hlyboke with guided bombs. Once the enemy attacked Ukrainian positions on the Kupyansk axis. The enemy assault near Kolesnykivka was repulsed. "On the Prydniprovsk axis, the occupiers carried out five fruitless attempts to attack the positions of Ukrainian troops," the General Staff said. Regarding the situation in Kursk region, the General Staff said the following: "In Kursk region, our defenders today repulsed 17 attacks of the invaders, nine combat clashes continue." Advertisement Eating outRestaurant news Former Noma chef returns to Australia to helm kitchen at hip hotel restaurant Kiln Copenhagen-based Australian chef Beau Clugston will lead the kitchen at the Ace Hotel Sydneys flagship rooftop restaurant, replacing Mitch Orr as its chef-partner. Scott Bolles December 3, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share Maverick Sydney chef Mitch Orr, perhaps best known for his high-wire Jatz crackers, will depart Kiln restaurant just two years after it opened. The flagship restaurant at the Ace Hotel Sydney, Kiln has already lined up an ace replacement: Copenhagen-based Australian chef Beau Clugston. Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide editor Callan Boys says Clugstons return to Australia to helm Kiln is some of the most exciting dining news this year. Copenhagen-based Australian chef Beau Clugston will helm the kitchen at Kiln at Ace Hotel Sydney. Supplied Beau was a key talent at Noma for a long time, Boys says. Certainly not one of these chefs who work for two weeks picking borage flowers at the Copenhagen restaurant and then plaster formerly of Noma across their Instagram profile. After closing his Rushcutters Bay restaurant ACME, Orr was handed a sizeable challenge opening the rooftop restaurant, which was part of the 2022 Sydney launch of the ultra-cool Ace international boutique hotel brand. Kiln got off to a great start, snaring the coveted New Restaurant of the Year at the 2023 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Awards for its daring menu and creative spirit that steered away from hotel dining cliches. Advertisement Mitch Orr is nothing if not contrary; someone who seriously believes Jatz crackers deserve to be on the menu, topped with a mountain of smoky butter and a fat, salty anchovy, veteran critic Terry Durack wrote in his Good Food review. Orr spread his wings in more recent times, juggling Kiln while signing on as food and creative director at St Kildas Prince Dining Room in Melbourne. It failed to recreate the same magic with critics, however. Outgoing chef Mitch Orr at Kiln. Supplied Clugston, who was born and raised in Sawtell in northern NSW, departed Australia in the early 2000s to pursue his career internationally, working in Gordon Ramsays kitchens at Claridges and Maze, and Rene Redzepis Noma, where he worked his way up to R&D chef. In 2018, he opened his acclaimed restaurant Iluka in the heart of Copenhagen, where he continues to work as chef-owner. He will split his time between Copenhagen and Sydney. Its taken me 20 years away from home to realise how good I had it growing up in Australia, with access to such high-quality and unique ingredients, he said in a statement. Advertisement Theres an entirely different alphabet of flavours to cook with that you just dont get outside of Australia, and a wild, almost prehistoric essence that really excites me, especially when it comes to seafood and native fauna. Orr said he was excited to pass the baton on to Clugston. Leading the team at Kiln over the past two-plus years has been an incredible chapter in my career. Im so proud of all we have achieved, the people who have helped make Kiln so special and most importantly the community weve built around all that we do. Clugstons menu will be available at Kiln from late January. Good Food hat 15.5 / 20 Review Kiln is hot, hyped and not your typical hotel restaurant, but is it ace? Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Advertisement Eating outJust open Luxe taverna Olympus launches at Redferns $500 million food precinct If you like Ouzo Coladas, The Apollo teams new Greek restaurant opens this week. Scott Bolles December 4, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share Sydneys new $500 million dining precinct will deliver its second restaurant launch in a week, with Olympus opening at Redferns Wunderlich Lane on Thursday, December 5. From left, Jonathan Barthelmess, Ozge Kalvo, Matt Whiley, Zoe Brunton and Sam Christie at Olympus, Redfern. Nikki To South-East Asian party restaurant Island Radio recently kicked off the precincts opening fiesta, now Olympus spin-off taverna from the crew at Potts Points hatted Apollo is coming in hot with a giant retracting smart roof, a transplanted 50-year-old tree, and serious skill in the kitchen. Head chef Ozge Kalvo (formerly of Babas Place and Ester) is one of the rising stars of Sydney food, talent-spotted cooking at a pop-up attended by Olympus co-owner and chef Jonathan Barthelmess. Kalvo has a deft hand with Greek classics, despite her Turkish background. When I called my Dad to tell him I got the job, I said Its Greek, dont be angry with me, she says. (Unbeknownst to Kalvo at the time, two of her fathers grandparents were Greek.) Advertisement Head sommelier Zoe Brunton on the pour at Olympus. Nikki To While Olympus is focused on classic Greek taverna food, Kalvo has still snuck a couple of Turkish ingredients into some dishes.Turkish pepper paste and pomegranate molasses are in there, she says. Otherwise its traditional Greek turf, Kalvo using the last days before the restaurants launch to master the craft of assembling spanakopita to order (before a spell in the wood-fire oven), and fine-tuning the syrup for loukoumades doughnuts. Shes tipping the semolina cake to stamp itself as the signature dessert, and fried lambs brains, stuffed zucchinis and king prawn saganaki will also feature. Fried lambs brains with lemon and hot sauce keep things simple. Nikki To Meanwhile, drinks guru Matt Whiley (formerly of zero-waste bar Re at South Everleigh) is on cocktail duty with Ouzo Coladas and the Karpouzi Slushie made with Aperol, watermelon and vodka. Co-owner Sam Christie and head sommelier Zoe Brunton will pour classic Greek varietals next to Old and New World producers. Advertisement Barthelmess says theyve tried to create the sort of tavern in Sydney you dream of finding at the heart of a bustling Greek village. But while the food might lean-in on tradition, the glass roof is high-tech. Matt Whileys Ouzo Colada. Nikki To If it rains, it automatically shuts, he says. Humidity too high? The roof opens and lets in fresh air. The object is to keep it open as much as possible, but if it gets too noisy, itll close. A 50-year-old bougainvillea was also trucked in from Bowral as a centrepiece and lowered into the courtyard by crane. Barthelmess is confident the Wunderlich Lane is going to transform the east-side of Redfern. Indeed, the openings will keep on rolling over summer, with the crew from Pyrmonts two-hatted LuMi launching Regina La Pizzeria at the precinct before Christmas. A 15-seat omakase, R by Raita Noda, will follow in January, plus a rooftop restaurant from the group in charge of Bistecca and The Gidley in the CBD. Wunderlich Lane, 2 Baptist Street, Redfern; olympusdining.com.au Lunch Wed-Sun; dinner daily Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Chiba: The daughters of a Perth woman facing 10 years in a Japanese prison for drug smuggling charges praying their beloved mother doesnt have to spend another birthday without them as they prepare a Chiba court to decide her fate. In less than 24 hours judges will decide whether 58-year-old West Australian Donna Nelson is guilty of smuggling two kilograms of methamphetamine hidden inside a suitcase when she arrived at Japans Narita Airport from Laos in January 2023. Nelson has maintained she is the victim of a Nigerian love scam and she was asked to carry the suitcase from Laos to Japan by a man named Kelly who she had met online and was planning to marry. Nelsons eldest daughter Kristal Hilaire spent the past two weeks supporting her mum in court and during a prison visit, a day out from the verdict she said she was anxious. Since the first new intercity trains arrived in NSW in late 2019, commuters have been through one pandemic, three premiers, four state transport ministers and eight Taylor Swift albums. So was the $4.03 billion Mariyung fleet beset by industrial disputes and safety concerns, including doors flying open during testing worth the wait? Train fans play Monopoly onboard the first journey of the new intercity fleet from Newcastle to Sydney on Tuesday. Credit: Dean Sewell The answer for train fans and disembarking cruise ship passengers catching the first Sydney service from Newcastle at 8.21am on Tuesday was a resounding yes. Have you ever seen the love of your life, for the first time? asked Henry Whittaker, a young Sydney train enthusiast who woke up at 3am to travel with his friends to Newcastle to be among the first to board the new service. I cant describe it. A legal bid by Australian fashion label Alemais to open its flagship store in a historic Paddington pub has been knocked back by a NSW court. The Village Inn on Glenmore Road, formerly the Rose and Crown Hotel and later Durty Nellys, was built in the 1850s but was altered in subsequent decades including the late 1880s. It is listed as an item of local heritage significance under Woollahra planning controls. The historic Village Inn pub in Paddington. Credit: Oscar Colman The pub sits at the heart of Paddingtons upmarket retail precinct The Intersection, at the corner of Glenmore Road and Oxford Street, which boasts home-grown brands such as Scanlan Theodore and Zimmermann. Cosmetics retailer Mecca is a stones throw away on Oxford Street. Bowie Ferris Investments Pty Ltd, the investment company of husband and wife duo and Alemais founders Lesleigh Jermanus and Chris Buchanan, bought the site in 2022 for more than $6 million. While Rosemary OBrien (C8) says shes been waiting for the thats a very stupid question retort, Peter Riley of Penrith reckons shes been overlooking the obvious: You havent been paying attention, Rosemary. The Hon P. J. Keating at the National Press Club last year labelled a question from a Sky News reporter as dumb, and another questioner was rebuked with Im surprised you even have the gall to stand up in public and ask such a question, frankly; you ought to do the right thing and drum yourself out of Australian journalism. Then theres Evan Greens interview of Formula 1 champion Alan Jones after hed retired from the Australian Grand Prix. Glenn Lemcke of Kiama recalls that Evan started with Youll probably think this is a stupid question, but I have to ask it. He then asked how he felt after coming all the way from the UK to compete and then having his car fail. Alans response was succinct: Youre right. That is a stupid question. End of interview. Yes, Malcolm Davison (C8) is a real person and on Monday I was able to thank him in person for his par in C8 when we were both in attendance at the Christmas luncheon for the Westpac Group Alumni, says Allan Gibson of Cherrybrook. Ray Witherby, we missed you! Peter Miniutti of Ashbury was surprised to read that Joe Biden was letting his son off. I had no idea he was father to a firecracker. Bill Leigh of West Pennant Hills isnt too bothered and is reminded that in politics theres nothing wrong with nepotism, providing its kept within the family. Lawyers can be pretty base, too, as Andrew Cohen of Glebe explains: My colleague Greg and I were enjoying a clients gift of a bottle of Scotch with Coke and lemon when his partner said, Are you yobs aware that a New York bottle shop is advertising that bottle on special for $US900? Surgeons make tiny incisions in their patients bodies, then insert miniature instruments and a three-dimensional camera. The robot translates the surgeons hand movements, helping them perform operations with these instruments from a nearby console. Loading While the popularity of the technology is growing around the world, research on its efficiency is mixed. There is no difference in overall outcomes for cancer patients who undergo robotic surgery versus more traditional surgery, but research has found that robotic surgery leads to less blood loss, shorter hospital stays and fewer complications. In relation to prostate cancer, its linked to reduced rates of incontinence and erectile dysfunction. While the Royal Australian College of Surgeons labelled the new policy short-sighted and disappointing, a leading robotic surgeon at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre described it as a positive step that would close the divide between public and private patients. There is a big gap between public and private patients in terms of access, and this removes some of the brakes that have been in place, said Professor Declan Murphy, director of robotic surgery at Peter Mac. It is a dramatic, positive step for robotic surgery in the public system. Professor Declan Murphy welcomed the new policy. The Department of Healths previous policy, published in 2019, was that it does not support any further adoption of robot-assisted surgery in Victorian public hospitals. Murphy said three major metropolitan public hospital systems Monash Health, Austin Health and Alfred Health had bought their first robotic surgical systems since the new policy was announced in September. They join the Royal Melbourne, Peter Mac, Geelong, Ballarat, St Vincents and the Western hospitals, which already offer robotic surgery. Murphy said it was not unreasonable to ask hospitals to find money from within their own budgets during this tough economic climate. But analysis by The Age of dozens of state hospital annual reports last month showed a growing number are cash-strapped and going backwards financially. The state government has also been forced to find an extra $1.5 billion for hospitals pledged after the budget following a dispute over funding woes. Adam Clark, chief executive of the International Medical Robotics Academy, which delivers robotic surgery training, called on the government to provide more funding to hospitals for the technology. The Victorian governments policy position does not offer additional or centralised funding meaning that equality of access to robotic surgery will continue to suffer, as [it] will remain concentrated in private hospitals, Clark said. Loading How do we put a value on a patient not having to wear adult diapers for the rest of their life? How do we value the significant increased risk in lifelong impotence in open radical prostate surgery versus robotic? Professor Helen OConnell, president of the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand, hit out at Clarks comments and said patients undergoing open surgery for prostate cancer still obtained excellent outcomes. She said decisions should be based on expertise of the surgeon not the platform utilised. Studies show that open and robotic surgery have similar cancer outcomes and side effect profiles, she said. Claims that traditional, open surgeries lead to more severe incontinence and erectile dysfunction are false and unnecessary scaremongering. Professor Henry Woo, the Royal Australian College of Surgeons spokesman for robotic surgery, said the new policy failed to close the gap between what was offered in the private and public hospital systems. Surgeons and patients will likely find this policy to be disappointing and shortsighted, he said. Those reliant upon the public hospital system will miss out on the benefits of robotic-assisted surgery. Woo said that as well as improving the patient experience, robotic surgery platforms in regional hospitals played an important role in attracting and retaining surgeons. This benefit of securing staff was outlined in a recent tender document from Alfred Health. Professor Henry Woo, Royal Australian College of Surgeons spokesman for robotic surgery. Credit: Supplied [Robotic surgery] is key to retain and recruit staff so Alfred Health can continue to teach high standards of trainees, the document said. The Alfred Hospital has a reputation of surgical excellence and innovation. In order to maintain this reputation and continue to lead research, the purchase of a surgical robotic system is a must. A spokesman for the Department of Health said it would assess and review the clinical benefits and cost-effectiveness of robotic-assisted surgery as developments arose. A proposal by Perth Racing to redevelop Ascot Racecourse has nearby residents alarmed at plans for hundreds of horses to be stabled just metres from their homes on a quiet cul-de-sac. Ennis Place resident Bruce Hunt said the proposed complex for up to 400 horses would be 10 metres from the verandah of his family home, where he has lived for 24 years. Bruce Hunt on his patio with Ascot Racecourse in the background. Credit: Colin Murty We bought here because of the magnificent treeline, the tranquillity, views and openness of the location, he said. It now appears that not only will the trees be gone, but we will be confronted by a mass of stables built directly in our line of sight only metres from our living room, verandah and bedrooms. Local governments offered to fund the now-cancelled Sculpture by the Sea event if the location was moved from Cottesloe to a different beach, state ministers have claimed. West Australian Premier Roger Cook said his government had doubled its allocated funding and he had met with organisers in recent years to discuss ways to make the event, which transforms Cottesloe beach for 230,000 visitors over 18 days in March each year, financially viable. The Boab at Cottesloe 2021. Credit: Getty Images Creative Australia the federal arts funding agency should be held accountable for the decisions they make, Cook said when questioned on whether the body should release its reasoning for ceasing to contribute. I dont have line of sight as to whos to blame in relation to this, but well continue to work with Sculpture by the Sea because its an event that everyone loves, he said. FM: Ukraine urgently needs additional air defense systems to protect 19 energy facilities, list of needs already sent to allies Ukraine urgently needs an additional 19 air defense systems to protect certain Ukrainian strategic energy facilities, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said. "We urgently need an additional 19 air defense systems to protect certain of our strategic energy facilities. We are confident that with the help of our allies, we will survive the winter, having received these systems for the proper protection of these 19 facilities," Sybiha said during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent reports. According to the head of Ukrainian diplomacy, Ukraine has already sent a specific list of needs. "We hope that one of the tangible results of our discussions today and in the coming days will also be a decision by our closest partners on the urgent delivery of these air defense systems," Sybiha said. The minister reiterated that Ukraine needs "strong decisions" to strengthen Ukrainian capabilities, which will be discussed with close allies. Sybiha pointed out that Russia is trying to "turn energy into a weapon." "They are trying to cut us off from nuclear energy. They have started attacking nuclear energy facilities. This is also a new reality of this Russian aggression," the minister said. He added "that is why we need strong historical decisions instead of calling Putin or visiting Moscow." Earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha, who arrived at NATO headquarters in Brussels, said that he would raise the issue of the urgent delivery of at least 20 additional air defense systems such as HAWK, NASAM or IRIS-T. A meeting of the foreign ministers of the Alliance member countries is taking place at NATO headquarters in Brussels (Belgium) on December 3-4. One hundred kilometres east of Geraldton, against the red dirt backdrop of the outback, a West Australian family is going about their daily lives while quietly preparing to be a part of moon-landing history. Soon, the Teale family property will become home to one of three 20-metre antennas placed around the world providing 24/7 communications with NASAs Artemis mission to send astronauts to the moon. From dust to dust, WA to the moon, space exploration history is being made in the Wheatbelt. Credit: Angela Teale In late 2022, Artemis I, an uncrewed test flight, orbited and flew beyond the moon. Artemis II will see a crewed flight take humans the furthest theyve ever been in space, and Artemis III will be the first crewed moon landing mission since Apollo 17 in 1972. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has asked Labors campaign chief to intervene in a factional fight for the prize NSW Labor seat of Barton, vacated by former Indigenous Minister Linda Burney. The seat, held on a 15.5 per cent margin, is supposed to revert to Labors Right faction under a deal struck in 2016, when Burney entered parliament as a rising star of the Left to become the partys first lower house Indigenous MP. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has caused a stir within Labor by intervening in several preselections. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The vacancy has triggered a battle to replace Burney, and NSWs dominant Right faction is furious the prime minister is trying to force another candidate from the Left into the prime position. Councillor and unionist Ashvini Ambihaipahar is the Lefts preferred candidate, while a Melbourne Cup field of candidates from the Right faction is circling, including repeat candidate Sam Crosby, former state MP Shaoquett Moselmane and current state MP Mark Buttigieg. The Albanese government hopes to end the year with a major foreign policy victory by signing a landmark pact with Nauru aimed at preventing China from gaining a security foothold in the Pacific. The deal with Nauru, home to Australias offshore detention centre, comes after months of secretive talks with the tiny Pacific nation, which has been known to drive a hard bargain in negotiations with Australia. Nauru President David Adeang with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in June. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is working to finalise the deal with Nauru and another Pacific nation before Christmas, as he prepares to next week make the long-awaited announcement that a team from Papua New Guinea will join the National Rugby League. The dual announcements highlight the importance the government has placed on strengthening ties with the Pacific since the Solomon Islands alarmed policymakers in Canberra in 2022 by striking a wide-ranging security pact with Beijing. Twelve months since a vaping crackdown was flagged for West Australian public schools, the number of students caught has more than halved but children as young as four are still getting their hands on them. Children as young as four years old have been caught smoking e-cigarettes, however, only 789 students were suspended in the first semester of this year with the second half tracking similarly compared to 3337 across 2023 and 3630 in 2022. Vaping rates in WA schools are down. Credit: Getty That is good but we want to do even better on that front, and weve got to stamp it out, Education Minister Tony Buti told 9News Perth and WA Today. Last November the state government introduced new policies to police vaping in schools, including barring students from school events if caught breaking the rules and providing educational resources and training for staff. Were bringing our blog to a close for today, but before we go well leave you with the heart-wrenching statement issued by the five daughters of Perth grandmother Donna Nelson who was sentenced to six years in a Japanese prison over drug trafficking hours ago. The statement from Donnas girls Kristal, Ashlee, Janelle, Taylor and Shontaye says they were disappointed and devastated by the verdict and maintained she was the victim of a Nigerian love scam. Here is the statement in full: We are disappointed and devastated by the Courts verdict in our Mums case. We maintain that our Mum was the victim of a romance scam. She is the victim of a crime and not a criminal. She has always been against drugs. As she said in her trial, she was duped and did not know there were drugs in the bag her partner asked her to take into Japan. We cannot say any more about the case at this time as we consider preparing for an appeal. But we want to make clear now we will never stop fighting for our Mum. And we will keep fighting until we can bring her home. This has been a really hard few weeks for our family and we are really proud of how we have all come together to support each other and our Mum during her trial. We are proud of her and of Ashlee for staying strong as they gave their evidence about what happened. It has been devastating for us as Donnas daughters to be cut off from our Mum for these past two years. Our hearts break to think of her being detained in Japan for six years. Our Mum means the world to us. We will continue to do all we can to improve her conditions in prison and make sure she has what she needs while continue to fight to bring her home. We want to thank our lawyers in Japan Rie Nishida and Tomohiro Kurohara, and their paralegal Matt Owens, for all of their hard work throughout the case and during the trial. We want to thank the Australian Government and the staff from the Australian Embassy in Japan for all of the support they have provided our family including visiting our Mum in prison and the care that they have shown her. We want to thank Jen Robinson and the National Justice Project for their advice and support. We finally want to thank the media who have brought attention to our Mums trial. We ask the Australian Government, the media and the public to continue to watch her case and to support us as we fight her justice for her. The billionaire former CEO of software maker WiseTech Global, Richard White, says he wasnt pressured into resigning from leading the company he founded 30 years ago, telling investors that the decision to step down was his own. White resigned as WiseTech chief executive in October amid a media storm, following an investigation by The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Australian Financial Review that revealed he paid for a multimillion-dollar house for an employee and had been accused by an outgoing board member of intimidation and bullying. WiseTech told investors last month that White would take a brief break before taking up a full-time, long-term consulting role where he will be paid the same annual salary $1 million that he received as chief executive. WiseTech founder Richard White at the companys investor day. Credit: The Age. Describing his decision to resign as a circuit-breaker, White said in a fireside chat at WiseTechs investor day on Tuesday that his move into a consultancy role would be beneficial for the company. While Sydney and Melbourne argued over which city was best, Hobart said, Hold my beer, and went on to win Best City in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific in 2023 as voted by readers of the US magazine, Travel + Leisure. Theres a guest gym as well as a pool at the DoubleTree. That might have been before its famously decadent festival, Dark Mofo, went into its own twilight by announcing a hiatus in 2024 though its just announced its return in 2025. But theres another development in the Tasmanian capital that signals a new dawn for Tasmanian tourism: the arrival of Hilton Hotels and Resorts. The DoubleTree by Hilton Hobart on Macquarie Street in the Tasmanian capitals centre is now open for stays. The nine-storey, 206-room, $65 million development by Singaporean billionaire Koh Wee Mengs property company, Fragrance Group, was on track to be a Novotel, but a last-minute change of management contract (the property was almost finished and Novotel signage was approved by the council) saw it become Tasmanias first Hilton-branded hotel instead. The entire point of the American Revolution was a rebellion against monarchy, yet US presidents persist in proudly aping that most English of traditions, the royal pardon. Americans seem to love it. Come November, there are smiles all around as US presidents happily spare turkeys from being killed for Thanksgiving dinner, courtesy of a symbolic presidential pardon. The salvation of turkeys has been a perennial since the 1980s, but presidents have been pardoning the good, the bad and the related since the days of George Washington, with hardly a bleat from people of the republic. President Joe Biden embraces his son Hunter Biden at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August. Credit: NYT Among the 30,000 or so who have benefited from presidential clemency, mercy has been extended to a folk singer convicted of a sexual offence against a 14-year-old girl, Watergate conspirators, a suffragette, the US Army whistleblower who leaked to Wikileaks, a former owner of the Herald and hundreds of men who corrupted government or contributed to party funds. The presidential pardon is a kingly moment enshrined in the US Constitution, and apart from Abraham Lincolns kindness to a wifes cousin who supported the Confederacy during the Civil War, blood ties rarely affected the quality of presidential mercy, until recent administrations. Washington: President Joe Biden faces a backlash from Democrats angry over his decision to pardon his son a move that blunts their line of attack on Donald Trump, the first convicted criminal to be elected president. Two days after Biden spared Hunter Biden from the prospect of jail, the federal judge overseeing Hunters gun convictions terminated any further court proceedings in the case on Wednesday AEDT). The judge overseeing the tax evasion case that Hunter was due to be sentenced for in California is soon expected to do the same. President Joe Biden embraces his son Hunter Biden at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August. Credit: Eric Lee/The New York Times Biden decided to pardon his 54-year-old son on Sunday the same day that Trump announced he had tapped MAGA loyalist Kash Patel to be the next director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Patel is a far-right extremist and former federal prosecutor who has previously said he wants to annihilate the deep state, which he believes is made up of senior bureaucrats, journalists, big tech and Democratic Party elected officials. Sybiha, Blinken sign memo providing for possible assistance of $825 mln for stability of Ukrainian energy system Photo: https://mfa.gov.ua/ Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the governments of Ukraine and the United States on cooperation in ensuring the stability of the Ukrainian energy system at NATO headquarters. The memorandum provides for the possibility of American assistance in the total amount of $825 million. As reported by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, the document stipulates a legal framework for improving the stability of the Ukrainian energy system, in particular, restoring its critical infrastructure, introducing distributed generation, reforming the energy sector and facilitating the post-war transition to a low-carbon, competitive and European-integrated economy. A meeting of the foreign ministers of the Alliance member countries is taking place at NATO headquarters in Brussels (Belgium) on December 3-4. He came to environmental activism after reading Tim Flannerys 2005 book The Weather Makers and came to believe that if meaningful action isnt taken on climate change, not a lot else will ultimately matter. Its one of many topics on which the one-time right-wing editor of the conservative magazine Quadrant has drifted to the left. His 2005 collection of his essays from 1977-2005, called, fittingly enough, Left Right Left, documents that shift of his worldview towards the progressive end of the political spectrum. But he says as he was personally becoming more small-l liberal, many were going in the opposite direction. Tempura and miso soup from Shimbashi Sobi in Collingwood. Credit: Joe Armao Since the late 60s, theres been an incredible revolution, a cultural revolution, and people with education, [people who are] reasonably wealthy, support that revolution to do with gender, race, ethnicity and so on and so forth, Manne says. But I never thought that the majority of the citizenry does. Its these people who were turned off by the promise of the 1960s revolution and never bought into equal rights for women, LGBTQ people, minorities and other marginalised groups who delivered Trump his second term, he says. Ive just started a Substack about this, called Thermidor, being the French Revolution moment when things turned back, Robespierre was guillotined, and the revolution began to backtrack. Thats where I think we are. To save you googling the name: The revolutionary French chucked the Gregorian calendar as well as the head of Louis XVI in 1793 and replaced month names with a more liberte, egalite, fraternite version of 12 months of 30 days apiece, plus some leap days to make the maths work out. During Thermidor, roughly mid-July to mid-August 1794, the people turned against their revolutionary leaders and agitated violently for a return to some pre-revolutionary ideals. Nor did the calendar itself survive the reactionary mood Napoleon abolished it in 1806. The republic didnt last either Louis XVII was on the throne by 1814, give or take some Bonapartes in between. Mannes Thermidor Substack is a chronicle of the American counter-revolution, of which Trump is the head. But unlike many political commentators, Manne does not consider Trump to be a fascist, just an ultranationalist and a snake oil salesman. Are there parallels between the US and 1930s Germany, as some have said, or could that not happen? That could never happen, says Manne. Something else is going to happen, but it wont be that. Sashimi with wholegrain rice from Shimbashi Soba. Credit: Joe Armao Manne has devoted much of his life to studying and teaching the Holocaust and the Nazi regime, so he knows a fascist when he sees one. His maternal grandparents and paternal grandfather were murdered by the Nazis, and his paternal grandmother took her own life in 1938 in Vienna, just after Austria became part of the German Reich and Jews were violently attacked in the city. His Jewish refugee parents never spoke of the horrors they and their families endured in Europe, trying to spare him from their trauma. I think they didnt want me to be burdened by their stark knowledge, which had the opposite effect and made me want to know, Manne says. The first part of A Political Memoir details the lives and brutal deaths of his grandparents during the Holocaust, written in emotive and heart-rending detail. But he says the process of discovering what happened to them was not difficult, as he knew their names and dates of deportation. As to the rest vivid accounts of what life was like and the vicious Nazi death camps he already knew most of it. Ive read about this all my life. As the son of Jewish refugees fleeing the horrors of the Holocaust, Manne has long been critical of Australias inhumane treatment of asylum seekers a position that has put him at odds with some on the left and the right. He spoke out in the 1970s against the murderous Pol Pot regime in Cambodia, which angered many left-wing Australian intellectuals at the time, as they believed reports of atrocities in the communist nation were American propaganda. Between 1976 and 1980, he was president of the Victorian branch of the Indo-China Refugee Association, helping to advocate for and resettle Cambodians seeking a safe haven in Australia. An Australian army vessel patrolling the waters near the Norwegian freighter Tampa in 2001. Credit: AP To Mannes mind, Australia accepting Jewish refugees during World War II, accepting Cambodian and Vietnamese refugees fleeing communist rule in the 1970s and 80s and accepting Muslim refugees from Iraq and Afghanistan in the 90s were all of a piece, part of a wealthy and generous nations obligations to help those who need it. It was clear that the Afghans, Iraqis and Iranians who arrived from late 1999 on Australian territory most commonly Christmas Island or Ashmore Reef had fled from regimes no less cruel and brutal than the refugees from the Soviet bloc and Indochina, he wrote in his memoir. But it put him on an ideological collision course with his former anti-communist fellow travellers, who argued in the conservative media in favour of harsh treatment of refugees. By then, Mannes politics had drifted leftwards he resigned from Quadrant in 1997 after spectacularly falling out with the conservative editorial board on the issue of Indigenous reconciliation. Although Manne was incensed by John Howards anti-refugee stance and the governments confected children overboard outrage following the 2001 Tampa crisis, his view of Howards policy of boat turn-backs differs greatly from that of most refugee advocates. Loading I am, amongst others, one of the voices arguing for generosity and asylum seeker rights, he says. But I was also amongst those people who said, in 2002, Howards policy is working. The boats are stopping, and we have to come to terms with that. I find it hard to say that because it meant arguing for humane treatment of the people of Manus Island and Nauru and in Australia, but not the reversal of the boats policy. This remains Mannes view he thinks Kevin Rudds abandonment of the turn-back policy was disastrous, with vessels returning to Australia during the Rudd-Gillard years in uncontrollable numbers. Although Manne thinks those who are currently on Nauru should be resettled in Australia, he says boats should continue to be turned back. Mannes position on Israel has also separated him from friends and colleagues, particularly those among the Jewish diaspora. He believes Israels treatment of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank is unconscionable, a view he has held for decades and that has only intensified. He writes in A Political Memoir: The vicious murder of 1200 Israelis by the dominant Palestinian group in Gaza, Hamas, that has been answered by the Israeli Defence Forces destruction of Gaza with such astonishing cruelty that I feel profoundly ashamed, as a Jew, about the behaviour of the Israeli government and the level of support offered for its actions by the majority of the people of Israel and most Jewish leaders throughout the Diaspora. Manne tells me, I have believed, since the 1970s, that if Israel holds on to the West Bank and Gaza that they are morally sunk. I wrote in the 70s that Israel would become, in the eyes of the world, the new South Africa if it hangs onto the West Bank and the question then becomes, how the process of annexation will take place, which is now beginning in Gaza and will continue. Manne believes a two-state solution is impossible, with Israel in the process of seizing territory in Gaza and the West Bank. I ask him when the current war will end, when Benjamin Netanyahu will be able to tell his people, OK, were done. Manne is grim. In 10 years, when the West Bank is annexed, de facto, he says. This repudiation of Israel, or at least its current government, has put Manne at odds with many who agree with him on most other things. But he has never shied away from public debate and isnt about to start now. His memoir includes accounts of numerous public feuds with those on the left and right. EE is followed by Vodafone on second, Three on third and VMO2 on fourth place. EE s mobile network ranks first in the connect Mobile Network Test 2025 in the United Kingdom, followed by Vodafone, Three and VMO2. For the tenth time, the media brand connect has published its renowned network test in the UK conducted by the independent benchmarking organisation umlaut. Once again, a great deal of effort was put into determining, which network operators are the leaders in the UK using objective and customer-oriented test procedures. The results reflect a positive development: EE and VMO2 have significantly improved their scores compared to last year and all operators show strong 5G penetration in cities. EE could defend its first place from the last network test and is Best in Test with 913 out of 1,000 points possible and the overall grade very good. The operator ranks first in all modules and shows the biggest score improvement over its previous year s results with a plus of 31 points. Vodafone ranks second with a score of 815 points and the overall grade good. The operator scores on par with EE in the voice assessment determined in the walk tests in cities and also achieves good results in the overall voice and data disciplines tested in the larger cities. Three is on third place, with 765 points and the overall grade good. Three achieves the second highest scores in the voice category on roads and railways. VMO2 comes in fourth, with an improvement of 29 points over its previous year s score, achieving 729 points and the grade satisfactory. In the voice category, VMO2 scores on par with Three. Hannes Ruegheimer, editor at connect, concludes: Congratulations to EE for winning our connect Mobile Network Test in the UK with the highest scores in all test disciplines. Our results reflect a positive trend: EE and VMO2 had the biggest improvements in score. Benchmark methodologyThe connect Mobile Network Test 2025 in the United Kingdom consists of drive tests and walk tests conducted from October 28 through to November 13, 2024. Four drive test cars traveled 19 cities and 27 towns covering 10,480 kilometers. Additionally, two walk test teams visited ten cities and travelled on trains between them as well as to more remote destinations. The selected areas covered 17.2 million people, approximately 25.7% of the UK population. In addition, the results of extensive crowdsourcing analyses, considering 24 weeks from the end of May to mid-November 2024 are included in the score. The analyses are based on 7.5 billion samples, statistically representing 99.7% of the built-up area of the UK and 99.9% of the UK population. The results of all three test categories were thoroughly weighed to achieve a realistic and conclusive assessment of each network s potential and performance. connect s independent mobile network tests, conducted by umlaut, provide a fair, transparent and neutral assessment and comparison of the networks capabilities to customers, management and supervisory boards of mobile network operators. The assessment was first conducted in Germany more than 20 years ago and has since been extended to Austria, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom. It has become the de-facto industry standard for customer-perceived network quality. You can find the entire article here: www.connect-testlab.com/uk About WEKA Media Publishing GmbH TECHNOLOGY. TRENDS. FASCINATION. WEKA Media Publishing GmbH (WMP) has dedicated itself to this motto. With its premium media brand connect as the centrepiece, whose family also includes the brands connect conference, connect professional and connect living, it accompanies readers through exciting worlds of technology. A high level of editorial expertise and objective product tests in its own test laboratory are a constant requirement in both print and digital media. This is one of the reasons why WMP is one of Germany s largest media houses in the technology sector and also offers a test laboratory for competent and independent testing services that is unique in the media landscape. Further information can be found at www.weka-media-publishing.de. Contact: Contact for media inquiries WEKA Media Publishing GmbH connect Bernd Theiss M: +49 152 5522 9026 Mail: btheiss@connect.de Press Office WEKA Media Publishing GmbH CREAM COMMUNICATION Bettina Leutner Fon: +49 40 401 131 010 Mail: WEKA@cream-communication.com Original-Content von: WEKA MEDIA PUBLISHING GmbH, ubermittelt durch news aktuell During 2024, Ukrainian courts issued 849 verdicts for military personnel's unauthorized abandonment of the unit and 198 for desertion, a source in the judiciary told Interfax-Ukraine. "Under Article 407 of the Criminal Code (unauthorized abandonment of the unit), some 6,041 cases are pending in the courts. This year, 7,068 cases have been received by the courts. The number of verdicts issued by Ukrainian courts in 2024 under the article on unauthorized abandonment of the unit is 849," the agency's source said. As for criminal proceedings for desertion (Article 408 of the Criminal Code), some 516 of them were received by the courts this year, and 393 are currently under consideration by the courts. "The number of sentences handed down for desertion in 2024 is 198," the source said. US announces new $725 mn package for Ukraine including more mines Washington, Dec 2 (AFP) Dec 02, 2024 The United States on Monday announced a new $725 million military aid package for Ukraine that features a second tranche of landmines as well as anti-air and anti-armor weapons. US President Joe Biden's administration is working against the clock to provide billions of dollars in aid to Kyiv before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, after which future assistance for Ukraine will be in doubt. Less than two months before Trump is set to be sworn in, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that the package was part of efforts "to ensure Ukraine has the capabilities it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression." It includes anti-personnel landmines, ammunition for HIMARS precision rocket launchers, Stinger missiles, counter-drone systems, anti-armor weapons and artillery ammunition, Blinken said in a statement. The United States announced a first shipment of landmines to Ukraine last month -- a major policy shift slammed by rights groups. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said that the decision was necessitated by Russian forces leading with dismounted infantry units instead of vehicles. The Ukrainians "have a need for things that can help slow down that effort on the part of the Russians," Austin told journalists last month. The outgoing US administration is working to get as much aid as possible to Ukraine before Trump -- who has repeatedly criticized US assistance for Kyiv, claiming he could secure a ceasefire within hours -- takes over the presidency. - 'Spend every dollar' - Trump's comments have triggered fears in Kyiv and Europe about the future of US aid, and Ukraine's ability to withstand Russian attacks in the absence of further American support. On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his country needed security guarantees from NATO and more weapons to defend itself before any talks with Russia. Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder said Monday that all remaining US funding for Kyiv would be used. "At the president's direction, we will spend every dollar that Congress has appropriated for Ukraine and to replenish our stockpiles," Ryder told journalists. Speaking prior to the announcement of the latest package, he put the total aid that can still be drawn from US stockpiles at $6.8 billion, while more than $2.2 billion is available to procure weapons and equipment from the defense industry. Austin spoke on Monday with his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov, providing "an update on the continued surge of US security assistance to Ukraine to provide the capabilities it needs to defend against Russian aggression," the Pentagon said. The United States has been a key military backer of Ukraine, committing more than $60 billion in weapons, ammunition and other security aid since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. NATO set to hold off Ukraine invite push as Trump looms Brussels, Belgium, Dec 3 (AFP) Dec 03, 2024 NATO foreign ministers looked set to rebuff Tuesday a push from Ukraine for progress on joining their alliance ahead of Donald Trump taking power in the United States. The incoming US president has vowed to press for a quick deal to end Russia's war -- leaving Kyiv scrambling to position itself ahead of his January inauguration. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has said getting security guarantees from the Western alliance and supplies of key weaponry are prerequisites for Kyiv to start talking about halting its fight. Zelensky said Sunday that Kyiv was hoping NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels with Ukraine's top diplomat would issue "recommendations" to grant his country a membership invitation. "But we have no illusions -- there are some sceptical countries," he said. Until now, the leaders of NATO heavyweights the United States and Germany have backed away from Ukrainian membership out of fear it could drag the alliance into a war with Russia. Diplomats said that with the administrations of US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on their way out Kyiv hoped their foreign ministers could have more leeway. But US officials in private say the Biden administration will not back Ukraine's push as they believe any offer would be rescinded by the president-elect. "Such a gesture one month before the new administration will infuriate Trump, who will act contrary to this immediately," one European diplomat at NATO agreed. Briefing reporters Monday as Washington announced a new $725 million military aid package for Kyiv, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller reiterated only that "Ukraine is on the path to NATO, and NATO is on the path towards Ukraine's inclusion." "Certainly every time we can get together as allies and talk with our Ukrainian counterparts, it's an important step along that road towards NATO membership," he said of Tuesday's talks. - Boots on ground? - In Kyiv at the weekend, the European Union's new top diplomat Kaja Kallas stated publicly that the bloc "wants Ukraine to win this war" -- but also briefed reporters on bolstering Ukraine ahead of negotiations, with NATO membership the "strongest security guarantee". While moving Ukraine closer to the alliance appears unlikely right now, two Western diplomats said initial discussions had begun on whether European troops could be deployed to enforce any eventual ceasefire. "In many countries, there is very serious thinking on various possible scenarios and how we can contribute to security guarantees," a European diplomat said. "We need to be able to have an idea to communicate to the US." Trump has said he could end Russia's war in Ukraine in a matter of hours, but has given no details on how he intends to achieve that goal. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned against any moves to place Ukraine under US-led NATO's security umbrella. Trump's new envoy on the Ukraine war Keith Kellogg has floated shelving Ukraine's long-standing NATO ambitions as part of a peace deal -- while still providing Kyiv security guarantees. As Ukraine presses on the diplomatic side, its forces are buckling across the eastern front in the face of Russia's grinding offensive. Kyiv is looking to wring all the weaponry it can from the Biden administration amid fears Trump could cut aid once he returns to the White House. At a meeting in Brussels last week Ukraine called on allies to give it air defence systems capable of shooting down the new Oreshnik experimental ballistic missile fired by Moscow. Those include the American Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and the Arrow system developed by Israel and the US, officials said. Putin unleashed his new weapon against the Ukrainian city of Dnipro last month in retaliation for strikes by Ukraine on Russia using US and British missiles. The Kremlin leader also threatened to target government buildings in Kyiv, and those countries supplying the arms to Ukraine. NATO diplomats said they doubted Washington would move quickly to provide Ukraine the new systems, given how long it took Biden to give the green light on delivering less-modern Patriot defences. Iraqi armed group urges government to deploy troops to Syria Baghdad, Dec 3 (AFP) Dec 03, 2024 Iraq's powerful Iran-aligned Kataeb Hezbollah armed group has called on Baghdad to send troops to Syria to support the Damascus government against a rebel offensive. Kataeb Hezbollah, or Hezbollah Brigades, made the appeal in a statement shared on pro-Iranian Telegram channels late Monday. Excerpts were also posted on its official website. The rebel offensive, led by Islamists, has seized the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, stirring concern in political and security circles in neighbouring Iraq. A spokesman for Kataeb Hezbollah, part of the Iran-backed "axis of resistance", said the group had not yet decided to deploy its own fighters but urged Baghdad to act. "We believe the Iraqi government should take the initiative to send regular military forces in coordination with the Syrian government, as these groups pose a threat to Iraq's national security and the region," the spokesman said. Kataeb Hezbollah has previously fought in Syria alongside forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. In Iraq, it is part of the Hashed al-Shaabi, a coalition of former paramilitary forces now integrated into the regular armed forces. This coalition, under the Iraqi prime minister's command, denies involvement outside Iraq's borders. Iraq remains scarred by the rise of the Islamic State group in 2014, which saw the jihadists capture nearly a third of the country before being defeated in 2017. On Monday, Iraq said it had sent armoured vehicles to bolster security along its 600-kilometre (370-mile) border with Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, reported the deployment of about 200 pro-Iranian Iraqi fighters in Syria's Aleppo region to back government forces. Kyiv says repels Russian push over east Ukraine river Kyiv, Ukraine, Dec 3 (AFP) Dec 03, 2024 Ukraine said Tuesday that its forces had repelled a Russian effort to cross a key waterway on the eastern frontline, as Moscow's army claimed to have seized two more villages in its grinding advance. Almost three years after invading, Russia's forces are accelerating their offensive, capturing more Ukrainian territory in November than in any month since March 2022, according to AFP analysis of data from the US Institute for the Study of War. Kyiv said Russian forces had tried to cross the Oskil river, which has long been a de facto front line across the east of the war-scarred country. The waterway winds its way from Russia's western border through the northeast of Ukraine, with Moscow and Kyiv's forces entrenched on either side of sections of its banks. "As a result of the successful operation, the enemy was destroyed. The right bank of the Oskil river is under the control of the Defence Forces," the Ukrainian military said in a statement. Ukrainian military bloggers had over recent days reported a Russian push over the river near the village of Novomlynsk in the northeastern Kharkiv region. Moscow's forces have been advancing in the Kharkiv region, which borders Russia, and are closing in on the civilian hub of Kupiansk, which is divided by the Oskil river. Kupiansk had a pre-war population of around 27,000 people and was occupied by Russian forces just days after the Kremlin launched its invasion, when the town's mayor ceded control. Ukraine recaptured it in September 2022 as part of a lightning offensive that saw them regain large swathes of the Kharkiv region. Russia's forces claimed separately on Tuesday to have advanced along the eastern and southern fronts. The defence ministry said its troops had seized the villages of Novodarivka in the southern Zaporizhzhia region and Romanivka in the eastern Donetsk region. It also claimed to have "improved its tactical position" in the northeastern Kharkiv region, including around Kupiansk, though did not comment on the alleged attempted river crossing. Russia's troops have stepped up their advances on the frontline, combined with an escalation in aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy facilities. AFP analysis of ISW data showed that during November, Kremlin forces advanced over 725 square kilometres (280 square miles) of Ukrainian territory, mainly in the east near the city of Pokrovsk, compared with an advance of 610 square kilometres in October. Ukraine pushes NATO for invite as Trump looms Brussels, Belgium, Dec 3 (AFP) Dec 03, 2024 Ukraine insisted Tuesday that NATO membership was the only "real guarantee" for its security, but foreign ministers from the alliance sidestepped Kyiv's push for an invite ahead of Donald Trump's return to the US presidency. Trump has vowed to press for a quick deal to end Russia's war, leaving Kyiv scrambling to position itself ahead of his January inauguration. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has said getting security guarantees from the Western alliance and supplies of key weaponry are prerequisites for Kyiv to start talking about halting its fight. "We are convinced that the only real guarantee of security for Ukraine, as well as a deterrent to further Russian aggression against Ukraine and other states, is Ukraine's full membership in NATO," the foreign ministry in Kyiv said. Until now, the leaders of NATO heavyweights the United States and Germany have backed away from Ukrainian membership out of fear it could drag the alliance into a war with Russia. Diplomats said that with the administration of US President Joe Biden on its way out and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's future in doubt ahead of elections, Kyiv hoped their foreign ministers could have more leeway. "We are discussing this intensively," said German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. "We need security guarantees that really work." On the US side, Secretary of State Antony Blinken gave no indication of a policy shift on his last planned visit to NATO -- with officials saying privately the Biden administration will not back Ukraine's push as they believe any offer would be rescinded by the president-elect. "I believe that NATO membership will bring tension again and then there will be the possibility of further conflicts tomorrow," Luxembourg's foreign minister Xavier Bettel said. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte pushed away questions over Ukraine's possible membership and how it could play into any peace deal, saying the alliance needed to "concentrate" on getting more weapons to Kyiv. "I would now argue that Ukraine doesn't need more ideas on what a peace process could look like," Rutte said. "Make sure that Ukraine has what it needs to get to a position of strength when those peace talks start." - 'Good deal' - Trump has said he could end Russia's war in Ukraine in a matter of hours, but has given no details on how he intends to achieve that goal. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned against any moves to place Ukraine under NATO's security umbrella. "Such a potential decision is unacceptable to us," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Trump's new envoy on the Ukraine war, Keith Kellogg, has floated shelving Ukraine's longstanding NATO ambitions as part of a peace deal -- while still providing Kyiv security guarantees. Rutte warned the incoming US administration that if Ukraine got a "bad deal" it risked emboldening American rivals such as China and North Korea. "Whenever we get to a deal on Ukraine, it has to be a good deal," he said. - Boots on ground? - Two Western diplomats said initial discussions had begun on whether European troops could be deployed to enforce any eventual ceasefire. "We will of course also support everything that serves peace in the future with all our strength from the German side," Baerbock said, when asked on the issue. As Ukraine presses on the diplomatic side, its forces are buckling across the eastern front in the face of Russia's grinding offensive. Russia said Tuesday that it had captured two more southeastern villages, while Ukraine said it had repelled a push across a key river. Moscow is trying "to occupy as much territory as they can to strengthen their future negotiation position," Ukraine's foreign minister Andriy Sybiga said. "We need to raise the price for the Russians." Kyiv is looking to wring all the weaponry it can from the Biden administration amid fears Trump will cut aid. Washington on Monday announced an additional $725 million military aid package for Ukraine. Kyiv called on allies to provide 20 more air defence systems, and has requested those capable of shooting down the new Oreshnik experimental ballistic missile fired by Moscow. del/ec/cw Umerov reports on new agreements after his return from business trips Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov returned from foreign business trips, reported on new agreements and on the implementation of previous ones. "Today, the Minister of Defense of Ukraine returned from foreign business trips. He reported on both new agreements and on the implementation of previous ones, especially in air defense," Zelenskyy said in a video address on Tuesday evening. According to him, Ukraine expects systems from several partners in December, "plus there are some things that can be done in January for our air shield." The president stressed the importance of implementing this without any delay, since "winter is a huge temptation for Russian terrorists." Palestinians say Israeli air strike on West Bank kills two Tubas, Palestinian Territories, Dec 3 (AFP) Dec 03, 2024 The Palestinian health ministry on Tuesday said two men were killed in an Israeli air strike on what the military described as a "terrorist cell" near the occupied West Bank city of Tubas. "An Israeli airstrike on a car near the town of Aqaba" near Tubas in the northern West Bank killed two Palestinians and wounded one, the health ministry said. All three Palestinians were transported to a hospital in Tubas, it added, but later said Israeli forces raided the same hospital, which the army denied in a statement to AFP. The Israeli military told AFP that the air force, "acting on intelligence, struck a terror cell that was about to carry out an attack" in the Aqaba area, without specifying the number of casualties. It said an army unit "was then dispatched to collect the bodies and operated in the area of the Turkish Hospital in Tubas". However, it added, "they did not enter the hospital." Israel often seizes the bodies of Palestinians killed during operations, particularly those who belonged to militant groups, although an AFP journalist present near the hospital at the time of the operation did not see soldiers carrying bodies. The Palestinian health ministry said the Israeli army besieged the hospital, before breaking into it, shooting inside, "assaulting staff and patients, and arresting a number of them". The AFP journalist in Tubas saw Israeli armoured vehicles stationed outside the hospital and soldiers deployed around it. The journalist saw Israeli soldiers exiting the hospital and detaining staff, some of them wearing scrubs or doctor's gowns, before loading them into the armoured vehicles. Violence in the West Bank has soared since the war in Gaza erupted on October 7 last year after Hamas's attack on Israel. Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 786 Palestinians in the West Bank since the start of the Gaza war, according to the Ramallah-based health ministry. Palestinian attacks on Israelis have also killed at least 24 people in the West Bank in the same period, according to Israeli official figures. Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967. Turkey, Iraq hold high-level talks over Syria Istanbul, Dec 3 (AFP) Dec 03, 2024 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone Tuesday with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani about renewed conflict in their joint neighbour Syria, with Erdogan stressing the need to prevent unrest on Turkey's border, his office said. "Mr Erdogan declared Turkey's priority is to maintain peace on its borders" as well as "the unity, stability and territorial integrity of Syria," where last week a Islamist-led rebel coalition went on the offensive, breaking a years-long stalemate in Syria's civil war. Erdogan's office said he had "urged the Syrian regime to engage in a real political process to avoid the situation deteriorating." Turkey's head of state also warned "he had taken and would take measures to prevent the terrorist organisation PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) and its extensions from taking advantage of developments" in northern Syria, home to numerous Kurdish fighters. Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and other rebel groups have seized a large swathe of the northern city of Aleppo in recent days, and are now advancing towards the central city of Hama. Iraq, which has assured Damascus of its support, sent armoured vehicles Monday to bolster security on its 600-kilometre (375 miles) long border with Syria. The resumption of hostilities in Syria's civil war has intensified diplomatic manoeuvres in the region. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi notably held talks in Ankara on Monday with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan, a day after visiting Damascus, where he met President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus. Tehran was a staunch ally of Assad during the civil war that broke out in 2011. Gunmen kill 3 Benin soldiers near Niger border Cotonou, Dec 3 (AFP) Dec 03, 2024 Gunmen have killed three soldiers who were guarding an oil pipeline in Benin, a military source said Tuesday, in the latest attack in the West African country where jihadist violence is rising. "Four soldiers were also wounded and are receiving emergency care" after the incident Monday in the northeastern city of Malanville, the source told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to discuss it. The troops were part of Operation Mirador, launched in 2022 to secure Benin's borders amid a surge of jihadist violence in West Africa, the officer said. Malanville sits on Benin's border with Niger, which has been rocked by attacks in recent years, as have nearby Sahel states Mali and Burkina Faso. The oil pipeline connects the Agadem oil fields in southeastern Niger to the Benin coast. Another operation in June killed seven soldiers in Benin in a national park on the Burkina Faso border. Attacks in northern Benin have increased in recent years. The authorities accuse members of the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda groups based in neighbouring countries. Benin's authorities rarely speak publicly on such offensives. In April 2023, they said there had been around 20 cross-border incursions since 2021. Operation Mirador was launched the following year with 3,000 troops. Benin has recruited an additional 5,000 to reinforce security in the north. The United States last month sent $6.6 million worth of armoured vehicles and defence equipment to Benin, while the European Union earlier this year announced 47 million euros ($49 million) in anti-terror funding for the country. Neighbouring Ghana and Togo have also suffered jihadist attacks in recent years. E.Guinea lauds 'exceptional' ties with Russia Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, Dec 3 (AFP) Dec 03, 2024 Equatorial Guinea's presidency on Tuesday lauded relations between the small central African state and Russia, saying they "have reached an unprecedented level of cooperation", notably on security. The comments came on the back of a visit by a delegation from the Russian defence ministry and also after two previous meetings this year between the countries' respective heads of state, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and Vladimir Putin. An official statement in Malabo said "diplomatic, security and defence ties between the two countries were deepened" during talks held Sunday at the presidential palace. Heading the Russian delegation were Deputy Defence Minister Alexey Krivoruchko and Colonel-General Yunnus-bek Yevkurov, according to the African Initiatives website, a news agency run by a former member of the Russian security services. The meeting saw discussions on "final details of agreements signed in Moscow... in order to progress towards their implementation", according to the Malabo presidency's statement. Various media in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea have recently made references -- not confirmed officially -- to the presence of Russian troops and mercenaries in the capital Malabo and the port of Bata. The deepening of ties with Moscow has gathered pace since the conviction in France in 2021 of Obiang's eldest son, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, who is also vice-president, on charges of obtaining luxury assets with illegally-obtained funds. President Obiang, 82, governs with an iron grip over his nation of some two million people and is, with the exception of monarchs and leaders installed for life, the world's longest serving head of state having ruled since 1979. Iran says ready to study any Syrian request for troops Tehran, Dec 3 (AFP) Dec 03, 2024 Iran will consider any request from its Syrian ally for troops to help tackle a sweeping rebel offensive in the north, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday. "If the Syrian government asks us to send forces to Syria, we will study their request," Araghchi said in an excerpt from an interview published on his official Telegram channel. Iran and Syria have been close allies for decades and Iran has long provided military advisors to the Syrian armed forces. On Monday, foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran's "military advisors were present in Syria, and they are still present" and would remain in the country "in accordance with the wishes" of its government. The Iranian government has been portraying the rebel assault as a US-Israeli plot to destabilise the Middle East. On Tuesday, the chief of the Iranian armed forces, General Mohammad Bagheri, called the rebel advance "dangerous for the region" according to state television. Bagheri held separate talks on Syria with his Iraqi and Syrian counterparts, as well as the Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov. They all said they would "take the necessary measures to support the Syrian army", according to Iranian state television. Macron says Paris, Riyadh have 'will' to progress fighter jet sale Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Dec 3 (AFP) Dec 03, 2024 French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that France and Saudi Arabia have the "will to move forward" on a deal to sell Rafale fighter jets to the oil-rich Gulf monarchy. "In terms of security and defence, we have very clearly improved things... with the will to move forward on the Rafale, which is a major change in the bilateral relationship," he told reporters on the second day of a state visit to Saudi Arabia. Discussions had already been underway for Riyadh to acquire the French-made jets and, though no definitive announcement was expected during the state visit, a source close to the matter indicated a willingness to "take a decision" in that direction. Nearly 10 countries already have Rafales or have signed commercial agreements to acquire them including Egypt, Qatar, India, Greece, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Croatia and Serbia. Macron also said that the two countries had "made progress on everything from naval defence to air defence and satellites", adding that Saudi Arabia and France "have signed some long-awaited contracts", without giving any further details. Riyadh buys military equipment from multiple Western nations, where it has faced criticism for its human rights record and military intervention in Yemen. A Saudi-led military coalition intervened to prop up the Yemen's internationally recognised government in 2015 after Iranian-backed Houthi rebels overran the capital Sanaa a year earlier and seized most of the country's main population centres. The war in Yemen has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths and triggered one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Fighting has significantly decreased since the negotiation of a six-month truce by the UN in April 2022. Israel says killed three Hamas members in strike on West Bank Tubas, Palestinian Territories, Dec 3 (AFP) Dec 03, 2024 The Israeli military on Tuesday said it killed three Hamas members in an air strike near the occupied West Bank city of Tubas, after the Palestinian health ministry reported two dead. "Three Hamas terrorists who planned an imminent terrorist attack were eliminated" when the Israeli air force struck vehicles in the Aqaba area near Tubas, the military said. Following the strike, "soldiers conducted a targeted raid in the vicinity of the strike, locating four weapons," it added. The Palestinian health ministry had earlier said an Israeli strike on a vehicle in Aqaba killed two Palestinians and wounded one. All three Palestinians were transported to a hospital in Tubas, it added, but later said Israeli forces raided the same hospital, which the army denied in a statement to AFP. The Israeli military had earlier told AFP that the air force, "acting on intelligence, struck a terror cell that was about to carry out an attack" in the Aqaba area. It said an army unit "was then dispatched to collect the bodies and operated in the area of the Turkish Hospital in Tubas". However, it added, "they did not enter the hospital." Israel often seizes the bodies of Palestinians killed during operations, particularly those who belonged to militant groups, although an AFP journalist present near the hospital at the time of the operation did not see soldiers carrying bodies. The Palestinian health ministry said the Israeli army besieged the hospital, before breaking into it, shooting inside, "assaulting staff and patients, and arresting a number of them". The AFP journalist in Tubas saw Israeli armoured vehicles stationed outside the hospital and soldiers deployed around it. The journalist saw Israeli soldiers exiting the hospital and detaining staff, some of them wearing scrubs or doctor's gowns, before loading them into the armoured vehicles. Violence in the West Bank has soared since the war in Gaza erupted on October 7 last year after Hamas's attack on Israel. Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 787 Palestinians in the West Bank since the start of the Gaza war, according to the Ramallah-based health ministry. Palestinian attacks on Israelis have also killed at least 24 people in the West Bank in the same period, according to Israeli official figures. Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967. Brave1 developers created the Ukrainian Mavic, Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Development of Education, Science and Technology Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov said. "Since June, Brave1 participants have been working on an analogue of the Chinese Mavic. Three such Ukrainian UAVs already comply with NATO standards and operate at the front 'Linza' and 'Zoom' from Frontline and 'Shmavik' from 'Reactive Drones," Fedorov said in Telegram on Tuesday. According to him, these drones are adapted to the realities of war, they have integrated communication systems that are resistant to enemy electronic warfare, and also have automatic landing and a "return home" mode. A significant part of the components is also produced by Ukrainian manufacturers. "The defenders are already actively using these drones at the front and are giving great feedback," Fedorov said. "The Mavic is one of the most popular drones at the front, it is simple, effective and cheap. It is a consumable for the military, a unit can lose five of these 'birds' per day. At the same time, Mavics are difficult and expensive to import, so the creation of a Ukrainian analogue is a top priority," the deputy prime minister said. The only working guarantee of security for Ukraine is NATO membership, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said and called for increased support for Kyiv. According to Interfax-Ukraine correspondent, during a conversation with journalists in Brussels on Tuesday, he said Estonia has a very clear position that the only working guarantee of security is Ukraine's membership in NATO. He said it is not only about us ensuring Ukraine's security, but also about Europe building their security architecture as Europe, as NATO. The Foreign Minister said Ukraine needs to be supported militarily more and more, because Ukraine is waging fierce battles. He said Putin has not changed his goal. The goal is to destroy Ukraine, not to seize more territory. All must understand that until Putin changes his goals, the war will continue. Therefore, it is NATO's duty to support Ukraine militarily, he urged. Tsakhkna also said North Korean troops are fighting in Europe, just a couple of hundred kilometers from the NATO border, and this is a big change. The minister said it is needed to understand that this is no longer Russian aggression against Ukraine, it is much more global. 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 Camilla was joining the royal party later for a private lunch with the Emir and his wife and will also take part in all but one of the elements of the evening state banquet at Buckingham Palace, staged in honour of the Emir. Mr Khan said at the event: If London is to maintain our character and competitive edge, and if we are to be an active player and partner in growing and uniting and building Africa, then we need each other now more than ever. A revolver containing six live cartridges was recovered from a ceiling girder above the boxes.The drugs had been found with different branded stamps on them, which corresponded to particular organised crime groups that were going to sell them on the streets of London and the wider country. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. Azerbaijani banks must work out strategies to support development based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, Executive Director of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication Vusal Gasimli said at the 8th International Banking Forum today, Trend reports. "Banks in Azerbaijan rank among the main pillars of the country's economy and must develop strategies that support growth based on ESG standards for sustainable banking. Banks can contribute to the future of society by promoting 'green finance' and sustainable projects. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan adopted the green taxonomy at the right time to implement the strategic goals of sustainable development and the 'green' transition in the financial sector. This document defines the types, subtypes, and technical classification criteria for green activities across economic sectors, covering 10 sectors," he pointed out To note, the 8th International Banking Forum is in full swing over two days in the bustling city of Baku, Azerbaijan, and the key topics of the forum include digital transformation (digital and neobanks), strategies for data management and analytics, the evolution of the payment landscape (transition to contactless technologies), instant, seamless, and compatible international payments, the revolution of decentralized finance (DeFi), cloud systems and alternatives to outdated technologies, digitalization through the lens of cybersecurity, stability and resilience, and green and sustainable banking (ESG). Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel How you can help 10 could provide a young person travel to meet a wellbeing mentor and have a hot meal 50 could provide travel to work or school for a month for an at-risk youth 150 could refurbish a bike for an adult refugee giving them freedom to travel independently 500 could train ten people with experience of homelessness to become homeless health advocates 1,000 could enable one of our partners to fully support a young person throughout the year To make a donation visit: comicrelief.com/winter BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. The results of the development strategy for the financial sector of Azerbaijan for 20242026 and its impact on the market will be noticeable soon, Executive Director of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) Vusal Khalilov said at the 8th International Banking Forum today in Azerbaijan's Baku, Trend reports. "We are nearing the end of the first year of the strategic period for 2024-2026, and we will provide detailed information once this year concludes. The CBA team and all other structures in the sector have contributed to the results, which I highly appreciate. The key point I want to emphasize is this: the strategy has specific goals and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). In some areas, we are already seeing that we are achieving these goals. We continue to implement the assigned objectives for other tasks, but the concrete figures will not immediately reflect their effects. This will affect the entire sector and take time to adjust. The resources allocated by the CBA to implement changes under the strategy are indeed investments. The transition to new reporting frameworks under risk-based supervision, the development of open banking services, and the upcoming announcement of cybersecurity rules and IT governance regulations are all examples. The sector's sustainable development is the goal of all these measures. It's essential to view the invested resources as investments. Therefore, if we talk about the current stage, we rate it highly and hope that the results of the strategy and its impact on the market will become tangible in the near future," he added. To note, the 8th International Banking Forum is underway in Baku, Azerbaijan, for two days. Its main topics are digital transformation (digital and neobanks), data management and analytics strategies, the transition to contactless technologies, instant, seamless, and compatible international payments, the revolution of decentralized finance (DeFi), cloud systems, and alternatives to outflows. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) will require commercial banks to provide static information on fraud cases since next year, Deputy Director of the CBA Payment System and Settlements Department Ramil Mahmudov told reporters on the sidelines of the 8th International Banking Forum today in Baku, Azerbaijan, Trend reports. In alignment with his insights, the CBA will strategically leverage this data for comprehensive analysis. To note, the 8th International Banking Forum is underway in Baku, Azerbaijan, for two days. Its main topics are digital transformation (digital and neobanks), data management and analytics strategies, the transition to contactless technologies, instant, seamless, and compatible international payments, the revolution of decentralized finance (DeFi), cloud systems, and alternatives to outflows. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Independent presidential candidate Calin Georgescu on Monday urged politicians to invest in the people, in the "real people," also declaring that the result of the parliamentary election show "the bankruptcy of the political parties." "Politicians, to recover from your political bankruptcy, you will have to invest in the people, in the real people, not in your parties. Reset things when you see that the party machine has stalled, but reset now in the interest of everyone, not just of some," Georgescu said in a video message sent after the parliamentary elections. The independent candidate claimed that the result of this election "is actually the result of the parliamentary decisions over the last 35 years." "We are talking about the result of the wrong decisions that Romanian politicians have made, but most importantly, we are now talking about the result of the right decisions through which Romanians, with their vote, have now restarted the political class. Basically, the Romanian people, who were inoculated that their vote does not matter, saw clearly and precisely and will see in another week that the vote does matter," he added. Calin Georgescu also mentioned that the result of the parliamentary election represents the "bankruptcy of the parties," an expected one, because the political entities "ultimately played with the trust and intelligence of the people, and now their political stock market of trust has collapsed." The presidential candidate urged politicians to accept "normality," because "the people is wise." Independent candidate Calin Georgescu and USR candidate )Save Romania Union) Elena Lasconi face off in the decisive round of the presidential elections, on Sunday, December 8. Foreign Affairs Minister Luminita Odobescu participates on Tuesday and Wednesday in the meeting of foreign ministers from NATO member states, taking place in Brussels. According to a Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) press release sent to AGERPRES, the meeting includes three sessions, approaching the developments in NATO's southern neighbourhood, the developments in Ukraine, including Russia's attacks on critical infrastructure, the involvement of the armed forces of North Korea, the NATO - Ukraine relation, with a focus on domestic reforms, and the NATO - EU cooperation. The last session will be devoted to NATO's strategic agenda, the allied priorities in the perspective of The Hague Summit, particularly the consolidation of measures for the eastern flank strengthening, as part of the allied response to Russia's threats, MAE points out. The talks in the session devoted to the southern neighbourhood will take place with the participation of King Abdallah of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The session devoted to Ukraine will be in a NUC format (NATO - Ukraine Council), with the participation of the Kyiv Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. Pragmatically and realistically, Romania and Romanians have decided that the security of the territory, ours and of our loved ones, is better ensured within NATO than we can do it alone, the Minister of Foreign Affairs , Luminita Odobescu stated on Tuesday. The head of Romanian diplomacy is participating in the meeting of allied foreign ministers in Brussels, inform agerpres.ro. "We must not forget that Romania's accession to NATO 20 years ago had the objective of strengthening Romania's security and protecting our country from any external threat or attack. We are living in unprecedented times. The security risks and challenges are obvious. We can cope with them only shoulder to shoulder with Romania's allies.We are located in the southeast of Europe, at the mouths of the Danube and the Black Sea, in a space of intersection and transition from Europe to the Caucasus and the Middle East," she said. Odobescu added that NATO is an insurance for peace. "Neutrality is a word in the wind when the region and the world see state actors that brutally challenge borders, territories, and even people's lives and freedom. Nobody wants war. This is exactly why NATO is the best assurance that Romania and Romanians are safe. All the horrors of war are happening in countries that do not have a security umbrella like the one offered by NATO," said the Romanian minister. Thus, NATO membership "offers us the strongest security guarantees that our country has ever had and they are listed in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty". "An armed attack against any NATO member is considered an attack against all, and each ally is called upon to provide support. The benefits for us are tangible and consistent. In the context of the growing threat of Russia and the war triggered by it near Romania, in Ukraine, we benefit from a concrete presence of the allies on our territory, with combat forces, with contributions to the defense of the airspace", she detailed. Moreover, she reiterated that more than 5,000 allied troops are in Romania to deter and strengthen our defense, demonstrating that NATO is thus directly and visibly involved in protecting our security. At the same time, she said that another beneficial effect of the presence of foreign troops on our territory is the revitalization of local economies in the areas where they are stationed. "To support the common defense effort within NATO, including for our country, we participate in transport corridors designed to facilitate the military mobility of allied troops. The improvement of roads for military forces is also useful for civilian traffic and transport, contributing to the modernization of the infrastructure in Romania", stated Odobescu. The head of Romanian diplomacy mentioned that NATO membership strengthens Romania's credibility internationally, including on the financial markets. "Our country is seen as a safe and stable, well-defended state. Thus, Romanian and foreign investors have the confidence to conduct their business in Romania, generate capital and create jobs for Romanian citizens. Within NATO, we obtained funds for the improvement of military infrastructure, such as the modernization of some airports. We participate in programs to support the development of the industry defense, which also allows the transfer of advanced technologies to Romania and the creation of new partnerships or the establishment of new factories and companies in our country and increased professional opportunities for Romanian citizens", she pointed out. Odobescu added that NATO is also a source of expertise in terms of defense against cyber, hybrid threats, as well as strengthening resilience against them. "In NATO, Romania has a strong and respected voice. We participate in the decisions that influence European and Euro-Atlantic security, including ours. All decisions of the Alliance are taken by unanimous votes. NATO is not only a collective defense alliance. It is the strongest defense structure of Europe and of the Euro-Atlantic area, through a united effort of the European states with the USA and Canada. Romania has advocated continues to advocate that the development of common defense within the European Union should be done in synergy with NATO", said the Romanian foreign minister. Thus, she highlighted the efforts to capitalize on the defense advantages of both organizations and stated that we must "build a solid and effective defense of Europe, which will shelter us from all dangers and from which we can fully benefit". "In its history, sovereign Romania gained its dignity and found recognition in the world through the sacrifice, dedication and courage of its citizens. But Romania was prosperous, safe and developed when it had partners with whom it could share the same values and visions. Today we are not alone and that's why we are safe", added Luminita Odobescu. The rights of people with disabilities must be observed, as everyone deserves a chance to reach his/her potential, without barriers, the minister of labour and social solidarity, Simona Bucura-Oprescu, writes in a message on the Facebook page of the institution she leads. "Inclusion begins with respect and is built with solidarity. Every person deserves a chance to reach his/her potential, without barriers," said Simona Bucura-Oprescu, in the aforementioned post. The minister's press release comes in the context of the International Day of Persons with Disabilitiesin which is celebrated on December 3, every year. The International Day of Persons with Disabilities has been marked since 1992, at the initiative of the United Nations (UN). This day aims to support the dignity, rights and well-being of people with disabilities. "Today and every day, let us stand with people with disabilities, observe their rights and promote equal access for them, while offering them the support they need," the minister said in the same message. At the same time, the Palace of Parliament will be illuminated in purple on Tuesday, to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. According to statistics published by the Ministry of Labour, the total number of people with disabilities was, at the end of June 2024, 942,889 people, in Romania, of whom 98.34% (927,275 people) were in the care of their families and/or lived independently (non-institutionalized) and 1.66% (15,614 people) were in public residential social assistance institutions. On June 30, 2024, the rate of people with disabilities in the Romanian population was 4.32%. Women represented 53.57% of the total number of people with disabilities. The number of people over 50 years of age represented 68.77% of the total number of adults with disabilities. The centralization of data by age group showed that 45.16% were people between 18-64 years old (425,822 people) and 46.27% were people over 65 years old (436,239 people). According to Law no. 448/2006, the types of disabilities are physical, visual, auditory, deafblindness, somatic, mental, psychic, HIV/AIDS, associated, rare diseases. A Russia is using its communication space as a tool for hybrid warfare, whether it takes the form of propaganda or disinformation, Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) Spokesman Andrei Tarnea told AGERPRES on Tuesday. He reacted on the night of Monday to Tuesday on X to a message published on the same platform by an account attributed to Aleksandr Dugin. "So predictable! Considering that Romanians recently celebrated the Great Union, yesterday we are reminded that Russia did not recognise this Union. It did so with resentment, as a result of Romania's sovereign will and the pressure from Western powers. The same willpower will make Russia fail again," wrote the Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson on X. According to Tarnea, the account on the X platform where the post was made is "known for being used for Russian propaganda and disinformation and has been active for a long time." "It is irrelevant whether this account belongs to Dugin or not, because Aleksandr Dugin has no official position anyway, so practically, everything he says is a form of trolling. Normally, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we ignore this type of post, we do not react to them, but yesterday's post went viral, it was widely shared in the media and on social media in Romania, so my reaction was primarily aimed at this aspect and not at Dugin, whose statements have no authority or significance," Andrei Tarnea explained. He mentioned that the MAE's response is a substantive one. "We simply took the opportunity to bring to mind that Russia, in its multiple modern historical declinations, has systematically and persistently tried to limit Romania's sovereignty and that of the Romanians. It did this during the Great Union, not recognising the sovereign historical act of the Romanian people. It took the peace of 1919 and the accumulated pressure of Romanian popular will and the support of Western countries for Russia to recognize Romania. Therefore, this is the mechanism. We simply used the viralisation of this message and the public interest it sparked to respond to a substantive issue, not to Dugin," Tarnea explained. The MAE spokesperson said that Russia is conducting and will continue to conduct a campaign of "poisoning" and "disinformation." "Russia is using the communication space as a tool for hybrid warfare, whether it takes the form of propaganda or disinformation. We saw this after 2014 and the first invasion and illegal annexation of territories from a sovereign neighbour, Ukraine, but we have seen especially after February 2022 an exponential increase in this type of activity and, especially, a fusion between official public communication activities, media from the Russian Federation, and unofficial disinformation and propaganda channels. Therefore, we expect this epidemic of poisoning and disinformation to continue," Andrei Tarnea said. "Romania will be part of Russia," reads an account on X platform attributed to Aleksandr Dugin, the ideologist of Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Where wokeists and elite of Democrats can flee from US? Canada? Trudeau was recently at Mar-o-Lago. Israel? There is a war. London, Paris, Dubai? Exactly where Russian liberals have fled. Or Moldova? That will be part of Romania soon. But Romania will be part of Russia," reads the message posted on X. Aleksandr Dugin's name and photo appear on the account in question, @Agdchan. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. In a recent episode of the analytical platform Baku Networks video project "Dialogue with Tofig Abbasov," Murad Huseynov, Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Culture, renowned pianist, and People's Artist, spoke about the country's rich cultural heritage and the ongoing recovery of territories liberated from Armenian occupation, Trend reports. During the conversation, Huseynov shed light on Azerbaijans one-of-a-kind cultural treasure, driving home the nations invaluable contributions to the tapestry of world culture. "Azerbaijan is a country with a rich history and culture that dates back centuries. Our land has given birth to outstanding figures such as Uzeyir Hajibeyov, Vagif Mustafa-Zadeh, Gara Garayev, and Fikret Amirov. Azerbaijani scientists and thinkers, including Lev Landau and Lotfi Zadeh, have made significant contributions to global science. In literature, we take pride in the names of Nizami, Nasimi, and Fuzuli, stars of world poetry," he said. Huseynov also underscored the international spirit of Azerbaijan, noting the countrys tradition of openness and hospitality. "The people of Azerbaijan have always greeted guests with warmth and bread and salt, showing the expansiveness of their souls and sincerity," he said. Reflecting on the recent COP29 conference held in Baku, the deputy minister shared his impressions, noting its global significance. "This world-class event brought together over seventy thousand guests from eighty countries. The eyes of the world were focused on Baku. The event was so grand and spectacular that its impact will be felt for a long time," he said. Huseynov also tackled the political hot water that Azerbaijan's successes have stirred up in certain circles. "Some political figures refused to attend the forum, depriving themselves of the opportunity to engage in dialogue. But the fear of truth and open discussion speaks for itself. Truth is born in dialogue, and avoiding it shows weakness and an unwillingness to admit one's mistakes," he added. A good chunk of the conversation revolved around the restoration of Azerbaijani territories liberated from three decades-long Armenian occupation. In his remarks, the deputy minister drew a parallel to the aftermath of the atomic blast that occurred in Hiroshima. "When I was in Hiroshima, I saw a house that survived the atomic bombing, albeit with burned walls. In the liberated Azerbaijani territories, such as Agdam, there is not even that. The Armenians turned these areas into scorched earth. However, thanks to the efforts of the countrys leadership and our people, these lands are being revived like a phoenix, and they are doing so with incredible speed and scale," he explained. Huseynov wrapped up his thoughts by illuminating that, amidst the stormy seas of adversity, Azerbaijan sails steadfastly, casting a distinctive light upon the tapestry of global culture, all while navigating the shadows of a 30-year-long occupation. The complete episode is available to view down below: The Arad border police discovered three Syrian citizens in the trunk of a car, which was checked upon exiting the country through the Nadlac II Border Crossing Point, the Romanian driver being now under investigation for migrant smuggling. The car is registered in Romania and was subjected to a routine check. "Following a thorough check of the vehicle, three foreign citizens have been discovered hidden in the trunk. The individuals were taken over and transported to the sector headquarters for investigation where, following more checks, the border police established that they were citizens from Syria, who intended to fraudulently cross the state border," the Arad Border Police reported on Tuesday. The driver is being investigated for migrant smuggling, and the Syrian citizens for attempted fraudulent crossing of the state border. Social media company TikTok defended on Tuesday before the European Parliament its measures to combat disinformation in the first round of Romania's presidential election, denying that it favored contender Calin Georgescu, who came in first place with 22.94% of the vote, news agency EFE reports, inform agerpres.ro. Speaking before the European Parliament's Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee, the company's representatives stressed that "all candidates were considered in the system without differentiating between independents and those belonging to a political party", and therefore they all faced "the same restrictions". This is what TikTok's global Head of Product for Authenticity & Transparency Brie Pegum explained, assuring that of the networks dismantled in recent months for impermissible political content, only one supported Georgescu, and it had much fewer followers than others that backed other candidates. "In general, we have worked continuously to try to prevent misinformation and coordinate authentic behavior," the TikTok representative said. She also noted that TikTok has taken down over 66,000 fake accounts in Romania, about seven million fake "likes", some ten million fake followers and about 1,000 accounts that imitated candidate profiles. In her turn, TikTok's Director of Public Policy and Government Relations Caroline Greer explained that the platform applied its internal rules for electoral processes during the Romanian elections and stated that in the months leading up to the elections, it had meetings with various authorities in the country, including several political parties and the Romanian electoral authority. Furthermore, she mentioned that TikTok has over 6,000 content moderators in EU languages, of whom 95 Romanian content moderators. The algorithm used by the social network to display content for users "responds to their activity signals", so it favors content feed that each user stops to view, the TikTok representative also explained. The answers provided by TikTok representatives did not convince the MEPs present at the debate and the European Parliament's select committee will look at the possibility of sending additional written questions to the platform. The European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection heard TikTok representatives on how the company applies EU digital rules. The EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), which entered into full force on 17 February 2024, sets strict obligations for digital service providers such as social media or online trade, to combat illegal content, online disinformation and other online risks to society. After the first presidential round, Romania asked the European Commission to initiate a formal probe into the TikTok platform, based on EU social media rules. In a letter seen by Politico.eu last Thursday, the social network TikTok - owned by Chinese company ByteDance - rejected accusations that it played an improper role to sway voters in the Romanian elections. "To date, we have found no evidence of a Covert Influence Operation on our platform in the last few weeks in the runup to Romania's ongoing presidential election, as well as no evidence of foreign interference," TikTok said in a letter addressed to Romanian authorities, according to the cited publication. TikTok adds that it has removed over 150 impersonation accounts linked to candidate Calin Georgescu and over 650 accounts linked to other candidates. "The highly speculative reports about the Romanian elections are inaccurate and misleading," TikTok spokesman Paolo Ganino said, as cited by Politico.eu. The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation announces the launch of the campaign "We respond with our heart to the lonely elderly!", in which 4,000 elderly people will benefit from material help, practical support and emotional support through dedicated social projects. "The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation launches the campaign "We respond with our heart to the lonely elderly!", an initiative which aims to provide immediate support and sustainable solutions to socially vulnerable seniors, who are facing lack of resources, isolation or marginalization, both during the Christmas holidays and throughout the coming year," the foundation informed on Tuesday. Business leaders are invited to get involved in urgently supporting seniors. "By contributing 20% of their 2024 corporate income tax by December 31, companies have the chance to turn taxes into a concrete gesture of solidarity. Together we can be their voice, relieving them from loneliness, preventing social isolation, or creating opportunities for an active life," the cited source conveys. Through the Fund for the Elderly program, the Foundation aims to improve the quality of life and social inclusion of seniors, especially the lonely and socially vulnerable, the fund being financed by donations and sponsorships and thousands of elderly people receiving material aid, practical support and emotional support annually. In 2024, the Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation, through the involvement of corporate and individual donors, supported 4,000 seniors and provided grants to 27 NGOs in Romania which, through local social services, responded to the diverse needs of the elderly in their communities. The elderly benefited from: material help - social vouchers, food, hygiene and sanitary or paramedical products, basic necessities; practical support - care or housekeeping at home, delivery of groceries or medicines to the home, social counselling and guidance to accessible support services in the community; emotional support, through socialization activities, services to alleviate loneliness or psychological counselling; solutions for active ageing, through volunteering in day centres for children or digital inclusion. "For me, solitude is isolation. Unfortunately, no one opens the door for me anymore. Since the death of my husband, my life is over because I have lost a person with whom I was in constant communication. Now I know that at least once a week, on a Friday, I have someone to talk to and someone who cares about me. I like that I can open my heart, that you listen to me and are interested in my condition," confessed Mrs. T, aged 77, a beneficiary, according to the press release. In Romania, the resident population of seniors aged 65 and over exceeds 3.8 million people. The challenges of age also come with loneliness, as 1.35 million seniors live alone, the Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation said. Joe Holleman Political correspondent/columnist Follow Joe Holleman Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Eric Schmitt didnt grab the nomination for U.S. attorney general, but the junior U.S. senator from Missouri did land with a new group that vows to work with President-elect Donald Trumps administration on cutting government costs. The group is led by a lawmaker from one of Missouris neighbors, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa. During her time in the Senate, Ernst exposed levels of (fiscal) abuse that are almost too insane to believe, she told the media last week. Schmitt will be in some strong company, at least as far as high-profile Republican senators are concerned: The committee also includes Ted Cruz and John Cornyn of Texas; Mike Lee of Utah; Roger Marshall of Kansas; and Rick Scott of Florida. The group will work with two of Trumps closest allies, former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and tech billionaire Elon Musk, as part of Trumps so-called Department of Government Efficiency. Ernst already has sent a letter to the pair last week that outlines about $1 trillion in cost cuts, involving 22 separate areas of operations. Aside from landing the new gig, Schmitt also spent time last week stumping for, and even defending, Trumps proposed Cabinet nominations. Along with telling NBCs Meet the Press that he will support Pam Bondi for attorney general and Pete Hegseth for secretary of defense, he also stood up for former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Trumps nominee for director of national intelligence. At issue was a recent statement by former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, who referred to Army veteran Gabbard as a Russian sympathizer. Schmitt called Haleys statement totally ridiculous. Its a slur, quite frankly. Shes served this country honorably, said Schmitt, who said he would also vote for Gabbards nomination. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. On December 3, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov left for the Iranian city of Mashhad to attend the 28th meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry told Trend. According to the information, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov is scheduled to speak at a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers and hold bilateral meetings during the visit. ST. LOUIS COUNTY A man charged with murdering a 16-year-old in St. Louis city is facing new charges after police say he shot a woman four times in St. Louis County. Prosecutors last week charged Dominic Cody, 25, of the city's Dutchtown neighborhood, with first-degree assault and armed criminal action in connection to the June 2024 shooting of an unnamed woman in the St. Louis County city of Riverview. He had been charged in September with first-degree murder, robbery and two counts of armed criminal action for shooting and killing Marco Deloch, of the 4800 block of Farlin Avenue. Riverview police said they received a report on June 15 of shots fired. At the scene, they found a woman who had been shot four times and had "serious physical injuries." They also recovered multiple shell casings from the scene. Riverview police officials said last week they could not release the location of the shooting, because the department's investigation was ongoing. Officials also declined to say how they identified Cody as the alleged shooter. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. The entire region is at risk due to Western actions that attempt to destabilize Georgia., Azerbaijani analyst Azer Garayev told Trend. "The recent events in Georgia once again demonstrate that the West, through mechanisms such as NGO (non-governmental organizations) funding, is applying modern methods of hybrid warfare to influence the internal affairs of foreign countries. This poses a serious threat not only to Georgia's stability but also to the security of the South Caucasus region as a whole. Therefore, Western-sponsored NGOs are striving to establish an ideological framework in Georgia that intentionally creates societal divisions. As a result, the state is witnessing the formation of "gangs of mankurts," supported by the West. These groups aim to push national identity and values to the background, promoting LGBT rights, right-wing ideologies, and radical liberal movements. Interestingly, in today's political discussions in Georgia, national priorities such as territorial integrity and the return of lost lands are being overlooked. Instead, topics dictated by the West and other secondary issues have become the main subject of public debates. This is part of the West's plan to distance Georgian society from its national interests," he said. The "Maidan scenario" that took place in Ukraine in 2014 is something the West wants to duplicate in Georgia, as pointed out by Garayev. "Street battles, police violence, and the involvement of foreign subversive groups intentionally plunge the country into instability. Additionally, the potential for clashes and the presence of armed individuals among the protestors pose a serious threat. Such individuals, as always, plan to accuse the government of harming the protestors. The intervention of the European Union's ambassador in Georgia in the country's internal affairs and the open opposition of Western diplomats to the democratically elected government can be considered part of hybrid warfare strategies. This is a threat not only to Georgia's political independence but also to its internal governance system. Such Western interference aims to undermine the country's democratic principles and call into question the legitimacy of local authorities in the eyes of the people," he mentioned. The analyst painted a vivid picture, suggesting that any tremors in the nation's foundation would send ripples of insecurity throughout the entire landscape of the region. "Just as the West dragged the Ukrainian people into war, it now wants to implement a similar scenario in Georgia. On the other hand, the Georgian people must show wisdom in this process and not become a tool in the hands of any external force. The internal issues of Georgia concern only its people, and foreign forces should not interfere in these processes but should respect the results of the election," Garayev added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel CAIRO Palestinian officials say Fatah and Hamas are closing in on an agreement to appoint a committee of politically independent technocrats to administer the Gaza Strip after the war. It would effectively end Hamas rule and could help advance cease-fire talks with Israel. The rival factions have made several failed attempts to reconcile since Hamas seized power in Gaza in 2007. Israel has meanwhile ruled out any postwar role in Gaza for either Hamas or Fatah, which dominates the Western-backed Palestinian Authority. A Palestinian Authority official on Tuesday confirmed that a preliminary agreement had been reached following weeks of negotiations in Cairo. The official said the committee would have 12-15 members, most of them from Gaza. It would report to the Palestinian Authority, which is headquartered in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and work with local and international parties to facilitate humanitarian assistance and reconstruction. A Hamas official said that Hamas and Fatah had agreed on the general terms but were still negotiating over some details and the individuals who would serve on the committee. The official said an agreement would be announced after a meeting of all Palestinian factions in Cairo, without providing a timeline. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief media on the talks. There was no immediate comment from Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until Hamas is dismantled and scores of hostages are returned. He says Israel will maintain open-ended security control over Gaza and continue to hold corridors within the territory, with civilian affairs in the rest administered by local Palestinians unaffiliated with the Palestinian Authority or Hamas. No Palestinians have publicly volunteered for such a role, and Hamas has threatened anyone who cooperates with the Israeli military. The United States has called for a revitalized Palestinian Authority to govern both the West Bank and Gaza ahead of eventual statehood. The Israeli government, which is opposed to Palestinian statehood, is reportedly discussing a postwar plan with the United Arab Emirates, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020 and backs a rival Fatah faction. The Hamas official said the emerging Palestinian agreement would fulfill one of Israels war goals by ending Hamas rule in Gaza. Its unclear if Israeli officials would see it that way. Previous attempts at unity between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas have fallen apart, often because of competition for power between the two rivals and there are opponents to the current talks within Fatah. Jibril Rajoub, secretary-general of Fatahs central committee, denounced the agreement, saying it was a mistake that we even accepted the principal of discussing this matter. He said the arrangement would entrench the division between the West Bank and Gaza by accepting two administrations. He said Hamas should instead let the Palestinian Authority retake administration of the territory. We represent the unity of the land and the government," he told journalists in the West Bank town of al-Bira. The Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the occupied West Bank, recognizes Israel and cooperates with it on security matters, a policy that is deeply unpopular among Palestinians, many of whom view it as a subcontractor of the occupation. Israel says the authority has not done enough to combat militancy or curb incitement. The committee would assume its responsibilities after a cease-fire agreement with Israel, the Hamas official said. American and Arab mediators have spent nearly a year trying to broker such an agreement, but the negotiations have repeatedly stalled. Hamas ignited the war with its Oct. 7, 2023, attack into Israel, in which Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250. Some 100 hostages remain inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are dead. Israels retaliatory offensive has killed over 44,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to local health authorities, who do not say how many of the dead were combatants. The offensive has leveled much of the coastal territory and displaced the vast majority of its 2.3 million residents. Federman reported from Jerusalem. Updated at 3:19 p.m. The 8th Civil Engineer Squadrons 12-person explosive ordnance disposal team opened its new facility at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, Nov. 21, 2024. (Eric Mendiola/Stars and Stripes) KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea Bomb technicians at a U.S. base in South Korea began moving from their 60-year-old quarters last month and into a new, $11-million compound paid for by South Korea. The 8th Civil Engineer Squadrons 12-person explosive ordnance disposal, or EOD, team at Kunsan Air Base opened the doors of its new building Nov. 21 after three years of construction, according to an Air Force news release. Kunsan, home to about 2,800 airmen assigned to the 8th Fighter Wing, is approximately 115 miles south of Seoul, on the peninsulas southwestern coast. The old facility was undersized for its current team and its equipment, EOD flight superintendent Master Sgt. Leland Mello said in an email Tuesday. The new building allows the team to expand its roster. The new facility also includes climate-control storage for the teams $13.5 million worth of equipment to ensure its gear is ready for use, and a six-bay garage with space for 15 vehicles, according to Mello and the news release. The 8th Civil Engineer Squadrons 12-person explosive ordnance disposal team opened its new facility at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, Nov. 21, 2024. (Eric Mendiola/Stars and Stripes) The 8th Civil Engineer Squadrons 12-person explosive ordnance disposal team opened its new facility at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, Nov. 21, 2024. (Luis Garcia/Stars and Stripes) EOD technicians find, recover, disarm and dispose of explosives and ordnance. Due to the abrupt nature of the work, the teams facility resembles a firehouse and includes a kitchen, gym, training room and living quarters with bunk beds. The former EOD compound is being demolished with no immediate plans for the site, squadron construction manager Capt. Jacob Maurer said in an email Tuesday. Funding for the project came from South Korea, he said. Some military construction projects on U.S. bases in South Korea are paid for by the Souths military due to cost-sharing agreements between the two allies. The South also paid $67 million to build a pair of barracks that opened June in Camp Humphreys, 40 miles south of the capital city. The squadrons EOD team trains alongside its South Korean counterparts throughout the year. The team drilled five days with South Korean EOD technicians starting Oct. 21, together locating and disposing of simulated, improvised explosive devices at the air base. The airmen in this new facility perform a critical function, keeping the runway open during contingency operations, Lt. Col. Robert Howell, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Far East District deputy commander, said in the release. We wanted to ensure this space met not only mission requirements but also provide airmen with a comfortable environment to operate in. Sailors disembark the USS George Washington after arriving at the aircraft carrier's new homeport, Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, Nov. 22, 2024. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan Sailors assigned to the USS George Washington will be hard-pressed to slake their thirst following new liberty restrictions imposed on the aircraft carriers crew of 3,000. Sailors are, for the time being, prohibited from consuming any alcoholic beverages on or off base, ship spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Mark Langford said by phone Tuesday. Additionally, 18- and 19-year-old sailors assigned to the ship are prohibited from taking any overnight liberty, he said. The restrictions, which went into effect Nov. 26, four days after the George Washington arrived at its new homeport, are not intended to be permanent or long-term, Langford said. An end date for the precautionary restrictions has not been set, but the carriers command will continue to monitor activities in town and communicate any changes to the policy, he said in a Monday email. All U.S. sailors in Japan must already adhere to a midnight-to-5 a.m. ban on drinking in public establishments off base, according to an Oct. 1 order by Rear Adm. Ian Johnson, commander of Navy Region Japan. They may not even be in those places during those hours. Johnsons order extended by one hour a 1 a.m.-to 5-a.m. drinking ban issued days earlier by U.S. Forces Japans former commander, Air Force Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp. That order followed in the wake of two unrelated cases of sexual assault and attempted sexual assault against an airman and Marine that roiled Okinawa this summer. The additional restrictions on the George Washingtons crew were imposed to meet mission requirements and ensure our team remains strong and fully committed to the Navys obligations in the region, Langford said. The weekend of the carriers arrival saw a sharp uptick in activity in Yokosukas Honcho district. Commonly referred to as The Honch by American sailors, the nightlife area is just across the street from the bases main gate and regularly draws large weekend crowds to its numerous bars. A Yokosuka Police Department spokesman said alcohol-related troubles occurred that weekend, but he did not elaborate further. Navy Security Forces responded to the trouble and is sharing information with Yokosuka police, the spokesman said. Some government officials in Japan are required to speak with the media only on condition of anonymity. The commander of U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific, Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir, speaks with reporters at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Dec. 3, 2024. (Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes) YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan The Space Force is standing up a new unit at this airlift hub in western Tokyo to address growing threats from China, Russia and North Korea, according to the services regional commander. The activation of U.S. Space Forces Japan on Wednesday will mark a pivotal moment in space operations within the Indo-Pacific region, Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir, head of the Hawaii-based U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific, told reporters Tuesday at Yokota. The unit will be composed of tens, not hundreds, of guardians, though Mastalir declined to provide a precise number. Created in December 2019 under President Donald Trump, the Space Force now has more than 14,000 personnel. Its missions include tracking threats to the U.S. homeland and safeguarding American satellites. Space is becoming increasingly congested, contested and critical to national security, Mastalir said. This activation is a critical step in enhancing the integration and coordination of space capabilities with Japan. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force soon to be rechristened the Japan Air and Space Self-Defense Force, according to Mastalir established its own space operations unit at nearby Fuchu Air Base in May 2020. The U.S. activation comes amid a broader Pentagon initiative announced in July to restructure U.S. Forces Japan into a joint force headquarters, facilitating closer collaboration with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. The Yokota-based Space Force unit will be well postured to support a reorganized USFJ, Mastalir told reporters. Both the U.S. and Japan use space to project power and, likewise, our adversaries in this region are using space more than ever to project power, he said. China, Russia and North Korea pose significant challenges in the region, Mastalir said. Pyongyang test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile on Oct. 31 and has sent troops to support Russias invasion of Ukraine. China has rapidly expanded its military space capabilities over the past decade, including anti-satellite weapons like grappler arms and high-orbit missiles, Mastalir added. He described Beijings efforts as part of a larger strategy to establish a long-range kill chain designed to deter U.S. military operations in the region. Chinas A2/AD (anti-access/area denial) is concentrated around Taiwan and the South China Sea, putting U.S. military forces such as a carrier strike group and installations in the region within range of precision-guided cruise and ballistic missiles, the Virginia-based Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance states on its website. China has deployed an increasing number of satellites to find and target U.S. and allied warplanes and warships, Mastalir said, adding that the Space Forces mission includes establishing space superiority to protect against space-enabled attacks. (Noga Ami-rav/Stars and Stripes) When publisher Karen Pavlicin began receiving requests for Spanish-language childrens books from military family support centers, librarians and educators, she began looking for ways to fill that need. Pavlicin, the CEO of an independent publishing company specializing in resources for military families, had already published one childrens book in Spanish, but she wanted to offer more. As the population of Spanish-speaking children with a parent in the military has grown, so have the requests for childrens books in Spanish, said Pavlicin. We want those military kids to not only be able to read books in Spanish, but also to see their military life represented in the stories. This year Pavlicins company, Elva Resa Publishing, released several new bilingual childrens books, all with stories related to military life. Three of the new Spanish language books make up half of Operacion Aviacion (Operation Aviation), a series of picture books released in both English and Spanish editions. The stories were written in English by Air Force C-17 pilot Teri Weber and translated into Spanish by Gabriella Aldeman. Artist Brenda Harris created the illustrations for both versions of all three books, aimed at readers from four to eight years old. The first set, Vuela con Maytai and the English version Fly with Mytai, tell the story of an F-22 Raptor in training with his team. The Spanish version received a gold medal in October from the International Latino Book Awards, recognizing Aldemans translation work. The second set is El Tanquecito and the English version Toad the Tanker, featuring a KC-135 Stratotanker providing fuel to other aircraft. Rounding out the series are La mision de Alce, and the English version, Moose on a Mission, introducing a C-17 Globemaster carrying cargo around the world. The books also show other types of aircraft in action and how they interact and support one another. Pavlicin said the author, editor, translator and illustrator worked closely from the start of the project to bring the stories to life and to rhyme in both languages. Gabriella had a dual task of contextually retelling the story in Spanish while creating good rhyme, just as Teri did when she wrote the stories in English, she said. Aldeman said she enjoyed the challenge of creating the poetry for Operacion Aviacion. Translating in rhyme is a thrill, a fun puzzle, she said. I have to take the story and retell it in Spanish. The goal for every translation is for the Spanish-speaking readers to have the same experience as readers of the source language. Aldeman said she, Weber and Harris worked together, exploring options for the titles, character names and how the art speaks to different audiences. For example, should the title be translated literally or should we come up with another title that works better or is catchier in Spanish? Aldeman said. Should the name of the characters be translated? What would be the best way to translate songs, onomatopoeia, idioms? We look at the art, does it convey the same in both languages and cultures? Weber agreed it was a thoughtful process. We had conversations about what needed to be direct translations and what we could take creative liberties with, she said, what worked best for the rhyme, what worked best for the story lines. Harris, who is bilingual, said speaking Spanish was helpful to her illustrating process. The story needed to visually make sense for both languages, she said. In some cases, the story text was longer or shorter in Spanish, so I wanted to make sure everything still fit in a consistent and aesthetically pleasing way. Harris said this project was especially meaningful to her, personally, as well as culturally. I grew up in a Spanish-speaking home, and I wish Id had more books in Spanish available to me when I was a child, she said. I feel honored to play a part in making a series of books that I needed and would have loved as a child, and Im so happy my own children get to enjoy them now. Weber said she is excited to know her stories could have an impact beyond her own linguistic capabilities. There are so many more families we can reach now thanks to the Spanish editions, and that is absolutely thrilling to see as an author, she said. As a team, we contributed our different backgrounds, expertise, and talents to the project, and we were a great balance for one another. Aldeman was the translator for two more Spanish-language books Elva Resa released this year. The bilingual board book, Duck & Rabbit ABC Military Adventure/Pato y Conejo ABC aventura militar, by Jennifer Sipos and Jennifer rose Freeland, combines both languages in one volume. Stars Purpose, a picture book by Krista Betcher, is available in a separate Spanish version as El proposito de Estrella. Pavlicin said these 2024 releases continue an emphasis on bilingual material at Elva Resa that began in 2021 with Atrapa la estrella! the Spanish version of Brenda Ehrmantrauts Night Catch. A picture book about deployment was a natural choice for the publishers first Spanish translation, she said. A librarian told me she had been translating Night Catch from English into Spanish in real time as she read it to kids, said Pavlicin, and she was so happy when we published Atrapa la estrella! Going forward, we will consider a Spanish edition for all our new childrens books, said Pavlicin. As for adult books in Spanish, she said Elva Resa is tracking requests from military units and family support directors for specific books and topics that are most needed. Our joy and purpose is creating quality resources for military families based on their needs, she said. With each new book, we are intentionally assessing the potential for a Spanish or bilingual edition. Im grateful our team is able to support our military community in this way. Terri Barnes is a book lover, book editor and author of Spouse Calls: Messages from a Military Life, based on her long-running column in Stars and Stripes. Find her online at terribarnesauthor.com. Divers found this 5-inch shell on Nov. 26, 2024, in waters where the Naha Military Port replacement facility is expected to be built. (Urasoe city) CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa Japanese divers working magnetic surveys for the government at two sites on Okinawa discovered 20 pieces of unexploded ordnance believed to be left over from World War II. Most recently, divers found a 5-inch shell on Nov. 26 in 52-foot waters where the Naha Military Port replacement facility is expected to be built, a spokesman with Urasoe citys Disaster Prevention and Crisis Management Division said by phone Monday. It is the first unexploded ordnance found at the site, he said. The discovery follows others made recently at the commercial port in Naha city. Divers discovered another 19 pieces of ordnance underwater near Naha Port, a spokesman for the citys Disaster Prevention and Crisis Management Division said by phone Monday. In March, divers surveying the area ahead of dredging work found three 276-pound bombs, he said. Between October and November, divers surveying a different area near the port prior to soil improvement work discovered seven 5-inch bombs, one 4-inch bomb, one 3-inch bomb and seven 81-mm shells, he said. They are stored in a safe place within the harbor and will be detonated later, most likely in March, the spokesman said. The shell discovered in Urasoe city is also stored there, he said. On Friday, disposal experts defused and relocated two WWII-era bombs discovered in October on an island southwest of Okinawa. Soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces 101st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit defused the 551-pound bombs on Miyakojima, a popular tourist spot 170 miles southwest of Okinawa, a spokesman with the islands Disaster Prevention and Crisis Management Division said by phone Monday. The bombs were discovered Oct. 8 and 11 on property next to Miyako Airport. They were relocated to an underground bunker roughly 20 feet deep and 10 feet wide and defused there, the spokesman said. Everything went smooth and safe without affecting the airport or traffic, he said. The defused bombs are stored in a warehouse managed by Okinawa prefecture until theyre disposed of, the spokesman said. Magnetic surveys began at Miyazaki Airport on Kyushu in October and are expected to finish in January, a spokesman for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism said last month. The surveys came after a 500-pound, WWII-era device exploded Oct. 2 underneath a taxiway shoulder at the airport on the southernmost of Japans four main islands. Preparations are underway for magnetic surveys at other Japanese airports, including Naha Airport on Okinawa, the ministry spokesman said. Some Japanese officials are required to speak to the media only on condition of anonymity. Crews disposed of nearly 22 tons of unexploded ordnance between April 1, 2023, and March 31. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. Under Articles 28, 214.2.1, and 28, 214.2.3 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, Afghan national Fawzan Musa Khan, sentenced to 10 years in jail for planning a terrorist act under the Baku Court on Grave Crime, has appealed with a higher court together with his lawyer, Trend reports. Fawzan Musa Khan, a 1990-born Afghan national, plotted a terrorist attack in Azerbaijan with the help of others, authorities say. Khan arrived in Azerbaijan from a third country and conducted surveillance around the embassy of a foreign nation. He subsequently connected with other individuals to recruit them for the attack, procure firearms and explosives, and secure financial backing for the operation. He also identified potential participants for the planned assault. The State Security Service later released a video showing Khan discussing the attacks logistics. Experts noted that the captured area in the footage houses several embassies. Khan, who received a ten-year prison sentence, has filed an appeal against the verdict. His lawyer argues that Khan cooperated sincerely during the investigation and is seeking a partial reduction of his sentence. Court documents revealed that Khan was in contact with members of an illegal armed group, recognized internationally as a terrorist organization, active in multiple countries. In connection with the case, investigators discovered that the terrorist group had attempted to facilitate the entry of foreign migrants into Azerbaijan, aiming to use the country as a transit point for illegal passage into European nations. The State Security Service has launched a separate investigation into the group, and criminal charges are pending. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Demonstrators calling for the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol face South Korean police at the gates in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, early Dec. 4, 2024. (David Choi/Stars and Stripes) SEOUL, South Korea South Koreas President Yoon Sul Yeol announced Wednesday he would lift martial law hours after the national parliament rebuffed his decree and thousands turned out in the streets of the capital demanding his impeachment. Yoons pre-dawn statement appeared to defuse a major political crisis in one of Americas key Pacific allies at a time of rising tension with communist North Korea. U.S. Forces Korea ordered the 28,500 U.S. service members stationed in South Korea to report through their chains of command no later than 10 a.m. Wednesday and to remain in their homes until then, according to a Department of Defense alert text message. There is no threat to families or Service Members. This measure is out of an abundance of caution due to government activities in Seoul, the text message said. The stunning events unfolded late Tuesday when Yoon declared military rule, vowing to eliminate anti-state forces as he struggles against an opposition that controls the countrys parliament and that he accuses of sympathizing with North Korea. Less than three hours later, the National Assembly voted to lift the decree. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik declared that the decree was invalid and that lawmakers will protect democracy with the people. All 190 delegates of the 300-member National Assembly present early Wednesday morning voted to demand Yoon end martial law. Faced with the strong pushback, Yoon backed down about five hours after his first announcement, saying he would withdraw his decree and was waiting for his cabinet to arrive so he could formally lift the order. The cabinet approved the motion to end martial law enforcement at 4:30 a.m., around six hours after Yoon made the emergency declaration, according to Yonhap News. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said that troops, which were mobilized to execute martial law, have returned to base. Demonstrators calling for the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol face South Korean police at the gates in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, early Dec. 4, 2024. (David Choi/Stars and Stripes) A man waves his phone that displays Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol outside of the gates to the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, early Dec. 4, 2024. (David Choi/Stars and Stripes) As parliament voted against the decree, hundreds of South Korean police with riot shields had gathered outside the presidential compound and the National Assembly, facing protesters who opposed the decree. Thankfully, the lawmakers stopped this, Jeong Seung Hyun, an Ansan city council member and member of the opposition Democratic Party, said at the gates following the vote. Jeong said he drove from Ansan, parked on the traffic-choked streets and walked a half-mile to the gate. Park Sung-soo, an office worker from Anyang city, said hed been outside the assembly about three hours. He drove to Seoul after hearing the news of the martial-law decree, ditched his car and walked to the gates. He carried a sign: Impeachment is peace. The only resolution to this crisis, he said, is to impeach Yoon. Yoon in his speech referenced the National Assemblys impeachment efforts against members of his administration, calling it an unprecedented situation since the founding of our country. Before Yoon backed down, the 1 million strong Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, one of the largest labor groups, declared an indefinite general strike, The New York Times reported. South Koreas Democratic Party, which holds the majority in the National Assembly, threatened to file motions to impeach state prosecutors last week in relation to their handling of a stock manipulation case against South Korean first lady Kim Keon-hee. In announcing the declaration, Yoon acknowledged that emergency martial law would cause some inconvenience to the good people who believed in and followed the values of the constitution of [South Korea], but we will focus on minimizing these inconveniences. However, the leader of Yoons own conservative party, Han Dong-hoon, called the decision wrong and vowed to stop it with the people, The Associated Press reported. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, called Yoons announcement illegal and unconstitutional, according to the AP. South Koreas Constitution allows its president to impose martial law during wartime, armed conflict or national emergency. In Washington, Kurt Campbell, U.S. deputy secretary of state, reiterated that the United States would stand by Korea in their time of uncertainty. I also want to just underscore that we have every hope and expectation that any political disputes will be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law, Campbell said. Yoons party has been locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition over next years budget bill. The opposition has also attempted to pass motions to impeach three top prosecutors, including the chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office, in what the conservatives have called a vendetta against their criminal investigations of Lee, who has been seen as the favorite for the next presidential election in 2027 in opinion polls. During his televised announcement, Yoon also described the opposition as shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces who are plundering the freedom and happiness of our citizens, but he did not elaborate. Yoon has taken a hard line on North Korea over its nuclear ambitions, departing from the policies of his liberal predecessor, Moon Jae-in, who pursued inter-Korean engagement. Yoon has also dismissed calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, drawing quick, strong rebukes from his political rivals. Natalia Slavney, research analyst at Stimson Centers 38 North website that focuses on Korean affairs, told the AP that Yoons imposition of martial law was a serious backslide of democracy in South Korea that followed a worrying trend of abuse since he took office in 2022. It remains to be seen what the political fallout of this brief emergency martial law will be both domestically and internationally. But South Korea has a robust history of political pluralism and is no stranger to mass protests and swift impeachments, Slavney said, Under the South Korean constitution, the president is required to notify the National Assembly immediately following the declaration. If the majority of lawmakers vote to lift the declaration, the president shall comply with the request. Two types of martial law exist in South Korea: security martial law, and emergency martial law, according to the constitution. Under emergency martial law, the president may prohibit political demonstrations and curtail freedom of the press for the government to continue functioning. Security martial law is declared during war time or a national emergency to maintain peace and order. Yoons decision marks the first time in 44 years a South Korean president has declared martial law. Former President Park Chung-hee declared martial law throughout the 1970s, a decree unilaterally extended by South Korean Gen. Chun Doo-hwan, who deployed troops to suppress pro-democracy protesters, many of them on college campuses. The Associated Press contributed to this report Parents, staff and students sport blue T-shirts that read "Everyday is Blue Ribbon Day at Alconbury Elementary School" during an assembly on Dec. 3, 2024. The school recently earned National Blue Ribbon honors, placing it in select company. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes) RAF ALCONBURY, England One of the smallest schools for children of U.S. service members overseas earned recognition in a big program that annually names standouts in American education. Alconbury Elementary School, at RAF Alconbury in England, was among 356 American schools named a National Blue Ribbon School for 2024, officials said at an assembly Tuesday. Its the second Blue Ribbon award for the Alconbury Dragons, a Department of Defense Education Activity school with 190 students ranging from pre-kindergarten to fifth grade. The first came in 2018. Previous winners of the award can reapply after five years. Founded in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools program covers elementary, middle and high schools. What sets Alconbury apart is how it consistently raises the bar, Michelle Howard-Brahaney, DODEA Europes director for student excellence, said during the announcement ceremony. The program recognizes schools that showed outstanding academic achievement or notable progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. A project "signed" with cutouts of student hands is displayed at an assembly at the Defense Department's Alconbury Elementary School in England, on Dec. 3, 2024. Alconbury received a rare National Blue Ribbon for the second time since 2018. Schools may reapply five years after winning the honor. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes) Guests listen as students give speeches on why they think Alconbury Elementary School deserves the National Blue Ribbon award they received, on Dec. 3, 2024. The assembly at the Defense Department school in England included students, parents, staff and community members. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes) Michelle Howard-Brahaney, DODEA Europe director for student excellence, stands next to the National Blue Ribbon flag that the Alconbury Elementary school received during an award ceremony on Dec. 3, 2024. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes) Ashley Herndon, the vice president of the PTA for Alconburys elementary school, stressed the importance of having organized events with the full backing of the principal. It invites community when youre in a foreign country, she said. Alconbury was joined by two other DODEA schools in taking home Blue Ribbon honors: West Point Elementary School at the U.S. Military Academy and Robinson Barracks Elementary School in Stuttgart, Germany. At Tuesdays ceremony, the Alconbury High School cheerleaders performed and the school choir sang. Then, a student from each grade was called up to the stage to talk about what they think makes Alconbury special. Principal Scott Finlay spoke about rewarding the kids with little green dragons when they embody the schools values. On top of high test scores, one thing that sets our school apart is the community that we have, Finlay said. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte addresses reporters Dec. 3, 2024, ahead of meetings of the alliance's foreign ministers in Brussels. (NATO) The battlefield backing that Russia is getting from North Korea, China and Iran in Ukraine has strings attached that could threaten the American homeland, NATOs top official said Tuesday. For example, the Kremlin is no doubt providing Pyongyang with missile technology in exchange for North Korean troops, Secretary-General Mark Rutte said as high-level talks got underway at alliance headquarters. That technology could be used against both South Korea and the U.S. mainland, Rutte said, adding that Beijing and Tehran are benefiting in a similar manner. This is all getting connected, Rutte said. So whenever we get to a deal on Ukraine, it has to be a good deal. A one-sided deal in Russias favor would embolden adversaries, according to Rutte, who was in Florida last month to meet with President-elect Donald Trump. Rutte said Tuesday that he had conveyed his view of the global security stakes of the Russia-Ukraine war. The talks came amid concerns about the durability of American support for Ukraine. At NATO headquarters in Brussels, outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will be on hand to talk up recent pledges by Washington to surge weapons deliveries into Ukraine as President Joe Bidens administration heads into its final month. But questions remain about how the incoming administration will proceed. Trump has long expressed opposition to arming Ukraine and has pledged to bring the war to a quick end. Secretary of State Antony Blinken listens to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte ahead of a two-day meeting of the alliance's foreign ministers in Brussels. It is the last such scheduled NATO gathering involving Blinken and the Biden administration. (NATO) Its unclear what the terms of a peace deal could look like, though any agreement would likely involve concessions by Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told British media outlet Sky News on Friday that he would be willing to cease fighting and pursue the reclamation of occupied territory through diplomatic channels. Ukraine in return would receive a NATO security guarantee, without which Zelenskyy said Ukraine would be at risk of being reinvaded. Other plans reportedly being considered by the Trump team call for an international European peacekeeping force to occupy a demilitarized zone that would see Russia holding on to Ukrainian territory currently under its control. Last week, Trump announced that his special envoy to Ukraine will be Keith Kellogg, a retired Army general who has said the United States willingness to provide military aid should be contingent on Ukrainian participation in peace talks. And if Moscow refuses to negotiate an end to the war, Washington should ramp up military support to Ukraine, Kellogg wrote in a May research report for the America First Policy Institute, a think tank created to advance Trumps policies. But Rutte said there are no signs that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to discuss peace. In recent months, his forces have made incremental territorial gains while Ukraine has struggled with manpower shortages. Russias aggression shows no sign of abating, Rutte said. Just the opposite. Putin is ramping up his rhetoric and reckless actions. The way forward for NATO centers on digging into already strained weapons stockpiles to deliver more support, Rutte said. During his talks with Trump, the need for allied military spending to exceed NATOs current benchmark of 2% of gross domestic product was one major topic of discussion, Rutte said. Another centered on the need for allies to ramp up a defense industrial base to keep pace with the demands of the war in Ukraine, he said. The stronger our military support to Ukraine is now, the stronger their hands will be at the negotiating table, Rutte said. And the sooner we can end Russian aggression once and for all in Ukraine. Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue, Commanding General of XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Liberty shares a few words to division personnel during the 10th Mountain Division's change of command ceremony, May 31, 2024, on Fort Drum, New York. (Alyssa Norton/ U.S. Army) The Senate on Monday confirmed an Army generals promotion to four-star officer after a Republican senator dropped the freeze on his nomination in the wake of backlash from retired military officers and some former Trump administration officials. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma) had placed a hold last month on the nomination of Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue, who was on the ground during the evacuation of Afghanistan, to become a four-star general and the top commander at U.S. Army Europe. President Joe Biden nominated Donahue for the promotion, and the hold could have upended the generals career depending on how long it was extended. It came after President-elect Donald Trump pledged for months to fire any senior officer associated with the fall of Afghanistan. Mullin dropped his hold, according to two people familiar with the matter, allowing the Senate to proceed with a voice vote on his promotion. These people spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. Mullins office did not respond to requests Monday for comment. Mullin, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has repeatedly said that no one in the U.S. government was held responsible for the chaos during the U.S. exit, in which more than 120,000 people were flown to safety. The operation was marred by scenes of desperation and violence, including an Islamic State suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. troops and about 170 Afghans. Donahue, however, arrived at the Kabul airport only three days after the fall of Kabul to bolster leadership and has served in numerous roles valued highly at the Pentagon, including a stint in charge of the elite Army unit commonly known as Delta Force. During the evacuation, Donahue served as commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division. U.S. military officials said he was the last American service member with his boots on the ground in Afghanistan. A night-vision photograph of him stepping onto a C-17 cargo plane to end the mission went viral, crystalizing a moment of mourning for many of the roughly 800,000 U.S. service members who served there during 20 years of war. Donahue was later promoted in March 2022 to become commander of the Armys XVIII Airborne Corps, which oversees the 82nd Airborne and other prominent units, including the 101st Airborne Division, 10th Mountain Division and 3rd Infantry Division. In recent days, senior Army leaders had wrapped their arms around him, encouraging him in phone calls as they sought resolution to the logjam, said one former defense official familiar with the issue. Its lonely when you get singled out for this kind of thing, the former defense official said, expressing bewilderment that Trump would not want Donahue in a senior position given his extensive experience in combat. I am certain that if Trump met CD and had a conversation with him, he would say that this is the kind of Army general that he would have respect for. Among those who backed Donahue are former defense secretary Mark T. Esper, who ran the Pentagon for about 18 months under Trump. Esper, in a message posted on X, said last month that Donahue was a great pick to lead U.S. forces in Europe and was extremely talented, professional and apolitical. Responsibility for the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 rests with the White House, not the Defense Dept, and certainly not with the uniformed leaders who faithfully executed Pres Bidens misbegotten decisions, Espers message said. Retired Gen. Tony Thomas, a former head of U.S. Special Operations Command, last month called the hold a disgrace. The finest officer I ever served with, Chris Donahue is a generational leader who is now being held up for political purposes, Thomas wrote. At the tip of the spear defending this country for over three decades he is now a political pawn. Some former Trump administration officials backed the hold, however. Anthony Tata, who served in a senior Pentagon role during the first Trump administration, said in a post on X last month that there is a dangerous trend of generals believing they are above civilian control. The Biden administration infamously has held *no one* accountable for the disaster that was the Afghanistan withdrawal, Tata wrote. 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. Mariana Alfaro and Aaron Schaffer contributed to this report. President Donald J. Trump stands with United States Naval Academy cadets during the 120th Army-Navy Game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 14, 2019. The United States Naval Academy defeated the United States Military Academy this year. (James E. Harvey/Army) President-elect Donald Trump offered billionaire investor Stephen Feinberg the job of deputy defense secretary, said people familiar with the matter, a decision that could elevate a longtime political supporter with investments in defense companies that maintain lucrative Pentagon contracts. A spokesman for Feinberg declined to say if the private equity investor has accepted the potential nomination. Trump made the offer in recent days, according to people who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the incoming administrations personnel moves. The offer has not been previously reported. The pick, which requires Senate confirmation, is not final until announced by Trump, his aides said. President-elect Trump has made brilliant decisions on who will serve in his second administration at lightning pace. Remaining decisions will continue to be announced by him when they are made, said Trump transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt. Feinberg is the co-CEO of Cerberus Capital Management, which has invested in hypersonic missiles and which previously owned the private military contractor DynCorp. DynCorp was acquired by another defense firm, Amentum, in 2020. During the first Trump administration, Feinberg led the Presidents Intelligence Advisory Board, which provides the U.S. leader advice on intelligence assessments and estimates and counterintelligence matters. The deputy defense secretary typically manages day-to-day operations of the massive bureaucracy with a combined workforce of more than 3 million service members and civilian employees. The search for a capable No. 2 has taken on heightened significance as lawmakers weigh the nomination of former Fox News personality Pete Hegseth to lead Trumps Pentagon as defense secretary. Hegseth, who has not run a large organization or held a senior Pentagon role, has faced scrutiny about his leadership abilities as opponents surface claims that he promoted a reckless drinking and party culture and mismanaged the finances at veterans organizations he was involved with in recent years, both of which he denies. The Pentagon is one of the largest organizations in the world, so it needs someone who can play the classic chief operations officer role at the No. 2 job, said Michael OHanlon, a military expert at the Brookings Institution. The traditional image of the deputy secretary presupposes that the secretary isnt going to have the time or ability to run the building. In this case Hegseth might not have either. Critics on the left have raised concern that elevating a billionaire financier to the highest rungs of the Pentagon could pose conflicts of interest stemming from his defense investments. Having this revolving door of people who sit on boards of major defense contractors and then cycle in and out of the Pentagon is a problem that did not begin with Trump, but is a problem nonetheless, said Matt Duss executive vice president at the Center for International Policy. Is he going to be listening to a whole range of constituencies or primarily business constituencies? A person familiar with Trumps choice said Feinberg would strictly adhere to requirements related to conflicts of interest. Steves obviously very aware of the Office of Government and Ethics rules, and, of course, he went through the full assessment for his role with the intelligence advisory board. And so he knows exactly what he would need to do and will be prepared to be in full compliance with OGE rules and directions, the person said. OHanlon said the Feinberg pick might ease the military establishments concerns that the next deputy will lean too far in the direction of Silicon Valley, where startups that focus on drones and artificial intelligence have rapidly grown their share of a market long dominated by traditional defense firms such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing. I think what you want is somebody whos aggressive about looking for new ideas but also appreciative of what works, and I think thats where Feinberg is mentally, said OHanlon. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier on Trumps interest in Feinberg for the Pentagon role. He also considered Silicon Valley favorite Trae Stephens, a venture capitalist who co-founded Anduril Industries, a defense startup that specializes in advanced autonomous systems. Another candidate under consideration was former Army secretary Ryan D. McCarthy. Some of Feinbergs investments have focused on areas where the United States is seen as lagging militarily, such as hypersonic missiles sophisticated, highly maneuverable weapons that China and Russia have pursued aggressively. Cerberus Capital has made investments in the testing of hypersonic components, viewed as a bottleneck in the weapons development domestically. Surviving spouses of fallen service members could benefit from a job counseling program created for disadvantaged veterans that was expanded under a Senate bill approved Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, to include free career services for them. (Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON A job counseling program created for disadvantaged veterans would be expanded to provide free career services to surviving spouses of fallen service members under a Senate bill approved Monday. The legislation seeks to make the Department of Labors Disabled Veterans Outreach Program, or DVOP, available to widows or widowers whose spouses died while on active military duty or from a service-related disability. For years, the program has given states funding to hire career specialists to work with veterans who face significant barriers to employment. The specialists assist with job search activities, create individual employment plans and provide other services. A group of senators, led by Sens. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and Bill Cassidy, R-La., introduced a bill in February to open those opportunities to surviving spouses as well. We owe it to the families of fallen service members to do all that we can to support them after their devastating loss, Hassan said in a statement Tuesday. I urge my colleagues in the House to work with us to get this commonsense bill across the finish line. House lawmakers introduced a matching bill in July, but it remains stuck in the Committee on Veterans Affairs. The Senate earlier this year included the measure in its version of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, but it is unclear if it will make it into the final legislation. Congress is expected to pass a compromise version of the defense policy bill later this month following negotiations between the House and Senate. The proposal to expand the DVOP program is unlikely to face resistance from lawmakers. It will not require any new funding, according to a Department of Labor assessment, and any additional participants will be handled by existing specialists. Of the more than 44,000 veterans who received help from the departments Jobs for Veterans State Grants Program between July 2023 and June 2024, 94% received individualized career services from a DVOP specialist. The grant program has an employment rate of about 55%. Surviving spouses are known to struggle financially after the death of a service member. A 2012 study by the Rand Corporation think tank found the earnings of spouses decline significantly the first four years after a service members death. Grief and increased time demands at home can often keep the spouse from participating fully in the work force, according to the study. Lawmakers in recent years have focused their legislative efforts on combating a stubbornly high unemployment rate among active-duty military spouses but less attention has been devoted to addressing the unique circumstances of surviving spouses. This bipartisan bill will ensure that surviving spouses have access to job counseling services and will help address some of the employment challenges that the families of those who have served face, Hassan said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mark Libby has retired from diplomatic service, Trend reports. "It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from U.S. diplomatic service. The health concerns I noted in my testimony before the U.S. Senate in 2023 have, unfortunately, persisted. Since coming to Baku, I have benefitted from excellent medical attention, including from the diagnostic radiology team at Mrkzi Klinika, to whom I am especially grateful. But recent test results indicate that it is time for me to return home to focus fully on my health," Mark Libby said in a statement. The ambassador highlighted the work the U.S. Embassy team has done in Azerbaijan during his tenure in Baku. "We have forged stronger people-to-people ties by sponsoring English language programs, dramatically boosting the number of Azerbaijani students studying in the USA, and facilitating visits to Azerbaijan by a diverse range of U.S. scholars, sports, and cultural representatives. We have fostered deeper economic cooperation, especially in the transition from traditional to renewable energy. And our close cooperation to produce a successful outcome at COP29 has demonstrated that the governments of the United States and Azerbaijan can work together to change the world for the better when we put our minds to it," he added. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. Vahan Kostanyan, Armenia's Deputy Foreign Minister and Head of the Armenian delegation to the 114th session of the United Nations Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, has supported Garegin Nzhdeh, who collaborated with the fascist state and perpetrated crimes against humanity, Trend reports. During the session, CERD rapporteur for Armenia, Yeung Kam John, mentioned that the committee caught wind of the installation of monuments to shadowy figures like Nzhdeh in the country. John inquired about the extent to which Armenias educational curriculum encompasses all facets of history and fosters a climate of tolerance devoid of discrimination. Kostanyan, aiming to show that Armenia is a land of acceptance grasped the intricacies of the matter and had to bite the bullet, acknowledging that the school curriculum is getting a makeover. He tiptoed around Nzhdeh's name and couldn't dodge the fact that Nzhdeh was a fascist, claiming instead that this individual was a significant historical figure for Armenia and the Armenian people in the early 20th century, but not beyond that. Not satisfied with this response, the rapporteur emphasized that the recent ceremonies held around such a statue indicated that the individual in question remains relevant to society today. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Dog Day Afternoon for bungling burglars caught by snowprints The ATM in Kells that Stewart tried to rob This is one of the dopey ATM robbers literally caught in a snowstorm after clever cops followed his for footprints for ten miles back to his safehouse. Bungling burglars Jordan Stewart and his accomplice Joseph Tomlinson were also rumbled by a family pooch who exposed their shaggy dog story. But locals in sleepy County Antrim village Kells where Stewart lived before trying to break into the villages only ATM machine are furious he avoided going to jail. Instead, the 25-year-old chancer, exposed here for the first time, walked away with a 2,000 fine and was told to do 90 hours community service instead. Thats after cops followed Stewart and his equally dopey accomplice, 28-year-old Tomlinson, for several hours across fields, hedges and barbed wire fences tracking the footprints theyd left in the snow. The pair had earlier used cutting equipment and blow torches to try and break into the cash machine at the local SuperValu supermarket before crashing their getaway car and leading the police on a cross-country chase-on-foot which went on for several hours. How can you get away with trying to smash into a cash machine and not go to jail? said one angry resident. That was a carefully planned criminal act which was an attack on the community and they were only caught because they were so stupid to carry it out in the snow. I dont know Tomlinson but Jordan Stewart is a bad egg and all we know is he wasnt allowed back in Kells until after the trial. Hopefully hell stay out hes not very popular. The ATM in Kells that Stewart tried to rob The pathetic pair had tried to smash their way into an ATM bunker attached to a supermarket in Kells, in March. The cash machine was just a short walk from where Stewart used to live in Fernisky Park. Earlier this month the pair were back at Antrim Crown Court to be sentenced for their doomed criminal venture after pleading guilty to burglary with intent to steal and causing criminal damage to both a car wash and the cash machine. Court News NI reported how Tomlinson was given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for three years, and has to pay 1,000 compensation. Stewart has been ordered to do 90 hours of community service and was put on probation for two years and has to pay compensation of 2,000. But it was an earlier bail hearing at Ballymena Magistrates Court where the jaw-dropping details of the case were revealed. After an ATM alarm alerted police to an incident on Kells Main Street at about 2am on Friday March 10, officers tracked the movements of a jeep used by Stewart and Tomlinson who tried to use cutting equipment and blow torches to break into the machine. The court heard that while a pursuit was not possible because of the snow and weather conditions, it was the snow which led police to a house on the Fernisky Road. While the jeep was found crashed just outside Parkgate, officers spotted footprints walking away from the vehicle so police followed these prints for several hours, through fields, hedges and over barbed wire fences, said DC Billings. Three men were inside the house, the two bungling burglars as well as Stewarts father, who had absolutely nothing to do with the incident. Inside the house police also found a pile of wet clothes. The detective told the court Mr Stewart snr said the wet clothes did not belong to him and that his son and another male had come in during the night saying they had wrecked a car. But Tomlinson and Stewart had concocted their shaggy-dog story and claimed they had been out walking the dog for approximately ten minutes, not banking on eagle-eyed cops to spot a massive plot hole. There was a dog in the property, however, this dog was dry and not wet as would be expected if walking in snow, the officer told the court. She said the ATM building at SuperValu in Kells was examined and there was scorch damage to the door as if someone had used a blowtorch-type item to try to gain entry. When the crashed jeep was searched, cops uncovered cutting equipment, a blow torch and a gas canister in the boot. Arrested and interviewed, both Stewart, from Wakehurst Court in Ballymena and Tomlinson, from Ballysillan Avenue in Belfast, denied involvement but refused to answer the majority of police questions. Appearing separately by videolink from police custody, both men were charged with attempting to steal the contents of the ATM and burglary of the ATM building. Last night a senior police officer commended the cops involved in chasing down the pair through the snowy conditions. Detective Sergeant Crothers said: I would like to commend all the officers involved in this investigation in what is an example of exceptional police work in the most challenging of conditions. Mr McCarthys partner, Nia OReilly, wept and shouted: You murdering rat. Weasel. Pig, at Crawford as he left the court. A cold-blooded killer who executed a grandfather without mercy, shooting him repeatedly when he answered the front door at his mothers home, shouted: F**k you and your fair trial and stormed out of the dock after a jury convicted him of murder this afternoon. The jury of six men and six women deliberated for eight hours and 20 minutes before returning the unanimous verdict today against Cailean Crawford, who had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Thomas McCarthy (55) on July 27, 2020 at Croftwood Park, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10. Crawford is already serving a jail sentence for conspiring to murder gangland criminal Wayne Whelan, who survived a September 2019 murder attempt but was subsequently shot dead following another attack two months later. Mr McCarthys partner, Nia OReilly, wept and shouted: You murdering rat. Weasel. Pig, at Crawford as he left the court. After proceedings concluded, Ms O'Reilly apologised to the court for her earlier outburst. The jury agreed with the States case that Crawford was the assassin who fired several times, fatally injuring Mr McCarthy, having come to the scene in a blue Ford Fiesta car which was seen driving in and out of the area on CCTV. Following Crawfords outburst, Mr Justice Tony Hunt commented: The mask slips I suppose members of the juryHe hasnt even the courage to stay here and listen because he knows what Im going to say in a moment. Thomas McCarthy After the verdict was returned, Mr Justice Hunt thanked the panel for their hard work and diligence and told them they should have no regrets and no remorse about the verdict they had reached when they look back at the case. Referring to Crawford, the judge said: Hes not an unlucky man whose only crime was to lend a phone and a van to another man. Hes not a victim of circumstance. He is, in fact, a very dangerous individual. He told the jury that as a result of their verdict, the good people of Ballyfermot, whom they had heard Crawford slur in the witness box, will be able to live free of him for some time. He said what was needed to perpetrate a crime like this one was someone cold-blooded, someone who is a shell of a human being and who doesnt have any emotions. The amount of people who would be prepared to do something like this are in short supply, said the judge. Mr McCarthy, who had five children and two grandchildren, was living in the UK at the time and had returned home to visit his family and his mother, who lived at the address in Ballyfermot. Prosecuting counsel Bernard Condon SC had told the trial there was undoubtedly more than one person involved in a conspiracy over the murder. He said the States case was that Crawford was the gunman who repeatedly shot Mr McCarthy quite viciously and without mercy. The 12 jurors rejected the defence case that Crawford, last of Clifden Terrace, Ballyfermot, was involved in drug dealing and had loaned a phone and a GoVan he had hired on the morning of the killing to associate Charles McClean. McClean (35) was described earlier this year by a Central Criminal Court judge as a "remorseless" criminal, after he sentenced him for calling Mark 'Guinea Pig' Desmond to a drugs meeting in a Dublin park, where the gangland figure was gunned down. McClean, who was already serving consecutive sentences of 16.5-years for facilitating the murder of Thomas McCarthy and conspiring to murder Wayne Whelan, was jailed for an additional three-and-a-half years for impeding the apprehension of the person who murdered Mr Desmond. The State had argued that Crawford was the person who was driving the GoVan and that he was also the driver of the blue Ford Fiesta which was seen moving in and out of the area on CCTV. Mr Condon said it was the prosecution case that a group of people were involved in planning and carrying out the murder of Mr McCarthy, with a number of cars used which were purchased using false names. He said that movements of the accuseds van and other vehicles involved, including a black Mercedes, a Skoda, a Ford Fiesta, and a Toyota Avensis, showed dry runs being carried out in the days before the murder. Crawford took the stand during his trial and told the jury that he was being blamed as the centre point of a murder he didnt commit after he loaned the van to McClean. He said he had handed the van over to a man with bones sticking out of his face who was a mate of McCleans. Cailean Crawford Crawford said he assumed McClean needed the van to collect drugs. He said McClean had previously given him a Lyca SIM card to use after Crawford agreed to collect and transport drugs on two or three occasions in the Ballyfermot area. In his closing address, Mr Condon said the jury had been presented with a tissue of lies. He said Mr Crawfords evidence was full of untruths and equivocations and dishonesty and described the accuseds claim that the movements of his van were due to drug dealing as absurd. Mr Condon said that Mr McCarthy was shot seven times, meaning he never had a chance in that style of execution and died in his mothers hallway. Some of the cars were later found burnt out, with a 9mm semi-automatic weapon retrieved from the Fiesta. In his closing speech, Mark Lynham SC, for Crawford, said it was the defences case that the accused was involved in drug dealing. Youve heard nothing to disprove that. There's nothing in his movements to connect him to this plot, said Mr Lynam. So yes, at a minimum, he is involved in criminality but being a criminal doesnt mean youre a murderer, he said. Counsel reminded the panel that an eyewitness had given a description of the person suspected of being the killer as being six-foot tall, not young, possibly late 30s, very skinny and junkie-looking, with a black tooth or tooth missing. He said that the accused did not match this description. After the jury returned their guilty verdict, Mr Justice Hunt told the panel he could now fill them in on a few things and comment on some matters which he had not made comment on after the closing of the case. The judge said the suggestion that it might be a junkie who had committed the murder was presumably based on the single piece of eyewitness evidence heard. He said from his experience, most addicts are victims of circumstance in a way that this man isnt a victim of circumstance. They may commit crimes, he said, but they do so mostly out of desperation and a response to immediate need. What most of them dont do however, members of the jury, is turn to cold blooded murder, he said. The crime that was committed in this case would not, I think, be entrusted to a junkie because its more likely to be botched by someone in withdrawal or under the influence of drugs. He said sometimes junkies might be asked to do something peripheral, like hand over a gun before a murder. He told the jury that they had been presented with a limited version of the truth and had decided the case on the evidence that you have. Mr Justice Hunt said the panel had been told not to conduct any research during the case. Im sure the first thing most of you will do when you go home is consult Mr Google. He said he would save them the trouble by telling them the tale. The judge said in September 2019, there had been an attempted murder in Lucan, County Dublin [Wayne Whelan]. Again in an uncanny co-incidence, the judge said, three getaway cars were used which was perhaps somewhat similar to what was used in this case. He said the three cars were burned out and a fourth was intercepted by the gardai. In any event, the fourth car was stopped. Who was in it? No prizes for guessing. Mr McClean and Mr Crawford, said the judge. Mr Justice Hunt told the jury Crawford was charged with attempted murder but pleaded guilty to lesser offences. In September 2021, Crawford was sentenced to seven years with the final two suspended having pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder father-of-three Wayne Whelan at Griffeen Glen Park, Lucan, between May 15 and November 15, 2019. Charles McClean, last of St Marks Drive, Clondalkin, was sentenced to eight years. So what happened less than a year later was no accident and you neednt worry when you are looking back on this case, he told the jury. Theres no accident, no bad luck about this. He told the jurors that McClean is serving a very long sentence for a combined total of three escapades. Mr Justice Hunt exempted the panel from jury service for a period of 20 years. He remanded Crawford in custody to December 20 when he will be handed the mandatory sentence for murder of life imprisonment. Under cross examination whilst giving evidence in his own defence, Crawford had denied a suggestion by prosecuting counsel that he was trying to mislead the jury because he was in cahoots with Charles McClean. Crawford maintained the van had been collected at around 9.30am on the morning of the murder and that he then went to his grandmother's house where he had food, a shower and changed his clothes. He said he left his grandmothers house at around 11.30am to go and collect the van. Mr Condon suggested that Crawford had not previously admitted to gardai that the van had been involved in drug dealing because he was now inventing this detail. Crawford said he had been afraid of being branded a rat for speaking to the gardai, as he knew the danger he would be in. If I dont explain my side of the story now, Ill never get a chance to do it. Ill be branded a rat, but Im willing to do that rather than being convicted of a murder I didnt do, Crawford said. David Rocky OBrien had not been part of a Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) case against Browning and members of his family, including Julie Conway An ex-garda married to the mother of the Kinahan cartels No1 man in Ireland, Ross Browning, sparked laughter in the High Court during a hearing over his old home. David Rocky OBrien had not been part of a Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) case against Browning and members of his family, including Julie Conway. However, it had been ruled that a quarter of the sale price of Chestnut Lodge, which he shared with Ms Conway (below) be returned to the couple. Julie Conway Confusion arose after the property was sold this year as one lot, along with Brownings home, stables and land at Garristown. Judge Alexander Owens said he had agreed the money should go back to the couple and split 50/50, to which Mr OBrien remarked I wouldnt agree, sparking laughter. In reply to the judge who asked if he was still with the woman, he said absolutely. Seeking clarification this week, Mr OBrien said that he disagreed with the valuation of the property as being worth 293,000 of the total sale price. He said he had no affidavit evidence of an alternative valuation, having only been notified of the proceedings six days earlier. The judge said that even if there was another valuation it would likely be a small amount either way and that 293,000 can be taken as the figure. It means that 73,250 will be returned to the couple. The property at Garristown was declared the proceeds of crime in 2023. During the case it emerged OBrien and Conway had used 40,000 borrowed from the Garda Credit Union to refurbish their house. The bureau did not get everything their own way in the February 2023 judgement with Judge Owens saying that there was not enough evidence to say that 2,800 cash found at Chesnut Lodge were criminal proceeds. Ross Browning He also said the court was reluctantly minded to allow other provisions, ruling that Julie Conway and David OBrien be allowed a quarter of the net proceeds of the sale of Chesnut Lodge. CAB had stated a third of a million euros was spent on cottage renovations although Julie Conway told investigators that the renovations were all me and Dave including 40,000 borrowed from St Raphaels Garda Credit Union. CABs case was that the co-mingling of finances was used to hide the moneys origins. Two other parcels of land in Rush were also taken over by CAB and since sold off by auction as well. Browning did not contest the 1.4 million case against him which included paddocks and an indoor show-jumping arena at Garristown. Originally from Hardwicke Street in the north inner-city, he was previously described in court as the Kinahan Cartels No.1 man in Ireland. CAB stated in their case that Browning was at the heart of a 1billion crime gang and was the Kinahan Cartels principal representative in Ireland. Browning had tried to disguise his drug money in Ireland through his family members who in return enjoyed his generosity when it came to cars, jewellery and travel. Smith claimed he could no longer tolerate confined spaces and had feared he would never be able to fly again after having been trapped in the lift The photographs showed Mr Smith in a one-person sauna following the incident and in Rome, where he had flown to propose to his partner in front of the Trevi Fountain A Dublin gym owner, who felt he might never fly again after having been trapped in a lift and told a judge he afterwards flew to Rome to propose to his partner, has rejected the courts award of damages. Robert Smith, a personal trainer, of Johnstown Place, Johnstown Road, Cabinteely, Dublin, has appealed to the High Court the 8,250 award, with a limit on costs, made to him a fortnight ago by Judge Geoffrey Shannon in the Circuit Civil Court. During an assessment of damages in a 60,000 claim, after the lift company had admitted fault, Judge Shannon heard claims by Smith that he had developed a fear of confined spaces and had felt he might not be able to fly again. Smith (39) accepted in cross-examination by barrister Conor Duff, for Infinity Lifts, Ennis, Co Clare, that he had posted on line pictures of himself power posing in a single person sauna and proposing to his partner at the Trevi Fountain after flying to Rome. Judge Shannon heard Smith had turned down a 15,000 offer by Infinity Lifts to settle his claim against them. The judge said the court had to take into consideration the photographic evidence produced by Mr Duff. He had found Mr Smith to be a genuine witness but had difficulty in reconciling the photographic evidence with his issue of claustrophobia. Smith claimed he could no longer tolerate confined spaces and had feared he would never be able to fly again after having been trapped in the lift in June 2021 for an hour before a woman heard his cries for help. Mr Duff had told Judge Shannon that Smith, only a few days after flying back from Rome, had failed to tell a doctor at a medical consultation about his flying activities. Counsel had asked Judge Shannon not to award any damages or a very small figure. Rejecting a suggestion by Smiths barrister that damages should range from between 15,000 and 40,000, Judge Shannon said that under the compensatory guidelines he had to consider fairness and proportionality. He has enjoyed a high profile, both during his time in politics and after leaving office. A high-profile former politician is due to appear in court charged as part of a migrant trafficking investigation. The Dublin-based man is facing one charge of facilitating the entry of an illegal immigrant into the State and a second charge of possessing child pornography, the Sunday World has learned. He was previously arrested as part of the long-running inquiry by the Garda National Immigration Bureau which has been ongoing for over three years. Properties and vehicles have been searched as part of the inquiry, with a number of electronic devices as well as documents also seized and analysed. The alleged offences occurred on dates in 2021 and 2022, but do not coincide with his time in office. Since leaving politics after many years, the man has worked in a separate sector. He has enjoyed a high profile, both during his time in politics and after leaving office. The investigation began over three years ago after immigration officials at Dublin Airport reported suspicions about alleged people-smuggling. In 2022, detectives carried out six searches, including the searches of three homes, two vehicles as well as his place of work. During these searches mobile phones and laptop devices were seized while evidence of financial transactions was also recovered so it could be analysed. Last year the ex-politician was arrested and questioned over several hours at a Dublin garda station on suspicion of facilitating the entry of migrants into the country. He was also questioned about images allegedly recovered during the investigation. The man was later released without charge and a file was prepared for the DPP. He has since been charged and is set to re-appear in court in the coming weeks following a hearing in October. The first count he faces relates to the trafficking of an illegal immigrant. He is charged with knowingly facilitating the entry into the State of a person he knew, or had reasonable cause to believe, was an illegal immigrant or a person who intended to seek asylum. It is alleged that this occurred in August 2021 at Terminal One in Dublin Airport, Swords, north Co Dublin, and is an offence contrary to the Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Act 2000. The maximum penalty for this offence, on conviction on indictment, is a sentence of 10 years in jail. He also faces a second charge under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998, relating to seven images recovered at a Dublin property in June 2022. This offence, on conviction on indictment, carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, a fine not exceeding 5,000 or both. The man is expected to appear before Dublin District Court this month. While no formal plea has yet been entered in respect of the charges, the ex-politician has previously denied any wrongdoing. Stuart Quiney (39) has been advised that he could face several years in prison A man in his 30s from Co Wicklow is facing jail in Dubai, accused of sending threatening emojis, according to campaign group Detained in Dubai Stuart Quiney (39), a property renovator from Laragh, has been held in Dubai for three months and is set to go before a prosecutor on Wednesday. He has been advised that he could face several years in prison under strict laws that prohibit rude, offensive or threatening text messages, even if expressed sarcastically, jokingly between close friends or loved ones. The emojis he is being held over were send from Ireland to a Belgian acquaintance he says took his possessions without permission. Mr Quiney is currently staying with a friend while on a travel ban, and is relying on financial support from his family, is said to be suffering sleepless nights, sickness and extreme anxiety. Radha Stirling, chief executive of campaign group Detained in Dubai, is raising awareness over Stuarts case. To make the grave situation even worse, his grandmother is currently sick and he is concerned he will never see her again. He fears he wont see his beloved grandmother before she passes and is praying he gets home before Christmas, said Ms Stirling. In January 2022, Mr Quiney accompanied his friend to Dubai to help him set up his new life. He was introduced to a resident, who assisted his friend to get an apartment by providing a local ID. Stuart stayed with his friend for two months. He had intended to return a week later to spend more time with his friend. He left some of his belongings in the apartment. While both he and his friend were away, they say that their personal belongings were removed from the apartment. Stuart Quiney from Laragh, Co Wicklow. Photo: detainedindubai.com Mr Quiney hoped hed be able to recover his things, which included small but sentimental gifts from his late grandmother. He drafted multiple legal letters, but received no reply. I dont really mind the clothes, its just those things that were my grandmothers and a gift from a friend that is very important to me, he told Ms Stirling. I came over in June last year and sent him a few messages, basically saying I wanted my things back or I would go to the police, but I got no reply again. After returning to Ireland, he was told his grandmother was suffering dementia and being moved into a home. Ms Stirling added: It hit him very hard. She is his best friend. He dealt with the pain by drinking alcohol, something he only does once or twice a year. In a drunken state, he must have remembered his other grandmothers gift, reached for his phone and sent some emojis (eg. ninja man and blood drop). Mr Quiney told Ms Stirling: I very rarely drink so this is completely out of character for me. Ive never been in trouble with the law. He didnt think anything of it when he booked his next flight to visit his friend. In fact, he did not even remember sending them at the time or afterwards. It was a very difficult time. When Stuart arrived in Dubai on September 6, he was immediately taken into custody, transported to Al Barsha police station and told he could not leave the country. Stuarts mother has been in touch with the accuser and they have both apologised, but he has said he wont withdraw the case, said Ms Stirling. Stuart and his family are reaching out to Wicklow representatives for help. It wasnt an ideal message, but it was made at a very distressing time in Stuarts life, said Ms Stirling. He has apologised and regrets the message. "Hes suffered extreme stress, anxiety and health issues from being forced to stay in Dubai for the past three months while anticipating prison. The UAE needs an expeditious legal process for tourists who should be deported or banned from re-entering at worst. Co Tyrone man Craig Ballentine is also facing jail in Dubai over a negative review he posted online relating to a dog grooming centre. He was detained when he arrived in Abu Dhabi in October to visit and was transported to Dubai to face charges of slander under the United Arab Emirates (UAE)s cybercrime laws. Previously, Laleh Sharahvesh was arrested over a five-year-old Facebook post made from England. Ms Stirling added: The UAEs Cybercrime laws are highly dangerous to tourists. They are unclear, subjective, arbitrarily enforced and the punishments can be severe. She further advised: Its important for repeat visitors to Dubai to obtain a police check in advance of travel. Checking prior to travel prevents a significant number of arrests and would have prevented the gruelling nightmares that both Stuart Quiney and Craig Ballentine are experiencing now. Timothy Walker bludgeoned Shearer with a blunt instrument A Co Down man was handed a life sentence today after he admitted the murder of his partners cousin. Timothy Walker was due to go on trial at Downpatrick Crown Court today but defence KC John Kearney instead asked for the 43-year-old to be rearraigned on the single charge against him. As Walker stood handcuffed in the dock, wearing a grey fleece over a white shirt and pale blue tie, he was asked by the court clerk whether he was guilty or not guilty of the murder of Denis Curtis Shearer on March 9, 2021, to which he replied: Guilty. Standing alongside the self-confessed killer in the dock was his partner, Natalie Brannigan. The mother-of-four, from The Green in Holywood, was also rearraigned and admitted that, despite knowing or believing Walker had committed attempted murder, she assisted an offender. The particulars of the offences disclose that on February 28, 2021, Brannigan did an act with intent to impede his apprehension or prosecution namely drove your motor vehicle to collect Timothy Walker in the Glencairn area of north Belfast and drove him back to Holywood and onwards to Newtownards, in an effort to evade his detection and apprehension. The charges arise following an attack on Brannigans cousin Denis Shearer at his home on the Fernmore Road in Bangor at the end of February, before he passed away on March 9, 2021. Walker, originally from Abbey Ring in Holywood but now with an address at HMP Maghaberry, bludgeoned Shearer with a blunt instrument before fleeing the scene and leaving his victim fatally injured. Earlier this year, Walker entered a guilty plea to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, but that was not accepted by the prosecution. In court today, both Mr Kearney and Brannigans defence KC, Eilis McDermott, asked for sentencing to be adjourned to allow the Probation Board to complete pre-sentence reports. Prosecuting KC David McDowell said that, in addition, the Public Prosecution Service would be obtaining victim impact statements from Mr Shearers grieving relatives. Addressing Walker, Mr Justice OHara told him: It is more than three and a half years since you murdered Mr Shearer in his bed and you have now admitted your part in that offence. The law requires me to impose a life sentence on you for that murder and I do that now, Mr Justice OHara told Walker, explaining that once the various reports had been completed I will fix the minimum number of years that you must serve before he is eligible for release on licence. Mr Justice OHara warned him, however, that the life licence means that you will be liable to be recalled to prison on any further criminality. Ms McDermott asked for Brannigan to be freed on bail and emphasised that her client has been on bail since the incident and there had been no issues or breaches. I will allow bail to Ms Branigan pending the hearing, but she should understand it does not follow from that that she will not be sent to prison in February, Mr Justice OHara warned, as he adjourned the case to that month next year. Alison Chawke (40) of The Beeches, Holywell, Goatstown, Dublin 14, is accused of having gouged the eyes of one alleged victim and kicked the other alleged victim in the head A daughter and son of prominent pub-chain businessman Charlie Chawke were today returned for trial on charges of assault causing harm to two men, at the luxury four-star Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare, Co Limerick. Alison Chawke (40) of The Beeches, Holywell, Goatstown, Dublin 14, is accused of having gouged the eyes of one alleged victim and kicked the other alleged victim in the head a number of times before allegedly biting him on the side of his face, on November 9, 2023. Bill Chawke. Photo: Brendan Gleeson Ms Chawke is also alleged to have thrown a pint glass at the two alleged victims and a number of other patrons who tried to intervene in the alleged attack. Bill Chawke (30) of Merrion Street Upper, Dublin 2, is charged with two counts of assault causing harm, in which he allegedly threw punches at both alleged injured parties, and gouged the eyes of one of the men and hit his head off a bar counter. The four-star hotel has hosted members of the British royal family, presidents, and movie stars. At Newcastle West District Court today, prosecuting garda Ronan Hayes of Adare Garda Station told Judge Carol Anne Coolican that he served the two accused with a copy of the States book of evidence. Inspector Barry Manton told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had consented to both accused being sent forward for trial to the current sittings of Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. Inspector Manton said that both Alison Chawke and Bill Chawke had declined the opportunity, in writing, to go forward for trial on a signed plea. Judge Coolican asked the two accused to stand up in the body of the court and she gave them what is referred to as the alibi warning, explaining to them they could not introduce any alibi witnesses which they rely on at their trial unless they gave the State the contacts of any such alibi witnesses within 14 days of todays court hearing. Alison Chawke. Photo: Brendan Gleeson Alison Chawke and Bill Chawke both told the court they understood this, and both signed non-cash lodgement bail bonds of 100. The court previously heard that the two accused made no reply when charged. Alison and Bill Chawkes solicitor, Michael Finucane, made an application for, and was granted a Section 56 order, that any recordings of his clients garda interviews following their arrests be disclosed to the defence solicitor. Today the judge returned both accused for trial before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on a date yet to be scheduled. Prof Brian Lenehan was part of UHL team that decided to reinstate a protocol for dealing with emergency department overcrowding in defiance of what he said were dangerous rules from the HSE, court told. The chief clinical director of University Hospital Limerick (UHL) does not know why a system for dealing with overcrowding in the hospital's emergency department was not implemented at the time student Aoife Johnston (16) died, the High Court has heard. Professor Brian Lenehan is seeking an injunction over a HSE decision to put him on paid administrative leave pending an investigation for alleged serious misconduct relating to circumstances surrounding the girl's death on December 19, 2022. Ms Johnston, a 16-year-old Leaving Cert student from Shannon, Co Clare, died from meningitis two days after presenting at the UHL emergency department with symptoms of suspected sepsis and during which her condition worsened. It later emerged she was left for more than 13 hours without antibiotics. In October, her parents settled an action against the HSE over her death. Prof Lenehan denies any misconduct and says the decision was reached without any actual misconduct on his part having been identified. It was in breach of his contract and contrary to ordinary rationality and logic such as to be void in law, he says. The HSE disputes that the decision is unlawful. Prof Lenehan has been told he can, pending the investigation, return to working as an orthopaedic surgeon, which is what he was first employed as in 2009. Aoife Johnston was only 16 when she died Prof Lenehan, in an affidavit, said he was part of a team which, nearly two months before Ms Johnston's death, decided to reinstate a protocol for dealing with overcrowding in the emergency department by having patients taken in trolleys to hospital wards to await beds there. This was in defiance of a policy which a HSE performance management and improvement unit had mandated in July 2022. The management unit said patients should be "boarded" or remain in the emergency department. When the hospital's executive management team, of which Prof Lenehan was a member, decided they would "no longer tolerate the danger of this new practice", it was "vigorously opposed" by the nurses' representative body within UHL, the INMO and by the HSE, Prof Lenehan said. He and executive management team "were willing to confront both the HSE ad the INMO" and explain reasons for contradicting the new mandate, he said. This was because of his firm view that their own escalation protocol for moving trolleys to wards "was far safer for patients than requiring all emergency patients to remain in ED no matter how crowded it became". Following their reimplementation of this escalation protocol, and the communication of the decision to staff, it was successfully followed on multiple occasions and in the weeks preceding Ms Johnstons death, he said. Regrettably, and for reasons unknown to me, the escalation protocol was not implemented on the evening of 17th December, 2022, he said. He said a systems analysis report subsequent to Ms Johnston's death was "diametrically opposed" to "boarding" patients in ED. That was one of three reports subsequent to her death, with the last one being from retired Chief Justice Frank Clarke, who was retained by HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster to prepare a further report into the circumstances of Ms Johnston's death. The Clarke report resulted in the raising of 22 concerns which then formed the basis for an inquiry by Mr Gloster into Prof Lenehan and other senior personnel in UHL. Last September, Mr Gloster wrote to Prof Lenehan saying he was suspended pending inquiry. Aoife Johnston lying on a makeshift bed in UHL's A&E department hours before she died Opening Prof Lenehan's application for on injunction on Tuesday, Lorna Lynch SC said among the grounds for saying he decision is unlawful is because Lenehan's contract does not give the chief executive of the HSE jurisdiction to impose this type of suspension on any consultant. The decision to hold an inquiry can only be taken by a hospital CEO or similar office holder, it is argued. Counsel also said the decision to suspend on the alleged basis that he poses a serious and immediate risk to patients was done in the absence of any act or omission on his part and one that no rational or reasonable decision-maker could take. The injunction is also being sought on the basis that Mr Gloster also said concerns about Prof Lenehan are not solely related to the death of Ms Johnston but also relate to his ongoing performance. He said none of these concerns were ever put to him in writing but yet "clearly formed part of the basis for the decision to suspend me". He also said that a fundamental finding of the Clarke report was UHL's lack of capacity, which was a significant factor in overcrowding in ED. The case continues before Ms Justice Siobhan Stack. Suspicious staff refused the deal and alerted the PSNI A woman involved in a failed bid to trade in Noah Donohoes laptop for drug money committed theft while doing community service for a previous offence, a court has heard. Defence solicitor Joseph Magee conceded that earlier this year a warrant had to be issued for the arrest of Maria Nolan and that was executed two weeks ago before the 32-year-old was freed on bail again. Shes here today, he told District Judge Rosie Watters, confirming that Nolan is currently undergoing a probation order. At an earlier hearing of Lisburn Magistrates Court, Nolan, from the New Lodge Road in north Belfast, entered a guilty plea to a count of theft, in that she stole 15 cash and a credit card from a woman on July 26 last year. That earlier court heard that, having been sentenced to community service for a previous offence, Nolan was working in a Restore outlet when she asked to use the phone. Staff noticed Nolan was going back and forth several times from the victims desk. When that lady checked her handbag, she noticed that her credit card and 15 in cash was missing. A prosecuting lawyer said police were contacted and when officers searched Nolan they retrieved the stolen card. Having heard that Nolan was undergoing drug treatment programmes and counselling, Judge Watters deferred passing sentence for six months. But the 32-year-old never attended her court again. In court today, Judge Watters said its pretty serious really and, freeing the thief on continuing bail, she ordered a fresh pre-sentence report and adjourned the case to January 6 for sentencing. In August 2022, Belfast Magistrates Court heard how Nolan had stolen hundreds of pounds worth of clothing and perfume from two stores. Those series of thefts came just a few weeks after she avoided going to jail for having Noah Donohoes laptop stored at her hostel room while desperate searches for the teenager continued across Belfast. The 15-year-old was found dead in a north Belfast storm drain in June 2020, nearly a week after he went missing on a bike trip. Nolans then co-accused, Daryl Paul (36), was subsequently jailed for stealing a rucksack containing Mr Donohoes computer and school books. Neither Paul nor Nolan were accused of having had any contact with Mr Donohoe, but the previous court heard that Paul took the bag, and its contents, home with him after discovering it in Belfast on the day the St Malachys College pupil vanished. A few days later, along with Nolan, the pair entered a Cash Converters in the city centre and attempted to sell the computer. However, suspicious staff refused the deal and alerted the PSNI, which, having forced entry to Pauls flat, recovered the rucksack and school books. Paul conceded that he had planned to sell the computer for money to purchase drugs, some of which would be given to Nolan. On June 26, 2020, police located Mr Donohoes missing laptop at Nolans then accommodation on Belfasts University Street. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov highlighted cooperation prospects within ECO (Economic Cooperation Organization) during his speech at the 28th Meeting of the ECO Council of Ministers held in Mashhad, Iran, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. Jeyhun Bayramov, in his speech, spoke about the perspectives of Azerbaijan regarding sector-specific development of cooperation within the ECO in economy, trade, investments, energy security, environment, transport, and communications, as well as other topics. The minister emphasized the importance of the 28th meeting, highlighting the progress made since the ECO meeting held in Shusha on October 10, 2023, and discussed further cooperation plans among member states. He also expressed gratitude to the Islamic Republic of Iran for its chairmanship of the ECO in 2024 and for hosting the meeting. Bayramov wished success to the Republic of Kazakhstan for its upcoming chairmanship in the following year. In addition, he stated that Azerbaijan intends to host the ECO summit next year, underlining the significance of active participation and contributions from all member countries. Bayramov highlighted the strategic document "ECO Vision 2025," which leverages the economic potential between member states to address regional challenges and align with the sustainable development agenda. The importance of specialized ECO structures, such as the Research Center and the Clean Energy Center, was also noted. These centers will be based in Azerbaijan, and their founding documents need to be signed and ratified to ensure their effectiveness. Given that many ECO countries are landlocked, Bayramov stressed the importance of regional transportation and infrastructure projects like the "North-South Corridor," the "Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor East-West," the "Digital Silk Road," and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. These projects will enhance regional connectivity, including linking Iran with Azerbaijans Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Eastern Zangazur. Bayramov also spoke about the significant achievements of the 29th session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which was held for the first time in the ECO region. He pointed out that agreements made during the conference, such as the Baku Financial Goal, mark a critical turning point in combating climate change. Concluding his speech, Bayramov expressed confidence that the "Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the Development and Transfer of Green Energy between the Governments of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan" signed during COP29 will play a crucial role in ensuring economic development and energy security in the region. The meeting concluded with the adoption of the "Mashhad Communique". Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Stefan Copiimulti was arrested during a crackdown by the Gardas drug bureau officers on a large Eastern European grouping believed to be operating here for years. Preliminary tests carried out on the substance have indicated the presence of cocaine valued at up to 3,000. Credit: Getty images (stock image) A Moldovan man caught with 1.2 million worth of cocaine hidden in a secret compartment has pleaded guilty in court. Stefan Copiimulti was arrested during a crackdown by the Gardas drug bureau officers on a large Eastern European grouping believed to be operating here for years. Nicola speaks to Eamon Dillon and Niall Donald about the growth of Eastern European gangs and the Garda response to them. MORE EPISODES However, officers suspect that the crime gang have access to more than one of these type of BMWs Gardai believe car was fitted with dozens of false number plates A top-of-the range blue BMW car that gardai believe was involved in hundreds of burglaries across the country was fitted with at least a dozen false registration plates during the crime spree. Gardai released an image yesterday of the high-speed car that has been evading officers for around two years and which they seized in a surveillance operation in north Kildare. However, officers suspect that the crime gang have access to more than one of these type of BMWs. They also recovered a Honda car they believe is involved in dozens of burglaries countrywide. It comes as the alleged leader of the countrys most notorious burglary gang and two young close relatives remained in custody in garda stations in Co Sligo last night. The three, one in his 50s and the others in their 20s, were arrested late on Friday and can be held for up to a week. They are being questioned under anti-gangland legislation by officers from An Garda Siochanas north-western region. Their period in detention was extended by a District Court judge on Sunday and is expected to be re-extended today. The investigation is considered to be one of the most significant to date in targeting gangs from west Dublin involved in organised burglary. More arrests are expected after the search of two properties in Clondalkin on Saturday. The gang have been using the motorway system to target rural Ireland in 500 burglaries that have netted them more than 1m in cash, jewellery and vast amounts of other stolen items. Sources said one of the main reasons that gardai have been unable to make multiple arrests before is the ability of the gang to speed away from officers who are not able to continue pursuing them because of a lack of trained personnel and appropriate vehicles. Another serious issue here is the ease of which an individual can buy a false registration plate in this country as there is no proper regulation, a senior source has previously told the Irish Independent. The west of Ireland has been hard hit by the gang this year in residential and commercial burglaries. The burglars are also suspected of having travelled from their west Dublin base to carry out break-ins in Kerry, Limerick and Cork in the BMW. Gardai announced details of their operation yesterday. Gardai have arrested three men as part of an operation targeting an organised criminal group suspected of committing burglaries of residential and commercial properties in the north-western region and elsewhere nationwide, a spokesperson said. The search operation took place in Dublin and Kildare on Friday, November 29. Four vehicles have been seized, including a high-performance blue BMW. A substantial amount of suspected stolen property has been recovered. The murder victims 31-year-old mother continues to receive medical treatment for her stab injuries which are described as non-life threatening. A photo of tragic eight-year-old Malika Al Kattib, who was stabbed to death at her home in Wexford, has been released by her family. The photo was released to media via the gardai as a 34-year-old man is being questioned in connection with her murder. Tragic Malika was stabbed when she attempted to defend her mother at her home. The suspect who is originally from Kuwait had been treated at Waterford University Hospital for suspected self-inflicted stab wounds which are described as superficial in nature. Scene of the incident in New Ross The murder victims 31-year-old mother continues to receive medical treatment for her stab injuries which are described as non-life threatening. The suspect was released from hospital before noon and brought to a a garda station in Wexford. He is the only suspect in the case. Gardai continue to investigate all of the circumstances surrounding the death of an eight-year-old girl following a fatal assault at a residence in New Ross, Co. Wexford on Sunday 1st December, 2024, a garda spokeswoman said in a statement. The post mortem examination which was conducted by State Pathologist, Dr. Sally Anne Collis took place yesterday Monday 2nd December, 2024 the results of which will not be released for operational reasons. Malika Noor Al Katib A male, aged in his 30s has been released from hospital and arrested on suspicion of murder. He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a garda station in the Eastern Region. Investigating Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have any information on this fatal assault to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact New Ross Garda Station on 051 426 030, the Garda Confidential Line on (1800) 666 111 or any garda station, she added. A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder over the death of the girl (8) at her home in New Ross, Co Wexford An imam has said its been a heartbreaking time for our community as a man (34) was arrested on suspicion of murdering an eight-year-old girl at her home in Co Wexford. Malika Al Katib died after she was stabbed while attempting to defend her mother in an attack at their home in New Ross on Sunday night. A man, aged in his 30s, was released from hospital today and arrested on suspicion of murder. He is the only suspect in the case. Malikas mother remains in hospital. Malika Noor Al Katib Man arrested over murder of girl (8) in Co Wexford home The imam of the Waterford Al-Munir Islamic Centre, Rashid Munir, said he has spoken with Malikas mother, whom he said was not in very good shape at the moment. He told RTE: She witnessed her child being murdered in front of her eyes and that is not easy. Imam Munir added that while the woman's injuries are not life-threatening, she is not in a good condition. For a mother to have lost a child, he said, "it's not easy to bear with that". He added that he hoped the burial would take place today or tomorrow, at the latest, in line with Muslim tradition. Gardai at scene in Lower William Street yesterday. Photo: Nichola Browne-Sinnott Once we get the full report, the body will be released and given over for us to do the washing and burial, as is instructed by the Muslim faith. She will be laid to rest in the Muslim graveyard in Waterford, hopefully tomorrow, he said. Imam Munir described Malika as a lovely child and a beautiful girl who was full of life and energy. She used to come to our Islamic centre. She was a lovely child who was full of energy and life. Since the news broke we are all very heartbroken, he said. She was like any eight-year-old. She was extremely smiley and showed a lot of interest in learning about Islam and did very well in her studies. She wanted to be integrated in the community and do something extraordinary. The suspect in the murder, who is originally from Kuwait, was released from hospital before noon today and brought to a garda station in Wexford. He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a garda station in the eastern region. The schoolgirl was at home in New Ross with her mother when the incident happened on Sunday night. It is understood that she had attempted to intervene when her mother was attacked by a man known to them. She was taken to University Hospital Waterford but died from her injuries in the early hours of Monday. The Tholsel in New Ross where the book of condolences for Malika has been opened. The post-mortem examination, which was conducted by State Pathologist Dr Sally Anne Collis, took place yesterday the results of which will not be released for operational reasons, gardai said. A senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the inquiry and an incident room has been set up at New Ross Garda Station. Officers are appealing to anyone who may have any information to come forward. Gardai continue to investigate all of the circumstances surrounding the death of an eight year old girl following a fatal assault at a residence in New Ross, Co. Wexford on Sunday 1st December, 2024, a garda spokeswoman said in a statement. Anyone with information is asked to contact New Ross Garda Station on 051 426 030, the Garda Confidential Line on (1800) 666 111 or any Garda Station, she added. Gardai and emergency services were called to the property in the William Street area at around 11.45pm on Sunday. Michael Sheehan, independent councillor in New Ross, said the community had been left devastated by the death. People are very shocked that this has happened in our community, he said. All of our thoughts and prayers are with the young girl and her family. We hope that they will get some comfort over the coming weeks and months from the support from the local community, who will do whatever they can. Its an awful tragedy that has befallen our community. William Street is a tight-knit community with a strong sense of solidarity, so they will help and do everything they can. People are so aghast this has happened, particularly as everyone will be putting up Christmas trees in what was meant to be a happy time. This has really shocked the town and there is a feeling of numbness. Mr Sheehan sits on the board of the school which the young girl attended. The girl attended the local Educate Together, which is a very close-knit school, he said. The principal and staff there are brilliant and they will have access to all the support they need to navigate the choppy waters ahead. Ive every faith they can handle this, but it is so hard for them as everyone gets ready for Christmas. Today is a difficult day and people are asking how could this happen in our community. Therese White, principal of New Ross Educate Together National School, which the girl attended, said it was a terrible tragedy. We learned this morning of the death of a student who attends our school, she said in a statement. This is a terrible tragedy for the family, our school and our community. We are deeply saddened by these events. Our sympathy and thoughts are with family and friends. The school has implemented our critical incident management plan and we are in receipt of support from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS). They have been with us all day supporting and advising teachers in their efforts to assist students at this time. Our teachers are helping students to deal with this tragic event. We will be sharing information with parents today around how they can support their children at this difficult time. Flowers and toys at the house of Malika Al Katib. Photo: Mary Browne Local resident Pat Rossiter said: I couldnt believe it that something like that should happen in this town. Obviously hearing the breaking news, the details were very vague, but then my wife said she saw the lights of the emergency services passing by the house around 11.45 pm last night. Its shocking to have lost a young life in our town. Its incredible. Im looking at the scene right now and its something you see on television. Youd never imagine for a second of a situation like this being in your own hometown, and here it is. Its just devastating and its a terrible, terrible loss. Requiem Mass for Ms Ferris will take place in St Pauls Church on Falls Road at 1pm on Thursday Chloe Ferris, aged in her 20s, was pronounced dead at Lux nightclub Tributes have continued to pour in for "gorgeous and talented Chloe Ferris as her funeral details are confirmed. The beautician, who was in her 20s, died at Lux nightclub in Belfast city centre in the early hours of Sunday morning. Requiem Mass for Ms Ferris will take place in St Pauls Church on Falls Road at 1pm on Thursday before she is laid to rest in Milltown Cemetery. Her remains will be reposing at the family home in Newtownabbey from Monday evening. "Beloved daughter of Declan and Sharon, much loved sister of Christopher, Declan and Barry, much loved Aunt, Niece, Cousin , part of the Sister Squad and friend to many. R.I.P, the notice reads. "Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on her soul. Deeply regretted by her heartbroken mother, father and entire family circle. Hundreds of people have been expressing shock and sadness on social media while a police probe into the incident continues. Utterly heartbroken hearing this," one friend wrote. You really were the most gorgeous and talented girl! Another heartbroken pal also paid tribute to the most gorgeous girl. "Will never forget all the laughs we had, they added. Thinking of Chloes family and friends at this time. Another social media user said they were thinking of their friends who have lost their beautiful cousin. Hearts are broken, they wrote. God give all the family strength to get through this awful time. Many tributes expressed condolences with Ms Ferris loved ones as they come to terms with their loss. Rest easy Chloe, always and forever in our heart just can't take it in, such a beautiful kind hearted girl, one read. Another said: It's the saddest thing ever, [I] loved her. She was an absolute wee darling with a heart of gold. The young businesswoman was pronounced dead at the city centre venue when emergency services arrived at the scene shortly after 2.20am. A 999 call was made regarding two people who fell unconscious the second woman remains in hospital and is believed to have been a friend of the deceased. A statement released by Lux said its "focus is now to help the police with their investigation and our staff wellbeing". "Our thoughts and sympathies are with the parents and family during this very difficult time, it added. The former St Louises Comprehensive College pupil ran her own beauty salon in Newtownabbey and recently returned to her former school to share her experiences. Started Chloes Beauty when I was in St Louises doing my A-levels, she wrote on Facebook. "Now Annas 6th year students are using my small business as the example in their A-level coursework. A full circle moment. Beauty training academy Enhance Belfast paid tribute to Ms Ferris online. Absolutely heartbreaking, our lovely student Chloe," it posted. Sending so much love to her family and friends. Sinn Fein MLA Orlaithi Flynn described the death as an absolute tragedy as she offered her deepest condolences to Ms Ferriss grieving family who have woken today to this unthinkable and heartbreaking news. The west Belfast representative also expressed sympathy for the second woman and her family as she remains in hospital and urged anyone with information to contact police. The high pathogenic avian influenza - otherwise known as bird flu - has been found on a free range chicken farm in North Otago. Laying hens foraging outside were thought to have been infected with the H7N6 strain through a low pathogenic virus from wild waterfowl. So how will this affect Kiwi consumers? And could it spread to our beloved native birds? Here's what you need to know. Where and when was bird flu discovered in New Zealand? Speaking to media on Monday, Minister for Biosecurity and Food Safety Andrew Hoggard gave a timeline of the virus's emergence in this country. A chicken farmer on Hillgrove Egg Farm, belonging to Mainland Poultry, near Moeraki - halfway between Dunedin and Oamaru - noticed birds falling ill on Monday. He called a local vet, who treated the birds with antibiotics. But as more began to die, the farmer notified the Ministry for Primary Industries on Friday. Testing teams arrived at the farm on Saturday, and the results came back positive later that day, and confirmed it was the H7N6 strain. The farm was locked down on Sunday, and testing and tracing of movement continues. On Tuesday, MPI said the birdflu had spread to a second shed on the same farm, meaning 80,000 chickens will have to be killed. Additionally, all poultry exports are on hold until the country is free of the highly pathogenic bird flu. We've heard a lot about H5N1. Should we be worried about this other strain? The H7N6 strain is "low pathogenic" in a lot of wildlife, which means it's there all the time, without causing any issues. On the other hand, the "high pathogenic" strain found last week causes disease, spreads rapidly, and kills a lot of birds, very suddenly. How does bird flu spread? Chickens - especially on free range farms - often come into contact with wild birds, and the disease is passed between them, and then with other chickens in the shed through shared feed and water. It can also be spread by people and equipment, which is why MPI locked down the one shed, and immediately started contact tracing and testing at the farm. "These viruses can jump and spill over between animals very rapidly," virologist Professor Jemma Geoghegan told Checkpoint. Could bird flu spread to other farms? The main risk around this discovery is that it will affect New Zealand's poultry industry. That's why MPI was acting quickly to "depopulate" the chickens in the affected shed, says director-general Ray Smith, and trace any movements from that farm in the past couple of weeks. MPI is investigating six other farms in total, which had connections to the infected farm. There are potential risks at two specific farms, and another four have low- to medium-level risk of infection. MPI is doing testing there and trying to work out what and who had moved between farms. As at Monday, there were no signs in any other poultry farms of sickness or reduced production. MPI is "very confident" the virus will not spread, Smith said. In the last four years, two other diseases common in poultry - IBDV and salmonella enteritis - have cropped up, but they'd eradicated both swiftly by tracing the disease, locking down the farms and killing the affected fowl. It's helpful the affected farm is "very isolated" from neighbouring properties. "We're in a much better place than Australia was in stopping it and eradicating it." Are our native birds safe? Although the mild version of the virus is everywhere in the wild, there is no evidence from overseas of the severe form moving from poultry back to wildlife. The Department of Conservation chief Penny Nelson said DOC was already working with MPI to prepare for H5N1. There had also been some vaccination trials of wild birds, but this is tricky as they needed to be easy to capture and check, she said. Should I still be eating New Zealand-raised eggs and chicken? Yes, our poultry and eggs are safe. Just make sure you follow the usual rules around cooking and eating eggs and chicken. "Avian influenza is very susceptible to heat, so cook it in the normal manner," Hoggard said. "We're constantly telling people don't eat raw chicken, and this reinforces that message." People overseas have been known to have H7N6, Geoghegan says, but the virus is designed to spread between birds, so it's bad at crossing over to humans. Hoggard went further in today's media conference, saying there's been no evidence of any cases of people contracting the disease and MPI is "fairly confident" there is minimal risk to Kiwis. Will there be an egg shortage? Because the virus has appeared only in one shed, on one farm in North Otago, there'll be no impact on egg supply, Hoggard said. "I'd just stress to people, we don't need to go out and stockpile eggs." What happens to the infected chickens? There are 80,000 chickens in the two sheds where the virus was found, and teams will start culling them on Tuesday. Poultry farmers are used to depopulating and repopulating their birds, Smith said. The birds will be herded into enclosed containers and gassed with carbon dioxide. The farmer was "a bit beaten up", Hoggard said, but the industry is well prepared for an outbreak, and the whole process of killing the birds, cleaning the sheds, further testing and repopulating will take about four to six weeks. The virus has an incubation period of 14 to 21 days and testing will continue until the farm has the all-clear. Because the ministry shut down the farm using powers under the Biosecurity Act, the farmer will be compensated for any costs incurred. -RNZ. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Associate Education Minister David Seymour before announcing the Governments crackdown on truancy. Photo / Mark Mitchell In one example he provided, after 15 absent days, steps towards prosecuting parents could be considered. In a statement, Seymour said notifications and interventions would escalate as absence time increased. Each school must develop their own version of the system and start using it from 2026. The stepped attendance response system was introduced in September by Act Party leader and Associate Education Minister David Seymour . It comes as a new Education Review Office report says chronic absenteeism has doubled in a decade, and some Tauranga colleges say finding solutions is difficult. A new school truancy policy that could see parents of chronically absent students prosecuted will punish poor kids, Tauranga iwi leader Paora Stanley says. Stanley, chief executive of Tauranga Moana iwi Ngai Te Rangi, said taking parents to court, which could result in hefty fines, was ridiculous, heavy-handed and would punish poor kids. Under the Education and Training Act 2020, parents can be fined up to $30 for each school day missed, up to $300 for a first offence, and $3000 for a second or subsequent offence. In Stanleys view, fining parents was punishing the poor because theyre poor. Some of the kids are not going to school because somebodys going to look after the children. After all, the adults have to go to work. However wrong that is, they dont have choices. Stanley said the iwi worked alongside struggling whanau to address issues leading to absenteeism. Tauranga-based Labour list MP and education spokeswoman Jan Tinetti said when she was principal of Merivale School she saw children and whanau experiencing unimaginable trauma. Tinetti said truancy had been an issue in Tauranga for many years, usually driven by complex factors outside of the school gate. Paora Stanley is the chief executive of Ngai Te Rangi. Photo / Alex Cairns Getting to school daily was simply not the biggest priority and fining parents would make a complex situation worse. Understanding and working to support families through their situation is the answer. Seymour said the Ministry of Education would only look to prosecute those adults being genuinely obstructive or neglectful, rather than facing danger or barriers. If parents are following the law and trying to send their children to school, they will not have to worry about government intervention. He said attendance rates were improving from when Tinetti was Education Minister but there was still work to do. Jan Tinetti, Labour MP and education spokesperson, was the school principal at Merivale School in Tauranga and says truancy and absenteeism have been an issue in Tauranga for many years. Photo / Sylvie Whinray The Government saw education as a path out of poverty so it was doing everything in our power to get children to school, especially if theyre disadvantaged. No matter someones socio-economic background, location, or ethnicity, getting your children to school is the best thing you can do to ensure they have a bright future. An Education Review Office report on school absence released in October revealed absenteeism doubled in the last decade. In term two, more than 80,000 students missed more than three weeks of school, and one in 10 were chronically absent missing more than 30% of a term. Students in unstable housing were more likely to be chronically absent. The Salvation Army has 27 transitional houses in Tauranga, and 23 resident families with school-age children, a Tauranga Community Ministries spokesperson said. Children without a stable home - especially during their early years - were impacted academically, physically, emotionally, and socially. Moving between temporary homes in different suburbs could result in changing schools and non-attendance. Older children were more likely to have several school changes and long absences, leading to truanting, getting into trouble, and eventually dropping out of mainstream education. How Tauranga colleges manage chronic absenteeism Papamoa College tumuaki/principal Iva Ropati said his school struggled to understand the causes of some very ordinary attendance data. It did not have significant evidence to suggest poverty, housing, employment, or transport costs were major barriers to attendance. Parents and caregivers reported no serious issues motivating their child to go to school. It leaves the school with some head-scratching with regard to fixing the problem. Ropati said there was a belief that Covid-19 shifted student attitudes and learning from home made them feel going to school was not critical, but he did not believe this was widespread among his students. Papamoa College principal Iva Ropati. Photo / Stuart Whitaker The school community understood achievement was impacted by irregular attendance. We often promote some very hard-hitting facts linking potential NCEA success to the number of days absent for young people at our kura. The school would continue working to address absenteeism by strengthening reporting processes, increasing staffing, and working with parents, caregivers, iwi, and other stakeholders. Otumoetai College tumuaki/principal Russell Gordon said social issues such as housing instability and poverty contributed to absenteeism, as did physical and mental health challenges. Otumoetai College principal Russell Gordon. Photo/ Supplied Gordon said more students travelling overseas during term time was another significant factor. I have signed at least 100 letters over the past two months acknowledging parents requests to take their children out of school, he said. While students benefitted from seeing the world, this undeniably impacts our attendance statistics. Gordon said the college worked with families to support students return to school, often engaging external support services. An ERO recommendation to make learning more relevant and engaging was well-intentioned but challenging, Gordon said. New maths and literacy requirements for Year 10s had increased pressure on students and strict assessment windows made it harder to create an engaging learning environment. He said more government support for families facing economic hardship, better cross-agency collaboration, and more mental health resources in schools would help address root causes of absenteeism. Mount Maunganui College tumuaki/principal Alastair Sinton said much of the ERO report report aligned with the colleges experience. Mount Maunganui College principal Alastair Sinton. Photo / Supplied He said improved resourcing from successive governments had seen attendance improve. However, improving attendance is a bit like turning an ocean liner; progress can be slow, and there is a risk that slow progress can be seen as no progress. In the interest of efficiency, I hope that existing resourcing and measures are given sufficient time to embed before being cut. Sinton said the report identified that many factors outside of school influence attendance, so a multi-agency approach was needed. Sinton said the college saw behaviour patterns within families throughout a students schooling, and it could be hard for secondary schools to change those after eight years. That is not to say we cant make a difference. We continually review our systems and teaching and learning programmes to ensure they remain relevant to our learners and the parental expectations of us as a school. Sinton said building safe, inclusive schools with positive learning cultures remained a focus for his and other schools. Youth mental health, an issue identified in the ERO report, remained a hugely complex social issue that schools were scrambling to grapple with. We play an essential role, but the level of expertise to best support many young people facing challenges rests with professionals outside our sector. Examples of how the new system could work: Five days absent: The school gets in touch with the parents/guardians to determine the reasons for absence and to set expectations. Ten days absent: The school leadership meets the parents/guardians and the student to identify barriers to attendance and develop plans to address this. Fifteen days absent: Escalating the response to the ministry and steps to initiate prosecution of parents could be considered as a valid intervention. -Bay of Plenty Times. Wright Rd residents in the Western Bay of Plenty continue to battle against the installation of median barriers on State Highway 2. The barriers were installed on SH2 between Katikati and Omokoroa in 2020. Residents have continued to protest the installation. Safety and financial concerns have been raised by local businesses and residents who have made a fourth unsuccessful attempt to meet with NZ Transport Waka Kotahi representatives. Wright Rd community group representative Rochelle Zajko said all attempts so far have been ignored. However, NZTA said it has engaged with the community since 2017 and adjusted the project scope. In an email to NZTA, seen by SunLive, Zajkpo said they urgently want to meet with NZTA. Due to serious safety concerns for residents, detrimental impacts on our local economy, the road section is now more unsafe than when it had previous right-hand-turn improvement. The median barriers on State Highway 2 in Aongatete. Photo / David Hall NZTA response In response, NZTA told SunLive that since the safety improvements project between Waihi and Omokoroa began in 2017, there have been multiple rounds of engagement and consultation with the community, businesses, emergency services and industry groups. The NZTA board has already reconsidered plans and changed the scope of the project considerably as a result, said the NZTA spokesperson. The boards decision is based on examining the evidence presented for a range of options to take this project forward. NZTA is aware there are a range of views in the community about this issue and that not everyone is satisfied with the decision, but the board has determined this approach appropriately balances travel impacts for local journeys and safety for all road users. The spokesperson confirmed that NZTA will continue to assess the safety of the road corridor as part of the improvement project. Impact of the median barriers on local businesses Bruce Porter, of trucking company BR & SL Porter Ltd Transport & Storage, said he worried about his drivers safety. According to Porter, NZTAs new median barriers have affected Aongatete businesses along SH2 because they stop them from being able to turn right in and out of the businesses. Local businesses said the median barriers are causing difficulties. Photo / David Hall Drivers often travelled to and from The Wine Portfolio, and without turning right, the trucks had to perform several manoeuvres before they could get onto the road, Porter said. We can go into the winery from the Tauranga side, however, there is no way can we exit this site with large vehicles going towards the Katikati way due to the Armco railing. The median barriers on State Highway 2 in Aongatete. Photo / David Hall Porter said Mainfreight was also facing difficulties getting in and out of the winery, and both transport companies operate there daily. He said the Seeka Packhouse also had the same predicament. Porter recalled he was driving one day, and a bus had to stop on the motorway to let him out. After getting back onto the highway, they have to drive a further couple of kilometres before they get to a roundabout so that they can make a u-turn. Porter said the roundabouts were very tight, especially when the units are 23m long and the wheels are up sitting around the centre of the roundabout, which is not good for the vehicle and its not good for the road. And they havent taken into account that the new vehicles are longer. Porter said its also challenging to stay within the lane, which makes it dangerous. In one instance, he was driving down the highway towards Morton Rd and a car came out of one of the driveways on the other side of the road and travelled down in the opposite direction because he [the driver] couldnt be bothered travelling the extra distance. He said the driver would have had to drive another 6km if they had gone the right way. I feel sorry for those people. For the trucking company, these road changes had created a financial burden, Porter said. Its costing us roughly $4 a kilometre, so were back $8 off the bottom line before fuel tax, wages and everything else. We might go there three to four or five times a day, that starts adding up. Response from an NZTA spokesperson In August, the NZTA board decided to complete the two further roundabouts and wide centrelines for the safety improvement project, maintaining all right-turning movements on remaining intersections along the corridor, but not to continue with the remainder of the median barrier installation, said an NZTA spokesperson. "As a key corridor for the Port of Tauranga, all roundabouts and safety improvements between Waihi and Omokoroa were designed to accommodate large trucks. The roundabouts have a 36 metre outside diameter which enables the turning of a high productivity motor vehicle (HPMV) 25m truck-trailer unit. "State Highway 2 is a limited access highway, so anyone with a driveway onto the highway needs to provide an access that is fit for purpose for the vehicles that will use it and must ensure their driveway can accommodate the movements of delivery vehicles." The board made the decision that all other improvements should remain. They said the safety of the 15,000 vehicles travelling this section of state highway daily was paramount. Road users are growing by about 2-3% each year. Throughout the lifetime of this project, there have been multiple rounds of engagement and consultation with the community. Chus Heredia Malaga Tuesday, 3 December 2024, 17:27 Compartir On Saturday 30 November the low emission zone (Zona de Bajas Emisiones - ZBE) to prevent the most polluting vehicles from entering Malaga city centre was activated. The new mobility ordinance took effect after publication on Friday in the BOP official provincial gazette. This followed more than a year of paperwork and a double participatory process of consultation. Malaga city council has launched a website with all possible information on the service and to respond to queries (although not in English, there are useful images to explain the ZBE). 1: If you pay road tax (IVTM) in Malaga city In general terms drivers who pay their road tax within the provincial capital should be reassured given that the penalties, from next year onwards, will focus mainly on the most polluting vehicles, but primarily those from outside the city. The idea behind this is that local families can continue to use up the useful life of their old car but, if they decide to sell it and it is without a label or it is classed only as a B category for emissions, the buyer will lose the right to drive it in the ZBE. Zoom Sign indicating entrance to a 'low emission zone'. SUR From 2025 onwards the city expects to collect just under 12 million euros per year in fines and, in the first instance, to eliminate approximately 26% of road traffic. 2: First year of grace In the first year there will be no fines so that drivers can learn the ZBE ropes, be checked out and become accustomed to the system. Those whose vehicles are registered in the city will have no problems, at least for the first five years. In principle Malaga city council has ruled out issuing written notifications of any ZBE offence that is not yet in force, as was done with Alamos and Carreteria, for example. The turquoise blue, vertical signs, which feature a red and white no-entry-type circle and warn of the existence of cameras to read number plates, can already be seen in a multitude of streets. They will be joined by large digital signs such as the one on Avenida de Martiricos to warn of the proximity to the zone. 3: Year-on-year restrictions In other words: first year of operation means no problems or penalties for anyone. From the second year, at the end of 2025, access will be restricted to motor vehicles (motorbikes and cars) that do not have a sticker or a tag and are registered outside the city of Malaga. Then, from the third year onwards, B-class vehicles and those without a sticker from other municipalities will not be allowed to enter (and remember, that includes B vehicles that have been sold on, as previously stated). So the Cero, Eco and C-class vehicles can always enter the ZBE in these first years of operation, regardless of where they are coming from, and that includes those from Malaga city. Passenger service vehicles (PSVs) such as buses (public and private), taxis and private hire cars (VTCs in Spanish), classic cars of a certain age and lorries will also be allowed to circulate within the ZBE. For the first four years commercial vans will be able to circulate freely with or without an environmental label (Zero, Eco, C or B). From the fifth year onwards vans domiciled in Malaga will be allowed to circulate, but those coming from outside Malaga city and lacking a sticker or tag will be banned. All emergency vehicles will have freedom of movement. 4: Traffic targets and figures The city council's medium-term objective is to reduce traffic by 26,000 vehicles per day. In the first year of fines collection, the estimated revenue for the municipal coffers is 11.4 million euros. Latest studies have logged 206,000 accesses to the low emission zone with 24% of the cars coming from Malaga's surrounding metropolitan areas and a similar percentage have no environmental label on their windscreen. Of those coming from outside the city, the distribution is: 11% are from Torremolinos and the Costa del Sol, 5% from both Alhaurin towns, 4.5% from Axarquia and Rincon de la Victoria, 2% from Las Pedrizas and 1.8% from Cartama and the A-357. The ZBE control checkpoints logging the most traffic are Paseo Antonio Machado-Avenida Ingeniero Jose Maria Garnica, Bailen-Trinidad and Avenida de Andalucia-Jardines Picasso (21,000 cars per day). Close behind (20,000) is Paseo Pablo Ruiz Picasso with Rafael Perez Estrada. The implementation of the ZBE has involved an investment of 4.2 million euros with 516,000 of that coming from municipal coffers. The aim is to reduce emissions of polluting gases by 13-20% by 2030. 5: Affected city areas The ZBE in Malaga city is drawn around the following streets: Paseo Maritimo Antonio Machado, Avenida Ingeniero Jose Maria Garnica, Calle Explanada de la Estacion, Plaza de la Solidaridad, Avenida de las Americas, Avenida de la Aurora, Jardines de Picasso, Avenida de Andalucia, Calle Compositor Lehmberg Ruiz, Calle Hilera, Calle Santa Elena, Calle Honduras, Calle Arango, Calle Martinez Maldonado, Avenida de Barcelona, Plaza del Hospital Civil, Avenida Doctor Galvez Ginachero, Calle Mazarredo, Avenida del Arroyo de los Angeles, Paseo de Martiricos, Calle Huerto de los Claveles, Calle Marques de Cadiz, Calle Juan del Encina, Calle Empecinado, Plaza Capuchinos, Alameda de Capuchinos, Plaza Olletas, Calle Toquero, Calle Obispo Gonzalez Garcia, Calle Amargura, Calle Ferrandiz, Paseo Salvador Rueda, Calle Rafael Perez Estrada and Paseo Maritimo Pablo Ruiz Picasso. 6: Are windscreen stickers necessary? The ZBE comprises an area of 437 hectares of limited traffic circulation controlled by 53 checkpoints and 97 cameras. There is no need to have the sticker physically in the vehicle. The number plate reading system will be connected to the database of Spain's Directorate-General of Traffic (DGT) so a warning is triggered if there is incorrect access. In any case, checking the label is as simple as logging on to the DGT website and entering the vehicle registration number. Physical stickers can be requested via the DGT or purchased at post offices. 7: A ZBE is not the same as a traffic-restricted zone The ZBE is something different from the traffic-restricted areas that have been successively introduced in the old part of the city and Soho as pedestrianisation has progressed. These areas are only allowed to authorised vehicles (the museums quarter in Soho, Molina Lario, Alamos-Carreteria and so on). 8: Motorbikes Motorbikes are treated in the same way as cars for the purposes of vehicle-emission labelling and road tax (with less restrictions if registered in Malaga city). 9: Is it a Malaga thing? This is not an initiative of Malaga city council but the application of an EU directive being implemented at a national level in Spain in cities with over 50,000 inhabitants. In Malaga province the first municipality to implement the ZBE was Estepona. Marbella, Fuengirola, Mijas, Velez, Rincon, Benalmadena and Torremolinos are also in different stages of implementation. Across the country there are more than 30 cities that already have it in force: the highest concentrations are in Madrid and Catalonia. It is important to check before travelling by car to any other city. In fact, there is an informative website from the Ministry of Ecological Transition that provides updates on the new areas. 10: Ordinance also affects scooters and speed limits The new regulation also makes it compulsory to wear a helmet on scooters (also known as PMVs, personal mobility vehicles) and other issues such as the compulsory certificate for new models that must be on the DGT approved list. The new traffic norms also change, for example, the speed limit according to the national framework. In general, the speed limit is now 50km/h on city streets unless there are further exceptions. With the ordinance now official, the limit on 80% of Malaga's streets is 30km/h for two-way, single-lane roads. Jennie Rhodes Malaga Tuesday, 3 December 2024, 17:07 Compartir The Danish ambassador to Spain, Michael Braad, was joined by the mayor of Malaga, Francisco de la Torre, councillor for external affairs, Mar Torre and Danish consul Marisa Moreno to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Danish consulate for Malaga, Seville, Cadiz and Huelva on Friday last week. The event, which took place at Malaga city hall, brought together mayors from across the province, regional representatives and business leaders from both countries to mark the milestone. In his speech, the mayor of Malaga highlighted the importance of the historical link between Denmark and Malaga as well as the whole of Andalucia. Zoom Mayor of Malaga Francisco de la Torre. SUR The Danish consulate, which is the oldest documented in Spain, symbolises the beginning of commercial and cultural relations that started in the 17th century and which today looks to the future in which Andalucia plays a fundamental role for Danish companies. During his speech, Michael Braad highlighted the impact that four centuries of bilateral relations have had on the economic and cultural sphere and how the relationship between Denmark and Malaga is a living example of how diplomacy and trade can create ties that last for centuries. The ambassador also presented Malagas current Danish consul, Marisa Moreno, with Denmarks distinguished Order of the Dannebrog for her work. The event also provided the setting for the presentation of a book by Susan Kristen describing 400 years of consular relations between Denmark and Andalucia. Zoom The event was attended by mayors, officials and business leaders. SUR Spain is home to the largest community of Danes living abroad. There are more than 10,000 Danes resident in Malaga province including the Costa del Sol and in 2022 more than 1.3 million Danish people visited Spain, a remarkable figure for a country of 5.8 million inhabitants. Pilar Martinez Malaga Tuesday, 3 December 2024, 10:48 Compartir Chaos has ensued as hotels, car rental companies and travel agencies in Spain attempted to register more personal information about their customers to central government as new tourism laws came into effect on Monday 2 December. Businesses were required by the new law to provide more than 40 pieces of 'Big Brother' personal information to the ministry of interior's SEShospedajes platform, however, it did not work. This was pointed out by Javier Hernandez, vice president of the Costa del Sol hoteliers association (Aehcos) who said the web platform stopped working at 11.59pm, seconds before the new decree came into effect. The site, which requires some hotels to add in 26 more pieces of personal data than before, continued to not be active as the clock ticked into Monday, he said. Hernandez said that as it was not working, businesses were not been able to register in order to communicate the data they are obliged to. Businesses that do not comply with the rules face fines of between 3,000 and 30,000 euros. "This website cannot be accessed," was the message that repeatedly cropped up when people tried to gain access to the government platform to fill in the new registration requirements. Zoom Screenshot of the notice from the ministry of the interior's platform which did not work for everyone on the first day of its implementation. SUR The new requirements are part of a new decree which is being brought in for national security reasons, with the ministry of interior adding that the biggest attacks on the public are carried out by both terrorists and organised crime. In both cases, acquiring accommodation and rental vehicles, usually done online, are crucial to their criminal plans. The tourism sector has criticised the new law and is even considering legal action against the ministry of the interior. Even tourists have pushed back against the new regulations, with many refusing the request for extra personal pieces of information. "We have guests who refuse to provide some of the obligatory information, such as bank account numbers or family relationships with the minors they are staying with," Hernandez said. Andalusian regional minister of tourism Arturo Bernal said: "the new register of tourists violates the privacy of those who visit Andalucia, affects our tourist competitiveness and has been imposed without listening to the sector. We firmly reject it". Among the incidents of the first day of the new law coming into effect, Aehcos pointed out they also experienced problems with the guest management systems used by the hotels as the suppliers warn it will take up to six months to establish these new parameters based on the more than 40 pieces of information now required by the central government. "As a result, we can confirm that some hotel establishments are taking more than 15 minutes to record every single piece of information about the tourists staying in the establishments," Hernandez said. In travel agencies, which until now were not obliged to transfer any data, the first day was "crazy", according to the president of the association of travel agencies of the Costa del Sol, Sergio Garcia. "This decree is nonsense and it is unreasonable that every time a customer wants to make a reservation you have to collect more than 40 pieces of data when this operation will then be repeated at the hotel reception or in the car rental if they go to rent the vehicle," he said. The regulation violates the data protection law and the federation is looking into legal action against the ministry of the interior, Garcia added. Car rental The same sentiments are echoed among car rental agencies, with the new law requiring them to send to the government a customer's number plate and vehicle identification number if that customers books a rental vehicle three months in advance. "It is ridiculous when we are delivering cars according to the available fleet on a daily basis," car rental agency owners pointed out, while adding that tourists are the first to be surprised that they are asked for so much information. Under the new law, another major change is that the data will now be sent directly to the ministry of the interior, whereas until now it was sent to National Police or Guardia Civil. "We understand that the ministry of the interior and the police need control mechanisms to fight crime and terrorism, but this is no argument for demanding by decree that thousands of companies be thrown into administrative chaos and the uncertainty of being fined when it is impossible to comply with the new obligations of the documentary register of tourists," said Carlos Abella, secretary general of the Mesa del Turismo. "The update of this decree stipulates that accommodation companies, car rental companies and intermediary tour operators will have to provide information on clients telematically at a level of detail that they do not have for the documentation of reservations and ID cards, nor is it fully understood that it is their role to collect it, yet there are penalties of up to 30,000 euros in case of infringement," he added. Activities and data The new rules apply to companies or individuals who carry out services such as operating accommodation or vehicle rental agencies. Accommodation activities are those carried out, whether professionally or not, for the purpose of providing, in exchange for a fee, a room or space for overnight stay to people. This ranges from hotels, hostels, guesthouses and rural tourism establishments to campsites and caravan parks. Meanwhile, car rental activities include facilitating third parties by renting out any vehicle for a specific period of time in exchange for a fee. Excluded from the provisions of this section is the hire of auto taxis and the hire of vehicles with a driver. The new rules also include tour operators that provide intermediation services between travel businesses and tourists, and the activity of digital platforms dedicated, for a fee or free of charge, to intermediation in these activities. Required data From now on, at each check in, tourists will need to record their name; surname; sex; identity document number; document support number; type of document (ID card, passport, TIE); nationality; date of birth; place of habitual residence including full address, town and country; landline and mobile phone number; email; number of tourists and relationship between tourists in the event that any of them are minors. Businesses must also send the ministry of the interior details of the transaction, such as the contract (reference number, date and signatures), contract execution data (date and time of entry and date and time of exit) and payment data (type, identification of the payment means such as card type and number, holder of the payment means, card expiry date and date of payment). Until now, tourists only had to provide their name, surname, ID card or passport number and date of issue. The travel sector is worried about the impact the new requirements will have on tourists and warn that it will have a knock-on effect for the people in Spain. "It is even possible that many tourists feel reluctant to provide certain personal data and prefer to opt for more 'friendly' international destinations for their holidays when booking their tourist services," voices in the sector pointed out. Mesa del Turismo pointed out that "as if all this were not enough, taking into account that personal data and sensitive information is handled, from contact emails to bank cards, there is a high risk of colliding head-on with the data protection act, which is strictly regulated in Spain". Marcellus, NY Just five months after getting its site plans approved by the village, Stewarts Shops is set to open in Marcellus. The new convenience store/gas station is on the site of the former Nojaims Brothers at 27 E. Main St. (Route 175) in the village. The shop is set to open Wednesday morning, Stewarts officials said. We want to continue the sense of community that Nojaims brought to the village, said Robin Cooper, speaking for Stewarts. At first, the proposal to replace Nojaims with Stewarts faced opposition. When Nojaim announced he was closing the community staple after 40 years in May, local officials were upset. At first, they blocked the sale (and Nojaims retirement plans) by placing a six-month moratorium on land-use approvals in the village. That would have delayed any plans Nojaim had to sell to Stewarts. But residents pushed back, and that prompted the village to elect a new mayor, who ran as a write-in candidate. The 4,300-square-foot shop will sell an expanded variety of groceries and three gas islands with a total of six pumps. The model is one used in areas where small independent grocery stores have closed, such as Frankfort in Herkimer County, Indian Lake in Hamilton County and Port Henry in Essex County, Stewarts said. Stewarts officials had told the village after demolishing the former Nojaims, it would take about 10 weeks to construct the store and gas pumps. The plan has been to open the store by winter, and that goal was reached, Cooper said. The Saratoga Springs-based Stewarts operates 357 shops across New York and Vermont. Elizabeth Doran covers education, suburban government and development, breaking news and more. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact her anytime 315-470-3012 or email edoran@syracuse.com Phoenix, N.Y. -- Tom King watched as a crane-like vehicle hoisted his 1,500-pound invention off the flatbed truck. For one tense moment, it looked like the bulky 9-foot-tall box might slip out of its custom-made harness and fall. But the vehicle operator eased it back down onto the flatbed while a ground crew rearranged the straps. By Julia Rock | New York Focus This story originally appeared in New York Focus, a nonprofit news publication investigating power in New York. Sign up for their newsletter here. For years, Mei Zhen Xiao worked nonstop for a few days each week caring for an elderly woman who required constant attention. Xiao, a 64-year-old immigrant from Chinas Fujian province, slept in a bed next to the patients bed and often awoke multiple times in the night. As soon as I would lie in bed, about to fall asleep, I would hear the patient call again, Xiao told New York Focus in Fujianese through a translator. The patient needed frequent help using the bathroom and couldnt be left to get up alone, Xiao said. If I didnt pay attention to her for one second, she would fall. In New York, home care agencies can legally pay home health aides like Xiao for only 13 hours of their 24-hour shifts, provided the workers have three hour-long meal breaks and at least five hours of uninterrupted sleep. Xiao, who was paid for 13 hours of each shift, claims she did not get the full meal breaks and rest required by the law. After countless 24-hour shifts, she collapsed in 2019 and was taken to the hospital for a coronary artery bypass surgery. Her doctor attributed her dangerously poor health to her inability to sleep, according to a new lawsuit filed against the home health agency that hired Xiao, called GreatCare, and the private insurance companies that cover home care through Medicaid. Workers, advocates, and unions have long alleged that home care agencies are systematically underpaying aides for grueling, around-the-clock work. Now, Xiao and other aides are suing to hold the insurance companies accountable, too. The suit, filed on September 30, accuses GreatCare and state Medicaid insurers of wage theft from workers on 24-hour shifts, claiming they acted as joint employers and are liable for labor law violations. It alleges the insurers authorized 24-hour shifts while paying agencies for only 13 hours of work, despite knowing that workers could not get adequate rest due to patients around-the-clock care needs. According to the lawsuit, Xiaos working conditions were in large part set by her patients state-contracted insurance plan, which controls the workers hours, pay, duties and working conditions. Xiao returned to work 24-hour shifts soon after her surgery. But a few years later, in 2022, she experienced another cardiac event and had a second bypass, putting her out of work for a year. Her health has deteriorated so much that this November, Xiao applied for a home health aide herself through the state Medicaid program. Home care is the single biggest line item and one of the fastest increasing in the state budget for Medicaid. The home care workforce has roughly doubled over the past decade to more than half a million people, a figure that includes friends and family members whom patients pick to work as their aides. Nearly 90 percent of the workers are women and more than 60 percent are immigrants, according to the home care research and advocacy nonprofit PHI. Those workers median annual earnings are about $25,000, according to the group, and the workers have long charged that they are exploited in violation of state and federal wage laws. The workforce is largely a creature of state policy; much of the work is paid for by Medicaid, and the industry has its own minimum wage, set by the state. Aides have filed numerous wage theft lawsuits and formal complaints with the state Department of Labor, some of which resulted in settlements that awarded back pay to workers. However, for those aides who are part of 1199SEIU, the eastern US health care union, lawsuits are often not possible. Thats because the unions collective bargaining agreements contain arbitration clauses that require workers to settle wage theft claims out of court. Worker advocates have criticized those clauses for letting agencies off the hook and leaving aides with paltry settlements. For example, in 2022, the union won a mass arbitration award for over 100,000 workers across more than 40 home care agencies. That settlement delivered only $250 to each aide, even though the workers alleged they were owed far more in stolen wages. Home care agencies have claimed that paying back all of the allegedly stolen wages could bankrupt the industry. The state Department of Labor and 1199SEIU have both echoed that claim. For at least the 10 years Ive been working on this issue, a constant feature of any of the conversations is this idea of pending bankruptcy, said Carmela Huang, a senior attorney with the National Center for Law and Economic Justice and one of the attorneys who brought the suit against GreatCare and the insurers. They said, If we were to pay the aides for all of the hours that they worked, these home care agencies would go out of business and all of the people who depend on home care services would be forced into nursing homes. By contrast, many of the private insurers contracted by New Yorks Medicaid program are subsidiaries of large national corporations like United Healthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield, making the threat of bankruptcy less credible. In many cases, their coverage provides most of the revenue for the home care agencies, meaning they largely determine how much money is available to pay workers. And they clearly shape the working conditions of home health aides, Huang said. In addition to authorizing 24-hour shifts, they also determine whether workers are eligible for overtime pay and have adequate sleeping accommodations, as well as the scope, amount, and frequency of care, according to the lawsuit. The insurers are the ones who say, You need to assist this person with toileting all 24 hours. You need to turn this person and reposition their body every two hours so they dont get bed sores These details get turned into a work plan, which becomes the aides duties for the shift, said Huang. Both defendants in the lawsuit GreatCare, the home care agency, and the insurer CenterLight did not return requests for comment. (The lawsuit includes as defendants additional unnamed insurance plans; the plaintiffs have not yet identified which ones paid for the care they gave patients.) Over a decade ago, former Governor Andrew Cuomo led an overhaul of New Yorks system for covering care for elderly and disabled people. The move set up a new type of health care plan through the state Medicaid program, called managed long-term care. Previously, people could seek home care through their county social services departments, and it was paid for by the state in a fee-for-service model. Under the new system, which started in 2011, private insurance companies through contracts with Medicaid are tasked with coordinating long-term care for patients and paying for it. The state pays the insurers a flat rate per enrollee each month. Those insurance plans are the target of the lawsuit. Theyre also recently the target of lawmakers, advocates, and 1199SEIU, which want to get rid of them altogether. Its a failed experiment, said Gustavo Rivera, the state Senate Health Committee chair. Last year, Rivera introduced a bill to get rid of the managed long-term care plans and instead have the state pay home care agencies directly. Critics charge that the plans are functionally payment intermediaries as about 90 percent of their coverage is for at-home care and are skimming hundreds of millions of dollars off the Medicaid program each year in administrative expenses. (1199SEIU has said scrapping the plans would save the state $3 billion annually, although other cost-saving estimates are lower). Just paying the plans to pay home care companies does not seem to us like a good use of dollars, said Helen Schaub, interim political director of 1199SEIU. Separately, lawmakers have also proposed legislation to end 24-hour shifts altogether. That would mean splitting up the shifts into two 12-hour shifts and would require the state to pay for the 11 hours that currently go uncompensated. Such a measure would cost $1 billion a year, according to estimates from 1199SEIU and lawmakers. The state is involved in stealing wages from mostly low-income women of color and immigrant New Yorkers, said state Assemblymember Harvey Epstein, who sponsored the bill to end 24-hour shifts. If the state is going to pay for two 12-hour shifts, insurers are going to hire people to work two 12-hour shifts. The insurers are not going to spend the money if the state is not going to reimburse them for it. A staff member for an Upstate New York congressman has been arrested at the U.S. Capitol with ammo and magazines. WHAM reports Michael Hopkins, 38, was taken into custody after U.S. Capitol Police found four ammunition magazines and 11 rounds of ammunition in his bag during routine X-ray screening at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C., on Monday morning. Hopkins reportedly told police he forgot the ammo was in his bag. No gun was recovered, according to Reuters. Hopkins is charged with unlawful possession of ammunition, including a charge for possession of a high-capacity magazine. Hopkins was communications director for U.S. Rep. Joe Morelle (D-Irondequoit). Morelles office said he was fired immediately after the incident. This morning, our office was informed that a member of our staff was arrested by Capitol Police. We are currently gathering more information regarding the circumstances of the arrest. Our office is fully committed to cooperating with the investigation, Morelles chief of staff Jo Stiles said in a statement Monday. As Ranking Member of the Committee on House Administration, Congressman Morelle is devoted to ensuring a safe and secure workplace for all. Morelle, who was born in Utica and grew up in Irondequoit, is a Democrat who has represented New Yorks 25th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2018. He previously served as majority leader of the New York State Assembly. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Aragchi have discussed collaboration between their countries on the sidelines of the 28th Meeting of the ECO (Economic Cooperation Organization) Council of Foreign Ministers in Iran's Mashhad, the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan wrote on its X page, Trend reports. The officials discussed a wide range of issues stemming from Azerbaijan-Iran cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investments, transport and communications, energy security, as well as joint initiatives and projects. The meeting between Bayramov and Aragchi also reiterated the importance of the soonest finalization of communication between the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and the Eastern Zangezur economic region of Azerbaijan, as well as the implementation of agreements reached. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. Azerbaijan intends to host the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit next year, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said at the 28th meeting of the ECO Council of Ministers in Mashhad, Iran, Trend reports. Bayramov expressed gratitude to the Islamic Republic of Iran for its chairmanship of the ECO in 2024, as well as for organizing the meeting and for the hospitality extended. He also wished success to the Republic of Kazakhstan, which will chair the organization next year. The minister underscored Azerbaijan's strategic readiness to spearhead the upcoming ECO Summit next year, accentuating the critical need for dynamic engagement and impactful contributions from all member nations in this pivotal initiative. The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), of which Azerbaijan has been a member since 1992, is an Eurasian political and economic intergovernmental entity established in 1985 in Tehran by the leaders of Iran, Pakistan, and Turkiye. It offers a forum to explore methods for enhancing growth and fostering trade and investment prospects. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel In context: SpyLoan apps are a recurring nuisance for Android users. Google tries to remove these malicious apps quickly. However, it's a never-ending fight with cybercriminals constantly returning to the popular mobile ecosystem with new social engineering tricks and security threats to scam users out of money. The mobile research team at McAfee recently detected a new SpyLoan campaign, with several apps designed to trick people into asking for quick loans. The analysts uncovered fifteen malicious Android SpyLoan apps, with a collective total of eight million downloads. Google has already removed the apps from the Play Store, but the SpyLoan threat will eventually researchers fully expect the malware to return. SpyLoan PUP (potentially unwanted programs) apps exploit social engineering tactics to try to collect sensitive user data. The apps masquerade as legit financial tools designed to loan users money after going through a rapid approval process. Users get less than the promised loan amount but must still repay the original sum in full, plus steep additional fees. Google removed the last batch of SpyLoan PUP apps in December 2023, when users downloaded over a dozen malicious apps 12 million times. The newest SpyLoan apps McAfee discovered target users in specific regions of the world, including Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa. The apps require validation through a one-time password, a trick the cyber-criminals use to confirm the apps were downloaded in one of the targeted regions. After the validation process, the apps ask users to provide a wide range of personal and sensitive information, including ID documents, employee information, and banking data. The apps also want to access the user's contact list, call logs, location, and more. Data exfiltration extends to all text messages, GPS location info, OS details, sensor logs, and other on-device information. McAfee said the bad actors use this data to harass and blackmail the victims. The criminals can go as far as sending death threats over delayed payments or calling family members to push their extortion attempts further. They will even resort to public shaming, which can significantly impact personal and professional relationships. The researchers say SpyLoan apps are designed to exploit users' trust and "financial desperation." Google should have enough security mechanisms to prevent SpyLoan apps from returning to the Android ecosystem, but the criminals are still doing business just fine. Asking for money through some second-rate smartphone app doesn't seem like the brightest idea, but as PT Barnum said, "There's a sucker born every minute," and that's precisely what keeps these apps alive. Recap: Following a major court ruling against Google's Android app policies, Microsoft recently announced plans to enable customers to buy and play Xbox games directly through an Android app. As Google appeals the decision, Microsoft and Epic Games accuse the tech giant of stonewalling to defend its in-app purchase commissions. Microsoft has delayed its recently announced plans to launch an Android app portal for buying and playing Xbox games. The company blames Google's appeal of a recent antitrust decision, igniting a series of accusations between the two companies and Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney. The new Xbox app would likely allow users to purchase certain games to stream via Xbox Cloud Gaming. Since a US judge ordered Google to cease blocking third-party storefronts on Android devices in October, Microsoft could sell the titles without paying Google a commission. At Xbox, we want to offer players more choice on how and where they play, including being able to play and buy games directly from the Xbox app. I recently shared our ambition to unlock these features first with the Google Play Store on Android devices in the U.S. while other app BondSarahBond (@BondSarah_Bond) November 27, 2024 Moreover, Microsoft recently began allowing Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers to stream games they own outside of the subscription service. However, Microsoft currently only allows mobile users to purchase and access the titles through a web interface to avoid the Google Play and Apple App Store commissions. Microsoft announced the native app interface mere days after Google lost its antitrust case. However, the court approved Google's request for a temporary administrative stay, delaying the requirement that it loosen Android software restrictions. Google's statement is deceitful. Shame on them. They well know that the 30% cut they demand is far more than all of the profit from game streaming. They know this because they blew hundreds of millions of dollars building the failed Stadia game business themselves. Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) November 28, 2024 In response, Xbox President Sarah Bond stated that Microsoft is ready to launch the app immediately after Google lifts its restrictions, but Google claims those restrictions don't exist. While echoing the usual security concerns regarding app sideloading, the search giant claimed that Microsoft is already free to sell games on Android. Although Google's statement wasn't a direct suggestion that Microsoft launch its app on the Google Play Store and thus pay a commission Epic Games boss Tim Sweeney took it as such. Calling Google's response "deceitful," he noted that the 30 percent fee would erase all profits from game streaming, effectively making mobile game streaming apps nonviable. Restrictive policies against mobile cloud gaming apps have drawn regulatory ire for years. Apple began allowing them on its app store following legislation from the European Union. Microsoft's upcoming app is part of a push to redefine the meaning of "Xbox." Instead of focusing solely on the Xbox Series consoles, a new ad campaign aims to spread the brand to any device that supports Xbox Cloud Gaming. In context: As AI continues to remake industries, the demand for more efficient and cost-effective AI chips is poised for immense growth. Tenstorrent's success in attracting this investment suggests that the market is ready for alternatives to Nvidia's offerings. Tenstorrent, a Santa Clara, California-based startup, has secured nearly $700 million in funding, catapulting its valuation to $2.6 billion. This investment round, led by South Korea's AFW Partners and Samsung Securities, signals the emergence of another Nvidia competitor. The company is also attracting the attention of tech industry titans. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, through his investment firm Bezos Expeditions, has thrown his weight behind Tenstorrent's vision. Other investors include Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Fidelity Management & Research Company, Hyundai Motor Group, Export Development Canada, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan, and Baillie Gifford. At the heart of Tenstorrent's appeal is its approach to AI chip design. The company, led by semiconductor pioneer Jim Keller, is focusing on developing more cost-effective and power-efficient solutions for AI development. Unlike Nvidia, which relies heavily on expensive high-bandwidth memory (HBM), Tenstorrent is leveraging open-source technology and standard components. Tenstorrent is a strong advocate for the open-standard RISC-V processor architecture. This approach not only attracts talented engineers but also fosters innovation and interoperability with other technology providers, Keller told Bloomberg. "Open source helps you build a bigger platform. It attracts engineers. And yes, it's a little bit of a passion project." The company's strategy revolves around avoiding the use of HBM, which Keller believes gives Nvidia an insurmountable cost advantage. "You can't beat Nvidia if you use HBM, because Nvidia buys the most HBM and has a cost advantage," Keller stated. "But they'll never be able to bring the price down the way HBM is built into their products and their sockets". Tenstorrent plans to utilize the newly acquired funds to expand its engineering team, strengthen its global supply chain, and build AI training servers to showcase its technology. The company aims to release a new AI processor every two years, aligning with the rapid pace of innovation in the industry. Tenstorrent's manufacturing strategy involves partnerships with leading chip fabricators. Its first chips were produced by GlobalFoundries, with future iterations planned through Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and Samsung. The company is also exploring 2-nanometer chip designs, in line with TSMC and Samsung's production timelines, as well as Japan's Rapidus Corp., which targets 2nm output by 2027. While Tenstorrent has secured nearly $150 million in contracts, it still faces an uphill battle against Nvidia's dominance. Nvidia currently generates tens of billions in datacenter revenue each quarter. However, Tenstorrent's approach and high-profile backing position it as an interesting challenger in the AI chip landscape. In brief: You can ask ChatGPT pretty much anything, and in most cases it will give you an answer. But there are a handful of names that cause the AI language model to break down. The reasons why relate to generative AI's tendency to make things up and the legal consequences when the subjects are people. Social media users recently found that entering the name "David Mayer" into ChatGPT saw the system refuse to respond and end the session. 404Media found that the same thing happened when it was asked about "Jonathan Zittrain," a Harvard Law School professor, and "Jonathan Turley," a George Washington University Law School professor. A few other names also cause ChatGPT to respond with "I'm unable to produce a response," and "There was an error generating a response." Even trying the usual tricks, such as inputting the name backwards and asking the program to print it out from right to left, don't work. ArsTechnica produced a list of ChatGPT-breaking names. David Mayer no longer stuns the chatbot, but these do: Brian Hood, Jonathan Turley, Jonathan Zittrain, David Faber, and Guido Scorza. The reason for this behaviour stems from all-too familiar AI hallucinations. Brian Hood threatened to sue OpenAI in 2023 when it falsely claimed that the Australian mayor had been imprisoned for bribery in reality, he was a whistleblower. OpenAI eventually agreed to filter out the untrue statements, adding a hard-coded filter on his name. ChatGPT falsely claimed Turley had been involved in a non-existent sexual harassment scandal. It even cited a Washington Post article in its response. The article had also been made up by the AI. Turley said he never threated to sue OpenAI and the company never contacted him. There's no obvious reason why Zittrain's name is blocked. He recently wrote an article in the Atlantic called "We Need to Control AI Agents Now," and, like Turley, has had his work cited in the New York Times copyright lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft. However, entering the names of other authors whose work is also cited in the suit does not cause ChatGPT to break. Why David Mayer was blocked and then unblocked is also unclear. There are those who believe it is connected to David Mayer de Rothschild, though there is no evidence of this. Ars points out that these hard-coded filters can cause problems for ChatGPT users. It's been shown how an attacker could interrupt a session using a visual prompt injection of one of the names rendered in a barely legible font embedded in an image. Moreover, someone could exploit the blocks by adding one of the names to a website, thereby potentially preventing ChatGPT from processing the data it contains though not everyone might see that as a bad thing. In related news, several Canadian news and media companies have joined forces to sue OpenAI for using their articles without permission, and they're asking for C$20,000 ($14,239) per infringement meaning a court loss could cost the firm billions. What just happened? What's worse than having a multi-billion compensation package denied to you by a judge? Having it denied a second time, despite being overwhelmingly re-approved by Tesla shareholders. That's the situation Elon Musk has found himself in after Delaware judge Kathaleen McCormick upheld her original ruling that called the payment excessive. She also denied a request from lawyers who brought the case to be paid $6 billion. In January, McCormick rejected arguments that the 2018 $56 billion compensation was essential to ensure Musk dedicated his attention to Tesla. The judge said Musk had individually "controlled Tesla" and dictated the terms of his compensation. Following the ruling, Tesla held a shareholder vote in June that asked investors to once again ratify Musk's pay plan, which is now worth more than $100 billion following a 44% rise in Tesla's share price since January. It was re-approved by 84% of shares not held by Musk or his brother, Kimbal Musk. After it was approved, Musk took to the stage at a Tesla event to proclaim, "I just want to start off by saying, hot damn, I love you guys!" McCormick denied the motion to reverse her decision on Monday. She wrote that while the defense firms got "creative" with the ratification argument, "their unprecedented theories go against multiple strains of settled law." Musk's pay package of 300 million Tesla shares was directly linked to the company's performance. He receives no salary from Tesla. McCormick wrote that while Musk is entitled to some form of compensation, the award was not fair to shareholders. "There were undoubtedly a range of healthy amounts that the Board could have decided to pay Musk," she wrote. "Instead, the Board capitulated to Musk's terms and then failed to prove that those terms were entirely fair." If the pay package is approved, Musk's ownership in Tesla will increase from 13% to more than 20%. He previously warned that if his ownership in the company was not increased to around 25%, he would cut back on its development of AI and robotics. Tesla said it will appeal the latest decision. "This ruling, if not overturned, means that judges and plaintiffs' lawyers run Delaware companies rather than their rightful owners the shareholders," it said. I am uncomfortable growing Tesla to be a leader in AI & robotics without having ~25% voting control. Enough to be influential, but not so much that I can't be overturned. Unless that is the case, I would prefer to build products outside of Tesla. You don't seem to understand Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 15, 2024 "Shareholders should control company votes, not judges," Musk wrote in an X post. Shareholders should control company votes, not judges https://t.co/zRsWGjC2hG Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 3, 2024 In March, it was revealed that the three law firms that represented shareholder Richard Tornetta, who filed the initial lawsuit against Tesla, were asking for the equivalent of $6 billion in the EV giant's stock as payment, equal to around $288,888 per hour. McCormick ordered Tesla to pay the attorneys just $345 million. In retaliation for McCormick's first rejection, Musk changed SpaceX's state of incorporation from Delaware to Texas. In June, he repeated the move with Tesla. Facepalm: Another cloud service provider just left VMware for an open-source competitor over its outrageous price hikes. The firm was a sizable client with tens of thousands of virtual machines. While it still runs a few VMware machines, most of the migration is complete, leaving Broadcom with another big hole in its customer base. Private server provider Beeks Group, headquartered in the UK, offers virtual and physical servers to companies in the financial sector. The Register notes that the firm has over 20 data centers supporting "20,000-plus" virtual machines and about 3,000 bare metal servers. It recently migrated its VMs provided by VMware to open-source provider OpenNebula, leaving just a handful of virtual servers that proved more problematic to move. Matthew Cretney, Beeks Group's head of production management, said that the migration was triggered when the company received a licensing invoice from VMware parent company Broadcom that was 10 times the previously billed amount. The massive rate hike is not unprecedented. Recently, AT&T filed a breach of contract lawsuit saying that Broadcom refused to honor VMware's existing licensing agreement. Instead, Broadcom wanted to switch the telecom with over 75,000 VMs to a licensing subscription that cost 1,050 percent more. Of course, AT&T said, "We'll see you in court." Before that, an Australian firm dumped VMware after Broadcom hit it with a rate hike 10-15 times higher than it had previously paid. That company switched its 24,000 VMs to VMware competitor Nutanix. If you're keeping score, Broadcom has lost at least 45,000 VMs to competitors due to unreasonable price hikes, presumably chasing a quick ROI in a $61 billion investment. Meanwhile, AT&T's 75,000 VMs stand in limbo pending the lawsuit's outcome. Even if the judge rules that Broadcom must honor the previous agreement, the telecom plans to bail after running out that contract. Also, consider that these are only the companies that have publicly complained. The number of firms that have quietly left Broadcom over rate hikes is undisclosed. The method to Broadcom's madness is that it knows that the cost of migrating is often more than paying the expensive rate hike, especially for small to mid-sized businesses with less capital. AT&T said its migration of 75,000 VMs will cost between $40 million and $50 million. Smaller companies don't have that kind of money in the budget. It will be interesting to see if Broadcom continues sticking it to its VMware client base. There has to be a tipping point, but I don't think we're there yet. Image credit: Chad Scott The computer hardware company based in Los Angeles, California, NZXT, is now facing a massive controversy after a YouTube channel called 'Gamers Nexus' claimed that their Flex PC Rental program is a "scam." It was revealed in the most recent expose by Gamers Nexus that NZXT has been deceiving its customers with its elaborate "bait-and-switch" tactic which is not true to its promises. After the wave of building one's PC has passed, consumers and companies focused on offering PC rentals for those who do not want the hassle of assembling one from scratch, with services like NZXT gaining fame over the years. NZXT PC Rental Program is a 'Scam' Says Gamers Nexus NZXT is known for offering its massive array of prebuilt gaming PCs for customers to enjoy, and they have been presenting users a way to either buy it for total ownership, or for rent under its Flex program. However, as far as reviews go, Gamers Nexus has shared a new video that claims that this Flex PC rental program is a "scam," saying that what NZXT advertises on its website is not what gamers are receiving. The YouTube channel created a deep dive into what NZXT really offers for gamers, and they shared that instead of getting the PC that you are paying for under a subscription, players are duped under its tactics. It was revealed in one of its examples that NZXT's Player: Three PC, listed at $179 per month for rentals and $2,299.00 for purchase while being the same computer, has different specs available. The rental version only has the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti, while the PC for purchase offers the RTX 4070 Ti Super, while the company claimed it to have the same specs. 'Bait-and-Switch' Tactic, Specs Changes on PCs Gamers Nexus also regarded that NZXT enforces a "bait-and-switch" tactic to its business which is severely confusing users with the many price and specs changes that happen on "day-to-day in some instances." Moreover, the company's discounts are also unclear as the price of these PCs rapidly change. NZXT's Renowned Computer Hardware NZXT's name has been one of the top-regarded computer hardware companies in the market, and it is significantly popular among the PC community with its massive lineup of new cases, components, and accessories. That being said, the company also created a special edition "sneaker PC" in a previous collaboration with RTFKT which built a unique case resembling a high-top that features the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080. Over the past years, NZXT's company was held in high regard for the computer hardware available for customers to purchase, using these components to build the PC of their dreams, and is widely available to accommodate different hardware. NZXT's PC cases have been among the top-rated hardware for those who are looking to build their computers from scratch, centering on both aesthetics and functionality. The company has seen its fair share of accolades throughout its years of offering computer hardware for users to enjoy, lauding their concepts and designs that help elevate the world of PC building in the market. However, Gamers Nexus has negative things to say about NZXT's Flex PC Rental program which is allegedly "scamming" customers with its "bait-and-switch" tactic that does not stay true to its published specs. A new venture by European space companies including Airbus, Leonardo, and Thales is reportedly in the works, and these three companies are looking to collaborate on a new satellite project that would rival Elon Musk's Starlink. For many years, Starlink has asserted its dominance in the low-Earth orbit (LEO) where it has slowly filled up the space with its massive operations for its satellite internet service. Currently, there are different European satellite industry leaders who have worked together to deliver a larger-scale service despite facing significant losses over the years, all looking to go against SpaceX's Starlink. Europe's Airbus, Leonardo, Thales to Form a Super Satellite Group Reuters reported that sources familiar with this latest venture pointed out to European space firms Airbus, Leonardo, and Thales are now banding together to create a "new joint space company" to rival Starlink. It was revealed that this super satellite group would focus on the missile maker model known as "MBDA" to be the basis for this European satellite venture. The sources claimed that these European companies are still in the early stages of their talks and conceptualization of the project, focusing on this collaborative effort that would combine satellite assets instead of naming one company to lead the charge. Roberto Cingolani, Leonardo's CEO, was the only one to have confirmed that these talks are already focusing on the technical discussions behind the project, also confirming their focus on the MBDA model. That being said Airbus and Thales reportedly declined to comment on the project. 'Project Bromo' to Go Against Elon Musk's Starlink Dominance Despite its early stage, the project already has a codename within Airbus called "Project Bromo," and it will focus on the MBDA technology which is owned by Airbus, Leonardo, and BAE Systems. That being said, these talks follow the previous restructuring claims by Airbus where seven percent of its Defence and Space Division would be axed, consisting of around 2,500 job cuts by mid-2026. Additionally, Project Bromo from the trio of European space companies would reportedly take years before it arrives. Elon Musk and its Starlink Satellite Network Elon Musk and SpaceX have since seen significant success in Starlink's satellite services, particularly as the company has had successive missions over the past years to build its massive constellation. Earlier this June, SpaceX embarked on one of its most historic launches for Starlink which focused on a doubleheader launch that had two Falcon 9 rockets delivering two sets of satellites to orbit. Because of its wide availability and over thousands of satellites already present in orbit, Starlink has been the top-regarded service for global internet access and has proved to be significantly useful in times of conflicts and disasters. Ukraine and Gaza have since seen SpaceX Starlink helping them out with their connectivity problems as terrestrial infrastructure was either destroyed or out of commission. On the other hand, SpaceX has also been in partnership with the United States government, under the Biden administration, to offer its satellite service to Hurricane Helene victims for free. Starlink's global fame significantly put it in the crosshairs of industry rivals as they look to challenge its dominance, with European space companies now banding together to deliver "Project Bromo" and reinforce EU's satellite presence in space. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. Within the framework of the 15th NATO Days held according to the Individual Partnership Cooperation Programme with NATO, Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan Director General Agil Gurbanov met with a delegation led by Deputy Chief of Staff of the Partnerships Directorate at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), Rear Admiral Gunnstein Bruasdal, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Misnistry of Defense. At the meeting, the current state of relations between the two sides was commended and an exchange of views on prospective issues for further development of the established relations was held. The activities of Azerbaijani servicemen involved in the NATO Operational Capability Concept (OCC) and other programs were also highly appreciated. The significance of experience exchange between servicemen, who will continue participating in various exercises and courses, as well as their self-development was highlighted. During the meeting, prospects for the development of relations were discussed, and questions of mutual interest were answered. Tesla is a frequent customer in legal battles and the latest verdict hits like a truck for the EV maker. A Delaware judge has declared CEO Elon Musk's $56 billion pay package invalid, a decision that comes after shareholder approval earlier this year. The decision, delivered by Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick of the Court of Chancery, further complicates the future of the company's leadership compensation structure. The Judge's Ruling on Musk's Compensation Plan Chancellor McCormick recently supported her decision made in January wherein she found the pay package excessive and rescinded it. Reuters reports that the package, valued at $56 billion, was tied to the achievement of certain performance and valuation milestones by Musk at Tesla. However, McCormick has argued since day one that the way compensation was structured, especially because Musk participated in the negotiations with his negotiating team, violated corporate governance. In her new 101-page opinion, McCormick argued that Tesla's board had no right to reinstate the package once it was stricken. Tesla, however, said that they plan to appeal the decision to the Delaware Supreme Court. The company insisted that the June shareholder vote to reinstate the package should be left intact because the vote represented a clear desire from Tesla's stakeholders. In his X post, Musk said that "shareholders should control company votes, not judges." In addition, McCormick rejected that rationale, pointing out that this vote had needed to take place before the trial had happened in June. She also pointed to the fact that Tesla's leadership had made material misstatements about the vote to further invalidate the decision made. Shareholder Unrest and What Legal Consequences Might Come In spite of the legal reversal, many investors in Tesla still share complaints about the ruling. Retail investors and fans of Musk also continue to voice their disappointment with the decision. Powerful voices such as that of Omar Qazi, one of Tesla's major investors, say that the decision disempowers shareholders, suggesting that the will of the majority should not be superseded by a judge. Backers of Musk continue to express support for the compensation package they believe is warranted due to the CEO's role in making Tesla the success it is today. Musk's defense and Tesla have maintained that his performance-based pay scheme was fair and necessary to make his individual interest in line with that of the company. However, critics argue that it is overcompensation that will be a bad practice towards corporate accountability and transparency. Wider Financial and Market Effects Tesla's stock, whose value had skyrocketed, declined by 1.4% in after-market trading after the verdict. This minor decline may be attributed to the persistent uncertainty surrounding Musk's pay but also to the overall implications for Tesla's market perception. Musk's compensation package, originally designed to align his interests with the company's growth, had already caused a huge commotion due to its massive value, which was over 30 times larger than the next biggest executive compensation plan. The decision also draws attention to the broader issue of executive compensation at Silicon Valley companies that is relatively common - stock options and performance-based incentives - and where Tesla's controversial compensation deal may well become a cautionary tale on the potential consequences of high-stakes corporate governance. Tesla Hopes That Its Appeal Won't Put to Waste According to CNN, Tesla will appeal the decision to the Delaware Supreme Court, hoping that a higher court will overturn McCormick's decision. The appeal process may take up to one year to fully resolve the case, meaning that Tesla and Musk will continue to be locked in uncertainty over the pay of the latter. Meanwhile, the firm will carry on its defense, insisting on the fact that Musk has sufficiently transformed the company to warrant this massive pay package. The legal saga seems to be never-ending for Elon Musk as pressure keeps on pumping upinstead of profit. With Tesla's future at stake, the outcome of this legal battle will have some consequences not just for Musk, but for the whole EV industry. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. The Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov met with the military delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Trend reports. The delegation is on an official visit to our country. Welcoming the guests, Colonel General Z. Hasanov expressed satisfaction with seeing them in Azerbaijan. The Minister of Defense noted that developing relations between the two countries based on friendship and brotherhood are paid special attention and are always in the spotlight of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev. It was emphasized that Saudi Arabia's participation with an expanded delegation in the 5th Anniversary Azerbaijan International Defense Exhibition ADEX held on September 24-26, 2024 at the Baku Expo Center was commended. The Minister informed the guest about the measures on demining the territories liberated after the victory in the Patriotic War and expressed gratitude to the guest for the support provided by Saudi Arabia in this matter. It was mentioned that out of 382 civilians and servicemen injured by mine explosions after the Patriotic War, 70 lost their lives. Then Colonel General Z. Hasanov wished success to the participants of the Azerbaijan-Turkiye-Saudi Arabia trilateral working meeting on intelligence, hosted by Baku. Expressing satisfaction with the visit to Azerbaijan, the guest thanked for the hospitality. He congratulated Colonel General Z. Hasanov on the restoration of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, prayed to Almighty Allah for the repose of the souls of the Shehids and expressed his deepest condolences to their families. The guest stressed that mutual visits of military delegations contribute to the expansion of our relations. Prospects for the development of cooperation in the military and military educational spheres, as well as regional security issues were discussed at the meeting. Then the guests arrived at the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army. The First Deputy Minister of Defense Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev met with the delegation. At the meeting, the sides expressed confidence in the further development of the cooperation based on mutual trust and support, emphasized the importance of experience exchange and discussed other issues of interest. Death toll in Thailand flooding jumps to 25: disaster agency Bangkok, Dec 3 (AFP) Dec 03, 2024 The death toll from flooding in southern Thailand has risen to 25, officials said on Tuesday, with days more heavy rain forecast. Twelve provinces in southern Thailand have been hit by flooding since late November, affecting 410,451 people, the country's disaster agency said on its Facebook page. The agency's announcement raises a previous death toll of 9 reported on Saturday. More than 22,000 people have been displaced from their homes due to flooding in Pattani, Narathiwat, Songkhla and Yala provinces, the Thai government's public relations department said. Suwas Bin-Uma, a chicken farm owner in Songkhla, told state broadcaster Thai PBS that the floods had wiped out his entire flock of more than 10,000 chickens. "I've lost at least three million baht ($87,000)," he said. The Thai weather agency on Tuesday warned of continued heavy rain until December 5. The government has deployed rescue teams to assist affected residents and designated 50 million baht in flood relief for each province. On Tuesday the Thai cabinet approved a 9,000 baht payment per family to support those affected. In neighbouring north Malaysia, disaster officials said on Tuesday that more than 94,000 people were yet to return to their homes after being evacuated due to the floods, with five people reported dead. While Thailand experiences annual monsoon rains, scientists say climate change is causing more intense weather patterns that can make destructive floods more likely. Widespread flooding across the country in 2011 killed more than 500 people and damaged millions of homes. tak-rma/rsc Brazil trumpets emissions cuts at UN top court The Hague, Dec 3 (AFP) Dec 03, 2024 Brazil's greenhouse gas emissions cuts are more ambitious than the programmes of countries that have historically pumped out more harmful gases, its climate change envoy told the top UN court Tuesday. Speaking during landmark climate change hearings at the International Court of Justice, Luiz Alberto Figueiredo Machado said Brazil was doing more than its historical emissions would require from the country. "Brazil's commitment... extends far beyond what could be reasonably expected based on our historical responsibility for global temperature rise," Machado said. Despite the economic and social challenges faced by Brazil, the country has adopted a plan that seeks to cut emissions across the whole developing economy, he said. "The ambition, scale and scope of Brazil's effort reflect a level of ambition that often surpasses those of historically high-emitting developed countries," he said. In November, Brazil announced plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions more drastically than originally projected. Instead of the earlier target of reducing emissions by 59 percent from 2005 levels by 2035, it will aim for a 67 percent reduction, said the left-leaning government of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The new target would allow emissions of roughly 850 million to one billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) by 2035, down from 2.4 billion tons in the baseline year of 2005. International NGOs said Brazil's efforts did not go far enough. Romain Ioualalen, Global Policy Campaign Manager at Oil Change International, said Brazil had missed an opportunity to show climate leadership, noting it planned to increase oil and gas production by 36 percent by 2035. "Brazil's initial climate target for 2035 is minimally sufficient but falls short of true ambition," said Andreas Sieber, 350.org Associate Director for Global Policy and Campaigns. Brazil will host the next UN global climate conference, COP30, next November in the Amazonian city of Belem. The country is "acutely aware of the devastating impacts of climate change," Machado said. "Our people have been enduring extreme weather events, from severe droughts in the north to relentless rain and floods in the south." The historic hearings at the ICJ will see more than 100 countries and organisations present their views on climate change -- the highest number ever. The UN has asked the ICJ for a so-called "advisory opinion" on nations' obligations to tackle climate change and the legal consequences for states that cause damage to the climate. The ICJ will likely take months if not years to deliver its opinion, which critics say will have limited impact given its non-binding nature. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. The regular meeting of the board of the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) was held, Trend reports. Deputy Chairman of YAP - Head of the Central Apparatus Tahir Budagov remarked that Azerbaijan, advancing decisively towards democracy, is on the verge of another significant socio-political process. Municipal elections are scheduled for January 29, 2025, in our country. The YAP, the dominant entity in the political framework, has been meticulously preparing for all prior elections and has achieved decisive triumphs. The YAP, having fulfilled the public's expectations with integrity amidst emerging realities and obstacles, is participating in the next municipal elections with resolute determination to succeed, he said He went on saying that the YAP will nominate its candidates in each of the 118 electoral districts. Following this, information was given on the items on the agenda of the meeting. First, the Action Plan of the New Azerbaijan Party in connection with the municipal elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan scheduled for January 29, 2025" was discussed and approved at the meeting. Afterward, it was decided to establish the 19-member Central Election Headquarters of the New Azerbaijan Party. By the decision of the Board, the authorized representatives of the New Azerbaijan Party and its authorized representative on financial issues, as well as persons who will monitor the meetings of election commissions until the voting day, were appointed. YAP deputy chairman Ali Ahmadov, along with party board members Arif Rahimzade, Hikmet Mammadov, Mubariz Gurbanli, and Aynur Sofiyeva, addressed the meeting and discussed the future responsibilities for the election campaign's success. Budagov summarized the meeting's results, expressing confidence that all of the party's resources will be used to participate in the municipal elections, as they were in past elections, and wishing success to its members who will be involved in this process. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Brazil trumpets emission cut plans at UN top court The Hague, Dec 3 (AFP) Dec 03, 2024 Brazil's planned greenhouse gas emissions cuts are more ambitious than the programmes of countries that have historically pumped out more harmful gases, its climate change envoy told the top UN court on Tuesday. Speaking during landmark climate change hearings at the International Court of Justice, Luiz Alberto Figueiredo Machado said Brazil was doing more than its historical emissions would require from the country. "Brazil's commitment... extends far beyond what could be reasonably expected based on our historical responsibility for global temperature rise," Machado said. Despite the economic and social challenges faced by Brazil, the country has adopted a plan that seeks to cut emissions across the whole developing economy, he said. "The ambition, scale and scope of Brazil's effort reflect a level of ambition that often surpasses those of historically high-emitting developed countries," he said. In November, Brazil announced plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions more drastically than originally projected. Instead of the earlier target of reducing emissions by 59 percent from 2005 levels by 2035, it will aim for a 67 percent reduction, said the left-leaning government of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The new target would allow emissions of roughly 850 million to one billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) by 2035, down from 2.4 billion tons in the baseline year of 2005. - 'Minimally sufficient' - "This is the ambition of a nation that faces much higher costs of capital and less fiscal space than developed countries to finance its just transition towards low-carbon and climate-resilient development," said Machado. However, international NGOs have said that Brazil's efforts do not go far enough. Romain Ioualalen, Global Policy Campaign Manager at Oil Change International, said Brazil had missed an opportunity to show climate leadership, noting that it planned to increase oil and gas production by 36 percent by 2035. "Brazil's initial climate target for 2035 is minimally sufficient but falls short of true ambition," said Andreas Sieber, 350.org Associate Director for Global Policy and Campaigns. Brazil will host the next UN global climate conference, COP30, next November in the Amazonian city of Belem. The country is "acutely aware of the devastating impacts of climate change", Machado said. "Our people have been enduring extreme weather events, from severe droughts in the north to relentless rain and floods in the south." The historic hearings at the ICJ will see more than 100 countries and organisations present their views on climate change -- the highest number ever. The UN has asked the ICJ for a so-called "advisory opinion" on nations' obligations to tackle climate change and the legal consequences for states that cause damage to the climate. The ICJ will likely take months if not years to deliver its opinion, which critics say would have limited impact given its non-binding nature. Opening the proceedings on Monday, a representative from Vanuatu, which has spearheaded the drive to bring the case before the ICJ, said that the future of the planet was at stake during the hearings. "This may well be the most consequential case in the history of humanity," Vanuatu's representative for climate change, Ralph Regenvanu, told the 15-judge bench. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. Azerbaijan has made substantial efforts to improve the living conditions of people with disabilities, said Anar Kerimov, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Azerbaijan, Trend reports. Speaking at a United Nations (UN) event on "Enhancing Climate Solutions with the Involvement of People with Disabilities" in honor of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Kerimov discussed the nation's participation in the organization. "Specifically, in 2008, we joined the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Since then, a number of laws have been adopted, and this year a new law was implemented regarding the procedures for assessing the status of people with disabilities. We also created our own registry. Social benefits for citizens with disabilities have been tripled, and some other payments have increased by 2.5 times. However, these efforts remain insufficient. We believe we must work harder in this area," he said. The Deputy Minister also noted that the event is part of a series of initiatives being carried out following COP29. "Azerbaijan has been selected as the presiding country for COP29, and we believe that, until the next conference in Brazil, Azerbaijan will continue to fulfill this role by organizing such important events," he added. To note, the event titled "Enhancing Climate Solutions with the Involvement of People with Disabilities" has commenced in Baku, Azerbaijan. The event, organized by the United Nations (UN) Office in Azerbaijan, commemorates the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The gathering, organized by the United Nations (UN) Office in Azerbaijan and the Union of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities of Azerbaijan (UOPD), is a tribute to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. Development of Nationally Distributed Contributions (NDCs) must consider disabled people, UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan Vladanka Andreeva said at the event "Enhancing Climate Solutions with the Involvement of People with Disabilities" today in Azerbaijan's Baku, Trend reports. "People with disabilities disproportionately suffer from climate change. During climate crises or extreme weather events, they face difficulties in accessing healthcare, support services, evacuation, and emergency services. Azerbaijan and many other countries around the world must consider all of this when developing their NDCs, Andreeva pointed out. According to her, an approach that encompasses all segments of society is necessary to effectively combat climate change while maintaining the resilience of healthcare, education, the economy, and social services systems. She drove home that just 10 days ago, the successful 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) concluded in Baku. "Azerbaijan hosted representatives from all over the world, managed to reach a consensus on a new climate financing goal, and progressed on various agenda items. Brazil will take over the COP29 presidency from Azerbaijan next year. This gives us the opportunity to fulfill our commitments, especially in terms of inclusivity, ensuring that everyone has access, a voice, and a seat at the negotiation table," she added. Andreeva also emphasized that the COP29 venues ensured full access for disabled people. The gathering, organized by the United Nations (UN) Office in Azerbaijan and the Union of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities of Azerbaijan (UOPD), is a tribute to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. There is no tinderbox quite like that which sits at the heart of industrial relations in Australias aviation sector. So one has to question why Virgin would risk igniting a flare-up with the powerful Transport Workers Union (TWU) by appointing a chief executive that the union is attempting to veto. For its part the union is firing a shot across the bow designed to let its private equity owner Bain know that former Qantas executive Paul Jones could be a dangerous decision for the future of industrial relations harmony. This week, the TWU threatened it would withdraw its support for Virgins tie-up with Qatar Airways if the airline appointed Jones, who is currently Virgins chief customer and digital officer. The partnership with Qatar is an important element in Virgins move to re-launch long-haul international services. Paul Jones, Chief Customer and Digital Officer for Virgin Australia. But its a big swing for the union given having a say in any executive appointments sits well outside any unions wheelhouse. It doesnt play directly into workers pay and conditions or even wider public interest issues like the environment. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size At the end of every performance of her one-woman show Im Not as Well as I Thought I Was, Ruby Wax sits in a chair at the front of the stage and invites questions from the audience. Hands shoot up. People are desperate to talk to her. A woman in the stalls asks her how she copes when shes in the grip of depression. I do mindfulness meditation, Wax replies. But when you get ill, you get ill. It [depression] doesnt care what youre doing. So how are you feeling right now? the woman asks, as if talking to a friend over coffee. Im OK, genuinely, Wax says, her Midwestern accent unblunted by all the years spent living in the UK. But ask me again next week. If, like me, youre old enough to remember Wax as one of televisions punchiest comedians at a time when Back to the Future was still in cinemas, her latter-day incarnation as a mental health activist, author and lecturer can be a little disorientating. Shes still funny, of course wickedly so. But these days her comedy has a purpose. By laying bare her lifelong battles with depression, her stints in psychiatric institutions and the treatments shes undertaken, she seeks to engage, educate and de-stigmatise as well as entertain. Ruby Wax in Im Not As Well As I Thought I Was, which she is bringing to Australia in March. Credit: PA Images via Getty Images In Im Not as Well as I Thought I Was, we find her embarking on a globetrotting search for enlightenment. She attends a 30-day silent meditation retreat in California, swims with humpback whales in the Dominican Republic and works at a refugee camp in Greece. Each experience yields plenty of laughs, but moments of revelation too. The adventure is curtailed when she joins a Christian community in Yorkshire, realises her depression has returned for the first time in 12 years and admits herself to a clinic. Advertisement I love being in institutions theyre my happy place, she says when we meet in the small, overheated dressing room of the London theatre where shes performing Im Not as Well as I Thought I Was. Youre not happy when you admit yourself, but after a while, you start to fit in. People tell unbelievable stories and you dont want to leave. Its too much fun. She pauses, then says, I wouldnt expect people to think this is normal. Today, shes wearing a smart tweed jacket over jeans and white sneakers. She wouldnt usually wear the jacket, she says, but Monica Lewinsky is coming to tonights show and Wax wanted to make an effort. Shes 71, but her age isnt something she discusses. I just dont like to be pegged, she says. I dont talk about being a female or white either. Those arent my specialities. One gets the impression she doesnt suffer fools gladly and worries very little about saying the right thing. I have no identity, says Ruby Wax. The kohl-lined eyes study you with a forensic intensity, and she gives blunt, succinct answers to questions as if conserving her energy. When I ask how she describes herself these days, she says, I have no identity. Clearly, Im a performer when Im onstage, but when I come off, Im not a performer. Theres just ... nothing. I wasnt wild in a sexual way - I just hated them. I wait for the punchline, but it doesnt come. Wherever I go, I think thats where I live, she continues. That isnt a lie. I forget I have a family sometimes. Its bizarre. People have to remind me that I have three kids and a husband [shes married to British film and TV producer Ed Bye]. I dont have sentimental feelings about anything. If my house burned down Id go big deal. Ive always felt that way. I dont think its related to depression, its just the feeling of never having a home. Advertisement I must look a little startled at this point because she switches the dial. The lipstick-coated lips curl into a toothy smile. When she arrived on the scene, Wax appeared a straightforward proposition: she was the crude, loudmouthed Yank who became one of British televisions brightest comedy stars of the 1980s and 1990s. In 1985s Girls on Top a sitcom developed as the female version of The Young Ones she held her own in the company of three other nascent stars: Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders and Tracey Ullman. Wax with The Spice Girls at the height of their fame in the late 90s Moving to the BBC in 1991, she made a name for herself as a no-holds-barred interviewer of the rich and famous. In two series of Ruby Wax Meets she cajoled everyone from Madonna and Tom Hanks to Imelda Marcos and O.J. Simpson into revealing something of their true selves. In an era before social media, when celebrities still seemed unknowable, these anarchic, uproarious encounters became must-see television. When things went badly her tense encounter with Donald Trump still makes difficult viewing it only burnished her credentials as a tough cookie. Loading The reality, of course, was far more complicated. She was born Ruby Wachs, the daughter of Austrian Jews who fled the Nazis in 1938 and settled in Evanston, Illinois. Her childhood was a battleground. In Im Not as Well as I Thought I Was, she recalls how her parents criticised every aspect of her appearance and wondered aloud who would marry their misbegotten daughter. Occasionally, the insults spilled over into physical violence. Advertisement They got a wild child and they wanted to tame me, says Wax. But I wasnt wild in a sexual way I just hated them. So Id do things to spite them like hitchhiking rides on private aeroplanes. I wanted to have fun and go with people they found disgusting. And they always found everyone I chose disgusting. Years later, a therapist suggested Waxs depression was the result of trauma that her childhood had given her PTSD. Both her parents are dead now and there was no reconciliation. We never had that scene at the end of the movie where you hug and say youre sorry. Has she forgiven them? Its not an issue. They died. I dont know who they were, so I cant comment. TAKE 7: THE ANSWERS ACCORDING TO RUBY WAX Worst habit? Overeating. I eat a lot, but I exercise. If I knew I had a terminal illness, I would just hit the hot fudge sundaes. Greatest fear? Death. The line that stayed with you? You cant stop the waves, but you can learn to surf Jon Kabat-Zinn, academic and researcher known as the father of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), a modern, secular form of meditation. Biggest regret? That I didnt get interested in neuroscience and mindfulness earlier. I mean, I only went to Oxford (to study a masters degree in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy) 12 years ago. Favourite book? A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. It has the greatest last line of all. It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known. That just kicks me in the heart. The artwork/song you wish was yours? Give me a Renoir or a Monet. And the song would be Creep by Radiohead. It describes my inner life. If you could time-travel, where would you go? Maybe the 1950s when everyone was happy, looked alike and had a nice day. The time when people lived sham lives before they started questioning things. Wax moved to the UK to study drama and put an ocean between herself and her parents. After being rejected by RADA several times, she got a place at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Nobody wanted to live in Glasgow at the time, it was like an ashtray with traffic lights, she recalls. They only took me cos I could pay for it. Wax (far right) with Tracey Ullman, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders and the late Joan Greenwood in Girls On Top. Vindication came later when she won a place at the Royal Shakespeare Company, an achievement she still lists as her proudest moment. I did Antigone for my audition because I can do hysteria like nobody else, she recalls. Any Greek tragedy is like a sitcom for me. During her six years at the RSC, she began writing comedy shows which were directed by Alan Rickman, her flatmate and best friend. Id cast all these [RSC] stars as my handmaidens, she recalls. Zoe Wanamaker, David Suchet, Richard Griffiths, Jonathan Pryce people who became quite famous. Theyd play smaller parts and Id be the lead. Advertisement Nationals leader David Littleproud has welcomed the Commonwealth Banks move to reconsider its plan to charge some customers $3 to withdraw cash and expressed disbelief about the banks initial proposal. Nationals leader David Littleproud. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen On Tuesday, CBA announced it would close an account called Complete Access and move customers in the product to its main transaction account called Smart Access, which charges a $3 fee for an assisted withdrawal, such as those occurring through a branch or via telephone banking. CBAs head of retail services, Angus Sullivan, had argued the fee which doesnt apply to ATM withdrawals would affect a small minority of customers and would help CBA cover the expense of handling cash in branches. However, amid growing criticism from politicians, the bank announced today it has paused the rollover plan and vowed to spend six months consulting customers who would be affected. Loading Asked about the backdown on the ABCs Afternoon Briefing in the last hour, the leader of the Nationals indicated he supported the move, but still criticised the bank for considering the rollover plan in the first place. I cant believe the Commonwealth Bank went down this track in a cost-of-living crisis, Littleproud said. Theyre making billions. Theyre out of touch. And I think its the right decision for [CBA chief executive] Matt Comyn to do this. If he didnt, I think you would have seen people would have voted with their feet and left the CBA in droves. The Royal Melbourne Hospital has backed down from a plan to slash the working hours of early-career nurses from next year, upping the pressure on The Alfred to do the same for its 2025 graduate intake. The Age revealed last week that both hospitals had warned separate nursing cohorts to brace for a three-day working week cut back from four days. That prompted a please-explain from Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas, given hospitals were handed an extra $1.5 billion in funding just a few months ago. The Royal Melbourne Hospital has backed down on a plan to cut working hours for early-career nurses. Credit: Joe Armao New Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Victoria (ANMF) members have now been told via a bulletin seen by this masthead that the Royal Melbourne will not proceed with its altered contracts for graduate nurses transitioning into their second year of service. A Royal Melbourne spokesperson said the hospital was now committed to finding all 2024 graduate nurses 0.8 full-time equivalent (FTE) roles. A man accused of beating his live-in care worker to death with a hammer has fronted court charged with murder, days after Kenneth Magee was found critically injured inside their Werribee home. A distressed John Sheffield, 55, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court, crying and attempting to communicate with friends and family in the court on Wednesday. Defence lawyer Jacqui Kennedy said her client lived with significant medical issues including schizophrenia, diabetes, a chronic heart condition and epilepsy. She asked that her client be able to access his medications urgently. THE FORUM At the margins There are good reasons to limit urban sprawl. Protecting peri-urban farmland probably isnt one of them (An existential issue: Property speculation threatening Victorias food bowl, 30/11). Land on the fringes of our cities has always been used for agriculture and likely always will, but where our cities end and where agriculture occurs has changed over time. In general, these changes have been consistent with our lives getting better. Peri-urban land doesnt have some intrinsic value that makes it better for farming (like more fertile soil). It is used for this purpose as at any given time it is a comparatively more valuable use of the land than what we do with land further out and a less value use than land closer in. That is, farming has a comparative advantage over some other uses. The first home I bought was a citrus orchard until the 1950s. Where I live now in Melbournes middle suburbs was once a dairy. Similarly, when my grandfather lived in Willoughby in Sydney he was surrounded by dairies. (He lived in Canberra when it was a sheep farm too.) Improvements in transport and refrigeration over time meant citrus and dairy farms could move further from the city. Dairy farms became larger and more capital intensive as part of this shift. Milk today is much cheaper in real terms than when the cows were milked in what are todays suburbs and transported by horse and cart. The land dairies once occupied is now put to higher-value uses, housing our cities growing populations and providing them with recreational and employment opportunities. Using our land for its highest-value use (if we properly account for all economic, social and environmental value) makes us all better off. Sam Gow, Hughesdale Growth mindset Protecting Victorians from the urban sprawl should have been an issue with the Liberal governments of Bolte and Hamer and attempts to curtail urban development were developed by Mary Delahunty and the Bracks government in 2002 with a policy Melbourne 2030. Since then developers have lobbied governments and we now live with the consequences. Margaret Raffle, Keilor East Lands divided The Age reports Brighton still baying over development plans and Hatching plan to keep land for farming as sprawl bites (2/12) should have appeared on the same page. Both quote people who do not want more housing in areas they care about. Both groups dont address where the housing shortfall should be rectified, for the tens of thousands of new dwellings required right now and the hundreds of thousands needed in the next few decades. Perhaps the respective parties should be locked in a room and not released until they have agreed on the location where these houses should be built. And no, they cant say Sydney. David Francis, Ivanhoe East Living in a bubble I suggest that the Brighton residents baying over development plans face the reality of our city today rising homelessness, difficulty faced by new home buyers, rising cost of living, and population growth just to name a few. Their complaint that they have been silenced just shows how isolating it is to live in a bubble. Julie Ottobre, Brunswick East Taking patients seriously I was distressed to read about the late diagnosis of Nikki Purtills brain cyst (The medical bias that affects half of Australia, 2/12). We would like to think that in this day and age, with the availability of advanced medical research and technology, this could never happen. Unfortunately, this is an old problem. In the 1980s, our young son displayed worrying symptoms for four years before he was found to have a brain tumour. Over that period, I met with several GPs and some specialists, and was told that he had other conditions, such as Menieres disease, which is rare in children. As the symptoms worsened, the message circulated between doctors that our over-anxiety was causing his headaches. When our son was finally diagnosed with a large, slow-growing tumour, the first thing the GP who relayed the scan results said to me was that I should have stopped procrastinating. If our son had been diagnosed earlier, he would not have suffered major brain damage during surgery. Looking back, I think a different aspect of gender bias may have been involved in our situation. In those days, it was usually mothers who took their children to medical appointments. I suspect that fathers would have been taken more seriously. I also think that some doctors may respect fathers more than mothers when they offer their opinion about a childs condition. In any case, doctors can be reluctant to admit that they dont always have an answer for every situation they face. I hope that the Victorian governments inquiry is broad enough to review overall gender bias in doctor-patient communication, and that medical schools teach doctors to listen very carefully to parents experiences. Margot Rosenbloom, Princes Hill Ready for an emergency How good to read articles and letters about the use of cardiac defibrillators to save lives (Letters, 2/12) and to learn about their successful use. As a club with retired members, Probus Bayside recently invited members of Victoria Ambulance to give a demonstration to the members and a monthly newsletter describes the exact position of the two defibrillators at our meeting place. Of course, we hope we never have to use them, but we are equipped in case of need. Judith Hudson, Elwood Business cases Re Im a planning expert and have reviewed the SRL business case. Its no wonder the feds wont fund it (Comment, 2/12), business cases are not the way to judge projects designed for the social good. No large-scale public transport system makes any money anywhere. The last time full cost recovery for the Victorian rail network happened was during World War II. There was never a business case for Melbournes rail system or for its electrification. There were no business cases for rail lines to Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong or Warragul. There was no business case for the $368 billion AUKUS nuclear submarines. Mass transit in a mega city relies on connectivity. It depends on the number of nodes in the system. Its Mathematics 101. Nodes are created when rail lines intersect. Circular linking lines for legacy radial lines have proved crucial in every large world city. They change living and working patterns. They spread social good within established areas, not to an endless suburban sprawl, for which there has certainly never been a business case. Paul Kennelly, Caulfield North Be prepared Reporting on cost overruns in state government infrastructure works regularly fails to explain why major infrastructure projects are rarely completed on time or cost. Part of the reason rests with the fact those who bid for the works often appear to underestimate the costs to get the contract, knowing that once work commences governments have little bargaining power. Perhaps we need an ombudsman to review contracts submitted for work to ensure the costing is adequate and to protect taxpayers. Ray Cleary, Camberwell Limits to plans Business cases are important for business decisions, but I spent many years researching public sector programs and for them, business cases are not the only factors in decision making (Comment, 2/12). There are benefits that cannot be quantified, because they are social, not financial. Community service obligations play a big part in government decision making, but monetising them is problematic. There are future environmental benefits that may accrue, and replacing fossil fuel use by cars with electric trains is one for the SRL. Reducing road congestion by replacing cars with trains can be monetised in part, but not fully. With population growth, congestion can only worsen. Buses are important in public transport (I frequently use one) but one bus can carry 100 people, one train can carry up to 1000. As for buses along dedicated corridors, the orbital bus service 903, which goes from Mordialloc to Altona can take four to five hours to complete its run, hardly an excellent outcome. Further, cost estimates now for the second stage of the SRL project cannot be accurate so far in the future. Once completed, future generations will wonder how we ever managed without the SRL. Louise Kloot, Doncaster Further omissions Eric Keys describes the planning failures, or at least omissions, with the SRL. He should have gone further. The poor design of its stations means that interchanging with existing trains or buses will be torturous and time consuming, thus discouraging SRLs largest patronage cohort. And then theres things like building a railway under Monash Uni and not having a station there. Russell Crawford, Mitcham Quota chaos Have we learnt nothing about quality and productivity? Woolworths management and the unions (Woolworths strike-busting bid to end $50m warehouse stand-off thats cleared shelves, 3/12) should have a close look at Dr W. Edwards Demings Out of the Crisis. In particular: point 11: Eliminate numerical quotas for the work force and numerical goals for management. Consider a quota that is set to the average output of a group of workers. Half will be above it and half below. The result is loss, chaos, dissatisfaction, and turnover. Sometimes, Deming notes, management will set a work standard on the high side to weed out people who cant meet it. Kaj Nieukerke, Esperance, WA AND ANOTHER THING Credit: Matt Golding US politics By pardoning Hunter Biden, his father simply emphasises that the rule of law excludes a president. Gary Bryfman, Brighton Over the next four years can The Age please introduce Trump-free Tuesdays no reporting of his latest thought bubble, no photos of his hair, no mention of his name. We need 24-hour breaks to enjoy our newspaper again. Ralph Frank, Malvern East Woolworths Apparently a supermarket giants optimisation workplace strategy is achieving maximisation of employee resistance. They are indeed not robots. Glenda Johnston, Queenscliff Loading Woolworths: Profit gouging, obscene executive remuneration, stiffing suppliers and too lousy to look after workers. James Young, Mt Eliza Federal politics Liberal MP Paul Fletcher says voters were conned by teals at the last election. Nothing at all to do with sports rorts, robo-debt, climate change inaction, treatment of women, embarrassing mismanagement of international relations and a massive debt. Tim Douglas, Blairgowrie The apparent backflip by Albanese on protective measures for the environment is very much misguided. If he thinks that he will secure more seats in WA he is wrong. If he ever had a sincere concern for the environment he should have supported the vote against the miners, even if it meant losing the election. Rob Park, Surrey Hills The RBA has been given the stick for getting it wrong on jobs. I believe the person who never made a mistake never made anything. Jim Lamborn, Doncaster Furthermore Swallowing flies? Your correspondent needs to breathe through their nose. George Stockman, Berwick Your correspondent just needs to swallow a spider and his fly problem is solved. Angus McLeod, Cremorne The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here. The prime suspect in one of Victorias most infamous unsolved killings has landed in Australia and will soon be charged with the 1977 Easey Street murders of Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett. Perry Kouroumblis, a 65-year-old dual citizen of Australia and Greece, landed at Melbourne Airport at 11.32pm on Tuesday after a two-leg flight from Rome flanked by homicide detectives. Victoria Police said he would be interviewed later on Wednesday and subsequently face Melbourne Magistrates Court. The man will formally be charged with two counts of murder and one count of rape during this court appearance, police said in a statement released about 2am on Wednesday. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. The State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads forges ahead with the reconstruction of the Aghdam-Asgaran-Khojaly-Khankendi highway, sculpting a pathway through the landscape like a skilled artist shaping clay into a masterpiece, Trend reports. The agency pointed out that the total stretch of the road project, sprouting from the 40th kilometer of the Barda-Aghdam highway, measures a whopping 33.6 kilometers. The first 11.7 kilometers of the road are being reconstructed in accordance with the second technical category, and the remaining 21.9 kilometers in accordance with the first one. The width of the roadbed on this section will be 26.5 meters, with a carriageway width of 15 meters and four lanestwo in each direction. The width of the lanes in each direction is 3.75 meters. The project is currently undergoing earthwork. Special equipment is being used for the excavation of unsuitable soil, which is being replaced with suitable material and brought to the required height. In addition, efforts are underway to widen the road, level the profile, and construct the road surface. Furthermore, along the road, work is underway to lay rectangular and circular water pipes of various diameters, as well as crossings. We have already built 3,494 meters of the planned 6,707-meter-long retaining wall. In parallel with this work, the construction of five bridges with one and three spans is actively ongoing. The bridges are being built at sections of the road at the 1.6, 4.4, 7.2, 9.6, and 14 km marks," a statement from the agency reads. The agency also noted that they are halfway down the road with the project, sitting at 55 percent completion, and this road will ease transportation and significantly impact the development of agriculture and tourism in the region. Hence, travelers heading to the vibrant cities of Khankendi, Shusha, and Lachin from the dynamic Barda direction can seamlessly navigate this innovative ring road, bypassing the urban landscape of Aghdam. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. Azerbaijan is taking comprehensive measures to integrate people with disabilities into an inclusive society, said Davud Rahimli, Chairman of the Union of Disability Organizations of Azerbaijan, Trend reports. Speaking at an event on "Enhancing Climate Solutions with the Participation of People with Disabilities," held in Baku on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Rahimli emphasized that the annual observance of this day, celebrated every December third, is crucial for promoting the rights and welfare of people with disabilities across all areas of life. Established by the United Nations in 1992, the day aims to raise awareness and garner support for addressing key challenges affecting the lives and rights of individuals with physical disabilities. "Since 1994, various government agencies, international organizations, and non-governmental groups in Azerbaijan have organized events involving people with disabilities to commemorate this day. Azerbaijan recently hosted the 29th session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change [COP29], during which organizations representing individuals with disabilities actively participated. The inclusion of disability issues in the COP agenda was an important milestone, and we are confident that it will remain a key topic at future conferences. COP29 was a significant event in terms of inclusivity," he added. To note, the event titled "Enhancing Climate Solutions with the Involvement of People with Disabilities" has commenced in Baku, Azerbaijan. The event, organized by the United Nations (UN) Office in Azerbaijan, commemorates the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. The United Nations continues to champion inclusivity and equal opportunities for all, said Vladanka Andreeva, UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan, Trend reports. Speaking to reporters at the event on "Enhancing Climate Solutions with the Participation of People with Disabilities," Andreeva expressed her pleasure at celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3rd in partnership with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection. "I am thrilled that today, together with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, we are marking this important day once again. It is a great honor for me to be here with people of diverse abilities and to witness the work of this social integration center, which, as I understand it, is one of the largest of its kind in the South Caucasus. This center offers a platform for discussions on nature, climate change, and what we can do to address the climate crisis. It also shows how, despite the challenges they face in everyday life, people with disabilities can teach us so much," she said. Andreeva underscored the UN's ongoing advocacy for the principle that every individual, irrespective of their abilities, should enjoy equal access, opportunities, and the right to voice their opinions. "I am glad that today we once again demonstrated that Azerbaijan adheres to this view when it comes to inclusivity," the official added. The gathering, organized by the United Nations (UN) Office in Azerbaijan and the Union of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities of Azerbaijan (UOPD), is a tribute to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, December 3. The Forum of Young Scientists of Islamic Countries in Shusha 'city'Youth Capital' of the Islamic worldis hosting more than 200 delegations from 29 countries, the Vice President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Dilgam Taghiyev, said at the forum today, Trend reports. He reminded of the signing of the decree "On measures for the election of the city of Shusha as the 'Youth Capital of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation' for 2024". "Only positive things can be mentioned about the event. Holding this event in the charming corner of AzerbaijanShushais a source of pride because this land is the pearl of the Karabakh region, the capital of Azerbaijani culture. Young people, young scientists, and young talents from the Islamic world are actively participating in events [within the "Youth Capital of the Islamic World" program] in several areas. The events are being held at a high level," he added. To note, the closing ceremony of the "Youth Capital of the Islamic World" program will take place on December 4 in Shusha. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel THE WORLD VODKA AWARDS HAS ANNOUNCED THE COUNTRY WINNERS AND MEDALLISTS IN ITS 2024 COMPETITION. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. The Azerbaijani Health Ministry has held a meeting with a delegation headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Communities of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau Carlos Pinto Pereira, Trend reports. The meeting was also attended by Minister of Environment of Guinea-Bissau Viriato Cassama and other officials. Welcoming the guests, Azerbaijani Health Minister Teymur Musayev noted that there are great opportunities for expanding cooperation between our countries in the field of health care. The minister noted that interaction in this sphere is carried out at the international levelwithin the framework of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. In conclusion, the Azerbaijani Minister of Health expressed confidence in further development of bilateral relations. In turn, Carlos Pinto Pereira, stressing that diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1992, underlined that cooperation between Guinea-Bissau and Azerbaijan has been developing rapidly over this period. At the meeting, the sides also exchanged views on providing support for the training of medical specialists from Guinea-Bissau and other issues of mutual interest, the information reads. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. The fourth training held within the framework of the Diaspora Academy-2 project is dedicated to the Establishment, maintenance, and development of relations with local and central authorities, media and influencers in the countries of residence, Trend reports via Azerbaijan's State Committee for Work with Diaspora. Meanwhile, it was noted that taking into account the interest of the project participants, strategies of cooperation with the media were discussed at the next training. The well-known specialist, head of the Political Technologies Center Vali Alibekov talked about important institutions for the Diaspora, ways of media research, establishment, management, and protection of communications. The participants of the training expressed their opinion on the current topic and asked questions to the specialist. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 3. The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and Kazakhstan put their heads together to pave the way for developing transport and logistics infrastructure, tightening the screws on cooperation in digital technologies, and broadening the horizons of mutual trade and economic interaction, Trend reports. Ahead of the 28th meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the ECO member states, Kazakhstans Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murat Nurtleu, met with the Secretary-General of the ECO, Asad Majid Khan. During the talks, Nurtleu outlined the key priorities of Kazakhstans chairmanship in the ECOs Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs (CMFA) in 2025 and emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership with the organization. In turn, Secretary-General A. Khan highlighted Kazakhstans active role and initiatives within the ECO, which contribute to the substantive agenda of the organization. The meeting also covered issues such as strengthening cultural and educational ties, advancing environmental sustainability, and joint efforts to tackle global challenges such as climate change and energy security. The Economic Cooperation Organization was established in 1985. Its member states include 10 countries from Central Asia, the Middle East, and the South Caucasus. The organizations goal is to promote economic development in the region by coordinating efforts in areas such as economy, trade, transport, ecology, and humanitarian cooperation. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Loader Please wait while your request is being verified... ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 3. Moscow and Astana are joining forces at the parliamentary level during the Moscow Days event in Astana, making strides to strengthen their ties, Trend reports. A series of important events took place during the Moscow Days in Astana. The chairpersons of the Moscow City Duma of Russia and the Mazhilis of Kazakhstan held one of these meetings in Kazakhstan's capital. During negotiations with deputies from the Mazhilis of Kazakhstan and the Astana Maslikhat, the Chairman of the Moscow City Duma, Alexey Shaposhnikov, emphasized the significance of the delegation's visit to the republic. "Today, the role of international cooperation is growing, especially within the framework of BRICS countries, to which Kazakhstan has been invited to join as a partner country," said Alexey Shaposhnikov. He expressed gratitude for the warm reception in Astana and stressed that the two countries have established truly neighborly relations. At the meeting with the Moscow delegation, the Speaker of the Mazhilis, Yerlan Koshanov, also highly appreciated the level of cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan. "Between our countries, we have built neighborly, trusting relations. All government bodies are closely interacting with each other. Your visit today opens a new level of such interaction," said Koshanov. Koshanov emphasized that the meeting came after President Putin's visit to Kazakhstan, signifying the highest level of cooperation and exemplary relations between the heads of our states. To note, the Business Forum "Moscow-Astana: Creative Cities" is taking place in Kazakhstans Astana, where it was highlighted that the Russian capital accounts for approximately $8 billion of the total foreign trade volume between Kazakhstan and Russia. It is also worth noting that the trade turnover between Russia and Kazakhstan has reached a record high of almost $30 billion. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. The auxiliary buildings of Shusha Central District Hospital will be equipped with new medical equipment, Trend reports via the unified internet portal of state procurement. According to the information, in this regard, the Directorate of Construction Institutions of the Ministry of Health has already started preparations. The organization has entrusted Arash Medical Company Limited Liability Company with the execution of these works. In return, the company will be paid 2.3 million manat ($1.3 million). ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 3. The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has arrived in Saudi Arabia on a working visit to participate in the One Water Summit, Trend reports. The international forum will be chaired by Kazakhstan and France with the support of the World Bank and Saudi Arabia. It is expected that in Riyadh, the President of Kazakhstan will hold a series of meetings. One Water Summit recognizes the interrelationships between water, climate change, biodiversity and pollution, as well as the potential role of water in climate change adaptation policies. The One Water Summit's ambition is to scale up projects by stimulating partnerships between countries, international organizations, local authorities, development and private banks, businesses, philanthropies, scientific experts, NGOs, and civil society, in line with previous One Planet Summits. One Water Summit is set to be held on December 3rd in the margin of the next high-level session of the sixteenth session of COP16 of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. Azerbaijans State Contracting Corporation Azerkontrakt OJSC has announced its liquidation, Trend reports. The information was published in the online newspaper "Taxes" of the State Tax Service under the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan. According to the announcement, creditors can contact the corporation within two months at the following address: 62, Uzeyir Hajibeyli Street, Marine Plaza Business Center, 14th Floor, Nasimi District, Baku, AZ1010, Azerbaijan. It is noted that Azerkontrakt OJSC was registered in 2007, The company's charter capital is 13.5 million manat ($7.9 million). In addition, Azerkontrakt OJSC also declared the liquidation of its "Automobile Transport" structure. Creditors are invited to report their claims within two months to the following address: 108, 8th November Avenue, 2nd Floor, Khatai District, Baku, AZ1026, Azerbaijan. The legal representative of the "Automobile Transport" structure, which was also registered in 2007, is Orujev Allahverdi. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. Azerbaijan's trade turnover with CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries hit the ground running, soaring past $5.7 billion from January through October 2024. Data obtained by Trend from the State Customs Committee indicates that this represents an increase of approximately $496.7 million, or a 9.5 percent rise compared to the same period last year. Moreover, when it comes to trade transactions, the CIS countries made quite a splash, representing a hefty 32.01 percent of Azerbaijans overall trade turnover during the reporting period. The trade landscape reveals that the most significant contribution originated from our engagement with Russia, totaling an impressive $3.94 billion, reflecting a robust 14.5 percent growth compared to the prior year. This dynamic figure was propelled by robust trade with Belarus, reaching approximately $404 million, reflecting a remarkable 47.7 percent surge. Kazakhstan followed closely with an impressive $394 million, showcasing a substantial 38.7 percent growth, while Ukraine contributed significantly with $380 million, marking a noteworthy 33.3 percent escalation. Meanwhile, there was a decline in trade with Turkmenistan, with the turnover falling by 52.5 percent to $338 million. Other countries saw varying results, with Uzbekistan showing a 37.2 percent increase to $196 million, Kyrgyzstan down by 28.7 percent to $34 million, Moldova down by 37.02 percent to $8.34 million, and Tajikistan remaining almost unchanged with a slight decrease of 0.11 percent, reaching $5.18 million. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. A meeting took place between Baba Rzayev, head of Azerbaijans Azerenerji OJSC, and a delegation led by Gary Jones, bp's regional president for Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye, Trend reports via the OJSC. "During the meeting, the cooperation between bp and Azerbaijan's energy system was discussed, along with the progress of the project to connect the Sangachal terminal to the power grid. Special emphasis was placed on the remarks made by President Ilham Aliyev at the COP29 opening ceremony regarding the importance of this project for decarbonization. The discussions also covered the construction of a 330-kW substation built by Azerenerji to integrate bp's 240-MW Shafag solar power station, located in Jabrayil, into the energy system. Additionally, the laying of 330-kW transmission lines to connect this substation with the 330-kW energy hub in Jabrayil was highlighted, along with other relevant topics," the OJSC said in a statement. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 3. Kazakhstan and Iran are discussing the implementation of transport logistics and joint investment projects, Trend reports. On the sidelines of the 28th meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Member States of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Murat Nurtleu, held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Seyed Abbas Araghchi. The head of Kazakhstans foreign ministry paid particular attention to enhancing bilateral trade cooperation and developing further concrete measures in this direction. In this context, he discussed upcoming high-level visits to Iran, which will give a new impetus to the economic relations between Astana and Tehran. For his part, Araghchi expressed his readiness to fully utilize the great potential of both countries to implement the agreements and arrangements reached at the highest levels. To note, the 28th meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) is taking place in the city of Mashhad, Iran. In addition to Kazakhstan, the event is also attended by the foreign ministers and officials from the ECO member countries Turkiye, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Iran. The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) is an Eurasian political and economic intergovernmental entity established in 1985 in Tehran by the leaders of Iran, Pakistan, and Turkiye. It offers a forum to explore methods for enhancing growth and fostering trade and investment prospects. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Odile Renaud-Basso is visiting Morocco on December 4-6 to engage with government and private sector leaders and participate in the Africa Investment Forum (AIF), Trend reports. During the AIF, Renaud-Basso will join Leila Benali, Moroccos Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, for a discussion on investment opportunities in Africa. She will also meet Akin Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, to explore deeper cooperation between the EBRD and its African counterpart as the EBRD expands its operations into sub-Saharan Africa. The presidents schedule includes meetings with Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, Finance Minister Nadia Fettah Alaoui, Central Bank Governor Abdellatif Jouahri, and Chakib Alj, head of the General Confederation of Enterprises in Morocco (CGEM). She will also sign several new investment agreements aimed at bolstering Moroccos economy. Ahead of the visit, Renaud-Basso emphasized the EBRDs commitment to scaling up its activities in Morocco, focusing on economic growth, green energy, and addressing youth unemployment and gender issues. She commended the countrys progress on reforms, particularly in modernizing state-owned enterprises and expanding renewable energy and green fuels. Since Morocco became an investee economy in 2012, the EBRD has invested nearly 5 billion euros in 106 projects, predominantly in the private sector. The bank has also provided EU-funded advisory services to over 1,000 small and medium-sized enterprises, supporting Moroccos broader development goals. In a recent high-level meeting held in Guwahati on 30 November, representatives of the Indian Tea Association (ITA) raised concerns over the ailing Darjeeling tea sector, urging the Union minister of commerce and industry and the chief minister of Assam for a comprehensive financial revival package. The proposal aligns with the recommendations of the 171st report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee. The meeting, aimed at fostering dialogue between stakeholders and policymakers, saw participation from ITA representatives, including Vikash Kandoi, executive director of Jayshree Tea & Industries and ITA National Committee member; Arijit Raha, secretary general of ITA; and Abhijit Sharma, secretary of the Assam Branch of ITA. Advertisement Union minister of commerce and industry emphasised the importance of producing quality tea and adhering to strict compliance standards for maximum residue limits (MRLs). He directed the food safety and standards authority of India (FSSAI) and state governments to enforce stringent monitoring measures. Advertisement The minister also clarified that the deadline for halting tea manufacturing operations, set for 30 November, would not be extended. However, estates producing high-quality tea may seek exemptions as per the Tea Boards guidelines. Stressing the need to address market oversupply, he underscored the importance of sustaining prices to ensure long-term viability for the sector. On the routing of 100 per cent dust-grade tea through auctions, the minister noted that the mechanism has significantly improved price realisation and traceability. The ITA highlighted several critical challenges: Escalating shipment expenses from ICD Amingaon have led to a sharp decline in export volumes. The current tea board incentive of Rs 2 per kg is deemed insufficient, with ITA advocating for an increase to Rs 4.50 per kg. Long-delayed tea board subsidies from previous plan periods have caused liquidity crunches in tea estates. ITA called for expedited inspections and disbursement processes to alleviate financial stress. With tea manufacturing halted from 1 December, as per tea board directives, Indias production is expected to drop below last years levels. Crop yields have already suffered due to adverse weather across Assam and West Bengal, further compounding the challenges faced by the sector. While domestic tea prices have shown an upward trend recently, the sharp decline in production has neutralised the gains, adversely impacting earnings. The minister acknowledged these concerns, urging measures to ensure the sector remains resilient despite mounting challenges, ITA officials said. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee said stern action will be taken against those who will use drinking water for their personal use depriving lakhs of people. It is a criminal offence and police will take stern action against the people with vested interest, she said. She instructed the district magistrates, sub-divisional and block development officers and superintendents of police not to listen to any leader belonging to any political party and take stern action against the offenders. Advertisement Miss Banerjee took a review meeting to discuss the issue. The meeting was also attended by the chief secretary and home secretary. Advertisement The state government has spent Rs 55,000 crore for supplying drinking water to the rural people by the public health engineering department. It has been decided that she will take the meeting every Monday to discuss the update on the action taken. She said the departments of agriculture, irrigation and waterways, power, public works and public health engineering should cooperate with police and administration to stop this corrupt practice. The district magistrates and superintendents of police took part in the meeting virtually which was held in the Assembly House. She said water was being misued in 18,230 locations. She said in many cases underground pipes are being broken and water being diverted for irrigation purpose. In many cases, water meant for people are being misued by some corrupt business who are using the water for their personal gain. In addition to this, many contractors have not finished their water. She ordered to blacklist these contractors, who will fail to meet the deadline. She said in 18,230 locations the pipelines have been damaged for personal gains. In East Midnapore, pipes have been damaged in 3,893 locations, which is highest in the state followed by south 24-Parganas where pipes have been disturbed in 3,889 locations. In North 24-Parganas, pipes have been damaged in 3,031 locations. She asked the officials of irrigation and waterways department and agriculture department to visit the places and make some alternative arrangements to provide irrigation water to the agricultural field where drinking water has been sent illegally. Miss Banerjee said more than 50 lakh people have been deprived following the lackadaisical of the central agencies like DVC, National Highway Authority of India, ECL among others. She said this malpractice will have to be stopped and anyone misusing drinking water for their personal benefit will be brought to book. We cannot afford to deprive lakh of people. We are not going to acquire fresh land till the work is completed, she maintained. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has included packaged drinking water and mineral water under the high risk food categories. In a recent order issued by the food regulatory body, a copy of which was shared by the Union Health Ministry on Tuesday, read, Consequent to the omission of sub-regulation 2.3.14 (4), (5), (17) and (18) of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibitions and Restriction on Sales) Regulations, 2011, which pertain to mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for certain food products, it has been decided that packaged drinking water and mineral water will be treated under high risk food categories. Advertisement It is to be noted that other food products for which BIS certification was mandatory are already identified as high risk categories under FSSAIs Risk Based Inspection Scheduling (RBIS) policy, it said. Advertisement The FSSAI said inspection of manufacturers/processors for the food products (for which BIS certification was mandatory prior to gazette notification of Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) first Amendment Regulations, 2024 dated 17th October) is mandatory before the grant of license or registration. It is reiterated that all centrally licensed manufacturers under high risk food categories shall get its business audited by FSSAI recognised third party food safety auditing agency every year, it said. The list of high risk food categories now also includes packaged drinking water and mineral water, it added. Notably, Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda had earlier underlined the critical role of food safety in the well-being of citizens and asked FSSAI to sensitise consumers, industry and stakeholders on not only regulatory issues but behaviour change for inculcating healthy eating habits. He pointed out that while regulatory issues are an important mandate of FSSAI, the objective of food safety can be fulfilled only with communication and sensitisation of the consumers on different aspects of food safety. Indias key priorities in the agricultural sector, including achieving self-sufficiency in oilseeds and pulses, promoting crop diversification, and advancing the Digital Agriculture Mission were highlighted by Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi to Moldova Ambassador Ms Ana Taban when she paid a courtesy visit to him here on Tuesday. He spoke about the Clean Plant Programme undertaken to ensure access to disease-free horticultural planting material, as well as the National Mission on Natural Farming aimed at enhancing sustainability. Advertisement Welcoming the ambassador, he emphasised the cordial bilateral relations between India and Moldova. Advertisement The ambassador provided an overview of Moldovas agricultural sector, outlining the challenges it faces. She highlighted her countrys robust network of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with several countries, underscoring the potential market opportunities for trade. Ms Taban also discussed with the secretary the status of approval of setting up a Joint Working Group (JWG) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and market access of apples with the Secretary, A&FW for early favourable consideration. Highlighting the potential areas for collaboration post-signing of the MoU, the joint secretary (International Cooperation), A&FW, emphasised the scope for knowledge-sharing, technology transfer, research and development collaboration with agricultural universities, and opportunities for trade in farm equipment between India and Moldova. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Tuesday distributed offer letters to the 1669 newly recruited Home Guards in the national capital. Saxena expressed joy on the occasion, as the recruitments had not taken place in this regard for the past 13 years. Advertisement He mentioned that out of the fresh recruits, who were handed over the letters on Tuesday, 181 are women. The 10 per cent of them are erstwhile Civil Defence Volunteers. Advertisement It was heartening to see 1669 fresh recruitments happen out of the total 10,000 positions advertised. The remaining are pending due to court cases and will be filled as soon as possible, he said. Saxena during his address after distributing the letters to the newly recruited Home Guards said that the selection process was very tough. He added that those candidates who have made it are very capable and will prove to be successful whichever duty they will be deployed for in the coming time like the police jawans. He lauded the new recruits for qualifying the selection process which was not an easy one, as more than one lakh applicants had applied for the 10000 thousand advertised posts. He mentioned that there are talks going regarding increasing the quota of the Home Guards. Saxena said that Home Guards are an important part of the system with the variety of roles and responsibilities they are deployed for. Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Tuesday expressed concern over the alleged neglect of Punjabi language in city government-run schools here. Disposing a file with regards to a status report submitted by the Punjabi Academy, GNCTD, on the condition of Punjabi Language, Saxena has underlined many shortcomings and asked for a thorough re-examination. Advertisement According to the Delhi Official Language Act, 2000, in addition to Hindi and English, Punjabi and Urdu have been declared as the second official languages of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Advertisement The report was put up by the Punjabi Academy, Department of Art, Culture and Language, GNCTD, after a representation was made by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) to the LG and had subsequently been forwarded by the LG Secretariat to Art Culture and Language Department. The Punjabi Academy was established by the erstwhile Delhi Administration, now Govt. of NCT of Delhi, as an autonomous organisation in the year 1981-82 for the propagation, promotion and development of Punjabi language, literature and culture as an integral part of the composite culture of the Union Territory of Delhi. Observing that the report submitted by the Department is incomplete, inconclusive and does not reflect the whole picture with respect to the concerns raised by DSGMC, the LG has ordered a thorough investigation into the matter, directing the Chief Secretary, to examine the issue with all stakeholders. Critical concerns, including a severe shortage of Punjabi teachers in schools run by both Delhi government and MCD and decreasing funding has been raised before the LG by various stakeholders in the past. The note from LG office mentioned that 752 posts of TGT Punjabi and 4 posts of PGT Punjabi teachers are lying vacant in Schools of Education Department, GNCTD and Punjabi Academy could only spend only Rs. 19.99 Crore against the paltry Rs. 27.28 Crores allocated to it during FY 2023-24. There has been a reduction of 17 percent in the budget allocation for the Punjabi Academy in the current fiscal year and similarly, a large number of positions of Punjabi Teachers in MCD schools also remain vacant, it added. This acute teacher crisis has directly impacted the quality of Punjabi language education, hindering the development of linguistic skills and cultural understanding among students. Delhi Mayor Mahesh Kumar on Tuesday said the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is working in mission mode to make the national capital clean. MCD is working in mission mode to make Delhi clean. Our primary responsibility is keeping Delhi clean and for this all the councilors are working hard, the Mayor said after he inaugurated the newly constructed fixed compactor transfer stations (FCTS) in Joharipur of Shahdara North zone. Advertisement He lauded local Councilor Roshan Lal Sagar and said that it is due to his efforts that the new FCTS has been established in the area. Advertisement The Mayor said with the aim of strengthening the waste management system, the MCD is phasing out dhalav ghar and added that its establishment will prove to be a big step towards cleanliness of the area and will help in better waste management in the area. Talking about the FCTS, he said, The waste from three nearby wards will come to this FCTS. This initiative will ensure proper disposal of garbage and the areas will also be free from spillage. The Mayor said there will be no garbage scattered in the open and the cleanliness system in the area will also be improved. He said that constructive participation of citizens is also necessary to maintain cleanliness in the area. The Mayor also inspected the main road in Joharipur area and also gave necessary directions to the concerned officials to improve the cleanliness system. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. A 19-year-old was shot dead following a minor dispute with some boys in the Mangolpuri area of Outer Delhi late on Monday night. The deceased, identified as Pankaj, a resident of the same area, had an altercation with three people over some matter when one of them took out a firearm and shot at the deceased before fleeing the scene. Advertisement According to the police, an FIR has been registered in the case and multiple teams have been constituted to arrest the assailants who are at large. Advertisement Coming as it does in the wake of a series of firings, the shootout has revived the war of words going on in the political circles in the national capital over the issue. Reacting to the incident, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal said in a post on social media platform X, Last night, a man was shot dead in broad daylight in Mangolpuri. The day before yesterday, three murders took place in the city. All Delhiites must unite and raise their voice against crime. The most important thing is the safety of yourself and your family. In another post, the AAP leader said, People are being murdered openly in Delhi and the BJP is saying that crime is not an issue in the Capital. Bullets are being fired openly on the streets, traders are getting ransom calls, and the BJP is saying that crime is not an issue in Delhi. If you dont accept the problem then how will you find a solution. Amitabh Bachchan recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a couple of confusing tweets. Accompanied by angry emojis, Big B penned cryptic words which seem to stem from frustration and anger. After a series of two tweets, fans are buzzing in the comment section trying to figure out the meaning. Sr Bachchans tweets come amidst the swirling rumours of Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchans divorce. On Monday, Amitabh Bachchan wrote, T 5210 Chup (quiet)! (Enraged face emoji). As fans tried to decipher why he said so, the superstar shared another tweet on Tuesday. The Sehensha of Bollywood wrote, T 5211 Chup chaap, chidi ka baap. (Zipped mouth face emojis). This roughly translates to youre too insignificant to speak. Following this, fans are scratching their heads about what Big B is trying to say. Advertisement T 5210 ! Advertisement Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) December 1, 2024 T 5211 , Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) December 2, 2024 One fan commented, Your tweet reflects a deep sense of disappointment or frustration, suggesting that someone might have done something wrong. Sometimes, silence carries a stronger message than words. Hoping everything resolves positively. Warm regards. Hope all is fine. Take care. Another enquired, Ab ye kya hai sir ji (Now what is this)?? Meanwhile, recently, the actor took to his blog to indirectly address the speculations surrounding the family. He penned, I rarely say much about family, because that is my domain and its privacy is maintained by me. Speculations are speculations. They are speculated untruths, without verifications. Verifications are sought by the seekers to authenticate their business and commercials of the profession they be in. I shall not challenge their desire to be in the profession of their choice, and I shall appreciate their effort in serving society. But untruths or selected question-marked information can be a legal safeguard for them that inform but the seed of suspected belief is sown with this most used emblem. The question mark? Also Read: Vikrant Massey is NOT retiring from acting; the actor clarifies The rumours of Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchans divorce stirred after the two arrived separately at a high-profile wedding. Later, Abhishek Bachchan liked an Instagram post about rising grey divorces which added fuel to the fire. The post talked about the idea of Why love stops being easy. Moreover, members of the Bachchan family were missing from the pictures shared by the Dhoom 2 actress from the celebration of her daughter Aaradhyas birthday. The speculations further found footing after no member of the Bachchan household wished the B-town diva on her birthday. Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas marked their sixth wedding anniversary on December 1 in a heartwarming celebration that combined family time with a little Disney magic. The couple spent their special day in New York City, treating their daughter Malti Marie to a private screening of Moana 2, which Priyanka called her favourite. The actor took to Instagram to share glimpses of the cozy family outing. The first photo was a stylish bathroom selfie, showcasing Priyanka in a chic checked brown outfit with a matching jacket and accessories. She also posted images of their intimate setupa table adorned with chocolates, pizza boxes, and a poster of Moana 2. Advertisement Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Priyanka (@priyankachopra) Although Maltis face wasnt shown, Priyanka shared adorable moments, including one where the toddler walked into the theatre and another featuring Malti sitting with her friends, engrossed in the animated movie. Expressing her excitement, Priyanka wrote, What a special treat on our anniversary. Maltis favourite Moana with our friends and family. Moana 2 is so much fun!! Thank you @disney @disneyanimation for the amazing screening. All the kids had the best time. In theaters now @nickjonas. Nick Jonas, dressed casually in a green jacket and cargo pants, joined Priyanka Chopra in the celebration, as seen in pictures shared by their close friend Anita Chatterjee. The couple, who tied the knot in a grand ceremony at Jodhpurs Umaid Bhawan Palace in December 2018, welcomed Malti Marie via surrogacy in January 2022. Since then, the family has often shared glimpses of their cherished moments together. Professionally, Priyanka has been juggling multiple projects. She is currently filming the second season of Citadel, the action-packed series directed by the Russo Brothers. Upcoming films include the action-thriller Heads of State alongside John Cena and Idris Elba, and The Bluff, a period drama where she plays a former pirate. Meanwhile, Nick continues to shine in his music career, actively performing and touring with the Jonas Brothers. Jashn-e-Rekhta 2024 is returning this December, promising to be grander and more vibrant than ever before. The Rekhta Foundation has announced that the worlds largest festival dedicated to Urdu language, literature, and culture will take place on December 13, 14, and 15 at New Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The three-day event will showcase a dynamic blend of art, music, poetry, and cultural experiences, offering over 40 sessions featuring more than 200 artists across three stages. Advertisement Attendees can look forward to a variety of programs, including Ghazals, Sufi music, Qawwali, storytelling, and Mushaira. Celebrity panels, masterclasses, and interactive discussions will also be part of the festivities. Advertisement The festivals diverse offerings include the popular Rekhta food festival, Aiwan-e-Zaiqa, where visitors can savor a wide range of cuisines, along with a bustling Books Bazaar and Rekhta Bazaar, known for its curated handicrafts and merchandise. The event will kick off on Friday, December 13, with a grand inaugural performance by Padmashri Kailash Kher, setting the tone for a weekend filled with enriching experiences. According to Huma Khalil, Trustee and Creative Director of the Rekhta Foundation, this years festival has been curated to delve deeper into the varied nuances of the Urdu language, presenting its cultural and literary dimensions in new and engaging ways. She emphasized the importance of creating an environment that is both comfortable for attendees and conducive to exploring the artistic essence of Urdu. This year, the lineup features prominent personalities such as Javed Akhtar, Kailash Kher, Papon, Popular Meeruthi, Pernia Qureshi, and the Ali Brothers, among many others. Founder of Rekhta Foundation, Sanjiv Saraf, expressed his gratitude and excitement for this years event, highlighting how the love for Urdu continues to bring people together. He noted that the festivals success lies in the warmth and dedication of its audience, who make it possible to host an event of such magnitude. Among the highlights of the festival are sessions that explore various dimensions of Urdus cultural and literary heritage. Topics such as nationalism in Urdu poetry, the art of humor and satire, and the varied artistic traditions within the language promise to engage audiences. The festival will also pay tribute to Delhis poetic legacy and its vibrant music scene, celebrating the citys connection to Urdus artistic evolution. A modern twist awaits attendees with sessions like Ghazal in its New Avatar, which blends traditional Urdu music with contemporary styles. Additionally, the grand finale of the Rekhta Baitbaazi, a national poetry competition currently being held across Indian universities, is sure to captivate the audience. Having expanded its reach with events in London in 2023 and Dubai in 2024, Jashn-e-Rekhta has grown into a global platform for cultural exchange. One of the most prestigious film festivals, the 2024 Red Sea Film Festival will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from December 5-14. The festival will honour and celebrate the best of global cinema and cinematic talents. This year, Mr Perfectionist, Aamir Khan will be honoured alongside Hollywood star Emily Blunt. Additionally, Egyptian actor Mona Zaki will recieve an honour. Moreover, Ranbir Kapoor will also attend the festival as a speaker, joining other notable cinematic talents. As per Deadline, in addition to the honours, Aamir and Emily will engage in the festivals popular In Conversation With segment. This will offer festival attendees an intimate glimpse at their careers and creative processes. Meanwhile, the list of notable speakers for this segment already includes Hollywood stars such as Eva Longoria, Andrew Garfield, and Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor. Advertisement As reported by the outlet, Aamir Khan expressed his gratitude for the recognition with a statement. The 3 Idiots actor said, Cinema has been my lifelong passion, and to be amidst such an inspiring group of artists from across the world is truly humbling. Aamir Khan finds his name among the top filmmakers and actors of the Indian subcontinent. Over the years, the actor-producer has delivered several era-defining films. His filmography includes Dangal, 3 Idiots, Dhoom 3, PK and the Oscar-nominated Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India. As a producer, his latest production helmed by Kiran Rao, Laapataa Ladies is in the running in the International Drama category for the Oscars. Advertisement Also Read: Pushpa 3 confirmed! Sound designer Resul Pookutty makes an accidental slip On the other hand, Emily Blunt also reflected on the honour. She said, I love all that this festival is doing for innovative and emerging talent in the film industry. In particular, Im enthused by how they are empowering women in cinema and amplifying their voices. Emily Blunt is among the leading ladies of Hollywood and has delivered several blockbusters. She has starred in A Quiet Place, The Devil Wears Prada and Sicario among others. She recieved the nomination for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in Christopher Nolans magnum opus Oppenheimer (2023). Moving ahead, her next is The Smashing Machine in which she stars alongside Dwayne Johnson. She also has the highly anticipated event film by Steven Spielberg in the pipeline. The Red Sea Film Festival is all set to take place in Jeddah this year. The Peruvian culture comic book AYAR, THE INKAs LEGEND was officially launched on November 27 at the National Museum in New Delhi by Art Pass Publisher, a division of JJ Enterprises. AYAR, THE INKAS LEGEND is a Peruvian comic book written by Oscar Barriga that delves into the tale surrounding the foundation of the Inka Empire. It follows the adventurous journey of the Ayar Brothers while weaving together the rich mythology of Perus coast, highlands, and jungles. Advertisement The comic book follows an epic tale set in a world balanced across three realms: Hananpacha (the land of the gods), Kaypacha (our world), and Ukjupacha (the underworld). Wiracocha, the Creator, established harmony with laws for all to live by. But when his son, Huallullo Carhuinchu, leaves Hananpacha to rule Kaypacha and thus darkness consumes the world. Advertisement In a desperate bid to restore balance, the Sun God, Inti, sends his sonsthe mighty AYAR brothersand their wives on a daring mission to Kaypacha, where they must establish Cuzco, the future heart of the Incan empire. The inaugural event was attended by diplomats, students, scholars, comic enthusiasts, media representatives, distributors, and influencers. Oscar Barriga, author of AYAR, THE INKAS LEGEND, expressed his excitement over the comics reception in India, stating, The response to Ayar has far exceeded my expectations. Its clear that the ancient wisdom of the Inkas and Indians shares a common thread, highlighting our shared human heritage. He further added, I am thrilled to see how Indian readers have connected with Ayars fusion of Inka mythology and Indian philosophical themes. Their enthusiasm is a testament to the universal bond between our cultures. Jorge Castaneda, former Ambassador of Peru to India and Co-Founder of Art Pass Publisher, expressed that AYAR, THE INKAS LEGEND seeks to foster cross-cultural understanding and exchange between India and Peru, two nations united by shared values of culture, integrity, patriotism, and more. He further shared that the book is not just a comic, but a powerful tale of courage, wisdom, and resilience, unfolding within the majestic landscape of the Incan Empire. The Inca Empire flourished for nearly three centuries before the Spanish arrived in Latin America in 1532 C.E. Its myths, legends, and traditions continue to fascinate Peruvians and people worldwide. But how did this mighty empire come into existence? The book unravels the magnificent legends that trace the origins of one of historys most remarkable civilizations. Union Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel on Tuesday said the incidence rate of Tuberculosis (TB) in India showed a 17.7 per cent decline from 2015 to 2023. In response to a question in Rajya Sabha on the efforts taken by the central government to make India TB free, the Minister said, The National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) is implemented under the aegis of the National Health Mission (NHM). It implements a National Strategic Plan for TB Elimination (2017-25) across the country. Advertisement Stating that NTEP has made significant efforts to make India TB free, she said, The incidence rate of TB in India has shown a 17.7 per cent decline from 237 per 100,000 population in 2015 to 195 per 100,000 population in 2023. Advertisement The Minister also informed that TB deaths reduced by 21.4 percent from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 22 per lakh population in 2023. Notified TB cases increased from 18.05 lakh in 2020 to 25.52 lakh in 2023, as per a data shared by the Minister. Patel said the key efforts and interventions made under the NTEP are targeted interventions in high TB burden areas through State and District Specific Strategic plans, provision of free drugs and diagnostics to TB patients, active TB case-finding through campaigns in key vulnerable and co-morbid populations and integration of Ayushman Arogya Mandir with TB screening and treatment services. Among others included private sector engagement with incentives for notification and management of TB cases, scale up of molecular diagnostic laboratories to sub-district levels, expansion of coverage under Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana for nutritional support to TB patients, intensified Information, Education and Communication (IEC) interventions to reduce stigma, enhance community awareness and improve health seeking behavior, she added. The Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala has suspended all visa and consular services indefinitely, citing security concerns. The decision follows an incident on Monday, when the office premises were attacked by members of a group, who desecrated and burned the national flag of Bangladesh during a protest. Advertisement In a public notice, First Secretary Md Al Amin stated, Given the security situation, all visa and consular services at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission, Agartala, will remain suspended until further notice. This decision takes immediate effect and is for the information of all visa and consular service seekers. Advertisement The protest was organized by the Hindu Sangharsh Samity, a right-wing group, to highlight alleged atrocities against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. While initially peaceful, a section of the protestors breached security, stormed the missions premises, and desecrated the Bangladeshi flag. The act has drawn widespread condemnation, with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha denouncing the incident as unacceptable. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi also expressed regret, reaffirming Indias commitment to safeguarding the sanctity of diplomatic missions. In response, the Tripura Police arrested seven individuals linked to the incident and initiated disciplinary action against law enforcement officers responsible for the security lapse. Three Sub-Inspectors have been suspended, and a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) has been transferred to Police Headquarters. The suspension of visa and consular services is expected to impact cross-border movement and trade activities, which heavily rely on seamless diplomatic processes. The incident comes amid a broader context of protests in India against reported violence targeting Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, further straining communal and diplomatic relations between the two nations. As both governments work to de-escalate tensions, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining diplomatic decorum and safeguarding the sovereignty of consular establishments. CJI Sanjiv Khanna on Tuesday recused himself from hearing a batch of petitions challenging the validity of Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act 2023, that excludes the Chief Justice of India from a panel for the selection of the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners. The batch of petitions were listed before a bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar. However, when the matter came up for hearing the CJI Khanna recused himself from hearing the matter. Advertisement List the matter before a bench of which I am not a part of, said the CJI Khanna directing that the matter be listed in the week commencing on January 6, 2025. Advertisement The bench also asked the parties to complete their pleadings by the next date of hearing. The top court was moved by NGO the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), Jaya Thakur General Secretary of the Madhya Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee, Sanjay Narayanrao Meshram, and Dharmendra Singh Kushwaha, and advocate Gopal Singh challenging the law. Earlier this year on January 12, 2024 a bench comprising Justice Khanna (now CJI) and Justice Dipankar Datta while issuing notice to the Central government on the petitions, had refused to stay the operation of the law, that diluted the March 2, 2023, unanimous judgment by a five-judge constitution bench directing the appointment of the CEC and the ECs on the recommendation of a selection panel comprising the Prime Minister of India, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India. Justice Sanjiv Khanna was sworn in as Chief Justice of India on November 11, 2024. Under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act 2023, that was notified on December 28, 2023, the penal for the selection of CEC and the ECs would include the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition, and a Central Minister to be nominated by the Prime Minister, thereby giving a clear majority to the government in the selection panel. The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill 2023, was passed by Rajya Sabha on December 12 and the Lok Sabha on December 21, 2023, amidst the suspension of a large number of opposition law-maker in the lower house. The petitioners have stated that the provisions of the new law, are violative of the principle of free and fair elections since it does not provide an independent mechanism for the selection of the CEC and the ECs. (ECI). Excluding the Chief Justice of India from the selection process, the judgement of the Supreme Court stands diluted as the Prime Minister and his nominee will always be the deciding factor in the appointments, the petitioners have said questioning the validity of the law. The petitioners in particular have challenged Sections 7 and 8 of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, that lays down the procedure for the appointment of the CEC and the ECs. The 2023 law replaced the earlier Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991. Himachal Pradesh (HP) recorded the second-highest number of deaths in hydro-meteorological disasters in the country this year, with 358 fatalities reported due to rains, landslides, and cloudburst incidents. Madhya Pradesh topped the list with 373 deaths. In addition to the loss of human lives, HP suffered significant damage to livestock and property. A total of 7,088 cattle were lost in natural calamities, and 1,004 houses were damaged. Advertisement The Ministry of Home Affairs shared these figures in the Lok Sabha in response to an unstarred question from Tamil Nadu MPs Selvaraj V and Subbarayan K. Advertisement In Madhya Pradesh, the loss of cattle stood at 1,204, but the number of houses damaged was far higher, with 8,147 properties affected this year. Kerala ranked third among the worst-affected states, with 322 fatalities and 7,780 houses damaged in hydro-meteorological disasters. In northern India, HP emerged as the most affected state. In comparison, the death toll in Uttarakhand was 80, followed by 68 in Delhi, 28 in Jammu and Kashmir, 23 in Punjab, and one in Haryana. The MHA clarified in the Lok Sabha that, as per the National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM), the primary responsibility for disaster managementincluding the disbursement of relief assistancerests with the respective State Governments. The State Governments undertake relief measures in the wake of natural calamities using the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), which is already at their disposal, in accordance with Government of India-approved items and norms. The Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments by providing requisite logistical and financial support. Additional financial assistance is provided from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), following a laid-down procedure in case of a disaster of a severe nature. This includes an assessment based on the visit of an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT), the MHA noted in its response. As of November 27, 12 IMCTs have been constituted for the states of Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Mizoram, Kerala, Nagaland, Tripura, Gujarat, Telangana, West Bengal, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, and Odisha to conduct on-the-spot assessments of damages caused by natural calamities during 2024. The reports of IMCTs are considered by the Central Government as per the established procedure, stated the MHA. Himachal Pradesh has been allocated a total of 420 crore under the SDRF, with 378.40 crore provided by the Central Government and 41.60 crore contributed by the State Government. Out of this, two installments totaling 378.40 crore have been released under the SDRF, along with 66.824 crore released under the NDRF. Changchun aims to speed up economic growth through emerging industries 08:50, December 03, 2024 By Liu Mingtai and Zhong Nan ( China Daily Technicians carry out quality tests on vehicles at Hongqi's manufacturing base in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin province. (Photo/Xinhua) Changchun, the capital of Jilin province and a major industrial hub in China's northeastern region, aims to build new industrial chain clusters to drive its economic transformation and growth, according to Zhang Enhui, secretary of the Communist Party of China Changchun Municipal Committee. On its journey toward high-quality growth, the city is committed to accelerating the development and clustering of five strategic emerging industries biopharmaceuticals, optoelectronics, aerospace, new materials, and new energy, Zhang said in an exclusive interview with China Daily. Through these moves, which are designed to respond to China's call for steps to develop new quality productive forces, the city seeks to utilize innovative technologies to drive the transformation to digitalized, green, and low-carbon growth. The ultimate goal is to establish a modern industrial system anchored in the real economy, said Zhang, who also is a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Jilin Provincial Committee. "Backed by a well-developed industrial system, and the research and development capabilities of universities, we will count on innovation as the key driver of development, aiming to revitalize and upgrade traditional industries through technological advancements, while simultaneously fostering and expanding emerging industries," he added. China's central authorities have vowed in recent years to renew efforts to revitalize Northeast China a commitment that began in 2003. In 2018, President Xi Jinping chaired a symposium on further promoting the revitalization of the region, and in September last year, he presided over a meeting on promoting the full revitalization of Northeast China in the new era. Changchun, eager to enhance its economic strength, has established a strategic cooperation committee for technology transfer. The committee, which comprises representatives of government, universities, and research institutes, aims to efficiently coordinate innovation resources and integrate scientific and technological capabilities. The city government has introduced 17 policies to promote technological innovation. It also has jointly established 12 sci-tech industrial parks with universities and research institutes, and founded future science and technology innovation platforms, supported by a fund of 1 billion yuan ($137.5 million). These efforts have significantly accelerated technology transfer, leading to 2,114 achievements being successfully commercialized in the first three quarters of the year, up 46 percent year-on-year. The value of technology contracts reached 13.25 billion yuan, up 69 percent year-on-year. To enhance its industrial upgrade, the city has been supporting China FAW Group, a Changchun-based State-owned automaker, and advancing its role as a premier international automobile city. The city's production of new energy vehicles soared 40.4 percent year-on-year between January and October. Zhang said that Changchun will also speed up the improvement of planning and policy systems to reinforce the "intelligent transformation and digital upgrade" of traditional manufacturing, as well as its leapfrog development in new technologies, new energy, and innovative products. In addition, Changchun will boost the comprehensive industrial chain development of CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co, a key subsidiary of CRRC Corp, China's leading rolling stock manufacturer by sales revenue. This initiative will accelerate the expansion of high-end equipment manufacturing with a strong focus on rail transit. The city will also expedite the establishment of an industrial system primarily focused on biopharmaceuticals and life sciences, complemented by the convention and exhibition industry and emerging consumer goods businesses. Currently, over 160 projects are being implemented. Highlighting Changchun's solid industrial foundations, innovation capability, and talent resources, Li Kai, a professor specializing in regional economic development at Northeastern University in Shenyang, capital of Liaoning province, said these measures are set to play a pivotal role in the comprehensive revitalization of Northeast China. "Cultivating new economic growth drivers in Changchun is a pragmatic approach, with innovation spearheading the adjustment and optimization of the industrial structure," said Li. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. Enilive has signed an agreement with easyJet to supply sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for flights from Milan Malpensa Airport, Trend reports. SAF, which is blended at 20% purity with conventional jet fuel, will support easyJet's winter operations on two new routes to Norway: Malpensa-Oslo and Malpensa-Troms. Through SEAs 2024 SAF Support Program, easyJet will receive a subsidy of 800 euros per ton of SAF, with a total program budget of 500,000 euros for airlines using the fuel at Milans airports. In addition to this agreement, Enilive and easyJet have signed a letter of intent for a potential supply of 30,000 tons of SAF at other Italian airports. This builds on easyJets recent commitments to expand SAF usage, including its participation in Project SkyPower and new corporate initiatives with Airbus aimed at financing SAF adoption. Enilive produces SAF primarily from waste materials, such as used cooking oil and animal fats, at its Italian biorefineries. By 2025, Enilive expects to produce 400,000 tons of SAF annually, scaling to 1 million tons by 2026, with plans for further expansion. SAF is the solution available today to help decarbonize air transport, said Stefano Ballista, CEO of Enilive. With demand increasing under the EUs ReFuelEU regulation, we are expanding our biorefining capabilities to meet the needs of forward-thinking operators like easyJet. Raminder Shergill, easyJets Director of Tax & Fuel Strategy, emphasized the importance of SAF: It is central to our decarbonization strategy and the sectors net-zero goals. We are pleased to collaborate with Enilive and SEA to drive the growth of the SAF market. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal met the grieving family of Manish, a young man allegedly murdered in West Delhis Shalimar Bagh, in a bid to address growing concerns about safety in the capital. Kejriwal condemned the rise in crime, stating, The situation has spiraled out of control, and people are afraid to step out of their homes after sunset. Advertisement Kejriwal pledged to stand with the citizens and ensure their voices are heard. Recounting the incident, he said two young boys were attacked while returning home, leading to Manishs death after being stabbed multiple times. Advertisement Kejriwal claimed inadequate medical intervention and alleged lapses in police procedures, including not recording the eyewitnesss statement, contributed to the tragedy. The AAP chief called for accountability, demanding that if the central government cannot manage Delhis law and order, it should cede control to someone who can. He further alleged that the perpetrators were freely intimidating others. Kejriwal stated he has been receiving numerous complaints from citizens and vowed to visit affected areas personally to press for justice and safety reforms. Meanwhile, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva accused Kejriwal of politicizing the crime to deflect attention from his governments alleged failures. Sachdeva criticized the AAP governments handling of recent disasters, including waterlogging and electrocution incidents, which claimed over 50 lives in three months. Kejriwal is now highlighting months-old crime incidents to shift public focus from his governments inefficiency, mismanagement, and corruption, Sachdeva alleged. He also accused Kejriwal of shielding party leaders linked to criminal elements, such as MLA Naresh Balyan. The Kerala High Court on Tuesday appointed a mediator to resolve the dispute over handing over the mortal remains of late CPI(M) leader M M Lawrence at the Government Medical College, Kalamassery, Ernakulam for medical research. The body is currently preserved at the medical college while the writ appeals remain pending in court Advertisement The court issued the order in response to an appeal filed by Asha Lawrence and Sujatha Boban, daughters of the late CPI-M leader, challenging the decision to hand over their fathers body to the Government Medical College, Kalamassery, Ernakulam Advertisement During the hearing, the division bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin M Jamdar and Justice S Manu strongly criticized the parties for agitating the issue before the Court instead of trying to settle it amicably within the family. The court observed that the Kerala Anatomy Act does not envisage dispute resolution between family members. It observed that the matter is essentially a civil dispute between family members. This was an inter se family dispute, which is not addressed under the Anatomy Act. Such matters should be resolved by the family members themselves, not by authorities under the Act, the court stated. The court directed the petitioners and ML Sajeevan, the son of the deceased, to sit together and sort it out. At least make an effort. These are not matters that should be brought before the court. What is this? the court observed. These are matters for the heirs to decide amongst yourselves. What is this? What kind of issues have you brought before us? These are siblings, sort it out between yourselves. These are not matters to be brought before the Court. At the most, we will appoint some senior person as a mediatorAt least have some respect for the person who has passed away, Chief Justice Jamdar orally remarked. The counsel for Asha Lawrence and Sujatha Boban argued that the decision of the single judge, which relied on the counter affidavit of their brother ML Sajeevan, who claimed the deceased had expressed his request to donate his body during his last illness in the presence of two witnesses, was illegal. They contended that the CPM district committee in Ernakulam and their brother had no authority to hand over the body to the medical college. They argued that they had the right to bury their father according to Christian rites and rituals at the church where he was a member. On October 23, a single Judge dismissed the petition filed by Asha Lawrence challenging the decision of the advisory committee set up at the Government Medical College, Ernakulam, to accept the mortal remains of her father. The single bench of Justice V G Arun declined to interfere with the decision to donate the body of MM Lawrence to the Ernakulam Government Medical College for educational purposes and dismissed the petition filed by Asha Lawrence. . Asha, in her petition, alleged that the Advisory committees decision was biased. No proper hearing was conducted. She and her brother were heard separately on the issue. Despite repeated requests, the principal refused to hold a comprehensive hearing involving all persons. Her sister Sujatha Boban had withdrawn her consent for handing over for a medical search, she submitted. Soon after the death of Lawerence on September 21, Asha Lawrence approached the Kerala High Court to prevent handing over her fathers body to Medical College by her siblings. The High Court on September 23 disposed of her plea by directing the Principal of the Medical College to assess her objections before making a final decision. Subsequently, the Principal formed an advisory committee to review the matter. The committee relied on a body donation consent form signed by MM Lawrence and witnessed by two individuals to conclude that this consent was valid under Section 4(1) of the Kerala Anatomy Act, granting legal possession of the body to Lawrences son, ML Sajeevan, who did not oppose the donation. Following this, Asha moved another petition , challenging the authority of the Principal to constitute the advisory committee, claiming that it violated the principles of natural justice. Asha, in her petition, said that her father had followed all Christian rituals during his lifetime and his burial must also be as per the Christian rites and rituals. It was stated that there was no unequivocal request made by her father to donate his body for medical purposes. It was stated that her objections were not considered by the Principal and he illegally constituted a committee to conduct the hearing without obtaining permission from the court. She argued that her sister Sujatha had formally withdrawn her consent for the body donation, which was not taken into account. On October 23, the Single Judge dismissed her petition. The order of the single bench was based on the statements made by Lawrence to his son ML Sajeev in the presence of two witnesses that the body should be handed over for medical research .Asha has challenged the single bench order before the division bench of the High Court. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced his governments decision to allow those Kuki families evicted from Assam whose ancestors were residents of the state before 1961 to settle in the state. The decision came at a time when the state is working to verify the identities of individuals displaced by recent evictions in Assam. Advertisement Speaking to the local media in Imphal, Singh said, The Home Department has contacted Assam authorities, who informed us about the eviction of 500-600 individuals. We have received a list and found that some are from areas like Ukhrul and other rural parts of Manipur. We have instructed the concerned deputy commissioners and superintendents of police to verify their village origins and the duration of their residence. Advertisement The year 1961 holds importance in Manipur as it marks the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system, a regulation used to identify and control the influx of illegal immigrants into the state. Last week, the chief executive member of Assams Karbi Autonomous Council revealed that approximately 500 Kuki families from Manipur sought refuge in the Karbi Anglong district due to the ongoing violence in their home state. However, the council decided not to allow these families to settle in Karbi Anglong and announced their return to Manipur. In a related development, the Manipur Police deported 29 individuals from Assam employed in a bakery in Mayang Imphal Bengoon of the Imphal West district for violation of ILP norms. Singh clarified that the deportees were found to be from Assam based on their Aadhaar cards and were apprehended for not complying with the states ILP regulations. Their presence violated the ILP rules of Manipur. As per the ILP system, permits are issued only to labourers engaged in government or private construction works. These individuals were working in a bakery, which is not permitted under the ILP guidelines, Singh explained. While Singhs offer to resettle displaced Kukis with ancestral ties reflects compassion at a time of ethnic unrest in the state, the firm enforcement of ILP rules signals the governments commitment to maintaining order and legal compliance. Amid the continuing suspense over the formation of a new government in Maharashtra, BJP central observer for the state Vijay Rupani on Tuesday indicated that the next chief minister will be from the saffron party. I think someone from the BJP would become the CM. (Caretaker) Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has already given the statement that he has no issues if someone from the BJP is made the CM, he said in Gandhinagar. Advertisement Rupani, a former chief minister of Gujarat, said he is going to Mumbai later Tuesday, while Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who is the other party observer for Maharashtra, will reach the city tonight. Advertisement We will have a meeting of the legislature party (of Maharashtra BJP) tomorrow at 11 a.m. We will have discussions and deliberations there. After that, the leader (of the Legislature party) will be elected unanimously. The party high command will be informed of the name. An announcement will then be made, he added. On whether there was any problem in naming the new CM, he said, our high command has had discussions with all allies (Shiv Sena-Shinde and Nationalist Congress Party-Ajit Pawar). So, there is no problem. Everything will be done smoothly and unanimously. Meanwhile, preparations are under way at the Azad Maidan in Mumbai for the oath-taking ceremony of the new CM which is likely to take place on December 5. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other top leaders of the BJP-led NDA are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new government. The Uttar Pradesh Police has disclosed the recovery of foreign-made ammunition, including Pakistani cartridges, from the violence-hit area of Sambhal. During the investigation on Tuesday, the police discovered cartridge shells with links to Pakistan. According to Sambhal SP K Bishnoi, the recovered ammunition includes shells manufactured in Pakistan, a 12-bore cartridge made in the United States, and three 32-bore shells. Advertisement Notably, a 9 mm cartridge, typically used in government-issued firearms, was also found. Advertisement The forensic team discovered the cartridges while cleaning drains near Tanki Road in Mohalla Kotgarvi. These findings are linked to the violence that erupted on November 24 during a Jama Masjid survey. The incident left four youths dead and over 50 people injured, including 19 policemen. Despite the district being under external entry restrictions until December 10, leaders from Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind and the Congress met with the victims families on Tuesday, bypassing police knowledge and highlighting lapses in the intelligence system. SP Bishnoi confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, with CCTV footage being reviewed to identify further details surrounding the incident. Stating that disengagement has now been fully achieved in Eastern Ladakh through a step by step process, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday made it clear that the maintenance of peace and tranquility in border areas is a pre-requisite for the development of India-China ties. In the coming days, we will be discussing both de-escalation as well as effective management of our activities in the border areas, he said, making a statement in the Lok Sabha on India-China ties and the border understanding reached in October. Advertisement He said India-China ties have been abnormal since 2020 when peace and tranquility in the border areas were disturbed as a result of Chinese actions. Recent developments that reflect our continuous diplomatic engagement since then have set our ties in the direction of some improvement, he added. Advertisement Dr Jaishankar said India remains committed to engaging with China to arrive at a fair, mutually acceptable framework for boundary settlement. The ministers remarks came nearly two months after India and China announced a major breakthrough in talks to end the prolonged military stand-off in eastern Ladakh. He also said that in the months following the June 2020 Galwan Valley clash, we were addressing a situation that had not only seen fatalities for the first time in 45 years but also a turn of events serious enough for heavy weaponry to be deployed in close proximity to the LAC. He said Indias engagement with China since 2020 was focused on ending the border stalemate. The engagement took place at various levels, involving different arms of the government. Since June 2020, 17 meetings of the Working Mechanism for Cooperation and Coordination (WMCC) at the diplomatic level and 21 meetings of Senior Highest Military Commanders took place, he said, adding, in this background, I would like to inform the House today about the agreement reached on 21 October, 2024 regarding Depsang and Demchok. The twin considerations of an unstable local situation and an impacted bilateral relationship were clearly the drivers for these recent endeavours. He said India was and remains very clear that the three key principles must be observed in all circumstances: (i) both sides should strictly respect and observe the LAC, (ii) neither side should attempt to unilaterally alter the status quo, and (iii) agreements and understandings reached in the past must be fully abided by in their entirety. Dr Jaishankar said the conclusion of the disengagement phase on LAC now allows India to consider other aspects of the bilateral engagement in a calibrated manner, keeping national security interests first and foremost. He said that in his recent meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, it was decided that Special Representatives on the border issue and the foreign secretary-level mechanisms between the two countries will be convening soon. He said India has made it clear to China that it would not countenance any attempts to change the status quo on the border unilaterally. We also expected that all agreements and protocols pertaining to the management of the border areas would be scrupulously followed, he added. Dr Jaishankar said that following the 21 October understanding, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping had a meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan. The two leaders welcomed the understanding and directed the foreign ministers to meet and stabilise and rebuild the relationship. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, dedicated to the nation the successful implementation of three new criminal laws Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, which came into force on July 1, 2024, replacing the British-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively. Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Modi said the new criminal laws represent a concrete step towards realising the ideals enshrined in the Constitution for the benefit of all citizens. These laws signify the end of colonial-era laws. The colonial-era laws were the medium of atrocities and exploitation committed by the British when they ruled over India. Advertisement The 1857 revolution shook the roots of British rule and in 1860, they brought the IPC and later, the Indian Evidence Act and the CrPC framework came into being. The purpose of those laws was to punish Indians and keep them enslaved, said Prime Minister Modi. Advertisement Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on the occasion that three laws have been fully implemented in Chandigarh. Within three years of the registration of an FIR, one will get justice. Our criminal justice system will be the most modern in the world, he said. Union Home Minister Shah also praised the Chandigarh Administration for fully implementing the new laws. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi watched a live demonstration simulating a crime scene investigation under the new laws. He was also briefed by Chandigarh Senior Superintendent of Police Kanwardeep Kaur. The prime minister and Home Minister Shah were accompanied by Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, UT Chandigarh Adviser Rajeev Verma, and Chandigarh Director General of Police Surendra Singh Yadav. The conceptualisation of the three laws was driven by the vision of the prime minister to remove colonial-era laws that had continued post-independence, and to transform the judicial system by shifting focus from punishment to justice. Keeping this in mind, the theme of this programme is Secure Society, Developed India- from Punishment to Justice. The new criminal laws that were implemented nationwide on July 1, 2024, aim to make Indias legal system more transparent, efficient, and adaptable to the needs of contemporary society. These landmark reforms mark a historic overhaul of Indias criminal justice system, bringing in new frameworks to tackle modern-day challenges such as cybercrime, and organised crime and ensuring justice for victims of various offenses. The programme showcased the practical application of these laws, demonstrating how they are already reshaping the criminal justice landscape. A live demonstration was also held, simulating a crime scene investigation where the new laws will be put into action. Members and officials of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) staged a large-scale protest rally in Ayodhya on Tuesday, condemning the ongoing oppression of Hindus in Bangladesh. The rally, which began at the historic Gulabbari Ground, concluded at Gandhi Park, passing through key routes in the city. Champat Rai, General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, addressed the rally, calling for direct intervention by the Narendra Modi-led central government to address the atrocities. He emphasized the urgency of safeguarding the rights of Hindus in Bangladesh. Advertisement A substantial number of participants joined the rally, prompting the administration to deploy significant security measures. Advertisement Acharya Satyendra Das, the chief priest of the Ram Temple, expressed grave concern over the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh, stating that if no action is taken, they could face eradication similar to what occurred in Pakistan. He referred to the recent attack on the lawyer of Hindu saint Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu as alarming and indicative of the worsening situation for minorities in Bangladesh. Protests in Aligarh In Aligarh, the Bangladesh Minority Security Forum organized a protest at Gandhi Park bus stand, where thousands of Hindus expressed their outrage. Protesters carried banners, posters, and cutouts illustrating the barbaric acts committed against Hindu men, women, and children in Bangladesh. The protest began with Harinam Sankirtan performed by ISKCON workers, after which senior advocate and RSS provincial executive member Ashok Kulshrestha addressed the crowd. He criticized the United Nations for its selective attention to global issues, highlighting its silence on the plight of Bangladeshi Hindus. Horrific atrocities are being committed against Hindus in Bangladesh, including the demolition of temples and wrongful arrests such as that of ISKCONs Chinmoy Krishna Das, Kulshrestha said. He demanded immediate intervention by the Indian government, including strict action and the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das. The protests underscored a growing demand for stronger measures from the Indian government to ensure the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh. Security has been tightened following reports of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhis scheduled visit to Sambhal on Wednesday. Along with Rahul Gandhi, his sister and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and other Senior Congress leaders are expected to visit Sambhal. Advertisement UP Congress General Secretary Anil Yadav on Monday said that Rahul Gandhi is expected to visit Sambhal along with other senior party leaders on Wednesday. Advertisement He said that the Congress leaders will travel to Sambhal by road, where they will meet the families of the victims and visit the place of violence. However, Moradabad Division Commissioner Anjaneya Singh has appealed to Rahul Gandhi not to visit Sambhal at this time. The Commissioner said, Right now, the situation is normal in Sambhal. The DM has imposed a ban on the entry of outsiders till December 10. We have requested Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to cancel his programme. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday said, The BJP wants to dig (conduct surveys) at various places. In the process, it will also dig up the harmony of the country. This is a well-thought-out strategy, under which the BJP is doing such work at many places. Akhilesh Yadav also alleged that officers are acting arbitrarily in Sambhal at the behest of the government. This kind of behaviour by the administration has never been seen. At least action should be taken against the responsible officers there, he added. The Samajwadi Party on Tuesday raised the issue of Sambhal violence in Parliament, and claimed that the incident was a premeditated conspiracy that has harmed the brotherhood of the region. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav also accused the central government of not adhering to the tenets of the Constitution. Advertisement Speaking in the Lok Sabha during Zero Hour, Yadav claimed that the November 24 incident in Sambhal was a well-planned conspiracy aimed at hurting the communal harmony in the area. The Kannauj lawmaker said that the date of the byelections in Uttar Pradesh was changed intentionally. Advertisement He said, The incident that took place in Sambhal is a well-planned conspiracyBy-elections were supposed to be held in Uttar Pradesh on 13th November but it was postponed to 20th NovemberThis Government does not believe in the Constitution. He said a petition was filed against Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal. An order for a survey of the mosque was passed even before listening to the other side. On 19th November, the survey was conducted and the report was to be given to the Court On 24th November, another survey was conducted, during which people gathered to know the reason for the survey, he said further. He pointed out that the police stopped people from offering namaz and the court gave the order without hearing the other side. Yadav said the Circle Officer abused the people gathered there and lathi charge took place. Further, After this, police opened fire with their government and private weapons, during which dozens were injured and five innocents were killed He demanded that a murder case should be filed against police and administration and they should be suspended so that people can get justice and such an incident is not repeated in future. Referring to the issues of mosque surveys across the country amid claims of them being raised over the ruins of Hindu temples, he cautioned that talks of excavation throughout the country will destroy the brotherhood. The incident that took place in Sambhal on November 24 is a well-planned conspiracy and the brotherhood in Sambhal has been shot. The talks of excavation throughout the country done by BJP and its allies will destroy the brotherhood of the country, he said. After Yadav raised the issue of Sambhal violence, the opposition MPs, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, staged a walk-out. Raising the issue in the Rajya Sabha, Samajwadi Party Member Ram Gopal Yadav blamed the UP government for Sambhal violence, alleging conspiracy. He said, On 24th December, at 6 am, police were deployed in the entire Sambhal. The people of Sambhal did not even know why the police were being deployed. After some time, the DM, SSP, lawyer, and some people went with the police playing drums and entered the mosque. He said the crowd suspected that they were going to vandalise the mosque. The SDM opened the water tank and when water started flowing out, people suspected that something was going wrong in it, and then there was unrest. The police opened fire, 5 people were killed, 20 people were injured, cases were filed against hundreds of people and many are in jail, Those who were caught were beaten badly. He further said, I and many other people believe that in the elections that were held earlier in Uttar Pradesh, the police in the neighbouring districts did not allow anyone to cast their vote and forcibly took over the elections. All this happened in a way to divert attention from that At least five people were killed allegedly in police firing during the Sambhal violence that broke out following a court ordered survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and eight multilateral development banks (MDBs) have pledged to boost global water security through a joint statement at the One Water Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Trend reports. The summit, held in conjunction with COP16 on desertification, brought together global leaders to discuss international water cooperation. The EIB, alongside the African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Inter-American Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, New Development Bank, and World Bank Group, will work to mobilize finance, promote innovative solutions, and strengthen water governance, with a focus on vulnerable regions. As part of this initiative, the EIB will launch a new water program in spring 2025 aimed at addressing water scarcity and improving flood resilience, particularly in climate-affected areas. EIB Vice President Gelsomina Vigliotti emphasized the urgent need for action, stating that water access is essential for improving lives and empowering communities. Over the past five years, the MDBs have collectively invested $50 billion in water projects, benefiting over 400 million people. The banks plan to increase support by attracting private investment and improving coordination to streamline project implementation. Union Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi on Tuesday lambasted the West Bengal and Delhi governments for their inadequate implementation of central schemes aimed at womens safety and empowerment, despite receiving adequate funding and support from the Central Government. Devi condemned West Bengal for its failure to operationalize Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) under the POCSO Act. Although 123 FTSCs, including 20 POCSO courts, were allotted to the state under a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in October 2019, only six courts have been made operational as of October 2024, she said. Advertisement Highlighting the backlog of 49,580 rape and POCSO cases in the state, Devi criticized the lack of action to operationalize 11 remaining FTSCs and noted delays despite several reminders from the Centre. Advertisement The Minister also pointed out that the Women Helpline (181) had not been implemented in West Bengal, leaving citizens unable to access the service. Despite repeated reminders, the state government has not taken steps to operationalize this critical facility, she added. Turning her attention to the Delhi government, Devi alleged negligence in utilizing funds disbursed under the Nirbhaya Fund for One-Stop Centres (OSCs), which aid women in distress. She noted that staff in districts such as East, North, and West Delhi have gone unpaid for months. It was admitted by NCT Delhi officials that 87 per cent of the funds released by the Union Government remain unutilized, Devi said. Reaffirming the central governments commitment to womens safety, the Minister underscored the success of initiatives such as 802 One-Stop Centres and 752 FTSCs operational nationwide. The escalating conflict in northern Syria, with rebels breaching Aleppo and the Syrian government now intensifying counterattacks, underscores the cyclical nature of the countrys war. Once a symbol of government dominance following its decisive capture in 2016, Aleppo is again a battlefield in what appears to be one of the most significant challenges to President Bashar al-Assads regime in years. The rebels swift advance, compounded by a fractured response from the Syrian military, has reignited violence in a region long caught in geopolitical crossfire. The intensified bombing of Idlib city by Russian and Syrian forces, following the rebel incursion into nearby Aleppo, reveals the toll such retaliation takes on civilians. Residential areas in Idlib, home to millions displaced by war, have been targeted, leaving death and destruction in their wake. The Syrian army claims its actions are aimed at insurgent strongholds, yet reports of civilian casualties and the devastation of infrastructure paint a grimmer reality. Advertisement This raises pressing concerns about the proportionality of the governments response and its apparent indifference to human suffering in its pursuit of military advantage. The violence exacerbates the precarious situation for the millions of displaced people living in Idlib. Already burdened by inadequate shelter, scarce medical supplies, and dwindling food resources, these civilians now face relentless airstrikes that make survival even more tenuous. The lack of safe zones within the region leaves them trapped in a conflict they have no part in, amplifying the urgent need for international humanitarian intervention. For the rebels, capturing strategic areas like Sheikh Najjar and Khansir signifies intent to weaken the regimes hold on Aleppo by targeting its supply routes. Advertisement This is no longer a mere skirmish but a calculated effort to shift the balance of power. However, the involvement of groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham complicates the narrative. While Turkey-backed factors contribute to the offensive, the prominence of a group designated as terrorist by multiple nations risks undermining international support for the opposition. This dynamic illustrates the blurred lines between legitimate resistance and extremist agendas in Syrias fractured opposition landscape. The conflict also reflects the waning influence of President Assads key allies Russia and Iran. Russias focus on Ukraine and Irans preoccupations, including its proxy Hezbollahs recent losses in Lebanon, have left the Syrian regime vulnerable. The lack of immediate reinforcements from these allies allowed rebels to seize territory swiftly, exposing the fragility of Mr Assads military apparatus despite years of external backing. The humanitarian crisis, meanwhile, deepens. As civilians flee Aleppo and other areas, the regions already overstretched aid systems are nearing collapse. The plight of those caught in the crossfire calls for urgent international attention. Yet global responses remain fragmented, hindered by competing geopolitical priorities and an absence of coordinated peace efforts. Without addressing the root causes of the conflict, including governance failures, and in the absence of viable political solutions, the cycle of insurgency and retaliation will persist After protracted negotiations involving the US and France, Israel and Hezbollah have accepted a ceasefire. The ceasefire comes after over a year of fighting resulting in the loss of thousands of lives, mostly innocents. Presidents Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron said in a joint statement that the agreement will cease the fighting in Lebanon, and secure Israel from the threat of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations operating from Lebanon, adding that it will create conditions to restore lasting calm and allow residents in both countries to return safely to their homes. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli PM, said, We will enforce the agreement and respond forcefully to any violation. According to the agreement there would initially be a sixtyday ceasefire. The world welcomed the agreement as it ended one part of the conflict in West Asia. The conflict in Lebanon has thus far displaced over 1.2 million Lebanese as also 60,000 Israelis. According to Lebanon there have been over 3,700 deaths, while Israel has accepted the loss of 75 soldiers and 45 civilians. UNSC resolution 1701 which ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah conflict was the basis for the current agreement. Similar to 2006, only Lebanese armed forces and UN peacekeepers would operate south of Lebanons Litani River. This will imply that Hezbollah forces would retreat about 40 km from the border while Israeli forces would vacate Lebanon. Advertisement Over the years, the 2006 truce was breached by both sides, with Hezbollah constructing underground structures and Israeli aircraft overflying Lebanon regularly. Yet the truce held, till Hamas launched its raids on Israel on 7 October last year. It should be noted that both the ceasefires (2006 and current) are between Israel and Hezbollah, not Lebanon, implying that the world has accepted Hezbollah as a global entity, despite it being designated as a terrorist group. The current ceasefire is a win-win for all sides involved in the conflict and hence there is hope that it will hold. Advertisement For Biden, this is some achievement, though in the final stages of his presidency. Had this ceasefire been announced prior to the US elections, it is possible that it could have benefitted Kamala Harris. The US was being stretched to its limits, providing Israel and Ukraine with weapons and ammunition while also maintaining its own reserves for any future operations. Its defence-industrial complex was unable to meet rising demands. Netanyahu officially announced three reasons for accepting the ceasefire. Firstly, it enables Israel to focus on Iran, its major adversary; secondly, the ceasefire comes as a breather as it also allows Israeli forces to replenish their stocks and finally separates Hamas and Hezbollah operations. But there are multiple other reasons. Israeli defence forces are exhausted. There are reports of reservists not reporting for duty. A CNN report mentions that Israeli forces issued 1,126 arrest warrants for ultra-Orthodox conscripts who have not responded to drafting orders. The Israel Supreme Court had determined that ultraOrthodox Jews cannot be exempt from military service. An Israeli military spokesperson mentioned while commenting on drafting orders to ultra-Orthodox Jews, The IDF (Israeli Defence Force) is in need of soldiers. We touched on the figure of 10,000, but this isnt a stable figure because we have casualties unfortunately. The ceasefire with Hezbollah will reduce demands for recruitment. Further, there are disagreements within the Israeli government on its conduct of the conflict as also the end state desired by Netanyahu. Israel has never been able to make Hezbollah redundant. In 2006, prior to the ceasefire, both sides had suffered casualties, hence they welcomed the ceasefire. It enabled them to live to fight another day. Israel learnt its lessons and attempted to implement them in this campaign. Hezbollah had also brought about changes and despite suffering a series of setbacks, managed to force another ceasefire. In the present war, Israel eliminated members of Hezbollahs senior leadership by target bombing and its unique pager bombs took out middle level leaders. Simultaneously, its air force bombed Hezbollahs rocket storage depots as also production facilities. However, these did little to stop the launch of rockets. Hezbollah had also learnt from 2006. In fact, days before the ceasefire, it fired a barrage of over 250 rockets into Israel. Incursions into Lebanon have never been very successful for Israeli forces, either in 2006 or even now. Despite heavy casualties, the Hezbollah have always bounced back. Casualties for Israel are difficult to replace, especially when it continues to battle Hamas in Gaza. Lebanese civilian casualties in targeted airstrikes only benefit Hezbollah as terrorist groups gain supporters with innocent deaths. Simultaneously, it impacts Israels global standing. Israel can now concentrate on Hamas, anti-Israel groups in Syria as also in Yemen. Israel is aware that the truce would enable Hezbollah to rebuild its structure as also its military power. It would ultimately have to engage with it sometime in the future. That may not be immediate, but will have to happen. It is a matter of time but has brought relief to citizens in both countries. For Iran, the main backer of Hamas and Hezbollah, it is essential that at least one of its proxies remains secure for the future. It has no choice but to sacrifice Hamas while saving Hezbollah. For Iran, Hamas, Houthis and Hezbollah are buffers between it and Israel, its sworn enemy. It cannot let all of them be destroyed. Simultaneously, Iran has opened negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), hoping to obtain sanction relief. This ceasefire would benefit it alongside its rapprochement with its neighbours. Hence, it gave its sanction for the ceasefire to the Hezbollah chief, Naim Qaseem. Hezbollah also needs to recoup. Its enmity with Israel continues. For it the ceasefire is a pause as it rebuilds its capabilities, manpower, structures and stockpiles of munitions. While it has suffered casualties, it is aware that it has not lost the war, maybe the battle, and is preparing for the next phase. In the ultimate analysis, both Israel and Hezbollah know that this is not a permanent peace agreement. How long it would continue is anybodys guess. Currently, forces on both sides as also the population are weary of war. It is this weariness which may compel both sides to maintain peace at least for the near term. (The writer is a retired Major-General of the Indian Army.) A ministerial conference kicked off on Monday in Cairo to garner regional and international support for the besieged Gaza and alleviate the sufferings of the Palestinian people. The meeting is being held under the auspices of the Egyptian President with the participation of 103 delegations of various countries, international organisations, and financial institutions, according to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry. Advertisement Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini told the conference that UNRWA has preserved the Palestinian identity since its establishment and works in accordance with international law and to protect the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. Advertisement He added that safe and effective conditions must be ensured for the continuation of humanitarian operations in the Gaza Strip, urging an emergency response and a political solution to end the catastrophic situation in Gaza, Xinhua news agency reported. Palestinian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Mustafa said, Egypt, since the first day of the Israeli aggression, has backed the Palestinian side and exerted sincere efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. For his part, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said, Egypt fully condemns the illegal ban of the work of UNRWA, which reflects an unacceptable disregard for the international community and its institutions. The Israeli parliament in October passed a law prohibiting UNRWA from operating within its territory. The Iranian security and intelligence forces have killed four and arrested three members of a separatist terrorist team in an operation in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Monday. In the operation, the forces of the provincial intelligence department and police and the Quds Base of the Ground Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps killed four armed members of the group, Tasnim quoted Mehdi Shamsabadi, public prosecutor of the provincial capital of Zahedan, as saying, without specifying the date of the operation. Advertisement He said that the ringleader of the terrorist team and two of his accomplices were arrested, stressing that the terrorist team received the blows before being able to carry out any anti-security operation, Xinhua news agency reported. Advertisement Shamsabadi added that some ammunition and weapons were seized during the operation, noting that the group was created with the all-out support of certain European states intelligence services to undermine security in southeastern Iran. Bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan, Sistan and Baluchestan province has witnessed several terrorist attacks on both civilians and security forces in recent years. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. The volume of trade operations between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic in the period from January through October of this year amounted to more than $955.1 million. The data obtained by Trend from the country's State Customs Committee shows that this is by $228.4 million or 31.4 percent more than in the same period of last year. The trade turnover with the Czech Republic amounted to 2.43 percent of Azerbaijan's total trade turnover during the reporting period. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan exported products worth $905 million to the Czech Republic for ten months, which is 38.4 percent more than a year earlier. During this period, the Czech Republic accounted for 3.98 percent of total exports of Azerbaijani products. However, Azerbaijan decreased imports from the Czech Republic by 31.4 percent in the period from January through October compared to a year earlier, to $49.6 million. During this period, import operations with the Czech Republic amounted to 0.30 percent of the country's total imports. Job Title: IT Officer Organisation: Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA) Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda About US: The Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA) is a trade and lobbying organisation that includes almost all of the nations hotels, lodges and camps among its members. UHOA has a membership of 450 members comprising hotels, lodges, Motels, B&Bs, Inns and camps among its members. UHOA is the biggest Hotel trade association in Uganda, with members hailing from different regions of Uganda. UHOA members range from five start hotels to ungraded facilities such as homes and camps. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: Must hold at least a minimum of a Bachelors degree in ICT, or Computer Science. At Least a minimum of two years working experience in a reputable organisation. Should have an industry Certification from either CISCO, Microsoft, or Oracle. Previous experience with Microsoft Dynamics will be an added advantage. Experience working with Office 365 with specific skills in share Point and one Drive. Networking design and operations principles, system intergration requirements and procedures. Knowledge on installation, configuration and troubleshooting for operation systems, computer office suites, e-mail and inter/ Intranet. Knowledge in website management. Virus protection software and identifying, addressing and removing virus. Should be result-oriented, self motivated and able to work under minimum supervision. Excellent interpersonal communication skills. High level of integrity and demonstrate team work. How to Apply: To apply for this Position, Applicants should submit Copies of: Cover letter and CV only as one document to Email: [email protected] Deadline: 4th December 2024 For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJoblin Date Posted 2024-12-03T13:33 Valid Through 2024-12-05T00:00 Employment Type FULL_TIME Hiring Organization Uganda Hotel Owners Association Job Location Kampala, Kampala, Kampala , 0256, Uganda Related Jobs The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed Banking Laws Amendment Bill after a discussion. It was the first day that the parliament could function, after one week of disruptions, as Opposition and the government reached an agreement over holding discussions on several issues in the house. Under the new legislation, bank account holders can have upto four nominees in their accounts. Another proposed change relates to redefining 'substantial interest' for directorships, which could increase to Rs 2 crore instead of the current limit of Rs 5 lakh, which was fixed almost six decades ago. The bill also proposes to increase the tenure of directors (excluding the chairman and whole-time director) in cooperative banks from 8 years to 10 years, so as to align with the Constitution (Ninety-Seventh Amendment) Act, 2011. The bill also allows a director of a Central Cooperative Bank to serve on the board of a State Cooperative Bank. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman speaking in the house said that Indian banks have remained healthy, adding that we can not afford to have struggling banks. She said the credit for this should go to the Reserve Bank of India and the Finance Ministry for the banking system to not have collapsed. Indian banks have performed exceptionally well in recent years. Highest-ever net profit of Rs 1.41 Lakh Crore was achieved in 2023-24 & Rs 85,520 Crore in the first half of 2024-25. Today, all the Public Sector Banks have turned profitable. As a sector, profitability of all pic.twitter.com/zz0rx1frp7 Nirmala Sitharaman Office (@nsitharamanoffc) December 3, 2024 Since 2014, we have been extremely cautious that banks remain stable. Our intention is to keep our banks safe, stable and healthy, and in the 10 years everyone is seeing the outcome which in turn is benefitting the economy. Today, India should take pride that banks are being professionally managed and run, their metrics are healthy and they can go to the market and raise funds, Sitharaman said. "Banks have collapsed in countries having a sound system too," said Sitharaman Talking about the expansion of the bank network in the country, the finance minister said that total branches of the Scheduled Commercial Banks have increased by 3,792 in the last year to reach 1,65,501 in September, 2024. Out of this, 85,116 branches are those of the Public Sector Banks. The branches are expanding in rural areas, providing facilities within every 5 kilometres. There were 41,855 branches in Rural areas in March 2014, as of September 2024, the number is 55,372. In Semi-Urban areas, the number of branches were 32,504 branches in March 2014, now it is 45,314. In Urban areas, there were only 21,007 branches in March 2014, now the number is 29,276. Sitharaman referred to the benefits passed to women through the official schemes, saying that 68 per cent of all PM MUDRA Yojana loans and 44 per cent of PM SVANidhi loans go to women. These are all collateral-free loans, the FM said. Referring to the questions raised by the MPs, Sitharaman said "Banks do not come to the government to say recapitalise me as they are now capable of raising capital and issue bonds." Sitharaman also talked about student loans, saying that total student loans have increased from Rs 71,000 crore in 2017-18 to Rs 1.04 lakh crore (outstanding) in 2023-24. There has also been an increase of student loans to Rs 1.3 lakh crore as on October 2024, which is an increase of 17.6 per cent over October 2023. The Chinese army has achieved a "significant step" of taking the integrated combat readiness drills to the frontlines as part of efforts to improve the training programme to familiarise the troops with modern warfare scenariosa move that holds significance to the 3488-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India. The development comes even as the two countries recently resolved their military standoff in eastern Ladakh. PLA Daily, citing Central Military Commission (CMC) - the overall military command, reported that the new model for integrated training group exercises has reached the frontlines. The new model includes drills on different units working as a team and coordinated use of specific tactics in battle. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has achieved major progress in modernising its training programme as it seeks to boost combat readiness in modern warfare scenarios. The next step was to make the training more realistic and closely aligned with real combat situations, leading to an overall improvement in military readiness and capability, according to CMC. ALSO READ: India in focus as Pakistan, China discuss regional security and counter-terrorism China has been pushing to modernise its military, from weapons to war tactics, as it tries to narrow the gap with the US and better prepare itself to tackle an increasingly hostile geopolitical scenario. The efforts have gained added urgency amid the war in Ukraine, progress in advanced and unmanned weapons, and the military use of cutting-edge technology, including artificial intelligence, prompting Beijing to focus on integrated operations by different branches of its armed forces, according to a report in South China Morning Post. Since he came to power, Chinese President Xi Jinping has carried out massive reforms integrating different military wings. He has also emphasised real-time combat drills to improve their operational abilities to win local wars. Commenting on the modernisation of the training of the PLA, Chinese military analyst Fu Qianshao said, The nature of warfare has already changed significantly and all military forces worldwide need to learn from the new tactics and combat models displayed in local conflicts, using the lessons of war to improve their equipment and training methods. READ MORE: The sordid saga of South China Sea The future wars will undoubtedly include integrated operations, especially with the growing role of information technology, so it's crucial that all PLA branches become interconnected, with unified command and coordinated action, Fu has been quoted as saying. The next step for the PLA would be to strengthen its capabilities and increase coordination among its army, navy, air and rocket forces, as well as sharpen its network communication system, he said. Military commentator and former PLA instructor Song Zhongping underscored the importance of integration saying real war requires joint training as its foundation and core. He said the PLA training now has evolved towards joint exercises, which were key to testing and improving real combat capabilities. The PLA's joint operation capabilities have been on display during numerous exercises around Taiwan carried out by the Chinese military in recent months, virtually encircling the self-governing estranged island. China claims Taiwan as part of its mainland. India's indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant has achieved full operational status after completing its final operational clearance this year, Vice Admiral V. Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, said on Monday. Speaking to reporters aboard the naval ship INS Shardul in Kerala's Kochi, he said. "With the completion of various trials and the ship's fleet integration, INS Vikrant is now fully operational and is operating under the Western Fleet," he added. The Vice Admiral reiterated that the ship is fully capable of undertaking all operations and commitments of the Indian Navy. ALSO READ: From Rafale-M to Scorpene submarines, Indian Navy all set for a major power upgrade Commissioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022, INS Vikrant is now under the Western Naval Command and is capable of handling naval assignments. Designed by the Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, Vikrant is the largest ship ever constructed in India's maritime history. It boasts state-of-the-art automation features and houses around 2,200 compartments, designed to accommodate a crew of about 1,600, including women officers and sailors, it added. INS Vikrant is equipped to operate a diverse air wing, including MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, and indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) (Navy), according to a release. German defence company Helsing has started production of AI-equipped unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), called HX-2 Karma kamikaze drones, for supplying to Ukraine. "HX-2 is already in production and the core technology is currently deployed in Ukraine," a release from the company read. ALSO READ: Can ATACMs help Ukraine win the war? According to the company, the advanced on-board AI enables full electronic warfare and jamming resistance and the drones can also assemble into swarms, controlled by single human operators. With a flying range of 100 km and speed of upto 220 km/h, HX-2 drones can carry a payload of 5kg. Combining speed, range, and sophisticated electronic warfare capabilities, HX-2 Karma kamikaze drones are capable of hitting targets at a considerable distance. According to media reports, the drone's AI features help it navigate tough terrains even in difficult climatic conditions. Once it identifies a target, it can strike it even if the communication is lost, using a homing system used at the final part of the flight, although the human operator remains fully in control of the "critical decisions." READ MORE: Inside Russia's plan to mix deadly new weapon among decoy drones in Ukraine "With HX-2, we are creating a new smart effector category that combines mass, autonomy and precision. Individual HX-2s can reliably engage armored targets in highly contested environments. When deployed along borders at scale, HX-2 can serve as a powerful counter-invasion shield against enemy land forces," Niklas Kohler, co-founder of Helsing, has been quoted as saying. The company plans to produce 1,000 drones per month from January 2025 and increase production volumes to 10,000 units per month in the medium term. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed that his country will soon supply Ukraine with 4,000 high-tech attack drones. Specifically designed for anti-tank and anti-structure operations, the supply of these "loitering munitions" is set to significantly boost Ukraine's areal defence capabilities even as Russian authorities have been repeatedly stating that pumping Ukraine with weapons will not reduce Russia's determination or change the course of the military operation. Actor Vikrant Massey shocked his fans recently by announcing his retirement from acting at 37. On December 2, Massey thanked his followers on Instagram and informed the netizens of his decision to take a break from acting in order to focus on his personal life. His fans will get to see him in Yaar Jigri and Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan in 2025, post which he will take a sabbatical. ALSO READ: Exclusive interview: 'Give audiences the freedom to choose', says actor Vikrant Massey The actor, who made a smooth transition from television to one of Bollywoods most dependable actors, has been part of some criticially and commercially acclaimed films in the recent years. Here's a look at some of the iconic roles. 12th Fail (2023) Manoj Kumar Sharma, played by Vikrant Massey, is a young man from a small town, who is determined to overcome all obstacles to pass the coveted UPSC exams. Based on a true story, 12th Fail captured the hardships and ambitions of many Indian youngsters. Massey's portrayal of Sharma brought realism to a part that emphasises tenacity in the face of structural shortcomings. The audience was moved by the films emotional depth, making it one of Massey's best films. ALSO READ: The Sabarmati Report review Sector 36 (2024) Massey gave a terrifying performance as Prem Singh, a seemingly devoted housekeeper, with a sinister and troubled past, in this suspenseful crime thriller. Societal negligence and systematic corruption are revealed through Prems horrifying crimes, involving organ trafficking, kidnapping, rape and cruelty. Vikrants depiction of Prem, a severely traumatised person is both eerie and unforgettable. Mirzapur (2018) As Vinay aka Bablu Pandit, in the crime thriller series Mirzapur, Vikrant was the mastermind behind the criminal expansion of the Tripathi empire. In a society characterised by violence and power play, he became a fan-favourite by striking a balance between his moral quandaries and sharp intelligence. His understated yet powerful performance elevated the narrative and made Bablus abrupt departure a pivotal moment in the series. Criminal Justice (2019) Massey played the role of Aditya Sharma, a cab driver whose life descends into chaos after he is wrongfully convicted of murder, in this compelling judicial drama series on Disney+ Hotstar. His portrayal of vulnerability, despair and inner strength as he moves through the legal system and prison life, gave the story authenticity and made the show popular. Made In Heaven (2019) Vikrants portrayal of Nawab was remarkable despite the short duration of his stint in this romantic drama series on Amazon Prime Video. As a man torn between his cultural convictions and personal needs, he added nuance to the series examination of contemporary relationships and societal expectations. His skill at capturing subtle and delicate feelings in brief on-screen moments enhanced the shows multi-layered narrative. Haseen Dillruba (2021) The life of Rishab Saxena aka Rishu, a kind-hearted, infatuated husband, drastically changes following his wifes treachery and a mysterious death. The emotional centre of the movie was Masseys performance that fluctuated between vulnerability and wrath. He played a character torn between love and duplicity. Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba (2024) Vikrant plays Rishu again in this suspenseful sequel of Haseen Dillruba. He is now hiding and living under a false identity, yet he continues to communicate with Rani, who too has a secret life. Abhimanyu, who loves Rani, becomes a hindrance in their plans of escape. Massey expertly portrays Rishus will and weakness as unexpected turns upset their lives. Broken But Beautiful (2018) In this series of three seasons available on JioCinema and ZEE5, Massey as Veer brilliantly portrayed a man broken by loss but receptive to fresh starts. It struck a chord with the viewers. Veer was a memorable character as the rapport with all his co-stars worked out well, as did his ability to strike a balance between vulnerability and resiliency. A Death in the Gunj (2016) In Konkana Sens highly regarded directorial debut, Vikrant played Shyamal Chatterjee aka Shutu, a timid and reclusive young man struggling against societal expectations and familial apathy. He received praise for the eerily vulnerable portrayal of Shutu. It also showcased his ability to bear the emotional weight of a narrative. Chhapaak (2020) Massey brought calm power and empathy to the role of Amol, the supportive companion of an acid attack survivor. The films moving story about justice and resiliency was enhanced by his subtle yet powerful performance, which served as a reminder to viewers about the strength of unity in the face of hardships. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. TotalEnergies, in partnership with Saudi developer Aljomaih Energy and Water Company (AEW), has signed a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) for the Rabigh 2 solar power project, Trend reports. This 300 MW solar facility is part of Saudi Arabia's National Renewable Energy Program (NREP), which aims to balance electricity generation between gas and renewables by 2030, in line with the country's Vision 2030 goals. The consortium will develop, own, and operate the solar plant, with a connection to the grid expected in 2026. This project marks TotalEnergies continued commitment to supporting Saudi Arabias energy transition and increasing the share of renewables in the country's energy mix. Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, emphasized the projects alignment with Saudi Arabias Green Initiative and its contribution to reducing emissions while expanding renewable energy capacity. Ibrahim Al Jomaih, Chairman of AEW, expressed pride in leading the development of Rabigh 2, highlighting the collaboration as an essential part of advancing Saudi Arabia's energy transition. In addition to Rabigh 2, TotalEnergies is building the 119 MW Wadi Al Dawasir solar power plant, set to begin operations in early 2025. In a significant step toward addressing the demands of the people of Ladakh, the Centre has agreed to reserve 95 per cent of all jobs for residents of this cold region while also expressing willingness to consider other demands from the Union Territory. This agreement was reached during a meeting on Tuesday in New Delhi between representatives of the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), the Leh Apex Body (LAB), and a delegation from the Ministry of Home Affairs led by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai. The KDA and LAB represent various political, religious, and social groups from Kargil and Leh. These two bodies have united to advocate for a four-point demand following Ladakh's separation from Jammu and Kashmir and its designation as a Union Territory. Sajad Kargili, a prominent KDA leader, expressed his gratitude. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Government of India, especially to Honble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and MoS Home Nityanand Rai ji for their commitment to ensuring 95% job reservations for Ladakhis he said. Kargili also highlighted other key issues discussed, including the need for enhanced representation of women and recognition of Ladakh's linguistic diversity. We have recommended a one-third reservation for women in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), which is crucial for empowering women in the region, he said While Bhoti and Urdu are already official languages of the Union Territory, Kargili emphasised the need to include Purgi, Shina, and Balti to better reflect Ladakh's cultural and linguistic heritage. He said that the meeting marked positive progress in the ongoing dialogue between the Centre and Ladakhs leadership. The significance of continued engagement was underlined, with the next round of discussions scheduled for January 16. Todays discussions have laid a solid foundation for addressing Ladakhs key issues, he stated. The Governments openness to our proposals gives us hope for meaningful progress in the upcoming meeting. With the Centre's apparent commitment to these demands, the region looks forward to tangible outcomes that address both the immediate and long-term aspirations of the Ladakhi people. The four-point demands that the KDA and LAB have been advocating for include statehood/Sixth Schedule Status, two Lok Sabha seatsone each for Kargil and Lehand the establishment of a separate Public Service Commission. Since Ladakh was not granted an assembly, they have also called for empowering the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) for both Kargil and Leh. Speaking to THE WEEK, Tesring Dorjey of LAB said that the meeting was highly productive. The Centre has agreed to continue dialogue on all our demands, he said. The demand for two separate Lok Sabha seats will be considered after fresh delimitation occurs across the country. He also indicated that a final agreement would likely include the granting of two additional Lok Sabha seats to Ladakh, which currently has only one Parliamentary seat. Dorjey confirmed that the UPSC will hold examinations for all positions in Ladakh, with residents of Ladakh receiving 95 per cent reservation in these positions. Protests continued in Kolkata against the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, the mistreatment of Hindu minorities, and the disrespect shown to the Indian national flag in Bangladesh. Both the BJP and the Congress staged separate rallies and marches across various parts of the city on Tuesday. The Congress protest was organised by the partys south Kolkata district committee. The grand old party organised a small march before gathering at Tollygunge where they burned an effigy of Muhammad Yunus, the current head of the interim government in Bangladesh. The caretaker [interim] government of Bangladesh must take the responsibility of the safety of all minorities, including Hindu, Buddhists, Christians, Pradip Prasad, President of South Kolkata District Congress Committee, told the media. [Bangladesh government] cannot brush the issue under the carpet saying it is their internal matter. This has created an adverse impact internationally. He also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his silence over the matter and raise the issue before the United Nations. Congress activists also accused the BJP in West Bengal, led by Suvendu Adhikari, of exploiting the issue to create communal divisions within society. They pointed to the recent threats made by the Leader of the Opposition, including a proposed export ban on Bangladesh, as evidence of this manipulation. Meanwhile, the BJPs mazdoor cell took out a march from the partys state headquarters at 6, Muralidhar Sen Lane. The demonstrators demanded that Chinmoy Krishna Das be released and the attacks on the minorities in Bangladesh be stopped immediately. They reiterated Adhikari's demand for an export ban on Bangladesh and suggested that the Indian government halt visa issuance to Bangladeshi citizens in response to the disrespect shown towards the Indian tricolour. Earlier on Monday, LoP Adhikari had cautioned that if the situation in Bangladesh remains unchanged, Hindus in West Bengal would stop the exports of essential goods to Bangladesh for five days next week before imposing an indefinite ban on exports in 2025. Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K. Ponmudy had to face public ire as a few protesters staging a road blockade in Villupuram district over poor relief measures for Cyclone Fengal threw mud at the minister and other authorities when he came to pacify them. Heavy rainfall wreaked havoc in Villupuram district after Cyclone Fengal made a landfall near Chennai-Karaikkal coasts on Saturday night. Several villages got inundated in the heavy rain. Though dwellers were shifted to relief camps in many areas, they lost their valuables in the heavy flooding. This is the current state of affairs in Tamil Nadu. The CM and the Deputy Chief Minister were busy taking photos in the streets of Chennai while the city received very little rain and did not bother to keep track of the happenings beyond Chennai. The DIPR behaves like the media pic.twitter.com/DvZN3UT1f0 K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) December 3, 2024 Villagers of several affected areas conducted road roko and got into heated arguments with authorities and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam legislators over poor relief measures on Tuesday. Residents of Iruvelpattu and Arasur villages, who were affected by the flooding staged a road roko on Villupuram-Trichy highway demanding relief. Though authorities tried to pacify them, the villagers did not budge. Later, Forest Minister K. Ponmudy went to meet the protesters along with the authorities. While the minister was hearing public grievances, unidentified persons threw dirt over the minister and other authorities accompanying him, officials said. Reportedly, the villagers were angered that none of the officials came down to meet them and address relief measures during the past two days. Sources in the know of the developments told The New Indian Express that the BJP cadre who were present at the spot triggered the incident. The minister left soon after the incident. This is the current state of affairs in Tamil Nadu. The CM and the Deputy Chief Minister were busy taking photos in the streets of Chennai while the city received very little rain and did not bother to keep track of the happenings beyond Chennai. The DIPR behaves like the media pic.twitter.com/DvZN3UT1f0 K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) December 3, 2024 Meanwhile, BJP State President K. Annamalai lashed out at the DMK government for poor relief measures. In a post on X, Annamalai tweeted, The CM and the Deputy Chief Minister were busy taking photos in the streets of Chennai while the city received very little rain and did not bother to keep track of the happenings beyond Chennai. Today, the public's frustration reached a boiling point as a Corrupt DMK Minister, Thiru Ponmudi, visited a flood-affected area and was met with a barrage of mud. This is a gentle reminder for DMK about what is on the offing. One of the persistent criticisms of the incumbent state government is its inability to appoint a permanent Director General of Police. Every time the states law and order is thrown into chaos, rival political parties bring the issue up. So why has the state been unable to appoint a full time DGP, despite chief minister, Yogi Adityanaths repeated commitment to a crime free state. ALSO READ: Uttar Pradesh: BJP's organisational election to begin this Sunday; new state chief in January Uttar Pradeshs last full time DGP was in Mukul Goel who on May 2022 was shifted out because of a lack of interest in duties. The DG Intelligence was then brought in to officiate on the post. The former rules about the appointment of state DGP required that the state send to the Centre names of such IPS officers who had completed 30 years in service and had a remaining service tenure of six months or more. When Goel was eased out, 42 officers fit in to the required condition. ALSO READ: How Uttar Pradesh tally could trigger changes in BJP and INDIA bloc New rules formulated by the state government in November required the setting up of a committee headed by a retired judge of a High Court to finalise a name for the post in consultation with chief secretary, a nominee of the Union Public Service Commission, the additional chief secretary (home) and a retired DGP. These new rules are similar to the ones formulated by the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab to bypass the need to go through the centre to make appointments to the top police post in the state. With this change in rules it was assumed that the current acting DGP, Prashant Kumar would get a permanent posting for two years. This is owing to both- Kumars work record and also his proximity to the state government. However, Kumar became ineligible on December 1 as he had less than six months of service remaining that day onwards. This means the state is once again without an end in sight to the DGP limbo despite having new rules which gave the state, and not the centre the authority over the states top cop. One view is that if the state were to appoint Kumar it would have still had to turn to the Centre for extending his tenure beyond the six months he had left in service. This would then give the Centre control over the post. Hence to nix that possibility the state wants to appoint an officer who has two years of service left as that is the proposed tenure of the DGP. After a brief hiatus, the disputes over religious sites have started grabbing headlines again in the country, with an Uttar Pradesh court passing an ex parte order for a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal on November 19. The court order followed a petition filed by a group of lawyers claiming that a Harihar temple stood at the place of the mosque. All hell broke loose as violence broke out in the area during the survey, taking the lives of four persons. The Supreme Court has now ordered a halt to all proceedings in the trial court, but tensions remain high. Almost at the same time, a similar suit was filed in a Rajasthan court, in which the petitioner claimed that the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, visited by thousands of devotees cutting across religious divides every day, was a Hindu temple and demanded a survey of the structure. The court admitted the plea and issued notices to the dargah committee, the central government, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Both Sambhal and Ajmer were the latest in a series of such claims made by the right-wing Hindu groups that grew louder during the last decade, especially after the Supreme Courts Ram Janmabhumi verdict, worryingly raising questions over the effectiveness of the Places of Worships Act passed in 1991. What does the law say? The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 prohibits the conversion of any place of worship and provides for the maintenance of the religious character of such places as they existed on August 15, 1947. No person shall convert any place of worship of any religious denomination or any section thereof into a place of worship of a different section of the same religious denomination or of a different religious denomination or any section thereof, it says. The Act, however, has excluded the decades-old Ram JanmabhumiBabri Masjid dispute, which was resolved through an order of the Supreme Court in 2019. However, the new claims and lawsuits, right from the Gyanvapi to the Ajmer dargah, have largely rendered the law, passed with the aim of tackling the rising religious strife, toothless. What worries the liberals most is that the apex court has admitted a petition challenging the constitutional validity of the Places of Worship Act. Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, a lawyer, has filed a petition in the top court challenging sections 2, 3 and 4 of the Act. While section 3 bars the conversion of a place of worship from a particular religion or sect into another, section 4 declares that the character of a place of worship will be determined as it was on August 15, 1947. Section 2 defines the terms like places of worship and conversion. The Supreme Court will examine mainly three questions while hearing the plea: If the law violates Articles 14 and 15 and the guarantee of equality in the Constitution; if it violates Articles 25, 26 and 29 and the basic feature of secularism in the Constitution; and if the temples destroyed by invaders are still temples in law or maintained under personal laws. Did Justice Chandrachud open a Pandoras Box? As the Sambhal-Ajmer row gathers steam, the opposition alleges that the comments made orally by former Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud while hearing the Gyanvapi case in 2022 have opened a Pandoras Box. Justice Chandrachud, while refusing to halt the suit, had said ascertaining the religious character of a place of worship was not barred under the Places of Worship Act. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud In the Gyanvapi case, both the trial court and the Allahabad High Court adopted the same reasoning to admit the suit. In the Mathura in the Krishna Janambhoomi-Shahi Idgah case, too, the high court adopted the same arguments aired by Justice Chandrachud to uphold the maintainability of the suit. "This is unfortunate. The oral observations made by the former CJI (DY Chandrachud) on May 20, 2022, seem to have opened a Pandora's box. The Places of Worship Act, 1991, passed by both Houses of Parliament and gazetted in September 1991, must be implemented in letter and spirit," Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in an interview to PTI Videos. Rameshs views were echoed by several other leaders, including PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi. Mufti said though the Supreme Court ruled that the status quo should be maintained as it existed in 1947, Justice Chandrachuds observation has paved the way for surveys of these sites potentially leading to increased tension between Hindus and Muslims. Not only the opposition, even from the legal fraternity, fingers have been pointed towards the former CJI. Early this week, eminent lawyer Dushyant Dave told Karan Thapar in an interview that Justice Chandrachud had done a great disservice to the Constitution and the country by permitting a survey of the mosques. Whats happening in Sambhal and Ajmer? Sambhal holds special significance in Hindu mythology as Kalki, the tenth and final incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is destined to take birth here to mark the end of Kaliyug. The Shahi Jama Masjid in this otherwise tranquil town was one of the three major mosques constructed during the reign of the first Mughal emperor, Babarthe other two being Babri Masjid and Panipat mosque. Built in 1526 AD, the Jama Masjid is arguably the oldest surviving Mughal-era mosque in South Asia, though some historians claim remnants of a Harihar temple at the site. Police and security personnel keep a vigil near the premises of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal | PTI The recent controversy erupted after a group of lawyers, including Vishnu Shankar Jain, who had been involved in the Gyanvapi and Krishna Janmabhoomi disputes, filed a petition seeking a survey of the mosque. The petition alleged that the current structure was built after demolishing the temple and that the same has been documented by historical texts like Baburnamah and Ain-e-Akbari. The petition further demands unrestricted access for Hindus to the mosque. Admitting the petition, Civil Judge Aditya Singh on November 19 ordered a survey of the structure, and, in a surprising and unusual move, the authorities began the survey within hours of the court order. Protests erupted in the area, and, on November 24, they snowballed into large-scale violence after hundreds of people gathered near the mosque to resist the survey. Four people were killed and scores of others, including 30 security personnel, injured as the protesters clashed with police. The mosque committee moved the Supreme Court against the survey. On November 29, the top court directed the Sambhal trial court to temporarily halt all proceedings in the case while ordering the Uttar Pradesh government to maintain peace and harmony in the town. In Ajmer, a civil court issued notices to the Sharif Dargah committee, the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, and the Archaeological Survey of India on November 27 on a plea seeking to declare the shrine a temple. The petition was filed by Hindu Sena president Vushnu Gupta, who claimed a Shiva temple had existed at the site of the dargah of Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti. The plea was filed in September, and the next hearing is scheduled on December 20. Devotees at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah | PTI "Our demand was that the Ajmer dargah be declared a Sankat Mochan Mahadev Temple, and if the dargah has any kind of registration, it should be cancelled. The survey should be done through ASI, and Hindus should be given the right to worship there," plaintiff Gupta told reporters. He further claimed that he had conducted research for over two years on this subject and referred to a book by academic Har Bilas Sarda to buttress his arguments. Will PM Modi intervene? As the latest temple-mosque row rages, a group of former bureaucrats and diplomats has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention in these disputes, which they claim are an "ideological assault" on India's civilisational heritage. The letter notes that little-known fringe groups claiming to represent Hindus have been demanding archaeological surveys of mediaeval mosques and dargahs. "Despite the clear provisions of the Places of Worship Act, the courts too seem to respond to such demands with undue alacrity and haste," it said. Whether Modi will heed their prayer is what remains to be seen. Following the resolution of the Ram Janmabhoomi case, the RSS, the ideological mentor of the ruling BJP, had asserted that we shouldnt look for Shivling in every mosque, but the vicious statements being made by those in the party betray the government's intent. The Jammu and Kashmir police announced on Tuesday that the militant killed in an ongoing operation in the Dachigam area was involved in a deadly attack on October 21 in Ganderbal's Gagangir, where seven civilians had lost their lives. The police said the militant, Junaid Ahmad Bhat, was part of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) group and responsible for the attack on civilians, as well as other attacks. A doctor and six construction workers were killed when militants attacked a construction site in Gagangir. "During the ongoing operation, one terrorist was killed, identified as Junaid Ahmed Bhat (LeT, Category A). He was involved in the killings of civilians in Gagangir and other attacks," police said. They said that the operation is being conducted together with the Rashtriya Rifles and other security forces. The encounter began in the morning after the security forces neared a hideout of the militants during a cordon and search operation in the area. Odisha police and forest department have arrested a 45-year-old theatre actor in Odisha for his raw portrayal of a character onstage. The actor, portraying the role of a demon in Ramayana, killed a pig and ate its raw meat during the performance. The actor, identified as Bimbadhar Gouda, was arrested by Odisha forest personnel after a video of his performance last month went viral on social media. Authorities have also arrested the organiser of the event for violating the Wildlife Protection Act. The play based on Ramayana was performed in Ralab village in the Hinjili police station area as part of Kanjianal Yatra in the village. Berhampur Divisional Forest Officer Sunny Khokar said action was taken against the duo after videos of the incident went viral on social media. The organisers are also facing charges for displaying snakes during the play. We are also looking for the persons who displayed snakes in the theatre. They will also be arrested soon," PTI reported quoting DFO Sunny Khokar. According to police, a case has been registered against the theatre actor and organisers for violating Wildlife Act and killing a pig onstage. Srinibas Sethy, Hinjili police station inspector-in-charge said, We have registered a case against the theatre actor who killed the pig and ate its meat in the theatre, and arrested him. To attract audience, the theatre group displayed snakes while a demon ripped the stomach of a live pig with a knife, which was tied to the ceiling of the stage and ate some of the organs in full public view, PTI reported. In fresh guidelines issued last year, the Odisha government prohibited the public display of snakes, even by certified snake handlers. The incident caused huge outrage with several animal rights activists condemning the incident and they demanded severe action against the performers. Bharatiya Janata Party legislators Babu Singh and Sanatan Bijuli also condemned the incident in the Odisha Assembly. Rapid urbanisation has brought significant public safety challenges to Indian cities, with rising crime rates and traffic accidents being key concerns. According to a research paper on Urban Geography, in 2021, of the total 160,699 recorded violent crimes committed, 16 per cent or 25,579 of them took place in metropolitan cities. Furthermore, an annual fatality of 1,55,600 (recorded as of 2021) on account of traffic violations indicate that road safety remains a critical issue. Addressing these challenges requires innovative approaches, and technology is playing a crucial role. Smart city solutions, leveraging IoT, AI, and data analytics, are making cities safer and more resilient by enabling quicker responses to emergencies and better management of complex urban systems. While traditional safety measures remain important, emerging technologies are transforming how cities manage everyday risks and large-scale emergencies, creating more robust and responsive urban environments. Integrated Emergency Response Systems A significant advancement in public safety is the development of Integrated Emergency Response Systems (IERS). These systems enable faster, coordinated responses to emergencies by streamlining communication and integrating real-time data sharing among services like fire departments, hospitals, and law enforcement. For instance, during any natural disaster, IERS can integrate data from sensors, cameras, and GPS to provide a comprehensive view of the situation. Emergency responders can monitor affected areas and deploy resources optimally. In daily urban safety, these systems are equally important for efficiently managing large events, where real-time monitoring of crowd density and emergency vehicle routes can prevent incidents and improve response times. Advanced traffic management and road safety Smart technologies are playing a crucial role in improving road safety and managing urban traffic. Intelligent traffic management systems such as Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and Red-Light Violation Detection (RLVD), now use real-time data to optimise vehicle flow and detect potential hazards, helping to reduce congestion and accidents in cities. These solutions are addressing the complexities of urban traffic, making roads safer and more efficient. Intelligent traffic lights use data from road sensors and cameras to adjust signals dynamically, ensuring smoother traffic flow. These systems also prioritise routes for emergency vehicles, helping them avoid delays. Additionally, real-time monitoring detects hazards such as accidents or bad weather, enabling authorities and drivers to respond quickly and prevent further issues. This combination of technologies effectively reduces congestion and enhances road safety. Enhancing public spaces with smart sensors Public spaces like parks, bus and train stations, and markets are vital to urban life, making safety a top priority. Smart sensors are increasingly being deployed in these areas not only to monitor environmental conditions but also to enhance disaster management efforts. These sensors track factors such as air quality, crowd density, temperature, and even rising water levels through flood sensors. This data allows authorities to take timely action when conditions become alarming. For instance, in a crowded public square, sensors can alert officials if the number of people exceeds safe limits, prompting swift management of the situation. In the case of potential flooding, flood sensors can trigger early warnings, enabling rapid evacuation and response measures. Technology as the eyes and ears of public safety Technology is playing a pivotal role in safeguarding communities across India, with law enforcement agencies adopting cutting-edge solutions to enhance security and investigative efficiency. Police departments in Karnataka and Kerala are leading the way with the implementation of Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS), streamlining the fingerprint matching process to accelerate criminal investigations and improve overall public safety. In addition to AFIS, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered facial recognition cameras are transforming urban security by enabling real-time monitoring of public spaces. These advanced systems assist authorities in identifying individuals involved in criminal activities, all while ensuring citizen privacy is maintained. One of the standout features of this technology is its ability to provide critical assistance to women in distress. In emergency situations, the system can quickly detect potential threats and automatically dispatch help, making public spaces safer for all residents. Furthermore, technological innovations are also improving passenger safety in public transportation. Real-time tracking systems, passenger information displays, and emergency panic buttons are now being integrated into public buses, allowing authorities to monitor bus movements, provide passengers with timely updates, and ensure immediate emergency response when needed. These advancements not only improve the reliability of public transport but also foster a safer, more secure experience for passengers. The continued adoption of these technologies across law enforcement and transportation systems marks a significant step forward in creating safer, smarter communities that prioritise the well-being of citizens. Unifying data and enhancing urban safety through Integrated Command and Control Centers (ICCC) At the core of modern urban safety initiatives is the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), a central hub where various technologies interact to address the challenges of rapid urbanisation. As cities face demand-supply gaps in essential servicessuch as water, waste management, energy, mobility, education, healthcare, and safetythe ICCC enables real-time, data-driven decisions and enhances situational awareness. By aggregating data from diverse sources like traffic cameras, weather stations, and social media feeds, the ICCC provides actionable insights for decision-makers and facilitates collaboration among city departments during emergencies. This centralised approach minimises the need for several touchpoints, creating delays, and aligns efforts, enhancing response capabilities and reducing damage during disasters. Ultimately, the ICCC's ability to eliminate operational silos fosters efficiency and effectiveness in public safety management, contributing to improved living conditions for all residents. Bridging the gap between technology and community While technology is advancing public safety, its success relies on a framework grounded in trust, transparency, and collaboration. For these systems to be effective, cities must engage with local communities and explain how data is collected and used, building trust, and ensuring public support. Collaboration between city authorities, technology providers, and residents is crucial. By fostering transparency about how smart technologies work and their benefits, cities can create an environment where these innovations are embraced. Moreover, policies that encourage local innovationsuch as Atma Nirbhar Bharat, which promotes self-reliance in technologyare essential for the long-term success of these systems. The path forward for public safety in smart cities As cities evolve, technologys role in public safety will become increasingly important. Systems like integrated emergency response platforms, intelligent traffic management, and smart sensors are proving their value in improving urban safety. However, these innovations need to be supported by policies that encourage local IP development and innovation. India ranks 42nd out of 55 countries in the 2024 International IP Index, highlighting the need for a stronger intellectual property framework to drive innovation in key sectors like public safety. With an unchanged score of 38.64%, fostering collaboration between the government, academia, and the private sector remains crucial for enhancing public safety systems and attracting global investment. Public safety goes beyond emergency responsesits about creating cities that are resilient and forward-thinking. With the right technology and policies in place, cities can ensure that their residents are safer today and better protected in the future. As we move toward smarter cities, focusing on safety, trust, and innovation will be key to securing the future for all. Kushwaha is general manager and head of the public safety & smart city business unit, NEC Corporation India. Doctors in Kolkata have taken to the streets once again as they sat in a dharna throughout Monday night in front of the West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC). The sit-in protest, which is ongoing, is in response to the reinstatement of Abhik De and Birupaksha Biswas into the council. They were previously debarred from the WBMC following the rape and murder incident at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. They were allegedly part of the nexus that ran threat cultures, intimidating students to pay for passing exams and manipulating staff transfers and postings at state government hospitals. They were also accused of being close associates of Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar who has been arrested in connection with the rape and murder case and alleged financial irregularities at the institution. Biswas was a senior resident doctor in Burdwan Medical College and Hospitals pathology department, while De was a postgraduate trainee in general surgery at the IPGMER SSKM Hospital. Both were linked to the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), the students' wing of the ruling party. They were also allegedly present in the seminar room on the third floor of RG Kar when the body of the trainee doctor was discovered on August 9. Their alleged presence at the crime scene raised concerns, as neither had any formal association with RG Kar. In view of the situation, De, a member of the WBMC, and Biswas, a member of WBMCs penal and ethics committee, were debarred from engaging in any activities related to the council. Meanwhile, they were also questioned by the CBI as part of the central agencys ongoing investigation. The West Bengal Health Department established two four-member committees to investigate the allegations. One committee, led by the principal of Nil Ratan Sarkar Medical College and Hospital, was tasked with probing the accusations against De, while the other, headed by the principal of the College of Medicine & Sagore Dutta Hospital, focused on investigating the claims against Biswas. However, after almost three months the two took part in a meeting of the WBMC on Monday, leading to protests by a section of doctors. Gathering under the banner of Joint Forum for Doctors, multiple organisations of doctors gheraoed the council office before staging a dharna in front of it throughout the night. The council countered saying since no written complaints were filed against them and their names were not included in the CBI chargesheet, the decision to revoke their debarment was withdrawn. Also, none of the allegations against them have been proven so far. Members of the West Bengal Junior Doctors Front, who spearheaded the statewide protests following the RG Kar incident, also joined the demonstration. The debarring of De and Biswas was seen by doctors as a key victory of their movement. The reinstatement of the two is viewed by the protesters as a blatant disregard for their demands by the state government. They further allege that the inclusion of individuals accused of operating syndicates and fostering a culture of intimidation marks a resurgence of political interference in the healthcare sector. On the same day, the West Bengal health department also announced the names of the government representatives in the Rogi Kalyan Samity (patient welfare committee) in the states 24 medical colleges and hospitals. Previously, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee dissolved the existing welfare committees and announced that, unlike earlier practices where political leaders served as chairpersons of these committees, the respective principals of medical colleges would now hold these positions. Leaders of Shiromani Akali Dal, including former Punjab chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, performed various 'sewadar' at the Golden temple, as ordered by the Akal Takht on Tuesday. The SAD leaders were punished for mistakes they committed during their decade-long regime in the state from 2007. #WATCH | Punjab: Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal arrives at Golden Temple in Amritsar with a plaque around his neck following the religious punishment pronounced for him by Sri Akal Takht Sahib yesterday. The punishment includes a directive to perform as a pic.twitter.com/4no3IstT9N ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2024 The Akal Takht, the highest temporal power of Sikhs, announced the punishment on Monday after the leaders accepted charges against them. The Akal Takht excommunicated senior leaders of the party three months ago for religious misconduct. #WATCH | Punjab: Former MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa arrives at Golden Temple in Amritsar with a plaque around his neck and a spear in his hand following the religious punishment pronounced for him by Sri Akal Takht Sahib yesterday. The punishment includes a directive to perform as pic.twitter.com/SnOxZueP8G ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2024 As ordered by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was seen sitting in a wheelchair at the Golden Temples gates, with a plaque around his neck apologising for the mistakes, and a spear in his hand. Former MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also served similar punishment at the temples gates wearing the attire of sewadar. The leaders were also asked to clean the shoes and utensils of devotees for one hour as part of the punishment. The leaders must serve similar punishments for two days each at Takht Kesgarh Sahib, Takht Damdama Sahib, Darbar Sahib at Muktsar and Fatehgarh Sahib. Arriving at the temple, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa told ANI, The order for 'sewa' is an order for me. This is the order of the Almighty that has been pronounced for me by Akal Takht... I will sit by the gate, I will also offer my services at langar. The Akal Thakt also announced punishments for other members of the SAD cabinet and core committee of the party on Monday. Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia washed utensils at the Golden Temple in Amritsar as part of the punishment. #WATCH | Punjab: Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia washes utensils at Golden Temple in Amritsar following the religious punishment pronounced for him by Sri Akal Takht Sahib yesterday. The punishment includes a directive to perform as a 'sewadar' and clean pic.twitter.com/oWqmMPDlki ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2024 The Sikh clergy ordered the punishments on Monday for the misdeeds SAD committed during their regime from 2007-2017. The charges were on five counts, including for granting pardon to controversial Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim on charges of blasphemy. The clergy also ordered the withdrawal of 'Fakhre-e-Qaum' title bestowed upon late Parkash Singh Badal, father of Sukhbir Singh Badal. The Akal Thakt also ordered SADs working committee to accept Badal resignation from the partys president post. They directed SAD to conduct an election for electing new president and other office-bearers for the party. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. The 300th container block train has been sent on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or Middle Corridor) from the People's Republic of China in the direction of Azerbaijan, Trend reports via Azerbaijani Railways CJSC (ADY). According to information, the train, which started movement from the Kazakhstan-Chinese terminal in the Chinese city of Xi'an, will pass through the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan and will arrive at the Baku International Sea Trade Port on December 8-10. The organization of the block train shipment was carried out within the framework of cooperation between ADY Express and Xi'an Free Trade Port, the main partners in the Middle Corridor. To date, the volume of cargo transported from China through TITR has exceeded 27,000 containers in 20-foot container equivalents, 25 times more than in the same period last year. This growth demonstrates the increasing interest of shippers in TITR as one of the main transportation routes providing fast and efficient communication between China and Europe via Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, it is planned to more than threefold increase the number of block trains traveling from China to Azerbaijan and Europe by 2025 to reach 1,000 within a year. Along with cargo transportation from China to Azerbaijan, cargo transportation in the opposite direction has started. Thus, on November 24, for the first time, export cargo was shipped from Baku by rail to China. The first export block train, Baku-Xi'an, consisting of 62 40-foot containers, will be delivered multimodally through Kazakhstan to one of the largest land ports of Chinathe port of Xi'an. Initially, within the framework of the project, a total of 15 thousand tons of export cargo, i.e., 600 containers, are planned to be shipped to China by the end of this year along the mentioned route. The cargo transportation along the China-Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan-China routes not only accelerates the formation of the Middle Corridor as an East-West-East route but also makes fast, safe, and efficient transportation services available to shippers in both directions. Two days after Hamas released the footage of an Israeli-American hostage begging US-president Donald Trump to push for a ceasefire deal, the Republican leader has responded with a stark warning. Taking to Truth Social, Trump said "there will be ALL HELL TO PAY" if Hamas fails to release hostages captured in Gaza before his presidential inauguration on January 20. BREAKING: Trump sends a message to Hamas on the hostages pic.twitter.com/NhhIBgowiK Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) December 2, 2024 Slamming President Joe Biden of "all talk and no action" on the release of hostages, he said the current administration failed to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. "Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, an for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity," Trump wrote. Omer Neutra, a 21-year-old American-Israeli, served as a platoon commander in the Armored Corps. Today we can confirm, based on intelligence, that he was killed in battle on Oct. 7 and his body has been held hostage in Gaza since. May his memory be a blessing. pic.twitter.com/gfQvXsuEbO Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) December 2, 2024 Asking Hamas to release the hostages, Trump said those responsible will be hit harder than anyone has been hit in "the long and storied History of the United States of America." This comes two days after Edan Alexander, a Israeli-US citizen, held by Hamas, was seen speaking in a video released by the militant group. Edan, 20, an Israeli soldier who holds a dual US citizenship was stationed near the Gaza border on October 7 when Hamas unleashed attack on Israel. Reportedly speaking under duress of Hamas, Edan asked the president-elect to use his influence and the full power of the US to negotiate the release of hostages. He goes on to warn Trump to avoid the mistake made by Biden. Hours before Trump's post, another Israeli-US citizen, Omer Neutra, was revealed to killed by Hamas though he had been thought to be alive. Following the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, President biden said he would make efforts to achieve a similar truce in Gaza. The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry summoned the Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Tuesday over the attack on the Bangladesh mission in Agartala. Pranay Verma met Acting Foreign Secretary Reaz Hamidullah. Hundreds of people took out a massive rally near Dhaka's mission on Monday against the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das. Protesters demanded the immediate release of Krishna Das. Also read | Hide identity: ISKCON advises followers after attack on monk Chinmoy Krishna Dass lawyer Ramen Roy in Bangladesh Reportedly, the protesters barged into the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh and vandalised the place. #WATCH | Ayodhya, UP | General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, Champat Rai takes part in a protest on the issue of atrocities against Hindus and minorities in Bangladesh pic.twitter.com/F2tsMTQpLZ ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2024 The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) termed the attack as "deeply regrettable" and said diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances. "The government is taking action to step up security arrangements for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and their Deputy/Assistant High Commissions in the country," MEA said. Also read | Bangladesh demands thorough investigation into attack on its mission in Tripura Seven people were arrested and three police officers were also suspended on Monday after the mob attack on Assistant High Commission in Agartala. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry in a statement reminded the Indian government about the Vienna Convention and said it is the responsibility of the host country to protect diplomatic missions and called upon the government to take immediate action to address the incident. Also read | Bangladesh stops dozens of ISKCON members from crossing into India "As it is the responsibility of the host government to protect the diplomatic missions from any form of intrusion or damage, the government of Bangladesh calls upon the government of India to take immediate action to address this incident, to undertake a thorough investigation into the incident and to prevent any further acts of violence against the diplomatic missions of Bangladesh in India, including the safety and security of the diplomats and the non-diplomatic members of staff and members of their families," the foreign ministry had said. Bangladesh postpones Krishna Das's bail petition hearing to Jan 2 On Tuesday, a Bangladesh court postponed Krishna Das's bail petition hearing to January 2. Krishna Das was arrested from Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on November 25 on sedition charges. He was sent to judicial custody on November 26 after bail was denied. Also read | Bangladesh freezes bank account of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das; India calls for protection of all minorities Since Krishna Das's lawyer could not appear on his behalf, Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad Saiful Islam rescheduled the date as the prosecution submitted a time petition. Krishna Das's arrest has sparked widespread protests across the country. ISKCON members conducted protest rallies in different regions demanding the release of the monk. They also claimed that another two ISKCON priests were arrested for visiting Krishna Das in his prison. Ramen Roy, the advocate who represented Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in Bangladeshi court was brutally attacked by protesters and his house was ransacked, ISKCON claimed on Monday. The spiritual organisation said there is a growing danger against religious minorities in Bangladesh and has advised its followers to hide their identity. Please pray for Advocate Ramen Roy. His only 'fault' was defending Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in court. Islamists ransacked his home and brutally attacked him, leaving him in the ICU, fighting for his life.#SaveBangladeshiHindus #FreeChinmoyKrishnaPrabhu pic.twitter.com/uudpC10bpN Radharamn Das (@RadharamnDas) December 2, 2024 In a post on social media platform X on Monday, Radharamn Das, ISKCON Kolkata spokesperson said, Please pray for Advocate Ramen Roy. His only 'fault' was defending Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in court. Islamists ransacked his home and brutally attacked him, leaving him in the ICU, fighting for his life. #SaveBangladeshiHindus FreeChinmoyKrishnaPrabhu. Das also posted a picture of the lawyer undergoing critical care treatment. Later, speaking to a Bengali news channel, Das said, This brutal attack on advocate Roy is a direct consequence of his legal defence of Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu. It reflects the growing danger faced by those who defend the rights of religious minorities in Bangladesh, PTI reported. Considering the increasing attacks against minorities, Das told PTI, The situation in Bangladesh is alarming. The monks and devotees, who have been calling us, we have told them to hide their identity as ISKCON followers or monks publicly. We have asked them to practice their faith discreetly inside their homes or inside the temples. We have advised them to dress in a manner that does not draw attention. Hindu monk Chinmay Krishna Das served as a spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote and was arrested on November 23 on charges of sedition. He was arrested from Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport while he was en route to Chattogram to attend a rally. Chinmoy was denied bail and he was sent to judicial custody. India had condemned Dass arrest and urged the Bangladesh government to ensure the safety of religious minorities. Historically, Hindus made up approximately 22 per cent of Bangladesh's population during the 1971 Liberation War. However, the minority population declined over the years and now comprises only around 8 per cent of the country's total population. Protests erupted in South Korea after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law in the country. South Korea's parliament, where the opposition enjoys the majority, has voted to block the president's move. Around 190 lawmakers of the opposition gathered in the parliament to vote against the president's declaration of emergency. A large crowd gathered outside the National Assembly in Seol and chanted "no to martial law", and "strike down dictatorship". Also read | South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol declares emergency martial law NEW: Protests are breaking out in South Korea with citizens calling for the arrest of President Yoon Suk Yeol. "Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol," protesters shouted in front of the National Assembly. South Korean parliament voted to defy Yoon's declaration of martial law. What comes next pic.twitter.com/aprstm1n21 Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 3, 2024 Reportedly, protesters clashed with the police outside the main parliament trying to open the closed gates. It is the first time since 1980 that such a law has been declared in the country. What happens under the declaration of martial law? 1. Under the law there will be a ban on political activities, including any activities in the parliament, local councils, political parties, rallies, protests and any other form of demonstrations. Any political associations are also banned. BREAKING: Television footage shows South Korean troops entering the main parliament hall. It comes after the South Korean president declared martial law across the country in a surprise television addresshttps://t.co/wi1Urs69EY Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233, YouTube pic.twitter.com/gl6lD8gElm Sky News (@SkyNews) December 3, 2024 2. Restriction on media: Print, radio, broadcast, internet and social media will be monitored and controlled under the Martial Law Command. 3. Ban on protests and rallies: Ban will be imposed on strikes, and protests. Work stoppages and rally speeches will also be prohibited under the law. 4. Any acts of propaganda, misinformation, circulation of fake news, or public manipulation are prohibited and will be punishable. 5. Any anti-state forces and subversive forces will be dealt with harshly under the law. 6. Anyone who violates the martial law shall be arrested without any warrant. 7. People who violate the orders shall be subject to punishment under Article 14 of the Martial Law Act (Penalties). 8. All doctors, nurses and other medical personnel including trainees- both in service and retired must return to the medical field within 48 hours. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday declared an emergency martial law accusing the opposition of controlling the parliament. In a televised briefing, Yoon announced the martial law and vowed to eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order. JUST ANNOUNCED: South Korean President declares MARTIAL LAW. South Korea's security forces enter the building of the National Assembly in Seoul. Tanks have taken to the streets. pic.twitter.com/4DLgGCu9gA AJ Huber (@Huberton) December 3, 2024 Through this martial law, I will rebuild and protect the free Republic of Korea, which is falling into the depths of national ruin, he said. Yoon also added that he will eliminate anti-state forces as quickly as possible and normalise the country. The people of South Korea are chanting, End martial law, overthrow the dictatorship. pic.twitter.com/zHab07lFLH Update NEWS (@UpdateNews724) December 3, 2024 "I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order," Yoon said. Yoon's conservative People Power Party had been locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition Democratic Party over next year's budget bill. Since taking office in 2022, Yoon has been struggling to push his agenda against the opposition-controlled parliament. It is the first time since 1980 that martial law was declared in South Korea. Reportedly, under martial law, the activities of parliament and political parties would be banned and there would be restrictions on media and publishers as well. However, the specific measures to be undertaken under the law are yet to be known. The unexpected sudden move by the president erupted protests in South Korea as well. "Tanks, armored personnel carriers, and soldiers with guns and knives will rule the country," Lee Jae-myung, leader of the opposition Democratic Party. "The economy of the Republic of Korea will collapse irretrievably. My fellow citizens, please come to the National Assembly," he added. After being summoned by Bangladesh, Indian envoy Pranay Verma arrived at the Foreign Ministry Office in Dhaka and met Foreign Secretary Reaz Hamidullah on Tuesday. Bangladesh's latest move comes after the protests in Agartala. Reportedly, the protesters barged into the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh and vandalised the place. India wants to maintain a stable, constructive relationship with Bangladesh: Indian Envoy The High Commissioner of India to #Bangladesh Pranay Verma today said Delhi wants to build a positive, stable, and constructive relationship with Dhaka. Talking to reporters briefly at the pic.twitter.com/9igd99K2Uj DD News (@DDNewslive) December 3, 2024 Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain said that he has been summoned by acting foreign secretary Reaz Hamidullah. After the meeting, Verma said that India-Bangladesh has a multi-faceted relationship and we are working across many issues. "We have a wide-ranging, multi-faceted relationship, and as I have said before, you cannot reduce it to one issue or one agenda. We are working on many issues. We (India) always want to build a positive, stable and constructive relationship. There are many interdependencies we have and we want to build on that to mutual benefit," said the Indian High Commissioner. He further added, "We will keep ensuring that our cooperation benefits our two peoples." "The number of positive developments to our relationship in the last few months - from trade to power transmission to supplying essential commodities - we have maintained a lot of positivity in our relationship." Verma also said that India is willing to work with the interim government in Bangladesh. "We are committed to working with them to fulfil our shared aspirations for peace, security and development," he added. Amid rising tensions, visa office in Dhaka was shut down by authorities. Earlier India has expressed concerns regarding the rising attacks against minorities including Hindus in Bangladesh. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar pointed out that since August the targeted attacks against minorities have increased in the country. There have been multiple incidents of violence, and vandalism targeting the Hindu community, said MEA. Also, India has expressed deep regret over the Agartala incident. "Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances. Government is taking action to step up security arrangements for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and their Deputy/Assistant High Commissions in the country," a statement said. New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) JBM Group on Tuesday said it has entered into a strategic partnership with Singapore-based Keppel Ltd to devise sustainable solutions in areas of electric mobility, EV charging, renewables and battery energy storage systems. Under the partnership, JBM Group and Keppel, jointly aim to drive innovation for decarbonising urban infrastructure, provide customised solutions for rising demand in electro-mobility and electric-waste (e-waste) management and capture the opportunities for more sustainable electricity in commercial and industrial sectors, the company said in a statement. Keppel, a global asset manager and operator with expertise in sustainability related solutions spanning the areas of infrastructure, real estate and connectivity, brings to the partnership its leading-edge capabilities in integrated clean energy, electric vehicle (EV) charging and resource circularity solutions, it added. JBM Group will leverage its expertise in EVs, EV aggregates and key auto systems to jointly develop projects with Keppel focused on electro-mobility, battery energy storage systems (BESS) and e-waste solutions, the company said. "Both the companies will also conduct feasibility studies and development for EV charging networks, electromobility hubs and resource recovery facilities, with the aim of driving a system-wide electrification of transport infrastructure," it added. Commenting on the partnership, JBM Group Vice Chairman Nishant Arya said,"...with JBM's expertise in e-mobility, renewables and green manufacturing and Keppel's innovative solutions in infrastructure and sustainability, we aim to deliver transformative outcomes in clean energy and electro-mobility domains." Keppel's Infrastructure Division CEO Cindy Lim said India's electricity demand is rapidly rising on the back of its growing economy, urbanisation and electrification. "Through forging partnerships with leading partners like JBM Group, Keppel is uniquely positioned to participate in and contribute meaningfully towards India's sustainable development," she added. New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) The CBIC on Tuesday said the GoM on GST rate rationalisation is yet to submit its recommendations to the GST Council, which is the final decision making body in fixation of tax rates. In a post on X, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) said the GST Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister and comprising state counterparts, has not yet deliberated on any GST rate changes and the group of ministers (GoM) is only a "recommendatory" body. The clarification from CBIC came a day after reports that the GoM on GST rate rationalisation has suggested tax rate on sin goods like aerated beverages, cigarettes, tobacco and related products be hiked to 35 per cent, from the current 28 per cent. "The GST Council has not yet deliberated on any GST rate changes. The Council has not even received the recommendations of the GoM. In fact the GoM has yet to finalise and present its recommendations to the Council after which the Council will take a final view on the recommendations of the GoM," the CBIC said. It said the GST Council is empowered to recommend GST rates including changes to them. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a post on X said Finance Ministers from various states in the GoM are working to address GST rate changes. "Thereafter, the GST Council, consisting of all state FMs will take up their recommendations, when they next meet," Sitharaman said. The GST Council had constituted a Group of Ministers (GoM) to look into the GST rate rationalisation apart from certain other issues referred by the GST Council. The GoM comprises ministers from the states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Karnataka and Kerala, with the deputy chief minister of Bihar as the Convenor. New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) Shares of ITC, VST Industries and Varun Beverages declined in morning trade on Tuesday after the GoM (Group of Ministers) on GST rate rationalisation decided to hike tax on sin goods like aerated beverages, cigarettes, tobacco and related products to 35 per cent from the present 28 per cent. The stock of ITC went lower by 3 per cent to Rs 462.80 on the BSE. VST Industries' stock dipped 2.27 per cent to Rs 318.30. Shares of Varun Beverages tumbled 5.18 per cent to Rs 600. The GoM report is expected to be discussed by the GST Council -- chaired by Union Finance Minister and comprising her state counterparts -- on December 21. A final decision on GST rate changes will be taken by the council. "The GoM has agreed to propose a special rate of 35 per cent on tobacco and related products and aerated beverages. The four-tier tax slab of 5, 12, 18, and 28 per cent will continue and a new rate of 35 per cent is proposed by the GoM," an official said. New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) The US has not imposed a blanket ban on shrimp imports from India, including Kerala, and the restrictions are targeted only at wild-caught shrimp, the government said on Tuesday. In a written reply to Lok Sabha, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, said, "USA has not implemented a blanket ban on Indian shrimp imports including Kerala. The restrictions are specifically targeted at wild-caught shrimp, primarily due to concerns regarding sea turtle conservation." While exports of wild-caught shrimp to the US are currently limited, shipment of wild-caught shrimp to other countries remain unaffected, he added. The minister informed that the Department of Commerce, through Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), has been proactively taking up the matter with USA through the embassy of India in Washington DC. The department through MPEDA in consultation with both the US Department of State and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has tested several versions of the Turtle Excluder Device (TED) fabricated by ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT). Further, Department of Commerce through MPEDA has organised state level workshops on popularization of the TED and is conducting awareness programmes among boat owners and fishers across all the major harbours and landing centres of the country. "Department of Commerce has taken up the matter through various bilateral mechanisms between India and the US at both official and ministerial level. Some of such recent interventions have been through the India-US Trade Policy Forum (TPF) held in New Delhi in January 2024 and the Trade Policy Forum Inter-sessional held in September 2024," Singh said. US imposed a ban in 2019 on importing wild-caught shrimps from India, which is still in effect, citing that protected sea turtles get entangled in fishing nets. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. Kazakhstan will host a regional climate conference in 2026, in partnership with the United Nations, said President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as he addressed the One Water Summit in Riyadh, Trend reports. "Kazakhstan will host a regional climate conference in 2026 in partnership with the United Nations. We encourage all nations to support and contribute to this important initiative," Tokayev stated. The president highlighted his countrys strong commitment to global water security and climate action. As Chair of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, he emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and collaborative frameworks in addressing the global water crisis, particularly for those on the front lines of climate change. Tokayev stressed Kazakhstans dedication to fostering dialogue and international partnerships to address water scarcity, stating, "It is critical to foster dialogue, advance international partnerships, and pool resources to implement water-related projects for those who are on the front lines of climate change". Kazakhstan's support for the One Water Vision Coalition, which aims to unite diverse stakeholders in managing water resources effectively, was also emphasized. Tokayev said, "For exactly this purpose, Kazakhstan is proud to join today the One Water Vision Coalition. This coalition aims to bring together diverse stakeholders to address the global water crisis and promote integrated water resource management". Tokayev also reinforced the significance of water in achieving the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, saying, "The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development places water at the heart of global priorities. Water security is not just a technical or environmental issue, it is a moral imperative". New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) In-SPACe Chairman Pawan Goenka said on Tuesday that India is almost self-reliant in data required for strategic applications, thanks to NavIC, the country's satellite navigation system similar to GPS. For civilian uses, too, where the stakes are not as high as in strategic applications, Goenka stressed the importance of avoiding dependency on foreign systems that could leave India vulnerable. "Our goal with NavIC is to ensure that for all strategic needs -- whether in defence, civilian use or industry -- we are not reliant on others. If someone cuts off supply, we should have the capability to switch to our own systems," he said at a panel discussion during the GeoSmart India 2024 conference in Hyderabad. However, NavIC would coexist with other navigation systems like GPS, he added while stressing that India should be able to meet its needs independently using NavIC. NavIC (Navigation with Indian constellation) is India's own satellite navigation system developed by ISRO. It helps provide accurate location and time information, similar to GPS (global positioning system). It is designed to cover India and a region of up to 1,500 kilometres around it. Regarding communication satellites, Goenka said while India has a growing number of its own satellites, the country still relies partly on foreign satellites. "Today, we may have slightly more Indian communication satellites than foreign ones, thanks to NSIL (ISRO's commercial arm NewSpace India Limited). But we need a steady supply of Indian satellites," he said. Srikant Sastri, the chairman of the Geospatial Data Promotion and Development Committee (GDPDC), said there was a need for India to control critical technologies in certain sectors. He said GDPDC has identified six key areas, including civil aviation and mapping, as strategic and critical. Centres of excellence set up by GDPDC will likely start work on these priorities next year, Sastri added. Washington, Dec 3 (AP) Jill Biden was departing Tuesday on her final solo foreign trip as first lady, a six-day, four-country jaunt through Italy, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar that wraps with her and President-elect Donald Trump joining other dignitaries in Paris to celebrate the reopening of Notre Dame cathedral. Biden will focus throughout the trip on the issues she has championed as first lady, including support for military families, education, and research into cancer and women's health, and will also highlight US partnerships in these areas with the countries hosting her, according to her office. She is the first Italian American to become first lady and has planned a side trip to her ancestral hometown of Gesso, the tiny Sicilian village where her father's family hailed from. Paris is the final stop to help celebrate the reopening of Notre Dame. The cathedral was painstakingly reconstructed after fire nearly destroyed it five years ago. Trump, who was US president at the time of the fire, announced on Monday that he also will travel to the French capital to join other VIPs attending the high-security event. Jill Biden has become somewhat of a world traveler as first lady. Tuesday's trip will be her 10th solo excursion outside of the US. She also has accompanied her husband, President Joe Biden, on several of his foreign trips. On her own, she has led the US delegations to both the pandemic delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021 as well as this year's Games in Paris, travelled to Ukraine shortly after the invasion by Russia, and has visited Latin America and Africa. In October, she attended the inauguration of Mexico's first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum. Biden was scheduled to depart Tuesday evening after teaching her English and writing classes at Northern Virginia Community College. She arrives Wednesday at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Catania, Italy, to meet with personnel and deliver remarks as part of Joining Forces, her White House initiative to support military families. Her father, Donald Jacobs, was a Navy signalman during World War II. The first lady then stops in Gesso, Italy, before continuing on to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for a day's worth of events on Thursday. The schedule includes a tour of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi as part of the Biden Cancer Moonshot program, and participation in a conversation about the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research at the Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit. Biden will also visit with Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, chairwoman of the General Women's Union and the Family Development Foundation, and president of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, in Abu Dhabi. On Friday in Doha, Qatar, the first lady will highlight the two countries' interests in education and health with separate visits to the Qatar Foundation and Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar, respectively. She'll also be a guest at a dinner banquet hosted by Sheikha Moza bint Nasser to celebrate the royal family wedding of Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Sheikha Fatima bin Nasser bin Hassan Al Thani at the Al-Wajba Palace in Doha. Biden is the keynote speaker Saturday at the Doha Forum, where policy leaders discuss global challenges, before she travels to Paris for the Notre Dame reopening. She is scheduled to return to Washington on Sunday. (AP) ZH ZH Washington, Dec 3 (PTI) US President-elect Donald Trump will visit Paris over the weekend to attend the re-opening of the historic Notre Dame Cathedral. Considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture, the 13th century cathedral was destroyed in a fire on April 15, 2019. It took five years to completely restore the historic building. In a post on social media platform Truth Social, Trump said, It is an honor to announce that I will be traveling to Paris, France, on Saturday to attend the re-opening of the magnificent and historic Notre Dame Cathedral, which has been fully restored after a devastating fire five years ago. (French) President Emmanuel Macron has done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so. It will be a very special day for all! Trump said. The reopening ceremonies will begin on December 7 and 8, followed by an octave of events until December 15, including two concerts of Jean-Sebastien Bachs Magnificat on December 17 and 18. This is a very big moment, eagerly awaited by the whole world, Olivier Josse, secretary general for the cathedral was quoted as saying by National Geographic. The great joy in reopening corresponds to intense anticipation, manifested by a desire to come and rediscover Notre Dame, he said. If I have to use just one word, its patience. Everyone will need to show patience, Josse said. The reopening service, presided over by the Archbishop of Paris, will take place late in the afternoon, in the presence of Macron and Trump, officials, donors, representatives of all the parishes of Paris, members of the cathedral chapter, and the Parisian clergy. During the ceremony, the Archbishop will strike the closed door of Notre-Dame with his staff. The cathedral will respond with the singing of Psalm 121, three times. The cathedral, which had been silent, will once again resonate with the song of praise, and on the third time, the doors will open. The inaugural Mass, with the consecration of the high altar, will take place on December 8, at 10.30 am, presided over by the Archbishop of Paris. At the invitation of Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, nearly 170 bishops from France and around the world will participate in the celebration, along with one priest from each of the 106 parishes in the Diocese of Paris, and one priest from each of the seven Eastern Catholic Churches, accompanied by faithful from these communities. Washington, Dec 3 (AP) Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading back to Europe on Monday for what will likely be the last high-level NATO meeting before the Biden administration leaves office next month. Shoring up allied support for Ukraine ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House in January will top the agenda at NATO foreign ministers meetings in Brussels on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the State Department. Blinken will discuss priorities for transatlantic security, including supporting Ukraine's fight against Russia's invasion, deepening cooperation with NATO's southern partners in the Middle East, North Africa, and Sahel regions, and preparing for the upcoming summit at The Hague, the department said in a statement. Outgoing President Joe Biden will not be in power when NATO leaders gather for their next summit in June but he has stepped up the delivery of weapons and other materiel to Ukraine over the past several months and has also eased restrictions on how Kyiv can use them. Biden's goal is to put Ukraine in the best position possible to negotiate a settlement and has come as Moscow has made significant advances in the conflict and North Korean troops have moved to assist Russian forces. By contrast, Trump has been sceptical of the US assistance and has suggested that his administration will sharply curtail or end it. He has also appointed former Gen. Keith Kellogg to oversee efforts to mediate an end to the war. From Brussels, Blinken will travel to Malta where he will attend a Thursday meeting of foreign ministers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, a group that has been challenged by recent developments in Ukraine, Georgia and elsewhere. (AP) AMS Kota Bharu (Malaysia), Dec 3 (AP) Severe floods caused by monsoon rains killed more than 30 people and displaced tens of thousands in Malaysia and southern Thailand, officials said Tuesday, with both countries preparing shelters and evacuation plans in anticipation of more heavy rain. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said five days of heavier-than-expected rain that battered the country's east coast last week was equal to the rainfall over the past six months, wreaking havoc in the northeastern state of Kelantan and neighbouring Terengganu. The heavy downpours damaged roads and houses in Kelantan and other parts of Malaysia. Rescue workers used boats to distribute food to victims trapped in their homes. Anwar said it would cost the government an estimated 1 billion ringgit (USD 224 million) to repair infrastructure damaged by the floods. The rain eased over the weekend, but the Meteorological Department forecast heavy rains later Tuesday. Anwar said the government is bracing for another monsoon surge that is expected to hit on Sunday. According to the National Disaster Command Centre, about 91,000 people across eight states remained in schools, community halls and relief centres after they were moved out of their homes due to the floods. This was down from about 150,000 evacuees on Sunday. About 88 per cent of the evacuees are from Kelantan and Terengganu. At least six people died in Malaysia, while the death toll was higher in southern Thailand. Thailand's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said Tuesday that 25 people perished in floods in the southernmost part of the country in the past week. More than 300,000 households have been affected, with many schools and 98 health facilities forced to close. The health ministry said 34,354 evacuees remained at 491 government shelters on Monday. Although water levels have receded in several provinces, the department also warned of more heavy rains through Thursday, putting the areas further at risk of flash floods. Authorities prepared shelter, water pumps, evacuation trucks and boats, and put rescue workers on standby to prepare for more downpours. The floods have affected tourism, with Malaysian officials urging citizens to defer travel plans to southern Thailand, a popular holiday destination. (AP) GSP Dhaka, Dec 3 (PTI) Terming the vandalism at Bangladesh's diplomatic mission in Agartala as India's failure, an influential adviser in the interim government on Tuesday asked New Delhi to reassess its neighbour afresh after the toppling of the Sheikh Hasina regime. We believe in a friendship based on equality and mutual respect. While Sheikh Hasina's government followed a pro-India policy to cling to power without elections, India must realise that this is not Sheikh Hasina's Bangladesh, Law Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul wrote in a Facebook post. Deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India on August 5 following widespread protests against her Awami League-led government over a controversial job quota system. Three days later, Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate, took over as the Chief Adviser of the interim government. In Agartala in the northeastern state of Tripura in India bordering Bangladesh, thousands of people took out a massive demonstration near Dhaka's mission on Monday against the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das as well as attacks on the Hindu community in Bangladesh. The protesters reportedly barged into the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh and allegedly resorted to vandalism, an incident the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described as deeply regrettable. Nazrul alleged an outfit named Hindu Sangharsh Samiti was responsible for what he described as the disgraceful act when Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala was vandalised, and Bangladeshs national flag was set on fire. If a similar incident had occurred in Bangladesh under the name of a 'Muslim Sangharsh Samiti', how aggressively would India have reacted? The Law Affairs Adviser also criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees remarks suggesting international peacekeepers' deployment in Bangladesh and said India should rather reflect on incidents of oppression against minorities and Dalits within its own borders. He emphasised that Bangladesh is an independent, sovereign, and self-respecting nation driven by a fearless and dynamic young generation. His comments came a day after Dhaka officially lodged a strong protest with New Delhi saying the Agartala attack appeared to be a pre-planned one even as a large group of young people staged overnight protest on the premier Dhaka University campus and several other places in Bangladesh. The tension between the two neighbours simmering since August 5, when Hasina fled to India, aggravated further with the arrest of the Hindu monk Das last week and subsequent freezing of his bank accounts, leading to violence when a government prosecutor was hacked to death in the Southeastern port city of Chattogram. In a related development, a lawyer on Tuesday filed a writ petition in the High Court in Dhaka seeking ban on the broadcast of Indian TV channels in Bangladesh. Meanwhile, after New Delhi said it deeply regretted the vandalism of Bangladeshs Agartala mission, measures are underway for enhanced security arrangements at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and its other diplomatic posts across India on Tuesday. Beijing, Dec 3 (PTI) The Chinese army has achieved a "significant step" of taking the integrated combat readiness drills to the front lines as part of efforts to improve the training programme to familiarise the troops with modern warfare scenarios, the military-run PLA Daily reported. The new model for integrated training group exercises has reached the front lines, the PLA Daily citing Central Military Commission (CMC) - the overall military command, reported on Monday. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has achieved major progress in modernising its training programme as it seeks to boost combat readiness in modern warfare scenarios, according to the Chinese military's newspaper. The new model for integrated training has been rolled out on the PLA front lines, including drills on different units working as a team and coordinated use of specific tactics in battle, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported, citing the report. The next step was to make the training more realistic and closely aligned with real combat situations, leading to an overall improvement in military readiness and capability, the report said, citing CMC, which is chaired by President Xi Jinping. China has been pushing to modernise its military, from weapons to war tactics, as it tries to narrow the gap with the United States and better prepare itself to tackle an increasingly hostile geopolitical scenario. The quest has gained added urgency amid the war in Ukraine, progress in advanced and unmanned weapons, and the military use of cutting-edge technology, including artificial intelligence, prompting Beijing to focus on integrated operations by different branches of its armed forces, the Post said. Taking the integrated military training to the frontlines also holds significance to the 3488-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India. The two countries recently resolved their military standoff in eastern Ladakh. The standoff resulted in the freezing of their ties for over four years. Since he came to power, Xi, who heads all three power centres - the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), the Presidency and the CMC - has carried out massive reforms integrating different military wings. He has also emphasised real-time combat drills to improve their operational abilities to win local wars. In a report last week, the PLA Daily called for setting up a mechanism for close coordination among multiple military branches, the Post reported. "No conflict will be able to be launched without requiring joint operations, and no victory will be gained without coordination. No single military branch can battle alone, according to the Dailys report. Commenting on the modernisation of the training of the PLA, Chinese military analyst Fu Qianshao said, The nature of warfare has already changed significantly and all military forces worldwide need to learn from the new tactics and combat models displayed in local conflicts, using the lessons of war to improve their equipment and training methods. The future wars will undoubtedly include integrated operations, especially with the growing role of information technology, so it's crucial that all PLA branches become interconnected, with unified command and coordinated action, Fu was quoted as saying by the Post. The next step for the PLA would be to strengthen its capabilities and increase coordination among its army, navy, air and rocket forces, as well as sharpen its network communication system, he said. Military commentator and former PLA instructor Song Zhongping also underlined the collaborative aspect, saying: Real war requires joint training as its foundation and core; its not enough for a single branch or unit to carry out any combat mission alone. He said the PLA training now has evolved towards joint exercises, which were key to testing and improving real combat capabilities. It was putting into practice the lessons learned from the US military and the Russia-Ukraine war, Song said. Mondays edition of PLA Daily also reported an exercise conducted by an unspecified brigade of the Southern Theatre Command, which oversees military strategy in the contested South China Sea. The drill involved PLA air and ground forces working together in a combat-oriented scenario, the report said. The PLAs joint operation capabilities have been on display during numerous exercises around Taiwan carried out by the Chinese military in recent months, virtually encircling the self-governing estranged island. China claims Taiwan as part of its mainland. Kathmandu/Beijing, Dec 3 (PTI) Nepal and China on Tuesday signed a nine-point agreement as Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli met President Xi Jinping in Beijing when the two leaders discussed connectivity, industrial development, infrastructural development and trade and tourism among other issues. Earlier, Oli -- who is on a four-day official visit -- held a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang in Beijing, the Prime Ministers Secretariat said. The bilateral meeting with the Chinese president, at the State Hall in Beijing, mainly dwelt on matters related to connectivity, industrial development, infrastructural development, medical cooperation, agricultural development, trade and tourism, investment, science and technology, sports, disaster management, people-to-people contact and poverty alleviation, Krishna Prasad Dhakal, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in Kathmandu. Dhakal said that a nine-point agreement was also signed during the visit, including several memorandums of understanding (MoUs). Agreements that were signed include an exchange of letters regarding the construction of the Tokha-Chhahari tunnel road near Kathmandu; an MoU on Nepal-China trade promotion, and an exchange of certificates of completion of the renovation of the historic nine-storey palace situated in Basantapur in Kathmandu. Also, MoUs on protocol relating to the export of thermally processed buffalo meat to China; on development and construction works; on economic and technical assistance; on Chinese language education, and on cooperation in communication technology between Nepal Television and China Media Group were signed. There was also an exchange of letters relating to aid in cash, he said. Prime Minister Oli is on a four-day official visit to China starting Sunday. He will return on December 5. On Sunday, the Nepal government announced that it has accepted projects worth USD 20 million as grant assistance from China ahead of Prime Minister Olis first official visit to that country after assuming office for the fourth time. Besides, the Nepali Cabinet also decided to accept 300 million Chinese Yuan (USD 4.13 million approximately) worth projects proposed by the government of China, the government spokesperson said. Colombo, Dec 3 (PTI) The government has decided to call fresh nominations for the local councils which have been on hold since March of 2023, it was announced on Tuesday. The election for 340 councils for four-year terms came to be postponed even after nominations had been filed and dates set twice in March and April of 2023. The last local election was held in February of 2018. The Cabinet decided on Monday to amend the local council elections Act to facilitate calling of fresh nominations, Cabinet spokesperson Nalinda Jayathissa said. The amendment would allow the elections commission to announce fresh nominations, Jayathissa said. The Cabinet of Ministers granted the approval to draft the Local Government Elections (Special Provisions) Bill in order to make necessary provisions for the recalling of nominations for Local Government (LG) elections, he said. The then government of President Ranil Wickremesinghe said the treasury was unable to provide monies required due to the economic crisis. However, the opposition went to court, which, in turn, ruled that Wickremesinghe as the minister of finance had violated the fundamental rights of the voters by not holding the election. The court found fault with the election commission and ordered that the election be held as soon as possible. Earlier on November 23, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath had announced that Sri Lankas local council election could take place early next year with the new National People's Power (NPP) government initially thought to be holding the election by January next year. Local media reports said that an all party leaders' meeting on November 25, it was agreed that the nominations called in the year 2023 should be cancelled and new nominations should be called for. Accordingly, the Cabinet approved the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare the Local Government Elections (Special Provisions) Bill. Lahore, Dec 3 (PTI) Pakistan's jailed former premier Imran Khan has said that he will approach the UN and other international forums to raise the "Islamabad massacre" issue, prompting Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to say that his party will have to show dead bodies to prove its claim. Khan also likened the alleged firing by the forces on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers on November 26 in Islamabad to that of the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy. "I am deeply saddened to hear about the killings of innocent citizens in the Islamabad massacre. The modern-day General Dyer has repeated the tragic history of Jallianwala Bagh. The blood of these people will not go in vain. We will take their case to every forum, including the United Nations," Khan wrote on X on Monday. Khan has been in jail since August last year and his party held a sit-in in Islamabad seeking his release, the return of the party's stolen mandate and independence of judiciary. His party says at least a dozen of its workers were killed and hundreds wounded by the direct firing of law enforcers on the protesters. The government, however, claimed that neither the army nor police opened fire on protesters. "The movement for true freedom will not be stopped by such tactics. Neither will I back down, nor will the Pakistani nation. If we surrender today, the future of our country is dark. Peaceful protest is a fundamental right of every Pakistani and can be exercised anywhere in the country," the PTI founder leader said. Khan claimed that live ammunition and snipers were used and dozens were killed, hundreds injured, and over 6,000 workers were arrested on false charges. "I call on the Supreme Court to form an impartial judicial commission to investigate this massacre and ensure severe punishments for those who ordered and executed this carnage," he said and demanded that the data from hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi regarding the casualties be made public immediately. On the other hand, Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday said that the PTI workers had opened fire. "The PTI workers attacked Punjab and the federation. Four Rangers personnel were killed and countless police officers were injured. The attacks happened because a mastermind of the May 9 incidents is in jail," she said, adding that trained terrorists were paid PKR50,000 each to carry out acts of terrorism in the Islamabad rally of PTI. Maryam asked Khan's party to show the bodies of its workers killed in the protest. "The PTI terrorists fired directly at policemen. Where are the bodies of the PTI workers that no one has seen? If a thousand people die, how can no one notice? First, they claimed a thousand, then 500 PTI workers were shot; where is the evidence?" she asked. She added that if any police officer, Ranger, or PTI worker lost their life, the person in Adiala Jail is solely responsible for this. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. Kazakhstan proposes to establish a global partnership aimed at uniting research centers to study and protect glaciers, said President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as he addressed the One Water Summit in Riyadh, Trend reports. "Glaciers play a vital role in the global water cycle, feeding rivers and lakes that sustain nearly 2 billion people worldwide," Tokayev said. He emphasized the importance of collective research and policy development to address glacier loss, which affects many regions that rely on glacier-fed rivers for their water supply. "We need to ensure collaborative research and policy development to confront glacier loss and support water management strategies for the regions that depend on this vital resource," he added. In addition to protecting glaciers, Tokayev discussed the need for improving resilience to water-related disasters like floods and droughts. "Floods and droughts affect over 1.5 billion people around the world annually, impacting vulnerable populations, especially on small islands and coastal areas," the president stated. He called for strengthening early warning systems as an essential step to reduce risks and protect communities. The president also highlighted the impact of water scarcity on broader issues such as food production, energy security, and industrial growth. "Water scarcity threatens food production, energy security, and industrial growth," Tokayev said. He stressed the importance of investing in water-efficient agriculture and renewable energy to support economic resilience while reducing environmental stress. "Strategic investments in water-efficient agriculture and renewable energy can bolster economic resilience while reducing environmental strain," he added. Mumbai, Dec 3 (PTI) Some MNS activists slapped a shopkeeper at Girgaon in south Mumbai on Tuesday, a day after he allegedly asked a woman to speak to him in Marwadi instead of Marathi, citing the BJP's emergence to power in the state, police said. The incident in which the shopkeeper allegedly asked the Marathi-speaking woman to use Marwadi language occurred on Monday evening at Khetwadi in Girgaon, when she visited his store, they said. No complaint was lodged in this connection, the police said. A video in which the shopkeeper is seen apologising to the woman in front of the activists of the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), after being slapped by them, went viral on social media platforms. In that video, the woman says in Marathi that the shopkeeper asked her to speak to her in Marwadi as the BJP has come to power in Maharashtra. She said she later went to a prominent BJP leader from her constituency to inform him about it, but he told her not to promote enmity between groups. She then approached the local functionaries of the MNS in Malabar Hill area and narrated the incident, following which the shopkeeper was called to the party office, where he was slapped and asked to apologise, which he did. The police said that the matter was resolved after he apologised to the woman as well as the Marathi-speaking community. Mumbai, Dec 3 (PTI) Italian Navys training ship Amerigo Vespucci has left for Doha after a six-day stopover in the financial capital, her first call on any port in India. A slew of events, including film screenings, band performances and also an exposition showcasing the best that Italy has to offer, were held to coincide with the 93-year-old ship vessels call on Mumbai which was aimed at further strengthening India-Italy ties. The ship, which has also being termed a floating embassy by some officials for its strengths in carrying forward Italys diplomacy efforts, was also visited by common citizens during her stopover. The next appointment for the vessel and also the Villaggio Italia exposition is scheduled on December 16 when it will reach Doha in Qatar. A farewell ceremony was held on Monday at the Indira Dock in Mumbai, in which the Italian Navy band played the European countrys national anthem and the Indian band the anthem of the host country. Those present included Admiral Antonio Natale, commander of the Italian Navy's schools, and Italy's Consul General in Mumbai Walter Ferrara. "The 'naval diplomacy' mission of our Navy's icon continues", said Natale during the ceremony. The Amerigo Vespucci, before returning to Genoa in 2025, will touch a total of 30 ports in 20 countries across five continents, as an itinerant ambassador of Made in Italy in the world. Ferrara recalled that the ship, for the first time in its history, docked in India and expressed the hope that this event will mark the beginning of a "new season" in relations between Italy and India. During the stopover in Mumbai, where the Vespucci had never been before, the "great success of visits on board the ship" was confirmed with a very high number of people visiting the vessel, said the commander of the Vespucci, Captain Giuseppe Lai, before setting sail. The success in the number of visitors was also registered at the nearby Villaggio Italia to confirm what a beautiful initiative it is to involve all sides of Italy in the Vespucci's stopovers, Lai said. "We did not expect so many people and once again we have been pleasantly surprised and struck by the affection and in particular by the interest shown by those who visited the ship", added the captain. "Now a new chapter begins, we are going to Persian Gulf countries with very important stopovers in Doha and Abu Dhabi. "Then Muscat, Jeddah, Aqaba, Alexandria of Egypt to finally return to savour the air of the Mediterranean", he noted. After the stopovers in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates at the end of December, the Vespucci is then planning to sail to the Gulf of Aden and across the strait of Bab el-Mandeb to reach the Red Sea. "We are a Navy vessel and we are preparing to cross that part of the sea with professionalism and training, which are always on our side", stressed Captain Lai. Agartala, Dec 3 (PTI) The All Tripura Hotel & Restaurant Owners' Association (ATHROA) said its members would not serve Bangladeshi guests in view of the insult meted out to the Indian flag in the neighbouring country. ATHROA general secretary Saikat Bandyopadhyay said the decision was taken at an emergency meeting held on Monday. "We are a secular country and have respect for all religions. Our national flag has been desecrated and minorities are facing oppression by a section of fundamentalists in Bangladesh. Earlier too such incidents used to take place but now it has crossed the limit," he said. "The prevailing situation in Bangladesh is really worrisome. We serve the people who are coming to Tripura for various purposes. We condemn the treatment meted out to minorities in Bangladesh," he added. Earlier, ILS Hospital, a multi-speciality private hospital, announced it would not treat any patients from Bangladesh in protest against atrocities on minorities in the neighbouring country. Kohima, Dec 3 (PTI) Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Tuesday hailed the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland as the largest tribal festival in the world, emphasising its potential to boost tourism in the state and the Northeast region in coming years. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 25th edition of the festival at Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, the Union Tourism Minister remarked, "This is a remarkable year as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Hornbill Festival, which has truly become the festival of festivals." Shekhawat noted that all 18 tribes of Nagaland come together to showcase their rich cultures through vibrant performances, making the festival not only a national but also an international event. Over its 25-year journey, the festival has evolved into a global celebration of diverse music and cultural expressions from around the world. "People who have come from all around the world are witnessing this festival and I am sure that they are going to endorse that this is truly the largest tribal festival being celebrated all across the world," Shekhawat said. Expressing optimism about the growing tourism potential of Nagaland and the Northeastern states, Shekhawat expressed confidence that the festival would help amplify the regions tourism in the coming years. He wished for the continued success of the grand event. The minister attended the afternoon session of the cultural performances, where the 18 tribes of Nagaland showcased their traditions. He was joined by artistes from Japan, the festivals partner country, who performed the renowned Drum Tao. Shekhawat, along with Minister Along, also participated in the traditional log drum-pulling ceremony of the Tikhir tribe, the youngest officially recognized major tribe among the Nagas. This ceremony was one of the main attractions of the day. Another highlight was the traditional stilt bamboo race, organised by the department of youth resources and sports, which saw 18 male and 14 female competitors from the tribes, alongside five male and four female tourists, engaging in this popular and exciting event. Patna, Dec 2 (PTI) A 75-year-old woman was killed and her daughter and granddaughter were injured after an electricity supply transformer exploded in Bihar's Patna district on Monday, police said. The deceased has been identified as Yashoda Devi. Her daughter is Sarita Devi (45) and granddaughter is Geeta Kumari (10). A statement issued by the police said, "All three sustained severe burns when an electricity supply transformer exploded near an autorickshaw stand under the jurisdiction of Parsa Bazar police station in Punpun area on Monday morning. A team of police officials immediately reached the spot after receiving information." "All the injured were taken to the nearest hospital from where they were referred to the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH). Fire department officials also reached the spot and immediately doused the blaze. Yashoda Devi succumbed to her injuries at PMCH late in the evening. The other two injured are undergoing treatment. The matter is being investigated," it added. Bhubaneswar, Dec 2 (PTI) Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling on Monday informed the assembly that more than 74 per cent of the specialist doctor posts are lying vacant in government-run community health centres (CHCs) across the state. Of 1,500 sanctioned specialist doctor posts in 375 CHCs, only 386 medics are in position, Mahaling said in his reply to a question by BJD MLA Prasanta Behera. Only one specialist doctor is in a CHC in Deogarh against the sanctioned posts of 16, while only three specialists are in service in the CHCs of tribal-majority Rayagada district, for which 44 such posts have been created, he said. Mahaling informed the Assembly that 88 specialist posts have remained vacant in CHCs in Mayurbhanj district while the vacancy was 87 in Ganjam, 66 in Sundargarh, 55 in Koraput and 53 in Bargarh. Altogether, 5,014 (64 per cent) of 7,806 sanctioned doctor posts are also lying vacant in the community health centres across Odisha, he said. As per the health ministers statement, 450 doctor posts have remained vacant in CHCs in Ganjam district, followed by Mayurbhanj where 309 such posts are lying vacant in these healthcare facilities, which are located in rural pockets of the state. More than 200 doctor posts are also lying vacant in the CHCs of Balasore, Bargarh, Cuttack, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Keonjhar, Koraput, Puri and Sundargarh, the statement said. In total, out of 9,306 sanctioned doctor posts, 6,128 posts (66 per cent) are lying vacant in the community health centres across Odisha, he said. Steps are being taken to fill up vacant posts through selection by the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), departmental promotion, and contractual appointment, and the vacant specialist doctor posts by recruiting medics who are returning after completing post-graduation, the minister said. Guwahati, Dec 2 (PTI) The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) on Monday decided to replace the current contractor engaged in the construction of Jorhat-Majuli bridge over the Brahmaputra river in Assam as work has been stalled since September, a CMO official said. He said the process of selecting a new contractor will begin on a priority basis. The decision was made during a ministry meeting with all stakeholders at the national capital. Chief Ministers Office (CMO), in a post on X, said, A meeting was held today at @MORTHIndia in New Delhi with all stakeholders regarding the construction of the bridge connecting Majuli and Jorhat. The CMO said all aspects regarding the slow progress of work on the bridge were discussed threadbare and important decisions were taken. It was decided that the "existing contractor will be replaced and the process to identify a new contractor will begin on a priority basis," the CMO said. The performance guarantee of the current/outgoing contractor will be forfeited given agreed timelines were not met, it added. Construction work on the vital bridge has been at a standstill since September 5. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote to Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari about it the same month. The Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor, UP State Bridge Corporation Limited, has already left the site and work has been halted, he had said. This is unfortunate as further delays would jeopardize the timely completion of the vital infrastructure project which is essential for the connectivity and economic development of Majuli and the entire region'', Sarma said. He had requested the union minister for his intervention to ensure that the work resumes without compromising the target for completion of the project by December 2025. The two-lane bridge, including the approaches over the River Brahmaputra, from Majuli on the north bank to Jorhat on the south bank was awarded by the MORTH in August 2021 with a total estimated contract value of Rs 650 crore. Itanagar, Dec 2 (PTI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday assured that over the next three financial years, the state will achieve a huge transformation in education that will ensure access to quality learning, improved infrastructure and better opportunities to the youth of the state. Speaking at a public meeting at Logum Jini near Aalo in West Siang district, he said that brainstorming sessions, headed by Education Minister P D Sona and his advisor Mutchu Mithi, were being conducted across the state to understand and document core issues in the department and ways and means to resolve them. He said that once these sessions are completed, a comprehensive report with recommendations will be submitted to the state government for further action, an official statement from the Chief Ministers Office said here. I promise that recommended reforms will be 100 per cent implemented on the ground, Khandu assured. Preferring quality over quantity, Khandu said that the number of schools does not matter but the quality of education does. The government, he said, will focus on inter-village schools, equipping them with all facilities like hostels, teachers and staff and modern teaching methods. To successfully implement the reforms, some of which, he claimed may be hard, Khandu sought support and cooperation of the people. While mentioning the increasing revenue collection in the state exchequer, the chief minister reiterated that the states revenue generation is slated for a massive upward trend in the coming years. He termed hydropower as one of the most effective sources of revenue generation as Arunachal Pradesh alone holds 50 per cent of Indias total hydropower generation capacity. Khandu said that the central government has agreed to give 26 per cent equity share for each project to the state besides the existing quota of 12 per cent free power. The more revenue we generate, the more we can uplift the living conditions of our people, he said. On the occasion, Khandu announced sanctioning of the much-needed road connection to Jirdin and Eyi via Bumri in West Siang, a promise he had made before the elections. He also assured locals of developing the tourism site along the Yomgo River in Aalo township and sought a proper plan and design. Earlier, Khandu inaugurated the newly constructed multipurpose hall and a walkway along the banks of Yomgo River. On Sunday, the chief minister visited Silluk Village, the cleanest village of Arunachal Pradesh in the Mebo sub-division of East Siang district. In a public meeting at Silluk village, Khandu assured people of expediting the process of flood protection proposal and equipping the Mebo CHC with doctors and manpower. At Pasighat, Khandu inspected the under-construction guest house, the market upgradation project and a recreation centre being developed under the Smart City Mission. Bhubaneswar, Dec 3 (PTI) A delegation of the Opposition BJD on Tuesday met Union Minister for Jal Shakti C R Patil and apprised him of the potential submergence of large areas in Odishas Malkangiri district, due to construction of a multi-purpose project in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. The delegation, led by senior leader Debi Prasad Mishra, also submitted a memorandum with the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The regional party in its memorandum mentioned that the Polavaram project is likely to impact the lives and livelihoods of thousands of tribal people, especially those from vulnerable and primitive tribes in Malkangiri. This requires urgent attention and remedial action, the BJD said, adding, the central government recently sanctioned Rs 15,000 crore for completion of the project. The BJD, in a statement, said the project was conceived under the resolution of the Godavari Water Dispute Tribunal (GWDT), which outlined agreements between Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh. However, significant changes have been made to the original design flood discharge capacity of the dam project. The project authorities have increased the flood discharge from 36 lakh cusecs to 50 lakh cusecs, without sufficient consideration of the backwater impact in the upstream states of Odisha and Chhattisgarh. This shift has caused apprehensions among the affected populations of Malkangiri, who are at the risk of losing their lands and homes, it said. The delegation, which reached New Delhi on Tuesday, would also meet top officials of the Central Water Commission and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and submit memoranda on the adverse impacts of the Polavaram project on Odisha. Earlier, BJD president Naveen Patnaik had formed a fact-finding committee, which toured various areas in Malkangiri district and prepared a report on the possible impact of the project. According to the committee's report, around 200 villages in Motu and Padia blocks of the district will be inundated due to the project. New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) The status of claim settlements under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is monitored regularly, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Tuesday. In a written reply, Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav said under the scheme, claims are settled by health agencies of the states. Timely settlement of claims is one of the key parameters against which scheme performance is measured, the minister said. "The status of claim settlement under the scheme is constantly monitored and review meetings are organised regularly to take stock of the progress with regards to the claims," he stated. A three-tier grievance redressal system at the district, state, and national levels has been created to resolve the issues faced by the beneficiaries in utilising healthcare services under the scheme. The beneficiaries can file their grievance using different mediums including the web-based portal Centralised Grievance Redressal Management System, Central and State call centres, emails, and letters to state health agencies. Based on the nature of the grievance, necessary action for resolution is taken including coordination with the hospital and providing support to the beneficiaries in availing treatment under the scheme, Jadhav said. To improve the participation of hospitals, the NHA has released a revised health benefit package with an increased number of procedures. Further, rates have been increased for 350 packages and new packages have been added. Claim settlement is monitored at the highest level and it is ensured that a claim is settled within the defined turnaround time, Jadhav said. Besides, virtual and physical capacity building of hospitals is undertaken. A hospital-specific call centre -- 14413 -- has been set up to address their concern on a real-time basis, and District Implementation Units have been set up to regularly visit empanelled hospitals. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. The expansion of local payment card issuance in Azerbaijan should be discussed in the upcoming strategic period, Zakir Nuriyev, President of the Azerbaijan Banks Association (ABA), said at the 8th International Banking Forum in Azerbaijan's Baku, Trend reports. "This would enhance competition within the ecosystem, leading to more efficient regulation of tariffs and long-term stability of infrastructure. Additionally, the procedure for remotely opening bank accounts needs to be revised and modernized to meet current requirements. To stimulate financial inclusion, it is essential to simplify the identification processes during account openings. To accelerate the adoption of innovations in financial markets, we propose the creation of an innovation hub that will support the analysis, planning, and implementation of such projects," Nuriyev said. To note, the 8th International Banking Forum is underway in Baku, Azerbaijan, for two days. Its main topics are digital transformation (digital and neobanks), data management and analytics strategies, the transition to contactless technologies, instant, seamless, and compatible international payments, the revolution of decentralized finance (DeFi), cloud systems, and alternatives to outflows. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Srinagar, Dec 3 (PTI) A Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist, allegedly involved in an attack near a tunnel construction site in Jammu and Kashmir's Gagangir in October this year, was killed in an encounter with security forces in the Dachigam forest area here on Tuesday, officials said. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in the upper reaches of Dachigam on Monday night, the officials said. The search operation turned into a gunfight after terrorists fired at a search party of the security forces who retaliated. In the exchange of fire on Tuesday morning, a terrorist identified as Junaid Ahmed Bhat, was killed, the officials said. Bhat, a category "A" terrorist of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, was wanted for his alleged involvement in the October 20 attack near a tunnel construction site in the Gagangir area of Ganderbal in which a local doctor and six non-local labourers were killed, they added. "OP Dachigam: In the ongoing operation, one terrorist is killed and has been identified as Junaid Ahmed Bhat (LeT, Category A). The said terrorist was involved in civilian killing at Gagangir, Ganderbal, and several other terror attacks," the Kashmir Zone Police said in a post on X. The police said a cordon-and-search operation was underway in the upper reaches of Dachigam and further details were awaited. Dachhigam, a national park on the outskirts of Srinagar, covers an area of about 141 square kilometres. New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) Marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024, Union minister Virendra Kumar on Tuesday launched 16 initiatives aimed at empowering 'Divyangjans' (persons with disabilities) across the country. He described the initiatives as milestones in the journey towards ensuring accessibility and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities (PwDs). "This momentous occasion reflects our unwavering dedication to creating an inclusive society. Through these initiatives, we aim to ensure equal opportunities, accessibility and empowerment for every Divyangjan," he said. Secretary of Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Rajesh Aggarwal also spoke on the occasion. He reaffirmed the government's resolve to dismantle barriers and foster new opportunities for PwDs. He emphasised that the initiatives embody the vision of an equitable India where individuals of all abilities can lead lives with dignity and self-reliance. One of the key initiatives, the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, focuses on empanelling accessibility auditors to create inclusive infrastructure. A complementary programme, Sugamya Bharat Yatra, invites PwDs to assess public spaces' accessibility using an AI-enabled app. The launch of Pathways to Access Part 3 Compendium further empowers PwDs by providing key government documents on employment, financial services and healthcare. Innovations in assistive technology were also unveiled, including high-power spectacles developed by CSIR-CSIO and the Kadam Knee Joint, an indigenously designed device by IIT Madras, to enhance mobility and durability for persons with disabilities. At the event, the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) marked its 50-year journey with the release of an e-coffee table book celebrating its contributions to the sector. In the field of inclusive education, accessible storybooks were launched in Braille, audio, and large print formats. A draft for a standardised Bharti Braille code in 13 Indian languages was introduced to ensure compatibility with Unicode standards. To enhance employability, the government released a skill development book in 11 Indian languages. Other initiatives include the E-Sanidhya portal for neurodiverse individuals, developed in collaboration with the Tata Power Community Development Trust, and an Indian intelligence test tailored to cultural sensitivities by the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID). New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has formed a committee to explore the feasibility of conducting an in-house entrance exam for PhD admissions in Korean language, arts and aesthetics, and labour studies, university officials said on Tuesday. This is likely to be a one-time measure as these subjects are not covered under the University Grants Commission's (UGC's) National Eligibility Test (NET), prompting the university to seek alternatives. Admissions for the three PhD programmes remain uncertain as the ongoing admission cycle ends on December 4, leaving prospective students anxious. The committee, chaired by School of Language Dean Shoba Sivasankaran, held its first meeting on Monday and is expected to meet again soon to devise a solution. The JNU has previously conducted its own entrance test, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Entrance Examination (JNUEE), for admission into various programmes. However, following the introduction of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) admissions, and in line with the National Education Policy, the JNU transitioned to admitting PhD students through UGC's NET. This year, the admission process for PhD and other programmes has faced delays due to alleged irregularities in centrally managed exams like UGC-NET JRF and CUET. However, conducting an in-house entrance exam may have significant logistical and financial challenges for the university. Alternatively, the JNU could request the UGC to include these subjects in the NET list, but this approach is time-consuming and may further delay admissions, the officials said. Another option is to admit students through the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) programme, but this would exclude candidates who qualify through NET or non-NET applicants. "The university is grappling with limited time and resources. Conducting in-house exams requires funding, and including these subjects in the NET list could take months," a university official said. The officials suggest that the uncertainty around admissions may extend the current admission cycle beyond December 4. "The committee will soon decide whether to hold in-house exams or request UGC's intervention, but either option could delay the admission process," a committee member, who wished to remain anonymous, said. As the admission cycle progresses, prospective students are in limbo, waiting for a resolution. Lucknow, Dec 3 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emphasis on using the term "Divyang" and respecting their sentiments inspired persons with disabilities to advance in life with dignity. Whenever Divyangjans have been given opportunities, they have demonstrated their exceptional talents and abilities, he said. During a state-level award ceremony on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the chief minister celebrated the achievements of Divyangjans and reaffirmed the government's commitment to their welfare. He distributed tablets and assistive devices to Divyang students with disabilities, further supporting their empowerment, an official statement said. Citing the examples of Rishi Ashtavakra, Mahakavi Surdas, physicist Stephen Hawking, and Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya, the chief minister said, "Individuals, when provided with a platform and the support of society, have contributed their talents to the nation, the world and humanity, proving they are in no way lesser than others." "International Day of Persons with Disabilities serves as a platform to inspire society to adopt this inclusive approach and celebrate the capabilities of Divyangjans," Adityanath added. He also extended his greetings on the birth anniversary of India's first president, Dr Rajendra Prasad, coinciding with National Advocates' Day. He emphasised that the state government was committed to the welfare of all sections of society, advancing Modi's vision of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas". Adityanath also called for the expansion of academic institutions for visually impaired, deaf and other differently-abled children. The state is home to two prominent Divyang universities -- Dr Shakuntala Mishra National Rehabilitation University in Lucknow and Jagadguru Rambhadracharya University in Chitrakoot -- he said. Adityanath stressed the importance of trained teachers, adequate honorariums, improved facilities and the use of technology to empower these institutions. Noting the significant improvements made in pension schemes for Divyangjans under his administration, the chief minister said, "In 2017, the pension for differently-abled individuals was a mere Rs 300 and was often delayed for months. Today, the amount has been increased to Rs 1,000 per month, benefiting 11 lakh differently-abled people. The pension is directly transferred to beneficiaries' accounts, ensuring transparency." Families affected by leprosy are provided a monthly pension of Rs 3,000, further demonstrating the government's commitment to inclusivity and support for the marginalised, he noted. Adityanath said all government buildings must have ramps for Divyangjan and added that Rs 40 crore had been allocated for free travel on transport corporation buses for differently-abled individuals. Additionally, financial support has been allocated for Divyang couples, with Rs 15,000 for a Divyang husband, Rs 20,000 for a Divyang wife. Grants of Rs 20,000 are also available for shop construction, and Rs 10,000 for operating shops, kiosks or handcarts, he said. The chief minister highlighted the state's efforts in medical care for the differently-abled, with increased grants for surgeries and financial support for cochlear implants for hearing-impaired children. Already, 24 such surgeries have been successfully conducted this year. "The state is also supporting the operation of several institutions, including pre-primary and daycare centres, as well as mentally retarded shelter homes and training centres in cities such as Meerut, Bareilly, and Gorakhpur," he said. Adityanath also discussed the government's efforts to uplift backward classes. The budget for the backward class welfare department has increased from Rs 1,295 crore in 2016-17 to about Rs 2,800 crore. The chief minister shared details of the pre-matric scholarship scheme, funding for which has risen from Rs 107 crore and benefiting 5.19 lakh students to Rs 160.16 crore, benefitting 7.58 lakh students. An additional Rs 300 crore has been allocated for scholarships for backward-class students. The post-matric scholarship and fee reimbursement programme has expanded, benefiting 19.80 lakh students with Rs 2,070 crore, compared to 11.13 lakh students in 2016-17, he added. The chief minister also announced an increase in grants for girls, with one lakh now benefiting from Rs 200 crore, up from 70,000 in 2016-17. The chief minister distributed assistive devices to 40 Divyangjans and tablets to 324 Divyang students. Adityanath also transferred scholarships worth Rs 54.38 crore to more than 2.53 lakh children from backward classes via DBT. Additionally, 28 youngsters from backward classes received certificates for completing computer training. Deoria (UP), Dec 3 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Tuesday called upon BJP workers to switch to "action mode" and start preparing for the 2027 assembly elections. Addressing party workers at the District Panchayat Hall in Deoria, Maurya said, "Workers must begin working from today to ensure a strong BJP victory in 2027." He also reiterated the party's slogan, "100 mein 60 hamara hai, baaki mein bantwara hai (Out of 100 votes, 60 are ours; in the remaining 40, we still have a share)." Highlighting the growth opportunities in the party, Maurya said, "Even a booth-level worker in the BJP can rise to occupy top organisational or government positions." Taking a dig at the Samajwadi Party (SP), Maurya referred to its PDA (pichhde, Dalit, alpsankhyak) slogan, saying, "Akhilesh Yadav's PDA stands for 'Parivaar Development Party'." He also lauded the recent bypoll results, saying, "The outcome in Uttar Pradesh under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath has reaffirmed the public's unwavering trust in the BJP. The results have shattered the arrogance of SP leaders as evident from the historic voting in favour of the BJP candidate in Kundarki." Maurya reminisced the blessings of Devaraha Baba and the pivotal role they played in the Ram Mandir movement. Referring to the upcoming Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, he said, "We expect over 40 crore devotees to participate this time. Efforts are underway to make the event even more grand and divine." In a subsequent post on social media platform X, Maurya detailed his meeting with party representatives and workers, where he discussed regional development projects and organisational strategies. He urged everyone to contribute to make the Maha Kumbh a success and pledged to keep Prayagraj clean during the event. Maurya also chaired a review meeting with senior district administrative officials to assess development projects, public welfare schemes, and law enforcement in Deoria. Lucknow, Dec 2 (PTI) BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde on Monday emphasised the need to motivate and promote workers who embody the party's ideology during expansion efforts. Speaking at a workshop on Sangathan Parv, 2024, at the Uttar Pradesh BJP headquarters, Tawde outlined the importance of aligning organisational growth with the party's ideology. Tawde, the central observer for Uttar Pradesh, said, "During organisational elections, the commitment and loyalty of a worker are paramount. To ensure that we retain power in the future, we must motivate and bring forward workers who embody the party's ideology." Highlighting the need for ideological outreach, he added, "Our efforts should ensure that the BJP's philosophy, principles and ideological foundation reach the people. According to the BJP's constitution, youngsters should play a significant role in organisational expansion through consensus-based elections." Tawde also put stress on inclusive representation. "We must ensure adequate representation of all sections of society, including women. Alongside organisational expansion, we must analyse sociopolitical conditions and bring capable leadership to the forefront," he said. According to a state BJP statement, the workshop was attended by senior leaders, including state chief Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary, election officer Mahendra Nath Pandey, general secretary (organisation) Dharampal Singh, former state presidents Ramapati Ram Tripathi and Swatantra Dev Singh, and other prominent figures. The workshop also witnessed participation from district-level officials, election officers, and leaders of various party wings. Chaudhary highlighted the progress made during the first phase of the Sangathan Parv. "We conducted workshops at district levels, followed by mandal-level workshops. We are now advancing organisational elections at the booth level," he said. Pandey outlined the election progress, saying, "As of today, elections for 98,000 booth committees have been completed. By December 5, all booth committees will be formed." "District election officers, mandal election officers, and Shakti Kendra election officers are actively working across the 98 organisational units in the state," he added. Pandey also provided a timeline for the upcoming phases, saying the mandal committees would be formed by December 10. Elections for presidents in 1,918 mandals will be done by December 15 and polls for 98 district presidents completed by December 30, the BJP's state election officer added. On the membership drive, general secretary (organisation) Singh said, "The worker-based organisation in Uttar Pradesh has added 2.6 crore general members while 2,05,789 (2.05 lakh) workers who enrolled at least 50 members each have become active members, setting a record." The meeting concluded with a directive for election officers to accelerate the organisational election process and ensure adherence to the timeline. New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) Visually impaired persons needed to be dealt with "empathy and compassion", the Supreme Court said on Tuesday while reserving its verdict on pleas, including a suo motu case over non-grant of quota to such candidates in judicial services in a few states. A bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan said the judgement on six petitions was reserved on the auspicious day when the world was observing the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. "What is required is empathy and compassion so that the visually impaired persons can perform their duties. There should not be a hostile approach towards them," the bench said. Senior advocate Gaurav Agarwal, who was assisting the bench as an amicus curiae, said the persons with visual disabilities such as blindness and low vision couldn't be kept out of the ambit of the quota meant for the persons with disabilities. Referring to Section 34 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, Agarwal said every appropriate government shall appoint in each of its "establishment not less than four per cent of the total number of vacancies in the cadre strength in each group of posts meant to be filled with persons with benchmark disabilities of which, one per cent each shall be reserved for persons with benchmark disabilities under clauses (a), (b) and (c) and one per cent for persons with benchmark disabilities under clauses (d) and (e), namely (a) blindness and low vision. The bench said if such persons were allowed to take up judicial services examinations like any other general category students then the state or the high courts couldn't take up the plea that they were ineligible and couldn't perform their duty as judges. The amicus said if such persons were denied the opportunity to serve in the judiciary, then the purpose of the law, which grants reservation for the people suffering from benchmark disabilities, would be lost. The bench said it may issue comprehensive guidelines for the future and not pass directions in individual cases, after some visually impaired persons were denied an opportunity to take up mains and interviews of judicial services examinations held in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan in 2024. "They can appear next time, Justice Pardiwala said and asked the counsel for the parties to file written notes within a week. On November 7, the bench issued several directions ensuring equitable opportunities for persons with benchmark disabilities (PwBD) in judicial services across the country. The directions came on a suo motu PIL initiated after a letter from the mother of a visually impaired aspirant highlighted discriminatory provisions in Madhya Pradesh's judicial service rules. The bench then said the high courts and the state public service commissions must establish separate qualifying marks for PwBD candidates in preliminary judicial examinations. These marks should align with those for SC/ST candidates or be lower, depending on existing recruitment rules and after the preliminary exam a distinct cut-off should be applied for PwBD candidates, ensuring sufficient representation in the main exam. Provisions should account for different disability categories, such as visual impairments, hearing impairments, locomotor disabilities, and other benchmark disabilities under Sections 34(1)(d) and 34(1)(e) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, the top court had said. The case stemmed from Madhya Pradesh judicial service rules barring visually impaired candidates from appointment as judicial officers. The bench earlier in 2024 allowed visually impaired candidates who cleared preliminary examinations to appear for the main exams under special arrangements, including provisions for scribes, extra time, and tailored accommodations. The bench emphasised the recruitment processes across states must ensure inclusivity and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities. New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) The judiciary played a central role in the countrys decolonisation journey and acted as a catalyst for dismantling colonial legacies through landmark judgments, Justice Vikas Mahajan on Tuesday underlined. Justice Mahajan further said though the countrys independence marked the end of colonial rule, it did not immediately erase the colonial structures, systems and laws, deeply entrenched in our governance and legal frameworks. "I would say that the judiciary has played a central role, a role in India's journey of decolonisation. It has acted as a catalyst for change and emerged as a powerful force in dismantling colonial legacies through landmark judgments by addressing colonial-era laws, upholding indigenous rights and redefining governance structures. It has also challenged the colonial legal framework and upheld the principles of justice, equality and liberty," the high court judge said. Decolonisation meant an ongoing process of removing the colonial imprint from our laws, institutions and mindsets, the Delhi High Court judge added while delivering his address at a discussion event titled "Decolonisation: Supreme Court Judgments and the Indian Constitution". The Adhivakta Parishad of the Supreme Court organised the event to celebrate Constitution Day 2024. "The topic is central to the evolution of modern India, and the subject compels us to reflect on how far we have come in, redefining governance, reclaiming our identity and dismantling the remnants of colonial rule, both in our legal and societal frameworks," the judge said. "When we talk about decolonisation, we are referring not just to the formal end of British rule, but to the ongoing process of removing the colonial imprint from our laws, institutions and even mindsets. It is about self-determination; retrieving our sovereignty, not just politically, but socially, culturally and legally," he added. He said that the Constitution, which enshrined the principles of justice, liberty and equality had been a powerful tool during this journey. "The Constitution is not merely a legal charter. It is a statement of what we are as a nation, reflecting the aspirations of an independent people, while also paying homage to our civilisational heritage Our Constitution is a vision for a free and equitable society. It represents a break from colonial rule while embracing the values that define India as Bharat, a land of ancient wisdom, diversity and democratic aspirations," he said. The judge noted that decolonisation did not just mean breaking the shackles of colonial institutions but also redeeming the cultural heritage, reimagining future, and building a nation that was truly independent and sovereign. "As we celebrate 75 years of the Constitution, let us reaffirm our commitment to this process. Let us ensure that the country continues to thrive, deeply rooted in its tradition and cultural heritage. Yet, boldly, marching towards a future of justice, equity, and freedom, in every sense of the word," he said. Chennai, Dec 3 (PTI) Several districts in Tamil Nadu adversely battered by torrential rain are battling with inundation woes, badly damaged roads and lack of access to essential commodities. In certain areas like Arasur in Villupuram district, people confronted with depleted essential commodities, resorted to a sudden agitation demanding the essentials. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday to enquire about the flood situation in parts of the state and assured him of all possible support from the Centre. As per an estimate by the Tamil Nadu government, Cyclone Fengal caused unprecedented devastation in 14 districts, extensively damaging roads, electricity lines and caused heavy inundation. The sudden deluge not only inundated vast areas but also displaced the population and severely impacted the infrastructure. The "catastrophic event" resulted in the loss of 12 human lives, 2,416 huts, 721 houses and 963 cattle. Widespread damage was also caused to agriculture and horticulture crop and irrigation systems, the state government said. At Arasur, 18 people who took shelter in a temple that was damaged due to rain were rescued. The NDRF personnel successfully evacuated people and livestock marooned in a village in Cuddalore district. In a tragic incident in Thiruvannamalai district, seven persons, including five children trapped in a house smashed by a boulder that fell on a residential house after rolling down from the top of Annamalaiyar Hill following a mud slip on December 1, were found dead during a rescue operation. Their bodies were recovered on December 2 evening following a nearly 24 hour rescue operation, said police. State Public Works and Highways Minister E V Velu, who inspected the rescue activity in VOC Nagar at the foothill in Thiruvannamalai district, said the area has never witnessed mud slips in the past. The Annamalaiyar Hill area has experienced a very heavy downpour since 1965, causing damage to crops, property and human lives, he said. Meanwhile, educational institutions in Nilgiris, Ranipet, Salem and Thiruvannamalai districts remained closed today. Chief Minister Stalin chaired a meeting with his cabinet colleagues and senior officials at the Secretariat here and reviewed the damage due to the cyclone. He directed the officials to expedite the relief and rehabilitation activities. Hyderabad, Dec 3 (PTI) A case has been registered against senior BRS leader and Siddipet MLA T Harish Rao and others after a real estate businessman alleged that his phone was tapped by them, police said on Tuesday. The complainant, G Chakradhar Goud, who contested the 2023 assembly elections on a BSP ticket from Siddipet and lost, accused Harish Rao, the nephew of former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, of using state intelligence to monitor his movements and those of his associates and family members. In the complaint, Goud stated that during the election campaign, when he contacted his followers for meetings and rallies, many of them informed him that they had received threatening calls warning them not to attend his events. "These individuals also reported that the caller knew about their conversations and contact details, which led me to suspect that my phone was being tapped," he said. Based on the complaint, police said a case was registered at the Panjagutta police station on December 1, charging Harish Rao, former Deputy Commissioner of Police P Radha Kishan Rao, and others with criminal conspiracy, extortion, and criminal breach of trust by public servants under relevant sections of the IPC and IT Act. The investigation is underway. The complainant further suspected that the former minister influenced police officials to monitor his activities. He alleged that despite submitting petitions to the police department multiple times regarding the surveillance of him and his associates, no action had been taken earlier. Radha Kishan Rao is one of the accused in another case of phone tapping that allegedly happened during the previous BRS regime and is currently in prison. The Hyderabad police, investigating the case, have arrested four police officials (now suspended) since March 13 for allegedly erasing intelligence data from various electronic gadgets. The former chief of the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) in Telangana and another accused are still absconding and are suspected to be in the US. A suspended DSP and his team are accused of creating profiles of hundreds of people and intercepting phone calls, police said. Two former BRS MLAs were questioned by police last month in connection with the phone-tapping case. Lakhimpur Kheri (UP), Dec 3 (PTI) Talent knows no boundaries. A testament to this is 28-year-old Muneer Khan from Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh, whose innovations and technical skills have gained him global recognition. From a smart water bottle to smart soil testing device, and more recently, AI-enabled eye-glasses, what makes his innovations stand out is their ability to improve everyday convenience for ordinary people. Born in a humble and poor family in Kheris Gauriya village, Muneer lost his father when he was just one year old. His four older brothers and mother worked tirelessly to support his education. After completing his primary education at the government-run school in his village, Muneer went on to study at a private inter-college and thereafter got admission at the Birla Institute of Applied Sciences in Bhimtal, Uttarakhand. During his second year, Khan completed multiple research internships in France and Russia, which sparked his interest in artificial intelligence and sensor technology. After completing his master's from Columbia University, he founded Cadre Technologies (USA & India). While at Columbia, Khan developed a smart water bottle, named Hydrohomie, which helped detect dehydration levels and suggested immediate water intake. It earned him the Best Project Award from the university. He also designed a smart soil testing device' for farmers in India which helps identify micro-nutrients in soil within minutes. It won him the Young Scientist Award 2024, which was presented to him by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in July. Now, Khan has turned his attention to helping the visually impaired with his latest innovation: AI-enabled eye-glasses, known as AI-Vision Pro. Speaking to PTI over the phone from the USA on Monday, Khan said, Artificial intelligence-equipped eye-glasses for the visually impaired will be unveiled at the Techfest, organized by IIT Bombay, from December 17 to December 19. The AI-enabled VisionPro eye-glasses are a groundbreaking assistive device for visually impaired individuals, aiding them in their day-to-day lives and work, he explained. Integrated with sensors, cameras, Nvidia Jetson processors, LiDAR technology, and AI model computation, the glasses provide real-time interpretation of the environment and surroundings, he added. He further explained, When worn, the AI-enabled glasses help identify faces, differentiate between medicines and food items, assist in detecting obstacles while walking, alert users to risks while mapping surroundings, and read and interpret printed materials. Muneer also shared that the organisers were thrilled to announce that the innovative glasses would be unveiled to the public for the first time during Asias largest TechFest at IIT Bombay, scheduled for December 17-19. This event will mark a significant milestone in their mission to promote accessibility and independence for visually impaired individuals, he said. The U.S. is preparing to send Ukraine an additional $725 million in military assistance, including counter-drone systems and munitions for its High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, which could indicate more of the longer-range missiles are headed to the battlefield. Two U.S. officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the package before it was announced, did not confirm whether the munitions for the HIMARS are the coveted ATACMS the Army Tactical Missile System. But Ukraine has been pressing for more of the longer-range missiles to strike additional targets inside Russia. The package also includes more of the anti-personnel land mines that Ukraine is counting on to slow Russian and North Korean ground forces in Russias Kursk region. President Joe Biden has pledged to spend all of the military assistance funds Congress approved earlier this year for Ukraine before the end of his administration on Jan. 20, which before Mondays news included about $7.1 billion in weapons that would be drawn from the Pentagons stockpiles. There is widespread speculation about what the new Trump administration will mean for Ukraine as the incoming president has promised to end the conflict. In a major shift, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signaled on Friday that an an offer of NATO membership to territory under Kyivs control could end the hot stage of the war. (AP) In a scathing 520-page final report, the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic laid bare the failings of public health officials, federal agencies, and private organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Titled After Action Review of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Lessons Learned and a Path Forward, the report highlights widespread corruption, mismanagement, and negligence that plagued the pandemic response and cost American taxpayers billions of dollars. The report harshly critiques key public health figures, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, for allegedly orchestrating efforts to suppress the lab-leak theory and steer the narrative toward a natural origin of COVID-19. It accuses Fauci of pressuring scientists to dismiss evidence of gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which the report identifies as the likely source of the pandemic. Equally alarming are the National Institutes of Healths (NIH) failures to oversee potentially hazardous research. The report alleges that NIH fostered a culture of evasion, with senior officials, including Faucis advisor Dr. David Morens, accused of deleting federal records and obstructing oversight efforts. The economic toll of pandemic-era relief programs is staggering, with billions of taxpayer dollars lost to fraud, abuse, and mismanagement. The report estimates $64 billion in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program claims, $191 billion in fraudulent unemployment claims, and at least half of COVID-19 relief funds siphoned off by international criminals. The Small Business Administration alone lost $200 million due to insufficient oversight. The report takes aim at arbitrary pandemic policies, such as the six-foot social distancing rule and prolonged school closures, which it claims were not supported by science. It accuses public health officials of flip-flopping on mask guidance and rushing vaccine approvals without adequate transparency, further eroding public trust. The Biden Administration is criticized for employing likely unconstitutional methods to pressure social media platforms into censoring dissenting opinions about COVID-19 policies and treatments. Perhaps most damning is the reports condemnation of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, whose mandate forcing nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients led to thousands of preventable deaths. The report alleges that Cuomos administration covered up the disaster to protect his reputation, referring him to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution. The World Health Organization (WHO) also comes under fire for prioritizing Chinas political interests over global health, with the report labeling its response an abject failure. Meanwhile, the Biden Administrations Department of Health and Human Services is accused of obstructing the subcommittees investigation, withholding critical documents, and fostering an environment of non-compliance. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted a distrust in leadership, wrote Subcommittee Chairman Brad Wenstrup in his letter to Congress. Trust is earned. Accountability, transparency, honesty, and integrity will regain this trust. Yet the report paints a grim picture of a system rife with corruption, mismanagement, and misplaced priorities, leaving Americans to question whether these lessons will truly be learnedor if future pandemics will see the same disastrous repeat of history. As the subcommittee formally submits its findings to the Congressional record on December 4, the question remains: will this report spur meaningful change, or will the institutions and individuals responsible for these failures continue to evade accountability? (YWN World Headquarters NYC) A defense lawyer asked jurors to put themselves in frightened subway riders shoes Monday at the trial of a Marine veteran charged with choking an irate, homeless man to death after an outburst on a New York underground train. Prosecutors countered that Daniel Penny was way too forceful and reckless in responding to Jordan Neely. Both sides gave closing arguments Monday at Pennys trial on manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide charges. Penny, who gripped Neelys neck for about six minutes, claims he was defending fellow passengers. He has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors say Penny was justified in using some physical force after Neely shouted in a crowded train about being willing to die, willing to go jail or as Penny and some other passengers recalled willing to kill. But prosecutors argue that Penny recklessly went way too far in dealing with an unarmed man. You obviously cannot kill someone because they are crazy and ranting and looking menacing, no matter what it is that they are saying, Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Dafna Yoran told jurors Monday. Defense attorney Steven Raiser asked jurors to imagine they were on that train when Neely got on, filled with rage and not afraid of any consequences. Youre sitting much as you are now, in this tightly confined space. You have very little room to move and none to run, Raiser told jurors, saying his client put his life on the line for strangers. Who would you want on the next train with you? he asked. Pennys reaction to Neely touched raw nerves and fueled debate about race relations, public safety, urban life and different approaches to crime, homelessness and mental illness. Some in New York and around the country see Penny, a 26-year-old Marine veteran turned architecture student, as a valiant protector of fellow subway riders who feared the erratic Neely was on the verge of violence. Others view Penny as a white vigilante who summarily killed a Black man who was in need of help. The case sparked demonstrations that lambasted Penny and rallies that lauded him. In the defense argument Monday, Raiser sought to undercut some prosecution witnesses credibility by saying they were testifying in the shadow of protesters who gathered outside the courthouse to demand justice for Neely. Neely, 30, once was among the citys corps of subway and street performers and was known for his Michael Jackson impersonations. But after his mother was violently killed when he was a teenager, Neely was diagnosed with depression and schizophrenia, was repeatedly hospitalized, struggled with drug abuse and had a criminal record that included assault convictions. During the monthlong trial, the anonymous jury heard testimony from subway passengers who witnessed Pennys roughly six-minute restraint of Neely, as well as police who responded to it, pathologists, a psychiatric expert, a Marine Corps instructor who taught Penny chokehold techniques and Pennys relatives, friends and fellow Marines. Penny chose not to testify. Jurors watched videos recorded by bystanders and by police body cameras and saw how Penny explained his actions to officers on the scene and later in a stationhouse interview room. I just wanted to keep him from getting to people, he told detectives, demonstrating the chokehold and describing Neely as a crackhead who was acting like a lunatic. Im not trying to kill the guy, he insisted. Multiple witnesses said Neely shouted about needing food and something to drink, whipped his jacket to the floor and started screaming. They differed in descriptions of his movements and whether they were threatening. Several passengers said they were alarmed, and some were thankful when Penny subdued Neely. City medical examiners ruled the chokehold killed Neely. A pathologist hired by Pennys defense contradicted that finding, saying Neely was killed by a variety of other factors. Prosecutors noted that the veteran continued to grip Neelys neck after the train stopped and anyone who wanted to get out could do so, after bystanders urged Penny to let go, and even after Neely had been still for nearly a minute. You, the jurors, should unequivocally state with your verdict that no persons life can be so unjustifiably snuffed out, Yoran said Monday. The defense says Penny held on because Neely tried to break loose at points and the pressure on the mans neck wasnt consistent enough to kill him. Penny wanted only to hold Neely for police, and so used a simple civilian restraint instead of a textbook chokehold that would be applied to render someone unconscious, Raiser told jurors. The police werent there when the people on that train needed help. Danny was, the attorney said. (AP) Incoming border czar Tom Homan is planning to meet with Democratic New York City Mayor Eric Adams as the Big Apple struggles with a skyrocketing migrant population that has crippled city resources and fueled a crime wave. Im willing to meet with him, and Im willing to meet with anybody to help make their communities safer, Homan said Monday on Americas Newsroom after being contacted by the Adams administration. Prioritization out of the gate is public safety threats. Work with us on that. It makes your community safer. It keeps my officers safe. It keeps the community safe. Lets work together and get this done. Some blue cities and states have already pushed back publicly against Homans pledge to tighten border security and make communities safer across the U.S. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared an emergency martial law, Tuesday accusing the countrys opposition of controlling the parliament, sympathizing with North Korea and paralyzing the government with anti-state activities. Yoon made the announcement in a televised briefing Tuesday, vowing to eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order. It wasnt immediately clear how Yoons step would affect the countrys governance and democracy. The move drew immediate opposition from politicians, including the leader of his own conservative party, Han Dong-hoon, who called the decision wrong and vowed to stop it with the people. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, called Yoons announcement illegal and unconstitutional. Through this martial law, I will rebuild and protect the free Republic of Korea, which is falling into the depths of national ruin, Yoon said during a televised speech, invoking South Koreas formal name. I will eliminate anti-state forces as quickly as possible and normalize the country, he said, while asking the people to believe in him and tolerate some inconveniences. Yoon whose approval rating has dipped in recent months has struggled to push his agenda against an opposition-controlled parliament since taking office in 2022. Yoons conservative People Power Party had been locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition Democratic Party over next years budget bill. The opposition has also been attempting to pass motions to impeach three top prosecutors, including the chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office, in what the conservatives have called a vendetta against their criminal investigations on Lee, who has been seen as the favorite for the next presidential election in 2027 in opinion polls. Yoon has also been dismissing calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, drawing quick, strong rebukes from his political rivals. The Democratic Party reportedly called an emergency meeting of its lawmakers following Yoons announcement. (AP) by Rabbi Yair Hoffman There is an oustanding Rabbinic figure in Persian Jewish history that is not so well known outside of the Persian Jewish community, but he stands as the earliest and most accomplished commentators and poets in Jewish Persian history. Mulana Shahini Shirazi lived during the time of the late Rishonim and was one of Persian Jewrys greatest commentators fully fluent in Shas, Yerushalmi, and the various Targumim. His writing showed intimate mastery of the major midrashic works, including Bereishis Rabbah, Shemos Rabbah, Vayikra Rabbah, Midrash Tanchuma and Midrashim that are no longer extant. He incorporated insights from Pirkei DRabbi Eliezer and clearly also consulted Saadia Gaons groundbreaking Arabic translation of the Torah. His name, which translates to Our Master, the Royal Falcon of Shiraz, reflects his prominent status in Persian-Jewish literature. The title Mullah according to Persian-Jewish tradition stands for the Roshei Teivot of Mi Lashem Ailai indicating their dedication to Torah-true Judaism. Shahin and Hafiz Shahin lived during Sultan Abu Saids reign (1316-1335), yet much of his life remains shrouded in mystery. He lived in Shiraz around the same time as the famous Persian poet Hafiz. Shams-ud-din Muhammad Hafiz (c. 1320-1389) was one of the most renowned and beloved poets in Persian literature. He is widely regarded as one of the seven literary wonders of the world, a view shared by eminent figures such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Emerson, the celebrated American philosopher and poet, was particularly effusive in his praise of Hafiz. He famously said of Hafiz, He fears nothing. He sees too far, he sees throughout; such is the only man I wish to see or be. Emerson even went so far as to bestow upon Hafiz the grand compliment of calling him a poet for poets. Persian Jews who are familiar with the works of both of them say that Shahin was even a greater poet than Hafiz Scholars remain uncertain about Shahins birth, death, and general occupation. Sources also disagree about his origins, with some claiming he was buried in Shiraz, while others suggest he came from Kashan. The Major Works and Their Structure Shahin created two main collections of epic poetry that transformed biblical narratives into Persian poetic verse. His first collection included masterful versions of Bereishis, Iyov, and extensive sections about Moshe Rabbeinu. The second collection wove together the stories of Ardashir, Esther, and Ezra into a complex narrative tapestry. The Moshe Rabbeinu narrative, composed first in 1327, demonstrated his early mastery of the craft as he rendered Midrashim from Shemos, Vayikra, Bamidbar, and Devarim into Persian verse. For this work, he chose the hazaj musaddas makbud meter, a Persian poetry style that was commonly used in Persian literature. This extensive work contained approximately 10,000 verses. Later, in 1358, he composed his Bereishis work, a slightly shorter piece spanning 8,700 verses. These works sometimes appear in separate manuscripts, allowing them to circulate independently among different audiences. Torah Narratives In his Bereishis text, he included two particularly notable selections: a dramatic rendering of Satans fall from divine grace and a deeply moving account of Yaakovs grief over losing Yosef. After completing his discussion of Eisavs descendants, he added a fascinating 170-verse version of Iyov. In this condensed retelling, he made the striking choice to omit Iyovs famous dialogues with his friends and Hashems extended response, focusing instead on the less-commonly emphasized story of Iyovs wifes challenges to his faith. This emphasis shows Shahins interest in exploring the human and domestic aspects of biblical stories. His choice to include Iyovs story at this point in the narrative reflects Midrashic sources that placed Iyov within Yaakovs extended family line, considering him either Eisavs grandson or great-grandson. The Esther-Ezra Epic In 1333, between his Torah-based works, Shahin composed his masterful Ardashir-namah (AN), a 9,000-verse epic that employed a more complex poetic meter than his earlier works. This composition incorporated the traditional Megillah story with lost Midashim. It included elaborate narratives about Shiru, the son of Achashverosh and Vashti, adding a new dimension to the familiar narrative. Second, and perhaps creatively, he forged connections to Irans national epic, the Shah-namah, by ingeniously identifying Achashverosh with the character Ardashir. Third, he proposed based on Midrashim extant and lost that Koresh (Cyrus), the great Persian king who restored Jewish sovereignty, was actually the child of Esther and Achashveroshs union, thereby linking Persian and Jewish royal lineages. Original Scenes and Creative Elements Shahin, based upon lost Midrashim, detailed accounts of Achashveroshs search for a new queen following Vashtis departure, explored Mordechais sophisticated role as a matchmaker, and described the royal wedding night with poetic sensitivity. The epilogue, called Ezra-namah (EN), though shorter at about 500 verses, carried significant theological weight as it focused on the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash and presented arguments against contemporary Muslim views regarding Ezras role in preserving the Torah. Literary Style and Poetic Innovation As a master of classical Persian poetic devices, Shahin wielded an impressive array of literary tools. He expertly employed tanasub to create harmony between concepts, used tazadd to develop meaningful contrasts, and crafted beautiful explanations through husn-i talil. His use of ishtiqaq (paronomasia) demonstrated his sophisticated wordplay. The poet developed a unique linguistic style that merged classical Persian structures with colloquial elements, notably in his distinctive use of -iman and -idan verb forms for first person plural expressions. Compared to later Jewish-Persian poets, Shahin used Hebrew words more sparingly, yet he pioneered the combination of Hebrew and Persian words through the innovative -i (izafa) construction, setting a precedent for future Jewish-Persian writers. Historical Impact and Cultural Significance Iranian Jews embraced Shahin not merely as a poet but as an authoritative biblical commentator. The term tafsir, with its rich implications of explanation, commentary, and translation, aptly describes his contribution to Jewish-Persian literature. Academic Study and Modern Understanding The most comprehensive academic treatment of Shahins work is known to be Wilhelm Bachers groundbreaking study, Zwei judisch-persische Dichter Schahin und Imrani. This pivotal work examines Shahins rhetoric, catalogues known manuscripts, and explores both Jewish and Muslim influences on his writing. However, scholars universally agree that more thorough study is needed across all aspects of his work. The complex interweaving of Persian and Jewish elements in his poetry, his innovative narrative techniques, and his influence on subsequent Jewish-Persian literature all merit deeper investigation. Cultural Bridge and Literary Legacy Perhaps Shahins greatest achievement was his role as a cultural bridge between Persian and Jewish traditions. His work demonstrated that these two rich cultural streams could be woven together without diminishing either. His epic retellings enriched both traditions, adding Persian literary sophistication to biblical narratives while introducing Jewish theological depth to Persian poetic forms. His influence extended well beyond his own time, establishing patterns of Jewish-Persian literary expression that would influence numerous writers for generations to come. Published Works His books in print, all edited by Shimon Hakham and published in Jerusalem by Y. Hasid Religious Books in 1995, include: Bereshit-namah Part 1 Bereshit-namah Part 2 Musa-namah Part 1 Musa-namah Part 2 Ardashir-namah A significant portion of his work has akso been translated into Hebrew: Avner Peretz, Shahin Torah The Classical Persian-Jewish Epic from the Fourteenth Century (Yeriot Publishing, 2010) translating about one-fifth of Musa-namah Baruch Fikel, The Song of Moses A Complete Hebrew Translation of the Book of Musa-namah (self-published, 2022) Mullah Shahin Shirazi and his work is one of the jewels of Persian Jewrys remarkable heritage. It is availble on the Otzer HaChochma and should be studied not only by Persian Jews, but by other students of Torah as well. The author can be reached at [email protected] Israeli fighter jets intercepted an Iranian aircraft suspected of transporting weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon, forcing it to reverse course over Syria late Saturday night, a defense source confirmed to *The Times of Israel*. The incident unfolded as Israeli Air Force jets confronted the plane mid-flight and instructed it to turn back. The aircraft complied shortly afterward, according to the source. The interception, first reported by Ynet, was part of Israels broader campaign to disrupt Iranian weapons shipments to Hezbollah. While Ynet included a screenshot of flight data, it mistakenly referenced an unrelated Iranian Mahan Air plane that landed in Latakia earlier on Saturday. This latest action occurred during a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. In recent months, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have forced several Iranian flights suspected of carrying arms to Hezbollah to retreat over Syrian or Iraqi airspace. A senior Israeli military official recently warned that Syrias regime, led by President Bashar Assad, would face consequences for assisting Hezbollah, not just the arms transfers themselves. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The dialogue between Washington and Abu Dhabi has gained momentum in recent months, fueled by the looming expiration of extensive U.S. sanctions on Syria on December 20. This initiative is also intertwined with Israels escalating efforts to counteract Tehrans regional influence, including its backing of Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and Iranian military assets in Syria. These talks occurred prior to a dramatic resurgence by anti-Assad rebels, who launched their largest offensive in years last week, capturing parts of Aleppo. Analysts suggest this development may underscore vulnerabilities in Assads partnership with Iranan opportunity the U.S. and UAE hope to leverage. However, officials reportedly caution that if Assad turns to Iranian assistance for a counter-offensive, the dynamics could shift, complicating efforts to diminish the Syrian-Iranian alliance. In a potential show of solidarity, Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Syria on Sunday, reaffirming Tehrans support for Assad. Over the same weekend, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a phone conversation with Assad to discuss unfolding events. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. COP29 progress in climate finance offers Brazil a foundation to expand upon, Lars Nitter Havro, Head of Energy Macro at Rystad Energy, an independent research and energy intelligence company based in Norway, told Trend. He noted that COP29's outcomes represent a significant advancement in global climate finance, particularly for developing nations. "The Baku Finance Goal sets a new target of mobilizing at least $300 billion annually by 2035, a substantial increase from previous commitments, with developed countries leading the effort. This goal is part of a broader "Baku Finance Goal" ambition to reach $1.3 trillion annually by 2035, incorporating both public and private sector contributions, which aligns more closely with the financial needs of developing countries to manage climate impacts and transition to low-carbon economies. The "Baku to Belem Roadmap" was launched to guide efforts towards achieving this comprehensive target. Additionally, the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund and the conclusion of Article 6 negotiations on carbon markets are expected to enhance financial flows and reduce implementation costs, further supporting climate resilience and sustainable development in vulnerable regions. These measures collectively aim to transform the global climate finance landscape, fostering greater investment in developing countries and driving progress towards limiting global warming to 1.5C," said Havro. The analyst believes that effective implementation of COP29's decisions faces several key challenges. "Mobilizing the $300 billion annual finance goal by 2035 requires innovative public-private engagement, while operationalizing the Loss and Damage Fund by 2025 demands swift governance and disbursement structures. Translating carbon market rules into functional systems, particularly under the Paris Agreement, hinges on robust methodologies and safeguards. Accountability will rely on the enhanced transparency framework, with milestones such as the 2028 progress report and the Global Stocktake. Ensuring equitable access to finance, especially for vulnerable nations, remains critical, requiring streamlined processes and balanced financial support to avoid debt burdens. Sustained international cooperation and transparency will be essential for success," added Havro. The analyst pointed out that COP29 presidency, led by Azerbaijan, demonstrated exceptional leadership in driving the "Baku Breakthrough," showcasing effective climate diplomacy in a complex geopolitical landscape. "COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev's team navigated contentious negotiations, resulting in the landmark Baku Finance Goal of $300 billion annually by 2035, a significant tripling of the previous target. The presidency's vision extended further, setting an ambitious $1.3 trillion overall finance mobilization goal, seeking to address developing countries' needs more comprehensively. Their inclusive approach ensured progress on the Loss and Damage Fund and breakthrough on Article 6 carbon markets. By emphasizing pragmatic solutions and consensus-building, the presidency successfully bridged divides between developed and developing nations, particularly in the crucial final hours. This diplomatic finesse not only produced tangible outcomes but also reinvigorated the global climate finance landscape, setting a new benchmark for future COPs in delivering actionable pathways towards the 1.5C target," said Havro. The Rystan Energy expert noted that the decisions at COP29 will significantly shape the collaborative dynamic of the COP Troika, ensuring continuity as leadership transitions to Brazil for COP30. "The adoption of the "Roadmap to Mission 1.5C" provides a unified framework for aligning national ambition, technical capacity, and financial mobilization. Azerbaijans progress in climate finance and Article 6 implementation offers Brazil a foundation to expand upon, particularly in leveraging global partnerships and scaling NDC ambition," he concluded. COP29 held in Azerbaijan was remarkable for the decisions on a new core finance goal of $300bn that triples the previous $100bn target; full operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund and conclusion of negotiations on high integrity carbon markets under Article 6. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn Israeli Air Force fighter jets attacked Hezbollah terrorists, dozens of rocket launchers, and Hezbollah sites across Lebanon on Monday evening in response to Hezbollahs violation of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon earlier on Monday. Most of the strikes were carried out against sites in southern Lebanon. Additionally, fighter jets struck the launcher used to launch the two mortars at Har Dov shortly after they were fired. Israeli sources said on Tuesday morning that the IDF had also planned to strike the Beirut area in response to the mortars but were heavily pressured by the Biden administration to refrain from doing so in order not to escalate the tense situation. Despite the attack and counterattack, Kan News reported on Tuesday morning that Israel and Lebanon both told Biden administration officials that they want to continue upholding the ceasefire. Some Israeli military analysts claim that the IDFs strikes were pinpoint strikes and not particularly significant as promised if a violation occurred, while others argue that despite the strikes not having the intensity initially promised, they still resulted in significant damage to Hezbollah. Following Hezbollahs launch of mortars at Israel, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi threatened that the violation of the ceasefire will be met with a strong response. Netanyahu said: Hezbollahs fire at Mount Dov constitutes a serious violation of the ceasefire, and Israel will respond strongly. We are determined to continue enforcing the ceasefire and to respond to any violation by Hezbollah minor or severe. Katz said: We promised to act against any violation of the ceasefire by Hezbollah and that is exactly what we will do. Hezbollahs fire toward the IDF position on Mount Dov will be met with a harsh response. What was will not be. Halevi said: We will strike strongly against the serious violation by Hezbollah and we will continue to do so. We have plans and ready targets to be activated at any moment. The IDF spokesperson said: The launch tonight constitutes a violation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon. Israel demands that the relevant parties in Lebanon implement the understandings and prevent hostile activity by the Hezbollah terrorist organization from its territory. The State of Israel remains committed to the understandings reached regarding the ceasefire in Lebanon. The IDF is prepared to continue attacking as required and will continue to operate to defend the citizens of the State of Israel. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Hamas and Fatah have reached a preliminary agreement to form a joint committee to administer postwar Gaza, negotiators from both sides announced Tuesday. The proposed plan, which requires the approval of Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas, envisions a nonpartisan committee to oversee key sectors such as economy, education, health, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction. According to a draft of the agreement reviewed by AFP, the committee would comprise 10-15 neutral members and manage the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, the only Gaza crossing not shared with Israel. This development follows Egyptian-mediated talks in Cairo aimed at resolving Gazas governance after the ongoing war. The Rafah Crossing, a critical channel for humanitarian aid, has remained closed since Israel seized control of it in May. Egyptian authorities have refused to cooperate with Israeli forces to keep the crossing open. Israel, meanwhile, opposes any role for Hamas in Gazas governance and has expressed skepticism about the PAs ability to manage the territory. Fatahs delegation, led by senior official Azzam al-Ahmad, has returned to Ramallah to seek President Abbass approval. Hamass delegation, headed by politburo member Khalil al-Hayya, remains engaged in the talks. The agreement, as reported by London-based Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, outlines a six-section framework emphasizing the unity of Palestinian territories based on pre-1967 borders. It aims to strengthen coordination between the West Bank-based PA and the committee in Gaza while avoiding any separation between Gaza and other Palestinian territories. The committees mandate will continue until general elections are held or another consensus-based arrangement is established. The committees operations hinge on the reopening of Gazas border crossings, particularly Rafah, under terms of a 2005 agreement that granted operational authority to Egypt and the Palestinian Authority, with European Union oversight. A broader ratification of the agreement by all Palestinian factions is expected at a future meeting in Cairo. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry noted that the negotiations are part of Egypts wider efforts to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and expand humanitarian access to Gaza. The backdrop to the agreement is Gazas fraught history under Hamass control since its violent takeover from the PA in 2007. Years of attempted reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah have been stymied by deep divisions over power and governance. The current talks aim to bridge that gap. However, significant obstacles remain. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government has not clarified its postwar plans for Gaza. Some within Netanyahus coalition advocate reasserting Israeli control over the enclave. Meanwhile, international mediators, including Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, continue to struggle to broker a ceasefire that could facilitate a hostages-for-prisoners exchange and bring the war to an end. As the U.S. transitions from President Joe Bidens administration to that of President-elect Donald Trump, Palestinian leaders face mounting American pressure to exclude Hamas from Gazas governance once hostilities cease. Hamas, in turn, has rejected proposals involving Israeli control of the Gazas borders or ongoing military operations. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Israeli officials are concerned that the recent Syrian rebel advances, including the capture of military sites belonging to the Assad regime, could lead to chemical weapons falling into dangerous hands, Haaretz reported. The primary fear is that either Syrian rebels or Iran-backed militias could gain access to advanced weaponry, such as missiles or chemical agents, which would pose a significant threat to Israel. Should such a scenario occur, Israel may be compelled to take actions that could have far-reaching consequences for Syria and the wider Middle East, the report warns. Israel has reportedly sent messages to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad through Russian intermediaries, urging him to maintain control over his territory and prevent Iranian forces from operating within Syria. On Monday, IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari confirmed that Israel is closely monitoring the situation in Syria. We need to make sure that we are not threatened, he said, highlighting the growing tensions and potential for escalation. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Until last month, the Chareidi parties had despaired of the chance of passing a recruitment law, as it seemed impossible mainly due to the firm insistence of then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant not to engage in legislation that would not also be agreed upon by the heads of the opposition, Kikar HShabbat reported. Just before UTJ chairman Yitzchak Goldknopf announced his resignation from the government due to its failure to pass a recruitment law, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced his decision to fire Gallant and appoint Minister Yisrael Katz as the new Defense Minister. From the moment Gallant was dismissed, the Chareidi parties realized that this was a real opportunity to pass a recruitment law. At Katzs instruction, the Ministry of Defense, the IDF, coalition leaders, and senior members of the Chareidi parties began to work towards reaching a conscription law that would meet the goals and capabilities of the army while also satisfying the demands of the Gedolei Yisrael and regulating the status of lomdei Torah. However, Kikar HShabbat was informed that in recent days, Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara has begun to interfere in the details of the recruitment law and its central clauses, which is causing difficulties in discussions to reach an agreed-upon law. Among other things, Kikar learned that Baharav-Miara demands that the recruitment law include quotas for the number of lomdei Torah, a clause that all the Gedolei Yisrael oppose, and the likelihood that the Chareidim will agree to it is zero. The Attorney-General is obsessively intervening in the conscription issue, one of the heads of the Chareidi parties said. She knows that there is no chance we will agree to quotas for lomdei Torah, that the number of lomdei Torah will be limited. She is doing everything to bring down the government. Additionally, in meetings held by senior members of the Chareidi parties in recent days, they raised the fact that the Attorney-General repeatedly interferes in every issue related to the Chareidi parties. She wants to bring down the government, they said. Indeed, in recent days, the Agudas Yisrael party decided to join Minister Shlomo Karhis initiative calling for the removal of the Attorney-General, with Ministers Goldknopf and Porush signing the call. However, at this stage, Shas refuses to join Karhis initiative, and Chairman Aryeh Deri instructed Knesset members not to sign the document. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Bitcoins booming price has prompted a surging interest in cryptocurrencies, with growing numbers tempted to join what is being called the digital goldrush. The most popular cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, has had a storming year so far and is up 128 per cent. Its main rival Ethereum is up 56 per cent and challenger Solana is flying 121 per cent higher this year. However, getting started is easier said than done. Cryptocurrency trading is rife with danger. While some traders are making extraordinary gains, there is also a serious risk that you could lose most or even all your money. Scammers abound, ready to take advantage of those lacking experience in crypto trading. Furthermore, you cannot buy and sell cryptocurrencies on the traditional investment platforms such as Hargreaves Lansdown or AJ Bell. Here, Money Mail looks at everything you need to know to get started and talks you through the process step by step. Remember that buying and selling cryptocurrencies is not investing it is risky and you should only use money that you can afford to lose. Crypto rally: The most popular cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, has had a storming year so far and is up 124%. Its main rival Ethereum is up 56% and challenger Solana is flying 121% higher this year Just what are cryptocurrencies? They are essentially digital money, an alternative to traditional currencies such as the pound or dollar. As with real-world currencies, their value is determined by what people in the market are willing to buy and sell them for. Transactions are logged on a secure decentralised digital ledger called blockchain, so they are not controlled by states, banks or other financial institutions, unlike traditional currencies. However, unlike traditional currencies, they are very rarely used to purchase goods and services at the moment. Bitcoin is occasionally accepted for example, at some hipster cafes but in general cryptocurrencies are simply bought, sold and traded. Also unlike traditional currencies, anyone can create a cryptocurrency but whether or not it catches on as something that other people will want to buy is another matter. Launched in 2009, Bitcoin is the oldest, most established and most mainstream. However, it is just one of an estimated 9,000 active cryptocurrencies that are being traded. Where do I get started? You buy and sell on a cryptocurrency trading platform, in the same way that you might buy shares or funds on a conventional DIY investing platform. There are a number of cryptocurrency trading platforms operating in the UK. Glen Goodman, author of bestselling book The Crypto Trader, recommends picking a platform that is based in the US or UK, as they are more likely to be trustworthy. He suggests Coinbase and Kraken as both are based in the US. They are also partially regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. However, this does not mean that users benefit from full protection on their cryptocurrency trading in the same way that they would with traditional investments such as shares and funds. Both are based in the US, which has some regulations and protections, says Goodman. Coinbase itself is also floated on the New York stock exchange, which gives some degree of comfort. Trading platform eToro and digital bank Revolut also allow their users to trade in cryptocurrencies. While this service is not regulated, both carry out other activities that are regulated by the FCA. How do I open an account? Once youve picked a platform, you will need to sign up as a user. This is not as simple as picking a username and password and away you go. Weve used the example of signing up through Coinbase. However, Kraken, eToro and Revolut will bear many similarities. First, you set up a username and password, which creates your account. Next, you are asked to fill in personal details, such as your date of birth, National Insurance number, nationality, employment status and how you intend to fund your account (eg. from your salary, savings or an inheritance). Then the questions get even more detailed. For example, you are asked how much you expect to transfer to your account each year, what industry you work in and your annual income. The next set of questions are designed to ascertain whether or not you understand the risks of trading in cryptocurrencies. For example, you are asked whether you intend to invest less than 10 per cent of your assets in cryptocurrencies or whether you are a high-net-worth investor in other words, you have money you may be able to afford to lose. If you fit neither category, you may not be well suited to cryptocurrency trading. If you get through these stages, you will be asked to upload proof of ID photographs of your passport or driving licence, for example. And you will be asked to use the camera on your smartphone to take a selfie and upload it. You will also be asked to link a payment method to your account so that you can transfer funds with which to buy cryptocurrencies. You can do this by inputting your debit or credit card details. After that, Coinbase presents its users with a knowledge quiz to check whether you fully understand how trading works and the risks. The questions are in-depth and if you are completely new to cryptocurrency trading you may have to do some research to answer correctly. Finally, youre ready to go. However, in the case of Coinbase you are put into a 24-hour cooling off period to consider whether you wish to continue with this investment. At this point, you can continue to use the platform to browse prices and learn about cryptocurrency, but you cannot trade until the 24 hours is up. What money can I use to trade? Once signed up, youll have to fund your account, for example using debit cards or credit cards. If you use your debit card, then when you buy cryptocurrencies on the platform the money will be taken directly from the current account that your debit card is linked to. However, because of the risks of cryptocurrencies, many banks restrict how their customers can buy it. Some will not allow you to use a credit card to buy it and some trading platforms do not permit this method of payment either. For example, HSBC sets a 2,500 limit for a single transaction to a cryptocurrency platform and 10,000 over 30 days for transfers to crypto-exchanges with a debit card. It blocks any attempt to use a credit card to fund crypto purchases. But it will allow customers to transfer money from their crypto-exchange wallets to their bank accounts. Santander takes a stricter approach, limiting customers to 1,000 per transaction and 3,000 for any rolling 30-day period. Nationwide will allow people to spend up to 5,000 a day on cryptocurrencies, depending on the type of current account they have. Newer digital banks such as Monzo and Revolut have fewer restrictions. While the latter will allow 100 transactions a day, they are subject to limits depending on what digital currency you buy or sell. While Monzo allows customers to use exchanges to buy and sell crypto, it will block transactions it regards as risky. How do I buy and sell? Once you have funds in your account, you can use them to buy the cryptocurrencies of your choice. On the homepage of the platform, hit the button that says buy and sell. You should be given the option either to buy cryptocurrency using cash, or to buy it using other cryptocurrency holdings you already own. You can scroll through the list of cryptocurrencies available to find the one you want. Click on that one and then input how much you wish to buy in pounds and pence. The platform should tell you what price you are paying at that moment. Prices are very volatile, so they will be constantly changing. Selling is just as simple. You state which of your cryptocurrencies you would like to sell and how much of it with the value measured in sterling. When you hit sell, the money should be returned to your sterling account on the platform, which you can withdraw back into your current account when you choose. If youre using platforms such as eToro, Revolut or Coinbase, your money should be returned instantly. In some instances there may be a delay while security checks are carried out. Platforms dont tend to charge a membership fee. Instead they charge you a percentage or set fee when you buy or sell and when you return money from the platform to your linked current account. Trades: You buy and sell on a cryptocurrency trading platform, in the same way that you might buy shares or funds on a conventional DIY investing platform What should I buy? This is the $100,000 question though you can buy fractions of a cryptocurrency coin. While some traders have precise trading strategies and theories about which cryptocurrencies are set to rocket and which are about to plunge much is reliant on luck and the changing sentiment of other traders. When the price of a coin is going up, it indicates that other traders like you are willing to pay more for it. But the tide can turn and traders become willing to accept lower prices to offload their holdings and then the price falls. These movements can happen very quickly. Danny Scott, chief executive of the CoinCorner dealer and payments group, suggests that for people new to the world of digital currencies, Bitcoin may be the best bet. This is because it has the longest track record, is the biggest market at $1.9trillion and is becoming an increasingly accepted part of the mainstream financial system. Id stick to Bitcoin, he says. Any other cryptocurrencies are more akin to gambling as to which will perform well and which wont. Bitcoin threatened to hit $100,000 (78,946) a coin following Donald Trumps presidential election victory in the US last month, but since then its performance has cooled. However, with the pro-crypto Trump in the White House, IG Markets analyst Tony Sycamore says the market expects it to make a fresh move on the $100,000 level in the coming weeks. The second biggest cryptocurrency, Ethereum, is up 62 per cent over 12 months to $3,572 (2,814). Scott says that sentiment towards Bitcoin will ultimately determine its future performance. XRP is the third biggest of the digital currencies. It currently trades at $2.56 (2.02), but traders are optimistic about its prospects as the barriers it faces to adoption in the US could be cleared next year by the Trump administration. Am I protected? As cryptocurrencies are unregulated, you have no protection should anything go wrong and have no recourse to safety nets such as the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Matthew Long, FCA director of payments and digital assets, says: If you buy crypto, you should be prepared to lose all your money. Since the FCA cracked down on crypto adverts, it has issued 1,702 alerts, taken down over 900 scam crypto websites and over 50 apps. Be wary of adverts you find on social media, or anyone contacting you out of the blue with offers to help you trade cryptocurrencies. Danny Scott, chief executive of the Coincorner dealer and payments group, says: If somebody approaches you via phone, email or any other digital form talking you through buying cryptocurrencies of any kind, just stop! Do not follow guidance from random companies you may have come across via Facebook ads or cold outreaches. Some due diligence, such as a Google search about the company you are potentially dealing with, will also give you an overview of whether they are legitimate or not. If you are not confident trading your own money, you could consider a dummy trading account offered by platforms such as eToro. These allow you to play around with trading without using real money. A spokesperson for Binance, the worlds biggest cryptocurrency exchange, says that while the market is maturing fast and is more stable than it was a few years ago, it is imperative that people still take the time to learn about it first and understand their limits, before making any investments. The spokesperson added: Investors should take time to understand market dynamics to make informed decisions and align their investment and trading strategies with their own risk appetite. Do I have to pay tax? If you make a profit from cryptocurrencies and cash it in, you could face a tax bill. Crypto profits are treated as capital gains. All taxpayers have an annual capital gains tax-free allowance of 3,000 each tax year. Any profits on top of that are taxable. Go to gov.uk/capital-gains-tax/rates to see how much you could pay. No taxes are due until you sell the cryptocurrency. Plus, if you sell your Bitcoin or other crypto assets at a loss, HMRC says that can be used against future capital gains. Glen Goodman recommends that anyone buying or selling cryptoassets keep detailed records and regularly update the taxman. People think crypto is outside of the system, he says. It is not and never was. The taxman always treated it like stocks, so if you go above the tax-free limit, you have to pay capital gains tax. What's your experience of crypto? Have you made or lost a fortune? moneymail@dailymail.co.uk Natwest will return to full private ownership in the first half of next year. Chief executive Paul Thwaite said it would be a symbolic moment for banking. He said it would be the closing of another chapter for the industry after the lender then known as Royal Bank of Scotland became the most visible UK victim of the global financial crisis in 2008. Rescued by the taxpayer, it was at one point 84 per cent state-owned but the stake has gradually been sold down and has now shrunk to less than 11 per cent. Thwaite told the Financial Times Global Banking Summit: I think were on a very fast trajectory to private ownership and Im very proud of that. Asked whether he would celebrate, he said: I probably should take a moment at the time but Im so focused on what we can do with the bank for the future. Natwest shares rose 0.3 per cent to 407.7p the highest level since 2011. They are up nearly 90 per cent this year and have more than doubled since last autumn. New chapter: Natwest, led by chief exec Paul Thwaite (pictured), became the most visible UK victim of the global financial crisis in 2008 Thwaite also revealed the bank would look at financially compelling takeover opportunities as it builds up cash. He cast doubt on how the Government would achieve its growth ambitions amid fears that Labours 25billion Budget raid on employer National Insurance will hit jobs and investment, and push up prices. Thwaite is the banks fourth boss since its 2008 bail-out. Chairman Rick Haythornthwaite described the period of government ownership as a sorry tale. Now, however, the end is in sight, Thwaite has confirmed. He said: People can see the rate at which shares are being trickled into the market. I think its reasonable to expect that in the absence of a big dislocation in economic events, well be back to private ownership next year, maybe as early as the first half of the year. That will be a great moment it will be really symbolic for all of us at the bank. 'I also think it will be a symbolic moment for the sector because it will be another chapter. 'It seems incredible to think back to 2008, but it will be another kind of closing of another chapter. Meanwhile, Thwaite said that while he was encouraged by measures in the Budget to boost growth over coming years, the Governments National Insurance hike would take its toll over the shorter term. He added: Everybody agrees we need growth. The intention, the objective, is the right one. The path to that, I think, is slightly less clear than the intention. Elon Musk has vowed to continue his fight for a record-breaking 80billion pay cheque from Tesla that has again been blocked by a judge. In a ruling that infuriated the billionaire chief executive of the electric car giant, a Delaware court rejected the pay deal for a second time despite shareholders approving it. Judge Kathaleen McCormicks decision, which upheld a similar ruling from January, sparked a furious outburst from Musk, the worlds richest man with a fortune of 279billion. Shareholders should control company votes, not judges, he wrote on the social media site X, which he owns. Absolute corruption, he said in a separate post. Tesla said it would appeal the ruling, with a spokesman adding: This ruling, if not overturned, means that judges and plaintiffs lawyers run Delaware companies rather than their rightful owners the shareholders. The mammoth pay deal was drawn up in 2018 and was initially valued at 44billion. Backed by shareholders, it was tied to a series of milestones, including company profits and the Tesla share price. Pay deal: In a ruling that infuriated Tesla boss Elon Musk a Delaware court rejected the pay deal for a second time despite shareholders approving it But it was struck down by the court in January in a case brought by a disgruntled investor, with McCormick ruling that the board which approved the deal was too heavily influenced by Musk. The judge described it as the biggest compensation plan ever an unfathomable sum. Since then, the pay deal has soared in value in part due to the rise in the Telsa share price since Donald Trumps election victory last month and is now worth 80billion. But despite being backed by 75 per cent of shareholders in a fresh vote in June, the judge again ruled Musk, 53, was not entitled to the payout. She argued Tesla had failed to prove the package was fair and that Musk did not exert heavy influence over its board. As well as slapping down the pay award, McCormick ordered Tesla to pay legal fees of 273million. The row comes as Musk prepares to join President-elect Trumps administration, having spent hundreds of millions of dollars backing his campaign. Musk has been put in charge of the Department of Government Efficiency alongside fellow tycoon and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The commission, which will not be an official government department, has said its mission is to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures and restructure federal agencies. Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at broker AJ Bell, said: Its somewhat ironic that Musk now has an influential role with government efficiency. Hes looking for ways to save money and stop unnecessary spending, yet he continues to think that Tesla should line his pockets. Its an obscene amount of money and will be seen as insulting to the tens of thousands of workers at Tesla who probably earn a tiny fraction of that amount. Despite the defeat in Delaware, Musk could try to secure his bumper pay packet by constructing a similar award in the state of Texas, the location of one of its giant gigafactories. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. The implementation of green taxonomy in Azerbaijan will establish a robust framework for attaining sustainable development objectives, Executive Director of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan, Vusal Khalilov, said at the 8th International Banking Forum held in Baku, Azerbaijan, Trend reports. "Azerbaijan's banking sector has committed to providing 2 billion manat [$1.1 billion] to support sustainable development in the fight against climate change. I would like to highlight that, for the successful achievement of these goals, our country has adopted a green taxonomy. This taxonomy is a critical framework that assesses the environmental impact of investments and directs financial flows toward environmentally sustainable projects. This step not only strengthens the environmental responsibility of the banking sector but also creates a robust foundation for achieving sustainable development goals. I am confident that our banks will make every effort to support the transition to a green economy, which is one of the main priorities of national development," Khalilov said. To note, the 8th International Banking Forum is in full swing over two days in the bustling city of Baku, Azerbaijan, and the key topics of the forum include digital transformation (digital and neobanks), strategies for data management and analytics, the evolution of the payment landscape (transition to contactless technologies), instant, seamless, and compatible international payments, the revolution of decentralized finance (DeFi), cloud systems and alternatives to outdated technologies, digitalization through the lens of cybersecurity, stability and resilience, and green and sustainable banking (ESG). Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. Hydro Energi has signed a ten-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Axpo Nordic to supply 2.63 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity from 2026 to 2035, Trend reports via Axpo. Under the contract, Axpo will deliver renewable power to Hydros operations in Swedens SE2 price area, bolstering the aluminium giants commitment to sustainable production. Long-term power agreements are critical for Hydro, a global leader in low-carbon aluminium, to maintain its competitive edge in the industry. Renewable energy is a cornerstone of aluminium production in Norway, where Hydro operates with a carbon footprint approximately 75% lower than the global average. The new agreement supports Hydros technology roadmap to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The contract will integrate into Hydros Nordic power portfolio, which includes 9.4 TWh of captive annual power production and approximately 10 TWh from long-term contracts. With several existing agreements set to expire by 2030, Hydro is proactively seeking new renewable energy sources to sustain its operations and meet future demand. Axpo Nordic, a subsidiary of Switzerland-based Axpo Group, is a key player in the Nordic and Baltic energy markets. The company specializes in electricity trading, renewable energy solutions, and energy-related services, managing 24 TWh of renewable power from wind and solar annually. With nearly 20 years of experience in power purchase agreements in the Nordics, Axpo Nordic currently oversees 3.5 GW of renewable power in the region. This agreement marks a significant step in Hydros efforts to secure long-term access to clean energy, ensuring continued progress toward sustainable aluminium production while strengthening its leadership in the global transition to a low-carbon future. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. COP29 made crucial progress in addressing land degradation, desertification, and drought, said Azerbaijans Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mukhtar Babayev, addressing the Ministerial dialogue on finance: "Unlocking public and private finance for land restoration and drought resilience" - UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh, Trend reports. According to the Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, land degradation, desertification, and drought cost the global economy for $10 trillion each year. These challenges affect ecosystems, food security, and the well-being of communities. At COP29 in Baku, we made crucial progress in addressing these challenges. One of the most significant achievements was the operationalization of Loss and Damage Fund. This fund will provide critical financial support to the countries most affected by climate impacts, including drought. It is a huge step forward addressing the climate loss and damage and helps vulnerable communities deal with the impacts of land degradation, he said. Babayev noted that a major success story of COP29 was the historic agreement on the new climate finance goal aimed at supporting the countries most vulnerable to the climate change - triple finance to developing countries, increasing the target from $100 billion annually to $300 billion annually by 2035, mobilizing $1.3 trillion annually by 2035, drawing from both public and private sources to scale up finance for developing countries. This represents a crucial milestone for scaling up efforts in land restoration and drought resilience as well. We must recognize that land restoration requires long-term investment. These efforts not always show immediate returns, but the benefits for ecosystems and communities are huge in the long term, said the minister. He went on to add that another important step taken at COP29 was the launch of the Baku Harmonia Climate Initiative. This initiative focuses on empowering rural communities, women and youth. It aims to build climate resilient agriculture by enhancing cooperation between multilateral and national development banks. The main goal is to bridge funding gaps and support farmers in adapting to a changing climate by helping to prevent soil erosion and promoting sustainable farming practices, said the minister. Babayev pointed out that the full operationalization of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement was another achievement at COP29. This will unlock international carbon markets which can provide new financial opportunities for land restoration and forestry, attracting both public and private investments. In order to unlock the full potential of this financial mechanism, we must address key barriers. Creating a better environment for private sector involvement through policies, regulations and financial incentives is crucial. Public finance, including grants, subsidies and tax incentives, can help launch long-term restoration projects that provide both environmental and social benefits. Together we can transform the financial system to support the regeneration of our land, ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for all, he concluded. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. To speed up investment in sustainable land management, public and private sectors must address key challenges together. Gelsomina Vigliotti, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), said addressing the Ministerial dialogue on finance: "Unlocking public and private finance for land restoration and drought resilience" - UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh, Trend reports. Overcoming market failure and investment barriers in agriculture and forest-based sectors is crucial for tackling deforestation, land degradation, and roads through sustainable practices. Collaboration and strategic investments are key to promoting sustainable land management and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Partnership with governments, NGOs and the private sector are essential to address unsustainable land use practices. At the same time, indigenous and local communities play a crucial role in natural conservation and sustainable livelihoods and their involvement is vital, she said. Vigliotti believes that governments need to continuously reassess policy frameworks to ensure they are fit for purpose and aligned with the new challenges. Policy reforms can create systems where farmers and foresters derive immediate financial benefits from conserving and restoring land fertility while preparing for droughts. Examples include frameworks for payment for ecosystem services, bonus-malus systems in taxation, or targeted grant incentives. Multilateral development banks, such as the European Investment Group, can facilitate private capital mobilization through the risking instruments and partnership to broaden investment opportunities. As a public institution of the European Union, the European Investment Bank financing is driven by strong contribution to public policy goals. The Bank is well anchored in the relevant European Union and international policy developments and commitments, playing a leading role in the implementation of the Paris Agreement, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, mobilizing financing that contributes to all the three Rio Conventions, she said. Vigliotti noted that the European Investment Bank has been very active in financing sustainable agriculture and forestry landscape restoration investments worldwide. We are committed to supporting UNCCD-aligned goals, recognizing the critical importance of addressing growth, resilience, land degradation, and desertification. We have a significant track record in supporting sustainable land management and restoration, investing about 5 billion euro annually in the bioeconomy, with 1 billion euro supporting UNCCD objectives. Our approach is rooted in additionality, meaning our financing catalyzes projects that would not otherwise be undertaken. The EIB's sustainability awareness bonds channel funds towards projects that contribute to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration. Our projects are backed by robust environmental and social safeguards, promoting sustainable land management practices, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience. We prioritize investments that benefit local communities, ensuring long-term viability and fostering income generation and employment, EIB VP added. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, December 3. During the official visit of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov to South Korea, a flurry of documents were signed, paving the way for bolstering bilateral cooperation between the two countries across a multitude of sectors, Trend reports via the press service of the Kyrgyz President. The following documents were signed during the head of the states visit: - Joint statement on the establishment of a Comprehensive Partnership between the Republic of Korea and the Kyrgyz Republic; - Framework Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Climate Change between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Korea; - Protocol on Amendments to the Agreement between the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Government of the Republic of Korea for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and Capital, signed in Seoul on December 11, 2012; - Framework Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Government of the Republic of Korea on loans from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) for the period from 2025 to 2029; - Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea on cooperation in the field of education; - Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Digital Development of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Ministry of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea on cooperation in the field of information and communication technologies; - Cooperation Program between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea for 2025-2026; - Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a mechanism for promoting trade and investment between the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea; - Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea on Establishing a Framework for Cooperation in the Field of Energy and Critical Minerals; - Memorandum of Cooperation in the Field of Personnel Administration and Personnel Management between the State Agency for Civil Service and Local Self-Government under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Ministry of Personnel Management of the Republic of Korea; - Memorandum of Understanding between the Forest Service under the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Forest Service of the Republic of Korea on Cooperation in the Field of Forestry; - Agreement on Cooperation between the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Asian Forestry Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) in the Field of Agroforestry and Horticulture; - Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-Water) of the Republic of Korea on cooperation in jointly preparing and developing a Master Plan and Feasibility Study for 10 new small hydropower projects under the international greenhouse gas emission reduction program; - Memorandum of Understanding between the Export Development and Promotion Center "KyrgyzExport" under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Korea Importers Association (KOIMA); - Memorandum of Understanding between the Export Development and Promotion Center "KyrgyzExport" under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Korea International Trade Association (KITA); - Memorandum of Understanding between the Export Promotion Center "KyrgyzExport" under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Korea Trade and Investment Agency (KOTRA); - Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation of the investment project "Landfill Gas Power Plant and Carbon Emission Reduction at the Sanitary Landfill in Osh City, Kyrgyz Republic" between the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic and Sejin G&E Co. Ltd; - Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Consortium of ECOVICE Origin and SUNJIN Engineering & Architecture; - Memorandum of Cooperation in the Field of Postal Services between Kyrgyz Post and Korea Post; - Protocol of Negotiations between the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic and KOICA on the Project to Strengthen the Agricultural Value Chain by Supporting the Establishment of a Post-Harvest Management System in the Kyrgyz Republic; - Protocol of negotiations between the ICR KR and KOICA on the project "Building the potential of national informatization for digital transformation in the Kyrgyz Republic"; - Memorandum of Understanding between the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic and the National Institute of Human Development (NHI) of the Republic of Korea. To note, Sadyr Zhaparov, President of Kyrgyzstan, is presently on an official visit to South Korea. The visit expects bilateral discussions between President Zhaparov and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, along with the Speaker of the National Assembly of South Korea, Woo Won-shik. The leaders are anticipated to deliberate on the whole range of Kyrgyz-South Korean bilateral cooperation, future developmental prospects, and to exchange perspectives on regional and international matters. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, December 3. Kyrgyzstan and South Korea are set to collaborate on preparing a master plan and a technical and economic justification for ten new small hydropower projects in Kyrgyzstan, the countrys Energy Ministry said in a statement, Trend reports. During the official visit of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov to South Korea, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Energy of Kyrgyzstan and the Korean Water Resources Corporation (K-Water). The MoU focuses on joint preparation and development of a master plan and technical-economic rationale for the ten small hydropower projects, part of an international program aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, another MoU was signed between the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision of Kyrgyzstan, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy of South Korea to lay the foundation for cooperation in the energy sector and critical minerals. To note, during the official visit of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, 22 documents were signed aimed at enhancing Kyrgyz-South Korean cooperation. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, December 3. Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov has arrived in Kyrgyzstan on a working visit, Trend reports. According to information, Bektenov arrived in Bishkek to participate in the 12th meeting of the Kyrgyz-Kazakh Intergovernmental Council. In the framework of the meeting of the Intergovernmental Council, topical issues of bilateral cooperation and cooperation in priority areas will be discussed. The distinguished guest was met at Manas International Airport by First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Adylbek Kasymaliev. To note, according to the National Statistics Committee of Kyrgyzstan, the trade turnover between the countries for the first 9 months of 2024 amounted to $981.109 million, which is 6 percent lower than $1.042 billion in the period from January through September 2023. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is focused on supporting the energy transition in Uzbekistan, Chief Representative of JICA in Uzbekistan Bito Yoshibumi told Trend in an exclusive interview. One of our proudest achievements is in the energy sector, where JICA-supported projects are said to contribute 23 percent of Uzbekistans total power generation capacity. This effort is part of our broader mission to help Uzbekistan achieve a sustainable and resilient future. We are particularly focused on supporting the energy transition in Uzbekistan. Currently, we are working in the energy-saving sector, improving energy efficiency in both public and private areas. Additionally, we promote research and development in hydrogen utilization, with Japanese and Uzbek universities collaborating on this research, he said. According to him, the agency also plans to introduce a system of energy efficiency auditors in Uzbekistan. The similar system exists in Japan and has proven effective in promoting energy efficiency across various sectors. JICA aims to implement this system in Uzbekistan. Bito Yoshibumi highlighted the Inclusive and Resilient Socio-Economic Development Program, for which JICA signed a $264.16 million loan agreement in August 2024. "This program is intended to support Uzbekistan in advancing the transition to a market economy and promoting the measures to enhance social inclusiveness and environmental sustainability through budget support, thereby contributing to sustainable economic growth and the realization of an inclusive and resilient society in Uzbekistan. The program aims to support Uzbekistan's initiatives in such areas as creating markets, improving fiscal risk management and public procurement, promoting social inclusion and green resilience, investing in people, and enhancing connectivity," Bito Yoshibumi noted. He emphasized that it is crucial for the agency to work with other partners, including multilateral and bilateral donors and civil societies. JICA aims to complement each sides efforts and create synergies. For example, in the education and health sectors, JICA engages continuously with the central government and other agencies such as the UN. Additionally, JICA has extended budget support to Uzbekistan this year. We recently signed a loan agreement to provide this support in partnership with the World Bank. The World Bank and JICA have agreed on a joint action plan to guide the Uzbek government in reforming economic and public policies, aligning our support with that of the World Bank. We have also worked with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on rehabilitating irrigation pumping stations. Such collaborations are essential for achieving significant success and impact, and we strive to work with all our partners to this end, the chief representative of JICA said. Bito Yoshibumi noted that JICA has been conducting various activities in Uzbekistan, including financial cooperation, technical cooperation, volunteer projects, and private-sector partnership projects, under the three priority areas: sustainable economic growth and industrial diversification and upgrading; building an equitable and sustainable society; and strengthening governance. In particular, I believe that in the coming years it will be important to develop industrial human resources and create jobs, realize an energy-efficient society, and improve public services in the areas of healthcare and education, he added. Time for allocating federal COVID cash is running out. Technically the date is December 31st but allocating the resources isn't something that can be accomplished in an afternoon and a slew of requirements MUST be fulfilled to properly secure 70 MILLION BUCKS in desperately needed federal help. Accordingly . . . Here's the latest word from the courthouse . . . Jackson County Executive prioritizes responsible use of ARPA funds amid limited timeline KANSAS CITY, Mo. Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. is providing an update today regarding his continued commitment to ensuring that American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are used responsibly, despite the narrowing options caused by time constraints and the need to follow a fair and transparent process. With less than 30 days remaining until the end of the year, the time to issue a solicitation, grade responses and draft contracts has passed, said Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. However, I remain committed to working with legislators to implement a plan that ensures every dollar of ARPA funding is used appropriately and no funds are sent back to the federal government. County Executive White emphasized the importance of a fair and transparent solicitation process, in contrast to the unlawful process last year that led to delays in utilizing ARPA funds. The failure to follow proper procedures last year contributed to the situation we are in now, White said. A rushed or improper process is not an option, and I will not compromise transparency and fairness in our efforts to serve the residents of Jackson County. County Executive White is collaborating with legislators on a plan to ensure ARPA funds are deployed effectively, with potential funding opportunities extending into 2025 and 2026. These efforts are focused on maximizing the long-term impact of the funds and adhering to federal guidelines to avoid risks of improper use. While it is unfortunate that we find ourselves in this position, it is far better to take a careful and thoughtful approach than to repeat mistakes of the past or misuse these funds, White said. The people of Jackson County deserve nothing less than a commitment to transparency, accountability and effectiveness. Discussions with legislators are ongoing and the County Executive remains optimistic about reaching a consensus. Although he is unable to attend today's legislative meeting due to a family emergency, he has reiterated his commitment to utilizing the funds strategically and effectively to meet the needs of residents. ### Developing . . . Sadly, the start of the holiday season means more ALLEGED stealing, robbery and property crime. Check TKC news gathering . . . Man critically injured after running in front of car on I-70 in Kansas City, police say A man ran out in front of a vehicle on Interstate 70 Monday night, causing a crash and suffering life-threatening injuries, police said. Photos: Olathe police seek suspects who stole cash from ATM The investigation is underway, but police haven't said exactly how the suspects were able to take cash from the ATM. Independence police killing mom, baby was a tragedy. And it didn't have to happen | Opinion We'll never know whether Maria Pike was suffering from postpartum mood disorder, but it affects about 1 in 5 new mothers. | Opinion Driver arrested for allegedly falling asleep, leading police chase: 'That was stupid' The Raytown Police Department was dispatched to an intersection where a man had reportedly fallen asleep at the wheel with his car still running. Kansas City man sentenced to 15 years for stabbing two kids in July A Kansas City man has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to stabbing two children at a Jackson County home back in July ''Tis the season': Porch pirate spotted stealing packages from several KC neighborhoods The Liberty Police Department is looking for a woman caught on doorbell cameras taking packages off people's porches. Independence woman charged with abandoning corpse of victim found in vehicle on highway An Independence woman has been charged in connection to the death of a victim who was reported missing and later found dead inside a vehicle on Nov. 24. Officers cleared in Lawson shooting that killed man, 3-year-old child Missouri State Highway Patrol investigators release details in the shooting deaths of a man and a 3-year-old child in Lawson last month. Clay County Sheriff's Office recovers 54 stolen items from suspected porch pirate The Clay County Sheriff's Office is investigating multiple package thefts over the weekend in Liberty, Smithville and the Northland. Missing man last seen near Grandview and Bannisters roads on November 24 Missing Endangered Person: HAAR, Paul White/Male // 74 years old // 5'9" // 200 pounds Developing . . . We've talked about Kansas City building a new jail for years on www.TonysKansasCity.com and now we take a look at the project moving forward despite more than a few complaints and the reality the voters rarely give politicos any credit for building these kind of desperately needed facilities. Check the presser that powers most of the coverage on the topic this week . . . Jackson County Legislature approves sale of land for KCMO detention center KANSAS CITY, Mo. Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. today announced the County Legislatures approval of the sale of land adjacent to the Countys under-construction jail to the City of Kansas City, Missouri. This decision will allow Kansas City to build a new detention center tailored to the unique populations it serves, complementing the Countys facility, which will primarily house individuals charged with serious felonies awaiting trial. I want to thank the Jackson County Legislature for their support of this important collaboration, said Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. The sale of this land reflects our shared commitment to public safety and responsible stewardship of public resources. The Citys new facility will be more attuned to the populations they serve, addressing their specific needs, while our facility focuses on individuals facing serious felony charges. County Executive White noted that consultants, along with both City and County staff, recommended separate facilities as the best approach to meet the operational and public safety needs of both governments. This solution reflects careful consideration and collaboration and it ensures we are serving our community in the most effective way possible, White said. Kansas City Councilman Crispin Rea praised the County Executive and County Legislature for their leadership. This agreement is a testament to the leadership of County Executive White, his dedicated staff, and the Legislature, said Councilman Rea, 4th District At-Large. The County Executives professionalism and thoughtful approach have made this partnership possible and I am confident it will serve the best interests of our residents. Deputy City Manager Kimiko Gilmore emphasized the mutual benefits of the agreement. This is a win-win for both Jackson County and Kansas City, said Gilmore. By building separate facilities, each tailored to specific needs, were ensuring a more effective system that addresses public safety and community welfare. County Administrator Troy Schulte highlighted the forward-thinking nature of the decision. This is about planning for the future and making decisions that will serve our residents for decades to come, said Schulte. This agreement represents the kind of collaboration that makes our region stronger. The approval marks a significant milestone in the Countys broader efforts to modernize its criminal justice infrastructure. By facilitating the construction of a new detention center, the agreement strengthens the partnership between the County and City while addressing long-term needs for secure and humane detention facilities. The newly approved agreement ensures that Kansas City can proceed with the development of its detention center adjacent to the Countys new jail. This strategic alignment will streamline operations, enhance collaboration between the two entities, and create efficiencies that benefit the entire region. For more information about Jackson Countys planned detention center visit www.jcdetentioncenter.com ### Developing . . . Our conservative pals share a bit of homicide analysis that isn't really a surprise but worth considering when we consider public safety "difficult" conversations that never really happen amid a local discourse that's far more comfortable blaming your mom's SUV for all of the world's problems . . . Check-it: In the last 4.5 years, as of late August, Tye Grant, president & CEO of the Police Foundation of Kansas City explains, there have been 796 homicides in Kansas City. Of these, 767 occurred in Jackson County, representing over 96%. In other words, 29 of the 796 homicides took place in the northern portions of Kansas City. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Most Kansas City crime occurs in just one place, police expert says You may be looking at the Kansas City crime problem all wrong, according to a local law enforcement expert. "When people say that Kansas City has a violent crime problem, what they likely mean is... Uncovering the Truth: Kansas City Crime is a County-Wide Issue As President of the Police Foundation of Kansas City and 30+ years working in the criminal justice system within the Kansas City area, I'm often asked a simple yet profound question: how do we make Kansas City safer? Developing . . . Sadly, most insults against the dead are in vain and offer little comfort to the living. Sure . . . Watching Faye Dunaway ruin her career by reenacting the ruthless beatings of Joan Crawford in Mommy Dearest was good for years of laughs . . . But where did it really get us?!? Like it or not, justice was denied and a dude who could have redeemed himself by admitting years of corruption and abuse that could have sparked reform . . . Instead, reportedly, he ended his life by way of self-inflicted gunfire likely knowing that he would be remembered by most with nothing but scorn as critics and victims try to find solace by desecrating a fresh corpse with terms like "coward" & "rapist" & "racist" and even worse . . . This quote is a good place to start the discussion along with blanket news coverage that's quickly turning into noise . . . Wyandotte County officials have yet to respond to Roger Golubski's death and what it means for community accountability. The former Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department detective was supposed to appear in federal court Monday on criminal charges for allegedly abusing, harassing and violating the rights of Black women for years. He was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gun shot wound in his home on Monday morning, authorities said. Advocates who rallied outside the federal court house in Topeka explained the fight for justice doesn't end with Golubski's death. "Roger Golubski was like the worst stain on the department, but he's not the only one," Lora McDonald said. "Until they weed out the corruption and things that allow these officers to continue to operate with impunity, we will be there." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Wyandotte County officials tight-lipped after Roger Golubski's death, advocates demand accountability Wyandotte County officials have yet to respond to Roger Golubski's death and what it means for community accountability. 'It was either he died, or I died': Alleged sexual assault survivor reacts to Golubski's death Disgraced former KCK Police detective Roger Golubski died by gunfire on Monday. Now his alleged accuser believes his death means justice has not been served. 'Y'all never monitored him and we were never safe': Golubski plays God one last time | Opinion A condition of his house arrest was no access to guns. Did anyone ever check on him? This was someone's job, and that job did not get done. From Melinda Henneberger 'I longed to face him': Victim in lawsuit against Roger Golubski reacts to his death on day 1 of trial Justice seemed delayed to several victims who brought a sex trafficking and civil rights case against Roger Golubski. Jay Z's Team ROC vows to continue fight despite death of Roger Golubski A disgraced former detective accused of horrific crimes and abuse of power was found dead, with a single fatal gunshot wound, just as the first of two federal trials was set to begin Monday morning. 'Even in his death, he took from people': Lamonte McIntyre weighs in on Roger Golubski's death Normally, if you ask LaMonte McIntyre how he's doing, he'd say he's at peace after being exonerated for a crime he didn't commit. Survivors of Roger Golubski's alleged crimes call for accountability after his death Roger Golubski's sexual assault trial was scheduled to begin Monday with jury selection. 'Such a coward,' Community members say of Roger Golubski's death Community members are calling Roger Golubski, the former Kansas City, Kansas, detective who died in an apparent suicide Monday morning, a coward. Disgraced KCK detective found dead in his home, alleged accusers are now demanding answers A high-profile case takes a shocking turn after disgraced former KCK detective, Roger Golubski was found dead at his home, the morning that his first trial was set to begin. Attorney discusses impact of Roger Golubski's death on civil lawsuit Attorney Bill Skepnek expressed his clients' disappointment over the death of former officer Roger Golubski, who was accused of serious crimes. Various brands of frozen breaded chicken products have been recalled across Canada due to pieces of metal. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) posted a recall notice about the frozen breaded chicken dated Nov. 14. Compliments, Great Value, Janes, no name and Sysco are brands that have been impacted by the national recall. Amazon posted a notice about the recalled chicken on Nov. 20. Costco posted a recall notice about the Janes brand chicken on Nov. 22. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW A spokesperson from Sobeys said their company initiated this recall on Nov. 4, the day they said it was issued. Sobeys says Nov. 4 is the date Sobeys received a vendor initiated voluntary recall notice. We removed all affected products, including frozen breaded chicken, from our stores and banners, including Sobeys, Co-op, Foodland, FreshCo, Safeway, Thrifty Foods, IGA, and Voila, the Sobeys spokesperson said. Customer health and safety remains our top priority, and we continue to follow CFIA guidelines to uphold the highest safety standards in our operations. What products are impacted? CFIA said this recall is linked to the Sifto brand HyGrade Salt recalled due to pieces of metal, as the affected salt was used to make these recalled products. The salt recall has triggered the recall of other products, including bread and more. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation related to the October salt recall, which triggered the recall of other product. On Nov. 18, the CFIA amended the Sifto brand Hy-Grade Salt due to pieces of metal recall notification to include additional products that were identified as part of the CFIAs ongoing food safety investigation. Search News Archive : Fast Travel News Promotion Via Search, Social Media + Email Follow Us On : EXPERIENCE THE ULTIMATE IN CRUISING WITH THE JEANNEAU MERRY FISHER 1295 AND 1095 FLYBRIDGE Industry: Sailing Holidays Discover the luxury and versatility of the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 1295 and 1095 Flybridge boats, now available in Essex from L H Morgan & Sons (Marine) Ltd. (TRAVPR.COM) UNITED KINGDOM - December 2nd, 2024 - Essex, UK - L H Morgan & Sons (Marine) Ltd, a leading name in the marine industry with over 50 years of experience, proudly announces the availability of the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 1295 Flybridge and Merry Fisher 1095 Flybridge. These two exceptional cruising boats are now ready to redefine the boating experience for enthusiasts seeking the perfect blend of luxury, performance, and versatility. Jeanneau Merry Fisher 1295 Flybridge: Redefining Comfort and Innovation The Jeanneau Merry Fisher 1295 Flybridge is a remarkable 12.5-meter triple outboard motorboat, purpose-built for those who value space, technology, and relaxation. Designed to cater to families and groups of friends, this boat combines modern aesthetics with thoughtful functionality. Key Features: Luxurious Living Spaces: The electrically controlled starboard-side terrace, a large wheelhouse with panoramic windows, and a spacious cockpit offer unparalleled comfort. The expansive flybridge, complete with an XXL sunpad, provides a perfect space for relaxation. Advanced Technology: Outfitted with state-of-the-art features, including three 12-inch chartplotters, the Seanapps Connected Boat system, Fusion audio, and automatic trim tabs, this boat ensures a seamless cruising experience. Room for All: With three comfortable cabins and two toilets, the Merry Fisher 1295 Flybridge promises a peaceful and enjoyable stay during every journey. Jeanneau Merry Fisher 1095 Flybridge: A Compact Marvel for Family Adventures The Jeanneau Merry Fisher 1095 Flybridge, a 10-meter outboard cruiser, offers an extraordinary combination of comfort and utility. Its design makes it an excellent choice for families looking for a long-distance cruiser with an edge in style and practicality. Standout Attributes: Flybridge Versatility: The flybridge includes a second helm position, forward sundeck, and a folding co-pilot bench seat that converts to an XXL sundeck, making it a true outdoor living space. Interior Excellence: Boasting ample interior volume, a modular cockpit, and thoughtful storage solutions, it delivers comfort without compromise. Performance-Driven Design: With a high-performance hull and recessed side deck, this boat ensures safe and smooth navigation in diverse conditions. Merry Fisher Boats: Versatility at Its Finest Merry Fisher boats are celebrated for their exceptional adaptability, effortlessly transitioning from family cruisers to fishing boats. Known for their sleek design, performance, and on-board comfort, these boats are built to satisfy a wide range of boating activities. L H Morgan & Sons (Marine) Ltd also provides numerous customization options, including interior color schemes and additional features tailored to the specific needs of each customer. Comprehensive Support from L H Morgan & Sons (Marine) Ltd As a trusted Jeanneau dealer with over two decades of expertise, L H Morgan & Sons (Marine) Ltd offers a full suite of services to complement their boat offerings: Financing Solutions: Flexible options for both new and used boats. Delivery Services: Available across the UK and worldwide. Onsite Facilities: A marine workshop, chandlery, and clothing shop are available seven days a week to cater to all marine needs. Explore the ultimate in cruising luxury with L H Morgan & Sons (Marine) Ltd, where expert advice, outstanding service, and world-class boats await. ### Please contact the person or company listed above for information regarding the content of this press release. TravPR.com are not the issuers of this press release and are not responsible for the accuracy of the content. Share Release : CONTACT INFORMATION Name: Merry Fisher Company: L H Morgan & Sons (Marine) Ltd Phone: 1206302003 Email: solaranels383@reliable-mail.com Web: PRESS RELEASE TAGS TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 3. Uzbekistan and Russia have deliberated on a strategic plan to enhance bilateral trade volumes for the period of 2024-2030, with the principal objective of achieving a trade turnover of $30 billion, Trend reports. Laziz Kudratov, Uzbekistan's Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade, revealed the details during the third meeting of the working group on boosting trade between Uzbekistan and Russia. During the meeting, officials from both nations reviewed the current status of their bilateral relations and outlined measures to expedite the implementation of agreements across key sectors, including trade, industry, energy, transportation, and agriculture. The two sides decided to hold the next session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation in Moscow later this year and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing multifaceted cooperation. Notably, the trade volume between Uzbekistan and Russia has surged by 20 percent, reaching $9.7 billion over the first ten months of this year. Additionally, the range of products supplied by Uzbek manufacturers has expanded with the addition of 68 new items. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 3. The Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan and the German Society for International Cooperation signed an agreement on allocation of a 9 million euros grant, Trend reports. The document was signed within the framework of the forum co-organized by Uzbekistans Ministry of Economy and Finance and the World Bank. The grant will be allocated for the development and implementation of green master plans. Meanwhile, the forum gathers experts and policymakers to explore key topics including the challenges and opportunities associated with managing Uzbekistan's rapid urban growth, adapting cities and regions to climate change, enhancing disaster resilience, and advancing reforms in territorial development planning. Alaskas Changing Environment a new report UAF photo A person wearing a t-shirt walks on the UAF campus during January 2023. The University of Alaska Fairbanks released a new report this week highlighting environmental changes and extremes that impact Alaskans and their livelihoods. Alaskas Changing Environment provides people with timely, reliable and understandable information on topics ranging from temperature and precipitation changes to salmon and polar bears. The report was led by the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy at the UAF International Arctic Research Center, with contributions from more that 40 scientists and Indigenous experts across the state. This is the second edition of Alaskas Changing Environment, which was first published in 2019. The inaugural report proved to be a popular resource for educators, scientists, media, policymakers and others interested in learning and communicating about climate and environmental changes impacting the state. In the five years since release of the first report, extreme weather, climate and environmental events have become more frequent. The State of Alaska declared nearly three dozen weather- or climate-related disasters, about double the 2014-19 total. A dozen of these were elevated to federal disasters. From deadly landslides in Southeast Alaska to Typhoon Merbok along the Bering Sea coast, all regions of the state have been affected. Alaskas Changing Environment updates key long-term climate trends. It also highlights the changes and impacts that have emerged or accelerated over the past five years. Though the report covers nearly two dozen topics, the following four changes may be of particular interest to Alaskans. Warmer, especially in winter Weve all heard that Alaska is warmer now than when our parents were young, but how much so? Alaskas Changing Environment breaks the warming trend down by region and season. Though overall the state has warmed more than 3F in 50 years, the biggest changes are taking place in winter. The northern portion of the state is now an astonishing 8.2F warmer, and even in Southeast, where there are fewer changes in any season, winter is on average 2.5F warmer. Photo by Caleb Purviance, Alaska Department of Transportation Landslide in Wrangell, November 2023. Changing precipitation Both summer and winter precipitation are changing in Alaska. The past five summers have been especially wet. In Southeast Alaska the recent wetness aligned with the long-term trend. Northwest Alaska had been becoming drier, but, since 2019, it has seen 1.5 times more rain than the 50-year average. Most of Alaska is also seeing rain replace snow in autumn. In some areas, there is also more freezing rain in the middle of winter. Across the state, spring is coming earlier and the entire snow season is about two weeks shorter than it was 25 years ago. Extreme events are increasing The frequency and intensity of extreme events like avalanches, landslides, floods and coastal storms are increasing in Alaska. Four fatal landslides have occurred in the past nine years. In 2022, Typhoon Merbok pounded Alaskas western coast, damaging 40 communities. Three consecutive years with high-impact snowstorms have left Anchorage residents reeling. Outbursts from temporary lakes blocked by Mendenhall Glacier have produced record-setting floods in Juneau two years in a row. Seth Adams A king salmon swims in an Alaska interior river in 2023. Salmon highs and lows Since 2020, Alaska salmon populations have seen record highs and record lows. In 2022, 80% fewer king salmon returned to the Yukon River than the 30-year average and 90% fewer chum salmon returned to western Alaska. Since, both species rebounded slightly, but returns remain well below average. Meanwhile, nearly double the usual number of sockeye salmon returned to Bristol Bay in 2022. Also, across the state, all species of salmon are maturing at smaller body sizes. These smaller fish produce smaller and fewer eggs. The visual and concise approach used in Alaskas Changing Environment to communicate environmental change has inspired several spinoffs that explore topical or regional changes across Alaska. To see the entire series and learn about wildfire, berries, Arctic policy and changes to the Bering Sea and Yukon Flats, visit IARC's website. ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Rick Thoman, (907) 474-2415, rthoman@alaska.edu 119-25 Welcome Guest! You are here: Home 'Ballot Paper Voting' in Maharashtra village thwarted Local Police Tuesday December 03, 2024 thwarted a planned mock polling using ballot papers in Markadwadi village of the Malshiras assembly constituency in Solapur district of Maharashtra Tuesday December 3, 2024 10:49 PM , Zohair M Safwan, ummid.com [Maharashtra Police imposed curfew in the Markadwadi village to foil the planned "mock polling" using ballot papers. (Image source: Supplied)] Mumbai: Local Police Tuesday December 03, 2024 thwarted a planned mock polling using ballot papers in Markadwadi village of the Malshiras assembly constituency in Solapur district of Maharashtra. The official polling for the 2024 Maharshtra Vidhan Sabha Chunav was held in Markadwadi village on November 20 along with the other parts of the state. According to the final result announced by the Election Commission of India, Uttamrao Shivdas Jankar of the NCP Sharad Pawar faction won the election defeating Ram Vitthal Satpute of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) by 13,147 votes. Despite the victory of Uttamrao Shivdas Jankar, his supporters in Markadwadi village were unhappy as they found his BJP rival Ram Satpute getting more votes. Why the villagers are unhappy? Marakadwadi village has a total of 2,000 votes and around 1,900 villagers had casted their votes on Nov 20 using the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM). Of the total polled votes, Jankar got 843 votes while his BJP rival Satpute bagged 1,003 votes. This is impossible. The village dominated by Dhangar samaj is Jankar bastion who himself is from the community. He has always got more votes from the village and this time the villagers had supported him en masse, a villager said talking with the media. But the result showed he got less votes. Where had our votes gone? he asked apparently questioning the EVM. "Curfew Imposed" Irked supporters of Jankar then appealed the Panchayat Head to organise a mock polling using ballot papers and asked the villagers to cast their votes as they did on the actual polling day. The Village Head however refused to accept their demand. Finally, the villagers fixed December 03 for the mock polling to be conducted on their own. The local police however sprang into action and imposed curfew in the village till Dec 05, 2024. As per the Constitution only Election Commission can hold elections. In case of doubts, one can approach courts, a senior official told The Hindu. Talking to the newspaper, Superintendent of Police Atul Kulkarni said, We had explained to the villagers what is legal and what is not, and the consequences of their actions. "Mock Polling Thwarted" On Tuesday, Tehsildar Vijaya Pangarkar again rejected the villagers' plea seeking re-poll using ballot papers saying the move is illegal. "The assembly elections were conducted lawfully, and no objections were raised during voting or counting. Conducting a ballot paper poll now is illegal and beyond the scope of the election process," Pangarkar said. The villagers however were adamant on re-polling. Later, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Malshiras Division) Narayan Shirgavkar held a meeting with NCP (SP) leader Jankar and his supporters. "We explained the procedures in the law to them and warned them that even if one vote is cast, cases will be registered," Shirgavkar said. Following the intervention of the police and local administration, Jankar finally announced to cancel the re-polling exercise. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez has a blunt message for fellow Democrats as they wail and wonder how they'll make their way back from the political wilderness. It's going to take time. And lots of work. "This is not like, 'Oh, here's one weird trick ... Use this word, not that word,' " said the 36-year-old congresswoman, fresh off reelection in a rural district Donald Trump just carried for the second time. Gluesenkamp Perez likened the Democrats' mission to building a bicycle wheel, saying there is no universal blueprint. "Every spoke matters and needs to be in appropriate tension," she said. "You can't just make one cast-iron spoke and expect the wheel to hold up." Gluesenkamp Perez, the mother of a toddler and owner of a family-run auto repair shop, became a political folk hero in 2022 by pulling off one of the biggest upsets in the country, coming from nowhere to win a Republican-held House seat representing the southwest corner of Washington state. The victory made her one of just five House Democrats representing districts that Trump carried in 2020. Two have been reelected. Republicans flipped a seat in Pennsylvania and the remaining contests in Alaska and Ohio remain too close to call. So when it comes to discussing how Democrats might address their hemorrhaging rural support, Gluesenkamp Perez speaks with some authority. But also some hesitation. "I am not a strategist. I am not a party operative," she said from her Capitol Hill office. "It's the wrong idea to take away from this that I've got some 10-point plan." Still, Gluesenkamp Perez does have some pointed advice as her party seeks to woo and win back the working-class voters who, for decades, were foundational to Democratic success. To wit: Stop talking down to people, as if they're too dumb to know what's politically good for them. Treat those who work with their hands with the same respect and regard as people holding jobs with fancy degrees. And, perhaps above all, run more candidates who've gotten dirt under their fingernails, mud on the soles of their boots or grease stains on their coveralls. "The track record of success is not whether you went to an Ivy League institution," Gluesenkamp Perez said, but rather "what that person has done with their life, how they've contributed to their community, beyond building a resume that's traditionally credentialed." Washington's 3rd Congressional District runs north from the Columbia River, which forms the border with Oregon. The closest thing to a large city is Vancouver, with a population of roughly 200,000. Endless acres of farmland are edged by mountains and lush forest; when the trees blaze with autumn colors, it's a heavenly sight. Swimming against the Trump tide, Gluesenkamp Perez won reelection this month by significantly outperforming Kamala Harris. She pulled more votes than her fellow Democrat not just in the blue bastions of Vancouver and its suburbs, but also in the rural reaches of the district. In fact, the redder the county, the more Gluesenkamp Perez topped the vice president's showing. Part of that is her relatability, as someone who lives in the countryside in a home she and her husband built. Campaigning, the congresswoman spoke of the nearly four-hour round trip the couple drive to take their toddler to the one day care center in their county. She described the frustrations head-scratching regulations, nit-picky bureaucrats she's dealt with while running her auto shop. Some of that, of course, is unique to her experience. But there's a broader applicability. Her platform was all about practicality. Making farm loans more accessible. Using tax-preferred savings funds to pay not just for college but also tools used by loggers, plumbers, electricians and the like. Giving people the right to choose where to fix their broken appliances, rather than having to ship them back to the manufacturer. Gluesenkamp Perez doesn't hesitate to break with fellow Democrats on issues like border security she backed a resolution rebuking Harris for her role in the administration's policies and hasn't waded into the culture wars that animate many in her party. "I think it's important that we hold our cultural and moral precepts steady and with integrity," said Gluesenkamp Perez, who called for codification of a national right to abortion rather than leaving decisions on women's health to a bunch of "staff bros" in Washington. "But it's also true that I don't ... know any Mexican Americans or Latinos that asked us to use significant political capital to make 'Latinx' happen. You need to be useful to your community and not an ideology." Most voters, she went on, aren't wielding a clipboard and checking off issue boxes. What matters to them is whether a candidate reflects their values and seems "a good fit for the community ... In many ways, the message is the messenger." That means sharing the lived experience of the people whom a lawmaker seeks to represent. "It's important that I lose power when everyone else loses power in the ice storm," said Gluesenkamp Perez. "That my home insurance rates go up, too. That fentanyl is impacting my [child's] playgroups." There is, as the congresswoman suggests, no one-size-fits-all solution for Democrats seeking to reclaim lost rural ground and working-class support. In Montana, Democratic Sen. Jon Tester is about as authentically rural as they come. A plain-spoken farmer and Montana native who famously lost three of his fingers in a childhood meat-grinding accident, his buzz cut and ample belly make him no one's idea of a slick, poll-tested politician. Still, Tester lost his reelection bid to a Republican who moved to the state just a decade ago and revealed a shaky relationship with the truth. (Among the controversies was Tim Sheehy's claim to have been shot while serving in Afghanistan.) That said, when you're flat on your back you have to pick yourself up and start somewhere. Democrats could do worse than listening to someone who's won a pair of tough races and speaks a language rural voters appreciate and understand. (COMMENT, BELOW) Mark Z. Barabak Los Angeles Times/(TNS) Mark Z. Barabak is a columnist for the Los Angeles Times, focusing on politics in California and the West. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. At present, reaching an agreement with Iran on the nuclear program is not in the interests of the US, the Iranian international affairs expert Amir-Ali Abolfath told local media, Trend reports. According to him, negotiations between Iran and the 5+1 group (the US, UK, France, China, Russia, and Germany) in 2015 led to an agreement on a comprehensive plan of joint action. At that time, the US was the main party to the Iran discussion, and this discussion led to the agreement. Abolfath noted that if the US chooses the path of dialogue, it can lead to an agreement with Iran. However, at present, the US side does not want to do so. With the start of the new US government, the Republicans' demand for Iran is also becoming evident. The Republicans offer Iran 12 conditions under which the US can lift sanctions. However, these demands are too heavy for Iran. Only a few countries can accept these demands. Meanwhile, 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. In May 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran. By the end of 2020, the Iranian parliament decided to pursue a strategic plan in the nuclear sector to counter the sanctions, leading to a suspension of additional steps and the Additional Protocol as per the nuclear agreement. Consequently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) faced a reduction in monitoring capabilities by 20-30 percent. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Meet Dr Youness who performed world's 1st intercontinental robotic surgery Dr Youness Ahallal, a French-Moroccan doctor, made medical history with worlds first intercontinental robot assisted prostatectomy Tuesday December 3, 2024 7:47 PM , ummid.com Technology Desk Dr Youness Ahallal, a French-Moroccan doctor, made medical history with worlds first intercontinental robot assisted prostatectomy. Dr Youness Ahallal utilised Chinese made Toumai Robot - a cutting-edge surgical system capable of real-time, high-definition imaging and precise control, to perform prostate cancer surgery on a patient in Morocco, 12,000 kilometres away. Conducted on November 16, this intercontinental procedure has set a record as the longest remote surgery ever performed, with a round-trip transmission distance exceeding 30,000 kilometres, according to Xinhua News Agency. Dr. Ahallal, specialist in robotic and cancer surgery, was stationed in Shanghai on the day of the operation, while a team of Moroccan medical professionals provided remote assistance from Casablanca in Morocco. In under two hours, the French-Moroccan surgeon successfully removed the prostate tumor and sutured the area. Even with the huge distance, the delay in communication was just over 100 milliseconds, allowing smooth coordination between the robotic arm in Morocco and the surgeon in Shanghai. This became possible with the help of Orange Morocco which ensured a high-speed connection with minimum latency. More about Dr Youness Ahallal A Post-Doctoral Fellow of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York and Fellow Institut Mutualiste Montsouris, France Dr Youness Ahallal is working as Onco-urologist and Robotic Surgeon at Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice in France since 2017. After initial training in various hospitals - including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York, the Urology Department of the Institut Mutualiste Montsouris (IMM) and the Diaconesses de Paris, Dr Youness Ahallal specialized in the minimally invasive surgical management of genitourinary pathologies, in particular urological cancers. The surgery has opened up new possibilities for remote surgical interventions, to bridge the gap between geographical and redefining the future of surgery. "To carry out such an intervention is an honour and proof of what innovation can accomplish. Proud to contribute to writing a new page in the history of medicine and to represent Morocco on the world stage", he said after setting the world record. The ground-breaking procedure comes after an October surgery for a renal cyst, where the Toumai Robot helped a minimally invasive operation between Shanghai and Cotonou in Benin, with a round-trip distance of 27,000 kilometres. The Toumai Robot, which received EU CE certification in May, is now approved for multiple procedures, including urology, thoracic surgery, and gynaecological endoscopy. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Police fired in Sambhal using govt, private weapons: Akhilesh Yadav Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief and Member of Parliament from Kannauj Tuesday December 03, 2024 while speaking in the Parliament said Uttar Pradesh Police fired in Sambhal using government and private weapons Wednesday December 4, 2024 11:35 AM , ummid.com News Network New Delhi: Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief and Member of Parliament from Kannauj Tuesday December 03, 2024 while speaking in the Parliament said Uttar Pradesh Police fired in Sambhal using government and private weapons. Police Personnel and other officials fired using government and private weapons that left dozens injured and five innocents killed, Akhilesh Yadav said in the Lok Sabha, lower house of the Indian Parliament. There are video recordings to prove this, Akhilesh Yadav said. Row over Masjid Survey Sambhal has been tense since November 19, 2024 when a session court ordered a survey of the Jama Masjid in response to a petition claiming that the ancient place of worship was built during Mughal era (1526) after demolishing a temple. Ironically, the petition was filed on November 19 and the court passed the order to make a survey on the same day. The session judge appointed an "Advocate Commissioner" and directed him to carry out an initial survey at the mosque, which was done the same day and asked him to submit a report by November 29, 2024. Clashes between the protesters and security forces took places between the second round of the survey of the ancient masjid Sunday November 24, 2024. Purported video footages surfaced after the violence showed security forces resorting to firing. Eyewitnesses also claimed the Muslims were killed in Police firing. Leader of Opposition (LoP) and Congress MP from Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh Rahul Gandhi said the BJP government is directly responsible for the deaths of Muslim youths in Sambhal. The UP administration however said the state police did not resort to firing in Sambhal and claimed the youths died due to private firing. 'Administartion incited violence' SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav while speaking in the Lok Sabha however said not only UP Policemen but officials also fired on protesters using government as well as private weapons. Akhilesh Yadav presented the entire details in the Parliament what happened in Sambhal from Nov 19 till Nov 24, 2024 when the violence started in the city. "The local residents extended their support when they survey of the Jama Masjid was done following the court order. After the survey, the district administration said survey has been completed and the report of the survey will be submitted in the court", Akhilesh said in the Parliament. Watch - Akhilesh Speaking in Parliament Akhilesh Yadav demands suspension of DM & all police officials involved in instigating riots in Sambhal. He also demands murder case to be filed so that no one dares to go against law next time pic.twitter.com/UcTZRybEC9 Avishek Goyal (@AG_knocks) December 3, 2024 The SP Chief said that on Nov 22, 2024, when Muslims went to Jama Masjid for Friday prayers, police barricaded the entire area. Despite this, local residents remained peaceful. People became wary when survey team came on Sunday for a second round. Local residents wanted to know why the second survey was being done when the survey was already completed as per the officials. "Responding to this, the Circuit Officer abused and ordered lathi charge over the Muslims who had gathered there. Opposing the Police action, some people pelted stones. "Following this, the police and other officials fired on them using government as well as private weapons. There are video recordings to prove this", Akhilesh said in the Parliament. In his speech, Akhilesh also demanded a thorough probe, and immediate suspension and arrest of guilty officers, adding the entire incident was pre-planned to hide the force used during the Uttar Pradesh bypolls. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Using Kashmir to score points in elections, but for how long? Because of claims and counter-claims, point scoring has turned Kashmir into an electoral jackpot lottery in Indian elections, during which an attempt to lure voters over JKs disempowerment had reached a climax Tuesday December 3, 2024 12:50 PM , Nayeema Ahmad Mahjoor When a ruling political party celebrates the policy of disempowering or destabilizing one of its regions and makes it an election plank to exploit voters, isnt something to get worried about? Or examine the party officials for rejoicing over the humiliation of its own people? Does it not raise questions about its patriotic beliefs or timely benefits of vote grabbing? How bizarre it looks that, On the one hand, the ruling party asserts its entitlement by forcing anti-people policy on Jammu and Kashmir and, on the other hand, keeps taunting the local population by provoking them. This reflects a low mentality of some politicians and exposes the inherent hatred against the population that recently rejected it very severely in Assembly elections. Arvind Raina, a Professor of Political Science in the Capital Delhi, while discussing the recent election brawls of political parties, says that votes are demanded in exchange for a policy of subjugating Jammu and Kashmir in the Indian elections, which is certainly a sign of degradation of electoral democracy in India. Your intention of keeping control over the land but exhibiting hate against the people will push JK much further away. Many analysts observed during the recent election campaign in the two Indian states of Maharashtra and Jharkhand that the two major political parties - the ruling and opposition, while discussing scrapping Jammu and Kashmirs internal autonomy, wanted to take credit for ending it and making people powerless in their home. The ruling Bhartiya Janata Party and the opposition Congress Party had no other argument left or agenda to sell except to score points on reducing the erstwhile State to non-entity. They were convincing voters in their election campaign that the integrity and sovereignty of India had been saved only by dictatorial demoting this region to a union territory. The authority to govern the region lies with the central government, which amounts to conquering it. Most voters had no clue about JK or its autonomy and wanted their local issues to be addressed. Because of claims and counter-claims, point scoring has turned Kashmir into an electoral jackpot lottery in Indian elections, during which an attempt to lure voters over JKs disempowerment had reached a climax. Since the removal of Art 370 and Art 35A in August 2019, the BJP already had a big catch of its decision in every election, declaring it in a way that it was something like freedom given to the region, which has been captured now and asked the people to vote in exchange for a policy of politically, economically and socially disempowering its integral part. Surprisingly, Congress wanted a part of the flesh, too. For the first time, the Congress trumpeted its earlier policy of hollowing down the internal autonomy given to it in return for its accession with India. It repeated its statement in the assembly elections that it does not support the restoration of Article 370 included in the manifesto of its ally National Conference but is limited to the restoration of statehood only. National Conference, the ruling party in JK, was taken off guard and left embarrassed. The party has promised that if people would vote for it and its ally, Congress, both parties could work together on restoring Art 370 and Art 35A. Also Read: Jammu and Kashmir New Reservation Policy is Injustice to Open Merit To the dismay of the people, the resolution on special status passed by the National Conference in the first Assembly recently neither mentioned Article 370 nor condemned the decision of the BJP government of August 2019. Instead, it limited itself to the restoration of statehood and special status enjoyed by more than two dozen Indian states. Internal autonomy granted earlier is somewhat better than the special status guaranteed in the Indian Constitution. At the time of partition, the Muslim-majority State of Jammu and Kashmir was supposed to join Pakistan for being in geographical contiguity and the two Nation formula basis. But, the Kashmir-based leader Sheikh Abdullah went against his people and joined India on the credence of its secular character. India had promised internal sovereignty, which was granted and taken back. The opposition party, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, outrightly rejected the election agenda and did not mention the Art 370 restoration promise. He indicated that his party had already undermined Jammu and Kashmirs internal autonomy and that they had become allies of the National Conference only on granting statehood back to JK. The people of Jammu and Kashmir were deeply hurt by his statement, especially those who had recently made the party win six seats in the Muslim belt while the BJP had already wiped it out in the Jammu region. Social activist in Kashmir Imran Ali says that while the National Conference has given a few seats on a platter to Congress in Jammu and Kashmir, the voters have given the National Conference a new lease of life by bringing it back from its deathbed when it was elected with a vast majority on the sole agenda of restoring Article 370. It was typical for Congress and NC to betray the people once again. After only a few weeks, the National Conference has shown its true colours, creating anxiety and disappointment among the people using the language BJP has spoken since it came to power. The public believes that the National Conference is backtracking on its stand. Earlier, this party accepted the application of all the laws that were imposed on the State after the arrest of Sheikh Abdullah in 1953 and robbed us of our internal sovereignty. This time, it has legitimized the August 2019 decision of BJP, Imran said to me. The BJP is hoodwinking the rest of India that by abolishing Articles 370 and 35A and reducing it to a Union Territory, it has completely integrated Jammu and Kashmir into India like it had snatched it from another country. In reality, the BJP has left JK powerless and under the remote control of the Center. The national political parties are telling people that the Instrument of Accession was made permanent only by hollowing the internal autonomy of the State that was a part of the Indian constitution. Elections have been held in Jammu and Kashmir since partition, but like in the past, the agenda or interpretation of the election results has changed its meaning altogether. The new narrative is that only after 2019 did JK become an integral part of India. For the last decade, the freedom fighters were removed from the political scene, and now the mainstream has been ousted from power position despite the elections. What next is anybodys guess. People are challenging the National Conference to explain why the Assembly was formed when it knew it would be a powerless body . The NC government has yet to fulfil its promise of providing 200 units of electricity to the people, which it had promised to implement in the first week of its government. Why is it then hanging with the powerless Assembly? It should be noted that at the time the instrument of accession was approved by the most popular leader of Jammu and Kashmir, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, the promise of granting internal autonomy was not only made in the House of Parliament, but the then Indian government assured the United Nations that it would remain as a temporary provision for JK until the Kashmir issue was resolved between the two countries, Pakistan and India. The Kashmir dispute was one of the main agendas of discourse at the United Nations, and an arbitrator had been appointed to resolve it. Since then, the Congress has shallowed the special provisions of autonomy in Jammu and Kashmir so many times through its presidential or parliamentary orders that it has become challenging to count now. During assembly elections in JK, when the alliance between the Congress and the National Conference was formed, a large section of the people understood that the Congress, led by Rahul Gandhi, had regretted its earlier Kashmir policy and that it would support the people in restoring its guarantees, special position and basic rights given the current volatile situation in the region. Due to this perception, the party was voted with a few seats in elections. But it started its old mantra, and to win elections in two Indian states, it did not hesitate to smash the hopes raised by the 15 million population. JK has never hoped for anything from the BJP, due to which it was severely defeated in Kashmir, sending a strong message that they will never accept its aggressive policies, Hindutva agenda and sinister plans. Nobody would be bothered if the BJP continued with its agenda of selling Article 370, but people are pained to see that Congress has started running an even more dangerous agenda. Kashmiri voters are in a dilemma: By voting for the National Conference and its ally Congress, will they have to endure hardships for five years again? Has the NC once again fooled the voters and given legal legitimacy to the decision of August 5, 2019? Imran Ali says: "If the NC thinks it is in power for another five years and no one can challenge it, it is mistaken. This is the big flaw of democracy: the situation changes in a flash of a second and ways beyond anyones imagination." Why did people vote for NC if they knew its track record? This time, people had no choice. They wanted to vote against the BJP, and the only option was a win for the cadre-based party NC. Their only choice forced them to vote for NC when, otherwise, the condition of the National Conference was worse than that of other parties whose party structure has either been shattered by splits or made suspicious by making them the A or B team of the BJP. Although disarray against the National Conference is growing among the people, people on social media are emphasizing unity within their ranks, preparing to play the role of an organized and united opposition, and demanding that the ruling party account for their votes. The BJP could play the role of opposition in the Assembly. Yet, its prejudice toward Kashmir that prevents it from raising the issue concerned with internal autonomy or constitutional guarantees for the region. That would be its end among Hindutva voters. The disappointment among the people, the powerlessness of the elected government and the celebrations of the BJP over the disempowerment of the region have the potential of another disaster with an uncertain future and vulnerability to gun culture. [The writer, Nayeema Ahmad Mahjoor, is a Senior Journalist and Author.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. When PM Modi was grilled in Germany over attacks on Muslims, Christians In what is seen as a major dent in Indias reputation at international level, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Germany was in fact 'grilled' by Angela Merkel over the escalation of violence against Muslims and Christians since 2014 Tuesday December 3, 2024 7:39 PM , ummid.com News Network New Delhi: In what is seen as a major dent in Indias reputation at international level, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Germany was in fact grilled by Angele Merkel over the escalation of violence against Muslims and Christians since 2014. Narendra Modi came to power in Delhi in May 2014, and it is alleged that the religious freedom has taken back seat and attacks on minorities, especially Muslims and Christians, in India under him have escalated seat since then. In her 600-page autobiography Freedom: Memoirs 1954-2021 released recently, former German Chancellor Angele Merkel recalled raising the issue with PM Modi during his visit to Germany. Angele Merkel wrote that PM Modi tried to ignore the seriousness of the matter by distraction but she confronted pointing to him the ground realities. I followed with concern the reports that, since Modi had taken office, an increasing number of members of other religions, predominantly Muslims and Christians, were being attacked by Hindu nationalists, Angela Merkel wrote in her memoir. She added that when she broached the subject, Modi vehemently denied it and emphasised that India was and would remain a country of religious tolerance. Angele Merkel however said she was not convinced, and told Modi: Unfortunately, the facts said otherwise. We were unable to agree on this point. My worries remained religious freedom is, after all, a key component of every democracy, she wrote, in the chapter Serving Germany on her meetings with world leaders. Incidentally, the Merkel memoirs have been released at the time when Germanys former Ambassador to India Walter Lindner in his book What the West Should Learn from India also expressed similar concerns about communal polarisation in the country. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. The ECO Member States have been working together to foster regional cooperation in areas such as trade, transport, tourism, energy, food and agriculture, health, banking, customs, investment, disaster reduction, judicial and law enforcement, etc, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, speaking at a meeting of foreign ministers of the Organization for Economic Cooperation (OECD) member countries in the city of Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan province in northeastern Iran on December 3, Trend reports. According to him, accumulated capacities for individual and regional development are huge. Member states need to firmly push for the full realization of this untapped potential. Araghchi noted that the longest pending ECO platform for cooperation is the ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA), which is overdue by two decades. Our traders and other stakeholders in the ECO Region certainly deserve more. They deserve to benefit from an ECO-Free Trade Area. Iran opted for Enhanced and Resilient ECO Region through Expansion of Intra-Regional Trade as its motto during the 2024 ECO chairmanship with a clear understanding of the fact that trade expansion within the ECO Region can upgrade cooperation and partnerships in other areas. The ECO trading system also needs to be supported by our financing, banking, customs, and insurance systems, whose harmonization and digitalization shall also become a dominant agenda for the ECO. The ECO Trade and Development Bank needs to be given the authority to do what it needs to become a trade promoter and a project financier and fund-raiser across the ECO Region. Araghchi pointed out that this is particularly significant as the "ECO Vision 2025" nears its final year and the "Vision Review Committee" convenes in Tehran. has done a great job and identified some priority projects that should be given special attention and resources. To note, the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) is an Eurasian political and economic intergovernmental entity established in 1985 in Tehran by the leaders of Iran, Pakistan, and Turkiye. It offers a forum to explore methods for enhancing growth and fostering trade and investment prospects. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has pledged at least $1 billion to finance drought resilience activities, contributing to the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership efforts by 2030, Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser said addressing the Ministerial dialogue on finance: "Unlocking public and private finance for land restoration and drought resilience" - UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh, Trend reports. As we gather here, around 2 billion people live in dry lands and around 50 million people could be displaced by 2030 due to soaring temperatures, deforestation and ecosystem damage in several parts of the world. These challenges threaten livelihoods, food security, and environmental sustainability, thus increasing the prevalence of poverty and fragility. For over five decades, the Islamic Development Bank has been at the forefront of sustainable land management and drought resilience. Our support has expanded since the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement in 2015. I would like to share with you some examples of what the Islamic Development Bank has been doing to support the resource mobilization efforts from both the public and private sectors, he said. Al Jasser noted that since 2019, the Islamic Development Bank has issued over $5 billion in green and sustainability sukuk, mobilizing private capital from global markets to finance projects that address land degradation, drought, and water scarcity. We have allocated over $6 billion in public sector financing to UNCCD-aligned interventions since 2018. These initiatives include large-scale water infrastructure projects, climate-resilient agriculture programs, and soil conservation measures. To maximize the impact of our investments, we adopt a holistic approach that combines finance with knowledge, capacity building, and technical assistance. We work closely with our member countries to develop innovative solutions and promote best practices. We are also actively engaged in global efforts to address land degradation and drought resilience. For instance, we have partnered with the UNCCD to promote the concept of just land transition, ensuring that smallholder farmers and other land-dependent communities benefit from sustainable land management policies. The challenges we face are immense. By working together, we can create a sustainable future for generations to come. As a multilateral development bank, we must mobilize resources and channel them to where they are needed the most. To demonstrate our commitment, the Islamic Development Bank has pledged at least $1 billion to finance drought resilience activities, contributing to the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership efforts by 2030. We are also eager to join the Arab Coordination Group in making a significant contribution to global efforts to combat land degradation, desertification, and drought. Together, we can build a more resilient and sustainable world, he concluded. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn Photo: Office of the President of the Republic of Korea BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. South Korea's president Yoon Suk Yeol said he would lift martial law at a cabinet meeting, Trend reports. "We will lift martial law by accepting the National Assembly's request. We immediately convened a cabinet meeting, but since it is early morning, the quorum has not yet been reached, so we will lift martial law as soon as it is reached," said Yoon Suk Yeol. To note, martial law was declared in South Korea today. Commanders of all branches of the armed forces were instructed to increase combat readiness. One of the richest colleges in the UK, Cambridge's Trinity College, is under fire for misleading students about its arms deal with Israel. The college institution was found lying regarding its investments in arms firms complicit in killing Palestinians. Last May, the Trinity College Students' Union (TCSU) said senior college members had agreed to divest from arms companies "by the summer." However, in November, student representatives were told by college master Sally Davies that Trinity has not divested and has no plan to do so, leaving students feeling misled, per Middle East Eye. Students were frustrated by the college's lack of transparency. Many believed for months that Trinity was divesting, only to find out the opposite. MEE revealed earlier this year that the college had significant investments in Elbit Systems, Israel's largest arms manufacturer, and other companies tied to Israel's military actions in Gaza. Students Protest at Trinity College, Cambridge Students protested and demanded clarification but the college refused to neither confirm nor deny its actions. Letters from student unions have since called for immediate divestment and the creation of an ethical investment oversight committee, according to Algemeiner. The leadership of the college never clearly responded despite numerous questions. The college administration continued to keep quiet for an extended period, and it made the students feel "deeply shameful" regarding the institution's lack of transparency. One student contested that they deserve to know how their money is being used, especially when it involves companies complicit in war crimes. It reignites pro-Palestine student protests at Cambridge University and has set up encampments at key locations, demanding Trinity College and the wider administration of the university to break ties with arms companies. Protest leaders accuse the varsity of violating its previous agreements to review investments made and cut off its dealings with students when making critical decisions. (@FahadShabbir) Experts at a two-day international workshop on Tuesday urged for collective action on climate change to ensure a sustainable future for OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) nations ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Dec, 2024) Experts at a two-day international workshop on Tuesday urged for collective action on climate change to ensure a sustainable future for OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) nations. The workshop titled Climate Change and Sustainable Water Resources Management in OIC Member Countries started, here, organized by COMSTECH in collaboration with the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). The event has drawn experts, policymakers, and representatives from OIC member states to deliberate on shared challenges in water resource management amid global climate change. During the inaugural session, Dr. Daler Domullodzhanov, International Expert FAO ( Food and Agriculture Organization) Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia Tajikistan, emphasized the critical risks posed to water resources by climate change. He urged the need for collaborative strategies, leveraging the OIC platform to strong unified efforts against these challenges. Dr. Mohsin Hafeez, Director of Water, Food, and Ecosystems, IWMI, provided an overview of the conference's goals, underscoring the urgency to address threats to water systems through knowledge exchange and innovative solutions. Dr. Majid Labbaf Khaneiki, UNESCO Chair on Aflaj Studies, Oman, highlighted that water management is not just a hydrological concern but also a socio-political challenge, necessitating multidimensional approaches. Dr. Khursheed Hasnain, Advisor COMSTECH and Focal Person of the workshop thanked the speakers, resource persons and participants for their participation in the workshop. The workshop has brought together experts from OIC member countries, including Pakistan, Oman, Tajikistan and others. It aims to develop actionable recommendations for sustainable water management policies across the OIC member states. These recommendations will be presented at the upcoming OIC meeting of Water Research Centres in 2025. Key sessions will explore innovative strategies, policy development, and international cooperation for sustainable water management, fostering global and regional collaboration to combat climate-induced challenges. PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Dec, 2024) Launching a crackdown against harmful and substandard food items, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority seized over 750 kilograms of prohibited China salt from a warehouse at the Old Haji Camp. According to details, team of food authority conducted surprise inspections at goods transport terminals in old Haji Camp area and recovered 750 Kg of China salt that was packed in sacks. The owners of the warehouse were penalized under Food Safety Act. Director General of the KPK Food Authority Wasif Saeed, praised the food safety team for its successful operation and said that crackdown against adulteration mafias would continue. He also warned action against transporters involved in supplying of prohibited food items. (@ChaudhryMAli88) LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Dec, 2024) Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Faisal Karim Kundi on Tuesday visited Data Darbar, the shrine of famous Sufi saint Hazrat Ali Bin Usman Hajveri, commonly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh. Faisal Karim Kundi laid a chaddar of flowers on the grave and along with devotees also prayed for the progress and stability of Pakistan and durable peace in the country. Prayers were also offered for the welfare and wellbeing of Muslim Ummah. Later on, Faisal Karim also distributed Langar (free meal) among the devotees. Speaking on the occasion, the governor highlighted the significance of spiritual figures and sacred sites as an integral part of the country's cultural and social heritage. He emphasized their role in providing spiritual solace to people and fostering social harmony. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Advisor to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Finance, Muzzammil Aslam, emphasized that the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will usher in a transformative era of industrial and economic development in Pakistan PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Dec, 2024) Advisor to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Finance, Muzzammil Aslam, emphasized that the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will usher in a transformative era of industrial and economic development in Pakistan. Speaking at a seminar organized by the Chinese Cultural Center, China Window and hosted by City University, Peshawar, he highlighted the immense potential of this phase to reshape the country's financial and industrial landscape. The seminar, attended by a diverse audience, including students, academics and professionals, featured notable speakers such as educationist Dr Khalid Khan, Professor Dr Gulzar Jalal, President of the Womens Chamber of Commerce and Industry Rabia Basri and China Window Administrator Amjad Aziz Malik. The speakers shed light on CPECs strategic importance and the opportunities it brings to uplift the nations economy. In his address, Muzzammil Aslam stressed the importance of leveraging the expertise of Chinese investors and industrialists to expedite Pakistans journey toward sustainable development. "Factories in the Rashkai Economic Zone are already operational and their positive impacts will soon be evident," he remarked, expressing optimism about job creation and economic uplift in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He added that these industrial projects would not only improve the provincial economy but also contribute significantly to Pakistan's national growth. Acknowledging shortcomings in the first phase of CPEC, the Advisor emphasized the need to restore investor confidence and ensure the security of Chinese stakeholders. With investments already reaching $30 billion and expected to surpass $60 billion, he called for practical measures to maximize the benefits of this historic initiative. The onus lies on us to make the most of this golden opportunity, he said, urging policymakers to adopt a proactive approach. Muzzammil Aslam also highlighted the pressing issue of skilled labor migration, with an estimated 1.6 million workers left Pakistan in the last two years. He called for comprehensive planning to harness CPEC's potential for economic and social growth. "Its crucial that we build a skilled workforce to meet the demands of upcoming industries while ensuring employment opportunities for our youth," he added. Dr Khalid Khan underscored CPECs role as a cornerstone for Pakistans development, urging Federal and provincial governments to accelerate its progress and address prior inefficiencies. Meanwhile, Professor Dr Gulzar Jalal and Rabia Basri emphasized learning from Chinas success in poverty alleviation and integrated planning. They called for strategic measures to tackle challenges and ensure the projects success. The organizers of China Window reiterated their commitment to raising awareness about CPEC's importance, organizing province-wide seminars to highlight Chinas unwavering support for Pakistans development. They stressed that such initiatives would help foster stronger ties between the two nations while ensuring the public is well-informed about the benefits of this transformative project. The event concluded with City Universitys Dean of Health Sciences, Dr Ismail Khan, presenting shields to the distinguished speakers, acknowledging their contributions to fostering understanding about this monumental project. The seminar served as a platform to bridge gaps, inspire collaborative action and instill hope for a brighter economic future. With sincere efforts and unwavering commitment, the second phase of CPEC promises to be a game-changer, paving the way for Pakistans economic prosperity, industrial growth and long-term development. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Dec, 2024) Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has reaffirmed his party's unwavering commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable society for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs). In a message on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, he highlighted that his party has always been at the forefront of advocating for the rights of marginalized communities, including PWDs. Endorsing the 2024 theme, Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future, he emphasized the importance of recognizing the leadership and contributions of PWDs in building a better Pakistan. From ensuring job quotas to implementing inclusive education policies, we have consistently worked to empower PWDs and integrate them as equal contributors to society, he said. He urged that providing equal opportunities and access to public infrastructure, healthcare, and education for PWDs is not just a legal obligation but a moral duty of any progressive society. We need to dismantle societal prejudices and stereotypes that perpetuate inequality and foster an environment where every individual can thrive, he added. He endorsed the 2024 theme, asserting that PWDs must not only be included in decision-making processes but also be empowered to lead efforts for a sustainable future. Their leadership is pivotal to achieving a truly inclusive Pakistan, he added. Bilawal Bhutto made special mention of the Sindh Persons with Disabilities Empowerment Act 2018, calling it a landmark legislation for the rights of persons with disabilities. He urged the Federal and other provincial governments to strengthen the implementation of disability rights legislation and learn from Sindhs example to ensure Pakistan moves towards a more inclusive future in line with international commitments such as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Bilawal Bhutto reiterated that the PPP remains steadfast in its mission to champion inclusivity, equality and dignity for all citizens, leaving no one behind. BEIJING, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Dec, 2024) China had supported approximately 1.18 million families with disabled members in renovating their homes to incorporate barrier-free facilities by the end of November this year, according to the China Disabled Persons' Federation. The renovations outfitted the homes of people with disabilities with assistive devices and smart safety systems, enhancing mobility and ensuring safer bathrooms and kitchens. From 2021 to 2023, China helped almost 1.24 million disabled children receive rehabilitation services. From January to October this year, 443,000 children had been assisted, nearly covering all those in need. By the end of 2023, China had established 12,463 rehabilitation centers employing 360,000 staff members, significantly improving service quality through standardized training for rehabilitation professionals. Tuesday marks the International Day of Disabled Persons, highlighting ongoing efforts to improve the lives of people with disabilities in China and around the world. Antony Blinken, America's French-speaking, Europhile top diplomat, paid his last visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels Tuesday on a bittersweet trip ahead of Donald Trump taking over in the United States Brussels, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Dec, 2024) Antony Blinken, America's French-speaking, Europhile top diplomat, paid his last visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels Tuesday on a bittersweet trip ahead of Donald Trump taking over in the United States. The US secretary of state can look back on a tenure spent strengthening Washington's transatlantic bond as Russia launched the largest conflict in Europe since World War II with its invasion of Ukraine. But even as Blinken received a warm reception from his NATO counterparts the spectre of Trump and the isolationist policies that may come after his inauguration next month hung over the two-day meeting. "You have been a staunch ally and people like you very much," NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told Blinken. "We wish you the best after January, but we need you until the 20th of January, every day, and we know we can count on you." Blinken insisted that President Joe Biden's administration would keep seeking to funnel arms to Ukraine in the little time it has left in power. "This is a vital moment for the alliance to make sure we're level set for the year ahead," Blinken said. "Like it or not, you've got me and you've got us until the 20th of January, every minute, every day." And in a potential shot across Trump's bows he insisted that being in NATO is the "best guarantee against war" thanks to the alliance's pledge to protect each member. That came after the volatile Republican warned on the campaign trail he'd let the Russians "do whatever the hell they want" with NATO allies not spending enough on defence. The end of the Biden administration comes at a perilous time for Ukraine as its forces buckle in the face of Russia's grinding offensive. Blinken -- like his boss -- has been a staunch supporter of Kyiv and on the eve of his visit to NATO unveiled a new $725-million package of military aid. Since the election of Donald Trump, the Biden administration has been stepping up the tempo and drawing on its stocks to try to get Kyiv into a position of strength the day it decides to enter into negotiations with Russia. Trump has cast doubt on maintaining US support and vowed to cut a quick deal to end the war. The Biden administration belatedly eased up by authorising Ukraine to use American missiles to strike deeper into Russian territory, and decided to supply anti-personnel mines. - Forward-leaning - During the many deliberations within the administration, Blinken was typically one of the most forward-leaning on taking the gloves off Ukraine. That ranged from subjects such as giving permission to shoot missiles at Russia, to allowing deliveries of tanks and F-16 jets, issues where the Pentagon was often reticent. But as Trump gears up for office, Blinken and the lame duck administration he represents only have so much clout. Ukraine had hoped that it might convince the United States to finally back its push for an invite to join NATO -- something that Biden has long opposed. Fearful that Trump would just rescind any offer made now, Washington backed away from making any moves. Trump has said he could end the war in a day but has given no details on his plans. He has appointed retired general Keith Kellogg as his envoy on the conflict and Senator Mark Rubio as his choice to succeed Blinken. Kellogg suggested that the West could shelve Ukraine's NATO ambitions as a sop to the Kremlin in any peace plan. Much of their "America First" ideas conflict with the central tenets of Blinken's worldview -- one built around reaching out to allies, cooperation and consensus-building. Photo: Office of the President of the Republic of Korea BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. Martial law has been declared in South Korea, the country's President Yoon Suk Yeol said in his address to the nation, Trend reports. I am declaring martial law to root out pro-North Korean communist forces and protect the free constitutional order. The imposition of martial law is an unavoidable measure to ensure people's freedom and security as well as the country's resilience to anti-state forces, he said. In his address, Yoon Suk Yeol did not specify exactly which measures would be taken. Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. The military equipment has been deployed to the streets of the capital Seoul following the proclamation of a state of emergency in South Korea, the Army General, Chief of the General Staff Park An-su said, Trend reports. According to him, helicopters started patrolling in the skies above Seoul. Park An-su stated that there was a clash between opposition supporters protesting against the decision and special services near the parliament building. According to the general, all political activities, assemblies, and demonstrations are strictly prohibited, including those of the parliament, local councils, political parties, and associations. All media and publications must be controlled, he said. South Korea's Defense Ministry has summoned reserve soldiers to serve. To note, martial law has been proclaimed in South Korea. I am declaring martial law to root out pro-North Korean communist forces and protect the free constitutional order. The imposition of martial law is an inevitable measure to ensure people's freedom and security, as well as the country's resistance to the actions of anti-state forces, the South Korean President said earlier. Rebel forces and allied militants launched a significant offensive last week against Syrian government forces in northwestern Syria, capturing Aleppo, the countrys second-largest city. This marks the largest escalation in Syrias civil war since it began in 2011. Aleppo, once known as Syrias economic capital, had been controlled by Syrian President Bashar al-Assads government since 2016, when government forces, aided by Iranian-backed militias and Russian airstrikes, drove out rebel forces from the eastern parts of the city. Multiple rebel factions and militant groups participated in the battle for Aleppo, code-named Operation Deterrence of Aggression, and headed by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, an Islamist group that controls most of Idlib province in northwest Syria. Formerly known as al-Nusra Front, it was the main affiliate of al-Qaida in Syria until 2017, when it formally severed ties with the global terror group. According to Aaron Zelin, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, the groups current ideology is rooted in local rather than global goals. I still consider them extremists. They still have some foreign fighters in their ranks, and they also backed Hamas' October 7 attack against Israel, Zelin told VOA, referring to the attack carried out by the Palestinian militant group in 2023, which killed about 1,200 people. HTS Is estimated to have up to 30,000 fighters, largely concentrated in northwestern Syria. They essentially situate themselves as what I describe as sort of these political jihadists, where theology no longer guides every action they do, like ISIS or al-Qaida, whereas they put in a lot more political considerations related to this, but they are still very much interested in jihad, as we can see the way that they frame this fight, Zelin said, referring an acronym for the Islamic State. One of the ways that I look at the issue is that they essentially went from global jihad to a local regime, he added. Turkey-backed rebels Among the other armed groups involved in the Aleppo offensive was the Syrian National Army, or SNA, an umbrella organization for several factions backed by Turkey. The SNA was established in 2017 as the armed force of the Turkish-backed Syrian Interim Government, which had gained control of parts of northwestern Syria. The SNA previously took part in two Turkish-backed offensives against Kurdish forces in 2018 and 2019. Some groups aligned with the SNA have been known for their radical Islamist ideology. Last year, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the Suleiman Shah Brigade and the Hamza Division, two main factions within the SNA, for serious human rights abuses against those residing in the Afrin region of northern Syria. Caroline Rose, director of the Strategic Blind Spots portfolio at the Washington-based New Lines Institute, said, It appears that there is tentative, fragile collaboration between HTS and the SNA, following years of tension and infighting. While Turkey had belatedly intervened in the rivalry in respect to security in Syrias northwest, its clear that Ankara invested in fostering greater partnership between HTS and the SNA to conduct this offensive into Aleppo, she told VOA. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Monday during a press conference with his Iranian counterpart in Ankara that the latest escalation in Aleppo was the result of long-standing unresolved issues rather than external interventions. He attributed the violence to the Syrian governments refusal to engage in dialogue with the opposition. As the Aleppo offensive was launched, another was simultaneously announced by the Turkey-backed SNA against U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, in the northern countryside of Aleppo province, primarily around the town of Tel Rifaat. Turkey regards the SDF a terrorist organization. Rose said these different priorities could determine whether the HTS-SNA partnership can last. While the SNA is pushing towards Tel Rifaat against SDF forces, HTS is concentrating on establishing proto governance in strategic locations in Aleppo, she said. Turkey will likely play on this rivalry and use it to its advantage as it seeks to redraw battle lines and create leverage with the Assad regime, the U.S., Iran and other actors engaging in Syria. Several other groups that operate independently are also part of the Aleppo offensive, including Ahrar al-Sham, a coalition of armed Islamist factions established at the beginning of Syrias conflict. Another Islamist group, the Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement, emerged in Aleppo in 2014 and has maintained close ties with HTS. This story originated in VOAs Kurdish service. Taliban authorities in Afghanistan are reported to have banned medical schools from admitting female students, removing the last remaining opportunity for women to pursue higher education. The decree issued by the reclusive Taliban leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, took effect Tuesday, a day after it was communicated at a meeting in Kabul of heads from all medical institutions, officials and participants told VOA. They spoke anonymously because they were told not to discuss the matter publicly. Taliban officials have not yet commented on the alleged ban or the meeting that took place Monday in the Afghan capital. Human rights advocates and foreign diplomats have condemned the directive they say will deprive millions of women of essential health care services, including midwives, female nurses, and health workers, in the male-dominated Afghan society where the Taliban have prohibited male doctors from treating women. I am deeply concerned about new reports that the Taliban will deny medical education to women in Afghanistan, Robert Dickson, the charge daffaires of Britains diplomatic mission to Kabul, wrote on the X social media platform, formerly known as Twitter. This is another affront to womens right to education and will further restrict access to health care for Afghan women and children, said the British diplomat. Since regaining control of Afghanistan in 2021, the radical Taliban have banned female university education, and girls are not allowed to attend schools beyond the sixth grade. Afghan women also are prohibited from working in all sectors except for a few, including health care, immigration, and police. The de facto Afghan government defends its policies, saying they are aligned with the Talibans interpretation of Islamic law, known as Sharia. Social media videos posted Tuesday showed Afghan girls lamenting the ban on their enrollment in health institutes. In one of the videos recorded after being denied entry to their medical school, a group of female students could be heard telling Taliban officials that women should be provided with poison to ensure their peaceful demise. VOA could not independently confirm the authenticity of the video. This decision denies countless young women the opportunity to pursue careers in medicine, a field where they have historically played a vital role, particularly in providing healthcare to women and children, a statement from Afghanistan Women and Children Strengthen Welfare Organization, which advocates human rights, said Tuesday on X. "The ban further cripples Afghanistans already fragile healthcare system, which relies heavily on female medical professionals to address the needs of its population. With maternal mortality rates among the highest in the world, the absence of female healthcare workers will have catastrophic consequences for womens health, it added. Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has been actively advocating for the establishment of a collective security alliance in Asia similar to that of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Europe and North America. Japans ruling Liberal Democratic Party set up a new committee in November specifically to discuss this Asian NATO concept. However, such an ambitious plan is unlikely to take place under the second term of U.S.-elect President Donald Trump, according to experts. Ishiba has reportedly advocated for bolstering regional deterrence by integrating existing security frameworks such as the ANZUS Security Treaty between the United States, Australia and New Zealand; the U.S.-Japan Alliance; and the U.S.-South Korea Alliance. He outlined his vision in a paper to the Washington-based Hudson Institute in September, arguing that such an alliance would deter China from using military force in Asia. "The absence of a collective self-defense system like NATO in Asia means that wars are likely to break out because there is no obligation for mutual defense," he wrote. However, the proposal has encountered significant resistance, including opposition from China, concerns from ASEAN nations and even U.S. skepticism. Feasibility doubtful Koichi Nakano, a visiting scholar on U.S.-Japan relations at Harvard Universitys Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, was skeptical that the U.S. would support an Asian NATO proposal. Ishibas personal advocacy is based on his view that [a] U.S.-Japan alliance should be placed on a more equal footing. And it is also connected to his parallel argument that there should be nuclear sharing with Japan. In other words, it is with an aim at constraining U.S. unilateralism, Nakano said. All of this is exactly what President-elect [Donald] Trump does not want. He doesn't even like NATO in the first place, and there is zero reason to think that he would want to have an Asian version of it, he said. Trump has pledged that NATOs purpose and NATOs mission will be fundamentally changed in his new administration. During his first term as president, he reduced defense spending to the alliance, saying America spent more than other countries in the organization. Officials in the Biden administration have also been skeptical of the Asian NATO proposal. Stephen Nagy, a professor of politics and international studies at Tokyos International Christian University, also said a Asian NATO is neither realistic nor achievable. An Asian NATO may not necessarily be a negative initiative, Nagy said. On the contrary, it may help stakeholders align their strategic thinking on security concerns on the region and find ways to cooperate with each other to deal with traditional and non-traditional security challenges. However, Nagy said that minilateral cooperation, which involves a small group of countries working together on specific issues, is more feasible than the Asian NATO concept. Establishing and maintaining various forms of minilateral cooperation such as the Quad [Australia, India, Japan and the United States]; the Squad [United States, Japan, Australia and the Philippines]; the Manila-Tokyo-Washington minilateral; the Camp David-based cooperation between Seoul, Tokyo and Washington, will be more realistic and accrue security and diplomatic results compared to an Asian NATO multilateral project, he said. John Chuan Tiong Lim, a research fellow on East Asian and international relations at the University of Tokyo, said that the idea of an Asian NATO faces significant obstacles, including Japan's constitutional restrictions under Article 9, which prohibits the country from engaging in collective warfare. This would make it impossible for Japan to replicate NATO's European model directly, he said. Voter support? In addition to major powers in the Indo-Pacific, Ishiba needs public support. There is little interest in foreign and security policy among the Japanese voters, and if anything, the increasing cost attached to the recent drive for remilitarization is likely to lead to a loss of votes for the ruling party, Harvards Nakano said. Lim also noted that Ishiba did not bring up such a concept during his meeting in Peru with U.S. President Joe Biden in November. Still, Lim emphasized that the proposal remains alive within the LDP. The fact that it continues to be discussed within the party indicates that Ishiba has not abandoned his push for the idea. Nagy observed that Japan's growing security concerns, particularly following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China's actions in Hong Kong, have intensified the publics focus on national security. If Ishiba survives in office after the Upper House election in the summer of 2025, I don't see the LDP or the public fundamentally shifting their position on an Asian NATO, Nagy said. Future security cooperation In addition to the U.S., Ishiba is trying to establish closer cooperation with other regional powers in the Indo-Pacific such as South Korea. He once served as Japan's defense minister and is very familiar with defense affairs. He also met with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in October and plans to visit South Korea in January, which will be his first visit since he became prime minister. South Koreas Yoon Suk Yeol might share Ishibas interest in trying to anchor the U.S. under Trump to a trilateral framework, but he is also deeply unpopular among the voters, Nakano said. They share the common fear that Trump would bypass them and directly get into a negotiation and even a deal of some sort with China or North Korea, he added. Nakano believes the best option for Japan now is to seek closer relations with Beijing. If Japan wants to secure and defend its national interest, the only logical thing to do now is to increase dialogue and cooperation with China and hedge against the risks that the U.S. has now turned into, he said. Lim said that all parties are currently waiting to see the U.S. foreign policy direction after Trump's inauguration. In the meantime, existing mechanisms are being institutionalized. "What can be done now is being done first, with the hope of aligning with the new era under Trumps leadership," he said. Some information for this report came from Reuters. On Nov. 18, hours after two communication cables were severed in the Baltic Sea, 30 NATO vessels and 4,000 military staff took to the same body of water for one of northern Europe's largest naval exercises. The 12-day 'Freezing Winds' drill was part of a push to step up the transatlantic defense alliance's protection of infrastructure in waters that carry 15% of global shipping traffic and are seen as increasingly vulnerable to attack. The Baltic Sea is bordered by eight NATO countries and Russia. There have been at least three incidents of possible sabotage to the 40-odd telecommunication cables and critical gas pipelines that run along its relatively shallow seabed since 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine. "NATO is stepping up patrols, ... allies are investing in innovative technologies that can help better secure these assets," said Commander Arlo Abrahamson, a spokesperson for NATO's Allied Maritime Command. Yet the ease with which a ship's anchor can slice through a cable, coupled with the often-treacherous sea conditions, makes actual prevention of such attacks almost impossible. On day three of the exercise, German Navy commander Beata Krol tried to launch an underwater drone from her de-mining vessel, the Weilheim, to inspect the seabed as a winter storm raged. After a 30-minute delay in launching it, the drone had frozen and could not operate. "The batteries got cold," she said, shrugging, as she waited for the equipment to warm up. Having spent years detonating World War II-era mines on the Baltic seabed, NATO is repurposing its six-vessel mine hunting fleet to also monitor suspicious underwater activity, with its hull-mounted sonar scanning the seabed, drones able to take pictures and video under the water, and specialist divers on hand. But its powers are still limited. "We are a defensive alliance, so by conducting training and exercising, also in areas which are crucial with underwater infrastructure, we show presence and prevent rather than actively engage," Krol said. Security sources say the Chinese bulk carrier Yi Peng 3, which left the Russian port of Ust-Luga on Nov. 15, was responsible for severing the two undersea cables in Swedish economic waters between Nov. 17 and 18 by dragging its anchor on the seabed. As of Monday, it was stationary in Danish economic waters, being watched by NATO members' naval ships, having been urged by Sweden to return to be investigated. Some politicians had accused it of sabotage, but no authority had shown evidence that its actions were deliberate. China has said it is ready to assist in the investigation, while its ally Russia has denied involvement in any of the Baltic infrastructure incidents. The case is similar to an incident last year when the Chinese ship NewNew Polar Bear damaged two cables linking Estonia to Finland and Sweden as well as an Estonia-Finland gas pipeline. China made similar promises to assist, but the ship was not stopped and, a year on, Finnish and Estonian investigators have yet to present conclusions. Damage to cables is not new. Globally, around 150 are damaged each year, according to the UK-based International Cable Protection Committee. The telecoms cables, power lines and gas pipes in the shallow Baltic are particularly vulnerable due to its very intense ship traffic, the U.S.-based telecom research firm TeleGeography said. If any of the recent incidents are proven to be sabotage by another country, it would mark a return of a type of warfare not seen for decades. "You should go back to World War One or the American-Spanish war to find a state-sponsored sabotage of a submarine cable," said Paul Brodsky, a senior researcher at TeleGeography. To counter this potential threat, NATO in May opened its Maritime Centre for Security of Critical Undersea Infrastructure (CUI) in London, which wants to map all critical infrastructure in NATO-controlled waters and identify weak spots. In Rostock, on Germany's Baltic coast, a multinational naval headquarters opened in October to protect NATO members' interests in the sea. "What I think we can achieve is to place the responsibility after an incident," CUI's Branch Head, Commander Pal Bratbak, said onboard the Weilheim, stressing the growing power of technology. NATO's Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation in Italy is launching software that will combine private and military data and imagery from hydrophones, radars, satellites, vessels' Automatic Identification System (AIS) and fibers with Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), which private telecom companies use to localize cuts in their cables. "If we have a good picture of what's going on, then we can deploy units to verify what the system tells us," Bratbak said. German Lieutenant-General Hans-Werner Wiermann, who led an undersea infrastructure coordination cell at NATO Headquarters until March, said no pipeline or cable can be guarded all the time. "The right response to such hybrid attacks is resilience," he said, adding that companies were already laying cables to add "redundancies" - spare routings that will allow critical pieces of infrastructure to keep working if one cable is cut. On board the Weilheim, Krol's second drone is finally able to brave the storm to continue the inspection drill underwater. The end of President Joe Bidens administration also marks the beginning of a new relationship between the U.S. and the African continent, according to the president. VOA White House correspondent Anita Powell reports from Luanda, Angola, where Biden is making a historic visit. Philip Alexiou contributed to this report. President Joe Biden has asked Congress for an additional $24 billion to support Ukraine and replenish U.S. weapons stockpiles, two U.S. officials tell VOA, as the administration continued Monday to push out new aid packages from the last congressionally approved funds for Kyiv before Biden leaves office on January 20. Officials who have seen the administrations request, on condition of anonymity to discuss its details, told VOA, that the new support would include $16 billion to restock U.S. weapons under the Pentagons presidential drawdown authority (PDA), along with $8 billion to manufacture weapons under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which focuses on supplying Kyivs long-term defense needs. This funding not only supports Ukraines fight for its sovereignty and degrades Russian military capabilities but also strengthens U.S. military readiness by modernizing our weapons systems and making direct investments in our defense industrial base, a U.S. defense official told VOA on Monday. The Biden administration submitted aid for Ukraine in an anomaly funding bill that also includes spending on other matters rather than in a separate supplemental funding request. We defer to Congress to determine the most appropriate vehicle for addressing this urgent need, one official said. News of the latest request was first reported by Politico. Some Republicans are already opposing the request. "Any Biden funding demands should be DOA (dead on arrival), Senator Mike Lee posted on X. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, who will determine whether the bill is brought to a vote in the form proposed by the White House, wrote on X that funding decisions are for the incoming administration, not the outgoing lame duck President. The American people resoundingly elected President [Donald] Trump because he promised to bring an end to wars, not prolong them indefinitely, Johnson added. The aid request follows vows from Biden administration officials to seek additional aid approval from Congress for 2025. Last week, the Biden administration also informed Congress of its intention to forgive $4.65 billion worth of Ukrainian debt. The U.S. announced Monday it was sending another military aid package to Ukraine valued at up to $725 million, its 71st tranche of equipment from Department of Defense inventories for Kyiv since August 2021. Mondays PDA included air defense capabilities, munitions for rocket systems and artillery, and anti-tank weapons. The package is the latest round of aid stemming from a $61 billion assistance bill for Kyiv that was approved by Congress in April after several months of delays. The Biden administration still has more than $8 billion in funding from previous aid packages to give to Ukraine. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with Ukrainian Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov on Monday to discuss battlefield dynamics and U.S. security assistance to Ukraine, according to the Pentagon. During his call with Umerov, Austin condemned Russias recent barrage of missiles and drones targeting Ukraines civilian infrastructure, along with its use of an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile in Ukraine, which the Pentagon called another escalation in Russias war against Ukraine. Jeff Seldin contributed to this report. U.S. President Joe Biden received a warm welcome at Angola's pink-hued Presidential Palace Tuesday as he made his first and almost certainly final visit to the African continent as president. After a red-carpet promenade, renditions of national anthems by a military band, an inspection of troops and a 21-gun salute, he and Angolan President Joao Lourenco, both flanked by diplomats, got down to work. "I'm very proud to be the first American president to visit Angola, and I'm deeply proud of everything we have done together to transform our partnership thus far," Biden told Lourenco. "There is so much ahead of us, so much we can do. His administrations top Africa adviser told VOA that Biden sees Angola as exhibit A of a collaborative relationship with Washington. His administration's top Africa adviser told VOA that Biden sees Angola as "exhibit A" of a collaborative relationship with Washington. "We, the United States, are working with Angola on a few really important things," said Frances Brown, senior director for African Affairs at the National Security Council, speaking exclusively to VOA. "One is bolstering peace and security in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Another is growing economic opportunities in the region. A third is technological and scientific cooperation." Unmentioned by Biden publicly at least was Angola's poor human rights record. Rights group Amnesty International attempted to summarize the situation. "Amnesty has repeatedly documented excessive and lethal force to disrupt peaceful demonstrations," Kate Hixon, advocacy director for Africa at Amnesty International USA, told VOA via Zoom. "Not only is lethal force used in these demonstrations, but the victims' families do not have recourse to access to justice. We've also seen several repressive laws passed since 2020. Since 2020 it's been illegal to criticize the president. More recently, this year, we've seen two laws approved that further threaten the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and the media." Brown told VOA that the president always raises concerns about human rights, privately. "He never shies away from talking about democracy and human rights issues with counterparts," she told VOA. "And I think that's pretty consistent with the way he's been throughout his long, long career in public service." Angolan opposition groups told local media that Biden missed a "great opportunity" to listen to civil society groups about their concerns. "The Lobito rail corridor ... is the only concern of Biden's visit to Angola," said Ernesto Mulato of the opposition UNITA party. Biden also took time to address the deep, painful blood ties between Angola and the Americas, after a short tour of the nation's slavery museum. Angola was once the top source of slaves to the New World. Biden, speaking at sunset in front of a glittering bay that opened before the white-washed museum, described slavery as his nation's "original sin, one that haunted America and cast a long shadow ever since." But he painted an optimistic picture and as he spoke, skies that had been clouded and stormy all day opened to reveal a rainbow. "Although I don't know exactly what the future will hold, I know the future runs through Angola, through Africa," he said. "I mean it sincerely. I'm not kidding." Biden is set Wednesday to visit the port city of Lobito, where a new, U.S.-financed rail line brings raw materials from Africa's interior to this bustling port. The Democratic-led U.S. Senate returned on Monday for a showdown with the Republican-controlled House of Representatives over government spending, disaster relief and defense policy before President-elect Donald Trump ushers in a new era of single-party rule next month. The main challenge for lawmakers over the next three weeks is to avert a pre-Christmas partial government shutdown by striking a bipartisan deal to fund federal agencies beyond Dec. 20, when a current stopgap spending measure is due to expire. The debate will include a nearly $100 billion emergency disaster relief request from President Joe Biden for areas of the U.S. Southeast hit by hurricanes Helene and Milton, and other communities struck by natural disasters. Congress also faces a Jan. 1 deadline for raising the federal government's debt ceiling, though lawmakers and aides say that extraordinary measures employed by the Treasury Department are likely to postpone the expected "X" date for default well into 2025. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer indicated on Monday that lawmakers are negotiating a short-term stopgap funding bill known as a continuing resolution, or CR, rather than a package of annual spending bills that would fund the government through fiscal year 2025, which ends on Sept. 30. Schumer did not disclose details about a potential CR, which House Speaker Mike Johnson has said would run into early next year. Trump's allies are pushing for a three-month stopgap that supporters say would allow their party's incoming political trifecta to dismantle current Democratic spending initiatives and policy priorities early in the new administration. Legislative action on government funding is not expected to begin in the House until the last of the session's three weeks, timing that could raise risks for Johnson's slim 220-213 Republican majority if they opt for a partisan measure first. House Republicans failed to pass their own partisan stop-gap measure in September and had to rely on mainly Democratic votes to narrowly avert a shutdown weeks before the Nov. 5 election. Trump's transition team did not respond to a request for comment. Top lawmakers have yet to say how they intend to handle a Biden request for emergency disaster relief. The head of the Small Business Administration recently testified to Congress that the agency's disaster loan program for homeowners, renters, and businesses ran out of money in October, leaving more than 60,000 loan applicants waiting for assistance. Congressional aides said a disaster relief package would likely be attached to a CR. But the first objective for Congress this month is likely to be passage of the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, annual legislation that sets policy for the Defense Department, according to congressional aides. Floor votes could come as early as next week, according to aides. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock this week repeatedly criticized Chinas economic and military support for Russias war against Ukraine, which she said is threatening peace in Europe. During a visit to China, she also pledged to stand up for Germanys economic interests when it comes to electric vehicles, climate and security policy. VOA Mandarin spoke with analysts about what Chinas muted response to her criticism may mean. See the full story here. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is widely expected to withdraw from the Paris Agreement treaty on climate change after he takes office January 20. China also is a party to the agreement. However, Beijing has long argued that it is not wealthy enough to be forced to provide similar financial assistance that Washington donates to the effort. VOA Mandarin spoke to analysts about how Beijing is likely to position itself on climate talks going forward. See the full story here. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 3. South Korea's parliament has voted in favor of lifting the martial law proclaimed by President Yoon Suk Yeol a few hours ago, Trend reports. The proclamation of martial law after the adoption of the resolution is invalid, the information reads. The vote was attended by 190 out of 300 members of Parliament, and all of them voted in favor of the abolition of martial law. To note, South Korea's leading opposition, the Toburo Democratic Party, earlier called on parliamentarians to convene in parliament over the martial law declared by the president. The MPs were instructed to hold meetings to discuss and initiate the process of lifting martial law. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announced the imposition of martial law in the country. Iranian-backed Iraqi militia groups have crossed the border into Syria to support Bashar al-Assad's authoritarian regime in its fight against insurgents. Turkey, which supports rebel groups in Syria, rejected on Monday any suggestion that it might be behind the rebel offensive in the country's north. VOA Russian asked regional experts to explain what role Moscow and Tehran might play in assisting Assad amid their involvement in wars in Ukraine and in Gaza. See the full story here. The new head of the International Broadcasting department at Polish Television tells VOA Russian about plans to increase programming for viewers in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. "There is a need for truthful information about what is going on in Belarus and Russia," Michael Broniatowski said. He also discussed the biggest challenges when producing programming for Belarusian and Russian audiences. See the full story here. The FBI has charged Nomma Zarubina, a Russian national living in New York, with two counts of making false statements to FBI agents regarding her ties to Russian intelligence services. According to the FBI, Zarubina sought connections with U.S. journalists, military personnel, and think tank experts on behalf of Russian intelligence agencies. Court documents reveal that she initially lied to U.S. authorities about her ties to FSB but later admitted to cooperating with FSB agents. See the full story here. The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has issued an appeal for the immediate release of minors being detained in Venezuela. The call comes amid growing international concern over alleged human rights abuses and the treatment of political detainees under the current Venezuelan government. See the full story here. Authorities on the Greek islands Rhodes and Lemnos declared a state of emergency Monday after storms battered the islands, leaving two dead and widespread damage. Rescue teams, assisted by the military and local authorities, rescued many older residents in flood-hit areas, after strong winds and torrential rain over the weekend flipped cars, caused power outages and damaged roads. Two men were killed in a flooded village on Lemnos, while scores of people were evacuated and taken to hotels in the island's main port. Vassilis Kikilias, the minister for climate crisis and civil protection, urged residents in storm-hit areas to comply with evacuation orders that are announced using cellphone push alerts. It is a thousand times better to comply with potentially excessive warnings than to face tragedy, the minister told private Skai television. Kikilias has pointed to climate change as the cause of worsening weather conditions in Greece in recent years, including an unprecedented series of heatwaves that intensify wildfires, a severe drought this year and massive floods in central Greece in 2023. Rail travel on the Greek mainland was disrupted Monday. Weather warnings remained in effect for islands of the eastern Aegean islands, as well as parts of central and southern mainland Greece. A flu-like disease that has killed dozens of people over two weeks is being investigated in southwestern Congo, local authorities said. The deaths were recorded between November 10 and November 25 in the Panzi health zone of Kwango province. Symptoms include fever, headache, cough and anemia, provincial health minister Apollinaire Yumba told reporters over the weekend. The deputy provincial governor, Remy Saki, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that between 67 and 143 people had died. "A team of epidemiological experts is expected in the region to take samples and identify the problem," he added. Yumba advised the population to exercise caution and refrain from contact with the bodies of the dead to avoid contamination. He called on national and international partners to send medical supplies to deal with the health crisis. Congo is already plagued by the mpox epidemic, with more than 47,000 suspected cases and more than 1,000 suspected deaths from the disease in the Central African country, according to the World Health Organization. WHO is aware of the unidentified disease and has a team on the ground working with local health services to collect samples, according to an organization employee who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to talk to the media. A federal judge dismissed the gun case against Hunter Biden on Tuesday after President Joe Biden issued a sweeping pardon for his son. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika closed the case the week before Hunter Biden was to be sentenced. He could have faced up to 25 years in prison, though as a first-time offender he likely would have gotten far less time or avoided prison entirely. Prosecutors opposed dismissing the case, arguing in court documents that a pardon shouldn't wipe away the case "as if it never occurred." Hunter Biden was convicted on three felonies after he lied on a federal form to purchase a gun in Delaware by saying he wasn't a drug user in 2018, a period when he has acknowledged being addicted. The Justice Department special counsel is also opposed to dismissing a case filed in California after he failed to pay $1.4 million in taxes. A federal judge in Los Angeles hasn't yet ruled in that case. The president's Sunday decision to go back on previous pledges and issue his son a blanket federal pardon for actions over the past 11 years has sparked a political uproar in Washington, drawing criticism from many Democrats as well as Republicans and threatening to cloud Biden's legacy as he prepares to leave office on Jan. 20. Hunter Biden was originally supposed to strike a plea deal with prosecutors last year that would have spared him prison time, but the agreement fell apart after Noreika questioned unusual aspects of it. Indian police will seek details from Elon Musk's Starlink, they said on Tuesday, in a bid to hunt down drug smugglers who used its satellite internet device to navigate deep seas and bring meth worth $4.25 billion into Indian waters for the first time. In their biggest such seizure, police in the remote outpost of the Andaman and Nicobar islands uncovered more than 6,000 kg of meth last week in a Myanmar boat carrying sacks of suspected contraband, and detained six Myanmar nationals. But the incident has set off alarm bells as it is the first time Starlink's device has been used to navigate and reach Indian waters, Hargobinder S. Dhaliwal, a top police officer in the Andaman islands who is handling the case, told Reuters. Starlink, which says it provides coverage in international waters, has plans to launch in India, but says its coverage in territorial waters is contingent on government approval. "This (case) is different because it is bypassing all the legal channels," Dhaliwal added. "They directly operated (phones) with satellite, creating a Wi-Fi hotspot." He said he planned to seek from Starlink details such as who bought the device and when, as well as its usage history. "They (smugglers) were using Starlink since their journey started from Myanmar," he said. Starlink did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Andaman and Nicobar police estimated the seized meth had a retail market value of 360 billion rupees, or $4.25 billion. Their inquiry comes as Starlink inches closer to a launch in India after lobbying for months to secure satellite spectrum, following a face-off with Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani who repeatedly opposed the move and urged spectrum auctions. Dhaliwal said the smugglers used the Starlink Mini device, described on its website as "a compact, portable kit that can easily fit in a backpack." Police in the Andaman and Nicobar islands have said they are checking the involvement of any local or foreign syndicates in the whole network as they tackle the latest seizure case from various angles. In 2023, seizures of methamphetamine, or meth, as it is known, reached a record high of 190 tons in east and southeast Asia, as meth trafficking on maritime routes has increased in recent years, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says. India is a growing transit and destination market for methamphetamine from Myanmar, the UNODC said in its report this year. As the world Tuesday marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Kenyan banks and financial institutions are being urged to employ more people living with disabilities and invest in programs that cater to their financial needs and services. Kenyan banks have improved their accessibility to people living with disabilities by redesigning their entrances for easy access and creating special desks to serve them better, according to the Kenya Bankers Association. Despite the progress made, still more is needed to create financial inclusion for such people in employment. The association's report says only 1% of disabled people is employed in the banking sector. The acting head of the Kenya Bankers Association, Raymond Molenje, called for improved employment opportunities for them in the coming years. "It's a challenge that we need to intentionally work on this and be able to see within the next year, two years we can move that to two, three percent, Molenje said. For the government, there is a target for the government workforce; every institution ought to be at five percent, so that is government law, but as a private sector, we need to be even far ahead of the government." Almost 1 million Kenyans live with some form of disability, according to the countrys 2019 census. Seven banks in Kenya participated in a four-month-long project to understand the challenges faced by people with disabilities in accessing financial services in the country. Equity Bank is one of the companies participating in the project. The bank's adviser on diversity, equity, and inclusion, Iram Bahawal, said some digital services do not tend to the needs of disabled people. "Some of these apps are not friendly to those with dyslexia; they are not friendly with those with epilepsy. They are not friendly to those with low vision, Bahawal said. Looking at all this, some of these things are quick skills we need to tweak some of these backend codes, and it becomes accessible." Julius Mbura, advocacy officer from inAble, an organization that empowers people with disabilities, said such employment can improve the service delivery of banks to disabled people. "Now that they are embracing disability inclusion and bringing people with disabilities on board as their workforce, they should endeavor to make sure that their internal assets for platforms, communications and their service delivery should be fluid and accommodative of persons with disabilities; because once you employ a person with disabilities, reasonable accommodation is one of the areas we should look at and to ensure that there is [a] conducive working environment for persons with disabilities," Mbura said. The banking association and other stakeholders in the financial sector, moving forward, said they want to focus on mobile applications, online banking, bank statements, ATMs, social media, and employment software applications. The banking association will review the recommendations received from the four-month projects in the coming months. Palestinian officials said Tuesday that Fatah and the militant group Hamas were close to an agreement on a plan for administering postwar Gaza. The plan would see Fatah, which governs part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007, jointly appointing a committee of up to 15 politically independent technocrats to administer the Gaza Strip. The officials said the plan would follow a ceasefire agreement with Israel. But months of talks brokered by the United States, Egypt and Qatar aimed at halting the fighting in Gaza have yet to yield an agreement between Israel and Hamas. Israel has said it is intent on erasing any vestige of Hamas control in Gaza in the postwar period. U.S. and other officials expressed hope in recent days that a ceasefire deal between Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah militant group could help to push along the Gaza ceasefire efforts. However, new fighting erupted in Lebanon on Tuesday, with Israel carrying out several drone and artillery attacks, including a deadly strike that Lebanon's Health Ministry and state media said killed a shepherd. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to keep striking "with an iron fist" against perceived Hezbollah violations of the truce. Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that if the ceasefire collapses, Israel will target not just Hezbollah but the Lebanese state an expansion of Israel's campaign. "If until now we have differentiated between Lebanon and Hezbollah, that will no longer be the case," Katz said during a visit to Israel's northern border. The ceasefire deal calls for Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanon and for Hezbollah to move its fighters away from the border. Lebanon's military and U.N. peacekeepers are set to patrol a buffer zone between the two sides. Elsewhere, Israel's military said Tuesday that it targeted vehicles in the Aqabah area of the Jordan Valley in the occupied West Bank, killing three Hamas members it said were planning an imminent attack. Israel also carried out an airstrike in Syria on Tuesday, saying it killed a senior member of Hezbollah responsible for coordinating with Syria's army on rearming and resupplying the Lebanese militant group. Renewed rocket launches from Hezbollah militants in Lebanon and a wave of retaliatory strikes by Israel are intensifying pressure on the ceasefire agreement. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) late Monday carried out a series of strikes across Lebanon, accusing the Iranian-backed Hezbollah of defying the deal by targeting Israel with rockets. "Hezbollah's launches tonight constitute a violation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon," the IDF said in a statement on its Telegram channel. "The State of Israel demands that the relevant parties in Lebanon fulfill their responsibilities and prevent Hezbollah's hostile activity from within Lebanese territory." Israel said its targets included dozens of Hezbollah rocket launchers, terrorist fighters and other Hezbollah infrastructure. Lebanon's Health Ministry late Monday said Israeli strikes in the towns of Haris and Talousa killed nine people and injured three others. The ministry said earlier that Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed two more. The flurry of strikes followed a Hezbollah rocket attack on an Israeli military position in the disputed Shebaa Farms area, which Hezbollah described as a "defensive warning strike." But despite the revived hostilities and tough talk from both Israeli and Hezbollah officials, U.S. officials expressed hope Monday that a temporary peace will prevail. "Broadly speaking, it's our assessment that despite some of these incidents that we're seeing, the ceasefire is holding," Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder said Monday during a briefing with reporters. "We will continue to work with partners in the region to ensure that the ceasefire has the best potential for succeeding," he added. U.S. State Department officials Monday, likewise, said they have not seen indications that the ceasefire is in danger of collapsing, despite accusations by both sides of violations. "This is work that's ongoing," said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. "We take all of them very seriously, and we work through the [ceasefire] mechanism that we set up to adjudicate them." Negotiators from the United States and France have touted the ceasefire deal as a chance to forge a more permanent cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon, and end fighting that erupted following the October 7, 2023, attack by Hezbollah ally Hamas on Israel. During its attack, Hamas killed about 1,200 people and took another 250 hostage. There are still about 100 hostages held in Gaza, with about one-third believed to be dead. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump warned Monday on his social media platform that "there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East" if the hostages are not released by the time he takes office on January 20. "Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America," he added. "RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!" In its counteroffensive in Gaza, Israel has killed more than 44,400 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish in its death toll between civilians and combatants. Israel, without providing evidence, says it has killed more than 17,000 militants. Hamas and Hezbollah have been designated as terror groups by the United States, the United Kingdom and other Western countries. VOAs Nike Ching contributed to this report. Some material came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Dragon, tiger, rabbit, rooster. not a Chinese Lunar Year goes by without its contingent of limited editions depicting the years zodiac animal. Only one brand stays true to a single creature: Hermes and the horse. Considering the Parisian firms origins as a maker of saddles and other horsey paraphernalia, these equestrian affinities should come as no surprise, although one overarching question remains: how to be constantly inspired without going round in circles, like a pony in a manege? The answer, for Hermes, is twofold. Firstly, the metiers dart. The company puts all of them to use and invents new ones, too, permanently refreshing its artistic language even when the subject remains the same. Arceau Robe Legere Hermes Secondly, the chosen register. Hermes portrays the horse in all its guises: majestic, playful, cosmic, for children, cartoon-like, static, at full gallop, modern, classical, and more. Every repertoire is open to exploration. Collectors could be thrown out of kilter, never knowing what to expect, but this freshness is precisely what they want. The saddlemaker leaves patrimonial classicism to industry institutions, preferring its own brand of carefully curated irreverence. As demonstrated by its five most recent equestrian-inspired watches. The most cosmic: Arceau Chorus Stellarum Fancy a brush with death? Then hop into the saddle with the long-gone rider of this infernal steed. Driven by a spring mechanism that connects to a pusher at 9 oclock, these Gothic vanities burst into life at the flick of a thumb in an on-demand animation, set against a gilded constellation. Champleve enamel, engraving, sculpted gold: even a ghost rider can appreciate great craftsmanship! The Arceau Chorus Stellarum Hermes The most colourful: Arceau Costume de Fete Think of a Polish speciality and horses may not be the first thing that springs to mind, yet inspiration for this Arceau Costume de Fete comes from Polish folk culture. The design is the work of Warsaw-born artist Jan Bajtlik. In a nod to its original profession, Hermes has crafted the horse in leather marquetry. Brightly coloured beads take shape on a sculpted metal base that is uniformly painted, while details are accentuated by successive layers of micro-painting with a brush. Sequins sewn with copper wire along the horses harness add a finishing touch. Arceau Costume de Fete Hermes The most impressive: Arceau Robe Legere Hermess simplest horse is also its most complex. Simple, because it employs just one technique, paillonne enamel. Infinitely complex, because it requires hundreds of these minuscule spangles to be hand-cut from silver leaf then applied to the enamel base, one by one, using the tip of a brush. The resulting depiction has the intricacy of lace and is a true lesson in patience. Arceau Robe Legere Hermes The most technical: Arceau Duc Attele A tri-axial tourbillon and minute repeater. Hermess incursions into high horology are rare yet what an opportunity to show that complications can be excellent stablemates for an equestrian aesthetic. On the dial side, the tri-axial tourbillon with its triple mirror-polished titanium cage, shaped as two interlocking Hs, sits under a sapphire dome. This regulating organ rotates at three speeds, in 300, 60 and 25 seconds. Evoking the propagation of sound waves, the striped guilloche decoration echoes the minute-repeater hammers, in the form of a horses head. On the reverse, the movement gears are cut to resemble the wheels of a duc attele: a canopy-topped horse-drawn carriage. Some even see, at 6 oclock, the outline of a horses head, its mane flowing in the wind... Arceau Duc Attele Hermes The most iconic: Galop dHermes While all the above watches are produced in highly limited numbers, Hermes has not forgotten the wider public who can also own a piece of this equestrian heritage. Which is what the Galop dHermes, part of the regular collection, is for. Introduced in 2019, its case has the curved shape of a stirrup. Hermes recently introduced a small size in steel or in gold with diamonds on the bezel, suggesting a more feminine appeal, although one can easily imagine a slightly larger version with a more masculine bend. Horses for courses? Political analysts in Nigeria say the country needs to be careful after signing a series of agreements with France during President Bola Tinubus three-day visit to the European country last week. Tinubus three-day visit to France was the first official state visit to Paris by a Nigerian leader in more than two decades. During the visit, Nigeria and France signed two major deals, including a $300 million pact to develop critical infrastructure, renewable energy, transportation, agriculture and health care in Nigeria. Both nations also signed an agreement to increase food security and develop Nigeria's solid minerals sector. Tinubu has been trying to attract investments to boost Nigeria's ailing economy. While many praise his latest deals with France, some critics are urging caution. The deals come as France looks for friends in West Africa following a series of military coups in countries where it formerly had strong ties Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. Ahmed Buhari, a political affairs analyst, criticized the partnership. "Everybody is trying to look for a new development partner that would seemingly be working in their own interest, but obviously we don't seem to be on the same page, Buhari said. We're partnering with France, who [has] been responsible for countries like Chad, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and the likes, and we haven't seen significant developments in those places in the last 100 years." Abuja-based political analyst Chris Kwaja said France's strained relationships with the Sahelian states do not affect Nigeria. "That the countries of the Sahel have a fractured relationship with France does not in any way define the future of the Nigeria-France relationship, Kwaja said. No country wants to operate as an island. Every country is looking at strategic partnerships and relationships. France has a long history of involvement in the Sahel region, including military intervention, economic cooperation and development aid. Critics say the countries associated with France have been grappling with poverty and insecurity. Eze Onyekpere, economist and founder of the Center for Social Justice, said Nigeria must be wary of any deal before signing. "It is a little bit disappointing considering the reputation of France in the way they've been exploiting minerals across the Sahel, Onyekpere said. They've been undertaking exploitation in a way and manner that's not in the best interest of those countries. I hope we have good enough checks to make sure that the agreements signed will generally be in the interest of both countries and not a one-sided agreement." Nigeria is Frances top trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa. During the president's visit, two Nigerian banks Zenith and United Bank for Africa also signed agreements to expand their operations into France. Romania's hard-right Alliance for Uniting Romanians (AUR) party wants to be part of a coalition government, its leader said on Tuesday, as the nation eyes a presidential runoff vote that will decide who appoints the prime minister. Hard-right and ultranationalist parties, including AUR, saw a sharp surge in support in a parliamentary election on Sunday, and while they lack a majority they garnered more than 30% of seats in the legislature. A Constitutional Court ruling on Monday cleared the way for a presidential runoff next Sunday that will pit far-right candidate Calin Georgescu against centrist Elena Lasconi, raising the possibility that the new head of state, who appoints the government, will share AUR's views. A Georgescu win in the presidential runoff would upend Romania's pro-Western orientation and erode its backing for neighboring Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion. Romania is a member of NATO and the European Union. The court had ordered a recount of the first round of the election amid concerns over interference in the electoral process, but finally validated the result. "As Romania's second-largest party we ... have the responsibility to come up with a credible vision," AUR leader George Simion told foreign press. "I would like to have a governmental coalition. If the next president of Romania nominates me as prime minister or asks our party to propose a name for prime minister [then we will]. "We will stay and talk with every political force in the Romanian parliament," he said, speaking in English. However Simion ruled out cooperating with the leftist Social Democrats (PSD), who came first in Sunday's ballot. Unity The leader of the far-right SOS grouping, Diana Sosoaca, appealed for unity among nationalist parties on Monday, saying they should try to form a government even if it was a minority one. AUR and Sosoaca have previously clashed over policy and the latter's pro-Russian statements. A survey conducted by pollster CURS on Dec. 1 at polling stations showed Georgescu would win 57.8% in a run-off to Lasconi's 42.2% among people who say they will vote. The survey polled 24,629 people after they cast their vote and had a margin of error of plus/minus 0.6%. An admirer of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and a critic of the European Union, Simion has said he would stop military aid to Ukraine. He has opposed Holocaust education and gay marriage, and wants to recover territories that Romania lost during World War Two. AUR has gone from being a fringe anti-vaccination group during the COVID-19 pandemic into Romania's leading opposition force, appealing to the working class diaspora and young voters and building on popular discontent with mainstream politicians. He says he is not pro-Russian, calling President Vladimir Putin a war criminal, and supports Romania's NATO and European Union member status, though he condemns what he calls a "greedy, corrupt bubble" in Brussels. Record numbers of migrants arrived on Spains Canary Islands from West Africa this year, according to newly released government figures. Some 41,425 migrants arrived on the islands between January 1 and November 30, according to the figures released Monday. The number surpassed the 39,910 migrants recorded in 2023, which also broke previous records. Most of the migrants are from Mali, Morocco and Senegal. The islands lie in the Atlantic Ocean more than 100 kilometers west of Morocco and have long attracted migrants seeking a new life in Europe. The latest figures were published as Spain outlines plans to offer visas to up to 900,000 undocumented migrants already in the country, while simultaneously clamping down on new arrivals. Madrid announced plans to offer visas to 300,000 undocumented migrants every year for the next three years, allowing them to remain in the country to study and find work. Spain needs young workers taxes to fund the pensions and health care of its aging population, according to the minister for migration, Elma Saiz. Spain has to choose between being an open and prosperous country or being a closed and poor country. And we have chosen the former. That is why there are already 2.9 million foreigners paying monthly Social Security contributions [taxes], Saiz announced at a press conference in Madrid on November 19. Saiz said that the government plans to cut red tape to make it easier for migrants to enter the labor market. We want to make it easier for foreigners to get a job suited to their professional profile and, at the same time, for companies to find the professionals they need, she said. The visas will be offered only to migrants already in Spain. Simultaneously, Madrid says it is clamping down on new arrivals by striking deals with African states to curb migrant departures and increase offshore patrols. Spain has also called for the European Unions border agency, Frontex, to resume patrols in the region. Authorities have struggled to cope with the surge in migrant arrivals on the Canary Islands. Adult migrants are held in camps as they await transfer to the Spanish mainland, where their visa applications are processed. Children younger than 18 stay at shelters on the islands and are offered places in local schools. Bocar Gueye, 36, who arrived on the island of Gran Canaria from Mauritania, told VOA that he was happy to have survived the journey. They will give the tickets [for travel to the mainland] to everyone, but it is not easy. Everyone will wait their turn. With all the difficulties we had at sea, I think that the rest, we can be patient, Gueye said. Tensions on the islands are growing, however. Residents of Las Palmas staged demonstrations in October against the increase in migrant arrivals. Many fear that the governments plan to regularize the status of migrants already in Spain will encourage more people to attempt the journey. Right now, we don't need immigrants to work, said Rudy Ruyman, who helped to organize the protests on October 27. What we need is to give work to the Canary Islanders and to the Spanish in general. We must take care of our land, of our people, of our children, and encourage Canarians and Spaniards to have children. Because if not, what will be left of Spain and the Canary Islands? We will lose our identity, he told VOA. The migration debate is shadowed by tragedy. The journey from Africas Atlantic coast to the Canary Islands remains one of the deadliest routes to Europe. Aid agencies estimate around 1,000 people die every month attempting the crossing. Syrian rebels advancing against government forces pushed close on Tuesday to the major city of Hama, rebels and a war monitor said, after their sudden capture of Aleppo last week rocked President Bashar al-Assad. Rebels and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said insurgents had captured villages including Maar Shahur a few miles north of the city. Syrian state media said reinforcements were arriving in the area. An attack on Hama would ramp up pressure on Assad, whose Russian and Iranian allies have scrambled to support him against a reviving rebellion. The city has remained in government hands since civil war erupted in 2011. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in an Arabic-language interview that Tehran would consider sending troops to Syria if Damascus asked, and Russian President Vladimir Putin urged an end to "terrorist aggression" in Syria, RIA reported. Iraq Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani said Baghdad would not be "a mere spectator" in Syria and blamed Israeli military strikes on the Syrian government for the rebel advance, his office said. Compounding Assad's problems, fighters from a U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led coalition battled government forces in the northeast, both sides said, opening a new front along a vital supply route. Last week's rebel seizure of Aleppo marked the biggest offensive for years. The front lines of the conflict have been frozen since 2020 after Assad clawed back most of the country from rebels, thanks to help from Russian air power and military help from Iran and its network of regional Shiite militia groups. Now, however, Russia has been concentrating on the war in Ukraine, while Israeli strikes over the past three months have decimated the leadership of Hezbollah, the strongest Iran-backed force fighting in Syria. On Monday, hundreds of Iran-backed Iraqi militia fighters entered Syria to back up Syrian government forces, Iraqi and Syrian sources said, but Hezbollah does not plan to send forces now. A rebel source said Iran-backed militia fighters were among the forces they were battling outside Hama. In recent days, Russian and Syrian government warplanes have intensified airstrikes against rebels, both sides have said. Rescue workers have reported deadly strikes on hospitals in Aleppo and Idlib. Any sustained escalation in Syria risks further destabilizing a region alight from wars in Gaza and Lebanon, where a truce between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group took effect last week. Groups fight for control The retreat by Assad's forces over the past several days has led to jockeying for control among other groups that control pockets in the northwest, north and east. The Syrian Democratic Forces, an umbrella group that controls territory in Syria's east with U.S. support, said early on Tuesday that its Deir al-Zor Military Council had "become responsible for protecting" seven villages previously held by the Syrian army. The Deir al-Zor Military Council comprises local Arab fighters under the SDF, an alliance mainly led by a Kurdish militia, the YPG. Syrian state media reported that the army and allied forces were repelling an SDF assault on the villages, the only Syrian government presence along the east bank of the Euphrates River, an area otherwise mostly held by the SDF. A Syrian military officer said the SDF push was aimed at exploiting government forces' weakness after the rebel advance, and said the army and allied Iran-backed militia groups were sending reinforcements. Airstrikes also targeted Iran-backed militia groups supporting Syrian government forces in the strategically vital region, a security source in eastern Syria and a Syrian army source said. The U.S. military, which has a small number of troops based at a gas field in the area, carried out at least one strike in self-defense overnight, a U.S. official said, adding it was not related to the ongoing rebel advances. Many fighters on front The battlefield is crowded in northern Syria, with the U.S., Russia, Iran and Turkey all involved in the renewed fighting, underscoring the messy global politics at play. The SDF was the main Western-backed ground force in eastern Syria fighting Islamic State, which ran a mini-state there from 2014-17. Turkey says the SDF's main fighting force, the YPG, are Kurdish separatists it regards as terrorists, and sent troops across the frontier in 2017 to push them back. Rebel advances in recent days have dislodged the YPG from areas in and near Aleppo, including Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsoud district and a corridor around Tel Refaat to the north. The SDF presence in northeast Syria along much of the border with Iraq also complicates supply lines for Iran-backed regional militia groups supporting Assad. Israel has regularly struck Iran-backed forces in Syria. Hezbollah said an Israeli strike near Damascus on Tuesday killed one of its senior officers liaising with the Syrian military. Israel's military said it does not comment on reports in foreign media. In the largest escalation in the Syrian civil war in years, Syrian rebels have taken considerable ground, including most of Aleppo. The exiled Russian opposition is looking to organize a common strategy while waiting for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to fulfill his campaign promises to end Russian President Vladimir Putin's war with Ukraine. German chancellor Olaf Scholz visits Kyiv and promises further cooperation. Trumps conflicting views on electric vehicles and President Joe Bidens trip to Angola. Plus, the re-opening of an iconic Parisian landmark Threats by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to impose tariffs have created a split between Canada and Mexico, after Canadian officials said problems with the two countries borders shouldnt be compared. On Monday, Mexicos president rejected those comments, which were made following a meeting between Trump and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Mexico must be respected, especially by its trading partners, President Claudia Sheinbaum said, after Canadas ambassador to the U.S., Kirsten Hillman, told The Associated Press on Sunday that the message that our border is so vastly different than the Mexican border was really understood. Sheinbaum said Canada had its own problems with fentanyl consumption and could only wish they had the cultural riches Mexico has. Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico unless they stem the flow of migrants and drugs. Flows of migrants and seizures of drugs at the two countries' border are vastly different. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border during the last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. Mexico's efforts to seize fentanyl before it reaches the U.S. have been lackluster. Most of the fentanyl reaching the U.S. where it causes about 70,000 overdose deaths annually is made by Mexican drug cartels using precursor chemicals smuggled from Asia. On immigration, the U.S. Border Patrol made 56,530 arrests at the Mexican border in October alone, while there were only 23,721 arrests at the Canadian border between October 2023 and September 2024. During the same period, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported 1.53 million encounters with migrants at the southwest border with Mexico. Mexico feels especially hurt by the Canadian comments, because Mexican officials claim their government went to bat for Canada in the past. They claim that Trump, during his first term, initially wanted to leave Canada out of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement in 2018, and Mexico demanded it be included. It is unclear if that was actually the case. Trudeau also got ahead of Sheinbaum by meeting with the U.S. president-elect first. Both leaders are scrambling to get some assurances before Trump takes office. Hillman said Canada is ready to make new investments in border security and there are plans for more helicopters, drones and law enforcement officers. She also noted an agreement between Canada and the U.S. that allows for migrants caught crossing illegally to be sent back to Canada. She said Mexico and the U.S. do not have a similar agreement. On Monday, Sheinbaum revealed more about her own conversation last week with Trump, saying he had agreed that Mexico wanted to focus on intelligence sharing in anti-drug efforts, noting he said that in his opinion that was good. But she said Mexico would reject any direct U.S. intervention in Mexico and continue to enforce the tight restrictions on U.S. law enforcement agencies in Mexico imposed by her predecessor. That is going to maintained, she said. Western leaders are calling for continued military support to Ukraine as it battles Russia's nearly 3-year invasion but are balking at the Kyiv government immediately joining NATO, the West's main military alliance, for fear it would drag the allies into a wider conflict with Moscow. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, meeting Tuesday with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Brussels ahead of a foreign ministers meeting, discussed what the U.S. State Department said were "concrete steps" the West could take to help Ukraine defend itself. Although the 32 NATO countries have declared that Ukraine is on an irreversible path to membership in the post-World War II alliance, Rutte said the immediate priority must be to provide more arms to the country's forces as Russia gains territory along the battlefront in eastern Ukraine. "The [Ukrainian] front is not moving eastwards. It is slowly moving westwards" in Russia's favor, Rutte said. "So, we have to make sure that Ukraine gets into a position of strength, and then it should be for the Ukrainian government to decide on the next steps, in terms of opening peace talks and how to conduct them." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed, saying his country needs "significant reinforcements" of its arms supplies in the Donetsk region. "The greater our army's firepower is, the more technological capabilities we have, the more effectively we can destroy Russia's offensive potential and protect our warriors' lives," the president said in his daily address Tuesday. Zelenskyy said in addition to "detailed discussions" Ukraine has held with its partners on this issue, "We are working on our own, boosting our production, our Ukrainian defense industry." He said Ukraine is working to "have more long-range capabilities of our own." British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a speech late Monday that Ukraine's allies must "do what it takes to support their self-defense for as long as it takes," but acknowledged that the war will end in negotiations and potential compromise. Starmer said that allies must "put Ukraine in the strongest possible position for negotiations so they can secure a just and lasting peace on their terms that guarantees their security, independence and right to choose their own future." Zelenskyy said Sunday that an invitation to join NATO "would fundamentally strengthen Ukraine before any negotiations to end the war." Under the NATO pact, an attack on any of its member countries is considered an assault on all of them. But the provision has been invoked only once, as Western allies joined U.S. forces to fight al-Qaida in Afghanistan after its terrorists attacked the U.S. in 2001, killing nearly 3,000 people. With that NATO requirement in mind, Western allies have balked at Ukraine membership in the alliance while the war with Russia rages on. Nonetheless, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said Kyiv "will not settle for any alternatives, surrogates or substitutes for Ukraine's full membership in NATO," citing its "bitter experience of the Budapest Memorandum." Under that pact signed 30 years ago in the Hungarian capital, Ukraine agreed to give up its Soviet-era atomic weapons, which amounted to the world's third-largest nuclear arsenal, in return for security guarantees from Russia, the United States and the United Kingdom. Ukraine called the Budapest agreement a "monument to shortsightedness in making strategic security decisions." Now, it said, "We are convinced that the only real guarantee of security for Ukraine, as well as a deterrent for further Russian aggression against Ukraine and other states, is Ukraine's full membership in NATO." Western allies had already pledged hundreds of millions of dollars in new military aid to Ukraine ahead of the foreign ministers' meetings, including new rounds of assistance from the United States and Germany. Rutte told reporters that allies "need to continue our steadfast support" and that military aid is the most crucial task at this time. The additional aid comes seven weeks ahead of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump taking office again. He has refused to say he wants Ukraine to defeat Russia and voiced skepticism about continued U.S. military aid. He has said he will resolve the war before he takes office January 20 but has not explained how that would happen. Rutte also expressed concern about and condemned outside support from other countries for Russia's war effort. "China is active in sanctions circumvention, is active through dual-use goods they deliver to Russia, and therefore China, but also Iran and North Korea, they're all involved in Russia's full onslaught on Ukraine," Rutte said. Iran has supplied drones to Russian forces, while North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia. On the battlefront, Ukrainian officials said Tuesday that Russian aerial attacks overnight damaged energy infrastructure in the western regions of Rivne and Ternopil. In the Dnipropetrovsk region, Governor Serhiy Lysak said on Telegram that Russian shelling and a drone hit the city of Nikopol, damaging multiple homes, a gym, and gas and power lines. Russia's Defense Ministry said Tuesday it shot down a Ukrainian drone over the Belgorod region and another drone over Bryansk. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press and Reuters. The head of the United Nations children's agency said Monday that children make up about half of all armed gang members in Haiti and called for their enhanced protection. "We estimate that children account for up to 50% of armed group members, while the total number of children recruited by armed groups has jumped by 70% over the past year," UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell told a U.N. meeting on the situation of children in Haiti. "They are being used as informants, cooks and sex slaves, and they are being forced to perpetrate violence themselves." She said that gangs regularly kill and maim children, and that reported incidents of sexual violence against minors has skyrocketed this year by 1,000%. Haiti has been rocked by instability since 2021, when President Jovenel Moise was assassinated. Heavily armed gangs have sought to fill the vacuum, seizing up to 85% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and expanding their violent grip to some areas beyond it. The violence has caused a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, displacing more than 700,000 people of whom the U.N. says about half are children. A record 5.4 million Haitians are facing acute hunger. The World Food Program says faminelike conditions are present, particularly in shelters for the displaced in Port-au-Prince. Children are particularly vulnerable, and at least 125,000 are estimated to be acutely malnourished. "Why is it easier for a young person to get a gun than it is to get food? That is the defining question of the moment," said Inga King, ambassador of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, speaking on behalf of Caricom, the bloc of Caribbean countries. "The protection of children must not be an option; it must be an absolute priority," said Jean Jean Roosevelt, a Haitian musician and UNICEF goodwill ambassador. Roosevelt, who works to prevent youth from being recruited by gangs, performed a song called "Watch Out Children" at the U.N. Monday. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Canadian Ambassador Bob Rae emphasized the importance of stabilizing the country. "If you don't have security, you don't have other things that are required to get us to peace, development and human rights," Rae said. In June, a multinational security support mission, or MSS as it is known, began its first deployment of about 400 police from Kenya, which is also leading the mission. Jamaica and Belize have also sent some police to assist the embattled Haitian National Police in subduing the gangs. The mission has been beset with delays and financial and equipment shortages, and despite its presence, violence has recently dramatically escalated. Rae said, without giving specifics on numbers or timing, that more police and equipment would be coming to the MSS. In the meantime, Haiti's transitional government has asked the United Nations Security Council to consider turning the non-U.N. force into a U.N. peacekeeping mission, an option U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been clear should be one of last resort. To transform the mission would take months and need the 15-nation Security Council's authorization. The United States and Ecuador are working on a draft council resolution that would ask Guterres to begin looking at preparing a peacekeeping operation. U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Monday that the negotiations were continuing and that "they are not easy," because some council members were not on board with the idea. "But this is what the Haitian people have asked for," she told reporters. The United States continues efforts to halt the flow of goods made with what it says is the use of forced labor in Chinas northwestern Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. On November 22, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced it had added 29 more Chinese companies to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, or UFLPA, Entity List, bringing the number of blacklisted firms to 107. U.S. President Joe Biden signed the UFLPA into law in December 2021. Todays enforcement actions make it clear the United States will not tolerate forced labor in the goods entering our markets, said the under secretary for policy, Robert Silvers, who serves as chair of the Federal Labor Enforcement Task Force. Chinas Ministry of Commerce, MOFCOM, responded to the sanctions by accusing the U.S. of using the human rights situation in Xinjiang as a pretext for bullying and economic coercion. The [MOFCOM] spokesperson emphasized that China is firmly opposed to forced labor in any form and there is no forced labor in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the Chinese Communist Partys Global Times newspaper reported on November 26. The US, without any credible evidence, uses its domestic laws to impose sanctions simply because Chinese companies source materials from Xinjiang region or employ Xinjiang workers. That is false. The United Nations Human Rights Councils special rapporteur, Tamoya Obokata, concluded in August 2022 that the Chinese government has been subjecting ethnic minorities in Xinjiang to forced labor. "Based on an independent assessment of available information, including submissions by stakeholders, independent academic research, open sources, testimonies of victims, consultations with stakeholders, and accounts provided by the Government, the Special Rapporteur regards it as reasonable to conclude that forced labour among Uighur, Kazakh and other ethnic minorities in sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing has been occurring in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region of China, Obokata reported. Subsequent reports have added to the body of evidence proving allegations that China is not only continuing but expanding its use of forced labor in Xinjiang. In October, the Washington-based Center for Advanced Defense Studies, or C4ADS, a research group, reported the use of Uyghur forced labor in Chinas pharmaceutical industry. C4ADS said Chinese pharmaceutical companies had committed a number of abuses in Xinjiang. The alleged abuses include involvement in coercive land transfer programs, using Uyghur and Kazakh forced labor in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products, and subjecting Uyghurs to non-consensual drug testing and medical procedures. The report cited testimony by Qelbinur Sidiq, a self-described victim of Chinas concentration camp, provided to the London-based Uyghur Tribunal in 2021. Sidiq said authorities gave detainees shots to stop their menstrual cycles, and made them take random medicines, which also controlled their cycles. Some inmates experience side effects like severe bleeding from the shots and pills, Sidiq said. That testimony fits into broader allegations that China has pursued a state-backed sterilization program targeting Uyghur women, which critics say meets the United Nations definition of genocide. C4ADS reported that 76 pharmaceutical products exported from China were produced only in Xinjiang, warning the world is dependent on "many critical pharmaceutical products manufactured there. C4ADS said none of the 43 licensed pharmaceutical companies, which produce 661 products in Xinjiang, appeared on the UFLPA list. C4ADS said at least two Xinjiang-based pharmaceutical companies are registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, meaning, these companies are authorized to import to the United States. C4ADS said under the UFLPA, it is assumed that any goods made in Xinjiang were done so with forced labor, prohibiting their entry into the U.S. The DHS only added one pharmaceutical company to the UFPLA Entity List last month Sichuan Yuanan Pharmaceutical Co. No other pharmaceutical firm appears on the list. Meantime, a February report from Adrian Zenz, a researcher who has written extensively about Chinas Uyghurs, found that Beijing was expanding its Poverty Alleviation Through Labor Transfer program. That program has allowed Beijing to continue its use of forced labor without necessarily subjecting Xinjiang residents to forced internment, a practice which has drawn global condemnation. Zenz said China will continue to expand its forced labor transfer program next year, in line with Xinjiangs 14th Five-Year Plan for Employment Promotion. In a June 2022 report, Zenz argued that Xinjiangs labor transfers became highly coercive at the same time as the mass internment program for Uyghurs began in 2017. Beijing has consistently attacked Zenz as a right-wing Christian looking to slander the Chinese Communist Party. China sanctioned Zenz in 2021 for severely harming China's sovereignty and interests. C4ADS cited Zenz in their report. So did Obokata, the U.N. special rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery. Obokatas report cited abuses in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors, saying Chinese authorities had subjected workers to excessive surveillance, abusive living and working conditions, restriction of movement through internment, threats, physical and/or sexual violence and other inhuman or degrading treatment. Those abuses, in some instances, may amount to enslavement as a crime against humanity, the report said. Independent experts and media say China, a global leader in cotton production, has forced Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities to pick cotton in Xinjiang. Researchers have uncovered similar evidence implicating Chinas solar power industry. Approximately two weeks after the release of Obokatas report, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights released a comprehensive report on the treatment of Uyghurs and other largely Muslim groups in China. That report said there are indications Chinas labor and employment schemes appear to be discriminatory in nature or to involve elements of coercion. The report similarly concluded that Chinese authorities may be engaged in crimes against humanity in Xinjiang. Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom will miss one of her scheduled public appearances as her health has deteriorated. In early November, Her Highness was diagnosed with a chest infection, which has now made her very weak. ADVERTISIMENT According to the BBC, the wife of King Charles III will not meet Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, in the UK. Buckingham Palace said that changes to the 77-year-old monarch's work program were made on the recommendation of doctors. It is noted that, in accordance with her royal duties, Camilla was supposed to spend a large amount of time outdoors meeting distinguished guests. However, due to the unfavorable weather conditions in London on the day of the reception, experts recommended that Her Highness skip this part of the event. The Buckingham Palace representative will also miss the Horse Guards Parade. Instead, Prince and Princess of Wales will join King Charles III. ADVERTISIMENT Still, Queen Camilla is expected to meet with the Emir of Qatar and his wife later. She will attend a special exhibition at the Art Gallery in the residence and a state banquet. Information about the monarch's illness first appeared in early November, when Queen Camilla missed the annual opening of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey and a meeting with Olympic and Paralympic athletes due to a chest infection. At the time, Buckingham Palace said there was no reason to worry about Her Majesty's health. A few weeks later, Queen Camilla stepped out and had a reception. The monarch held a gala meeting with the winners and runners-up of the Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition at Buckingham Palace. It seemed that the health of the British royal family member had improved, but now she is forced to take some time from public events once again. Doctors say that Her Highness has enough time to rest for a full recovery. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The Biden administration announced Monday that it has imposed a new set of export controls on China, restricting the sale of cutting-edge, semiconductor-manufacturing equipment and high-bandwidth computer memory to the communist nation. The new rules ban the sale of 24 different kinds of equipment and three different software tools, all of which are used to produce what are known as advanced node semiconductors, the fastest and most efficient chips on the market. The export controls, announced by the Commerce Departments Bureau of Industry and Security, also restrict the transfer of high-bandwidth memory products, which advanced node semiconductors need to maximize their performance in high-intensity applications, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. At the same time, the government added 140 companies, mostly in Chinas domestic semiconductor manufacturing industry, to a list of entities that U.S. firms and individuals are restricted from doing business with. In general, exporting certain technologies to companies on the list requires a license from the federal government. Blocking military development The latest round of sanctions is specifically aimed at preventing China from fabricating advanced semiconductors on its own, out of concern that it would then incorporate AI into new military hardware and advanced tools of social control. Advanced AI models could be used for rapid response scenarios on the battlefield; lowering the barrier to develop cyberweapons or chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear weapons; and utilizing facial and voice recognition to repress and surveil minorities and political dissidents, the department said in a release announcing the sanctions. This action is the culmination of the Biden-Harris Administrations targeted approach, in concert with our allies and partners, to impair [Chinas] ability to indigenize the production of advanced technologies that pose a risk to our national security, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said in a statement. The United States has taken significant steps to protect our technology from being used by our adversaries in ways that threaten our national security, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in the same statement. As technology evolves, and our adversaries seek new ways to evade restrictions, we will continue to work with our allies and partners to proactively and aggressively safeguard our world-leading technologies and know-how so they arent used to undermine our national security. China responds In a statement sent to VOA, the Chinese Embassy in Washington condemned the sanctions. China strongly opposes the U.S.' latest control measures on semiconductor export. The move is a typical economic coercion and non-market practice, the embassy said. The embassy accused the United States of overstretching the idea of national security, abusing export control rules and bullying. The semiconductor industry is highly globalized, the statement said. The US' abuse of regulatory measures severely hinders normal economic and trade exchanges among countries, undermines market rules and the international economic and trade order, and poses a serious threat to the stability of the global industrial and supply chains. The global semiconductor industry, including US companies, has been severely affected. The statement concluded with the promise that, China will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. Significant impact Stephen Ezell, vice president for global innovation policy at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, told VOA that the new sanctions are likely to do real damage to Chinas effort to create a world-class domestic chip manufacturing industry. In an email exchange with VOA, Ezell said that manufacturing semiconductors is perhaps the most complex engineering task humanity undertakes, and that simply building the machinery to manufacture them requires a vast array of inputs, access to many of which the U.S. can meaningfully restrict. Those tools depend on literally dozens of thousands of inputs and components, many provided by specialized suppliers from across the world, Ezell wrote. If Chinese toolmakers dont have ready access to these, it makes their task of recreating a wholly indigenous supply chain that much more difficult and expensive. Ezell said the loss of market share in China will hurt U.S. manufacturers unable to sell into the country, but he pointed out that Chinas goal has been to eliminate its dependence on foreign chips anyway, which would produce the same result. The way to deal with the challenge is for the United States (and like-minded allies) to stimulate the growth of semiconductor industries in places like India or Malaysia, so sales that are lost in China can be recaptured elsewhere, because were expanding semiconductor production in like-minded nations, Ezell said. He added that it is important that the U.S. team up with other major semiconductor manufacturing and equipment-making nations to institute similar policies toward China. Advanced chips The primary target of the new U.S. export controls are so-called advanced node chips and the equipment used to manufacture them. Advanced node chips distinguishing factor is the size of the transistors used in their manufacture. Some transistors can be as small as three nanometers three one-billionths of a meter in length. The smaller the individual transistors are, means more of them can be placed on a single chip, making them better at processing information, and more energy efficient. For advanced node chips to operate at their full potential, they need to be paired with high-bandwidth computer memory, which can provide high-speed access to vast amounts of data. The United States expressed relief and welcomed South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's decision to rescind the order declaring emergency martial law in accordance with the country's constitution. Yoon's decision followed a unanimous vote by the National Assembly to reject the declaration. "We continue to expect political disagreements to be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement late Tuesday. "We reaffirm our support for the people of Korea and the U.S.-ROK alliance based on shared principles of democracy and the rule of law." South Korea is known officially as the Republic of Korea, or ROK. The U.S. had been closely monitoring the rapidly unfolding situation in South Korea "with grave concern" after Yoon declared emergency martial law late Tuesday, citing the need to protect the nation from North Korea's communist forces and eliminate anti-state elements. Just hours later, Yoon announced he would lift the martial law decree after South Korean lawmakers voted to reject his decision and protesters gathered outside parliament. Taken by surprise, U.S. officials are actively engaging with their South Korean counterparts in Washington and Seoul, gathering facts and assessing the situation on the ground. "We were not notified of President Yoon's announcement in advance," State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters during a briefing on Tuesday. "I have no threat assessment analysis to offer as it relates to the DPRK in the context of this," Patel told VOA when asked if the U.S. had received specific threats in the past 24 hours from North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Seoul announced the cancellation of routine consular appointments for American citizens and visa applicants on Wednesday. The embassy also urged U.S. citizens in South Korea to monitor local news, follow official guidance, avoid demonstration areas, and exercise caution near large gatherings or protests, as even peaceful demonstrations can escalate unexpectedly. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said earlier on Tuesday that the U.S. was watching developments in South Korea "with grave concern" and expressed every hope and expectation that "any political disputes will be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law." President Joe Biden, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Blinken have been briefed on the developments and are being kept updated as the situation unfolds, according to Campbell. Biden was briefed on the latest developments in South Korea as his motorcade was en route to his hotel in Luanda, the capital of Angola. Biden is on his first trip to Africa as president. At the Pentagon, spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder told reporters during a news briefing that he did not believe the martial law declaration would significantly affect the approximately 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea. Ryder added that the militaries of the two allies are "in contact," but that there has been no request for assistance from Seoul. Some U.S. lawmakers have expressed concerns about the fluid developments in South Korea. Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said it was "very frightening to see a key democratic ally in crisis." Murphy told VOA Mandarin that he was relieved by Yoon's decision to lift martial law but that the initial declaration was "a real stunning turn of developments stunning and dangerous." Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat from New Hampshire and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, shared those concerns, describing the situation as "a troubling development." Late Tuesday, Yoon declared martial law during an unannounced late-night address, vowing to eliminate what he described as "anti-state" forces amid a power struggle with the opposition-controlled parliament, which he accuses of sympathizing with communist North Korea. Within hours, the National Assembly voted to overturn the declaration. Speaker Woo Won Shik announced that lawmakers "will protect democracy with the people" and called for the immediate withdrawal of police and military forces from the Assembly grounds. Yihua Lee from VOA Mandarin contributed to this report. Some information for this report came from Reuters and The Associated Press. A day after U.S. President Joe Biden announced the pardon of his son Hunter, the White House said the president is expected to issue more pardons and clemencies before he leaves office next month. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Monday that Biden is thinking through that process very thoroughly. I don't have a timeline for you, Jean-Pierre said. As you know, this usually happens towards the end. And so, the president is going through that process, thinking through that process. I'm not going to get ahead of him. But you can expect more announcements to come. Hunter Biden was facing sentencing this month for gun and tax offenses and could have been imprisoned for years. Biden had for months pledged not to pardon his 54-year-old son, a lawyer who for years was caught up in cocaine addiction as his life spiraled out of control. But the president said in a statement late Sunday that Hunter Bidens prosecution was selective and politically motivated, aimed at undercutting his reelection campaign before he dropped out of the race in July for another four-year term. The charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election, Biden said. Hunter Biden was convicted of three felonies in June for a 2018 gun purchase. Prosecutors said he falsely claimed on a federal form to not be illegally using or addicted to drugs. He also pleaded guilty to nine federal tax charges in a case where he was accused of failing to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes. He faced up to 17 years in federal prison in the tax case during a scheduled sentencing hearing in Los Angeles on December 16, although sentencing experts said that most likely as a first-time offender, he would have served no more than 36 months behind bars. Hunter Biden was facing a stiffer maximum sentence, 25 years, in the gun case but was more likely, based on precedent in similar cases, to be handed a much shorter sentence, perhaps up to 16 months during a hearing scheduled in Delaware for December 13. The presidents action Sunday pardoned Hunter Biden in both cases, as well as any offense he has committed or may have committed or taken part from January 1, 2014, to January 1, 2024. Hunter Biden said in a statement, "I have admitted and taken responsibility for my mistakes during the darkest days of my addiction mistakes that have been exploited to publicly humiliate and shame me and my family for political sport." The president said in his statement that he hopes Americans will understand why a father and a president would come to this decision. For my entire career I have followed a simple principle: just tell the American people the truth. Theyll be fair-minded. Heres the truth: I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice and once I made this decision this weekend, there was no sense in delaying it further, Biden said. President-elect Donald Trump criticized the move, calling it such an abuse and miscarriage of justice compared to hundreds of Trump supporters who have been imprisoned after being convicted for an array of offenses stemming from the rioting at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, while they tried to block Congress from certifying that Biden had defeated Trumps reelection bid in the 2020 campaign. Trump has said he will consider pardoning many of the rioters when he takes power again on January 20 after winning the November presidential election. Some of the rioters have already served their sentences, but many are still in prison for years to come, while other trials have yet to occur. Trump, in the late stages of his first term in office, pardoned Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, who was convicted on tax offenses and other charges. On Saturday, Trump said he intends to nominate the elder Kushner to be the U.S. ambassador to France. Trump also pardoned one of his former national security advisers, Michael Flynn, former campaign manager Paul Manafort, former chief strategist Steve Bannon and campaign aide George Papadopoulos, among others. Reactions to President Biden pardoning his son varied across the U.S. political landscape and not always predictably along political party lines as is usually the case when contentious decisions are announced. Jared Polis, the Democratic governor of Colorado, said that while he understood the natural desire of Biden wanting to help his son, he said, I am disappointed that he put his family ahead of the country. This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation. Greg Stanton, a Democratic congressman from Arizona, said, I respect President Biden, but I think he got this one wrong. This wasnt a politically motivated prosecution. Hunter committed felonies and was convicted by a jury of his peers." Chuck Grassley, a Republican senator from Iowa, posted on X that he was shocked by the pardon because the elder Biden said many, many times he wouldnt & I believed him. Shame on me." But Eric Holder, a Democrat who was the U.S. attorney general under former President Barack Obama, said the presidents son was only prosecuted because his last name was Biden. He said no U.S. attorney would have charged this case given the underlying facts. Some information for this story was provided by The Associated Press and Reuters. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. President Joe Bidens visit to Angola the first by a U.S. president to the southwest African nation centers on a rail corridor for transportation of valuable minerals from the heart of the continent to a burgeoning Angolan port. By Anita Powell LUANDA, ANGOLA U.S. President Joe Biden received a warm welcome at Angola's pink-hued Presidential Palace Tuesday as he made his first and almost certainly final visit to the African continent as president. After a red-carpet promenade, renditions of national anthems by a military band, an inspection of troops and a 21-gun salute, he and Angolan President Joao Lourenco, both flanked by diplomats, got down to work. "I'm very proud to be the first American president to visit Angola, and I'm deeply proud of everything we have done together to transform our partnership thus far," Biden told Lourenco. "There is so much ahead of us, so much we can do. His administrations top Africa adviser told VOA that Biden sees Angola as exhibit A of a collaborative relationship with Washington. His administration's top Africa adviser told VOA that Biden sees Angola as "exhibit A" of a collaborative relationship with Washington. "We, the United States, are working with Angola on a few really important things," said Frances Brown, senior director for African Affairs at the National Security Council, speaking exclusively to VOA. "One is bolstering peace and security in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Another is growing economic opportunities in the region. A third is technological and scientific cooperation." Unmentioned by Biden publicly at least was Angola's poor human rights record. Rights group Amnesty International attempted to summarize the situation. "Amnesty has repeatedly documented excessive and lethal force to disrupt peaceful demonstrations," Kate Hixon, advocacy director for Africa at Amnesty International USA, told VOA via Zoom. "Not only is lethal force used in these demonstrations, but the victims' families do not have recourse to access to justice. We've also seen several repressive laws passed since 2020. Since 2020 it's been illegal to criticize the president. More recently, this year, we've seen two laws approved that further threaten the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and the media." Brown told VOA that the president always raises concerns about human rights, privately. "He never shies away from talking about democracy and human rights issues with counterparts," she told VOA. "And I think that's pretty consistent with the way he's been throughout his long, long career in public service." Angolan opposition groups told local media that Biden missed a "great opportunity" to listen to civil society groups about their concerns. "The Lobito rail corridor ... is the only concern of Biden's visit to Angola," said Ernesto Mulato of the opposition UNITA party. Biden also took time to address the deep, painful blood ties between Angola and the Americas, after a short tour of the nation's slavery museum. Angola was once the top source of slaves to the New World. Biden, speaking at sunset in front of a glittering bay that opened before the white-washed museum, described slavery as his nation's "original sin, one that haunted America and cast a long shadow ever since." But he painted an optimistic picture and as he spoke, skies that had been clouded and stormy all day opened to reveal a rainbow. "Although I don't know exactly what the future will hold, I know the future runs through Angola, through Africa," he said. "I mean it sincerely. I'm not kidding." Biden is set Wednesday to visit the port city of Lobito, where a new, U.S.-financed rail line brings raw materials from Africa's interior to this bustling port. Georgia's rights ombudsman on Tuesday accused police of torturing pro-European Union protesters rallying for six consecutive days against the government's decision to shelve EU accession talks amid a post-election crisis. The country of some 3.7 million has been rocked by demonstrations since the ruling Georgian Dream party announced last week it would halt EU accession talks. Police on Tuesday evening used water cannon and tear gas on the sixth night of pro-EU protests in Tbilisi after the prime minister threatened demonstrators with reprisals amid a deepening crisis in the Black Sea nation. Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has refused to back down and threatened Tuesday to punish political opponents, accusing them of being behind violence at mass protests. Protesters gathered outside parliament for a sixth straight night but the crowd appeared slightly smaller than on recent nights, an AFP journalist saw. Draped in EU and Georgian flags, protesters booed riot police officers and threw fireworks. Police responded by directing hoses at the protesters, with some dancing in the jets and others sheltering under umbrellas. The police ordered demonstrators to leave through loud hailers and used water cannon to push the crowd away from the parliament. Then they deployed tear gas against the crowd in a nearby street, causing protesters to cough, with some using saline solution to wash out their eyes. Police roughly detained some demonstrators, Georgian independent television showed. Ombudsman Levan Ioseliani said in a statement that most injuries sustained by detained protesters "are concentrated on the face, eyes, and head", adding that "the location, nature, and severity of these injuries strongly suggest that police are using violence against citizens as a punitive measure", which "constitutes an act of torture." Tensions were already high after October parliamentary elections that saw Georgian Dream return to power amid accusations that it rigged the vote. But Kobakhidze's decision that Georgia would not hold EU membership talks until 2028 triggered uproar, although he insisted the country is still heading towards membership. The mostly young protesters accuse Georgian Dream of acting on Russian orders and fear the ex-Soviet country will end up back under Russian influence. Demonstrators projected a message Tuesday that read "thank you for not being tired" onto the parliament building, an AFP reporter saw. During the latest wave of protests, 293 people have been detained, the interior ministry said Tuesday evening, while 143 police have been injured. The health ministry said that on Monday evening 23 protesters were injured. "We want freedom and we do not want to find ourselves in Russia," 21-year-old protester Nika Maghradze told AFP. Demonstrators accuse the government of betraying Georgia's bid for EU membership, which is enshrined in its constitution and supported by around 80 percent of the population. Nugo Chigvinadze, 41, who works in logistics, told AFP at Tuesday's protest that he did not believe the prime minister's claim that the country is still aiming for EU membership. "Whatever our government is saying is a lie. No one believed it. No one," he said. "They are not intending to enter the European Union." - Court challenge rejected - Pro-EU President Salome Zurabishvili -- at loggerheads with the government -- has backed the protest and demanded a re-run of the disputed parliamentary vote. But Tbilisi's top court on Tuesday rejected a lawsuit filed by Zurabishvili and opposition parties to overturn the election result. That announcement came shortly after Kobakhidze -- who has ruled out talks with the opposition -- vowed to punish his opponents. "Opposition politicians who have orchestrated the violence in recent days while hiding in their offices will not escape responsibility," he told a press conference. International criticism of Georgia's handling of the protests has grown, with several Western countries saying Tbilisi had used excessive force. - Kremlin-style language - Kobakhidze threatened to punish civil servants who join the protests, after several ambassadors and a deputy foreign minister resigned. "We are closely monitoring everyone's actions, and they will not go without a response," he said. Using Kremlin-style language, Kobakhidze alleged the protest movement was "funded from abroad". He also accused non-government groups -- attacked in a repressive pre-election campaign by authorities -- of being behind the protests. At Tuesday's demonstration, Tsotne, 28, who works in IT, defied the threats of reprisals, saying: "It's a peaceful protest, of course but I guess as an individual, I'm ready to defend my country here." Georgia this year adopted Russian-style legislation designed to restrict the activity of NGOs as well measures that the EU says curb LGBTQ rights. The laws prompted the United States to slap sanctions on Georgian officials. But Kobakhidze said his government hoped that the "US attitudes towards us will change after January 20" -- when Donald Trump takes office. Meanwhile, NATO chief Mark Rutte on Tuesday slammed the situation as "deeply concerning", condemning "unequivocally" the reports of violence. led-jc-am-im/giv Strong magnitude 5.7 earthquake at 34 km depth 3 Dec 18:57 UTC: First to report: VolcanoDiscovery after 3 minutes. 3 Dec 19:00: Now using data updates from EMSC ... [show all] ... 3 Dec 19:00: Hypocenter depth recalculated from 10.0 to 42.0 km (from 6.2 to 26 mi). Epicenter location corrected by 7.4 km (4.6 mi) towards NE. 3 Dec 19:02: Epicenter location corrected by 0.6 km (0.3 mi) towards ENE. 3 Dec 19:03: Hypocenter depth recalculated from 42.0 to 10.0 km (from 26 to 6.2 mi). Epicenter location corrected by 13 km (8.4 mi) towards SSE. 3 Dec 19:04: Magnitude recalculated from 5.6 to 5.5. 3 Dec 19:04: Hypocenter depth recalculated from 10.0 to 42.0 km (from 6.2 to 26 mi). Epicenter location corrected by 3.5 km (2.2 mi) towards NNE. 3 Dec 19:05: Epicenter location corrected by 0.5 km (0.3 mi) towards WSW. 3 Dec 19:06: Epicenter location corrected by 0.9 km (0.5 mi) towards W. 3 Dec 19:08: Magnitude recalculated from 5.5 to 5.4. 3 Dec 19:11: Magnitude recalculated from 5.4 to 5.7. Hypocenter depth recalculated from 42.0 to 70.0 km (from 26 to 43 mi). Epicenter location corrected by 11 km (7.1 mi) towards N. 3 Dec 19:12: Now using data updates from USGS 16 Feb 04:00: Hypocenter depth recalculated from 70.00 to 34.00 km (from 43 to 21 mi). Epicenter location corrected by 10.7 km (6.6 mi) towards W. Update Tue, 3 Dec 2024, 19:03 Significant earthquake of magnitude 5.6 just reported 41 km northeast of Laoag, Philippines According to preliminary data, the quake was located at a moderately shallow depth of 42 km. The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report. Our monitoring service identified a second report from the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) which listed the quake at magnitude 5.6 as well. Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake was probably felt by many people in the area of the epicenter. It should not have caused significant damage, other than objects falling from shelves, broken windows, etc. In Bangui (pop. 2,500) located 12 km from the epicenter, Pagudpud (pop. 4,900) 12 km away, Pasuquin (pop. 5,800) 30 km away, Bacarra (pop. 9,600) 36 km away, Laoag (pop. 102,100) 41 km away, San Nicolas de Ilocos (pop. 34,200) 44 km away, and Batac City (pop. 53,500) 56 km away, the quake should have been felt as light shaking. Weak shaking might have been felt in Aparri (pop. 33,200) located 84 km from the epicenter. VolcanoDiscovery will automatically update magnitude and depth if these change and follow up if other significant news about the quake become available. If you're in the area, please send us your experience through our reporting mechanism, either An earthquake of magnitude 5.6 occurred early morning on Wednesday, December 4th, 2024, at 2:54 am local time near Laoag, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos, Philippines, as reported by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).According to preliminary data, the quake was located at a moderately shallow depth of 42 km. The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report.Our monitoring service identified a second report from the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) which listed the quake at magnitude 5.6 as well.Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake was probably felt by many people in the area of the epicenter. It should not have caused significant damage, other than objects falling from shelves, broken windows, etc.In Bangui (pop. 2,500) located 12 km from the epicenter, Pagudpud (pop. 4,900) 12 km away, Pasuquin (pop. 5,800) 30 km away, Bacarra (pop. 9,600) 36 km away, Laoag (pop. 102,100) 41 km away, San Nicolas de Ilocos (pop. 34,200) 44 km away, and Batac City (pop. 53,500) 56 km away, the quake should have been felt as light shaking.Weak shaking might have been felt in Aparri (pop. 33,200) located 84 km from the epicenter.VolcanoDiscovery will automatically update magnitude and depth if these change and follow up if other significant news about the quake become available. If you're in the area, please send us your experience through our reporting mechanism, either online or via our mobile app . This will help us provide more first-hand updates to anyone around the globe who wants to know more about this quake. Download the Volcanoes & Earthquakes app and get one of the fastest seismic alerts online: Android | iOS and get one of the fastest seismic alerts online: Earthquake details Date & time Dec 3, 2024 18:54:41 UTC - Local time at epicenter Wednesday, Dec 4, 2024, at 02:54 am (Asia/Manila GMT +8) Status Confirmed (manually revised) Magnitude 5.7 Depth 34 km Epicenter latitude / longitude 18.5003N / 120.7963E Ilocos Norte, Ilocos, Philippines Seismic antipode 18.5003S / 59.204W Bolivia Quality 181 seismic stations Shaking intensity V Moderate shaking near epicenter Felt 32 reports Primary data source USGS (United States Geological Survey) Nearest volcano Camiguin de Babuyanes (118 km / 73 mi) Weather at epicenter at time of quake Overcast Clouds 19.8C (68 F), humidity: 97%, wind: 4 m/s (7 kts) from ENE Estimated seismic energy released 2.2 x 1013 joules (6.22 gigawatt hours, equivalent to 5351 tons of TNT or 0.3 atomic bombs!) | equivalent to ONE quake of magnitude 5.7 | about seismic energy [ show map ] [ smaller ] [ bigger ] Quake possibly felt by 5.7 million people According to preliminary estimates from the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake might have been felt by over 5.7 million people across the Philippines . Approx. 2,400,000 people were in areas with According to preliminary estimates from the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake might have been felt by over 5.7 million people across the. Approx. 2,400,000 people were in areas with light shaking (intensity IV), the highest intensity this quake likely produced over inhabited areas. MMI Level Shaking (5,662,500 in total) (5,662,500 in total) Possible damage I Not felt None II Very weak (0.43%) 24,600 None III Weak (56.58%) 3,203,600 Probably none IV Light (42.99%) 2,434,300 None or minor only V Moderate Minor VI Strong Minor to Moderate VII Very strong Moderate VIII Severe Significant IX Violent Heavy X Extreme Catastrophic Estimated number of people exposed to shaking from the earthquake by intensity (data coverage corresponding to attached map) Map of expected ground shaking intensity according to the MMI scale (shakemap, source: USGS) Map with population density (from white to black) in the area around the quake's epicenter (source: USGS) Alert level for this earthquake: Level GREEN Based on seismic and statistical models, USGS estimates that the risk of fatalities and damage from this earthquake is low. The main factors that contribute to this evaluation are: The maximum expected ground shaking from this quake was unlikely to reach dangerous levels over populated areas; it should not have surpassed intensity IV ( Light ) on the MMI scale significantly. ) on the MMI scale significantly. A large number of people was exposed to shaking from the quake, but only to weak intensities. shaking (intensity IV), the highest intensity this quake likely produced over inhabited areas.Based on seismic and statistical models, USGS estimates that. The main factors that contribute to this evaluation are: Comment Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are a mix of vulnerable and earthquake resistant construction. The predominant vulnerable building types are unknown/miscellaneous types and heavy wood frame construction. A magnitude 7.7 earthquake 162 km south of this event struck Luzon, Philppines on July 16, 1990 (UTC), with estimated population exposures of 1,218,000 at intensity VIII and 893,000 at intensity IX or greater, resulting in a reported 2,430 fatalities. Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides and liquefaction that might have contributed to losses. Source: USGS Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage. Expected fatalities The risk of fatalities from this quake is considered low and classified as Level The risk of fatalities from this quake is considered low and classified as Level GREEN , the lowest on a color scale from Green (low) to Red (very high). USGS estimates that there is a 65.3% chance that there are no direct fatalities as effect of shaking and a 30.2% chance that between 1 and 10 fatalities occurred. The likelihood that there are more than 100 fatalities is less than 1%. Expected economic damage The economic impact of this earthquake is expected to be minimal or small (Level , the lowest on a color scale from Green (low) to Red (very high). USGS estimates that there is a 65.3% chance that there areas effect of shaking and a 30.2% chance that between 1 and 10 fatalities occurred. The likelihood that there are more than 100 fatalities is less than 1%.The economic impact of this earthquake is expected to be minimal or small (Level GREEN ). Only light damage if any should have occurred. USGS calculates an 65.3% chance of total economic loss in the range of 0-1 million US Dollars and a 30.2% risk of losses between 1 and 10 million US Dollars. Total economic loss from this quake is not likely to surpass 10 million US Dollars (less than 1% chance). ). Only light damage if any should have occurred. USGS calculates an 65.3% chance of total economic loss in the range of 0-1 million US Dollars and a 30.2% risk of losses between 1 and 10 million US Dollars. Total economic loss from this quake is not likely to surpass 10 million US Dollars (less than 1% chance). User-reports for this quake (38) felt in up to approx. 200450 km (124280 mi) distance, with isolated cases to have felt the quake even 457 km (284 mi) away. The majority of reports came from Baguio (4 reports), a city with more than 270,000 inhabitants in Cordillera in 233 km (145 mi) distance south of the epicenter, Philippines, San Sebastian (4 reports), a town with 2,800 inhabitants in Ilocos in 108 km (67 mi) distance southwest of the epicenter, and Pasig City (3 reports) (436 km or 271 mi to the south). See the Philippines . Out of these, 32 people indicated they felt it. The quake was reported to have been, with isolated cases to have felt the quake even 457 km (284 mi) away.The majority of reports came from, a city with more than 270,000 inhabitants in Cordillera in 233 km (145 mi) distance south of the epicenter,, a town with 2,800 inhabitants in Ilocos in 108 km (67 mi) distance southwest of the epicenter, and(436 km or 271 mi to the south). See the list of places where most people reported this quake further below. User reports estimate the perceived ground shaking intensity according to the MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) scale Contribute: Leave a comment if you find a particular report interesting or want to add to it. Flag as inappropriate. Mark as helpful or interesting. Send your own user report! Translate Santo Domingo (104.1 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s : It was strong and lasted for about 10 seconds. It made me nauseous | 5 users found this interesting. Piddig (38.3 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 5-10 s : The earthquake woke me up. It felt like it was a combination of vertical and horizontal swinging. I got a little scared because its one of the stronger earthquakes Ive felt. | 3 users found this interesting. Laoag City (434.7 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Shaking and vibrating increasingly became stronger after the first 3 seconds. The walls are trembling and could hear the ground literally roaring | 2 users found this interesting. Tuguegarao (137.7 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s I'm on Night shift, doing paperwork when I felt my seat rocking, I took a glance at a nearby water dispenser, and saw the water moving, also noticed some hanging objects started to swing | One user found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s Vigan city ilocos sur (113.4 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Was about to do my skincare routine when I heard the roof beside my window cracks as if something heavier than a cat steps on it. Then there goes the shaking. I didn't felt dizzy but I just felt shaking for 4-8 seconds | One user found this interesting. B (232.3 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) : I was in my bed and noticed shaking. Then I looked at the chair beside me and the things on it were slightly moving. Then a notification came of an Earthquake north of Luzon. Laoag City (38.9 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s : Made me dizzy, dogs went on a frenzy | One user found this interesting. Banda Seri, Brunei-Muara District / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Dulag, Province of Leyte, Eastern Visayas (954.9 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Tuk Tuk inn by the sea (106.3 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s : I was asleep and it was enough to wake me up. Imus Cavite (457.4 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s Tuk Tuk inn by the sea (106.3 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s : I was asleep and it was enough to wake me up. Makati City, Southern Manila District, National Capital Region (439.7 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Tuk Tuk inn by the sea (106.3 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s : I was asleep and it was enough to wake me up. tuguegarao city (140 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s : randomly woke up and felt an earthquake. Cabuyao, Laguna (471.5 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Lasam Cagayan Valley (310.3 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes : I'm sleeping felt the shaking and I woke up near Davao / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Paoay Ilocos Norte (233.2 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s Poblacion 2, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte (336.5 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vibration and rolling / 10-15 s Pagudpud (6.6 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s Comillas Norte, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos (168.1 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) Laoag City (434.7 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s laoag city, ilocos norte (233.2 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 5-10 s Thu Dau Mot, Binh Duong / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Laoag City (40.5 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) Lasam, Cagayan (233.2 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes : Afraid and worried Lanao (2.7 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / complex motion difficult to describe / 5-10 s : Woke me up from sleeping. LAOAG CITY, ILOCOS NORTE (500 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Felt dizzy Davila Pasuquin Ilocos norte (434.7 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 5-10 s : My feeling today is so nervios still my heart beating so fast Santa Teresita, Cagayan (122.8 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 15-20 s : Light shaking Show more Show more List of cities/places with most reports Place Distance from epicenter Average reported Shaking Intensity Nr. of reports Baguio, Cordillera, Philippines (Pop.: 272,714) 233 km (145 mi) S of epicenter IV: Light shaking 4 San Sebastian, Ilocos, Philippines (Pop.: 2,795) 108 km (67 mi) SW of epicenter IV: Light shaking 4 Pasig City, Ilocos, Philippines (Pop.: 617,301) 436 km (271 mi) S of epicenter V: Moderate shaking 3 Carig, Cagayan Valley, Philippines (Pop.: 2,924) 137 km (85 mi) SE of epicenter IV: Light shaking 2 Pagudpud, Ilocos, Philippines (Pop.: 4,945) 6.9 km (4.3 mi) N of epicenter V: Moderate shaking 2 Laoag, Ilocos, Philippines (Pop.: 102,105) 40 km (25 mi) SW of epicenter V: Moderate shaking 2 Allacapan, Cagayan Valley, Philippines (Pop.: 3,645) 86 km (53 mi) E of epicenter V: Moderate shaking 1 Bantay, Ilocos, Philippines (Pop.: 10,091) 111 km (69 mi) S of epicenter V: Moderate shaking 1 San Nicolas, Ilocos, Philippines (Pop.: 34,237) 42 km (26 mi) SW of epicenter V: Moderate shaking 1 Caoayan, Ilocos, Philippines (Pop.: 3,386) 113 km (70 mi) S of epicenter IV: Light shaking 1 Note: Only reports with latitude/longitude coordinate positions given (38 in total) could be used for statistics. What is Intensity and the Mercalli Intensity Scale? The amount of shaking that occurs on the surface due to an earthquake is called the intensity. It is commonly measured on the so-called Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MMI) ranging from 1 (not felt) to 10 (extreme shaking), and given in Roman numerals as I,II,...IX, X, and often displayed with color codes ranging from light blue to dark red. Earthquake intensity depends mainly on the magnitude and depth of the quake as well as the distance from the epicenter: The further away, the less shaking intensity occurs. Read more about the MMI scale! The amount of shaking that occurs on the surface due to an earthquake is called the intensity. It is commonly measured on the so-called Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MMI) ranging from 1 (not felt) to 10 (extreme shaking), and given in Roman numerals as I,II,...IX, X, and often displayed with color codes ranging from light blue to dark red.Earthquake intensity depends mainly on the magnitude and depth of the quake as well as the distance from the epicenter: The further away, the less shaking intensity occurs. Number of reports by intensity Shaking intensity Number of reports Min-Max distance from epicenter (*) Average distance (*) I: Not felt 4 4391,373 km (273853 mi) 809 km (503 mi) II: Very weak shaking 1 232232 km (144144 mi) 232 km (144 mi) III: Weak shaking 2 2.7140 km (1.787 mi) 71 km (44 mi) IV: Light shaking 18 38457 km (24284 mi) 200 km (124 mi) V: Moderate shaking 4 42107 km (2666 mi) 85 km (53 mi) VI: Strong shaking 2 6.640 km (4.125 mi) 24 km (15 mi) Notes (*) Reports are filtered to exclude those that are likely highly inaccurate or esaggerated. Only reports with latitude/longitude coordinate positions given (38 in total) could be used for geographic statistics. further below. Compare Quake Data Data for the same earthquake as reported by different agencies The more agencies report about the same quake and post similar data, the more confidence you can have in the data. It takes normally up to a few hours until earthquake parameters are calculated with near-optimum precision. Mag Depth Time GMT 2024-12-3 Epicenter Agency 5.7 34 km 21 mi 1.8 km 18:54:41.788 5 km SE of Bangui, Philippines Epicenter uncertainty: 8.1 km USGS (United States Geological Survey) 5.63 37 km 23 mi 1.2 km 18:54:42.71 0.15s Luzon, Philippines 10.5 km (6.5 mi) epicenter difference with USGS Epicenter uncertainty: 3.9 km GFZ (German Research Centre for Geosciences) 5.7 23 km 14 mi 18:54:00 004 km S 52 W of Bangui (Ilocos Norte) 7.3 km (4.6 mi) epicenter difference with USGS PHIVOLCS (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology) 5.42 0.32 10 km 6.2 mi (*) 18:54:39.827 0.18s Event of magnitude 5.4, near of Manila 6.8 km (4.2 mi) epicenter difference with USGS Epicenter uncertainty: 4.3 km RENASS (Reseau National de Surveillance Sismique (ReNaSS)) 5.7 45 km 28 mi 18:54:43.16 0.14s LUZON, PHILIPPINES 5.1 km (3.2 mi) epicenter difference with USGS EMSC (European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre) 5.7 34 km 21 mi 18:54:41 LUZON, PHILIPPINES 0 km (0 mi) epicenter difference with USGS IRIS (Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology) 5.6 33 km 20 mi 18:54:41 Luzon, Philippines 7.3 km (4.6 mi) epicenter difference with USGS GeoAu (Geoscience Australia ) 5.6 67 km 42 mi 18:54:44 Luzon, Philippines 13 km (7.9 mi) epicenter difference with USGS BMKG (Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency of Indonesia) 5.9 0.4 km 0.2 mi 18:54:30 13 km ESE of Pagudpud, Philippines 117 km (72 mi) epicenter difference with USGS NNSN (Norwegian National Seismic Network) Notes: (*) A depth given as 10 km often means that the the depth of the quake could be not determined with sufficient accuracy. 4 aftershocks for this quake For this earthquake, 4 aftershocks have been detected so far. The strongest was a magnitude 4.0 quake that hit 5 days after the mainshock in 0.4 km (0.3 mi) distance, in 5 km SE of Bangui, Philippines, on Monday, Dec 9, 2024 on 01:08 am (Manila local time GMT +8). The most recent aftershock occurred 14 weeks ago Luzon, Philippines, and had a magnitude of 3.1. What are aftershocks? Larger earthquakes (above magnitude 5 or so) such as this one are usually followed by smaller ones known as aftershocks that occur in the same area during the days, weeks, months or even years after the main shock. [More info] Aftershocks are typically at least one order of magnitude smaller than the main shock. Their size and frequency decreases with time. What about this quake? Based on its magnitude, the fault that was active during the quake likely ruptured beneath a surface of approx. 50 km2 (=19 sqare miles) as a first-order estimate. The length of the rupture zone thus was probably around 12 km (8 mi). [More info] Aftershocks for this quake can be expected to occur during the days and few weeks following the quake at or near the same fault, at distances of up to approx. two times the length of the rupture zone, or in this case 25 km (15 mi). The often broadly linear arrangement of aftershock epicenters encompasses the rupture zone of the main shock ( Aftershocks for this quake can be expected to occur during the days and few weeks following the quake at or near the same fault, at distances of up to approx. two times the length of the rupture zone, or in this case 25 km (15 mi). The often broadly linear arrangement of aftershock epicenters encompasses the rupture zone of the main shock ( see map below ). Larger earthquakes (above magnitude 5 or so) such as this one are usually followed by smaller ones known asthat occur in the same area during the days, weeks, months or even years after the main shock.Based on its magnitude, the fault that was active during the quake likelyas a first-order estimate. The length of the rupture zone thus was probably around 12 km (8 mi). Recorded aftershocks, latest first (4 quakes) Date and Time GMT Mag Depth Distance Region Details Dec 30, 2024 01:03 pm (Manila) 11 weeks ago 4 weeks after main shock 3.1 11 km 5.9 km (3.6 mi) S of main shock Luzon, Philippines More Dec 11, 2024 10:53 pm (Manila) 13 weeks ago 8 days after main shock 3.7 16 km 3 km (1.8 mi) W of main shock 003 km S 12 E of Bangui (Ilocos Norte) More Dec 9, 2024 01:08 am (Manila) 14 weeks ago - felt 5 days after main shock 4.0 35 km 0.4 km (0.3 mi) E of main shock 5 km SE of Bangui, Philippines More Dec 4, 2024 03:20 am (Manila) 14 weeks ago 25 minutes after main shock 2.1 20 km 7.8 km (4.9 mi) S of main shock 011 km S 11 W of Dumalneg (Ilocos Norte) More Dec 4, 2024 02:54 am (Manila) 14 weeks ago - felt 5.7 34 km 0 km - This quake 5 km SE of Bangui, Philippines Main Shock (this quake) More Map of aftershocks For this earthquake, 4 aftershocks have been detected so far. Thethat hit 5 days after the mainshock in 0.4 km (0.3 mi) distance, in 5 km SE of Bangui, Philippines, on Monday, Dec 9, 2024 on 01:08 am (Manila local time GMT +8).The most recent aftershock occurred 14 weeks ago Luzon, Philippines, and had a magnitude of 3.1. Earthquake statistics Average number of earthquakes Based on data from the past 25 years and our earthquake archive back to 1900, there are about 702 quakes on average per year in the area near the epicenter of this quake (within 100 km/61 mi): Mag. 7 or higher: 0.02 quakes per year (or 1 quake every 62.5 years) per year (or 1 quake every 62.5 years) Mag. 6 or higher: 0.2 quakes per year (or 1 quake every 5.1 years) per year (or 1 quake every 5.1 years) Mag. 5 or higher: 3.7 quakes per year per year Mag. 4 or higher: 27.7 quakes per year per year Mag. 3 or higher: 134 quakes per year (or 11.1 quakes per month) per year (or 11.1 quakes per month) Mag. 2 or higher: 547 quakes per year (or 46 quakes per month) per year (or 46 quakes per month) Mag. 1 or higher: 702 quakes per year (or 58 quakes per month) The area where this quake occurred has a very high level of seismic activity. It has had at least 2 quakes above magnitude 7 since 1900, which suggests that larger earthquakes of this size occur infrequently, probably on average approximately every 60 to 65 years. Number of quakes per year The American actor and star of the sci-fi movie Dune Timothee Chalamet was spotted with Russian "double" Mark Eidelstein, who prefers to avoid talking about the brutal war that Russia has started against Ukraine. They posed together during the Gotham Awards ceremony. ADVERTISIMENT The photo was posted on the Instagram page of IndieWire. The Russian appeared at the international event as he played one of the leading roles in the comedy drama Anora directed by Sean Baker. "The duo that we needed," they wrote under the photo. It is worth noting that Mark Eidelstein has never expressed his opinion on the full-scale invasion. The actor most likely decided to go "Swiss" in order not to lose his place in the Russian film industry. Although he managed to get a role in an American film, he did not stop acting in domestic films either. Moreover, the Russians have recently released the film Sto let tomu vperyod (Guest from the Future), which, in addition to the Timothee Chalamet's doppelganger, features propagandist Yuri Borisov. In 2020, the artist stated that the most important thing for him was to portray interesting characters. The fact that this project is openly propagandistic does not bother him. Eidelstein does not shy away from giving interviews to Putin henchmen too. In 2024, he spoke with Fedor Bondarchuk, who does not hide his allegiance to the Kremlin's occupation authorities and supports the war in Ukraine. Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Why dont we see the massacres in the Middle East? In recent years, the Israeli peace movement has been dismantled, anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism have been confused, and the narrative of a clash of civilizations has been spread. These three errors prevent us from seeing and understanding what is happening in the Middle East. The peace movement of Nahum Goldman, president of the World Zionist Organization, no longer exists. Its goal was to make Israel the spiritual and moral center of all Jews, a neutral state on the model of Switzerland, with international security guarantees, and a permanent symbolic international presence. Goldman, who had denounced the trial of Adolf Eichmann in Jerusalem and not by an international tribunal (which allowed the revisionist Zionists to mask their relations with him), negotiated a just and lasting peaceful coexistence with Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser and with that of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Yasser Arafat, and was even arrested in Israel. The historian Bernard Lewis, who was an advisor to Benjamin Netanyahu when he was Israeli ambassador to the UN, invented, in 1957, for the National Security Council of the United States of which he was a member, the strategy of the Clash of Civilizations. It was a question of presenting as inevitable the confrontation between Western and Islamic civilizations, then Chinese and so on in order to justify the successive Western wars. His assistant, Samuel Huntington, a former collaborator of the South African apartheid secret services, popularized this strategy, in 1993, by giving it the appearance of an academic observation. He was paid by the CIA for this propaganda work. Although his work is an intellectual mishmash that does not stand up to analysis, it has penetrated our minds. This stupid theory is used today by Benjamin Netanyahu to justify his wars on seven fronts in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Yemen. Yet the same Netanyahu had himself photographed, in September 2014, at the Ziv Medical Center in Zefat visiting 500 Al-Qaeda officers being treated in Israel [1]. Thus, it is possible to come to an agreement with jihadists when they massacre civilians in Syria, but not to come to an agreement with Palestinians when they demand a state. Nathan Sharansky [2], who was deputy prime minister under General Ariel Sharon, conceived the narrative according to which it is the Palestinians as a whole and not certain Israeli leaders who refuse peace. Then, he invented that Iranian revolutionaries wanted to throw all Israeli Jews into the sea (while Jews live peacefully in Iran and are represented in Parliament). Finally, he organized international media campaigns to create confusion between nationalism, Zionism and revisionist Zionism, then to equate anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism (in this game the Israeli daily Haaretz would be anti-Semitic). In 2004, Sharansky wrote with Ron Dermer, a binary book, The Cause of Democracy, to assure us that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. Dermer became Israels ambassador to the United States (2013-2021), then Minister of Strategic Affairs (from 2023 to today), a position in which he organizes the fight against the BDS movement (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) in the world. Nathan Sharansky continues his work discreetly today, both in the United States and in Ukraine where he was born, through the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGASP). This American association is abundantly funded by Ron Dermers ministry. It was the organization, for example, that organized the congressional hearings of the rectors of the major universities to force them to repress the manifestations of anti-Semitism on the grounds of anti-Semitism. It goes without saying that Bernard Lewis, Samuel Huntington, Nathan Sharansky and Ron Dermer are not Zionists, but revisionist Zionists. Redistribution of the cards in the Middle East In this atmosphere of generalized lies, the positions of each community in the Middle East are changing. This is a consequence of Benjamin Netanyahus attempt to conquer the north of the Gaza Strip and the south of Lebanon. Gradually, all political actors, including Israeli Jews, have realized that Israeli military operations have nothing to do with the stated goals: the liberation of Hamas hostages and the return of Israelis from the north of the country to their homes. The Netanyahu coalition is continuing the colonial project of Vladimir Jabotinsky (1880-1940): the creation of an empire in the Levant, from the Nile to the Euphrates. This project has no connection with the ancient Kingdom of Jerusalem, which included only the holy city and its immediate suburbs, but aims to restore the ancient Assyrian empire as Jabotinskys patron, Benito Mussolini, wanted to restore the ancient Roman empire. Responding to the challenge of a new fascist wave of conquest of the Levant was the meaning of both the words of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, at the joint summit of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, on November 11 in Riyadh, and those of the editor of the Israeli daily Haaretz, Amos Schocken, at the conference Israel After October 7th: Allied or Alone?, on November 27 in London. All the protagonists agree on this observation, even if most avoid referring to the links of Jabotinsky and his disciples with the fascists and the Nazis. However, Westerners still refuse to open their eyes and treat this conflict as if it were not political, but ethnic, as if it pitted some Jews against Arabs, or even all Jews against all Arabs. Three elements play a particular role in the change underway: The victory of Jacksonian Donald Trump in the United States over the Straussian coalition of Kamala Harris. The former intend to substitute trade wars for military wars, while the latter wish to provoke Armageddon. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), which have unquestionable control of their neighbors airspace, are incapable of the slightest victory on the ground. They have no discipline and many of their men behave like thugs. In the context of the defeat of the Straussians in the United States, they no longer have as many weapons and are probably running out of many of them. Finally, several of its units, which witnessed the crimes of others, are now on the verge of rebellion. The Jewish diaspora, which until now supported Benjamin Netanyahu without flinching, has finally managed to distinguish its support for Israeli Jews from the crimes of their government. Since Netanyahu was indicted by the International Criminal Court on November 21, the solidarity between Jews, acquired during centuries of persecution by the goyim, no longer applies. Many Jewish personalities, who until now had kept quiet, are publicly distancing themselves from the crimes committed on the seven fronts and against the UN. Iran has abandoned General Qassem Soleimanis strategy of the Axis of Resistance, according to which Tehran helps and coordinates all the independent armed groups fighting against the colonization of the region. It refused to help Lebanon during the Israeli invasion, then a faction in power transmitted to Israel the coordinates of the main military leaders of Hezbollah so that they could be assassinated. Simultaneously, Tehran and Tel Aviv staged their antagonism, both pretending to be ready for a decisive fight. However, the two Iranian attacks (Operation "Honest Promise" of April 13 and October 1) and the two Israeli attacks (of April 19 and October 26) caused almost no human damage, even if the military of both sides took advantage of it to test the defenses of the adversary [3]. A secret agreement between Washington, Tehran and Tel Aviv became evident. On the other hand, Tehran renewed ties with the Iraqi Kurds. President Masoud Pezeshkian visited Iraq in September to meet not only with the Talabani tribe, but also with the Barzani (pro-Israeli). In Iraq, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, spiritual leader of the Shiite community, spoke out to deliver a confused message showing that he no longer knew what to expect from the Islamic Republic. n Yemen, Ansar Allah, convinced of the Iranian turnaround, has taken steps to protect its leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, from the fate of Hassan Nasrallah. In Turkey, as usual, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is exploring the various options available to him, without committing himself here or there. He, who was slowly getting closer to his Syrian counterpart, has authorized arms deliveries to the jihadists of Idlib so that they can resume the fight against the Syrian Arab Republic. At the same time, he has sent emissaries to discuss with Abdullah Ocalan, the founder of the PKK imprisoned since 1999. Whatever the talks, it is unlikely that Apo will support NATO and Israel as his movement does today. Irans U-turn and Turkeys double game suddenly put an end to the euphoria of the BRICS summit in Kazan a month ago [4]. In Syria, President Bashar al-Assad immediately supported the Lebanese and its Hezbollah allies when they were abandoned by Iran. Historically, Lebanon is only a governorate of Syria, and from his point of view, Syria is responsible for the security of the Lebanese. He therefore both gave asylum to hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing Israeli bombings and transferred the few weapons he had to Hezbollah. In response, the IDF destroyed all the roads and bridges providing access to Lebanon, then with NATO, they unleashed the jihadists of Idlib on Aleppo, of which they took and occupied a large part. The city was defended by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards who withdrew without fighting. To everyones surprise, the jihadists in Idlib have the latest weapons, financed by Qatar, and a host of drones operated by Ukrainian operators. The constants of the revisionist Zionists A constant in the behavior of the revisionist Zionists is to destroy the material evidence of their lies. Thus, Benjamin Netanyahu had the schedules of his meeting records changed on October 7, 2023. He hoped that this would make it easier to deny that he had helped carry out the attack on his own citizens. The Israelis know that he helped Hamas, from his appointment as Prime Minister in 2009 until October 7. He maintained that his strategy was to favor Hamas in order to fight against Yasser Arafats PLO. His first official decision was to cancel the extradition request for Moussa Abu Marzouk, at the time the highest leader of Hamas, who was detained in the United States. Other events have shown that his goal was not to destroy the PLO, but to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state. So in 2018, when the Palestinian Authority stopped paying civil servants in Gaza, he made a deal with Yahyah Sinwar, the Hamas military leader in Gaza who was then imprisoned in Israel. He gave money first secretly, then officially through Qatar. Over four years, he paid Hamas $2.5 billion so that it could build its tunnel network and arm itself. Audrey Azoulay, former French Minister of Culture and current Director-General of UNESCO, delayed the meeting of the Committee for the Preservation of Historic Sites to allow the IDF to destroy Lebanese archaeological sites. In doing so, Netanyahu and Hamas obtained the support of the Anglo-Saxon secret services, faithful to the strategy set out in 1916 by Lord Herbert Samuel, whose son Edwin was a companion of Jabotinsky: to ensure that neither the Jewish State nor the future Palestinian State could ensure their security alone. Another constant in the behavior of the revisionist Zionists is to destroy the archaeological evidence of their imposture. Thus, still in 2009, the second decision of Netanyahu, who became Prime Minister, was to dig tunnels under the Temple Mount in order to be able to dynamite the Al-Aqsa Mosque. In recent months, he has destroyed all the archaeological remains in southern Lebanon, Crusader or Ottoman, and even tried to destroy the temples of Baalbeck, the greatest sanctuary of the Roman Empire. In doing so, he continued the destruction carried out during the Gulf War on the site of Babylon, or during the Syrian war on the remains of Aleppo and Palmyra. Everything must be done to ensure that the claim to the land, from the Nile to the Euphrates, appears legitimate. Would fulfilling anyone elses childhood dream involve this many rats? No? Just Robert Eggers? The writer-directors upcoming Nosferatu remake stars Bill Skarsgard, Lily-Rose Depp, and per Deadline five thousand real rats. Why such commitment to making the set feel sinister? Its a long-gestating passion project. Eggers reportedly credits F.W. Murnaus 1922 silent vampire film Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror for helping point him to his current career; he was captivated by the film when he first watched it at 9 years old, went on to direct a stage adaptation of it in high school, and has wanted to adapt Nosferatu for the screen ever since. Will the final result make it worth the fact that actor Emma Corrin reportedly had to shoot take after take with rodents peeing and pooping on their bare chest? Judge for yourself when Nosferatu comes out. For now, heres everything we know about the film, from its source material to its collectible popcorn bucket. What happens in the trailer? Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgard) is causing chaos offscreen. We dont get a clear glimpse of the vampire in the latest Focus Features trailer, but we do see the impact of his obsession with Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp). Standing before me was death. But Id never been so happy, she confides, half-crying and half-laughing. As rats carpet the streets and people rally with blazing torches, Ellen is told that shes a crucial part of the struggle with the creature that wants to consume all life on earth. When a silhouette approaches her at the end of the trailer, she whispers, Im ready. Whos in the Nosferatu cast? Bill Skarsgard will try to disgust us (but also get us hot and bothered?) as Count Orlok. The actor previously described his character to Esquire as both gross and very sexualized, noting that he hopes audiences will be disgusted by the fact that theyre feeling a little bit of attraction. That certainly seems to be the case for Ellen Hutter, the object of Orloks affection played by Lily-Rose Depp. Nicholas Hoult will star as her husband, Thomas Hutter. The full cast also includes Willem Dafoe, Ralph Ineson, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, and Simon McBurney. And who said no to Nosferatu? This thing has been in development since at least 2017, so there were bound to be some lineup changes. At one point, the Hutters were set to be played by Anya Taylor-Joy and Harry Styles. So thats one direction (1D, if you will) that the film couldve gone in. Instead, Taylor-Joy and Styles reportedly both dropped out of Nosferatu due to scheduling conflicts. What does this have to do with Bram Stokers Dracula? Well, Nosferatu (2024) is a remake of a movie that famously drew from Bram Stokers 1897 novel without permission. There were enough similarities between F.W. Murnaus 1922 silent German Expressionist vampire film Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror and Dracula that Stokers estate was able to successfully sue the films producers, ordering all copies of the film to be destroyed. However, at least one made it to the US, where Dracula had already entered the public domain. More copies followed, and Nosferatu has been remembered as a plagiarism success story ever since. Is there a special Nosferatu popcorn bucket? Yup. Its designed to look like a sarcophagus from the film. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Regal Cinemas will sell the collectible for $30.99 including a large popcorn (or $25.99 if you just want to purchase an empty box). AMC Theaters will also have popcorn coffins for sale, while Alamo Drafthouse is even stuffing its sarcophagi with a fake rat and a surprise keepsake. Did we just feel the tide of the popcorn-bucket wars turn? heres another better look at the Nosferatu Coffin Popcorn bucket! pic.twitter.com/dkT9fEEkfp holly || happy nosferatu month (@theseventhshe) November 15, 2024 When does Nosferatu come out? Nosferatu is set to release on December 25, 2024, which surprised those who were expecting the horror film to drop on Halloween or some other time during spooky season. Still, according to Bloody Disgusting, the remake is set over Christmas, so maybe Focus Features thought this was the more appropriate holiday to use as the release date? We dont know. The real question is whether anyones gonna try to make this a Babygirl double feature. First Barbenheimer, then Glicked, and now, uh Babyratu? Photo: Miguel Martinez/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP Georgia prosecutors shocked the hip-hop community in May 2022 when they claimed that YSL Records, the label founded by Young Thug, was a criminal street gang under the states Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Legal scholars and rap fans alike criticized the case from the start, which ensnared 28 defendants, many ascendant Atlanta rappers among them. Now, two and a half years later, a jury refuted the prosecutors claim for the first time, finding two YSL defendants, Yak Gotti and Shannon Stillwell, not guilty on RICO charges. Both men were also acquitted of various murder, gang, gun, and drug charges, while Stillwell was found guilty on a firearm-possession charge and sentenced to time served. The moment the verdict was read! Yak Gotti: NOT GUILTY on all charges Shannon: NOT GUILTY on charges except Count 64, firearm possession (time served) #YSLTRIAL pic.twitter.com/SyjNBoMkyT THUGGERDAILY (@ThuggerDaily) December 3, 2024 The verdict brought a close to the longest criminal trial in Georgia history, which began in January 2023 and originally involved six YSL defendants. Four of those defendants made guilty pleas in October, including Young Thug, who pleaded no contest to the RICO charge and walked free on probation. The most recent not-guilty verdicts not only put those pleas in a different light, but also raise questions about the YSL defendants yet to stand trial and how the Fulton County District Attorneys Office has handled this case. Andrew Fleischman, an Atlanta defense attorney, has been a critic of Georgias broad RICO law since the beginning of the trial but isnt optimistic things will change much. As the not-guilty verdicts came down for these two defendants, what was your initial reaction? What a tremendous win for these guys, who stuck to their guns, were willing to stay in jail, probably had probation-style offers on the table that they could have tried to take, and said no, they wanted a verdict instead. Yak Gotti and Stillwell were both offered plea deals and turned them down. That looks like the right move now. It does. I think the lawyers in this case were always confident they were going to win. They have access to something that we dont: They got to see the jurys body language responding to the arguments. Its very likely the jury was unhappy about how little evidence they heard over that much time. Youre approaching these verdicts from the perspective of the defense, but obviously, this is a big loss for Fulton County. Theyre going to spin it as a big win, though. They can get a press release where they talk about, Look at all the guilty verdicts we secured. Justice was done. We got that one count of felony possession. So yeah, I do take it as a big loss, but Fulton will not act like that at all. This verdict came just as Judge Paige Reese Whitaker was starting hearings for some of the additional defendants who were severed from the case and are still waiting for trials. Do you think Fulton County is going to continue pursuing cases against those other YSL defendants? Oh yeah. Maybe theyll offer them generous plea terms. Theres a valuable strategic lesson for the state here, which is: Dont try to eat something bigger than your head, put in a reasonable amount of evidence that goes directly towards the case, and dont mash 17 co-defendants together. Maybe these other cases are winnable, but the original case really did proceed as though nobody had talked to the witnesses in years. Those prosecutors had not checked back up with people to see what they were thinking, so what the witnesses said was very surprising to them. And that seemed to hurt the prosecution in terms of public perception of the case, because those moments like Lil Woodys messy testimony then went viral. There was no quality control over what came in, because you cant when you have 200 witnesses on the list. Thats something thats been talked about a lot with this case: this trial being hurt by having six defendants and being so bloated. Do you think once it was down to these two defendants, that the state had a better chance at securing a guilty verdict, or was the damage already done from the early part of the trial? The jury probably resented being there. And having the evidence against these men scattered over the course of a year in a totally haphazard way, it was very hard to hold onto what made sense and how the person was guilty. Ive said it before and Ill say it again: It really goes to show the RICO law needs to be reformed. It doesnt have any guardrails on it to keep the state in line. Everything is relevant, everything is admissible, and it creates big, messy trials. When Young Thug made his guilty plea a month ago, his attorney, Brian Steel, said he felt like they were winning their case, but his client wanted to go home if he got the chance to do that. If youre Steel, how do you feel seeing the remaining two defendants secure not-guilty verdicts? I dont think hes surprised at all. I think even Young Thug thought he was probably going to be acquitted, but the prospect of spending months or years being woken up at 4 a.m., not having proper nutrition, not seeing your kids, not touching your wife, thats fucking awful. Pleading guilty was the only way to end his punishment. How fucked up is that? Do you think any of the defendants, including Thug, regret taking plea deals now? Im sure, but theres no withdrawing the plea. It is what it is. Young Thug did have some moderately draconian probation conditions, but in a few years he might come back to terminate his probation, and I imagine the judge will grant that. Do you expect this to change how Fulton County or Georgia approaches RICO cases in the future? No. I think for them, the problems with this case were all the prosecutors office and nothing of the law. Maybe other prosecutors will pull back on these types of cases. The story Ive heard from federal practitioners is that big federal RICO cases used to be common, and the Fed stopped doing them because it was a poor return on their investment. Maybe thats the lesson prosecutors will take away. There have been worries about what this case could mean for the prosecution of rap lyrics in the future. Youre saying this is not a viable model for cases, but do you think that theres anything else to glean about the future of rap on trial here? Well, theres no First Amendment right not to have your statements used against you in court. So the problem isnt with the rules of evidence for speech its with laws that are so broad that anything you say becomes relevant at trial. Suddenly, you can bring in all kinds of stuff to try to paint the person as bad and hanging out with bad people. If you had a law like that in 1961, then Martin Luther King Jr. wouldve gotten more than criminal trespass for hanging out at a shop counter in Atlanta. Do you think we might see people being more careful about admitting rap lyrics as evidence in the future, given some of the confusion in this case, or is that too hopeful? The jurors were probably people who listened to some of this music. It probably helps a lot that this was a jury in Fulton County and not a jury in like, I dont know, Cairo, Georgia. They could themselves think of the innocent explanations for these lyrics. It hurt the states credibility that they insisted on the worst possible version. Thats obviously silly. Where do you see this case fitting in history, both in the state of Georgia and in Fulton County? How do you think were going to be thinking about this in ten years? I think well think of it as what the Trump trial wouldve been. People will have this retroactive history: Well, maybe if Trump had been tried in Georgia, it wouldve gone better. And I think this case shows that it would not. It wouldve been an incredibly unwieldy and lengthy trial if it was tried the way the YSL trial was, and they probably wouldnt have gotten a conviction there either. I think Fulton County, for a long time, has believed that because these cases induce pleas and are expensive to defend that it was all upside for them. Maybe the lesson of this case is there can be tremendous downsides once the public starts looking at what youre doing. This interview has been edited and condensed. Related Perhaps the most important event this year outside of the presidential election is the intellectual collapse of so-called diversity, equity and inclusion, which is poisonous hokum that is finally being exposed as such. DEI has been one of the most morally perverse and damaging fads in recent American history. We've been spending an estimated $8 billion a year telling Americans in training sessions, workshops and educational material that they are, depending on their race or gender, victims or oppressors and that the country is shot through with white supremacy. The DEI mindset is dominant in human resources departments and on college campuses. Common sense says that this racialist hectoring often administered by people who brook no dissent must be unhealthy, and, sure enough, evidence is beginning to pile up. Research has suggested that DEI can create negative feelings or make people afraid to speak their minds. Now comes a compelling new study from an outfit called the Network Contagion Research Institute and Rutgers University Social Perception Lab. It found that DEI amplified "perceptions of prejudicial hostility where none was present, and punitive responses to the imaginary prejudice." In other words, if its goal is to create illiberal racial paranoiacs, DEI is succeeding brilliantly. In one experiment, the study's architects gave one group of students an anodyne essay about U.S. corn production to read while another got an essay drawn from the work of DEI superstars Ibram X. Kendi and Robin DiAngelo. Then, the students were asked to evaluate a simple, racially neutral scenario involving a college applicant getting rejected by an East Coast university. The students who had read the DEI material were more likely to believe that the hypothetical admissions officer in the scenario was more discriminatory, more unfair, and more harmful, as well as guilty of more microaggressions again, even though nothing in the scenario suggested as much. The Kendi-DiAngelo students were also more likely to want to require DEI training for the admissions officer, to suspend the officer for a semester and to demand a public apology. Why let an absence of facts stand in the way of punitive measures? Meanwhile, a report in the New York Times Magazine found that the University of Michigan's decade-long, roughly $250 million experiment in making DEI part of the warp and woof of the school's life has been a failure. "In a survey released in late 2022," the Times notes, "students and faculty members reported a less positive campus climate than at the program's start and less of a sense of belonging. Students were less likely to interact with people of a different race or religion or with different politics." Ordinary campus disputes have become five-alarm DEI crises, administrators complain about all the new DEI-created paperwork, and students and faculty are afraid to say anything that might offend anyone. It would be one thing if it were only the University of Michigan that had sunk itself in this mire, but this dynamic has been duplicated throughout corporate America and our education system. There are signs, though, that the wave has crested. Walmart just announced that it will stop using the term "diversity, equity, and inclusion," and end various DEI-related initiatives. Other companies have been pulling back, as well. The trend will presumably only accelerate with a new Trump administration hostile to DEI. The end of DEI would be a net addition to our collective life. It would avoid, at best, a waste of time and, at worst, a gratuitous source of conflict and mutual suspicion. It would roll back the undue power given to fatuous martinets. It would stop the spread, under the guise of inclusion, of lies about American society. The old saw is that socialism hasn't failed, it just hasn't been tried. Well, DEI has been tried, and the dismal results are now becoming known. (COMMENT, BELOW) The famous musician Myroslav Kuvaldin, who came to the defense of Ukraine in February 2022, said that they are talking about the end of the war at the front. According to the artist, the military themselves throw up their hands and do not even work with approximate dates. ADVERTISIMENT In an interview with OBOZ.UA, the leader of The Vyo band admits that he is preparing for a long confrontation with the enemy, and if the war ends sooner, "it will be an extra reason to rejoice." As you know, after the start of the full-scale war, the artist was in Donetsk region, then in the south - in Mykolaiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and a year ago he joined the Cultural Landing. "The military also realize that no one knows the answer to this question. I'm preparing myself that this can last for a very long time," says Myroslav Kuvaldin, "and it's better to distribute forces over a long distance. And when you think that this war will never end, but it happens in a different way, the joy of it will increase many times over. And if you dream that it will be over in a month, and nothing happens in the meantime, you will only increase the despondency in your soul. I'm setting myself up to serve until I'm 60. If I leave earlier, I will have an extra reason to be happy." ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that TV presenter Marichka Padalko, whose husband, former MP and journalist Yehor Sobolev, is at the front, told why they do not discuss the timing of the end of the war. According to the TV journalist, there are no plans among the military to end it quickly. "On the one hand, he's an optimist, on the other hand, he's a pragmatist," says Marichka Padalko about Yehor Sobolev, "He says that they don't discuss when the war will end at the front. They talk about what the next day will be like and how many occupiers they will be able to destroy. There are no plans for it to end quickly." Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Key boxes become symbol of mass tourism in Italy. Tourists staying in short-let rentals in Italy will no longer be able to self check-in to their holiday accommodation, following a ban issued by the Italian interior ministry. The ban puts an end to checking-in remotely - a practice often done by sending pictures of identification documents via WhatsApp - with guests now required to check-in in person. The order, issued on 18 November and signed by the head of the state police Vittorio Pisani, affects all forms of tourist accommodation but is aimed particularly at short-term rentals. The ministry said the tightening of the rules was made as part of anti-terrorism measures, given the "delicate" international situation, and comes ahead of the Vatican's Jubilee Year 2025 in Rome. The order effectively bans key boxes which are widely used to enable guests to gain access to their short-term rental, without the hosts needing to meet their visitors. For many people in Italy, key boxes have become a detested symbol of overtourism and have been the target of protests in Rome and Florence where the mayor recently took steps to ban them from the historic centre. The order states that without visual identification of guests, the self check-in method risks that the tourist accommodation "may be occupied by one or more individuals whose personal details remain unknown to the competent Police Headquarters, posing a potential danger to the safety of the community." The move was welcomed by Italy's tourism minister Daniela Santanche as "an essential step to prevent risks and guarantee a peaceful and positive tourist experience", adding that cooperation between the two ministries was key to creating "a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, especially in view of very important events such as the Jubilee 2025". Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri also hailed the move "as good news for everyone", welcoming the end of "the padlocks and boxes that disfigure our streets and prevent adequate security checks". The crackdown by the interior ministry comes amid increased efforts to control overtourism in Italy, notably in Venice where entry fees have been introduced at peak holiday times, and in Rome as the city steps ever closer to Jubilee Year. The demand for short-term rentals in the Italian capital has led to a growing trend of landlords turning their properties into tourist accommodation, to the detriment of local residents who have to move or are priced out of the market. The phenomenon has been driven largely by the upcoming Jubilee Year when an estimated 32 million tourists and pilgrims are set to arrive in the Eternal City. Photo credit: REPORT / Shutterstock.com. Rome mayor pays tribute to Iole Mancini who died aged 104. Iole Mancini, the last surviving Italian partisan to experience the horrors of the Nazi prison on Via Tasso in Rome, died on Monday at the age of 104. The jail in the city's San Giovanni district - today the Museum of the Liberation of Rome - was used as the Gestapo headquarters during the Nazi occupation of the capital in the second world war. A courier for the resistance group GAP (Gruppi di Azione Patriottica), the 24-year-old Mancini was arrested on 25 May 1944 and taken to Via Tasso where she was interrogated and tortured all night. The young seamstress defied the notorious Nazi officer Erich Priebke as he attempted to force her to reveal the whereabouts of her partigiano husband Ernesto Borghesi who had escaped from Regina Coeli prison. Borghesi was accused of being part of the group of resistance fighters that carried out the Via Rasella attack, on 23 March 1944, which resulted in the deaths of 33 German military policemen. The SS command in Rome under Herbert Kappler, with the approval of Hitler, ordered a brutal reprisal to the attack, leading to the mass killing of 335 civilians the next day in the Ardeatine Massacre. On the night of 3 June, as the Allies advanced on Rome, Mancini was among the prisoners loaded onto trucks by the Nazis as they fled north. However the truck's engine failed to start, so she was taken back to the prison, escaping the tragic fate that befell 14 other prisoners who the Nazis executed at La Storta to the north of Rome. Mancini was freed from the Via Tasso prison the next morning by Allied soldiers during the Liberation of Rome. In a post on social media on Tuesday, Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri hailed Mancini as "a courageous witness of the resistance to Nazi-fascism and an exceptional woman, to whom we owe a lot", adding: "It is our duty to pass on her example and continue to defend the values for which she fought." Photo Roberto Gualtieri X With Donald Trump securing victory in the U.S. presidential election, Elon Musks controversial strategy of financially incentivizing voters in swing states has taken center stage, raising new questions about the role of wealth in American democracy. In a surprising twist, a U.S. voter living in Rome received a $100 check connected to Musks initiative, offering a glimpse into the billionaires efforts to sway the elections outcome. The voter, who remains anonymous, is registered in Pennsylvaniaa crucial battleground state in the election. The check, addressed to them, was sent to their Pennsylvania residence from a sender named Todd Lewis. Skeptical at first, the voter discovered the opportunity through the America PAC website, which claimed Musk was offering $100 to registered Pennsylvania voters. All they had to do was sign a petition stating that they agreed with the rights of free speech and to bear arms. To their surprise, the promised funds were real. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, at least two other Pennsylvania voters reported receiving similar checks from Todd Lewis, though Musks connection to this individual remains unclear. Musks Influence on Trumps Campaign Legal and Ethical Concerns Swing States and Electoral Vulnerabilities in the election was part of a calculated effort to supportto the White House. As a vocal proponent ofhas actively leveraged his vast resources to influence undecided voters, particularly in. Alongside theeach to a select group of voters who signed an online petition backingandReports indicate that fifteen individuals, all registered insuch as, and, received the. These efforts were aimed at bolsteringin key areas, contributing to. While the strategy has sparked, it underscoresto wield his wealth as a tool forAfterof his giveaway, there was pushback from critics and administrators, debating if it was legal. Eleven attorneys and public officials, who have previously served in Republican administrative positions, advised theto investigate further into. Within their statement to the Department they argued, We are aware of nothing like this in modernThe Common Pleas Court Judge, ruled in favor ofto continue announcing the winners of his giveaway.made his decision afterinsisted that the winners are paid spokespeople and not chosen randomly.The, also known as, play an important role in the election. These states could easily turnon Election Day, which pushes theto focus their attention on campaigning in these specific states.only involved voters in, like the student in, with the hopes that it would sway the undecided states to turn red.Ph: kovop / Shutterstock.com The Gardai will be visiting a number of locations in Waterford pn Wednesday, December 11 with their Community Van. The aim of the visits will be to give local people the opportunity to report crime, discuss concerns they have and also to get help completing form and any other business that requires Garda attention. A spokesperson for the Gardai told Waterford News & Star that the clinics will provide "an excellent opportunity for engagement with local communities". The Garda Community Van will be visiting areas of Waterford The initial locations will include Kilrossanty Community Centre Car Park (from 10am to 11.30am), Stradbally Town Square (from 12noon to 1.30pm) and Rathgormack Church Car Park (from 2.30pm to 4pm). The interior of the Garda Community Van The Garda spokesperson said it's planned that following the initial phase the Community Van initiative will be extended to other areas within Waterford's Community Engagement Area. A series of first-time candidates running in the General Election were eliminated in the early rounds of the count at the Waterford count centre at SETU. Despite the disappointment, the candidates have all put an optimistic foot forward. The Irish People party's John D Walsh, pictured right. Photo: Joe Evans People Before Profit candidate Patrick Curtin said to Waterford News & Star that his main objective was "trying to get People Before Profit back on the map". People Before Profit candidate Patrick Curtin speaks to Waterford News & Star reporter Darragh Murphy. Photo: Hugh Dooley "Im a new candidate, in the past, we had Una Dunphy who did very well in her last general election, and if she ran this time I'd say she would have been in with a big chance. "There's a lot of talk that the younger generation and the working class didnt go out and vote, which is what People Before Profit and the left rely on and obviously we have Sinn Fein going to top the poll today, but thats a hardcore Sinn Fein vote and David's been around for many years." Killian Mangan In a statement to the press following his elimination in the 5th round, after receiving 1.2% of the first preference votes (620), Independent candidate Killian Mangan said, "I want to thank every single person who trusted me with a preference during Friday's election. I am so grateful to be given this support as an independent candidate running for the general election for the first time. There are two ways of looking at this result; on the one hand, I didn't reach as many votes as I had hoped. "On the other hand, I ended up getting a better result than four other candidates, including a candidate from People Before Profit, a significant party with a national presence. I doubled my vote share from the local elections while running against well-known candidates backed by powerful parties. Unlike in other democracies, those my age who felt they had to emigrate abroad, and who were most aligned with my calls for change, were denied the right to vote. "Within this context, I am happy with the result and I believe that momentum continues to be on my side." Mangan thanked everyone he spoke to on the doorsteps and those in the local media for giving him "the opportunity" to explain his "positive and alternative vision". Aaron Joyce Non-party candidate Aaron Joyce was eliminated in the second count in Waterford, receiving 162 first-preference votes. I would like to see an embracement of change, or a youthful energy come into politics, and its great to see so many Independents and younger people run in the constituency in this general election and I encourage it in the future," he said. Speaking on his own future in politics, he added: The plan would be politically to get prepared and get informed of what can be done and assisted in my local area of Dungarvan and Abbeyside and indeed across the county." Joyce concluded: I can see it here in the count centre here this evening, that so many people did give me a preference and Im very, very grateful to everybody who invested their vote. I want to thank each and every one of those people and I would encourage anyone who didnt to please consider voting in the future to help your preferred candidate, I think it's crucially important to get out there and have a say. Minister for State Mary Butler has said she is ready for a cabinet role in the next government. Following the announcement of her re-election, the Waterford News and Star asked Deputy Butler if there was a portfolio she would like to work on. If I am called to serve I will serve. I believe I have shown my commitment. I have managed my department for the last four and a half years, I have increased the older persons budget by 50%, the mental health budget by 44% and I have managed a budged of 4 billion. I believe the time is right for me to make that step up to cabinet," said Deputy Butler Deputy Butler is currently the Minister for State with responsibility for mental health and older people. For now, she says she is focused on returning to that role. Deputy Butler was re-elected on the tenth count in this weekends General Election with 10,830 votes (9,962 first preference) Commenting on her re-election to Dail Eireann, Deputy Butler said: Im absolutely delighted. This is my third time being elected in Waterford to represent the people of Waterford City and county. I was first elected in 2016 then 2020 and now 2024. And, I just want to thank sincerely the 9,632 people who gave me their first preference vote. That weighs heavily on my shoulders and I will repay it, I will work so hard again for Waterford as I have done for the last eight years, said Deputy Butler. A record number of people have received decisions on Irish citizenship applications this year, with 130 new citizenships having been given to people in Waterford. More than 6,000 new Irish citizenships were conferred on Monday and Tuesday, December 2 and 3, at ceremonies in Killarney, Co Kerry - including to Irish rugby star Bundee Aki. Applicants from 140 countries across the world and across all 32 counties on the island of Ireland, received citizenships. Data rom the Department of Justice indicated the latest round of ceremonies saw the annual total rise above 30,000 for the first time ever, equating to a 50 per cent rise on the 20,000 decisions made in 2023, and nearly double the number of decisions made in 2022. The most common nationalities to be awarded citizenship were India (1,147), the United Kingdom (636), Brazil (609) and Romania (494). The 130 new citizenships conferred to people living in Waterford was the 10th highest for a county in Ireland. The most citizenship decisions were made in County Dublin at 2,836, while the rebel county comes in second place to the capital, with 723 decisions made in County Cork. In County Kildare, 504 citizenship decisions were made while Meath and Galway were tied in 4th, with both seeing 337 citizenship decisions being made this time around. The six counties in Northern Ireland made up six of the bottom seven counties, sorted by citizenship decisions, with the availability of applications for Irish or British citizenship. To date, in excess of 190,000 people have received Irish citizenship since 2011 during citizenship ceremonies. Applicants are required to have five years of reckonable residence in the country to be eligible for the programme. Speaking ahead of the recent ceremonies, Justice Minister McEntee said she would like to "congratulate all of our newest Irish citizens, as well as their family and friends joining them on this special day." "I encourage our new citizens to continue to contribute to building inclusive communities," she said. "In forging connections between our cultures, we can enrich our social fabric," she added, before commenting: "Our new citizens play an essential role in fuelling growth in our economy. They also contribute immensely to industries where we have labour shortages like construction, agriculture and healthcare. They also make our workforce more diverse and inclusive. The Waterford Constituency can now return to European City of Christmas mode, with all four of its Dail seats filled. There was much drama at the count centre at SETUs Cork Road campus right until the bitter end on Sunday evening, as Social Democrat Cllr Mary Roches transfers were counted. It would ultimately result in a changing of the political guard, with Sinn Fein now the dominant force in Waterford, taking two seats for the first time in the partys history in the Deise. The David Cullinane-Conor D. McGuinness two-candidate strategy paid off, with west Waterfords Cllr McGuinness proving transfer-friendly on every count to take the fourth seat. The D. McGuinness possibly also played a part he appeared further up the ballot paper by using the initial of his mothers maiden name, Davis. David Cullinane, TD, who topped the poll with 11,936 votes, was elected on the first count. It was not to be for a dejected Matt Shanahan, the outgoing Independent TD, who had campaigned heavily and been particularly vocal in the Dail on the lack of delivery on key Waterford issues, such as 24/7 cardiac care and the extension of the runway at Waterford Airport. John Cummins, Fine Gael, was the second TD elected in the Waterford constituency. Fine Gaels Senator John Cummins has brought his party back into play at national level in Waterford, taking the seat vacated by John Deasy, which Cummins failed to secure in 2020 the first time in the history of the party that it failed to secure a Waterford representative for Dail Eireann in a General Election. (There were brief periods following the deaths of Fine Gael TDs that saw subsequent byelection wins for Fianna Fail). Fianna Fail's Mary Butler punches the air, surrounded by her team as her reelection to Dail Eireann is announced. The party was taking no chances this time out, with a one-candidate strategy, which fared Cummins well. He received 10,376 first-preference votes and was elected on the 9th count following the distribution of outgoing Green Party TD Marc O Cathasaighs transfers. It was a special moment for the Cummins family, with Johns father, former Senator Maurice, delighting in his sons electoral success. Maurice previously contested for Dail Eireann on three occasions but never broke through to make that transition from the Seanad. A visibly disappointed Marc O Cathasaigh attended the count centre briefly over the weekend, after it became clear from early on that the Green Partys vote had collapsed in Waterford. The outgoing TD attained only 1,671 first preference votes, just ahead of Labours Sadhbh ONeill, who went out on the 8th count, having taken only 1,500 first preference votes. Labour has also failed to recover the ground it lost in Waterford following the 2016 General Election, and national drubbing, when its last sitting TD, Ciara Conway, failed to retain her seat. An elated Minister of State Mary Butler, Fianna Fail, was third across the line on the 10th count, having achieved 9,962 first preference votes, over 3,000 more than she achieved in 2020, also benefitting from a one-candidate strategy. Her third term elected, she goes into the 34th Dail with ambitions of the reward of a Senior Ministerial position should Fianna Fail lead the next government. Ivan Okhlobystin, the star of the Russian TV series "The Interns," and his family fell victim to a fraudster who gained the trust of his daughter Varvara and, moreover, proposed to her. However, the music didn't last long, and the groom, 31-year-old Maxim Zakharov, left his "beloved" and swindled a lot of family savings during the affair. This is the way fate punished the propagandist who travels to the occupied territories, supports dictator Vladimir Putin, and wants to destroy Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT Back in August, Andrey Bykov from "The Interns" boasted to the Russian media that his daughter Varvara was getting married in September to one of the best barbers in Russia, and now he is trying to hush up the fact that he and his own offspring were robbed. However, the actor did share details of his personal life with the Russian media. It turned out that Varvara's fiance had run away a week before the wedding. Okhlobystin is silent about the reason, speaking about it without specifics. "I remember myself, to be honest, my first love was unhappy, everything else is different. I wish no one had helped me then. And you can't help with that, you can only support it somehow," he said. ADVERTISIMENT Even before the upcoming wedding, Okhlobystin's daughter managed to invest in her fiance's business. She also helped him renovate his new beauty salon. Interestingly, the propagandist was pleased with his daughter's activities and approved of the candidacy of his future son-in-law. "She and her fiance have their own business, they have opened some mega-salons, men's hairdressing salons. This topic is fashionable now: he is one of the best barbers in Russia, and in the world," the propagandist said earlier. ADVERTISIMENT However, Okhlobystin was surprised by a marriage proposal from Maxim Zakharov. The man appeared without a wedding ring and did not get down on one knee in front of his beloved. Interestingly, after agreeing, he immediately hugged the Putinist. It is known that Ivan Okhlobystin still dreams of destroying Ukraine. He "splurged" by imagining how he would "give" the western regions of the sovereign country to Poland and the northern regions to Belarus. Everything else, he said, should "belong" to Russia. Then he "betrayed" the Kremlin's goals and stated that the goal of the so-called "SVO" is the total destruction of everything Ukrainian, including the language, laws, and even the name of the country. ADVERTISIMENT "Our minimum program is to deprive them of the sea. Western Ukraine, which has never loved us and will never love us, should be given to the Poles, and part of it will go to Belarus. The rest, of course, is ours. And ideally, we should clean up everything so that there is no hint of the Ukrainian state. Due to our negligence and incompetence, we allowed them to unite as a nation. Until all of this is firmly established in the minds of the people, it must be destroyed. At the same time, the people will certainly remain," the Putinist fantasized. This was not the only time Okhlobystin encroached on the territory of Ukraine and declared how he saw it in the future. According to him, the country should be divided among its neighbors, and he was "generous" enough to give Ukraine as much as one region. The propagandist made a nonsense claim that the so-called rejection of religion by King Danylo Halytskyi and his preference for political interests in the distant 13th century was a feature of Galicia's intense nationalism. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Black Doves Netflix Black Doves is the British spy thriller I didnt know I needed. Thats because as well as being a story about covert spooks, its also a melancholic examination of desires hold, a body count banger with John Wick vibes, a ticking clock geopolitical drama, a farcical comedy of English manners, and a meditative dialogue about the killers creed. Theres probably another element or two I missed, but every time Ben Whishaws triggerman greeted Keira Knightleys undercover operative with a hello, darling! I stopped keeping count. Keira Knightley in Black Doves. Credit: Ludovic Robert/Netflix Yes, thats quintessential English rose Keira Knightley and the voice of Paddington Bear, Ben Whishaw. The casting of this six-part series is unconventional and to the credit of all involved its the narrative that changes shape, not the stars. After a tension-filled cold-open, where a trio of Londoners connected by an unknown thread is done away with, Black Doves takes shape around survival and vengeance. But from the second episode on, it keeps opening unexpected new fronts. This caper is eclectic to the point of recklessness. Knightley plays Helen Webb, the note-perfect wife of Tory cabinet minister Wallace Webb (Andrew Buchan). Helen has been spying on her own husband since she met him a decade prior, but when her lover is among the trio coldly killed, she goes in search of vengeance even if it means her own exposure. Helens worried boss, Reed (Sarah Lancashire), recalls from exile Helens old friend, contract killer Sam Young (Whishaw), to protect her. Soon they are trading bon mots and leaping from the window of an exploding building. Professor Lyle Gurrin, a University of Melbourne biostatistician who has published on research integrity, said that could prompt a shake-up in the way research fraud and misconduct is policed in Australia. Loading I would expect that would have ramifications for every institution receiving funding from the NHMRC, Gurrin said. It seems weird they are doling out $1.5 billion in grants and yet, as far as I can see, there is no process to investigate the integrity of the work that is done with those funds. Thats the attitude: the best way to prevent fraud is to hope that people dont do it. A spokeswoman for the NHMRC said it was working to address the auditors findings. The ANAO concluded that NHMRC has appropriate mechanisms in place for internal fraud control, but that there are inadequate mechanisms in place to prevent, detect and investigate fraud risks relating to grant recipients, she said. The audit does not state nor imply that institutional fraud risk controls are inadequate, or that undetected fraud is occurring in health and medical research. No reliable or accurate data The NHMRC oversees research integrity in Australia. Under its code for responsible research, universities must immediately warn it when there are allegations of fraud. But in practice, the auditor found, the NHMRC had allowed universities to keep things to themselves unless they decided to launch a formal investigation. Even then, the university was not required to hand the investigative report over. As a result, the NHMRC does not have accurate or reliable data upon which to properly assess grant-related fraud risks, the auditor warns. The report found that the NHMRC has not overseen a single investigation into suspected grant fraud, despite funding at least 41 scientific papers that have been pulled from the scientific record in the past 15 years. It maintains two registers of fraud and misconduct in spreadsheets, but they dont match each other and arent fit for purpose, the report found. Preventing grant fraud almost wholly relied on the untested assurances of the scientists and universities it gave the money to, the auditor said. The auditor also found the NHMRCs 199 staff lacked basic training in stopping fraud even the ones in charge of preventing it. The NHMRC received 139 research integrity notifications between 2018 and 2023, according to documents released to this masthead through a freedom of information request. Loading The report found that when suspected fraud was detected, the agency had no way of investigating it, relying wholly on universities to check if they had misspent taxpayer money. The NHMRC does not check if universities have conducted a proper probe, or get a copy of any investigations that are undertaken. The only case of fraud it recorded was caught by another research institute, which informed the NHMRC that at least $2.6 million had been spent on research that was never conducted. The NHMRC briefed federal Health Minister Mark Butler on the matter only two weeks after being notified of the fraud. Its brief consisted of a printout of a media release and other newspaper articles. In another case, an audit of 33 grant applications by researchers discovered 11 were ineligible for funding, despite all passing the NHMRCs checks. NHMRC staff did not tell the chief executive or risk committee about this, the report found. Major NHMRC study pulled after copied images discovered In November, PLOS ONE journal retracted a study led by Dr Nady Braidy, a senior research fellow at the University of NSW, on the potential anti-ageing molecule NAD+. The NHMRC shows he received a $1.5 million grant from it in 2021 to study NAD+. The study claimed to show NAD+ levels fell as lab rats got older. It has been cited more than 600 times, while NAD+ has exploded as an anti-ageing supplement. But a note from PLOS ONEs editors said several of the images in the article, purportedly from different experiments, appeared similar to each other across two or more figure panels. PLOS ONE said the authors had subsequently not provided the underlying data that supported the published results. As such, PLOS cannot resolve the concerns about the similarities between the articles. The retracted Braidy paper was not referred to in the ANAO report. There has not been any suggestion of fraud by Braidy or any of the other authors. Credit: Illustration: Matt Golding The NHMRC declined to comment on the case or say whether it would be seeking to recover taxpayer funding, citing privacy concerns. The University of NSW said it had worked with PLOS ONE to retract the article. It did not answer questions on whether it would be repaying the funding to the NHMRC. The authors of the article, including Braidy, did not respond to requests for comment. High-profile conservative Catholic lawyers have warned the Australian Catholic University it faces losing its religious designation if it fails to defend the faith as church leaders split with university bosses in the fallout from an anti-abortion speech on campus. The warning follows a furious, six-page letter to ACU from Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher, who raised concerns about the ambivalence of the universitys commitment to its Catholic identity. Joe de Bruyn was invited to give a speech for the Australian Catholic University after receiving an honorary doctorate. The nine lawyers, including former NSW Coalition attorney general Greg Smith and former state Coalition finance minister Damien Tudehope, wrote to the ACUs Senate on Tuesday saying their review of church law had made recommendations for the preservation of the future Catholic identity of ACU. One was for an independent investigation potentially from the Vaticans Dicastery for Culture and Education into university leadership. The other was for Australian bishops to reconsider allowing the ACU to use the title Catholic in its name. Jakarta: Indonesia has given the Australian government a draft proposal for how the remaining Bali Nine prisoners could be transferred home in the most tangible sign yet that it intends to call time on near-20 years the men have spent in Bali and Java jails. Standing beside Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke in Jakarta on Tuesday, Indonesian minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra said his government was not after anything in return for the proposed transfer and it was a gesture of goodwill from new president Prabowo Subianto. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, left, shakes hands with Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration and Correctional Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra. Credit: AP Yusril, the coordinating minister for law, human rights and corrections, said he hoped an agreement could be reached this month, but the fact that neither country had the legal machinery to facilitate a prisoner transfer was complicating the outcome. Of course, it depends on the negotiations, and I understand there are some legal matters in respect of the Australian government, and the Indonesian government too, Yusril said. This is purely good intentions, and discretion, taken by President Prabowo Subianto. The Syrian civil war that the world had tried to hope away and forget has again erupted into international headlines. And the West will, again, seek to find one side to praise and support. In 2011, as the civil war emerged from a series of violent convulsions of predominantly Sunni Syrians pushed beyond endurance by Assads murderous regime, I travelled from Baghdad to the Kurdish regions to better understand the dynamics of the conflict. At the time, I was an Australian diplomat, working as the deputy head of mission in Iraq. Syrian President Bashar Assad. Credit: AP What I found reminded me of the song by The Clash. Assad if he stays there will be trouble; if he goes it could be double. I had no sympathy for Assads regime, having been briefly detained and questioned by Assads secret police in 2006 while travelling privately around Syria, but personal prejudices had to be weighed with an appreciation for the complexity of the conflict. What quickly became clear is that Syria and its conflict is a mosaic of combatants rather than a dichotomy of good versus evil. Loyalties usually reflect a persons religion or ethnicity. The Sunnis hate the Iran-aligned Assad regime; Assad himself is the inheritor of atrocities by his fathers regime against the Sunni, including the destruction of Hama and slaughter of many of its inhabitants in 1982; the Kurds want an autonomous homeland; and the Turkmen are no friends to Assad or extremist Sunnis. TV presenter and traitor Oksana Marchenko, the wife of collaborator Viktor Medvedchuk, almost disappeared from the information space after her high-profile flee from Ukraine to Russia, appearing only in her YouTube project Palomnitsa (Pilgrim). The woman is hiding from society, publishing content only after she changes her location. ADVERTISIMENT This is evidenced by the premiere of the third season of the series, which was filmed in the summer and published on the last day of fall. For the sake of such important content, she illegally visited the Ukrainian Crimea, where all the events of the new season are to take place. Marchenko arrived in Sevastopol, which is in Russian-occupied Crimea, and it is unlikely that she had received permission from Ukraine. Throughout the show, which is intended to please the Kremlin's propagandists, the Putin fan tries to brainwash people into thinking that Crimea has always been Russian. The traitor can be heard saying "it's hard to believe that this is where Russian Orthodoxy began", "the Russian army was not going to surrender", "on the entire canonical territory of the Russian Church," and so on. ADVERTISIMENT She also did not shy away to call Volodymyr the Great, the same one depicted on one hryvnia, a Russian prince, even though he was a prince of Kyivan Rus (not to be confused with Russia, which did not exist at that time). By doing so, the traitor is trying to say that Crimea has allegedly always been Russian. In the series, Marchenko showed the coast of the peninsula, but mostly Sevastopol and the ruins of Chersonesos Tavriya. Russian flags could also occasionally be seen. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! With the support of the WCO Anti-Corruption & Integrity Promotion (A-CIP) Programme for Customs, a workshop dedicated to a sustainable integrity approach and Customs-Private Sector dialogue was organized remotely on November 25 and 26, 2024 in Cote d'Ivoire at the initiative of the Cote d'Ivoire Customs Administration and representatives of the Ivorian private sector. With over 20 participants and under the supervision of experts from the WCO A-CIP Programme, this activity brought together major internal and external players in the Customs context in Cote d'Ivoire and the region. Ivorian private sector umbrella organizations also contributed to the discussions, as did representatives from the Customs administrations of Cameroon, Togo and Mali. These latter shared their experiences in relations with the private sector with their Cote dIvoire Customs colleagues. Motivated by the desire to share appropriate solutions for tackling corruption, promoting integrity and developing the efficiency of Customs services, participants shared experiences and best practices to identify avenues for progress as part of the finalization of the action plan involving customs and private sector representatives in Cote d'Ivoire. The workshop enabled each participant to appreciate the importance of constructive dialogue between Customs and the private sector fro considering mutual expectations and maintaining a high level of commitment from all stakeholders over the long term. In this respect, the workshop participants agreed to meet again in December 2024 on the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9. The WCO A-CIP Programme provides technical assistance and capacity-building support to WCO Member administrations implementing integrity-related initiatives in line with the WCO Revised Arusha Declaration. For more information, please contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org. In a continuous effort to facilitate intra-African trade, the WCO-EU Rules of Origin Africa Programme, in partnership with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, has launched a new Rules of Origin (RoO) module to complement the AfCFTA's flagship market access tool: the AfCFTA e-Tariff Book. The AfCFTA e-Tariff Book is a web-based resource that provides businesses with essential tariff and rules of origin information. This new tool complements the existing AfCFTA website, which already offers information on the legal provisions applicable under the AfCFTA Agreement, including Annex I on the tariff concessions and Annex II on RoO to the Protocol on Trade in Goods. This tool and its new add-on are critical for accurate and reliable trade information accessibility. The 2024 edition of the PAFTRAC Africa CEO Trade Survey Report revealed that a staggering 70% of participating African business leaders declared having no or low access to relevant AfCFTA information for business purposes. Additionally, [v]ery few of our participants said that their company had great access to relevant AfCFTA information for business purposes, suggesting either that the required information was not easily accessible, PAFTRAC CEO Survey 2024 These findings highlight the urgent need for accessible and user-friendly resources to help businesses navigate the complex landscape of intra-African trade. The augmented AfCFTA e-Tariff Book is designed to fill this gap by serving as a one-stop shop for essential AfCFTA market access information. Although the RoO module add-on is an important milestone, it also necessitates extensive awareness-raising and dissemination campaigns, as only 10% of survey respondents indicated that they were fully aware of the AfCFTA e-Tariff Book. The AfCFTA e-Tariff Book effectively displays applicable tariff rates and RoO for any tariff line between AfCFTA member states, making it essential for businesses expanding across the continent. Its user-friendly interface allows companies to search using Harmonized System (HS) codes or product descriptions and provides detailed information for each member state, facilitating cross-border trade. Following the joint Programme-AfCFTA Secretariat partnerships milestone with the launch of the AfCFTA E-Tariff Book and the Rules of Origin Manual in 2022, the Programme is committed to continue working with the AfCFTA Secretariat to enhance information access, capacity building and policy support for a seamless implementation of the AfCFTA. Soviet hotels had a number of strict rules for guests. For example, it was forbidden for an unmarried couple to share the same room, talk loudly, and even "make love." ADVERTISIMENT The rooms did not have bathrooms, and the neighbors were often strangers or cockroaches with bedbugs. OBOZREVATEL talks about the peculiarities of hotels and boarding houses in the USSR that confuse modern tourists. Lack of rooms One could often see on hotel desks that read "No room available". Employees explained that all the beds were booked because they were waiting for a team of athletes or artists. In reality, however, there were plenty of rooms available. It was just that you had to pay the administrator separately for checking in. The only legal way to check in was by having a business trip certificate and an early reservation. ADVERTISIMENT Strangers in the room Even if the client did check into the room, they could not relax and enjoy the vacation for which they had paid money. In the best junior suites or suites, administrators could check in a stranger without warning. In addition, the rooms often had cockroaches and bedbugs. The ban on making love Before being checked in, spouses were forced to show a marriage certificate. If there was no stamp in the passport, the lovers were separated and placed in different rooms. Moreover, after 11 p.m., there were guards on the floors who would go through the rooms and make sure that no women stayed overnight with men. ADVERTISIMENT No noise allowed It was forbidden to make noise and have fun in hotels. Due to the lack of soundproofing, even a normal loud conversation in the room was reprimanded. If guests broke the rules, they were instantly kicked out regardless of the time of day. Shabby furniture The interior of even the most famous Soviet hotels was terrible. The room was equipped with shabby cabinets, worn carpets, old cabinets, and metal spring beds. None of the guests dared to make a comment about any of these features as the administrator had the right to kick off a person at will. ADVERTISIMENT Comfort There was always something broken in the room: a toilet, a sink, or a lamp above the bed. It is worth noting that shower and toilet were only in the suite, which not everyone could afford. In ordinary rooms, the restroom was shared, like in dormitories. People did not know about disposable toothpaste, toothbrush, and shampoo in travel sizes back then. There was only a bar of laundry soap near the sink. Buffet The dining room did not have a wide range of dishes, and meals were not included in the room rate. Everyone bought what they could afford. Instead of morning coffee, there was chicory with milk, and instead of a buffet, they served sausages, buckwheat cutlets, soup or borscht with bread. New high-profile details have surfaced in the story of the tragic accident in Dnipro that claimed the life of a 10-year-old girl and injured four other people, including two children. It turned out that one of the defendants in the case, 19-year-old Valerii Oleshchenko, already has a criminal record and is on probation for robbery. ADVERTISIMENT This is stated in the material of OBOZ.UA. In 2024, Oleshchenko was convicted of robbery at a Nova Poshta branch in Kyiv. He grabbed a parcel with four branded T-shirts worth 141.5 thousand hryvnias and tried to escape. The police detained him on the spot. The court sentenced him to five years in prison, but the sentence was commuted to three years of probation due to "sincere remorse" and compensation for damages. This was confirmed to OBOZ.UA by the Prosecutor's Office of Dnipropetrovs'k region. "Thus, the suspect in violation of traffic safety rules, which caused the death of the victim (Part 2 of Article 286 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), was convicted under Part 4 of Article 186 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (robbery). The violation of traffic safety rules was committed during the probationary period," the prosecutor's office said. ADVERTISIMENT Oleshchenko is a suspect in the fatal accident. However, there is speculation that the accident could have been caused by another BMW passenger, 17-year-old Arseniy Bessonov, the son of a wealthy local businessman. DNA testing should determine who was driving the car at the time of the collision. There is speculation that Oleshchenko could have taken the blame, as it is quite possible that his friend (or rather his father) in the BMW helped him in the story of the robbery of branded T-shirts. The accident happened in the evening of December 1 on Naberezhna Zavodska Street. The BMW, which was moving at high speed, crashed into a Ford while making a U-turn. The impact killed a 10-year-old girl who was a passenger in the Ford. The driver and other passengers, including two children, were seriously injured. Oleshchenko is charged under Part 2 of Article 286 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of traffic rules that resulted in the death of a person). If proven guilty, he faces imprisonment. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Leesville, LA (71446) Today Thunderstorms this morning, then becoming sunny during the afternoon hours. High around 75F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Clear skies. Low 49F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Niamh ODonoghue A 56-year-old who defrauded 840,000 from an Irish biotechnology company who were making an important scientific development, has been jailed for three and a half years. Mayo-based bio-tech firm Ovagen was trying to raise funds of 28 million for the patenting of a germ-free egg for use in vaccines when they were introduced to a Swiss banking company called Enerbiz. Its chief executive Adrianus Johannes Kees said he would help Ovagen secure a loan. He had pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to fraud and theft on dates between March 12th, 2011 and January 10th, 2012. He pleaded guilty on the fifth day of his trial to the fraud charge on a full facts business. Kees, of Calle de la Paaz, Valencia said he would get Ovagen the funding it required by securing an irrevocable loan commitment letter. Once that letter was obtained Kees said he would be able to secure bonds to secure the funding. He requested Ovagen company directors to send him a processing fee of 840,000 which he would place in an escrow account, where it could not be touched, and would refund them within 91 days if funding was not secured. Ovagen was told that it would only have to make interest repayments in the meantime. They would also be able to check this account at any time to show that the money was safe, Kees told them. Kees claimed he had paperwork from banking multinational HSBC about a loan but Ovagen did not get documentation in relation to it. When they did get documentation they were suspicious. Detective Garda Leo Heaney gave evidence no loan from HSBC ever materialised and Ovagen asked to see the escrow bank account from Lichtenstein showing the money was still there. There was never any escrow account, the court heard. Det Gda Heaney told David Perry BL prosecuting, an agreement was set out of how it was going to get this funding. They were told they were to deposit 840,000 to show that there was money there and Kees wanted it paid to LGT bank in Lichtenstein. Escrow account One thing that was emphasised was that the money was going to be held in an escrow account where it could not be touched. It was stressed that it had to be paid quickly, the court heard. On foot of those representations Ovagen took out loan from 840k from AIB for which they gave personal guarantees. The money was transferred to the bank account in Lichtenstein and the accused said he was working on getting a loan from HSBC. Eventually Kees did send on loan documents on HSBC headed paper. After that documentation Ovagen pushed for an interview with HSBC but the court heard there was no meeting set up with the bank. In October 2011 Ovagen asked Kees to see bank statements and started to demand to return the money but the court heard it was never returned. Kees was the only person who had access to the account, the court heard. The money was quickly dispersed and was spent within two weeks. The only money that went into that account was from Ovagen. Half of the money transferred to an associate, 56,150 was transferred to Kees bank account. Money transferred to his wife had an interesting narrative of pool house settlement and another payment was for Mercedes Benz leasing. The only money that went into the account was from Ovagen and it had a remaining balance of 3.83. Ovagen had to repay AIB that money personally and never got any of it back, the court heard. In a victim impact read to the court CEO Dr Leonard Moran said the fraud had a devastating effect on his health and his family and he had to let all the staff go. The stress was enormous and my quality of life changed forever. A European Arrest Warrant was issued by the High Court in July 2022 and Kees, who was then in Spain, was charged on September 23, 2022. Kees took a trial date but a plea was entered after several civilian witnesses had given evidence. There were mutual requests that the Dutch police would interview him and authorities in Lichenstein were also investigating matters. Kees travelled from New York to Panama in 2014 and his passport also indicated he had also been to Africa. The FBI were to inform Gardai if he returned to the US, the court heard. Kees, who previously held a Dutch passport but is no longer a Dutch national has no previous convictions. The court heard three reference letters were handed into the court but there were very serious concerns over the legitimacy of those letters, said Mr Perry. Gerard Groarke BL defending, said that his client instructed him that he did not wish to rely on the letters. He said that Kees had posted 50k bail and was willing to give that money to Mr Moran. The prosecution said Ovagen would accept the money but only as an expression of remorse. Mr Kees wasnt actively evading justice and had travelled to Ireland, albeit having been extradited, he came voluntarily, said Mr Groarke. A letter from Kees was handed into the court where he apologised to the victims. He said he married in 2013 but his wife has mobility issues. He said his eldest daughter was due his grandchild and he would like to return to Valencia for Christmas. The court heard he was an enhanced prisoner in Cloverhill Prison. He hasnt had a particularly good time in prison, said Mr Groarke. Judge Elva Duffy set a headline sentence for four and a half years but reduced this by a year and backdated it to July for time spent in custody. She ordered that the 50k bail money be paid over to the victims but said she was not making a compensation order. Evidence had been given that the accused has three properties in Valenica in Spain. But Judge Duffy said she was not making a compensation order as this man is something of a mystery in that regard. Judge Duffy said the victim impact statement handed into court make for harrowing reading. The judge said the aggravating factors were it was a very serious offence involving a high level of money. But the judge said that while it was taken from a company it was not faceless. A Mayo farmer who was acquitted of the killing of an intruder at his home was laid to rest yesterday. Padraig Nally, aged 81, of Funshona, Cross in South Mayo died after a long illness. His funeral mass took place at the Church of the Sacred Heart in his native Cross on Monday with burial in Cross East Cemetery. Mr Nally shot John Frog Ward on his Mayo farm in 2004. In November 2005, he was sentenced to six years imprisonment for the manslaughter of Ward, a Traveller and father of 11 who had been trespassing on his farm near Lough Corrib on the Mayo-Galway border. However, his conviction was quashed in October 2006 and, in a retrial two months later, he was found not guilty of manslaughter. I think of what happened all the time. It is always on my mind, Mr Nally told the Western People following his acquittal. He said he regularly prayed for the man he shot. Ward was a 43-year-old Traveller with approximately 80 convictions for burglary, larceny and assault. The case divided the nation. Mr Nally always maintained he shot Mr Ward in order to protect his home. During the first trial, Mr Nally said he had sleepless nights after a number of farms in his locality were burgled. His own home had previously been targeted in 2003. The jury was told the Cong man was at the end of his tether, agitated and fearful, even paranoid about his safety. Following his release from prison, Mr Nally returned to farming and was a regular at marts in South Mayo and North Galway. He was well-liked and regarded as a very good neighbour. It was a big shock and a big relief knowing I was getting my freedom back, the farmer told the Western People upon his release. He received thousands of messages of support during his time in prison. A quiet, private man, he was uncomfortable with the publicity the case attracted. I dont describe myself as a hero even though thats how I might be seen, Mr Nally told the Western People. It was a tragic event in my life. I think about it every day. My mind takes me through the events as they unfolded. Its like a picture in my mind all the time. I think about John Ward often and say a prayer for him, he added. Mr Nally is deeply regretted by his sister Maureen, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends. In winter, you want to escape from the cold and fly to distant warm countries where the sun is warming and transparent waves are splashing. But where to go if half the globe is covered with snow and frost? OBOZREVATEL has selected 5 countries with very pleasant weather in December-January. ADVERTISIMENT Caribbean islands Quiet and peaceful resorts in Jamaica, Barbados, and the Bahamas are ideal for family vacations. The temperature in winter rarely drops below 28 degrees, and the sea warms up to 26 degrees. Wind and rain are rare during this period, so the water is mostly always suitable for swimming. By the way, diving is very popular here, and there are specialized centers for training and practice almost everywhere. The cost of tours to the Caribbean starts at $800. Organizing a trip yourself can be 15-20% cheaper, but you will have to spend a lot of time solving a number of issues. UAE In the Emirates, the weather is sunny and warm in winter. In the resort regions, the temperature at this time can reach 24-26 degrees. Moreover, most beaches are filled with tourists who come here to celebrate the New Year. ADVERTISIMENT During this period, not only beach vacations are very popular but also walks in historical areas and excursions in the desert on ATVs. December-January is considered the low season in the UAE, so hotel and flight prices drop significantly. You can grab a hot ticket for two to Dubai for $650, and to Abu Dhabi for striking $500. Thailand Winter vacation in Thailand is a pleasure. People come here for beach vacations, diving, surfing, and hiking. In December-January, the air temperature remains high - up to 29 degrees. The sea, respectively, is warm and calm. There are few rainy days. A tour for two costs an average of $1,300. You can organize a vacation on your own for $750-800. ADVERTISIMENT Tanzania The warm resort islands of Tanzania receive a record number of tourists during the New Year holidays. Although it is quite hot at this time - the temperature does not drop below 30 degrees - it often rains. However, this does not stop foreigners from spending their vacations in the most beautiful parts of the world. In winter, excursions to historical and religious sites, as well as various types of extreme and active recreation, are gaining popularity. Tours to Tanzania are quite expensive: from $670 to $3,000. You can organize a vacation on your own for $600. Philippines The Chinese, the Japanese, and Americans most often choose the Philippines for winter vacations. For some reason, this destination is not very popular among Europeans, but in vain. Even in the "cold" seasons, the air temperature here is 26-28 degrees, and the water is warm and calm almost all year round. It storms only in summer. In December-January, on the contrary, there are windless comfortable days. The choice of tours is very small, although prices start at $550. You can organize a trip on your own for almost $100 cheaper. Allentown, PA (18103) Today Any morning clouds give way to partly sunny skies; a milder afternoon with highs back above the 60-degree mark. . Tonight Becoming cloudy overnight with some patchy fog and drizzle possible late at night. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has a secret desire that guides his actions. He wants to take Lenin's place in the Mausoleum on Red Square in Moscow after his death and become one of the few dictators in the world to be honored in this way. ADVERTISIMENT That is why a strike on the Mausoleum would have an extremely powerful psychological impact on Putin. This opinion was expressed in an interview with OBOZ.UA by Valerii Chalyi, former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United States in 2015-2019, Chairman of the Board of the Ukrainian Crisis Media Center. He noted that the Mausoleum on Red Square in Moscow has almost sacred significance for Putin. Therefore, a strike on it would be equivalent to a strike on the "decision-making center." "One hit to the Mausoleum, where Putin wants to lie down. And he really wants to, that's why he doesn't destroy it," the diplomat shared his thoughts. He added that the Russian dictator dreams of becoming the only "resident" of the Mausoleum. "Let me remind you that many people do not know that there was a period when there was Lenin and Stalin. They were lying together. Well, Putin will not allow this. And the only reason he can't stand this dead man, this mummy... He wants to lie there so that he can be the tsar he later became. There are not many such people who are lying in mausoleums around the world," said Chalyi. He also added that there are currently four dictators' bodies in mausoleums around the world. And Putin wants to join this "company." "You can see this simply by all his reactions to proposals that are made from time to time to take Lenin out of the mausoleum, to destroy it all. No, they keep him there. Therefore, a strike on the Mausoleum, a strike on Red Square would be very good psychologically," Chalyi explained the reasons why the Defense Forces should attack the Kremlin. Earlier, it was reported that Putin canceled the alternative Olympics. The so-called Friendship Games, which were scheduled for next year, were canceled by a special decree of the dictator until further notice. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! Scientists have gathered for the "meeting of the decade" to solve the mystery of the world's rarest whale. The thorough study of the mysterious creature, which washed up dead on a New Zealand beach in July, is the first of its kind in history. ADVERTISIMENT The spade-toothed whale species is so rare that it has never been seen alive. Scientists hope that the autopsy may provide some information, as almost nothing is known about these unique mammals, AP reports. A small group of scientists and cultural experts in New Zealand gathered to decipher the mystery of the decade. "I can't tell you how incredible this is," said Anton van Helden, senior marine science advisor to the New Zealand Conservation Agency, which named the spade-toothed whale. The list of what scientists don't know about spade-toothed whales is longer than what they do know. After all, they have never been seen alive. Over the next week, the researchers studying the 5-meter male hope to find out. ADVERTISIMENT Six other shovel-toothed whale remains have been found so far, but they were all buried before DNA analysis could confirm their identification. According to the Department of Conservation, New Zealand is a hotspot for whale strandings. More than 5000 such cases have been recorded since 1840. It is known that the first bones of a spade-toothed whale were found in 1872 on the New Zealand island of Pitt. Another discovery was made in the 1950s, and the bones of the third were seen on the Chilean island of Robinson Crusoe in 1986. ADVERTISIMENT DNA analysis in 2002 proved that all three specimens were of the same species, which was different from other beaked whales. In 2010, two dead spade-toothed whales washed up on a beach in New Zealand. But scientists did not investigate them. And finally, the autopsy of the seventh rare specimen found will reveal the secrets of its species. The researchers immediately noticed traces of shark teeth on the carcass, but they are not deep enough to be the cause of death. The autopsy will take place in partnership with the Maori indigenous people of New Zealand, for whom whales are taonga - a precious treasure that will be treated with respect as an ancestor. That is why they say a prayer before starting the research. Scientists will conduct a computerized tomography of the whale's head. And after all the research, its skeleton will be exhibited in the museum. ADVERTISIMENT "We are interested not only in how these animals died but also in how they lived," said Joy Freudenberg, a professor of anatomy at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. Shovel-toothed whales are believed to live in the South Pacific Ocean, where some of the deepest ocean trenches in the world are located. They float to the surface, which adds to their mystique. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The administration of US President Joe Biden will submit a request to Congress for additional funding to support Ukraine in the amount of $24 billion. These funds are crucial for the United States government to respond effectively to the situation in Ukraine by the end of fiscal year 2025. ADVERTISIMENT This is reported by the Voice of America, citing information from officials of the US Department of Defense. The department disclosed the details of this funding. According to the Pentagon, $8 billion of this amount is planned to be allocated to the USAI (Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative) program, which provides for the purchase of weapons directly from manufacturers. Manufacturing and delivery of weapons under this program can take up to a year or more, depending on the specific order. Another 16 billion will be used to replenish U.S. warehouses, which will allow for new aid packages for Ukraine through the Presidential Decision Maker Program (PDA). Under the PDA program, the United States sends existing weapons from its own arsenals to Ukraine, replenishing them with new weapons. This mechanism makes it possible to deliver aid to Ukraine much more quickly within days or weeks. ADVERTISIMENT The Pentagon emphasizes that the additional funding is crucial because without these funds, the US government will not be able to effectively respond to the situation in Ukraine by the end of fiscal year 2025. "This funding not only supports Ukraine's fight for its sovereignty and weakens Russia's military capabilities, but also strengthens U.S. military readiness through modernization of our weapons systems and investments in our defense industrial base, which benefits the American economy by creating jobs and promoting manufacturing," a U.S. Department of Defense spokesman said. The Biden government has decided to include a request for support for Ukraine as part of a "package" bill that will also cover other spending for fiscal year 2025. This bill is likely to be considered by Congress this year. ADVERTISIMENT However, in order for additional funding for Ukraine to be approved, it will require majority approval in both houses of Congress. Currently, Democrats control the Senate and Republicans have a majority in the House of Representatives. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who will largely determine whether the bill comes to a vote as proposed by the White House, has already reacted to the news of the Biden administration's additional request for an additional $24 billion to support Ukraine. "The American people voted decisively for President Trump because he promised to end wars, not to continue them indefinitely. Such decisions are made by the next administration, not by the outgoing president," he wrote on Platform X. As reported by OBOZ.UA, according to the US media, the current US President Joe Biden asked Congress for another $24 billion to support Ukraine and replace the US weapons sent to the Defense Forces. Lawmakers allegedly received the proposal on November 25. Only verified information on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The footage of Russia's Oreshnik ballistic missile strike on the Dnipro River has gone viral. After that, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin threatened new attacks with the use of this weapon, thus, for the first time, he personally participated in an information and psychological operation against Ukraine and its partners. ADVERTISIMENT These intimidations by Russia are mostly aimed at Europe. This was stated by Valerii Chalyi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United States in 2015-2019, Chairman of the Board of the Ukrainian Crisis Media Center, in an exclusive interview with OBOZ.UA. At the same time, the dictator tries not to touch the United States in his threats and demonstrations of strategic weapons, because he does not want Washington to perceive this as a real threat to itself and strike at Russia. "And Europe is being intimidated. But what is the difference between an information and psychological operation and information attacks lies and propaganda. We don't often distinguish between them. An information and psychological operation can include real actions that are supported by the appropriate entourage. That is where the real actions came from," Chalyi said, referring to the strike on the Dnipro. ADVERTISIMENT According to the diplomat, the Russians were not sure that the Oreshnik would reach the city, but in the end, it did. "But it flew in, and it turned out to be a beautiful picture...in the picture, six parts of the eye fall, it flies in quickly, it burns. Yes, it's impressive. And this picture went around the world," he said. Possible scenarios for using Oreshnik and more Chaly named possible scenarios for Russia's use of the Oreshnik: the enemy can launch this missile at a greater distance, i.e. closer to the border with Europe and NATO, and probably add an explosive part to it so that it is no longer a pacifier. Also, according to the former ambassador, Putin is being asked to take the next step, i.e., to test tactical nuclear weapons. In theory, such a strike could be launched both on our territory and on the territory of Russia, in the latter case to accuse Ukraine of using a "dirty bomb." In addition, the occupied Ukrainian territories could become a testing ground for the Russians. As OBOZ.UA previously reported, British intelligence concluded that the Russian Oreshnik strike on the Dnipro was a message from the aggressor country. Dictator Putin sought to leave a "strategic message" in response to Ukraine's use of Western missiles to strike Russian territory. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! In Finland, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has excluded Ivan Devyatkin, a candidate in the municipal elections in Lappeenranta, from its list. He refused to condemn the aggressor state of Russia for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and also criticized Finland's decision to close the border with Russia, calling it a "human rights violation." ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by Yle on Monday, December 2. This decision was supported by all party members. In an interview with the publication, Devyatkin evaded answering the question whether he considered the Russian invasion of Ukraine to be justified. He stated that the publication was asking "too broad a set of questions." After that, the party informed him of the demand to condemn Russian aggression. The SPD demands that all candidates have a clear position on the war. In addition, he called the closure of the border with Russia a violation of human rights and said that Finland is the "51st state of the United States." Ivan Devyatkin holds Finnish and Russian citizenship. He was born in Russia and moved to Lappeenranta in 2012 to pursue a PhD in environmental studies. He works as an environmental impact assessment manager for a large Finnish forestry company. Devyatkin is a co-founder of the organization of Finnish Russians "Alexander Union," which advocates the opening of the eastern border. As reported by OBOZ.UA, training courses for women in case of war with Russia have begun at a forestry military base in Finland. There, they acquire skills that could prove decisive in the event of a Russian invasion or hybrid attack. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes! US President-elect Donald Trump has said that Canada "should become the 51st state" of America if Washington's 25% trade tariffs "kill" the Canadian economy. He said this in a conversation with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, to which he and others present at the meeting "laughed nervously." ADVERTISIMENT This is what Fox News reported, citing its own sources who heard the discussion between the two politicians. According to them, on November 29, the Canadian prime minister flew "unannounced" to the Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. This happened after the Republican publicly threatened to impose 25 percent tariffs on trade with Canada and Mexico due to the alleged inability of these countries to curb the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the United States. The interlocutors recall that Trump, despite his ostentatious cordiality and hospitality, was very direct when it came to what he wanted from the Canadian prime minister. In particular, he said that Canada is not doing a good job of securing the US border, "letting a lot of drugs and people through," such as illegal immigrants from more than 70 countries. Trump also talked about the trade deficit with the neighboring country, which he estimates at more than $100 billion. ADVERTISIMENT "If Canada fails to solve its border problems and eliminate its deficit, he will impose a 25% tariff on all Canadian goods on the first day after his inauguration in January 2025. Trudeau responded by saying that such a measure would "completely kill the Canadian economy." Trump added: "so your country can't survive if it doesn't rip off the United States to the tune of $100 billion?", Fox News reports. According to the publication's sources, Trump then directly suggested that Trudeau make Canada the 51st state of the United States, to which he and others present at the meeting "laughed nervously." However, the Republican continued to develop the idea and said that the Canadian prime minister would allegedly be able to "become the governor" of this state. Moreover, if he is unable to fulfill Trump's list of demands (without infringing on US interests in trade), then, according to the Republican, Canada should really become a state or two, and Trudeau should become the governor. The Fox News interlocutors summarized that although Trump's proposals caused a lot of laughter among those present at the meeting, he clearly made it clear to Trudeau that he expects changes for the better by January 20, 2025, the day of his inauguration. As reported by OBOZ.UA, the US media write that US President-elect Donald Trump is threatening a trade war with China, Canada, and Mexico. He publicly stated on social media that one of his first decrees after taking office would be to impose additional duties on all goods from these three countries. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Xac minh 'than y' chua ung thu bang phuong phap 'truyen nang luong' "Than y" Nguyen Van Kien (trai) lam viec voi co quan chuc nang - Anh: Cong an cung cap Ngay 28-2, ong Nguyen Tuong Duy - chu tich UBND xa Hai Yang (huyen ak oa, Gia Lai) - cho hay ang phoi hop cac co quan chuc nang xac minh truong hop nguoi xung... An Giang lien tiep xuat hien mua trai mua Mua bat chot giua cao iem ma kh khien nguoi dn bat ngo. Theo ng Luu Van Ninh, Gim oc i Kh tuong Thuy van tinh An Giang, nguyn nhn cua hien tuong ny l do nhieu ong nhiet oi trn cao trong ieu kien La Nina ket hop cua ra pha Nam khoi khng kh lanh... In one of the few interviews given by Abu Mohammad al-Julani to the foreign press, in April 2021, the leader of the armed group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) said: First and foremost, this region [the Syrian province of Idlib] does not represent a threat to the security of Europe and America. This region is not a staging ground for executing foreign jihad. In conversation with American reporter Martin Smith, Al-Julani was thus trying to distance himself from the terror that the jihadist group Islamic State (ISIS), with which HTS shares roots in the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda, had instated in the region for five years. Al-Julani sought to reinforce, in the eyes of Western public opinion, what he has done in public speeches and other meetings with journalists the first with Al Jazeera regarding what he insisted is his fundamental objective: to fight the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad. Three years later, HTS has led one of the largest advances of rebel forces towards Aleppo, the countrys second city and one of the symbols of the anti-government revolt that began in March 2011. Al-Julani and HTS To understand this effort at pragmatism, as described by Charles Lister of the Middle East Institute in Washington, one of the greatest experts on HTS, we must look back to the beginnings of the Syrian Civil War. Months after Syrian citizens of diverse origins, from the countryside to the city, from qualified professionals to the unschooled, took up arms around what they called the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and managed to defeat the regime in several points in the west and northwest of the Arab country, the porous borders began to let through veteran combatants, mainly from neighboring Iraq, valuable in combat but with an integrationalist agenda. Through these cracks, in 2012, Al Qaeda slipped in to establish its Syrian branch. It soon followed two paths: that of Al-Julani at the head of the Al-Nusra Front, and that of the Iraqi jihadist leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, leader of the then Islamic State of Iraq. Al-Julani, a Syrian national born in Saudi Arabia sometime between 1975 and 1979 according to some biographies, wanted to distance himself from Al-Baghdadi and his project for a caliphate, which was still in its infancy, and broke off their alliance in April 2013. Three years later, he would do the same with Al-Qaeda and its leader, the Egyptian Ayman al-Zawahiri. While ISIS was setting up a terror machine in the north and east of the country and a cell to carry out attacks abroad, Al-Julani focused his mens activities on the war against the Syrian army, other rival factions including Al-Baghdadis units and on the conquest of territory around Idlib, Hama, and Aleppo. In January 2017, Al-Julani forged new alliances with armed rebel groups including Nour al-Din al-Zenki, Liwa al-Haqq and Jaysh al-Sunna to form HTS, which is currently leading the offensive against the Assad regime. The lowest estimates of combatants range from 12,000 to 15,000. The highest estimates exceed 30,000. HTS is not ISIS, but it is not exempt from complaints about the repression carried out under its control. Both the United Nations and Human Rights Watch have accused the armed group of arbitrary arrests, abuses, and torture. Among the complainants were British activist Tauqir Sharif and American-Syrian reporter Bilal Abdul Kareem. However, Al-Julani has been able to convey a message of moderation in relation to ISIS: he has built government structures in the region under his control of around four million inhabitants, a third of them displaced from other areas of the country and a powerful army of fighters with a military academy and special forces units. HTS is governed by Islam, but as Al-Julani has said on occasion, not like ISIS or Saudi Arabia. According to The Washington Post in January 2022, after speaking to a resident who had been targeted by the armed groups repression, the morality police officers who once operated with impunity, separating couples and harassing women for their clothing were no longer visible on the streets. Abu Mohammad al-Julani, second from right, in an undated photo released in 2016. AP Syrian National Army In a public appearance in May 2023, Al-Julani told followers who were better prepared than ever that the revolution had reached its peak to march on Aleppo. A year and a half later, on Wednesday, HTS, leading the Fatah al-Mubin operation, launched a lightning offensive in coordination with another alliance of armed forces, the Syrian National Army (SNA), leading the Fajr al-Hurriya operation. The SNA, a coalition of armed rebel groups including the Free Syrian Army which was formed by regular army defectors to protect civilians during the anti-Assad revolution 13 years ago Ahrar al-Sham and the Levant Front, maintains areas of northwestern Syria under its control with the support of Turkey. It is from this area of the country, from towns such as Al Bab, which has passed through the hands of almost all the armed factions, that the SNA has launched its offensive towards the M-4, a key highway connecting the provinces of Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor, in the east. The SNA, which according to some estimates has at least 25,000 uniformed personnel, including Arabs and Turkmens (some of whom have travelled to support Ankaras allies such as Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh), has followed a path parallel to that of Turkish interests in Syria; it has been Ankaras spearhead against ISIS, first during Operation Euphrates Shield (2016), and later against the Kurdish militias in Operation Olive Branch (2018). This amalgam of more or less radical rebel forces journalistic investigations blame militiamen under its command for the assassination of the Syrian Kurdish politician Hevrin Khalaf in October 2019 has positioned itself as a military force, with sometimes delicate relations with the main opposition umbrella, known as the Syrian Interim Government, with Abdurrahman Mustafa as president. This political entity, which brings together the main formations at the head of the anti-Assad revolt, has had the support of Ankara, from where it has operated in the last decade, since the beginning of hostilities. Another prominent member of this opposition organization, Hadi al-Bahra, president of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, singled out one of the allies in the ranks of the Syrian regime on Monday: Hezbollah. Due to the war in Lebanon and the decrease in Hezbollah forces, the [Assad] regime has less support. The fighters of the Lebanese militia and its Shia ally Iran, a fundamental supporter of Damascus along with Russia, have suffered constant bombardment by the Israeli Air Force over the past year. Kurds of Syria Kurdish forces may also play a significant role in the current rebel offensive in western Syria. Since the beginning of the revolution and subsequent civil war, militias of Kurdish origin have been able to maintain a certain balance in order not to join the war against Damascus, without falling squarely on the side of the regime. Thus, the United States, 10 years ago, decided to train and arm Kurdish militiamen who, together with Arab fighters, formed the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), at the forefront of the war against ISIS. It was this group that, supported by American aircraft, defeated the jihadist group on the ground in the Battle of Baguz in March 2019, signalling the end of the caliphate. The SDF now faces on its western flank the risk that the Turkish-backed coalition offensive will try to seize a larger chunk of land in the northwest. The Syrian regime had also handed over some key points to the SDFs control, such as Aleppos international airport, which has finally passed into the hands of rebel forces who have entered the countrys former economic capital. The current offensive also threatens to encourage ISIS sleeper cells somewhat more awake in recent months in the eastern strip (Deir ez-Zor). According to the latest ISIS threat monitoring report presented to the UN Security Council, the group maintains a force of around 3,000 fighters on both sides of the Syrian-Iraqi border. It is in Syria, however, that it maintains its central command. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Weather Alert TORNADO WATCH 36, PREVIOUSLY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM CDT /5 AM EDT/ EARLY THIS MORNING, IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CDT /7 AM EDT/ EARLY THIS MORNING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN ILLINOIS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 4 COUNTIES IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS GALLATIN HARDIN MASSAC POPE IN INDIANA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 6 COUNTIES IN SOUTHWEST INDIANA POSEY IN SOUTHWEST INDIANA GIBSON PIKE SPENCER VANDERBURGH WARRICK IN KENTUCKY THIS WATCH INCLUDES 22 COUNTIES IN WESTERN KENTUCKY BALLARD CALDWELL CALLOWAY CARLISLE CHRISTIAN CRITTENDEN DAVIESS FULTON GRAVES HENDERSON HICKMAN HOPKINS LIVINGSTON LYON MARSHALL MCCRACKEN MCLEAN MUHLENBERG TODD TRIGG UNION WEBSTER IN MISSOURI THIS WATCH INCLUDES 2 COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI MISSISSIPPI NEW MADRID THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF BARDWELL, BENTON, BOONVILLE, CADIZ, CALHOUN, CHARLESTON, CLINTON, DIXON, EDDYVILLE, ELIZABETHTOWN, ELKTON, EVANSVILLE, FORT BRANCH, GOLCONDA, GREENVILLE, HENDERSON, HICKMAN, HOPKINSVILLE, MADISONVILLE, MARION, MAYFIELD, METROPOLIS, MORGANFIELD, MURRAY, NEW MADRID, OWENSBORO, PADUCAH, PETERSBURG, POSEYVILLE, PRINCETON, ROCKPORT, SHAWNEETOWN, SMITHLAND, AND WICKLIFFE. A powerful explosion rocked Culiacan early on Tuesday morning, amid the ongoing battle between Los Mayos and Los Chapitos for control of the Sinaloa Cartel. Although there were no reported injuries, numerous reports of gunshots and explosions have emerged throughout the state capital in northwestern Mexico over the last few hours. The violence has already led to at least four murders, according to local media. The explosion occurred around 3:30 a.m. in the Limita de Itaje, a rural area on the outskirts of the city. It appears to be a drone-type device, said Omar Hamid Garcia Harfuch, Secretary of Security and Civilian Protection, following a press conference with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. Initial reports indicated that bursts of gunfire were heard after the explosion, and long columns of smoke could be seen from several city neighborhoods. The vehicle involved in the explosion was completely torched. Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha Moya did not post any comment on social media in the hours after the incident. The Sinaloa Public Security Secretariat held a press conference stating that authorities had inspected the interior of the vehicle and confirmed that the gas tank did not explode, which helped them rule out the possibility of a car bomb. They also discovered a drone with a camera at the scene, though it was also burned. However, officials did not provide further details on the motive behind the explosion or whether other violent incidents preceded it. The state prosecutors office has opened an investigation to clarify the situation and identify those responsible. Garcia Harfuch emphasized that both civil and federal forces have been deployed to bolster the state of force of authorities, capture the generators of violence, and make high-impact arrests. Sinaloa has been experiencing uninterrupted violence for nearly three months, which began following the capture of Ismael El Mayo Zambada in the United States after he was allegedly betrayed by the sons of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, his former partner and co-founder of the cartel. Omar Hamid Garcia Harfuch, Secretary of Security and Civilian Protection, said that the explosion was caused by a drone attack on the vehicle. Jose Betanzos Zarate (Cuartoscuro) The secretary called for a vote of confidence in the new administrations strategy, emphasizing that the ongoing conflict would not be resolved overnight. This is a constant effort that the forces of the Security Cabinet must carry out, said Garcia Harfuch. The official assured that progress had been made in Sinaloa compared to the early weeks of the conflict, sparked by divisions within the cartel. It has been contained because the strongest clashes have not occurred within Culiacan as they did at the beginning, when everything was concentrated more in the central area, he added. Governor Rocha confirmed three weeks ago that the warring factions of the Sinaloa Cartel had adapted their tactics, enhanced their arsenal, and begun using drones to target their rivals. He specifically referred to a confrontation in Las Arenitas, a community in the municipality of Eldorado, where drones were used to drop explosives. We had firecrackers with drones, but we are taking action, he said. In recent weeks, law enforcement has seized several of these devices, with the National Guard confiscating a drone found in an abandoned truck in mid-October during a routine operation in Culiacan. The explosion was not the only violent event to rock Culiacan. Federal authorities confirmed that the ongoing cartel conflict claimed at least 10 lives on Monday, placing Sinaloa among the most violent states in the country, alongside Guanajuato and Baja California, both of which also reported 10 murders in 24 hours. The violences impact extends beyond the death toll. Overnight, two dismembered bodies were discovered in plastic boxes in front of a state government office in the Tres Rios residential sector. Hours earlier, a video circulated showing elementary school students lying on the ground to protect themselves from a shootout near their school in the Stanza Torralba subdivision. A shootout was also reported near a hamburger business in the area, and a fire at a local party hall made headlines in the media. The violence continued into Tuesday, with three bodies found along the highway between Culiacan and Eldorado, according to the newspaper Noroeste. The victims showed signs of torture: they were gagged, their heads covered, and they had been shot in the head the so-called coup de grace. A message was found at the crime scene. Another body was discovered on a dirt road near La Costerita, one of Culiacans busiest areas. The internal war within the Sinaloa Cartel has resulted in significant economic losses, with the local economy suffering a blow of 18 billion pesos and 25,000 jobs disappearing, according to data collected by Reforma from the business sector. Official data also reports at least 482 murders since September 9 as a direct consequence of the cartels infighting. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The charging of prominent anti-Zionist Tony Greenstein under anti-terror laws is the latest move by the British state to intimidate and silence opposition to the war in Gaza. Greenstein, aged 70, has been charged under the Terrorism Act 2000 by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on one count of inviting support for a proscribed organisation, Hamas. He is bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on December 12. Tony Greenstein [Photo: skwawkbox] Greenstein is a co-founder of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), which, along the Stop the War Coalition and Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament has organised more than 20 national protests against Israels genocide of the Palestinians. A supporter of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Greenstein was expelled from the party in 2018while Corbyn was still in chargebased on manufactured charges of antisemitism. His father was a Rabbi who marched against Oswald Mosleys British Union of Fascists during the 1930s. On November 25, Greenstein received an e-mail Case Update from DC 5520 of Investigations Team 3, Counter-Terrorism Policing South East. This stated, I have today received a response from the CPS in relation to the ongoing case against you. The CPS have authorised one charge, contrary to Section 12(1) of the Terrorism Act 2000, expressing support for a proscribed organisation. Case update email sent to Tony Greenstein [Photo: Skwarkbox] The e-mail continued, I appreciate that this has taken a long time to reach this decision and the result will be disappointing for you. The letter instructed Greenstein to attend a police station on November 27, where the charge will be read to you and you will be released under the same bail conditions as you are currently on. The Skwawkbox website reported that Greenstein attended the police station on November 29 because of hospital treatment. The alleged offence could see him jailed for a maximum of 14 years. This was increased from 10 years when the Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 came into force. It has been almost a year since police raided Greensteins home in the early hours of December 20, 2023 for a social media post defending the right of the Palestinians to resist Israels genocide in Gaza. During the raid police seized his phone and laptop and held him for nine hours. The World Socialist Web Site noted, While Greenstein has not been charged with any offence, draconian bail conditions have been imposed. He is banned from posting statements on Twitter/X about Israels war on Gaza, he must inform police if he plans to sleep anywhere other than Brighton, and must give police the phone number, IMEI and SIM number for any new device within 24 hours. Denouncing the police raid and the seizure of his electronic devices as an intelligence gathering exercise against the states enemies on the Left and in the Palestine solidarity movement, Greenstein told the World Socialist Web Site his arrest was a fundamental attack on free speech and must be resisted on those grounds, amongst others. Explaining what happened he said, My arrest was for a tweet I made on 15 November 2023 by someone identifying himself only as James who demanded: Just tweet I support Hamas! 3 words is all you have to tweet and then we know where you stand. I refused to take the bait and responded, I support the Palestinians that is enough before going on to say I support Hamas against the Israeli army. As I told my police interrogators after my arrest I would have supported the devil against Israels genocidal army. Greenstein told Skwawkbox, Ive been charged under the notorious s.12 of the Terrorism Act 2000 with expressing an opinion or belief in support of a proscribed organisation. It is clear that this is a clear attack on the right of people to express their opinions on the right of Palestinians to resist the genocidal Israeli military. It is perfectly fine to support Israels genocidal massacres but it is an offence to support any resistance. This absurd situation is akin to criminalising the Resistance against the Nazi occupation of France. It is criminalising political opinion and has nothing whatsoever to do with terrorism. Suffice to say I shall be mounting a vigorous defence in support of Free Speech on Palestine. Greenstein has faced repeated persecution and arrest for protesting the Israel Defence Forces mass slaughter of the Palestinians. On September 6, 2023, he was handed a nine month prison sentence, suspended for two years, for his part in a planned Palestine Action activity at an arms factory at Shenstone, England owned by Israels largest weapons firm, Elbit Systems. The Palestine Action website site reported five activists from Palestine Action were scheduled to be sentenced after being convicted for possession of items with intent to commit criminal damage. Judge Michael Chambers stated he would sentence them as though they would have committed over 30K of criminal damage Initially, there were six activists who were stopped in a van on the way to an Israeli weapons factory in Shenstone. On May 15th 2023, after a 7 week trial, four out of the six were convicted by a jury. This came after the Judge refused to allow any justification defences for the activists actions, including preventing the greater crime, Israels war crimes against the Palestinian people committed by Elbits weaponry. The factory was targeted because it specialised in making engines for combat drones, which Elbit openly market as battle-tested on the Palestinian population. The Hermes 450 aircraft has been used to surveil and attack the people of Gaza for over a decade, decimating thousands of lives. The factory also manufactures parts for the Watchkeeper, used to surveil migrants seeking refuge in the UK, and the Shadow drone, which forms part of the US military arsenal, notably used in the American invasion of Iraq and likely to be used in ongoing attacks on Yemen. The crackdown on anti-Elbit protesters is intensifying. A group of activiststhe Filton 10who targeted the Elbit Systems factory in Filton, Bristol remain behind bars four months after they were arrested and detained under anti-terror laws. The 10 were later charged with non-terror related offences, including criminal damage, but were imprisoned on remand under harsh and repressive conditions due to their initial questioning by counter-terrorism police. On October 4, Greenstein was arrested for a racially aggravated offence while protesting outside the official London residence of Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely. Protests at the residence demanding the government expel Hotovely for her pro-genocide views have been held weekly. Greenstein wrote, I spoke, as a Jewish anti-Zionist at the lobby and I compared the behaviour of the Nazis to Israels genocide of Palestinians. This was said four months after the prestigious Lancet concluded that according to a conservative estimate, the IDF had already killed around 186,000 Gazan men, women and children. Isreals genocide in Gaza began with a crisis-ridden Conservative government still in power in Britain. Under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the Tories gave Israel total support in alliance with the Labour opposition under Sir Keir Starmer. There was a single Conservative/Labour party of war in Parliament with Sunak assured of Labours backing in support of the NATO-led war against Russia in Ukraine. Since Labour came to office in July, suppression of anti-war sentiment has accelerated with protesters arrested and their democratic rights abused along with a growing number of journalists. On October 29, world-renowned Jewish Israeli historian Professor Haim Bresheeth, a lifelong peace activist and anti-Zionist, was arrested outside Hotovelys residence during a protest against Israelis genocide of the Palestinians. On November 24, a further eight Palestine Action activists were remanded to prison after an action targeting the Filton factory. They too were arrested and interrogated under Terrorism Act powers, before being hit with criminalnot terrorcharges. Following the arrest under anti-terror laws, in April, 2023 of Ernest Moretthe foreign rights manager for the Editions La Fabrique publishing houseGrayzone writer Kit Klarenberg was detained at Luton Airport under the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act (2019). In October last year independent journalist Craig Murray was detained under schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act (2000). Within five months of the Labour government, independent journalists Richard Medhurst, Sarah Wilkinson and Asa Winstanley have all been arrested in operations involving counter-terror officers. Elevenlabs AudioNative Player If anyone still needs proof that Olaf Scholz is not the level-headed peace chancellor he claimed to be during Germanys election campaign, his surprise visit to Kiev on Monday morning provided it. Scholz arrived in Kiev by night train to promise Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky further arms deliveries and a deeper commitment to the war against Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (right) and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz take a look at drones during Scholzs visit to Kiev, Ukraine on Monday, December 2, 2024. [AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky] Upon arrival, Scholz declared, For more than 1,000 days, Ukraine has been heroically defending itself against the merciless Russian war of aggression. Framing the war in these terms, Scholz pledged Germanys solidarity and boasted that it would remain the strongest supporter of Ukraine in Europe. He then announced another 650 million ($682 million) in armaments, set for delivery in December. According to Scholz, the German government has provided or pledged 28 billion ($29 billion) in military aid to Ukrainea staggering sum that includes 106 Leopard 1 and 2 battle tanks, 140 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, and hundreds of additional tanks and armored vehicles, alongside howitzers, anti-aircraft systems and vast quantities of ammunition and equipment. The ever-expanding list of military support services for Ukraine provides an overview of other military equipment Berlin wants to deliver immediately: 47 Leopard 1 battle tanks, 15 Cheetah anti-aircraft guns, 9 recovery tanks, 15 IRIS-T air defense systems, 4,000 armed drones, 876 reconnaissance drones, 6 Sea King Mk41 multi-purpose helicopters with spare parts and numerous other war equipment. Scholzs visit and Germanys arms deliveries are part of a coordinated imperialist offensive to escalate the war against Russia, bringing the world closer to nuclear catastrophe. On Sunday, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan announced that the outgoing Biden administration plans massive arms shipments in the 50 days before Trump assumes office, aiming to strengthen [Ukraines] position on the battlefield. The European powers are exploiting the re-election of Donald Trump and the uncertainty as to whether he will cut US military aid to Ukraine by intensifying the war in pursuit of their own imperialist interests. Following the decision to permit Ukraine to attack Russian territory with Western cruise missiles, preparations are underway for an even greater escalation. The alarm must be raised! Politicians and media outlets now speak openly of war with Russia, including the potential use of nuclear weapons. A November 21 report in the New York Times revealed that the Biden administration is discussing allowing Ukraine to deploy nuclear weapons. According to the Times, Several government officials even hinted that Mr. Biden could allow Ukraine to have nuclear weapons again, as was the case before the fall of the Soviet Union. The Times added, That would be an immediate and enormous deterrent, but also complicated and would have serious consequences. A headline in the British Guardian over the weekend reads, Would you survive 72 hours? Germany and the Nordic countries prepare citizens for possible war. The newspaper reports, Apps and booklets are offering advice on how to build a bunker, stockpile food and live without electricity in case the worst happens. It continues: Germany is developing an app to help people locate the nearest bunker in the event of attack. Sweden is distributing a 32-page pamphlet titled If Crisis or War Comes. Half a million Finns have already downloaded an emergency preparedness guide. If the prospect of a broader conflict in Europe seems remote for many, some countries at least are taking it seriouslyand, in the term used by Germanys defense minister, Boris Pistorius, taking steps to get populations kriegstuchtig: war-capable. No one should have any illusions about what this means. The ruling elites are planning nothing less than the total militarization of Europe. This includes the reintroduction of conscription, the deployment of combat troops in Ukraine, a massive increase in defense spending at the expense of wages and social programs, as well as the establishment of a war economy and fascist police state regimes to suppress popular resistance. The World Socialist Web Site has described Trumps presidency as a violent realignment of the American political superstructure that corresponds to the real social conditions in the United States. The ruling class relies on the fascist Trump to advance the policy of social counterrevolution and world war, which is diametrically opposed to the interests of the vast majority. The same processes are at work in Europe. In Germany, the parliamentary elections are being used by the ruling class to pave the way for an extreme right-wing government capable of brutally enforcing the interests of German capitalism and imperialism, both at home and abroad. With the election campaign in its early stages, the politicians and media outlets are already outdoing each other in a war frenzy, with calls for a more aggressive war course and massive cuts to finance it. Christian Democratic Union candidate Friedrich Merz and Green Party candidate Robert Habeck have both pledged to supply Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles if electedmissiles with greater range than their US and British-French counterparts, capable of striking Moscow directly. While Scholz has thus far declined to deliver Taurus missiles, he constantly boasts of being the chancellor of the Zeitenwende (new epoch) and of arming Ukraine to the teeth. Alongside Defense Minister Pistorius, Scholz is rushing to finalize rearmament projects, including submarines, warships and the modernization of Taurus missiles. This demonstrates that the Social Democrats are moving in the same direction as the other parties. Just as on the eve of World War II, powerful objective forces are propelling the ruling class toward war and fascism. The emerging Third World Warencompassing the offensive against Russia and the ongoing genocide in Gaza and its expansion throughout the Middle Eastis not a defensive war for freedom and democracy, but a predatory conflict for the imperialist redivision of the world. Germanys federal foreign trade agency, GTAI, openly acknowledged in early 2023 that the war in Ukraine is also a battle for raw materials. The country has large deposits of iron, titanium and lithium, which are now partly controlled by Russia, it said. And, of course, there are even greater riches of critical minerals and oil and gas in Russia itself, which the European powers, and, above all, Berlin want to secure for themselves. The ruling class is reviving its imperialist policies from the 20th century. In World War I, Germany aimed to establish a Ukrainian vassal state under the Reich. This policy was expanded by Hitler during World War II, with Ukraines subjugation forming a cornerstone of the Nazi war of annihilation against the Soviet Union. Today, Berlin collaborates openly with the heirs of Ukrainian Nazi collaborators. Significantly, in a picture Scholz published of himself and Zelensky on X, the insignia of the fascist Azov battalion can be seen in the bottom right corner. Another factor that is driving the escalation of the war by the German and European bourgeoisie is the intensification of the class struggle. On Friday, workers in Italy went on a one-day general strike. A few days earlier, a general strike took place in Greece. These are harbingers of fierce class struggles that the trade unions are desperately trying to control. In Germany, tens of thousands of Volkswagen workers protested on Monday with strike action against mass layoffs and plant closures, which are being worked out by the trade unions. Similar opposition is brewing in other large automotive companies and industries. For the ruling class, war is always also a means of deflecting class tensions outwards and criminalising and forcibly suppressing any internal resistance. The situation is extremely dangerous, but the developments taking place now will lead to an enormous explosion of class struggle. The crucial question is to arm this movement with a revolutionary leadership and a socialist perspective, the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party, SGP) declared in its election statement. Only if the masses intervene independently in political events, expropriate the big banks and corporations and place them under democratic control, can war and social catastrophe be stopped. In a more than 100-page, glossily printed document released in late October, Quebecs big business, pro-independence Parti Quebecois (PQ) pledged to drastically reduce immigration should it form Quebecs next provincial government. The likelihood of it doing so is high, given that the PQ currently has a more than 10 percentage point lead in the opinion polls. The policies that the PQ outlines in Un Quebec libre de ses choix: pour un modele viable en immigration (A Quebec free to choose: a viable model for immigration) place it at the extreme right of the political spectrum. The PQ has emerged as the most unbridled promoter of the anti-immigrant Quebec chauvinism that the ruling class as a whole has promoted for well over a decade as a means of diverting attention from its brutal austerity measures and dividing the working class. Whats more, by putting its plans to slash immigration at the heart of its argument for Quebec independence, the PQ is scrapping once and for all the old progressive pretensions associated with what it once called its social project. This was associated with the fraudulent idea that a sovereign Quebec, independent of Canada, would be a vehicle for social progress in an open and inclusive society. Under the leadership of Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, the PQ is now openly basing its separatist appeal on the ultra-reactionary foundations of national exclusivism. The Quebec separatists have abandoned their honeyed phrases and democratic mask to speak the crude and brutal language of xenophobia. The message is clear: the establishment of a capitalist Republique du Quebec would not just be a means to accelerate the dismantling of public services and for the Quebec ruling class to participate more actively in the crimes of imperialism as full NATO and NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) partners. The new state, its borders and its security apparatus would be fashioned from the get-go through the chauvinist witch-hunting of migrants and refugees. This PQ poster promoting its independence program shows a photo of its leader, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, superimposed on a map of Quebec. [Photo: St. Pierre Plamondon/Facebook] Under the PQs new immigration plan, the number of temporary immigrants in Quebeca category that includes foreign workers, international students and asylum seekerswould be slashed from 600,000 to between 250,000 and 300,000 during the first four-year term of a PQ government. The PQ is also proposing to cut the permanent immigration threshold or ceiling to 35,000 per year (from around 50,000 under the current anti-immigrant CAQ government), and to impose a four-year moratorium on accepting any new permanent immigrants under the economic immigrant category. The PQ and the fascistic Great Replacement theory Beyond the numbers, the PQ plan is above all a political manifesto that continues and amplifies the political establishments effort to demonize immigrants. Prepared by the PQ leadership and signed by its leader, it enshrines in an official political document theories hitherto confined to far-right circles and the ultranationalist columnists of the Journal de Montreal (JdM), a tabloid owned by billionaire and former PQ leader Pierre-Karl Peladeau. The PQs plan is built around a Quebec version of the fascist and antisemitic Great Replacement theory. It claims that the federal Liberal government is using massive immigration to destroy the Quebec nation, by diluting its French-speaking majority and diminishing Quebecs political power. In putting forward this lie, the PQ is adopting the ideas of JdM star columnist Mathieu Bock-Cote, a right-wing extremist who makes no secret of his admiration for European fascist politicians like Marine LePen, Eric Zemmour and Giorgia Meloni. Front page of the Journal de Montreal proclaims: Quebec caught in a trap: French condemned to decline; Its political influence diminished; 12 million people in Montreal; 5 million in Quebec City; the Grand Scheme of Ottawa explained. [Photo: Twitter] In May 2023, the JdM published a special report initiated by Bock-Cote on the Century Initiativea proposal from a group of big business lobbyists to increase Canadas population through immigration to 100 million by 2100, which the Trudeau government denies wanting to implement. In this dossier, the JdM claimed that the federal government was seeking to drown French-speaking Quebec in a sea of English-speaking immigrants. The PQ plan is subtitled Replique a lInitiative du siecle and devotes an entire chapter to the subject. It thus explicitly incorporates the radical right-wing hoax promoted by Bock-Cote and Peladeaus JdeM into the PQs program. It describes the increase in the number of immigrants to Canada as a pure ideological delusion on the part of the federal government. Ottawas immigrationism (a French far-right neologism adopted by Bock-Cote) would, it claims, sabotage Quebecs societal model, which is based on the chauvinist conception that French must be predominant, in favor of Canadian identity. Whats more, the document repeats and intensifies the ruling classs accusations that immigrants represent an existential threat to the Quebec nation and are responsible for all its social and economic ills. The PQ plan accuses them of causing the decline of the French language and Quebec culture, the housing crisis, rising welfare costs, the collapse of the public health and education networks, and the deterioration of public infrastructure. In reality, these problems have been accumulating for decades and are now becoming acute. They are the result of the crisis of the capitalist system and the draconian austerity policies put in place by the various levels of government in Canada, of all political stripes, including those led by the PQ at the provincial level. The global war on immigrants The reactionary attacks on immigrants contained in the PQ plan, and its normalization of far-right policies, are part of a national and international trend. At the federal level, the Trudeau government, which its allies in the NDP and trade union bureaucracy seek to portray as open and progressive, has in recent months announced a whole series of measures to radically restrict immigration. A few days before the unveiling of the PQs plan, the Trudeau government announced a 21 percent cut in the number of permanent immigrants by 2024, with further significant reductions in 2025 and 2026. Forced to live in barrack-like conditions, migrant farm workers were badly hit by multiple waves of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. [Photo: Migrant Workers Alliance for Change ] In the United States, President-elect Donald Trump based his election campaign on demonizing immigrants and promising to deport at least 10 million of them. His first appointments show that he intends to follow through on this promise. In response to the likely arrival at Canadas borders of thousands of immigrants fleeing Trumps crackdown, Quebec Premier and CAQ leader Francois Legault has promised to deploy Quebec Provincial Police officers if the federal government fails to assume its responsibility to protect our borders. All this shows how anti-immigration agitation is being used to strengthen the repressive powers of the state for use against the entire working class in the context of intensifying class strugglemarked notably by a massive strike by 600,000 Quebec public sector workers last December and an ongoing national strike by 55,000 Canada Post workers. In Fortress Europe, the ruling classes deploy violent border security forces, lock migrants up in squalid concentration camps or let them drown by the thousands in the Mediterranean and the English Channel, while politicians demonize immigrants using language associated with the far right. Visiting France in early October, Legault called on the federal government to emulate brutal European policies and deport half of Quebecs asylum seekers to other Canadian provinces. Fully endorsing these brutal policies, the PQ plan praises more than a dozen European countries, including Italy, France, Germany and Poland, where the far right is in power or dictates immigration policy, for the way they have restricted immigration. To disguise the true nature of the European policies it wants to emulate, the PQ doesnt breathe a word about violence and repression in its plan. It even goes so far as to downplay the anti-immigrant riots unleashed by the far right in England in July. The plan describes them as mere demonstrations that degenerated into an outbreak of violence for which the counter-demonstrators, i.e., the workers and young people who opposed the anti-immigrant attacks, were as much to blame as the demonstrators. Ignoring completely the violence against immigrants, the PQ nevertheless criticizes Europe for not having a discourse on immigration as serene as that prevailing in Quebec. This dishonest description requires erasing from the collective memory the fateful date of January 29, 2017, when a young right-wing extremist armed with an AK-47, Alexandre Bissonnette, opened fire on worshippers at the Quebec City mosque, killing six innocent Muslims and severely wounding several others. The toxic and hateful nature of the Quebec debate on the (supposedly excessive) place of religious minorities in society was thus exposed to the world. The PQ reserves its most enthusiastic compliments for those European countries that have attacked refugeesthe most vulnerable immigrants fleeing the wars and misery caused by the interventions of American imperialism and its European and Canadian allies. The PQ stresses the effectiveness of measures aimed at imprisoning them as soon as they arrive on national territory, deporting them without delay and preventing them from benefiting from social services. It is estimated that more than 20,000 refugees have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea trying to reach Europe in the last decade. Here pictured refugees in the Mediterranean Sea in 2018 during a rescue operation mounted by the Sea-Watch NGO. [Photo by Tim Luddemann / flickr / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Taking up another lie that emanates from the far right, the PQ accuses the majority of asylum seekers in Quebec of not being genuine refugees, but criminals who hijack the right to asylum. In response, it promises to implement policies similar to those in Europe to tighten the right of asylum. Deploring the fact that as a province within the Canadian federation Quebec does not have the requisite powers to fully impose and enforce its own immigration policies (in this case, a ferocious campaign of repression against refugees and migrants, patterned on the European model), the PQ pledges that if it forms the next provincial government, it will hold a new referendum on Quebec independence in its first mandate. Only an independent Quebec, it argues, will be truly able to counter the threat immigrants and immigration represent to the Quebec nation. The union-backed PQs transformation into a party of the far-right The tabling of the PQs new immigration plan underscores the urgency of class conscious workers drawing a definitive balance sheet of Quebec nationalism, and in particular of its most assiduous promoters within the sovereignist family that includes the PQ, the trade union bureaucracy and supposedly left-wing middle-class organizations like Quebec Solidaire. The nationalist lie that Quebecois workers have more in common with their French-speaking bosses and the provinces capitalist elite than with English-speaking workers in the rest of the country is, along with the Anglo-Chauvinism long advocated by the English Canadian establishment, at the heart of the political-ideological mechanisms the ruling class has historically deployed to maintain its domination over the working class. During the last wave of revolutionary struggles by the international working class during the late 1960s and 1970s, which in Canada took its most explosive forms in Quebec, Quebec nationalism served to keep militant Quebec workers isolated from their class brothers and sisters in North America. Through the trade union bureaucracy, and with the full-throated support of the Stalinist Communist Party and a host of middle-class left organizations including the Pabloites, a militant working class upsurge was channeled into the cul-de-sac of Quebec separatism, and brought under political control. Rene Levesques PQ, swept to power in 1976 with the support of the union apparatuses, was quick to stifle calls for social change in favor of the nationalist program of Quebec sovereignty, including increased state support for Quebec-owned businesses and affirmative action-type measures to open more managerial positions for the petty bourgeoisie. Following the defeat of the PQs May 1980 referendum on sovereignty, and in line with the repudiation of social reformism by the imperialist ruling classes worldwide as epitomized by the coming to power of Thatcher and Reagan, Levesque and his government moved sharply right, imposing brutal austerity and antistrike laws. These policies would characterize the actions of all subsequent PQ governments. This right-wing record, coupled with the vast expansion and integration of the global economy, discredited the Quebec independantiste program among working people, causing a veritable hemorrhaging of its working-class electoral base, especially after it imposed the great social spending cuts in Quebec history between 1995 and 1998. The Parti Quebecois response has been an increasingly pronounced identitarian turn, leading it today to openly adopt the kind of xenophobic rhetoric and policies historically associated with the far-right. At a time when the collapse of the world capitalist order is ushering in a new period of revolutionary struggle that poses the alternative socialism or barbarism, as witnessed by the Israeli genocide in Gaza supported by Washington and Ottawa, the workers and youth of Quebec must definitively reject the poison of Quebec nationalism, as well as the death trap still represented by the independence project. Instead, they must adopt an international perspective that corresponds to the integrated nature of the global economy, which politically means uniting all working people in CanadaFrancophones, Anglophones and immigrantsin a common struggle, alongside their class brothers and sisters in the rest of North America and overseas, against bankrupt capitalism and for socialism. As the Israeli genocide in Gaza escalates into a Middle East region-wide offensive against Iran and its allies, the US and NATO-backed war for regime change in Syria, launched in 2011, has been revived. Turkey, Syrias northern neighbour and occupying power since 2016, is playing a major role. Russian media blamed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the attack on Aleppo, but the proximity of government forces and proxy groups, as well as US, Turkish, Russian and Iranian forces in Syria, raises the possibility of a dangerous escalation. On Wednesday last week, the al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched an offensive that met little resistance from forces loyal to the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russia and Iran, and quickly captured Aleppo, the countrys second largest city. US-backed Syrian opposition fighters ride on a pick-up truck at the Aleppo international airport in Aleppo Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. [AP Photo/Omar Albam] HTS then moved on to the city of Hama, from where it was pushed back following Russias military intervention in 2016. Meanwhile, Turkish-backed forces from the Syrian National Army (formerly the Free Syrian Army) also went on the offensive, capturing the town of Tal Rifaat from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), led by the US-backed Kurdish nationalist Peoples Protection Units (YPG). On Monday, Erdogan said, We have long warned that the spiral of violence in the Middle East could also affect Syria. Recent events have confirmed and registered Turkeys rightness. It is our greatest hope that Syrias territorial integrity and national unity will be preserved and that the instability that has lasted for 13 years will end with a consensus in line with the legitimate demands of the Syrian people, Erdogan added. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan claimed ludicrously that Turkey was not involved in the conflict. The latest developments show once again that Damascus must reconcile with its own people and the legitimate opposition, said Fidan, who hosted his Iranian counterpart Abbas Erakchi on Monday. These statements express the hypocrisy of the Turkish government and ruling class, one of the main accomplices of the now renewed war for regime change in Syria, which has led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands, the displacement of millions and the destruction of the countrys infrastructure. The attack on Aleppo, took place at the beginning of Israels ceasefire with Hezbollah and the extension of the genocidal war against the Palestinians to Lebanon. It coincides in its consequences with the aims of the US and Israel. On the Middle East front of this global war against China, Russia and Iran, Israels genocide in Gaza is only part of a wider US offensive against Iran and its allies to dominate the oil-rich region. On Monday, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan expressed Washingtons satisfaction with the advance of al-Qaeda-linked forces against the Assad government, which is backed by Russia and Iran. We dont cry over the fact that the Assad government, backed by Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, are facing certain kinds of pressure, Sullivan said, before adding, We have seen activity in Syria coming off of all the other things we have seen in the Middle East and Ukraine and elsewhere, that is something that is the natural result of those adversaries ending up in a weaker strategic position. On Tuesday last week, Israels fascist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu listed Syria as one of the Zionist regimes war fronts and threatened, Assad must understand that he is playing with fire, accusing Syria of mediating Iranian arms shipments to Lebanon. Along with the CIA and the Gulf regimes, the Erdogan government played a major role in arming al-Qaeda-linked jihadist forces into Syria in the war for regime change that began in 2011. At the same time, Ankara initiated a peace process with the Kurdish nationalist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) at home and had relatively good relations with the PKKs sister organisation in Syria, the Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its militia, the YPG. In October 2014, PYD leader Salih Muslim was hosted in Ankara, and in February 2015 the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and the YPG even conducted a joint operation. But when the dominance of the Islamic State (ISIS), which the US and its allies had made the main force fighting for regime change in Syria, began to threaten US interests as it spread from Syria into northern Iraq, Washington made the SDF, of which the YPG is the backbone, its main proxy force. The Turkish ruling class, horrified by the prospect of a Kurdish state on Turkeys southern border and the encouragement of similar tendencies within the country, has shifted its priority from overthrowing the Assad regime to preventing the creation of a Kurdish state. It has launched a violent offensive against Kurdish forces at home and in Syria. Turkey, together with its Islamist proxies, has organised three military operations in northern Syria to prevent the creation of a unified region controlled by Kurdish forces. It occupied a territory that included Jarabulus, Afrin, Ras al-Ayn and Tal Abyad. The growing disagreement between the United States and its ally Turkey over the Syrian war was an important dimension of the tensions that culminated in the failed military coup attempt to overthrow Erdogan in 2016. This process led Turkey to seek to mend its relationship with Russia, with which it was on the brink of war after the downing of its aircraft in Syria in November 2015. However, Turkeys illegal presence in Syria and its use of the Islamists of the Syrian National Army as a proxy force not only against the YPG but also against the Assad government has caused serious tensions between Ankara and Moscow. In 2020, an attack by the Russian and Syrian air forces on Turkish forces in Idlib killed 36 soldiers, but Erdogan took it in stride. Eventually, the Astana talks between Turkey, Russia and Iran led to a ceasefire and the declaration of de-escalation zones in Idlib. As Turkey set up outposts and checkpoints around Idlib, the city gradually became the centre of HTS, which consolidated its dominance at the expense of other groups. The Erdogan government has taken initiatives to strengthen the hand of the Turkish ruling class and advance its reactionary interests under the conditions of the escalating war in the Middle East. The Syrian leader rejected Erdogans calls to open a new page with Syrian President Assad. Assad put forward the conditions that Turkey should withdraw from the occupied territories and stop supporting terrorist organisations. In this May 17, 2018, file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, listens to Syrian President Bashar Assad during their meeting in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia. [AP Photo/Mikhail Klimentyev] A new peace process was also signalled in October through the imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. However, this was accompanied by attacks on the Peoples Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), several of whose elected mayors were unconstitutionally dismissed. The latest developments make clearer that the negotiations with both Assad and the Kurdish nationalist movement are not the result of the Turkish ruling classs search for peace, but a preparation for the coming regional upheaval. Regarding the new peace process, Erdogans statement that While the maps are being redrawn in blood, while the war that Israel has waged from Gaza to Lebanon is approaching our borders, we are trying to strengthen our internal front, was a clear expression of this. Devlet Bahceli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the fascist ally of Erdogan, who called for the release of Ocalan and for him to come to parliament and declare the end of the armed struggle, also discussed the developments in Syria yesterday. Bahceli said, It is in the interest of Assad himself and then his country to establish contact and dialogue with Turkey without preconditions and to show the will for normalisation. Saying Aleppo is Turkish and Muslim to the bone, Bahceli supported the attacks on the YPG, adding, Tel Rifat has been cleared and now it is Manbijs turn. It is wrong that the DEM party does not yet know where it stands, Bahceli said, threatening that the DEM party would either become a party of Turkey or be suppressed. On November 27, Islamist militias launched a major offensive into Aleppo, northern Syrias largest city. The Al Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militia took Aleppo by December 1 and is attacking south towards Hama and Homs. This ended a four-year ceasefire brokered by Russia, Iran and Turkey that froze the war that began in 2011 in Syria between NATO-backed militias and government troops backed by Russian and Iranian forces. US-backed Syrian opposition fighters ride on a pick-up truck at the Aleppo international airport in Aleppo Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. [AP Photo/Omar Albam] It is a major escalation of the global war unfolding in Ukraine, the Middle East and beyond between NATO countries, on the one hand, and Russia, Iran and China, on the other. Israels genocide in Gaza and its bombing of Hezbollah in Lebanon are critical fronts in the war. Another front is emerging, as Washington and its NATO allies restart attempts to seize Syria and use it as a base against Russia, Iran and the entire Middle East. Before the latest offensive, NATO-backed Islamist militias, including HTS and the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA), held Idlib province and nearby pockets of Aleppo, Hama and Lattakia provinces. Tensions mounted last year, as the Ukrainian regime asked NATO for missiles to bomb Iranian factories in Syria reportedly making drones for Russian troops in Ukraine. This September, the Kiev Post reported that the Chemist unit of Ukraines GUR military intelligence had attacked Russian troops around Aleppo and the Golan Heights. Israels war on Gaza and Lebanon, by damaging Hezbollah forces which had played an important role in Syria, set the stage for the current offensive. Chinas Xinhua news agency estimated that 1,000 people have been killed in the current offensive, during which HTS and its allies seized all of Aleppo city and its surroundings. The major NATO powers have not yet formally endorsed the offensive on Aleppo. The group leading the current offensive is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which was linked to the Islamic State and Al Qaeda and is still considered a terrorist group by the United States, the New York Times wrote. This leaves governments that once supported moderate rebels against [Syrian President Bashar] al-Assad in a tricky spot, unable to endorse either side. This offensive clearly has NATO support, however. It comes from areas of Syria supplied from Turkey, a NATO member state, mobilizing militias like the FSA that received US funding through programs like the CIAs 2012-2017 Operation Timber Sycamore. Indeed, as the Times makes clear, the offensive was made possible by the Ukraine war and Israels war in Lebanon: Now, with [Syrias] allies weakened or distracted by their own conflicts, rebels have seized the opportunity to shift the balance of power. Iran has been weakened by Israeli airstrikes, battlefield losses by its proxy forcesthe so-called axis of resistanceand an economic crisis at home. Hezbollah, one of those proxy forces, has been battered and diminished after 13 months of war with Israel and the killing of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah. And Russia is now nearing the end of its third year of a war of attrition with Ukraine. This reveals the strategic and financial interests underlying NATO support for the Gaza genocide. The Biden administration and its NATO allies see the murder of countless thousands of defenseless men, women and children as crucial to their attempts to subjugate the Middle East. It allows them, first of all, to try to avenge their failure to topple Assad in nine years of a bloody war in Syria, from 2011 to 2020. This war for domination of the oil-rich Middle East is, however, only part of a broader imperialist war for world hegemony, currently aimed mainly at Russia and China. Yesterday, Syrian and Russian warplanes bombed the Islamist rebel militias, and hundreds of members of pro-Iranian Iraqi militias crossed into Syria to fight alongside Assads army. A senior Syrian military source told Reuters these fighters, from the Badr or Nujabaa militias, had crossed the border in small groups to avoid air strikes: These are fresh reinforcements being sent to aid our comrades on the front lines in the north. Last night, Telegram channels close to Tehran reported that the Syrian army had launched a counterattack south of Aleppo. They claimed Syrian forces had retaken Khanasir and were attacking northwards towards the Al Safirah industrial zone just south of Aleppo city. However, they reported that Syrian government forces were continuing to struggle in fighting around Hama. Turkish-backed Syrian National Army forces also reportedly went on the offensive and captured the town of Tal Rifaat from the US-backed Kurdish nationalist YPG (People's Protection Units) militia. This blocked the YPG units from moving further north closer to the border with Turkey, whose armed forces and ruling class are deeply fearful that US-backed Kurdish nationalist groups could set up an independent Kurdish state in parts of Syria and Turkey itself. Yesterday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that Turkey would never allow the terrorist structure in Syria to turn into a state. This threat, aimed at the Kurdish nationalists, also apparently aimed to distance the Turkish government from the Al Qaeda forces. Fidan said: The oxygen mask of the terrorist groups in the region is in America. If the US cuts off the oxygen, they cannot live for three days. Iran, Russia and China all issued statements of support for Syria. While Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said close military contacts were continuing between Russia and Syria, Iranian officials pledged full cooperation with Syria. In cooperation and interaction with Muslim countries, we will definitely thwart efforts by the Zionists to disrupt unity among Muslims and spread terrorism and insecurity in the region, Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian said. We believe that Syria will once again overcome the Zionist plots. Iran stands with the Syrian government and people to that end. China, which announced a strategic partnership with Syria during Assads September 2023 visit to Beijing and has sent military trainers to Syria, also issued statements of concern. China supports Syrias efforts to maintain national security and stability, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian. China is willing to make positive efforts to prevent further deterioration of the situation in Syria. The US-backed Al Qaeda offensive in Syria threatens to trigger a Middle East war of cataclysmic dimensions, rapidly dragging in all the major world powers. The bankruptcy of the Russian, Chinese, Iranian and allied regimes flows from the fact that the NATO imperialist powers are interested not in preventing but in escalating the war. Pursuing their agenda of world hegemony, the imperialist powers trample upon overwhelming popular opposition at home to war between major nuclear powers. In particular, it is ever more evident that Trump, while he issued a few demagogic criticisms of the Ukraine war during the Biden administration, intends to escalate the war. Yesterday, he responded to the Aleppo invasion with a post on his Truth Social network threatening a wider war unless Israeli hostages held in Gaza were released. Trump wrote: Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity. Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW! The targets of such threats from Biden and Trump are responding not by surrendering but by preparing for a broader conflict with the United States. After Trump repeatedly threatened to lock any country who does not use the US dollar out of US markets with a 100 percent tariff, Russia and Iran publicly announced last week that they had ceased all use of the US dollar in their bilateral trade. Nicolas Maduro has offered the United States his experience in combating crime to improve internal security, one of the main concerns of president-elect Donald Trump. Maduros message occurs at a time of uncertainty about what kind of relationship the Chavista government can expect with the incoming White House administration, especially in the context of the crisis in Venezuela following the presidential ballot of July 28, in which Chavismo claims a victory that the international community refuses to recognize due to suspicions of large-scale electoral fraud. The Venezuelan president explained during his television program, Con Maduro +, that he tried to reach such an agreement with the Biden administration but received no response. This government [Bidens] did not want to work seriously. I made the proposal to this government to work on the issue: We are going to coordinate to be able to combat criminal gangs. With the experience that we have, in which we have achieved a great space for peace and coexistence, freed Venezuela from these criminal gangs, we can work with the government of the United States and American society in a climate of cooperation for peace and internal security. We have always had that will, and we still have it, he said. Trumps current position on Venezuela remains unknown. In his first term as president, the real estate magnate promoted a parallel president to Maduro, Juan Guaido, a diplomatic adventure that was unsuccessful. Trump has been very critical of Chavismo in public, but, according to one of his advisers, in private he often praises Maduro for being a strongman, in the authoritarian manner that the president-elect admires and that he sees reflected in other world leaders such as Russias Vladimir Putin or Turkeys Recep Tayyip Erdogan. According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, oil businessmen in his inner circle are urging him to reach agreements with Maduro to take advantage of the countrys enormous crude oil reserves and, in the process, deport hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans who have entered the United States in recent years. Maduro, in this line, has extended a hand to Trump: To anyone in the U.S. who is concerned about this issue, modestly, in Venezuela we have good experience. In 2025, as Diosdado says, we are already in better shape to give all the criminal and extortionist gangs a beating. We will advance even further to give peace and security to Venezuelans. Diosdado Cabello, Minister of the Interior and de facto the second most powerful person in the country after Maduro, attributes the decrease in crime in Venezuela to the good work of the security forces: violent deaths decreased in 2022 and 2023. Criminal gangs are linked to a destabilization plan that involved assaulting prisons. Thanks to God and to military, popular, and police intelligence, we are three steps ahead, Maduro added. However, an investigation by the regional NGO InSight Crime points out that this reduction is due, among other reasons, to the mass migration that Venezuela has experienced in the last five years, in which it is estimated that more than five million people have left the country. Recession in Venezuela has led criminal gangs like the Tren de Aragua, Yeico Masacre, and The Melean to infiltrate Venezuelan diasporas settled in other Latin American countries, says the report from the think tank. Maduro also made reference to the demonstration called by the opposition in Caracas last Sunday, which had little power to attract supporters. The opposition candidate who apparently beat the Venezuelan president in the July elections, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, currently in exile in Spain, stated days earlier that on January 10, 2025 the date of the inauguration of the new president he would be in Caracas to take office. Edmundo, if you are not capable of going to a march in Madrid, right next to the palace where you are living, will you be capable of coming to Venezuela? How far are they going to take their show? You will end up in the garbage dump of history, Maduro concluded. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition President Joe Biden on Sunday issued a full and unconditional pardon for his son Hunterincluding not only the tax evasion and gun possession charges for which he has been convicted, but any offenses he may have committed over the past 10 years. The action preempts Hunter Bidens upcoming sentencing hearings, set for later this month, in Delaware for illegally purchasing a gun when he was banned from doing so as a convicted felon (for drug possession), and in California, on nine counts of tax evasion, based on concealing income he used to fuel his drug addiction and lavish lifestyle. Biden repeatedly denied, throughout his administration, that he would ever pardon his son, claiming he stood on the principle of non-interference in the activities of the Department of Justice. These assertions were redoubled during his abortive reelection campaign, when Biden and his aides professed to be outraged over press inquiries about a potential pardon. Former US Vice President Joe Biden (center), his son Hunter Biden (left) and his sister Valerie Biden Owens [AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu] Even after his campaign collapsed, following his obvious incapacity demonstrated during his debate with Donald Trump last June, and Biden withdrew and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement, he and his aides continued to deny that there was any possibility of a pardon for Hunter Biden. All this changed, of course, with the defeat of Harris November 5, the election of Trump, and the transformation of Biden into a lame duck, counting down the days before his political enemies will take over full control of the federal government: the White House, both houses of Congress and the Supreme Court. At that point, Biden moved to protect his son and, indirectly, his brother James Biden, who was Hunters partner in a number of shady business ventures, and himself. The blanket pardon was described by media commentators and legal experts as the most sweeping such presidential action since Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal, which led to Nixons forced resignation from the presidency and Fords elevation to the White House. Hunter Biden was pardoned, not only for the offenses for which he has been convicted, but for any offenses committed since January 1, 2014. This date is revealing, since only a few months later Hunter Biden took a lucrative position on the board of directors of Burisma Corp., a Ukrainian energy company, at the time when his father, then Vice President Biden, had been given charge of US policy in Ukraine by President Barack Obama. Similarly, Gerald Ford pardoned Nixon, not only of the Watergate-related crimes for which he was about to be impeached, but for any other crimes he might have committed during his presidency. This potentially included actions far more criminal and dangerous than authorizing the burglary of the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee in the Watergate complex and seeking to block the prosecution of the burglars by having the CIA intercede with the FBI and the Department of Justice. Nixon could have been prosecuted for the secret and illegal bombing of Cambodia, a massive war crime which ultimately brought the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime of Pol Pot to power; for countless actions in relation to Vietnam; and for other attacks on democratic rights within the United States, including multiple cases of political spying and dirty tricks against his opponents. Hunter Biden is, of course, a far less consequential figure than Nixon, and his crimes hardly compare to those of an American presidentincluding the crimes perpetrated by Joe Biden in his role as commander-in-chief of US imperialism. If President Biden were to be brought to justice, facilitating his sons influence peddling by trading on the family name would be only a misdemeanor in comparison to facilitating Israeli genocide in Gaza, instigating the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine, or authorizing mass spying on the people of the United States and the entire world. Biden claimed that he was pardoning his son because he had been selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted, adding, No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunters cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my sonand that is wrong. While it is true that the Republican Party, and Trump in particular, seized on Hunter Bidens sleazy activities as a means of undermining his fathers political fortunes, it is notable that Biden chooses to protect his son from potential retaliation from the incoming Trump-Vance administration while doing nothing to protect any other likely victims of this government of fascists, billionaires and conspiracy theorists. There are no presidential pardons for the Dreamers, the nearly 1 million immigrants brought to the United States as children, who have grown up as part of American society. Executive orders issued by Barack Obama and renewed by Biden have allowed these mainly young people to work and attend college without fear of mass deportations, but they have been compelled to register their status with the federal government, an action that now makes them vulnerable to the mass roundups and expulsions threatened by Trump. These immigrants are being left to the mercy of fascist xenophobes and bigots like Stephen Miller and Tom Homan, who will lead the campaign of mass detention and deportation that Trump has pledged to launch on day one of his second administration. Homan has already threatened to jail Democratic mayors who refuse to cooperate with the mass deportation regime, but Biden has not suggested that he will seek to preempt such an attack on democratic rightseven for elected officials of his own party. On the contrary, at a meeting welcoming Trump to the White House last month, where he displayed a mixture of servility and senility, Biden pledged the smoothest transition from his own government to that of a man he had labeled a fascist only weeks before. The pardon of Hunter Biden is a political gift to Trump, since it amounts to legitimizing the use of the presidential pardon power for political and personal gain. Trump responded immediately by denouncing the pardon as an abuse of power, while at the same time suggesting he would now move ahead with pardoning those who attacked the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, seeking to block congressional certification of his defeat in the 2020 presidential election. He called these fascist thugs the J-6 hostages. Trump has, of course, already used the pardon power in the same fashion as Biden, to reward his own cronies and accomplices. In the waning days of his first administration, he pardoned Charles Kushner, father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, who served a lengthy prison term for tax evasion, witness tampering and extortion. He also pardoned several political agents, including former campaign chair Paul Manafort and longtime adviser and January 6 co-conspirator Roger Stone, a former provocateur for Richard Nixon. There is another yardstick to measure the decay and crisis of the US political system. President Biden has pardoned his son after four years in which he has pardoned fewer victims of the US criminal justice system than any president in two centuries (not counting two presidents, William Henry Harrison and James A. Garfield, who died early in office before issuing any pardons). Bidens 26 pardons demonstrate a particularly mean attitude towards the doling out of official mercy. Looking back at the 20th century, Franklin Roosevelt in his 13 years in office pardoned 3,687, followed by Woodrow Wilson, 2,480, Harry Truman, 2,044, and Calvin Coolidge, 1,545. Herbert Hoover delivered 1,345 pardons in his one four-year term, the same tenure as Biden. None of these administrations were paragons of justice, and many of those pardoned were corrupt high officials or political cronies of the president of the day, but the number of actual pardons has steadily declined since the 1960s, from four digits to three digits, to 237 under Trump in his first term and now 26, the lowest of any president to serve his full term since John Adams. Elon Musk tours the recently inaugurated Tesla plant Gigafactory Texas in Austin, Texas, Monday, Sept. 25, 202 [AP Photo/Gyula Bartos/Hungarian President's Press Office/MTI] Tesla was fined twice for a total of $7,000 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for exposing four workers to hexavalent chromium without proper training or monitoring at its Gigafactory near Austin, Texas. The amount was negotiated down from $13,000 by the company. The first fine was for not providing effective training or information on hexavalent chromium on and before July 5 of this year. Tesla was also found to not be tracking 8-hour exposure to the chemical on and before June 25. The workers cleaning up the chemical at an industrial laser were found to have received no prior training or information, in addition to not being assessed for chromium exposure. Hexavalent chromium is used for corrosion resistance and in metal finishing and chrome plating, as well as the production of steel and other alloys, in addition to other applications. For the workers exposed, the effects could be nothing short of devastating. Hexavalent chromium is a known cancer-causing chemical, recognized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a Group I occupational carcinogen. It causes lung cancer, cancer of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. It can also cause stomach and gastrointestinal cancers when ingested through drinking water. Other such incidents involving hexavalent chromium include the poisoning of Hinckley, California by PG&E which was the subject of the film Erin Brockovich. OSHA notes that it can also cause occupational asthma, perforated eardrums, eye irritation and permanent eye damage, kidney damage, liver damage, pulmonary congestion and edema, upper abdominal pain, nose irritation and damage, skin irritation, as well as erosion and discoloration of the teeth. It can also lead to long-lasting and severe contact dermatitis and skin ulcers, sometimes referred to as chrome ulcers. The $7,000 fine is less than pocket change for Teslas fascist CEO Elon Musk, with a net worth of $334 billion. He makes by some estimates the same amount as the fine in one minute, with other estimates putting it closer to 10 seconds. Tesla itself pulled in $15 billion in profit for 2024. Musk is a major figure in the incoming Trump administration, and will seek to extend the brutal workplace conditions that exist in his factories to ever greater numbers of the working class. Musk will be the co-chair of the Department of Governmental Efficiency, whose publicly stated aim is to cut $2 trillion a year from the federal budget, with regulatory bodies cited as a major priority. Teslas operations serve as the basis for massive financial speculation, with the company worth $1.12 trillion, by far the most of any auto company, despite the fact that it ranks eighth in US market share. But while it is a boondoggle for Wall Street investors, Tesla is infamous for high-tech exploitation of its workers. As one worker told the WSWS, most workers are usually always forced to do work ASAP, leading to injuries. For 2023, one out of every 13 workers was injured at the Austin plant according to OSHAs ITA Summary Data. This made it the ninth most accident-prone plant in America out of 385,000 tracked by the data, with one of the eight ahead of it another Tesla plant in California. Two workers have died working at the site. Antelmo Ramirez died of heat stroke while constructing the plant in 2021. Victor Joe Gomez Sr. died as a result of being electrocuted on August 1 of this year while servicing an electrical panel, causing him to go into cardiac arrest. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Gomezs family launched a lawsuit against the company for wrongful death. To date, OSHA has released little on Gomezs death, with the investigation expected to take at least six months. Both deaths were social murder. The company forces workers to speed up their work, elevating the risk of injury and death, and either does not enforce safety practices, or does not have safety practices set up in the first place. These deaths were caused by known risks being ignored by management to produce more profits. South Koreas conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law on Tuesday, accusing the opposition of controlling Parliament, engaging in anti-state activities, and sympathizing with North Korea. Yoons announcement, which was immediately met with widespread rejection from opposition politicians and members of his own party, sent shockwaves through one of Asias strongest democracies. Hours later, after Parliament voted to lift the martial law, Yoon announced that he would withdraw the measure during a forthcoming Cabinet meeting, according to Reuters. This was the first time since 1980 that martial law had been declared in South Korea, a country that experienced a series of authoritarian leaders in its early history but has been regarded as a democracy since the 1980s. In a televised statement late in the day, which had not been announced in advance, Yoon stated that the measure aimed to eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the democratic constitutional order. However, within hours, he faced strong opposition from Parliament. In an emergency session convened following the presidents announcement, the Parliament, with 190 of its 300 members present, passed a motion demanding the lifting of martial law. Woo Son-shik, the opposition speaker of Parliament, declared that President Yoons declaration would be null and void following the resolution. Lawmakers cheered when he demanded that soldiers and police leave the assembly hall. Despite the vote, the military has responded by stating it will maintain martial law until it is formally lifted by President Yoon, according to the countrys public radio. According to the South Korean Constitution, the president has the authority to declare martial law when deemed necessary to address a military threat or maintain public order. However, he is required to withdraw it if a majority of Parliament members demand it, as reported by Reuters. Demonstration in South Korea after martial law declared. The move came after the main opposition Democratic Party, which has a majority in Parliament, fast-tracked a scaled-back budget bill through the parliamentary budget committee without support from Yoons ruling Peoples Power Party (PPP), and filed impeachment motions against the state auditor and chief prosecutor, South Koreas Yonhap news agency reported. In Seoul, the capital, confusion reigns. Multiple videos posted on social media show clashes in front of Parliament between protesters and lawmakers attempting to enter the building, with police officers trying to block their way. Forces from the Martial Command have also started to enter the parliamentary area, according to Reuters. The agency reported that citizens were protesting in front of the parliament building, chanting slogans such as Immediate withdrawal of martial law! and Yoon Suk-yeol, to prison!. The military decree, signed by Martial Law Commander General Park An-su and translated by Reuters, outlines that all political activities, including parliamentary activities, are prohibited. It also places all media and publications under the control of the Martial Law Command. All acts that deny or attempt to overthrow the liberal democratic system are prohibited, and fake news, public opinion manipulation, and false propaganda are prohibited, the decree states. Strikes, work stoppages, and rallies inciting social unrest are similarly banned. Violators may be arrested, detained, and searched without a warrant. Opposition politicians reacted immediately. Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, called Yoons announcement illegal and unconstitutional, according to AP. Even Yoons party leader, Han Dong-hoon, criticized the decision as wrong and vowed to stop it with the people. Yoon did not mention any specific threat from North Korea, his nuclear-capable neighbor, which has grown closer to Vladimir Putins Russia and recently provided direct military support in the war in Ukraine. Instead, the presidents speech focused on his domestic political opponents. Yoon, a former prosecutor who was elected president in May 2022 by a razor-thin margin of less than 1% of the vote, has struggled with very low popularity ratings throughout his term. His party, the PPP, suffered a major defeat in last Aprils legislative elections, losing control of the unicameral assembly to the main opposition party, which secured nearly two-thirds of the seats. The president has faced significant criticism from the Democratic Party, which has called for a parliamentary investigation into alleged malpractices involving his wife. The conservative partys defeat in the April elections can be attributed to President Yoons extremely low popularity, which at times has dropped to around 20%. This decline is largely due to a lack of tangible progress in social and economic policies. South Korea is grappling with issues such as a sluggish economy, soaring housing prices, and rising inflation. Additionally, the country faces demographic challenges, including a rapidly aging population and a significant gender gap. Earlier this year, a doctors strike that began in February added to the strain, resulting in the cancellation of surgeries and treatments. In the wake of the presidents announcement, the South Korean won sharply depreciated against the dollar. A senior central bank official, quoted by Reuters, stated that the bank was preparing measures to stabilize the market if needed. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok convened an emergency meeting to assess the situation. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition On Sunday afternoon, Dania Maria Esplugas sat inside the hearse next to her sons body, refusing to leave his side until she could personally place him in the family pantheon. The night before, just past midnight, several Cuban agents arrived at her home in Old Havana to inform her of the death of her son, 29-year-old Manuel de Jesus Guillen Esplugas, who had been imprisoned in the Combinado del Este prison since participating in the anti-government protests of July 11, 2021. Dania rejects the governments official explanation of her sons death: he did not die, as the government says, she claims, her son was killed. They didnt know how to get to my home to tell me, says Dania, 63. It was midnight, and a patrol car kept circling my house. When they finally arrived and told me, you can imagine how I felt. The last time she saw her son alive was during a prison visit on Saturday, November 23. There was no indication then that the next time she saw him, he would be dead. According to the official autopsy, Manuel de Jesus died by asphyxiation from hanging on December 30, around 9 p.m. Dania has kept photos of the clothes her son was wearing when his body was brought to the funeral home on Zanja and Belascoain streets in Havana. His sweater bore muddy footprints, and his pants remained soaked in urine a testament, she claims, to the torture inflicted on him by prison staff. In a harrowing video that quickly spread on social media, Dania is seen grieving over Manuel de Jesuss lifeless body, wailing that her son was killed. They killed him, but this isnt going to stay like this. He was so sweet, so beautiful, the mother cries. They beat him and killed him. They killed one of my sons, but I hold him alive here in my heart. Dania closely examined her sons body, noting marks on his neck, back, and arms that convinced her he did not die by suicide. Instead, she believes that after a brutal beating left him unconscious, prison authorities staged his hanging to suggest a suicide. She noted marks on his neck consistent with a zambran, a military campaign belt commonly worn by Cuban officers. They say he hanged himself to absolve himself [of his guilt], but my son would never do that, she insists. He had bruises on his back and arms, like he had been struck with a tonfa [baton]. She also observed severe blows above his right lung. Images released by Manuel de Jesus Guillen's family of the clothes he was wearing when he was handed over to them. RS The third political prisoner from demonstrations to die in prison The death of Manuel de Jesus marks the third case of a protester from the July 11, 2021, demonstrations to die while imprisoned. These protests resulted in the detention of over 1,500 Cubans, with 554 still incarcerated today, some serving sentences as harsh as 20 years, according to data from Justicia 11J. Political prisoner Alejandro Garlobo, who was released on bail late last year, met Manuel de Jesus an activist affiliated with Cuba Decide and a member of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (Unpacu) during their early days at Combinado del Este prison. This notorious facility has been identified as a site of severe repression, according to research from the Cuban Prison Documentation Center. Many of us knew him as Noli. He was a great kid, serious, with good ideals, says Garlobo. He was a very brave guy, he refused to work [in prison], because he said that if you worked you were serving the dictatorship. He was serious, he didnt deserve this. Manuel de Jesus was 27 when he was arrested at his home on July 17, 2021, after sharing videos of the July 11 protests on social media. Charged with public disorder and vandalism, he was sentenced to six years in prison after being held for a year and a half without trial. His mother filed two habeas corpus petitions with the Provincial Court of Havana, both of which were denied. During his imprisonment, Manuel de Jesus reported his conditions to the Cuban Prison Documentation Center: not only did he have to deal with an infestation of bedbugs and rats in his cell, he was also denied medical care and treatment to cure the scabies he contracted in prison. He also suffered from poor nutrition and complained about being held with common prisoners convicted of violent crimes. Manuel de Jesuss death made headlines and a wave of tension swept through the prison. Garlobo says his friends in prison noted that riot squads had been stationed outside Combinado del Este in case something happened. They also told him that last Friday the Manuel de Jesus was the victim of a beating in prison. I dont doubt that they did the same thing to him that they did to another prisoner I knew, says Garrobo. They said he had hanged himself, but they were the ones who simply hung him. The exact motive for the alleged beating remains unclear. A cousin of the victim suggested on Facebook that it stemmed from his refusal to work for State Security. Other sources reported that he had been tortured in a punishment cell after attempting to escape his ongoing harassment. This was not the first instance of abuse; in early 2023, his mother revealed to the independent press that a severe beating had caused glandular swelling near his ears, requiring surgery at the prison hospital. Independent investigation is impossible Cuban prisons operate under a veil of secrecy, making accountability elusive. Both international and civil society organizations have repeatedly condemned the lack of access to these facilities, where crimes often go unpunished. A study by the legal advisory group Cubalex documented 56 deaths in custody in Cuba between January 2022 and January 2024, nearly all involving male prisoners (53). The main reported causes were suicide and violence. Cubalex highlights the Minnesota Protocol, an international framework from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights designed to guide investigations into potentially state-related deaths. However, in Cuban prisons, the lack of adequate investigations and accountability of the authorities involved in violent incidents suggests an environment of impunity, the organization indicates. In this context, determining whether Manuel de Jesuss death was a murder or suicide is virtually impossible. Cuban lawyer Raudiel Pena Barrios, a member of Cubalex, explained to EL PAIS that it is impossible to carry out an independent investigation outside of the states control, therefore legally proving he was murdered is incredibly difficult. Unfortunately, it will be forgotten, because there are no independent investigative mechanisms, there are no civil society organizations to which the mother can turn, says the lawyer. The main recourse they have now is to file a complaint against the officials and the management of the penitentiary establishment where Manuel de Jesus was held and then wait for an investigation process to be carried out by official institutions, that is, the Military Prosecutors Office, the investigative apparatus of the Ministry of the Interior. In legal terms, resources are very limited due to the situation in Cuba, and it is very possible that the official version will continue to be that he hung himself, because that frees the officials of the prison where that person was held from responsibility. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Princess Leonor of Spain does not have an official TikTok account, yet dozens of accounts impersonating her have emerged, targeting victims globally especially in Latin America. These fraudulent profiles, some created using advanced artificial intelligence tools and boasting hundreds of thousands of followers, falsely present themselves as the princess offering financial aid. The scam promises significant monetary assistance to anyone who requests it. However, to receive this supposed aid, victims are asked to pay a small fee, often amounting to a few hundred dollars. Once the initial payment is made, the scammer demands additional fees, pressuring the victim until they are drained of money. Eventually, the perpetrator disappears without providing the promised funds. 00:14 TikTok scam impersonating Princess Leonor One of the videos used by scammers to capture potential victims posing as Princess Leonor. Not only did I lose the money, but I got into a huge debt. I got my hopes up because they made me get my hopes up, and all I got was in debt, Juana Cobo, 39, says by phone from Nebaj in Guatemala. They sent me a message on TikTok telling me that the person speaking to me was Princess Leonor, that I had won $100,000, but that I had to pay a tax of 2,200 quetzales [about $250] to release the money, she explains. I thought it was true. Receipt of one of the last payments made by Juana Cobo to the swindlers, last November 15. Pablo Canto Martinez When Cobo made the first payment, the fake Leonor demanded more money 1,000 quetzales (about $130) to cover the supposed lawyer fees of the princess. Shortly after, she was told there had been a misunderstanding with that payment and was asked for an additional 1,500 quetzales ($195). The demands continued, with new excuses for further payments. By the time Cobo realized it was a scam, she had already paid a total of 5,800 quetzales (approximately $735). When I told them they were scammers, they disappeared. They blocked me, and I never heard from them again, she recalls. Despite the financial loss, Cobo has chosen not to file a complaint. It wont do any good. If theyre in another country, whats the point? she laments. This scam is an updated version of the infamous Nigerian letter or inheritance scam, only amplified by TikToks powerful algorithm. Many of these fake Princess Leonor accounts invite users to leave comments explaining why they need financial help or to provide their contact details. Some accounts are more aggressive and obvious, directly requesting bank account numbers to deposit the aid. TikToks algorithm rewards and prioritizes posts with high engagement, meaning these the videos by these fake profiles many with thousands of comments achieve massive reach, with some exceeding a million views. Over the past few weeks, EL PAIS tracked and followed with numerous fake Leonor profiles to understand their operation. After a potential victim leaves a comment, the scammers initiate contact through private messages, and request a phone number. Some profiles even include a link in their TikTok bio directing users to a WhatsApp account. Once contact is made, the scam progresses through phone calls. If the scammer is male, he typically poses as Princess Leonors lawyer; if female, she impersonates the princess herself. Perfil de WhatsApp falso de la Princesa Leonor, con numero de Republica Dominicana Pablo Canto Martinez During these calls, the scammers promise to deposit a large sum of money sometimes more than $100,000. However, they claim the recipient must first make a payment to cover a deposit to sign the check or taxes. These payments typically range from $100 to $200 and must be sent to various Western Union accounts. All the phone numbers traced by EL PAIS and the accounts where victims are instructed to send money are based in the Dominican Republic. The scammers push for payments to be made as quickly as possible to prevent victims from realizing they are being conned. If there are delays, the scammers become insistent and aggressive. In one WhatsApp audio recording obtained by EL PAIS, a scammer pretending to be Princess Leonors lawyer pressures a potential victim, threatening to give the check to someone else if the payment is not made promptly. In a slightly more elaborate variation of the scam, the perpetrators disguise their scheme as a simple and bizarre contest. A fake Princess Leonor created using AI tools to mimic her movement and speech challenges users to stop a moving image at a specific position to qualify for financial assistance. One TikTok account promoting this version of the scam has gained significant traction, amassing over 410,000 followers. 00:08 Princess Leonor scam One of the videos manipulated with AI features a fake Princess Leonor proposing a game that promises a prize of thousands of dollars. EL PAIS reached out to TikTok Spain to report the scam. Following a review, TikTok removed several profiles for violating community guidelines. However, many remain active, with some accounts operating since as early as July. EL PAIS also notified the Spanish Royal Family, which declined to comment on the matter. The Royal Family does not maintain any official presence on TikTok a gap that scammers exploit by adding a blue check to their profile pictures, falsely presenting themselves as verified accounts. Different fake profiles of Leonor on TikTok pretending to be verified. One of them has more than 400,000 followers. Pablo Canto Martinez The target of the scams: Elderly and vulnerable people The Online Fraud Investigation Group of Spains National Police Cybercrime Unit has confirmed to EL PAIS that no cases of the fake Princess Leonor scam have been reported in Spain so far. However, an analysis of dozens of these fraudulent profiles suggests that the scammers primarily target elderly individuals many claiming to offer assistance exclusively to those over 60 years old particularly in Latin America and those in vulnerable circumstances. Such was the case for Juana Cobo, a Guatemalan woman caring for two children. I have nothing. I am an orphan and dont even have my own house, she says. I wanted the money to get ahead. Cobo says he didnt even have the amount the scammers demanded. I had to borrow from a relative, she says. Now I dont know how Im going to be able to pay them back. The total amount she paid is nearly double Guatemalas minimum wage. A scam with a 200-year history The fake Princess Leonor scam is only the latest iteration of a con that dates back more than two centuries. Historian Martin Turrado, an expert on the history of the Spanish police, details in his book Estudios sobre Historia de la Policia y Gentes de Malvivir (Studies on the History of the Police and Rogues), how a similar trick emerged in the early 19th century. Known as the hidden treasure scam, it convinced victims to believe in a buried fortune. The victims were persuaded to finance its recovery in exchange for a share of the loot. According to Turrado, the scam gained traction during the War of Independence (18081814) when rumors circulated that many people buried valuables to prevent them from falling into Napoleons hands. With this background, Turrado writes, swindlers crafted a credible enough story to convince victims to part with their money, which is ultimately what this business is all about. In the 20th century, the scam evolved into what became popularly known as Nigerian letters or the Nigerian prince scheme. These scams often came in letters from supposed Nigerian royalty seeking financial assistance to unlock an inheritance. By the early 2000s, scammers had adopted email as their primary tool; Snopes, a website specializing in debunking hoaxes, recorded examples of this scheme as early as 2003. One such email claimed to represent Swiss bank HSBC. Over the last decade, the scam transitioned to social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, where private messages became the favored medium. Part of a message from the fake heir scam, received in both English and Spanish (with an automatic translation), which reached several members of the EL PAIS editorial staff in 2017. Currently, online fraud is generating a lot of money and this gives scammers a lot of resources, explains the Online Fraud Investigation Group. This enables scammers to buy credibility by purchasing accounts that already have thousands of followers, making it easier for them to appear authentic. They can also buy followers, bots, or small fake accounts to post positive comments. Although none of these fake Princess Leonor profiles are real, many are filled with messages from supposed winners thanking the princess for receiving a great prize. These messages help deceive potential victims into believing the scam is legitimate. Fake comments on different fraudulent profiles of Princess Leonor. Pablo Canto Martinez How to avoid falling for this type of scam EL PAIS has asked the Online Fraud Investigation Group of the National Police Cybercrime Unit for guidelines and advice on how to avoid falling for this type of scam. This is what they recommend: Be wary of profiles that are not official. Be wary of any social media account that offers money in an apparently altruistic way. Do not click on any suspicious links coming from suspicious profiles, and do not provide them with any personal information. If you cannot verify whether it is an impersonation, consult with someone you trust who can provide a critical view. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Musician and political activist Bob Geldof has heard the criticisms. That Band Aid allegedly perpetuates stereotypes. The white savior controversy. The pop stars who no longer want to be associated with his mission of raising funds to fight hunger in Africa. Now, like he has with everyone who has doubted his ideas or intentions the past 40-plus years, he shrugs it off. Im always up for a scrap, he says with a wry grin. I like to be intellectually challenged and engaged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not only the frontman of Irish rockers the Boomtown Rats ("I Don't Like Mondays") and an indefatigable activist, Geldof, 73, is also the de facto commander and, with Ultravoxs Midge Ure, co-creator of Band Aid. The ragtag assembly of British and Irish musicians commissioned by the pair convened in 1984 to educate the masses about famine in Ethiopia and simultaneously created a touchpoint in pop culture. Some of British music royalty convened in 1984 to record "Do They Know It's Christmas?" including (from left) Simon Le Bon, Bob Geldof, Bono, Sting and Bananarama. Their little pop song that could, the anthemic Do They Know Its Christmas?, remains a holiday staple that has raised more than $178 million for the Band Aid Charitable Trust, which assists with poverty in Africa. This record is an instrument of change, Geldof says in a video chat from the U.K. In 40 years, sensibilities change. But those wouldnt see the light of day if it wasnt for this record. This record gives you agency, a way to change the world a little bit Any contradictory opinion gives me political leverage. Now its not just a pop song, its in the cultural arena. More: Mariah Carey ushers in Christmas on holiday tour: Inside the songs, elegance and joy Band Aid, the collection of British music artists, came together in 1984 to record "Do They Know It's Christmas?" to raise awareness of starvation in Ethiopia. Bob Geldof reminisces about recording with Band Aid A new anniversary edition of Do They Know Its Christmas? called Band Aid 2024 Ultimate Mix arrived last week. The slightly restructured song combines vocals from the original lineup Sting, George Michael, Simon Le Bon, Boy George with artists who participated in a 2014 update, including Ed Sheeran (who recently rebuked the song as dehumanizing Africans and said he wished he hadn't sung on the song), Sam Smith, Harry Styles, Robbie Williams and Chris Martin. U2 maestro Bono is the only artist to appear on all three versions of the charity single. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes a very clever man, Geldof says of his longtime friend, who, as a teenager used to patronize Dublin bars to watch the Boomtown Rats perform. Hes motivated by his faith and Im motivated by my lack thereof. In the mid-2000s, Geldof utilized the history of Band Aid and the access to political leaders it spawned to help Bono co-found (with Bobby Shriver) the ONE campaign, an advocacy group that tackles poverty, inequality and disease prevention in Africa. But while Geldof is perpetually looking forward and consistently seeking new ways to combat the ongoing famine crisis, he is also willing to reminisce for a few minutes about that dreary London morning in November 1984 when he feared the only artists who would show up to record would be his Boomtown Rats and Ures Ultravox. I said to Midge, Whos coming? And it was Duran Duran flying in from Germany, Spandau Ballet coming in from Japan. Sting was strolling down the street with a newspaper under his arm and said, Whats going on? Boy George, I had to get him out of bed in New York and make him take the Concorde and he arrived at 6 a.m. Paul Young was there in a dirty T-shirt with spots on his face, Geldof recalls. These guys really made an effort, which is why journalism is critical in this age of post-truth, to show you the reality. I just wrote a tune and asked people Ive known for 10 years to come along. Bob Geldof orchestrated a 30th anniversary of Band Aid featuring members of One Direction, Ed Sheeran and Bono. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bob Geldof maintains his simple message: 'Feed the world' A few months after Band Aid burst to the top of the U.K. singles chart where it remained for five weeks and climbed to No. 13 on Billboards Hot 100, the collective genius of Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones used its success as a blueprint to create USA for Africa and We are the World. Since Geldof had experience with herding musicians for charity, he flew to Los Angeles the night of that legendary recording to give the assembly a pep talk. We are the World was the Mount Rushmore of 20th century talent. This doofus from Ireland walks in and theres Ray Charles and Willie Nelson, and we have Simon Le Bon, Geldof says with a laugh. Quincy had everything laid out, with everyone reading sheet music. Half of our lot couldnt even read, never mind sheet music! But the difference is key. We are the World was done with clear knowledge about what the (hell) this was all about. While Do They Know Its Christmas? pops to the forefront of culture every holiday season, for Geldof, giving aid is a vocation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will continue every day with Band Aid. Its a daily thing for us, he says. Next year is 40 years since Live Aid (the massive live complement to Band Aid also spearheaded by Geldof) and we can use that to raise the worlds awareness again. Geldofs ongoing message is simple: Feed the world, he says, echoing the refrain of his famed pop hymn. Its Christmas and in our culture, were more alert to the other this time of year. Were more keenly aware to the dude asleep on the street or the old woman down the road. Even if we pause momentarily to think of the other, thats a profound human act. If this record in any way moves you, then please, endlessly stream it because we need endless streams to just make $10. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bob Geldof defends Band Aid, vows to continue to fight poverty Bravos Real Housewives franchise has been serving up drama for almost 20 years, ever since it first hit our screens in 2006. From iconic feuds to unforgettable alliances, the Housewives know how to bring the mess! With countless seasons and spin-offs, weve seen friendships shattered, tables flipped, and shade thrown like never before. Its time to dive into the top 10 messiest Housewives in Bravo history. Buckle up, because these ladies know how to make a mess. Tamra Judge youtu.be Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - YouTube You can't mention messy without Tamra Judge. We have watched Tamra Judge go through it ALL, however we've also seen her make a mess of the group dynamics no matter what. Judge also started a podcast with ex-housewife Teddi Mellencamp to create even more of a mess, as if the current season of Orange Country was not enough. From her first season on Orange Country to now, Judge has been nothing but consistent in the messy department. This housewife has also given us iconic Bravo moments we will continue to use for years to come.... THAT'S OUR OPINION. Lisa Rinna youtu.be - YouTube The lips of Beverly Hills, Lisa Rinna. Lets just say, Beverly Hills has never been the same since we lost this one. From throwing a wine glass at Kim Richards in Amsterdam to asking Dorit Kemsley if people do coke in her bathroom.... Rinna had messy on lockdown. There was no shortage on drama during Rinna's run on the show, she had absolutely no filter and was out for blood at all the dinners. We just know not to discuss the husbands when Lisa Rinna is around. Nene Leakes youtu.be Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - YouTube Child, not the white refrigerator hunny. NeNe Leakes, the queen of one liners and shade. Not only did Leakes contribute to the explosion of the Real Housewives, she is one of the most quotable and messy housewives of all time. Nothing was left unsaid when Leakes was around, it was almost a guarantee she was going to read you to filth. No one was safe and definitely not the men, or Kim Zolciak. As Leakes would say "Goodnight Kenya, cause you'll get nothing else from me today. Goodbye. Don't make me call Porsha." Monica Garcia Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement youtu.be - YouTube It's insane that anyone could possibly make this list in one season... Well Monica Garcia sweetie, you earned this spot. After ONE season on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Monica Garcia managed to send the entire cast into spiral. While also serving up one of the BEST Housewives seasons. Not only did Garcia have a part in trolling these women from a fake Instagram for years, she showed up and showed out in the fights and helped put Jen Shah in prison. Garcia easily had one of the sickest and messiest runs of Real Housewives. Kenya Moore youtu.be - YouTube Bless the mess that is Kenya Moore. Real Housewives of Atlanta was chaos during Kenya's run and just when you thought she calmed down, she continues to shocks us. Moore was set to be back on the Atlanta franchise this season, but in the messiest of fashions was terminated for blasting her castmates private photos at a party. If the bar is in hell, Kenya Moore is going to meet you there. Gone with the wind fabulous of course. Teresa Guidice youtu.be Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - YouTube Most of the time when we discuss messiness in the Housewives world, it usually alludes to shady comments and dinner fights. In Teresa Giudice's case, the mess is always physical. After 14 years of Real Housewives of New Jersey, we have watched Giudice flip tables, throw glasses, plates or anything she can find. There is simply no shortage of screaming matches when Giudice is involved. The iconic table flip happened in 2009 during season 1, we made it to season 14 and Guidice is still throwing low blows and tableware, just not the table.... lately at least. Brandi Glanville youtu.be - YouTube When you slap Lisa Vanderpump across the face and somehow get away with it.... you earn a spot on this list. Brandi Glanville was by far one of the messiest housewives in history. Her feuds with the women were absolute mayhem, and Glanville is a large part of how Vanderpump Rules came to be after her ex slept with a server from SUR. The mess did not stop when Glanville departed from the show either, in recent news she is in a legal battle with Caroline Manzo and the bravo network. To make matters worse, Manzo is suing Glanville for a sexual assault while filming The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip. Gizelle Bryant Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement youtu.be - YouTube If the pot is being stirred in Potomac, Gizelle Bryant is the one stirring. Bryant consistently causes tension with the ladies of Potomac, so much so fans have alluded to her acting like a Bravo producer. No ones business is safe when Bryant is around, she WILL be in it. Bryant's relationship also continues to be its own separate mess on the show. Bethenny Frankel youtu.be - YouTube There is no mess in the Bravo world without Bethenny Frankel. Not only was she one of the messiest and loudest on her season, things got even crazier after her run on the network. Frankel has been at war with Bravo's Andy Cohen for years, pushing for reality TV unions and pushing back against all the rumors about herself. The messiest is feud is always going to be the one with Andy Cohen. Both Nene Leakes and Bethenny Frankel know that better than anyone. Alexis Bellino youtu.be Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - YouTube After a break from Housewives, Alexis Bellino aka Jesus Jugs officially returned and messier than ever. Unlike the other housewives on the list, Alexis isn't always the loudest in the room. However, in the latest Orange County season Bellino has taken messy to new levels. The housewife is now engaged to castmate Shannon Beadors' ex-boyfriend John Jahnsen. Usually this wouldn't be next level insanity, however Bellino has taken having a new man to levels of messy we have never seen before. From suing her castmates with her ex-husband to blackmailing her castmates with her new fiance... Jesus Jugs can not be stopped. Joe Bidens family has become somewhat accustomed to being in the spotlight, both before and after he moved into the White House. The same year Biden won his U.S. Senate seat in 1972, his first wife, Neilia Hunter Biden, and their three children, Beau, Hunter and Naomi 'Amy' Biden, were involved in a car accident. Neilia and 13-month-old Amy were killed in the crash, while Beau and Hunter survived with serious injuries. After a period of grieving, Joes brother Frank Biden set him up on a blind date with Jill Biden, nee Jacobs, in 1975. The couple married two years later and welcomed their daughter, Ashley, in June 1981. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She gave me back my life, the politician wrote of Jill in his 2007 memoir, Promises to Keep. She made me start to think my family might be whole again. Joe was elected as the 46th president of the United States in 2020 but dropped out of the 2024 presidential race to endorse his Vice President, Kamala Harris. Harris ultimately lost the election to Donald Trump. During the final month of his presidency, Joe made history after becoming the great-grandfather to serve as president. Scroll down to get to know the Biden family: Jacob Elordi drama series The Narrow Road to the Deep North has been acquired by the BBC for the U.K. The five-part adaptation of Richard Flanagans Booker Prize-winning novel, which also stars Ciaran Hinds and Odessa Young, will be broadcast in the U.K. on BBC One and the BBCs proprietary streamer iPlayer. It will drop in Canada, Australia and New Zealand on Prime Video. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A premiere date has not been set yet. Encompassing both the horrors of war and intimacy of deep love, The Narrow Road To The Deep North sees Elordi portray Dorrigo Evans, a young man who experiences some of lifes most extreme ups and downs, from embarking on a passionate love affair with Amy Mulvaney (Young) to being held captive in a POW camp and, eventually, becoming a revered surgeon and reluctant war hero. Hinds plays an older version of Evans. The series is produced by Sony Pictures Television-backed Curio Pictures, presented by Amazon MGM Studios, and directed by Justin Kurzel (Assassins Creed) from a screenplay by Shaun Grant. Jacob Elordi and Odessa Young in The Narrow Road To The Deep North (Prime Video/Curio Pictures/Sony Pictures Television) The Narrow Road to the Deep North is a complex, beautiful, and heart-wrenching series which sensitively interweaves several stages in the life of surgeon Dorrigo Evans, from the passion of first love, to the unflinching depiction of life as a prisoner of war in occupied Burma, said Sue Deeks, the BBCs head of program acquisition. We are so very pleased to bring this truly exceptional adaptation to BBC viewers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Curio Pictures Jo Porter and Rachel Gardner, who both serve as executive producers, added: The Narrow Road to the Deep North is an epic tale of the sustaining power of love under the harshest of circumstances. Curio is honoured to help bring to this spectacular story to life with creators Shaun Grant and Justin Kurzel, novelist Richard Flanagan and our brilliant cast and crew. We cant wait for audiences to see it. Alexandra Taussig produces with Porter, Gardner, Kurzel, Grant and Flanagan as exec producers. Screen Australia, with assistance from the NSW Government through Screen NSWs Made in NSW and PDV Funds, provided principal production funding. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. EXCLUSIVE: The Walsh Sisters are coming to TV. Irish author Marian Keyes novels about the dysfunctional but loveable Walsh family of five sisters have inspired a six-part drama series for Irish pubcaster RTE. The BBC has acquired it for the UK. England-based Cuba Pictures and Ireland-based Metropolitan Films International are joining forces to make the drama, which has the chops to become a returning series. It is being made in association with Screen Ireland. Cineflix Rights is also on board and is selling the show globally. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The drama will revolve around five books about the Walsh Sisters by Keyes, who is one of the most successful Irish novelists of all time. This is SO exciting! Im beside myself!, said the author, who is an exec producer on the show. I love the scripts; theyve really kept the spirit of the books. Its been almost impossible to keep this a secret and its a great feeling that the news is now out in the world. Billed as a comedy about serious things, The Walsh Sisters is set in Dublin. It follows Anna, Rachel, Maggie, Claire and Helen. They navigate the peaks and troughs of their late 20s and 30s with in-jokes, hand-me-down resentments and a few old wounds, but their DNA, history and a shared love of power ballads keep them together in the face of heartbreak, grief, addiction and parenthood. Dublin-based screenwriter, author, and actor Stefanie Preissner (Cant Cope, Wont Cope) led the writing team on four of the six eps and is also an exec producer. Kefi Chadwick (Rivals) completed the team with two episodes. Ian FitzGibbon (Hullraisers) is attached as director. Marian Keyes is a much-loved author and Stefanie Preissner and Kefi Chadwick have brilliantly captured and re-imagined her world, said David Crean, Head of Drama at RTE. Its going to be a huge treat for audiences everywhere. Im delighted to add this brilliant drama series to our slate for 2025 and beyond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Walsh Sisters will shoot in early 2025 for a fall launch on RTE. It will then play on BBC iPlayer and BBC One. Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Program Acquisition, said: The Walsh Sisters novels have given so much pleasure to so many readers over the years, and we are truly delighted that such a wonderful team will be bringing these witty, warm, and oh-so-relatable characters to life. James Durie, Head of Scripted, Cineflix Rights, noted the international potential of the series as the distributor takes it to market: Marian Keyes novels have millions of fans around the world, providing a ready-made audience for a series that will be hugely appealing to our global buyers. Dixie Linder, CEO at Cuba Pictures, said Stefanie Preissner and Kefi Chadwick have crafted a rich and heartfelt adaptation that captures the humor, resilience, and emotion at the heart of these beloved characters and with Ian FitzGibbon at the helm as director, we cant wait to share the series with everyone. David McLoughlin, Producer and Company Director at Metropolitan Films International, added: We are delighted to partner with Dixie and Cuba Pictures on this wonderful production, bringing together so many creative talents, and with our excellent funding partners RTE, BBC, Cineflix Rights and Screen Ireland. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The pardon granted by U.S. President Joe Biden to his son Hunter over firearms and tax charges has caused unrest among many Democrats. A mistake, a misuse of power, special treatment, a stain on his legacy, a decision that puts personal interest before the general interest... Democratic senators, representatives, and governors have launched their most serious criticism of a Biden decision since he became president. Many of those who spoke out understand Bidens motives as a father, and even agree that the persecution of his son has been beyond the pale, but they stress that above all that should be his duty as president, even more so after having publicly stated that he would not pardon his son and that no one is above the law. Some have even questioned the powers of pardon available to occupants of the White House. Although few have mentioned it, this unease implicitly disavows the thesis that the Justice Department has acted independently, since Biden has justified his clemency measure on the grounds that the case was tainted by politics. In some ways, this deprives Democrats of ammunition to criticize Donald Trump, whom they have been portraying as a threat to democracy and a president willing to place himself above the law, especially after the Supreme Court ruling granting presidents broad immunity for their official acts. The president-elect has defended himself against the various accusations against him precisely by arguing that he was the object of political persecution, a witch hunt, and by presenting himself as a victim. Trump has also made abusive use of the right of clemency, pardoning family members and allies. The step taken by Biden paves the way for Trump to pardon those convicted of the assault on the Capitol, whom he again called hostages in the message in which he criticized the pardon of Bidens son. President Bidens decision to pardon his son was wrong. A presidents family and allies shouldnt get special treatment. This was an improper use of power, it erodes trust in our government, and it emboldens others to bend justice to suit their interests, Democratic Michigan Senator Gary Peters wrote on social media. Colorado Congressman Jason Crow echoed the same sentiment. The Hunter Biden pardon was a mistake. I sympathize with a fathers love, especially in a family that has experienced so much personal tragedy. I also understand the legal arguments in favor of a pardon. But Presidential pardons are never judged solely on the merits of the case, particularly when it involves a family member. Presidents hold enormous power and responsibility and must be held to a higher standard. They must instill trust and promote the American peoples faith in their democracy. And right now, upholding the fabric of our democracy is one of our most important tasks, he tweeted. President Bidens pardon of his son Hunter is, as the action of a loving father, understandable but as the action of our nations Chief Executive, unwise, wrote Peter Welch, a senator from Vermont. One of the first to speak out was Colorado Governor Jared Polis, who did so in stark terms. While as a father I certainly understand President Joe Bidens natural desire to help his son by pardoning him, I am disappointed that he put his family ahead of the country. This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later Presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation. When you become President, your role is Pater familias of the nation. Hunter brought the legal trouble he faced on himself, and one can sympathize with his struggles while also acknowledging that no one is above the law, not a President and not a Presidents son, he wrote. Even as the White House spread expert opinions that Hunter Biden was unfairly targeted, they failed to convince some Democrats. I respect President Biden, but I think he got this one wrong. This wasnt a politically-motivated prosecution. Hunter committed felonies, and was convicted by a jury of his peers, tweeted Rep. Greg Stanton of Arizona. Many jumped on the argument that the pardon undermines the message that no one is above the law. President Bidens decision put personal interest ahead of duty and further erodes Americans faith that the justice system is fair and equal for all, said Colorado Senator Michael Bennet. President Bidens pardon of his son confirms a common belief I hear in Southwest Washington: that well-connected people are often gifted special treatment by a two-tier justice system. The President made the wrong decision. No family should be above the law, tweeted Washington State Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. Even some who believe there is something unfair about Hunter Bidens convictions and the political and judicial witch hunt he has been subjected to also criticized the presidents decision. As a father myself and as someone who knows Joe Biden I can sympathize with his perspective, Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., said on CNN Monday. Having said that, what other father in America has power to pardon his son or daughter if theyre convicted of a crime? I really think we have to revisit the pardon power in the Constitution. At the very least, weve got to circumscribe it so that you dont get to pardon relatives, even if you believe passionately that theyre innocent or their cause is just. A loose cannon for the Democrats, Senator Joe Manchin, registered as an independent since May, indicated in an interview on CNN that the measure would have been better understood if Biden had at the same time approved a pardon in favor of his predecessor and successor, Trump himself. There were also Democrats who supported Bidens decision. Most people will see that Joe Biden did the right thing, Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison said in remarks reported by the Associated Press. Harrison contrasted the low standards for Trumps actions with the different standards applied to decisions by Biden and the Democrats. He also pointed to Trumps plans to oust FBI Director Christopher Wray and replace him with loyalist Kash Patel, and suggested that the GOPs pursuit of Hunter Biden would not have ended without the clemency measure. The presidents pardon does not cover just the 12 crimes in the two cases for which his son was awaiting sentencing (for illegally purchasing and possessing a gun and for tax fraud), but extends to all of his actions between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition "To see art used as a powerful force for connection and change is inspiring," the Duke of Sussex and Prince Seeiso said in a statement shared with PEOPLE Brian Otieno/Getty Prince Seeiso and Prince Harry attend a welcome event at Mahomato Children's Center in Maseru, Lesotho on Oct. 1, 2024 Prince Seeiso and Prince Harry attend a welcome event at Mahomato Children's Center in Maseru, Lesotho on Oct. 1, 2024 Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho's charity, Sentebale, is preparing to unveil something special in New York City. PEOPLE can exclusively reveal that Sentebale has partnered with Ki Smith Gallery for an art exhibition titled "Friend," which will open to the public on Saturday, Dec. 14. The exhibition, running until Jan. 19, will be free to attend, with an option for visitors to make on-site donations to Sentebale. Members of the public can RSVP to attend through the gallery's website. The display will feature works by pioneers of Minimalism and Op Art alongside contemporary artists, with 100% of the gallery's profits from the display donated to Sentebale, which uplifts young people in Lesotho and Botswana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso said, This collaboration with Ki Smith and his gallery is incredibly meaningful to the organization. Having Ki join us in Lesotho this past October to see Sentebales work rsthand, and to experience the creativity, resilience and determination of the young people we serve, was truly special. Friend is making art accessible to everyonean act that resonates deeply with Sentebales ethos of leaving no one behind. This exhibition captures the spirit of inclusivity and community that lies at the heart of both Sentebale and Ki Smith Gallery. Sharing art as a powerful force for connection and change, is inspiring." The Duke of Sussex will attend an intimate launch party on Wednesday, Dec. 4, to officially kick off the exhibit. Brian Otieno/Getty Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso at a Sentebale event to meet young women in the Socio-economic Strengthening program in Leribe, Lesotho on Oct. 2, 2024. Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso at a Sentebale event to meet young women in the Socio-economic Strengthening program in Leribe, Lesotho on Oct. 2, 2024. Related: Prince Harry Calls for Change During Fireside Chat in Lesotho for Sentebale Prince Harry, 40, and Prince Seeiso, 58, established Senteale in 2006 in memory of their late mothers, Princess Diana and Queen Mother 'Mamohato Bereng Seeiso. Sentebale means "forget-me-not" in the Sesotho language, representing a pledge to remember the most vulnerable youth in the region. Sentebale's name also links the charity to Princess Diana in another way, as forget-me-nots were her favorite flower. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sentebale works to support children and young people in Southern Africa, including those living with HIV/AIDS, covering healthcare, education, vocational training, climate resilience and life skills. By donating proceeds from "Friend" to Sentebale, Smith hopes to reimagine the intersection of art and impact, effortlessly connecting philanthropy and high art. BRIAN OTIENO FOR GETTY Ki Smith and Prince Seeiso in Lesotho. Ki Smith and Prince Seeiso in Lesotho. Related: Prince Harry Celebrates Relationship with Beloved African Country That Began 20 Years Ago: 'Home Away from Home' The showcase will feature iconic works by Frank Stella (Blyvoors, 1982, from the acclaimed South African Mine series), Bridget Riley (seminal black-and-white works, key to the Op Art movement) and Tadaaki Kuwayama (1980s series, presented for the rst time in 40 years), and exhibit artists Rakuko Naito, Agnes Martin, Sono Kuwayama, Dylan Reitz-Cruz, Taiji Terasaki, Jorge Luis Rodriguez, Richard Hambleton and Sang Eun. The display's welcoming name was inspired by the spirit of friendship, which is a key theme for both the Lower East Side gallery and Sentebale's work, deeply rooted in community engagement and collaborating with national and international organizations to execute programming. Smith, a native New Yorker, named the exhibit in honor of Kuwayama, his late grandfather, who was affectionately called "Friend" by his grandchildren and whose work will be on view. Roman Dean The Ki Smith Gallery in New York City ahead of the "Friend" exhibit benefitting Sentebale. The Ki Smith Gallery in New York City ahead of the "Friend" exhibit benefitting Sentebale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When I rst learned about Sentebale, I was struck by their innovative and community-driven approach to tackling some of the worlds most pressing challenges affecting the next generation," Smith said in a statement. "The ethos of Sentebale aligns perfectly with the values of our gallery: collaboration, optimism, and empowering the next generation. Friend is more than an exhibition; its a celebration of what we can achieve when we come together to create meaningful change." Brian Otieno/Getty Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso visit Pointmain Health Facility in Leribe, Lesotho on Oct. 2, 2024. Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso visit Pointmain Health Facility in Leribe, Lesotho on Oct. 2, 2024. The gallerist recently joined Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso in Lesotho in October, a trip which reconvened the princes with local Sentebale leaders to highlight programs to philanthropists and corporate foundations. The Duke of Sussex's trip included visits to Mamohato Childrens Centre, a heartfelt fireside chat, day in Leribe to see programs championing young people and private panel discussion about strengthening the next generation. Brian Otieno/Getty Prince Harry (center) is welcomed by a community leader to see climate resilience project in action on Oct. 2, 2024 in Leribe, Lesotho. Prince Harry (center) is welcomed by a community leader to see climate resilience project in action on Oct. 2, 2024 in Leribe, Lesotho. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ive made it one of my lifes missions to create a platform for young voices, and we have seen time and time again that young voices, when they are listened to, have the solutions," Prince Harry said in a statement shared to the sussex.com website he shares with his wife, Meghan Markle. "Friend," benefitting Sentebale at the Ki Smith Gallery in New York City, opens on Dec. 14 and runs until Jan. 19. Members of the public can RSVP to attend via kismithgallery.com. Ki Smiths visionary approach to merging art and philanthropy is deeply impactful. By showcasing works of such high caliber artists and making them accessible whilst telling the story of the promise and power of Africas youth through the work of Sentebale, we see the power of friendships beyond borders," Dr. Sophie Chandauka MBE, Sentebale Board Chair, said in a statement shared with PEOPLE. "Africas young people are set to make up nearly 40% of the worlds youth population by 2050. A significant proportion of them struggle with access to healthcare, skills and employment. Collaborations like this help us engage new communities, such as artists, galleries and collectors, whose generosity unlocks innovative funding of Sentebale programs for the upliftment of youngsters in Lesotho and Botswana. Hello, ladies. Wonderful day today, isnt it? The weather is almost as beautiful as your lovely faces. And you know what else is beautiful? The fact that I just had a baby girl yesterday. Well, my wife did, but I was there too. Let me tell you, having a baby girl really changes everything. I was up all night last night. Not because of the baby, we sent her to the nursery, but because I was surfing the net getting up to speed on womens issues. Since I have a daughter now, womens issues are suddenly very important to me. Sure, I knew about women before, but their rights and well-being never really mattered to me until now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This baby is a real game-changer. Anyway, Ill let you get back to your coffee and gossip. But first, do you mind if I tell you about some issues I am really passionate about since last night when I read through almost the entire Wikipedia entry for Woman? Great. Ill pull up a chair and have a seat if you dont mind. Better yet, Ill just pull up a chair, rest one foot on the seat, lean forward, and casually place my elbow on my knee. Perfect. First off, let me tell you that I really admire all of you for your ability to give birth at any point in your reproductive life between puberty and menopause. Of course, with that being said, I certainly dont mean to denigrate women who are infertile or intersex, which is a term I just learned. In my book, women should not be defined by their ability to reproduce. In fact, its a common misconception that the word woman is derived from womb. Its not, just so you know. Yes, I believe my daughter can be anything she wants to be. If she wants to have seven kids or no kids, its totally up to her and her future husband. Im perfectly okay with whatever they decide. Of course, what Im really into is female empowerment. Some of my greatest inspirations are successful women in history. For example, Merit-Ptah, who lived in Egypt in 2700 BC and was the earliest known female physician and scientist, is a person I look to every day for strength. And we cant forget about Peseshet, another female physician from Ancient Egypt who followed in Merit-Ptahs considerable footsteps. And thats just to name two examples of strong women who have shaped my views on female empowerment since I read about them last night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes, I firmly believe women should feel empowered and it is the job of men like me to speak out to support them. I believe women, and my daughter, in particular, can and should have it all: doctor, lawyer, engineer, heck, even president. Im totally on board with a female commander-in-chief. Hypothetically speaking, that is. Im not saying I voted for Kamala or anything, but I would definitely consider voting for one of you ladies! I really feel like having more women in positions of power would help the plight of women suffering around the world. And let me tell you, you all are really suffering. In large part because men like me do not sufficiently empower you. Let me take this opportunity to apologize on behalf of my fellow men: We have failed you. We have not bestowed sufficient empowerment upon you. Not in ancient times, not one hundred years ago, and not today. The way the deck has been stacked against women really makes the accomplishments of ladies like Peseshet and Oprah even more impressive. I mean, isnt it about time that we as a society started taking womens health and reproductive rights seriously? Few things get me rankled quite like the thought of the thousands of women dying from childbirth, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. Those women are my daughter! Thats how strongly I feel about this issue all of a sudden. And if there are three things that I can unequivocally say that I stand firmly against, they are forced sterilization, forced abortion, and forced pregnancy. Totally against all of those. In fact, Im about five seconds away from hopping on a plane and flying to some country and telling the men there to cut out this forced nonsense. It has to stop! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oh man, I am so fired up right now! I cant wait to spread the word about all the horrible things that happen to women on a daily basis. Honestly, I didnt think about these things until I held my baby girl. Before that, it was all an abstraction. Like I heard about girls being discriminated against and subjected to horrible acts of violence, but I didnt really care until I could see a biological female baby in front of me that shared some of my DNA. Now everything has changed! I really dont know how you ladies do it. Putting up with everything that the patriarchy throws at you and still managing to earn fifty percent of the doctorate degrees bestowed in the United States in 2005 and 2006! You should be very proud. I know I am. But anyway, Ive got to run. I need to get back to the hospital to see if my wife and baby girl need me to protect or empower them. Thanks for the great conversation! Go, women! If Spain is on your travel itinerary, there are some new rules youll need to know about. Starting today (December 2), travelers to this popular European destination will be required to provide additional personal information when booking accommodations or renting cars. The change comes as part of a new law designed to enhance national security, requiring businesses to share customer details with the Spanish government. The government says that foreigners are often the ones involved in terrorist threats and other crimes committed in the country. Because of this, the government wants to keep track of where people are staying as well as their personal information in order to cross-check the details against databases of persons of interest. What information does the Spanish government need? When checking into accommodations in Spain, travelers aged 14 and older must now provide an expanded list of personal details, including: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Full name Gender Nationality Passport number Date of birth Home address Landline phone number (if applicable) Mobile phone number Email address Adults traveling with children under 14 must also explain their relationship to the minors, though the children themselves are exempt from sharing this information. While hotels in Spain have historically collected some of this data, the new law extends the requirements to include additional details. It also applies to private accommodations, like those booked through platforms such as Airbnb. For car rentals, the government now requires access to your driving license, payment information, and, if available, the vehicles GPS data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This decision has sparked mixed reactions, with some voicing concerns over privacy. However, the process is straightforward: have your information ready, anticipate slightly longer check-ins, and youll be on your way. The post Traveling to Spain? These new rules just kicked in appeared first on The Manual. Miguel Blanco is no stranger to wild waves of all sizes and his latest film, Passenger 2, leaves no doubt that the Portuguese surfer excels when things go XL. Things start off at home in Portugal and proceed to traverse some of the most iconic big waves in the world from Nazare to Jaws and Madeira to Mavericks to Todos Santosan impressive big wave journey by all accounts. Clearly he is one of those rare surfers that is well-rounded in all conditions, we see Miguel charge on huge paddle-in days and also get whipped into monsters far beyond the paddle limits of any surfer. At the onset of the film we hear him say, "I feel like surfing big waves has a part of my life now. At times, people think Im this laid-back human but they often dont realize the crazy amount of time and energy that is spent getting that one special wave. By the looks of Miguels last winter, as we get to see the highlights of in Passenger 2, surfing those giant waves all around the world in one season is anything but laid back. Whether hes getting deep in double overhead tubes just feet away from dry reef or threading his way through speedy and tight point break barrels, disappearing fully for seconds on end, and remerging much farther down the line, you can see the man has been putting in some serious time and finding synchronization with mind-bending ocean conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The message from the Passenger is to truly see and feel, with our own eyes, just how nature is so much greater than us. I appreciate it a lot, and I respect it in the way of getting in touch with it and getting in sync with my surfingits how I express myself. Coming from Portugal, Im lucky to be able to train and prepare for all those waves around the world here at home. Theres such a vast coastal offering with all sorts of wavespoint breaks to slabs, to epic beach breaks, to Nazare. On waves like these, only a few surfers truly know the feeling. Miguel Blanco One of the things I love about Miguel is his commitment to environmental activism and raising awareness in the surf community. As a seasoned world traveler he has seen firsthand the effects of climate change and plastic pollution, themes he explores in his Impact film series. Miguel is an ambassador for Sustainable Surf & Sea Trees, and he uses Gold Standard Eco-Boards whenever possible. Of the boards in Passenger 2, all were Gold Standard Eco-Boards aside from his big wave boards. Hes lately been collaborating with PolyOla and using their recycled PU blanks and has been developing big wave guns that can also meet the Gold Standard. Miguel, at home in Portugal, with one of his Gold Standard Eco Boards. Miguel Blanco This year Miguel has already logged some time at Nazare, like the first day of the swell last week but went in pursuit of another heavy wave the day that Nic Von Rupp and ___ had their collision. Hell soon be back in Hawaii and ready for whatever the Pacific can serve up and, lucky for us, there will be more extraordinary rides to see whenever he drops his next film. In the meantime, check out Passenger 2 and the rest of Miguels Youtube content to get inspired for your next session. Related: Watch: Is Nazare Getting Dangerously Overcrowded? In a surprise, the best climb done by Russians in 2024 went to three women: Olga Lukashenko, Darya Serupova, and Anastasia Kozlova. The all-women team won their country's version of the Golden Ice Axe for a new big wall route on Argo Peak (4,750m) in Kyrgyzstan's Pamirs. The women are not new to mountaineering awards. Last year, Lukashenko won the Steel Angel, an independent prize for female teams, for a new route in the Tien Shan. Serupova and Kozlova were finalists. However, this year, the three women bagged the overall (not female) prize as a team. The three women on Argo's north face. Photo: Expedition team Russia's best The Argo expedition prevailed through the various selection stages. "First, we chose a long list of highlighted expeditions. Then the jury selected six or seven ascents for the shortlist," the Russian Federation of Mountaineering (RFM) told ExplorersWeb. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The final choice was made between the two most significant ascents: Olga Lukashenko, Darya Serupova, and Anastasia Kozlova's new route on Argo, and another first ascent of Peak 4810 by Ivan Temerev and Anton Kashevnik." Route on Argo, Kyrgyzstan. Photo: Russian Alpine Federation "In the end, the Golden Ice Axe was awarded to the women's team because their style was more in line with the spirit of the award," Irina Morozova of the RFM said. "The Peak 4810 team bolted the route, with about 100 bolts installed in the wall with a drill hammer." Meanwhile, the women free-climbed the route on Argo. They graded it ED, 29 pitches, 1,250m long, 950m elevation gain, 7b, M5, 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, the team previously climbed another new route on the southwest face of nearby Parus Peak (4,850m) for acclimatization. That line was graded as ED-, 28 pitches, 1,460m long, 1,150m elevation gain, 6c, M3, A2. Hardship matters, not gender Argo is a point of the Ashat Wall in the Gissaro-Alai range, a remote area where no female teams had ventured before. After the climb, leader Olga Lukashenko told Explorersweb: Frankly, I dont really care about the difference between male and female climbers, Im just highlighting that this climbing area is genuinely serious and challenging. This discovery [that no women had previously attempted it] only added to the thrill of tackling such an uncharted and demanding climb. The climbers faced not only highly difficult pitches but also rough conditions, with thick fog and wet rock part of the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the 2024 expedition, the team received a Grit & Rock Expedition grant, promoting women climbers attempting new routes and exploratory expeditions. The climbers faced some harsh weather on the face. Photo: Expedition team Steel Angel The Steel Angel, the award specifically reserved for international female teams, went to Slovenians Anja Petek and Patricija Verdev for their first ascent of 6,243m Lalung I in India's Ladakh. Petek and Verdev were part of an all-female team that also included Ana Baumgartner and Ursa Kesar. The women split into two teams. Petek and Verdev climbed Lalung I, while the other pair climbed two new routes on lesser peaks. Two women climbers with a trophy on the stage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One person was killed and six firefighters were injured after a multi-alarm fire broke out in an apartment building on the Upper East Side of Manhattan on Monday. The fire started around 7:15 p.m. at a six-story residential building located between York and East End avenues on 82nd Street, according to a statement from fire officials. #FDNY Operations are ongoing at the 3-alarm fire at 526 E 82 Street in Manhattan. pic.twitter.com/5OILQBRbMy FDNY (@FDNY) December 3, 2024 When FDNY crews arrived to the scene, they reported heavy fire on the fifth and sixth floors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The flames eventually extended down to the fourth floor, as well, officials said. Crews stretched multiple hose lines and had to pull apart walls to fight the flames, according to a spokesperson for the FDNY. PHOTO: One person was killed and six firefighters were injured after a fire broke out at an apartment building in New York City on Monday. (WABC) The fire was elevated to three alarms around 7:40 p.m. About 138 FDNY and EMS personnel responded to the blaze, representing 33 emergency response units, officials said. MORE: Jennings Creek Fire: New York issues statewide burn ban as wildfire becomes largest in years FDNY officials say one civilian was killed, while six firefighters suffered minor injuries. "You know, the art and skill of a firefighter is inherently dangerous," a spokesperson for the FDNY said on Monday night. "It's a cold night, we have a lot of water going on, we have ventilation -- windows breaking, we have a lot of fire and smoke. So, thank God, all the [injuries] seem to be minor at this time." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The civilian, who has not yet been identified, was found in the hallway of the fifth floor, the spokesperson said. MORE: Entire state of Massachusetts under red flag warnings as Northeast wildfire outbreak presists The fourth, fifth and sixth floors all suffered heavy damage from smoke and fire, and other parts of the building were damaged from the water. Multiple apartments were impacted. The FDNY said that an MTA bus was going to shelter some of the victims whose homes were affected until they could be "properly relocated." Fire marshals will continue to investigate the cause of the fire. ABC News' Maci Smith contributed to this report. 1 dead, 6 firefighters injured in 3-alarm apartment building fire in Manhattan originally appeared on abcnews.go.com PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) One person is dead and another is in the hospital after a single-vehicle crash in Pflugerville early Tuesday morning in the 17800 block of State Highway 130 near Kelly Lane, according to the Pflugerville Police Department. PPD said the vehicle left the roadway and struck the wall near the Kelly Lane exit. The driver of the vehicle was transported to the hospital, and the passenger was pronounced deceased at the scene. At 5:20 a.m., one lane was closed at SH 130 and the frontage road was limited to one open lane while investigators responded to the scene, according to PPD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PPD said in a 6:30 a.m. update that all roadways had been reopened. Authorities said the investigation 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 KXAN Austin. An arson suspect slammed into a white BMW, killing a 25-year-old woman and injuring two others as he fled from officers in Orange County Monday night, police said. The events began around 7:30 p.m. when officers from the Fountain Valley Police Department responded to an arson call at a home on the 18000 block of Arches Court. Investigators learned that the suspect, later identified as 43-year-old Timothy Cole from Huntington Beach, was involved in a domestic dispute before allegedly dousing a bush adjacent to the home with lighter fluid and setting it on fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire engulfed the bush in flames and spread to the structure of the home, the Police Department stated. A pursuit ended in deadly crash in Fountain Valley on Dec. 2, 2024. (TNLA) A pursuit ended in a rollover crash in Fountain Valley on Dec. 2, 2024. (TNLA) The residents managed to extinguish the fire, but Cole had already fled in a white Dodge Ram pickup truck before police arrived. Officers located the truck around 10 p.m. in a parking lot on the 17900 block of Brookhurst Street but Cole got in and drove away, initiating a brief pursuit that came to a tragic end on Ellis Avenue and Magnolia Street. According to witness statements, the suspect was traveling at a high rate of speed going westbound approaching Magnolia at a red light. Unfortunately, the suspect ran the red light, at which point he collided with a white BMW occupied by three individuals, Police Department Sgt. Henry Hsu said. Unfortunately, one of the occupants of the BMW did not survive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim, identified as Hong Ngoc Nguyen, died on the way to a local trauma center, the Police Department stated. Nguyen was not a U.S. resident and was visiting from another country, authorities said, after initially stating she was from Huntington Beach. The two other victims are listed in critical and stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries. Cole was taken into custody without incident and transported to a trauma center in Long Beach. Specific charges against Cole are pending, police said. Anyone with further information about the crash was encouraged to call the Police Department at 714-593-4485. 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. First responders honored Sage Hopper, who led three other children including her injured 5-year-old sister, to safety in the October accident Air Methods A 12-year-old Georgia girl is being praised for her quick-thinking following a serious car accident that injured her 5-year-old sister. Sage Hopper jumped to action in the moments after the car she was riding in was T-boned in the crash, AirLife Georgia said in a news release obtained by PEOPLE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hopper, along with her sister Elaine and two other children were in a Jeep Renegade driven by their friends mom Alicia Smith when the accident occurred on Wednesday, Oct. 16, near Zebulon, about an hour south of Atlanta. With Smith trapped in the vehicle after the accident, Hopper got the children out of the car and led them to a nearby ditch where they waited for help, according to AirLife. Related: Calif. Man Survives Car Crash Despite Traffic Pole Nearly Splitting His Vehicle in Half When authorities arrived, Elaine was transported by AirLife 1 to Arthur M. Blank Childrens Hospital in Atlanta, and she was released from the hospital later that day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, Nov. 30, the girls and their parents, Megan and Tyler Hopper, were reunited with AirLife first responders who lauded Sage's innate impulse to help others in the aftermath of the accident. 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. Sage is so rare, flight nurse Sasha White, who was among those who responded to the crash, said in the release. She has that it factor in her. You either have it in you or you dont, and she has it in her. Sage's father, Tyler Hopper agrees, adding: I wasnt surprised by what Sage did that day. When we got home from the hospital that night, Sage was talking about what happened, and I just told her what she did was awesome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: American Man, 72, Falls Overboard from Cruise Ship Ahead of Arrival in San Francisco: Reports Before the accident, family members said Sage actually aspired to be a flight nurse or paramedic. I just want to help people, Sage said at the gathering, where she was presented with a certificate of heroism, along with a stethoscope. White, wowed by Sages strength, was herself inspired by the young girl: I hope one day to be flying with her, she said. PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) Thirteen women from the Philippines have been convicted on human trafficking-related charges for acting as surrogates in Cambodia for a ring selling babies to foreigners for cash. The women were each sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of selling, buying or exchanging a person for cross-border transfer, the Kandal Provincial Court said late Monday. According to the verdict, two of the four years in prison were suspended, meaning they won't have to be served unless they're found guilty of another crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The women are held at a police hospital outside Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital, and authorities have previously said they would not have to serve prison time until after giving birth. The women can appeal the verdict, said court spokesperson So Sarin. He refused to comment on how many were still pregnant, or what would happen to the babies after they have given birth. Developing countries have been popular for surrogacy because costs are much lower compared to the United States and Australia, where surrogate services could cost around $150,000. The Cambodia case was unusual because surrogates normally are employed in their own countries, not transported elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities have said the business that recruited the women was based in Thailand, and that their food and accommodation in Cambodia was organized there. The women were arrested in late September in a raid on a villa in Kandal province, where authorities found 20 Filipinos and four Vietnamese. At the time the women were charged in October, Cambodias Interior Ministry said the ringleaders had not been identified. It said, however, that it considered the women offenders who conspired with the organizers to act as surrogates and then sell the babies for money, rather than victims. Eleven of the women who were not pregnant were deported, and the 13 Filipinos were charged under a provision on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation. The law was updated in 2016 to ban commercial surrogacy after Cambodia became a popular destination for foreigners seeking women to give birth to their children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cambodia has a bad reputation for human trafficking, especially in connection with online scams in which foreigners recruited for work under false pretenses are kept in conditions of virtual slavery and help perpetrate criminal fraud online against targets in many countries. The surrogacy business boomed in Cambodia after it was put under tight restrictions in neighboring Thailand, as well as in India and Nepal. In July 2017, a Cambodian court sentenced an Australian woman and two Cambodian associates to 1 1/2 years in prison for providing commercial surrogacy services. Building sections of wall on the border, installing barbed wire buoys on the Rio Grande, preparing the ground for building mass detention centers for migrants destined for deportation, or threatening to cut off funding to hospitals if they do not cooperate in providing immigration information on patients. Texas is applying aggressive policies on the border and in the rest of the territory, in addition to offering itself as a key ally in the campaign of mass expulsions of undocumented immigrants, while Tom Homan, the border czar installed by the new federal administration, assures that the state is a model we can take across the country, with unprecedented success. There is a still a month and a half remaining until Donald Trump becomes president of the United States for the second time, but in the great Republican state his mandate has already begun. Making the border as impenetrable a barrier as possible is a cornerstone of the Texas model. In recent weeks, Greg Abbotts state government has installed new buoys on the river that separates the United States and Mexico near Eagle Pass, one of the ground zeroes of the migrant crisis in recent years. The huge orange buoys, equipped with spikes, have generated numerous headlines since the first ones were installed in 2023. A judge first ordered them removed, declaring them illegal, but in September of this year an appeals court reversed that decision, allowing the buoys to return. And since two weeks ago, their expansion. The new section, about 300 meters long, was barely above water for a few days due to problems with the anchoring system. But now it is back in the river, and with the buoys come concerns. On the one hand, for the lives of migrants who, in their desperation, might venture into the water and challenge the spikes that menacingly adorn the orange balls. In August of last year, two bodies were found floating near the buoys and human rights groups have repeatedly denounced their deployment. A group of migrants cross the Rio Grande from Mexico in Eagle Pass, Texas, in July 2023. Eric Gay (AP) But there is also an environmental concern. There are no studies of the impact of the buoys on the river flow or flora and fauna, but in the time since the first ones were installed, a decrease in water levels where they have been laid has been noted, as well as increased erosion, which could lead to the creation of islands in the middle of the river. An accumulation of organic material has also been seen beneath them, which can affect the movement of fish that live in the river. Beyond the waters of the border river, razor wire is also a mainstay in Eagle Pass. Last week, another appeals court sided with Texas over the federal government in yet another case after Border Patrol agents, under national rather than state jurisdiction, destroyed sections of wire that Texas had installed in the area. By September, when Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the Biden administration for cutting the wire, the state had put up more than 29 miles of it and is now seeking even more. It was shocking to me that the federal government would go out of their way to cut razor wire to allow illegals to cross when were just trying to protect our own land, Paxton said after the ruling. This wasnt their land. This was our land, our private property. It had nothing due to the federal government. So this is a good win for Texas, a good win for the country, that this court recognized our ability to protect our land. Border wall construction at La Casita-Garciasville, Texas. November 23, 2024. Brandon Bell (Getty Images) Since only four states have a land border with Mexico, the case connecting Gov. Abbott to a Houston doctor and hospital may be more illustrative of what could begin to become national policy. A new executive order went into effect on November 1 requiring Texas hospitals to ask patients if they are U.S. citizens. The question now appears on admission forms at hospitals across the state. Dr. Tony Pastor, a cardiologist at Texas Childrens Hospital, posted a TikTok video on November 11 telling patients they were not legally required to answer the question. The video went viral, garnering more than a million views. In response, the Republican governor threatened last week to pull state funding from the hospital. Hey Texas Childrens Hospital & Baylor College of Medicine this doctor is putting your Medicaid & Medicare funding at risk, Abbott wrote on X. You better think twice & have crystal clear records, he added. There will be consequences for failing to follow the law in the Order. The big concern is that the question will cause people to choose not to seek medical care for fear of being deported. The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District has published a pamphlet informing patients that they do not have to inform the hospital of their immigration status. You do not have to answer the citizenship question if you dont want to. Your answer will not affect your care you will not be turned away, the flyer states. You have a right to life-saving care, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. But the governors threats loom larger. Texas Childrens Hospital intends to comply with the law, according to a statement issued after Abbotts own message. Texas Childrens fully supports Governor Abbotts new Executive Order and is in full compliance, the statement said. We have worked closely with the Texas Hospital Association and our industry partners across the state to ensure compliance in advance of the effective date. While we recognize that individuals working at Texas Childrens hold their own personal views on many topics, those opinions do not necessarily reflect the official position of Texas Childrens Hospital. We will continue to prioritize patient care while ensuring we are in full compliance with all laws and legal directives. This interaction highlights the ways in which the administration of the president-elect will seek to intimidate local authorities, particularly sanctuary cities, with economic and even criminal threats. And all this is happening as Texas offers itself up as a base of operations for mass deportations. After state land commissioner Dawn Buckingham made a massive ranch on the border available to the incoming administration two weeks ago for the plan to expel millions of undocumented immigrants, the offer has expanded. Buckingham announced the states additional support as she stood with the mother and grandmother of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, who was murdered earlier this year in Houston, allegedly by two members of a Venezuelan criminal gang who entered the country illegally. The new project that GLO [Texas General Land Office] is going to embark on that I have created is the Jocelyn Initiative, said Buckingham. In which we will locate appropriate land under my jurisdiction to lease for the construction of violent criminal deportation facilities. While Buckingham made her announcement, the state was already putting up new sections of border wall on its new property. Migrants gather near the border fence in El Paso, Texas, on March 25, 2024. Brandon Bell (Getty Images) Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition CHICAGO A 15-year-old boy was found dead on the citys South Side late Tuesday morning after being shot in the head, police say. Chicago Lawn shooting: Police say nobody yet in custody for incident that left 3 dead, 5 wounded on Monday According to police, the victim was found unresponsive around 11:30 a.m. inside a residence in the 6700 block of South Parnell Avenue in Englewood, with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and police are classifying it as a homicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines The Cook County Medical Examiners Office identified the victim as Kenwon VanPelt. Area One detectives are investigating, and no further information is 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 WGN-TV. LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) The Lynchburg Police Department (LPD) has made an arrest after a bomb threat was left on a note at Heritage High School on December 3. According to LPD, around 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, officers responded after reports of a bomb threat at Heritage High School. Upon arrival, a suspicious note found in the bathroom is believed to have been left there by a student. Officers said the student allegedly responsible for leaving the threat is a 15-year-old male teenager. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three juveniles charged in connection to threat towards Blacksburg High School The student has been taken into custody and charged with making a threat to bomb or damage buildings. The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information can contact Officer Rowland at (434) 238-0034 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 798-5900. You can also submit an anonymous tip online at http://p3tips.com, through the P3 app on mobile devices, or by texting CVCS to 738477 to receive the anonymous tip form. WFXR News will update you with more information if it 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 WFXRtv. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) 2025 will mark the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. We remember and honor those 168 who lost their lives on April 19, 1995, when a bomb went off in front of the Murrah building in downtown Oklahoma City. 168 Days to remember those lost in the OKC bombing: Karen Gist Carr. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum. We want to remember Karen Gist Carr, while honoring those who survived and thanking those changed forever. 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Marcus Muller, Athribis Project Archaeologists have unearthed an ancient Egyptian temple hidden in a cliff face. The temple dates to around 2,100 years ago and was discovered at the site of Athribis, located about 125 miles (200 kilometers) north of Luxor. While excavating the temple, which is made of stone, the team found the remains of reliefs showing King Ptolemy VIII (reign circa 170 to 116 B.C.) offering sacrifices to the lion-headed goddess Repit and her son Kolanthes, the team said in a statement . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Repit was the consort of Min-Ra, a god associated with fertility. The temple may have been specifically dedicated to Repit, but "the name of this building is still not known," project leader Christian Leitz , an Egyptology professor at the University of Tubingen in Germany, told Live Science in an email. The team hopes to learn more as excavations and analysis continues, Leitz added. The team also uncovered a chamber that once held temple utensils and, later, amphorae, or clay vessels with two handles and narrow necks. At the entrance to the chamber, the team found reliefs depicting Repit and Min-Ra, with one of the reliefs showing Min-Ra accompanied by two decans stars that enable people to tell the time at night. The decans have humanoid bodies with animal heads in this case, one has the head of a falcon and the other the head of an ibis. Leitz said that other temples portray decans near gods, although usually there are more than two decans accompanying them. Image 1 of 3 An Egyptian carving of a figure in black stone Image 2 of 3 Ruins of a structure in the desert Image 3 of 3 Ruins of a structure in the desert Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related Stories 'Extraordinary' burial of ancient Egyptian governor's daughter discovered in a coffin within another coffin Huge cemetery with at least 250 rock-cut tombs discovered in Egypt 'Everything we found shattered our expectations': Archaeologists discover 1st astronomical observatory from ancient Egypt Related: Ancient Zodiac paintings on Egyptian temple see the light of day after 2,200 years Athribis is located near the modern-day city of Sohag. The team started uncovering the temple in 2022 and the site is part of a larger temple district that archaeologists have been excavating since 2012. PALESTINE, Texas (KETK) An 18-year-old and a 22-year-old from Oklahoma are behind bars in the Anderson County Jail after being found in a stolen car and leading Palestine police on a chase Thursday afternoon, authorities said. Documents shed new details on man accused of sexually assaulting Irving employee, arrested in Tyler Mugshot of Jimmie Payne, courtesy of the Anderson County Jail. According to the Palestine Police Department, they were told that two people were at a Starbucks in a stolen vehicle, around 1 p.m. an officer was called. The officer reportedly saw a silver Hyundai occupied by two men in the Starbucks parking lot and confirmed that the car had been stolen out of Oklahoma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officer then stopped the car and tried to detain Jimmie Payne, 18 of Palestine, officials said. The police department said Payne began to struggle with the officer allowing him to escape and run away. The cars other occupant, identified as 22-year-old Caleb Bush, of Oklahoma City, OK, also ran away during the struggle. Daycare employee kicked 2-year-olds, arrest affidavit says Mugshot of Caleb Bush, courtesy of the Anderson County Jail. The police department said with the help of additional officers, Bush was found near a McDonalds and a resident reported seeing someone that looked like Payne in the area, leading to his capture. Payne and Bush were taken to the Anderson County Jail and were both charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle, resisting arrest, search or transport and evading arrest or detention. Bush also has a obtaining property by trick or deception charge out of Oklahoma. They are both being held on a $40,000 bond. 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 KETK.com | FOX51.com. CHICAGO Police continue to investigate the shooting at a Chicago Lawn home that killed three people and injured five others Monday afternoon. Nobody was in custody as of early Tuesday morning for the shooting, but one resident who grew up in the area told WGN News that the violent incident is a reminder that not much has changed in the neighborhood on Chicagos Southwest Side. WESTERN SUBURBS: Chainsaw-wielding man shot dead by police at St. Charles assisted living facility Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While shooting and murders are statistically down in the 8th Police District, people who live there say it doesnt feel like it. Its been bad like this ever since I was a kid. Things havent changed out here, resident El Towers said. Ive been here my whole life, and I always remember shootings and people getting killed. Its the same thing (as) 30 years ago. Police said that just after 2 p.m. Monday, authorities were sent to the 3500 block of West 59th Street, near Gage Park, for reports of multiple people shot. People who live near the home say there was a party going on before shots were fired and that loud parties and gatherings have been a regular occurrence at the home over the last couple months. Police told WGN News that officers had been to the home before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You hear music and just people coming in and out, like smoking, drinks in their hands, and just very loud, Towers said. The victims appeared to be attending a social gathering at the home Monday, according to investigators, when the party into a crime scene. Towers told WGN News he heard at least 10 gunshots and then saw people screaming and running from the house. Police say eight people were shot, four males and four females, ranging from age 20 to 35, all of Hispanic descent. Police found six in the home, and two others got themselves to the hospital. According to police: A man was shot in the head, chest, right thigh and right wrist and taken to Christ Hospital, where he died. A 26-year-old man, identified as Hector Sajo, was shot multiple times and pronounced dead at the scene. Another man was shot multiple times and also pronounced dead at the scene. A 25-year-old man was shot in the left thigh and taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital in good condition. A 27-year-old woman was shot in the head and taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital in critical condition. A 31-year-old man was shot in the abdomen and took himself to UI Health Hospital, where he was listed in good condition. A 21-year-old woman was shot in the groin and took herself to UI Health Hospital, where she was listed in good condition. A 24-year-old woman was shot twice in the shoulder and once each in the right hip, right thigh, left hip and left thigh and was taken to the University of Chicago Hospital in serious condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Medical Examiner also identified one of the deceased victims as 28-year-old Jon Carlos Blancarcer, but it is unclear which of the two remaining deceased victims listed above is him. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines A motive for the shooting is unclear at this time. Police had also not released any description of suspects as of early Tuesday morning. Were going to solve this crime and find the individuals that are responsible for this heinous, terrible incident, CPD Chief of Patrol Jon Hein said Monday. Its unclear if all of the victims lived at the home or were at the home for the gathering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rest in peace to the victims, and my condolences go out to the family, Towers said. And hopefully the City of Chicago can combat the crime. Mayor Brandon Johnson issued a statement on his X feed Tuesday morning regarding the shooting: On behalf of the entire city, I want to extend my condolences to everyone impacted by the mass shooting that took place (near) Gage Park, the statement reads. We as a city are praying and grieving for all the victims, survivors, and their families. There is no place in our city for senseless acts of violence. My office will remain in close contact with CPD to ensure all those responsible are held accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Calvin Brown of the Southwest Organizing Project, a community outreach group, said even thought it may sometimes feel like violence is all around, the truth is Chicago is making progress when it comes to curbing crime. We were out there to see what happened, how could we connect with the families or anybody who knows the victims so that we can connect them to the resources that they may need for funeral calls to loss of wages or anything to that nature, Brown said. We are making those headways. We do work with the 8th District to help try to assist them and help and curb the violence around us. 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. Dec. 2Two people died and seven others were injured in a head-on collision involving three vehicles Sunday evening near Fairbanks, Alaska State Troopers said. Prior to the collision reported just after 6 p.m. Sunday, troopers received reports that a Jeep was driving erratically, troopers spokesman Tim DeSpain said Monday. The Jeep was eastbound on Chena Hot Springs Road behind a Subaru Legacy when it veered into the path of an oncoming Toyota Highlander, he said. "We believe the Jeep rear-ended the Subaru which caused the Jeep to go into the westbound lane" and collide with the Toyota, DeSpain said in an email. The collision occurred near the intersection with Esro Road, troopers said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the Jeep died at the scene, according to DeSpain. No one else was in that vehicle. A passenger in the Toyota also died, DeSpain said. The remaining five people in that vehicle were brought to the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital for injuries and two of them were medevaced to Anchorage, he said. The driver and passenger in the Subaru Legacy were also injured, DeSpain said. Troopers continued to investigate the collision on Monday, DeSpain said. "The roads were icy and might have played a role but were probably not the most contributing factor," he said. The road was closed for about four hours Sunday. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) urged President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to take action in their last weeks in office to try to prevent incoming President Donald Trump from siccing the military on the U.S. public. In a letter dated Sunday, the pair emphasized that failing to provide legal guidance could lead to turmoil within the armed forces. Trump has said that he would order the U.S. military to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in his plans to deport immigrants lacking permanent legal status an unprecedented action that critics regard as an affront to personal liberties. Hes also discussed using the armed forces against perceived enemies, suggesting before the Nov. 5 election that the military should be deployed against radical-left lunatics if necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic senators suggested that Biden issue a policy directive outlining limitations on the presidents authority to use the military to enforce civilian law. There are already rules in place. A post-Reconstruction law, the 1878 Posse Comitatus Act, states that use of any part of the armed forces to execute the laws is punishable by a fine or imprisonment, except in cases and under circumstances expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress. But the Insurrection Act provides a loophole of sorts. Under that law, the president can deploy the military against Americans in certain emergency situations that are not fully explained; the Brennan Center for Justice, a progressive nonprofit, called the wording dangerously vague. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has suggested that he would immediately declare a national emergency over what he terms an invasion by immigrants, paving the way for him to mobilize the military on U.S. soil. In their letter, Warren and Blumenthal said the policy directive should state that use of the Insurrection Act is limited to very narrow circumstances in which state or local authorities are overwhelmed, and that the President must consult with Congress to the maximum extent practicable before ordering the military to take action. Troops would also need to comply with bedrock principles of the criminal justice system such as the writ of habeas corpus, or a persons right to be brought to court for a formal ruling on their detention, the pair said. The senators urged Biden and Austin to act swiftly in light of the Supreme Courts recent presidential immunity decision, which significantly expanded a presidents ability to act without fear of later being prosecuted. They pointed to unresolved questions about the real-world implications of that decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the president may be immune, legal scholars have said this decision should not have any impact on service members obligation to reject unlawful orders, Warren and Blumenthal wrote. Given the disagreement amongst scholars on the serious implications of the recent Supreme Court decision, it is reasonable to assume that service members, other DoD [Department of Defense] personnel, and the broader military community may not be aware of or fully understand their rights and responsibilities, they said. If unaddressed, any ambiguity on the lawful use of military force, coupled with President-elect Trumps demonstrated intent to utilize the military in such dangerous and unprecedented ways, may prove to be devastating. Pentagon officials have already started discussing how to respond to a situation in which Trump issues a controversial order, CNN reported last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Troops are compelled by law to disobey unlawful orders, one defense official told the outlet. But the question is what happens then do we see resignations from senior military leaders? Or would they view that as abandoning their people? Related... PEGRAM, Tenn. (WKRN) Nashville fire crews are working to extinguish a fire that sparked at a home in Pegram Tuesday afternoon. The Nashville Fire Department (NFD) said crews were sent to a home in the 4000 block of Manning Hallow Road to respond to the blaze. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts According to fire officials, the fire may have started in the basement. The person inside the home was able to get out safely, but two dogs are reportedly unaccounted for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No additional details were immediately released. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. 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. MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) Two people are facing charges after a weapons discharge at a high-rise hotel on S. Ocean Boulevard over the weekend, Myrtle Beach police said. Yachyus Wright, 20, of Mt. Olive, North Carolina, was charged with discharging a firearm in the city limits and simple possession of marijuana. Christopher Duan Wright, 22, of Mt. Olive, North Carolina, was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Officers went to the Paradise Resort on 2201 S. Ocean Blvd. shortly before 8:30 a.m. Sunday to investigate an incident that occurred at an earlier, undisclosed date. No one was hurt in the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said evidence at the scene led to the detainment of Yachyus and Christopher. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read 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 WBTW. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. Headline from Newsweek: Women Are Getting Sterilized After Donald Trump's Victory: 'Only Option' Really? Apparently so: It's not a procedure you'd expect a 28-year-old to be planning. But for Lydia Echols from Texas, having her fallopian tubes removed is the price she's willing to pay to ensure her reproductive rights. I would doubt that Ms Echols was planning to give her fallopian parts much of a workout over the next four years, but, if I follow what passes for her logic here, because Trump won't let her abort her baby, she's sterilising herself. Happy Advent! It is a melancholy reflection on the state of what we used to call Christendom that in this season of new life we are instead focused on the express check-out. On Friday at Westminster the House of Commons voted to legalise "assisted dying" for England and Wales. In both countries, deaths already outnumber births. The Anglo-Welsh fertility rate is at its lowest ever: 1.44 children per woman. 2.1 is the number needed to maintain a stable population: no growth, no decline, just chugging along staying the same. So 1.44 is quite a shortfall - and in almost every English city of any size (London, Birmingham, Manchester) most of those births are to non-native mothers. Which may be why Gatekeeper Farage has now declared that "if we politically alienate the whole of Islam, we will lose". Not so subtle subtext from Nigel: it is too late. I keep getting asked what I think of this. If you mean putting the English state formally into the killing business, well, I think the NHS will prove at least as good at that as its Canadian cousins. If you mean the broader civilisational challenge, well, as I wrote twenty years ago... Actually, I think I need to stop using that phrase. Not because it's faintly obnoxious and not really healthy for chaps on the hamster wheel of daily commentary, but because it may be better to formalise it and simply introduce The Twenty Years Ago Show to our line-up. But, just for the record, here is what I said in my Tuesday column for Britain's biggest-selling broadsheet daily, The Daily Telegraph, two decades back. Here is how I characterised the piece: It ties together two of the weirder phenomena of our time - the obsession with 'climate change', and the total non-obsession with the fact that the peoples who built the modern world are going out of business. The fertility rates of Britons, Europeans, even Americans have cratered, and soon-to-be extinct peoples will have little say in the future of the 'climate' or of anything else. But, because their homelands have desirable infrastructure, they will be taken over by others - as is happening before our eyes, so self-evidently that the obligation not to talk about it has become even stronger. And here's the pertinent passage from December 2004: What we do know for certain is that the krill's chances of survival are a lot greater than, say, those of the Italians, or the Germans, or the Japanese, Russians, Greeks and Spaniards, all of whom will be in steep population decline long before the Antarctic krill. By 2025, one in every three Japanese will be over 65, and that statistic depends on the two out of three who aren't over 65 sticking around to pay the tax bills required to support the biggest geriatric population in history. How's that paragraph holding up exactly twenty years later? Well, it's not yet 2025, but here's The Japan Times just two months ago: Japan's elderly population grows to record 36.25 million That works out at, oh, 29.3 per cent of the public, so just a smidgeonette under one in every three Japanese. So you could have read a certain "niche Canadian" a generation back or waited for the "mainstream" media to catch up. And the Empire of the Sinking Sun's future is not as grim as the one Gatekeeper Farage implicitly predicts for the United Kingdom: Japan will at least die as Japan, or as some creepy transhumanist simulation thereof, as opposed to betraying its entire civilisational inheritance and becoming (Europe) an Islamic stan with better infrastructure or (America) the world's largest Latin-American favela. You write these things in hopes someone who matters will notice, and do something about it. As I put it in that Telegraph column from 2004: Does the impending extinction of the Japanese and Russians not distress anyone? How about the Italians? They gave us the Sistine Chapel, the Mona Lisa, Gina Lollobrigida, linguine, tagliatelle, fusilli. If you're in your scuba suit down on the ice shelf dining with the krill and you say you'd like your algae al dente in a carbonara sauce, they'll give you a blank look. Billions of years on Earth and all they've got is the same set menu they started out with. But try and rouse the progressive mind to a 'Save the Italians' campaign and you'll get nowhere. Luigi isn't as important as algae, even though he, too, is a victim of profound environmental changes: globally warmed by Euro-welfare, he no longer feels the need to breed. Two decades later, who will 'Save the Italians' from themselves? No region of the country, north or south, urban or rural, is anywhere near that 2.1 fertility rate. The nearest is Trentino-South Tyrol at 1.42 births per mother. Everywhere else is 1.3 or below, which is what demographers call "lowest-low fertility", from which no society in human history has ever recovered. Sardinia, which is one of the loveliest places on earth, comes in at 0.91 births per mother, which means its population is halving with every generation. I explained all this twenty years ago, and in a bestselling book, which prompted various princes, presidents and prime ministers across the west to call me in to discuss it further. Which was mildly flattering. Except that, as soon as I'd left the building, they went back to doing nothing about it. Two decades later, the peoples who built modernity are a generation nearer extinction. The good news is that one of the world's most influential men, Elon Musk, has now belatedly taken up the cause. I wish him better luck than I've had with it. But our entire civilisation is choosing "assisted suicide", and those women interviewed by Newsweek are voting with their foetuses. I did that joke twenty years ago, too. Mark's international bestseller America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It. If you haven't read the book during its first seventeen years, well, you're missing a treat. It's still in print in hardback and paperback. (Buy it at a 77% discount by clicking here or order in KINDLE edition at a 47% discount by clicking here. Sales help fund JWR) (COMMENT, BELOW) Mark Steyn is an international bestselling author, a Top 41 recording artist, and a leading Canadian human rights activist. Among his books is "The Undocumented Mark Steyn: Don't Say You Weren't Warned". (Buy it at a 49% discount by clicking here or order in KINDLE edition at a 67% discount by clicking here. Sales help fund JWR) Two Indiana police officers appeared in court as their homicide trial got underway this week, nearly three years after they were charged in the stun gun and restraint death of a Black man who was experiencing a mental health crisis. Officers Adam Ahmad and Steven Sanchez, members of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, sat at the defense table in the Marion County Courthouse dressed in their uniforms and bulletproof vests as they listened to opening statements on Monday. Prosecutor Daniel Cicchini told the jury details of how 39-year-old Herman Whitfield III died after his mother called 911 asking for help and informing a dispatcher that her son was experiencing a mental health crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cicchini told that jury that 10 minutes after Ahmad and Sanchez arrived at the family's home in April 2022 with two other officers and a training recruit, Whitfield was restrained face-down on the ground in handcuffs after being shot twice with a stun gun. PHOTO: Officers Adam Ahmad, left, and Steven Sanchez, of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, listen to opening statements on Dec. 2, 2024, in their reckless homicide trial. (WTHR/Pool) "Herman needed help," Cicchini told the jury. "Herman was naked, sweating profusely, and saying unusual things. Herman needed help." Cicchini said the training recruit on the scene asked the senior officers whether they should roll Whitfield on his side when he stopped thrashing around after repeatedly claiming he couldn't breathe. He said the recruit was told by the senior officers not to do anything. "When they kept him on the ground beyond what was necessary, when they prevented him from rolling over, when they prevented him from moving so that he could breathe, that turned from a lawful use of force into a battery," Cicchini told the jury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whitfield was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. MORE: George Floyd's voice haunted Derek Chauvin murder trial Defense attorney Mason Riley countered that Sanchez and Ahmad did nothing wrong and followed their training during the incident. He said the nearly 400-pound Whitfield was exhibiting "dangerous behavior," and that an autopsy determined that he had cannabinoids and a high dose of THC in his system. "By the end of this case, you're going to see that these officers went to the Whitfield home to help Herman Whitfield III," Riley said. "They went there to get in an ambulance, to get him to the hospital, to do an immediate detention to get him the evaluation treatment that he needed. In the face of Herman's unpredictable and dangerous behavior, their actions were objectively reasonable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Riley also said none of the responding officers heard Whitfield say that he couldn't breathe. An autopsy by the Marion County Coroner's office ruled Whitfield's death a homicide, finding it was caused by "cardiopulmonary arrest in the setting of law enforcement subdural, prone restraint, and conducted electrical weapon use." It also listed morbid obesity and hypertensive cardiovascular disease as contributing factors Whitfield's death. MORE: From Eric Garner to George Floyd, 12 black lives lost in police encounters that stoked mass protests Ahmad, 32, and Sanchez, 35, are charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide and battery and have pleaded not guilty. They remain members of the police force, currently on paid administrative duty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whitfield's mother, Gladys Whitfield, called 911 on April 25, 2022, at 3:20 a.m. asking for help, according to police records. When the officers arrived, Whitfield's father, Herman Whitfield Jr., told them, "My son is having a psychosis. You guys should have called an ambulance," according to police body-worn camera footage released by the police department and an attorney for the Whitfield family. The multiple body camera videos are expected to be played for the jury. Whitfield's parents are expected to testify at the trial. MORE: As 'I can't breathe' haunts America, Sekou Andrews' poem reflects cycle of injustice During a news conference in July, Herman Whitfield Jr. said his son was "unnecessarily tased." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He wasn't doing anything at all to threaten the officers," the senior Whitfield said, adding that his son was humming a tune before officers forced him to the ground. "He was held face down for three or four minutes after saying repeatedly that he could not breathe. He said, 'I can't breathe" three or four times and was held down three or four minutes after that," Whitfield said Herman Whitfield Jr. said his son was a gifted pianist who had attended Oberlin College in Ohio and the Cleveland Institute of Music. "I just wanted to say that Herman was a gentle, wonderful genius," Whitfield said in July. "The world lost a great gift." 2 Indiana cops go on trial in homicide of Black man experiencing mental health crisis originally appeared on abcnews.go.com BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) Two people were indicted on child sexual exploitation charges Tuesday, according to U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona. Wisam Sharieff, 43, of Euless, Texas, and Blake Barakat, 40, of Shelby County, were charged with conspiracy to engage in the sexual exploitation of children, conspiracy to receive and distribute child pornography, sexual exploitation of children, distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography. Dead person discovered in Jefferson County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the indictment, between Sept. 27 and Oct. 15, 2024, Sharieff and Barakat conspired together to coerce a minor child to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of that conduct. The indictment alleges they conspired to receive and distribute child pornography. 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. VIRGINIA (DC News Now) Two Northern Virginia superintendents were named to a multistate council aimed at improving health in schools, according to a news release from the American Heart Association. On Monday, the association announced that Prince William County Superintendent Dr. LaTanya McDade and Superintendent of Loudoun County Public Schools Dr. Aaron Spence were selected to participate in the new initiative. The pair were among 15 other superintendents chosen to serve on the American Heart Associations States Superintendent Council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The council, which encompasses 13 states on the East Coast, including Washington, D.C., will aim to strengthen the work of the American Heart Association across school districts in the region. The group will help influence the associations work and help shape solutions to current issues facing schools and districts. As trusted voices in the Greater Washington Region, we are incredibly proud that Dr. McDade and Dr. Spence are lending their expertise as we work toward combatting issues that are affecting student well-being and overall health, said Abby Bartley, vice president of school engagement for the Eastern States Region. The Superintendent Council plays a critical role as we work to improve the lives of everyone in the region and were excited to see the transformational impact the council will make on students within our community. DC educator working around the clock to help students, parents with learning, social skills Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The association said the council comprises superintendents from a mix of urban and rural school districts. Each member will serve a two-year term, offering their expertise to help the American Heart Association foster an environment of health in schools. I am honored to join the American Heart Associations Eastern States Superintendent Council and contribute to the vital work of improving student health, said Dr. LaTanya D. McDade. At Prince William County Public Schools, we prioritize the physical and mental well-being of our students. The organization also noted that the council will complement the work of the Kids Heart Challenge and the American Heart Challenge, which work to educate youth on heart health while raising money and awareness for the cause. Schools are not only places for academic growth but are vital spaces for fostering the physical, mental, and emotional development of children, added Dr. Aaron Spence. Its essential that we create environments that support the whole child, and through this initiative, we are helping to shape healthier school communities where every student can thrive. 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. 2 pedestrians hit, hospitalized after crash in southwest Las Vegas LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Two people were hospitalized after being critically injured when they were hit by a vehicle at a southwest Las Vegas valley intersection, according to police. It happened shortly before 11 p.m. on Monday at the intersection of Tropicana Avenue and Fort Apache Road. Las Vegas Metro police told 8 News Now that the driver remained at the scene of the crash. The intersection was closed in all directions for several hours while police investigated the crash. 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 KLAS. PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) Two new self-serve mini pantries are coming to Prince Georges County in celebration of Giving Tuesday. Priority Partners, Marylands biggest Medicaid managed care organization is unveiling the mini pantries from the Priority Partners Cupboards Project on Tuesday. Takoma Park man wins $250,000 from Maryland Lottery scratch-off ticket Priority Partners is committed to improving access to food in underserved Maryland communities, Priority Partners CEO Ed Kumian stated in a news release. By opening our sixth and seventh Cupboards, we are providing another way for neighbors to put food on their tables. This is a year-round priority, but has extra meaning this holiday season. Location of the two pantries in Prince Georges County: The Laurel Armory, located at 422 Montgomery St. Bladensburg Town Hall, located at 4229 Edmonston Road Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two mini pantries will be the first ones coming to the county. Five other mini pantries have been placed around Maryland. The mini pantries provide residents with free healthy food along with nutrition resources. 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. The creator of a widely debunked movie that became a central pillar in the false narrative that the 2020 election was stolen has admitted that some of the films claims are flawed. The movie, 2,000 Mules by far-right activist Dinesh DSouza, promoted a false conspiracy theory that vote drop boxes were the scene of mass widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election alleging that so-called mules were stuffing voter drop boxes with ballots. The movie premiered at Mar-a-Lago in 2022 and was widely embraced across the MAGA universe as a way to demonize the use of ballot drop boxes, and perpetuate the false claim of voter fraud. Later in 2022 armed men stalked voters at drop boxes in Arizona. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, a Georgia man featured in the film depositing his ballot filed a lawsuit alleging that bogus claims in the movie had severely damaged his reputation and led to threats of violence against him and his family. In a statement DSouza posted on X last week, he apologized to the man, Mark Andrews. In the film, Andrews was featured on video with his face blurred while depositing his ballot, along with those belonging to his family, into a drop box in what the film purported was a mule operation. What you are seeing is a crime, a voiceover from DSouza declared. These are fraudulent votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know that the film and my book create the impression that these individuals were mules that had been identified as suspected ballot harvesters, DSouza said in a statement posted on social media last week. I owe this individual, Mark Andrews, an apology. I now understand that the surveillance videos used in the film were characterized on the basis of inaccurate information provided to me and my team. DSouzas apology came a few months after right-wing talk radio network owner Salem Media Group, issued a public apology to Andrews and said it would stop distributing the film. It was never our intent that the publication of the 2000 Mules film and book would harm Mr. Andrews, Salem said in a statement released in May. We apologize for the hurt the inclusion of Mr. Andrews image in the movie, book, and promotional materials have caused Mr. Andrews and his family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have removed the film from Salems platforms, and there will be no future distribution of the film or the book by Salem, the right-wing company added. The apology from Salem came as part of a larger settlement to the lawsuit filed by Andrews. Dinesh D'Souza attends the DC premiere of his film, "Death of a Nation," at E Street Cinema on August 1, 2018 in Washington, DC. - Shannon Finney/Getty Images North America/Getty Images In his statement posted last week, DSouza said, I make this apology not under the terms of a settlement agreement or other duress, but because it is the right thing to do, given what we have now learned. DSouza pleaded guilty to violating federal campaign finance laws in 2014. In 2018, then-President Donald Trump granted him a full pardon. Despite the apology, DSouza claimed in the statement that he stands by other assertions made in the film. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DSouza said the error involving Andrews was due to data the filmmakers received from True the Vote, a so-called election integrity group that has trafficked in election conspiracy theories. The movie purported to use cell phone geolocation data gathered by True the Vote to show that so-called mules repeatedly visited voter drop boxes. Those claims have been thoroughly debunked by election and cyber experts. Former US Attorney General William Barr referenced the movie when he told the House select committee that investigated the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol that he doesnt believe the election was stolen. I havent seen anything since the election that changes my mind on that, including the 2,000 Mules movie, Barr said in his testimony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement True the Vote also provided data to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in 2021, but the agency concluded that there wasnt any other kind of evidence that tied the provided cell phone and geolocation data to ballot harvesting. In a statement responding to DSouza, True the Vote maintained the central, but widely debunked, claims made in the movie are accurate. The group disputed DSouzas suggestion that it was to blame for implicating Andrews. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Trump ally and MAGA influencer Dinesh DSouza posted a statement on his website over the weekend at long last admitting that his conspiracy theory film 2,000 Mules was produced on the basis of inaccurate information provided to me and my team joining a growing group of election deniers who have been quietly dropping the act in the wake of Trumps victory last month. Youll remember 2,000 Mules as the wildly inflammatory film that riled up Trump supporters in the wake of his 2020 defeat by President Joe Biden. The film was released in May 2022 and argued for the existence of paid mules who stuffed ballot drop boxes with pro-Biden ballots during pandemic voting that year. It relied on junk data, surveillance footage and supposed geolocation tracking pulled together by the Trump-aligned election denialism group True The Vote to make its argument. None of the accusations were backed up by any real evidence, as multiple journalists reported at the time and in the years since. Nonetheless, the film predictably set off a firestorm among right-wingers, who had, until this point, been relying on characters such as Rudy Giuliani and Mike Lindell to make their widespread voter fraud claims for them. The film was repeatedly used as fodder for Trumps unsuccessful Big Lie gambit. Trump at one point held a private screening of the film at Mar-a-Lago and has called it the greatest & most impactful documentary of our time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can read DSouzas statement in full here. It is centered around an apology to a Georgia man named Mark Andrews who sued DSouza, along with his production company Salem Media Group and True The Vote, for defamation in 2022. While DSouza acknowledges that hes issuing an apology from the goodness of his heart and not under the terms of a settlement agreement or other duress, Salem Media Group did reach a settlement with Andrews in May of this year and stopped distributing the film. It also issued an apology to Andrews as part of its settlement agreement. DSouza still would not acknowledge that theres no proof the 2020 election was stolen from Trump. While the video in the film created an incorrect inference as to Mr. Andrews, the underlying premise of the film holds true, he said. DSouza is one of several big name election deniers who has quietly eaten their words in recent weeks. Trump allies like House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), for example, used his slim House majority to cram through legislation requiring that anyone registering to vote in a federal election provide proof of citizenship (even though its already illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal elections) just ahead of November. The bill passed the House and was dead-on-arrival in the Senate, but it served its purpose. It gave congressional Republicans a platform to fear monger about the widely debunked myth that non-citizens are voting en masse for Democrats in federal elections, giving themselves something to point to if Trump lost the election. Just days after Trumps victory, Johnson gave a press conference in which he credited himself and other Republicans across the nation for ostensibly eradicating the issue that wasnt an issue in the first place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kari Lake is another example. As my colleague Khaya Himmelman reported last month, the loudest and most notorious election denier outside Trump himself not only refused to fight her electoral defeat against Sen.-elect Ruben Gallego, she also quietly settled a years-old defamation lawsuit with an Arizona election official, whom she falsely blamed for her 2022 gubernatorial defeat, just days after the election. One person who has still not let the Big Lie go is Trump himself. According to a person close to Trump who spoke to the Washington Post, he is planning to push his DOJ to substantiate claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election that were long ago proven to be baseless. The Best Of TPM Today North Carolina Senate Republicans Override Dem Govs Veto Of Their Power Grab Trumps Plans To Decimate Regulation Hang Over Supreme Courts Vaping Arguments Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Misconduct Allegations Against Pete Hegseth Emerge In The New Yorker ICYMI this holiday weekend: How Trumps Failed 2020 COVID Policy Birthed His 2024 Public Health Nominees Trump Has Emboldened Republicans To Be More Hateful Than Ever To Dem Colleagues The Supreme Court Gets Its Shot At Trans Kids As The Right Ramps Up Attacks North Carolina GOPs New Power Grab Is A Recipe For Disaster For Elections, Too Yesterdays Most Read Story The Pardon What We Are Reading Trump press secretary pick removed post praising Pence on January 6, then ran for Congress as an election denier Pete Hegseths Secret History Dear America KYODO NEWS - Dec 4, 2024 - 05:50 | All, World South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said Wednesday he will lift his declaration of emergency martial law in the face of resistance by parliament only hours after abruptly putting it in place. Yoon, who made the declaration late Tuesday to curb activities by the country's largest opposition party, also said he has withdrawn the military he mobilized to parliament under the law. The Cabinet has authorized the revocation of the president's declaration during a meeting, according to the country's Yonhap News Agency. It was the first time that martial law has been declared in South Korea since it established a democratic government in 1987, a move that left the United States and Japan, Seoul's key allies, baffled and concerned. While announcing the declaration in a televised speech, Yoon claimed that the nation's opposition party had paralyzed the government through "anti-state" activities. The president also said at the time that his decision was meant "to eradicate the shameless pro-North anti-state elements" and to help "rebuild and safeguard" the happiness of the nation. Following the declaration, lawmakers swiftly convened at the National Assembly and held an emergency plenary session at about 1 a.m. on Wednesday. All 190 members of the 300-seat parliament in attendance approved a resolution demanding that Yoon lift martial law. Under the Constitution, martial law must be revoked if a majority of the lawmakers vote against it. "The declaration of martial law is now null and void," said Woo Won Shik, speaker of the National Assembly, in a statement following the vote. The leaders of the nation's political parties strongly condemned Yoon, calling such a move "unlawful" and "unconstitutional." "Today, the president declared martial law -- a declaration that is both unlawful and unconstitutional, failing to meet the necessary requirements," Han Dong Hoon, chief of the ruling People Power Party, said in a video released after Yoon's announcement. "The Republic of Korea is a liberal democratic nation, and we stand with the people to defend liberal democracy and will resolutely oppose this martial law declaration," Han said, referring to the country's formal name. The biggest opposition party's leader, Lee Jae Myung of the Democratic Party, said after the resolution was passed that for the police and military to comply with Yoon's unlawful presidential order would be an illegal act. Military personnel forcefully entered the National Assembly at one point, clashing with lawmakers who were trying to get inside, but were sent out immediately after the resolution was passed. "From this moment forward, I urge all military personnel and police officers to promptly return to your rightful duties and fulfill your proper roles," Lee said. "Your allegiance should not be to the president who declared this unlawful and unconstitutional martial law, but to the sovereign will of the people," he said. He also vowed to turn the crisis into an opportunity, saying, "This illegal and unconstitutional declaration of martial law will not lead us into further decline, but will serve as a decisive turning point to break the cycle and restore our society to normalcy." In Washington, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said in response to Yoon's initial declaration that the U.S. government was watching the unfolding developments in South Korea with "grave concern." A Pentagon spokesman said the United States was not notified by South Korea in advance of the move. Japanese government officials said the sudden declaration of the law by Yoon was "quite a surprise" and they would watch how things developed. A young Russian woman enjoying the beach has died after she was swept away by a large wave in Thailand, multiple news outlets report. Kamilla Beliatskaya, 24, was in Koh Samui, Thailand, on Friday, Nov. 29 when the incident occurred, according to The Bangkok Post and The Times of India. According to Khaosod English, Beliatskaya went to a "popular viewpoint" in the area with a foam mat, apparently to relax and exercise, but was pushed into the water soon after. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The victim may have been caught off guard by the unexpected wave surge," one local official told Khaosod English. 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. Getty Lamai Beach in Koh Samui, Thailand Lamai Beach in Koh Samui, Thailand Authorities recruited a jet ski group to try and rescue the Russian national but were unable to reach her because of the rough water, The Bangkok Post reported. Once the rescue team arrived, only Beliatskaya's pink foam mat could be seen floating in the water. Beliatskaya was found dead on Chaweng Beach on Koh Samui on Saturday, Nov. 30, The Bangkok Post reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Body Found After 11-Year-Old Boy Was Swept Out to Sea in Front of His Dad Police reportedly received an alert that the womans body had washed ashore at around 11 p.m. local time around half a mile from where she went into the sea. PEOPLE has contacted local police and the Russian Embassy in Thailand for comment Read the original article on People Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson is under federal investigation, a source familiar with the matter told 25 Investigates. Details about the probe were not immediately available on Tuesday. No criminal charges have been filed. Boston 25 has reached out to Fernandes Anderson for comment. On Nov. 2, 2021, Fernandes Anderson, who was born in Cape Verde, became the first African immigrant and Muslim-American to be elected to the Boston City Council, according to biographical information on the citys website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune issued a statement on the matter on Tuesday. It is important to respect the legal process. Drawing any conclusions right now would be premature, Louijeune said. As the President of the Boston City Council and as a lawyer, I want to emphasize that any actions that are found to undermine the law must be taken very seriously. The work of the Council will proceed without disruption and we will remain focused on the issues most important to residents, including acting with integrity as a body, Louijeune said. At this time, I will refrain from any further comments, while urging everyone to avoid speculation and to respect due process. Fernandes Anderson, who represents Roxbury, Dorchester, and part of the South End, is not new to controversy while serving on the Boston City Council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, Fernandes Anderson agreed to pay a $5,000 civil penalty after admitting to violating the conflict of interest law by hiring her sister and son to paid positions on her Boston City Council staff, state officials said. Soon after her November 2021 election to the Boston City Council, Fernandes Anderson appointed her sister as her full-time Director of Constituent Services, according to the disposition agreement. Fernandes Anderson initially set her sisters annual salary at $65,000. In June 2022, she increased it to $70,000 and awarded her sister a $7,000 bonus, according to the disposition agreement. Also, in June 2022, Fernandes Anderson appointed her son as her full-time office manager at an annual salary of $52,000. 11 days later, her sons salary increased to $70,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fernandes Anderson ended the employment of her sister and son on Aug. 31, 2022. Before serving as councilor, Fernandes Anderson was the executive director of Bowdoin Geneva Main Streets, a parent advocate with the Boston Public Schools, program manager for a homeless womens shelter, a business owner, and a child social worker, according to the city. She has also been a foster mom to 17 kids while raising two biological children. Fernandes Anderson also founded Noahs Advocate, a trauma-informed mental health nonprofit that serves underrepresented communities, according to the city. She is also the founder of a non-profit that supports at-risk youth through theatre, fashion, and art. The nonprofits shows and performances routinely sell out the Strand Theatre in Dorchester. She is a graduate of the John D. OBryant High School of Mathematics and Science in Roxbury and Springfield College, and the mother of a U.S. Marine and a young emerging artist, according to her biographical information provided by the city. 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 UNION GROVE, Wis. (WFRV) A 25-year-old Union Grove man was arrested Monday after a search warrant revealed multiple electronic devices containing child pornography, according to the Racine County Sheriffs Office. The investigation began in September 2024 when the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about an individual in Union Grove possessing child pornography. Investigators identified Anthony D. Giorno as a person of interest. Authorities seize narcotics and firearms from Wisconsin storage locker Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities, including electronic storage detection K9 Stella and a sheriffs office computer analyst, executed a search warrant at Giornos residence in the 100 block of State Street. During the search, investigators located multiple electronic devices. An initial forensic examination uncovered numerous images of child pornography. Giorno reportedly admitted to sharing and obtaining large amounts of child pornography through various websites. He was arrested and transported to the Racine County Jail, where he faces three counts of possessing child pornography. At his initial court appearance on Tuesday, Giornos cash bond was set at $50,000. If released, he will be barred from using internet-capable devices and prohibited from contacting minors. How long can you leave a political sign up after the election in Wisconsin? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling praised the ICAC Units efforts, stating, The ICAC Unit once again demonstrated the critical role they play in protecting the innocence of children. Although there seems to be an endless supply of these perverts, the Sheriffs Office will never cease in our mission of putting pedophiles behind bars. Giorno is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on December 11. 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. WORCESTER, Mass. (WWLP) Tuesday is a solemn anniversary in Massachusetts, as 25 years ago, six Worcester firefighters were killed in a fire at a vacant industrial building. Butternut wildfire in Great Barrington officially under control The massive fire at the Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse company started on December 3rd, 1999. Six firefighters became lost inside the massive, dark warehouse while looking for two homeless people they thought were still inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighters Paul Brotherton, Timothy Jackson, Jeremiah Lucey, James Jyons III, Joseph McGuirk, and Lieutenant Thomas Spencer were killed in the fire. The building was over 90 years old and had no windows on the upper floors, which were full of flammable materials. This tragedy brought about significant changes in how firefighters respond to fires in abandoned buildings. More fire departments also designate safety officers to find out where firefighters are at all times. 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. Eight people were shot, three fatally, Monday afternoon during a "social gathering" at a residence in Chicago's Gage Park neighborhood, a police official said. At least three people were hospitalized in critical condition, with an additional victim stabilized at a medical facility, Chicago Fire Department officials told NBC Chicago. Chicago Police Chief of Patrol John Hein said that the shooting happened while a social gathering was taking place. Police were called about a person shot at a residence shortly after 2 p.m., he said. Police investigate multiple shootings in Chicago's Gage Park neighborhood on Monday. The victims, four men and four women, are 20 to 35 years old, Hein said. All of the deceased were men, Hein said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hein said two of the victims were taken to medical facilities in private vehicles and the rest went by city ambulances. A motive for the violence and how it unfolded was unclear. No information about a suspect or suspects was available. Hein said officers have been called to the location in the past. The community is known for its bungalows, which are more than a century old, as well as for its diversity. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The eight individuals who were shot at the property were four men and four female ages 20 to 35 years old WGN News/Youtube Police in area of incident Police in area of incident Three people are dead and five others are injured after a "social gathering" in Chicago on Monday, authorities say. Officers from the Chicago Police Department responded to a call about a person shot at the 3500 block of West 59th Street at approximately 2:10 p.m. on Dec. 2, said Chief of Police Jon P. Hein during a press conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon their arrival, officers requested medical services after discovering that eight individuals, described as four males and four females, had been shot. According to Hein, all individuals were 20 to 35 years old and were at the location for what "appeared to be a social gathering." The three deceased individuals were male, said Hein. While none of the victims have been publicly identified, local affiliates WFLD and WGN-TV report, citing the Chicago Police Department, that one of the deceased males was an adult who sustained gunshot wounds "to the head, chest, right thigh, and right wrist" and died at the hospital. Related: Man Who Allegedly Googled How Long Does It Take to Get Married After Spouse Dies Charged With Wifes Murder Getty Stock image of police siren Stock image of police siren The two others sustained "multiple gunshot wounds to the body" and were pronounced dead at the scene, per the outlets. PEOPLE reached out to the Chicago Police Department but did not immediately hear back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Hein said it is too early to know of a motive, he confirmed during Monday's press conference that "there have been calls of service at this residence." He vowed that the department would find the individual or individuals responsible for the "heinous, terrible incident." Neighbors told WLS-TV that a large house party was happening when shots were fired, with witness El Towers telling the outlet: "I started hearing shots, very loud shots, maybe a lot of them. I can't recall how many." Related: Teenager Charged After Allegedly Stabbing Aunt During Thanksgiving Dispute In an interview with WGN-TV, Towers recalled growing up in the area and expressed that crime has been "bad like this ever since I was a kid." 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. "Things havent changed out here. I've been here my whole life and I always remember shootings and people getting killed. Its the same thing 30 years age," he said. PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) The Prince William County Police Department (PWCPD) announced that four men have been indicted in a murder-for-hire investigation in Woodbridge. Police said that on Dec. 2, the Commonwealths Attorney for Prince William County announced that two additional men and two others, who were previously arrested and charged during the investigation, were indicted on several charges in connection to the death of 23-year-old Egypt Zapporah Carter, of Burlington, NC. PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Second man arrested in connection to murder investigation in Prince William County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the investigation developed, Prince William County police learned that Egypts husband, Lionel Melvin Carter III, 34, was incarcerated at the Sussex State Prison in Waverly, Va. during the shooting and allegedly conspired to have her killed. Detectives also learned that the plot involved three other men who were either involved in the shooting or setting up the arrangement. Police said that on Feb. 2, 2024, Egypt was lured to the area of Bronson Court and Brickwood Drive under the impression of picking up a prescription for her husband. Police believe that when Egypt arrived, she was ambushed and shot. In the latest indictment on Dec. 2, Carter, Grorethas Gresean McKinnon Jr., 26 and Denzell Scott Wade, 30, were presented in front of a Grand Jury in Prince William County. They were indicted on aggravated murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, shooting at an occupied vehicle and conspiracy to commit a felony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drew Courtney Buchanan, 27, who was arrested in October for murder, was also indicted on aggravated murder and conspiracy to commit a felony charges. All four men remain in custody, as of Dec. 3. 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. JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) The remaining five Australians from the Bali Nine group who are serving life sentences for drug smuggling in Indonesia could be repatriated home this month as Indonesia and Australia put finishing touches on a draft proposal for their transfer, Indonesia's senior law minister said Tuesday. The Indonesian government is awaiting Australia's response to key points related to the transfer arrangements, including provisions requiring Australia to acknowledge Indonesias sovereignty, respect the rulings of Indonesian courts and ensure that the five maintain their prisoner status after returning home, Yusril Ihza Mahendra told reporters. I hope that we can find an understanding on that, agreed on the draft. And we hope that we can finalize these matters in December, Mahendra said after meeting Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke in Jakarta. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burke said the proposal "is a significant step forward and shows significant goodwill. We now need to work through the issues within each country and well we will be doing that without delay. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last month appealed to Indonesia's new President Prabowo Subianto to allow their repatriation. Two convicted ringleaders of the Bali Nine, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, were executed by a firing squad in 2015, causing a diplomatic furor between neighbors Indonesia and Australia. Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen died from cancer in prison in May. The nine were arrested in an attempt to smuggle 8.3 kilograms (18.3 pounds) of heroin from Indonesias resort island of Bali to Australia in 2005, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The five are serving life sentences without the possibility of parole. Renae Lawrence, the only woman in the group, was released and returned to Australia in 2018. Of the five, Si Yi Chen and Matthew Norman are held in Balis Kerobokan Prison, while the others have been transferred to facilities elsewhere. For years, they have sought clemency ahead of Indonesias Independence Day. Each request has gone unanswered, underscoring the countrys hard line stance on drug offenses. Last month, Indonesia agreed to repatriate to the Philippines a death-row drug convict who was nearly executed by firing squad but got a reprieve due to years of pleadings from Manila. ______ Associated Press writer Rod McGuirk, in Melbourne, Australia, contributed to this report. KYODO NEWS - Dec 3, 2024 - 12:42 | All, World Japanese comedian Naomi Watanabe was among the 100 "influential and inspiring women" around the world selected for the BBC's annual list on Tuesday. Also selected was Yumi Suzuki, one of the plaintiffs who sued the Japanese government over forced sterilization under the now-defunct eugenics protection law. The Supreme Court ruled the law unconstitutional in July and ordered the government to pay damages. The British public broadcaster described the New York-based Watanabe as "one of Japan's most famous influencers" who is "helping to change body stereotypes in Japan, spearheading a body-positive movement known as pochakawaii," or chubby and cute. Suzuki was born with cerebral palsy and underwent forced sterilization at the age of 12. Under the law that was in effect between 1948 and 1996, people with intellectual disabilities, mental illnesses, or hereditary disorders were sterilized without their consent to prevent the birth of "inferior" offspring. The theme of this year's selection was "resilience," highlighting the women who "are pushing for change and improving lives at community or global level." The BBC also included activist Nadia Murad, a 2018 Nobel Peace Prize laureate from Iraq who endured the Yazidi genocide and advocates for survivors of sexual violence. U.S. astronaut Sunita Williams, whose eight-day trip to the International Space Station in June was extended to last through February next year due to technical faults, was also among those listed. Related coverage: Emmy-winning actor Anna Sawai among Time's 100 next-generation leaders Japan court rules defunct eugenics law unconstitutional, denies damages Russia established a comprehensive procedure for deporting and integrating Ukrainian children into its governmental apparatus in February 2022. To date, at least 314 children have been identified under this deportation programme. Source: results of a study by the Yale School of Public Health Details: As of right now, 42 of the 148 deported Ukrainian children recommended for adoption in Russian databases are either legally adopted or in the custody of Russian nationals. 166 more children were sent to Russian households without being recorded in official databases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Yale Humanitarian Research Lab reports claims that children are frequently placed in temporary facilities for months before being sent to special institutions where they "undergo re-education". These establishments can be found throughout Russia, particularly in Rostov and Kursk oblasts. Children there are educated in accordance with pro-Russian curricula in an effort to eradicate their Ukrainian heritage. Children are flown to Russia using military aircraft controlled by the presidential administration. They are then naturalised as Russian citizens, and Russian guardians have the legal ability to legally relinquish the child's Ukrainian citizenship. To date, at least 67 Ukrainian children have become Russian citizens, while the actual number is likely much higher. All of the children referenced in the study were from Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts, with the latter accounting for 80.4% of the children. At the same time, Russian databases conceal their origins by presenting them as Russian nationals. Approximately half of the children in the programme have siblings who are also included in the databases. However, there have been incidences of family separation. For example, three siblings were placed with a Russian family, but their oldest brother stayed at the facility for possible adoption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These efforts are obviously coordinated: the programme is led by Vladimir Putin and Russian Commissioner for Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova, who has "adopted" one of the deported children. Officials and organisations affiliated with the Russian-imposed government in Donbas, as well as the United Russia party, are all involved in the process. Background: The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova. Support UP or become our patron! A 7 billion drug empire led by a gangster known as The Big Fella came crumbling down when one of the smugglers left his van full of amphetamines to go on an all-night drinking session inAmsterdam. The 18-strong drug gang believed to be the largest drug operation ever detected in the UK were convicted on Monday with one judge describing the smuggling as on an industrial and unprecedented scale. Ringleader Paul Green, 59, was the point of contact for numerous organised criminal groups (OCGs) who paid a fee to ship heroin, cocaine, amphetamines and cannabis into the UK. Paul Green, 59, arrested at his home in Widnes, Cheshire (NCA) Drugs would be hidden within pallets of onions, garlic or ginger to conceal their smell at the Dutch end of the enterprise and then shipped into the UK by innocent haulage firms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crime group bought so many onions between 40 tonnes and 50 tonnes a week, that it couldnt get rid of them and often sent them back to the continent to act as another cover load. In September 2016 the plot was foiled when an innocent Dutch haulage driver employed to collect and deliver the consignment became suspicious. He returned to his depot and called the police who found eight 1kg bricks of cocaine. A month later Greens gang was trying to smuggle 57kg of amphetamine, worth about 1.1m, from the Netherlands to the UK. But Dutch officers had group members under surveillance and were listening to their phone calls. (NCA) Russell Leonard, 47, a foot soldier who spoke fluent Dutch, and a man who cannot be named for legal reasons, had the 57kgs in a van and were responsible for its safe keeping en route to the UK. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Leonard, of Kirkby, Merseyside, who was usually responsible for packing the groups drugs in the Netherlands, and his accomplice went out drinking all night and left the van unguarded in Amstelveen, a southern suburb of Amsterdam. Russell Leonard, 48, of Grosmont Road, Kirkby was jailed for 24 years (National Crime Agency/PA Wire) In a conversation recorded by police, Paul Green told one of his bungling smugglers: If the vans gone or been grabbed by the police then therell be f***ing murders. When the duo returned the following morning from their drinking session, they got in the van and drove off but were immediately stopped by Dutch police. Leonard was jailed for 24 years. Among the gangs customers was Merseyside mob enforcer John Kinsella, 53, who was shot dead by a hitman in May 2018 as he walked his dogs with his pregnant partner. John Kinsella is believed to have been walking his dog when he was shot (Merseyside Police) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutor Andrew Thomas KC said a feature of the sequence of conspiracies between March 2016 and September 2018 was the determination to continue the importations even after arrests and/or drug seizures. He told jurors: As soon as one company became exposed, they would switch to another one. Only six seizures of drugs were made but National Crime Agency (NCA) investigators were able to prove at least 240 consignments took place with up to four shipments per week. Paul Green, 59, known as The Big Fella was jailed for 32 years (National Crime Agency/PA Wire) Among the many items of evidence gathered were messages on Greens encrypted Encrochat phone, with his handler name of Duckfarmer, to accomplices in which he arranged shipments. A Champions League shipment of Class A drugs destined for the streets of the UK (NCA) Green, 59, had no previous convictions but had changed his name twice by deed poll from Simon Swift to James Russell and then to Green due to financial difficulties and his self-confessed involvement in property and business fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As well as his customers, Green also brought in drugs for his own gang to distribute for sale. Sentencing, Judge Paul Lawton told gang members: The harm caused beyond the importation is incalculable. What you were actually distributing was addiction, misery, social degradation and death. Green, from Widnes, Cheshire, was jailed for 32 years after he was convicted of conspiracy to import drugs and fraud by false representation. Steven Martin, 53, of Chorley Old Road, Bolton, Greater Manchester, who received prison term of 28 years (National Crime Agency/PA Wire) His right-hand man, Steven Martin, 53, of Chorley Old Road, Bolton, Greater Manchester, who organised the finances, was imprisoned for 28 years, while another key member, Muhammad Ovais, 46, of Bournelea Avenue, Burnage, Manchester, who was in charge of distributing drugs to OCG customers, was sentenced to 27 years in jail. Barbara Rijnbout jailed for 20 years (National Crime Agency/PA Wire) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among others sentenced for drugs importation conspiracy charges were Leonard, 48, of Grosmont Road, Kirkby, Liverpool, who was jailed for 24 years; and Dutch gang bosses Johannes Vesters, 54, and Barbara Rijnbout, 53, both of Utrecht, who received prison terms of 20 years and 18 years. Richard Harrison, NCA regional head of investigations, said: This was an extremely high-harm OCG that used every tactic possible to evade detection and cheat justice. The offenders smuggled huge quantities of drugs into the UK. They had absolutely no ethics. They stooped incredibly low and left a trail of devastation for entirely innocent people by cloning businesses and stealing identities. NCA officers and Dutch partners were tenacious and left no stone unturned in this investigation. ILLINOIS (WCIA) Compared to many other presidential elections, more voters across the state of Illinois avoided the polls and chose to stay home this year. The Illinois State Board of Elections certified the election results on Monday. 5,705,246 voters had their voices heard, out of 8,101,424 registered voters, or 70.42%. This is the lowest voter turnout for a presidential election since 2012, and the fourth lowest since 1976, the state agency found. Illinois bill aims to regulate use of AI in health insurance Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For President, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris won Illinois 19 electoral votes with 3,062,863 votes (54.37%). This is less compared to Hillary Clinton in 2016 with 3,090,729 and Joe Biden in 2020 with 3,471,915. Donald Trump received 2,449,079 (43.47%) of Illinois votes. This is more votes than he got in 2016 with 2,146,015 and slightly more than 2024 with 2,446,891 votes in 2024. Illinois voters also voted for three advisory referendums, as well as both state and Congressional representatives, judges and countless local and county races. While the general turnout was down, election officials highlighted the number of voters who chose to vote by mail or vote early. Both voting by mail and voting early received their second highest turnout ever, after 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illinois State Capitol Complex security fortified with new rules More than 1 million voters are estimated to cast a Vote by Mail ballot. More than 1.98 million voters voted early, nearly tying 2020s record of 2.01 million early voters. More information including the full vote total results can be found on ISBEs website. The full mail voting report will be available on the Board of Elections website later this week. 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. DES MOINES, Iowa The Des Moines Police Department on Monday released the name of the 70-year-old man who was shot and killed by officers last week. On November 26th at 6:07 am, officers with the Des Moines Police Department responded to 430 Grand Avenue on a report of a man pointing a gun at a woman. When officers arrived at the scene they saw through a window that the suspect and one other person were in the lobby of the building. Authorities identify woman killed in crash with truck hauling pigs last week Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, the officers saw the suspect holding a pistol in his hand and that the suspect pointed the pistol in the officers direction, resulting in the officers firing their weapons. The suspect, who has now been identified as 70-year-old Charles Leonard, died at the scene. The investigation into the shooting revealed that the gun Leonard was holding was a pellet gun that didnt have the orange-colored safety cone attached, police said. Police said the two officers who fired their weapons are on paid administrative assignment, per department policy. The officers have been identified as Senior Police Officer Christian Bishop and Senior Police Officer Lanny Herzog. Both have been with the Des Moines Police Department since 2022. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, assisted by DMPD detectives, are continuing to investigate the shooting. Latest Metro News: 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 who13.com. MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) A 70-year-old woman last month hurled objects from a hotel room balcony while naked before spitting on a police officer with mouthwash, a Myrtle Beach incident report says. Margaret Marenche was booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center Saturday on one count of assault on a police officer while resisting arrest. She was discharged after posting a $35,000 bond, intake records show. On Nov. 22, police arrived at The Sandbar Hotel on South Ocean Boulevard, where the manager reported that a woman was standing on the balcony in front of unit 1322, yelling boisterously and throwing objects while nude in public view, the report says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officer detected a burning odor when he arrived at the front door, noticing through an opening in the blinds that smoke appeared visible. After knocking several times, the officer forced his way inside, where a heavily intoxicated woman grabbed a bottle of mouthwash, gargled it and spit on the officers shirt and pants, according to the report. Marenche has at least four other arrests this year between May and November on public disorderly and intoxication charges, according to J. Reubens website * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. 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 WBTW. A child has died after being struck by part of a statue at the Arizona Biltmore resort in Phoenix on Nov. 27. Phoenix firefighters responded around 9 a.m. that day after receiving reports of an injured child at the hotel located near 24th Street and Camelback Road. The 8-year-old was rushed to the hospital where he later died on Nov. 28. The primary cause of death was complications of blunt force trauma to the head, according to the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Capt. Todd Keller with the Phoenix Fire Department said part of the concrete statue fell on the boy, resulting in a head injury. It is unknown what caused the statue to fall and whether the child was with a parent or guardian. Officials said foul play was not involved. "We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred at the hotel earlier this morning," a spokesperson from the hotel said in a statement sent to The Arizona Republic on Nov. 27. "Our top priority is the safety and security of our guests, and our thoughts are with the family impacted by today's events." The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, which is dedicated to preserving Wrights work and educating the public about the architects contributions, expressed sadness over the death of the child in a statement given to The Republic. The Arizona Biltmore was influenced by Wrights architectural style. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The news about the passing of the child at the Biltmore is truly heartbreaking. We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident, and our heartfelt condolences are with the family during this unimaginably difficult time," said FLWF Chief Marketing Henry Officer Hendrix. Hendrix explained although the designs of the sprites or statues were inspired by Wrights Midway Garden project from 1913 to 1914, the sprites at the Arizona Biltmore are replicas, created in the mid-1980s and gifted to the Biltmore in 1988. These replicas are not considered historic artifacts nor are they preservation subjects, said Hendrix. "Please know that we share in the sorrow of this moment and hold everyone affected close in our hearts as they navigate this unimaginable loss," Hendrix concluded. Arizona Biltmore history: Here's what to know about the resort's long and storied past Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Arizona Republic reporter Corina Vanek contributed to this story. (This story has been updated to add new information and photos.) This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Boy dead after statue hits his head at Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix Malikika Al Kattib reportedly died on Tuesday, Dec. 3 after she intervened when her mother was stabbed Press Association via AP Images Police pictured at the scene after a girl died following an assault at a home in New Ross, Ireland Police pictured at the scene after a girl died following an assault at a home in New Ross, Ireland An 8-year-old girl in Ireland is dead after trying to save her mother from a knife attack, according to reports. On Sunday, Dec. 1 at approximately 11:45 p.m. local time, the Gardai (Irish police) and emergency services attended "a fatal assault at a domestic residence in New Ross, [County] Wexford," per a news release obtained by PEOPLE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police confirmed a girl had died after being taken to University Hospital Waterford for treatment, adding that she'd succumbed to her injuries in the early hours of Tuesday, Dec. 3. "A woman and man (30s) are receiving treatment at University Hospital Waterford. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening," police added. Per outlets including the BBC, the Irish Times and Irish broadcasting company Raidio Teilifis Eireann (RTE), the victim was identified as Malikika Al Kattib, 8. Press Association via AP Images Police pictured at the scene after a girl died following an assault at a home in New Ross, Ireland Police pictured at the scene after a girl died following an assault at a home in New Ross, Ireland RTE reported that the young girl's mom had been attacked by "a man who knew them both," adding that Malikika "tried to intervene" but was fatally injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The scene remains preserved for forensic examination. The Coroner has been notified and the Garda Technical Bureau and Office of the State Pathologist have been requested to assist in the investigation. A post-mortem examination will be scheduled," police said, per the release. Local councillor, John Dwyer, told BBC News Northern Ireland (NI) that a close relative of the victim's mother witnessed Malikika being resuscitated, calling it "the most horrific scene." Dwyer told the outlet that the "entire family are devastated" following Malikika's death. Press Association via AP Images Police pictured at the scene after a girl died following an assault at a home in New Ross, Ireland Police pictured at the scene after a girl died following an assault at a home in New Ross, Ireland 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. Per the BBC, Malikika was a student at New Ross Educate Together National School in New Ross. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without confirming a name, the school shared a statement on its website, with principal Theresa White writing on Tuesday, We learned this morning of the death of a student who attends our school. This is a terrible tragedy for the family, our school and our community. We are deeply saddened by these events." Our sympathy and thoughts are with family and friends," White added. Our teachers are helping students to deal with this tragic event. We will be sharing information with parents today around how they can support their children at this difficult time, the message included. Local councillor, John Dwyer didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) Police said Monday that they were trying to find an 81-year-old woman who last was seen on Sunday. Montgomery County Department of Police (MCDP) said Jacoba Wilhelmina Leroux was driving a sliver 2015 Honda Accord in the 1000 block of Guillemont Dr. in Silver Spring on Dec. 1. The car has Maryland tags 4AZ3385. Jacoba Wilhelmina Leroux (Montgomery County Department of Police) Police said Leroux is 56 tall, weighs 135 pounds, and has short, gray hair and brown eyes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement VSP, Fairfax County police searching for missing 80-year-old man last seen in Falls Church area They asked that anyone who saw or sees her to call 301-279-8000. 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. KYODO NEWS - Dec 3, 2024 - 12:10 | All, Japan Japan will contest an election for a nonpermanent place on the U.N. Security Council in 2043 to work toward global peace and security and a rules-based international order via the international organization, a government spokesman said Tuesday. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Keiichiro Tachibana said the government has already registered with the United Nations, noting that "thorough" preparations are needed as the election will be hard-fought among countries keen to secure a seat on the decision-making council. "We intend to contribute to U.N. discussions to maintain global peace and security and strengthen the rules-based international order," Tachibana said at a press conference. "Japan will also take the lead in reforming the United Nations and strengthening its functions as a whole," he added. Japan is currently serving as a nonpermanent member for the 12th time, with its two-year term ending this month, and has already submitted its candidacy to join the council as a nonpermanent member from 2032. The U.N. Security Council has five veto-wielding permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States -- and 10 nonpermanent members. A young boy is fully embracing the giving spirit of the holiday season by raising money for the family of a police officer killed in a Thursday, Nov. 21 car crash in Palm Beach County, Florida. Charlie Allsup, 9, recently set up a lemonade stand for the family of Ignacio Dan Diaz to raise money for tuition for one of the deceased deputys children, according to local NBC affiliate WPTV. Speaking with the outlet, Charlies mother, Christina Allsup, explained how her young son came up with the idea to help the Diaz family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He asked me if there was a way we could raise money to try to help the family, and we came up with the idea to have a lemonade and cookie stand, Christina said. 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. Related: 2 Veteran Officers Killed, 1 Critically Injured After Car Hits Them on Highway Shoulder: 'Horrific Accident' We're trying to pay off as much of their tuition as possible so that they have one less thing to worry about during this difficult time, she added regarding the goal of the lemonade stand. Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office/Facebook Deputy Ignacio "Dan" Diaz Deputy Ignacio "Dan" Diaz Following Charlie's success, the family revealed the money raised is enough to cover four to five months of tuition for Diazs child. They also collected donated electronics that will be presented to the family, WPTV reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Nov. 25, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBSO) announced that Deputy Diaz was the third officer killed as a result of the crash. Despite his courageous fight, Deputy Diaz lost the battle due to the injuries sustained by the tragic crash that also claimed the lives of Cpl. Luis Paez and D/S Butch Waller, the sheriffs office said in a statement at the time. Once again, we find ourselves mourning the loss of another hero who dedicated his life to serving and protecting Palm Beach County. Related: Third Florida Deputy Dies After Crash Killed 2 Others: 'Mourning the Loss of Another Hero' According to authorities, Diaz, Paez and Waller were conducting traffic enforcement on Southern Boulevard when a car crashed into them on the side of the highway on Nov. 21, around 9:29 a.m. local time, according to a press release obtained by PEOPLE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paez and Waller died at the scene, and Diaz was left in critical condition following the collision, authorities said on X (formerly known as Twitter). During a Nov. 21 press conference, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said the crash occurred when one officer couldn't get his motorcycle to start. He then called on the assistance of his two colleagues. "All three [of them were] on the grassy area of the shoulder of the road, and they were going to wait for another PBSO vehicle to come with some battery cables," Bradshaw said. The three deputies were then hit by a vehicle after the driver allegedly came across a slower car in the center lane before swerving to the right and striking the deputies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Police Officer and 'Devoted' Father Dies in Crash While Coming Home from Fellow Cop's Funeral "She overcompensated, got off the road and then struck all three of the motor officers," Bradshaw said at the time. The sheriff added that, based on a preliminary investigation, the driver didnt appear to be impaired. He described what happened as a horrific accident. PEOPLE contacted the PBSO on Tuesday, Nov. 26. A Florida Highway Patrol spokesperson said criminal charges aren't currently pending against the driver as she is still under investigation, according to local CBS affiliate WPEC. A memorial service for all three deputies was held on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at the iThink Financial Amphitheatre at the South Florida Fairgrounds, WPTV reported. Read the original article on People LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A 911 caller reported a reckless driver on the Las Vegas Strip 20 minutes before police say the same woman shot and killed an Uber driver in an act of road rage, according to calls the 8 News Now Investigators first obtained Tuesday. The 24-year-old shooter does not yet face any charges for the death of Michael Wilmot, 50, as the case goes to a self-defense review within the Clark County District Attorneys Office. The shooting happened just after 4 p.m. in front of the Palazzo resort on Monday, Nov. 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 3:40 p.m., a cab driver called 911 to report a reckless driver speeding and weaving in and out of traffic near the Bellagio Hotel & Casino 1.3 miles away from the eventual shooting scene near Spring Mountain Road. He hit another cab, and I pulled down my window to tell him to calm down, because I know he was trying to come for me too, the caller told the dispatcher. I was worried he was going to hit me, but I had passengers. The description of the vehicle as relayed to the dispatcher matches the shooters. In addition, the call was provided in the same records request from 8 News Now as all calls related to the shooting. The caller told police the driver, who he could not see through the cars tinted windows, and whom he identified as a he, was driving in a construction zone and speeding. At the time, several lanes of Las Vegas Boulevard were closed or inaccessible due to the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just after 4 p.m., dispatchers received several 911 calls from witnesses who said a person had shot another person in the middle of the busy road near the Palazzo. There was a man who was just shot were on Las Vegas Boulevard right in front of the Palazzo, one caller said. Before the shooting, Wilmot, who had two passengers in his vehicle, and the shooter were engaged in a road rage incident that occurred within about a quarter of a mile, police said. He was my Uber driver, Wilmots passenger said in one 911 call. It was a road rage thing. They shot him and drove off. The victim was behind the suspects vehicle and when both vehicles came to a stop, the victim got out of his vehicle, walked to the drivers side door and banged on the window, police said. The woman then shot the victim in the neck. Police said the victim also had pulled out a firearm however he collapsed before he was able to use it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He shot him right in the chest, another caller told police. He opened his window and just shot him right in the chest. And the guy went to pull out his gun but then the guy took off and then he just I guess he just realized, Im shot, and he fell to the ground. The shooter, who was driving a silver Subaru WRX, left the area before officers arrived. Security at the Venetian-Palazzo helped relay information about the car to police, according to another call. Police later identified the drivers license plate and located the vehicle at a home in the area of Washington Avenue and Torrey Pines Drive. Detectives then arrested the driver on charges connected to a May incident at a restaurant. In that case, the 24-year-old woman faces battery charges for allegedly waving a gun at a mother of four and blocking her car in a parking lot. Another person called police about a half-hour after the shooting, saying she witnessed a reckless driver on U.S. 95 and believed it was the suspect vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was a car that almost hit me, and it was swerving in between cars. Like literally cutting cars off, the woman told the dispatcher. And it matches the description that the news told you we were looking for? the dispatcher asked. Yes, the caller said. During a news conference after the shooting, LVMPD Homicide Lt. Jason Johansson emphasized that drivers be patient. The biggest message to carry forward to me is, look there is a lot of construction going on in the valley right now. We are starting to see an increase slightly in some of these road rage incident type of shootings, a couple of murders, Johansson said. It wasnt worth somebodys life. 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 KLAS. Interstate 95 was closed in both directions near the New Hampshire-Maine border amid an active police situation, authorities warned. In a post shared on X just before 2 p.m. Tuesday, New Hampshire State Police said the highway was closed in the area of the Piscataqua River Bridge. The roadway was reopened around 4:00 p.m. #NEWS: Interstate 95 has reopened in both directions after a person experiencing a mental health crisis was safely taken into custody.#NHSP #TroopAhttps://t.co/jTZLYmFpOU New Hampshire State Police (@NH_StatePolice) December 3, 2024 State police said troopers were responding to a mental health crisis on the bridge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Piscataqua River Bridge connects New Hampshire to Maine. A man wanted in connection with the killing of his wife was fatally shot by state troopers on the Piscataqua River Bridge in late August. That particular incident prompted a six-hour closure of the heavily trafficked bridge. The State Police remind anyone struggling with a mental health crisis that help is available. Anyone can call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8 for free and confidential support for themselves, a friend or a loved one, New Hampshire State Police shared in a statement. Piscataqua River Bridge, which connects Maine to New Hampshire shut down 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 ABBEVILLE, La. (KLFY) An Abbeville man was charged with Assault by Drive-by-Shooting after two people were hurt in an incident on November 19th. The incident too place on LA Highway 695. Authorities say the suspect Frederick Washington, 52, shot several rounds from the highway into a home injuring the two people. Officials say the suspect was located on Hathorne Street in Abbeville after the shooting. He was arrested with assistance from the Vermilion Parish SWAT Team and Abbeville Police. Hes being held in the Vermilion Parish Correction Center on a $100,000 bond. 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 KLFY.com. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) Abilene ISD Superintendent Dr. John Kuhn has issued a statement regarding the use of Bluebonnet Learning after legislation was passed to incorporate certain biblical references into the materials. Texas approves optional Bible-based lessons for public schools The State Board of Education recently granted Bluebonnet Learning approval to use certain biblical references in school materials, including the Golden Rule and the story of the Good Samaritan. They cited these as important for a comprehensive education in cultural literacy. Bluebonnet Learning materials cover 100% of the states learning standards, and Kuhn has released a statement regarding this in Abilene schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abilene ISD educators have visited campuses in other school districts where Bluebonnet Learning is in use and have brought back their impressions to their colleagues. In addition, selected AISD educators have had access to the materials locally through a limited pilot program. In general, our educators have had favorable feedback about the high quality of Bluebonnet Learning instructional materials. After reviewing multiple options for high-quality instructional materials, the districts educator committee has now recommended that AISD move forward with the adoption of Bluebonnet Learning, Kuhn shared online. A decision on whether to adopt Bluebonnet Learning in AISD will be made by our Board of Trustees. Based on feedback from our teachers, my plan is to also recommend the adoption of these instructional materials. Abilene ISD is proud to offer a high-quality, TEKS-aligned education to kids from a wide variety of faith backgrounds. There will be no requirement that AISD teachers use every single passage found in Bluebonnet Learning, biblical or otherwise, in their classrooms. No matter which instructional materials are ultimately selected for AISD, our teachers will continue to have ample opportunities for collaborative input on lesson design. Click here to learn more about Bluebonnet Learning and instructional materials. 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. The council of Russian-occupied Abkhazia against a controversial investment agreement with Moscow, which sparked mass protests last month, Interfax reported on Dec. 3. Twenty-one lawmakers voted against the law, which sought to permit Russians to purchase property in Abkhazia, while two abstained. Abkhazia is internationally recognized as part of Georgia, but is under illegal occupation by Russian forces, which back the local breakaway leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In late October, representatives of Russia and Abkhazia signed an investment agreement in Moscow. Soon after, demonstrators in Abkhazia rallied outside the local proxy parliament, denouncing the deal as one-sided and advantageous only to Moscow. Despite the council's decision to postpone the agreement's consideration, protesters demanded an immediate vote to reject it. Aslan Bzhania, president of the breakaway state submitted his letter of resignation on Nov. 19. Abkhazia has recently drawn attention due to rumors of accelerated construction at the Ochamchire naval base, allegedly being developed by Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite satellite imagery showing construction activity, Abkhaz Foreign Minister Sergei Shamba claimed in September that there are "no plans" for a Russian naval base in the occupied region, which lacks a navy of its own. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine would target Russia's Black Sea Fleet "wherever it is stationed," hinting at potential strikes on Russian-controlled areas of Georgia, including Abkhazia. Read also: Despite popular uprising, Kremlins grip on occupied Abkhazia runs supreme Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Donald Trumps Defense secretary pick Pete Hegseths mother accused her son of mistreating women in a bombshell email, The New York Times reports, which she now disavows. Hegseth has denied any wrongdoing regarding various allegations. Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Closing arguments were delivered Monday in the trial of accused New York City subway killer Daniel Penny as his defense tried to paint Penny as a modern-day savior. "No one had to die on May 1, 2023," Assistant District Attorney Dafna Yoran said Monday in her closing statement about last year's chokehold death of Jordan Neely, a Black homeless man, on a subway train. Before his death, Neely allegedly made verbal threats that scared a handful of passengers, ABC News reported. The 12-person jury likely will not begin its deliberations until Tuesday. But the judge did ask jurors to consider extending deliberations into Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Penny's lawyers wrapped up their case on Nov. 22 in a Manhattan court without calling the 26-year-old Marine veteran to the stand. He pleaded not guilty in June to charges of manslaughter and negligent homicide. If convicted, Penny faces up to 15 years in prison. But there is no minimum sentence. Penny, a native of Long Island, was greeted to shouts of "Guilty!" as he arrived to court Monday morning, according to New York Post. He's accused by the prosecution of "recklessly" killing Neely. Neely, a street performer and Michael Jackson impersonator, was put in a deadly chokehold for roughly six minutes until he died on the floor of an F train car in Manhattan's Lower East Side. A bystander, meanwhile, recorded part of the incident in a video that went viral on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors contend that Penny, then a 25-year-old former Marine, had used excessive force as witnesses stated that Neely never brandished a weapon or attacked a passenger. But the defense tried to downplay the incident and paint Penny as a hero of sorts. Passenger witnesses had expressed a mix between fear to unafraid during the deadly subway incident. On Monday, defense attorney Steven Raiser claimed a "violent and desperate" Neely had entered the train "filled with rage and not afraid of any consequences," he told the jury, and that Penny had "acted to save those people." Yoran did concede that Neely entered the train in an "extremely threatening manner" but had argued it was to a degree "so much less than deadly physical force would have" called for to protect the passengers from Neely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She admitted Penny's initial intent was "laudable" but added that he held on too long. A city medical examiner concluded that Penny's chokehold was what killed Neely. However, the defense tried to argue that Neely's death was attributed to synthetic marijuana found in his system and a genetic condition. Raiser claimed Penny "was not applying a textbook Marine blood choke because his purpose was not to render Mr. Neely unconscious," he said. But the prosecution stated that the defendant Penny "could have easily restrained Jordan Neely without choking him to death," said Yoran. A bill barring New York City landlords from forcing tenants to pay broker fees cleared a final hurdle Tuesday as Mayor Adams confirmed he wont veto the measure despite holding reservations about it. The broker bill is going to be law because they have a veto-proof majority, and so Im not vetoing the bill, Adams told reporters at City Hall on Tuesday afternoon, referring to the margin by which the City Council passed the legislation last month. Still, Adams reiterated he believes the bill could have unintended consequences. Specifically, Adams has raised alarm about the possibility that landlords will simply bake the cost of broker fees into the rent once they cant saddle tenants with the levies up front anymore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayor who has had three vetoes overridden by the City Council since taking office in 2022 said he opted against vetoing the broker fee bill because he doesnt want to put New Yorkers through distress and strife. Im just not in that space of just these headlines of dispute We need to be in a better, calm place, and so I wont veto the bill, he said. I shared what my concerns are, and life will determine if I was accurate in my concerns. With the veto issue out of the way, the broker fee bills set to become law 180 days after its enactment. The bill will automatically be enacted on Dec. 13 unless Adams signs it before then, which he declined to say Tuesday whether he will. Im not going to veto the bill. The question is if Im going to sign it or not, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, landlords can and often do require tenants to pay the fee real estate brokers charge to facilitate an apartment rental. Such fees can range in the thousands of dollars, exacerbating move-in costs for tenants in a city where surging rents are already a widespread problem. Under the Council bill, which was introduced by Brooklyn Councilman Chi Osse, the party who hires a broker would be responsible for paying their fees. Since landlords are almost always the hiring party in such contexts, they would become responsible for covering broker fees under the new regime. Osse, a progressive Democrat, and other supporters of his bill have hailed it as a common sense measure that will help alleviate some financial burden on working class New Yorkers in an increasingly expensive city. Bill supporters have also disputed the mayors arguments against it, noting that rent hikes are capped by law on hundreds of thousands of apartments in the city due to stabilization laws. Asked for a reaction to the mayors decision against vetoing his bill, Osse told the Daily News: Im happy about it. CADDO PARISH, La (KTAL/KMSS) An organization that helps the working poor in our area speaks about the need to help during the holidays while facing a funding shortfall. The United Way of Northwest Louisiana services thousands of residents across the region. They focus on those listed on the national Alice Report, which describes an individual who works full-time but does not make enough to fully reach financial certainty and achieve their goals beyond living paycheck to paycheck. The organization connects those with groups that can help, saying theres often a stigma around asking for help. The President and CEO addressed the Caddo Commission on Monday to affirm the parishs strong support for the United Way. They said the funds provided by the commission are greatly needed and used. The United Way relies on limited funds despite managing a budget shortfall for the third time this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over half of Louisiana residents cannot afford basic necessities They encourage people to call 211 if they need assistance. If you call 211 and say Im really struggling to pay my bills, they hear a lot of what you are saying, so they already recognize that you may be having trouble buying groceries, so they are checking food assistance programs. Maybe you say youre having problems with your credit, so they will give you a referral to our Financial Empowerment Center. Our care coordinator will look at those calls and call that person back because oftentimes, if a person is going through a crisis, they cannot see their way out of it. We will call them back to say hey, did you ever give those non-profits a call? Would you like for me to give them a call? Would you like me to hold your hand and take over? Thats how we helped the grandmother and nurse with cancer. We called them back, said Latoria Thomas, President and CEO of United Way of NWLA. She said the non-profit receives more than 7,000 calls from across northwest Louisiana. A care coordinator works to call back as many people as they can who face desperate financial circumstances. 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 KTALnews.com. KYODO NEWS - Dec 3, 2024 - 23:00 | All, Japan, World The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- Trump renews pledge to block Nippon Steel's bid for U.S. Steel WASHINGTON - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump reiterated Monday that he will prevent Nippon Steel Corp. from acquiring United States Steel Corp., vowing to block the deal soon after returning to the White House next month. "I am totally against the once great and powerful U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company, in this case Nippon Steel of Japan," Trump said on his Truth Social platform. ---------- U.S. hits China with new semiconductor-related export controls WASHINGTON - The U.S. government said Monday it will introduce new restrictions on exports of semiconductor manufacturing tools to China, in its latest attempt to hobble the Asian power's ambitions to develop artificial intelligence for military applications. The Commerce Department added a total of 140 entities linked to China's chip industry to a blacklist that restricts their ability to trade with U.S. companies. ---------- Japan government mulls raising tax-free income threshold from Jan. 2026 TOKYO - The government and the ruling parties are considering applying a higher income tax exemption threshold from January 2026, in a move to incentivize part-timers to work longer hours amid Japan's labor shortage, a source close to the matter said Tuesday. The schedule is expected if the government decides on raising the threshold for imposing income tax, currently set at a minimum annual income of 1.03 million ($6,900), in its tax reform plan for the next fiscal year starting April. Related bills will be subsequently deliberated in the Diet for likely enactment around the spring. ---------- Nomura president sorry for serious crimes committed by ex-employee TOKYO - The president of Nomura Securities Co. apologized Tuesday for crimes, including attempted murder, committed by a former employee, pledging to enhance compliance in the Japanese finance giant's wealth management operations to prevent a repeat of a similar incident. "This is something that should never have happened at a financial institution where customers place their trust in its services," company President Kentaro Okuda said at a press conference. "We will do everything necessary to regain customer trust." ---------- U.N. assembly adopts space nuke ban resolution drafted by U.S., Japan NEW YORK - The U.N. General Assembly on Monday adopted a resolution drafted by countries including the United States and Japan to ban the deployment in space of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction. The resolution, calling for the use of outer space "in full compliance with international law," passed with the support of 167 of the 193 assembly members, while four nations including Russia and North Korea voted against, and China and five others abstained. ---------- Japan museum named "world's most beautiful" at French award ceremony TOKYO - Simose Art Museum in western Japan said Tuesday it has received this year's Prix Versailles award naming it the world's most beautiful museum. The French world architecture and design awards, established in 2015, are announced annually at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. The museum category was added this year, and the Japanese museum was nominated along with six others, including the A4 Art Museum in Chengdu, China, and the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt. ---------- Japan's crown prince, princess head to Turkey to mark 100 yrs of ties TOKYO - Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko on Tuesday departed for a visit to Turkey where they will mark 100 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties. The prince, the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito, and his wife left Tokyo's Haneda airport on a government plane in the morning. They will arrive Tuesday afternoon in the Turkish capital Ankara where they will meet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the following day, and return home on Dec. 8. ---------- Nearly 90% of Chinese view Japan negatively, 2nd-highest level: poll TOKYO - Chinese people with an unfavorable impression of Japan in 2024 increased sharply from the previous year to nearly 90 percent, marking the second-highest level, an annual survey showed Monday as the two Asian neighbors remain at odds over various issues. The figure rose 24.8 percentage points from 2023, amid lingering tensions around the Japanese-controlled, Chinese-claimed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, disputes over wartime history and Japan's continued discharge of treated radioactive water from the disaster-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean. Video: [EXCLUSIVE] Zelenskyy says Ukraine wants to retake occupied land by diplomacy GOP senators are already laying the groundwork with which to blow off the new, harrowing reporting from Jane Mayer in the New Yorker about Trumps putative new defense secretary, Pete Hegseth. They dismiss the allegations of a serial abuser as the kind of sweetly innocent wild child activity that is somehow de rigueur in the military. Which means that many American women will yet again confront a tough choice: Are they going to be party girls or not party girls, as Hegseth himself allegedly classified the female staffers of the nonprofit veterans group he once ran? Do they wish to be the invisible, fungible women destined to be groped, assaulted, and humiliated, or will they be the not party girls, who, as we are only just beginning to discover, are invisible and fungible as well? This is hardly a new or unfamiliar taxonomy, just as the taxonomy of which women will die this year as a result of a miscarriage is not new or unfamiliar. No matter what we chooseto want to be mothers or not, to go along with it or notit can still be any of us. As Nick Fuentes put it, womens bodies are now his choice. So it can be any of us. The Republican senators who met with Hegseth this week brushed aside reports of drunkenness, sexual abuse, rape, and financial self-dealing as trivial, NBC reports, just as they threaten to do away with the very FBI background checks that would determine as much. So the victims will be any of us. We are finally collapsing the ancient social scaffolding of good girls versus girls who had it coming in the interest of ensuring that there are only girls who had it coming. Its almost as if 2024 became the year in which maybe all women were not really real. Jessica Reed Kraus, who writes the hugely popular House Inhabit Substack, affirmed after the election that she remains certain that Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and RFK Jr. were her leaders of choice. But she also noted that she is realizing that what women think of them doesnt much matter to them. Reflecting on that photo of the bros pounding McDonalds on Trumps plane after a UFC match was, even for mesomeone who unapologetically champions the return of brazen masculinity a bit too bro-ish for my liking. Kraus couldnt fathom whyhaving just wrapped up a years worth of flattering coverage of Trumpfemale Trump boosters, like herself and Danica Patrick, were again being shunted aside for the podcast bros her girlfriends werent tuned in to. Why, Kraus mused, in all this chest-thumping coverage of the UFC fight and the subsequent friends-with-that flight, had no one honed in on the moment when Trump sidestepped a crowd to kiss Marla Maples on the cheek? Kraus didnt understand why women Trump fans had not been offered evidence of that kiss, like a chocolate-dipped Hallmark Christmas movie shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As E.J. Dickson of the Cut noted, Kraus primary objection wasnt so much the actual bro-y-ness of the postelection worldview as the bro-y aesthetic. Why, asked Kraus, is it that the UFC scene was overwhelmingly directed to impress dudes? Why, one must ponder, have all these public-facing men who pretended to care about their women and their families in 2016 opted to erase the media coverage of Trumps sweet and loving kiss bestowed on the second wife with whom he cheated on the first wife, before he cheated on her by taking up with his third wife? What the hell, we are forced to ask, has happened to family values? It is certainly possible that the right-wing media simply forgot to cover the tender moments of fatherhood and love and heroic chivalry and sensitivity in this election cycle. But it is far more likely that the flagrant election ofand the subsequent offering of Cabinet positions toa host of men variously accused of sexual assault, sexual trafficking of minors, assaulting babysitters, and serial adultery is no longer disqualifying for the position but essential and maybe even mandatory prior work experience. And so the performance of family values is a drag. Sherrilyn Ifill has been asking why discussions of gender and race have been almost totally erased from the postelection punditry, and embedded in that question is a more chilling one: Why have a host of men who manifestly hate women, who abuse and demean and then attempt to erase them, been offered leadership roles without a searching analysis of why that happened? Why did the patina of respect for, and the false promise of protection of, vulnerable women simply drop out of the Trump transition efforts? Is anyone experiencing the dawning realization that for men like Pete Hegsethwhose own mother has described him as a profoundly damaged abuser of womenthe women who are grabbed and attacked and discredited are staunch Republican activists, not the other sorts of women, not the cat ladies, not the nonparty girls? Is it possible, as Dickson describes it, that what the growing reservations of female Trump voters indicate is that within the patriarchy, there are no exceptions, no chill girls to whom the rules do not apply? The reason you are not seeing soft-filter narratives about Donald Trumps Cabinet picks and their love for women is because theres no need for filtration. Hating women is OK now. Any man who has been accused of wrongdoing is presumptively a gladiator, and any woman who levels an accusation is presumptively a liar. Jane Mayers stunning portrait of Hegseths life of abuse and assault, which includes paying off a victim of a 2017 assault in Monterey, ends with twin revelations that would be shocking in any other age: The Trump transition team didnt bother to learn of and were in fact blindsided by these allegations. (Indeed, the group expected Hegseth to share them.) And Hegseths attorney told Mayer that the police report about the alleged sexual assault had surfaced prior false allegations of sexual assault by the alleged victim that had discredited her account. That was a lie, immediately debunked by the Monterey County district attorneys office. No need to muddy the waters, no need to create alternative facts. Just call women liars and move along to the confirmation. For a very long time, we preferred to have public officials vetted before they assumed officein part because of the fear that they could be subject to blackmail. Overnight and perhaps imperceptibly, we have moved into an era in which there is evidently no reason to fear such blackmail. The conduct shocks nobody. Abusing women for sport, or because youre not a church boy, or because to be a wild child is to embody manliness: that need not be power-washed or kept secret anymore. There need be no investigation, FBI or ersatz, because whatever is unearthed is allowed. And the women who will be paid off and fired and shunned and rape kitted and lied about? They will be knowingly and deliberately devalued, whether they wanted to party or not. TUPELO Homelessness continues to be a growing and sustained problem both nationally and in the All-America City, and city officials are looking at their efforts, hoping to enact positive change in the community. Members of the northern area nonprofit Mississippi United to End Homelessness (MUTEH) met with members of the Tupelo City Council Monday to update officials on their work in partnership with the city. At different times throughout the year, we try to come and give (the council) and update, so youll know how to communicate with the public on the homelessness situation in Tupelo, Chief Operations Officer Don Lewis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MUTEH North Mississippi Team Lead Kerrie Hamby said 107 individuals are homeless in Tupelo as of last month. 83 people have been housed, and over half were helped through MUTEH. Other organizations helped the others. The organization has over 40 houses in their program and 15 people have graduated from their program, meaning they no longer receive assistance from MUTEH. The Tupelo Salvation Army, meanwhile, has 41 individuals in their shelter housing, for a total of 82 homeless individuals identified in Lee County. We have identified roughly 38 (confirmed unsheltered individuals).... Out of those 38, 15 have had previous housing opportunities and have failed due to their own circumstances, Hamby said. Part of the citys efforts includes the Tupelo Homeless Task Force, a group that comprises city officials, advocates, business owners and community leaders, that speak with, educate and help both sheltered and unsheltered individuals in the city. The group holds monthly meetings to pool resources and schedule or promote programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tupelo Homeless Task Force Chair Hannah Maharrey is the former director of Mississippi Balance of State Continuum of Care and current executive director of the Good Samaritan Health Services Antone Hill Clinic. She has worked closely with MUTEH and other advocates in the city for years. Maharrey stressed residents should not engage with those panhandling, noting that many are not homeless individuals. This follows previous action from the council to class aggressive panhandling and criminal loitering as chargeable misdemeanor within city limits. Another goal organizations and the task force has is breaking up encampments and helping those living in them. Maharrey said those that spot encampments should call the citys code enforcement department or emergency services if there are illegal activities taking place. There are six active encampments in Tupelo, she noted. Tupelo regularly ranks in the Top 3 cities in the continuum in homeless population, though these statistics do not include the Gulf Coast, which is in its own system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The annual point-in-time count, a yearly census of the homeless population of the state, that the Mississippi Balance of State Continuum of Care is just around the corner in January. This is part of a national count that determines funding needs and helps the city and organizations obtain different funding streams. Last count reported 64 unhoused individuals in Lee County, 91 in the region. This count includes sheltered individuals, such as individuals in the Tupelo Salvation Army shelter. That is a sharp decrease from 2023, when 99 individuals were recorded in Lee County and 133 individuals in the region. Our numbers are up, Maharrey said, comparing to previous years. The people that are currently unsheltered have been very difficult to work with. Maharrey also noted that Tupelo has the only Greyhound bus stop in the region and the only shelter, which incentives communities in the region to bring their homeless individuals from their areas to Tupelo. They are hoping to deter this in the future and often help those homeless individuals move on to their final destination. AUSTIN (KXAN) The Austin Fire Department is continuing to monitor a fire that happened at a northwest Austin apartment complex Monday night. AFD said on social media shortly after 10 p.m. it responded to the apartment complex in the 7900 block of San Felipe Boulevard. Thats near U.S. 183. When crews arrived, they responded to a three-story apartment at the complex, AFD said. The agency said at 10:14 p.m. the fire was under control and contained to one apartment with possible water damage to the apartments below. Additionally, it will continue to look for hot spots. Crews responded to a third-story apartment fire at a complex in northwest Austin. (Courtesy AFD) Crews responded to a third-story apartment fire at a complex in northwest Austin. (Courtesy AFD) Crews responded to a third-story apartment fire at a complex in northwest Austin. (Courtesy AFD) Just before 11:00 p.m., AFD said the fire was out and that crews were in the process of breaking down equipment. They also said the fire was still under investigation, and that no one was hurt. 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. BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, Brooklyn (PIX11) Mayor Eric Adams kicked off what he is calling affordability week inside a Bed-Stuy High School. He is spending the week highlighting initiatives he believes will make life more affordable for New Yorkers and said the push is absolutely born from lessons learned during the election in November. More Local News Inside the Boys and Girls High School, students showed Adams how theyre learning skills through the intense training programs theyre being offered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senior, Cameron Williams said his Electrical Engineering program is setting up for a union apprenticeship upon graduation. It is part of the Mayors future ready program, which as of this year is expanding up to 135 high schools and adding two new job training tracks including the lucrative field of HVAC installation and maintenance. It is expensive to live in the city, and when you have that good paying job, it puts you on the pathway to overcome that affordability issue, so we wanted to start here. NYC students can now get training for HVAC, social services jobs As for the broader affordability push: We heard it over and over again, Adams said of the 2024 election cycle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Mayor said he sat down with his team to learn lessons and take stock of his administrations efforts resulting in this weeks push. 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. Dec. 2The Oklahoma Attorney General's Office is asking a state appellate court to order the parole board to hold a clemency hearing Wednesday after the meeting was unexpectedly cancelled. Kevin Ray Underwood, 44, is scheduled to be executed on Dec. 19, his birthday, by lethal injection in the death chamber at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board was scheduled to meet Wednesday to consider clemency for Underwood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents filed by the Oklahoma AG's Office on Monday state the Board on Nov. 29 canceled its regular December meeting and Underwood's clemency hearing after two members of the five-person Board resigned. "As conveyed to the State, the Board, despite having a quorum of members able to conduct the clemency hearing did not wish to hear the clemency until the two vacancies are filled and a full Board will be present," the AG's office wrote in court documents. The AG's Office is asking the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals to issue an order to force the remaining members of the Board to meet and consider clemency for Underwood. State law requires the Board to schedule a clemency hearing within three days of receiving notice of a scheduled execution and for the hearing to be held on or before the 21st calendar day preceding the scheduled execution date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Although the clemency hearing is for the benefit of the condemned inmate, the State has an overwhelming interest in ensuring that inmates are afforded all available right before an execution is carried out," the AG's Office wrote. The AG's Office also states the sudden cancellation of the hearing appears to not comply with Oklahoma's Open Meetings Act as the cancellation notice was not issued at least 10 days prior to the meeting date. "Even assuming the Open Meetings Act allows for cancellations with less notice in emergency situations, no such emergency exists here where the Board has a quorum and could proceed on the scheduled hearing date," the AG's Office wrote. A reply from the Board was not available as of press time Monday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Cleveland County jury sentenced Underwood to death for acting on his fantasies of cannibalism and killing Jamie Rose Bolin on April 12, 2006, in his apartment. He admitted to investigators during an interview he lured the girl into his apartment to play with his pet rat. While watching a cartoon show, he admitted to hitting the girl in the back of the head with a cutting board before suffocating her. Underwood also admitted he tried to sexually assault the girl's body and attempted to remove her head with a knife. The man said he then became "disgusted with himself" and did not eat the girl as he planned to fulfill his fantasy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bolin was found stuffed in a plastic container by an FBI agent in Underwood's apartment. "Go ahead and arrest me," Underwood told the agent. "She's in there. I hit her and chopped her up. I'm going to burn in hell." Underwood's attorneys, in their clemency packet, say Underwood was bullied in school, had mental health issues and was addicted to pornography. His father demeaned him while his mother had a temper, according to the packet. "We hope you try to view Kevin holistically, including what he's been through and who he could have been had he received proper care," they wrote. Underwood was originally scheduled to be executed on Dec. 7, 2023, prior to the AG's office asking for more time in between executions to lessen the workload on Oklahoma Department of Corrections employees. Dec. 2The Attorney General's Office is warning New Hampshire residents of a blackmail scam targeting older residents and others in the Granite State. The warning comes as the holiday season begins a time of year when scammers ramp up efforts to trick folks into sharing sensitive information via email, text messages and social media. Attorney General John M. Formella said Monday his office heard from residents who reported receiving similar e-mails from senders unknown to them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The email subject line contained the recipient's name, while the body of the message contained the recipient's name and home address. Each resident who contacted the AG's office received a threatening letter attached to the email, each similarly worded and containing the recipient's name, telephone number, home address, and a picture of the recipient's home. The letter claimed a computer virus was placed on the recipient's electronic device, allowing the sender to track the recipient's browsing history, emails, and social media accounts. "I suggest you read this message carefully," the letter reads. "Take a minute to relax, breathe, and really dig into it. 'Cause we're about to discuss a deal between you and me, and I ain't playing games. You don't know me but I know ALOT (sic) about you and right now, you are wondering how, right? Well you've been treading on thin ice with your browsing habits, clicking through those girlie videos and clicking on links, stumbling upon some not-so-safe sites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Been keeping tabs on your pathetic existence for a while now. It's simply your bad luck that I accessed your misadventures." The letter warns that the sender has extracted embarrassing information about the recipient. The sender threatens that the embarrassing information will be sent to the recipient's email and/or telephone contacts unless the recipient pays a "privacy fee" using cryptocurrency. The letter lists the amount of the "privacy fee" and cryptocurrency account information for deposit, in many cases demanding nearly $2,000 in Bitcoin. "I've got footage of you doing filthy things in your house (nice setup, by the way)," the letter reads. "I then developed videos and screenshots where on one side of the screen, there's whatever garbage you were enjoying, and on the other half, it is your vacant face. "With just a single click, I can send this filth to all of your contacts." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Attorney General's Office cautioned that emails containing this type of letter as an attachment are known as a "blackmail scam." "Residents should understand that the senders of these emails have not actually been to the recipient's home," Formella said in a statement. "They have obtained personal identifying information from publicly available sources and included photos of the recipient's home obtained online in the letter. Further, the sender has not gained access to the recipient's electronic device. "Instead, the sender threatens the recipient to create a sense of fear and urgency so that the recipient will pay money." The Attorney General's Office said New Hampshire residents shouldn't reply to or open any attachments in electronic messages from senders who they are unfamiliar with. Officials urged anyone who received and opened one of these letters attached to take the following precautions: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Do not panic; * Do not send money, including cryptocurrency, in response to the letter; * Contact your local police department, especially if you have lost money; * If you are concerned about whether your computer or other device has been compromised, contact a reputable computer company you can verify to inspect your device. Report the scam to the Office of the Attorney General Consumer Protection Hotline as 1-888-468-4454, email Doj-CPB@doj.nh.gov, or visit doj.nh.gov/consumer/complaints. A new 2024 AARP Fraud Watch Network report highlights ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season, and shows four-in-five (82%) U.S. consumers have experienced some type of fraud this year including gift card scams, counterfeit products, phishing attempts disguised as delivery notifications, and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Criminals are using a combination of tried-and-true methods and new technology to steal billions of dollars every year and they're counting on consumers' unfamiliarity with scams to succeed" said Kathy Stokes, AARP Director of Fraud Prevention Programs. This year, more than half (56%) of consumers reported receiving a notification from someone saying they were from USPS, FedEx, or UPS about a shipment problem that ultimately turned out to be fraudulent, which nearly doubled compared to 2022 (29%). Nearly two-thirds of consumers (64%) are unaware that online retailers will not ask for personal login information to provide them with customer support. Ads on social media continue to be a source for targeting consumers with over a third (35%) saying they experienced fraud when purchasing a product through an online ad. Anyone with knowledge that a vulnerable adult has been scammed or financially exploited should also contact the New Hampshire Bureau of Adult and Aging Services, at 1-800-949-0470. President Joe Biden and son Hunter Biden step out of a bookstore while shopping in Nantucket, Massachusetts, on November 29, 2024. (Photo by Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images) Like only a few of the bit players from the hundreds of scandals great and small in American political history, Hunter Biden has finally achieved a kind of immortality. By apparently persuading his father to grant him a pardon for gun charges on which he had already been convicted and tax crimes to which he had pleaded guiltyas well as any other federal crimes he may have committed in the past decadethe younger Biden will now be an icon of an age of corruption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That doesnt refer to other kinds of scandals in the sense of bungled policy or dishonest spin: the failed program thats swept under the rug or the official doubletalk that characterizes every administration to one degree or another. An age of corruption is a time when power is routinely abused for personal purposes. The outgoing presidents defenders have raced to compare the Biden pardon to the corruption of the former and future Trump administrations in the person of Charles Kushner, the father-in-law of the president-elects daughter, Ivanka. Donald Trump pardoned Kushner in 2020 for his crimes, including hiring a hooker to seduce his own brother-in-law to prevent the mans wife, Kushners sister, from testifying in the real estate developers fraud trial. Now, Trump has appointed Kushner, whose family business has made billions in the Trump orbit, to be ambassador to France. Zut alors Some Democrats have observed that the Biden pardon sets a bad precedent that Trump will surely exploit when returned to power next month. But thats not the problem. The precedent was already there. President Joe Biden ratified it, and, worse, did so after repeatedly promising he would never abuse his power in exactly the way he just did. The Biden administration had promised a departure from the free-wheeling corruption of the first Trump term, when ethical lapses, self-dealing, and murky disclosures had been the norm. But Bidens own family couldnt stay out of trouble: Hunter always, but sometimes the presidents brother, Jim, who had made a nice career for himself selling access and influence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Biden familys shadiness was hardly new to politics. Trading on a powerful family name is a tried and true form of political corruption, from William Franklin to the rotten Rodham brothers. The Biden pardon does nudge the precedent a bit, though. Unlike Kushner and that other famous first-family felon, Roger Clinton, Hunter Biden never served a day for his crimes. He hadnt even been sentenced. And the addition of a blanket amnesty for any other, still unidentified crimes from 2014 to 2024 is the cherry on top. Democrats are no doubt right to fear that the president is supercharging the coming geyser of executive power abuses in the next Trump administration. Trump himself made it explicit in his statement on the Bidens, invoking his pledge to pardon members of the mob of his supporters who sacked the Capitol trying to prevent the certification of the 2020 election. And certainly this weeks pardon was a boon to Trumps effort to install right-wing provocateur Kash Patel as the next director of the FBI. If President Biden can interfere with the justice system on the premise of fighting back against what he says are politically motivated prosecutions, why not President Trump? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But one supposes that the most durable abuses in the Trump administration will be of the venal, Kushnerian variety. Trump demands the obsequious attention of the rich and powerful of the business world, and all signs indicate that in his second term, he plans to make the most of those relationships without even some of the modest ethical boundaries that limited his first go around. Yes, the 20s are going to keep roaring, and, just like the same decade of the previous century, political corruption will continue to be endemic in Washington. But to call that time or our own ages of corruption would suggest that every other age somehow isnt. Even administrations not badly marred by personal corruption have their stinkers. The Biden pardon does nudge the precedent a bit. Hunter Biden never served a day for his crimes. He hadnt even been sentenced. And the addition of a blanket amnesty for any other, still unidentified crimes from 2014 to 2024 is the cherry on top. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The word itself suggests something a bit at odds with what we know about human nature. In politics at least, were generally not talking about corrupting something good, but rather failing to keep rotten impulses bottled up. Thats why its important that public corruption is publicly punished, and stringently so. Hunter Biden made millions because of his fathers decades in office, but argued through his lawyers that it would be wrong for him to face harsher penalties than another criminal because of his political prominence. He wanted to be someone special when he was hustling influence-seekers at home and abroad, but when it came time to suffer the consequences, Hunter Biden wanted to be treated like anybody else. And when that didnt work, he got his dad to bail him out again. And, yes, the lack of consequences for the younger Biden will no doubt make matters worse in the coming Trump term. If Trump had taken the oath of office with Hunter Biden mouldering in a cell somewhere, it might have been a bit of a yellow flag for Trumps relatives and hangers-on envisioning what billions might be squeezed out of four years with no reelection campaign to worry about. But taming corruption cant be done with fear alone. It requires good examples, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Ronald Reagans diaries were published in 2007, one of the newsy bits was that the then-president had in January 1989 considered a pardon for longtime aide Michael Deaver. Deaver had left the White House in 1985 to try to cash in as a lobbyist, but immediately ran afoul of ethics rules requiring a two-year cooling-off period, and did so in spectacular fashion. An independent counsel was installed to probe the matter, and Deaver ended up lying to investigators and to Congress. He blamed his alcoholism for the lapses, but offered no defense in court and was convicted in 1987 of five counts of perjurya hefty fine, three years of probation, and no lobbying. It was a great embarrassment to Reagan and his team, who worked hard to keep any notion of grubbiness or personal corruption away from the administration. Iran-Contra was a scandal, sure, but it wasnt about cashing in on the public trust. But the Deaver prosecution was also very obviously politically motivated. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee had hounded Deaver, and eventually, with the help of a Washington, D.C., jury, tripped him up. It would have been natural for Reagan to want to see his loyal friend restored from a punishment that was aimed at the president more than his former aide. Reagan wrestled with the question, but in January 1989, Deaver made it easy for him: Mike has passed the word that he wont accept a pardon. And that, folks, is how its done. 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. Dec. 2ANDERSON Madison County Commissioners have approved inter-agency agreements pertaining to the allocation of $25.1 million in American Rescue Plan Funds. Commissioners on Monday approved the inter-agency agreements with the jail building commission; Drainage Board, Park Board, Plan Commission, Health Department; Park Board and JobSource. County Engineer Jessica Bastin explained the agreements require the specific board and agencies to utilize the American Rescue Plan funds as outlined previously by commissioners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agreement specifies if the funds are not used for the stated purpose, the commissioners can rescind the funding and reallocate for a different project. Bastin said the allocation of the funds has to be completed by Dec. 31 and the funds spent by the end of 2026. The county received a total of $25.1 million, which is being spent on a total of 40 projects. Included in the appropriation is $7 million toward construction of the planned 525-bed jail on Broadway in Anderson. The new jail is slated to be completed in 2026 The total cost of the project to build a 525-bed facility in North Anderson is $105.5 million. The county has sold $79.6 million in bonds to finance the majority of the cost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other agreements include the following: $1 million for a regional sewer project near Alexandria $900,000 for the Scholar House program $283,000 for the Planning Department to update zoning codes $75,000 for operational costs for county park department Bastin said inter-agency agreements are pending with the Madison County Chamber of Commerce in the amount of $50,000 for a matching state grant, and $200,000 to the Anderson Housing Authority for rental and utility assistance in rural areas of the county. OTHER BUSINESS The commissioners approved an engineering contract for the replacement of the bridge on New Columbus Road over Sugar Creek and the lowering of the weight limit from 15 tons to 12 tons. The contract with Aegis is for environmental, right-of-way acquisition and design work not to exceed $454,600. Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863. Jay O. Rothman, president of the University of Wisconsin System, speaks during the UW Board of Regents meeting hosted at Union South at the University of WisconsinMadison on Feb. 9, 2023. (Photo by Althea Dotzour / UWMadison) The Universities of Wisconsin Administration released a third-party report on its finances Monday, announcing plans for how it can better and more efficiently support the states public universities as the system faces declining enrollment and increased scrutiny from Republican lawmakers. The reports release comes after Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said that the systems $855 million budget request was a nonstarter even though system President Jay Rothman agreed to Republican demands for changes to the systems diversity, equity and inclusion policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, the Universities of Wisconsin are 43rd out of 50 states in the nation in terms of public support for our universities, Rothman said on WISNs UpFront on Sunday. The $855 million gets us up to average, gets us up to the median. That, to me, in the context of a long period of time where the universities have not been invested in, is a reasonable ask. The release of the report, from the consulting firm Deloitte, on the system administrations finances comes after similar reviews of the finances of the 12 University of Wisconsin schools outside of UW-Madison. Ten of those schools have been operating at a deficit as budget support from the state government has decreased and enrollment numbers have declined. Only the Madison, La Crosse and Stout campuses have been projected to create enough revenues to cover their expenses. A strategic plan implemented by the UW Board of Regents in 2022 calls for structural deficits to be resolved by 2028. A decade-long tuition freeze implemented by Republican lawmakers was ended in 2022 and earlier this year, the Regents approved the second tuition increase in two years. The independent third-party review that has now concluded complements our strategic plan, adopted by the Board of Regents two years ago, Rothman said in a statement. It provides us insight on how better to provide unparalleled educational opportunities for Wisconsin students, improve Wisconsin communities, and help Wisconsin win the War for Talent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report notes that each campus is run independently and that system administration needs to do a better job clearly stating what its goals are so campus leaders can plan effectively. There is a need to improve systemwide accountability, while leaving space for the unique identity and culture of each campus, as the Universities of Wisconsin is the sum of its parts, ultimately rolling up to singular financial statements. Without a clear tactical vision and roadmap for the future of UW operations, it is difficult for university leaders to make informed decisions about investing in operations and/or strategic priorities, the report states. UW universities would benefit from a strategic roadmap across administrative, operations, technology, programmatic, and enrollment initiatives. Efforts to solve the systems financial woes have already been underway, with a number of branch campuses across the state being shuttered and faculty and staff at several universities facing layoffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The release of the individual campus financial reports in April drew concerns from faculty and students that the system would lean on austerity measures to balance the budget, harming their jobs and educational opportunities when the true cause of the struggles is the lack of financial support the system has gotten in the state budget. Mondays report recommends that the system administration do more oversight of academic program creation and management, noting that the number of programs at the 12 non-Madison campuses has grown by nearly 7% while the number of bachelors degrees conferred has declined by more than 9%. The report states that system administration should set clear markers for what it means for a program to be successful and better determine if a program should be tweaked, invested in, combined between campuses or closed. While creating and curating academic programs should fall within the purview of faculty governance at each university, UW Admin should be accountable for creating transparent policies and processes to provide the data necessary for the Board of Regents to fulfill its role in approving and monitoring programs, the report states. With the release of the report, Rothman announced a number of plans to follow its recommendations, including being more active in enrollment management, creating a work group for evaluating low-enrollment programs, increased standards for financial accountability and providing more effective, customer-focused shared services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These reviews have helped us refine steps to eliminate structural deficits at a number of our universities and embark on a path of long-term financial stability, Rothman said. We will continue to make necessary changes across our universities to ensure faithful stewardship of resources and to better serve students and parents, employers, and communities across Wisconsin. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX KYODO NEWS - Dec 3, 2024 - 19:51 | All, Japan The president of Nomura Securities Co. apologized Tuesday for crimes, including attempted murder, committed by a former employee, pledging to enhance compliance in the Japanese finance giant's wealth management operations to prevent a repeat of a similar incident. "This is something that should never have happened at a financial institution where customers place their trust in its services," company President Kentaro Okuda said at a press conference. "We will do everything necessary to regain customer trust." His apology came as prosecutors last month indicted former Nomura employee Yusei Kajiwara for allegedly stealing about 18 million yen ($120,000) in cash from the house of company clients in Hiroshima, western Japan, in July, and setting their residence on fire. Kajiwara, who came to know the clients, a couple in their 80s, through his wealth management job, drugged the wife to the point that she fell into a coma, according to the prosecutors. Despite this, both victims managed to escape the fire safely. Nomura Securities fired Kajiwara in August. The brokerage announced a series of measures it hopes will ensure no similar crimes can be committed in future, including requiring supervisors to accompany employees on customer visits and to call customers before or after such visits. The company also said Okuda and nine other senior executives will take responsibility for the episode by returning between 20 and 30 percent of their monthly salaries for three months. Related coverage: Around 30 arrested over spate of robberies in Tokyo region NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) An artificial intelligence weapons detection company is under fire by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for allegedly making false and unsupported claims that its technology is more efficient, accurate, and cheaper than traditional metal detectors because it uses AI. Evolv Technologies AI weapons detection systems are used in multiple Tennessee school districts, including Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS), Wilson County Schools, and Rutherford County Schools. The technology scans students and other visitors for weapons, using AI, without requiring them to remove items from their person, according to previous marketing. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts In the complaint filed last week against Evolv Technologies, the FTC cited multiple instances where the technology failed to detect all weapons like the company previously claimed in marketing advertisements, and falsely alerted to harmless, everyday items students normally bring to school, including binders, laptops, and water bottles, which the company claimed the technology would ignore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint also alleged Evolv failed to meet its own claims that the technology significantly reduces operating costs compared to traditional metal detectors. Last November, Montgomery County Sheriff John Fuson told the Montgomery County Commission the school system had experienced the false alert issue when it first rolled out its pilot program with Evolv, but the problem was expected. Theres been alerts on the laptops and things like that, which is what we thought it would hit on, the sheriff said. The commission ultimately approved funds to expand the Evolv pilot program in November 2023 after the sheriff reported the technology was working as a deterrent because no weapons had been detected. PREVIOUS: Class action lawsuit filed against AI weapons detection company Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is definitely a success in the manner of not finding any weapons coming through the system, which is exactly what we want. This keeps the weapons out of our school, Fuson said last November. In a proposed settlement order, the FTC made several recommendations, including restricting Evolv from making unverified claims about the effectiveness of its products and ordering the company to allow certain K-12 customers to cancel their contracts, which are often multi-year deals. While Evolv disagreed with all of the FTCs allegations and denied any wrongdoing, the company agreed to allow a limited number of K-12 customers to cancel their contracts during a 60-day period in the companys resolution to the FTC complaint. We worked collaboratively with the FTC to resolve this matter and are pleased that the FTC did not challenge the fundamental effectiveness of our technology and that the resolution does not include any monetary relief. We appreciated the opportunity to demonstrate for the FTC our Evolv Express system and our customers diligence in researching, testing and ultimately deploying our solution in myriad environments, said Mike Ellenbogen, Interim President and CEO of Evolv Technology in a press release. Our top priority is the safety of people and the communities we serve. To be clear, this inquiry was about past marketing language and not our systems ability to add value to security operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None of the Tennessee school districts that use Evolv weapons detection systems directly answered whether the company has given them the option to cancel their contracts when News 2 reached out for more information. However, a spokesperson for the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office issued a statement saying they would diligently evaluate other technologies before spending additional taxpayer dollars on Evolv systems. Given the expense to expand the Evolv Technology throughout multiple schools, along with the staff required to properly operate the equipment, we want to diligently evaluate other technologies before spending additional tax dollars on this technology. We, along with the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System, will continue to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of any new technology that will help us improve the safety of our schools, Sheriff Fuson wrote in a statement. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com A Wilson County Schools spokesperson told News 2 the district has had multiple training sessions and ongoing support from the company since acquiring their services to provide an enhanced layer of security around a year ago. They said the district is still learning more about their systems and products, and there have been no new discussions or decisions/BOE voting on anything regarding the FTC complaint against Evolv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Rutherford County Schools told News 2 the district is monitoring legal inquiries with Evolv, and they are evaluating the system as part of a pilot program. Evolv is facing multiple lawsuits, including one filed by its investors who claim the company lied about its products effectiveness. 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. Some Air Force officials are concerned by the service's innovative deployment model, a new government watchdog report revealed, with some wing and command leaders saying the idea leaves bases short-staffed and under-resourced and creates logistical headaches for home bases. The Air Force Force Generation model, referred to as AFFORGEN, was unveiled last year as a revolutionary way to train, rest and move forces for deployments. But a probe by the Government Accountability Office revealed in a report last week that the plan "continues to face a variety of ongoing challenges" and has triggered worries from officials at multiple bases and major commands. Guidance on how to implement the new deployment model with Air Combat Command, Air Force Global Strike Command and Air Mobility Command was described as "policy by PowerPoint presentations and emails," characterized as a "concept ahead of Air Force processes" or lambasted as "speed of change faster than speed of communication," the report detailed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read Next: General Known as Last Soldier in Afghanistan Gets Promotion Approved After Republican Ends Delay The AFFORGEN deployment model was touted by the Department of the Air Force as a major change "for the first time in more than 20 years." Prior to the new model, the service would deploy airmen for six months at a time, followed by approximately 12 months back at their home base. That old rotational model meant the service was bringing people from a variety of bases together for a deployment, often not providing time for those airmen to train together. The new model is aiming for more cohesion, hoping to pull units that already have some familiarity with one another from their home bases. But deploying all that manpower from one place presents growing pains, according to officials interviewed for the GAO report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, "expressed concerns that the AFFORGEN process requires the use of whole units for deployments, which could degrade the wing's ability to support its home base," the report said. Other testimony in the report from officials at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, said that providing the people required during a deployment last year "would have led to the closure of three out of seven gates at the base due to insufficient numbers of remaining personnel to staff them" and added that "the Air Force later reduced its request for personnel." Katherine Kuzminski, the director of the military, veterans and society program at the Center for a New American Security think tank, told Military.com that it's often a balancing act -- juggling requirements for combatant commanders and the joint force, as well as needs within the service itself -- and that isn't easy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The underlying challenge is that the demand for Air Force assets continues to grow at a time when force structure is relatively stable and the services are facing a tough recruiting environment," Kuzminski told Military.com. "The trade-offs are thus either short staffing or burnout and impacts to readiness." The GAO suggested completing "a service-wide assessment of U.S. Air Force base minimum staffing needs," as well as assessing "potential gaps and risks associated with reduced in-garrison support for base-related missions," among other recommendations in the report. Lt. Col. Phillip Ventura, an Air Force spokesman, told Military.com in an emailed statement Tuesday that "we are neither slowing down nor attempting to implement a perfect solution," but that the Department of the Air Force is "testing concepts, listening to feedback from the field, and iterating in real-time." Ventura added that many of the GAO recommendations are already in the works within the department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Department of the Air Force agrees with the substantive findings within GAO's report," Ventura said. "As those who read it will find, our organizations are largely aligned in understanding the threat and need for change. Ours is a fast-moving effort, and we were already moving out on most of the recommendations even as the report was being written." He added that AFFORGEN will be "tailored to specific unit and command needs." The latest watchdog report marks the second major Department of the Air Force initiative to be caught under the GAO's magnifying glass. A probe into the ongoing ambitious reorganization plan designed to keep the Air Force and Space Force competitive against China was completed in September, but was deemed not releasable. Though Gen. David Allvin, the Air Force chief of staff, told reporters at a Military Reporters and Editors Conference in October that he "was very, very pleased" by the results of the earlier probe, those findings have still not been made public by the GAO or the service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soon, the Department of the Air Force will likely have new civilian leadership under President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration. While some government watchdogs and defense policy experts previously voiced concern to Military.com over whether the plans established under Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's tenure will have staying power, Kuzminski said that uniformed leadership will continue to carry on those plans from one administration to the next. "What the GAO's findings in both of these cases presents is a clear list of areas for improvement from new Air Force civilian leadership -- but it's also important to emphasize the uniformed (nonpartisan and thus not tied to any specific administration) role in informing and leading any kind of transformation," she said. Related: The Air Force Unveiled an Ambitious Reorganization Plan. Can It Survive a Presidential Election? As the anti-Assad rebel forces surprise counteroffensive against regime forces stretches into its fifth day, Russia and Syria have stepped up their aerial bombardment campaign to slow it down. That appears to be having some effect on what until now had been a lightning-quick advance. Adding to the challenge, forces supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad continue to pour into the Hama region to create a defensive line against the advance led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). To further assist the regime, hundreds of Iranian-backed Iraqi militia fighters have crossed the border to join the fight. The dramatic HTS advance has somewhat slowed in the past 24 hours, according to Al Jazeeras Sinem Koseoglu, reporting from the Turkish-Syrian border. The advances by the Syrian opposition continue on the battlefront, but not as fast as before, Koseoglu said. The acceleration is down as the diplomatic efforts to discuss the crisis have risen within the last two days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syrian government forces appeared to be regrouping to counterattack Monday, The Washington Post noted. In an interview for #AlMayadeen, writer and political analyst Mouhanad al-Hajj Ali revealed that the Syrian Army is gearing up for a decisive counterattack in northwest Syria, targeting terrorist factions entrenched in #Idlib and surrounding areas. According to al-Hajj Ali, the pic.twitter.com/UkQLV41SSZ Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) December 2, 2024 Russian and Syrian airstrikes are taking a toll on the forces aligned with HTS, a U.S.-designated terror organization. It was formally an al-Qaida-linked group known as al-Nusra Front that has since cut its ties with the Sunni jihadis. Syrian regime and Russian warplanes targeted the Baghdad Station neighborhood in Aleppo city with airstrikes today, the White Helmets, a Syrian opposition-run rescue group, claimed on X. There were also airstrikes on targets elsewhere in Aleppo and in Idlib province as well, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a London-based watchdog organization monitoring the conflict. At least 25 people were killed in the air strikes, the White Helmets said on social media early on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Targeting hospitals and healthcare facilities protected under international humanitarian law is a war crime and a severe violation aimed at denying civilians access to medical care. The destruction caused by Russian airstrikes hit a cluster of healthcare facilities, including pic.twitter.com/ZJxgcAKvTJ The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) December 2, 2024 Russian warplanes conducted airstrikes targeting the Sulaymaniyah neighborhood in Aleppo city close to the Saint Joseph Chaldean Cathedral in Aleppo city. pic.twitter.com/xoBeXEorad Levant24 (@Levant_24_) December 2, 2024 JUST NOW: Joint Russian and Syrian airstrikes hit Idlib's University and National hospitals. Hitting multiple hospitals at once is not an accident. pic.twitter.com/jT7UDWuW2P Kareem Rifai (@KareemRifai) December 2, 2024 Footage of yesterdays Russian airstrike on central Aleppo. The strike killed many civilians & injured several others. pic.twitter.com/tr0zOXe9Xn Clash Report (@clashreport) December 1, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assads forces also claimed to have fired a Tochka, or SS-21 Scarab, a Soviet-era mobile short-range ballistic missile (SRBM), against rebel forces, reportedly for the first time. The missile targeted positions in Idlib province, according to the official Iranian Press TV news outlet. However, the date of the launch and its location are unknown. Assad regime have launched Tochka tactical ballistic missiles for the first time in years. pic.twitter.com/7M81JjQSek Clash Report (@clashreport) December 1, 2024 While the rebels were being struck from the air, the regime sent large reinforcements in the past few hours and set a strict defense line in Taybat Al-Imam city and the towns of Khattab and Suran in the northern countryside of Hama and the cities of Al-Suqaylabiyah and Mahrada, SOHR reported on Monday. #Syria: the front in N. #Hama largely stabilized past hours, as both sides are preparing for the first major confrontation. Pro-Assad forces are sending reinforcements as shown in the video. Some Golan launchers (4th Division's IRAM rockets) are visible. pic.twitter.com/BEhLqKIBQc Qalaat Al Mudiq (@QalaatAlMudiq) December 2, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Monday morning, the lines near Hama appeared to have stabilized, with both sides reportedly gearing up for a major battle in or around that city, Syrias fourth-largest. The video below shows Syrian reinforcements rushing to the area in convoys that include the Golan improvised artillery rocket (IRAM) system, an unguided munition fired by multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS). #Syria: the front in N. #Hama largely stabilized past hours, as both sides are preparing for the first major confrontation. Pro-Assad forces are sending reinforcements as shown in the video. Some Golan launchers (4th Division's IRAM rockets) are visible. pic.twitter.com/BEhLqKIBQc Qalaat Al Mudiq (@QalaatAlMudiq) December 2, 2024 You can get a sense of who is controlling territory from this map below. However, the situation continues to develop. a look at territory control in syria after recent advancement by opposition fighters led by hts pic.twitter.com/hX2pBFRISA ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) December 2, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to help from the Russian Air Force and Iranian-backed proxies inside Syria, Assad is also being assisted by Iranian-backed militias from Iraq. Reuters reported that hundreds of those troops crossed the border. EXCLUSIVE: A number of military vehicles belonging to the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) have crossed from Iraq into Syria and are stationed in the village of Al-Hari in the Al-Bukamal countryside, eastern Syria. They are expected to move in the coming hours pic.twitter.com/mjgmyis7uL Omar Abu Layla (@OALD24) December 2, 2024 Meanwhile, a U.S. defense official pushed back against claims that U.S. Air Force A-10 Warthogs have operated in Syria and killed a large number of Iraqi militia fighters that crossed over from Iraq. That did not happen, a U.S. defense official told The War Zone Monday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BREAKING: A-10 Warthogs of the U.S. Air Force have been flying strafing runs against the Iraqi Shia militia columns that entered Syria and were heading toward Damascus to link up with Assads forces and fight against Turkish-backed rebels. Very heavy casualties reported. pic.twitter.com/ouLwyHjKP2 Visegrad 24 (@visegrad24) December 2, 2024 The offensive has not come without a price, though, with casualty figures varying widely depending on the source. More than 240 rebel fighters have been killed in this operation, according to SOHR. Regime-aligned sources claim 1,300 rebel fighters have been killed, according to Press TV. In addition, SOHR also claims that about 140 regime troops and their proxies have been killed along with more than 60 civilians. The War Zone cannot independently verify these claims. Meanwhile, rebel forces continued pushing south from Aleppo and reportedly seized more territory in Hama province. #NewsMap Syrian rebel forces captured another seven locations in #Hama province including the town of #Kernaz (formerly 14,000 inhabitants). pic.twitter.com/hnFwwYWv4p Julian Ropcke (@JulianRoepcke) December 2, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HTS and its allies have also vowed to expand their pocket of control elsewhere. In a recent video, they said they were going to push toward the city of Manbij, about 50 miles northeast of Aleppo. #BREAKING Syrian rebels say they are now preparing a military operation to liberate Manbij. pic.twitter.com/GqrUqPfZrj Clash Report (@clashreport) December 2, 2024 The rebels, who do not have significant crewed aviation assets, have been largely relying on drones to hit regime targets behind the lines. HTS and factions operating under the banner of Deterrence of Aggression attacked, with drones, a large gathering of military command of regime forces in Zein Al-Abiden mountain to the north of Hama city, amid unconfirmed reports on casualties among regime forces, SOHR claimed. It is worth noting that HTS largely depends on drones during military battles with regime forces, targeting military positions and vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taking a page from what Ukraine has done in its fight against Russia, the rebels have developed their own drone corps. [Thread] The Shaheen Brigade, the new rebel drone outfit, is an important new addition to the oppositions arsenal. Using a mix of tactically flexible short & long-range FPV kamikaze drones, theyve struck ~20 targets in & around the N. Hama theatre since yesterday pic.twitter.com/7MFYAUuydO Hugo Kaaman (@HKaaman) December 2, 2024 This video reportedly shows a strike on Assad regime Brigadier General Adi Ghasah, head of the Military Security Branch in Hama. The War Zone cannot verify claims that Ghasah was killed in the attack or that he was even the target. Syrian rebel FPV drone strike hits Assad regime Brigadier General Adi Ghasah, head of the Military Security Branch in Hama. pic.twitter.com/Wr36fZ80Kk Clash Report (@clashreport) December 1, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the front lines are fluid, causing confusion among HTS troops, including some who thought Hama had already been captured. This video shows the level of confusion that was present in #Hama province the past two days. Two rebels entered the town of Taybat al-Imam, assuming it had been taken. Upon seeing the soldiers they realize the regime was still in control and tried to speed off asap.#Syria pic.twitter.com/eKDaYjqaW7 Thomas van Linge (@ThomasVLinge) December 2, 2024 As they cemented their hold on Aleppo, rebel fighters took control of Assads palace there. As you can see in the following video, the palace was adorned with artwork and fancy furniture. JUST IN: A symbol of the Syrian rule in Aleppo captured: rebels broke into Assad's presidential palace pic.twitter.com/UC4GD5gSYj Raylan Givens (@JewishWarrior13) December 1, 2024 The city of Aleppo, Syrias second-largest, holds significant strategic, tactical and cultural value and its fall is a huge blow to Assad as historian Kamal Abdo explained in the following video. Why is Aleppo so important? Kamal Abdo, Historian with a PhD in modern history: Whoever controls Aleppo control half of Syria. It also has a strategic location as it serves as the first line of defense for Anatolia. Source: @Levant_24_ pic.twitter.com/mgJjgIr1Sv Clash Report (@clashreport) November 30, 2024 Anti-regime forces have taken a large amount of materiel in their advance. Among the items was a Russian-made Pantsir air defense system. SNA captured a Pantsir in Aleppo lmao pic.twitter.com/LniOHRL0Ro C Os (@CalibreObscura) December 1, 2024 There are unconfirmed reports that an abandoned Russian-made 9A310M1 Buk SAM launcher, armed with at least one surface-to-air missile, was also captured. If any of these systems work, there are effectors to be found and the anti-regime fighters can find people to operate them, which could increase the risk to Russian and Syrian aviation. Still, sustaining them for any appreciable time would be a challenge. Syrian government forces appear to have abandoned a Russian-made 9A310M1 Buk SAM launcher, armed with at least one surface to air missile. Rebel forces reportedly captured it. https://t.co/Y9e884frwc pic.twitter.com/DnerBBBRHE OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) December 2, 2024 They also seized large amounts of ammunition. NEW #Syrias armed opposition has just taken control of a *huge* quantity of ammunition & artillery shells/rockets after capturing #Aleppos Defense Factories. Thisll take days to move away from airstrikes. pic.twitter.com/K27c21S1IQ Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) December 2, 2024 There were also several aircraft captured as anti-Assad forces took control of airfields. Among those put on display were dilapidated examples, including Syrian Air Force MiG-23 Floggers. Syrian rebels also reportedly captured a MiG-23 fighter jet from Neyrab Air Base in Aleppo. pic.twitter.com/MQzMIDRGTz MilitaryNewsUA (@front_ukrainian) December 2, 2024 There had been long-standing rumors that Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar sent L-39s Albatross jets to Syria for repairs and pilot training. Images and video emerging on social media show that they were present when the anti-regime forces captured the Neyrab Airbase near Aleppo. Rumors long suggested Haftars LNA sent L-39s to Syria for repairs and pilot training. These rumors have now been confirmed. https://t.co/pD3ky2T6JE Clash Report (@clashreport) December 2, 2024 The video below shows the rebels captured a number of L-39s, but it is unclear whether they are operational or were being used for spare parts. Syrian rebels showcased their new L-39 planes at the Kuweires Air Base. pic.twitter.com/564DzuJ7LR Clash Report (@clashreport) December 1, 2024 Now that they have captured aircraft, the rebels are trying to figure out what to do with them. In at least one instance, laughing rebels climbed aboard a small propeller plane as it was towed around by a pickup. Syrian rebels trying to figure out what to do with their new aircraft. pic.twitter.com/GeUUqx2zwk Clash Report (@clashreport) December 1, 2024 In addition to weaponry, rebel forces continue to take regime troops prisoner. This video shows a large number captured near the town of Khanasir, about 30 miles southeast of Aleppo. A number of Assad regime soldiers were abandoned in the town of Khanasir and eventually taken captive by rebel forces in southern Aleppo. pic.twitter.com/xknFRs6asD Clash Report (@clashreport) December 2, 2024 A pickup full of Syrian troops trying to escape Aleppo found themselves caught in a rebel ambush. The vehicle was struck at close range by an RPG round and strafed by automatic weapons fire. While the condition of those troops is unclear from the following video, one thing is certain: they did not escape back to their lines. Fleeing Syrian regime officer ambushed by RPG at close range in Aleppo by Syrian rebels. pic.twitter.com/bfFxwDD0nl Clash Report (@clashreport) December 2, 2024 Other regime forces appeared to have had better luck, escaping in their tanks right past the insurgents. Footage shows two Assad regime tanks fleeing the village they were defending, passing right by the Syrian rebels. pic.twitter.com/OLMRCY8P7h Mintel World (@mintelworld) December 2, 2024 Meanwhile, officials from Iran, one of Assads biggest backers, have vowed to do what they can to prop him up. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran is ready to improve cooperation with Syria to overcome the ongoing crisis in the Arab country in the wake of the resurgence of terrorism, Press TV reported on Telegram. However, at least one Iranian effort to resupply his troops was thwarted by the Israeli Air Force (IAF). IAF jets reportedly forced an Iranian supply plane to leave Syrian airspace and head back to Iran, the Times of Israel reported. The interception was part of a larger Israeli effort to prevent Iranian weapons from reaching the Lebanese terror group, during a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that has seen multiple violations. In recent months, the Israel Defense Forces has forced several Iranian flights to make U-turns over Syrian or Iraqi airspace, after they were suspected of carrying weapons to Hezbollah, the publication reported. "IAF fighter jets intercepted the Iranian plane [-suspected to be ferrying arms to the Hezbollah terror group in Lebanon-] over Syria and ordered it to turn around, and it did a short while later, a defense source said."https://t.co/YxrDQ6vZ9Z Guy Plopsky (@GuyPlopsky) December 2, 2024 Visual signs of Irans outsized influence on the Assad regime were visible in Aleppos Scientific Research Center after being captured by rebels. Among other items, a wall was adorned with a picture of former Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corp leader Qassem Soleimani, killed in a January 2020 airstrike in Iraq. This is not Tehran, its Syria: Scientific research center in Aleppo.pic.twitter.com/Vog219pend Clash Report (@clashreport) December 1, 2024 The fight against Assad is one of many battles raging throughout Syria, ripped apart since 2011 by a bloody civil war. Troops from the U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as well as Kurdish militant groups the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the Syrian Kurdish YPG are also waging their own campaign against Turkish-backed militants like the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and the Syrian National Army (SNA). Highlighting the complex nature of the Syrian battlespace, SNA has also fought Assad as well as ISIS and HTS. The current clashes between the Kurdish forces and the Turkish-backed groups have spilled over into Aleppo. SDF commander Mazloum Abdi said in a statement on Monday that his fighters in northwestern Syria were facing intense attacks on multiple fronts. The group had tried to establish a humanitarian corridor linking Kurdish-held northeastern regions to Tel Rifaat, a strategic area northwest of Aleppo to protect our people from potential massacres, Reuters reported. However, attacks by armed groups supported by the Turkish occupation have disrupted this corridor, Abdi said. He added that our forces continue to resist to protect our people in the Kurdish neighborhoods of Aleppo. HTS leaders offered a safe passage for YPG militants in Aleppo to move further north in Syria toward the Turkish border. They also emphasized that their fight is solely against Assad and Iranian militias and reaffirmed that Kurds are part of Syrian society and have the same rights. New statement from the Syrian opposition forces: They offered a safe passage for YPG militants in Aleppo to move towards northern Syria. They emphasized that their fight is solely against Bashar Assad and Iranian militias. They also affirmed that Kurds are part of Syrian pic.twitter.com/iPGww2vczg Clash Report (@clashreport) December 1, 2024 SDF troops are being allowed to keep their weapons as they move out to fight the Turkish-backed militants. #Syria: #SDF forces are leaving the city of #Aleppo. Rebels are allowing the SDF to pull out of Sheikh Maqsoud and head towards #Raqqa. They also seem to be allowed to keep their weapons. *Note the US-made Humvees. pic.twitter.com/uiztiVk3CT Thomas van Linge (@ThomasVLinge) December 2, 2024 While Russia and Iran have promised to back Assad, how much either nation can commit and for how long remain open questions as both are bogged down elsewhere. Russia has accumulated huge losses in its nearly three-year-old, full-on invasion of Ukraine. Iran, meanwhile, saw its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah suffer huge losses in a fight against Israel, which appears to be ongoing despite a ceasefire agreement. Tehran has also contributed a large amount of resources to the Yemeni Houthi rebels in their continuing campaign against Red Sea shipping in support of Hamas fight against Israel. One factor that may work to Assads advantage is the growing cooperation between Russia and Iran over the fight in Ukraine. Iran has provided thousands of drones and hundreds of ballistic missiles while Russia has provided Iran with cash and captured U.S. and British weapons. Both nations have significant reasons to want to see the offensive fail, and it is possible they can pool limited resources to make that happen. For the Russians, two key bases along the Mediterranean Sea are at stake. Assads ouster would likely mean Russia loses Khmeimim Air Base, near the city of Latakia, and their port facilities at Tartus, further to the south. That would be a huge blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin both militarily and prestige-wise. Iran, meanwhile, would suffer the loss of a massive center of gravity abutting its arch-enemy Israel. Should HTS and its allies take over much of Syria, Irans ability to ship arms across the border to Hezbollah in Lebanon would be imperiled given the rebel forces long fight against that group. Iranian-backed militias in Syria would also be at major risk of being taken off the board. Amid the fighting, there are behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts to pull Assad away from Iran and place him under the U.S. umbrella. The U.S. and the United Arab Emirates have discussed with each other the possibility of lifting sanctions on Assad if he peels himself away from Iran and cuts off weapons routes to Lebanons Hezbollah, Reuters reported, citing five people familiar with the matter. The conversations intensified in recent months, the sources told the news outlet. The effort is driven by the possible expiry on Dec. 20 of sweeping U.S. sanctions on Syria and by Israels campaign against Tehrans regional network, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza and Iranian assets in Syria. It is highly unlikely that happens. Regardless, even if it does, the idea that Assad would pull the plug on efforts to take back lost territory seems like a reach. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com AKRON, Ohio (WJW) A 15-year-old boy, whom authorities said was carrying a loaded firearm when he was fatally shot by police officers late Thursday, was a ninth-grader at North High School, according to Akron Public Schools. The boys family has ordered its own independent inquiry into the incident, attorneys said Tuesday. They paid what!? I-Team reveals repair bill to fix SUV used by mayor Police officers responding to a report of gunfire near East Avenue and Vernon Odom Boulevard encountered the boy, later identified by the Summit County Medical Examiner as Jazmir Tucker of Maple Heights. One officer opened fire, striking the boy. He later died at a hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys representing the boys family on Tuesday announced they are conducting their own independent investigation. We have been hired to conduct our own independent investigation into the tragic shooting death of 15-year-old Jazmir Tucker. Jazmir was a freshman at North High School in Akron and is being mourned by family and friends, including his twin brother Amir. Jazmirs family has many questions for the Akron Police Department and is anxiously awaiting an opportunity to view any bodycam video that captured the deadly shooting. The Cochran Firm Ohio will work closely with the family to determine exactly what happened and we wont stop until all of their questions have been answered. Michael Wright, Shean Williams and Stanley Jackson of The Cochran Firm Ohio Akron Public Schools on Monday released a statement that read: The Akron Public Schools community is mourning the loss of Jazmir Tucker, a 15-year-old ninth-grade student at North High School. We extend our deepest sympathies to Jazmirs family, the North High School community and the city of Akron during this painful time of grief. To support our students, staff and community through this difficult period, our districts Crisis Team, including school counselors and psychologists, along with our community partner Victim Assistance, have been made available at North High School today. These support resources will continue to be accessible in the coming days to help those who are struggling with this loss. We are committed to providing compassionate care to all those affected and ask for the familys privacy and everyones understanding as we collectively process this tragedy. Our districts primary focus is on supporting our students, staff, families and community during this challenging time. Statement from Akron Public Schools Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video shows arrest of suspect accused of terroristic threats at Tower City Both officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave, as is procedure for all police-involved shootings, and will remain on leave while the investigation continues. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is now looking into the incident. The case will then be submitted to the Ohio Attorney Generals Office for review and presentation to a grand jury for possible indictment. I believe the BCI investigation will provide a full understanding of the incident, Mayor Shammas Malik said last week. I ask our community to reserve judgment until more facts are shared, knowing that it is a difficult thing to ask in situations like this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police department is also conducting its own internal 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) Redstone Arsenal, home to thousands of FBI employees, could see its role expand amid potential major changes to the agencys structure. Kash Patel, President-elect Trumps pick to lead the FBI, could be the one leading the changes. Man finally sentenced in Athens murder, kidnapping four decades later Patel has long advocated for radical changes to the agency, including shutting down the J. Edgar Hoover building in Washington, D.C., and members of the congressional delegation said that could mean moving more FBI personnel to Alabama. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBIs focus should be protecting Americans from terrorists, hostile foreign actors, and violent criminals, and Huntsville is in prime position to be an invaluable partner in achieving this shared goal, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) said in a statement to News 19. The FBIs operations on Redstone Arsenal are at the forefront of 21st-century innovation and training needed to combat the threats of the future, Britt said. I am confident Redstone Arsenal will be instrumental in fulfilling the FBIs core mission for decades to come. Huntsville-area Congressman Dale Strong (R-AL) also reacted to the pick. We need to reorganize the FBI and make their work less politically charged and more effective, he said. As for the FBI presence in Huntsville, Alabama we have proven that it can be run efficiently and are ready to bring more jobs here as changes are made nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) also applauded the pick on social media. For the selection to stand, Patel must be confirmed by the Senate. 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. Downtown Demopolis, Ala. is seen on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. The state's first health care boarding school in Demopolis plans to address rural staffing shortages, opening to ninth graders in 2026. (Will McLelland for the Alabama Reflector) A board overseeing the creation of the states first residential high school focused on health care laid the groundwork Monday to select a leader and prepare a curriculum. The Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences, located in Demopolis, is scheduled to enroll its inaugural ninth-grade class in 2026. The school aims to address Alabamas health care staffing crisis, particularly in rural parts of the state, by training students for roles across the medical field. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rob Pearson, interim president of the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences Foundation, said Monday that the school will offer certification levels beyond whats currently available in Alabama high schools for those looking to become health care professionals. We want to find them to become the nurses and the X-ray technicians, and the different things that were going to be producing in the state, he said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Bloomberg Philanthropies initiative to establish high schools focused on health care is providing $26 million of the estimated $80 million needed to build the dormitory and campus facilities, with a groundbreaking expected by mid-2025. The five-story dorm will be the tallest building in Demopolis. Pearson said that the school is the only rural residential school funded by Bloomberg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are severe health care provider shortages in rural Alabama, with rural counties having far fewer primary care physicians per resident than urban areas. With rural population in decline, particularly in the Black Belt, those who remain are older adults who face growing obstacles to accessing health care. In 2020, Alabama averaged one physician per 1,520 residents, but rural counties like Wilcox and Lowndes have far worse ratios, with one physician serving 5,103 and 9,641 residents, respectively. These provider shortages lead to health disparities. The Black Belt experiences some of the states worst health outcomes, and Alabama already ranks among the lowest nationally. Life expectancy in every Black Belt county is below the state average of nearly 75 years, with Wilcox County residents living an average of 69.8 years. The board will convene a curriculum committee in December to finalize curriculum requirements aligning with high school graduation requirements and health care certifications that will be presented to the board for discussion, said Pearson. He added that the curriculum will involve partnerships with community colleges and regional hospitals where students can get clinical hours. State Superintendent Eric Mackey said the schools recruitment strategy will focus on drawing students from across the state to build a workforce pipeline beyond those wanting to attend medical school, like nursing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Essentially all the recruitment is going to be done in middle schools, and youre telling people Send your child off at age 14 to a boarding school and Heres what we offer, then youre going to have to have a pretty robust package to get people to do that, Mackey said. The Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences will join a network of specialized boarding schools, including the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering. Pearson expressed optimism for the project despite challenges. Bloomberg is really interested to see how this goes, because that may become the model nationwide. Their goal is to perfect the 9th through 12th experience to meet the health care needs of the future, Pearson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Kay Ivey initially proposed the school in her 2023 State of the State address, presenting it as a way to address the states critical shortage of health care workers to fill a broad spectrum of health care jobs or pursue a higher education. The board plans to reconvene in February 2025 to review progress on the presidential search and curriculum development. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Alabama soldier who went missing during Korean War to be buried back home in 2025 ARAB, Ala. (WIAT) Over 70 years after going missing during the Korean War, an Alabama solider will finally be laid to rest in his hometown. U.S. Army Cpl. Waymon Slaten, 18, will be buried in his hometown of Arab on Jan. 13, 74 years after sending his last letter back to his family. In September 1950, the 18-year-old soldier and the rest of B Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division were sent to South Korea. Here I am in my fox hole trying to write these few lines, Slaten wrote in a letter shared with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency by his family. My buddies on each side of me already got killed and I am expecting to be killed any time. Somebody is going to have to pray. This is all I have time to write. Goodbye forever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Slaten was declared missing on September 1, 1950, after a battle on Hill 209, located west of Yongsan, South Korea. According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, the battle was so brutal that his body could not be recovered at the time. After a year, the U.S. Army declared Slaten dead, even though he was still missing at that time. WATCH: Alabama police discuss discovery of body believed to be missing hiker Vendula Wendy Rose On October 22, 1950, Slatens remains were recovered by the American Graves Registration Service, but he was not identified at the time. Slatens remains were then sent to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wasnt until May 2021 that Slatens remains were taken in as part of DPAAs Korean War Disinterment Project. In August, he was positively identified. To identify Slatens remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as chest radiograph and other circumstantial evidence, the DPAA said in a statement. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. As part of his burial, a rosette will be placed next to Slatens name to indicate he has been accounted for. 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. (Bloomberg) -- President-elect Donald Trumps vision for American energy dominance promises certainty that will encourage more investments in oil and gas, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy said. Most Read from Bloomberg That could entice more spending by companies on acreage in remote stretches of the state, including offshore waters now largely foreclosed to development and part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Dunleavy said in an interview Tuesday with Bloombergs Balance of Power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just two oil companies participated in the last auction of drilling rights in the Arctic refuge conducted just days before Trumps first term ended in January 2021. And only one company, Hilcorp Alaska LLC, bid on territory in Alaskas Cook Inlet during a congressionally mandated sale two years ago. But Dunleavy said the outcome would be different if Trump holds new oil auctions in the region, with investor confidence bolstered both by the policy outlook in Washington and an anticipated surge in electricity demand. When youre selling leases, but on the other hand youre telling folks to not invest in the Arctic, to not put money in the Arctic and to not put money into oil, it provides an uncertain future for those investors, he said. I think under the Trump administration thats going to change. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2024 Bloomberg L.P. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A 15-year-old student of the Albion School District was arrested Monday, accused of making a terroristic threat. According to the Orleans County Sheriffs Office, the teen was arrested after a complaint was made to the school district. Investigators said the threat was made on Discord (a social media platform) during a conversation with peers. What was stated was not revealed. The student faces a felony charge of Making a Terroristic Threat. Deputies said they have been working closely with the school district to ensure proper safety measures were in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ache is deep: Man who died after being rescued from Canandaigua fire identified While this incident is concerning, the Sheriffs Office wants to reassure the community that swift action was taken to address the situation, and we encourage parents and guardians to have open discussions with their children about the seriousness of threats and the importance of reporting any concerning behavior, Chief Deputy Jeffrey Gifaldi announced. The teen was released to parents on an appearance ticket, per NYS law. 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) A preschool teacher is facing criminal sexual penetration charges after a five-year-old student told their parents they were being touched. Michael Kimball was arrested last week. Man sentenced for deadly Tucumcari dog attack Back in December 2023, a New Mexico Early Learning Academy student told their parents that Kimball touched them in their private area. The state filed for pretrial detention but it was denied by Judge Lucy Solimon. He will remain behind bars until they can get him a GPS monitor and he was also ordered to not be around any minors. 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. BEIJING, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- China urges the United States to stop aiding and abetting "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said here on Monday. Lin made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked to comment on Taiwan's leader Lai Ching-te holding a phone call with former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as Lai is on a Pacific trip that includes a stop in Hawaii. Lin said China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the United States and the Taiwan region, and firmly opposes any form of U.S. moves to aid or abet "Taiwan independence" separatists and their separatist activities. The Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests, and the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-U.S. relations, Lin said. He urged the U.S. to fully see the separatist nature of Lai Ching-te and the Democratic Progressive Party authorities, fully understand the grave damage of "Taiwan independence" separatist activities to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, fully abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and stop meddling in affairs related to Taiwan, which are China's internal affairs. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) The Albuquerque Museum is paying tribute to the man they said helped the institution become what it is today. Monday morning, Mayor Tim Keller and city officials named the lobby of the Albuquerque museum after the citys 27th mayor Jim Baca. Albuquerque Community Safety holding job event to look for new staff Baca helped the museum expand with new art exhibitions, the creation of multi-purpose space for public programs, and even the museums cafe and store. Officials said the former mayor wanted to help the community see a broader world. Mayor Baca really wanted to make sure that individuals, particularly young people in Albuquerque, had access to the world, had access to education and public resources, said Albuquerque Museum Director Andrew Connors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baca also served as New Mexicos Commissioner of Public Lands and director of the Bureau of Land Management under former President Bill Clinton. He served as Albuquerques mayor from 1997 to 2001. 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) The Albuquerque Police Department is searching for two murder suspects. Police issued arrest warrants for 25-year-old Preston Ball and 32-year-old Adam Perrucci who they said killed Matthew Aragon. Man sentenced for deadly Tucumcari dog attack Aragon was previously reported missing by family on November 22. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call APD at 505-242-COPS. 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. People living in the Syrian city of Aleppo have been plunged into uncertainty following the recent outbreak of fighting, in which insurgents took control of Syria's second-largest city. "I am scared to leave my house, we do not know whether to be afraid of the people who control the streets now or the airstrikes that are now targeting the city," a Christian woman living in the city told dpa in a voice message. "The church is just next to my house. I want to go light a candle but I am scared of them [the Islamist rebels]," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said many of the city's shops and supermarkets are still closed as their owners have fled from the city and that bakeries are giving out bread in restricted amounts. Last week, an alliance of insurgents led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched a surprise offensive in north-western Syria and took control of Aleppo, leading to a sudden flare-up in a civil war that has been going on since 2011. Food is scarce in the city and the water supply is affected due to damage to the water network. "No bakeries are open today," Abu Mohamed, a resident of Aleppo, told dpa in a message. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I've been standing in line since 3 am today to get my family's daily bread," he said. "The latest escalation in Syria threatens to drag the country back to the darkest days of the almost 14-year-long conflict," the Norwegian Refugee Council said, adding that "the need is enormous." Displaced people are arriving at refugee camps without clothes to protect themselves from the cold winter, it said. The Medico aid organization said in a statement that more than 100,000 people in Syria have been displaced by the fighting. David Carden, deputy regional UN coordinator for humanitarian aid in Syria, spoke of the heaviest attacks since the escalation began last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He told dpa the airstrikes hit civilians, refugee camps, hospitals and schools. On Sunday and Monday alone, at least 33 civilians were killed and 125 others injured, most of them women and children, Carden said. "What comes next we do not know," the Christian woman said. She had refused to leave Syria when her children emigrated to Canada and the United States. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has become the first person to gain more than 1 million followers on the social media site Bluesky, saying its not rocket science why tens of thousands of people have abandoned X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Ocasio-Cortezs follower count is only surpassed by Blueskys own official account, the platform said, per The Hill. Blueskys surging popularity coincides with an ongoing exodus from X in the two years since Elon Musks controversial takeover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the people leaving Twitter have variously cited an uptick of hate speech, the throttling of traffic to certain news organizations, and Musks support of President-elect Donald Trump as reasons to get out. On Monday, Ocasio-Cortez shared her own thinking. People are leaving Twitter because its not fun anymore and no one is obligated to be on a platform they dont enjoy, she wrote. Its not rocket science. Ocasio-Cortezs Bluesky account had been dormant for a year, until she posted a message days after the presidential election. Good GOD its nice to be in a digital space with other real human beings, she wrote on Nov. 11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bluesky, initially backed by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, was launched in 2023 on an invite-only basis, and mimicked many of Xs functions. In September, the app had around 8 million users. It now says it has 24 million, and that more than 1 million of its new users arrived in the week after the election. Bluesky has positioned itself as an alternative to X for liberals, in the process drawing some accusations of being an echo chamber. I dont think that the answer for progressives is to disengage, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said of his decision to stay on X. The idea is that in a marketplace of ideas, over the long term, the truth emerges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, The Guardian told its readers it would no longer post content from its official X accounts, citing Musks impact on the toxic media platform and criticizing the site for amplifying far-right conspiracy theories and racism. Estimates from Similarweb, which tracks website traffic, suggest that visitors to X this year peaked the day after the election. But that same day, the platform also saw the most account deactivations since Musk took charge, with more than 115,000 U.S. visitors shutting down their accounts. Related... SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) Drug agents in Sumner County arrested a man who they claim was flooding the streets with narcotics. On Nov. 22, the 18th Judicial Drug Task Force and members of the Sumner County SWAT Unit were sent to a residence in Portland to execute a search warrant. 2 arrested after police find stolen U-Haul at Lebanon gas station According to drug agents, a pound of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, psychedelic mushrooms, pills, a 9 mm firearm and $4,500 cash were all seized from the home. Officials added that they also found a 2015 Nissan Altima, which was traded for narcotics. In fact, agents stated the suspect paid $1,000 in cash for the vehicle and the rest in the meth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement told News 2 that the prime suspect identified as 63-year-old Richard Vance didnt say much during the raid of his home. What does he do for a living? asked News 2s Andy Cordan. This is his living. He does not have a job, responded one of the lead agents on the case. Bald eagle recovering after found shot in Sumner County Vance has served prison time in Arizona and most recently in Tennessee, where the Department of Correction confirmed he was sentenced to eight years on meth charges and released in July of 2023. Sumner County drug agents told News 2 that Vance was buying and selling close to a pound of meth per week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was pumping quite a bit of methamphetamine into Sumner County, added the agent. According to officials, Vance was part of a long-term drug investigation after his name kept popping up as part of Sumner Countys drug trade. So you might pull over a car and find a little bit of something like that and go, Whered you get that? and over time you built a case against Mr. Vance? Cordan asked about the investigation. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Yes sir, thats how that work, replied the agent. We just slowly built the case until we could confirm that he was, in fact, selling narcotics out of his house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance was charged with a slew of felony drug offenses and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He is being held in the Sumner County Jail on a $300,000 bond and is expected to appear in court on Dec. 9. 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. Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) addresses supporters at an election night watch party in College Park, after her U.S. Senate victory over former Gov. Larry Hogan (R). Photo by William J. Ford. Sen.-elect Angela Alsobrooks (D) officially resigned her post as Prince Georges County Executive on Monday morning, setting the stage for a special election that has already attracted three candidates and may draw more. In a letter to all residents of Prince Georges County released Monday, Alsobrooks, who will be sworn in to her seat in the U.S. Senate on Jan. 3, said she was resigning from the county job effective 10 a.m. Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank you for your trust and partnership as we worked to build a stronger, united Prince Georges, Alsobrooks letter said. Serving the residents of this County has been the honor of my lifetime, and I am deeply proud of all we have accomplished together. Had she waited before resigning, the County Council would have picked Alsobrooks replacement. Instead, there will be a special election that a county election official said could happen this winter. At least three people formally announced plans Monday to run for executive. At-large County Councilmember Calvin Hawkins (D) and County Council Chair Jolene Ivey (D), who was recently elected to the other countywide at-large seat, threw their hats in the ring, while Prince Georges County States Attorney Aisha Braveboy (D), who said on Nov. 8 that she planned to run for county executive, made it official Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former County Executive Rushern Baker III (D) said Monday he has been urged to consider a run and expects to make a decision within the next few days. According to the county charter, the countys chief administrative officer, Tara Jackson, will serve as acting county executive until a new executive is elected. The county had already taken Alsobrooks off the county executives page Monday and posted Jackson in her place as acting executive. Jackson has been chief administrative officer since December 2020. County Election Administrator Wendy Honesty-Bey said an election could happen this winter. She said a resolution must be put together in the next seven to 10 days that includes dates to hold the special elections. The council must approve that resolution for the election to move forward. In a statement, Hawkins thanked Alsobrooks service to the county and touted his 30 years in county government, working in the Office of Emergency Management, as an aide to the late County Executive Wayne K. Curry and an adviser during Bakers term as county executive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prince Georges County needs a leader with a proven record of listening at peoples doorsteps, on the phone, at the supermarket so we can forge a path forward that works for everyone, Hawkins statement said. I am honored to stand as the Peoples Choice, ready to lead with experience, stability and a home-grown commitment to Prince Georges County. Lets move forward together, building a brighter future for all. Ivey, who won last months special general election for at-large seat to replace former Councilmember Mel Franklin, released a campaign statement to tout a few accomplishments, such as passage of rent stabilization legislation for seniors and residents on fixed-incomes, and helping to close a $171 million budget deficit. Prince Georges County is at a crossroads, Ivey said in her statement. The next County Executive must tackle the housing affordability crisis, improve our schools, support our businesses, and work with the community and police to reduce crime. Iveys campaign also released an internal poll that called the race for county executive a two-person race between her and Braveboy. The survey of 583 likely Democratic primary voters, conducted Nov. 8 and 9 by Public Policy Polling, a Democratic-leaning firm based in North Carolina, found about 23% would vote for Ivey and 18% Braveboy, her campaign said. Baker got 9% of the vote in the poll and Hawkins received 4%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE However, about 46% of those surveyed chose not sure in terms of who they would vote for. The poll also asked about a favorable or unfavorable opinion of all four individuals. It found: Ivey: 50% favorable; 5% unfavorable; 46% not sure; Braveboy: 45% favorable; 7% unfavorable; 48% not sure; Baker: 36% favorable; 15% unfavorable; 49% not sure; and Hawkins: 22% favorable; 5% unfavorable; 73% not sure. In her statement Monday, Braveboy praised Alsobrooks tenure and went on to say that the next county executive will need bold and ambitious vision to handle the challenges facing the county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters know that Im unafraid of a challenge and that I seldom miss an opportunity, her statement said. Im grateful for the trust theyve placed in me having twice elected me as States Attorney. Ill present my case to them as I have in the past and ask them to place their trust in me again. Kevin Ford Jr., a senior adviser to Baker, said in a statement that the former county executive is deeply humbled by the encouragement from residents urging him to return to leadership. Rusherns tenure as County Executive brought historic progress to Prince Georges County. With the challenges ahead, he is strongly considering a run in the special election to bring experienced, steady leadership back to our community, Fords statement said. In the coming days, he will consult with residents, community leaders, and his family before making a decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another poll on the race, conducted online from Nov. 14 to 16 by Blended Public Affairs, an Annapolis-based firm, asked about favorability of possible successors to Alsobrooks. The poll of 475 registered voters said 46% of voters viewed Braveboy favorably, 15% unfavorably, 23% said they didnt know her and 17% said they knew her name but offered no opinion. In comparison, Ivey was viewed favorably by 39% of those surveyed and 13% unfavorably. About 29% of respondents knew her name but offered no opinion, and 19% said they didnt know her. Baker was viewed favorably by 37% of voters and unfavorably by 21%, while 20% said they were familiar with his name but offered no opinion and 22% said they didnt know him. Hawkins had a 22% favorability rating, compared to 9% of voters who viewed him unfavorably. Thirty percent of voters said they knew his name but could not offer an opinion, while 38% said they did not know him at all. The Prince Georges County Council is scheduled to hold its annual gavel exchange Tuesday to elect a new chair and vice chair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Wes Moore (D), who has praised Alsobrooks for her endorsement of him during his 2022 gubernatorial campaign, released a statement on her resignation. Angela worked tirelessly to make Prince Georges County a safer, stronger place to call home were deeply grateful for her effort and for the results she achieved, Moore said. We look forward to continuing our work together to uplift Maryland families, protect fundamental freedoms, and build a brighter future for our state in her new role as U.S. Senator, as we welcome the opportunity to continue to serve the people of Prince Georges County alongside acting County Executive Tara Jackson. 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? The passenger remained missing after The Ruby Princess docked in California on Monday, Dec. 1 George Rose/Getty The Ruby Princess The Ruby Princess A 72-year-old American man is reported to have fallen overboard from a cruise ship ahead of its arrival in San Francisco. The incident happened at around 6:50 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 1, on The Ruby Princess as it returned from a 5-day round trip to Ensenada, Mexico, Princess Cruises shared in a statement with PEOPLE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Princess Cruises is saddened to report that a 72-year-old American male is believed to have gone overboard on Monday ahead of the arrival of Ruby Princess into San Francisco," read the cruise line's statement. Related: Utah Mans Cruise Ship, Bought on Craigslist, Now Sinking After He Spent Over $1 Million Restoring It Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty The Ruby Princess cruise ship departed from San Francisco The Ruby Princess cruise ship departed from San Francisco The cruise line also confirmed that they had worked throughout the day with local authorities," to try and locate the missing passenger. "CCTV footage has also been extensively reviewed and the ship was searched thoroughly several times without success." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having ruled out other possibilities, this is being treated as a man overboard incident, the company concluded. Princess Cruises confirmed that the man was traveling alone." They added that his identity had not yet been released and extended their "heartfelt condolences to the family and friends." U.S. Customs and Border Protection has now taken over the investigation, per multiple outlets. Related: Everything We Know About the Luxury Yacht Sinking in Sicily, Killing 7 on Celebratory Trip Getty View of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco View of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco 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. Per ABC News, the remaining passengers on the Ruby Princess ship disembarked on Monday, Dec. 1. The ship departed on a 16-day voyage to the Hawaiian Islands on that evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outlet also reported details of the search from U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson Loumania Stewart. The first aircrew was dispatched from Sacramento aboard a C-27 aircraft at about 3 p.m. to search an area about 45 miles off the coast of Monterey. Another Coast Guard crew was sent from San Francisco aboard a helicopter at about 4 p.m., Stewart added. The U.S. Coast Guard did not immediately reply to PEOPLE when contacted for further information. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) The American Theatre Guild is participating in Giving Tuesday. The ATG is requesting community support from Tuesday through Dec. 31 to raise funds for the organizations philanthropic branch Staging the Future. Its available to all Title I schools and community organizations that serve youth or community members of whom at least 50% are considered low income, have special needs or otherwise underserved within The American Theatre Guilds 14 markets. Dawson Memorial Baptist Churchs sanctuary to undergo renovation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ATG was created in 2017 and enables young people in underserved communities exposure to theatre and access to a variety of opportunities. For more information, 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 CBS 42. Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Leji, China's top legislator, met with Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli in Beijing on Tuesday. Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that China and Nepal have treated each other with respect and equality, engaged in mutually beneficial cooperation, and have set a good example of friendly coexistence between countries with different social systems and sizes. Zhao said that China is willing to work with Nepal to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, expand high-level strategic cooperation, and advance the China-Nepal strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity. He added that the NPC of China is willing to strengthen exchange at all levels with the Nepali Parliament, share legislative experience, and provide legal guarantees for pragmatic cooperation between the two countries. Noting that Nepal and China are good friends, good neighbors and good partners, Oli said Nepal attaches great importance to developing its relations with China, adheres firmly to the one-China principle, and supports and actively participates in the Global Development Initiative. Oli said that Nepal is willing to deepen Belt and Road cooperation with China and to strengthen exchange between legislative institutions to achieve common development and prosperity. Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) The Ames Community School District's new multi-purpose learning center, which includes therapeutic classrooms, space for the home school assistance program, and a food pantry, is open for business. The Ames Multi-Purpose Educational Center (AMES Center) is located in the former Beloit Residential Treatment Center on Northwestern Avenue, a handful of blocks southeast of the Ames High School. Ames CSD started providing therapeutic programming in its elementary schools in 2021 thanks to a state grant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district noticed that some middle school students that would benefit from therapeutic programming, Director of Special Education Deani Thomas said. A number of elementary students were also struggling because the system wasn't designed for kids with "really intense socioemotional behavior needs." "We wanted to have a space where we could keep them really safe while we were teaching them to be successful in school," Thomas said. More: Iowa State University's WinterFest features horse-drawn carriage rides and ice skating Deani Thomas, Director of Special Education in the Ames Community School District, gives a tour of the newly-opened AMES Center on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. Ames CSD renovated building to make way for new programming The Ames Community School District has committed more than $10 million to the AMES Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district purchased the building from Lutheran Services for $2.5 million after the Beloit program shuttered in 2021. They then spent roughly $8 million to renovate the facility, Thomas said. More: How a husband is using his late wife's business to provide therapy via horseback riding A view of one of three classrooms in the newly-opened AMES Center on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. Therapy classrooms help students with their mental health The AMES Center has three therapeutic classrooms. Nine students are currently stationed in each classroom, and each can host up to 15 students at a time. The primary classroom focus is to help students develop strategies for self-monitoring, regulating emotions, behavior controls and executive functioning Therapeutic classrooms are specially designed for children with socioemotional concerns, Thomas said, where a therapeutic learning professional and a licensed social worker support students in a safe and positive learning environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have students for a variety of reasons who just need an additional layer of mental health support," Thomas said. "I think having an environment that's designed specifically for those needs and a staff that was chosen and trained to meet those needs, that's the real benefit." The rooms are equipped with special weighted furniture for student safety and a few sensory items for students to use. Classroom learning is just one of the many different things offered at the AMES Center. More: Dam removal, a new cabin and park improvements among upcoming Story County conservation projects The newly-opened AMES Center will be home to a food pantry. Home school assistance and a food pantry The Ames Home School Assistance Program has operated out of the AMES Center since August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomas said one of the the multi-purpose center's goals was to encourage home school families to utilize the resources the Ames Community School District can provide. "They are members of our district and our family," Thomas said. "We wanted to give them some space and the sense that they are part of this district, and hopefully retain those students when they choose to go to high school or if they decide not to homeschool any longer." The AMES Center will also soon be home to a food pantry thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Iowa Department of Education. Nonperishable food, hygiene products and clothes can be donated to the pantry. Though regular hours have not yet been established, the idea is that people will have access to the pantry while the AMES Center is open. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: New AMES Center offers therapeutic classrooms, food pantry BELDING, Mich. (WOOD) As West Michigan continues to struggle with a housing crisis, some new homeowners are choosing to forgo the basement in favor of lower costs. Its becoming more common across the country to build a home on a slab instead of a basement or crawl space, according to the National Association of Home Builders. Using data from the United States Census Bureau Survey of Construction, the NAHB found that 72.4% of single-family homes that began construction in 2023 were built with a slab foundation, compared to 65% in 2020 and 46% in 2000. The prevalence of a basement varies greatly by region. In the West South Central region, which includes Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, 96.9% of new homes started in 2023 were built on a slab. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside WOODTV.com: Housing crisis in West Michigan In the region that includes Michigan, only 47.1% were built on a slab in 2023, compared to 45.7% in 2020. Because of Michigans cold weather, homes typically need basements to protect them from frost. But builders like Sable Homes have found ways around that. The Rockford-based company has been building homes without basements for about 20 years, President John Bitely said. It developed a form made out of Styrofoam to protect homes from frost. Sable Home crews work on a house in the Grant area. He said the company first developed the method to compete with modular homes. We thought we could give them a lot better home being site-built, but we were struggling to compete with their lack of foundation, he said. (We developed) this methodology to build on a on a slab, and I think were very competitive even with modular homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bitelys aunt still lives in one of the first homes Sable built with that method, called the Freedom Foundation, and his father-in-law also lives in a basement-free home his company built, Bitely said. Housing crisis: New tool aims to help planners that are flying blind The home has to be built on a flat building site and it cant be started in the winter. But it can save thousands as crews can skip the excavation process and can cut down on materials. How much money it saves varies based on the size, style of home and the job site, but Bitely said it can easily save between $20,000 to $40,000. Sable Home crews work on a house in the Grant area. Couple Skyler and Tracey Fisk who are friends with the Sable Homes sales manager recently moved into one of those homes in Belding with their two boys, ages 7 and 3. Tracey Fisk is an elementary teacher and the couple wanted to move closer to her school. They had looked for a home for about six months to a year, but everything either had a bad foundation or would take a lot of work to move into, they said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just with prices being so crazy, we were having a hard time finding anything that we could afford, Skyler Fisk said. (Sable Homes) came up with the plan for this house to make it more affordable, and we went with it. Its been its been good so far. The Fisk familys home in Belding. (Courtesy Sable Homes) The home they moved into in Belding is the new May Apple design, a three-bedroom, two-bath ranch that skips the basement. New dashboard shows realities of Kent County housing crisis We went through a number of things because Belding had some zoning that we needed a variance for, so there was a lot of hoops, Bitely said. Fortunately (Belding) worked well with us and we got that done and theyre in their new home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The team needed to get a variance in order to build a home without a basement, according to Bitely. A home like the one the Fisk family moved into starts at $195,000, according to Sable Homes, not including the cost of the lot. For comparison, Bitely said many new homes will start in the $300,000 to $350,000 range. The Fisk familys home in Belding. (Courtesy Sable Homes) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For us to be able to be in the ($225,000 to $250,000) range is just a huge amount of difference, and it just opens the door, so to speak, for a lot of people that need a place, whether its a starter home, whether its their second home, Bitely said. Some people, this will be a long-term home. Some people, it will be a stepping point for them. He added that he hopes zoning and building codes are changed to help meet housing demand in West Michigan. The Fisk familys home in Belding. (Courtesy Sable Homes) The Fisk familys home in Belding. (Courtesy Sable Homes) The Fisk familys home in Belding. (Courtesy Sable Homes) The Fisk familys home in Belding. (Courtesy Sable Homes) The Fisk familys home in Belding. (Courtesy Sable Homes) Theres just such a need for housing. But yet so many people arent willing to have any built anywhere near them or in their backyard, he said. Hopefully well see some compromises. 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. Dec. 2The University of Maine System plans to follow through with the sale of a Belfast building to a local nonprofit despite an appeal and a lawsuit by an evangelical church. Waldo Community Action Partners was chosen as the buyer for the Hutchinson Center in a second round of bidding last month. The system chose Calvary Baptist Church during the first round of bidding, but rescinded the offer because it said the evaluation process failed to account for costs associated with a network hub that would need to stay in the building. The church filed a lawsuit against the UMaine System on Nov. 19, alleging religious discrimination in the process. The next day, the church filed a written protest with UMS, temporarily halting the sale. Officials said the award of the building would be paused while it conducted a review of the offers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the statement Monday, the system affirmed its commitment to selecting Waldo Community Action Partners, which it said submitted the highest-scoring proposal for the property. The group offered more than $3 million in the second round of bids. The property is valued at $2.5 million. Calvary Chapel bid $1.1 million, and a third bidder offered $1.8 million. Waldo Community Action Partners also agreed to lease back the network hub space for free. In its decision letter sent to (Calvary Chapel) on Monday, the System noted the established protest process "is specific to the terms, conditions, and evaluation of the proposals submitted under this solicitation" and that the (request for proposals) "adhered to all applicable policies and procedures, ensuring a fair and transparent process for all respondents," the statement said. Calvary Chapel now has 10 days to file a second appeal, which will be reviewed by Ryan Low, the vice chancellor for Finance and Administration. His decision would be final. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit is ongoing. The university system has yet to file a formal response, but shortly after the church filed the complaint, a spokesperson said the system strongly disagreed with any allegations of discrimination. Copy the Story Link Dec. 2ANDERSON An Anderson man has been arrested on felony charges of child molesting and child exploitation. Mark Anthony Brown, 58, 800 block of Cottage Avenue, was arrested by Anderson police Thursday. He faces an additional felony charge, inappropriate communication with a child. If convicted, Brown could serve a possible prison sentence of 2-12 years. According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Anderson Police Detective Matthew Kopp, officers were dispatched after an Indiana Department of Child Services representative reported that Brown had asked an 8-year-old girl to take her clothes off and pose for photos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown was listed in the past as a sexual offender in Indiana. He was convicted in 1993 on two counts of child molest and in 2015 on a charge of inappropriate communication with a child, according to the affidavit. During a Kids Talk forensic interview related to the current case, the girl said Brown wanted to take pictures of her naked, and the girl's mother reported that Brown asked other children to agree to be photographed naked, police said. Brown declined to be interviewed by police without an attorney present. Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863. Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has recalled her impression of Donald Trump during his first term in the White House, saying the new American president-elect showed a fascination with the sheer power of strongmen like Russian President Vladimir Putin and Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The way he spoke about Putin, the way he spoke about the North Korean (leader) obviously apart from critical remarks he made there was always a kind of fascination with the sheer power of what these people could do, Merkel said in an exclusive interview with CNNs Christiane Amanpour. In the wide-ranging interview, Merkel discussed her new memoir, Freedom, which reflects on her 16 years as the first woman to lead Europes largest economy. Over her premiership, the continent weathered multiple crises from the economy to migration, from climate to a pandemic. Shortly after she left office, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine that has raised questions about the extent to which Germany relied on cheap Russian gas and cast some of her decisions in a harsher light. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the book, Merkel writes how her life splits neatly into halves. She spent the first 35 years of her life studying and working as a chemist in communist East Germany. But since the crumbling of the Berlin Wall, the second 35 years of her life have been spent in a free, liberal democracy a system she now fears is under threat. These days, liberal democracies are under onslaught. They are under pressure, Merkel told CNN. She recalled first meeting Trump at the White House in 2017. Sitting by the famous fireside in the Oval Office, the two leaders were asked by reporters to shake hands for a photo. Trump appeared to snub the request, although they shook hands at other times during Merkels visit. Merkel and Trump meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 17, 2017. - Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images Merkel said Trump lives off acting unconventionally and often tries to put down a marker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the book, Merkel writes that Trump was clearly fascinated by Putin and captivated by politicians with an autocratic bent. My impression always was that he dreamt of actually overriding maybe all those parliamentary bodies that he felt were in a way an encumbrance upon him, and that he wanted to decide matters on his own, Merkel told CNN. In a democracy well, you cannot reconcile that with democratic values. Merkels comment echoed those made by several US officials who worked closely with Trump during his first administration. John Kelly, who was Trumps longest-serving White House chief of staff, said before Novembers election that Trump fit the general definition of fascist and that he spoke positively of the loyalty of Adolf Hitlers Nazi generals. Trumps campaign denied the exchange. I wouldnt want to make any comment on this, Merkel said of Kellys remarks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN has reached out to a Trump representative for comment. Merkel's autobiography "Freedom" on display in Berlin, Germany, November 26, 2024. - Annegret Hilse/Reuters A resurgent Russia Putin, with whom Merkel enjoyed closer ties than many other European leaders, also loomed large over her premiership. Merkel recalled how Putin, knowing that she had once been wounded by a dog and was uneasy around them, had infamously brought his large Labrador to a meeting between them in 2007. Its a little, small attempt to test the waters you know, how resilient a person is, how strong, Merkel said. Its a power play. Despite relatively cordial relations between Moscow and Europe, Merkel said things began to sour after the 2008 North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in the Romanian capital, Bucharest. NATO declared that both Ukraine and Georgia would eventually join the defense alliance, without giving them a plan for how to get there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was firmly convinced that Putin would not allow this to happen without taking action, so I thought it was wrong to actually put this on the agenda at the time, Merkel said, particularly when Ukraines government and people were split right down the middle. Putin pets his dog Koni as Merkel looks on during a meeting in Sochi, Russia, January 21, 2007. - Axel Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images During Merkels premiership, Russia won a five-day war against Georgia in 2008 and launched its first invasion of Ukraine in 2014, annexing Crimea and occupying territory in the east of the country. Since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, European leaders have been criticized for not being sufficiently alert to the threat from Moscow and allowing its territorial aggression to go unchecked. With the war in Ukraine approaching its fourth year, and both militaries having huge and hard-to-sustain losses, talk is turning to whether the war can end with a lasting peace. Trump, who takes office next month, has said he would end the war within a day, without specifying how. Merkel warned that negotiating with Putin is a fraught task. She recalled confronting Putin about Russias invasion of Crimea in 2014 an operation the Kremlin initially sought to obfuscate, claiming the soldiers fighting in Ukraine were not part of Moscows army, giving rise to the myth of little green men who were fighting independently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merkel said Putin later conceded to her that he had lied about this. French President Emmanuel Macron and Merkel look at Trump during a summit in Watford, United Kingdom, December 4, 2019. - Christian Hartmann/Reuters Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was a turning point in our relationship quite clearly that I had to be extremely cautious in my approach toward him. So you cannot only trust in an agreement with him thats absolutely correct, she said. Negotiations to end the war in Ukraine must provide Kyiv with security guarantees, she added. Despite presiding over a period of relative calm in Europe, Merkels critics say that events in recent years have clouded her legacy. In particular, they argue that Germanys extreme reliance on cheap Russian gas helped bolster Moscows economy and its influence within Europe. Asked whether she had made errors of judgment during her premiership, Merkel said: We always have to look at matters under the conditions we were in then. I dont think it makes a whole lot of sense to say from todays vantage point in hindsight. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Ann Coulter doesnt think highly of Donald Trumps controversial nominee to lead the Department of Defense but its not because hes been accused of rape. The conservative commentator skewered Fox News host Pete Hegseths character during Mondays episode of her podcast, Unsafe with Ann Coulter, but appeared to dismiss Hegseths rape accuser and instead took issue with his cheating, calling Trumps Cabinet pick sleazy and a serial adulterer. Hegseth was investigated for allegedly raping a woman after speaking at an event for Republican women in 2017. Prosecutors declined to press charges, citing a lack of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news anchor, who has been married three times and was in the midst of his second divorce at the time of the alleged rape, has repeatedly claimed that the encounter was consensual. Coulter appears to have accepted his explanation and suggested on Mondays episode that it was possible Hegseths accuser had cried rape. She did, however, take issue with his adultery. In all of this talk about about whether whether Pete Hegseth is an abuser of women, it just, no one even mentioned that he is a serial adulterer! she told listeners. Are we a society that doesnt care about adultery anymore? Conservative voice Ann Coulter slammed potential Cabinet member Pete Hegseth as "sleazy" and a "serial adulterer" on her podcast Monday. Getty Noting that not one but two of Hegseths divorces reportedly stemmed from infidelity, Coulter said, The fact that it was three times, and this sleazy, and everyone at Fox News knew about it is one thing. But seriously ... No one is even mentioning the adultery! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Somehow, Coulter then found a way to blame Democrats for Hegseths moral failures. Im sorry, this is liberals winning, she told listeners. This is liberals changing our culture in this subtle and insidious way where the only rules that matter are the feminist rules, not the rules that have protected women for millennia, like dont cheat on your wife. While Hegseth was not charged over the 2017 rape allegation, his own mother called him an abuser of women in 2018 email that recently came to light. You are an abuser of women that is the ugly truth and I have no respect for any man that belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around, and uses women for his own power and ego, she wrote to her son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps willingness to overlook the controversy around Hegseth may have a lot to do with his own history. The president-elect has been accused of sexual abuse by dozens of women over his decades in the public eye. Related... PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) After three weeks, the teachers strike is over in the Greater Albany Public School District. Officials said the deal was ratified by the teachers and then by the school board, ending the second-longest teachers strike in Oregon history at 8:26 p.m. Both students and teachers will be back in the classroom on Tuesday, officials said. However, Tuesday will be a two-hour late start in order to get teachers into buildings and prepared to welcome students back into schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District officials also said transportation services will NOT be provided to the: Periwinkle Child Development Center, Clover Ridge Early Intervention, Riverside Head Start, Growing Learners YMCA, and Kidco Young Roots. This is standard procedure any time GAPS has a 2-Hour Delay. Details of the agreed-to contract were not immediately available. But the Greater Albany Education Association released a statement that said the agreement includes landmark improvements to support levels for students with learning differences, pathways to recruit new teachers and retain talented educators long term, urgently needed new school safety protections, and smaller classroom sizes for kindergarten students. The union included a link to the full contents of the agreement. Latest twist in the negotiations This was the latest twist in the weeks-long strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A tentative deal was announced Sunday afternoon, but hours later fell apart. Negotiations continued Monday and another deal was struck. That went to ratification votes by the teachers and then to the school board. According to the Greater Albany Education Association (the teachers union), the deal with Greater Albany Public Schools fell apart at 3 a.m. Monday after being unable to reach an agreement on standard return-to-work terms. Both parties said they want kids back in class, but the sticking point was how those days lost will be made up. Kotek releases 2025-27 budget proposal focused on homelessness, housing, education Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district outlined its proposal to add 7.5 makeup days that were previously listed as non-student contact days to make up for the time lost. Under Oregon law, the agreement is separate from the contract, and does not require negotiation. Meanwhile, the union said they want all 12 class days missed to be made up nearly double what the district is proposing. KOIN 6 News will have more information as it develops. 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. ANSON, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) The memory of those who serve in our military is priceless, and its significance can be immortalized in the smallest ways. A piece of metal, clothing, or even a single red rose can go a long way in honoring those who have served our great nation. It is items like these that the Anson VFW is seeking out to honor the ones who came before and to help the ones who remain feel more comfortable when entering their doors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently, the Adjutant for Anson VFW Post 8929, Kim Frantum, posted online, calling for the materials to make a Missing in Action/Prisoner of War table to honor those service members. The symbolism behind the items at this table holds very significant meanings and is arraigned in a specific way. For example, the tablecloth is white, which is symbolic of the purity of a soldiers intentions to respond to their nations call, a single rose in a vase to signify the blood that many have shed in sacrifice, salt sprinkled on a plate reminding us of the countless fallen tears of families along with many other varying articles that carry similar significance. Due to that online post, Frantum received all the items necessary to complete one of these tables for the VFW post. However, they are still seeking other memorabilia to honor the history of local veterans. Adjutant for Anson VFW Post 8929 Kim Frantum Frantum is a retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant who served during the Gulf War with the 1st Marine Division during Operation Desert Storm and explained how part of her job during that time was helping to preserve the personal belongings of fallen soldiers for their families back home and how even the smallest items can have a large impact. Anybody that becomes missing in action and killed in action, that are severely wounded, that need be sent back to the states. I took care of all of their personal effects, and I had those sent back to the United States, to their next of kin. This is to remember them and to realize that there are still families that are missing their loved ones, Frantum shared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quartermaster for Anson Post 8929, Retired Marine Staff Sergeant Kevin Frantum, spoke about how their post is considered small but seeks to preserve and add to what they have as this station serves multiple purposes within the Anson community. Quartermaster for Anson Post 8929 Kevin Frantum Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its just a place to get together and meet sometimes. I really look forward to keeping this place up, keeping it going. Again, its a pillar of the community. That is what it really belongs as. Its a small piece of history to memorialize all these people, Kevin Frantum shared. The Anson VFW Post 8929 is looking to make improvements and maintain the post, which requires additional funding. To support this effort, the post is selling alcohol memorabilia, including neon signs, to help raise money. If you or anyone you know would like to assist Anson VFW Post 8929 through donations of military memorabilia or monetary contributions, please visit them at 3230 County Road 497, Anson, TX 79501. You can find details about the items for sale on their Facebook page. The leadership at the Anson VFW stated that monetary donations for the post can be made at the First National Bank of Anson, located at 1021 12th St, Anson, TX 79501. The bank will transfer the funds directly into their account. 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. The horrors of Nazi medical experiments during World War II are widely known, but Japan's Unit 731 in occupied China remains a lesser-explored chapter of wartime atrocities, according to researchers in China. Researchers from the Academy of Military Medical Sciences in Beijing, China, claimed to have shed new light on these crimes, offering scientific evidence that supports historical accounts of the laboratorys gruesome activities. In a new study, researchers declare the presence of Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium responsible for anthrax, in soil samples collected from Unit 731s site in northeastern China. These findings support reports that the facility developed biological weapons by deliberately infecting prisoners with deadly diseases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement B. anthracis is considered one of the most serious and threatening agents for conducting biowarfare or bioterrorism, the researchers wrote. Records suggest Bacillus anthracis was used in biowarfare during World War II, but evidence remains limited. The disease caused by B. anthracis, anthrax, is deadly to both humans and animals. Symptoms include black sores, swollen neck, fever, and severe respiratory issues. Without treatment, it can escalate quickly, often proving fatal. Tracing the source of anthrax This isnt the first time researchers have detected B. anthracis at the Unit 731 site. A previous study claimed to identify the bacterium in three soil samples. In the latest analysis, scientists reportedly isolated genetic material from these samples and sequenced the genome to uncover key biochemical and genetic markers. The data linked the strain to a larger evolutionary context, strengthening evidence that it was not naturally occurring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, the team collected 24 more samples from 12 locations near the site. These additional samples showed no traces of anthrax bacteria, reinforcing the conclusion that the contaminated samples were linked to deliberate activities at Unit 731 rather than the local environment. By analyzing the distribution of the positive samples, qualities of the isolated strain, and historical documents, we established a chain of evidence supporting the hypothesis that B. anthracis was misused in inhumane medical experiments and likely for developing biologic weapons during WWII, the researchers claimed. They also cautioned that remains of biological agents at similar World War II sites might still pose risks to humans, animals, and the environment if not properly addressed. A dark chapter in history Unit 731s barbaric experiments have long been shrouded in secrecy. Japan officially acknowledged its existence only in 1984, decades after the war ended. Contributing to the mystery is the fact that Japanese forces executed all surviving victims of the laboratory before surrendering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further complicating historical accountability, U.S. authorities, including General Douglas MacArthur, granted immunity to Unit 731s doctors in exchange for their research findings. This controversial decision ensured that much of what transpired at the facility would remain hidden from public scrutiny. The researchers hope their findings will encourage the world to examine this dark chapter with greater urgency. Our findings highlight the role of microbial forensics in tracing biologic warfare and providing insights into biothreats, they noted. By revealing scientific proof of these atrocities, the study highlights the dangers of biological warfare and the importance of staying alert to its lasting impacts. The research was published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Marking the 95th anniversary of the discovery of the first skull of Peking Man, a film co-produced by China and France was unveiled at the Zhoukoudian Site Museum in Beijing on Tuesday. The release of the film, titled "Peking Man, The Last Secrets of Humankind," is to commemorate the discovery of Peking Man, the homo erectus that lived in the suburbs of today's capital of China about 700,000 years ago, according to the museum. Co-produced by the China Media Group and the France Televisions, among others, the film documents the historical narrative of ancient human evolution in East Asia. Nearly 100 experts and scholars from home and abroad, who are attending a symposium on the 95th anniversary of the discovery, watched the film together. Gao Xing, a researcher at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that the discovery and research of Peking Man would not have been possible without international cooperation, and the film will help further promote China's ancient human cultural heritage to the world. The first complete skull of Peking Man was found by Chinese archaeologist Pei Wenzhong in December 1929 at the Location 1, or the Peking Man Site, one of the four sites in Zhoukoudian in Beijing's Fangshan district where ancient human fossils were found. State Sen. Rick Brattin, a Harrisonville Republican, protests outside a Planned Parenthood clinic in Kansas City on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, ahead of a hearing in a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood seeking to overturn the state's TRAP laws (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent). On the eve of a Wednesday hearing seeking to strike down most Missouri abortion restrictions, GOP lawmakers and anti-abortion activists assembled outside five Planned Parenthood clinics around the state to call on the courts to leave abortion regulations in place. At the same time, Republican lawmakers have begun filing some of their first pieces of legislation aimed at weakening or overturning Amendment 3, which was narrowly approved by voters last month and enshrines the right to reproductive health care in the state constitution. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The constitutional amendment, which received 51.6% of the nearly 3 million votes cast, goes into effect Thursday. It prohibits the legislature from regulating abortion prior to the point of fetal viability generally seen as the point at which a fetus can likely survive outside the womb without extraordinary measures. Already, at least 11 lawmaker-proposed amendments have been prefiled seeking to reverse Amendment 3 through another vote of the people. One such bill, filed by Republican state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman of Arnold, would ask voters to ban gender-affirming surgeries for minors and all abortions with exceptions for medical emergencies and rape. Missouri families deserve clarity and compassion in our laws when it comes to protecting women and safeguarding innocent life like our children from danger, Coleman said in a statement Tuesday. These constitutional amendments align with the beliefs of the majority of Missourians when it comes to supporting the dignity and value of all life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Rep. Justin Sparks, a Wildwood Republican, is proposing his own version of a repeal amendment. He said he was inspired to take action by Amendment 3s close margin of victory. Sparks proposed constitutional amendment would define a person as every human being with a unique DNA code regardless of age, including every in utero human child at every stage of biological development from the moment of conception until birth. State Sen. Rick Brattin, a Harrisonville Republican, filed a proposed amendment similar to Colemans, but one that also included abortion exceptions for fetal anomalies. It would limit abortions in the cases of rape or incest to the first 20 weeks of pregnancy and only if the victim filed a police report. Such requirements have been widely-criticized in other states, with victim advocates calling such reporting requirements harmful to survivors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But on Tuesday, standing outside the Planned Parenthood clinic in Kansas City with other anti-abortion activists, Brattin said his immediate focus was appealing to the courts to uphold the states current targeted regulation of abortion providers laws, which previously made it all but impossible for doctors to provide abortions in Missouri. The laws, enacted over the last several years by the legislature, include a mandatory 72-hour waiting period between the initial appointment and a surgical abortion, mandatory pelvic exams for medication abortions and requirements that providers report all abortions to the state. Thats going to be first and foremost, making sure that if theyre operating, theyre operating at the highest level of standard of care, Brattin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less than 24 hours after Amendment 3 was approved by voters, the ACLU of Missouri, Planned Parenthood Great Plains and Planned Parenthood Great Rivers announced a lawsuit seeking to strike down several of these TRAP laws. The first hearing in the case is set to take place Wednesday afternoon in Jackson County. The Missouri Secretary of States office filed a motion requesting the proceedings be moved to Cole County. Earlier this year, a Cole County judge struck Amendment 3 from the ballot, a decision that was quickly overridden by the Missouri Court of Appeals. Planned Parenthood leadership has said they hope a quick decision from the judge will allow them to start performing abortions at three health centers across the state Columbia, the Central West End in St. Louis and the Midtown neighborhood of Kansas City as soon as the new amendment goes into effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abortion is safe and a very common healthcare procedure, Dr. Colleen McNicholas, chief medical officer at Planned Parenthood Great Rivers, which operates the St. Louis clinics, said in a statement Tuesday. We know that Missourians across the political spectrum support access to this life-saving care, but anti-abortion extremists are again resorting to false, tired, and previously litigated scare tactics, trying to subvert the will of the people and keep abortion banned. A 2018 study by the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine concluded that abortion complications are rare, and complications during childbirth remain more common. Outside the Planned Parenthood clinic in St. Louis Central West End, Brian Westbrook, executive director of Coalition Life, called for the TRAP laws to remain in place to make sure that women do not go into a place like this and leave in an ambulance headed to the hospital. We stand here today with real, clear evidence that Planned Parenthood is not safe for women and requires serious oversight and inspections, not immunity, he said. Kendyl Underwood, a 20-year-old Saint Louis University student, sits outside of the Planned Parenthood clinic in St. Louis on June 24, 2022 after the release of the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade (Tessa Weinberg/Missouri Independent). Westbrook also referenced a 2018 health inspection report that determined equipment in the Columbia clinic included tubing that contained black mold and bodily fluid. Planned Parenthood officials later said the equipment had been replaced and the issue resolved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Columbia health center ended the procedure in fall 2018 when it could no longer meet a state requirement that doctors performing abortions have admitting privileges at a hospital no more than 15 minutes from the clinic and the clinics license expired. After that, until the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June 2022, only one Planned Parenthood clinic in Missouri, located in St. Louis, continued to perform abortions. The St. Louis clinic temporarily lost its licensure as well until May 2020, when then-Missouri Administrative Hearing Commissioner Sreenivasa Rao Dandamudi ruled that the state health department had to re-issue the license. Planned Parenthood has demonstrated that it provides safe and legal abortion care, Dandamudis ruling concluded. In over 4,000 abortions provided since 2018, the Department has only identified two causes to deny its license. Westbrook ended Tuesdays press conference saying he is hopeful the Trump administration will enforce the Comstock Act, an 1873 law that bans the mailing of obscene material, including medications used for abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said he supports Missouri Attorney General Andrew Baileys efforts to hold Planned Parenthood accountable. The Missouri Attorney Generals office recently posed a court challenge to the Planned Parenthood suit. The latest lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Cole County, questions Planned Parenthood Great Plains ability to sue, claiming a 2010 settlement agreement prevents them from doing so. Bailey, in a recent official opinion from his office, argued that while Missouri statutes prohibiting abortion prior to fetal viability will no longer be enforceable in their entirety, the state can still enforce other laws on the books related to abortion. In a contest where the yes side was able in effect to rewrite the ballot summary language, received tens of millions of dollars in funding from out of state, and outspent the no side 6 to 0, Bailey wrote, This tight margin suggests the result may be very different if a future constitutional amendment is put up for a vote. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Dec. 3Dear Answer Man: A few months ago there was some hateful graffiti at both a synagogue and the home of a state representative. Did the Rochester police ever find the culprits behind these acts? Looking for Justice. Dear Justice, It was a rough year for hateful comments in Rochester. But the community has also focused on battling hate, so there's that. Let's run down the recent history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the weekend of April 12-13, teens (more on this later) used cups placed in the chain link fencing of the pedestrian overpass near Century High School to spell out a racial slur. On Aug. 3, state Rep. Kim Hicks woke up to find campaign signs, her house and her shed defaced with anti-Semitic and racist graffiti: swastikas, the letters "KKK." Hicks, who is white, is married to a Black man. That same weekend, someone spray painted "300" on a sign outside of the B'nai Israel Congregation. At the time, the number represented the number of days of the Israel-Hamas war. It was, Jewish leaders said, an anti-Semitic bit of hate. That's a lot of down notes. But here's some good. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, RPD did track down those who spelled out the racial slur in the red cups along the pedestrian bridge. Eventually, no charges were brought, but, hopefully, those teens understand why their actions were harmful to others. Through all of this, members of the community gathered to discuss how hate leaves an impact and what can be done to spread a message of acceptance for all. Now, to the crux of your question: Have the perpetrators from Aug. 3 been found? Amanda Grayson, spokeswoman for RPD, said, "The vandalism investigations are still active and ongoing. Therefore, we are not able to release information related to potential leads in the cases or other case-specific information." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grayson did add that the two cases the vandalism at Rep. Hicks' home and the vandalism at the synagogue do not appear to be connected. Here's hoping RPD finds those involved. If charges can be brought, fine. If not, maybe knowing that this community won't stand for hatred will be enough to change their hearts and minds. Send questions to Answer Man at answerman@postbulletin.com. Matsumoto v. Labrador was filed in July 2023. The lawsuit is named after the lead plaintiff Lourdes Matsumoto, an attorney who assists victims of domestic and sexual violence in southwestern Idaho, including minors who become pregnant. (Getty Images) Editors note: This story has been updated to include a statement from the attorney representing the plaintiffs. A panel of federal judges on Monday largely upheld Idahos abortion trafficking law, a measure passed in the 2023 legislative session meant to punish an adult who helps a minor seek an abortion in another state or obtain medication that will induce an abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals opinion reverses U.S. Magistrate Judge Debora K. Grashams November 2023 decision, which blocked enforcement of the law after Idaho attorney Lourdes Matsumoto and two advocacy organizations, the Northwest Abortion Access Fund and the Indigenous Idaho Alliance, filed a lawsuit against the state. The plaintiffs alleged the law restricts freedom of speech and the right to freely associate, and said it was too vague to be constitutional. Idaho has a near-total ban on abortions at any stage of pregnancy, with exceptions for rape and incest victims who provide a police report documenting the crime and who are no more than 12 weeks pregnant. It is surrounded by several states where abortion is legal, including Washington, Oregon and Montana. Washington allows minors to obtain an abortion without parental permission, and Oregon requires parental consent for girls under the age of 14. Matsumoto, an attorney who assists victims of domestic and sexual violence in southwestern Idaho, including minors, was the first named plaintiff in the lawsuit. Her work includes representing victims of sexual violence who become pregnant, and Matsumoto said she now feels limited in what advice she can give to her clients, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported. The panel of Ninth Circuit judges determined the law is not too vague to be enforced and does not violate the First Amendment rights of the advocacy organizations who filed the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, they did affirm Grashams block on one ground. The panel held that the language in the law prohibiting recruiting activity to obtain an abortion is overly broad and unconstitutional because it prohibits a substantial amount of protected expressive speech. But the other aspects of the law that do not allow individuals to harbor or transport minors for an abortion can stand, according to the ruling. One member of the panel, Judge Carlos Bea, partially dissented. He deemed the plaintiffs did not have proper standing to sue because they only sued the state attorney general, who can only enforce the law if one or more county prosecutors refuse to do so, and none have. Bea said he would reverse the district court injunction in full and order that the case be dismissed. Plaintiffs and state of Idaho see victories Wendy Heipt, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, told the Idaho Capital Sun that overall she is pleased with the partial block of the law and is looking forward to continuing to litigate the case. As the court noted, encouragement, counseling, and emotional support are plainly protected speech, even when that speech happens in the context of deciding whether to have an abortion,' Heipt said in a press release. This decision is a significant victory for the plaintiffs, as it frees Idahoans to talk with pregnant minors about abortion health care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plaintiffs have two weeks to decide if they want to appeal the Ninth Circuit ruling, but if not, it will return to district court so the case can proceed. Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador also said in a press release that the ruling is a tremendous victory for Idaho and defending the rule of law as written by the peoples representatives. Idahos laws were passed specifically to protect the life of the unborn and the life of the mother, Labrador said. Trafficking a minor child for an abortion without parental consent puts both in grave danger, and we will not stop protecting life in Idaho. A recap: What is Idahos abortion trafficking law? The law, originally House Bill 242, established the crime of abortion trafficking, the first law of its type in the nation. Since its passage, Tennessees Legislature implemented a similar law, but a judge there has blocked its enforcement for now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the law, an adult who, with the intent to conceal an abortion from the parents or guardian of a pregnant, unemancipated minor, either procures an abortion or obtains an abortion inducing drug for the pregnant minor to use for an abortion by recruiting, harboring or transporting the pregnant minor within this state commits the crime of abortion trafficking. Those convicted of abortion trafficking would face a penalty between two to five years in prison. States Newsroom reproductive rights reporter, Kelcie Moseley-Morris, contributed to this story. 23-3787 An Apple employee has sued the company, alleging it improperly requires access to personal data that employees store on the tech behemoth's iCloud. The lawsuit, filed by Amar Bhakta, who has worked in advertising technology for Apple since 2020, also alleges the company's policies illegally restrict discussions about wages and working conditions among workers. Apple provides employees with iPhones and other equipment, but it is common for employees to use their own devices or to link company-issued products to their personal iCloud accounts, according to the lawsuit. When they do so, the lawsuit alleges, Apple demands as part of its terms of employment that employees allow the company to install software that makes it possible to search a device or iCloud account. In addition, the company "actively discourages" the use of work-only iCloud accounts, the lawsuit said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the lawsuit, Apple forbade Bhakta from speaking publicly about his work in digital advertising and required him to remove information about his work from his LinkedIn profile. These moves "limited his visibility and attractiveness in the job market," the lawsuit said. "If you use your personal account on an Apple-managed or Apple-owned iPhone, iPad or computer, any data stored on the device (including emails, photos, video, notes and more), are subject to search by Apple, company policy states, according to the lawsuit. Taken together, Apple's policies have a chilling effect on employees' willingness to be whistleblowers on internal issues and on their freedom of movement in the job market, the lawsuit said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bhakta filed the suit in Santa Clara County Superior Court this week under the Private Attorneys General Act, a unique California law that allows employees to sue on behalf of the state for labor violations. All California employees have the right to speak about their wages and working conditions, said Jahan Sagafi, an attorney at Outten & Golden, the firm that represents Bhakta, in a Monday news release. Apples broad speech suppression policies create a danger of discrimination going unchallenged. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Times. In a statement to the Verge, Apple spokesperson Josh Rosenstock disputed the claims in the lawsuit. Every employee has the right to discuss their wages, hours and working conditions and this is part of our business conduct policy, which all employees are trained on annually. We strongly disagree with these claims and believe they lack merit," Rosenstock said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bhakta said he hopes Apple will change its approach. Being able to speak openly about my work is so important to me, Bhakta said in the release. Its disappointing that Apple, whose ethos is privacy and confidentiality, would try to monitor and censor me. Other Apple employees have raised similar concerns of privacy violations and overly broad policies restricting discussion of pay. A 2021 report by the Verge revealed concerns about data privacy among Apple workers required to link their personal accounts and devices to their jobs. And in October Apple was accused by the National Labor Relations Board of trying to prevent employees from discussing pay equity by enforcing broad rules that prohibited workers from discussing financial incentives the company uses to reach sales goals by asserting that the topic included confidential and proprietary information. Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. MARSHALL COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) Authorities say a woman was arrested Monday for breaking into Brindlee Mountain Elementary School during Thanksgiving break. Marshall County Sheriffs Office (MCSO) said Farrah Hope Thomas, 47, of Arab was arrested and charged with third-degree burglary after investigators received a report of a burglary at the school on Nov. 27. 16-year-old arrested for bringing handgun to Bob Jones High School Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriffs office said the incident happened between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Wednesday. No one was at the school at the time due to the Thanksgiving holiday. According to MCSO, a few items were taken from the building, and an office door was damaged as a result of the attempt to gain entry. The sheriffs office said investigators responded to the school on Monday, and after reviewing video footage and talking to members of the community, were able to identify Thomas as a suspect. MCSO said Thomas was booked into the Marshall County Jail and is being held on a $18,000 bond. 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. Tuesday: A pretty but cold day with plenty of sunshine as an area of high pressure sits north of Alabama. This will keep us cold with high temperatures in the lower to middle 40s. Tuesday night will be mostly clear and cold with another hard freeze. Lows will be in the upper teens to the middle 20s. Wednesday-Thursday: Another cold front will move toward Alabama on Wednesday. It will become warmer as southerly winds return along with a mostly cloudy sky. High temperatures will be in the lower 50s. The cold front with scattered showers will move across the state Wednesday night into Thursday morning. The rain will end before the morning commute. Then it will become partly cloudy and cool with highs in the lower 50s. Turning sharply colder through the second half of Thursday, with a bitter cold Thursday night with lows in the low to mid 20s. Friday: High pressure will build north of Alabama on Friday drawing colder air to the region. It will be mostly sunny with highs in the middle 40s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weekend Outlook: Forecast models disagree on the area of low pressure and cold front moving across the Southeast U.S. this weekend. One is wetter than the other. Right now, plan for a mostly cloudy and cool weekend with showers a little more likely Sunday into Monday. High temperatures will be in the 50s on Saturday but will be in the 60s on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Be sure to follow the CBS 42 Storm Team: Follow Us on Facebook: Chief Meteorologist Dave Nussbaum, Meteorologist Michael Haynes, Meteorologist Alex Puckett, and Meteorologist Jacob Woods. 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. An Arctic fox spotted roaming an Oregon city was taken to a Wisconsin zoo where she fell ill with salmon poisoning, the zoo said. Since then, Luna has gone through intense treatment to get better, the Ochsner Park Zoo said in a Nov. 30 Facebook post. Luna was captured Oct. 12 in Portlands Willamette Park and taken to the Bird Alliance of Oregons wildlife care center, McClatchy News previously reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, she was seen wandering neighborhoods. She caught the attention of the public with her puppy-like features and bright white fur. The Arctic fox found in Portland, Oregon, is pictured. She is food-motivated and likes to climb. But Luna ended up being a long way from her natural home and was likely illegally kept as a pet because she wasnt afraid of humans, the conservation group said. She was sent to the zoo in Wisconsin to join another Arctic fox, Apollo, the zoo said. Luna was put into quarantine before being introduced to the other fox. Then about a week after arriving, the zoo said something seemed wrong. She had a decreased appetite and energy levels. What is salmon poisoning? Her blood work was taken and she was diagnosed with salmon poisoning, a bacterial infection caused by eating raw salmon that contains a parasitic flatworm, the zoo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Salmon poisoning is more common in the Pacific Northwest and happens to dogs, wolves, coyotes and foxes, according to the VCA Animal Hospitals. The infection occurs when an animal eats raw or undercooked salmon, trout, steelhead, or Pacific giant salamanders that have the bacteria. There are many signs an animal may have the infection, including fever, decreased appetite, depression, nausea and vomiting, bloody diarrhea and weight loss. Salmon poisoning requires treatment from a veterinarian. We have an update on Luna the Arctic Fox. About a week after arriving in Wisconsin, keepers noticed a decrease in her... Posted by Ochsner Park Zoo on Saturday, November 30, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Luna got treatment at a world-class vet hospital, the zoo said. She is expected to be discharged on Friday, Dec. 6 and return to the zoo, but shell need another week of treatments. Her prognosis is promising but she is not completely out of the woods yet, the zoo said. Its likely she got the infection while in Portland as it takes weeks to cause illness, according to the zoo. Cryptic mountain creature with marbled body discovered as new species in Peru Blue-lipped creature with pearly white body discovered as new species in Maldives Dwarf-like creature kept in terrarium for 5 years turns out to be new species NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A deadly shooting at an Antioch park over the weekend is raising concerns about public safety. On Sunday, Dec. 1 the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said officers responded to a targeted fatal shooting of a man in a back parking lot of William A. Pitts Park. Officials reported he was shot multiple times while in the drivers seat of his car. A jar of marijuana and a pistol were also found inside the vehicle. SEE ALSO | MNPD: Man found dead at William A. Pitts Park following targeted shooting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is actively working to identify the victim through fingerprints. This incident marked the second homicide at Pitts Park this year. The first one was back in late April when MNPD reported the overnight murder of 36-year-old Francisco Almazan-Rojas. Its concerning that, once again, were seeing an incident thats taken place in a Metro park, said state Rep. Jason Powell (D-Nashville). This could be happening citywide, but its happening in the area that I represent. District 27 Metro Councilman Bob Nash said recently there have been a lot of shots fired calls in not only his South Nashville neighborhood but other surrounding ones as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents share concerns after shooting outside club leaves 1 teen dead, 2 others injured Unfortunately, its become a pastime for some people, and just very disruptive to the neighborhood and that feeling of security and peace in the neighborhood, Nash said. Jeff Sexton, director of the Fairlane Park Neighborhood Association, said hes received several messages from residents airing their fears about the recent violence. Were having that concern that we dont know whos next, Sexton said. It could be someone were living next door to or could be someone across town. Nash told News 2 that a few ideas he had to better secure Pitts Park are adding patrols, putting up more surveillance cameras and installing a gate at the entrance of the park that closes after hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As an MNPD officer for 33 years, Nash is no stranger to cases like these. VIDEO: Man shot to death in Antioch park We [officers] all know places that you shouldnt go at times you shouldnt go there, and thats going to keep you out of trouble the vast majority of times, Nash said. Now, there are exceptions to that rule, obviously, but if youre not dealing drugs, hanging around with people dealing drugs, thats a safety tip that will keep you out of a lot of trouble. Sexton emphasized the importance of having a community partnership with local law enforcement to make necessary changes. I dont think its a bad thing to have a group that works with the police, Sexton said. I think thats a good thing. Now is the time for us to join together, share information, understand the process, and call Metro Nashville police to keep them aware that we have issues when we see suspicious activity. Its the ones that we dont report that could be the ones that make a difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee The Fairlane Park Neighborhood Association is having a community meeting at MNPDs South Precinct at 5101 Harding Place on Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. to give area residents a chance to meet with police and parks officials to discuss security at the park. Parks and greenways have become targets of violence, Powell said. There are steps and actions that need to take place now because parks should be a place where we can all enjoy, all gather as a community and recreate and do enjoyable things. It should be the last place where we have concerns over safety. 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. PHOENIX (AP) An Arizona grand jury has indicted two out-of-state residents for allegedly applying to the states private school voucher program as parents to 50 children 43 of whom did not exist and receiving more than $110,000. The duo collected the money by submitting false, forged or fraudulent documents and spent it on personal living expenses in Colorado, according to an indictment released Monday by Attorney General Kris Mayes. The voucher program Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account has been a source of political tension for years. It expanded vastly in 2022 when then-Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, signed legislation to allow all parents in the state to take money that would go to local public schools and instead use it on private school tuition or other education costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program is championed by many Republicans and advocates of the school choice movement. But many Democrats, including Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, have called for the programs overhaul as its costs have skyrocketed. Hobbs has also criticized the program for funding what she called luxury items, including ski resort passes and pianos. The grand jury in Maricopa County handed down the indictment Nov. 12, charging Johnny Lee Bowers and Ashley Meredith Hewitt each with 60 felony counts, including conspiracy, fraud and forgery. The Associated Press left voice messages at numbers listed for Bowers and Hewitt, also known as Ashley Hopkins, seeking comment late Monday. According to the indictment, the two received the money by submitting applications for school vouchers between December 2022 and May 2024, using the names of both real and fictitious children, purportedly as parents and by using ghost names of parents. Some of the made-up children's names in their applications included Louis Dobbs, Tucker Gil and Poppy Fox. The false, forged, or fraudulent documents included birth certificates, utility bills and lease agreements, according to the indictment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayes' office said that Bowers and Hewitt now appear to reside in Utah. ___ Gabriel Sandoval is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. ULAN BATOR, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene has urged nations to strengthen collaboration in combating desertification, highlighting its increasingly severe impact on global communities, according to the Mongolian government's press office. The call was made during his speech at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), currently being held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. "Climate change and desertification are having tangible effects on every country and the daily lives of their citizens," Oyun-Erdene said. Highlighting Mongolia's heightened vulnerability, he noted, "According to a UN study, the frequency of natural and climatic disasters in Mongolia has doubled over the past 20 years. For instance, last winter brought the heaviest snowfall in 50 years in the country, causing a severe dzud that resulted in the loss of millions of livestock." Dzud is a Mongolian term to describe a severely cold winter when a large number of livestock die because the ground is frozen or covered in snow. The prime minister stressed the urgent need for a unified global strategy, saying, "To protect our land, which represents the future of humanity, we must support one another. Climate change, desertification, and the pandemic have reminded us of the importance of unity, being one for all, all for one." Desertification poses a significant challenge to Mongolia, affecting approximately 77 percent of the country's total territory, according to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. Mongolia is set to host COP17 of the UNCCD in its capital, Ulan Bator, in 2026. We all know that the Republicans who control the Arizona Legislature are not actual Republicans but MAGA Donald Trump loyalists. They are a mirror image, in fact, of the Republicans in Washington, D.C., who arent actual Republicans but MAGA Donald Trump loyalists, and who control the U.S. Congress. In all things political, philosophical and procedural, they are the same. Given that, the candidates Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs nominates to serve as agency heads should sail through the state Senates confirmation process. Advertisement Advertisement Right? If Trump says 'jump,' Congress says 'how high?' After all, when Republicans in Congress have been asked lately about Trumps selections for his Cabinet some of whom are clearly unqualified, have kooky, radical ideas and have been accused of very nasty stuff they seem to echo Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, who said, We accept that the president should have the people that he wants in his Cabinet and on his team. Or Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, who said it is not up to senators to determine if Trumps nominees are worthy. Or Republican Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas, who said of Trump, Hes got a mission statement, his mission and his goals and objectives, whatever that is, we need to embrace it, all of it, every single word. If Donald Trump says, Jump three feet high and scratch your head, we all jump three feet high and scratch your heads. Thats it. Advertisement Advertisement Opinion: MAGA nut could expose Congress to protect a pal If Republicans believe that, Hobbs should be fine The MAGA Republicans who voted to put Trump in office, apparently, agree with that. Which means that the MAGA Republicans who elected our MAGA legislators also agree with that. So, since they believe, as they say, that the chief executive in our case, the governor should have the people that he (or she) wants in his Cabinet and on his team, Hobbs should have no problem. Not like shes had in the past, when there has been considerable conflict between Hobbs and Republican Sen. Jake Hoffman, one of the indicted fake electors who heads the state Senates Committee on Director Nominations. Maybe this principle only applies to one side There was all kinds of legal haggling and a lawsuit that Hobbs and Senate Republicans settled when Hobbs withdrew the nominations of three candidates, demoting them to deputy directors. Advertisement Advertisement Promises were made to complete the nomination process by the time the Legislature adjourns in 2025. Not long ago, however, Hoffman said in a statement, The committee invites Katie Hobbs to come to the table with sane, nonpartisan, qualified nominees, and we will approve them. What we wont do is rubber-stamp unqualified radicals. Wait what? Isnt that exactly what the MAGA Republicans in Congress are planning to do? Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com. For more opinions content, please subscribe. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: MAGA lawmakers should cut Democrat Hobbs some slack | Opinion Naomi Bistline was sentenced Monday in a Phoenix federal courtroom in connection with the exploitation of girls by a self-proclaimed leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bistline, 26, pleaded guilty in August to conspiracy to tamper with an official proceeding, months after Samuel Bateman, of Colorado City, a town on the Utah border, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport a minor for sex and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. In his plea agreement, Bateman acknowledged that he arranged group sex with his followers and children he called his brides. "During my time in custody, I often found myself looking for a second chance, despite realizing I had never truly been given a first," said Bistline to U.S. District Judge Susan Brnovich. Bistline became one of Batemans "spiritual" wives in 2020, according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Bateman was arrested in August 2022, several girls were taken into Arizona Department of Child Services custody. Bistline and others were accused by law enforcement of unlawfully removing the girls from state custody. Brnovich sentenced Bistline to time served 21 months. The judge said that while Bistlines crimes were severe, Bistline had endured significant hardship that influenced her actions and mental state. Brnovich said that Bistlines testimony during the trial of two of Batemans followers, LaDell Bistline Jr. and Torrance Bistline, highlighted her trauma. During that trial, Bistline told the court that Bateman had brainwashed her and that she had been loyal to him even after her arrest. She also testified that Bateman ordered her and other women to perform sexual acts as part of "atonement" ceremonies and that Bateman ordered her and a 14-year-old girl to have sex with LaDell Bistline Jr. and Torrance Bistline, with Bateman warning Torrance Bistline not to make the girl pregnant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brnovich ordered Naomi Bistline to continue mental health treatment. "At this point in time, you've separated yourself from the FLDS; you've enrolled in school. Most importantly is that you've engaged in mental health counseling, which seems to have been beneficial. It was clearly needed, not only just because of the manipulation and pressure that you were under as a child but because of the trauma that you testified about, especially during the 'atonement' that was testified about," Brnovich said. In October, LaDell Bistline Jr. and Torrance Bistline were both found guilty by a jury on multiple counts. Bateman's sentencing was scheduled for Dec. 9, LaDell Bistline Jr.'s for Dec. 16, and Torrance Bistline's for Dec. 20. Reach the reporter at miguel.torres@arizonarepublic.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Woman sentenced in FLDS, Samuel Bateman child exploitation case (Darrin Klimek/Getty Images) Implementing 12-hour shifts for employees at Arkansas six Community Correction Centers could reduce the states backlog of inmates in county jails to below 2,000 by Jan. 1, officials said Monday at the state Board of Corrections monthly meeting. Arkansas residential Community Correction Centers are in Little Rock, West Memphis, Osceola, Malvern, Texarkana and Batesville. A womens correctional center in Fayetteville closed after its inmate population dropped to an untenable low, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported in August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Employees at five of the six centers, excluding Batesville, currently work eight-hour shifts. Extending shifts to 12 hours will solve two problems, Division of Corrections Director Dexter Payne said: it will reduce the need for the Department of Corrections to hire more staff, and it will ensure enough around-the-clock supervision to allow more inmates to be moved from county jails to the state-run centers. Filling empty correctional officer positions has been difficult, particularly in Texarkana, Payne said. The better option is to go to 12-hour shifts, where we wont need those additional positions, and we can cut back on overtime and things of that nature, he said. Board member Lona McCastlain expressed support for the plan, saying it would save a lot of money by reducing the county jail backlog. The state typically spends roughly $30 million a year to house thousands of inmates in county facilities. Payne said that number is 2,046 as of Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The backlog has motivated Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders plan to build a 3,000-bed prison, and the state advanced the plan last month by purchasing 815 acres of land in Franklin County. The prison board approved the purchase Nov. 8 after county residents and lawmakers both expressed frustration over the lack of advance notice. In October, the board authorized a $16.5 million contract with California-based Vanir Construction Management to oversee the development of the prison. After more than an hour in executive session on Monday, the board voted to assign corrections department Deputy Director of Institutions William Straughn as the point person to communicate with Vanir regarding the project. The corrections department has been one of the most difficult state agencies to maintain adequate staffing, Sanders said last month when she announced a restructure of the states employee pay plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under her proposed plan, which requires legislative approval, correctional officers average entry-level salaries will increase from $37,589 to $50,845, and their average salaries will increase from $50,461 to $59,100. Implementing pay raises in several departments should make employees salaries competitive with the private sector and improve staff retention rates, Sanders said. Corrections Secretary Lindsay Wallace reminded the board Monday that Sanders put much of the responsibility for funding employee raises on the agencies existing budgets. Lindsay Wallace (Arkansas Department of Corrections) We need to prioritize that in terms of what we spend our money on, to be fiscally smart, Wallace said. She also said the corrections department is trying to hire both a psychological examiner and supervisor to evaluate sex offenders before their release from incarceration. The evaluation and community notification of released sex offenders are required by law, but the state has trouble hiring the relevant psychological professionals because of low pay, Wallace said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While both positions have been advertised, the department is also exploring the possibility of adding them to its $235.5 million medical contract with Wellpath, Wallace said. The company, previously known as Correct Care Solutions, has had a contractual relationship with the corrections department for more than a decade. A legislative panel approved a fresh two-year contract with Wellpath in September despite some lawmakers qualms. The Board of Corrections previously approved the contract in July. WEST VIRGINIA (DC News Now) A man from Arlington was sentenced to over nine years in prison for a firearms charge in West Virginia, officials announced Tuesday. The U.S. Attorneys Office (USAO) for the Northern District of West Virginia said in a news release that 33-year-old Michael Jamar Handon was sentenced to 114 months in prison. Secret Service agent fires shots at car near Treasury Secretary Janet Yellens home in DC, officials say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents said that Handon worked with others to purchase guns in Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties. Handon had previous convictions of violent felon in possession/transport of a weapon and possession of ammunition and is prohibited from having firearms. The USAO said that Handon will have three years of supervised release after his sentence. 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. An Army general who oversaw the US withdrawal from Afghanistan was promoted to a four-star officer after a Republican senator dropped a hold on his nomination, according to a Senate aide. The Senate on Monday confirmed Lt. Gen. Chris Donahue to be the commander of US Army Europe-Africa by unanimous consent, meaning no senator objected to his approval. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, had previously blocked the promotion, despite the Senate Armed Services Committee advancing 984 other military promotions. Donahue boards a C-17 cargo plane at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. - Master Sgt. Alexander Burnett/US Army It was not immediately clear why Mullin dropped his hold, and CNN is reaching out to Mullins office for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donahue, who currently serves as the commander of the 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Liberty in North Carolina, oversaw the final withdrawal from Afghanistan and was the last US soldier on the ground at Kabuls international airport. A night vision picture of Donahue boarding a cargo flight out of the airport became a symbolic image of the end of a 20-year war and a chaotic withdrawal that saw the deaths of 13 US troops in a suicide bombing. In addition to his current position as the commander of a storied military corps, Donahue has also been critical in the US effort to support Ukraine, helping to establish the Security Assistance Group-Ukraine. The organization was established in November 2022 as a more long-term extension of the work of 18th Airborne Corps, which deployed to Europe to reinforce NATOs eastern flank after Russia invaded Ukraine. In a military career that has spanned more than three decades since his graduation from West Point, Donahue has deployed 20 times, including time in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, North Africa and Eastern Europe, according to his Army biography. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mullin was one of the most vocal Republicans calling for accountability after the Abbey Gate bombing that killed 13 US service members during the final days of the evacuation from Afghanistan. On the third anniversary of the bombing, Mullin said that not one person has been held accountable for the disaster and explicitly named Donahue. He also named former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, who has repeatedly come under attack from President-elect Donald Trump, with whom he had a contentious relationship. Donahue had the very public and vocal backing of a number of former Defense Department officials, including Mark Esper, who served as Trumps Defense secretary for 16 months during his first term. Esper said on social media that Donahue was a great pick and had tremendous experience. Calling for the hold to be lifted, Esper said, Responsibility for the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 rests with the White House, not the Defense Dept, and certainly not with the uniformed leaders who faithfully executed Pres Bidens misbegotten decisions. Retired Gen. Tony Thomas, who led US Special Operations Command, blasted the hold on social media, saying it was an absolute disgrace, while calling Donahue the finest officer I ever served with. This story has been updated with additional details. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com KANSAS CITY, Mo. The plan to use the more than $70 million in federal money that Jackson County still has hit another snag Monday. If the county cant agree on ways to spend that money by the end of the year, it goes back to the federal government. A resolution dealing with that spending got held at Mondays meeting. Democratic County Executive Frank White was not at the meeting. He was dealing with a family emergency. Fifteen minutes before the meeting began, his office released a statement. County Executive White is collaborating with legislators on a plan to ensure ARPA funds are deployed effectively, with potential funding opportunities extending into 2025 and 2026, part of it read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These efforts are focused on maximizing the long-term impact of the funds and adhering to federal guidelines to avoid risks of improper use. Ex-KCK detective Roger Golubski found dead before trial During the meeting, Whites Chief of Staff Caleb Clifford said White wants to make sure the $70.4 millions used appropriately and not sent back to the federal government. He will be providing more details on that later, but that he is fully committed to it, Clifford said about his boss plan. However, he wants to be clear that he will not support any solicitation process that involves analyzing those responses and awarding contracts in less than 30 days, which is now what we have left, and so were going to have to look at alternatives to doing so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact that White wasnt at Mondays meeting angered Democratic Legislator DaRon McGee. Youve had this money since 2021, and I dont know what your plan is, he said to Clifford. To this day, you have not given us an ordinance. You say youve got plans, youve got recommendations, wheres the ordinance? These people cant wait. The community cant wait. This is nuts. We are risking sending this money back to D.C. Chris Jones expresses frustrations with awkward 2024 Chiefs schedule Democratic Legislator Jalen Anderson is the sponsor of the resolution that got held Monday. As FOX4s Matt Stewart reported Monday morning, Andersons plan calls for the county to spend $17.5 million on improvements to the downtown courthouse, $17.6 million on renovating 1300 Washington, and $31.9 million on various community programs like non-profits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McGee supported a previous plan where more than just the $31.9 million went to community programs. The next scheduled legislative meetings set for Monday, December 9th at the Eastern Jackson County Courthouse in Independence. 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. The News in Brief Tuesday, December 3, 2024 Ukraine has condemned the Georgian government for its handling of peaceful protests and alleged human rights violations. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized Tbilisi's decision to halt EU accession talks until 2028, which sparked widespread demonstrations."Violence will not remain without consequences," the ministry stated, urging the Georgian authorities to respect citizens' rights to peaceful assembly.Ukraine criticized the Georgian government for contradicting its pro-European claims. "The Georgian government says it supports EU integration, but its actions show a pivot toward Moscow," the statement read. Drawing comparisons to Ukraine's past struggles, it noted, "Politicians who tried to derail Ukraine's EU path also claimed they were just 'pausing' integration."The ministry rejected the Georgian government's framing of the protests as a "Ukrainian scenario" and accused it of implementing a "Belarusian scenario", eroding democratic norms while intimidating citizens.Ukraine also expressed solidarity with Georgian diplomats who opposed the government's decision to suspend EU talks. "In 2004 and 2014, Ukrainian diplomats stood for democracy during critical times. We recognize the courage of Georgian colleagues now doing the same," the statement said.Ukraine reaffirmed its commitment to Georgia's European future, calling EU integration essential for stability and democracy. "Our solidarity with the Georgian people remains unwavering," the ministry concluded.Giorgi Gakharia, leader of the opposition party For Georgia, called on public officials to express their opinions freely, emphasizing the need for a depoliticized public sector.Addressing civil servants, Gakharia said, "We all have the right to a different opinion, whether or not we are paid from the state budget. You have a responsibility to always speak your mind, especially when your views align with the majority of the country's population."He urged those who have remained silent to not fear retribution, assuring them of protection under Georgian and international law. "The more civil servants who speak their mind, the safer you will be," he said, adding that depoliticizing the public sector is critical to freeing it from political interference.Gakharia also highlighted troubling allegations of abuse against detainees, claiming many individuals detained by the ruling Georgian Dream party face inhumane conditions. "Pre-detention isolators are overcrowded, and some detainees spend nights in vehicles," he said. Gakharia further alleged that numerous detainees leave detention facilities with injuries resulting from physical violence.He called on the public to demand the release of those he described as "illegally detained," stating, "The state is physically abusing them." BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Traditional medicine plays an important role in helping achieve universal health coverage, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has much experience for the world to draw from, said Martin Taylor, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative in China. Taylor made the comment in an interview with Xinhua ahead of the 2024 World Conference on Traditional Medicine, which opened in Beijing on Tuesday. China is building up systems and regulations to "make sure that medicines are safe, effective and of quality," Taylor said. Looking back at the traditional medicine development, he said the use of artemisinin, which was discovered by Chinese scientist Tu Youyou, is the most famous example of TCM. Since the 1990s, artemisinin-based combination therapies have been recommended by the WHO as the preferred treatment for malaria. Between 2000 and 2020, approximately 10.6 million lives were saved from the disease around the world, according to the WHO. Taylor said quality should come first when thinking about reproducing the success of artemisinin. He went on recalling his recent trip to a county in Chongqing, southwest China, where some herbs and plants are grown for TCM. "Quality starts at the very start in terms of making sure the purity of the plants, and it goes all the way through the production chain," he said. He believes that China can lead the way in developing new methods to test the "safety" and "efficacy" of traditional medicine. To further standardize TCM, China's National Administration of TCM released a three-year plan in July, setting the goals that 180 domestic standards and 30 international standards for TCM will be formulated by the end of 2026. Taylor also mentioned China's experience of integrating traditional medicine with modern medicine, enabling patients to have more choices and combinations. Another major contribution from China, he added, is a registry platform for traditional medicine clinical trials. "We can gather the data from different clinical trials which have studied traditional medicines and their effectiveness," Taylor said. Developed and run by the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, the platform was endorsed by the WHO in April 2023 and open to registries worldwide. Taylor also voiced his hope that the WHO and China, with an updated memorandum of understanding signed recently on traditional medicine collaboration, will explore issues about understanding and improving safety, quality and the integration of traditional medicine with modern medicine. The family of a man who was shot and killed during a carjacking outside an Atlanta liquor store is remembering the man they described as an artist and renaissance man. David Tuttle, 70, was shot and killed in a parking lot on Metropolitan Pkwy. SW near the I-85/I-75 downtown connector on Saturday night. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Police say Jaylen Mosley, 19, was trying to steal Tuttles car when he shot him. He was arrested shortly after the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tuttle Family shared a statement with Channel 2s Eryn Rogers on Monday afternoon that read, We are devastated that David was taken by the senseless violence so prevalent today in communities large and small. We are thankful for the Atlanta Police Departments swift apprehension of the suspect and are working in cooperation with the authorities and the court to ensure there is justice for this crime. David was a native Atlantan, raised in Ansley Park and a member of the South Atlanta community. He was a beloved husband, brother, uncle, and friend. A renaissance man, artist, and master craftsman, he was a creative and kind soul with an amazing sense of humor who will be deeply missed. The Tuttle Family TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know him, but most of the guys who hang around here, they know, store owner Solomon Tesfamichael said. At the time of the shooting, Mosley was a fugitive out of Houston, Texas on a criminal mischief charge. Court documents obtained by Channel 2 Action News show he didnt show up for his October court date after being accused of damaging someones door by trying to pull it open. Investigators say Mosley was captured on security camera pulling down his mask and then covering his face back up. They say that one move allowed them to get a good look at his face. Mosley was scheduled to have his first court appearance on Monday morning, but waived the hearing. His next court date is scheduled for three weeks from now. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to provide guidance toward COVID-19 vaccinations, listing recommended dosage levels for Americans of all ages. The CDC divides its COVID-19 vaccination recommendation based on four age groups: Children 6 months to 4 years old, children 5 to 11 years old, people ages 12 to 64, and people aged 65 or older. Claims circulating on social media platforms assert the CDC recommends that 6-month-old infants receive seven doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. These claims are false. Although some social media posts include images of the CDCs COVID-19 vaccination guidance, users have misinterpreted the chart. The CDC says that little 6 month old babies must get SEVEN doses of the Covid Vaccine in order to be considered fully up to date on their vaccinations, the X account Died Suddenly shared with its nearly 800,000 followers. This isnt including the dozens of other vaccinations leading up to 6 months. Pure evil. The account is affiliated with the anti-vaccine movie Died Suddenly, which was released on Rumble in 2022, and is currently marketing light-infused water on its website. An image of the 2024-2025 CDC COVID-19 Immunization Schedule was included in the accounts tweet. Another X account with nearly 250,000 followers, Sudden and Unexpected,and which also includes the hashtag Died Suddenly in its X profiletweeted the same claim and image, verbatim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the CDC, tweeted the X account, The General, to its more than 100,000 followers, 6-month-old babies need seven doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to be considered fully up to date on their vaccinations. Another X user tweeted the CDC immunization schedule, claiming, They are murdering our children. The CDCs 2024-2025 COVID-19 immunization schedulethe chart included in social media posts making the false claimsdoes not suggest infants receive anywhere near seven doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. For the age group ranging between 6 months and 4 years old, the CDC breaks down its COVID-19 vaccine recommendations based on prior dosages received. If the child has not yet received any COVID-19 vaccinations, then the CDC recommends three doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech-manufactured vaccine or two doses of the Moderna-manufactured vaccine. Although the CDC offers varying dosage guidelines depending on the vaccine manufacturer, the federal agency has no stated preference between vaccine manufacturers. There is no preference for one vaccine over the other when more than one vaccine is recommended for an age group, the CDC explains on its website. For children in that age group who received fewer than the suggested level of doses, the CDC chart recommends additional dosages to meet its guidelines. For example, for children that received one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech-manifactured vaccine, the CDC recommends two further doses. Likewise, children who received one shot of the Moderna-manufactured vaccine are recommended to receive one more. Notably, the only situation for which the CDC recommends children receive more than three doses are instances where all previous COVID immunizations occurred before 2024in which case the CDC promotes one additional dose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear where social media users came up with the seven doses claimthat number does not appear in the CDCs chart whatsoever. The Dispatch Fact Check has reached out to the CDC for comment. If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email at factcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please email corrections@thedispatch.com. Read more at The Dispatch 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. Re: TN law bans trans children from gender-affirming care. SCOTUS must uphold that, by Sen. Ken Yager, Nov. 27 (online) and Dec. 1 (print). Senator Yagers attack on transgender people feels like a Whats Wrong with This Picture puzzle.The scene looks normal. Yet, a one-way-street sign points up. A worker on crutches wears rollerblades. Uncle Sam waves the Union Jack. All the details are wrong. Yager says that children are not equipped to make life-altering decisions. Parents, however, sign the contracts and pay the bills, not children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yager suggests that gender identity is a new problem for youth in the U.S. Archeological evidence, however, shows transgender identities go back thousands of years. State Sen. Ken Yager offers remarks as the senate debates SB-7009 on education during a special session of the Senate at the State Capitol Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn. Transgender people are present around the world. Gender transition occurs from age 5 to 70-plus. Most transgender people are adults. No patient of gender affirming care reported harm to lawmakers Yager reports heartbreaking stories of mistreatment of children. Yet, during legislative hearings, no Tennessean claimed harm. Parents and children were enthusiastic about the care. The premier Journal of the American Medical Association supports gender-affirming care for youth. Satisfaction with the care is high. Pastor Dawn Bennett (left) shares a word with Malcolm Getz during a Friday event at the First Lutheran Church near downtown Nashville. Both family members of transgender Tennesseans, Bennett and Getz participated in the Friday event to speak against Tennessee's slate of anti-LGBTQ bills, five of which were signed into law as of Friday. One person at the hearing claimed harm. A California employee of a hate group called Do No Harm gave testimony in legislatures around the country. Billionaire investor Joseph Edelman is Do No Harms principal funder.Dissatisfaction comes from bullying by others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here is the kicker. Yagers ban caused harm. Suicide rates increased markedly in states that banned medical care compared to states that did not ban medical care. Yager mentions new bans in 26 states. Political motives drove these laws, not a concern for children. Sen. Marsha Blackburns first TV ad of 2024 was a dishonest attack on transgender adults. Tens of millions of dollars pushed anti-trans ads in the 2024 presidential election. Rather than clarify medical issues, the ads deliberately misled just like Yagers broadside. Malcolm Getz is a professor emeritus of economics at Vanderbilt University. He has a transgender relative and has advocated publicly for the rights of transgender people. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee politicians make transgender residents scapegoats | Opinion Lets take a look at George Soros. Hes a 94-year-old American businessman and philanthropist who was born in Hungary. His net worth is said to be $9 billion, and with that wealth he supports numerous liberal candidates and causes. Soros created the Open Society Foundations, which fund international civic groups that promote justice, education, public health and a free press. He backs progressive criminal law reforms and programs for underprivileged children. He donates to many candidates seeking office, from district attorney to president, including Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden. In the 2022 midterm elections, he gave more than $128 million to the Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And one more thing: Soros is Jewish. That last attribute, coupled with his activism, has made him a reviled object, a dark manipulative figure for antisemites and other unscrupulous opportunists who have wielded his name as a cudgel in political campaigns and at other times. More on Soros-baiting: Cerabino: DeSantis makes Soros a villain in appeal to right-wing (and anti-Semitic) voters An email from Donald Trump depicted Soros in front of a communist flag as a puppeteer pulling strings on Biden, who says I take more orders than I ever did. Its similar to a 1940s Hungarian cartoon showing a Jewish puppeteer holding the strings on European royalty and other satraps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reactionary provocateur Glenn Beck also used the puppeteer image, calling Soros a puppet master. Trump slammed Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who secured indictments of the former president, as hand-picked and backed by George Soros. Saying a politician is Soros-backed has become a familiar right-wing slur inferring that Soross donations are more significant and malevolent than other large, unpilloried contributions to those politicians. After one of Trumps social media postings about Soros, a respondent declared that Trump named the immigrant Jew. Rudolph Guiliani and others have called Soros the antichrist and cartoons show him with exaggerated stereotypical Jewish features. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What readers say: 'George Soros' remark by Gov. Ron DeSantis' at Republican debate offensive | Letters Former Trump staffer Fiona Hill testified at a Trump impeachment hearing that Soros antipathy is the new Protocols of the Elders of Zion referring to an infamous antisemitic forgery that purported to show a Jewish plot for world domination. Tycoon and Trump minion Elon Musk compared Soros to a Jewish comic book villain as the man behind the curtain and claimed that Soros hates humanity. And on and on. All these vile defamations echo longstanding antisemitic canards that Jews, especially wealthy ones, are part of a hidden international conspiracy to control global economics and politics that from the shadows they pull the strings which determine what their non-Jewish puppets must do. Its a longtime staple of the far right setting the stage for persecutions from restricted neighborhoods to pogroms to the Holocaust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any public figure whos heavily involved in politics and other causes, which Soros is, can be legitimately criticized and for Jewish figures thats not automatically antisemitic (or racist, homophobic or misogynist, depending on the target). But when the criticism, as it is in Soross case, follows age-old calumnies of antisemitism, then that familiar bigotry is clearly raising its ugly head. In criticizing Soros-funded candidates or causes, why is Soros singled out as a devil when those recipients are surely also funded, often heavily, by other, non-Jewish unvilified donors? Why is there an implication that something intrinsic about the trait of one particular donor irredeemably taints a candidate, official or movement? The answer is plain: Soros is a prominent Jew, whereas other, ignored donors are not. Its the same old prejudice, the same appeal to dark impulses by those who if theyre not overt antisemites know or care nothing about history and are amorally willing to grab any expedient to further their interests. Soros should be commended for funding worthwhile candidates and causes that foster progressive values. And he should not reduce those efforts. We need more people like him. Roger Buckwalter The thinly veiled antisemitic attacks are not just tough political rhetoric. Theyre virulent expressions of hate that have no place in any civilized society, especially one that purports to uphold egalitarian ideals. They discredit not Soros but everyone who hurls them and accepts them. They should be loudly denounced by every decent person who believes in our ideals, who truly believes in America. Roger Buckwalter is a retired Jupiter journalist. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Political attacks on George Soros reek of antisemitism | Opinion LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Two Metro police detectives used evidence that they made up in order to pin a murder on a woman who, ultimately, was exonerated and declared innocent by the Clark County District Court, attorneys told a federal jury in Downtown Las Vegas Monday. In opening statements of a federal trial alleging fabrication of evidence and intentional infliction of emotional distress, lawyers for Kirstin Blaise Lobato, 42, claim those two police detectives Thomas Thowsen, now retired, and James Larochelle, now a deputy chief stole 23 years of her life when they generated the idea that Lobato brutally murdered a homeless man in 2001. I-Team: Evidence, testimony could free woman accused in mutilation murder Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lobato was convicted twice of killing that man, Duran Bailey, and brutalizing him when she was 18, first in 2002 and again in 2006 after the Nevada Supreme Court overturned the first conviction. In December 2017, a judge vacated Blaises conviction, relying on forensic evidence and an uncontested alibi, court documents say, leading to the eventual dismissal of all charges against her. Lobato was released from prison in January 2018 after over 16 years in the Nevada Department of Correction. The Eighth Judicial District Court issued a certificate of innocence in October. Lobato filed this lawsuit against the police department and the two detectives in 2019. You will be the ones who decide what justice is in this case, Elizabeth Wang, one of Lobatos three attorneys, told the jury Monday. Wang, whose opening statement to the jury lasted about a half hour, detailed how Lobato had been sexually assaulted at a Budget Suites on the east side of town on Memorial Day Weekend 2001, several weeks before Baileys murder. She had told various people various details about the assault. One of those witnesses revealed to police that Lobato had told people she stabbed her attackers genitals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kirstin Lobato is a free woman Bailey, whose body was found on the west side of town behind a dumpster, was stabbed, his skull was cracked, his eyes were swollen shut and teeth had been knocked out of his mouth. His penis had been severed from his body after he was killed and was found several feet away. It was a brutal murder, Wang said. Police used Lobatos admission that she had stabbed her attackers genitals, Wang said, possibly cutting it off, as a reason to interview her for Baileys murder. What are the chances? Wang asked, that another purported attacker would also have his genitals stabbed. Its close enough for them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As such, the detectives asked leading questions and fed her information not known to the public, Wang said and distorted Lobatos story and distorted or excluded certain evidence in order to make their case against Lobato. Some of that information, or lack thereof, ended up in arrest and officer reports, Wang said. This wasnt negligence, Wang said. It wasnt an accident. It wasnt an innocent mistake. Craig Anderson, the detectives attorney, told the jury many of Lobatos statements seemed to implicate her in Baileys murder, saying she had admitted to cutting off her attackers penis. And when she got arrested, Anderson said, the detectives found a bat in her car. When police were taking her from her familys home in the small town of Panaca where Lobato was later determined to be staying during the time of Baileys murder Anderson said Lobato told her father, Im sorry, daddy. I told you I did something bad, and her mother, Mom, I did it, now I have to do what I have to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anderson also said that neither Lobato nor any of the several witnesses the police interviewed, mentioned that the attack sustained by Lobato was weeks before Bailey was found dead. No one had said there was a Memorial Day attack, Anderson said. The Federal District Court Judge Richard F. Boulware, II, said the trial should last five to six days. 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. AUSTIN (KXAN) Crux Climbing Centers location in south Austin will be leaving its space at the end of this year, but whether the landlord or Crux owns the climbing walls inside of the gym is up for question. The building landlord, 3432 Pickle LLC, filed a civil lawsuit saying Cruxs claim that the climbing walls are trade fixtures are erroneous. The landlord is seeking a declaration that the climbing walls are its property. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Austin Bouldering Project to take over Crux Climbings south Austin location Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Commercial broker Aiden Morgensteren with McAllister and Associates said trade fixtures are usually spelled out in the initial lease agreement, but it can become a gray area. Trade fixtures would be like the sign of the business that is renting out front or like specific shelving, Morgenstern said. If it does cause serious changes to the property and you dont have it spelled out within the lease, thats when youll have to get a lawyer involved. Grace Nicholas, the chief operating officer for Crux, said they are fighting the accusations. We are disputing all allegations, and we have found counsel to help us dispute, Nicholas said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KXAN also reached out to 3432 Pickle LLC and have not heard back yet. We will update this article if they reply back. On Tuesday, Crux had the ribbon cutting for a new location in Pflugerville at 18817 N. Heatherwilde Blvd. The new facility features 58-foot-tall climbing walls, a dedicated fitness studio, lounge space on the mezzanine with dedicated remote work rooms, and much more. Nicholas said shes excited about whats to come at the new facility. We built the building ourselves. We went taller than weve ever gone, Nicholas said. Were really excited to be able to provide a community space that showcases all that Crux has to offer. Ribbon cutting celebration at Crux Gyms Pflugerville location (KXAN Photo/Kevin Baskar) Rock climbing walls at Crux Gyms Pflugerville location (KXAN Photo/Kevin Baskar) Rock climbing wall with person climbing (KXAN Photo/Kevin Baskar) Rock climbing wall with person climbing (KXAN Photo/Kevin Baskar) The grand opening for the Pflugerville location is on December 13th. The opening of this new location and the lawsuit comes amid drama around negotiations with the current lease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October, Crux said in an Instagram post that Austin Bouldering Project had negotiated a lease with the landlord, without Cruxs knowledge, to take over their Pickle Road location. At the time of publishing, more than 5,000 people have liked the post. The landlord told KXAN that Crux declined to enter a longer-term commitment in 2023. The landlord said in October that it had offered Crux a 10-year lease on the location. Austin Bouldering Project told KXAN at the time that it didnt conspire with the locations landlord. Kyle Wiggins, Austin market director for national gym chain Bouldering Project, said they viewed the space as an opportunity to further support the climbing hobby in Austin. 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. This story has been updated throughout with new information Austin police officer Christopher Taylor on Tuesday was sentenced to two years in prison for the 2019 shooting death of a mentally ill man who was holding a knife. But the 32-year-old officer walked out of the courtroom minutes later and likely will not find himself behind bars anytime soon. Thats because his defense attorneys immediately filed an appeal and the judge overseeing the case agreed to release Taylor on bond while the appeals process plays out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So-called "appellate bonds" are rare in Travis County, according to former state district judge Jon Wisser, who presided over criminal cases for more than 25 years. While state law allows judges to grant such bonds to defendants who are sentenced to less than 10 years in prison, Wisser said most defendants in Travis County receive longer sentences than that. Austin police officer Christopher Taylor, right, talks to his attorney Doug OConnell moments after Judge Dayna Blazey sentenced him to two years in prison at his sentencing hearing Tuesday. Taylor had faced up to 10 years in prison on a deadly conduct charge for the fatal shooting of Mauris DeSilva, a 46-year-old scientist and researcher who was experiencing a severe mental health episode at his downtown condominium at the time of the incident. State District Judge Dayna Blazey denied Taylor's request for probation on Tuesday before handing down a two-year prison sentence, which is the minimum for a third-degree felony. She announced her decision at the end of a four-hour hearing during which the defense called two more witnesses, including a former Travis County District Attorney who declined to prosecute Taylor, and both sides made closing arguments. Ken Ervin, one of Taylors defense attorneys, again noted that an internal APD probe found that his client didn't violate department policy. He also said there was "broad consensus" among policing experts that the shooting was justifiable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legal experts following the case told the American-Statesman they did not believe Blazey could give Taylor probation because people who are convicted of felonies in Texas that involve deadly weapons are not eligible. However, that's only if a judge, rather than a jury, is imposing the punishment. And before trial, Taylor's attorneys asked Blazey to handle sentencing if their client was found guilty. Austin police officer Christopher Taylor, right, with his attorneys Ken Ervin, left, and Doug OConnell stands as Judge Dayna Blazey sentences him to two years in prison at his sentencing hearing Tuesday. Taylor is believed to be the first police officer in Travis County to be convicted in connection to an on-duty shooting and now the first to be sentenced to prison. While there has been increased focus in recent years on police accountability, a large share of officers both in Texas and across the country have avoided prison sentences. It's rare, but it does happen, said Philip Stinson, a criminal justice professor at Bowling Green University who maintains a database of cops charged with murder or manslaughter for on-duty shootings. The database shows that 22 officers have been charged with murder or manslaughter in Texas since 2005. Out of those, only five were convicted and three sent to prison. Eight of the cases are still pending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stinson said this tracks with national figures, which show that only about half of officers convicted for an on-duty shooting are sentenced to prison. Judge Dayna Blazey swears in former Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore who testified in the sentencing hearing for Austin police officer Christopher Taylor at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center Tuesday December 3, 2024. Taylor was found guilty of deadly conduct in the fatal shooting of a man with a history of mental illness. But during closing arguments Tuesday, prosecutor Dexter Gilford pointed out that police officers have been convicted of various offenses in almost every other major Texas county. This is not some unique Travis County campaign, Gilford said. Taylor's case marks a victory for Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza who has pushed for police accountability since taking office in 2021 but had not secured a guilty verdict until October when a jury voted unanimously to convict Taylor. Garza was re-elected last month in a landslide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garza and his team of prosecutors previously took Taylor to trial on a murder charge for the fatal shooting of Michael Ramos in a case that fueled the citys social justice protests in May 2020, but the jury did not reach a verdict. Garzas office has since said it will not proceed with a second trial. Unlike multiple other police shootings that sparked demands for justice and police reform, the DeSilva case did not draw the same level of public scrutiny. Another Austin police officer, Karl Krycia, who also fired at DeSilva, faces two charges in connection to the incident murder and deadly conduct. A trial date has not been set. Denzil DeSilva, right, father of Mauris DeSilva, talks to prosecutor Raman Gill after Judge Dayna Blazey sentenced Austin police officer Christopher Taylor to two years in prison at his sentencing hearing at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center Tuesday December 3, 2024. Taylor was found guilty of deadly conduct in the fatal shooting of DeSilva who had a history of mental illness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stinson, the criminal justice professor, said its common for prosecutors to seek a lesser charge like deadly conduct to increase the odds of a conviction. They are supposed to be in the business of seeking justice, Stinson said. But they're often in the business of trying to win cases. During Taylors trial, prosecutors questioned multiple decisions made by Taylor and other officers in how they responded to the 911 call reporting DeSilva. They focused in particular on their decision to skip the stairs and instead take an elevator to the 5th floor of the Spring Condominium tower. DeSilva, who had a knife, was standing next to the elevator doors so when they opened there were mere feet between him and the officers. Taylors attorneys argued that he had no choice but to use deadly force after DeSilva moved toward officers, while prosecutors asserted that Taylor escalated a situation that easily could have been diffused. Prosecutors also argued that DeSilva was not a public danger, noting police had previously responded to 911 calls related to his mental health without incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You know very well that he was not a danger to you, Mr. Taylor, or anyone else," said Denzil DeSilva, Mauris DeSilva's father, on Tuesday in an impact statement delivered from the witness stand. "I have no idea why you decided to shoot." As DeSilva spoke, he looked directly at Taylor whose expression briefly softened. Police Chief Lisa Davis, who the city hired in August, has said that the department is reviewing training and policies related to the DeSilva shooting to see what strategies could prevent future similar incidents. "It is my responsibility to move us forward," Davis said in a statement Tuesday evening. "We must examine the issues that contributed to this event and address them." Denzil DeSilva, father of Mauris DeSilva, arrives for the sentencing of Austin police officer Christopher Taylor at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center Tuesday December 3, 2024. Taylor was found guilty of deadly conduct in the fatal shooting of DeSilva who had a history of mental illness. During the sentencing phase of Taylor's trial, which began last month, prosecutors presented multiple witnesses, including DeSilvas father and Ramos mother, who both delivered emotional testimony about the impact of the killings on them and their families. The state also introduced evidence from the Ramos trial, highlighting Taylors bad acts in an attempt to paint a picture of an officer who posed a deadly threat to the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylors defense team countered by calling current and former top brass at the Austin Police Department, many of whom had been involved in an internal probe into the DeSilva shooting. Former police chief Brian Manley recalled that the investigation found that Taylor had come nowhere close to violating internal use of force policies. He compared that to a non-fatal case where he fired an officer after a review determined he had bucked protocols during an arrest. Another witness, former Austin assistant city manager Bruce Mills, said the fallout from the DeSilva shooting has put officers in a difficult situation because the department found Taylors actions were above-board and yet he was still convicted by a jury. I think that is the dilemma that officers are faced with, said Mills, who oversaw public safety during his city tenure. Do I violate the policy or do I violate the policy and/or am I indicted or prosecuted?" This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin police officer released on bond after receiving prison sentence MEXICO CITY, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Mexico's economy showed signs of stagnation in November, with slight improvements in the manufacturing and services sectors, according to data released by the Mexican Institute of Finance Executives (IMEF) on Monday. The manufacturing indicator rose 1.1 points to 48.3 units, marking its eighth consecutive month of contraction, while the non-manufacturing indicator edged up 1.2 points to 50.5 units, signaling minimal expansion in trade and services. Despite these upticks, IMEF emphasized persistent weak performance, suggesting the economy may end the year with moderate growth. Global challenges, including the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, and economic fragmentation, were cited as key obstacles. The IMF estimates that Mexico's economic growth will slow to around 1.5 percent this year, according to its updated forecasts released on Nov. 1. Mexico's economy, the second largest in Latin America after Brazil, grew 3.3 percent in 2023. The Austrian government has provided 10 million to the World Bank's Target Fund for supporting Ukraine's recovery. Source: European Pravda, citing a press release from the World Bank on 3 December Details: The funds have been allocated to the World Bank's Ukraine Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund (URTF). The contribution is intended to "support emergency operations in the energy sector and other critical areas, as well as programmes that assist in implementing vital reforms", the statement notes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The URTF was established in December 2022 to leverage grant aid from international partners aimed at addressing the aftermath of the war. As of September 2024, the URTF has consolidated US$1.86 billion in grant funds, with Ukraine having received nearly US$1.2 billion of this total. Background: In late November, Austria announced it would allocate 2 million to the Grain from Ukraine programme and an additional 5 million for restoring Ukraines energy infrastructure. Support UP or become our patron! Authorities have identified the man who was fatally shot after a Thanksgiving shooting in a north Minneapolis apartment. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner said Mohamed Yusuf Mohamed, 21, of St. Paul, died from a gunshot wound to the head. Minneapolis PD said that officers responded to the shooting on the 700 block of Emerson Avenue North just after 6 p.m. on Thursday. Chad Davis, Flickr When they arrived at the scene, officers found Mohamed gravely wounded. He was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center, where he died shortly after. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early information gathered by MPD shows that Mohamed was shot inside the apartment building and that the suspect fled the scene before police arrived. At this time, no arrests have been announced. Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change. A baby girl was surrendered Monday at an incubator placed at a Lebanon fire station, according to police. Police and fire units responded to an alarm from the Newborn Safety Incubator, also known as the Safe Haven Baby Box just before 3:30 p.m., police said. Crews found a female infant in the baby box at Fire Station 41 at 601 N. Broadway. The baby was taken to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police have not released the baby's age. Warren County Children's Services were notified. According to the Lebanon Police Department, under Ohio law, a parent may voluntarily surrender a child who is not older than 30 days to a newborn safety incubator monitored by certain agencies such as fire and police departments. Lebanon's box was installed in October 2023 and was the 10th such box placed in Ohio. 'The last option a parent has left.' Why a baby box could be coming to your town How does a Safe Haven Baby Box work? Delhi Township's Fire Department has a "baby box," a box designed to safetly and discreetly pass off unwated babies. The baby boxes are temperature-controlled. When opened, an alarm is set alerting dispatchers and fire crews that the baby has been placed inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the door shuts, alarms will go off that notify us at the fire station and dispatch center that something is in here, Lebanon Fire Chief Ryan Dipzinski said when the box was installed. Monica Kelsey, the founder and CEO of Safe Haven Baby Box, said responders get the alarm within 60 seconds and the baby is usually pulled from the box within two minutes. This has always been where I started my life and I believe Ohio is going to be what really sets it apart from the rest of the country, Kelsey said. Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana abide by safe haven laws, meaning someone who cant find a box can surrender babies at local police and fire stations. Delhi Township's Fire Department has a "baby box," a box designed to safetly and discreetly pass off unwated babies. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Baby girl left in Lebanon fire station baby box SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Its Christmas season, and while many people look forward to giving gifts, many also look forward to giving back. Its Christmas at the St. Francis House in Sioux Falls. While the Christmas season is a cheerful time of the year for some people, it can be a difficult holiday for guests at the nonprofit. But for our guests, its also a very hard time because they dont get to see their family. Or maybe there are family issues that they just dont get to talk, St. Francis House CEO, Julie Becker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nonprofits prepare for Giving Tuesday Which makes community involvement all the more important, and there are a few projects people can help with at the St. Francis House. One of the ways people can give back to guests at the nonprofit is by adopting a family this holiday season. We match them with a family of the size that they would like, and then they bring their gifts here and the family comes and picks them up. So its really the true spirit of Christmas and get those gifts. And then the donor receives a thank you Christmas card with a picture of the family that they helped bring the spirit of Christmas to this year, Becker said. If adopting a family is out of your budget, something new the St. Francis House started last year was letting people, who may not have qualified for other present giveaways, pick a present for their children from toys that were donated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was so awesome to see families just happy because they knew they at least had one gift for their child under the Christmas tree. So if people do have items that they would like to donate, we do ask them to be new, Becker said. And if you want to do something special for the guests specifically, you can drop off new sweatshirts at the nonprofit, so that everyone has a present to open on Christmas morning. During the rest of the year. Its always used items, and theyre very grateful for that. But on Christmas, we want to make sure that they have a new sweatshirt. So we need them of all sizes, especially those larger sizes, to make sure that they have a gift to open on Christmas like everyone else does, Becker said. Another nonprofit that benefits from peoples giving spirit is The Salvation Army. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have a lot going on and its the same for all the nonprofits in the community. Its kind of that time of year. Everybodys in the giving spirit and we get to receive the benefits of that giving spirit, which is great, but it just causes a lot of a lot of busyness for a couple of months, The Salvation Army Development Director, Natasha Letcher said. One of their Christmas programs is the Angel Tree. So the tags on each tree are a little bit generic. So its just going to say, girl age nine, boy age 12. You can pick a tag off of the tree and purchase a gift for that child, Letcher said. Unlike other programs, parents get to come in and pick which gift they think their child would like the most, instead of just receiving the gift from their assigned angel tree tag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The kids never going to know that it came from the Salvation Army. Its going to look like it came from their parents. So we can give them that help like I said, the ownership is a huge piece for us to give them the opportunity to choose what little Jimmy might like better than what we just assigned to him by getting the tag, Letcher said. And perhaps one of the most famous ways to give back during the holidays is the Red Kettles you see outside of stores across the city. So the red kettles are available at over 20 locations here in Sioux Falls, and its pretty simple to get involved. You can either drop some change or drop a couple of dollars in the red kettle as you walk past it, as you enter the store, Letcher said. If you want to be more involved than just giving your money, you can also give your time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can volunteer to ring out those red kettles and help us raise money. Then all the funds raised from the red kettle, stay right here in Sioux Falls. And that goes to fund us all year long, Letcher said. So whether its giving a couple dollars, or buying gifts for entire families, nonprofits across Sioux Falls and all of KELOLAND will appreciate all you do for others this holiday season. Click here for information on The Salvation Army. Click here for information on the St. Francis House. Click here for information on more nonprofits this holiday 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 KELOLAND.com. DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) A court in southeastern Bangladesh on Tuesday rescheduled a bail hearing for a jailed prominent Hindu leader who led large rallies in the Muslim-majority country demanding better security for minority groups. Krishna Das Prabhu, who was arrested in Bangladeshs capital, Dhaka, last week, faces charges of sedition after he led huge rallies in the southeastern city of Chattogram. Hindu groups say there have been thousands of attacks against Hindus since early August, when the secular government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was overthrown. Prabhu's arrest comes as tensions spiked following reports of the desecration of the Indian flag across Bangladesh, with some burning it and others laying it on the floor for people to step on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday summoned Indias envoy, Pranay Verma, a day after a group of Hindus in Agartala, the capital of the northeastern Indian state of Tripura, stormed a consulate office of Bangladesh in protest over Prabhus arrest. Anti-India protests were held in Dhaka, where security at the Indian High Commission was increased, and elsewhere over the incident in Agartala. Relations between India and Bangladesh deteriorated after Hasina fled to India in the wake of mass protests which left hundreds of protesters dead and thousands wounded. India has since stopped issuing visas for Bangladeshi nationals, except for medical treatment. India, which sheltered 10 million refugees and helped Bangladesh gain independence through a nine-month bloody war against Pakistan in 1971, considers Hasina as a trusted friend. Hasina's father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the independence leader of Bangladesh, then the eastern part of present day Pakistan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The detention of Prabhu sparked violent protests by his supporters. A Muslim lawyer was hacked to death near the court in Chattogram hours after the news of his jailing surfaced and his supporters clashed with security forces. The situation caused concern in Hindu-majority India and the Bangladesh interim government, led by Nobel peace laurate Muhammad Yunus. No reason was given why Prabhu, also known as Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, did not attend Tuesday's court hearing. Public Prosecutor Mofizul Haque Bhuiyan told The Associated Press by phone that Chattogram Metropolitan Session Judge Saiful Islam ordered a bail hearing be held on Jan. 2 after the prosecution petitioned for more time to study the case. He also said no defense lawyer represented Prabhu in court. Two Hindu leaders who are close to Prabhu said that they were afraid to attend the court as many of the lawyers who represented Prabhu had faced cases after last week's violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A group of lawyers stood last time for him (Prabhu). Cases have been filed against at least 70 of them and many others willing to take part in the hearing today have been threatened, one Hindu leader in Chattogram told the AP on condition of anonymity. Why was he (Prabhu) not brought to the court today? He is in police custody. He could have spoken for himself before the court if he was taken to the court. It's a ploy to delay his release from prison, this is not justice, the leader said. In Dhaka, a group of Islamists under the banner of Islamic Movement Bangladesh rallied in front of the country's main Baitul Mukarram Mosque in protest at Monday's incident in Agartala. Another group, under the banner of Bangladesh Citizens' Society, separately marched through the streets. Protests were also organized by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, headed by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, in Barishal and Khulna cities. Hasina and Zia are arch rivals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indias Ministry of External Affairs said Monday that the attack on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala was "deeply regrettable. Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances, a ministry statement said. It added that India was stepping up security arrangements at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and other diplomatic offices in the country. Bangladeshs Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack in Agartala and demanded security to prevent any further acts of violence against its diplomatic missions in India. The accounts received conclusively attest that the protesters were allowed to aggress into the premises by breaking down the main gate of Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in a pre-planned manner, the foreign ministry said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, an umbrella organization of the countrys minority groups, has denounced the arrest of Prabhu and called for his release. Prabhu is a spokesman for the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatan Jagaran Jote group. He was also associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, widely known as the Hare Krishna movement. Hindus and members of other minority groups say they have faced attacks since the ouster of Hasina. Yunus has said the threat to Hindus has been exaggerated. Around 91% of Bangladeshs population is Muslim, with Hindus making up almost all of the rest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bangladesh has faced political and social tensions since Hasinas fall after a mass uprising ended her 15-year rule. Her critics had accused her of becoming autocratic. The interim government has been struggling to establish order amid a background of mob justice, street protests, police administration issues and political uncertainty, with Yunus repeatedly urging for calm. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A first-of-its-kind city memorial dedicated to the San Diegans who lost their lives during the AIDS epidemic was unveiled on Sunday, when World AIDS Day was commemorated, alongside a brand new park in Bankers Hill. The ribbon-cutting caps the first phase of a city project looking to pay tribute to the some 10,000 San Diegans who have died from the disease, as well as the advocates and healthcare workers at the forefront of the response to the crisis, that has been in the work for decades. Those still living with HIV, LGBTQ+ advocates and their loved ones began pushing for the memorial park in the 1990s, but the project had been held up by politics and other delays. That was until the 2010s, when it was finally kicked into high gear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Balboa Parks Botanical Building gets ready for grand reopening To say weve waited a very long time for this day would be an understatement, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said at the ceremony Sunday. Remembrance is embedded into every aspect of the new three-quarter-acre park, named Olive Street Park for its location at the intersection of Olive Street and Third Avenue. The spaces walkway is shaped like a ribbon, a symbol of the red ribbons used to signify support and awareness for those affected by HIV/AIDS. At the center stands memorial boulders, featuring panels detailing the unique impacts and history of AIDS in San Diego. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Olive Street also has the other trappings of a city park, like an all-ages playground, fitness equipment, landscaping, a drinking fountain and a deck overlooking the nearby Maple Canyon. Olive Street Park is more than just a park, it is a living tribute to love, resilience and hope, Gloria continued. And today as we cut this ribbon, we open this space as a place for reflection, for healing, for joy we open a space thats intended to work for all of us. The second phase of the $2.3 million project, which city officials say is already in the works, will focus on placing an art installation in the park to acknowledge the specific names of those lost to AIDS. The city says it plans to unveil the installation by next World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, 2025. A QR code is displayed at the park for the community to register their loved ones who died from the disease for placement on the forthcoming installation. Photo of the new AIDS memorial at Olive Street Parl. (FOX 5/KUSI) San Diegans kick off holiday season at 10th annual Liberty Station Tree Lighting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A number of people who lived through the epidemic in San Diego during its darkest hours were present at Sundays ceremony. Among those was Nicole Murray-Ramirez, who spoke of one of the first meetings of community leaders on virus spread among the LGBTQ+ people in the early 1980s. Of the roughly dozen people there that fateful night, Murray-Ramirez stands the only survivor. Many times, those few of us activists who never got HIV/AIDS and are still alive have wondered and asked each other, why? Why not us and why are we still alive? said Murray-Ramirez, who also helped found and is the current chair of the San Diego AIDS Memorial Task Force. This AIDS memorial will not tell only these stories, but theyll also tell the stories of our heroes and champions, he continued. For they were indeed the worst of times and yes, the best of times. When going to funerals and memorials weekly became a way of life for many of us, but also when a resilient community quickly realizing that they were early on standing alone against this epidemic gathered together like never before. 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. Getty Images This post originally appeared on The 19th. Congress has a long list of pressing priorities including funding the federal government to prevent a shutdown that it is likely to put off until 2025. One new item packed on that to-do list: legislation introduced by GOP Rep. Nancy Mace to ban transgender women from womens restrooms, and transgender men from mens restrooms, on any federal property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The South Carolina lawmaker proposed this bill after launching a campaign to remove newly-elected Rep. Sarah McBride of Delaware from womens restrooms on Capitol Hill. After House Speaker Mike Johnson announced a rule that effectively matched her initial proposal, Mace expanded her proposed bill to restrict the ability of all trans Americans to use restrooms, locker rooms or changing rooms on federal property across the country. If passed into law, how would such a bill be enforced, and what would be the consequences? And what is the atmosphere like right now for transgender lobbyists and advocates who work on the Hill? The 19th spoke with multiple experts to find out. Where would such a law apply? Such a far-reaching law would mean widespread discrimination against all transgender people, experts say, although Maces rhetoric has singled out trans women. It would have the potential to expose trans and nonbinary people to harassment and discrimination at national parks, courthouses, IRS buildings like taxpayer assistance centers, Social Security Administration offices, and some post offices and Native American lands. If enforceable, this federal ban would exclude trans people from spaces that are meant to be among the most accessible to Americans, said Kelly Dittmar, an associate professor of political science at Rutgers-Camden University and the director of research at the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would assume in this case, were talking about Smithsonians and other federal buildings, museums, landmarks, things that should be accessible to the population in part because they are government funded or run, she said. The language in Maces proposed bill would restrict bathroom access in any building, land, or other real property owned, leased, or occupied by any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States (including the Department of Defense and the United States Postal Service), or any other instrumentality wholly owned by the United States, or by any department or agency of the District of Columbia or any territory or possession of the United States. As the Washington Post reports, this proposal would likely impact the public libraries, recreation centers, and public schools of Washington, D.C. which is home to a large population of LGBTQ+ residents and is slated to host World Pride in 2025. How likely is it that this ban will become law? Maces bill is unlikely to advance until the new Congress is sworn in this January, as the Senate is currently adjourned until December 2, and members are preoccupied with major defense and agricultural measures. When and if this bill does come into play, it would have to overcome a potential filibuster by Senate Democrats, despite Republicans holding a majority in each chamber. It is also unclear how much support Mace holds for this bill among Republicans. How would this law be enforced? There are no details in Maces proposal about how nationwide restrictions on trans Americans bathroom use would be enforced, and her office did not respond to a request for comment. To understand what such a ban would look like in practice, experts point to state bathroom bans that have percolated, and largely failed to become law, since 2015. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These state bathroom bans provide few, if any details about how they would be enforced because they dont need to private citizens are often meant to be the enforcers, said Logan Casey, director of policy research at the Movement Advancement Project, a nonprofit that tracks LGBTQ+ legislation. The way that the laws are de facto enforced is often through the emboldening of private individuals to police other peoples bathroom use, he said. Theres no written enforcement because the proponents of these bills know that just by talking about this, let alone enacting these laws, that they are emboldening individual people themselves to enforce these bathroom bans. A recent example that takes this formula to an extreme can be seen in Odessa, Texas. A new expansion of the West Texas towns ordinance allows individual citizens to sue transgender people caught using bathrooms that match their gender identity and seek no less than $10,000 in damages, per the Texas Tribune. Deputizing private citizens to enforce this kind of law enables high rates of harassment and violence against transgender people as well as cisgender people, Casey said, particularly women who do not conform to traditional ideas of femininity. Whats going on at Capitol Hill? Are trans people banned from bathrooms there? All single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms are reserved for individuals of that biological sex, Johnson said in a statement on Wednesday. The policy appears to apply to all transgender people working at the Hill or simply visiting the building complex. Johnsons office did not respond to a request for comment confirming this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnsons statement also does not explain how the new policy will be enforced. Maces original bill proposed that the House sergeant-at-arms would enforce a bathroom ban, but Johnsons announcement made no such reference. His office did not respond to a request for comment on the new rule. Without any clarity on enforcement, trans lobbyists and advocates like Caius Willingham, a senior policy analyst at Advocates for Trans Equality, are forced to wait and see whether they will be policed for trying to do their jobs and what the consequences of noncompliance could be. Unlike members of Congress, these employees dont have access to private facilities and when working on the Hill, alternative options are few and far between. The Capitol grounds are massive. Some buildings dont even have a single, single-occupancy bathroom. So practically, if Im going to spend the day on the Hill meeting with legislators and staff, which is core to my job, I may have to be strategic about what bathrooms I use, he said. I might have to run outside, to find a restroom outside the Capitol building. The broader implications of a federal bathroom ban would essentially extend this ban to all of D.C., he said, considering how many people work in federal buildings. Is this legal? Within the courts, there has been a split in opinions: Last year, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a Florida policy banning transgender students from using bathrooms that match their gender identity. However, in 2021, the Supreme Court handed a win to trans advocates by keeping in place a 4th U.S. Circuit Court decision that found a Virginia bathroom ban unconstitutional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Across the country, two states Utah and Florida ban trans people from using bathrooms and facilities that match their gender identity in all government-owned buildings, K-12 schools, and colleges, according to the Movement Advancement Project. Breaking that law is a criminal offense in Utah and Florida. Seven other states have passed laws restricting trans Americans bathroom usage only in K-12 schools. Article I of the Constitution gives Congress broad jurisdiction over its own internal rules and procedures. But Maces proposed federal bathroom ban could run afoul of recent Supreme Court precedent, said Barbara Comstock, a former Republican congresswoman from Virginia. The majority opinion in the Supreme Courts 2020 decision in Bostock vs. Clayton County, authored by conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch, ruled that discrimination on the basis of sexuality or gender identity constitutes unconstitutional sex discrimination. (Photo by Sara D. Davis/Getty Images) Ohio Is the Latest State to Enact an Anti-Trans Bathroom Ban The ACLU of Ohio calling the bill a cruel invasion of students rights to privacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think theyve looked at this in light of the law whatsoever, Comstock said. So I think this is just an embarrassing stunt which does raise attention to the challenges and discrimination faced by transgender Americans. Who is actually endangered by trans people using the bathroom? Research shows that trans people, not cisgender people, are actually the ones who experience violence and discrimination when using the restroom. The 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey found that many trans people avoid public restrooms out of fear of how they may be treated. 26 percent of over 27,000 respondents said that in the previous year, they had been denied access to restrooms, had their presence in a restroom questioned, or were verbally harassed, physically attacked or sexually assaulted in a restroom. Research from the Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, in 2018 found that expanding non-discrimination laws to include transgender people does not affect the number or frequency of criminal incidents in restrooms, locker rooms and changing rooms. While Mace and other Republican lawmakers have claimed that banning trans women from womens restrooms will protect women, empirical evidence does not show that including trans people actually leads to safety or privacy incidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Willingham said that when he worked in the House as a legislative assistant to Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington from 2021 to 2023, his identity as a transgender person was never made an issue. He watched as members of Congress would share transphobic rhetoric at hearings and floor debates and then treat him, an actual trans person, with respect. It was a jarring experience. Its really frustrating to see things go backwards in Congress, he said. My experience working even across the aisle was extremely positive. Get the best of whats queer. Sign up for them.'s weekly newsletter here. Originally Appeared on them. Justice scales, books and wooden gavel. Getty Images. The battle to change Ohio laws surrounding abortion regulations is still broiling, even as a new presidency brings concerns on a federal level as to where abortion rights may stand in the coming years. With the approval of the reproductive rights constitutional amendment in 2023 by 57% of Ohio voters, attorneys set their sights (or adjusted their arguments) on the individual laws in the state concerning abortion, like the six-week abortion ban, the 24-hour waiting period, the mandatory two-visit minimum patients must meet before having the procedure, and an attempt to stop telemedicine visits as a means of receiving medication abortion treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohios six-week abortion ban was struck down by Hamilton County Judge Christian Jenkins, who said the constitution now barred such regulations. Attorney General Dave Yost disagreed, and is currently appealing the decision to the First District Court of Appeals. Another Hamilton County judge, Allison Hatheway, ruled in September that clinics could temporarily prescribe the abortion drug mifepristone through virtual appointments and sent it to pharmacies or medication services. Franklin County Judge David C. Young temporarily paused the 24-hour waiting period and the two-visit minimum in August, as litigation continues in that case. Like Jenkins, Young cited the new constitutional amendment in his ruling. He also denied a motion from the state to dismiss the case all together. The case is set to continue well into the new year, with no trial date set, but procedural deadlines set as far out as August 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres another case not set to see resolution until late into next year, one that deals with a wonky issue regarding physicians and hospitals who are allowed to work with abortion facilities through transfer agreements. The transfer agreements have been a problem particularly for clinics who conduct abortions, but are also causing issues for facilities who are trying to help patients through the birthing process as well. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The agreements work as an understanding between hospitals, physicians, and other facilities if an emergency situation, such as birth complications, arises. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre basically a contract between a hospital or a health care facility of some kind, saying if theres an emergency the facility will transfer to this hospital, said Jessie Hill, a law professor at Case Western Reserve University, and a cooperating attorney at the ACLU of Ohio who has led much of the abortion rights litigation that has happened before and since the amendments passage. The hospitals have the discretion to agree to a transfer agreement or not, for whatever reason hospitals deem reasonable. Cole Ramsey, of the Ohio Birth Center, said the brand new facility aiming to help pregnant patients with everything from pre-natal care to postpartum education, is wondering whether theyll be able to stay open because of state delays in licensure, and the denial by the state of a request for a waiver of transfer agreements. Ramsey told a meeting of Ohios legislative Black Maternal Health Caucus that the OBC reached out to four different hospitals in the state, and while some had initially agreed, they ultimately declined to sign a transfer agreement. Others said the state process for transfer agreements takes a while, and one hospital said physicians threatened to leave their jobs if a transfer agreement was signed with the OBC, but gave no reason why. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The transfer agreement (requirement) creates a major barrier to opening and maintaining a birth center in Ohio, Ramsey said. While there may have originally been good intentions when transfer agreements were first implemented, theyve turned into bureaucratic obstacles, according to Hill. They dont serve any real purpose, Hill said. In an emergency, a transfer agreements not going to necessarily determine where a patient goes, and they dont have a huge impact if you were go to an ER. A federal law from the 1980s called the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) requires emergency rooms across the country to accept emergency patients regardless of the ability to pay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EMTALA came into the national spotlight last year when an Idaho law attempted to prohibit emergency abortion care. The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily allowed the emergency care, ruling that the federal law pre-empted the Idaho law in a decision released in June. But for Ramsey and the team at OBC, the ability to give patients the full plan in their pregnancy, even if complications should arise, is vital to the overall experience. It is so necessary and important for patient safety to have transfer plans in place, Ramsey said. Transfer agreements in Ohio have seen recent legislative changes, which are among the reasons abortion rights groups sued to get a court to reconsider the laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March 2022, the Ohio legislature passed Senate Bill 157, which was originally written to require reports of failed abortions in which a fetus is born alive, and expand the crime of abortion manslaughter to include a physicians failure to take measures to preserve the health of a child born alive after abortion. But the bill was amended to include a change to transfer agreements, which barred physicians who teach at or are compensated by a medical school affiliated with a state university or college, a state hospital or other public institution from participating in agreements with ambulatory surgical facilities. Abortion clinics can be considered ambulatory surgical facilities if they conduct surgical abortions. Ohio law also requires hospitals with transfer agreements be within 30 miles of the facility. The lawsuit regarding transfer agreements is scheduled for trial on Oct. 7, 2025, with a deadline for documents in the case set for early March. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) Panama City residents are concerned for the future of historic downtown St. Andrews. The parcel of land in question is the 1100 block between Beck Ave. and Bayview Ave. adjacent to the St. Andrews Marina. In mid-November, the Panama City planning board recommended an agreement that would allow the future construction of 100 feet high with an additional 25 feet for roofing and utilities. The agreement would be in effect for the next ten years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From Sheriffs Office to Santas workshop After members of the public voiced their opposition, planning board members modified the agreement, reducing building heights along Beck Avenue to four stories and leaving Bayview limits at ten stories. The recommended agreement would also require the ground level of any new structure be retail, commercial, or office space. Residents are concerned with the potential projects on that land which could overtake small businesses and cause further traffic and parking issues. We dont want this. We want them to leave it alone. If its not broke, dont fix it. Im born and raised here. Just leave it alone. Its beautiful they just keep on, money, money, money, resident Marcey McKinney said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City officials are adamant that there are no specific plans for building a hotel, condos, apartments, or any other large development at this time. I know that our commission is fully committed to assist the planning board to protecting the historic nature in all that St. Andrews has to offer. You know, I grew up in St. Andrews myself. My familys been there almost a hundred years but were seeing a lot of growth and so we want to be able to effectively manage that as we move forward for the next ten to 20 years, Panama City City Manager Jonathan Hayes said. The gobble guide to Thanksgiving leftovers Last month city officials planned to discuss the development agreement during the December 10th Panama City commission meeting. But once they saw the crowd at the November planning board meeting it became clear they could not accommodate that big of a crowd at city hall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, theyve postponed to topic until the January 14th meeting at the Bay County Government Center. Opponents of a potential high-rise development in St. Andrews are now circulating an online petition. To read it, click here. Note: the December 10th commission meeting has since also been moved to the Bay County Government Center. 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. COLOMBO, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Over 290,000 Sri Lankans have left for foreign employment during the first 11 months of this year, an increase of 6.9 percent compared to the same period of last year, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said on Tuesday. The SLBFE said 291,267 people had left for foreign jobs during the period. Middle East remains the most popular area for Sri Lankan people for jobs. Of them, 71,210 have left for Kuwait, 48,083 for the United Arab Emirates, 45,008 for Saudi Arabia, and 43,104 for Qatar, according to the SLBFE. Sri Lankan workers' remittances reached 5.4 billion U.S. dollars between January and October this year, compared with over 4.8 billion dollars in the corresponding period in 2023, according to the latest report from the country's central bank. UK television organisation BBC has revealed its annual list of the world's 100 most influential women for 2024. The list contains two Ukrainian women: Olha Rudnieva and Olha Olefirenko. Source: BBC Details: Following the start of Russias full-scale invasion, Olha Rudnieva co-founded the Superhumans rehabilitation centre in Lviv, where Ukrainians injured as a result of the Russian Federation's war receive prostheses and rehabilitation aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman stated that she initiated the campaign to support those wounded during the war. Many troops lost limbs in the war, making them "victims" in the eyes of society, but Olha Rudnieva believes they are "supermen" who need assistance. Quote: "Resilience is to wake up morning after morning to air sirens and keep fighting for your country. Its rediscovering your what for? instead of being stuck at why me? Its finding ways to do more, having less every day," the Superhumans founder shared her thoughts. During the first two years of its operation, over a thousand people used the center's services. The Superhumans Centre and Olha Rudnieva have been nominated for Ukrainska Pravdas Best Social Project in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, the founder of the centre was named one of the winners of UP 100.The Power of Women and UP100 in the Society category. Olha Olefirenko was included in the list of the most significant women after realising the desire of her military father, who died on the front lines in 2015. At first she bought cattle and started her own farm, but experienced financial difficulties and was forced to sell all the animals. However, the Ukrainian refused to renounce her father's dreams. In 2023, Olha developed a business strategy that was funded by the Ukrainian Veterans Fund. The woman restarted her farm's activity and is now focussing on modernisation and the implementation of new agricultural technologies. Furthermore, Olha produces jobs in the community, where she is regarded as an inspiration and a leader, according to the list's compilers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BBC 100 Women project began in 2013. Every year, it selects notable women from around the world to be featured in interviews, stories, and films. The BBC's 2023 list included Oksana Zabuzhko, a writer and publicist, Iryna Stavchuk, a climate policy expert, and Olena Rozvadovska, the founder of the Voices of Children humanitarian foundation. Support UP or become our patron! By Sakura Murakami, Adolfo Arranz and Han Huang SUNAGAWA, Japan (Reuters) -A gunshot rang out on a recent morning in a meadow in northern Japan. The brown bear slumped in the cage, watched by a handful of city officials and hunters. The bear had been roaming around a nearby house and eating its way through adjacent cornfields, so officials and hunters in Sunagawa city had set a trap with a deer carcass to lure the voracious creature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For me, it's always a bit deflating when a bear gets caught," Haruo Ikegami, 75, who heads the local hunters' association, told Reuters hours beforehand. Japan is grappling with a growing bear problem. A dwindling band of aging hunters is on the front line. A record 219 people were victims of bear attacks, six of them fatal, in the 12 months through March 2024, while more than 9,000 black and brown bears were trapped and culled over that period, according to Japan's environment ministry. (To view the full story, go to ) Both species' habitats have been expanding; the ministry estimates that the number of brown bears in Hokkaido, Japan's northern island, more than doubled to about 11,700 in the three decades through 2020. (It doesn't keep estimates on black bears, most of which live on the main island of Honshu, though a widely cited 2023 analysis by Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper estimated their numbers at roughly 44,000, a threefold increase since 2012.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Restrictions on hunting practices and greater emphasis on conservation contributed to a surge in bear sightings over recent decades, according to Japan's Forest Research and Management Organisation. With Japan's rural areas experiencing rapid demographic decline, bears are venturing closer to towns and villages and into abandoned farmland, an environment ministry expert panel said in February. But bear expertise among local governments is spotty, and Japan's reliance on recreational hunters to protect settlements looks unsustainable as its population ages, according to Reuters interviews with almost two dozen people, including experts, hunters, officials and residents. Many called for changes to the way Japan manages human-bear conflict to address safety concerns while ensuring a future for the bears. In Hokkaido cities and towns like Sunagawa, Naie, Iwamizawa and Takikawa, which Reuters visited in October, some residents wonder what will happen when hunters can no longer do the job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Toru Yoshino, a 66-year-old chicken farmer in Sunagawa, said he was "terrified" by a bear that would wander into his farm a few years ago. As local authorities weighed how to respond, they ultimately relied on the hunters' association, the Sunagawa Ryoyukai, to neutralise the threat, he said. Sunagawa's city government told Reuters that efforts to capture the bear were complicated by its proximity to homes and deliberations about what to do once the animal was trapped. Although some hunters stalk bears as a hobby, Ikegami reckons not many are thrilled about culling trapped bears for local governments. "I don't want people to think of hunting as something fashionable. What we do is difficult. It's a big burden to take a life," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The burden is both mental and monetary. The hunter that shot the bear in Sunagawa would get about 8,000 yen (about $50), perhaps enough to cover fuel and expenses but little else, Ikegami said. Hunters also risk clashing with authorities. Ikegami's guns were seized by Hokkaido authorities in 2019 after they deemed his attempt to shoot a bear near a house was ill-judged. He is battling in court to have the weapons returned. The Hokkaido safety officials involved in the matter declined to address Reuters questions about the case. In response to increased bear attacks, Japanese government officials this year proposed relaxing rules around gun use to make it easier for hunters to shoot bears in urban areas. Local governments of Sunagawa, Takikawa and Iwamizawa told Reuters that regional and national authorities could go further to address the problem. This could include promoting the recruitment of hunters and improving their conditions, among other ideas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Japan's environment ministry said it subsidises efforts to train local officials and conduct bear drills in towns, but added that regional differences in human-bear conflicts called for tailor-made approaches. The Hokkaido government's wildlife bureau said it ran various initiatives to incentivise and recruit hunters, including promotional events and training people in how to handle brown bears. Environmental group WWF said in an email that to preserve Japan's bear population, authorities should take actions including developing human-wildlife buffer zones and formulating a national protection and management plan. It declined to comment specifically on the culling of bears in Japan. While its numbers have been growing in Japan, the Asiatic black bear is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN's red list of threatened species globally. The brown bear is listed as least concern. GROWING OLD Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bear hunting was lucrative until the 1980s, and hide and bile were traded for high prices. But with growing environmental awareness and changes to regulations and consumer tastes, the practice has fallen out of favour. Japan issued some 218,500 hunting licences in the 2020 fiscal year, less than half of the 517,800 it issued in 1975, according to official data. While about 98% of those issued in 1975 were for shooting, that figure dropped to 42% in 2020, the most recent data. The remaining licences are for trapping. About 60% of licence holders were aged over 60, according to 2020 data. Hunting is expensive, unappealing, and exhausting, the hunters say. Traps need to be checked daily while bears lurk nearby. Rifle owners must abide by Japan's strict firearms laws and invest in ammunition and gun storage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those difficulties came to a head earlier this year in Naie, where hunter Tatsuhito Yamagishi, 72, accused the local government of taking hunters for granted, without investing in a longer-term solution. "Once we grow old and have no choice but to quit, this reliance on the hunters' association is not going to work," Yamagishi said. Naie's local government declined to comment on the dispute with Yamagishi but said officials were taking steps to address the bear problem, including working with licensed hunters from outside the area. Some experts, including Koji Yamazaki, a professor at Tokyo University of Agriculture who studies bears, said depopulation and a decline in the amount of managed farmland in recent decades may have led bears to become bolder about approaching towns. Clearer demarcation between habitats would help humans and bears coexist, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yoshikazu Sato, professor of agriculture at Rakuno Gakuen University, said bears appeared to be raising cubs closer to human settlements, causing young bears not to fear people as much as before. Climate change-driven shifts in the ripening and flowering of fruits, nuts and leaves may drive bears to raid crops when their usual food sources are low, he added. "What we need is a daily, consistent effort to make sure that bears don't enter human areas," Sato said. MONSTER WOLF Katsuo Harada, an 84-year-old hunter, said that ultimately, Japan should create a system where hunters are paid enough to support a family. "Unless they're paid properly, we can't nurture the next generation of hunters," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harada carries the scars of a bear attack more than 20 years ago, when the animal sank its teeth into his skull. "It sounded like it was munching on some raw radish," he said. He fought off the bear, and his hunting buddies called for help. The subsequent surgery took 16 hours, he said. Harada is now part of a non-profit organisation, Farming Support Hokkaido, that helps communities keep problematic wildlife at bay. "If I don't keep doing my job, there may be casualties," Harada said. Japan's environment ministry in September warned about the possibility of a surge in bear attacks towards year-end, when the animals typically scavenge for food to store up fat for hibernation. In 2023, bear sightings and attacks peaked in October, according to official data. With Japan's population aging and shrinking, some companies are turning to technology to manage bears. Propped on four rods, the "Monster Wolf" robot sold by Sapporo-based Wolf Kamuy emits growls, barks and threats from a loudspeaker, triggered by a sensor. Priced at about 400,000 yen (roughly $2,550) and powered by solar energy, the gleaming-eyed beast has demonstrated some success in warding off bears, though its sensor can be triggered by other animals, said company vice-president Yuji Ohta. But Yamagishi, the hunter in Naie, said it takes years of analysing pawprints and dung and learning to read bears' signs to understand how to trap them, adding that human expertise will remain integral to managing the problem. Yamagishi thinks it would take three to five years to train a new generation of hunters. "By then, we'll all be retired," he said. (Reporting by Sakura Murakami, Adolfo Arranz and Han Huang; editing by John Geddie, David Crawshaw, Simon Scarr and Rebecca Pazos) MANILA, Philippines China rebuked anew the presence of a U.S. Typhon missile system in the Philippines, the latest in a series of verbal rows between Manila and Beijing over the deployment of the medium-range weapon in the Philippines. Chinese defense spokesperson Senior Colonel Wu Qian reiterated in a press conference in Beijing last week that the deployment had intensified geopolitical confrontation and escalated tensions in the region, as he renewed calls for its withdrawal from Philippine shores. Since April, the missile system has stayed in one of the military bases in the countrys north after annual joint military drills between the Philippines and the U.S. culminated as part of a long-held tradition as treaty allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August, Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner told reporters he would prefer the mid-range missile systems to stay in the country permanently to bolster deterrence. This comes after Chinese Coast Guard personnel armed with axes and knives attacked a contingent of Philippine coast guard and Navy vessels in June while on a monthly resupply mission to a naval outpost in Second Thomas Shoal. A Philippine Navy sailor lost a thumb during the confrontation. Following this incident, Manila and Beijing reached a provisional agreement on July 21 which allows Philippine vessels to deliver supplies to Filipino troops in the outpost. China voiced concerns over the ongoing deployment of the missile system here in Sept. 19 after defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro told reporters that the department has plans to acquire similar capabilities to the Typhon system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Philippines has an ongoing bid to buy High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) rocket launchers from American firm Lockheed Martin as part of its three-phase modernization buildup. While the HIMARS acquisition has yet to be cleared by the U.S. State Department, the military here has nonetheless continued to beef up its missile arsenal. The Philippines received its first set of BrahMos supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles in April and last month placed orders for testing 12 AT-1K Raybolt anti-tank missiles from South Koreas LIGNex1 to be delivered in 2025. Future frigates, corvettes, and patrol vessels will also arrive fitted with weapon systems upon delivery, the military said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Acquiring more varieties of missiles for different platforms is a logical follow-up after expanding the countrys radar network for spotting threats, according to Benjamin Blandin, an associate researcher for the Sealight Project of the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation of Stanford University. The Philippines is creating naval and air radar bubbles so to speaka network, Blandin told Defense News. The Philippines is building both a coast and air shield. Now with this kind of capacity for radars, it makes sense for the Philippines to acquire missiles because it goes in pairs, it needs to go side-by-side, he explained. Since 2017, the Philippines has received radars capable of detecting fighter jets, ballistic missiles and vessels, with technology hailing from Japan, the United States, Germany, and Canada. This year, Manila received the last set of SPYDER air defense systems from Israels Rafael Systems. Infrastructure upgrades on bases here have enabled the military to house and maintain missiles in compliance with NATO standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now is the right moment for the Philippines to start developing an expertise and a mastery in the acquisition, use, and maintenance of missiles, Blandin said, adding that the acquisitions would give the Philippines a more credible defense posture. Editors note: This story was updated on Dec. 5 to correct a reference to the speed, supersonic, of the BrahMos missile. A suspect wanted after a stabbing in Belmont this October has been caught in Florida, authorities confirmed this week. Elijah Raheem Lurry was arrested in Jacksonville, Florida, the Belmont Police Department said Monday. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Belmont police looking for suspect accused of stabbing girlfriend Lurry was wanted by police after allegedly stabbing a woman on Oct. 12. The stabbing happened on East Avenue, and the victim was taken to a hospital by one of her friends. Lurry is facing charges of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injuries, and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Police said Lurry is expected to be extradited back to North Carolina. (VIDEO: Suspect charged with murder after deadly mobile home fire in Gaston County Broken Clock Bernie Sanders may be on the opposite end of the left-right spectrum from freshly-minted politico Elon Musk but on the issue of military spending, they have one big take in common. "Elon Musk is right," the Vermont senator tweeted. "The Pentagon, with a budget of $886 billion, just failed its 7th audit in a row. Its lost track of billions." Indeed, the Department of Defense regularly reports to its supposed overseers in Congress that it doesn't know where portions of its ginormous budgets have gone. At the end of 2023, for instance, it admitted in an audit progress update that it couldn't account for 61 percent of its $3.5 trillion in assets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Last year, only 13 senators voted against the Military Industrial Complex and a defense budget full of waste and fraud," Sanders continued. "That must change." The communique seems to reference recent remarks from Musk on X-formerly-Twitter that saw the billionaire and forthcoming head of the Department of Government Efficiency acronymed, ludicrously, as DOGE criticizing the DOD's multi-trillion dollar fighter jet program. Fighting Pilot In the caption of a post last week featuring a video of a synchronized drone swarm, the Tesla and SpaceX owner took potshots at the Pentagon's "manned fighter jets like the F-35," which cost between $82.5 and $109 million per individual plane. "Crewed fighter jets are an inefficient way to extend the range of missiles or drop bombs," Musk said later in the thread after another user defended their use. "A reusable drone can do so without all the overhead of a human pilot. And fighter jets will be shot down very quickly if the opposing force has sophisticated SAM or drones, as shown by the Russia-Ukraine conflict." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Fighter jets do have the advantage of helping Air Force officers get laid," he quipped. "Drones are much less effective in this regard." While the South African-born business magnate hasn't proffered any specific military spending cuts, coming out against F-35s in favor of drones is a relatively surprising stance considering that SpaceX has multiple Pentagon contracts and has become a key supplier for the intelligence community to boot. All the same, Sanders was correct to point out that on the topic of expensive fighter jets, Musk is technically right though of course, the billionaire seems mostly to oppose them only because he loves drones. More on Musk: Is Elon Musk Now Secretly Controlling Donald Trump? Amazon founder Jeff Bezos philanthropic fund has donated $5 million to the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, which will use the money to expand its existing shelter and support its family outreach program. This is the second time Bezos Day One Fund has supported the coalition. In 2021, the nonprofit received a $2.5 million grant. With the increase in individuals and families struggling with homelessness, specifically because of this affordable housing crisis, being able to utilize this grant to help those families who are unsheltered is huge for us, said Trinette Nation, director of development for the coalition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bezos Day One Fund is a $2 billion fund started in 2018 by the Amazon billionaire and his then wife, MacKenzie Scott, to support homeless families. In 2024, it awarded more than $110 million in grants to organizations that demonstrated compassionate, needle-moving work. The grants were announced Nov. 20. Along with the Coalition for the Homeless, 29 other organizations received grants this year. The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust got $5 million, too. Currently, the coalition can provide shelter to more than 500 people at its facility in downtown Orlando. The coalition plans on opening a larger facility adjacent to the current building on Terry Avenue, which will expand its capacity by about 100 beds. Part of the grant funds will go towards the new building, which the nonprofit hopes to have opened by 2027. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The grant funds will also be used to support the coalitions efforts to help homeless families with children. This very well-deserved grant will help all of us: the families in need, the advocates doing this work, and our community as a whole. We are a healthier, more compassionate place to live when we can help people avoid the trauma of homelessness. said Martha Are, CEO of the Homeless Services Network, in an email. In 2019, Ares organization got a $5.25 million grant from the Bezos fund. That grant helped us to house hundreds of families who otherwise would have been homeless, and it came at a critical time 2019, just before the closures of the COVID-19 pandemic that left many working parents temporarily out of a job, Are wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 2019, the median rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Orlando has jumped from $1,264 to $2,011 per month, according to RentData.org, an increase of 59%. The number of homeless people in the area has also soared. According to the 2024 point-in-time count, there were 2,883 homeless people in Central Florida, about a 21% increase from 2023. The coalition used its 2021 Bezos funds to purchase a 10-passenger van, which delivers supplies to the areas homeless families, including clean clothes, hygiene products and food. The nonprofit also uses the vehicle, which it calls the care-a-van, to dispatch caseworkers who work with families to help find them permanent housing. A good portion of these families, theyre employed and maybe an emergency happened, a crisis happened, somebody got sick, somebody had an accident, and it snowballed and the next thing you know, youve lost the place that you were staying, Nation said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first grant also helped the coalition build four dorms at its shelter in downtown Orlando where families in crisis can stay together as caseworkers search for a more permanent housing solution. If a family has no alternative, we will pack them up in our care-a-van and bring them to our campus to stay in one of those dorms until we can get them through our intake process, Nation said. In 2023, the family outreach program started with the Bezos money helped more than 1,800 individuals, 809 of whom were minors. As of August of 2024, the program has helped more than 1,200 individuals. At the end of the day, we want no child sleeping unsheltered, she said. President Joe Biden on Tuesday acknowledged how the horrific history of slavery has connected the United States and Angola while delivering a hopeful vision for the future in a major speech from a country that was the point of departure for millions of enslaved Africans. Our people lie at the heart of a deep and profound connection that forever binds Africa and the United States together. We remember the stolen men and women and children who were brought to our shores in chains and subjected to unimaginable cruelty, Biden said in remarks at the National Museum of Slavery, which is built near the chapel where enslaved individuals were forcibly baptized before being sent to America. The museum was built on the property of Alvaro de Carvalho Matoso, one of the largest slave traders on the African coast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden told the attendees that hes proud to be the first president to visit Angola and that hes deeply optimistic about the future relationship between the nation and the US. The story of Angola and the United States holds a lesson for the world. Two nations with a shared history, an evil of human bondage. Two nations on the opposite sides of the Cold War, the defining struggle of the late part of the 20th century. And now, two nations standing shoulder to shoulder working together every day, he said. Its a reminder that no nation need be permanently the adversary of another. Bidens trip aimed to highlight US investments in Angola and the continent in the face of deepening Chinese influence in the region, as Beijing has poured hundreds of billions of dollars into Africa through its Belt and Road Initiative. Biden took a swipe at Chinas moves, without calling out the country by name, and argued the US presents a better alternative. The United States understands how we invest in Africa is as important as how much we invest, Biden said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In too many places, 10 years after the so-called investment was made, workers are still coming home on a dirt road and without electricity, a village without a school, a city without a hospital, a country under crushing debt. We seek a better way, transparent, high standard, open access to investment that protects workers and the rule of law and the environment. It can be done and will be done, the president said. Biden delivered his remarks even as he was grappling with an unexpected situation in South Korea, where President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in a surprise late-night address Tuesday. The US is closely monitoring the situation and is in touch with the South Korean government, and Biden told reporters after his remarks that he would be getting a full briefing soon. The president also reflected on a theme that he has mentioned throughout this presidency: his belief that its the United States duty to both acknowledge and face its history. While history can be hidden, it cannot and should not be erased. It should be faced. Its our duty to face our history. The good, the bad and the ugly. The whole truth. Thats what great nations do, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bidens speech comes during what likely could be his last trip abroad as president and as he seeks to deepen relationships with Angola and other African nations at a time when China has made significant inroads in the continent with hundreds of billions of dollars of infrastructure investments, far outpacing the US. During his remarks, Biden touted US efforts to expand its relationships across Africa, including billions of dollars in investments in Angola. He also announced over $1 billion in new US humanitarian assistance for Africans who have been displaced by historic droughts across the continent. But we know African leaders and citizens are seeking more than just aid. You seek investment. So, the United States is expanding its relationships all across Africa, Biden said, adding later: Moving from patrons to partners. Biden on Monday met briefly with Wanda Tucker, who is a descendant of William Tucker, the first enslaved child born in the United States. William Tuckers parents, Anthony and Isabella, were taken on a Portuguese ship from Angola to colonial Virginia in 1619. Wanda Tucker now serves as the faculty chair of psychology, philosophy and religious studies at Rio Salado College in Arizona. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was the beginning of slavery in the United States. Cruel. Brutal. Dehumanizing. Our nations original sin. Original sin. One thats haunted America and cast a long shadow ever since, Biden said during his Tuesday remarks as he honored the Tucker family. Here with us today are three Americans who are direct descendants of Anthony and Isabella, those first enslaved Africans in America. Ahead of his remarks, the president also met with Angolan leaders, including young people and members of civil society, at the museum. Biden started his day with a bilateral meeting with Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco at the presidential palace in Luanda. The two men discussed trade and infrastructure, including the US and Europes investment in the Lobito Corridor, an unfinished 800-mile railway project meant to facilitate the transfer of critical minerals from interior countries to western ports for exports. They also discussed mutual security interests as Angola has played a key mediating role in the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Bidens three-day trip to Angola, the first for a sitting US president, has at times been overshadowed by the presidents decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden, a move that drew swift backlash from members of his own Democratic Party on Capitol Hill. The president has not responded to reporters questions relating to the pardon during the trip. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Dec. 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Defense on Monday announced a $725 million security assistance package for Ukraine in its war against invading Russia. The assistance includes artillery, rockets and air defense capabilities. In a statement from the White House, administration officials said the assistance is part of the surge in security assistance that President Joe Biden announced on September 26 to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position against Russian invaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monday's announcement was the Biden administration's seventy-first tranche of equipment to be provided from Department of Defense inventories for Ukraine since August 2021. In a release announcing the effort, administration officials said, "This Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) package, which has an estimated value of $725 million, will provide Ukraine additional capabilities to meet its most urgent needs, including: air defense capabilities; munitions for rocket systems and artillery; and anti-tank weapons." National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the move will give Ukraine the capability needed to defend itself. "The president has directed the Department of Defense to deliver the materiel to Ukraine rapidly -- to ensure that Ukraine has the equipment it needs to defend itself," Sullivan said. "Between now and mid-January, we will deliver hundreds of thousands of additional artillery rounds, thousands of additional rockets, and other critical capabilities to help Ukraine defend its freedom and independence." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sullivan said that to help Ukraine stabilize its lines in the east, Biden authorized a provision of non-persistent anti-personnel land mines to Ukraine "as a limited exception to the administration's continuing landmine policy." Also, in response to the use of North Korean soldiers in the war against Ukraine, Sullivan said Biden decided to adjust permissions on Ukraine's use of U.S.-provided long-range missiles. Additionally, he said, the United States has implemented major sanctions against Russia's financial sector, "with more sanctions to follow." The capabilities in this drawdown announcement include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) Stinger missiles Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (c-UAS) munitions Ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Non-persistent land mines Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) missiles Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems Small arms and ammunition Demolitions equipment and munitions Equipment to protect critical national infrastructure Spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training, and transportation "The United States will continue to work together with some 50 Allies and partners through the Ukraine Defense Contact Group and its associated Capability Coalitions to meet Ukraine's urgently needed battlefield requirements and defend against Russian aggression," administration officials said in making the announcement. Tech insiders say Biden is leaving a strong foundation for high-tech industry, boosting broadband access, setting a foundation for AI regulation, and encouraging chip manufacturing. (Rebecca Noble | Getty Images) As hes poised to leave office in two months, President Joe Biden will leave a legacy of proactive, nuanced and effective tech policy strategy behind him, technologists across different sectors told States Newsroom. Bidens term was bookended by major issues in the tech world. When he took office in early 2021, he was faced with an economy and workforce that was struggling to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, and longstanding issues with a digital divide across the country. As he prepares to exit the White House, federal agencies are working to incorporate the principles from the 2023 AI Bill of Rights, on evolving technologies that will undoubtedly continue changing American life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though he was unable to get federal regulations on AI passed through Congress, Bidens goal was to bring tech access to all Americans, while safeguarding against potential harms, the technologists said. I think everything that he does is foundational, said Suriel Arellano, a longtime consultant and author on digital transformation whos based in Los Angeles. So it definitely sets the stage for long term innovation and regulation. The digital divide For Arellano, Bidens attempt to bring internet access to all families stands out as a lasting piece of the presidents legacy. Broadband internet for work, health care and education was a part of Bidens 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, especially targeting people in rural areas. Biden earmarked $65 billion toward the project, which was dolled out to states and federal departments to establish or improve the physical infrastructure to support internet access. As of September, more than 2.4 million previously unserved homes and businesses have been connected to the internet, and $50 billion has been given to grant programs that support these goals across the states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arellano said he thinks theres still work to do with the physical broadband infrastructure before that promise is realized I think that should have come first, he said. But I think as a legacy, I think breaching the digital divide is actually one of the strong maybe not the strongest, but I would say its definitely a strong legacy that he leaves, Arellano said. Shaping the U.S. conversation about AI During Bidens presidency, practical and responsible application of artificial intelligence became a major part of the tech conversation. The 2023 AI Bill of Rights created the White House AI Council, the creation of a framework for federal agencies to follow relating to privacy protection and a list of guidelines for securing AI workers, for navigating the effects on the labor market and for ensuring equity in AI use, among others. The guidelines put forth by the administration are subtle, and not likely to be felt by the average consumer, said Austin-based Alex Shahrestani, an attorney and managing partner at Promise Legal, which specializes in tech and regulatory policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was something thats very light touch and essentially sets up the groundwork to introduce a regulatory framework for AI providers without it being something that theyre really going to push back on, Shahrestani said. In recent months, some federal agencies have released their guidelines called for by the AI Bill of Rights, including the Department of Labor, and The Office of Management and Budget, which outlines how the government will go about responsible acquisition of AI. It may not seem like these guidelines would affect the average consumer, Shahrestani said, but government contractors are likely to be larger companies that already have a significant commercial footprint. It sets up these companies to then follow these procedures in other contexts, so whether thats B2B or direct-to-consumer applications, thats like more of a trickle down sort of approach, he said. Sheena Franklin, D.C.-based founder of Kept Health and previously a lobbyist, said Biden emphasized the ethical use and development of AI, and set a tone of fostering public trust and preventing harm with the AI Bill of Rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Franklin and Shahrestani agreed its possible that President-elect Donald Trump could repeal some of Bidens executive orders on AI, but they see the Bill of Rights as a fairly light approach to regulating it. It was a really nuanced and effective approach, Shahrestani said. Theres some inertia building, right? Like a snowball rolling down the hill. Were early days for the snowball, but it just got started and it will only grow to be a bigger one. The CHIPS act Bidens CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, which aimed to strengthen domestic semiconductor manufacturing, supply chains and the innovation economy with a $53 billion investment, is a major piece of his legacy, Franklin said. The bill centered on worker and community investments, and prioritized small businesses and underrepresented communities, with a goal of economic growth in the U.S., and especially in communities that needed support. Two years after the bill was signed, the federal government, in partnership with American companies, has provided funding for semiconductor manufacturing projects that created more than 100,000 jobs and workforce development programs. The U.S. is on track to produce 30% of the worlds semiconductor chips in 2032, up from 10% today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was really trying to position the U.S. as a global leader when it came to technology, because that industry is going to continue to grow, Franklin said. Its hard to quantify what the lasting impact of the CHIPS act will be, but one immediate factor is computing, Shahrestani said. The AI models being developed right now have infinite abilities, he said, but the computing power had previously held the industry back. Being able to provide more compute through better chips, and more sophisticated hardware is going to be a big part of what provides, and what is behind the best AI technologies, Shahrestani said. Accountability for Big Tech Many in the Big Tech community see Bidens AI Bill of Rights, and its data privacy inclusions, as well as the Justice Departments monopoly lawsuits against tech giants like Apple and Google, as hampering innovation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arellano is optimistic about the technological advances and innovation that the U.S. may see under a less regulation-focused Trump presidency, but he cautions that some regulations may be needed for privacy protections. My concern is always on the public side, you know, putting the dog on a leash, and making sure that our regulations are there in place to protect the people, he said. Franklin predicts that if Biden attempts any last-minute tech policy before he leaves office, it will probably be to pursue further antitrust cases. It would align with his goal of fostering competition between startups and small businesses and reinforce his legacy of safeguarding consumer interests, she said. When she considered how to describe Bidens tech legacy, Franklin said she nearly used the word strength, though she said he ultimately could have done a little bit more for tech regulation. But she landed on two words: thoughtful and proactive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meaning, hes thinking about everybodys concerns, Franklin said. Not just thinking about the Big Tech and not just thinking about the consumers, right? Like there has to be a balance there. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX (Photo by GettyImages) Following a yearlong delay, the Biden administration has approved a waiver request to expand eligibility for Floridas subsidized childrens health insurance program (CHIP). The approval will enable an estimated 42,000 children who live in families of four that earn up to $93,600 annually to qualify for Florida KidCare coverage if the state agrees to abide by a federal regulation mandating that eligible children remain enrolled for a full year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The continuous eligibility requirement has been a thorny issue for Florida, which requires families each to pay a monthly household premium of up to $20 for KidCare coverage. The state disenrolls children whose families dont pay the premium. The administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis unsuccessfully sued the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services after a federal rule enforcing the continuous eligibility law took effect on Jan. 1. The state has filed an appeal. Attorneys for the Biden administration argued in a brief filed last week that the appeal should be dismissed. The legal wrangling has delayed the DeSantis administration from expanding Florida KidCare to more children as required by a 2023 state law increasing the income eligibility program for families to up to 300% of the federal poverty level, or $93,600 for a family of four. Now, families cannot earn more than 200% of the FPL, or $40,880, to qualify for subsidized coverage. Expansions and transitions The Agency for Health Care Administration, which is spearheading the legal challenge, did not immediately comment on the federal governments approval of the waiver or whether it would accept the continuous eligibility requirement even though it is federal law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the state cannot expand the program to cover more children without the federal governments approval because the program is funded in part with federal Medicaid dollars. Therefore, the added benefits wont be available until the state abides by the feds continuous coverage mandate. The Florida Health Justice Project urged the state to agree to the continuous eligibility requirement. The group advocates and engages communities to close the health coverage gap. This is truly welcome news for tens of thousands of children in Florida, especially those with medically complex conditions who have been going without the healthcare coverage they need due to Floridas delay in implementing the expansion, Florida Health Justice Project Executive Director Alison Yager said in a prepared release. Florida must now show it is serious about serving working families by implementing the expansion immediately. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The approval comes as the Biden administration prepares to leave office and President-elect Donald Trump transitions into power. It also comes after the end of the COVID public emergency and imposition of the states Medicaid redetermination policy. During the public health pandemic the federal government increased its contributions to state Medicaid programs to cover the increases in enrollment due to the pandemic and loss of jobs. In return for the additional funds, states were banned from disenrolling anyone from the Medicaid program, a safety net health care program for the poor, elderly, and disabled. Once the public health emergency was lifted states were able to redetermine whether people qualified for the program and disenrolled those who didnt. But some people who qualified were disenrolled because of procedural reasons, such as not responding to the paperwork. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Florida Policy Institute maintains that 532,078 children lost their health coverage following the states redetermination process. FPI is a nonprofit organization championing policies that improve the quality of life and economic mobility for Floridians. Approval of CHIP expansion in Florida will be lifesaving and life-changing for thousands of families the state of Florida should waste no time in accepting the terms of the federal waiver approval, FPI CEO Sadaf Knight said in a prepared statement. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- China has prominently improved its standards for accessible facilities as the society's awareness of the interests of visually impaired individuals continues to rise, according to a think tank report released on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which falls on Dec. 3. The report, titled "China's Efforts to Safeguard Cultural Rights for the Visually Impaired: Insights from the 'Cinema of Light' Public Welfare Initiative," was released in Chinese and English by the China Foundation for Human Rights Development and the National High-level Think Tank of Xinhua News Agency. According to the report, China has introduced several national standards to safeguard the cultural rights of visually impaired individuals in recent years. The country's first national standard in the public library service domain released in 2012 mandates that public libraries should meet the specific needs of people with disabilities, and suggests proper positions for visually impaired reading rooms in library buildings. In 2019, China released its national standard for library services specifically for people with disabilities, defining norms for the targets, resources, forms and supervision of such library services, the report noted. The Chinese government has also progressively established its internet accessibility standards for people with visual impairment in the digital age, the report said, citing the implementation of China's first national standard for internet accessibility in March 2020. The standard includes 58 specific criteria, such as providing audio CAPTCHAs and adding accurate semantic descriptions to webpage titles. The government has also launched initiatives to improve the accessibility of government websites and apps. Since 2021, 2,726 websites and apps have been upgraded, creating better conditions for visually impaired individuals to access information and obtain public services online, according to the report. President Biden on Tuesday declared the United States was all in on forging a stronger partnership with Africa as he nodded to the complicated and at times ugly history between the two during a visit to Angola. Biden delivered remarks on the outskirts of Luanda, the capital of Angola, at the countrys National Museum of Slavery, where he invoked the history of the slave trade and Americas original sin of enslaving Africans. Ive learned that while history can be hidden, it cannot and should not be erased. It should be faced. Its our duty to face our history. The good, the bad and the ugly. The whole truth. Thats what great nations do, Biden said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden noted that historians believe the people of Angola accounted for a significant number of all enslaved people who arrived in America. And he was joined by three individuals who he said are direct descendants of the first enslaved Africans in America. Were gathered in a solemn location. Because to fully consider how far our two countries have come and our friendship, we have to remember how we began, Biden said. Bidens remarks came amid his first trip as president to sub-Saharan Africa, fulfilling a pledge he made in late 2022 to visit the continent while in office. The visit to Angola is both symbolic, as a U.S. president had not been to Africa since former President Obama, and strategically significant, as the U.S. seeks to bolster investments and alliances with African countries to counter Russian and Chinese influence. The president on Tuesday touted his administrations efforts to partner with Africa, which he said included more than $40 billion in government investments thus far and $52 billion worth of business deals between U.S. and African companies that cover solar energy, telecommunications and infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden during his visit also announced $1 billion in U.S. assistance for African countries facing a historic drought. The right question in 2024 is not what can the United States do for the people of Africa, its what can we do together for the people of Africa, Biden said. The trip is potentially Bidens final international swing of his presidency as he prepares to leave office in January. His time in Angola has in many ways been overshadowed by his announcement as he prepared to leave Washington on Sunday that he was granting a complete and unconditional pardon to his son, Hunter Biden. Reporters peppered Biden with questions during meetings with Angolan leaders about the pardon, but the president did not respond to the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As you know Im in the final weeks of my presidency. You dont have to clap for that. You can if you want, Biden quipped at the end of his speech. And although I dont know exactly what the future will hold, I know the future runs through Angola. Through Africa. 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. President Joe Biden on Tuesday, during his diplomatic trip to Angola, acknowledged America's "original sin" of slavery and the slave trade that once connected the United States and the African nation. "I've learned that while history can be hidden, it cannot and should not be erased," Biden said. "It should be faced. It's our duty to face our history. The good, the bad and the ugly. The whole truth. That's what great nations do." The remarks were delivered at the National Museum of Slavery, where Biden said millions of Africans were baptized into a "foreign faith against their will" before being forced into slave ships to travel across the Atlantic Ocean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're gathering in a solemn location because to fully consider how far our two countries have come in our friendship, we have to remember how we began," Biden said outside the museum on a rainy afternoon. PHOTO: President Joe Biden speaks during his visit to the National Slavery Museum in Morro da Cruz, near Luanda, Dec. 3, 2024. (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters) "We hear them in the wind and the waves: young women, young men born free in the highlands in Angola, only to be captured, bound and forced in a death march along this very coast to this spot by slave traders in the year 1619," Biden said. The White House announced earlier this week, as Biden arrived in Angola, that it was giving a $229,000 grant to help with a restoration of the museum and its conservation. MORE: Biden's Angola visit to focus on US investments, regional partnerships in Africa Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The diplomatic trip is aimed at deepening the relationship between the two countries, and marks the first-ever visit to Angola by a sitting U.S. president and the first sub-Saharan trip by an American leader since President Barack Obama in 2015. PHOTO: President Joe Biden speaks during his visit to the National Slavery Museum in Morro da Cruz, near Luanda, Dec. 3, 2024. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images) Biden kicked off the visit with a bilateral meeting earlier Tuesday with President Joao Lourenco in Luanda. The two men talked about trade and economic opportunities, protecting democracy and the growth of the U.S.-Angola relationship, according to the White House. Biden celebrated the partnership further in his remarks, saying it's as "strong as it's ever been" and that the "United States is all in on Africa's future." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The story of Angola and the United States holds a lesson for the world: two nations with a shared history in evil of human bondage, two nations on opposite sides of the Cold War defining struggle in the late part of the 20th century," Biden said. "And now two nations standing shoulder to shoulder, working together every day for the mutual benefit of our people." "It's a reminder that no nation need be permanently the adversary of another testament to the human capacity for reconciliation and proof that from every -- from the horrors of slavery and war, there is a way forward," Biden added. PHOTO: President Joe Biden shakes hand with Angola's President Joao Lourenco, at the presidential palace in the capital Luanda, Angola, Dec. 3, 2024. (Ben Curtis/AP) PHOTO: President Joe Biden reviews a guard of honor as he arrives at the presidential palace in Luanda, Angola, Dec. 3, 2024. (Ampe Rogerio/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, Biden will tour part of the Lobito rail corridor, which is being partially financed by the U.S., that will help transport goods and materials across Africa -- a development seen as a way to counter China's influence in the region. White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby touted the project in an interview with ABC News' Alex Presha. Kirby said the administration was "very confident that the Lobito corridor is going to be a success," noting it's a multilateral effort with support from U.S. allies and benefits American companies that will build part of the railway at home before it's transported to Africa. MORE: Biden's pardon of son, Hunter, roils Democrats' post-election reckoning: ANALYSIS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looming over Biden's historic visit, though, was the decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden. Biden has not answered reporters' shouted questions on the pardon while he's been in Angola. Asked if the pardon has diverted attention away from Biden's trip, Kirby said Biden is focused on "how important this is, again, not just to the people of Angola and the continent, but to the American people." Biden, during Angola visit, speaks of 'shared history' of slavery originally appeared on abcnews.go.com In his sweeping pardon of Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden did not just protect his son. He also handed President-elect Donald Trump a template to shield his own allies and stretch the pardon power even further. Legal experts say Trump now has fresh precedent and political cover to issue expansive pardons absolving his allies not only of specific offenses, but even any undetermined crimes they may have committed. With the singular exception of Gerald Fords pardon of Richard Nixon, no modern American president had ever issued such a broad grant of clemency until Joe Bidens full and unconditional pardon of his son on Sunday night. The younger Biden is now effectively cleared of legal consequences for any federal law he might have broken over a nearly 11-year period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those terms are so unusual and the process leading to it was so secretive that the Justice Departments Office of the Pardon Attorney, which typically advises the president on clemency issues, was taken by surprise, according to a person who was granted anonymity to disclose the details. In the final days of Trumps first term, at least one close ally former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) requested a similarly sweeping pardon, according to congressional testimony. But top White House aides made clear it was a nonstarter. Now that Joe Biden has crossed the Rubicon, legal experts and former Trump associates say it will be harder to restrain Trump next time. He now has a readymade rationale to follow suit when he returns to office. It certainly creates an acceptability for that model, said James Trusty, a former criminal defense lawyer for Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, to be sure, took a freewheeling approach to pardons in his first term, granting clemency to cronies like former national security adviser Mike Flynn, longtime adviser Roger Stone, 2016 campaign chairman Paul Manafort and White House aide Steve Bannon. All of those pardons, though, were tied to specific investigations and crimes those men had been accused or convicted of. (Tellingly, the men also were all connected to investigations that could have implicated Trump himself.) During the 2024 campaign, Trump pledged to harness the pardon power even more aggressively. Most notably, he promised to pardon many of the rioters who stormed the Capitol in his name on Jan. 6, 2021. Almost immediately after the Hunter Biden pardon was announced, Trump hinted that he may cite it as justification for granting broad clemency to Jan. 6 defendants. Does the pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages? he asked on social media, describing the rioters in terms rooted in his efforts to downplay the violence they wrought against police that day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joe Biden deviated from past practices by invoking fairness rather than acceptance of responsibility as the putative criteria for pardoning his son, said Samuel Morison, an attorney who worked in the Office of the Pardon Attorney for 13 years. Trump is now freer to invoke that same reasoning to grant broad protection to his own allies. I do think this gives Trump greater leeway to exercise the pardon power in ways that he might otherwise have hesitated, because it gives Trump more political cover to do what he wants, Morison said. How can you say that the president cant grant pardons to correct something that he believes is an injustice? Biden just did it. Ty Cobb, a White House lawyer during Trumps first term who has since become a prominent Trump critic, agreed. Trump doesnt really need excuses to act selfishly or vengefully, Cobb said. But this provides him one on a silver platter. Resisting broad pardons in Trumps first term Trump has already wrestled with how far to push the pardon power but largely deferred to wary advisers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to testimony before the House select committee that investigated the attack on the Capitol, Trump mused shortly before he left office in January 2021 about pardoning family members, staff, nonviolent members of the Jan. 6 mob and even himself. Trumps White House counsel Pat Cipollone and other top advisers told the committee that they worked to suppress some of those proposals. Cipollone said he considered resigning over some pardons that were being proposed. Another aide, Johnny McEntee, said he witnessed Cipollone successfully persuade Trump against a blanket pardon for nonviolent Jan. 6 rioters. And a third adviser, Eric Herschmann, said he recalled a discussion about pardons for Trump family members but said it was never going anywhere, primarily because it was clear the family didnt want pardons. (Trump did pardon Charles Kushner, the father-in-law of Ivanka Trump and last week, he chose Kushner to be the next ambassador to France.) And Herschmann told the panel he and another Trump White House aide, deputy counsel Pat Philbin, were flummoxed when Trump loyalist Gaetz (who was, at the time, under investigation for sex trafficking) asked them for a sweeping pardon that would have covered everything that ever happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Herschmann recalled saying that such broad terms would be unprecedented and virtually impossible to craft. How are you ever going to articulate that? he testified in 2022. How was the pardon office going to write this? What would we conceivably do? While the first Trump administration stopped short of trying to write an essentially limitless pardon, the Biden White House did not. The language in the Hunter Biden pardon covering all offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in from Jan. 1, 2014, through Dec. 1, 2024 closely tracks the language of Fords pardon of Nixon, who was granted protection for any crimes he may have committed during his presidency. Before Joe Biden settled on the broad pardon, there was a debate in the West Wing about whether the president should grant a far more limited form of clemency, according to a Democrat who was in contact with the White House and was granted anonymity to relay the private conversations. Some senior officials believed Joe Biden should merely commute the sentences that Hunter Biden was set to receive in the coming weeks for gun and tax crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House spokesperson Andrew Bates disputed that there was internal debate over the issue, saying "that is false." The president chose a full pardon a broadly worded one extending to other potential crimes because he wanted to insulate his son from retributory criminal investigations by the Trump Justice Department, according to the Democrat. Trumps calls for investigating his adversaries, including the Biden family, were a centerpiece of his campaign. Joe Bidens pardon, meanwhile, flew in the face of his longstanding commitment to honor the outcome of his sons criminal proceedings and withhold any clemency. Democrats brace themselves Few Democrats have defended the Hunter Biden pardon, and some have spoken against it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As a father, I sympathize for his familys situation, said Sen.-elect Andy Kim (D-N.J.). But as you know, as an American, as a person working here in these types of jobs, I'm very disappointed. I dont think it was the right decision to make. I think it just feeds into so much of what I find is challenging at this moment when it comes to the people I'm talking to that are so distrusting of politics." And the current presidents provocative pardon comes as congressional Democrats gird themselves for what all expect to be the next presidents mission to expand executive power. This was an improper use of power, said Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.). It erodes trust in our government, and it emboldens others to bend justice to suit their interests. One component of Trumps mission may be a blanket pardon of Jan. 6 defendants shortly after he is inaugurated a prospect that is worrying even one Trump-appointed judge. Another immediate component, Trusty suggested, is a pardon of Carlos de Oliveira and Walt Nauta, the two Trump aides who are charged with helping him obstruct the investigation into the classified documents that Trump kept at Mar-a-Lago after he left office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To me, thats kind of a no-brainer, Trusty said. And maybe out of an abundance of caution, he tracks the language of Hunter Bidens very broad pardon. Jonathan Martin and Robbie Gramer contributed to this report. By Trevor Hunnicutt and Miguel Gomes LUANDA (Reuters) -Joe Biden pledged lasting U.S. engagement with Africa as he met his Angolan counterpart Joao Lourenco in Luanda on Tuesday, as part of his first and only visit to sub-Saharan Africa as U.S. president. During brief remarks at the presidential palace, Biden pledged lasting engagement on Africa's own terms. He said the United States was "all in on Africa", repeating a phrase he used during a U.S.-Africa summit in Washington in December 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You should understand the extent to which we're prepared to be engaged," Biden said ahead of a private meeting with Lourenco. "We don't think we have all answers, but we're prepared to hear your answers to the needs you have." Biden's 11th-hour visit in the final days of his presidency aimed to deliver on a pledge to visit the continent during his term, which ends in January. He had initially promised to visit in 2023. Lourenco said Angola wanted to work with the United States to attract foreign investment and improve defence and security ties, including joint military exercises and cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea and South Atlantic. He also praised U.S. companies' investments in Angola's oil and gas sector and in various upcoming projects such as grain silos and logistics infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're going to move beyond Cold War relations, where we weren't always aligned, and make a turning point in relations between the two countries," he said, alluding to U.S. support for one of the armed factions in Angola's long civil war, in part a proxy conflict between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Biden's trip will also focus on the Lobito Corridor, a partly U.S.-funded railway project aimed at making it easier to export critical minerals from the mining heartlands of Democratic Republic of Congo. While Biden's presidency is in its last weeks, President-elect Donald Trump will likely back the railway and remain a close partner to Angola when he returns to the White House in January, according to two officials who served under the previous Trump administration. Despite Biden's pledges to be "all in on Africa", U.S. influence there has declined during his term in office. The incoming Trump administration will have to address blind spots in its understanding of a fast-changing continent increasingly allied with China and Russia, and threatened by spreading jihadist insurgencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LEGACY OF SLAVERY Later on Tuesday, Biden visited Angola's National Museum of Slavery to mark the two nations' shared history in the transatlantic slave trade. The site includes the 17th-century chapel where enslaved people were forcibly baptized before being sent to the Americas in chains. The first Africans to arrive in the British colony of Virginia in 1619 had been captured in Angola. Overall, 4 million Angolans were forcibly transported to the Americas, mostly to Brazil but also to what is now the United States. Biden's audience at the museum included Wanda Tucker, a descendant of William Tucker, the first enslaved child born in the United States, whose parents were brought to colonial Virginia from Angola in August 1619 aboard the Portuguese ship White Lion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The museum formerly belonged to one of the largest enslavers on the African coast. Inside, several objects that were used to torture and punish enslaved people can still be seen, including shackles and iron weights. The United States is announcing a grant of $229,000 to support the building's restoration. About 160 years after slavery was abolished in the United States, vast wealth gaps still exist between white and Black Americans, land ownership remains concentrated among wealthy whites and a fraught political debate is centered on diversity, equity and how to reckon with the country's racial history. Biden is not expected to talk about U.S. reparations over the slave trade during his trip. (Additional reporting by Jessica Donati and Catarina Demony; Writing by Estelle Shirbon; Editing by Heather Timmons, Lincoln Feast, Kevin Liffey and Deepa Babignton) Democrats have warned for months that Donald Trump, if elected again, would bend the Justice Department to his own political will. But President Biden's announcement Sunday that he had issued a sweeping pardon for his son Hunter for any crimes he may have committed over a decade suddenly left the president's allies on the defensive. Biden said he did it, after promising he wouldn't, because he felt his own Justice Department had treated his son unfairly that "raw politics" had "infected" Hunter Biden's prosecution on gun and tax evasion offenses and "led to a miscarriage of justice." Trump, who during his first term pardoned a slate of political allies and who has long condemned the Justice Department as politicized and in need of an overhaul, blasted the decision, suggesting the pardon was an "abuse and miscarriage of Justice" itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pardon immediately fed into an already roiling debate nationally around justice and politics and whether the two can adequately be held separate particularly in the months ahead, as Trump takes office and stands up his next administration. Outside political and legal experts said the episode is a stark reflection of the perilous moment that the American justice system faces as Trump takes office after escaping multiple criminal cases against him and with both a long list of political enemies and a short list of law enforcement nominees who have vocally backed his plans to retaliate. Prior to the pardon, Democrats had been busy denouncing Trump's nominees as threats to the intended firewall between politics and prosecutions. They had blasted his first attorney general nominee, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, and his second attorney general nominee, former Florida Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi, as well as his nominee for FBI director, Kash Patel, all as loyalists who would be willing to break legal boundaries on behalf of Trump. Read more: President Biden pardons his son, claiming Hunter Biden was unfairly prosecuted Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the pardon, some Democrats defended Biden's decision, while others acknowledged that it was a bad look, if not a horrible decision. Former U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr., who served during the Obama administration, said no U.S. attorney would have charged Hunter Biden based on the facts of his case and the results of a years-long investigation into his actions making the pardon "warranted." Holder said people should be focused on Trump and Patel instead. "Ask yourself a vastly more important question. Do you really think Kash Patel is qualified to lead the world's preeminent law enforcement investigative organization?" he wrote on X. "Obvious answer: hell no." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.), who sits on the House Judiciary Committee, said on CNN that there is "legitimate concern" on the president's part about Trump exacting retribution on his political enemies including Biden's own family. And he said Trump's selection of Patel for FBI director was "a bad omen" of how Trump intends to use the Justice Department to attack his opponents. But a pardon for Hunter Biden doesn't do Democrats arguing against such retribution any favors, Ivey said. "This sort of gives [Trump] ground to argue that, you know, both sides are doing the same thing," he said. "This is going to be used against us when we are fighting the misuses that are coming from the Trump administration." Bernadette Meyler, a constitutional law professor at Stanford University who has written extensively about the use of pardons, called it "a disturbing moment for American justice," in that the leaders of both major American political parties have now argued that the system is politically biased so much so that they have had to utilize their executive power to essentially overrule it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It "suggests that there is just widespread distrust in the system and how the law is being applied," Meyler said, "and I think that's quite worrisome." Meyler said the most worrisome part of Biden's pardon of his son was his explanation for it which she said "seemed in keeping" with Trump's own approach to pardons during his first term. Trump used pardons then "for very political aims, in particular to criticize certain laws that he felt were not right or targeted certain kinds of malfeasance that he thought shouldn't be criminalized, and also to do favors for those he felt were friends and political allies," Meyler said. Trump "really highlighted" his use of the pardon power "as a way of criticizing the legal system," she said. Now, Biden has done much the same, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pardoning his son could have been viewed as a purely "pragmatic decision" and "more defensible" if Biden had merely cited Trump's stated intentions to exact political revenge on his enemies, or if he had simply granted the pardon without commentary, Meyler said. Instead, however, he issued an adjoining statement calling the entire Justice Department into question which Meyler said played right into "Trump's claims of a really biased system" and "echoes what Trump has been saying about politicized prosecutions." Trump during his first term pardoned various members of his own campaign and administration, including for crimes associated with their work for him. They included advisor Stephen K. Bannon, former campaign manager Paul Manafort and former national security advisor Michael Flynn. He also pardoned his son-in-law Jared Kushner's father, Charles Kushner. In his second term, Trump has promised to pardon many if not all of the people charged in the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 whom he called "hostages" in a post condemning Biden's pardon on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to tax charges in Los Angeles, and was convicted by a jury of illegally purchasing a handgun in Delaware. Republicans have long suggested he also acted corruptly in dealings with foreign corporations, peddling his family's influence for cash. Meyler said the president's rationale for pardoning his son bolsters the argument Trump has been making for years that the various federal charges brought against him for trying to steal the 2020 election, for hiding classified documents at Mar-a-Lago were the result of a politicized Justice Department, while undermining the opposing argument by Democrats that those cases were the outcome of an unbiased prosecution by an independent counsel. Biden's statement "just makes it very hard to turn around and say there is no bias in these other cases," she said, and even calls into question the very nature of special counsels which Trump has long criticized. Mark Geragos, Hunter Biden's attorney, raised similar concerns about special counsels in response to questions about the pardon. He said that after Trump's classified documents case was tossed out in part over the appointment of a special counsel, Hunter Biden's indictment should have been tossed as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said Justice Department officials had passed on charging Hunter Biden before special counsel David Weiss decided otherwise which he said "smacks of politics." Weiss in a court filing Monday argued against the dismissal of Hunter Biden's case based on the pardon, saying he was not unfairly targeted. Jessica A. Levinson, director of the Public Service Institute at Loyola Law School, said Biden's pardon of his son may provide Trump with additional political cover to pardon his own allies moving forward, allowing him to say, "Look, everybody does it." It also bolsters his argument that the Justice Department has been politicized and needs overhauling, she said, allowing him to say, "Even Joe Biden says there's a problem." However, the effect of Biden's pardon on Trump's actions ahead should not be overstated, she said, as Trump had already made clear including during his first term that he would politicize the Justice Department and use the pardon power to protect his allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I just don't feel like this now opens the floodgates for Trump to act in a way that he otherwise might not have," Levinson said. Levinson said Biden's actions do muddy the political message of Democrats arguing that Trump is uniquely lawless, comparing it to the discovery of classified documents in the home or offices of both Biden and former Vice President Mike Pence after Trump was charged for having and allegedly hiding such documents at Mar-a-Lago. The existence of documents in Biden and Pence's possession allowed Trump to say, "See, everybody does it," Levinson said, even though his underlying actions with the documents in his possession were distinctly different than Biden's and Pence's. Read more: For FBI director, Trump taps Kash Patel, a loyalist who would aid effort to upend top law enforcement agency Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden's pardon of his son similarly allows for headlines that put him and Trump on a level playing field in terms of their use of pardons, Levinson said even if the underlying relevance of those pardons to the proper functioning of the criminal justice system are starkly different. At such an intensely polarized time in the country politically, that likely means that Americans will come away with two very different versions of the truth based on which politicians or political party they trust, Levinson said. "It's so hard because these moments force us to go below the headline and the first paragraph and to really dig in and figure out where there are similarities and where there are differences," she said, "and it's very hard to do when we live in a society that tends to be us-versus-them." Margaret Love, who served from 1990 to 1997 as the U.S. pardon attorney, said the sweeping nature of Hunter Biden's pardon is unique, too, in that it preemptively clears him of offenses he has not even been charged with. In that way, it could be challenged if Trump wants to question the limits of the presidential pardon power. In that sense, it could bring about positive change, she said because the system of pardoning individuals has devolved in recent years into a muddled process, rather than the clear and orderly one it should be under the pardon attorney's office. "I hope at least this will provide an occasion for talking about how the president how the pardon power operates in our system of justice," Love said. That conversation, she said, is overdue. Times staff writer Stacy Perman contributed to this report. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) The presidents pardon of his son is continuing to draw scrutiny from both sides of the aisle. The sweeping pardon of Hunter Biden is getting backlash from Republicans and some Democrat lawmakers after the president said for months, he wouldnt pardon him. He simply went back on his word, said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas.). Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn is one of many Republicans calling out President Biden for pardoning his son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is blatant corruption and abuse of the office, Cornyn said. While Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) added, If it was my son, Id pardon him too. But heres what I didnt like, dont lie to us. Hunter Biden was set to be sentenced later this month over gun and tax convictions, but the president issued a pardon Sunday. I will not pardon him, said Biden back in June. The reversal has led to criticism from his own party. Colorado Democratic Congressman Jason Crow calling it a mistake on X and Senator Michael Bennet writing, President Bidens decision put personal interest ahead of duty and further erodes Americans faith that the justice system is fair and equal for all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House says the president believes the charges against Hunter were politically motivated. They targeted him because his last name was Biden, said Jean-Pierre. The pardon covers not just the gun and tax convictions, but any federal offenses Hunter may have committed over the past decade. President Biden has not explained why he changed his mind but said in his statement Sunday he hopes, Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision. 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. President Joe Bidens stunning decision to pardon his son Hunter has sparked a political firestorm in Washington, with Republicans and even some Democrats condemning the outgoing president for what they see as a grave misuse of executive authority. Yet amid the wave of denunciations, Biden still has his defenders. One of them is Kimberly Wehle, a professor at the University of Baltimore School of Law and the author of a recent book about the presidential pardon power. (She is also a contributing writer at POLITICO Magazine.) For better or for worse, Bidens pardon of his son is largely in line with the constitutional purpose of the pardon and its past uses by former presidents, Wehle argued in an interview with POLITICO Magazine. The whole idea of the pardon power is picking and choosing winners and losers, she said. Fairness and equality completely go out the window when youre talking about a presidential pardon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For that reason, Wehle explained, figures throughout history including some of the Framers themselves have worried about the potential for presidents to use the pardon power for self-interested purposes. Yet the Framers ultimately settled on the pardon as a necessary check on the judicial and executive branches and Congress and the courts have left that power largely unchecked since then. So while Bidens decision to pardon his son may be politically unseemly, Wehle argued, its not as radical a break with tradition as Bidens critics have made it out to be. I think its a sad statement about where we are, she said, and how the wheels came off the train a few years ago. The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity. Youve defended Bidens decision to pardon his son. In brief, whats the case that he made the right call? The first point is that Donald Trump is promising to use the Department of Justice and the FBI for political vengeance, and he has taken steps in that direction with his nominees for FBI director and attorney general. So its fair for Biden to be concerned that there will be a bullseye on his sons back. I think were going to see a very different Justice Department under Donald Trump one weve never seen before so I see Bidens decision as reactive to the unprecedented nature of Donald Trumps promises for the next administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second point is that pardons are, in theory, based on mercy and fairness. Hunter Biden was convicted by a jury of lying on a gun application about his addiction that he had spiraled into after the death of his brother from brain cancer. Even the likes of Lindsey Graham have said that thats not the kind of crime that would typically be brought against anyone unless they were being singled out in this way. Given that and also given the fact the tax crimes in California occurred in a small number of years under which he was struggling with addiction Hunter Biden in theory falls within the category of someone who might satisfy the criteria for a pardon, notwithstanding his relationship with his father. Is it relevant in a legal sense that Hunter may have been treated differently than an average citizen by being charged in the way that he was? Isnt a crime a crime, even if its selectively enforced? Absolutely, and I think thats the argument [behind the pardon]. He was convicted and he pled guilty, but the idea of selective prosecution or vindictive prosecution is extremely difficult to prove. The president and law enforcement at the state and local level get tremendous power to choose who they decide to enforce the law against. So thats all true. However, the whole idea of the pardon power [in practice] is picking and choosing winners and losers. All process and fairness and equality completely go out the window when youre talking about a presidential pardon. There is no due process. Theres no equal protection clause thats brought to bear to make sure that pardons are given out in a procedurally fair manner. Thats very different from the criminal justice system, which has rules of evidence, which has defenses, which has appeals. The pardon wipes all of that out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So what Biden did is not some aberration. You could say it applies to every single pardon to some degree. There have been critiques of the pardon for centuries because it minimizes the incentive to make the criminal justice system fairer. Both on the criminal and the civil side, our justice system works for the wealthy and the well-connected and not for the disenfranchised. And pardons at the presidential level, to an increasing degree and under Donald Trump in particular also favor the wealthy and the connected. Was the pardon originally conceived by the Framers to be completely disconnected from any sense of procedural justice or due process? Or is that a more recent evolution in its use? There was a history of the pardon power in common law England being abused by kings. There was a history of Parliament jousting with the monarch around constraints on the pardon power. And there were Enlightenment thinkers that were highly critical of the pardon power for a number of reasons and that informed the Framers in creating a system of divided government. There was discussion at the founding about banning pardons for treason and about invoking the Senate as a check on the pardon power, but ultimately Alexander Hamilton and James Madison prevailed on the theory that there needs to be a grown-up in the room to ensure mercy when the criminal justice system goes haywire. Of course, at the founding of the federal government, there was not a well-developed criminal justice system at the time of the framing of the Constitution, there was not a Bill of Rights. In common law England, there was the death penalty for very low-level offenses. The pardon operated as a check on a system that was otherwise clunky and that had a lot of false positives in it. So is there any illegitimate use of the pardon, aside from the self-pardon? From the context of the framing and the historical record, thats hard to answer. It just really didnt make it into the Constitution. There were concerns about the pardon being susceptible to abuse at the time of the framing. Of course, all the folks who participated in the framing knew each other, and I think they trusted each others integrity and in their joint commitment to the project of democratic governance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But were not in a world anymore where our federal elected leaders are in lockstep around that great experiment of democracy, so I think its a little bit hard to graft their thinking at the time on how it has come to be abused today. Turning back to the present, though, do you think its incumbent on presidents and in this case on Biden to enumerate some sort of higher principle behind the use of the pardon? Or is it fair game for presidents to just hand them out willy-nilly as they see fit? I find it a little strange that that theres so much pushback on Bidens pardon when there was very little pushback when Donald Trump pardoned people that could have participated in holding him accountable for his transgressions in office including pardons of Paul Manafort, Roger Stone and others arising out of the Mueller investigation or when Donald Trump pardoned folks with serious criminal records. In this moment, Hunter Biden is not poised to somehow injure the public and harm other people. Joe Biden is not poised to protect himself from some kind of accountability under the rule of law. And hes not the first to pardon a family member: Donald Trump pardoned Charles Kushner, his son-in-laws father, Jared Kushners father. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pardons out of your own self-interest, pardons of people that could turn around and injure the public those, in my mind, are more serious. Yet we are having a much more robust conversation around the Hunter Biden pardon than I think Ive had at any point since Ive been interested in the issue. I think what rankles people about Bidens pardon is that it seems hypocritical. Trump was open about his desire to use the criminal justice system as a weapon of personal retribution, whereas Biden positioned himself as a defender of the systems impartiality vis-a-vis Trump. Now he seems to have taken an action that is more Trumpian than anything. I think hes taking the action in response to Trumpian promises to weaponize the Department of Justice. I think its a reaction to Donald Trump smashing a very serious norm of independence of the Department of Justice. If Joe Biden was going to game the system, he could have called off the dogs on his son during the last four years that he was in office. That would have been a transgression of norms, and he didnt do it. He let this prosecution go forward. But now that Donald Trump is promising to turn the Justice Department into something its never been, and he knows his son would be in those crosshairs and particularly because Republicans in Congress have been very eager to see more accountability for perceived crimes by Hunter Biden. I think were just in a moment we werent in in June, when it was possible that his vice president would be president or that he himself would be president. In hindsight, maybe, Joe Biden should have kept quiet, but had he not responded that way, it was going to have an impact on the election. So I dont think its hypocritical as much as its responsive to the serious threats to democracy that Donald Trump poses starting January 20, 2025. Why the blanket nature of the pardon, though? Couldnt he have done a more tailored pardon, or even clemency, for specific convictions? If what Im saying is correct which is that he fears additional retribution against his son a tailored pardon that only named the crimes for which he was convicted or pleaded guilty would not have protected him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tax crimes were only for a few discrete years, so there are other tax years they could have gone after. There are a lot of checks on the investigative process, but theres a lot of mischief that that can happen by virtue of the process, particularly with Hunter Biden, who is politically so vulnerable because he is at the center of a lot of these pitched battles between the Republicans and the Democrats. So if the aim is to protect his son from retribution, which his political rival has promised, a tailored pardon would not achieve that. Do you worry that this use of the pardon gives Republicans and Trump even more justification to weaponize the Justice Department? Or would it have happened regardless? I think it would have happened regardless. Donald Trump has been completely honest for years now and he made this clear the last time he was president that he made overtures to his attorneys general to use the power of the DOJ against his enemies. They refused, and he bemoaned that they were not acting like his Roy Cohn his right-hand guy. Project 2025 promised this. Kash Patel has promised this. Pam Bondi has said that she believes that bad prosecutors that is, those who tried to hold Donald Trump accountable for crimes should be investigated and gone after. Theres no indication that were going in the other direction, and so I dont know how Joe Biden not pardoning Hunter Biden was going to slow that tide in any meaningful way. Allowing the lamb to go to slaughter that is, his remaining son could have been severe for his family, and he is in the position where he has the power to prevent that. It just seems like a very, very dangerous cycle if the response to credible threats of weaponizing the justice system is to stretch the use of the pardon in a way that further undermines public faith in the justice system. That would seem to fuel the energies that hes nominally responding to, right? I think its a sad statement about where we are and how the wheels came off the train a few years ago. Efforts should have been made by Democrats in Congress, by Joe Biden, by the media, by the voting public, by lots of people to see the threat for what it was and to take the steps before it was almost too late. And it might be too late but its not too late because of Joe Bidens pardon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So its almost a sad statement on where we are that Joe Biden would compromise his values and his stated adherence to the rule of law in a realization that we are turning a corner in American democracy. I do think that the statement attacking his own DOJ as partisan which plays into Trumps talking points against Jack Smith was unnecessary and unhelpful. What can be done at this point? Is there anything that Congress or the court could do to put guardrails around the pardon power to make sure it doesnt continue along this race to the bottom? The Supreme Court has made it clear in the immunity case that the pardon power is a core power, so any attempts by Congress to put restraints on the ability to pardon whomever the president wanted would, I think, be struck down as unconstitutional. A ban on pardons in the last months of a presidents term in office, for example, would be unconstitutional. If Congress were to expressly pass a law banning pardons in exchange for bribes or selling pardons to the highest bidder, the Supreme Court would have to really grapple with that but of course, that would require a Justice Department that is willing to prosecute under such statute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Otherwise, Congress could beef up the Lobbying Disclosure Act, which already applies expressly to presidents, to include lobbying for pardons, but that would also require stepped-up enforcement through the U.S. Attorneys office in Washington D.C. and buy-in from a sitting president. Congress could amend the Freedom of Information Act to make clear that the deliberative process privilege which is one of the exemptions that keeps information confidential and thats been used by DOJ to not turn over records of pardons doesnt apply to pardons. Or Congress could create an agency to review pardon applications. Right now, theyre done by the Department of Justice attorneys the same group of folks that put somebody in jail gets to decide whether they should be eligible for a pardon. But if there was an independent committee with a cross-section of folks on it, there would be a public process and a record of the applicants and the criteria being used and if the president bypassed it, that there might be more scrutiny coming to bear. President Joe Bidens decision to issue a sweeping pardon of his son Hunter Biden has set off backlash from Republicans and some Democrats. Although President-elect Donald Trump did not quite lean into criticism of Bidens pardon in the way his fellow Republicans did, his campaign team did seize on the decision to raise funds. Do you remember when Biden said he would never pardon Hunter? That was a lie! the Trump campaign said in an email to supporters Monday, calling the pardon the sweet heart [sic] deal of the century. The email directs to a fundraising page for the Trump National Committee JFC that implores supporters to contribute to a historic PATRIOT PUSH that says were not going to let them hide their CORRUPTION. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps campaign is known to fundraise prolifically, using almost every event in the president-elects public life as an opportunity to ask supporters for money or sell merchandise. Whats notable is the difference between this fundraising plea, which strongly condemns Bidens pardon of his son, and Trumps own post about it on Truth Social, in which he redirected focus to those convicted in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. Trump himself pardoned close associates during his first term including Charles Kushner, his son-in-laws father, who is now his pick for ambassador to France and has repeatedly vowed to pardon Jan. 6 rioters, whom he has called hostages. Still, some political observers have argued that Bidens decision to pardon his son may create an opening to legitimize Trumps potential expansion of the pardon power and inject more distrust among the public in the countrys legal institutions. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Daniel Knighton/Getty Images Sign up for The Agenda Them's news and politics newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Thursday. As the world reacts to news that President Biden issued a pardon for his son Hunter, a former Air Force officer who served 18 months in federal prison for consensual sodomy is opening up about the arduous process of applying for a pardon of his own from the Biden administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in June, President Joe Biden announced a mass pardon for LGBTQ+ veterans who were discharged for violating Article 125 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), which barred service members from engaging in unnatural carnal copulation with anyone of the same sex. The ban was repealed in 2013. Bidens pardon applies to anyone convicted under Article 125, as long as their charges were for consensual, private conduct between individuals 18 and older that do not involve any aggravating factor. According to the Seattle Times, the application itself is extensive, requiring an explanation of why an applicant is seeking a pardon, letters of support, a list of existing debts, a description of the applicants community activities, and more. In September, the military affairs publication The War Horse reported that only eight veterans have applied for pardons six from the Air Force, two from the Army, and none from the Coast Guard, Marines, or Navy. Steve Marose, 58, is one of the six former Air Force members to apply for a pardon. In 1990, he was serving as an Air Force second lieutenant in Louisiana when he was court-martialed for having sex with other men. In a November interview with the Seattle Times, Marose recalled investigators asking him invasive questions like what kind of sex he engaged in and what other service members were part of the LGBTQ+ community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were going on a witch hunt, he said. And I remember the commander said, If you dont cooperate, there could be more charges for you. Eventually, Marose was charged with three counts of sodomy and two counts of unbecoming conduct one for letting an enlisted airman stay in his apartment and another for entering an off-limits establishment, a gay bar in the nearby town of Alexandria, Louisiana. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison, most of which he served at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas. Although Marose has worked consistently since being released from prison, he told the Seattle Times that having a criminal conviction on his record has affected his career. He says his record once disqualified him from a job as a police dispatcher. When Biden announced a mass pardon for veterans affected by Article 125, he applied almost immediately. However, speaking to The War Horse in September, Marose said that the pardon process wasnt necessarily as all-encompassing as it seemed. Biden Issues Pardon for Veterans Convicted Under Military Law That Banned Gay Sex Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pardon is expected to impact thousands of veterans. It sounds like its very broad, that thousands of people will be positively impacted, he said. However, when you look under the hood, Marose added that it seems unlikely that this move will be a general remedy for LGBTQ+ veterans. For instance, the pardon only applies to people convicted under Article 125s sexual conduct provisions and not to any LGBTQ+ veterans who left the military under threat of court-martial. Rachel VanLadingham, an associate dean at Southwestern Law School, theorized to the Times that so few veterans have applied for pardons because the Biden administration required that veterans prove themselves eligible, rather than identifying eligible veterans themselves. The military has the record, VanLadingham said. They have the human resources to do it. They have the money. I mean, give me a break. Get the best of whats queer. Sign up for Thems weekly newsletter here. Originally Appeared on them. The Department of Labor proposed a new rule on Tuesday that would prevent companies from paying workers with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage, which is currently $7.25 an hour. Under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, employers can apply for a certificate to pay less than minimum wage to employees with certain disabilities when "necessary to prevent the curtailment of opportunities for employment." The departments proposal would discontinue that policy and establish a three-year phase out for any companies with existing certificates. One of the guiding principles of the American workplace is that a hard days work deserves a fair days pay, and this proposal ensures that principle includes workers with disabilities, Wage and Hour Administrator Jessica Looman said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 90% of employers with certificates are non-profits that provide services to people with disabilities, according to the department. According to a 2020 report from the U.S. Commission on civil rights, the legal loophole has allowed some companies to pay their employees less than a dollar an hour. In 2013, CNBC reported that some workers at Goodwill in Pennsylvania were paid as low as 22 cents per hour in 2011. At the time, defenders argued that the sub-minimum wage jobs provided workers with disabilities meaningful work and that, without it, they would be forced to stay at home or otherwise engage in unproductive and unsatisfactory activities, CNBC reported. But that argument does not fly today, according to the Department of Labor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the enactment of the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938, opportunities and training have dramatically expanded to help people with disabilities obtain and maintain employment at or above the full federal minimum wage," Looman said. "Similarly, employers today have more resources and training available to recruit, hire and retain workers with disabilities in employment at or above the full minimum wage, and this proposed rule aligns with that reality." Disability advocates have long argued Section 14(c) is discriminatory. Disability rights groups are celebrating the move to do away with it. We applaud today's announcement by the Department of Labor and @ActSecJulieSu that the Department is proposing to phase out the 14(c) program which has allowed people with disabilities to be legally paid less than minimum wage, the National Disability Rights Network said in a statement on X. WELLINGTON, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand saw an increase of 30 percent in visitor spending while visitor numbers increased by 17 percent for the year ending September 2024, the latest International Visitor Survey showed on Tuesday. The boost highlights the ongoing recovery of New Zealand's tourism sector, with the economy benefiting from the shifting trends in international visitation, said Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey. The International Visitor Survey showed a continued shift towards higher spending visitors, with the median daily spend per visitor up 10 percent, Doocey said. International visitors spent 11.7 billion NZ dollars in New Zealand for the year ending September 2024, including 1.9 billion NZ dollars in the September 2024 quarter alone, statistics showed. The government has focused on encouraging off-peak visits and regional tourism, which benefits tourism and hospitality businesses across the country, Doocey said. A tourism growth roadmap, expected to be finalized early next year, will implement further tourism growth initiatives to support the sector bouncing back quicker, he said. (1 NZ dollar equals 0.59 U.S. dollar) WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) President Joe Biden is in Africa on his first and last trip to the continent as commander-in-chief. He is the first president in U.S. history to visit Angola. The president met with Angolan President Joao Lourenco on Tuesday and pledged support to Africa. The United States is all in on Africa, he said. The future of the world is here in Africa. President Biden delivered remarks from Angolas National Slavery Museum where he acknowledged the dark and painful history of slavery and looked to the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its our duty to face our history, the good, the bad and the ugly, Biden said. He highlighted his administrations efforts to unite the U.S. and Angola and touted more than $40 billion in investments to Africa. Here in Angola alone, the United States has invested $3 billion during my short presidency, he said. Today, Im announcing over $1 billion in new humanitarian support for Africans displaced from homes by historic droughts and food insecurity. The president also discussed investments in infrastructure and efforts to build the first transcontinental railroad in Africa, known as the Lobito Corridor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were building railroad lines from Angola to the port of Lobito and Zambia and the DRC, he said. The Lobito Corridor would make it easier to transport raw materials quickly and efficiently. On Wednesday, Biden is scheduled to visit the coastal city of Lobito to see the corridors Atlantic Ocean outlet. The U.S. is working to counter China, which has strong influence in Africa. The presidents trip to Africa comes as he continues to face backlash for pardoning his son, Hunter Biden, after previously pledging he would not. He dodged questions from reporters about the reversal during a meeting with Lourenco on Tuesday. 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 Queen City News. HAWAII ISLAND, Hawaii (KHON2) Kimo Alameda, the newly sworn-in mayor of the Big Island, is calling for a renewed focus on the community, committing himself to be a public servant above all. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Ive had a lot of accolades in the past, and Im not looking for any acknowledgment at this time in my life. I just want to give back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alameda ran on a platform dubbed Live, Work, Play, which focuses on enhancing the quality of life for residents. Hawaii County has a new mayor Housing is a primary concern for the new mayor. When you look at your monthly expenses, the biggest expenses are mortgage or rent, he said. To address the rising cost of living, Alameda aims to encourage homeownership, noting that if youre renting your whole life, youre not thriving, youre just surviving. The mayor also intends to tackle the islands homelessness crisis by bolstering mental health and addiction services, which he sees as essential to addressing the root causes of homelessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to housing, Alameda is committed to strengthening the islands economy. One of his key goals is to support county employees. We want to maintain and retain the county workers that we have, but we also want to recruit. Theres a lot of vacancies, and I think my energy and work ethic, people are attracted to that, Alameda shared. He plans to create new job opportunities by focusing on industries that align with Hawaiis culture, such as volcanology, oceanography and alternative energy. We want to zero in on those industries that help perpetuate the culture of Hawaii, he added. Alamedas third pillar, Play, revolves around improving recreational spaces and opportunities for residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Check out more news from around Hawaii As an avid recreation enthusiast, he is determined to upgrade the islands parks, beaches, fields, and gyms. Every time I see a gym thats not occupied, to me, its a tragedy, he said. Plans include an inventory of existing parks and the addition of new facilities like pickleball courts to serve the growing demand for recreational spaces. 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. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A local group of bikers is making Christmas a whole lot merrier for kids in the care of Montgomery County Childrens Services. Bikers with the Ohio State Coalition of Clubs are riding into their seventh year of gift giving, with a $10,000 donation in gifts to kids in Montgomery County on Sunday. Its monumental for us, to continue to give back to the community, said Keith Tickle, Ohio State Coalition of Clubs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bikers arrived at the Haines Childrens Center in Dayton with more than $10,000 in gifts for local kids. Dayton businesses shine during Small Business Saturday We come together from various walks of life with motorcycles and their distinct clubs. But were unified under a general purpose, and thats to give back to the community, said Tickle. And so while you might see different patches, navigating the highways and things like that, were really all in it for a common good. These gifts will be given to children of all ages who are in Montgomery Countys care during the holidays. It speaks to the heart, said Judy Dodge, Montgomery County commissioner. And this has been so wonderful because, we have over 700 children that are in foster care. Can you imagine the smile on their face Christmas morning? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you hear the commissioners talk about the profound impact that our giving is having, it really resonates with each one of us and really fuels us to even give more and more, said Tickle. Bikers from motorcycle clubs across the state all year for this cause, and in just seven years, theyve donated over $150,000 in gifts to Montgomery County Childrens Services. For some, the desire to give back is particularly personal. We have some members in our motorcycle clubs that grew up in the system, and they understand some of the challenges that exist. And so what we really want to do is make sure we realize thats our future, said Tickle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The coalition is now expanding their reach to Cincinnati, to touch the lives of more children during the holidays. 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. A visitor leaves the Sacramento Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Rancho Cordova, California. (Rich Pedroncelli/AP) House Republicans on Tuesday unveiled new legislation to further expand veterans ability to access private-sector medical care options using taxpayer funds, a move that launches debates expected in coming years about the size and responsibilities of the Veterans Affairs health care system. The bill dubbed the Complete the Mission Act is sponsored by House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost, R-Ill., and has received strong support from several conservative activists. It would expand community care options for patients of the Veterans Health Administration to include nearly all extended care services, such as mental health residential rehabilitation, and block VA from offering telehealth appointments with department physicians in lieu of outside care options. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measure would also ease rules for consideration of community care eligibility, to include accounting for caregiver schedules and preferences. It would mandate new reimbursement rules for outside medical offices and mandate better sharing of private-sector options by VA leaders to patients. Lawmakers advance plans to boost veteran caregiver support The [original] MISSION Act transformed the delivery of health care to veterans across the nation, especially in rural and remote areas of the country, Bost said in a statement. Every veteran has earned timely options for quality health care to meet their needs no bureaucrat is allowed to stand in the way of that. Expanding choice in veterans medical benefits was a major focus of President-elect Donald Trumps first term in office, and is expected to be a point of emphasis when he takes office again next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congress approved the VA MISSION Act in June 2018, which overhauled eligibility rules for veterans outside care options. Community care options have risen significantly since then. In fiscal 2017, the department paid for nearly 27 million outside care appointments, roughly 27% of VA total scheduled medical visits. In fiscal 2023, that number grew to almost 47 million, about 39% of the total. Despite the growth, conservative groups have accused President Joe Bidens administration of trying to undermine the outside care options, through excessive rules and insufficient communication of patient choices. Theyve also accused VA leaders of working to grow their own department instead of finding ways to best serve veterans. While introducing the bill, Bost criticized VA bureaucrats standing in the way of veterans community care access. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Concerned Veterans for America Strategic Director John Byrnes said VA leaders have failed our nations heroes for nearly four years by not holding top officials accountable to act with integrity and uphold the VAs mission to treat the veterans they vowed to serve. Despite the VA MISSION Act being signed into law by President Trump, current VA leadership supports bureaucratic barriers to veterans access to community care, Byrnes continued, access that the law authorizes. VA leaders dispute that. In a hearing before the House Appropriations Committee last month, Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal stated that community care is absolutely needed for many veterans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he acknowledged that the increase in community care growth has slowed in recent years, which he said is because we are offering more appointments between medical centers that more veterans are taking us up on, and veterans are voting with their feet. Democratic lawmakers have accused their Republican colleagues of working to privatize VA, undermining the departments massive medical care system to shift more taxpayer money into private-sector businesses. Already, more than $24 billion is spent on community care appointments annually. Despite likely support in the Republican-controlled House, Bosts new measure could face trouble becoming law this year due to the compressed legislative schedule facing lawmakers. Only three weeks of session are scheduled before the 118th Congress ends, and House and Senate leaders must pass a host of other bills including a full federal budget extension and the annual defense authorization bill before Jan. 1. However, if the measure does not pass this year, its likely to become a foundational point for veterans legislative efforts in the next session, where Republicans will control the House, Senate and White House. Houston residents have been left baffled after two billboards hailing the return of Enron appeared in the city, exactly 23 years after the infamous US energy company declared bankruptcy. On Monday, multiple other promotions appeared including a new Enron website, an full-page ad in the Houston Chronicle, revamped social media accounts and a high-production value promotional video. However, despite its professional quality, it appears that the return of the company is actually an elaborate hoax put on by satirical conspiracy theorist Connor Gaydos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Enron was a major electricity, natural gas, communications and paper company, which was named by Fortune as Americas Most Innovative Company for six years in a row and employed around 20,000 people. On December 2 2001, the company filed for bankruptcy, after evidence emerged of institutionalized, systematic, and creatively planned accounting fraud which has been come to known since as the Enron scandal. A press release posted to social media on Monday December 2 2024 claimed that the company was relaunching and was dedicated to solving the global energy crisis. With a bold new vision, Enron will leverage cutting-edge technology, human ingenuity, and the spirit of adaptation to address the critical challenges of energy sustainability, accessibility, and affordability, the statement read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The release also listed four key pillars of Enrons vision all of which contained business buzzwords and other generalized statements. Public documents show that the Enron trademark, including the color scheme and logo, were bought in 2020 for $275 by a company co-owned by a sartirical conspiracy theorist (Getty Images) The world is ready for growth, transformation, and rebirth. Enron is ready to lead, the statement said. The new Enron website contains similar corporate language and stock art, as well as links to job openings, employee testimonials and a minute-long video titled I am Enron. Despite the sleek branding and site revamp, public documents show that the trademark Enron was in fact bought in 2020 by The College Company LLC, including rights to the name, image and color scheme. The trademark was bought for just $275, the documents show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The co-founder of The College Company LLC is Connor Gaydos, who, along with Peter McIndoe, created Birds Arent Real, a mock conspiracy theory claiming that the government replaced all birds with drone replicas to spy on US citizens. On December 2 2001, the company filed for bankruptcy, after evidence emerged of institutionalized, systematic, and creatively planned accounting fraud which has been come to known since as the Enron scandal (Getty Images) The joke, started by McIndoe in 2017, spiralled into a full-blown Gen-Z movement, prompting rallies and billboards and merchandise. Also available on the flashy new Enron site is a selection of clothing items on the company store which include stickers ($5), beanies ($30), T-shirts ($40), puffer vests ($89) and hoodies for ($118). When contacted for more information about the relaunch of Enron, a spokesperson told The Independent that they currently had no additional comment but would have more to share soon. A Black-owned coffee shop in Reno, Nevada, has announced plans to reopen the cafe after a challenging setback in May 2024. A car crashed into the original bakery, forcing the owner of Rising for People Coffee to close the cafe temporarily. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, were returning stronger than ever, committed to our customers and community, says founder and owner Sky Jones. Jones confirmed Rising for People Coffee will reopen in a new space in Midtown Reno in early 2025. Even with the new location and renewed strength, Jones says the company is dedicated to its mission of sustainability, social impact, and high-quality coffee. From Farmers Market To A Brick-and-Mortar Rising for People Coffee began as an online business in 2022 before expanding to local farmers markets. Jones gained a ton of community support through partnerships with local companies and involvement in local community events, including Renos Black Business Proclamation Day and Reno Food & Drink Week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rising for People Coffee is unique because it focuses on sustainability and intentional support of small, family-owned coffee farms. The company strives to partner with farms that use natural, chemical-free farming methods and prioritize fair trade practices. Beyond supporting farms that have adopted chemical-free practices, Jones adds the company is committed to ensuring farmers are paid living wages and supporting women-owned farms to ensure gender equality in the coffee industry. Jones Launches Crowdfunding Campaign To Help With Smooth Transition When Rising for People Coffee reopens, the Midtown cafe will feature Renos first Roast on Demand Service: freshly roasted beans using an energy-efficient, gas-free electric roaster that aligns with the companys goal of reducing its carbon footprint. Jones has launched a crowdfunding campaign for the new cafe that centers around loyal customers as investors. Her goal is to raise $50,000 by the end of 2024. Each donation level offers discounts on merchandise, personalized coffee blends, and exclusive tasting events. Jones says this unlocks rewards for up to $420 in store credit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Funds will help outfit the new location and ensure a smooth transition, a statement reads in a news release. To contribute, visit this link or text RisePeople to 53-555. The new cafe will be located at 121 Vesta Street in Midtown, which Jones describes as a vibrant area poised for development. RELATED CONTENT: Pusha T Launches Grindin Coffee Brand With Exclusive Los Angeles Pop-Up The stormy relationship between Doug and Ashley Benefield, the star-crossed couple at the heart of the notorious "Black Swan" murder case, began and ended with a .45 caliber gun, according to what was revealed publicly over the years. During testimony at Ashley Benefield's murder trial in July 2024, she said that the evening she met Doug Benefield at an upscale political dinner, she was carrying a .45 caliber gun in her bra. Assistant State Attorney Suzanne O'Donnell, who prosecuted the homicide case for Manatee County, Florida, put this question to Ashley during the trial: "You actually bragged about having guns, correct?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Yes," Ashley Benefield replied. "During the time that you met Doug at a political event, you had one of the guns in your bra?" O'Donnell asked. "Yes. That's where I conceal it, carry it," Ashley Benefield testified. The story of Ashley and Doug Benefield is featured in a two-hour broadcast, "The Case of the Black Swan, Part 1 and Part 2," now streaming on Paramount+. The special broadcast, reported by "48 Hours" contributor Jim Axelrod, will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the couple's seesaw relationship from the time they met in 2016 until the night in September 2020 when Ashley killed Doug, allegedly in self-defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At her murder trial in July 2024, Ashley Benefield testified for the first time about what she says happened the night she shot and killed Doug Benefield. In emotionally charged testimony, she claimed the shooting was in self-defense after Doug hit her and cornered her in a bedroom. She said that's when she reached for her nearby .45 caliber gun that was on top of a storage bin. "I just held the gun like in front of me and I said, stop, and he like turned and he got into this like almost like a fighting stance. He started like moving his arms and his hands aroundhe started coming towards me and he lunged at me, and I just pulled the trigger," Ashley Benefield testified at her trial. Ashley Benefield's lawyer Neil Taylor then said, "Tell the ladies and gentlemen of the jury why you shot Doug." "I was scared to death," she said. "I thought he was gonna kill me." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State prosecutors called Ashley Benefield a "manipulator" and claimed she killed Doug Benefield as part of her plot to gain sole custody of their now-6-year-old daughter, Emerson. When investigators and crime scene technicians searched the house after the shooting, they found two other loaded guns. One of Ashley Benefield's guns was found in her backpack hanging in the closet of the bedroom where the shooting took place. A third gun belonging to Ashley's mother was found in a kitchen pantry, according to the testimony of a crime scene technician for the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. At the time, Doug Benefield was helping Ashley and her mother pack for a move to Maryland. "Why does anyone need three loaded guns, unsecured, in a house with a 2-and-a-half-year-old?" asked Stephanie Murphy, Doug Benefield's family lawyer. "There's no answer to me other than the obvious, which is that she planned to kill Doug that night." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Ashley's lawyer Neil Taylor had a different take, as he told Axelrod when Axelrod asked Taylor, "What caused her to have three loaded guns in the house, the night she shot and killed Doug?" According to Taylor, it was all part and parcel of the fear Ashley Benefield felt around Doug Benefield as an abused woman. "What might you think would precipitate such a circumstance?" Taylor responded. "Do you think fear, anticipation?" Ashley Benefield admitted on the stand that Doug Benefield had never struck her before she alleges he did so on the night of the shooting. But in earlier court hearings when Doug Benefield was still alive, he did admit to an episode early in their marriage when he fired a gun into their kitchen ceiling in order to stop Ashley Benefield from arguing with him. He also admitted striking their family dog, named Sully. Ashley Benefield claimed Doug Benefield punched the dog and knocked him out but Doug said he only had pushed the dog when it climbed into his lap while he was having an argument with Ashley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ashley Benefield, a former ballerina, was found guilty of manslaughter in July 2024 for shooting her estranged husband Doug Benefield twice with her .45 caliber gun inside her Florida home in September 2020. On Dec. 3, 2024, Ashley Benefield was sentenced to 20 years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of probation. Ashley Benefield's lawyers claimed there was prosecutorial and juror misconduct during the trial and asked for a new trial. The prosecution denied that any misconduct took place. The judge denied the defense motion. Maryland island struggles to survive impact of rising sea level, erosion | 60 Minutes Kate Winslet: The 60 Minutes Interview Trump transition team dismisses Hegseth allegations BEIRUT, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli airstrike on Monday night struck a house in the village of Haris in southern Lebanon, killing five people and wounding two others, said the Lebanese Health Ministry. The strike is the latest in a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting several areas of southern Lebanon on Monday, including the Iqlim al-Tuffah region, the municipalities of Yater, Jbaa, and Hanin, as well as the town of Shebaa and the village of Arnoun. In addition, earlier in the day, the Lebanese Red Cross and official sources reported that four were killed and three injured in Israeli attacks on the municipality of Talloussah, the town of Marjeyoun, and the village of Aainata in southern Lebanon. Accusing Israel of "repeatedly violating" a ceasefire agreement that began last week, Hezbollah on Monday fired two mortars at Israeli positions near the Lebanon border. The ceasefire agreement, brokered by the United States and France, went into effect on Nov. 27, aiming to halt nearly 14 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Under the agreement, both sides agreed to a 60-day cessation of hostilities, with Israel gradually withdrawing its forces from southern Lebanon and Hezbollah retreating north of the Litani River. Despite the truce, tensions remain high as both sides exchange accusations of ceasefire violations, raising concerns about the agreement's durability. Public health officials across the world are monitoring the spread of a deadly virus ominously known as "bleeding eye disease". But what exactly is it? At least 66 people have been infected and 15 people have died from an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in Rwanda as of November 29, according to an update from the country's Ministry of Health. MVD, which is frequently fatal and is related to the much better-known Ebola virus, is sometimes known as "bleeding eye disease" because it damages people's blood vessels, causing them to bleed from various orifices including their eyes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October the WHO warned against all travel to Rwanda, while the UK's national public health agency warned travellers visiting Rwanda to avoid a host of activities such as participating in burial rituals or coming into contact with wild animals. The outbreak now seems to have slowed, with Nov 29 marking 28 days without a new case and 22 days since the last patient was discharged from hospital, although there is long incubation period, according to Rwandan officials. However, the disease is just one of several viruses that have concerned global health experts in recent weeks, with further cases of monkeypox (often shortened to "Mpox") identified in the UK and California. A medical worker disinfects a tent used for suspected Ebola victims inside the Ebola isolation center of Madudu Health Center III, in the village of Madudu, in the Mubende district of Uganda on Nov. 1, 2022. (Associated Press) Ebolas nasty twin The Marburg virus was first described by scientists in 1967 following an outbreak in the German cities of Marburg and Frankfurt, and the-then Yugoslavian capital of Belgrade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's part of a family of microrganisms known as filoviruses, which also includes the deadly Ebola. In fact, the two are "clinically almost indistinguishable", according to the UK's government-run Travel Health Pro website. MVD is thought to be generally spread to humans via fruit bats, and can incubate quietly in a person's body without symptoms for up to 21 days (the average is five to nine days). After up to five days of fever, patients begun to suffer damage to their blood vessels, which can cause internal bleeding, psychological symptoms such as confusion and aggression, and persistent bleeding from the nose, gums, vagina, eyes, mouth, or ears. Without treatment it is usually lethal, with an estimated case fatality rate of about 62 percent. Partly for that reason, the WHO has classified MVD as having high pandemic potential. Although there is no specific antiviral therapy known to be effective, there is a potential vaccine under research, which has been administered to more than 1,500 health workers in Rwanda as part of a clinical trial. Heavy traffic moves along the 101 freeway in Los Angeles. Californias federal waiver to set stricter limits for automotive emissions is likely to be one of the environmental rules that President-elect Donald Trump will attempt to roll back. (Photo by Mario Tama / Getty Images) President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to slash federal climate, clean air and clean water regulations during his second term an agenda that could target rules governing everything from auto emissions to power plant pollution to drinking water standards. Trump has said that Lee Zeldin, his nominee to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Business groups and many Republican leaders are cheering Trumps plan to weaken environmental protections, arguing they are too strict and harm the economy. But in states that have focused on tackling climate change and pollution, attorneys general and lawmakers are preparing to fight back by filing lawsuits, enacting their own regulations or staffing up state environmental agencies. State leaders say theyve been battle tested by the first Trump administration, in which his agencies tried to roll back more than 100 environmental rules. Courts struck down many of those rollbacks after legal challenges. One of the things we learned during Trump 1.0 is that Trump has an enormous capacity to break the law, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat, said in an interview with Stateline. Theres a way for regulations to be created, and a way for them to be changed. If the law isnt followed, as it often was not during the first Trump administration, we will sue, and as in the past, we will win. Of the roughly 120 lawsuits brought by California against the first Trump administration, 70 were environmental cases, Bonta said. The state won a majority of those cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bontas office will be one of the lead players in efforts to stop Trumps deregulatory agenda. Hes asking state lawmakers to increase his agencys staff and budget as it prepares for four years of battling with the federal government. Trench warfare Environmental advocates say theyre not sure which environmental rules Trump will attack first. The best bet is the EPAs waivers that allow California to set its own limits, stricter than federal rules, for automotive emissions. Many other states, comprising 40% of the light-duty vehicle market, follow the California standards. [California] needs federal support on reducing transportation emissions, really centered on our waivers from the EPA, said Ethan Elkind, director of the climate program at the Center for Law, Energy & the Environment at the UC Berkeley School of Law. Thats where were most vulnerable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump sought to revoke Californias waivers during his first administration, an effort that was tied up in legal battles for the entire term. California leaders say the Clean Air Act does not allow the EPA to arbitrarily strip its waivers. Following last months election, California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom visited Washington, D.C., to push the Biden administration for rapid approval of eight additional waivers, covering heavy-duty vehicles, yard equipment, trains, cargo trucks and other categories. Meanwhile, 17 red states, led by Ohio, filed a legal challenge earlier this year to Californias authority to exceed federal auto emissions standards. Theyre seeking to have the case taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court. The Trump administration would likely back that effort, and environmental groups fear the conservative-leaning court could threaten the long-standing waivers. Attorneys general in numerous blue states also are preparing to play defense on a host of other rules issued by the Biden administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They could include power plant emissions, methane leaks from oil and gas operations, PFAS pollution in drinking water, water quality on tribal lands, endangered species and permitting for infrastructure projects. Trump will likely also attempt to ramp up oil drilling on public lands, cancel funding for clean energy projects and halt offshore wind leases. In liberal states, officials say those actions would threaten their work to fight climate change and protect the environment. Leaders on both sides expect a busy four years for lawyers. The idea of Trump-proofing [environmental policy] basically just means being ready to go to court, Elkind said. Its going to be trench warfare in the courts. State backstops Some states again may seek to enact backstop state laws if federal protections are repealed. For instance, California lawmakers considered a bill in 2017 that would have given state-level protections to all species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. That way, if Trumps wildlife officials stripped species from the list, they would still be protected under California law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement States will continue to act, because the demands for clean air and water and safer products are there. Sarah Doll, national director of Safer States That measure did not advance, but with Trump taking office again, lawmakers could have newfound interest in protecting endangered species at the state level, said Dylan McDowell, executive director of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators, a collaborative forum for state lawmakers. Thats an area where states can really focus on strengthening things within their own borders, McDowell said. States can look at the existing federal standard and set it as a floor rather than a ceiling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Trump rolls back other rules on issues such as water quality, state lawmakers could start having similar conversations. States often have the authority to set standards that are more stringent than the federal government, noted Stan Meiburg, executive director of the Andrew Sabin Family Center for Environment and Sustainability at Wake Forest University. That becomes the question that states have to face: Is the protection we have left adequate to meet the environmental values we have as a state? he said. If its not, you need state legislation to protect that. Its unclear how Trump will act on some issues, including PFAS, or forever chemicals a class of chemicals used in a host of consumer goods that dont break down naturally and have been shown to increase health risks. Earlier this year, the EPA issued drinking water standards to limit exposure to the dangerous chemicals, following years of bipartisan work at the state level to deal with contamination issues. However, some industry groups and drinking water utilities have pushed back on the federal rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regardless of whether Trumps EPA tries to revoke the rule, environmental advocates expect state lawmakers to continue their work on the issue. There is bipartisan support for PFAS protections, said Sarah Doll, national director of Safer States, an alliance of environmental health groups focused on toxic chemicals. States will continue to act, because the demands for clean air and water and safer products are there. Staffing concerns In addition to rollbacks of specific rules, Trump could cut funding and staffing for the EPA. Some states fear that an understaffed EPA would leave them without critical support for monitoring, analysis and enforcement of air and water quality. If theres going to be cuts at the federal level, we need to make those up at the state level, said Massachusetts state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, a Democrat. There already wasnt sufficient staffing in our state environment and climate agencies. Thats an area where I hope theres a greater focus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In New York, lawmakers in 2022 tried to enact protections for certain streams after the first Trump administration weakened safeguards for such waterways. But the effort failed because state regulators said they lacked the capacity to oversee a new program, said Democratic Assemblymember Deborah Glick. There has been some rebuilding underway [at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation], and it will need significant improvement, Glick said. Weve been trying to backfill openings. Cuts at the EPA could add to the burden facing the state agency, she said, a factor that budget writers in the state legislature will have to consider. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Detroit traffic | Susan J. Demas President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to slash federal climate, clean air and clean water regulations during his second term an agenda that could target rules governing everything from auto emissions to power plant pollution to drinking water standards. Trump has said that Lee Zeldin, his nominee to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Business groups and many Republican leaders are cheering Trumps plan to weaken environmental protections, arguing they are too strict and harm the economy. But in states that have focused on tackling climate change and pollution, attorneys general and lawmakers are preparing to fight back by filing lawsuits, enacting their own regulations or staffing up state environmental agencies. State leaders say theyve been battle tested by the first Trump administration, in which his agencies tried to roll back more than 100 environmental rules. Courts struck down many of those rollbacks after legal challenges. One of the things we learned during Trump 1.0 is that Trump has an enormous capacity to break the law, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat, said in an interview with Stateline. Theres a way for regulations to be created, and a way for them to be changed. If the law isnt followed, as it often was not during the first Trump administration, we will sue, and as in the past, we will win. Of the roughly 120 lawsuits brought by California against the first Trump administration, 70 were environmental cases, Bonta said. The state won a majority of those cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bontas office will be one of the lead players in efforts to stop Trumps deregulatory agenda. Hes asking state lawmakers to increase his agencys staff and budget as it prepares for four years of battling with the federal government. Trench warfare Environmental advocates say theyre not sure which environmental rules Trump will attack first. The best bet is the EPAs waivers that allow California to set its own limits, stricter than federal rules, for automotive emissions. Many other states, comprising 40% of the light-duty vehicle market, follow the California standards. [California] needs federal support on reducing transportation emissions, really centered on our waivers from the EPA, said Ethan Elkind, director of the climate program at the Center for Law, Energy & the Environment at the UC Berkeley School of Law. Thats where were most vulnerable. Trump sought to revoke Californias waivers during his first administration, an effort that was tied up in legal battles for the entire term. California leaders say the Clean Air Act does not allow the EPA to arbitrarily strip its waivers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following last months election, California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom visited Washington, D.C., to push the Biden administration for rapid approval of eight additional waivers, covering heavy-duty vehicles, yard equipment, trains, cargo trucks and other categories. Meanwhile, 17 red states, led by Ohio, filed a legal challenge earlier this year to Californias authority to exceed federal auto emissions standards. Theyre seeking to have the case taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court. The Trump administration would likely back that effort, and environmental groups fear the conservative-leaning court could threaten the long-standing waivers. Attorneys general in numerous blue states also are preparing to play defense on a host of other rules issued by the Biden administration. They could include power plant emissions, methane leaks from oil and gas operations, PFAS pollution in drinking water, water quality on tribal lands, endangered species and permitting for infrastructure projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump will likely also attempt to ramp up oil drilling on public lands, cancel funding for clean energy projects and halt offshore wind leases. In liberal states, officials say those actions would threaten their work to fight climate change and protect the environment. Leaders on both sides expect a busy four years for lawyers. The idea of Trump-proofing [environmental policy] basically just means being ready to go to court, Elkind said. Its going to be trench warfare in the courts. State backstops Some states again may seek to enact backstop state laws if federal protections are repealed. For instance, California lawmakers considered a bill in 2017 that would have given state-level protections to all species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. That way, if Trumps wildlife officials stripped species from the list, they would still be protected under California law. States will continue to act, because the demands for clean air and water and safer products are there. Sarah Doll, national director of Safer States That measure did not advance, but with Trump taking office again, lawmakers could have newfound interest in protecting endangered species at the state level, said Dylan McDowell, executive director of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators, a collaborative forum for state lawmakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats an area where states can really focus on strengthening things within their own borders, McDowell said. States can look at the existing federal standard and set it as a floor rather than a ceiling. If Trump rolls back other rules on issues such as water quality, state lawmakers could start having similar conversations. States often have the authority to set standards that are more stringent than the federal government, noted Stan Meiburg, executive director of the Andrew Sabin Family Center for Environment and Sustainability at Wake Forest University. That becomes the question that states have to face: Is the protection we have left adequate to meet the environmental values we have as a state? he said. If its not, you need state legislation to protect that. Its unclear how Trump will act on some issues, including PFAS, or forever chemicals a class of chemicals used in a host of consumer goods that dont break down naturally and have been shown to increase health risks. Earlier this year, the EPA issued drinking water standards to limit exposure to the dangerous chemicals, following years of bipartisan work at the state level to deal with contamination issues. However, some industry groups and drinking water utilities have pushed back on the federal rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regardless of whether Trumps EPA tries to revoke the rule, environmental advocates expect state lawmakers to continue their work on the issue. There is bipartisan support for PFAS protections, said Sarah Doll, national director of Safer States, an alliance of environmental health groups focused on toxic chemicals. States will continue to act, because the demands for clean air and water and safer products are there. Staffing concerns In addition to rollbacks of specific rules, Trump could cut funding and staffing for the EPA. Some states fear that an understaffed EPA would leave them without critical support for monitoring, analysis and enforcement of air and water quality. If theres going to be cuts at the federal level, we need to make those up at the state level, said Massachusetts state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, a Democrat. There already wasnt sufficient staffing in our state environment and climate agencies. Thats an area where I hope theres a greater focus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In New York, lawmakers in 2022 tried to enact protections for certain streams after the first Trump administration weakened safeguards for such waterways. But the effort failed because state regulators said they lacked the capacity to oversee a new program, said Democratic Assemblymember Deborah Glick. There has been some rebuilding underway [at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation], and it will need significant improvement, Glick said. Weve been trying to backfill openings. Cuts at the EPA could add to the burden facing the state agency, she said, a factor that budget writers in the state legislature will have to consider. 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. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Dec. 3A clemency hearing for an Oklahoma death row inmate was rescheduled following pressure from the state's Attorney General's Office. Kevin Ray Underwood, 44, is scheduled to be executed on Dec. 19, his birthday, by lethal injection in the death chamber at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board was originally scheduled to meet Wednesday to consider clemency for Underwood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents filed by the Oklahoma AG's Office on Monday state the Board on Nov. 29 canceled its regular December meeting and Underwood's clemency hearing after Board Chairman Calvin Prince III and member Edward Konieczny both resigned from the five-person Board. The emergency motion filed by the AG requested the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals to force the Board into meeting on Wednesday. Hours after the filing, the Board agreed to reschedule the hearing for Dec. 9 at 9 a.m. The Board's regular December meeting remains canceled. Attorneys for the AG's Office stated the Board, despite the resignations, maintained the minimum quorum needed to meet and consider clemency for Underwood. The AG's Office also argued the sudden cancellation of the hearing appears to not comply with Oklahoma's Open Meetings Act as the cancellation notice was not issued at least 10 days prior to the meeting date. Despite rescheduling the hearing for Underwood, the Board responded to the emergency motion, arguing the State "has no right to decide the timing of clemency hearings." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Board states Underwood has a clear right to an impartial five-person board per the Oklahoma Constitution. "Based upon a whim, the State asks this Court to violate Kevin Underwood's state and federal constitutional rights solely because it does not want to postpone Underwood's execution for a couple of weeks," the Board's attorney wrote. "Not wanting to disturb holiday plans, the State already requested Underwood's execution be set a week earlier than the expected 90-days after the last execution." A Cleveland County jury sentenced Underwood to death for acting on his fantasies of cannibalism and killing Jamie Rose Bolin on April 12, 2006, in his apartment. He admitted to investigators during an interview he lured the girl into his apartment to play with his pet rat. While watching a cartoon show, he admitted to hitting the girl in the back of the head with a cutting board before suffocating her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Underwood also admitted he tried to sexually assault the girl's body and attempted to remove her head with a knife. The man said he then became "disgusted with himself" and did not eat the girl as he planned to fulfill his fantasy. Bolin was found stuffed in a plastic container by an FBI agent in Underwood's apartment Underwood was originally scheduled to be executed on Dec. 7, 2023, prior to the AG's office asking for more time in between executions to lessen the workload on Oklahoma Department of Corrections employees. Boston Police are seeking the publics help in finding 40-year-old Andre Jeffreys of Roxbury, who has been missing for more than two weeks. Jeffreys was last seen by a family member on the afternoon of Tuesday, Nov. 12, police said Monday. He has no reported medical or mental health issues. Police described Jeffreys as a non-Hispanic Black male, standing approximately 6 feet tall with a medium build and facial hair. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to call 911 or Boston Police detectives at 617-343-4275. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can also share information anonymously by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting the word TIP to CRIME (27463). 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 Sydney Maughon, 19, was sentenced to life in prison for fatally shooting Johnathan Gilbert in 2023 Spalding County Sheriff's Office/Facebook McKenzie Davenport, Jeremy Munson and Sydney Maughon McKenzie Davenport, Jeremy Munson and Sydney Maughon A young Georgia woman who pleaded guilty to fatally shooting a man after a plan to egg his house went horribly wrong has been sentenced to life in prison. On Nov. 20, Sydney Maughon, 19, reached an agreement with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to malice murder in connection with the 2023 shooting death of Johnathan Gilbert, 22, online court records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Dec. 2, she was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. The sentence stems from an incident on July 3, 2023, when Spalding County sheriffs deputies found Gilbert dead on the ground from an apparent gunshot wound, the sheriffs office said in a release. It appears that there was an ongoing lovers quarrel and the suspects decided to go to Gilberts residence on Dobbins Mill and vandalize it by egging it, Sheriff Darrell Dix said in the release. Maughon, then 18, was there with Jeremy Munson, who was 18 at the time, and McKenzie Davenport, who was 19 at the time, the sheriff said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: 3 Georgia Teens Accused of Murdering Man After Plot to Egg His House Goes Wrong According to the Spalding County District Attorneys Office, Maughon was in a relationship with Gilbert, who was visiting the home of another woman with whom Maughon wanted to fight, WSB-TV reports. Maughon was angry when she realized Gilbert was there. When he came out of his house to confront them, they began throwing eggs at him, the DA said, WSB-TV reports. The suspects raced back to their car and as Gilbert, who was unarmed, approached them, Maughon, who was sitting in the backseat of the car, produced a firearm and shot him multiple times, Dix said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspects then drove away, leaving Gilbert in the middle of Dobbins Mill Road, he said. Their investigation led them to Maughon, Munson and Davenport. Maughon was charged with murder, malice murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, battery-family violence and criminal trespass. Munson was charged with murder, malice murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, battery and criminal trespass. Davenport was charged with malice murder, battery and criminal trespass. 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. Because they all plotted and planned together, and traveled to the location with the intent to commit a crime that led up to the murder together, they are all culpable just as if they had each pulled the trigger themselves, Dix said in the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They went to egg a house, the victim confronted them while they were doing it, he lost his life, and they drove off and left his body in the middle of the road, he said. Together they bought that ticket; now together they can ride that ride. Davenport pleaded guilty to criminal trespass and simple battery and was sentenced to 24 months behind bars, according to online records. Munson is scheduled for trial in March 2025. According to Law & Crime, the Spalding County District Attorneys Office offered him a plea deal. He is waiting for his attorney to return from a leave of absence to accept or deny it, Senior Assistant District Attorney Audrey Holliday told Law & Crime. The Spalding County District Attorneys Office and the suspects attorneys did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment. CHICAGO A 14-year-old boy was shot to death in an apartment building on the citys West Side. The fatal shooting happened around 10:20 p.m. Monday on the 2200 block of South Christiana Avenue in the Little Village neighborhood. According to police, officers responded to a call of a person shot at an apartment building. Upon arrival, officers found a 14-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to the chest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said officers attempted life-saving measures on scene. He was transported to Stroger Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The medical examiner has identified the teen as Joshua Sanchez. Chicago Lawn shooting: Police continue to investigate Monday incident that left 3 dead, 5 wounded No one is in custody. Area Four Detectives are 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. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois is scrambling to keep the lights on for several Springfield afterschool programs after a state agency declined to renew a federal grant. The organization announced Monday that the Illinois State Board of Education did not renew a $1.2 million grant. This put them, the largest no-cost afterschool childcare program for Springfield public school students, with no money to fund many of their programs. Springfield Police shut down Venezuelan gang threat rumors Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The affected club programs are at Dubois Elementary School, Fairview Elementary School, Matheny-Withrow Elementary School, Ridgely Elementary School, St. Patricks Catholic School, Black Hawk Elementary School, Harvard Park Elementary School and Franklin Middle School. BGCCIL said around 700 students and their families will have no alternative afterschool childcare and 70 staff members will be without jobs with the loss of the grant. Those programs will end after a decade of service. For many of the families we serve, parents are already living paycheck to paycheck. Tiffany Mathis Posey, BGCCILs CEO and Executive Director, said in a release. Without free afterschool care parents may have to cut back on work hours or quit altogether to care for their children. Even worse, some may be forced to leave their children at home alone. Mathis Posey also is worried the ramifications of losing a large afterschool program will put additional pressure on more public services in the community like food pantries and social service agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This news comes at a time when the youth we serve are facing unprecedented challenges, from community violence and academic setbacks to food insecurity and homelessness, she said. Springfield family hosting 40th annual football game The federal Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant is distributed across the state by the State Board of Education. In a statement to WCIA, an ISBE spokesperson said all five-year grants can only be renewed once. ISBE fully supports after school programs and the many benefits they provide to students and families, the spokesperson said. However, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers NOFO/RFP is a federal competitive grant with a limited amount of funds available on a cyclical basis. ISBE encourages grantees to refer to their sustainability plans and to work with their school district partners regarding continuing services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BGCCIL leadership said they were never made aware of a rule that organizations could only renew their grants once. None of the agencies that were awarded the grants were in Central Illinois and none were awarded to long-standing, ongoing programs. BGCCIL has launched a fundraising drive to help keep club sites open. Donations are accepted on their website. 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. Dec. 2 (UPI) -- It's 2024, so even if you haven't yet heard about the new Word of the Year, chances are you probably have experienced it. Brain rot. On Monday, Oxford University Press -- the publishing house of the University of Oxford -- announced that "brain rot" is the 2024 Word of the Year after more than 37,000 votes and an analysis of its use, particularly online. In announcing the news, editors said experts realized that the concept of brain rot was growing in "prominence this year as a term used to capture concerns about the impact of consuming excessive amounts of low-quality online content, especially on social media." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oxford University Press editors said the term increased in usage frequency by 230% between 2023 and 2024, and they particularly noted that it was something being promoted heavily this year on TikTok, too. The University of Oxford, which has been teaching English words and how to use them since as early as 1096, defined the concept of brain rot as: "(n.) Supposed deterioration of a person's mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as a result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging. Also: something characterized as likely to lead to such deterioration." And it's far from a new usage of words, either, the editors freely admit. In fact, it was first recorded in Henry David Thoreau's Walden, in which the early American essayist discussed his attempt to lead a simpler, purer life alongside nature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oxford editors said Thoreau -- in criticizing society's search for simple answers to complex issues -- first brought the term to life in 1854 when he wrote, "While England endeavors to cure the potato rot, will not any endeavor to cure the brain-rot -- which prevails so much more widely and fatally?" Now, Oxford editors say, the same term has "taken on new significance in the digital age," noting that "brain rot" enjoys widespread use even in mainstream journalism as society expresses unease today on the effect of its overconsumption of digital content. More about the voting process for this year's word selection and a look at previously chosen words can be found here. People with prosthetic limbs practice during a physiotherapy session at a rehabilitation center run by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Kabul, Afghanistan, Nov. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ang) "I feel dizzy whenever I hear the word of mine," Ruqia, a 15-year-old Afghan girl who lost her foot at five in a landmine explosion, expressed her sadness about being unable to join her friends in outdoor games. KABUL, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- As the world is going to mark the International Day of People with Disabilities on Tuesday to shed light on the rights of the war victims, injured Afghans have denounced the war and explosive devices as the enemy of human being, calling for lasting peace in their war-battered country. "I hate mines and explosive objects. I feel dizzy whenever I hear the word of mine," Ruqia, a 15-year-old Afghan girl who lost her foot in a landmine explosion told Xinhua at a rehabilitation center, run by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Kabul. Expressing her hatred towards war and explosive devices, she recounted the traumatic incident that changed her life forever. "I was five and traveling from Ghor province to Kabul when our vehicle hit a landmine. The explosion severed my foot," Ruqia recalled. A child with prosthetic limbs practices during a physiotherapy session at a rehabilitation center run by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Kabul, Afghanistan, Nov. 26, 2024. (Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) Afghanistan remains one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, with remnants of more than four decades of war and civil strife endangering lives every day. Children are often the victims of these deadly explosives, which continue to maim and kill indiscriminately. Despite her physical challenges, Ruqia dreams of a brighter future. "I want to become a doctor so I can help other victims of landmines," she said. Using an ICRC-provided prosthetic limb, she spoke of her sadness at being unable to join her friends in outdoor games. Like Ruqia, Amanullah is another mine victim who often visits the ICRC-run rehabilitation center in Kabul to check his health condition and repair his artificial leg. Staff members make prosthetic limbs at a rehabilitation center run by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Kabul, Afghanistan, Nov. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ang) Recalling his ordeal, the dejected man said that, in 2001, while he was a student in Jalalabad, a mine explosion went off and severed his foot as he went to perform ablution. "War brings nothing but destruction. It destroys lives, leaves people disabled and ruins the country," Amanullah lamented. War-battered Afghanistan is among the most mine-contaminated countries. "About 15,000 to 16,000 people with disabilities register with us annually. Out of these, about 1,500 are war-related disabled people," Najmudin Hilal, head of the ICRC hospital in Kabul, told Xinhua in his office. Approximately 80 percent of the war-related disabled people had been affected by mines and had lost a hand or foot in the mine blasts, the official said. A man works at a rehabilitation center run by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Kabul, Afghanistan, Nov. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ang) Hilal himself is also a victim of a mine explosion. He described the landmines as a "sleeping enemy," recalling that he was 18 years old when a mine cut off his feet, leaving him for one year in hospital to recover. "We see 200 to 250 patients daily in Kabul alone and we have registered more than 150,000 disabled individuals so far in Kabul. We have seven rehabilitation centers in the country, with more than 268,000 disabled persons being registered," Hilal, who joined ICRC in 1988, told Xinhua. According to UNMAS, about 45,300 Afghan civilians have been recorded to have been killed or injured by landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) since 1989. The average monthly civilian casualties from explosive devices in Afghanistan currently stand at around 50 individuals. ERW from armed clashes caused nearly 86 percent of the casualties recorded from January 2023 to August 2024. In the same year, more than 89 percent of the ERW casualties were children. Breyten Breytenbach, who has died aged 85, was a South African poet, painter and political activist writing within the Afrikaner culture, who despite living in Paris for many years became a rallying point for South African dissidents. His literary fame was increased by his political role, but he was anyway one of the most significant postwar writers in Afrikaans, a member of the group of Sestigers (Sixtiers) who modernised the modern Akrikaner literary consciousness in the 1960s. His rise was rapid and he won numerous prizes in South Africa, including one in 1976 when he was in prison. He was also a painter of merit, inspired by Goya and Bosch: his first solo exhibition was in Edinburgh in 1962, followed by many others in Europe (including two during his imprisonment), most notably at the Galerie Espace in Amsterdam. In 1994 he exhibited in South Africa and in 1997 in Hong Kong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His magnum opus was The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist, his masterly account of his time on the run and in jail. He had been imprisoned unjustly for seven years, and the book was his revenge. The New York Times review said it seems to have been ripped from his entrails. Mocking and sensitive, off-hand and bombastic, mystical and raging he has no time here for the classical virtues of proportion or restraint it is a book that is almost defiantly unaesthetic. Breytenbach wrote many moving and passionate love poems, but was never afraid of using his poetry to castigate white South Africa. He co-founded the Sestigers movement with Andre Brink; the aim was to promote Afrikaans as a literary language and use it to speak truth to power. One literary critic described it as a cultural revolt within the heart of Afrikanerdom. True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist Breyten Breytenbach was born in Bonnievale, Western Cape, on September 16 1939. His father was a prosperous farmer and shopkeeper, while his older brother Jan went on to join the South African army. The family moved to Wellington, near Cape Town, and Breyten was head boy at the Huguenot High School. From 1957 to 1959 he studied at the Michaelis School of Fine Art in Cape Town but dropped out to move to Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He packed cardboard boxes in a London factory, worked as a porter at Euston Station, taught in a Berlitz language school in Norway and spent nine months cooking on a yacht in the Mediterranean before settling in Paris. There, he started writing and painting, and first became involved in political activity. He married the daughter of Vietnams ambassador to France, Ngo Thi Hoang Lien, known as Yolande, in 1962, and remained based in Paris until his imprisonment in South Africa in 1975. In 1964 he published his first poetry collection, Die ysterkoei moet sweet (The Iron Cow Must Sweat), which had a profound influence on Afrikaans literature, but he was deeply critical of his fellow Afrikaner writers who turned a blind eye to the iniquities of apartheid. His exile lasted so long because he and Yolande were unable to visit South Africa as she was non-white, meaning that they could not live together, or even travel in the same railway carriage. In 1968 they were allowed to set foot on South African soil from a tourist ship for eight hours, then in 1973 Yolande was finally granted a visa, and they returned for three months travelling round in a caravan, as mixed-race couples were barred from hotels. As Breytenbach described in his book A Season in Paradise, during their trip they were followed around by the security police. Breytenbach in Paris, 1989 - julio donoso/Sygma via Getty Images In 1975 he went back clandestinely, posing as a Frenchman, to find recruits for an obscure revolutionary group named Okhela (a Zulu word meaning burn, spark or ignite). But his cover was blown, and he was arrested at Johannesburg Airport in August 1975 after checking in for a flight to Rome. He had been followed almost continuously, exposing his contacts, but he was not ostracised, presumably on the basis that he had been unlucky and amateurish rather than treacherous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The operation had indeed been incompetent. Breytenbachs disguise had been inadequate it amounted to shaving off his beard and wearing different spectacles and he held meetings with old friends. It transpired that the security police had known about his visit before he landed in the country and had even facilitated the issuing of a visa in his assumed identity. At his trial he made a full confession and publicly apologised to the prime minister John Vorster for his poem Brief uit die vreemde aan slagter (Letter from Abroad to the Butcher), having been assured that he would thereby receive a light sentence, but the authorities reneged on the deal and he was sentenced to nine years under the Terrorism Act the first time a major literary figure had been imprisoned in the country. Two years later he was tried again on a further 17 charges, including the accusation that he had tried to recruit a prison warder to the cause, which would have made him eligible for the death penalty. Looking shrunken and ill, he was defended by lawyers battle-hardened by political trials, and he was acquitted of everything except smuggling letters and poems out of prison, for which he was fined R50 (about 30 at the time). The judge found that there was no evidence that Okhela even existed in South Africa. Danielle Mitterrand and Breytenbach in 1989 with Ernest Malajas, who was detained for 19 years in jail in South Africa - PIERRE VERDY/AFP In Pretoria Central Prison he was kept in the execution block: You could always hear the singing of those who were condemned to death, he said. He was not allowed to attend his mothers funeral, and in 1978 the Minister of Prisons confirmed in Parliament that he had refused two publishers permission to include a photograph of Breytenbach in school poetry books. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1982 he was freed partly thanks to pressure from the French president, Francois Mitterrand on the condition that he left the country. Though he loved the Afrikaans language, the following year he said he had given up describing himself as Afrikaner because of the toxic political connotations. In 1984 he published his masterly The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist. He gave few details about Okhela, though he did reveal that he had tried to recruit his fellow activist Steve Biko, who was murdered by security officers in 1977. In 1987 Breytenbach was refused permission to visit his ageing father, and again in February 1988 after he had been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of the Western Cape. Two months later he was allowed to go back to receive a literary award. In his acceptance speech he upset the organisers by stating that Afrikanerdoms chief contribution to world literature had been to build a monument to racism. In July 1989 he was allowed to spend four days with his father. He had become a special adviser to Francois Mitterands wife Danielle, and in 1987 they organised the Paris end of the Dakar Conference, an initiative that brought together the exiled ANC and prominent white South Africans. Return to Paradise Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Breytenbachs 1993 book Return to Paradise chronicled his experiences in post-apartheid South Africa but conveyed a deep pessimism about the countrys prospects. The book may not be particularly uplifting, the Telegraph critic wrote, but it has the mesmerising quality of a nightmare sculpted by Salvador Dali. He became a vocal critic of Nelson Mandelas government and believed that the ANC had become a corrupt organisation. Breytenbach was a visiting professor at the University of Cape Town from 2000 to 2003. In France he was appointed a Chevalier of the Legion dhonneur. Breyten Breytenbach married Yolande Ngo Thi Hoang Lien in 1962; she survives him with their daughter. Breyten Breytenbach, born September 16 1939, died November 24 2024 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. Britain and France are considering deploying troops to Ukraine to monitor a ceasefire should Kyiv and Moscow begin peace talks, according to an anonymous senior Nato official. Paris and London are preparing options for a variety of situations that could unfold in Ukraine, the official told Radio Free Europe. One option would involve sending a task force of troops to the contact line to enforce an armistice. These discussions are taking place between national governments and not within Nato structures, the official added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes after French newspaper Le Monde reported last week that France and Britain had begun discussions about sending troops to Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky said for the first time last week that he was willing to temporarily cede territory to Russia to end the war if the current conflict were to be frozen along current lines. The Ukrainian president added that after a ceasefire was agreed, Kyiv could diplomatically negotiate the return of the territory in the east that is currently under Russian control. Other Western leaders followed Mr Zelenskys lead in suggesting for the first time that Ukraine may only win the war via the negotiation table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, said on Monday the West should step up support for Ukraine but said Kyiv must also be put...in the strongest possible position for negotiations so they can secure a just and lasting peace. Mark Rutte, the Nato chief, echoed Sir Keirs comments on Tuesday ahead of a meeting with foreign ministers from the military alliance. We will all need to do more. The stronger our military support to Ukraine is now, the stronger their hand will be at the negotiating table, Mr Rutte told reporters at the Nato headquarters in Brussels. Kyiv reiterated calls on Tuesday for Nato to expedite Ukraines entry into the alliance, though there is reportedly no consensus amongst allies on whether such a move should occur, a source told Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kremlin responded by describing Ukraines membership bid as an unacceptable threat. Such a potential decision is unacceptable to us, because it is a threatening event for us, Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, told reporters. 03:06 PM GMT Thats all for today Thank you for following our live coverage of the war in Ukraine. Well be back soon with more updates and analysis from the conflict. 02:28 PM GMT Analysis: Why Frances political crisis matters to Ukraine France and Germany, the EUs two most influential countries, have gone missing just when Europe needs them most. Donald Trump will be back in the White House next month, bringing challenges on defence, Ukraine and trade, but Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz have other things to worry about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Paris, the minority government brought in after summer snap elections is on the brink of collapse and faces a motion of no confidence after forcing through a budget without a vote. Mr Macron cannot dissolve parliament again until June. He is left with the stark choice of appointing another short-lived government or resigning. Read the full story here. 02:10 PM GMT Putins planes used to deport Ukrainian children Russian presidential planes were used to deport children from occupied Ukrainian territories, according to a report by Yales School of Public Health. The research, backed by the US State Department, identified 314 Ukrainian children taken to Russia in the early months of the war in a systematic attempt to Russify them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An arrest warrant was issued for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russias child rights commissioner, for their alleged deportation of children. Read more about this story here. President Vladimir Putin meets with Russian Presidential Commissioner for Childrens Rights Maria Lvova-Belova in November last year - Shutterstock 02:01 PM GMT Ukraine tests new missiles, says Zelensky Ukraine has conducted a test on new domestically produced missiles, Volodymyr Zelensky has said. The Ukrainian president confirmed on Tuesday he had received reports of a test from his military. We are speeding up the production, he added. 01:35 PM GMT US army could be weakened by supporting Ukraine, White House fears The White House is concerned Americas ongoing military support for Ukraine could weaken its army, sources have told the Washington Post. Officials told the newspaper the race to use the remainder of a $61bn aid bill could affect the US army long-term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is particular concern over the number of air defence missiles and artillery shells that are being sent to Ukraine, which are difficult to replace quickly. 12:59 PM GMT Nato to step up intel sharing to counter Russian sabotage Nato will increase intelligence sharing and improve the protection of critical infrastructure in the wake of Russias hostile acts of sabotage against allies, Mark Rutte, the Nato chief, said on Tuesday. Over the past years, Russia and China have tried to destabilise our nations with acts of sabotage, cyber-attacks, disinformation and energy blackmail to intimidate us, Mr Rutte told reporters in Brussels. Nato allies will continue to stand together to face these threats through a range of measures, including greater intelligence sharing and better protection of critical infrastructure. Nato secretary general Mark Rutte takes questions during a media conference prior to a meeting of Nato foreign ministers at Nato headquarters in Brussels, Dec 3 - Virginia Mayo/AP 12:34 PM GMT Pictured: Ukrainian forces train to fight Russian onslaught Ukrainian soldiers during infantry training in Donetsk, Dec 2 - Diego Herrera/Anadolu Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Foreign volunteers train with the 3rd Ukrainian Assault Brigade in Kharkiv, Dec 2 - MARIA SENOVILLA/Shutterstock Foreign volunteers train with the 3rd Ukrainian Assault Brigade in Kharkiv, Dec 2 - MARIA SENOVILLA/Shutterstock 12:29 PM GMT UK and France considering deploying troops to monitor ceasefire Britain and France are considering deploying troops to Ukraine to monitor a ceasefire should Kyiv and Moscow begin peace talks, according to an anonymous senior Nato official. The official told Radio Free Europe that Paris and London are preparing options for a variety of situations that could unfold in Ukraine. One of which would involve sending a task force of troops to the contact line to enforce an armistice. These discussions are taking place between national governments and not within Nato structures, the official added. It comes after French newspaper Le Monde reported last week that France and Britain had begun discussions about sending troops to Ukraine. 11:56 AM GMT Ukraine asks Nato for 20 more air defence systems Ukraines foreign minister has asked Nato for 20 more air defence systems as members of the alliance meet to discuss increasing military aid to Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We understand that Russians, they try to deprive us of producing energy, thats why we need also more support, Andriy Sybiha told journalists. His comments came after Mark Rutte, the head of Nato, called on allies to step up and provide more military aid to support Ukraine defeat Russia. Kyiv has also called on Nato to expedite its entry into the alliance, though there is reportedly no consensus amongst allies on whether Ukraine should be admitted into the alliance. 11:21 AM GMT Pictured: How Russia is expanding its military foothold in Africa Russia is landing military aircraft on newly refurbished runways under its control in Libya as the Kremlin quickly expands its footprint in Africa, satellite images show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Telegraph analysis of three Libyan air bases found Russian military transport planes, upgraded runways, bolstered perimeter defences and entirely new buildings changes that all occurred this year. The upgrades suggest that Russia is significantly ramping up its military presence in Libya, thanks to a growing partnership with Libyan warlord General Khalifa Haftar, who controls the eastern and southern parts of the country. Satellite images of the air base upgrades suggest Russia is significantly ramping up its military presence in Libya - Maxar Technologies Read the full story here. 10:51 AM GMT Russias advances in Kharkiv Moscows forces have been making gains in the Kharkiv region, which borders Russia, and are edging closer to Kupiansk, which is divided by the Oskil River. Kupiansk had a pre-war population of around 27,000 people and was occupied by Russian forces just days after the Kremlin launched its invasion, when the towns mayor ceded control. Ukraine recaptured it in September 2022 as part of a lightning offensive that saw them regain large swathes of the Kharkiv region. 10:27 AM GMT Biden wants to prolong war, says Kremlin Joe Bidens decision to send another $725 million weapons package to Ukraine shows he wants to prolong the war, the Kremlin said on Tuesday. Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, confirmed on Monday the new aid package would include Stinger missiles, HIMARS, drones, and land mines. The current administration is pursuing its goals, its consistent line is to keep this war from slowing down, a Kremlin spokesman said. The (Biden) administration is doing everything it can to further add fuel to the fire. At the same time, this and other aid packages cannot change the course of events, cannot affect the dynamics on the frontlines. 10:01 AM GMT Pictured: Ukrainian soldier holds US-made portable defence system Ukrainian troops have been practising with US-made FIM-92 Stinger man-portable air defence missile systems in Zaporizhzhia, southeastern Ukraine. Ukraines mobile anti-drone teams are tasked with tracking slow, low-flying armed drones that are launched alongside ballistic and cruise missiles. A machine gunner of the 118th Separate Mechanized Brigades firing team holds a FIM-92 Stinger, an American man-portable air-defense system - Getty Images Europe 09:47 AM GMT Give Ukraine military aid to boost negotiations, says Nato chief Nato allies need to step up military support for Ukraine in order to strengthen Kyivs position around the negotiation table, the alliances chief said on Tuesday. We will all need to do more. The stronger our military support to Ukraine is now, the stronger their hand will be at the negotiating table, Mark Rutte told reporters at the Nato headquarters in Brussels. Putin is not interested in peace. He is pressing on, trying to take more territory. Because he thinks he can break Ukraines resolve and ours, but he is wrong. 09:40 AM GMT Russia claims two more Ukraine villages Russian forces captured two more villages in southern Ukraine, the countrys army said on Tuesday. The villages of Novodarivka in the southern Zaporizhzhia region and Romanivka in the eastern Donetsk region had been seized, according to a military statement. 09:32 AM GMT Kremlin says Nato membership for Ukraine unacceptable threat A Kremlin spokesman has described Ukraines bid for Nato membership as an unacceptable threat. Ukraine on Tuesday called for full Nato membership as the only security guarantee in the face of Russias continued invasion (see 08.25 post). Such a potential decision is unacceptable to us, because it is a threatening event for us, Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, told reporters. 09:28 AM GMT Pictured: Firefighter responds to Russian drone attack Ukrainian emergency services have been working to put out a blaze in Ternopil, which was struck by Russia on Tuesday morning. The attack left part of the city of Ternopil without electricity, its mayor said (see 08.10 post). Firefighters work at the site of an energy infrastructure facility hit by a Russian drone strike - REUTERS The attack left part of the city of Ternopil without electricity - REUTERS 09:00 AM GMT Kyiv repels Russian push over east Ukraine river Ukrainian forces repelled a Russian effort to cross the Oskil river, which has long been a de facto front line across the east of the country, Kyiv said on Tuesday. As a result of the successful operation, the enemy was destroyed. The right bank of the Oskil river is under the control of the Defence Forces, the Ukrainian military said in a statement. 08:52 AM GMT Starmer concedes peace talks may end Ukraine war Sir Keir Starmer conceded for the first time on Monday that there could be a negotiated end to the war between Russia and Ukraine. The Prime Minister insisted the West should step up support for Ukraine but said Kyiv must also be put...in the strongest possible position for negotiations so they can secure a just and lasting peace. Western leaders, including Volodymyr Zelensky, have begun shifting the conversation to how the war may end, primarily due to Donald Trumps election victory. The president-elect vowed to end the war within 24 hours of taking office, while his advisors have suggested Russia and Ukraine should be forced into negotiations. Sir Keir Starmer delivers a major foreign policy speech speaks at the Lord Mayors Banquet with Alastair King, lord mayor of the City of London - Bloomberg 08:35 AM GMT US faces dire threat over Ukraine deal, Nato boss warns Trump The US would face a dire threat from China, Iran and North Korea if Ukraine is forced into concessions to end its war with Russia, Natos secretary-general has warned Donald Trump. Mark Rutte cautioned against the president-elects plans for a peace deal, which he said would lead to the Wests enemies high fiving and plotting their own attacks. He told the Financial Times there must be a good deal for Ukraine when the time comes to negotiate with Russia, and he called for the US to continue military support in the meantime. Mr Trump has promised to bring a swift end to the war in Ukraine, and his allies have suggested he may lean on Kyiv to offer territory to Russia in exchange for a ceasefire. However, supporters of Ukraine including Sir Keir Starmer have argued that the West must continue to supply arms. Read the full story here. 08:25 AM GMT Only full Nato membership will keep us safe, says Ukraine Ukraine has called for full Nato membership as the only security guarantee in the face of Russias continued invasion. We are convinced that the only real guarantee of security for Ukraine, as well as a deterrent to further Russian aggression against Ukraine and other states, is Ukraines full membership in NATO, the foreign ministry in Kyiv said in a statement. It comes ahead of a meeting of Nato foreign ministers on Tuesday. It also comes amid reports that Ukraine will be barred from joining the Western military alliance as part of any deal to end the war. 08:10 AM GMT Russian drones attack critical infrastructure in Ukraines west Russian drones struck critical infrastructure in Ukraines western Ternopil and Rivne regions overnight, the Ukrainian air force said on Tuesday. The attack left part of the city of Ternopil without electricity, its mayor said, a week after Moscows strikes cut power to much of the city and its surrounding region. Energy workers and rescuers are eliminating the consequences of the attack. Stock up on water, charge your phones, mayor Serhiy Nadal said on his Telegram messaging channel. Ternopil lies about 220 km (135 miles) east of NATO-member Poland. 08:03 AM GMT What are Shahed drones? Russia has increased its production of Shahed drones, though continues to rely heavily on Iranian or Chinese imports, according to the Institute for the Study of War. The drones, which have an operational range of around 2,500km, have been used as Russia steps up its attacks on Ukraines energy infrastructure. They travel at a speed of up to 185kmh and are regularly launched alongside cruise and ballistic missiles, often as decoys. 07:53 AM GMT Ukraine says 22 Russian drones shot down overnight Ukraines air force said it shot down 22 out of 28 drones launched by Russia overnight. Of 28 drones, two drones left Ukraine-controlled air space and one drone was lost, the air force said in a statement on Tuesday morning. 07:48 AM GMT Welcome to our live coverage Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the war in Ukraine. Well be bringing you the latest news and analysis from throughout the day. 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. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) A man from Brooklyn after a gun was found during a traffic stop in Chicopee. The Springfield Police Department said that on Wednesday, November 27th the Firearms Investigation Unit was conducting surveillance in the Pine Point neighborhood and observed a vehicle drive away from a home with a revoked registration. Suspect in 1978 West Springfield cold case in court The detectives followed the vehicle as it traveled into Chicopee and with assisting detectives, conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Orchard Street and Front Street. The passenger allegedly ran away from the car holding a backpack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives were able to catch the suspect and found a loaded large-capacity firearm capable of holding 15 rounds of ammunition as well as a large bag of marijuana. Twenty-one-year-old Kareem Evans of Brooklyn, New York was arrested and charged with the following: 21-year-old Kareem Evans of Brooklyn, NY is charged with: Carrying a Loaded Large Capacity Firearm on a Public Way Carrying a Firearm without a License Improper Storage of a Large Capacity Firearm Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class D Drug Violation of an Abuse Prevention Order Arrest Warrant The vehicle was towed, and the driver was issued a citation. 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. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental paid $1.6 million to buy 942 acres of forest land in Burrillville to protect and make available for public use. (Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management) More than 900 acres of forest in Burrillville will be protected and available for public recreation, including hunting, under a $1.6 million state land deal announced on Monday. The purchase of the 942-acre Buck Hill property from the Rhode Island Boy Scouts marks the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Managements largest land acquisition in a decade, and represents one of the only remaining undeveloped parcels across the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The acquisition also provides critical connectivity between conservation areas and land to the south, north and east, resulting in a contiguous protected area spanning more than 13,000 acres, DEM Director Terry Gray said in a statement. Conserving such a large parcel of connected forestland is a huge win for preserving Rhode Islands natural resources and increasing public access to the outdoors, Gray said. Most of the purchase price was funded through a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through its Wildlife Restoration Program, which uses revenue from federal excise taxes on guns, ammunition and archery equipment to support state wildlife and restoration work. Another grant for $301,350 from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, matched by $100,000 in state bond funds, covered the remaining cost. The property will be incorporated into the states Buck Hill Management Area, which already spans 2,200 acres, overseen by DEMs Division of Fish and Wildlife. The new land offers opportunities for public use including hunting and fishing, along with conservation of high-quality forestland, including oak and maple trees and a cedar swamp. Roughly 140 acres will be temporarily closed for public use for site improvements along Buck Hill Road, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the deal, the Boy Scouts will keep 200 acres along the northern side of Wakefield Pond for a weekend camp. Rhode Island Boy Scouts look forward to protecting this natural treasure so that it can be enjoyed by future generations, Tim McCandless, a representative of the RI Boy Scouts, said in a statement. We are pleased to collaborate with DEM to safeguard this land for the public. DEM through its land conservation program has purchased and protected over 20,000 acres of ecologically valuable forest and parkland since 1985, funded through a mix of state bonds, federal grants, and municipal and land trust contributions. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Heres Tuesday mornings KELOLAND On The Go. South Dakota lawmakers are headed to Pierre Tuesday and so is KELOLAND News. We are planning to bring you full coverage of what could be Governor Kristi Noems final budget address. A man convicted of possessing child pornography should be out of prison by this time next year. On Monday, a judge reduced the sentence for Michael ONeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday is Giving Tuesday, a global mission encouraging people to donate to non-profits. Skies will be mostly sunny to part cloudy today as highs warm to the 30s in eastern/northeast KELOLAND to the 60s in western South Dakota. 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. Buena Vista University has partnered with the Spirit Lake Community School District to offer partial tuition coverage to district staff. (Photo courtesy of Buena Vista University) Buena Vista University in Storm Lake is expanding its strategic partnerships in order to give educators and their families easier access to furthering their own education. The university announced in a news release that it would partner with Spirit Lake Community School District to offer employees and qualifying family members discounts on certain online and Storm Lake campus programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are thrilled to embark on this new collaboration with the Spirit Lake Community School District, said BVU Director of Strategic Partnerships Laura Todd in the release. By providing tuition discounts to full-time employees and their eligible family members, were not only investing in their professional development but also in the future of our communities. This strategic partnership exemplifies BVUs commitment to making higher education accessible and supporting the educators who shape the minds of tomorrow. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Extended University Programs Promotions Specialist Lindsay Kruse said in an email that for those enrolling in an online undergraduate program or the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership graduate program, grant funding from BVU will take off up to 30% of tuition cost per credit hour. Students who either work for the district or are family of an employee and are attending the universitys campus in Storm Lake can receive anywhere from $250 to $2,000 in partner grant funding per year for their tuition, Kruse said in the email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the release, a goal of this partnership is to help those working in schools expand their education and help fill gaps in the educator workforce in Iowa. The Spirit Lake Community School District is the latest in more than 180 strategic partnerships Buena Vista holds with schools, organizations and businesses, Kruse said in the email. The school district employs around 200 staff members in its elementary, middle and high school, according to the release, with a total student population of more than 1,300. Angela Olsen, business partnerships coordinator and district office director for Spirit Lake schools, said in the release that her time and experiences at Buena Vista meant the world to her, and shed choose the university again if she needed to. Were currently experiencing a shortage of educators across the state, so this strategic partnership seems like a great way to help our paraeducators or students operating as paraeducators offset the cost of a bachelors degree, making it a little bit more reasonable for them, Olsen said in the release. I had a great educational experience at BVU they do a really great job of preparing educators, so its easy for me to push their programs. Anything we can do for our employees is appreciated, and this is another opportunity for us to give something to them, be it in the form of a tuition discount. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A Buffalo man was sentenced Monday morning for murdering his girlfriend in her apartment last summer, the Erie County District Attorneys Office announced. Savon Stewart, 30, received 25 years to life in prison for fatally beating and stabbing 37-year-old Jena MacDiarmid Beal. On Aug. 7, 2023, police responded to a 911 call and found Beal deceased inside her apartment on the 3400 block of Main Street. Stewart had intentionally caused her death by beating and stabbing her. A jury found him guilty of second-degree murder in October of this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stewart received the maximum sentence for the crime. Help is available for those at risk of domestic violence through the BE SAFE Domestic Violence Victim Academy Program. For more information, call (716) 858-4630 or click here. Latest local news Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University. 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 News 4 Buffalo. ANDERSON, S.C. (WSPA) Vets Helping Vets of Anderson said they are working on a new project to assist more veterans. Vets Helping Vets of Anderson began ten years ago, after the local Veterans Affairs clinic closed their doors. Vietnam War veteran, Jesse Taylor, said the organization has since assisted veterans with counseling and participation in community service activities. Being a veteran never leaves you, especially guys thatve been in actual combat said Taylor. It never goes away. You learn how to live with it being around other veterans, it gives one the ease that you can believe in something again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor said the organization has grown over the years and that its time to build a facility of their own for meetings. The group was given a check from Andersons Community Reinvestment Act to begin building on three acres of land. Its just going to be very veteran friendly, Taylor said. Its going to be a place where if they want to come in and play dominoes or checkers with their buddies, play any kind of card games or whatever, just to get them out of the house and have a place where they can just go and have fellowship. The finished building will be 4,500-square-foot, spacious enough for meetings, an outside gazebo for relaxing, and a walking track for exercising. We have veterans here that have no family. The only thing theyve got is their buddies. With this building we can help provide a place where they can come in, said Taylor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Veterans will be able to use the building five days a week from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Were going to have arts and crafts. I even got one guy coming in all the way from Asheville to teach, assist veterans in writing their stories, said Taylor. Veterans said the building will be complete in April 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 WSPA 7NEWS. BURRILLVILLE, R.I. (WPRI) The registered sex offender accused of abducting a 12-year-old girl nearly three years ago and then attempting to hire a hitman to kill her has reached a plea deal with federal prosecutors, 12 News has learned. Chandler Cardente, 30, has agreed to plead guilty in exchange for a 35-year prison sentence, according to court documents. Cardente is accused of picking the girl up near Burrillville Middle School after dismissal back in December 2021. Police said the girls family reported her missing after she didnt return home from school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: Child-snatching suspect facing molestation charges Investigators later learned Cardente, then 27, had been chatting with the girl online for months while posing as a 17-year-old and the two made plans to meet up. Court documents reveal that Cardente had sex with the girl several times throughout the seven hours the two were together that night. The girl was eventually found curled up on the side of the road in Warwick. Police said Cardente, who had been convicted of first-degree child molestation in 2014, kicked the girl out of his car when he learned they were looking for him. Cardente is also accused of attempting to hire a hitman to kill the 12-year-old while he was behind bars in February 2022. Police said Cardente eventually provided the girls name and address to a supposed hitman, who turned out to be an undercover Rhode Island State Police Detective. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Child-snatching suspect tried to hire hitman from ACI If the plea agreement is accepted by the court, Cardente would be convicted of enticing a minor, committing a felony involving a minor while being required to register as a sex offender, and murder for hire. Court records indicate that a change of plea hearing has not yet been scheduled. It also appears Cardente is still facing charges, including six counts of first-degree child molestation, out of Burrillville. 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. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) A Christmas tree farmer says choosing to purchase a real tree this holiday season can go a long way in supporting farmers who were impacted by Hurricane Helene and other storms. The center of many holiday gatherings is of course the Christmas tree, and while real trees offer nostalgia and the beloved fresh pine scent, many opt for the faux counterpart because of its convenience. But a farmer in North Carolina is urging people to consider bringing a real tree home this year because those dollars go a long way in supporting farmers, especially those in North Carolina that were heavily impacted by the storm, that send trees to the Lowcountry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charles Sturgill operates Sturgill Tree Farms, a family-operated business since 1970 that is headquartered in Ashe County, North Carolina the Christmas tree capital of the U.S. but one of the western North Carolina counties hit hardest by Helene. Sturgill said they saw roughly 15,000 trees flooded out during the storm. And while some may recover, its still too soon to tell. Sturgills farm also supplies trees to at least three distributors in Charleston alone, but he is advocating for all tree farmers this year. For one thing, if they buy the real tree, it will help everyone rebuild from the hurricane and help us with building our infrastructure back where it washed it all away. The second thing is we only need about 40 people to buy a real tree every year and we get to protect an acre of farmland for 15 years for nobody to buy it, he said, See, they are wanting to develop all of our country up and put houses everywhere, and if we cant sell Christmas trees we cant keep the land in the family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From seed, it takes roughly 13 years to grow a tree of good size. Sturgill said if you dont want to bring the pine needles inside, consider a festively decorated outside tree this year. 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 WCBD News 2. BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday sent a congratulatory letter to the 2024 Understanding China Conference (Guangzhou) held in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. Xi said in the letter that to understand China, one needs to understand China's efforts to further deepen reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. China is building a high-standard socialist market economy at a faster pace, steadily expanding institutional opening up, taking the initiative to align with high-standard international economic and trade rules, and actively fostering a transparent, stable and predictable institutional environment, Xi said. The Chinese modernization endeavor meets the aspiration of 1.4 billion people for a better life and will make new and greater contributions to world peace and development, Xi said. Stressing that changes unseen in a century are unfolding rapidly in today's world, Xi said countries around the world face new risks and challenges as well as new development opportunities and prospects. Xi said China looks forward to working with all other countries to create an enabling environment and conditions for development, tackle the many difficulties and challenges, and facilitate the modernization of all countries featuring peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation and common prosperity, in a bid to write a new chapter in building a community with a shared future for mankind. The conference was co-hosted by the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy, Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs and the Guangdong provincial government. The conference opened in Guangzhou on Tuesday under the theme of "Carry Through the Reform to the End -- Chinese Modernization and New Opportunities for World Development." The California Assembly will limit the number of bills each legislature can introduce from 50 to 35, according to the house rules adopted at the start of the session on Monday. Senate President pro tem Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) told CalMatters, who first reported the news, that he isnt opposed to a conversation about a similar reduction for senators. Legislators can request a waiver to exceed the cap on bills they can introduce. About 19 of the 40 senators exceeded the bill limit during the most recent session. In the Assembly, 24 out of 80 lawmakers hit or exceeded the limit, according to the Digital Democracy database. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California lawmakers hold special session to Trump-proof state policies Lawmakers introduced 4,821 bills this session and sent 2,252 to Gov. Gavin Newsom during the 2023-2024 session. The new rule by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas isnt the first time the bill introduction limit has been changed. In 2002, former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg (D- Van Nuys) lowered the limit from 40 to 30 and in 2017, then-Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D- Lakewood) increased the limit from 30 to 50, according to CalMatters. 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. Low-income Californians would have an easier time purchasing hormonal birth control pills at their local pharmacy under a new bill. The bill, which was recently introduced to the California State Assembly, would remove a self-screening requirement for recipients of Medi-Cal, the states Medicaid program, trying to access daily hormonal birth control pills without a prescription. The Food and Drug Administration approved the U.S.s first over-the-counter daily hormonal birth control pill, called Opill, last year, with boxes of the drug appearing on pharmacy shelves last spring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medi-Cal covers the cost of Opill but requires pharmacists to give members a self-screening patient intake before they can dispense the drug. If the pharmacist deems the selected medication appropriate, they will provide counseling including direction for self-administered usage, potential risks associated with the medications, and risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, according to the Medi-Cal Rx website. Under the bill, pharmacists would be required to give the self-screen intake form only before dispensing a daily hormonal birth control pill that requires a prescription. Over-the-counter birth control is ensuring contraceptives are readily available to more people than ever, said Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D), who introduced the bill. We should not stifle this progress by leaving Medi-Cal recipients behind and making low-income communities have to take more steps than their peers on private insurance to access medication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new bill comes as many Americans brace for further restrictions on reproductive rights under a second Trump presidency, including potential regulations on contraception. President-elect Trump said during the campaign that he was open to supporting regulations on contraception during an interview with a Pittsburgh television station. He then backtracked on his comments, saying they were misinterpreted. Americans have been stockpiling birth control pills and emergency contraception in the weeks since Trump secured a victory in the 2024 presidential election. Searches for birth control doubled between Nov. 2 and two days after the election and groups like Aid Access, which connects people to mail-order abortion pills, experienced a 16-fold increase in requests the day following the election. 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 central California middle school teacher died after contracting rabies from a suspected bat bite, local health officials said. The victims death was reported last Tuesday. The Fresno County Department of Public Health confirmed the victim was exposed to rabies in Merced County. Friends identified the victim as Leah Seneng, 60, an artist and art teacher at Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos. We are raising funds for her family after her unexpected death for funeral expenses. We ask for privacy for her family during this difficult time and thank you in advance for any donations. Every little bit helps, Laura Splotch wrote in a GoFundMe campaign. Leah Seneng is seen in a GoFundMe campaign photo. (Laura Splotch) Splotch told a local TV station that Seneng found the bat in her classroom in mid-October and was bitten after she picked it up to move it outside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She didnt wanna harm it, said Splotch. But thats when I guess it woke up or saw the light or whatever It swooped around a bit, and it took off. Seneng didnt experience any symptoms at first, Splotch said, but she fell seriously ill about a month later. Her daughter took her to the hospital on Nov. 18, where she was placed into a coma. She died four days later. Health officials said they were conducting contact tracing with hospital and health care workers who cared for the victim. Rabies is a deadly viral disease transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, typically via bites. Symptoms include fever, headache, excessive salivation, muscle spasms, paralysis and mental confusion. 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. Dec. 3WORTHINGTON A partnership between Worthington's Cambridge Technologies, developers of autogenous vaccines in the livestock and poultry industries, and Merck Animal Health, manufacturers of mass-produced vaccines, is helping to save America's turkey industry from a devastating pneumovirus. When avian metapneumovirus hit the U.S. turkey industry last spring, there was no commercial vaccine available for it. Research at Cambridge Technologies resulted in isolating metapneumovirus Type B, but mass-producing a vaccine wasn't something the company was licensed to do as a manufacturer of autogenous (custom-made) vaccines. Wayne Freese, president and chief executive officer at Cambridge Technologies, said the two companies had previously worked together on custom-made vaccines in the poultry industry. Therefore, partnering to produce and market the experimental avian metapneumovirus Type B vaccine came together easily. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cambridge Technologies makes the vaccine at its production facility in Sioux Center, Iowa, and Merck provides the sales and marketing to get the vaccine into the hands of turkey growers. Kelli Peters-Smith, who works in research and diagnostics at Worthington's Cambridge Technologies laboratory, successfully isolated the metapneumovirus Type B virus from tissue taken from an infected turkey this past summer. Once they had the virus isolated, they worked toward developing a vaccine. Jon Mahlberg, Cambridge Technology's chief operating officer, said the company worked closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to get the experimental autogenous vaccine approved for use nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There was no commercial vaccine available," Mahlberg said, noting that there are commercially available, modified live vaccines in Europe, but they are not licensed for use in the U.S. and not permitted for sale. "The process of licensing commercial vaccines is a five- to eight-year process," Mahlberg said. "By the time you get a commercial license, that vaccine, unfortunately, may be no longer relevant. "With an autogenous vaccine, you can be much more nimble and adapt to what's circulating." That's important when producers are recording high rates of mortality. The avian metapneumovirus causes severe respiratory illness in turkeys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's a pretty devastating disease in turkey farms," Freese said. "Mortality can be high in certain flocks." The cumulative mortality rate for metapneumovirus in turkeys is 30%. That means three in every 10 birds infected will die from the illness. Like avian influenza, the metapneumovirus is believed to be spread through migratory birds, Freese said. The experimental vaccine developed by Cambridge Technologies went through a myriad of testing before it could be marketed, and was the first vaccine in the nation to receive USDA approval. That happened in August, and the company officially launched the product to turkey growers on Sept. 1. Tests measuring the vaccine's effectiveness continue as producers administer it in their turkey flocks. Freese said part of the licensing process was looking at whether the vaccine creates any tissue reaction or is hard on the birds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So far, it's been excellent," he said. "There hasn't been reactions when they give it and there hasn't been tissue reactions afterwards. That's really the first hurdle." "We've shipped over 8 million doses," Mahlberg added. "Basically, we are shipping it as fast as we can make it." Cambridge Technologies has already added staff and equipment to meet demand for production of the metapneumovirus vaccine, and plans for further growth in the coming months. "We came on the market with a Type B vaccine, but we've recently isolated the Type A vaccine," Freese said. "The isolates are pretty close. We don't know if Type B is going to cross-protect with Type A; we're doing studies on that." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We anticipate having the Type A available by the beginning of next year," Mahlberg added. The Type B vaccine an inactivated whole virus vaccine is sold by Cambridge Technologies in 2,000-dose bottles, with each bird to receive a .25mL dose injected just below the skin. Poultry producers are giving the vaccine to poults (young turkeys) as a preventive, but it can also be administered in adult birds. "There's a real strong demand for the vaccine right now," Freese said. "We're glad to be working with Merck on it." Based on the success of the vaccine, Cambridge Technologies is expanding its operations in Worthington to produce this vaccine and others. Plans are to complete expansion and gain licensure of its Worthington manufacturing site by the end of this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cambridge Technologies has 95 employees, with 45 positions at its Sioux Center manufacturing facility, and another 40 people in administration, diagnostics, research and human resources at Worthington. There are 10 sales positions located throughout the country. Freese said they plan to grow the company by 20 people in 2025, including five manufacturing positions in Worthington. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A Campbell man was sentenced on Tuesday to two years in prison after pleading guilty in October to entering a romantic rivals home and beating him. Read next: Man arrested after police chase covers 3+ miles in Boardman Artangel Rayford, 21, received the sentence from Judge Anthony DApolito to charges of burglary, a third-degree felony, and aggravated assault, a fourth-degree felony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charges stem from a Sept. 13, 2023, arrest by Campbell police when Rayford and his girlfriend, Kailyn Kelty, 19, and a third person who was not named were accused of breaking into a home in the 100 block of Struthers Liberty Road. Reports said Rayford and the unnamed person went into the room of the homeowners son, beat him, and then threatened to beat the homeowner before getting in a car and leaving. Reports said the father told police that Kelty was in a relationship with the victim and Rayford at the same time and that is what led to the assault. Kelty pleaded guilty Feb. 16 to a fifth-degree felony charge of obstructing justice, but she has yet to be sentenced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assistant Prosecutor Steve Maszczak asked for a sentence of prison deemed appropriate by the court. He said the victim received bruises and broken teeth in the beating he took. His face was pretty well busted up, Maszczak said. Defense lawyer Tom Zena said his client has never been in trouble. He lost his temper and there were things he never should have done, Zena said. Judge DApolito asked Rayford why he felt the need to go into another persons home and get in a fight. Rayford said the victim kept picking a fight and calling him and my emotions got the best of me. I didnt make a good choice at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats a pretty big step to go to someones home, Judge DApolito said. Judge DApolito said a prison sentence was necessary because Rayford went to the victims home and he has already received a break because the charges were amended, making him eligible to spend less time in prison. I cant let people go into someones home and barge in and pick a fight, Judge DApolito 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 WKBN.com. (Bloomberg) -- Most Read from Bloomberg Chinas move to ban exports of rare metals to the US underscores the need for trade cooperation between mineral-rich Canada and its southern neighbor. Thats the message from the Mining Association of Canada, which argued that Chinas decision to curb shipments of gallium, germanium and other key metals to the US is a stark reminder of the challenges posed by geopolitical tensions, particularly on the reliable supply of critical minerals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement from the mining association follows the escalation of trade tensions with the US, after President-elect Donald Trump threatened to slap 25% tariffs on all goods coming from Canada and Mexico unless the countries each do more to stem migration and fentanyl. Imposing tariffs on Canadian mineral and metal exports to the US would run counter to the shared goals of secure and reliable supply chains, Pierre Gratton, the mining associations president, said in Tuesdays statement. Such measures risk disrupting the essential flow of these resources, undermining the competitiveness of North American industries, and exacerbating vulnerabilities in critical mineral supply chains that both nations are working to address. More than half of Canadas mineral exports valued at more than C$80 billion ($56.9 billion) were destined for the US in 2022, according to the Canadian group. Its members include Barrick Gold Corp., Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd., Cameco Corp., BHP Group and others. Meanwhile, Vancouver-based metals producer Teck Resources Ltd., one of the worlds largest integrated germanium producers, said its looking at ways to boost its output of the metal in the wake of Chinas export ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germaniums uses include fiber optics, night-vision goggles and space exploration. Most satellites are powered with germanium-based solar cells. Canada was responsible for supplying nearly half of the USs import needs of germanium between 2019 and 2022, according to the US Geological Survey. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (WROC) The Professional Canandaigua Firefighters Local 2098 is sounding the alarm surrounding staffing issues the group said have been ongoing within the city for some time. Following a house fire Saturday morning where firefighters had to switch gears once learning a person may be trapped inside, the union posted a statement to the social media website, Facebook, expressing deep outrage. They called on the community to take action. The ache is deep: Man who died after being rescued from Canandaigua fire identified Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim, whose cause of death still needs to be determined by the Monroe County Medical Examiners Office, was a 98-year-old resident. The union claimed the death may have been preventable should there have been adequate staffing. In the Facebook post, Local 2098 wrote, We have tried desperately, over and over and over again to bring to light the need to properly staff this fire department to make the safety of our citizens and visitors a reality four firefighters CANNOT search for a trapped victim while simultaneously controlling a raging fire. City of Canandaigua Mayor Bob Palumbo spoke with News 8 by phone Sunday evening, stating he was on the scene during the fire Saturday morning. He noted how proud he was of the efforts of first responders to attempt to save a life. Yes, it was pretty well underway involved when I got down there but the work that the firemen did on arrival to assist and to locate Mr. Campagna as they do was very intense. And they did an incredible job with what they had, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive been a proponent for additional staffing. Canandaigua as well as many communities does not have the volunteer aspect that we used to and we need to make up our career ranks to make up for that, he added, Every minute means a lotso Im very proud of them with what they had to do to rescue Mr. Campagna and then eventually start to fight the fire. City Manager, John Goodwin, declined to speak with News 8 Monday afternoon in an interview. He sent a statement in response: First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with the family that is grieving the loss of a family member and recovering from this tragic incident. In regard to the Fire Unions post, the City and the Town of Canandaigua commissioned an independent study of our fire operations. This study was published in July 2018 entitled Fire Operational and Analysis Report completed by the Center for Public Safety Management. This independent study included 26 recommendations, including a recommendation of the optimum daily career staffing of the Canandaigua Fire Department. This recommendation stated that the optimum daily career staffing of the Canandaigua Fire Department is four personnel. Since the time of this study being published, the City doubled the staffing level of the Fire Department and maintains the recommended four (4) firefighters on duty 24/7. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we have done in the past for any major incident, a through after-action report will completed. Mayor Palumbo told News 8 the staffing at the fire department is a topic of discussion for next years budget. 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A bill at the Ohio Statehouse would require health benefit plans and Medicaid to cover medically necessary tests used to determine a patients cancer diagnosis. Biomarker testing is used on cancer patients, for example, helping doctors more specifically determine to target a specific patients cancer directly, rather than using generalized treatments. Meet the Michigan man who fought Ohio State players over team flag Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have gone through thousands of biopsies, hundreds of surgeries encompassing my entire body, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteer Leah McCleary said. Eighty-nine of those surgeries have been from my neck up alone. Ive done chemotherapy twice, clinical trials. The list goes on and on. Had I had access to this test years ago, I would have avoided years worth of treatments that were painful and expensive that inevitably didnt work best for my bodys needs. McCleary was diagnosed with a rare form of skin cancer when she was nine years old and is still in active treatment to this day. I have been fighting cancer for 20 years now, she said. McCleary, alongside her seven-year-old son, has been advocating for the passage of House Bill 24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Being a cancer fighter for the last 20 years, its important for my lawmakers to know that my voice matters and cancer impacts my life deeply and impacts my son and our lives together, she said. Im not a number on a spreadsheet. Im a patient, Im an advocate, and I think its important for them to hear those stories. Not everyone is quite on board with the idea. Chris Ferruso, state director for the Ohio chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), said he understands its importance. Twenty One Pilots to perform at outdoor Columbus Blue Jackets game First and foremost, the important thing we are talking about here is people and patients and outcomes and our members want to make sure that their patients get the treatment they need, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Ferruso acknowledges that opposition to the bill is not popular, it is more complicated than it seems. Its a struggle to provide, he said. We just want policymakers to be aware that there will be upward pressure put on premium. Ferruso said the bill would only impact about 12% of the private sector, but his biggest concern is the way the legislation is currently drafted, saying it isnt clear enough. At least the way we interpret it, that any new test that comes on the market so long as it meets the criteria delineated in the bill, will be required to be covered under this state law, and thats where our concern lies, he said. We know the cost of the test today. We dont know what those tests cost in the future and so, when theres a state mandate put in place, it kind of tips that scale in favor of one side versus the other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Death of Marysville woman under investigation after body found in Alabama forest Ferruso said while he cannot say that this legislation will cause companies to lay people off, he said it could still result in some difficult decisions. Do they move to a plan that has a higher deductible or a greater cost-sharing requirement? he said. Do they ask employees to contribute a greater percentage of premiums, and in a worst-case scenario, do they make the ultimate decision that, Look, I can no longer provide this benefit, its just too costly. The pie is only so big. Ferruso said he would favor some sort of cap to ensure that costs dont run away and go crazy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What wed like to see is the General Assembly look at perhaps Medicare as a benchmark and allow some sort of delta from Medicare, whatever that number is, 30, 50, 100% above Medicare reimbursement as a means to ensure that these tests do get covered, he said. Ferruso said he has been able to work closely with the bills sponsor and is grateful for the open-mindedness. He said if they were able to achieve such an amendment to the bill, the NIFB would take a neutral stance instead of opposition. Jerod Smalley commentary: Ohio States Ryan Day dilemma McCleary said cancer treatment has advanced so much in the past several years and now is not the time to stop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its important that we continue to pave that path forward for people like myself who are in active treatment for cancer, but also the millions of other Americans that are going to hear those words, You have cancer just this year alone, McCleary said. The bill has its third hearing in the Ohio Senate Insurance Committee on Wednesday afternoon. Opponents will have the chance to testify on Wednesday; Ferruso said he plans to do so, in hopes of convincing members to amend the bill. 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. This photo shows a collapsed bridge on Rhodes island, Greece, Dec. 1, 2024. Greek authorities declared a state of emergency on two Aegean islands on Monday as a powerful weather system, named Bora by local meteorologists, continued to wreak havoc across the country. The storm, which began on Friday, has already claimed three lives and caused extensive damage in multiple regions. (Photo by Argyris Mantiko/Xinhua) ATHENS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Greek authorities declared a state of emergency on two Aegean islands on Monday as a powerful weather system, named Bora by local meteorologists, continued to wreak havoc across the country. The storm, which began on Friday, has already claimed three lives and caused extensive damage in multiple regions. The latest fatality, a 56-year-old man, was discovered in Halkidiki, northern Greece, on Monday, according to the Fire Brigade. On Saturday, two men lost their lives amid severe flooding on the island of Lemnos in the northern Aegean, which bore the brunt of the storm before it moved southeast, striking Rhodes island with equal ferocity. In response to the widespread destruction, the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection declared Lemnos and Rhodes in a state of emergency until Dec. 30. The storm caused significant damage on both islands, with bridges collapsing, sections of the road network destroyed, and houses, stores and agricultural land inundated. Vehicles were swept away by floodwaters and many residents were left without electricity for hours, according to local authorities. "The battle was uneven against the storm, as the phenomenon was extreme," said Giorgos Hatzimarkos, governor of the South Aegean region, in a statement to the Greek national news agency AMNA. In northern Greece, the storm also toppled trees onto train tracks and power was cut off, causing rail traffic disruptions between Athens and Thessaloniki, the country's second-largest city. From Saturday to Monday noon, the Fire Brigade reported receiving over 3,000 calls for assistance, including evacuation of 125 people, water pumping from flooded buildings, and clearing debris from roads. Firefighters were supported by police and the Armed Forces in managing the crisis. The storm underscored the growing challenges posed by extreme weather. "Bora is another reminder that everything we knew about natural phenomena has changed," government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said at a press briefing on Monday. Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias echoed this sentiment, stating "Nature does not forgive negligence," urging citizens to adhere to official guidance and remain vigilant as the storm is expected to persist at least until Tuesday. This photo shows a collapsed bridge on Rhodes island, Greece, Dec. 1, 2024. Greek authorities declared a state of emergency on two Aegean islands on Monday as a powerful weather system, named Bora by local meteorologists, continued to wreak havoc across the country. The storm, which began on Friday, has already claimed three lives and caused extensive damage in multiple regions. (Photo by Argyris Mantiko/Xinhua) Cars damaged by flash flood are seen on a street on Rhodes island, Greece, Dec. 1, 2024. Greek authorities declared a state of emergency on two Aegean islands on Monday as a powerful weather system, named Bora by local meteorologists, continued to wreak havoc across the country. The storm, which began on Friday, has already claimed three lives and caused extensive damage in multiple regions. (Photo by Argyris Mantiko/Xinhua) Cars damaged by flash flood are seen on a street on Rhodes island, Greece, Dec. 1, 2024. Greek authorities declared a state of emergency on two Aegean islands on Monday as a powerful weather system, named Bora by local meteorologists, continued to wreak havoc across the country. The storm, which began on Friday, has already claimed three lives and caused extensive damage in multiple regions. (Photo by Argyris Mantiko/Xinhua) A car is stuck between a house and a tree on Rhodes island, Greece, Dec. 1, 2024. Greek authorities declared a state of emergency on two Aegean islands on Monday as a powerful weather system, named Bora by local meteorologists, continued to wreak havoc across the country. The storm, which began on Friday, has already claimed three lives and caused extensive damage in multiple regions. (Photo by Argyris Mantiko/Xinhua) COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Dozens gathered Monday night at an annual candelight memorial ceremony with the central Ohio chapter of Parents of Murdered Children to remember their loved ones. This marked the 34th year the group honored those theyve lost with the ceremony, with attendees representing homicide victims spanning decades. They all have one thing in common. Cancer-testing bill being debated at Ohio Statehouse Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everyone can relate to what you go through, Barbara Hermann said. Hermanns daughter Tina Herrmann and grandson Kody Maynard were killed in November 2010 in Knox County alongside Tinas friend Stephanie Sprang. Hermanns granddaughter was kidnapped but survived the ordeal. Hermann said she needed a support group right from the beginning; she joined Parents of Murdered Children 14 years ago. Its family, she said. You know you have a bond as soon as you come in the door. Its hard to come in that door but I made myself do it. I came alone and I did it and I was glad I did. Hermann and the other attendees had the chance to say their loved ones names and then light a candle in their memory during Mondays ceremony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Columbus among top 10 friendliest cities in U.S., according to travel magazine POMC board member Donald Hochuli said that each year, this is a beautiful event that honors those lost to violence, including his daughter Lynn Hochuli Vest, 23, and grandson Jeremy Pickens, 2. I read one time that you die twice when you die, Hochuli said. The first time is when your body ceases to function, and the second time is when people dont remember you. So we try to remember our loved ones. Lynn and Jeremy were murdered in 1980 and the case remains unsolved. Hochuli said the pain never leaves him. He said he is a leader of POMC even on the hard days because he wants loved ones of murder victims to know that there are other people who can relate to their experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warming centers open across Columbus Were there for them, whatever their needs are as far as getting through the trauma of it and somebody to talk to, Hochuli said. The central Ohio chapter of Parents of Murdered Children is a club no one wants to be part of, but organizers said they hope attendees realize they are not alone in their grief. 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. CANFIELD, Ohio (WKBN) Sofia Castronova and Ceci Muckleroy combined to score a total of 23 points as Canfield topped Our Lady of the Elms, 67-8. Muckleroys first two baskets were for three points as she scored 11 of her 13 points in the opening quarter. Castronova drained a pair of triples in the second quarter as she closed out her night with 10. A total of 12 Cardinals scored at least two points with 10 three-pointers made by Canfield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next up for Canfield (3-0) is a matchup at home with rival Poland on Thursday. The Panthers are set to meet First Baptist Christian 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 WKBN.com. CANTON, Ill. (WMBD) Help from the public is sought to find a Canton man who has been missing for almost a month. On Tuesday, the Canton Police Department posted on their Facebook page a request for help from the public to find Joseph D. Nerud, 48, of Canton. The post says he was last heard from on Friday, Nov. 8, after he returned from California. Nerud may be in the Chicago area due to a statement made during his last phone conversation with his family, the post further stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neruds sister said the last thing he said to his family was him telling his mother his phone service would be shut off. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Canton Police Department at (309) 647-5131. 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. Dr. Betsy Wickstrom, a high-risk obstetrician who works in the Kansas City metro, is a lifelong Republican who was outspoken in her support for Missouris Amendment 3, which lifted the states near-total abortion ban. (Photo by Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent) Dr. Betsy Wickstrom understands where some of the voices opposed to abortion are coming from. She used to be one of them. The Kansas City OB-GYN specializing in high-risk pregnancies is a Republican and a Christian, but her more than three decades in maternal-fetal medicine have moved her away from the pro-life movement and into abortion advocacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The past two-and-a-half years practicing under an abortion ban in Missouri have strengthened her resolve. Wickstroms job has always been one of joy-filled highs and heart-breaking lows for families navigating complicated diagnoses. But the experience of walking an expectant mother through a nonviable pregnancy diagnosis now includes new hoops to jump through that can delay care. Sometimes, shes not even able to be with her patients when their pregnancy ultimately ends, forced to send them to Kansas where a ban was never implemented and hospitals are more willing to perform second-trimester abortions. Its why Wickstrom knocked doors in support of Missouris abortion-rights amendment and celebrated last month when a majority of voters chose to unravel the states near-total ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The best possible outcome is that we will once again be able to care for people in the most compassionate way, she said. But her excitement over the amendment wanes when she talks about what the future may hold. State lawmakers are vowing to overturn some of Amendment 3s protections, and the threat of a national abortion ban after Republicans take over Congress and the White House looms. As Wickstrom waits to hear how Missouri hospitals will advise doctors like herself to proceed once Amendment 3 goes into effect after Dec. 5, she continues to hold her breath. Missourians want choice. They want personal freedoms, and they dont want their civil rights restricted, and that gives me hope for the future, Wickstrom said. But I know were not even close to done yet. A Republican in the abortion-rights movement Wickstrom wasnt liberalized while attending the University of Nebraska Omaha. When she started her medical residency in Missouri, Wickstrom said she believed the only God-honoring and American patriotic thing to think is that you have to save this fetus and this embryo at all costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While she did vote for President Barack Obama because she supported the Affordable Care Act after seeing patients without insurance struggle to access prenatal care, Wickstrom remains what she calls an Eisenhower Republican, seeking a balance between fiscal responsibility and a basic safety net. But when it comes to abortion, she sees no option other than choice. Shortly after graduating from her fellowship and going into the medical practice in the early 1990s, Wickstrom had to perform an abortion for a woman who came into the hospital with a partial molar pregnancy, which is both nonviable and can be life-threatening to the mother. The patient was 15 weeks pregnant and had such high blood pressure that she was delirious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While abortion was legal and Wickstrom would typically refer patients to abortion clinics in such cases, this was the middle of the night, and the patient was dying. Wickstrom performed a dilation and evacuation procedure, a type of surgical abortion done in the second trimester, and saved the womans life. More than three decades into her practice as an obstetrician, the nuance of the patient stories she watches unfold every day have carved out a new perspective. She had a patient diagnosed with brain cancer 14 weeks into pregnancy who chose to terminate the pregnancy rather than wait for the fetus to die inside her during treatment. She had a patient whose fetuss brain didnt develop properly who chose to continue the pregnancy so she could meet her child before they died shortly after birth. Both outcomes were different ways of honoring life, Wickstrom said. What matters most, she added, was that the families got to choose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That choice became murkier on June 24, 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion and Missouri became the first state to enact a trigger law banning the procedure except in cases of medical emergencies. Care delayed and care denied Wickstrom had just taken a new position at a Kansas City area hospital when the Supreme Courts decision was announced. As of 4 p.m. on June 24 of 2022, Wickstrom said. We were receiving emails from our hospital attorneys saying: You cannot offer abortion. You cannot refer for abortion out of our hospital, because were not going to take on that liability and that responsibility. Instead, Wickstrom said she was advised to email the hospitals legal team if she had any concerns that a pregnancy could not continue. If the situation was dire, she was given a legal hotline to call, staffed 24/7, for advice on how to proceed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ever since the ruling, when she enters an ectopic pregnancy diagnosis into the electronic medical record, a large red banner pops up asking if shes sure the diagnosis is accurate. If the embryo or fetus has a heartbeat, she has to consult an attorney. In the case that the mother is already starting to bleed, Wickstrom said, time is life. Sometimes, she has to refer the patient to a provider in Kansas. This is one example of care delayed and care denied that Wickstrom said shes experienced since abortion became illegal in Missouri. Some physicians across the state have said the abortion ban hasnt affected their protocol for treating nonviable pregnancies or miscarriages. Wickstrom said thats likely because most obstetricians can perform a dilation and curettage procedure to remove any fetal remains in the first trimester once a heartbeat is no longer detected. But the more complex cases that occur later in pregnancy that require abortions are usually referred out to specialists like her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, she said, shes not allowed to treat most of those cases anymore. Now, when women come in with ruptured membranes in the second trimester of pregnancy months sooner than their water should be breaking she has to send them to Kansas for care. Bleeding, infection, labor, all of those things can happen with or without that heartbeat stopping inside the womb, Wickstrom said. The answer is, youve got to stop the pregnancy and empty the uterus. You have to take care of this woman, or she potentially dies not being able to raise her other kids, potentially loses her uterus. Shes still allowed to talk about evidence-based care with patients, she said, but as soon as the words you may want to consider termination leave her lips, shes required to hand the patient Missouris 23-page informed consent booklet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the pamphlet begins with the phrase The life of each human being begins at conception, which is not medically true, Wickstrom said. Instead, she keeps a water bottle on her desk. On it, above a sticker of Taylor Swift, is an adhesive with a list of national abortion hotlines. Its her way of showing the words she doesnt always feel she can speak aloud. A few weeks ago, Wickstrom had three other words tattooed into her forearm that shes been speaking aloud for the better part of a decade. The words remained her mantra as she watched maternal mortality and morbidity rates rise, as she heard stories of women who said their pain was ignored or downplayed, and as she watched abortion access fade for huge swaths of the population across the country, including her own backyard. They remain at the heart of her work today: Listen to women. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Police arrested a suspect Tuesday after he allegedly shot a man during a carjacking in South Nashville. The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said the incident happened on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at approximately 11:45 a.m. outside the Maple Crest Apartments in the 300 block of Natchez Court. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Authorities said the suspect who was later identified as 32-year-old Deybi Banegas-Ferrera shot the victim and stole his Toyota Venza outside the apartment complex. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Banegas-Ferrera was charged with aggravated robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The victim reportedly sustained serious, but non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The victim reportedly told the MNPD that he was in the drivers seat of the Toyota Venza when Banegas-Ferrera walked up and knocked on the window. Banegas-Ferrera reportedly asked the victim for a cigarette, but when the victim said he did not have one, Banegas-Ferrera allegedly pulled him out of the SUV and shot him before climbing into the Toyota and driving away. Courtesy: MNPD Courtesy: MNPD | READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County The MNPD later said they were able to find his location with assistance from a police helicopter., finding him outside a residence on Sabre Drive. He allegedly fled in the stolen vehicle and crashed in the 500 block of Keystone Avenue, where he was taken into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of publication, Banegas-Ferrera is being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond. He has a previous felony conviction for aggravated assault, according to a press release from the MNPD. 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. GRAND RAPIDS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) A Cedar Springs Public Schools employee has been charged for allegedly soliciting inappropriate images of students. Riley Matthew Glover, 20, of Rockford, was arraigned in 63rd District Court Tuesday morning on one count of child sexually abusive activity and one count of using a computer to commit a crime. Judge Kirsten Holz granted Glover a $100,000 personal recognizance bond. That means he wont have to post any money to be released from jail but would have to pay $100,000 if he violates the conditions of his release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cedar Springs school worker accused of soliciting illicit images of students According to court documents, a high school student went to the Cedar Springs school resource officer after she received a message from Glover soliciting illicit images. When investigators searched Glovers phone, they found child pornography and evidence he tried to pay for child pornography. The Kent County Sheriffs Office said Glover, who worked as a school auditorium technician, used fake social media accounts and that he was reaching out to female students, saying he would pay for illicit images. The sheriffs office said it worked with the district during its investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, a separate Cedar Springs school employee was arrested on child porn charges. Local students do not appear to have been involved in that case. The worker, Mark Labelle, did not work with students. 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. MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Holiday festivities are beginning in the City of Midland. Here are some of the events that will take place throughout the month. According to an announcement by the city, Midlands Merry Lights Tree Lighting Ceremony & Christmas market will be one of the many events to kick off the holiday. The event will include a shopping market, more than 50 vendors and food trucks, live performances, and pictures with Santa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Midlands Merry Lights Tree Lighting Ceremony & Christmas market will start at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3, at Centennial Park, with the tree lighting set for 6:25 p.m. The lights inside Centennial Park will remain on from 5:45 to 10:30 p.m. every day until the end of the year, with a projection light show on the East Wall building. Other holiday events in Midland that will be held throughout the month include: Grinchville: On Saturday, December 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Midland Park Mall, a free community event with face painting, ornament making, dog adoptions, pet paw prints, pics with the Grinch, and more, will take place. This event is hosted by Fix West Texas. For more information, click here. Christmas PopUp Shopping and Market event: This event will start at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 7th at 6221 Farm to Market 307, in Midland. The event will include more than 20 vendors, photos with Santa, a hot cocoa bar, kids crafts, live music, and more. This event will include a small entry fee (adults: $5, $3 for anyone 18 or under, and free for 5 and under), that will be donated to Rangers Outreach, as they help local families in need this Christmas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Midland College Holiday Evening: This event will be from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., on Thursday, December 5 at the Midland College Campus in the Allison Fine Arts Building. It is free and open to the public. City of Midland Christmas parade and MPDs Blue Santa: On Saturday, December 14th from 4 to 6 p.m. at Centennial Park in Midland, the Midland Police Department will be hosting a Cocoa, Coffee & Cookies with Blue Santa. Midlands Merry Lights Christmas parade will also be at 6, along A Street. The City announced that all entries must be registered by December 12, 2024, at 6 PM for those who wish to be a part of the parade. To register, click here. Christmas at the Horseshoe: At 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17 at the Midland Horse Shoe Arena, free fun-filled holiday events with gifts for children will take place. The event will include face painting, cookie decorating, hot chocolate, Christmas DJ, Christmas musical production, stories, and more. For more information, go to the Facebook event, found here, or go the The Midland County Horseshoe Arena website. 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 Yourbasin. CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) As winter weather swept across Central Illinois on Monday, so did slippery conditions and traffic crashes. The snowy weather kept law enforcement busy responding to dozens of car crashes across multiple counties, with many reporting that they dealt with a higher number of traffic collisions throughout the day than usual. WCIA reached out to several counties and cities to learn more. Tips to stay safe on icy roads: Champaign Co. Sheriff, IDOT Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Champaign, more than 20 crashes were reported between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. according to the Police Department. Most of the crashes were minor, but some resulted in injuries to drivers, requiring them to go to a hospital and a tow truck for the vehicles. The Champaign Police Department encourages drivers to slow down and allow extra time when moving throughout the community, they added. Winter weather has led to slippery conditions and increased the time necessary to stop a vehicle. Vermilion County dispatch told WCIA there were 13 accidents in the area Monday morning. Most were fender benders, however, two of the crashes resulted in injuries. The Decatur Police Department said they responded to around 10 traffic accidents today. They were unable to confirm how many of those accidents resulted in injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coles County has seen five crashes. According to the Sheriffs Office, only one so far has resulted in injuries. Some Champaign community members said the weather was a rude awakening as they commuted to work after the holiday. Others were excited hoping it was just the start of a snowy season ahead. I love the snow, its absolutely wonderful, Champaign resident Evan Teplensky said. Im just wishing its a little more, like maybe a foot, but I dont have to drive anywhere so its nice to just walk around and be able to experience a winter wonderland. Snow stopped around 5:00 p.m. Monday night, but temperatures were cold enough to preserve what was left over from the day-time flurries. 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 WCIA.com. SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) Its business as usual at the Food Bank of Central New York as Giving Tuesday donations roll in. We do see a large increase in the number of people willing to give, pitch in, and be a part of that Giving Tuesday support for the food bank, said Lynn Hy, the chief development officer for the food bank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyve been participating in Giving Tuesday since it started, which has helped to provide meals to those in need. Funds raised here at the food bank help us purchase food, deliver the food, Hy said. In our 11 counties, we do door-to-door delivery. It makes sure we have consistent access. A $1 donation provides three meals throughout Central New York. What you are really doing by making that donation is ensuring that healthy and nutritious food is available to men, women, children and citizens that are having a hard time making ends meet, said Hy. In downtown Syracuse, the Redhouse Arts Center launched its new Are You In? campaign, which includes building a community center, art gallery, music and dance studios. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Redhouse is one of those non-profit organizations here in Central New York, said Brian Kesel, the chairman of the board of directors at Redhouse. We are so proud of the community support over the past three decades and as we launch into this next batch, we want to make sure people know we are here. To them, the bigger picture is keeping performers here. We want to make sure children and adults on the stage and behind the stage that are doing the production work, Kesel said. We want to train them and keep them here in Central New York and thats what Redhouse does. Redhouse is also building a marquee, which they expect to have up sometime next year. 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 WSYR. COLOMBO, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's total exports posted an increase of 18.57 percent in October compared to the corresponding month of last year, the country's export development board (EDB) said on Tuesday. Quoting data from Sri Lankan customs, the EDB said the merchandise exports in October 2024 amounted to 1 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of 18.22 percent compared to October 2023. This was mainly due to an increase in earnings from exports of apparel and textiles, tea, rubber-based products, coconut-based products and spices and concentrates, according to the EDB. The estimated value of services exports for October 2024 was 323 million dollars, increasing 19.75 percent over the corresponding period of 2023, the EDB said. Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide, killing hundreds of thousands of people every year. But the disease is shrouded in stigma and silence that could be impacting the search for a cure and endangering patients lives. In the U.S. alone, about 11,500 people are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 4,000 people die from the disease each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And Jennifer Young Pierce, a gynecologic oncologist at the University of South Alabama, told The Hill that more women run the risk of developing cervical cancer than those numbers let on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease that roughly 85 percent of people contract over the course of their lives, per the CDC. About 13 million people in the U.S. are infected with HPV every year. HPV can also lead to cervical dysplasia, or abnormal cell growth on the surface of the cervix, which can turn into cancer if its left untreated. There are about 200,000 cases of pre-cervical cancer in the U.S. a year, meaning that one in six women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with precancerous material in their cervix at some point in their life, Pierce said. Breast cancer is one in seven, she said. If you know somebody who has had breast cancer then you know somebody whos had cervical cancer or precancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pierce explained that every person who has received an abnormal pap smear result and subsequently had to have abnormal cells burned, frozen or lasered off their cervix or uterus has had a brush with cervical cancer. We all know somebody who has literally almost died of cervical cancer, and if they lived in a developing country, would have died of cervical cancer, she said. Its just that nobodys talking about it. If caught early, cervical cancer has a very high five-year survival rate more than 90 percent. But that rate drops precipitously to 19 percent once the disease touches distant organs in the body, according to the American Cancer Society. Research on the disease is underfunded in the U.S. compared to other similarly deadly diseases, however. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cancers that primarily affect women receive less research funding than those that affect men in general. In a 2019 study, researchers found that gynecological cancers like ovarian, cervical and uterine cancers received some of the smallest amounts of research funding proportional to their lethality, while prostate cancer received the largest amount. Cancer experts told The Hill that research toward cervical cancer prevention and treatment receives less funding compared to other diseases for three main reasons: low late-stage survival rates, ignorance of how prevalent the disease is and stigma surrounding it. Cervical cancers low late-stage survival rate means that there are fewer survivors of the disease to advocate for funding compared to some other cancers, Rebecca Perkins, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, told The Hill. And the high success rate of treatment for earlier-stage cervical cancer or precancer could be contributing to the silence surrounding the disease as well, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those with precancer may not feel the need to discuss the disease because they feel that current screening and treatment systems are working well, Perkins wrote. There is also a social stigma around cervical cancer because of its relationship to HPV. Many people mistakenly believe that people who contract HPV must have taken part in risky behavior like having sex with multiple partners without protection. Stigma around the disease discourages patients and survivors from talking about their experiences, which can lead to reduced funding for new preventative measures or a cure. This contributes to a much smaller number of legislative actions, fundraising activities, etc. That we have for cervical cancer compared to, for example, breast cancer, Perkins wrote in an email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kimberly Williams, 49, learned first-hand how that stigma can shame women into silence after she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2018. A close friend of Williams called the cancer a nasty womans disease after she confided in them about her diagnosis. I was hurt, I didnt understand what I did to deserve this, she said adding that the friend made her feel as if her diagnosis was somehow connected to how many sexual partners she had. Nine out of 10 types of cervical cancer are caused by HPV, which is passed mainly among sexual partners. But people can contract the virus even if they are with the same partner for years, in part because symptoms of the disease can sometimes take years to show up. It became difficult to talk about cervical cancer because it was a sex disease, Williams wrote in a text to The Hill. I was married at the time I felt ashamed because it was like what did you do or who were you with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lack of discussion and awareness surrounding cervical cancer can get in the way of the early detection crucial for preventing or effectively treating the disease. Cervical cancer screenings are one of the most effective ways of preventing cervical cancer, but screening rates have been steadily declining and dropped sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic. While its not totally clear why screening rates are falling, one 2022 study found that the most common reason women skipped a cervical cancer screening was because they didnt know they needed one. People with any connection to cervical cancer should share their stories to help change the culture of silence around the disease, health experts said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They say doing so could help convey to those in power just how many people are still at risk of developing the disease, which could in turn potentially increase interest in boosting screenings to catch it early and inspire more funding to develop better treatments for the disease. If we do this right, making sure that everyone gets screened and treated when they need to, said Perkins, we can essentially end cervical cancer in the United States. 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. NEW YORK (AP) Chad Chronister, Donald Trump's pick to run the Drug Enforcement Administration, has withdrawn his name from consideration for the job, becoming the second person selected by the president-elect to bow out quickly after being selected for a position requiring Senate confirmation. Trump says he pulled the plug. The sheriff of Hillsborough County, Florida, said Tuesday in a post on X that he was backing away from the opportunity, which he called the honor of a lifetime. Over the past several days, as the gravity of this very important responsibility set in, Ive concluded that I must respectfully withdraw from consideration, Chronister wrote. He did not elaborate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, Trump claimed he was the one who made the call. He didnt pull out, I pulled him out, because I did not like what he said to my pastors and other supporters, Trump wrote on Truth Social, his social media website. Chronister had faced backlash from some conservatives, who raised concerns over his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic and his saying that his office does not engage in federal immigration enforcement activities. In March 2020, Chronister arrested the pastor of a megachurch who held services with hundreds of people and violated a safer-at-home order in place aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shame on this pastor, their legal staff and the leaders of this staff for forcing us to do our job. Thats not what we wanted to do during a declared state of emergency, Chronister said at the time. We are hopeful that this will be a wakeup call. U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky, was among those airing public complaints, saying Chronister should be disqualified for the arrest. Others flagged comments Chronister made in a video about Floridas immigration laws that he released in 2023 that circulated again online after Trump named him last weekend. In the video, Chronister praised the rich diversity of his community and called it a place where people from all walks of life come together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said it was important to note his office does not engage in federal immigration enforcement activities. We do not target individuals based on their immigration status. Thats the authority of federal agencies. Trump has made a sweeping crackdown on immigration a central focus of his campaign and his aims for his coming administration. Matt Gaetz, Trumps first pick to serve as attorney general, also withdrew his name for a post in the incoming administration. Gaetz dropped out after scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nations chief federal law enforcement officer. ___ Associated Press writers Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Chris Megerian in Washington contributed to this report. Chad Chronister & Andrew Warren in Tampa on April 19, 2019 (Photo by Kim DeFalco via Chronisters Facebook page) Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister is Donald Trumps pick to head the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), responsible for enforcing Americas drug laws, the president-elect announced over the weekend. While the nomination is being applauded in Tampa by those who have worked with Chronister directly in fighting substance abuse, it is being lambasted in some corners of MAGA World, specifically for his arrest of a pastor for violating a COVID lockdown in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chronister, who has led the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office since 2017, made national news in March 2020 when he arrested Rodney Howard-Browne, pastor of The River at Tampa Bay Church, after the agency said he intentionally and repeatedly hosted church services with hundreds of members in attendance, despite knowing he was in violation of orders set in place by the President, the Governor of Florida, the CDC and the Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group. But following criticism from some local Republicans for arresting the pastor, Chronister, who was running for re-election that year, reached out and shared a meal with the same man he had arrested two months earlier, raising ethical questions about visiting a defendant with a criminal case pending. (Then-State Attorney Andrew Warren, meanwhile, dropped the case.) Its impossible to defend this, said conservative YouTube personality Mike Cernovich, who has more than 1 million followers on X. He even bragged about it. The DEA has already shown itself to often act as a thug organization, focusing on low level users instead of the cartels. Arresting a pastor?! This man cant be near more power. Im going to call em like I see em. Trumps nominee for head of DEA should be disqualified for ordering the arrest a pastor who defied COVID lockdowns, said Kentucky Republican U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement THIS MANS NOMINATION MUST BE BLOCKED HE WAS A TYRANT DURING COVID, wrote Lake County Commissioner Anthony Sabatini, who filed a lawsuit against Hillsborough County for its COVID lockdown. I HAD TO SUE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TO STOP THE INSANITY HE CREATED WE NEED A DEA DIRECTOR WHO BELIEVES IN FREEDOM. Unfair criticism Hillsborough County Republicans insist such criticism is unfair. I think what he was doing, what he felt was enforcing the laws at the time, is why he did what he did, Hillsborough County Republican Committeewoman April Schiff told the Phoenix. Hes always been that way in doing what he thinks is the right thing to do under the law. Jake Hoffman is president of the Tampa Bay Young Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much of the criticism youre witnessing online is in regard to actions taken by the Sheriff four years ago that the rest of the country is just learning about, he told the Phoenix in an email. During that time, I was openly critical about all the COVID policies as well, and the Sheriff sat down with me for an hour long recorded interview addressing much of the Republican communities concerns. [Sic] I believe the Sheriff learned from those experiences and will do a great job leading the DEA under President Trump. Chronister is married to Nikki DeBartolo, daughter of former San Francisco 49ers owners Eddie DeBartolo, who was convicted in a gambling fraud scandal in the late 1990s and fined $1 million, but he never served prison time. Donald Trump pardoned him in February 2020. Ties with Democrats When Chronister ran for re-election in 2020, his previous financial contributions to Democrats were a sore spot for some Republicans. Although he gave more donations to Republicans, campaign finance records showed that Chronister sent checks to Barack Obama, Charlie Crist, the Democratic National Committee, and to Hillsborough County Democratic state legislators such as Fentrice Driskell, Dianne Hart, and Susan Valdes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I support the most qualified candidate. And if that happens to be a Democrat who Ill be working with, then thats who Im going to support. But it doesnt make me any less of a Republican, Chronister told this reporter that year. I think that people need to understand that he was serving countywide in a county that was then dominated by Democrats, and he knows what it takes to get elected, and he did that and he basically worked to satisfy his entire constituency, both Democrats and Republicans, said Schiff. Since 2020, all of Chronisters political contributions have been exclusively for Republicans or GOP campaign committees, according to Open Secrets. That included several donations to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Chronister was at DeSantis side on Aug. 4, 2022, when the governor announced that he was suspending Andrew Warren as Hillsborough County state attorney for alleged neglect of duty and incompetence, claiming he went too easy on criminals with some of his policies and that he had signed public statements objecting to prosecutions for abortion and transgender care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chronister and Warren had worked together on several criminal justice reform measures and were friendly for years leading up to that day. I can tell you that I was proud to have the sheriffs support in 2020, Warren said on WMNF-Radio in August. I was proud of the fact that we worked together to reduce crime. That all of these policies from drug diversion programs to mental health courts, to the civil citation programs, that was supported by the sheriff and by the law enforcement community here. When asked Monday about his thoughts about Chronisters nomination, Warren sent this text message to the Phoenix: I hope all the president-elects nominees succeed in making our country better: helping people achieve the American dream that make us more prosperous, safe, and healthy, while leaving behind the divisive and dirty politics that hold us back and tear at the fabric of our nation. Opioids Among top issues that Chronister will face if hes confirmed is the opioid crisis, which remains among the biggest drug problems in the country, even with overdose deaths starting to decline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think hell be excellent in that position, said Ellen Snelling of the Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance. I have worked with him over many years, and hes been very supportive of prevention, treatment, and recovery. Anything to do with substance abuse, hes always been on our side, trying to help, so its been a very positive experience working with him, she said, referring specifically to the Sheriffs Offices work with takebacks of unused or expired prescription drugs. Hes been very active with that, Snelling said. Hes come to our takebacks. Hell do PSAs before our events to get more people to come out. They have prescription drug take-back boxes at every sheriffs office, every district office, theres a 24-7 box there. So, on a lot of the projects we work on, he and his deputies have been working with us. In February 2020, Chronister announced his offices support of a proposal to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of cannabis throughout Hillsborough County. Snelling said she opposes the complete decriminalization of pot, a sentiment she expressed to Chronister at the time. But she added that she understood why Hillsborough County agreed to do so, since it was aligning with the city of Tampas decision to do the same in 2016. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christopher Cano, executive director of Suncoast NORML (the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) has been critical of the DEA on cannabis policy and says the incoming Trump administrations nominees do not seem promising champions of reform either. He noted that many high-profile appointments in the areas of public health and drug safety are Prohibitionists, as is top picks to lead the Justice Department. Only [Robert] Kennedy and Chronister have seemed to espouse common sense views on cannabis decriminalization, Cano said. Another issue that may come up during his confirmation hearings is Chronisters stance on gun safety. In 2019, he called for enhanced mental health screenings for anyone who wants to own a gun, supporting universal background checks and the red flag provision in Floridas 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Act, which allows law enforcement to go to court to take guns away from individuals declared a danger to themselves or others for up to a year. Sabatini believes those positions will hurt Chronister with some GOP senators. I think theres a good chance that the few strong conservative Republican senators that we have may vote him down when his full record is exposed, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com. Follow Florida Phoenix on Facebook and X. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) Officers from the Champaign Police Department will be helping families in need Tuesday evening with their annual Shop with a Cop event. Officers will be at the Champaign Meijer starting at 5:30 p.m. to do Christmas shopping for local families. The event is unique in that while it is sanctioned by the Champaign Police Department, it is not taken out of their budget. IL State Fire Marshal offers safety tips for holiday decorations Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joe Lamberson, the Departments Assistant to the Chief of Police for Community Services, explained that the officers taking part in the event raised money for it themselves. Some of the officers taking part are also on duty, shopping in between service calls. Its a great opportunity for us to connect with our community, Lamberson said. The families whom the event will benefit have already been selected. Lamberson said the department reached out to churches and other organizations in the community to ask who could benefit from the event the most. In addition to shopping, Meijer is also providing a meal to the officers and the families. 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 WCIA.com. NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. Charges are dismissed against a homeless man accused of making inappropriate contact with students in Seneca and threatening to shoot up the school. Seneca man arrested for alleged sex crimes and threats towards school Earlier today, the Newton County prosecutor dismissed charges against Brandin Willms, 18, after necessary witnesses failed to appear to testify. Prosecutor William Lynch said its possible charges could be refiled if those witnesses come forward again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Willms had been charged with multiple counts including terrorist threats and harassment after a group of Seneca Junior High girls say he made inappropriate comments about one of their bodies and touched one of the girls inner thighs. The girls said Willms also threatened to shoot up the school. 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. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) After spending on ourselves and others, local charities across the area are hoping residents are willing to help them as well. The Salvation Army has already started its annual holiday Red Kettle Campaign but wants to bring in an extra $10,000 Giving Tuesday. We do spend a lot at Christmas, but the donations and the funds help us year-round. If we dont have the funds, we have to cut back services, and we try not to do that, said Major Paul Moore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Salvation Army officials said they are a little behind in this years Red Kettle Campaign, which is shorter than usual because of the lateness of Thanksgiving. The goal is to raise about $105,000 this season just in the Mahoning Valley for local families plus collect more than $15,000 in toys for area children. Giving Tuesday is a big fundraising day for the organization, as they hope to raise about $10,000 towards that goal. Tuesday is not a big cattle day because we dont have a lot of kettles out. But if we can raise a couple thousand dollars, we would be thrilled with that. Anything helps, said Moore. Joe Caruso with Compass Family and Community Services said they have a yearly donation goal of $250,000 to support different programs and are looking to bring in 10% of that now through the end of the year. Those dollars go into local match for state and federal dollars that we bring back to Youngstown for our services, and its really critical, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many local charitable organizations are looking for help in the Valley. Organizers say they are not necessarily seeing themselves as competing with other charities, they just hope their message can resonate with donors. Lynn Wyant with the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley said they are asking for donations in the form of towels about $30,000 worth. They can be ordered online through Amazon and delivered directly to the mission. Being able to give somebody the opportunity to take a clean shower and get a fresh towel means a lot. Our goal is to be able to present every single person who comes here next year with their own towel. That would be 1,200 towels, Wyant said. Even those who care for our four-legged friends are looking for help covering costs. Jane MacMurchy with Animal Charity of Ohio said they spent $34,000 in just the last six months for emergency vet care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having Giving Tuesday fall at the end of the year is really what gives us that push to financially sustain throughout the first half of next year, MacMurchy said. Animal Charity has 140 dogs and 275 total animals in its care. It costs $15 a day per animal to care for and feed them. Besides monetary donations, the agency needs bleach, blankets, cat litter and peanut butter. All hoping whats raised now will ease the burden of what may be needed in the months ahead. 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. Radio host Charlamagne tha God criticized Democrats after President Bidens pardon of his son Hunter. I just want Democrats to stop acting like they are on this moral high ground politically, when they have shown us theyre not, he said Monday on the Black Information Network. Whether its skipping the primary process when Biden stepped down to things like Biden pardoning his son. Stop acting like you all are the pure party and Republicans arent. President Biden announced Sunday that he signed a full and unconditional pardon for his son, backtracking on his previous claims that he wouldnt. Hunter Biden, who is 54, pleaded guilty to nine federal tax charges and was found guilty of three felony gun charges. He was set to face sentencing Wednesday. President Biden argued his son was targeted because of his relationship to the sitting president, and that he had no reason to believe the attempts to break his son would end anytime soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Bidens pardon] also shows me elected officials can do whatever they want as long as they have the political will and courage to do it, Charlamagne tha God added. He has previously supported Democratic candidates, inviting Vice President Harris to his show The Breakfast Club during her presidential campaign. 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. Charlamagne Tha God has demanded that the Democrats stop acting like theyre on the moral high ground, following Joe Bidens presidential pardon for his son. The popular radio host pointed to other examples of the Democrats failure to act morally and blasted suggestions that Hunter Biden was singled out due to being the presidents son. Biden announced he would be issuing the pardon on Sunday night, despite claiming previously on multiple occasions that he would not do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a lengthy statement, he said his son had been selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted by the Justice Department and that he hoped the American people would understand his decision as a father. Discussing the news on The Breakfast Club, Charlamagne real name Lenard Larry McKelvey said Hunter was singled out because he broke the law not because he was the presidents son. Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he would be issuing a presidential pardon for his son Hunter, which has caused outrage across the political aisle (AFP via Getty Images) He continued: "I honestly dont care, I just want Democrats to stop acting like they are on this moral high ground politically, when they have shown us theyre not." You know, whether its skipping the primary process when Biden stepped down to things like Biden pardoning his son. Stop acting like you all are the pure party and Republicans arent. It also shows me elected officials can do what they want as long as they have the political will and courage to do it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hunter Bidens pardon came less than two weeks ahead of his sentencing on December 12 for his conviction on federal gun charges back in June. He was also set to be sentenced in a separate criminal case on December 16, after pleading guilty in September to federal tax evasion charges. Motion to dismiss the cases was filed on Sunday, with a federal judge ordering the gun charge case to be officially terminated on Tuesday. In his statement on Sunday, Biden said: Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter. From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Departments decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted. Speaking on The Breakfast Club radio show, Charlamagne Tha God, said that despite Democrat claims Hunter Biden had not been singled out because he was the presidents son (This Week ABC) It is clear that Hunter was treated differently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the decision has been met with outrage from both sides of the political aisle, including Democratic Governor Jared Polis, who publicly called for Biden to step off the Democratic Partys ticket in July. The Colorado governor used the presidents own words against him following Donald Trumps conviction on 34 felony counts in May, stating that no one is above the law, showing his disdain that the president had placed his family ahead of the country. While as a father I certainly understand President @JoeBidens natural desire to help his son by pardoning him, I am disappointed that he put his family ahead of the country, Polis wrote on X. Greg Stanton, a Democratic representative from Arizona, agreed with Polis, writing on X: I respect President Biden, but I think he got this one wrong. This wasnt a politically-motivated prosecution. Hunter committed felonies, and was convicted by a jury of his peers. The city of Charleston is considering an ordinance that would prohibit panhandling and fundraising in roadway medians and along streets within certain parts of the city. Mathew and his girlfriend Vicki, who are both homeless, panhandle on a street on Aug. 5, 2021 in Springfield, Missouri. (Spencer Platt | Getty Images) The city of Charleston is considering an ordinance that would prohibit interactions between people in vehicles and pedestrians in roadway medians and along streets within certain parts of the city. Should it be passed, the bill would prohibit panhandling as well as fundraisers in those areas, said Councilman Chad Robinson, chairman of councils Rules and Ordinance Committee, which first proposed the bill at its meeting Nov. 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was formally introduced to the council Monday evening and referred to the Rules and Ordinance and Public Safety committees for further work. Robinson, who represents a ward in the citys Kanawha City area, said the bill is meant to address safety concerns, not criminalize homelessness. We have people panhandling all over Kanawha City, he said. During the construction [of MacCorkle Avenue] we had people standing in the construction zone, walking outside the cones in medians when people are stopping cars and handing money. Ive told people before, try to find a bill that I voted against our [Coordinated Addiction Response Effort] team or trying to help the homeless, Robinson said. Its not about that. It is about safety. Coming off the interstate bridge in Kanawha City, we have people stopping at green lights to hand out money to individuals when the lights are green and people are coming. They fly off an interstate and its dangerous. Weve got to do something about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The language in the bill is based on a law the city of Wheeling recently passed, Robinson said. Monongalia County passed a similar ordinance in October 2023. According to the version of the legislation introduced Monday, within areas of concern in the city, it would be illegal to use the public right-of-way in a way that interferes with the movement of people and property from place in a public roadway, highway or right-of-way, for a person to stop, stand or otherwise occupy or remain in a median on any public roadway except to cross, and for a pedestrian to have a physical interaction or transfer a product with the occupant of a motor vehicle while the vehicle is not legally parked. The bill defines areas of concerns as having any or all of the following characteristics: roadways or highways with a speed limit of at least 30 miles per hour; medians, roadways or highways less than 10 feet wide; roadways with poor or no lighting; roadways during inclement weather that limits visibility; and roadways or streets under construction or repair. The law would require the city to post a list of areas of concern on its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robinson said hes mainly concerned with the interstates entrances and exits in the city. Thats the main areas where we have accidents. Thats the main thoroughfares in and out of the cities, he said. And thats where a lot of people are staying and holding signs, panhandling, everything. But again, I dont know where well end up. I dont know that well get something passed, but were going to have the discussion, Robinson said. Im going to have my committee discuss it, even if its a couple months. Violating the law would be a misdemeanor. Drivers and pedestrians who are convicted face a $100 fine or community service, at the discretion of municipal court. The bill encourages police to offer warnings for violations unless the person is known to have repeatedly violated the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the National Homelessness Law Center, an organization that advocates for policies that prevent and end homelessness, anti-panhandling laws fail to address the causes of homelessness and poverty and they make it more difficult for people because they put arrest records, fines and fees in the way of people trying to get into housing. This is at least the third time in recent years that Charleston City Council has considered a law that would restrict panhandling. In 2017, a proposed bill would have required people soliciting to obtain a permit prior to doing so. The consideration of that bill coincided with a city campaign that encouraged people to give to a fund for homeless service providers through the United Way of Central West Virginia instead of directly to panhandlers. Signs around the city directed people to give where it belongs. The campaign raised $0. In 2021, a city council committee considered a bill that would have restricted people from standing or congregating in high speed intersections and near bridges or highways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia raised concerns with both bills, calling them unconstitutional. Neither bill went to full council for a vote. In an email, Billy Wolfe, communications director of ACLU-WV, said the organization is following both Charlestons latest panhandling bill and the enforcement of Wheelings recent ban. Were watching Wheelings enforcement of its new ordinance closely, and were very concerned about the overly broad language in Charlestons bill, Wolfe said. Whether or not these ordinances are constitutional could ultimately come down to how theyre enforced, but one thing is certain: cities will never fine or arrest their way out of poverty. Amy Wolfe, director of Manna Meal, Charlestons only soup kitchen, said she only knows a little about Charlestons latest proposal to limit panhandling, but said the city should be careful not to criminalize an already marginalized group of people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe that as a society, were getting less empathetic, and I believe thats a very dangerous road to go down, that we need to continually take care of our neighbors that need our help, she said. Robinson said last week its too early for criticisms that the proposed ordinance may be unconstitutional. We dont even have an introduced version of a bill, he said last week. We havent discussed it. We havent had questions. We havent amended it, and we havent passed it. So theres nothing unconstitutional about anything right now, because were just in the beginning phases of this discussion. City Council President Becky Ceperley, a council member-at-large who was part of the council during the previous efforts to ban panhandling, said the bill applies to everyone, even people standing in the street to raise funds for a high school event, for instance. The proposed bill is specific and its goal is safety, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Safety, one, for the people standing in the medians and asking for money, and two, for people who will just stop really quickly and cause a car accident, Ceperley said. If youll notice, a lot of places, like in Kanawha city, where they stand are high traffic areas, obviously, and it is often where cars are then coming off the ramps and their speed is up. So it can be very dangerous, both to the individual and to the cars. Ceperley said it would be helpful for people to understand better ways for people to help those in need. I think to the extent that were able to craft [a bill], I think that having something that protects everybody is a good idea, she said. But passing it will be tough, she said. If it were easy to do, every city in the world would have it, Ceperley said. So I think it will be [tough], and I know that theres concern, but I cant imagine that there wouldnt be some pushback from various organizations about doing it. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE MANILA, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Estelita Dy, one of the few surviving Filipino "comfort women" who were forced into sexual slavery by Japanese troops during World War II, has died at the age of 94. Lila Pilipina, an organization fighting for justice for Philippine wartime sexual slavery victims, said Dy died of cardiac arrest on Nov. 24. "Until her recent stroke, Lola Estelita served as the voice of the survivors, ardently speaking out against wars of occupation even as her health turned even more frail," the organization said in a statement. "Lola" is a Tagalog word that means grandmother, and also refers to the aging Filipino "comfort women" victims as a group. Lila Pilipina described Dy as "a true warrior for peace, an inspiration for many women in the country and Japan." "Her message often centered around the need for vigilance among young people, who will be most affected by imperialist wars," Lila Pilipina said in its statement. In an interview with Xinhua in 2022, Dy recalled her ordeal with the Japanese soldiers, which started in 1944 when she was 14 years old. Dy said she had kept her wartime ordeal from her family until 1993, when she, along with hundreds of Filipino women, came forward publicly to demand justice and accountability from the Japanese government. Like many victims of Japanese wartime atrocities, Dy died without seeing what she had desired. "I actually do not expect to see justice in my lifetime," Dy once said. "But what is more important to me is that young people do not experience wars of occupation like we did." GABRIELA, a progressive women's group in the Philippines, also lauded Dy for dedicating her life to seeking justice. "Despite her advancing age and failing health, she remained a powerful voice against imperialism and militarization," GABRIELA said. According to Sharon Silva, a coordinator of Lila Pilipina, more than 1,000 Filipino women were forced to serve as sex slaves for the Japanese aggressors when Japan occupied the Philippines from December 1941 until its defeat in August 1945. The Charlotte area experienced snow for the first time in almost three years Tuesday morning. Overnight, flurries fell from the mountains into Uptown Charlotte. It created a widespread blanket of light snow in areas like University City, Concord, Salisbury, Kannapolis, and Statesville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Channel 9s Gina Esposito spoke with residents near Frank Liske Park in Concord about the winter wonderland. I saw it collect on the grass and then walked to my car and saw it on my car, said resident Mikayla Ross. Esposito also spoke with county workers who were already laying down deicing solutions across the area. ALSO READ: Firefighter hurt after fire truck overturns in Iredell County The snow and icy road conditions also impacted several school districts in our area. Those schools included Alexander, Ashe, Iredell, Watauga, Rowan, Salisbury, Mooresville, and Catawba counties. Some schools were canceled. Others either operated on a two-hour delay or had a remote learning day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The winter weather also impacted roadways across the state, with several accidents being reported in Iredell County. One of those accidents involved a fire truck overturning, and another involved several tractor-trailers colliding with one another. However, no injuries have been reported. Channel 9 is continuing to cover the impact of the snow in our area. Download the Channel 9 Weather App for the latest. VIDEO: Firefighter hurt after firetruck overturns in Iredell County Like many teens growing up in North Carolina, Ajith Varikuti has a special place in his heart for the Outer Banks. His familys taken several summer trips out to the beaches and hes seen firsthand the unique homes and businesses along the shore. When he saw on the news that home after home was washing away into the ocean, he wanted to do something. His proposed solution earned him the top prize in the Autodesk, Make it Resilient contest and $10,000 in scholarship funds. The Outer Banks prepare for the impact of rising sea levels Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Varikuti started using a design software called Autodesk Tinkercad in middle school and in the years since, hes experimented with other more professional-grade software in the Autodesk library, which is free to students like him. During the pandemic especially, I started getting really into it, he said. As I kept using them, I kept getting better and better at them to the point where I felt comfortable designing parts and buildings. To Varikuti, it was about figuring out ways to solve the problems of the future, and to him one of the biggest looming problems for builders is climate change. The Cape Hatteras Seashore estimates beaches along the Outer Banks are losing about 12 feet of beach a year to erosion and sea level rise. Its already led to 11 homes collapsing along the shoreline since 2020, including six just this year. The North Carolina DEQ expects the sea level will rise at least a foot along our coast by 2050. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To keep floodwaters out, Charleston is designing a sea wall If the shoreline is moving, Varikuti thought perhaps homes should as well. He came up with the idea of a 3D-Printed home, built to the latest FEMA resiliency standards and guidelines, that can be put together and taken apart in modules. I was thinking of something that would not just be able to withstand hurricanes in the next one year, two years, three years, five years. I wanted to create something that would be resilient for the next 30 years or longer, he said. I wanted something that could be moved and taken apart and disassembled and reassembled in different locations multiple times. Using Autodesk Revit, Varikuti put together his first draft and then sent his designs off to a professional architect with the construction firm AECOM, which uses the same software. He got feedback and made adjustments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He warned me that houses, especially in the Outer Banks, their foundations need to be much more deep, much more strong, and much heavier, so I added more resilient foundations as a result, he said. Autodesks Vice President of Education Experiences, Mary Hope McQuiston, said Varikutis proposal rose to the top of Make it Resilient contest because it showed just how much one student can do with this software and the potential to take these projects from theory into practice. Are the Carolinas ready for the next Big One? I really love that he gave us visibility into his whole process, she said. He talked about the fact that he sought out help and mentorship with professionals and I think that was fantastic because I think for these students, it can be intimidating, and seeing him outline that process not only inspires him, but hopefully gives them the confidence that they too can do it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With his design finalized Varikuti said hes started researching local 3D-printed home building firms to see what it would take to get a project like this built. He said he plans to use the funds to help him continue to pursue a career in engineering. Ultimately, as our coastal population grows, he said he hopes home builders consider future options that move with the tides. Once these sorts of ideas gain traction in the community they start to populate in the industry, he said. VIDEO: How a new type of sand on the Outer Banks could help fight climate change Michelin-starred chef Tommy Banks said he's out of 2,500 pies after thieves stole his van containing the baked goods and later ditched the vehicle. According to an Instagram video posted by the U.K. chef, the pies were ruined. "It's pretty badly damaged," Banks said. "And unfortunately, the bin in the back and all of the pies are pretty damaged as well." The refrigerated van was stolen from a storage unit with 2,500 pies in boxes that had Banks' name written all over them, he said. The pies were worth about 25,000, Banks said, which is equivalent to just over $31,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Banks wishes the outcome was different, he said. But he is grateful for the outpouring support he received from other business owners and people watching online. PHOTO: This undated handout photo shows Tommy Banks' pies. (Tommy Banks/AP) "I'd just like to say a massive thank you to everyone. I mean, so many people have been interested in trying to find these pies, and I think the response from people have been amazing, especially for the business owners who've offered to lend us everything from vans to pastry to flour to meat, everything to make it, make it work," Banks said. Banks declined ABC News' request for an interview. MORE: Martha Stewart uses literal pie chart to make 35 homemade pies for Thanksgiving Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ABC News reached out to the North Yorkshire Police and was directed to a statement on their website. "To recap, North Yorkshire Police received a report on 2 December that a refrigerated vehicle containing valuable food stock including pies, had been stolen from a business park in Melmerby near Ripon over the weekend of 29 November to 2 December 2024," the police department said in a statement. The statement added, "Initial enquiries revealed that the van, a white Fiat Ducato, was found abandoned with false number plates in the Hemlington area of Middlesbrough and was recovered by Cleveland Police on 29/30 November." The New Yorkshire Police said the van has been returned to the owner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cleveland Police said the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information should contact police. Prior to the van being found, Banks uploaded a video on Instagram calling for the thieves to donate the pies to a charity for those in need. He adds that the burglars "probably didn't bargain for nearly ton of pies in the back of it." "These guys probably stole the van, right? Because that's what they do," Banks said. "They steal vans or cars or whatever, but they probably didn't bargain for the nearly ton of pies that is in the back of it." Banks said that the pies were for York Christmas Market and it's unfortunate because a lot of work went into the pies, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's kind of sad because that's a lot of meat and a lot of flour and eggs and a lot of work," Banks said. "Like so much work. So like 25,000 pounds worth of a stock in the back of this van." MORE: How long Thanksgiving food leftovers last, plus more food safety tips According to Banks' video, a rising trend of vans being stolen has mustered up and he encourages everyone to stay safe. "A lot of crime going around at the moment, a lot of vans being stolen," Banks said. "And I did an interview on the radio earlier. People were saying how many vans are getting stolen. So I think especially at this time of year, just be vigilant. Definitely lockdown. I think we certainly learnt a few lessons and won't be leaving stock in our vans overnight for sure." Chef says thieves stole van with $31K worth of pies originally appeared on abcnews.go.com ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) A Chemung County inmate has been arrested as a fugitive from justice out of Bradford County, Pennsylvania after he allegedly failed to appear in court on another charge. James J. Johnston, 45, was arrested on an arrest warrant on Monday, Dec. 2, after he failed to appear in court on a petition to revoke parole/probation on an original charge of retail theft-taking merchandise, as reported by the Chemung County Sheriffs Office. Waterloo man arrested, allegedly broke into Bath Ambulance Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of the Sheriffs Office state that on Monday the Criminal Investigations Division received the warrant from the Bradford County Sheriffs Office requesting that Johnston, who is currently an inmate at the Chemung County Jail, be held for the above-listed offenses. As a result, Johnston was arrested and processed as a fugitive from justice. Johnston then had his charges read to him in Chemung County Court and was returned to the jail, where he awaits extradition to Pennsylvania. 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 WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Yet another person in Kansas City is now a victim of car theft, but what was in the car was way more valuable than the vehicle. FOX4 has documented the problem with car thefts in Kansas City. KCPDs own records indicate more than 650 cars are stolen in this city every month. Ex-KCK detective Roger Golubski found dead before trial I came back to try and start my car, and I didnt hear it, Kevin Pichardo, who had his car stolen Sunday, recalled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pichardos car was gone from the Arts District Parking Garage, which sits next to the Kauffman Center of Performing Arts. But the story of how we got here starts at FTR Fit. Pichardo started FTR alongside his brother, where they now run a thriving personal training business. Family to them is incredibly important. Very few people were more crucial to the they brothers than their cousin, Angel Solano. We grew up together since I could walk, he showed me a lot of things, wanted the best for me, hed be really proud to see what Ive done, Pichardo said. Solano was a Marine, who like Pichardo, loved cars. But two years ago, Solano passed away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the hats he wore while serving active duty in the Marines found a home on Pichardos dashboard in honor of their shared love of cars. Chris Jones expresses frustrations with awkward 2024 Chiefs schedule On Sunday, Pichardo took his girlfriend to the Kauffman Center of Performing Arts for a show, it was date night. When they came out back to a parking garage that is managed by LAZ Parking and owned by the city, his 2020, 392 Daytona Scat Pack was gone. I immediately had my girlfriend call 911. I went to security, one of the guys mentioned that he saw my car with the busted windows with a black SUV behind it, Pichardo said. That security guard was just a parking attendant, and according to the company, has no duty to report car theft to police, even if they witness the stolen car leaving. And they didnt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now that car, and most importantly, one of Solanos Marine caps given to his cousin in honor of his life and his service, are gone. Id run 100 miles with no rest, no water, Id do anything, I wouldnt sleep, Pichardo said in wanting his car back. FOX4 reached out to the company that manages the garage and asked where does the buck stop when something like this happens? See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri They pointed us to the city, which owns the garage. The city pointed us back to police saying that they would, hate to jeopardize the investigation. FOX4 reached out to KCPD, but they had no updates on the case. FOX4 will keep you updated as more details come along. 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. Cherokee County deputies are looking for a man who has been missing since May. Albert Lamar Adams, 69, was last seen around the U-Haul business at 6380 Hickory Flat Highway on May 1, 2024. He is approximately five feet, seven inches tall, and weighs about 180 lbs. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] He may be driving a white 1994 Ford F-150 with Georgia tag RYA8351. If you see him, deputies ask that you call 911. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] CHEYENNE Many Cheyenne residents criticized a proposed ordinance that would ban oversized vehicles from public roadways as government overreach, but it passed its second reading by City Council members Monday night. The ordinance, which is co-sponsored by council member Michelle Aldrich, would amend an existing city ordinances list of nuisance vehicles banned from public roadways to include RVs, horse trailers, campers or others that exceed 25 feet in length, 7 feet in width or 9 feet in height (amended from 8 feet). Cheyenne resident Lee Filer, the first of many to testify against the amendment, criticized it as government overreach. He argued owners of these vehicles help pay for city roads and services and shouldnt be burdened with the task of finding storage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These vehicles are registered. They pay for their plates at the county, just like everyone else does, Filer said. Several residents spelled out problems with storing their vehicles on a lot, with top concerns centered around monthly storage fees, limited space within the city and security issues. One Cheyenne resident said he had access to storage on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, but it would cost him $500 a year. Im on a fixed income, he said. I dont know if too many of you ever thought about that. Local small business owner Jon Puls said he is still paying off the mortgage on his new company and owns multiple large vehicles near his home. Finding the money to put them all in storage would run him out of business, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I cant afford to store my vehicles, because the storage rate would be ridiculous, Puls said. How many business owners are you going to put out of business by doing this ordinance? Cheyenne resident Gary Everett said many RV owners prefer to keep their vehicles close to home, where its easier to keep an eye on their property and stored belongings. This sense of security is particularly important for those of us who specifically chose to reside in the areas that allow RV parking, valuing the freedom and flexibility it provides, Everett said. If this ordinance is passed, the implications of not having adequate storage options for RVs could be serious, leading to frustration and potential noncompliance among residents who rely on these vehicles for their lifestyle. However, not everyone who testified was against the ordinance. One Cheyenne mother said some of the residential streets are narrow, and large campers and RVs parked up on the sidewalk create dangerous blind spots for drivers and kids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said children use these sidewalks every day, to walk to school and play in their yards. Many of these campers obstruct paths, with running cable cords and steps propped over the walkway, and also make it difficult for small people to look around for cars. Im probably the only person in the room that wholeheartedly supports this, she said. Theres a lot of parents like me that also feel this way, and a lot of parents who dont own RVs because they cant afford them, because theyre paying day care right now, but I want you to think about the 1-foot-tall people and the 3-foot-tall people like my kids. Response from council Council members Richard Johnson and Aldrich said this has been a No. 1 complaint brought to them by their constituents for years. Aldrich said this issue needed more conversation, and she encouraged people in favor of the ordinance to testify at the citys next Committee of the Whole meeting Wednesday at 6 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would hope that people who are in favor of this would turn out in the same numbers of people who have spoken against it this evening, Aldrich said. Councilman Ken Esquibel argued this is also a matter of safety. Large vehicles parked on narrow streets obstruct the path of emergency vehicles, he said. When you call 911 and your spouse is having a heart attack, every second matters, Esquibel said. We want those emergency vehicles to be able to get to you. Councilman Pete Laybourn, who has voted against the ordinance from the start, said he has yet to hear an explanation on how it would be enforced. The city is still waiting to tow abandoned cars off the streets, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its obvious from the amendments that are being made here tonight that this ordinance is not ready, Laybourn said. This is something that we should quit trying to tweak and go to a more comprehensive and intelligent discussion. Councilman Jeff White said he was concerned with the availability of staff and space to tow vehicles that violated the ordinance. He said these were questions he wanted to see answered, but he still voted in support of the ordinance change. New amendments Johnson proposed an amendment, based on public comment, that would allow oversized vehicles to park on city streets during the summer, similar to a city ordinance in Casper, and a start date of Sept. 7, 2025, for purposes of educating the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few City Council members said they believed this was a good compromise, but later voted against it after constituents argued this did nothing to solve the issue. Filer and other members of the public said most RV storage lots require people to pay for the entire year to reserve a spot. Regardless of the amendments that you put to this, youre still putting a constraint on entrepreneurs, Puls said. Johnsons amendment failed, but two others were put in place. City Council member Mark Rinne successfully added an amendment to expand the 8-foot height provision to 9 feet, which he said would accommodate newer van models. Aldrich also successfully added an exemption to the proposal for accessible vehicles compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Council members voted to forward the ordinance on its second reading, with no votes from Laybourn and Councilman Bryan Cook. The amendment will be considered for final approval or disapproval by the Committee of the Whole on Wednesday. CHICAGO After a 12-hour flight, eight children from the Gaza Strip arrived in Chicago for medical treatment Monday afternoon with a large crowd cheering them on. The children and their guardians were met with posters, balloons and gifts as they left Terminal 5 at Chicago OHare International Airport. The effort was organized by the Palestine Childrens Relief Fund (PCRF). Over the next few months, the children will receive medical treatment at U.S. hospitals, free of cost. Other families across the country, including here in Chicago, will host the children as they receive treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Middle East latest: Hezbollah fires into Israel-held area, its first strike since ceasefire began Right away when I was called, Im like, Yes, I didnt even hesitate, said Nesreen Abulaba who will be hosting a family from Gaza. If we can help in any way, we will do that. The eight children are facing serious injuries from bombs, missile strikes and other war-related injuries. Most of them will need limb replacement and reconstructive surgery. Nasa, for example, is one of those children that has leg arm amputation. All of his siblings have been killed. His father has been killed. The only one whos a living companion is his mother who also has a left leg amputation. So you start thinking whos going to take care of who? said Tareq Jailat, director of global patient affairs for PCRF. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While PCRF has organized similar missions in recent months, this is the most children theyve had on one flight at once since the war started. As happy as we are to be greeting these eight children all coming together with their guardians to receive medical treatment through our organization, we cant help but think about the thousands of children that are still in Gaza and the thousands that have been orphaned and injured and still in desperate need of medical attention, added Sarah Alrayyes of PCRF. This medical treatment is not available to them in Gaza. The infrastructure, the hospital have all collapsed. PCRF hopes to bring as many children from Gaza as they can in the coming months. 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. WALPOLE A well-known fast-food company is coming to Walpole with plans to serve its signature chicken sandwiches with a side of charity. Chick-fil-A will open its 18th location in the state on Thursday at the Walpole Mall, at 112 Providence Highway. The company said in a press release that the new location will have 80 full- and part-time employees. It will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday beginning Thursday, Dec. 5, continuing the company's longstanding practice of remaining closed on Sundays. Meet the owner-operator of Chick-fil-A Most Chick-fil-A restaurants are owned and operated by a single individual, according to the company, which said doing so makes each location its own small business. There are more than 3,000 such owner-operator restaurants across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, according to the family-owned and privately held company founded in 1967. The chicken sandwich is a popular menu item at Chick-fil-A, which opens in Walpole on Dec. 5. The local franchise owner-operator in Walpole is North Carolina native Andrew Musick, who has been with the company since 2010, when he was hired as a team member while still in high school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musick, who worked at a location in South Attleboro before taking on the Walpole job, will oversee all day-to-day activities of the business. His other responsibilities include cultivating relationships with local organizations and businesses and tailoring philanthropic efforts, the company said in its press release. Boston Food Bank donation, free meals to local heroes While the opening of the Walpole Chick-fil-A is welcome news to area fans of the third-largest fast-food restaurant in the country, it is even better news for the 100 people the company will name as local heroes making an impact in the Walpole area who will be rewarded for their work with a year of free Chick-fil-A entrees. To celebrate the opening of its new location in Walpole, Chick-fil-A has donated $25,000 to Feeding America to support local hunger relief efforts of Greater Boston Food Bank. In addition, the company said it has donated $25,000 to Feeding America to support local hunger relief efforts of Greater Boston Food Bank. Under Musick's leadership, the new location will also participate in the Chick-fil-A Shared Table program, an initiative that redirects surplus food from the restaurant to local soup kitchens, shelters, food banks and nonprofits in need. More than 30 million meals to date have been created from Chick-fil-A Shared Table donations from over 2,200 Chick-fil-A locations, the company said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fickle chicken: So, Braintree isn't getting a Chick-fil-A. What Massachusetts town is I am incredibly proud to introduce Chick-fil-A to Walpole, a community that has welcomed me with open arms, Musick said. Chick-fil-A has been a cornerstone in making me who I am today, and I can personally attest to the positive impact we can make." And not far down the road, another Chick-fil-A is opening in Foxboro On Sept. 30, Patriot Place announced that Chick-fil-A will open a new location at the shopping center in 2026. Located right next to the home of the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Patriot Place is a hub of stores, restaurants and entertaining attractions. Now, one of the most well-known fast food chains is joining the New England landmark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chick-fil-A in Foxboro will have both indoor and outdoor patio dining, as well as a drive-thru with two lanes. Currently, Chick-fil-A has plans to build the restaurant in retail parking lot 19 near Route 1 at 80 Washington St. Details about the location's specific opening date and hours have not yet been released. Why is Chick-fil-A controversial? A cult-like favorite and oft-criticized for its past donations to anti-LGBTQ+ causes Chick-fil-A ranks as a popular fast-food chain with consumers. For the 10th year straight, the chain remained in the top spot for fast food on the American Customer Satisfaction Indexs 2024 report released last June. The family-owned Chick-fil-A was founded in 1967 by S. Truett Cathy and is headquartered in Atlanta. There are more than 3,000 Chick-fil-A locations across 48 states and in Canada and Puerto Rico, according to chick-fil-a.com. This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: When the Chick-fil-A will open at Walpole Mall BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- China welcomes the adoption of its proposed resolution, "Promoting International Cooperation on Peaceful Uses in the Context of International Security," by the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said in Beijing on Tuesday. Lin made the remarks at a daily press briefing when asked to provide futher information on the matter. Lin said that on the basis of equal participation, the resolution seeks to strengthen the role of the UN, promote dialogue and cooperation, and safeguard developing countries' legitimate rights and interests related to the peaceful use of science and technology. It also urges certain countries to stop abusing export controls and imposing illegal, unilateral, coercive measures. "We are glad to see that the concept of the peaceful utilization of technology is gaining popularity, and that global support for exchange and cooperation, as well as opposition to isolationist policies, continues to grow stronger," Lin said. He noted that China is willing to work with all parties to promote the comprehensive and effective implementation of the resolution, and to promote the benefits of technological development for the peace and development for all people. Lin said that China once again urges certain countries to take the concerns of the international community seriously, and to rectify any wrongdoings. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A child was placed in a box at the Lebanon Fire Station on Monday. Around 3:24 p.m. on Dec. 2, first responders from the Lebanon Division of Police and Fire Department were dispatched to Lebanon Fire Station 41. Officials were sent in reference to an alert from the Newborn Safety Incubator, commonly referred to as the Safe Haven Baby Box. Upon arrival, a female infant was located at the box, who was taken to Cincinnati Childrens Hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lebanon Division of Police said the Warren County Children Services was contacted, but said no other information could be provided. 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. BANGKOK (AP) China announced Tuesday it is banning exports to the United States of gallium, germanium, antimony and other key high-tech materials with potential military applications, as a general principle, lashing back at U.S. limits on semiconductor-related exports. The Chinese Commerce Ministry announced the move after the Washington expanded its list of Chinese companies subject to export controls on computer chip-making equipment, software and high-bandwidth memory chips. Such chips are needed for advanced applications. The ratcheting up of trade restrictions comes as President-elect Donald Trump has been threatening to sharply raise tariffs on imports from China and other countries, potentially intensifying simmering tensions over trade and technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China's Foreign Ministry also issued a vehement reproof. China has lodged stern protests with the U.S. for its update of the semiconductor export control measures, sanctions against Chinese companies, and malicious suppression of Chinas technological progress," Lin Jian, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said in a routine briefing Tuesday. "I want to reiterate that China firmly opposes the U.S. overstretching the concept of national security, abuse of export control measures, and illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction against Chinese companies, Lin said. The minerals sourced in China are used in computer chips, cars and other products Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China said in July 2023 it would require exporters to apply for licenses to send to the U.S. the strategically important materials such as gallium and germanium. In August, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said it would restrict exports of antimony, which is used in a wide range of products from batteries to weapons, and impose tighter controls on exports of graphite. Such minerals are considered critical for national security. China is a major producer of antimony, which is used in flame retardants, batteries, night-vision goggles and nuclear weapon production, according to a 2021 U.S. International Trade Commission report. The limits announced by Beijing on Tuesday also include exports of super-hard materials, such as diamonds and other synthetic materials that are not compressible and extremely dense. They are used in many industrial areas such as cutting tools, disc brakes and protective coatings. The licensing requirements that China announced in August also covered smelting and separation technology and machinery and other items related to such super-hard materials. China is the biggest global source of gallium and germanium, which are produced in small amounts but are needed to make computer chips for mobile phones, cars and other products, as well as solar panels and military technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China says it's protecting itself from US trade restrictions After the U.S. side announced it was adding 140 companies to a so-called entity list subject to strict export controls, Chinas Commerce Ministry protested and said it would act to protect Chinas rights and interests. Nearly all of the companies affected by Washington's latest trade restrictions are based in China, though some are Chinese-owned businesses in Japan, South Korea and Singapore. Both governments say their respective export controls are needed for national security. China's government has been frustrated by U.S. curbs on access to advanced processor chips and other technology on security grounds but had been cautious in retaliating, possibly to avoid disrupting Chinas fledgling developers of chips, artificial intelligence and other technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Various Chinese industry associations issued statements protesting the U.S. move to limit access to advanced chip-making technology. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said it opposed using national security as a grounds for export controls, abuse of export control measures, and the malicious blockade and suppression of China. Such behavior seriously violates the laws of the market economy and the principle of fair competition, undermines the international economic and trade order, disrupts the stability of the global industrial chain, and ultimately harms the interests of all countries, it said in a statement. The China Semiconductor Industry Association issued a similar statement, adding that such restrictions were disrupting supply chains and inflating costs for American companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. chip products are no longer safe and reliable. Chinas related industries will have to be cautious in purchasing U.S. chips, it said. The U.S. gets about half its supply of both gallium and germanium metals directly from China, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. China exported about 23 metric tons (25 tons) of gallium in 2022 and produces about 600 metric tons (660 tons) of germanium per year. The U.S. has deposits of such minerals but has not been mining them, though some projects underway are exploring ways to tap those resources. The export restrictions have had a mixed impact on prices for those critical minerals, with the price of antimony more than doubling this year to over $25,000 per ton. Prices for gallium, germanium and graphite also have mostly risen. ___ AP researcher Yu Bing in Beijing contributed to this report. (Bloomberg) -- China has now lifted all restrictions on exports from Australian meat works, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, marking a new milestone in warming relations between the two governments. Most Read from Bloomberg Beijing has ended its ban on the final two Australian meat processors that had been restricted from selling to China, Albanese said in a statement on Tuesday, joining eight other meat works that had already had restrictions relaxed in stages since December 2023. The prime minister said the announcement paved the way for a full resumption of beef exports to China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chinas government has now either lifted or pledged to remove all trade curbs that were imposed on Australian exports at the height of diplomatic tensions between the two nations in 2020 and 2021. Beijing has already ended restrictions on Australian barley, wine, timber and coal, among others, as well as announcing that it intended to end a ban on the import of rock lobsters in time for Chinese New Year. Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not confirm Albaneses announcement, with spokesman Lin Jian saying that China was willing to work with Australia through dialog and consultation. John Dees meat processor in Warwick and the Australian Country Choice processor in Brisbane the two processors in question werent immediately available for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes as Australia boosts its rate of cattle slaughter to meet rising global demand for beef, which is expected to outpace supply and increase export prices. Lobster Exports Speaking in Singapore on Tuesday, Australia Trade Minister Don Farrell credited his counterpart Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao for the lifting of the bans, and said he had been assured the plan to end restrictions on lobster exports was on track. This is really good news, whether youre a grain farmer in Western Australia, a wine maker in South Australia or a beef producer in Queensland, Farrell told reporters at a press conference. Its stabilized our relationship with our largest trading partner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Farrell said he expected the lifting of the final restrictions on lobsters in the coming weeks, which would mark the end of the punitive trade measures imposed on Australia. The trade curbs were imposed in stages following the announcement by then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison that Australia would support an international inquiry into the origins of Covid-19, infuriating the government in Beijing. However, since the election of the center-left Labor government in May 2022, ties between Australia and China have rapidly improved, including the restarting of high-level diplomatic talks and state visits. Premier Li Qiang traveled to Australia in June to meet with Albanese. --With assistance from Josh Xiao and Colum Murphy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Updates with China and Australia reaction from fifth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. In the not so distant future, both China and the United States could be at war, triggering the most significant global crisis since World War Two. Tensions between the two global superpowers have been steadily escalating, as Beijing prepares its military to capture Taiwan. In response, Washingtons generals have been steeling themselves for a fight, devising new war-fighting strategies and building new military alliances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While weve not yet reached the stage of a hot war just yet, the tech war is well and truly underway. On Tuesday, China retaliated against US chip export curbs by banning shipments of materials critical to the production of weapons in the other direction. The commerce ministry in Beijing announced the export of dual-use items related to gallium, germanium, antimony and superhard materials to the US had been suspended. Military hardware Most commonly the materials are used to produce everyday items like solar panels, batteries and semiconductors. But they also play a role in the production of key military hardware, including missiles, communications systems and armour-piercing bullets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Washington announced restrictions on the export of critical semiconductor manufacturing tools and a ban on shipments of advanced high bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, which are used in artificial intelligence systems, to China. Antimony is the material that is likely to be looked at most closely. The lesser-known heavy metal is used for all manner of military production, from basic ammunition, night-vision goggles to infrared-guided missiles and nuclear weapons. The technologies, especially missiles, are expected to be key in any US-China war over Taiwan. Missiles are expected to be a vital weapon in any war - Lai Qiaoquan Last year, China accounted for 48 per cent of the globally mined antimony, creating the risk of shortages elsewhere around the world if exports are shut down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everyone will dig in their backyard to find antimony. Many countries will try to find antimony deposits, an anonymous metals trader in Europe told the Reuters news agency, highlighting the materials importance. But crucially for China, the export ban gives its leaders the chance to evaluate just how reliant the US is on its supply of the material. According to figures for 2023, 63 per cent of the 22,000 tons of antimony imported by the US came from China. If there are to be any more exports heading in the direction of Washington, Beijing will sign off on permissions. This will hand the Chinese Communist Party indirect information on what industries in the US are most reliant on the materials leaving the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It could also be seen as a move to hamper US weapons production at a time when its stockpiles are lower than usual because of wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. If those shortages are not addressed, it could prove fatal for Washington in an armed conflict versus Beijing. It is unlikely that the US will be able to replace China as its principal supplier of antimony, considering that Russia is the worlds second-largest producer of the material. US looking for new supplies of materials Like many Western countries, the US is scouring the world for new supplies of these rare materials. But this process is slow, and means Chinese military production is outpacing US efforts at a rate of five times faster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a war game carried out by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the US launched 5,000 missiles in the first three weeks of a conflict with China. In every iteration of the war game, the United States expanded its inventory of long-range anti-ship missiles within the first week of the conflict, creating a critical problem of empty bins, the think tank wrote in a subsequent report. Beijings latest restrictions were introduced in response to policies enforced by Joe Biden, the outgoing US president, who is considered a moderate when it comes to challenging China. Relations are only expected to deteriorate when Donald Trump starts his second term in the White House on Jan 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republican president-elect has said he will impose an extra 10 per cent in trade tariffs on goods arriving from China. China has vowed to hit back with its own counter-measures, including even more restrictions on shipments of rare and critical materials. What Mr Trump does when he takes over will be crucial to narrowing the growing military production gap ahead of what could be an armed conflict between the two superpowers. 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 federal government began investigating a major Chinese breach of global telecommunications systems in the spring, officials said Tuesday, and warned that the intrusion is ongoing and likely larger in scale than previously understood. The hack was first announced publicly in October and has been attributed by U.S. agencies to a Chinese government-linked hacking group known as Salt Typhoon. The effort targeted dozens of telecom companies in the U.S. and globally to gain access to U.S. political leaders and national security data. The timeline of the hacking effort, as well as the scope of the intrusion, was not previously disclosed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeff Greene, executive assistant director of cybersecurity at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and a senior FBI official said Tuesday that while agencies started cooperating on their investigations of Salt Typhoons activities in early October, the effort was first detected in late spring and early summer. He also warned that the breach is ongoing and that there was much law enforcement still did not know. We cannot say with certainty that the adversary has been evicted, Greene said. Were on top of tracking them down but we cannot with confidence say that we know everything, nor would our partners. Greene strongly urged Americans to use your encrypted communications where you have it, adding that we definitely need to do that, kind of look at what it means long-term, how we secure our networks. As many as 80 telecommunications companies and internet service providers, including AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, are believed to have been infiltrated in the hack. Earlier on Tuesday, CISA, the FBI, the National Security Agency, and partner agencies in New Zealand, Australia and Canada released a joint alert warning that Chinese hackers were targeting major global telecommunications providers. Officials declined to comment on specifics, but acknowledged that there were servers used in various countries to facilitate this activity by the Chinese. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United Kingdom did not sign on to the alert, making it the only nation in the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing group to be omitted. Greene attributed this to each country having different considerations and timelines. A spokesperson for the U.K.s National Cyber Security Centre said Tuesday that the agency support[s] our international partners issuing this advisory to help improve the collective resilience of telecommunications infrastructure, and that the U.K. has a separate approach to mitigating cyber risks to its telecom providers. The officials from the FBI and CISA noted in their briefing that there were three groups of victims in the hack. The first group was an undisclosed number of victims, mostly in the Capital Region, according to the officials, who were impacted by stolen call records from telecom companies. The second group a small number of political or government-linked individuals, all of whom have been notified by officials had their private communications compromised, according to a senior FBI official who spoke anonymously as a condition of briefing reporters. While the officials did specify how many individuals were targeted, POLITICO previously reported that the phones of President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance were among those compromised, in both cases prior to the election. In addition, the Chinese hackers also accessed and copied U.S. court orders, which the FBI official said were attained through the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement statute program. This program allows law enforcement and intelligence agencies to submit court orders around intelligence collection from telecom providers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When pressed on whether hackers were able to access court orders for intelligence collected under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act which allows U.S. intelligence agencies to collect data on foreign targets the FBI official declined to answer directly but acknowledged that the CALEA environment does include court orders for FISA investigations. The major hacking campaign has been an issue of increasing concern for U.S. lawmakers in recent weeks, with Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Mark Warner (D-Va.) describing it as the most serious breach in our history. Unless you are using a specialized app, any one of us and every one of us today is subject to the review by the Chinese Communist government of any cell phone conversation you have with anyone in America, Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committees cyber subcommittee, said during a panel at last months Halifax International Security Forum. To govern is to choose, said the French statesman Pierre Mendes-France. But when it comes to foreign policy it should be Hobsons choice the UKs national interest alone. In his speech to the Lord Mayors banquet in the City of London on Monday, Sir Keir Starmer grappled with the age-old dilemma of a British prime minister America or Europe? and came to the same conclusion as his predecessors, which is to keep your options open. Be friendly with both. Given his partys visceral dislike of the next US president this raised an eyebrow or two among those who seem to see the world solely as an ideologically tribal battleground. The foreign secretary has called Donald Trump a Nazi, other ministers have denounced him as a predatory misogynist; 100 Labour Party activists were sent to America to campaign against him. It is a bit rich now to be trying to cosy up to The Donald. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that is the function of governing. You have to play the cards in front of you. The American voters have made their choice and Britain needs to deal with the leader of the worlds most powerful nation, like him or not. In any case, J D Vance once compared Trump to Hitler and is now his vice-president. The president-elect is a transactional politician, not a dogmatic one, and some of his acolytes in this country should wake up to that reality. What would be mad is if Sir Keir severed connections with the next US president in order to further reset the UKs relationship with the EU. He does not need to like Mr Trump personally or his policies, and the antipathy is mutual. His close ally Elon Musk has even taken it upon himself to denounce Britain through his X platform, formerly Twitter. The Tesla owner and worlds richest man has called Britain a tyrannical police state for pursuing people because of what they think and is rumoured to be planning to give Nigel Farages Reform Party the funds it needs to build a mass membership and overtake the Tories in the polls. Just as the Republicans were angered by Labours involvement in their politics on behalf of the Democrats, perhaps Mr Trumps people should stay out of ours. Part of Musks animosity has been fuelled by the Online Safety Act, introduced by the Conservatives and due to come into full force next year, requiring social media groups to remove content that is deemed to incite violence or racial hatred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is a believer in untrammelled free speech and has a perfectly valid point about the restrictions imposed here, not least the so-called non-crime hate incidents, which should be scrapped. But for a key player in an allied government to be so openly hostile is concerning and will complicate Labours bid to build ties with the new White House. That is what Sir Keir and his team need to do and in a clear-eyed, straightforward way. But his Guildhall speech, like so much of what the Prime Minister says, was ambiguous and opaque, leaving everyone to guess what he means. An aide to Mr Trump last month said Britain would have to choose between the US and UKs special relationship and closer ties to the EU which Trump describes as a mini China. Stephen Moore said if the UK moved towards more of the American model of economic freedom... it would spur the Trump administrations willingness to have a free trade agreement with the UK. Yet Mr Trump is threatening to impose tariffs on the two countries that already have a trade pact with the US Canada and Mexico because of their alleged failure to control migration and drug trafficking. How long before the UK would be similarly sanctioned for one reason or another? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need to adopt a Palmerstonian position: no permanent allies, only permanent interests. In his speech, Sir Keir cited Churchill and Attlee as two prime ministers who did not choose between the US and Europe, though that is debatable. But he did not mention his hero Harold Wilson, who kept us out of the Vietnam War despite being under massive pressure from Washington to send troops into the Indo-Chinese quagmire. Early on in Americas deployment, Lyndon Johnson sought the UKs support, observing that a few soldiers in British uniform... would have a great psychological effect and political significance. When Wilson declined, the Americans were furious. US secretary of state Dean Rusk told a British journalist bitterly: When the Russians invade Sussex dont expect us to come and help you. Yet despite this the so-called special relationship remained intact. For Tony Blair in 2003, the dilemma was the same and the choice, fatefully, a different one. Again, the US needed British cover for an operation it was perfectly able to carry out on its own and Blair judged being a good ally was in the UKs interest. His approach was shaped by the profound shift in US foreign policy occasioned by the shock of 9/11, with neocons pressing the case for pre-emptive action and regime change because they felt the doctrines of containment and deterrence could no longer be relied upon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chilcot Report into the Iraq War concluded that the ongoing health and quality of the US-UK special relationship was a determining factor in Blairs decision to support the invasion. On July 28 2002, he wrote a memo to President Bush, which opened with the line: I will be with you, whatever. However much obloquy he has endured ever since, Blair at the time judged it was in the UKs best interests to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with America. The chaotic and bloody aftermath of the Iraq invasion discredited the neocons worldview, not least in the eyes of Donald Trump, who came to power in 2017 promising to stay out of other countries wars or trying to impose Western-friendly leaders upon them. Does he still hold to that position? The Ukrainians fear he will pull the plug on US support for their defence and foist a deal on them, yet the UK position has been to help them for as long as it takes. Who do we back? With our Armed Forces so depleted we are no longer in a position to do much else except follow. The dynamics have not changed, however. This is not about being a pal of Trumps or un ami of Macrons. It is about doing what is best for the UK. That is our Governments principal task. 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. (KRON) A California Highway Patrol pursuit of a Honda Civic in Oakland on Monday turned violent after the passenger of the fleeing vehicle shot at officers, according to authorities. The pursuit stemmed from an attempted traffic stop after CHP officers saw a gray 2020 Honda Civic speeding on northbound Interstate 880 north of A Street. The driver of the speeding Honda refused to stop, sparking the pursuit, which eventually led to the city streets of Oakland, authorities said. 1 killed, 2 injured in separate Oakland shootings Thanksgiving Day Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While CHP officers were in pursuit, the passenger of the Honda discharged a firearm on three separate occasions, according to the state police agency. No injuries to officers or the public were reported. Officers discontinued the pursuit due to the drivers reckless and dangerous driving as well as the passengers obvious disregard for the safety of the public, CHP said. The Honda was later found abandoned within the city. The CHP is asking anyone with information on the incident to contact the Hayward Area office at (510)-489-1500. 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. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who is on an official visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli here on Tuesday, pledging efforts to advance strategic partnership of cooperation with Nepal. Expressing appreciation for Oli's firm commitment to promoting friendship between the two sides over a long period of time, Xi said China and Nepal, linked by the same mountains and rivers, are good neighbors, good friends and good partners, and bilateral relations have maintained sound and steady development. Noting that next year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Xi said China places Nepal at an important position in its neighborhood diplomacy, and is willing to work with Nepal to consolidate traditional friendship and push for new progress in advancing the China-Nepal strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who is on an official visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) London A Michelin-starred chef in England called Monday on the thieves who stole his work van, along with about $32,000 worth of meat pies inside it, to embrace the holiday spirit and hand over the looted goods to help feed people in need. Tommy Banks, who owns restaurants in northeast England, posted a video on Instagram telling followers about the theft of his van and the 2,500 pies, and appealing to those responsible to "do the right thing." The chef said the refrigerated van was loaded with the food and left to charge overnight. But when a colleague returned in the morning to deliver the pies, it was nowhere to be found. In a statement, the North Yorkshire Police said Wednesday that the stolen van was found abandoned with fake license plates more than 30 miles away from where it was taken, and an investigation into the theft was ongoing. It wasn't immediately clear if all the pies were still in the van. "I know you're a criminal," Banks said in his video appeal, "but maybe just do something nice because it's Christmas and maybe we could feed a few thousand people with these pies that you stole," urging the perpetrators to leave the pies at a community center or some other facility from which they could be distributed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a follow-up post, he warned that "time was running out for these pie hostages," alluding to the shelf-life of the traditional English dish. The savory goods stolen with the van included steak and ale, and turkey and butternut squash pies, all of which were headed for a pop-up pie stall at the nearby York Christmas Market. Chef Banks owns two restaurants, a pub and a premium catering service around the ancient city of York. He said the pilfered pies were worth about $32,000. Banks ended his social media post by saying he hoped the thieves "don't get any presents this Christmas." A file photo shows traditional British steak and ale pies. / Credit: BRETT STEVENS/Getty/iStock Images The pie heist wasn't the first food-related robbery in England this autumn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October, $390,000 worth of cheddar cheese was stolen from Neal's Yard Dairy in London. The retailer said a con artist posing as a wholesale distributor stole nearly 49,000 pounds of cheese. Detectives at Scotland Yard and international authorities were still searching for the culprits as of this week. Maryland island struggles to survive impact of rising sea level, erosion | 60 Minutes Kate Winslet: The 60 Minutes Interview Exclusive discounts from CBS Mornings Deals Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and first lady Maria Lee kicked off the Christmas season on Monday with an annual celebration highlighting the state's Christmas tree, this year a 30-foot Norway spruce donated by an Ashland City couple. Maria and I look forward to continuing the Tennessee tradition of generosity throughout the holiday season, Lee said in a statement. We invite Tennesseans to join us in giving back as we reflect on our many blessings and prepare our hearts to receive the ultimate gift, the birth of Christ. Guests at the Monday night event were invited to bring donations to benefit the Morgan Scott Project, which serves low-income families in Scott and Morgan counties, and Family Promise of Roane County, which serves homeless children and their families. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Christmas season kicked off with Tennessee Capitol tree lighting GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) Military members in Kansas are about to receive a gift filled with the spirit of the holiday season, as Christmas Trees grown in northeast Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula were loaded onto a truck for delivery on Tuesday morning. Paul Schroeder represents the North Country Christmas Farm in Wausaukee, and he coordinated the efforts for the Green Bay Areas Trees for Troops. Northeast Wisconsin organizations set up gift donations ahead of the cold holiday season Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well collect about 300 trees here, Schroeder said. Wisconsin does about 600 trees, which all get shipped to various military bases. This is the 20th year of the Trees for Troops event, and the National Christmas Tree Association donates about 15,000 per year. Last year, the event hit a total of 300,000 donated trees. For more information, visit the Trees for Troops webpage. 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. The Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education has for months discussed a controversial restructuring plan that would shuffle thousands of students to different schools. But after Monday's special meeting, most board members sound unwilling to support the proposal package as it stands. More: Cincinnati parents, teachers oppose district's proposed changes to Montessori learning Instead, the board has instructed its administration, led by new Superintendent Shauna Murphy, to break the plan up into several parts to be voted on in chunks. It's unclear what that breakdown will look like going into next week's business meeting, when the school board plans to make these critical decisions. Advertisement Advertisement At least one board member, Kendra Mapp, said Monday that she's not willing to vote for "any aspect" of the current growth plan. "While I think that there are maybe great recommendations, I do have concern, great concern, with the process and fidelity of the plan being implemented," Mapp said during Monday's special board meeting. "So I will not be taking part in the vote." All of the district's school board members except for Ben Lindy, who has previously expressed opposition to the growth plan were present at Monday's special meeting. The growth plan was the only topic on the agenda. Administrators say this proposal would ultimately offer more opportunities for students across three geographic regions of the city. The plan was developed after two years' worth of ad hoc committee meetings and introduces a new middle school model for the district. While some board members like the idea of middle schools, including member Kareem Moffett who has championed the plan from the beginning, community feedback in recent weeks has given some board members pause. Advertisement Advertisement More: 'Left out of the process': Criticism, optimism follows Cincinnati superintendent pick "As a package, there are some things that concern me," Moffett said. "But there are some things I'm definitely supportive of." The board talked about the merits of stability in justifying its rushed appointment of Murphy to superintendent, Brandon Craig, another board member, said at Monday's meeting. But this plan "isn't stability for some of those students," he said. 'Our students need us.' Parents, teachers, community members speak out Several parents, teachers and other community members spoke out against the plan during the special meeting. Some said they don't feel as though the district made a good faith effort to hear from the community about the plan from the beginning. Advertisement Advertisement We havent been talked to," David Whitehead of the Cincinnati NAACP said. He requested the district distribute more details about the plan and the data that supports how middle schools and other changes will be better for kids. Mona Jenkins, president of the Walnut Hills community council, said she felt like "a broken record to constantly be asking that the community be a part of the decision-making process." The district already implemented the first phase of the plan this fall by opening Shroder Middle School at the former Dr. O'dell Owens Center for Learning on Desmond Street in Madisonville. That move displaced students at the Dr. O'dell Owens Center, the Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students in Walnut Hills and Riverview East Academy on Kellogg Avenue. "A task force needs to be created," Jenkins said. "We want to be included in this process." Teachers want to be heard, too. Advertisement Advertisement Removing seventh and eighth graders from Clark Montessori High School to create a new middle school would be a detrimental change to the Clark community and Montessori programming, said Natalie Coyle, who teaches at the school. Stripping those grade bands from the school would likely result in more families choosing private schools, she said, and could even threaten the school's accreditation. Clark is recognized nationally for being the model for high school Montessori. "Don't break it apart. It's working," Coyle told the board on Monday. Naomi Larsson, a teacher at William H. Taft Elementary School in Mount Auburn, said dismantling her school, too, would be heartbreaking for the families she serves. "Our students need us," Larsson said. "We've had students who have left and come back because, emotionally, they needed Taft. They didn't just need a school, they needed Taft." Advertisement Advertisement "So please don't take apart this family who functions together well," she said. "We're willing to be flexible. And we want to be here for our students." The Hays-Porter School community in Cincinnati's West End feels the same way. The West End has been traumatized by our city and by CPS," said Alexis Kidd Zaffer, executive director of Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses, a social services center in West End. She named several schools in the West End that the district has closed over the years, which she said had "longstanding consequences" and led to decline in the neighborhood. But Hays-Porter is thriving, Kidd Zaffer said. She begged the board not to change what's doing well now. Advertisement Advertisement Do not disengage," she said. "Do not disinvest." "The most important thing to me is stability for students," said Gretchen Bayer, a parent and teacher in the district. Superintendent Murphy is hosting a community conversation and parent session on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Mary A. Ronan Education Center, at 2651 Burnet Ave., as another time to engage with the community. The discussion will focus on school safety, threats and student behavior and wellbeing, according to the district's website. The board will vote on the growth plan next Monday at a regular board business meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the Mary A. Ronan Education Center, located at 2651 Burnet Ave. The meeting will also be streamed online. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Public Schools board split on middle school plan An office sits vacant in San Francisco in October 2022. The city is one of several across the country offering incentives to convert unused office space into housing. Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images. Read more Stateline coverage of how communities across the country are trying to create more affordable housing. Nearly a fifth of office space across the country sits empty, a record high vacancy rate thats expected to keep growing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seeking both to boost their economies and ease their housing shortages, cities are taking steps to encourage the conversion of unused office space into much-needed housing. They include reductions in approval times, exemptions from affordable housing rules and changes in building code requirements. Some cities and states also are providing tax incentives or subsidies to developers. Cities need to focus on making conversions feasible by removing unnecessary regulatory barriers, said Alex Horowitz, project director of the Housing Policy Initiative at The Pew Charitable Trusts. The U.S. is short millions of homes, and office vacancy rates are at record highs. It makes all the sense in the world to convert underused commercial space into housing, but the cost per square foot is just too high. Purchasing and converting an office building for residential use costs an average of $685 per square foot. Buying a completed multifamily property costs an average of $600 per square foot, while building a new multifamily development costs about $588 per square foot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regulatory hurdles such as outdated building codes, minimum unit sizes and natural light requirements push up costs. Cities are trying a variety of ways to overcome these obstacles. From coast to coast In September, Minneapolis peeled away several regulations in an effort to encourage conversions, including removing public hearing requirements, requiring less intensive traffic studies, and exempting converted buildings from the typical requirement that 20% to 30% of units be rented at below-market rates. San Francisco has waived certain planning and building code requirements as well as real estate transfer taxes for downtown conversions that are approved before 2030. Seattle in July approved exemptions for commercial-to-residential conversions from certain design development standards and from housing affordability requirements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New York Citys Office Conversion Accelerator program provides a single point of contact for office building owners to streamline conversions, from zoning questions to permitting. And Denver last year launched an adaptive reuse pilot program to make it easier and faster to get conversions approved by the city. Jon Gambrill, managing director of global architecture firm Genslers Denver office, said that converting the top 16 buildings identified by the firm and city leaders into housing could add more than 5,000 units to the downtown area. It makes all the sense in the world to convert underused commercial space into housing, but the cost per square foot is just too high. Alex Horowitz, project director of the Housing Policy Initiative at The Pew Charitable Trusts Atlanta, Denver, Phoenix, the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle stand to benefit the most from converting underused offices to housing, according to a June Urban Institute analysis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, conversions have made little dent in the housing crisis so far. Between 2016 and April 2024, office-to-multifamily conversion projects created more than 22,000 apartments, according to CBRE, a commercial real estate services and investment firm. The 169 projects planned or underway are estimated to produce another 31,000 apartments over the next several years. Despite the growth, that total is less than a half-percent of total U.S. apartment inventory. During a June presentation by Seattles Office of Planning and Community Development, city leaders estimated that they expect fewer than a dozen conversion projects to result in 1,000 to 2,000 new housing units over seven years. Money matters Cities and states also are trying to promote conversions by offering incentives and funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New York Citys 2025 budget included a new incentive for conversion of commercial properties to rental housing, offering up to a 90% tax exemption for projects with at least 25% affordable units. Chicago has committed $151 million for developers to transform four office buildings into 1,000 apartments, about a third of which would have affordable rental rates. Washington, D.C., provides 20-year tax abatements for commercial-to-residential conversions through its Housing in Downtown initiative. The District of Columbia led the nation in adaptive reuse from 2021 to 2024, creating 5,820 new housing units from office properties, followed by New York (5,215 units) and Dallas (3,163 units), according to RentCafe, an apartment search website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California in 2022 approved $400 million for office-to-residential projects. Commercial-to-residential legislation has hit some hurdles. California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in October vetoed legislation that would have provided financial incentives for developers, including the option for local governments to allocate up to 30 years of property tax revenue to support affordable housing conversions. It also would have fast-tracked the approval process for conversion of office buildings into residential or mixed-use developments. Newsom objected to changes in labor practices including the issuance of stop-work orders for violations and procedures for contesting violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And in Colorado, a bill that would have offered refundable tax credits up to $3 million per commercial-to-housing project starting in 2026 failed in the legislature earlier this year. Still, experts expect housing conversion efforts to increase across the country. All Americans, particularly underserved communities, need homes they can afford, said Pews Horowitz. But outdated rules make it harder to create deeply affordable housing. Like Minnesota Reformer, 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. The News US President-elect Donald Trumps lawyers formally filed a motion to dismiss his New York criminal conviction, arguing that the jurys guilty verdict presents disruptions to the institution of the Presidency. In the court filing, Trumps attorneys cited outgoing-President Joe Bidens controversial decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden. While the younger Biden was prosecuted in federal court, and Trump was convicted in state court, Trumps defense noted the presidents assertion that Hunter was selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted as evidence the US justice system has been politicized. New York prosecutors have until Dec. 9 to respond, having previously said they would fight any motion for outright dismissal. Instead, prosecutors had suggested willingness to delay Trumps sentencing at least until after his term ends in 2029. Know More In May Trump became the first former US president to be found guilty by a jury of a federal crime. New York prosecutors successfully argued he had falsified business records in an effort to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election, which Trump won. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) The fate of old Eastern High School, a Lansing landmark, is hanging in the balance right now as the local community and the buildings owners stand opposed on whether to preserve the old building or make way for a new behavioral health facility. The University of Michigan Health-Sparrow purchased the building in 2016, and it shut down in 2019. Plans to convert the building into a 120-bed psychiatric facility were announced five years later, this past June, in a bid to address what they call a behavioral health crisis. Old Eastern High School (WLNS) Recently, Sparrow erected a fence around the building, telling 6 News in an emailed statement that they did so because they are planning to remove asbestos and mold from inside the buildingtwo of many reasons Sparrow says the current building is unfit to be used as a medical facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the other hand, the Historical Society of Greater Lansing wants to see it preservedat least in part. There is an emotional connection with every building thats almost 100 years old, says William Castanier, president of the society. High school is the most formative years for most people, yknow they often met their wife there. They immediately went from that school to World War Two or Vietnam. Representatives from the society took to Mondays City Council meeting, to share their vision with local leadership and call on them to intervene. They told councilmembers that while they support the opening of a new behavioral health center and applaud the health system for recognizing that need in the community, they want to see the historic west wing of the school and the Jon Young Auditorium incorporated into the new facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Imagine what a collaboration of this nature, with the tandem goal of restoring a piece of a treasured building just blocks from the Michigan Capitol and the creation of a facility for desperately needed services could mean for our capital city, said Andrew Muylle, who graduated from Eastern High in 2013. While the council heard public comments on the topic, it wasnt on their agenda, so the meeting adjourned after comments were heard. 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. Dec. 3JAMESTOWN The Jamestown City Council unanimously approved on Monday, Dec. 2, the city of Jamestown's 2026-29 State Transportation Improvement Plan. Submitting the State Transportation Improvement Plan allows the city to get federal or state allocations of money for the projects. At the Jamestown Public Works Committee meeting in November, Councilman David Steele recommended adding the long-distance passenger rail route that would go through Jamestown in the future to the State Transportation Improvement Plan. At the time, Steele said the city could lose out on some planning and safety grants in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rail route is scheduled for completion in 2032, Steele said at the committee meeting in November. City Engineer Travis Dillman said an official from the North Dakota Department of Transportation recommended not adding the long-distance passenger rail route to the State Transportation Improvement Plan at this time. He said a project is needed to add it to the State Transportation Improvement Plan along with its estimated cost and local share. Dillman also recommended adding a concrete pavement repair project in 2028 for Mill Hill in Jamestown with reconstruction of the roads in 2032. The projects for 2027 on the State Transportation Improvement Plan are the West Business Loop reconstruction project, a concrete repair project on U.S. Highway 52 from 7th Avenue Northwest to 9th Street Southeast and a mill and overlay on 4th Avenue East from 10th Street Southeast to 5th Street Northeast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other projects on the State Transportation Improvement List include a mill and overlay on 7th Avenue East from 10th Street Southeast to 4th Street Northeast in 2028 with a local share of more than $530,000, the reconstruction of U.S. Highway 52 from 17th Street Southwest to 4th Avenue Southwest in 2029 and a concrete pavement repair project on 2nd Avenue Southwest from 9th Street Southwest to 4th Avenue Southwest in 2029 with a local share of over $450,000. A local share was not listed for the the reconstruction of U.S. Highway 52 from 17th Street Southwest to 4th Avenue Southwest in 2029. There is no local share listed in the project submittal list for the West Business Loop reconstruction project and the concrete repair project on U.S. Highway 52 from 7th Avenue Northwest to 9th Street Southeast. The local share is over $760,000 for the mill and overlay on 4th Avenue East from 10th Street Southeast to 5th Street Northeast. The City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to change the zoning from a recreation and tourism district to a general commercial district for block one and lot three of the Emter Addition. The property is owned by Dale Fettig and is located at 101 17th St. SE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The property will change from civic and institutional to commercial use and from a recreation and tourism district to a general commercial district use. Fettig, owner of Dale's A-1 Auto, requested a change in the future land use amendment and zoning to facilitate the operations of a used car lot and sales office at 101 17th St. SE. Fettig's business lost the lease for its current location. In other business, the City Council unanimously approved the appointment of James Englund to the Jamestown Planning Commission to fill an unexpired five-year term that expires in August 2029. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The Parks and Recreation Departments Keep Las Cruces Beautiful (KLCB) program will be hosting a free Neighborhood Dumpster Day from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 7, according to the City of Las Cruces. The program will provide open-top trash containers for the community to dump yard waste, household trash, and other permissible items for free, according to the City. Residents must unload their own items. Those containers can be located at the following locations: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tony Gomez Park, 2283 S. Espina Street Henry R. Benavidez Community Center, 1045 McClure Road Las Cruces Skatepark, 165 N. Walnut Street Items not allowed in the containers are the following: No medical waste Hot ashes/coals Tires or any vehicle parts (including car batteries) Fluorescent light bulbs Large yard waste items (stumps or trunks) Concrete, bricks, and or rocks Toxic, combustible, or hazardous materials Toilets/Sinks Refrigerators (anything with refrigerant) Animal carcasses KLCB staff will be available to provide support, program information, and guide users regarding the items requested to be tossed into the containers, the City of Las Cruces 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 KTSM 9 News. WASHINGTON, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. government on Monday announced additional military assistance to Ukraine worth 725 million U.S. dollars to meet the urgent need of the country at war with Russia. Weapons in the latest package include air defense capabilities, munitions for rocket systems and artillery, and anti-tank weapons, among others, according to a press release from the Department of Defense. The provision followed President Joe Biden's announcement on Sept. 26 that his administration would provide another significant package of urgently needed weapons and equipment to Ukraine. The weapons will be provided under previously exercised Presidential Drawdown Authority from Department of Defense stocks, the Department of State said in its version of the announcement. The assistance has been reported by news outlets based on anonymous sources prior to Monday's formal announcements from the defense and state departments. It coincided with the Biden administration's reported request for Ukraine that it lower the recruitment age from 25 to 18 to make up for the loss of manpower on the battleground. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) The City of San Angelo unanimously ratified a City of San Angelo Development Corporation resolution for an agreement between the corporation and Skyline Aviation, setting the groundwork for the creation of an aviation mechanics school with Howard College. The ratification came as part of the agenda items discussed for the San Angelo City Councils Dec. 3 meeting. According to the meetings agenda, Skyline Aviation had proposed the creation of an aviation mechanics school that would provide certification for an Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) license. If you will, picture in your minds the relationship between Skyline and ASU for the pilot training, Assistant City Manager Michael Dane said. This very much is an image of that, except with Howard College, and its for mechanics rather than pilots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school would be a joint project with Howard College, with Skyline Aviation providing a one-year certification program through night classes and Howard College offering a two-year associate degree program through daytime courses. Both programs would occupy the same facilities and use the same equipment and instructors. The Skyline program allows a student to expedite, to move quickly through the program in one year, Dane said. The Howard College benefit is that, if you go through Howard College, it takes two years, but you could be eligible for financial aid. SAFD, nonprofit provide update on baby box fundraiser The agenda stated that Skyline Aviation has identified a facility located at 3669 Porter Henderson Drive and that the business plans to invest approximately $1.5 million in equipment as well as hire 30 instructors and a program manager. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Skyline Aviation anticipates hiring at least 10, but up to 18 additional aircraft mechanics over the next three (3) years at a wage of approximately $65,000 per year plus benefits, the agenda reads. They also have long range plan to build two new hangars at the airport in support of this program and the ASU Flight School. A slideshow presented later during the meeting stated that Skyline Aviation currently has 30 aircraft, 47 instructors and 180 students, with 10 more aircraft and 50 more students projected to be brought in during 2025. These numbers were compared to the 2025 target numbers agreed upon in an ASU performance agreement, which are 25 aircraft, 40 instructors and 200 students. We have, in Skyline, a partner which is outperforming the benchmark set in the existing agreement, Dane said. Thats important because, to a certain extent, this will serve not just mechanics, it will also help to facilitate growth on the pilot training side. Dane stated that Skyline Aviation provided a six-year prospectus for expected growth in the ASU pilot training program and the aviation mechanics school. According to the businesss analysis, an estimated 350 flight school students and 200 aviation mechanics school students during the six-year time period. It also projected that a new, $3.5 million hangar would need to be constructed in 2027. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following Danes presentation, the City Council passed a 7-0 vote in favor of ratifying a COSADC resolution authorizing the Board President to negotiate and execute an Economic Development Incentive Agreement with Skyline Aviation, in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000.00. 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. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) The City of Rochester is releasing a community-wide survey examining the impact of the opioid epidemic throughout the city. The survey includes quality of life, barriers of care, overdose prevention and family impact. Through February 2025, city residents are encouraged to participate in this anonymous survey administered by the RIT Center for Public Safety Initiatives. Just last week, the Monroe County Medical Examiners Office released the overdose death data report for 2023, showing staggering increases in several fields. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mercedes Vazquez Simmons wears many hats in one of the communities hit hardest by the opioid epidemic. Shes a county legislator representing the 22nd district who also runs the Latino Youth and Development Center on North Clinton Ave. which also serves as a meeting location for Hope Dealers BTC (be the change) where Simmons holds a board seat. The 100% volunteer group connects individuals battling addiction and drug use disorder to find the resources they need, whether it be food, clothing, or other non-profits. Often theyll come here asking for referrals, were not a referral agency. As Hope Dealers, our hope is just to connect folks to resources and to get them help but often theyll come back saying unfortunately I wasnt able to get to this program for a variety of reasons, should they have pets or pre-existing health issues or other conditions, theyre often denied service, she said. The City of Rochesters Neighborhood Ambassador Program will also open community input sessions on the impact of the opioid epidemic in all quadrants of the city. Two of four input sessions have already taken place. The following sessions are still open to the public: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Northwest Community Input Meeting on January 14 at Cameron Communities Ministries from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Southeast Community Input Meeting on January 21 at Blessed Sacrament Church from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Insights from the survey and input sessions will be used to inform efforts to address the opioid epidemic where the city will spend its state opioid funds totaling around $3.8-million. You can find the survey online by clicking 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 RochesterFirst. A familiar face in Raleigh has officially returned to the city council as mayor for the next two years. Janet Cowell took her oath of office Monday night in a ceremony with the seven other council members, including newcomer Mitchell Silver, who was elected this November. Cowell addressed the crowd at Meymandi Concert Hall, saying her return to the city council was a full circle moment. Cowells first elected position was in 2001. She served two terms on the Raleigh City Council before she was elected to the state Senate and later as North Carolinas state treasurer. Most recently, she served as the CEO of the Dix Park Conservancy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was joined Monday by her mother, Norma Cowell, who held their familys bible as she took her oath. One of the greatest gifts I hope to bring as mayor of the city is the gift that I got from my family, she said. Which is that sense of you belong, you matter, giving me enough support and encouragement that I can spread my wings, continue to make mistakes, flourish and thrive. Cowell said she wants everyone in Raleigh to feel that sense of belonging, inclusion and that this is a city that works for everyone. Cowell said she looked forward to working with the city council on matters like housing, affordability, public safety, transportation and the environment, one of her campaign platforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we grow and become denser, environmental tree protection, creeks, even before Hurricane Helene hit, we all know there (are) bigger and stronger storms and Raleigh needs to be ready, Cowell said. A bright future for Raleigh Each council member was sworn in by Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway, who said it was tremendously exciting to see the council members take their oaths. (They) have graced this city with their services, their commitment, their intelligence, their enthusiasm as council members and mayor of the great city of Raleigh, Ridgeway said. The future looks very bright with people like this. Cowell, in her remarks, also thanked past Raleigh mayors Nancy McFarlane, Charles Meeker and outgoing Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin, who had a 15-year run on the Raleigh City Council, for their leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baldwin chose not to run for reelection this November after serving two terms as mayor. Mayor is no easy job at any time, Cowell said. Mayor Baldwin really had some challenging moments in the last five years (with) the aftermath of COVID and the aftermath of George Floyds murder, which has consequences for cities and communities. She steered the city through that time and I want to thank her for all that dedication. Baldwin gave the call to order during the ceremony and didnt make comments about her former position but said all the members deserve applause and wished them well. Council members Christina Jones, Megan Patton, Jane Harrison, Corey Branch, Jonathan Melton and Stormie Forte won their re-elections. Former Councilwoman Mary Black lost her seat to Silver, who will now serve District A. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twenty years ago, the city wasnt as diverse as it is now and I think that is a real strength of change, Cowell said. This is an incredibly diverse set individuals, with very different perspectives and experiences and that will make the city stronger. The new councils first meeting is Dec. 3. Amid a now six-day-old rebel offensive in northwestern Syria against the Assad regime, the U.S. military has backed a Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) offensive operation in the eastern part of that war-torn country, a U.S. official told The War Zone Tuesday morning. That operation took place around Deir Ezzor, a town on the Euphrates River that has been a center of fighting between the U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led SDF and various jihadi groups and militias. While the U.S. official told us that the operation was against ISIS, there are reports that it was against Assads forces. An SDF operation occurred, they requested support and we supported them, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss operational details. The official declined to say how the U.S. assisted but emphasized that it had nothing to do with events in the northwestern part of Syria, which is taking place about 150 miles west of Deir Ezzor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not outside our normal capacity, the official added. The mission remains unchanged. We are still there to defeat ISIS and that mission remains unchanged. The U.S. has about 900 troops operating in Syria. The second front is open The SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces), supported by US artillery and aviation, have launched an offensive on territories controlled by the Syrian army. pic.twitter.com/QDxfCVgei0 MilitaryNewsUA (@front_ukrainian) December 3, 2024 Videos emerged online showing U.S. strikes in the Deir Ezzor region and SDF ground forces on the move. US Air Force Joins SDF In Assault On Tribal Army Positions In Western Deir-ez-Zur, While Iran-Backed Groups Launch Missiles On SDF Targets In East Syria. https://t.co/8CemM5G2IZpic.twitter.com/cYdvned2K1 Militant Tracker (@MilitantTracker) December 3, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A day after a U.S. official denied that A-10 Warthogs were operating in the area, a video emerged online purporting to show one supporting the SDF effort. The U.S. official we spoke with today could not immediately confirm that the Warthogs were involved in this operation. A-10 above regime controlled #DeirEzZor city bombing / forces at east Euphrates bank east #Syriapic.twitter.com/ZFTmwqMiK3 C4H10FO2P (@markito0171) December 3, 2024 American A-10 are helping Kurdish forces retake positions from regime forces and are striking government forces. pic.twitter.com/qnVr7zZRHZ MAKS 24 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) December 3, 2024 A-10 strikes also reportedly took place on Dec. 1 against Iranian proxy militia groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NEW US airstrikes & A-10 strafing runs reported against #Iran proxy militia positions in al-Mayadin in eastern #Syria tonight. Heavy casualties reported. Multiple ambulances raced to the scene. Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) December 1, 2024 In a statement posted on its website, SDF said that it is defending an area known as the Seven Villages near Deir Ezzor from remnants of ISIS still active in the region. The concern, according to SDF, is that ISIS is trying to exploit the turmoil taking place about 150 miles west as the anti-Assad fighters continue their push south toward Hama. In light of the serious security situation arising from recent developments in western Syria, particularly in the Badia region, and the existence of a serious threat related to the imminent movement of large ISIS terrorist cells to control geographical areas unprotected, especially in the north and east of Deir Ezzo, we confirm that our forces have become responsible for safeguarding the populations of the villages of Salhiya, Tabia, Hatla, Khesham, Marrat, Mazloum, and Husseiniya in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, SDF explained. The deployment of our forces to these villages is in response to the urgent pleas and appeals of the local populace, following the increasing potential risks that ISIS will exploit the events in the west of the country. Statement On The Recent Situations In Villages East Of Deir Ezzorhttps://t.co/bNTyEa5Xf2 Syrian Democratic Forces (@SDF_Syria) December 3, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the U.S. official insisted that the operation it backed is not connected to the uprising against Assad, there are claims that the attacks were either against Iranian-backed militias or Assads forces. Troops from a U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led coalition battled Syrian government forces in northeastern Syria early on Tuesday, both sides said, Reuters reported on Tuesday, adding that it is opening a new front for President Bashar al-Assad who lost Aleppo in a sudden rebel advance last week. Airstrikes also targeted Iran-backed militia groups supporting Syrian government forces in the strategically vital region, a security source in eastern Syria. The Hezbollah-linked Al Mayadeen media outlet on Tuesday reported that the attacks are related to the rebel offensive and carried out on behalf of the SDF-affiliated Deir Ezzor Military Council which stands for armed groups supported by U.S. occupation forces, operating under the SDF and controlling areas north of the Euphrates River, where several US military bases are located. Al Mayadeens correspondent confirmed that U.S. occupation forces had instructed Deir Ezzor Military Council militants to launch an attack on Syrian Army positions in the seven villages in the Deir Ezzor countryside, coinciding with an offensive by the terrorist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group and other opposition factions on Aleppo, Idlib, and Hama countrysides, the publication stated. Intense clashes were reported between Deir Ezzor Military Council militants and the Syrian Army on the outskirts of the towns of al-Salihiya, Marrat, and al-Tabiya in northern Deir Ezzor, where the US-backed militants shelled Khasham village in Deir Ezzor countryside with 12 mortar rounds. Violent clashes were also reported between the militants and the Syrian Army on the al-Salihiya front in northern Deir Ezzor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SDF gained no ground in the operation, Al Mayadeen wrote. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a London-based watchdog group monitoring said aircraft from the U.S.-led anti-ISIS international coalition executed intensive airstrikes on positions of Iranian-backed militias in the region, amid frequent flights by Coalition aircraft over the seven villages area. SDF forces gained no ground in the operation, according to SOHR. #SOHR Despite ground and aerial support | Deir Ezzor Military Council fails to break first line of defence of seven villages in Deir Ezzorhttps://t.co/OYym75jvR2 (@syriahr) December 3, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, the Pentagons top spokesman was asked if the SDF was preparing to launch an operation in seven villages controlled by al-Assad regime near Conoco oil field. So as Im sure you can appreciate, we are in contact with the SDF as they are one of our key partners on the enduring defeat of ISIS mission, Air Force Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters. I wont speak for the SDF or talk about their potential future operations other than to say that again, we will continue to coordinate closely when it comes to the threat of ISIS and ensuring that theyre not able to resurge throughout Syria or into Iraq. Ill just leave it there. Ryder, emphasizing that the U.S. has no involvement in the rebel offensive, added that American forces have recently come under fire in the Deir Ezzor area and responded with defensive actions. There was a rocket attack against one of our facilities in Syria, he said. No U.S. personnel were injured; no infrastructure damaged. Separately, on the 29th, there was a self-defense strike near [Mission Support Site] MSS Euphrates. U.S. forces essentially [took] out a potential threat to that facility. It is completely unrelated to the ongoing situation in northwestern Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pentagon: US conducted a self-defense strike near MSS Euphrates in eastern Syria on Nov. 29th, in response to an imminent potential threat to US forces. Completely unrelated to the situation in NW Syria, @PentagonPresSec Maj. Gen. Ryder says. Jared Szuba (@JM_Szuba) December 2, 2024 All this is taking place as the coalition led by HTS formally an al-Qaida-linked group known as Al Nusra Front that has since cut off ties to the Sunni Jihadi organization continues pressing southward from Aleppo to Hama. The Syrian insurgents have launched attacks in the central province of Hama, threatening to cut off government troops from a key route linking the capital, Damascus, with rebel-held Aleppo, the Guardian reported on Tuesday. The army was engaging in violent confrontations with armed groups in Hama, the Syrian state news agency Sana reported. Insurgents said they were positioned about six miles from Hama city, the countrys fourth largest city, and that their forces had captured the towns of Maardis and Soran just north of the city, the publication stated. Anti-regime fighters pose for a picture with an army helicopter on the tarmac at the Nayrab military airport in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo on Dec. 2, 2024. Islamist-led rebels on Nov. 30, seized most of Aleppo, along with its airport and dozens of nearby towns, the war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. (Photo by AAREF WATAD / AFP) AAREF WATAD While the U.S. insists its actions have nothing to do with the rebel offensive, they are taking place on the outer cusp of Assad-controlled territory where numerous groups, including regime forces, Iranian-backed militias, ISIS and U.S.-backed troops are fighting a complex web of intertwined battles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clearly, this is a fluid situation and we will update this story with more details about the U.S. involvement as they emerge. Update: 3:02 PM Eastern The U.S. carried out defensive strikes in eastern Syria after MSS Euphrates was attacked, Ryder told reporters, including from The War Zone, Tuesday afternoon. He was quick to point out that they had nothing to do with the rebel offensive or against regime forces. This morning, U.S. Central Command forces successfully destroyed several weapons systems in the vicinity of Military Support Site Euphrates in Syria, that included three truck-mounted multiple rocket launchers, a T-64 tank and mortars that presented a clear and imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, Ryder explained. The self-defense strike occurred after the mobile multiple rocket launchers fired rockets that landed in the vicinity of MSS Euphrates and mortars were fired towards U.S. forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. is still assessing who is operating these weapons, Ryder continued. But you do know that there are Iranian-backed militia groups in the area that have conducted attacks on MSS Euphrates in the past. There are also Syrian military forces that operate in the area. To be clear, these self-defense actions successfully eliminated imminent threats to U.S. personnel and were not linked to any broader activities in northwest Syria by other groups. The War Zone asked Ryder specifically if the U.S. backed an SDF operation against ISIS in eastern Syria. He referred to his previous comments and said: U.S. forces were threatened, and so U.S. forces took action to eliminate that threat and safeguard our forces. Ryder also shed some additional light on a Nov. 29 defensive strike in that region, acknowledging that an A-10 was used against enemy targets. On November 29, US Central Command also successfully engaged the hostile target employing an A-10 fighter aircraft that imposed a threat to U.S. and coalition forces at MSS Euphrates, as individuals were observed preparing a rocket rail. The self-defense actions likewise eliminated threats to our personnel at MSS Euphrates, and again, were in no way related to ongoing operations in and around Aleppo or northwest Syria. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com. CLEMSON, S.C. (WSPA) Clemson City Council voted to censure one of its members. Council members voted 5-1 to censure Catherine Watt on Monday. Its unfortunate we are in a position to have to consider this resolution, but in my opinion we must, Council Member Bob Brookover said. Brookover presented the proposal to censure Watt. During Mondays meeting, he listed the reasons why he believed Watt should have been censured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few examples of some of these actions and behaviors have been documented with evidence over the past several months in a local paper and social media and include but are not limited to forwarding an email covered by attorney-client privilege, a redacted email from another council member to mayor, administrator and city attorney, a highly inappropriate interaction with the mayor and member of the public, and an email accusing staff of a felony, Brookover said. Watt was not present at Mondays council meeting. She told 7NEWS she did not attend on the advice of her attorney. A person in the audience read a statement from Watt on her behalf. For the public record, I never shared information that meets the FOIA definition of confidential, the person read. This was information that has been hidden from residents and does not meet the state FOIA requirements that would allow it to be hidden. Watts term will expire at the end of the year. She ran for mayor in November but lost to incumbent Mayor Robert Halfacre. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not taking this action because shes at the end of her term would be the easy thing to do, Brookover said. During the course of an hour, council members and members of the public explained why they supported or objected to the proposal to censure Watt. I dont necessarily believe that this is the appropriate thing to do, Council Member Alesia Smith said. I disagree with this censuring, a resident said. I think its wrong. I think its an unfortunate thing to have to do but I think necessary, another person said. I think its important that we reprimand that because it sets a precedent, another resident said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watt provided a statement to 7NEWS after the vote. It reads in part: I will be working with others to make sure honesty prevails, to make sure residents are represented, and to ensure support exists for those expensive information requests. I am sorry that this is the Citys chosen path. Im sorry for those who will be maliciously harassed further by City surrogates, knowing the City wont protect specific citizens. But our fight to keep Clemson special will continue. Council Member Catherine Watt Her entire public statement can be found below: Council Member Dr Cathrine Watts Public statementDownload 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 WSPA 7NEWS. Three mountaineers were reported missing on Monday, December 2, 2024 after attempting to summit New Zealands C/Mt. Cook via the Zurbriggen Ridge route. The team consisted of Kurt Blair, 56, who works as a guide in Colorados San Juan mountains, Carlos Romero, 50, of California, and a Canadian climber who remained unnamed by officials. Both Blair and Romero were certified ski, alpine climbing, and rock climbing guides by the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA). The three chartered a flight out to Plateau Hut on Mt. Cook and began their ascent of the peak on Saturday, November 30th, 2024. Aaorki/Mt. Cook, New Zealand stands at 12,218 feet above sea level. Photo: WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images The team had scheduled a return flight from the hut on Monday, December 2nd at 8:30am. Local authorities were alerted when the climbers didnt show up for their return flight. New Zealands Department of Conservations Search and Rescue team, Helicopter Line, and Police were dispatched to search for the climbers when they missed the flight. Search teams found climbing gear they presumed belonged to the missing climbers but had to suspend their search due to weather. New Zealands National Weather Service, MetService, issued a weather warning for Mt. Cook that forecasted gale force winds for Monday and rain, wind, and wind chill for Tuesday. Also called by the Maori name, Aoraki, Mt. Cook is New Zealands highest peak. It stands at 12,000ft tall above New Zealands Southern Alps. Earlier this year, POWDER covered professional ski mountaineer Christina Lustenbergers first descent of the Hunters Moon route on the mountain. Related: Lusti and Gee on Their Impressive First Descent of New Zealand's Highest Peak Be the first to read breaking ski news with POWDER. Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skiing. From ski resort news to profiles of the worlds best skiers, we are committed to keeping you informed. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) Accused Bob Lee killer Nima Momenis defense attorney began his closing arguments Tuesday by telling the jury hes dedicated his career to finding the truth through the criminal justice system. Saam Zangeneh said prosecutors told the jury a fragmented, false story about the Cash App founders death. On Monday, the prosecutor said the cases motive centers on Khazar, Momenis younger sister. Momeni murdered Lee under the Bay Bridge on April 4, 2023, because Khazar was sexually assaulted and he blamed the tech mogul, according to prosecutors. Momeni claimed he stabbed Lee in self-defense after Lee blew up over a bad joke. Zangeneh said, This is a murder case, first degree murder. Thats the apex predator of criminal charges. The motive these guys made up is suffocating, its sinking like a sinking ship. Its just not there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photos: San Francisco tech startup advertises replacing people with AI employees Zangeneh told the jury that prosecutors swept certain evidence under the rug, and never called important witnesses to the stand, because they need to win the case. The defense attorney said, I dont know if you guys noticed, but yesterday the DA (Brooke Jenkins) was here. The DA was here! This case is a big deal. Seventy-five percent of the people here are media. This case drew national and even international attention. They are not showing you the whole picture. The governments whole case rests on motive. In this case, motive is everything. On Tuesday, Zangeneh said he revealed Lees toxicology test at trial so that the jury could see that the tech mogul was under the influence of cocaine, ketamine, and alcohol when he died. Lee went on a 3-day cocaine bender as he appeared at several parties around the city, according to the defense. Lees friends testified that Lee frequently used party drugs, but even under the influence, he was also a happy-go-lucky, nice, calm, and polite guy. Zangeneh said its ridiculous to assert that drugs could not have altered Lees behavior. The defense attorney focused on the moment when Lee and his close friend, DJ Bo, left a party at Lees drug dealers apartment on April 3, 2023. Zangeneh said prosecutors never called the drug dealer, Jeremy Boivin, to the stand because it would hurt their case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Momenis sister, Khazar, previously testified that she partied inside Boivins apartment with Lee, Bo, her friend Aranza, and Boivin. Khazar said she told Boivin to make Lee and Bo leave because Bo was staring at her and making her feel uncomfortable. During prosecutor Dane Reinstedts closing arguments on Monday, the prosecutor said Lee was like a teddy bear and happy on April 3, 2023, the day before his death. The prosecutor showed surveillance video of Lee smiling as he hung out at bars, parties, and in his hotel room. On Tuesday, Zangeneh showed video of Lee and Bo inside an elevator after they were kicked out of Boivins apartment. In the elevator, Lee looks agitated. Hes pissed off, hes confused, hes out of his mind, Zangeneh said of Lees demeanor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee sent a text message to Khazar writing, Get your ass in my Uber or never speak to me again. Khazar testified that she stayed in the apartment after Lee and Bo left. She took the date rape drug GHB, was sexually assaulted, fell unconscious, and later called her brother and husband for help. In contrast, Momeni testified that he and Lee were friendly and on good terms when they left Khazars apartment on April 4, 2023, and parked under the Bay Bridge. Zangeneh showed the jury a text message from Lee inviting Momeni to the Gold Club strip club on the night of April 3, 2023. When they were under the bridge, Momeni testified that he made a bad joke about Lee spending time in strip clubs instead of with his family. Lee went from zero to 100, exploded with anger, and attacked Momeni with a knife, Momeni testified. Zangeneh said Khazars testimony at trial was not credible. I think she has a serious substance abuse problem, and I dont think shes credible at all. Shes not something you can hang your hat on. Im not resting on a thing that girl said, not a thing, he told jurors. Who is instrumental in this case? Aranza Villegas. We called her to testify because she is important. There were three people: Aranza, Khazar, and Jeremey in the apartment. Aranza knows exactly what happened, the defense attorney said. Villegas testified earlier in the trial that she had reassured Momeni that nothing bad happened in Boivins apartment. She also told Momeni that Khazar was lying, under the influence of several drugs, and acted like a princess, Zangeneh said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defense attorney told jurors, Aranza said no one was raped and Khazar took the drugs voluntarily. You guys are going to seek the truth (during deliberations), and Aranza helps you get there. Shes the first step. Zangeneh said the next step for deliberations should focused on Lees toxicology report. Mr. Reinstedt danced around an important part of this case. The evidence was that he (Lee) had cocaine, ketamine, and alcohol in his system (that) affects pain receptors, affects perception, Zangeneh said. (Prosecutors) told you he uses drugs all the time, and they dont affect him. Is that the truth? Does that make sense? Boivins name was mentioned every day of the lengthy trial, but he never took the stand. The defense attorney said his team was not allowed to offer Boivin immunity from prosecution in exchange for testifying for the trial. Prosecutors chose not to. Zangeneh told jurors, Jeremy Boivin was the centerpiece. He was an instrumental witness. Ill let you guys put two and two together. I can tell you defense attorneys cannot offer immunity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defense attorney said Lee had a lot of friends in San Francisco because he was a popular person in the tech industry. Between March 31, 2023, and April 4, 2023, Theres tons of people he associated with between Friday and Tuesday morning. This guy is on his phone constantly. He doesnt sleep Friday night, doesnt sleep Saturday night, and he takes a nap on Sunday night. Im not saying hes a bad guy. Im not judging him. Im simply giving you facts, evidence. Zangeneh said jurors who are not familiar with cocaine may not know that the drug is an upper that can make a person stay awake for days and counteracts the downer effects of alcohol. He pointed to one juror who smirked as if he knew from experience. Several jurors laughed in response. The judge shook her head. Before Tuesdays proceedings began, a juror who was sick was dismissed and replaced by one of the five alternates. Closing arguments will continue Tuesday afternoon following a lunch break. Stick with KRON4.com for the latest updates from the courtroom. 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. LOWER MANHATTAN (PIX11) Daniel Penny, the Marine Corps veteran accused of using a chokehold in a subway incident that killed Jordan Neely, a homeless man with a history of mental illness, was back in court for closing arguments on Monday. His attorneys told jurors that medical factors caused Neelys death, and not their client, whom they described as a good Samaritan who was looking out for the lives of his fellow subway passengers. Prosecutors had a very different argument, with which Neelys family and supporters agreed vociferously. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monday was the start of yet another week since the trial began on October 21 where Penny was at criminal court, facing manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide charges. This time, though, his lawyers were taking their final chance to argue why their client deserved to be acquitted. It was the latest chapter since the May 1, 2023 subway incident, where Penny held Neely in a chokehold for six minutes, according to prosecutors. They also said, in their summation on Friday, that that move was way too much force, for way too long, in way too reckless of a manner. In his defense, Pennys lawyers reminded jurors that the Marine Corps veteran had told police that hed held down Neely after the homeless man, who was also known for impersonating Michael Jackson on the subway, entered Pennys car violently and loudly. Penny and other witnesses said that Neely had yelled at and physically threatened passengers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Self-defense or too much force? Thats the question for jurors as subway chokehold trial wraps More specifically, Pennys attorneys made these points in their closing argument: that Penny had used restraint against Neely, rather than a chokehold, which is more severe after Penny encounters Neely he holds him until police arrive, never to render him unconscious Penny believed at the time of the incident that Neely was high on drugs; toxicology tests proved him right, showing the drug K2 in Neelys system their client had spoken freely with police in the minutes and hours after the incident, and when hed done so, he did not know that Neely had died Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neelys medical pre-condition, sickle cell anemia, which may have triggered a toxic reaction because of the incident, was the main contributing factor to his death On that last point, the lead defense lawyer, Steve Raiser, said that Neelys death was not a homicide, and was instead a medical condition. Daniel Penny misused combat technique in fatal chokehold of Jordan Neely: trainer The defense summation lasted all morning and into the afternoon, after a court-ordered lunch break. Summation ended at 2:55 p.m. During the break, members of Neelys family joined with Black Lives Matter and National Action Network activists to criticize Penny and condemn the defense argument in his favor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel like the defense disrespects my whole family, outside the courtroom and inside the courtroom, said Christopher Neely, Jordans uncle. They really dont have nothing, he continued, in his critique of the defenses case. The judge is getting tired of the continuous B.S., and so is the prosecution, and so are the people. The prosecutions closing argument began immediately after the defense wrapped up. It lasted for two hours until the court closed for the day at 5:00 p.m. Its expected to resume on Tuesday morning for about two more hours, after which the judge will charge the jury, which will then deliberate. With that schedule, its possible that there will be a verdict in the case this week. 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. Detectives are looking for Amir Amaru Moore, 22, who is accused of a shooting that left someone seriously hurt on Nov. 7 in northwest Charlotte. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police were called to the 200 block of North Hoskins Roat at about 1:30 p.m. after the male was shot. 1 seriously hurt in northwest Charlotte shooting, MEDIC says There are arrest warrants out for Moore which include attempted murder, felony conspiracy, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is in his 20s, 6-foot-four inches tall, and weighs about 160 pounds. The investigation into this case is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or go to http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/. New York Rep. Dan Goldman on Monday was questioned about his prediction last year that President Joe Biden wouldnt pardon his son, Hunter. On CNNs News Central, anchor Brianna Keilar showed a clip of Goldman on the July 30, 2023, broadcast of ABC News This Week, which was taped after the younger Bidens plea agreement for tax evasion and a firearms-related charge abruptly fell through. In the clip, Goldman said a pardon would be a mistake, and that Biden wouldnt do it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think theres any chance that President Biden is going to do that, unlike his predecessor, who pardoned all of his friends and anyone who had any access to him, Goldman said. And I think you see that in this case where he kept onand Merrick Garland kept ona Trump-appointed U.S. attorney to investigate the presidents son, he continued. If there is not an indication of the independence of the Department of Justice beyond that, I dont know what we could look for. On Monday, Keilar asked, What does that feel like, watching yourself back then reassuring people that Biden was not going to issue a pardon for his son? Goldman first responded by saying that a pardon wouldnt be necessary if the plea deal had gone through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Keilar reminded him that when he had made those comments, the agreement had already fallen apart. You took him at his word. So, what does that feel like, knowing that hes gone back on it? she asked again. Well, as I said, Goldman replied, Im disappointed that after the plea fell through and it became clear about why it did, including Republican congressional intervention in this case, which made this case very unique and very different from any other case, I think that we allperhaps I should have as wellrecognized that this is not the normal prosecution." Goldman added: I said many times that if Hunter Biden were not Hunter Biden, he would never be charged with these crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic lawmaker then argued that, given Donald Trumps threats to go after his perceived political enemies, a pardon makes sense. When you start to see what Donald Trump is planning to do with his Department of Justice and with his FBI, and the degree to which Hunter Biden has already been shamelessly attacked as a private citizen by Republicans, Goldman explained, I certainly understand why the president felt like this miscarriage of justice should not carry forward, and that he should not be at risk of retributive prosecution for political reasons, which is not the proper way to execute our rule of law. Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang held talks with Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli in Beijing on Tuesday. Li said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties nearly 70 years ago, China-Nepal relations have maintained sound and steady development. In 2019, in particular, the bilateral relationship was elevated to the strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity, which has driven the vigorous expansion of exchanges and cooperation in various fields between the two sides and brought tangible benefits to the two peoples. Li said China is willing to work with Nepal to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, continue to consolidate and deepen political mutual trust, push for the deeper development of relations and cooperation, and build an even closer China-Nepal community with a shared future. China firmly supports Nepal in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, and stands ready to enhance the synergy of development strategies with Nepal, leverage the leading role of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation in bilateral cooperation, actively expand two-way trade and investment, and strengthen connectivity at ports, roads, railways and airlines, Li said. He said China encourages competent Chinese enterprises to invest in Nepal and is willing to import more quality products from Nepal. Li called on the two sides to deepen people-to-people exchanges and sub-national cooperation. China supports Nepal in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs and is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Nepal on multilateral arenas, Li said. Oli said Nepal's determination to abide by the one-China principle will not waver, and it will not allow any force to use Nepal's territory for anti-China activities. Nepal believes that Taiwan and Xizang are inalienable parts of China and Xizang-related affairs are China's internal affairs. Nepal has always regarded China as a reliable partner and is willing to take the opportunity of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties next year to further strengthen high-level exchanges with China, consolidate traditional friendship, promote practical cooperation in various fields, jointly cope with common challenges and strengthen coordination on multilateral affairs, he said. Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins compared President Bidens statement announcing he had pardoned his son Hunter to that of a social media post by President-elect Trump. Rarely, if ever, have we heard from both Biden and Trump on the same page about anything. But now, its in print, Collins said on her prime-time CNN show The Source on Monday night. Their mutual anger at the Justice Department, as evidenced in Bidens announcement that came down late last night, clearing his son of his convictions on gun and tax charges, she added. Collins read from Bidens statement, quoting him as saying, I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, following a statement like that that at times sounded like something Trump himself could have posted on Truth Social, she said. Collins also noted that special counsel David Weiss, who was overseeing Hunter Bidens tax case, responded to the news by saying there has never been any evidence of vindictive or selective prosecution in this case. The anchors comments were first highlighted by Mediaite. Collins is one of CNNs biggest stars and was recently tapped by network head Mark Thompson to serve as the networks chief White House correspondent covering Trump when he returns to office next month. 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. Panelists on CNNs NewsNight With Abby Phillip clashed Monday night over claims about Pete Hegseths alleged misconduct. A visibly exasperated Leigh McGowanan influencer known as PoliticsGirl onlinesighed deeply at one point, and also waved her arms in the air as she and former Republican Rep. Scott Taylor, tore lumps out of one another. Scott said he knows Hegseth personally and even called him a friend on X ahead of the broadcast. Hegseth has come under fire amid a slew of misconduct allegationshe denies wrongdoing. The barbed to and fro threatened to spill over at points but host Abby Phillip managed to keep some sense of decorum. Even still, McGowan and Taylor jostled over the array of accusations against Hegseth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ex-Fox News host and former Army National Guard officer, nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as secretary of defense, has come under intense scrutiny over an alleged sexual assault and reports about him being drunk at work events and other misconduct. Hegseth denies all wrongdoing. McGowan made clear that she finds the alleged behaviour unbecoming of a man potentially set to hold such a prestigious and powerful government position. She then referred to a report Sunday in The New Yorker which detailed Hegseths alleged drunken behavior and a sexist culture he allegedly oversaw while running the nonprofit Concerned Veterans for America. Theres a lot of things that Pete has allegedly done, McGowan said. And whether it is that hes stolen from the organizations hes run, or he has endless drunken escapades, or he has white nationalist tattoos, or hes raped women she said before Taylor barked: Oh my God. President-elect Donald Trump chose Hegseth as his next secretary of defense You just gonna sit here and defame the dude? he asked pointedly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No, McGowan replied. Thats all reported. But heres what Im saying. The biggest thing people need to understand You should be ashamed of yourself, Taylor replied. After Phillip clarified that Hegseth had actually been accused of financial mismanagement at his nonprofits and not stealing, the heated discussion continued. McGowan listed important duties of the secretary of defense before adding: On the alcohol alone, you cannot give someone a job like that who has a drinking problem, someone who might be incapacitated for multiple reasons in a key moment. Taylor jumped in and again claimed McGowan was defaming Hegseth. You dont know him, Taylor said. You dont know he has a drinking problem. What he said Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not his best friend, which you apparently are, McGowan interjected. Ill be on @CNN tonight at 10PM. I will be defending my friends Kash Patel and Pete Hegseth. Might be a little lonely on the panel @Kash_Patel @PeteHegseth Scott Taylor (@Scotttaylorva) December 3, 2024 Taylor looked visibly annoyed as Phillip was forced to intervene once again to restore order. McGowan then passionately made her final argument. It is not partisan to say that Pete cant do this job. It is practical, she said. It is about keeping the country safe. It is about the safety of our troops. He is being hiredhe is being potentially hiredto run the worlds largest and most lethal military force. You cannot play games with that. And this man has too many skeletons in his closet to put him in charge of such a large organization. A lawyer for Hegseth dismissed the recent New Yorker allegations as outlandish claims and attributed them to a petty and jealous disgruntled former associate. Georgias longest-running criminal trial ended Tuesday with not guilty verdicts, except for one charge, for the two remaining co-defendants in a sprawling racketeering case that had included rap superstar Young Thug. The defendants Deamonte Kendrick, a rapper known as Yak Gotti, and Shannon Stillwell were both facing charges linked to the states Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations, or RICO, statute. Among the most serious charges were for the killing of an alleged rival gang member in a 2015 drive-by shooting and conspiracy to violate RICO. Stillwell was also charged with murder in the 2022 killing of another alleged rival gang member. The 12 jurors began deliberating on Nov. 26, and found Kendrick not guilty and Stillwell not guilty except for one felony gun possession charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Superior Court Judge Paige Whitaker sentenced Stillwell to 10 years with credit for two years served since his arrest and the rest on probation. "I cannot express the degree of thanks that Fulton County owes you for your service given the length of this trial," Whitaker told the jurors, who were first selected in January 2023. The case initially featured 28 co-defendants, including Young Thug, whom Fulton County prosecutors accused in a 2022 indictment of leading an Atlanta street gang, Young Slime Life, or YSL. (Young Thug founded his own label, YSL Records, in 2016.) The trial against the co-defendants dragged on through multiple delays and unexpected turns after several defendants took plea deals while others chose to be tried separately from Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Lamar Williams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opening statements began in November 2023 with six co-defendants. The proceedings, which have been livestreamed, have riveted social media users, with prosecutors using the Grammy-winning rappers song lyrics to claim violence and illegal acts and bizarre moments involving alleged drug exchanges, uncooperative star witnesses and combative incidents involving the previous judge. By the end of the trial, the state had called more than 175 witnesses, while the defense for Stillwell and Kendrick called none. The verdict was reached after yet another dramatic turn, as Kendrick was stabbed Sunday in a Fulton County Jail annex. He appeared in court Tuesday and hugged his lawyer upon hearing the not guilty verdict. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Fulton County District's Attorney's Office said "we always respect the verdict of the jury." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stillwells lawyer, Max Schardt, told reporters after the verdict was announced that jurors took four days of deliberations to come to their decision and "they did their jobs." "We asked so much of the jurors and they really scrutinized the evidence, and they demanded real evidence, and it wasn't there," he said. Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, listens to Fulton County Chief Judge Ural Glanville on Feb. 13. During closing arguments on Nov. 25, Fulton County prosecutors said the defendants took part in a criminal street gang that used weapons on rivals: They have guns and were not afraid to use them, Assistant District Attorney Christian Adkins said. He added that YSL used deception, intimidation, destruction and death as members were bragging and boasting about their exploits on social media and in songs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To find the defendants guilty of violating RICO, he added, jurors must determine the men either conspired to acquire or keep money or other personal property or conspired to participate in an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering. Schardt later argued to the jury that the prosecution wove its narrative of a gang conspiracy by trying so hard to fit that square peg into a round hole. He also denied his client killed anyone, casting suspicions on others who testified and admitted on the stand they lied to police. The state hasnt proven their case, he said, and certainly hasnt proven their case beyond a reasonable doubt. Kendricks lawyer, Doug Weinstein, ridiculed the states claim of gang affiliations among Young Thug and other YSL artists and associates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pictures of YSL wearing green clothing that must mean theyre a gang, Weinstein said, telling the jury: You guys are mostly in blue and black, you associate with each other here today. Are you a gang? The state is all in red today. Are they a gang because theyre all dressed in red? Key dates in Young Thug case May 9, 2022: Young Thug is booked into jail on charges of criminal gang activity. Jan. 4, 2023: Jury selection in the RICO trial against Young Thug and his co-defendants begins. Nov. 1, 2023: After multiple delays, a jury is seated. Nov. 27, 2023: Opening statements begin. Dec. 11, 2023: Co-defendant Shannon Stillwell is stabbed during a fight in jail, further delaying the trial. June 10: Young Thugs lawyer, Brian Steel, accuses trial Judge Ural Glanville of holding a closed-door meeting without the defense present. July 15: A judge rules that Glanville must recuse himself. July 17: Superior Court Judge Paige Whitaker is assigned to the case. Aug. 12: The jury returns after an almost two-month hiatus. Oct. 23: Witness testimony that inadvertently includes information meant to be excluded from the jury is heard, setting off a potential mistrial motion. Oct. 29: Co-defendant Quamarvious Nichols takes a plea deal. Oct. 30: Co-defendants Marquavius Huey and Rodalius Ryan take plea deals. Oct. 31: Young Thug takes a plea deal. Nov. 25: Closing arguments begin in the trial against remaining co-defendants Stillwell and Deamonte Kendrick. Nov. 26: Jury deliberations begin. Dec. 3: Verdict revealed Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis had initially presented the case against Young Thug and his associates accused of being affiliated with the national Bloods gang as a way to combat the unrelenting violence in their south Atlanta neighborhood. Willis, who would later come under scrutiny for her handling of the 2020 election case against Donald Trump and associates, was criticized by some for using the lyrics in Young Thugs songs and social media posts as evidence to allege gang activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics contend the states RICO law was being weaponized to specifically target Black hip-hop artists, who they say should be free to express themselves. In July, the states case nearly unraveled when the original trial judge was removed after holding a private meeting with prosecutors and a star witness that failed to include members of the defense. Defense lawyers unsuccessfully lobbied for a mistrial. Then, in October, the trial was nearly upended again when, during testimony, a states witness was inadvertently given a social media post to read aloud that included the unredacted nickname of two co-defendants that was meant to be redacted for the jury. The prosecutorial misstep led to the possibility of a mistrial, paving the way for Whitaker to see if prosecutors and defense lawyers could hash out plea deals. Four of the six co-defendants reached agreements. Young Thug, in taking a deal, was released from jail with his 40-year sentence commuted to time served and 15 years of probation. Real plea deal jack! Young Thug (@youngthug) November 3, 2024 Young Thug first gained mainstream success with his 2014 drug anthem Stoner, and has worked with artists such as Travis Scott, Post Malone, Meek Mill and Drake. He also racked up three No. 1 albums on the Billboard chart and won a Grammy Award in 2019 for song of the year for co-writing Childish Gambinos This Is America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Georgias previous longest criminal trial lasted about eight months and involved Atlanta public school educators accused of racketeering in a cheating scandal. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The U.S. Coast Guard has called off the search for the five missing crew members aboard the F-V Wind Walker, the capsized fishing vessel, off the Alaska coast. The Sitka based crew reported their 50ft boat was sinking early Sunday morning near Point Couverden off the coast of Juneau. The Coast Guard and local boaters searched more than 100 square nautical miles in 24 hours without finding the boat or any of the men on board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the people searching is Seattle native Glenn Jahnke. He is serving as a Mate aboard the Pacific Warrior tug boat that is hauling a barge from Seattle to Kodiak Island Alaska. He was only 12 miles from the Wind Walker when the mayday came out. It was a very distressed voice which is normally the case when theres a mayday, Jahnke said. But he gave a mayday, mayday, mayday, said the name of the vessel, but there was no response. Then the Coast Guard replied asking where they were. His voice got more urgent he responded that they rolled on their side, were taking on water, and two people were in the water. Then the Coast Guard asked a question and there was no response after that. Jahnke said they turned the tug toward the call, but the weather slowed them down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conditions were really fierce, winds blowing 50 knots and it was just a whiteout, so finding someone or anything was nearly impossible, Jahnke said. Jankhe tells us they were one of the first boats to arrive after a small ferry called The Hubbard. The Captain had passengers on board that were going home, everyone around there is a local and I can only imagine there were people on the deck looking over the sides trying to help, Jahnke said. The crews searched for more than 24 hours, only coming up with a foam cold weather suit. Seeing the floating empty suit is alarming because theres nobody in it, it was taken out of its cover, someone was in the process of getting in it and just couldnt get it on, Jahnke said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He tells us even in the negative snowy temperatures and high winds, the suit can protect someone for several hours before hypothermia sets in. Jahnke said while aboard fishing and tugboats on similar routes, he has rescued several people trapped in the open water. He says this part of Alaska has the worst weather conditions imaginable, telling us it has taken the lives of so many over the years. Ive been a fisherman here for many years, Ive seen this happen too many times. Im always a little tense anyways because of the weather, but then to hear that it put an exclamation on the evening, it brought back a lot of bad memories for me of similar situations, Jahnke said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He tells us they anchored overnight near the search site due to bad weather. Once it clears today, his tug will continue its journey to Kodiak Island. He said its hard to leave knowing the families of the missing fishermen still dont know what happened or have closure. The Coast Guard said the bodies of the five crew members and the fishing boat itself have not been found. The names of the crew members have not been released. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) The motto of the U.S. Coast Guard is Semper Paratus: always ready. A Michigan crew lived up to the billing last week. A team from the USCG Air Station in Traverse City is credited with successfully evacuating a person in need from Beaver Island on Friday, Nov. 29, despite strong winds and snow. According to a social media post from the station, the crew flew to the island to extract an 87-year-old man who was experiencing heart attack-like symptoms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sign up for the Storm Team 8 daily forecast newsletter Bravo Zulu to last nights duty crew for their successful medical evacuation, the station said in the post. Thanks to the continual training, teamwork and capabilities of the MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter, the crew was able to navigate snow squalls and high winds to safely transport the patient to a higher level of medical care. According to Weather Underground, wind speeds topped out at 18 miles per hour Friday evening, with gusts reaching up to 31 mph. 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. Dec. 2The U.S. Coast Guard continued searching Monday morning for multiple missing people who were aboard a commercial fishing boat that capsized in Icy Strait southwest of Juneau. Five people were thought to be on board based on "reports from individuals familiar with those aboard the vessel," the Coast Guard said in a statement. "This number has not been confirmed and is subject to change pending new information." Searchers had found cold-water safety gear and other emergency items but no people as of 8 p.m. Sunday, according to the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard reported heavy snow and winds up to 60 mph in the area earlier in the day, with 6-foot seas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two Coast Guard cutters continued the search Monday morning, a spokesman said. Around 12:10 a.m. Sunday, the crew of the roughly 50-foot-long vessel Wind Walker reported that "they were overturning" in a mayday call received by Coast Guard Sector Southeast Alaska watchstanders, the Coast Guard said. "The watchstanders attempted to gather additional information but received no response," the Coast Guard said in its statement. They received an emergency radio beacon alert registered to the Wind Walker, with location information originating in Icy Strait south of Point Couverden, according to the Coast Guard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watchstanders issued an urgent broadcast and launched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Sitka and a 45-foot response boat from Juneau to search the area, the Coast Guard said. The Alaska Marine Highway System ferry Hubbard, which was the first to arrive at the scene, had heard the broadcast and offered to help, the Coast Guard said. The Coast Guard said that "seven cold-water immersion suits and two strobe lights have been located in the water in the search area" as responders continued searching for those missing. As reports on social media claimed that people involved in the capsizing had been found, the Coast Guard said Sunday afternoon that it hadn't confirmed those reports and that it was continuing its efforts, asking people with information about the search to call 907-463-2980. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Wind Walker's hailing port is Sitka, according to a federal database. As of Sunday night, the Coast Guard Cutter Healy was on site and the Cutter Douglas Denman was on its way to assist, the Coast Guard said. Dec. 2The U.S. Coast Guard on Monday suspended the search for survivors from a Sitka-based commercial fishing boat that capsized early Sunday morning with five people aboard. The Coast Guard said the search for the 52-foot Wind Walker continued for nearly 24 hours and covered more than 108 square nautical miles. The boat's crew issued a mayday call at 12:07 a.m. Sunday "reporting they were overturning," the Coast Guard said. Watchstanders in Juneau received no additional response, they said, but the boat's emergency beacon signal was located near Point Couverden in Icy Strait, southwest of Juneau. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with numerous Coast Guard assets, an Alaska Marine Highway System ferry carrying more than 100 passengers diverted to the boat's last known location to assist in the search. The Wind Walker left Juneau around 7:45 p.m. Saturday, according to a vessel tracking service. The five people aboard had not been publicly identified as of Monday afternoon. On Sunday, the Coast Guard said searchers had located seven cold-water immersion suits and two strobe lights but no signs of any of the people aboard the vessel. Coast Guard officials said in a statement around noon Monday that the search was suspended pending any new information. "We stand in sorrow and solidarity with the friends and family of the people we were not able to find over the past 24 hours," Chief Warrant Officer James Koon, a search and rescue mission coordinator at Coast Guard Sector Southeast Alaska, said in the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Koon also commended the speed of the Coast Guard and other crews who helped "completely saturate" the search area. The ferry Hubbard, carrying about two dozen crew members and 110 passengers, was making the run from Tenakee Springs, Angoon and Kake back to Juneau when the mayday call came, according to Sam Dapcevich, a state transportation department spokesman. "They heard a brief emergency mayday call from the Wind Walker that the boat was capsizing and they were attempting to get into a life raft," he said. "No further transmissions were heard." Tamara Jack, a passenger on the ferry, said the captain announced the vessel was diverting to the mayday call just after leaving Tenakee Springs. The passengers all gathered together, Jack said in a message. "Even if we didn't know everyone, we formed a circle, held hands and prayed." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many passengers stood at the ice-coated windows keeping an eye out, she said. Jack, who was coming from Kake, said the ferry's crew took turns standing watch outside due to the rough weather as the boat's horn blared. The ferry's captain described 50 knot winds out of the north, driving snow, freezing spray and 6- to 8-foot waves, Dapcevich said. "The captain told me it was almost zero visibility." He said the Hubbard could see the Wind Walker's location on a vessel-tracking system, but lost that signal at 12:18 a.m. just over 10 minutes after the initial mayday call. They notified the Coast Guard of the position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ferry got to the area and started a grid search at about 1 a.m. under Coast Guard coordination, Dapcevich said. The Hubbard stayed in position until it was released at 10 a.m., he said, adding that the ferry captain praised the crew's professionalism in difficult conditions. "It's just tragic, a terrible situation," Dapcevich said. "It's good that we were out there but unfortunately we were not able to locate any survivors." The loss of the Wind Walker marks the latest in a series of at-sea tragedies out of Sitka. Two people died and three were rescued in January after their boat overturned near Chichagof Island. Five people on a charter fishing trip out of Sitka two couples on vacation and the boat's captain died in May 2023 after their boat was found partly submerged in rough seas. Just over a month ago in late October, the community also lost a well-known commercial fishing advocate, Tad Fujioka, when he was killed by a bear on a deer-hunting trip. Dec. 3The U.S. Coast Guard on Monday suspended the search for survivors from a Sitka-based commercial fishing boat that capsized early Sunday morning with five people aboard. The Coast Guard said the search for the 52-foot Wind Walker continued for nearly 24 hours and covered more than 108 square nautical miles. A state public safety database identified the five missing men as Travis Kapp, Michael Brown, Emilio Celaya-Talamantez, Jacob Hannah and Alex Ireland. Ireland is identified by family and friends on social media as Alex Zamantakis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kapp is listed as the owner of the Wind Walker, according to a commercial fishing database that describes the boat as a 52-foot, diesel-powered vessel equipped with pots, longline and purse seine gear as well as 1,000-gallon holding and live tanks. The boat's crew issued a mayday call at 12:07 a.m. Sunday "reporting they were overturning," the Coast Guard said. Watchstanders in Juneau received no additional response, they said, but the boat's emergency beacon signal was located near Point Couverden in Icy Strait, southwest of Juneau. Along with numerous Coast Guard assets, an Alaska Marine Highway System ferry carrying more than 100 passengers diverted to the boat's last known location to assist in the search. The Wind Walker left Juneau around 7:45 p.m. Saturday, according to a vessel tracking service. The five people aboard had not been publicly identified as of Monday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, the Coast Guard said searchers had located seven cold-water immersion suits and two strobe lights but no signs of any of the people aboard the vessel. Coast Guard officials said in a statement around noon Monday that the search was suspended pending any new information. "We stand in sorrow and solidarity with the friends and family of the people we were not able to find over the past 24 hours," Chief Warrant Officer James Koon, a search and rescue mission coordinator at Coast Guard Sector Southeast Alaska, said in the statement. Koon also commended the speed of the Coast Guard and other crews who helped "completely saturate" the search area. The ferry Hubbard, carrying about two dozen crew members and 110 passengers, was making the run from Tenakee Springs, Angoon and Kake back to Juneau when the mayday call came, according to Sam Dapcevich, a state transportation department spokesman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They heard a brief emergency mayday call from the Wind Walker that the boat was capsizing and they were attempting to get into a life raft," he said. "No further transmissions were heard." Tamara Jack, a passenger on the ferry, said the captain announced the vessel was diverting to the mayday call just after leaving Tenakee Springs. The passengers all gathered together, Jack said in a message. "Even if we didn't know everyone, we formed a circle, held hands and prayed." Many passengers stood at the ice-coated windows keeping an eye out, she said. Jack, who was coming from Kake, said the ferry's crew took turns standing watch outside due to the rough weather as the boat's horn blared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ferry's captain described 50 knot winds out of the north, driving snow, freezing spray and 6- to 8-foot waves, Dapcevich said. "The captain told me it was almost zero visibility." He said the Hubbard could see the Wind Walker's location on a vessel-tracking system, but lost that signal at 12:18 a.m. just over 10 minutes after the initial mayday call. They notified the Coast Guard of the position. The ferry got to the area and started a grid search at about 1 a.m. under Coast Guard coordination, Dapcevich said. The Hubbard stayed in position until it was released at 10 a.m., he said, adding that the ferry captain praised the crew's professionalism in difficult conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's just tragic, a terrible situation," Dapcevich said. "It's good that we were out there but unfortunately we were not able to locate any survivors." The loss of the Wind Walker marks the latest in a series of at-sea tragedies out of Sitka. Two people died and three were rescued in January after their boat overturned near Chichagof Island. Five people on a charter fishing trip out of Sitka two couples on vacation and the boat's captain died in May 2023 after their boat was found partly submerged in rough seas. Just over a month ago in late October, the community also lost a well-known commercial fishing advocate, Tad Fujioka, when he was killed by a bear on a deer-hunting trip. An arrest has been made in the cold case murder of a New Jersey woman who was killed and dumped in a park nearly 30 years ago, authorities announced Monday. Tamara Tammy Tignor was 23 years old when she was killed. Her body was found on Nov. 4, 1997, near Washington Valley Park in Bridgewater Township, about 35 miles southwest of Central Park. Robert Creter, a 60-year-old man from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, was arrested earlier this year and charged with killing Tignor, the Somerset County prosecutors office announced Monday. Creter arrived in New Jersey on Nov. 26 after being extradited from Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The arrest of a suspect in this decades-old case is a testament to the unwavering dedication of law enforcement to seek justice, no matter how much time has passed, said New Jersey State Police Superintendent Col. Patrick Callahan. Tignor was last spotted in Newark, N.J., getting into an orange van, according to police. Investigators believe Creter picked her up in the van, sexually assaulted her and then strangled her to death before dumping her body in the park. At the time of the murder, Creter was a 33-year-old man living in the North Jersey area, cops said. Creter, who was born in Canada, moved back to the country in 2002, according to investigators. DNA technology advances allowed cops to identify him as a suspect in January 2023. He was charged in May 2023, arrested in Canada in June 2024 and extradited to the U.S. last week. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Cold weather shelters are set to open in Tampa Bay this week as another cold front moves into the area. HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY In Hillsborough County, cold weather shelters will open tonight and run through Tuesday. The following locations will take in those in need of a warm place to stay from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on both Monday and Tuesday until they reach capacity: Church of God of Prophecy Hyde Park 107 S. Oregon Ave., Tampa, FL 33606 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hyde Park United Methodist Church at The Portico 1001 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, FL 33602 Tampa Bay Mission of Hope 212 S. St. Cloud Ave. Building A, Valrico, FL 33594 Amazing Love Ministries (Tuesday only) 3304 E. Columbus Dr., Tampa, FL 33605 Congregate shelters are reserved for adults. Metropolitan Ministries is supplying a limited number of single-night motel vouchers on a first-come, first-served basis for families with children. PINELLAS COUNTY On Tuesday, Dec. 3, cold night shelters will open in Pinellas County starting at 6 p.m. Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority will provide free bus rides to and from cold weather shelters during this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The following locations will serve as shelters: Tarpon Springs Boys and Girls Club of the Suncoast 111 West Lime Street, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 Clearwater First United Methodist Church of Clearwater 411 Turner Street, Clearwater, FL 33755 Pinellas Park Boys and Girls Club of the Suncoast 7790 61st Street North, Pinellas Park, FL 33781 First United Methodist Church 9025 49th St N, Pinellas Park, FL 33782 St. Petersburg Northwest Church 6330 54th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33709 WestCare Turning Point 1810 5th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg 100 Mirror Lake Drive North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Please Note: This location requires the use of stairs Salvation Army St. Petersburg 1400 4TH Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Families should call First Contact (formerly 2-1-1, Tampa Bay Cares, Inc.) for information on family shelters. Families will be referred to family shelters in St. Petersburg and Clearwater based on availability. The shelters will remain open until 6 a.m. Wednesday (7:30 a.m. for the Salvation Army St. Petersburg location). SARASOTA COUNTY A cold weather shelter is opening in Sarasota County Monday and Tuesday night. Those seeking a warm place to spend the night can head to 100 Church located at 14525 Tamiami Trail in North Port. Breeze Route 9 is available for those needing transport. PASCO COUNTY Pasco County is opening a cold weather shelter beginning on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those looking for a warm place to spend the night can go to the Shady Hills Mission Chapel at 15925 Greenglen Lane in Spring Hill. The shelter will open at 6 p.m. Tuesday and close at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. For more information, call 727-856-2948. 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. People pose for photos in front of an installation of the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 3, 2024. COP16, held from Dec. 2 to 13 under the theme "Our Land. Our Future," is the largest UN land-focused conference to date and the first UNCCD COP in the Middle East and North Africa. Delegates are expected to make decisions on collective actions aimed at accelerating land restoration, improving resilience to droughts and sandstorms, restoring soil health, and scaling up nature-positive food production, with a focus on 2030 and beyond. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) People attend the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 3, 2024. COP16, held from Dec. 2 to 13 under the theme "Our Land. Our Future," is the largest UN land-focused conference to date and the first UNCCD COP in the Middle East and North Africa. Delegates are expected to make decisions on collective actions aimed at accelerating land restoration, improving resilience to droughts and sandstorms, restoring soil health, and scaling up nature-positive food production, with a focus on 2030 and beyond. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) A visitor poses for photos in front of an installation of the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 3, 2024. COP16, held from Dec. 2 to 13 under the theme "Our Land. Our Future," is the largest UN land-focused conference to date and the first UNCCD COP in the Middle East and North Africa. Delegates are expected to make decisions on collective actions aimed at accelerating land restoration, improving resilience to droughts and sandstorms, restoring soil health, and scaling up nature-positive food production, with a focus on 2030 and beyond. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) People attend the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 3, 2024. COP16, held from Dec. 2 to 13 under the theme "Our Land. Our Future," is the largest UN land-focused conference to date and the first UNCCD COP in the Middle East and North Africa. Delegates are expected to make decisions on collective actions aimed at accelerating land restoration, improving resilience to droughts and sandstorms, restoring soil health, and scaling up nature-positive food production, with a focus on 2030 and beyond. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) People visit the China Pavilion during the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 2, 2024. COP16, held from Dec. 2 to 13 under the theme "Our Land. Our Future," is the largest UN land-focused conference to date and the first UNCCD COP in the Middle East and North Africa. Delegates are expected to make decisions on collective actions aimed at accelerating land restoration, improving resilience to droughts and sandstorms, restoring soil health, and scaling up nature-positive food production, with a focus on 2030 and beyond. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) A man visits the interaction area during the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 3, 2024. COP16, held from Dec. 2 to 13 under the theme "Our Land. Our Future," is the largest UN land-focused conference to date and the first UNCCD COP in the Middle East and North Africa. Delegates are expected to make decisions on collective actions aimed at accelerating land restoration, improving resilience to droughts and sandstorms, restoring soil health, and scaling up nature-positive food production, with a focus on 2030 and beyond. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) People visit the China Pavilion during the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 2, 2024. COP16, held from Dec. 2 to 13 under the theme "Our Land. Our Future," is the largest UN land-focused conference to date and the first UNCCD COP in the Middle East and North Africa. Delegates are expected to make decisions on collective actions aimed at accelerating land restoration, improving resilience to droughts and sandstorms, restoring soil health, and scaling up nature-positive food production, with a focus on 2030 and beyond. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) People visit the interaction area during the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 3, 2024. COP16, held from Dec. 2 to 13 under the theme "Our Land. Our Future," is the largest UN land-focused conference to date and the first UNCCD COP in the Middle East and North Africa. Delegates are expected to make decisions on collective actions aimed at accelerating land restoration, improving resilience to droughts and sandstorms, restoring soil health, and scaling up nature-positive food production, with a focus on 2030 and beyond. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Students in Northern Illinois can now apply for over $550,000 worth of scholarships funded by local donors. The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) opened its Winter Scholarship for applications on December 1st and said it will match applicants of all ages, backgrounds, and educational aspirations with over 120 available local scholarships. Local donors who want to support local causes work with us to do that, said Engagement Director Jennifer Smith. What that means for students with scholarships is that youre not competing against a national pool or a state pool of applicants. Youre only competing against students right here in our community. So your chances of matching with a scholarship and then ultimately being awarded are much greater. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The application window is open from December 1st to February 1st, 2025. The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois serves Winnebago, Boone, Ogle, and Stephenson Counties. It offers three scholarship cycles per year. Applications are read and scored by committees of volunteers who use a blind review process and make recommendations to CFNILs Board of Trustees, and will be announced by May 1st, 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 MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. Dec. 2POTOSI, Mo. The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday denied a stay of execution for Christopher Collings, a Wheaton man convicted of capital murder in 2012 for the rape and murder of 9-year-old Rowan Ford. An application for a stay of execution was presented to Justice Brett Kavanaugh on Monday. Kavanugh presented the application to the court and it was denied, according to information posted on the court's website. The court also denied a writ of certiorari, which is a request for review of lower court decisions in the case. Collings' execution by lethal injection is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday in Bonne Terre, near where he has been held in the Potosi Correctional Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missouri Gov. Mike Parson confirmed Monday that the state will carry out the sentence Tuesday as ordered by the Missouri Supreme Court. "Mr. Collings has received every protection afforded by the Missouri and United States Constitutions, and Mr. Collings' conviction and sentence remain for his horrendous and callous crime," Parson said in a statement. Collings' federal defense team, Jeremy Weis and Daniel Kirsch, filed appeals through state and federal courts. They sought a last review of the case by justices of the U.S. Supreme Court. Weis said state attorneys recently filed opposition to the defense request for that review. Weis, in a statement late Monday, was critical of Parson, noting that he has not granted clemency for any of 13 previous death row inmates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In Chris's case, Gov. Parson has chosen to proceed with the execution despite the affidavits of three jurors indicating that had they been informed of the circumstances of Chris's life and the culpability of co-defendant, David Spears, they would have voted for life without parole instead of death. "Chris's personal circumstances were not explained to the jury. Chris suffered through years of depraved sexual abuse that left him broken and in search of help that never came. Throughout his life, Chris has suffered from brain damage that impaired his executive functioning. None of this information was explained to the jury in a way to mitigate the crime. Most importantly, the jury wasn't informed about the culpability of David Spears, particularly his confession to the rape and killing of his stepdaughter." Investigators, however, said then they determined that Spears gave a false confession. Associate Judge Johnnie Cox, who then was the Barry County prosecutor in the Collings case, said the evidence in the case did not support Spears' contention that he had been involved in the crimes. He had left the girl at home by herself while he went drinking with Collings and a third man, according to witnesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cox, asked if Spears was responsible for the rape and murder, said: "Absolutely not. In fact, had we tried Mr. Spears and had he been convicted and sentenced, I would be fielding questions from advocacy groups and reporters why I was standing behind Spears' confession," because the forensic evidence supported involvement by Collings and not Spears, the judge said. Collings also gave a statement of his responsibility that did not implicate Spears, Cox told the Globe. "The statement he (Collings) gave at the Wheaton Police Department never implicated Mr. Spears. The statement (Collings) gave at the Barry County Sheriff's Department that was video recorded never implicated Mr. Spears in the rape and murder," Cox said. The video of the Collings' confession was played for the jury at Collings' trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Mr. Collings adamantly denied during the interview that Spears had any involvement," in the rape or murder of Ford, Cox said. Alcohol and marijuana were being used the night of the Stella girl's murder, when he took her from her bed and transported her to his trailer home in Wheaton, where he admitted that she was raped. He strangled her with a piece of rope when he believed she had recognized him as her attacker. Collings was a friend of the girl's stepfather, David Spears, and a third man who spent some time that evening with Collings and Spears but was not implicated in the rape or murder. After the girl's mother came home the next morning from an overnight shift of work, she began looking for the girl. Investigators looking into the girl's disappearance found the body six days later at the bottom of a sinkhole in Barry County. Spears pleaded guilty to child endangerment for leaving the girl home alone the night she was abducted. He also pleaded guilty to a charge of hindering prosecution by leaving a message asking the third man who had been drinking with him and Collings to lie to investigators about leaving the girl alone. Spears was sentenced to seven years in prison for endangerment and four for hindering prosecution. He served nearly five years. (KRON) Colma police officers chased a suspected thief through a cemetery to arrest him, according to the Colma Police Department. The theft occurred at a Colma Boulevard retail store on Nov. 27. Colma PD responded the scene at 1:41 p.m. and learned a suspect, later identified as Joshua Warwick, concealed merchandise in a bag and fled the store on foot. Colma PD said officers noticed Warwick walking through a cemetery with a backpack. Police said Warwick began to run after officers ordered him to stop twice and then a foot pursuit ensued. Photo: Colma PD Robbers hold AT&T store employees at gunpoint in American Canyon Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warwick was detained after he surrendered. The stores employees identified Warwick as the thief. Police discovered he stole approximately $293.89 worth of merchandise. Warwick, a 45-year-old San Francisco resident, was arrested for shoplifting and resisting a police officer. Colma PD said Warwick was issued a citation for the charges and released on his promise to appear in court. 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. (COLORADO) Colorado has officially surpassed the previous record set in the state for fentanyl pills seized, totaling 2.7 million fake pills confiscated so far in 2024, according to the Drug Enforcement Administrations Rocky Mountain Field Division (DEA RMFD). Adding to the grim milestone is the recent appearance of carfentanil in Colorado, described in a DEA RMFD press release sent on Tuesday, Dec. 3, as an animal tranquilizer used to sedate or put down animals the size of elephants and rhinoceroses. >>Fentanyl crisis in Colorado: DEAs warning for parents Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August, FOX21 News spoke with DEA RMFD Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Pullen, who said the previous record, which was set in 2023 was 2.61 million fentanyl pills seized in Colorado. Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Cora Mitchell, Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Pullen, DEAs Rocky Mountain Field Division. Fentanyl is in every community, Pullen said previously. It doesnt matter what race you are, what ethnicity you are, whether you come from a good neighborhood or a bad neighborhood, what kind of car you drivefentanyl is in your neighborhood. According to the DEA RMFD, the vast majority of fake pills coming into Colorado are made by Mexican drug cartels to look like Oxycodone pills and are commonly referred to as blues. The photo shows a comparison between authentic Oxycodone pills (left) and counterfeit M30s, or blues (right) which show an M stamped on one side, and 30 for milligrams on the other. We continue to work day in, day out fighting the cartels putting this poison on Colorado streets, Pullen said. While we have seen seizure numbers trending lower in other parts of the country, Colorado seems to be consistently at or near record highs for the number of fake pills seized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement >>Mexican drug cartels are operating in Southern Colorado, DEA says According to the DEA, lab tests reveal that five out of every 10 pills analyzed contain a likely fatal dose of fentanyl for a first-time user. While this is down from seven in 10 pills in 2023, Pullen shared this message: Its not a time to celebrate the lethality going down across the country. Theres still a 50-50 chance youll die after taking just one of these pills. Its a flip of a coin. According to Pullen, a deadly dose is just 2 milligrams of fentanyl, the same amount pictured below on the tip of that pencil. Courtesy: DEA, 2mg, the amount on the tip of this pencil, can be enough to kill an average American. If you see a pill, if you obtain a pill and its not from your doctor or from a pharmacist, it is most certainly going to contain fentanyl, it is most certainly going to be deadly, Pullen previously told FOX21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adding to the fentanyl crisis in Colorado is the recent discovery of carfentanil in the state. Last month, according to the DEA RMFD, a seizure of 250,000+ pills was determined to contain carfentanil, which is 100 times more potent than fentanyl. We are seeing Mexican cartels putting carfentanil into these fake pills that are being seized all over Colorado, Pullen said. >>How fentanyl ends up in your neighborhood While it took Colorado 11 months to break last years record pill seizures, Utah broke its pill seizure record (668,000) in the first six months this year (774,000), according to Tuesdays press release. Within the DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division, Wyoming and Montana have seen pill seizures trend lower over the course of 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, with the four states combined and within the DEA RMFD, 3.4 million pills were seized. To learn more about the fentanyl crisis in America, visit dea.gov/onepill. 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 FOX21 News Colorado. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) A recent analysis done by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis found Colorado ranking within the top 10 states for its recreation economy at $17.1 billion, coming behind Georgia ($18.4 billion) and Pennsylvania ($19 billion), respectively. Reporter Alex Rivero talked with outdoor recreational shop owners in the Grand Valley and provides facts and figures behind the 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 WesternSlopeNow.com. DENVER (KDVR) A UK judge said Monday that Kimberlee Singler, the mother accused of killing her two children in Colorado Springs in December 2023, will not know if she will be extradited to the U.S. until the end of January. Singler is suspected of killing her 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son, as well as attempting to kill her 11-year-old daughter on Dec. 19, 2023. Police were called to the property for a reported burglary and found the two childrens bodies. Singler and the 11-year-old girl were also found at the scene and treated for their injuries. Woman seriously injured in attempted robbery during online item sale meet-up Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then Singler went missing. Police said there was no evidence of a burglary at the home. She was last seen in Colorado Springs on Dec. 24, 2023, and then was arrested in the United Kingdom on Dec. 30, 2023, according to police. The 11-year-old girl told prosecutors in the UK that her mother said that God made her do it, according to the Associated Press. Singlers 11-year-old daughter, who survived, reportedly begged for her life as Singler slashed her neck with a knife. The details came to light during the Colorado Springs womans extradition hearing, which began in Westminster Magistrates Court in September. Her attorney, Edward Fitzgerald, is arguing that Singler should not be extradited to the U.S. because if shes convicted of first-degree murder in Colorado, she would face life in prison without the possibility of parole. Across the pond, that sentence would violate European human rights laws, according to Fitzgerald. The judge is expected to decide on Singlers extradition on Jan. 24, 2025. If the judge rules in favor of extradition, the case is expected to be appealed to the high court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve argued the case today and the judgment is going to be given in January, so we look forward to hearing what the judge says, Fitzgerald told reporters after the hearing on Monday did not result in a ruling. 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 FOX31 Denver. A Colorado woman who went missing in late November has been found dead. Karlyn Tilley, public information officer with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office confirmed to ABC affiliate KMGH-TV on Monday, Dec. 2, that 46-year-old Jayna Lang died by an apparent suicide. No further information has been released at this time. PEOPLE has reached out to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lang was last seen by her family in Littleton on Sunday, Nov. 24, the Park County Sheriffs Office previously stated in a release. She reportedly told her relatives that she was going to visit the Outlets at Silverthorne, KMGH reported at the time. Google Maps Outlets at Silverhorne Outlets at Silverhorne Please be on the lookout for this vehicle and female party She was headed to Summit County. She liked to frequently visit Park County, especially the Indian Mountain subdivision, a police release stated on Thursday, Nov. 28. KMGH-TV reported that Lang left home in her white 2016 Toyota 4Runner with a license plate marked JAYNA. In a Facebook update posted by Laigo-Horvat on Sunday, Dec. 1, the family shared that they had received not good news regarding Lang's whereabouts, although she did not disclose what they had been told at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Before Seemingly Vanishing at L.A. Airport, Hannah Kobayashi Wanted to Disconnect from the World, Police Say Sending this with broken hearts & tears!!! We were notified tonight with the not good news regarding my sister-in-law Jayna , Laigo-Horvat wrote. Family members had been posting regular updates on their search for Lang up until the latest update shared by her sister-in-law on Sunday, Dec. 1. 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. Lang's brother, Eric Horvat, previously shared that he last spoke to his sister the day she went missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Teen Vanished Into the Woods More Than 2 Months Ago. Now Investigators Are Hoping a Reward Gets the Public to Talk Never, never did we ever think that she would be gone, and we don't know where, where she's at, he told KMGH. She was supposed to be going to Silverthorne to look at the factory shops on Sunday. He added at the time, "We miss her. Tell her to come home. Give us a call. Let us know you're okay." If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org. Read the original article on People Dec. 2The New Mexico Environment Department wants to pursue a ban on nonessential "forever chemicals" in the upcoming legislative session. Meanwhile, the Oil Conservation Commission is considering restrictions on these per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances known as PFAS in the oil and gas industry following a four-day hearing in November. A neighbor to the north might be able to provide some insights into what those changes would entail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Colorado, PFAS are already prohibited in some consumer products, including rugs and food packaging, as well as oil and gas products. That dates back to legislation in 2022, which took effect at the beginning of this year. That list will grow in the coming years, after the Colorado Legislature passed a second bill banning PFAS earlier this year. By Jan. 1, waterproof clothes made with PFAS can't be sold without a warning. By that date in 2026, pots and pans, menstrual products and dental floss made with PFAS can't be sold in the state. In 2028, PFAS will be phased out in additional products. Colorado state Sen. Lisa Cutter, a Jefferson County Democrat, was a sponsor of both bills. The 2022 bill passed but was "watered down," she said. "We didn't get to do all that we wanted to do," she said. "I always knew I wanted to do more, and so that's why I introduced the bill last year." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By 2024, Cutter said, she felt there was more awareness about PFAS, widely used chemicals that can lead to a range of health concerns. Still, a proposed blanket PFAS ban by 2032 was ultimately abandoned, she added, and some deadlines were moved out to accommodate for manufacturing concerns. One major proponent of the bill were water treatment plants, she said. "They were concerned because ... we were mandated to clean up our water. We were well above EPA standards, and water treatment districts are on the hook for that which means, of course, that ratepayers are on hook for that," Cutter said. "So they really, really had a vested interest in trying to eliminate sources of PFAS." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the arguments against the Colorado bill centered on implementations dates, Cutter said, adding she feels industry members get "that this is coming and that they should probably get on board to the degree that they can." The Colorado Oil and Gas Association did not respond to requests for comment about any industry impacts from PFAS restrictions. Based on her experience, Cutter thinks a New Mexico ban is doable. "I'm sure they'll hear the same kind of arguments we heard, but they were not insurmountable," she said. "If they're willing to make a few compromises that seem to make sense for business ... I would imagine they'd be able to pass something." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'PFAS in the entire biome' PFAS are used in everything from ski wax to cosmetics to car seats. Their ubiquity means cutting back will make life initially "less comfortable," said Shubham Vyas, a professor of chemistry at the Colorado School of the Mines. There are a few qualities that make PFAS attractive for industrial uses. They're "everything-phobic," Vyas said, and difficult to break down. They can withstand heat. "If you stop using PFAS altogether, it is going to impact nearly every aspect of our life," he said. Problems arise when they're dispersed into the environment. Vyas compares PFAS to oil in a diffuser. Add a few drops of essential oil into a diffuser, and the next day the scent will be distributed throughout the room it's in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recovering that oil and putting it back into drop form is more challenging, he said. "Right now, we are talking about PFAS in the entire biome, which involves everything in the world. I mean, there are reports which say every American has PFAS in their blood," he noted. The properties can vary based on the structure. Short-chain PFAS are more mobile. In contrast, long-chain PFAS stick to things, making them more likely to accumulate in their environment including the human body. That makes their health impacts more concerning. Vyas sees a PFAS phase-out as a driver of innovation. As the chemicals are used less, alternatives will have to be developed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He gave the example of fluorine-free firefighting foam, which has been developed and recently adopted as an alternative to PFAS-containing foams. "This technological innovation happened within the last decade," Vyas said. The new developments include remediation strategies techniques for both breaking down PFAS and capturing them. 'We simply can't afford it' Kyla Bennett, director of science policy for Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, said PFAS regulations are popping up in states around the nation. States are bearing the brunt of the cost of PFAS contamination, Bennett said, and she thinks the federal government isn't doing enough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PEER has been advocating for banning nonessential PFAS and setting standards for air and water quality for the chemical family, including in Colorado. "In my town here in Massachusetts, we just spent $11.2 million putting in a filtration plant for something that was completely not our fault," Bennett said. "It's really the states just trying to stop further contamination because we simply can't afford it." To track the efficacy of a PFAS ban, Bennett said states should look to wastewater. "We see a ton of PFAS from consumer products and also from industry [in wastewater treatment plants]," Bennett said. "If we're banning products in a state that have PFAS, and it's truly working, we should see those levels go down." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There's one provision in Colorado's law that gives Bennett pause. Only "intentionally added" PFAS are restricted. Bennett said that could leave loopholes for example, a machine producing artificial turf could be coated with PFAS, but it could be argued that a member of the chemical family wasn't intentionally added to the product itself. Those two words have cropped up in New Mexico's debate on PFAS in the oil and gas industry. Other states have banned only intentionally added PFAS, and it was raised as an addition to the proposed rule due to difficulties determining the origin of PFAS contamination. Cutter said she did not recall the "intentionally added" provision being a significant cause of debate. But she said the definition of PFAS is crucial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout the four-day New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission hearing, the definition of PFAS was contested. Three stakeholder groups the original petitioners WildEarth Guardians, the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association and the Oil Conservation Division put forward three different definitions. Colorado law defines a PFAS as a "class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom." That is the same definition proposed by WildEarth Guardians in New Mexico. Another point of conflict during the November hearing was whether rulemaking was the appropriate way to tackle some of the proposed changes or if they would require legislative action. Bennett has seen states go different routes. She thinks the rulemaking process may be easier and less politicized. But she said both are important. "I think it's important for state governments and governors to make a strong stance on this," Bennett said. "It's also harder to repeal a law than it is to repeal a rule." Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who is on an official visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli here on Tuesday, pledging efforts to advance its strategic partnership of cooperation with Nepal. Expressing appreciation for Oli's firm commitment to promoting friendship between the two sides over a long period of time, Xi said China and Nepal, linked by the same mountains and rivers, are good neighbors, good friends and good partners, and bilateral relations have maintained sound and steady development. Noting that next year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Xi said China places Nepal in an important position in its neighborhood diplomacy, and is willing to work with Nepal to consolidate their traditional friendship and push for new progress in advancing the China-Nepal strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity. Stressing that China respects Nepal's choice to follow a development path suited to its national conditions, Xi said that China supports Nepal in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. China is ready to work with Nepal to consolidate strategic mutual trust and provide staunch support on issues concerning each other's core interests, he added. Xi expressed China's willingness to deepen pragmatic cooperation with Nepal, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and strengthen cooperation in such fields as ports, transportation, power grids and communication. China is ready to continue offering assistance to Nepal's economic and social development within its capacity, and to encourage Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Nepal, Xi said. He noted that China supports Nepal's declaration of 2025 as Nepal Visit Year in China, and welcomes Nepali friends to travel to China for business, tourism and study. China is willing to strengthen coordination with Nepal within multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, with the aim of defending the common interests of developing countries, Xi said. Oli said that as a friend of China, Nepal is deeply proud of and inspired by China's remarkable development achievements, and hopes to learn from China's experience to boost its own development. Noting that there are no problems, only friendship, between Nepal and China, Oli thanked China for providing various valuable support to Nepal. Nepal welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in the country and deepen cooperation in various fields, he said. Both Xizang and Taiwan are inalienable parts of China's territory, Oli said. Stressing that Nepal firmly adheres to the one-China principle, he said the country will not allow any force to use its territory for anti-China activities or to harm China's interests, and that Nepal opposes any foreign interference in China's internal affairs. A joint statement by the People's Republic of China and Nepal was also issued on Tuesday. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who is on an official visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) The City of Columbus is welcoming three FUSE executive fellows for the first time, each of whom has been given a special project to work on. FUSE is a national nonprofit that works with local government agencies to advance racial equity and address challenges faced by urban communities. Marysville schools offer new religious release program through Satanic Temple Its no secret that Columbus is a rapidly developing city, and because of that, things like public health, public safety and housing need to be looked at closely and thought about differently to keep up with the demand, which is exactly what these FUSE fellows will be doing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayor challenged all of the directors of the department to propose a project for a FUSE fellow if they were interested in one, Columbus Public Health Commissioner Dr. Mysheika Roberts said. The FUSE fellows will spend a year working on their special projects. For Columbus Public Health (CPH), they will focus on the growing mental health crisis in the city and underserved areas. How are we providing mental health to our vulnerable populations, and is that something that Columbus Public Health should lean more into? Roberts said. Should we do more in mental health, or is that really the role of somebody else? Dr. Lisa White is the FUSE fellow tasked with doing a needs assessment to identify unmet needs within the community. The first step is talking with members of the staff and getting to know all of the different programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twenty One Pilots to perform at outdoor Columbus Blue Jackets game This gives me a unique opportunity to marry my skills as a social worker and find ways that I can, like, look at the whole system, find ways to expand the services that are currently being offered, she said. White said CPH is on the cutting edge, but while the department offers a lot of different services, one thing it needs more of is clinicians. Despite current efforts, there remains a significant shortage of mental health providers, causing long wait times unable to meet the citys rising demand. If we can close that gap, that is going to be the key to reaching under-represented groups, White said. If you know, there isnt enough clinicians out there to meet the need of that demand. As Columbus grows, its just going to go up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for what Columbus is currently seeing in terms of mental health, Roberts said behavioral health has been an issue across the nation for some time, but that the pandemic accelerated the need for more mental health services of all kinds. CPH currently offers programs like alcohol and drug services and a social work program that works closely with the citys young people. We know that behavioral health is often the root cause of substance use disorder can even lead to violent behavior, Roberts said. We know domestic violence has gone up. So all of those factors are concerning to us, particularly in our vulnerable population who dont have insurance, maybe dont speak English as their first language and dont have access to regular health care,. Death of Marysville woman under investigation after body found in Alabama forest Whites role for more than 20 years has been to uplift those who have been left behind, especially Black residents and low-income households. She said that while the services currently in place are unique and offer specific things, some programs may be able to collaborate to work more efficiently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If were able to do that, that will allow us more opportunities to reach additional people and bring that hope and healing that were all striving for within the city, White said. By the end of the project, CPH will have a detailed roadmap for addressing the citys mental health crisis. The other two fellows are focusing on public safety and housing, all working to create a better Columbus. 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. Back when most sensible Californians were concerning themselves with Thanksgiving preparations, the California-bashing right wing went hog wild over a stunning report that almost all private job growth in the state collapsed from January 2022 to June 2024 and almost all growth 96.5% was in government jobs. "California's Businesses Stop Hiring," was the headline on the report published by the conservative Hoover Institution. Its main claim was that from January 2022 to June 2024, private employers in the state added only 5,400 jobs. You can imagine how California bashers, including some within the state, greeted the news that government was propping up the state's economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is what a failing state looks like," Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin), who badly lost a bid to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom in the 2021 recall election, tweeted. Others who gleefully tweeted about the Hoover claim included Rep. Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield), and venture investor Steve Jurvetson. Right-wingers outside California also joined the choir. The Hoover article was what we in the news biz often pigeonhole as "interesting, if true." But it's not true. The original article, by UCLA economics professor Lee Ohanian, a Hoover Institution senior fellow, asserted that California added only 156,000 nonfarm jobs in the January 2022-June 2024 period. Since government statistics also showed that government employment in the state rose by 150,500, that left (after rounding) only about 5,400 new jobs created outside the government sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Column: Can Stanford tell the difference between scientific fact and fiction? Its pandemic conference raises doubts The picture painted was one in which private employers are shutting down and only government hiring is keeping the California economy afloat. The opposite is true, however. (The Hoover Institution has retracted the original article and removed it from its website. An archived version of the original can be found here.) Here's the main problem with the Hoover analysis: During the sample period, California actually added 672,300 nonfarm jobs, not 156,000. Consequently, the 150,500 new government jobs accounted for only about 22.4% of the total, not 96.5%. The accurate figures show that not only did California's businesses not stop hiring, but continued to hire fairly robustly from January 2022 to June 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How did this calculation go so awry? The answer is simple. Ohanian conflated the two separate monthly employment surveys issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics: One is its so-called household survey, which asks a national sample of about 60,000 households how many people in the household are employed. The other is its establishment or "payroll" survey, which asks about 629,000 workplaces how many people they employ. Generally, the household survey yields a higher number of employed persons than the establishment survey. That's because it counts the self-employed (including gig workers) and farmworkers, among others who are excluded from the payroll statistics. But that relationship breaks down when you're counting only payroll workers, slicing and dicing the statistics into industry sectors. Mixing together the BLS household data and the BLS establishment data is "a cardinal sin of BLS data analysis," observes the pseudonymous economics commentator Invictus on The Big Picture blog of Ritholtz Wealth Management, in an indispensable deconstruction of Ohanian's original post. In that post, Ohanian subtracted the government jobs figure reported in the establishment survey from the nonfarm employment figure in the household survey. That effectively overstated the government jobs percentage of California employment growth. The proper approach, Invictus notes, would have been to use the establishment survey for both measures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: The fast-food industry claims the California minimum wage law is costing jobs. Its numbers are fake Ohanian acknowledged in an email that he had erroneously considered the household and establishment figures similar enough to treat them as effectively equivalent. "If I had seen the differences in the two series," he says, "I would have written the piece differently. Mea culpa." In a corrective article posted Tuesday on the Hoover website, Ohanian makes public his mea culpa but also reiterates a point he made in the original article, which is that California's job growth is weakening. That's echoed by other studies, including a recent warning from the state's Legislative Analyst's Office. Yet there's much more to be said about Ohanian's original article, as well as the glee with which conservatives seized on its headline claim as the basis for largely groundless attacks on California's economic policies. First, it's proper to note that the original piece was published Aug. 7, which is why its analysis covers only the period that ended in June. The government issues two distinct sets of employment statistics the payroll or establishment survey (in orange) and the household survey (in red). It also adjusts the household survey to confirm more with the payroll survey. The adjusted figure is in blue. The two major surveys measure different things and shouldn't be mixed. (Bureau of Labor Statistics) Why it got resurrected and shot around the right-wing echo chamber last week is a mystery. Ohanian himself seemed uncertain when I asked him about it. Kiley, Fong and Jurvetson haven't responded to my requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That brings us to the statistics themselves. Employment data bristle with pitfalls for the unwary, even among experienced economists such as Ohanian. Indeed, in April, Ohanian posted an analysis on the Hoover website that purported to show a loss of 10,000 fast-food jobs in California from September 2023, when Newsom signed a minimum wage increase for that sector, through January this year even before the increase went into effect. As I reported, Ohanian based his post on a Wall Street Journal article that used employment figures that weren't seasonally adjusted. That's a crucial error when tracking jobs in seasonal industries such as restaurants. The Journal's article, and consequently Ohanian's, mistook a seasonal decline in restaurant employment that occurs from September to January every single year for the one-time consequences of the minimum wage increase. Fast-food jobs, seasonally adjusted, actually rose by 6,300 in the period being reported. Ohanian told me at the time that he had been unaware that the Journal used nonseasonally adjusted figures. Read more: Column: COVID-19 falsehoods lead Stanford to examine ties to right-wing Hoover Institution Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BLS employment figures may be especially confusing because the bureau's two surveys superficially seem to measure the same thing, but are very different so much so that the bureau itself has issued a detailed explainer about the distinction. It notes that the establishment survey is "a highly reliable gauge of monthly change in nonfarm payroll employment." The household survey is oriented more toward demographics and is best known as the source of the national unemployment rate. Ohanian used his misconstruction of employment figures as the basis for a wide-ranging critique of California economic policy, mostly citing how the high cost of living drives people out of the state. "Part of Californias job weakness," he wrote, "reflects the number of people and businesses leaving the state." Californias population fell by about 75,000 from 2022 and 2023 (the latest data available), he wrote, adding that companies such as Tesla, Oracle, and Chevron have moved or are moving their headquarters elsewhere. "Population loss naturally leads to job loss," Ohanian told me by email. "It is challenging to see how California could be gaining jobs as portrayed in the Establishment Survey, given a smaller population." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That may well be true over the longer term and with larger numbers. But the 75,000 departed residents in 2022-23 represent less than two hundredths of a percent of the state's population. Even the larger population decline of about 538,000 since 2020 represents about 1.4% of the state's population. The key question would be: Who's leaving? Many emigrants may be retirees, who don't have occupational reasons to stay in the high-cost state and may have sizable equity in their homes to pocket for a move to a cheaper location; about 7.5 million of California's residents today are older than 65. The pandemic also drove the population down COVID-related deaths numbered at least 60,000 in 2020 and 2021. Read more: Column: That big tech exodus out of California turns out to be a bust As for the emigration of corporate headquarters, California still leads the nation in headquarters of Fortune 500 companies, with 57. New York and Texas were runners up with 52 each. California remains a national leader in business creation, with nearly 560,000 new business applications filed with the state in 2023. When new technologies emerge with the potential to aid economic expansion, they tend to start in California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One other subtext of the debate over California job growth needs to be mentioned. That's the picture that conservatives paint about government jobs. The tweeted hand-wringings about the purported explosion in government jobs, which implies that the government workers are an army of faceless bureaucrats engaged in writing anti-business regulations. The idea that the Musk/Ramaswamy Department of Government Efficiency can cashier them without affecting your daily life is a fantasy. In fact, the federal government employs only about 3 million workers, about half of whom are in the military, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Homeland Security; the overall figure has remained fairly stable since the 1960s. An additional 20 million are state and local employees, the majority of whom are teachers, along with police and fire fighters. Which of these workers should we fire? Any discussion of California's economy limited to periods of a year or two needs to be viewed in relation to the big picture, which is that California's economy is by far the biggest in the country indeed, it would rank in the top five or six countries if it were a sovereign state. At an estimated $4.08 trillion in gross domestic product, its economy is more than half again as large as the runner-up among U.S. states, Texas ($2.7 trillion). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohanian is right to argue that there's reason for concern about where the state goes from here. But to suggest that there's something fundamentally faulty about policies that still undergird the most powerful state economy in the nation or that California is a "failing state" that's "interesting, if true" ... but, again, not true. Get the latest from Michael Hiltzik Commentary on economics and more from a Pulitzer Prize winner. Sign me up. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The American media have a bootleggers-and-Baptists problem. Coined by the economist Bruce Yandle, the term bootleggers and Baptists describes how groups that are ostensibly opposed to each other can have a shared interest in maintaining the regulatory status quo. Baptists favored Prohibition for moral reasons, but so did the bootleggers who profited from it by selling alcohol illegally. And politicians benefited from playing both sides. An analogous dynamic surrounds the modern press. Across the ideological spectrum, from the Chomskyite left to the Bannonite right, partisans, politicians and journalists themselves exaggerate the power, influence and importance of the media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Column: What if most Americans aren't bitterly divided? Lets start with the journalists. Members of all professions have a tendency to hold themselves in high regard. From physicians to plumbers, nearly everyone wants to believe that what they do matters. But with the possible exceptions of politicians and actors, journalists probably have the highest collective estimation of their own importance. My point isnt that theyre wrong heck, I like to believe that what I do matters. Its that they exaggerate not just their power and influence but also their celebrity and authority. Heart surgeons famously tend to be arrogant, but there is no endless stream of conferences, books, editorials, essays and academic courses dedicated to emphasizing the indispensable role of cardiothoracic medicine. Nor does any plumbing trade journal proclaim that Democracy Dies in Sewage on its front page . Read more: Goldberg: Victorious Republicans are once again falling for the mandate trap Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In psychological terms alone, its in journalists interests to encourage the widespread obsession with the Fourth Estate. But the media are a mess partly because they believe their own hype. As a conservative media critic who has written scores of columns about the press' liberal bias which is real Ive had my own obsessions over the years. But Ive grown weary of media criticism again, not because the criticisms are necessarily wrong but because they overestimate the power of the institution they question. Thats the Baptist-and-bootlegger problem: The outsize power and influence of the media is a lie that all sides have agreed on. American journalism is like an exhausted prizefighter on the brink of collapse, being held up by his opponent to give the crowd a good show. According to many on the right, who often unwittingly repurpose formulations first introduced by lefty bogeymen, the media create narratives and manufacture consent a term coined by Walter Lippmann and adopted by Noam Chomsky that the rest of us are powerless to overcome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But consider the example of climate change. The press has invested vast resources in covering the climate, which it has been hectoring the public and catastrophizing about for 20 years. And yet climate change remains at or near the bottom of every survey of the most important issues to the public. If the media can manufacture consent, why is there so little consent to their view of climate change? This is just one example of the media thinking not just that it should but that it can define the interests of the public. The amount of energy and hand-wringing that has been dedicated to, say, revising Associated Press Stylebook guidance on terms such as illegal immigrant or on whether to capitalize Black and white as a race is premised on a grandiose view of the press as guardians of the American mind or soul. The medias whole defund the police conversation, to give another example, transpired amid near-zero support for the idea among most Americans. Or consider Donald Trump. Im no fan, but I look like a MAGA rally front-seater compared with many in the media (and not just the opinion columnists). And yet Trump not only won but improved his standing with nearly every demographic group in last months election. The response from some on the left is a variant of the old trope about how socialism doesnt work because its never really been tried: If only the media had really held Trump accountable or took climate change, race or some other issue even more seriously it would make a difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many in the media, meanwhile, wrap themselves in the mantle of heroic martyrdom as Trump attacks them. And on the right, while the medias inability to control the narrative is occasionally celebrated, that never diminishes the hysteria about its alleged omnipotence. The media, the writer Michael Shellenberger insisted recently, is arguably more powerful than the government itself. Really? It has a funny way of showing it. The media industry has been shrinking for decades. Since 2000, of the 532 industries tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, newspapers saw the single sharpest decline in personnel, 77% . And trust in the media is in the gutter . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So heres an idea for the press: Just tell the truth to the best of your ability and stop trying to determine the overall narrative. The American people will write their own. @JonahDispatch 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. Dec. 3A new partnership between Cherokee County and the city of Tahlequah to improve rural fire department dispatch services was discussed during the Monday, Nov. 2 Cherokee County Commissioners meeting. "We've been in discussions for quite a long time with out rural fire departments," said Tahlequah Police Chief Nate King. This agreement marks an effort to improve dispatch communications and improve response times in rural areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to District 1 Commissioner Bobby "Cub" Whitewater, the tax funds designated to the Tahlequah Fire Department will be used to employ a dispatcher who will exclusively oversee calls to the rural fire departments in Cherokee County. In other action, the commissioners approved courthouse closing dates for 2025. Commissioners voted to make Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, a half-day, and to have the office closed on Christmas, Dec. 25, and Friday, Dec. 26, in addition to other federal holidays. The county commission meetings dates for 2025 were approved. Meetings will typically be held on the first and third Mondays of the month, at 9 a.m. Though the following dates are exceptions and will be held on a Tuesday, at 9 a.m.: Jan. 21, 2025; Feb. 18, 2025; and July 1, 2025. Commissioners approved a measure to move existing American Rescue Plan Act funds to the livestock arena account. According to the resolutions, the funds may be used for any function of county government as designated by the county commissioners for the 2024-'25 fiscal year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also discussed during the meeting were raises to the salaries of elected officials. These salaries would increase by $612.64 per year, or an average of slightly more than $50 per month, according to Cherokee County Assessor Stephanie Teague. This increase is based off of population and gross assessed valuation, mandated by House Bill 1064. In District 1, a resolution to use grant funds and district matching funds to purchase road equipment was approved. "This is from our Department of Environmental Quality grant funds," Whitewater said. The road equipment will include roll off dumpsters, and a trailer that is able to support these containers, according to Whitewater. He said the original grant was for $48,000, and with an additional match of $12,000 from the district, totaled $60,000 for the project. Whitewater said these bins would be placed at various schools to benefit the Hay Wrap Take Back project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Sheriff Jason Chennault, in the office on the third floor of the courthouse, intervention is needed to improve security at the fire escape door. Chennault said individuals are using the fire escape door to exit the building to smoke, and the door is being left open. He said his solution would be to place an alarm on the door, and limit the egress. Commissioners approved this action. What's next The next Cherokee County Commission meeting will be held Monday, Dec. 16, at 9 a.m. at the Cherokee County Courthouse. A community discussing the possibility of disbanding its police department may have an answer soon. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] As reported on News Center 7 at 11:00, the Village of St. Paris council wants to get rid of the police department to save money, but residents arent too sure about that. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They dont believe disbanding the police department will save the village money because council members havent provided a legitimate estimate of savings. Its really not personal to me. Im a numbers person, and these creative numbers that councilman Joe Curran came up with, they dont work, St. Paris resident Tony Whitman said. Whitman said Curran provided a list of estimated savings, but it didnt add up. He presented this as saving the village $71,000 a year, but its actually going to cost us $12,000 a year more, Whitman said. Residents said they arent agreeing to this change until they get legitimate numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive got some land to sell down south, that Id like to sell to you, but you cannot see it until you buy it. Thats what were getting from you, St. Paris resident Betty Smith said. Whitman said hes already noticed a lack of police presence in the village. About eight weeks ago, he called 911 after the alarm at his bike shop went off. I got down there, I searched the building, waited 20 minutes, nobody showed up. So I called the alarm company, and he said, just disregard them, Whitman said. So it comes down to, do you want a two to five-minute response or a 20-minute to maybe never response? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Village council members refused to talk to News Center 7 during the meeting on Monday. They did say the council will make their decision on the police department at the next meeting, on Dec. 16. News Center 7 will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) It was a packed house at Monday nights Albuquerque City Council meeting with community members still outraged over the fatal police shooting of a man handcuffed in the back of a cop car. Three days after my son was killed, instead of being at home grieving, I stood in front of the city council with my wife Bernadette and my daughter-in-law Bianca demanding answers. We were there looking for even a shred of accountability, and now over a month later, we are still waiting, said Fred Garcia, Matthew Solo Garcias father. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over 20 people spoke out demanding the full unedited police body camera footage in the October 18 death of Garcia. The incident took place outside of the now-closed Tewa Lodge off Central Ave. and Alvarado Dr. The Albuquerque Police Department was there conducting a code-enforcement clean-up. Garcia gave a false name which resulted in police handcuffing him and placing him in a police car for nearly an hour before they searched him. Garcia told the officers that he had a gun and thats when a struggle ensued. Police shot Garcia ten times. Some community members criticized Albuquerque Police Department Chief Harold Medinas recent press conference where he defended the officers. I want you to watch that press conference so that you know how our chief speaks about the people that live here. Listen to the language that is used when they talk about the cops versus the potential suspects, said a speaker at the meeting. APD Spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos sent this statement: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We held two news conferences releasing preliminary details of the shooting, which is what we do for every officer-involved shooting. If you are reporting on comments made by people at the City Council meeting, I recommend you also point out that Garcia was convicted felon armed with a handgun who threatened to kill officers. He also had more than 300 rounds of ammunition in the motel room, which would have added to charges of a convicted felon in possession of a handgun. He lied several times about his identity, in addition to concealing his criminal history. The Multi-Agency Task Force investigation is on-going. The results will be turned over to the District Attorneys Office which assigns a special prosecutor to review officer-involved shootings. In addition, APD conducts its own internal investigation of all officer-involved shootings to determine whether officers complied with department policies. Finally, APD is one of the most heavily scrutinized police agencies in nation and is in the final stage of a decade-long settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice related to Constitutional policing. 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. EDWARDSVILLE, Kan. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is the lead agency in a case where a 71-year-old former Kansas City, Kansas, detective was found dead on the morning he was due in federal court. Roger Golubskis trial was supposed to start Monday morning in Topeka, but he never showed up. KBI said he was found dead at his home Monday morning. KC Street celebrates completion of Main Street Extension Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX4 saw Wyandotte County sheriffs deputies and Edwardsville police walking around Golubskis home off 9th street for several hours Monday. KBI said its detectives are taking the lead. The KBI said just after 9 a.m. Monday morning, someone called Edwardsville police after hearing a gunshot. Officers found Golubski dead on the back porch. A neighbor told FOX4 a yellow sheet that was draped and taped over Golubskis deck is not normally there. Authorities said Edwardsville police called the KBI for assistance at about 9:30 a.m. and Special Agents responded to the scene to investigate. The KBI said there are no indications of foul play. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When FOX4 asked who made the 911 call we were told it was someone else inside the home. Whiteman Air Force Base fighter wing targeting a New Mission Accomplished The former KCK police detective was set to appear for the first day of a federal trial Monday for allegedly violating womens civil rights. My mom was one of the victims that got murdered, Starr Cooper said. Cooper said her mom, Dorothy, was killed in 1983. Its a hurtful feeling knowing that the victims are not going to get justice behind this, but I kind of figured he was going to take the coward way out, Cooper said. It was too much that he had to face. He only not had to face the women that were still living, he had to also face some of the children of the mothers that passed away. And then if he wouldve went to jail, he wouldve had to face the ones that he wrongfully convicted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anita Randle-Stanley encountered Golubski when she was 16. She said her family members were victims of his. Theres been so many encounters with this man. Ive been to jail because I wouldnt testify for something that I didnt see that he thought I seen, Randle-Stanley said. This man took my brother to jail before, this man caused my children to be in prison because of the authority he had at Wyandotte County. The trial that was supposed to start Monday was only one of many criminal allegations and lawsuits that led KCKPD to review over 150 cases Golubski investigated. In addition to the alleged civil rights violations, Golubski was indicted in 2022 in a case where he and three others were accused of protecting sex traffickers and involuntary servitude for kidnapping teenagers as young as 13 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, five women sued Golubski, the Unified Government, KCKPD, and former police chiefs, accusing them of permitting abuse in the county. 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. KANSAS CITY, Kan. A former KCKPD Detective was found dead Monday on what was supposed to be the first day of his federal trial. Those shocking developments unfolded at Roger Golubskis Edwardsville, Kansas home and inside a Topeka Federal Courtroom where everyone was ready to start jury selection. Investigators say they got a shooting call that led them to his home, but no foul play appears to be involved. View the latest Weather Alerts in the Kansas City region on FOX4 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many people FOX4 spoke with today said they wanted to see Golubski ultimately die in prison, but not before he ever had to go to trial. Monday began with people boarding buses to go to Topeka to see Golubski finally stand trial and a planned MORE2 rally outside the courthouse. For Madella Henderson, it was a day she waited 50 years for, since she was one of the first to speak up about the former KCK Detective when she said few would listen. Throughout all these years, these people need justice. Some of us are not here today because of this, he has been a monster, hes taken away families, taken parents away from their children, Henderson said before news of his death was announced. Groups like MORE2 and Justice for Wyandotte say it was to be a day about more than just Golubski, but also systematic failures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Golubski was allowed to do this for so many years because he was in a system that allowed him to do so, there were a lot of people that were not only complicit but created an environment to allow him to act out in this behavior, Nikki Richardson, Executive Director of Justice for Wyandotte, said. But Golubski didnt show up to court this morning. Just as an arrest warrant was issued. Edwardsville Police received a 911 call stating there had been a gunshot at Golubskis home where hed been on house arrest for medical reasons awaiting trial. He was found dead on the back porch. Its led to questions about his death and what happens next for defendants and the KCK Police Department. Whats next for other Roger Golubski cases following his death? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are a number of cases of people currently sitting in jail, that were convicted of crimes they are adamant they did not commit, that are now in limbo of what evidence was going to come out that could have set them free, Richardson said. Lamonte McIntyre, whose 2017 exoneration brought attention to Roger Golubskis involvement in his wrongful conviction, went on Facebook Live to express his emotions upon learning of Golubskis death. In a statement, MORE2 said KCKPD has not denounced the actions of Golubski, or said one one word about the cases he never investigated. Police point to the department review of 150 cases Golubski worked, launched two years ago when Golubski was first indicted. ARPA resolution fails to pass Jackson County legislature Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based on these charges, Golubskis tenure in law enforcement was a moral, ethical and legal failure, KCKPD Police Chief Karl Oakman said in the 2022 press conference. KCKPD also responded to community claims today it hasnt done anything to demonstrate they protect and serve by saying it constantly reviews and updates its policies and procedures which are all available on its website, and also includes a section on transparency. 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. NEW YORK A complex insurance operation with ties to Mayor Eric Adams ex-chief of staff, Frank Carone, has landed in the crosshairs of federal prosecutors. Manhattan federal prosecutors in October indicted three people on criminal conspiracy charges for allegedly operating an extensive $10 million fraud ring involving no-fault auto insurance, which covers medical expenses from car accidents. About two months before the case burst into public view, those same three people were added as defendants in a long-running civil lawsuit by auto insurance giant GEICO that alleges a similar pattern of insurance fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simultaneously added as a defendant: Financial Vision Capital Group II, a limited liability corporation formed by Carone and attorney Howard Fensterman in 2018, when the two were partners at the powerful Brooklyn law firm Abrams Fensterman. GEICOs amended complaint, which was filed in August in Brooklyn federal court, includes an explicit accusation that Financial Vision knowingly aided and abetted the fraudulent scheme managed by the since-indicted trio and several others, including two people who pleaded guilty years ago to insurance fraud. When taken together, the recent legal developments reveal a significant overlap between the scheme alleged in the indictment and the Financial Vision-funded operation outlined by GEICO, according to a POLITICO review of hundreds of pages of court records. From an investigative standpoint, this is just the tip of the iceberg, longtime insurance fraud investigator Frank Sztuk said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Financial Vision Capital Group II, Carone, Fensterman and Abrams Fensterman have not been charged with any crime. Carone and his spokesperson have said repeatedly that he had no operational role in the alleged scheme and did nothing more than advance money to the medical providers in exchange for the right to collect their no-fault insurance payouts, plus interest. In a formal answer to GEICOs amended complaint, Abrams Fensterman which is representing Financial Vision said the company had no knowledge of any fraudulent services or improper billing. Any such advances were lawful and proper and were done based upon representations that the medical providers performing such services and the services they performed were in all respects legitimate and proper, Abrams Fenstermans attorneys wrote in November. Hank Sheinkopf, a spokesperson for Fensterman and Abrams Fensterman, described Financial Vision as a victim and said the law firm is now attempting to ensure justice is done on their behalf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On behalf of Financial Vision II , Abrams Fensterman as early as 2022 reported these matters to law enforcement and in 2022 brought a publicly-filed lawsuit because they were among the victims of the wrongdoers, Sheinkopf said in a written statement to POLITICO. Stu Loeser, a spokesperson for Carone, declined to comment. Carone, a well-connected attorney with deep ties to Brooklyn politics, served as Mayor Eric Adams chief of staff for his first year in office and remains a close friend and adviser. After leaving City Hall at the end of 2022, Carone launched his own consulting firm and returned to Abrams Fensterman on an of counsel basis. The recent indictment, filed in the Southern District of New York, names Kenan Tariverdi, Nazim Tariverdi and Dilshod Islamov as well as others known and unknown as the operators of a criminal scheme that defrauded no-fault insurance. All three have pleaded not guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under state law, individuals injured in a car crash can access up to $50,000 in insurance coverage for their medical costs, regardless of who was at fault for the incident. Crash victims can file claims with insurers themselves or authorize their doctors to bill the insurers and receive the no-fault insurance payments directly. In the scheme detailed by the indictment, Islamov and the two Tariverdis are accused of billing no-fault insurers over $10 million for expensive medical procedures some of which were never performed by using the names and information of licensed health care providers. When the auto insurance companies paid the bills, the money went not to the health care providers but to unnamed funding companies or law firms authorized to collect insurance payments, prosecutors allege. The unnamed funding companies or law firms deposited the money in bank accounts that were held in the providers names but actually controlled by the now-indicted trio and unnamed co-conspirators, according to the indictment. The trio and unnamed co-conspirators then used stacks of blank checks signed by the providers to launder the proceeds through a series of shell companies, prosecutors allege. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GEICO, in its amended complaint, also accuses the Tariverdis and Islamov of playing key managerial roles in the scheme and extends the blame to another crucial contributor: Financial Vision, which provided the funding and, with the help of an unnamed law firm, handled billing logistics, according to internal emails referenced in the complaint. The medical providers, the insurer alleges, were nothing more than interchangeable cogs in the fraud wheel. Even beyond the recent indictment, Carones business dealings under Financial Vision continue to dog him. Financial Vision Capital Group II remains tied up in a civil fraud lawsuit against businessperson Daniel Kandhorov, also a close Adams associate, who helped connect the company to no-fault medical providers, according to a complaint filed in November 2022. Financial Vision claimed it advanced more than $12 million to providers referred by Kandhorov, who got a 5 percent cut, based on his misrepresentations that their services were proper and legitimate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kandhorov was allegedly assisted by restaurateur Zhan Johnny Petrosyants, another close friend of the mayors and, as Financial Visions lawsuit describes him, a felon experienced in the art of insurance (as well as other forms of) fraud. Emails attached to the lawsuit show Petrosyants and Carone discussing the mechanics of the investment operation and specific no-fault providers billing practices. Petrosyants pleaded guilty in 2014 to a federal conspiracy charge stemming from an investigation into a no-fault insurance operation. Federal investigators are also eyeing Carones business dealings with a Brooklyn priest in what appears to be a separate inquiry. The U.S. attorneys office in Brooklyn subpoenaed records of business transactions between Carone and the monsignor, Jamie Gigantiello, NBC New York reported in September. Through a limited liability corporation, Gigantiello is an investor in Financial Vision Group IV, another entity set up by Carone and Fensterman along with Fenstermans son, Jordan to advance money to no-fault medical providers. The focus of Brooklyn prosecutors inquiry is unclear. CLARIFICATION: The headline for a previous version of this report did not include attribution to a lawsuit. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Concerns about egg prices increasing have arose after the Tennessee Department of Agriculture reported a suspected case of bird flu at a commercial chicken facility last week. Dr. Chad Hart, Economics Professor and Crop Markets Specialist at Iowa State University, said the case is one of a growing number of outbreaks seen across the country. As of now, the suspected outbreak appears to be an isolated incident in the southeast. PREVIOUS | Suspected case of highly pathogenic avian influenza detected in West Tennessee Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you think back over the past two years with avian influenza, weve lost over 100 million birds. That means theres been a lot of birds and a lot of eggs that have not been able to go to market because of avian influenza, and its definitely led to the much higher prices we see for eggs today than, say, last year, even two years ago, explained Dr. Hart. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price of eggs for the month of October is at $3.37, which is up from $2.07 last October. Dr. Hart said the egg industry is focusing on building up their flocks in order to create more eggs in the long-term. However, this means in the short-term, less supply of eggs combined with increased demand over the holidays could potentially cause a rise in prices. Bird flu virus was found in raw milk. What to know about the risks Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So as they hold those eggs back to create those layers, that means less eggs available in the marketplace and that is whats constraining the market right now, he added. Vanderbilt University Medical Centers Dr. William Schaffner said unless you consume unpasteurized milk, eggs and other dairy products are safe to consume. Even so, the infected poultry will still not be allowed to enter the food supply. Dr. Schaffner added that the bird flu virus has not yet developed the capacity to spread from person to person, so the risk of Tennesseans getting sick from bird flu is very small. However, he said the state is lagging a bit behind in vaccinations against the regular flu. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Thats something Im much more concerned about at the moment than bird flu, and this is a vaccine that will help prevent serious disease. It will keep you out of the emergency room and out of the hospital, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Schaffner told News 2 that now is a good time to get vaccinated, because cases of influenza have been rising, which is typical for this time of year. 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. TEHRAN, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday highlighted the necessity to cooperate to help the Syrian government in its fight against the "terrorist" groups in its territory. In a phone call, the two sides described the recent actions by the "terrorists" in northern Syria as a serious threat against the stability and security of the Arab state and the West Asia region, according to a statement published on the website of the Iranian president's office. Pezeshkian said while the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon on Wednesday had revived hopes for restoring calm to the region, the "terrorist" groups' action in northern Syria once again placed the region on a state of alert. Pezeshkian said Iran maintained that the recent events were part of the "dangerous" U.S.-Israeli plot to manipulate the region's political geography in Israel's favor. He hailed Russia's "valuable" role in ensuring peace and stability in the West Asia region and its support for Syria's territorial integrity, noting that Iran is ready for any cooperation with Russia in this regard. The Russian president, for his part, said his country fully agreed with Iran's assessments of the recent events in northern Syria. He stressed that Russia believed the "terrorists" were not the main decision-makers behind the ongoing developments in northern Syria, but their supporters. He added that Moscow was determined to work with Iran to assist Syria's official and legitimate government in its fight against the "terrorist" groups. Putin assured that his country would use all available diplomatic capacities and channels to control the situation and prevent the spread of terrorism in the region. Since Wednesday, Syrian rebel groups, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, have launched a major offensive in northern Syria aiming to penetrate government-held territories. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Congress is back in Washington and lawmakers have a long to-do list before they adjourn for the year that includes avoiding a government shutdown. Congress only has about three weeks before the government runs out of money. Were at the beginning of what will be a very busy December, said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). From keeping the government open to funding the military and passing a major agricultural farm bill Congress has a lot to do and less than three weeks to get it all done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets be absolutely clear, December drama is not the way to demonstrate were serious about our most basic governing responsibilities, said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). Priority one remains funding the government to avoid a shutdown which is set to happen December 20th. Both sides are making progress in negotiating on a bill that can pass the House and Senate with bipartisan support, said Schumer. In all likelihood, Congress will pass a short-term continuing resolution punting a long-term fix to the next Congress in January. At this late hour, well have to act on legislation that comes to us over from the House, said McConnell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congress also has to pass the annual National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, to fund the military. The NDAA has been passed without fail for decades with the cooperation from both sides, and I hope this year is no exception, said Schumer. On top of all that more emergency relief money is still needed for parts of the country hit hard by natural disasters like hurricanes. We should come together again at the end of the year to get disaster aid done, or we may not be ready to respond the next time Mother Nature wreaks havoc in our communities, said Schumer. Senate Democrats are also racing to confirm as many federal judges as possible before Republicans take control of the Senate in January. 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 Queen City News. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) The Connecticut Office of Inspector General released its preliminary report and body camera footage that shows a Hartford police officer shooting a man who had a gun. Officers responded to a home in the 700 block of Maple Avenue at around 8:15 p.m. for the report of a man showing a firearm. Man shot by Hartford police The inspector generals office identified the man as 48-year-old Alexander Garay of Hartford, who authorities said took off in a car. Officers followed Garays vehicle, which crashed at Broad Street and West Preston Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The inspector generals office released a portion of Officer Gabrielle Arrudas body-worn camera, which showed Arruda and Officer Elvis Martizen approaching the car and ordering Garay to show his hands. The man ignored these commands. The report said a Taser was deployed but was unsuccessful, and when Arruda saw Garay with a gun, she ordered him to drop the weapon. When he failed to do so, Arruda fired her gun twice, hitting Garay. No officers were injured. De-escalation diffusion and mitigation are always our number one, 100% goal, and that is 100% goal of all officers, Retired Lt. Kevin Dillon said. The last thing they want to do is to use force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dillon spent 25 years at the Wethersfield Police Department and developed a defensive tactics program for the state of Connecticut. Its heart wrenching because first of all you have this individual clearly in crisis, and hes waving a gun apparently and threatening somebody, so they have to be there, Dillon said. And it really does put officers in crisis to, when they have to take those levels of steps, to stop that immediate and deadly force threat, that gentleman obviously had. The report said Hartford police administered medical aid to Garay, who was taken to a hospital, where he is listed in critical but stable condition. Police recovered a loaded Taurus Arms 9mm pistol near Garay when he was removed from the car, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hartford police said Garay was a convicted felon and, therefore, illegally possessed the weapon and that the vehicle he was driving was not registered. Garay was charged with operating without a license, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, interfering with police, criminal possession of a firearm and possession of narcotics. His bond was set at $750,000. 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. Dec. 2The Santa Fe New Mexican is participating in Giving Tuesday in partnership with Report for America, an initiative of The GroundTruth Project. The work of Esteban Candelaria, The New Mexican's Report for America journalist covering child welfare issues statewide, is available free for all New Mexicans. This is our pledge for all philanthropically and donor-supported journalistic efforts at The New Mexican. The GroundTruth Project, home to Report for America, is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your gift is directed to the Santa Fe New Mexican through a fiscal sponsorship and is tax deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New Mexican also is part of the fourth annual New Mexico Local News Matching Campaign, which gives participating newsrooms the opportunity to receive up to $7,500 in a dollar-for-dollar match for donations (up to $500) received during December. Go to sfnm.co/donate or send a check written to The GroundTruth Project (Memo: Santa Fe New Mexican) and mail it to: The Santa Fe New Mexican; Attention: Newsroom Donor Campaign; P.O. Box 2048; Santa Fe, NM 87504-2048 Questions? Email Executive Editor Bill Church at bchurch@sfnewmexican.com. California authorities are searching for a man convicted of first-degree murder who jumped out of a prison van and escaped custody while being transported for a court appearance. Cesar M. Hernandez, 34, escaped Monday morning shortly after arriving at the Kern County Superior Courthouse in Delano. According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Hernandez jumped out of a prison transport van and took off on foot around 10:45 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of 3 p.m. Monday, he has yet to be located. Special investigators from nearby CDCR prisons are currently searching for Hernandez, with assistance from the California Highway Patrol and the Delano and McFarland police departments. Cesar M. Hernandez, 34, is shown in this CDCR mugshot on Sept. 20, 2024. (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation) Hernandez is described as 5 feet 5 inches, weighing about 160 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair and was last seen wearing an orange prison outfit. Hes been in state prison since June 2019 after being convicted of first-degree murder in Los Angeles County. He was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Anyone who sees Hernandez or has information about his whereabouts is urged to call 911 or contact incident commander Lt. Anthony Sotello at 661-721-6300 ext. 5506. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CDCR officials say 99% of all offenders who have escaped state prison custody have been successfully apprehended over the past 47 years. 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. EDITORS NOTE: This story has been updated to clarify details of the incident. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) The escape of a Los Angeles-area killer has spread fear throughout the city of Delano after escaping from CDCR custody Monday. So when he got the chance, 34-year-old Ceasar Hernandez escaped, and spread fear and panic throughout the city of Delano. Multiple law enforcement agencies swarmed the area of the Delano courthouse. From Delano and McFarland Police, the Sheriffs Office and even the U.S. Marshalls Fugitive Task Force. Nearby schools were locked down. Police spent the afternoon questioning local business owners and knocking on doors of nearby homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jose Alamo is one of them. They came to the house and they were knocking on everybodys house making sure that we didnt see anything, said Alamo. Trying to check the cameras if they see surveillance cameras they just told us to lock ourselves in the house and everything. Hernandez was convicted in Los Angeles County in 2019 of first-degree murder and was sentenced to 25-years-to-life in prison. He pleaded no contest a month ago to charges of manufacturing a weapon and possession of alcohol or drugs in prison. He was in court for further hearings on that case when he ran. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation wouldnt explain how Hernandez escaped. A statement said only that he evaded staff custody at around 10:45 a.m. shortly after arriving at the Delano courthouse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every law enforcement agency on scene had units scouring the surrounding areas in search of this dangerous inmate. Alamo says its hard to rest easy knowing he can knock on their door at any moment. We got kids in the house you know? said Alamo. Anybody can break in and theyre wood doors and everything. So, pretty concerned about the situation thats going on in town. If you have any information regarding Hernandezs whereabouts, youre encouraged to call Delano Police or the California Department of Corrections. If you see Hernandez, you are advised to call 9-1-1 immediately and stay away. 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 KGET 17. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) The Kern County Coroners Office identified a man who was shot and killed on Panama Street in early October. Officials said Rudy Arthur Herrera, 36, was shot and killed in the 300 block of South Panama Street on Oct. 4 around 1 p.m. Herrera was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the coroners office, Herrera was unsheltered. The cause of his death was determined to be multiple gunshot wounds and the manner was a homicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bakersfield Police Department is investigating 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 KGET 17. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) The Kern County Coroners Office identified a man who was found shot in a vehicle and pronounced dead in Lamont. Coroner officials say Everardo Aparicio Zaragoza, 31, of Lamont was found unresponsive in a vehicle with a gunshot wound on Oct. 4 around 8 a.m. Zaragoza was pronounced dead at the scene in the 8700 block of Paradise Road. Officials say Zaragozas cause of death was a gunshot wound to the abdomen and the manner of death was a homicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kern County Sheriffs Office is investigating 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 KGET 17. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) The coroners office has released the identity of a woman who was killed in a rollover crash on Mohawk Street back in July. The coroner identified Andrea Moreno, 23, as the woman who was found inside an overturned vehicle on Mohawk Street near Refinery Avenue on July 24th. How to donate: 2024 Childrens Miracle Network Day of Giving Investigators believe Morenos vehicle was on the Mohawk offramp from the Westside Parkway, then crossed Mohawk street at a high rate of speed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her vehicle went off the embankment and rolled several times. She was pronounced dead at the scene. 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 KGET 17. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Cosgrove Middle School officials released a statement Monday afternoon, informing Spencerport families and community members of a series of targeted incidents involving students. Officials are now asking the community for help. Superintendent of Schools Ty Zinkiewich said the incidents involve verbal and physical harassment on school property along with ongoing events over this holiday weekend. While officials did not describe the nature of this harassment, they said the perpetrator(s) was/were relentless and went as far as threatening a student and their family through FaceTime. Its not clear how many people were involved. Albion teen arrested for making a terroristic threat Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School officials have been working with Greece and Ogden Police Departments. Additionally, the family that was victimized has initiated a DASA (Dignity for All Students Act) report, according to officials. The district is also working with an outside agency to conduct the investigation. Zinkiewich encouraged parents and guardians to monitor their childrens online presence and contact with others, and report any tips to the district by: Call: 1-800-4-1-VOICE (1-800-418-6423), ext. 359 Text: TIPS to 614-426-0240 Web: safeschoolhelpline.com This behavior is not acceptable, and please be assured we will address this situation with the focus on the safety of our students, Zinkiewich announced. 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. Dec. 3An initial cost estimate for a proposed upgrade of the infrastructure in downtown Lewiston is $37.7 million. That figure was shared with the Lewiston City Council at a Monday meeting during an update on the project by Phil Boyd, a principal engineer with Welch Comer. His Coeur d'Alene firm is handling preliminary design and public engagement for the work. The city could find ways to reduce the price, Boyd said, noting that, for example, the cost estimate of turning New Sixth street into a "festival street," is $2.3 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The block would function like a regular road, except the street and sidewalk would all be at the same level, making it easier to close it temporarily for special events. The council took the information under advisement. The project would include installing new 16-inch-diameter ductile iron underground water lines in downtown Lewiston along with upgrades to the sewer, streets and stormwater collection system. At the same time the flow of vehicle traffic would be reconfigured. Main and D streets would be two-way roads between First and 11th streets. At this time, Main Street carries eastbound traffic and D street handles westbound vehicles in that section of the city. Three roundabouts would be installed. Two would be immediately east of the Interstate Bridge on Main Street. They would regulate traffic entering and exiting the bridge as well as Main Street's intersections with Snake River Avenue and First Street. A third would be installed at First and D streets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Councilor Kassee Forsmann asked if Welch Comer had looked at the higher price of having traffic signals instead of roundabouts. Daily headlines, straight to your inboxRead it online first and stay up-to-date, delivered daily at 7 AM That number will be provided, but Welch Comer hasn't generated it yet, Boyd said. Traffic signals have a number of disadvantages compared with roundabouts such as creating backing up traffic and creating congestion, he said. "We think it's a bad idea for the traveling public (from) a safety standpoint," Boyd said. But the area is Idaho Transportation Department right of way and the agency could veto the roundabouts, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next steps for the project involve the city identifying more specifics about how it would pay for the project. The city has $3.2 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to cover the water lines. It would also draw on money earmarked for infrastructure in the existing rates Lewiston property owners pay for sewer, water and stormwater and a bond that would go before voters. Taxes wouldn't increase if the bond passed. That's because it would be repaid with a portion of the $1.5 million to $2.3 million annually the city has earmarked for repairs and construction of major streets the city has already been setting aside in its budgets for the last three years. Williams may be contacted at ewilliam@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2261. THE HAGUE, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) began public hearings on Monday to address legal obligations related to climate change under international law. The proceedings on Monday was presided over by ICJ President Nawaf Salam, and representatives of countries including Vanuatu, South Africa, Albania, Germany, Antigua and Barbuda, Saudi Arabia, and Australia presented oral statements. According to the court's schedule, the hearings will continue until Dec. 13. Over the course of the proceedings, representatives from 98 countries and 12 international organizations are expected to deliver statements. The ICJ convened these hearings at the request of the UN General Assembly. On March 29, 2023, the General Assembly adopted a resolution asking the court to provide an advisory opinion on key legal questions related to climate change. These include the obligations of states under international law to protect the climate system and environment and the legal consequences for states whose actions or inactions have caused significant harm to the climate system and environment. Costcos Kirkland Signature brand is back in the hot seat this week, as New Yorks own Handsome Brook Farms has issued a voluntary recall of nearly 11,000 units of Organic Pasture Raised 24-Count Eggs. The company announcement and its official FDA publishing came on November 27, 2024 just before the Thanksgiving holiday. Citing a possible health risk due to the potential presence of the foodborne illness Salmonella, Handsome Brook Farms is doing all that they can to get ahead of the issue in a timely manner in order to ensure consumer safety. The announcement specifically names 10,800 units of the Organic Pasture Raised 24-Count Eggs with UPC 9661910680, packaged in plastic egg cartons labeled with Kirkland Signature on the top. The recall specifically applies to the units with Julian code 327 and Use By date of January 5, 2025. This information can be found printed on the side of the 24-count plastic egg cartons. As of now, no other products have been named as being impacted by the recall. SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The egg cartons in question were distributed to 25 Costco stores in the following states: Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Affected shipments are being reported as leaving the farm as recently as November 22, 2024. The recall was initiated after Handsome Brook Farms determined that eggs not intended for retail distribution were accidentally packaged and distributed in retail packaging, leading to additional supply chain controls and much needed retraining in order to prevent future recurrence. Salmonella is an organism that can lead to serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and those with a weakened immune system. Healthy individuals who contract the illness can experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In extreme cases, those infected can experience arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis. Related: Costco 1-Year Gold Star Membership + $45 Digital Costco Shop Card As of now, no illnesses or complaints have been reported. And while the recall is being performed in cooperation with the FDA, impacted consumers are strongly encouraged to stop consuming the products and return them to their local Costco warehouse for a full refundor dispose of the products immediately. Those who might have more questions or concerns, Handsome Brook Farms has opened up their phone line at 646-733-4532, ext. 1, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. Consumers can also reach out to Handsome Brook Farms via email any day of the week at recall@hbfeggs.com. Up Next: Related: Costco Fans Are Losing It Over This Exclusive New Holiday Item President Joe Bidens blanket pardon of his son Hunter represents an extraordinary exercise of executive power, prompting accusations from both parties that it risks further damaging both the presidents place in political history and the publics faith in the justice system. But, for Biden, staring down the prospect of an incoming president who has threatened to exact revenge on his political enemies, it may simply have been worth the risk, according to allies interviewed after his abrupt Sunday night decision. The president, they said, faced a decision that pitted his responsibility as a father against political considerations after a decades-long effort to balance the two. In the presidents situation, he could not be objective everyone knows what his family means to him and especially given the tragedies in his life, said former Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.), a longtime Biden friend and ally. If you are a father and you have this power, I dont see how anybody could fault the president of the United States for telling the world that his son has been through enough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Democrats have criticized the pardon, accusing Biden of putting his personal interest ahead of the country and worrying it would hand President-elect Donald Trump more ammunition to justify weaponizing his federal authority once in office. Others, while sympathetic to the dilemma Biden faced, warned such a sweeping pardon would only amplify scrutiny of Hunter and the broader Biden family, rather than tamp it down. But the decision ultimately came down to his overriding belief that Hunter had been through "enough" and faith that the American people would understand, or at least not care enough for it to matter. Biden, who said he resolved over the Thanksgiving weekend to wipe out Hunter's crimes, had grown worried that his son's upcoming sentencing would be especially hard for Hunter and his broader family to bear, said a person familiar with the matter, who was granted anonymity to discuss private deliberations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pardon is likely to be one of the last and most personally consequential acts of a term where Biden found himself shadowed by a series of unflattering revelations tied to Hunters drug and alcohol abuse. And it amounts to a tragic bookend of sorts for a career that began with a similarly wrenching personal decision: whether to remain in politics after a car crash killed his first wife and daughter just weeks after Bidens election to the Senate. Then, it was the young Hunter and his older brother, Beau, who made Biden second guess whether to be sworn in and commute between Washington and Delaware. Biden opted to serve his term, setting off a decadeslong climb accompanied by moments of intense grief, including Beau's death in 2015 due to cancer and Hunters descent into addiction. While Joe Biden often cited Beau as a driving force in his decision to seek the presidency in 2020, it was Hunter who has colored his last couple years in office. Biden refused to distance himself from his son during the federal trials that resulted in Hunters convictions, despite the urging of advisers who worried about the personal toll it exacted and the risk of political blowback. Hunter later emerged as an increasingly visible advocate for staying in the presidential race as his father weighed whether to continue following his disastrous June debate a role some officials viewed with suspicion given his lack of political experience and outsized personal interest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden maintained throughout that he would not pardon Hunter, insisting in June he would abide by the jury decision. White House officials, including press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, also repeatedly ruled out a pardon in the months afterward. Our answer stands, which is no, Jean-Pierre said earlier this month. That reversal triggered its own swell of criticism apart from the pardon itself, with both reporters and lawmakers questioning when Biden had changed his mind. On Monday, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) told reporters that he, too, would have pardoned his son but he objected to the lie. Dont tell us youre not going to do it and then do it, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some allies privately believed hed always relent and grant a pardon. But the calculation appeared to more definitively shift after the election, and as Hunters sentencing date approached. Trumps victory raised the likelihood that Hunter would be subjected to years of additional investigations a prospect that Biden concluded primarily aimed to break his son and disrupt his attempt at recovery. And with Biden set to exit politics in less than two months, the personal price of going back on his word would be far less than before. I think anyone who doesnt understand why he would issue this pardon has never loved anyone who suffered from an addiction, said Lisa Goodman, the founder of Equality Delaware, who has known the Biden family for decades. He is a family man, through and through. And so I was not surprised that, in the big picture, that he would issue a pardon. The decision has nevertheless troubled some who now worry that the broad nature of the pardon which covers any crimes over the past decade will end up muddling the distinction Biden sought to draw during his presidency as a leader dedicated to restoring norms following Trumps institution-bending first term. He was right to pardon his son," said Anthony Coley, a former Biden Justice Department official. "His rationale for doing it, which is that the prosecutions are political, is wrong. Republicans will use Bidens rhetoric as a supposed proof point to try to reform and recreate DOJ in Donald Trumps image. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump immediately seized on the pardon to renew his call for pardoning insurrectionists involved in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, while other Republicans sought to use it to fan doubts about the Justice Department and FBI. Joe Biden was elected to bring order after chaos, to restore institutions, restore norms, said Timothy Naftali, a presidential historian and research scholar at Columbia Universitys School of International and Public Affairs. And this pardon blurs the lines in an unnecessary way. Bidens defenders pointed to the various legal experts who have supported his decision, noting that the crimes Hunter was convicted of are rarely prosecuted so aggressively, if at all. One alum of Biden's 2020 campaign waved away Democrats' worries about its broader impact on the public, arguing parents as well would agree with Biden's decision. On Monday, Jean-Pierre cast the move as a difficult one that Biden made because he believed Hunter had been unfairly targeted, attempting to separate it from his faith in the justice system overall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two things could be true: The president does believe in the justice system and the Department of Justice. And he also believes that his son was singled out politically, she said. But at its core, allies said, Biden believed his son had done the hard work of turning his life around. He worried that another prolonged period of attacks and investigations could jeopardize that recovery. And for two more months, he was in the unique position to make it all go away. So he did. Lets just be candid: I think the president blames himself for his public service that his political enemies have used against Hunter, have exploited against Hunter unfairly and you cant divorce yourself from that as a human being, as a father, Jones said. I dont think this was an easy decision for Joe Biden, I really dont But this ended up being much, much more personal. And the stakes got raised so much higher. Connor OBrien contributed to this report. WASHINGTON (DC News Now)After more than a year on the job in an interim capacity, acting director of the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement Kwelli Sneed is appealing to the D.C. Council and the community for the full-time position. Monday, Sneed appeared before the Public Safety and Justice Committee for a public hearing on her confirmation as director. This comes after she was nominated by Mayor Muriel Bowser last month. I am an educator, transformer, connecter and fixer and I know how government works, said Sneed. I intend to finish the work my team and I have started. We are seeing lives change and we all are committed to this work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, also known as ONSE, is tasked with preventing and intervening in gun violence. Its a task Sneed said the agency has made great progress on during her time as acting director. In fact, Sneed said that so far this year, there has been a 34% reduction in violent crime in the ONSE priority communities. Councilmember Anita Bond asked Sneed what she attributed that to. The enhanced coordination with MPD and community leaders, explained Sneed. This is the first time Ive seen as a resident where we have the full support for the chief of police. When (the public gets) real data in time, they allow us to go in and do the work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DC Mayor Bowser nominates Kwelli Sneed as permanent director of ONSE Still, the office has been scrutinized after being named in the bribery indictment against Councilmember Trayon White. White is accused of accepting cash in exchange for his influence on contracts with the agency. Sneed has since stated that she is not under investigation and that her agency has cooperated fully with the FBI. She also explained Monday that shes created a compliance unit for contracts and grants to ensure accountability. Its just one factor thats garnered her some community support. I appreciate she is somebody that Ive experienced to desire fidelity in that office to national standards and best practices as it relates to CVI work overall, said Pastor Delonte Gholston, who spoke in favor of her confirmation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was willing to do a hard thing when she first got into her role, which was to really shake up that office and take a hard look at who was getting contracts and why, he continued. Still, others criticized the agency as a whole. The office is dysfunctional. Pushing Ms. Sneed into that office is not fair to her, said Kathy Henderson, neighborhood advisory commissioner. The nominee is from Ward 4 and shes being nominated from the Mayor, said ANC Commissioner Ashley Ruff. Most of the Mayors nominees dont really do nothing. It just seems crazy. Why are we not nominating for ONSE from Ward 7? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sneeds appointment still requires a full vote by the Council. 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. DENVER (KDVR) Aurora Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky spoke out in a November committee meeting to tell the police department, city council and city staff that President-elect Donald Trumps mass deportation plan is coming. Jurinsky made the comments at a meeting of the Aurora City Council Public Safety, Courts and Civil Service Committee on Nov. 14, which she chairs. The committee meets monthly and will not meet again until 2025. 2 Tren de Aragua members tied to viral Aurora video arrested in NYC Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also at the meeting was new Aurora Police Department Chief Todd Chamberlain, who was asked if the police agency needed support and more aid from surrounding agencies, such as the Arapahoe County Sheriffs Office or the National Guard. He said that is not needed and would be a demoralizing move for his staff. Chamberlain also noted that while there are troubled spots that the department is focused on, overall crime in Aurora is markedly down. He noted a 31% drop in motor vehicle thefts, a 4.5% drop in robberies, an 11.6% decrease in non-fatal shootings, and an 11.1% decrease in homicides. So again, that tells the story that crime is going down, Chamberlain said. There are problem areas that we are going to focus on, but Im not to a point where Im going to break the glass and say that we need other agencies to come in. Jurinsky said during the meeting that she was willing to throw money at the police department if that would solve crime in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would just like to say that Operation Aurora is coming, as youve all heard, this is the real thing, Jurinsky said. But on a very serious note, there seems to be a disconnect (between) the incoming Administration and the city of Aurora, so I hope that we are taking this seriously. What is Operation Aurora, and when was it presented? At a rally held in Aurora in October, President-elect Donald Trump announced a plan named Operation Aurora to remove migrants who entered the country illegally and may be involved in gangs. Download the FOX31 App: Breaking news alerts & Pinpoint Weather The then-candidate said he would invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to target and dismantle every migrant criminal network operating on American soil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will send elite squads of ICE, Border Patrol and federal law enforcement officers to hunt down, arrest and deport every last illegal alien gang member until there is not a single one left in this country, Trump said. Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump gestures at a campaign rally at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in Aurora, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) He also called for an automatic 10-year jail sentence with no parole for anyone who returns to the U.S. And, Im hereby calling for the death penalty for any migrant that kills an American citizen or a law enforcement officer, Trump said at the Aurora rally. Trump first began to focus on Aurora after a video showing armed men in a stairwell of an Aurora apartment complex where shootings had been reported. Police reported in October that all six men in the video had been identified, and FOX31 verified that at least two were Venezuelan citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Aurora Police Department has said several times that the narrative of apartment buildings taken over by gangs was false. However, sources told Nexstar partner NewsNation that Tren de Aragua gang members have been arrested and tied to Aurora. Jurinsky says Aurora police are trying to bury gang connections Days after the November committee meeting, Jurinsky posted on social media to say Aurora police were trying to bury any international gang issues in the city. The statements came after two men were arrested in New York in connection to a viral apartment video showing armed men entering Aurora units. Sources told NewsNation that Danyeer Aramillo Meneses, 23, and Edilson Pena Angulo, 25 were taken into federal custody during a night raid. The men were in the U.S. illegally, according to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson, and verified they were part of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jurinsky said that Aurora police officers issued warrants for the pairs arrests, and know the truth, but claims that Aurora Police Department leadership has been lockstep trying to bury this. Im just not sure why, her post on X continued. The reason these men werent identified as TdA is because @AuroraPD leadership told officers to stop confirming anyone as gang members. If no one is confirmed, there is no gang problem, ya see? The command staff responsible for this dereliction of duty is still in place in @AuroraPD. When this all comes out in court, and it will. When officers start taking the stand, and they will. @AuroraGov is going to have some serious explaining to do. After the initial news of possible criminal activity at Aurora apartments from Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, the Aurora Police Department began distancing itself from confirming whether those they tied to the viral apartment video showing six men entering an apartment were members. In September, the agency said it had no evidence to support that connection. At this time, we do not have any information that leads us to believe or points to these individuals being involved in any specific gang. As we continue our investigation, if that information comes out, we will explore those leads as we do, Aurora Police Lt. DJ Tisdale from the Special Operations Division said on Sept. 20. Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain in an interview with FOX31 on September 24th, 2024. Edward Romero shared this video of armed men knocking on a door in his apartment complex in Aurora. Chamberlain said that the agency cannot identify any suspects as Tren de Aragua gang members unless they self-identify. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We can say this tattoo or this mark, this is an aspect of a TdA gang member, Chamberlain explained in September. But the one thing that I think is positive with most gang members is that they do like to brag and theyre very verbose, and I think that after a while youll start to see individuals start to identify or self-identify as yeah, Im a TdA gang member or yeah, Im a whatever gang theyre affiliated with. The agency also does not want to improperly label someone a gang member when theyre not associated. Its going to take time; its going to take very specific investigation and its going to [be] making sure that we dont misidentify somebody because I think thats really important too. If you identify somebody as a gang member, that stays with them the rest of their life, that is what I am not going to do in this agency, Chamberlain said. ACLU of Colorado decries Operation Aurora, deportations In a statement issued Wednesday, ACLU of Colorado Legal Director Tim Macdonald decried the plan to deport migrants en masse from the United States and particularly from areas of Colorado. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is clear, with the re-election of former President Donald Trump, that feelings of fear and uncertainty are spreading through immigrant communities across the country. Trump has promised to use totalitarian tactics to carry out the largest mass detention and deportation program in our nations history, including launching what he calls Operation Aurora to deport immigrants en masse, including from places in Colorado, Macdonald said. DACA recipients worry their protection from deportation wont last another Trump term He noted federal and state constitutional protections and said that the ACLU of Colorado will fight to protect those rights. State law is clear in prohibiting certain kinds of collaboration between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. State and local governments cannot enter agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other agencies to detain individuals for federal civil immigration purposes. State law also forbids state and local governments from contracting with private companies to operate immigration detention facilities, Macdonald said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, local law enforcement cannot arrest or detain someone based on civil immigration detainers and cannot make civil immigration arrests. Probation officers and staff also cannot provide information to federal immigration authorities, he continued. Macdonald called on local law enforcement to prioritize public safety for all, including Coloradans that happen to be born outside of the United States. 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. A dozen people have applied to fill out the last two years of Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr.'s term. Olszewski leaves the post next month to be sworn in as a member of Congress. File photo by Danielle E. Gaines. A dozen people have applied to succeed Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. when he steps down to in January before being sworn into Congress. The dozen hopefuls men and women include a former state senator who lost the job to Olszewski in a narrow election, a comedian, a pastor, a former council member and a former state agency secretary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The names were released by the council in advance of a public forum scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 10, when the public will be invited to testify about the qualifications they would like to see in the next executive, but prohibited from endorsing specific candidates. Olszewski is in the middle of his second term. Last month, he was elected to represent Marylands 2nd District in Congress, succeeding outgoing Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-2nd). Ruppersberger, who served two terms as Baltimore County executive before being elected to the first of his 11 terms in Congress, announced his retirement in January. Olszewskis departure marks the second time since 2018 that the council has had to name an interim county executive. In 2018, then-County Executive Kevin Kamenetz was in the throes of a campaign for governor when he died suddenly of a heart attack. Don Mohler, a senior aide to Kamenetz and former Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, was named interim county executive at that time, rounding out the final seven months of his boss term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The list of applicants seeking to succeed Olszewski include: Jim Brochin He served four terms in the Maryland Senate before opting to run for Baltimore County Executive in 2018. He lost to Olszkewski by nine votes in the Democratic primary that year. Jon Cardin He served twice in the House of Delegates, first from 2003-2015. He opted in 2014 to run for attorney general but lost in the primary that year to Brian Frosh. He returned to the House in 2018 and won re-election in 2022. He is the nephew of outgoing U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin. Yara Cheikh Current president of the Baltimore County Library Board of Trustees. She is also a community activist who was involved in an effort to add elected members to the Baltimore County School Board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gregory Dennis Is a pastor at Kingdom Worship Center who has never held elected office. Paul Drutz-Hannahs Is a comedian. Tara Ebersole A former biology professor and college administrator as well as the former chair of the Baltimore County Democratic Central Committee. She is also an illustrator. She is the wife of Del. Eric Ebersole (D-Baltimore County). William Huhn A financial planning specialist and executive at Morgan Stanley Financial with no experience in elected office. Kathy Klausmeier A state senator since 2003, she is the vice chair of the Senate Finance Committee. She also served eight years in the House of Delegates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aris Melissaratos Served as the secretary of the Department of Business and Economic Development under former Gov. Robert Ehrlich. Also a former executive at St. Johns Properties. George Perdikakis Sr. Served 15 years as the head of Baltimore Citys transportation department before he was tapped in 1987 to run the quasi-public Maryland Environmental Service. He left that organization eight years later to head the Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management during Ruppersbergers tenure as county executive. Barry Williams Served as director of two Baltimore County agencies: the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks and the Department of Workforce Development. He is the brother of House Speaker Adrienne Jones. Tom Quirk A three-term county council member who served from 2010-2022. He also served three times as the council president, a position elected from among the seven council members. The state Capitol. (Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury) Carilion wants to start a kidney transplant program in Roanoke. State health officials, and UVa, oppose it. Cardinal News Wrongfully towed? In Richmond, your options are scarce.Richmond Times-Dispatch Virginia leaders express disapproval after Bidens pardon of his son.WAVY Virginia workers are owed $11.5 million in backpay: Heres how you can claim yours.Axios Richmond Daughter of country music star Wynonna Judd arrested in Albemarle County.Daily Progress SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Dec. 2December kicks off with a relatively short agenda for Ector County Commissioners at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Ector County Annex, 1010 E. Eighth St. Commissioners will: Consider approving Mauricio Navarro and the City of Odessa's request to use the Ector County Health Department's parking lot for the Christmas parade on Saturday. Consider a resolution to submit a Texas Community Block Grant Application. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consider taking action regarding executing settlement participation and release forms regarding settlement offers from Kroger in the matter of Texas opioid multidistrict litigation for the County in the matter of County of Ector vs Purdue Pharma. Will meet in executive session on legal, real estate and personnel matters. Just days after record breaking snowfall hit our region, thousands of people are still looking for answers and many are unable to leave their homes. Plowing continues throughout Erie county, but many roads still arent able to be traveled as of Monday, Dec. 2. Erie County Executive Brenton Davis provides update on emergency efforts The recovery process continues after snow pummeled the region and while interstate travel has improved, people all over are still reporting that their roads havent been taken care of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everywhere you turn, car after car and street after street have been covered in feet of snow throughout Erie County. Many people are wondering when its their turn for plows to go through their neighborhood and local crews are struggling to keep up. When you start realizing the local systems cant handle this amount of snow as quickly as it comes, these events can change in a minute. If we had gotten 60 inches over 10 days, six inches a day is manageable. When youve got 60 inches in six hours, thats a totally different ball game, said Brenton Davis, Erie County executive. Erie residents still digging themselves out three days into historic winter storm Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials are asking for patience from people throughout Erie County saying there has to be a systematic approach to the removal of this much snow. First things first major roadways and corridors throughout the region are prioritized first by plow drivers which takes time. Every single branch of government here from the county to the city of erie all the way on down. Progress can seem very limited when youre on a back street and dont take priority over the interstates and main through fares, Davis said. Plow drivers are pulling 16-plus hour shifts. And as PennDOT finishes state roads, theyll be moving into municipalities throughout the county to help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will coordinate the response of penndots equipment, again, penndot equipment from all across pennsylvania through pema to be supportive of the challenges that exist in the city, boroughs and townships affected, said Mike Carroll, Pennsylvania secretary of transportation. And despite dangerous storm conditions, experts argue that danger is higher following it. People are trying to clear snow from their homes and businesses which can lead to injuries, accidents and medical emergencies. Davis still advices to stay home if and when possible. Give this equipment a free run of the road. The faster and more effectively we can do this, the sooner we can return to normalcy, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LIST: Closings, event postponements around town due to inclement weather The National Guard has even been called in to help and for non-emergency situations, youre asked to call 211 for aid. County executive davis says were about halfway through this storm, but itll take some time for things to clear up. Its going to take us probably the next week or better to really get back to where we can rest easy, he went on to say. During a snow event like this, its a good idea to stay in touch with your neighbors. Check in with them to see that theyre alright, and if you can, help each other get by. 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 WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. A gavel in a courtroom. Credit: Getty Images Florida International University did not violate a federal law meant to protect people with disabilities when it tossed a student from its medical school for academic underperformance, an Atlanta federal appeals court ruled Monday in a years-long legal battle. In a 10-page ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit opined that Elie Nehme, who had failed numerous courses and was forced to repeat a year of medical school, didnt qualify for protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why? He could not meet the universitys minimum academic standards, even with reasonable accommodations for his disability, the court wrote in the ruling. Nehme did not get off to a good start in medical school, the opinion notes. During his first year he failed an introductory biology course (though passed it during a remediation exam) and showed marginal competency in three other first-year medical school courses. His second year of medical school was worse, when he failed a course (and the remedial exam) in cardiac and pulmonary medicine. One of Nehmes professors directed him to the medical schools wellness center to see whether he qualified for accommodations. He did. Diagnoses for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and an unspecified anxiety disorder qualified Nehme for two accommodations: 50% extra time on exams and a minimally distracting testing room. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Poor performance continues But Nehmes poor performance continued. The medical schools student evaluation and promotion committee scheduled a hearing with Nehme for March. Before that, though, Nehme requested and received voluntary medical leave from January through April 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While on leave, Nehme appeared before the medical schools student evaluation and promotion committee, testifying that he had medical problems that made it hard for him to attend class. Despite their concerns, the committee allowed Nehme to repeat his second year of medical school. He passed his classes and was allowed to remain for a third year, which is when clinical experience begins. Although he performed well in his practical experiences and got good evaluations from the physicians in the field he worked with, his academic performance continued to be subpar; Nehme scored below the 10th percentile on seven exams in his third year. He was again called before the school of medicines promotion committee. At the hearing, Nehme blamed his failure of a year-end psychiatry exam on a fire in his neighbors apartment on the morning of the test. He said he failed his year-end surgery exam because he was distracted by his fathers medical problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, he never claimed that he lacked proper disability accommodations for any of the exams. The medical schools evaluation and promotion committee recommended that Nehme be allowed to voluntarily withdraw or be dismissed. He appealed the committees decision to the medical schools appeal committee. There, he reiterated his struggles but never mentioned lack of accommodations. The dean affirmed the promotion committees recommendation that he be dismissed. He appealed to FIUs interim provost. During that appeal, Nehme claimed he received improper accommodations for one of his exams but not all of them. The interim provost referred Nehmes new lack-of-accommodations claim to the schools Office of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access. While that office found sufficient evidence to support Nehmes claim the finding was further reviewed by the university. The interim provost found no indication that the allegations regarding a lack of accommodations made by Mr. Nehme had an adverse impact on his academic performance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was dismissed from medical school Oct. 16, 2020. One month later, Nehme filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, where he alleged failure by the school to provide reasonable accommodations for his disability and also illegal discrimination. FIU successfully moved for summary judgment on both claims, arguing (among other things) that Nehme could not show a violation of the ADA because he did not qualify for the protections under the federal law. Nehme appealed that decision. Decision affirmed In affirming the decision, the appeals court noted that decision makers the promotion committee, appeals committee, dean, and interim provost all agreed that Nehme did not have the academic skills necessary to succeed, and thus could not be promoted to the fourth year of medical school. They based their decision on Nehmes exceedingly poor academic record, which reflected his inability to meet the medical schools essential eligibility requirements, even when he received full accommodations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court continued: The record thoroughly supports the universitys conclusion. Setting aside the disputed Psychiatry retake, Nehme still failed a total of eight courses. And five of those failures came after he was already on academic probation a designation marking unsatisfactory progress toward the medical degree, and one that often serves as a precursor to dismissal from medical school. The medical schools handbook is plain: a student on probation may be recommended for dismissal if her academic performance does not improve. That is exactly what happened here. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals largely upheld an abortion travel ban that prohibits minors from traveling out of state for abortions without parental consent. The Monday decision partially reversed a 2023 preliminary injunction that blocked enforcement of the states abortion trafficking law on First Amendment grounds. Although some national abortion rights groups described the ruling as devastating for young people in Idaho, an attorney for the pro-choice plaintiffs in the case told HuffPost on Friday there was one major victory in the ongoing case. The Monday decision is only a small part of a larger case surrounding the states so-called abortion trafficking law. Litigation is currently ongoing and the merits of the case have yet to be argued. The law is not currently in effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law, signed last year by Gov. Brad Little (R), created a new felony called abortion trafficking, defined as when an adult ... with the intent to conceal an abortion from the parents or guardian of a pregnant, unemancipated minor, either procures an abortion or obtains an abortion-inducing drug for that minor. Abortion trafficking also involves recruiting, harboring, or transporting a pregnant minor for an abortion, the law states. Violations are punishable by two to five years in prison. The laws sweeping language seeks to criminalize anyone transporting a pregnant minor without parental consent with the intent to get an abortion, or any adult offering counseling to a pregnant minor on the minors reproductive health options. Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador, a vocal opponent of abortion, called the ruling a tremendous victory in a press release. Idahos laws were passed specifically to protect the life of the unborn and the life of the mother, Labrador said. Trafficking a minor child for an abortion without parental consent puts both in grave danger, and we will not stop protecting life in Idaho. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The courts ruling said that the state can enforce the harboring and transporting part of the law, but it cannot enforce the recruiting statute. The anti-abortion Republicans who wrote the law did not define recruiting, which the appeals court found to be unconstitutionally overbroad because it prohibits a substantial amount of protected expressive speech. This part of the ruling was a huge victory, said Wendy Heipt, an attorney for the plaintiffs. Its the first abortion case at the federal level to acknowledge a persons right to freely discuss abortion even if obtaining care is illegal in a persons home state. I cant stress enough how important it is that the most vulnerable people in Idaho which are minors in situations that are unsafe or violent can now actually turn to trusted adults and learn what their options are, Heipt told HuffPost. Raul Labrador, Idaho's attorney general, speaks outside the US Supreme Court earlier this year. Labrador has advocated for an interstate abortion ban travel as well as banning health-stabilizing abortions for women in medical emergencies. Bloomberg via Getty Images The panel of judges effectively said Idaho cannot criminalize people who are simply providing information about abortion, including educational counseling, encouragement or how to logistically or financially obtain abortion care. Idahoans are protected by free speech to talk to anyone, including minors, about abortion care even if abortion is largely illegal in the state, the court ruled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judges used a hypothetical situation in their ruling to portray how slippery the slope would be if the state could prosecute people for recruiting minors under this law: Imagine an Idaho resident who lives near the border of Oregon and displays a bumper sticker that reads: Legal abortions are okay, and theyre right next door. Ask me about it! A minor sees the sticker and, feeling desperate, approaches the driver to request a ride across state lines. I need an abortion, the minor says, and my parents cant know. The driver says: Im sorry, I cant drive you there. But, here, take this cash. That should cover the procedure. The minor takes the cash, finds a ride to Oregon with another minor, and gets a legal abortion with the money the driver provided. Under Section 18-623, the driver might be prosecuted for recruiting. The drivers expression invited contact, causing the minor to approach and find out how to get a legal abortion. The bumper sticker, and perhaps the offer of cash, arguably persuaded or even induced the minor to have the abortion. The cash also paid for, or procured, the abortion. Thus, the driver procured an abortion for the minor, in part by recruiting. The ruling on the recruiting provision sets some kind of legal standard for other states looking to pass similar laws. Tennessee passed a similar law this year that is currently blocked with a preliminary injunction, and Republicans in Alabama, Oklahoma and Mississippi introduced similar abortion trafficking laws in 2024 that failed. A New Hampshire Republican has already filed a similar abortion travel ban for the states upcoming legislative session. The courts decision on the recruitment statute also offers some legal basis for future attacks on pro-choice groups that provide abortion counseling or financial aid for abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Idahoans should be concerned and upset about what the legislators are doing and what the law still does absolutely, Heipt said. But they should be so relieved that they can still talk about and support abortion. Read the 9th Circuits decision below: This article was updated throughout with quotes from Heipt to better reflect the impact of Mondays ruling. Related... BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- In a move that underscores its commitment to supporting military veterans, China has announced increases to the pensions and living allowances enjoyed by certain retired service members and other eligible recipients. The adjustment marks the 20th consecutive year that China has raised allowances for veterans, reflecting a sustained emphasis on honoring their service, according to the Ministry of Veterans Affairs. China has been working to better protect the rights and interests of the country's ex-servicemen and improve their well-being. In August, China issued a set of regulations for the settlement of veterans. Highlighting support for employment and starting up businesses, the regulations urge joint efforts from the military and civilian sectors to conduct skills training before and after retirement from the military. The document specifies that after leaving active duty, veterans are entitled to enjoy related benefits according to law. (NewsNation) A final congressional report on COVID-19 released Monday has determined the virus likely emerged from a lab accident in China and that the U.S. government perpetrated misinformation by incorrectly calling the lab leak theory a conspiracy. The House Oversight and Accountability Committees COVID-19 panel, controlled by Republicans, issued its 520-page report two years after its investigation began and ahead of a hearing this week. The report affirmed what has long been the leading theory, stating that a lab-related incident involving gain-of-function research in Wuhan is the most likely origin of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cyber Monday 2024 Deals Top Cyber Week deals still live Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Top gifts under $100 Best stocking stuffers BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Free COVID tests will be available again soon: How to get yours Researchers had initially suggested that the virus emerged in nature and jumped from animals to people, probably at a wildlife market in Wuhan. Four years after the onset of the worst pandemic in 100 years, the weight of the evidence increasingly supports the lab leak hypothesis, the report stated. The coronavirus was first identified in Wuhan in December 2019 before spreading worldwide and killing around 7 million people. FBI Director Christopher Wray has previously said the agency assessed that a leak from a lab in Wuhan most likely caused the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report cites several reasons to back the conclusion, including that the lab in Wuhan is home to Chinas foremost SARS research lab, the lab had a history of conducting gain-of-function research at inadequate biosafety levels and that researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) were sick with a COVID-like virus in the fall of 2019, months before it was discovered at the wet market. The report also further implicates New York nonprofit EcoHealth Alliance of using U.S. taxpayer dollars to facilitate gain-of-function research at the Wuhan lab. Findings also revealed that the government perpetrated COVID-19 misinformation when public health officials incorrectly characterized the Lab-Leak Theory as a Conspiracy Theory. Kremlin confirms Trump sent COVID tests to Putin during pandemic Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, kneejerk reactions by the federal government did little to fix the problem and instead may have sowed deeper distrust of government institutions while trampling on the First Amendment of the Constitution, it stated. The report specifically calls out Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert until leaving the government in 2022, saying that he pushed back on the lab leak theory and prompted a research report called The Proximal Origin that was used to discredit it. Although Dr. Fauci believed the lab-leak theory to be a conspiracy theory at the start of the pandemic, it now appears that his position is that he does have an open mind about the origin of the virusso long as it does not implicate EcoHealth Alliance, and by extension himself and NIAID. Understandably, as he signed off on the EcoHealth Alliance grant, the report stated. The massive report also examined the effectiveness and consequences of masks and mask mandates and stated that they were ineffective at controlling the spread of COVID-19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prolonged lockdowns caused immeasurable harm to not only the American economy but also to the mental and physical health of Americans, with a particularly negative effect on younger citizens. Read the full report 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 NewsNation. Craig Rich, who has died aged 86, was the first and longest-serving regional weather forecaster, an avuncular presence on BBC South Wests Spotlight for 25 years. Before joining the BBC in 1978 he had served in the Merchant Navy, and in 1968 was navigation adviser to The Sunday Times, sponsors of the single-handed Round the World Yacht Race. It was he who discovered the truth about Donald Crowhurst, the yachtsman who mysteriously vanished from his trimaran in the mid-Atlantic. It was the first non-stop round-the-world yacht race, and at a time before GPS and support crews it was a gruelling test of physical and mental stamina. The race was controversial because no evidence of sailing experience was required to enter, and because, of the nine men who set off, only one, Robin Knox-Johnston, finished. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But his feat was eclipsed by the mystery of Donald Crowhurst, a 36-year-old businessman, married father of four and enthusiastic weekend sailor who entered his untested yacht Teignmouth Electron. Crowhurst left from Teignmouth on October 31 1968, watched from the shore by cheering supporters and one or two sceptics who noticed that his sails were attached to the wrong halyards. He encountered immediate problems, and in the first few weeks contact with Electron was lost. Donald Crowhurst before setting off in the 1968 single-handed Round the World Yacht Race - Getty Images By December, however, he had resumed contact, claiming he was making good progress so good, in fact, that there were hopes he might, against all odds, come home the winner. Although some of the positions he gave became vague, as summer 1969 approached preparations were made for his triumphant return. The BBC and ITV sent their film crews to Teignmouth, while his sponsors prepared their adverts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On June 25 1969, Electron was sighted in the mid-Atlantic by a Norwegian cargo ship and Crowhurst waved, looking fit and cheerful. On June 26 he radioed his position to his agent. But from then on nothing was heard. On July 10 the Royal Mail vessel Picardy sighted a small yacht 700 miles west of the Azores. When the Picardys captain went aboard Electron he found the cabin in a mess, other than three log books lying in a pile on the chart table. The chronometer was gone, but the lifeboat was in place. There was no sign of the skipper. Richs suspicions that Crowhursts claims of making good progress were not all they seemed had been aroused by some very odd messages and claimed records, and he was asked to examine the log books by Harold Evans, the Sunday Times editor. It transpired that Crowhurst had pretended to be sailing around the world while actually dawdling in the South Atlantic, apparently hoping to deceive the race organisers by entering false plots in a set of spare logbooks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was clearly apparent that he had not circumnavigated the world, Rich recalled. It was a profound and sad experience to have to confirm what I had suspected for some time but an even sadder fact was that the log books also revealed Crowhursts deteriorating state of mind as the voyage progressed. When he told Evans what he knew, Harold Evans said a strange thing. He looked at me and said, very slowly, if we didnt disclose this, did I think people would find out? I said, Christ, you want me to say absolutely nothing about this for the rest of my life? He said that that was what it would amount to. I think he either wanted to protect the family or he thought it might reflect very badly on the Sunday Times, encouraging the guy to go to sea for the money. The story was held while Evans pondered further, then on August 2 the paper carried a front-page bulletin which began with the words: It is with great sadness that The Sunday Times announces that examination of the log kept by Donald Crowhurst, a competitor in the Sunday Times Round the World Race, has revealed that the voyage he had made would not have qualified for any prize even if he had returned safely to England. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rich was subsequently involved in helping Nicholas Tomalin and Ron Hall write The Strange Voyage of Donald Crowhurst, and was interviewed about the tragedy for documentaries. Crowhursts body was never found. Craig Rich finds some good news for St Ives Craig Rich was born in Plymouth on February 3 1938 and, after evacuation during the war, attended Devonport High School for Boys. Aged 16 he went to sea as a cadet with Ellerman Lines and became navigating officer aged 20. He remained at sea with the Merchant Navy for 12 years, qualifying as a master mariner and developing his interest in meteorology and weather forecasting. He then lectured on navigation and meteorology at the Sir John Cass School of Navigation, City of London Polytechnic, for five years and it was during this time that he advised The Sunday Times. After achieving his extra masters certificate, in 1971 he was appointed a lecturer in the School of Maritime Studies in Plymouths new Polytechnic (now the University of Plymouth), where he spent 10 years as the head of the department of shipping and transport, developing a masters degree in international shipping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1978 after presenting a paper at a conference in Brussels, he was interviewed by Hugh Scully, presenter of Spotlight: Because of my background in navigation and meteorology I was asked if I would like to present the weather in the programme, as at that time no BBC region had weather presenters. The news editor felt that the time spent on the weather was insufficient and not detailed enough. Rich jumped at the chance, though as he recalled, the studio technology was rudimentary: In the early days we used magnetic symbols which from time to time would slip and fall off the chart. In 1988 he gave up teaching altogether to concentrate on his television and radio work. His contribution to Spotlight went well beyond his weather responsibilities. He often found news stories and his expertise was called on during coverage of such events as the Fastnet Race tragedy in 1979 and the Penlee disaster in 1981. In the 1980s he presented Thats Rich, a late-evening series of regional programmes. He was the commentator for the start of the 1998 Tall Ships Race on board the destroyer Nottingham, where he interviewed the Princess Royal as part of BBC South Wests live coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later that year he was in Ypres with Spotlight for the 80th anniversary of the Armistice and in 2000 he was in Dunkirk for the 60th anniversary of the evacuation. He also took part in the BBC coverage of the total eclipse in 1999 and for many years produced and presented programmes for BBC Radio Devon. He retired in 2003, joking that Ive always said when I got the weather right I would give up. So I must have got one right at last. He spent much time doing charity work and served as president of the Looe RNLI for 10 years. Craig Rich is survived by his wife Pat and three children. Craig Rich, born February 3 1938, died December 1 2024 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. CRANE COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- A 6th-grade social studies teacher at Crane Middle School was arrested after several students made an outcry saying they saw nude photos and videos on his laptop. 68-year-old Lyndell Ray Lee is now facing a charge of Display of Harmful Material to Minors, a Class A Misdemeanor. According to the Crane Police Department arrest affidavit, around 3:27 p.m., on Thursday, November 21, police responded to the Crane Middle School Office after officials at the school reported the outcries of several students who said they saw nude photos and nude videos on Lyndell Ray Lees computer. Mugshot from Crane County Jail Reports showed that each of the student witnesses told police that on Wednesday, November 20, during their 8th period, Lee was watching girls on his personal computer with both pictures and videos of naked woman and that they saw 20ish photo of women naked leaning against the wall. Police reports showed that the student also said he would hit the play button on pause when we were in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the affidavit, police issued an arrest warrant on November 26th. Lee was later arrested on December 2nd for knowingly, recklessly Displaying Harmful Materials to Minors and was booked into Crane County Jail. The Crane Independent School District later issued a statement on December 2nd via Facebook regarding Lees arrest and resignment from the school: The Crane Independent School District is deeply concerned about the recent incident involving a teacher who was arrested for the display of harmful materials to minors, a Class A misdemeanor. This situation arose when students encountered an inappropriate image on the teachers personal computer during school hours. The safety and well-being of our students is our utmost priority. Upon learning of the incident, immediate actions were taken in accordance with district policies. The teacher has since resigned from their position, and we are fully cooperating with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to assure our community that we are committed to fostering a safe and supportive learning environment. The district will be providing additional training and resources to staff to prevent such incidents in the future. We encourage parents and guardians to discuss this matter with their children and to reach out to school officials with any concerns. No further information is available regarding this arrest. 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. CRESTVIEW, Fla. (WKRG) A Crestview man accused of shooting a woman several times was arrested Sunday, according to the Crestview Police Department. Search and rescue mission uncovers two bodies off Dauphin Island Officers responded to a Lakeview Drive home around 2:30 p.m. Sunday in reference to a female shot several times in the legs and torso during a domestic fight. When officers arrived at the scene, emergency first aid was provided to the woman until the Crestview Fire Department and Okaloosa County EMS arrived to take her to an awaiting LifeFlight helicopter, according to a CPD news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers said the woman was taken to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, where she received life-saving surgery. The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Julius Tawun Sledge of Crestview, fled the scene with the firearm, according to police. He was later arrested several blocks from the home and detained by Crestview Police officers, with help from deputies with the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office. Sledge was arrested and charged with one count of attempted premeditated murder after it was discovered he planned to kill the woman, according to police. Sledge was booked into the Okaloosa County Jail. U.S. Coast Guard Mobile Sector suspends Search for 7-year-old boy in Dauphin Island boating accident Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman remains in serious but stable condition and is recovering from her injuries, according to police. 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. CRESTVIEW, Fla. (WKRG) A Crestview teen accused of making an electronic threat of a mass shooting/terrorist act has been arrested, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office. The 13-year-old, who is an Okaloosa Online student, was taken into custody at her Crestview home on Monday, the OCSO said. South Alabama accepts IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl invite, will face Western Michigan That day, the FBI informed the sheriffs office about a threatening video: A girl was on the FaceTime app with an individual when she reportedly brandished a gun, pointed it at the screen, put it in her mouth, and told the individual she was planning to conduct a mass shooting at Crestview High School in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An OCSO news release said the girl admitted to making the threat in the video and told deputies she sent photos of the gun to other friends and said it was a joke. Deputies reportedly searched her room and found several handmade drawings with concerning messages. A search of her phone led to the discovery of multiple pictures of semi-automatic weapons and videos depicting mass shootings, the OCSO said. The charge of making an electronic threat of a mass shooting or terrorist act is a second-degree felony. Gov. Kay Ivey on how Trump will affect Port of Mobile, I-10 Bridge Project Anyone with information about a potential school threat can contact Emerald Coast Student Crime Stoppers or call 850-863-TIPS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Okaloosa County Schools Superintendent Marcus Chambers released a statement after the 13-year-olds arrest: Our highest priority is the safety and security of our students, staff, and school communities, Chamber said. The Okaloosa County School District enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy for any threats against our schools whether real, false, or perceived. Such actions are treated with the utmost seriousness, as they compromise the safety and well-being of everyone in our school environments. I urge parents to have open and honest conversations with their children about the gravity of making threats and the serious consequences they carry, he continued. By addressing these concerns at home, you play an essential role in fostering accountability and helping us maintain safe and secure spaces for learning, growth, and success. Together, we can ensure that our schools remain places where students and staff feel protected and supported. 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 WKRG News 5. WEST SILOAM SPRINGS, Okla. (KNWA/KFTA) The Siloam Springs Fire Department along with members of its Special Operations Team rescued a worker who was stuck on a water tower in West Siloam Springs. According to the fire department, crews were able to safely bring the man down from the 140-foot water tower. There were no injuries. City Administrator Allan Gilbert said he is proud of and grateful for the work of the Fire Department Special Operations Team. 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 KNWA FOX24. Felonies The following people were booked into the Lee County-Tupelo Adult Jail in connection with felony charges ending Monday at 11 a.m. Tommy Joe Arnold, 43, of Rienzi, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, capias for possession of a firearm by a felon. Johnny W. Edwards, 60, of Shannon, was arrested by the Shannon Police Department, violation of post-release supervision, possession of paraphernalia, possession of marijuana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rashab Fryer, 20, of Malvern, Arkansas, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, felony shoplifting. Stacy Martell Gunn, 33, no address listed, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, aggravated domestic violence, public intoxication. Jennifer Norris Gurner, 47, of Fulton, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of a Schedule II drug. Katherine E. Kellum, 34, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, breaking and entering, embezzlement under contract. Antonio D. Long, 42, of Baldwin, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, burglary of a vehicle, open container. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bryan Lee Martin, 37, of Belden, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, capias for felony taking of a motor vehicle. Joshua Waymon Schubach, 34, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Verona Police Department, violation of probation, possession of a controlled substance. Kayla Sosa, 32, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, capias for two counts of possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, child endangerment - testing positive for drugs. Anna K. Sparks, 33, of Plantersville, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, burglary of an auto, petty larceny, simple assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christopher S. Wardlow, 37, of Pontotoc, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, burglary of a commercial building driving with a suspended license, improper equipment, Lee County Sheriffs Office The following reports were filed Monday by the Lee County Sheriffs Office. A Euclatubba Road, Saltillo, man said he heard about cars in the area being broken into, so he checked his wifes vehicle. It was unlocked, and the $200 metal detector he borrowed from a friend was gone. Neither he nor the friend had the serial number. A Tupelo man said he stopped by his cousins County Road 154, Shannon, house. He walked around the back of the house and visited for about 30 minutes. When he got ready to leave, the car was gone. He left the push-button-start 2012 Nissan Maxima running but took the key fob with him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A County Road 1190, Tupelo, woman said her cell phone has been missing since Nov. 24. She said she has looked everywhere in the house but could not locate the Motorola phone. A County Road 154, Shannon, woman said a stray dog, a golden Lab mix, had four puppies on her property recently. She just wants to find them a home somewhere. A County Road 1015, Tupelo, man said a female pit bull showed up on his front porch Friday morning. He said her face was swollen and had apparent cuts and tears on her face and neck. While examining her injuries, he noticed that nearly all of her teeth are missing, and her canines were filed down. He is concerned she was used as a bait dog in dog fighting. She is in bad shape, and he would like to get her some help, but he cannot keep the dog himself. Anyone with information on any of these reports is urged to call the Lee County Sheriff's Office at 841-9041, the Tupelo Police Department at 841-6491 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi at (800) 773-TIPS or download the P3 Tip App and leave an anonymous tip that way. WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) The holiday season is a time for giving, but someone decided to play the Grinch. The Wichita Falls Area Crime Stoppers needs the communitys help identifying the person accused of stealing over $15,000 worth of military gear from a truck bed. On Nov. 16, between 7:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m., someone took two storage crates from a white government-issued Ford F-350 parked in the Holiday Inn Express lot on Kell Boulevard in Wichita Falls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Wichita Falls Police Department warns that this gear could pose a serious risk to the community if it is in the wrong hands. Cleaning lady charged with theft over $300,000 Police encourage anyone who was in the area and saw anything suspicious or has any information that could help solve this case, please come forward. Your tip could be the key to closing this case and preventing further crimes. You can submit your tip completely anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at (940) 322-9888 or submitting an online tip. Tips leading to an arrest could earn you a cash reward upon board approval. Your information could make a real difference in bringing this suspect to justice and keeping our community safer. This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Texomashomepage.com. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) The Crittenton Center has announced that it has received a $15,000 holiday grant from the Missouri River Historical Development (MHRD). According to a press release, this grant will allow the Crittenton Center to purchase much-needed supplies for its Transitional Therapeutic Home (shelter), including an educational curriculum, therapeutic resources, and other items to support young children seeking refuge. Siouxland tree farm preparing for the holidays Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funds from MHRD come at a crucial time, said Kim Scorza, CEO of Crittenton Center. Weve seen a growing need to offer specialized resources for our littles, and this grant will directly impact our ability to provide them with a nurturing and supportive environment. Were deeply grateful to MHRD and the nomination of Gary Niles for recognizing the importance of this work and stepping up to assist during the holiday season. In addition to curriculum and therapeutic materials, funding will also be used to buy basic supplies, ensuring each child has access to the necessities required for a stable and comfortable stay at the shelter. 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. UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- UN humanitarians said on Monday that with the ceasefire in Lebanon, their colleagues and partners are aiding displaced people returning home and those remain displaced. According to the International Organization for Migration, nearly 580,000 people began returning to their communities in the first 24 hours after the ceasefire. National authorities reported that almost 90 percent of displaced people in collective shelters had left as of Saturday, with more than 22,000 people remaining in approximately 400 sites. Over 28,000 people have crossed from Syria into Lebanon since Wednesday, according to the UN Refugee Agency in Syria. More than 560,000 people have crossed into Syria from Lebanon since late September. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said challenges to those returning home include damaged infrastructure, limited services, safety concerns and the threat of unexploded ordnance. The World Health Organization reported prioritizing repairs to 14 hospitals and addressing the risk of disease outbreaks. Meanwhile, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) continues supporting water supply systems, with some 1.5 million people benefiting from 95 infrastructure repairs since September. The agency also provides emergency water, hygiene and sanitation support for 500,00 people. UNICEF said to date, it has had 14 humanitarian convoys reaching more than 49,000 people in hard-to-reach areas, with plans for more convoys. UN Habitat and its partners estimated that more than 15,000 buildings have been partially or fully destroyed in Lebanon's South and Nabatiyeh governorates, while the World Bank reported that around 100,000 housing units were partially or fully damaged since Israeli airstrikes began in late September. A missing 72-year-old man is suspected to have gone overboard a cruise ship outside San Francisco early Monday, according to the cruise line and local authorities. It wasn't immediately clear what led to the incident, but a spokesperson for Princess Cruises said its team had reviewed video footage from the ship and also had "searched thoroughly several times without success," ruling out any other possibilities for the man's whereabouts. The man, who wasn't immediately identified, had been traveling alone on the Ruby Princess, which had departed from San Francisco on Nov. 27 for a five-day trip, according to Briana Latter, a Princess Cruises spokesperson. The ship was set to return to San Francisco just before 7 a.m. Monday after traveling to San Diego and Ensenada, Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 1 dead after boat overturns off Redondo Beach. Child and captain among the rescued The man is believed to have gone overboard sometime early Monday before the ship docked, Latter said in a statement. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the guest," Latter said. The U.S. Coast Guard was called to assist in the investigation Monday afternoon, dispatching two aircraft to search the waters about 45 miles off the coast of Monterey, said Petty Officer Hunter Schnabel. He said they called off the search Monday night without success. . 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. WATERFORD, Conn. (WTNH) Two men who were arrested Monday are part of an organized retail theft operation that targeted high-end items at Waterford stores, according to state police. Scott Allen Bourgeois, 33, of Lebanon, and 47-year-old John D. Jones, of Putnam, were arrested Monday afternoon after they were spotted leaving a store with more than $1,000 worth of items, according to state police. A Connecticut State Police task force has been investigating the organized thefts. Troopers said that thieves have been stealing from several large retail corporations in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When approached by state police, Bourgeois and Jones allegedly ignored commands to stop and drove off. They were arrested after they stopped at a hospital in New London. Bourgeois was charged with fourth-degree larceny. Jones, who state police said was driving, was charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, fourth-degree larceny and disobeying signal of an officer. They have been released on $25,000 bonds. Scott Allen Bourgeois John D Jones (Source: Connecticut State Police) 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. (COLORADO SPRINGS) On Monday, Dec. 2, the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) responded to a call near South Tejon Street and Cheyenne Boulevard, about a car that had crashed into a neighborhood fence. The car turned out to be stolen and was used in an overnight crime spree, leading to an arrest with the assistance of K9 Zev. According to CSPD, when officers arrived at the scene on the 10 block of West Brookside Street around 9 a.m., they were informed that the driver of the crashed vehicle was setting things on fire near the property of the person who called in the incident. They found that the stolen vehicle was used in an overnight crime spree that included aggravated robbery before the driver crashed. CSPD said that officers recognized the driver as the aggravated robbery suspect, a 36-year-old woman named Elizabeth Walters. Officers had tried to arrest her around 1 a.m. the same morning, but she had gotten away in the same stolen vehicle, allegedly hitting two pedestrians and causing them serious injury during the escape. She was also reported to be carrying a firearm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the police had serious concerns over public safety from the earlier encounter, officers resumed attempts to apprehend Walters, but she ran, according to CSPD. A patrol officer shot a 40mm foam baton round at Walters, but it didnt stop her. K9 Officer Kelly and K9 Zev were on the scene, and Walters was warned to stop or Zev would be released, but she ignored the warnings and continued running, reported CSPD. Officer Kelly released Zev, who was wearing a ballistic protection vest. K9 Zev caught Walters and pulled her to the ground, allowing officers to safely approach and take her into custody. Walters was treated at the hospital for the minor injuries she got from K9 Zev during the incident and was later booked into the county jail on multiple felony charges related to the stolen vehicle, in addition to alleged robbery charges and for eluding the police. 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 FOX21 News Colorado. Another day, another recall might be an understatement as food safety concerns mount this holiday season. Costcos Kirkland brand eggs and a large batch of cucumbers are the latest items to face recalls due to potential salmonella contamination. According to Aimee Picchi of CBS News, The Kirkland Signature Organic Pasture Raised 24-Count Eggs were sold at 25 Costco locations across several states. The recall affects 10,800 packages of eggs from Handsome Brook Farm, distributed starting November 22, with a use by date of January 5, 2025. Impacted states include Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. No illnesses have been reported so far, but consumers are advised to discard or return the eggs for a refund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Forbes reporter Mary Whitfill Roeloffs notes that SunFed has recalled whole cucumbers sold in more than two dozen states. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the outbreak has sickened 68 people in 19 states, with 18 requiring hospitalization. Montana reported the most cases at 16, followed by Oregon and Colorado, each with seven to nine cases. The Arizona-based company issued the recall after the FDA linked several illnesses to cucumbers sold between October 12 and November 26, 2024. Consumers should discard or return the cucumbers for a refund. As holiday gatherings ramp up, shoppers should remain vigilant by checking food recall notices, especially when preparing meals for guests. Food recalls have become alarmingly frequent staying informed can help ensure safety at the table. A man has been charged in connection with a wrong-way crash on Interstate 95 in Newbury early Thanksgiving morning that claimed the life of a beloved Endicott College police sergeant, law enforcement officials announced Tuesday. Keoma Duarte, 40, of New Bedford, is slated to be arraigned Tuesday via Zoom in Newburyport District Court on charges of motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence of liquor, operating recklessly, manslaughter, and motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation in the death of Endicott College Police Sgt. Jeremy Cole, 49, of Exeter, New Hampshire, according to Essex District Attorney Paul F. Tucker. Cole was headed home from the colleges Beverly campus when a wrong-way driver in a 2023 Tesla Model Y, later identified as Duarte, struck his Chevrolet Trailblazer on the southbound side of the highway around midnight, according to Massachusetts State Police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cole was pronounced dead at the scene. Duarte was flown to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston with serious injuries, where he continues to undergo treatment. Tuckers office noted that Duarte also faces civil motor vehicle infractions for driving in the wrong direction on a state highway, speeding, and marked lanes violation. Grieving students, faculty, and staff gathered Monday at Endicott College to remember Cole. Candles were lit and students wrote out cards for Coles family, including one that read, J. Cole was the brightest and best person to be around. We are here for you like he was always here for us. Endicott President Steven DiSalvo remembered Cole as a kid soul who was always paying it forward and doing good deeds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeremy was an integral part of the Endicott family, and his impact on our community will be felt for years to come, DiSalvo said. Beyond his professional contributions, Jeremy was a kind and compassionate individual, deeply committed to his family and our campus. DiSalvo also announced that Endicott will pay for the tuition of Coles four children when theyre ready to attend college. One thing I did communicate is that the college will pay for their tuition when theyre ready to come to college to help in a small way to heal the wound that theyre dealing with right now, DiSalvo explained. Cole is survived by his wife, Laura, their four children, and his parents, Richard and Brenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cole will be honored with a procession that leads to a memorial when the college holds its annual festival of lights on Tuesday night. State police detectives assigned to the Essex District Attorneys Office are leading an investigation into the crash. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Authorities have identified the woman who was struck and killed by a minivan in Brockton on Tuesday morning. Officers responding to a report of a crash involving a pedestrian in the area of North Main and Battles streets just before 6:30 a.m. found a woman seriously injured in the roadway, according to Plymouth District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz. The woman, who Cruzs office identified as 37-year-old Brockton resident Bettie Etienne, was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A preliminary investigation revealed that Etienne was crossing the street when she was struck by a 20-year-old man driving a Dodge Caravan, according to Cruzs office. Video surveillance shows that the traffic light was green for traffic to proceed along North Main Street, and a red hand was illuminated on the pedestrian control signal, Cruzs office said in a statement. The driver remained at the scene of the crash. Charges havent been filed. Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to Cruzs office are assisting Brockton police with an investigation. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Tuesday on the Daily 8, were looking at GVSU students counting deer, a heroic Coast Guard rescue, AC/DC coming back to Michigan and more. You can watch the full Daily 8 for Dec. 3, 2024, in the video player above or check out any of the stories mentioned below: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each weekday, the Daily 8 brings you the top eight stories we are keeping an eye on in and around West Michigan. Join us again Wednesday for the Daily 8. 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. In a big foreign policy speech on Monday night, the Prime Minister warned Donald Trump that the UK would not side with America against the EU when he re-enters the White House next year. The comments come after speculation that the President-elect may launch a trade war against the EU and reduce support for Ukraine and even NATO. Kamal and Camilla discuss whether Britain will have to choose between the special relationship and closer ties to the EU under a Trump administration. And PR disaster, or marketing genius? As the boss of Jaguar defends their controversial rebrand, were joined by The Telegraphs motoring editor Paul Hudson to talk about the backlash and why their new Barbie-pink Jag is dividing opinion. Watch episodes of the Daily T here. You can also listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, and subscribe to The Daily T newsletter for updates. 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. * Since the China-Laos Railway started operation on Dec. 3, 2021, the time and logistics costs for freight transportation between China and Laos have significantly decreased, and economic and trade cooperation between the two countries further deepened. * In 2023, the bilateral trade volume between China and Laos reached 7.1 billion U.S. dollars, up 26.6 percent year on year. * As of Dec. 2, over 346,000 passengers from 108 countries and regions have traveled across border on the China-Laos Railway. Among them, about 49,000 were foreign nationals, with approximately 87 percent of them entering China visa-free. KUNMING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Three years since its launch, the China-Laos Railway has handled over 43 million passenger trips and more than 48.3 million tonnes of cargo, with safe operations. A flagship project within the framework of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, the 1,035-km railway, linking Kunming of southwest China's Yunnan Province and Laotian capital of Vientiane, has significantly enhanced regional connectivity, boosted regional economic growth, facilitated people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and demonstrated great development potential as a golden transport corridor. In this aerial drone photo, a fully loaded train operated independently by a Lao train driver leaves for Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, from Vientiane Station in Vientiane, Laos, Aug. 5, 2024. (Photo by Yang Yongquan/Xinhua) HIGH-QUALITY, COMFORTABLE JOURNEY Five-year-old Li Hao, seated by the window of train D87 departing Kunming South Station for Vientiane on Tuesday morning, clapped with joy as he balanced a coin with his father's help and watched it stay upright while the train gained speed. The popular "coin stability challenge" is tied to the TQI index, which gauges railway smoothness and service quality. A lower TQI value indicates a smoother ride and a better experience. Since its opening, the TQI of the China-Laos Railway has consistently remained below 2.7 millimeters, ensuring a high-quality and comfortable journey on par with high-speed rail. The maintenance of the China-Laos Railway's Chinese section is handled by the Pu'er infrastructure division of China Railway Kunming Bureau Group Co., Ltd., with track adjustments about every two weeks. "Track maintenance is highly precise, down to 0.1 millimeters," said Bian Jiang, foreman of the Mohan maintenance station, adding that the introduction of drones and track inspection vehicles have greatly enhanced efficiency and accuracy. The Chinese and Lao sections of the railway are operated and maintained under the same standards and requirements, with over 900 Chinese railway professionals having been sent to Laos to provide assistance. The Lao section of the railway also features advanced systems to protect key areas, including monitoring of rainfall, strong winds and foreign object intrusions, as well as tunnel inspection robots that improve efficiency and accuracy. "The railway has endured heavy traffic, torrential rains, and earthquakes," said Du Yonghui, director of the maintenance management center under China Railway Kunming Bureau Group Co., Ltd. in Luang Prabang of Laos. Over the past three years of operation, the railway has completed more than 100,000 train trips without a single safety incident. It is a model of high-standard, high-quality construction and maintenance for cross-border railways, said Ngamprasong Muangmani, Lao Minister of Public Works and Transport. Staff members participate in a maintenance drill of the overhead contact system near the Luang Prabang Station of the China-Laos Railway in Luang Prabang, Laos, on April 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli) TRADE FACILITATION On Tuesday noon, 20 tonnes of durians from Laos arrived at China's Mohan Station via the Lancang-Mekong Express service of the China-Laos Railway, receiving clearance to proceed within just five minutes. In April 2022, Kunming is entrusted to assume full management of Mohan Town in Yunnan's Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, and introduced swift customs clearance for the railway, significantly reducing clearance times at the Mohan railway port and boosting trade facilitation. Mohan has become a highland for opening up. "With the China-Laos Railway, we are confident in Mohan's future," said Wang Yi, general manager of China Railway Yunnan Construction Investment Co., Ltd., which has increased investments in Mohan and actively participated in key projects like the digital economy industrial park and industrial management center. Since the China-Laos Railway started operation on Dec. 3, 2021, the time and logistics costs for freight transportation between China and Laos have significantly decreased, and economic and trade cooperation between the two countries further deepened. In 2023, the bilateral trade volume between the two countries reached 7.1 billion U.S. dollars, up 26.6 percent year on year. The China-Laos Railway has facilitated China's exports of its mechanical and electrical products and agricultural goods, as well as imports of Laos and Thailand's natural rubber and tropical fruits, demonstrating increasing trade and economic exchanges along the route. As of this November, over 10.6 million tonnes of imported and exported goods, valued at over 44 billion yuan (about 6.11 billion U.S. dollars), had been handled by Kunming Customs since the railway began operations. The variety of goods transported across the border has also expanded, growing from more than 500 types to over 3,000, according to Kunming Customs. An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 1, 2022 shows a freight train (front) bound for Lao capital Vientiane in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Hu Chao) Since the railway's launch, sales of dried cassava chips from Laos have surged in China, sparking increased enthusiasm among Laotian farmers to plant cassava and even causing a short supply of cassava seedlings this year, said Hu Shengli, who works with Thongta International Logistics (Lao) Co., Ltd., adding that the China-Laos Railway has brought tangible benefits to the people of Laos. This September, the first multimodal freight train connecting China, Laos and Thailand departed Kunming for Vientiane, from where the goods were transported by road to Thai wholesale markets, completing the entire journey in just three days and a half. Chinese consumers enjoy better-quality durians, while Thai businesses and farmers benefit from new market opportunities, said Pan Jiaoling, chief operating officer of Thailand Speed Inter Transport Co., Ltd. A BRIDGE OF CULTURAL EXCHANGE In winter, Xishuangbanna, with its mild, pleasant climate, becomes a popular destination, drawing a steady flow of travelers aboard international passenger trains on the China-Laos Railway. "An increasing number of travelers from Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Laos are taking the China-Laos Railway into China to visit Xishuangbanna," said Chen Yunya, deputy general manager of Xishuangbanna Renda international travel agency, adding that the railway has built a bridge of cultural exchange between China and neighboring countries. The international passenger trains on the China-Laos Railway have made it possible to travel between Kunming and Vientiane, with round-trip services allowing same-day arrival. The passenger trains have greatly promoted cultural exchange along the railway, further strengthening the friendly ties between the two countries, according to Daophet Chanthanasinh, deputy consul-general of Lao PDR in Kunming. Passengers get ready for boarding at the Vientiane Station of the China-Laos Railway in Vientiane, Laos, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua) As of Dec. 2, over 346,000 passengers from 108 countries and regions have traveled across border on the China-Laos Railway. Among them, about 49,000 were foreign nationals, with approximately 87 percent of them entering China visa-free, according to the Mohan frontier checkpoint. "My home is in Vientiane, and my child studies in Kunming. Before the train service, long-distance bus travel was really difficult, and my child rarely came home. Now, with the China-Laos Railway, we can reach China in a day, making it easier for my child to visit and allowing us to fulfill our dream of visiting China," said Souksavanh, a traveler from Laos. On Nov. 19, the China-Laos Railway city alliance was established in Kunming. The launch cities of the alliance are Kunming and Vientiane, with the eight first members from both countries. "The China-Laos Railway city alliance will promote cultural exchange and mutual learning between China and Laos, creating a more interconnected cooperation network. The cities can work together in cultural and tourism sectors, fostering joint initiatives and sharing resources to attract global tourists," said Ma Yong, a researcher of Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences. This "steel Silk Road," as beautiful as the mountains and rivers it links, is expected to continue to enrich the lives of people along its route, fostering prosperity through trade and strengthening friendships through cultural exchange, Ma said. (Video reporters: Wang Anhaowei and Sun Min; video editors: Zhang Nan and Wei Yin) (KRON) San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced Khiri Roberson has been charged with attempted murder in connection with a November Bayview shooting on Monday. Roberson, 30, has been charged with one count of attempted murder with an allegation that he personally and intentionally discharged a firearm, four counts of discharge of a firearm at an inhabited dwelling, one count of possession of a firearm by a felon and one count of resisting, obstructing, delaying a peace officer. San Francisco Police Department officers responded to the 1100 block of Hollister for the report of a shooting at 2:13 p.m. on Nov. 19. Responding officers located a pregnant woman suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim was then taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect fled the scene before police arrived. According to police, investigators determined the suspect shot the woman while she was inside her residence with her daughter and other occupants. Tech startup founder goes viral for 84-hour work week post on X On Nov. 21, SFPD Crime Violent Reduction Team officers located Roberson and arrested him in Daly City. Investigators also responded to his residence on the 200 block of South Mayfair Avenue in Daly City and served a search warrant. During the search, officers seized evidence, including a firearm (pictured below). Photo: SFPD I would like to thank the San Francisco Police for identifying and making an arrest in this case, said Jenkins. Although, I am grateful there was no loss of life in this shooting, these are serious crimes, and my office will do everything in our power to fight for justice in the courtroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite filed charges, the DAs office said the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the San Francisco Police Department tip line at (415) 575-4444. 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. California officials are searching for a convicted murderer who escaped from custody this week while being transported to a court date. Cesar Hernandez, 34, was being transported into the Kern County Superior Courthouse in Delano Monday morning when he jumped out of a prison transport van and fled the scene, evading attempts to re-apprehend him, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) said in a press release. The prisoner's whereabouts remained unknown as of Tuesday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hernandez was convicted of first-degree murder in 2019 in Los Angeles, and was sentenced to 25 years to life in state prison with the possibility of parole. On Instagram, the Delano Police Department said Hernandez is "considered dangerous," and civilians should not approach him if they suspect they've spotted him. 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. Hernandez is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs about 161 lbs, the CDCR stated. He has brown eyes and black hair, and was last seen wearing an orange prison jumpsuit and white thermals. Those who suspect they've seen Hernandez are urged to call 911, or the Delano Police Department at 661-721-3377. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records show Hernandez was due for a status conference in Delano a city of approximately 50,000 residents about 30 miles north of Bakersfield on charges he had manufactured weapons while imprisoned in Kern County. Hernandez pled no contest to the felony and was due to be sentenced in January a potential third "strike" on his record making him eligible for an automatic life sentence. Read the original article on People NEW YORK Deliberations in the case against Daniel Penny began Tuesday after prosecutors asked a Manhattan jury to determine he killed Jordan Neely recklessly and needlessly. State Supreme Court Justice Maxwell Wiley instructed panelists on how to deliberate the case for around an hour before handing it off to them at around 1:15 p.m. In closing, Assistant District Attorney Dafna Yoran reiterated what she told jurors at the beginning of the more than monthlong trial that Pennys initial good intentions aboard an uptown F train on May 1, 2023, didnt shield him from accountability for ending Neelys life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats so tragic about this case is that even though the defendant started out trying to do the right thing, as the chokehold progressed, the defendant knew that Jordan Neely was in great distress and dying, and he needlessly continued, Yoran said in Manhattan Supreme Court. The defendant was given all the signs that he needed to stop. He ignored them and kept going until a man died. He must be held accountable for that. Penny, 26, a former Marine from Suffolk County, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison if convicted on the top count and no minimum. To find Penny guilty of manslaughter, jurors must determine he caused Neelys death and did so recklessly and unjustifiably. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To convict him of criminally negligent manslaughter, they must find he caused Neelys death with criminal negligence that was not justified. Jurors heard from multiple passengers who witnessed the incident. Many described feeling terrified after Neely boarded the F train they were riding on a Monday afternoon at Second Ave. and started screaming when the doors closed about wanting something to eat and not caring about whether he died or went to jail. Nobody accused Neely of touching them or directing threats at anyone specific when Penny took him down from behind in a chokehold that began while the train was in motion and lasted for nearly six minutes when it reached the next stop, Broadway-Lafayette, and passengers fled to safety. The incident was largely captured in cell phone footage played throughout the trial. Neely was not armed and had nothing in his pockets but a muffin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also heard from passengers who said Neelys outburst resembled the behavior of other people theyd witnessed on the trains appearing to suffer from mental illness, and from witnesses who were present when Penny continued to subdue Neely. One man who helped Penny said he advised him to let go of his grip on Neelys neck, to no avail. As you know, youre not here to decide whether you would want to ride on the train with Daniel Penny or whether you would want to ride on the train with Jordan Neely, Yoran said Tuesday. The only thing you need to determine here is whether or not the evidence at this trial has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant killed Jordan Neely recklessly and needlessly. In his closing argument on Monday, Pennys lawyer, Steven Raiser, asked jurors not to find his client responsible for what resulted when he tried to do the right thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was actually over seven minutes for the police to arrive to help after the first 911 call. Without even arriving with a simple rescue breath mask. Not a single one among them. And a total of 20 minutes for EMS to arrive. But what did that broken system do for Jordan Neelys chances of surviving this medical occurrence? Raiser said. The government wasnt there. The police were not there, when the people on that train needed help. Danny was. And then when he was the one that needed help, no help arrived. Not for him, and certainly not for Mr. Neely. And the government has the nerve to blame Danny for acting and then blame Danny for holding on because the police were not there. In addition to arguing that their client acted justifiably, Pennys defense at trial aggressively challenged the unanimous determination of staffers at the city medical examiners office that Neely died as a result of the chokehold, proposing Neelys history of drug use and mental health issues could have been contributors. Prosecutors called Pennys former trainer in the Marines, who said he incorrectly applied the chokehold mechanism hed been taught. In the beginning, the chokehold may not have been deadly physical force, as the minutes ticked by, it clearly became deadly physical force, Yoran said in her summation Monday. If he had let go after a few seconds, it would not have been. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Penny, who served for four years, was studying architecture and working as a barback in Brooklyn at the time of the incident and was on the train that day headed to the gym. Jurors have heard he grew up in a tight-knit family and community, getting good grades in high school, where he played upright bass with the school orchestra and was on the lacrosse team. Neely was homeless and dealing with drug addiction, mental illness, and multiple brushes with the law in the years before his death; his family says he was derailed by his mothers murder when he was 14. When he was stable, he became a familiar face to many New Yorkers from his street performances emulating Michael Jackson. The incident garnered national attention after footage of the chokehold went viral in the aftermath. Penny became a right-wing cause celebre, raking in millions of dollars in donations toward his legal defense. The case has provoked debate about mental illness, public safety, and vigilantism. At a time when many of the citys subway riders were on edge following a spate of particularly heinous acts of violence on the trains, many who support Penny have said he acted commendably. Those who called for his arrest and now his conviction have pointed out that Neely didnt hurt anyone and say he was tremendously vulnerable and in need of help, not harm. _____ (NewsNation) Jury deliberations began on Tuesday in the trial of Daniel Penny, the Marine veteran who is accused of choking a man to death on a New York City subway in 2023. On Tuesday, prosecutors wrapped up their closing arguments in the trial, which began in November and has included 40 witnesses over the past seven weeks. Penny is charged with manslaughter and reckless homicide in the death of Jordan Neely. Prosecutors have argued that while Penny is justified in defending himself, he went too far in placing a chokehold on Neely, a man experiencing homelessness who was witnessed threatening passengers and behaving erratically. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JonBenet Ramsey: Geraldo Rivera apologizes to her dad for mock trial Pennys attorneys maintain that their client likely saved lives after Neely reportedly threatened to kill fellow passengers. The central issue of the trial is which way Pennys actions should be perceived. Neely arrived at court on Tuesday with bystanders chanting, guilty, guilty, guilty as the architecture student made his way to the courthouse. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg attended Mondays closing arguments and was seated with Neelys family. Bragg was not in attendance on Tuesday as a judge gave instructions to the jury early in the afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pennys attorneys said that their client risked his life for other passengers. They also asked jurors to put themselves in the shoes of subway passengers, but prosecutors argued that Penny used way too much force for way too long. They also argued that society cannot tolerate an unjust and untimely death of a fellow American based on what could have been empty threats. Neely was found to have a synthetic form of marijuana in his system and suffered from several medical conditions at the time of his death, experts have testified during the trial. Neely also had a warrant out for his arrest at the time. The jury is made up of seven women and five men and there is no timeline for how long deliberations could take before a verdict is returned. 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 NewsNation. A study found older couples living apart experienced more mental-health benefits than single people. A dating expert said older people tend to be more independent and set in their ways. Being open to living apart also widens the dating pool, particularly for older women, she said. Moving in together is one of the biggest relationship milestones. How well you blend into one unit often precludes other big changes, including getting married or raising kids. But for older couples, there's another appealing relationship setup: living apart, together also known as LAT. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A new study found that couples living apart experienced more mental-health benefits than single people. The study examined data gathered on over 15,000 British people between 60 and 85 years old and found that while LAT relationships didn't confer more mental-health benefits than being married, people who exited LAT relationships had fewer negative mental-health consequences than couples who divorced or left a shared home. Ury, the director of relationship science at Hinge and an on-air expert in Netflix's "The Later Daters," told Business Insider that she's been seeing this trend thrive. "They're like, 'I have my house set up the way I want. You have your house set up the way you want,'" Ury said. "'Why don't we be in a long-term relationship, but we don't need to live together?'" It's not just logistical. Ury said living apart, together has a ton of perks particularly for older daters. It widens your dating pool If you're comfortable living in separate homes, it can broaden your dating options. You can manage differences in social lives or hobbies more easily by living independently than by trying to find someone who matches your lifestyle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ury said this is appealing to older daters. When you're younger and looking to start a family, "you want someone maybe with the same religion, the same lifestyle, the same education," she said. But for older daters who aren't looking to raise kids together, ticking off all those boxes is often less important. Living apart allows each person to live in their own world and that could be a boon for some relationships. You don't have to compromise as much LAT gives couples the opportunity to keep living how they want, with the benefit of romantic companionship. The study's authors concluded older women would likely benefit the most from the arrangement. Women often take on more domestic labor in marriage or cohabitation, so they "may have more to gain than older men from LAT" by having more autonomy, they wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ury said it makes sense that older women are drawn to LAT. Her research shows older daters typically have a "stronger sense of self" than younger people. She added that older people have reported having more satisfying sex because they know their bodies better and are more capable of asking for what they want. Knowing yourself also makes it harder to compromise, whether it comes to sharing a bedroom or eating the same meals. "People are stuck in their ways, Ury said. "They're less flexible and they have their ways of doing things." Ury said younger couples are like startups that grow together, whereas couples are more like mergers. "Mergers are notoriously hard because each one has their own HR department, their own CEO," she said. "It can be hard to blend those things." Read the original article on Business Insider WASHINGTON (DC News Now) On Dec. 2, 1859, a well-known abolitionist was hanged. John Brown was known for his raid on Harpers Ferry. His advance on the town started on the evening of Oct. 16, 1859, when he captured two slave owners and freed all of their slaves. The events that followed were filled with bloodshed. The first man killed was Hayward Shepherd, a free Black man. He was shot while inspecting a passenger train for his job working with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown had anticipated that slaves in the area would join his raid, but they did not additionally, local militia and the U.S. Marines (under the command of General Robert E. Lee) put down the raid. Many of Browns men were killed or captured, including several who were shot at while carrying flags of surrender. Sixteen people total died in the raid, among them were 10 of Browns raiders. On This Day | Macys holds first Thanksgiving Day Parade Browns trial started on Oct. 27. He was charged with murder, conspiring with enslaved people to rebel and treason against the state of Virginia. His trial lasted five days, and with only 45 minutes of deliberation, jurors declared Brown guilty of all charges. John Browns final moments as he headed to his hanging. (Library of Congress) Brown left a final prophecy, his last written words before he was hanged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with blood. I had, as I now think, vainly flattered myself that without very much blood shed it might be done. John Browns last written words The Civil War the deadliest war in U.S. history started due to disputes about slavery in 1861, less than two years after Browns failed coup. 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. Georgian law enforcement began dispersing anti-government protesters outside the Georgian Parliament near midnight on 3 December. Source: European Pravda; Georgian media Details: Police started pushing protesters away from the Freedom Square, while deploying water cannons on a side street leading to Rustaveli Avenue. Some reports also indicate the use of tear gas. Media outlets have published footage of harsh detentions, including the beating of some protesters. Police already started dragging people away. Video: Mariam Nikuradze pic.twitter.com/zCtP7eBhl4 Formula NEWS | English (@FormulaGe) December 3, 2024 In response, part of the demonstrators set off firecrackers to hold back the police and allow others to retreat to safer areas. : pic.twitter.com/ti1pu5xa8q (@ukrpravda_news) December 3, 2024 "Tear gas and water cannons used disproportionately. Massive arrests and ill treatment," she wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Background: On 28 November, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of the ruling Georgian Dream party announced that Tbilisi would not pursue negotiations on EU membership "until the end of 2028". His statement followed a European Parliament resolution calling not to recognise the results of the October parliamentary elections. Protests erupted outside the parliament in Tbilisi following the announcement, leading to clashes that have been harshly suppressed. The total number of detainees has exceeded 200. Demonstrations are also taking place in other cities. Support UP or become our patron! WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Police in D.C. are looking for two people they said were involved in over a dozen burglaries and attempted burglaries in less than 24 hours throughout the District. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is asking for the communitys help in identifying the two people, as well as their car. The department released surveillance images of the suspects on Monday night. USPS warns holiday shoppers of smishing texts At the following locations, MPD said the suspects forcibly entered businesses, took property and fled: On Monday, December 2, 2024, at approximately 2:07 a.m., in the 1500 block of East Capitol Street, Northeast. On Monday, December 2, 2024, at approximately 2:40 a.m., in the 200 block of K Street, Northeast. On Monday, December 2, 2024, at approximately 2:42 a.m., in the 200 block of M Street, Northeast. On Monday, December 2, 2024, at approximately 3:05 a.m., two establishments in the 1200 block of New Hampshire Avenue, Northwest. On Monday, December 2, 2024, at approximately 3:15 a.m., in the 100 block of 13 th Street, Southeast. On Monday, December 2, 2024, at approximately 3:31 a.m., in the 3100 block of Dumbarton Street, Northwest. On Monday, December 2, 2024, at approximately 3:32 a.m., in the 1300 block of Wisconsin Avenue, Northwest. On Monday, December 2, 2024, at approximately 4:31 a.m., in the 4500 block of Wisconsin Avenue, Northwest. On Monday, December 2, 2024, at approximately 6:18 a.m., in the 2400 block of Market Place, Northeast. On Monday, December 2, 2024, at approximately 8:29 a.m., in the 1800 block of Wisconsin Avenue, Northwest. At the following locations, MPD said the suspects tried to enter establishments, and then drove off in a car: On Monday, December 2, 2024, at approximately 3:11 a.m., in the 1300 block of Wisconsin Avenue, Northwest. On Monday, December 2, 2024, at approximately 3:23 a.m., in the 3000 block of K Street, Northwest. On Monday, December 2, 2024, at approximately 4:25 a.m., in the 4200 block of Wisconsin Avenue, Northwest. On Monday, December 2, 2024, at approximately 4:30 a.m., in the 4200 block of Wisconsin Avenue, Northwest. On Monday, December 2, 2024, at approximately 4:35 a.m., in the 4200 block of Wisconsin Avenue, Northwest. On Monday, December 2, 2024, at approximately 6:00 a.m., in the 1000 block of Brentwood Road, Northeast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who can identify the suspects, their car or has any information is asked to contact MPD at (202) 727-9099 or text the departments tip line at 50411. 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. DELTA, Ala. (WCMH) The Cleburne County Sheriffs Office said it is still investigating the death of a Marysville woman who went missing and was found dead in a remote area of eastern Alabama. The sheriffs office said Monday during a news conference that Vendula Wendy Rose was found Saturday about five miles north of the Pinhoti Trailhead in Cheaha State Park, which is where authorities originally found her car on Oct. 8, six days after she was reported missing. Marysville schools offer new religious release program through Satanic Temple Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roses body was discovered by a hunter, deputies said, in the Talladega National Forest. The hunter told deputies he came across a campsite and saw what appeared to be a body inside a hammock style tent. Identification was made based on photos and on ID cards in a nearby bag. An Alabama flock camera caught a photo of Vendula Wendy Roses car leading up to her disappearance. (Courtesy Photo/Marysville Police Division) Deputies said they are still investigating and would not say whether foul play was suspected. At this point in time, it is under investigation, Cleburne County Coroner Adam Downs said regarding whether they thought Roses death was the result of foul play. Im going to leave all those questions to the sheriffs office in terms of foul play. Reports of Roses disappearance were received after she never returned from her camping trip. Police said she was last seen Sept. 24 and had been scheduled to return home on Oct. 2. After Roses car was found, search parties looked for her on foot through 36 miles of surrounding trails and also checked remote areas with helicopters and drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriffs office at 256-463-2277. Nexstars WIAT 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the 2024 World Conference on Traditional Medicine that opened in Beijing on Tuesday. #XinhuaNews HANOI, Vietnam (AP) A court in Vietnam on Tuesday upheld the death sentence for real estate tycoon Truong My Lan but said it could be commuted to life if she reimburses some $11 billion, or three-fourths of what she defrauded in the countrys biggest financial crime. The scale of her fraud shocked the nation, with analysts raising questions about whether other banks or businesses had similarly erred. It has also dampened Vietnams economic outlook and made foreign investors jittery at a time when Vietnam has been trying to position itself as a home for businesses pivoting their supply chains away from China. Lan, 67, was convicted in April of embezzlement and bribery amounting to $12.5 billion, equivalent to 3% of the countrys GDP. As chairperson of the Van Thinh Phat real estate firm, the court said she illegally controlled Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank between 2012 and 2022 and allowed 2,500 loans that cost the bank $27 billion in losses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A higher court in Ho Chi Minh on Tuesday rejected her appeal of the conviction but said that her death sentence could be commuted to life if she reimburses three-fourth of the losses, working out to around $11 billion, state media reported. Her lawyers argued that she had repaid the money but the court disagreed since there were legal issues with some of the seized properties and prosecuting agencies couldn't assess their value, VN Express reported. Lan's lawyers also noted several mitigating circumstances she had admitted guilt, showed remorse and had paid back part of the amount. I feel pained due to the waste of national resources, she said last week, according to state media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the court said her violations had negatively impacted banking, caused public disorder and eroded peoples trust, VN Express said. Under Vietnamese law, death sentences aren't immediately carried out and there is an extended legal process, said Nguyen Khac Giang, a visiting fellow in the Vietnam Studies Program at Singapores ISEASYusof Ishak Institute. He added that Lan would seek another review of the case or a presidential pardon to reduce her sentence. Moreover, if she repays at least three-quarters of the misappropriated funds, the court may consider commuting her sentence to life imprisonment, he said. Her arrest was among the most high-profile in an anti-corruption drive in Vietnam that intensified after 2022. The so-called Blazing Furnace campaign touched the highest echelons of Vietnamese politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lan, 67, and her family had set up the Van Thing Phat company in 1992, after Vietnam shed its state-run economy in favor of a more market-oriented approach open to foreigners. The company grew into one of Vietnams richest real estate firms, with luxury residential buildings, offices, hotels and shopping centers. This made her a key player in the countrys financial industry. She orchestrated the 2011 merger of the beleaguered SCB bank with two other lenders in coordination with Vietnams central bank. The court said that she used this to tap SCB for cash and, according to government documents, owned more than 90% of the bank while approving thousands of loans to ghost companies. These loans, according to state media, found their way to her and she bribed officials to cover her tracks. The scale of the crime meant the case was split into two trials, and Lan was sentenced to another life sentence in October. At that trial, she was accused of raising $1.2 billion from nearly 36,000 investors by issuing bonds illegally through four companies, state media reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was also found guilty of siphoning off $18 billion obtained through fraud and for using companies controlled by her to illegally transfer more than $4.5 billion in and out of Vietnam between 2012 and 2022. Vietnam has handed down more than 2,000 death sentences in the past decade and executed more than 400 prisoners. It is a possible sentence for 14 different crimes but is typically applied for cases of murder and drug trafficking. Brownville United Methodist Churchs Drive Thru Live Nativity will be on Friday & Saturday, Dec. 6 & 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. Brownville United Methodist Church 333 Brown Blvd Brownville, NY Brownville United Methodist Church would appreciate canned food donations to support the Food Pantry. 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 WWTI - InformNNY.com. Update 7:15 p.m. DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) During the Decatur City Councils Monday night meeting, they approved both the Citys AFSCME union contract and a 6% property tax levy. The new AFSCME union contract passed unanimously. Itll cover January 2025, through December 2028, includes a 4% raise each year and requires that City workers to live within a 50-mile radius of Decatur. The tax levy faced more opposition during the meeting. Multiple community members asked the council to reconsider approving the tax levy. The council discussed three different options, ranging from 5-7%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City said that the 7% increase would increase property taxes for median-priced homes in Decatur around $14 annually. A 6% increase would increase property taxes by around $7 a year. A 5% increase to the levy would result in no increase in property taxes for a $135,000 property in 2025, according to Decatur. The median average for property in Decatur is valued at $135,000. First, the City voted on the 7% increase. That failed with everyone voting no. Next, they voted on the 6% increase. Four members voted for the increase and three voted against it, passing the tax levy by a slim margin. DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) The Decatur City Council will meet Monday night to discuss changes to the Citys AFSCME union contract and the property tax levy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current AFSCME contract expires on Dec. 31. And, for the past several months, the City and the union have been negotiating to create a new contract. The new agreement would cover four years beginning in January 2025, through December 2028. Abandoned Decatur home destroyed by overnight fire The contract would include a 4% raise each year and would require that City workers live within a 50-mile radius of Decatur. According to City Manager Tim Gleason and Director of Human Resources French Wilson, it is recommended that the City Council approves the new collective bargaining agreement. On Monday, the City will also discuss approving the 2024 property tax levy for the Citys portion of property taxes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the City, Decatur accounts for 16% of the total property tax bill. Now, the Council will choose to levy between 5-7% more in property taxes than in 2023. The City said that the 7% increase will increase property taxes for median-priced homes in Decatur around $14 annually. The median average for property in Decatur is valued at $135,000. A 5% increase to the levy would result in no increase in property taxes for a $135,000 property in 2025, according to Decatur. According to City documents, the Illinois Truth in Taxation law requires the City to conduct a public hearing if the total levy is projected to increase by 5% or more. Both Gleason and City Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Ruby James recommend that the City Council approves the property tax levy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The meeting will take place Monday, Dec. 2 at 5:30 p.m. 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. On Sunday, Joe Biden broke his word and granted his son one of the most generous pardons ever issued by an American president. Hunter Biden will now enjoy immunity from prosecution for crimes he may have committed over the 11 years that span Jan. 1, 2014, to Dec. 1, 2024. Some of those years go back to when Hunter ran the family grift, peddling influence and access to his father, the then-vice president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That Hunter got fabulously rich off his fathers name and title was no mystery to Joe Biden. Had he been an ethical man, he would have sat his son down long ago and promised him the gates of hell if he didnt close the bazaar. Joe Biden could've reined in Hunter. He didn't But Joe Biden never had that talk with Hunter. Joe Biden played the Big Guy on dozens of conference calls to Hunters wealthy clients, and here we are. Most Republicans who express outrage at the pardon lack the moral authority to pack much punch. Their fulminations ring hollow when they long supported the king of norm-breakers, the next president of the United States the one who broke with centuries of American tradition and refused to concede defeat four years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To name just one offense. So, it was important that Arizona U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton a Democrat step up and denounce President Biden, the retiring leader of his party. That 11-year pardon also covers convictions for Hunter lying on federal forms that he was drug-clean when he purchased a gun, for lying to a gun dealer and for possessing a firearm while hooked on drugs in 2018. It includes the three felony and six misdemeanor convictions Hunter pleaded guilty to for failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes between 2016 and 2019. President says his son's troubles are political In a statement on Sunday, Joe Biden wrote, No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunters cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ... I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice. Thats where Stanton pounced. Opinion: If Congress green-lights Trump, Senate should OK Hobbs This wasnt a politically motivated prosecution, Stanton told CNN. Hunter committed felonies and was convicted by a jury of his peers. Later, he told News Nation, Theres no indication that the special counsel who charged Hunter Biden was in any way swayed by politics ... In fact, those are the arguments that Donald Trump has generally made about the Department of Justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stanton expressed his admiration and support for Joe Biden but said his actions on Sunday undercut an important U.S. institution. Stanton speaks up, as Democrats should The Greg Stanton Central Station naming ceremony takes place at the A.E. England Building on Jan. 1, 2021, in Phoenix, Ariz. I think it is critically important that we try to build up American confidence in our judicial system and the Department of Justice at a time it is coming under attack, Stanton said. This decision by the president to pardon his son, and to do it in a way in which he suggests it was a political prosecution, undermines the Department of Justice and hurts this important institution in the rule of law. ... It is important that the American people ... dont feel like theres a two-tiered system of justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stanton joins a chorus of reality Democrats who understand the corrosive nature of the Biden pardon. Some of them include U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo.; Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash.; and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennett, D-Colo. And there will be more, Stanton told News Nation. (The Democratic House Caucus) is not a shy group, so I think youll see a lot of members speak their mind in the next few days. Democrats may wince at that and fire back. But these are loyalists to the party and country. Stanton is running a race to normalcy Republicans won a convincing victory in our national election, but the contest for political primacy in this generation is not over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is now a race to normalcy, to rebuilding what was bulldozed in the spasms of national populism on the right and identity politics on the left that have shaken Americas foundations. If the next Trump administration does not steady the ship and its nominations of the ethically challenged Matt Gaetz and convicted felon Charles Kushner raise real doubts that it will the American people will fire them and turn to someone else. Stanton is standing up for the rule of law in this country. He risks offending his own voters in the process and deserves the respect of all Arizonans for what hes doing. Phil Boas is an editorial columnist with The Arizona Republic. Email him at phil.boas@arizonarepublic.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Biden pardon harms the rule of law, Rep. Stanton wisely says | Opinion Austin Davis of Pennsylvania will lead the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association and has his sights set on clawing back ground for a party reeling from defeats in last months election. Davis is set to be elevated to be the party committees chair in a vote on Tuesday, he first told POLITICO, a formality because he is uncontested. The party committee is small compared with its congressional and gubernatorial counterparts. But Democratic lieutenant governors which Davis called the most diverse group of elected officials in the country could help to refill the partys bench after a disappointing November. Over the next two years, there will be over two dozen lieutenant governors elected across the country, some independently and some as part of a gubernatorial ticket. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview, Davis did not rule out the DLGA getting involved in the partys primary contest in next years off-year elections in Virginia, an open seat they want to flip, if it means weeding out candidates who prove they cant win or will drag the party down in the general election. We're still developing the strategy, Davis said. We look to make sure that we have the best possible candidate in every race. And while we don't currently have plans to get involved in the LG primary, we're not afraid to if situational circumstances demand it. Republicans swept Virginias top statewide offices three years ago, in a shock election that reverberated across the country. Now, the Virginia lieutenant governors office is a major target for Davis and the committee. There are currently four candidates on the Democratic side who have expressed interest in the second-in-command position. Ghazala Hashmi and Aaron Rouse, both state senators, Babur Lateef, the chair of the Prince William County School Board, and Levar Stoney, the outgoing mayor of Virginias capital city of Richmond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre vying for the post currently held by Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, who is running to replace Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who cannot seek another term. Virginia lieutenant governors are elected independently of the governor, and the post has frequently served as a launching pad to a higher office in the commonwealth. Davis said the DGLA is buoyed by the outcome of the North Carolina contest in November, where the group dropped some $2 million in the race. That included a significant campaign to boost the eventual Republican nominee Hal Weatherman in his primary, in a bid to face a weaker candidate in the general election. Committee officials argue their spending helped lay the groundwork for Rachel Hunt to become the first Democrat to win the seat since 2008. The DLGA this year also spent seven figures boosting Delaware Democratic Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Longs gubernatorial bid, although she ultimately lost in the primary. The DLGA membership is predominantly women or people of color, something Davis said represents a strength of the organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think we're really representative of the party writ large, but also where the future of the Democratic Party needs to go, Davis said. The pitch of leaning into diversity also comes as Republicans to some degree successfully used diversity, equity and inclusion as a wedge issue, painting Democrats as too focused on identity politics instead of working to address the economy and immigration, top issues for voters heading into Election Day. Davis said that while the partys push to have a more diverse field of candidates is important, Democrats must showcase their diversity beyond race and gender and focus on socio-economic issues to connect with an American public he said is tuning out the partys message. I'm the son of a union bus driver and a hairdresser who's also Black and Pennsylvania's first Black lieutenant governor. But when I think of Kim Driscoll [of Massachusetts] who will be our vice chair, she's the wife of a bricklayer. And Sara Rodriguez is a nurse from Wisconsin, Davis said. I think we need to have more elected officials who have actual real lived experiences that are similar to everyday Americans. This story first appeared in POLITICO Pros Morning Score newsletter. Sign up for POLITICO Pro. WASHINGTON Some of Wisconsins top Democrats on Capitol Hill joined a chorus of their colleagues on Monday in pushing back on President Joe Bidens decision over the weekend to pardon his son before leaving office. Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin suggested pardons should not be used for family members or to hand out political favors. And Rep. Mark Pocan offered a tempered response, speculating President-Elect Donald Trump could use the move as an excuse to make pardons of his own, including for those convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Presidents have the right to pardon who they want, but I fundamentally believe pardons should be used to right the wrongs of the past not for family members or to hand out political favors, Baldwin said in a statement to the Journal Sentinel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The comments come as a handful of Democrats have criticized Bidens move on Sunday to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, after previously saying he would not do so. Some fretted that the decision could create a worrisome precedent while others said it could damage trust in the government. The Hunter Biden pardon covered offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from Jan. 1, 2014, through Dec. 1, 2024. The younger Biden was convicted of three federal gun felonies and on federal tax charges earlier this year. Biden on Sunday said those cases were politically motivated, claiming that charges against his son came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election. No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunters cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son and that is wrong, Biden wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pocan on Monday told the Journal Sentinel he believed Bidens decision was partly proactive made with the expectation that the Justice Department under a second Trump term would go after the Biden family. He said Biden being a father concerned about his son and what the Justice Department under Trump might do was probably not a good enough reason to issue the pardon, but he said he was more concerned that it could give Trump excuses to help his own allies. We already knew that Trump was going to use a bunch of pardons for Jan. 6 folks and others, Pocan said. And now, I guess, hes going to use this as an excuse for doing what he already told us he was going to do. Thats unfortunate, Pocan added, because it implies, somehow, that the Department of Justice was weaponized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baldwin in her statement hinted at a similar line of thinking: I expect to hear the same outrage from Republicans about President Trumps use of pardons to help his supporters and well-connected donors. Other Democrats pushed back more forcefully against the pardon. Sen. Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat, called the decision wrong and said it was an improper use of power, it erodes trust in our government, and it emboldens others to bend justice to suit their interests. And Sen. Michael Bennet, a Colorado Democrat, wrote on X: President Bidens decision put personal interest ahead of duty and further erodes Americans faith that the justice system is fair and equal for all. Wisconsin Republicans call Hunter Biden pardon meddling Wisconsin Republicans, meanwhile, panned the move as evidence of unwarranted meddling in the justice system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ron Johnson wrote on X that the pardon confirmed that under Democrat governance, there truly is a dual system of justice. One that protects Democrats and another weaponized against their political opponents. My guess is that Joe Biden's legacy will be, hell go down in history as probably the worst not only the worst president in U.S. history, but also the most corrupt, Johnson said during an interview on Fox on Monday. Rep. Scott Fiztgerald, who sits on the House Judiciary, which launched inquiries into the Bidens, said the pardon blatantly confirms what weve exposed: a justice system Joe Biden has manipulated for personal and political gain, further eroding the publics trust. Rep. Tom Tiffany, also a member of the House Judiciary Committee, in a statement to the Journal Sentinel called the move a blatant disregard for the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Rep. Derrick Van Orden called the pardon a striking confirmation that (Biden) is one of the most crooked presidents in United States history. Hunter is guilty of committing numerous crimes yet flouted the justice system solely because of his last name, Van Orden said. President Biden, who repeatedly lied to the American people about a pardon, abused his authority to shield his son from the consequences of his crimes. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Democrats Baldwin, Pocan express disappointment over Biden pardon By Andrea Shalal and Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) -While many Democrats are calling for a party overhaul after Kamala Harris lost every battleground state to Republican Donald Trump in the presidential election, some party officials insist it could have been worse and are asking for fresh donations. The party lost ground in the Nov. 5 election among once-core working class, Latino and women voters. Republicans emerged in charge of the White House and both houses of Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic National Committee chair Jaime Harrison sought to play down the extent of the defeat in a memo on Tuesday. "Although Democrats did not achieve what we set out to do, Trump wasnt able to capture the support of more than 50% of the electorate and Democrats beat back global headwinds that couldve turned this squeaker into a landslide," Harrison wrote. "Trump's election is far from a mandate." Harrison, who has said he plans to leave his post next year, said the result fit a global pattern in which 80% of incumbent parties lost seats or vote share in 2024. The partys heavy campaign spending across the country helped prevent "what could have been a larger red wave" of Republican victories, he said. Far-right parties have gained ground in Europe, especially with younger voters, and are questioning climate change and pro-immigration policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats raised about $1.5 billion in the 2024 campaign, much of it after Harris took over from President Joe Biden as the candidate in late July. Nonetheless, the campaign finished the election in the red, financially and politically. "Continued investment in the central party apparatus is crucial," Harrison said. Harris' loss shocked many Democratic voters and activists who thought a flood of volunteers, fundraising and fresh momentum would help her win. Some Democrats blamed Biden for not stepping aside earlier. U.S. voters identified jobs and the economy as the country's most pressing problem, Reuters/Ipsos opinion polls found, and were concerned about high prices. Trump also claimed, without evidence, a rise in crime due to illegal immigration and blamed immigrants for high prices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Top Harris advisers, including her campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon, deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks, and advisers Stephanie Cutter and David Plouffe cited other outside factors in a recent interview. They said Americans' post-COVID economic woes and the short 107-day span of the Harris campaign worked against Democrats and the damage caused by two hurricanes in the final weeks before Election Day diverted attention from Harris whirlwind campaign. "This political environment sucked, okay? We were dealing with ferocious headwinds, and I think peoples instinct was to give the Republicans, and even Donald Trump, another chance. So we had a complicated puzzle to put together here in terms of the voters," Plouffe told podcast Pod Save America last week. James Carville, a party strategist who was the top political aide to former President Bill Clinton, has called for an audit of the campaign and the Democratic Super Political Action Committee known as Future Forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said fundraisers are exhausted. "Theyre really pissed now, and the damage that the 2024 campaign has done, that the damage that this decade has done to the Democratic brand is almost unfathomable," Carville said on a recent podcast. Senator Bernie Sanders, a former presidential candidate, is among lawmakers blaming the loss on Democrats' failure to focus on working class issues. Others have clamored for new leadership, especially after hearing the Harris campaign managers' explanations. "If I see a dumpster fire and we've put it out and I want to work on how to prevent future dumpster fires, I'm not going to go talk to the arsonists," Aidan Kohn-Murphy, the founder of Gen Z for Change, a political activism group, said on TikTok. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DNC invested $264 million in U.S. states, Harrison wrote in Tuesday's memo, helping to pass state abortion rights measures, win legislative seats in others and make it easier for workers to unionize. Trump defeated Harris in the Electoral College 312-226 but received slightly less than 50% of the popular vote because of third-party candidates. His margin of victory over Harris by total votes -- around 1.5% -- ranks 44th out of 51 elections since 1824, Harrison said. Democrats won Senate seats in four states that Trump won, and Democratic Senate candidates in battleground states overperformed Harris by an average of 5 percentage points, Harrison wrote. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal and Jeff Mason; Editing by Heather Timmons and Stephen Coates) Senate Democrats staged dramatic showdowns to protest nominations during President-elect Donald Trumps first term in office. This time around, Democrats are shifting tactics, reluctant to pick endless battles with Trump Cabinet picks that are unlikely to succeed. Its a careful tightrope for a party that is still reeling from losing the White House and Senate in the November elections, but one that many Democrats believe reflects the underlying reality of the situation voters picked Trump despite all of their partys warnings and attacks against him. And Democrats may need to win over some of those very same voters to find their way out of the political wilderness. The mood is slightly different than the last time and there is a sense that if you are freaking out about everything, it becomes really hard for people to sort out what is worth worrying about, Sen. Brian Schatz, a Democrat from Hawaii, told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Democrats are looking to implement a deliberate and disciplined strategy in Trumps second term: pointing out the places where they could work with a nominee when they see fit and forcing Republicans to defend Trumps picks when a nominee faces ethics questions, has a history of controversial statements or doesnt have what Democrats view as the necessary qualifications for the job. We have to acknowledge something even if we are disappointed thats true: Trump won. He is the president. We have to accept that, Sen. Peter Welch, a Democrat from Vermont, said. We are going to approach this in a very straightforward way. President Trump won. He has a right to nominate his Cabinet members. Our approach will be to give him the benefit of the doubt but not a blank check. Some Democrats have already been clear they may be open to voting for some of Trumps picks even if theyve sparred with them before. Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania told CNN earlier this month he would absolutely vote to confirm his one-time political rival Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead a key health care agency as long as Oz agrees to protect and preserve Medicaid and Medicare, offering up praise for his qualifications as a doctor and even saying he would have a beer with the dude. And several Democrats said they are looking forward to backing their colleague Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida to be the next secretary of state. Sen. Peter Welch looks on during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing at the U.S. Capitol on July 11, 2024 in Washington, DC. - Bonnie Cash/Getty Images During Trumps first term in office, Democrats, in some instances, used procedural or tactical hurdles to delay votes in committee, something which can backfire quickly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats wont back away from made-for-TV moments during public confirmation hearings as they look to drive a wedge between Republicans on issues or past statements that nominees have made. But several Democrats CNN spoke to said they are also reticent to needlessly delay confirmations or play games, knowing that doing so could risk a GOP backlash and could embolden Trump to use what are known as recess appointments, essentially bypassing Congress altogether. Democrats stress that a measured approach shouldnt be mistaken for Democratic support for Trumps most controversial picks. In the course of conversations with more than a dozen Democrats, members and aides said its clear that some of Trumps most contentious picks from Pete Hegseth to lead the Department of Defense to his Director of National Intelligence selection, Tulsi Gabbard, are unlikely to win over many of their members. But Democrats believe their only real strategy to move the needle on these canbdidates is to give their GOP colleagues space to make the decisions about their futures on their own and not engage in partisan battles just for the sake of the exercise. Democrats are also acutely aware that they will be in the minority and Republicans have a comfortable three-seat margin. Sometimes all you can do is create a record that shows people Ok, this is what you are getting, Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate Democratic caucus is diverse and represents an ideological spectrum. As a result, there will wont necessarily be one singular unified strategy. Some members may pursue divergent approaches or differ in their opinions. But based on interviews with multiple members and aides its clear that many in the party believe a new approach is needed after Democrats lost to Trump a second time. Sen. Tim Kaine speaks to reporters in the Senate Subway during a vote at the U.S. Capitol on June 20 in Washington, DC. - Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images During the first Trump administration, Democrats staged a surprise boycott of the Senate Finance Committee to deny Republicans a quorum to vote to advance the nominations of Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin as Democrats argued they needed additional information about the nominees finances and business practices. Democrats similarly used procedural hurdles in the Senate Judiciary Committee to force Republicans to reconvene one day later to vote on Jeff Sessions to be the attorney general. At the time, Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell blasted Democrats for the moves, saying, It is time to get over the fact that they lost the election..none of this is going to lead to a different outcome. I cant predict what tactics may be adopted. I personally would be inclined to show up for committee meetings, not the private committee of a forum. Thats just my personal inclination, Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal said. For committees, a key question emerges with Trump shifting norms Democrats are also clear they wont cease reminding voters of the ways Trump and his incoming administration are defying precedent if they decline to have nominees undergo FBI background checks. On Monday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer penned a letter to incoming GOP leader Sen. John Thune insisting that Thune maintain the process of confirming nominees, including FBI background checks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schumer wrote that the Senate should work in a bipartisan fashion to process each nominee by reviewing standard FBI background-investigation materials, scheduling hearings and markups in the committees of jurisdiction, and considering nominees on the Senate floor. Democrats are grappling with how much they need to do behind the scenes if Trumps transition team follows through with their suggestion they wont have nominees go through the normal FBI vetting process. It is not like we can substitute the work of the FBI, one Democratic source told CNN on background to discuss internal deliberations. Sen. Brian Schatz during a hearing in Washington, DC, on Thursday, May 2, 2024. - Ting Shen/Bloomberg/Getty Images While each committee has slight variations in how it is briefed on the background reports or uses their contents, members have largely argued that more information not less is essential in backstopping their decision of whether to support a nominee. Democrats warn that with some of Trumps picks having never worked before in government, the checks are even more essential, especially as questions have been raised about the past behavior of some, including Hegseth, who was accused in 2017 of sexual assault. Police did not press charges and Hegseth has denied the incident was an assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others suggested the question of whether Democrats engage in their own vetting is still very much up for discussion. There have to be investigations so whether its the FBI or our committee staff, there have to be, Kaine said while acknowledging It can be challenging especially as Democrats are seated to lose power over those committees in a matter of weeks. Democrats will remain in the majority until January, but unlike the FBI, which is well versed in conducting the nominee background checks, committees would have to stand up a plan for an investigation and execute it in short order. We shouldnt do that. We should get the FBI background check, Welch said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the end, Democrats say they are going to stay flexible, recognizing some of the strategy is going to be born of organic and unforeseen circumstances in the months ahead. I dont think there is an overall answer. (Trumps) labor nominee is for example very different than his nominee for the Department of Defense and the approaches should be tailored to the individual nominees, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren said. Democrats are here to carry out our Constitutional duties to advise and consent. To do that, we need our FBI background checks, an opportunity to meet with the candidates and then to ask them questions in open hearings. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Areas of dense fog will develop in eastern parts of New Mexico overnight. Our weather will continue to remain mostly quiet and mild this week. Its a very seasonable afternoon for early December across New Mexico with calm and quiet conditions. Temperatures have been slightly cooler today in eastern parts of the state, with highs staying in the mid and upper 50s. Tonight, moisture will be on the increase from the southeast. This will cause areas of dense of to develop along and east of the central mountain chain. Visibility may be reduced to zero at times, especially for places in the Sacramento Mountains, the East Mountains out to Santa Rosa, and up to Las Vegas. Visibility will improve through Tuesday morning, but the cloud cover will stick around. Some light mist or drizzle will also be possible in eastern New Mexico overnight. Tuesday will be a warmer day across the state, but with a little more cloud cover. These quiet conditions continue into Wednesday, despite a weak cold front that may only lower temperatures a couple degrees for the afternoon. Mild temperatures will stick around through the end of this week and into the weekend, staying above average for most of the state. A few spotty showers will likely move into parts of southern New Mexico Thursday and Friday afternoons, but rainfall totals will stay low. Drier weather moves in again for the weekend. 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. Join our latest InShanghai Roundtable on Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park in east China's Shanghai to explore how it has been growing into a global highland of technological innovation, and discover the trends and opportunities of future sci-tech development. DENVER (KDVR) A Denver man was sentenced Monday to serve 18 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to a single count of second-degree murder in September in connection to the death of 31-year-old Michael Jones. Jonathan Myers, 37, turned himself in to police on Jan. 18, 2023. He was accused of stabbing Jones on Jan. 17, 2023, in an apartment building in the 5000 block of North Broadway in Denver. Man shot by Aurora police had violent history, facing 5 counts of attempted murder Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to an arrest affidavit for Myers arrest, he had been threatening and harassing residents of the apartment building that morning. Officers arrived at the apartment building at about 11:50 a.m., where they found Jones suffering from a stab wound to his neck. Jones died just after midnight on Jan. 18, 2023, at Denver Health Medical Center. Police conducted several interviews with witnesses, mostly apartment residents who had overheard the incident or had witnessed prior violent behavior. They told police that Myers had been arguing with Jones. 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. CHEATHAM COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) Authorities in Cheatham County are searching for a man who is wanted for several outstanding warrants. According to the Cheatham County Sheriffs Office, deputies have been looking for Dresden Hollars for a week. He was reportedly out on parole when he was spotted by a citizen on Carl Perry Road on Monday, Dec 2. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Dresden Hollars (Courtesy: Cheatham County Sheriffs Office) Deputies told News 2 Hollars ran into the woods and faces up to eight years in prison once he is caught. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Multiple deputies and a helicopter were in the area Monday afternoon searching for the 24-year-old. Deputies added that Hollars was also seen in the Old Clarksville Highway area. Anyone with information on Hollars whereabouts is asked to call the Cheatham County Sheriffs Office at 615-792-2098. 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. HOLLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) Deputies are looking for a suspect after a woman jumped out of an apartment window near Holland following a domestic assault. Around 4 p.m. Monday, a 23-year-old woman was seen jumping out of an apartment window at Windmill Lakes Apartments on Millpond Drive near Mill Run Court in Holland township. A witness reported it to the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office. Deputies arrived to find the woman had been assaulted inside the apartment by a 31-year-old man that she knew. He was reported to have had a gun during the assault but no shots were fired, the sheriffs office said. The woman was injured and taken to the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The apartment was cleared by the sheriffs office critical response team, but they did not find the suspect. Detectives are still investigating. After the assault, the roads leading into the apartment complex were partially blocked for several hours as the area was cleared. The suspect was not on scene, deputies said. Anyone with information is asked to call the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office at 616.738.4000 or Silent Observer at 877.887.4536. 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. DES MOINES, Iowa Its that time of the year when people are traveling the most, navigating busy airports, TSA issues, and flight cancellations. But imagine trying to navigate the stress of traveling in an airport with a hidden disability thats where the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program comes in handy. Its a global initiative that provides support and awareness for individuals with non-visible disabilities. Scholastic Spotlight: Ames High Art Club creates kindness and calendars The airport is partnering with the Alzheimers Association and ChildServe to introduce this program to the Des Moines area. The program provides travelers with non-visible disabilities a discreet way to indicate they may need extra assistance or patience while traveling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hopefully it makes travel more accessible to them so that it removes the stress or the fear of the inaccessibility that may be perceived today, said Des Moines Airport Authority Executive Director, Kevin Foley. If they know that they will be handled with kindness and patience they will be more willing to travel. Travel should be accessible to absolutely everyone, and thats what this program attempts to achieve. Those wanting to get a sunflower lanyard can contact the Alzheimers Association or ChildServe to find out how to acquire one. Lanyards can also be purchased on the Hidden Disabilities Sunflowers website. Latest Metro 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 who13.com. The News Donald Trumps transition team on Tuesday signed a memo with the Justice Department that could pave the way for background checks on, and security clearances for, his nominees. That may not be enough for senators, mostly Democrats, who want to see all of Trumps picks undergo FBI background checks the typical practice for past nominees. Some of Trumps Cabinet nominees are opposed to submitting themselves to an FBI check until the bureau is revamped by his chosen director, two sources close to the transition team told Semafor. In addition, as of Tuesday the Trump transition team was still looking into tapping into the private sector to conduct background checks on some of its nominees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It all adds up to a muddled answer to the question of how to ensure candidates for top Trump administration positions are fully vetted before their Senate confirmations. A Trump transition spokesman would not comment on how broadly it plans to use the FBI for background checks beyond the statement on its memo with the Justice Department. The debate over relying on the FBI for vetting Trump nominees backgrounds is delicate, putting the president-elects team in the awkward position of relying on a law enforcement agency whose investigations into him have caused deep-seated mistrust among his allies. Despite that Trump-FBI tension, GOP senators have made clear that they dont want to lower the current standard for congressional vetting, even if its not done by the FBI. Nominees are going to have access to very, very sensitive information, national security, especially, and they need to be vetted, said Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb. When you put yourself forward for these positions, the understanding is you will have to release your financial information and background checks. And I think that needs to happen. While the memo released Tuesday allows Trumps team to fully rely on the FBI for checks into nominees, top Republican senators are not ruling out the use of third parties, even if it breaks precedent. Incoming Senate Republican leader John Thune of South Dakota alluded this week to the possibility of other alternatives to the traditional FBI probe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The presumptive incoming Judiciary Committee chairman, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said he could sign off on a third-party check if the resources are there. I believe that it would speed things up tremendously if we have background checks. And Ive heard a couple senators say that they didnt want to vote for anybody that didnt have a background check, Grassley told Semafor. Inside or outside, its got to be somebody whos got the resources to do it. Know More If Trumps team fully engages the FBI to vet its nominees, that risks roiling some MAGA loyalists who see the bureau as captured by anti-Trump forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wont let the FBI shine my shoes, one of the two sources close to the transition said. The FBI background checks could pick back up once the FBI is depoliticized, certainly if it still remains after Trump nominee Kash Patel is confirmed to overhaul it, this person added. Still, the importance of full vetting at the start of an administration is being highlighted by recent negative reporting on defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth in particular. The Fox News host and Army veteran is facing past sexual misconduct allegations that have prompted the sort of bipartisan concern often alleviated by a background check reviewed by senators. And if Trumps team looks to a private company or some other agency to conduct the background checks and obtain sensitive information, that raises separate questions about how thorough the investigation can get. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said that the problem is if you just have some non-law enforcement agency conduct background checks. They dont have access to non-public information, and so I would like to have access to all the information we can get. The View From Democrats Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer sent Thune a letter this week saying Democrats want to work in a bipartisan way on Trump nominees by reviewing standard FBI background-investigation materials. He reiterated on Tuesday that nominees need a full FBI investigation for the Senate to review. Shelby and Burgess View Trumps skepticism of the FBI under its current leadership is fairly widely held within the Republican Party and thats likely to help convince lawmakers to accept other background check methods during the confirmation process. But it also raises the prospect of future administrations further watering down the Senate vetting process, which is something Republicans want to avoid. Ranked choice voting, which asks voters to rank multiple candidates in order of preference, has seen its profile steadily expand since 2016. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images) Citizens in Florida and around the world have seen their email inboxes flooded with requests by nonprofit organizations (including the Florida Phoenix) in recent days asking for financial contributions as part of Giving Tuesday, a global event that has taken place for the past 12 years on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Nonprofits soliciting donations in the Sunshine State include Rank My Vote Florida, the advocacy group fighting to have Florida adopt a ranked-choice voting (RCV) system for elections. Ranked-choice voting allows voters to select multiple candidates in order of preference. If no one receives a majority of first-place votes, the candidates who receive the fewest votes are eliminated and their votes redistributed to peoples next choices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the benefits to RCV that advocates cite is that it provides more choices to voters; that it encourages civility and discourages negativity because, while they might not receive a voters first vote, they can still receive their second vote, which could lead them to victory; and that voters will be enticed to learn about all the candidates in a particular race so they can rank as many of them them as possible. The Florida Legislature banned RCV in 2022 in any statewide election and preempted any conflicting local ordinances. And voters in Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon rejected ballot measures that would have adopted ranked-choice voting last month. In Missouri, voters approved a ballot measure banning the approach statewide and locally, except for a grandfather clause for St. Louis municipal elections. RCV did win in Washington, D.C., and also survived an attempted recall in Alaska, but barely, winning by just 737 votes out of more than 320,000 cast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that isnt stopping the group from calling for donations on Tuesday to fund their efforts to get the Florida ban overturned. The ranked choice voting movement in Florida has demonstrated resilience and determination, even in the face of challenges like the prohibition on its use. Despite this setback, in 2024 we saw promising legislation introduced to overturn the prohibition, signaling growing interest in the reform the email reads. Looking ahead, Rank My Vote Florida is preparing to launch targeted campaigns to engage Republican lawmakers by emphasizing the benefits of ranked choice voting for military and overseas ballots. Were also building relationships with supervisors of elections to address implementation concerns and expanding our education initiatives to reach thousands of Floridians with the message that ranked choice voting strengthens democracy by empowering voters and ensuring fairer representation. We are not giving up The email prompted the Phoenix to ask John Severini, chair of Rank My Vote Florida, why he was still optimistic about the possibility that Florida, dominated by Republicans with a more than 1 million-voter registration advantage and a supermajority in the Legislature, would ever consider changing an election system that seems to be working quite well for them? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My sincere belief is voters were not rejecting the concept of RCV, they just were not educated enough to vote for change they did not understand, he replied via email. Most of these campaigns were put together hastily, and did not have enough money or runway to do the proper education. Change is always hard with thousands of examples in history. In attempting to find a parallel fight, Severini cited same-sex marriage, which was banned in more than two dozen states (including Florida) before the U.S. Supreme Court made it legal in all 50 states in the Obergefell v. Hodges decision in 2015. Of course there will be setbacks, getting people to change the way we vote is not an easy task. Education is key, but the hard work has to be done and we are not giving up, he said. That being said, there will NOT be a ballot initiative anytime soon in Florida, were in the education phase and it will take many more years and proper funding which has yet to come together for Florida. We are also working with lawmakers trying to find a few supportive ears. As the American public continues to be disappointed with our options and elected leaders, and as more cities continue to pass RCV, it is our belief that it will gain traction at the state level. Solace Severini takes solace in a recent piece by former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang, who in a post-mortem article about how the party can recover from last months election losses wrote that Democrats should voluntarily adopt open primaries (and ranked choice voting) in all of their primaries, inviting independents to participate in their candidate selection, as this group represents a plurality of Americans. Along with Alaska, versions of ranked choice voting exist in Maines federal elections and about 50 cities or counties, according to the Associated Press. No one is above the law, posted President Biden on X on May 31, after a New York court convicted the once and future president Donald Trump on 34 misdemeanour business recordkeeping charges that were elevated to felonies on the basis of a vague legal theory. Bidens post has now been flagged by X with a community note since, it would seem, Bidens own son is above the law. On the Sunday evening of the Thanksgiving weekend, the incumbent president took advantage of the holiday slowdown to grant his son Hunter a blanket pardon, covering any crimes he committed or may have committed over a period of 11 years beginning on 1 January 2014. US presidential pardons, which only apply to federal crimes, are absolute and cannot be challenged or revoked. No one is above the law. Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 31, 2024 In 2023, Hunter Biden was indicted in two separate cases arising from federal income tax evasion and a federal firearms offence. Earlier this year, a federal court in Delaware found the presidents wayward son guilty of three felonies in the firearms case, which arose from his lying about drug use when filling a qualifying form to purchase a handgun a form that President Biden had, ironically, championed as a gun control measure when he served as a senator in the 1990s. In September, Hunter entered a guilty plea in the tax case. Sentencing in both cases was scheduled for this month and could have imposed serious prison terms up to 17 years in the tax case alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout Hunter Bidens legal ordeals, his father consistently stated that he would neither pardon his son nor commute any prison sentence. He also maintained that his sons gun charge trial had been fair. Indeed, the federal special prosecutor in both cases was an appointee of Bidens own Justice Department. When President Biden abandoned his re-election bid in July, he soaked in endless praise for supposedly putting the country above his personal interests and seemed primed to leave his sole term as a celebrated patriot. But now, with less than two months left in office, his term mostly judged a failure, his vice-presidents bid to succeed him shattered, his party a dumpster fire, and no political future of his own, Biden can break his word and suffer little more than a few bad news days as Republicans and even some Democrats justifiably cry hypocrisy. Some are asking whether Bidens pardon of his rotten son, however, may have a larger motive than sparing Hunter the indignities of imprisonment. This lies in the pardons unusually long scope, which covers anything Hunter may have done over the past decade. The timing may not be arbitrary. It was in 2014, after all, that Hunter joined the board of Burisma, a Ukrainian energy firm broadly suspected of corrupt practices, at the same time as President Biden was serving as vice-president under Barack Obama. It has been suggested that he was hired so that the company could benefit from his fathers influence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the campaign, Trump frequently promised criminal investigations into the Bidens by the Justice Department if he were elected. With the pardon in place, however, any such investigation would likely be limited. The question is surely unavoidable: Did Joe Biden pardon his son in part to protect himself? Paul du Quenoy is a historian and president of the Palm Beach Freedom Institute 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. Dinesh DSouza the conservative filmmaker behind the widely debunked conspiracy film 2000 Mules apologized to a Georgia man accused of ballot fraud during the 2020 election and admitted the documentary relied on inaccurate information. The film, released in 2022, became a rallying cry for many conservatives for years, who claimed, without evidence, that the 2020 race was stolen from Donald Trump. Trump himself praised the film, which pointed to cellphone location data filmmakers said suggested ballot mules were paid to illegally collect and drop off ballots in key swing states that voted for Joe Biden during that race. Experts and election official from both parties quickly debunked those claims, but DSouza vehemently defended his work for years. But he issued a mea culpa over the weekend saying he had recently learned the cell phone evidence didnt support the mule theory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We recently learned that surveillance videos used in the film may not have actually been correlated with the geolocation data, DSouza said. I know that the film and my book create the impression that these individuals were mules that had been identified as suspected ballot harvesters he went on. While all of these individuals images were blurred and unrecognizable, one of the individuals has since come forward publicly and has initiated a lawsuit over the use of his blurred image in the film and the book. I owe this individual, Mark Andrews, an apology. Filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza apologized to a Georgia man accused of ballot fraud during the 2020 election and admitted the documentary relied on inaccurate information. AP Photo/John Raoux, File DSouza said if he had known the true nature of the cell phone geolocation data, I would have clarified this and produced and edited the film differently. We operated in good faith and in reliance on True the Vote, he said. We continue to have confidence in their work and also in the basic message of 2000 Mules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrews, with his face blurred out, is seen in the film as he places ballots in a drop box in Georgia. A voiceover by DSouza says the man is committing a crime, claiming he was depositing fraudulent votes. The New York Times notes the state investigated that claim and found Andrews had legally cast ballots for himself and his family at the same address. The man filed a lawsuit against DSouza in 2022, which is ongoing. The case claims DSouza and others named in the suit knew that their portrayals of Mr. Andrews were lies, as was the entire narrative of 2000 Mules. But they have continued to peddle these lies in order to enrich themselves, lawyers for Andrews wrote, per The Associated Press. The case also notes that video used to promote the film includes unblurred images of Andrews and the license plate on his car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement True the Vote, a nonprofit that supplied the cellphone geolocation data, is also named in the suit. The group said Monday the main points of the film remain accurate, but said it had no editorial control over the the documentarys message. DSouza said in his statement this month his apology was not related to a settlement or under any duress but because it is the right thing to do, given what we have now learned. While I do not believe Mr. Andrews was ever identified by the film or book, I am sorry for any harm he believes he and his family has suffered as a result of 2000 Mules, DSouza said. CHENGDU, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda reported on Tuesday that Fu Bao, the first giant panda born in the Republic of Korea (ROK), is being closely monitored after exhibiting concerning symptoms in Sichuan Province, southwest China. The panda will be transferred to an inner enclosure for a thorough medical examination to determine the cause of its discomfort. Visitors to the center on Tuesday morning noticed the panda's unusual behavior and subsequently notified staff. Born in July 2020, Fu Bao, meaning "lucky treasure" in English, returned to China in April this year and has since lived at the Shenshuping giant panda base of Wolong National Nature Reserve. The Shenshuping giant panda base covers an area of 150 hectares and is located at an altitude of 1,700 meters in the Giant Panda National Park. With an ideal natural living environment surrounded by mountains and featuring a mild, humid climate, the base is home to over 70 giant pandas. Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Jaime Harrison minimized his partys losses up and down the ballot in November and argued Democrats have a robust foundation to build on, going into President-elect Trumps second term in the White House and the subsequent election cycle. Harrison, who decided not to seek reelection for the top DNC post, wrote in a Tuesday memo to party leaders and donors that Democrats fended off a greater defeat compared to other countries incumbent parties that were dealt losses. Additionally, he said the partys politicians nationwide are committed to pushing back against Trumps second-term agenda. He asked the partys backers for continued financial support to ensure the DNC can organize and communicate that agendas extremism to voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Democrats did not achieve what we set out to do, Trump wasnt able to capture the support of more than 50 percent of the electorate and Democrats beat back global headwinds that couldve turned this squeaker into a landslide, Harrison wrote in the nine-page memo, which was shared with The Hill. Among democracies that held elections in 2024, incumbent parties lost seats or vote share 80 percent of the time. In most of these countries, the margin for opposition party wins far exceeds that of the United States. The Democratic Party establishment has come under heavy criticism internally, including from some progressives who have argued the party has ignored working-class voters. Harrison, who has shot back at the criticisms from progressives like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), highlighted wins by Democrats in Senate races, despite the party losing the majority. He promoted Sen.-elect Elissa Slotkins (D) win in Michigan over former Rep. Mike Rogers (R); Sens. Jacky Rosens (D-Nev.) and Tammy Baldwins (D-Wis.) successful reelection bids and Sen.-elect Ruben Gallego (D) knocking off Trump-backed Republican Kari Lake in the battleground state of Arizona. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this years general election, Trump won all seven swing states and captured the popular vote against Vice President Harris. The president-elect made gains in historically Democratic strongholds and expanded his coalition, particularly with younger voters and people of color while doing better with union members. The GOP held a slim majority in the House while securing the Senate majority. Harrison, who has served in the post since early 2021, also touted the partys wins in House races and argued the GOP majority in the lower chamber is the smallest either side has had in nearly 100 years. 2024 proved we already have a robust foundation on which to build, Harrison said in the memo. Notable down-ballot wins in 2024 provide us with a roadmap on what works and where investments mattered most, while the success of statewide ballot measures to safeguard the rights and interests of working people this November shows voters are ready to take action in the face of the GOPs extreme attacks on reproductive freedom, labor and education. Harrison showcased North Carolina as an example of the DNCs early investments making a difference, with the party securing wins in gubernatorial, lieutenant governor and attorney general contests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The results were clear: In addition to breaking the Republican supermajority in the legislature, Democrats won statewide elections across the ballot, he said. In the memo, Harrison, a veteran of South Carolina politics, pointed to some ballot measures outcomes as evidence that voters are taking action in the face of the GOPs extreme attacks on reproductive freedom, labor and education. 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. TYLER, Texas (KETK) Arrest documents shed new details on a man accused of sexually assaulting an employee in Irving and arrested in Tyler. Patrick Hoversten, of Sonoma, Ca., was arrested in November after the Irving Police Department issued a warrant for his arrest following an alleged assault in the 4000 block of West Airport Freeway in Dallas County. Daycare employee kicked 2-year-olds, arrest affidavit says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to arrest documents, on Nov. 10 at around 2 p.m., Hoversten allegedly pulled out a knife and threatened to hurt the victim if she did not comply with his sexual demands. During the assault, Hoversten would take the victim into different parts of the Irving store, after officials believe he saw surveillance cameras. Photo courtesy of the Smith County Jail. During the assault, the defendant grabbed the victim forcefully by the neck and throat to move her and threatened to kill her or stab her eyes, the arrest affidavit said. However, a portion of the offense was captured on store surveillance where officials said Hoversten could be seen pulling down a surgical mask under his chin, revealing his face. When all surveillance video was compiled, officials deduced that Hoversten came from a semi-truck bearing an Indiana license plate. A license plate inquiry reportedly revealed a hit for a sexual offender, Hoversten. Father charged after accidental shooting of Overton 2-year-old, sheriff says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Irving PD issued a warrant for Hoverstens arrest and believed him to be in the Laredo area. However, the Tyler Police Department reached out to Irving officials letting them know they had him in custody. Hoversten was transferred to Dallas county where he was charged with aggravated kidnapping for intentionally and knowingly abducting the victim and using/exhibiting a deadly weapon with intent to violate or abuse her sexually. 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. As December arrives, the countdown to the official confirmation of the next U.S. president begins, with the Electoral College set to cast its votes later this month. This marks a crucial step toward finalizing the outcome of Novembers election, which is expected to confirm former President Donald Trump's return to the White House. According to forecasts, Trump will secure 312 electoral votes, surpassing the 270 needed to win. His victory is further solidified by a popular vote margin of approximately 2.5 million more than Vice President Kamala Harris. More: When is Inauguration Day 2025? Here's when President-elect Trump takes office When does the Electoral College vote? The meeting of the electors takes place on the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December after the general election, according to the National Archives. The electors meet in their respective states, where they cast their votes for President and Vice President on separate ballots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, that falls on Tuesday, Dec. 17. More: Was Trump convicted of anything? What the president-elect's convicted felon status means What is the Electoral College? The Electoral College is a group of electors chosen by each state to cast votes on behalf of the public. The number of electors each state has is equal to its total number of Congressional representatives. Currently, there are 538 electors, with a majority of 270 votes needed to win the presidency. Texas has 38 electors, behind only California's 54 electors. Can the Electoral College vote against the public? Members of the Electoral College can technically vote against the will of the public in their state, although this is extremely rare. Such electors are known as "faithless electors." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While most electors vote according to the popular vote outcome in their state, there is no federal law requiring them to do so. However, many states have laws that bind electors to the popular vote. If an elector votes contrary to this, they may face legal consequences, such as being replaced or fined. In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states can enforce laws requiring electors to follow the popular vote, which effectively limits the occurrence of faithless electors. Nevertheless, electors still technically have the freedom to vote as they choose. Faithless electors have occurred in recent elections, such as in 2000 and 2016: 2000 Election: In this highly contested election, where George W. Bush narrowly defeated Al Gore, two electors were faithless. One from Washington and one from Minnesota voted for candidates other than Bush or Gore. However, their votes did not change the outcome of the election. 2016 Election: The most recent and highly publicized instance of faithless electors occurred when seven electorsfive from Washington and two from Hawaiidid not vote for the candidate to whom they were pledged. Specifically, in Washington: Four electors voted for Colin Powell One voted for Bernie Sanders One voted for Faith Spotted Eagle (a Native American activist). Despite these defections, Donald Trump still won the presidency. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: What is the Electoral College? Here's when they cast official votes HONOLULU (KHON2) The death in federal prison of one of Hawaiis most notorious criminals leaves the cases of his accused co-conspirators in limbo and his victims without closure, according to legal experts. The tens of millions in assets seized are also likely to remain with the government. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Michael Miske was pronounced dead on Sunday, Dec. 1 at the Federal Detention Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes been at FDC since the 2020 pretrial and since this summer post-conviction. A jury found Miske guilty in July of racketeering conspiracy, murder in connection with the disappearance of Johnathan Fraser and 11 other felonies. Convicted crime boss Michael Miske found dead in FDC Miske was pending sentencing for a mandatory minimum of life behind bars. He was 50 years old. He was never coming out of prison, except if he was in a box. And then at his age, his life expectancy was probably another 30 years. So to think of that kind of life, hed rather go than stay, said Michael Green, attorney. According to the Honolulu Medical Examiner, who took custody of Miskes remains on Sunday, the cause and manner of death are still pending. Legal observers said foul play is unlikely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no one that the government cared that he ever gave up, because this guy, they say, was at the top of the list. This guys famous. Hes respected. This is a whole different mileu over there. In fact, some of the witnesses against him were treated very harshly over there. And there were allegations that they were beaten up because they testified against him at trial. KHON2 asked Miskes attorneys what questions they have about the circumstances. According to Michael Green, there are going to be questions asked of the ACOs from his module or if there was a camera where he could be watched 24 hours a day. FDC Honolulu is whats known as an administrative security facility and so far theyve only said: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No employees or other incarcerated individuals were injured and at no time was the public in danger. Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Marshals Service were notified. Around a dozen other alleged co-conspirators and accomplices have either been convicted separately or reached plea agreements in exchange for testimony. Check out more news from around Hawaii Attorneys said their cases and pending sentences should continue, as will the governments forfeiture of tens of millions in assets. Victims likely will not be compensated. Whatever assets he ad was a result of a criminal enterprise or money laundering. Its forfeited and the jury decided and its all been taken from him. So then what happens normally is it goes out to auction, Green explained. The law does not allow damages for pain, suffering and things like that. 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 KHON2. OTTAWA President-elect Donald Trump cracked an old joke about annexing Canada, and Ottawa is still trying to figure out if it was meant to be funny. Canada as the 51st state is occasionally a topic of conversation on both sides of the border. Homer Simpson once dubbed his northern neighbor "America junior." When Trump dined with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last Friday at Mar-a-Lago, the president-elect reportedly tried his own hand at manifest destiny humor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trudeau, who traveled to Florida with a small delegation days after Trump threatened across-the-board tariffs on imports from Canada, used his face-time with the incoming president to warn that the measure would punish the Canadian economy. Fox News sources claimed thats when Trump floated the idea of statehood for Canada, "which caused the prime minister and others to laugh nervously." Sure, a massive super-country would edge past Russia for the largest in the world by land area and further integrate heavily interconnected supply chains. But Canadian nationalists have long warned against Canada becoming the 51st state, including during a tense national debate over continental free trade that dominated the 1988 election. As the Canada-U.S. free trade deal expanded to include Mexico, Canada maintained its sovereignty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, journalist Matthew Yglesias an American, naturally likes the sound of erasing borders. "Annexation is clearly a good idea that would make both Americans and Canadians better off but nobody talks about it except in the context of occasional nationalist bluster," Yglesias posted on X. Canadian Cabinet ministers were hounded Tuesday by reporters looking for a reaction to the joke including Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who was at the Mar-a-Lago dinner. "In a three-hour social evening at the presidents residence in Florida on a long weekend of American Thanksgiving, the conversation was going to be lighthearted," LeBlanc said. "The president was telling jokes. The president was teasing us." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LeBlanc's message: Chill out, everybody. "It wasnt a meeting in a boardroom with 10 bureaucrats keeping notes," he said. "It was a social evening, and there were moments where it was entertaining and funny, and there were moments where we were able to do, we think, some good work for Canada." Gerald Butts, a former Trudeau senior adviser who played a major role on the Canada-U.S. file during Trump's first years in office, counseled his LinkedIn followers to calm down. "Trump used this '51st State' line with Trudeau a lot during his first term. Hes doing it to rattle Canadian cages," Butts wrote. "When someone is trying to get you to freak out, dont." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That message seemed to resonate on Parliament Hill. Asked about Trump's quip, Arif Virani, the justice minister, pivoted to the endurance of the Trump-Trudeau relationship. "I think its really important that when President-elect Trump sees Prime Minister Trudeau, he sees someone whos been there, and theres continuity in terms of leaders on the world stage," Virani said. "Resurrecting the relationship that they already have is very important in demonstrating that we take issues that relate to our two nations seriously, particularly economic interests." A reporter tried once more: "Was it just a joke, though?" "Merci. Thank you," came Virani's final reply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, a leading voice on a year-long "Team Canada" engagement strategy, immediately served up talking points on the cross-border relationship. "Our American friends will see Canada as the strategic supplier of choice, whether its about semiconductors, whether its about critical minerals, whether its about energy," he said. Champagne reminded reporters that Trudeau was the first G7 leader to meet Trump after the president-elect's resounding victory last month a tete-a-tete that "sends a big signal to the world that Canada is the strategic partner." The Canadians might be forgiven for their humorlessness. After all, Trump still had Canada on his mind several days after the dinner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, he posted a cryptic image on Truth Social. "Oh Canada!" Trump wrote atop what appeared to be an AI-generated image in which he stood beside a Canadian flag, overlooking a mountain range. The mountain in the background bore a striking resemblance to the Matterhorn, a notable peak in the Swiss Alps some 3,800 miles east of Ottawa's Parliament Hill but point taken. The California Department of Justice is opening an investigation into the fatal shooting by Santa Ana police of a man armed with a fake rifle on Sunday, authorities said. The Santa Ana Police Department responded to reports of a man loading a rifle near Broadway and 2nd streets at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, according to the department. After arriving on scene, two officers shot the man multiple times, said department spokesperson Officer Natalie Garcia. The man, identified only as a 30 years old and Latino, was transported to a hospital and pronounced dead, police said. No more details about the shooting were released, including whether the man pointed the rifle at the responding police officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rifle the man was reported to be carrying turned out to be an airsoft gun, a nonlethal replica firearm that shoots plastic pellets and is often used for games like paintball, police said. There were no reports of bystanders or officers harmed during the incident and a critical incident debrief will be released in the coming weeks, police said. On Monday, California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta announced that the California Department of Justice will conduct an independent review of the shooting in accordance with Assembly Bill 1506, which requires the department to investigate all incidents of an officer-involved shooting resulting in the death of an unarmed civilian in the state. Read more: DUI suspect shot, killed by Southern California police on Thanksgiving Day After the DOJs California Police Shooting Investigation Team completes the investigation, the report will be turned over to DOJs Special Prosecutions Section within the Criminal Law Division for independent review and possible criminal charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before AB 1506 was signed into law in September 2020, these incidents were handled by local law enforcement agencies and district attorney offices. The goal of transferring investigations to the DOJ was to increase trust between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve by having an independent body review incidents and determine possible criminal liability. Under AB 1506, the DOJ is required to publicly release information about investigations and eventually publish its determination on criminal prosecutions. If criminal charges are not deemed appropriate, the DOJ will release a report with an explanation of what took place during the incident and why criminal charges were not pursued as well as recommendations to improve the practices of the law enforcement agency involved. 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. WILLIMANTIC Willimantic Police responded to Dollar General for a report of an attempted robbery. The incident happened on Wednesday at approximately 6:30 p.m. Police said during the incident, the suspect implied having a firearm in their front jacket pocket, but it couldnt be confirmed through video surveillance. The suspect then fled the scene on foot prior to the arrival of police. Police arrived immediately upon receipt of the 911 call, and no injuries were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect is described as approximately 5-foot-5, wearing a black mask, a black or blue hoodie, black pants and a blue winter hat. According to a witness, the suspect appeared to have a heavy Spanish accent. This investigation is ongoing, Police said. We are looking for your help; if you can identify the individual in these pictures or have any information, we encourage you to contact the Willimantic Police Department. For anything suspicious, Willimantic Police said to call their routine line at 860-465-3135 or 911. BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, on Monday attended the fourth symposium on Belt and Road construction work in Beijing and delivered an important speech. He stressed that promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation has both opportunities and challenges in the face of grave and complicated international situation, but overall, opportunities outweigh challenges. He said we must strengthen strategic confidence, maintain strategic focus and act courageously with a sense of responsibility to create a brighter future for Belt and Road cooperation. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, attended the symposium. Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese vice premier, presided over the symposium. During the symposium, speeches were given by Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, Ma Zhaoxu, Chinese vice foreign minister, Yin Li, secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, Wang Menghui, secretary of the CPC Hubei Provincial Committee, Hu Wangming, chairman of China Baowu Steel Group Corporation Limited, Feng Xubin, chairman of YXE Trading Service Group Co., Ltd., and Xing Guangcheng, director of the Institute of Chinese Borderland Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. They introduced their respective work based on reality and put forward opinions and suggestions. After listening to their speeches, Xi delivered an important speech. He pointed out that since the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was put forth in 2013, the Belt and Road cooperation, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee and with the joint efforts of all parties, has consistently embraced the Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit. It has stayed committed to the principle of "planning together, building together, and benefiting together." The sectors and scope of Belt and Road cooperation have continued to expand, while the level of cooperation has been further elevated. The cooperation has demonstrated greater international appeal, influence and rallying power, and has made major achievements, making China's contribution to enhancing friendship with Belt and Road participating countries and boosting their economic and social development. Xi emphasized that the world has entered a new period of turbulence and change in recent years, with notably rising unilateralism and protectionism and frequent outbreaks of regional conflicts and disturbances. Against this backdrop, to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, it is imperative to appropriately manage all types of risks and challenges, effectively address the impact of geopolitical conflicts, properly handle the relationship between strengthening the sense of fulfillment among participating countries and ensuring the benefits for China, and effectively safeguard the security of China's overseas interests. Xi pointed out that the Belt and Road cooperation has entered a new stage of high-quality development. It is necessary to adhere to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy on all fronts, move faster to create a new pattern of development, and hold high the banner of a human community with a shared future. It is imperative to adhere to the principle of "planning together, building together, and benefiting together," the philosophy of open, green and clean cooperation, and the goal of pursuing high-standard, people-centered and sustainable cooperation, follow through on the eight major measures for supporting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and focus on connectivity. It is a must to combine high-quality development with greater security, government guidance with market operation, scientific layout with dynamic optimization, and quantitative growth with qualitative improvement. It is necessary to deepen "hard connectivity" of infrastructure, "soft connectivity" of rules and standards, and "heart connectivity" between peoples among partner countries. It is imperative to advance major signature programs and "small yet smart" livelihood programs in a coordinated manner. It is necessary to consolidate cooperation in traditional areas and steadily expand cooperation in emerging areas in a coordinated manner, improve and promote the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation mechanism, and create new space for win-win development at a higher level and with greater resilience and sustainability. Xi stressed that it is necessary to focus on strengthening the mechanisms for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and improve the cooperation, planning, coordination and management mechanisms, improve the coordination mechanism for promoting "hard connectivity," "soft connectivity" and "heart connectivity," improve the practical cooperation mechanism of industrial and supply chains, improve the international exchange and cooperation mechanism in emerging fields, and improve the diversified guarantee mechanism for investment and financing. It is a must to improve the internal and external coordination mechanism for risk prevention and control, improve the mechanism for safeguarding overseas interests, improve the mechanism for high-level international communication, improve the cooperation mechanism for clean Silk Road, and promote the steady and long-term development of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. Xi stressed sticking to the agenda to turn blueprints into reality and carrying out hard work over generations, having the courage to overcome various risks and challenges, unswervingly promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and making greater contributions to promoting the building of a human community with a shared future. While presiding over the symposium, Ding said that Xi's important speech fully acknowledged the major achievements in Belt and Road cooperation and made comprehensive arrangements for promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation in the present and near future. Xi's important speech is profound in vision, deep in thought, incisive in argumentation, and rich in content, providing important guidance and charting the course forward for promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation in the next golden decade. Ding said we must earnestly study, gain a full understanding of, and resolutely implement it. All localities, departments, and organizations must continuously strengthen strategic thinking, security awareness, systems thinking, and international visions. With a focus on advancing systematic and institutional mechanisms, they should continuously improve top-level design, formulate practical measures, deepen international cooperation, and foster a group of influential and significant projects for cooperation and generate more exemplary and leading achievements, in a bid to jointly create new space for win-win development at a higher level and with greater resilience and sustainability. Wang Yi, He Lifeng and Wu Zhenglong attended the symposium. Leading officials in charge of BRI construction work from members of the leading group on advancing BRI development, relevant central Party and government departments, all provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, as well as heads of relevant companies and representatives of experts and scholars, participated in the symposium. TAMPA, Fla ( WFLA) Cyber Monday deals can be the premier buying time for your holiday shopping, but as those items get delivered, thieves are looking to grab them off your doorsteps. It unfortunately has become a tradition during the holiday season. The Tampa Police Department said last year, from January to October there were about 30 reports of porch pirates. By November and December, they had 60 reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 8 On Your Side asked TPD to share data from recent porch pirate cases, and is still waiting to receive them. There were delivery drivers throughout Tampa neighborhoods on Monday. Stephen, who didnt want to share a last name, said he mostly sees porch pirates online, but not on his street. Yeah we look out for each other and just kind of know whos in the neighborhood for the most part and just keep an eye out, said Stephen. This crime is not always reported to the police. Some people may rely on the service they buy from to replace what was stolen. As long as its not a regular thing theyll give you some new ones. I guess thats good but it still sucks, said Stephen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stephen said the police can only do so much. Some agencies cant access the websites people share porch pirate videos on, so its best to call the police. Everyone should report anything that they see. Any crime. If they see something they should definitely say something so we can do something, said TPD Officer Angelica Plummer. If a porch pirate steals an item worth more than $40 from someones home, they can be charged with a third-degree felony. That law will be enforced this holiday season. If anyone is thinking about being a porch pirate and stealing Christmas, its not going to happen. We encourage you not to do it, if you do it you will definitely find yourself in the county jail, said Plummer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are a few ways to stop porch pirates from getting your packages: Invest in a lockbox. You would give the delivery service a code to use the box for secure storage. Have packages delivered to your job. Require a signature for delivery. Rent a PO Box from your local post office. 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. DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN) A Dothan city employee who was fired over two years ago and rehired after a lengthy legal battle has settled with the city. According to a release from the City of Dothan, Stephanie Wingfield and the city reached a settlement agreement, meaning her lawsuit against the city will likely be dismissed with prejudice when the city files a stipulation of dismissal. The settlement agreement was voted on during the citys bi-weekly commission meeting and passed 3-1. Two of the commissioners were absent from the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the city did not provide further details on the settlement in its release to WDHN, the Dothan City Commissions agenda for December 3 revealed that the city settled with Wingfield for $109,947. The agenda says this sum included attorneys fees and costs. The confidential agreement between the parties does not constitute an admission by either party of any wrongdoing or liability, but instead represents the parties desire to resolve this litigation fully, finally, and amicably, city officials said in the release. Wingfield was fired from her position as Director for the Dothan Leisure Services Feeding Program in May 2022. The City of Dothan initially said Wingfield was fired because she cost the city money, was negligent in her job, deliberately falsified documents, and misrepresented herself to her employers. Many employees under her were also reprimanded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wingfield claims it wasnt negligence or misrepresentation that got her fired but racism and hostility. After her firing, Wingfield attempted to fight the city, saying she was unfairly terminated due to racism, but Houston County Judge Butch Binford upheld the citys decision to terminate Wingfield. However, in December 2023, the Alabama Court of Appeals released an order saying it was wrong for Judge Binford to agree with the city and uphold her firing. In February of this year, the Dothan Personnel Board rehired Wingfield as Recreation Program Director, a position that pays between $55,000 and $88,000 annually. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Stay with WDHN 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 WDHN - wdhn.com. Inspectors are looking into what caused a fire that displaced 28 people at the Camelot Condominiums complex in the City of South Fulton. We just saw a big flame, said resident Fernanda Alberto. The flames broke out Sunday night inside one of the buildings at the complex. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] My friends. The first thing that came to mind, I hope they got out okay, Alberto explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Luckily, no one was hurt. The Red Cross is now assisting with food and temporary housing. Its just one thing after the other, Alberto told Channel 2s Audrey Washington. The Camelot complex is no stranger to hard times. Channel 2 Action News has reported on a number of past shootings, homicides and fires at the community. In 2023, city officials took out warrants against Bettye Ligon and Lyndon Baldwin Sr., the president and treasurer of Camelot Condominiums Homeowners Association. According to authorities, Ligon and Baldwin are accused of receiving nearly $2 million in insurance money after two dozen units were damaged in a fire in 2020. Instead of cutting checks to fire victims, police say they kept the money. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Kobi with the City of South Fulton told Washington he is working with other city leaders to fix the problems at Camelot. We definitely need to deal with Camelot, said Mayor Kobi. It has to be an all hands on deck approach. I really do think they need to start over, Alberto said. The city taped off the building. The American Red Cross said the 28 displaced residents are staying at area hotels. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The Arizona Department of Public Safety announced the successful takedown of an organized auto theft ring responsible for stealing high-end vehicles across Arizona and transporting them into Mexico. The operation recovered 22 stolen vehicles valued at $1.4 million. Warren Trent, public information manager for DPS, mentioned collaborative efforts that led to the operations success during a press conference on Dec. 2. This case is a true testament of the work ethic and tenacity of the detectives, deputies and other personnel assigned to the vehicle theft task force. Months of surveillance and investigative methods were used during this operation, said Trent. This was a coordinated effort of individuals using sophisticated means to steal high-end vehicles throughout the state of Arizona. These vehicles were being transported into Mexico to further the goals of transnational criminal organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Captain Eric Axlund with the DPS investigations bureau said the operation began on Sept. 23, 2024, when DPS detectives were contacted by the Phoenix Police Department about three stolen pickup trucks in northern Phoenix. Subsequent surveillance led to the recovery of these vehicles and the apprehension of two suspects. On Oct. 2, 2024, the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office informed the task force of a stolen truck linked to an incident involving an AK-47-style weapon in Waddell, Arizona. This case expanded into a multi-month investigation, revealing an organized group using advanced technology to steal high-end pickup trucks. This was not a chop shop case, Axlund explained. These vehicles were not being dismantled for parts. Instead, this was an operation organized by a transnational criminal organization in Mexico to have these vehicles delivered south of the border. He added, "A suspect involved in the case revealed he was paid $8,000 per vehicle. This shows the profitability of these crimes for transnational organizations." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced the grand jury indictment of four individuals Jorge Aguilar, Andrew Reyes, Luis Rodriguez and Douglas Zelaya all accused of orchestrating the auto theft ring. The suspects face a range of felony charges, including: 12 counts of theft of means of transportation (Class 3 felonies) 1 count of trafficking in stolen property in the first degree (Class 2 felony) 1 count of fraudulent schemes and artifices (Class 2 felony) 2 counts of conducting a chop shop (Class 4 felonies) 3 counts of forgery (Class 4 felonies) 3 counts of criminal impersonation (Class 6 felonies) Reyes also faces an additional charge of misconduct involving weapons. Theft of vehicles is a significant problem in our state. It affects families, businesses, insurance companies, and, as we saw in this case, is directly tied to violent and organized crime, said Ken Hunter, Deputy Director of DPS. We are very fortunate that no one was injured or worse during this investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mitchell also stressed the seriousness of these crimes. Their actions not only represent significant financial loss to victims but also a greater threat to public safety," Mitchell said. "My office will not tolerate enterprises that target the hardworking people of Maricopa County. We are committed to pursuing justice and holding those who engage in organized crime accountable for their actions. DPS recommendations for preventing vehicle theft Park in secured areas Use steering wheel locks and ignition airlock devices Install onboard diagnostic port locks Utilize aftermarket alarms or tracking devices such as AirTags This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: DPS busts auto theft ring, recovers 1.4M worth of stolen vehicles They travel the world about 10 months out of the year, and thats exposed the Taufiq family to dozens of cultures. But it wasnt until last week that the family encountered The Ugly American. We were coming back from Cancun, said Nicole Taufiq who, along with her husband, Perez, runs a photography business specializing in high-end and destination weddings. We were on our way back for Thanksgiving and also it happened to be my husbands birthday weekend. The family arrived in Los Angeles on a United Airlines flight that was only slightly eventful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We found out one of our seats was upgraded, Nicole said. So we decided to give it to our eleven-year-old son. And so he sat there and we sat a few rows behind him. No other family member was upgraded because the flight was full. During the flight, my husband decided to go and check up on him, Nicole said. And thats when he met said person. Said Person is an unidentified woman who, Nicole said, was sitting in the same row as her son -- and spoke rudely to her husband. But the real action started when the woman boarded the same shuttle bus as Nicole, Perez and their three young children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It started when the woman told her children, excited to be driving past planes on the tarmac, to shut up, Nicole said. That enraged Perez. He yelled back at her, dont (expletive) talk to my kids like that, recalled Nicole. She was seated and we were standing, and her husband came up right in front of my husbands face and said, dont talk to my wife like that. Thats when Nicole pulled out her phone and started recording the encounter. Sometimes, when people know theyre being filmed they are more measured in their behavior, she said. So that was the hope. It partially worked. The womans husband pulled up his hoodie and slinked away, Nicole said. But his wife kept going -- verbally assaulting the family about their Indian heritage. Nicole Taufiq It was clearly evident to us that she was inebriated, Nicole said. And as my husband was trying to speak to her, she was on this rant and I knew that she was not going to stop. So my first thought was, my gosh, my kids are hearing all of this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nicoles second thought was why nobody on the bus tried to stop the woman. I know its an uncomfortable situation, she said. People dont want to get involved. But it takes our voice being louder than theirs to drown this stuff out. Someone -- perhaps the bus driver -- called security. The shuttle was stopped and the woman escorted off. At that moment, a Good Samaritan did appear -- a man who assured the security guards that the Taufiqs werent at fault -- and that he didnt feel safe with the woman on the bus. And he said, look these are good people, Nicole said. I just expected someone else to stand up for us at that moment and Im glad that gentleman did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boston 25 News could not confirm with United Airlines whether the woman has been placed on their internal no fly list. The airline had nothing else to say about the incident. Had I known we could have pressed charges immediately, we would have, Nicole said. And then we heard nothing from United. Three days ago, my husband submitted an official complaint online to United and we got a response and they said theres not much they could do. Theres not much the Taufiqs can do until they find out who the woman is. Nicole said they were disturbed to learn that the woman wrote in to a Los Angeles TV station after the video was broadcast and told lies about the encounter. Nicole said her husband did not hit the woman while removing a suitcase and did not get up to retrieve a bag during approach in violation of flight attendant orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At no point did he have any racial slurs toward her, she added. Nicole said its discouraging to hear the woman is trying to justify her behavior. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW An accused drunk driver was arraigned from his hospital bed Monday on charges relating to a Sunday morning Braintree crash in which three people were injured. Ryan Gorman, 39, of Holbrook is accused of crashing head-on into an SUV on Union Street around 12:50 a.m. Sunday All three victims were in the SUV. An 18-year-old passenger suffered life-threatening injuries. The driver of the SUV and a 21-year-old passenger suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gorman faces three counts of driving under the influence of alcohol causing serious bodily injury, driving negligently so as to endanger and failing to drive within marked lanes. Gorman posted $5,000 cash bail. The crash remains under investigation by the Braintree Police, the Massachusetts State Police and the Norfolk District Attorneys Office. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW DENVER (KDVR) Duty to intervene charges were dismissed for two officers charged in connection to the death of 22-year-old Christian Glass. The charges stem from June 2022 when Glass had called for help after his car broke down in Clear Creek County. He told dispatchers that he had possible weapons in his car, including knives and a hammer, which his family said were for an amateur geology trip. Former deputy to be retried in death of Christian Glass Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Body-worn camera footage of the encounter shows that deputies broke a window of his vehicle, shot him with bean bags and used a Taser against him. Ultimately, a Clear Creek County deputy shot Glass six times, killing him. Division of Gaming Officers Christa Lloyd and Mary J. Harris were at the scene when Glass was shot and killed and were charged with failing to intervene. There were more than half a dozen law enforcement officers charged with various crimes. A jury was hung on the murder charge in the trial of a former Clear Creek Sheriffs deputy, but convicted him of reckless endangerment. A judge dismissed the cases for Lloyd and Harris on Monday, a spokesperson for the State Court Administrator Office confirmed to FOX31. Glass family attorney: We must demand better The attorney representing Christian Glass parents, Simon and Sally, told FOX31s Vicente Arenas that those officers are getting off on a technicality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sally and Simon Glass have been waiting two and a half years now to get the criminal justice they deserve. The public should be outraged. Simon and Sally are outraged, said Siddartha Rathod, the Glass family attorney. We must demand better. Rathod said a loophole in state law regarding the Division of Gaming officers titles cleared the way for the charges to be dropped. Almost 3M fentanyl pills seized in Colorado this year, breaking record It shouldnt matter what type of police officer you are. The fundamental requirements of the failure to Intervene statute require that we expect police officers to intervene when they see wrongdoing, to report when they see wrongdoing, Rathod said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX31 reached out to the Division of Gaming for a response. A spokesperson provided a statement on Tuesday evening. The Colorado Department of Revenue and the Division of Gaming continue to extend our deepest sympathies to Christian Glass family and friends. We mourn the loss of his life and his potential. In this situation, the judge made a decision based on the law and we respect the judges decision. We would refer you to the order for the courts reasoning. The Department is committed to doing its part to prevent tragedies like this from happening in the future. To that end, the Colorado Department of Revenue requires all of our POST-certified peace officers to undergo ongoing de-escalation, use of force, and intervention training to better equip themselves with the strategies, tactics, and tools needed to intervene in future situations. Since 2022, we have implemented a new best practices manual, instituted the Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) program that teaches officers how to intervene to prevent misconduct and promote health and wellness, and added scenario-based de-escalation training to our training program. Colorado Department of Revenue spokesperson FOX31 also reached out to the 5th Judicial District Attorneys office, but so far has not heard back. 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. Dec. 2A 20-year-old suspected drug dealer from East Lyme is facing new criminal charges in Massachusetts after police said he attempted to board a flight at Logan International Airport with a loaded handgun, drugs and $57,000. Joseph A. Churyk was due to appear Monday in New London Superior Court, where he faces multiple felony drug sale and possession charges stemming from his arrest by Montville police in 2022. Churyk, however, was not in court because he remains incarcerated in Massachusetts following his arrest on Nov. 4 by Massachusetts state police. New London County Assistant State's Attorney Christa Baker said Churyk was caught trying to board a JetBlue flight to San Francisco with a 9 mm handgun, cash and drugs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Transportation Security Administration found the gun while screening the carry-on bags carried by Churyk and a 17-year-old female companion, records show. The gun was found in a pink and white backpack being carried by the teen, who told police Churyk had asked her to carry it through airport security. A search of the three bags revealed a total of more than $57,839 along with some folded bills containing a powdery substance suspected to be fentanyl. Asked by police about the large amount of cash, police said, Churyk offered several explanations claiming he owned several limited-liability corporations, sold stocks, collected Social Security checks and had a payout from a car accident. During a search of Churyk's car, police said, they found a round from the 9 mm, 21 grams of fentanyl and a small amount of marijuana packaged for sale. Because of Churyk's absence in court on Monday, New London Superior Court Judge John Newson raised Churyk's bonds by a total of $850,000 on six his pending cases from arrests in Montville, Norwich and Waterford. He also ordered Churyk to be rearrested on the cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite having no known legitimate employment, Newson said, Churyk has to date come up with "untold amounts of cash" in order to post bonds. Churyk's attorney Samuel Nassetta argued unsuccessfully for a less drastic bond increase, saying his client has not been able to post bond in Massachusetts. At the time of his arrest in Massachusetts, Churyk was free on a $250,000 bond from a Oct. 18, 2022, arrest at the Chesterfield Lodge Hotel at 1596 Hartford-New London Turnpike in Montville. Police said Churyk was found in possession of $17,561 and assorted drugs ranging from 11 pounds of cannabis edibles and 12 grams of suspected cocaine to 80 THC vape cartridges and eight grams of fentanyl. On Oct. 17, Norwich police arrested Churyk as a suspect in a May 16 shooting of an unoccupied vehicle in front of a Norwich residence. Police said the shooting was targeted and appeared to be drug-related. He was free on a $75,000 nonsurety bond in that case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records show Churyk additionally faces a charge of first-degree sexual assault stemming from a Feb. 16, 2022, arrest by Willimantic police. Details of that arrest were not immediately available. g.smith@theday.com An Ohio woman has been jailed for a year for killing and eating a cat. Allexis T. Ferrells arrest received worldwide attention after it was falsely used as proof of claims by Donald Trump and running mate JD Vance that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio were eating their pets. Ferrell, 27, from Canton, Ohio, pleaded guilty on Monday to cruelty to animals and was given the maximum prison sentence by Stark County Common Pleas Ferrells Frank G. Forchione, according to the Canton Repository. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I cant express the disappointment, shock, disgust that this crime has brought to me. I dont know what could prompt anyone to want to eat a cat, said the judge. Youve embarrassed this county. Youve embarrassed this nation. More importantly, youve embarrassed yourself, added Forchione. To me, you present quite a danger to our community. This is repulsive to me, I mean, that anyone would do this to an animal. And an animals like a child. I dont know if you understand that or not. Absolutely, the Repository quoted Ferrells response. They bring a lot of love to a lot of people, Forchione continued. They dont have a voice. But their only voice today is me and Im going to exercise this voice very loudly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendant had previously pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but a competency report from Akrons Psycho-Diagnostic Clinic said she was capable of understanding the court proceedings. After the August 16 arrest, a video from police bodycam footage was posted with a bogus headlineHaitian Woman East Neighbors Cat in Springfield. Prosecutors said police arrived at the scene before Ferrell was able to eat much of the cat. Officers were able to determine that Allexis had smashed the cats head with her foot and then began to eat the cat. I did observe blood on Allexis' feet, hands, and fur on her lips, said an officers report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Canton Repository reported that the mother-of-threes psychological report said she was irritable, aggressive, deceitful, lacks remorse, shows a reckless disregard for the safety of others and fails to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest. Allexis Ferrell was jailed for killing and eating a cat. Ferrell appealed to the judge for treatment for drug and alcohol dependencies. During his only presidential debate with Kamala Harris, Trump repeated a baseless claim that immigrants in Ohio were eating domestic pets, saying: In Springfield, they are eating the dogs. The people that came in, they are eating the cats. Theyre eatingthey are eating the pets of the people that live there. The video of Ferrells arrest was circulated online shortly afterward, but the Canton incident happened approximately 170 miles from Springfield and Ferrell is a U.S. citizen. ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Tomorrow morning the Ector County Commissioners Court will hold a special meeting to approve the necessary resolution to begin the first steps in a grant application process that will expand water connections to West Odessa residents through the Ector County Utility District (ECUD). Also: Local group provides solution to West Odessa residents without water The grant is valued at $750k and would go directly toward providing more residents with access to safe, clean, and reliable water. This is also the first time in a decade that a grant application is being pursued to fix the water issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are many issues regarding the wells that currently reside in West Odessa. Issues that range from being dried out, taking too long to pump out water, to being contaminated by arsenic according to tests done by Texas A&M. Jesus Sanchez, one of the new board members on ECUD, said he had spoken to Commissioner Mike Gardner, who is a driving force in this effort, before being elected, adding that Gardner is willing to help. Alongside Gardner, a local non-profit organization called West Odessa Water Warriors is making efforts to find innovative ways to bring clean water to residents in the area. Our main goal was to step up because no one else was, says President and Founder Patti Kappauf. If this wouldve started 40 years ago, we wouldnt be where we are now. But if we dont start now, with our growth, the problem is just continuing to get worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tomorrows meeting will be at 10 am at the Ector County Commissioners Court building. The session is open to the public. Ector County, local non-profit pursue water grant to expand ECUD access 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. A guest attending the 2024 Understanding China conference reads a book at the conference venue in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 3, 2024. The 2024 Understanding China conference, focusing on Chinese modernization and new opportunities for the world, opened on Tuesday in Guangzhou. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin) GUANGZHOU, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The 2024 Understanding China conference, focusing on Chinese modernization and new opportunities for the world, opened on Tuesday in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province. This year's conference, themed "Carry through the Reform to the End -- Chinese Modernization and New Opportunities for World Development," has brought together over 600 participants including politicians, officials, scholars, foreign envoys and media representatives. The event, running until Wednesday, will feature six parallel seminars, 14 thematic forums, two closed-door panel discussions, and exhibitions showcasing short videos and achievements of China's modernization efforts, according to the organizers. The conference will also focus on the economic vitality and potential of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as a key driver of Chinese modernization and explore development opportunities across various industries in the context of the digital intelligence era, the low-altitude economy, and new quality productive forces. Other topics will include the protection and inheritance of historical and cultural heritage in the context of modernization, as well as South-South cooperation. Guangzhou, located in the core area of the Pearl River Delta, with a permanent population of over 18 million, is a world-renowned port city and one of the most open and market-oriented cities in China. It boasts a long and profound cultural history characterized by openness, inclusiveness and a spirit of innovation. This year's event is co-hosted by the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy, the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs and the Guangdong provincial government. Guests attending the 2024 Understanding China conference exchange views in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 3, 2024. The 2024 Understanding China conference, focusing on Chinese modernization and new opportunities for the world, opened on Tuesday in Guangzhou. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin) Journalists covering the 2024 Understanding China conference enter the conference venue in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 3, 2024. The 2024 Understanding China conference, focusing on Chinese modernization and new opportunities for the world, opened on Tuesday in Guangzhou. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin) Donald Trumps Saturday night announcement that hes going to nominate a new director of the FBI, the woefully unqualified and completely unfit Kash Patel, is premature by a few years because the directors position is not open. Director Chris Wray was nominated by Trump in his first Oval Office stint and confirmed 925 by the Senate, starting his 10-year term on Aug. 2, 2017. Unless Wray leaves before the summer of 2027, there is no vacancy to fill. Wray has not done anything as head of the FBI to warrant his removal for cause, which should be the only way for a president to get rid of a director. In the 50 years since Congress created the modern FBI leadership following the unaccountable 48-year reign of J. Edgar Hoover, presidents have largely respected the independence directors have in their non-renewable decade in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes, President Bill Clinton did remove FBI boss Bill Sessions soon after Clinton took office in 1993, but that was only after a damning Department of Justice by the departing Bush administration report found that Sessions had improperly billed the government for private expenses. The other instance, with far less justification, was in 2017 when Trump dumped FBI Director Jim Comey. The cover story was that Comey had badly botched the Hillary Clinton e-mail investigation in the days before the 2016 election, which Comey did badly botch, upsetting everyone. The real reason was that Trump didnt want the Kremlins efforts to help his campaign to be probed. As to any reason to dismiss Wray, there are none. Expect the bogeyman of the deep state, which is where Patel comes in. Patel, a former Trump aide who has no business being atop of the FBI, or the CIA (as has been floated by Trump in the past) wrote a 2023 book called: Government Gangsters: The Deep State, the Truth, and the Battle for Our Democracy. The books Appendix B, called Members of the Executive Branch Deep State, is a list of 60 names in alphabetical order. The second name is Lloyd Austin, the current secretary of defense. Bill Barr, Trumps attorney general, is the fifth name. Near the end of Trumps first term when Trump mused with making Patel the FBIs deputy director, Barr told the White House chief of staff: Over my dead body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps National Security Advisor John Bolton is sixth on Patels list, while Joe Biden is No. 8. And thats just thats the first page. The names on the other three pages include Trumps White Chief Counsel Pat Cipollone, Hillary Clinton, Jim Comey, Mark Esper, who Trump fired as defense secretary, current Attorney General Merrick Garland and Trumps CIA Director Gina Haspel, who threatened to resign when Trump suggested making Patel the spy agencys deputy director. Other names are Kamala Harris, Special Counsel Robert Hur, who probed Joe Bidens handling of classified documents, and former chairman of the joint chiefs Mark Milley. Chris Wray is No. 59 on the roster. Patels enemies list is anyone who didnt lie down for Trump. And thats just the executive branch, not including enemies in Congress or the press, but they exist also. Last December, on Steve Bannons podcast, Patel said: We will go out and find the conspirators, not just in government but in the media. Yes, were going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections were going to come after you. Forget running the FBI, this guy Patel isnt suited for any job in government. _____ DENVER (KDVR) All eggs sold in the state of Colorado will be cage-free starting Jan. 1, 2025. This is because of a law that was passed and signed into law in 2020. The first part of the law already went into effect in 2023. That portion of the law required hens to be given more usable space in order for their eggs to be sold in the state. Denver City Council revisits ban on flavored tobacco products after 2021 mayoral veto Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The portion of the law going into effect in 2025 requires hens to be in a cage-free housing system. There are a few specific requirements farmers have to meet for this to be the case, including giving hens a certain amount of usable floor space. Egg producers that cannot meet these new standards cannot sell eggs in Colorado stores. The Colorado Department of Agriculture said farmers both across the country and in the state have been getting ready for the new, more stringent requirements since the law was originally passed in 2020. Colorado Egg Program Manager Julie Mizak said many producers are already cage-free voluntarily and the new phase of the law aligns with that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stout Street Foundation uses new approach to combat substance abuse Farms and businesses producing or selling eggs have to conduct an annual audit and get certification from the state before being able to sell their eggs. Several other states have also passed similar cage-free laws including California. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, around 40% of the egg-laying flock in the country are cage-free. 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. Republicans disinformation campaigns have caused Americans confidence in elections to plummet and exposed local election officials to threats and harassment, and some observers worry about a return of the GOPs destructive rhetoric the next time they lose (George Frey/Getty Images). President-elect Donald Trump may have quieted his lies about widespread voter fraud after his win earlier this month, but the impact of his effort to cast doubt on the integrity of American elections lingers on. Although this post-election period has been markedly calmer than the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, there were isolated flare-ups of Republican candidates borrowing a page from Trumps playbook to claim that unsatisfactory election results were illegitimate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Wisconsin, Republican U.S. Senate challenger Eric Hovde spread unsubstantiated rumors about last-minute absentee ballots in Milwaukee that he said flipped the outcome of the race. Though he conceded to incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin nearly two weeks after the election, his rhetoric helped stoke a spike in online conspiracy theories. The Milwaukee Election Commission disputed his claims, saying they lack any merit. In North Carolina, Republican state Senate leader Phil Berger told reporters last week he feared that the vote-counting process for a state Supreme Court seat was rigged for Democrats. Karen Brinson Bell, the head of the State Board of Elections, skewered Berger for his comments, saying they could inspire violence. And in Arizona, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake, who has spent two years disputing her defeat in the 2022 governors race, hasnt acknowledged her Senate loss. While she thanked her supporters in a video posted to X, the platform formerly called Twitter, she stopped short of conceding to Democratic U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego. Republicans disinformation campaigns have caused Americans confidence in elections to plummet and exposed local election officials to threats and harassment, and some observers worry about a return of the GOPs destructive rhetoric the next time they lose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have to turn this rhetoric down, said Jay Young, senior director of voting and democracy for Common Cause, a voting rights group. There cannot be this continued attack on this institution. Still, many politicians who either denied the 2020 election results or criticized their local voting processes won election. In Arizona, for example, voters chose state Rep. Justin Heap, a Republican, to lead the election office in Maricopa County, home to Phoenix and the largest jurisdiction in the critical swing state. Heap ran on a voter confidence platform and suggested at a Trump rally that Maricopas election office is a national laughingstock. Trump tapped former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to oversee the U.S. Department of Justice. Bondi, a Republican, served as an attorney for Trump while he disputed the results in 2020. She could use her position as U.S. attorney general to prosecute election officials involved in that election, as Trump promised in an X post in September. While the rhetoric around stolen elections has been somewhat muted among the GOP ranks since Trumps victory, conservatives attempted to flip the election denial script on Democrats in at least one race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Pennsylvania, Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey refused to concede defeat until last Thursday, two weeks after The Associated Press called the race for Republican challenger David McCormick. Casey lost by fewer than 16,000 votes, less than half a percentage point. Casey said he wanted to see the results of an automatic recount and various court cases filed on his behalf, but Republicans jumped on his refusal to bow out quickly. Last week, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican who resisted pressure from Trump in 2020 to find votes after he lost the state, lambasted Casey for not conceding the Senate race. Election denialism needs to end, now, Raffensperger wrote in a statement. We are a country of laws and principles, not of men and personalities. Do your job! Follow the law. Accept election results or lose your country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even as Republicans mostly toned down their rhetoric this year, some left-wing social media accounts repeated a debunked conspiracy theory that Starlink, the internet provider owned by billionaire and Trump supporter Elon Musk, changed vote counts. Those posts, however, arent comparable to GOP election denialism, according to the University of Washingtons Center for an Informed Public, which fights strategic misinformation. While the claims are similar, the rumoring dynamics on the left are markedly different due to the lack of endorsement or amplification by left-leaning influencers, candidates, or party elites, the center posted last week. Young, of Common Cause, said its clear that election disinformation of any kind has a devastating impact on the local officials tasked with administering the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Threats to election workers continued even after Election Day. Bomb threats were called into election offices in California, Minnesota, Oregon and other states, forcing evacuations as workers were tallying ballots. But this was just a slice of the onslaught many officials faced over the past four years. Local election officials need the resources to beef up the way they fight disinformation and physical attacks, Young said. We should be doing better by them, he said. 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. Several high-ranking members of the Orange County Supervisor of Elections office lost their jobs shortly before Thanksgiving, weeks after the office was enveloped in a spending scandal. Four sources familiar with the offices workings said the chief financial officer, who had been on the job for a decade or more, was one of the people let go. The others included the person tasked with overseeing the offices mail-in ballot operation, who had been with the office for decades, as well as a newer hire in the voter outreach division, they said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read: Controversy continue over Glen Gilzeans $5M Spending: Valencia College offers to return scholarship All three affected employees had positions connected to the controversy, in which Supervisor Glen Gilzean routed millions of dollars meant to prepare for elections and beef up security toward high school scholarships and nonprofit grants. It was not clear if any of the three played direct roles in the decision-making. Emails provided by CareerSource, which received and then returned $1.9 million, showed Gilzean largely worked out the deals himself, including requesting that the scholarships Valencia College was preparing to offer high school students be named after him. Read: Orange County elections supervisor Gilzean responds to $5M spending controversy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid those who spoke to WFTV, there was universal belief the terminations were an effort to develop a scapegoat to deflect blame for the spending away from Gilzean. I will be assessing the team when I get there, incoming Supervisor Karen Castor Dentel, who takes over the office in January, said in response to the news. I will be happy to bring back people who are let go unfairly. Read: Gilzean overstepped authority when moving money around, attorneys say When reached for comment, Gilzeans spokesman refused to confirm or comment on the terminations or the reasoning behind them. We cannot discuss personnel decisions, Chief Elections Administrator Chris Heath wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since WFTV broke the news of the spending in November, Heath and Gilzean have repeatedly said Gilzean was well within his rights to spend the $22 million Orange County allocated his office last fiscal year as he saw fit. Read: Rage growing in Orange County after election offices $5 million spending revelations They have cited state law that demands unused funds get returned to county commissioners at the end of September to be reallocated within the countys budget. However, the law is not as clear about whether the supervisor has the authority to reallocate significant sums of money within his own budget without seeking prior approval by the county. Some lawmakers have said they could seek to clarify the law in the next legislative session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Valencia College has offered to return its $2.1 million upon request, which Castor Dentel has promised to fulfill. The fate of another $1 million allocated to various nonprofits for voter outreach initiatives out of the current fiscal years budget remains uncertain. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. BUCHANAN, Wis. (WFRV) Firefighters in Outagamie County quickly extinguished a shed fire Monday evening that is believed to have been caused by an electrical issue. Shortly before 5 p.m., the Buchanan Fire Department responded to the W100 block of Clancy Lamers Road after a neighbor alerted the homeowner to smoke coming from their shed. The homeowner confirmed the smoke and called emergency services. GoFundMe set up for Wisconsin state trooper hoping for Christmas miracle; in need of liver transplant Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When firefighters arrived, they observed heavy smoke but no visible flames. After further investigation, crews found flames on the northeast side of the structure. Firefighters established a water supply and extinguished the flames within about 15 minutes. Ventilation and overhaul operations were conducted to ensure all hot spots were eliminated. Wisconsin Department of Transportation: WIS 172 bridge safe for travel following oversized vehicle crash Authorities determined the fire was electrical in nature, though the exact origin remains undetermined. No damage estimate has been provided as of 9:15 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire and overhaul operations were completed within two-and-a-half hours, and all units cleared the scene. 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. The diplomatic disagreement between Britain and Greece over the ownership of the Elgin Marbles has been brought into the spotlight once again as Sir Keir Starmer welcomes Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Downing Street. Mr Mitsotakiss visit comes after he reportedly held private talks with the British Museum which houses the Ancient Greek sculptures about the prospect of their return. Three private talks with the museums chair George Osborne, a former Conservative chancellor, are understood to have taken place this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is thought that Sir Keir is more open to the idea of repatriating the artefacts to their ancestral homeland. However, he has ruled out discussing the matter with Mr Mitsotakis at his first UK visit since Labour came to power. Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer, left, and then-shadow foreign secretary David Lammy, second left, during a meeting with the prime minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis, right, in London in November 2023 (PA Archive) A spokesperson for Sir Keir said: Its not going to be on the prime ministers agenda. His focus will be on support for Ukraine and the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza. Our position on the Elgin Marbles has not changed. It remains a matter for the British Museum, and the government has no plans to change the law to permit a permanent move of the Parthenon Sculptures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was reported there was no mention of the Elgin Marbles at the top of a meeting between the two leaders on Tuesday morning. Mr Mitsotakiss visit marks the first since his spat with Rishi Sunak over the Marbles last year. The then-prime minister cancelled a planned meeting with the Greek politician at the last minute, with a spokesperson the plans had become impossible due to commentary around the artefacts. Speaking to the BBC at the time, Mr Mitsotakis compared the marbles also known as the Parthenon Sculptures and stored at the British Museum since the early 19th century to Leonardo Da Vincis Mona Lisa, saying Britain retaining them was akin to carving the famous Renaissance portrait in half and keeping part of it in London and the other in the Louvre in Paris. The British Museum has regularly faced criticism in recent decades over its right to hold onto the treasures of antiquity it houses, with some believing many of the relics in its collection were effectively looted during the colonial heyday of the British Empire and ought to be returned to their countries of origin out of respect for the civilisations that created them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the institution makes no secret of the debate surrounding the artefacts within its walls and lists contested objects on its website, explaining the historical circumstances of their acquisition and the current state of the often highly sensitive discussions surrounding their retention. Heres everything you need to know about its most disputed artefacts: The Elgin Marbles (Parthenon Sculptures) Sections of the Parthenon Sculptures on display in the British Museum (Matthew Fearn/PA) The Elgin Marbles, or Parthenon Sculptures, come from the temple of Athena on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece and continue to represent one of the longest-running controversies concerning the British Museums collection. The museum holds 15 metopes, 17 pedimental figures and a 247-foot section of decorative frieze, all of which are believed to have been crafted between 447 and 432 BC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were removed by Lord Elgin, British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire still governing Greece in the early 19th century between 1801 and 1805 and were subsequently shipped to Britain. His actions were investigated by a parliamentary select committee in 1816, which ruled that he had committed no wrong but consigned the antiquities to the museum in the best interests of their conservation. The Greek government first requested they be returned in 1983 and discussions have taken place ever since without resolution. Human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson KC accused the museum of being among the worlds largest receivers of stolen property in 2019 over its failure to give back the sculptures and other pilfered cultural property. The British Museum states it takes its commitment to be a world museum seriously, adding: The collection is a unique resource to explore the richness, diversity and complexity of all human history, our shared humanity. The Parthenon Sculptures are an integral part of that story and a vital element in this interconnected world collection, particularly in the way in which they convey the influences between Egyptian, Persian, Greek and Roman cultures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We share this collection with the widest possible public, lending objects all over the world and making images and information on over four million objects from the collection available online. A British Museum spokesperson added in a statement to The Independent: Discussions with Greece about a Parthenon Partnership are ongoing and constructive. We believe that this kind of long-term partnership would strike the right balance between sharing our greatest objects with audiences around the world, and maintaining the integrity of the incredible collection we hold at the museum. Chinese cultural relics A Ming dynasty stoneware figure displayed at the British Museum (Getty) Another recent appeal for the museum to return items came from Chinas state-run newspaper The Global Times, which used the visit of former foreign secretary James Cleverly to Beijing in August 2023 to publish an editorial demanding that the institution give back all items acquired through improper channels to China free of charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It referred to Britains refusal to return artefacts to other countries and accused the museum in particular of adopting a resistant, protracted and perfunctory attitude. The British Museum houses the biggest collection of Chinese relics anywhere in the West at least 23,000 objects ranging from paintings that date back to the Tang dynasty (618 to 907 AD) to bronze vessels from the dawn of Chinas civilisation. Of these, The Global Times reported about 2,000 are currently on display and cited a number of examples it regarded as particularly significant. These included The Admonitions of the Instructress to the Court Ladies by Gu Kaizhi, which the museum describes as a masterpiece and a milestone in Chinese painting history dating from between 400 and 700 AD. Other items cited include Liao tri-colored Luohan statues; ritual bronzes from the Shang and Zhou dynasties and stone Buddhist sutra scrolls from the Wei and Jin dynasties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the British Museum told The Independent at the time: We understand and recognise the significance of the issues surrounding objects from other countries, and work with communities, colleagues and museums across the globe to share the collection as widely as possible. There has been no request for the return of any objects in the collection by the Chinese government. The Rosetta Stone The Rosetta Stone on display as part of the museums recent Hieroglyphs: Unlocking Ancient Egypt exhibition (The British Museum/AP) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Egypts former antiquities minister Dr Zahi Hawass launched a petition in November 2022 calling for the museum to return the Rosetta Stone on the 200th anniversary of its hieroglyphics being deciphered. That breakthrough greatly enhanced the worlds understanding of the wonders of Ancient Egypt. It is the time Egyptian identity comes back home. We are not asking the British Museum to return the 100,000 Egyptian pieces they have, we just ask them to return one item, Dr Hawass said. The stone was discovered by French soldiers in the northern town of Rashid in 1799 during Napoleon Bonapartes military occupation of the country but passed into British hands after the generals forces were routed in 1801. Dr Hawass said he hoped to see the stone, which he described as an icon of Egyptian identity, displayed in the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is also pursuing the return of the Zodiac of Dendera from the Louvre and the Nefertiti bust from the Neues Museum in Berlin, although he is still some way short of the 1m signatures sought to endorse his appeal for the Stones repatriation. A spokesperson for the British Museum told The Independent at the time: We have received no formal request from the Egyptian government to repatriate the Rosetta Stone. The Rosetta stone is available to all interested audiences, whether in the galleries or via appointment to support academic research. The Benin Bronzes The Benin bronzes seen in a gallery of African relics in the British Museum in London (Leon Neal/Getty) The museum houses over 900 elaborately decorated brass and bronze sculptures and plaques from the West African Kingdom of Benin dating as far back as the 16th century. Commemorative heads, animals, human figures and royal regalia originally crafted by specialist guilds are among the collection. Benin City is now the capital of the state of Edo in southern Nigeria but was part of the British Empire from 1897 to 1960. Many of its relics ended up in the hands of British collectors during this period, including the likes of Harry Beasley, William Oldman and Sir Henry Wellcome, who subsequently donated their items to the British Museum in 1944, 1949 and 1954 respectively. The institution reports that it received a written request for the return of Nigerian antiquities from Nigerias Federal Ministry of Information and Culture in October 2021 and that representatives of the Benin Royal Palace have made a number of public statements calling for their return. The museum states it has been in discussions over the issue for several years, with Mr Fisher visiting Nigeria in August 2018, and enjoys positive relationships with the royal palace in Benin City, the Nigerian National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NNCMM) and the Benin Dialogue Group. It says it remains committed to thorough and open investigation of Benin collection histories, and engagement with wider contemporary dialogues within which these collections are positioned. However, the theft of 2,000 pieces from the museums Towneley collection of Graeco-Roman artefacts that emerged last year has heightened calls for the return of the Benin Bronzes, with Abba Isa Tijani, the NNCMMs director telling Sky News in August 2023: Its shocking to hear that the countries and museums that have been telling us that the Benin Bronzes would not be secure in Nigeria have thefts happening there. The Maqdala collection The museum holds 80 objects from the reign of Ethiopias Emperor Tewodros II in the mid-19th century, including ornate ceremonial crosses, chalices, weapons, textiles, jewellery and archaeological material. Tewodros succeeded to the throne of Maqdala, now known as Amba Mariam, in 1855. Seven years later, he called on the British to help train his military in order to shore up his territorial claims in East Africa but the appeal was rejected. Enraged, Tewodros reacted by imprisoning the British consul and taking hostages, including Christian missionaries. Britain responded by dispatching troops under Sir Robert Napier to mount a rescue operation and lay siege to Maqdala, leading to the death of Tewodros in 1868 and the pillaging of his fortress by soldiers, much of the spoils subsequently picked up at auction by British Museum employee Richard Rivington Holmes and entering the archives. Delegates from Ethiopia have often visited Bloomsbury in recent years, including culture minister Hirut Kassaw in March 2019, to request the return of its sacred objects and the matter remains under discussion. The Museums sustained long-term ambition relating to the tabots is to lend them to an Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Great Britain where they can be cared for by the clergy within their traditions, added the British Museum. The Moai Hoa Hakananaia, a basalt Easter Island head, is displayed at the British Museum (Dan Kitwood/Getty) Two moai are currently held at the museum. These are monolithic ancestral heads originating from Rapa Nui in the South Pacific, better known as Easter Island in English. The first moai, Hoa Hakananaia, is carved from basalt and has been dated to 1000-1200 while the second, Moai Hava, was made from volcanic tuff between 1100 and 1600. They were removed from the island by Commodore Richard Powell of HMS Topaze in 1868, who returned to England with them a year later. They were subsequently gifted by the admiralty to Queen Victoria, who in turn donated them to the museum. Rapa Nui requested their return in a letter of July 2018 and a delegation of representatives arrived the following November. A reciprocal visit was made in August 2019 and the museum is now in the process of developing a long-term relationship with the community of Rapa Nui. Early Australian shield The British Museum loaned a tribal warriors shield carved from red mangrove wood and thought to date back to the New South Wales of the late 1700s to the National Museum of Australia in Canberra for an exhibition in 2015/16. There, it was seen by Aboriginal man Rodney Kelly, who appealed for its return on behalf of his ancestors. He has since visited London on several occasions to meet with the curators, most recently in 2019, and has asked for further research to be carried out into the shields history. It is not clear exactly how the museum obtained it in the first place, although it is believed to have been shipped back from Sydney between 1790 and 1815, possibly by affiliate Joseph Banks, although this is not certain. The museum said it would consider lending the shield again. Objects of uncertain provenance 1933-45 One of the most tricky and sensitive areas for the British Museum is establishing whether any of the objects donated to it since the Second World War were in fact stolen, looted or otherwise taken by the Third Reich prior to or during the conflict. In cases where it has become clear that an object was forcibly obtained by the Nazis, every effort has been made to ascertain that it was correctly restituted at the end of World War II and that the Museums acquisition was made with good title, the museum explains. It settled a number of claims related to artworks, antique clocks and watches and valuable porcelain between 2006 and 2014. Human remains The British Museum reports it has more than 6,000 human remains in its collection, which it says are managed in a way that protects the collection for the benefit of present and future generations. It says it has received two requests for repatriation since the Human Tissue Act 2004 came into force in 2005: the first in July that year for two cremation ash bundles from the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre and another in May 2011 for two skulls from a Torres Strait Islander organisation - in cooperation with the Australian government in both instances. Following a review, the ash was ultimately returned but the skulls were retained after the trustees ruled there was insufficient evidence to support the claim on them. The museum also lists six prior requests between 1995 and 2004, four of which had been made by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre for the same material. With the election behind us, the Thanksgiving dishes put away and more holidays ahead, Americans had a brief and shining weekend in which we could have felt a bit better about the body politic, if not the body still groaning from the cornbread dressing and pumpkin pie. That respite ended Sunday when phones began pinging with news that President Joe Biden had pardoned his son Hunter. It was shocking, not only in the timing, but also in the pardons scope and breadth, and the presidents audacity of defiantly doing something that he has for months said he would not do. Before Sunday, it seemed unimaginable that Bidens news coverage could be worse than it was the day after his campaign-ending debate with Donald Trump, but at least then, there was a measure of sympathy about Bidens condition. That is absent today, as people denounce and defend the presidents decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news coverage, in particular, has been unforgiving. Per PBS, Biden broke a promise ... raising questions about his legacy. Per Politico, Hunter Bidens pardon looks a lot like Richard Nixons. Per CNN, White House says Biden would not have pardoned his son had Harris won the election before backtracking. The Atlantic published a piece on Bidens unpardonable hypocrisy. The pardon is a public relations disaster unfolding in real time, but more than that, it is deeply troubling, not only for the message that it sends which CNN commentator Scott Jennings described as a government and judicial system of, by and for the elites but also for its ripple effects. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, Americas prisons, jails and detention facilities hold more than 1.9 million people, some of whom are imprisoned for cannabis charges. Few, if any, of them have a chance at a presidential pardon, which typically go to people with money, status and connections. And there is no greater connection than your dad being president of the United States. To see this type of favor displayed so clearly builds further distrust in our institutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some analysts are worrying, and not without cause, that the pardon gives President-elect Trump carte blanche with regard to pardons, and that Biden has set a dangerous precedent. Other presidents have pardoned family members Trump, his son-in-laws father; Bill Clinton, his half brother but its the pardons jaw-dropping life span, more than 10 years, thats raising eyebrows the highest and inviting questions about what, exactly, we dont know about what is being pardoned. Glenn Beck, while acknowledging that Biden was within his legal rights to issue the pardon, said Monday that Trump should declassify all information related to Hunter Bidens prosecution, to shed light on what might be hidden there, and to determine whether there are other people who have committed crimes for which they should be held accountable. Doing so may satisfy public interest, but also test how long Americans can abide Hunter Biden being in the news and his father, for that matter. Over Thanksgiving, we could entertain the hope that the Biden show would be over on Jan. 20. The pardon, as questionable as it was, at least suggested that all things Biden would retire to Delaware after Trumps inauguration. Instead, were back in the thick of Trump v. Biden again, with cynicism on tap. It didnt have to be this way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Americans could dislike Uncle Joe, both his persona and his policies, and still grudgingly admire his statements, going as far back as June, about letting the judicial chips fall where they might and respecting the judicial process. Now, hes talking like Trump, about unfair prosecutions and miscarriage of justice, while those who are attempting to put daylight between the two men on this issue are arguing themselves into corners. The highlight has to be Whoopi Goldberg saying on The View that Trump is more culpable, in part, because he was not addicted to drugs. (Im old enough to remember when not on drugs was a testament to a persons character, not evidence of the lack of it.) Second would be S.E. Cupps blaming Trump for the Hunter Biden pardon, saying that Trump lowered the moral bar for both parties, and that possessing moral authority on anything is no longer a currency that matters. That doesnt fly. Biden alone owns this debacle and the fallout from it. Whoopi Goldberg melts down when Joe Biden is accused of lying about pardoning Hunter Biden, then goes on a rant defending Joe Biden lying about pardoning Hunter Biden... pic.twitter.com/CoKM3euTER Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) December 2, 2024 This is not to say that Bidens action should be viewed in a vacuum, without comparison to Trump, whose own activities have been causing fevered speculation about presidential self-pardons since 2019. We might ask ourselves if both Democrats and Republicans might be better off electing people who have no need (or potential need) of pardons for themselves or their friends and family. But we also might come to a consensus about lawfare, and the need to purge it from our institutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the many blunders of Bidens full and unconditional pardon is the tacit acknowledgement that American jurisprudence can, in fact, be weaponized, which is what Trump and his supporters have been saying for years. In fact, some have argued that Biden should similarly pardon Trump in the name of national unity, seeking to do what Gerald Ford tried to do with his pardon of Nixon. While some of Fords critics at the time, including the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, later decided that the move had been right, it was divisive at the time, with many Americans believing that the pardon itself was part of a coverup. That same sense of distrust has been rekindled at a time when America can ill afford it. Biden has called on Americans to understand why a father and a president would come to this decision, and we can understand it, while believing he should have done better. The pardon itself was a cynical act, showing that for all Bidens previous praise of American jurisprudence, he did not trust the system to perform as it should. Alternatively, maybe he did and maybe to the presidents thinking, that potential of justice delivered was even worse for his son. Either way, the effect is the same: By pardoning his son, the president confirmed what many Americans already thought thinking that helped elect Trump twice and with Bidens legacy already in shambles, he doesnt have to worry about his poll numbers this month. The consequences will be Americas alone. Elon Musks X has been ordered to pay George Galloways legal costs in a defamation lawsuit after the politicians account was labelled an affiliate of Russia. The High Court in Dublin ordered X to pay part of Mr Galloways fees and ordered both sides to submit statements to the court by the end of January. Mr Galloway, who presented shows on the state-backed broadcasters RT and Sputnik, was labelled as Russian state-affiliated media in 2022 after Russias invasion of Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He subsequently sued Twitter for defamation, saying its unjust labelling of honestly held political views is the new McCarthyism. He said the label was damaging to his reputation and described it as unjust and perverse. The lawsuit was lodged before Mr Musk paid $44bn (35bn) to buy the social network later in the year. Mr Musk has renamed it X and removed the Russian media labels from all accounts, although accounts for RT and other broadcasters have been blocked in the UK and EU to comply with sanctions. X belatedly denies Mr Galloways claims After Mr Galloway sued Twitter in Ireland, where the companys headquarters are based, it failed to issue a defence for two years, leading the former MP to file a motion forcing the company to respond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has belatedly denied Mr Galloways claims, but must pay the legal costs associated with issuing the motion. Kevin Winters, Mr Galloways lawyer, confirmed the decision and said both sides had been told to submit a written affidavit by Jan 30. The case underscores the broader challenge for social media platforms in navigating accountability for their past actions, particularly in the context of evolving policies and leadership changes, Mr Winters said. RT was taken off the British airwaves after Russias invasion, and has been banned from YouTube. Mr Galloway won re-election to the Commons after winning a by-election in Rochdale in February, but lost his seat to Labour in July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His talk show is now broadcast on services such as YouTube. X was approached for comment. Payment of the legal costs has been stayed pending the outcome of the case. 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. ISTANBUL, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye's flag carrier, Turkish Airlines (THY), on Tuesday decided to resume its flights to Beirut following a ceasefire deal agreed upon by Israel and Lebanon. Flights to Beirut will resume on Wednesday with a single daily flight, and the frequency will be increased to two daily flights starting from Dec. 6, said THY in a statement on its website. The flights will return to a regular schedule of four daily flights starting from Dec. 11, the statement added. THY suspended its flights to and from Beirut in September, citing increased risks due to Israel's attacks on Lebanon. Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire deal effective from Nov. 27, paving the way for an end to a nearly 14-month conflict largely linked to the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip. The 2024 elections have come and gone, and as certified results pour in from across the state one thing has become abundantly clear: The protections we put in place to secure our elections did the intended job. Election workers and clerks from across the state did an outstanding job managing record turnout, including a significant number of absentee ballots that were unable to be processed prior to Election Day. In Milwaukee, election officials managed a hiccup with transparency, and swiftly announced the reprocessing of some absentee ballots after consulting openly with Republicans and Democrats. Opinion: Voting was worry heading into election. Readers said they had smooth sailing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This election was, by all accounts, smoothly administered across the state. But America should set the example for every nation around the world, and there is always room for improvement. Voters trust their own election administrators and support ID laws I joined RightCount earlier this year to work alongside first responders, veterans, business owners, farmers and Wisconsinites from all walks of life to defend the integrity of our elections and find ways to improve our system moving forward. Partnerships like these allow us to connect directly with voters and identify areas of concern around the election system, something RightCount did earlier this year. They found that voters trusted their own election administrators, but not those in other counties, cities, or states. Opinion: Election showed we're more divided than ever. Fix can be found in farm fields. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters believed in voter ID, in having a more transparent process, in having paper ballots to keep a full record of the vote total - things we do extremely well in Wisconsin but need to communicate to the public more effectively. Our elections were conducted safely and fairly in 2024, but without constant evaluation and improvement, we will become a target for bad actors who threaten to upend our system of government. Bipartisan bill would allow for pre-processing absentee ballots The simplest first step we can take is to pre-process absentee ballots before Election Day. This year, more than 1.5 million Wisconsinites cast their ballots before election day, and 950,000 of those were early in-person absentee ballots. This is a healthy sign for our state and our nation, engaging more voices with more opportunities to vote for those who are unable to be at their poling place on Election Day, for whatever reason. But when election workers cant process those ballots prior to Election Day, it forces the hands of the administrators throughout the state. If we are able to pass legislation to address early ballot processing, you can say goodbye to the late night ballot dumps that have become infamous over time and fueled the fire of conspiracy across the country. Rather than having those votes arrive in the dead of night and cast doubt on the outcome, we would know beforehand as tabulators will have already gone through the by the time polls closed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Editorial: Hovde's election claims are false. He's blaming Milwaukee without evidence. The Campaigns and Elections Committee in the State Assembly put forth a bipartisan package of election reforms to address concerns just like these in the last legislative session. Our recommended reforms included pre-processing of ballots, stricter rules around overseas voting to prevent fraud, stronger protections for our election officials, and preventing last minute closures of polling sites. Its past time to pass these good government reforms and ensure that we are doing everything in our power to protect the voices of Wisconsin voters. While I wish many of these reforms could have already been in place this election cycle to prevent any claims of impropriety, there is no better time than the present to continue improving. The 2024 Wisconsin general election was a success, the results reflect the 50/50 nature of our state, and I am proud to be leading the charge to make one of our countrys best elections systems even stronger for years to come. Join me in calling for good government reform this legislative session to end doubts about the integrity of Wisconsin elections once and for all. Scott Krug, R-Wisconsin Rapids, is chair of the Assembly Campaigns and Elections Committee. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin elections reforms would bring more security | Opinion ENID, Okla. (KFOR) The Enid Police Department is seeking the publics help concerning a shooting reported to the department the night of November 23. Enid Police Department According to authorities, no one was harmed in the incident, which occurred about 9:40 p.m. in the 400 block of East Iowa. Police believe the latest shooting may be related to prior shootings involving juvenile suspects. Oklahoma Human Services announce Holiday Hope for families Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information about this most recent incident to please contact Enid PD at (580) 242-7000, or text 847411 and enter keyword EPDTIP. 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. The Syrian government should engage in political dialogue amid the ongoing clashes with rebels, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a phone call with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, according to Erdogan's office. Erdogan called for room for diplomacy in the region, and underscored that the Syrian regime should engage in the political solution process, Erdogan`s communication office said on social media platform X. Turkey will maintain its fight against the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its "extensions," Erdogan added, warning against generating "greater instability" in Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, an alliance of insurgents led by the Islamist group Haiat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a surprise offensive in north-western Syria and took control of Aleppo, leading to a sudden flare-up in a civil war that has been going on since 2011. Turkish-backed rebels meanwhile captured areas in the north-west from Kurdish militia YPG, whom Ankara considers linked to the PKK. Russia is a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. DENVER (KDVR) The town of Erie will soon allow marijuana businesses to open in the town after voters approved an excise tax in the November 2024 election. Applications for businesses will open on Jan. 1, 2025. It will be the first time that marijuana businesses will be able to open in the town since statewide legalization in 2013. The town passed an ordinance placing a moratorium on all recreational marijuana businesses in January 2013, with another ordinance prohibiting recreational marijuana businesses in the town passing in November 2015. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February 2021, the Erie Board of Trustees requested that staff examine the ban. Download the FOX31 App: Breaking news alerts & Pinpoint Weather Then, in November 2024, a measure putting an excise tax on medical and recreational marijuana products went to voters. Voter approval of this would also trigger an ordinance regulating the sale of marijuana in town. It was approved by a margin of 54% to 46%. Just over 21,000 votes were cast. A maximum of two marijuana businesses will be allowed within the town. 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. (WJET/WFXP) The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to help dig out residents still snowed in around the county. The Salvation Army will be going around Erie County on Tuesday, Dec. 3 removing snow around the area with volunteers needed for help coordinating groups at different areas of the county. LIST: Closings, event postponements around town due to inclement weather Group Leaders are needed to recruit a group of six volunteers to help the Salvation Army Erie Temple Corps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sign-ups for the effort are available here or by emailing Salvation Army Soldier in Charge Charles DeJesus at charles.dejesus@use.salvationarmy.org to sign up 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 WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at the 115th NAACP National Convention at the Mandalay Bay Convention (Photo by Mario Tama | Getty Images) Our reasons are so full of good regard That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar, You should be satisfied. Brutus from Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare President Joe Biden pardoning his son, Hunter, through a privilege that happened because the American electorate trusted him to do the right thing, even when it was difficult, is a gross corruption of the political process and morally indefensible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Would that the damage were limited to people in the Biden familys privileged circles. Would that it were some parting gift from the chief executive as he leaves the White House, a consolation prize for not running for a second-term; like taking an extra embossed notepad or two that says From the office of the president. And would that such a pardon would just be a historical footnote. But Bidens selfish pardon will reverberate deep into the body politic, and add fuel to a needless fire even in more remote places of the country, like Montana. The problem with Hunter Biden is on full display as it appears that Daddy Joe has swooped in again to save the poor-little-rich kid who made bad choices. In that respect, Biden and Trump look a little too close to each other for my liking. But even more important, by pardoning his son, Biden has decimated and I mean absolutely obliterated something much more important than he or his son. He has admitted without even pretending to fight that theres something political, fishy or untrustworthy about the American judicial system. The man who has been telling us all along that we can and should have faith in the venerable institutions of this country, has seemed to call all that into question as he says he cannot trust the justice system even to ensure his own family member who has been rightly convicted will get a fair shake during the second presidency of Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats quite an admission, one that Biden didnt have to speak, but nonetheless is a crippling indictment. There are many of us who believe that regardless of what happens during the next four years, Hunter Biden would have been treated to the punishment hes got coming, just as many of believe Donald Trump would have and still should be held accountable for his convictions. But moments like this will be the new reference points for those looking to undermine the court system and an excuse to knock down the institutions that have and should continue to serve us well. Here in Montana, our leaders have conducted a four-year war on the judiciary from the other two co-equal branches of government in an attempt to discredit and frighten the judges into capitulating to decisions that conform more to political views than case law. Though lawmakers searching for wrongdoing and conspiracies have found none, often being flummoxed by the kind of civics that should have been taught in grade school, they have done a decent job of leaving Treasure State residents with the vague and gnawing notion that something who knows what? must be wrong in the courts. While this exercise in finding solutions where there are no problems has yielded precious little for such an investment of time, the mere creation the committee, even without Democratic participation, is more powerful anything this legislative inquisition has uncovered. In other words, people already had their doubts, but when you have a president who says that he cant trust the federal judiciary, he seems to be playing right into their hands, even though the federal courts have about as much relevancy to Montana state courts as the U.S. Senate has to the Montana Senate two totally different bodies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the things that has continued to define the Democrats, including their sickening ability to lose big elections when it appears they might win, is that theyve resisted transforming government into an apparatus that caters to their friends and bends norms in exchange for sacrificing just a little bit of shame. But, Bidens move shows that hes not above the same kind of shenanigans those in the Trump orbit frequently engage in. The idea that there are two sets of rules, one for us common folks and one for those politically connected, should be anathema to Americans. Instead, it appears to be reality. Predictably, before the news had even fully broken of Bidens pardon, there was already an incoming wave of what-aboutism? What about Trumps felony convictions? Oh yeah? Well, what about the Hunter Biden laptop? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Understand, though, these ceaseless arguments arent winning any hearts and minds, only corroding the institutions that we must rely upon for everyday, ordinary justice. The same kind of systemic, toxic arguments are happening with our other institutions, not so unlike the beating the public schools are taking or the undermining of the traditional role of journalism. First comes the undermining, then discrediting, and finally, dismantling. When the institutions, like the court systems, which have and continued to serve us well, fail in the eyes of the politicians, they can more easily be discounted or written off for dead, instead of defending the very institutions that make democracy run. As Trump promises to use the Department of Justice to seek political payback, Biden engages in a raft of lame-duck pardons and maneuvers meant as a checkmate to Trump, a rekindling of a grudge match from two old men who continue to act as if the presidency is an entitlement and institutions are their toys. I truly hope justice is blind because if I were her, the last thing Id want to do is watch whats being done in her name. Ethics Board to discuss Mayor Lily Wu ethics complaint on Tuesday Update: During the meeting, it was decided that no violation was found, and no binding action will be taken at this time. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) On Tuesday, the City of Wichita Ethics Board will take up the ethics complaint filed against Mayor Lily Wu. The International Association of Firefighters Local 135, representing Wichita firefighters, filed the complaint in late October. The complaint alleges Wu met with Wichita Fire Chief Tammy Snow and told her to lay off 42 employees. It claims the mayor used improper influence and instruction on Snow, violating the citys ethics code. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wu denies the accusation. She said her support of public safety, including the Wichita Fire Department, is well documented. WSU gets most significant industry contract in its history In October, City of Wichita Ethics Officer Kathy Sexton said the investigation would take weeks, and then she would present the findings to the citys Ethics Board. That presentation is on the Ethics Board agenda for Tuesday evening. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at Evergreen Community Center, 2601 N. Arkansas, and will be streamed live on the City of Wichita-Government Facebook page. 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 KSN-TV. Births across the EU suffered a record drop last year, as changing demographics put growing pressure on the blocs finances. The number of births in the EU fell to 3,665,142 last year, the lowest since at least 1961. It marks a decline of 5.5pc from 2022, which was also the largest ever annual drop. The worst affected EU countries suffered double-digit percentage falls in the number of children born, pointing to a growing demographic crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Romania, births fell by 13.9pc, in Poland 10.7pc and Czechia 10pc. All are at a record low. Large wealthy European countries like France and Germany are also experiencing steep drops in the number of births, at respectively 6.6pc and 6.2pc. Societies are ageing across the developed world. Fertility rates, which measure how many children women of childbearing age have on average, fell to a record low in England and Wales last year of 1.44. They are also at record lows in China and the US. Inflexible employers, economic uncertainty and the struggle to get on the housing ladder are all factors in declining births, according to Professor Melinda Mills at Oxford University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Mills said: Women have got more education. Theyve entered into the labour market, and they find it hard to combine it with unpaid childcare. They often have to do a lot of childcare at home. Many people also put off having their first children until they are in their early to mid-30s, which can lead to disappointment. She said: You are starting to have children when you are biologically less able to have children. You might be able to have one child but because youre starting so late biologically, its really difficult to have more children. People are getting caught out on that where theyre just running out of time. The cost and societal expectations around what you need to provide for your children may also have played a factor, according to Norwegian professor of demography Arnstein Aassve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said: When I was a kid, after school you were asked to go outside and play. Now parenthood is about a big investment and its costing a hell of a lot. And it is going to cost you money for about 20 to 25 years. I think people are starting to be a bit more aware of that. Across Europe, young peoples perception of the ideal family is also changing, he said. Mr Aassve said: When we ask people what would be your ideal family, parenthood is very important. But whether you have one, two or three children, that seems to be becoming a lot less important. The dire birth figures point to one of the most profound challenges facing the EU, as an ageing population puts pressure on public finances and workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germany is already grappling with chronic labour shortages, with around 1.3m jobs going unfilled. Professor Andrew J Scott, an economist who has written extensively about longevity, said: In the EU, youre already seeing it beginning to become a biting point. Over the last 10 years, the majority of employment growth has come from workers aged over 50. That is a combination of more old people and fewer younger ones. I dont think firms have yet woken up to the reality of a labour market where theyve got to start thinking that actually my workforce is older. The growing mismatch between the number of old and young means younger people face a worse deal than previous generations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Aassve said: Either youre going to have less pension payments or youre going to work longer, those are the two options. I suspect the baby boomers are just going to run away with the cake and then the burden is going to [fall] on that much smaller younger generation thats coming up. 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 European Commission announced on Tuesday it will provide 4.6 billion ($4.8 billion) to promote net-zero technologies, electric vehicle battery cell manufacturing and renewable hydrogen. Some 3.4 billion of the total is to be used to promote the uptake of decarbonization technologies in Europe, including electric vehicles batteries. The remaining 1.2 billion are earmarked for the production of renewable hydrogen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The commission is showing its commitment to deliver on its decarbonization objectives, and to support European industries competitiveness in key strategic sectors," said European Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera Rodriguez. The announcement demonstrates the EU's commitment to pursuing climate neutrality by 2050 while promoting innovative industries in Europe, the commission said in a press release. The funding is to be allocated through different calls for proposals open until April 2025. The money comes from revenues from the EU Emissions Trading Systems (EU ETS), the bloc's carbon pricing scheme. The EU ETS is estimated to generate around 40 billion between 2020 and 2030. A staff member talks with visitors at the "Study in China" education exhibition in Prague, the Czech Republic, on Dec. 2, 2024. Thirteen Chinese universities showcased their diverse programs and policies at the "Study in China" education exhibition held in Prague on Monday, underscoring the deepening educational and cultural ties between China and the Czech Republic. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua) PRAGUE, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Thirteen Chinese universities showcased their diverse programs and policies at the "Study in China" education exhibition held in Prague on Monday, underscoring the deepening educational and cultural ties between China and the Czech Republic. Speaking at the event's opening, Chinese Ambassador to the Czech Republic Feng Biao highlighted the role of education as a bridge for cultural understanding and a vital element of bilateral relations. Feng expressed hope that Czech students would explore the high-quality educational opportunities offered by Chinese universities, fostering deeper understanding and collaboration between academic institutions of both nations. He also encouraged Czech universities to collaborate with their Chinese counterparts, aiming to bring innovation and vitality to bilateral educational partnerships. This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the Czech Republic. Feng described the expo as a platform to strengthen academic exchanges, providing Czech students with new avenues to pursue studies in China. Xia Jianhui, deputy director general of the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange, noted that this is the first time the "Study in China" exhibition has been held in the Czech Republic. He expressed optimism that the event would enhance mutual student exchange and open doors for academic collaboration. Bohuslava Senkyrova, Rector of the University of Finance and Administration in Prague, praised the exhibition as a valuable opportunity for Czech students to learn about studying in China. She noted its importance in building understanding between Chinese and Czech academic institutions. Featuring universities specializing in disciplines such as education, medicine, business, economics, technology, and fine arts, the exhibition drew significant interest. Anna Roubalova, a student from Hradec Kralove, expressed her interest in studying clinical medicine at Zhejiang University. "They have a good program, and I can study in either English or Chinese," she said, adding that she was impressed by the university's campus. A staff member talks with visitors at the "Study in China" education exhibition in Prague, the Czech Republic, on Dec. 2, 2024. Thirteen Chinese universities showcased their diverse programs and policies at the "Study in China" education exhibition held in Prague on Monday, underscoring the deepening educational and cultural ties between China and the Czech Republic. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua) Visitors read introductions at the "Study in China" education exhibition in Prague, the Czech Republic, on Dec. 2, 2024. Thirteen Chinese universities showcased their diverse programs and policies at the "Study in China" education exhibition held in Prague on Monday, underscoring the deepening educational and cultural ties between China and the Czech Republic. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua) A majority of European Union health ministers on Tuesday signalled their support for extending smoke-free areas in a bid to reduce cancer deaths. Germany, which is among the EU members with the weakest smoking restrictions, abstained from the vote in Brussels on the non-binding recommendations. The aim of the new guidelines is to restrict smoking in public areas where children or other vulnerable people gather outdoors, like playgrounds, amusement parks, public swimming pools, restaurant terraces and public transport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recommendations also target emerging tobacco products, like electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products, to deter young people from smoking. Reducing exposure to second-hand smoke and aerosols would mean better protection for non-smokers, an EU press release said. The European Commission proposed the overhaul of the current guidelines from 2009 as every year around 700,000 people in the EU lose their lives due to tobacco consumption, the new EU Health Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi said ahead of the vote. "It is the largest avoidable health risk in the EU," Varhelyi stressed. According to EU figures, a quarter of cancer deaths in the EU, Iceland and Norway can be attributed to smoking, making tobacco the leading cancer risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Health policy however is a competence of EU member states, meaning that the new recommendations are non-binding and capitals are free to implement them or not. German Health Secretary Thomas Steffen said he abstained from the vote, despite supporting the stricter guidelines, after the 16 German states, which are responsible for legislation on the smoking restrictions, had spoken out against them. A majority of European Union health ministers on Tuesday signalled their support for extending smoke-free areas in a bid to reduce cancer deaths. Germany, which is among the EU members with the weakest smoking restrictions, abstained from the vote in Brussels on the non-binding recommendations. The aim of the new guidelines is to restrict smoking in public areas where children or other vulnerable people gather outdoors, like playgrounds, amusement parks, public swimming pools, restaurant terraces and public transport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recommendations also target emerging tobacco products, like electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products, to deter young people from smoking. Reducing exposure to second-hand smoke and aerosols would mean better protection for non-smokers, an EU press release said. The European Commission proposed the overhaul of the current guidelines from 2009 as every year around 700,000 people in the EU lose their lives due to tobacco consumption, the new EU Health Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi said ahead of the vote. "It is the largest avoidable health risk in the EU," Varhelyi stressed. According to EU figures, a quarter of cancer deaths in the EU, Iceland and Norway can be attributed to smoking, making tobacco the leading cancer risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Health policy however is a competence of EU member states, meaning that the new recommendations are non-binding and capitals are free to implement them or not. German Health Ministry State Secretary Thomas Steffen said he abstained from the vote, despite supporting the stricter guidelines, after the 16 German states, which are responsible for legislation on the smoking restrictions, had spoken out against them. Germany is among the EU countries with the weakest protection for non-smokers, according to Smoke Free Partnership, an alliance of non-governmental organizations campaigning for strict smoking regulations. The vote had sparked controversy in Germany and beyond amid concerns over blanket smoking bans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johannes Rauch, health minister of Germany's neighbouring country Austria, stressed that the new guidelines are non-binding, as he arrived at the ministers' meeting, but stressed his support. "It is hard to see why cigarette butts should be left lying around in children's playgrounds when we know that they contain harmful substances that are actually dangerous for small children crawling on the ground," he said. "That's where my tolerance really comes to an end." Rauch also held tabloid media to account for fuelling the controversy. "I would like to firmly state that fake news has been spread," he said, adding that Austria had already implemented many of the new recommendations ahead the vote. BRUSSELS (AP) European nations approved plans Tuesday to scale back the protection for wolves in a victory for farmers over environmentalists. The European Union proposal was adopted by the 50 parties in the Bern Convention to protect wildlife and habitat. It sets up looser protection rules from March 2025 that will allow nations to hunt for wolves under specific circumstances. Farmers in many member states have been increasingly angered by attacks on livestock by packs of wolves that have thrived in woods and fields close to agricultural land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen backed the measures and said the outcome was important news for our rural communications and farmers who had a right to better protection of their livelihoods. An ardent fan of horses, von der Leyen had a pony that was killed by a wolf two years ago. Experts and environmental groups estimate there could be up to 19,000 wolves across Europe, with large populations thought to roam in Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania and Spain. Their numbers are estimated to have grown by 25% over the last decade. Environmentalists say the animal is far from a potent threat in most nations. The wolf is still endangered in many parts of Europe, and weakening its protection will only lead to further conflict and threaten its recovery, said Ilaria Di Silvestre, regional director of policy at the International Fund for Animal Welfare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The EU decision lowers the protection status of wolves from strictly protected to protected, allowing for more measures to keep them at bay from farmers and the population. Many EU environmental rules and regulations have come under pressure over the past two years, with populist and extreme-right parties criticizing the measures as being thought up by urban elites with little knowledge of rural life. Center-right, conservative and far-right members of the European Parliament welcomed the move. We had to make life easier for shepherds and farmers in mountainous areas where the wolf has become a plague," said MEP Pietro Fiocchi, who belongs to the far-right Brothers of Italy party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In The Netherlands, parents were warned over the summer not to take young children to a popular forest area near the central city of Utrecht following two close encounters with a wolf displaying atypical and worrying behavior. There are children who no longer cycle to school because of the wolves," said Dutch MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen, who is a member of the Christian Reformed Political Party in The Netherlands and the European Conservatives and Reformists group in the EU assembly. "We could not stand by and watch this problem get further and further out of control. Police are on the hunt to find two men accused of setting a Jacksonville business on fire, and the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office is asking for help to find the suspects. It happened a little over a week ago off Main Street in the North Shore area. The business owner said he lost almost everything. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< I mean it destroyed everything inside and I dont understand why someone would do such a hateful crime like that, the business owner said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The J & H Auto Pro Detailing business owner didnt want to share his name to protect his identity from the suspects. While the building appears to be mostly intact, the contents of what was inside were destroyed. The business owner said the suspects lit up his business and tried setting his house on fire too. I run a respectful business, and Ive been here 12, almost 13 years. And I try to do good on everybody but someone to bring that to my front door its personal, the owner said. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The crimes began on Nov. 23 when he woke up to find his window exploded and his porch with black charring. This, along with at least two broken bottles near his home. Police said they were Molotov cocktails, which is a makeshift crude bomb made from a bottle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont understand, because I be on this corner every day, five days a week, especially with a 6-year-old child inside the home, so that kind of rubbed me the wrong way, the owner said. A couple days later, it happened again at his business off Main Street and Tallulah. In hopes of getting more information on the suspects, JSO released a video, Monday afternoon, showing two men appearing to throw another Molotov Cocktail. After a few attempts of throwing the object at the business, you could see an explosion. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Everything was destroyed, the owner said. I had to go I mean everything is annihilated inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between the damage to his home and to his business, including the equipment inside, its about $25,000 worth of repairs. He has been out of business since the fire, which means at least five of his employees have been out of work too. And now he is pleading for people to come forward. Let JSO know so we can get these people off the street man because this dont make no sense at all, the owner said. JSO is still looking for the suspects. Detectives believe both fires are related and at least one of the suspects is involved in both. 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. From the ransom note to an unidentified bootprint, these pieces of evidence might hold the key to solving JonBenet Ramseys murder Netflix ; Mark Fix/ ZUMA Evidence shown in Netflix's docuseries 'Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey' (2024) ; JonBenet Patricia Ramsey winning a beauty pageant at 1996 America's Royale Little Miss National Beauty contests. Evidence shown in Netflix's docuseries 'Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey' (2024) ; JonBenet Patricia Ramsey winning a beauty pageant at 1996 America's Royale Little Miss National Beauty contests. The key to solving JonBenet Ramsey's murder could lie in evidence found at the scene nearly 30 years ago. When police searched the 6-year-olds home in Boulder, Colo., on Dec. 26, 1996, they collected multiple items, including a ransom note and the murder weapon. Male DNA was found on some of the evidence, but it has never been matched to a potential killer. Her father, John Ramsey, has claimed thats partly because outdated testing methods were used and partly because some items were never tested at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the items sent to labs in the beginning, six or seven of them were returned untested, he claimed to PEOPLE in November 2024. We don't know why they were not tested, but they were not tested. The garrote used to strangle JonBenet and a number of items just were sent back. On Nov. 26, 2024, the Boulder Police Department posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter) refuting the assertion that there is viable evidence and leads we are not pursuing, including DNA testing. Related: What Happened to JonBenet Ramseys House After Her Murder? All About the Colorado Mansion and Why Its Been On and Off the Market for Over 15 Years The 2024 Netflix docuseries Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey? also alleges that the crime scene was possibly tampered with in the hours after the toddler went missing, as the Ramseys invited friends over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One detective even let John conduct a search on his own, during which he discovered JonBenet's body in the basement. Her autopsy report confirmed that she had been sexually assaulted and died by strangulation and a blow to the skull. So what happened to the items that were found at the scene of the crime? Heres everything to know about the eight pieces of evidence that could potentially lead police to JonBenet Ramseys killer. A ransom note Patsy found on the stairwell AP Photo/Boulder District Attorney This is a copy of the first page of the original ransom note found in the home of John and Patsy Ramsey. This is a copy of the first page of the original ransom note found in the home of John and Patsy Ramsey. In the early morning hours of Dec. 26, 1996, Patsy Ramsey, who died in 2006, allegedly found a handwritten ransom note on a staircase near the kitchen. Listen carefully! the two-page note read. We are a group of individuals that represent a small foreign faction. We respect your business but not the country that it serves. At this time we have your daughter in our possession. She is safe and unharmed and if you want her to see 1997, you must follow our instructions to the letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey? All the Possible Suspects Investigated In the Pageant Queen's Unsolved Case The alleged kidnappers demanded $118,000 in exchange for JonBenets return. John was instructed to pull out the ransom in cash and wait for a call between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. that day. Police later learned the amount was nearly the same as his previous Christmas bonus and that the letter had been written from a notepad found in the Ramsey home. According to Cold Case, some FBI agents believed the note was staged due to its length and the specific amount of money requested. Fingerprint testing on the pages was conducted in 1997, but according to The Daily Camera, the results were inconclusive. Douglas Monsoor, a supervising criminologist at the Lakewood Police Department, told the newspaper, "The only thing that occurs when the identification of latent print material (takes place) is to say this person at some point made contact with this object." A 911 call Patsy made the morning JonBenet disappeared Helen H. Richardson/ The Denver Post/Getty John and Patsy Ramsey John and Patsy Ramsey Though the note also warned against calling the police for help, Patsy reported her daughter missing to Boulder Police at 5:52 a.m. The operator who took the call, Kim Archuletta, alleged in CBS 2016 docuseries The Case of: JonBenet Ramsey that Patsy tried and failed to hang up the phone after telling her about the ransom note. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It sounded like she said, Okay, weve called the police, now what? the 911 operator said. And that disturbed me. So I remained on the phone, trying to hear what was being said. It sounded like there were two voices in the room, maybe three different ones ... To me, it seemed rehearsed. Related: JonBenet Ramseys 2 Brothers: What to Know About John Andrew and Burke Ramsey and What They Really Think Happened to Their Sister Patsy, John and their son Burke Ramsey, who was 9 years old at the time of his sisters murder, were cleared of all involvement in 2008 by then-Boulder District Attorney Mary Lacy. Unidentified male DNA found on JonBenets clothes Chris Rank/Sygma via Getty The grave of JonBenet Ramsey The grave of JonBenet Ramsey Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her 2008 statement to the Ramsey family, then-DA Mary Lacy said DNA evidence found on JonBenets clothes led to her decision to exonerate them. She wrote: "The match of male DNA on two separate items of clothing worn by the victim at the time of the murder makes it clear to us that an unknown male handled these items." According to Cold Case, there was DNA found in her underwear that also matched what was found under her fingernails. In 2016, 9News reported that the same DNA was found on JonBenets long johns a discovery that led Lacy to believe that police had the killers DNA profile. However, investigators have never matched this evidence to a potential suspect. Former Boulder DA Stan Garnett told PEOPLE in 2020 that because the crime scene was compromised, the evidence is not in a state where you could really say anything definitively. A handmade garrote used to strangle the toddler Netflix An evidence photo showing the homemade garrote that was used to asphyxiate JonBenet Ramsey. An evidence photo showing the homemade garrote that was used to asphyxiate JonBenet Ramsey. When John found his daughter dead in their basement, she had a garrote tied around her neck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This handheld ligature was made using a cord and a broken paintbrush handle from Patsys art supplies. JonBenets father claimed to True Crime News in 2024 that the garrote also has unidentified male DNA, but to his knowledge, it has never been tested. If they're testing it and just not telling me, thats great, John said, but I have no reason to believe that. Related: Why Is JonBenet Ramsey's Murder Still Unsolved? Reexamining the Child Pageant Queens Death Almost 30 Years Later A piece of duct tape found on JonBenets mouth Netflix An evidence photo of the duct tape found on JonBenet Ramsey's mouth. An evidence photo of the duct tape found on JonBenet Ramsey's mouth. JonBenet also had a piece of duct tape on her mouth, which John told Cold Case he removed when he found her before carrying her upstairs. He threw the tape onto the white blanket that his daughter had been covered up in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She had tape over her mouth, and her hands were tied behind her back, John said in the series. And I immediately pulled the tape off, and I tried to untie her hands, but the knot was tied really tight, I couldnt get it undone. Retired Boulder Police Detective Bob Whitson told Cold Case that there may have been some evidence on the duct tape if that wasn't removed. A suitcase placed underneath a broken basement window Netflix A suitcase was placed under the basement window where JonBenet Ramsey's body was found. A suitcase was placed under the basement window where JonBenet Ramsey's body was found. When John and a friend searched the house, they noticed an open and broken window in the basement. He told the Netflix series that he broke that same window the previous year after losing his keys, but remembered getting the glass fixed. Underneath the window, they saw a suitcase. The suitcase shouldnt have been there, John said in Cold Case. It was set there like it was a step because the window was fairly high ... you needed a ladder or a stepstool or something to get up through it. A piece of rope found in the guest bedroom Netflix Rope found in Ramsey's guest bedroom following the murder of JonBenet Ramsey. Rope found in Ramsey's guest bedroom following the murder of JonBenet Ramsey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a guest bedroom next to JonBenets room, a piece of rope was found that Lou Smit, a detective who came out of retirement to help the Boulder police with the murder investigation, alleged did not belong to the Ramseys. Nobody in the Ramsey family can identify it, he said in a previously recorded video diary featured in Cold Case. It is a possibility that the ... intruder couldve taken that in with him also to use as binding and just left it up there. Smit died at age 75 in 2010, according to The New York Times. An unidentified bootprint in the basement near where JonBenet was found AP Photo/David Zalubowski A Boulder Police detective walks to the home of John and Patricia Ramsey in Boulder, Colo., on Friday, Jan. 3, 1997. A Boulder Police detective walks to the home of John and Patricia Ramsey in Boulder, Colo., on Friday, Jan. 3, 1997. The Daily Camera reported in 2000 that police found a partial footprint in the Ramsey basement with the words Hi Tec in it. No one in the family owned a similar shoe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ollie Gray, a private detective hired by the Ramseys, told the Colorado paper that he gave police a pair of Hi-Tec boots so they could compare them against the prints. Then-Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner told The Daily Camera, "If you look at them, they look pretty close. You really can't tell." Boulder Police have not confirmed if the boots did indeed match. In Cold Case, Smit also claimed that there was a faint impression of possibly a footprint on top of the suitcase found under the basement window. A former ballerina was sentenced to 20 years in prison Tuesday in the 2020 shooting death of her estranged husband in Florida. CBS affiliate WTSP reports that Ashley Benefield was sentenced to 20 years, with credit for time served, followed by 10 years probation. The case, which became known as the "Black Swan murder" trial, garnered national attention, with some comparing Benefield to the protagonist of the 2010 film "Black Swan." The former ballerina was found guilty by a jury in July of manslaughter for shooting and killing her husband, Doug Benefield, in September 2020 after an argument. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ashley Benefield, 32, claimed that she killed her then-58-year-old estranged husband in self defense during an argument at her mother's home, where she had moved from South Carolina after leaving him. Authorities said she shot him twice. "I just held the gun like in front of me and I said, stop, and he like turned and he got into this like almost like a fighting stance. He started like moving his arms and his hands aroundhe started coming towards me and he lunged at me, and I just pulled the trigger," Ashley Benefield testified at her trial. Ashley Benefield is pictured during her trial. On July 30, 2024, Benefield was found guilty of manslaughter with a firearm in the shooting death of her estranged husband Doug Benefield. / Credit: Pool/Bradenton Herald The pair had wed after knowing each other for less than two weeks, "48 Hours" reported. At the time of their marriage, Ashley Benefield was 24 and Doug Benefield, a widower whose wife had died about nine months earlier, was 54. As "48 Hours" reported, the marriage was rocky. There were tensions between Ashley Benefield and Doug Benefield's teenage daughter, and an attempt to start a ballet company together failed. Ashley Benefield accused her husband of poisoning his first wife, and left him when she was pregnant with their child to stay with her mother, alleging that he was now poisoning her. The claims were investigated by police, and no charges were filed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once their child was born in 2018, Ashley Benefield allegedly kept the baby from her husband for six months, until a judge intervened. After this, the pair largely reconciled, and in 2020, they planned to move to Maryland together on Ashley Benefield's suggestion. On Sept. 27, 2020, the Benefields were packing a U-Haul truck for the move. Ashley Benefield's mother, Alicia Byers, took her granddaughter to a park, leaving the couple alone in the house. A neighbor reported hearing sudden screaming and called 911. Moments later, Ashley Benefield arrived at the home of another neighbor, gun in hand. She reportedly told the neighbor that she had shot her husband in self-defense. The neighbor called 911. When police and emergency services responded, Doug Benefield was still alive but unable to speak. He died at an area hospital about an hour later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators determined that Doug Benefield had been shot twice, once in the leg and once in the arm. That second bullet traveled into his chest cavity. The shots had been fired when he was turning away from his wife, investigators determined. Ashley Benefield's lawyer, Faith Brown, told police at the time that her client had been planning to leave her husband and had an escape plan, including a safe place to stay, a burner phone and a rental car rented under a different name. Brown told police that Benefield feared her husband "had gotten wind of" the plan. Ashley Benefield was arrested five weeks after the shooting. Maryland island struggles to survive impact of rising sea level, erosion | 60 Minutes Kate Winslet: The 60 Minutes Interview House Democrats fighting for younger members in top posts SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Thirty-eight Vietnamese tourists went missing in South Korea's southern resort island of Jeju, Yonhap news agency said Tuesday, citing the island's tourism organization. About 90 Vietnamese travelers arrived on the island on a chartered VietJet Air flight on Nov. 14. Among them, 38 tourists severed contact and disappeared at the final stop of their itinerary, failing to board the return flight. Foreigners are allowed to stay on the island without a visa for up to 30 days. The Vietnamese visitors would become illegal migrants after Dec. 14. The island's immigration office checked surveillance cameras to find out their whereabouts. HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) The attorney for a former Horry County deputy coroner on trial for murder said Tuesday his client wanted to plead guilty to one of his charges, but no pleas were taken, according to the 15th Circuit Solicitors Office. According to the solicitors office, Christopher Dontells attorney announced he plans to plead guilty to an accessory after the fact charge, but nothing official happened in court on Tuesday. The judge did not take any pleas today. For a guilty plea hearing, there is a process that happens and that did not happen today, a solicitors office spokesperson told News13. He said in open court he wants to plead guilty, but he DID NOT plead guilty. His attorney said it for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Alex Hyman ended proceedings Tuesday morning and instructed the jury to return at 10 a.m. Jury selection took place on Monday, with opening arguments anticipated Tuesday. Dontell and Meagan Jackson are accused of killing Gregory Vincent Rice in October 2020. His body was found in the Little Pee Dee River on Nov. 8, 2020, according to authorities who said he had been shot multiple times. In court on Monday, officials conducted a Jackson v Denno hearing, which, according to LSD. Law is a motion filed by defense attorneys that relates to whether a defendants confession was obtained voluntarily and whether it should be admissible as evidence during a trial. Because the motion was unredacted, reporters were not allowed in the courtroom during the hearing. Dontell and Jackson, the mother of Rices four children, were arrested in November 2020 after Rices body was found, but there have been multiple delays in their cases. Dontells case was postponed last June because of a scheduling conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dontell also faces accessory after the fact and conspiracy to commit kidnapping charges after indictments were returned last June. Jackson also faces kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping charges. In April, Judge Benjamin Culbertson removed himself from the case after a request by Dontell, though no reason was given for the decision. Jackson had been scheduled to go to trial last September, but her case was delayed. It continued last month, according to online Horry County records, and a new trial date has not been set. Jackson was granted a $150,000 bond and released on home detention in 2022. The bond required her to stay at home and not have any negative contact with law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, according to a case report obtained by News13, Jackson violated her home detention order last February by leaving her home in Conway to go to an apartment complex in Murrells Inlet. She was arrested in Murrells Inlet and taken to the J. Reuben Long Detention Center. Jacksons bond was previously revoked in 2021 after authorities said a GPS tracker showed her at locations where she wasnt permitted to be based on her bond. She also allegedly had contact with Dontell physically and over the phone, which was another action prohibited by her bond, according to court documents. Dontell was denied bond in June 2023. He previously received a bond, but it was revoked in 2021 after violations similar to those of Jackson. Rices family filed a lawsuit against Dontell and Jackson in June 2021, claiming the two conspired together to hurt Rice. Dontell responded in legal documents by stating that the injuries and damages mentioned in the suit were caused by someone else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Day 2 of the trial will start up at 12:45 p.m., with Dontell expected to take the stand at 1 p.m. News13 will have a reporter in the courtroom and will have updates in our afternoon newscasts. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * * * Gabby Jonas joined the News13 team as a multimedia journalist in April 2024. She is from Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Kent State University in May 2023. Follow Gabby on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, and read more of her 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 WBTW. By Anthony Deutsch THE HAGUE (Reuters) -Russian presidential aircraft and funds were used in a program that took children from occupied Ukrainian territories, stripped them of Ukrainian identity and placed them with Russian families, according to a report by Yale's School of Public Health. The U.S. State Department-backed research, published on Tuesday, identified 314 Ukrainian children taken to Russia in the early months of the war in Ukraine as part of what it says was a systematic, Kremlin-funded program to "Russify" them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reuters was unable to confirm the report's findings independently. In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his child rights' commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova, for the alleged war crime of deportation of Ukrainian children. At the time, Lvova-Belova said her commission acted on humanitarian grounds to protect children in an area of military hostilities. Lvova-Belova's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Kremlin said it could not respond to questions sent on Monday, citing a lack of time. The new research, reported first by Reuters, offers details of the alleged deportation programme and individuals involved, including what its lead researcher said were new links to Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The researcher, Nathaniel Raymond, Executive Director of Yale's Humanitarian Research Lab, said he was scheduled to present the findings to the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday. The United States holds the rotating presidency of the 15-member body this month. Raymond said the research offers evidence that would support additional charges by the ICC against Putin of "forcible transfer" of people from one national and ethnic group to another. He further said the report proved "the deportation of Ukraine's children is part of a systematic, Kremlin-led program" to make them citizens of Russia. Forcible transfer is a crime against humanity under international law. Because they must be widespread and systematic, crimes against humanity are considered more serious than war crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to Reuters questions, the ICC office of the prosecutor said the Yale report was useful "in our continued activities in this case." It declined to provide information about charges or actions that may arise from its Ukraine investigations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, reacting to the report, said in a statement on X: "Ukraine is tirelessly working to ensure our children return home and that all those responsible for these heinous crimes are punished." The country's prosecutor general said Yale's report complemented its own investigations into what had happened to the children, describing "a well-planned Kremlin policy with legislative changes, political decisions, and dedicated funding." In response to the ICC charges last year, Lvova-Belova said Russia had not moved anyone against their will or that of their parents or legal guardians, whose consent was always sought unless they were missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said children were placed with temporary legal guardians and were not given up for adoption. Russia, which does not recognise the ICC, has said the court's warrants are meaningless. Court decisions could nonetheless limit travel by charged individuals because its 124 member states have an obligation to execute warrants. CHILDREN IDENTIFIED The research is based on data mined from three Russian government adoption databases over 20 months. Yale's investigation then mapped out the alleged program's logistics and funding and confirmed the identities of the 314 children, Raymond said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The research is part of an initiative led by the State Department under President Joe Biden to document potential violations of international law and crimes against humanity by Russia and Russia-aligned forces in Ukraine. The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The report said Ukrainian children brought to Russia had been subjected to "pro-state and militarised propaganda," noting it had documented such "patriotic re-education" at all the facilities where the children were processed. Reuters has documented the transfer of thousands of children to Russian camps, the forced naturalisation of Ukrainians and the involvement of Belarus in the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stephen Rapp, the U.S. ambassador-at-large for war crimes under former president Barack Obama and formerly a prosecutor at the international tribunals for Rwanda and Sierra Leone, reviewed the report and told Reuters that "it proves their direct involvement, making changes to law and practice to allow and accelerate coercive adoptions that would have been illegal under Russia's own law in February 2022." Kyiv estimates around 19,500 children have been taken to Russia or Russian-occupied Crimea since the invasion. Lvova-Belova has challenged Kyiv's numbers and asked it to provide evidence. She previously said 380 orphans and children not in the custody of parents were placed with Russian foster families between April and October 2022. FLIGHTS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia began taking Ukrainian children from occupied Ukrainian territories in the days before the invasion in Feb. 2022, according to the report. Russia's Aerospace Forces and aircraft under the direct control of Putin's office transported multiple groups of children from Ukraine on Russian Federation-flagged military transport planes between May and October 2022, the report said. The report said at least two groups of children flew on aircraft managed by the Presidential Property Management Department within the Presidential Administration in May and October 2022. Children taken to the Chkalovsky military airfield just outside Moscow on Sept. 16, 2022 had been transported from the occupied Ukrainian territories of Donetsk and Luhansk to the Russian city of Rostov, not far from Ukraine's border, then flown on a plane with tail number RA-85123, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The aircraft is a TU-154M operated by the 223rd Flight Squad of the Russian Defence Ministry, it said. Flight tracking data on website Flightradar24.com also confirmed this. Of the 314 Ukrainian children identified, 166 were placed directly with Russia citizens, the report said. The other 148 were listed in Russia's child placement databases, with about a third of those now placed with Russian citizens. The remaining children were last known to be located at Russian institutions, the report said. (Reporting by Anthony Deutsch; Editing by Mike Collett-White and Frank Jack Daniel) For the first time, the Supreme Court on Wednesday will consider a states authority to ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth and whether such a ban constitutes sex discrimination. Oral arguments for United States v. Skrmetti, a case focused on Tennessees right to ban such health care for minors, will give new insights into the justices thinking around gender-affirming care for trans youth at a time when that care is banned across the country and is expected to come under fire during a second Trump administration. The issue at the core of this case is whether banning a certain kind of health care for just one group transgender youth violates the 14th Amendments equal protection clause by discriminating based on sex. Laws that make sex-based classifications are subject to a more rigorous legal review to determine their constitutionality, and it would be difficult for Tennessees law to survive that scrutiny. What will happen at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, and whats next? The 19th has followed this case from the beginning and explains it here. What will happen during oral arguments? Oral arguments will last approximately one hour. The majority of that time will be dedicated to attorneys answering the justices questions, not rehashing each point of the case so far. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, representing the United States, will be allotted 15 minutes to make the best legal case and answer those questions, as will the attorneys for the ACLU and Lambda Legal who are respondents in support of the trans adolescents and their families, who are challenging to ban. The Tennessee attorney generals office will have 30 minutes to do the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based on previously filed briefs, the solicitor general, alongside attorneys from the ACLU and Lambda Legal, will argue Wednesday that Tennnessees gender-affirming care ban for minors is sex discrimination and that the Supreme Court should vacate the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit decision that allowed the ban to take hold. On the opposing side, the office of Tennessees attorney general will argue that the Supreme Court should affirm the 6th Circuit decision, which held that the gender-affirming care ban has nothing to do with sex, and that it does not target trans people. Columbia Law Schools Center for Gender and Sexuality Law expects the justices to push both parties to explain why Tennnessees gender-affirming care ban is or is not making a sex-based classification, and for the justices to disagree about the potential influence of abortion rights cases, like Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, on the case. The ways that the justices describe cisgender and transgender youth is also a point of interest for legal experts. How did we get here? This case began in April 2023 as L.W. v. Skrmetti, when the ACLU and Lambda Legal sued Tennessee via the states attorney general Jonathan Skrmetti to block the states health care ban. Attorneys filed the lawsuit on behalf of Samantha and Brian Williams of Nashville, and their teenage daughter, alongside two other families of transgender youth and Dr. Susan Lacy, a Memphis-based gynecologist who has provided gender-affirming care to adults and minors in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July 2023, a three-judge panel on the 6th Circuit allowed Tennessees ban to take effect, blocking the statewide preliminary injunction that had been put in place by U.S. District Judge Eli Richardson. After the full circuit court upheld the opinion, Lambda Legal and the ACLU appealed to the Supreme Court and the Biden administration joined the case. The high court accepted the case at the end of its last term in June. When will the Supreme Court make a decision? What could the outcomes be? Following oral arguments, the justices will meet to decide the case and write the opinion of the court typically accompanied by a dissenting opinion. That decision is expected to be handed down toward the very end of the courts term in June 2025. Chase Strangio, co-director of the ACLUs LGBT & HIV Project and a counsel of record in his case, outlined potential outcomes from the Supreme Court during a Monday press briefing. The outcome that were hoping for is that the Supreme Court recognizes that this is a law that draws distinctions based on sex, and therefore, under its long-standing precedent, the right standard of review is heightened scrutiny, and the court should therefore send it back down for the lower court to apply that standard, Strangio said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, there is a chance that the justices could choose to get more involved, he added. Instead of sending this case back to the lower courts with a mandate to apply more rigorous legal scrutiny one that Tennessees law is unlikely to survive the justices could decide that the law is unconstitutional, or vice versa, on their own. How could this case impact trans people more broadly? The precedent set in this case will impact ongoing legal battles surrounding gender-affirming care bans across the country. Depending on the breadth of the justices final decision, and how far the court is willing to stretch its ruling that overturned federal abortion rights, this case has the potential to imperil transgender Americans ability to access health care, as well as the ability of all Americans to make decisions about their health. What the state of Tennessee is arguing is really dangerous for any person who has any sort of medical condition, Ezra Young, a civil rights lawyer and constitutional scholar, previously told The 19th. Tennessee is dictating what medical treatments people should or should not be allowed to have, Young said; that goes well beyond states authority to regulate medicine, specifically because giving health care to trans people is not a public health concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While arguing that Tennessees gender-affirming care ban warrants heightened scrutiny because it discriminates against transgender people, Prelogar warned that the justices decision in this case could have large-scale consequences for transgender Americans. Transgender individuals are a discrete minority accounting for roughly one percent of the population. Their transgender status bears no relation to their ability to contribute to society, yet they face a wave of hostile legislation targeting them in all areas of life. And that wave will undoubtedly grow if this Court holds that laws discriminating against transgender Americans which could include, for example, laws prohibiting them from adopting children or becoming licensed as teachers warrant only the most deferential review under the Equal Protection Clause, Prelogar wrote. The post What to expect as the Supreme Court weighs in on gender-affirming care for trans youth appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Its Giving Tuesday, a day meant to encourage charitable donations during the holiday. But before you give any money to small businesses and local organizations, experts say beware of scammers. The generosity movement, Giving Tuesday, started back in 2012. Unfortunately, this is the time of year when so many people are giving, but we dont always know whether or not we have given money to a fake charity, said Daniel Irwin, Director of Public Relations Outreach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You may never know that you are donating to a fake charity because, unlike most transactions, you dont receive anything after purchasing. See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South. Sign up for WREG newsletters and have the latest top stories sent right to your inbox. Daniel Irwin with the Better Business Bureau says you should look for three major things before donating to an organization online. If you are on a website and you start to see a lot of misspellings and that kind of thing, you want to ask yourself Would a professional organization really have a website that looks this bad? So, Thats number one, said Irwin. Number two, go to the Contact Us page and you want to check out their contact information. If its a charity of the United States, it has to have a physical address. And also, if it is a registered charity you want to vet that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several organizations may contact you today for donations. Irwin says most importantly, if you do donate, use a credit card. Do your research, please do your research. And make sure again, not only that you are giving, but you are giving to an organization that has the reputation and the organization structure to do what you want your money to do, he said. Irwin also says to be sure to look out for businesses that claim 100% of the donations will go to good use because most can not do that. You can also vet a business at give.org or some other charity vetting site of your choosing. 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. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Youngstowns Holiday Parade and tree lighting are on Friday, and local businesses are looking forward to another event downtown. The downtown reopening was a smashing success and everyone is hoping for more events. With the parade and tree lighting this weekend, businesses are hoping to ring in the New Year with scores of holiday sales. The last year has been a difficult one for businesses like Bella Amica and owner Erin Lonsway. I actually wasnt open during the construction and after the explosion, I just decided to close because you couldnt even get into my store, Lonsway said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But with the holiday shopping season now in full swing and the parade, tree lighting and flea market this Friday, businesses are looking forward to ending the year on a high note. Parade night and light-up night is the biggest night down here. We always look forward to that. Just having people come down to see the new streets and see whats going on down here will hopefully be an added benefit, Lonsway said. Businesses hope positive momentum from Youngstowns Downtown Open back in October carries over to the weekend celebration. And more events, whether downtown, on campus or at the nearby Covelli Centre, are a boost for sales. We have to retrain people to come down here. Know that streets are open. That its safe. That theres restaurants and retail, Lonsway said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part of that reinforcement comes in the form of added patrols from police. YPD is putting out an additional four to five officers dedicated to checking on the businesses of the city. Authorities say there is a slight uptick in theft crimes during this time of year and the visibility alone is one of the biggest deterrents. We do that primarily because we see more occurrences of thefts and unfortunately robberies during the holiday season. And we want to ensure that businesses get extra protection during that time above and beyond what the patrol division normally handles, said Capt. Jason Simon. With another successful outing, there is confidence that downtown can transform into a year-round destination. Hopefully, we get the biggest crowd on parade night and hopefully they come down after that. Make this more of not just a one-time destination but a weekend destination. Know that there is shopping and places to eat, Lonsway said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Activities on Central Square will begin at 4 p.m. on Friday with plenty of vendors at the Flea on Phelps Street. 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. RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A bill that was vetoed by Gov. Roy Cooper is now one override vote away from becoming law in the North Carolina, despite Coopers objections. The state Senate overrode the veto of SB 382 Monday afternoon with a vote of 30-19. Despite the spicy language the governor tried to throw in his little veto message this is good policy for North Carolina, argued Republican Sen. Ralph Hise, who represents much of the High Country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans in the General Assembly passed SB 382 earlier this month, promising new relief funds for Hurricane Helene victims. But the bill also made changes to powers held by statewide officials, including the Governor and Attorney General. MORE FROM QUEEN CITY NEWS NC RELIEF BILL CONTROVERSY In a subsequent veto, Cooper called the bill a sham, he said that it did little to provide actual help. Mondays vote, albeit quick, was delayed momentarily after protests began in the chambers public gallery. Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who serves as the president of the Senate, moved to empty the gallery, and all spectators were forced to watch from outside the chamber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mecklenburg County Democrat Natasha Marcus criticized the move. You cant clear the whole gallery, a lot of the people here are being respectful and here to see whats happening, this is the peoples house, she said. Robinson argued his actions were more than necessary. There is a time for protest, but its not in the halls of the chamber, its not inside this chamber, he said. The House will now need to hold their own override vote. No date has been officially set but the lower chamber is set to return to Raleigh on Thursday. 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. RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) Several new North Carolina laws, from immigration to wearing face masks to juvenile justice, went into effect on Dec. 1, despite vetoes from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and community protests. The Republican-led House Bill 237 became law for wearing face masks. Legally, they must now be medical or surgical grade and only for preventing the spread of contagious disease. The legislation also permits law enforcement and property owners or occupants to require individuals to remove their masks. A woman wearing a mask said, Im wearing a mask because I dont want to get anyone else sick. If youre in an establishment and that operator says you have to either take your mask off or leave, Im probably going to leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked she would ever ask anyone wearing a mask to leave her store, business owner Pam Blodin said, Absolutely not. If they were carrying a gun, I would ask them to leave my store. We have no guns on the front door. To me, thats a matter of safety. I dont see masks as being in the same category. Republicans argued the mask provisions were necessary because they would prevent individuals from using masks to conceal their identities during protests or while committing crimes. Another new law, House Bill 10, requires sheriffs to cooperate with Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents by detaining individuals believed to be in the country illegally. Sheriffs are mandated to hold the suspects up to 48 hours, allowing ICE agents time to take custody of them. In a statement to CBS 17, Wake Country Sheriff Willie Rowe wrote, I remain concerned this bill and any misunderstanding of it may make our immigrant community hesitant to call for law enforcement assistance, thus increasing the likelihood that they may be subjected to victimization. I want residents to know that HB 10 does not allow law enforcement officers to detain someone simply because the officer suspects they are in this country illegally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new law under House Bill 834 requires 16- and 17-year-olds who commit certain felonies be tried first as adults in North Carolina Superior Court. There is a chance a felony conviction could end up on their record before they even graduate from high school, juvenile defense attorney Jasmine Griffin said. Its going to limit their ability to apply to certain colleges, apply for certain jobs. It could open up their exposure to active jail time. Legislators in favor of the law argued it is designed to allow the juvenile justice system to function more efficiently. Other new state laws House Bill 198 is a tolls and billboards law. It changes transportation regulations, including a requirement that vehicle identification numbers or other vehicle identifying information appear on toll bills. The law also allows billboard companies to cut down more trees along state highways, up from 350 feet to 500 feet before a sign, and removes protections for redbud trees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Bill 600 affects pipelines and hog farms. It reduces water quality requirements for the MVP Southgate pipeline project and includes provisions that could limit how the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality reviews hog farm permits. Senate Bill 166 is centered on building code changes. It includes various changes to building codes, such as modifying insulation requirements and prohibiting the state from mandating that electric water heaters be elevated. House Bill 971 involves human trafficking changes. It makes various changes to trafficking laws, including increasing the penalty for a first offense of soliciting another for prostitution. House Bill 591 involves modernizing sex crimes. It establishes offenses related to sexual extortion and updates offenses related to sexual exploitation of minors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 CBS17.com. Facebook posts calling immigrants scum will be investigated by the tech giants oversight board in the wake of the Southport riots. The board, which monitors Facebooks moderation decisions, said it would examine three posts that attacked immigrants and Muslims after its safety checks initially failed to remove them. One post called for mosques to be smashed and buildings torched where scum are living and justified the riots as the only way to stop all the scum coming into Britian [sic]. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second post included an image, generated by artificial intelligence (AI), of a giant man with a Union Jack T-shirt chasing several Muslim men with the phrase Enough is enough. A third included an AI image of four Muslim men in front of Parliament chasing a crying toddler in a Union Jack T-shirt. Behind them, a plane flies towards Big Ben. Maximum protection to free expression All three images were reported to Facebook but initially left online by its automated software. The tech giant has since removed the first post, but argued the second and third images did not violate its hate speech rules. The oversight board, whose members include Alan Rusbridger, former Guardian editor, said Meta had argued it had erred in favour of offering maximum protection to free expression. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The watchdog, which was set up by Mark Zuckerberg in 2020, is able to offer policy recommendations to Meta, although these are not binding. The board said it planned to investigate the preparedness and crisis response to violent riots targeting migrant and Muslim communities. It would also examine the role social media played in the 2024 UK riots, including the spread of misinformation, in organising riots and informing the public of relevant developments. Anti-immigrant rioting broke out across the UK after three girls were killed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport this summer. Rioters attacked Muslim businesses and hotels holding asylum seekers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Crown Prosecution Service has charged 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana, who was 17 at the time of the incident, with the killings as well as a terror charge for alleged possession of a military study of an Al-Qaeda training manual and a charge under the Biological Weapons Act. He is due to go on trial next year and has not entered a plea. The knife attack itself has not been judged a terrorist incident by police. Dozens of arrests for racists posts In the wake of the knife attack, far-Right groups used social media to organise violent protests. There have since been dozens of arrests of people who shared racist posts or called for violence against Muslims. In August, a woman was jailed for 15 months for writing a post urging people to blow up the mosques. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MPs have tried to summon Elon Musk to account for the role of X in the spreading of disinformation during the riots. Mr Musk claimed in a post on X to his 200m followers that civil war is inevitable in the UK, prompting condemnation from Sir Keir Starmer. Chi Owurah, chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, said last month: The violence we saw on UK streets this summer has shown the dangerous real-world impact of spreading misinformation and disinformation across social media. A Facebook spokesman said: During the UK riots we activated our crisis policy protocol which we developed in response to a prior recommendation from the oversight board and deployed dedicated teams to remove violating content and engage directly with local authorities. We welcome the oversight boards guidance in these cases and will implement their decisions once they have finished deliberating. 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. Claim: U.S. President Joe Biden said on numerous occasions he would not pardon his son, Hunter Biden, who was convicted in a criminal case and pleaded guilty in another. Rating: Rating: Correct Attribution On Dec. 1, 2024, U.S. President Joe Biden announced he was pardoning his son, Hunter Biden, who was awaiting sentencing in two criminal cases. Biden's decision immediately sparked criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, many of whom pointed out his previous assurances that he would not use his presidential powers to pardon his son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many online posted old video clips of White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre answering "no" to the question of whether Biden would pardon his son. Another post highlighted Biden's own past statements on the matter. A compilation of every time KJP was asked if Biden is going to pardon Hunter and every time she said no.pic.twitter.com/i4hEeVEpjN Defiant Ls (@DefiantLs) December 2, 2024 Biden a few months ago: I will not pardon Hunter Biden today: I pardoned Hunter All Democrats do is lie. pic.twitter.com/Ii2B9kAlqy Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) December 2, 2024 Biden indeed stated numerous times himself, and through the White House press secretary, that he would not issue a pardon for his son. The December 2024 pardon was thus a reversal of his previous statements. As such, we rate this claim as correctly attributed. In June 2024, Hunter Biden was convicted by a federal jury on three felony gun charges as he had violated laws meant to prevent drug addicts from owning guns. In September 2024, he also pleaded guilty in a federal tax case with charges that included filing a false tax return, failure to file and pay taxes, and tax evasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pardon is "full and unconditional" according to the official text, and covers offenses he "has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024." Previous Statements by Biden and Jean-Pierre Below, we have compiled some of the statements issued by Biden and his press secretary regarding pardoning his son. Most recently, in November 2024, Jean-Pierre was asked if Biden had plans to pardon his son, to which she said: "We've been asked that question multiple times. Our answer stands, which is no." She also said no to the possibility of a commutation (a change in a legal sentence, possibly to a lesser punishment) for Hunter Biden. In August 2024, after Biden dropped out of the presidential race, Jean-Pierre was asked if Biden would ask then-Vice President (and Democratic presidential candidate) Kamala Harris to pardon his son if she were to win the election: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Q: You've said for the podium that President Biden would not pardon his son. If Vice President Harris is elected, would he tell her also to not pardon his son? JEAN-PIERRE: I I mean, that's a hypothetical that I look, the president I can speak for the president, and he said he would not pardon his son. And I'm just going to leave it there. On June 13, 2024, Biden said he would not use his presidential powers to grant his son a lesser sentence. During a summit in Italy, he said: "I'm extremely proud of my son Hunter. He has overcome an addiction. He is one of the brightest, most decent men I know. I abide by the jury decision. I will do that and I will not pardon him." After the jury convicted Hunter on June 11, 2024, Biden released the following statement, saying he "will continue to respect the judicial process": As I said last week, I am the President, but I am also a dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today. So many families who have had loved ones battle addiction understand the feeling of pride seeing someone you love come out the other side and be so strong and resilient in recovery. As I also said last week, I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal. Jill and I will always be there for Hunter and the rest of our family with our love and support. Nothing will ever change that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier that month, amid the ongoing felony gun trial, in an interview with ABC News, Biden said he would not pardon his son. When asked whether he would accept the jury's outcome of the trial, Biden said, "Yes." When asked whether he would rule out a presidential pardon for his son, Biden said, "Yes." Biden acknowledged those past public remarks in his announcement of the pardon on Dec. 1, 2024, saying he had "wrestled" with the decision: Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter. From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department's decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted. Without aggravating factors like use in a crime, multiple purchases, or buying a weapon as a straw purchaser, people are almost never brought to trial on felony charges solely for how they filled out a gun form. Those who were late paying their taxes because of serious addictions, but paid them back subsequently with interest and penalties, are typically given non-criminal resolutions. It is clear that Hunter was treated differently. [...] No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter's cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son and that is wrong. There has been an effort to break Hunter who has been five and a half years sober, even in the face of unrelenting attacks and selective prosecution. In trying to break Hunter, they've tried to break me and there's no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough. For my entire career I have followed a simple principle: just tell the American people the truth. They'll be fair-minded. Here's the truth: I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice and once I made this decision this weekend, there was no sense in delaying it further. I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision. Sources: Brooks, Emily and Mychael Schnell. "Multiple Democrats Slam Biden Pardon of Hunter." The Hill, 2 Dec. 2024, https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5018269-biden-pardons-hunter-democrats-criticism/. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Definition of COMMUTATION." Merriam-Webster. 15 Nov. 2024, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commutation." target="blank">https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commutation.">https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commutation. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024. "Exclusive: Biden Tells Muir He Wouldn't Pardon Son Hunter, Says Trump Got 'Fair Trial.'" ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-tells-muir-wouldnt-pardon-son-hunter/story?id=110904482. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024. Gangitano, Alex. "Here Are the Times Joe Biden, the White House Said He Wouldn't Pardon Hunter." The Hill, 2 Dec. 2024, https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5017190-hunter-biden-pardon-white-house/." target="blank">https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5017190-hunter-biden-pardon-white-house/.">https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5017190-hunter-biden-pardon-white-house/. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024. "Joe Biden Ducks Questions on His Decision to Pardon His Son Hunter." AP News, 3 Dec. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-hunter-pardon-president-trump-e2d0ce366c6980cd31c6717edbc9938a. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lybrand, Holmes and Marshall Cohen. "Hunter Biden Convicted on All 3 Charges at Federal Gun Trial | CNN Politics." CNN, 11 June 2024, https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/11/politics/hunter-biden-gun-trial-verdict/index.html." target="blank">https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/11/politics/hunter-biden-gun-trial-verdict/index.html.">https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/11/politics/hunter-biden-gun-trial-verdict/index.html. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024. Nitzberg, Alex. "Republicans Hammer Biden's 'No One Is above the Law' Claim Following Hunter Pardon: 'Aged like Fine Milk.'" Fox News, 2 Dec. 2024, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/republicans-react-bidens-no-one-above-law-post-following-hunter-pardon." target="blank">https://www.foxnews.com/politics/republicans-react-bidens-no-one-above-law-post-following-hunter-pardon.">https://www.foxnews.com/politics/republicans-react-bidens-no-one-above-law-post-following-hunter-pardon. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024. "President Biden Says He Won't Offer Commutation to His Son Hunter after Gun Sentence." AP News, 13 June 2024, https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-hunter-biden-18efb958a5365eebda5bb3da411c4326." target="blank">https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-hunter-biden-18efb958a5365eebda5bb3da411c4326.">https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-hunter-biden-18efb958a5365eebda5bb3da411c4326. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024. "Statement from President Joe Biden." The White House, 2 Dec. 2024, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/12/01/statement-from-president-joe-biden-11/. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Statement on the President's Son R. Hunter Biden." The American Presidency Project. https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/statement-the-presidents-son-r-hunter-biden. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024. "What Did Hunter Biden Do and What Is a Presidential Pardon?" BBC, Dec. 2, 2024. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c99x07ny8lro. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024. Laman Ismayilova Resources and Culture. From Archaeology to New Technology International Scientific and Practical Conference has kicked off in Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, Azernews reports. At the opening ceremony, director of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum Amina Malikova told guests about the history and activities of the museum. Director of the All-Russian Museum of Decorative, Applied and Folk Art Yelena Titova underlined the significance of the three-day conference where interesting reports will be heard. Furthermore, the museum directors exchanged memorable gifts. The conference continued with an academic session on the topic Inter-Museum cooperation in the CIS. The mobile exhibition "Heritage of the CIS. Traditions for the Future is also presented at the event, which features museum directors and experts from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The academic sessions will include the following reports: Museum and People; Museum and Information Resources; Nature and Traditions as Inspiration Source; The Most Ancient Foundations of the Eurasian Cultures: Archetypes, Symbolism, Archaeology Artefacts; Decorative Art of the CIS Peoples; Role of Modern Museums in Preservation of Traditions. The conference held within the framework of the multi-year comprehensive program "Heritage of the CIS. Traditions for the Future" is jointly organised by the All-Russian Museum of Decorative, Applied and Folk Art and the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum and supported by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and the CIS Interstate Humanitarian Cooperation Foundation Note that Resources and Culture. From Archaeology to New Technology International Scientific and Practical Conference will be on until December 5. Founded in 1967, the National Carpet Museum holds more than 14,000 exhibits of the finest Azerbaijani carpets. Initiated by eminent carpet artist Latif Karimov, the museum is beautiful inside and out. The museum's new building is designed in the form of a rolled carpet. Now, the museum hosts multiple events, including international symposiums, conferences, and various exhibitions. In 2019, the museum received national status for its significant contribution to promoting Azerbaijani carpet weaving art. In 2020, the Carpet Museum enriched its collection with a beautiful pile of carpets purchased by the Culture Ministry at the Sartirana Textile Show in Italy. The 19th-century Guba carpet "Ugakh" was donated to the Carpet Museum, while the Garabagh carpet "Chelebi" enriched the collection of the museum's Shusha branch. For four years, the Carpet Museum won the Travellers' Choice Awards. The award proves once again that the professional activity of the National Carpet Museum is highly appreciated by visitors from all over the world. BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- French pharma giant Sanofi will invest some 1 billion euros (about 1.05 billion U.S. dollars) to establish a new insulin production base in Beijing, according to the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA). On Monday, Sanofi signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology and the BDA Administrative Committee to build the facility in the city's southern area of Yizhuang. This will be Sanofi's fourth production-and-supply base in China and represents its largest single investment in the country to date. Sanofi Chief Executive Paul Hudson noted that the new production base featuring advanced automated production technologies, cutting-edge digital integrated management systems and sustainable environmental standards will further enhance the company's supply-chain resilience and efficiently address the growing needs of diabetes patients. Frederic Oudea, chairman of the board of directors of Sanofi, expressed the company's confidence in the long-term growth prospects of the Chinese market. He highlighted that China's policies of opening up and encouraging innovation, as well as the sound business environment for foreign enterprises, have strengthened Sanofi's commitment to participating in China's economic growth and advancing the high-quality development of its pharmaceutical industry. Headquartered in Paris, Sanofi has had a presence in China since establishing its office in 1982. The company operates multiple production and R&D facilities across the country. Its first production base in the BDA, built in 1995, has since become Sanofi's largest insulin injection production site in the Asia-Pacific region, serving therapeutic areas such as diabetes, cardiovascular health, internal medicine and oncology. Claim: Penelope Hegseth, the mother of Pete Hegseth, the former Fox News presenter and President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of defense, once wrote an email accusing him of being an "abuser of women." Rating: Rating: Correct Attribution Shortly after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump nominated former Fox News presenter Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense in late 2024, a rumor that Hegseth's mother once sent him a message accusing him of abusing women began to circulate. For example, the Facebook page of The Guardians of Democracy posted it on Dec. 1, 2024 (archived): Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement https://www.facebook.com/TheGuardiansOfDemocracy/photos/pete-hegseths-mom/1010933574412640/?_rdr The post included a photo of Hegseth with a blond woman, with the caption: "You are an abuser of women that is the ugly truth and I have no respect for any man that belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around, and uses women for his own power and ego. You are that man (and have been for years) and as your mother, it pains me and embarrasses me to say that, but it is the sad, sad truth." Penelope Hegseth. The claims spread on TikTok as well, under the hashtag #PenelopeHegseth. The claims were based on the reporting of The New York Times. On Nov. 29, 2024, the newspaper ran an article with the headline "Pete Hegseth's Mother Accused Her Son of Mistreating Women for Years." The reporter obtained a copy of an email from an unnamed source close to the family. It was reportedly written by Hegseth's mother, whose first name is indeed Penelope. The New York Times published the entirety of the email, with just one line redacted for privacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The paragraph cited in the post above was one of the ones included in the email. A longer version of it read: I have tried to keep quiet about your character and behavior, but after listening to the way you made Samantha feel today, I cannot stay silent. And as a woman and your mother I feel I must speak out.. You are an abuser of women that is the ugly truth and I have no respect for any man that belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around, and uses women for his own power and ego. You are that man (and have been for years) and as your mother, it pains me and embarrasses me to say that, but it is the sad, sad truth. I am not a saint, far from it.. so don't throw that in my face,. but your abuse over the years to women (dishonesty, sleeping around, betrayal, debasing, belittling) needs to be called out. Samantha is Hegseth's former wife, whom he was divorcing at the time his mother reportedly sent the email. The divorce took 10 months to finalize, according to The New York Times, and it was contentious. The couple required mediation to decide how to divide their children's time between them. The acrimony went on far after the divorce. In 2020, Hegseth sent his ex-wife an insulting text, which he regretted, the Times reported, citing court documents. The Times said Penelope Hegseth granted its reporter an interview in which she said she'd later regretted the email and had apologized to her son for sending it, an implied admission that she had written it and made those accusations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two days later, on Dec. 1, 2024, The New Yorker published a long profile of Hegseth and sought comment from Trump's press office about The New York Times' report. "A Trump spokesman denounced the newspaper's publication of the e-mail as 'despicable' and noted that Hegseth's mother had apologized to him for writing it," the article said. We contacted the Trump transition team for comment and will update the article should they reply. Sources: LaFraniere, Sharon, and Julie Tate. 'Pete Hegseth's Mother Accused Her Son of Mistreating Women for Years'. The New York Times, 29 Nov. 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/29/us/politics/pete-hegseth-mother-email.html. https://archive.is/sx1Pz. Mayer, Jane. 'Pete Hegseth's Secret History'. The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2024. www.newyorker.com, https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/pete-hegseths-secret-history. 'Text of the Email That Pete Hegseth's Mother Sent Him'. The New York Times, 29 Nov. 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/29/us/politics/hegseth-email-text.html. https://archive.is/vNUwR. Claim: A photograph authentically shows U.S. President Joe Biden exiting a Nantucket bookstore holding a copy of writer Rashid Khalidi's book, "The Hundred Years' War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 19172017." Rating: Rating: True In late November 2024, a photograph of U.S. President Joe Biden went viral, in which he appeared to be exiting a bookstore holding a book by writer Rashid Khalidi called "The Hundred Years' War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 19172017." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some conservative media outlets, including Fox News and the New York Post, called it an "anti-Israel" book. The above image is real, and does show Biden holding the book in question while leaving the Nantucket Bookworks store in Massachusetts. The photograph was taken Nov. 29, 2024, when numerous photos of Biden were taken during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. As such, we rate this claim as true. However, the characterization of the book by Fox News and other media outlets is a matter of perspective. The book has been described by Macmillan Publishers, its publishing house, as "the first general account of the conflict told from an explicitly Palestinian perspective." The book says Palestinian displacement is a result of settler colonialism, supported by Western powers: In 1899, Yusuf Diya al-Khalidi, mayor of Jerusalem, alarmed by the Zionist call to create a Jewish national home in Palestine, wrote a letter aimed at Theodore Herzl: the country had an indigenous people who would not easily accept their own displacement. He warned of the perils ahead, ending his note, "in the name of God, let Palestine be left alone." Thus Rashid Khalidi, al-Khalidi's great-great-nephew, begins this sweeping history, the first general account of the conflict told from an explicitly Palestinian perspective. Drawing on a wealth of untapped archival materials and the reports of generations of family membersmayors, judges, scholars, diplomats, and journalistsThe Hundred Years' War on Palestine upends accepted interpretations of the conflict, which tend, at best, to describe a tragic clash between two peoples with claims to the same territory. Instead, Khalidi traces a hundred years of colonial war on the Palestinians, waged first by the Zionist movement and then Israel, but backed by Britain and the United States, the great powers of the age. He highlights the key episodes in this colonial campaign, from the 1917 Balfour Declaration to the destruction of Palestine in 1948, from Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon to the endless and futile peace process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We found examples of Biden holding the book in Nantucket on Getty Images. They were posted with the caption: "US President Joe Biden holds the book "The Hundred Years' War on Palestine" by Rashid Khalidi as he walks out of Nantucket Bookworks in Nantucket, Massachusetts, on November 29, 2024. Biden and family are in Nantucket, Massachusetts, for the Thanksgiving holiday." (Getty Images) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Getty Images) Khalidi's name is visible when zooming in on Biden's hand, and the cover matches the cover of his book. Khalidi, a professor emeritus at Columbia University and a prominent historian on Palestine, referred to Israel as a "settler colonial" state in the book and has called Israel's actions in Gaza a "genocide." He is described as a preeminent Arab-American intellectual and a foremost critic of U.S. involvement in the crisis in Israel and Palestine. He was also a supporter of the pro-Palestine student demonstrations at Columbia. In a response to the New York Post which said it did not offer terms about Khalidi's words being off the record about Biden's book purchase, Khalidi said: "I do not speak to the Post (or the Times for that matter), so this is not for publication, but my reaction is that this is 4 years too late." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A post on X, written by someone identifying himself as Khalidi's son, also went viral, in which he stated, "Hey, @JoeBiden, get my father's book out of your blood soaked hands, you genocidal maniac." Biden has stated he is a Zionist, and often pledged support for Israel before and after the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023. More than 44,000 people have been killed by Israeli attacks in Gaza since then. Sources: Casiano, Louis. "Biden Seen Holding Anti-Israel Book during Black Friday Shopping Excursion." Fox News, 29 Nov. 2024, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-seen-holding-anti-israel-book-black-friday-shopping-excursion. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024. "Death Toll in Gaza from Israel-Hamas War Passes 44,000, Palestinian Officials Say." AP News, 21 Nov. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-lebanon-hezbollah-iran-news-11-20-2024-5da3ce43df8662fe9eeab4ad804bdc0f. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalidi, Rashid. "The Neck and The Sword." New Left Review, no. 147, July 2024, pp. 538. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024. Nelson, Steven. "Biden Picks up Anti-Israel Book during Black Friday Shopping "4 Years Too Late," Says Author." 29 Nov. 2024, https://nypost.com/2024/11/29/us-news/biden-picks-up-anti-israel-book-during-black-friday-shopping-4-years-too-late-says-author/. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024. O'Connell, Mark, and Rashid Khalidi. "Israel's Revenge: An Interview with Rashid Khalidi." The New York Review of Books, vol. 71, no. 20, 19 Dec. 2024. www.nybooks.com, https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2024/12/19/israels-revenge-an-interview-with-rashid-khalidi-mark-oconnell/. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024. Spetalnick, Matt, et al. "'I Am a Zionist': How Joe Biden's Lifelong Bond with Israel Shapes War Policy." Reuters, 21 Oct. 2023. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/i-am-zionist-how-joe-bidens-lifelong-bond-with-israel-shapes-war-policy-2023-10-21/. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Hundred Years' War on Palestine - Tradebook for Courses." Tradebooks for Courses, https://academic.macmillan.com/academictrade/9781250787651/thehundredyearswaronpalestine/. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024. "US President Joe Biden Holds the Book "The Hundred Years' War On..." Getty Images, 29 Nov. 2024, https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/president-joe-biden-holds-the-book-the-hundred-years-war-on-news-photo/2186864238. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024. Social media users are misrepresenting a Vermont Supreme Court ruling, claiming that it gives schools permission to vaccinate children even if their parents do not consent. The ruling addressed a lawsuit filed by Dario and Shujen Politella against Windham Southeast School District and state officials over the mistaken vaccination of their child against COVID-19 in 2021, when he was 6 years old. A lower court had dismissed the original complaint, as well as an amended version. An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was filed on Nov. 19. But the ruling by Vermont's high court is not as far-reaching as some online have claimed. In reality, it concluded that anyone protected under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act, or PREP, Act is immune to state lawsuits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's a closer look at the facts. CLAIM: The Vermont Supreme Court ruled that schools can vaccinate children against their parents' wishes. THE FACTS: The claim stems from a July 26 ruling by the Vermont Supreme Court, which found that anyone protected by the PREP Act is immune to state lawsuits, including the officials named in the Politella's suit. The ruling does not authorize schools to vaccinate children at their discretion. According to the lawsuit, the Politella's son referred to as L.P. was given one dose of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination clinic held at Academy School in Brattleboro even though his father, Dario, told the school's assistant principal a few days before that his son was not to receive a vaccination. In what officials described as a mistake, L.P. was removed from class and had a handwritten label put on his shirt with the name and date of birth of another student, L.K., who had already been vaccinated that day. L.P. was then vaccinated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled that officials involved in the case could not be sued. We conclude that the PREP Act immunizes every defendant in this case and this fact alone is enough to dismiss the case, the Vermont Supreme Court's ruling reads. We conclude that when the federal PREP Act immunizes a defendant, the PREP Act bars all state-law claims against that defendant as a matter of law. The PREP Act, enacted by Congress in 2005, authorizes the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to issue a declaration in the event of a public health emergency providing immunity from liability for activities related to medical countermeasures, such as the administration of a vaccine, except in cases of willful misconduct" that result in death or serious physical injury. A declaration against COVID-19 was issued on March 17, 2020. It is set to expire on Dec. 31. Federals suits claiming willful misconduct are filed in Washington. Social media users described the Vermont Supreme Court's ruling as having consequences beyond what it actually says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Vermont Supreme Court has ruled that schools can force-vaccinate children for Covid against the wishes of their parents, reads one X post that had been liked and shared approximately 16,600 times as of Tuesday. The high court ruled on a case involving a 6-year-old boy who was forced to take a Covid mRNA injection by his school. However, his family had explicitly stated that they didn't want their child to receive the vaccines. Other users alleged that the ruling gives schools permission to give students any vaccine without parental consent, not just ones for COVID-19. Rod Smolla, president of the Vermont Law and Graduate School and an expert on constitutional law, told The Associated Press that the ruling merely holds that the federal statute at issue, the PREP Act, preempts state lawsuits in cases in which officials mistakenly administer a vaccination without consent. Nothing in the Vermont Supreme Court opinion states that school officials can vaccinate a child against the instructions of the parent, he wrote in an email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked whether the claims spreading online have any merit, Ronald Ferrara, an attorney representing the Politellas, told the AP that although the ruling doesn't say schools can vaccinate students regardless of parental consent, officials could interpret it to mean that they could get away with doing so under the PREP Act, at least when it comes to COVID-19 vaccines. He explained that the U.S. Supreme Court appeal seeks to clarify whether the Vermont Supreme Court interpreted the PREP Act beyond what Congress intended. The Politellas fundamental liberty interest to decide whether their son should receive elective medical treatment was denied by agents of the State and School, he wrote in an email to the AP. The Vermont Court misconstrues the scope of PREP Act immunity (which is conditioned upon informed consent for medical treatments unapproved by FDA), to cover this denial of rights and its underlying battery. Ferrara added that he was not aware of the claims spreading online, but that he can understand how lay people may conflate the court's mistaken grant of immunity for misconduct as tantamount to blessing such misconduct. John Klar, who also represents the Politellas, went a step further, telling the AP that the Vermont Supreme Court ruling means that as a matter of law schools can get away with vaccinating students without parental consent and that parents can only sue on the federal level if death or serious bodily injury results. Find AP Fact Checks here: https://apnews.com/APFactCheck. By Anne Kauranen and Nerijus Adomaitis HELSINKI (Reuters) - The Baltic Sea region has seen several cases of suspicious damage against underwater critical infrastructure since 2022, but authorities have been unable to find sufficient proof of deliberate malicious intent to press charges. NOV 2024: BALTIC TELECOM CABLES In the most recent case, two undersea fibre-optic communications cables located more than 100 nautical miles (about 200 km) apart in the Baltic Sea bottom were severed subsequently on Nov. 17 and 18, raising suspicions of sabotage by bad actors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 218-km (135-mile) internet link between Lithuania and Sweden's Gotland Island went out of service at about 0800 GMT on Sunday, Nov. 17, according to Lithuania's Telia Lietuva, part of Swedish Telia Company. A 1,200-km (745-mile) cable connecting Helsinki to the German port of Rostock stopped working around 0200 GMT on Monday, Nov. 18, Finnish state-controlled cyber security and telecoms company Cinia said. Investigators in the involved countries have zeroed in on Chinese bulk carrier Yi Peng 3, which left the Russian port of Ust-Luga on Nov. 15, and a Reuters analysis of MarineTraffic data showed that the ship's coordinates corresponded to the time and place of the breaches. OCT 2023: BALTICCONNECTOR GAS PIPE AND CABLES Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, a subsea gas pipeline, the Balticconnector, which links Finland and Estonia under the Baltic Sea, was severed by what Finnish investigators later defined to have been a Chinese container vessel NewNew Polar Bear dragging its anchor in the early hours of Oct. 8, 2023. Estonian police suspect the ship of also damaging two separate telecoms cables connecting Estonia to Finland and Sweden on Oct. 7-8, before hitting the gas pipeline on its way to a port near St Petersburg, Russia. China has promised both Finland and Estonia to assist with the investigations but has done little to fulfil its promises. Neither the Finnish or Estonian investigators have been able to state if the Hong Kong-flagged vessel caused the damage by accident or deliberately, and have yet to provide their conclusions in the cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SEPT 2022: NORD STREAM BLASTS Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2, built across the Baltic Sea by Russia's state-controlled Gazprom to pump natural gas to Germany, were damaged on Sept. 26, 2022. Swedish seismologists registered several subsea blasts, some 17 hours apart, off the Danish island of Bornholm, that ruptured three out of four lines of the Nord Stream system, sending plumes of methane into the atmosphere. In the investigations, Sweden found traces of explosives on several objects recovered from the site, confirming it was a deliberate act, but in 2024 both Sweden and Denmark closed their investigations without naming suspects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one has taken responsibility. Some Western officials have suggested Moscow blew up its own pipelines, an interpretation dismissed as "idiotic" by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia has blamed the United States, Britain and Ukraine for the blasts, which largely cut Russian gas off from the lucrative European market. Those countries have denied involvement. In August this year, Germany issued a European arrest warrant against a Ukrainian diving instructor accused of being part of a team that blew up the Nord Stream pipelines, but the man had already left Poland. (Reporting by Anne Kauranen in Helsinki, Nerijus Adomaitis in Oslo, Johan Ahlander in Gothenburg, Stine Jacobsen in Copenhagen and Andrius Sytas in Vilnius; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne) The shock capture of Aleppo by Syrian forces opposed to Bashar al-Assad in recent days has dealt a humiliating blow to the regime and its backers, Russia and Iran, analysts have told the Kyiv Independent. The surprise offensive has also indirectly helped Ukraine, analysts say. "This is really quite the conundrum (Russian President Vladimir) Putin has to solve," said Sascha Bruchmann, a military analyst at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is much at stake for Russia if Assad's regime falls, Russia will lose its regional foothold in the Middle East, including its only naval base in the Mediterranean, and its regional and global influence will be diminished. But propping up Assad and defending the Syrian capital of Damascus from any rebel advance will require military support that Moscow may not be able to spare when the vast bulk of its forces are fighting in Ukraine. "Russia is stretched thin so the costs to intervene are high, and the geopolitical benefits may be smaller than (when it first intervened in the Syrian Civil War in 2015)," Bruchmann added. Read also: Russian, Syrian jets intensify bombing campaigns in rebel-held territory of Syria, Reuters reports Why is Syria important for Russia? Russia and Syria have a long history of close relations, particularly on the military front, and the threat to this alliance from recent events was amply demonstrated in a video posted by rebel forces as they took over a military office in Aleppo adorned with Russian and Syrian flags. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has operated its Tartus naval base in Syria since 1971, and it runs the Khmeimim Air Base and other military facilities in the country. "Syria represents Moscow's only military foothold in the Mediterranean," Neil Quilliam, a Middle East expert at Chatham House, told the Kyiv Independent. "It also showcases Russia as a reliable ally willing to defend its partners, reinforcing its credibility in the region." Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad at the Kremlin in Moscow on July 24, 2024. (Valery Sharifulib/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Bruchmann agreed that "Tartus is vital for Russian power projection in the entire Mediterranean and North Africa." "It functions as an extended logistics hub for wider ambitions and Russia's support to allies there," he added. "Over the past months, it typically hosted a small flotilla of surface ships, several smaller boats, and at times a submarine, all guarding a fleet of civilian container and supply ships." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott Lucas, professor of international politics at University College Dublin, said that Russia was using the Tartus base to "offset where the Americans are up in the northeast of Syria" and project its power against Europe and China as well. Read also: Kremlin dismisses commander of Russian forces in Syria amid significant losses, Ukraines military intelligence says Russia reduces its involvement Tahrir al-Sham, an Islamist group formerly affiliated with Al Qaeda, as well as the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army and other groups, launched their surprise offensive on Aleppo on Nov. 27. They have captured most of the city since then. When Assad's regime captured Aleppo in 2016 after years of fighting for the city, Russia's military intervention was a major reason behind his success. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 2015, Russia has sent warplanes, tanks, artillery, and ground troops to Syria. Human rights groups have documented numerous war crimes committed by Russia's air force and other troops against civilians. "There is a lot of damage to residential areas," Fared Al Mahlool, a Syrian journalist on the ground in Aleppo, told the Kyiv Independent. "There are many victims, including wounded children. The Russians think we are all terrorists, but they are liars." At the peak of its intervention, Russia had about 5,000 regular troops and thousands of Wagner mercenaries in Syria, according to Western media and analysts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quilliam said that "Russia maintains several thousand troops in Syria, though exact numbers are difficult to verify." "Estimates range between 3,000 and 5,000, supported by airpower, naval assets, and military advisors," he told the Kyiv Independent. Quilliam added that "the war in Ukraine has compelled Russia to reallocate significant military resources, including some from Syria." "Reports suggest that several hundred personnel, particularly those involved in advanced weaponry operations, have been reassigned to support the conflict in Ukraine," he continued. "This redistribution has strained Russia's ability to sustain its military operations in Syria at previous levels." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aron Lund, a Middle East analyst at the Swedish Defense Research Agency, also said that "Russia has a much lighter military footprint in Syria now than before invading Ukraine." "The idea was always to keep a certain presence in the country and then be able to scale that up or down as needed," he told the Kyiv Independent. "It worked well until 2022, when Putin made the strategic blunder of invading Ukraine, overtaxing his armed forces to the point that he could no longer spare significant resources for anything else." Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses troops during his visit at Khmeimim Air Base in Latakia, Syria on Dec. 11, 2017. (Photo by Kremlin Press Office / Handout/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) Bruchmann said that "Russia has withdrawn some but not all ground forces (from Syria) since 2022." Iran and its proxies, which have been instrumental in propping up Assad's regime, have also been busy elsewhere in recent months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iran's Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah, had been at war with Israel until they reached a ceasefire on Nov. 26, while the Gaza-based Hamas has been at war with Israel since October 2023. Iran and Israel also struck each other directly several times earlier this year. Olli Ruohomaki, a Middle East expert at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, told the Kyiv Independent that Israel took out Iranian military installations and "managed to degrade Hezbollah's capabilities." Read also: Syrian rebels take over Aleppo as Russia pledges to assist Assad regime Why did Aleppo fall? The fall of Aleppo took several days, with the speed of the rebel offensive shocking observers. Analysts say that Russia's war against Ukraine and Iran's confrontation with Israel contributed to Assad's failure to hold on to the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Had Russia had more resources to work with in Syria, it's possible that it would have slowed the rebel advances early on and helped shore up morale among Assad's forces," Lund said. "That said, the regime is in bad shape, and Iranian and Hezbollah backing had also withered a bit, so it's possible that the collapse would have come about even with much more solid Russian support." Quilliam argued that "the 'status quo' that came to characterize Syria's situation since 2020 was never going to be sustainable, and events elsewhere in the region showed the opposition that the 'myth' about Hezbollah's dominance was a paper tiger." "The same could be said for the Assad regime at a time when Moscow and Tehran were overstretched with their own struggles," he added. Lucas said the fall of Aleppo was "a huge blow to the Russians and Assad." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that it also "helps Ukraine in a couple of ways." "(Putin has) got this different theater that he's got to pay some attention to again," he said. "The problem here is that if he decides to go on the offensive in Syria, then it makes his hand much more difficult to play in Ukraine." He also said that the situation in Syria "gives (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelensky a much stronger hand to play at the table if Russia is in trouble elsewhere." Read also: Russia to send mercenaries to Syria to reinforce its troops, Ukrainian intelligence claims Can Russia preserve Assad's regime? Experts who spoke with the Kyiv Independent say that it will be hard for Russia and Iran to lend a hand to Assad. "In many cases, (Russian) military police and some lighter ground forces remain with several observation posts on the Syrian Golan," Bruchmann said. "These ground forces are not capable of securing the Syrian regime. That job will have to fall to Iran and its proxies." He added that "the Russian Air Force is still able to act as support for the Syrian army and Iranian proxies, currently flying bombing sorties" and that "over the next days, Russian jets will likely try to slow down the Tahrir al-Sham advance until Syrian, Hezbollah and other Iranian proxy forces can organize a defense." "Russia and Iran face significant economic and political constraints that limit their ability to provide full-scale support," Quilliam said. "Russia's war in Ukraine and the resulting sanctions have strained its economy, while Iran faces its own challenges, including the degrading of the Axis of Resistance and international sanctions." Meanwhile, Lucas said that Russia had been "reticent to commit their support to Assad regaining these areas." Michael Sahlin, a former Swedish ambassador to Turkey and a Middle East and Central Asia specialist at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, said that Russia would likely have to limit itself to airstrikes in helping Assad's regime. He also told the Kyiv Independent that Russia would also be cautious to get involved in Syria too much to avoid antagonizing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump before he takes office in January and initiates talks with the Kremlin. Russia's involvement could also spoil its relations with Turkey, which backs some of the rebels, according to Sahlin. Lund was more cautious, saying that "Russia and Iran will do their best to shore up Assad's defenses and perhaps help him launch a counteroffensive." "They may not be able to spare a lot, but even smaller contributions could be useful for Damascus," he added. "The Syrian war is not on the scale of Ukraine. If you throw some jets or a few thousand battle-tested troops into the mix, it can make a difference." Read also: Military intelligence publishes list of Syrians recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine What if Assad falls? Quilliam argued that "the erosion of Assad's control could also undermine Russian and Iranian influence in Syria and the broader Middle East, and that is a cost too high for Moscow and Tehran." "Russia risks losing its military bases and influence in the Middle East, weakening its geopolitical position," he said. "Moscow's image as a power capable of countering the U.S. influence and stabilizing its allies would be severely damaged. This could embolden adversaries, such as the U.S., Turkey, and Gulf states, to assert greater influence in Syria, undermining Russian strategic ambitions." Lund agreed that "should the regime fall, Russian interests in the Middle East and North Africa would take a bad hit." "But ultimately, Syria isn't essential to Russia as such, and while the Middle East matters, it's not a core interest for Moscow," he said. "The war on Ukraine will be prioritized a million times higher." However, it is too early to predict Assad's imminent downfall. Ruohomaki said that the Aleppo offensive is unlikely to lead to the fall of Assad's regime because Russia would want to preserve it to keep its foothold in the Middle East. "I don't think the Syrian government is about to fall," Lund said. "Losing Aleppo will be the hardest blow to Assad yet, and it will make a huge difference to the conflict and to how the country functions. Even so, Assad runs a really tenacious regime that has proven its intransigence many times." He added that "we're likely to see a period of intense fighting, and then further down the line, there will be a new, wobbly equilibrium propped up by ceasefire deals negotiated between Russia, Turkey, and perhaps Iran." Read also: A lot depends on Israels response experts on what the Middle East escalation could mean for Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. An American Airlines Boeing 737 made an emergency landing during the Thanksgiving weekend. The FAA said the crew reported a "possible electric issue." An airline spokesperson said an indicator light was later confirmed to be false. An American Airlines jet made an emergency landing Sunday after the crew reported a "possible electric issue." The 14-year-old Boeing 737 was operating Flight 1047, from Chicago O'Hare to Las Vegas. Data from Flightradar24 shows it flew for about half an hour before turning back to Chicago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "American Airlines Flight 1047 returned safely to Chicago O'Hare International Airport around 9:45 a.m. local time on Sunday, December 1, after the crew reported a possible electrical issue," the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement. The FAA will investigate the incident, it added. The Aviation Herald, which first reported the incident, said the crew reported the autopilot and autothrottle disconnected, a takeoff configuration warning horn, and door lights were activated. "An indicator light identified a possible mechanical issue that, after inspection, was confirmed to be false," an American Airlines spokesperson told Business Insider. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same 737 flew to San Francisco later that day, per Flightradar24. Sunday's incident occurred during the Thanksgiving weekend, one of the US's busiest travel periods. From Sunday, November 24, to Thanksgiving Day, the FAA documented a record 232,000 flights across the US. American Airlines said last month it expected to fly 8.3 million people across more than 77,000 flights with Sunday the busiest day. Passengers later re-departed for Las Vegas on a replacement aircraft, an airline spokesperson told USA Today. The incident came eight days after an American Airlines passenger was taken to hospital after a 777 encountered turbulence between Brazil and Miami. It became a four-hour flight to nowhere. Read the original article on Business Insider Dozens of Lebanese families who returned to south Lebanon last week following the ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel have again left their homes for safer areas as violations of the ceasefire continue. "I packed my stuff and children up after we came last week to our home near Tyre in southern Lebanon and returned to the house I was renting in Mount Lebanon," Haj abu Mohammed told dpa. Dozens of cars could be seen on the South Lebanon Highway loaded with mattresses and belongings and heading towards areas in north Lebanon and the Mount Lebanon region in the centre of the country on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday night, Israel launched a series of airstrikes, killing nine people, after accusing Hezbollah militants of breaching the ceasefire. Israel and Hezbollah have repeatedly accused each other of violating the ceasefire since it came into force last Wednesday. Despite the agreement, the Israeli military has repeatedly launched air and ground attacks at targets in Lebanon, citing violations by Hezbollah of the ceasefire. "We survived the war, but I do not want to lose my children. They were terrified last night when they heard the bombing again," Abu Mohammed said. "We do not care who started the violations. We care about living in peace with our families," said Fatima, who returned north from the south of the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said her family had decided to spend the winter in a safe area in Mount Lebanon, adding that this will grant them time to see how the situation develops in south Lebanon. Hezbollah has said it is going to rebuild people's homes, and buy furniture and pay rent for one year for those who lost their homes in the conflict. "Yes Hezbollah is helping a lot and we are grateful, but I think what we want is our families to return to their villages and live in peace," Zeinab, a resident of the town of Ghaizieh in south Lebanon, told dpa. CHEYENNE Friends and family of women lost to domestic violence in Wyoming walked in silence Monday to memorialize their loved ones. Participants in the Zonta Club of Cheyennes annual Silent Witness March carried images and silhouettes representing their loved ones from the Wyoming Supreme Court Building on Capitol Avenue to the Laramie County Library, where domestic violence survivor Mary Billiter shared her experience with abuse. Billiter met her abuser when she was in her early 20s. She said he was handsome and made more money than she did. At 26, Billiter eloped with him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was very small, because he did weddings for a living, so he hated weddings, Billiter told the crowd. He controlled the whole thing. I mean, looking back, all the signs were there. Going through a slide show, with pictures and documents from her 10 years married to her abuser, Billiter continued to tell the crowd about how during her second pregnancy, after giving birth to twins and again being pregnant with twins, her husband would hit her, even kicking her pregnant stomach. Billiter gave birth two months early, in April of 2001, to twins, a boy and girl. Her son did not survive, and her daughter was only 3 pounds, 9 ounces. (My abusers) wedding band fit over her wrist, Billeter told the crowd. You dont know how tiny that is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The (operating) room was just deadly quiet, Billiter said. They pulled (my son) out, and his head was all smashed in. The priest came, and he had holy water in a seashell and gave him (and his sister) last rites. Billiter has two other twin boys, and at one point, one of her sons was hit repeatedly by her abuser, leaving a hand mark on his face. They were living in Arizona at the time, and Child Protective Services was called, and Billiter thought someone would finally help. The claim was marked as unsubstantiated because Billiters abuser signed papers telling CPS that his family didnt need help. Are my twins, at 5 years old, going to say anything against their dad? No, theyre not, Billiter said. When I got kicked in my second trimester in the stomach, and he picked me up on my neck until I passed out? I came to with blood (on me) and my sons standing over me. And when one of them ran to the neighbors house, their dad picked them up like a bag of trash and said, We dont tell anybody about this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Billiter and her children were abused by her former husband until she was able to leave in 2004. Billiter is Roman Catholic, and when she was finally able to leave her abuser, her abuse was so well documented with the church that she was able to receive an annulment, which is incredibly rare in Catholicism. Billiters first marriage wasnt her only experience with abuse. Her second marriage was abusive, as well. Billiter joked that she married a cowboy with a gun because she thought he would protect her; however, she was unaware of his undiagnosed mental health issues. She was able to share her experience as a survivor, but many of those in attendance were there to mourn their loved ones who did not survive their abusers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A large group of family members joined the march to memorialize Angela Marie Elizondo, a Cheyenne woman who was killed in 2019. She worked in the hospital, she worked as a waitress, she volunteered for Meals on Wheels, she helped the homeless, Angelas mother, Cecilia Elizondo, told the crowd. ... We are very proud of our daughter. Cecilia was supported by her husband and Angelas father, Ricardo Elizondo, as she briefly spoke with the group about her daughter. Elizabeth Juarez also shared the story of her daughter, Victoria Juarez, who was killed and found in the basement of Anongs Thai Cuisine in south Cheyenne. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of Victorias death, she left behind a 2-year-old boy; the man that killed Victoria was not her sons father. Elizabeth originally didnt want him to call her mom, because she didnt want to erase her daughter, she told the crowd. It wasnt until years later, when she and her grandson talked about it that she felt OK being called Mom. He told me, I got a mom up in heaven, and I got a mom right here, Elizabeth told the crowd. According to the Wyoming Department of Health, 33.9% of women and 30.5% of men in the state experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner sexual violence and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes. According to Billiter, its important to share these stories to support each other, and help alleviate the guilt and shame that abuse can cause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A young woman came up to me, and she lost her cousin, and she said, You know, I heard that you know, I heard you still carry the shame that you picked a bad one, Billiter told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle. She said, Its not your shame to carry you didnt pick a bad one. He picked a good one. For Billiter, hearing that it wasnt her fault from another woman who had lost someone to abuse was freeing. He sought me out because I was good, and there was something so freeing about that, Billiter said. Because this entire time I thought there was something so fundamentally wrong with me for my choices and how it impacted my children. Ive never thought that he saw something in me that he could manipulate and control and coerce, and eventually abuse and try to destroy, until I left in the middle of the night with my three children. Telling stories like these is about breaking cycles of abuse, Billiter said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A display of the victims silhouettes and a brief account of their death were set up at the library, and will remain there for the rest of the week, according to a news release. This display will be available for public viewing, along with proclamations from Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon and Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins about ending violence against women. The display includes the stories of Victoria Elizabeth Juarez, Teresa Zimmermen, Crystal Town, Janessa Rae Spencer, Robin Munis, Ashley May Craig, Angela Elizondo, Kary McKinny, Lynne Poole, and a silhouette honoring the missing and murdered indigenous women of Wyoming. The march and the presentation on Violence Against Women are some of the activities hosted by the Zonta Club of Cheyenne during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which runs from Nov. 25 through Dec 10, according to the news release. The initiative was started by the Womens Global Leadership Institute at Rutgers University in 1991, and is recognized by activists around the world as a time to raise awareness in their communities and to call for the elimination of all types of gender-based violence, according to the release. More than 6,000 organizations from 187 countries have participated in the campaign. GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) A Greensboro family is in disbelief after Samad Johnson Jr, 18, was found shot and killed on the citys north side. I have been sick to my stomach every day just to know I cant hug him no more, said Shalom Terry, Samads aunt. One week ago, someone fishing on Lake Townsend spotted Johnsons body in an embankment near Yanceyville Road. His family says they are not sure why he was in this area or who he was with before he was shot and killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But they know the pain of his loss hits hard, and they are determined to bring justice for the 18-year-old. Johnson is gone way too soon. I just cant believe it, Terry said. She saw an article about the body found in Greensboro and immediately had a bad feeling. I was calling him because he didnt tell me happy Thanksgiving. He didnt tell me happy Birthday I was wondering why he wasnt contacting me, Terry said. Over the holiday weekend, Greensboro police confirmed that the man shot and killed was her nephew. He liked music. He wanted to be big When he was going through something, he got his headphones, Terry said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His sense of humor and his love of music will live on through his 9-year-old brother. I love Samad, and I hope he is down here watching me, and I hope he keeps me protected, said LeJend Roberts, Johnsons brother. I think about all the good times me and my brother had instead of the sad I know he is in a better place now so nobody can bother him, but I just wish I could have seen him one more time before it happened. The family, unfortunately, is all too familiar with gun violence. May 30, 2020, I was shot, too, and he didnt have no money or anything, but he made a way to get to the hospital I just wish how he was there for me, I could be there for him, and that is what hurts me the most, Terry said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family is feeling heartbreak, anger and a determination for justice. He still has a little brother here and little sister, and he left everything behind. It hurts, but I am trying to stay strong, Roberts said. Greensboro police have not released details about when the shooting happened and if there are any suspects in the case. Investigators ask anyone with information to contact Crimestoppers. A GoFundMe has been set up. 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 FOX8 WGHP. NEW DELHI, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- At least four people died in a boiler blast inside a factory in India's western state of Gujarat on Tuesday, local police said. All the deceased were industrial workers. The blast occurred inside the factory of Detox India Private Limited situated in Ankleshwar area of Gujarat's Bharuch district. The factory was in the business of industrial waste treatment and disposal. Bharuch's Superintendent of Police Mayur Chavda told the media that apart from the four deaths, no other people were injured and there was no fire at the spot. WINCHESTER, Ky. (FOX 56) Two months ago, Jennifer Chavez and her family moved into the bottom apartment of a two-story home. They said this discovery has left them feeling unsafe, especially for one 13-year-old girl. No one, like, a teenager or child, should go through this; its overwhelming, I would say, said Ariana Delarosa, as she is left processing what happened. Chavez said when they moved in mid-October, she noticed a hole in the bathroom ceiling. She mentioned it to her landlord, and nothing was done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said one time Delarosa even heard an upstairs neighbor say, Theres a shower in there, and her husband discovered what he believed to be a camera. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Hes seen there was a camera hanging out of that hole, and he had my granddaughter, and when he went to jerk it, they jerk back up; the neighbors did, said Chavez. This is when Chavez called the police and she said it was brushed to the side; their advice to her was to repair the hole, which they did but she said more holes appeared so the family decided to try to catch an act in progress, which happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chavezs husband used a pair of pliers to grab the end of the camera, then yanked it down and out of the wall. The discovery of the camera convinced police to arrest 50-year-old Benny R. Vires, who is now in jail and charged with video voyeurism and resisting arrest. Benny Vires mugshot (Clark County Detention Center) I should be focusing on school, but at school, Im focusing about this and its just like, like, Get out of my head; Im trying to do a test,' Delarosa said. Chavez agreed and hoped nothing was captured on the camera. Read more of the latest Lexington & central Kentucky news I dont want her to have to feel like she has to walk around and look over her back the rest of her life and make sure nobodys got a camera at her; you know, she shouldnt be made to feel that way, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family said more needs to be done to ensure their safety, as Vires parents still live in the upstairs home. Chavez also believes Vires should face more severe charges. Should he have a $7,500 bond? No. Should it be more? Yes. Should he be charged with what hes charged with? No. He should be charged with child abuse, child pornography, something, she claimed. Chavez hopes others learn from her familys ordeal, and the lesson is to be careful who you trust. Keep an eye on your ceilings, your vents, your attic, anything, especially if you live around people thats up, down, below, beside, in front, any of that, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vires is in the Clark County Detention Center and is set to have a preliminary hearing on Dec. 4. 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. Security forces clash with Donald Trump's supporters after they breached the Capitol security in Washington D.C., January 6, 2021. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Last year President Joe Biden accused Donald Trump of leading an extremist movement that does not share the basic beliefs in our democracy. Vice President Kamala Harris put a finer point on it last month. Donald Trump, she said, was a fascist. Its commonplace, of course, for Democrats to call Republicans fascists; theyve been doing so since at least the 1960s. The difference this time is that fellow Republicans and Trumps own former chief of staff agree. Trump unmistakably talks like a fascist, which is why people have been warning about imminent fascism for years. He admires dictators, praises violence, bullies the media, exudes machismo, demonizes opposition, preaches belligerent nationalism, and encourages total, personal loyalty to himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps rhetorical fascism has been clear for years, which is why, nine years ago, when Trump was running for president the first time, I (along with many others) accused him of being a fascist, based on his Muslim ban, admiration for autocrats, praise of violence, and calls to crack down on press freedom. But does he do anything fascist? Does he match words with action? In 2018 I queried the claim again, this time by looking at the first 18 months of Trumps administration and comparing his words and deeds to the Nazis in the 1930s. You have to be paranoid and devoid of all historical perspective to believe that Trumps America is full-blown fascist right now in 2018, I concluded. But you also have to be singularly insensitive and devoid of all historical perspective to be untroubled about the trend lines in American political culture. The trend lines that worried me: We do have an unseemly personality cult, a clear shift in the culture of discourse about race, and a blurring of the lines between religion and nationalism. These trends are truly troubling. Now we have a full Trump term and a second and third presidential campaign behind us. Trump has been much clearer about what he wants to do and he has more experience in getting it done. As Trump has rolled out his Cabinet nominees and other high-level appointees, his full legacy is coming into focus. Whats the fascism scorecard as we approach 2025? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has repeatedly promised to embark on a campaign of retribution against his political enemies, suggesting he may use the Internal Revenue Service and Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute them. There are a few things we can expect from Trump that are neither fascist nor authoritarian, despite what the left will inevitably say about them: conservative judges, pro-life legislation, and bellicose rhetoric on the world stage. Trump is likely to pursue some or all of these things and none of them are remotely anti-democratic, authoritarian, or fascist. They might be wise or foolish, and the left will hate them all, but calling them fascist will only cheapen the word and desensitize the public to its use. Authoritarian-adjacent. But not everything Trump has said or will do can be dismissed as old-fashioned conservatism expressed via mean tweets. And for those matters, what might be most helpful is to draw a distinction between generic authoritarianism and bespoke American fascism, complete with a fetish for violence, hierarchy, purity, and leader-worship. Some things are run-of-the-mill authoritarian (still bad, but not goose-stepping fascist), while others are clear, dispositive signs that a distinctive American-style fascism has arrived. There are some things Trump has talked about doing that might be authoritarian, or might not, depending on circumstance and intent, including: reinstating Schedule F, regulating social media companies, pursuing an agenda of economic populism, border enforcement and deportations, and invoking the Insurrection Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schedule F, which Trump originally introduced in 2020 before Biden revoked it, converts civil service positions into politically appointed positions, giving the president more power over the executive branch. More executive branch cohesion isnt necessarily authoritarian. I tend to think the presidency needs more control over the executive branchcoupled with far more checks and balances from the other two branches. The problem is what Trump might do with a more responsive executive branch, especially when unchecked from a subservient and supine Republican Congress. Regulating social media and pursuing economic populism are similarly in it depends territory. If regulation is just another word for pressuring social media companies to favor Trumps speech and disfavor progressive speech, thats definitely authoritarian. If economic populism becomes a vehicle of corruption and patronage for Trump and his cronies to get rich off the public purse, thats classic authoritarianism. Enforcing a border isnt authoritarianit is, actually, what the law mandatesnor are deportations. But doing so with heedless disregard for migrants humanity (such as through the family separation policy) would be. Most worryingly, Trump has suggested invoking the Insurrection Act to crack down on crime. The law was used in the past to put down riots and enforce integration; it has a legitimate use. But Trump has hinted that he will use the law against street crime, likely to embarrass Democratic mayors and governors. Again, the devil is in the details: Authoritarianism would not be in the act itself, but in its intent, timing, target, and effects. Authoritarian but not full-on fascist. Then there are things that would definitely be authoritarianthough not necessarily specifically fascist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Politicizing and weaponizing the bureaucracy for partisan gain is classic authoritarianism. (One of the charges against President Richard Nixon was the abuse of power by misusing federal agencies for political gain.) Trump has repeatedly promised to embark on a campaign of retribution against his political enemies, suggesting he may use the Internal Revenue Service and Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute them. His nomination of Pam Bondi as attorney general and Kash Patel as FBI director seem a clear sign he intends to make his threats a reality. Bondi helped defend Trump in his first impeachment trial and spread election denialism in 2020. Patel, in addition to promoting election denialism, has called for retribution against those who helped Biden rig the election. He even wrote a series of childrens books about Trumps heroic battle against his enemies. Trump may try to purge the bureaucracy and military leadership to ensure only those personally loyal to him are in positions of power. Its normal for presidents to hire and fire their inner circle based on loyalty, but Trump seems to want to expand that to the entire federal workforce and the military. Trumps nomination of Pete Hegseth to be secretary of defense, again, seems to indicate his intent to clean house at the Pentagonthough Sen. Marco Rubio seems less likely to follow suit at the State Department. Trump has repeatedly promised to embark on a campaign of retribution against his political enemies, suggesting he may use the Internal Revenue Service and Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute them. Trump may use the Insurrection Actor normal police tacticsagainst peaceful protesters, not simply against rioters. The incident at Lafayette Square in June 2020 is a possible precedent (though it seems interagency bickering and bureaucratic incompetence played a role in that). Trump repeatedly suggested in the past that he wanted to revise laws about libel and defamation to make it easier to sue the media. Constraining free speech is, again, classic authoritarianism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has suggested, hinted, or joked about doing all these things. His supporters tell us to take him seriously, not literally, and Trump regularly deflects criticism by insisting that he is joking. Watching to see if Trump turns these jokes into policy will be a key indicator telling us how seriously to take him. American fascism? One challenge in describing things as specifically fascist is that, famously, there isnt a consensus definition of fascism. The ways in which Trumps seems most clearly to approach fascism have more to do with style, rhetoric, and attitude than with governance. Trump referred to his political opponents as vermin, accused immigrants of poisoning the blood of our country, and warned about the danger from the enemy from within. He regularly speaks in a way that isto put it charitablyracially insensitive. He scapegoats an out-group (immigrants) to blame them for crime, violence, and economic woes. He plays on a strong us-versus-them hostility to keep the base energized. The level of personal devotion and personal loyalty he demands and receives is, to outside observers, creepy and weird. Calling Trumps rhetoric and posturing fascist isnt a particularly hard call. Read a few speeches from Mussolini and youll hear the obvious parallels, which is why intellectuals who read history are the most alarmed about Trump. There isnt (or shouldnt be) much serious debate on this point: Trumps rhetoric and symbolic behavior are demonstrably fascist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Put it together and you see a movement that is performative fascism. Followers get the frisson and thrill of talking and posturing like fascists without the guilt of acting like them. Cocksure; punchy; spoiling for a fight; driven by nostalgia, fear, and anger; obsessed with internal enemies; preaching law and order; lustful for violence; defined by a single charismatic leader. It is fascism as vibes, the fascism of mood and attitude, fascism as a lifestyle brand. It is fascist-chic. (Fascchic?) January 6 The question remains: Will he do anything actually fascist? Were unlikely to see Congress create legal privileges for the dominant ethnic or religious group (conservative white Christians) and restrict the citizenship rights of everyone else. Were unlikely to see Trump suspend the Constitution (even though he joked about doing so) to create a one-party state under his singular, personal rule. Were unlikely to see Trump and the Congress legally proscribe opposition parties. I think were even unlikely to see a surge of militarism (by which I dont mean hawkish foreign policy, but a culture of regimentation, hierarchy, and obedience as a style for civilian life). Trump is too chaotic and incompetent to go for full-on militarism, and American political culture has too much latent libertarianism within it to tolerate it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I do not say that to downplay or minimize Trumps fascism. I think Trump will actually try to do one of the most clearly fascist things hes suggested: Trump said he will pardon January 6 rioters. That, I believe, would be the signature move of a Trump administration intent on turning fascist vibes into fascist governance. Why would this be such a big deal? Pardoning the J6ers would politicize the justice system, reward Trumps most loyal followers for breaking the law, and signal that physical violence is acceptable when done in Trumps cause. It would directly incentivize more violence and more law-breaking, and would signal to police and courts across the country that Trumps supporters enjoy presumptive immunity for anything they may do in the course of advocating for Trump. Without exaggeration, it would turn the most zealous MAGA supporters into Trumps brownshirts. It would validate the narrative that Trump and his followers have been the victims of a witch hunt and that they must get revenge to get justice. Pardoning the J6ers would supercharge all the most clearly fascist aspects of the MAGA movement. It would, in effect, make supporting Trump the new standard of lawfulness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president has access to a wide range of powers, many of which could be abused for illegitimate purposes. We tend to give most presidents the benefit of the doubt, trusting that Congress and the courts will step in if and when necessary. Trump does not deserve the benefit of doubt. He deserves minute scrutiny. But Congress will not step in to check him, and the courts are doubtful given the recent ruling on presidential immunity. That means when Trump uses his legitimate powers in questionable ways, he is likely to get away with it. And the more he gets away with it, the more he will be encouraged to keep going. That is what makes it so important to put his every act under the microscope, to examine its intent and its effects, to watch for the broader pattern, to see whether Trumps administration is characterized more by conservative governance, by bumbling incompetence, or by fascist leanings. His pardoning of the J6ers will be one of the earliest indications. 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. OVERTON, Texas (KETK) The father of a 2-year-old girl who was shot in Overton on Nov. 20 has been charged in connection to the shooting. Queen Street shooting leaves 1 injured in Tyler The shooting occurred at around noon on Nov. 20 in the 109000 block of County Road 29 near Overton. Officials said the child was shot through the chest and then flown to a hospital in Shreveport, La. Devan Page, 21 of Overton. Photo courtesy of the Caddo Parish Jail records. Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said the .22 caliber gun that injured the child had fallen out of Devan Pages waistband before the child picked it up and went off. Following an investigation, Page was charged with causing bodily injury to a child. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith added that the girl is doing well in the hospital. 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. A father is suing Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools after the shooting death of his 17-year-old son. PAST COVERAGE: Second teen charged in students shooting near CMS bus stop Nahzir Taylor died after he was shot in the head while getting off his school bus in east Charlotte in 2022. His father filed a wrongful death lawsuit against CMS and the former Rocky River High School principal. The suit claims the shooting stemmed from a fight in the school cafeteria that day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Security cameras recorded another student threatening to shoot and kill Taylor, according to the lawsuit. It also claims the school didnt call Taylors parents after the fight, didnt report the threat to the police, or detain the student. The parents of a 19-year-old suspect charged in the weekend shooting death and carjacking of a 70-year-old man outside of a liquor store in southwest Atlanta talked to Channel 2s Veronica Griffin. That decision was very hard, Jarvis Mosley said about his decision to take his son, Jaylen Mosley, back to the scene of that crime. Very hard, very hard decision. But again we didnt have anything to hide, Mosley said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Saturday night, 70-year-old David Tuttle was shot and killed outside of a liquor store on Metropolitan Parkway in Southwest Atlanta. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after the shooting, Jarvis Mosley arrived at the store with his son and Atlanta homicide detectives made the arrest. Jaylen Mosley was charged with murder, armed robbery, hi-jacking a vehicle, possession of a firearm, and fugitive charges out of Harris County, Texas. Channel 2 received documents from Texas on Monday that show the fugitive charge against Mosley was a misdemeanor charge for damage to property. That charge was dropped on Monday and Texas is waiving extradition. Mosley waived his first appearance on Monday and remains in the Fulton County jail. His court date is in two weeks. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Dec. 2Educating and feeding the county's students, as well as supporting their academic and extracurricular endeavors are day-to-day tasks at the Fayette County School System, and the Board of Education's Tuesday meeting will focus on all those topics and more. The BOE will meet Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. at the central office in Fayetteville. Anna Kincaid-Cline, the associate superintendent of curriculum, technology and instruction, will present a review and updates of student achievement results and a scorecard review to members of the board. On the feeding front, Superintendent Gary Hough will recommend to the board a contract with New River Contracting, LLC, in the amount of $70,046.07 for the construction of a commodity warehouse walk-in freezer. The freezer will be located at the Fayette County Technical Center (Fayette Institute of Technology) and will be used for all county schools. Funding is from Child Nutrition funds and State Aid matching grants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an effort to support further student development academically and in extracurricular activities, the superintendent will recommend approval of a number of overnight trip requests, both in-state and out-of-state. Among the planned trips are: Fayetteville PK-8 eighth grade class to travel to Colonial Williamsburg, Va., May 19-20, 2025 for their eighth grade class trip. Travel will be by charter buses and the trip will be funded through fundraisers and FPK-8 Extracurricular Levy Funds. Midland Trail High School wrestling students to travel on Jan. 31 to attend the Single A Challenge Tournament Jan. 31 to Feb. 1 in Ritchie County. The trip will be paid for from the MTHS wrestling account and travel will be by Fayette County school bus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fayette Institute of Technology FBLA students to travel to Camp Dawson March 5 to March 8 for the FBLA State Conference. Travel will be by Fayette County school bus and the trip will be paid for from FIT funds. FIT Grow Your Own Pathway to Teaching students to travel to Canaan Valley Resort on March 11-13 to attend the West Virginia Educators Rising State Leadership Conference. FIT funding will pay for the trip and a Fayette County school bus will be used. FIT Grow Your Own Pathway to Teaching students to travel to Orlando, Fla., June 26-29 to attend the West Virginia Educators Rising National Leadership Conference. FIT funds will pay for the trip, which will be by plane. FIT Skills students to travel to Fairmont March 27-29 to compete in the West Virginia State Skills Conference. Travel by Fayette County school bus will be paid for from FIT funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oak Hill High School wrestling students to travel overnight to three competitions: Jefferson High School, tournament, Dec. 20-21; Fairmont, WSAZ Tournament, Jan. 10-11; and Huntington, state tournament, March 6-8. OHHS Wrestling Boosters' funds will pray for the trips by Fayette County school bus. OHHS girls basketball students will travel to the Clarksburg/Bridgeport area Jan. 17-18 for the 2025 East Fairmont Classic Basketball Tournament. Travel will be by Fayette County school bus and funding will be provided from the OHHS Girls Basketball Boosters. Oak Hill Middle wrestling students will travel to Huntington on a Fayette County school bus to take part in the WSAZ Tournament Jan. 31-Feb. 1. Funding will be from the OHMS wrestling account and parents of students attending. FIT FBLA students will fly to Anaheim, Calif., in June to take part in the FBLA National Conference. Funding will be from FIT funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FIT Skills students will compete in the National Skills Conference June 23-27 in Atlanta, Ga. FIT funds will pay for the charter bus. The superintendent also will present to the board several personnel matters, including professional transfer and leave requests, along with resignations and retirements; professional substitute, service, service substitute and extracurricular/extra duty employment requests; along with service resignations. Hough also will offer a report to the board and a number of financial matters will be addressed. In an executive session, the BOE will consider the superintendent's approval of student disposition in a student discipline hearing. The BOE will next meet on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. at the board's office in Fayetteville. Email ckeenan@register-herald.com FBI offers $15K reward in case of Maine teen missing since September (NewsNation) The FBI is offering a reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to the return of a Maine teenager missing for more than two months, or the arrest of anyone involved in her disappearance. Stefanie Damron, 14, was reported missing on Sept. 24, 2024, and was last seen walking out of her house and into the woods in New Sweden, Maine. Hannah Kobayashi went missing voluntarily, police say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christopher and Lisa Marie Damron, Stefanies parents, said in an October statement that she argued with her sister before she left. The family had moved to Maine from Texas in 2020, and a relative reportedly said Stefanie had tried to run away before but had been found by her family in the woods. Stefanie was homeschooled and had limited access to social media, according to the FBI. Police recently released new photos of Stefanie in hopes of someone coming forward. Stefanie Damron had a fight with her sister before she disappeared. (Maine State Police) Stefanie Damron disappeared on Sept. 24, 2004. (Maine State Police) Police have expanded the search for Stefanie Damron nationwide and into Canada. (Maine State Police) People in the area have organized searches with no results, according to local reporting. Authorities have expanded the search for Stefanie nationwide and into Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am not missing post appears on actress Instagram amid bizarre missing person saga Stefanie is described as a white female with green eyes and shoulder-length brown hair, standing 5 feet tall and weighing approximately 130 pounds. She was last seen wearing blue jeans, a long-sleeved blue shirt and black Harley Davidson hiking boots. Anyone with information is asked to call Maine State Police Houlton Barracks at 1-800-824-2261 or 207-532-5400, or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tips can also be submitted online to the FBI. 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. Atlanta police and the FBI are searching for a man they say is responsible for killing two people. Investigators told Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Mark Winne that Corey Comer is wanted for killing 37-year-old Douglas Banks outside a library on Cleveland Ave. on May 6 and 17-year-old Kendarius Davis on Nov. 17 at an apartment complex on Mount Zion Rd. SE. Banks left behind five children. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] All the kids want is justice, said Taneka Banks, the childrens mother. They are in pain about it. And its like when one is upset, its the domino effect. Theyre all upset, theyre all emotional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives say that Comer used whats known as a glock switch in Banks murder to turn his handgun into a fully-automatic weapon, which the FBI says can shoot about 20 rounds in a second. Theyre extremely dangerous, FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke said. These weapons are very hard to shoot when they become converted to fully automatic. That has the strong propensity to have innocent victims be hit on top of the intended target. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI Atlanta says that between 2012 and 2021, there was a 570% increase in switches being found at crime scenes nationally. They added that they see them at nearly every metro Atlanta search warrant they serve involving gangs or violent crimes. Anyone who knows where Comer is or has information that could help investigators should call Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a recall notice on Dec. 2 for multiple brands of vegetables and whole carrots associated with the Grimmway Farms recall in November. This new list comes from 4Earth Farms of Commerce, California, a distributor that sells packaged vegetable medleys to grocery stores, including Walmart, Alberts Organics, and Sprouts Farmers Market, among others. The voluntary recall was initiated by 4Earth Farms when it became aware that the Grimmway Farms carrots used in its line of mixed veggies were potentially contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria. This expansion comes after other products containing Grimmway Farms produce were also recalled out of an abundance of caution. The following packages are specified in the latest recall: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The states where the products were distributed include New Hampshire, Florida, California, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Illinois, and Coloradoto both retail stores and distributors. Photos of the packages can also be found here. Customers should not be at risk of buying these affected vegetables, as they have been expired for at least three weeks, with best-by dates ranging from Sept. 7, 2024, to Nov. 2, 2024. However, the FDA is encouraging consumers to check refrigerators or freezers for any remaining produce from the recall list. Dispose of the packages and sanitize any surfaces they may have touched, as E. coli is a serious matter. If you have concerns about exposure to the bacteria, contact a medical professional. E. colis incubation period can vary from less than 24 hours to 10 days, so if youve consumed these products in that space of time, be on the lookout for symptoms that include stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and high fever. 4Earth Farms says that it has not been contacted about any illnesses resulting from consuming its products. The wider Grimmway Farms outbreak has thus far been linked to 39 illnesses, including 15 hospitalizations and one death. Consumers with questions about the recall should contact 4Earth Farms at 855-918-1706, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PT. Read the original article on ALLRECIPES LOS ANGELES, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on Monday urged Californians to get vaccinated against flu, COVID-19, and other winter viruses during holidays. "Flu and COVID vaccines can help keep you and your family stay healthy, happy, and together this holiday season," said Dr. Tomas J. Aragon, CDPH director and state public health officer. "Vaccines lower your chances of serious illness, helping to make sure you and your loved ones can gather safely during the winter holidays." Respiratory viruses such as flu, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) peak during the winter. CDPH recommended everyone 6 months and older get updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines. The agency recommended RSV immunizations for adults aged 75 and older, adults aged 60-74 at increased risk, pregnant people who are 32 to 36 weeks pregnant from September through January, babies younger than 8 months, and children ages 8 to 19 months who are at high risk for severe RSV. Dec. 3 (UPI) -- One person is dead, and six firefighters were injured, in a three-alarm fire that erupted Monday night in an Upper East Side Manhattan apartment building, officials said. Thomas Currao, deputy chief of the New York City Fire Department, told reporters during a press conference that they were notified of the fire on East 82nd Street at about 7:15 p.m. EST. He said "a heavy, heavy body of fire" had been burning on the fifth and sixth floors before it spread down to the fourth. Between eight and 10 apartments were affected by the blaze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple hose lines were employed to combat the fire as firefighters tore walls apart and ventilated the roof to get at the flames, he said. Paul Miano, assistant chief of EMS operations, announced the casualty toll, stating the injuries sustained by the firefighters were "minor." The identity of the deceased was not released. Currao state the victim had been found in a fifth-floor hallway outside of an apartment. "The art and skill of a firefighter is inherently dangerous," he said. "On a cold night, we have a lot of water going on, we have ventilation, windows breaking, we have a lot fire and smoke, so thank God all the [injuries] seem to be moderate at this time." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said a secondary search of the building was ongoing, and a MTA bus was being brought to the scene to shelter residents who could not return to their homes until they could be relocated. The cause of the fire was under investigation by fire marshals. #FDNY Operations are ongoing at the 3-alarm fire at 526 E 82 Street in Manhattan. pic.twitter.com/5OILQBRbMy FDNY (@FDNY) December 3, 2024 The LAPD announced on Dec. 2 that surveillance footage shows missing woman Hannah Kobayashi voluntarily crossing the U.S.-Mexico border Larie Pidgeon, Kobayashi's aunt, tells PEOPLE that her niece never mentioned plans of traveling to Mexico This has been the most painful and confusing time of my life, Pidgeon says. Ive felt heartbreak, frustration, and hope all at once" A family member of Hannah Kobayashi, the missing 30-year-old who has not been heard from in almost a month after she did not get on her connecting flight to New York City, says the search for her is "not over" after authorities said Kobayashi voluntarily entered Mexico almost immediately after apparently disappearing. Knowing Hannah crossed the border does not provide the answers I need, nor does it ease the heartbreak I feel, Larie Pidgeon tells PEOPLE about her niece. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That said, my heart is still broken, and my worry for Hannah has not lessened," Pidgeon continues. "It has been 21 days since I last heard from her21 days of silence, of fear, and of questioning what could have led to this. I will not stop until I know my niece is safe and doing this on her own accord and in a good mental state, Pidgeon adds. At a news conference on Monday, Dec. 2, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) announced surveillance footage from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection clearly shows Kobayashi crossing the United States border on foot into Mexico. Related: Missing Woman Seen on Video with Stranger After She Didnt Get on Connecting Flight, Family Says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Police Chief Jim McDonnell, Kobayashi entered Tijuana, Mexico, on Nov. 12 just after noon local time. She was on foot and used the San Ysidro point of entry tunnel. She was alone, with her luggage and appeared unharmed, McDonnell said. 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. Pidgeon, who has been acting as a spokesperson for the Kobayashi family, maintains to PEOPLE that her niece never mentioned any plans about traveling to Mexico. No one in her life knew she intended to go there, Pidgeon says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She goes on to say of Kobayashi that what alarms me even more is her complete disconnection from her phone, her social media, and her worldthis is not who she is. And I cant shake the last messages she sent friends and family, which Ive replayed in my mind a thousand times, trying to make sense of it but still cannot. LAPD Missing person Hannah Kobayashi was last seen at LAX Airport on November 8th, 2024 Missing person Hannah Kobayashi was last seen at LAX Airport on November 8th, 2024 Last month, Kobayashi was traveling from her home in Maui to N.Y.C. with a layover in L.A. Pidgeon previously told PEOPLE that her niece had landed a job photographing a DJ and had drawn up an hour-by-hour detailed schedule. Kobayashi made her flight from Maui to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Nov. 8 but did not get on her connecting plane bound for N.Y.C. Pidgeon told PEOPLE that on Nov. 11, Kobayashis relatives began receiving text messages from the missing woman saying I think someones trying to steal my identity. Im really scared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pidgeon described the messages as cryptic and uncharacteristic of her niece. "Hannah speaks in emojis, she said at the time, adding, Usually theres a heart or flower or a fairy. Thats how she speaks. And these messages didn't have a single emoji. The LAPD determined that, based on further investigation, Kobayashi knowingly departed LAX and went to Union Station. There, authorities said, she used her passport to purchase a bus ticket for a destination in the vicinity of the Mexican border. McConnell, the police chief, told reporters that the investigation found no proof that Kobayashi was "being trafficked or is the victim of foul play. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the police update on Monday, Pidgeon tells PEOPLE that she had not seen the video footage of Kobayashi crossing into Mexico but trusts authorities due diligence that it was her niece. She thanked authorities for their hard work and dedication to the search, echoing a statement released by other relatives. Related: Missing Hawaii Woman Hannah Kobayashi Intentionally Missed Her Connecting Flight, Police Say, Though Her Family Disagrees I love Hannah with all my heart, and that love is what drives me to keep searching for her, Pidgeon says. Everything Ive done, every plea Ive made, every step Ive takenits all been out of love. I will not stop until I can confirm, face-to-face, that she is safe and making these decisions of her own accord. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kobayashi family has been dealing with another recent death: Ryan Kobayashi, Hannahs father, was found dead at an L.A. parking lot on Nov. 24 after traveling to California to help in the search for his daughter. The L.A. County medical examiner said Ryan, 58, died by suicide. This has been the most painful and confusing time of my life, Pidgeon says. Ive felt heartbreak, frustration, and hope all at once. Pidgeon also expressed gratitude to those who also helped in the efforts to find Kobayashi. To everyone who has supported mewhether by searching, sharing her story, or simply praying for herI cannot thank you enough, she says. Your kindness reminds me that even in the darkest moments, there are good people in this world. Read the original article on People PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Federal prosecutors are calling on a judge to revoke the bail of accused fraudster Joseph Giuttari, alleging hes been illegally brokering real-estate deals in violation of a court order. Giuttari, 62, pleaded guilty on Oct. 31 to defrauding people in an illegal investment scheme, stealing government property and lying on a tax return. Hes since been out of jail awaiting sentencing based on a set of conditions, including not brokering any new deals with investors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a court filing Monday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra Hebert accused Giuttari of coordinating two new loans with an investor on Nov. 1, earning a brokers fee of nearly $15,000. Law enforcement recently learned that he violated these conditions the day after his guilty plea, Hebert wrote. Given Giuttaris violation of this condition, which was crafted by the court to protect the community from further economic harm, the court should find that there are no conditions that will protect the community, and that Giuttari is unlikely to abide by conditions of release, she added. Hebert said the borrower in the Nov. 1 deal also told law enforcement Giuttari pitched an investment opportunity to make a short-term loan, which the borrower had declined. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John MacDonald, an attorney representing Giuttari, declined to comment, saying hes still reviewing the new allegations against his client. Target 12 first revealed Giuttaris investment scheme publicly in October. Two days after the report came out, Rhode Island U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunhas office filed the criminal charges and Giuttari signed a plea agreement. Federal officials accused Giuttari of initially lulling investors into lending or borrowing money with him for short-term real estate deals. The scheme began in 2015 and continued through last year, according to court documents. Federal investigators said there were more than 10 victims with a combined loss of between $3.5 million and $9.5 million. They said Giuttari would use the funds for personal gain or to pay back other investors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October, several of Giuttaris alleged victims showed up to his arraignment in federal court in Providence, sharing their stories about how they were duped by him and his scheme. It is very, very sad one person could cause that much pain and just in the name of greed, Donna deWardener, a Narragansett resident, said at the time. She told Target 12 shes owed $2 million after being fooled by Giuttari, who is also her cousin. Giuttari is facing a maximum sentence of 33 years in prison and $750,000 in fines. He will likely receive a far lighter sentence after striking a plea deal with prosecutors. No new court date has been scheduled to determine whether his bail should be revoked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His sentencing date is scheduled for Jan. 30. Eli Sherman (esherman@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and on Facebook. Tim White (twhite@wpri.com) is Target 12 managing editor and chief investigative reporter and host of Newsmakers for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and Facebook. 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. A truck carrying a load of Powder River Basin coal (Photo by Dustin Bleizeffer of WyoFile). The U.S. Bureau of Land Management last week finalized its plans to end future coal leasing of about 1.7 million acres of federal land in Montanas Powder River Basin as part of an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and as the agency says the future of the U.S. coal market is uncertain amid a decline in demand. The record of decision for the Miles City Resource Management Plan amendment, released Nov. 27, says that existing leases for the Spring Creek and Rosebud mines in the basin would allow their operations to continue for at least a decade. But it has Montanas U.S. Sen. Steve Daines vowing to reverse the decision through legislation and the states governor calling it a disaster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bureau of Land Managements record of decision is essentially the same as the recommendation it made in May, when it called for an end to future coal leasing in the Powder River Basin in Montana and Wyoming, which produced about 40% of the nations coal, though production has declined in Montana in recent years. The Bureau of Land Management had until Dec. 3 to complete a record of decision stemming from a 2022 federal court decision in Montana that found the bureau had violated the National Environmental Policy Act by failing to analyze public health and environmental effects of coal mining when it granted previous land use plan amendments in both 2015 and 2019 in the basin. The record of decision says it was made when considering the bureaus analysis that coal markets would continue to decline and there were no projected new mines in the area, while coal-fired plants could close or be converted to utilize renewable energy. A sign for the Rosebud coal mine owned by Westmoreland (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan). The Approved RMP best attains the continuity of existing mining operations at the Rosebud Mine to 2060 and Spring Creek Mine to 2035, while reducing long-term degradation and risks to public health or safety, and other consequences of greenhouse gas emissions, the decision says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, the Bureau of Land Management said the two mines produced 18.5 million short tons (37 million pounds) of coal in 2022, about two-thirds of what they produced in 2007. The decision says that existing coal leases at the Spring Creek Mine, owned by the Navajo Transitional Energy Company, would allow operations to continue there through 2035 because the company has not applied for any further permits. The Rosebud Mine, owned by Westmoreland, has existing mining permits on two areas of land that run through 2039, which the record of decision said could be extended by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality depending on how quickly coal is mined. The record of decision would allow existing mining to continue in Wyoming through 2041. The Rosebud Mine provides coal to Colstrip and some local users, and Colstrip is set to operate at least until 2042, its owners have said, but the record of decision says Colstrips future life expectancy is uncertain because of ongoing litigation. Still, based on the forecast production rate from the Bureau of Land Management, there would be enough coal to mine through 2060. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Greg Gianforte, who has sharply criticized the Biden administrations energy policies and offered responses challenging the decision before it was finalized, said the decision is a federal power grab. Once again, the Biden-Harris administration is ignoring states and crippling our energy supply, said the governor, a Republican, in a statement. While Montana supports an all-of-the-above energy strategy, the White House is picking winners and losers on the presidents way out the door. Simply put, this rule will destroy coal jobs and defund public education in Montana. Its a disaster. Coal taxes in Montana go into a trust fund that collects interest and funds public school facility construction and upgrades, infrastructure projects, housing and economic development, amid a number of other things. The final environmental impact statement analysis released in May found that Spring Creek and Rosebud would be able to continue supporting more than 600 jobs through 2035 and bringing in a total of about $50 million annually. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bureau of Land Management considered three other alternatives during the process before reaching the decision the close off future permitting. Those included a scenario in which no action was taken, and others in which some emissions were considered that would have also reduced the amount of potentially leasable land to just thousands, or hundreds, of acres. Documents in the file for the Miles City Field Office decision show there were eight groups and agencies that protested the proposed plan that were either denied or deemed incomplete. Those came from the Montana Coal Council, Montana Natural Resource Coalition of Counties, the two mining companies, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, the National Mining Association, and Daines. A long belt conveyor system moves coal to the coal-fired power generation plant in Colstrip, Montana (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan). The DNRC said that shutting off checkerboard parcels of federal coal would effectively restrict coal development on state and private lands, which is unaffected by the decision, and said the plan would cost the state billions. But the Bureau of Land Managements response said most of those lands were not expected to be leased or mined within the planning period, which runs through 2038, and that it would not preclude the state from allowing mining on its lands even as coal demand continues to decrease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects U.S. coal production to drop from 610 million tons in 2022 to 450 million tons in 2040, and Western U.S. production to drop from 335 million tons to 224 million tons over the same period. It would be speculative for the BLM to include analysis of lost State revenue in consideration of predominant Federal coal estate and that it historically takes 10+ years to lease and permit a mine expansion, the response document says. Republican politicians are already discussing action either through Congress or through the federal court system. Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon said the state would consider litigation but also plans to work with the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump to reverse what he called a foolhardy decision. Daines said last week he planned to introduce a bill, similar to ones he has to oppose other energy policies from the Biden administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At every turn the Biden administration has launched attack after attack on made in Montana energy and the people of Montana and the rest of the country rebuked the administration for it at the ballot box, he said in a statement. Eastern Montana is rich in coal and mining operations and the jobs and coal produced in the Powder River Basin help support our national security, bolster our energy grid and create high-paying jobs. Gianforte also hinted he was looking toward the incoming Trump administration to reverse the decision. I look forward to a day when states across the country have a federal partner we can work with instead of having an administration ignore and undermine states at every turn, he said. 2024_MCFO ROD_20241120_508 HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) Field and Main Bank announced its participation in an initiative to enhance affordable housing in Kentucky. Officials say among the projects awarded, Field and Main Bank is the member bank for a total of $1.48 million toward construction costs for 100 units across three projects, but only two of those are in western Kentucky. These are: Grateful Living Apartments Henderson, KY Sponsored by The Center for Addiction Recovery of Henderson, Inc., this project received $480,000 to support the creation of 48 rental units designed to foster recovery and stability for residents. Habitat for Humanity of Henderson, KY Henderson County, KY Sponsored by Habitat for Humanity of Henderson, KY, Inc., this initiative garnered $400,000 to support 10 owner-occupied units. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Downtown Evansville to turn into a winter wonderland Officials note the funding from Habitat for Humanity will be exclusively focused on improving housing opportunities within Henderson County. Scott Davis, Chairman & CEO of Field & Main Bank, stated, We are incredibly proud to play a part in this significant initiative that directly addresses affordable housing challenges in our community. Our involvement in these projects highlights our dedication to making a positive impact on advancing housing opportunities for more of our community members and reflects the hard work of our partners. 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). CHEROKEE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) Cherokee Speedway announced Tuesday that they will no longer host bonfires or after-parties after a speedway employee was injured in a fight. According to a speedway representative, on Friday, Nov. 29, a fight involving a large crowd broke out during a bonfire at Speedway Road in Gaffney. Deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriffs Office said 31-year-old Brandon Wayne Bolin was arrested for third-degree assault and battery, along with a 15-year-old adolescent who was transported to the SC Department of Juvenile Justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watching alcohol-fueled racecars is exciting but watching alcohol-fueled adults fight it out was not part of the admission ticket, Cherokee County Sheriff Mueller said. Therefore, they got a bonus ride to the detention center. A 57-year-old man also received a summons after being transported to the hospital for his injuries. Speedway representatives said an employee tried to break up the fight but was pushed to the ground and kicked multiple times. The employee was taken to a hospital, where it was determined that he had three vertebrae in his back broken. If people cant conduct themselves in a professional manner, then we wont give them the platform to make bad decisions moving forward, the representative said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The raceway spokesperson said the team is working to try and find new ways to get the community involved due to after-parties or bonfires not being hosted for the foreseeable future. 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 WSPA 7NEWS. Dec. 2The St. Joseph School District is seeking candidates for two positions on the district's Board of Education. The spots, which each have three-year terms, will be on the April 8 ballot. Filing for the positions begins from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10. The final filing opportunity is from 3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31. Applications will be accepted from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Those seeking to run should come to the district's administration building at 1415 N. 26 St. and enter through door five. Applications should be dropped off on the second floor in the board secretary/superintendent offices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Candidates cannot file applications on weekends, after hours or when the school district offices are closed from noon on Monday, Dec. 23 through Monday, Dec. 30. Filings will not be accepted when the offices are closed due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances. On Dec. 10, any candidate who applies will draw a number at random. Candidates will be listed in ascending order of that number ahead of candidates who file at a later date. Those eligible for candidacy must be U.S. citizens, voters of the St. Joseph School District, Missouri residents for a minimum of one year before filing and at least 24 years old. They cannot be behind on any state, personal, municipal or real property taxes or have a felony, must not be a sex offender and must have filed or have a treasurer of an existing candidate committee file all required campaign disclosure reports with the Missouri Ethics Commission for all previous elections in which they were candidates. Anyone with further questions can call 816-671-4003 or email board secretary Donna Baker at donnabaker@sjsd.k12.mo.us for more information. JERUSALEM/BEIRUT, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Israel's military said it launched strikes in southern Lebanon on Monday night in response to Hezbollah's mortar fire on an Israeli post near the Lebanese border earlier in the day. In a statement, the military said the strikes targeted Hezbollah militants, dozens of launchers, and infrastructure throughout Lebanon, including the launcher in the area of Berghoz in southern Lebanon, from which two Hezbollah mortars were launched. Meanwhile, Israel's Channel 12 TV reported that the strikes targeted the city of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon. Photos circulating on social media show a large plume of smoke rising above buildings in the targeted area. Hezbollah on Monday claimed responsibility for a mortar attack aimed at Israeli military positions in the Ruwaisat al-Alam site, located in southern Lebanon's Kfarchouba hills. The Lebanese armed group described this assault as retaliation for "repeated Israeli violations" of the ceasefire agreement that began last week. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hezbollah's mortar attack was "a violation of the ceasefire agreement" between Israel and Lebanon and vowed retaliation for every breach. The Israeli military said Israel "demands that the relevant parties in Lebanon fulfill their responsibilities and prevent Hezbollah's hostile activity from within Lebanese territory." Mahmoud Qomati, deputy head of Hezbollah's Political Council, slammed on Monday Israel's ceasefire violations, calling on countries supervising the deal to assume their responsibilities by pressuring Israel to stop its breaches. "Hezbollah does not want the return or expansion of the war. Hezbollah has been respecting the agreement, and countries supervising the deal shall bear responsibilities for these violations, which no one can bear," Qomati said in an interview with Lebanese TV channel Al-Jadeed. "We were committed to this agreement for the past five days, but have found around 54 violations by Israel," Qomati said, adding, "We accepted this agreement on the condition that both parties respect it." Also on Monday, the Lebanese Red Cross and official sources reported that four people were killed and three others injured in Israeli attacks on the municipality of Talloussah, the town of Marjeyoun, and the village of Aainata in southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israeli drones are seen flying at a low altitude over Lebanon's capital Beirut, reported a Xinhua correspondent stationed there. A ceasefire, brokered by the United States and France, went into effect on Nov. 27, aiming to halt nearly 14 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Under the agreement, both sides agreed to a 60-day cessation of hostilities, with Israel gradually withdrawing its forces from south Lebanon and Hezbollah retreating north of the Litani River. Despite the truce, tensions remain high as both sides exchange accusations of ceasefire violations, raising concerns about the agreement's durability. Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Hartsville, talks during a South Carolina Senate Judiciary Committee meeting in Columbia, S.C. on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. (Travis Bell/STATEHOUSE CAROLINA/Special to the SC Daily Gazette) COLUMBIA Now-former state Sen. Gerald Malloy conceded Monday to Republican JD Chaplin, dropping his challenge of the results. Still, he continued to call on state election officials to further audit the process following inconsistencies in the vote count. The Hartsville Democrat abandoned his protest the day before he was scheduled to argue his case to the state Election Commission. He was disputing the result after the counts on election night varied by almost 200 votes from those in a state-mandated recount. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His withdrawal of that challenge ends any possibility of a special election, which he had sought if an audit didnt sufficiently resolve discrepancies. Chaplin is expected to be among senators attending Wednesdays post-election organizational session. Malloy declined to comment Monday evening, referring the SC Daily Gazette to his withdrawal filing instead. In it, he claimed the state Election Commission refused to make vote data available to his expert witness, a retired University of South Carolina computer science professor. Chaplin led Malloy by 278 votes ahead of the Nov. 14 recount a margin narrow enough to trigger an automatic recount. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Modern technology means recounts rarely alter the election numbers by much. This time, there was substantial difference in the recount of the roughly 50,000 votes cast in the district that spans five counties. After all five counties rescanned ballots and reported the new results, the Republicans lead shrank to just 87 votes. Malloy picked up 51 votes in the largely rural Pee Dee district and Chaplin lost 140 votes. The vast majority of those changes came from rural Lee County population 16,000 which prompted a letter from the states election chief, Howard Knapp, seeking an explanation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, the Election Commission made its own examination. In its report, the commission found the problem in Lee County came down to 360 test ballots being mistakenly counted in the early vote total on election night, then 288 ballots being accidentally scanned twice during the recount once for early voting and again for Election Day voting. Ultimately, Chaplin won by 254 votes out of 49,312 cast, according to the agencys findings. Malloys legal team blasted the evaluation. In a remarkable feat of reverse engineering, the SEC used ballot images and cast vote records to look behind the secrecy curtains of our voting booths to try to justify its third re-tabulation of the Lee County vote counts, Malloys lawyers claimed in withdrawal filings. But then the SEC refused to let the most qualified expert in the State even under the strictest protective order and for the experts eyes only analyze the data used by the SEC in its evaluation to verify its evaluation and post-certification re-tabulation of the Lee County election results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Malloy to win his challenge, he needed to prove that the results were in doubt to the point that they caused his loss. Without that access, the lawyers argue, the results remain in question despite Malloys decision to concede. Trust but verify, the withdrawal notice began, citing the late Republican President Ronald Reagan. The protest was over before it began. We were asked to trust but not verify. Under the circumstances, we cannot, reads the filings opening paragraph. South Carolina Republicans took a second victory lap. Im glad to see former Senator Malloy agrees that it was finally time to listen to the will of the voters and concede the election, SCGOP Chairman Drew McKissick said in a statement. Republicans worked incredibly hard to take out a 22-year incumbent Democrat, and their hard work paid off! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An appeal from the state Election Commission would have gone to the state Senate, since state law requires legislators to have the final ruling over election disputes involving their chamber. Such an extremely rare vote hasnt happened in either chamber in decades. And Malloy would have faced a new supermajority GOP chamber. The loss of the Senate veteran means there will be just 12 Democrats remaining in the 46-member chamber. Eight of those Democrats had no Republican opposition. Still, Malloy continued to call on the state to use his expert to analyze the election results and require audits rigorous enough to ensure any potential tabulation errors are caught and corrected before certification for future elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Knapp, the state elections director, said his staff was diligent in its efforts to identify the cause of the irregularities. He said the agency could not release the records requested by Malloy because it is against the law to do so. The three largest concerns of the Commission during Senator Malloys protest were to ensure fairness in the voting process, accuracy in the counting of votes, and to protect the secrecy of the ballot, Knapp said. While state law does not grant the SEC the authority to hold county election offices or their boards accountable, the SEC will be further investigating the processes and actions that led to the irregularities found in the report. Now that we know what happened, we need to find out why it happened. The SEC is committed to utilizing all available resources to work with Lee County to ensure that the county adheres to all election laws, policies, and procedures in the future. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX (Bloomberg) -- With a soothing score and the big board of Latin Americas biggest stock exchange blinking in the background, the online advertisement by 4TBank promises to reduce economic inequality by making financial markets more accessible. Driving home the message, the camera follows Matie Obam, the chief executive officer of Brazils first CryptoBank, as she touts the companys mission while strolling through Sao Paulos financial district. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We came to eliminate abusive fees that are suffocating us, Obam, now 24, says in that 2021 video. We were born to help you. Brazilian authorities say they uncovered something far more nefarious. Police say the company scrubbed hundreds of millions of dollars worth of dirty money for Brazils most notorious drug gang First Capital Command, or PCC and funneled cash into political campaigns. The alleged scheme was dismantled in August, just two months before voters headed to polls for municipal elections, setting off fresh worries about organized crimes abilities to infiltrate the top levels of Brazilian society. (Clique aqui para ler a materia em portugues. Haz clic aqui para leer en espanol.) Authorities have long pursued the PCC, which operates a narcotics-trafficking ring stretching across five continents. Despite efforts to stop its spread and US sanctions, the gang has managed to evolve over three decades from a jailhouse crew of Sao Paulo crooks and thugs into a multi-billion dollar criminal enterprise, with some 40,000 baptized members and domination over a key cocaine corridor to Europe. To clean its ill-gotten gains, investigators say the organizations brass is now setting its sights on Brazils financial sector and digital marketplaces, including cryptocurrency and online sports-betting platforms as well as its booming fintech industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Far better than finding a bank or a front to launder your money is creating your own bank, said Lincoln Gakiya, a prosecutor with Sao Paulos Gaeco, the states organized crime task force, who estimates the PCC earns $1 billion a year just from drug trafficking. In all, authorities have requested permission from a judge to freeze over 8.6 billion reais, or nearly $1.5 billion, in assets belonging to 4TBank and its associates, according to investigation documents seen by Bloomberg News. The amount left Fabricio Intelizano of Sao Paulo states civil police, the lead investigator in the case, dumbfounded. I had to add it up three times to make sure it was correct, he said in an interview. I did it first in an Excel spreadsheet and then on a calculator because I didnt believe what I was seeing. A legal representative for 4TBank said that the money and the transactions are not related to the PCC, are not related to drug trafficking, arms trafficking, or any other illicit activity wrongly attributed to the payment institution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just weeks after the raid, authorities took down two more allegedly illegal fintechs operating in Sao Paulo. Police say these unregistered companies conducted transactions worth over $1 billion, and suspect tens of millions of that were tied to organized crime groups and the PCC. Other investigations have also revealed that the organization has poured its money into construction companies, luxury property and car dealerships, as well as city services. Authorities claim that the PCC controls over 1,000 gas stations just in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazils wealthiest and most populous. On Nov. 8, an informant, who prosecutors say was providing law enforcement with details on the innerworkings of the PCCs money-laundering schemes, was shot and killed at Sao Paulos International Airport. In more than a dozen interviews with senior Brazilian government officials, investigators and industry leaders, along with hundreds of police documents reviewed by Bloomberg, many have expressed alarm not only over the PCCs economic might, but its increasing success in blurring the line between legal and illicit businesses. The criminal organization has gone from stashing its cash in metal drums buried beneath the ground to cyber assets that can be spirited across borders and bank accounts at the click of a mouse. The series of busts has also sparked concerns about lax oversight in the country that boasts more fintechs than any other in Latin America with over 1,500 in Brazil and counting. Both Brazils central bank and the Council for Financial Activities Control, the entity responsible for analyzing transactions linked to money laundering, declined to comment for this story. Like many of its neighbors, Brazil has long suffered from high rates of crime and violence. But growing fears about insecurity are dogging President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at a time when the economy is growing and homicides are falling. His right-wing opponents played up such worries and notched big gains in Octobers local elections. The Justice Ministry is now prioritizing combating gangsters and scams, while the president is preparing proposals for constitutional changes that would allow the government to take more aggressive action against them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mario Luiz Sarrubbo, the national secretary for public security at the Justice Ministry, said Brazilian authorities are focused on following the money. It is in money laundering that we will succeed in dismantling criminal organizations, he said in an interview. The PCC is truly in a new, more international phase, said Bruno Paes Manso, a professor at the University of Sao Paulo. By laundering its money, its moving the economy with the capital its bringing into it. The Spread The PCC formed in Sao Paulos overcrowded penitentiaries in the early 1990s in the wake of a prison massacre, banding together to demand better conditions. Its members used gruesome methods like torture, murder and decapitations to maintain order among inmates and instill fear in rivals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They became a legend saying, We were created to protect prisoners, yet the first thing they did was kill others, said Marcio Sergio Christino, a prosecutor who has investigated the PCCs origins. What they want is power. Its network has since spread across Brazils prison system and its territory. It controls dense urban slums and remote outposts deep in the Amazon jungle, undertaking a catalog of criminal activity including extortion, kidnapping and illegal mining with many of the operations being coordinated from behind bars. Regular Brazilians and executives, including billionaire industrialist Rubens Ometto, have been raising alarm over organized crime. A September DataFolha poll found that 14% of the population, or over 23 million Brazilians, say that gangs or militias vigilante groups composed of current and former members of law enforcement have been present in their neighborhoods. The PCC is active beyond Brazils borders such as in neighboring Paraguay, where it has committed multi-million dollar bank heists and imposed itself over local competitors. Its network, which the US Treasury Department has called one of the worlds largest cocaine trafficking rings, links Bolivian producers to major European mafias, like Italys Ndrangheta. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PCC operates through a horizontal structure whereby many gangsters work autonomously, rather than as a top-down enterprise, said Gabriel Feltran, a professor at ScienesPo in Paris. Thats complicated efforts to dismantle and contain it. People think based on Pablo Escobar we are talking about big bosses and family companies, but the PCC is another generation with very sophisticated schemes, he said. Those schemes are now entangling millions of unsuspecting Brazilians. In April, authorities in the megacity of Sao Paulo raided two of its biggest private bus companies that they say were controlled by the PCC. According to investigators, the PCC used the bus lines, which provided transportation for some 700,000 passengers daily, to wash the proceeds from illegal activities like drug sales and robberies. More worrying for authorities is that they injected dirty capital into the companies to win multi-million dollar city contracts. In other words, the layers of the alleged scam allowed criminals not only to launder their money, but generate profits from it, said Gakiya, of Gaeco, who has investigated the PCC for 20 years and maintains a 24-hour police detail after the organization put out a hit on him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Representatives of one of the private bus companies denied the criminal ties, but members of management were ultimately removed from their posts by the city. Members of the city government and law enforcement have since taken over management of the companies. The Alleged Scheme How prosecutors believe the PCC attempts to manipulate markets and elections was on clear display in Mogi das Cruzes, a sleepy suburb of less than half a million people in greater Sao Paulo, where 4TBank kept its only working office. In dozens of sleek social media posts, 4TBank offered investors money tips. The company said its platform made investing in cryptocurrencies easier, and said it was democratizing payment methods and cutting through the red tape of financial bureaucracy. Instituto4TBank, the digital banks community outreach arm, posted videos on YouTube in which its associates are filmed handing out hot dogs and dog food to needy residents and pets as Christian rock plays in the background. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, according to investigative documents, the company was the motor of a scheme to clean astronomical sums of money and finance political campaigns in the recent municipal vote. It also swindled investors and helped the PCC send money to Paraguay to buy drugs, the police say. Investigators only got wind of the alleged scheme after apprehending the smartphones and reviewing WhatsApp conversations of a suspect involved in a drug bust that captured 36 kilos of marijuana and cocaine in Mogi das Cruzes last year. Before that, 4TBank flew under the radar. The suspect, police would determine, turned out to be Fabiana Manzini, the wife and interlocutor of jailed PCC member Anderson Manzini. Referred to as Fatso by his confidants, he has been behind bars for two decades for kidnapping and robbing banks. Multiple attempts to reach legal representation for the Manzinis were unsuccessful; police who accuse Fabiana of taking part in a criminal organization say she remains at large. A trial has not yet been scheduled, and Fabiana has not been charged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators say they reviewed thousands of WhatsApp messages in which Fabiana instructed an individual who operated 4TBank on where to move funds, and that individual shared their intention to get three people elected as councilmen in cities throughout the state of Sao Paulo. That ringleader, police say, was local businessman Joao Gabriel de Mello Yamawaki, who lived with his girlfriend, Marie Obam, 49, and her children, 4TBank CEO Matie and Kenzo, 26. Check with Fatso about the councilmen campaigns, Yamawaki wrote in a WhatsApp message to Fabiana, according to the investigation documents. Investigators said they were taken aback that several other companies allegedly used to launder money were also under Matie and Kenzos names. A legal representative for 4TBank said that Matie and Kenzo Obam were not involved in the alleged scheme. Although Yamawaki was not listed on 4TBanks website or on its corporate tax ID, the company was essentially operated by him, according to his legal representative; he registered the company to Matie and Kenzo because he wanted to leave it to them as an inheritance. The attorney denied that 4TBank ever had any dealings with the PCC or other criminal organizations. The attorney also said that Anderson Manzini was only a childhood acquaintance of his client, and that the two hadnt spoken since they were teenagers, until a few years ago when Fabiana sought financial support from Yamawaki. In all, thirteen people, including Yamawaki, are behind bars on preventative detention, facing accusations of participating in a drug-trafficking criminal organization. Another seven face who those same charges are still at large. No trial date has been set, so no charges been filed. Meanwhile, preventive measures such as suspension from business activities were taken against 12 people including Kenzo, Matie and Marie Obam. An attorney representing the Obams said the family has no ties whatsoever with the PCC, and that Marie was completely unaware of the alleged scheme, given that she focuses on her own ornamental flower businesses. Trusted Locals Until the alleged scheme at 4TBank became public, Yamawaki was simply known as a 47-year-old savvy, self-made businessman who drove a Mercedes Benz around Mogi das Cruzes. His Instagram account highlighted his past as a motorcycle-delivery boy, and offered financial advice to 11,000 followers to help change your life. He also showcased his apparent political connections. In one Instagram post, the businessman poses with the head of Brazils conservative Liberal Party, Valdemar Costa Neto, who Yamawaki called a friend and inspiration. Representatives for Costa Neto who prosecutors confirmed is not part of the investigation said the politician poses for photos with people he doesnt know. Yamawakis attorney said that his clients intentions when backing candidates are those normally related to democracy as Yamawaki has always been interested in politics. The Obams, who hailed from humble origins in Mogi das Cruzes, were also held in high regard. The daughter of Japanese immigrants, Maries father raised orchids for a living and instilled a strong work ethic into his children, said Heitor Chaya, who grew up next door to the family. Chaya, 45, now living in the city of Campinas, said Marie got in touch with him on social media in 2022 after decades apart and told him about her daughters business. An electrical engineer who dabbles in day trading, he decided to invest because of his relationship with the family. Marie always spoke well of her daughter, saying she was a studious, hard worker who wanted to be one of the richest women in Brazil, Chaya said. After seeing initial returns on his money, he gradually increased his investment to over 107,000 reais and recommended 4TBank to friends. Chaya received fixed monthly returns on his investments. On the biggest tranche, 4TBank paid 3% deposited directly into his bank account each month. But in April, he said, the payments abruptly stopped flowing. The delay made him anxious. 4TBank told Chaya they were working to fix the problem. After days passed, he contacted his childhood friend, who said the banks accounts had been hacked. Then he says he received an email from the company, announcing that a restructuring was underway and that it would repay the initial investment in a years-long process. The message, as well as others sent to a separate client, was seen by Bloomberg News. Chayas feeling of shock quickly turned to betrayal from someone he once considered family, leading him to take legal action. It was complete indignation, he said. Her mother cared for me, and mine for her. Political Ambitions In the trove of WhatsApp messages uncovered by the police and seen by Bloomberg, Yamawaki corresponded with Fabiana about a strategy to get three people elected to public office. Police say he also discussed using NGOs to increase the organization's sphere of influence. The contenders included his girlfriend, Marie Obam, who was running for city council in Mogi das Cruzes. All three people dropped out after the investigation revealed alleged criminal ties, and Marie has been banned from holding public office. For Intelizano, 44, the policeman, the investigation demonstrated not just the PCCs financial savvy, but the organizations long-term political ambitions. He says the investigation has showed members of government were 4TBanks clients and its next phase will determine if that includes elected officials. Ultimately, the PCCs goal is to take advantage of infiltration of public institutions to win public contracts, get public money and increase their profits, he said. --With assistance from Daniel Carvalho, Gabriel Diniz Tavares and Meg Lopes. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. A firefighter was injured early Tuesday when a lithium-ion battery sparked a massive fire in a Midtown Manhattan e-bike rental store, the FDNY said. The blaze erupted inside the BinGit.NYC rental store on W. 38th St. near Sixth Ave. at about 3 a.m. The shop rents out e-bikes, scooters and pedal bikes and also stores e-bikes and scooters for delivery workers in Midtown. FDNY officials determined that a lithium-ion battery the kind used to power e-bikes and e-scooters was the cause of the fire. However, whether the battery was being charged at the time is still under investigation, a spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thankfully, nobody was seriously injured, but these lithium-ion batteries being stored in buildings like this are ticking time bombs, and people can get really badly hurt or killed, Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker said at a press conference outside the BinGit.NYC store. Responding firefighters had to cut through the stores roll-down security gates and force open a back door to get into the smoke-filled store. The places sprinkler system had already been activated. [We] were met by heavy fire, FDNY Chief Brian Gorman said. After the first-floor blaze was extinguished, water seeped downstairs and caused batteries stored in cellar to explode, igniting a second fire. A hazmat team was immediately dispatched after more than 100 heated and damaged lithium-ion batteries were found inside the business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were hundreds of batteries stored in here, Tucker said. This was a very significant charging and storage location and extremely dangerous to the public and FDNY first responders. The FDNY had repeatedly inspected the store and issued violations regarding e-bike battery storage and other issues, but the owners would just pay their fines and continue operating, FDNY Fire Marshal Daniel Flynn said. Weve written them violations, weve written them summonses and theyve persisted to engage in these unsafe practices, Flynn explained. As you can see behind us, what theyve done here has endangered everyone, not just the public but our firefighters as well. The last time the FDNY visited the store and issued summonses was in September, Flynn added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 80 firefighters and EMS personnel arrived at the scene, FDNY officials said. The fire was extinguished by 4:30 a.m. The fire began in the basement, where many of the delivery workers bikes are stored. The sprinklers activating on the first floor most likely saved the fire from spreading to the buildings upper floors, an FDNY source said. Firefighters spent the rest of the morning taking apart the battery packs and removing the individual lithium-ion cells, which look like shotgun shells, and placing them into barrels filled with fire-suppressant chemicals. Lithium-ion cells can reignite even after they have been doused, FDNY officials said. The cells in at least one of the barrels caught fire as firefighters were placing the cells inside of it, a video obtained by the Daily News shows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One firefighter suffered a minor injury fighting the blaze and was taken to Lenox Health Greenwich Village for further care. An email to BinGit.NYC requesting comment was not immediately returned. Opened battery packs and bike accessories were seen heaped in a pile outside the store as delivery workers arrived to see if their bikes survived the blaze. We have [our] stuff over there everything, bikes, said one delivery worker, who wished not to be named. The deliveryman stores his bike in the shop, but takes his battery home and charges it there. If I leave [my bike] outside [my home], it will be stolen, he said. We pay to store our bikes here. Its not free. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Tuesday afternoon, no one had been able to tell the delivery workers which bikes had survived and which had not, he said. We havent been inside, he said. Im worried. My bikes expensive. Manuele Sacca, a sandwich maker at Pissilo Italian Panini across the street, wondered if the bike shop workers were checking to see if the lithium-ion batteries they were storing were UL-certified. Off-market brands that arent certified by Underwriters Laboratories or a similar testing company are more likely to explode, fire officials said. Theyre dangerous, especially if you keep the batteries on charge all night, Sacca, 25, said. Most batteries are unregulated. If youre going to keep a store like this, they have to be regulated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October, a 34-year-old Bronx man was killed when a charging lithium-ion moped battery set his kitchen on fire, officials said. In 2019, when FDNY first started tracking these fires, only 13 blazes were attributed to the batteries. By 2020, the number had more than tripled to 44, FDNY officials said. As the number of lithium-ion batteries increased, the FDNY began a massive public service announcement campaign to encourage e-bike and e-scooter owners to use only factory-installed batteries, not charge them overnight, and keep the bikes outside if possible. The department also ramped up inspections at e-bike stores and improved its response tactics. As a result, fire deaths caused by lithium-ion batteries have dropped from 18 this time last year to five this year, officials said. WESTON, Conn (WPIX) A home in Connecticut was destroyed over the Thanksgiving holiday due to a turkey frying mishap, local officials confirmed. The home, located in Weston, caught fire Thursday afternoon after its residents attempted to fry the turkey in their garage, a preliminary investigation revealed. How long do Thanksgiving leftovers last? Heres what you need to know No injuries were reported. But the home which has an estimated value of over $4 million dollars, according to listing sites Redfin and Zillow was quickly engulfed in flames. Firefighters attempted an aggressive fire attack however their efforts were thwarted by dangerous fire conditions and structural collapse, the Weston Volunteer Fire Department wrote in a Facebook post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire departments from the nearby towns of Westport, Wilton, Redding, West Redding, Georgetown, and Easton responded to the place. Crews battled the fire for over 16 hours, according to the Weston department. The house which features 11 bedrooms and 9.5 baths, per online listing data has since been deemed uninhabitable, the department said. Video: Car erupts into ball of fire in the Bronx, FDNY investigating Cooking fires increase threefold on Thanksgiving day, according to the National Fire Protection Agency, and actually spiked by 399% over the daily average in 2022. The U.S. Fire Administration, a division of FEMA, added that frying increases the risk of fires. When deep-frying a turkey, the agency warns never to cook within 10 feet of a structure or under any overhangs, among other guidelines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking with Nexstars WTNH, an official from the fire department in New Haven, Connecticut, offered another bit of advice. Frozen turkeys will explode when you put them into the oil, Deputy Chief Lenny Wishart said. So, if youre deep frying it, make sure its fully thawed. 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. Tennessee State University's former director of financial aid is suing the school, claiming she was fired a day after she refused to skip steps in a process to get federal financial aid money to the university. The lawsuit was filed by Tanaka Vercher, who is also a former Metro Council member, in Davidson County Chancery Court on Monday. It begins by outlining a process Vercher performed each semester to verify whether admitted students had proof of a high school diploma or its equivalent, which is required to receive federal financial aid. "Ms. Vercher was required to make this verification under penalty of perjury," the suit said. Tanaka Vercher, who was a member of the Metro Council at the time, speaks during a community meeting at First Baptist Church Capitol Hill on Jan. 11, 2018, in Nashville. More: TSU board pushes to end $1.7M compensation deal with former President Glenda Glover Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit states that in two meetings this summer, Vercher explained to TSU leaders and its outside financial consultants that 20% of admitted students did not have the proper documents and that it would result in approximately $7 million in federal aid money lost this fall. She refused to request funds for those students until the process was complete, which would have taken until October. Vercher claims she was told twice by a financial consultant that the process would take too long. All this came as the school's new leadership faced mounting financial problems at TSU, which is the state's historically Black public university. Advocates for TSU have also pressed for the restoration of $2.1 billion in state underfunding of the school revealed by a federal report last year. The suit claims TSU was pushing Vercher to take action that would violate state and federal law. On Aug. 28, one day after the final meeting, the suit states, Vercher was "abruptly" fired without being told why despite having previously received favorable performance reviews and a raise a month earlier. "No reasonable explanation exists for Ms. Verchers termination," the suit states. "The only explanation is that TSU was retaliating against her for her refusal to request government funds for TSU to which she knew TSU was not entitled." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is seeking money that would cover her back pay and lost wages, pension and benefits, along with damages and attorney's fees. The Tennessee Attorney General's Office, which represents TSU in legal matters, declined to comment on the case. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Fired TSU financial aid director claims she was pushed to break law WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A firefighter was injured as crews battled a house fire in Southeast, D.C. Tuesday morning. In a post on X, the DC Fire and EMS Department (DCFD) said that just before 5 a.m., units were on the scene of a fire in the 4400 block of 3rd Street. Amazon driver carjacked at gunpoint while making deliveries in DC Upon arrival, firefighters noticed smoke coming from the house. (Xdcfireems/) (Xdcfireems/) The fire was marked under control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One firefighter was injured and treated at the scene. According to the DCFD, the house was under construction and no one was inside. 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Firefighters gathered on the Capitol stairs to urge lawmakers to support a bill to rework staffing at firehouses across Michigan. According to the Michigan Professional Firefighters Union (MPFFU), House Bill 4688 will allow staffing discussions during collective bargaining but does not mandate staffing minimums, respecting a municipalitys financial constraints and ability to pay. When you call 911, youd expect a well-trained and well-staffed team of professionals to help, but the head of the union tells 6 News that stations are being forced to send out understaffed crewswhich is dangerous for everyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We believe that 4688 is the most important bill right now that this legislature can pass. And the reason why is that Michigan resident safety is on the line, says MPFFU president Matt Shar. Our firefighters here in Michigan have been understaffed for way too long. The 6 News crew attended the rally and union workers said Michigan only has 50 firefighters per every 100,000 residentshalf the numbers other states have. MPFFU says if lawmakers fail to take action on the bill, it will jeopardize efforts to address critical staffing shortages across the state, and that firefighters need to have a seat at the table when these decisions are being made. Were the experts in our field. You know, we work, we work the job every day. We know what we need, says Anthony Mojicia, a firefighter. A few more numbers, you know, a few more bodies to be able to help us efficiently do our job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having firefighters be part of those conversations will make things safer for everyone, Shar says. This shouldnt be something that we have to rally about when were talking about firefighters safety and our resident safety, which is what were most concerned about, is our resident safety and the outcome of what happens whether their house be on fire, An EMS call, or any other tragic incident, we want to be able there to help them and we cant do that without the proper staffing, says Shar. Opposers of the bill say it will cause major headaches for local administrators who are already trying to do the best with what they have, but it will be up to legislators to decide what happens nextand supports want an answer by the end of the year. 2023-HLA-4688-247BA601Download 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. Firefighters are battling a house fire in Dayton Monday night, according to a social media post from Dayton Police and Fire. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The fire was reported in the 700 block of Sayre Avenue around 8:30 p.m. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon arrival, fire crews reported smoke and fire coming from the house. Additional information was not immediately available. News Center 7 will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Washington state Capitol. (Jerry Cornfield/ Washington State Standard) Washington lawmakers have begun teeing up legislation ahead of the 2025 session. Monday marked the first day they could pre-file bills. Legislators will have 105 days to push their ideas through the process after the session kicks off on Jan. 13. Theres no guarantee a pre-filed bill will receive a hearing, the first step on the journey to getting signed into law. Committee chairs make those critical decisions about which bills get an airing and which do not. By pre-filing, lawmakers hope to get their ideas on the radar of those setting agendas for committee meetings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres a look at a few bills now in the hopper. Another push to ditch the switch If theres one thing that brings Democrats and Republicans in Washington together, its their dislike of the twice-yearly clock switch to and from daylight saving time. For years, lawmakers have tried and failed to ditch the switch with either permanent daylight saving time or permanent Pacific Standard Time. It seems this year is no different. With Senate Bill 5001, Sens. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, and Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, are joining forces to get Washington to implement permanent standard time. Their proposal is modeled off a similar bill that did not make it through this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Legislature approved a law in 2019 to put the state on permanent daylight saving time, but Congress needs to approve a federal policy before that law can take effect. Switching to permanent standard time, however, does not require federal approval. Lets end this nuisance once and for all, Wilson said in a statement. No more springing forward and falling back. Lets set our clocks one more time and make that the end of it. The proposal may still be a long shot. Washington lawmakers will need to work with those in neighboring states to ensure they keep clocks across the region in sync. A similar bill in Oregon also failed earlier this year. And, though most people agree the switch should go, experts disagree over which option is healthier and safer for humans. Permanent Pacific Standard Time means the sun rises and sets an hour earlier in the summer. In western Washington during June, that would mean the sun sets at around 8 p.m. and rises around 4 a.m. An immigration battle Five years ago, with Donald Trump in the White House, Washington passed a law preventing state and local law enforcement agencies from aiding and abetting federal immigration enforcement activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans objected but Democrats used their majorities in the House and Senate to approve it. Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee signed it. Now, with Trump set for a second term as president and vowing mass deportations, state Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, wants to end Washingtons status as a so-called sanctuary state with Senate Bill 5002. The Legislature intends to respect and protect the health, safety, and dignity of all immigrant communities by establishing a statewide policy that encourages a collaborative partnership with United States immigration and customs enforcement to address and prevent criminal illegal immigration activities and the criminal organizations that facilitate illegal immigration and related crimes, he writes in the opening paragraph. Section 3 is blunt in its purpose: A state entity, law enforcement agency, or local governmental entity may not adopt or have in effect a sanctuary policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fortunato should not get his hopes up for a hearing as Democrats hold larger legislative majorities than before and the next governor is a Democrat. An evergreen bill Could this be the year Washington officially becomes The Evergreen State? Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, sure hopes so. He is bringing back a bill to make Washingtons unofficial nickname official. Though the proposal has passed the state Senate almost unanimously for the past two years, it has yet to receive a vote in the state House of Representatives. Washington is widely recognized as The Evergreen State, and the phrase appears on license plates, souvenirs and the quarter honoring the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reference to freshness is supported by foliage that remains green and functional past just one growing season, the bill language reads. But no one has ever made the nickname official, at least legally. If approved, the phrase would join a host of other official state symbols, like the state folk song (Roll On, Columbia, Roll On), dance (square dance) and dinosaur (Suciasaurus rex). A focus on local jails In late 2023, a task force suggested Washington needed a new independent agency to keep close watch on the operations and conditions of local jails. Democrat Sen. Rebecca Saldana of Seattle, one of four lawmakers on the panel, responded with legislation to create the Jail Oversight Board within the Office of the Governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill will redefine how we navigate our jails, fostering safety and a renewed focus on rehabilitation, Saldana said at the time. It didnt make it out of the Senate in 2024. Saldana, with Senate Bill 5005, made it the first bill she introduced for the 2025 session. Under her bill, the board would meet quarterly and administer a statewide uniform jail reporting system. It would monitor local jails for compliance with statewide standards and publish reports on any findings. Fentanyl politics A surge in fentanyl-fueled deaths in the state and across the nation is forcing lawmakers to draw up responses. The first pre-filed bill in the House is intended to be one of those considered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Rep. Jim Walshs offering, in the form of House Bill 1000, would allow courts to impose a tougher sentence for the knowing delivery or distribution of fentanyl or precursor chemicals used to illegally manufacture fentanyl. It also would allow for longer sentences to be imposed on those who peddle a counterfeit substance containing fentanyl that causes substantial bodily harm, permanent impairment to cognitive functions, or death of another person. Walsh introduced the same bill last year but it did not receive a hearing. In a statement, the Aberdeen representative said the intent of the bill is to make the knowing possession of drugs like fentanyl a felony rather than a watered-down misdemeanor under current law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt to punish or stigmatize addicts. Its to give law enforcement officers and prosecutors the tools they need to clean up our streets and help addicts get clean, he said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Justin Sun, a Chinese national accused of fraud, sent Donald Trump $18 million last week. The newsletter Popular Information reports that Sun, most recently famous for spending $6.2 million on a banana and then eating it, paid $30 million for cryptocurrency tokens from World Liberty Financial, which is backed by Trump. In a pinned post on his X profile, Sun bragged about the purchase, saying his own blockchain start-up, TRON, was committed to making America great again and leading innovation. A screenshot of a tweet from Justin Sun announcing his investment in World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency venture backed by Donald Trump. Until Suns purchase, Trumps crypto start-up appeared headed for failure with only $22 million in tokens sold, far short of its goal of $300 million in sales. The purchase not only keeps the WLF going, but also guarantees a windfall for Trump. A filing from the venture in October states that $30 million of initial net protocol revenues will be held in a reserve to cover operating expenses, indemnities, and obligations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After that reserve is met, a company owned by Trump is then entitled to 75 percent of WLFs revenues from the sale of all other tokens. As of Sunday, WLF has sold $24 million in tokens, giving Trump a solid $18 million payoff. Suns purchase has also gotten him an advisory position in Trumps venture, making him business partners with the president-elect. And influence with Trump may be the only benefit to Suns transaction. Right now, Suns tokens dont have any monetary value unless they are unlocked through protocol governance procedures in a fashion that does not contravene applicable law. Plus, Sun is also under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission for fraud. In March 2023, the SEC charged Sun, as well as three of his companies, for marketing unregistered securities and fraudulently manipulating the secondary market for a cryptocurrency token through extensive wash trading. Wash trading is the simultaneous or near-simultaneous purchase and sale of a security to make it appear actively traded without an actual change in beneficial ownership, according to Popular Information. Sun was also charged with orchestrating a scheme to pay celebrities to tout cryptocurrency without disclosing their compensation. Under federal law, people who endorse securities have to disclose their compensation as well as how much money they received. Sun apparently got Jake Paul, Soulja Boy, and Lindsey Lohan to endorse his crypto tokens. The charges against Sun took place under the current SEC chair, Gary Gensler, who will be gone after Trump is sworn in next year. Trumps new SEC chair, whoever that may be, could easily make those charges disappear. Trump stands to rake in much more money from cryptocurrency, and the industry spent a whopping $180 million on political campaigns during the 2024 election cycle. The president-elect is almost certain to help the crypto industry, his new benefactor Sun, and himself make more money in his second term as president. MANILA, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Philippine troops killed six alleged rebels during a clash in the central Philippines, the military said Tuesday. The military said the fighting between the government troops and the New People's Army (NPA) broke out on Monday in Las Navas, Northern Samar province. The troops recovered the bodies of six rebels along with some weapons and ammunition at the clash site. No soldier was killed or wounded in the encounter. NPA rebels have been fighting government troops since 1969. Military data showed that the NPA's personnel strength has declined since its peak of around 25,000 armed members in the 1980s. Despite its dwindling fighters, the NPA continues to launch small-scale attacks in the countryside. The positions were created earlier this year by the legislature to address issues with the state's bail law. BOSTON (WWLP) Lawmakers began the process of creating a budget for fiscal year 2026 at the State House on Monday. In the meeting, experts identified several challenges Massachusetts will face that could impact the next budget which kicks in on July 1, 2025, including the impact of President-elect Trumps policy proposals, changes to the federal cap on state and local taxes, and global conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. The House chair of the Financial Ways and Means Committee voiced his confidence that Massachusetts can weather the challenges ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will be especially challenging because the Commonwealth not only faces the challenges at home but we faces unprecedented factors on a federal and global stage. But we here in the Commonwealth are well-prepared, said House Chair Aaron Michlewitz. The Senate Ways and Means chair looked forward to what we can expect from the 2026 budget. Now, clear-eyed about the challenges and potential impacts ahead at the federal level, we must continue to work together to further position our state to respond and adjust when necessary, said Senate Chair Michael Rodrigues. Experts testified that tax revenue is expected to exceed 2024 and 2025, excluding the millionaires surtax. Additionally, while the labor market is characterized by slow employment growth, Massachusetts is predicted to see moderate growth in the economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governors team uses hearings like this one to inform their budget-writing process before the draft budget is sent to the House and Senate for changes and approval. 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. Police are investigating the deaths of a Florida man and his son, whose bodies were found by the boys mother over Thanksgiving weekend. Terry Bivens, Jr., 44, and his 5-year-old son Jackson Bivens died in what authorities believe was a murder-suicide in a Lutz, Fla., home, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. The sheriff's office confirmed the identities of the deceased to PEOPLE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation began on Friday, Nov. 29, when Jacksons mother called the sheriffs office, claiming she was not able to reach Terry and Jackson, per the statement. The woman, who police say was separated from Terry, called authorities around 7:30 a.m. on Friday and said: "Im here to pick up my son, but no ones answering the door, and hes not answering the phone, Hillsborough County Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer said at a press briefing. Deputies conducting a wellness check found the door to the residence locked, and Terry's vehicle in the driveway, Maurer said. They didnt notice any nefarious activity or signs of foul play, Maurer said, on their first visit around 7:53 a.m. that morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later in the morning, at around 9:30 a.m., the worried mother managed to go into the residence, where she found the father and son deceased, per Maurer. Both died from gunshot wounds, the sheriff's office said in its statement. 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. Police have not discussed when they believe the murder-suicide took place. When asked whether the killing was related to any possible custody issue, the sheriff's office declined to comment, citing the pending investigation. Police did not find any suicide notes during their initial search of the residence, Maurer said at the briefing. Read the original article on People ADRE, Chad (AP) For months, Aziza Abrahim fled from one village in Sudan to the next as people were slaughtered. Yet the killing of relatives and her husband's disappearance aren't what forced the 23-year-old to leave the country for good. It was hunger, she said. We dont have anything to eat because of the war, Abrahim said, cradling her 1-year-old daughter under the sheet where she now shelters, days after crossing into Chad. The war in Sudan has created vast hunger, including famine. It has pushed people off their farms. Food in the markets is sparse, prices have spiked and aid groups say theyre struggling to reach the most vulnerable as warring parties limit access. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some 24,000 people have been killed and millions displaced during the war that erupted in April 2023, sparked by tensions between the military and a powerful paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces. Global experts confirmed famine in the Zamzam displacement camp in July. They warn that some 25 million people more than half of Sudans population are expected to face acute hunger this year. People are starving to death at the moment ... Its man-made. Its these men with guns and power who deny women and children food, Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, told The Associated Press. Warring parties on both sides are blocking assistance and delaying authorization for aid groups, he said. Between May and September, there were seven malnutrition-related deaths among children in one hospital at a displacement site in Chad run by Doctors Without Borders, known by its French acronym MSF. Such deaths can be from disease in hunger-weakened bodies. In September, MSF was forced to stop caring for 5,000 malnourished children in North Darfur for several weeks, citing repeated, deliberate obstructions and blockades. U.S. President Joe Biden has called on both sides to allow unhindered access and stop killing civilians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the fighting shows no signs of slowing. More than 2,600 people were killed across the country in October, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, which called it the bloodiest month of the war. Violence is intensifying around North Darfur's capital, El Fasher, the only capital in the vast western Darfur region that the RSF doesn't hold. Darfur has experienced some of the war's worst atrocities, and the International Criminal Court prosecutor has said there are grounds to believe both sides may be committing war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide. Abrahim escaped her village in West Darfur and sought refuge for more than a year in nearby towns with friends and relatives. Her husband had left home to find work before the war, and she hasnt heard from him since. She struggled to eat and feed their daughter. Unable to farm, she cut wood and sold it in Chad, traveling eight hours by donkey there and back every few days, earning enough to buy grain. But after a few months the wood ran out, forcing her to leave for good. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others who have fled to Chad described food prices spiking three-fold and stocks dwindling in the market. There were no vegetables, just grains and nuts. Awatif Adam came to Chad in October. Her husband wasn't making enough transporting people with his donkey cart, and it was too risky to farm, she said. Her 6-year-old twin girls and 3-year-old son lost weight and were always hungry. My children were saying all the time, Mom, give us food, she said. Their cries drove her to leave. As more people stream into Chad, aid groups worry about supporting them. Some 700,000 Sudanese have entered since the war began. Many live in squalid refugee camps or shelter at the border in makeshift displacement sites. And the number of arrivals at the Adre crossing between August and October jumped from 6,100 to 14,800, according to government and U.N. data., though it was not clear whether some people entered multiple times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, the World Food Program cut rations by roughly half in Chad, citing a lack of funding. While there's now enough money to return to full rations until the start of next year, more arrivals will strain the system and more hunger will result if funding doesn't keep pace, said Ramazani Karabaye, head of the World Food Program's operations in Adre. During an AP visit to Adre in October, some people who fled Sudan at the start of the war said they were still struggling. Khadiga Omer Adam said she doesn't have enough aid or money to eat regularly, which has complicated breastfeeding her already malnourished daughter, Salma Issa. The 35-year-old gave birth during the war's initial days, delivering alone in West Darfur. It was too dangerous for a midwife to reach her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adam had clutched the baby as she fled through villages, begging for food. More than a year later, she sat on a hospital bed holding a bag of fluid above her daughter, who was fed through a tube in her nose. I have confidence in the doctors ... I believe she'll improve, I don't think she'll die," she said. The MSF-run clinic in the Aboutengue camp admitted more than 340 cases of severely malnourished children in August and September. Staff fear that number could rise. The arid climate in Chad south of the Sahara Desert means it's hard to farm, and there's little food variety, health workers said. People are fleeing Sudan into difficult conditions, said Dr. Oula Dramane Ouattara, head of MSF's medical activities in the camp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If things go on like this, Im afraid the situation will get out of control," he said. ___ The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. (WHTM) A Florida man was arrested after allegedly traveling to Chester County, Pennsylvania, planning to meet and engage in sexual acts with a minor. According to the Chester County District Attorneys Office, police conducted a sting operation where James Richards, 53, of Satellite Beach, Florida, allegedly solicited sexual contact with a fictional nine-year-old girl. Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said, The Defendant traveled to Chester County with the express purpose of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl for $300. I am grateful to the team of detectives who worked over the Thanksgiving weekend to catch this child predator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DAs office said a witness reported that Richards detailed how he recently sexually assaulted a 10-year-old victim in the presence of their mother while in Florida on Nov. 25. A Chester County detective who was informed Richards was in Pennsylvania for the holiday scheduled a meeting with him while acting as a nine-year-old girl online. According to the DAs office, Richards agreed to meet and pay $300 for sexual contact with the child. Richards was arrested by police on Nov. 30 after arriving at the location of the meeting. The DAs office said he was in possession of lubricant and Skittles candy for the child. The DAs office said they believe other victims have yet to be identified, and anyone with information regarding the case should contact Chester County Detectives at 610-344-6866. 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 ABC27. (NewsNation) Sarah Boone has been sentenced to life in prison for leaving her boyfriend, Jorge Torres, in a suitcase to die back in 2020. Four years after she was arrested for Torres death, Boone was found guilty of second-degree murder in late October after 90 minutes of deliberation. Her lawyer, James Owens, told NewsNation hed encouraged her to take a plea deal prior to the verdict. She was shocked by the guilty verdict and thought maybe the jury would convict her of a lesser charge, according to Owens. What was Sarah Boone accused of? Boone initially told the Orange County Sheriffs Office that she and Torres had been playing hide-and-seek on Feb. 23, 2020, in their Winter Park, Florida, residence when they thought it would be funny for Torres to get into the suitcase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boone zipped her boyfriend into the suitcase during the alleged game of hide-and-seek, leaving him inside overnight. Defendant Sarah Boone, charged with leaving her boyfriend to die after he was zipped into a suitcase in their home, talks with defense attorney James Owens before closing arguments in her trial Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at the Orange County Courthouse in Orlando, Fla. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel via AP, Pool) They had been drinking and she decided to go to sleep, thinking her boyfriend could get out of the suitcase on his own, she told detectives. When she woke up the next morning, she didnt find Torres but then remembered he was in the suitcase. She unzipped the suitcase and found him unresponsive, according to the arrest report. Suitcase murder: Sarah Boones lawyer strongly urged plea deal Detectives charged Boone with murder after they found videos on her cellphone showing Torres yelling from inside the suitcase that he couldnt breathe and repeatedly calling out Boones name, according to the arrest report. Suitcase murder trial During her trial, Boone testified that past violent incidents between her and Torres caused her to perceive a threat of imminent harm and that she acted in self-defense by keeping him in the suitcase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yeah, thats what you do when you choke me, Boone said in one of the cellphone videos from that night, according to the arrest report. Oh, thats what I feel like when you cheat on me. An autopsy report said Torres had scratches on his back and neck and contusions to his shoulder, skull and forehead from blunt force trauma, as well as a cut near his busted lip. NewsNations Liz Jassin and 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 Queen City News. (NewsNation) Sarah Boone has been sentenced to life in prison for leaving her boyfriend, Jorge Torres, in a suitcase to die back in 2020. Four years after she was arrested for Torres death, Boone was found guilty of second-degree murder in late October after 90 minutes of deliberation. More Local News Her lawyer, James Owens, told NewsNation hed encouraged her to take a plea deal prior to the verdict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was shocked by the guilty verdict and thought maybe the jury would convict her of a lesser charge, according to Owens. What was Sarah Boone accused of? Boone initially told the Orange County Sheriffs Office that she and Torres had been playing hide-and-seek on Feb. 23, 2020, in their Winter Park, Florida, residence when they thought it would be funny for Torres to get into the suitcase. Boone zipped her boyfriend into the suitcase during the alleged game of hide-and-seek, leaving him inside overnight. Defendant Sarah Boone, charged with leaving her boyfriend to die after he was zipped into a suitcase in their home, talks with defense attorney James Owens before closing arguments in her trial Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at the Orange County Courthouse in Orlando, Fla. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel via AP, Pool) They had been drinking and she decided to go to sleep, thinking her boyfriend could get out of the suitcase on his own, she told detectives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When she woke up the next morning, she didnt find Torres but then remembered he was in the suitcase. She unzipped the suitcase and found him unresponsive, according to the arrest report. Suitcase murder: Sarah Boones lawyer strongly urged plea deal Detectives charged Boone with murder after they found videos on her cellphone showing Torres yelling from inside the suitcase that he couldnt breathe and repeatedly calling out Boones name, according to the arrest report. Suitcase murder trial During her trial, Boone testified that past violent incidents between her and Torres caused her to perceive a threat of imminent harm and that she acted in self-defense by keeping him in the suitcase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yeah, thats what you do when you choke me, Boone said in one of the cellphone videos from that night, according to the arrest report. Oh, thats what I feel like when you cheat on me. An autopsy report said Torres had scratches on his back and neck and contusions to his shoulder, skull and forehead from blunt force trauma, as well as a cut near his busted lip. NewsNations Liz Jassin and 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 PIX11. Two weeks after closing its doors to the public, FOB Sushi Bar in Seattle has announced that they are once again open. After many fans shared their concerns over popular TikTok food critic Keith Lee's recent review of FOB Sushi Bar after they spotted what appeared to be a parasite or worm in the sushi he consumed on camera, the restaurant closed for investigation. On Monday, the restaurant shared that they are once again open on their Instagram page. FOB Sushi Bar In Seattle Reopened After Investigation Following Parasite Controversy TikTok | Keith Lee About two weeks after announcing they were closing to do an investigation, FOB Sushi Bar announced on Instagram that they are ready to reopen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Thank you to everyone that has reached out with your support and encouragement over the past couple of weeks. After a brief closure, we can ensure our guests that all ingredients, food preparation, food safety, and storage remain in compliance with food safety protocols and practices. Public Health - Seattle and King County visited our Seattle location recently and confirmed FOB Sushi has no food code violations. FOB Sushi in Seattle continues to have an excellent food safety rating from Public Health, the highest in the four-tiered food safety rating system. We will continue to closely follow food safety regulations and guidance. We want the public to be assured that FOB Sushi is committed to our guests health and safety at all times," the Instagram caption reads. "The FOB Sushi team is excited to reopen both locations tomorrow, Tuesday, December 3rd at 11am. As a small business that is proud to operate in the Seattle area, we are grateful for your business. We look forward to welcoming you back to FOB Sushi this week and beyond. Thank you for your support - we love you, Seattle!" The comment section is turned off on the post. Fans Noticed Something Fishy About Keith Lee's Review Video In early November, Lee shared his review of FOB Sushi Bar on TikTok. It didn't take long for viewers to notice something not quite right about one of the things he tried on camera - the sashimi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Lee held the piece of sushi up with his chopsticks, many viewers claimed to have seen something worm-like move on the right side. After viewers slowed down the video and zoomed into the sushi, many noticed something shocking. "Your favorite one had a worm on it," one viewer wrote in the comment section. Another said, "At 1:50, the end of your sushi was moving." Keith Lee Addressed Concerns About His Sushi Having A Parasite TikTok | Keith Lee Lee broke his silence on the concerning piece of sushi in a TikTok video shared on November 17. He began his video by catching up anyone who didn't know what was going on by explaining that someone slowed down his video to capture what appeared to be a worm moving in one of the pieces of sushi he consumed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It did appear that something moved. A thousand percent transparency, I didn't see anything until someone pointed it out," he said. "I can't confirm or deny what it was, but I can confirm I am okay." He then explained why he decided to make the video. "Only reason I'm making this video is because I saw a video of somebody who went the day after us, and now they're hospitalized," he continued. "Just me and my character and who I am as a person, I'm gonna come out and I'm gonna say something about it." 'I Don't Believe In Tearing Down Any Business' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee's video continued with him explaining that while he doesn't "believe in tearing down any business," he had to speak up because people's health is on the line. After seeing a TikTok video of a woman who was currently in the hospital after eating at FOB Sushi Bar and seeing the footage of "something moving in food," he believed that "accountability" should be taken by the restaurant. "For the restaurant to post a statement indicating that me holding a sushi or me holding a chopstick a certain way is why the sushi moved, I personally don't agree with it," he continued. "Because I've had sushi a thousand times and I held sushi a thousand different ways, and never once have I seen sushi behaving that way. Again, that's not me saying it was a worm or it was a parasite, I'm just saying, it was nothing that I did on my end." FOB Sushi Announced They Were Closing 'Until Further Notice' On November 18 Instagram | FOB Sushi Bar The restaurant responded to the online controversy by announcing they were closing for an undetermined amount of time to investigate the claims of possible parasites in their sushi. They closed their Seattle and their Bellevue locations to conduct "a thorough investigation to address the situation and will take all necessary measures to prevent it from happening again." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A bit of a debate began in the comment section of the announcement post. "Should have temporary closed earlier to investigate and not blame the chopsticks," one person wrote. Another said, "So you lied claiming it was false news and now someone is in hospital. Shame on you." One other person shared, "To everyone leaving such negative commentstake a moment to reflect. It's truly unfortunate that someone is hospitalized, and my heart goes out to them. Consuming raw food always carries some risk, but the level of scrutiny this restaurant is facing feels excessive. This is a family-owned business that has positively contributed to Seattle, yet many of you seem quick to judge and criticize without considering the impact of your words. You're not just sharing opinions; you're potentially destroying a family's livelihood. Let's approach this situation with more empathy and fairness." Zhang Xiaozhen, the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam, speaks at an awarding ceremony of the first local Chinese language teachers' teaching skills competition in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Dec. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman) DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania hosted the first local Chinese language teachers' teaching skills competition over the weekend, in which 20 African teachers from 11 African countries participated. The teachers came from Tanzania, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Zambia. Zhang Xiaozhen, the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute, on Monday announced the names of six winners after two days of intense competition, with Rasolofomanganjanahary Andersen Antonyo Sylviano, a Madagascan who teaches the Chinese language at the Confucius Institute at the University of Antananarivo, emerging as the overall winner. The winners are eligible to participate in the finals in China. The Confucius Institute will provide round-trip tickets to China for them while the organizers in China will bear the domestic expenses, said Zhang. The award ceremony was held Monday in tandem with the opening ceremony of the in-service workshop for the volunteer teachers in Tanzania. Omari Kipanga, Tanzania's deputy minister of education, science, and technology, praised the teachers who took part in the competition, saying the Chinese language, like any other language, played an essential role in promoting diplomacy, cementing good relationships, and facilitating economic diplomacy. Che Zhaoguang, the cultural counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania, said language is a bridge for people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding. "I feel so great, and I am thankful to the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam for hosting this competition," said Sylviano, 32. Photo by iStock / Getty Images Plus After voters last month approved sweeping constitutional protections for abortion in Arizona, two local doctors and Planned Parenthood are suing to void the states 15-week gestational ban. Last month, more than 60% of Arizonans voted to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, including access to the procedure generally up to the date of fetal viability, which is typically around 24 weeks. But finalizing that effort requires the courts to overturn the current abortion ban, which was added to state law in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, abortion advocacy groups, including The Center for Reproductive Rights and the American Civil Liberties Union, kickstarted the process, filing a lawsuit on behalf of two OB-GYNs and the Arizona branch of Planned Parenthood. The lawsuit, filed in Maricopa Superior Court, demands the courts rule the 15-week ban unconstitutional and unenforceable. Absent relief from the Ban, Arizonans will continue to suffer the irreparable deprivation of their fundamental rights and serious, irreparable harm to their physical, psychological and dignitary well-being, reads the brief. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Proposition 139, certified along with the rest of the 2024 general election results and officially made part of the Arizona Constitution last week by Gov. Katie Hobbs, prohibits the passage or enforcement of any law that infringes on a womans ability to receive an abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the lawsuit, attorneys pointed out that Prop. 139 expressly guarantees access to abortions up to fetal viability, and the 15-week ban should be struck down because it outlaws the procedure before then. The protections voters agreed to place in the Arizona Constitution trump the 2022 law, the plaintiffs argue. There is only one exception included in the amendment that could allow for state laws that restrict abortions in some way, but that exception is narrow, and mandates that laws which seek to regulate abortions be based in evidence-based medical care and either improve or maintain a patients health. And the patients ability to make their own decisions regarding their reproductive health care must be upheld above all else, the doctors argued. The Ban fails both parts of this two-part test, reads the lawsuit. The 2022 law also includes civil and criminal penalties for doctors who violate its deadline if a woman isnt in danger of death or the impairment of a major bodily function. Over the past two years, Arizona abortion providers accused of breaking the law faced a class 6 felony, which carries with it between 4 months and 2 years in prison, and the loss of their medical license or financial penalties handed down by the Arizona Medical Board. The abortion rights amendment, however, strictly forbids punishing doctors or anyone else helping a woman obtain the procedure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Failing to eliminate the15-week law would effectively keep a threat on the books for doctors across the state, and would only negatively impact the care Arizona women receive care that is now legally a right. The Ban forces Plaintiffs to choose between turning away patients who need abortion care after 15 weeksand risking prosecution and severe civil and licensing penalties, reads the brief. In addition to causing irreparable physical, psychological, and dignitary harms to their patients, the Ban directly undermines Plaintiffs ability to provide pre-viability abortions in accordance with their ethical duties and their commitment to providing essential medical care to their patients. Doctors will be able to provide abortion care without threats. Last week, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, the states top prosecutor and the person responsible for representing its laws in court, said that her office would side with reproductive rights groups in the effort to nullify the 15-week gestational ban. Mayes said her office considers it to be unconstitutional in the wake of Prop. 139. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And on Tuesday, she joined a legal agreement reiterating that view and promising that it wont be enforced while litigation continues. That agreement, which is expected to be filed with the court later today as soon as the case is accepted, will offer doctors a legal shield under which to provide abortion care without fear of prosecution. The doctors involved with the lawsuit celebrated that shield as a win for their patients and women across the state. For two years, physicians hands have been tied when a patient needs to end a pregnancy after 15 weeks, including when they face serious pregnancy complications, Scottsdale OB-GYN Dr. Eric Reuss said in a written statement. But today we can once again provide care to people who want to end their pregnancy. We hope the courts will quickly recognize the harms of Arizonas ban and strike it down once and for all. The constitutional amendment voters approved last month made it clear that Arizonans value the right to access safe, compassionate care, including abortion, echoed Dr. Paul Isaacson, the co-owner of Family Planning Associates Medical Group, one of a handful of abortion clinics in the Valley. Yet, the 15-week ban forces us to withhold essential care from patients, even when their health or future is at risk. My patients deserve better. I am hopeful that the courts will honor the will of the people and restore their right to make deeply personal decisions about their own bodies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cathi Herrod, the president of the anti-abortion Center for Arizona Policy, a Christian lobbying organization that spearheaded the 15-week ban and most of Arizonas other abortion restrictions, denounced the lawsuit in a written statement. Our commitment remains what it had always been: protect both the woman and her unborn child, she said, adding that her organization had not yet decided whether to intervene in the litigation. ***UPDATED: This story has been updated with additional comments and reporting. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A foreign criminal who came to the UK without proper documentation killed a man with a single punch while stealing his car, a court heard. Edgaras Motiejunas, 24, was sentenced to five years imprisonment at the Old Bailey for the manslaughter of Evaldas Simanaitis, who was found seriously injured outside his home in Leytonstone, east London. Prosecutors said Motiejunas, of Rainham, east London, punched Mr Simanaitis hard in the face at 3.55am on Oct 16, 2023, before stealing his car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Simanaitis, 68, immediately fell backwards after being struck and hit the back of his head on the stone pavement, causing a severe brain injury, the court heard. Prosecutor Sam Trefgarne said that rather than helping Mr Simanaitis, who was lying unconscious or semi-conscious on the ground, Motiejunas callously left him there bleeding and disorientated while he stole his car. Mr Simanaitis died in hospital of his head injuries on Oct 26, 2023. Left him lying unconscious Motiejunas, who had worked as a mechanic, was arrested by police after being found in possession of a key that fitted Mr Simanaitiss Toyota Avensis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendant, known as Ignas, also pleaded guilty to the theft of the car on Oct 16 last 2023, but denied robbery. Motiejunas, who had numerous previous convictions in Lithuania and Germany, left Lithuania as a teenager and travelled to England via Ireland, without proper documentation, aged 20. Judge Simon Mayo KC said the stealing of the car was a seriously aggravating factor. In his sentencing remarks, Judge Mayo said: Rather than remain at the scene and summon help for Mr Simanaitis you left him lying unconscious on the pavement and drove away in his car. I think about him every day Mr Simanaitiss son, whose name is also Evaldas, said he was upset, anxious and stressed by his fathers death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a personal impact statement, he told the court: I cannot come to terms with the loss of my father. I think about him every day. Defending, Leila Gaskin said Motiejunas would bear a heavy burden for his actions for the rest of his life. Ms Gaskin added: He accepted that his unlawful actions led to the death of Evaldas Simanaitis and he takes full responsibility for that. 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 group of six former Apple employees are being charged for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from the tech giant through a fraudulent charity scheme lasting three years, the Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office said in a news release Tuesday. Siu Kei Alex Kwan, 37, of Castro Valley; Yathei Hayson Yuen, 34, of San Jose; Yat C Sunny Ng, 35, of Milpitas; Wentao Victor Li, 38, of Hayward; Lichao Ni, 39, of Sunnyvale and Zheng Chang, 31, of Union City are being charged with grand theft, conspiracy to commit felony grand theft, perjury and tax fraud. From July 2018 to April 2021, the D.A.'s office said, the employees conspired to get about $152,000 from the tech company through its gift-matching program and falsely reported $100,000 in charitable donations as tax deductions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scheme, according to prosecutors, began when the former employees would make fake donations to the American Chinese International Cultural Exchange or Hops4Kids. Apple would match 100% to 200% of the donations, which were made through Benevity, a third-party platform . Read more: Apple hit with employee lawsuit alleging privacy and speech violations Kwan, one of the persons charged, used his position as chief executive of Hop4Kids and accountant for ACICE to reimburse the conspiring employees for their donations while keeping Apple's matching funds for himself, the D.A.s office said. As a certified public accountant, Kwan allegedly prepared fraudulent tax returns, and encouraged other employees to participate in the scheme by offering free or discounted tax services, prosecutors say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to the amount of money involved, the group could face charges under the aggravated white-collar crime enhancement a sentencing enhancement that allows a judge to add prison time for white-collar crimes, or nonviolent crimes like fraud or embezzlement. If convicted, the six former employees could face time in jail, be forced to pay back the stolen money, and be levied fines and fees. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The D.A.s office is asking anyone with information about this case or others involving the misuse of charitable matching donations to contact their office or Investigator Justin DeOliveira at jdeoliveira@dao.sccgov.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. MARSHALL COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) A former Asbury High employee has been sentenced after engaging in a sex act with a student in 2023. According to court documents, Leslie Rains of Albertville is sentenced to 60 months, split to serve 6 months in the Marshall County Jail with the rest of her sentence suspended. After she serves that time in the county jail, Rains will be placed on probation for 52 months. Download the WHNT News 19 App to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WHNT News 19 newsletters to have news sent to your inbox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rains pleaded guilty to engaging in a sexual act with a student under the age of 19 in October. Rains will also be required to register as a sex offender. In December of 2023, Rains was charged after school officials and SRO deputies received information about a school employee acting inappropriately with a student. The engaging in a sexual act with a student under the age of 19 charge is a class B felony in Alabama. Rains was set a property bond of $25,000 and bonded out of the jail just hours after her arrest. The sheriffs office said its investigation began on Nov. 30, 2023. 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. KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) A grand jury has indicted a former Bays Mountain Park employee for allegedly misappropriating at least $37,370. According to the Tennessee comptrollers office, an investigation was launched after Kingsport officials reported questionable transactions. The parks former program coordinator, Mark S. Kilgore, who was responsible for the parks finances, is accused of misappropriating cash from parking fees collected by other employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kilgore altered daily deposit sheets and removed the cash before it was deposited, according to the comptrollers office. He allegedly concealed this by voiding cash receipts in the citys receipt system and did so by predominately using other employees access information. Investigators also identified $19,250 in other questionable voided receipts but, due to lack of documentation and management oversight, were unable to determine if they were for authorized and appropriate purposes. The city fired Kilgore in February 2022. In October 2024, a Sullivan County grand jury indicted Kilgore on one count of theft of $10,000 or more, one count of violation of the Tennessee Personal and Commercial Computer Act of 2003, and one count of identity theft. 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Over two and a half years after a former Columbus police officer pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges, he was sentenced in federal court. In April 2022, John J. Kotchkoski, 33, of Marengo, Ohio, entered a guilty plea on charges that he conspired with another former officer, Mark R. Merino, to traffic a total of eight kilograms of fentanyl at least three times during the summer of 2021. According to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Ohio, Kotchkoski received approximately $32,500 for the drugs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the plea agreement, Kotchkoski, who was assigned to investigate drug crimes for the Columbus Division of Police, forfeited cash, firearms, two vehicles a Cadillac Escalade and a Corvette and a $500,000 money judgment against him. The possessions he forfeited account for the proceeds he obtained through drug trafficking, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Court records indicate Kotchkoski aided Merino in protecting at least five separate transports of cocaine, transports that were set up by federal law enforcement officials. During the transports, Kotchkoski made himself available by radio to make any calls that Merino might need, including to other law enforcement officials, to protect the safe transports of the cocaine. Former Columbus police officers John Kotchkoski (left) and Mark Merino. Kotchkoski faced up to 10 years to life in prison for his crimes, which included possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, according to the release. On Tuesday, Kotchkoski was sentenced to 65 months in prison or nearly 5 and a half years plus five years post supervision release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Certainly, these acts were dangerous, reckless and could have and may have resulted in harm to the community, Kotchkoskis attorney Sam Shamansky said. And again, all factored into the sentence. But remember, weve now closed, as a result of Johns assistance, loopholes that allowed this to happen. Merino was sentenced to nine years in prison in February 2023. Kotchkoski and Merino, according to personnel and court files, were disciplined in the past, including for Kotchkoskis alleged assault of a man who was unconscious during the 2015 Dublin Irish Festival. They were both terminated from the CPD in September 2021 after their arrests. 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. EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR) A former employee of an Edmond restaurant is facing criminal charges, accused of threatening employees and the restaurant itself. The allegations surround Joshua Schroth, who employees at Othellos in Edmond confirmed to News 4 had only worked at the restaurant for a few weeks before his employment abruptly ended. We had an employee who literally only worked for us for two weeks in the middle of a Friday night shift, he just disappeared, said a current employee. We were all looking for him. We figured he just walked out. Joshua Schroth. Photo courtesy Oklahoma County Detention Center. That employee told News 4 that about a week later, Schroth showed up asking for his paycheck. Othellos tried to direct deposit it to an account listed on Schroths application but were unsuccessful. The employee says Othellos then tried mailing the check to an address listed on filed for Schroth but it came back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The employee said the check was not with her when Schroth allegedly showed up November 20 demanding that it be turned over. He started getting a little more loud, so I finally asked him if he would just leave, said the employee. He told me no. I said, Im going to ask you one more time nicely to leave or Im calling the cops. Othellos location in downtown Edmond. Photo KFOR. The employee says she did call the cops. News 4 requested those recordings from the Edmond Police Department. In the over nine minute clip, you can hear the employee make note of several threats she says Schroth made including threatening another employee, threatening to blow up the building and making perceived intimidation threats about the restaurants closing hours. The employee said Schroth called the restaurant dozens of times the same evening, at one point noting in a 911 call he had called the restaurant 23 times in just eight minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Body camera video of Schroths arrest shows him inside of the restaurant when an Edmond officer tells him to turn around and face a wall. During the clip, Schroth insists that he only came to the restaurant for his paycheck. That doesnt mean you get to call up here hundreds of times and then threaten to blow the place up, an officer says in the video. Schroth says in the same video clip that those words never came out of his mouth, and a police report says that he was adamant that he hadnt threatened to blow up the restaurant. The employee News 4 spoke with says that regardless of if he had the means or actually ever attempted to carry out any of the threats hes accused of making, the situation should have been handled differently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a $300 maybe $400 paycheck, you know, and now, you know, now hes been sitting in jail, said the employee. This is a family-owned business. You know, he should have been a little more patient with us. Schroth facing a felony charge of threatening to kill/injure/intimidate any person or cause property damage with an explosive. Hes being held in the Oklahoma County Jail on a $5,000 bond. 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Alvin and Nancy Ravizza had only met former Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell once, years ago at a Christmas tour of her official residence, but they decided to join the stream of other state residents, dignitaries and state Capitol insiders who paid tribute to the late Republican on Tuesday. The couple from Berlin last visited the Capitol building when former Democratic Gov. Ella Grasso also lay in state in 1981. They said they still appreciate how Rell took control of Connecticut in 2004 after her predecessor resigned amid a corruption scandal that had rocked the state. She healed our state, being governor, Nancy Ravizza said. Thats my memory of her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Truly a good woman," Alvin Ravizza said. "That's why we're here." The state's second female governor Grasso was the first Rell served from 2004 to 2011. She previously served as a state representative and then as lieutenant governor from 1995 to 2004, at which point her running mate former Gov. John G. Rowland left office amid a federal investigation and possible impeachment. He ultimately pleaded guilty to a single federal corruption count and served 10 months in prison. Days after her first swearing-in ceremony, nearly 1,000 well-wishers turned out to greet Rell at the state Capitol during an open house. Rell, a mother of two and grandmother of four, died on Nov. 21 at a Florida hospital following a brief illness, according to her family. She was 78. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Republicans and Democrats fondly remembered Rell as a special breed of politician in today's world of division and derision a kind, compassionate person who could be stern when necessary but was willing to work with the other side of the political spectrum. At her core, Jodi Rell was a respectful person of integrity who wanted to do her best for the people of Connecticut, and she was willing to work with Democrats, independents and Republicans," said former state Sen. Donald Williams, a Democrat. And thats why we had such a great working relationship, even though we disagreed on some issues. I miss that era in our politics, he added. And Im hoping we can get back to that. In a sign of Rell's penchant for bipartisanship, Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont delivered one of four eulogies during an afternoon memorial service at Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, where Rell's coffin arrived draped in a blue Connecticut state flag. Lamont said he and Rell became good friends after he took office and would appear together at the governor's residence to greet the public during the holidays. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She had been out of office for 10, 12 years; people would greet her like theyd just seen her last week, Lamont said. I remember her always saying, Oh, come on, just call me Jodi. Former Republican Secretary of the State Pauline Kezer, who served together with Rell in the state House of Representatives, called her former colleague a trailblazer who took office under tough circumstances" and successfully restored people's confidence in state government. She governed with calmness and firmness, which are two hard things to put together, she said. Democratic Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said Rell also had the gift of being relatable," someone who often talked about shopping at the discount department store Marshalls. Her German shepherd was even named Marshall. Shes just a person that if you saw her at the grocery store or standing in line at Marshalls that youd want to talk to, Bysiewicz said. And she is somebody that everyone respected. HOBOKEN, NJ In May 2021, the city of Hoboken removed Fire Chief Brian Crimmins from his role for reasons they didn't make public but they paid his six-figure salary for more than two years while he remained on leave. READ MORE: Hoboken Fire Chief Placed On Leave; Officials Mum Now, an administrative law judge has decided that he should get his role back, saying there wasn't enough evidence to back up the city's allegations against him. The city has 60 days to figure out how much missing pay to award to Crimmins and how to reinstate him. Currently, Anton Peskens is serving as the chief, a city spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Appointed by Mayor Ravi Bhalla to the role of chief in 2018, Crimmins had served in the department since 2004. A post in December 2020 by the pandemic volunteer group FLAG Hoboken noted: "Don't let the blue eyes and the calm demeanor fool you, he is a VERY smart cookie. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Boston College and has a masters from John Jay of Criminal Justice. He has also authored multiple articles in national publications on rescue, hazardous materials and building codes." Crimmins had served as a provisional fire chief for a year and scored highest on the civil service test for chief. At the time of Crimmins' leave, sources suggested that internal battles and politics had resulted in the city's actions actions that proved costly to the taxypayers. May Be Discussed At Wednesday Council Meeting New Jersey Office of Administrative Law Judge Susana Guerrero issued a decision in October addressing the city's allegations and calling for Crimmins to be reinstated, but it was still up to the Civil Service Commission to make a final ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, the Commission backed up Judge Guerrero's decision, voting for Crimmins to be reinstated. The Hoboken City Council is scheduled to go into closed session at their meeting this Wednesday, starting at 6 p.m., to discuss legal matters. Sources have said that the closed session relates to Crimmins. The city must decide how to respond to the ruling, such as dealing with back pay. On Tuesday, city spokesperson Marilyn Baer said, "The city does not comment on personnel matters. With that said, the city remains committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all employees." The Allegations Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The allegations from the city against Crimmins, detailed in the Administrative Law Judge's Oct. 3 ruling, included: That he made disparaging remarks about Office of Emergency Management Coordinator William Montanez, some in front of his partner, Fire Battalion Chief Audra Carter; that he issued an order "retaliating against certain battalion chiefs," and that he didn't complete certain important administrative tasks. The city charged that he didn't properly plan for a Black Lives Matter protest, a February 2021 snowstorm, and several aspects of the covid pandemic. Officials also alleged that he issued an "ill-advised" order telling the OEM to direct communications through Crimmins rather than to other agencies. The judge's decision also noted that Crimmins refused an order from the city to have firefighters drive the free HOP shuttles during the pandemic. Crimmins argued that the firefighters did not have the proper licensing to do so. Crimmins also clashed with Montanez over the fact that Crimmins wanted firefighters to be tested for covid every day early in the pandemic, since they were exposed to people with unspecified illnesses during the course of their work. Around the time that the city made its charges, Fire Battalion Chief Mario Fini also filed a complaint saying that Crimmins continually harassed him, including asking him which of the firefighters were also working for Fini's private business. Fini claimed that Crimmins attemped to "sow division" among employees in the department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'Evidence...Simply Falls Short' Administrative Law Judge Guerrero found in October that there was not enough evidence for most of the claims, although she did agree that Crimmins should not have issued the order for all OEM communications to go through him. "I also find that the evidence does not preponderate that Crimmins methodically established a pattern of hostility and animosity directed at the OEM Coordinator, as alleged," Guerrero said in issuing her ruling. "...While I find that Crimmins made comments that were critical of OEM and Montanez during a training, and in the presence of Carter, the criticisms were not personal but related to the job itself and OEM's operational performance." She concluded, "Despite the Citys allegation that Crimmins was retaliatory and vindictive, that he made a 'litany' of false statements, that he attempted to sow division among staff, and that and that he created a work environment of deceit, hostility and retribution, I find that the city has failed to offer sufficient credible and competent evidence to substantiate these allegations. While the BCs [battalion chiefs] may be of the opinion that Crimmins was vindictive, that he tried to divide the Department and created a hostile work environment, the evidence presented by the city simply falls short of substantiating these allegations." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, a local church asked the city to reinstate Crimmins. Crimmins' lawyer released a statement last month about the judge's decision, saying, "The city had previously made serious allegations against Chief Crimmins, which after a lengthy trial were determined to be unfounded. The Honorable Susana Guerrero ruled that the city of Hobokens allegations were not credible, unsupported by evidence, and contradictory to the evidence provided by Chief Crimmins." Crimmins said in a statement, "Throughout my career, I have worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of our residents, to lead the HFD with integrity, and to serve with honor. I look forward to resuming my duties and continuing the essential work of protecting and serving this great city. Crimmins declined to make additional comment this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch The Meeting To see the agenda for Wednesday's City Council meeting, click here. Here is how to watch the meeting virtually. However, personnel matters are likely to be discussed in closed session. Former Hoboken Fire Chief To Be Reinstated After 2 Years Of Paid Leave originally appeared on the Hoboken Patch JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) Former Johnson City Commissioner Aaron Murphy issued his first statement on Tuesday after being narrowly-defeated by fellow incumbent Joe Wise on Election Daya race that was widely contested after a mistake allowed some non-city residents to vote. Those election results were certified on Nov. 22, despite ineligible votes likely being cast and counted. On Dec. 3, Murphy provided the following statement after remaining largely silent throughout the election results and aftermath of the suit: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our community is deeply grateful to those who have served in our local elections. We appreciate the individuals and groups who are actively working to address the discrepancies identified in the most recent local election. These are the people who help make it possible for Tennessee to remain first in the nation for Election Integrity. Aaron T. Murphy Johnson City officials sworn in to new terms The mistake occurred when several residents of Heather Lane which has a Johnson City mailing address but isnt in the city limits told Carter County election workers during early voting that they pay J.C. City taxes, according to a written note from Carter County Election Administrator Tracy Tanner-Harris. At that point in the early voting period, Heather Ln. was accidentally put in the City of J.C., the note says. It does not include an explanation of whether any election officials double-checked with the City of Johnson City to see whether the street was in the city limits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This prompted four candidates in Johnson City races to file a lawsuit after Election Day, calling for a re-run of the entire election. The plaintiffs include unsuccessful school board candidates Zaire Gary, Ryan Berkley and Sam Pettyjohn, and city commission candidate Jay Emberton. Wise was determined to have defeated incumbent Murphy for the third and final available commission spot by just 38 votes. Although Murphy didnt join as a plaintiff in the suit, his loss did raise questions amongst the community, as nearly 50 invalid ballots were likely certified, and he lost by only 38 votes. Harris previously said while being questioned by Carter County Election Commissioner Diane Wilde on the day of the certification that she didnt think enough of those residents could have changed the outcomeeven if all of them had voted for Murphy and none had voted for Wise. 40 percent of those people didnt vote the down ballot (local elections) so that would leave maybe a leeway of 28 if in fact they all (44 voters) voted in the city, and it wouldnt change the City of Johnson City election, Harris said on Nov. 22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News Channel 11 previously asked plaintiff Zaire Gary if the tight race between Murphy and Wise was a reason for filing the suit. Im not exactly sure on the verbiage in the lawsuit that mentions the Johnson City Commission, but every member of the city election was affected by votes that were counted irregularly, Gary said on Nov. 27. And so this lawsuit benefits every single candidate, not just the commission. The suit claims in part that the election commission failed to ensure the proper execution of election procedures, resulting in the inclusion of ineligible voters in the Johnson City election. It also claims the commission breached its duty to ensure accurate and lawful election administration, resulting in harm to the Plaintiffs as candidates and county citizens. On Monday, the Washington County Election Commission briefly discussed the lawsuit during a meeting. 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. UNCCD Deputy Executive Secretary Andrea Meza Murillo speaks at the opening ceremony of the China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 2, 2024. The China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) officially opened on Monday, highlighting China's decades-long efforts and achievements in combating desertification. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) RIYADH, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) officially opened on Monday, highlighting China's decades-long efforts and achievements in combating desertification. Covering more than 600 square meters, the China Pavilion is the second-largest national pavilion at the event. Its exhibition, themed "Cross-Century Green Great Wall, China's Restoration in Action," showcases the nation's battle against desertification, particularly through the Three-North Shelter Forest Program, a major national initiative aimed at reversing land desertification. At the opening ceremony, UNCCD Deputy Executive Secretary Andrea Meza Murillo praised China's significant contributions to global desertification control. "I was moved by the images of different generations of Chinese people fighting desertification and by China's leadership in this process," she said. She also emphasized that effective policies, community and local government involvement, as well as innovation and technology, are key components of China's success. Guan Zhi'ou, head of the Chinese delegation and administrator of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, remarked, "For 30 years since joining the convention, China has diligently fulfilled its responsibilities, actively participating in global desertification control alongside countries in the Belt and Road Initiative." "China will continue to share technologies and experiences, contributing wisdom and strength toward achieving the 2030 global land degradation neutrality target and advancing the G20 global land initiative," he added. Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chang Hua, in his address, highlighted the growing cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia in combating desertification, particularly in support of the Kingdom's Saudi and Middle East Green Initiatives, as well as the development of renewable energy in the region. COP16, held from Dec. 2 to 13 under the theme "Our Land. Our Future," is the largest UN land-focused conference to date and the first UNCCD COP in the Middle East and North Africa. Delegates are expected to make decisions on collective actions aimed at accelerating land restoration, improving resilience to droughts and sandstorms, restoring soil health, and scaling up nature-positive food production, with a focus on 2030 and beyond. People visit the China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 2, 2024. The China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) officially opened on Monday, highlighting China's decades-long efforts and achievements in combating desertification. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) People attend the opening ceremony of the China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 2, 2024. The China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) officially opened on Monday, highlighting China's decades-long efforts and achievements in combating desertification. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) People visit the China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 2, 2024. The China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) officially opened on Monday, highlighting China's decades-long efforts and achievements in combating desertification. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chang Hua speaks at the opening ceremony of the China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 2, 2024. The China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) officially opened on Monday, highlighting China's decades-long efforts and achievements in combating desertification. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) Guan Zhi'ou, head of the Chinese delegation and administrator of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, speaks at the opening ceremony of the China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 2, 2024. The China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) officially opened on Monday, highlighting China's decades-long efforts and achievements in combating desertification. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) Just as the trial of former New Orleans priest Lawrence Hecker was set to begin Tuesday morning, he pleaded guilty to kidnapping and raping a boy in the mid 70s. Hecker initially pleaded not guilty after a grand jury indicted him in 2023 on charges of first-degree rape, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated crime against nature and theft. The 93-year-olds plea comes after multiple delays related to his competency to stand trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were a lot of legal mechanisms and gymnastics just to get to a trial date, and we knew once we got this firm trial date, there wasnt going to be a place for this predator to run, said Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams. Former Orleans Parish Sheriffs Office employee accused of fraud In July, psychiatrist Dr. Sarah DeLand said based on a 7,000-page report of Heckers health, he should be tested for dementia. A month later, Hecker was diagnosed with Alzheimers and dementia with mild cognitive impairment. In September, the judge overseeing the trial at the time, Judge Benedict Willard, recused himself, and Hecker was unable to appear in court after being hospitalized for a urinary tract infection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One dead, five injured in Avondale home explosion Attorney Richard Trahant, whos representing multiple victims of Heckers in their civil lawsuits, says the disgraced priests unexpected plea is bittersweet. My client is extremely disappointed that he wasnt able to be in the courtroom to hear Hecker admit what he did to him because while he admitted other crimes, he never admitted this one, said Trahant. Heckers attorneys defend their clients decision to wait until the morning of the trial to change his plea and say hes taking responsibility for his actions. Its not unusual at all for a defendant to not plead guilty and then to get to this point where theyre on the finish line and the case is going to trial, you know, they realize what is about to happen and the reality of it, said Bobby Hjortsberg, one of Heckers defense attorneys. It really slaps you in the face. Williams says although this was a difficult case to prosecute, he hopes more victims will feel empowered to come forward. I hope that theres a message that although sometimes justice is delayed, it will not be denied, Williams said. The Archdiocese of New Orleans released the following statement: It is our hope and prayer that todays court proceedings bring healing and peace to the survivor and all survivors of sexual abuse. We continue to hold all survivors in prayer. Sentencing is set for Dec. 18, and during the hearing, the court will hear the victim impact statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hecker is expected to receive a life sentence. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts 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 WGNO. The acting chairman of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board has resigned after coming under criminal investigation over accusations he sexted a woman from a court-mandated class he led. H. Calvin Prince III quit abruptly Friday. His departure, along with the resignation of a second parole board member, has forced the clemency hearing for convicted murderer Kevin Ray Underwood to be delayed. Underwood, 44, is set to be executed by lethal injection Dec. 19 at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester for the murder of a 10-year-old girl. The Pardon and Parole Board will now hear his request for mercy Monday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hearing had been set for Wednesday morning. It was canceled Friday when Prince resigned. The board's chairman, Edward Konieczny, stepped down Nov. 6. Former Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board members Ed Konieczny, left, and Calvin Prince talk during a clemency hearing for Richard Glossip in August 2023. Prince was appointed to the Pardon and Parole Board in January 2023. "Mr. Prince will be a steward of justice for the people of Oklahoma," Gov. Kevin Stitt said in making the appointment. Prince administered the Pontotoc County Drug Court and other specialty courts, according to his biography on the Pardon and Parole Board website. He also administered court-mandated parent education classes on divorce. He is accused of sexting a woman from those classes, multiple law enforcement sources told The Oklahoman on condition they not be identified. The woman at one point had mentioned help with getting a pardon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parole board is made up of five members but can still act on clemency requests with just three. All three must recommend clemency for the governor to consider mercy. Earlier: Convicted murderer of Jamie Rose Bolin seeks mercy as execution looms What to know about Kevin Ray Underwood's case Underwood was sentenced to death for acting on his cannibalistic fantasies and suffocating Jamie Rose Bolin on April 12, 2006, in his Purcell apartment. He confessed to the FBI in detail after her body was found stuffed in a plastic tub in his bedroom closet. "Go ahead and arrest me," Underwood told an FBI agent. "She's in there. I hit her and chopped her up. I'm going to burn in hell." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tom Bates, executive director of the Pardon and Parole Board, said Monday the clemency hearing was reset after getting guidance from the governor and the attorney general. "They indicated they're OK to proceed," Bates said. "If the governor were to appoint someone tomorrow, to get us up to four, we can probably get that person ready," Bates added. "They told us they are working on it." The resetting of the hearing came after Attorney General Gentner Drummond asked the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals to order the board to go forward with it. Be the first to know: Sign up for breaking news email alerts Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Jamies family has already waited 18 agonizing years to see justice served, Drummond said in a news release. Adding further delay is needless and unconscionable. Kevin Underwood is a deeply evil monster whose execution absolutely should be carried out without further setback." Prince's attorney, Larry Balcerak, declined comment Monday. The attorney on Friday sent an email to the board confirming Prince was resigning effective immediately. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is looking into the allegations against Prince. A judge issued a search warrant Friday for his phone and a computer. Pontotoc County District Attorney Erik Johnson asked for the OSBI to investigate Nov. 23. In a letter to the attorney general last week, Johnson recused himself from "any further participation in this case due to the previous working relationship with the Pontotoc County Drug Court." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He wrote in the letter that he asked the OSBI to look into "allegations of inappropriate activities." He asked the AG to take steps to protect the integrity of the Pardon and Parole Board process. He also asked the AG to "provide any support services necessary to any individual victims, should any be identified, during the course of this investigation." Konieczny resigned because he is moving out of state. In an Oct. 28 letter to Stitt, he wrote "it has been my honor to serve as one of your appointees ... for the last three years." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Kevin Underwood clemency hearing delayed amid investigation, resignation RANDOLPH COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) A former Randolph County Schools employee is facing felony charges in connection to a sex offense investigation, according to a Randolph County Sheriffs Office news release. In Jan. 2023, the RCSO received a report of a possible sex offense involving an unknown minor or minors that happened in 2005 in Randolph County. The initial offense was reported to the RCSO following an investigation conducted by the Moore County Sheriffs Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The RCSO and the NCSBI initiated an investigation into the allegations. The investigation involved a former Randolph County School system employee who was last employed with the school system on June 15, 2006, and an unknown juvenile victim. After completing an investigation and identifying the victim, RCSO detectives sought charges against Gregory Winton Simmons, 50, of West End, for three counts of felony sex offense with a student. On Nov. 25, 2024, Simmons was found in Moore County, arrested and taken to the Moore County Detention Center where he was served the warrant. The magistrate issued a $500,000 secured bond. 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 FOX8 WGHP. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) The former director of financial aid for Tennessee State University (TSU) has sued her former employer of two decades. According to the complaint filed in the Davidson County Chancery Court, Tanaka Vercher said TSU retaliated against her for refusing to break federal law in order to get financial aid money for the university faster than is allowed. Read the full complaint here Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her lawsuit, Vercher says her job as director of financial aid was to reconcile and verify financial aid information from students in order for the school to receive funds from the federal government. Under penalty of perjury, Vercher said she is required to verify each student applying for financial aid is actually eligible to receive it. This reconciliation process can take several months to completewell into October, she said in her complaint. However, during an Aug. 22 meeting with a financial consultant related to TSUs cashflow issues, Vercher claims she was told October would be too late for the university to receive those funds. PREVIOUS: Tennessee State University announces financial action plan, which includes hiring freeze, to address severe structural deficits Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During this same meeting, Vercher said in the complaint, she was made aware that TSU had admitted many students who are ineligible for enrollment because they do not have a verified high school diploma or its equivalent. In a separate meeting on Aug. 27, she estimated more than 20% of the enrolled students were not actually eligible for financial aid. This reduction in students would mean the university lost an estimated $7,000,000 in available cash, the complaint reads. The next day, Vercher said she was abruptly fired with no cause or reason listed. No reasonable explanation exists for Ms. Verchers termination, the complaint reads, noting she had previously received highly favorable performance reviews and had been awarded a raise in July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only explanation is that TSU was retaliating against her for her refusal to request government funds for TSU to which she knew TSU was not entitled, the complaint reads. RELATED: TSU finance committee discusses cashflow and money owed from the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission This action, her suit says, constitutes a violation of public policy, state and federal law. She asks the Court for back pay, lost wages, her lost pension and benefits, compensatory and punitive damages, and attorneys fees. The university issued the following statement to News 2 in response to a request for comment: Tennessee State University has been made aware of the lawsuit filed yesterday and does not comment on pending litigation. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and will address the matter appropriately as it progresses. All further questions should be directed to the State Attorney Generals Office. Tennessee State University 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. Former Vermont House Minority Leader Rep. Don Turner, Jr. known fondly as "Mr. Milton" for his dedication to his hometown died on Saturday after a "short but courageous battle" with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. He was 60 years old. Turner, who represented Chittenden County in the House for 13 years as a Republican, died "peacefully, surrounded by family" at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, according to his obituary. In a press release, Gov. Phil Scott (R-Vermont) described Turner as "respected and liked by most everyone he met and worked with," adding that "he treated all with dignity, respect and kindness" regardless if they "agreed with him or not." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turner served in the House from 2006 to 2019, spending the last eight as minority leader. He notably served on committees such as Human Services, Institutions and Corrections, General, Housing and Military Affairs, Commerce and Economic Development and Education. In 2018, Turner chose to forego re-election to run for lieutenant governor against Progressive-Democrat incumbent David Zuckerman. He secured the Republican nomination but was defeated handily by Zuckerman in the general election. Turner is one of several former lawmakers who passed away this year, including Sens. Dick Mazza (D-Grand Isle) and Dick Sears Jr. (D-Bennington) and Rep. Curt McCormack, who represented Rutland and Burlington at different times. 'Profound impact' on hometown: Turner's life outside the Statehouse Turner was born to Donald H. Turner Sr. and Nancy Turner on July 19, 1964 in Burlington. Milton, however, is where the junior Turner eventually put down his roots. Turner earned the nickname "Mr. Milton" from his years of community service and involvement in state and local governance. Most recently, he served as Milton's town manager, a position he held from 2017 until his death. He also previously served on the city's Board of Civil Authority as a Justice of the Peace and on the supervisory board of the Vermont Federal Credit Union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Few have had such a profound impact on their hometowns as Don has in Milton," Scott said. "He touched and improved so many lives, and as a result his legacy will live on." Turner also had a penchant for public safety. At age 16, he joined the Milton Fire Department, where he eventually served as chief for 14 years. He also served as a fire instructor, a forest fire warden and a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and Milton Firefighters Association. Beyond his numerous public service roles, Turner was known for "his unwavering love, kindness and commitment to those around him," according to his obituary, which also painted him as a "devoted family man." "He cherished instilling in his children the values he learned from his own upbringing in a close-knit family, prioritizing weekly family time, vacations and holiday events," Turner's obituary said. "He particularly enjoyed playing and bonding with his grandchildren." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turner is survived by his wife, Gail, of 40 years; three daughters, Emily Turner-Frye, Hillary Joyal and Erin Turner; three grandchildren; his parents; two siblings; six nieces and nephews; and a large extended family. Turner was predeceased by a sister, his parents-in-law, an aunt and his grandparents. Per Scott's request, U.S and Vermont flags will fly at half-staff on Friday, Dec. 6 in honor of Turner's memory. When is his celebration of life? Turner's Celebration of Life is slated for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Donald H. Turner Jr. Public Works Building the impressive structure he helped bring to fruition in Milton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consider donating to the McClure Miller Respite Home in his honor instead of bringing flowers. You can also order a memorial tree online in memory of Turner. Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Former Vermont House Minority Leader Don Turner Jr. dies from cancer DENVER (KDVR) A female victim is safe thanks to the Fort Collins Police Services Special Weapons and Tactics team after she was held hostage and seriously injured by a man on Nov. 29. Officers responded to the 700 block of Bear Creek Drive on Friday at about 6:40 p.m. after a man called police and reported he had a hostage. While he was on the phone, dispatchers could hear a female asking for help in the background. The area is heavily residential and a few blocks from Troutman Park. Man shot by Aurora police had violent history, facing 5 counts of attempted murder Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the man claimed he was armed and threatened to kill the hostage. A reverse911 was made for the surrounding area to make residents aware of the situation. SWAT negotiators tried to resolve the situation peacefully but at a certain point entered the residence and by 8:15 p.m. Erik Dunning was in custody. Police said the victim, who was known to Dunning, received immediate medical care for serious injuries Dunning inflicted on her. The agency did not provide an update on her injuries as of Monday. We want Fort Collins residents to know that hostage situations in this city are extremely rare, said Lieutenant Sara Lynd, of the Fort Collins Police Crimes Against Persons Unit, in a release. It is the high level of training and professionalism of Fort Collins Police Officers that resulted in the safe rescuing of this hostage and taking this suspect into custody. Our Detectives will now work with the District Attorneys Office in the prosecution of this incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dunning was booked into the Larimer County Jail, where he is facing charges of first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, false imprisonment, failure or refusal to leave premise hostage, obstructing a police officer and resisting arrest. 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. President Biden spoke at the National Slavery Museum in Angola today. NBC News' Kelly O'Donnell reports more from the White House. Politico White House correspondent Eugene Daniels joins Chris Jansing to discuss the importance of the trip. FOSTER CITY, Calif. (KRON) Geese are once again top of mind in Foster City. On Monday, the city council discussed a potential plan to protect the publics health and the lagoon areas. One thing is clear. Foster City leaders say they need to do something about Canada geese taking over their city especially the lagoon areas. But they dont want to kill the birds, instead, the city council asked Wildlife Innovations to create an environmental review to deal with the geese population. Mercy High in Burlingame fundraises for gym on campus Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canada geese and their droppings are the culprits of increased e. Coli levels in Foster Citys lagoon, making it unsafe for people to enjoy the citys beautiful waterways. This coming February, officials say they will start to test out habitat modifications to minimize the number of geese in the area. Councilmember Sam Hindi suggested one hazing technique called goose egg addling which would remove the fertilization of eggs. He also called on residents to help. Members of the public are really interested in being part of that solution of what were trying to do, Hindi said. Trisha Mok, a Foster City resident, didnt attend Monday nights meeting, but she says its almost dangerous taking her kids to the parks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The water is quite disgusting with all the poop. Even the fields the geese will be on at all hours, she said. Wildlife Innovations suggests the city implements visual deterrents at their park like balloons in trees and mylar strips, which are metal reflectant tape. They also say this is a regional conversation and not just a Foster City issue. If more of those entities say Oh look, what Foster City is doing is great, we also have a problem. They either are going to complain to those agency folks and pursue their own plan, a Wildlife Innovations spokesperson said. From 2015 to 2023, the city has already spent a little over $139,000 to help mitigate its geese problem. 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 KRON4. NEW YORK (AP) The founder and former CEO of the failed cryptocurrency lending platform Celsius Network could face decades in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday to federal fraud charges, admitting that he misled customers about the business. Alexander Mashinsky, 58, of Manhattan, entered the plea in New York federal court to commodities and securities fraud. He admitted illegally manipulating the price of Celsiuss proprietary crypto token while secretly selling his own tokens at inflated prices to pocket about $48 million before Celsius collapsed into bankruptcy in 2022. In court, he admitted that in 2021 he publicly suggested there was regulatory consent for the company's moves because he knew that customers would find false comfort with that. And he said that in 2019, he was selling the crypto tokens even though he told the public that he was not. He said he knew customers would draw false comfort from that too. I accept full responsibility for my actions, Mashinsky said of crimes that stretched from 2018 to 2022 as the company pitched itself to customers as a modern-day bank where they could safely deposit crypto assets and earn interest. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a release that Mashinsky orchestrated one of the biggest frauds in the crypto industry as his company's assets purportedly grew to about $25 billion at its peak, making it one of the largest crypto platforms in the world. He said Mashinsky used catchy slogans like Unbank Yourself to entice prospective customers with a pledge that their money would be as safe in crypto accounts as money would be in a bank. Meanwhile, prosecutors said, Mashinsky and co-conspirators used customer deposits to fund market purchases of the Celsius token to prop up its value. Machinsky made tens of millions of dollars selling his own CEL tokens at artificially high prices, leaving his customers holding the bag when the company went bankrupt, Williams said. An indictment alleged that Mashinsky promoted Celsius through media interviews, his social media accounts and Celsius website, along with a weekly Ask Mashinsky Anything session broadcast that was posted to Celsius website and a YouTube channel. Celsius employees from multiple departments who noticed false and misleading statements in the sessions warned Mashinsky, but they were ignored, the indictment said. A plea agreement Mashinsky made with prosecutors calls for him to be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison and to forfeit over $48 million, which is the amount of money he allegedly made by selling his company's token. Sentencing was scheduled for April 8. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) Four 14-year-olds have been arrested and charged in connection with the alleged theft of a car in Lockport earlier this week, New York State Police said Tuesday. Police said they saw the car, a 2002 Toyota Camry, fail to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Ohio Street and West Ave. just after 3 a.m. on Sunday. Police tried to stop the car and the teens allegedly took off, stopping when the car hit a fence on Vine Street. All four of the teens fled on foot and were eventually arrested. The car had been recently stolen without the owner knowing. Police said the car was unlocked with the keys in the vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The teens were all charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, and two of them were additionally charged with resisting arrest. They were processed and issued appearance courts for Family Court later this month. Latest Local News Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here. 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 News 4 Buffalo. SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Ting Forum themed "Exploring New Potential in China-South Korea Cooperation Amid China's Strive For High-quality Development" was held here on Monday. Scholars and experts from universities and think tanks in China and South Korea attended the event, exploring opportunities the ongoing drive for high-quality development in China could offer as well as mulling ways on how to tap into new potential in bilateral cooperation in multiple fields. In his opening remarks, Fang Kun, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Chinese embassy in South Korea, pointed out that with ongoing progress in high-quality development and accelerated efforts to cultivate and develop new quality productive forces, China has embarked on a steady course to promote high-level opening-up to the outside world, while the speed of renewed people-to-people exchanges between China and the rest of the world has picked up markedly. Fang expressed his hope that the experts and scholars from both countries could use this occasion to present ideas on how to build a brighter shared future through the continued advancement of bilateral ties. Hwang Jaeho, director of the Institute for Global Strategy and Cooperation (IGSC), recognized the symposium as an important occasion to focus on exploring new potential in bilateral cooperation, saying it offered a brainstorm among the academia from both countries to discover through a multi-dimensional analysis the economic opportunities in China's modernization drive and look into a promising future of bilateral cooperation in various fields. Kim Tae-nyeon, president of the Korea-China Parliamentarians' Union, stressed in a written speech that against the current backdrop of global instability coupled with mounting challenges, South Korea and China should strengthen connectivity, share experience of best practice and make joint efforts by combining the advantages of the two countries, in a bid to open up a future of enhanced cooperation in economic, technological and environmental fields. Wang Yujie, general manager of the Seoul Branch of China Construction Bank, underscored the fact that a wide variety of competing ideas and different strategies has emerged under the current international economic and financial trends, expressing her belief that the strategic vision and professional insight among the experts in attendance will be an inspiring and instrumental asset to the development of the bilateral ties and the enterprises of the two countries. The symposium had two items on its agenda, one focusing on China's modernization drive through high-quality development while the other concerning a search for a new starting point for bilateral reciprocal and win-win cooperation in economic and trade sectors. For the first part, Zuo Fengrong, vice dean of the Institute of International Strategic Studies of the Party School of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (National Academy of Governance), elaborated on the rich connotation of China's modernization cause in a key-note speech, followed by an open discussion, as the second part, where the participating pundits exchanged views on how to promote friendly cooperation between the two countries. The symposium was jointly sponsored by the Asia-Pacific Regional Bureau of Xinhua News Agency and the IGSC, and co-hosted by the Seoul Bureau of Xinhua News Agency and the Seoul Branch of China Construction Bank. Emmanuel Macron, the French president, said on Tuesday night that it was political fiction to suggest he would resign over the crisis engulfing his government. While his prime minister, Michel Barnier, is unlikely to survive two no-confidence votes on Wednesday, Mr Macron said he would not quit before completing his term of office in 2027. My priority is stability, the president said while on a visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, while rejecting claims that he was preparing to step down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is political fiction it makes no sense, he said, attacking those who say these things. Referring to his two presidential election victories in 2017 and 2022, Mr Macron said: It so happens that if I am here before you, it is because I was elected twice by the French people. Ms Le Pen has said her National Rally party will vote against Mr Barnier - Michel Euler/AP I am extremely proud of it and I will honour this trust with all the energy that is mine until the last second, so as to be useful to the country. Mr Macron also said we must not scare people by evoking a risk of financial crisis because of government collapse. We have a strong economy, he said. France is a rich, solid country, which has made many reforms and is maintaining them. It has stable institutions, and a stable constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His reaction follows Bruno Retailleau, his interior minister, accusing extremist parties of playing Russian roulette with the future of France as they prepare to bring down the government. The Right-wing populist National Rally (RN) has pledged to support far-Left MPs from the New Popular Front coalition in the no-confidence motions, meaning Mr Barnier has little chance of survival after just three months in office. We are in a critical moment for France, Mr Retailleau told TF1 TV. We risk chaos, we risk a financial crisis similar to the public debt crisis in Greece in 2008. Mr Retailleau continued: It is not those who are rich who are the first to be impacted, it is the most modest, the most fragile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And during this time we have a part of the political class playing Russian roulette. Lets wake up and prevent what seems inevitable chaos. Mr Retailleau was particularly critical of Marine Le Pen, of the RN, saying she was totally irresponsible irresponsible because she is going to mix her votes and those of her deputies with those of the far-Left. On Monday, Mr Barnier pushed through a controversial new social security budget using a presidential decree, while bypassing parliament. This is perfectly legal under Article 49.3 of the French Constitution, but the move has been viewed as an attack on democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Macron frequently uses such decrees to get unpopular legislation on to the statute book, leaving his lieutenants to take the criticism. Mr Barnier faces no-confidence votes after just three months in office - Michel Euler/AP Mr Barnier, the former EU Brexit negotiator, is Mr Macrons fifth prime minister in seven years. Aged 73, and without a seat in parliament, he will become the first serving prime minister to be ousted by parliament since 1962, if the no-confidence vote goes against him. RN spokesman Jean-Philippe Tanguy on Tuesday said his partys decision to try to bring down the Barnier government was designed to protect the French. He added: The budget was dangerous and toxic for France and did not respect the red lines that had been set. Bruno Retailleau has warned France is facing a critical moment - Julien de Rosa/AFP Mr Tanguy said his party the largest in the National Assembly was not supporting the far-Left, but defending the national interest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The RNs position is complicated by a court case against Ms Le Pen and other senior party figures over the alleged embezzlement of millions of pounds worth of cash from the EU. If the judgment, due in March, goes against the RN, Le Pen is facing prison, and could be barred from standing for political office in the next five years, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential election. The New Popular Front alliance won the most seats in the National Assembly during a snap election called by Mr Macron in June, but has not been allowed to play any part in government since. Two motions of no-confidence will be debated in the National Assembly in Paris from 4pm on Wednesday, with a vote at about 7pm. 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. Paris and London are exploring options to support Ukraine in potential peace talks with Russia, including deploying French and U.K. troops to monitor a ceasefire along the contact line, a senior NATO official told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). The official, who requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly, noted that these discussions are happening in individual capitals, not within the formal NATO structure. The aim is to prepare for various scenarios, ensuring European countries are ready to assist Kyiv if the new U.S. administration requests greater European involvement. According to the official, the proposals also seek to secure European allies' participation in peace talks that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump could mediate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement French and British discussions on leading a military coalition in Ukraine have gained momentum, with Le Monde reporting renewed talks about deploying troops. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told BBC News that while France is not currently planning to send troops into combat, the country "does not discard any option." "(France) will support Ukraine as intensely and as long as necessary. 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," Barrot said. The idea of sending Western troops to Ukraine resurfaced in February when French President Emmanuel Macron first raised the possibility. He revisited the topic in May, suggesting that if Russian forces breached Ukraines front line and Kyiv requested assistance, France would have to seriously consider deploying troops. The debate over the role of Western military involvement in Ukraine highlights a broader divide among European leaders on how best to support Kyiv in the face of Russian aggression. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking at the Halifax International Security Forum, Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur stressed that Ukraine needs greater investment in its military production capabilities, not foreign troops on its battlefield. Read also: Boris Johnson calls for British, European peacekeepers in Ukraine as part of potential peace deal Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) The South Carolina House opened its newest session Tuesday with an unsuccessful long shot challenge of the Speaker that could be a preview of fighting among Republicans over which group truly deserves to identify as conservative. House Speaker Murrell Smith was elected to a second two-year term by a 102-17 vote as the Republicans' Freedom Caucus tried to show its strength. The intraparty fight has brewed throughout most of the last two years. The Freedom Caucus said most Republicans aren't conservative enough because they gave tax breaks to corporations, failed to pass a total abortion ban and let Democrats, who have only 35 of the body's 124 seats, run a few subcommittees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mainstream Republicans say the caucus members seem more determined to score points on social media and defeat fellow Republicans in primaries than to do the work of governing. Some in the larger group even mock caucus members online. More importantly, caucus members have been left off the most important House committees, like the budget writing Ways and Means Committee. The 17 votes for speaker for Republican Rep. Bill Chumley of Spartanburg County were about the level of support the Freedom Caucus had last year. But the decision to challenge Smith at all, as well as the Freedom Caucus holding a news conference on its goals last month, the same day the Republican House leadership met to shape its agenda, show the caucus doesn't plan to fall in line. We need conservative leadership, bold leadership not malicious willing to work with everybody. Willing to be fair, said the caucus leader, Rep. Jordan Pace of Goose Creek. Smith didn't mention the challenge during his post-election speech, which called for more tax cuts and economic development to continue South Carolina's rapid growth. The Sumter Republican also asked that everyone listen to each other and work together, Democrats and Republicans, to make the state better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is our duty to show the people of South Carolina that their government works for the that we can disagree without being disagreeable, Smith said. The mainstream Republican rebuke was left to House Speaker Pro Tem Tommy Pope of York, who focused his criticism on the kind of politics and misinformation that fuels the caucus. Pope said the distrust has to be stopped so the House can get important work done. If we do disagree, let's disagree in truth, Pope said. The session opened with the House's longest serving member, Democratic Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, briefly presiding until the Speaker could be elected. One thing she's learned in her 32 years in the chamber, she said, is that a representative's achievements often mirror their reasons for running. Are you looking for something on a resume? Did you think you could make a difference? Do you like to serve people? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you. Be you. There is only one person in here who can vote for you and that's you, Cobb-Hunter said. A key member of the Freedom Caucus showed up for Tuesday's organizational session. Rep. R.J. May of Lexington spent most of the time standing by a members-and-staff-only exit door and not venturing into the mix of lawmakers on the House floor. In October, federal prosecutors filed court papers saying the investigators seized a number of electronic devices from May, and they anticipated filing a criminal indictment in three months. The documents sought to keep the devices longer without a formal hearing, and did not provide additional details. Freedom Caucus members said they hadn't heard from May for months. May didnt talk about the specifics of his legal problems Tuesday, but reminded reporters he was reelected without Democratic opposition last month. Ive been elected to do a job and Im going to continue to do that job and thats to be one of the most conservative members of the House, May said. WELCHES, Ore. (KOIN) At the Hoodland Bazaar in Welches, candles and flowers lit the space where Susan Lane-Fournier worked and dreamed. Dozens of family and friends gathered Monday night to honor the life of the woman they called Phoenix, a name forged from her trials and embodying a spirit that rose unbroken from lifes ashes. Im just going to miss her energy, friend Cari Gesch told KOIN 6 News. Every time I saw her, she brought a smile to my face, and I laughed and laughed and laughed. Cari Gesch, a friend of Susan Lane-Fournier, was at her vigil in Welches, December 2, 2024 (KOIN) Susans husband, Michel Fournier, was arrested hours after her body was found and is expected to be arraigned on a murder charge on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her disappearance on November 22 and death hit Gesch hard, who said she was the one who discovered Lane-Fourniers truck the clue that sparked a days-long search through the Mount Hood National Forest. Something about it just kind of struck me as odd and for whatever reason it stuck in my head, she said. Six days later, Lane-Fourniers body was found under a tarp near her home in Clackamas County. Two dogs believed to be hers that went missing the same day, were found dead Saturday in Multnomah County. Susan Phoenix Lane-Fournier of Brightwood, Ore. was reported missing on Nov. 22. (Photo provided by a friend of Susan Lane-Fournier.) Susan Lane-Fourniers truck was found days after she went missing. Her body was found near her Welches home and her husband was arrested for murder, November 30, 2024 (KOIN) Photos of Susan Lane-Fourniers dogs. Her body was found near her Welches home and her husband was arrested for murder, November 30, 2024 (Courtesy photo) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christen Prudence said she was the last person to speak with Susan. The lessons she left behind echo in death. Tomorrows arent guaranteed, Prudence said. Shes teaching me that. The community is rallying behind the family and returning the kindness Phoenix always shared. Now its for her sons, supporting them as they face funeral and legal costs. Christen Prudence, a friend of Susan Lane-Fournier, was at her vigil in Welches, December 2, 2024 (KOIN) Susans family authorized this GoFundMe to help with immediate and future costs, legal fees Ive never seen people rise up like this. I think this is just Phoenixs energy, for sure, like shes touching people that dont even know her and people are being inspired by her and want to support the community and her friends and family that are hurting right now, Prudence said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the days before her body was found, her son, Dakota Lane, told KOIN 6 News he was overwhelmed by the community support. Dakota Lane, the son of Susan Lane-Fournier, who was killed near her home in Welches. November 24, 2024 (KOIN) The amount of support and sympathy from the community, its not something that Im personally used to, Lane said at that time. Its nice to know that theres people that cared enough for her to bring all this support out. Susan Lane-Fournier Phoenix to her friends left a lasting impact. Dozens of people gathered at Hoodland Bazaar in Welches in a vigil for Susan Lane-Fournier, December 2, 2024 (KOIN) Dozens of people gathered at Hoodland Bazaar in Welches in a vigil for Susan Lane-Fournier, December 2, 2024 (KOIN) Dozens of people gathered at Hoodland Bazaar in Welches in a vigil for Susan Lane-Fournier, December 2, 2024 (KOIN) Dozens of people gathered at Hoodland Bazaar in Welches in a vigil for Susan Lane-Fournier, December 2, 2024 (KOIN) Dozens of people gathered at Hoodland Bazaar in Welches in a vigil for Susan Lane-Fournier, December 2, 2024 (KOIN) Im going to think about her everyday, Prudence said. I am going to miss her. There will be a hole in our community where shes leaving. Investigators said they are still looking to speak with anyone who may have seen Michel Fournier or may have knowledge of his whereabouts in the days before Lane-Fourniers disappearance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this story. 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 Federal Trade Commission announced that it is taking action against two location data companies after it said that they unlawfully tracked and sold private consumer information. Venntel and Gravy Analytics Inc., Venntel's parent company, are banned from selling, disclosing, or using sensitive location data in any product or service, a proposed order from the FTC states. The companies must also establish a sensitive data location program. Some of Venntels customers include federal law enforcement agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI and the IRS, according to the FTC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A complaint alleges that Venntel and Gravy Analytics violated the FTC Act by collecting and selling consumer data without proper consent. Gravy Analytics allegedly created a virtual geographical boundary to identify and sell lists of consumers who attended certain events related to medical conditions and places of worship, the FTC said in a news release. The Virginia-based company also allegedly sold additional lists that linked consumers to other sensitive characteristics, the release states. Surreptitious surveillance by data brokers undermines our civil liberties and puts servicemembers, union workers, religious minorities, and others at risk, Samuel Levine, director of the FTCs Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a statement. This is the FTCs fourth action taken this year challenging the sale of sensitive location data, and its past time for the industry to get serious about protecting Americans privacy. FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya said the illegality of this conduct is more than clear. The FTC said that Venntels and Gravy Analytics actions exposed consumers to potential privacy harms and put them at risk of stigma, discrimination, violence, and other harms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NBC News reached out to Venntel and Gravy Analytics for comment Tuesday and did not immediately receive a response. The FTC said sensitive location data the companies are banned from using include those pertaining to medical facilities, correctional facilities, religious organizations, military installations, schools and day care centers, and shelters that serve domestic abuse survivors, the homeless or refugees. The companies also must ensure that their clients do not use their data to locate someones home or track people to political events, and are banned from collecting data from consumers who have opted out of targeted advertising, the FTC said. The companies must also delete all sensitive data already collected if it is not compliant with the FTC's proposed order. Each violation of a consent order could result in a $51,744 fine, according to the FTC. The final consent order could be approved after a 30-day public comment period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed consent order came the same day that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced a proposed rule that "would limit the sale of personal identifiers like Social Security Numbers and phone numbers collected by certain companies and make sure that peoples financial data such as income is only shared for legitimate purposes," according to a press release from the agency. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com By Maha El Dahan and Yousef Saba DUBAI (Reuters) - A sophisticated fuel oil smuggling network that some experts believe generates at least $1 billion a year for Iran and its proxies has flourished in Iraq since Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani took office in 2022, five sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The operation exploits a government policy under which Iraq allocates fuel oil to asphalt plants at heavily subsidised prices and involves a network of companies, groups and individuals in Iraq, Iran and Gulf states, according to the five people and three Western intelligence reports, two from August this year and one which was undated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the scheme, anywhere from 500,000 to 750,000 metric tons of heavy fuel oil (HFO), including high sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) - equivalent to 3.4 million to 5 million barrels of oil - is diverted from the plants each month and exported, mostly to Asia, two of the sources said. The extent of the fuel oil smuggling since Sudani came to power and the involvement of multiple entities within Iraq in the illicit trade have not previously been reported. Iranian and Iraqi officials did not respond to detailed requests for comment about the findings in the Reuters story. Iran views its neighbour and ally Iraq as an economic lung and wields considerable military, political and economic influence there through the powerful Shi'ite militias and political parties it backs. It also sources hard currency from Iraq through exports and avoids U.S. sanctions via its banking system, Iraqi and U.S. officials say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Baghdad has been delicately balancing its role as an ally of both Washington and Tehran for years, with President-elect Donald Trump expected to take a hard line on Iran's attempts to skirt U.S. sanctions, its activities in neighbouring Iraq are expected to come under increasing scrutiny. Of the two main routes the fuel oil takes out of Iraq, one involves blending it with similar product from Iran and passing it off as purely Iraqi, helping Tehran evade tough U.S. sanctions on energy exports, said the five sources, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. The other involves exporting the fuel oil that was originally meant for the subsidy programme using forged documentation to mask its origins. Iran benefits directly from the first route. Iranian fuel oil typically sells at a discount due to sanctions but it can sell it for a higher price if it is passed off as Iraqi. The second route, meanwhile, benefits the Iranian-backed militias in Iraq that control the smuggling scheme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three sources estimated how much both routes were bringing in based on assumptions about the volumes traded and relative prices. Their estimates ranged from $1 billion a year to over $3 billion. The illicit trade potentially puts Iraqi institutions and officials at risk of U.S. sanctions for helping Iran and some Iraqi officials are concerned a Trump administration could target them, the three sources said. However, Iraqi leaders rely heavily on the support of influential Iranian-backed Shi'ite groups to stay in power, making it difficult for them to crack down on illicit activities, such as the fuel oil smuggling, the sources said. Sudani's office did not respond to requests for comment about the trade, the risk of sanctions or government attempts to curb the business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ON WASHINGTON'S RADAR The lucrative smuggling and its links to Iran and individuals under U.S. sanctions are already on Washington's radar. The subject came up in discussions between U.S. officials and Sudani when the Iraqi prime minister visited the United States in September, one of the sources said. Asked by Reuters whether smuggling had been raised, a State Department official said: "While we do not comment on specific discussions, we can affirm the Department has emphasized with our Iraqi counterparts the harms of illicit trade and our support for bringing oil transparently to market." The U.S. Treasury did not respond to questions about the fuel oil trade or whether Iraqi entities and officials were at risk of sanctions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. sanctions on Iran are chiefly in response to its nuclear programme and its support for groups across the Middle East that the U.S. sees as terrorist organisations, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. While Washington has put pressure on Iraqi officials to clamp down on activities benefiting Iran, Tehran's influence runs deep. Central to the smuggling operation is Iraqi Shi'ite group Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH), a paramilitary force and political party that was an early backer of Sudani and a key member of the bloc that nominated him to be prime minister, according to the five people with knowledge of the matter and the three reports. The findings in the reports seen by Reuters are based on a broad range of sources in Iraq and its government departments who were not identified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sudani's office and AAH and its leader Qais al-Khazali did not respond to questions posed by Reuters. Backed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), AAH was folded into Iraq's security apparatus in 2018 and now also has 16 members of parliament. Khazali was sanctioned by Washington in 2019 for AAH's alleged role in serious human rights abuses, related to the killing of protesters in Iraq that year and other violence, including a 2007 attack that killed five U.S. soldiers. Khazali mocked the sanctions, saying in a video posted on X two days later that he was personally hurt it had taken Washington so long to sanction him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HOW IT WORKS While fuel oil smuggling existed before Sudani came to power in October 2022, it has grown in complexity and become more formalised since he took office, the five sources said. Iraqi fuel oil exports are on track to hit an all-time high above 18 million tons this year, according to industry sources and ship-tracking data, more than double exports in 2021. To create surplus fuel oil for export, some of the asphalt plants involved in the network overstate their needs when requesting official fuel oil allocations. Others exist in name only, meaning their entire allocations can be diverted for export, according to the five sources and intelligence reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Central to the scheme is the State Company for Mining Industry, which operates asphalt plants as a joint venture with private companies, the sources said. It was originally established to boost local industries, such as flancoat production, an asphalt waterproofing material used in construction. The state firm was singled out in one of the Western intelligence reports as coming under tight AAH control during Sudani's tenure and being used for the export of large quantities of HSFO. Al-Thager Asphalt Industries Factory, one of the state mining company's ventures according to its website, is used by AAH as a site for storing fuel oil, the intelligence report said. Some of the plants allegedly involved are controlled by AAH or Kataib Hezbollah, another Iraqi militia backed by Iran's Revolutionary Guards and designated as a terrorist organisation by Washington, the intelligence report said. The State Company for Mining, Al-Thager and Kataib Hezbollah did not respond to detailed requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a previous attempt to clamp down on the trade, Sudani's predecessor Mustafa al-Kadhimi ordered a review of the actual operating capacity of asphalt plants, cut their allocations and raised the price of subsidised fuel to $220 per ton from $70, according to two of the sources and the intelligence reports. Reuters couldn't determine what prompted the crackdown. In January 2023, a few months after Sudani took over, the price was lowered to $100-$150 a ton, far below the market price for exports, estimated at anywhere between $300 and $500. The lower the price of the subsidized fuel, the higher the profit margin when exporting it on the international market. Sudani's government also expanded licensing for asphalt plants to include 37 new projects, a near-doubling of the industry almost overnight, one of the sources said. All of the sources said some of the projects were fictitious, suggesting they were just ploys to get fuel oil allocations for export. The allocation of fuel oil is determined by Sudani's office through its National Operations Command (PM-NOC). The Oil Products and Distribution Company (OPDC) is then tasked with processing fuel movement requests, which include vehicle numbers, cargo volumes and specifications, and identifying information for each driver and truck. The fuel oil movements are reviewed by the PM-NOC and approved with memos that let trucks pass through various checkpoints manned by Iraq's oil police, three sources said. PM-NOC, OPDC and Iraq's state oil marketing company SOMO, the body responsible for exporting Iraqi fuel oil, did not respond to requests for comment. BLENDED WITH IRANIAN FUEL Once diverted from the plants, the fuel oil takes one of the two routes, both involving forged documentation, the five sources said. Some of the Iraqi fuel is exported directly through Iraq's southern ports with falsified documents listing it as other products, such as vacuum residue or flancoat, both byproducts of refining that can be shipped legitimately. The state mining company, which owns a network of heavy fuel oil blending facilities across Iraq, is authorised to transport fuel oil between them and export flancoat, one of the intelligence reports said. The second route involves blending the illicit fuel oil with similar Iranian fuel and passing it off as purely Iraqi, again with falsified documents, to help Tehran skirt tough sanctions Western nations have imposed on its energy exports. The southern Iraqi city of Basra has emerged as the heart of the blending operations, with Khor Al Zubair and Umm Qasr ports key export points for the illicit fuel, the five sources said. Reuters was unable to determine whether the authorities in the ports were aware of the smuggling operation. The blending is done by Iraqi engineers, typically during ship-to-ship transfers, and the fuel oil is then shipped to clients mainly in Asia, two of the intelligence reports said. The operation is made easier by the similarity between Iraqi and Iranian fuel oil grades and it is difficult to determine scientifically that blending has occurred after the fact, one of the people said. Iraq's port authorities did not respond to requests for comment. In July, Sudani's government ramped up the price of subsidised fuel oil to $369 per ton, recommended cutting asphalt plant allocations to about 60% of their capacity and also ordered a review of their actual capacity. Reuters was unable to determine why the government launched the review, or the outcome. Three of the sources said the move was an attempt by the government to distance itself from the smuggling operation. Sudani's representatives did not respond to requests for comment. Subsidised prices have been inching back down since August and are now $228 to $268 a ton. (Reporting by Maha El Dahan and Yousef Saba in Dubai; Additional reporting by Daphne Psaledakis in Washington and Jeslyn Leth in Singapore; Editing by David Clarke) Dec. 2Community and emergency agencies honored Buchanan County's EMS director of operations in a funeral procession Monday afternoon. Steve Groshong died on Nov. 24 at the age of 67 after 35 years of dedicated EMS services. His funeral is set for 1 p.m. Monday at Word of Life Church in St. Joseph. Community members were encouraged to line the procession route following the services to honor Groshong's legacy and pay respects. The procession followed a set route with scheduled pauses to honor his contribution to key organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After departing Word of Life Church, the procession traveled southbound on Riverside Road to Mosaic Life Care, 5325 Faraon St., where it paused. Then the vehicles continued on U.S. 36 Highway, taking Interstate 229 north to the Edmond Street exit. Once on Edmond, they turned north on Third to Faraon Street, heading eastbound to the Law Enforcement Center at 501 Faraon St. for another pause. The procession continued east on Faraon to Frederick Avenue, then east to BCEMS Post 1 at 5010 Frederick Ave. for a final pause before concluding at Memorial Park Cemetery. Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett spoke at Groshong's funeral on Monday, stating how it was a tough day for many to get through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is very difficult for every law enforcement and emergency services," Puett said. "Whether medical, fire or emergency management throughout the region and I'll say this we will see this impact for decades to come. He will leave a tremendous void in the services for northwest Missouri." Colleagues say one of the traits they'll remember most about Groshong is his positive spirit, no matter the circumstance. "Steve never saw a problem, always saw a solution and jumped right in to do whatever needed to be done," Puett added. "But he always wanted to be in the background and never in the forefront or be recognized for anything, whether in his official capacity or just as a private citizen." Groshong's obituary can be viewed at https://www.meierhoffer.com/obituaries/Steven-D-Groshong?obId=33863994 Jenna Wilson can be reached at jenna.wilson@newspressnow.com. LONG ISLAND, N.Y. (PIX11) Congregants of a Plainview temple came together in grief Monday night. Four hundred twenty-three days after Oct. 7, Ronen and Orna Neutra learned their son, Omer, had been killed by Hamas after all. He was one of seven Americans held by the terrorist organization. More Local News New evidence revealed Omer Neutra likely died in battle near the Nova music festival. Despite the odds, Omer Neutras family on Long Island refused to surrender their hope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If theres one thing Im envisioning, its him running out of Gaza into my arms, said Orna Neutra back in October. His parents continued to fight tirelessly until hours before hope was lost. We need to finish this war and bring the hostages back. Its time! said Ronen Neutra, speaking at a rally in Central Park on Sunday morning. After returning home to Plainview, the Neutras received the devastating news of his slaying from the Israeli government. A vigil was held at Temple Chaverim in Plainview on Monday night in his memory. We still need Omers body home. He needs to have a proper burial. The family needs proper closure, said Rick Lewis, of the Jewish Community Center on Long Island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is believed the IDF soldiers remains are still in the hands of Hamas. Israeli Deputy Consular General Tsach Saar explained the governments thorough efforts to confirm his death. Forensic evidence was collected at the spot of his incident and from intelligence, Saar said. American-Israeli, 19, with ties to NY was killed in Oct. 7 Hamas attack: Biden New York Gov. Kathy Hochul expressed her condolences and ordered state flags to fly at half-staff. Regardless of your political views, this is the passing of one of our own, she said. In response to the news, President-elect Donald Trump threatened extreme action against Hamas and its allies if the hostages, including seven Americans, were not released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Tenafly, New Jersey native Eden Alexander appeared alive in a new hostage video released over the weekend, offering a glimmer of hope to families. I think its a very positive indication, said Ruby Chen, whos from New York. Earlier this year, he was told his son, Itay, was killed by Hamas after being taken hostage on Oct. 7. Their families have bonded together, still praying the men will return home alive or not. This is another chapter where New Yorkers stay together, Chen added. In a statement, the Neutra family said that despite this unimaginable nightmare, they are proud of how Omer fought to the end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A memorial service is scheduled for Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Neutras home synagogue in Syosset. 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. UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities amid the recent escalation of violence in Syria, his spokesman said on Monday. Guterres is alarmed by the recent escalation of violence across northwest Syria, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN chief, said in a daily press briefing. The UN secretary-general called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, reminded all parties of their obligations under international law, including humanitarian law, and urged an immediate return to the UN-facilitated political process in line with Security Council resolution 2254 (2015). Guterres' statement came after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a group designated as terrorist group by the Security Council, and its allied opposition factions launched a major rebel offensive last week in northwest Syria's Aleppo and shifted frontlines that had been static since 2020. According to the UN spokesman, there are reports of civilian casualties, displacement of tens of thousands of people, damage to civilian infrastructure and interruption in essential services and humanitarian aid. The UN chief urged all parties to protect civilians and civilian objects, including by allowing safe passage to civilians fleeing hostilities. Guterres emphasized the urgent need for all parties to seriously engage with his special envoy for Syria to chart a comprehensive path out of conflict in line with Security Council resolution 2254 (2015). "Syrians have endured conflict for nearly 14 years. They deserve a political horizon that will deliver a peaceful future -- not more bloodshed," he said. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Ukrainians who now call Grand Rapids home are working to raise money for wounded soldiers receiving medical treatment in the United States. As Russias war in Ukraine approaches its third year, Oleksandra Soltinska and her daughter Veronika Pleune have not slowed down their efforts to send humanitarian aid. We send lots of medicine, more than we started but its not enough, Soltinska said. It goes straight to Ukraine. Its still from Chicago to Ukraine and straight to the front lines so they get it less than one week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US will send Ukraine $725 million more in counter-drone systems, anti-personnel land mines On a recent trip to deliver supplies to Chicago, Soltinska and Pleune came across wounded soldiers in need. Normally when we go to Chicago to drop off the supplies to our colleague in Chicago, he picks it up, takes it, but we went over there and he wasnt able to, so he asked if we could just drop it off at the house. Well, the house was where the rehabilitated soldiers were staying at, Pluene said. The family met with the soldiers and saw the toll the war has had. Its so many in Ukraine, Soltinska said. I dont think Ukraine even can handle it. A Ukrainian soldier undergoes therapy in Chicago. Patients faces have been blurred. (Courtesy Oleksandra Soltinska) A Ukrainian soldier undergoes therapy in Chicago. Patients faces have been blurred. (Courtesy Oleksandra Soltinska) A Ukrainian soldier undergoes therapy in Chicago. Patients faces have been blurred. (Courtesy Oleksandra Soltinska) They say many need to seek treatment overseas and are receiving care with the help of a nonprofit called Revived Soldiers Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The money thats raised through fundraisers and everything pays for the surgeries and rehabilitation, Pluene said. It is a level of treatment not always available in Ukraine. They patch them up and send them off. Theres really no care for rehabilitation. Theres no money for prosthetics to give them a fighting chance of living, Pluene said. Inspired by the impact the organization is having, they decided to hold a charity gala later this month to support the effort. We got the help from our church, the Ukrainian St. Michael Church, and then also the Ukrainian Society of Grand Rapids, as well, theyre helping us quite a bit. And what were doing is charging for the ticket and that will include food, there will be music, there will be dancing, theres going to be a little bit of talking about the organization, and a silent auction, Pluene said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NATOs chief avoids talk of Ukraines membership The Ukrainians are trying to do their part with the uncertainty surrounding future military aid under a second Trump administration. The president-elect has pledged to end the war. I really hope that what he says will be true, but I have a feeling that his way of de-escalating and ending this is saying, Here, Ukraine, you give up this portion of land, Russia pull out and you can have this, which is not what its about. The gala fundraiser is Dec. 28. Tickets cost $75 per person and can be purchased online. 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. GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) One Garfield County resident knows what shes thankful for this holiday season: the rescue of her beloved pet. It all began when Garfield County Deputy Carter Hailey was dispatched to assist a citizen around 7:40 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. He arrived on the scene, learning from the reporting party that her dog was stuck in a culvert. She couldnt get him out and asked for help in digging him out, according to a Garfield County Sheriffs Office press release. Hailey asked for help from responding firefighters who were on the scene, but their power tools ended up being too loud and frightened the canine. Hailey then took it upon himself and dug tirelessly before he rescued the dog, the press release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His response went beyond his normal duties and job expectations, the sheriffs office said in a press release. The dogs owner told Hailey she did not have the words to describe how amazing and helpful (he) had been. She also attempted to give Hailey a cash reward, but he politely declined. The Garfield County Sheriffs Office is proud to have a team of such outstanding men and women dedicated to serving our communities when needs arise, the press release 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 WesternSlopeNow.com. A Gary man got time served Tuesday in a plea deal for threatening a Regional Health Systems employee in East Chicago over the phone on Feb. 14, then later showing up at the facility with guns in his car. Terrance Lindsey-Bynum, 33, pleaded guilty Nov. 6 to intimidation, a Level 5 felony. The plea deal called for a one-year sentence, which was satisfied by time already spent behind bars. He was also originally charged Feb. 16 with attempted murder despite no evidence he physically hurt anyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scope of what Lindsey-Bynum actually did shifted over time and Lake County prosecutors dropped the attempted murder charge on Oct. 29 a week before the plea deal was filed. Deputy Prosecutor Keith Anderson acknowledged during Lindsey-Bynums sentencing that he never actually got into the facility and no one was hurt. Defense lawyer Sonya Scott-Dix said Lindsey-Bynum, then a Regional patient, got into an argument with the employee when he called trying to find housing, she said. He felt the woman was disrespectful to him. The furthest he took it was threatening to slap her, the lawyer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The original charging affidavit stated the employee told East Chicago police that Lindsey-Bynum, a Regional patient, called her in the morning on Feb. 14, upset after he got evicted for not following Regionals guidelines. He grew more angry as they talked. The Demon is coming out, Im on my way. Im going to blow thatup, he said. The woman said he had threatened other Regional facilities. She called 911. Later on, Lindsey-Bynum showed up at 12:28 p.m. wearing all black and a black ski mask. Police were already there. They asked him to take off the mask. Good, youre here. Now we can talk to them together, Lindsey-Bynum told officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After his arrest, East Chicago police found a loaded AR-style rifle, loaded handgun, and additional ammunition in his car, according to the charging affidavit. Prosecutors can allege anything, Scott-Dix said after the hearing. They were gracious to drop the attempted murder charge when it was clear they couldnt prove it, she said. When asked if Lindsey-Bynum had weapons in his car at the facility, she said she didnt want to get into the cases details. mcolias@post-tribune.com VONORE, Tenn. (WATE) A courier was arrested by the Loudon County Sheriffs Office for allegedly participating in a lucrative Grandma, Im in trouble scam. Gatehouse guards at Rarity Bay in Monroe County captured a picture of a license plate from the couriers car, helping deputies catch the suspect. At the time, investigators say the courier was on her way to pick up cash after a victim was convinced she had to pay money to free her grandson from jail. Three indicted for $90K+ theft from Knox County Emergency Rental Assistance Program Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loudon County deputies arrested Canadian citizen Valerie Hangi, 18, for theft and other charges. They say she was a courier and was about to make another pickup in Tellico Village when she was stopped on October 17. Gatehouse attendants at Rarity Bay in Monroe County identified Hangis car from security video as it went through the gate to pick up money at a victims home. An elderly Rarity Bay resident was told she needed to pay thousands of dollars to get her grandson out of jail. Their loved one had been in an accident, theyve been arrested at that time the phone is handed off to either a bondsman, law enforcement or an attorney, said Loudon County Sheriff Jimmy Davis. In this case, Davis said a man impersonating an attorney told the victim she needed to pay cash to free her grandson. Someone will come to your house to pick up the money. Theyll have a courier to come to pick up the envelope full of cash, said Davis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He went on to explain that the victim originally gave the courier $20,000. Once the money was handed over, they wanted more. So a second call was made saying Hey were going to need more money to get your loved one out of this situation. So they asked for additional money, said Davis. Demolition begins of facility that helped make the first atomic bomb However, when the victim went to her bank, she was told no and the scam was uncovered. Rarity Bay Gatehouse Supervisor Bob Richmond was notified by Loudon County investigators about the theft. The victim had provided detectives with a description of the car. Attendants then snagged the plate number from the security video as it was leaving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They said they were looking for a certain kind of car. We immediately started running our cameras here, backtracking. Found the car within 45 minutes on our cameras. Because we had cameras and could go backtrack, we helped the police pick her up within 24 hours, said Richmond. Investigators said the courier was stopped the next day, moments before she allegedly was about to pick up money from another potential victim in Tellico Village. Some of them think theyre probably not doing anything wrong. But once we get the people responsible for this, we start with the courier and then try to work our way up to get the one actually controlling the scam, said Davis. Scammer who stole $280,000 from Knoxville victim sentenced to federal prison Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One guy controlling the scam fooled Bobby Wright, as we reported seven years ago. He believed a call from his granddaughter claiming she was in trouble was real. So Wright went to a Walgreens near his home and wired more than $1,500. Davis said scammers today prefer cash, instead of wiring money or sending prepaid cards. I think because so many people know of stories about Green Dot cards and doing it electronically, cash is a little bit harder to trace, said Davis. Davis said his investigators discovered thousands of dollars in Hangis car when she was arrested. To avoid the Grandma, Im in trouble scam, never send money to someone you havent verified, like a police officer or an attorney, especially if they are asking for a lot of cash urgently. If unsure, call your loved one directly using a known phone number to confirm the situation. Always be wary of high-pressure tactics and urgent requests for money. 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 WATE 6 On Your Side. Gavin Newsoms proposed $25 million anti-Trump war chest, which the California governor announced Monday, will stop the president-elect from breaking the law, the states Attorney General Rob Bonta told CNNs Jake Tapper later that evening. Asked while on The Lead Monday what the special budget legislation requesting $25 million would be used for, Bonta detailed the number of ways that President-elect Trump is anticipated to break the law, from not following the processes of the Administrative Procedures Act, to violating the Constitutions Equal Protection Clause, to misallocating funds for projects that theyre not meant for and more. Watch a clip of the segment below: California AG prepares for legal battles with new Trump WH Watch the full video here: https://t.co/KUmIc30xGr pic.twitter.com/Yv8371oKKq The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) December 2, 2024 If history is an indicator of the future, if the statements made by Mr. Trump, his inner circle, Project 2025 are any indicator, we will need to go to court to stop him from breaking the law, from violating the Constitution, from breaking federal law, from overreaching his enumerated, limited, delineated executive authority and make sure he stays within his actual sphere of given lawful jurisdiction, Bonta explained. So, in short, if he breaks the law, were going to court to stop him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What do you mean breaking the law? Tapper pressed. Like, give me more of an example there, because thats quite a preemptive accusation. Thats when the attorney general broke down the possibilities many of which he said were seeds planted in the former presidents first administration from 20162020. If he violates the Equal Protection Clause by going after LGBTQ+ communities in ways that are in violation of the Constitution; if he goes outside his actual federal authority and doesnt follow the processes of the Administrative Procedures Act, where you need notice and comment and you cant do things that are arbitrary and capricious he violated that quite a bit in Trump Administration 1.0; if he tries to use funds for a project or for a purpose that theyre not supposed to be used for, like building the border wall he did that in Trump 1.0, he said. Those are all varied examples of how he broke the law. He was pretty creative in the ways that he did it, Bonta added. He likes to do what he wants, when he wants, how he wants, regardless of the Constitution or federal law, and if he does that, we will be there to stop him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newsom first introduced the proposed $25 million in funding to prepare for legal battles against the Trump administration on Monday, the first day the governor held a special session of the states legislature to prepare such safeguards ahead of Trumps Jan. 20 inauguration. Anticipated court battles, Newsom laid out, include legal developments around reproductive rights, environmental protection and immigration. The new litigation fund will help safeguard critical funding for disaster relief, health care and other vital services that millions of Californians depend on daily, Newsom wrote in his proposal, adding that California intends to defend against unlawful federal actions that could jeopardize not only tangible resources and the states economy but social causes including abortion rights and equality. Watch the clip from CNN above or in full here. The post Gavin Newsoms $25 Million Anti-Trump War Chest Will Stop Him From Breaking the Law, California AG Says | Video appeared first on TheWrap. GB News has overtaken Sky News for the first time as viewers flocked to the broadcaster for its coverage of the farmers protests. The challenger news channel secured an average audience of 70,430 in November eclipsing Skys 67,670, according to data from TV ratings body Barb. While GB News has frequently beat its rivals on individual days, it marks the first time it has done so across an entire month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outspoken broadcaster was boosted by strong interest in last months farmers protests, when thousands of people gathered in London to rail against Labours inheritance tax rise on agricultural land. Jeremy Clarkson, the former Top Gear presenter, was among the high-profile figures at the protests. He took aim at the BBC in a confrontation with presenter Victoria Derbyshire, who questioned whether the Clarksons Farm star had bought his Diddly Squat farm to avoid inheritance tax. Mr Clarkson denied the claim and said he had bought the land to shoot and not for tax purposes. GB News recorded 90,000 average live views between 6am and 2pm its strongest day of the month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The channel also enjoyed a spike in audience numbers the following day, when Storm Shadow missiles were fired into Russia. Later that evening, GB News secured an exclusive interview with Eric Trump, who spoke about his fathers looming return to the White House. Michael Booker, editorial director at GB News, said: GB News isnt just a broadcaster. Its a community that is getting bigger every day. People trust us to tell their stories and the day-to-day story of Britain openly and honestly with free and respectful speech. We will work hard to keep that trust and keep building our community. The outspoken broadcaster was boosted by strong interest in last months farmers protests - GB NEWS The jump in viewing figures will hand a much-needed boost to GB News, which is reeling from a string of controversies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The channel has been handed a 100,000 fine by regulator Ofcom for an egregious breach of broadcasting rules in a live debate featuring Rishi Sunak, the former prime minister. It is now appealing the decision. Meanwhile, bosses are trying to stem hefty losses as high costs and an advertising boycott continue to hurt the companys finances. GB News has already cut dozens of jobs and has squeezed expenses for employees and guests. Separately today GB News also announced it will join Freely, a joint streaming venture between the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 aimed at bolstering traditional broadcasters fightback against new digital rivals. Sky News 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. WASHINGTON, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Monday nominated Warren Stephens, a 67-year-old investment banker from the state of Arkansas, as the next U.S. ambassador to Britain. "I am pleased to announce that Warren A. Stephens...has been nominated to serve as the United States Ambassador to the Court of St. James's, a role in which he will act as our Representative to the United Kingdom," Trump said on Truth Social, his own social media platform. A longtime Republican and CEO of Arkansas-based private investment bank Stephen Inc., Stephens contributed millions of dollars to Trump's presidential campaigns in the 2020 and 2024 elections. Stephens has not always supported Trump, though. When Trump ran for president for the first time in 2016, he was a financial supporter of a political movement that sought to stop Trump's ascent. During the 2024 Republican presidential primary, Stephens was a major donor to presidential candidate and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, who was also the last to drop out and make way for Trump's nomination. In response to his nomination, Stephens said in a statement that he was honored by it. "I have expressed to President Trump that I would be extremely proud to serve our country and his administration, working to implement the President's agenda and further strengthen the long-standing alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom," he said. Russia has lost 745,700 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Dec. 3. This number includes 1,780 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day. According to the report, Russia has also lost 9,486 tanks, 19,419 armored fighting vehicles, 30,666 vehicles and fuel tanks, 20,976 artillery systems, 1,253 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,019 air defense systems, 369 airplanes, 329 helicopters, 19,917 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Destroying us little by little: Ukrainian troops worried about fate of Kursk operation Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. If the current trajectory holds, Republicans will have a 100-80 majority in the House, representing a slight gain for Democrats. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder This story was updated at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. Several local seats across Georgia will be decided Tuesday in runoffs that will take place after candidates for county and city offices failed to win the 50% of votes required to win the Nov. 5 general election outright. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A number of voting rights organizations are stressing the importance of Georgia residents making their way to the polls on Tuesday for races thatll decide who takes office in January. In total, 18 races are Tuesdays ballots across the state, including multiple positions around metro Atlanta. Polling places are open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters can find their designated precinct by visiting the states My Voter Page or by contacting their county board of registrars office. Miatta Harris, a student organizer for Equity for All, said its important to vote in local elections that shape aspects of the publics lives more directly than national office holders can. The Spelman College student said local officials make decisions about police reform, affordable housing, environmental policies and education funding that directly affect communities and residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When people say my vote doesnt matter, theyre falling for the biggest political trick in history, Harris said. The truth is local elections are often decided by just a few hundred votes. Your voice, multiplied by the young people in your community, can literally change who sits in city hall and what policies get passed. State House candidates disputes election results Last months general election also featured presidential, congressional and state legislative contests as a record 5.3 million Georgians cast ballots. The race for one state legislative seat remains unsettled after a candidate filed a petition requesting a new election be conducted. Sparta Republican Tracy Wheeler is challenging her loss in House District 128 by 48 votes to Sandersville Democratic state Rep. Mack Jackson. Wheeler filed a lawsuit last week that argues that the election should be overturned because she alleges that ineligible voters were able to cast ballots while some eligible voters were blocked. The legislative seat represents portions of Baldwin and McDuffie counties and the entirety of Hancock, Warren, Glascock and Washington counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because the irregularities wrongly rejected votes, and illegal votes in the election exceed the margin of victory of 48, the election must be invalidated, and a new election held, Wheelers attorney Jake Evans wrote in the lawsuit filed in Washington County Superior Court. Georgia Republicans will have a 100-80 majority in the House after Democrats flipped two seats during last months election if current results stand. Democrats were unable to flip any seats in the state Senate, leaving the GOPs 33-23 edge there intact. Democrats were also unable to flip a string of House seats in the northern Atlanta suburbs that were seen as the most competitive this year, and some incumbents found themselves fighting for another term after last years court-ordered redistricting do-over left them in a precarious spot. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Georgian Legion, which is fighting the Russian army in Ukraine, has denied Russian propaganda claims that it is planning to return to Georgia to take part in anti-government protests. Source: press service of the Georgian Legion on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Russian propaganda has recently begun to spread false claims that the Georgian Legion plans to return to Georgia to take part in protests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "We categorically deny these baseless accusations." As the statement emphasises, while the Georgian Legion fully supports the Georgian people's righteous outrage at the government's decision to suspend progress towards EU membership, "our fight remains here in Ukraine, where our common enemy is". Quote: "The Georgian Legion has been steadfast in its commitment to Ukraine since 2014 and will continue to stand against Russian aggression. Our dedication to Ukraines victory is unwavering, and we will remain on the frontlines until this goal is achieved." Background: On 1 December, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili described claims that Georgian fighters in Ukraine are ready to come to Tbilisi and support the protests as a "provocation". Large-scale anti-government protests against the ruling Georgian Dream party have been taking place for several days in Georgia. The protests were provoked by the government's announcement that it would suspend the process of European integration until 2028. The protest on the night of 3 December ended in detentions. The Georgian chapter of the human rights organisation Transparency International accuses Georgian security forces of inhuman treatment during the protests. Support UP or become our patron! Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday agreed to hold talks with two former ministers and an opposition party on the country's European course, after days of increasingly tense protests by opposition supporters. Kobakhidze, from the ruling nationalist Georgian Dream party, said last Thursday that Georgia will suspend accession talks with the European Union and refuse EU budgetary aid until the end of 2028, drawing thousands of pro-European demonstrators onto the streets. Kobakhidze responded that this was a mistake as the government had not halted the country's EU integration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further protests took place on Monday evening in front of the parliament in Tbilisi, with police using water cannon and tear gas to disperse crowds, while protesters set off fireworks and set up barricades. "Tonight marks a troubling escalation," pro-European President Salome Zourabichvili wrote on the platform X on Monday evening. The UN high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, also called on the Georgian authorities to "respect and protect the rights to freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly." "The use of unnecessary or disproportionate force against protesters and media workers is extremely worrying," Turk said, also urging protesters to demonstrate peacefully. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The situation in the country has become increasingly tense since the parliamentary elections at the end of October, which were overshadowed by accusations of fraud. The election commission declared the Georgian Dream party the winner, but the pro-Western opposition, including Zourabichvili, do not recognize the result. Zourabichvili and some opposition members filed lawsuits against the decision, but the Constitutional Court has rejected them. According to media reports, the decision cannot be appealed. Anti-riot police stand guard as, for the 5th consecutive night, tens of thousands of Georgians meet in Tbilisi in the early evening to protest against the anti-European turn taken by the 'Georgian Dream' government. After a standoff with riot police entrenched in parliament, the police attacked the demonstrators using water cannons and tear gas. Jan Schmidt-Whitley/Le Pictorium via ZUMA Press/dpa By Felix Light TBILISI (Reuters) - Georgia's public ombudsman accused police on Tuesday of inflicting torture on people arrested during six days of big street protests against the government's decision to suspend talks on joining the European Union. Levan Ioseliani, whose role is to defend citizens' rights, said he and his officials had met people subjected to "the harshest treatment" by police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In most cases, they have received serious injuries in the face, eye and head area, which practically excludes even the possibility that the police used the necessary, proportional force against them every time," he said in a statement. "The location, character, and degree of the injuries create a credible impression that the police use violent methods against citizens in order to punish them. Intentional, severe violence for the purpose of punishment constitutes an act of torture." Reuters requested comment from the government and the ruling Georgian Dream party but none was immediately available. The United States has previously condemned the use of "excessive force" against protesters. But Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has repeatedly praised the police for their response, saying they have shown greater professionalism than their counterparts in Europe and the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The country of 3.7 million people has been gripped by crisis since last Thursday, when Georgian Dream announced it was halting the EU talks and renouncing any funding from the bloc until 2028. Georgia has been one of the former Soviet Union's most pro-Western successor states, but critics accuse the government of abandoning that course and steering it closer towards Russia. The crisis is being closely watched in Moscow, Brussels and Washington. Demonstrators gathered on Tuesday evening for a sixth successive night of protests, with no end in sight to the standoff. In a setback for critics of the government, Georgia's constitutional court on Tuesday declined to hear a lawsuit seeking to annul the results of an Oct. 26 parliamentary election. It was officially won by Georgian Dream with almost 54% of the vote but the opposition says it was tainted by fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prime minister Kobakhidze accused the demonstrators of trying to organise a repeat of the 2014 "Maidan" revolution that ousted a pro-Russian president in Ukraine, but said it was "already over". He said the organisers had tried to grab power and would be brought to justice. Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, a pro-EU critic of the ruling party who backs the protests, told Reuters this week that there was no attempted revolution, and the protests' sole demand was to re-run the election. The crisis follows months of tensions and a souring of Georgia's relations with the West as the ruling party has pushed through laws that critics say are draconian and Russian-inspired. The government says they are necessary to defend the country's sovereignty. (Reporting by Felix Light. Writing by Mark Trevelyan. Editing by Mark Potter) Geraldo Rivera is taking partial accountability for the role he played in bolstering public suspicion that John and Patsy Ramsey were responsible for the 1996 murder of their 6-year-old daughter, JonBenet. John and Rivera appeared live together, via Zoom, on Monday night for a NewsNation segment facilitated by host Chris Cuomo (below) following the Nov. 25 release of the three-part Netflix docuseries Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey. Episode two of Joe Berlingers docuseries revisited the memorable mock trial that played out on The Geraldo Rivera Show in 1997, where Rivera asked a volunteer jury of six men and women to rule on the likelihood that John and/or Patsy allegedly murdered their daughter. Testimonies pointed to what were deemed to be sexually suggestive photos and videos of JonBenet as unsubstantiated proof that she was an abused child, resulting in a mock verdict that found Patsy liable for her death. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rivera, in the flashback played during the docuseries, stated to the camera at the time, We understand anything is possible under the sun. To the best of our knowledge, however, there is no real evidence in this case that points in the direction other than straight into the faces of John and/or Patsy Ramsey. Now, when asked 27 years later by Cuomo for his perspective on the segment today, Rivera, correspondent-at-large for the cable news network, expressed regret for his role in feeding into the negative narrative surrounding the Ramseys and their assumed involvement in their daughters death. Mock trials and moot courts, as you know Chris, are not that unprecedented, Rivera began. Theyre not that extraordinary, and Ill get to the conclusion they reached in a second, but let me just say to John Ramsey that I deeply apologize to you for what you and your family have suffered. How you have lost your wife to cancer, one child to that terrible car crash and of course what happened to JonBenet, 6 years old, who would now be 34 years old, which is an incredible fact how long this case has been front-row center in the American consciousness. Rivera continued, When I say I am sorry, I dont apologize for my reporting. I believe that at least half the reporters and half the nation believe the shadow of suspicion, half the Boulder Police Department, or at least those who have retired because of this case, believe it, but I dont know what happened. I just want you to know that I lament contributing to the hurt that you have endured. No one deserves to go through what you went through. Thats my bottom line. For the first time after 28 years, we have John Ramsey and Geraldo Rivera both discuss the case of JonBenet Ramsey. Hear what they have to say to one another and what John believes still needs to be done to solve this case. pic.twitter.com/TsujSaDViL Christopher C. Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) December 3, 2024 John replied to Riveras apology with a brief thank you, before relaying his hopes for JonBenets case to finally being solved, which is the crux of why Berlinger wanted to revisit the case with the Netflix docuseries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve been critical of the police for 28 years for not accepting help, stated JonBenets father (Patsy died from ovarian cancer in 2006). This case couldve been solved a long time ago, in my opinion, had the police not immediately focused on Patsy and I, and only focused on Patsy and I. John later told Rivera he accepted his apology as he outlined the measures he and his family are advocating to bring the JonBenet case to a close. We want the evidence that has been previously tested and never tested we think theres some thats never been tested, we dont know that for sure, but we think thats the case we want that resampled by one of the cutting-edge labs thats out there, John stated, referring to new advancements surrounding DNA testing. That plays into the second thing we want done, which is to use this familial genealogy research approach to find the killer. Boulder Police Department Public Information Officer Dionne Waugh told The Hollywood Reporter in an email on Tuesday, The assertion that there is viable evidence and leads we are not pursuing to include DNA testing is completely false. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waugh also provided a statement on behalf of Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn that read, We are committed to following up on every lead and we are continuing to work with DNA experts and our law enforcement partners around the country until this tragic case is solved. This investigation will always be a priority for the Boulder Police Department. In an exclusive follow-up statement to THR, Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey director and executive producer Berlinger called on the police department to talk directly with the Ramsey family about the ongoing investigation, charging that they have yet to provide any meaningful updates. The Boulder District Attorneys office has already long cleared the Ramsey family as suspects and formally apologized to them, so the team that has spent nearly two years researching and creating the Netflix documentary on this case begs you to please communicate with these victims more directly about what steps you are taking to solve this crime after almost three decades, Berlinger stated. An unidentified foreign male DNA sample was discovered in 1997, which is mixed with the DNA of JonBenet and therefore compromised. In his response to the Boulder Police Department, Berlinger urged, New technological advances today can separate the unidentified male DNA from JonBenets DNA to create a much cleaner profile which can take advantage of todays investigative genetic genealogy that has been so useful in solving recent cold cases such as the Golden State Killer and the Green River Killer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that the team that has spent nearly two years researching and creating the Netflix documentary on this case begs you to please communicate with [the Ramsey family] more directly about what steps you are taking to solve this crime after almost three decades. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The German Embassy in Seoul does not currently see any immediate danger for foreigners following the imposition of martial law in South Korea. "As things stand, it is not yet possible to foresee what restrictions this decision will impose on foreign nationals in the Republic of Korea. In our estimation, there is no immediate danger to the personal safety or property of foreign nationals," the embassy wrote in a message to Germans living in South Korea. There are no signs of a military conflict with North Korea, it continued. However, it is recommended that people stay away from government buildings, the National Assembly and demonstrations. Germany's centre-right CDU/CSU opposition will oppose any further legislation from Chancellor Olaf Scholz's lame-duck government that has an impact on the budget, opposition leader Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday. Scholz's three-party coalition collapsed last month, leaving the remaining alliance between Scholz's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and the Greens without a majority in parliament. Scholz and his ministers have repeatedly appealed to Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU), and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), for support on remaining legislation, including a series of measures aimed at boosting Germany's stagnant economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scholz's coalition collapsed after months of bitter debates over the government budget. Scholz sacked ex-finance minister Christian Lindner on November 6, prompting Lindner's pro-business liberal Free Democrats (FDP) to quit the coalition. Merz said the CDU/CSU would consider backing other kinds of legislation before early elections, which are expected to be held on February 23. "However, this depends exclusively on whether we are convinced that it is the right thing to do," Merz told lawmakers from his conservative bloc in Berlin on Tuesday. It remains possible that other political parties - such as the FDP, despite the break with the coalition - would cross over and give legislation the necessary majority, even without the CDU/CSU. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merz spoke shortly after Scholz's Cabinet agreed on a proposal to cut electricity costs for industry by subsidizing fees that fund the expansion of Germany's energy grid. "Parliament now has the basis to decide on the relief quickly. I am campaigning for us to reach an agreement here quickly - in the interests of the economy and consumers," said Economy Minister Robert Habeck. According to a spokesman for the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the transmission grid subsidies of up to 1.32 billion ($1.39 billion) for the calendar year 2025 will be financed from government funds under the proposal. China voices concern over situation in northwest Syria Xinhua) 08:57, December 03, 2024 BEIJING, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- China voiced deep concern over the situation in northwest Syria, and will support the country in its efforts to safeguard national security and stability, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said here on Monday. Lin made the remarks at a regular press briefing when answering a query related to the recent escalation of violence in Syria. "As a country that has friendly relations with Syria, China is willing to make efforts to prevent further deterioration of the situation in the country," the spokesperson said. According to reports, large-scale clashes between Syrian government forces and rebel militants in northwestern Syria's Aleppo have caused approximately 1,000 deaths over the past three days. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Jake Sullivan, Assistant to the outgoing U.S. President for National Security, said on ABC that Ukraine should independently make a decision about ceding territories to resolve the conflict. "I believe that Ukraine determines its own fate, and its fate cannot be imposed from the outside, including by the United States," he said seriously. It seems that nothing was said wrong. That's the way it isUkraine, like any other country, must determine its own fate. But for some reason, Sullivan's words sounded like another betrayal. Why? Probably because the West has already started this process, and Sullivan is not the first to make it clear to the Ukrainian side that Western resources are limited. Especially now that a new president has been elected in the United States. More recently, an act of betrayal was committed by the European Union, which, through the mouth of the now former head of European diplomacy, Borrell, announced that "no one knows yet whether the European Union will be able to provide Ukraine with all the necessary support after the arrival of the Donald Trump administration and a potential change in the U.S. course on the Ukrainian conflict." Now the United States, represented by the outgoing administration, is making it clear to Kyiv that it is not at all opposed to its abandonment of territories. If, of course, it wishes to do so. These words did not come as a revelation, especially against the background of a widely circulated media proposal by the Biden administration to Kyiv to lower the age of mobilization to replenish the army. The Western partners have not fulfilled their promises to Ukraine, have not delivered the promised weapons, but offer to send Ukrainian youth to slaughter. It is not surprising that the adviser to the President of Ukraine, Litvin, called such a decision meaningless in the context of untimely arms deliveries. We would add that such a proposal is not just senseless and untimely, but also criminal. A week before Sullivan recognized Ukraine's right to "determine its fate," The Washington Post, citing sources, wrote that U.S. and European officials believe that Ukraine needs to give up territories to resolve the conflict with Russia. According to sources, American officials admit that within a few months Kyiv will be forced to enter into negotiations with Moscow. Not only in the United States, but also in Europe, they are secretly coming to the idea that "peace negotiations may require Ukraine to cede part of the territory to Russia." The Washington Post emphasizes that this topic was previously "banned" in the EU, and now the issue of upcoming territorial concessions has turned into a "quiet recognition." Isn't it strange that Europe, for all its noble anger, did not deny itself Russian gas flowing through the territory of warring Ukraine? It is possible that now Ukraine has begun to be persuaded to make concessions all because of the same gas. After all, the contracts with Gazprom expire by the end of the year. One can imagine how hard it is for the Ukrainian side to read and hear all this. The Allies are essentially announcing that they intend to step aside. All this is happening in real time, in front of the eyes of the whole world, who watched with bated breath as the spiral of conflict spiraled and what incredible assurances were given to Ukraine. But the Western gingerbread is so fragrant that it turns your head and prevents some from seeing what is happening in the real light. At one time, Georgia was pushed toward self-destruction with sweet speeches. A few years after the five-day war in 2008, Mikhail Saakashvili, already a former president, said in an interview that in those days NATO and the United States were next to Georgia. The latter brought the entire U.S. Sixth Fleet with ballistic missiles on board to the Georgian shores, and a NATO base was put on alert in Turkey. The Georgians only found out about it a few years later because the whole armada did not provide any help, and few people even knew that NATO was somewhere nearby. Whether it was or not, it does not matter today, because Georgia lost its territories, and the West continued to cooperate with Russia as if nothing had happened. It's kind of weird, isn't it? On the one hand, the Sixth Fleet menacingly goes to rescue the Georgians (but for some reason does not save them), and on the other, when everything ends, Washington returns to its interests. As an excuse for the allies, it was said that the proximity of NATO forces, they say, stopped Russia, which was going to occupy all of Georgia and so on. That's how much America helped. And now propaganda is trying to create the opinion that it is not the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people, but fear of NATO and the United States that prevents Russia from reaching the Polish border... A lot of secrets have been coming out lately. The honorary chairman of the Georgian Dream, Bidzina Ivanishvili, recently revealed shocking facts. What he said in an interview with the Imedi TV channel, apparently, is not a new story, but now the moment has come when Georgian society had to find out the truth. "I can remember what former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili told me. One of the high-ranking officials of one of the countries [of the West] had a conversation with him. Irakli asked: 'Yes, but how do you imagine how many days we will be able to fight [with Russia]? How many days will we last?' He was answeredthree or four days. He said, 'And for the sake of these three or four days, are you destroying us?' He was answered: 'So there are 3-4 million of you. They won't kill everyone in three or four days. Then you can start a guerrilla movement in the forest. We will help you, and you will fight from there,'" Ivanishvili said. In this light, the Biden administration's proposal to Kyiv to launch young people into the meat grinder of war should not be surprising. All this is remembered today against the background of the events taking place in Tbilisi. It seems easy to draw the right conclusions. It does not require deep analytics to understand what is happening and why. Not everything is as clear as it seems. Most see the riots as a proud protest by the Euro-loving public against the "Russian embrace" into which the "Georgian Dream" allegedly pulls Georgia. In fact, everything is much more complicated. In relation to Georgia, a scenario is being played out that could consolidate its status as a "banana republic," where coups are as commonplace as morning coffee. The processes that Azerbaijan went through in the early 90s over the course of 5-6 years, Georgia continues to experience all the decades of its independence. It is in the interests of the Georgian people to put an end to this. Security forces block a road leading to SYL Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia, on March 15, 2024. At least three soldiers were killed and 27 others wounded in a terrorist attack at a popular hotel in the Somali capital of Mogadishu on March 14. (Photo by Hassan Bashi/Xinhua) Despite the release of U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa in August 2022, the continent of about 1.4 billion people has reaped few tangible "security dividends" as promised. Instead, it witnessed a shift of the "global terrorism epicenter" into the Sahel region. NAIROBI, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Rarely does a sitting president of the United States set foot on African soil. But it seems too late for Joe Biden to define an "all in on Africa's future" legacy in his trip to Angola at the end of his presidency. Despite the release of U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa in August 2022, the continent of about 1.4 billion people has reaped few tangible "security dividends" as promised. Instead, it witnessed a shift of the "global terrorism epicenter" into the Sahel region. The arid belt saw nearly 4,000 terrorism-related deaths in 2023, coinciding with an extensive wave of coups. What lies behind the spiral of terrorism as Washington's self-proclaimed security aid expands? The question cannot be attributed to the current government alone. Since the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001, successive U.S. administrations have prioritized short-term security measures, calculating the allocation of resources, and delivering them in their own interest. This approach has irritated Africans in their quest for long-awaited stability and prosperity. "The most unfortunate development geopolitically is that the relationship between Africa and the United States or any other Western country has never changed over the past 20 years," said Gibson Nyikadzino, a Zimbabwean journalist and international relations analyst. "It is only based on exploitation, so there is a continuity of an unequal relationship," he added. IN NAME OF PEACE, PROSPERITY The trauma of the Sept. 11 attacks alerted Washington to the potential for a porous Africa to turn into a new hotbed of terrorism. But betraying the promise to develop an African continent that "lives in liberty, peace, and growing prosperity," the United States opted for a military-first framework prioritizing short-term security over enduring stability. Billions of U.S. dollars were poured into the transfer and sale of military equipment, the training of local forces, and the establishment of army bases, without addressing the underlying conditions that feed terrorism, such as Africa's development deficit. Former American University Professor David Vine estimated that the U.S. army had maintained a presence in at least 26 African countries by 2021, with Niger, Djibouti and Somalia serving as key hosts for large military facilities on the continent. In Somalia alone, Oxford University Senior Research Fellow Eniola Anuoluwapo Soyemi calculated, more than 2.5 billion dollars were pumped into counterterrorism assistance between 2007 and 2020. But the 2020 U.S. Lead Inspector General's audit suggested that the United States failed to rein in the terrorist threat in Somalia, with al-Shabab remaining "adaptive, resilient and capable of attacking." In 2009, the Washington-initiated Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership pushed Burkina Faso -- a West African country previously void of notable terrorist threats -- into a toxic culture of military primacy. Police cordon off an attack site in Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso, on Aug. 14, 2017. (Xinhua/Remi Zoeringre) As the U.S. security assistance soaring from 200,000 dollars per year to 18 million dollars in 2018, a sudden influx of training, weapons, and intelligence, local powers "see military solutions to any problem," which resulted in Burkina Faso's fall into one of the world's worst-impacted regions by terrorism, former U.S. career diplomat Elizabeth Shackelford observed. Washington's move, in some experts' eyes, resembles an act of adding more troops and armaments to the already escalating conflicts rather than seeking peaceful solutions. "The huge resources dedicated to counterterrorism have been taken away from the enterprise of economic development, leaving many countries where the United States operates in dire need of development," said Adhere Cavince, a Kenyan scholar on international relations. "Instead of focusing on investing in productive sectors that would get Africa's youth away from terrorism, the United States is inadvertently fueling the vice that it aims to eradicate." As Cavince pointed out, young people who lack access to jobs often fall prey to recruitment by terrorist groups. "Similarly, the U.S. penchant for propagating regime change in Africa has created volatility that has only fueled the emergence of militant groups. This has resulted in ungovernable spaces in countries like Libya and Somalia, giving room for extremists and terrorist outfits to thrive." "The U.S. approach to security is creating turmoil in Africa. It is cutting economic activity and driving governance by guns," Cavince said. MILITARY-FIRST APPROACH BACKFIRES According to Cavince, there are not enough international terrorist groups in Africa to pose a direct security threat to Washington, which makes "the overwhelming U.S. groud-based forces numbering over 6,500 and dozens of military bases therefore not warranted." Years of aid proved to no avail in helping African countries fend off terrorism, only to see the United States stamp its military marks across the continent. The latest Global Terrorism Index report flagged a dramatic increase in terrorism-related deaths and a 1,266 percent jump in incidents in the Sahel from 2007 to 2023. Boko Haram, a Nigeria-based militant group and a target of the U.S.-backed Multinational Joint Task Force, continued to thrive after turning violent in 2009. Its insurgency not only resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, but also displaced nearly 2.4 million people in the Lake Chad Basin region. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, some 12.5 million people remain in need of humanitarian assistance in the region, with 5.3 million people suffering food insecurity. Photo taken on April 27, 2018 shows a wreckage of a vehicle after a bomb attack by Boko Haram militia in Maiduguri, Nigeria, April 27, 2018. (Xinhua/NAN) U.S. forces' blemish on the human rights record has also come to light. For example, it launched about 300 drone strikes and commando raids in Somalia without apologizing to the families of the civilians killed, according to reports by U.S. news outlet The Intercept. The rise of the "Coup Belt" in West and Central Africa added another layer of uncertainty, shaking the confidence of U.S. assistance boosters. Following the 2020 military takeover in Mali, at least 10 coup attempts have been recorded in the region, with several successful in seizing power. "Since 2020, Africa has seen more political unrest, violent extremism, and democratic reversals than any other region in the world," said Emmanuel Yenshu Vubo, a professor of sociology at Cameroon's University of Buea. "U.S. engagement with Africa has long been de-prioritized, with successive administrations devoting negligible attention and resources to resolving conflicts and countering terrorism," he added. SHUT BARN DOOR AFTER HORSE HAS BOLTED Compared to Asia and the Middle East, Africa has long been treated as a "lower-priority" pawn or a buffer zone for national security on Washington's geopolitical chessboard. Frustrated by Washington's window-dressing assistance, several African countries, such as Niger and Chad, kicked U.S. forces out of the door. Protesters across the continent flooded the streets, chanting "U.S. Army: You leave, you move, you vanish." "Behind increasing disaffection of African countries is the view that America is perpetuating hegemonic relations with Africa, the kind that reeks of neocolonial tendencies, where the United States is all-powerful with military bases all around yet cannot work jointly with hosting governments to deliver sustainable development and security to the local population," said Cavince. Africa is yearning for transformative initiatives to boost investment, trade, infrastructure and technology development, the scholar explained, noting that many countries regard their partnership with Washington as "lost decades in terms of development." As self-inflicted great power competition exacerbates its fear of losing influence, Washington appears eager to rebuild ties with its African partners. Last year, the United States dispatched high-level officials, including Vice President Kamala Harris and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee, to visit Africa in a bid to bridge the trust deficit. In June, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Quinton Brown Jr. visited Botswana for an annual conference featuring U.S. and African military commanders, which marked the first year of Washington co-hosting the conference with an African country. When Biden landed in the Angolan capital of Luanda on Monday, the 82-year-old became the first U.S. president to visit sub-Saharan Africa in nearly a decade. However, Cavince held a cautious view of Biden's "rushed attempt to fulfill a promise to visit Africa made over two years ago." "Angola is only a platform for him to project U.S. global economic visibility, rather than a desire to drive inclusive development in a manner that can safeguard the security and safety of ordinary people," he said. "Africa is the youngest continent by population and is home to huge deposits of natural resources. Any partner that ignores Africa risks its own future," the scholar warned, calling on Washington to ditch a zero-sum mindset and engage Africa constructively. By Maxwell Akalaare Adombila and Joe Bavier ASSIN FOSO, Ghana (Reuters) - Cocoa farmer Joseph Arkoh's vote in Saturday's election in Ghana hinges on one unlikely issue: fertiliser. "All of us farmers are suffering," the 56-year-old said, as labourers harvested bright yellow pods on his land deep in the bush. "When we meet, the fertiliser and chemicals are big concerns." Following the pandemic, a painful cost-of-living crisis and a sovereign debt default, Ghana's economy is again growing. But the cocoa sector in the world's number 2 producer is in the throes of a crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an expected close contest between the ruling New Patriotic Party's (NPP) Mahamudu Bawumia, the current vice-president, and former president John Dramani Mahama of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) party, the votes of cocoa farmers could be decisive. And many of them are angry. "The NPP, they're not for farmers. They're for business," said one farmer in a ruling party stronghold, who asked not to be named. "I am voting NDC." Previously, he supported NPP. Cocoa farming households, estimated to constitute around 2 million voters, are a heavily courted voter bloc in a country with a total electorate of more than 18 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the cocoa sector's problems help to alienate farmers from the government, at least one voter survey has tipped Mahama to win, although detailed polling data is not available in Ghana. "Should the trend in favour of the NPP be reversed due to any disaffection over cocoa, this will reinforce a pattern analysts are observing in the upcoming elections: the NPP losing most of the swing vote," said Bright Simons, of the Accra-based IMANI thinktank. 'JUST BEGGING' FOR PRICE RISES On the campaign trail, both leading candidates are after the cocoa vote. "We have helped cocoa farmers. Cocoa farming has become good. We've raised cocoa price," Bawumia told growers during a campaign stop last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His campaign declined a Reuters request for an interview. Ghana's cocoa production peaked in 2021, with output of over 1 million metric tons of beans. But it has been in rapid decline ever since, hitting its lowest level in decades last season. Analysts say climate change and tree disease are responsible, while many farmers also blame the government for failing to clamp down on wildcat gold mining that has destroyed large parts of the cocoa heartland. The government-set price for farmers has increased under NPP, but Ghana's cedi currency is depreciating as global markets for the chocolate ingredient are at historic highs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That has left farmer incomes lagging global price trends and fuelled smuggling. "The government should be sympathetic," said 34-year-old farmer Abubakar Jebril. "We are just begging that they raise the price." MONEY FOR MANAGEMENT, CUTS FOR FARMERS Much of the farmers' ire is reserved for Cocobod, the state regulator that manages the cocoa sector. Cocobod did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment. Even as production has shrunk, Cocobod's spending has ballooned. Its accounts showed administrative costs more than tripled between 2018 and 2023, sparking accusations of waste and corruption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 2023 government audit of a programme to rehabilitate roads used to transport cocoa to warehouses and ports found that just 13% of contracts were awarded through competitive bidding. Cocobod awarded contracts worth 18.2 billion cedis ($1.2 billion), or more than six times the programme's budget. At the same time, it rolled back free fertiliser distributions for farmers. "They're pushing all the money to themselves on cars and other things and reduced spending on the farmers," Mahama said last week while campaigning in Takoradi, an important cocoa-growing region. Mahama has promised to distribute free fertiliser, improve Cocobod's management, cut administrative costs, and combat illegal mining and smuggling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bawumia has been less specific but Cocobod, at the International Monetary Fund's behest, has proposed a turnaround plan to reduce costs and increase farmers' share of cocoa revenues. Industry players remain sceptical about either candidate's pledges to reverse the sector's decline. On his farm, Arokoh, who voted for the ruling party in the last election, still hopes that Bawumia and the NPP will address his main concern. But so far he has been disappointed. "If they give me fertiliser, I will vote for them," he said. "If not, then I will change and vote for NDC." ($1 = 15.1500 Ghanian cedi) (Additional reporting by Maytaal Angel in London; Editing by Bate Felix and Barbara Lewis) PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) The GIANT Company is helping to fight hunger this holiday season by donating $160,000 and 3,000 hams to hunger relief efforts in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. To help families in need get the holiday meal they deserve the company is giving back to organizations that are working to address food insecurity in their communities. They donated $100,000 to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank which will be used to provide 400,0000 meals in 27 counties across the Commonwealth. Their coverage area also includes Blair, Centre, Clearfield, Huntingdon and Bedford County. On this Giving Tuesday, a national day dedicated to generosity, we are deeply grateful to The Giant Company for their extraordinary gift of $100,000 and 500 hams. This generous donation will provide much-needed support to our neighbors facing hunger across the 27 counties we serve, Joe Arthur, CEO, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. As we reflect on the spirit of giving, this partnership reminds us that together, we can make a lasting impact and bring hope to those in need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement College Township secures $300K grant for ClearWater Conservation Center The company is also donating $5,000 to 12 Salvation Army locations across Pennsylvania and one Virginia location. Heres where: Boyertown Carlisle Chambersburg East Stroudsburg Harrisburg Lancaster Lebanon Levittown Norristown Philadelphia Sunbury Winchester, Va. For too many of our neighbors, access to nutritious food is a daily struggle, which can feel even heavier during the holidays. With GIANTs partnership, we can bring relief to families experiencing lifes most challenging circumstances, helping them experience the warmth, hope, and joy the holiday season has to offer, Lt. Colonel Larry Ashcraft, Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Division said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alongside monetary donations, GIANT also donated 3,000 hams to 15 food banks and food pantries in multiple states. The donated hams will be given to help families enjoy a traditional holiday meal. Heres where they were donated: Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Staunton, Va. Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Harrisburg, Pa. Chester County Food Bank, Exton, Pa. CityTeam Chester, Springfield, Pa. Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank, Reading, Pa. Indiana County Community Action Program, Indiana, Pa. Lancaster County Food Hub, Lancaster, Pa. Manna on Main Street, Wales, Pa. Maryland Food Bank, Hagerstown, Md. New Britain Baptist Church, New Britain, Pa. Philabundance, Philadelphia, Pa. Second Harvest Food Bank, Nazareth, Pa. Shelter Services, Lewistown, Pa. York County Food Bank, Manchester, Pa. Vincent DePaul, Fairless Hills, Pa. While food banks, food pantries, and Salvation Army locations are focused on the fight against hunger year-round, the need is most felt this time of the year. No family should have to go without a holiday meal, Jennifer Scott, vice president of human resources, The GIANT Company said. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. Starting Friday, Dec. 6, and through Tuesday, Dec. 24, customers at any GIANT, MARTINS or GIANT Heirloom Market store can donate free ham certificates at the register to benefit a local food bank. 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. NEW YORK CITY Visions of Black Friday still danced above the heads of the shoppers who thronged Times Square on Cyber Monday as huge video boards flashed images of expensive gifts above them. But below eye-catching ads for Wicked, perfumes and cellphones, three bright red Giving Machines on the corner of 46th Street and Broadway drew together the leaders of 14 major national and international charities with visions of changing the world for the better on the eve of Giving Tuesday. Were on a journey to create a world without hunger, said Barron Segar, president and CEO of World Food Program USA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our goal is to empower 1 million women entrepreneurs, said Elizabeth Welch, CEO of iDE (International Development Enterprises). We provide food and medical packages to people who are either fleeing the front lines of war in Ukraine, or for the elderly and the disabled who are actually trapped in isolated villages with no access to food or medical supplies, said Mary Carriero, board chair of Lifting Hands International. One leader called the Giving Machines the worlds greatest vending machine because they bring donors to those major charitable movements. Another called them a unique platform because stepping up to a machine, swiping a credit card and buying a goat or a chicken or contributing to a well allows people to connect easily with those they didnt know they could help. I am just so proud to be here with the incredible partners that have been brought together by The Church of the Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, both other religious groups and humanitarian, non-sectarian groups, said Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, executive director of the Archdiocese of New York. Dont give up, give back Motivated by love of God and love of our neighbors, these Giving Machines afford all of us a very unique giving experience. Rather than purchasing a soda or a treat, we have the opportunity to bless those who are most vulnerable, to care for those in need, to address the needs of our neighbors, both those that live right around the corner from us and those that live on the other side of the world, said President Camille N. Johnson, Relief Society General President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The church sponsors the machines, which are part of its annual Light the World initiative. Mondays event, held on a morning with temperatures just below freezing, gave New York media an opportunity to do stories about the effort. The machines, operating through the holiday season in 106 locations on five continents, supercharge giving by connecting givers in one place to those in need somewhere else, either locally or globally. You can go up to the Giving Machines and find a cause that speaks to you, said Jessica Schneider, COO of Giving Tuesday. The mere existence of them speaks to Giving Tuesday because its an open tent for religious organizations, nonprofits, universities, big (non-governmental organizations), neighborhoods and community schools. Its for everyone. Carriero said Lifting Hands International is a smaller charity thrilled to be included in the Giving Machines. People check out the Giving Machines during a press event at Times Square in New York City on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. | Kangbino. I want to start by thanking The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she said. Giving an organization of our size the ability to access the donor pool through the Giving Machines is truly transformational, and we are very, very grateful for this chance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She asked people to consider donating to help Ukrainian refugees so we can literally enable them to survive. She and others acknowledged global conflicts and their effect even on people who hear of them. We know this can be a discouraging time with the news throughout the world, but we would ask that you look at the light these Giving Machines provide and the wonderful work of all these groups. Dont get discouraged. Please dont give up, but give back. Matching donation announcement by World Food Program USA Donors can buy a box in a Giving Machine that will feed a person for a year for $212 through World Food Program USA. For just $10, a donor can feed a classroom of 40 children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Tuesdays event, Segar told President Johnson that World Food Program USAs board and donor coalition has pledged to match every dollar given for a WFP USA product in a Giving Machine. This is the first time weve ever done this, he said. But our donors are so overwhelmed by the Giving Machines, and so is our board. Our donors and board are contributing so every dollar thats raised for World Food Program USA through a Giving Machine in 2024 will be matched. So if you make a $10 donation to feed 40 kids for school, that 40 children becomes 80 children. World Food Program USA CEO Barron Segar informs President Camille N. Johnson that his charity's board and donors will match ever donation made to their cause at Light the World Giving Machines after an event in Times Square in New York City on Monday, Dec. 3, 2024. Sister Johnson is the Relief Society general president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | Kangbino The organizations donors will also match funds given at wfpusa.org/givingmachines. Takers eat well, givers sleep well Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles attended the event to support the Giving Machines with his wife, Sister Mary N. Cook, and his friend, Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, whom he called the face of caring in New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its heartening for me to see the Church of Jesus Christ at the table here, to see the church as a vocal partner, Rabbi Potasnik told the Deseret News. He said the Giving Machines help raise societys moral compass. Rabbi Potasnik also shared one of his mothers sayings. My mother used to say that there are two kinds of people in the world, the givers and the takers. She said the takers eat well, but the givers sleep well. We dont need to eat more. We need to sleep a little bit more. By giving, we can do that. Providing dignity to Gods children The president and CEO of UNICEF USA and the chief marketing officer for CARE, two of the worlds largest charities, also spoke at the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A total of 15 global charities joined the Giving Machine initiative this year, part of a total of more than 525 global, national and local charities to participate. Other groups represented at Mondays event included Catholic Relief Services, Save the Children, the American Red Cross and WaterAid. The Church of Jesus Christ has expanded the number of Giving Machines each year since the initiative launched in 2017. Last year, the effort raised $10 million, bringing the seven-year total to $32 million. Last year, donors provided: 125,200 chickens. 16,600 goats. 662,000 vaccines. 2 million meals. 180,000 pounds of food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This years selections range in price from $7 to $300. Items include feminine hygiene solutions for girls, polio vaccines, school supplies and more. Mondays event was held at Father Duffy Square where the Giving Machines sat about four feet from the statue of George M. Cohan, the father of Broadway musical comedy and the writer of American song standards like Over There, Give My Regards to Broadway and Youre a Grand Old Flag. The Giving Machines will move. Beginning on Giving Tuesday and throughout the holiday season, New Yorkers and tourists can find them at at 59 Park Avenue in front of the Church of Our Saviour, where Monsignor Sullivan is the administrator. Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, administrator of the Church of Our Saviour in New York City, talks in front of a Light the World Giving Machine in Times Square on Monday, Dec. 3, 2024. | Kangbino I hope that everybody gets many of those wonderful gifts that are around us here in Times Square, he said at Mondays event. But what I invite you to do is to look at these machines, which will Light the World because we give not the gifts that are around us, but the gifts that will enable our sisters and brothers to live in dignity. MADISON, Wis. (WFRV) Authorities and community members are coming together to support a U.S. Army veteran and current Wisconsin State Patrol trooper urgently awaiting a liver transplant due to non-alcohol-related liver disease. Lieutenant Phil Witkiewicz, a State Patrol supervisor in the Madison area, has been on the transplant list since July 17, 2024. His wife, Emily, and their four sonsEdward, Elliot, Everett, and Emmittare facing mounting medical and financial challenges as they await a match. Festival of Lights tree arrives at Lambeau Field ahead of annual event Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Dodge County Sheriffs Office expressed their support in a statement: On behalf of the entire team at the Dodge County Sheriffs Office, we extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Lieutenant Witkiewicz and his family. We remain hopeful for a Christmas miracle that will bring him the liver transplant he urgently needs. A GoFundMe account has been set up to assist the Witkiewicz family with medical expenses and other financial needs. Community members are encouraged to contribute and offer their support during this difficult 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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) The Goodwill of the Great Plains has announced it will be hosting its 83rd annual Sioux City Shoe Party to help children this winter. During the Goodwills Shoe Party Program, volunteers will help distribute the supplies, ensuring kids get cold-weather necessities including gloves, socks, and shoes, at no cost to them or their families, according to a press release. 31st Festival of Trees going to help Simple Life charity Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goodwills Shoe Party is a heartwarming event that truly brings the community together. Children receive new items, and families feel the support and generosity provided by fellow neighbors who give by volunteering their time and support the event with financial gifts, said Goodwill of the Great Plains President & CEO Briget Solomon. Many who participate remember this event long into adulthood as a positive impact on their life. The Shoe Party will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Goodwill of the Great Plains Support Center in Sioux City. Goodwill of the Great Plains holds Shoe Parties in 18 cities throughout its four-state territory every December. For more information about the sock program or any other services, click here. 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. ALBANY, New York Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo may have tried to inappropriately influence the testimony of a former aide before speaking to a House panel investigating his administration's Covid-19 policies, a Republican-backed report found. Cuomo, a Democrat who is weighing a bid for New York City mayor, contacted the former adviser, Jim Malatras, days before he was due to speak with the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic. Now that the dust has settled and the truth is being revealed, I wanted to check in with you and see how you are doing, Cuomo wrote in a text to Malatras. I am sure you will do well, because quality and talent always wins in the end. All the best, Andrew. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former governor has insisted his text to Malatras, his first contact with him in three years, was a simple check in with a former staffer. But the GOP-led panel in a 557-page report released Monday determined Cuomo acted in a manner consistent with an attempt to influence Malatras testimony. Considering the timing of this text message within 48 hours of the Select Subcommittee publicly announcing its request for Dr. Malatras testimony and the fact that he had not spoken with former Governor Cuomo since 2021, the Select Subcommittee determined: this text message raises concerns that Mr. Cuomo may have been trying to influence Dr. Malatras testimony and obstruct the Select Subcommittees investigation, the report found. Malatras testimony to the House panel was considered especially key: Lawmakers at the time were reviewing Cuomos pandemic nursing home policies and the decision to require that the facilities not turn away patients who were Covid positive. The panel was also investigating how the Cuomo administration compiled a report on nursing home deaths a report which Malatras played a key role in drafting as well as whether state officials undercounted fatalities. A memo issued by the subcommittee in September previously outlined the text message to Malatras. Cuomos team on Monday blasted the panels findings as politically motivated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This attempt to miscast the governor's communications with a longtime former aide is more of the same from this MAGA clown committee who to date have a documented history of misrepresenting the truth and lying to the press the fact is that the governor and Mr. Malatras did not speak until AFTER both testified out of respect for the sub committee's work, a communication that is perfectly allowable and appropriate, Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi said. He added the totality of the report is weak gruel, a waste of taxpayer dollars and an abuse of power. Azzopardi noted that prior investigations of Cuomo's Covid response did not result in charges, while a civil suit brought by family members of people who died in nursing homes was dismissed. The DOJ three times the Manhattan DA and others looked at the nursing home issue and found no wrongdoing, while the meritless civil lawsuit launched by the very same people who have been working arm and arm with this committee was tossed out of court, he said. Despite being ground zero of COVID, an objective review of the federal data shows that New York was ranked 39th in terms of pro rata nursing home deaths in 2020. In his testimony, Malatras told the subcommittee that the nursing home report was reviewed and edited by top aides and Cuomo, with input from officials at the state Department of Health. Cuomo had claimed he played no role in editing or writing the report. Later assessments found the report undercounted the number of residents who died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The release of the House report comes at a politically sensitive time for Cuomo, as he considers running for New York City mayor while incumbent Eric Adams fights corruption charges. House Republicans on the panel in October released a 107-page referral to the Department of Justice that alleged Cuomo made false statements to Congress and recommended criminal charges. Cuomo has denied any wrongdoing, and such cases are rarely taken up by the DOJ. Democrats on the subcommittee, meanwhile, also knocked the findings by the Republicans, though they did not defend Cuomo by name. Select Subcommittee Republicans' final report reflects two years wasted on political stunts instead of preventing and preparing for the next pandemic, Democrats on the panel said in a statement. Instead of coming together with Democrats to get ahead of future viruses or fortify America's public health infrastructure and workforce, Select Subcommittee Republicans prioritized extreme probes that vilified our nation's scientists and public health officials in an effort to whitewash former President Trump's disastrous COVID-19 response. Republican senators appeared firm in their support of President-elect Donald Trumps defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, despite even more damaging allegations coming to light over the weekend. He headed to Capitol Hill Monday to shore up support for his embattled nominationthough Republicans who attended the meeting seemed to emerge from the sit-down still firmly in Hegseths camp. Hes clearly committed to making sure we have a lethal military that scares the crap out of our enemies, Florida Sen. Rick Scott told Axios after he and about a dozen other GOP senators met with the former Fox News host. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Ted Cruz told the outlet that Democrats are highly incentivized to make the confirmation hearing a spectacle, while Wyomings Cynthia Lummis suggested the allegations were a distraction. We were embarrassed by our departure from Afghanistan, and we want to restore American confidence in our military, she said. All these other issues are side issues. Hegseth has been accused of sexual assault, and more recently of being drunk at work, according to records obtained by The New Yorker. That publication also got a hold of records from two nonprofit veterans advocacy groups that forced him to step down as leader. Hegseth has denied these claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, The New York Times on Friday obtained an email to Hegseth from his mother, who admonished him for mistreating women. On behalf of all the women (and I know its many) you have abused in some way, I say get some help and take an honest look at yourself, Penelope Hegseth wrote on April 30, 2018. I have no respect for any man that belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around and uses women for his own power and ego. At the time, Hegseth had just gotten divorced from his second wife. While married, he had been carrying out an affair with a fellow Fox News producer. COLLEGE STATION, Texas (FOX 44) Texas Governor Greg Abbott delivered remarks on the states emergency preparedness efforts on Tuesday afternoon. The governor also thanked Stanley Black & Decker for a donation to support the states disaster response and recovery operations. Gov. Abbott visited the Disaster City Training Facility in College Station, located at 11000 Stillwater Road. He was joined by Stanley Black & Decker CEO Don Allan, Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp, in addition to other state and local leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Gov. Abbott, Disaster City is the best place for responders to train for when disaster strikes. Stanley Black and Decker donated $100,000 of tools for these responders. We want to ensure that officials at both the state and local levels have the tools and the training they need to do everything possible to keep their communities safe, says Gov. Abbott. Gov. Abbott and the tool brand say the A&M Task Force One will have the best tools to use when training. They train people right here at this Disaster City on how to respond to whatever type of disaster may arise, wherever it may arise, says Gov. Abbott. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Governor says Texas has the best disaster responders in the world because of all the training that happens at Disaster City. He credits the training that happens at Disaster City for all the lives that have been saved and will be saved. This year alone, they have responded to two disasters. Obviously here in Texas, but also two disasters in Florida, North Carolina, New Mexico, California, and probably some other states as well, says Gov. Abbott. Abbott adds that the best trained responders come from The Lone Star State due to its geographical location and with the state having multiple types of natural disasters happen within it. 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 KWKT - FOX 44. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Tuesday repaid travel expenses paid by Alliance Defending Freedom, a group whose political arm employs a lobbyist in the state, following a request from the Tennessee Ethics Commission, which found his acceptance of travel payments to a Florida resort last summer was an indirect illegal gift. In July, Lee traveled to Marco Island, Florida, to be the keynote speaker at a conference of Alliance Defending Freedom, a group behind a handful of controversial new state laws. ADF, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and its partner 501(c)4 organization, both employ Matthew Lorimer, a registered lobbyist in Tennessee. Both entities share staff, address and other resources, business filings and tax records show. State ethics law prohibits employers of lobbyists from giving gifts directly or indirectly to lawmakers and executive branch officials including payment of travel expenses. Expenses for the trip paid by the nonprofit totaled about $1,900, according to the governors office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ethics commissioners determined Tuesday the expenses paid by the nonprofit that shares resources with an employer of a lobbyist constituted an indirect gift to the governor, which is prohibited under Tennessee ethics law. "To find otherwise is contrary to both the statutes language and intent and would indeed provide a gaping hole in the gift prohibition statute allowing an employer of a lobbyist to use an affiliated or related company (whether intentional or not) to lavish gifts upon Tennessee officials and rendering the prohibition on indirect gifts meaningless, thereby undermining the publics confidence in those officials and Tennessees government," the advisory opinion states. Lee repaid the expenses on Tuesday, according to his spokesperson Elizabeth Johnson. Gov. Bill Lee speaks before agriculture day at the Tennessee Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 19, 2024. "We asked the Bureau for clarity around their interpretation of this vague law and appreciate their response," Johnson told The Tennessean. "The expenses have been repaid per this new guidance." Opinion focuses on appearance of impropriety The commission's opinion focuses on the appearance of impropriety in accepting gifts from entities closely related to employers of lobbyists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you allow a related company to pay these sorts of expenses, it creates a rather large loophole in the statute, said Ethics Director Bill Young, citing the commission's previous informal stances on the matter. To me, the word indirect are designed to prohibit that sort of circumventing of the statute. Lees chief attorney requested an advisory opinion from the Ethics Commission after The Tennessean reported the governor had accepted the paid travel, and Democrats threatened to file an ethics complaint against him. Lees office argued that the two entities are separate and no violation occurred. Lee's trip was not announced publicly, nor was it documented on any of his social media accounts. The only mention of Lee's travel to the ADF conference outside his office schedules obtained by The Tennessean through a records request is an expense noted on campaign finance disclosures. After originally telling reporters he had no plans to repay the funds, Lee later through an attorney pledged to repay the money if the Ethics Commission finds the travel expenses inappropriate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ethics Commission was quick to point out that it does not attribute nefarious behavior to the governor, and commended Lee for seeking the advisory opinion in a commitment to acting beyond reproach." Members voted to add a paragraph to the opinion affirming Lees commitment to ethics and transparency. During its inquiry, Ethics Commission staff obtained documentation from ADF and ADF Action, the 501(c4) organization, to confirm significant overlaps in resources for the two entities. ADF declined to provide its shared services agreement between the two entities to the commission. "The prohibition itself prohibits gifts both direct and indirect. I think if we were to look at this situation and say that the left hand can be divorced of the right hand, and we're not going to assume that one knows what the other is doing, that would basically negate the possibility of indirect gifts," Ethics Commission counsel Lauren Topping said. Im not sure you can separate them, Ethics Commission Chair Charles Traughber agreed. They do intermingle in some ways, as shown in the materials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law does not bar all entities from paying for officials travel only entities that employ lobbyists registered in Tennessee, and entities that are directly related. Topping said ethics law is designed to apply to groups "looking for legislative advantages." The gift prohibition only applies to lobbyists and employers of lobbyists people who are coming before the legislature to encourage policy changes," Topping said. "It creates a surety for citizens that employers of lobbyists cannot pay for lavish trips or even simple trips for that matter because it creates an appearance of impropriety, even if there are only the best of intentions at heart. Second case of executive branch travel, reimbursement This is the second time this year that a member of the executive branch has repaid funds for travel paid by lobbying groups. Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds repaid about $2,000 in travel expenses paid by ExcelinEd her former employer and a national school choice advocacy group for her attendance at two out-of-state conferences last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ExcelinEd, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and its partner 501(c)4 organization, ExcelinEd Action, both employ Miranda Williams, who is registered as a lobbyist in Tennessee. After The Tennessean first reported the travel, Rep. Caleb Hemmer, D-Nashville, filed an ethics complaint against Reynolds, alleging that Reynolds skirted ethics rules by accepting the payments. She later paid back the funds, and was reimbursed by the state. It was the second time this year that Reynolds repaid state funds following scrutiny. Reynolds twice signed state tuition waiver forms last year that she had been a state employee for more than six months before six months of employment with the state. She later paid tuition funds back to the state, the agency calling the mishap an administrative error. In response to the commission's finding Tuesday, Hemmer said he was proud to see the Ethics Commission's action on Lee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It addressed his misuse of power to take luxury trips paid for by interest groups, breaking Tennessee law," Hemmer said. "The Ethics Commission has stood firmly on the side of the people, making it clear that the Governor isnt above the law. They have ordered him to pay back the trip to Florida, funded by an organization employing a lobbyist in Tennessee." Hemmer also said he plans to look for ways to strengthen ethics laws during the upcoming session."When I first filed an ethics complaint against Commissioner Reynolds for doing something similar, it was obvious that this behavior was wrong and broke our ethics rules," Hemmer said. "Its disappointing that these actions happened at all. I hope this advisory opinion will stop lobbyist groups from offering these illegal and unethical trips to influence the Lee Administration." 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: Ethics commission recommends Gov. Lee repay Florida travel expenses Gov. JB Pritzker has appointed Teresa Ramos, the first assistant deputy governor for education, as the first head of the states new Department of Early Childhood, his office said Monday. If confirmed by the state Senate, Ramos will oversee the launch of a department that is expected to consolidate functions now under the states Department of Human Services, Board of Education and Department of Children and Family Services. The new department was approved by legislators and signed into law by Pritzker earlier this year as part of a suite of initiatives to enhance early childhood services in Illinois. The department is expected to be fully operational on July 1, 2026, according to the governors office. Until then, Ramos will work to build out the agency and her team, a spokesperson for the governor said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ramos has already been involved in strategic planning for the new agency, the governors office said. Eventually, the departments services are expected to include oversight of preschool, interventions for children with disabilities and developmental delays and day care licensing. Before joining Pritzkers administration, Ramos held jobs with two education-focused nonprofits, serving as vice president of public policy, research and advocacy at the Illinois Action for Children and director of community engagement for Advance Illinois. She worked on Pritzkers education transition team in 2018, according to the governors office. Pritzker cited Ramos expertise across education, child care, community engagement and early childhood development in a news release announcing the appointment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ramos salary will be $214,988 per year, according to the governors office. Her paycheck will not be augmented by the governors personal wealth, as has been the case for some of his top aides, a spokesperson said Monday. The new Department of Early Childhood is intended to streamline access to services for families as well as management for the state, Democratic Rep. Mary Beth Canty of Arlington Heights, the bills sponsor, said earlier this year. State legislators set aside $14 million to create the new agency out of a $53.1 billion budget passed this year. Day care licensing through DCFS in particular had been a target for restructuring, as some lawmakers and advocates said reassigning that responsibility would better allow the embattled agency to focus on its other services, such as abuse and neglect investigations. Pritzker has made early childhood education one of his priorities throughout his time in office. GAZA/JERUSALEM, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Hamas announced on Monday that 33 Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip have been killed, with some others still missing, due to Israeli military operations. A video posted by Hamas included footage of past Israeli attacks on areas in Gaza where Israeli hostages were held, resulting in their deaths, as well as messages from some hostages. Hamas warned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "obstinacy and continued aggression are increasing the death toll of enemy prisoners," emphasizing that if the "crazy war" continues, "you may lose your prisoners forever. Act before it's too late." This video from Hamas came two days after the Al-Qassam Brigades, its military wing, released a video on Saturday showing an Israeli prisoner with U.S. citizenship being held in Gaza. Edan Alexander, who paused multiple times due to his emotional distress, said he had been held captive for more than 420 days and urged the Israeli government and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza. Separately, the Israeli army announced on Monday that an Israeli-American soldier, previously believed to be held hostage in Gaza, is now presumed dead. In a statement, the army identified the soldier as Captain Omer Maxim Neutra, 21, and said he was killed during Hamas' surprise attack on Oct. 7, 2023. It added that his body is being held by Hamas in Gaza. Born in New York, Neutra enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces and served as a tank platoon commander in the 77th Battalion, according to the army. Israel has been conducting a large-scale offensive against Hamas in Gaza to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and around 250 taken hostage. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 44,466, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Monday. More than 3,700 Palestinians have been killed or went missing since Israel intensified military operations in northern Gaza on Oct. 5, according to the media office of the Hamas-run Gaza government. MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey addressed 200 business leaders in the Mobile area ahead of President-elect Donald Trumps second term. Among the topics discussed at the forum, Ivey pointed out the effects that Trumps targeted tariffs would have on the Port of Mobile. She also talked about Trumps potential involvement in the I-10 Bridge Projects completion. News 5 Exclusive: Family of missing 7-year-old boy begs for closure Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump pledged to enact a stiff 25% tariff on all imports from Mexico and Canada on the day he takes office. He announced plans to levy and additional 10% on all goods imported from China. It would likely include imports to the Port of Mobile. Port of Mobile officials said its too early to tell how the port will be affected by the proposed tariffs. However, Ivey said the proposed tariffs could prevent other countries from choking out local industry. Were going to take care of our businesses, Ivey said. Were going to make sure that our businesses are successful. Mobile County has tiebreaker elections for constables Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bradley Byrne supported the idea of tariffs targeted at specific goods from countries with a reputation for importing cheap goods for a high price. We believe that there are some industries that have to be protected from other countries ill actions, Byrne said. Byrne rejected so-called across-the-board tariffs imposed on all goods from specific countries. Thats like a tax across the board, and it could affect some of our local industries, Byrne said. Mobile police officer cleared of any wrongdoing in deadly crash Byrne pointed to Airbus, an aircraft manufacturing giant with a branch in Mobile. Airbus imports parts from across the world to build their planes, according to Byrne. He said tariffs on every part could raise the cost of Airbuss product, making the company less competitive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ivey also expressed interest in securing more federal funds to go toward the construction of the I-10 Bridge Project. In [Trumps] last term, I had an open telephone line to him, Ivey said. So he knows about Alabama, and I believe he will be very helpful. Groundbreaking on the estimated $3.5 billion I-10 Bridge Project is scheduled for 2025. Byrne said he would like to see Trump in attendance. Alma Bryant High School dismisses early due to water leak If you give [Trump] an opportunity to come down here and break ground on a big project like that, and he can talk about what that means for his plans for the United States of America, I think we can get him down here for that, Byrne said. I cant promise it, but I think we can get him down here for that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other major projects in the Mobile area include the widening of the ship channel and the expansion of the Brookley Aeroplex. Both projects are expected to be completed next year. 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 Owyhee Canyonlands are in remote southeastern Oregon and include Leslie Gulch Tuff, which is rhyolite ash that erupted 15.5 million years ago. (Bob Bush Photo/Getty Images) Editors note: The Capital Chronicle has launched a $10,000 end-of-year fundraising campaign to help us continue our first-class coverage next year. A lot is at stake, and theres a long legislative session in 2025. Were completely dependent on donor dollars, which are tax deductible. Please contribute to us if you can. Gov. Tina Kotek just made one last plea to President Joe Biden to protect a stunning stretch of the state known as Oregons Grand Canyon before he leaves office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kotek wrote to Biden on Nov. 22, asking that he invoke the Antiquities Act of 1906 and designate more than 1 million acres of the 2.5 million acre area in southeast Oregon, including 15 miles of the Owyhee River, a national monument, a move that would limit ranching use and development. The letter is a follow-up to a similar request in August to protect the area if Congress failed to act. While Congress can protect areas under the National Wilderness Preservation System and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the Antiquities Act allows the president to designate areas national monuments if they hold cultural, natural or historical significance. Despite years of proposals from Oregons U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both Democrats, and a recent proposal from Oregons U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, a Republican representing the states 2nd District, both houses of Congress have failed to vote on preserving the Owyhee Canyonlands in perpetuity. Bentzs proposal, introduced in early November, stands little chance of passing before Congress adjourns at the end of the year. Wyden and Merkleys proposal, which could still pass and has been years in the making, has so far only cleared the Senate Natural Resources Committee and has not been voted on in the full Senate or the U.S. House of Representatives. The landscape of this area is a national treasure with stunning geological features and culturally significant sites that reflect the deep history and heritage of this part of Oregon, Kotek wrote the president. The devastating consequences for the future of this iconic landscape are simply too great not to act now. Please proceed with a national monument designation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The canyonlands have significant health, economic and cultural value to the Northern Paiute, Bannock and Shoshone tribes, are a source of tourism dollars in Malheur County and are home to threatened sage grouse, as well as bighorn sheep, elk and deer. The animals and their habitats face growing risks from wildfire due to invasive grasses and juniper and Owyhee River fish face threats from poorly preserved riparian areas and cattle grazing. Wyden and Merkley have proposed protecting the area three times in the last five years, including their first attempt in 2019 following prolonged debate among ranchers, conservationists, tribes, hunting and fishing groups and government officials over how to preserve parts of the canyonlands. Wyden is still pulling out all the stops to pass his and Merkleys most recent proposal, according to Hank Stern, a spokesperson for Wyden. Their proposal also includes putting 30,000 acres of federal and private land in the canyonlands into a trust overseen by the Burns Paiute Tribe. The legislative route has bipartisan momentum in the House and Senate. And a bill remains the best path to protect wilderness, provide ranchers more grazing flexibility and return ancestral lands to the Burns Paiute Tribe rather than a monument that the incoming administration would likely move to undo at a moments notice, Stern said in an email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bentzs proposal, introduced in November, has so far only gotten hearings in the House Natural Resources Committee, but has not received a vote. Its most likely, according to Ryan Houston, executive director of the Oregon Natural Desert Association, up to the states U.S. senators or the president in the next three to four weeks. As the clock ticks on 2024, all eyes are now focused on President Biden and Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley as Oregonians are depending on them to take the decisive steps necessary to protect the Owyhee Canyonlands before the end of the year, Houston said in an email. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Owyhee Canyonlands are in remote southeastern Oregon and include Leslie Gulch Tuff, which is rhyolite ash that erupted 15.5 million years ago. (Bob Bush Photo/Getty Images) Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek just made one last plea to President Joe Biden to protect a stunning stretch of the state known as Oregons Grand Canyon before he leaves office. Kotek wrote to Biden on Nov. 22, asking that he invoke the Antiquities Act of 1906 and designate more than 1 million acres of the 2.5 million acre area in southeast Oregon, including 15 miles of the Owyhee River, a national monument, a move that would limit ranching use and development. The letter is a follow-up to a similar request in August to protect the area if Congress failed to act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Congress can protect areas under the National Wilderness Preservation System and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the Antiquities Act allows the president to designate areas national monuments if they hold cultural, natural or historical significance. Despite years of proposals from Oregons U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both Democrats, and a recent proposal from Oregons U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, a Republican representing the states 2nd District, both houses of Congress have failed to vote on preserving the Owyhee Canyonlands in perpetuity. Bentzs proposal, introduced in early November, stands little chance of passing before Congress adjourns at the end of the year. Wyden and Merkleys proposal, which could still pass and has been years in the making, has so far only cleared the Senate Natural Resources Committee and has not been voted on in the full Senate or the U.S. House of Representatives. The landscape of this area is a national treasure with stunning geological features and culturally significant sites that reflect the deep history and heritage of this part of Oregon, Kotek wrote the president. The devastating consequences for the future of this iconic landscape are simply too great not to act now. Please proceed with a national monument designation. Protecting Owyhee Canyonlands has wildlife, cultural impact The canyonlands have significant health, economic and cultural value to the Northern Paiute, Bannock and Shoshone tribes, are a source of tourism dollars in Malheur County and are home to threatened sage grouse, as well as bighorn sheep, elk and deer. The animals and their habitats face growing risks from wildfire due to invasive grasses and juniper, and Owyhee River fish face threats from poorly preserved riparian areas and cattle grazing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wyden and Merkley have proposed protecting the area three times in the last five years, including their first attempt in 2019 following prolonged debate among ranchers, conservationists, tribes, hunting and fishing groups and government officials over how to preserve parts of the canyonlands. Wyden is still pulling out all the stops to pass his and Merkleys most recent proposal, according to Hank Stern, a spokesperson for Wyden. Their proposal also includes putting 30,000 acres of federal and private land in the canyonlands into a trust overseen by the Burns Paiute Tribe. The legislative route has bipartisan momentum in the House and Senate. And a bill remains the best path to protect wilderness, provide ranchers more grazing flexibility and return ancestral lands to the Burns Paiute Tribe rather than a monument that the incoming administration would likely move to undo at a moments notice, Stern said in an email. Bentzs proposal, introduced in November, has so far only gotten hearings in the House Natural Resources Committee, but has not received a vote. Its most likely, according to Ryan Houston, executive director of the Oregon Natural Desert Association, up to the states U.S. senators or the president in the next three to four weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the clock ticks on 2024, all eyes are now focused on President Biden and Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley as Oregonians are depending on them to take the decisive steps necessary to protect the Owyhee Canyonlands before the end of the year, Houston said in an email. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Oregon Capital Chronicle, like the Idaho Capital Sun, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: info@oregoncapitalchronicle.com. Follow Oregon Capital Chronicle on Facebook and X. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) In what is likely Kristi Noems final budget address as South Dakotas governor, she proposed a variety of new programs and a number of budget cuts. You can watch Noems address in the video player attached above. Noems budget has $182M for mens prison Noem proposed creating a new $4 million education program called Education Savings Accounts for South Dakota students. The money wouldnt be cut from public education funding, Noem said but rather it would to go to students for part of a portion of private school tuition or curriculum for alternative education beginning with about $3,000 per-student. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public schools are very important to our states educational future. And as Ive mentioned, education has seen historic funding increases, Noem said. Noem did not use the word cut for programs, instead called them reductions. In a response posted on social media, the South Dakota Education Association said Noem was shaking up the education landscape with her plan for school vouchers. The South Dakota Education Association stands firmly against Governor Kristi Noems newly proposed voucher program. This budget proposal, which includes a minimal increase for South Dakotas public schools, diverts taxpayer dollars to private schools, undermining the foundation of our public education system, South Dakota Education Association President Loren Paul said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, school groups warned about how school vouchers would hurt rural communities the most because the public school is often the only option for kids. I propose reducing funding for South Dakota Public Broadcasting to bring us in line with the national average. Currently, South Dakota has the 3rd highest per-capita funding of public broadcasting of any state in the nation. Weve been paying more than double the national average, Noem said. She asked the Board of Regents to propose $2 million in budget reductions. We have to make some tough decisions to deliver the 136th consecutive balanced budget for South Dakota, Noem said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can find the full text of Noems budget address attached below. 2024 full budget address Good afternoon, Lieutenant Governor Rhoden, Mr. Speaker, members of the House and Senate, and my fellow South Dakotans. I am once again blessed to be here to discuss South Dakotas budget. The past six years have been one of the greatest honors of my life. I love our state and everything about it. I love our natural beauty. But what I love most is our people. Our state motto is Under God, the People Rule. In 2018, the people elected me as their 33rd Governor, and we accomplished an incredible amount in those first four years. Then, in 2022, they once again gave me the opportunity to lead and reelected me. They sent a clear message: they appreciated the direction our state was going. I made decisions to uphold the Constitution while focusing on the people and the families of our state. That is our charge as elected leaders. And it is how we must approach this budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As is always the case following an election, we have some new legislators here this year. So Im going to repeat my philosophy when it comes to taxpayer dollars. During my time as Governor, I have always kept my budget proposals focused on our people, not government programs. After all, this is the peoples money. They entrust it to us and expect us to spend it wisely and responsibly. Every dollar that we invest, every policy that we support every vote that you take in these legislative chambers should be focused on our people, on making them safer, stronger, and freer. And we should always look to the future on what will be best for our kids and our grandkids. We focus on the core purposes of state government as outlined in our South Dakota Constitution. That focus is further underscored in a year like this one as a result of the Biden-Harris policies, the national economy remains anemic. However, the great American comeback will soon take off. Until then, we have to make some tough decisions to deliver the 136th consecutive balanced budget for South Dakota. As former Governor Bill Janklow once said, We watch our cash, we watch our projections, and if it ever becomes necessary to make the budget cuts, well make them unhesitatingly. Whether or not that involves any political flak or criticism, frankly, I couldnt care less. My first primary responsibility as the chief executive of this state is to make sure that our books always stay in balance and that we never spend any more money than we have available to spend. Frankly, the people of our state do their business that way, and they wouldnt expect any less of us. Wise words from a strong leader. Make no mistake South Dakotas economy remains the strongest of any state in America. We have the lowest unemployment rate in the country, the fastest growing incomes of any state, and folks continue to move here by the thousands to share in our Freedom. Even so, our revenue picture has tightened this year. We have $44 million in ongoing revenue available thats less than in recent years when Ive addressed this body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For one-time revenue, we have $175 million available, primarily as a result of another large infusion of unclaimed property receipts. Last year, you heard me talk about historic unclaimed property receipts of $134 million. Due to our excellent business climate, we attracted yet another large holder of unclaimed property. This year, unclaimed property funds exceeded that. They are $229 million, of which $60 million is ongoing revenue that we can safely and responsibly plan for moving forward. We are considering everything above that amount to be one-time revenue. The people of South Dakota have repeatedly voted for fiscally conservative policy, and they expect their elected representatives to enact the same. Our budgets should always focus on our core priorities. That is what I have done in my first six years as governor, and that is what South Dakota will continue to do. Today, Im going to talk to you about our priorities and how this years budget achieves those priorities. Our budget sets our state economy up with the Freedom to succeed; it educates our kids so that our next generation has the best opportunity for success; it promotes access to quality healthcare across the state; it preserves and protects the safety of our people; and it achieves all this while maintaining fiscal responsibility to taxpayer dollars. Economy Weve accomplished a lot over the past six years. One of the things that makes me proudest is how strong we have made South Dakotas economy. When I first ran for governor, I saw an economy that needed to grow. Our young people were leaving the state. Our businesses werent thriving. And major projects werent moving here. But I knew we had an opportunity to turn South Dakota around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I declared South Dakota Open for Business. And that proclamation was put to the ultimate test during COVID when the rest of the nation shut down. Not South Dakota. We trusted our people to exercise their Freedom and personal responsibility to make the best decisions for themselves and their loved-ones. Our economy took off! So we made wise investments as a state to tell our story and capitalize on our economic strength. We were able to make ten years worth of broadband infrastructure investments in just one year because of our strong tax revenues. We invested in tourism and workforce marketing campaigns so that people would be drawn to South Dakotas Freedom and open spaces. We knew that childcare and housing availability were concerns that kept our workforce from growing as quickly as it could so we made targeted investments in those areas to keep the momentum going. We prioritized grants to companies across the state to increase competition. And we made smart investments in communities to set them up for success like building the DEX and the SHED at our State Fair to bring it into the 21st Century. I am blown away by what weve been able to accomplish as South Dakotans. You heard me talk proudly about our economic strength but did you know that since Ive taken office, we have had the lowest average unemployment rate of any state over that six-year timeframe? Thats incredible and its because we gave our people the opportunity to go to work. My budget proposal will continue to invest in our states workforce. One way we do that is by investing in our state employees and our healthcare providers. Over the last few years, weve provided targeted increases for both. Last year, we passed legislation to guarantee that teachers get opportunities to earn more when we make increases to education funding. Together, those make up the Big Three. This year, I am proposing that we do what we can to offset inflation once again. I am recommending a 1.25% increase for the Big Three our schools, our state employees, and our healthcare providers. Since I took office, the Consumer Price Index has increased by 24.9%. With this budget, we will have provided inflationary increases of 27.9%. This should keep us ahead of the increase in inflation. We are not going back to the days when our kids, providers, and employees are left behind. Thank you for getting it done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the best ways that we can keep South Dakotas economy strong is to keep taxes low for our people. Last year during this speech, I asked you to make a permanent tax cut for the people of South Dakota and I am reiterating that request today. Our people deserve better than a temporary sales tax holiday. Education In order to meet our workforce needs, our kids and our grandkids need to be equipped for the jobs of the future. But education holds a more fundamental place in our society than just filling open jobs. I have prioritized education over the last six years. Lets start with the cornerstone of education: reading. We have invested in the Science of Reading because it works. Returning to this phonics-based method ensures our educators know how to teach our kids to read efficiently and with confidence. We will bolster these efforts with a five-year $54 million federal grant to support Science of Reading programs at the district level. My Department of Education is Moving Literacy Forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We also emphasized Jobs for Americas Graduates to make sure that high-risk South Dakota kids can make it to graduation ready for college or a career. We invested in higher education to meet our workforce needs: like providing equipment for key professions at our states technical colleges; expanding training opportunities for nurses at colleges and universities across the state; and supporting the growth of the cybersecurity program at Dakota State University to guarantee that the jobs of the future will be right here in South Dakota. We provided full tuition for our South Dakota National Guard soldiers to thank them for their service to our state and nation. And we guaranteed that teachers will get increases to match state funding for education. We will continue to prioritize education with this years budget. My budget focuses on making sure that our students have the best opportunity for success. Good education starts in the home. And parents should have the tools to choose what educational path is best for their kids. I am proposing that we establish Education Savings Accounts for South Dakota students in this upcoming legislative session. I am setting aside $4 million in ongoing dollars to stand up the program to start providing support for South Dakota students. This investment will pay for a portion of private school tuition or curriculum for alternative education beginning with about $3,000 per-student. Because this is a starting point and a limited initial investment, we must first provide for the South Dakota students who need it most. But our goal is to expand, and my hope is that these ESAs will ultimately be available to every student in South Dakota. Now, let me be clear, we will not be cutting any dollars from our public schools, as many might try to argue. Public schools are very important to our states educational future. And as Ive mentioned, education has seen historic funding increases. Its important to remember that South Dakota supports all students. We want those students to receive the education thats best for them and to have the Freedom to do so. I look forward to working with both legislative chambers to get this done. In 2019, I started the School Safety Center within the Department of Public Safety. This Center operates a tip line and provides training to help keep our students safe. They have completed over 150 school safety assessments, and they have made recommendations for security upgrades and improvements. However, schools sometimes struggle to afford these improvements. This year, I am proposing that we invest $10 million in one-time funds over five years to create school safety grants. These grants will support identified security upgrades and protect the next generation of South Dakotans. Health In my time as Governor, I am proud of the work that we have done to support the public health of South Dakotans. Every citizen in our state should have the Freedom to live where they want and the opportunity to have good health outcomes even if they choose a rural lifestyle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In my time as Governor, South Dakota has become the standard for how to revolutionize rural emergency medical services. Innovative efforts like Telemedicine in Motion are setting an example for the nation. And weve put modern LifePaks in the back of ambulances across the state to save lives. We expanded the Bright Start program to support moms and babies before birth and after. Weve started construction on a brand new state-of-the-art Public Health Lab. And we have added resources to this lab to enhance our services. We have invested to help build and support regional mental health facilities across South Dakota. In the past, when a South Dakotan was experiencing a mental health crisis, they would end up in jail or in the emergency room. Now they can get appropriate help closer to home. This effort is a big reason why South Dakota continues to lead the nation with the largest drop in overdoses of any state. And my budget this year provides $1.2 million in additional ongoing funding for these regional facilities. I am also recommending a $1.5 million investment into Agency with Choice at the Department of Human Services. This will continue to allow families utilizing our Family Support 360 services to choose who is providing services in their homes. And they can do so without an arbitrary cap on the hours of service that can be provided. This investment will provide greater care for South Dakotans utilizing our developmental disability services. Public Health is influenced by so many things including the water that we drink. My Administration has made historic investments into water infrastructure across South Dakota to make 20- to 30-years worth of water investments in a very short timeframe. I am proud that we have improved the quality of South Dakotas drinking water for decades to come and provided infrastructure to help our state grow our economic opportunities. We are also managing the increased demand on our states Medicaid system with fiscal responsibility. We have $86 million in mandatory ongoing spending increases in this years budget and those are primarily tied to Medicaid. This includes the remaining $33.7 million to fully fund the cost of Medicaid Expansion. I want to thank the legislature for taking steps to ramp up to that total amount in the last couple of years. That smart planning will help us afford this total in the years to come. Because our states economy has done so well, we have to take on a higher share of Medicaid costs. This will cost us another $27.8 million. With all of these investments, we will continue to strengthen public health in South Dakota for years to come. Safety One of the core responsibilities of the government is to guarantee the safety and security of our people to protect their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I am proud of all that we have done in the last six years to improve the safety of our people. Weve strengthened our physical infrastructure to keep our people safer. Weve repaired highways and bridges, including some innovative new ways to achieve safety on the roadways. We have consistently invested in our State Radio infrastructure to support public safety communications in every corner of South Dakota. Weve fixed dams across the state. When we saw a 1,000-year flood this past summer, we didnt have major dam breaks in South Dakota like we saw in a neighboring state. In order to continue this important work, I am recommending an additional $13 million to finish the Richmond Dam project. We have invested in readiness centers for our South Dakota National Guard in communities around the state. Our National Guard is consistently awarded for being the best in the nation. They do every mission with excellence whether responding to natural disasters, deploying overseas, or helping secure our border. By supporting and building training facilities, these readiness centers will help keep us safe into the future. I have increased resources to combat the horror of human trafficking. And when President Trump secures the Southern Border, well cut off the primary pipeline for human trafficking into our country. Threats to public safety can take many forms including attacks to our cybersecurity. Our state government systems endure countless cybersecurity attacks every year. My Administration has focused on modernizing our IT systems to protect the personal information of our people. And weve identified cybersecurity as South Dakotas next big industry to protect our people for many years to come. Finally, we have made historic investments into building new prisons that have been a need for our state for decades. Thank you for fully funding the new womens prison in Rapid City construction is well underway on that project. And as for the new mens prison, we now have an estimated total cost of $825 million. Our current State Penitentiary is older than the state of South Dakota. The current building is falling down. It is long past time to replace it for the safety of our people. The new facility will be built to meet our medium- and maximum-security needs far beyond our lifetimes. You have already set aside $567 million in the Incarceration Construction Fund towards this project. We are estimating $76 million in interest on those dollars in the coming years as the prison is being built. My budget meets the remaining need of $182 million in one-time dollars to fully fund this new prison. Paying cash for this facility will save more than $600 million in interest, fees, and annual debt service payments. Thank you for saving ahead for this project. Fiscal Responsibility South Dakota has always been an example of fiscal responsibility. After all, this budget will reflect the 136th consecutive balanced budget for our state. We recognize that these dollars belong to the people of South Dakota. They work hard to earn money for their families. It is our responsibility to manage those dollars wisely. Since Ive been Governor, we have taken fiscal responsibility to new heights. We have truly made South Dakota an example for the rest of the nation to follow. Were one of the only states with a fully-funded pension, and we have a AAA credit rating. We paid off tens of millions of dollars in debt. We have broken records for the largest surpluses in state history. The legislature worked with me to pass the largest tax cut in South Dakota history. And weve advanced long-term fiscal responsibility by implementing new IT systems like BISON and 605 Drive that will guarantee that taxpayer dollars are protected. This years budget will continue to maintain responsible management of taxpayer dollars. I am recommending that we maintain our longstanding practice of having a minimum of 10% budget reserve balance for a rainy day. Additionally, due to the unprecedented influx of unclaimed property receipts, I am recommending that we set aside $43 million of our one-time revenues to pay future claims. This money belongs to the people, and we must be ready to pay this back. This will set our reserve balance at about 12% of our state budget. I told you earlier that we had only $44 million in available ongoing revenue, but $86 million in mandatory new ongoing expenditures. And weve discussed other new spending items today. To balance the budget, were proposing $71.9 million in budget reductions and discretionary changes. You may have other things that youd like to fund but as President George Washington said, We must consult our means rather than our wishes. That is what South Dakota families do every day. Well achieve a balanced budget by making needed changes to both revenues and expenditures. As technology evolves, it is important for state government to look at past decisions to ensure they are still relevant for today. Over a decade ago, we encouraged businesses to electronically file sales taxes by providing a credit incentive. This collections process is now normal business practice, and this incentive is no longer necessary. We will continue to strengthen our fiscal foundation by paying off debt with one-time money. This will free up ongoing money for this year. Well reduce the money we set aside for Maintenance & Repair. Well right-size funding for programs in the Department of Social Services and Department of Human Services to match utilization these programs had been reverting money at the end of the fiscal year over the last several years. Well reduce the state match in funds for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families our economy is strong, and South Dakotans are working. And I have asked the Board of Regents to propose $2 million in budget reductions of their own. I propose reducing funding for South Dakota Public Broadcasting to bring us in line with the national average. Currently, South Dakota has the 3rd highest per-capita funding of public broadcasting of any state in the nation. Weve been paying more than double the national average. Finally, I am proposing further steps to strengthen our fiscal fortitude. We will expand resources to assist the Board of Internal Controls. We need to strengthen our Department of Legislative Audit and clarify the work they do. My budget includes adding two new employees to this department. These steps will build on the actions that weve already taken. Also, we will continue to strengthen our financial systems to make sure that we are transparent with taxpayer dollars. The new BISON accounting system will have safeguards in place to control processes and protect taxpayer dollars things that simply were not possible with our decades-old system. And 605 Drive will strengthen financial security and transparency within the Department of Revenue. And last week, I signed an Executive Order to stand up state employee trainings around public trust, duty to act, internal controls, conflict of interest, and a service mindset for the citizens of South Dakota. Conclusion Our state is an example of fiscal responsibility; of limited government; of what can be accomplished when we trust in our people and respect their Freedom. We dont just talk about these things. We make the tough decisions to back up those words with action. And the results prove our approach is correct. I want to thank my team at the Bureau of Finance and Management for putting together this budget. Would you all give them a round of applause? Commissioner Jim Terwilliger and his team have been so fantastic to work with. They will be around to answer whatever questions you may have throughout this upcoming legislative session. South Dakota has been home all my life and always will be. Thank you all for giving me the opportunity to serve you. I want to thank all of you for joining me on this incredible journey and for serving the people of South Dakota alongside me. Thank you all. God bless you. And Merry Christmas! 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. Christopher Collings, 49, is scheduled to die by an injection of pentobarbital Tuesday evening at the state prison in Bonne Terre. It would be the 23rd execution in the U.S. this year and the fourth in Missouri (photo submitted). On Tuesday evening, the state of Missouri is scheduled to once again require state workers to kill a human being. Christopher Collings would be the 101st person Missouri officials have executed since 1989. He was sentenced to death for the murder of 9-year-old Rowan Ford in Stella, a town in southwest Missouri. We mourn Rowans death and grieve her loss along with all who loved her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, Missourians should not condone the use of state violence to end Collings life, especially in light of irregularities which plagued the investigation and trial, Collings structural brain abnormalities and his brutal upbringing. Gov. Mike Parson should intervene in an act of mercy to halt the execution and commute Collings sentence to life in prison. On Nov. 9, 2007, Rowans stepfather David Spears and Collings both confessed to different police departments that they raped and murdered the child. Friends and acquaintances portrayed Collings as a follower and someone who would do anything for Spears who had helped Collings get a job and provided him a place to live for several months. That includes, perhaps, even taking the fall for murder. Collings went on trial first. His confession was the primary evidence used to convict him. No physical evidence directly implicated him in the crimes. After the state secured Collings conviction, prosecutors dropped the first-degree murder charge against Spears. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Kansas City Star, Spears pled guilty to endangering the welfare of a child and hindering a felony prosecution, received an 11-year sentence and was freed in 2016. Spears confession aligns closely with available evidence, and Spears himself led officials to his stepdaughters body in a sinkhole. A trained police cadaver dog positively signaled that the child had been in the cargo hold of a car Spears borrowed that night, consistent with his confession. Spears had previously repeatedly lied to authorities to deflect his guilt, including lying about the whereabouts of his stepdaughter that night when his wife was at work. FBI investigators confiscated Spearss computer hard drives and found two years worth of pornographic materials, some featuring violence against teenage girls and even children. During Collings trial, prosecutors declined to disclose that then-Wheaton Police Chief Clinton Clark, the star witness who secured Collings confession, had four criminal convictions and himself had been incarcerated for several months. Clarks criminal record would have undermined his credibility, especially given the lack of physical evidence implicating Collings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jurors in Collings trial never heard this evidence regarding the Police Chiefs own criminal record. They also never heard evidence documenting Collings brain abnormalities. It wasnt until years later that a neurologist reviewed brain MRI images, EEG and other diagnostic testing. The neurologist attested to anatomic abnormalities in the right temporal lobe of Collings brain, consistent with difficulties in memory and emotional regulation, and likely the source of abnormal brain electrical activity. The neurologist further noted that Collings brain showed deficits in circuits that are responsible for functions such as awareness, judgment and deliberation, comportment, appropriate social inhibition, and emotional regulation, which in turn made the effects of the alcohol he consumed that day of the crime that much more deleterious to his capacity to exercise judgment and deliberate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least three of the trial jurors later said this information would have made a difference and they would have voted for life without parole instead of death if they had known it. Collings own upbringing was a nightmare of pain, violence and neglect. He was placed as a baby in foster care, and was frequently physically abused and repeatedly raped as a child by caregivers and trusted others. Despite this, Collingss years of sobriety while incarcerated are evidence that he needed help and was amenable to a different life path. He had no prior criminal record and no major prison violations. Hes been a positive presence in prison, involved in restorative justice programs, has consistently held a prison job, and was chosen to be part of a program that trains dogs for adoption. Collings has had and continues to have a positive impact on the lives of many people, including his two daughters. With a life without parole sentence, he could continue to give back to his family and society. But a death sentence necessarily will remove this opportunity from these lives and replace it with trauma. Taken together, Missourians should be alarmed about imposing a death sentence in light of procedural irregularities, Collings brain abnormalities and his brutal childhood abuse. Humanity and simple mercy demand that Missourians deserve better. Gov. Parson would enrich his legacy by exercising such grace. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has denied a clemency request from convicted killer Christopher Collings, who is scheduled to be executed Tuesday. Attorneys for Collings have raised questions about his case and asked the U.S. Supreme Court to halt the execution, but the high court also denied their request Monday. Collings who was convicted of the 2007 killing of Rowan Ford, a 9-year-old girl in southwestern Missouri is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection Tuesday. In a statement Monday, Parson said the state would carry out the execution as planned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Collings has received every protection afforded by the Missouri and United States Constitutions, and Mr. Collings conviction and sentence remain for his horrendous and callous crime, Parson said. The State of Missouri will carry out Mr. Collings sentence according to the Courts order and deliver justice. There is not and never has been any doubt about Collings involvement or the heinousness of his crimes, the statement continued. Nor has Collings conviction or sentence ever been reversed on appeal. Collings case has been reviewed in the state trial court, Missouri Supreme Court, federal district court, Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and United States Supreme Court. A message seeking comment sent to Jeremy Weis, an attorney for Collings, was not returned Monday evening. Dec. 2Gov. Chris Sununu will urge the Executive Council Wednesday to approve a seven-year agreement for Dartmouth Health to run the state's only mental health hospital for children, the state-owned Hampstead Hospital. The outgoing Republican governor said the proposed 138-page contract would save the state $20 million. The Department of Health and Human Services recently gave the state an estimate of $34 million to administer the facility on its own. "This partnership with Dartmouth Health will ensure one of the country's most prestigious health systems is taking care of New Hampshire's kids," Sununu said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is an amazing win-win opportunity that ensures world-class care while saving an estimated $20 million annually in overhead costs to the state." Sununu has pointed to the 2022 state purchase of the privately owned Hampstead Hospital as achieving one of his overarching goals: to create a state-of-the-art mental health treatment center for those under 18. "Without this contract, the long-term stability of the state's only mental health hospital for children is at significant risk," Sununu said. This deal calls for the state to lease the 89,000-square-feet of mental health for children space to the Dartmouth Health-owned Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital (MHMH) of Lebanon for an annual rent of nearly $1.2 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This rent payment would go up by 2.5% a year over the seven-year term. The agreement allows for up to three, five-year renewals of that contract that could extend DH's control of the facility to 2046. The contract calls for the state to remain involved in management of services for one year after this contract is approved and to collect an administrative fee of up to $5 million. A Joint Operating Committee made up of state and MHMH officials will oversee and make recommendations about management at Hampstead Hospital, Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Weaver said. A bipartisan group of executive councilors previously vowed to closely scrutinize this contract once it came to them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Councilors Janet Stevens, R-Rye, and Cinde Warmington, D-Concord, have both raised concerns about the status of those employees working in the program since the state bought the facility. In submitting the contract, Weaver sought to assure the council these workers' needs will be addressed. Weaver said the agency will transfer "any executive or support staff" not brought into MHMH staff into other jobs in her department "as allowable under existing personnel rules." "Both parties (state and Dartmouth Health) also believe that it will strengthen the facility's ability to attract, retain and train a robust workforce; Hampstead Hospital Residential Treatment Facility has a skilled and dedicated workforce and Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital will offer positions to the workforce in accordance with the terms of the agreement," she said in a letter to the council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, the council approved a no-bid, $52 million contract with Wellpath to manage Hampstead, despite complaints from some New Hampshire stakeholders about past controversies regarding Wellpath's management of other programs outside the state. When the two-year pact ended, the council dropped Wellpath after Stevens and local first responders repeatedly complained about the provider's response in dealing with juveniles who had become violent there. "This is a 138-page contract released on a holiday weekend; seven days (including Thanksgiving) to review a seven-year contract just isn't enough time," state Rep. Erica Layon, R-Derry, vice chairman of the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee posted on X. "Table it on Wednesday and take it up at the final meeting Dec. 18th." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Layon said she's filed legislation for the 2025 session to make all Hampstead Hospital workers state employees. "We should have a vibrant discussion of state-owned/state-operated, state-owned/private-operated or privately owned and operated models," Layon added. "Signing a 9-day-old, seven-year contract on Wednesday prevents that conversation." But she said the state needs to act since the temporary staffing authority ends without further action next June 30. klandrigan@unionleader.com GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) The Grand Rapids City Commission approved an incentives plan Tuesday night for a massive downtown development that would add three new high-rises to the citys skyline. Earlier in the day, the commission voted 6-1 to advance the plan, with 3rd Ward Commissioner Kelsey Perdue the only no vote. A final vote at the city commission meeting approved it. The incentives will still require state approval. WHAT THE DEVELOPMENT WILL LOOK LIKE Fulmar Property Holdings, LLC, would like to build the $800 million project on a 6.9-acre site at the intersection of Fulton Street and Market Avenue, which includes the former Charleys Crab site. Fulmar Property Holdings is a DeVos and Van Andel-backed company, Crains Grand Rapids Business reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project would include a 21-story office tower along US-131, a 43-story residential tower and a 27-story hotel and condo tower. If built, the residential tower would be the tallest in the city. We know that this corner, its been privately owned and it has sat vacant decades. Charleys Crab was there, but it was demolished a number of years ago after it fell into disrepair. So when you think about that location, it is wildly underutilized and so Im excited to see a project of this scale and scope move forward, Mayor Rosalynn Bliss said after the meeting. The office tower would be mostly occupied by one tenant and would include eight floors of parking. Construction on that building is expected to start in the fall of 2025, with the goal of completing it in the fall of 2027. Grand Rapids holds hearing on triple tower development project Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other two towers would share a second parking structure. They would include around 600 apartments aimed at those making around 150% of the area median income with rates set between $2,643 and $3,928 along with 76 condos and 130 hotel rooms. Crews are expected to start construction on both of those buildings in the summer of 2026, with a completion goal of the summer of 2029. This project has a lot of benefits to the community, Bliss said. Its bringing in thousands of jobs. Its bringing in over 700 housing units. We know that we need that. A huge part of the problem in our community right now is supply. Where do we want that kind of high-density development? We want it downtown. Its consistent with the master plan. She added the project would develop the riverfront, including with a public trail and green space. THE INCENTIVE PACKAGE Before the city commission Tuesday was the projects Transformational Brownfield Plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Transformational Brownfield is a very specific to large scale mixed-used projects in urban cores, Bliss explained. Its a limited incentive at the state level, but it was specifically created to support projects like this. Developers are asking a total of around $588 million in incentives from both the state and the city. About $130 million of that would be a brownfield incentive local property tax capture. A graph in planning documents that breaks down the incentives developers are requesting for a triple tower project planned for downtown Grand Rapids. (Courtesy) Project leaders have proposed contributing $8.5 million to the Grand Rapids affordable housing fund over 20 years. Project organizers say that funding would be enough to support 85 affordable units. The group Together West Michigan gathers outside Grand Rapids City Hall on Dec. 3, 2024, to voice their objections to an incentives package for a proposed high-rise development. That $8.5 million comes out to about 1.4% of the $588 million in incentives. During a public hearing on the project on Nov. 12, local activist group Together West Michigan said the city should renegotiate that contribution to 20% total, with 10% paid upfront. Michigan Growth Advisors, the economic development subsidiary managing the financial planning of the project, said that would make the project unfeasible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Massive project planned for GR would create downtowns tallest building Bliss called the $8.5 million contribution significant, and pointed out that the city would collect income taxes from people living and working in the development. So during the time or course of this incentive, well be collecting millions of dollars a year in local income tax, Bliss said. Thats how we pay for all of our valuable services: our police, our firefighters, our parks and all the other investments we make around housing. COMMISSIONER SOUGHT GREATER PUBLIC BENEFIT Commissioner Perdue, the lone no vote on the Transformational Brownfield Plan, said she was disappointed the incentives were OKd though she had expected it. She argued the community as a whole is not getting enough out of the development to justify the incentives plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In exchange for the public financing this project, on extremely beneficial terms, the public is asking for public benefit. I think that is fair, she said. She specifically cited the contribution to the affordable housing fund and the schedule under which payments to that fund are expected to be made. Right now, the contribution to the affordable housing fund, the amount and the schedule, would allow us to build less than two units a year. I find that unacceptable, she explained. Inside WOODTV.com: Building West Michigan She also said the project should have done more to support workplace development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayor said that the city encouraged developers to include and expand an inclusion plan that would support local minority-owned businesses and get them into newly-created retail space. The $50 million contribution to micro-local business is a voluntary agreement that this development is committed to, Bliss said. Perdue acknowledged that movement. There was a 1.1% increase in the inclusion plan, Perdue said. That 1.1% increase represents about a $20 million increase in the inclusion plan to local, women-owned and minority-owned businesses. Perdue said though the vote didnt go her way, she was pleased with how the issue has spurred community engagement. That did lead to some changes in the plan, she said, but not enough to get her backing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This conversation is a launching pad for whats to come, she said. COMMUNITY MEMBERS SPEAK Some residents took similar concerns to the City Commission meeting Tuesday night. We are here to restate the call for a greater benefit for public investment and greater transparency in this and future projects, one commentator said. The night started even before the meeting, as organizers gathered outside city hall to rally for more money toward affordable housing. The development would contribute $8.5 million toward affordable housing, which organizers argued was not enough. Tonight, I ask is this project truly in line with the vision, is it serving the people who truly need it? one person said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On a project this size, $8.5 million is a rounding error and our residents who cant afford housing need more than a rounding error, another member said. The commission meeting also brought out residents from Grand Rapids Southeast side who were impacted by the water main break back in June. They called on the city to invest in its current infrastructure issues before starting new ones. We come first, please help us. We are not against the project, we just need you to address our needs, Mary Thompson said. This main water break was caused by the failure of outdated public infrastructure in an under-invested area of the city, Tom Schurino said. Public infrastructure, like a water main, is one of the things that public money can be used to address, if we are going to have new downtown development, we have got to have infrastructure. Also if you are going to have development, you got to make sure you can take care of what you already have and I am not sure thats happening in the Third Ward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement *Correction: A previous version of this article misstated a vote count. The plan passed 6-1 Tuesday morning. We regret the error, which has been fixed. 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. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) A Trumbull County grand jury has declined to return an indictment against a man in connection to a Warren murder. Donovan Adams was charged with a first-degree felony charge of complicity in the April 4 murder of Howard Dorsey. He was arrested in July in connection to the shooting. Kyair Kyser was charged with aggravated murder in the case but a grand jury declined to return an indictment on Kyser in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kyser turned himself in to police a week before Adams was arrested. No further charges are pending for either Kyser or Adams at this time. The two men were arrested after Dorsey was found shot to death inside his house in the 1000 block of Lovers Lane NW. A friend of the victim reported the shooting to 911. Joe Gorman and Nadine Grimley 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 WKBN.com. BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on Tuesday announced a decision to tighten the control over the export of relevant dual-use items to the United States, to safeguard national security and interests and fulfill non-proliferation and other international obligations. According to a statement on the MOC's website, the export of dual-use items to U.S. military users or for military purposes is prohibited. In principle, the export of dual-use items related to gallium, germanium, antimony and superhard materials to the United States is not to be permitted, while stricter examinations on end-users and end-use purposes are to be conducted regarding exports of the dual-use item of graphite to the United States, according to the statement. This announcement comes into effect as of the date of publication, according to the MOC. Any organization or individual from any country or region that, in violation of the above provisions, transfers or provides relevant dual-use items originating in the People's Republic of China to the United States will be held legally responsible, the statement said. Dual-use items mean goods, technologies and services that may be used for either civil or military purposes or to contribute to an increase in military potential, especially to design, develop, produce or use weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. The decision was made in accordance with Chinese laws including the Export Control Law of the People's Republic of China, an MOC spokesperson said Tuesday in a reply to a media query on the latest move. "In recent years, the United States has overstretched the concept of national security, politicized and weaponized economic and technological issues, abused export control measures, arbitrarily restricted the export of relevant products to China, and put a number of Chinese companies on the sanctions list to suppress and contain them," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that the U.S. practices seriously undermine international trade rules, the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises, as well as the stability of global industrial and supply chains. Noting that the Chinese government is firmly committed to promoting high-standard opening-up and opposes any erroneous generalization of the concept of national security, the spokesperson said China is ready to strengthen dialogue on export control with relevant countries and regions to jointly promote the security and stability of the global industrial and supply chains. Dec. 2The Otsego County Conservation Association has announced the expansion of its community science programs following a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The project, titled Expanding Community Science in Otsego County to Advance Inter-Watershed Collaboration, Assessments and Future Restoration, aims to "involve community members in vital water quality monitoring of local streams and lakes, as well as evaluations of stream-road crossings," according to an OCCA news release. The project will engage members of the public in collecting data about streams, lakes and stream crossings, the release stated. The data collected through the initiative will provide essential insights into local watershed conditions and establish groundwork for future restoration projects aimed at enhancing aquatic habitats. Additionally, OCCA will offer technical assistance to strengthen several local, volunteer only, environmental organizations, enabling them to achieve their conservation goals more effectively, the release stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are very excited to be building our Community Science teams here at OCCA. Connecting people to interactive ways to get outside and collect data for future environmental improvement projects benefits both the environment and the local community," said Amy Wyant, executive director of OCCA. The focus of the project will primarily be on the Butternut Creek, Canadarago Lake and Otsego Lake watersheds, which contribute to the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay. OCCA will enhance its existing volunteer Stream Team Water Quality Monitoring program, originally established in 2017, by including additional monitoring sites on the Butternut Creek and various new locations near Canadarago Lake. Alongside the stream team, OCCA will establish volunteer culvert assessment teams to examine stream-road crossings within the watersheds and a lake monitoring team dedicated to reinforcing ongoing monitoring efforts led by the Canadarago Lake Improvement Association and Otsego Lake Association. "In addition to building our community science teams, we will be collaborating with three volunteer-only organizations to enhance their capacities in protecting the Butternut Valley, Canadarago and Otsego watersheds," Wyant added. The success of the programs will hinge on volunteer participation, the release stated. Stream team volunteers will gather water samples once each month from designated sites, measuring various water quality parameters throughout the year. Lake monitoring volunteers will commit one or two days per month from June through September, while the new culvert assessment team will establish its monitoring schedules based on project needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those interested in joining any of the community science teams are encouraged to fill out the Community Science Interest form available at www.occainfo.org/volunteering. Theis project is made possible through funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, with additional support from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Chesapeake Bay Program, according to the release. Sen. Chuck Grassley (Iowa), the incoming Republican chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Monday he had a good meeting with President-elect Trumps pick for attorney general, Pam Bondi. Good mtg w Pres Trumps nominee for Atty General Pam Bondi As judic chairman I look fwd to considering her nomination in the new congress, Grassley said in a post on the social platform X. Grassleys post featured two photos of him alongside the former Florida attorney general, who Trump announced as his selection to lead the Justice Department late last month, after his previous pick, former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), withdrew from consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans Not anymore. Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again. I have known Pam for many years She is smart and tough, and is an AMERICA FIRST Fighter, who will do a terrific job as Attorney General! Trump said on Truth Social on Nov. 21, in announcing the Bondi nomination. The president-elects announcement of Bondi as his attorney general pick resulted in a comparatively enthusiastic response from Republicans, signaling that she faces an easier road to the role than Gaetz, who has been accused of sexual misconduct and had fraught relationships with many other Republicans in Congress. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), a Democratic member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has said that she hopes Bondi will aim to uphold the Constitution if she is confirmed as attorney general. Pam Bondi will have a hearing and will be able to make her views clear. I think the things that I look at, is this someone competent? And are they going to uphold the law? It is so important, Klobuchar told ABC News in late November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bondi also met with GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.) on Monday. Shes a great choice and a longtime friend. The right person at the right time. I look forward to next year, Graham told reporters. 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. Even more snow could be on the way for places in the Great Lakes region that are still digging out after days of storms caused deadly wrecks, collapsed a barn on top of 100 cows and buried some towns under nearly 6 feet (1.8 meters). While cleanup was still taking place Tuesday around parts of western New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan where some places saw just an inch or two of snow while others were hit with several feet areas in New York were still seeing snowfall and a lake-effect snow warning remained through much of Tuesday. Some spots could get another 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters) of snow, according to the National Weather Service. Layers of snow piled on top of an Ohio high school caused its roof to partially collapse while the building was closed over the weekend. School officials near Ashtabula found more damage on Monday, saying it would take weeks to repair and that they were making plans to move classes elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than five feet (1.5 meters) of snow blanketed the area east of Cleveland along Lake Erie and more was expected later in the week, with a winter storm watch in place from the weather service beginning Wednesday night into Friday. Todd Brainard used a roof rake to scrape several feet of snow from the top of his house in North Perry, Ohio. I just dont want to take the chance of having the roof cave in on my kids or wife or any one of us, he said Tuesday. A lot of people havent seen this amount of snow in a long time. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency in four counties on Tuesday, noting that more snow squalls and high winds were expected in the coming days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In neighboring western Pennsylvania, another 3 to 9 inches (8 to 23 centimeters) could fall from late Wednesday through Thursday morning. Many school districts in the western part of the state remained closed Tuesday after several days of lake-effect snow. Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard were using Humvees and tactical vehicles to transport health care workers and those needing medical care while also rescuing stranded drivers during the past four days, according to a spokesperson, Maj. Travis Mueller. In Erie, Pennsylvania, which was buried under several feet of snow, more than 200 cars were left abandoned in the snow, hampering efforts to clear streets. Even for a city accustomed to lake-effect snow, the storm was unprecedented in its intensity, said the citys assistant fire chief, Gregory Purchase. Erie County officials asked residents to help dig out fire hydrants on their streets and added that inmates from the jail were expected to be enlisted in the effort starting Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The heavy snow in recent days was blamed for a series of fatal accidents. Three people died Monday morning in an Iowa crash involving two vehicles after a driver crossed into the oncoming lane of traffic to pass a snowplow, according to the Iowa State Patrol. In western Kentucky, two people died in a crash Monday night that blocked Interstate 24 for hours. Winter weather conditions had caused multiple accidents along the highway, officials said. Meanwhile in southeast Alaska, an ice storm warning was in effect along with flood watches because of rain and melting snow, the weather service said. Juneau, the capital city, received heavy snowfall over the weekend before precipitation transitioned to rain and temperatures warmed. ___ Contributing to this report were John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio; Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Michael Rubinkam in Allentown, Pennsylvania; Becky Bohrer in Juneau, Alaska; and Dylan Lovan in Louisville, Kentucky. ROCHESTER N.Y. (WROC) Monday, one local school celebrated the launch of its afterschool program for 6th graders! Greece Arcadia is officially partnering with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Rochester. Were told the program will offer both part-time and full-time options. Officials said theyll be focusing on academic support, social-emotional learning and creative engagement. A variety of activities planned will include arts and crafts, video gaming and physical activity. There will also be food and drinks available. Walworth, Greece Byrne Dairy locations look to open in January Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We really want to hear from the students, especially today, on what they want to do and what theyre interested in right now, said program director Cassidy Osborne. So, we will be doing a survey, and we will take that into consideration. The program runs Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. 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. Sir Keir Starmer ruled out discussing a return of the Elgin Marbles to Greece in his meeting with his Greek counterpart on Tuesday despite claims from Athens that progress had been made on the issue. While Downing Street insisted that the ancient sculptures would not be on the agenda for the bilateral meeting between the Sir Keir and Kyriakos Mitsotakis, a Greek government official said progress has been made and it will be discussed further on Tuesday. The Greek official told The Times: Progress for the return of the Parthenon marbles has been made by the two sides and that is why Mitsotakis is meeting today with the British prime minister. Nothing is in hiding. Nothing is hidden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But ahead of the meeting, the prime ministers official spokesperson said: Its not going to be on the prime ministers agenda. His focus will be on support for Ukraine, the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza. (AFP via Getty Images) The prime minister welcomed Mr Mitsotakis to No 10 on Tuesday morning, the Greek leaders first official visit to the UK since a quarrel with Rishi Sunaks government over the ancient marbles, also known as the Parthenon Sculptures. Following the meeting, a Downing Street spokesperson stressed there has been no change to the governments position, adding: It is a matter for the British museum. The government has no plans to change the law that would permit a permanent move of the Elgin Marbles. A British Museum spokesperson said discussions with Greece about a Parthenon Partnership are on-going and constructive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We believe that this kind of long term partnership would strike the right balance between sharing our greatest objects with audiences around the world, and maintaining the integrity of the incredible collection we hold at the museum. Greece has long maintained that the Elgin Marbles were illegally removed from their place high atop Athens acropolis during a period of foreign occupation. The government and the British Museum reject this characterisation. It comes amid reports that ongoing talks about the future of the statues are now well advanced, citing sources close to the negotiations between the museum and the Greek Foreign Ministry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A cultural partnership would be likely to be at the heart of a deal, The Guardian said, which could see the sculptures returned to Athens in exchange for exhibitions of famous artworks. Starmer welcomed his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Downing Street on Tuesday morning (AP) The marble statues came from friezes on the 2,500-year-old Parthenon temple and have been displayed at the British Museum for more than 200 years. They were removed by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century, when he was British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. Some of the remaining temple statues are on display in the purpose-built Acropolis Museum in Athens, and Greece has long called for the collections to be reunited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A diplomatic row between Greece and the UK was sparked under the previous government when former PM Mr Sunak cancelled a meeting with Mr Mitsotakis, who had made a push for the sculptures return. Mr Sunak denied having thrown a hissy fit over the matter and accused his counterpart of grandstanding. Mr Mitsotakis had compared splitting the Elgin Marbles from those still in Athens to cutting the Mona Lisa in half. The leader of Germany's Green Party in parliament sees a chance to pass legislation legalizing abortion during the first three months of pregnancy. Katharina Droge told fellow Green politicians on Tuesday that a group of lawmakers pushing the motion has a real chance to form a legislative majority for the legislation before the country's early elections, which are expected to be held in February. Abortions are currently illegal under Section 218 of the German Criminal Code, although in practice they are available and not subject to punishment if performed during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, provided that the woman receives counselling beforehand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abortions are also not subject to any punishment if there are medical reasons or if they are performed due to rape. There has been tense debate in Germany for years over whether to get rid of the ban on abortions, or amend the criminal code to legalize the procedure under at least some conditions. The latest effort to do so is due to be discussed for the first time this week in the German Bundestag, or lower house of parliament. "My impression is that there could be a majority in favour of passing the law in the German Bundestag during this legislative period," Droge said. Many Green lawmakers favour the move. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a centre-left Social Democrat (SPD), also signed on to the motion in his capacity as a member of parliament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I am part of a very large group of members of parliament who will propose this week that we come to a reform that provides more security and more self-determination for women," said Droge. The current proposal would legalize abortions during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. UPDATE: The Greenville County Sheriffs Office said Malachi has been found, safe. GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) The Greenville County Sheriffs Office said they are actively searching for a runaway child. According to deputies, 12-year-old Malachi Smith was last seen at the Food Lion in the area of 6 Kmart Plaza, just before 5 p.m. He was last seen wearing dark pants, beige shoes and a grey coat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Malachi is 4 feet 8 inches tall, 100 pounds, black hair and brown eyes. Deputies ask if anyone sees Malachi or has information regarding his whereabouts, to call 911 immediately. 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 WSPA 7NEWS. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Starting in January, Tennessee will require anyone who watches pornography to verify their age to access adult websites. One group has sued in order to stop the law from taking effect in the state, claiming the law is unconstitutional. Meanwhile, a similar case from Texas will go to the U.S. Supreme Court. Im just lucky: Brenda Lees Christmas classic is now Tennessees official holiday song Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After years of debate, the Protect Tennessee Minors Act passed in June, receiving Governor Bill Lees signature. The law emphasizes the need for ID verification based on childrens unsupervised access to the internet and said this law is the best hope for shielding children from pornography online. In a store, you cant buy a Playboy or a Hustler or whatever the heck they are anymore without showing your ID, right? president of the Tennessee Faith & Freedom Coalition, Aaron Gulbransen, said. So this law simply brought the law to match up with technology. According to a 2023 study from the National Library of Medicine, adolescent pornography use has continuously increased. Web traffic data from one pornographic website, PornHub, suggested the U.S. was the leading country when it came to watching pornography in 2023. Additionally, Tennessee was listed as one of the 10 states with the longest time spent per visit to the website. However, the Free Speech Coalition (FSC) and their co-plaintiffs have argued that restricting access violates the First Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are looking at challenging this law no matter where it is, Free Speech Coalition representative Mike Stabile said. However, the FSC argues that this law takes away from Tennesseans First Amendment rights. There is no First Amendment right to exposing kids to crazy sexual activities, Gulbransen expressed. I mean, there just isnt. The porn industry exists because its a business. People make money off of it, so these guys are just trying to make as much money as they can without having to comply with the law. According to the law, users must verify their age every 60 minutes. Anyone who violates the law would be subject to criminal and civil penalties, including up to 15 years in prison and $10,000 in fines. The FCS claims the 60-minute time limit exists only for the purpose of shaming the adult viewer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group also states that the law was not needed as parents can put parental controls on their childrens devices. In a statement, the Executive Director of Free Speech Coalition, Alison Boden, said: This law, and others like it, have effectively become state censorship, creating a massive chilling effect for those who deal in sex or sexuality, and creating significant privacy risk for Tennesseans who want to access sexual health information, adult content or any other controversial speech. The FSC has challenged similar Indiana, Montana, Texas, Louisiana, and Utah laws. In Indiana, the American Civil Liberties Union has said that, in regards to a law similar to Tennessees, the act does little to protect children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Group applauds Meharry Medical College for halting research involving inhumane treatment of mice There are just so many ways for minors to get around age verification, Chris Daley with the ACLU of Indiana said. Largely through using a VPN and making it look like they are in a state that doesnt have age verification. The lawsuit has sought a preliminary injunction. That similar lawsuit from the FSC in Texas will be heard by the Supreme Court 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 WKRN News 2. BEIRUT, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Israel on Tuesday launched an airstrike on the southern Lebanese town of Shebaa, killing one person, in what Lebanese media described as a violation of a newly-reached ceasefire with Hezbollah. The Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) reported that a missile fired by an Israeli drone killed a shepherd named Jamal Mohammad Saab. The NNA also said Israeli forces conducted heavy explosions in the area between the village of Mhaibib and the Wadi Saluki district and carried out drone strikes near Deir Siryan, a municipality in Marjeyoun, and the village of Beit Lif, all located in southern Lebanon. An Israeli Merkava tank reportedly crossed from the Tal Nahas area into the Deir Mimas-Burj al-Moulouk-Kfarkela triangle, stopping approximately 200 meters from a Lebanese army checkpoint in the village of Burj al-Muluk, according to the NNA. In response to escalating tensions, the Lebanese army deployed additional soldiers to the city of Tyre and surrounding areas as part of a broader redeployment effort in southern Lebanon, particularly in border villages, the NNA said. The Lebanese Defense Ministry also announced a call for new recruits to join combat units in the armed forces. Earlier on Tuesday, Israel warned it would expand its military operations to include targets linked to the Lebanese state if the ceasefire with Hezbollah collapses. The warning came after Hezbollah launched two mortars into a disputed border area on Monday, accusing Israel of repeated violations of the truce. Israel retaliated with airstrikes on more than 20 locations across Lebanon. The ceasefire, which took effect on Nov. 27, was intended to halt cross-border violence between Hezbollah and Israel that erupted on Oct. 8. However, tensions remain high, with both sides accusing each other of breaching the fragile agreement. The leader of Germany's Green Party in parliament sees a chance to pass legislation legalizing abortion during the first three months of pregnancy. Katharina Droge told fellow Green politicians on Tuesday that a group of lawmakers pushing the motion has a real chance to form a legislative majority for the legislation before the country's early elections, which are expected to be held in February. Abortions are currently illegal under Section 218 of the German Criminal Code, although in practice they are available and not subject to punishment if performed during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, provided that the woman receives counselling beforehand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abortions are also not subject to any punishment if there are medical reasons or if they are performed due to rape. There has been tense debate in Germany for years over whether to get rid of the ban on abortions, or amend the criminal code to legalize the procedure under at least some conditions. The latest effort to do so is due to be discussed for the first time this week in the German Bundestag, or lower house of parliament. "My impression is that there could be a majority in favour of passing the law in the German Bundestag during this legislative period," Droge said. Many Green lawmakers favour the move. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a centre-left Social Democrat (SPD), also signed on to the motion in his capacity as a member of parliament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I am part of a very large group of members of parliament who will propose this week that we come to a reform that provides more security and more self-determination for women," said Droge. The current proposal would legalize abortions during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. The obligation to undergo counselling would remain, but without the current waiting period of three days between counselling and the procedure. If an abortion is carried out without a counselling certificate, only the doctor - and not the woman - would be liable to prosecution in future. Conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democrats (CDU) reacted with indignation and outrage when the proposal was publicly unveiled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merz accused the lawmakers of trying to rush through divisive legislation at the end of the parliamentary term, just ahead of elections. It is an issue "that polarizes the country like no other, that is more likely than any other to trigger a completely unnecessary further major socio-political conflict in Germany," he said. Droge on Tuesday said that talking about the abortion issue in the way that Merz does seems more calculated to stir up major social conflicts. The parliamentary leader of the pro-business liberal Free Democrats (FPD), Christian Durr, made it clear ahead of a meeting with FDP lawmakers on Tuesday that members would be given a free hand in a vote. He called the proposal a medical ethics issue - "but at the same time, I question whether there is enough time for consultation in the short time remaining." House Speaker Tim Moore (left) and Senate leader Phil Berger speak at a press conference in the Legislative Building. (right) (Photo: Lynn Bonner) North Carolinas Republican-dominated state legislature is back in Raleigh this month for more of whats become a post-election tradition when Democrats manage to win a few statewide offices or narrow the margin in the absurdly gerrymandered state House and Senate: seizing power. This years exercise got underway the week before Thanksgiving when Republican leaders unveiled an out-of-nowhere, 131-page proposal to dramatically overhaul state government and rammed it through both chambers in a matter of hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While partially and clumsily cloaked as Hurricane Helene relief legislation, the bill is packed with dozens of significant law changes many of them unprecedented, hugely impactful, and of highly questionable constitutionality. In vetoing the bill on Nov. 26, Gov. Roy Cooper rightfully described the bill as a sham. As he noted, not only does it not appropriate significant sums to aid the people of western North Carolina struggling to recover from Helene, it actually blocks his attempt to boost unemployment insurance benefits for people who have lost jobs because of natural disasters. Meanwhile, the list of powers seized from the offices of the governor, attorney general, lt. governor and superintendent of public instruction is long, maddening and a direct assault on the verdicts voters rendered just weeks before. If ever a bill deserved to be relegated to the circular file because of its toxic substance, this is it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But if theres an even more objectionable and worrisome aspect to this legislation than what it says, it might just be the way it came to be. For many decades in North Carolina, both the Republican and Democratic caucuses at the General Assembly were fairly well-stocked with independent thinkers boat rockers who often worked across partisan lines, and who regularly demanded that leaders of both parties adhere to basic rules of process and transparency in order to protect the rights of political minorities and the publics right to know. In practice, this meant demanding that bills proceed through the normal committee processes with ample time for public notice and comment, opportunities for amendments, and adherence to basic parliamentary rules of germaneness (that is, requiring add-ons to relate to the main purpose of the legislation). Often, debates over these topics spilled onto the floor of each chamber, where members sometimes openly and publicly questioned and challenged their own partys leadership. In recent years, however, this pattern has waned dramatically especially in the Republican majorities, where members now walk, at least publicly, in almost complete lockstep. Indeed, its a fairly remarkable phenomenon to behold nearly 100 opinionated and strong-willed elected officials reliably doing the bidding of party leaders like dutiful sheep. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the results of this big and unfortunate shift have become increasingly apparent in numerous places from the way the state budget is now crafted each year in secret and rushed through the legislature with limited debate and opportunities for amendment, to the way the legislature now pops in and out of Raleigh throughout the year with little-to-no public notice as to what might be on its agenda, to lame duck sessions like the current one in which a momentous rewrite of state law (and as of Monday of this week, a new pair of constitutional amendments) can receive swift approval in minutes without so much as an opportunity to introduce or discuss an amendment. Of course, the reasons for this gradual but steady decline are not terribly mysterious. Long entrenched bosses with massive campaign war chests like Phil Berger and Tim Moore are more powerful than ever. Meanwhile, gerrymandering, the rise of Trumpism, and the threat of primaries from the far right have all but eliminated Republican centrists. And there should be no doubt that all of this amounts to, despite the claims of GOP leaders that theyre simply engaged in politics as usual, a genuine and momentous decline. As veteran state government watcher Ran Coble put it in an essay recently published by Raleighs News & Observer: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats committed similar power grabs and used bad process when they were in charge. But the power grabs, abuses in legislative process and violations of the Constitutions separation of powers clause by the Republican legislative supermajorities are far more excessive, far more aggressive, and far more dangerous to a healthy democracy. Can this dramatic and destructive decline be halted? Coble expresses the hope that rank-and-file legislators who are not part of the leadership in both chambers will revolt against the leadership and demandreforms, and the recent decision of three House Republicans to vote no on the power grab bill certainly shows how such a move, if sustained over time, could be effective. As Buncombe County Democratic Senator Julie Mayfield told NC Newsline recently, however, there are few indications that any Republican members possess the courage or inclination to take on such a battle, given the political repercussions they would likely face. In other words, unless something truly unforeseen and heroic occurs, for the time being, it looks as though GOP at the state Legislative Building will continue to refer to, among other things, the group of pawns. Critics of a proposed 85-mile railway line in the Uinta Basin to ship waxy crude to the Gulf Coast detailed their opposition Tuesday in an advance of a U.S. Supreme Court hearing next week. Representatives from the Center for Biological Diversity, Earthjustice and the Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment excoriated MAGA justices on the nations highest court for taking up the case. If anybody needs to be messing with NEPA (the National Environmental Protection Act), its Congress, not the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is a terrible body to be tinkering with this statute for anybodys reasons, because, among other things, it doesnt know what its doing, and this kind of legal analysis to solve policy problems is never a good idea, said Sam Sanker, senior vice president for programs with Earthjustice. So thats why you know whatever the debate is, it shouldnt be happening in front of nine justices who know basically know nothing about railways, environmental impacts or climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed railway by the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition is being sought as a way to connect eastern Utah to the national rail network to haul the oil out of state. It would travel east of Soldier Summit in Wasatch County to convey oil to other markets and connect to existing railways in Colorado. The railway is touted as a financial boost for the rural area of Utah, which is constrained on ways to get its oil to market. But in August 2023, an appellate court rejected a decision by the Surface Transportation Board that ruled the project could move forward. Backers of the proposed railway sued to overturn the lower courts decision. At the time, Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah, blamed litigation that delays energy projects in their tracks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utahns are deeply frustrated with the unnecessary barriers that energy projects face for approval. Litigious groups have weaponized NEPA to endlessly delay energy projects like oil, gas, wind, solar, nuclear, etc., Curtis said. I look forward to the Supreme Court considering the intended scope of this law, and I will continue to advocate in Congress for permitting reform to unlock our affordable, reliable, and clean resources. Proponents say a favorable U.S. Supreme Court ruling could set a new legal standard for a variety of energy projects across the nation, not just in Utah. We are optimistic that the Supreme Court will recognize the importance of this project for our community and the broader state economy, Keith Heaton, director of the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition, told the Deseret News. The railway is not just about moving goods; its about securing a prosperous, sustainable future for our communities. Heaton said Tuesday that what the court is simply looking at is the possibility of putting up some guardrails on the National Environmental Protection Act to provide more clarity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These projects are getting bogged down with bureaucratic tape, he added. For a long time, oil and gas has been the backbone of the economy in the Uinta Basin and much of eastern Utah. No single industry, however, can be sustainable or reliable for future generations, he said. This will give transportation options that are so important for our economy to diversify. But Brian Moench, president of Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, said that so-called prosperous future for the basin comes at the incredible public health cost due to exposure to air pollution. The basin already struggles with a wintertime ozone problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moench stressed that the adverse impacts to public health from air pollution are well documented and as Wasatch Front emissions dominate the publics attention, the Uinta Basin has incredibly significant problems due to ozone from oil and gas development. I just want to emphasize air pollution is deadly. It kills people. It causes a wide range of diseases every bit as extensive as what youd expect from smoking cigarettes, Moench said. A coalition of 19 conservative and libertarian groups sent a letter to congressional leaders Tuesday urging them to act after a major Supreme Court decision clawing back federal agency power. The coalition, led by Americans for Prosperity, told lawmakers they have a generational opportunity to rein in the federal bureaucracy after the high court in June overturned Chevron deference, which for 40 years had compelled courts to defer to agencies interpretations of ambiguous statutes. Overturning the doctrine marked a monumental victory for the conservative legal movement, and as President-elect Trump returns to the White House, Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk have latched on to the decision in their ambitious plans to slash federal regulations as co-heads of the newly minted Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. In the letter, the coalition proposed Congress delegate less authority to agencies in future legislation, streamline the procedures that allow lawmakers to overturn federal regulations, and increase agency oversight and hearings, among other steps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The groups said the efforts are needed to keep Congress one-step ahead of bureaucrats future attempts to regain lost influence and thwart government by the People. [W]ith Chevron vanquished and a growing nationwide demand to dismantle the administrative state and its crippling regulatory barriers, we write to recommend prioritizing the actions below to build a strong foundation for Congress to meet the challenges of a post-Chevron landscape, the groups wrote. Americans for Prosperity is a conservative political advocacy group funded by Charles Koch, the chair of Koch Inc., who has helped spearhead major regulatory challenges. The 18 cosigners included Americans for Tax Reform, Heritage Action, Club for Growth, the Competitive Enterprise Institute and the Manhattan Institute. Many of the groups backed the effort at the Supreme Court earlier this year that toppled Chevron deference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 1984 ruling had been cited in thousands of lower court decisions upholding regulations that affect wide aspects of American life, becoming a bedrock of modern administrative law. Anti-regulatory interests long looked to demolish the precedent as part of a broader attack on the administrative state, and found success with the Supreme Courts 6-3 conservative majority. The justices ruled along ideological lines that courts must exercise their independent judgment in deciding whether an agency has acted within its statutory authority, removing the deference that had long given the federal bureaucracy sweeping power. Updated at 9:27 a.m. EST 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. Guardian journalists have been warned not to intimidate strike-breakers as the newspaper braces for its first major walkout in half a century. Hundreds of staff members will down tools for 48 hours from tomorrow morning in protest against plans to sell The Observer to Tortoise, a loss-making startup run by James Harding, the former BBC News boss. Not all staff are taking part in the action. The Guardians hybrid working policy means journalists can work from home, allowing them to avoid walking past a physical picket line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, some employees fear that more ardent union members may snoop on the newspapers internal systems in an effort to identify strike-breakers. The companys publishing systems allow other people to see who is writing or editing articles. In an email to staff, seen by The Telegraph, the company said: Any monitoring of Guardian tools to see who is working on strike day would be viewed as intimidation and is not permitted. Bosses have also offered anonymous bylines to staff who are choosing to work in an effort to protect those who cross the picket line. The Guardian plans to keep printing the newspaper and updating its website on strike days. It will publish a news article about the action online and in print, while a notice will also be displayed explaining that union members are on strike and that some stories have been prepared in advance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guardian bosses urged strikers to be respectful of people entering or leaving the office, warning that inappropriate behaviour would be taken seriously. High-profile staff members and celebrity supporters are expected to join the picket line for the first day of strikes on Wednesday, which coincides with The Observers 233rd anniversary. Chris Packham, the BBC presenter and naturalist, threw his weight behind the walkout in a video posted on social media. He said: There are moves to sell The Observer which might imperil its future. Not good, thats why I stand in solidarity with its striking journalists. I don't think we should put a price on the truth . It's hard to find these days . But we do find it in the @ObserverUK and @guardian . There are moves to sell The Observer which might imperil its future . Not good , that why I stand in solidarity with its striking journalists pic.twitter.com/53ybMqw1za Chris Packham (@ChrisGPackham) December 2, 2024 Author Ian McEwan, actor Tilda Swinton and writer and director Armando Iannucci were among other high-profile names to express support for the strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laura Davison, the general secretary-elect of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), said: Guardian and Observer members have the full backing of the NUJ as they undertake this significant industrial action the first for over 50 years. The massive vote to take this step shows journalists desire to publicly highlight to readers and those in charge their collective concerns about the future of the title. The Observer holds a unique and important place in public life and our members care about the next chapter in its history. Guardian bosses are believed to have rubber-stamped the sale of The Observer. However, the ultimate decision lies with the Scott Trust, the 1.3bn fund that owns The Guardian and The Observer. Any deal will require the approval of at least three quarters of the trusts 12-member board. The NUJ is calling for exclusive discussions with Tortoise to be called off to consider alternatives to the proposed sale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newspaper bosses have mounted a last-ditch effort to calm staff anger ahead of the strike. Katharine Viner, the editor-in-chief, has held meetings with journalists over the last week, though numerous staff members said these had done little to ease concerns. In a further concession, Anna Bateson, Guardian Media Group chief executive, yesterday offered time-limited voluntary redundancy to any Observer journalists who do not want to be transferred to Tortoise. They will also have the opportunity to apply for internal only open roles at the Guardian, while freelance contracts will be extended until the end of September 2025. A spokesman for Guardian Media Group said: Its standard practice to advise any staff taking part in industrial action not to access internal work systems during the strike period. Our understanding is that the NUJ has advised its members likewise. Kath has to go One journalist said of the mood inside The Guardians newsroom: Morale is completely in the toilet and the whole place is on the brink of civil war. Kath is going to have to go. Shes cooked, as the kids say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Staff have accused management of putting pressure on senior members of editorial particularly section heads to work through the strike. A source close to the company denied this was the case. Despite the plans to offload The Observer to Tortoise, the Scott Trust is now exploring the possibility of retaining a golden share in The Observer that would give it power of veto over major decisions such as selling the title on. Under plans being discussed by bosses, the trust may also seek to retain a buy-back option that would allow it to reclaim the Sunday title should Tortoise run into financial difficulties. A spokesman for Guardian Media Group said: We recognise the strength of feeling about the proposed sale of the Observer and appreciate that NUJ members wish to make their views heard. While we respect the right to strike, we do not believe a strike is the best course of action in this case and our talks with the NUJ continue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are working to minimise the impact of strike action on readers and subscribers and we expect to continue to publish online and produce the print edition as usual. 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 2-year-old child from Crestline was killed after what authorities are calling a gun-related accident involving the childs 7-year-old brother. According to a media release from the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department, deputies were dispatched to a call regarding a shooting in a parking lot at 8250 Day Creek Blvd. in Rancho Cucamonga around 3:53 p.m. Monday. The address given by officials is a parking lot within the Foothill Crossing shopping center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When deputies arrived, they learned a 2-year-old boy had been shot, SBSD said. The boy was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. Intentional crash leads to murder-suicide in Compton Through investigation, deputies learned the victim and his 7-year-old brother were inside a truck when the 7-year-old found a firearm in the glovebox, resulting in the fatal shooting, deputies confirmed. SBSDs Specialized Investigations Division responded and assumed the investigation, and a report will be sent to the District Attorneys Office for review. Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact the Specialized Investigations Division at 909-890-4904. To remain anonymous, contact We-Tip (1-800-782-7463) or visit their website. 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. Another year, another luxury art auction that sells off some gimmicky work for stupid amounts of moneyand another crypto (con) artist at one end of the process. Late last month, an infamous 5-year-old artwork titled Comedian, which consists solely of one (1) banana attached to a gallery wall via a single strip of duct tape, was sold off by Sothebys for a whopping $6.2 millionup from the $1.5 million asking price it commanded pre-auction. (Cue the inevitable Arrested Development references.) The lucky new owner? Chinese cryptocurrency maven Justin Sun, who has since eaten the art. On the surface, its a funny curiosity of a story that would normally take up just enough of the news cycle for viewers to jab their thumbs and mutter to one another, Can you believe this shit? But Justin Suns involvement here takes this beyond the realm of mere amusement and into something far more insidious: a yearslong saga of skimping on international law, funneling ill-gotten wealth and splurging ostentatiously, abusing employees, becoming the subject of government investigations, plagiarizing white papers, and sucking up to President-elect Donald Trump for the sake of rewiring American financial regulation as we know it. Its a literal pay-for-play, with Sun announcing just one day after the banana stunt that he would invest $30 million in Trumps crypto scheme, World Liberty Financial, and bail it out of financial insolvency, earning an advisory role with the firm in the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The banana is not just a sideshow distraction for Sun on this execrable journey; it is very much part and parcel of his drive for wealth and power, as evidenced by how vocally he compared Comedian to NFTs and blockchain entries while eating the thing. There are many reasons why Justin Sun is so notorious within the crypto world, even though he remained mostly unknown to the wider public before now. So lets break down why this whole thing stinks kinda like a rotting banana. So, whats Justin Suns whole deal? Justin Sun is a 34-year-old digital entrepreneur, born and raised in China, who got interested in the burgeoning world of cryptocurrencies after moving to the U.S. in the early 2010s to study for a masters degree. He invested in Bitcoin and worked for Ripplebest known these days as the company that both successfully constricted the SECs crypto regulation abilities in court and poured so, so much money into the 2024 electionbefore funding his own ventures. Back in China, Sun launched Tron in 2017 as an open-source blockchain network similar to the Bitcoin alternative Ethereum, and raised $70 million for the venture through an initial coin offering, or ICO. (This is an unregulated method for crypto startups to raise initial investment by selling virtual tokens instead of regulated shares.) Now, China was about to crack down on ICOs for a good reason: They were a perfect instrument for rampant scamming, and the Chinese government didnt care for that. Conveniently, Sun managed to wind down Trons ICO just before China implemented its ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sun then moved to the U.S., and in June of 2018, Tron acquired the iconic peer-to-peer protocol BitTorrent, making him CEO of the company that had facilitated so much media piracy and transforming it into a more crypto-ready platform, with its own native token and all. By this point, more people were scrutinizing Sun. On Twitter, Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin directly accused Sun of plagiarizing from his crypto white papers, which Sun denied. In 2019, CoinDesk reported on an independent analysis that found the overwhelming majority of activity on Trons blockchain was related to gambling apps that even operated in countries where they were illegal, like Japan, and appeared to be personally backed with money from Sun himself. A series of scams and scandals continued to rock both Tron and Sun that year, from a multimillion-dollar Chinese Ponzi scheme that was linked to Tron and led to a victims suicide (as well as governmental investigation) to a botched Tesla giveaway that Sun had ironically spearheaded in an effort to encourage transparency, reliability and openness about blockchainand, well, to promote Tron by getting people to sign up and invest their funny money. Seems like quite the character! And we havent even gotten to Trons most significant controversies, some of which revolve around its in-house token, Tronix (TRX). In a 2020 profile of Sun for the Verge, journalist Christopher Harland-Dunaway detailed all sorts of unseemly testimoniesallegations of workplace abuse that included actual physical violence, stories of his existing connections with Chinese government officialsbut perhaps the most ominous may have been Suns response to an anonymous staffers question about what could happen if TRXs value drops to zero: Whoever asked this question, were going to track them down to kill their entire family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a follow-up profile published two years later, Harland-Dunaway included stories of Tron employees who encouraged staffers to buy TRX when his team knew that Tron was planning to announce good news to the public. After Tron made the announcement, the tokens value shot up, and they sold at a major profit. Yes, a straight-up pump-and-dump scheme to make sure the TRX price is at some level Justin wants. Sun also reportedly wanted TRX to not be classified as a financial security, which would force him to register the token with the Securities and Exchange Commission and be subject to its regulations. Inevitably, Sun and his companies would be charged by the SEC in 2023 for manipulating the market value of TRX and for paying off celebrities like Lindsay Lohan and Jake Paul to shill that token sans appropriate disclosure. (The case is ongoing, though it is likely to be dropped by a Trump administration SEC. Sun is certainly happy about the impending departure of the SECs crypto-aggressive head, Gary Gensler, and hes already celebrating a friendly U.S. market for crypto under Trump, which will allow for far more financial speculation schemes of the kind Sun specializes in.) What else happened to Sun in 2023? Well, two other crypto exchanges he just so happens to own got hacked, losing $120 million and $115 million, respectively. And Tron just happened to host 45 percent of all criminal crypto transactions around the world that year, according to a report by TRM Labs. There are so, so many more Justin Sun stories we could dive into here, but lets just cap this off with some 2024 lowlights: There were sanctions against Suns businesses by fellow players in the crypto industry, flailing attempts to keep more crypto businesses aloft, and Suns appointment as prime minister of a fake country that claims to use Bitcoin as its currency. Thats all bananas. But what about the banana? Why did he go for it? Justin Sun likes not just accumulating wealth but showing it off, especially through splashy purchases. Throughout 2021, as the NFT boom converged with a post-pandemic art-market rebound, Sun joined the crypto die-hards paying gobs of money for digital works to try to legitimize NFTs and live like art-hoarding kings on the blockchain. Sun went on to drop $100 million that year on both NFTs and IRL art by Picasso and Warhol, among others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It probably didnt take much sniffing for Sun to discover Comedian, which became immediately controversial after it debuted at Art Basel Miami in 2019 and sold for up to $150,000, marking creator Maurizio Cattelans first art-fair entry in 15 years. (Fun fact: Another one of Cattelans most notorious works is a golden toilet that actually interoperated with the Guggenheims plumbing system in 2016 and was offered to Trumps White House in 2018.) Where did the banana even come from? Well, it depends on which of Comedians many bananas over the years that youre referring to (for obvious reason, gallerists have had to cycle through many). The banana sold to and eaten by Sun was purchased the day of the auction by a Sothebys representative, who bought it for 35 cents from a Bangladeshi immigrant who works at a fruit stand right in front of the Manhattan auction house. Per a New York Times report, seller Shah Alam didnt know about the auction until a couple of days after the sale and explained that he had never seen this kind of money, as he lives in a shared basement apartment in the Bronx and doesnt even own the stand he helps operate for 12 hours a shift. Sun, who paid for the banana in cryptocurrency, appears to have been moved by Alams story, offering to buy 100,000 bananas from his stand and distribute them for free. Alam and the fruit-stand owner dont appear to care much for this idea, explaining to the Times that buying 100,000 bananas in bulk would be logistically difficult and expensive enough to crowd out any potential profit opportunity. Nevertheless, Sun appears to have employed Tron in service of this banana purchase-and-distribution effort. Excited to announce weve connected with Rana and Mr. Shah Alam that helped us create this moment in art history. Our plan to distribute the bananas is now underway, honoring their vital role in this story and celebrating their hard work. Stay tuned as we bring this initiative https://t.co/FUI5VaSLJj H.E. Justin Sun (@justinsuntron) November 30, 2024 Whats next for Sun? Suns X posts in the days following the banana-stand affair have mostly focused on a memecoin operation called SunPump, and his pinned tweet shouts out his investment in Trumps crypto operation, World Liberty Financial, alongside the claim that TRON is committed to making America great again and leading innovation. Heres a fun fact about that World Liberty Financial investment: Per Bloomberg, the companys crypto sales fell 93% short of the goal, so low they failed to hit the minimum required to trigger a payout to Trump. So guess what Suns $30 million investment did? It got token sales over that minimum, which entails a $15 million payout to Trump and his adult sons. While Sun claims not to have personally met any Trump family members, he will try to seek out Eric Trump in Abu Dhabi next week, when the Gulf city will host the Bitcoin MENA conference. Im sure those two will have some very productive conversations! H-E-B has announced an impressive slate of openings and renovations that are strategically spaced throughout the Austin metropolitan area. This includes a long-awaited South Congress Avenue store and an emphasis on opening in growth areas. In last week's announcement, H-E-B emphasized its commitment to charity and outlined plans to donate to affordable housing. However, amid plans for expansion and charity, not all residents are excited by the potential of a new H-E-B. Heres what to know: H-E-B announces spate of renovations and openings in Austin area This year, H-E-B has announced 12 major projects for the greater Austin area. Half of those are plans for new stores, and the rest are renovation projects efforts intended to position the retailer to serve even more Texans and improve the shopping experience for current customers, all while adding more than 4,000 jobs to the local economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a press release last week, H-E-B announced that a new South Congress store will officially open Wednesday. At more than 145,000 square feet, the multilevel store will have a ground floor with indoor and outdoor dining, a second floor with a large assortment of products, and three levels of above-ground parking with more than 500 spaces. H-E-B is about to open a long-awaited store on South Congress Avenue. It will replace a temporary Twin Oaks location, which replaced the old store at South Congress and Oltorf Street. The new store will have a ground floor with indoor and outdoor dining, a second floor with a large assortment of products, and three levels of above-ground parking with more than 500 spaces. On the Austin metro area's east side, H-E-B recently opened its third location in Pflugerville a store that has the first True Texas BBQ location for the city. In October, H-E-B started construction on a 106,000-square-foot store in Manor, which is expected to open in late 2025. More: Construction begins on H-E-B's 3rd grocery store in Georgetown; set to open next summer Major renovations and expansion were recently completed at the Tech Ridge H-E-B at Parmer Lane and Interstate 35, and the retailer has plans to update and expand the Ed Bluestein Boulevard HEB, a project estimated to start in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The retailer also has plans for a new H-E-B at McKinney Falls Parkway and William Cannon Drive, a project that will support growth throughout the area. With the new store, H-E-B said it is moving into an underserved area thats seeing a surge in population growth. Planning for the McKinney Falls store is still underway. Construction is slated to start next year, and the store is expected to open in late 2027. To help spur additional development, these efforts are aligned with community investments, which include a $1 million gift to Austin Habitat for Humanity to support two affordable housing projects in East Austin. At H-E-B, were always looking for ways to invest in our stores and the community. This level of investment takes years of planning, and we are incredibly excited to continue providing the greater Austin area with stores that are new, expanded and remodeled, said Cathy Harm, H-E-B senior vice president for the Central Texas region. As we look for ways to serve even more Texans, we also remain committed to support those in need and uplift our communities where we operate and beyond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: H-E-B rolling out tap-to-pay in all Texas stores, starting with the San Antonio area Amid scheduled openings, Del Valle residents see a long road ahead H-E-Bs press release last week publicized that the areas largest food retailer expected the Del Valle property to be sold back to the developer, who has expressed their intent to exercise their repurchase option on the land. Despite the sale, H-E-B remains committed to supporting this community, the company said in its press release. The news appears to upend the hopes of many Del Valle residents, who commute long distances for groceries and have long asked for H-E-B to develop the property it owns in their community. Many have assumed that the communitys steady growth over the years was inching it toward good news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patricia King, a Del Valle resident, ruminated on H-E-Bs announcement Wednesday afternoon as she considered a new green bean recipe her daughter had recommended. King bought the green beans and bacon, turkey and ham earlier in the week at a Walmart, all as part of her concerted effort to avoid shopping at an H-E-B because of the way weve been treated. Maybe, King said, she should have expected this. The community, as she described it, is used to bad news. And H-E-B had demurred about giving any timeline on the site. Weve been waiting and waiting, she said. It was one reason or another. The silver lining, she said, could be that other retailers, perhaps unwilling to take on H-E-B head-on, might now give the area a closer look. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement H-E-B, Costco or Publix? These supermarkets tied for best customer satisfaction nationwide An impatience with the speed of development led some Del Valle residents to organize for a community-owned food cooperative this year. That group, ignited by an allocation of federal dollars from the city, has elected a board and announced plans to start a part-time pop-up store early next year. The H-E-B news, co-op board member Juan Rodriguez Mora said, definitely shows the need for something like a co-op in the area that residents need to take things into their own hands. Austin City Council Member Vanessa Fuentes, whose district includes both the McKinney Falls site that will be built on and the Del Valle site that could be sold, said she was thrilled to hear a quickly growing region she represents will get a store but also understood that the news was disheartening to Del Valle residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said the City Council will continue to look for new ways to encourage food retailers to move into underserved areas, citing the councils amendment to its economic development policy to allow Austin to incentivize food retail in low-access areas as part of its place-based initiatives program. Until something changes, King said, community members will continue to stomach the inconveniences of a neighborhood removed. We will survive, she said. Weve survived being out here. See map of H-E-B store locations in the Austin area Beck Andrew Salgado covers trending topics in the Austin business ecosystem for the American-Statesman. To share additional tips or insights with Salgado, email Bsalgado@gannett.com. (This story was updated to add a video.) This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: H-E-B announces SoCo opening, but some Texas residents are frustrated Haitis children are hungry, many of them malnourished and on the verge of starving. Fleeing burnt out homes, they account for 365,000 of the more than 700,000 Haitians who are now internally displaced, forced into overcrowded makeshift camps with no access to drinking water or latrines. And thats not the worst of the suffering for Haitis children, 1.5 million of whom have lost their access to education because of rampant poverty and gang violence. In response, many are joining the gangs spreading violence and famine, their recruitment has jumped 70% over the past year while they now make up for 30 to 54% of gang membership, the U.N.s leading child welfare agency, UNICEF, has reported. Meanwhile, their cases of reported incidents of sexual violence has seen a staggering 1,000% increase just this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haiti is one of the worst places on the planet to be a child, said Catherine Russell, executive director of UNICEF. Children and families continue to experience unprecedented levels of lawlessness and brutality at the hands of the armed groups. The precarious situation of children in Haiti, where political stability, gang violence, recurrent natural disasters, poverty and mass emigration are undermining development, was the focal point of a special meeting Monday by the U.N.s Economic and Social Council, ECOSOC. The meeting was convened by Robert Rae, the councils president and Canadas special representative to the U.N., who wants to ring the alarm on plight of Haitis most vulnerable citizens. Increasingly concerned about their plight following his various visits to the country, Rae on Monday called for a prioritization to protect children as Haitis partners and the U.N. tries to address its complex, multi-faceted, multidimensional crisis. If not now, when, he said. Time is not our friend. We must move and we must do more. We have to make progress. We have to drive things forward. Essentially we have to hold the children not just in our hearts but in everything we do; in all of our efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haitis youth make up nearly half of the countrys population. Yet, they are bearing the brunt of its unprecedented gang crisis as armed groups now control large swaths of the capital and move into previously isolated areas despite the presence of 416 foreign security personnel from Kenya, Jamaica, Belize and The Bahamas in the country. The intertwined protracted crises gripping the country are not only challenges to governancethey are existential threats to society itself, with children paying the heaviest price, said Maria Isabel Salvador, the head of the U.N. Integrated Office in Haiti and the special representative of Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Schools are being turned into battlegrounds, hospitals are shuttered and children are increasingly being robbed of their innocence as they are turned into tools of violence, she said. This year alone, 238 children were killed or injured due to violence by armed gangs, whose latest brazen attacks have forced the closure of the main international and domestic airports in Port-au-Prince, and a current ban on U.S. commercial flights to Haiti by the Federal Aviation Administration. Another 38 kids have been reported kidnapped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haiti, she said, needs more than expressions of solidarity. A $674 million humanitarian needs and response plan for the country remains just 43% funded, U.N. agency heads said Monday, leaving areas such as child protection, education and nutrition critically underfunded as nearly half of the population, 5.4 million Haitians across the country struggle to find enough to eat. Still, despite the shortfall, the World Food Program on Monday announced that it is scaling up operations to meet the escalating food demands amid the staggering increase in people more than 50,000 people in the past two weeks who have been forced from their homes. We have been delivering record amounts of food assistance to Haitians in Port-au-Prince and across the country these past few months and will do even more in the coming weeks, WFP Country Director Wanja Kaaria said. The most recent food security data shows one-in-two Haitians do not have enough to eat while 2 million are facing emergency levels of hunger. Also, as many as 6,000 internally displaced people are experiencing catastrophic levels of hunger, famine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a crisis within a crisis, Ulrika Richardson, the U.N.s resident humanitarian coordinator in Port-au-Prince said during the meeting, stressing that funds are not just needed to address the current violence, which is untenable, but the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe and development needs. We need to continue humanitarian operations, otherwise the situation would be even worse for the most vulnerable people, and this includes children, she said. We know that we can do more, we can do better, but for that, we need more funding. Richardson, Salvador and Kaaria were among several speakers who addressed the room, which included humanitarian experts, representatives of foreign countries and members of Haitian civil society groups working to stop gang recruitment. There was even a musical interlude by Haitian artist Jean Jean Roosevelt, who was designated a UNICEF national ambassador as part of a recently launched initiative to raise awareness about the dangers of armed recruitment and to prevent children from being enrolled in armed groups through art and music. As the meeting unfolding, another meeting was also taking place. Next door, the U.N.s Peacebuilding Commission, which supports peace efforts in conflict-affected countries, was also meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United States has been pushing for a formal U.N. peacekeeping mission to Haiti to guarantee funding and sustainability of the ongoing security effort, which is struggling to make headway against armed gangs. China and Russia, however, have balked at the idea, saying there is no peace to keep in Haiti. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S.s ambassador to the U.N. who assumed the presidency of the Security Council for December, told journalists on Monday that negotiations for a peacekeeping mission are continuing, but acknowledged that they are not easy. This is what the Haitian people have asked for. It is what the former prime minister asked for, its what the new prime minister has asked for, Thomas-Greenfield said referring to recently ousted Prime Minister Garry Conille and his successor Alix Didier Fils-Aime. So were working with other members of the council, with the secretary general as well as with others to work, to get to a place where we can bring a peacekeeping mission forward. I cant tell you when or how we will succeed. I can tell you that were continuing to work on it and I know that we will eventually get there. For the Biden administration, time is of the essence. On Jan. 20th, president-election Donald Trump will take office and it remains unclear if his administration will support the deployment of a peacekeeping force to Haiti. During Trumps first presidency, the U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti, known as MINUSTAH, was on its way out of the country and despite warnings that Haiti wasnt ready to address its security crisis on its own, the Trump administration did not reverse course. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about the plan ahead of January 20, Rae, the Canadian ambassador, focused on the efforts of the Multinational Security Support mission, the MSS, currently being led by Kenya. He dismissed criticism about its ineffectiveness, and concerns about Kenyan President William Rutos failure to keep a promise to deploy his remaining 617 police officers to Port-au-Prince by November. I think the MSS is frankly, a work in progress, and we have to keep on supporting it, and keep on extending and making sure its better equipped, making sure the Haitian national police are better equipped, and thats exactly what were doing, said Rae. I think its difficult, but I dont think any of us are prepared to give up or lose our focus on the importance of strengthening the MSS. More troops are on the way, he said, without providing a date. And more assistance, he said, is coming to the Haiti National Police, which last week went after high profile gang leader Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier but failed to either arrest him or kill him although they reported destroying parts of his fiefdom. The intensified police operations marked the second time in recent months that police have targeted a high profile gang leader but failed. In October, police went after Vitelhomme of the Kraze Kraze Barye gang. They injured a top lieutenant they said but Innocent in retaliation set fire to a police armored vehicle. Rae said for him, addressing the security crisis was the top take away from Mondays meeting. The others were the need for more humanitarian assistance and development aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You cant get assistance to the people who need it, until we have security. You cant address the urgent needs that people have for food and for education and for some kind of housing, unless you deal with the security problem, Rae said. So that puts the security issue at the front of the line in terms of what is the key enabler to getting things done. But then we also have to look and deal with the urgent humanitarian issue. And we also need to look beyond just the humanitarian. We have to look at the question of, what do we do with respect to long-term development? he said. Reports of scammers impersonating the Rockingham County Sherriffs Office are on the rise, and scammers are trying to trick people into paying money to avoid an imminent arrest, the attorney generals office said Tuesday. Several scam reports have been filed with Attorney General John Formellas office and also with the Rockingham County Sherriffs Office, Formella said in a statement. Residents are reporting being contacted by scammers who claim that they missed a court appearance and are now facing a warrant for their arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It doesnt end there. The scammers are falsely claiming that a judge issued the warrant for the arrest, and theyre using the name of a real New Hampshire judge to make the scam seem credible, Formella said. They further deceive victims by sending fake proof that the person received and signed a notice about the court appearance, including a doctored image of a Registered Mail Receipt, Formella said. The attorney general offered the following information and tips to avoid becoming a victim of these types of scams: Law enforcement agencies will never ask for immediate payment to avoid arrest. Any unsolicited call, text, or email demanding money in exchange for avoiding arrest is a scam. Law enforcement will not threaten arrest unless immediate payment is made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Formella urged residents to stay alert and follow these steps if they receive such a call: Do not engage with the caller. Hang up immediately. Do not provide any personal information or money. Contact your local police department especially if youve lost money or arranged to have money picked up. If callers have concerns about the legitimacy of a call which purports to be from the Rockingham County Sherriffs Office, they should contact Rockingham County Dispatch at 603-679-2225 to verify the authenticity. Report the scam to the New Hampshire Attorney Generals Office, by calling the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-888-468-4454 or emailing DOJ-CPB@doj.nh.gov. 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 (240605) -- HOHHOT, June 5, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on May 16, 2024 shows a road winding through the sandy land in Ongniud Banner in Chifeng City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen) RIYADH, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- At least 2.6 trillion U.S. dollars are required by 2030 to restore over 1 billion hectares of degraded land and enhance global resilience to drought, according to a report released Tuesday by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The report, titled Investing in Land's Future: Financial Needs Assessment for UNCCD, highlights that 355 billion per year is needed to combat desertification and land degradation between 2025 and 2030. However, the required investment is still falling short by 278 billion each year. Launched during the ongoing 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to UNCCD, the report emphasizes that financing for land restoration is increasing, but major deficits remain, especially in Africa, where 191 billion dollars annually are required to restore 600 million hectares of degraded land. The UNCCD estimates that up to 40 percent of the world's land is degraded, impacting over 3.2 billion people. Without swift financial intervention, the socio-economic consequences of land degradation could escalate, leading to instability and forced migration. The report warns that by 2050, crop yields in some regions could drop by as much as 50 percent, driving food prices up by 30 percent and exacerbating food insecurity, particularly in vulnerable areas. Investing in land restoration, however, offers significant returns, generating up to 8 dollars in social, environmental, and economic benefits for every dollar spent, it notes. "Every dollar invested in healthy land is a dollar invested in biodiversity, climate, and food security. The good news is that the world could save billions annually and earn trillions more by restoring land back to health and building resilience to drought," said UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw. The mystery over Hannah Kobayashi, the woman from Hawaii listed as missing for several weeks, took a turn Monday when Los Angeles Police Department officials said there was no evidence of criminal activity and video showed her crossing the border into Mexico. The LAPD is now classifying her as a "voluntary missing person" and say there are no signs of foul play. Officials urged Kobayashi, a 30-year-old Maui resident, or anyone who knows her exact whereabouts to reach out to authorities or the family so they can ensure that she is safe. Kobayashi's family said in a statement Monday that they weren't giving up the search and urged law enforcement and the public to "stay focused on finding her and to avoid speculative conclusions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are deeply grateful for the urgency and dedication law enforcement has shown in investigating Hannahs disappearance," the statement read. "Our family remains hopeful that Hannah is safe and urges everyone to continue the search. The search is far from over, and we are committed to doing everything possible to bring her home safely." Here is a review of what we know about the case: Read more: Hannah Kobayashi crossed into Mexico alone, police say; chief urges her to message her family Timeline of events Nov. 8 Kobayashi lands at Los Angeles International Airport from Maui and misses her connecting flight to New York City because of a short layover, according to her family. Relatives receive cryptic text messages from Kobayashi, suggesting that someone is trying to steal her money and identity. Kobayashi stays overnight in Los Angeles and is seen the next day at the Taschen bookstore near the Grove shopping center. Nov. 10 Kobayashi is seen on video attending the LeBron XXII Trial Experience near the Grove and returns to LAX, according to her familys statement. Kobayashi also posts a black-and-white photo on Instagram about the event. Nov. 11 She's seen talking to a ticketing agent at LAX; Kobayashi then boards the LAX Metro C line at the Aviation/Century Station near LAX around 9 p.m., her family says. She transfers at the Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station in South L.A. and is seen in video footage leaving the Pico Station near downtown with an unknown person. Nov. 12 Kobayashi is seen again on video footage at the Greyhound bus terminal at Union Station in downtown L.A. around 6:30 a.m., according to her family. Just a few hours later, according to police, Kobayashi enters Mexico through the San Ysidro border crossing. LAPD officials said they reviewed surveillance video from the U.S. Border Patrol on Dec. 2. Nov. 24 Authorities discover the body of Kobayashis father, Ryan, near LAX. He had flown to Los Angeles to help look for his daughter. Authorities labeled his death as an apparent suicide. Relatives released a statement saying: After tirelessly searching throughout Los Angeles for 13 days, Hannahs father, Ryan Kobayashi, tragically took his own life. This loss has compounded the familys suffering immeasurably. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Dad who flew to LAX to find missing daughter Hannah Kobayashi dies by suicide near airport Why Mexico? Officials don't know why Kobayashi went to Mexico or exactly where she is now. But they said the video evidence was clear. The footage clearly shows 30-year-old Hannah Kobayashi crossing the United States border on foot into Mexico, police said in a statement. L.A. Police Chief Jim McDonnell said police haven't uncovered evidence that Kobayashi was being trafficked or involved in any criminal activity. Old social media posts, McDonnell said, suggested that Kobayashi had expressed the desire to step away from modern connectivity." Kobayashi is believed to have left her phone in Los Angeles. Volunteers put up fliers of Hannah Kobayashi of Maui, Hawaii, who has been missing. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) What's next? The LAPD investigation will not continue a search into Mexico, McDonnell said, but he encouraged anyone with information about Kobayashis whereabouts to contact law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities will be notified if Kobayashi chooses to reenter the U.S., he added. She has a right to her privacy, and we respect her choices, McDonnell said, but we also understand the concern loved ones feel for her; a simple message could reassure those she cares about. 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. (NewsNation) Authorities updated the public Monday evening with the latest details on 30-year-old Maui resident Hannah Kobayashi, who has been the center of a massive search since she vanished in Los Angeles in early November. Kobayashi was seen on security footage crossing the U.S. border on foot into Mexico, alone, with luggage and seemingly unharmed, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The case is now classified as a voluntary missing person case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FBI offers reward in case of missing Maine teen Stefanie Damron Kobayashi disappeared after missing her connecting flight in Los Angeles, crossed the border into Mexico, law enforcement sources told multiple outlets. Kobayashi reportedly crossed the border between Nov. 12 and 13, per NBC News affiliate reports. The sources told multiple outlets there was no evidence of foul play in her disappearance. In a Nov. 26 Board of Police Commissioners meeting, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said the investigation determined Kobayashi purposefully skipped her LAX flight. Kobayashi disappeared and stopped contacting her family just days after. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the final texts sent to loved ones, Kobayashi said, I got hacked, stripped of my identity, I cant fly. Another reads: I got tricked pretty much into giving away my funds for someone I thought I loved. Ive been on the streets. The concerning messages have led family members to believe she couldve been trafficked, drugged or coerced during her time in Los Angeles. Family flew out to help search for her, and her father, Ryan Kobayashi, died by suicide on Nov. 24. Hannah Kobayashi: Timeline of Hawaiian womans disappearance Kobayashis sister and mother released a statement on Facebook Saturday night, claiming investigators have reported inaccurate information on the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also allege the police department has not communicated new developments with them. We are doing everything in our power to locate Hannah. Based on information, surveillance footage reviewed and information shared with us, these are the facts known to my mother and I: It does not appear that Hannah intentionally missed her flight. My mother and I were unaware about the alleged findings presented at the Los Angeles Police Commission meeting until multiple videos of the meeting were sent to us by multiple citizens. These alleged findings have yet to be relayed to my mother and I directly from the Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department or any detective involved in Hannahs case. My mother and I would later learn that the police commission is a five-member committee made up of five civilians, not law enforcement, who are not directly involved in Hannahs missing persons case. Specific facts contained in that report were inaccurate, such as Hannahs age. Hannah is 30 years old, not 23. Also, Hannah was reported missing to Law Enforcement on November 11th, not November 13th, as stated by the chief of the Los Angeles Police Department. The lack of communication surrounding some important details has left us feeling excluded from potentially crucial developments. However, we do remain hopeful and optimistic that the Los Angeles Police Department is doing everything in their power to assist us in locating Hannah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are devastated by Hannahs disappearance and now my father Ryans passing. It is completely out of character for Hannah to simply disappear without a trace. We remain deeply concerned about Hannahs safety, her well-being and her current state of mind. Hannah, if you happen to see this, know that we are not going to give up or stop searching until we find you. We know that this is something you would never do on your own accord, unless you felt some type of threat or you were unwell. We know how much you love all of us, and we love you deeply. While we will continue our search for Hannah widely, we will be focusing on the Southern California area, specifically all regions of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and all regions of San Diego. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who continues to hold our family in their prayers and to those positively contributing to our search efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NewsNations Nancy Loo and Damita Menezes 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. The Hawaii woman, 30, disappeared in early November while in Los Angeles after missing a flight to New York City Emi Ko/GoFundMe Hannah Kobayashi Hannah Kobayashi Hannah Kobayashi, the 30-year-old Hawaii woman who disappeared after failing to board a flight in Los Angeles and sending what were described as "alarming" text messages to her family sparking a police investigation has been determined to be a "voluntary missing person." As the family is aware, late yesterday after traveling to the U.S.-Mexico border, we reviewed video surveillance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection which clearly shows Kobayashi crossing the United States border on foot into Mexico, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell told reporters on Monday, Dec. 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kobayashi crossed the U.S.-Mexico border on Nov. 12 just after noon local time, McDonnell said. She was on foot and used the San Ysidro point of entry tunnel. She was alone, with her luggage and appeared unharmed, McDonnell added. The investigation found no evidence that Kobayashi "is being trafficked or is the victim of foul play," he said. Police said there is no information that she's working with anyone else. The investigation will not continue in Mexico: "We urge Ms. Kobayashi to contact her family, law enforcement or personnel at the U.S. Embassy to let us know that you're safe," McDonnell said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Kobayashi returns to the U.S., law enforcement will be notified, he said. "She has a right to her privacy and we respect her choices, but we also understand the concern her loved ones feel for her," McDonnell said. "A simple message could reassure those who care about her." 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. Busqueda de mujer desaparecida Hannah Kobayashi en Los Angeles -Volunteers put up flyers of missing Maui woman Hannah Kobayashi outside Crypto.com Arena in Downtown Los Angeles Thursday. -Volunteers put up flyers of missing Maui woman Hannah Kobayashi outside Crypto.com Arena in Downtown Los Angeles Thursday. Investigators also learned that before Kobayashi departed Maui in early November, she "expressed the desire to step away from modern connectivity," McDonnell said, adding there was "no indication that there would be anything to cause this to happen" and that he was unsure of Kobayashi's interpersonal dynamics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another officer, Douglas Oldfield, told reporters that authorities examined Kobayashi's social media and saw "indications that there were some desires or posts that would be consistent in somebody who would" want to disconnect. Kobayashi initially appeared to go missing in early November saying she felt scared in text messages while staying in Los Angeles after missing a scheduled connecting flight to New York City that landed on Nov. 9, her family has said. Kobayashi then spent a few days in L.A., according to her family. "Hannahs last message to us was alarming she mentioned feeling scared and that someone might be trying to steal her money and identity, her aunt Larie Pidgeon wrote on social media. "She hasnt been heard from since and we are gravely concerned for her safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last place her phone pinged was at 4 p.m. local time on Nov. 11 at the L.A. airport. Police now say she went to Mexico the following day. Related: Teen Who Disappeared After Argument with Sister Still Missing Over a Month Later: 'Keep Your Eyes Open,' Mom Pleads LAPD Hannah Kobayashi Hannah Kobayashi "Her phone pinged at LAX at 4 p.m. and then after that ... her phone went dead and her communication cut off completely, Pidgeon has said. Kobayashi's sister, Sydni, said she received strange text messages from her sibling as well. Related: Woman Finds Bone of Missing Man She Knew as a Child: 'He Still Had His Whole Life Ahead of Him' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She texted her that she was scared and that she couldnt come back home or something," Sydni previously told Hawaii News Now. "It was just really weird texts it doesnt sound like her, like theres just something off about it. In another text sent to a friend by Kobayashi after she failed to board her connecting flight, she wrote, I got tricked pretty much into giving away all my funds for someone I thought I loved, according to the outlet. LAPD Hannah Kobayashi Hannah Kobayashi Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oldfield, with L.A. police, said on Dec. 2 that officials were "not able to interpret those communications without having Hannah present to explain how she felt when she sent them and what the specific meetings were for those messages." This like the sister, mother, anyones worst nightmare of losing your child, Kobayashi's mom, Brandi Yee, told Fox affiliate KHON in Hawaii last month. Related: Dad Last Seen at Work Event Found Dead 2 Days Later in 'Partially Submerged' Car Amid the search for Hannah, her father, Ryan, was found dead at an L.A. parking lot on Nov. 24 after traveling to California to look for his daughter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ryan died by suicide from multiple blunt force traumatic injuries, according to the L.A. County medical examiner. He was 58. An L.A. police spokesman told PEOPLE then that law enforcement had been called for "an apparent suicide" after a caller "indicated [that] it looked like somebody had fallen or jumped from the seventh [story of] a parking structure." "I'm very sorry to the family for all that they've been through this ordeal. We're very sorry for their loss. And I don't know the words can express the feelings that they're going through during this very difficult time. But there's a lot of people very much in support of what they're going through," McDonnell, the L.A. police chief, said on Dec. 2. LAPD Hannah Kobayashi Hannah Kobayashi He died of a broken heart, Pidgeon, Ryan's former sister-in-law and Hannah's aunt, told PEOPLE. He wanted to do everything he could, she said. He showed up when it mattered the most. Volunteers putting up flyers to help find Hannah Kobayashi. - Credit: Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images Hannah Kobayashi was declared a voluntary missing person after a video emerged of her crossing the U.S. border into Mexico on foot several weeks ago. The Los Angeles Police Department announced the reclassification and development at a news conference on Monday, Dec. 2 (via the Los Angeles Times). We reviewed video surveillance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which clearly shows Kobayashi crossing the United States border on foot into Mexico. She was alone with her luggage and appeared unharmed, said LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the LAPD will not continue to search for Kobayashi in Mexico, authorities will be notified if she reenters the United States. McDonnell asked anyone with relevant information about Kobayashis whereabouts to come forward and encouraged Kobayashi to contact her family or someone at the U.S. embassy in Mexico. She has a right to her privacy, and we respect her choices, but we also understand the concern loved ones feel for her, he said. A simple message could reassure those she cares about. Kobayashi has been missing since early November. She was supposed to travel from her home in Hawaii to New York to visit her aunt, but after arriving at Los Angeles International Airport, Kobayashi did not board her connecting flight to New York City. Surveillance cameras instead caught Kobayashi leaving the airport and riding the metro to downtown Los Angeles. In the days after her missed connection, Kobayashi was spotted at several different locations, including a shopping mall and a Nike event. On Nov. 11, she was seen talking to a ticketing agent at LAX, after which she reportedly got on the metro and was eventually seen leaving Pico station with an unknown person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The following morning, Nov. 12, surveillance cameras caught Kobayashi at the Greyhound bus terminal at Union Station. She was seen entering Mexico a few hours later via the tunnel at the San Ysidro border crossing. Notably, Kobayashi crossed the border not long after family and friends received their last known communications from her. On Nov. 11, Kobayashis mother texted her to ask if shed made it to New York, and Kobayashi replied no. Kobayashi also sent messages to friends saying she did not feel safe and thought someone was trying to steal her identity. Subsequent efforts to reach Kobayashi failed as her phone was shut off. (Police also believe she left her phone in L.A. and did not take it with her to Mexico.) And despite the cryptic texts, police said their investigation so far has not turned up any evidence that Kobayashi is the victim of any foul play or that she is being trafficked. Amidst the ongoing search for her, Kobayashis father, Ryan Kobayashi, died from an apparent suicide. Ryan had flown to Los Angeles to help look for his daughter and was eventually found dead in a parking lot near LAX. The Los Angeles County medical examiner said he died from blunt force traumatic injuries. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The case of Hannah Kobayashi, a 30-year-old Hawaii woman who the Los Angeles Police Department believes voluntarily disappeared in early November, has generated much national attention as her family and supporters have tried to figure out what happened to her. On Dec. 11, exactly one month since Kobayashis family members said they last heard from her, her family issued a statement through their attorney saying they "are incredibly relieved and grateful" that she "has been found safe." Statement On Behalf Of The Family Of Hannah Kobayashi We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe. This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family, and we kindly ask for privacy as we take the time to heal and process everything we have Sara Azari (@azarilaw) December 11, 2024 Heres a detailed timeline of events and updates that Kobayashis family and the LAPD have made public since Kobayashi was reported missing in early November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nov. 8: Both Kobayashi and her ex-boyfriend take a flight from Maui to New York, with a layover in Los Angeles. Kobayashis ex-boyfriend boards the flight to New York while Kobayashi tells her family she missed the connection. Nov. 9: Kobayashi texts her family to say that shes going sightseeing in Los Angeles and visits the Grove shopping mall and downtown L.A. Nov. 10: Kobayashi revisits the Grove for a Nike event. She is caught on video at the event and later uploads a photo from the event to her public Instagram account. Kobayashi also sends money over Venmo to two people who are unknown to her family transactions that Yahoo News was able to verify since Kobayashis Venmo account is public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nov. 11: Kobayashi tells her aunt, Larie Pidgeon, that she is returning to LAX for a new flight to New York. According to an interview Pidgeon gave to USA Today, Kobayashi spoke with an American Airlines agent sometime between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. local time. But she never boarded the flight. In other media interviews, multiple family members have described Kobayashis texts from that day as strange and out of character. She allegedly told relatives that she had been hacked and tricked into giving money to someone I thought I loved. One of her last texts reportedly said, I just finished a very intense spiritual awakening. I'm heading back to the airport to get to NYC. I might need some help getting there." This was the last day Kobayashi is known to have communicated with her family and friends. Nov. 12: Kobayashis family files a missing persons report in California. According to Kobayashis family, this is also when her father, Ryan, flies to Los Angeles from Hawaii to help look for her. A flyer with information on Hannah Kobayashi in Los Angeles. (Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo) Nov. 15: The Los Angeles Police Department posts about Kobayashis disappearance on Facebook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nov. 17: Kobayashis sister, Sydni, issues a statement saying that the family had seen surveillance footage of Kobayashi walking around the downtown L.A. Metro train station the night of Nov. 11. Nov. 21: A group of volunteers including Kobayashis father, Ryan search downtown L.A. and hang posters of Kobayashi just blocks away from where she was last believed to have been seen. Ryan Kobayashi, right, holds a picture of his missing daughter outside Crypto.com Arena on Nov. 21 in Los Angeles. (Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo) Nov. 23: In an interview with NewsNation, Pidgeon says that Kobayashi had sent her mom a detailed itinerary for her stay in New York, including places where she wanted to eat, museums she wanted to visit and a photography assignment that had been on her bucket list forever. Pidgeon also claimed that Kobayashi said she paid a couple thousand dollars for a hotel reservation as well. Read more from Yahoo News: Hannah Kobayashi still missing: Here's what her family has pieced together so far Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nov. 24: Kobayashis father, Ryan, is found dead in a parking lot near Los Angeles International Airport at around 4 a.m. The county coroner's office later confirmed that he died by suicide. Nov. 26: At a police commission meeting, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell says that Kobayashi missed her connecting flight from LAX to New York, which the investigation determined was intentional. Nov. 30: Kobayashis sister Sydni and her mom post a statement on Facebook reacting to McDonnells statement in which they dispute the suggestion that Hannah intentionally missed her flight. Dec. 2: At a news conference, McDonnell says that the LAPD reviewed video surveillance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which clearly shows Kobayashi crossing the United States border on foot into Mexico. She was alone with her luggage and appeared unharmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to some news outlets, there was a post in the Help Us Find Hannah Facebook group a private page that has over 25,000 members that said the family would be shutting down the Facebook group and would not be responding to any messages about the case. It is not clear whether this post was shared before or after the LAPDs latest news conference. Read more from Yahoo News: Hannah Kobayashi still missing: LAPD says she voluntarily crossed into Mexico alone Dec. 3: In an interview with NBC News, Sydni says the family was "shocked" and "frustrated" to learn Kobayashi had gone to Mexico. Sydni also rejects the LAPD's conclusion that Kobayashi voluntarily cut off communication with her family before leaving the country. Shes gone to different places, but shes always checked in, Sydni said. She always lets us know whats going on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dec. 4: Kobayashi's family issues a statement, shared on X by their attorney, saying "the search is far from over" and "learning just two days ago that Hannah may be in Mexico has only heightened our fears." "It has been 22 agonizing days since we last heard from her, and not knowing where she is or if shes okay is heartbreaking," the statement continued. "Like everyone else, we are learning updates through the media, as LAPD has not been fully forthcoming in sharing critical developments directly with us. Los Angeles Magazine publishes a report claiming the family thinks Kobayashi may have "engaged in a secret marriage for money" and added that sources alleged the "secret new husband" was on the flight to Los Angeles. After the article goes live, the family attorney issues another statement on X, saying, "We want to stress that the family has not publicly announced any information regarding an alleged marriage because we did not have the facts or the necessary documents to verify the legitimacy of this information." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dec. 11: The family issues another statement through their attorney announcing that Kobayashi has been "found safe." "This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family, and we kindly ask for privacy as we take the time to heal and process everything we have been through. We want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us during this difficult time. Your kindness and concern have meant the world to us." Dec. 12: After news breaks that Kobayashi was found safe, her sister Syndi posts on the family's GoFundMe page that they will no longer be accepting donations. The GoFundMe was created on Nov. 15 to help cover the expenses the family claimed were growing with "the scope and intensity of the search" and for Ryan Kobayashi's funeral. "We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe. This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family. We want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us during this difficult time," Sydni says in the most recent post. "We are turning donations off, and any donor who would like a refund can submit a claim by December 18th, and it will be honored." Hannah Kobayashi, the Hawaii woman whose reported disappearance last month garnered national news attention, said in a statement on Monday that she "was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away." Kobayashi's family announced last week that she had been safely located in Mexico. The 30-year-old aspiring photographer reportedly returned to the U.S. on Dec. 15 after being declared missing by the Los Angeles Police Department exactly a month earlier, according to her attorney. In a letter shared by her aunt Larie Pidgeon with NBC News, Kobayashi said, now that she's returned to the U.S., her "focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time," Kobayashi said in the letter. As you can imagine, we are all extremely relieved and glad that my sister is alive and seemingly okay, but we also have mixed and overwhelming feelings of exhaustion, devastation, and betrayal, Sydni Kobayashi wrote on Facebook on Dec. 12. We are kindly asking the public to respect our privacy and offer us grace for a moment as we are still grieving. There is still so much unknown, and so much that still needs to be navigated. We are happy to learn that Hannah has been found safe," the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement. "Now that we have this new information, this has become a private matter and we will wrap up our investigation. On Dec. 12, Sydni Kobayashi posted on the family's GoFundMe page that they would no longer accept donations to help find Kobayashi or fund her father Ryan's funeral, who died by suicide on Nov. 24. The GoFundMe was initially created on Nov. 15 to help cover the expenses the family claimed were growing with "the scope and intensity of the search." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe. This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family. We want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us during this difficult time," Sydni wrote. "We are turning donations off, and any donor who would like a refund can submit a claim by December 18th, and it will be honored." How we got here In early November, Kobayashi was traveling from her home on Maui to New York to visit an aunt and pursue a photography opportunity, according to various media interviews with her family. She allegedly missed two connecting flights out of Los Angeles on Nov. 8 and Nov. 11. At a news conference on Dec. 2, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said that the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) reviewed video surveillance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which clearly shows Kobayashi crossing the United States border on foot into Mexico. She was alone with her luggage and appeared unharmed. The LAPD also said Kobayashi walked alone to Mexico through the tunnel at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, according to the reviewed footage. McDonnell added that Kobayashis missing-persons case would remain active until her safety is confirmed, but the LAPD would not be investigating in Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Dec. 3, Hannah Kobayashi's sister Sydni Kobayashi gave an interview to NBC News in which she said the family was "shocked" and "frustrated" by the LAPD's conclusion that Hannah had voluntarily traveled to Mexico by herself. Shes gone to different places, but shes always checked in, Sydni Kobayashi said. She always lets us know whats going on. Ryan Kobayashi, center, holds a picture of his missing daughter, Hannah Kobayashi, in Los Angeles on Nov. 21. (Damian Dovarganes/AP) The next day, the family's attorney, Sara Azari, shared a statement on X, saying, "The search is far from over" and "learning just two days ago that Hannah may be in Mexico has only heightened our fears." "It has been 22 agonizing days since we last heard from her, and not knowing where she is or if shes okay is heartbreaking," the statement continued. "Like everyone else, we are learning updates through the media, as LAPD has not been fully forthcoming in sharing critical developments directly with us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Los Angeles magazine article published on Dec. 4, citing sources, reported that Hannah Kobayashi's mother may have discovered evidence that Kobayashi may have been involved in a green card marriage for money and the "secret new husband" may have also been on the flight to Los Angeles. Azari shared another statement on X from the family in response to the article, saying, "We want to stress that the family has not publicly announced any information regarding an alleged marriage because we did not have the facts or the necessary documents to verify the legitimacy of this information." McDonnell said at a police commission meeting on Nov. 26 that Kobayashi missed her connecting flight from LAX to New York, which the investigation determined was intentional. The LAPD did not immediately respond to Yahoo News request for comment. Hannahs sister Sydni Kobayashi denied the theory that Hannah intentionally missed her flight. Why did Hannah Kobayashi's family report her as missing? It is not clear why Kobayashi first missed her connecting flight from Maui to New York City at LAX on Nov. 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family said they had seen security footage of Kobayashi leaving the airport on Nov. 8 and then again at the Grove shopping center on Nov. 9 and Nov. 10, which is about 12 miles north of the airport. On Nov. 11, Kobayashi posted on her public Instagram account about attending a Nike event at the Grove and was even spotted on a strangers YouTube video about the event that was filmed on Nov. 10. Kobayashi then returned to LAX on Nov. 11 but did not board a flight. That was the last time anyone received messages from Kobayashis cellphone number. On Nov. 15, the LAPD missing-persons unit made a poster describing Kobayashi and stating that she was last seen at LAX on Nov. 11. The family also filed a report with the FBI. Read more from Yahoo News: Hannah Kobayashi's family says she has been found. Here's a timeline of everything that's happened since she was reported missing last month. Why was Kobayashi going to New York? In an interview with NewsNation on Nov. 23, Kobayashi's aunt Larie Pidgeon said that her niece had sent her mom a detailed itinerary for her stay in New York, including places where she wanted to eat, museums she wanted to visit and a photography assignment that had been on her bucket list forever as a career opportunity. Pidgeon added that Kobayashi allegedly paid a couple thousand dollars for a hotel reservation in New York as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hannahs sister Sydni told CNN that Kobayashi and her then boyfriend had booked the flights to New York together and also made plans to visit an aunt in upstate New York. They broke up after booking the flights and agreed to go ahead with the trip separately. The ex-boyfriend, who has not been publicly named, successfully boarded the Nov. 8 connecting flight to New York and has been extremely responsive and cooperative with the investigation, according to the Kobayashi family. Kobayashi's family tried to piece together what happened in L.A. Pidgeon told USA Today that on Nov. 11, the family started getting texts from Kobayashis number that said she didnt feel safe, that someone was trying to steal her funds, that someone was trying to take her identity. Pidgeon added that the messages sent to family and friends included weird things, calling us babe, things that werent quite the normal way that she speaks. "She texted [a friend] that she was scared and that she couldnt come back home or something," Sydni Kobayashi told HawaiiNewsNow. "It was just really weird texts. It doesnt sound like her like theres just something off about it. So I wasnt too sure. I dont know if its her or if someone else was texting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of her last texts allegedly said, I just finished a very intense spiritual awakening. I'm heading back to the airport to get to NYC. I might need some help getting there." In addition to texts, the family also didnt recognize the names of two people Kobayashi sent money to over Venmo on Nov. 10 transactions that Yahoo News was able to verify since Kobayashis Venmo account is public. The family also said there was security camera footage showing Kobayashi and an unknown person at the Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles, allegedly on Nov. 11. "It has been confirmed that she did leave the airport on 11/11 in the evening and that she boarded the Metro," Pidgeon told CBS News. "She was not alone. She was with an unidentified person. That causes us extreme alarm because that correlates with the timeline of her going missing. So, our focus now is on the Pico Metro station." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yahoo News had reached out to several of the family members. If you see Hannah, please call 911 immediately, read a statement from the family shared on Facebook. Please obtain a photograph if possible. Your prompt action is crucial. If youre able to safely keep eyes on her until law enforcement arrives, please do so. What happened to her dad, Ryan? After spending two weeks helping search for his daughter, Ryan Kobayashi was found dead on Nov. 24, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The county coroner's office confirmed on Nov. 25 that he died by suicide. The Kobayashi family said in a statement that Ryan Kobayashi tragically took his own life after tirelessly searching throughout Los Angeles for 13 days. "He just died of a broken heart," Pidgeon told USA Today on Nov. 26. "Being on the streets and seeing what the possibilities of where his daughter could be. No sleep. The speculating rumors that are going around. It just took a toll on him." "We are deeply grateful for the urgency and dedication law enforcement has shown," they said Hannah Kobayashis family is speaking out after police say what seemed like a weekslong missing persons case was in fact Kobayashis voluntary decision to travel to Mexico. We are deeply grateful for the urgency and dedication law enforcement has shown in investigating Hannahs disappearance, Kobayashis family said in a statement to NBC News and NewsNation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kobayashi, a 30-year-old Hawaii woman, appeared to vanish from Los Angeles in early November after failing to board a flight to New York, where she had traveled from Maui, her family has said. Police began investigating in the days after and the case drew national attention. Kobayashis loved ones also said she had sent strange texts before contact was lost. We are terrified, her aunt Larie Pidgeon previously told PEOPLE. Were really afraid. On Monday, Dec. 2, L.A. police said they had determined based on surveillance footage that Kobayashi decided to cross the border into Mexico on Nov. 12, one day after her family said her phone had last pinged at the L.A. airport. LAPD Missing person Hannah Kobayashi was last seen at LAX Airport on November 8th, 2024 Missing person Hannah Kobayashi was last seen at LAX Airport on November 8th, 2024 We urge Ms. Kobayashi to contact her family, law enforcement or personnel at the U.S. Embassy to let us know that you're safe," L.A. Police Chief Jim McDonnell said at a news conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She has a right to her privacy and we respect her choices, but we also understand the concern her loved ones feel for her," McDonnell said. "A simple message could reassure those who care about her." 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. Emi Ko/GoFundMe Hannah Kobayashi Hannah Kobayashi McDonnell said that Kobayashi was alone, with her luggage and appeared unharmed when she went to Mexico and that there was no evidence she was being trafficked or is the victim of foul play. The investigation also determined that Kobayashi had, in the past, "expressed the desire to step away from modern connectivity," McDonnell said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her family, in their own statement, said they are committed to doing everything possible to bring her home safely. They also cautioned against what they called speculative conclusions. Spreading awareness and sharing verified information about her case is crucial, and we deeply appreciate your continued support in these efforts, they said. Hannah Kobayashi missed her connecting flight to New York sparking a long manhunt Missing photographer Hannah Kobayashi travelled to Mexico voluntarily, police have said, ending a three-week investigation into a bizarre case which had gripped the nation. New footage of Ms Kobayashi appearing unharmed led the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to drop their missing persons case but her family has said the new piece of the puzzle does not stop their need to continue the search. The family raised the alarm last month when Ms Kobayashi disappeared after failing to catch a connecting flight from Hawaii to New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, she travelled to Los Angeles and sent a string of strange messages to relatives and friends. Her father, Ryan Kobayashi, took his own life 13 days after he flew to California to look for her. On Monday, the LAPD said US Customs and Border Protection CCTV footage showed Ms Kobayashi crossing the border near Tijuana alone on Nov 12, officers said. We urge Ms Kobayashi to contact her family, law enforcement or personnel at the US embassy to let us know that youre safe, LA police chief Jim McDonnell said. We reviewed video surveillance from US Customs and Border Protection, which clearly shows Kobayashi crossing the United States border on foot into Mexico. She was alone with her luggage and appeared unharmed, he added. Ryan Kobayashi killed himself after trying to find his daughter Ms Kobayashi will now be classified as a voluntary missing person. The department will not continue its investigation in Mexico but will be notified if she returns to the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To date, the investigation has not uncovered any evidence that Kobayashi is being trafficked or is the victim of foul play. She is also not a suspect in any criminal activity, the LAPD said. Additionally, investigators noted that before departing Maui, Kobayashi expressed a desire to step away from modern connectivity. On Tuesday night, Ms Kobayashis aunty, Larie Pidgeon, publicly thanked the police for their tireless work but added: I also want to be clear this search is not over. Knowing Hannah crossed the border does not provide the answers I need, nor does it ease the heartbreak I feel, Ms Pidgeon told TMZ. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I will not stop until I know my niece is safe and doing this on her own accord and in a good mental state. On Nov 8, Ms Kobayashi set off from Maui on a bucket list trip to New York. She had planned to attend a folk festival and a gig at events venue Brooklyn Steel and also complete a photography job. When she landed at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Ms Kobayashi had 42 minutes to catch her connecting flight to the Empire State. She never boarded the plane. Hannah Kobayashi was seen on CCTV leaving Los Angeles International Airport However, her ex-boyfriend did make the connecting flight. The pair had booked the trip when they were still together and planned to go their separate ways once they reached John F Kennedy airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the coming days Ms Kobayashi was seen in different parts of Los Angeles. CCTV footage showed her at the Taschen bookstore at the Grove shopping centre in the Fairfax District of the city on Nov 9. A video posted on YouTube on Nov 10, appeared to show Ms Kobayashi at the LeBron XXII Trial Experience, an event held at the Nike store, at the same shopping centre. Sydni Kobayashi, Ms Kobayashis sister, said she then sent two payments to people the family does not know. On Nov 11 Ms Kobayashi was seen on CCTV with an unknown person in a downtown Los Angeles Metro station near the Crypto.com arena. That day, Ms Kobayashi sent a string of odd, frantic messages to her friends and family, including one which read: Deep hackers wiped my identity, stole all of my funds, and have had me on a mind f--- since Friday. Ms Kobayashi was supposed to be going on a photographic assignment in New York Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Kobayashis father travelled to Los Angeles to help search for his daughter. He said he had not been in contact with her for some time and he was determined to find her and make up for lost time. But 13 days after the 58-year-old arrived in California, he was found dead after jumping from a parking structure. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiners office found he had taken his own life. Police continued their investigation and said Ms Kobayashi had checked her bag for transit to New York but requested to retrieve it at LAX, where surveillance footage recorded her picking it up Nov 11. Ms Kobayashi then travelled with her bag to Los Angeles Union Station, where she used her passport to buy a bus ticket to a destination close to San Ysidro, California, near the the US-Mexico border. After arriving Nov 12, she crossed the border into Mexico, the authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The classification of Kobayashi as a voluntary missing person reflects a careful balance between respecting her right to privacy and the absence of concrete evidence indicating foul play, the LAPD said in a statement. We are deeply grateful for the urgency and dedication law enforcement has shown in investigating Hannahs disappearance, Ms Kobayashis family said in a statement to NBC News. Sources told NBC News last months disappearance was not the first time Ms Kobayashi had gone missing. 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. Alleged close ties between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and the Biden family were under fresh scrutiny Tuesday after it emerged that Harry and Meghans charitable vehicle gave $250,000 to Joe Bidens daughters charity in 2023. The huge sum of cash given to social worker Ashley Bidens Womens Wellness (Spa)ce in Philadelphia was the biggest single grant made by the couples Archewell Foundation last year, according to a newly filed tax return. In their glossy annual impact report, the foundation said that Bidens project, which helps women in need, was a trauma-informed wellness center for women in north Philadelphia which aims to offer a safe haven and community for women impacted by trauma, providing resources such as nutritious food, exercise, meditation, and therapeutic interventions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Biden Administration has been accused of protecting Harry and Meghan by not fulfilling a Freedom of Information request to release the dukes immigration records submitted by the Heritage Foundation. The Heritage Foundation is the right-wing think tank which authored the controversial Project 2025 document. A federal judge ruled in September that Harry was entitled to privacy in the matter and his paperwork should not be released. However, the new revelation will do little to quieten chatter in the right-wing blogosphere that the Sussexes and Bidens are inappropriately close, with Jill Biden having been a vocal cheerleader for Harrys Invictus Games. In September 2021, Jill Biden hosted an online Invictus Games event with Harry. Israeli soldiers detain Palestinians at a hospital in the northern West Bank city of Tubas, on Dec. 3, 2024. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) RAMALLAH, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Two Palestinians were killed and another injured on Tuesday in an Israeli drone attack on a vehicle north of the West Bank city of Tubas, Palestinian and Israeli sources said. "Two were killed and one was moderately injured in the lower limbs when the Israeli army bombed a vehicle near the town of Aqaba," the Ramallah-based Palestinian Health Ministry said in a brief statement, without providing further details. Local sources and eyewitnesses told Xinhua that an Israeli drone bombed a vehicle at the entrance to Aqaba, killing two and wounding another. The sources and witnesses said the Israeli army later stormed the emergency department of Tubas Governmental Hospital, detained some of the medical staff, and arrested a number of people from inside the hospital. The Israeli army confirmed in a press statement that an air force plane attacked a "terrorist" cell, without publishing further details about the incident. The identity of the targeted people inside the vehicle or the Palestinian factions to which they belong was not known. The incident came as cities, camps, and villages in the West Bank have witnessed an escalation of tensions since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023. More than 800 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli gunfire and shelling across the West Bank, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Israeli soldiers detain Palestinians at a hospital in the northern West Bank city of Tubas, on Dec. 3, 2024. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) Israeli soldiers detain Palestinians at a hospital in the northern West Bank city of Tubas, on Dec. 3, 2024. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) People look at the wreckage of a vehicle following an Israeli drone attack near the town of Aqaba in Tubas, the northern West Bank, on Dec. 3, 2024. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) People carry the body of a Palestinian killed in an Israeli drone attack, in the town of Aqaba in Tubas, the northern West Bank, on Dec. 3, 2024. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) People look at the wreckage of a vehicle following an Israeli drone attack near the town of Aqaba in Tubas, the northern West Bank, on Dec. 3, 2024. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) People are seen at Tubas Governmental Hospital stormed by the Israeli army in the northern West Bank, on Dec. 3, 2024. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) Harvey Weinstein was taken to Bellevue Hospital for emergency treatment due to an alarming blood test result that requires immediate medical attention, according to his lawyer. It is expected that he will remain there until his condition stabilizes, attorney Imran Ansari said in a statement. The test was taken at Rikers Island, where the disgraced movie mogul, who was diagnosed with leukemia in October, is awaiting a new trial for multiple sexual assault charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ansari told TMZ the condition is treatable. Weinsteins been suffering from a lack of adequate medical care and enduring deplorable and inhumane conditions on Rikers Island, according to Ansari. His deprivation of care is not only medical malpractice, but a violation of his constitutional rights. Weinstein sued the Department of Corrections last week over his medical treatment and the unhygienic conditions at Rikers, claiming his condition has worsened at the facility. Mr. Weinstein, who is suffering from a number of illnesses, including leukemia, has been deprived the medical attention that someone in his medical state deserves, prisoner or not, spokesman Juda Engelmayer said in a statement. In many ways, this mistreatment constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weinstein, 72, was transferred to Rikers from the Mohawk Correctional Facility in July after contracting pneumonia and COVID-19 and was previously rushed to Bellevue in September for emergency heart surgery. His past diagnoses have been for diabetes, coronary artery disease and sleep apnea. Weinstein was originally convicted of sexual assault in New York City in 2020 and sentenced to 23 years; that conviction was overturned on appeal in April. He is also currently appealing a rape conviction in Los Angeles, where he was sentenced to 16 years in prison. Weinstein is next due in court in New York on Jan. 29. COURTESY U.S. MARINE CORPS At the Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands in Kekaha, Kauai, a naval strike missile streaked out to sea on Aug. 15, 2021, before striking a naval target ship. 1 /2 COURTESY U.S. MARINE CORPS At the Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands in Kekaha, Kauai, a naval strike missile streaked out to sea on Aug. 15, 2021, before striking a naval target ship. COURTESY U.S. MARINE CORPS A Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System launcher is deployed into position on Aug. 15, 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 /2 COURTESY U.S. MARINE CORPS A Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System launcher is deployed into position on Aug. 15, 2021. COURTESY U.S. MARINE CORPS At the Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands in Kekaha, Kauai, a naval strike missile streaked out to sea on Aug. 15, 2021, before striking a naval target ship. COURTESY U.S. MARINE CORPS A Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System launcher is deployed into position on Aug. 15, 2021. Marines on Oahu are the first in their service to officially receive a new ship-killing missile system they hope will give American forces an edge in the Pacific. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have been testing the Navy /Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, better known as NMESIS, and are eager to add it to their arsenal. Members of the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment held a ceremony in November at Dewey Square on Marine Corps Base Hawaii to celebrate getting their hands on the missile launchers. Lt. Col. Timothy Love, commanding officer of the regiments 3rd Littoral Combat Team, told attendees that upon receipt of the NMESIS weapon system, the regiment has an enhanced sea denial capability and is positioned at the forefront of strategic transformation. The Marine Corps is in the midst of an ambitious makeover, shifting from previous decades of fighting land battles in the Middle East against insurgents to return to its roots as a naval fighting force focused on island and coastal operations. The Marines call the initiative Force Design 2030. The 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment is the first unit to be reorganized and is intended to serve as a blueprint for what the rest of the Corps will look like. Love said the arrival of NMESIS deepens naval integration and strengthens deterrence by providing coverage from coastal positions, extending the joint forces ability to target and engage from both land and sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vehicle-mounted NMESIS launchers are designed to be able to move quickly to different positions to set up missile-launching batteries. A regiment spokesperson told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that while the new launch system is now on-island, the actual missiles themselves are not here yet. 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. Elements of the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment are training to deploy to the Western Pacific in 2025. When asked whether they would be bringing NMESIS along with them, the spokesperson said, Unfortunately, the planning for deployment is still ongoing, and it is too early to know if the NMESIS will be deployed with the unit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missiles are a key part of the vision Marine Corps leaders have for Force Design 2030. The architects of Force Design 2030 envision groups of Marines spreading out and setting up positions along island chains and atolls using missiles, drones and other high-tech tools to fire on enemy ships and hold on to critical strategic island and coastal positions in support of the Navy and American allies. The Marines tested NMESIS prototypes during the summer of 2021 at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai, launching two of the missiles at a decommissioned Navy frigate 60 miles offshore as they practiced quickly getting into position to set up the missiles and launch at passing enemy ships before they could be detected. Moving the NMESIS from the category of initial test and operational evaluation to a fielded weapon system is a significant milestone for 3rd MLR, the regiments commander, Col. John Lehane, said in a statement. The NMESIS provides this Regiment a potent sea denial capability in support of our mission essential task to attack enemy maritime targets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Force Design 2030 was crafted to reflect what Marine Corps leaders believe a potential conflict in the Pacific would look like, with a special focus on the disputed South China Seaa critical waterway through which at least one-third of all international trade moves. Nearby island chains also would play a role if China were to invade Taiwan, a self-ruled island democracy that Beijing considers a rogue province. Beijing considers the entire waterway its exclusive sovereign territory, over the objections of its neighbors. The Chinese military has stationed troops on disputed reefs and built more than two dozen artificial islandssome with landing stripsto consolidate their position. The Marines new strategy seems tailored in part to fight over these disputed islands and reefs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Force Design 2030 has been controversial. The 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment got rid of all of its conventional cannon-based artillery pieces to use NMESIS. The Marine Corps also phased out its entire inventory of tanks. Critics have charged that the emphasis on missiles and drones will put Marine Corps infantry in the role of mostly protecting those assets instead of attacking the enemy, gradually eroding the serv ices famed culture of aggression. Retired Marine officers have expressed concerns that the new posture will ultimately put troops into exposed positions that could get hundredsif not thousandsof young Marines killed if the tactics were used in a real conflict. But the new vision also has ardent defenders. In January a group of currently serving and former Marine Corps officers penned an article at War on the Rocksan influential website focused on national security issuesemphasizing recent events in Ukraine and in the Red Sea where combatants have used missiles and drones to sometimes devastating effect against their opponents. The Marine officers wrote that the broad lessons from the Black Sea and Middle East directly apply to the Indo-Pacific. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevertheless, while U.S. leaders have said they want to be able to fight and win a Pacific conflict, they also insist that they hope that by demonstrating their capabilities and strengthening alliances, they will ultimately prevent any war. Over the past year, U.S. and Chinese diplomats have been working to cool tensions. U.S. military leaders have also sought talks with their Chinese counterparts. In September, Gen. Wu Yanan, the Chinese military commander responsible for operations in the South China Sea, attended a meeting of top military leaders held in Hawaii and met with Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of all U.S. forces in the Pacific. U.S. officials characterized it as a positive sign nearly two years after Beijing cut off most dialogues between U.S. and Chinese military commanders. But just after the visit, the Chinese military tested a ballistic missile that landed in the Pacific Ocean south of Hawaii in between Kiribati and French Polynesia. Chinese officials sent a notification to U.S. and French officials in advance of the launch but did not inform the leaders of Pacific island nations. While U.S. officials said notifications were a positive step, officials in Kiribati condemned the Chinese launch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The election in November that brought former President Donald Trump back to power has raised questions about the future of American foreign policy. Trump is known for his tough stances on China and has tapped Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Green Beret who has built a reputation as a vocal China hawk, to serve as White House national security adviser. As part of the transition, Waltz has been holding discussions with President Joe Bidens National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. Jake Sullivan and I have had discussions ; weve met, Waltz told Fox News on Nov. 24. For our adversaries out there that think this is a time of opportunity, that they can play one administration off the otherthey are wrong. We are hand in glove. We are one team with the United States in this transition. Correction : Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands is in Kekaha, Kauai, not on Hawaii island, as was reported in a photo caption in an earlier version of this story. HONOLULU (KHON2) Many have already put up their Christmas trees this year, and now theres an opportunity to make sure our keiki and kupuna in need have some gifts under their tree this holiday season through the Salvation Armys Angel Tree program. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news The Angel Tree program aims to provide Christmas gifts to children aged 14 and under, as well as seniors in need within the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands communities. By fulfilling specific gift requests, the program ensures that these individuals experience the joy and magic of the holiday season, even amidst economic challenges. This initiative not only meets immediate material needs but also fosters a sense of community support and compassion. Salvation Army Major Troy Trimmer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Salvation Army preps for annual holiday meal delivery from Hawaii to Guam He added that the program addresses the needs of vulnerable populations with these gifts that they request. By providing personalized gifts to keiki and kupuna, the program alleviates financial burdens on families and brings joy to recipients, Trimmer said. It also fosters a spirit of giving and community involvement, encouraging individuals and organizations to support their neighbors in need. The programs reach extends beyond the holidays, as it supports families throughout the year, reinforcing the communitys social fabric. If youd like to participate, the process is simple. Angel Tree Shopper Pick up an Angel Tag from a local Salvation Army Corps Community Center or designated island locations including Ala Moana Shopping Center, Kahala Mall, Central Pacific Bank and all Walmart locations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each tag corresponds to a keiki or kupuna with a specific Christmas wish. Purchase the requested gift (or an equivalent) and return it to the same location with the tag attached. The Salvation Army ensures the gift is delivered to the intended recipient before Christmas. For those who prefer to shop from the convenience of their own home, online Angel Tree registries can be found on Walmarts website. Angel Tree Fundraiser Organize fundraising activities to support the program, helping to provide gifts and support to families in need throughout the year. Visit Angel Tree Hawaiis website to set up your online fundraiser. Check out more news from around Hawaii Angel Tree Sponsor Businesses or individuals can sponsor the program by raising funds or donating directly, offering customers and employees an opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause during the holiday season. 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 KHON2. A 30-year-old Hawaii woman at the center of a missing person search in Los Angeles willfully crossed into Mexico, seemingly as part of her desire to "disconnect," police said Monday. The case involving Hannah Kobayashi, of Maui, has been reclassified as one involving a "voluntary missing person," but it will be kept open until police are assured she's safe, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said at a news conference Monday night. McDonnell added that theres no evidence Kobayashi is the victim of human trafficking or foul play. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lt. Douglas Oldfield, of the police departments Missing Persons Unit, said at the news conference that detectives reviewed Kobayashis social media accounts, which led them to believe she "wanted to disconnect." "By looking at her past social media, we then saw indications that there were some desires or posts that would be consistent in somebody who would have the desire to disconnect from their phone," he said. He said that detectives can't say they're "100% right" about their determination but that they know she didn't have her phone after she left Los Angeles International Airport. The news conference was held after NBC Los Angeles reported family members were surprised when McDonnell told the Los Angeles Police Commission last week that Kobayashi intentionally missed a connecting flight to New York City after having landed in Los Angeles on Nov. 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, McDonnell said Kobayashi had her luggage rerouted from New York City back to Los Angeles, where she picked it up on Nov. 11. That missed flight put her in Los Angeles, where she lost touch with family members, sparking concern and eventually prompting them to report her missing to the Los Angeles International Airport Police Department and the FBI, they have said. Security video showing Kobayashi with an unknown man in Los Angeles sparked more fear, as did text messages in which Kobayashi said someone was trying to steal from her, family members said in interviews last month. Police said Monday that the man seen in security video with Kobayashi in Los Angeles was found and cooperated with investigators, who concluded there was no wrongdoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Family members also expressed dismay because McDonnell, in his customary report to the police commission, misstated Kobayashi's age as 23, according to NBC Los Angeles. They said he got the date she was reported missing wrong, as well, the station reported. Hannah Kobayashi. We are deeply grateful for the urgency and dedication law enforcement has shown in investigating Hannahs disappearance. Our family remains hopeful that Hannah is safe and urges everyone to continue the search. The search is far from over, and we are committed to doing everything possible to bring her home safely," the family said in a statement. "We want answers and a resolution that ensures Hannahs safety and urge law enforcement and the public to stay focused on finding her and to avoid speculative conclusions. Spreading awareness and sharing verified information about her case is crucial, and we deeply appreciate your continued support in these efforts. Kobayashi landed at LAX from Honolulu at 9:53 p.m. on Nov. 8, with plans to catch an 11 p.m. connecting flight to New York City, sister Sydni Kobayashi said in a timeline posted to the private "Help Us Find Hannah" Facebook page. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hannah Kobayashi planned to visit New York City's Museum of Modern Art and absorb Manhattan's art scene, as she aspired to be an artist and a photographer, family said. But Kobayashi missed her connecting flight to New York because there wasn't enough time for her to get from her arrival gate to the departure gate, Kobayashi'a aunt, Larie Pidgeon said in an interview last month. Relatives said Kobayashi used her time during which they believed she was waiting for a suitable flight to New York sightseeing in Los Angeles. She went to The Grove shopping center in the Beverly Grove neighborhood, about 12 miles north of Los Angeles International Airport, the next day and the one after that, returning to LAX each time, according to the Facebook timeline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kobayashi posted a photo that appeared to have been taken near or at The Grove to her Instagram account, which NBC News verified as hers. On Nov. 11, she was seen speaking with a ticketing agent at the airport before she got on a Metro train to South Los Angeles and then to downtown Los Angeles, accompanied by the unidentified man, police said. That day, family members said, she sent messages that concerned them because of their content and a voice that didn't seem to match hers. "Hannahs last message to us was alarming she mentioned feeling scared, and that someone might be trying to steal her money and identity," Pidgeon said on Facebook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next morning, on Nov. 12, she was seen at a Greyhound bus station in downtown Los Angeles without anyone accompanying her, according to the Facebook timeline. It was the last day any family member was aware of her whereabouts, Pidgeon said. McDonnell said Kobayashi was reported missing Nov. 13, but the LAPD took over the case on Nov. 15. An FBI spokesperson said the FBI was assisting with the investigation. Police said Monday they reviewed U.S. Customs and Border Protection video showing Kobayashi crossing into Mexico at a land port in San Diego's San Ysidro neighborhood at 12:13 p.m. on Nov. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kobayashi has done nothing criminal and has every right to move freely that way, said McDonnell, the police chief, but he urged her to reach out to family members because they're worried. "She has a right to her privacy, and we respect her choices, but we also understand the concern her loved ones feel for her," he said. "A simple message could reassure those who care about her." Police said that on Nov. 24, after relatives gathered in Los Angeles to search for Kobayashi, her father died by suicide near Los Angeles International Airport. The Los Angeles County medical examiner said Ryan Kobayashi, 58, died as a result of multiple blunt force trauma injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Im very sorry to the family for all that theyve been through," McDonnell said. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Missing Hawaiian woman Hannah Kobayashi has been declared a voluntary missing person after video of her surfaced crossing into Mexico following a nearly month-long search, multiple outlets have reported. Footage released by the Customs and Border Protection showed Kobayashi, 30, walking into Mexico near the southern border of Tijuana around 12:15 p.m. on Nov. 12, the day after the photographer was last seen. The LAPD announced the break in the case during a press conference on Monday night. Kobayashi was believed to be missing in Los Angeles after she arrived on a Nov. 8 flight at LAX and then failed to board her connecting flight. Investigators believe that Kobayashi abandoned her phone shortly after she landed. She was alone, with her luggage and appeared unharmed, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell reported. At this time, Kobayashis case has been classified a voluntary missing person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McDonnell emphasized that there is no evidence suggesting Kobayashi is a victim of foul play or sex trafficking. Additionally the investigators noted that before departing Maui, Kobayashi expressed the desire to step away from modern connectivity, he continued. Our priority is ensuring Ms. Kobayashis safety and well-being and we urge Ms. Kobayashi to contact her family, law enforcement or personnel at the U.S. Embassy to let us know that she is safe. Members of Kobayashis family, including her father, Ryan Kobayashi, rushed to Los Angeles to aid in the search. Tragically, Ryan was found dead in a parking lot near LAX on Nov. 24, just over a week before his daughter would be proven alive. Officials ruled his death a suicide, with the cause listed as multiple blunt-force traumatic injuries. On Tuesday, Kobayashis family broke their silence regarding the latest developments in her disappearance. We are deeply grateful for the urgency and dedication law enforcement has shown in investigating Hannahs disappearance, they told NBC News, without mentioning the death of Kobayashis father. We urge Ms. Kobayashi to contact her family, law enforcement, or personnel at the U.S. Embassy to let us know that you're safe," McDonnell said. "She has a right to her privacy and we respect her choices, but we also understand the concern her loved ones feel for her," McDonnell said. "A simple message could reassure those who care about her." New Jersey Sen. George Helmy (D) announced he will resign from his seat Sunday, clearing the way for Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.), the senator-elect, to take the seat a few weeks before the start of the next term of Congress. The announcement on Tuesday was expected as New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) appointed Helmy to the seat to replace former longtime Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who resigned from the seat in August following his conviction the month before on a wide range of charges, including bribery and acting as a foreign agent. Helmy was only expected to serve until a candidate had won the November Senate race for the next term that will begin in January. With Helmys pending resignation, Murphy will be able to appoint Kim to serve the rest of the term before taking office for the full six-year term next month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kim will be sworn in Monday. It is with a profound sense of gratitude and emotion that I announce my resignation as U.S. Senator for New Jersey, Helmy said in a statement. It has been the honor of a lifetime representing the people of New Jersey in the Senate and I am eternally grateful to Governor Murphy for entrusting me with this responsibility. He said he is proud of the work he has accomplished, including the introduction and co-sponsorship of bills to advance youth mental health and advocating for humanitarian aid for civilians in the Middle East. He praised Kim, saying voters made the right choice and vouching for his dedication, character, and empathy for New Jerseyans. He said the two of them have worked closely the past few weeks to ensure a smooth transition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kim said he is grateful for Helmys service that was marked by dedication and stability. His tenure in the Senate was one of dedication and stability. He served the people of New Jersey well and drew attention to critical issues like the youth mental health crisis, an issue I plan to continue to focus on, he said. Kim defeated Republican Curtis Bashaw in the Senate race last month. Murphy said in a statement that he plans to provide Kim with a smooth transition by appointing him into office early, in the aftermath of the state Board of Canvassers certifying the election results on Thursday and Helmys resignation days later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Helmy previously served as Murphys chief of staff. He is the first Coptic Christian senator and is currently the only Arab American serving in the Senate. Kim will be the first Korean American to serve in the Senate. 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. ASHTABULA, Ohio (WJW) The snowfall from the winter storm that started over the Thanksgiving holiday has been so heavy and unrelenting that some residents in Ashtabula and surrounding communities found themselves snowbound. Julie and Bob Bytyci live at the bottom of Tivision Place in Ashtabulas Harbor District, and after digging out large snow drifts that surrounded their home, they must trudge up a hill through several feet of snow that clogs their unplowed street, in order to go to work or run errands. School closures ahead of yet another round of snow Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The storm has been a fierce one, but we can deal with the snow. Its just the lack of plowing that we cant deal with over here. We always get forgotten about on this street. But its even worse because, as you can see, theres no way to get out over here, Julie told FOX 8 News. Homeowners in the neighborhood said they have contacted Ashtabula City Hall for help, but so far, theres been no assistance in clearing the snow. I understand thats been treacherous for everybody but we are people over here too, we have emergencies, we have jobs and we need help over here too, just like everybody else, said Julie Bytyci. One resident was so frustrated that he hired a plowing contractor to clear the street up to his driveway so that he could make a trip to the store for groceries. I mean its ridiculous, I pay a couple thousand bucks a year in taxes, so I mean why am I paying someone else to come and plow my road? David Lefik told us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked if the city has enough employees and equipment dedicated to snow removal, Ashtabula Ward 2 Councilor Terence Guerriero told FOX 8 News, I think theyre doing a very good job, but it keeps snowing, so we just get farther and farther behind. See the latest snowfall totals in Northeast Ohio Guerriero said after the city realized how many residents were snowed in, they decided to hire independent contractors to assist in plowing the streets. The impact on the neighborhoods has been horrendous. People cant get out, they cant get to the grocery store, they cant get to the pharmacy and theyre scared, and I really cant blame them because theres really no end in sight to this, said Guerriero. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents on Tivision Place said their calls for help are so far falling on deaf ears. We pay taxes too. We pay, we do everything else. Please help us over here too. We are people, we need help over here too, said Julie. In response, Guerriero said, sit tight, the cavalry is coming. Im not sure when, but they will be here at some point. 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. The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid is now open for families and students to submit. The application can unlock thousands of dollars in financial aid, grants and other support for students seeking to attend colleges and trade schools. After an overhaul last year, the application is expected to take most people an hour or less to fill out. While the overhaul caused glitches for many applicants in the previous cycle, officials are hopeful this year will see a much smoother process. In Arizona, officials with the state Board of Regents said there were no significant issues during a testing period earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Hundreds of students have already submitted their forms. Heres how to fill out yours. Who qualifies for financial aid in Arizona? According to the U.S. Department of Education, a person is eligible for financial aid based on the following criteria: Qualify for a college or trade school education through a high school diploma or equivalent Be a U.S. citizen or meet the standards for an eligible noncitizen, such as a person granted asylum Be enrolled or accepted as a regular student in a degree or certificate program There is no income threshold for federal financial aid. All students are recommended to apply. Full details on who is eligible to receive aid are listed by the federal Department of Education. What documents do I need to fill out FAFSA? To fill out the application, you will need several documents handy: Advertisement Advertisement Verified account and password (FSA ID) Social Security card Federal income tax returns and bank information Where can I get help to fill out a FAFSA in Arizona? Several organizations can provide help filling out the application. The Arizona Board of Regents, the body overseeing the states public university system has resources on its dedicated website. Those include frequently asked questions and one-on-one help sessions. Students and family members can also use the Arizona FAFSA hotline at 1-833-293-2372. They can also ask Benji, a FAFSA-dedicated chatbot by texting Hi Benji to 602-786-8171. When is the FAFSA deadline? Students and families are recommended to complete their applications as soon as possible to get access to more financial aid, as many scholarships and schools have deadlines separate from the federal deadline. The Arizona Promise Program, which provides financial aid to Pell-eligible Arizona students going to public Arizona universities, typically has a deadline of April 1. Advertisement Advertisement The official deadline for the 2025-26 cycle is June 30, 2026. How much will FAFSA pay for? The Education Department provides a Federal Student Aid Estimator offering a quick look at how much federal aid a student may be eligible for. Filling it out typically takes less than 10 minutes. Helen Rummel covers higher education for The Arizona Republic. Reach her at hrummel@azcentral.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @helenrummel. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What to know about filing 2025-26 FAFSA for college financial aid UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The UN relief chief on Tuesday released 5 million U.S. dollars in emergency relief to support the humanitarian response for Sudanese refugees in neighboring Chad, UN humanitarians said. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Tom Fletcher, under-secretary-general and the emergency relief coordinator, made the allocation from the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund. "The new funding will support UN agencies and their partners in providing humanitarian assistance, including healthcare, water, food and shelter support, to both Sudanese refugees and host communities in Chad," OCHA said. The office said that following an escalation of fighting in Sudan's western Darfur region, the number of people fleeing Sudan to Chad increased in September and October, with more than 70,000 newly displaced people. OCHA said that since the start of the conflict in Sudan in April of last year, more than 700,000 people have fled to Chad. In Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator, expressed her grave concern over reports of shelling in and around the Zamzam camp near El Fasher in western Sudan. The coordinator reported that Zamzam is the largest camp for internally displaced people in Sudan and home to more than 500,000 people. Zamzam came under fire on Sunday and Monday, with at least 5 people killed and 18 others injured, according to aid organizations. Nkweta-Salami said that it is now more than 232 days since the siege of El Fasher began, and stressed the importance of protecting civilians. As a child, George Pfeil Jr. would daydream his father was Superman a normal dad at home who would walk out the door in his Seminole County deputys uniform, carrying his gun and nightstick to fight for truth, justice and the American Way. Pfeil Jr. recounted that memory on Tuesday, decades after Pfeil Sr.s death in the line of duty in 1977. The elder Pfeil and two other deputies who gave their lives were hailed as heroes as Sheriff Dennis Lemma unveiled plaques designating portions of local highways in their honor. The plaques will be located near where the honorees once worked: Pfeil Sr., 57, along State Road 434 between Interstate 4 and Ronald Reagan Boulevard in Longwood; Deputy James Cleveland Jacobs, 28, killed in 1922, on State Road 419 in Chuluota; and Deputy Robert Moore, 40, killed in 1977, between First and 25th Streets along Highway 17-92 in Sanford. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We all know that Superman is a fictional character, but I am convinced that every one of you that carries a badge are supermen and superwomen, Pfeil Jr. told dozens of Seminole County cops who attended the ceremony. Youre called to do superhuman things your job is mentally and physically and emotionally demanding and Im here to thank you for all you do and let you know how proud we are. The memorial signage was long overdue, Lemma said, lauding the three deputies along with three others killed on the job and previously recognized with plaques, known at the agency as Our VI Heroes. Following a campaign by Seminole representatives in the Florida Legislature, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the newest memorials into law this year. Besides Pfeil Jr., Jacobs family was represented by Kay Williams, his great-grandniece. What Cleveland did really means a lot to me family, to know that we came from people like him, Williams said. Moores family was invited to attend but could not make it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its because of heroes like this who served before me that attracted me to the profession in the first place, Lemma said. In 1922, Jacobs one of Seminoles first deputies, hailing from a farming family that mainly grew citrus was pursuing Percy Baylis, 24, who had stolen another mans trousers. During the chase, Baylis entered a home and used a shotgun he found to shoot Jacobs in the chest. Baylis was later caught and, reflective of the racial violence of the time, was hidden away in Orange County as a mob looked to lynch him, the Orlando Sentinel reported at the time. He later was convicted of killing Jacobs, ultimately becoming the only hanging in Seminoles history. Moores death came decades later while he worked at the Seminole County Jail. In September 1975, he rushed to rescue inmates after 17-year-old Ray McCall, frustrated that his trial for a purse-snatching had been delayed, set fire to a stack of foam mattresses. Along with Moore who died of smoke inhalation the blaze killed McCall and nine other inmates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire led to a lawsuit by Moores family and the families of those housed in the jail, accusing the Sheriffs Office and its suppliers of negligence while alleging the Sanford Fire Department did not respond quickly enough. The incident and the subsequent lawsuits forced a reckoning among wardens throughout Florida to improve jail conditions, according to contemporary news accounts. A year later, the Seminole jail had undergone significant improvements, including installing a fire escape, sprinklers and a smoke detection system. As for Moore, an award for jail deputies was created in his honor. Pfeil Sr. was killed about two years later, amid a spate of murders in Seminole County. According to news reports, Pfeil, a reserve deputy, stumbled on an armed robbery at a drugstore where he went to fill a prescription. There he faced then-25-year-old Terry Sims, and the two exchanged gunfire, killing Pfeil. At the time, Pfeil Jr. noted to the Sentinel that his family was dedicated to community service. Dad, a police officer. A mother and sister are nurses. My brother is in the Navy and Im in the Army. Just service, Pfeil Jr. said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The elder Pfeils death sparked a manhunt for Sims, who was arrested in California and extradited back to Florida. He was eventually convicted of murder and sentenced to death. In June 2000, he became Floridas first person to be executed by lethal injection. With Tuesdays ceremony, Lemma said Jacobs, Moore and Pfeil are the final deputies whose plaques will be placed throughout the county. Speaking to reporters, he said that those currently serving at the Sheriffs Office walk in the shadows of giants. This will live on the test of time, Lemma said. It will extend beyond us. The Supreme Court hears arguments on Wednesday in Skrmetti v. U.S., a case of such immense importance to constitutional equality and with such devastating potential consequences that its hard to even describe. First and foremost, Skrmetti asks whether legislation that prohibits gender-affirming care for transgender youth is lawful under the 14th Amendments equal protection clause. These bans, now enacted in about half the states, have uprooted families across the country, forcing some to travel hundreds of miles, or move to another state, just to maintain their childs medical treatment. Like abortion restrictions, they represent an abnormal and alarming intrusion into the practice of medicine based on politicians personal beliefs about who should be trusted to make decisions about their own bodies. But Skrmetti is not just about transgender people. It is also, fundamentally, a case about gender equality, and whether constitutional limitations on sex discrimination can survive the Supreme Courts conservative supermajority. The key legal question in the case is surprisingly easy: Do laws that deny certain medicine to people based exclusively on their sex trigger heightened scrutiny by the courts? The answer, according to long-established precedent, is a resounding yes. If the court decides otherwise, it will shred the constitutional presumption against sex discrimination and replace it with a rubber stamp for states that want to impose their own prejudiced conception of gender roles by force of law. Transgender Americans are, of course, most immediately affected by Skrmettibut the case really implicates all of our rights. Everyones freedom to reject gender stereotypes without fear of state oppression is at stake. The law at issue in Skrmetti is a Tennessee statute known as S.B. 1, which forbids doctors from providing puberty blockers and hormone therapy to transgender youth. Tennessee is one of nearly 25 states that have enacted such a ban since 2021, when anti-LGBTQ+ activists joined forces with the Republican Party to push these prohibitions nationwide. Every major medical association in the United States, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, opposes these laws. These groups agree with expert practitioners who maintain that the benefits of treatment vastly outweigh the risks, and that treatment can in fact be lifesaving for children with gender dysphoria. Bans on this care can have a devastating impact on patients health: Laws like S.B. 1 cut off access to medications that resolve minors gender dysphoria, forcibly detransitioning them and singling them out as second-class citizens undeserving of medical care that nontrans minors can still freely obtain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And that is the key point here: S.B. 1, like other trans health bans, does not outlaw gender-related care for everyone. Rather, it targets transgender youth for disfavored treatment, while allowing cisgender peers to get the same medicine. So, for instance, a transgender boy may not under the law undergo testosterone therapy to bring about male puberty, for the sole reason that he is trans. But a cisgender boy can get testosterone therapyand many do, often to facilitate the development of secondary sex characteristics that affirm their gender identity as male. Hormone treatment for these cisgender kids remains lawful; the exact same treatment for trans kids is banned. The law therefore turns entirely on sex: Children assigned female at birth cant access specific treatments that are available to children assigned male at birth. Through S.B. 1, Tennessee is promoting its own conception of how young people should fulfill their gender roles. And it isnt hiding this fact. The statute itself declares that the states goal is encouraging minors to appreciate their sexspecifically, the sex, and accompanying stereotypes, that Tennessee politicians think a child must adhere to. This is undisguised sex discrimination. And in a line of precedents stretching back more than 50 years, the Supreme Court has severely curtailed the governments ability to impose classifications on the basis of sex. The court has held that these laws require an exceedingly persuasive justification to survive judicial review. Yet in Skrmetti, the lower court did not apply such heightened scrutiny to S.B. 1. Instead, it deployed mere rational basis review, a far less demanding test that compels great deference to legislative judgments. Judge Jeffrey Suttons opinion for the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals bizarrely insisted that the bills classifications are not actually based on sex, all but guaranteeing that the law will survive. To reach this conclusion, Sutton invoked two principles that would, if embraced by the Supreme Court, fatally undermine the law of sex discrimination. First, he invoked whats known as the equal-application exception, arguing that S.B. 1 does not differentiate on the basis of sex because both boys and girls are denied cross-sex hormones. Second, he created a new biological difference exception to the rule, asserting that Tennessee targeted treatments that, by biological necessity, only one sex can undergo. According to this logic, since only females can use testosterone as a transition treatment, and only males can use estrogen as a transition treatment, the state was distinguishing between inherent differences among the sexes, not discriminating on the basis of sex in an effort to enforce invidious stereotypes. Neither of these exceptions is rooted in the law. If they were, the rule against sex discrimination would be toothless. Suttons equal-application principle borrows an idea from the days of Jim Crow, when segregationists claimed that race lawslike the ban on interracial marriagewere not discriminatory because they treated the races equally: White people couldnt marry Black people, and Black people couldnt marry white people. The Supreme Court rejected this sophistry, holding that any classifications on the basis of race are subject to heightened scrutiny. And it has rejected this theory when applied to men and women as well, ruling that any classification on the basis of sex triggers heightened scrutiny, even if it theoretically affects men and women equally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similarly, Suttons biological differences loophole crashes into contradictory precedent. SCOTUS has held that discrimination purportedly rooted in biological differences cannot escape heightened scrutiny. So, for instance, the Virginia Military Institutes exclusion of women could not stand despite acknowledged physical differences between the sexes, because it impermissibly constrained educational opportunity for female applicants. Similarly, the government cannot make it easier for unwed mothers to pass on U.S. citizenship to a child born abroad than it is for unwed fathers; that a mother, unlike a father, gave birth to the child cannot justify the disparate treatment between sexes. These examples are just a handful of precedents that contradict Suttons claims. There are a lot more, to the point that embracing Suttons exceptions could gut this whole area of law. Chase Strangio, the ACLU attorney arguing on behalf of the private plaintiffs in Skrmetti, recently explained to Dahlia Lithwick on Amicus that the very premise of constitutional gender equality is at risk. Let S.B. 1 skate with mere rational basis review, and the floodgates are open to a whole new world of state-sanctioned gender-based bias. It would, no doubt, mark open season on transgender people, including adults, who could be subject to the same health bans as minors. (Some states are already restricting their access to gender-affirming care.) But a Supreme Court decision accepting Suttons reasoning in Skrmetti would go much further, potentially allowing states to denigrate the rights of men and women because of their sex, either using the smoke screen of some inherent biological distinction or avowing that both genders are equally burdened. Might SCOTUS avoid going down that path? Theres reason for cautious optimism. Both Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Neil Gorsuch previously upheld protections for transgender people in a federal statute prohibiting sex discrimination, rejecting some of the arguments that Sutton embraced. Both justices, though, could interpret the Constitution differently from a law enacted by Congress. Gorsuch joined Dobbs v. Jackson, whose language Sutton co-opted to subordinate gender equality. He also voted on the shadow docket to reinstate much of Idahos trans health ban, though for partly procedural reasons. Perhaps these justices will reaffirm basic sex-discrimination principles that compel heightened scrutiny here. They might then feel obligated to accept the fact that states have no exceedingly persuasive justification to outlaw transgender minors access to hormone therapies that are endorsed by all major medical associations, and regularly given to cisgender children. Or the conservative supermajority could, like Sutton, rehash language from Dobbs about deference to democracy and hide behind judicial restraint to greenlight these bans. It would be hard to believe that the same justices who have aggressively intervened in democratically enacted gun policyand securities regulation, and nondiscrimination law, and student loan relief, and affirmative action, and campaign finance, and so much morehave suddenly rediscovered an abiding love for leaving controversial decisions to the people and their representatives. There is, no doubt, a time and place for judges to step back and let these debates play out in the political arena. But openly discriminatory sex-based restrictions on personal freedom are pretty much a textbook example of when courts are constitutionally obliged to step in. If this court refuses to act accordingly, it cannot be trusted with any of our rights. REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (WHNT) The U.S. Army Materiel Command will host a welcome ceremony to honor its new executive deputy, Liz Miranda. On Dec. 4, Liz Miranda will be welcomed as AMCs new executive deputy in a welcome ceremony. Miranda gained responsibility as AMCs executive deputy to the commanding general on Oct. 6. In this role, Miranda is the highest-ranking Army Civilian in the roughly 165,000 global workforce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huntsville Hospital Foundation focusing on life-saving 16 minutes this Giving Tuesday This position is the civilian equivalent of a three-star general. Miranda is originally from Puerto Rico and began her service as an Army Civilian roughly 30 years ago as a GS-5 accountant. Most of her career has been spent at the Communications-Electronics Command, one of AMCs major subordinate commands. This sector provides Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance weapon systems, business systems and medical sustainment. Some of Mirandas responsibilities include talent management, employee development and retention, supporting Army modernization efforts, AMCs depots, arsenals and ammunition plants and more. 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 WHNT.com. UPDATE: Following a five day trial at Bulford Military Court in Wiltshire, Lieutenant Humphries was found not guilty by a panel of the charge against him. An officer on HMS Prince of Wales sexually assaulted a colleague when the aircraft carrier was docked in Florida, a court heard. Lieutenant Liam Humphries allegedly took full advantage of the drunk sailor while the 3.5 billion aircraft carrier moored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having met the sailor at a local nightclub, Lt Humphries is accused of molesting her while she was passed out at an apartment she was renting with friends. The sailor, who cant be named for legal reasons, said she had no memory of leaving the nightclub and told a court martial Lt Humphries abused her at my most vulnerable point. Lt Humphries was reported to Navy bosses when the sailor returned to HMS Prince of Wales. Bulford Military Court, Wilts, heard the incident happened when the 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier travelled to the US. The vessel one of the most advanced warships in the world this week became the Royal Navys fleet flagship, taking over from its sister ship HMS Queen Elizabeth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lt Humphries denies one count of sexual assault by penetration, claiming the encounter was consensual. Opening the case, Colonel Jim Carmichael, prosecuting, said the female sailor could not have consented because she was unconscious when the penetration started. Col Carmichael said: [The victim] was serving on board HMS Prince of Wales, also serving on board was Lt Humphries, he was an education officer. The Prince of Wales docked in Florida, [the victim] with her friends decided to have a girls holiday. [The victim] and her friends had some pizza and drinks they went for a night out. Towards the end of the night she went into the toilet of the nightclub, she cant remember anything between then and waking up in her AirBnb. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He continued: In a text conversation [the victim] confronted the defendant about what had happened the previous night. HMS Prince of Wales, the Royal Navy aircraft carrier where Lt Humphries worked - Andrew Milligan/PA The defendant was interviewed under caution and claimed the woman had consented to the sexual activity. The issue in this case is a straightforward one, she could not have consented because she was unconscious at the time, Col Carmichael said. The sailor told her friends the next day that she thought she had been spiked although a test at a clinic in Florida came back negative, the court heard. When the sailors returned to Prince of Wales she reported the incident immediately to the onboard police officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The female sailor said she was vulnerable and that Lt Humphries took advantage of her in a video interview shown to the court martial. In a police interview, she said: I didnt feel like myself. I thought I just want this to be over, I dont want this to happen to me. He took full advantage of me when I was passed out. I didnt think this would ever happen to me. At my most vulnerable point he took advantage of me. The trial, which is expected to last a week, continues. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) The Holiday Train rolled into Shreveport on Monday evening, bringing Christmas cheer and a big donation to the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana. Shreveport mayor Tom Arceneaux welcomed the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City train as it stopped at the North Lake Shore Drive rail yard. Visitors got to enjoy live music, a festive light show, and plenty of holiday fun. The CPCK Holiday Train also came bearing gifts, a $15,000 donation to the local Food Bank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More holiday events, offers, entertainment We raise food donations and awareness for food insecurity, said Rebecca Stephen, Director of Communications for CPKC. We make a donation in each community. That donation stays with the local food bank and anything raised at the event stays with the local food bank. People attending were encouraged to bring a canned food item or make a monetary donation. The Holiday Train has traveled from New Brunswick, Canada, stopping at cities along the way to support food banks and raise awareness for hunger relief. This is one of the greatest things that we do, said Stephen. We operate in these communities and it is so important to us to give back in the communities in which we operate. And so we have an opportunity to see the CPC family and provide support for them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Stephen, the CPKC Holiday Train has raised more than $24.3 million and collected approximately 5.3 million pounds of food for community food banks in Canada and the United States since 1999. 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. HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) Holyoke police are investigating after recovering a loaded ghost gun discarded by a suspect in the area of 462 Maple Street Monday afternoon. One person arrested following gunfire detected on Wilbraham Ave in Springfield Holyoke police say, the firearm lacked a serial number and was found with a high-capacity magazine containing 18 live rounds. Courtesy of the Holyoke Police Department The incident occurred on Monday when a Hampden County Sheriffs deputy, serving an eviction notice, observed the suspect discard the firearm and leave on foot. According to police, the suspect, who does not have a license to carry firearms, was startled by the deputys presence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers conducted a brief investigation which led to the recovery of the polymer 80 ghost gun. The suspect remains at large, and authorities encourage anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Police also expressed a willingness to educate the suspect on Massachusetts gun laws and safe firearm storage practices. 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. EASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA State Rep. Ben Sanchezs bill designed to increase Pennsylvanias home care workforce has unanimously passed the House and will now head to the Senate for consideration. "Gov. Josh Shapiro recently signed several bills into law, and Im proud to share that one of those bills was my legislation designed to increase our home care workforce," said Sanchez, state representative for the 153rd Legislative District, which serves Abington and Upper Dublin townships. "House Bill 155 will make the hiring process for direct care workers easier by removing the outdated requirement that face-to-face interviews are conducted in person," Sanchez said. "Allowing interviews to be conducted using two-way video, and remote technology, increases opportunities for candidates to interview while also maintaining the ability to see the person." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanchez said he hopes his bill will be one step toward remedying Pennsylvanias shortage of direct support providers. Professional interviews over a video call have become more and more common since the COVID-19 pandemic. Theyre convenient and can attract more qualified, experienced professionals because its easier to schedule a call into ones workday than traveling for an in-person meeting, Sanchez said. My legislation simply aims to modernize the home care industrys hiring process and have a further reach when attracting quality care providers. The Department of Labor estimates Pennsylvania will need 45,000 direct care workers in the next few years. Home Care Workforce Bill By Montco Legislator Passes House originally appeared on the Abington Patch A homeowners group is asking a judge to pause plans to build an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Los Angeles Woodland Hills neighborhood. The proposed site for the popular burger chain is on Ventura Boulevard near Fallbrook Avenue, but the West Valley Alliance for Optimal Living has concerns about the location. Mynewsla.com reported that the group says the In-N-Out drive-thru would be placed near multi-family housing and wants more information about how the restaurant would impact traffic, noise and water quality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In-N-Out owner sets the record straight about secret menu item They have petitioned a Los Angeles Superior Court judge to halt the project until an environmental impact study is completed. The City of Los Angeles has yet to respond to the homeowners petition. In-N-Out Burger was founded in Baldwin Park, California, in 1948. The chain now has more than 400 locations across the U.S., largely centered along the West Coast and Mountain West states. 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. ABU DHABI, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and King Abdullah II of Jordan discussed regional developments during a phone call on Monday, amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, according to the UAE's official news agency WAM. The two leaders exchanged views on the critical need to prevent further escalation in the region, emphasizing efforts to safeguard security and stability, WAM reported. They called for intensified efforts to establish a clear path toward achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace based on the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The call highlighted the growing urgency for coordinated regional and international efforts to address rising challenges, with a focus on promoting dialogue and preventing conflict. The phone conversation came amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, and a deteriorating security situation in northern Syria. HONOLULU (KHON2) A Honolulu grand jury indicted a Honolulu Fire Department firefighter on eight counts of sexual assault. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Court documents showed firefighter Travis Kotrys assaulted an underage victim on numerous occasions from Jan. 1, 2022, to July 7, 2023. Adults stand by as dog tramples nene nest at Liliuokalani Park Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Honolulu Fire Department officials issued the following statement: The charges against Fire Fighter III Travis Kotrys are deeply troubling. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and conduct. This criminal case is now with the judicial system and fire fighter Kotrys has been reassigned to a non-public-facing role. Honolulu Fire Department in a statement Check out more news from around Hawaii He remains in custody on $500,000 bail and is set to appear in court on Thursday, Dec. 5. 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. Dec. 2MOSES LAKE HopeSource Chief Operating Officer John Raymond said the work his organization does helps people find stable housing. But ultimately, he said, the homelessness problem is about more than money. Raymond gave an overview of HopeSource's programs in Grant County to the Moses Lake City Council on Nov. 26. During that discussion Mayor Dustin Swartz asked Raymond about the future. "The state has an agenda of ending homelessness," Swartz said. "While admirable, there are some questions about the reality of that. Based on your experience, where do you see of this in 10 years? What do you think HopeSource's role will be in all of this in 10 years?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raymond said in his experience money is only part of the answer. "I don't think we're going to be able to end homelessness anytime soon," he said. "I think it's a multigenerational issue. I personally believe the fabric of our systems has been decimated. Broken families children that grow up in those types of environments end up with more challenges and have a higher incidence of becoming homeless than others. "So, we need to go back to the basics and fix those things. No amount of money is going to fix the issues that we have. It's the community that's going to help solve these things. It's not going to be federal or state dollars or organizations," Raymond said. Within HopeSource's mission, Raymond said the organization works to connect people with services that they need, including housing. HopeSource operates a temporary housing facility in Moses Lake and manages the Open Doors Sleep Center under a contract. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Swartz asked about the biggest misconception about HopeSource's role. Raymond said it was the idea that organizations like HopeSource do it for the money. "I think the biggest misconception (is) that we're in an industry and we're looking to perpetuate that industry by growing the numbers," he said. "Which is the furthest thing from anybody's heart to do. We strive to put ourselves out of a job. To make sure everyone is housed properly and achieve, hopefully, what we call functional zero, where the number of people falling into homelessness match the number of people that are being housed. That's probably the best you're going to be able to get." More people using the service doesn't translate into more money, he said. The state is facing a budget shortfall in 2025, and a new administration will take power in Washington, D.C. Raymond said he anticipates funding cuts as a result. In answer to a question from council member Deanna Martinez, Raymond said the sleep center is funded through a grant from the state awarded to Grant County. It opened in December 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was kind of a fast-tracked program to get people off the street and out of the parks and into a location where they could be safe and warm," he said. Its 35 units are open to anyone, he said, and it's designed to be an overnight shelter. It doesn't offer direct access to social services, he said, but every morning there are people on site who can help its users find those services. Raymond said that as of October the sleep center had provided overnight shelter for 296 people in 2024, some of them multiple times, and 90% said they were from Moses Lake. Some of them no longer use the sleep center, and of those, 84% had moved into more stable housing, he said. Thirty families moved into the organization's enhanced shelter, and from that to longer-term housing, he said. The enhanced shelter is a converted motel on South Pioneer Way purchased in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have had 12 units in full operation for the past four years, with 25 beds being occupied a little over 80% of the time," he said. "We have received some additional funds from Grant County, so by the end of this year we will have another eight units and another 14 to 15 beds up and operational, so we should be able to serve up to 40 folks a day in that facility." In the last 12 months, the enhanced shelter served 181 people, making up 53 households, he said. Of those, 51 households found more permanent housing. Grant County lacks affordable housing, a problem it shares with the rest of the state, Raymond said. The definition of affordable housing varies by local median income. Council member Mark Fancher said that in his experience, it's very difficult to build affordable housing in Moses Lake given the income levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The only way to get there is through some sort of subsidized housing, for all intents and purposes," Fancher said. "Because you can't get there from a private (development). If there's no subsidy to the housing, you can't reach that number, I don't think anywhere in Grant County. Probably right now, with the cost of construction and everything else, probably anywhere in the state." In answer to a question from council member Victor Lombardi, Raymond said substance abuse plays a critical role in chronic homelessness. In addition, it's harder to address the problem in communities where there aren't many jobs, he said. "There are so many different facets to the problem," he said. HopeSource Enhanced Shelter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 12 units, eight additional units in operation by year's end In the last 12 months, 181 people served, comprising 53 families 51 families found more permanent housing Open Doors Sleep Center As of Oct. 31, 296 people served in 2024, some multiple times. 90% say they are from Moses Lake A major hospital trade group launched a six-figure ad campaign this week calling on Congress to extend disaster relief tax credits that the group says will help facilities recover from hurricanes Helene and Milton. The Federation of American Hospitals (FAH) on Tuesday said assistance is needed to help employers in the impacted areas rebuild, and to provide incentives to keep or bring back employees to live and work in the impacted areas. Specifically, FAH wants Congress to reinstate Katrina-era employee retention tax credits, aimed at encouraging businesses to keep their employees on payroll during natural disasters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FAH is also asking Congress to extend and expand Work Opportunity Tax Credits for hospitals to hire individuals from certain targeted groups who have faced barriers to employment, as well as to offer tax credits for hospitals that offer housing for employees. Hospitals went above and beyond to ensure 24/7 quality care and provide basic necessities for patients, employees, and communities during Hurricanes Helene and Milton, FAHs Charlene MacDonald said in a statement. Now, as hospitals work to recover, rebuild, and prepare for future natural disasters, its critical that Congress provides meaningful support by passing commonsense, bipartisan policies to ensure hospitals have the resources needed to continue providing uninterrupted patient care. The organization wants its priorities included in a bipartisan disaster aid bill that lawmakers are aiming to pass by the end of the year. Lawmakers want to replenish funds for communities recovering from disasters, after major storms in recent months depleted the nations Disaster Relief Fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House has asked for $98 billion, though its unclear if Republicans will agree to that amount. A bipartisan group of senators was pushing for a vote this week, though its likely a disaster package will be included as part of a year-end government funding bill. 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. WEATHERSFIELD, Ohio (WKBN) Police responded to a home in Weathersfield early Thanksgiving day after shots were fired at the house for the second time within a month. Not even a month after a man was shot at a house in the 1300 block of Heaton Boulevard, police responded to the home again after shots were heard in the area around 5 a.m. on Thanksgiving. When officers arrived in the area, reports state the odor of burnt gunpowder hung in the air. Reports detail the area of the incident as a house with two additional residences attached to the building. When police initially were unable to speak to the owner of the home, they spoke to one of the residents who told police that a bullet hole through the front door was new damage, not from the previous shooting on Nov. 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this point, a man exited the home that was shot and told police he hadnt answered the door earlier because he was hiding and scared, reports state. The man told police he had friends over after he got home from work around 11:30 p.m., and after they left, he was on his computer in the living room when he heard a loud pop from outside and saw dust appear in his kitchen, according to reports. He said he dropped to the floor when he realized he was being shot at and crawled to the bathroom. Reports state the man didnt hear anyone come up to the house or any other noises outside prior to the shooting. Police traced the path of a bullet through the front door, through the glass door of a grandfather clock, where it struck the pendulum and ricocheted to where officers found it near a chair in the living room. Reports state it also appears a bullet entered through the kitchen wall, where it was recovered in the pocket of a coat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police recovered two spent shell casings in the front yard, which were taken as evidence. No injuries were reported in this shooting 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 WKBN.com. Dressed in a black sweatshirt and tie-dyed leggings, Hannah Kobayashi casually walked off her flight from Maui to Los Angeles International Airport on November 8. The 30-year-old had plans to fly to New York City the same day. But she did not board that plane. Then, she seemingly vanished. Described by those who love her as an artistic and creative soul, the Hawaii natives sudden disappearance has captivated the media as photos of her beaming smile and flowing locks of dark hair have blanketed television screens across the United States. Adding to her familys anguish, Kobayashis father took his own life a few days before Thanksgiving after he had traveled to Los Angeles to search for her, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiners office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For nearly a month the Los Angeles Police Department, along with family, friends and volunteers, searched for Kobayashi. But this week, she was declared a voluntary missing person after police say she traveled to the US-Mexico border and crossed into Mexico on November 12. We reviewed video surveillance from US Customs and Border Protection which clearly shows Kobayashi crossing United States border on foot into Mexico, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said Monday in a news conference. She was alone, with her luggage, and appeared unharmed. Before leaving Maui, Kobayashi had expressed a desire to disconnect from modern technology, McDonnell added. Many people who go missing leave of their own accord for personal reasons, officials say. Last month, a Wisconsin kayaker was reported missing and is now accused of faking his own drowning and fleeing the country, authorities say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, over 563,000 people were reported missing in the United States, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigations Crime Information Center. The largest subgroup of missing persons 125,390 includes those who may have left voluntarily, the centers data shows. Others include missing minors, kidnapping victims and disabled people who have wandered off, according to the FBI. Deciding how to proceed with searching for a missing person varies case to case, and sometimes race and news coverage play a role. People are allowed to come and go as they please, said Derrica Wilson, co-founder of Black & Missing Foundation, a non-profit that brings awareness to missing persons of color. However, Wilson a former police officer said law enforcement works for the community, and it is their responsibility to help loved ones search for a missing person, regardless of the situation surrounding their disappearance and despite race, gender and ZIP code. Missing persons standard procedures For every person that goes missing voluntarily, there are countless others who had no say in their disappearance, according to the International Association of Chiefs of Police, which has developed a missing persons policy for law enforcement agencies to abide by when working on a missing persons case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reporting a missing person: There is no waiting period for loved ones to report a person missing, either in person or over the phone. At this point, police consider how critical the situation is. Who is a missing person: A person is often declared missing when their loved ones do not know their whereabouts and cannot explain why they cant be found. Oftentimes the missing persons unknown location is odd or unusual to their loved ones. When someone is critically missing: An individual is considered missing-critical when they are believed to be the subject of foul play, a minor, mentally disabled, suicidal or the victim of an accident. The preliminary investigation: Investigators focus on getting a description and photo of the person, determining if the person has any physical or emotional problems, and identifying the last individual who saw the person. They try to establish the plans, habits, routines and personal interests of the subject including places frequented or locations of particular personal significance, according to the policy. And they look out for indications of missing personal belongings, particularly money and other valuables, the policy says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each state handles missing persons reports differently, Wilson added, and each law enforcement agency within those states has its own process for investigating cases. There is no holistic approach when it comes to law enforcement response to missing person cases, Wilson said. In some states, law enforcement require families to wait 24 hours before reporting their loved ones missing. Other states have laws prohibiting a wait period, she said. Kobayashi fit the criteria for a missing person considering the unusual circumstances in which she disappeared and concern from her family and friends, according to Wilson. When you have a family thats coming to you and theyre saying, My loved one is missing, I have no idea where my loved one is. This is out of character. This is unusual, you want (law enforcement) to have empathy and sympathy. You want them to do their job, Wilson told CNN Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, officials say they now have reason to believe Kobayashi is safe. To date the investigation has not uncovered any evidence that Kobayashi is being trafficked or is the victim of foul play. She is also not a suspect in any criminal activity, McDonnell said. She has a right to her privacy, and we respect her choices but we also understand that the concern her loved ones feel for her. Kobayashis family said in a statement Tuesday they are grateful for the urgency and dedication from law enforcement and remain hopeful that she is safe and urged the public to keep searching for her. We want answers and a resolution that ensures Hannahs safety and urge law enforcement and the public to stay focused on finding her and to avoid speculative conclusions, the statement said. Ryan Kobayashi, center, holds a picture of his missing daughter Hannah Kobayashi outside Crypto.com Arena on November 21 in Los Angeles. - Damian Dovarganes/AP The media and race play a role In recent years, the families of missing people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals have blamed the news media for disproportionately covering cases of young, attractive missing White women, like 22-year-old travel blogger Gabby Petito, whose 2021 murder by her boyfriend Brian Laundrie took audiences by storm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News coverage of a missing person can help locate them, Wilson notes. It alerts the community that someone is missing, number one, and then number two, it provides pressure to law enforcement to dedicate more resources. While Kobayashi is not White, Wilson said, her attractiveness and public persona played a role in her case blowing up online. Black families say they often struggle to get the police to take their missing person cases seriously. Officers are slow to investigate their loved ones disappearance or immediately label them as a runaway, they say. Black families say they often struggle to get the police to take their missing person cases seriously. Officers are slow to investigate their loved ones disappearance or immediately label them as a runaway, they say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilson recalls a phone call she got from the mother of a young missing Black woman who watched the constant media coverage of Petitos disappearance. The mother asked me, Why is my daughter any different? Wilson said. Wilson currently has nearly 6,000 cases of missing Black people in her database, most unsolved. Many disappearances in the Black community stem from human trafficking, domestic violence and mental health incidents, Wilson previously told CNN. Its often an uphill battle to get the cases of missing Black people amplified and she wants the public to continue sounding the alarm, Wilson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want people to continue making these cases viral, Wilson said. We cant allow this case to diminish our efforts that we have worked so hard for. CNNs Michelle Watson, Caroll Alvarado, Artemis Moshtaghian, Karina Tsui and Nicquel Terry Ellis contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WASHINGTON (AP) A federal judge terminated the gun case against Hunter Biden on Tuesday after President Joe Biden issued a sweeping pardon for his son. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika closed the case the week before Hunter Biden was to be sentenced. He could have faced up to 25 years in prison, though as a first-time offender he likely would have gotten far less time or avoided prison entirely. Prosecutors opposed dismissing the case, arguing in court documents that a pardon shouldn't wipe away the case as if it never occurred." Hunter Biden was convicted on three felonies after he lied on a federal form to purchase a gun in Delaware by saying he wasnt a drug user in 2018, a period when he has acknowledged being addicted. The judge's order ends the case but does not toss out the conviction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Justice Department special counsel is also opposed to dismissing a case filed in California after Hunter Biden failed to pay $1.4 million in taxes. U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi in Los Angeles indicted he would dismiss the case once the pardon is formally received. Still, Scarsi was critical of the president's assertion that his son was singled out for political reasons, saying two judges had rejected similar arguments from his defense attorneys. The president's Sunday decision to go back on previous pledges and issue his son a blanket federal pardon for actions over the past 11 years has sparked a political uproar in Washington, drawing criticism from many Democrats as well as Republicans and threatening to cloud Bidens legacy as he prepares to leave office on Jan. 20. Hunter Biden was originally supposed to strike a plea deal with prosecutors last year that would have spared him prison time, but the agreement fell apart after Noreika questioned unusual aspects of it. __ This story was first published Dec. 3, 2024. It was updated Dec. 4, 2024, to explain that the case was terminated, which ends the case but doesnt toss out the conviction. Donald Trump has big plans to shake up what he calls the deep state. Joe Bidens pardon of his son Hunter may just have given him a gift that will help him do that. Trump has spent years clashing with the federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies, as well as the foreign policy establishment. In Trumps telling, American politics is a cynical racket, and the permanent denizens of the swamp the civil service in DC and the bureaucracies they populate serve as a kind of Praetorian Guard to protect that racket rather than keep it honest. Theres a two-tiered system of justice, where the favoured insiders get kid-glove treatment, while disruptive outsiders such as Trump dont just get the book thrown at them they also face draining lawfare. That includes secret spying, seemingly never-ending investigations, and anonymously-sourced leaks. This prevents anyone from deviating too far from the civil services consensus centre-Left views on foreign affairs or the law, even if the voters elect them to do precisely that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its an exaggerated portrait, and one thats unfair to a lot of diligent public servants doing necessary work to keep Americans safe. But there is more than enough truth to it to cry out for reform. Trump first won the presidency in part due to accumulated public revulsion at a quarter-century of Bill and Hillary Clinton getting away with all manner of sins personal, political, and financial. The capper was Mrs Clinton skating on mishandling of national security information with an off-the-books home email server while she was secretary of state. When it came out later that both Trump and Biden had stored national secret documents at their homes, Trump was charged with dozens of felonies and Biden walked. The pattern continued as Trump spent two years under investigation for the non-existent crime of collusion in 2017-18 and faced a blizzard of criminal and civil charges in 2023-24. His first choice for national security advisor got charged in a sting operation that started before Trump even took office. When Hunter got a shady gig on the board of a Ukrainian gas company in 2014 and Biden bragged publicly about getting the Ukrainians to fire a prosecutor looking into the company, the only charge that got brought was the House impeaching Trump. When Biden needed to claim during the 2020 campaign that a laptop belonging to his son and full of incriminating information was a Russian plant, luminaries from across the intelligence agencies lined up to sign a public letter giving credibility to the lie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Biden family got rich over Joes half a century in public service, and congressional investigators could get only part way to the bottom of all the foreign money lining their coffers. When IRS agents tried to dig further, they got shut down by their superiors. When prosecutors tried to bury the whole story in a sweetheart plea deal that would prevent anyone from prosecuting Hunter in the future, a judge called it out and humiliated them into bringing him to trial. He had to plead guilty to more limited tax charges after a jury found him guilty on federal gun charges. Now, Joe has handed down a presidential pardon of staggering breadth, releasing Hunter not only from being sentenced for the gun and tax charges but for any crimes committed since January 1 2014 conveniently, far enough back to cover his whole time on the Ukrainian gas company board. For Trump, this may make it harder to bring a revenge prosecution against the Biden family. But after chasing Joe out of the presidential race and defeating his vice-president at the polls, Trumps real targets are the deep state agencies and the people who brought the charges against him. The furore over this blatantly self-serving pardon will help fortify his case for root and branch reforms to drain the swamp and end the two-tiered system of justice. Trump has already shown some of his cards in this direction with personnel choices. Matt Gaetz, the bomb-throwing Congressman harshly critical of the Justice Department, was Trumps first pick to run the place. Kash Patel, his choice to run the FBI, has said that he wants to expel the bureaus entire Washington staff from DC and turn its headquarters into a museum of government abuses. Tulsi Gabbard, a critic of the national security establishment, is his pick for director of national intelligence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump will probably also enrage the establishment with many pardons of his own, including a great many participants in the Capitol riot of January 6, 2021. Judging by his first-term pardons, hell probably also give clemency to personal cronies, ideological allies, and crooked politicians of both parties. But there, too, the Hunter pardon will hamper Democrats in convincing the voters that this is anything but fair payback. Dan McLaughlin is a senior writer at National Review 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 voter casts his ballot during special voting in Accra, Ghana, on Dec. 2, 2024. Polls opened early Monday at selected polling stations across Ghana for special voting ahead of the general elections scheduled for Dec. 7. The special voting allows individuals, including security personnel, journalists, electoral commission officials, and civil society activists, who will be performing their duties away from polling stations during the main elections, to cast their ballots. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua) ACCRA, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Polls opened early Monday at selected polling stations across Ghana for special voting ahead of the general elections scheduled for Dec. 7. The special voting allows individuals, including security personnel, journalists, electoral commission officials, and civil society activists, who will be performing their duties away from polling stations during the main elections, to cast their ballots. The Electoral Commission (EC) said about 131,478 individuals, representing 0.007 percent of registered voters, are eligible to cast their ballots in Monday's special votes. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, an incumbent member of parliament for the Korle-Klottey Constituency, told Xinhua the process for the special voting was smooth all morning. "Voting started on time, and there has been a high turnout so far. There have not been any hitches," Agyeman-Rawlings said. "If what we are seeing today is replicated on Dec. 7, people will be inclined to accept the outcome. For that to happen, the EC must play the role of a neutral referee." At the Legon Police Station polling station in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency, Lydia Egyiri, a municipal electoral officer, expressed satisfaction with the smooth process. She told Xinhua that all the biometric machines, including the verification devices, were working perfectly and voters were comporting themselves properly. According to the EC, the special voting for the Western Region and the Eastern Region is postponed to Dec. 5 due to the exposure of some of the ballot papers ahead of time. On Dec. 7, voters in Ghana will head to the polls to elect a new president and 276 members of parliament. A voter casts a ballot during special voting in Accra, Ghana, on Dec. 2, 2024. Polls opened early Monday at selected polling stations across Ghana for special voting ahead of the general elections scheduled for Dec. 7. The special voting allows individuals, including security personnel, journalists, electoral commission officials, and civil society activists, who will be performing their duties away from polling stations during the main elections, to cast their ballots. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua) People register at a polling station during special voting in Accra, Ghana, on Dec. 2, 2024. Polls opened early Monday at selected polling stations across Ghana for special voting ahead of the general elections scheduled for Dec. 7. The special voting allows individuals, including security personnel, journalists, electoral commission officials, and civil society activists, who will be performing their duties away from polling stations during the main elections, to cast their ballots. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua) A voter casts his ballot during special voting in Accra, Ghana, on Dec. 2, 2024. Polls opened early Monday at selected polling stations across Ghana for special voting ahead of the general elections scheduled for Dec. 7. The special voting allows individuals, including security personnel, journalists, electoral commission officials, and civil society activists, who will be performing their duties away from polling stations during the main elections, to cast their ballots. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua) President Joe Bidens decision to pardon his son has undermined an argument Democrats often made over the past two years. In response to Republican claims the government had been weaponized against them, such as by the Justice Department prosecuting Donald Trump, Democrats would point out that the government was also prosecuting Hunter Biden without any interference or criticism from the president. Joe Biden never publicly questioned or challenged this prosecution, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said at a House Oversight Committee hearing last year, noting that Trump criticized the Justice Department for prosecuting his allies and then gave them pardons before he left office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Bidens traditional and scrupulous respect for the independence of the Justice Department stands in sharp contrast to Trumps spectacular disrespect for the rule of law, Raskin said. At a House Judiciary Committee hearing in June, Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) noted that both Trump and Hunter Biden had recently stood trial and that Trump insisted his trial was rigged while President Biden said he would accept the outcome of his sons case. Biden also said, repeatedly, that he wouldnt pardon his son. How President Biden and Democrats reacted to a guilty verdict in a case against the presidents son was remarkably different from what we saw in terms of the reaction by former president Trump, his family, his allies and acolytes, Escobar said. Democrats are not attacking the institutions that are important to our democracy, but unfortunately, Republicans are. And its devastating to the future of our democracy. At another judiciary hearing that month with U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) approvingly noted the ongoing prosecution of Hunter Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the things that makes America great is we are ruled by the law, not by a cult of personality, Lieu said. And I want to thank you, Attorney General Garland, and the Department of Justice, for applying the law without fear or favoritism. And I note as we sit here today, the Department of Justice is prosecuting Hunter Biden in a federal court right now. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) speaks onstage during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates, politicians, and Democratic Party supporters are in Chicago for the convention, concluding with current Vice President Kamala Harris accepting her party's presidential nomination. The DNC takes place from Aug. 19-22. Andrew Harnik via Getty Images In announcing the sweeping pardon of Hunter Biden on Sunday, the president for the first time criticized the criminal cases against his son, essentially decrying the prosecutions as a witch hunt. From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Departments decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted, Biden said Sunday. The younger Biden faced prison time for having illegally owned a gun while he was addicted to drugs in 2018 and for failing to pay his taxes on time. He was awaiting sentencing this month after having pleaded guilty to the tax charges and been found guilty by a jury of the gun charge. Experts have called the charges unusual because the gun wasnt used in a crime and because Hunter belatedly paid the taxes with the help of a wealthy benefactor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hunter initially reached a plea deal with prosecutors, but it fell apart last year amid heavy criticism from Republicans in Congress, who were simultaneously running an impeachment inquiry alleging the president participated in his sons foreign business deals and pulled strings to stop prosecutors from pursuing more serious charges. The charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election, Joe Biden wrote in his statement about the pardon. I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice. Trump frequently whined that his own case was a miscarriage of justice personally directed by Biden. He faced federal charges for his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and his hoarding of government documents after leaving office. Of Trumps charges, Biden and Democrats often said, No one is above the law. Since Sunday, Republicans have been gleefully throwing the line back in their faces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do Democrats still think no one is above the law? Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) said. House Judiciary Committee chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said the apparent exceptions to the no one is above the law mantra include Hunter Biden, illegal aliens and looting rioters. Joe Biden: "No one is above the law." Unless you're: -Hunter Biden -Illegal aliens -Rioters and looters Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) December 2, 2024 Several Democrats also criticized the pardon, saying it will undermine faith in rule of law as well as their own arguments about the importance of democratic traditions and institutions. He promised he would not do this, Rep. Jason Crow (D-Col.) told The New York Times. I think it will make it harder for us going forward when we talk about upholding democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CORRECTION: This article has been amended to correct Darrell Issas political party. Related... Hunter Biden's pardon is the latest in a long list of controversial White House immunity decisions. Still, President Joe Biden's unconditional, full absolution of his son is different in one unprecedented way: No commander-in-chief has ever granted clemency to his child, according to experts. While former President Bill Clinton pardoned his half-brother, Roger Clinton Jr., of a drug conviction on his last day in office in 2001 and President-elect Donald Trump did the same for his daughter Ivanka's father-in-law, Charles Kushner, of tax evasion and witness tampering convictions in the final days of his first term, Biden has broken new ground in presidential pardon history, experts told ABC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is a first," said Jeffrey Crouch, an assistant professor of American politics at American University and author of the book "The Presidential Pardon Power." "In terms of the legal side of things, the president has the power to grant clemency to just about anybody he wants." PHOTO: President Joe Biden and son Hunter Biden stepping out of a bookstore while shopping in Nantucket, Mass., on Nov. 29, 2024. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) What is a presidential pardon? Under a section called the "Commander-in-chief clause," Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution says the president "shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment." "The idea is that it's a check on decisions of the federal judiciary and the president is entrusted with this responsibility," Crouch told ABC News. "And the reason the President has the responsibility is because the framers of the constitution decided that the president should have this ability. It should be virtually unchecked and it should be part of the system of separated powers and checks and balances, and that the president should be able to unilaterally decide whether to shorten someone's punishment or to offer them a full pardon, or some variation of the options that are available." Crouch said the only limit placed on a president's pardon power is that it must pertain to crimes committed against the United States, meaning only federal offenses. PHOTO: Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, arrives for a closed-door deposition with the House Oversight and Judiciary committees onN Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 28, 2024. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images) "If someone commits a state offense, the state will have its own process that the person will need to go through, whether it's a parole board or a governor or whatever the case might be," Crouch said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hunter Biden pleaded guilty over the summer to federal charges of failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes from 2016 to 2020. In a separate case, he was convicted of making false statements on a federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives form when he purchased a handgun in 2018 and said he was not using drugs at that time. Hunter Biden was scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 12 in the federal gun case in Delaware and on Dec. 16 in the tax evasion case in California. Due to the pardons his father issued on Sunday, both convictions are expected to be thrown out. President Biden issued the pardons despite repeatedly making public statements that he would not interfere with justice. In a statement, he called the prosecution of his son "a miscarriage of justice" by his own Department of Justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department's decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted," Biden wrote. He added, "Here's the truth: I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice -- and once I made this decision this weekend, there was no sense in delaying it further. I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision." A presidential pardon can't be overturned The president's decision to pardon his son immediately provoked a backlash from Republicans and Democrats, who viewed it as an abuse of executive branch power and pointed out that arguments the president made of his son being the target of political prosecution are the same ones rejected by the courts handling his cases. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump called the pardon "an abuse and miscarriage of Justice." PHOTO: President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. (Evan Vucci/AP) Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, condemned the pardon in an interview Monday on Fox News and issued a warning to President Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Joe Biden may come to regret this decision because, having given his son a blanket pardon of 11 years to include the time when Joe Biden was vice president, Hunter Biden now can't plead the fifth if he appears before Congress or appears before a grand jury," Cotton said. He added, "He has to testify about exactly what he was up to, for instance, when he was traveling to China on Air Force Two and meeting with Chinese communist princelings, or why being paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to sit on a Ukrainian energy company's board for which he had no qualifications. So, that may be one unintended consequence of the pardon that Joe Biden didn't fully think through." The full pardon is not just for Hunter Biden's recent convictions but covers any crime he may have committed over a nearly 11-year span from Jan. 1, 2014, to Dec. 1, 2024. "It's critical," Kim Wehle, a law professor and ABC News contributor, said of the time frame covered in the pardon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She noted that Trump has picked Kash Patel as FBI director and Pam Bondi as Attorney General. PHOTO: Kash Patel, former chief of staff to the defense secretary, speaks on the day Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump holds a campaign rally, in Prescott Valley, Arizona, Oct. 13, 2024. (Go Nakamura/Reuters) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These folks have publicly stated that they're on board with using the Justice Department as a mechanism of vengeance and retribution. So the breadth of that pardon suggests that President Biden understands that without that, Hunter Biden could be targeted for a vindictive prosecution," said Wehle, the author of "Pardon Power: How the Pardon System Works And Why." "He faced jail time with these two convictions and Donald Trump will be in charge of the federal Bureau of Prisons, so he would be in charge of Hunter Biden's day-to-day life," Wehle said. "I can understand why a president would not want his son to be put through that moving forward." Crouch described the pardon as "extraordinarily broad" and said there are similarities to the pardon President Gerald Ford granted President Richard Nixon in 1974. "It was not necessarily tied to specific offenses. It was tied to a time range and it covered Nixon's entire presidency," Crouch said. "So any federal offenses that Nixon committed or may have committed during his presidency were covered and the language of the Hunter Biden pardon seems a bit similar to that in terms of its breadth." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Timeline: Hunter Biden granted pardon after legal, political scrutiny Asked if a presidential pardon can be overturned, Crouch said, "It's not possible." He said even the U.S. Supreme Court would not have a say in Hunter Biden's pardon. Crouch said the closest a pardon has come to being overturned occurred in 2008 when then-President George W. Bush pardoned New York developer Isaac Robert Toussie for fraudulently obtaining federally insured mortgages. After facing criticism that Toussie's father was a big Republican donor, Bush took back the pardon, claiming it hadn't been completed. "You can stop something that hasn't been completed, but you can't take back a pardon that's been completed," Crouch said. "And the Hunter Biden language in the pardon suggests any and all federal offenses is pretty broad and there's no taking that back." Office of the Pardon Attorney Crouch said most modern presidents have relied on the Office of the Pardon Attorney in the Department of Justice to investigate requests for pardons, but are not obligated to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's designed to handle the bureaucratic side of that process, to take some of the burden off the president individually, and, frankly, to give the president someone to blame when things go awry. That's how most modern presidents approach clemency," Crouch said. Biden didn't go through the Office of the Pardon Attorney before deciding to pardon his son. The president made the decision after discussing it with his family during their time together in Nantucket for Thanksgiving, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to ABC News on Monday. During Trump's first term, according to Crouch, he used the Office of the Pardon Attorney roughly 25 times for his 238 clemency grants. "He had an internal process where, according to reporters, he would hear something on television, or someone would talk with him, or he'd read something, and those are the cases that would be considered for clemency," Crouch said of Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crouch said the Office of the Pardon Attorney rarely recommends granting pardons. MORE: Biden's pardon of son, Hunter, roils Democrats' post-election reckoning: ANALYSIS Can a president pardon himself? During Trump's first term as president, he posted on social media, "As has been stated by numerous legal scholars, I have the absolute right to PARDON myself, but why would I do that when I have done nothing wrong?" Crouch said that while legal scholars have debated whether a president can pardon himself, the question remains unsettled. "The answer is nobody knows until somebody tries it. It's not really clear what would happen," Crouch said. Asked if Biden could pardon Trump before leaving office, Couch said, "Biden can pardon anyone he would like." "The question is what would be the benefit to doing that? It would be highly controversial," Crouch said. "And so when you look at highly controversial cases, you've got to think about why would the president do this?" Other questionable presidential pardons Crouch said there have been other controversial presidential pardons made in recent history. Besides pardoning his brother, former President Clinton caused a firestorm in 1999 when he commuted the sentences of 16 members of the FALN, a Puerto Rican paramilitary organization that set offer bombs in the United States, mostly in New York and Chicago. Clinton agreed to grant the FALN members clemency in exchange for them renouncing violence. In the last days of his presidency in 2001, Clinton pardoned financier and fugitive Marc Rich, whose ex-wife participated in Clinton's presidential campaigns and was a major donor to his presidential library. One of the critics to publicly condemn the Rich pardon was none other than then-Sen. Joe Biden. "I think either the president had an incredible lapse in memory or was brain-dead when he did that one. I mean, I just think it's totally indefensible," Biden said in a Feb. 11, 2001, Fox News Sunday interview. In 2007, then-President George W. Bush commuted the 31-month federal sentence for Scooter Libby, former chief of staff for Vice President Dick Cheney, who was convicted of obstruction of justice, perjury and making false statements stemming from a White House leak that criminally exposed the covert identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame Wilson. Trump later granted Libby a full pardon. In 1992, Bush's father, President George H.W. Bush, pardoned Caspar Weinberger, the former Secretary of Defense, and five others, absolving them from any further punishment for their illegal dealings in the Reagan-era Iran-Contra scandal. Critics argued that Bush Sr. granted the pardons at a time when he was a lame-duck president with no political consequences. In 2017, Trump pardoned former Maricopa County, Arizona, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was charged with criminal contempt of court for disobeying a federal judge's order to stop racially profiling in detaining individuals suspected of being in the country illegally. Trump also pardoned in 2020, former Gen. Michael Flynn, his first national security advisor, who was convicted of lying to FBI agents as part of special counsel Robert Muller's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. "There's no limit on the number of pardons that a president can give," Crouch said. "The president can pardon as many people or as few people as you would like. He can do it at any time he would like." As Hunter Biden pardon sparks backlash, experts say it can't be overturned originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Hunter Bidens pardon is controversial given its exceedingly broad terms and his relation to the president. However, its far from the only instance thats led to public ire. Weve gathered some of the most famous cases in which a presidential pardon has made waves below. Past controversial presidential pardons While there have been numerous controversial presidential pardons, the handful here are some of the most widely cited: Andrew Johnson: All former Confederates (1868) After the Civil War, the nation was torn about what to do about former Confederates. Many wanted the leaders and members of the Confederate government to be punished, while others thought this attitude would continue to split the nation. Initially, a general amnesty was granted to many of the Confederacys rank-and-file soldiers, while others were allowed to apply for a special pardon in exchange for an oath to the Union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1868, President Andrew Johnson declared that anyone who was a part of or aided the Confederacy during the Civil War would have all rights, privileges, and immunities under the Constitution and laws restored. This likely remains to be the largest blanket pardon issued by a president. Concrete numbers for how many were affected arent available, but the Confederate armed forces had around 750,000 to 1,000,000 personnel, all of whom were affected. Additionally, the entire Confederate government, including its President, Jefferson Davis, was pardoned by this declaration. Gerald Ford: Richard Nixon (1974) Gerald Fords pardon of Richard Nixon is the only presidential pardon we could find other than Hunter Bidens that specifically covers any crimes committed over a period of time instead of specific infractions. In this case, Nixon was granted an unconditional pardon for any crimes committed against the United States during his time as president (between January 20, 1969, and August 9, 1974). Many saw it as a miscarriage of justice that Nixon wouldnt see any punishment for Watergate and that he had conspired with Ford to obtain a pardon. The Nixon pardon was the defining moment of Fords presidency. Just a month after his assumption of office, his popularity was instantly torpedoed. Its credited as the primary reason that Ford lost the 1976 election to Jimmy Carter (who would go on to have a pardon controversy of his own). Jimmy Carter: Vietnam draft dodgers (1977) Around 2.2 million men were drafted during the Vietnam War under the Military Selective Service Act and made up around 25% of U.S. military personnel during the war. The draft was extremely unpopular, and around 210,000 men would be classified as draft violators for either evading or resisting conscription. As such, they were at risk for criminal prosecution, and around 9,000 people would go on to be convicted. Some went into hiding to avoid criminal charges and left the country altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1977, President Jimmy Carter issued Proclamation 4483, which pardoned all draft evaders (but not those who deserted while on active duty). It was an unpopular move among multiple groups. Many Vietnam War veterans felt it was a slight to those who followed the law and did their duty. At the same time, anti-war activists thought it didnt do enough and should have covered deserters as well. Bill Clinton: Roger Clinton (2001) Just before leaving office in 2001, Bill Clinton pardoned his half-brother Roger Clinton Jr. for a 1985 cocaine possession and drug-trafficking conviction. Roger Clinton was already a controversial figure and had previously advocated for mobster Rosario Gambino to receive a pardon from the president in exchange for a Rolex and $50,000. He would go on to receive a DUI in 2001 and 2016. Donald Trump: Charles Kushner (2020) In 2005, Charles Kushner, the father of Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, pled guilty to 18 counts of illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion, and witness tampering and was sentenced to two years in prison. In December 2020, President Trump issued a full and unconditional pardon to Kushner, which, while controversial, would be largely forgotten due to the events of January 6, 2021. The post Hunter Bidens Pardon is Unpopular, But Isnt The Most Controversial in History appeared first on Mandatory. Special counsel David Weiss' office on Monday appeared to push back against President Joe Biden's claim that its prosecutions of Hunter Biden were politically motivated, calling such allegations "baseless." In a court filing challenging Hunter Biden's request to dismiss the California indictment against him in light of his father's pardon Sunday night, Weiss noted that a number of judges had already rejected the younger Bidens claims of vindictive prosecution. In a statement announcing the "full and unconditional" pardon, the president said, "I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted," referring to the cases brought by Weiss that led to a guilty verdict on gun-related charges in Delaware and a guilty plea on tax and fraud charges in California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice," Biden said. In the court filing, Weiss's office did not directly mention the president's statement but noted that Hunter Biden filed eight motions to dismiss the California indictment, "making every conceivable argument for why it should be dismissed, all of which were determined to be meritless." "Of note, the defendant argued that the indictment was a product of vindictive and selective prosecution. The Court rejected that claim finding that '[a]s the Court stated at the hearing, Defendant filed his motion without any evidence.' And there was none and never has been any evidence of vindictive or selective prosecution in this case," the filing said. It noted that Hunter Biden "made similar baseless accusations" in the Delaware case, which that judge rejected, as well. Three appeals court panels also rejected Hunter Biden's arguments, the filing said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In total, eleven (11) different Article III judges appointed by six (6) different presidents, including his father, considered and rejected the defendants claims, including his claims for selective and vindictive prosecution," the filing said. In filings Sunday night, Hunter Biden's attorney Abbe Lowell argued the presidential pardon requires an automatic dismissal of the Indictment." Weiss argued in the California filing and a separate filing in Delaware that courts typically "do not dismiss indictments when pardons are granted. "The Government does not challenge that the defendant has been the recipient of an act of mercy. That does not mean the grand jurys decision to charge him, based on a finding of probable cause, should be wiped away as if it never occurred," the Delaware filing said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It also does not mean that his charges should be wiped away because the defendant falsely claimed that the charges were the result of some improper motive or selective prosecution. No court has agreed with the defendant on these baseless claims, and his request to dismiss the indictment finds no support in the law," it added. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Responding to Weiss' filing late Monday, Lowell argued the judge has the right and reason to dismiss the underlying indictment. "Mr. Biden has not been sentenced and no judgment has been entered in this case. Because no judgment has been or will be entered in this case, the appropriate resolution is to dismiss the Indictment while noting that is due to a pardon," Lowell wrote. Hunter Biden had been scheduled to be sentenced in both cases this month. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) A group of Huntsville-area pharmacies have joined a class action lawsuit alleging price-fixing and anti-competitive practices by the largest pharmacy benefit management companies in the U.S. The lawsuit claims the companies have improperly fixed the amounts pharmacies are paid for reimbursements of prescription drug claims. The lawsuit argues the three largest pharmacy benefit management companies, PBMs, are responsible for 80 percent of all prescriptions filled in the U.S., and the top six handle more than 95 percent of all U.S. prescriptions. Continuation granted in trial of Huntsville woman charged with murder Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the following pharmacies in Huntsville: Star Discount Pharmacy, Propst Discount Drugs, Hunnington Pharmacy and Reeves Drug Store. The four listed plaintiffs operate 11 pharmacies. Ten are located in Madison County and one in Tennessee. The lawsuit names PBMs CVS Caremark Corporation (Caremark), Express Scripts Holding Company (Express Scripts), MedImpact Healthcare Systems, Inc. (MedImpact), and Navitus Health Solutions, LLC, along with prescription drug card aggregator GoodRx. Attorney Eric Artrip, who filed the lawsuit told News 19 today, We believe that this case is important. This alleged collusion is the kind of conduct antitrust laws in the United States were passed to address. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We hope that this will be a watershed moment in the industry benefiting not only tens of thousands of Independent pharmacies in rural communities across America, but also consumers and companies that end up paying higher prices as a result of the alleged anti-competitive behavior. Get breaking news, traffic and weather alerts directly to your smartphone. Download the News 19 App The lawsuit says the companies operate in multiple parts of the healthcare and prescription drug system, and they wield significant power. Each of the PBMs Defendants is a wholly owned subsidiary of a healthcare conglomerate that also owns mail-order, specialty, and/or retail pharmacies, large health insurance companies, and other players in the market for prescription dispensing services, the lawsuit claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit also argues, The PBM Defendants exert their market power by employing various anticompetitive tactics to restrain competition in the prescription drug dispensing market, forcing independent pharmacies out of business and thereby increasing the market share of the PBMs affiliated pharmacies. The lawsuit says the price-fixing schemes include the companies sharing drug pricing information with each other. The plaintiffs lawsuit asks the court to: Find that the defendants have conspired to fix reimbursements to plaintiffs at artificially low levels; Bar the defendants from continuing the alleged anti-competitive practices; Award the plaintiffs triple the damages they have sustained, along with awarding other costs. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court of Rhode Island on Nov. 26. The Huntsville pharmacies are represented by the Mastando and Artrip law firm in Huntsville. 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. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) 69 years ago Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus. Her action began a chain reaction that reshaped America. The City of Huntsville celebrated Rosa Parks Day and honored her legacy by offering free bus rides to the public. Download the WHNT News 19 App to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WHNT News 19 newsletters to have news sent to your inbox. A woman whose quiet courage on a Montgomery bus in 1955 became a thunderous call for justice, said Oakwood University pastor Kimberly Mann. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rosa Parks is a name etched in the history books for her role in the civil rights movement, and it all stemmed from a peaceful act of defiance. She was an everyday, ordinary woman that made a decision, and that decision inspired the city of Montgomery to come together and stand behind her, said Mann. On Dec. 1st, 1955, Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a segregated Montgomery bus. Now, nearly seven decades later, her impact can still be felt. Change in leadership: Alabama A&M announces departure of head football coach Today, we just are highlighting the importance of how one simple persons decision, one simple persons, choice to say no to something that was wrong has literally changed the city, changed the community, and changed the country, said Mann. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City of Huntsvilles transit is offering free rides all day long to commemorate that brave choice, and the first seat of every bus is reserved with a special sash in Mrs. Parks honor. Honoring Rosa Parks today lets a whole community and country know that when we come together and stand behind a simple act of courage, it can make a huge difference, said Mann. Mann is an Oakwood University pastor who said just when you think your voice may not be heard, you should think of Rosa Parks. I think that anybody who chooses to stand for justice can literally shine a light in their small part of the country, in their small community, even in their own home, and you just dont know how that could spark a light that can literally change the world, said Mann. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The free transportation applies to all fixed routes. 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. A 44-year-old Georgia man faces murder charges after a mother and daughter were shot and killed. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Friday, around 9:40 a.m., Brooks County deputies contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to assist with a double murder that happened at a home on Shiver Lane in Quitman. The sheriffs office said, when deputies arrived they found a mother and daughter had been shot inside the home. The women were identified as Tamiko Mobley, 48, and Tiaja Mobley, 25, both of Quitman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the GBI, Tamiko Mobley did not live at the home but stayed with her daughter after an argument with her husband, 44-year-old Wilbert Mobley Jr., the night before. Both victims were taken to the GBI Medical Examiners Office where autopsies will be performed. Investigators also found a man who had also been shot at and hit by debris during the shooting. His age and identity were not released. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials identified the husband as the suspect. He was arrested outside of the home. Wilbert Mobley, Jr. was charged with two counts of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, three counts of aggravated assault, and three counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. He was booked into the Brooks County Jail. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information can call the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Thomasville at 229-225-4090. Tipsters can remain anonymous by calling 1-800-597-8477, submitting a tip online, or downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app. Senator Mitch McConnell is upset that two Democratic judges are reversing their decisions to retire, complaining Monday that this sort of partisan behavior undermines the integrity of the judiciary. After Donald Trump was elected to his second term as president last month, two judges appointed by Democratic presidents changed their minds about retiring. U.S. District Judge Max Cogburn, appointed by President Obama, announced that he would remain active on the court for the Western District of North Carolina after previously saying he would move to part-time status in 2022. Before Cogburn, U.S. District Judge Algenon Marbley, a Clinton appointee, changed his mind about moving to senior status on the court for the Southern District of Ohio. To McConnell, this exposes bold Democratic blue where there should only be black robes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its hard to conclude this is anything other than open partisanship, the former Senate majority leader added, before offering a warning to Democrats: It would be especially alarming if either of the two circuit judges whose announced retirements created the vacancies currently pending before the Senatein Tennessee and North Carolinawere to follow suit. Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, highlighted McConnells hypocrisy in his complaints about partisanship, pointing out that McConnell blocked President Obamas appointment of Merrick Garland for one year in 2016. The Kentucky senators delay tactic allowed Republican Donald Trump to appoint Justice Neil Gorsuch immediately upon taking office. When I hear the senator come to the floor, from Kentucky, and talk about whether there is any gamesmanship going on, I dont know but I can tell. We saw it at the highest possible level in filling the vacancy on the Supreme Court when Antonin Scalia passed away, Durbin said. McConnell made it his personal mission to confirm as many conservative federal judges as possible when his party controlled the Senate during Trumps first term. The appointees generally signed off on whatever Republicans and Trump wanted and were younger and less qualified than previous judicial appointments. They also gave the GOP favorable decisions in restricting voting rights to help Republican candidates. It was all part of McConnells legacy of serving the interests of powerful conservative billionaires. Hes crying foul now because Democrats are using tactics that he pioneered when he was in power. In fact, he probably would have far exceeded them. While McConnell has now ceded leadership of Senate Republicans, and by extension the Senate, to his ally John Thune, it remains to be seen if the next Senate majority leader will pursue Republican goals as brazenly as McConnell. CAIRO, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian police have arrested a man in Upper Egypt for illegally possessing hundreds of archaeological artifacts, the Egyptian Interior Ministry announced on Monday. Information and investigations by the police in Upper Egypt's Assiut Governorate confirmed that the suspect, who had a criminal record, possessed antiquities with the intention to trade, the ministry said in a statement. The suspect obtained the artifacts through illegal excavation, the ministry added, noting that 409 artifacts were seized during the arrest operation. The relics included statues and statue heads, ancient coins, wooden masks, a pottery boat, and amulets, among others. The suspect confessed that he obtained the pieces through illegal digging and excavation in the Abu Tig area of Assiut. Home to one of the world's oldest civilizations, Egypt has long faced the issue of illegal trade in antiquities. BOISE, Idaho (AP) A federal appeals court on Monday ruled that most of Idaho's first-in-the-nation law that makes it illegal to help minors get an abortion without the consent of their parents can take effect while a lawsuit challenging its constitutionality continues. The decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the statutes prohibition on helping a minor get an abortion by harboring and transporting them with the intent to conceal the procedure from the minors parents is likely to be found constitutional and can be enforced. Part of the law remains blocked, however. The court found that the laws prohibition on recruiting pregnant youth violates the First Amendment. That means prosecutors, for now, will not be able to charge a person with recruiting or influencing a minor to have an abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Encouragement, counseling, and emotional support are plainly protected speech, the court wrote, even when that speech happens in the context of deciding whether to have an abortion. The ruling largely reverses U.S. Magistrate Judge Debora K. Grasham's decision, which prevented the law from being enforced after opponents sued the state in the summer of 2023. Abortion is banned in Idaho at all stages of pregnancy, and the law enacted in 2023 was designed to prevent minors from getting abortions in states where the procedure is legal if they dont have their parents permission. Supporters of the law call it an abortion trafficking ban. Opponents say it is an unconstitutional prohibition on interstate travel and free speech rights. Both sides framed Monday's ruling as a victory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This decision is a significant victory for the plaintiffs, as it frees Idahoans to talk with pregnant minors about abortion health care, Wendy Heipt, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said in an emailed statement Monday. She said the plaintiffs, which include multiple advocacy groups, are also considering their appeal options. Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador in an emailed statement called the ruling a victory for the state. Idahos laws were passed specifically to protect the life of the unborn and the life of the mother, Labrador said. "Trafficking a minor child for an abortion without parental consent puts both in grave danger, and we will not stop protecting life in Idaho. The law makes it illegal to either obtain abortion pills for a minor or to help them leave the state for an abortion without their parents knowledge and consent. Anyone convicted will face two to five years in prison and could also be sued by the minors parent or guardian. A parent who raped their child will not be able to sue, though the criminal penalties for anyone who helped the minor obtain an abortion will remain in effect. By Brendan Pierson (Reuters) -Idaho can enforce a first-of-its-kind "abortion trafficking" law against those who harbor or transport a minor to get an abortion out of state without parental consent, a federal appeals court ruled on Monday. But the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in its ruling blocked a part of the law that prohibits "recruiting" a minor to get an abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Idaho, which bans abortion in nearly all cases, passed the abortion trafficking law in 2023. It made "recruiting, harboring, or transporting" a minor with the intention of helping her get an abortion and conceal it from her parents or guardians a crime punishable by two to five years in prison. Lourdes Matsumoto, a lawyer and advocate who works with victims of sexual violence, and two groups that support abortion rights sued the state to challenge the law soon after it was passed. They argued that the law violated their right to free speech under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and that the threat of prosecution prevented them from counseling minors seeking abortions. Circuit Judge M. Margaret McKeown wrote for the majority that harboring and transporting were not speech, partly reversing a lower court order that had blocked the entire law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, she wrote that recruiting could include "a large swath" of speech protected by the First Amendment, "from encouragement, counseling, and emotional support; to education about available medical services and reproductive healthcare; to public advocacy promoting abortion care and abortion access." McKeown said that while speech can be restricted if it is part of a crime, it is not a crime for a resident of Idaho to get an abortion in a state where it is legal. "Idaho's asserted police powers do not properly extend to abortions legally performed outside of Idaho," she wrote. Both sides claimed victory in the ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador in a statement called the ruling "a tremendous victory," adding, "We will not stop protecting life in Idaho." Wendy Heipt, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said in a statement that the ruling was "a significant victory for the plaintiffs, as it frees Idahoans to talk with pregnant minors about abortion health care." McKeown was joined by Circuit Judge John Owens. Both were appointed by Democratic presidents. Circuit Judge Carlos Bea, an appointee of Republican former President George W. Bush, dissented, saying that the entire challenge to the law should be dismissed because the plaintiffs sued Labrador rather than the local prosecutors tasked with enforcing the law. Idaho's abortion ban provides only narrow exceptions to save the mother's life and for rape or incest that is reported to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Idaho borders Washington, Oregon and Montana, which have much more permissive abortion laws. More than 20 Republican-led states have banned or restricted abortion since the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022 reversed Roe v. Wade, the court's 1973 precedent that had established a right to abortion nationwide. (Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi, Bill Berkrot and Leslie Adler) For the fourth time, Idaho Gov. Brad Little has sent state troopers to the U.S. border with Mexico to target drug traffickers. The 13 officers from Idaho State Police are on a mission to dismantle local, multistate and international drug trafficking organizations until mid-December, according to a Monday news release. The troopers, who left Sunday, will work with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Law enforcement agencies are seizing record amounts of fentanyl, meth and other dangerous drugs, Little said in the release. In too many cases, this illegal activity can be traced right back to cartels and other bad actors taking advantage of our lawless southern border. The troopers we deploy to Texas come back with better knowledge to stop these perpetrators in our state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 2021, Little has sent state police to the border, first in Arizona and then in Texas. That 21-day trip cost more than $53,000, the Idaho Statesman previously reported. The governor also visited the border in Texas with other Republican governors in 2023. Encounters between federal agents and migrants at the border have fallen by nearly two-thirds in recent months from a high in December 2023, according to government data. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) The Abilene Police Department is seeking help identifying a burglary suspect. On December 3, the Abilene Police Department released a video of a home burglary, asking the community to help identify the suspect. In the video, the suspect is seen wearing blue jeans, a dark jacket, and a gray hat. If you have any information about this incident, please call 325-676-8477 (TIPS). 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. ILLINOIS (WCIA) Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is offering tips on charitable donations on Giving Tuesday ahead of the holiday season. Raoul is cautioning potential donors today to make wise giving decisions during the holidays. Under current Illinois law, fundraisers and charitable organizations are required to register each year with Raouls office. IL State Fire Marshal offers safety tips for holiday decorations Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I encourage potential donors to review my Charitable Trust Bureaus tips before making donations for Giving Tuesday and throughout the holiday season, Raoul said. I will continue to offer resources to Illinois residents who give charitable donations to ensure their generous donations are used for the intended purpose. He also recommended donors consider the following tips ahead of making any charitable donations: Dont assume charity recommendations on social media are legitimate and have already been scrutinized. Ask how much of your donation will go to charity and how much will be used to pay fundraising costs. Pay close attention to the name of the charity. Some fraudulent charities use names that sound/look like those of legitimate organizations to mislead you. Ask questions about the charity. Donate only when your questions have been answered and you are certain your money will be used according to your wishes. Exercise caution when giving online. Spam email solicitations that appear to be linked to relief groups could be from people trying to take advantage of those wishing to give to support areas particularly hard hit by natural disasters and international conflicts. Dont pay in cash or send peer-to-peer payments with apps, such as Venmo or Zelle. For security and tax purposes, pay by check, credit card or a form of payment for which you will have a record. Request written information. A legitimate charity will provide you with the information outlining its mission, how your donation will be used and proof that your contribution is tax deductible. Dont donate if the solicitor uses high-pressure tactics, asks for cash payment or insists on sending someone to pick up your donation. Raoul is urging donors to keep notes detailing the time and date of a solicitors call, the organizations name and the name of the solicitor. He also advised donors to try remembering the pitch and any other relevant information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were ready: Urbana Public Works prepares for early winter weather People looking to donate can review the information about charitable organizations such as income, expenditures and programs on the Attorney Generals website. Donors can also report suspicious solicitations by contacting Raouls Charitable Trust Bureau online or by calling 312-814-2595. 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. Nevada parks officials will spend more than $8.5m addressing a boom in illegal roads at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the public lands around the sprawling man-made reservoir above the Hoover Dam. Officials have documented at least 824 miles of illegal roads in the recreation area, but suspect the true amount could be double that. The unpermitted development prompted officials to close the popular campsite Government Wash in August. From an aerial platform, you see dozens and dozens of illegal roads that have been created... An incredible amount of damage that is occurring. We have an obligation to correct, Trouper Snow, chief ranger of Lake Mead National Recreation Area at the time of the closure, told Fox 5 Vegas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snow said the roads have proliferated as the water level of Lake Mead has dropped in recent years, and people set up semi-permanent dwellings with mobile homes along the water. This area is not meant to house 300+ residents that are living here... Over the past five years, our enforcement has responded to well over 1,000 incidents, Snow added speaking with the TV station. In addition to taxing park resources policing illegal camping, the unauthorized roads damage local wildlife like the Las Vegas bearpoppy, a flowering plant with a rare ability to grow in the Mojave Deserts gypsum-rich soil. Dropping water levels at Lake Mead have led to increased illegal road construction (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) In desert areas, off-road vehicles can be quite destructive, Jeff Ruch, director of the Pacific Regional Office of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal in September. They rip up whatever vegetation is there and make the land uninhabitable for wildlife. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Park Service announced a five-year, $8.66 million set of conservation funds for the project in November, funded by the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act, which devotes money from the sale of public lands around Las Vegas to conservation projects. This will be a heavily partnership and community-oriented project, park superintendent Mike Gauthier said in a statement. We look forward to working closely with the public, tribes, and conservation-focused partners to help protect cultural and natural resources in these key park locations. Together we will take the next steps for the parks future, working to elevate the beauty and recreation that makes Lake Mead special. The water level in Lake Mead has been hovering around near-record lows for years, thanks to a combination of a megadrought, the climate crisis, and the overuse of the Colorado River. In 2022, the water levels were so low human remains and artifacts began emerging on parts of the shoreline that were previously buried underwater. India has sharply reduced orders for defence equipment from Russia and now buys more from Western suppliers. Source: Bloomberg Details: Last year, Russia supplied 36% of India's armaments, down from 76% in 2009. This is a significant shift in strategy for a country that has always sourced its armaments from Moscow. Plans by India and Russia to jointly develop and construct helicopters and modern fighter jets had previously been postponed, according to top Indian officials with firsthand knowledge of the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Furthermore, officials warn that a proposal to lease a submarine in Russia to train an Indian crew is now unlikely to be implemented. India is now building its own naval vessels. The only items New Delhi has yet to receive from Moscow are two warships and missile defence batteries that India had ordered from Russia before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The refusal to buy further Russian armaments highlights Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to minimise reliance on Moscow, despite the fact that his administration continues to purchase cheap energy from Russia and provides diplomatic assistance to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India is now purchasing more weaponry from Western businesses and attempting to manufacture its own with US and French assistance. Washington has lifted restrictions on developing countries' access to innovative technologies over the last two decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a report by the US Congressional Research Service, India has awarded contracts worth about US$20 billion for US-made items since 2008. In October of this year, the Indian government struck a deal worth more than US$3 billion for 31 long-range drones built by General Atomics, an American defence company. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, an Indian state-owned company, and General Electric are also nearing a deal to collaborate on the development of upgraded jet engines for light combat aircraft. The authorities reached an agreement on the terms of the partnership during Modi's state visit to the United States last year. However, New Delhi and Moscow continue to co-produce rifles and missiles, and Russia remains the leading provider of military weaponry to the South Asian nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Furthermore, India still relies on Russia in terms of nuclear capability. "Russia remains the only country which offers its nuclear submarines to India. Indias partnership with Western countries will be incomplete until both sides find a way to talk about nuclear issues," says Anit Mukherjee, a senior lecturer at Kings College London who specialises in Indian military and foreign policy. Background: China, India and Turkiye, which became the main buyers of Russian coal following the EU embargo, have significantly curtailed their purchases from Russia since the beginning of 2024. Due to sanctions against Russia, India has refused to purchase liquefied natural gas from the Arctic LNG 2 project. According to European and US officials, India has become Russia's second-largest supplier of critical technologies after China as Russia itself faces Western sanctions. Alina Shtempel for Ekonomichna Pravda Support UP or become our patron! An Indian American photographer is speaking out about a video he captured of a woman verbally attacking his family with racist slurs on a United Airlines shuttle bus. Fifty-year-old Pervez Taufiq was traveling with his wife and three children from Mexico to Los Angeles the week before Thanksgiving when the woman accosted him, saying his family was not American and calling them tandoori and stinky. Taufiq is a well-known wedding photographer who has been published in Vogue and Harpers Bazaar, among others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He told NBC News that the womans harassment began in the air, when she approached his 11-year-old son, who was sitting separately from the family, and questioned him about his race, asking if he was Indian and where he was from. NBC News could not independently confirm the encounter on the plane. When the passengers deboarded and loaded onto a shuttle bus to the main airport, the womans harassment continued, he said. Taufiq said the woman, seemingly unprompted, began screaming at his children to shut up as they played and talked among themselves. Pervez Taufiq, 50, and his family. Taufiq captured a video in which he and his kids were attacked with racism on a United Airlines bus. Obviously, I lost it at that point. I said, Dont ever tell my kid to shut up, he said. She started with the racial stuff right then, and at that point we were like, Uh oh, somethings gonna happen. The verbal abuse against the kids turned into a racist rant directed at Taufiq, he said, who began filming in the middle of her tirade. Shes seen in the video putting up her middle fingers at the family and mocking their background. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Your family is from India, you have no respect, you have no rules, she said in the video. She then reached for her phone and said she was going to record while calling him tandoori in a derogatory way. Taufiq, who was born in the U.S., asserted to her that he is American. Youre not American, she said. Youre from f-- India. He posted the video to Instagram last week and thousands of his followers rallied to support him. South Asian influencers came to his defense in the comments, and even bigger names like journalist Katie Couric commented on the post or circulated the clip on X, formerly Twitter. The woman, who has not been identified by Taufiq or on social media, left the bus and spoke to United employees, the video shows, and another passenger can be heard vouching for the family. Afterward, Taufiq said that he saw the woman again at baggage claim glaring at them, but that was the last he saw or heard of her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the incident, he said he hasnt heard anything from United, which he had hoped would take action against her or offer to remedy the situation somehow. He said the family was considering reporting the incident to the FBI, since the harassment began while the plane was in the air, but they dont have the womans name. We dont really know where things are, he said. I havent heard a peep out of United. United declined to comment on the video. We dont have any additional information to share, its team said in an email. Taufiq said the hardest part of the experience has been explaining racism to his kids for the first time. His 11-year-old, who was the original target, has been the most upset, he said, while his 8 and 4 year old havent fully processed it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the outpouring of support hes received from the South Asian community and beyond has been heartening, he said. He didnt understand why people hated Indian people. Theres not really any way to make sense of it, he said, referring to his oldest son. Its very overwhelming, but I have to say our community has come together pretty quickly. Celebrities shared it. They really went to bat for us. I know theres more good people in the world than not. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com In the banana republic called Armenia, a new attraction of unprecedented absurdity is gaining momentum, with the participation of MP Hovik Aghazaryan and even Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan himself. The conflict between these two has reached a new stage: Aghazaryan first sent Speaker Alain Simonyan away, and now, albeit indirectly, Pashinyan himself. Let's remind you how it all started. Hovik got into an altercation with Pashinyan's protege, the head of the Investigative Committee, Argishti Karamyan, accusing him of putting pressure on businessmen. In response, the head of the IC stated that he had been asked twice by Aghazaryan's son, and there was an element of corruption involved. Naturally, a criminal case has already been opened in connection with this incident. Papik Varchapet intervened here: he offered Ovik to resign his deputy mandate. It is not good, they say, that a deputy cannot and should not behave in this way. And then the comedy started. Ovik took "time to think." While he was thinking, Pashinyan sent Parliament Speaker Alain Simonyan to him. Simonyan invited Hovik "to talk." It was expected that as a result of this conversation, Alain would pressure Ovik, who would quickly realize what the matter was and resign. But Aghazaryan turned out to be a tough nut to crack: he sent the speaker away and did not show up for the meeting. When journalists contacted Ovik to find out why he suddenly decided to cancel everything, Ovik said that "he needed more time to think." Several days passed. Ovik thought, thought, and today declared that he was not going to give up the mandate. Not for that, he said, the princes mother raised him. It's not a bad maneuver, is it? And for some reason, Pashinyan did not like this little trick very much. As a result, there are now four criminal cases unfolding around Ovik and his family. The first case is based on the conversation with Karamyan. A criminal case has also been opened against Aghazaryan concerning the export of small cattle, in which he is being held as a witness. Testimony was given against the deputy, according to which he demanded $300,000 from some businessmen, promising to organize, bypassing legal procedures, the export of large quantities of small cattle to the UAE from Armenia. So he decided to make money on sheep. The deputy's son, Vahe Aghazaryan, is also involved in a criminal case regarding abuses in the companies owned by him: "Autoimporters," "Union of Autoimporters," and "Autoimporters-4," which was opened on August 1, 2023. Fourthly, as Ovik reported today, drugs were found in one of the cars purchased at an auction by a car import company owned by his son. In general, I dont want to make assumptions about this situation. It is not surprising that Ovik does not want to give up his mandate. If he does, he will lose his parliamentary immunity. What are the chances that, after such insolence, Pashinyan wont order Ovik to be sent to prison for any episode in any of the four cases? But the Armenian authorities, by the way, are no better than Ovik. Pashinyan is simply blackmailing him with prison and courts, absurdly forcing him to fulfill his ridiculous request. Although, in an ideal situation, if Ovik really did something wrong, the parliament itself should have deprived this unclean colleague of immunity. So why all the theatrics? Just to please Pashinyan? Against a mustachioed coward stands a foolish ex-bearded man. The circus! KHARTOUM, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- At least eight civilians were killed and 13 others injured in an artillery attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a camp for internally displaced persons (IDP) in El Fasher in western Sudan, a medical group announced on Tuesday. "The Zamzam IDP camp came under intensive artillery shelling by the RSF for the second day in a row, killing eight civilians and wounding 13 others, including women and children, who are in critical conditions," the non-governmental Sudanese Doctors Network said in a statement According to the network, the attack took place on Monday evening. On Monday, the non-governmental organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said in a statement that Sudan's largest displacement camp is under attack, with intense shelling by the RSF. "The attack, which began in the early evening on December 1, has created a living nightmare for displaced people in Zamzam camp, with casualties, panic, and mass displacement," the MSF said. The situation is beyond chaotic, while patients and medical staff are leaving the camp and trying to run for their lives, the statement said, noting that "MSF's hospital in the camp is now empty, with the last three ICU patients still dependent on oxygen evacuated under dangerous conditions." The RSF has not issued any comment on the attack on the Zamzam camp. The Zamzam camp, some 12 km south of El Fasher, the capital city of North Darfur State, is one of the largest IDP camps in Darfur. According to the United Nations, the camp accommodates nearly 500,000 people due to ongoing clashes in El Fasher. Since May 10, fierce clashes have raged in El Fasher between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF. Sudan has been gripped by a devastating conflict between the SAF and the RSF since mid-April 2023. The deadly conflict has resulted in more than 27,120 deaths and displaced over 14 million people, either inside or outside Sudan, according to estimates by international organizations. GUWAHATI, India (Reuters) - Police in India's northeastern state of Tripura arrested seven members of a Hindu group and charged them with breaking into the Bangladesh consulate and vandalising property, a police officer said on Tuesday. The move came hours after Muslim-majority Bangladesh called for immediate action against protesters who broke into the consulate, saying they tore down its main gate, damaged property and desecrated the national flag. Those arrested were part of demonstrations organised by the Hindu Sangharsha Samiti, a group that says it protects Hindu interests, after Bangladesh arrested a Hindu religious leader, Chinmoy Krishna Das, last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Around 50 of them broke into the property's main gate, and brought down the Bangladeshi flag post," said district police officer Kiran Kumar K. in west Tripura. Among the 4,000 protesters were more people involved in the break-in and police were investigating, he said, adding that disciplinary action had been taken against four police officers in charge of consulate security. In a statement on Monday, India's foreign ministry called the incident deeply regrettable, adding that diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances. In a post on X, Tarique Rahman, the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and the acting president of her Bangladesh Nationalist Party, criticised the attack, saying such incidents caused division and discord among neighbours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Das, arrested last week at the airport in Dhaka, the capital, on charges of sedition, among others, is associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. His arrest sparked protests in Dhaka and the southern port city of Chittagong, where his supporters clashed with security forces. Hindu-majority India had also condemned the arrest and expressed concern over attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Muslim-majority Bangladesh. (This story has been refiled to drop the repeated word 'after' in paragraph 2) (Reporting by Tora Agarwala in Guwahati; Writing by Shilpa Jamkhandikar; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) Indiana prosecutors will return $42,000 in cash they seized from a California small business, several months after the owners filed a class action lawsuit alleging that law enforcement is exploiting a major FedEx shipping hub in Indianapolis to seize millions of dollars in cash from innocent owners. The Institute for Justice (I.J.), a public interest law firm, announced last week that prosecutors in Marion County, Indiana, have agreed to return the money to its clients Henry and Minh Cheng, who run a California jewelry wholesaler business. Police seized the cash from a FedEx package en route to them from a client in Virginia. County prosecutors then filed a lawsuit to forfeit their money through a process called civil asset forfeiture, claiming the Chengs' money was connected to a violation of a criminal statute. However, the complaint never stated which statute. The Chengs' suit says they're not the only victims. According to I.J., the Marion County Prosecutor's Office has sued to forfeit $2.5 million in currency from at least 130 FedEx parcels in transit from one non-Indiana state to another over the past two years through civil asset forfeiture. I.J. alleges that the Marion County Prosecutor's Office then files deficient forfeiture actions against seized cash, which fail to notify owners of what crimes they're suspected of committing. I.J. argues the whole scheme violates a wide range of constitutional rights, including the Fourth, Eighth, 10th, and 14th Amendments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm ecstatic at the prospect of getting my money back," Henry Cheng said in an I.J. press release, "and this is just the beginning. What happened to my company shouldn't happen to anyone. Indiana should stop trying to steal from law-abiding citizens by seizing property and figuring out later whether there's any basis for keeping it." Under civil asset forfeiture laws, police and prosecutors can seize property suspected of being connected to criminal activity, even when the owner is not convicted, charged, or even arrested for a crime. Law enforcement groups say civil forfeiture allows them to interdict and disrupt organized crime like drug trafficking by seizing its illicit gains. However, civil liberties groups like I.J. argue lax safeguards and perverse profit incentives lead police to brand any large amount of cash as drug money, even in cases where no drugs are found and even though traveling with large amounts of cash is legal. For example, the Justice Department last month ordered the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to suspend most searches of passengers at airports and other mass transit hubs because of a significant risk of constitutional violations and lawsuits. The order followed years of media investigations, government audits, and reports from civil liberties groups that identified abusive cash seizures by DEA airport task forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I.J. is currently also litigating a class action lawsuit challenging the DEA's airport forfeiture practices. One of the lead plaintiffs in that suit, Terrence Rolin, a 79-year-old retired railroad engineer, had his life savings of $82,373 seized by the DEA after his daughter tried to take it on a flight out of Pittsburgh with the intent of depositing it in a bank. As in the Chengs' case, after it went public, law enforcement returned Rolin's money. Most asset forfeiture lawsuits are rendered moot when the government returns the plaintiff's money, but I.J. says it will continue litigating its class action lawsuit to stop Indiana law enforcement from continuing to improperly seize cash. "Indiana had no basis to forfeit the Chengs' money, and so it's only right that the government has agreed to return it," I.J. attorney Marie Miller said in a press release. "But many other people are affected by the state's practices of taking money simply because it goes through Indiana and failing to identify a crime that would justify the forfeiture. The counterclaims aim to end this abuse of civil forfeiture not just for Henry and Minh, but for everyone." The post Indiana Cops Seized Their Cash From a FedEx Hub. Prosecutors Just Agreed To Return It. appeared first on Reason.com. By Ananda Teresia JAKARTA (Reuters) -Indonesia is optimistic an agreement can be reached on the repatriation to Australia of the remaining five members of the 'Bali Nine' drug ring, the senior minister on legal affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra said. Yusril met Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke in Jakarta on Tuesday and handed over a draft proposal for the return of the five prisoners, who were arrested in 2005 trying to smuggle more than 8kg (17.64 lb) of heroin out of the Indonesian resort island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The terms of the draft include the five being banned from returning to Indonesia, regulations on the legal basis for the transfer and a requirement that Australia respect the decision of the Indonesian court, Yusril said. "Hopefully we can find an understanding," Yusril said, adding that the transfer could start this month if an agreement were finalised. Indonesia currently has no laws regarding the transfer of prisoners. Yusril said Indonesia would respect any decision taken by Australia when the prisoners returned home, including if the group was granted a pardon. He said the repatriation would not involve an exchange of prisoners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burke said he had "full respect" for the Indonesian legal system. "We worked through the different issues in each of our legal systems ... in a very constructive way," Burke said, adding that Indonesia had shown goodwill. Last month, Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas said Indonesia had agreed in principle to transfer the five prisoners, who are currently serving life sentences, after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese raised the issue with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Yusril said that Prabowo was considering the repatriation over human rights issues as well as Indonesia's relations with Australia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two of the Bali Nine's ringleaders, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, were executed in 2015, prompting Australia to recall its ambassador in protest. One of the group was released from prison in 2018, and another died of cancer the same year. Indonesia last month agreed to repatriate Mary Jane Veloso, a Philippine woman on death row for drug trafficking. Under the agreement, Indonesia said it expected The Philippines to recognise Veloso's conviction on drug offences. On Tuesday, Yusril also said that France had asked for the repatriation of another death row prisoner, Serge Atlaoui, who was convicted of drug offences. He said Jakarta had yet to decide on the request. (Reporting by Ananda Teresia; Editing by John Mair and Kate Mayberry) Indonesian filmmakers have raised concerns regarding workplace safety for production crew on the opening panel at the inaugural JAFF Market, running Dec. 3-5 alongside the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (JAFF). Ensuring the safety and health of crew members should always be the priority for any sectors of work, but especially in Indonesia, the panelists said. Back in August of this year, a production crew member in Indonesia had a fatal accident on his way home after staying awake to work on set for extreme hours. Though it wasnt the first time it had happened, it was a wake up call for creative workers all across the country. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indonesian cinematographer Muhammad Firdaus (Nearing Death) urged attention to safety as a means of prevention in the panel. Realistically, film production is [physically] very high risk for everyone involved, he said. The bureaucracy of Indonesian law classifies film production as a low risk business activity under Law no 11 in Indonesias Job Creation Act of 2020. On paper, film [production] is ill-fated here. For [production crews] to still live today is a miracle. Mandy Marahimin, head of human resource development at the Indonesian Film Producer Association (APROFI) and producer behind Toronto, Busan and London title Crocodile Tears, which is also playing at JAFF, highlighted the significance of managing safety measures on sexual violence prevention, which can often happen on set. All producers are required to educate their crews using the provided guide, Marahimin said. The range of what qualifies as sexual violence varies, and many arent aware or even understand how its defined. Especially with intimate scenes, Marahimin advocated the gravity of everyones safety and mental health condition in production. Intimacy coordinators are very new to Indonesian productions with only two Intimacy Professionals Association-certified members working in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite having laws regarding the workplace already implemented since the 1970s in Indonesia, it was never focused on creative sectors such as film production. Theres still much the Indonesian film industry can learn from Hollywood in its safety and union practices, according to Ikhsan Raharjo, Al Jazeera News producer and chair of SINDIKASI, the Indonesian media and creative workers union. In a study done by SINDIKASI and Indonesian Cinematographers Society (ICS) in 2022, over 50% of respondents stated their average working hours in a single shoot day are 16-20 hours. Such workloads have serious health risks which could result in fatality, the panelists agreed. Everyone in the Indonesian film ecosystem is responsible for each others safety and health, actually. Were all integrated in this [realm], and we should keep each other safe, said Raharjo. We have to move fast, to get on board [for workplace safety regulation] as Indonesian cinema rises. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Dec. 2ANDERSON An Indianapolis man has been sentenced to 24 years in prison by a Delaware County judge for a 2023 crash that resulted in two deaths. Walter Saucedo-Mendoza, 30, was sentenced Monday by Delaware Circuit Court Division 1 Judge Judi L. Calhoun after he entered a guilty plea to two counts of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and causing death and one count of criminal recklessness. "I hope this sentence starts the process of closure for the family and friends of Evan and Victoria Cox and sends a very strong warning to those who choose to drink and drive," Eric Hoffman, Delaware County prosecutor, said in a press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Indiana State Police Pendleton District investigated the deadly crash that took place Nov. 12, 2023, on Interstate 69 near the 234-mile marker at the Daleville exit. About 2:30 a.m. that day, Madison County dispatch received a report of a head-on crash in the southbound lanes. When first responders arrived, they found multiple damaged vehicles blocking the lanes. A preliminary investigation determined a silver Kia Forte had been northbound in the southbound lanes of I-69 when it collided head-on with a white Chevrolet Malibu. The impact of the collision dislodged the engine of the Kia, which came to rest in the left lane of I-69. A third vehicle, a silver Volkswagen, struck the engine in the roadway. After the initial collision, the Kia also stuck a southbound semi-tractor-trailer and came to an "uncontrolled" rest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evan and Victoria Cox of Fort Wayne, the driver and passenger in the Malibu, were pronounced dead at the scene by Delaware County Coroner Gavin Greene. The driver of the Kia, Saucedo-Mendoza, was taken by ambulance to Indiana University Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie and later flown by air ambulance to an Indianapolis area hospital. The drivers of the Volkswagen and semi tractor trailer weren't injured, authorities said. A toxicology report showed Mendoza had a blood alcohol content of 0.186, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08% in Indiana. Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863. An infamous insurance billionaire has been accused by several women of operating a bizarre "baby project" to build a giant white family. In a wide-reaching expose, Bloomberg reports that North Carolina insurance tycoon Greg Lindberg operated this scheme by manipulating young women into donating eggs to him and signing over their parental rights in exchange for millions of dollars. One of these women, who was identified only by the pseudonym Anya, is the biological mother of a five-year-old boy who she says she hasn't seen in four years because her now-ex-boyfriend, Lindberg, has used the contracts she signed to keep him from her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After divorcing his wife and losing custody of his first three children, the disgraced insurance executive and father of 12 has, per several people familiar with his natal ambitions, become obsessed with having an ever-increasing vassal of progeny. In particular, he was said by these sources to want children who could never be taken from him hence having the women sign their parental rights away. With an army of lawyers and well-paid in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics on his payroll, most of Lindberg's reproductive scheming has apparently been legal due to the fertility industry's lack of oversight. Along with the women whose eggs he purchased, Lindberg also allegedly ran a massive network of surrogates and had at least two female assistants one of whom also carried his child run the logistics of this deeply weird baby-making operation. The donors, however, seemed to be central to the campaign given that it was their genetic material the billionaire con was interested in. Many were models when they met Lindberg, and almost all had blonde hair and either blue or green eyes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I wanted to meet these folks in person, at least take them to dinner, get to know them," the billionaire bragged to Bloomberg before cutting off contact. After that, he filed a lawsuit accusing the outlet of defamation, slander, and interfering in his relationships. Notably, it does not seem that he denied the claims about his baby project, and instead seemed proud of it. Per interviews with some of these women, Lindberg seems to have done more than take them to dinner. Anya, as mentioned, considered him her boyfriend, and he was said to be "courting" multiple women for egg donation at once. In at least one case, two women involved in this natalist nightmare had their eggs retrieved from the same clinic within just a few days of each other. During his first prison stint for bribery and conspiracy convictions that were thrown out on procedural grounds, the magnate pressed his staffers to keep his businesses both baby and insurance afloat. His employees balked at the directive, but ultimately followed through, and the births only increased after he was released in 2022. After pleading guilty in November to a $2 billion fraud and money laundering scheme, it's likely that Lindberg will be headed back to prison and the women who were ensnared in his creepy birth web will likely have to keep living without seeing their biological kids. More on natalist weirdos: Elon Musk's Daughter Disgusted by His Revolting "Incel" Tweet About Taylor Swift Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) indicate that Ukrainian innovations in electronic warfare allow the defence forces to respond effectively to Russia's large-scale drone attacks. Source: ISW Details: The growth of domestic production of Shahed-type drones by Russia has enabled it to increase the number of drones used in strike campaigns against Ukraine. However, Ukrainian electronic warfare (EW) innovations are allowing Ukraine to respond more effectively to these attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian military expert Petro Chernyk told the military-focused outlet ArmyInform on 2 December that Russia has boosted its production of Shahed drone airframes while still relying on Iranian or Chinese imports for other components. The analysts note that Chernyk's observations align with ISW's October 2024 assessment that Russia is leveraging domestic Shahed-type drone production to launch more of these drones against Ukraine. This trend is evident in the strike attacks Russia launched against Ukraine between October and November 2024, with Russian forces increasingly deploying between 80 to 100 (or more) Shahed and decoy drones as part of larger attacks. For instance, Russian forces launched 110 Shahed drones and other unspecified drones, likely decoys, on Ukraine on the night of 1-2 December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The analysts suggest Russian forces likely use large numbers of Shahed-type and decoy drones to test and overwhelm Ukrainian air defence and mobile fire units, often launching them along with smaller numbers of cruise and ballistic missiles. However, the report indicates that Ukraine appears to be countering this Shahed drone influx effectively. The number of Shahed or decoy drones that reportedly disappeared from radar (failing to reach intended targets) due to Ukrainian EW interference rose significantly in October and November 2024. On 2 October, Russian forces launched 105 Shahed drones against Ukraine, of which Ukrainian forces shot down 78, and 23 disappeared from radar due to EW interference (22 percent) as the Ukrainian Air Force stated. In contrast, Russian forces launched 110 Shaheds and decoys across Ukraine on the night of 1-2 December, 50 of which disappeared from radar due to Ukrainian electronic warfare (45 percent) and 52 of which were shot down by Ukrainian forces. Chernyk highlighted Ukraines high shoot-down rates and noted that improved EW capabilities now allow Ukrainian forces to land Shaheds, cause them to disappear from radar, or even redirect them into Russian or Belarusian airspace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian EW interference is not only degrading Russian strike campaigns but also straining the joint Russian-Belarusian air defence system. Belaruski Hajun, an independent Belarusian military monitoring media outlet, reported that 38 Russian Shahed drones, a record number, violated Belarusian airspace on 24 and 25 November. The report says that Belarus scrambled jets in response to the airspace violations, suggesting that it was unprepared for these errant drones and that Russia failed to anticipate or communicate the impact of Ukrainian interference to Belarus. To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 2 December: Prominent voices within the Russian information space continue to emphasise that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is uninterested in a negotiated settlement to the war in Ukraine that results in anything less than total Ukrainian capitulation. Russia's increased domestic production of Shahed-type drones has allowed Russia to increase the number of drones it is using in strike packages launched at Ukraine, but Ukrainian electronic warfare (EW) innovations are enabling Ukrainian forces to more effectively respond to Russian strike packages. The Kremlin continues efforts to minimise the wars social impacts on the Russian populace while tacitly resetting the goalposts for what the Kremlin initially defined as victory in Ukraine. Pro-Kremlin Russian Telegram channel operators continue to resist Russian government efforts to deanonymise Russian social media accounts. Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Chasiv Yar, and Russian forces recently advanced near Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Kurakhove. The Russian military command is focusing on training additional Russian forces and improving Russian forces' tactical assault operations. Support UP or become our patron! The Connecticut Inspector General has released body camera footage showing the moments that led to an officer-involved shooting in Hartford on Saturday, leaving a man in critical but stable condition. The bodycam footage was released Tuesday along with Inspector General Robert Devlin Jr.s preliminary report on the shooting, which occurred following the report of a disturbance involving an armed man and subsequent car crash, the report said. According to Devlin, officers with the Hartford Police Department received a report around 8:15 p.m. of a disturbance at 730 Maple Ave., which reportedly involved a man who displayed a firearm. The man who allegedly had the gun was identified as 48-year-old Alexander Garay of Hartford, who fled the scene, the preliminary report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers with the police departments Street Crime Unit spotted a vehicle Garay was believed to be driving as he left the scene and began following him before he crashed at the intersection of Broad and West Preston Streets. Body camera footage from Officer Gabrielle Arruda, which was released with the preliminary report, showed that Garay struck the rear of a red sedan. The portion of the footage that was released begins with Arruda and Officer Elvis Martinez shouting for Garay to show his hands as he can be seen moving around in the drivers seat responding with inaudible remarks. Arruda is on foot on the drivers side of Garays vehicle, while Martinez appears to be standing on the passenger side. The vehicle rolls back slightly before someone, apparently Martinez, can be heard saying Get him out of the car, the footage shows. After trying the drivers side door, Arruda begins hitting the drivers side window until it shatters, at which point Garay leans out of the window for a moment and says very quickly no, no, no, no, no when Arruda calls for him to get out, according to the footage. He then says get away from me multiple times as Arruda deploys her taser, which Devlin said was ineffective. By this point, the footage shows Martinez approach the drivers side of the vehicle and try to open the door before returning to the passenger side of the SUV. Arruda then smashes out the rear drivers side window as Garay climbs to the backseat and says yo, yo, yo, leave me alone, leave me alone, according to the footage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arruda then calls out to Martinez that hes grabbing something just before Martinez can be seen trying to grab Garay through the passenger side rear window, according to the bodycam footage. Arruda points her taser at Garay for a few seconds before shouting out that Garay has something in his hand. She calls out multiple times for him to drop the weapon, the footage shows. Arruda then tells Martinez to watch out before firing two rounds at Garay. The portion of the video footage that was released ends with Martinez backing away from the vehicle and radioing in shots fired, shots fired. According to Devlin, Garay was treated at the scene by officers before being taken to Hartford Hospital, where he remained in critical but stable condition as of Tuesday. Devlin said police recovered a loaded Taurus Arms 9mm pistol near Garay when he was removed from the vehicle. Lt. Aaron Boisvert of the Hartford Police Department said Tuesday that detectives with the Major Crimes Division found that Garay has been disqualified from possessing a firearm because of a prior felony conviction. Boisvert also said authorities discovered that the vehicle involved was unregistered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police obtained a warrant for Garays arrest on charges of criminal possession of a firearm, interfering with police, operating a motor vehicle without a license, operating an unregistered motor vehicle and possession of narcotics. Boisvert said Garay was served with the warrant in the hospital. He is being held on a $750,000 bond. The shooting is being investigated by Devlins office to determine if Arrudas use of deadly force was justified under Connecticut law. A fibre optic cable connecting Finland and Sweden has been cut, leading to internet outages and suspicions of sabotage. The damage to the cable occurred at two separate places within Finland on Monday afternoon, according to GlobalConnect, the telecoms provider. It said the cable was on land and repairs to the affected sites in Espoo and Vihti, two rural areas, were under way on Tuesday. The Swedish newspaper SVT reported that Finnish police suspected a criminal offence was committed and are investigating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Niklas Ekstrom, a spokesman for GlobalConnect, said the usual cause of such incidents was diggers accidentally cutting cables. Finnish police suspect a criminal offence was committed in relation to the cable - Vesa Moilanen/AP Earlier in November, two undersea cables in the Baltic Sea were cut in a suspected act of Russian-led sabotage, possibly carried out by China on its behalf. Investigators looking at the incident, which involved a cable that ran between Finland and Germany, are focusing on Yi Peng 3, a Chinese-registered bulk carrier. There are suspicions that the ships captain may have deliberately dragged its anchor across the seabed to cause the damage. Its extremely unlikely that the captain would not have noticed that his ship dropped and dragged its anchor, losing speed for hours and cutting cables on the way, a senior investigator told the Wall Street Journal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kremlin has denied those claims, with a spokesman calling them absurd, unsubstantiated accusations. In October last year, an undersea cable between Finland and Estonia was damaged by a Chinese vessel, Newnew Polar Bear. Russia is suspected of waging a so-called hybrid warfare campaign on Europe, attacking critical infrastructure and military sites via proxies or spies in revenge for the West arming Ukraine. 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. KAMPALA, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Uganda said on Tuesday that it registered another three mpox deaths, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed fatalities to four in the East African country. Henry Kyobe Bosa, incident commander at Uganda's Ministry of Health, told Xinhua over the phone that two deaths were recorded at Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, about 40 km south of Kampala, the national capital, and one at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital in the country's mid-western region. Kyobe said those deceased include an eight-month-old baby boy and a 23-year-old woman from the central district of Wakiso, and a 40-year-old man from the mid-western district of Kikuube. Uganda confirmed and registered its first death in October in the mid-western district of Masindi. The latest situation report issued on Monday showed that the cumulative number of confirmed infections had hit 784. Authorities have intensified preventive measures, including enhanced surveillance, case management, risk communication and community engagement, and public awareness campaigns to curb the spread of the virus. Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which spreads through close contact. Symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, muscle aches, skin rash, and back pain. In August, the World Health Organization declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern, highlighting its potential for further global transmission. Update 12/03, 6:11 p.m. PAYSON, Utah (ABC4) Utahs Department of Public Safety has identified the person who died at the hospital from injuries sustained in the crash. Valdecir De Oliveira, 58, from Santaquin, was the one who died as a result of injuries sustained. Update 12/03, 3:15 p.m. PAYSON, Utah (ABC4) Officials told ABC4.com that one person has died after a small plane made an emergency landing on I-15 Monday night. A family member confirmed to Utah Highway Patrol that one person died in the hospital after sustaining injuries in the crash. UHP relayed the information to ABC4.com on Tuesday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the plane landed on the highway on Monday night, five cars crashed into it, sending four people to the hospital with varying injuries. No one in the plane was injured in the incident. ORIGINAL STORY: Plane makes emergency landing on I-15, shuts down traffic after 5-car collision PAYSON, Utah (ABC4) Traffic on northbound I-15 was brought to a stop on Monday night after a small plane made an emergency landing on the interstate in Payson, according to Utah Highway Patrol. The plane made its successful emergency landing around 8:15 p.m. Monday near mile marker 250 and the Utah Avenue overpass. Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Cameron Roden said the plane had experienced a mechanical failure after the engine had quit midflight. An image of a small aircraft that made an emergency landing on I-15 near Payson, Utah, on Dec. 2, 2024. The plane made a successful emergency landing, but at least five cars crashed into it afterward, according to officials. (KTVX/Dennis Dolan) An image of a small aircraft that made an emergency landing on I-15 near Payson, Utah, on Dec. 2, 2024. The plane made a successful emergency landing, but at least five cars crashed into it afterward, according to officials. (KTVX/Dennis Dolan) An image of a small aircraft that made an emergency landing on I-15 near Payson, Utah, on Dec. 2, 2024. The plane made a successful emergency landing, but at least five cars crashed into it afterward, according to officials. (KTVX/Dennis Dolan) An image of a small aircraft that made an emergency landing on I-15 near Payson, Utah, on Dec. 2, 2024. The plane made a successful emergency landing, but at least five cars crashed into it afterward, according to officials. (KTVX/Dennis Dolan) An image of a crashed vehicle after a small aircraft landed on I-15 near Payson, Utah, on Dec. 2, 2024. The plane made a successful emergency landing, but at least five cars crashed into it afterward, according to officials. (KTVX/Dennis Dolan) An image of a crashed vehicle after a small aircraft landed on I-15 near Payson, Utah, on Dec. 2, 2024. The plane made a successful emergency landing, but at least five cars crashed into it afterward, according to officials. (KTVX/Dennis Dolan) An image of a crashed vehicle after a small aircraft landed on I-15 near Payson, Utah, on Dec. 2, 2024. The plane made a successful emergency landing, but at least five cars crashed into it afterward, according to officials. (KTVX/Dennis Dolan) However, shortly after landing the plane, a Dodge pickup truck was unable to stop in time, resulting in a crash that involved not only the plane but four other cars. Lt. Roden said the truck had struck other cars blocked by the emergency landing and pushed them into the plane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plane wasnt very well lit, and had several vehicles crash into the airplane and into each other at that time, UHP Sgt. Jeremy Matthews told ABC4.com shortly after the crash. The crash resulted in four people reporting injuries. Roden confirmed one person suffered minor injuries, one suffered moderate injuries, and two suffered serious injuries. An undisclosed amount of people were transported to local hospitals for care. Neither the pilot nor the student pilot were injured. Immediately after the incident, traffic on northbound I-15 was closed at 800 South in Payson, at mile marker 248. Traffic was re-routed, and able to re-enter the freeway from Payson Main Street or SR-164 at mile marker 253, UHP officials said. For about three hours after the crash, officials removed cars from the crash site and towed the plane off of the freeway. Roden said the plane will be dismantled so it can be moved and inspected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I-15 was reopened to traffic by 11:30 p.m. the same night. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Hopes that Donald Trumps presidential win would mean a fresh start for US policy toward Venezuela are starting to fade. Most Read from Bloomberg Investors betting on Trump overhauling negotiations to solve the political stalemate in the South American nation received a blow after the US president-elect picked Senator Marco Rubio to be the next secretary of State. A staunch advocate of tougher sanctions on the Nicolas Maduro government, Rubio represents for many a throwback to a failed hawkish policy, reducing odds of a potential deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His appointment was the first in a series of signals on the return of the strategy that dominated the Venezuela policy during Trumps first term. The so-called maximum pressure approach included a tough set of economic sanctions and the recognition of a parallel government led by former National Assembly president, Juan Guaido. Signs from Trump appointees suggest a worst-case scenario reminiscent of the early Guaido era, said Guillermo Guerrero, a strategist at EMFI Securities. But maximum pressure already failed once and is unlikely to be effective this time. Trump also chose Mike Waltz, another Maduro critic, as his national security advisor. Waltz is co-sponsoring a bill known as the BOLIVAR Act, which toughens restrictions on entities dealing with the Venezuela government without a US license. Venezuelas defaulted dollar notes have lost more than a cent across the curve since Rubios appointment, with losses mounting after the BOLIVAR Act passed the US lower house of Congress a few days after. Sovereign notes are trading at around 14 cents, while PDVSAs notes exchange hands for 10 cents or less. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decline is clearly a sign that some people are not that positive about a Trump normalization with the Maduro government, said Francesco Marani, head of trading at Spanish boutique investment firm Auriga. Its difficult to predict where the bottom could be. A Short-Lived Rally Its a turnaround from the days leading up to the US election, when Venezuela was seen benefiting from a Trump victory. The hope that Trump could break a political stalemate that had been brewing under the Biden administration sent government bonds rallying to as high as 17 cents. Ramiro Blazquez, head of research at BancTrust & Co. says its still premature to rule out a negotiation under the new US government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its simplistic to think that he will repeat the path, Blazquez said of Trump. Continuing with the Democrats policy would have extended the status quo without reaching any kind of definition. Even before Trump takes office, the Biden administration is increasing pressure in its final stretch. On Nov. 27, it sanctioned 21 officials it said supported Maduros effort to defy results of a Julys presidential election, which the countrys opposition and Washington say he lost. Maduros current term ends Jan. 10, posing an early test for the incoming US administration, with both Maduro and the opposition claiming victory. Money managers had bid up prices of Venezuelan bonds earlier this year after JPMorgan Chase & Co. re-introduced the debt to its indexes, which most emerging-market investors follow as a benchmark for their portfolios. The notes also rallied ahead of the countrys July election, on hopes of a regime change or that Maduro would gain US recognition from a fair election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, further escalation of sanctions would likely pose downside risk on the bonds. The government has been in default on overseas debt since 2017 and owes more than $150 billion to foreign lenders, according to economist tallies. Without a path to normalization and restructuring, the credit will remain under pressure, Guerrero said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate spoke with reporters in his office at the Iowa State Capitol Dec. 2, 2024 after he met virtually with other members of the Iowa State Board of Canvass to certify the results of the 2024 general election. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) The Iowa State Board of Canvass certified results from the 2024 general election Monday, finalizing results in races across the state. The board, consisting of Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, Gov. Kim Reynolds, Treasurer Roby Smith, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Auditor Rob Sand, met virtually Monday. For all results outside of the presidential election, the boards certification is the final step to make results from the Nov. 5 contests official as county boards of supervisors certified election results and the requested recounts in the weeks following the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iowas six electors will meet Dec. 17 at the Iowa State Capitol to cast their votes for President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, and results from the presidential race will be certified by Congress Jan. 6, 2025. GOP surpasses Democrats in early voting Pate told reporters Monday that 74.1% of registered Iowa voters cast their ballots in the 2024 election a total of 1,674,011 ballots cast. This turnout was roughly in line with previous presidential election cycles, he said, but noted that there was a change in party absentee and early voting participation in 2024 compared to previous years. According to Pate, a total of 268,629 registered Republicans voted early this year, more than the 257,634 Democrats who voted early. While Democrats historically have an edge in early and absentee voting, Pate said part of the shift to higher GOP participation this year was part of a deliberate push by GOP leadership to encourage voting prior to Election Day. In previous election cycles, Trump and allies have cast doubts on the integrity of absentee and early votes. But in the 2024 election cycle, Republicans across the ballot have spent time on the 2024 campaign trail reassuring supporters their votes would be correctly counted if they voted early. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was definitely a concentrated effort nationally on the Republican side like we hadnt seen in quite a while telling them, Vote now, its OK go vote now,' Pate said. And so, people who may have voted more traditionally did just that. Pate called the high participation on and before Election Day very impressive and significant, thanking county auditors, election workers and volunteers for their work. He also thanked state lawmakers for recent changes to election law that helped make recount processes run more smoothly than previous years. The recount process in Iowas 1st Congressional District, where U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks won by 798 votes against Democrat Christina Bohannan, was conducted more quickly than previous recounts in the 1st Congressional District, he said. He said that was due in part to changes to Iowa Code and because of new guidance issued by his office calling for county auditors to avoid hybrid recounts, and either recount ballots either fully by hand or by tabulator machine. You dont get to do both of them and mix the techniques up during the count process, Pate said. We ran into a lot of problems with that in the past because human errors and other things happen. Pate previews requested legislation The secretary of state said he plans to make requests to the state Legislature in 2025 that would require counties follow a uniform process, which Pate said would further speed up results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, Pate said he is in talks with lawmakers to take action on noncitizen voting in the upcoming legislative session. Pates guidance to county auditors in late October to challenge the ballots of more than 2,000 Iowans listed as potential noncitizens was upheld by a federal judge days before the general election. Groups including the ACLU and the League of United Latin American Citizens said the measure intimidated immigrants who were legally able to participate in elections as naturalized citizens. But Pate argued that the measure was necessary because the federal U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office would not share access to the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database for the Iowa Secretary of States office to confirm the citizenship status of the individuals listed. The 2,000 people identified as potential noncitizens were people who identified themselves to the Iowa Department of Transportation or other government entities as noncitizens in the past 12 years, who later registered to vote or voted. (USCIS) could have just handed it over and we could have been able to know exactly how many noncitizens were registered in Iowa and dealt with those in a very specific and targeted way rather than having to do the awkward approach we had to this time, Pate said. So weve just got to continue to try to improve on that. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Iowa officials on Tuesday sued the Biden administration for access to information on the citizenship status of more than 2,000 registered voters they had questioned in the weeks leading up to the 2024 election. The complaint details a back and forth with the federal government after state election officials checked voter rolls against a list of people who identified themselves as noncitizens with the state's Department of Transportation. The vast majority of the 2,176 names had subsequently registered to vote or voted, meaning that some of those people could have become naturalized citizens in the lapsed time. Secretary of State Paul Pates office requested information from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on the citizenship status of those individuals but did not get it, the complaint alleges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal authorities' failure meant that the State had to rely on the best imperfect data it had available to ensure that no Iowans vote was canceled by an illegal, noncitizen vote, a joint statement from Pate and Attorney General Brenna Bird said. A DHS spokesperson said in an email Tuesday that the federal agency does not comment on pending litigation but added that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have engaged with Iowa and will continue to correspond with them directly through official channels. Two weeks before Election Day, when early voting was already underway, Pate told county elections officials to challenge the ballots case by any of the named individuals and have them cast a provisional ballot instead. The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa then sued Pate on Oct. 30 on behalf of four voters who are naturalized citizens but were named on the list, calling into question the accuracy of the DOT's information and alleging Pate infringed upon their right to vote. Their request for a stop to the ballot challenges was denied by a federal judge on Nov. 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is illegal for non-U.S. citizens to vote in federal elections, but there is no evidence that it is occurring in significant numbers, though Iowa and some other states say they have identified dozens of such cases. Some individuals in Iowa had registered to vote or voted before identifying themselves as noncitizens to the DOT, so Pate's office sent those names to law enforcement and Bird's office for investigation and potential prosecution. But Pate's critics have said even those individuals might be wrongly identified as noncitizens since the DOT data has proven unreliable. The ACLU and ACLU of Iowa said in a statement that the state would be getting the information it needed from the federal government if it agreed not to misuse it. Studies, journalistic efforts, and repeated attempts by government officials in Iowa and nationally have found very few non-citizens who have voted, out of the many millions of people who vote," the statement said. "This wasteful lawsuit isnt going to change that. State leaders should spend their time on actual problems that face our state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pate's office has not released any additional information on the number of people who turned out to vote, whose ballots were challenged or whose citizenship status was ultimately confirmed. The Des Moines Register, based on preliminary information collected from 97 of the state's 99 counties, found at least 500 of the identified individuals proved their citizenship status and had their votes counted. Another 74 ballots were rejected, according to the Register, mostly because those people did not return to prove their citizenship status. The majority of the people on Pate's list did not vote in the 2024 election, according to the Register's data from county auditors. Concern about elections being undermined by noncitizen voting had been a focus of political messaging this year from President-elect Donald Trump and other Republicans, even though such voting is rare in American elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since no voter had been removed from Iowas lists, Pate tried to differentiate Iowa from other states, such as Virginia, where more than 1,600 voters were purged from the voter registration list in the past two months in a program enacted through an Aug. 7 executive order from Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. The Justice Department and a coalition of private groups sued Virginia in early October, arguing that state election officials violated federal laws 90-day quiet period ahead of elections. The U.S. Supreme Courts conservative majority said that Virginia could continue. Ahead of the Nov. 5 election, Pate said the DOT information was the only list that we have available to us without access to federal immigration records. Were balancing this process. We want everyone to be able to vote. Thats why none of them have been taken off the voter rolls, he said. But we do owe an obligation to make sure that they are citizens now. Iowa Workforce Development manages unemployment claims filed on behalf of Iowans. (Photo by Getty Images, logo courtesy the State of Iowa) An Iowa woman who was fired from her job as a hospital child-care assistant is facing criminal charges of sexual abuse. State records indicate Antevia Porter, 31, of Burlington, was employed by Burlingtons Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center earlier this year as a part-time child-care assistant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was fired in June for attendance issues, some of which were tied to court appearances and incarceration. She was arrested on June 19, 2024, on a contempt of court matter related to child support, and was arrested again, at work, on June 26, 2024, on what unemployment records describe as different charges. After she was fired, she sought unemployment benefits but was denied for reasons of recurring absenteeism, with the judge in the case noting that the hospital had been exceedingly generous in its application of the hospitals attendance policy. Court records show that Porters Jube 26 arrest was on a charge of second-degree sexual abuse of a 5-year-old child. According to police, the alleged victim reported being sexually abused in Porters home by Porter and two other individuals and was able to describe for police a device that was used during the alleged assault. Police subsequently obtained a search warrant for Porters home and allegedly retrieved a device similar to what the child described. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Porter has pleaded not guilty to the charge and a trial is scheduled for April 8, 2025. Porter could not be reached for comment, but in a September court filing related to child-custody issues she informed the court that while I do have pending criminal charges, nothing has been founded and I am 100% innocent I would not hurt anyone, especially children. Other Iowans whose unemployment claims recently went before an administrative law judge include: Mila Baskayeva-Johnson, who worked for Boone County Hospital as a certified nursing assistant until September 2024 when she was fired. On Sept. 17, 2024, she was providing care for a sleeping patient who was a drug user known to have potential dangerous and violent episodes. She was in the patients room with a doctor, a nurse, and a supervisor when the patient, who had just been placed in restraining straps so the staff could draw a blood sample, woke up and began yelling, Hot! Hot! Hot! while flailing about. In what she later described as an attempt to calm the patient and cool him down, Baskayeva-Johnson took a drink of water from the patients glass near his bed and then sprayed the water from her mouth onto the patients face. She was fired one week later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the subsequent hearing on her request for unemployment benefits, Baskayeva-Johnson acknowledged spitting water onto the patients face and said that in her culture that is a common practice used to calm people. She also indicated that during her training she was never taught to refrain from spitting water onto patients. She was denied unemployment benefits with Administrative Law Judge Blair Bennett ruling that her actions were far outside those acceptable from anyone in the medical industry. Even allowing for (her) statement that her culture would not see this as improper, she knew or should have known the incredible unsanitary (effect) of mixing her saliva with water she just drank from the patients glass to spit or spray on the patient. Kathleen Kelly, who in October resigned from Heartland Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of Des Moines where she worked as an emergency medical technician and certified medication aide. She resigned after the management allegedly refused to address her concerns of racial slurs being frequently used in the workplace. She also alleged some of her colleagues made comments that were sexually suggestive and she expressed a concern that an individual who was hired to work in the operating room, in her view, lacked the appropriate credentials. She was awarded unemployment benefits after her resignation, with the judge in the case stating that her decision to quit due to inappropriate racial and sexual language (and) cussing and arguing amongst employees is undoubtedly a good-cause reason to quit. Officials at Heartland did not testify at the hearing and declined to comment when contacted by the Iowa Capital Dispatch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kyle Grimm, who in August was fired from his job as a childrens crisis intervention specialist at Inside Out Wellness and Advocacy. According to state records, prior to working for Inside Out, Grimm provided therapy to a minor in 2020 and 2021, during which time he was engaged in a sexual relationship with the childs mother and consumed alcohol in the presence of the child. In March 2023, the Iowa Board of Behavioral Science charged Grimm with ethics violations and his license was suspended indefinitely. At the time, the board stated his practice posed an immediate danger to the public health. In May 2023, Grimm voluntarily surrendered his mental health counselors license. Later, he applied for the job of childrens crisis intervention specialist at Inside Out a job that doesnt require licensure as a mental health counselor. During the hiring process, he allegedly deflected questions about working as a mental health counselor by saying it was a long story as to why he no longer pursued work in that field. In August 2024, a client informed Inside Out of a news story that referenced Grimms past licensing issues and Grimm was fired. A judge recently denied Grimms application for unemployment benefits, finding that he was materially dishonest in his interviews with the employer. Deneen Hamner, who was fired in September from her job as a correctional officer for the Lee County Jail where she had worked since April 2010. On July 14, 2024, Hamner allegedly emailed her boss, Jail Administrator John Canida, with a complaint against her supervisor, alleging he harassed her, bullied her and treated her unfairly. Canida allegedly failed to respond to the email. On July 26, Hamner allegedly sent her complaint to a captain who investigated the complaint and concluded it was unfounded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immediately thereafter, the county allegedly began investigating Hamner for a series of incidents. In one of those incidents, Hamner was talking to her supervisor and putting on her gear, which included a body camera, at the beginning of her shift. At one point, Hamner turned around and her supervisor was allegedly standing directly in front of her, talking loudly with a reddened face. Hamner was startled and switched on her body camera because, she later claimed, the supervisor had been harassing her for months. In another incident, Hamner was allegedly booking a female person into the jail when the woman made a derogatory comment about Hamners mother, prompting Hamner to reply, My moms dead, b-. The county concluded Hamner violated jail policies by turning on her body camera while speaking to a supervisor and by cursing at an inmate and gave her the option of resigning or being fired. During her previous 15 years of employment at the jail, she had received one written warning. She refused to resign and was fired the next day. Administrative Law Judge Daniel Zeno recently awarded Hamner unemployment benefits, noting that the county didnt initiate its investigation of Hamner until she filed a complaint against her supervisor. The county, Zenor ruled, had turned Ms. Hamners complaint into an investigation into Ms. Hamner and terminated her employment for incidents (that occurred) two to three months prior. Jennifer Greenwood, who worked for Virginia Gay Hospital from June 2018 through Oct. 3, 2024, most recently as a receptionist. She was fired for allegedly accessing a co-workers medical records twice without permission and for no work-related purpose, a violation of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. She was denied unemployment benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roberta Emery, who worked for the Homestead of Knoxville nursing home from July 2022 through September 2024, when she was fired her job as a full-time direct care worker. In August 2024, she had allegedly been given a warning for failing to perform the required hourly checks on residents in the memory care unit and for failing to toilet residents when necessary. A few weeks later, the employer allegedly learned Emery still wasnt attending to residents needs, was failing to assist them in going to the bathroom and was not providing the residents with their prescribed medications. Emery was also accused of falsifying records to indicate she had dispensed the residents medications, but a review of surveillance video allegedly indicated that claim was false. Emery was denied unemployment benefits. Hundreds of fighters from Iran-backed Iraqi militias have crossed into Syria to help the regime of Bashar al-Assad fight off an insurgency across much of the northwest of the country, which has seen the seizure of the second city of Aleppo. The Syrian government, meanwhile, said Syrian and Russian air forces were striking rebel-held positions in the countryside east of Aleppo. The government said the military was working to secure a string of towns that runs along the frontline north of Hama, between Aleppo and Damascus. A Syrian army source told Reuters that the Iran-backed militias are fresh reinforcements being sent to aid our comrades on the front lines in the north. Irans constellation of allied militias, which have long proved useful to Assad, have maintained bases in Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said on Monday that Syrias military was capable of confronting the rebels but, referring to the regional militia groups Tehran backs, he added that groups will help and Iran will provide any support needed. The White Helmets rescue organisation and residents of rebel-held areas in the north said warplanes had hit residential areas of Aleppo city and a displaced peoples camp in Idlib province where seven people were killed, including five children. The lightning assault last week dealt Assad his biggest blow in years, reigniting a war that had appeared frozen for years. Syrias conflict erupted in a rebellion against Assads rule in 2011 and the rebels held much of Aleppo from 2012 until 2016, when government forces retook it with help from Russia and Iran-backed militia in a turning point of the war. People stand near a burning car at the site of an airstrike that targeted Syria's rebel-held northern city of Idlib (AFP via Getty) Russia has said it continues to back Assad, although it is unclear how much military support it can provide beyond airstrikes, given the war in Ukraine. The main Iran-backed group, Lebanons Hezbollah, has been focused on its own conflict with Israel since the war in Gaza began last year and sources have suggested it has little intention of sending resources to help Assad right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turkeys foreign minister said the advance, led by Islamist militants from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), shows that Assad must reconcile with his own people. At a joint news conference in Ankara with his Iranian counterpart, Hakan Fidan blamed the flare-up on the Syrian governments refusal to enter a dialogue with the opposition that Turkey supports. Recent developments show once again that Damascus must reconcile with its own people and the legitimate opposition, the Turkish minister said. Turkey is ready to make all the necessary contribution toward this. On the ground, Abu Obaida, 38, who is in Aleppo, said: The constant fear among the citizens is the airstrikes from the Syrian or Russian army. But he added that markets were open, and while telephone and internet access had been hit, people were trying to continue their lives. That fear of strikes is replicated in other areas of the countrys northwest, which were devastated during the civil war. Bilal Bihari, who is in Maarat al Numan between Aleppo and Hama, said of the advance by opposition forces: Certainly, everyone today is overjoyed at the prospect of returning to their cities, villages, and homes. However, most, if not all, of these homes are either completely or partially destroyed and require significant repair and restoration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The areas that have been liberated are largely out of service and in dire need of infrastructure and essential services. It will take some time for these regions to recover and become habitable again. Given that these regions have been recently liberated, they are likely to face continued targeting, especially by warplanes, he added. The situation on the ground, despite the recent successes [by insurgents], does not yet reflect a conclusive or comprehensive outcome. Most people are optimistic, yet many are also concerned about the future because things are uncertain and constantly changing. Iranian rapper and activist Toomaj Salehi has been released from prison more than two years after his lyrics and support of massive women's rights demonstrations that swept the country following the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini saw him jailed and eventually sentenced to death, lawyers representing him said in a statement Monday. Salehi's international legal team at the British firm Doughty Street Chambers welcomed his released, which was also reported by Iran's state-run media, in a statement posted on their website, saying Salehi was "released from prison overnight by Iranian authorities." "Our brave, brilliant client Toomaj Salehi is finally free, after 753 days' imprisonment," Caoilfhionn Gallagher, international legal counsel for Salehi's family, said in the statement from the firm. Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi, 33, was arrested in October 2022 after publicly backing protests that erupted in the aftermath of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini's death in police custody. / Credit: Doughty Street Chambers/ Toomaj Salehi "Mr Salehi has long used his powerful art his rapping, his music, his words to support the 'Woman, Life, Freedom' movement and human rights in Iran. For this, the Iranian authorities have targeted him for years, attempting to silence him through arrests, imprisonment, torture, assaults, and even a death sentence," Gallagher said, adding: "The world must not look away now: we must ensure Mr Salehi remains free and is never again subjected to the egregious violations of his rights which he has endured over the past 753 days," she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Salehi posted a photo on his Instagram account to thank well-wishers for their support, saying: "For the past two years, you have done for me unpredictable, magnificent and unbelievable things, I am a part of you today." The 33-year-old rapper was arrested in October 2022 after publicly backing the protests that erupted in the aftermath of Amini's death. An Iranian Kurd, Amini died in police custody after being detained over an alleged breach of the hardline Islamic republic's strict rules on women's attire. Salehi joined other protesters on the streets and wrote a song condemning the Iranian regime for Amini's death. "Someone's crime was dancing with her hair in the wind. Someone's crime was that he or she was brave and outspoken," he said in his song "Fal," which was released shortly before his arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June, Iran's Supreme Court overturned a death sentence that had been handed to Salehi by another Iranian court on a charge of "corruption on Earth." Iranian courts often hear cases entirely behind closed doors, with evidence produced in secret and limited rights given to those on trial. The death sentence drew wide international condemnation. Iran's state-run media, including the Mizan outlet controlled by the country's judiciary, widely reported Salehi's release. Mizan said he was freed Sunday after serving a one-year sentence on a charge of acting against the government, but other charges against the rapper were still pending, and state media outlets did not say whether he could face new trials on other counts. Maryland island struggles to survive impact of rising sea level, erosion | 60 Minutes Kate Winslet: The 60 Minutes Interview Roy Cohn | 60 Minutes Archive Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is open to the possibility of sending troops to Syria to help President Bashar al-Assad's forces after a major offensive by rebels. "If the Syrian government asks Iran to send troops to Syria, we will examine the request," the minister told the Arabic-language TV station Al Araby. Meanwhile, Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Iran's Armed Forces, spoke to Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov, as well top defence officials from Syria and Iraq. Resolute support for the Syrian army was discussed, reported the Iranian news agency IRNA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alongside Russia, Iran is the most important ally of al-Assad. Last week, an alliance of insurgents led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched a surprise offensive in north-western Syria and took control of the major city of Aleppo, leading to a sudden flare-up in a civil war that has been going on since 2011. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Iran released a government critic and popular hip-hop artist who came to fame over his lyrics about the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, local media reported Tuesday. Toomaj Salehi spent a little over a year in jail and faced a death sentence issued by a Revolutionary Court, which usually involves closed-door hearings and gives limited rights to those on trial. The sentencing drew international criticism and was overturned in June. Iranian newspapers, including pro-reform Hammihan daily, said Salehi was released on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Commenting on his release, New York-based Artist At Risk Connection, an organization that protects artists and cultural workers who are at risk because of their creative expression, said in a statement: This case highlights the grave risks artists face when challenging authoritarian regimes, as well as ARCs ongoing efforts to advocate for their rights. The Grammy winner was detained for the first time in 2022 following mass protests that swept the Islamic Republic after Amini was arrested for wearing her hijab, the Islamic head covering, too loosely, and later died in police custody. Salehi rapped about Amini in one video, saying: Someones crime was dancing with her hair in the wind. In another verse, he predicts the downfall of Irans theocracy. He spent time in and out of jail and said in a video message that he was tortured during detention, which led to his arrest in Nov. 2023. State media at the time released a video showing him blindfolded and apologizing for his words, a statement likely to have been made under duress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UN investigators say Iran was responsible for Aminis death, and that it violently put down largely peaceful protests, killing more than 500 people and detaining over 22,000. Iran has long prosecuted and in many cases imprisoned dissidents, journalists and artists who challenged government decisions imposing restrictions on women and activists. Reportedly, such cases have dropped after pro-reform President Masoud Pezeshkian came to power in July. ANKARA (Reuters) - Iraq will not act as a mere spectator in Syria where it believes groups and sects are victims of ethnic cleansing, Iraq's prime minister said on Tuesday, according to a readout from his office of a phone call to Turkey's president. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who discussed the situation in Syria with Turkey's Tayyip Erdogan, said Iraq would exert all efforts to preserve the security of Iraq and Syria, according to the official readout of the call. "What is happening in Syria today is in the interest of the Zionist entity [Israel], which deliberately bombed Syrian army sites in a way that paved the way for terrorist groups to control additional areas in Syria," the Iraqi prime minister's office quoted Sudani as saying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mainly Sunni Muslim rebels opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad seized the city of Aleppo last week in their biggest advance in years. Iraq's Shi'ite-led government has close relations with Iran, which is an ally of Assad, and Iraqi militia fighters have fought on Assad's side in the war. Two Iraqi security sources and a senior Syrian military source told Reuters on Monday that hundreds of Iraqi Shi'ite militia fighters had crossed the border late on Sunday to help Assad's army fight the rebel advance. The head of Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces, which includes the major Shi'ite militia groups aligned with Iran, said no group under its umbrella had entered Syria. The Syrian rebels have said their advance over the past week met little resistance, in part because the most powerful of Iran's allies, Lebanon's Hezbollah group, had pulled its forces out of Syria to battle Israel in Lebanon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel, which has long struck what it says are Iran-aligned military targets in Syria, has stepped up such strikes over the past 14 months as it battled Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. (Reporting by Jaidaa Taha; Editing by Peter Graff) ALGIERS, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Algerian Foreign Ministry expressed Tuesday in a statement the country's solidarity with Syria in its "fight against terrorist threats." During a phone conversation between Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf and his Syrian counterpart Bassam Sabbagh, Attaf reaffirmed Algeria's "firm position and absolute solidarity with the sisterly Syrian Arab Republic, both as a state and people, in confronting the terrorist threats targeting its sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, security, and stability," said the statement. For his part, Sabbagh thanked Algeria for its solidarity with Syria and its call for the inclusion of Syria's case in the Arab League emergency ministerial meeting scheduled for Dec. 8, said the statement. The phone conversation came amid a deteriorating security situation in Syria. A surprise rebel offensive launched last week in the western countryside of northwestern Syria's Aleppo has stretched deeper into the country still being bruised by a 13-year-long civil war. After wresting control of most of Aleppo over the weekend, rebel militants are now advancing southward, battling government forces for territorial gains in western-central Syria. By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO (Reuters) - Israeli military strikes killed at least 23 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, most of them in the town of Beit Lahiya on the northern edge, medics said, as the army issued new evacuation orders in the south of the small enclave. Medics said eight people had been killed in a series of airstrikes in Beit Lahiya while four others were killed elsewhere in Gaza City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Israeli airstrike later killed two people and wounded others in Jabalia, the largest of Gaza's eight historic refugee camps, in the coastal enclave's north, medics said. Another air attack, on Al-Falah School sheltering displaced families in Gaza City's Zeitoun suburb, killed six people and wounded others, medics said, while in Rafah in the far south, three women were killed by Israeli drone fire, they added. The Israeli army has been operating in Jabalia and also in the towns of Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun since October. Israeli forces have killed hundreds of militants in the three locations since the operation began, the army has said. The army says it is targeting regrouping Hamas-led militants who often use civilian buildings including schools and hospitals for operational cover. Hamas denies this, accusing Israeli forces of indiscriminate bombardments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas and its smaller ally Islamic Jihad have said their fighters have killed several Israeli soldiers in guerrilla-style ambushes since October. Palestinians have accused Israel's army of trying to drive people from the northern edge of Gaza with forced evacuations and bombardments to create a buffer zone. The army denies this, saying it has returned there to prevent Hamas fighters from renewing operations in an area from which they had been cleared. The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service said its operations in Jabalia, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun had now been halted for nearly four weeks due to Israeli attacks on their teams as well as fuel shortages. On Tuesday it said 13 of 27 vehicles in central and southern Gaza were also stuck for lack of fuel. It said 88 members of the Civil Emergency Service had been killed, 304 wounded and 21 detained by Israel since the war began in October 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EVACUATION ORDERS The Israeli army issued evacuation orders on Tuesday to residents in northern districts of Khan Younis, a city in south Gaza, citing the firing of rockets by militants from those areas. The orders, the latest of many, prompted the hurried exodus of families, mostly before dawn, in a westerly direction. "For your own safety, you must evacuate the area immediately and move to the humanitarian zone," the army said in a statement on X. Palestinian and United Nations officials say there are no safe areas in the enclave. Most of Gaza's 2.3 million people have been internally displaced, some as many as 10 times in all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel launched its campaign in the densely populated enclave after Hamas-led fighters attacked Israeli communities across the border on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's military campaign has since killed more than 44,400 Palestinians, injured many others, and reduced much of the enclave to rubble. (Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi; editing by Gareth Jones and Mark Heinrich) By Joyce Zhou and Michal Yaakov Itzhaki METULA, Israel (Reuters) - Five weeks ago, Moshe Weinstein found the body of his son Omer and four farm workers killed by a Hezbollah rocket, their bodies lying in an apple orchard that he has cultivated for years. Weinstein, 75, is back working his land, taking advantage of a ceasefire deal brokered last week between Israel and Hezbollah that is aimed at restoring calm to both sides of the border. But the horror will haunt him for the rest of his days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I came and saw the worst thing possible to see," he told Reuters. He had been elsewhere on the farm when the sirens went off on Oct. 31, warning of incoming fire from Lebanon. Shortly afterwards an explosion shook the air. By the time he reached his son there was nothing to be done. Four Thai workers were also killed outright while a fifth survived the blast. "They were not supposed to be here harvesting on that day," he said, recalling how Omer had taken his team into the orchard only because a client had asked for the sweet Pink Lady apples that grew in that section of his farm. "The strike was there in the well, the tractor stood here with the cart," he said, reliving the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weinstein's family business lies close to Metula, Israel's northernmost town, which was repeatedly targeted by Hezbollah rockets over the past 14 months as part of the Iranian-backed group's campaign to support its Palestinian ally Hamas. Hezbollah began rocketing Israel across the border in solidarity with Hamas the day after the Palestinian militant group's Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israeli communities that precipitated war in the Gaza Strip. In September this year, Israel stepped up its campaign against Hezbollah, launching an air and ground assault it said was necessary to disarm Hezbollah so that tens of thousands of Israelis could return safely to northern communities. "We are the ones holding the borders, 100 metres away, we are the final tree on the border," Weinstein said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like most locals, the Weinsteins evacuated from their home, but were allowed back during the day to tend their crops, taking precautions to limit the danger such as never travelling together in the same car. "We were able to work. We were granted entry to some areas and not to others," he said. "I didn't think there was a 1% chance that one of us would be hurt, but actually, Omer paid the price." Hezbollah strikes killed 45 civilians in northern Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights over the past 14 months. At least 3,768 people were killed in Israel's retaliatory assault on Lebanon, according to Lebanon's health ministry which does not differentiate between Hezbollah fighters and civilians. Israel and Hezbollah finally agreed last week to a truce aimed at establishing lasting peace after decades of tensions. But Weinstein, who has lived through three major Lebanon conflicts, has his doubts that the guns would stay silent. "To me the ceasefire is like Russian roulette," he said. (Writing by Emily Rose; Editing by Crispian Balmer and Peter Graff) CAIRO (Reuters) - The Israeli military confirmed on Tuesday that its forces had killed Salman Jumaa, a senior Hezbollah figure responsible for liaising with the Syrian army, in Damascus. A Lebanese security source had told Reuters earlier in the day that an Israeli airstrike on a car near Syria's capital killed Jumaa. Syria's state news agency had reported the strike on the airport road but did not offer details on casualties. (Reporting by Jaidaa Taha; editing by Mark Heinrich) BEIRUT (Reuters) -An Israeli airstrike on a car near Syria's capital Damascus on Tuesday killed Salman Jumaa, a senior Hezbollah figure responsible for liaising with the Syrian army, a Lebanese security source told Reuters. Syria's state news agency had reported the strike on the airport road but did not offer details on casualties. The Israeli military confirmed in a later statement taking out Jumaa in what it called an intelligence-based strike in Damascus, saying his killing "degrades both Hezbollahs presence in Syria and Hezbollahs ongoing force-building efforts". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel rarely acknowledges its strikes in Syria, where it has carried out a years-long air campaign against Iranian military assets and those of its allies, including Hezbollah. In a rare announcement last month, it said it struck Hezbollah intelligence assets near Damascus. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that he was "playing with fire" by allowing Iran to transfer weapons to its allies via Syria. (Reporting by Laila Bassam and Claudia Tanios, additional reporting by Jaidaa Taha; editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Mark Heinrich) MILAN (AP) A 22-year-old Italian man who confessed in court to killing his ex-girlfriend was convicted of her murder on Tuesday and sentenced to life in prison in a case that fueled national outrage over violence against women. Filippo Turetta kept his eyes down as the verdict and sentence were read in a Venice court a little over a year after the body of 22-year-old Giulia Cecchettin was found in a ditch in the northern Veneto region. She had been stabbed more than 70 times, and her body was wrapped in plastic bags. Cecchettin went missing last November after going to the mall with her ex-boyfriend. Her disappearance gripped Italy as authorities searched for them. She was found a week later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turetta was later arrested in Germany. In announcing the verdict, the judge excluded aggravating circumstances of cruelty and stalking but still handed down Italy's toughest sentence. The killing fueled demands for action to stop violence against women. In the first 10 months of this year, 96 women in Italy were killed, 51 of them by current or former romantic partners, according to Interior Ministry statistics. Some 10,000 mourners attended Cecchettins funeral a year ago, ringing bells and shaking keys as part of a campaign to make noise against gender violence. Her father, Gino Cecchettin, urged mourners to be agents of change in a culture that often undervalues the lives of women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one will give me back Giulia,'' Cecchettin's father said after the verdict. He added: I don't think you combat gender violence with sentences. You combat with prevention. Therefore, as a human being I feel defeated. As a father, nothing has changed from yesterday, from a year ago." By Angelo Amante ROME (Reuters) - Italy is preparing a new military aid package for Ukraine, two sources close to the matter said on Tuesday, in a renewed show of support for Kyiv from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's rightist government. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Italy has approved nine packages of aid for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's administration, including two Franco-Italian air defence systems known as SAMP/T. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sources, who asked not to be named, said the government was likely to approve a 10th package by the end of this month, but declined to provide details. All shipments have so far been covered by state secrecy. Meloni has been a supporter of Kyiv since taking office in late 2022 and has vowed to back Ukraine until the war ends, amid uncertainty over the future attitude of the U.S. once president-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. On Tuesday, NATO chief Mark Rutte urged members of the military alliance to step up military aid for Ukraine to strengthen its position should it enter into peace negotiations with Russia. Under Italy's presidency this year, the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies have repeatedly pledged support for Ukraine, condemned Russia's war of aggression and pledged a $50 billion loan for Kyiv backed by frozen Russian assets. (Reporting by Angelo Amante, editing by Alvise Armellini and Kevin Liffey) Italy is preparing a new, tenth tranche of military assistance to Ukraine. Source: Reuters, citing two informed sources, as reported by European Pravda Details: According to sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the Italian government would most likely accept the tenth package by the end of December 2024, but they declined to elaborate. Italy has been providing military aid to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. However, all information about arms deliveries is classified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To transfer weapons to Ukraine, the administration of Georgia Meloni needs legislative approval. They have one till the end of 2024. It was previously announced that Franco-Italian air defence system SAMP/T will be given to Ukraine, making it the second one provided. Support UP or become our patron! I've spent years traveling to 94 countries which has taught me some great money-saving travel tips. I don't pay to check a bag when I travel, and I seek out free activities, like walking tours. I get cash when I'm at my destination and use credit cards without foreign transaction fees. I've been traveling full-time for nine years. Throughout my trips to 94 countries and all seven continents, I've learned a lot of ways to save money abroad some through trial and error. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are four ways I save money when I travel to another country. Get the best deal on local currency I don't travel with cash unless I'm going to a destination where it's difficult to access ATMs. Generally, converting money before a trip is more costly than withdrawing local currency from an ATM. I find it's best to use a debit card from a bank that doesn't charge international transaction fees, honors market-based exchange rates, and reimburses ATM cash withdrawal fees. I've had good luck with Charles Schwab. I also try to withdraw cash from ATMs associated with a bank, which can feel more secure than others in more random parts of a city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When doing so, I also reject the bank's money conversion (also known as dynamic currency conversion). That way, I'm able to withdraw cash but at the market conversion rate, which is almost always a better deal than the bank's. If you plan to just use your credit card abroad, make sure it's with a provider that doesn't charge international transaction fees, such as Capital One. Seek out free activities Many destinations around the globe have an abundance of free experiences that are enticing to tourists. Check local publications to see what free events are happening during your visit. Some libraries have movie screenings, museums often have days with free admission, and accommodations may come with complimentary yoga or dance classes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I also check sites like GuruWalk and SANDEMANs, which offer free local walking tours around the globe. I've gone on GuruWalk tours in places like Turkey, Tunisia, Jordan, Egypt, Estonia, and Uruguay. Although these tours are free, don't forget to tip your guide. Be a carry-on-only traveler Traveling only with a carry-on can save you from paying checked-bag fees. gahsoon/Getty Images Committing to being a carry-on-only traveler has saved me a lot of money. Paying extra for a checked bag can add up quickly especially if you're visiting multiple destinations on your trip. And with just a carry-on, you can limit your spending by having limited space to pack souvenirs. Be sure to check the size restrictions and weight limit for carry-on bags. Some budget airlines only allow about 15 pounds, though you can sometimes pay a minimal fee to double the weight limit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you can't manage with just a carry-on, fly with an airline that allows you to check your first bag for free. Take advantage of tax rebates for foreigners Many countries offer travelers a tax rebate for select purchases made with a foreign credit card. In Thailand, for example, certain purchases over 2,000 baht are eligible for a tax rebate. Find out what the limit is in your destination and look into requesting a Global Blue tax refund. Keep in mind that some countries may require you to show purchased goods to an agent at the local airport. Read the original article on Business Insider BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Seawater samples collected independently by Chinese experts off the coast of Fukushima, Japan, have recently arrived in China, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday. Spokesperson Lin Jian told a daily press briefing in response to a relevant query that according to the bilateral consensus, Japan agreed to carry out long-term international monitoring of the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean under the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and ensure independent sampling and monitoring by China and other stakeholders. "In mid-October, the IAEA organized experts from many countries including China to collect seawater samples and seal them on site near the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant independently," Lin said. The spokesperson added that relevant samples have arrived in China recently. Domestic professional research institutions are conducting rigorous and independent testing and analysis, and will release the progress in time, Lin added. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Jackson County Executive Frank White announced the legislatures approval of the sale of land next to the countys under-construction jail to Kansas City. This will allow Kansas City to build a new detention center meant for the populations it serves. The county detention center will primarily house individuals charged with serious felonies awaiting trial. Ex-KCK detective Roger Golubski found dead before trial Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want to thank the Jackson County Legislature for their support of this important collaboration, White said. The sale of this land reflects our shared commitment to public safety and responsible stewardship of public resources. The citys new facility will be more attuned to the populations they serve, addressing their specific needs, while our facility focuses on individuals facing serious felony charges. This agreement is a testament to the leadership of County Executive White, his dedicated staff, and the Legislature, Councilman Crispin Rea, 4th District At-Large said. The County Executives professionalism and thoughtful approach have made this partnership possible and I am confident it will serve the best interests of our residents. The agreement allows Kansas City to continue with the development of its detention center adjacent to the countys new jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is about planning for the future and making decisions that will serve our residents for decades to come, County Administrator Troy Schulte said. This agreement represents the kind of collaboration that makes our region stronger. Joes Blog: So, whens our next snow chance (MON-12/2) This is a win-win for both Jackson County and Kansas City, Deputy City Manager Kimiko Gilmore said. By building separate facilities, each tailored to specific needs, were ensuring a more effective system that addresses public safety and community welfare. For more information on the new Jackson County Detention Center, you can click here. 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. The City of Jacksonville is working on a contract with Trinity Rescue Mission to bring nearly four dozen new beds online downtown for those facing homelessness. The shelter will be the first to add capacity as the city is cracking down on a statewide public camping ban. The goal is to keep those individuals out of jail and get them the help they need. Trinity Rescue Mission is getting more than $634,000 to bring on 44 new beds by the start of the new year. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department will determine the need after that. Council approved $1.3 million for a total of up to 110 beds if needed at three shelters across downtown -- Trinity Rescue Mission, City Rescue Mission, and Salvation Army. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I walk around downtown, I see people clearly struggling with significant untreated mental illness and substance abuse. We need to understand the needs of those folks, Dr. Tracye Polson, the director of strategic partnerships for the mayors office, said. Read: Compassionate approach: Jacksonville council approves $1.3M for additional homeless shelter beds Trinity Rescue Mission will be reimbursed at a rate of about $958 a month per additional bed. Polson explained its for more than just a place to sleep. The funding will help pay for renovations, staffing, and three meals a day for those in need. I think we will see pretty quickly what we need more of, what may not be working, and then we will make adjustments accordingly, she said. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] JFRD also got about $1 million which helped staff a team of people part of the PATH program to go out around the clock and help with outreach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think what remains to be seen is do we have enough of the resources needed for the folks that are unhoused, Polson said. Theres been some concern from council members that the approach focused on downtown could lead to an increase in the homeless issue in other parts of town. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Polson said she is working with the three mayors of the beaches to set up a meeting with city agencies to discuss solutions to homelessness there as well. We know there are homeless folks all over the county. This law not only impacts the entire state but all of Duval. As we move out from downtown, we will start addressing those issues, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starting next year, business owners and residents can sue the City of Jacksonville for any violations of the new state law. 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. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer seems determined to continue investigating Hunter Biden after he received a presidential pardon Sunday. The Kentucky Republican, who spent years hyping up an impeachment effort into President Joe Biden that relied on an investigation into his sons business dealings, told Newsmax on Monday hes eager to speak with the next attorney general about the matter. Host Rob Schmitt mentioned how Biden may no longer be able to invoke his Fifth Amendment right to avoid self-incrimination, asking, Do you have any plans for Hunter Biden, knowing this? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Comer said he wasnt done with Biden just yet. I look forward to talking to Attorney General [Pam] Bondi about this, he said, anticipating the confirmation of President-elect Donald Trumps back-up choice for attorney general. We still have information that weve requested that weve never received, Comer continued. The White House is still, to this day, obstructing rightful evidence that we should have obtained. The White House has instructed the National Archives not to turn over all those pseudonym emails, Rob. We still still dont have the pseudonym emails, which we believe will show Joe Biden was communicating secretly with the shady associates that were that were a part of the money laundering scheme with the money from our adversaries around the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Comer, while criticizing President Biden for once using email aliases, did so himself, the Daily Beast reported in June. After going on about the Bidens being the most corrupt political family in the history of America, Comer said he hoped the Justice Department in the next administration will take our investigation and hold people accountablenot just the Bidens, but all the deep state actors that were involved in the cover up. James Van Der Beek is sharing new details about his health, one month after announcing publicly that he had been diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer. On Tuesday, Van Der Beek spoke to "Good Morning America" co-anchor Robin Roberts in his first live television interview since announcing his diagnosis. "Physically, I'm great. I'm feeling really good emotionally. You know, it's a lot," the "Dawson's Creek" and "Varsity Blues" actor told Roberts, nearly a year and a half since his diagnosis. "It's really a ride." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Van Der Beek first shared his diagnosis publicly in November, writing on Instagram that he was "getting treatment and dialing in my overall health with greater focus than ever before." The 47-year-old actor, a father of six, has not shared specific details of his diagnosis, which he first received in August 2023, or his treatment. "I was honestly in shock," Van Der Beek recalled to "GMA" after receiving the diagnosis. "I was doing what I thought I needed to do by getting a colonoscopy, which obviously, I did need to do." "I was in amazing cardiovascular shape. I was eating what I thought was healthy, and I had a whole agenda for what I thought my year would be and what I thought my priorities would be in the next couple of weeks and months," he continued. "And the reality that all of that was going to change and take a different trajectory it felt like a nightmare, honestly, at first, that I couldn't quite wake up from. And yeah, it's a lot." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Van Der Beek's decision to announce his diagnosis publicly quickly put a spotlight on the rising rates of colorectal cancer among young people. PHOTO: James Van Der Beek appears on 'Good Morning America,' on Dec. 3, 2024. (ABC News) While cases of colorectal cancer have decreased over the last decade in adults over 55 thanks in large part to cancer screening rates in people younger than 55 are increasing. Colon cancer is now the number-one cause of cancer death among men younger than 50, and the number-two cause of death in women in the same age group, according to the American Cancer Society. In July, new data from the American Cancer Society showed colorectal cancer was one of 17 cancers for which Gen X and Millennials are more at risk than previous generations. James Van Der Beek's diagnosis puts spotlight on rise of colorectal cancer in young people Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2020 death of 43-year-old actor Chadwick Boseman due to colon cancer drew attention to the growing trend. Colorectal cancer, which is cancer that begins in the colon or the rectum, is the fourth most common cancer in men and women and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Van Der Beek said he has leaned on his optimism during the last year as he faced cancer head-on. "There are a couple things that I knew. As soon as I got diagnosed, I knew, all right, this is going to add many happy years to my life," Van Der Beek said. "I'm going to make changes that I never would have made otherwise, that I'm going to look back on in 30 years and say, 'Thank God this happened.' So, what can I do right now in order to make that the case? And that's how it was, about 90% of the time, I would say." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But 10% of the time, I was a sobbing, terrified mess, which I feel like is a pretty good percentage," he continued. "But, yeah, it's been an exercise in just being present to all of it and really just allowing the fear to come up and look at it and also say, 'All right, why is this in my prescription? Why are all these emotions coming up and how can this be great for me?'" James Van Der Beek is a dad of 6: What to know about his family Van Der Beek also said his family especially his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek has been right there next to him, offering much-needed support. "She's been amazing. She's really taught me what unconditional love is," Van Der Beek said of his wife. "And I'm someone who always in the past tried to do everything for everybody and never asked for help myself, and this has put me in a position of having to ask for help and having to receive help. And the beautiful blessing of that has been seeing how many people in my life have shown up." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Van Der Beek said his cancer diagnosis has been scary but at the same time, it has also helped his family grow closer. "They all respond differently. They all hide differently. Some of them are very outward with their fears, and they talk about them and some of them, it manifests in other ways and other behavioral ways or they get really quiet," he said of his kids. "But again, it's also an opportunity for connection, to really go deep with them and ask them, 'How are you feeling?' and be there with them," Van Der Beek added. "It's really scary for them and they had a very close friend pass from an incredibly rare brain tumor at the same time. So there was a lot of cancer talk flying around and a lot of it was really scary ... but they're doing great." Van Der Beek said he hopes that by sharing his story, he can raise awareness of colorectal cancer and the preventative screenings that can help save lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The more I could get the word out to get tested, get your colonoscopies, get scanned even before you have symptoms ... whatever I can do to get that word out," he said. "As amazing and cathartic as this year has been, it's been really tough. If I can help spare anyone the experience of my last year, I would definitely do that." PHOTO: James Van Der Beek appears on 'Good Morning America,' on Dec. 3, 2024. (ABC News) Screening for colorectal cancer typically begins at age 45, according to the CDC, However, there are other factors to consider when determining whether to begin screening earlier, such as certain medical conditions like inflammatory bowel disease or a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps. Regardless of age, anyone with symptoms should talk to their health care provider. Symptoms aren't always present but could include change in bowel habits, bloody stool, diarrhea, constipation or unexplained weight loss, according to the CDC. Regular screening for colorectal cancer should continue through age 75, after which the decision to be screened should be made individually in consultation with your medical provider. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Dec. 9, Van Der Beek will be part of "The Real Full Monty," a two-hour TV special featuring celebrities including Anthony Anderson, Taye Diggs, Bruno Tonioli and others who have each been touched by cancer. Anderson will lead the all-male celebrity cast as they learn and rehearse a striptease dance that they'll then perform in front of a live audience to raise awareness for prostate, testicular and colorectal cancer. The two-hour special will air Dec. 9, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX and stream the next day on Hulu. "I just felt that would be a really good thing to do," Van Der Beek said of his motivation to join "The Real Full Monty." "Just having been in the public eye as long as I have, as soon as it's happened, I thought, 'You know what? There's going to be a purpose to this.' I think by sharing this, I can do some good." The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of ABC News and Hulu. ABC News' Katie Kindelan contributed to this report. James Van Der Beek opens up 1 month after announcing colorectal cancer diagnosis originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com TOKYO (AP) Japans military said it dispatched a surveillance plane and a navy ship Tuesday after spotting a Russian submarine off the coast of a southwestern island near Taiwan. The Russian Kilo-class submarine was sighted just 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of Yonaguni Island, Japans westernmost territory just east of Taiwan, the Japanese Joint Staff said in a statement. The submarine, accompanied by a Russian naval ship, was moving northeast between Yonaguni and the nearby island of Iriomote. It was the first sighting of a Russian submarine in those waters, the Joint Staff said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It added that Japans Self-Defense Forces deployed a combat support ship and a P-3 survey aircraft for warning and reconnaissance operations. There was no breach of Japans territorial waters by the Russian warships, it said. Their passage came one day after the Philippine military reported sighting a Kilo-class Russian submarine in the South China Sea. Japan is increasingly concerned about Chinas growing military activity around the Japanese waters and airspace, and has significantly reinforced its defenses in the area, including remote islands that are key to Japans defense strategy. Japan is also worried about Russias military activity and their joint operations with China. A Chinese frigate on Sunday sailed east of another Japanese southwestern remote island of Miyako. In September, the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning and two destroyers sailed between Yonaguni and Iriomote, entering Japans contiguous zone, an area just outside of a countrys territorial waters in which it can still exercise some control over maritime traffic. Trump-Vance transition team senior adviser Jason Miller dismissed the idea of President Biden pardoning President-elect Trump on Monday night, calling the notion a complete media manipulation. When asked by Foxs Laura Ingraham whether Trump would accept a pardon from Biden, Miller maintained Trump did nothing that would need such an action. At this point, I dont know what Joe Biden is going to pull. I think its nonsense if its some aspect of some PR play he might try to do it. But President Trump did absolutely nothing wrong, thats why everything is disappearing, Miller said on Fox Newss The Ingraham Angle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When pressed again, Miller said he didnt want to speak for the president-elect but suggested the public can see through the media manipulation. Im not going to go and put words in the presidents mouth, but everyone sees exactly whats going on. This is a complete media manipulation by Joe Biden. And quite frankly, the American public does not want to hear what Morning Joe and Mika [Brzezinski] have to say. They want to hear whats going to happen to secure the border and make their bank accounts bigger, Miller said. Biden shook the political world Sunday night with a blanket pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, despite repeatedly saying he wouldnt make such a move. Some Democrats have criticized the pardon, which they see as a political gift to Republicans, who have long complained of the weaponization of the justice system. A jury in Delaware found Hunter Biden guilty of three felonies stemming from his 2018 purchase and possession of a revolver while he used drugs. In California, he later pleaded guilty to nine tax charges to avoid trial in the second case brought by special counsel David Weiss. Sentencing hearings in both cases were roughly two weeks away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hunter Biden asked the federal judges overseeing his criminal cases to dismiss them after the pardon was announced Sunday. 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. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is facing his first big leadership test in the new Trump era as congressional Democrats push for a shakeup in their partys approach to countering the incoming president. A handful of House Democrats are taking the rare step of challenging older and, in their words, ineffective colleagues for coveted committee leadership positions as they look to start a new chapter of Democratic resistance when President-elect Donald Trump takes office and Republicans take control of both chambers of Congress. The Democrat vs. Democrat clash is, in part, a fight over the partys future messengers as it looks to rebuild after crushing losses in 2024. A number of Democrats who were once willing to wait their turn on the leadership ladder have suddenly lost their patience. After watching President Joe Biden wait months to step aside only to hand over the White House to Trump, those Democrats are now more eager to challenge their partys conventions including the sacrosanct principle of seniority in leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In public, Jeffries, a reserved leader who is known for being selective about when he puts his thumb on the scale, has not weighed in on whether he would back Rep. Jamie Raskins challenge to Rep. Jerry Nadler, the long-serving top Democrat on the influential House Judiciary Committee. But several Democrats at Jeffries leadership table have privately been egging on Raskin, who is 16 years Nadlers junior, as they hunt for the best attack dog in Trumps Washington, according to four people familiar with the discussions. Raskin, who currently holds the top Democratic spot on the Houses Oversight panel, is choosing to instead run for Judiciary because he considers it the the headquarters of Congressional opposition to authoritarianism. Our unified Caucus must strategize and organize like never beforeevery single one of us working together every single day until we win the House back in 2026 and then beyond that, Raskin wrote in a letter to fellow Democrats on Monday. From left, Reps. Jared Huffman and Jamie Raskin leave the office of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in the US Capitol on Thursday, July 11. - Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call/Getty Images Jeffries, who served on the Judiciary panel since coming to Congress, has spoken with both Nadler and Raskin, but sources would not divulge what was said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several Democratic members told CNN, speaking on condition of anonymity, that Raskin, a close confidant of leadership through the years, would not have run if Jeffries had urged him against it, though people close to Nadler dispute this. Raskin and Nadler, who are longtime friends, have also spoken multiple times and even met in person in the lead-up to Raskins announcement on Monday. Its not the only rank-and-file rebellion thats taking place against the Democrats old guard. Sixty-year-old Rep. Jared Huffman recently announced he would challenge 76-year-old Raul Grijalva, whos been battling cancer, for the partys top spot on the Natural Resources committee. (Grijalva then announced he wouldnt run.) Two other Democrats are vying to replace Rep. David Scott, who is 79, at the House Agriculture Committee. Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips, whose longshot primary challenge to Biden quickly failed, praised his colleagues for taking on committee leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a proponent of competition over coronations and talent over tenure, Im pleased my colleagues are taking some long-overdue steps in that direction, Phillips told CNN, even though he is retiring and cant vote for the new positions. The intra-party challenges also mark a deeper crossroads House Democrats have arrived at over how to take on Trumps key allies, like House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan and House Oversight James Comer, whose panels co-led a failed impeachment inquiry into Biden and have served as ground zero for high-profile partisan attacks on the Biden White House. Democrats on the Judiciary panel will have to take on Jordans crusade against what Republicans describe as the weaponization of the federal government, while Oversight committee Democrats will be the counter against Comers push to carry out Trumps desire to cut significant parts of the federal government. Rep. Jerry Nadler speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill on November 20 in Washington, DC. - Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images Both Nadler and Raskin are no stranger to public fights with their Republican counterparts but have shown their resistance takes different forms. In the 11-month impeachment inquiry into Biden that Republicans conducted this Congress, Raskin continually got in sparring matches with Comer in hearings and became a regular fixture on cable news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jamie Raskin made mincemeat out of Comer over and over again in the 118th Congress. If that is any indication of how he would do leading the Judiciary Committee, its going to be something that a lot of Democrats want to see, Huffman, who is supporting Raskin, told CNN. Nadler who led both impeachments against Trump and has spent seven years as top Democrat on the panel has his own loyalties within the caucus. Hes revered by many progressives and has already endured a number of cutthroat campaigns, including a nasty congressional primary against a fellow Democratic chairman just two years ago. Throughout the impeachment investigation, Jeffries appeared to defer to committee Democrats at every turn and only got involved when needed. Behind the scenes, Democrats were constantly deliberating when to respond to Republican claims and when doing so would only amplify the GOP efforts. By challenging Nadler, Raskins vacancy on Oversight offers an opportunity for a deep bench to throw their hats in the ring. Democratic Reps. Stephen Lynch and Gerry Connolly, who have both run for the top post before, are considering trying again, sources tell CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But they will have to contend with younger members like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is also weighing whether to leapfrog the seniority on the committee and lead a new era of pushback against Republicans. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com This is an adapted excerpt from the Dec. 2 episode of "Inside with Jen Psaki." Its getting to be that time when the news cycle is so crazy that some of the wildest storylines out of Trump world start to fly under the radar. Thats what happened this past weekend when Donald Trump announced his choice to be ambassador to France a position once held by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. On Saturday, Trump announced on social media he would give that plum diplomatic post to New Jersey real estate mogul Charles Kushner, father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner. Like Trump, the elder Kushner has also faced allegations of corruption throughout his life as he built up a family empire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, if youre curious why Kushner wasnt in Trumps last administration, it might be because hes a convicted felon. Back in 2004, Kushner pleaded guilty to 18 federal charges, arising from hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal campaign donations he made as a New Jersey political power broker. Kushner admitted to violating election laws, tax evasion and witness tampering. He ended up serving two years in federal prison. Seems like a typical story out of the Trump orbit, right? A wealthy convicted felon whos a friend of the family. But actually, no one in Trumps inner circle has ever done what Kushner did to obstruct justice. Back in 2003, when the federal grand jury investigation of Kushner began, the jury heard evidence from two key witnesses: Kushners sister and her husband. When he pleaded guilty, Kushner acknowledged that after he found out some members of his family were cooperating with authorities, he arranged to have a prostitute seduce his brother-in-law in a motel room in New Jersey where video cameras were installed. The plot succeeded and Kushner later had a videotape sent to his sister. Then-U.S. Attorney Chris Christie called it one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes he had prosecuted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in Trumps last days as president in 2020, he gave the elder Kushner a presidential pardon, one that was roundly criticized even among his many other questionable pardons. And now Trump wants him to be the ambassador in Paris and the top diplomat to one of Americas oldest nuclear-armed allies. The ambassador to a country where they have the internet and Google and certainly know all about Kushners past. This would be bigger news if not for the avalanche of alarming reports surrounding Trumps other nominees. But guess what? Kushner isnt even the only presidential in-law named to get a job this week. On Sunday, Trump announced on social media that he was naming Massad Boulos to be a senior White House adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs. Boulos is a Lebanese American businessman and the CEO of SCOA Nigeria, a billion-dollar auto company. He has no diplomatic experience, but he is the father-in-law of Trumps daughter Tiffany Trump. So, I guess the question is: Just how many important government positions can you hand out to wealthy friends and family, including convicted felons with no relevant experience, before that government crumbles under the weight of its own corruption? I honestly dont know the answer. But we may be about to find out. Allison Detzel contributed. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Sen. George Helmy (D-N.J.) will step down on Sunday to allow Sen.-elect Andy Kim to serve the rest of his term. It has been the honor of a lifetime representing the people of New Jersey in the Senate and I am eternally grateful to [Gov. Phil] Murphy for entrusting me with this responsibility, Helmy said in a statement. Looking back on my now 85 days and counting in this office, I am proud of the work my team and I have been able to accomplish. The announcement from Helmy, formerly a top aide to Murphy and Sen. Cory Booker, does not come as a surprise. When Murphy announced he was appointing Helmy to the interim Senate position, he said that Helmy will resign once the states election results are certified. The winner of the 2024 New Jersey Senate election would serve the rest of the current term, Murphy said at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kim, who currently serves in the House of Representatives, won the Senate race in New Jersey. Murphy said in a statement that he would appoint Kim to serve the rest of the term, which is roughly one month, before Kim is sworn in for a full six-year term. Helmy was chosen by Murphy to fill the seat opened by the resignation of Sen. Bob Menendez following his federal conviction. Helmy will be one of the shortest-serving senators in U.S. history. He is the only Arab American serving in the Senate. In his less than three months on the job, Helmy has spoken on the Senate floor on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, visited Jordan, called for more federal authorities to remedy housing in Atlantic City and went on the stump for Vice President Kamala Harris in Michigan when she was running for president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, Kim and Helmy were on opposite sides of New Jersey's U.S. Senate race. New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy who is close to Helmy ran in the Democratic primary but dropped out before the June election. Helmy ultimately supported Kims candidacy against GOP hotelier Curtis Bashaw and in a Tuesday statement welcomed Kim to the Senate. Andy and I have worked closely since his being elected to ensure a seamless transition and I have made myself readily available over the coming weeks to support this process, Helmy said in a statement. I look forward to witnessing what he will accomplish in the elevated role. Kim is expected to be sworn in Dec. 9. BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Brunei launched a digital education initiative for autistic children on Tuesday, local media reported. The initiative introduces a tailored digital education platform specifically designed for autistic children to equip them with tools to enhance their academic, social, and communication skills, while empowering parents and teachers to support their development, according to the local daily Borneo Bulletin. Mohammad Nazri, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications of Brunei, said the initiative is in line with the Digital Economy Masterplan 2025, which promotes inclusivity and fosters a digital society. Brunei is an oil-rich country located in the northern part of Borneo Island, with a population of 340,000 citizens and a high level of social welfare. JESSAMINE COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) Giving back to the community they servethats what law enforcement in Jessamine County will be doing on Saturday through a unique program. Its called Cops N Kids. Its been going on for a few years now. President of the Jessamine County Fraternal Order of Police, Deputy Matt Lytle, said the goal is to help connect law enforcement and the community. In 2023, more than 200 children from across the county got the chance to go on a $150 shopping spree at Walmart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These children are chosen from across the different schools in the county based on where the greatest needs are. Lytle said seeing the smiles on kids faces when they get the gift theyve been waiting for is always a rewarding experience. Read more of the latest Lexington & central Kentucky news It also reinforces the important relationship between law enforcement and the community. A lot of kids, they see us on bad days, bad situations, Lytle explained. We want our community and our kids here to realize that cops, law enforcement, and firemenany kind of emergency personnelare there to help them. Thats our job. Our main goal is to make sure theyre safe and secure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While this tradition has an immense impact on the kids, it also has an impact on the law enforcement community in Jessamine County. Lytle said the law enforcement community as a whole in the county, its about making an impact where they can. Many officers will show up on their days off to be at this event because they know how much joy it brings the kids and their families. Retired first responders would come each year as well. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lytle also said that with how small and close-knit the community is in Jessamine County, this program has an impact that spans generations. There are actually a couple of officers that come that have actually been a member and a participant in the Cops N Kids program in their past, Lytle said. A couple of them grew up in a foster home and they were participants, and they have got to come and basically do the same thing that they got to do years ago but be on the other side of it and give back. The shopping spree will happen on Saturday and until then, the FOP is accepting donations so they can shop for as many kids as possible, even more than what they are planning to shop for. You can donate via Venmo or PayPal to FrontierLodge73. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can also deliver a check to the FOP lodge located at 105 Contract Ct. in Nicholasville. 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. First lady Jill Biden will travel to Paris on Saturday for the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, her office announced on Tuesday. She will already be abroad and travel from Doha, Qatar, to Paris that day before returning home to Washington on Sunday. President-elect Trump is also planning to attend the reopening on Saturday in Paris, and in announcing his trip, he praised French President Emmanuel Macron for his work restoring the cathedral. President Emmanuel Macron has done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so, he wrote on Truth Social. It will be a very special day for all! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first lady and Trump recently were together at the White House when the president-elect sat down with President Bideen last month as part of the presidential transition process. The Notre Dame Cathedral suffered a devastating fire, with its spire and wooden latticework of its roof collapsing in the spring of 2019. According to the Notre Dame Cathedrals website, there will be reopening ceremonies next Saturday and Sunday. The reopening is part of a multiday trip for Jill Biden, during which she will focus on her initiatives as first lady before leaving office in January. The first lady is set to leave for Italy on Tuesday to visit the Naval Air Station Sigonella in Catania as part of an initiative for military families. She will then travel to Abu Dhabi on Wednesday for a visit for the Biden Cancer Moonshot initiative and on Thursday will travel to Doha for a visit for her womens health initiative. 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. Jimmy Kimmel has defended President Joe Bidens decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden joking that theres a very good chance the president doesnt remember previously saying he wouldnt. Alarm bells sounded on both sides of the political aisle on Sunday when Biden granted his son clemency for federal crimes committed between January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024 claiming the 54-year-old was selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted by the Department of Justice. Biden had previously ruled out pardoning his son and so the sudden change of heart prompted backlash from Republicans as well as some Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Jimmy Kimmel Live host weighed in on the saga on Monday nights show, conceding that the president did indeed vow not to pardon Hunter. But Kimmel joked that Biden, who culled his re-election campaign in July amid speculation around his mental acuity, may not remember saying that. Yes, Joe Biden did say he wasnt going to pardon Hunter, but to be fair theres a very good chance he doesnt remember saying that, Kimmel quipped. Jimmy Kimmel teased that President Joe Biden might not remember saying he wouldnt pardon Hunter (ABC/YouTube) Kimmel noted that Bidens unprecedented pardoning of his own child with Hunter making history as the first son of an incumbent president to be criminally convicted may be due to the 82-year-old entering his grandpa doesnt give a damn phase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one has more to be thankful for this weekend than Hunter Biden, Kimmel teased about the Thanksgiving holiday. I am not a presidential historian, but I believe this is the first time a US president has pardoned both his son and a turkey in the same week. He continued: Biden released a statement saying that the charges in Hunters case were politically motivated and his son was selectively and unfairly prosecuted. In other words, the Biden presidency has now entered the grandpa doesnt give a damn about you stage. Presidents have the power to grant clemency, including both pardons (forgiving federal criminal offenses) and commutations (reducing penalties) for federal convictions. They cannot, however, pardon those convicted of state crimes. Joe Biden and Hunter Biden in downtown Nantucket, Massachusetts, on November 29 over Thanksgiving weekend (REUTERS) In June, Hunter was convicted of three federal gun charges related to his purchase of a firearm in 2018. Three months later, he pleaded guilty to nine federal tax charges in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was facing sentencing in both cases later this month. Now, Hunter will no longer be sentenced and will avoid jail time. Trump responded with fury on Sunday to Bidens pardon and suggested pardoning his supporters charged for their involvement in the January 6 Capitol riots. Of course, Trump moved on this news like a b****, Kimmel said on Monday, adding that Hunters pardoning doesnt of course translate to the release of the Capitol rioters. But it would be pretty funny if it did. I hereby pardon my son Hunter and, what the hell, the QAnon shaman too. Kimmel noted that Trump also pardoned Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law Jared, during his first term before naming him the US ambassador to France in his second. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added: Everyone who voted to let a 34-time convicted felon off the hook is very mad about Joe Biden letting his son off the hook. And by the way, I dont necessarily disagree the guy committed crimes. But lets take a stroll through reality here: not only did Trump pardon his son-in-law Jareds dad, who went to prison for hiring a hooker to frame his own brother-in-law, this weekend, he named that same man US ambassador to France. JK Rowling has accused transgender activists of rewriting history by downgrading the abuse she has suffered for her views. Last week, The New York Times published a piece on transgender activists rethinking their all-or-nothing approach and referenced the backlash against critics such as the Harry Potter author as unsparing criticism. It said that her views led a few angry critics to post videos of themselves burning books and that she was accused of betraying real feminism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The author hit back and said she had been sent thousands of threats of murder, rape and violence. JK Rowling tweets that Dr Hillary Cass, an endocrinologist, was advised not to travel by public transport for her own safety - Yui Mok/PA The Edinburgh-based author wrote on X (formerly Twitter): The rewriting of history begins. Opponents of gender ideology havent merely endured unsparing criticism. I havent simply been told I betrayed real feminism or received a few book-burning videos. Ive been sent thousands of threats of murder, rape and violence. A trans woman posted my familys home address with a bomb-making guide. I could write a 20,0000-word essay on what the consequences have been to me and my family, and what weve endured is NOTHING compared to the harm done to others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JK Rowling went on to write that gender-critical activists have been smears and defamed by standing up to a movement that relies on threats of violence, ostracisation and guilt-by-association. But many have lost their livelihoods. Some have been physically assaulted by trans activists. Female politicians have been forced to hire personal security on the advice of police. The news that one of the UKs leading endocrinologists, Dr Hillary Cass, was advised not to travel by public transport for her own safety should shame everyone who let this insanity run amok. Lest we forget, gender apostates have been targeted for crimes such as doubting the evidential basis for transitioning children, for arguing for fair sport for women and girls, for wanting to retain single-sex spaces and services, especially for the most vulnerable, and for thinking it barbaric to lock in female prisoners with convicted male sex offenders. JK Rowling writes the effects of gender ideology are still a long way off - Carl Court/Getty Images Europe Rowling wrote that the political landscape has shifted and those who have participated in aggressive trans activism are waking up with a hell of a hangover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyve started wondering whether calling Left-wing feminists who wanted all-female rape centres Nazis was such a smart strategy. Maybe parents arguing that boys ought not to be robbing their daughters of sporting opportunities might, sort of, have a point? Possibly letting any man who says Im a woman into the locker room with twelve-year-old girls could have a downside, after all? Mealy-mouthed retconning of what has actually happened over the past ten years is predictable but will not stand. I dont doubt those whove turned a blind eye to the purges of non-believers, or even applauded and encouraged them, would rather minimise what the true cost of speaking out was, but yes, maybe trans activists went a little over the top at times takes are frankly insulting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The author wrote that a full understanding of the effect of gender ideology on individuals, society and politics is still a long way off. However, she added: The receipts will make very ugly reading when that time comes, and there are far too many of them to sweep politely under the carpet. 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. How quickly we forget. On the morn of President Bidens pardon of his son Hunter, there is nary a column inch about who Trump pardoned before he left office. All the pearl clutchers elected Democrats and liberal political commentators alike have been lamenting that Biden lied or broke his promise not to pardon his son. Meanwhile, Trumps pardons of multiple figures who could incriminate him criminally or merely for political corruption are going unmentioned. So, lets take a little trip down the Trump pardon memory hole: We will start with the odious Paul Manafort. He had all kinds of connections to possible Trump crimes. Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska hired him to run his influence operation in Ukraine, which included lobbying for an accused murderer seeking investment opportunities for his corrupt company, as well as running the political campaign of Viktor Yanukovych, the corrupt Ukrainian politician who would be elected president and then ousted in a peaceful revolution. Manafort met repeatedly with a Russian GRU agent working for Deripaska, Konstantin Kilimnik, while serving as Trumps 2016 campaign manager and even transferred Trump polling information to him. Manafort was convicted on multiple counts of bank fraud and money laundering associated with his corrupt work in Ukraine. He lied to investigators looking into Trumps Russia ties. He had connections to Trumps so-called foreign policy adviser, Michael Flynn, whom Trump appointed as his first national security adviser, and who was ousted from that position after serving just two weeks for lying to the FBI about his connections to Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. Trump pardoned Flynn, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He pardoned George Papadopolous, another of his so-called foreign policy advisers, who met with Russian GRU agents in London offering dirt on Hillary Clinton during the 2016 campaign. Papadopolous was convicted of lying to the FBI about the Trump connections to Russia. Trump pardoned the execrable Roger Stone, who was Trumps cut-out to the Russian intelligence computer hackers who stole Hillary Clintons and Democratic Party emails and published them just before the 2016 election to undercut the Clinton campaign. Stone was another Trump crony convicted of lying under oath and obstructing a congressional investigation into Trumps collusion with Russians during his 2016 campaign. Trump pardoned Alex van der Zwaan, a lawyer who was convicted of lying about his conversations with Manaforts partner and Trump campaign official Rick Gates concerning Russia collusion. Trump also pardoned Steve Bannon, who along with Stone, had connections to the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys and One Percenters during the run-up to the Jan. 6 insurrection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Are we seeing a pattern here? You bet. Each of Trumps pardons listed above was to benefit himself. During his time in the White House, Trump repeatedly waved the promise of pardons to keep his co-conspirators from cooperating with investigations he faced. Shutting up Manafort alone helped him in his first impeachment for attempting to blackmail Ukrainian President Zelenskyy into opening a fake investigation in Ukraine of Joe Biden and his son Hunter. This created a savage backlash against Hunter Biden that was carried out for years by James Comer and his House Oversight Committee, which held countless hearings into what Comer called the Biden crime family. Shutting up Michael Flynn got Trump out of his connections to Sergey Kislyak, who Trump invited to a meeting in the Oval Office, along with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the day after he had fired FBI Director James Comey because Comey had opened an investigation into the Trump campaigns Russia connections. Lets stop to consider what were talking about here. The first foreign official Trump invited into the Oval Office after becoming president was one Russian who had repeated meetings and phone calls with Trump campaign officials, and the Russian government official who, along with Vladimir Putin, controlled the Russian intelligence agents who were eventually indicted for hacking Democrats emails and interfering with the 2016 election. Trump ended up pardoning several people who in one way or another had connections to these two men. Lavrov would go on to have key involvement in Putins decision to invade Ukraine, the country whose president Trump had tried to blackmail, and to which his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, and his former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, had multiple corrupt connections involving money, political influence, and Russian oligarchs close to Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is what Trump was doing with his pardon power. And now President Biden has pardoned his son Hunter, explaining in a letter that raw politics had influenced his sons prosecution and led to a miscarriage of justice. The raw politics of Washington D.C. as we head into another four years of rule by Donald Trump involves pre-planned miscarriage of justice. The Project 2025 plan that Trump claimed he had nothing to do with before appointing four of its authors to his Cabinet has an entire section devoted to exacting revenge on political opponents of Trump. It is a cliche to say that the gloves are off, but that is the situation Donald Trump has purposefully created. He has threatened to investigate and prosecute anyone who was ever involved in investigating and prosecuting him. That would include Robert Mueller and his entire team of investigators and federal prosecutors. Of course, special counsel Jack Smith and his entire office, which includes FBI investigators and federal prosecutors, some of whom came out of retirement to work on the Trump investigation, are on Trumps list for retribution. Kash Patel, Trumps prospective FBI Director, has given several interviews about his plans to investigate anyone who has ever so much as picked up a pencil to bother his master. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Joe Biden has his work cut out for him. He should empower an entire staff in the White House to begin working on blanket pardons for all the people mentioned above, plus members of the House of Representatives and the Senate who were involved in the two Trump impeachments and the House Jan. 6 committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Biden pardon team should also take a serious look at the many reporters, columnists, and television news hosts who have stood up to Trump over the last eight years. That is another long list of people that Donald Trump has threatened to prosecute for simply doing their jobs as reporters, commentators, and cable news hosts. That old aphorism when they go low, we go high was BS when it entered the political lexicon, and its a guarantee of a prison sentence at this point. There is no high road in the age of Donald Trump and his MAGA team of toadies and lackeys who are sworn to carry out the campaign of retribution Trump demands. The Democratic Party isnt just a political party anymore. It is an association of Americans who are under attack merely for their political beliefs. Loyalty to the Constitution and swearing to uphold its rights and guarantees of freedom has been turned into a crime by Donald Trump. People like Elon Musk and Leonard Leo are probably adding names to the list of enemies they would like to see behind bars for committing various crimes that arent crimes at all. Nobody is safe. Trump has promised to build internment camps for undocumented immigrants he has declared war against. You wont have to lack an American passport or work permit to be ushered into the walls of those camps once theyre built. Trump has gone to war against the America we have known. We dont need to ask ourselves what this country has done to deserve the war Trump has planned against us. Biden needs to deploy his pardon power as a weapon in that war, and the Democratic Party needs to start recruiting not only followers but fighters. This is going to be an ugly four years, and it is way past time to prepare ourselves Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) has weighed in on President Joe Biden offering a blanket pardon to his son Hunter Biden, shielding him from criminal gun and tax charges. The soon-to-be-retired independent, who caucuses with the Democrats, was not overly critical of the move by the president, who had previously pledged not to pardon his son but he did offer one unusual idea. As a father, I dont know of a father that wouldnt have done the same thing, Manchin told CNN. What I would have done differently, my recommendations as a counsel would have been, why dont you go ahead and pardon Donald Trump for all his charges? He argued that the move would have gone down a lot, lot more balanced, if you will, adding: Im just saying wipe them out. On Sunday, Biden announced that he had signed a pardon for his son. Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter, Biden wrote in a statement. From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Departments decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hunter Biden was convicted earlier this year on federal gun charges, and later pleaded guilty to federal tax charges. The president told David Muir of ABC News in June that he would not pardon his son for his conviction, responding yes when asked if he would rule out a pardon. He reiterated that stance shortly afterward. I will not pardon him, he said while speaking at an event a week after his interview with Muir. Trump doesnt exactly need a pardon from Biden in order to escape legal trouble his 2024 election win likely already ensured that. It has long been the Justice Departments policy that a sitting president cannot be prosecuted. Last week, Special Counsel Jack Smith announced he was dropping his criminal election interference and classified documents cases against the president-elect, based on the Justice Department policy. Smith wrote that the departments Office of Legal Counsel determined that its prior opinions concerning the Constitutions prohibition on federal indictment and prosecution of a sitting president apply to this situation and that as a result this prosecution must be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated. 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. Joe Manchin, the outgoing Democratic Senator from West Virginia best known for frequently breaking with his party in order to stymie passage of popular legislation, has some final advice for Joe Biden following the pardon of his son, Hunter Biden: Why not also pardon someone who attempted a coup? Manchin told CNNs Manu Raju on Monday that while he sympathizes with the pardoning, he thinks Biden could have made it more balanced if he also pardoned Donald Trump. As a father, I dont know a father that wouldnt have done the same thing. What I would have done differently, Manchin said, my recommendations to the counsel would have been, why dont you go ahead and pardon Donald Trump for all his charges and make it, you know, itd have gone down a lot more balanced, if you will. Im just saying, wipe them out. Manchin added that the pardon also makes it difficult to assess Bidens legacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch the clip below: Biden announced on Sunday that we was pardoning Hunter for any crimes committed between 2014 and Dec. 1, 2024. Among other reasons, Biden wrote, No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunters cases can reach any other conclusion Hunter was singled out because hes my son and that is wrong. Read more here. The move has of course been criticized by members of the press and by certain centrist elements within the Democratic Party, as well as by Donald Trump and Republicans. Meanwhile, left out of Manchins comment as well as as from the complaints from other offended parties is any mention of the dozens of pardons Donald Trump issued during his time as president, such as his last-minute pardons of multiple criminally convicted associated including Roger Stone and Paul Manafort. Manchin also did not mention Trumps massive pardon blitz the day before he left office, which included Steve Bannon and multiple other people whose crimes ranged from operating as unregistered foreign agents to fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Manchin did not also note that the majority of charges against Trump stem from literal attempts to overthrow the government after losing the 2020 election. However, it is true that by pardoning Hunter, Biden has unmistakably broken a promise he specifically made not to use presidential pardon power to help his son out of his legal woes. Its unclear why Biden didnt seem to consider what was happening to Hunter as a politically driven attack sooner. Though of course, while he didnt promise it, in 2020 Biden did indicate that he was a transitional political figure, implying he wouldnt run for reelection; he of course ended up doing so, until his confused, doddering debate appearance in June against Trump ended up leading him to drop out. As for whether Biden should take Manchins advice, its worth noting that it comes almost 3 years exactly after Manchin broke several explicit promises and practically single-handedly killed Bidens signature Build Back Better bill while also appearing to deliberately snub the president at the same time. The post Joe Manchin Says Bidens Pardon of Hunter Would Be More Balanced if He Also Pardoned Trump | Video appeared first on TheWrap. Independent West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, a former Democrat, has said that President Joe Bidens pardon of his son Hunter would have been more balanced had he also pardoned President-elect Donald Trump. As a father, I dont know a father that wouldnt have done the same thing, Manchin told CNN Monday. What I would have done differently, and my recommendation as a counsel would have been, Why dont you go ahead and pardon Donald Trump, for all his charges? he added. It would have gone down a lot more balanced, if you will. Im just saying, wipe them out, apparently referring to Bidens critics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden announced the pardon of Hunter in a Sunday statement, arguing that the charges brought against his son, which include a federal gun conviction and a guilty plea to tax charges, were politically motivated to harm him. No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunters cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son and that is wrong, said Biden. The president and his spokespeople have repeatedly said that he wouldnt pardon his son. There has been an effort to break Hunter who has been five and a half years sober, even in the face of unrelenting attacks and selective prosecution, said Biden. In trying to break Hunter, theyve tried to break me and theres no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough. Sen. Joe Manchin speaks to reporters before an afternoon vote at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, earlier this year. He has suggested that Joe Biden pardon Donald Trump (Getty Images) Manchin said the pardon makes it difficult to evaluate Bidens legacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump was quick to react to the pardon Sunday, writing on Truth Social: Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice! The former president was referring to those who took part in the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. Trump has often said at campaign he plans to pardon at least several of the rioter. He also may attempt to pardon himself once in office to eradicated the federal charges for his role in the insurrection and his alleged mishandling of classified documents. Special Counsel Jack Smith, however, has already moved to dismiss both cases because of the Justice Departments policy of not prosecuting sitting presidents. These cases, like all of the other cases I have been forced to go through, are empty and lawless, and should never have been brought, Trump said on Truth Social last Monday. Over $100 Million Dollars of Taxpayer Dollars has been wasted in the Democrat Partys fight against their Political Opponent, ME. Nothing like this has ever happened in our Country before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As president, Trump pardoned a number of prominent figures, such as the real estate executive Charles Kushner, the father of Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner. Trump recently appointed the elder Kushner to be his ambassador to France. Trump also pardoned his former chief strategist Steve Bannon, his former campaign manager Paul Manafort, longtime ally Roger Stone, and his former national security adviser Michael Flynn. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) A child born on Christmas day on a plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana, left home with $32 in his pocket on a spiritual journey that would lead him to become dean of a college theology department, the principal of a Black school in Shreveport, a minister in Baptist churches from Louisiana to Tennessee, the Vice-President of both the Louisiana Baptist State Convention and the Louisiana Baptist State Sunday School Convention, and General Field Secretary of the Educational Board of the National Baptist Convention of the United States. Bishop John Harris Henderson was born on Christmas day in 1872 near Bayou Sara on the Old Independence Plantation. Other plantations in the immediate area included Star Hill Plantation and Richland Plantation. We find proof of the existence of Independence Plantation and others on Bayou Sara because of a war claim that was taken before the Claims Commission on Mar. 3, 1871. During the proceedings of the war claim, Marie P. Evans asked the United States to pay her for stores and property taken by U.S. troops in 1862 during the second occupation of Baton Rouge under commander General Thomas Williams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To understand the enormity of plantations on Bayou Sara, we examine Evans claim that Union troops stole, from her plantation, $15,000 worth of furniture from 21 rooms in the mansion, 500 hogsheads of refined sugar, 900 barrels of molasses, 1000 empty barrels, 800 cords of wood, 40 miles, 15 wagons, 20 carts, 5000 bushels of corn, 100 tons of hay, six horses, five barrels of brandy, six barrels of bourbon, ten baskets of champagne, two casks of claret wine, 200 hotels of claret wine, 40 barrels of rosin, 20 barrels of pickled pork, 500 pounds of bulk pork, 20 barrels of pickled beef, 40 head of cows, 135 head of meat cattle, three buggies, fixtures from the mansion, engines, machinery, books from the library, silverware, and more. A witness to the Union Armys removal of said goods lived on Independence Plantation. We also learn in the Congressional document, specifically the Reports of Committees of The House of Representatives for the Second Session of the Forty-Third Congress, that Marie P. Evans left Louisiana and lived in Paris, France, for the duration of the Civil War. What we know of Johns childhood on the Independence Plantation near Bayou Sara is limited. He was said to have been blessed with incredible physical strength, splitting 400 rails per day while quite young, according to the author William Hicks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johns parents were Protestant Christians, doting on the spiritual needs of their nine children until all of them became believers. One of Johns brothers, Bishop Thomas Fields Henderson, became the pastor of their familys home church. Thomas baptized John in 1886, and in 1892, John was licensed to preach at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in New Iberia. Shreveport man born in 1869 established schools, led churches, worked with Booker T Washington At once, John understood that he needed to prepare for the ministry. He was befriended by Dr. E. N. Smith at Howe Institute in New Ibearia, and in 1893, John graduated from Howe. He then attended Leland University, where he graduated in May 1897. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John was ordained in 1901 before graduating from Virginia Union University in 1902. Image of John Harrish Henderson found in The National Cyclopedia of the Colored Race, published in 1919. He married Rainy Butler in December 1902 and became the Dean of the Theological Department at Coleman College, which was then located in Gibsland, Louisiana. John and Rainey had four kids: Leona, Joseph, Harvey, and John, Jr. John accepted a call to Trinity Baptist Church in Shreveport in 1903, and he during his time he moved the congregation from Lone Star Hall to a beautiful building valued at $8,000 just after the turn of the century. He also organized Henderson Chapel in Shreveport and served as the Principal of the 13th District Academy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John added 200 members to the roll during his time at Trinity Baptist Church. He also founded Henderson Chapel Baptist Church in 1908 and was elected Pastor for life at the chapel. He organized the Baptist Ministers Union in Shreveport. In 1910, John left Shreveport for Minden, where he became the pastor of First Baptist Church and built one of the most modern church buildings in Louisiana. He became the Vice-President of the Louisiana Baptist State Convention and the Louisiana Baptist State Sunday School convention before leaving Louisiana to become the pastor of Roanoke Baptist Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Roanoke Baptist Church in Hot Springs erected a frame building at the corner of Whittington and Ozark in 1868, just after the end of the Civil War. The congregation was formed by enslaved peoples who held church services under a brush arbor. Merritt Mauzey, BRUSH ARBOR, lithograph on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, gift of the arts in memory of his wife Maggie, 1969. The church also started the very first school for Black children in Hot Springs, Arkansas history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While John pastored Roanoke, he erected a new $35,000 building, raising as much as $4619 during one fundraiser. John was appointed as the General Field Secretary of the Educational Board of the National Baptist Convention of the United States in 1917. He was also a member of the Federal Alliance of the Church as of Christ in America. He left Roanoke to become the pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1917. Sources: Reports of Committees of the House of Representatives for the Second Session of the Forty-Third Congress, 1874-75, printed by the Government Printing Office in Washington, 1875. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Time Tour: Hot Springs earliest churches, by Elizabeth Robbins of the Garland County Historical Society. The National Cyclopedia of the Colored Race, by Clement Richardson, Editor-in-Chief, President of Lincoln Institute, Jefferson City, Mo, National Publishing Company, Inc., Montgomery, Alabama, 1919. The book was recommended highly to all Americans, with the hope that a perusal of it will bring a better understanding and a warmer spirit of friendship and inspiration to both races, by the Principal of Tuskegee Institute. History of Louisiana Negro Baptists from 1804 to 1914, William Hicks, National Baptist Publishing Board, Nashville, Tenn. Jaclyn Tripp took the lead on this article. 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 KTALnews.com. "No one deserves to go through what you went through," Geraldo Rivera told John Ramsey on NewsNations 'Cuomo' Donna Svennevik/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; ABL Studio/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock; Kevin Mazur/Getty John Ramsey; JonBenet Ramsey; Geraldo Rivera John Ramsey; JonBenet Ramsey; Geraldo Rivera The father of JonBenet Ramsey, the 6-year-old who was found murdered in the basement of her familys Colorado home nearly 30 years ago, accepted an apology from journalist Geraldo Rivera over the mock murder trial he staged on TV. On Monday, Dec. 2, on NewsNations Cuomo, Rivera apologized to John Ramsey for the mock trial he held about the case on his daytime talk show, The Geraldo Rivera Show, in 1997, saying, I deeply apologize to you for what you and your family have suffered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rivera's "jury" found the parents liable for their daughter's death, according to NewsNation. He added, No one deserves to go through what you went through. That's my bottom line. And when I walk around and it is with stories like yours in my head over the last 54 years of my career, I, it is a burden to me. It's a soulful burden. And again, man to man, to you, I apologize, and I am sorry for everything you have gone through, John. John responded, Geraldo, I accept your apology and thank you. John has long been open about what he considers to be missteps made by authorities when investigating JonBenets murder amid an international media frenzy he believes only made things worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John, along with his wife Patsy, who has since died, quickly became persons of interest, after their daughter was found beaten, sexually assaulted and strangled to death on Dec. 26, 1996. Earlier that morning, Patsy found a ransom note demanding $118,000 in exchange for JonBenets safe return. Nobody in the Ramsey family has ever been charged and while several people fell under suspicion, no arrests have been made in connection with the case. 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 infamous cold case has made its way back into the spotlight following the November release of the Netflix three-part docuseries Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey?. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of its release, John spoke with PEOPLE about what he believes needs to happen in order to make progress in finding his daughters killer. JonBenet Ramsey and John Ramsey; PEOPLE's Dec. 9, 2024 cover story Related: JonBenet Ramsey's Dad John Thinks He Knows Who Murdered Her and Claims 'Police Blew It Off' (Exclusive) He said he would like state-of-the-art labs that use genetic genealogy and other advanced DNA technology to crack the cold case by examining seven items from the crime scene that he claimed have never been tested or were examined with outdated methods. We're begging the police to engage, he told PEOPLE last month. There are cutting-edge DNA labs that want to help and who believe they can move the case forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the Boulder Police Department recently disputed any characterization that they were not pursuing all leads and said progress is being made in the investigation. Related: In Update on JonBenet Ramsey Investigation, Police Admit Certain Things 'Could've Been Done Better' The assertion that there is viable evidence and leads we are not pursuing to include DNA testing is completely false, the department said in a Nov. 26 post on X, formerly Twitter. Additionally, it was the Boulder Police Department not the Colorado Bureau of Investigation who convened the Cold Case Review Panel in December 2023 as part of its investigation efforts, the post added. Boulder Police Public Information Officer Dionne Waugh told PEOPLE in a statement on Monday, Dec. 2, "Its obvious that the Boulder Police Department wants to solve this case and the only reason is to bring justice to the victim JonBenet Ramsey. TOKYO, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Electric kick scooter traffic violations remain a persistent issue in Japan, despite the relaxation of regulations following revisions to the road traffic law in July last year, local media reported Tuesday. "Some users have repeatedly violated the law," Daiki Okai, president of Luup Inc., a Tokyo-based e-scooter sharing service company, told Jiji Press. He suggested that stricter penalties for repeat offenders could help curb such behavior. Data from the National Police Agency revealed that authorities addressed 25,156 e-scooter traffic violations between July 2023 and July 2024. Over half of these cases involved scooters being illegally driven on sidewalks, according to Jiji Press. Under current regulations, e-scooters are required to operate on vehicle lanes. However, they may be used on sidewalks if they meet specific conditions, such as maintaining a speed of no more than 6 km per hour. Okai expressed optimism about reducing violations. Since June 2024, Luup has implemented stricter measures against rule-breaking in collaboration with law enforcement and other organizations. Jon Stewart is also frustrated with President Joe Bidens pardon of his son Hunter Biden, but not for the same reasons as most Democratic pundits. On Sunday, President Biden announced he would be pardoning his son, even though he previously said he would not interfere with the decision-making process of the Justice Department. Earlier this year, Hunter was convicted of three federal firearms-related felony charges and indicted on one count of tax evasion and two counts of filing false returns. Fine. Its his right. Hes an 82-year-old man. He doesnt want to spend the rest of his life visiting his son in prison. Republicans get away with this st all the time, Stewart said on The Daily Show on Monday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Comedy Central host went on to say that hypocrisy isnt illegal nor is it unusual in politics. Its not like hes ever going to run again. So why not take care of your kid, even if you said you werent going to? Stewart asked. I respect it. I dont have a problem with it. The problem is the rest of the Democrats made Bidens pledge to not pardon Hunter the foundation of their defense of America, this grand experiment. Stewart went on to say that Democrats made Bidens promise a case for why Americans should believe in our system. That, he argued, is a problem because these sorts of arguments backfire again and again, putting the alleged moral high ground of the party into question. At every turn, Democrats keep getting caught in a purity test for a system that they cant seem to pass themselves, Stewart explained. To back up his argument, he showed a clip of Biden rebuking former President Donald Trump for keeping classified files in Mar-a-Lago before defending himself for keeping files in his garage. Stewart also pointed to when Biden fist-bumped Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after speaking out against the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as well as when he barred asylum seekers despite saying he would never do such a thing. The distance between the system Democrats say they are revering and the one that theyre using when they need to is why people think its rigged, Stewart concluded. Use the rules. Use the loopholes. Fk the norms. But also, use it to help the people, not just those people related to you. All of us are somebodys son or somebodys daughter. And we all need that break, too. Because if theres one thing Ive learned, especially this weekend, its that everyone deserves a chance to fly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you didnt assume Stewart tried to sing those last six words, this is clearly your first time here. Watch the full monologue, above. The post Jon Stewart Dismisses Hypocrisy of Hunter Biden Pardon: Republicans Get Away With This St All the Time | Video appeared first on TheWrap. Parliament was scheduled to vote on Dec. 3 on a new law proposing up to eight years imprisonment for accessing or disseminating confidential state register information during martial law, a bill that Ukrainian media and human rights organizations have urged parliament to reject on free speech concerns. However, parliamentary voting ended for the day without the bill coming up for vote. This is an attempt by the authorities to hide their dirty laundry from those who most often reveal it to the world, from investigative journalists, Vitaliy Shabunin, head of the nonprofit Anti-Corruption Action Center's executive board, said about the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moreover, not just to hide information, but to imprison those who help journalists their sources and curb investigative actions not only of journalists, but also of the editorial offices of large media outlets where their investigations are published, Shabunin told the Kyiv Independent. Recent investigations that have exposed corruption in Ukraine such as reporting on illegal border-crossing schemes and the enrichment of officials in the Prosecutors Office would have been illegal to publish under the new law had it been in place at the time, and could have carried harsh sentences for the journalists or their sources. Ukrainian and foreign journalists attend the press conference of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Ukraine on Feb. 25, 2024. (Volodymyr Tarasov / Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images) While the bill was on the parliamentary schedule for a Dec. 3 vote, a source in parliament told the Kyiv Independent that representatives of the European Union and G7 have appealed to parliaments leadership, requesting a postponement of the vote in order to assess its compliance with EU law. It is unclear what the next plans for the bill are. Parliament passed the bill in a first reading in January. At the time, many lawmakers opposed the bill, but it was allowed to continue to the second reading. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Nov. 27, parliaments Committee on Law Enforcement recommended adopting the draft law and sent it to parliament for a second and final reading. Proponents of the law say it is a matter of national security during martial law to protect sensitive information. If the bill is passed, it will be sent to President Volodymyr Zelensky to be signed into law. Fears of free press crackdowns Current legislation carries a minor punishment for the illegal dissemination of nonpublic register information. The new changes to the criminal code would designate this activity a more severe type of violation and give law enforcement additional powers for carrying out investigations against sources and journalists suspected of violating the law, including secret wiretapping. "This is an attempt by the authorities to hide their dirty laundry from those who most often reveal it to the world" - Vitaliy Shabunin, head of AntAC's executive board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an open letter published on the eve of the scheduled vote, journalists, media activists and human rights organizations urged parliament to reject the bill. This draft bill poses significant threats to freedom of speech, the work of journalists, and the protection of journalists' sources and corruption whistleblowers in Ukraine, wrote the Mediarukh (Media Movement), an informal organization of Ukrainian media, journalists and public organizations, in an open letter. The law does not contain any protections for those who disclose confidential information that is of public importance, and the proposed punishment is disproportionate, the letter says. A photo of a meeting between the G7 ambassadors and prominent Ukrainian journalists in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Dec. 2, 2024. (G7/X) The transformation of such offenses into serious crimes opens up the possibility of using secret investigative actions against journalists, in particular wiretapping and surveillance, which significantly violates the standards of protection of information sources, the letter says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the signatories of the open letter were major anti-corruption organizations and investigative reporting outlets in Ukraine, including the Anti-Corruption Action Center, Bihus.info, Ukrainian Pravda, and Slidstvo.Info. Lawmaker Yaroslav Yurchshyn, who heads parliaments Freedom of Speech Committee, wrote on Facebook last week that he would urge his colleagues in the Holos party not to vote for the bill. There are incredibly cool investigative journalists in Ukraine, whose work will simply be killed by this draconian bill. And this will be a huge gift to corruption lovers, Yurchyshyn wrote. You can dance around alleged information security for a long time, but all this looks like an attempt to attack freedom of speech. Ukrainian media organizations have been raising concerns for months of increased pressure from authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After attempts to discredit and intimidate journalists earlier this year produced widespread condemnation, media organizations have continued to name examples of censorship attempts, political interference, and allegations of journalists being drafted into service as retribution for their coverage. Read also: Destroying us little by little: Ukrainian troops worried about fate of Kursk operation Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Forty years ago, on Dec. 8, 1984, one of the largest manhunts in FBI history came to an explosive end on Whidbey Island in Puget Sound. The person they were after was Robert Jay Mathews, the leader of a white supremacist group committing armed robberies to finance plans to overthrow the government. The standoff lasted more than 30 hours. Its a dramatic episode in history thats chronicled in the new film The Order, in theaters Friday, a 1970s-styled thriller starring Jude Law as an FBI agent who connects the dots of the violent crimes arising in the Pacific Northwest and Nicholas Hoult as the enigmatic Mathews. The group, responsible for the murder of Jewish radio talk show host Alan Berg, and that infamous showdown, also continues to resonate with some on the far right, who make pilgrimages to Whidbey Island this time of year for Martyrs Day. Neither the English stars nor the Australian director Justin Kurzel were familiar with the history of the group when they first read Zach Baylins script, based on Kevin Flynn and Gary Gerhardts nonfiction book The Silent Brotherhood. But it felt full of potential for an entertaining, complex movie, with car chases, bank heists, shootouts and pathos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It just reminded me of the great old heist films from the '70s, with a Sidney Lumet, William Friedkin kind of feel about it, Kurzel said. Even though its a period film, its so incredibly present and sort of dangerously still relevant. That relevance would soon become even clearer. Three months after Kurzel got the script, he watched the Capitol riot unfold on Jan. 6, 2020, and spotted someone holding a copy of The Turner Diaries, one of Mathews' major inspirations. And yet it would be an uphill battle to get the film both made and into theaters, now a semi-miracle for an independent production. Its always been a battle to get this kind of film made. You really need to find champions for it, said Law, who also signed on to produce with his company Riff Raff. The historical story is all wrapped up in this film in a genre. Its got a very crowd-pleasing energy to it. Its edge of your seat, cat and mouse. It harkens back to those incredibly successful films in the 70s and 80s that people would go to and be seen as kind of blockbusters its funny that those films dont always necessarily get the budget they should nowadays. One of Laws favorite qualities of the script was that it was written with neither empathy for nor judgement of Mathews or his followers. But thats not to say that bringing him to life was straightforward. For Hoult, it was a daunting task. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To play a character like that, you have to try and understand them as best as possible, Hoult said. To do that, you have to figure out their way of living and also what made them the way they are. That means taking in a lot of the information that they would have taken in that shaped their ideology and beliefs, which is a horrible place to go to because its not stuff that you necessarily want filling your every day and to have those thoughts flowing through your head. But Hoult felt safe with Kurzel, a director hed worked with on The True History of the Kelly Gang. He was also looking forward to collaborating with Law, though they werent exactly hanging out during the shoot. Kurzel asked Law and Hoult to stay away from one another until their characters meet in the film to add a dynamism to that scene. It was an adrenaline that you cant fake, Hoult said. Unbeknownst to Hoult, Kurzel also told Law to follow him around one day in Calgary a tactile assignment that he knows sounds a little crazy but that sometimes unlocks real things for actors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wasnt hugely eventful, Law laughed, but he saw its benefits. Justin writes up for his actors manifestos and sets them tasks. Hes not precious about it. He says, do it or dont do it. I think we both found them really interesting and really helpful ways in to just kind of embodying these people that youve got to become. As with all independently made films, they didnt always have the time or money they would have liked, but they made it work. Each bank heist or armored truck robbery was basically done in a day, Hoult said. The speed youre going and the frantic energy of that is helpful for creating what ends up on the screen, the chaos of that. And up until the last minute, they were even contemplating rewriting the famous final showdown. There was a total fire ban in Alberta because of wildfires, but it lifted just in time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were very lucky, Kurzel said of the showstopper moment. The film premiered earlier this year at the Venice Film Festival and has since played at several others, which has allowed everyone the rare privilege of seeing many responses to what theyve made. And it's been overwhelmingly positive. This has happened before, that you make something you believe in, you love it and it just disappears or no one gets it. And you realize so much of it has to do with timing and impact, Law said. But it feels like people really appreciate what weve tried to do, and they really get it. Gabrielle LeDoux confers with defense attorney Kevin Fitzgerald, who is seated, during her trial on Nov. 27, 2024, in the Nesbett Courthouse in Anchorage. (Photo by Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon) The judge presiding over the trial of former state Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux over alleged violations of state elections law declared a mistrial on Monday after the jury deadlocked. Anchorage Superior Court Judge Kevin Saxby found that there was a hung jury in the trial, which began on Nov. 18 and saw jury deliberations begin after the Thanksgiving holiday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No additional instructions on the law will assist in breaking the impasse. Neither will deliberations. We have not underlined reached unanimity on any of the charges, the jury found, according to a note read by Saxby. Saxby said he understood that the jurors wouldnt benefit from any more deliberations. I think that theyve been within bounds hammering on each other for three hours or so or more, at this point, he said. The trial focused on whether LeDoux had pressured people to vote in her district when they lived elsewhere. Prosecutors said she applied the pressure to Lisa M. Simpson, a friend and former aide, and Simpsons son Caden Vaught. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LeDouxs attorney argued that LeDoux was not responsible for mistakes Simpson and Vaught made, and that LeDoux asked them to follow what she understood the law to be. LeDoux, an Anchorage Republican, was charged in 2020 with voter misconduct and unlawful interference with voting during the 2018 primary and general election campaigns. She faced five felony counts and seven misdemeanor counts. LeDoux declined to comment on the outcome after Saxbys finding. The trial had been delayed four times since charges were filed against LeDoux in 2020. The most recent delay was in July, when the prosecution disclosed additional evidence shortly before the scheduled trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LeDoux was a House member from 2005 to 2009, when she lived in and represented Kodiak, and from 2013 to 2021, when she represented an Anchorage district that included portions of both the Muldoon neighborhood and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. She previously was a practicing attorney, with a focus on personal injury cases related to maritime law. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX TOPEKA (KSNT) A Shawnee Court sentenced Amber Peery, found guilty earlier this year for causing a deadly crash that killed three Topeka girl scouts in 2022. A judge sentenced Peery to serve 64 months, or just over five years, in prison. She will serve two 32-month sentences consecutively for two charges of reckless involuntary manslaughter. Peery received sentences of an additional 72 months on three additional charges but will serve that time concurrently. Peery was convicted on Aug. 15 during a four-day jury trial on all counts. Her charges included: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three counts of reckless involuntary manslaughter. Two counts of aggravated battery. Improper crossover on a divided highway. Fail to check for safe passage before passing from single lane. (Photo By/Tim Schoepflin) (Photo By/Tim Schoepflin) (Photo By/Tim Schoepflin) Peery was initially accused of causing a deadly crash in October 2022 that claimed the lives of Laila El Azari, 9, Kylie Lunn, 9, and Brooklyn Peery, 8, all of Topeka. The Kansas Highway Patrol initially reported to the crash site, finding a van, driven by Peery, had tried to turn through a barrier wall on the turnpike when it was hit from behind by a semi-truck. District attorney charges Topeka man with murder after deadly shooting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two other children were inside the car at the time of the crash, with one being taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Peery was also hospitalized in the aftermath of the crash. She was eventually charged for her part in the crash in June 2023. For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf 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 KSNT 27 News. BOSTON (AP) A judge has set a date of Oct. 20, 2025, for the trial of a Massachusetts man charged with killing his wife. Brian Walshe faces first-degree murder, misleading a police investigation and other charges in the death of his wife, Ana Walshe, whose body has never been recovered. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Walshe, dressed in a suit and his wrists in handcuffs, appeared Monday in Norfolk Superior Court before Judge Diane Freniere, who recently took over the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walshe's defense team is seeking documents related to the handling of two other cases by Norfolk County investigators including the Karen Read murder trial and the alleged killing of Sandra Birchmore by a Stoughton, Massachusetts, detective Matthew Farwell. Freniere didn't rule Monday. Defense attorneys are specifically seeking emails and text messages from the lead investigator on the Karen Read case, Trooper Michael Proctor, who helped lead the investigations that resulted in the arrests of both Walshe and Read. Proctor, who was relieved of duty, revealed hed sent vulgar texts to colleagues and family, calling Read a whack job and telling his sister he wished Read would kill herself. He said his emotions had gotten the better of him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors have said some of the information sought by defense attorneys is privileged or exempt because of a pending federal prosecution. Ana Walshe, who is originally from Serbia, was last seen early on Jan. 1, 2023 following a New Years Eve dinner at her Massachusetts home with her husband and a family friend, prosecutors said. Brian Walshe said she was called back to Washington, D.C., on New Years Day for a work emergency. He didnt contact her employer until Jan. 4. The company the first to notify police that Ana Walshe was missing said there was no emergency, prosecutors said. Prosecutors have said that starting Jan. 1 and for several days after, Brian Walshe made multiple online searches for dismemberment and best ways to dispose of a body, how long before a body starts to smell and hacksaw best tool to dismember. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors have also said that Ana Walshe had taken out $2.7 million in life insurance naming her husband as the sole beneficiary. Walshe was also sentenced earlier this year to more than three years behind bars over an unrelated art fraud case involving the sale of two fake Andy Warhol paintings. He was ordered to pay $475,000 in restitution. Walshes scheme, prosecutors said, started with his selling the two original Warhol paintings in 2011 to a gallery. From there, he obtained replicas of the paintings in 2015 and sold those to a buyer in France before trying to sell the two fake abstracts on eBay. Protesters filled the Wisconsin Capitol in 2011 to protest the legislation that ultimately past as Wisconsin Act 10, eliminating most union rights for most public employees. (Photo by Emily Mills. Used by permission) A Dane County judge on Monday struck down the core parts of the landmark state law that eviscerated most union rights for most public employees in Wisconsin. Judge Jacob Frost ruled that Act 10, passed by the state Legislatures Republican majority in 2011 and signed by former Republican Gov. Scott Walker in his first year in office, was unconstitutional in making some public safety workers exempt from the laws limits on unions but excluding other workers with similar jobs from those protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ruling essentially confirmed Frosts ruling on July 3, 2024, when he rejected motions by the state Legislatures Republican leaders to dismiss the 2023 lawsuit challenging Act 10. In that ruling, Frost declared that state Capitol Police, University of Wisconsin Police, and state conservation wardens were treated unequally with no rational basis for that difference because they were not included in the exemption that Act 10 had created for other law enforcement and public safety employees. For that reason, the laws categories of general and public safety employees, and its public safety employee exemption, were unconstitutional, Frost wrote then. Frost reiterated that ruling Monday. Act 10 as written by the Legislature specifically and narrowly defines public safety employee, Frost wrote. It is that definition which is unconstitutional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, the judge rejected the suggestion that Act 10 could remain in effect without the laws public safety employee carve-out, and that either the courts or the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission could resolve a constitutionally acceptable definition in the future. The Legislature cites no precedent for this bold argument that I should simply strike the unlawful definition but leave it to an agency and the courts to later define as they see fit, Frost wrote. Interpreting public safety employee after striking the legislated definition would be an exercise in the absurd. Advocates, lawmakers react Opponents of the law, including plaintiffs in the lawsuit, cheered Mondays ruling, while Act 10s backers attacked it and vowed to see it through the appeals process. The lawsuit was brought on behalf of a group of local and state unions and public employees by the progressive nonprofit law firm Law Forward along with Bredhoff & Kaiser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This historic decision means that teachers, nurses, librarians and other public-sector workers across the state will once again have a voice in the workplace, said Jeff Mandell, Law Forward president and general counsel. Every Wisconsin family deserves the chance to build a better future through democratic participation in a union. As an organization dedicated to protecting and strengthening democracy, Law Forward is proud to have been a part of this important case. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester), dismissed Mondays ruling. Through its Republican leaders, the Legislature was among the defendants in the lawsuit. This lawsuit came more than a decade after Act 10 became law and after many courts rejected the same meritless legal challenges, Vos said in a statement. Act 10 has saved Wisconsin taxpayers more than $16 billion. We look forward to presenting our arguments on appeal. Gov. Tony Evers, who has sought to repeal Act 10 since he took office in 2019, applauded the ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is great news, Evers, a Democrat, said in a social media post on BlueSky and on X. Ive always believed workers should have a seat at the table in decisions that affect their daily lives and livelihoods. Its about treating workers with dignity and respect and making sure no worker is treated differently because of their profession. Evers sought to repeal the law in each of the three state budgets he has submitted since taking office, but the Legislatures Joint Finance Committee Republicans stripped those provisions each time. Ben Gruber, a conservation warden and union leader, called the ruling personal for me and my coworkers. Gruber is one of the named plaintiffs in the lawsuit. As a conservation warden, having full collective bargaining rights means we will again have a voice on the job to improve our workplace and make sure that Wisconsin is a safe place for everyone, he said in a statement distributed by the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Member local unions of WEAC were among the plaintiffs. The lawsuit was filed because of the dire situation that exists in Wisconsins public service institutions since workers freedoms were unconstitutionally taken away, WEAC stated. The states education workforce is in crisis as 40 percent of teachers leave the profession in the first six years because of low wages and unequal pay systems; the conservation warden program is fraught with unfair and disparate treatment of workers; and there is a 32 percent staff vacancy rate for corrections officers. Also joining in the lawsuit was the union representing University of Wisconsin graduate students who work as teaching assistants, TAA Local 3220. Graduate workers look forward to claiming our seat at the table to ensure our teaching and research, which helps make UW-Madison a world-class university, are supported and compensated fairly, said TAAs co-president, Daniel Levitin. The winds of change are blowing in our direction and we urge the university to take note and voluntarily recognize the TAA as the union of graduate workers and be prepared to meet us at the bargaining table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TAA is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers. Workers must have the right to partner with their employer and negotiate fair wages, benefits, and working conditions, said AFT-Wisconsin President Kim Kohlhaas. Appeals expected WEACs statement cautioned that the rulings impact would be delayed by appeals. The plaintiffs acknowledge that while this decision is a major win for Wisconsins working families, it is likely that the case will remain in the courts for some time before a final victory is reached and pledge to continue fighting until the freedoms of all workers in Wisconsin are respected and protected, the teachers union said. Sen. Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) was first elected to the Legislature the year after the law was passed and now leads the Democratic minority in the state Senate. This is a crucial step to recognize and restore the rights of hard-working public employees doing the peoples work in every corner of Wisconsin, Hesselbein said in a statement. There are likely further hurdles ahead and I applaud the resolve of those who have kept up the effort to restore the right to collectively bargain in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Rep. Ryan Clancy (D-Milwaukee) was a Milwaukee Public Schools teacher when the law was enacted. I saw firsthand the negative impact that the lack of collective bargaining had not only on our profession of teaching but also the schools, students, and our communities, Clancy said in a statement. He called Mondays ruling a crucial step to ensuring that every Wisconsin worker has access to fair and equitable working conditions. Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevera (R-Fox Crossing), was among the GOP lawmakers decrying the decision, declaring that the law had saved taxpayers $30 billion nearly twice the figure Vos asserted. Today, an activist Dane County judge overstepped his role and unilaterally struck down Act 10 because it didnt align with his politics, she said in a statement. One judge, appointed by the current governor, acting like a super-legislature is about to bankrupt local governments and school districts across Wisconsin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kurt Bauer, president of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the states largest business lobby and among the groups that had championed the legislation, called the ruling wrong on its face and inconsistent with the law in a statement Monday that called Act 10 a critical tool for policymakers and elected officials to balance budgets and find taxpayer savings. He said the business lobbys members hope this ruling will be appealed and that Act 10 will be reinstated as quickly as possible. This story has been updated with reactions to the ruling. 2023-CV003152_DOR11815507 SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX MANILA, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine Department of Agriculture said Tuesday that its chief Francisco Tiu Laurel has called for renewed action to curb rice wastage across the country, noting the current levels could feed 2.8 million Filipinos annually. Data from the Philippine Rice Research Institute showed that household rice wastage decreased to 255,000 metric tons in 2019, down from 340,000 metric tons in 2009. "This progress is encouraging, but the numbers remain alarming," said Laurel. The agriculture secretary highlighted the need to revisit the "half-cup rice" proposal "to encourage more responsible consumption." The "half-cup rice" initiative promotes serving smaller portions to reduce waste and diversify meals. Laurel said the renewed call for mindful rice consumption highlights its potential to conserve resources and improve health outcomes for Filipinos nationwide. Opposition forces seeking to overthrow Syria's President Bashar al-Assad launched their biggest offensive in years last week, retaking the northern city of Aleppo and driving government forces out of the region. It was the first significant development in years in Syria's grinding civil war, which after almost 14 years had largely fallen from the world's headlines. It also raises fresh questions about the opposing sides, who supports them, and what might happen next. Here's what we know: What happened in Aleppo? Syrian rebels launched a two-pronged offensive on Aleppo last week, gaining control of the country's second largest city amid little resistance from government troops, according to residents and fighters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The insurgents are a coalition of Turkey-backed mainstream secular groups spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and United Nations. The rebels have since pressed their advance to the south and southwest of Aleppo, capturing territory in Hama province and moving into the countryside around Idlib. WATCH | Syrian rebels advance: Which rebel groups are involved? HTS, formerly known as the Nusra Front, was al-Qaeda's official wing in the Syrian war but the groups broke ties in 2016. Another rebel group the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, the internationally recognized Syrian opposition launched a separate offensive from north of Idlib. It represents anti-Assad groups including the Turkey-backed Syrian National Army or Free Syrian Army. Why now? The assault followed the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, ending more than a year of fighting that started shortly after Israel went to war with Hamas in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hadi al-Bahra, president of the National Coalition, says rebels began preparing to seize Aleppo a year ago but were delayed by the Israel-Hamas war. "The moment there was a ceasefire in Lebanon, they found that opportunity... to start," he said. Earlier this year, Israeli airstrikes in Aleppo hit both Hezbollah weapons depots and Syrian government forces, among other targets, according to an independent monitoring group. Israel rarely acknowledges strikes against Aleppo or other government-held areas of Syria. Iran which, like Hezbollah, supports the regime, has also been weakened by recent Israeli airstrikes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia Assad's main international backer is meanwhile preoccupied with its war in Ukraine. WATCH | Russian airstrike kills at least 12: Why Aleppo is significant Aleppo, an ancient centre of commerce and culture in the Middle East, was home to 2.3 million people before the war. Rebels seized the east side of the embattled city in 2012, and it became the proudest symbol of the advance of armed opposition factions, but changed hands again when a brutal air campaign by Russia helped al-Assad retake the city. Intervention by Russia, Iran, Hezbollah and other groups did much to keep Assad in power, who now has 70 per cent of Syria under his control. The rest is held by a range of opposition forces and foreign troops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This latest change "has the potential to be really quite, quite consequential and potentially game-changing," if Syrian government forces can't hold their ground, said Charles Lister, a longtime Syria analyst with the U.S.-based Middle East Institute. Which countries are involved? Syria is split into three regions: each controlled by either the Assad regime, opposition forces or the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led coalition of U.S.-backed ethnic militias and rebel groups opposed by Turkey. Russia and Iran have sway over government-held areas, the single biggest chunk of Syria. The U.S. has forces in the northeast and east, backing the Syrian Democratic Forces. Turkey has troops in the rebel-held northwest. WATCH | Syrian army redeploys: Hezbollah, the regime's third main supporter, does not currently intend to send fighters to northern Syria to support Assad, according to sources who spoke to Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turkish forces have previously attacked northeast Syria, wanting to eliminate one of its main concerns on its borders: Kurdish-led groups. Iran has pledged to aid the Syrian government and on Monday hundreds of fighters from Tehran-backed Iraqi militias crossed into Syria to help fight the rebels, Syrian and Iraqi sources said. What happens now? Syria's government has scrambled its forces to push back the offensive, with help from Russia. Both the government and Russia have been rushing reinforcements and striking rebel-held areas as they attempt to stall the opposition's momentum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Airstrikes pummelled Idlib in northwestern Syria on Monday, killing at least a dozen civilians including children, according to the White Helmets, a volunteer rescue group also known as Syrian Civil Defence. At least 44 civilians, including 12 children and seven women, were killed in northwest Syria from Tuesday to Saturday, according to the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA added that over 48,500 people had been displaced, with key infrastructure including hospitals, schools and water stations damaged in the escalating hostilities. The United Nations has described the situation in Aleppo as "volatile and unpredictable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The latest developments pose severe risks to civilians and have serious implications for regional and international peace and security," said UN Syria envoy Geir O. Pedersen in a statement. A rebel fighter carries a weapon as he stands at the entrance of Saraqeb town in northwestern Idlib province, Syria December 1, 2024. REUTERS/Mahmoud Hassano A rebel fighter carries a weapon as he stands at the entrance of Saraqeb town in northwestern Idlib province in Syria on Sunday. (Mahmoud Hassano/Reuters) Let's examine Biden's innermost feelings: The digital front page of The New York Times this morning leads with a piece titled "How Biden Changed His Mind on Pardoning Hunter." "The threat of a retribution-focused Trump administration and his son's looming sentencings prompted the president to abandon a promise not to get involved in Hunter Biden's legal problems," reads the subheadingthe type of sympathetic portrayal I have a hard time imagining would be extended to Donald Trump if he did something similar. To back up: On Sunday night, Joe Biden issued a blanket pardon for his son, Hunter, legally letting him off the hook not just for the kinda-silly gun charges of late but for all crimes he may have committed between January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024. ("For my entire career I have followed a simple principle: just tell the American people the truth," wrote Biden, who I don't think intended to be funny, in the statement announcing the pardon. "They'll be fair-minded.") Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are two issues here: The first is that the pardon does not encompass just the stupid chargeslying about drug use when purchasing a gun, a crime libertarians don't really believe should be a crime, and owning a firearm despite being an "unlawful user" of a "controlled substance"but that it also covers Hunter's influence-peddling business dealings in Ukraine. (He started doing business consulting/serving on the board for the Ukrainian company Burisma in 2014, the date the pardon starts, for keen observers.) The second is that Joe Biden repeatedly lied about this pardon, claiming over and over again that he did not believe anyone, let alone his own son, to be above the law. Here's a beautiful supercut of both Biden's own words and the fawning media's credulousness: SUPERCUT! Corporate media: Obviously Biden would never pardon Hunter pic.twitter.com/gJRhASCAUs Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) December 2, 2024 "It was Hunter Biden's looming sentencings on federal gun and tax charges, scheduled for later this month, that gave Mr. Biden the final push," write sympathetic-seeming Katie Rogers and Glenn Thrush, for The New York Times. "A pardon was one thing he could do for a troubled son, a recovering addict who he felt had been subjected to years of public pain.Several people close to Mr. Biden said the decision created a conflict between two core identities: the anguished father trying to protect his son, and the president who takes pride in standing on principle." "Hunter Biden's decision to plead guilty on the tax chargesafter a weeklong gun trial in Delaware in June that rehashed the family's darkest dayshad further embittered Mr. Biden and several of his family members, who believed that Hunter was targeted only because of his last name. At that time, the anger within the family pushed the idea of a pardon from the notional to the plausible, according to several people familiar with the president's thinking. It was at that point Mr. Biden, who was, among other things, deeply concerned that the pressure of the trials would push his son into a relapse after years of sobriety, began to realize there might not be any way out beyond issuing a pardon. It appears that there was never serious consideration of anything short of a full pardon, such as a commutation of his sentence, they said." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's not a stretch to say that mainstream publications would not extend nearly the same amount of understanding and benefit of the doubt to Trump if he did the same. And Biden, who much of the press somehow believes is just a good guy trying his very best, has made a decision that has sacrificed norms and trust in the system for the sake of his screw-up kid. It's all a fitting end to an administration that frequently deceived the American people. At least now Hunter can focus on his art. Supreme Court tackles Tennessee law on gender transitions: Tomorrow, the court will hear a challenge to a Tennessee law that bans medical providers from providing puberty blockers, hormone therapy, or surgery for gender-transitioning minors. Crucially, the law allows minors to receive some of those treatments if the underlying condition being treated is not gender dysphoria. The question the judges are dealing with is "whether the law makes distinctions based on sex," per a Times write-up. "If it does, a demanding form of judicial review'heightened scrutiny'kicks in. If it does not, the Tennessee law will almost certainly survive." Interestingly, "the justices refused to consider a question that might have appealed to some of its conservative members: whether parents have a constitutional right to make medical decisions on behalf of their children." In other words, the justices have only chosen to consider the Equal Protection Clause claim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If, for example, a State prohibits an adolescent assigned female at birth from receiving testosterone to live as a male, but allows an adolescent assigned male at birth to receive the same treatment, the State has relied on a sex-based classificationand thus must justify its law under heightened scrutiny," writes the U.S. Solicitor General, Elizabeth Prelogar, in the brief before the Court. (The Biden administration has intervened in the case, taking the side of the three families and doctor who are suing the state of Tennessee.) Scenes from New York: Took my son to the American Museum of Natural History over the holiday and stumbled across this absurdity. It's crazy to me that Paul Ehrlich, whose 1968 work The Population Bomb warned about all the terrible things that would come our way with population growth, isn't seen by literally all people as a total idiot, not to mention a real bummer. (Liz Wolfe) QUICK HITS IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR! It's ye olde Webathon, when we pester you sweet angels for cash (or bitcoin). Here's the deal: If you love Reasonor if you loathe us, but happen to like this newsletter right here, authored by yer gal Lizplease consider emptying out your pockets of spare change. If you do donate, and the reason is ME (or THIS NEWSLETTER HERE THAT YOU'RE READING), do me a solid and mention that to the Big Boss in the comments section of your donation. Each and every donation means a lot to us, no matter how small, and it's a real honor to be able to get to do this job day in and out. Your support makes that possible! Pivot to Nevada? It used to be automatic for startups to incorporate in Delaware. That will stop being the case if activist judges start overruling shareholders. https://t.co/Z5cb1wn8tN Paul Graham (@paulg) December 3, 2024 The Syrian civil war is raging again, after a roughly four-year break in the fighting. "Rebel forces have launched their largest offensive against the Syrian government in years," reports the BBC. "They have captured a swathe of land across the north-west of the country, including most of the second city of Aleppo, after the Syrian military rapidly withdrew its troops. The rebels are now battling the military near the central city of Hama, while the government's key ally Russia is carrying out air strikes against them." British members of Parliament just voted to legalize assisted suicide for people with six months or less left to live. The bill still needs to clear the House of Lords, but it looks very likely to pass. This is a travesty for people who are concerned about preserving a culture of life, and also for those who are concerned about the ways the incentives inherent within socialized medicine will make the state have a vested interest in getting people to off themselves. Watch the latest Just Asking Questions featuring Vinay Prasad. We talk seed oils, vaccines, raw milk, COVID policy, and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I cannot believe there are still people like Lorenz out there doing whatever this is, acting like it's unreasonable for the rest of us to have moved on from COVID-era masking: What you call "breathing like a normal person" she calls "raw-dogging the air." pic.twitter.com/Rc1tUwATuY Jeff Blehar is *BOX OFFICE POISON* (@EsotericCD) December 2, 2024 "SpaceX is in discussions to sell insider shares that could boost the value of Elon Musk's rocket and satellite company to around $350 billion, according to people familiar with the matter," reports Bloomberg. "That would be a significant premium to a previously mulled valuation of $255 billion as reported by Bloomberg News and other media outlets just last month. It would also cement SpaceX's status as the most valuable private startup in the world. SpaceX was last valued at about $210 billion in a tender offer earlier this year." Fascinating thread on identity theft, government benefits, and homelessness: I volunteer a few times a week at NSCChurch which primarily serves the homeless & or addicted / formerly addicted population of Brooklyn, New York. The desk I work at helps people get government funded phone service, emails, food stamps, social security, rehab, housing, etc. nicole ruiz (@nwilliams030) December 2, 2024 lol Hunter Biden going 120 down the freeway blasting 'Jesus Etc.' in his lincoln navigator right now while a 19 year old he picked up on tumblr sits in the passenger seat spoonfeeding him mythic-grade neo-Shanghai Dragon Percocet 1,000,000 dissolved inside oreo mcflurry donald boat (@laserboat999) December 2, 2024 The post Just a Merciful Father appeared first on Reason.com. WASHINGTON (AP) The Justice Department is ramping up efforts to address a crisis of suicides and systemic failures in federal prisons and jails, announcing sweeping reforms aimed at overhauling how mental health care is provided behind bars. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco outlined the measures in a memo and report Tuesday, directing the Bureau of Prisons to update suicide prevention protocols, improve mental health assessments for inmates, and adopt data-driven strategies to reduce deaths in custody. The reforms will also apply to facilities overseen by the U.S. Marshals Service, a broader effort to address chronic shortcomings across the federal detention system. The 14-page report said the measures will strengthen the Departments capacity to reduce the risk of suicide by adults in federal custody and advance a culture of safety in its institutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The announcement comes after increasing scrutiny on the federal prison system and a scathing report from the Justice Departments inspector general earlier this year, which found that systemic lapseslike those that allowed financier Jeffrey Epsteins 2019 deathhave contributed to the deaths of hundreds of federal inmates over the years. An ongoing Associated Press investigation has exposed serious issues in the Bureau of Prisons, including rampant misconduct, sexual abuse by staff, dozens of escapes, chronic violence, and staffing shortages that have left its employees ill-equipped to respond to emergencies. Monaco, who has prioritized prison reform during her tenure, has been pressing agency officials to tackle these issues, holding regular meetings to drive change in one of the federal governments most troubled institutions. In the memo, obtained by The Associated Press, Monaco said the Justice Department must strive to avert every preventable death of an individual in its custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In pursuit of that goal, individuals who are detained or incarcerated in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) or Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) should receive timely mental health assessments and ready access to potentially life-saving mental health services, the memo said. The Justice Department would embrace a multifaceted approach to reducing the risk of suicide and self-directed violence for both inmates and staff, according to the memo. The Department of Justice is committed to protecting the health and safety of every individual in our custody, Monaco said in a statement. Todays reformsrecommended by experts from across the Departments litigation, law enforcement, and policy operationswill reduce the risk of suicide among adults in federal facilities. Simply put, these measures can help us save lives." ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WSPA) A juvenile was arrested on Monday after police say they committed armed robbery in east Asheville. According to Asheville Police Department, officers were called to the 800 block of Tunnel Road around 7:20 p.m. in regards to an armed robbery. A store employee told police a person wearing a ski mask entered the store, pulled out a gun and stole items from the counter before leaving on foot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers were able to find a person matching the description given by the employee as a passenger of a vehicle involved in a traffic stop near the store. The juvenile was arrested and a handgun and stolen items were found in their possession. In cooperation with the Department of Juvenile Justice, the juvenile has been charged with armed robbery and carrying a concealed weapon. 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 WSPA 7NEWS. Dec. 2Some downtown Kalispell properties may be in line for a needed makeover. The Kalispell Business Improvement District is looking to secure funding that would assist downtown properties in making facade improvements and Kalispell City Council is expected to vote Monday on whether to allocate tax increment financing funds to the loan program. Tax increment financing is primarily designed to spur redevelopment in neglected parts of a community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Council will meet Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 201 First Ave. E. "The downtown area of Kalispell is a vital component of the local economy, housing a mix of retail, office and residential spaces," wrote Kalispell Business Improvement District Board Chair Kisa Davison in the funding application. "However, a significant number of buildings in this area require facade renovations to improve their appearance and functionality." The money would come from the Downtown and West Side/Core Area tax increment financing districts, which aim to address blight and promote economic development in those areas. The city's urban renewal agency concluded that the project proposal was appropriate and recommended Council adopt the resolution. The districts would allocate $20,000 per year for five years to the effort. The business improvement district plans to assist four property owners each year, amounting to 20 property owners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOLLOWING FIERY remarks last week from Mayor Mark Johnson on what he sees as overreach by the state government, Council is expected to determine the municipality's legislative priorities. The document will go to Helena before the 2025 Legislative session. Council chose to prioritize legislation promoting a voter approved resort tax, public infrastructure assistance, expanded tax increment financing, affordable housing, mental health programs, special districts, environmental quality and public resource management. Council is also expected to vote on designating Development Services Director Jarod Nygren as the environmental certifying officer for the city. The position entails completing environmental studies and providing environmental assurances to state and federal officers on behalf of the city, according to a report from Nygren. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The role is needed for the city to continue applying for state and federal grants after Thomas Jentz retired from the position. "Given some outstanding state grant applications, it is prudent to update the resolution so I can continue to sign off on the environmental documents as necessary," Nygren wrote in the report. ALSO ON the docket, Council is expected to hire the Colorado-based planning firm Logan Simpson to help communicate decisions to the public surrounding the adoption of a new land use plan in accordance with state law. Senate Bill 382, Also known as the Montana Land Use Planning Act, was signed into law by Gov. Greg Gianforte in May 2023. It requires Kalispell, among other cities in Montana, to rewrite its land use plan relying heavily on public input. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Planning officials say the city's existing land use plan will likely not have to be altered and could be readopted in accordance with the law. The legislation was designed to streamline development within the city by limiting public input on site-specific projects and shifting authority to the Kalispell Planning Department to authorize developments instead of Council. The city was awarded $30,000 to hire a firm that would facilitate public involvement in the construction of a new land use plan. The money comes from a Montana Department of Commerce Montana Community Reinvestment Plan Act Planning Grant. While not a public relations firm, Logan Simpson specializes in outreach regarding planning. The project will be conducted from the company's office in Fort Collins, Colorado. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the city appointee to the Flathead City-County Board of Health position expiring at the end of the year, Council must appoint a new elected official for the role. Former Ward 3 Councilor Rod Kuntz is the current appointee. The board guides the operation of the City-County Health Department. Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 and junderhill@dailyinterlake.com. KANSAS CITY, Mo. A Kansas City man has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to stabbing two children at a Jackson County home back in July. According to the Circuit Court of Jackson County, 26-year-old Gabriel Martinez was convicted of two counts of first-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action Monday for the attack. He now faces a 15-year prison sentence. Ex-KCK detective Roger Golubski found dead before trial Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initial reports of the stabbing said that just after 1 a.m. on Tuesday, July 9, officers with the Kansas City Police Department were dispatched to a home in Jackson County in regards to a disturbance call. Upon arrival, KCPD said a woman outside of the home, the girlfriend of Martinez, told officers that he was inside with her three kids an infant, a 9-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl and had threatened to hurt them. She proceeded to tell officers that she ran out of the home because Martinez had been drinking and verbally threatened her. She also claimed that he had been violent with her in the past. This led officers to knock on the door to attempt contact with Martinez. Court records said that after police knocked, Martinez called the girlfriend and said she had fed up. Officers then heard a child screaming from inside the home, which led them to break down the door and enter by force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon entering the home, officers found a 9-year-old boy standing near the front door. He then ran to Martinezs girlfriend outside of the home. However, officers heard more screaming coming from an upstairs room. When officers walked to the upper level, court records said Martinez walked out of the room with his hands up. Police then took him into custody and searched him, leading officers to find a knife in his pocket. Cherished memento taken in Kansas City car theft at Arts District Parking Garage After Martinez was taken away, police began searching the home. While doing so, officers found a 14-year-old girl lying on the floor of the room Martinez had emerged from. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The girl had a stab wound to her abdomen and was reported to be surrounded by blood, according to court records. Police reported that another child, the infant previously mentioned, was also found. However, they were in a different room and had not been hurt. Martinezs girlfriend told officers the only reason why the baby was not hurt was because it was Martinezs only biological child. The 14-year-old girl and 9-year-old boy were taken to Childrens Mercy Hospital. The girl had been stabbed in the stomach and ended up needing surgery due to having a Grade 3 liver laceration and a traumatic hernia. The boy had been stabbed in the chest and back but was later said to have suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Community speaks on former KCK Detectives death as trial set to begin According to court records, Martinez said he had been drinking and does not remember the events that happened between checking on his son and being placed in police custody. Martinez was sentenced to 15 years in prison. This case was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Shawna Quast. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Kansas City area non-profits are hopeful youll take part in Giving Tuesday tomorrow. Many Americans use the day as their opportunity to give back, as the year ends. Some have a desire to bless others, while some give their money in hopes of seeing a benefit on their annual income taxes. Joes Blog: So, whens our next snow chance (MON-12/2) More than 34 million Americans participated in Giving Tuesday a year ago. Organizers at Kansas Citys brand new HALO learning center and transitional living centers off East 52nd Terrace would appreciate the communitys kindness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This non-profit will use this facility to work with 500-700 young people experiencing homelessness, teaching them life skills, providing means and a place to stay at night. A Tuesday morning ribbon cutting for HALOs three new buildings is scheduled for 9 a.m. There are about 5,000 zero-to-24 year olds that are homeless or in need every night here in Kansas City, Carly Schultze, HALOs chief program officer, said on Monday. Schultze and her staff seek help acquiring housewarming gifts for the young people wholl stay here. HALO has all of those items on an Amazon wish list. A lot of times with youth, you see them couch-surfing. Youre not going to see them on the corner. You are going to see them doubling up in houses, staying with family and friends, or relatives, but for an undetermined amount of time, Schultze added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United Way of Greater Kansas City represents nearly 200 agencies who hope to receive local support on Giving Tuesday. Kera Mashek, a metro spokesperson for the United Way, said her non-profit realizes community need is as high as its ever been, as witnessed in the 27 percent uptick in people seeking help from the United Way and its partner agencies. Mashek said some of them need assistance with the basics, like paying for their utilities. Chris Jones expresses frustrations with awkward 2024 Chiefs schedule We know that that need is higher now because we know the economy is really tough for a lot of families. Their dollar doesnt stretch as far today as it did a year or two ago, Mashek told FOX4 News on Monday. Both of these non-profits mentioned ways to donate volunteer hours instead of money on Giving Tuesday. 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. Police are searching for a 74-year-old man who was last seen near his home in south Kansas City Nov. 24. Paul Haar was last seen around 6 p.m. Nov. 24 in the area of Grandview and Bannister roads, said Officer Alayna Gonzalez, a spokeswoman for the Kansas City Police Department, Monday evening. Police said Haar may be on foot or in a 2024 Ford Edge. Haar is described as 5 feet, 9 inches tall and 200 pounds. Anyone with information about Haars location is asked to call 911. TOPEKA (KSNT) Federal officials announced on Monday that Kansas will receive part of a huge disbursement of grant cash to help improve the states natural landscape and waterways. The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced on Dec. 2 that Kansas is one of 42 states due to receive more than $122 million to improve habitat for native wildlife. The 61 new grants were unveiled this week as part of a joint announcement from the Biden-Harris Administration and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). The newly released grant money was made possible through the America the Beautiful Challenge (ATBC) that was launched in 2021. The ATBC aims to conserve at least 30% of the nations lands and waters by the year 2030. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Bidens America the Beautiful initiative has been truly transformative, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland said. By working together across the federal family, and through private-public partnerships, we have built an enduring path to support hundreds of locally led collaborative conservation projects across the country. Emporia city manager calls Tyson layoffs a major setback Kansas will receive part of this grant cash through the Southern Great Plains Wetlands and Prairie Collaborative along with the Native-Led Restoration and Stewardship of Bison-Grazed Land projects. Both projects amount to more than $5 million when including the initial grant amounts and matching funds. Species like bison and the endangered whooping crane are expected to benefit from these programs. Through these awards, and in partnership with Tribes, NGOs, state partners, and others, USDA will continue to build on its critical work from voluntary conservation efforts to safeguard our forests and grasslands to increasing access to climate-smart practices and mitigating the risk posed by dangerous wildfires, United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Southern Great Plains Wetlands and Prairie Collaborative. Kansas and Oklahoma. Create grassland and wetland in the Southern Great Plains through the removal of invasive species across 10,000 acres, prescribed burning of 30,000 acres and the restoration of 1,000 acres of wetlands to help whooping cranes. The project also seeks to decrease wildlife risks, increase water availability and improve livestock production. Total project amount $4,444,800. Native-Led Restoration and Stewardship of Bison-Grazed Land. Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas. Assist buffalo-producers on bison-grazed lands across Indian Country. This project will use Working Lands for Wildlife frameworks and Traditional Ecological Knowledge to develop both preparedness and conservation plans for more than 30 native buffalo producers. It will also increase access to farm bill programs and climate-smart practices, strengthen resilience and enhance biodiversity on Native-managed grasslands, prairies and savannas. Total project amount $662,300. New Kansas hunting, fishing licenses proposed after lifetime license cut for older adults For more Kansas Outdoors, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf 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 KSNT 27 News. A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version. See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil As the Senate returned Monday evening from the holiday recess, Republican senators voiced little to no concern over Donald Trumps corrupt plan to fire FBI Director Chris Wray and showed no signs of being ready to torpedo Kash Patels presumptive nomination as Wrays replacement. Even GOP senators who might be expected to sound some feeble caution Thom Tillis (R-NC), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Susan Collins (R-ME) offered no reservations and expressed confidence in Patels prospects for confirmation. Patels Particulars The Patel Paradox can be stated as follows: the only reason to nominate someone like Patel to run the FBI is to commit impeachable abuses of power. Trump makes no secret that this is, in fact, his purpose. Patel is similarly explicit on the point.Benjamin Wittes Roger Parloff offers a glimpse of Kash Patel from a witness in the Mar-a-Lago documents case. To understand the full scope of the damage Mr. Patel could inflict, you have to understand how unique, powerful and dangerous the F.B.I. can be and why a Patel directorship would likely corrupt and bend the institution for decades, even if he only served a few years.Garrett Graff Making A List And Checking It Twice Whos been naughty or nice to Kash Patel: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres Kash Patels full Deep State enemies list, which by my count includes 17 Trump administration political appointees from his first term [image or embed] Eric Columbus (@ericcolumbus.bsky.social) December 2, 2024 at 2:35 PM Quote Of The Day Hes absolutely unqualified for this job. Hes untrustworthy. Its an absolute disgrace to American citizens to even consider an individual of this nature.Charles Kupperman, Trumps first-term deputy national security adviser, on Kash Patels presumptive nomination as FBI director Hegseth Nomination Watch: Wild Childs Edition Pete Hegseth, Donald Trumps embattled nominee for secretary of defense, was on the Hill meeting with senators Monday amid allegations of sexual misconduct, public drunkenness on the job, and financial mismanagement. The excuse of the day belonged to Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY): Are soldiers sometimes wild childs? Yeah, that can happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NBC News: Republican senators brush aside Pete Hegseth misconduct allegations after meeting with him The Daily Beast: Pete Hegseth Faces Reporters on Capitol Hill Asking if He Has A Drinking Problem CNN: Fox News ignores misconduct allegations against former Fox News host Pete Hegseth as concerns over Trump pick mount Trump II Clown Show Mother Jones: Trumps New Press Secretary Was Paid for Articles Praising a Con Man NYT: Project 2025, Mar-a-Lago and Fox News: What Connects Trumps New Staff Picks WSJ: How RFK Jr. Transformed From Green Hero to Vaccine Skeptic NYT: How Kennedy Has Worked Abroad to Weaken Global Public Health Policy Trumps Future Transgressions Will Be Bidens Fault The Hunter Biden pardon has uncorked another round of excusing Donald Trump for his own transgressions including yet-to-be-committed future transgressions: WaPo: Biden pardon will provide ammunition to Trump. Politico: The Hunter Biden pardon gives Donald Trump powerful new political cover The Guardian: Trump uses Hunter Biden pardon to hint potential clemency for January 6 insurrectionists Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hunter Biden pardon can be reasonably criticized, but the idea that Trump needs political cover, fresh ideas for transgressions, or new precedents from Biden fails to grasp Trump. Its fear-based analysis that anticipates what the bully will do and blames the victim for bringing it on himself. Trump has already abused the pardon power in unprecedented ways to protect himself, plans to abuse it again in the future, and promised throughout his campaign to undermine the rule of law by wrecking the Justice Department and federal law enforcement. Detect A Pattern? The notion of legacy is one of the conventional tropes of political journalism that lets reporters judge some presidents against an imaginary and illusory standard: WSJ: Biden Pardon Threatens His Legacyand Democrats Fight Against Trump NYT: Pardoning Hunter Complicates the Legacy That Biden Envisioned Politico: Biden risks sullying his legacy to protect Hunter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legacy is a classic second-day analysis piece, the subtext of which is the presidents hypocrisy for failing to meet their own standards. By not having any standards, Trump often escapes this trope. Inside SCOTUS Failed Effort To Hold Itself Accountable The NYT draws on internal Supreme Court memos and interviews to piece together the desultory effort to adopt an unenforceable ethics code for the justices: Justice Gorsuch was especially vocal in opposing any enforcement mechanism beyond voluntary compliance, arguing that additional measures could undermine the court. The justices strength was their independence, he said, and he vowed to have no part in diminishing it. In the private exchanges, Justice Clarence Thomas, whose decision not to disclose decades of gifts and luxury vacations from wealthy benefactors had sparked the ethics controversy, and Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. wrote off the courts critics as politically motivated and unappeasable. The three liberal justices insisted that the rules needed to be more than lofty promises. But their argument never had a chance. Trumps Looming Deregulation Fiesta TPMs Kate Riga: Mondays oral arguments on the Food and Drug Administrations rejection of a new flavored vape was, and felt like, a lame-duck exercise a challenge against an agency regulation that may well evaporate as soon as President-elect Donald Trump takes power. In The States North Carolina : The GOP-controlled state Senate voted to override Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers veto of their big lame duck power grab. The GOP-controlled House will vote on the veto override later this month. Wisconsin : Wisconsin public worker and teachers unions scored a major legal victory Monday with a ruling that restores collective bargaining rights they lost under a 2011 state law that sparked weeks of protests and made the state the center of the national battle over union rights.AP WSJ: Blue States Are Bracing for Legal Clashes With Trump For The Record The Army general who was last American soldier to leave Afghanistan was given a fourth star after Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) lifted a hold on his promotion. Do you like Morning Memo? Let us know! KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia seeks a fair and equitable energy transition through cooperation with China as the country not only has proven capabilities in the new energy sector but is also a friendly and trusted partner, Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof said here on Monday. China has demonstrated not only an ability to develop such technologies but also has been able to rapidly adopt and integrate them on a mass scale, Fadillah said in his remarks at the fifth World Association Presidents' Conference (WAPC). "I have been rather impressed by China's efforts in advancing its energy transition within the framework of its new economic development. These efforts offer Malaysia a chance to learn and adopt best practices for a fair and equitable energy transition," said Fadillah, who is also the minister of energy transition and water transformation. Meanwhile, Minister of the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia Zheng Xuefang said China will continue to advocate liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, and economic globalization based on inclusiveness and universal benefits even as some countries seek to pursue unilateralism and protectionism. "Openness is the only way to achieving prosperity and development. We should oppose unilateralism and protectionism actively and boldly, strengthen infrastructure connectivity, intensify industrial and supply chain resilience, and advance liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment," he said. For his part, Malaysian Chinese Association President and Chairman of the Fifth WAPC Wee Ka Siong said China, having emphasized trade, cooperation and infrastructure development with Malaysia, has built a strong foundation of trust not only at the government-to-government level but also at the people-to-people level. "By strengthening our ties with China, we can attract investments, integrate ourselves further into global supply chains, and create win-win outcomes for both nations," he added. With the theme "Promote Trade Liberalization and Advance Economic Globalization," the Fifth WAPC was co-organized by the Malaysian Chinese Association, the Malaysia-China Friendship Association and the China Enterprises Chamber of Commerce in Malaysia, gathering more than 700 leaders of associations and entrepreneurs from around the world. As someday it may happen that a victim must be found Ive got a little listIve got a little list Of societys offenders who might well be underground And who never would be missedwho never would be missed! W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, 1885 Like Ko-Ko, Lord High Executioner in The Mikado, Kash Patel has a little list and has threatened to come after those people who bear the misfortune of being on it. We will go out and find the conspirators, Patel said last year on Steve Bannons podcast, not just in government, but in the media. Whether its criminally or civilly, well figure that out. Who are these conspirators? In his 2022 book, Government Gangsters, Patel names them; they number 60. President Donald Trump has nominated for FBI director someone who compiled and publicized his very own enemies list. As a public service, I append Patels entire list to the end of this article. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patel doesnt literally call his list, which appears as an appendix in Government Gangsters, an enemies list; more blandly, he calls it Members of the Executive Branch Deep State. But deep state, in the context of Trumpworld grievance, is no neutral term. In the book, Patel calls the deep state a cabal of unelected tyrants and the most dangerous threat to our democracy. Consider also the books title, and that in introducing the list Patel apologizes for omitting other corrupt actors of the first order. Its an enemies list. What kind of person keeps a list of enemies? A person with more than the usual share. Most of us have at most two or three enemiesnot so many that you have to write all their names down to keep track. Patel is different, and it is not unreasonable to question his mental stability on these grounds alone. The most famous enemies list, youll recall, was President Richard Nixons, and not even Nixons allies considered it a sign of robust mental health. You cant fault Patel for partisanship, though. Counting conservatively, 17 percent of his list consists of people that Trump himself either appointed or nominated during his previous term. That doesnt speak particularly well of our president-elect. How exactly did Trump happen to elevate at least 10 people to higher office who turned out to be enemies of the state? Or maybe theyre just enemies of Patel. Patel includes on his list former Trump Attorney General William Barr, and the only serious offense Patel accuses Barr of committing was threatening to resign if Trump installed Patel as his deputy. Characteristically, Patel complains not that Barr turned him down for the job but that Barr undermined President Trump by turning him down for the job. In addition to that would-be boss, Patel includes in his enemies list two actual bosses, National Security Council Chairman John Bolton (an arrogant control freak who also resisted hiring Patel but finally did so reluctantly) and Mark Esper (who tried unsuccessfully to fire Patel). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More conventionally, Patel includes on his enemies list the last three Democratic nominees for president: Kamala Harris, President Joe Biden, and Hillary Clinton. Former President Barack Obama, for some reason, is left off the list, even though Obamas chief of staff John Podesta is on it. The term deep state is most often used to disparage the civil service, which Patel more or less wishes to eliminate. In addition to reinstituting Schedule F, which would strip many civil service protections from government workers, Patel favors legislation that allows the president to fire civil servants directly. But almost all the people on Patels enemies list are political appointees, who by definition come and go with new administrations and are therefore more properly categorized as the Shallow State. Maybe Patel hesitated to punch down (though such considerations didnt keep him from including 27-year-old Cassidy Hutchinson, the former assistant to Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows who gave testimony damaging to Trump before the January 6 committee). More likely, Patel is just as clueless as most Trump loyalists about what it is government employees do all day and why they do it (topics dear to my heart that I wrote about here and here; see also The Washington Posts recent series profiling individual civil servants). Patel may be fiery, as newspaper euphemism puts it, but hes also opportunistic, which probably explains why no member of Congress made his enemies list (excepting Senator-elect Adam Schiff and Representative Eric Swalwell, whom he mentions as numbering among those other corrupt actors of the first order he regrets leaving out). When he compiled this list, Patel knew that in a future Trump administration he might score a Cabinet or sub-Cabinet nomination requiring Senate confirmation; that obstacle course now lies before him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most cruelly, Patel includes in his enemies list no members of what he calls the fake news mafia press corps. Perhaps somebody tipped him that journalists prize such designations more highly than the Pulitzer. Here at The New Republic it remains a matter of institutional pride that Nixons enemies list included John Osborne, then TNRs White House correspondent, plus two future TNR staff writers, Stanley Karnow and Morton Kondracke, and a future TNR owner, Martin Peretz. Patel also neglects Hollywood. Nixon included on his list Shirley MacLaine, Herb Alpert, Paul Newman, and Carol Channing, who said she considered it the highest compliment of her career. Whats Taylor Swift, chopped liver? Maybe Patel didnt want to load too many of his own names knowing that Trump was sure to have a little list of his own. But enough commentary. Heres Patels list: Michael Atkinson (former inspector general of the intelligence community) Lloyd Austin (defense secretary under President Joe Biden) Brian Auten (supervisory intelligence analyst, FBI) James Baker (not the former secretary of state; this James Baker is former general counsel for the FBI and former deputy general counsel at Twitter) Bill Barr (former attorney general under Trump) John Bolton (former national security adviser under Trump) Stephen Boyd (former chief of legislative affairs, FBI) Joe Biden (president of the United States) John Brennan (former CIA director under President Barack Obama) John Carlin (acting deputy attorney general, previously ran DOJs national security division under Trump) Eric Ciaramella (former National Security Council staffer, Obama and Trump administrations) Pat Cippolone (former White House counsel under Trump) James Clapper (Obamas director of national intelligence) Hillary Clinton (former secretary of state and presidential candidate) James Comey (former FBI director) Elizabeth Dibble (former deputy chief of mission, U.S. Embassy, London) Mark Esper (former secretary of defense under Trump) Alyssa Farah (former director of strategic communications under Trump) Evelyn Farkas (former deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia, Ukraine, Eurasia under Obama) Sarah Isgur Flores (former DOJ head of communications under Trump) Merrick Garland (attorney general under Biden) Stephanie Grisham (former press secretary under Trump) Kamala Harris (vice president under Biden; former presidential candidate) Gina Haspel (CIA director under Trump) Fiona Hill (former staffer on the National Security Council) Curtis Heide (FBI agent) Eric Holder (former FBI director under Obama) Robert Hur (special counsel who investigated Biden over mishandling of classified documents) Cassidy Hutchinson (aide to Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows) Nina Jankowicz (former executive director, Disinformation Governance Board, under Biden) Lois Lerner (former IRS director under Obama) Loretta Lynch (former attorney general under Obama) Charles Kupperman (former deputy national security adviser under Trump) Gen. Kenneth Mackenzie, retired (former commander of United States Central Command) Andrew McCabe (former FBI deputy director under Trump) Ryan McCarthy (former secretary of the Army under Trump) Mary McCord (former acting assistant attorney general for national security under Obama) Denis McDonough (former chief of staff for Obama, secretary of veterans affairs under Biden) Gen. Mark Milley, retired (former chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff) Lisa Monaco (deputy attorney general under Biden) Sally Myer (former supervisory attorney, FBI) Robert Mueller (former FBI director, special counsel for Russiagate) Bruce Ohr (former associate deputy attorney general under Obama and Trump) Nellie Ohr (wife of Bruce Ohr and former CIA employee) Lisa Page (former legal counsel for Deputy Director Andrew McCabe at FBI under Obama and Trump; exchanged texts about Trump with Peter Strzok) Pat Philbin (former deputy White House counsel under Trump) John Podesta (former counselor to Obama; senior adviser to Biden on climate policy) Samatha Power (former ambassador to the United Nations under Obama, administrator of AID under Biden) Bill Priestap (former assistant director for counterintelligence, FBI, under Obama) Susan Rice (former national security adviser under Obama, director of the Domestic Policy Council under Biden) Rod Rosenstein (former deputy attorney general under Trump) Peter Strzok (former deputy assistant director for counterintelligence, FBI, under Obama and Trump; exchanged texts about Trump with Lisa Page) Jake Sullivan (national security adviser under President Joe Biden) Michael Sussman (former legal representative, Democratic National Committee) Miles Taylor (former DHS official under Trump; penned New York Times op-ed critical of Trump under the byline, Anonymous) Timothy Thibault (former assistant special agent, FBI) Andrew Weissman (Muellers deputy in Russiagate probe) Alexander Vindman (former National Security Council director for European affairs) Christopher Wray (FBI director under Trump and Biden; Trump nominated Patel to replace him even though Wrays term doesnt expire until August 2027) Sally Yates (former deputy attorney general under Obama and, briefly, acting attorney general under Trump) (NewsNation) Kash Patel, who President-elect Donald Trump has tapped to lead the FBI, has vowed to reform and restore trust in the federal agency that hes described as thoroughly compromised while facing criticism from Democrats that he is not qualified for the job. Patel needs to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate in order to secure the role, although some Washington insiders say he will face an uphill battle in landing the job. If confirmed, Patel would replace the FBIs current director, Christopher Wray, who was appointed by Trump and whose tenure wasnt expected to end until 2027. Hunter Biden pardoned for tax, gun charges by President Joe Biden Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Republicans, including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, have praised Patels nomination as very strong, Who is Kash Patel? Patel began his career as a public defender after the New York native and son of Indian immigrants graduated from law school at Pace University and received a certificate in international law at the University College London Faculty of Laws. Patel, 44, also received an undergraduate degree from the University of Richmond, according to his Department of Defense biography. Patel spent several years working as a prosecutor with the Department of Justice. According to his 2023 book, Government Gangsters: The Deep State, The Truth, and the Battle For Our Democracy, Patel wrote that he oversaw prosecuting criminals with ties to al-Qaida, ISIS and other terrorist groups. After working as an aide to U.S. Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., Patel joined the National Security Council before he was named chief of staff for Christopher Miller, the then-acting secretary of defense during the end of Trumps first term in the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York Times reported that Trump ordered that Patel be given a job at the National Safety Council after it was found that Patel had authored the Nunes memo. The document was critical, the report said, in House Republicans undermining the Department of Justices investigation into possible Russian inference in the 2016 presidential election. Kash Patels vision for the FBI In his book, Patel has called for a comprehensive housecleaning of the Justice Department. Patel said that the process would include firing the top ranks and also pledged to prosecute anyone who used their authority for political ends, ABC News reported. He also wrote that the FBI has become thoroughly compromised and that the agency will remain a threat unless drastic measures are taken. FILE The seal on the J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building is seen June 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) He has also pledged to also carry out an agenda that includes: Closing the FBIs Washington headquarters and turning the building into a museum of the so-called Deep State Patel vowed that after closing the headquarters, he would send the 7,000 employees who work in Washington around the country to chase down criminals. Patel has previously vowed to target journalists and other members of the media and said that he would make it easier to sue journalists. He said in a podcast interview with Trump ally Steve Bannon that he would come after the people who lied about American citizens who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections, the Associated Press reported. He has also said he would ensure the agency will aggressively pursue government officials who leak information to reporters, adding that he would find the conspirators. Patel has said he will dramatically reduce the FBIs footprint and said that he will strip 51 former intelligence officials of security clearances that they still hold. Kash Patels ties to Donald Trump Trump became impressed with Patel after he wrote the Nunes Memo and has continued to advance the former public defenders career ever since. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DACA recipients worry protection from deportation wont last another Trump term Axios reported that as a staff member with the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Patel was tasked with leading the committees investigation into Moscows interference with the 2016 presidential election in which Trump defeated Hillary Clinton. The outlet also reported that Patel assisted with writing a memo that accused FBI and Department of Justice employees of bias and abusing their surveillance powers when they allegedly spied on a former Trump campaign staffer. President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at PPG Paints Arena, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Pittsburgh, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) After Patel became Millers chief of staff, Trump flirted with appointing Patel as a possible replacement for CIA Director Gina Haspel, who Trump was reportedly considering firing after he lost the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden. According to reports, Patel was picked to lead the Pentagon transition effort, which worked directly with the Biden-Harris administration before Biden took office in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Media reports stated that Patel became involved in the classified documents case against Trump, which has since been dismissed. Patel reportedly became one of the former presidents top advisers in dealing with the National Archives and the Justice Department in connection with classified documents. Patel was never charged in the case, the reports indicated. Here are the rising Democratic populist leaders to watch The Associated Press also reported that Patel testified at a court hearing in Colorado in a case linked to Trumps alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Patel testified that Trump ordered between 10,000 and 20,000 troops to deploy before the January 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol. Shortly after Trump left office, Patel launched Fight with Kash, an organization that funds defamation lawsuits and sells a wide variety of merchandise, including branded socks and other clothing with the K$H logo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a social media post announcing Patels nomination, Trump called Patel a brilliant lawyer, investigator and America First fighter. What happens to Christopher Wray if Kash Patel is confirmed? As Patel moves toward Senate confirmation hearings, Wray will face the decision of whether to resign or remain on the job and the possibility of being replaced. The New York Times reported that despite being appointed by Trump to lead the FBI in 2017, Wray quickly fell out of the presidents favor for not running the agency Trump wanted. Wray remained on the job and was told by Trump following the 2020 election that he would not be fired. However, after the FBI raided Trumps Mara-A-Lago resort in 2022 as part of the classified documents case, Trump suggested Wray resign. Wray remains in the position, although Patels nomination is being viewed as a move to force Wray to step down, the report indicated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement issued after Trumps announcement naming Patel as his pick, the FBI said, Wrays focus remains on the men and women of the FBI, the people we do the work with, and the people we do the work for. 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. President-elect Donald Trump wants Kash Patel to be the next head of the FBI. Patel, a close Trump ally, served in the first Trump administration in various positions, including chief of staff to the secretary at the Department of Defense and senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council. He started his career as a public defender in Florida and later became a terrorism prosecutor at the Department of Justice. Calling Patel a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and America First fighter, Trump said in a post on Truth Social that Patel played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is the honor of a lifetime to be nominated by President Trump to serve as Director of the FBI, Patel said in a statement to NBC News. Together, we will restore integrity, accountability, and equal justice to our justice system and return the FBI to its rightful mission: protecting the American people. Patel has said he would shake-up the FBI. The biggest problem the FBI has had, has come out of its intel shops, said Patel, per Reuters. Id break that component out of it. Id shut down the FBI Hoover building on day one and reopen it the next day as a museum of the deep state. He said he would mobilize the people who work in the building to make them cops. In order to replace sitting FBI director Chris Wray, who Trump also nominated, he would have to fire Wray, or Wray would have to step down. FBI directors have a 10-year term and Wrays is not set to expire until 2027. Trump also fired FBI director James Comey before his 10-year term was up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The role of FBI director does require Senate confirmation. Its not clear whether or not Patel will have the support necessary. Some of President-elect Donald Trumps top advisers in recent weeks warned him it would be problematic to nominate Kash Patel, one of his most loyal foot soldiers, to lead the FBI, even as it became increasingly clear Trump was leaning in that direction, reported The Wall Street Journal. Some Senate Republicans have already indicated their support for Patel. I gotta say, all of the weeping and gnashing of teeth, people pulling their hair out, are the people dismayed about having a real reformer come into the FBI and clean out the corrupted partisans who sadly have burrowed into senior career positions at the FBI, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said on CBS News Face the Nation. He called Patel a very strong nominee to take on the partisan corruption in the FBI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, congratulated Patel using his BasedMikeLee account and also said, We all need Kash now! #EndFISAAbuse. After Trump announced Patels nomination, a spokesperson for the FBI told Reuters, Every day, the men and women of the FBI continue to work to protect Americans from a growing array of threats. Director Wrays focus remains on the men and women of the FBI, the people we do the work with, and the people we do the work for. Before becoming prominent in Trumps orbit, Patel was an aide to former Republican Rep. Devin Nunes of California. Patel earned his law degree from Pace University and originally comes from Long Island. Patel published a book that was something of a memoir in 2023 called Government Gangsters. Trump called it a must-read and the roadmap to end the Deep States reign, in a post on Truth Social. Patels trip to Utah Patel traveled to the Beehive State last year to campaign for Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs, who was then running as a Republican for Sen. Mitt Romneys open seat. Rep. John Curtis ended up winning the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patel and Staggs sat down for an interview with the Deseret News in December last year. During the interview, Patel said that the first Trump administration didnt have the allies we needed to push forward President Trumps agenda when it came to shutting down the border, taking on the drug cartels, shutting down fentanyl, taking on Iran, China, rolling out our sanctions multilateral efforts along with our tariff efforts along with our national security mission of basically ending the forever wars and wiping out terrorists. He also said he thinks fentanyl should be treated like a national security issue. Shortly after Trump announced his intention to nominate Patel, Staggs took to X to ask both Lee and Curtis to confirm Patel and in a separate post, congratulated him on the nod from Trump. Kate, the Princess of Wales, joined her husband Prince William and his father, King Charles III, in welcoming the leader of Qatar to the United Kingdom Tuesday for a two-day state visit. Kate and William were the first to greet Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and his wife Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, meeting them at their residence Tuesday and then traveling with them to Horse Guards Parade in in St James's Park. There, the emir and his wife received a ceremonial welcome from Charles, who attended without his wife, Queen Camilla, who is continuing to recover from a chest infection, according to Buckingham Palace. PHOTO: Kate, Princess of Wales, Prince William and King Charles III, from left, welcome the Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, second right, and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani in London, Dec. 3, 2024. (Kin Cheung/AP, POOL) After the ceremonial welcome, the emir and his wife and Charles, William and Kate traveled in a carriage procession from the Mall to Buckingham Palace for a lunch and tour of a special exhibition of the Royal Collection Trust, according to the palace. PHOTO: Britain's Kate, Princess of Wales and Prince William sit in a carriage after welcoming the Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani in London, Dec. 3, 2024. (Kin Cheung/AP, POOL) Kate's attendance at Tuesday's events marked another first in her gradual return to public duties, her first state visit since announcing in March that she had been diagnosed with cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kate Middleton invites survivors of knife attack to Christmas carol service Kate has not revealed what type of cancer she was diagnosed with, nor details of her treatment, beyond saying that she underwent "preventative chemotherapy." PHOTO: Catherine Princess of Wales and Prince William at the Horse Guards parade for the Emir of Qatar's Ceremonial Welcome on Dec. 3, 2024, in London. (James Veysey/Shutterstock) The 42-year-old princess shared in a video message in September that she had completed chemotherapy and is now focused on staying "cancer free." Prince William and Kate's 3 kids: What to know about George, Charlotte and Louis In recent weeks, Kate has traveled with William to Southport, England for an engagement, and joined royal family members at public events marking Remembrance Sunday. PHOTO: Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales greets dignitaries as she arrives ahead of a Ceremonial Welcome for the Emir of Qatar at Horse Guards Parade in London, Dec. 3, 2024. (Henry Nicholls/AP) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, Kate is scheduled to host one of her biggest passion projects, her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey. Kate Middleton joins Prince William at ceremonial welcome for Qatar state visit originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com KANSAS CITY, Mo. After more than 2.5 years of construction, the tracks of the new KC Streetcar extension on Main St. have all been installed. So Main Street can once again be the Main Street that it was meant to be. Were excited about the future of Streetcar. Were excited about finishing this construction, said KC Streetcar Authority Executive Director Tom Gerend. We have months of testing and the required federal process to get through to opening in 2025, but we cant wait so all of you can ride in 2025, Ex-KCK detective Roger Golubski found dead before trial Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan is to open the new extension to the public in 2025. Before that happens, the new streetcar extension must undergo safety certification testing. Reaching this milestone means drivers will start to see construction cones on Main Street disappear. Im looking forward to it. Itll be great. Theyre going to open the city up, said Streetcar rider Daniel Davis. A total of 36,785 feet of rail make up the 3.5-mile extension from Union Station to UMKC. Im sure itll help all of the businesses along here, too. People will be able to go with free transportation, and itll help them a lot, said Streetcar rider Christi Laing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carl Mori works at Okie Dokie, a tattoo shop across from a streetcar stop on Main Street. Mori said the extension will help with parking and could bring more customers in the door. We hope that with the art institute behind us and the stop directly across the street from us, well get a little more catered individuals in the door. We want people who are art-based and community-based to be able to find us, Mori said. So with the streetcar running right past us, we think thats a good front door advertisement. Some construction projects will continue in 2025. Youll see some construction as we move into next year, like overlaying the pavement south of Linwood. Youre going to see final striping, Gerend explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City leaders say the streetcar extension unlocks development opportunities and gives people a free and safe way to get around downtown Kansas City without a car. Were connecting downtown. Do you remember when the criticism was nobody was going to ride? It wasnt going to produce economic development. It wasnt going to be safe and secure. And weve proven all of those wrong, Gerend explained. Were now extending, because of your support, to connect the two largest employment centers through the densest residential neighborhood. People who live and work in the area are excited about the Main Street extension opening in 2025. Joes Blog: So, whens our next snow chance (MON-12/2) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think any opportunity for people to have public transportation that is so seamless is going to be gold for the city, Mori explained. The extension includes 15 streetcar stops along Main Street, including signature stops at UMKC and the future Plaza Transit Center. The Plaza Transit Center will be a multi-modal hub for streetcars, buses, and cyclists. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Police have identified a teenage boy as the victim of a Saturday night shooting in Kansas City, Kansas. According to the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, 17-year-old Nicholas Brooks was found dead inside a car near North 2nd Street and Quindaro Boulevard. Initial reports of the shooting said that just before 11:25 p.m., police were dispatched to the 200 block of Quindaro on reports of a deceased person inside a car. Upon arrival, they found Brooks inside with an apparent gunshot wound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kansas City man sentenced to 15 years for stabbing two kids in July Police are still investigating the homicide and ask that if you or anyone you know has information about the deadly shooting, call the TIPS Hotline anonymously at (816) 474-8477. There is no suspect in custody nor has police released a suspect description. This is a developing story. Stay tuned at FOX4 News for the latest updates and information. 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. For once, I agree with two-tier Keir: Brexit was a one nation open borders experiment. In fact, I would go further. Since 2021, Britain has been run as a testing laboratory for some of the most irrational and ill-conceived immigration rules in the world. Though the public voted repeatedly and overwhelmingly for numbers to come down, Boris Johnson embarked on an extraordinary liberalisation of our visa system. The results have been breathtaking. In the years before the EU referendum, net migration was running at around 300,000 a year. In the year to June 2023, it reached over 900,000. As astonishing as this failure is, the headline data only tell part of the story. In addition to massively increasing the numbers arriving, Boriss changes reoriented migration flows away from Europe and towards the rest of the world. The latest ONS estimates show that in the year to June 2024, net migration from the EU and EFTA was -95,000. Net migration from outside these countries was 845,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This happened despite clear warning signs about the possible consequences. We already knew from academic research that EEA migrants were the most likely to be net contributors to the public finances; between 1995 and 2011, migrants from EEA countries made a positive contribution of more than 4 billion, while migrants from outside that region took out 118 billion around 17 per cent of the deficit over that period. It seems all too likely that the result of our new system will be to pile pressure on the public finances when the economy is already sluggish, and the long-term fiscal projections dire in their implications. GDP has stagnated; we found out this week that productivity in the second quarter fell -0.9 per cent. For years, economic orthodoxy has held that all migrant workers are contributors. That the higher the levels of immigration, the richer we will be. But the edifice began to crumble earlier this year with the staggering admission from the OBR that low wage migrant workers are a net fiscal drain from the moment they enter the country. By the time they reach 81, they will have cost the taxpayer over 450,000. Of course, this assumes that the migrants are coming to Britain in search of employment. Research from the Centre for Policy Studies has indicated that only 15 per cent of the net migration of over two million non-EU nationals over the last five years came principally to work. Reform UK, meanwhile, has suggested some 50,000 foreign nationals are passing eligibility tests to receive Universal Credit every month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boris, whose attention too often wandered to the pressing question of whether there was any cheese in the fridge, now claims businesses and government departments were freaking out due to a shortage of workers to get things done. Perhaps they were, though it doesnt look like he found many. And if his government had seriously wanted to boost the workforce, he should have started with the millions of economically inactive, many of whom are languishing on benefits despite being able to work. Regrettably, Starmers anti-Brexit rhetoric is unlikely to translate into meaningful action. He isnt even planning to include immigration among the pledges he will unveil in his Plan for Change tomorrow, even though it impacts virtually every other area of policy. How, for instance, will Labour shrink NHS waiting lists if our population is exploding? Public services cannot hope to function if those administering them have no clue how many people are living in a given area. We wont fix the housing crisis when net migration is still expected to surpass Labours extremely ambitious homebuilding targets. The UK has long been an immigration success story: a country that has embraced newcomers and offered safe haven from persecution. In around 300BC, one Greek explorer described British locals as especially friendly to strangers. But the public have been pushed past their limits. Theyve grown tired of contributing towards a system that seems to always put them last, of voting for pledges that are never met. And theyre growing fearful that this is just the beginning: as Guy Dampier of the Legatum Institute warns, these unprecedented levels are the preface to something worse. After five years living in the UK, people can get Indefinite Leave to Remain, and sponsor family members to move here. We may only be at the start of the wave. Something has to give. Something is going to break. The only question is whether itll be our wretched immigration system, or our ailing economy. 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. Ken Martin, a candidate for the Democratic National Committee chair, is calling for a massive narrative and branding project to improve the partys tarnished brand. Martin, the head of Minnesotas Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, released a 10-point memo on Tuesday, laying out his pitch to DNC members for what he wants to change at the partys national headquarters. The details of the memo were shared first with POLITICO. Martin is one of four declared candidates running for DNC chair, which will mark Democrats first opportunity to define their response to the partys abysmal performance in 2024. Ben Wikler, chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, joined the race on Sunday. Former Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley and New York state Sen. James Skoufis are also running. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several other Democrats, including Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, former Rep. Max Rose (D-N.Y.) and Democratic strategist Chuck Rocha are all also considering bids. But Martin, who served as the president of the Association of State Parties, has emerged as an early frontrunner in the race. His campaign said hes locked down endorsements from at least 100 DNC members, a figure that his competitors have not disputed and that represents nearly half of what a candidate needs to win the race. Martins candidate memo, titled A New DNC Framework, hits several themes espoused by Democrats for years, like doubling down on a 50-state strategy, focusing on non-federal races, energizing youth mobilization and investing in year-round organizing in every county. It also calls for examining our spending with a fine-tooth comb and a rigorous, open, and effective primary process to battle-test our candidates to prepare them to win, a nod to the chairs role in presiding over a new primary calendar. Martin had been critical of Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) longshot primary campaign against President Joe Biden, who many Democrats now fault for running for a second term. Though the memo calls for a shake-up of the partys national brand, its light on details for what that might actually entail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The majority of Americans now believe the Republican Party best represents the interests of the working class and the poor, and the Democratic Party is the party of the wealthy and the elites. Its a damning indictment on our party brand, the memo reads. We must be willing to dig deep and recenter the Democratic agenda to unite families across race, age, background, and class. It does, however, call for making state party chairs and executive directors full-time paid positions, as well as establishing a standardized digital platform to democratize the digital ad-buying process. The memo also urges Democrats to show up in nontraditional and uncomfortable media spaces on a regular basis, increase outreach to local messengers and trusted validators, and create our own platforms for authentic engagement. Wikler, as a part of his own candidate launch, also emphasized the importance of Democrats [becoming] the narrator of their own brand by showing up in conservative media spaces. The DNC election will be held on Feb. 1, during the committees winter meeting in Maryland. The DNC plans to host four candidate forums throughout January. Disgraced actor Kevin Spacey, whose career crumbled after numerous sexual misconduct allegations began to emerge in 2017, visited the Israel-Gaza border this weekend with British pro-Israel journalist Douglas Murray, according to Israeli newspapers Haaretz and Ynet News. The House of Cards star reportedly surprised Ayala Levinstein, a member of a combat intelligence unit in the Israeli Defense Forces and the daughter of a friend, touring areas devastated by the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, including the Nova Music Festival site and Kibbutz Kfar Azza. Welcome to Israel @KevinSpacey! Libby Alon, chief international news editor for right-wing outlet Now14Israel, wrote Sunday on X, formerly Twitter, sharing a photo of her and Spacey at the festival grounds. Thank you for your support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The visit comes a little over a year into Israels brutal military campaign in Gaza that has left hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced amid a burgeoning famine, schools and hospitals bombed to rubble and surgeons conducting amputations without anesthesia. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 44,056 Palestinians have been killed since Oct. 7, 2023. Spacey, who reportedly last visited Israel in 2019 to pay his respects after the death of his managers rabbi brother-in-law, fell from grace in 2017 when the first of numerous sexual misconduct allegations emerged and he was accused of molesting a then-14-year-old actor in 1986. Spacey, seen here in London in July 2023 after being acquitted of sexual assault charges. Alberto Pezzali/Associated Press The Oscar winner was found not liable by a New York jury in 2022, and last year was acquitted in London of nine charges of sexual assault involving four theater actors. Several other sexual misconduct allegations against Spacey emerged earlier this year in a documentary series. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June, the actor admitted to flying on a private jet with Jeffrey Epstein, former President Bill Clinton and several young girls during what he said was an eight-day humanitarian trip to Africa in 2002 to promote AIDS prevention and awareness. Murray, a staunch critic of Islam and liberal immigration policies in Europe, has visited Israel numerous times this year and and called the recent International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for crimes against humanity exceptionally dangerous. He recently published a New York Post op-ed celebrating President-elect Donald Trumps victory over Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris in the recent U.S. election, quoting songwriter Ira Gershwin in his conclusion: Whos got the last laugh now? Need help? Visit RAINNs National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Centers website. Related... HANOI, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's wood and timber product exports are projected to hit 15.5 billion to 16 billion U.S. dollars this year, given an export growth of nearly 21 percent to 13.18 billion dollars achieved in the first 10 months, Vietnam News Agency cited the Department of Forestry under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as saying on Tuesday. The United States is currently the largest importer of Vietnam's wood and timber products, accounting for over half of the market share, followed by China and Japan. Among Vietnam's top 15 export markets, wood and timber product exports to Spain sees the strongest increase, at over 63 percent. Many local wood processing companies said they had secured orders until the first quarter of next year. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will continue to implement policies that encourage the development of large and certified sustainable forest management timber, and the development of cooperation and linkages in forest plantation production associated with the consumption of forest products. Key Republican senators promised on Monday that President-elect Donald Trumps pick to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, will be vetted through the confirmation process. At the same time, two incoming committee chairs suggested openness to Patel and Trumps other nominees not undergoing full FBI background checks as has traditionally been done. CNN has reported that Trumps transition team is bypassing traditional FBI background checks for at least some of his Cabinet picks. Trump and his allies believe the FBI system is slow and plagued with issues that could stymie the president-elects plan to quickly begin the work of implementing his agenda, people briefed on the plans said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My job is to make sure that the nominees have a thorough, fair process, and ultimately, you know, our members will decide, said Sen John Thune, the incoming Senate Majority Leader, when asked if he has any concerns about Patel. Thune said, historically, the best place to get that done has been through the FBI, but he acknowledged Trump has some alternatives in mind for background checks and the committee chairs will have to trust that nominees before them have been thoroughly examined. Republican Sen. Michael Crapo, who will chair the Senate Finance Committee that will hold confirmation hearings for several positions, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be the Department of Health and Human Services secretary, said he will accept whatever Trump wants. No, Ill let that be a decision that President Trump makes, he said when asked if he will insist on background checks performed by the FBI. My position is what President Trump decides to do is what I will support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unclear how many Republican senators would be open to not having FBI background checks for nominees, and other key senators have already affirmed the importance of background checks. Asked on Monday if she is concerned about new allegations that have emerged publicly about Trumps pick for Defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, GOP Sen. Susan Collins, a key potential swing vote, said, I havent read about them, but its why we need FBI background check on nominees, so that we can sort out issues like that. The New Yorker reported Sunday that Hegseth was pushed out as the head of two veterans advocacy organizations amid internal allegations of mismanagement and personal misconduct. It comes on the heels of reports detailing a sexual assault allegation from 2017, which Hegseth has denied and in which no charges were filed. Asked by CNN for comment about the magazines reporting, a Hegseth adviser said, Were not going to comment on outlandish claims laundered through the New Yorker by a petty and jealous disgruntled former associate of Mr. Hegseths. Get back to us when you try your first attempt at actual journalism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth met with around a dozen Senate Republicans in the Capitol on Monday evening, including Sens. Mike Lee, Bill Hagerty, Rick Scott, Ted Cruz and Cynthia Lummis. Speaking to reporters, Lummis dismissed concerns about Hegseths alleged actions, saying that soldiers can be wild childs. Theyre throwing disparaging remarks at someone who has earned a great deal of credibility, she said. Are soldiers sometimes wild childs? Yeah, that can happen, but it is very clear that this guy is the guy who, at a time when Americans are losing confidence in their own military and our ability to project strength around the world, that Pete Hegseth is the answer to that concern. Cruz would not rule out voting for a nominee who hasnt received an FBI background check. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When he was first asked about background checks on the nominees, Cruz told reporters, Look, there will be background checks on nominees and that thats always been an important part of the process, but when pressed on if he needs to see FBI background checks, the Texas Republican said, Were going to let each committee resolve those issues. Asked if hed be willing to vote on a nominee who hasnt received an FBI background check, Cruz repeated, As I said, thats going to be for each committee to decide. GOP Sen. Roger Wicker, who will chair the Senate Armed Services Committee that will hold confirmation hearings for Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense, said I would prefer a full background check but stopped short of saying he would insist on it. I havent said that, he responded to CNN. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com TOPEKA (KSNT) State troopers issued more than a thousand warnings for drivers who were caught speeding across Kansas highways over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) reported in a press release on Dec. 2 that it issued numerous warnings and citations and made multiple arrests during the Thanksgiving holiday. This reporting period began at 6 p.m. on Nov. 27 and ended at midnight on Dec. 1. State troopers made more than a dozen DUI arrests and issued more than 2,100 citations and warnings regarding speed violations. One person from Lawrence died in a fatal crash worked by the KHP in Nemaha County during this reporting period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DUI arrests 13. Speed citations 1135. Speed warnings 1042. Safety belt citations 86. Safety belt warnings 7. Safety belt teen citations 3. Safety belt teen warnings 0. Child restraint citations 22. Motorist assist 893. Emporia city manager calls Tyson layoffs a major setback For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf 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 KSNT 27 News. Lady Gabriella Windsor, a second cousin of King Charles III, wept in court Tuesday, as she testified about her husbands death earlier this year from suicide. Windsor, 43, said in a statement read out in court that she believes her husband Thomas Kingston, 45, made an impulse decision when he shot himself in the head at his parents home in February. The fact that he took his life at the home of his beloved parents suggests the decision was the result of a sudden impulse, Windsor said, according to the Daily Mail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Windsor wept at times during the hearing for the inquest into her husbands death. Though his death is not considered suspicious, an inquest is a common practice in the United Kingdom for those who die under unnatural circumstances. Windsor testified that her husbands actions were likely provoked by an adverse reaction to psychiatric medication. He had tried Sertraline, Zopiclone and Citalopram, but had stopped taking them in the days before his death, she said. It seems highly likely to me that he had an adverse reaction to the pills that led him to take his life, she said in the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe anyone taking pills such as these need to be made more aware of the side effects to prevent any future deaths. If this could happen to Tom, this could happen to anyone. The couple were married in a 2019 ceremony, at which the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were guests. In the statement, Windsor said their marriage was deeply loving and trusting. Kingstons also father wept as he described breaking down the door of an outbuilding and finding his son. The coroner said: Mr Kingston took his own life using a shotgun which caused a severe traumatic wound to the head. The evidence of his wife, family and business partner all supports his lack of suicidal intent. He was suffering adverse effects of medication he had recently been prescribed. Windsor, 43, is the Kings second cousin; they are both great-grandchildren of King George V. A KLM Boeing 777 flying from the Netherlands to South America turned around over the Atlantic Ocean. The passengers were traveling to the small nation of Suriname but ended up back in Amsterdam. Diverting back to an airline's hub can make it simpler to reroute passengers or make repairs. A KLM plane U-turned over the Atlantic Ocean, leaving passengers with a four-hour flight to nowhere . The Boeing 777 left Amsterdam for Paramaribo, the capital of the small South American nation of Suriname, on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Data from Flightradar24 shows the flight departed on time. But two hours into the journey and about 900 nautical miles from Amsterdam, the Boeing 777 turned around over the ocean and headed back. It landed back at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport about four hours after takeoff. The flight to Suriname, which was once a Dutch colony and still uses Dutch as an official language, typically takes just under nine hours. The Aviation Herald, which first reported the incident, said the pilots told air traffic control the plane had a small leak, but it wasn't clear what type. A KLM spokesperson told Business Insider there was a "technical malfunction," adding, "As a precaution, the aircraft returned after two hours of flying." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Passengers flew on a replacement aircraft about eight hours after the scheduled departure time. The 777 was back in service the following day, according to Flightradar24. It's not the first time passengers have been left with a flight to nowhere in recent weeks. Last month, an American Airlines flight encountered turbulence on the way from Brazil to Miami. It turned back to Sao Paulo, and one passenger was taken to hospital. In late October, a British Airways Boeing 777 experienced a problem over the Atlantic. It turned back to London and landed there nine hours after takeoff. For carriers flying over the Atlantic, a flight to nowhere is often the best decision when something goes wrong. It's typically simpler for airlines to reroute passengers and fix planes back at their hub airports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But sometimes diversions to non-hub airports are unavoidable. In May, for instance, an Air France jet made an urgent landing in Canada's far north, causing a different flight to be canceled to rescue the passengers. Read the original article on Business Insider Donald Trumps decision to pick Kash Patel to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation has set off alarm bells in Washington due to Patels fondness for conspiracy theories and his limited experience in leadership and law enforcement. An ardent supporter of the president-elect, Kashyap Kash Patel a lawyer who once worked as a federal prosecutor has been tapped to replace Christopher Wray atop the FBI. Here are five things to know about the 44-year-old, who has signaled he wants to help dish out Trumps revenge against his political opponents. A Trump Cheerleader As with Trumps other Cabinet picks, Patels fealty to the president-elect appears to have been key to securing the job. During Trumps criminal trial in New York, Patel was among a group of supporters who accompanied him to the courthouse, telling reporters that the soon-to-be convicted felon was the victim of an unconstitutional circus. Kash Patel, in a blue shirt, watches as Donald Trump speaks to members of the media while arriving at Manhattan criminal court in New York on May 20, 2024. Bloomberg via Getty Images Patels breakthrough in Trump world came in tandem with his work to discredit the FBIs investigation into potential ties between Russia and Trumps 2016 presidential campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As an aide to former House Intelligence Committee Chair and Trump ally Devin Nunes, Patel helped author a report that detailed what it said were errors the Justice Department made in obtaining a warrant to track a former Trump campaign adviser. Patel also held several roles in Trumps first administration, serving as an adviser on the National Security Council and as chief of staff to the acting secretary of defense. Patel remained close after Trump left office in January 2021. Patel was even subpoenaed to appear before a grand jury in connection with the Justice Departments probe into Trumps handling of classified documents. A Middling Public Defender Patel has said he worked for about nine years as a public defender in Florida. A New York Times piece cites colleagues who recalled him as a middling performer with a deep animosity toward the Justice Department prosecutors he found himself up against. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He went on to work as a terrorism prosecutor at the Justice Department and has repeatedly claimed he was the lead prosecutor in the governments pursuit of the perpetrators of the 2012 attack on a U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans. Another New York Times article suggests Patel was a junior staff member at the time. Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe has warned that Patel is out of his depth, citing his lack of management and law enforcement experience. The fact that Kash Patel is profoundly unqualified for this job is not even like a matter for debate, McCabe said Saturday on CNN. Kash Patel, a former chief of staff to then-acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller, speaks during a campaign event for Republican election candidates at the Whiskey Roads Restaurant & Bar on July 31, 2022, in Tucson, Arizona. Brandon Bell via Getty Images Promises Media: Were Going To Come After You Patels notoriety stems in part from a series of brash claims he made during interviews with right-wing media. Patel has said he wants to upend the FBI cracking down on leaks to the media and overhauling intelligence-gathering operations and even vowed to shut down the agencys Washington, D.C., headquarters on Day 1 to replace it as a museum for the deep state, the MAGA-land buzzword for government bureaucracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has promised retribution on his return to the White House, and Patel appears to have taken the vow to heart. In a 2023 interview with Steve Bannon, Trumps former adviser, Patel talked about having all-American patriots top to bottom in the FBI before making an ominous warning. We will go out and find the conspirators not just in government, but in the media, he said. Yes, were going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections. Were going to come after you, Patel continues. Whether its criminally or civilly, well figure that out. But yeah, were putting you all on notice. His Books Name His Targets Patels obsession with the deep state and conspiracy theories is best illustrated in his own writing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his 2023 book Government Gangsters, Patel eyes a comprehensive housecleaning of the Justice Department, and even lists officials and former officials on his blacklist including Attorney General Merrick Garland, but also many members of the first Trump administration. Patel is also the author of a childrens book called The Plot Against the King, which calls Trump King Donald. Kash himself plays a wizard who thwarts the plans of a barely disguised Hillary Clinton. Sells K$H Branded Merch Just like Trump whose merchandise includes $100,000 watches and $10,000 guitars Patel is no stranger to the power of branding. Shortly after Trump left office, Patel launched Fight with Kash, an organization that funds defamation lawsuits and sells socks and other clothing emblazoned with the K$H logo. Trumps FBI Director, displaying some of the products he has for sale. Ron Filipkowski (@ronfilipkowski.bsky.social)2024-12-02T12:45:59.591Z Related... It's more than a century old, and throughout its entire history, Kraft has been one of the biggest suppliers of packaged foods, cheese, dairy products, processed meats, and pantry staples. There's so much more to Kraft than macaroni and cheese, however. At various times over the last 100 years, the company that started out as a horse-drawn cheese wagon in Chicago has controlled the production of sale of Philadelphia cream cheese, Tombstone pizza, Oreo cookies, Ritz crackers, Oscar Mayer hot dogs and luncheon meat, Post cereals, Jell-O (whatever that is), Kool-Aid, Entenmann's pastries, and Cadbury chocolate. In other words, Kraft has always made a lot of food for a lot of people and has tremendous power and pull in the supermarket economy. Due to food safety issues, food-borne illness outbreaks, and other problems that make products dangerous or impossible to sell or consume, Kraft has overseen numerous product recalls of its own items and those of its subsidiaries. Here are the most significant recalls in Kraft (or as its now known, Kraft Heinz) history. Read more: The Many, Many Ingredients That Are Packed Into McDonald's Fries Velveeta Cheesy Skillets Were Made With Soy And Not Labeled Properly Box of Velveeta cheesy skillet kit - Walmart The Kraft brand name became synonymous with scientifically created, shelf-stable cheese in large part due to Velveeta. Those soft bricks of salty, savory, and easily meltable and versatile cheese-like goo were invented in 1923, and an early incarnation of Kraft bought The Velveeta Cheese Company in 1927. Velveeta has long been a household name, and Kraft has attempted several brand extensions that utilize the popular processed cheese. One such series of products is an array of Velveeta Cheesy Skillets. Similar to Hamburger Helper in that the boxed dinners provide everything necessary for a hearty family meal with the exception of fresh meat, the Velveeta Cheesy Skillets make use of packets of a starch, seasonings, and Velveeta. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2014, Kraft's contracted Velveeta Cheesy Skillets manufacturer Truitt Brothers announced through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service that it would recall a recent production order of the Ultimate Cheeseburger Mac dinner kits. Neither Truitt Brothers nor Kraft had advised customers with an advisory label that the kits contained hydrolyzed soy protein and dried soy sauce. Those are both derivatives of soybeans, a major food allergen. The recall applied to microwaveable Ultimate Cheeseburger Mac packs made between May 2013 and January 2014, which added up to 1.77 million pounds of product. Plastic Keeps Sticking To Kraft Singles Packages of Kraft singles at a grocery store - rblfmr/Shutterstock Also known as pasteurized prepared cheese product, or American cheese, Kraft Singles are a marvel of food science. This heavily processed cheese-like sandwich filler can stay fresh for months if properly stored, and they come in packages of conveniently individually wrapped slices. The thin plastic that seals the cheese has given Kraft a lot of trouble over the years. In July 2015, the Kraft Heinz Company set into motion a voluntary recall of two production lines of Kraft Singles packaged in various permutations. Four-pound and 3-pound containers of Kraft Singles in both the American and White American flavors bearing particular manufacturing codes were found to make consumers accidentally choke. A small piece of the plastic wrapper had a tendency to stick to the cheese; consumers may not notice that, try to eat the cheese with the plastic still intact, and then choke. Kraft Heinz initially recalled a total of about 36,000 cases of the cheese slices distributed primarily in the U.S. and its territories. In September 2015, Kraft called for a bigger recall over the same plastic issue, asking back another 335,000 cases bound for Central America and South Korea. Eight years later, Kraft Heinz issued a third voluntary recall of Kraft Singles. It wanted 83,800 cases of product returned and refunded because once more, a factory issue led to strips of inedible film remaining on the cheese. Taco Bell Queso Dip Was Recalled Over Botulism Concerns Hand holding Taco Bell mild queso jar - The Image Party/Shutterstock People are turning to Taco Bell to save money, but when they want those fast-food flavors in the comfort of their own home, they may seek out the chain's line of packaged, jarred, and bottled condiments and kits. Taco Bell contracts with Kraft to make those products, which once included a spicy veggies-and cheese mix, the Taco Bell Salsa Con Queso Mild Cheese Dip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July 2018, The Kraft Heinz Company, with the assistance of the Food and Drug Administration, asked consumers to return any of the queso dip they hadn't eaten. The food conglomerate ordered the voluntary recall of 7,000 cases of 15-ounce jars when it found out that certain lots were prone to separation. The dip would break down into its various components inside the jars, which isn't in and of itself dangerous, but it can lead to the right environment for the proliferation of Clostridium botulinum. Otherwise known as botulism, if that bacteria is consumed, it can cause damage to the body's nervous, muscular, respiratory systems, or be fatal. Kraft didn't receive any word of customers suffering from food-borne illness, but it recalled the queso out of an abundance of caution. Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Went Bad Early And Made People Sick Package of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon - Keith Homan/Shutterstock Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the most famous brands controlled by Kraft Heinz is Oscar Mayer, purveyor of refrigerated meat products like bacon, hot dogs, and lunchmeat. It's also a leading producer of turkey bacon, which, if the labels on Oscar Mayer's packages of the stuff are to be believed, is significantly healthier than its pork fat-based counterpart, passing on less fat and even sodium to the consumer. In August 2015, neither Kraft nor Oscar Mayer could speak to the safety and superiority of its turkey bacon, temporarily. After some consumers who had purchased and eaten Oscar Mayer turkey bacon complained of sickness, the company investigated and discovered that a lot of the meat had a tendency to go bad and cause illness well before its printed expiration date. With the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service assisting, Heinz recalled approximately 2.1 million pounds of turkey bacon. Included in the pullback: Oscar Mayer Selects Uncured Turkey Bacon, Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Smoked Cured Turkey Chopped and Formed, and Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Smoked Cured Turkey Chopped and Formed. The public returned more than 755,000 pounds of potentially tainted bacon to Kraft, which had been distributed around the U.S. and to St. Martin and the Bahamas. Wild Cherry Capri Sun Was Made With Cleaning Fluid Boxes of cherry Capri Sun on store shelves - KK Stock/Shutterstock When the hot summer months arrive, one great way to cool down is with a Capri Sun. Setting itself apart from the competition by arriving in store shelves in pouches instead of boxes, Capri Sun was first sold in the U.S. in 1982. For the last few decades it's been distributed locally by Kraft. The heavily sweetened juice-based drinks are available in a multitude of flavors, including Wild Cherry. In summer 2022, some Capri Sun consumers noticed that the beverage didn't taste the way it usually did, and they contacted Kraft to complain. By August, Kraft had started to recall 5,760 cases of Capri Sun Wild Cherry. The company determined that some runs of the drink had been made on food processing gear in which diluted cleaning agents had recently been applied. The strange flavor customers noted had been the faint taste of industrial cleaning products. As Capri Sun is told in boxes of 10 pouches, this amounted to a recall of 230,400 total pouches that had to be taken out of circulation. Kraft Macaroni And Cheese Dinner Was Laced With Metal Shavings Boxes of Kraft macaroni and cheese - Michael M. Santiago/Getty A cheap, comfort food loved by adults and children alike, macaroni and cheese can be found in most any grocery store in North America. Kraft's Macaroni and Cheese Dinner, or Kraft Dinner as it's known in Canada, was the first of many brands that combines dried elbow pasta with a sealed envelope of powdered processed cheese, arriving in stores in 1937. It's a flagship Kraft product more than 80 years later, and the food conglomerate still sells about a million boxes of Macaroni and Cheese Dinner every day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This means that a 2015 recall of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese took out of the food system about a week's worth of the supply of the product. After eight consumers filed complaints about finding traces of metal in their food, Kraft decided to try to get back the potentially injurious metal-contaminated mac and cheese. A run of the original flavor of the product was made on faulty machines, and that worked out to 242,000 cases, or around 6.5 million boxes. A Kraft spokesperson offered an explanation. "We believe a piece of stainless steel got wedged in a metal piece of equipment, which may have generated friction that resulted in small pieces of metal potentially falling into the product," Joyce Hodel told the Los Angeles Times. Various Cottage Cheese Brands Were Recalled For Spoilage Issues Varieties of Knudsen's cottage cheese with fruit at supermarket - The Image Party/Shutterstock In terms of breadth of product and the total number of units affected, a recall of cottage cheese in May 2014 is one of the largest bring-backs in Kraft's storied history. The company asked for consumers to not eat and return to the point of purchase cottage cheese containers that had been stamped with particular plant codes. That covered four Kraft owned and operated brands: Breakstone's, Simply Kraft, Knudsen, and Daily Chef. Full-fat, low-fat and fat-free, small curd and regular curd, and non-flavored and products mixed with pineapple, peach, blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, mango, and apple cinnamon were all involved in the recall. Kraft acted so grandly, seeking to recover 1.2 million cases of cottage cheese around 7.2 million to 14.4 million individual containers because of public health risks. Some materials used in the creation of the product may have been stored at an improper temperature. That may have made the cheese a more hospitable environment for the pathogens that cause food-borne illness to develop. Four years later, Kraft put forth another cottage cheese recall, albeit for a different contamination issue. In November 2019, Kraft asked customers to get rid of three kinds of Breakstone's cottage cheese 2% Milkfat Lowfat Large Curd, 4% Milkfat Large Curd, and 4% Milkfat Small Curd because of the possible presence of plastic and metal bits. One consumer reported finding those foreign objects in a Breakstone's product, and Kraft recalled 9,500 cases of those cottage cheese styles. Kraft Real Mayonnaise Was Full Of Insects Jar of Kraft real mayo on store shelf - JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After starting out as a cheese company, Kraft bought other companies and expanded its product line in the early 20th century, introducing Kraft Mayonnaise in 1930. The company later renamed that jarred condiment Kraft Real Mayonnaise and made it the signature item in a whole line that also included lower-fat, fat-free, and homestyle versions, as well as varieties made with different flavors and ingredients, including Kraft Real Mayonnaise with Pure Lemon Juice. On store shelves by the late 1970s, the Food and Drug Administration worked with Kraft on a recall of the lemon-spiked mayo in May 1978. An inspection uncovered evidence that thousands of units were produced and then distributed to more than 4,000 shops in the southern United States with a different extra ingredient Kraft didn't intend for the mayo: deceased bugs. The FDA claimed that accidentally eating insects wouldn't harm consumers, but they still asked for the return of more than 4,000 caseloads of lemon mayonnaise. Making homemade mayo is easy, and all the more of an attractive option knowing that stuff like this can happen. Taco Bell Taco Shells Were Made With Illegal Corn Boxes of Taco Bell shells on store shelf - The Image Party/Shutterstock Beginning in the mid-1990s and after decades of research and development, the FDA approved for sale the GMOs, or genetically modified organisms. These were crops made to be more hearty or taste better, or different, via the manipulation of their DNA. Tomatoes, soybeans, potatoes, summer squash, and corn were among the first GMO produce items sold in the United States. However, not every kind of scientifically-built corn was approved for human consumption. One variety, StarLink, had received a go-ahead from the FDA to be used for animal feed. In 2000, Kraft Foods used that same corn in taco shells it was contracted to produce for more than 7,000 Taco Bell restaurants in the U.S. and in Taco Bell branded shells sold in grocery stores. In September 2023, Taco Bell recalled every Taco Bell taco shell made with what was forbidden corn, the first time a product had to come back over GMO concerns. Supermarkets removed them from shelves and restaurants used an alternate supplier until the recall-associated products were out of its system and replaced with shells made from non-GMO corn. Kraft Recalled Trail Mix Made With Pistachios Over Potential Salmonella Contamination Bag of Planters pistachio blend nut mix - Keith Homan/Shutterstock When Kraft Foods bought Nabisco in 2000, it thereby acquired Standard Brands, maker of Planters branded nuts and snacks. As of 2021, Planters is owned by Hormel Foods, but when it was a division of Kraft, its pistachios were subject to a big and urgent recall. The FDA announced in April 2009 that multiple products sold under the Planters and Back to Nature lines that had been sent out to stores across the entire United States needed to be returned for food safety issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kraft aimed to get out of the food supply Planters dry roasted pistachios and various snack and trail mixes, as well as Back to Nature's pistachio mix and Nantucket Blend varieties. They'd been produced with pistachios sourced from Setton Farms, which in early 2009 recalled nearly one million pounds of pistachios harvested in 2008. The nuts were possibly tainted with salmonella, a food-borne bacteria that if consumed can lead to fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Ham And Cheese Loaf Was Recalled After Exposure To Raw Meat Package of Oscar Mayer ham and cheese loaf - Oscar Mayer Our most endangered deli meats, like pimento loaf and olive loaf, may be passe, but don't judge anyone for liking these bizarre and delicious sandwich combos. Kraft Heinz subsidiary and famous ready-made meat maker Oscar Mayer still distributes a lot of these increasingly obscure products. One such sandwich filling is its Ham and Cheese Loaf. Promising the classic ham-and-cheese pairing but in just one sliced deli item, it's created by combining processed and chopped ham with small, bright orange-colored bits of plasticine but "real Kraft cheese." Kraft makes Ham and Cheese Loaf in 16-ounce, vacuum-sealed packs, and in December 2022, it had to recall one day's entire production run of the item. Loafed meat made and packed on October 10, 2022 was produced on equipment at a factory in Kirksville, Missouri. That machinery hadn't been properly cleaned after being used to make other products out of undercooked meat. Germs carrying food-borne illness not yet cooked out of those items may have contaminated the Ham and Cheese Loaf, prompting Kraft to recall the whole load. Overall, it needed to see the return of 2,400 pounds of meat. Oscar Mayer Classic Wieners Were Dangerously And Secretly Cheese-Filled Packages of Oscar Mayer classic wieners - Justin Sullivan/Getty Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In its well-known ad jingle, Kraft Heinz-owned deli meats and hot dogs maker Oscar Mayer posits that most anyone would want to be "an Oscar Mayer wiener" because they're so beloved. Indeed, it's a national brand of hot dog, and it's a whole line of frankfurters of different sizes and flavors. Oscar Mayer provides both plain Classic Wieners and also Cheese Stuffed Hot Dogs, which feature narrow tubes of cheese inside the meat that melt when heated. The use of cheese indicates dairy products are present, which Oscar Mayer dutifully notes on the labels of its Cheese Stuffed Hot Dogs. But when it accidentally shipped out thousands of packs of Cheese Stuffed Hot Dogs in the Classic Wiener packaging in 2014, that amounted to failure to note a food allergen dairy is a common trigger for people with food sensitivities. Oscar Mayer identified what lots of cheesy hot dogs were distributed in the wrong labels and announced a recall in April 2014. The Kraft company asked customers to return about 96,000 pounds of wieners. For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout. Russia has criticized German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's latest promises of aid for Ukraine, following the German leader's visit to Kiev this week. Scholz did not say anything new, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday. But, Peskov added, like other representatives of European states, Scholz indicated that the current course in this war would be continued. "They deliberately continue to pursue their destructive policy aimed at fuelling and continuing this war," Peskov was cited as saying by Russian news agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia started the war with a large-scale invasion in February 2022. Despite the criticism of Scholz, Peskov said Moscow is willing to continue the recently resumed contact with the chancellor. Of course, there is a point in continuing contacts; there is always a point in resuming them. The president has repeatedly said that he remains open to dialogue aimed at achieving our goals, Peskov said. In November, Scholz called Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time in almost two years, but received some criticism internationally for holding the call. With regard to the latest military aid package for Ukraine from Washington - amounting to some $725 million - Peskov said the deliveries "cannot influence the dynamics at the front. SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's parliament voted on Wednesday to lift an emergency martial law declared Tuesday night by President Yoon Suk-yeol, TV footage showed. The National Assembly held a plenary session, passing a resolution to lift the martial law with 18 lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party and 172 lawmakers of opposition parties in attendance and voting in favor. By constitution, the president should lift the martial law decree when the 300-member parliament demands the lifting with a majority of lawmakers voting in favor. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik said the president should immediately lift the martial law order according to the parliament's resolution approval, noting that the martial law declaration became invalid. Woo confirmed that all martial law troops have left the parliamentary building. Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, expressed his great regret over the martial law declaration as a ruling party chair, saying the unconstitutional, illegal declaration lost its effect after the parliamentary decision. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, said the declaration was illegal and unconstitutional as it failed to meet the requirements under the constitution and the martial law, urging the police and the military to return to their normal job as following the illegal, unconstitutional order of the president itself is illegal. Yoon declared the emergency martial law in a televised emergency address on Tuesday night, saying "I declare an emergency martial law" to eradicate anti-state forces and uphold free constitutional order. It marked the first martial law declaration since the country's military dictatorship ended in the late 1980s. He noted that it was an inevitable step to ensure people's freedom, safety and national sustainability from the anti-state forces seeking to overthrow the country, vowing to eliminate the anti-state forces and normalize the country as soon as possible. Yoon criticized the parliament for paralyzing state affairs by attempting to impeach government officials, launch a special prosecutor's team for investigation into scandals involving the first lady and protect the opposition leader from legal risks. The president said the martial law declaration may cause inconvenience to people who followed constitutional values, adding that he will make efforts to minimize the inconvenience. Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who reportedly proposed the martial law declaration to Yoon, ordered a meeting of key commanders, urging the military to strengthen vigilance. The martial law command issued its first decree to ban all political activities relevant to the parliament, local councils and political parties as well as political gatherings and rallies. It prohibited fake news, public opinion manipulation and false incitement, saying that all media and publishers will be controlled by the martial law command. Any strike, go-slow and assembly that promote social unrest were prohibited, while all medical personnel who had been on strike or left the medical field, such as resident doctors, were ordered to return to their jobs within 48 hours. Violators of the decree will be arrested, detained and seized without a warrant and be punished under martial law, the command noted. MOSCOW (Reuters) - A visit to Russia by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is being prepared, but there is no clarity yet on when it will take place, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday. Peskov said it was unclear whether the visit would happen this year, but that a date for the trip could be agreed very quickly if necessary. "Such a visit is being prepared, preparations are underway," Peskov told reporters at a daily briefing when asked about the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscow is preparing to sign a new bilateral treaty with Tehran that will include closer defence cooperation, the kind of treaty that Russian President Vladimir Putin often signs in person with his foreign counterparts. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told state television in late October the treaty would be signed "in the near future". Moscow signed a similar "comprehensive" treaty with North Korea, which includes a mutual defence clause, in June. Military ties between Moscow and Tehran are a source of concern to the West as Russia prosecutes its war in Ukraine and turns to allies like Tehran for support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Vladimir Putin and Pezeshkian discussed the escalating situation in Syria by phone on Monday, with the latter vowing cooperation with Moscow to help resolve the crisis. (Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Andrew Osborn) KYLE, Texas (KXAN) The city of Kyle announced Tuesday it is able to ease some drought restrictions, citing successful conservation efforts and the anticipated delivery of a new water supply. The increase in water is coming from Alliance Water, a regional water authority, which has constructed a 20-mile pipeline that will bring groundwater from the Carrizo-Wicox Aquifer, a large aquifer that spans 60 Texas counties, to Kyle. Once the pipeline is active in early 2025 it will be Kyles fifth water source and will increase the citys water supply by approximately 21%, according to the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We greatly appreciate the efforts of our residents in conserving water during the summer months, which have helped us navigate the ongoing drought conditions, Kyle City Manager Bryan Langley said in a press release. Thanks to these efforts, we are able to lift some of the restrictions, while still ensuring we are using water efficiently. The following activities are now permitted for Kyle water customers: Vehicle Washing: Residents can now wash automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, and other mobile equipment at home using a handheld hose. Washing is allowed once a week on any day. Cleaning Outdoor Surfaces: Pressure washing of sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, streets, patios, fencing, and other outdoor surfaces is allowed once a week on any day. Foundation Watering: Irrigating around building foundations via soaker hose to help protect the structural integrity of buildings is permitted once a week on any day. The city urges customers to continue to abide by the following drought restrictions: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outdoor Irrigation: Watering with a hose and sprinkler, soaker hose, drip irrigation, or automatic irrigation system is still limited to every other week on designated outdoor water use days. Handheld Watering: Handheld hoses or watering cans may be used any day of the week between 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. Hoses must be equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle at the emitting end. Automatic Fill Valves: Using automatic fill valve to add water to an outdoor swimming or wading pool or pond is not allowed. 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. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Faculty members at La Tech share memories of a man who died in a tragic skydiving accident in Caddo Parish in mid-November. Dr. Ben Choi was an associate professor of computer science at Louisiana Tech University who inspired his colleagues and students. He held a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering and was an avid pilot, licensed to fly planes and helicopters. Chois love of aviation is apparent in his websites bio, which states that he is the owner of three patents and the editor of Humanoid Robots, which has more than 50K downloads. His peer-reviewed work and scholarly findings have been published and cited numerous times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Caddo Parish deputies find male skydiver deceased in Gilliam, La But I mean, just a phenomenal colleague, and one of our colleagues said earlier today, he was a pillar for the computer science program. said the academic director in engineering and science at LATECH, Dr. Galen E. Turner III Choi loved science, robotics, and skydiving, a hobby he had just picked up. Tragically, on November 16, Dr. Choi went for a routine skydive at Skydive Louisiana and met his end. Through their investigation, Caddo Parish Sheriffs Deputies learned that Chois parachute failed to deploy. They found him deceased a couple of miles from the intended landing location. Louisiana Tech president Jim Henderson released a statement on Monday, December 1, saying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Choi contributed greatly, advancing our students and his discipline with his expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics. His research resulted in multiple publications and patentsbeautifully representing the tech we carry so proudly in our name. Louisiana Tech University President Jim Henderson. I mean, you know, he, he was a pilot, he loved airplanes, helicopters, the whole thing, and you know, even the skydiving. He adds that Dr. Choi lived boldly, leaving a legacy of passion, curiosity, and humility. One student wrote, he would do anything to support potential where he saw one another wrote, he was one of the most intelligent, yet least understood individuals. Dr. Galen E. Turner III said. He loved life and loved to live on the edge. Those are things that students have said about him, I would say to his family just know that he was loved. 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 KTALnews.com. (Rebecca Rivas/The Missouri Independent) Flora Farms took more than 3,000 Zen-brand cannabis gummy products off the shelves last month, after state regulators received a complaint the food-coloring ingredient wasnt listed on the label. The food coloring is not a banned ingredient, said Sami Jo Freeman, spokeswoman for the Division of Cannabis Regulation, and the Flora Farms manufacturing facility in Springfield thats the target of the product recall doesnt have to stop using it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Food coloring must be disclosed in the ingredient list in order to be used in a product, she said. This helps consumers know that if they have an allergy to it, that they should not consume that product. Only one adverse reaction was reported, she said. The consumer reported the reaction did not require hospitalization, but Freeman said she could not provide the consumer complaint to protect the persons privacy. The problem wasnt caught during the extensive review process required under the new recreational marijuana rules. As of Sept. 1, marijuana manufacturers must now package and label all products in division-approved designs before sending them to a dispensary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But catching this type of error is not what the pre-approval process was intended for, Freeman said. Verification of whether information is accurate occurs through other processes, such as inspections, complaints and investigations, Freeman said. The review process for packaging and labeling, she said, is to ensure that all types of required information are included on the package. And its also to make sure the numerous prohibited things such as excessive colors, depictions of candy or cartoon characters stay off. When voters passed the constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana in 2022, it included a provision that labels and packaging for marijuana-related products, shall not be made to be attractive to children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missouri is now a testing ground to see if plain packaging for recreational marijuana will meet this constitutional mandate. Under new state rules, packaging can only be one primary color, and it can have up to two logos or symbols that can be a different color or several different colors. Mark Hendren, president of Flora Farms cannabis company, said the facility has addressed the labeling issue. DCR requested that Zen labels more specifically identify the food coloring used, he said. So thats what we have done. A Dane County judge on Monday overturned Act 10, a 13-year-old law that banned most collective bargaining among public employees, prompted recall elections and ignited massive protests at the state Capitol. The reaction was swift in Wisconsin. Labor unions and Democrats celebrated the long-sought ruling while acknowledging the court case likely isn't over. Republicans and conservative groups condemned the decision by an "activist" judge and promised to appeal it. The ruling is likely to place increased focus on the upcoming state Supreme Court race in April. The case could reach the state's highest court, which is controlled by liberal justices, but Wisconsin voters will again determine the court's ideological balance in spring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's a roundup of reactions to the decision: Former Republican Gov. Scott Walker Walker, the architect of the law, called Dane County Judge Jacob Frost's decision "brazen political activism" in a post on X, formerly Twitter. "This makes the April 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court race that much more important. We want a state where legislators and the governor make the laws, not the courts?" Walker said. "Collective bargaining is not a right. It is an expensive entitlement." Walker also pointed out that Dane County Judge Jacob Frost, who issued the ruling Monday, appeared to have signed a 2011 petition to recall Walker. Frost was appointed to the court in 2020 by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. AFSCME Local 1215 President Ben Gruber Gruber, a conservation warden and plaintiff in the lawsuit, said "today's decision is personal for me and my coworkers." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As a conservation warden, having full collective bargaining rights means we will again have a voice on the job to improve our workplace and make sure that Wisconsin is a safe place for everyone," Gruber said. "We realize there may still be a fight ahead of us in the courts, but make no mistake, we're ready to keep fighting until we all have a seat at the table again." More: Act 10 weakened the warden's union. They hope a lawsuit will bring it back to full strength AFT Wisconsin President Kim Kohlhaas Kohlhaas from AFT Wisconsin, which represents workers in public schools, state agencies and higher education, said "Act 10 stripped workers of the ability to speak up and be heard." "Im thrilled that this law has been ruled unconstitutional, and if it is upheld in further court cases, employees will have the opportunity to create and join unions and advocate for what will help improve public education, higher education and the lives of our citizens, through the essential work public employees do in state agencies," Kohlhaas said. Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale Bloomingdale, president of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, said "its time to turn the page on the dark days of Scott Walkers union-busting and move forward together with full worker freedoms and union rights for all in Wisconsin." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Act 10 has done great harm to working people in our state and has done great damage to the public services our families depend on every day. It has lowered wages and led to staff shortages and long-term vacancies in key public service positions," Bloomingdale said. More: Wisconsin's Act 10 has been overturned. Here's what to know about the controversial law. Teaching Assistants' Association of UW-Madison The TAA, the union for graduate student workers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said the decision "validates what Wisconsin workers have long known: Act 10 is an attack on the working people of Wisconsin, and targeted specific public sector unions on the basis of political favoritism." We are gratified that the court has agreed with us, our many co-plaintiffs, and public servants throughout the state, that the distinctions Act 10 draws between different work categories are arbitrary and unconstitutional, Daniel Levitin, co-president of the union, said. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos Vos, a Republican from Rochester, said Republicans "look forward to presenting our arguments on appeal." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This lawsuit came more than a decade after Act 10 became law and after many courts rejected the same meritless legal challenges. Act 10 has saved Wisconsin taxpayers more than $16 billion," Vos said in a statement. The Republican-controlled state Legislature had made a motion to dismiss the case, which Frost rejected. More: Has Act 10 saved taxpayers $16.8 billion? Here's what we could find. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu LeMahieu, a Republican from Oostburg, said Republicans will "appeal this decision immediately." "For over a decade, liberal activists have attacked reforms that have saved Wisconsin taxpayers tens of billions of dollars. Despite Act 10 being upheld repeatedly by state and federal courts, an activist Dane County judge decided to issue a ruling suddenly deciding Wisconsin's law is unconstitutional," LeMahieu said in a statement. Democratic Party of Wisconsin chair Ben Wikler Wikler, who launched a bid to lead the Democratic National Committee Sunday, said todays ruling marks an important victory for working people in Wisconsin, and affirms whats long been clear Scott Walkers attack on public employees was not just a national disgrace, it was unconstitutional." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "With this decision, working families will once again have the right to organize a right stripped away by Scott Walkers divide and conquer strategy that pitted working Wisconsinites against each other to the benefit of wealthy special interests, Wikler said. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers In a statement on X, Evers called the decision "great news." "I've always believed workers should have a seat at the table in decisions that affect their daily lives and livelihoods. Its about treating workers with dignity and respect and making sure no worker is treated differently because of their profession," Evers said. Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer Neubauer, a Democrat from Racine, posted on X: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This ruling affirms what weve known all along: Wisconsins hardworking public employees should never have lost their collective bargaining rights." Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce Kurt Bauer, CEO and president of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the state's largest business lobby, said in a statement the ruling is wrong on its face and is inconsistent with the law." Act 10 is not only constitutional, it is a critical tool for policymakers and elected officials to balance budgets and find taxpayer savings," Bauer said. "Thanks to Act 10, the state, local governments and countless school districts have saved billions and billions of dollars protecting Wisconsinites from massive tax increases over the last decade-plus. WMC and our members hope this ruling will be appealed and that Act 10 will be reinstated as quickly as possible. Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty Rick Esenberg, president and general counsel for the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, said "todays decision is based on reasoning that was rejected by the federal courts years ago and departs from the way in which Wisconsin courts have handled equal protection cases." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WILL has been involved in multiple efforts to defend the law, through research reports and lawsuits. "Not only does this put taxpayers back on the hook for billions of dollars, it opens the door to allow judges whether they be liberal, conservative or otherwise to undermine the legislative process," Esenberg said. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Reactions to Act 10 decision quickly pour in from unions, politicians Lady Gabriella Windsor is speaking out for the first time about the sudden death of her husband, Thomas Kingston, who died in February at age 45. On Dec. 3, Lady Gabriella, who is a second cousin to King Charles, broke her silence during an inquest at Gloucestershire Coroners Court, revealing the circumstances surrounding her husband's death. A spokesperson for the coroner's office previously told PEOPLE that Kingston's cause of death was "traumatic wound to the head." A gun was found near his body at his parents home in the Cotswolds. In her emotional witness statement, Lady Gabriella, 43, expressed her belief that her late husband's "impulsive action" was likely triggered by medication he had been taking in the weeks leading up to his death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It appears to me Toms impulsive action was likely provoked by an adverse reaction to the medication he had been taking in the last two weeks of his life," Lady Gabriella said in a witness statement read aloud in court, according to The Telegraph. Lady Gabriella, who openly sobbed during parts of the hearing, described her marriage as one of deep love and trust, emphasizing that her husband had never expressed any suicidal thoughts, either to her or to others, according to Hello!. "[Work] was certainly a challenge for him over the years, but I highly doubt it would have led him to take his own life, and it seemed much improved," her witness statement continued, according to Hello!. "If anything had been troubling him, I'm positive that he would have shared that he was struggling severely. The fact that he took his life at the home of his beloved parents suggests the decision was the result of a sudden impulse." Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston at Royal Ascot on June 20, 2019. Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston at Royal Ascot on June 20, 2019. Related: Who Is Thomas Kingston? All About Lady Gabriella's Husband, Found Dead at 45 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added: "The lack of any evidence of inclination it seems highly likely to me that he had an adverse reaction to the pills that led him to take his life. I believe anyone taking pills such as these need to be made more aware of the side effects to prevent any future deaths. If this could happen to Tom, this could happen to anyone." The court heard that Kingston was prescribed zopiclone to help with trouble sleeping and sertraline for anxiety by his general practitioner, Dr. Nicky Naunton Morgan, who is also an apothecary (pharmacist) to King Charles and Queen Camilla's household, The Telegraph reports. Kingston reportedly stopped taking the sertraline after a short period because it made him "very anxious," and his prescription was later changed to diazepam and citalopram. He also reportedly "doubled" his dosage of sleep medication. A financier and former hostage negotiator, Kingston was Lady Gabriella's husband of four years when he died on Feb. 25, 2024. He previously dated Kate Middleton's sister Pippa before marrying Gabriella, the daughter of Prince Michael and Princess Micahel of Kent, in 2019, and the couple frequently attended royal family events. Chris Jackson/Getty (From left) Sophie Winkleman, Queen Camilla, King Charles, Lady Gabriella Windsor, Thomas Kingston and Lord Frederick Windsor at Royal Ascot on June 24, 2023. (From left) Sophie Winkleman, Queen Camilla, King Charles, Lady Gabriella Windsor, Thomas Kingston and Lord Frederick Windsor at Royal Ascot on June 24, 2023. Related: Meet the British Royal Family: A Complete Guide to the Modern Monarchy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The coroner accepted on Dec. 3 that Kingston died as a result of "a self-inflicted gun shot to the head" and his father, Martin, "broke down" as he recounted the painful memory of finding his son's body. The outlet said that the elder Kingston claimed "it cannot be a coincidence" that his son died three weeks after he began taking medications for insomnia and anxiety. While only caffeine and low levels of of zopiclone (a sleeping pill) were found in Kingston's blood and urine in an autopsy, the late financier's father alleged that sertraline could continue to affect a person's thinking after it passed through their system. Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images Thomas Kingston on his May 18, 2019 wedding day to Lady Gabriella Windsor in Windsor, England. Thomas Kingston on his May 18, 2019 wedding day to Lady Gabriella Windsor in Windsor, England. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! The court learned that father and son were licensed gun owners, and Kingston was found alongside one of his father's guns he returned that weekend after borrowing it for a shoot. He was said to be "in his usual ebullient spirits" the day before he died, and attended his niece's birthday party. Buckingham Palace announced the news of Kingston's death on Feb. 27, and Prince William attended his private funeral the following month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The inquest is ongoing. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org. Read the original article on People PICKENS COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) Lamar County is providing Pickens County with a 24-hour ambulance unit after NorthStar EMS closed Sunday. As CBS 42 previously reported, Pickens County Ambulance Service was struggling financially before the COVID-19 pandemic. After the Pickens County Hospital closed in 2020, preexisting challenges were intensified. PCAS was a nonprofit that was ran and operated by NorthStar EMS. The company, however, was averaging four calls a day and relied on subsidies provided by the Pickens County Commission, said NorthStar EMS Director of Operations Edgar Calloway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We managed to hold on until yesterday, Calloway said. Pickens County Commission did not renew the subsidy contract, which Calloway said went to payroll, and there was still a large financial deficit. You just cant continue to lose money on a monthly basis or annual basis and still pay your bills, Calloway said. Pickens County man killed in Fayette County crash As of 8 a.m. Sunday, NorthStar EMS pulled out of Pickens County, but Lamar County Ambulance Service moved in. Were starting off staffed just like they always have been with one, Vernon Mayor Glenn Crawford said Pickens County officials approached Crawford about entering a temporary partnership, the mayor said. After many in-depth conversations, Crawford said he was able to provide the county with one 24-hour ambulance service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will stay down there the entire time while were providing this service for them, Crawford said. The ambulance, paramedic and other ambulance staff are being housed in Carroltons police department. The county provided this accommodation after Pickens County declared itself in an emergency situation, Carrolton Mayor Mickey Walker said. Walker explained an emergency situation is similar to when a state declares themselves in a state of emergency. Funds and resources can be accessed that would have not been able to be used otherwise. Lamar Countys ambulance unit is temporary until Pickens County can find a permanent solution. Crawford hopes that gives residents peace of mind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want them to know theyve got an ambulance, Crawford said. Its staffed 24 hours a day with a licensed paramedic on it. Carroltons mayor said the county is working to become licensed by the state to operate its ambulance service. The goal is to put two ambulances in different parts of the county. Pickens County is also working on bringing the Pickens County Medical Center, the hospital that has been closed since 2020, back up to building code standards. Once that happens, the county will house ambulances there and hopefully reopen a 24-hour emergency department, Walker said. Were not giving up, Walker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The big business of Christmas tree farming in Alabama As Pickens County residents still have an ambulance 24/7, its still just one ambulance that must respond to calls in the entire county. If someone needs medical attention, they have to leave the county to get to a hospital. Its just the fact of health care in the United States, Calloway said. Theres more sick people than there is money to take care of them. Given the population size of rural communities, counties like Pickens are hurt the worst because their economies are to scale, Calloway said. Even though Lamar County is temporarily feeling the gap to make sure residents have someone 24/7 who can respond to their emergencies, Calloway said he believes a long-term solution wont necessarily address long-term problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It doesnt matter what the name is on the side of the vehicle, Calloway said. You still have to make enough money to employ people and take ambulance calls. That was a big challenge NorthStar was faced with during its time running PCAS daily operations. It had the trucks and equipment, but NorthStar needed someone to drive it, and someone who needed a ride in it. The government wants to put a lot of money into equipment and into supplies, Calloway said. Its the people to put in those ambulances thats a huge shortage in this country. 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. The hunt for missing photographer Hannah Kobayashi is over after LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell announced that investigators traveled to the Mexican border to view footage of her crossing alone with her luggage. There is no evidence of foul play, McDonnell said, and she does not appear to be in danger. "She's left the country and is another nation now," McDonnell said at a press conference Monday evening, adding that she is now considered a voluntary missing persons case. Kobayashi took a train to San Diego from Union Station, LAPD investigators said, and crossed into Mexico at the San Ysrido point of entry at 12:13 p.m. on Nov. 12, which came 12 days before her father apparently jumped to his death at a parking lot near LAX. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The border crossing also came a day after she requested that her luggage - which was sent to New York City after she landed at LAX on Nov. 8 on a flight from Maui - arrived at the airport on Nov. 11. That was the last time her phone pinged from LAX, and she has not been heard from since, sparking a mystery and a massive police manhunt that included scores of volunteers who combed Los Angeles from DTLA to Venice Beach. This week McDonnell told the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners that investigators believe that it was no accident that Kobayashi missed a connecting flight to New York City after landing at LAX from Maui. "On Friday November 8th...Hannah Kobayashi missed her connecting flight from LAX to New York which the investigation determined was intentional," McDonnell said. Kobayashi left LAX multi-colored leggings and a black jacket, according to a missing page created for her by the California State Attorney General's Office. The LAPD's bombshell announcement Monday evening ended weeks of speculation that came with countless spent man hours from cops and volunteers who chased leads across Los Angeles with a missing persons' organization saying they believed she was in "imminent danger." Most recently, volunteers descended on Venice Beach Sunday evening to question residents after a possible sighting of Kobayashi recorded on a local hotel's live webcam that pans the Boardwalk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sunday night those volunteers posted a missing persons sign at the Venice V Hotel, which operates the live cam where volunteers believed they spotted her. Some of those people involved in the search questioned area vendors and residents about whether they spotted the woman who resembled Kobayashi in footage recorded around sunset Sunday night. "Someone who said they were part of her family showed me a part of the video from the V and asked me if I saw her, said she was Hannah. She was wearing gray clothes and a black mask," said Isabel Fuentes, a Boardwalk vendor. A second woman who works near Westminster Avenue and the Speedway also said she was shown a grainy shot of a woman a volunteer said was Hannah taken against the backdrop of the sunset. Michele McPhee Despite her family's desperate hunt for Kobayashi, she apparently did not want to be found and instead had indicated a desire to disconnect from communication before she left Maui on Nov. 8, McDonnell said. Upon her arrival he spent days wandering L.A. like a tourist. She was spotted on Nov. 9 at a bookstore in the Grove shopping center. Then, on Sunday, Nov. 10, she returned to the Grove and was captured in a video posted by a shopper and posted on YouTube attending a Lebron James popup event at the Nike store. A photo of the event was also posted on Hannah's Instagram page that same day. Her worried family launched a desperate search for her - which led to the apparent suicide of her father - after she sent cryptic text messages to loved ones that made them believe she was in danger. The LAPD issued a missing persons poster for Hannah on Nov. 15, which came three days after her excursion into Mexico. A missing poster for Hannah Kobayahi was hung outside the V Hotel Sunday night after a possible sighting of her on a live Venice Beach webcam that led volunteers to question area vendors and residents Michele McPhee McDonnell said that LAPD officials feel for the family who believed that something terrible had happened to the photographer from Hawaii. (KTLA) After a massive and lengthy search for a 30-year-old woman from Maui who vanished in Los Angeles last month, sparking concerns of human trafficking and foul play, investigators announced Monday that she was seen crossing into Mexico, appeared unharmed and is now considered a voluntary missing person. Hannah Kobayashi traveled from Maui to L.A. on Nov. 8. There, investigators said she deliberately missed her connecting flight to New York where she was planning on visiting an aunt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Maui native was spotted a day later at The Grove for a LeBron James event, with family members saying they received concerning texts from her that day and that they were concerned for her safety. According to police, Kobayashi was spotted on LAX surveillance cameras on Nov. 11 where she retrieved her luggage, which had originally been checked through to New York. Hannah Kobayashi seen in L.A. in a surveillance photo obtained by family members. (viewer image) The investigation further revealed that Kobayashi knowingly departed LAX with her luggage and traveled to Union Station, an LAPD news release stated. While at Union Station, she used her passport to purchase a bus ticket for a destination near the Mexico border. Where is Hannah Kobayashi? What we know Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators with LAPDs Missing Persons Unit traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border on Dec. 1 where they viewed surveillance footage of the 30-year-old enter Mexico from San Ysidro on Nov. 12. Our priority is ensuring Ms. Kobayashis safety and well-being, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said at the news conference. We urge Ms. Kobayashi to contact her family, law enforcement or personnel at the U.S. Embassy to let us know she is safe. She has the right to privacy, and we respect her choice, but we also understand the concern her loved ones feel. A simple message could reassure those who care about her. 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. By Akbar Novruz On December 3, Azerbaijan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov, delivered a speech at the 28th meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) during his working visit to Mashhad, Iran. In his speech, Bayramov outlined Azerbaijan's views on enhancing cooperation within the ECO, particularly in the areas of institutional development, economic and trade relations, energy security, environmental protection, transport and communications, and connectivity. He emphasized the importance of the meeting in addressing the needs of the Organization and the progress made since the ECO meeting in Shusha on October 10, 2023. Bayramov expressed gratitude to Iran for its chairmanship of the ECO in 2024 and for organizing the 28th Foreign Ministers' meeting. He also wished success to Kazakhstan, which will chair the Organization in the following year. He highlighted Azerbaijan's plans to host the ECO Summit next year and stressed the importance of active participation from all member states. The minister emphasized the relevance of the "ECO Vision 2025" strategy, aimed at leveraging the existing economic potential among member states and addressing regional challenges. He also underscored the role of specialized ECO organizations, such as the ECO Research Center and the Clean Energy Center, in fostering cooperation in trade, investment, energy security, and environmental protection. Bayramov highlighted critical regional transport initiatives, including the North-South Corridor, the East-West Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor, and the modernization of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. He also mentioned regional infrastructure projects connecting Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic with the East Zangezur economic region through Iran. The minister discussed the achievements of COP29, which Azerbaijan hosted in November, noting the significance of agreements such as the Baku Financial Goal in addressing climate change. He also emphasized the Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the Field of Development and Transmission of Green Energy signed at COP29, which he believes will contribute to regional economic development and energy security. The meeting concluded with the adoption of the "Mashhad Communique," a final document outlining the outcomes of the meeting. NEW DELHI, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Indian government Tuesday said it has added the 57th tiger reserve to its tally. According to India's federal ministry of environment, forest and climate change, the latest to join the list is Ratapani Tiger Reserve in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. "We continue to make great strides in conserving our tigers ... The latest to join the list is Ratapani Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh," federal minister of environment, forest and climate change Bhupender Yadav said in a statement. "As a country of nature lovers and worshippers, India offers the best habitat for the big cat." Officials said Ratapani Tiger Reserve is the eighth tiger reserve of Madhya Pradesh. It has a core area of 763.8 square km, a buffer area of 507.6 square km and a total area of 1,271.4 square km. "This conservation initiative will strengthen wildlife management in the forests of Ratapani, Bhopal Sehore area," the ministry said in a statement. "The local communities will get the desired ecotourism benefits with this and it will help in the development of the region." Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the notification of the Ratapani Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh as "wonderful news for environment lovers", saying India's tiger population has been increasing due to the country's consistent conservation efforts. Amid the search for Hannah Kobayashi, 30, who vanished during a layover in Los Angeles last month, investigators announced on Monday that she was seen crossing into Mexico, appeared unharmed and is now considered a voluntary missing person. Hannah Kobayashi traveled from Maui to L.A. on Nov. 8. There, investigators said she deliberately missed her connecting flight to New York where she was planning on visiting an aunt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Maui native was spotted a day later at The Grove for a LeBron James event, with family members saying they received concerning texts from her. She was then seen at the Pico Metro Station near Crypto.com Arena around 10 p.m. on Nov. 11 with an unknown person. As the weeks passed and the search intensified, with more family members traveling to L.A. to look for her, they stated publicly that they believed Hannah had possibly been harmed by another person. Police, however, said Kobayashi was seen on LAX surveillance cameras on Nov. 11 where she retrieved her luggage, which had originally been checked through to New York. Hannah Kobayashi seen in L.A. in a surveillance photo obtained by family members. (viewer image) The investigation further revealed that Kobayashi knowingly departed LAX with her luggage and traveled to Union Station, an LAPD news release stated. While at Union Station, she used her passport to purchase a bus ticket for a destination near the Mexico border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators with LAPDs Missing Persons Unit traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border on Dec. 1 where they viewed surveillance footage of the 30-year-old entering Mexico from San Ysidro on Nov. 12. Where is Hannah Kobayashi? What we know While she was in Mexico, the search for her continued in L.A. On Nov. 24, it took a tragic turn when her father, Ryan Kobayashi, was found dead in a parking lot near LAX, where the familys search was centered. The LAPD said he died by suicide. Ryan spoke with KTLA just days before his death, in hopes of reaching his daughter. I miss her, he said. Just want her to know that and just want her to reach out anything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Mondays news conference, detectives said that before she left Maui, the 30-year-old expressed a desire to step away from modern connectivity and added that it remains unclear if she still has her cellphone. Additionally, authorities said Kobayashi is not a suspect in any criminal activity and that her classification as a voluntary missing person reflects a balance between respecting her privacy concerns and ensuring any investigative actions are conducted within legal and ethical standards. Our priority is ensuring Ms. Kobayashis safety and well-being, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said at the news conference. We urge Ms. Kobayashi to contact her family, law enforcement or personnel at the U.S. Embassy to let us know she is safe. She has the right to privacy, and we respect her choice, but we also understand the concern her loved ones feel. A simple message could reassure those who care about her. 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. Larry Ellison plans to invest up to $165 million into research at the University of Oxford. The investment aims to transform research into products, focusing on key global challenges. The Ellison Institute of Technology is opening a campus in Oxford in 2027. Larry Ellison is betting big on research and development in the UK by investing at least $127 million through his technology institute to help turn scientific discoveries at the University of Oxford into products. The Ellison Institute of Technology, set up by the Oracle cofounder in 2015, plans to invest 130 million ($165 million) overall to fund joint research projects at the university in areas ranging from health to clean energy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ellison said in a press release that the joint venture's mission is to "have a global impact by fundamentally reimagining the way science and technology translate into end-to-end solutions for humanity's most challenging problems." "This long-term, strategic partnership with the University of Oxford is at the heart of delivering on that goal," he added. "By collaborating on transformational, world-class research programs harnessing new technology and compute capability we will together deliver positive impact on society at scale." The Oracle cofounder, now the world's fourth richest person, founded The Ellison Institute of Technology as a research and development center for healthcare. The center announced plans to build a campus in Oxford in 2023, which is set to open in 2027. The $1.27 billion development will include labs, supercomputing facilities, and cancer research clinics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The EIT will inject millions into joint research projects with the University of Oxford to dedicate to what Professor Irene Tracey, the university's vice-chancellor, described in a press release as "humanity's most pressing challenges." The joint center's research will focus on EIT's four "Humane Endeavours": health and medical science, sustainable agriculture, clean energy, and government innovation in the age of AI. Professor Sir John Bell, the president of EIT Oxford, said in a statement that the alliance "comes at an exciting time in the technological revolution." "By combining world-class research with long-term capital investment and state-of-the-art facilities, we will tackle some of society's biggest challenges," he said. "Whether it's advancing new approaches for healthcare or solving the issues of food security, we will make progress using the brightest and most creative human minds available." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bell told the FT the investment would also help secure the intellectual property rights of innovations that come out of the center and its researchers something the science minister, Lord Patrick Vallance, told the outlet the UK had been falling behind on. The deal also includes 30 million ($38 million) to provide scholarships to more than 100 undergraduate and postgraduate students, with the first intake starting in October 2025. Ellison owns 40% of the business software company Oracle, and his net worth has more than doubled over the past two years to $181 billion. He is in the process of purchasing Paramount for his son, David. Read the original article on Business Insider Las Vegas Rescue Mission sees rise in families needing help LAS VEGAS (KLAS) For years, the Las Vegas Rescue Mission has provided shelter for families while offering support to help individuals rebuild their lives. Heather Engle, CEO of the Las Vegas Rescue Mission, emphasized that many people may not realize how close they are to homelessness, often just a paycheck away. We have to look at where our rents are currently and theyre very high vs what the actual job salary is and they dont really match up, Engle explained. So if something happens with the family, whether its medical or lose a job or whatever the situation is, you have a short finite time to find another job and maintain paying your rent, making sure everything is okay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Las Vegas Rescue Mission has experienced a significant increase in families seeking assistance, including a growing number of single fathers with children. Clinical director Aly Martinez explains that their Intact Families Program provides families with tailored resources and support to meet their unique needs. In our emergency shelter, we can also provide additional services for those that have kids, we have a dorm for single fathers thats 12 beds so we can take in single dads as well and single mothers, Martinez said. Providing a safe environment goes a long way to help families rebuild their lives through these tough times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve started a prevention program with parents and their kid together so the kids get a certain subject matter whether its drugs, relationships things like that but how to discuss that, Martinez said. We get the unique ability to really focus on whats going on in peoples lives, Engle remarked. Between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, the Las Vegas Rescue Mission assisted 375 families. In the same timeframe the year prior, 341 families were helped. Over the past two years, the Intact Families Program has provided support to 1,045 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 KLAS. ATLANTA (AP) The long-running gang and racketeering trial that led Atlanta rapper Young Thug to plead guilty in October ended on Tuesday with the last two defendants found not guilty of racketeering, murder and gang-related charges. Deamonte Kendrick, who raps as Yak Gotti, was acquitted of all charges and Shannon Stillwell was found guilty only of gun possession. The verdicts came nearly two years after jury selection began and a year after opening statements in a trial plagued with problems. The original, sweeping indictment used song lyrics and social media posts as evidence and charged 28 people with conspiring to violate Georgias Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Young Thug, a Grammy-winning artist whose real name is Jeffery Williams, was set free on probation after he pleaded guilty in October to gang, drug and gun charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kendrick and Stillwell were charged in a 2015 drive-by shooting outside an Atlanta barbershop that killed Donovan Thomas Jr., also known as Big Nut, who prosecutors said was in a rival gang. Stillwell also was charged with fatally shooting Shymel Drinks at a red light in 2022, allegedly in retaliation for the killings days earlier of two associates in a gang known as YSL, which prosecutors said was co-founded by Young Thug. Stillwell was sentenced to the 10-year maximum for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon previously convicted of a felony involving a gun, with credit for the two years he already served and the balance to be served on probation. Nine of the defendants, including the rapper Gunna, accepted plea deals before the trial began, and four more pleaded guilty during the trial, in October. Charges against 12 others remain pending. Prosecutors dropped charges against one defendant after he was convicted of murder in an unrelated case. That left Kendrick and Stillwell, both of whom were stabbed while in jail Stillwell last year and Kendrick on Sunday. Tuesday's verdicts were a major setback for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Critics had criticized her use of the states anti-racketeering law, which she also used to bring charges against President-elect Donald Trump for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We always respect the verdict of a jury, said Jeff DiSantis, a spokesperson for Willis. Defense attorneys said the state relied on faulty evidence song lyrics, cherry-picked social media posts and unreliable witness testimony to create a misleading narrative about young men who turned to music to escape economic hardship and difficult pasts. The jury's decision left Kendricks mom, Tasha Kendrick, in tears. Im just thankful for a lot of things right now, she said. My emotions are all over the place right now." Prosecutors said Williams and two others founded Young Slime Life in association with the national Bloods gang in 2012. The 33-year-old artist also has a record label called Young Stoner Life. Deamonte Kendrick is featured on two of the most popular songs from the labels compilation album Slime Language 2, Take It to Trial and Slatty, as well as Young Thugs Slime Sh-t," which prosecutors presented as evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Williams entered a risky blind plea meaning he pleaded guilty without an agreement on his sentence in October. Williams lawyer said he felt like they were winning, but the rapper complained that sitting in court felt like hell and wanted to go home to his family. Judge Paige Reese Whitaker let him out of jail on probation with tight restrictions, including a 10-year ban from metro Atlanta except for certain occasions. The trial shook Atlantas rap scene. Williams grew up in an Atlanta housing project and became a highly successful artist who added his own melodic twist to the modern Southern trap sound he helped popularize. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville was removed from the case in July after he met with prosecutors and a state witness without defense attorneys present. Kendricks attorney Doug Weinstein said defendants got a fair trial once Whitaker took over. Among other things, she reprimanded the prosecution for being disorganized and not sharing evidence. During closings, Stillwells defense attorney Max Schardt sought to cast doubts on the gang investigators and other state witnesses. Several alleged YSL members testified they had lied to police to stay out of prison. Schardt said officers had threatened them with long prison sentences if they didnt say the right thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors said those witnesses were honest with police but lied on the stand, in front of the people they had snitched on. They said their statements were corroborated by other evidence such as songs and social media posts where they said defendants were bragging about murder. Prosecutors threw together lyrics, social media posts and irrelevant evidence to see what sticks, Weinstein argued, but did not prove they were connected to a criminal enterprise. While defendants did commit crimes in the past, Schardt said during closings, it was to make money for themselves in communities stripped of economic opportunity not to advance a gang. And music let some of them move on. As a whole, we know the struggles that these communities have had, Schardt said. A sad, tacit acceptance that its either rap, prison or death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both defense attorneys said Kendrick and Stillwell have other pending charges but hope to get them released from jail as soon as possible. Stillwell is not blind to the fact that he is getting a second chance at life," Schardt said. Weinstein said Kendrick, who is close friends with Young Thug, was laser-focused on his music career before the state pulled him back into the criminal justice system. Im so happy that he can kind of draw a line in the sand now, Weinstein said. All of this is behind him. He can get on with his life and not worry about this nonsense. ___ Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Kramon on X: @charlottekramon. BROOME COUNTY, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) Local groups determined to ensure that all families can prepare a large holiday feast are putting out their final call for donations. The Holiday Giving Box Program is accepting monetary donations through December 19. The initiative began in 2020 during the pandemic and is a partnership between Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, Cornell Cooperative Extension, CHOW, Broome-Tioga BOCES, The Leadership Alliance and Broome County Executive Jason Garnar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The giving boxes can hold enough food to feed anywhere from a family of four up to 14. They include a turkey, stuffing, corn, cranberry sauce and sparkling cider, all sourced by CHOW. But what makes this food drive different is the inclusion of locally grown produce and locally produced desserts. We have potatoes and squash and carrots and onions. This year, were adding apples to the box. We also purchase cookies from a couple different local bakeries. So, were also supporting our local businesses, said Associate Director of CCE Tara Kenyon. The program has grown considerably in its five years, from assisting 50 families in 2020 to a goal of 425 this year. 35 of the boxes will be reserved for veterans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Broome County provides the funding for those, Cornell Cooperative purchases the produce from local farmers and BOCES provides the names of needy families in Broome County while the entire operation is overseen by Lupardos office. Everything we do is collaborative here. CHOW stands for the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse. Everything we do involves the entire community. In this particular event, we have multiple community partners coming together to help the community, said Director of CHOW Les Aylesworth. The partners say each holiday meal costs about $50. The boxes will be assembled the week of December 16 and then delivered to local families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Click here 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 WIVT - News 34. The Senate on Monday night confirmed Army Lt. Gen. Chris Donahue as the next commander of U.S. Army Europe, ending a weeks-long controversy over the future of the last American servicemember to leave Afghanistan. Donahues confirmation, which includes a promotion to a four-star rank, had been blocked for several weeks for unspecified reasons. On Monday, that hold was lifted, and Donahue was approved by a unanimous voice vote for the new role. Numerous news outlets had reported that Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., had blocked Donahues advancement. His office never publicly confirmed the hold, and did not release any statement on Monday regarding the Senate vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donahue currently serves as the commander of the 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Liberty in North Carolina. But he is more widely known for overseeing the final withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Afghanistan in 2021. As commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, he led a rapid-response force to stabilize Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul and lead ground forces in the last two weeks of the war. Senate stalls generals promotion as Trump mulls Afghan exit probe On Aug. 30 of that year, he was the last American servicemember to leave the country, boarding a C-17 plane at the Kabul airport. Photos released by the Defense Department marked the moment and raised Donahues public profile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Numerous Republican lawmakers including President-elect Donald Trump were harshly critical of the withdrawal, and have promised continued investigation into missteps surrounding the final days of the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan. But Donahues nomination was seen as largely noncontroversial until mid-November, when he was singled out for a hold amid 984 other military promotions approved by the Senate. With Mondays resolution, Donahue is expected to be sworn into his new role in coming days. According to his official biography, Donahue spent several decades in the special operations community before taking command of Army Infantry School in 2017. He then served as deputy director for special operations and counterterrorism for the Joint Chiefs of Staff before becoming commander of Special Operations Joint Task Force-Afghanistan in May 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donahue then became commander of the 82nd Airborne Division in July 2020, and later assumed command of XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Liberty in March 2022. Reporter Todd South contributed to this story. In many ways it was a familiar scene. U.S. Sen. Bob Casey was in Berks County Monday, visiting a site that will benefit from federal funding that he helped secure. This time around it was the Olivet Boys & Girls Club, which has received $1 million in congressionally designated spending through a program that allows lawmakers to nominate projects for federal support. The funding will support efforts to repair two of the nonprofit organizations buildings that have been shuttered due to infrastructure concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like he has done so many times before, Casey spent time touring the beneficiary of his efforts and chatting with local leaders. But unlike before, something hung over his visit. A sense of finality. Thats because the visit on Monday will likely be his last as a U.S. senator. After representing Pennsylvania for 18 years on Capitol Hill, the Scranton Democrat lost his bid for reelection last month to Republican David McCormick. Casey spoke briefly with members of the media Monday about the end of his tenure, saying hes grateful to have had the chance to help people across the county and state. Im grateful to have had that opportunity, and now I have to do something else with my life, he said. My years in government are over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Casey said he is truly appreciative of having a chance to serve the people of Pennsylvania. As a member of the Senate, Casey said, he often meets people who are struggling in their lives and might be able to benefit from his help. That could be a family that needs to find affordable child care or a community that needs to replace a bridge. You tend to meet people not just in the peaks of their lives but also in the valleys, he said. When youre in government you often have an opportunity to provide support to lift people up or move a community forward. After spending the last 28 years in public office striving to do that he served as state auditor general and treasurer prior to his time in the Senate Casey, 64, is going to have to figure out what he wants to do for his next act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have no idea what Im going to do next, he said. I havent had to sit down and think through the next step in my life because Ive been in public service for 28 years now, which is a rare and significant privilege that Ive had. When you have been in public service this long, thats what you know, thats what your expertise is in and thats where your heart is, he added. Now, Ive got to think about the next chapter of my life. Casey said he hopes to be able to stay involved in issues that he cares about, especially matters related to children. That would include continuing his work on a plan he issued shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020 designed to ensure every child has the support they need to succeed. The plan contains a wide range of proposals including automatic Medicaid enrollment for children, permanent tax credits for families, big investments in affordable child care, expansion of universal school lunch programs and more money to fight child abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, those are discussions for a later date. Casey has a few weeks left in office, and he still has work to do. And thats why he was in Berks on Monday. The $1 million in federal dollars he helped secure along with $1 million in state funding will allow Olivet to renovate and reopen the PAL Club on Walnut Street and the Mulberry Street Club, each of which have been closed due to their deteriorated state. Its great to be able to see where this funding will end up, he said while touring the PAL Club. To be able to make an investment not just in a building but to make an investment in children for future generations is very satisfying. This money will support the mission of what is taking place here. Hannah Kobayashi, the woman who was reported missing last month, has been spotted crossing the U.S. border into Mexico, according to recent updates from authorities. After her disappearance sparked widespread concern, new information has emerged regarding her whereabouts. Here is what officials had to say about the latest update on Hannah Kobayashis case. Hannah Kobayashi spotted crossing into Mexico, claims report Hannah Kobayashi, a 30-year-old woman from Hawaii who was reported missing last month in Los Angeles, has been spotted crossing into Mexico, according to an update from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). US immigration officials obtained video footage showing Kobayashi safely walking across the southern US border into Mexico after missing her connecting flight to New York. The incident occurred shortly after she arrived in Los Angeles from Hawaii. (via BBC) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LAPD officials confirmed that no foul play is suspected, and they described Kobayashi as a voluntarily missing person. They also stated that there is no evidence of trafficking or criminal activity. Authorities noted that Kobayashi had expressed a desire to disconnect from modern connectivity before leaving Maui. The update came after her family expressed concerns regarding cryptic messages she had sent about her money and identity being stolen, which initially sparked a massive search effort. Kobayashis family has disputed some of the details in the LAPDs statement, particularly regarding her missing the flight intentionally, and remains concerned for her safety. Her sister, Sydni Kobayashi, said the family felt excluded from some key details of the investigation. However, she remains hopeful that the LAPD is doing everything in its power to locate Hannah. (via LA Times) Tragically, on November 24, Hannah Kobayashis father, Ryan Kobayashi, was found dead near Los Angeles International Airport. He had traveled to California to help with the search for his daughter. Authorities reported that he died from multiple blunt-force traumatic injuries. This development has added to the familys distress as they struggle with Hannahs disappearance. The post Latest Hannah Kobayashi Update: Woman Spotted Entering Mexico appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Fox News host Laura Ingraham on Monday asked a senior adviser for Donald Trump whether the president-elect would accept a pardon from President Joe Biden. Longtime aide Jason Miller gave one super cagey answer. (Watch the video below.) Jason, would Donald Trump accept a pardon from Joe Biden? Ingraham asked to begin the amusing exchange. At this point, I dont know what Joe Biden is gonna pull, Miller answered. I think its nonsense. If its some aspect of some PR play, he might try to do it. But President Trump did absolutely nothing wrong. Thats why everything is disappearing. Thats why hes focused on actually serving for this second term here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ingraham tried to cajol Miller into an actual answer. Wait, would President Trump say no to a pardon, though? she said. Come on. Im not gonna go and put words in the presidents mouth, Miller replied to a shucks by Ingraham. Everyone sees exactly whats going on. This is a complete media manipulation by Joe Biden. Trump perhaps wouldnt require Bidens clemency anyway. The federal cases against the president-elect for 2020 election scamming and illegally keeping classified documents have been dropped but could be refiled when he leaves office. His legal jeopardy is receding on other fronts as well. His sentencing hearing for concealing hush money payments to a porn star was canceled and not rescheduled. And the Georgia case against him for bad-faith attempts to overturn the 2020 election has stalled and likely wont be revived, according to experts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But a Biden pardon could help clean Trumps slate. The possibility of a pardon gained steam when Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden, who potentially faced prison time on a gun conviction and tax crimes, after repeatedly saying he would not pardon him. Independent Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia called for Biden to follow suit on his predecessor and now successor. I am just saying, wipe them out, Manchin said. Why dont you go ahead and pardon Donald Trump for all his charges and make it, you know, it would have gone down a lot more balanced, if you will. Related... LAURENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) Laurens County is the only county in the Upstate and one of nine in the state of South Carolina without a career center. According to Laurens County School District 56, plans to create a Career and Technology Center have been underway for quite some time. This started a couple years ago, said Lynn Lawson, the LCSD Finance Director. It was an effort by both District 55 and 56, as well as the county and county council. The whole idea was you to provide this opportunity, but keeping in mind, how can we go about affording to do that? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a lot of money to both districts and thats why neither one can do it on their own, explained Lawson. The county cant do it on its own. Its got to the point where you normally wouldnt get the legislator involved in this, but its not an expense, its an investment. Lawson said without a career center, their students may be missing out on career opportunities. Theres some major opportunities that they need to be exposed to and since were sitting on the edge of one of the major corridors in the state with Greenville County, thats going to have these employment opportunities in advance manufacturing, we and the delegation have approached this more of an investment than an expense, Lawson said. Superintendent Dr. David OShields explained this not only benefits students, but the entire county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the career center in place, what you will find are people who want to move to the county, and by moving into the county youre increasing and expanding the quality of life you, expand opportunities and ultimately youve benefited the educational experience for people, OShields said. LCSD 56 assistant superintendent Brenda Schrantz explained her feelings toward the project as an educator. You want students to be able to leave your school site being able to go out and find a job and be productive citizens. A career center is one of those places that allow your students to be ready, Schrantz said. Throughout the process, the county has been detail oriented to ensure they will not duplicate any courses that are currently offered at the two high schools and taking student surveys to see which courses would be of most interest. They said by working alongside LCSD 55, they would be able to afford highly sought after classes they arent currently offering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will be able to add some higher, more expensive programs such as culinary arts, auto collision and repairs, as well cosmetology, said Josie Kate Haupfear, the director of secondary education programs and CTE programs. Thats a very lucrative pathway for students. Theyre very interested in that. However, the two school districts are not enough to cover the cost of a career center. LCSD 56 said things began to move when the local delegation came along. We are seeking a big portion of that funding from the state, said Lawson. As far as the remaining piece, both districts and the county are looking to commit operating funds or other local funds available. It is not intended to levy any taxes. No dates have been set officially for groundbreaking or build but administrators at Districts 55 and 56 are working on every angle possible to prepare. 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 WSPA 7NEWS. MOSCOW, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Navy and Aerospace Forces launched high-precision sea- and air-based missiles in the eastern Mediterranean Sea as part of ongoing military drills, the country's Defense Ministry said Tuesday. The Russian Navy Forces fired hypersonic Zircon missiles and a Kalibr cruise missile at a target position at sea, the ministry said in a statement, adding that an Oniks cruise missile was also launched from the Mediterranean coast. Some of the combat exercises are carried out "with the complex use of high-precision weapons" recently adopted by the Russian Navy and Aerospace Forces, the ministry noted. The exercise involves over 1,000 military personnel, 10 ships and support vessels, and 24 aircraft, including MiG-31I fighters with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles from the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Bastion coastal missile system, it added. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) President-elect Donald Trump announced over the weekend hes nominating Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister to be the next Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). As DEA Administrator, Chad will work with our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to secure the Border, stop the flow of Fentanyl, and other Illegal Drugs, across the Southern Border, and SAVE LIVES, Trump wrote on Truth Social. Trump selects Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister as DEA Administrator Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chronister has served with the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office for the past 32 years. He became the Sheriff in 2017. Chronister reacted to the nomination in a statement provided to News Channel 8. It is the honor of a lifetime to be nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and I am deeply humbled by this opportunity to serve our nation, he said. Local law enforcement leaders are reacting to the news. I can tell you this Sheriff Chad Chronister will take DEA to the next level, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. He will keep people safe. He will directly attack fentanyl at its core. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judd said someone with Chronisters level of law enforcmenet experience is exactly what the DEA needs. Theres a different set of rules and regulations to run that organization, and certainly there are different laws, Judd said. But if youre as experienced as he is, hell make that transition, hell take them to the next level. I know the DEA agents must be totally excited that a real cop is going to lead them. Former Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan has also worked with Chronister for many years and said he believes hell bring a fresh perspective to Washington. He has worked as a detective with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Dugan said. He knows what its like to be the lead of an agency and partner and work with federal agencies. He will hit the ground running. We need fresh perspectives in Washington. And I think its good that hes maybe what we would consider a non-traditional candidate. He certainly has the experience. Hes led a large agency, hes done a lot of things over his career. I think thats what we need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The question now, if he is confirmed, who will be the next sheriff? That will ultimately be the choice of Governor DeSantis. He will make that selection and then eventually there will be an election, said Dugan. Dugan pointed out that the situation is similar to how Chronister was appointed to be sheriff. Governor Rick Scott appointed Chronister as sheriff back in 2017. Chronister has been re-elected twice. This is similar to what happened to when Chad took over when David Gee left. Chad was the sheriff for two years and then they had a special election, Dugan said. Trump will be sworn in Jan. 20, 2025. After that, hearings will be held in the Senate, which will vote on confirming Chronisters appointment. 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. Journalism in general, and legal journalism in particular, are facing tough decisions at the dawn of the new Trump era. Does covering daily lawlessness demand continued reverence for the law? Should we be writing about what the law is, or what it once was, or what it ought to be? Can legal journalists do more than merely assemble a historical record of autocracys creep for future generations to study? On this weeks bonus episode of Amicus, available exclusively to Slate Plus members, Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern launched an impromptu editorial meeting of sorts, inviting listeners and readers to weigh in on the correct path forward for jurisprudence coverage at Slate. Their conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Dahlia Lithwick: For a couple of weeks now, Mark and I have been trying to think through the challenge of covering the courts and the law in the Jackson Pollock painting well call Jurisprudence: Trump 2.0. There was a pretty heated argument on Bluesky about whether the right posture going into this next Trump era is: LOL, nothing matters, the law is a piece of toilet paper on the bottom of your shoe. Then theres camp two: This Adam Serwer argument that the law is the law, and it was always going to be the law. Our job is to keep saying what the law is and to keep fighting for every inch of ceded ground, even if the Trump team has shown that the law is for suckers. I started after election night being heavily in camp one: The law is toilet paper. Mark, you and others have tugged me a little bit into camp two. I really want to have a conversation with youand also with our listeners and readersabout whether we are going to spend the next four years doing what we did from 2017 to 2021, which is to say: The Muslim ban is illegal! Taking money Congress wouldnt authorize to build a wall with Mexico is illegal! Inciting a mob to storm the Capitol to interfere with election certification is illegal! Or are we going to fling our hands up and say, We thought these were the guardrails. Theyre not. Mark Joseph Stern: First of all, I think this is a healthy argument to have. I also think it will recede once Trump is actually back in the Oval Office making decisions and issuing illegal commands, at which point all of this translates into big-time court battles and legislative battles. We have an obligation, you and I, as legal analysts, to at least explain what the law does say, even if its going to be ignored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats why I will never be fully in the law is toilet paper camp. Maybe this is just because I was indoctrinated through three years of law school, and because my career hangs on it, but I have to think that the law matters. I just do. I have to believe that at the end of the day, you can pull up a statute, you can pull up a precedent, and say: This is the rule, it is not being followed, and it is being disregarded for terrible, illegitimate reasons. In the case of Trumps next administration, those reasons will have to do with corruption and cronyism and greed and racism and xenophobia. I still think its important for people like us on the Slate jurisprudence team to stand up, point to the rule, and say: Theyre bullies and theyre breaking it. There is so much importance in having truth-tellers who can explain exactly whats going on and why its wrongnot just wrong morally or ethically, but fundamentally unlawful. Remember, this is a nation built on law and nothing else. We are not built on blood, or soil, or ethnicity, or religion, or any of the other things that bind a lot of other nation-states. We are built on a founding charter, the Constitution, that is designed to exist in perpetuity and lay out the rules of the road for everybody forever. I wouldnt say its done a great job, but it has gotten us here. So I will always be the guy in the corner shouting Thats illegal! even if I think its worthless. And that leads to the next part of your question, which is: What if we feel compelled to do it, but we also know its worthless? Thats where the existential angst creeps in. The question becomes less so Should we do it? but more like Does it matter? And what if it doesnt matter? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think it will always matter to some degree, if only for the historical record. If you look back at some of the most momentous or egregious injustices and illegal actions throughout our history, like segregation, slavery, Indian removal, the list goes onyou can always find people who were saying, This is unlawful. It is wrong. It is shameful, and it violates the Constitution and the laws of this country. And those people wound up being vindicatedeven if they were in a minority at the time, even if they were censored and silenced at the time. It mattered to future generations and future movements that they were there laying down that marker. And so I guess when we are in our darkest moments, in the coming years, the best that we can probably do when were feeling totally useless is to hope that someday in the future, people will look back and say, These guys were telling the truth. That mattered. Last week, Andrea Bernstein talked about Hannah Arendts Truth and Politics and how there are pillars of truth, even in authoritarian, totalitarian regimes. One of them is journalism, and we just keep slogging it out because were creating history. Ive been sitting with that. The other thing Ive been thinking about a lot is how much of the email Ive had from listeners in the last year or so has basically been saying, Thank you, because I thought I was all alone. And when you and Mark are in my ears, I realize Im not completely by myself and Im not bonkers. Were probably not going to change Mark Paolettas mind through our podcasts and written pieces, and Im not certain that Pam Bondi is a big listener of the show, or that shes going to align her views with ours, but I do think there is a responsibility to just keep telling the truth, because theres a lot of people who know this is the truth and they need to hear it. I spoke to Chase Strangio of the ACLU ahead of this weeks arguments in the Tennessee trans health care ban case, and it reminded me of Sherrilyn Ifills oft-repeated question: Is this how we do law now? Are these the new rules? Fake facts, ignoring the record, and ignoring the district court opinion? And in a way, we need to answer it twice overIs this how we do journalism now? When trust in the media is at a low ebb, are we just going to stand and take notes? People are very, very angry; everybody is extremely angry at journalism for all of its failures. Have we learned anything in the last weeks and months and years about how to regain public trust in what it is that you and I do? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think in part people are angry at journalism because they are angry, period, and they need to direct their anger somewhere. I totally get it. There are times when I open the New York Times and read a headline and I have a meltdown and think, Are you serious? This is how youre framing this horrible Trump thing? From the sane-washing that we saw throughout the election campaign to the Washington Post having its Harris endorsement pulled by its wealthy owner at the last minute, there are serious problems in journalism, and they will persist. But at the end of the day, I refuse to believe that journalism is the problem, and thats in part because were no longer the gatekeepers at all. If people want to find information, they can go out there and get it; they dont have to rely on journalists to deliver it to them. So we are more than ever standing on the sidelines, just shouting what we think. Its pretty misguided to scream at journalists as the people responsible for making everything go wrong. Theres a lot of blame to go around. We touched on this in the piece we wrote about special counsel Jack Smith giving up on the prosecution of Trump for Jan. 6. He got a lot of flak and blame for that, and I understand why, but ultimately it was not his fault. It was the fault of so many other people. Some of them were well-intentioned, like Attorney General Merrick Garlandwho wanted to restore institutionalism to the Justice Department. Some of them were not so well-intentioned, like Chief Justice John Roberts, who seemingly wanted to pave Trumps path back to the White House. But the search for blame ends up distracting us from the solution for the underlying problem. So for folks out there who are screaming at journalists, Im just not sure what that ultimately achieves. Were not even the referees anymore, let alone the gatekeeperswere just telling you what we see and what we think and letting our readers judge. If we say what we think and we put down a marker and say, This is wrong, this is unlawful, and we do our journalism, I dont really know exactly how that translates in five monthsor five yearsinto putting this nation on the right path. None of us do. So we just have to hope that if we tell the truth now, there will be people in the future who find their way back to that truth. I think the last time I gave an editorial note on Amicus was when I said after the first Trump inauguration that I was not going to put people on the show who lie and call it presenting both sides. My next editorial note is this: Were talking about trust in the profession of journalism and trust in the institutions of journalism, but what we think about all the time on this show is trustworthinessabout being an entity that corrects its mistakes and thinks hard about changing its posture when necessary, and remaining truthful. My second-ever editorial statement is that we take the obligation of being worthy of our readers and listeners trust very seriously, and so we want to hear from them directly as we figure out the most truthful and valuable posture to take as we cover the legal chaos to come. We want to hear from you. Your voices can be part of this conversation about how we speak truth to power under Trump 2.0. What are your priorities and your biggest concerns, and what can we figure out together? Tell us about the legal questions that are troubling you, but remain opaque. You can get in touch via amicus@slate.com. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are speaking out against President Joe Bidens decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden. Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., says President-elect Donald Trump will now use the same argument Biden used to defend his prosecution. 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. TBILISI, Georgia (AP) Lawmakers in Georgias breakaway province of Abkhazia on Tuesday rejected a bill offering privileges to Russian investors that sparked days of unrest and forced the regional leader to step down. Demonstrators in the Moscow-backed separatist region had stormed government buildings to protest the new bill allowing Russian investors to buy property in the Black Sea province, forcing the resignation of Aslan Bzhania, the region's self-styled president. Bzhania agreed to step down as part of a deal to end the unrest, leaving his vice president, Badra Gunba, as the region's acting leader pending a presidential election set for February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abkhazia broke away from Georgia after a separatist war in the early 1990s, and Moscow recognized the independence of it and another separatist province, South Ossetia, after a brief Russia-Georgia war in 2008. Both separatist regions have relied on Moscow's subsidies and hosted Russian troops, but many Abkhazians have been reluctant to allow Russian investors to get broader access to the region's assets. Abkhazias mountains and Black Sea beaches make it a popular destination for Russian tourists, and the demand for holiday homes has been strong. While making this decision, we mostly thought about our citizens, said Daut Khutaba, a lawmaker who backed the bill, according to Apsnypress agency. Speaking in Moscow, Konstantin Zatulin, a member of the lower house of Russian parliament, said the decision by Abkhazia's legislature will lead to a cooling of relations with Russia. Getty Images On Monday, lawmakers from both the House and Senate joined with local government officials, and representatives from the Area Agency of Aging Association of Michigan, Chippewa Luce Mackinac Community Action Agency, Michigan Nurses Association and Michigan Catholic Conference, to call for support on a slate of bills aimed at addressing water affordability concerns in the state. Water is not just a resource, its something that every human being needs in order to live. Yet, too many families in our state are struggling to afford their water bills or have in the past faced the threat of shut offs, said state Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), one of the lead sponsors for the legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill package represents years of hard work and collaboration with water providers, advocates, local governments, community organizations and many across the state. The goal is simple: to ensure that no family has to choose between paying their water bill, keeping the lights and heat on or putting food on the table, Chang said. State Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) | Courtesy photo Last year, the Michigan Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services heard testimony on Senate Bills 549554, aimed at creating a statewide water affordability program and preventing water shutoffs. Despite receiving a hearing in 2023, the bills have yet to come to a vote in committee. A similar package of bills is currently sitting in the House Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee, having received testimony at the committees Oct. 26, 2023 meeting. If passed, the bills would cap water bills at 2% of the average annual household income in a water providers service area for households at up to 135% of the federal poverty level. For households in between 135% and 200% of the federal poverty level, bills would be capped at 3% of the average household income in the area. Chang noted that the legislation would now allow individuals within 200% and 250% of the federal poverty level experiencing an emergency situation such as a job loss or medical bill placing them into financial hardship to apply to participate in the program temporarily, provided they can demonstrate that extreme hardship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would also provide up to $1,500 in forgiveness of overdue water bills for first year enrollees in the program with an additional $1,500 available in the second year if needed. Eligible households could also receive funding for minor plumbing repairs, though the most recent version of Senate Bill 549 and its counterpart House Bill 5088 limit eligibility to those in owner occupied homes, and the repairs must be performed by a licensed plumber. The updated legislation also established limits for usage with providers charging their regular rate for any usage over the limit. The bills provide households of up to four people with 6 to 8 ccf, or centum cubic feet, the most common unit used by both water and natural gas utilities. Each ccf equals 748 gallons. Households with five to six people would be limited to nine to 11 ccf; households with seven to eight people, 12 to 14 ccf; households with nine to 10 people, 15 to 17 ccf; and households with 11 or more people, 18 to 20 ccf. This program would be funded by a $2 charge for meters for all water customers, or the monthly billing equivalent. In the updated versions of Senate Bill 550 and House Bill 5089, this funding would be collected and distributed regionally, within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) four business regions. The update bills also cap the amount of funds used for plumbing repairs at $15 million a year, names the DHHS as the administrator for funding and allows the Department to reduce the $2 fee if there is enough program funding for three years. The package also includes legislation allowing tenants to request their water and sewer bills be sent to them in their name, alongside bills creating protections against water shutoffs and reducing the penalty for illegal water reconnections from a felony to a misdemeanor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the previously introduced bills, Sen. John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs) has joined on to the package, introducing Senate Bill 980 in August. The bill creates a low-income water residential affordability program task force to make recommendations to the state on the administration of the plan, the benefits, or its funding. The task force would be made up of representatives from different-sized communities and could review and revise water allocation limits. The task force would also develop educational outreach materials and explore ways to expand programming. Clean affordable water is something we all depend on, and its time we come together to ensure that every Michigander has access to it. Florida has beautiful winters, Colorado has amazing mountains, and Michigan has water. And the thought that some of our residents cannot afford access to that water is something that should be appalling to every legislator, Republican or Democrat, Damoose said. State Sen. John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs) at a Jan. 25, 2024 meeting of the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment. | Kyle Davidson When asked if the bill package could see support from other Republicans, Damoose said he hoped his support would encourage other members of his caucus to step up. Were charged with creating a good environment for our residents, and a good environment is one where people can access the basic needs of life like water, and we dont have that right now, and so that should keep all of us like I said in my statement Republican or Democrat, up at night, until we can figure out a way, Damoose said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chang said the package must be a priority for lame duck, warning that if the bills do not pass, the state will be facing a water affordability crisis. We recognize that water bills are continuing to go up, and we have not passed any long term solutions on this issue. While we have appropriated money which has been very helpful we know that the problem is only growing, Chang said. In regards to buy-in from Michigan House Republicans, Damoose said hed had conversations and expects the bills will receive some Republican support, arguing the bill didnt need to wait for lame duck for action. I dont know why we didnt get this done earlier. So now its just a matter of timing to me, Damoose said. Lets not waste any more time and lets get it done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Majority Floor Leader Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck) echoed Damooses statement, noting there had been healthy discussion on the bills with members of both the House Democratic and Republican caucuses and that there seemed to be an appetite to pass the bills before the Legislature adjourns for the year. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DENVER (KDVR) The start of a new year can mean different things for different people. For Coloradans in particular, it means a few new laws that need to be followed. These range from new child safety seat laws to a law banning people from holding cell phones while driving. These laws were mainly passed in the 2024 legislative session, though one major law was passed four years ago in 2020 and will enter its final phase in January. Ban on holding cell phones while driving Starting Jan. 1, drivers in the state could be fined for holding and using a phone while driving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texting while driving has already been illegal in the state for several years while holding cell phones while driving was only against the law for children under 18. Come 2025, Colorado drivers could be fined for holding a phone while driving The new law, Senate Bill 24-065, updates this to include all drivers regardless of age. The first time a driver is caught, they face a $75 fine and two license suspension points. The punishments increase based on the number of times a driver is caught breaking the law in a two-year period. Updates to child safety seat rules House Bill 24-1055 was passed this year and updated the child safety seat rules in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the major things that was changed is that kids will now be required to use a booster seat until turning 9 years old, raising the age that kids stay in booster seats by one year. The Colorado Department of Transportation has a full list of all the new requirements on its website. Eggs must be cage-free Starting Jan. 1, 2025, all eggs sold in the state of Colorado will be from cage-free environments. The law was passed in 2020, but it went into effect in two stages. Starting in 2023, egg producers were required to give hens more space if they were confined in cages. All eggs sold in Colorado must be cage-free starting in January Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second stage of the rollout starting in January 2025 requires fully cage-free environments. Any farm operation with more than 3,000 egg-laying hens will not be allowed to sell eggs in the state unless they are certified as cage-free. Gun storage requirements in vehicles House Bill 24-1348 bans anyone from leaving a handgun in an unattended vehicle unless they first secure it in a locked container placed out of view. The container also has to be in a locked vehicle or locked trunk of a vehicle. Violators could be hit with a fine of up to $500. PFAs in cosmetics and furniture In 2022, lawmakers passed House Bill 22-1345 to regulate the sale and distribution of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals better known as PFAs or forever chemicals within the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similar to the cage-free egg law, it was designed to go into effect in stages. The first stage went into effect in January 2024 and banned PFAs in things like rugs, food packaging and products meant for kids. It also required that cookware disclose if it has PFAs included in it. The second stage goes into effect in January and bans the sale of cosmetics, indoor textile furniture and indoor upholstered furniture with PFAs within the state. The category of indoor textile furniture covers a wide variety of things including bedding, towels, as well as drapes or curtains. Other laws going into effect Several other laws from the 2024 legislative session are going into effect on Jan. 1: HB24-1095 Increasing Protections for Minor Workers HB24-1122 Protection Orders for Victims of Crimes HB24-1244 Minor Autopsy Report Release Requirements HB24-1248 Non-Testamentary Electronic Estate Planning Docs HB24-1258 Credit Covered Person Expenses Insurer Insolvency HB24-1321 Insurance Holding Company Model Regulation HB24-1472 Raise Damage Limit Tort Actions HB24-1342 Test Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities SB24-024 Local Lodging Tax Reporting on Sales Return SB24-026 Agriculture & Natural Resources Public Engagement Requirement SB24-093 Continuity of Health-Care Coverage Change SB24-167 Training for Entry-Level Health-Care Workers Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next legislative session starts in the state on Jan. 8, 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 FOX31 Denver. From the Boiling Frogs on The Dispatch President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden hug on stage at the conclusion of the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, on August 19, 2024. (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images) Joe Bidens pardon of Hunter Biden has landed at an awkward moment for classical liberals, when many of us are transitioning from caring a lot about civic norms to caring not at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where you are in that transition will determine how outraged you feel about the presidents act of clemency. If you havent yet fully shed your idealism about America following Donald Trumps reelection, youre disgusted. If you have, youre wondering why the Biden family shouldnt exploit the countrys regnant postliberalism to serve its own ends. I must be near the midpoint of the transition because I see it both ways. The case for disgust. For my entire career I have followed a simple principle: just tell the American people the truth, the president said toward the end of his statement announcing the pardon. But he didnt tell us the truth in this matter. He lied, brazenly and repeatedly. Hes always been a liar, you might say, fairly enough. But when he and his staff promised reporters, over and over (as recently as last month!), that he wouldnt pardon Hunter Biden for federal gun and tax crimes, the president was telling a lie that carried unusual civic weight. By ruling out clemency for his son, he was vouching for the integrity of the Justice Department. So great was his faith in the justness of American law enforcement amid the rights populist onslaught, it seemed, that he would decline to overrule its treatment of his own child. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our justice system has endured for nearly 250 years, and it literally is the cornerstone of America, Biden said in May of this year of Trumps conviction in the Stormy Daniels matter. He trusted Americas institutions and wanted you to do so too. Six months later, he hasnt just overruled that same justice system; in doing so, he made clear that he, er, doesnt trust it. No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunters cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my sonand that is wrong, Biden said in his statement. There has been an effort to break Hunterwho has been five and a half years sober, even in the face of unrelenting attacks and selective prosecution. In trying to break Hunter, theyve tried to break meand theres no reason to believe it will stop here. The vague, pregnant reference there to they has a Trumpian demagogic stench about it. Biden implies elsewhere in his statement that hes referring to his political opponents in Congress who spent years investigating Hunter, but it wasnt House Republicans who indicted and successfully prosecuted his son. It was his own Justice Department. And so Joe Biden, alleged institutionalist, will leave office affirming MAGA suspicions that federal law enforcement has political motives and cant be trusted to behave evenhandedly. When he says at one point, I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice, he sounds like a Republican hack on a CNN panel grousing about the charges that Jack Smith brought against Trump. You wanted a more populist Democratic Party? Congratulationsyouve got it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One wonders: If its true, as Biden claims, that the DOJ went harder on Hunter than it would have on a defendant guilty of similar crimes, why did he vow not to pardon his son in the first place? There is a case to be made that the department overcorrected in charging Hunter too sternly after a federal judge rejected the sweetheart deal prosecutors had offered him initially, but that case has been apparent for months. If the president was stewing all along about the alleged injustice of it all, why did he ever rule out clemency to begin with? For that matter, if he believes the punishment didnt fit the crimes, why grant Hunter a full pardon instead of commuting his sentences to something more fair? And not just a full pardon, mind you, but one of the broadest in American history, immunizing the younger Biden from all crimes charged and uncharged that he might have committed between January 1, 2014, through Sunday nighta period, not coincidentally, encompassing Hunters shady business dealings overseas. Only Richard Nixon has received clemency as sweeping. The easy reply to that is that the president was worried that Trumps Justice Department would eventually come for his son if he didnt receive full immunity from prosecution. That too, though, was something he could have consideredand presumably didwhen he began promising months ago not to pardon Hunter. Whats changed now, apart from the reality of a MAGA DOJ having become far more vivid in the last few weeks? Frankly, I think Trumps secret police will have bigger fish to fry than someone like Joe Bidens son, who no longer has any political salience. Trump was always more likely to pardon Hunter himself than to sic Kash Patel on him, in factwhich is another reason for disgust at Bidens pardon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its disgusting in its own right, as an act of blatant nepotism by a selfish man who sabotaged his party and his country this year by prioritizing his own interests over theirs. But its also disgusting as a political gift to his nemesis on the eve of the federal government being turned into a subsidiary of Trump Inc. Had Trump eventually pardoned Hunter, he would have done so to balance pardons of figures like the January 6-ers in hopes of legitimizing the latter. See, hes not just doing favors for cronies, his supporters would have said; by granting clemency to Hunter, hes striking a bipartisan blow against politicized justice! By pardoning Hunter himself, Joe Biden has done Trumps dirty work for him. Now that the sitting president has abused the pardon power to do favors for a crony, Democrats have no leg to stand on politically when Trump starts doing the same thing next month. And of course Biden has confirmed the Trumpian narrative about the system being rigged. Populists believe classical liberalism is a racket whose norms and institutions pay lip service to equal treatment for all while catering to the well-connected. The president placing his lowlife son above the law after two years of Democrats complaining about Republicans wanting to do the same with their lowlife presidential nominee is lab-designed to validate those populist prejudices. Its an advertisement to Americans to lean into nihilism and stop taking liberal norms seriously at the very moment, with Trump preparing to take power, that classical liberals are desperate to rouse the publics civic consciousness. For my friends, everything; for my enemies, the law: Thats a maxim that Ive used repeatedly to describe postliberal politics, but it describes the Hunter Biden pardon to a T. Theres no way to digest it without concluding that most of the presidents chatter about norms was an opportunistic exercise in anti-Trump political branding, not a matter of heartfelt belief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its an egregious betrayal. However much contempt youre feeling for him today, it isnt enough. On the other hand The case for equanimity. I repeat here the question that I asked the day after the election of my fellow Never Trumpers: If youre still hellbent on saving liberal institutions from postliberalism, who exactly are you saving them for? Most Americans dont care about institutions or norms. In a political vacuum, where two candidates on the ballot were identical in every respect except that one was liberal and the other postliberal, maybe the liberal would win. (Although at this point I wouldnt bet my life on it.) But elections arent held in vacuums. When the cost of living is up, when the border is insecure, Americans view liberalism as a luxury, not a necessity. Theres no clearer takeaway from this years result than that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And thatvoters indifference to liberalismis the optimistic read. The pessimistic one is that theyve come to actively prefer postliberals. Lost in the coverage of his coup attempt in late 2020 and early 2021 was the fact that Trump at the time issued some of the swampiest, most corrupt pardons the country has ever seen. Despite that, despite the coup plot, despite felony convictions and dozens of outstanding felony charges, voters didnt just hand him the presidency last monththey handed him a plurality of the popular vote. Hes a fighter. He doesnt let little things like norms stop him. Thats who most Americans want now. A country that reelects Trump (and Kash Patel/Pam Bondi) is not worthy of Biden sacrificing his son to a sense of justice the country doesnt actually believe in, comedian J-L Cauvin said in defending Hunter Bidens pardon. Others have made the same point in stronger language. Its fair to call Joe Biden a liar, a hypocrite, and a fair-weather institutionalist for granting clemency in this case, but if youre knocking him for undermining liberal norms, I regret to inform you that those norms were laid to rest on November 5. Theres no public civic consciousness left to rouse. In which case, why shouldnt the president drop all pretenses about norms and do what he can to protect his son legally from Trumps Justice Department? One might ask the same thing about Kamala Harris conceding the election instead of alleging that the vote was rigged against her. At what point do we regard Democrats as chumps for not leaning into the sort of political nihilism that American voters just endorsed? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Again: If liberals are intent on setting a good example, who is the example supposedly for? A norm is not a suicide pact, as Jonathan Last put it on Monday. Norms wont endure unless both sidesnot to mention the wider electoratesee value in restraining bad behavior. Trumps side does not. And the plainer it becomes that theres no electoral penalty for that, the harder itll be for Democrats not to emulate his worst excesses if they can gain some advantage by doing so. As much as we might admire Harris morally for not contesting the election, politics is a field in which someone wins and someone loses. Based on recent American history, her party would have been more likely to win the next election if she had been less conscientious last month about conceding. Fine, you might say, but Democrats havent gained any political advantage by granting a Trumpy pardon to Hunter Biden. No one benefits from that except Hunter himself. Is that so? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps not-so-secret weapon has always been the spectacular volume and diversity of norm-breaking in which he and his henchmen engage. Theres forever some outlandish tweet being crowded out of the news cycle by a petty scandal, which is itself being crowded out by reports of infighting within his team, which is in turn being crowded out by a hair-raising legal maneuver or power grab or constitutional crisis hes contemplating. Americans have grown desensitized to all of it. Theres no more marginal outrage to be felt in each new excess. As a case in point, on Saturday Trump named Charles Kushner as his next ambassador to France. Thats a triple whammy of norm-busting in one swoop: Kushner is a nepotist (hes Jared Kushners father), was pardoned by Trump in his first term for various federal crimes, and has no apparent qualifications for a diplomatic post with a major ally. But his nomination isnt even close to being the sleaziest Trump made this past weekend. Kushner wasnt even the only in-law given a job, in fact. Americans will barely notice his appointment amid the daily Trump din. But when Joe Biden, establishment dinosaur and head of the norms party, turns around and hands a pardon to his crooked son, that feels like a real scandal. Americans arent desensitized to the presidents corruption; look no further than bad-faith Trump apologists like Scott Jennings, who had the nerve to sanctimoniously call for resignations over an act of executive sleaze. Bidens legacy, and possibly his already low approval rating, will take a serious hit from this. All of which explains why its actually silly to worry about Hunters pardon providing political cover for Trumps forthcoming corrupt grants of clemency. No matter what Joe Biden did or didnt do, Trump was always going to behave corruptly in abusing his pardon power and Americans were always going to not care. They know what they got when they brought the Trump circus back to town. When he frees hundreds of January 6 rioters next month, Ill be surprised if his job approval drops so much as a point, if it drops at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hunter pardon is, perhaps, a small step toward conditioning Americans to feel as numb to Democratic corruption as they feel about Trumps. Theres some cynical political benefit to the wider party in that, no? Ending the pardon power. The same goes for the cries heard on Sunday night after Biden announced clemency for his son that its time for a constitutional amendment to limit the pardon power. That advice is well taken: Thanks to the Supreme Court, on January 20 Trump will gain the authority to immunize executive branch officers for whatever federal crimes they commit on his behalf and to be completely immune from criminal prosecution himself in doing so. In a virtuous country, the pardon power is a way for the president to show mercy to repentant convicts. In a country as rotten as ours, its a license for the president to break the law with impunity. I would get rid of the pardon power altogether if I could, as we no longer elect people fit to wield it responsibly. But Americas not going to get rid of it or even to reform it; Republican voters are too amoral themselves to ever support a constitutional amendment that would limit Trumps power to place his henchmen above the law. And, in a way, I cant blame them. If they get to abuse the pardon power willy-nilly to free assorted Trump cronies like Paul Manafort and miscreants like the January 6 rioters while Democrats face an outcry when they use it occasionally to spring a Hunter Biden or a Marc Rich, thats a good deal for the GOP. It means that the norm against corrupt pardons operates mostly, although not entirely, to restrain the left. The only way in theory to get those Republican voters to see the virtue of limiting the pardon power is for Democratic presidents to enrage them by abusing it on a Trumpian scale. Again, the Hunter pardon is a small step in that direction. If the outrage over it ends up generating bipartisan introspection over executive clemency power, it will have achieved something civically useful. But it probably wont, right? In all likelihood, a campaign of ever more corrupt pardons by Joe Biden over the final seven weeks of his term would, rather than inspire bipartisan disgust, generate exactly the sort of desensitization to corruption that I described earlier. Instead of rallying around a constitutional amendment to limit presidential clemency, the two parties will grow inured to them and come to expect corrupt pardons as just another perk of winning the White House, like getting to nominate federal judges. Having leaned as far into political nihilism as we already have, I dont think realistically theres a way to lean out. Both sides will start leaning in further until the country falls over. 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. NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - Lebanese families displaced in Iraq by the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah have begun returning to their homes in southern Lebanon following a recently brokered ceasefire. The cessation of hostilities has allowed many to make the journey back, despite widespread destruction. "After two months, we are returning to our homeland. We will return even if we find our homes destroyed; we will sit on the ground," said Ali Abdulla, a southern Lebanon resident, waiting along with dozens of others at Najaf airport in Iraq to fly back to Beirut with his family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 20,000 Lebanese have sought refuge in Iraq since the outbreak of the war, according to official figures seen by Reuters. "Returning home was faster than we expected. A ceasefire has been achieved. We, the southerners, have not and will not abandon our land," said Yousef Barakat, who was also waiting in Najaf to board a Middle East Airlines (MEA) flight to Beirut. Najaf airport officials said around 800 Lebanese were leaving for Beirut every week, while others were using government-provided buses to travel to the Qaim border crossing with Syria and then on to Lebanon. Iraqi local officials said at least 1,000 Lebanese had been crossing into Syria daily for three days. But then an escalation of hostilities in Syria following a rebel offensive against Syrian government forces led many to shun the land route, fearing for their safety. They now prefer to wait for flights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iraq's government, along with Shiite institutions in Najaf and Kerbala, has provided essential support, including free accommodation, healthcare, and meals, ensuring that displaced families have a safe, supportive environment during their stay. 'EVERYTHING IS DESTROYED' The ceasefire, brokered by the United States and France, aims to end the conflict across the Israeli-Lebanese border that has killed at least 3,768 people in Lebanon since it was ignited by the Gaza war last year, according to the Lebanese health ministry. However, not all Lebanese are eager to return, saying their homes are currently uninhabitable due to damaged water and electricity networks. They are uncertain about what will happen once the 60-day ceasefire ends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I no longer have a home; everything is destroyed. If we return, where will we sleep, on the street? What is the future of our children if they stay in Lebanon? No education, no future, and no home," said Rabea Ali, a mother of four sons from southern Lebanon, who is staying in a small rented flat in eastern Baghdad. Rabea's son, Omar al-Ali, supports his mother's decision not to return to Lebanon. He has started a new life working at a car wash station in the mainly Shi'ite district of Zayoona in eastern Baghdad. "We ran from bombing and devastation. I'm working to collect enough cash to bring my family, who are stuck in Lebanon, to live together here," said Omar while washing cars. But 11-year-old Ali Hassan said he was eager to return to his home in southern Lebanon as he missed school and also wanted to visit the grave of a friend killed by an Israeli airstrike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I hope to return to Lebanon to visit his grave and pray for him," said Ali as he shaped a tree out of clay with a group of children gathered in the reception yard of one of Kerbalas hotels. (Reporting by Maher Nazeh, Ahmed Saeed and Ahmed Rasheed; Writing by Ahmed Rasheed; Editing by Gareth Jones) By Laila Bassam, Maya Gebeily and Steven Scheer BEIRUT/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel threatened on Tuesday to return to war in Lebanon if its truce with Hezbollah collapses, and said this time its attacks would go deeper and target the Lebanese state itself, after the deadliest day since the ceasefire was agreed last week. In its strongest threat since the truce was agreed to end 14 months of war with Hezbollah, Israel said it would hold Lebanon responsible for failing to disarm militants who violate the ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If we return to war we will act strongly, we will go deeper, and the most important thing they need to know: that there will be no longer be an exemption for the state of Lebanon," Defence Minister Israel Katz said. "If until now we separated the state of Lebanon from Hezbollah... it will no longer be [like this]," he said during a visit to the northern border area. Despite last week's truce, Israeli forces have continued strikes against what they say are Hezbollah fighters ignoring the agreement to halt attacks and withdraw beyond the Litani River, about 30 km (18 miles) from the frontier. On Monday, Hezbollah shelled an Israeli military post, while Lebanese authorities said at least 12 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon. Another person was killed on Tuesday by a drone strike, Lebanon said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said any infraction of the truce would be punished, however small. "We are enforcing this ceasefire with an iron fist," he said ahead of a cabinet meeting in the northern border city of Nahariya. "We are currently in a ceasefire, I note, a ceasefire, not the end of the war," he added. DIPLOMACY Top Lebanese officials urged Washington and Paris to press Israel to uphold the ceasefire, after dozens of military operations on Lebanese soil that Beirut has deemed violations, two senior Lebanese political sources told Reuters on Tuesday. The sources said caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, a close Hezbollah ally who negotiated the deal on behalf of Lebanon, spoke to officials at the White House and French presidency late on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mikati, quoted by the Lebanese news agency, said that diplomatic communications had intensified since Monday to stop Israeli violations of the ceasefire. He also said a recruitment drive was under way by the Lebanese army to strengthen its presence in the south. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matt Miller told reporters on Monday that the ceasefire "is holding" and that the U.S. had "anticipated that there might be violations". The truce came into effect on Nov. 27 and prohibits Israel from conducting offensive military operations in Lebanon, while requiring Lebanon to prevent armed groups including Hezbollah from launching attacks on Israel. It gives Israeli troops 60 days to withdraw from south Lebanon. A mission chaired by the United States is tasked with monitoring, verifying and helping enforce the truce, but it has yet to begin work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lebanon's Mikati met in Beirut on Monday with U.S. General Jasper Jeffers, who will chair the monitoring committee. Two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that France's representative to the committee, General Guillaume Ponchin, would arrive in Beirut on Wednesday and that the committee would hold its first meeting on Thursday. "There is an urgency to finalise the mechanism, otherwise it will be too late," one of the sources said, referring to Israel's gradual intensification of strikes despite the truce. (Reporting by Laila Bassam and Maya Gebeily in Beirut and Steven Scheer and Crispian Balmer in JerusalemEditing by Peter Graff) TUPELO With winter approaching and a new season of paving and road maintenance on the horizon, Lee County will spend more than $2 million to upgrade its road departments equipment. On Monday, the Lee County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve multiple purchases for equipment with Thompson Machinery. The new machinery will replace aging and unreliable equipment in the Lee County Road Department. In a somewhat unusual move, supervisors didnt accept the lowest bid they received, opting instead to spend more on what they say will be a better deal in the long run. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have to look at the best value for Lee County, said County Road Manager Tim Allred. I had a set of specifications to start on several pieces of equipment, and I had some conflict with a couple of dealers that wanted to bid but couldnt meet my specifications. The purchases include a medium hydraulic excavator for $427,827, a small hydraulic excavator for $115,169, two small tractor/ dozers for $376,776, a medium tractor/ dozer for $226,065, two skid steers for $187,887 and three wheel loaders for $675,801. All accepted contracts were the highest bid option, which caused some sticking points with the audience in attendance Monday morning. According to Allred, the decision to spend more was justified for myriad reasons. Despite not meeting his specifications, Allred allowed companies to bid on the sale with the specifications they provided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allred said the specs of some bids didnt match his requirements, the warranty lengths and costs, lift capacities, equipment sizes or resale value. Thompsons equipment, which is all Caterpillar brand, matches the departments existing attachments. While the lowest bids came in at $375,742 less in total cost, Allred said that the cost savings did not outweigh the benefits for the county. He likened the purchase to building supplies for homebuilding and repair, noting that an individual can buy cheaper cuts of lumber or particle board over the more expensive options, but that will cost more in the long-run in repairs and maintenance. We have attachments that we have for these machines that we wont have to go back and purchase, said District 1 Supervisor George Rutledge, who worked alongside Allred to grade the bids. The warranty offered by Thompson went up to seven years, while the other companies only provided only three years. Allred said most of the equipment was already in stock and should be delivered quickly once he provides the company with a purchase order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although most often municipal officials will accept the lowest bids when making large purchases, state law provides avenues for purchasing equipment and cementing contracts that may represent a better use of the taxpayers money, even if those bids are higher. State law requires officials to select the lowest and best bidder. The county must make a detailed explanation of their decision process on who that company or person is with each bid. Allred contends the county can make decisions based on resale value and past business with a company through opinions from the Mississippi Attorney Generals office and state law. Allred also said the resale value of the Caterpillar equipment after five years is much higher than the equipment from the other bids, including John Deere and Komatsu. In J&A Excavation Inc. v. City of Ellisville, the State Court of Appeals, ruled that a county or municipality can determine the lowest and best bid on factors other than the price, including the bidders skill, business judgement and experience, as long as the boards minutes including detailed calculations and a narrative summary showing why they determined the lowest and best bid that was not the lowest provided. Allred previously worked at Thompson Machinery, but he said he has not had connections with the business in over two decades, with most of his former coworkers and colleagues having retired or died over the years. Most of the existing equipment will be sold to the public in an online auction, Allred said, noting that he expects that auction to take place next March. The equipment should net between $250,000 and $300,000, which will go back to the department. The existing equipment, he said, was purchased between 2006 and 2010 and needs replacing. BAKU, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Azerbaijan's State Oil Company has started natural gas exports to Slovakia, marking the start of deliveries under a short-term pilot agreement with Slovakia's largest state energy operator SPP, the company said. The short-term deal was effective on Dec. 1. The state oil company highlighted the significance of the partnership, noting its potential to evolve into a long-term cooperation. "These exports reinforce our commitment to diversifying export markets," the company stated. With Slovakia joining the list of importers, Azerbaijani gas now reaches 12 countries, including Turkiye, Georgia, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, and North Macedonia. Dec. 3SUPERIOR Kevin Feind dedicated his career to preserving Wisconsin's outdoor spaces. The former Department of Natural Resources employee who spent 17 years managing the Brule River State Forest and eight years managing Amnicon Falls and Pattison state parks is being recognized for how he now spends his free time. State Rep. Angie Sapik, R-Lake Nebagamon, honored Feind on Tuesday, Nov. 26 in front of the Big Manitou Falls for the volunteering he has done since retiring from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sapik said the citation from the Wisconsin Legislature was a joint effort with state Sen. Romaine Quinn, R-Cameron. "On behalf of the Wisconsin Legislature, Joint Rule 7, hereby recognizes and commends Kevin Feind for his remarkable achievements, dedication to public service, and significant contribution to the conservation and enhancement of Wisconsin natural resources," Sapik said. Sapik and Quinn spearheaded a $3 million funding allocation for Amnicon Falls and Pattison state parks in the state's 2023-25 budget. Gov. Tony Evers vetoed the appropriation specifically for the two area parks but left the $3 million in the budget for the DNR to decide how to use. "That's not necessarily a loss because that money that you pitched for did go to all of the state parks in the state of Wisconsin," Sapik said. She said it's money that never would have been allocated without the conversations she had with Feind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his career, Sapik said Feind received multiple awards for his work in the DNR's forestry division, including recognition as the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the Wild Turkey Federation Wisconsin State Chapter. Sapik noted his response to the 2018 flood that caused significant damage at Pattison State Park. "Kevin Feind took the opportunity to enhance the trails at Pattison State Park, overseeing FEMA improvements and leading the design and construction of new trails and bridges, thus ensuring safe and enjoyable access for visitors," Sapik said. Feind also re-established the Friends of Pattison and Amnicon state parks, growing the membership and establishing new bylaws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I tried my best to be a bridge a bridge between the department and the many friends' groups and partnerships that we have for the Brule, for Pattison and for Amnicon," Feind said. "And even going as far as the national Wild Turkey Federation," he said, "it was that bridging between the department with the Bureau of Wildlife and the friends group of the Wild Turkey Federation that we were able to get the turkey release of 2004 and open a season in this part of Wisconsin in 2006 so thousands of people can enjoy wild turkeys as I have loved wild turkeys since 1989. That was one of my big wins." Feind said he's also built many physical bridges at the three properties that have allowed people to enjoy the trails. His work didn't end when he retired. "I have a passion for my parks and forests," Feind said. "Pattison, there's such a deep history here with the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps.) ... that I want to keep it nice. With the budgeting we've had over the years with the Bureau of Parks Management, it's been very poor. Through blood, sweat and tears, I like to get stuff done so people who visit parks can enjoy more." Having read Some thoughts on school safety and property taxes (Reading Eagle, Nov. 11), Id like to repeat an idea published in the Eagle a quarter of a century ago. The superintendent of the Muhlenberg School District at the time affirmed this idea. When a public school district is established or needs to make improvements, it generally borrows money. Contracts also include employee retirement plans. The cost is then paid by the taxpayers during the following decades, sometimes even many decades. Thus, the school taxes paid today are not providing for the education of the children of current taxpayers so much as for the previous generations of students who attended that public school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Someone attending public school today may incur around a quarter million dollars in costs. For that person to pay back the incurred expenses will require decades of tax bills after they graduate. We may want to think of it as paying off our student loans for our K-12 education at public school. Glenn Shrom Upper Bern Township Lieutenant Colonel Shamil Krutkov has become the new commander of the 93rd Separate Mechanised Brigade Kholodny Yar. He has replaced Colonel Pavlo Palisa who has been recently appointed to the post of deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine. Source: 93rd Separate Mechanised Brigade on Facebook Quote: "The brigade's flag was handed over by Colonel Pavlo Palisa to the reliable hands of Lieutenant Colonel Shamil Krutkov, with whom he had walked a glorious combat path side by side as deputy brigade commander." Details: In his speech, Krutkov stated, "It is a great honour for me to lead one of the most powerful brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I want to thank Colonel Palisa for his contribution to the defence of our state and the resilience of our brigade". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: On 29 November, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Colonel Pavlo Palisa, Commander of the 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Brigade, to the post of deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, which is headed by Andrii Yermak. Support UP or become our patron! Dec. 2LIMA A Lima man was sentenced Monday to four years and 11 months in prison for possession of methamphetamine, cocaine and oxycodone after pleading guilty to the three charges in October. The sentence was jointly recommended by prosecutors and Jeremy Schneider's attorney, Kenneth Rexford in the Allen County Common Pleas Court. The amount of time was intentional, so Schneider would be eligible to request judicial release after serving about six months in prison. Rexford said Schneider will also try to get his record sealed in the future. Schneider lost his foot in 2022 after it was run over by a car, and after that "it just went downhill real quick," his attorney said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's truly amazing how rapidly a person's life can fall apart when especially pain-related medications end up becoming opiates, then oftentimes you see methamphetamine as a replacement to try to not die from the opiates," Rexford said. Schneider said his addictions started with alcohol from a young age, and when he got married he became addicted to drugs. He ran his own business, Schneider Construction, for 15 years. "I lost my house, I lost my wife, I lost my foot, I lost my freedom," Schneider said. "I'm 52 years old, never have I thought I would be in front of a felony judge looking at a prison sentence. I started my own company; I lost it. Drugs has took me down, down, down, and I just can't do it anymore. "It just escalated from the alcohol. I never really looked at it as being a problem because it wasn't an ongoing thing, it was sporadic. "The drugs were nothing like alcohol. Once they grabbed a hold of me, they had me." Reach Charlotte Caldwell at 567-242-0451. Featured Local Savings SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) Cold weather shelters will be open for those in need of a warm place to stay in the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry. Here are the current shelters and warming centers open: Savannah On Monday, CSAH said that there will be 10 beds open at Union Mission, which is located at 120 Fahm St. Salvation Army has five male and eight female beds open at 3100 Montgomery St. Come As You Are, on 4429 Skidaway Rd, has 25 beds open. CSAH outreach staff will provide transports to Come as You Are Tuesday evening until 8:00 p.m. You can reach them at 912-790-3400, 912-675-9027 or 912-547-1097. Lowcountry The Beaufort County Sheriffs Office (BCSO) announced that the two shelters will be open for those in need of shelter due to the below-freezing atmosphere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first is Sea Island Presbyterian Church, located at 81 Ladys Island Drive, Beaufort. This shelter will open at 5 p.m. on Tuesday and will close at 8 a.m. Wednesday morning. Dinner and breakfast will be provided. Showers will also be available. Sea Island Presbyterian Church advises no weapons, alcohol, smoking, or pets are permitted; however, service animals will be allowed. The second is Christ Lutheran Church, located at 829 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. This space will open at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday and will close at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday morning. Dinner and a morning to-go meal will be provided. They advise no weapons, alcohol, smoking or pets are permitted. Service animals are allowed. Transportation to this shelter will be provided by Deep Well Project, located at 80 Capital Drive, Hilton Head Island, at 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information, contact Sea Island Presbyterian Church at 843-525-0696 or Christ Lutheran Church at 843-785-6570. 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 WSAV-TV. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) For the second time this year, a staff member was recently terminated at Little Mavericks Learning Center after an alleged child abuse incident. In a letter addressed to parents that was obtained by WesternSlopeNow, Little Mavericks Board Chair Michelle Quinn said staff learned on Nov. 26 of alleged abuse in a 4-year-old classroom. After the Grand Junction Police Department arrived at Little Mavericks and the center reviewed the evidence, the teacher was terminated, effective immediately, Quinn said in the letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we have promised, we have zero tolerance for any form of abuse. The Board will convene an emergency meeting to determine immediate next steps and the centers future, the letter read. WesternSlopeNow reached out to both the GJPD and Colorado Mesa University, which oversees the child care center, for comment but they both declined to go into further detail. Since this is an ongoing investigation, we are unable to comment on the matter. The Little Mavericks Learning Center is cooperating fully with the Grand Junction Police Departments investigation, CMU spokesperson Kelsey Coleman said in a statement provided to WesternSlopeNow. GJPD Public Information Officer Kira Rushton told WesternSlopeNow that officers did respond to reports of child abuse around that area but did not confirm it was at Little Mavericks. She added the incident is currently under investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in April, a staff member and supervisor were terminated at the Little Mavericks Learning Center due to abuse allegations. The center also temporarily closed due to the 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 WesternSlopeNow.com. CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) Some light snow is moving into the western part of Massachusetts Tuesday afternoon. High temperatures will be in the mid-30s to 40 degrees and will drop into the mid to upper teens overnight. Can you leave your car idling in Massachusetts? Live Interactive Radar 7 Day Forecast The 22News Storm Team is tracking some accumulating snow Wednesday night and a mix of rain and snow throughout the day on Thursday. 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. WEST PALM BEACH The child of every officer has the same worst nightmare, Alexandria Diaz said. Its the late-night phone call, the knock on the door, the realization that their parent will never come home again. Nothing quite prepares you for the day that it actually comes, she said. Alexandria spoke to a crowd of thousands Tuesday, gathered at the South Florida Fairgrounds to honor Ignacio "Dan" Diaz, Ralph "Butch" Waller and Luis Paez. The three Palm Beach County sheriffs deputies were struck by an SUV driver on Nov. 21, a day now regarded as the darkest in the agencys 115-year history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waller and Paez died within hours of the crash. Diaz died four days later. Dignitaries including President-elect Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis joined law-enforcement officers from the around the nation at Tuesdays memorial service. It began at 9 a.m. with a procession from a Royal Palm Beach funeral home and ended on stage at the iThink Financial Amphitheatre. 'The ultimate sacrifice': Community reacts to crash that killed 2 deputies, injured a third Helicopters, K9s, bagpipes and firing squad sound off in honor of fallen deputies The friends and relatives who spoke Tuesday blended sorrow over the deputies' deaths with joy over what they had achieved. Each speech was punctuated by tears, usually at the mention of the men's families, and the occasional laugh. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As time passes, it's still difficult to comprehend his absence," said Cpl. Thomas Dague of Paez. "The only two thoughts I can reconcile are, first, the man upstairs must be having trouble with his Nikon camera and needs some pointers." "Second," he added, "and the more probable one, is that the good Lord Himself must have bought a Harley Davidson, and he needs help learning how to ride. Tuesday's speeches shared a common theme: The deputies were dedicated to their profession, true, but they were so much more than that. Paez was a photographer on the brink of retirement, eager for the day he could pursue his passions full time. Maj. Paul Vrchota, Paezs colleague and longtime friend, said the two often took cross-country road trips on their motorcycles to sites like the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, the Pacific Coast Highway, Yellowstone, the Grand Teton National Forest and the Canadian Rockies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waller was a devoted husband so smitten with his wife Denise, he bought a pair of glasses he didnt need just to see her at her place of work. Deputy Chris Farron said Waller would do anything for anyone except on weekends, when his commitment to his wife and church came before all else. Diaz was an animal lover who hoped to one day retire on a farm, like the one he grew up on in Cuba. He was a chef with a sweet tooth, his daughter said. He made a mean chili. Memorial service for three fallen Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputies at the South Florida Fairgrounds, Tuesday December 03, 2024, in Palm Beach County. President Donald J. Trump, , his son Donald Trump Jr., Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his wife Casey DeSantis attend the service. In between tributes to the deputies were nods to the friends and strangers supporting their loved ones. That support was widespread and ongoing, evident Tuesday in the food truck parked outside of the Amphitheatre. Members of the New Jersey State Police Benevolent Association stood inside, offering hotdogs and a phone charging station to any who needed it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the service neared its conclusion, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw presented folded American flags to the deputies' families. A PBSO dispatcher issued a "10-7," a police code marking the deputies' end of watch, and a PBSO firing squad shot several rounds into the sky. A lone trumpeter trumpeted, K9s barked, helicopters flew and three riderless horses crossed in front of the stage all in memory of the three deputies who will never ride again. 'They were lions,' says Congressman Brian Mast PBSO Maj. Ron Mattinos voice broke while he delivered opening remarks. He spoke of Paez, Wallace and Diazs long history with the agency and the loved ones who survive them. After, Congressman Brian Mast described meeting the fallen deputies at parades and events. They knew the hazards of their profession and never shied from it, Mast said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They were not timid. They were lions. They road each day with a badge, body armor and a pistol to keep everyone safe," the congressman said. "I thank God for these men." Before returning to his seat, Mast paused before each coffin and saluted. He saluted the deputies families, too. Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis arrive at memorial for fallen PBSO officers President Donald Trump, left, his son Eric Trump, third from left, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, second from right, attend a memorial service for three fallen Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputies at the South Florida Fairgrounds, Tuesday, December 03, 2024. Trump and DeSantis arrived without fanfare and sat behind a slate of bullet-proof glass. Trump stood and saluted when members of PBSO's Honor Guard carried the coffins of Paez, Waller and Diaz on stage. DeSantis stood with his hands at his side. They occupied a row of cushioned chairs across the stage from the deputies' families, who sat on folding chairs. Motorcade carrying fallen deputies arrives at Amphitheatre Motorcycle officers and members of the Patriot Guard lined the entrance to the South Florida Fairgrounds, silent and saluting as hearses carrying the fallen deputies arrived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sound of their approach silenced those gathered at the Amphitheatre. They stood with their hands clasped and watched as a new wave of deputies some local, others from Georgia, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont began to fill the unoccupied seats. Bagpipes heralded their arrival. Thousands of law enforcement officers from across the state and the nation were expected to attend Tuesday's memorial service. Twenty seven of them and their K9 companions formed a perimeter along the grassy area where the Amphitheatres concert-goers typically sit. Along procession path, heartbreak for three PBSO deputies' families Ashlei Berlingo came to the procession route along Crestwood Boulevard at 8:45 a.m. Tuesday with her toddler, who waved an American flag as law-enforcement vehicles rolled solemnly by. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said her husband and father-in-law work at the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office and that she still remembers being in shock when she heard the news that Paez, Waller and Diaz had died. We came to show our respect because these officers sacrifice themselves every day for us," she said as she stood along the road on the cold morning. Berlingo said she cant help but think about the deputies' families. "Every day I kiss my husband goodbye, I just pray he comes back, she said. Its just goes so deep for the family members and friends. Law-enforcement agencies from around country join PBSO in mourning Attendees began filling the amphitheater hours before the service began. Despite the chill, few deputies wore jackets over their uniforms. They congregated in seats closest to the stage, forming an uninterrupted sea of green. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The painted faces of Waller, Diaz and Paez loomed large on a jumbotron above them. Even higher, a sniper with PBSO's SWAT unit scanned the crowd with binoculars. PBSO deputies were joined Tuesday by officers from neighboring counties and faraway states. Each wore a thin blue line across their badge, a sign of remembrance for deputies killed in the line of duty. In Palm Beach County, there have been eight. The deaths of Waller, Diaz and Paez came almost exactly 17 years after the crash that killed deputies Jonathan Wallace and Donta Manuel, who died while trying to stop a speeding driver in The Glades. 'Our police family': Arden woman takes early spot on procession route Maggie Martin, an Arden resident, said she saw Paez, Waller and Diaz on their motorcycles on Nov. 17 when she drove out of her community, which lies off Southern west of the crash site. She said she often saw one of them pulling drivers over on his motorcycle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She arrived at the intersection of Crestwood and Southern boulevards at about 8:45 a.m. Tuesday to watch their memorial procession pass by on a cold, windy morning. Martin said her husband works for the motorcade group of the Broward County Sheriff's Office, and she came early to pay her respects to the officers and their families. Her husband will be part of the ceremony. Riding motorcade is a brotherhood, Martin said. We are here supporting our police family." Where to watch the PBSO procession for three fallen deputies Vehicles departed from the Palms West Funeral Home in Royal Palm Beach at 9:30 a.m. The route took them south on State Road 7 to Southern Boulevard, west on Southern to Crestwood Boulevard, north on Crestwood to Okeechobee Boulevard, east on Okeechobee to State Road 7, and finally south on State Road 7 to Weisman Way, taking them into the fairgrounds. PBSO invited the public to pay respects to the fallen deputies by lining the procession route. The suggested viewing areas included Okeechobee Boulevard from State Road 7 west to Crestwood Boulevard, and Crestwood Boulevard from Okeechobee Boulevard south to Southern Boulevard. People were urged to take their places by 9 a.m. PBSO anticipates traffic delays, warns drivers to take alternate routes The procession will affect traffic in Royal Palm Beach, The Acreage, Loxahatchee, Loxahatchee Groves and Wellington, the sheriff's office said. Some roads will close temporarily. Drivers should expect significant delays from 8 a.m. to noon, with additional delays through 3 p.m. Suggested alternate routes include using Northlake Boulevard for eastbound travel out of the western communities, or the State Road 7 Extension to access eastbound Okeechobee Boulevard. From southbound Royal Palm Beach Boulevard, travel west on Okeechobee, then south on Crestwood to eastbound Southern. Tuesday's memorial service honors three deputies killed by Jeep driver Paez, Waller and Diaz all belonged to PBSO's traffic division. Each was sent airborne when a Jeep SUV veered off of Southern Boulevard on Nov. 21 and hit them where they stood, preparing to jumpstart a department-issued motorcycle. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash, and its probe is expected to take until early 2025 to complete. A preliminary investigation found no evidence that the driver was intoxicated or speeding, and no criminal charges were pending against her as of Tuesday. Julius Whigham II, Valentina Palm and Hannah Phillips are reporters for The Palm Beach Post. Help support our work: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Trump at PBSO memorial for officers killed in crash near West Palm NICOSIA, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) announced on Monday that Cyprus is set to officially regulate cryptocurrency operations as of Jan.1, 2025, signalling a transformative shift in its financial sector. During the presentation of CySEC's 2023 annual report to President Nikos Christodoulides, CySEC President George Theocharides emphasized the nation's preparedness for this pivotal shift. He also revealed that several prominent cryptocurrency companies have already shown interest in setting up headquarters on the Mediterranean island. "CySEC is well-prepared to face this challenge. We've been working on this for years," Theocharides stated, underscoring the regulator's readiness to integrate cryptocurrencies into the broader financial system. The new regulatory framework is designed to comply with the European Union's standards, offering unregulated crypto firms operating in Cyprus the opportunity to apply for official CySEC assessment. CySEC, which currently oversees over 300 entities, including banks, investment funds, and insurance companies, manages assets totaling approximately 10 billion euros (10.5 billion U.S. dollars), nearly one-third of Cyprus's annual GDP. Notably, 2.6 billion euros of this is directly invested in the Cypriot economy. "This is an alternative funding source that the Cyprus economy needs," Theocharides explained. President Nikos Christodoulides praised CySEC's proactive approach and announced plans to bolster the regulator's powers to address emerging financial challenges more effectively. Strengthening CySEC's authority has been a priority since the 2013 financial crisis, which forced Cyprus to seek a bailout from the Eurogroup and the International Monetary Fund, the President noted. GRANTSVILLE, Utah (ABC4) A live artillery shell was found in Utah on Sunday night, prompting the response of the Unified Fire Bomb Squad Special Operations Division. Unified Fire said in a press conference on Monday that bomb technicians were called out to Grantsville, Utah, around 5 p.m. on Sunday. Officials said the item they found is estimated to be a World War II-era artillery shell. WATCH: Springville officers chase after runaway pig on Thanksgiving Officials with Unified Fire Authority found a live, 155mm artillery round in Utah on the night of Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (Courtesy: Unified Fire Authority via Instagram) Officials with Unified Fire Authority found a live, 155mm artillery round in Utah on the night of Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (Courtesy: Unified Fire Authority via Instagram) Officials said in an Instagram post that the 155mm artillery shell was very old and was discovered after many years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our highly trained team ensured the safety of the public and successfully handed the live round over to the military for proper disposal, Unified Fire said on Instagram. Officials said in the press conference that the device was a large artillery shell, with a diameter of around six inches, a length of about two feet, and a weight of about 100 pounds. Unified Fire said a citizen had recently passed away, and the artillery shell was found while family members were cleaning up a property. The family knew nothing about it, and where it was found, it seemed like it was kind of forgotten about, Unified Fire Public Information Officer Porter said. It was something that caught the family off-guard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shell was determined to be a live round with the help of bomb technicians, as they have a robot that can see the inside of a device in real-time, Porter said. At that point, after they used the robot to go and see what was inside, thats when they were able to make the educated decision that this is a live round, and that they were going to handle it as such, Porter said. Officials used the delicate situation from Sunday night to remind citizens to not touch any items if they encounter something similar, but instead call 911 and treat the situation as an emergency. Unified Fire said its technicians are equipped to handle these types of situations safely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no further information 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 ABC4 Utah. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Fairborn and Centerville have opened mailboxes that will deliver letters directly to the North Pole. Several cities in the Miami Valley have set up mailboxes where kids can drop off their letters to Santa Claus. In Fairborn, Santas North Pole Mailbox is located next to the Fairborn Community Library, at 1 E Main Street. Letters should be dropped off by Dec. 19. The library will also provide special paper for Christmas lists and letters. Santas Mailbox in Fairborn Santas Mailbox in Centerville In Centerville, the Santa Mailbox is located in front of the Centerville Municipal Building at 100 W. Spring Valley Road. Letters can be dropped off between now and Dec. 16. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mailbox will also make a special appearance at the Centerville Holiday Skylights event at Cornerstone Park on Dec. 15. Children of all ages are invited to send their letters to Santa through these mailboxes. In order for Santa and his elves to respond, children should include a return address on their letter. 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. MASURY, Ohio (WKBN) There can be stress around the holidays due to crowds, traffic, and expectations. How stressed would you be losing a pet? It happened on Thanksgiving for a local family who lost two, but incredible teamwork led to finding them and making a reunion possible. The sign on a Masury sewer grate reads drains to waterways. That signifies danger for anything underneath. A person walking their dog had that animal pull them to that spot because two other dogs underneath the grate couldnt get out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumbull County dispatch reached out to Jason Cooke with the Healthy Hearts and Paws Project to help the Brookfield police and the fire department reach the animals. One dog was out by the time Cooke got there, but the second was still trapped inside one of the pipes. The dog kept retreating further and further back. And so definitely my fear was that he was not only going to continue to retreat but possibly get completely wedged, Cooke said. Coaxing the animal was difficult and so was the tight space where Cooke was working, along with the first responders on the 45-minute rescue. Im not real claustrophobic, but I was feeling claustrophobic having to bend down there and twist. I was a little sore the next day actually, Cooke said. The second dog was saved. The animals were headed to Healthy Hearts and Paws which is near capacity with 84 dogs. The owner read about the rescue on social media and called to say they were hers. Within hours, she was smiling to have them in the car and take them home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im thankful that we have police and fire departments that are willing to go the extra mile to help these dogs and cats, Cooke said. Cooke said the hero was the dog that sensed two friends in trouble. Firefighter Mike Hagood said they tried using hot dogs to entice the one dog out of the pipe, but he wouldnt eat them but he said both dogs scarfed them down after being rescued. The dogs had gotten away on Thanksgiving and were gone for about a day before being found. 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. A Pennsylvania lawmaker is planning to introduce a bill that would essentially legalize recreational marijuana by decriminalizing it. Recreational marijuana is illegal in the state but many people, including Quinn Marshall believe people have been unfairly punished and put behind bars for having it. I know theres a lot of people in jail right now for small crimes, petty things that have to do with it, and I think that it shouldnt be such a serious crime or offense or even illegal at all, Marshall said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats what state Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) is trying to do. Hes co-sponsoring a bill with state Rep. Rick Krajewski (D-Philadelphia) that would regulate and decriminalize recreational weed so a person wouldnt face charges if theyre found with it. Frankel said the state needs to catch up with the rest of the region and legalize adult-use cannabis. He said his legislation would erase decades of injustice. So many people over so many decades have been subject to the adverse criminal justice system that has imprisoned and penalized so many people, and in many cases, still impair their ability to be productive citizens today, Frankel said. The bill would expunge pot-related criminal records. It would also set up a framework for legal markets for recreational use that would generate tax revenue. That money would then be invested into communities that have historically been harmed by the war on drugs, particularly within black communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whatever kind of tax revenue we end of generating from adult use can be reinvested in these communities to create opportunities for folks, said Frankel. That part of the bill is something Marshall can get on board with. If the money can get put back into the community, why wouldnt it be a good thing for people? said Marshall. Frankel said there is bipartisan support for the legislation to move it forward in both chambers. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Dec. 3The mayors of Beavercreek and Springfield and the deputy mayor of Centerville came out in opposition this week to a proposal to mandate cities to increase payments to police officer pensions. Ohio House Bill 296 may go before the full Ohio House of Representatives for a vote Wednesday. It would mandate local governments to increase their pension contributions from 19.5% of each police officer's salary to 24% the same rate attached to firefighters' pay over the course of a six-year phase-in period. The Ohio Municipal League this week noted Ohio's local communities and taxpayers contribute more than $300 million to the Ohio Police & Firefighters pension fund, and H.B. 296 would increase that by $80 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The increase found in this legislation represents a significant amount of money that would be diverted from important services in our communities," said Ohio Municipal League board president and Centerville Deputy Mayor Belinda Kenley in a statement. "When municipal budgets are constrained, cities and villages are faced with very few options to make up a revenue shortfall or to generate new revenue without reducing services to residents." Kenley was joined at a press conference Monday with Springfield Mayor Rob Rue and Beavercreek Mayor Don Adams. Other opponents have included city leaders from Dayton, West Carrollton and Troy. Bill sponsor state Rep. Thomas Hall, R-Madison Twp., told this news outlet he also heard concerns from the city of Middletown. But he believes funding police pensions is a priority. He said lawmakers should consider restoring some state funding to local governments to help shoulder the costs. The proposal comes as leaders of the Ohio Fire and Police Pension Fund, which serves more than 50,000 active and retired members, have sounded the alarms of the fund's long-term solvency based on a surge of retirements, a lack of new recruits and a dipping investment market. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measure has strong backing from trade associations and unions representing police officers and firefighters. "This legislation will provide sound funding for OP&F," said Jeffrey Moore, president of the union representing West Chester firefighters, in testimony last year. "It provides a basis for recruiting and retaining public safety employees statewide. Public safety employees count on the stability of pension and disability benefits, which this funding critically provides. Ohio's fire fighters and police officers cannot face more cuts." While Vandalia's city manager testified against the bill, Vandalia Police Chief Kurt Althouse testified in support as president of the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police. "This legislation is a crucial step in ensuring our officers have a reliable retirement while also supporting the recruitment and retention of qualified candidates in an increasingly competitive job market," Althouse testified last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ohio Municipal League is asking state lawmakers to study ways to fix the pension system instead of pushing through H.B. 296, calling it an "unfunded mandate." "The funding period for OP&F is below the 30-year statutory threshold required by the state, and the employer increase in HB 296 will not magically fix the long-term solvency of the fund," Ohio Municipal league Executive Director Kent Scarrett said. If H.B. 296 does pass this House before the end of the year, it will move to the Ohio Senate for further consideration. All unfinished legislation expires at the end of the year. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) More than 1,000 kids in need will have presents to unwrap this Christmas. For the Love of Children, or FLOC, held its annual toy drive for Montgomery County Childrens Services, with those gifts delivered on Monday. Bikers donate $10K in gifts to Montgomery Co. Childrens Services Included in the haul are toys, coats and various other items to make the holiday season cheerful for local kids in need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FLOC has been delivering holiday gifts to kids for the last 30 years, and Montgomery County says its grateful to be one of those stops. We love this, coming here, bringing it to Childrens Services and helping them unload, said Debbie Lieberman, Montgomery County commissioner. It really kicks off the holiday season. FLOC says it works closely with Childrens Services and Santa to make sure each kids gets exactly what they asked for. 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. CANTON, Ohio (WJW) A Canton woman accused of killing and eating a cat pleaded guilty Monday to a charge of animal cruelty and will now serve more than two years in prison. Allexis T. Ferrell, 27, of Canton, was arrested in August, accused of stomping the cats head then eating it, according to a criminal complaint. It happened at a housing complex in the 1100 block of East 13th Street. See the latest snowfall totals in Northeast Ohio Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ferrell was indicted Aug. 21 on a charge of cruelty to companion animals. She initially pleaded not guilty, but on Monday changed her plea to guilty. A judge sentenced her to 12 months in prison, court filings show. The court ordered an evaluation of the defendants mental condition at the time of the offense, as well as of Ferrells competency to stand trial, records show. Ferrell was also sentenced Monday on probation violations in two prior cases, which were triggered by the animal cruelty case. Nightmare: Ohio man recovering after alleged assault over McDonalds sandwich Ferrell was sentenced in April 2023 to three years probation on a felony count of endangering children, court records show. Due to the new conviction, she will now serve an additional 18 months in prison on those charges, for a total sentence of 30 months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was also resentenced to six months in prison on charges of theft and misuse of credit cards, to which she originally pleaded guilty in October 2019. She drew a six-month sentence which will be served concurrent with her other cases. 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. Dec. 2A judge in New London on Monday sentenced a 37-year-old New London man to nine years in prison in connection with a drug-related beating and shooting in 2019. Derek Lopez had previously pleaded guilty to the charge of first-degree assault, halting a scheduled trial in September where he had would have also faced a charge of first-degree kidnapping. Lopez was arrested in connection with a Nov. 25, 2019, assault at an apartment on Truman Street where police said a woman accused of stealing money or drugs was held against her will and beaten while her husband watched. The husband was shot in the leg, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lopez pleaded guilty under the Alford Doctrine, which means he does not agree with all the allegations against him but pleaded guilty to avoid a trial and possibility of a harsher sentence if convicted. His prison sentence will be followed by three years of probation. Previously sentenced in the assault was Maribel Perez, who pleaded guilty in 2021 to charges of second-degree assault and second-degree kidnapping. She was sentenced to seven years in prison as part of a plea agreement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State's Attorney Thomas DeLillo. A For Sale sign is seen on March 19 in Austin, Texas. Policymakers are watching for indications of what President-elect Donald Trump plans to do to ease housing costs next year after an election where voters were laser-focused on the economy. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images) Americans hand over a huge chunk of their paycheck for a roof over their heads. Policymakers are looking out for indications of what President-elect Donald Trump plans to do to ease housing costs next year after an election where voters were laser-focused on the economy. Housing accounted for 32.9% of consumers spending in 2023, making it the largest share of consumer expenditures, according to the most recently available data Bureau of Labor Statistics. And that was an increase of 4.7% from 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, many Americans still struggle to find affordable housing, whether they choose to rent or buy a home. Theres a lot economists and housing advocates still dont know about what to expect from a second Trump term. Its unclear which campaign promises will find their way into administrative rules or legislation, even with a Republican trifecta the GOP will control the White House and both chambers of Congress. But policy experts, researchers and economic analysts are looking at Trumps record, his recent remarks on housing, and Project 2025 the conservative Heritage Foundations 900-page plan to overhaul the executive branch for a glimpse of what may lie ahead. Tariffs and the cost of building homes Trump has spoken frequently of his proposed 60% tariff on goods from China, which he has said would create more manufacturing jobs in the U.S. Tariffs could be as high as 20% on goods from other countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But housing economists and other experts say that could be bad news for building more affordable housing. Selma Hepp, chief economist for CoreLogic, a financial services company, said tariffs are one of her main concerns about the effects of a second Trump term. One of the biggest concerns is not just lumber [costs], but the overall cost of materials, which have been going up, Hepp said. Construction material prices have risen 38.8% since February 2020, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of October Producer Price Index data. Kurt Paulsen, professor of urban planning in the department of planning and landscape architecture at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, said building costs are already high from tariffs on Canadian lumber that Trump first imposed and that the Biden administration kept and increased. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It used to be in construction that you would get a bid from a contractor or a subcontractor or supplier and it would be good for 60 days. Now, the bids are good for like five days because you dont know where prices are going to be, he said. Immigration policy and its effect on construction labor Trump tweeted on Nov. 18 that he is planning to use the declaration of a national emergency as part of his mass deportation plan. Besides disrupting lives, Trumps plan could have effects on what it costs to build housing, Hepp said. There is the cost of labor as well, if we do indeed have all these deportations. Thats a big, big concern, she said. A large share of labor in the construction industry obviously comes from immigrants. That is a huge issue for new construction and particularly new construction as it relates to affordable housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Foreign-born construction workers made up 3 million of the 11.9 million people who work in the construction industry in 2023, according to the latest American Community Survey data. Trumps not in my backyard rhetoric The former president hasnt always been clear on where he stands with zoning regulations and making way for more affordable housing in a wide variety of neighborhoods. In a July Bloomberg interview, Trump spoke critically of zoning regulations and said that they drive up housing costs. But Trump also has a record of tending toward a not in my backyard, or NIMBY, approach to housing that maintained some of these zoning regulations. The Trump administration moved to roll back an Obama-era regulation that tied HUD funding to assessing and reducing housing discrimination in neighborhoods. Hell talk about reducing regulations on developers, but hell also use this NIMBYism talking about protecting suburbs from low-income housing and you really cant have it both ways, said Sarah Saadian, senior vice president of public policy and field organizing at the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paulsen said Project 2025 embraces a pushback against anti-NIMBY approaches to expand multi-family housing. What I read in the Project 2025 documents is a clear statement that says every local community and neighborhood should be able to choose the housing it wants to accept or not. The challenge of that is that if every community in every neighborhood can veto housing, then we just dont get enough housing and prices go up and prices and rents go up, he said. A more punitive approach to homelessness Last year, homelessness rose to its highest level recorded since the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development began collecting this information in 2007. The ending of pandemic safety nets that gave some households better financial stability and a lack of affordable housing supply contributed to the number of unhoused people, the report explained. Trump has been outspoken on his view that homeless people should be off our streets. The president-elect has also proposed putting unhoused people with mental health issues into mental institutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a movement that I think is largely reflected in Project 2025 that says, actually, cities need more coercive policy tools to enforce public order and to require that someone whos camping take a shelter placement even if they dont want it, Paulsen said. Saadian said that given the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Grants Pass v. Johnson, which makes it easier to criminalize unhoused populations for sleeping outside, shes worried about a changing political environment where policies that prioritize stable housing over policing fall out of favor. I think all of that just shows a culture shift in the political dynamic here that were definitely worried about, she said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX MEMPHIS, Tenn. As the Bluff City gears up for the Christmas season, families all too familiar with violence took time on Monday to honor those theyve lost as a part of the 14th Annual Season of Remembrance Ceremony. Each chime represented a soul violently loss. Families hung ornaments with the names of loved ones during the ceremony. Gods word comforts us, but we are also comforted with Gods presence, said Bellevue Baptist Church Pastor Ben Taylor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the Overton High School choir sang, dozens of families looked on, some grieving and others taking a moment to remember happier times. You know, when we have holidays, those are the worst ones, Sharon Mitchell said. Because you remember him being there and you remember him saying, Hey, fix me a plate. and What yall doing today? Nearly 2,000 coats donated during Coats for Kids drive Mitchell was in attendance honoring her cousin Darian Robinson. While speaking to WREG, she recalled the drive returning from Mississippi when she found out her cousin was killed nearly two years ago. They called on the phone and tears started flowing, Mitchell said. It was so emotional and we couldnt figure out whether or not to tell Grandma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While many people in attendance can relate to Mitchells story, the healing journey is different for everyone. We are more than conquerors, you can overcome, Pastor Taylor said. But for those in attendance, they said the experience helps lessen the pain. Like I tell my husband all the time, we just have to pray, Mitchell said. I mean, we just have to pray something has to change. Work begins on new ALDI near downtown District Attorney Steve Mulroy said that change is happening here in Memphis, even if it is slower than many may like. For four consecutive quarters, these crime numbers including violent crime numbers have gone down, Mulroy said. Weve seen double-digit percentage decreases and we are praying that trend continues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mulroy encourages the community to be a driving force for better results. Whether it be writing to state lawmakers for more crime-fighting resources or even mentoring young people, he said every little action helps. We need to recognize the problem is real and we all need to work together, Mulroy said. We dont need to be pointing fingers. We need to be joining hands together and collectively as a community get a handle on this problem. 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. This photo taken on Dec. 3, 2024 shows the 100,000th China-Europe freight train at Duisburg Intermodal Terminal (DIT) in Duisburg, Germany. The 100,000th China-Europe freight train arrived in Duisburg, Germany on Tuesday morning, marking a historic milestone for this rail link. The train, X8083, which had departed from Chongqing, China, arrived at Duisburg's terminal at 9:10 a.m. local time, carrying electronics, industrial parts, and household appliances. The train's cargo was quickly unloaded for distribution to various destinations across Europe. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu) DUISBURG, Germany, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The 100,000th China-Europe freight train arrived in Duisburg, Germany on Tuesday morning, marking a historic milestone for this rail link. The train, X8083, which had departed from Chongqing, China, arrived at Duisburg's terminal at 9:10 a.m. local time, carrying electronics, industrial parts, and household appliances. The train's cargo was quickly unloaded for distribution to various destinations across Europe. Duisburg, once known for its steel industry, is now a prominent trade gateway between Europe and Asia. The freight trains, often referred to as "steel camels," are a critical component of this transformation. The trains carry a variety of European goods when they go back. "The service has enhanced transport efficiency and trade ties, showcasing the Belt and Road Initiative's role in fostering connectivity," said Chang Haitao, acting consul general of China in Dusseldorf, during a reception at Duisburg's terminal to mark the milestone. Looking ahead, Chang emphasized the service's potential to further promote collaboration and progress. "The China-Europe freight train will remain a catalyst for openness and partnership, fueling enhanced connectivity across Eurasia and fostering sustained global economic development," he noted. "The train connection has definitely led to a win-win situation for both countries," Markus Teuber, China affairs commissioner of the City of Duisburg said, adding that he is confident that the service will continue to thrive, as its benefits for imports and exports remain strong, and more companies are recognizing its value. Markus Bangen, CEO of Duisburger Hafen AG (Duisport), a German company running the port of Duisburg, said the railway service is strengthening ties between Europe and China, opening up a new international transport market that benefits both economies. Duisburg is steadily growing as a key stop along the route, attracting investment, creating job opportunities and driving growth in the logistics sector, he added. Since 2016, annual train operations have surged from 1,702 trips to over 17,000 trips, with transit times steadily improving, said Tian Zhongyu, general manager of China Railway Container Transport Co., Ltd. Europe Subsidiary, noting that the time required to complete 10,000 trains has also decreased from 90 months to just six months. Duisburg Port has attracted over 100 logistics companies and created more than 20,000 jobs since the trains began operating, Tian added. The service has boosted economic development in regions along the route. A staff member walks past a container aboard the 100,000th China-Europe freight train at Duisburg Intermodal Terminal (DIT) in Duisburg, Germany, Dec. 3, 2024. The 100,000th China-Europe freight train arrived in Duisburg, Germany on Tuesday morning, marking a historic milestone for this rail link. The train, X8083, which had departed from Chongqing, China, arrived at Duisburg's terminal at 9:10 a.m. local time, carrying electronics, industrial parts, and household appliances. The train's cargo was quickly unloaded for distribution to various destinations across Europe. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu) The 100,000th China-Europe freight train arrives at Duisburg Intermodal Terminal (DIT) in Duisburg, Germany, Dec. 3, 2024. The 100,000th China-Europe freight train arrived in Duisburg, Germany on Tuesday morning, marking a historic milestone for this rail link. The train, X8083, which had departed from Chongqing, China, arrived at Duisburg's terminal at 9:10 a.m. local time, carrying electronics, industrial parts, and household appliances. The train's cargo was quickly unloaded for distribution to various destinations across Europe. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu) This photo taken on Dec. 3, 2024 shows the 100,000th China-Europe freight train at Duisburg Intermodal Terminal (DIT) in Duisburg, Germany. The 100,000th China-Europe freight train arrived in Duisburg, Germany on Tuesday morning, marking a historic milestone for this rail link. The train, X8083, which had departed from Chongqing, China, arrived at Duisburg's terminal at 9:10 a.m. local time, carrying electronics, industrial parts, and household appliances. The train's cargo was quickly unloaded for distribution to various destinations across Europe. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu) Staff members pose for a group photo as they welcome the arrival of the 100,000th China-Europe freight train at Duisburg Intermodal Terminal (DIT) in Duisburg, Germany, Dec. 3, 2024. The 100,000th China-Europe freight train arrived in Duisburg, Germany on Tuesday morning, marking a historic milestone for this rail link. The train, X8083, which had departed from Chongqing, China, arrived at Duisburg's terminal at 9:10 a.m. local time, carrying electronics, industrial parts, and household appliances. The train's cargo was quickly unloaded for distribution to various destinations across Europe. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu) This photo taken on Dec. 3, 2024 shows the 100,000th China-Europe freight train at Duisburg Intermodal Terminal (DIT) in Duisburg, Germany. The 100,000th China-Europe freight train arrived in Duisburg, Germany on Tuesday morning, marking a historic milestone for this rail link. The train, X8083, which had departed from Chongqing, China, arrived at Duisburg's terminal at 9:10 a.m. local time, carrying electronics, industrial parts, and household appliances. The train's cargo was quickly unloaded for distribution to various destinations across Europe. (Photo by Zhu Xuan/Xinhua) In a courtroom on the third floor of the Canyon County Courthouse, 3rd District Judge Gabriel McCarthy listened as the prosecution and defense painted two very different pictures of Gabriel Francisco Meza. Canyon County Deputy Prosecutor Gregory Swanson argued Monday that the 35-year-old convicted of aggravated battery for the shooting of another man was an extreme danger to the community and asked the judge for a three-decade prison sentence. Michael Florian, his public defender, portrayed Meza as a family-oriented man who grew up too fast and has dealt with addiction since he was young. He asked for a minimum five-year sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meza himself asked McCarthy to see the whole man before him and not just his worst choices. He said he planned to attend college while serving any sentence and looked forward to finding a job so that he could be an example to his children that no matter how far you travel down the wrong path, you can always turn around. You have full discretion, your honor, and I humbly ask you to show mercy to my family, Meza said, reading from a prepared statement in court. When Meza is sober or with his family, McCarthy said he sees someone capable of being a good, kind and decent person. But the judge said Mezas criminal history and actions in March were that of a completely different person. I understand that there can be good and bad in the same person, McCarthy said. I have to consider all those things, the good and the bad, the known and the unknown, and arrive at a conclusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCarthy sentenced Meza to a minimum of 10 years in prison, with another decade that Meza could spend in prison, on parole or both. Hell receive credit for the 244 days hes already spent in the Canyon County Jail. The incident that led to the shooting took place in the early hours of March 27. Several people, including Meza, got into a fight with the male victim, and during the altercation the victim was shot in the neck, which left him permanently paralyzed. In statements to the Canyon County Sheriffs Office, the victim and another woman who was involved in the fracas identified Meza as the shooter, according to a probable cause affidavit. I lived a proactive life and now I feel like Im sitting behind the window watching the whole world go by, the victim said in court. The world keeps going and Im stuck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mezas attorney argued during a prior hearing that the victim didnt see who shot him and instead saw Meza carrying the firearm, according to a transcript from a May hearing. Mezas family also protested his innocence to the Idaho Statesman following the sentencing, and pointed to the fact that several people were involved in the altercation. In August, Meza entered an Alford plea which has the same effect as a guilty plea to felony aggravated battery, and an enhancement for the use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony for the shooting of the victim, then 44. An Alford plea is used by a defendant when they recognize that the evidence is stacked against them and theyd likely be convicted, but they dont admit to the crime. In exchange for the plea deal, the Canyon County Prosecutors Office dropped a persistent violator enhancement, which could have kept Meza in prison for life. That enhancement can be added by prosecutors once someone has been convicted of three felonies, no matter whether they are violent crimes. I know that what Im doing today is going to make it difficult for you 10 years in prison typically does not make anybody a better person, McCarthy said. You will have to fight to achieve your full potential, and it will be a challenge. Im not giving up on you. (Bloomberg) -- President Emmanuel Macron said he thinks the French government can survive a no-confidence vote on Wednesday, when the far-right party of Marine Le Pen is expected to join forces with a left-wing coalition to topple the administration. Most Read from Bloomberg The presidents remarks come a day before the National Assembly will hold the vote in Paris, which was triggered over a budget dispute. Le Pen said this week that shell support any motion to bring down the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the National Rally to support the no-confidence motion would be a vote of unbearable cynicism, Macron told reporters in Riyadh on Tuesday. I cant believe that theyd vote for the leftist alliances motion. Prime Minister Michel Barnier used a constitutional mechanism on Monday to force through an unpopular budget bill, leading the National Rally and the leftist coalition to call for the votes of no confidence. Le Pen moved forward with the motion even after Barnier submitted to nearly all of the National Rallys demands to change the budget legislation. If the government were to collapse on Wednesday, it would underscore the power acquired by Le Pen since Macron called a surprise election in June. It would also mark the shortest tenure for a premier since Frances Fifth Republic was founded in 1958. What Bloomberg Economics Says... Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Le Pen might prefer political chaos to stability to put pressure on Macron to resign. Antonio Barroso, Eleonora Mavroeidi and Jamie Rush. For full insight, click here Lawmakers in Paris will begin debating the motions at 4 p.m. in Paris Wednesday, with the voting to start shortly thereafter. The political chaos has driven bond investors to punish Frances sovereign debt relative to its peers, pushing borrowing costs at one point last week to match Greeces and leading Barnier to warn of a storm in financial markets if he is dismissed from power. Investors have fretted for months over Frances political difficulties, just as the government has been trying to push measures that will reduce its unwieldy deficit. The budget bill initially presented by Barniers government contained 60 billion ($63.1 billion) of tax increases and spending cuts that aimed for a sharp adjustment in the deficit to 5% of economic output in 2025 from an estimated 6.1% this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A government collapse so close to the end of the year would take France into unchartered territory. The outgoing administration, acting in a caretaker capacity, could use emergency laws to collect taxes and guarantee a minimal level of spending, but the economic and financial impact is hard to predict. The current finance minister, Antoine Armand, warned earlier Tuesday that stopgap legislation would raise taxes for millions of households and block planned spending increases for some priorities, including security and farming. But Macron expressed confidence that politicians voting on Wednesday would step back from the brink. The only question that politicians today need to ask themselves is how they can be useful to the country and to the French people, Macron said in Riyadh. Not how they can be useful to their own ambitions or their own interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the government is voted down, ministers remain in place with a caretaker status to manage current affairs, potentially including the emergency legislation to avoid a shutdown. It would then be up to Macron to appoint a new prime minister, although there is no constitutional deadline for his decision. The president, meantime, said he wouldnt resign until his full term had ended. While the left has called on Macron to step down, he cant be forced out of his job. The next presidential election is set for 2027 and Le Pen remains the frontrunner, according to polls. Ive been elected twice by the French people, and Im extremely proud of that, Macron said. Ill honor that trust with all my energy, right up to the last second, to be useful to the country. (Updates with Macron comment in the 12th paragraph.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The court-appointed receivers overseeing the Providence Place Mall have confirmed that Macy's will remain an anchor tenant. (Google Earth) Macys will continue its 25-year history anchoring the Providence Place mall. At least, for now. The shopping centers court-appointed receivers confirmed in a statement on Tuesday morning that the founding mall tenant will continue to serve customers from its Providence Place store for the immediate future. The confirmation comes amid questions swirling over the shopping centers future and separately, the future of Macys in the wake of a court-appointed receivership approved in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Private lenders in a petition filed on Oct. 29 in Providence County Superior Court alleged mall owner and operator Brookfield Properties owes them $259 million in principal and interest from a loan taken out in 2011. The $305 million loan is backed by 980,000 square feet of mall space nearly all of its 1.3 million-square-foot footprint, though some anchor sites such as Macys were excluded from the collateral. The receivership, the state equivalent of bankruptcy, granted by Rhode Island Superior Court Judge Brian Stern on Oct. 31 puts a pair of temporary receivers Mark Russo, and his law partner, John Dorsey in charge, at least until a court hearing scheduled for Wednesday to name a permanent receiver. Russo and Dorsey ousted Brookfield as the mall manager, bringing in Centennial Real Estate Management LLC as of Nov. 15. The Texas-based real estate companys extensive retail management experience, 23 million square feet across 18 states, makes it well-positioned to take over, Russo said in a statement. Part of our current court-supervised receivership process is designed to stabilize and strengthen the malls operations and financial health, Russo said. Centennials proven track record in revitalizing retail spaces will help us bring in new perspectives, strategies, and tenants that support a strong future for Providence Place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The malls future appears to include Macys, despite company plans announced in February to close 150 underperforming stores nationwide in the next three years. The Providence Macys is an original anchor for the mall, dating back to its opening in 1999. The store has weathered changes in retail that prompted other founding tenants, like Nordstrom Inc., to leave. A Macys spokesperson, who declined to be named, reiterated the companys prior statement when asked again Tuesday about which stores would close. A final decision on specific locations has yet to be made, the spokesperson said in an email. We look forward to continuing to serve customers in a fresh and exciting retail environment at Macys Providence Mall. Russo also did not immediately return inquiries for comment on Tuesday regarding how long Macys has committed to stay in the Providence Place mall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the mortgage loan was secured in 2011, the mall and attached parking garage were valued at $558 million, according to a June report by Kroll Bond Rating Agency. As of May 2021, the appraised value had plummeted to $240 million, and as of June, KBRA downgraded all of the six classes it rates for the malls commercial mortgage-backed security, warning of heightened credit risk amid the already past-due loan. The court-approved receivership process allows Russo and Dorney power to borrow up to $500,000 to keep the mall afloat while figuring out next steps either reviving the mall under new management, or selling it. A bond note was executed on Nov. 13, according to court filings. The malls prime location, high visibility, and established reputation make it an attractive destination for businesses looking to reach a diverse and dynamic customer base, Russo said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Improvements have already begun ahead of the holiday shopping season, including facility repairs and equipment replacements. Parking improvements are expected in the new year, according to the statement from Russo and Dorsey. The hearing on the permanent receivership plan is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Providence County Superior Court. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Sen. Joe Manchins lengthy career in public service, which began with a seat in West Virginias state legislature 42 years ago this week, has very nearly reached the end. The independent senator didnt run for re-election this year, and in a months time, hell leave Capitol Hill. But before he goes, Manchin has one more bad idea to pitch. The Hill reported: Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) said Monday in an interview with CNN that President Biden should pardon President-elect Trump. What I would have done differently, and my recommendation as a counsel woulda been, Why dont you go ahead and pardon Donald Trump, for all his charges? Manchin said of Bidens pardoning of Hunter Biden when talking to CNNs Manu Raju. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The West Virginian isnt the only one thinking along these lines: A week before Manchin made the on-camera comments, The Washington Post published a related piece from the American Enterprise Institutes Marc Thiessen and Danielle Pletka making the case for such a pardon. (This is a subject the pair apparently takes quite seriously: In June 2023, Thiessen and Pletka wrote a separate Washington Post opinion piece that also called on the incumbent Democratic president to pardon his Republican predecessor/successor.) Those who make this argument tend to rely on predictable claims: Biden could pardon Trump in the interest of magnanimous healing, advancing the cause of bipartisan comity. Such a move would, proponents suggest, promote post-election unity, and help the country advance past a period of rancor and division. Biden, in other words, could and should play the role of Gerald Ford, who pardoned Richard Nixon after he resigned in disgrace following the Watergate scandal. Does the pitch have merit? No, it does not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right off the bat, its worth emphasizing that Biden has already vowed not to do this. In May 2020, during his campaign, the Delaware Democrat participated in a virtual town hall-style event on MSNBC and fielded a question from a concerned voter who asked whether Biden would pledge not to pardon Trump if elected. Absolutely, yes, the then-candidate replied. I commit. Three years later, as GOP presidential candidates talked up the idea of pardoning Trump if they were elected, reporters asked Biden about his stance on the issue. The president literally laughed at the question, suggesting he hadnt changed his mind. Whats more, its not a secret that the Republican president-elect doesnt exactly need a pardon: The Justice Department has a long-standing policy that says a sitting president cant be prosecuted, which is why special counsel Jack Smith and his team have grudgingly agreed to wrap up their compelling, backed-by-voluminous-evidence criminal cases against Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres also the relevance of partisan asymmetry: As Biden faces calls to pardon Trump to advance the cause of bipartisan healing, Trump is choosing right-wing radicals for key administration posts, making plans to retaliate against his perceived foes, and issuing Thanksgiving declarations condemning Radical Left Lunatics who have worked so hard to destroy our Country. There is a national political leader who should probably hear more about the virtues of bipartisan unity, but its not Biden. As my MSNBC colleague Hayes Brown recently summarized, In this construction, the unity and healing that the country needs are due to the actions of both sides of the aisle but the only solution is forgiveness from one side. The trouble is there is no such thing as a unilateral reconciliation; it is a dialogue by its very nature. Its true that Biden offering a pardon for Trump could be framed as outreach to the president-elects followers. But what, then, could be expected from this show of good faith? Are there reciprocal steps that would bring the MAGA movement away from the edge and toward a more united country? But even if we put all of this aside, the most important element of this debate is the importance of accountability: Its not in the nations interests to let an accused felon get away with dangerous and unprecedented alleged crimes simply because it might make assorted partisans feel better. On the contrary, it would signal to future presidents that they, too, should expect to be pardoned for serious felonies, creating an unrestrained, accountability-free dynamic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont doubt that Biden will continue to hear additional advice along these lines in the coming days and weeks. For everyones benefit, heres hoping the outgoing incumbent ignores the suggestions. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Todays edition of quick hits. * Conditions in Syria: A civil war that dominated international headlines for more than a decade has now been reignited after a coalition of Syrian rebels launched a lightning offensive last week, seizing Aleppo, the countrys second-largest city, from President Bashar al-Assads regime. * Biden in sub-Saharan Africa: President Joe Biden made history Monday as he becomes the first American head of state to visit the southern African nation of Angola, where he will showcase U.S.-backed infrastructure projects designed to link three nations. In his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa, which comes at the end of his White House tenure, Biden is set to hold a bilateral meeting with his Angolan counterpart, Joao Lourenco, in the capital, Luanda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Some Capitol Hill drama: Rep. Jamie Raskin, a former constitutional law professor who served as the Democrats lead prosecutor in the Trump impeachment trial after the Jan. 6 attack, told colleagues Monday he will challenge Rep. Jerry Nadler for the top Democratic spot on the powerful Judiciary Committee. * Outrageous threats: At least nine Democratic members of Congress said they received bomb threats to their homes on Thanksgiving or the day after, after similar threats were made against some of President-elect Donald Trumps Cabinet picks earlier in the week. ... In a statement on Friday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., condemned the threats, which he said ranged from detailed threats of a pipe bomb placed in mailboxes to swatting, all signed with MAGA at the conclusion of the message. * Worth watching: Saudi Arabia has abandoned its pursuit of an ambitious defense treaty with Washington in return for normalizing relations with Israel and is now pushing for a more modest military cooperation agreement, two Saudi and four Western officials told Reuters. In a drive to get a wide-ranging mutual security treaty over the line earlier this year, Riyadh softened its position on Palestinian statehood, telling Washington that a public commitment from Israel to a two-state solution could be enough for the Gulf kingdom to normalize relations. * In Brazil: Jair Bolsonaro, former president of Brazil, wants to return to power and said he believes U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will help make that happen, possibly by using economic sanctions against the current president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * The online scrubbing continues: Karoline Leavitt, President-elect Donald Trumps incoming White House press secretary, deleted two social media posts she shared after the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol including a retweet praising then-Vice President Mike Pence for certifying the 2020 election. See you tomorrow. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Theres no shortage of reasons why the Senate should reject Pete Hegseth, Donald Trumps choice to lead the Defense Department in his second term, but its the allegations the former Fox News host has faced from women that should do the most harm to his prospective nomination. In 2017, for example, a woman accused Hegseth of sexual assaulting her at a conference. Hes denied the allegations, insisting the sexual encounter was consensual. Hegseth ultimately paid his accuser an undisclosed amount of money in exchange for her staying quiet. (No charges were filed in the case because, according to the district attorney, No charges were supported by proof beyond a reasonable doubt.) A year later, according to a report from The New York Times, Hegseths mother sent him an email in which she accused him of routinely mistreating women. (She later disavowed that message and apologized in a subsequent email; neither MSNBC nor NBC News have obtained either message.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In case this werent quite enough, The New Yorkers Jane Mayer wrote a brutal new report indicating that Hegseth was forced to step down from his role leading a couple of advocacy organizations after he was accused of financial mismanagement, personal misconduct, and you guessed it sexual impropriety toward women. (Neither NBC News nor MSNBC has independently confirmed the allegations in Mayers report. A lawyer representing Hegseth shared a statement with The New Yorker in which he said a Hegseth "adviser" described the report as outlandish. Hegseths attorney declined to comment to NBC News, and the Trump transition team didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.) It was against this backdrop that Hegseth made the rounds on Capitol Hill, meeting with several senators on the Republican Steering Committee, none of whom seemed to care about the allegations. Republican Sen. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, for example, told NBC News that that she considered the allegations a side issue while lauding Hegseths ability to lead the Pentagon. She added, Are soldiers sometimes wild childs? Yeah, that can happen. Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, meanwhile, chided journalists for caring so much about the ugly allegations against a man who might soon lead the worlds largest and strongest military. But perhaps most striking of all was the reaction from Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama. AL.com reported: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., said that rape allegations against President-elect Donald Trumps defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth were a thing of the past. ... A lot of this stuff was years ago. Now again, youve got to be responsible for your actions, but Pete has done everything he possibly can do to get it out there, to talk to people. No, really, thats what he said. "A lot of this stuff was years ago" -- Tommy Tuberville downplays a rape allegation against Pete Hegseth from 2017 pic.twitter.com/h2DlWb6yb0 Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 2, 2024 Right off the bat, describing a sexual assault allegation against a prospective Pentagon nominee as stuff seems like a bad idea. Whats more, the years ago line made it sound as if the allegations were ancient history and no longer relevant. But thats insane. By any fair measure, 2017 really wasnt that long ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, I was struck by Tubervilles on-air claim that Hegseth has done everything he possibly can do to get the allegation out there, which is a curious way of responding to a scandal in which Hegseth paid his accuser to keep quiet. If four of the Senate Republicans 53 members balk, Hegseths nomination will be defeated. For now, the number of GOP members balking remains at zero. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Protesters hold signs during a demonstration outside of the San Francisco office of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement on June 19, 2018, in San Francisco. They were protesting the Trump administration's zero tolerance policy to separate immigrant families at the border. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) A teacher at Rockhurst High School was fired last month for telling the truth. He said to his students that they have a moral obligation in the Jesuit tradition to oppose the mass deportation plans of the incoming Trump administration. He told the truth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was ultimately fired for political speech in the classroom. But what he said wasnt political; it was moral. That such speech makes some people uncomfortable doesnt make it political. Indeed, it is further proof that the speech was not political in nature and was instead morally convicting. If the truth is uncomfortable, let me assure you that it always has been. Not only did he tell the truth, but he told the truth according to the scripture in a Catholic school. Heres a quick refresher on what the Bible has to say about immigrants. You shall not oppress a resident alien. You well know how it feels to be an alien, since you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt. Exodus 23:9. You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt. I, the LORD, am your God. Leviticus 19:34. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow. Deuteronomy 27:19. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Matthew 25:25-36. There are more, but my point is not to prove to Christians that they have a moral obligation to the foreigner and the immigrant. My point is that telling this truth to a group of Christians in a Catholic school resulted in a teachers firing because it made people acting immorally uncomfortable with their immoral choice. Jimbo Gillcrist wasnt fired for being political. He was fired for disrupting the damning silence of the status quo, a silence that is designed to let untruth flourish. This silence is as common as it is compulsory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I, too, am a teacher. I, like Gillcrist, have been warned against political speech in my classes. Many teachers I know in the arts and social sciences worry that the content we teach will bring us into conflict with those silencing the truth under the guise of political impartiality. Meanwhile, those enforcing the silence through bad faith accusations and intimidation the same people who decry the politicization of education are those placing Bibles in schools, compelling open prayer for Donald Trump, and making the Pledge of Allegiance mandatory. Remind me again what political speech in front of a captive audience really is. As second semester approaches, the inauguration of a man who has promised to be a dictator, who campaigned on mass deportations carried out by the military on American soil, who jokes about illegally seeking a third term in office, who has been found by a jury liable for sexual assault will occur. It will be in direct conflict with many of the principles of my profession, not to mention its foundational texts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Should I as a journalism teacher encourage my students to pursue truth in factual reporting, or should I teach them that journalism is not about holding those in power to account, but about garnering the favor of the powerful? Should I as an English teacher have open discussions about the novel 1984 and its nightmarish relevance to Trumps cabinet picks, whose only qualifications are unflinching loyalty, or about its repudiation of propaganda and warning about the power of repeating lies so often that truth becomes irrelevant? Or should I teach the book as a defanged and disembodied text about an impossible other-world, contrary to Orwells explicit intentions? In other words, should I tell the truth? The question is: Will teachers be complicit? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The question is: Will I be complicit? I still dont know what I will do, but like Gillcrist, I know what I should. Aaron Schwartz is a writer and teacher in the Kansas City area. 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. CHICAGO (WGN) Danny Solis took the stand for his first full day of cross-examination Monday in the ongoing Corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Solis is a cooperating government witness who wore a wire for the better part of three years as the FBI conducted an extensive investigation into Madigan. WGNs Julian Crews reports on what transpired at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in downtown Chicago. 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. Daniel Solis, the once-prominent Chicago alderman whose turn as an FBI mole took down the states two longest-serving Democratic power brokers, walked out of a federal courtroom on Tuesday with his gaze fixed on the floor. In the lobby of the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, Solis slung a backpack over his shoulder, hugged his attorney and stepped through the revolving door, bundled in a blue parka to shield him from the December cold. No one met him outside. No shiny black SUV or taxi came to pick him up. Instead, the 75-year-old former lawmaker crossed the street, hands in his pockets, and walked west down Jackson Boulevard, disappearing into the foot traffic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After six days of testimony against ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan, Solis was off the witness stand and out of the public eye, perhaps this time for good. His cooperation changed the states political trajectory, contributing to Mayor Lori Lightfoots improbable election, putting former Ald. Edward Burke in prison and helping dethrone Madigan, the longest serving state legislative leader in the country when he resigned in 2021 before being charged. It also altered Solis own place in city history, from once-respected community leader and public servant to another fallen Chicago politician with dark secrets in his case, bribe-taking, tax malfeasance, extramarital affairs and visits to erotic massage parlors, to name a few. In all, Solis has been working with the government for eight-and-a-half years, including more than two years wearing a wire for the FBI and recording closed-door meetings in City Hall and elsewhere. He agreed to let the feds listen to every word spoken on his cellphone. He was questioned under oath about some of the most sordid and embarrassing moments of his life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In return he will likely avoid a criminal conviction for his myriad misdeeds, and can keep his lucrative city pension. Now that Solis testimony is done, the next, and possibly final, step in his legal journey will come next spring, when his three-year deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. attorneys office comes due and prosecutors are expected to drop the one count of bribery he faces. As promised, attorneys for Madigan and his co-defendant, Michael McClain, hit hard on that sweetheart deal during cross-examination, implying that Solis was simply saying what prosecutors wanted to hear in an attempt to save his own neck. They also repeatedly attacked Solis own salacious past, providing a final punctuation mark Tuesday afternoon. In his re-cross examination, Madigan attorney Daniel Collins revealed that Solis had been wearing a hidden wire for the FBI when his friend, Roberto Caldero, a longtime aide to then-U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, met him at a massage parlor in 2016 along with a third unidentified associate. Solis had previously testified he always paid for the massages with his own money. But on that day, Solis had been patted down by agents before going in, and when he left the only money missing was the $25 hed left as a tip, Collins revealed in his questioning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Caldero paid for that massage, didnt he? Collins asked. He must have, if I didnt pay for it, yes, Solis said. Whether the defense attacks had any real effect on the jury remains to be seen. But they did have one apparently inadvertent consequence: opening the door for prosecutors to tell jurors Tuesday that Solis helped them with targets far beyond just Madigan. The biggest fish was Burke, who was convicted of racketeering last year. Before the trial, the defense fought hard and prosecutors agreed to scrub any mention of the charges against Burke, who is currently serving a two-year prison term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But after Madigans own attorneys on Monday asked Solis whether Burke offered to pay him for introductions to developers, the bell had been rung. U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey ordered jurors to disregard the testimony, then on Tuesday said he would allow prosecutors to follow up with a limited inquiry that left out Burkes name. With Solis back on the stand, Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane MacArthur asked whether he recorded multiple individuals during his cooperation, including a high-ranking official in Chicago? And was that high-ranking official ultimately charged? she asked. Yes, Solis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Solis said the same about charges against Caldero, the political operative who gave Viagra to Solis and arranged for sex acts for the alderman at a North Side massage parlor. Caldero was charged in 2021 with influencing a $1 billion Chicago Public Schools janitorial contract and using Solis clout to solicit campaign cash and get a park and street renamed for donors relatives. Hes currently serving a 57-month prison sentence. MacArthur was also allowed to bring up that Solis cooperation led to charges against Pedro Soto, a former top aide to CPS CEO Janice Jackson charged with lying to the FBI about passing secret bid information to Caldero. Soto was sentenced last year to probation. In a strange twist, Burkes former co-defendant Peter Andrews was sitting in Blakeys courtroom Tuesday morning, listening to Solis cross-examination. Andrews, Burkes longtime ward aide, was acquitted of all charges last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Madigan, 82, of Chicago, who served for decades as speaker of the Illinois House before stepping down in 2021, faces a wide array of racketeering charges alleging he used his significant political and governmental power to execute a number of corrupt schemes. 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. The trial, which began Oct. 8, is expected to last until mid-January. Tuesday morning, McClain attorney John Mitchell wrapped up his cross-examination of Solis, noting his clients contact with the alderman was relatively minimal and largely involved updates about the status of legislation that would allow development to go forward on a parking lot in Chinatown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors allege Madigan and McClain tried to smooth the way for that legislation in a scheme to get the developers to hire Madigans private tax law firm. Solis only met McClain face to face twice. In one of the meetings, Solis noted that he had been able to steer some work to Madigan. McClain, on the recording, does not audibly respond but continues talking about political strategy. That, Mitchell insinuated, wasnt enough to actually be incriminating. You never asked McClain, Did you know in the past Ive steered legal work? Mitchell asked. I think I implied it, Solis said. I didnt ask that specific question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Solis left the stand, prosecutors played more wiretapped recordings from the case, including some that had been barred from the related ComEd Four trial last year involving the massive gambling legislation that moved through the General Assembly in 2018 and 2019. Though Madigan is not charged directly with anything related to the gambling bill, prosecutors are presenting the evidence to try to show that Madigan essentially green-lighted it by making state Rep. Bob Rita, a Blue Island Democrat, a lead sponsor and delegated McClain as an agent to see it through. On Tuesday, the jury heard a call from May 16, 2018, where McClain told Rita he was worried about an email that went around detailing some of their behind-the-scenes strategy, which could come back to haunt them given the stakes. This whole thing is millions and millions and millions and millions of dollars, so the Feds are going to look at it no matter what, McClain said. I just think we just have to be real careful just try as best you can not to put anything in print. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later that year, McClain told Rita hed talked to a friend of ours, his typical code for Madigan, and he thinks its time that you get activated on your subcommittee. OK. So how would you like to do that? Rita asked. Chicago Tribune Telephone conversation between Michael McClain and Bob Rita on May 16, 2018 Chicago Tribune Telephone conversation between Michael Madigan and Daniel Solis on September 13, 2017 In early 2019, Madigan was recorded on a call with Jessica Basham, his then-chief of staff, about Ritas upcoming presentation of the legislation to the Democratic caucus. Make sure that he understands he should be an active participant in the discussion, Madigan said. Later in the call, Madigan said that if state Rep. Michael Zalewski was just putting on a sports betting show, then were gonna bring on another problem. All the pro-gaming people are gonna say whats this all about? Madigan said. Have a conversation with Rita and make sure he understands that he just cant sit there like a bump on a log. OK? Rita, who previously testified in the related trials of the ComEd Four and Madigans former chief of staff Tim Mapes, took the stand against Madigan very briefly in late October. As the last witness called that day, he only had time to establish a few basic facts before court recessed for the weekend. His testimony was expected to continue the following Monday, but he never returned to the stand, for reasons that have not been publicly explained. jmeisner@chicagotribune.com mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com A bridge in Topsham spans the Androscoggin River. (Photo by AnnMarie Hilton/ Maine Morning Star) Bruce Van Note, commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation, said infrastructure is like the furnace in your basement: You dont really think about it until it breaks in the winter. When the drive to work is smooth and water is flowing where it should be, the average person doesnt spend much time pondering the pipes and roadways contributing to that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maines roads, bridges, airports, drinking water and other infrastructure are adequate, but still need some attention, said Nate Strout, president of the Maine Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), at a press conference Tuesday morning in Topsham. Maine received an overall grade of C in the groups 2024 Report Card for Maines Infrastructure. While the state has improved since the last report card in 2020 and now sits just above the national average, it still has work to do regarding sustainable funding for maintenance, new investments, and making sure aging infrastructure is resilient against the increasing intensity of extreme weather events. This years score is the highest grade Maine has ever received in the assessment that has been completed every four years since 2008. The organization reviewed the condition, capacity, maintenance, innovation, resiliency, public safety, funding and future needs for 16 different infrastructure areas. Strout said the state should be proud of the progress we made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While bridges, levees and energy infrastructure dropped in their scores, the state saw improvement in six categories: hazardous waste, rail, roads, schools, stormwater and wastewater. Nearly one in seven bridges in Maine are in poor condition, Strout said, noting that the figure is much higher than the national average. Van Note said the state has invested in bridge improvements, but it can take awhile for those efforts to be reflected in the report card. Bruce Van Note, commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation, speaks about Maines 2024 infrastructure report card. (AnnMarie Hilton/Maine Morning Star) Over the past few years, Van Note said MaineDOT has been able to pivot from what he called MacGyver mode of managing the slow decline of the states aging infrastructure to actually making progress toward improvements. He thanked federal and state lawmakers for passing bipartisan legislation to help fund that work, such as the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. For example, Van Note pointed to the states road infrastructure, which increased from a D to a C-. While that may not seem like a high score, it indicates improvement. It takes time to see that growth, but Van Note said that as long as that bipartisan wisdom continues, youre going to see continued progress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Craig Douglas, general manager of the Brunswick and Topsham Water District, said the state should continue to take a holistic approach to infrastructure. Douglas noted that within the few mile radius of the Sea Dog Brewing Company in Topsham, where the press conference was held, there are schools, transit centers and even a water main running along a bridge over the Androscoggin River. We need to be raising them all because it is an interconnected system. A closer look at the Maines infrastructure grades Looking at the entire report card for Maine, just under two-thirds of the infrastructure categories were rated in the fair to mediocre range, C- to C+. Three categories were found to be in good condition, earning a B or B-, while four categories were in poor enough condition to receive a D+ or D grade. Maines 2024 Infrastructure Report Card grades by category. Strout said the organization isnt really looking for A grades in these assessments because the amount of funding needed to earn those marks isnt sustainable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three areas where the state received its highest marks are aviation, rail and ports. Maines 74 airports have significantly improved in the past four years, the report said, but the two largest airports have minor issues with terminal space and parking capacity. More than $100 million in state, federal and private funds have been invested in the 13 significant ports and harbors in the past four years. While they are generally in good condition, the report noted that ports are starting to show signs of wear that should be attended to. Tourism and cruise ship calls remain strong throughout the state and the Portland International Marine Terminal continues to see growth in container shipping, but there needs to be more than $170 million in future investments to realize future potential. How to boost Maines grade With the Maine Legislature set to convene again next month, Strout hopes the report card can help lawmakers make informed decisions about infrastructure. He emphasized the need to develop sustainable funding sources to make continued investments, and said the information compiled in the report can help inform those decisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We try to give them the facts behind it and lead them in the right direction, Strout said. The report from the American Society of Civil Engineers also included five specific recommendations to help the state raise its grade in future assessments. Prioritize public safety The state should prioritize funding for areas concerning public safety including statewide dam and levee needs, remediation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soil and groundwater, and reducing traffic fatalities. Specifically, the report said investing in the states highway strategic plan could help save lives since there are over 150 fatalities due to crashes on Maine roads each year. Implement climate resilience Building more climate resilient infrastructure can help reduce long-term costs as Maine experiences more frequent severe storms. The report said all infrastructure investments should consider climate impacts. For example, transit enhancements could attract more users to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Create sustainable funding sources The state has received more than $2 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, but the report said that continued reliance on federal grants and other one-time increases is not sustainable. To address the long-term financial needs of infrastructure maintenance and rising construction costs, the report says the state needs to find new funding sources. Set responsible, resilient utility rates and user fees User fees should reflect the true cost of using and improving infrastructure, the report said. While infrastructure owners can set appropriate fees, the public needs to be informed about fee changes. The report also says that the publics willingness to accept increased fees for necessary upgrades is essential. Educate and innovate The report recommends that Maine not only harness the knowledge of its aging population, but adapt to the next generation by creating a dynamic work environment. It can do this by embracing innovation and new technologies. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and German Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock co-chair the seventh round of China-Germany Strategic Dialogue on Diplomacy and Security in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) BEIJING, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and German Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock co-chaired the seventh round of the China-Germany Strategic Dialogue on Diplomacy and Security in Beijing on Monday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China has maintained a stable and consistent policy toward Germany, and has always regarded Germany as an important cooperative partner since the establishment of diplomatic ties 52 years ago. There are differences between China and Germany, but differences should not become obstacles to cooperation or reasons for confrontation, said Wang. He said that China and Germany, as the world's second and third largest economies, should overcome obstacles, adhere to dialogue and cooperation, abandon the out-dated mentality of Cold War confrontation, and jointly fend off external risks and respond to global challenges. Noting the broad areas of Germany-China cooperation, Baerbock said Germany attaches great importance to its relations with China and firmly abides by the one-China policy. Baerbock said that in the face of a turbulent world, it is of great significance to maintain candid dialogue and strengthen strategic communication with China, which is conducive to maintaining the right direction of development of bilateral relations and contributing to world peace and stability. She spoke highly of China's positive role in addressing climate change. Wang stressed that in order to maintain the steady development of China-Germany relations, it is necessary, first and foremost, to calibrate the strategic understanding. China is a force for peace, development and stability in the world, with an open, transparent strategy and policy orientation, Wang said, adding that the two sides should adhere to mutual respect and understanding, and carry out mutually beneficial cooperation on this basis. China-German relationship does not target any third party, and should not be subject to influence by any third party, Wang added. The EU's imposition of anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles violates the principles of fair competition and free trade, and has become a prominent issue between China and the EU, said Wang. It is hoped that Germany and Europe will view China's development objectively and rationally, adopt an active and pragmatic policy towards China, and properly handle trade disputes through dialogue and consultation. Baerbock said the German side supports the continuation of negotiations between the EU and China on the issue of anti-subsidy measures for electric vehicles in order to find a mutually acceptable solution. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and German Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock co-chair the seventh round of China-Germany Strategic Dialogue on Diplomacy and Security in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) Malaria cases brought into Britain are at their highest level in more than 20 years. There were 2,106 cases of people with malaria arriving in the country last year, an increase of 26 per cent since 2022. It is the highest number of imported cases in a single year since 2001, amid a worldwide resurgence in the disease. Health officials blamed the post-pandemic mix of a resurgent virus and increased travel following the lifting of Covid restrictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) urged Britons looking to travel this winter to be on guard against the threat of mosquito-borne infections and take relevant precautions, including vaccination. A deadly strain The majority of malaria cases came from people travelling to the UK from western, eastern and central Africa, as well as Southern Asia. There were also a few cases from countries in South America. Some six people died of malaria in the UK in 2023, which is the same as the yearly average of six deaths between 2014 and 2023. Figures for January to June this year also show there were 753 travel-acquired malaria cases reported in the UK. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The particularly deadly strain of malaria-causing parasite, p. falciparum, was responsible for the majority of cases. Officials said the parasite was of the most public health interest because, as well as accounting for the most cases, it also causes the most serious disease. It is most common in Africa. East Midlands most affected Early symptoms of malaria include a fever, headache and chills, and they usually start within 10 to 15 days of getting bitten by an infected mosquito. The majority of cases occurred in men, with almost half recorded in London last year. The East Midlands saw the largest increase by region of cases, which more than doubled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some 78 per cent of cases were in people of black African heritage, while 6 per cent were white British. In 1,067 cases, authorities were aware of the reason UK residents had travelled abroad, with 74 per cent visiting friends or family, 20 per cent on holiday, and six per cent travelling in a business or professional capacity. It comes amid fears that mosquito-borne infections are spreading north into southern Europe as the Earths temperature rises. Earlier this year a mosquito species that spreads malaria was confirmed to have returned to southern Italy, more than 50 years after the country was declared free of the disease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, it is the spread of dengue-carrying mosquitoes that poses the most immediate threat. It was confirmed as of last year that the Asian tiger mosquito, which carries dengue fever, had become established in 13 European countries: Italy, France, Spain, Malta, Monaco, San Marino, Gibraltar, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Greece and Portugal. UKHSA warned there had been an increase in the number of dengue cases in Britain in the first half of this year, rising from 157 to 473 in the first six months of 2024 compared to 2023. It is the highest number of cases reported in the first six months of any year since dengue surveillance began in 2009 and reflects a global rise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dengue symptoms usually start four to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito and include high temperature, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, feeling or being sick, a rash and swollen glands. There were also eight Zika virus cases that were also reported between January and June, up on the one case during the same period last year. Most of these cases were linked to travel in south-east Asia. Although rare, Zika is carried by mosquitoes and is a significant risk to pregnant women because it can cause birth defects. As of last year the Asian tiger mosquito, which carries dengue fever, has become established in 13 European countries - Cristina Aldehuela/AFP Dr Philip Veal, public health consultant at UKHSA, said: As many people prepare to travel over the winter period, it is important to take precautions against serious mosquito-borne infections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering exposed skin, and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets, can help reduce the risk of malaria, dengue and Zika virus infection. Taking malaria prevention tablets appropriately is highly effective in avoiding the disease. Before you travel, check the TravelHealthPro website for the latest health advice on your destination. Even if youve been to a country before, remember that you dont have the same level of protection against infections as permanent residents and are still at risk. Plan ahead Dr Dipti Patel, director of the National Travel Health Network and Centre, said people should check they are up to date with travel jabs, adding: People travelling abroad during the Christmas break should plan ahead to ensure they have a safe and healthy trip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon returning to the UK, if youre feeling unwell, you should seek medical attention and inform your healthcare provider about your recent travel. According to the UKHSA, travellers should ideally speak to their GP, practice nurse, pharmacist or travel clinic at least four to six weeks before they travel. This is to check on vaccines and any medication they may need. A vaccine for dengue is available privately that is suitable for people who have had previous dengue infection. 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. By Mandy Leong and Danial Azhar (Reuters) - Residents in the Malaysian town of Tumpat were returning to submerged homes and shops as deadly floodwaters began to ease after being inundated by more than a metre of rain in a matter of days, but there were forecasts of more rain to come. Peninsular Malaysia, particularly its northeastern coast, and southern Thailand have been battered by torrential rains which fuelled floods that killed dozens of people, and damaged homes, transport links, and thousands of acres of rice crops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the rains were far beyond expectations, with some east coast areas getting more than six months' worth of rainfall between Nov. 26 and 30. Tumpat and Tanah Merah, towns in Kelantan state close to the Thai border, had about 1,167 mm (45.9 inches) of rain, while Besut town in Terengganu state received 1,761 mm (69.3 inches), Anwar told parliament."That's a very high record of rainfall... it's far beyond expectations," he said. Some Tumpat residents have begun returning to submerged homes and shops as floodwaters receded, though authorities remain on guard for a second wave of floods this week. Many residents found their homes had collapsed, with parts of walls, roofs and broken furniture lying scattered in pools of water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Muhamad Alim, a 56-year-old shopkeeper whose food store was inundated, recalled fast-rising waters in his home and his grandchildren crying as the flood surged on Saturday night. "Electricity was cut off, and there was no water supply. So, we were stuck, sitting there as if we were in the middle of the sea, surrounded by water," he said. "You could hear the sound of water rushing cutting through the silence of the night." Six people have died in Malaysia and more than 150,000 were evacuated during the height of the floods, government data showed, though the number of people in temporary shelters has since fallen to around 85,000 on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Thailand, the death toll is 25, and more than 300,000 households were still affected, the interior ministry said. The government said it would offer support payments of 9,000 baht ($262) for each affected household. Malaysia's Meteorological Department said it expects thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds in nine states and two federal territories on Tuesday. It had earlier warned of a monsoon surge to begin on Dec. 8. In Thailand, the Meteorological Department warned people in the south of the country to beware of heavy to very heavy rains and possible flash flooding and overflows from Dec. 3-5. ($1 = 34.34 baht) (Reporting by Mandy Leong and Hasnoor Hussain in Tumpat, Malaysia and Danial Azhar in Kuala Lumpur; Additional reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat in Bangkok; Writing by Rozanna Latiff; Editing by John Mair) OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) A man from Chesnee was arrested for sexually assaulting a woman in August, according to the Oconee County Sheriffs Office. According to deputies, 22-year-old Ruvim N. Andrushchenko sexually assaulted the victim at a residence near Seneca on Friday, August 30. The victim told deputies that she was physically incapacitated at the time of the assault due to alcohol. Andrushchenko had spread obscene videos of the victim through Snapchat, according to a warrant. The victim filed the report after discovering the video in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrushchenko was arrested in Spartanburg County on Saturday and was transported to Oconee County Detention Center. He was charged with criminal sexual conduct and disseminating obscene material. He was released on a $40,000 bond. 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 WSPA 7NEWS. Naresh Bhatt was allegedly seen buying knives and cleaning supplies days after Mamta Kafle Bhatt disappeared Manassas Park Police Department; GoFundMe Naresh Bhatt and his wife Mamta Kafle Bhatt Naresh Bhatt and his wife Mamta Kafle Bhatt A Manassas Park, Va. man who allegedly searched the internet for how soon a person can remarry after their spouse dies has been charged in his wifes murder. On Monday, Dec. 2, Naresh Bhatt was charged with two felonies in Prince William County Circuit - Criminal Division, according to online records. His charges include first-degree murder and physically defiling a dead body in relation to the disappearance of his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, despite her body not being found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Mother Who Didn't Make it to Work 2 Weeks Ago is Missing Involuntarily: Police The 28-year-old mother from Nepal was first reported missing on Aug. 5, days after she did not show up for work, which prompted a wellness check by local police, Manassas Park police previously said. On Aug. 22, Naresh was charged with concealing a dead body after Virginia authorities found evidence in the couples home of a body being dragged out. Facebook Mamta Bhatt Mamta Bhatt Mamta Kafle was presumed dead after she was not seen or heard from since July 29 WUSA9 reported, citing Manassas Park Police. According to the outlet, during the welfare check, Naresh told authorities that he and his wife were in the process of separating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Missing Mom Mamta Bhatt Was 'Crying for Help,' Says Co-Worker. Now, Husband Is Under Arrest (Exclusive) In April, prosecutors said that Naresh allegedly used his work laptop to search "How long does it take to get married after spouse die" and "What happen to debt died spouse," the news station and The Washington Post reported. He also allegedly googled, What happens if spouse disappears in Virginia. Additionally, prosecutors accused Naresh of going to a Walmart in Chantilly on July 30 to buy three knives, with two still being unaccounted for. The next day, surveillance footage at another Walmart showed him buying cleaning supplies, prosecutors said. Manassas Park Police Department Naresh Bhatt Naresh Bhatt Per the Post, prosecutors also alleged that Naresh got rid of a bloodstained bath mat in a donation bin outside of a Loudoun County gas station and was seen wearing gloves as he discarded bags into a trash compactor in the early morning hours after Mamta Kafles disappearance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legal counsel for Naresh argued in court that the 28-year-old is still alive, the Post reported. PEOPLE reached out to Nareshs attorney for comment but did not immediately hear back. 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. Authorities have said they have looked extensively for Mamta Kafle. "Searches we've done over 10. We've done grid searches searches with K9s," said Manassas Park Police Chief Mario Lugo, per WUSA9. "In terms of search warrants and subpoenas, I think we're pushing probably 30 that we have submitted and received information on." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My heart is hurt," her mother, Gita Kafle, told the news station. "She was a person who was very hardworking, very beautiful [and] very honest. She aspired to be somebody great and she worked really hard and she could be. I don't know what to say because I can never forget her but whenever I think about it I have my heartache." Mamta Kafle and Naresh share a 1-year-old daughter, who has been in the care of her family. A St. Albans man convicted in 2022 for flashing a gun on Interstate 89 faces charges for brandishing a firearm at a driver in South Burlington. Dyllon Camley, 31, is due in Chittenden Criminal Superior Court later this month on a charge of simple assault. Police say a driver reported that a man in another vehicle had shown the gun near Farrell and Swift streets before pulling into the Market 32 parking lot. Officers located the vehicle and identified Camley. They recovered a realistic looking Smith and Wesson air pistol from Camleys vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Camley is prohibited from possessing and owning firearms.. He is currently on parole for a 2022 arrest and conviction for brandishing a firearm during a road rage incident on I-89. 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 ABC22 & FOX44. EL CAJON, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) Authorities have arrested a suspect in connection with at least nine separate vegetation fires in various parts of San Diego County, according to a news release from Cal Fire Monday. The suspect was identified as Allen Donoyo, who was homeless at the time of the crimes, the release stated. He was arrested Saturday on multiple felony arson charges. Smoke seen from I-15 in North County as fire burns mulch Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to investigators, the first fire Donoyo is suspected of igniting happened on Nov. 10 within the community of Jamul. Six more fires occurred on Nov. 20 within less than two hours, authorities added. Those fires took place in Rancho San Diego, Jamul and Dehesa. Then, on Nov. 30, two separate fires happened within the cities of San Diego and La Mesa, according to Cal Fire. Mattress set on fire in North Park: SDFD We did have some evacuation orders and warnings, but no structures were damaged, Cal Fire San Diego Captain Mike Cornette said, regarding the nine fires. He said a lot of time and resources went to battling the fires, and also their investigations, which linked them back to Dinoyo. With the help of witness statements and investigative efforts by Cal Fire law enforcement and the San Diego County Sheriffs Department, Dinoyo was identified as a suspect and located. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had some information from vigilant residents and it was a coordinated effort between the Sheriffs office and Cal Fire, he added. Dinoyos arrest records also show he faces charges of probation violation and elder abuse, related to a 2021 case. The investigation report will be handed over to the San Diego County District Attorneys Office, which will decide whether or not to bring charges. Dinoyos arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. FOX 5/KUSIs Zara Barker 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) A police chase that wound through the streets of Boardman Monday night ended with an arrest after collaboration among law enforcement. Read next: Arctic cold front to bring heavy lake effect snow An officer with the Boardman Police Department was stopped at a traffic light at the intersection of Market Street and Shields Road when he observed the vehicle in front of him had an expired registration, and when the officer looked up the vehicle, they discovered the owner of the vehicle had a suspended license, according to police reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officer then attempted to conduct a traffic stop, at which point reports state the car, registered to Robin Posey Jr., drove away, causing the officer to engage in a pursuit. The chase began around 7:30 p.m. on Shields Road and covered around three miles, including: Friendship Avenue, Forest Park Drive, Firnley Avenue, Millcreek Drive, Glenwood Avenue, West Boulevard and back to Shields Road, with police ending the pursuit at Tippecanoe Road with the vehicle heading westbound on Shields. Youngstown Ohio police chase map Reports state chase speeds averaged around 65 mph with maximum speeds around 80 mph. Police say the driver committed numerous traffic offenses during the chase, including driving left of center, failure to obey traffic control devices, speed, driving into oncoming traffic, and headlights required. After police terminated the pursuit, they issued a be on the lookout (BOLO) for the vehicle and went to work to determine if the registered owner was in fact the driver at the time of the chase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just after 9 p.m., the Liberty Township Police Department spotted the car and initiated a pursuit, which was also terminated. However, security footage then captured the car in the parking lot of a business, which police examined to determine that the driver was registered owner Posey Jr., reports state. Later, reports state Posey Jr. called the Youngstown Police Department to report that his car was stolen from his Youngstown home, but a woman at the home confirmed that Posey Jr. was seen driving the vehicle from the residence. Liberty Township Police waited at Posey Jr.s house until he arrived home, where he was placed under arrest for failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer and taken to Trumbull County Jail. He appeared in court on the charges Tuesday morning. 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. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A man suspected of stealing more than $40,000 worth of gasoline from a South Bay gas station over the course of nearly six months this year was arrested on Monday, the San Diego County Sherriffs Department said. Authorities were first brought on to investigate in late November, when employees of a Chevron located in the 1900 block of Sweetwater Road in Lincoln Acres reported a grand theft at their station. Prior to making the report, the sheriffs department said the employees had been working with Chevrons IT Department for several weeks to figure out why their fuel consumption amounts were not matching sale amounts at the end of the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement San Diego DA provides tips for combatting online scams during holiday season When they began reviewing video surveillance footage from the dates and times of the unauthorized transactions in the system, the employees noticed the same vehicle and man siphoning gas into large jugs. Employees told deputies the man had been visiting the gas station at least twice a week since June 2024, stealing an estimated $2,000 of gas each time. According to the sheriffs department, he had been using a credit card to start the fuel pump, but the transactions were never charged. Less than a week later, on Monday, Dec. 2, deputies responded a second time to the gas station after receiving a call about a suspicious person who the reporting party believed to be the same man connected to the thefts. Jugs inside the vehicle of a suspect believed to have stolen more than $40,000 in gas from a South Bay station. (San Diego County Sheriffs Department) Upon arrival, they contacted the man, identified as 19-year-old Andrew Gerardo Escobedo, while he was sitting inside a GMC Yukon. Per the sheriffs office, several large plastic containers were also inside the vehicle, some of which contained gasoline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Escobedo was arrested and booked into San Diego Central Jail. He could face grand theft charges. An investigation into the incident still remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Imperial Beach Sheriffs Substation. 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. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) A man was arrested in Texas in late November and charged with the production of child pornography after his distinctive tattoos led the FBI to locate him in Coleman. According to the United States Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Texas, 48-year-old Christopher Lynn Driskill was arrested on Nov. 26 and appeared before a U.S. magistrate judge on Dec. 3. This comes after Driskill, previously identified by the FBI as John Doe 49, was identified on Nov. 18. The attorneys office stated that, according to court documents, a foreign partner referred child sexual abuse material posted on the dark web to the FBIs Victim Identification Program in July 2024. An unknown male subject with several distinctive tattoos could be seen sexually assaulting a prepubescent male in the videos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The unknown mans tattoos included the word DABBY on his chest, the number 197x on his left bicep, the words CAST NO STONES on his left forearm, and a Texas flag in the shape of a head on his right forearm. It had previously been reported to the Coleman Police Department in September 2024 by a former dating partner of Driskill that he had confessed, while intoxicated, to molesting a child and recording it. Law enforcement met with the referenced child, who did not make an outcry, and interviewed Driskill, who denied sexually abusing the child and claimed his former partner was mad at him over a bad breakup. The Coleman PD closed its investigation as no additional evidence had been found at the time. However, a recording of Driskills interview showed that Driskill had a CAST NO STONES tattoo on his left forearm, a 1975 tattoo on his left bicep, and part of a Texas flag in the shape of a head on his right forearm. The attorneys office reported that meanwhile, FBI agents searching for John Doe 49 located a public Instagram account whose profile picture appeared similar to the images of the subject in the child sexual abuse material. The account was traced to Driskill in Coleman, Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agents working alongside the Coleman PD learned on Nov. 22 of the investigation into a possible molestation involving Mr. Driskill. The agents compared footage of Driskills interview to the child sexual abuse material, with the attorneys office stating that the face and tattoos allegedly matched. The attorneys office stated that, should Driskill be convicted, he may face up to 30 years in prison. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence, the attorneys office said. Mr. Driskill is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 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. HELSINKI, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Icelandic President Halla Tomasdottir has entrusted Kristrun Frostadottir, leader of the Social Democratic Alliance, with the mandate to form a new government following the recent parliamentary elections. In a statement delivered on Tuesday, Tomasdottir said she had held meetings with leaders of all parliamentary parties on Monday, and based on the discussions and the election outcome, she had invited the leader of the Social Democratic Alliance for further talks on Tuesday. After all these discussions, Tomasdottir formally tasked Frostadottir with forming a government. She said that Frostadottir had already begun conversations with other party leaders who had expressed their willingness to enter formal coalition negotiations. The Social Democratic Alliance emerged as the largest party with 15 seats from the parliamentary elections held on Saturday. The 63-member parliament requires a majority of at least 32 seats to form a government. A man was recently arrested after emerging from the bathroom of a restaurant in Tolland without any clothes on while families and others were dining. Troopers responded to a restaurant on Merrow Road at 6:12 p.m. on the report of a male exposing himself inside the business, according to Connecticut State Police. The reports indicated the man was walking around the restaurant without any clothes on. When troopers arrived at the restaurant, the owner said a man had come into the business fully clothed before sitting at the counter and asking for a menu. The man then went into the restrooms and came out about 10 to 15 minutes later without any clothes on, state police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The owner told troopers the incident caused alarm amongst the patrons, and that there were children in the restaurant along with other customers, state police said. When troopers spoke to the man he was still without any clothes, according to state police. He complied with state police when they told him to put his clothing back on. The man was identified as 42-year-old Andrew Kinghorn of Ellington, state police said. He was arrested on two counts of risk of injury to a minor and second-degree breach of peace. Kinghorn was later released on a $20,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Rockville Superior Court on Dec. 11. BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL) A Chilhowie man was arrested after police said he broke into a Bristol, Virginia home and had to be rescued due to a fire. The Bristol, Virginia Police Department arrested Chase Guttin, 25, of Chilhowie, on Sunday. Officers responded around 2:36 a.m. to a home on Fox Meadow Lane after receiving a report of a man trying to kick open a door at the home. Police arrived about three minutes later but the suspect had left without gaining entry to the home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hurricane relief heroes to serve as grand marshals of Bristol Christmas Parade While an officer was speaking to the resident, he heard glass breaking nearby, ran to the noise source, and found fire coming from the first floor of a home on Piedmont Avenue, according to the police department. He also found a man screaming from the second floor inside the home because he was unable to escape due to smoke on the first floor. Officers got the man out of the home through a second-floor window. The fire department responded and extinguished the fire. According to police, officers reviewed surveillance video from the Fox Meadow Lane home and determined that the man found in the Piedmont Avenue home was the same person who tried to kick in the door at the Fox Meadow Lane home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the front door to the Piedmont Avenue home, which was unoccupied at the time, had been forced open. The man was identified as Guttin. Police arrested and charged him with burglary, attempted burglary, burning or destroying any other building or structure, destruction of property, and being intoxicated in public. Guttin is being held without bond in the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail in Abingdon. 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) Police in Prince Georges County announced a man has been arrested in connection to the shooting death of DMV activist Cornelius McDonald. Police said 35-year-old Terrelle Bailey of Washington, DC., was arrested and charged with first and second-degree murder and related charges. According to the Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD), on Nov. 30, around 12:45 a.m., officers were called to a shooting outside Jaspers Restaurant, located in the 9600 block of Lottsford Court, in Largo. Thats where they found McDonald who had been shot, outside the restaurant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He died at the scene. Man shot inside Dennys restaurant in Northeast DC As the investigation continued, detectives learned that Bailey and McDonald were customers of the restaurant when they got into an argument before the shooting. Court documents obtained by DC News Now on Tuesday said as the argument escalated to the point where it disturbed fellow patrons, Bailey was escorted out of the restaurant. McDonald paid his check and encountered him as he walked out the front doors. Thats when officials say Bailey pulled out a handgun and shot McDonald several times. Police said Bailey and McDonald did not know each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McDonald attended Largo High School and was known in the community as a beloved leader. He was the Founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit organization, Stay Solid For Mental Health, where he was an advocate for anti-gun violence and youth mental health. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Homicide Detectives at 301-516-2512. 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. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) A man charged in the death of his 84-year-old grandma was found not guilty by reason of insanity on Monday. According to officials with the Commonwealth Attorneys Office, David MacRonald was placed in the custody of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services for evaluation and treatment. Norfolk Police said they responded to the 2700 block of Dominion Avenue just before noon on June 13, 2023, for reports of an unresponsive woman. First responders on the scene discovered MacRonalds grandmother, Liu-Chih Howell, suffering from life-threatening injuries. She was later pronounced dead at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grandson charged with murder in death of 84-year-old Norfolk woman The results of an autopsy showed that Howell had significant trauma to her face, as well as numerous internal injuries. Officers then arrested, then 34-year-old, MacRonald and charged him with second-degree murder. MacRonald at first told police he heard a thud in the laundry room while listening to music, and that he went to check on the noise an hour later. There, he claimed to see Howell barely responsive and brought her to the couch. A medical examiner determined the cause of death could not have been from a fall. Prior to MacRonalds trial, his defense council requested a mental health evaluation of MacRonald, where a doctor then determined he was legally insane at the time of his offense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to state law, in Virginia, a defendant has the ability to be declared legally insane if, at the time of the offense, they are not able to understand the consequences of their actions, determine right from wrong or unable to resist an impulse to commit the crime. As part of MacRonalds plea deal, he will have to be further examined by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to determine if he will require inpatient treatment or if he can be conditionally released. This crime is a triple tragedy, because Ms. Howell is dead, Mr. MacRonald killed her, and their family has lost them both, Commonwealths Attorney Ramin Fatehi. For two doctors to determine that someone is legally insane, that person has to be more than just mentally ill. They have to be so unwell that they do no understand right from wrong, negating the intent to find them legally guilty of a crime. This is a hard standard to meet many mentally ill people are found guilty every day across America of crimes and are sent to jail or prison, itself a failure of our system to address mental illness but in Mr. MacRonalds case, it was clearly the correct conclusion. The law punishes peoples intent, and it cannot punish people who do not understand right from wrong. Continue to check WAVY.com for updates. 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 WAVY.com. HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) One man has been charged after a shooting took place in Hazleton. According to the Hazleton City Police Department, on September 6, officers responded to a shooting on West 5th Street and North James Street. Police say two unknown males approached a group of people in a car and opened fire. During the investigation, police said they located and arrested the owner of the car fleeing the scene as 21-year-old Jeifry Del Rosario Del La Cruz, who is also the suspect in the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man arrested in connection to deadly Wawa shooting in Stroudsburg Officials state they found DNA from the shooting that matched the DNA of Del Rosario Del La Cruz. The release noted Del Rosario Del La Cruz was located and arrested on November 27. Del Rosario Del La Cruz has been charged with several counts of aggravated assault to cause serious bodily injury or injury with extreme indifference, assault with a deadly weapon, recklessly endangering another person along with multiple related charges. Del Rosario Del La Cruz was denied bail and is being held in the Luzerne County Correctional 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 PAhomepage.com. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A man was arrested on Monday after leading Metro police on a helicopter chase in a stolen vehicle, and then escaping into a wooded area. The incident led to the arrest of Jonathan Davis, 28, on felony and misdemeanor charges. Deputies searching for man wanted for multiple outstanding warrants in Cheatham County According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, on Dec. 2, officers used a GPS to track down a stolen 2024 Hyundai Kona. Authorities located the vehicle reportedly driven by Davis on Murfreesboro Pike and deployed a police helicopter to track it before they attempted to apprehend him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said Davis began driving recklessly, using the median and shoulder of the road to pass vehicles, passing through red lights and driving above the speed limit. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts The helicopter followed the Hyundai to the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 2700 block of Whites Creek Pike. Davis reportedly got out of the vehicle and ran into a nearby wooded area. The helicopter continued to follow him as he removed items of clothing in an attempt to change his appearance, officials said. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davis was apprehended by officers on Whites Creek Pike. He allegedly told them he was running to get away from the police. He was charged with vehicle theft, evading arrest, reckless driving and driving on a suspended license. He is being held in Metro jail on a $12,000 bond. 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. HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) A man convicted in a high-profile murder case in Warrick County is seeking a new trial. Isaiah Hagan was arrested back in 2017 and convicted back in 2018 for the murder of Halee Rathgeber. He was unanimously found guilty by jury for murder, robbery and obstruction of justice. He was sentenced to 60 years in prison. Prosecutors were originally seeking life without parole. Hagan is currently serving that sentence at the Pendleton Correctional Facility in Pendleton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court officials state Hagan by his attorney is alleging he had ineffective assistance of counsel in his original trial. Hagan, along with his attorney, have appealed the ruling to the Indiana Court of Appeals but was denied back in 2019. Court records show Hagan has a hearing on petition for post-conviction relief Tuesday, December 3 and Wednesday, December 4. 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). A man has died after a bus caught fire Monday night, according to the Salisbury Fire Department. It occurred at approximately 9:15 p.m. on the 700 block of Klumac Road. Firefighters said the bus was engulfed in flames. While the department was able to extinguish the fire quickly, 48-year-old Michael Joseph Osterhus was found dead inside the bus. ALSO READ: Deputies find person dead inside car on fire near Chester Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One firefighter sustained minor burns to the face, and another is expected to recover after receiving medical attention. On Tuesday, the fire department announced that the cause of the fire was due to an electrical issue. It has been deemed accidental. VIDEO: Deputies find person dead inside car on fire near Chester ORLANDO, Fla. (WFLA) A man was killed Monday morning in a road rage shooting in Orlando. The incident happened on East Colonial Drive near South Primrose Drive, according to NBC affiliate WESH. A witness told WESH that shots rang out during a confrontation after the man got out of his car, upset that she was following too close. WESH reported that the woman yelled at the man before shooting him. The shooting investigation shut down Colonial Drive. Orlando police said everyone involved in the incident is accounted for and there is no threat to the public. 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. A 23-year-old man accused of killing a 45-year-old woman during a drive-by shooting now faces additional charges for the crime. Nicole Winds Clemons died in the Nov. 22 shooting on Baxley Village Trail. Suwanee police arrested Christian Marcus Ware Lessington. Suwanee police initially charged Lessington with three counts of aggravated assault for the shooting. On Monday, they announced more charges: felony murder, criminal damage to property, possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony and felony possession, manufacturing, distributing or selling marijuana. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to officers, Lessington was trying to shoot a man, but instead shot and killed his mother, Clemons. Lessington also lived in the neighborhood, police said. After the drive-by shooting, police were able to catch Lessington after he crashed his car while trying to drive away, rupturing a tire in the process. Police said previously that this was the first homicide in Suwanee in two years. Officers have not revealed why Lessington was trying to shoot Clemons son. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Lieutenant Byun at 770-904-7650. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- In the global marketplace, two opposing forces are at odds: one determined to disrupt supply chains, and the other focused on strengthening and connecting them. On Monday, the U.S. government placed 136 Chinese semiconductor-related firms on its export blacklist, effectively barring American companies from engaging in one of the world's most promising markets. This bullying action undermines established market rules and the international trade order, while contradicting Washington's claimed stance of not seeking to decouple from China. Far from protecting U.S. interests, these sanctions have actually created significant disruptions, causing concern among global tech firms, including those based in the United States. A report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reveals the unintended consequences of these export controls, which were supposed to "safeguard U.S. companies." Instead, they led to supply chain disruptions, higher operational costs and diminished competitiveness in the market. According to the report, "affected U.S. suppliers experienced a 130-billion-U.S.-dollar decline in market capitalization, along with reductions in profitability and employment." In stark contrast to the U.S. move, China hosted the China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing last week. The expo highlighted China's commitment to building a more robust global supply chain, with an emphasis on fostering digital connectivity, green and low-carbon development and supply chain services. The country's open market policies and foreign investments continue to play a crucial role in fortifying the global supply chain. In November, China removed all market access restrictions for foreign investors in the manufacturing sector. Meanwhile, a growing number of domestic manufacturers, especially in China's technologically advanced clean energy sector, are investing or considering investments in the United States. China plays a pivotal role in the global electronics industry, not only as a major producer, consumer and exporter but also as a critical driver of innovation and technological progress. Despite the U.S. government's restrictive policies, U.S. tech giants are voting with their feet. Major companies like Apple, Google, Qualcomm and Micron Technology that participated in the China International Supply Chain Expo expressed eagerness to tap into the country's vast market and innovation potential. This reveals the conflicts between Washington's policies and the interests of American corporations that drive technological advancement. For instance, Intel announced plans to expand its operations in southwestern China, while Micron Technology broke ground on a new factory in Xi'an, set to open in 2025. Jay Puri, an executive vice-president of Nvidia, met with China International Trade Representative Wang Shouwen last week in Beijing, during which Puri emphasized the semiconductor giant's willingness to contribute to China's digital economy growth. According to a recent forecast by SEMI, a U.S. industry association, China will remain the top destination for semiconductor equipment spending through 2025. For example, U.S. chip equipment makers like Applied Materials and Lam Research rely on China for about 40 percent of their sales, as reported by Nikkei Asia. Consequently, the restrictive policies for China market access will instantly deprive U.S. tech firms of significant growth opportunities and subsequently jeopardize their R&D investments. Washington's counter-productive moves have an even worse impact on the global semiconductor chain as they come with "long-arm jurisdiction" by coercing businesses from other nations to sever ties with China. Previously, the U.S. export restrictions were identified as a major factor behind the disappointing Q3 earnings of ASML, a Dutch semiconductor equipment maker. The global supply chain is deeply interconnected, where every participant's successes are linked. Strengthening it benefits everyone, while disruption causes losses across the board. The "I win, you lose" mentality is fundamentally flawed. Moreover, robust trade relations between the United States and China, two global economic powerhouses, could serve as a stabilizing force in the global economy. The blacklisting of Chinese companies throws a wrench into these vital ties. This marks a significant setback for the Biden administration, whose political legacy will be defined by such shortsighted policies. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 55-year-old man is facing a charge of aggravated assault on a peace officer after he allegedly fired at a Luna County Sheriffs deputy, barricaded himself in a truck and was in turn wounded during an officer-involved shooting on Sunday night, Dec. 1, in Deming, New Mexico State Police said. John Dwillis, 55, was shot in the standoff and was flown to a hospital in Texas where he is in stable condition, New Mexico State Police said. He is facing a charge of aggravated assault on a peace officer from the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No officers were injured in the incident, State Police said. At around 8:15 p.m. Sunday, deputies from the Luna County Sheriffs Office were sent out to 8030 Monte Road SE in Deming for a domestic disturbance call, State Police said. When deputies arrived, they made contact with Dwillis, who was standing near a pickup truck. At some point, Dwillis fired at least one round from a gun and then barricaded himself in the truck, State Police said. Deputies retreated and called for assistance, State Police said. NM State Police officers soon arrived on scene and attempted to negotiate with Dwillis. During the negotiations, a New Mexico State Police officer fired at least one round from his duty gun and struck Dwillis, State Police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The identity of the New Mexico State Police officer will not be released until interviews are completed. The officer has been placed on standard administrative leave, according to State Police. This case is being investigated by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau. 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 KTSM 9 News. GILES COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) A man who was considered a missing person out of Florida has been taken into custody in connection with another mans death in Middle Tennessee, according to authorities. The Giles County Sheriffs Department said a report came in shortly after 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26 about a possible deceased person along Ichabod Lane. Shortly after units arrived at the scene, they discovered a dead man later identified by officials as Darren Cody Gambrel laying beside a pole barn. Deputies searching for man wanted for multiple outstanding warrants in Cheatham County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based on the evidence at the scene, authorities said they determined Gambrel was likely stabbed and placed beside the barn after he died. Following a lengthy investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies, the sheriffs department said there was enough evidence to arrest Adam Arthur Rosenthal, who was charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault resulting in death, and tampering with evidence. Adam Arthur Rosenthal (Courtesy: Giles County Sheriffs Department) Over the course of the investigation, officials said they learned Rosenthal was considered a missing person out of Gainesville, Florida. In addition, authorities believe Rosenthal is wanted for questioning in connection with serious crimes in other states. The sheriffs department thanked everyone who helped with the case, including Giles County EMS, the Pulaski Police Department, the Giles County Office of Emergency Management, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the 22nd Judicial District Attorneys Office. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com No additional details have been released about this 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 WKRN News 2. ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT) An 80-year-old man who pleaded guilty to a 1980 murder and kidnapping in Athens almost forty years ago has been sentenced to life in prison. Harold Lee Schut, 80, pleaded guilty in 1987 to the murder of Geneva Clemons and the kidnapping of 16-day-old James Clemons. Former Asbury High employee sentenced for sex act with student Schuts guilty plea included a life sentence in Alabama, but he was never formally sentenced after entering the plea. That outstanding issue was addressed almost 40 years later by Limestone County Circuit Judge Chad Wise in a sentencing order filed on December 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents show Schut has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder charge and life in prison for the kidnapping charge, with both sentences running concurrently and beginning after he serves his sentence in the Texas prison system. However, Schut is already serving a life sentence in a Huntsville, Texas prison. Schut was transferred to Texas following his guilty plea in 1987 to face criminal charges for another murder-kidnapping in Houston. Harold Schut (Texas Department of Criminal Justice) During an October hearing, the defense argued Schuts 37 years in a Texas prison should count towards his time served in Alabama. 16-year-old arrested for bringing handgun to Bob Jones High School Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Mondays sentencing order, Judge Wise said that Schut is due credit for time served in Limestone County before his plea, but he is not due credit for time served in another state. Even if this Court were inclined to do so, neither party has been able to point to any authority, and the Court is unable to find any sua sponte, which allows it to run a sentence concurrent with a sentence from another State, Judge Wise said in the order. Schutts wife Jackie was found guilty in the murder-kidnapping by a Limestone County jury on the same charges. She is in Tutwiler Prison, serving a life sentence. The couple were accused in Alabama and Texas of killing women to steal their babies for sale. The original crime took place on January 20, 1989, when the Schuts shot and killed Geneva. Court documents show they took James Clemons before leaving him in a pasture in Hartselle. James was found in the field and survived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The AP reported that an assistant district attorney handling the case in Houston told them the Schuts used a Beautiful Baby magazine contest and posed as magazine photographers as part of their scheme to approach the mothers and their children. Get breaking news, traffic and weather alerts directly to your smartphone. Download the News 19 App According to that AP report, Jackie Schut was serving a sentence for child abuse in Washington State and fought extradition to Athens for the murder-kidnapping. She was brought to Alabama only after the Limestone County district attorney agreed to reduce the capital murder charge to a charge that would not carry a possible death penalty, AP reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mrs. Clemons daughter, Tracy Clemons, was in the courtroom for the October hearing. She said she attended the hearing to ensure justice was done. Clemons said she was standing next to her mother, when Jackie Schut shot and killed her. Harold Schut was the getaway driver, according to investigators. Tracy Clemons said the killing of her mother affected her entire family. Well, its also impacted James, thats my brother, she said. He never got to experience a life with a mother. He never got the experience of who she even was. So basically, when they took her life, they took our life. They might be living a life sentence in prison, but were living it outside of prison. Even when they pass on, you know, God rest them. 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. The babies had been kidnapped in a stolen car earlier on Monday, Dec. 2 An Indiana man is being hailed as a "good Samaritan" for finding two babies who were kidnapped during a car theft. On Monday, Dec. 2, Robert Deane went to collect a package from outside his home in southeast Indianapolis, when he spotted two baby car seats sitting inside a ditch. He then walked over and discovered two baby girls inside the chairs who had been taken in the stolen car earlier that day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'd do it again," Deane told USA Today. If you see something, like a baby in a ditch, say something (and) do something. While its currently unknown how long the babies were outside, the weather was reportedly as low as 27 degrees. Deane's home was also around four miles away from the location of the theft, reported USA Today. 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. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department/X One of the kidnapped girls found in Indianapolis One of the kidnapped girls found in Indianapolis "It's cold out here," Indianapolis police spokesman William Young told the outlet. "Who knows what could have happened if this particular individual was not able to come outside. It's extremely cold, and we're still in our early stages of trying to figure out who was responsible for this." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department stated on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Monday that they had been trying to locate a vehicle that had been stolen with a 4-month-old and 5-month-old baby inside. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department/X One of the kidnapped girls found in Indianapolis One of the kidnapped girls found in Indianapolis Related: 7-Month-Old Baby Girl Found Safe After Being Taken in Stolen Vehicle: Police The plate number on the vehicle is 364CMU. If you see this vehicle, please call 911 immediately, they added about the stolen car, which was taken from a home at East Gimber Street at around 11 a.m. that day, reported CBS4 Indy. Police were alerted that two babies were inside the stolen 2013 Hyundai Sonata before they discovered the vehicle and found it was empty. This happened around the same time Deane called authorities to state he'd found the two girls, added CBS4 Indy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Missing Baby Found Safe After a Frantic 3-Day Search, Woman Accused of Abducting the Twins Arrested CBS4 Indy/Youtube The location where the two kidnapped babies were found in Indianapolis The location where the two kidnapped babies were found in Indianapolis Below are photos of the two baby girls who are in the vehicle. The vehicle is a silver 2013 Hyundai Sonata, Indianapolis police wrote on X as they shared two photos of the babies. According to CBS4 Indy, the police are still searching for the person who stole the vehicle. "He did what any good person would do," Young added to USA Today about Deane. "He got those infants to shelter. This is an outcome that we wanted. I can't thank that good Samaritan enough. We don't have a suspect in custody, but that will be our next priority is figuring out who is responsible for this particular incident." PEOPLE has contacted the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department for further information. The man detained in White Settlement last week after police found explosives in his vehicle told authorities he was planning to attack a North Texas church, according to a report obtained by the Dallas Morning News. White Settlement police called for Fort Worth bomb squad crews after finding improvised explosive devices, guns and ammunition in the mans van during a traffic stop, police have said. Fort Worth Fire Department crews confirmed that three of the eight devices in the van were indeed classified as destructive devices, Fire Department investigators wrote in the incident report obtained by the Morning News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect told investigators that he was planning an attack on a local church, the report states. Neither the church nor the man have been publicly identified. Police responded to the scene about 5:30 a.m. on Nov. 26 after receiving a call from a neighbor about a suspicious vehicle in a neighborhood near the 9200 block of Jason Lane, authorities said. Upon arrival, officers found the man in the drivers seat of the van with a handgun in his lap, police said. The man was experiencing a mental health crisis, according to a news release from the White Settlement Police Department. More top stories from our newsroom: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suspects target wrong house in deadly drive-by shooting TCU chancellor to leave job in June 2025 Jury awards $60M after security guard smashes glass on mans head [Get our breaking news alerts.] A rifle and an AR-style pistol were also found in the van in addition to the handgun the suspect had with him in the drivers seat, police said. The man was taken to a medical facility and criminal charges against him are forthcoming, White Settlement police said. Officials with an FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms also are investigating the incident. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A man was found dead during a welfare check a day after he crashed into two parked cars in the east Las Vegas valley, according to Metro police. On Sunday around 8:50 a.m., in the area of Liberty Avenue and Phoenix Street near McLeod Drive and Sahara Avenue, a Toyota Camry was driving westbound on Liberty Avenue when it hit a parked vehicle on the street. The Toyota then reversed and hit another parked vehicle as it attempted to park in a driveway, police said. The owners of one of the vehicles spoke to the driver as he exited his car and exchanged information with him. After exchanging information, all parties returned to their homes, and police were not notified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday a concerned citizen called the police requesting a welfare check at the residence of the Toyota driver. When police arrived they found the 61-year-old man dead, police said. Due to the circumstances of the crash and the events that followed, the circumstances around the mans death have not been determined as of Monday night. 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. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A man who told police after he was arrested in September with a gun outside a South Side bar that he was waiting to get someone told a judge Tuesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court that he was just outside looking to go to the bathroom when he was arrested. Christopher Gordon, 35, of Youngstown, was sentenced to six months in prison by Judge Anthony DApolito after he pleaded guilty to a charge of carrying concealed weapons, a fourth-degree felony. Gordon was charged after he was arrested Sept. 29 by an off-duty police officer working security at the South Avenue bar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports said someone told the officer they saw a man jump over a fence behind the bar and he was crouching down and hiding. Officers went to where the witness said the man was and saw Gordon, who started to walk away very quickly, reports said. Gordon was told to stop and he did. He also told police he had a gun when they asked him about it. Police searched Gordon and found a loaded semiautomatic handgun, reports said. Reports said Gordon told police he was waiting for someone to come out of the bar so he could get them, but he would not say who he was waiting for. Witnesses told police Gordon was earlier accompanying a man who threatened a person he had argued with, reports said. But in court Tuesday, Gordon told Judge DApolito that he was on the side of the building using the bathroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attorneys in the case recommended the sentence and defense attorney Rhys Cartwright Jones asked the judge to uphold the agreement, saying the only weapons offenses his client has are misdemeanor convictions one for using weapons while intoxicated and another for improper handling. I told him he has a bad relationship with guns, Cartwright Jones said. Judge DApolito told Gordon he has to stay away from guns, especially when there is alcohol around When you have a gun and alcohol, thats a bad combination, Judge DApolito said. Gordon will get credit for 65 days he has served in the county jail awaiting the outcome of his 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 WKBN.com. EUCLID, Ohio (WJW) Euclid Police are investigating a shooting that happened Monday evening near Delaware Drive. Euclid Police Chief Scott Meyer says a 31-year-old man was shot around 9 p.m. WINTER STORM WATCH: Heres what NE Ohio can expect next The victim told police he did not know who shot him. Officers responded and immediately started first aid. The victim was then taken by ambulance to the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Body found on isolated Lake Erie waterfront Police do not have a motive for the shooting. No arrests have been made yet. Anyone with any information please contact us, Meyer said. They can call our detectives at 216-289-8505. 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. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) Princess Cruises officials believe a 72-year-old man went overboard on Monday before the Ruby Princess cruise docked in San Francisco. Princess Cruises is saddened to report that a 72-year-old American male is believed to have gone overboard earlier today ahead of the arrival of Ruby Princess into San Francisco, a statement said in part. Body found in Piner Creek in Santa Rosa identified Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Customs and Border Protection is reviewing the incident. Workers have searched the ship and reviewed surveillance footage. Princess Cruises statement said it has ruled out other possibilities and is treating the matter as a man overboard. The United States Coast Guard is sending a plane into the air to search for the person. They are searching 45 miles off the coast on Monterey. The man was traveling alone, according to the cruise company. There is no information available as to his condition. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the guest who was traveling alone, the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ship arrived in San Francisco at 6:50 a.m. Monday after a five-day venture to Ensenada in Mexico. Later on Monday, it was scheduled to leave for a 16-day trip to Hawaii. The departure was delayed due to the man going overboard. There is no estimated time for it to take off. 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. SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Google announced Tuesday that Veo, its artificial intelligence (AI) model that can generate short video clips from images and prompts, will be available in private preview for customers using Vertex AI, Google Cloud's AI development platform. Google said that the launch will enable one customer, Quora, to bring Veo to its Poe chatbot platform, and another, Oreo owner Mondelez International, to create marketing content with its agency partners. Unveiled in April, Veo can generate 1080p clips of animals, objects, and people up to six seconds in length at either 24 or 30 frames per second. Google said that Veo can capture different visual and cinematic styles, including shots of landscapes and time lapses, and make edits to already generated footage. "Since Veo was announced, our teams have augmented, hardened, and improved the model for enterprise customers on Vertex AI," said Warren Barkley, senior director of product management at Google Cloud. "As of today, you can create high-definition videos in 720p, in 16:9 landscape or 9:16 portrait aspect ratios. Similar to how we have improved capabilities of other models such as Gemini on Vertex AI, we will continue to do this for Veo." Veo understands VFX reasonably well from prompts, and has somewhat of a grasp on physics, including fluid dynamics, said Google. The model also supports masked editing for changes to specific regions of a video and is technically capable of stringing together footage into longer projects. In these ways, Veo is competitive with today's leading video-generating models -- not only OpenAI's Sora, but models from Adobe, Runway, Luma, Meta, and others, according to Google. "Veo has been trained on a variety of high-quality, video-description datasets that are heavily curated for safety and security," Barkley noted. "Google's foundational models are trained primarily on publicly available sources." Dec. 2A man who was accused of killing a woman in Portland two years ago is being released from jail after the state dropped the murder charge. Frederick Johnson, 47, entered an Alford plea Monday to an aggravated assault charge against 23-year-old Bethany Kelley, who was found dead near Whole Foods Market on Nov. 18, 2022. An Alford plea means that Johnson maintains his innocence but admits the state could have convinced a jury he was guilty of assault. He was sentenced Monday to a little less than two years behind bars, which he has already served. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Frederick Johnson maintains, and is, an innocent man," said Tina Nadeau, one of his defense attorneys. "He has not admitted that he harmed Bethany Kelley in any way or form." A prosecutor for the state said they still believe Johnson strangled Kelley, but they decided to drop the murder case and agree to a time-served sentence after blood testing revealed Kelley had a "potentially lethal level" of drugs in her system. They could not completely rule out that her death was the result of a fatal overdose, making it harder to convince a jury this was murder. "This was the only agreement that could be reached," Assistant Attorney General Bud Ellis said in court. Kelley's family, meanwhile, had spent two years navigating grief while preparing for a trial that was scheduled to take place next month. They believe her death was the result of a murder that no one will be held responsible for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We know justice isn't being served right now," Carrie Fellows, Kelley's aunt, said in court. "But we have a higher God that will have justice for this, for what this person has done to our family." Johnson was charged with murder on Feb. 21, 2023, four months after Kelley's body was found between a parked car and a fence on Kennebec Street. Police believed there were signs of a struggle. She was at an unusual position on the side of the road, Ellis said, with dirt and grass on her pants. There were marks on the side of the car, including a dent in the door and a boot print matching Kelley's shoe. Police quickly determined Johnson and a second man, Brian Chabak, had been with Kelley the night of her death. Ellis said police viewed hours of surveillance camera footage from several businesses, which showed the trio walking together and eventually stopping behind a car on Kennebec Street. Johnson and Kelley were homeless at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video showed Chabak emerge from behind the car and walk east, Ellis said. Then Johnson could be seen leaving two and a half minutes later. "It is important to note that after reviewing hours of video, Bethany never left that scene," Ellis said. Ellis said the state found a mixture of two male DNA profiles under Kelley's nails and on her right hand, and that they believe one profile "was consistent with the defendant" and excluded Chabak. But the videos were grainy, and there wasn't enough DNA evidence for thorough testing, said Nadeau. Nadeau also challenged the investigation by Portland police. Investigators had narrowed their sights on Johnson so fast, she said, that they failed to consider evidence that Kelley's death was the result of an overdose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There's not even a murder here," Nadeau said after Monday's hearing. "This wasn't a homicide. The monster here was fentanyl. No one would be in that courtroom today if it wasn't for fentanyl." Spokesperson Danna Hayes for the Office of the Maine Attorney General declined to share what substances were detected in Kelley's blood. Kelley's final autopsy report did include "acute intoxication" in its findings, Hayes said, but the state didn't have that information until weeks after the initial autopsy was conducted on Nov. 18, 2022. The state had to send Kelley's blood to a lab outside Maine that the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner uses regularly. A "manual strangulation" finding likely shaped the state's investigation early on, since it was one of the first things Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Liam Funte reported during the initial autopsy. Ellis said that Funte observed hemorrhaging in Kelley's neck muscles, thyroid, left eye and contusions and abrasions to her face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner did not respond to an email Monday requesting more information on Kelley's autopsy report. Johnson also pleaded guilty Monday to felony charges for possessing fentanyl in 2020 and theft for an incident in December 2022, when he admitted to stealing a woman's purse from a bar on Exchange Street, which contained her phone, her credit cards and $3,900 in cash. Various other charges from 2021 and 2022 were dismissed. "He pled guilty to the things he actually did," Nadeau said. Nadeau said in court Monday that Johnson will be released to a sober living program. He only addressed the court briefly to enter his pleas, and he was not sentenced to any probation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelley's sister and mother joined the hearing on Zoom and cried as a victim advocate read their statements to the court. Fellows, Kelley's aunt, struggled to speak as she recalled taking her niece and her siblings to the beach when they were younger. "I know you guys will remember when we found those shells, and they were all perfectly white," she said, the rest of Kelley's family crying over Zoom. She recalled walking on a beach more recently and finding a similar collection of perfect white shells. She felt it was a sign. "Justice will be served in this," she said. "I know it doesn't look like it, ... I know it looks so wrong, even what we're seeing right now, it's so wrong, but God will have his way." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelley's family has said in previous interviews that she had fallen into depression and was struggling with substance use around the time of her death. But that never changed who she was. "When she loved someone, she did anything that she could to make them happy," her sister Melissa Green wrote in a statement read by a victim witness advocate. "She was unforgettable." Kelley's mother said she loved to draw and play dress up. She remembered her daughter taking her first steps at the Eastern Promenade when she was barely a year old. Kelley moved to Oregon when she was a teenager to live with her mother. She came back to Portland a few years before her death and gave birth to a son in the same hospital where she was born, her mother said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I remember her being so happy," Julie Kelley said in her written statement. "She loved him more than anything, and he did her. Now all I have is pictures of her in happy days. ... Now, he will never have the chance to know her." Copy the Story Link YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A North Lima man on Tuesday was sentenced in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to a year in prison for breaking into the home of his ex-girlfriend. Read next: Arctic cold front to bring heavy lake effect snow Joshua Johnston, 36, received the sentence from Judge R. Scott Krichbaum after pleading guilty on Sept. 25 to charges of burglary, a third-degree felony; menacing by stalking, a fourth-degree felony; and obstructing official business, a fifth-degree felony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assistant Prosecutor Kevin Day said the charges stem from a May 28 break-in at the Smith Township home of his ex-girlfriend. Johnston was to be sentenced Nov. 13 but the hearing was continued as he recovered from injuries he received from a car accident in Vienna. 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. KANAWHA FALLS, WV (WVNS) A Fayette County man was sentenced to prison for crimes involving guns and methamphetamine. According to a press release, on Monday, December 2, 2024, 44-year-old Samuel F. Stewart, Jr., of Kanawha Falls, was sentenced to ten years in prison for the felony offense of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and to six months in prison for the misdemeanor offense of possession of methamphetamine. One dead and officer injured in shooting in Raleigh County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stewart was found guilty of the crimes on August 28, 2024, and will need to spend at least two years and nine months in prison before becoming eligible for parole. Members of law enforcement responded to a house in the Kanawha Falls area of Fayette County on October 24, 2023 for reports of a robbery. Once law enforcement officers arrived at the scene, they found Stewart with a shotgun. People with previous felony convictions cannot have a gun or ammunition in their possession. Due to previous felony convictions from the State of Illinois, including burglary and armed robbery, Stewart knew that he could not be in possession of a gun. Inmate sentenced for possessing weapon at FCI Beckley Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of the Fayette County Sheriffs Office tested the shotgun and found that it worked, and after the house was searched, law enforcement officers found drug paraphernalia and what was believed to be methamphetamine in Stewarts bedroom. The West Virginia State Police forensic lab tested the drugs, and found that it was methamphetamine. 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 WVNS. TUCUMCARI, N.M. (KRQE) A man received a prison sentence on Monday for his role in a dog attack that killed a man in Tucumcari in 2023. Kristopher Morris and his mother, Mary Montoya, pleaded guilty to possessing a dangerous canine. Man pleads guilty to Albuquerque school bus crash in 2022 The duo allowed their dogs to run loose, and at least one of those dogs mauled 64-year-old Stanley Hartt to death, according to law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of their plea deals, Morris and Montoya had their involuntary manslaughter charges dropped. Morris was sentenced by Judge Abigail Aragon to six years in prison. He also pleaded guilty to child abuse charges for hitting his child back in July. Morris was given a suspended sentence in that case. You also have a child of your own for which you will enter into a plea shortly of child abuse. So, therefore, at this time, I am going to sentence you to the New Mexico Department of Corrections for the entire six years, said Aragon in the hearing. Last month, Montoya was sentenced to six months in jail, but because of ongoing medical issues, court records say she does not have to turn herself in to serve that sentence until Jan. 6. 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. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A man who police said shot a pellet gun at a group of Youngstown State University students who were on campus was sentenced Monday. According to court records, Curtis Carver, 18, was found guilty of two misdemeanor assault charges. Carvers jail sentence was suspended, and he instead will serve one year of reporting probation. He was also ordered to pay fines and court costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carver turned himself in to Youngstown State University police in October after he was identified as the suspect who shot a pellet gun toward a group of YSU students who were near Kilcawley Center on September 21. A YSU police report states that he yelled, Go back to your country after the shooting. One of the students was hit on the wrist, and one was hit on the shoulder, according to a police report. Two other students who were with the group were not hit. Carver was also facing charges for an incident in the city on Oct. 2. According to a Youngstown police report, police were sent to an area of Tod Lane for a report of gunfire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While police were investigating, Carver called 911 to report that he tried meeting a man in Crandall Park who he believed to be a sexual predator. Carver told police that he had been talking to a man from Trumbull County through a social media platform, and during those discussions, Carver identified himself as a 17-year-old boy. He said he also lied to the man and told him that he had a 15-year-old brother, and he said the man asked him to send him nude photographs and requested a meeting with him and his imaginary brother. Carver said he agreed to meet the man at Crandall Park after sending him a nude photograph he found of someone online. He said he took his AR-15 with him and hid it in a trash can. Carver said the man showed up and asked him to perform a sex act at which time he grabbed the AR-15 from the trash can and confronted him with it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carver said he chased the man in attempts to hold him until officers could arrive, but admitted that he accidentally fired his rifle during the chase. Police confiscated the weapon, and Carver was charged with discharging a firearm in city limits. Court records state that he was found guilty of an amended charge of disorderly conduct and was fined in that 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 WKBN.com. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A man who pleaded guilty to taking part in several car thefts was sentenced Tuesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to three years in prison. Read next: Arctic cold front to bring heavy lake effect snow Marcus Bosworth, 20, received the sentence from Judge Maureen Sweeney after Oct. 11 guilty pleas to charges of arson, a second-degree felony; tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony; two counts of failure to comply, a third-degree felony; escape, a third-degree felony; six counts of grand theft of a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony; theft, a fifth-degree felony; and criminal damaging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a separate case, Bosworth pleaded guilty to a separate charge of grand theft of a motor vehicle. Court records show several of the thefts and other crimes he is accused of took place in March 2023. His attorney, Michael Kivlighan, asked Judge Sweeney to honor the plea agreement which called for a three-year sentence, saying his client has never been in trouble before. Kivlighan said Bosworth became involved with drugs and the wrong crowd. Bosworth apologized before he was sentenced. Bosworth has 425 days credit for the time he has served in the county jail awaiting the outcome of his 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 WKBN.com. DENVER (KDVR) A Denver man is facing five counts of attempted murder of a police officer after an incident on Thanksgiving Day that occurred just after 9 p.m. in Aurora. Arnadin Varupa, 32, was arrested after exchanging gunfire with Aurora police on Thursday night near 920 South Dawson Way in Aurora. No officers were injured, but Varupa was shot in his arm by a police bullet. Man arrested for allegedly trying to pimp Denver women; believed to be more victims Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain held a press conference Monday to share details of what happened that night. He said that the department received several reports of shots fired before officers arrived at the scene. Varupa was allegedly firing multiple rounds into the air, and later, investigators learned he may have just been in a dispute with his girlfriend, who lives in the apartments. Once at the apartment complex, they learned that Varupa was firing shots in and around the apartment complex. At about 9:50 p.m., police located Varupa near South Sable Boulevard and East Kentucky Drive sitting on a bus stop bench almost across the street from the initial incident and armed with a gun. Chamberlain said that officers hid behind the apartment building and were discussing possible tactics to safely apprehend Varupa when he saw them. Thats when police began communicating with the suspect, informing him they were police officers and ordering him to put up his hands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That suspect almost immediately turned on the officers and fired multiple rounds in the officers directions, Chamberlain said Monday. He pointed out a photograph of an Aurora Police Department cruiser that had officers inside which was pierced with one of the fired rounds. 1 dead after police fired shots near Belmar Shopping Center in Lakewood After the suspect began firing, Chamberlain said, officers returned fire. Gunfire continued between the suspect and multiple officers as Varupa fled on foot until one of the rounds hit his arm. He dropped, Chamberlain said, and did not continue moving, so officers moved in and arrested him without further incident. Chamberlain encouraged people to consider the officers safety in this incident, as well as nearby residents safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think without question there was a jeopardy there, Chamberlain said. I think we had a suspect that definitely demonstrated a propensity for violence on that evening, unprovoked even by anybody even around him. Chamberlain pointed to Varupas immediate willingness to engage law enforcement unprovoked as partial reasoning for why officers returned fire, as well as repeated vocal requests for the suspect to stop firing, drop his weapon and hold up his hands. When you look at this weapon that this suspect had, again this is a weapon that has an extended magazine, Chamberlain explained, later noting the magazine had a 30-round capacity. Were lucky no one was hurt in this incident. Were lucky no one was killed in this incident. Chamberlain did not know if any of the nearby, dense apartment buildings were struck by gunfire, but said several vehicles parked on the street were hit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Essentially ambushed: Man accused of entering Greeley bar, shooting woman Chamberlain also said that Varupa had a history of violent crime, including attempted homicide and robbery. He has also been incarcerated for crimes previously and had just come off parole. Six officers were placed on paid administrative leave after the shooting. The Aurora Police Department will conduct an internal review of the shooting to ensure no laws or policies were broken by officers. The 18th Judicial District Critical Incident Team is investigating as well, and will determine if charges will be filed against the officers. Varupa is scheduled to appear for a return filing of charges hearing on Dec. 5. 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. Dec. 3JAMESTOWN A man reportedly shooting a gun died after being shot by a Jamestown police officer early Tuesday, Dec. 3, in downtown Jamestown, according to Maj. Justin Blinsky, assistant chief of police for the Jamestown Police Department. Blinsky said in a news release issued on Tuesday that the Stutsman County Communications Center received a 911 call at 1:17 a.m. Tuesday of a male armed with a gun and a knife standing in the parking lot behind Fred's Den bar, 113 1st Ave. S. The caller reported the male had been involved in a physical altercation inside the bar and had been removed. Blinsky said Jamestown police officers immediately responded to the area, and as they responded, the 911 caller said the male had started shooting at the building. The suspect fired many rounds, Blinsky said. The first officer arriving at the scene immediately located the suspect, who was still firing rounds from a rifle in the parking lot. The officer ordered the suspect to put his weapon down, but the suspect refused and jeopardized the safety of the officer, Blinsky said. The officer shot the male suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers rendered first aid to the suspect, and he was transported to Jamestown Regional Medical Center, where he died, Blinsky said. The name of the suspect is not being released until the next of kin can be notified, Blinsky said. The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating the incident, he said. The officers involved in this incident have been placed on standard administrative leave while the incident is investigated. The Stutsman County Sheriff's Office, Jamestown Area Ambulance and the North Dakota BCI assisted in this incident. NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) A man who was shot and killed by North Charleston police officers last week was armed with a plastic object shaped like a handgun, according to preliminary findings from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). The Nov. 29 incident began when an off-duty officer working at a CARTA bus station was alerted by patrons of a man with a firearm, and backup was requested. Officers responded to the scene shortly after 3:30 p.m. and located the suspect later identified as 47-year-old Noland H. Clark on Cherokee Street. When confronted, Clark reportedly pointed a gun at them and officers discharged their firearms, striking him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers attempted life-saving measures, but Clark ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Ron Camacho to be sworn in as new North Charleston police chief next Monday An initial investigation by SLED determined that the object seen by witnesses and law enforcement officials was a plastic object, painted black, and shaped like a handgun, according to a spokesperson. No officers were injured during the encounter. The investigation 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 WCBD News 2. Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Act 2024 A majority of the provisions of the Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Act 2024 come into force with effect from 3 December 2024. The Act will enhance and amend the legislative framework provided by the Companies Act 2014 in the areas of governance, administration, insolvency, enforcement and supervision. The Commencement Order provides that from 3 December 2024 the following 64 of the Acts 90 provisions will come into effect: to provide for the conduct of, and participation in, general meetings of a company or industrial and provident society by the use of electronic communications technology to provide for additional grounds for involuntary strike off of companies to provide for the disapplication of the Probation of Offenders Act 1907 to an offence under section 343 of the Companies Act 2014 to provide for an offence of obstructing, interfering with or impeding an officer of the Corporate Enforcement Authority to make certain amendments to the rescue process for small and micro companies to enable the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority to issue an interim direction in certain circumstances to extend the list of competent authorities to which the Corporate Enforcement Authority may disclose information, books or documents under section 792 of the Companies Act 2014 to enable specified bodies to disclose information to the Corporate Enforcement Authority under section 944Q of the Companies Act 2014 to enable the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority to use money paid into the reserve fund in accordance with section 919 of the Companies Act 2014 in the performance of its functions under section 934 of that Act to repeal certain provisions of the Companies Act 2014 and the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1893 For commencement in 2025: The 26 provisions not commencing on 3 December 2024 are those that require technical updates to be made to the CROs ICT systems to facilitate the changes proposed. These provisions relate to the prescription of forms for submission to the CRO and the removal of the automatic loss audit exemption for small companies on a first occasion of failure to file annual account. It is intended to commence these provisions in 2025. Irish Statute Book: Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Act 2024 Topics: Company Law Although Shenghua Wen entered the United States on a student visa, eventually settling in San Bernardino County, law enforcement officials say he had a more nefarious purpose: exporting shipments of firearms, ammunition and other military items to North Korea. Federal authorities on Tuesday arrested Wen, 41, at his Ontario home, alleging he acted as an operative for the North Korean government, smuggling illicit goods concealed inside shipping containers from Long Beach. Wen, who authorities said is a Chinese national living illegally in the U.S. after overstaying his visa, has been charged with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which deals with sanctions and frozen foreign assets. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wen's federal public defender did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It is illegal to supply North Korea with certain technologies and military supplies without U.S. government approval, according to U.S. Atty. Martin Estrada. Read more: Cartel leader's son-in-law faked death to enable 'life of luxury' in Riverside, feds say "North Korea engaged in a scheme to circumvent and evade those restrictions," Estrada said at a news conference Tuesday morning. "It's essential we keep sensitive materials, including military equipment, outside the hands of our adversaries where they can harm us or our allies." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wen, who arrived in the U.S. in 2012, was "key to this scheme and central to this plot" by North Korea, Estrada said. Before leaving China, Wen met with North Korean officials at two consulates, where they allegedly directed him to procure goods in the U.S., according to a Nov. 26 criminal complaint. In an interview with federal authorities, Wen said he was probably chosen for this role because he was good at smuggling, according to prosecutors. Wen told authorities that while he was in the U.S., two North Koreans living in China, whom he identified as Jin Yong Nan and Cui, reached out to him. Wen kept in contact with Cui via an encrypted messaging platform, according to the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his interview with federal authorities, Wen allegedly admitted he shipped two containers of firearms and other items to North Korea via Hong Kong in October and December 2023. One shipment was labeled as a refrigerator, another as camera parts, Estrada said. Wen allegedly received money for the containers and shipping fees totaling at least $2 million from North Korean officials. To obtain the weapons, Wen paid $150,000 to buy Super Armory, a business with a federal firearms license that he later registered in Texas. Wen allegedly used the company and people known as straw purchasers to assemble shipments, according to the complaint. Authorities said he would then drive the guns and ammo from Texas to California. Federal authorities said they also found emails and text messages from January to April, between Wen and a U.S.-based broker about obtaining a civilian airplane engine. During a September interview with authorities, Wen said North Korean officials told him to purchase plane engines, which would be used to help develop the North Korean military drone program, according to the complaint. Read more: Crypto 'godfather' of Bel-Air: Probe widens into L.A. deputies' alleged links to mogul Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Wens home on Aug. 14, law enforcement officials seized two devices that he allegedly intended to send to North Korea for military use: a chemical threat identification device and a handheld countersurveillance gadget that detects electronic eavesdropping, according to the complaint. On Sept. 6, law enforcement seized about 50,000 rounds of 9-millimeter ammunition stored in his white Ford van that he'd allegedly obtained to send to North Korea, authorities said. Wen told authorities he believed the North Korean government wanted the items he sent to prepare for an attack against South Korea, according to the complaint. Wen allegedly told authorities that the government wanted him to obtain military uniforms to be used by the North Korean military to disguise its soldiers during a surprise offensive. Read more: South Korean president declares martial law, then backs down amid calls for his impeachment Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wen's student visa was valid from Dec. 5, 2012, to Dec. 3, 2013, according to the complaint. Estrada said it's unclear whether that was legitimate and whether he was actually studying. Wen was ordered removed from the U.S. in 2018 and, after a 2021 arrest, he signed a form acknowledging his overstay status, according to the U.S. attorney's office. It's unclear how he was able to stay in the country. Estrada said authorities learned about Wen through multiple tips, including from some individuals from whom he tried to purchase items. "We can't say how long he was operating this. The investigation continues," Estrada said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. MIDTOWN MANHATTAN (PIX11) A 31-year-old man is recovering from a stab wound following an incident in Midtown Monday evening. Police say he was stabbed in the upper left thigh around 5 p.m. on West 47th Street near 6th Avenue. More Local News Both the victim and the suspect then ran into the 47-50 Rockefeller Center Subway station, officials say. Officers responded and located the victim. He was taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police have arrested 25-year-old Orlando Vasquez and charged him with assault in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon. It was not immediately clear what led to the stabbing but investigations are ongoing. Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). 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 man has been arrested after breaking into a womans home and stabbing her multiple times while she slept, police said. The incident occurred on Sunday when 5th precinct deputies from the Lee County Sheriffs Office in Florida responded to reports of a stabbing at a home on New York Drive in Tice, some 5 miles northeast of Fort Myers, Florida, according to a statement from the Lee County Sheriffs Office. MORE: Missing for over 5 weeks, man miraculously found alive deep in Canadian wilderness Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initial responding deputies located a female with multiple stab wounds inside the home, police said. They provided medical assistance to her while the Lee County Sheriff's Office drone unit took to the sky to locate the fleeing suspect. Police drone operator Justin McDonald was called in to assist and was able to locate the suspect -- later identified as 33-year-old Bonnier Jose Sarmiento Lanza -- just one street away while he still had a weapon. MORE: Man nearly electrocuted to death while hanging Christmas lights on tree PHOTO: A man has been arrested after breaking into a womans home and stabbing her multiple times while she slept in her home in Tice, Florida, police said. (Facebook / Lee County Sheriff's Office) MORE: Maryland prison inmate killed in his own cell by another prisoner Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives learned Lanza broke into the womans home and began hitting and stabbing her multiple times while she was sleeping. Lanza also hit another person inside the home while he was inside. "I am proud of the deputies and drone operator who located and quickly apprehended this violent, fleeing suspect," said Sheriff Carmine Marceno. Once again, technology and dedicated patrol deputies working together get results. The motivation for the break in and the stabbing are not clear but police noted that both the victim and the suspect are known to each other. The victim is currently in stable condition. MORE: Social media influencer arrested after filming herself getting ready to steal from store using fake barcodes: Police Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lanza has since been charged with two counts of burglary with battery and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. The investigation into the case is currently ongoing and no other details are expected to be released. Man stabs woman multiple times while she slept after breaking into her home originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Dec. 3Anchorage police this week released the name of the 57-year-old man who died Friday after he was struck by a midsize pickup truck on C Street. Fred Mosquito was the 15th pedestrian to die after being hit by a vehicle in Anchorage so far this year, the highest number in at least the last decade. Mosquito was crossing C Street eastbound around 5:15 p.m. and was in the left lane when he was struck by a southbound Jeep Gladiator, said police spokeswoman Shelly Wozniak. Mosquito was brought to a hospital and pronounced dead, according to police. The driver of the Jeep remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation, police said. No charges or citations had been filed by Monday night, Wozniak said. An investigation was ongoing, she said. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) A man suffered life-threatening injuries following a shooting in Birmingham overnight Tuesday. WATCH: Alabama police discuss discovery of body believed to be missing hiker Vendula Wendy Rose The shooting happened inside an apartment after two men started to fight one another, said Birmingham Police Officer Truman Fitzgerald. Details remain limited 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 CBS 42. A man is wanted on assault and several firearm charges in connection with the August 2023 Jouvert Parade shooting. According to police, Gerald Vick, 31 of Dorchester, had a straight warrant out of Suffolk Superior Court for eight counts of assault and battery with a firearm, unlawful possession of a machine gun, unlawful possession of a firearm, and firearm use in the commission of a felony in connection with to the shooting at the JOuvert Parade in Boston August 26, 2023. Vick was arrested last year but was released with a GPS tracker after posting $6000 bail. The Suffolk County District Attorneys office told Boston 25 that after making bail, he cut the GPS tracker off and hasnt been in custody since. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Six adult males and two adult females were shot in the August parade shooting, according to Boston Police. Five of the men and one of the women were taken to nearby hospitals. Two victims suffered graze wounds and declined treatment. All of the injuries are considered non-life threatening. Vick is one of four people arrested and a number of firearms were recovered. Vick is described as a black male, about 506, approximately 155 lbs., dark complexion, with multiple tattoos. He is believed to have ties to Taunton, Massachusetts. Vick also has an additional default warrant out of Suffolk Superior Court for firearm-related offenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone that comes in contact with Vick should call 911 immediately, anyone with information is also strongly urged to contact District B-3 Detectives at (617) 343-4712. 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 EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A man wanted on an outstanding warrant for possession of a controlled substance was arrested Monday, Dec. 2, during an eviction in East El Paso, said El Paso County Constable Office Precinct Three. Daniel Rick Johnson, 35. Photo: El Paso County Sheriffs Office. Deputies with the Constables Office were sent out to an eviction at a residence along the 10700 block of Vista Del Sol. Deputies had information that a possible tenant had an active personal recognizance bond that had been revoked. Daniel Rick Johnson, 35, was located outside the residence and taken into custody. He was booked into El Paso County Jail without incident, the Constables Office 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 KTSM 9 News. (WHTM) Officials in Pennsylvania are searching for a man after a woman was found dead in a shallow grave. The U.S. Marshals Service put out in a news release Monday that they are looking for 29-year-old Geovanni Otero after a 29-year-old womans body was found on Nov. 8 in Philadelphia. The woman was bludgeoned to death, according to the release. Otero is considered to be armed and dangerous, the release states. A reward of $5,000 is offered for his arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is described as 510, weighs around 175 pounds, and has black hair with brown eyes. He does have an alias Gozer, the release shows. The last time Otero and the woman were reportedly seen was Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. on the 900 block of Sanger Street. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Nittany Insiders Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact the USMS Eastern District of Pennsylvania at 1-866-865-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 ABC27. Dec. 2CONCORD A former Manchester man with a history of sex crimes was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for illegally possessing firearms and ammunition, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday. James Aubuchont, 53, received the prison term and three years of supervised release from U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante last week. Aubuchont pleaded guilty in June to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young said Aubuchont possessed two firearms and more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Today's significant sentence demonstrates law enforcement's commitment to ensuring that felons who possess firearms face swift consequences for their repeated disregard of the law," Young said. Authorities arrested Aubuchont in July 2023 near the Flat Mountain Pond Shelter in the White Mountains after a state warrant was issued. During a recorded jail call, he asked his then-partner to retrieve "fishing rods" from a campsite. Law enforcement subsequently recovered a rifle and pistol. Aubuchont is currently serving a separate 33-year-to-life state sentence for sexually assaulting two minors and possessing child sex abuse images. Investigators found more than 1,300 images and 140 videos of child sexual abuse on a damaged cell phone, some featuring Aubuchont himself. His partner, Rebecca Aubuchont, pleaded guilty to straw purchasing one of the firearms and is scheduled to be sentenced in December. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms led the investigation, with assistance from the Carroll County Sheriff's Department and U.S. Forest Service. Knecht Ruprecht standing beside Saint Nicholas (Bohringer Friedrich, cropped, used under CC BY-SA 2.5 DEED) The most well-known anti-Santa must be the Tyrolean Krampus figure of northern Italy and Austria. However, in Germany, Saint Nicholas is often accompanied by a different malevolent being Knecht Ruprecht, or servant Ruprecht. At a Christmas market, you will usually see him striding alongside St. Nick in his dark brown robe. He may have a black or white beard, a staff or bundle of cane, and perhaps a basket on his back. His presence in Germany is fairly widespread, so his tradition varies. Generally, he is St. Nicholass servant. Sometimes he is simply the sidekick that holds the saints bag and keeps the crowd organized. Ruprecht may also ask kids if they can recite a prayer and he will give them a gingerbread or tangerine treat from his basket if they can. As punishment, he will give switches or cane rods to naughty kids or their parents. In Saxony, Knecht Ruprecht represents a priest who was interrupted while saying Christmas Eve mass by a hoard of young ruffians partying out front of the church. Well, in 1021 that just didnt fly, so Priest Ruprecht put a spell on them. They could not stop dancing for an entire year until the Bishop of Cologne finally stepped in to offer absolution to the ones who didnt die. In southerly states, his story is different. While he isnt going to eat children, kidnap them or ravage a town with his hoard of fellows like Krampus, the two share an origin. In the early Middle Ages, saints were expected to reward and acknowledge goodness, so many were portrayed with attendants who did the necessary dirty work of punishment. In Alpine traditions, St. Nicholass attendant was said to be anything from a hired servant to a farmhand, or even a wild foundling that the saint had raised. The name Ruprecht, or Robert, was commonly used in the area at that time to refer to the devil so he always had a bit of a rough side. Regardless of his humble beginnings, his role slowly changed. In the 16th century, horror stories like those later written down by the Brothers Grimm were used to fearfully train children. So, Ruprecht evolved. In much of the Alps, he was replaced with a scary Krampus figure, while his more moderate servant iteration spread through northern Germany. When you put your shoes out on St. Nicholas Day, it may just be that Knecht Ruprecht is filling them, especially if you get a bundle of sticks for being naughty. Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) said Monday in an interview with CNN that President Biden should pardon President-elect Trump. What I would have done differently, and my recommendation as a counsel woulda been, Why dont you go ahead and pardon Donald Trump, for all his charges?' Manchin said of Bidens pardoning of Hunter Biden when talking to CNNs Manu Raju. Biden announced the pardon of his son late Sunday, arguing in a statement that the charges brought against his son, which included three felony charges on his purchase and possession of a gun in 2018, came about due to political reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunters cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son and that is wrong, Biden said. There has been an effort to break Hunter who has been five and a half years sober, even in the face of unrelenting attacks and selective prosecution, he added. In trying to break Hunter, theyve tried to break me and theres no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough. Manchin said Monday that he doesnt know of a father that [wouldnt have] done the same thing when talking about Hunter Bidens pardon. Trump reacted negatively to the pardon via a post on Truth Social on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice! the president-elect said in the post, referring to rioters who have been accused of storming the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack. The former president has been through his fair share of legal woes in the last few years, including two federal cases surrounding classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Special counsel Jack Smith recently moved to dismiss both federal cases, giving the reasoning behind doing so as the Department of Justices (DOJ) policy against prosecuting a sitting president. Trump celebrated Smiths actions on his Truth Social platform last Monday. These cases, like all of the other cases I have been forced to go through, are empty and lawless, and should never have been brought, Trump said on his Truth Social platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over $100 Million Dollars of Taxpayer Dollars has been wasted in the Democrat Partys fight against their Political Opponent, ME. Nothing like this has ever happened in our Country before, Trump added. The Hill has reached out to the White House for further comment. 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) -- Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has been locked in a feud with Vice President Sara Duterte, disavowed an effort to impeach his deputy despite her apparent threat to have him killed. Most Read from Bloomberg Marcos office has nothing to do with the impeachment complaint filed Monday at the House of Representatives, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said in a statement Tuesday. He referred to Marcos unambiguous remarks last week that an impeachment bid would be a waste of time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The comments distance the Philippine leader from what could be a major political challenge for Duterte. Impeachment complaints can be filed by anyone in the Southeast Asian nation and if this one succeeds, it will allow Marcos to nominate a new deputy from members of Congress. The complaint, which alleged corruption, bribery and other crimes by Duterte, was filed by civil society groups and former government officials. It was endorsed by a lawmaker representing a progressive party called Akbayan, which has opposed Marcos in the past. The House has roughly two weeks to act on the complaint and refer it to a committee. Similar complaints have been filed against other Philippine leaders before, including former President Rodrigo Duterte, Saras father. The problem with this impeachment complaint, I think it is a bit haphazard, said Froilan Calilung, who teaches political science at the University of Santo Tomas. But then again this will be a prelude to a stronger impeachment complaint that could be filed next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Markets were largely unmoved in Tuesday trading, with the peso marginally firmer and the benchmark Philippine stock index little changed after rising 2% on Monday. The complaint could be dismissed in committee or referred to the full House for a vote. At least a third of all members of the House of Representatives needs to approve the petition for it to move to the Senate which has the sole authority to try and decide impeachment cases. Marcos allies control more than 80% of the House, but they might not have the required two-thirds support in the Senate particularly ahead of midterm elections in May. I dont think any senator would want to risk having an impeachment trial before the elections because that will really have a great toll on their political capital, Calilung said. Certainly, they dont want to antagonize the Duterte followers. Read: Philippines Politics Is Mad. It Just Got Crazier: Ruth Pollard Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former President Joseph Estrada was the first and only Philippine leader to have been impeached by the House in 2000. That case was brought by private individuals including Teresita Quintos Deles, who later became a cabinet secretary. Deles was also among the complainants behind the impeachment petition against Sara Duterte. Estrada was later ousted in a popular revolt in 2001 while an impeachment trial was underway in the Senate. No vice president has been impeached but other deputies have faced complaints including Leni Robredo, who preceded Duterte as vice president. Duterte is already grappling with multiple threats, including a House review of her offices use of funds and a police complaint into an alleged assault last week. She has also been summoned by the National Bureau of Investigation to explain her recent apparent threat to Marcos, also cited in the impeachment complaint as evidence of her depravity and mental incapacity to serve. The complaint was filed at the House of Representatives just three days after Marcos warned any impeachment effort would be a potential distraction that could slow reforms, calling his dispute with Duterte a storm in a teacup. The wide-ranging allegations touch upon Dutertes behavior as vice president and as former head of the education department and mayor of Davao City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Duterte has yet to respond to the impeachment complaint and a spokesperson said the matter has been relayed to her. Senate President Chiz Escudero warned senators to refrain from making any public comments on the the allegations. Should the Senate be called upon to act as an impeachment court, any perception of bias or pre-judgment would undermine not only the integrity of the impeachment trial but also the publics trust in the Senate as an institution, Escudero said in a statement. Just two years after they won election on a joint ticket, Dutertes relationship with Marcos has completely broken down. She claimed late last month that in the event that shes killed she had arranged for the killing of the president, his wife and his cousin, the House speaker. Her father had previously publicly bragged of directing a death squad to kill criminals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The impeachment complaint cited Sara Dutertes alleged meltdown when she made the remarks, which included the statement she claimed to have made to an unidentified person: I told him, dont stop until you have killed them and then he said yes. The Vice President has reduced public office to a platform for violent rhetoric, personal enrichment, elitist entitlement and a shield for impunity, Deles said in the Monday statement. The 46-year old Duterte, a lawyer, has said her comments were taken out of context. Tossing the word assassin into this issue makes things even more terrifying and especially because I never used that term during my recent consternation, she said in a Nov. 26 Facebook post. Dutertes remarks have raised concerns in the Philippines, a young democracy where the current presidents father was dictator until the 1980s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, Rodrigo Duterte last week followed up on his daughters comments by asking for the military to correct fractured governance, remarks that some interpreted as a call for the army to intervene. --With assistance from Cliff Venzon. (Adds context in third paragraph and updates market reaction in seventh paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Mark Zuckerberg and President-elect Donald Trump have had a rocky relationship. Still, a Meta exec said Zuckerberg was "keen to play an active role" in tech-policy conversations. The exec didn't say what the two discussed at a dinner but described talks as "fairly high level." Elon Musk already has Donald Trump's ear on policy discussions and it sounds like Mark Zuckerberg wants in on that too. "Mark is very keen to play an active role in the debates that any administration needs to have about maintaining America's leadership in the technological sphere" and "particularly the pivotal role that AI will play," Meta's president of global affairs, Nick Clegg, told journalists during a call on Monday, The Verge reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zuckerberg and Trump have sparred before. But they've been in contact recently, meeting for dinner last week at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. Clegg declined to share details of their talks but said that "the conversations at this stage are clearly fairly high level." Zuckerberg and Trump met on several occasions during Trump's presidency. Trump has been highly critical of Facebook and Zuckerberg over the years, going so far as to say he'd jail Zuckerberg if reelected. Facebook suspended Trump's account in 2021 over his comments during the Capitol riot; Zuckerberg said at the time that "the risks of allowing the President to continue to use our service during this period are simply too great." Two years later, the company reinstated Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike Musk, Zuckerberg didn't endorse a presidential candidate this year. In an interview, the Meta CEO said Trump's reaction to being shot at a Pennsylvania rally this summer was "badass." In his call with reporters, Clegg also discussed Meta's moderation efforts over which the social-media company has faced criticism from both sides of the aisle saying the company "overdid it a bit" during the COVID-19 pandemic. "We know that when enforcing our policies, our error rates are still too high, which gets in the way of the free expression that we set out to enable," he said. "Too often harmless content gets taken down or restricted and too many people get penalized unfairly." Read the original article on Business Insider South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has declared martial law in the country on 3 December. Source: CNN, Reuters Details: In a live televised address to the nation on Tuesday, Yoon said the measure was necessary to protect the country from "communist forces". Martial law has been declared in South Korea for the first time since 1980. The Yonhap news agency, citing the military, reported that the activities of parliament and political parties will be banned, and the media will be under the control of the military command. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yoon did not name a specific threat from the nuclear-armed North Korea and focused on his domestic political opponents. Reuters notes that the unexpected move came as a shock to the country, which had a series of authoritarian leaders early in its history but has been considered democratic since the 1980s. The South Korean won fell sharply against the US dollar. A central bank official said it was preparing measures to stabilise the market if necessary. The White House has not yet commented on the South Korean president's decision. Yoon said he had no choice but to take such a measure to preserve a free and constitutional order, saying that opposition parties had been held hostage by the parliamentary process to plunge the country into crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order," Yoon said. The president did not specify who exactly "the pro-North Korean anti-government forces" are. However, in the past, he has described such forces as obstructing his programme and undermining the country. Yoon cited a proposal by the country's opposition Democratic Party, which has a majority in parliament, to impeach some of the country's top prosecutors this week, as well as its rejection of the government's budget proposal. On Monday, South Korean ministers protested the decision of the Democratic Party last week to cut more than 4 trillion won (approximately US$ 2.8 billion) from the government budget. Yoon said that these actions undermine the basic functioning of the state. Support UP or become our patron! Dec. 2WAGNER, S.D. A 29-year-old woman has been identified as the victim in a fatal single-vehicle crash on Thursday, Nov. 28, six miles south of Wagner. Jerrica Rose Zephier, of Marty, died in the crash, according to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety. Authorities aid Zephier was driving a 2012 Dodge Charger when the vehicle entered the west ditch near 395th Avenue and 305th Street, vaulted over the culvert, and rolled. Zephier was ejected and suffered fatal injuries from the crash. She was not wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred at approximately 5:56 a.m. Thursday. The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. BALTIMORE Cannabis-related emergency room visits are on a downward trend in Carroll County, according to Maryland Department of Health statistics. The health departments interactive dashboard, which debuted last week, displays data for cannabis-related emergency room visits since 2019. The data are based on visits when the patients self-reported reason for being at the emergency department involved cannabis or cannabis use was indicated in a doctors discharge diagnosis. The data can be sorted by a variety of demographics and categories, including by county, offering an insight into trends that happened before and after recreational use of marijuana was legalized in the state last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dashboard shows that 13 cannabis-related emergency room visits occurred in Carroll County in October. The countys highest-recorded monthly occurrence in the last five years was 25, which was reached three times May 2019, and July and October 2023. As of July 1, 2023, Maryland residents 21 and older have been allowed to legally use, possess and consume up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis flower, 12 grams of concentrated cannabis, or a total amount of cannabis products that does not exceed 750 mg of THC. This amount is known as the personal use amount. The lowest number of cannabis-related visits per month in the county was 10, recorded in December 2021. Though emergency room visits related to cannabis hit a high in July 2023 and three months later in October, the rate of hospital visits has generally been on the decline since then. The Carroll County Health Department is implementing strategies that address public health impacts related to adult-use cannabis legalization using a community-based approach rooted in health equity, Rachel Turner, health educator with the Carroll County Health Department, said in a statement. Following cannabis legalization, the health department has increased messaging to educate residents about preventing youth cannabis use, safe storage of cannabis to prevent accidental consumption, the potential risks of using cannabis while pregnant or breastfeeding, and the importance of staying home or planning a safe and sober ride if consuming cannabis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carroll County Commissioner Michael Guerin, who represents District 4, has on several occasions cautioned about the legalization of marijuana in the state, arguing that the cannabis produced today is more dangerous than what was produced in the 1960s and 1970s. He has also been a leading voice against allowing recreational cannabis to be sold in the countys jurisdiction. Commissioners have yet to adopt a zoning ordinance regulating marijuana sales in the county, though an ordinance has been drafted by the Carroll County Planning Commission, and a public hearing was held in March. While we all welcome the most recent decrease in recorded cannabis-related ER visits from the record high in July 2023, ER visits remain elevated as do the concerns of county health officials, Guerin said in a statement on Tuesday. Time will tell but increased usage, more licensed vendors, and different methods of delivery (e.g., gummies, vape pens, and topicals) will continue to stress already over-burdened ERs throughout the state. For these reasons other states such as Colorado, Oregon and California, are being forced to re-evaluate recreational cannabis policy decisions to address new and evolving health crises. During the 2022 general election Maryland residents overwhelmingly approved a ballot referendum to legalize the recreational use of cannabis statewide. In Carroll County, 41,499 (59.43%) of residents voted in favor of the referendum, according to the Carroll County Board of Elections website. According to the Maryland Cannabis Administration, there are two cannabis dispensaries in Carroll County, The Dispensary and Verilife Dispensary, both in Westminster. Both are under the citys, not the countys, jurisdiction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though Carroll commissioners have said they do not support recreational cannabis, current county codes do nothing to regulate where dispensaries can be placed. The county zoning code contains regulations that govern the growing, processing or dispensing of medical marijuana. A medical marijuana shop must be located at least 400 feet from a residence. An ordinance proposed by the county Planning and Zoning Commission would expand countywide regulations for the distribution of medical marijuana to apply to recreational cannabis use. -------- Reporter Sherry Greenfield contributed to this story. -------- The state of Massachusetts is expected to get $144 million dollars in federal heating assistance aid. Eligible families, in Boston, Brookline, Newton, Malden, Medford, Everett, Melrose, Stoneham, Winchester and Woburn can get up to $1,050 as part of the Home Energy Assistance Program, according to Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD.) Benefits are awarded based on household size and income. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ABCD is so grateful to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for making this funding available for families and seniors who are in need of oil deliveries and other heating payments, said ABCD President and CEO Sharon Scott-Chandler. Utility companies have confirmed significant rate increases for natural gas, and oil and propane are both high at $3.50 a gallon. Both are untenable for most consumers, and especially for residents who are already struggling to keep up with mortgages, rent, food and other essentials. Given heating prices, harsh New England winters, and the overall high cost of living in Massachusetts the current funding is still insufficient. ABCD strongly urges Congress to further support this vital program and allocate significantly more funding. The stakes are higher than ever, and it is crucial that we act to ensure everyone has the support they need. All Massachusetts residents can apply online by visiting mass.gov/heap. More information, including a list of Boston-area neighborhood site locations and phone numbers, may be found by visiting: bostonabcd.org/HEAPFY25. 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 President-elect Donald Trump has promised to deport millions in an unprecedented crackdown on undocumented migrants. His MAGA billionaire lieutenant Elon Musk has said he will find unprecedented trillions to cut from federal spending. Wall Street thinks theyre delusional, projecting that the two will accomplish a fraction of what theyre threatening at best. A Goldman Sachs survey, released Sunday, revealed that a mere 6 percent of investors think net immigration will end up negative under Trump. In other words, they expect more people to continue entering the United States than leaving it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Trump will be able to issue executive orders on immigration, he will have to navigate a narrow Republican advantage in Congress to pass permanent reform. Any action is also expected to be met with legal challenges. Californias legislature convened for a special session Monday to discuss a proposed $25 million legal fund to Trump-proof the state. During Trumps first term, Californias Department of Justice filed more than 100 lawsuits against his administrations policies. Over a fifth of investors told Goldman they think immigration under Trump will exceed the pre-pandemic rate of roughly 1 million per year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musks plan to help Trump take a chainsaw to government spending as part of the all-new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)a presidential commission he is poised to lead alongside Vivek Ramaswamyfaces almost as much skepticism. Only 10 percent of investors told Goldman they think DOGE will be able to find $400 billion or more in annual spending cuts, while Musk has claimed hell find $2 trillion to trim from the $6.7 trillion federal budget. Another 10 percent of investors expect DOGE will manage a more modest $200 billion to $400 billion. Four in 10 investors, the most to respond to any option, said they expect Musk will find insignificant or modest spending cuts at best, Goldman Sachs said. Experts have also questioned Musks plans, given that interest payments, which cant be cut, account for 13 percent of the budget, and Trump has promised not to touch major entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare, which account for half of all government spending. This goalwhich amounts to 31 percent of annual US spending, and 7 percent of US GDPis sheer fantasy, wrote Harvard economist Jeffrey Frankel last month. Say they go fully draconianstarting by abolishing the Department of Education altogether, as Trump has pledged to do. This would reduce total spending by 4 percent. Recognized for their ability to deliver measurable improvements, these consulting firms have been key contributors to advancements in healthcare IT adoption in these leading African nations. Their focus on innovation and operational efficiency is laying the groundwork for a more effective and accessible healthcare system. A Q3 survey by Black Book Research, encompassing 283 healthcare providers, hospitals, and government health agencies across nations including South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Egypt, identified top-performing healthcare IT firms driving EHR adoption and digital health transformation. These firms have excelled in providing tailored solutions, seamless system integration, and robust change management support while overcoming infrastructure challenges. "Consulting firms have played a pivotal role in advancing digital health initiatives in Africa's leading nations, offering tailored strategies, technical expertise, and localized solutions to meet the unique demands of their healthcare systems," said Doug Brown, Founder of Black Book. "These firms are driving progress by enabling interoperability between EHR systems, delivering robust training programs to build a skilled workforce, and establishing secure data governance frameworks to protect patient privacy. In Egypt and Morocco, they are empowering healthcare providers with scalable, cost-effective solutions that address immediate needs while ensuring long-term sustainability. Their work in deploying AI-powered analytics, streamlining workflows, and facilitating remote monitoring is revolutionizing healthcare delivery and paving the way for a more efficient and accessible system." This growth is fueled by advancements in electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine, and mobile health (mHealth), tools that have streamlined operations, expanded access to care, and enabled more equitable healthcare delivery. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of these technologies, emphasizing their critical role in creating sustainable, resilient healthcare systems. Select nations in Africa are emerging as pioneers in digital health innovation, showcasing remarkable progress in transforming their healthcare systems through technology. With the continent's digital health market projected to grow from USD 6.1 billion in 2024 to USD 15.5 billion by 2030-achieving a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.8%-as South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, and Morocco are leading the way in leveraging technology to address systemic healthcare challenges and improve patient outcomes. Story Continues Collaborations between consulting firms, governments, and healthcare providers are not only reshaping healthcare delivery in these nations but also setting an example for others in the region to follow. Listed alphabetically, the healthcare IT advisory firms earning top client satisfaction scores across 20 key performance metrics for their advisory services to hospitals, government agencies, and physician organizations in Africa include: Accely: Renowned for its hospital management software expertise, Accely not only delivers comprehensive Hospital Information Systems (HIS) that automate clinical, administrative, and supply chain functions but also offers consulting services to guide healthcare organizations through system customization and implementation. Their advisory support has helped hospitals across Africa achieve significant operational efficiency and improved data management, earning high client satisfaction for their strategic insights, timeliness, and effectiveness. Accenture: Operating primarily in South Africa, Accenture is a leader in healthcare consulting and advisory services, working with healthcare providers and government agencies to drive digital transformation. Their expertise includes developing strategies for cloud-based EMR implementation and optimizing patient access and experience. Accenture's consulting services focus on reimagining healthcare delivery through innovative solutions, earning high praise for their strategic guidance, innovative approach, and efficient service execution. Amref Consulting: As the consulting arm of Amref Health Africa, Amref Consulting provides specialized advisory services to healthcare providers and government agencies across Kenya and other African regions. Their focus on sustainable health solutions includes expertise in monitoring, evaluation, research, quality improvement, and technical assistance. Amref's consulting services have been instrumental in advancing global health initiatives, with clients commending their innovative approaches, accuracy, and timely execution of impactful projects. Elkay Solutions: Based in Kenya, Elkay Solutions offers consulting and advisory services to healthcare providers and government agencies, specializing in eHealth and mHealth strategies. Their expertise lies in ICT-enabled healthcare transformations, including the implementation of scalable electronic health record (EHR) systems and digital health programs. Elkay Solutions is highly regarded for their strategic planning, customized solutions, and timely execution, driving meaningful advancements in healthcare delivery across the region. HealthLynx Health Management Consulting: HealthLynx provides specialized consulting and advisory services to healthcare providers and government agencies in South Africa. Their expertise includes healthcare IT consulting, electronic health record system implementation, and digital transformation strategies. HealthLynx is celebrated for delivering targeted solutions that optimize healthcare delivery, earning high client praise for their strategic guidance and impactful results. Hecta Consulting: Headquartered in Nairobi, Hecta Consulting provides comprehensive consulting and advisory services to healthcare providers and government agencies across more than 20 Sub-Saharan countries. Their expertise includes health policy development, financing, supply chain management, and technology-driven solutions such as electronic health record systems. With an evidence-based approach, Hecta Consulting has significantly enhanced healthcare systems, earning recognition for their quality outcomes, strategic guidance, and efficient service delivery. IQVIA: IQVIA provides consulting and advisory services to healthcare providers and government agencies across Africa, specializing in digital health system assessments, electronic health record (EHR) strategies, and scalable technology solutions. Their expertise in designing and implementing sustainable digital health strategies has been instrumental in enhancing healthcare delivery, with clients widely praising their effectiveness, strategic guidance, and timely execution of projects. ISOS: A specialist in healthcare technology consulting, ISOS offers tailored advisory services to healthcare providers and agencies, with a focus on electronic health record (EHR) implementation, quality accreditation, and strategic management. Their expertise extends to delivering turnkey healthcare projects that address complex challenges with customized solutions. ISOS is widely recognized for their impactful EHR advisory engagements, earning high client satisfaction for their precision, strategic approach, and commitment to meeting timelines. LOGIC Consulting: With a strong focus on Africa, LOGIC Consulting provides specialized healthcare technology advisory services across the continent. Their expertise in strategic management and healthcare digital transformation has been instrumental in driving impactful projects for healthcare providers and government agencies. LOGIC Consulting is highly regarded for their effective execution, timely delivery, and ability to address the unique challenges of African healthcare systems. PwC Nigeria and PwC South Africa: PwC is a leader in healthcare IT advisory and consulting services, specializing in EHR implementation, digital transformation, and scalable IT solutions for hospitals and ministries of health. In Nigeria, PwC has driven impactful health system reforms and technology integrations, improving operational efficiency and patient care. In South Africa, their expertise in modernizing healthcare systems has advanced health information management and patient outcomes. Clients across Africa commend PwC for their strategic insights, exceptional deliverables, and timely execution of transformative projects. REAF Consulting: Based in South Africa, REAF Consulting specializes in healthcare IT consulting and advisory services tailored to developing regions across Africa. Their expertise includes the implementation of electronic health record (EHR) systems, health information management solutions, and digital transformation strategies designed to meet the specific needs of local healthcare providers and government agencies. Salient Advisory: Operating in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Morocco, Salient Advisory specializes in advancing health technology (healthtech) through strategic insights and partnerships. Their expertise includes digitizing health supply chains, assessing digital health infrastructure, and evaluating the impact of tech-driven health innovations. Recognized for their actionable market intelligence and collaborations with global organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, they are instrumental in enhancing healthcare delivery and access across Africa. Clients commend their innovative solutions, timely execution, and measurable contributions to improving health systems in the region. Sapiens IT Lab is a leading healthcare technology consulting firm in Africa, specializing in Hospital Information Systems (HIS), Electronic Health Records (EHR), and Laboratory Information Systems (LIS). Based in Kenya, the firm provides tailored IT solutions that streamline hospital operations, enhance patient data management, and automate laboratory workflows. Their successful implementation of healthcare automation projects has modernized facilities across the region, earning client praise for precision, scalability, and adherence to timelines. Sapiens IT Lab also offers advisory services to healthcare providers and government agencies, guiding them in identifying technology gaps, upgrading IT infrastructure, and navigating digital transformation Snapnet is a leading IT consulting firm in Nigeria, specializing in providing healthcare IT consulting services across Africa. They offer comprehensive solutions for healthcare providers, focusing on cloud computing, secure data migration, and the protection of sensitive health data. Snapnet's expertise extends to advising healthcare organizations on digital transformation strategies, ensuring seamless integration of technology into existing systems. Their work includes supporting healthcare providers in adopting scalable and secure cloud-based solutions that improve operational efficiency and data accessibility. TAKAMOL Consulting is an integrated management consulting firm based in Egypt, specializing in strategy, quality, excellence, sustainability, healthcare management, and innovation management. Their healthcare management services are aligned with Egypt's Vision 2030, reflecting their exceptional experience in healthcare management. TAKAMOL's innovative approach has driven significant advancements in healthcare operations across Africa, with clients praising their high-quality deliverables Verraki focuses on addressing healthcare challenges across Africa, particularly in Nigeria, through innovative digital health solutions. They specialize in electronic health record (EHR) implementations, telemedicine, and digital transformation strategies that enhance healthcare delivery. About Black Book Market Research Black Book Market Research is a globally recognized independent healthcare research and advisory firm specializing in unbiased evaluations of healthcare IT solutions and consulting services. Since 2009, Black Book has conducted in-depth surveys of consulting and advisory firm clients across Africa, providing critical insights into the region's healthcare IT transformation. Renowned for its transparent and impartial methodology, Black Book has no financial interest in any of the firms evaluated in its surveys and does not accept inclusion and evaluation fees, or commissions to produce its independent results. This commitment to objectivity ensures that the research delivers actionable intelligence that empowers healthcare organizations, governments, and technology vendors to make informed IT decisions. By highlighting top-performing firms and innovative solutions, Black Book's research drives advancements in healthcare delivery, enabling organizations worldwide to optimize efficiency, improve patient outcomes, and achieve sustainable growth in a rapidly evolving digital health landscape. Contact Information Press Office research@blackbookmarketresearch.com 8008637590 The Indian Ocean is home to a mountain range longer than the North American Rockies, and yet today, all 5,000 kilometers (3,107 miles) of it are hidden under the sea. A new study delves deep beneath the waves to show how the Ninetyeast Ridge was formed between 43 and 83 million years ago and its origins are quite the surprise. Seamounts are underwater volcanoes found in every single ocean. They are caused by 'hotspots' beneath Earth's surface, in which gathering heat melts away the mantle, releasing hot plumes in a pipe-like upwelling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At first, scientists did not think hotspots could move, so a trail of volcanoes underwater was thought to result from tectonic plates sliding over the top of a stationary hotspot. Think of it like an upside-down sewing machine, with a stationary 'needle' of hot material piercing a cloth sliding above it, stitching a line. As it turns out, the Indian Ocean's submerged volcanic chain was formed in a different way. The hotspot in this case is better imagined as a fountain pen, with the moving 'tip' depositing liquid magma across the surface of the Earth. "Unlike most volcanic hotspots that remain stationary in the mantle and create volcanic trails as tectonic plates drift over them, this study found that the hotspot responsible for the Ninetyeast Ridge moved by several hundred kilometres within the mantle over time," explains geoscientist Hugo Olierook from Curtin University in Australia. "This kind of hotspot movement is thought to be common but is hard to prove and has only previously been demonstrated for a few hotspots in the Pacific Ocean, making this the first documented case in the Indian Ocean." A: Stage I from ~83 Ma to 66 Ma. B: Stage II from ~66 Ma to 62 Ma. (Jian et al., Nature Communications , 2024) The Kerguelen hotspot is the one responsible for creating the Indian Ocean's vertical underwater scar, and inconclusive studies have suggested the hotspot may have moved southward or westward over time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Researchers in Australia, Sweden, China, and the US have now analyzed basalt samples from the Ninetyeast Ridge to support that idea. C: Stage III from ~62 Ma to 53 Ma. D: Stage IV from ~53 Ma to 46 Ma. (Jian et al., Nature Communications , 2024) Their results suggest that the Kerguelen mantle plume was created when the Indian Plate began to drift northward, opening up the Indian Ocean. If the Kerguelen hotspot had remained fixed below the Indian Plate during this movement, then the ridge would have moved northward at the same rate as the seafloor spreading. But that is not what the team found. Between 83 and 66 million years ago, radioisotopic dating suggests, the peaks of the mountain range were created at roughly half the rate of the seafloor spreading. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This means "the Kerguelen hotspot was not fixed beneath the Indian Plate," writes the international team of researchers, led by Qiang Jiang from the China University of Petroleum. It's hard to explain why the hotspot moved at this rate, but Jiang and colleagues argue "the most likely scenario is that the mantle plume was captured by the northward-migrating Indian-Antarctic spreading ridge, and plume materials flowed continuously towards the spreading ridge and erupted at the ridge." About 66 million years ago, the plume was "disconnected" when the spreading ridge started drifting too far away. Later, the plume was temporarily captured again, this time by the western spreading ridge. By roughly 42 million years ago, the hotspot had drawn a vertical line that now separates the Indian Ocean into east and west. "For years, rough age estimates of the Ninetyeast Ridge have been used to construct models of how Earth's tectonic plates moved and reconfigured," says earth scientist Fred Jourdan from Curtin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "By using high-precision dating we can refine these models significantly, leading to better insights into ancient continental movements." The study was published in Nature Communications. Related News Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday blamed his offices handling of harassment complaints against his former communications director on what he described as a flawed disciplinary process he inherited at City Hall. In his first remarks to reporters since the Tribune reported on Ronnie Reeses alleged behavior last week, the mayor said he did not know about the allegations against Reese until his office received a Freedom of Information Act request for a copy of Reeses City Hall personnel file. And Johnson said his administration has no tolerance for the kind of harassment, sexism, racism or other abusive behavior several employees in his administration allege Reese engaged in while running the mayors press office. He deflected questions on how the documents also show frustration over how his chief of staff, Cristina Pacione-Zayas, suggested peace circles in response to concerns over Reeses behavior, and did not say how often such remedies are considered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The information that was disclosed as it relates to the FOIA request was the first that were hearing of those allegations, Johnson said when asked about Pacione-Zayass response to the complaints. There is a process that has been established long before I got here, that we inherited. And in this particular instance, its very clear that the system that I inherited established a process that did not provide full disclosure of everything that was in that personnel file until there was a FOIA request. The Tribune requested a FOIA for Reeses personnel file on Oct. 25 after City Hall moved to dismiss him. Johnsons office released records last week of three internal complaints against Reese that alleged behavior ranging from unwanted physical contact to making disparaging comments about marginalized groups and intimidation tactics. Johnson on Monday also acknowledged the slow pace for two of Reeses ex-employees to get off the citys Do Not Hire list a change made official last week, after the Tribunes reporting on Reeses personnel file. But the mayors assistant corporation counsel, Jeffrey Levine, defended how the city has managed the list, which is traditionally reserved for ex-employees accused of serious crimes and misconduct. The Department of Human Resources has a detailed and comprehensive policy that governs placement on the Do Not Hire list, that governs removal from that list, that governs a process whereby new information can be provided and received and considered and whereby appeals can be made from decisions of the city, Levine told reporters. And that process and that policy is currently playing itself out, and I think it is comprehensive and covers a variety of situations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former press office staffers Dora Meza and Azhley Rodriguez were given notice Friday that they were removed from the Do Not Hire list, according to letters sent by DHR. They were two of Reeses employees who were fired in August 2023 after complaining about how Reese and Johnson senior adviser Jason Lee treated them, and had been banned from future city employment ever since. In Monday statements to the Tribune, Meza and Rodriguez said they were relieved but demanded reforms on how the list will be utilized in the future. Finally. Its been long overdue, Rodriguez wrote. I hope the city reconsiders their procedure when placing people on the ineligible for rehire. Nobody should have to go through the unfair treatment my colleagues and I did and then be further punished with the DNH. Its not right. Josue Ortiz, another ex-staffer of Reeses, was placed on the Do Not Hire list at the same time but successfully petitioned to be removed this April. Another press aide, Summer Hoagland-Abernathy, said she was fired at the same time and did not receive the official letter stating she won her appeal to be removed until December 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a phone interview Monday, Hoagland-Abernathy said she remains unemployed since being fired and that being stuck on the Do Not Hire list for several months really wrecked my confidence. We have been talking about Ronnies misogynistic behavior since probably the spring or summer that he came on, Hoagland-Abernathy said. The mayors office needs to be a little bit more aware and/or willing to bring justice to the people that are being discriminated against within the office. Asked Monday why that first batch of complaints against Reese in 2023 which the Tribune reported on in January was not enough to take action against him, the mayor said Every single employee has constant review. Every employee does. There are regular check-ins that happen to gain a better understanding of whats working in departments and whats not working in departments, Johnson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of City Council are also itching to reign in use of the Do Not Hire list. Johnsons appointed Ethics Committee chair, Ald. Matt Martin, 47th, told the Tribune on Monday he plans to hold a hearing early next year on the process of getting on the list and whether changes need to be made. Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th, who hired Ortiz in his aldermanic office after he got off the Do Not Hire list, called for an audit of all remaining ex-employees on the list. Its unfortunate that it took the cover-up of the actions of Ronnie Reese to get to this point. Given the fact that it was abused, we need to put some guardrails around this, Villegas said. As for whether Johnson believes the accusations against Reese, who was a longtime friend of the mayors and served as press secretary of his 2023 mayoral campaign and for the Chicago Teachers Union, the mayor repeated that he could not comment on personnel matters. There are allegations that have been brought to an individual, Johnson said. Im not in a position and nor will I succumb to litigating anything that is ongoing publicly. What I can say is this: I can speak for Brandon Johnson that I do not tolerate antisemitic, misogynistic, sexist, racist, xenophobia, anti-Blackness, anti-immigrant behavior. I dont. Thats not how I was raised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnsons reaction to the ongoing fallout over Reese came the same day he presided over a mandatory public hearing on his 2025 budget plan one that remains in flux and is sure to change before a final City Council vote. Most recently, the mayors team has been pushing aldermen to accept a property tax hike between $60 million and $70 million, a source close to the mayor said. The mayor first floated a $300 million property tax hike in late October but lowered that amount to $150 million after a unanimous vote by aldermen. Meanwhile, the budget gap Johnson and aldermen must close has widened since his last proposal. Pressure from aldermen has already led Budget Committee Chair Ald. Jason Ervin, 28th, to say Johnsons proposed $10.6 million liquor tax is off the table. Johnson also promised to re-add 162 vacant positions tied to the federal consent decree to the Police Department after pushback from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, a move aldermen estimate will cost over $10 million. An unexpected Springfield switch-up to taxes on prepaid phones will cost the city another $37 million, according to Budget Director Annette Guzman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayor on Monday again rejected workforce cuts such as layoffs as a potential budget-balancer. He praised two revenue-raising ideas proposed by aldermen a tax on hemp products and changes to the citys grocery bag tax but declined to share a full recommendation. The people of Chicago dont want cuts to services. I can tell you that emphatically, Johnson said, a line he has returned to repeatedly this fall as budget negotiations have dragged on. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) The open enrollment window for Medicare is closing on Saturday and if you havent applied but need to the Medicare website is calling your name. Medicare is the federal health insurance program for those 65 and up as well as some younger people with disabilities. Open enrollment started on Oct. 15 for coverage that takes effect on Jan. 1. That gives them one card that they can use for hospitalization, in-patient and out-patient services, prescriptions when they go to the doctors office, said Jennifer Lyons from Fidelis Care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This time is really for beneficiaries to make several types of changes to their coverage if they choose to. Lyons said there are a few things you should consider before enrolling, no matter if youre looking at Medicare, the Essential Plan, qualified health plans or other coverage. The important thing is to understand what your needs are, she said. You want to make sure that the plan you sign up for is going to be accepted by the healthcare providers that you want to see. You really want to look at the price and see what the whole picture is going to look like. That means comparing premiums and deductibles too. If you dont qualify for Medicare, choose to change plans, or dont have coverage options through an employer, Lyons says, you can shop around on the New York State of Health Marketplace. Open enrollment there runs through the end of January. You have a variety of options to choose from there because your needs might be different from my needs and my neighbors needs, said Lyons. So, theres a variety of options you can choose from. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keep in mind that many plans dont roll over. So, if you like your current plan, check to see if you need to re-enroll for the new year. 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. When Lois Gibbs and her husband moved to Niagara Falls, New York, in 1972, she thought she'd hit the house jackpot she had no idea that the move would result in her becoming one of the mothers of the environmental movement. National Geographic summarized the legacy of Gibbs' work, explaining that the neighborhood she lived in known as Love Canal sat atop a toxic waste dump, a legacy of the Hooker Chemical and Plastics Corporation, which buried over 20,000 tons of toxic chemicals there between 1942 and 1952. By 1976, residents started seeing the effects of the more than 100 deadly compounds that were later confirmed at the site, the publication explained. Some homes started experiencing leaching of these chemicals into their basements, and Gibbs' own son started having seizures. Thinking he was being exposed on the playground at school, she requested that he be moved to another school. She was denied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I have an Irish temper. You can't sit there and tell me you're not going to move my child," she told National Geographic. "We're gonna fix this." This started her on her route of activism, the publication explained, and she began surveying other parents. She soon found that the problem was more widespread than she'd imagined some of the health effects she discovered among her neighbors included cancer, kidney problems, and lung issues. Ultimately, Gibbs put in hundreds of hours on the telephone, canvassed from home to home, collected evidence, circulated petitions, led protests, and lobbied officials as part of her efforts. Eventually, in 1980, President Jimmy Carter declared a national emergency at the site and about 950 residents left the neighborhood. While the damage was already done for the people living in the Love Canal neighborhood at the time National Geographic pointed to studies showing that women who lived in the community during their reproductive years were twice as likely to give birth to a child with a congenital anomaly, for instance her advocacy work did help to save countless others who may have moved into the area later, unknowingly exposing themselves to harmful chemicals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also helped result in the creation of the Love Canal Superfund Site (and, in fact, the Superfund Program itself), which required the Environmental Protection Agency to complete a number of cleanup activities to address the contamination. The agency removed the site from its National Priorities List in 2004, and 260 formerly abandoned homes were rehabilitated and sold to new residents. In addition to the human impacts, wildlife also suffered, making Gibbs' work all the more important. For instance, one study found that meadow voles living near the Love Canal had a shortened lifespan and organ damage. Do you worry about air pollution in your town? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind Though the work was tough, Gibbs, who later founded the Center for Health, Environment, and Justice, sees her work at the Love Canal as a victory. She told National Geographic, "[We] stood together and had a united goal. You can do that for any issue. If people would participate in democracy, we could change the world in ways that are not even imaginable right now." Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. At a meeting of the Servant of the People faction on 3 December, lawmakers endorsed Oleksii Chernyshov, the head of Naftogaz's board, for the position of Minister of Ukrainian Unity. Source: Ukrainska Pravda sources in the Servant of the People faction; draft resolution on the site of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraines Parliament) Quote: "They endorsed Chernyshev's candidature for the position of head of the Ministry of Association at today's [3 December ed.] meeting. The only lawmakers who opposed it were those from the Pavliuk group. As a minister, Chernyshov will have the title of deputy prime minister." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: It was stated that Chernyshov will shortly be nominated by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to be appointed to the position of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Ukrainian Unity in the Verkhovna Rada. He must be appointed by Parliament this week. The accompanying draft resolution on Chernyshov's appointment is already available on the Verkhovna Rada's website. Background: Earlier, Ukrainska Pravda reported that the Ministry for Ukrainian Unity recently announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may be headed by Oleksii Chernyshov, Chairman of the Board of Naftogaz. On 19 November, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the establishment of a Ministry for Ukrainian Unity which, among other things, will focus on assisting Ukrainian citizens in their return. The president declared that the minister will be nominated by the end of the year. In 2020-2022, Chernyshov headed the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development. Support UP or become our patron! President Biden is facing blowback from his own party for his dramatic Sunday evening pardon of his son, Hunter Biden. A growing chorus of Democrats have raised their voices to object to the presidents action an action he and his spokespeople had repeatedly stated he would not take. Its easy to see why there is such Democratic consternation. In the eyes of many, the Biden pardon cedes the moral high ground the president and his party have spent years staking out. It also offers generous leeway to President-elect Trump for his own efforts to bend the justice system to his will. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Bidens now-abandoned pledge to not interfere in his sons cases was couched as a principled stand to maintain the independence of the justice system from political influence. What are voters to make of that idea, now that it turns out the separation is not so sacrosanct after all? Biden sought to frame his decision as a corrective to political interference from Republican politicians who had pursued his son. I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice, he wrote in his statement announcing the pardon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But its hard to make that argument stick beyond the ranks of the most committed Democratic voters. Hunter Biden was convicted in June of lying on a form used to obtain a gun back in 2018. The younger Biden had denied use of illicit drugs while filling out that form a claim that was a lie, as some tawdry testimony at his trial made clear. The presidents son also pleaded guilty to a total of nine tax charges three felonies and six misdemeanors just before a trial was due to open in Los Angeles in September. The pardon expunges those convictions and does so just before the younger Biden was to face sentencing in both cases later this month. It also preemptively absolves him for any other crimes committed between Jan. 1, 2014 and Dec. 1, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Democrats are bothered by more than the specifics of Hunter Bidens misdeeds. Trump is seeking confirmation for several controversial nominees, including Pam Bondi to be attorney general and Kash Patel to lead the FBI. The Democratic opposition to those nominees has been rooted primarily in the idea that they would use the Justice Department to do Trumps bidding, afflicting his enemies while coddling his friends. Back in 2016, Bondi joined the crowd at the Republican National Convention in a chant of Lock her up aimed at that years Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton. She went on to speak in support of Trumps false claims of fraud in the 2020 election. Patel, in an interview with Trumps erstwhile strategist Steve Bannon last year, asserted that a second Trump administration would go out and find the conspirators not just in the government but in the media who had wronged Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added, Were going to come after you. Whether its criminally or civilly, well figure that out. Trump critics will contend that there is a world of difference between what President Biden did and Patels rhetoric or indeed Trumps own pledge to pardon people convicted of offenses related to the Capitol riot of Jan. 6, 2021. The problem, however, is that the argument now becomes a matter of degree. Democrats find themselves arguing over shades of gray rather than a black-and-white distinction. Relatedly, a news agenda that would have been focused on the newly nominated Patel and fresh allegations of inappropriate conduct around Trumps nominee for Defense secretary, Pete Hegseth has instead been taken over by the furor around the Biden pardon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number of Democrats criticizing Biden grew steadily Monday. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) called it wrong, while Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) accused Biden of putting his personal interest ahead of duty in such a way as to whittle away Americans faith that the justice system is fair and equal for all. Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), in a CNN interview that was broadly defensive of Biden, nonetheless cited the presidents previous vows not to pardon his son and said it was discouraging that he has now gone back on his word on that. Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) framed Bidens actions as, in part, a gift to Trump, also in a CNN interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A pardon at this point will be used against, I think, Democrats who were pushing to defend the Department of Justice against politicizing it, which is certainly what President Trump plans to do, Ivey said. At a deeper level, such sentiments bespeak a Democratic Party that is ready to move past Biden not least because some blame him for a series of decisions leading up to this years Trump victory. Specifically, the 82-year-old Bidens decision to seek a second term in the first place has come under even harsher scrutiny in retrospect. The folly of that choice was exposed in a brutal way by his disastrous performance in his one and only debate with Trump in June. Biden then clung to the nomination for almost a month before stepping aside. The president also made a number of missteps even in the final stages of Vice President Harriss campaign, the most memorable being a comment that appeared to call Trump supporters garbage. The remark came on the same day as the big speech by Harris at Washingtons Ellipse that was intended to frame her closing argument. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats are looking to the future not just in terms of the 2026 midterms or the next presidential election, but the pitched battle they expect to wage against the Trump administration. Biden, in the minds of some, has complicated that fight for his familys gain. The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage. Additional reporting: Emily Brooks and Mychael Schnell. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. The city of Memphis is considering filing lawsuits against Hyundai and Kia over the costs of an epidemic of vehicle thefts, and against a software company blamed for rising rent. The items were part of a package of extraordinary litigation that a special attorney would be hired to handle, if approved. A resolution to approve that litigation was approved by a City Council committee Tuesday. According to a proposed ordinance, Memphis has seen a dramatic increase in auto thefts, specifically Kias and Hyundais. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We do not take litigation lightly. However, the City of Memphis and its police officers have spent significant time responding to thefts of Kias and Hyundais, which is grossly disproportionate to other vehicle theft reports in our city, a city spokesperson said. Responding to these thefts has delayed officers from responding to other calls, increased costs to the city, and left many of our residents and visitors without vehicles. We also want a fair rental housing market where our residents can have safe, affordable housing without software influencing rent. Memphis police reported 22,000 vehicles stolen in the past two years, and Kias and Hyundais were at the top of the list. MPD and the Shelby County Sheriffs Office had to pull staff and launch new units to tackle auto thefts. Kia, Hyundai settle class-action lawsuit after a rash of thefts due to security flaw They claim the manufacturers concealed and failed to remedy defects that made those cars easier to steal, leading Memphis Police to have to respond to a high volume of thefts of these makes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hyundai and Kia have acknowledged that a software problem on some of their models made them vulnerable to theft thanks to techniques popularized in a Tik-Tok challenge. Hyundai giving free software updates to certain vehicle owners Over the summer, the companies offered free software upgrades to owners, including many in Memphis. The city also claims there has been a significant increase in rent prices due to a software company called Real Page. Much of the rent increases are likely due to landlords using RealPage software to set prices, driving every possible opportunity to increase price, according to the citys proposed ordinance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WREG has reached out to the companies for a response. Kia said that, to date, 1.27 million Kia vehicles nationwide received a software security upgrade, including an event in Memphis this year, and the company is continuing to let customers know about the upgrade and about free steering wheel locks offered by the company. But as far as a potential lawsuit, Kia said its vehicles fully comply with federal safety standards, including theft protection: As we have said repeatedly, lawsuits filed by municipalities against Kia are without merit. Like all Kia vehicles, the specific models at issue in this case are subject to and comply fully with the requirements outlined in applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, including FMVSS 114 that governs theft protection measures. Additionally, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has publicly stated that it has not determined that this issue constitutes either a safety defect or non-compliance requiring a recall under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. 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. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) released on Tuesday its mental health-related calls dispatched to Oklahoma City police officers showing a decline in the past 13 months. According to the ODMHSAS, the decline showcases a shift in the perception people experience mental health crises in Oklahoma City when being connected with specialized support without law enforcement intervention. It is encouraging to see such a significant reduction in OKCPD officers being dispatched to mental health-related calls, Oklahoma City Police Chief Ron Bacy said. Its only possible with collaboration among 911 call takers and dispatchers, OKCPD officers and community partners who are trained to help people in crisis connect to the resource they need in that moment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UPS to permanently lay off more than 300 Oklahoma City workers amid facility modernizing Mental health-related calls dispatched to Oklahoma City police officers dropped by over 57% from October 2023 to October 2024from 1,292 calls in October 2023 to 549 calls in October 2024, says ODMHSAS. Image courtesy Oklahoma Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse. Chief Bacy credits the accomplishment of increased mental health-related programs, partnerships with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) and mental health service providers as significant drivers for the reduction for Oklahoma City residents. The 988 Lifeline has become a vital resource for people in distress, offering life-changing support and connecting them with the services they need, Allie Friesen, ODMHSAS Commissioner said. By working closely with partners like OKCPD, we are reshaping how crises are handled across the state and setting a powerful example of whats possible when we invest in mental health. This progress underscores Oklahomas commitment to improving mental health crisis response through expanded services, enhanced training, and a network of robust community resources, with Oklahoma Citys successes serving as a model for statewide efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Launched in July 2022, the 988 Mental Health Lifeline plays a pivotal role in connecting Oklahomans experiencing mental health challenges with crisis specialists. ODMHSAS officials say, calls to 988 increased significantly in Oklahoma County during the same period. From October 2023 to October 2024, the monthly call volume increased by 79%, climbing from 193 calls in October 2023 to 345 calls in October 2024. Overall, calls to 988 statewide average 3,004 per month. City of Edmond petitions court to force sale of problem property Oklahoma City has developed numerous crisis resources over the past several years, so its no surprise 911 calls are down, says Heather Helberg, CEO of Hope Community Services. These resources include three Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) that work closely with law enforcement and the fire department, offering alternative crisis responses like Urgent Recovery Centers and Mobile Crisis teams. Collaboration among these community partners is ongoing, and were continually improving our response to mental health crises. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Click here to read the more about the City of Oklahoma Citys mental health programs. Visit 988 Oklahoma to access the 988 Mental Health Lifeline. 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Amazon (AMZN) is giving its massive Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centers a facelift. The company announced its improving the efficiency, availability, and design of its enormous computing facilities to keep them up and running for its customers and provide them with the kind of processing power they need to run new generative AI applications. We've done a ton of improvements in terms of simplification of our electrical and mechanical design that will improve the availability for our customers even more, Prasad Kalyanaraman, vice president of infrastructure services at AWS, told Yahoo Finance. Generative AI requires a meaningful amount of power for these racks and for these chips. And we've been innovating on our power delivery design to these servers as well, he added. AWS is Amazon's most profitable business unit. The segment brought in $90.7 billion in 2023, lower than the retail divisions $484 billion in revenue. Operating income, however, topped out at $24.6 billion, eclipsing Amazons retail operating income of $12.2 billion. Any changes to AWS's infrastructure are sure to impact the company's bottom line over time. AWS is the worlds largest cloud services provider, ahead of second-place Microsoft (MSFT) and third-place Google (GOOG, GOOGL). And anything that improves the cloud businesss availability and performance has the potential to draw more customers while ensuring existing users dont flee to Amazons rivals. Amazon says the latest updates include simplified electrical and mechanical designs for its data centers that ensure better than 99% infrastructure availability. In other words, the company streamlined its hardware to ensure its data centers stay up and running without any hiccups. The tech giant says its also preparing for Nvidias (NVDA) upcoming Blackwell chips by outfitting its data centers with liquid cooling capabilities. Data centers generally use air-cooled servers that dissipate heat their chips and servers generate using fans. But according to Kalyanaraman, servers running Nvidias Blackwell chips or Amazons own Trainium 2 chips run so hot that the only way to cool them is using a liquid cooling system. Attendees walk through an expo hall at AWS re:Invent 2021. (Noah Berger/Amazon Web Services via AP Images) Amazon Web Services You can think of a liquid cooling system as akin to the radiator system in a car. Generally, coolant circulates through a series of pipes to a block attached to a server chip. The heat generated by the chip transfers to the block and then the coolant, which then passes through a radiator where its cooled and recirculated to the chip. Heat is a massive problem for computer components. If a system gets too hot, itll either slow down or shut off completely to prevent serious damage. So keeping new AI servers cool is paramount for cloud computing companies. By Jeff Mason and Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former U.S. President Barack Obama, close political allies when they were both in office, reunited in Washington on Monday for an event to launch her memoir in the United States. Merkel forged a tight relationship with Obama during his eight years in the White House. Obama's last foreign trip as president in 2016 included a stop in Berlin to appear with his German counterpart, who was preparing for then President-elect Donald Trump's first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Monday's event, Merkel and Obama discussed German unification, the 2008 global financial crisis, climate change and immigration in a discussion that prompted sporadic applause and laughter from a sold-out crowd of about 3,000 at The Anthem, an event venue in Washington. The two leaders displayed an easy rapport. Obama asked Merkel questions in English and she responded in German. He told the audience that her English was excellent but the trained scientist was a very precise person and wanted to speak in her mother tongue. Merkel bantered back later that Obama, a lawyer, was very precise, too. The two joked about Obama's trip to Berlin as a presidential candidate in 2008 when she opposed his team's request to speak in front of the Brandenburg Gate. He said she was worried afterwards that he was angry. "I was fine," he intoned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two leaders did not discuss Trump, who beat Democrat Kamala Harris in last month's election. Merkel did say she hoped the U.S. would eventually elect a woman president. In her book, titled "Freedom: Memories 1954-2021" and written before the Nov. 5 election, she expressed hope that Harris would win. "Freedom was something I always sought in the first part of my life," she said when Obama asked about the book's title. "Some people think of freedom as freedom from something, freedom from responsibilities. My understanding of freedom is ... that we are empowered to do something," she said. Merkel's legacy has faced criticism since she left office after 16 years and Obama, while still popular with Democrats, was unable to translate that popularity into a win for Harris or former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump in 2016. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obama said Germany's reunification after the fall of the Berlin Wall offered some lessons for a United States that was increasingly divided. "If you can be divided literally by a wall for decades and still figure out how to come together and prosper as one identity in one country, then hopefully the - quote, unquote - 'United States of America' should be able to do this," he said. (Reporting by Jeff Mason and Andrea Shalal; Editing by Kate Mayberry) Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Meta on Tuesday unveiled its report on the 2024 election revealing, among other things, how the global impact of AI on the election results were minimal at best on its platforms as it removed at least 20 covert influence operations. The company released the report detailing new information on its work to help secure this year's election on its global platforms in multiple nations -- including the United States -- after known interference in past U.S. elections by foreign actors like Russia which, according to Meta, is still the "number one source" of covert influence operations. "Since 2016 we have been evolving our approach to elections to incorporate the lessons we learn and stay ahead of emerging threats," Meta officials wrote in the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meta added, however, that its teams have "seen a number of influence operations shift much of their activities to platforms with fewer safeguards than ours." Meta "closely monitored" the threat of generative AI by covert campaigns in what the social media company described as a Coordinated Inauthentic Behavior network -- or a CIB -- which Meta discovered had only made "incremental productivity" and "content-generation gains" using AI this election. According to Meta, this "unprecedented" year was expected to see as many as 2 billion people vote in some of the world's biggest democracies. Meta said it currently has a "dedicated team" tapped to lead Meta's "cross-company election integrity efforts" which include "experts" on multiple fronts in Meta's intelligence, data science, product and engineering, research, operations, content, public policy and legal teams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Striking the balance between allowing people to make their voices heard and keeping people safe is one that no platform will ever get right 100% of the time," the company stated. Meta did acknowledge its "error rates are too high" when enforcing content policies "which gets in the way of the free expression we set out to enable," it added. But company officials claim Meta ran "a number of" what it called "election operations centers" around the world to "monitor and react swiftly to issues that arose" in major elections in the United States, Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, the EU Parliament, France, Britain, South Africa, Mexico and Brazil. In addition, Meta pointed out it also continued its 2020 policy of forbidding new political, electoral and social issue ads in the U.S. the final week of the election campaign because "in the final days of an election there may not be enough time to contest new claims," the company said. It added since January this year, in certain cases, Meta has also required advertisers to disclose when AI is utilized or other digital techniques weaponized to create or alter a political or social issue ad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meta's Imagine AI image generator, meanwhile, reportedly rejected nearly 600,000 requests in the month leading up to election day to generate fake images of President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris, Vice President-elect JD Vance, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and President Joe Biden. "This has not impeded our ability to disrupt these influence operations," Meta added, because "we focus on behavior when we investigate and take down these campaigns, not on the content they post -- whether created with AI or not." According to Meta officials, the 20 new covert influence operations it took down largely were located in the Middle East, Asia, Europe and the United States. Meanwhile, Russia remains the number one source of operations for covert influence. Meta said to date it disrupted 39 Russian CIB networks since 2017 and took multiple other steps over the last few years to limit the spread of Russian disinformation on its social media platforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "With every major election," Meta officials wrote Tuesday, "we want to make sure we are learning the right lessons and staying ahead of potential threats. Striking the balance between free expression and security is a constant and evolving challenge." Ahead of the U.S. election, Meta took steps to ban Russian state media outlets like Rossiya Segodnya, RT and others despite Russia's own ban of Meta platforms -- including Facebook -- inside the communist-run nation. But the next frequently cited source of foreign interference came from Iran which had 31 CIB networks Meta removed, and then China with 11. "The majority of the CIB networks we've disrupted have struggled to build authentic audiences, and some used fake likes/followers to appear more popular than they were," Meta added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As an example, Meta said it took down a CIB network that appeared to originate in the Transnistria region of Moldova -- a small eastern European nation neighboring the south-western part of Ukraine -- which targeted only a Russian-speaking audience. "We removed this campaign before they were able to build authentic audiences on our apps," Meta said. However, the "vast majority" of disrupted CIB networks, according to the company, then took steps to migrate as well to other digital platforms like X, YouTube, TikTok, Telegram, Reddit, Medium, Pinterest and others. Meanwhile, the FBI and CISA officials revealed that Chinese government hackers still are present in U.S. telecom networks following a major cyber espionage campaign, enabling them to access records and listen to voice calls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Threat actors affiliated with the People's Republic of China are targeting commercial telecommunications providers to compromise sensitive data and engage in cyber espionage," Assistant Director Bryan Vorndran of the FBI's Cyber Division, said Tuesday in a release. Likewise, the "vast majority" of CIB networks run their own websites likely to withstand takedowns by any one company, Meta said. But the "largest and most persistent" is known as "Doppelganger" which Meta said "struggled to get through on our apps and largely abandoned" its schemes. "The vast majority of Doppelganger's attempts to target the U.S. in October and November were proactively stopped before any user saw their content," it added. Meta said Doppelganger utilizes a "vast web of fake websites" which include spoofing legitimate news and government agencies. The social media giant claimed to of exposed more than 6,000 and said it created the "largest public repository" of Doppelganger's threat signals so investigators and researchers can take appropriate action in addition to blocking on all Meta platforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These findings and policies are intended to give you a sense of what we've seen and the broad approach we have taken during this unprecedented year of elections, but they are far from an exhaustive account of everything we did and saw," said Meta, adding "nor is our approach inflexible." Meta pledged to "take stock of what we've learned during this remarkable year" and "keep our policies under review and announce any changes in the months ahead," it stated. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said Tuesday its error rates can be too high when enforcing content moderation policies and pledged to improve their policy rollouts. We know that when enforcing our policies, our error rates are too high, which gets in the way of the free expression we set out to enable, Nick Clegg, president of global affairs for Meta, wrote in a blog post Tuesday. Too often harmless content gets taken down or restricted and too many people get penalized unfairly. Meta and other leading social media companies have faced increasing pressure in recent years to boost the safety of their platforms amid hateful or misleading information, while also ensuring users have free speech online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tech giant has worked throughout the past year to update and apply content policies fairly, Clegg said, noting no platform will ever strike this balance correctly 100 percent of the time. He vowed the company will continue to work on this in the coming months. He went on to tout Metas work on content moderation policies, including the launch of political content controls on Facebook, Instagram and Threads, which allow users to opt in for more political content recommendations. The controls were launched in the U.S. and are being rolled out globally, according to Clegg. Clegg, during a separate call with reporters Monday, said Meta regrets the large amount of COVID-19 related content it took down during the pandemic, The Verge reported. We had very stringent rules removing very large volumes of content through the pandemic, Clegg reportedly said. No one during the pandemic knew how the pandemic was going to unfold, so this really is wisdom in hindsight. But with that hindsight, we feel that we overdid it a bit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were acutely aware because users quite rightly raised their voice and complained that we sometimes over-enforce and we make mistakes and we remove or restrict innocuous or innocent content, he added, according to The Verge. His comments come months after Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg told the House Judiciary Committee in August that he regrets not being more outspoken about government pressure to remove content related to COVID-19. Zuckerberg, in a letter to the committee, said Biden administration officials repeatedly pressured Meta to censor content in 2021 and vowed to push back should something similar happen again. The admittance was a win for House Republicans, many of whom have accused major tech companies of censoring conservative viewpoints. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zuckerberg attended dinner with President-elect Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort last week in what was largely seen as an attempt to mend fences with the incoming leader as he heads back to the White House. Clegg told The Verge that Zuckerberg is very keen to play in active role in the debates that any administration needs to have about maintaining Americas leadership in the technological sphere. 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Plenty of industries are in need of staff, but did you know New Mexico has an accounting crisis? Thats according to State Auditor, Joseph Maestas. When local governments cant hire a good accountant, the ripple effect on local economies can be damaging. This week on the New Mexico News Insiders podcast, Auditor Maestas shares what his industry is doing to try and recruit fresh talent, retain the workforce in New Mexico, and improve how the state manages its money. I never say that the sky is falling unnecessarily, said Maestas. But we have a full-blown workforce crisis not just here in New Mexico, but across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maestas explains his office receives about a complaint a day related to fraud, waste, and abuse. On average, he said two out of three complaints are actionable. Story continues below Download new episodes of the New Mexico News Insiders every Tuesday, starting around 5:30 a.m., Mountain time. Episodes are available on most podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean, among others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can now watch our podcasts in video form both on-air or online. Tune in to an abbreviated version of the New Mexico News Insiders podcast on broadcast television every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. on Fox New Mexico. Full video episodes are posted on KRQEs YouTube page at youtube.com/krqenews13. Having trouble finding the show? Try searching your favorite podcast player with the term KRQE or New Mexico News Insiders (without the quotes). You can also use the links above to find the podcast on each service or listen to the audio player at the top of this post. If you have a question, comment, or suggestion for who should be interviewed on the podcast, let us know! Email your hosts at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican lower house lawmakers on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a proposal to alter the constitution to include a ban on e-cigarettes and vaping devices as well as a crackdown on synthetic drugs such as fentanyl. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who sent the proposal to Congress before leaving office this year, had argued that smoking devices were damaging public health, with children particularly susceptible to getting hooked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ADDITIONAL CONTEXT Lopez Obrador had already banned such devices through a presidential decree, though they remain widely available for purchase. Millions of Mexicans, meanwhile, smoke traditional cigarettes, which remain legal. The reform passed by the legislature on Tuesday also sanctions "production, distribution and sale of toxic substances, chemical precursors, the illicit use of fentanyl and other non-authorized synthetic drugs." Fentanyl, while approved for some use medically, is also by and large banned in Mexico. BY THE NUMBERS The measure passed, in general terms, with 410 votes in favor and 24 against. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less than 1 million people from ages 12 to 65 reported regularly using a vape in 2022, according to federal data cited by lawmakers. Meanwhile, around 500,000 teens and 300,000 adults used e-cigarettes. KEY QUOTES "We value girls', boys', and young people's right to good health above economic and political interests," said Workers' Party lawmaker Mary Carmen Bernal, who belongs to the ruling bloc. Opposition legislator Ector Jaime Ramirez, meanwhile, said banning fentanyl and vaping in the same reform was excessive and "trivializing to the effort being made to combat the most addictive and dangerous drugs." WHAT'S NEXT The reform is now set to head to the senate, where the ruling Morena party and its allies hold a strong majority. (Reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by David Gregorio) A state representative from Michigan is facing an online tirade after he suggested the United States should make gay marriage illegal again and asserted that his opinion isnt controversial nor extreme despite public polling showing the opposite. Joshua Josh Schriver, who represents the 66th district in the Michigan House of Representatives, is the self-proclaimed most conservative state representative. Having known to stir controversy online with his posts, he posted his poorly-received message on X Monday. Josh Schriver, a state representative from Michigan, has espoused controversial views before (Michigan House Republicans Official / YouTube) Make gay marriage illegal again. This is not remotely controversial, nor extreme, Schriver wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Same-sex marriage has been legally protected in the United States since 2015 when the Supreme Court ruled in the case Obergefell v. Hodges. Before then, 19 states had laws protecting same-sex marriage. In general, most people support the legalization of same-sex marriage. One Gallup poll, conducted as recently as May, found that 69 percent of people believe same-sex marriage should be recognized by law with the same rights as heterosexual marriages. That poll found that approximately 46 percent of Republicans agree with that. Make gay marriage illegal again. This is not remotely controversial, nor extreme. Rep. Josh Schriver (@JoshuaSchriver) December 2, 2024 By Tuesday afternoon, more than six million people had viewed Schrivers post and multiple notable lawmakers responded by scolding his claim including the Michigan Attorney General, who has been married to her wife since 2015. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Please explain how dissolving my marriage, or that of the hundreds of thousands of other same-sex couples living in America, provides a benefit to your constituents or anyone else. Youre not interested in helping Michiganders. You want only to hurt those you hate. Shame on you, the state Attorney General, Dana Nessel, said. Fellow Michigan Representative Jason Morgan responded to Schiver saying it is definitely both controversial and extreme. He added that Donald Trumps election emboldens & empowers these extreme Republicans. The Independent has asked Schriver for comment on the backlash but has not yet received a response. Online, Schriver doubled down on his claim, despite the evidence that people agree same-sex marriage should be legal. Please explain how dissolving my marriage, or that of the hundreds of thousands of other same-sex couples living in America, provides a benefit to your constituents or anyone else. Youre not interested in helping Michiganders. You want only to hurt those you hate. Shame on you. https://t.co/fTmiYA8RiC Dana Nessel (@dananessel) December 2, 2024 He posted a 16-year-old clip of former president Barack Obama saying marriage is between a man and a woman something Obama later shifted his stance on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 20 years ago, Barack Obama was more conservative on marriage than many Republicans today, Shriver wrote. America only accepted gay marriage after it was thrusted into her by a perverted Supreme Court ruling. In 2008, public support for same-sex marriage was around 40 percent, according to Gallup. But since then, the U.S. has become far more welcoming of same-sex marriage. For many young adults, same-sex marriage has been legal their entire adult life. The notion that same-sex marriage is at risk of losing federal protections has only been taken seriously recently. That was after Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas signaled he would support the move in a 2022 court opinion. Other than recommending the U.S. should outlaw gay marriage again, Schriver has also said that White erasure is wrong and declared it too isnt controversial. Michigan Capitol | Susan. J. Demas illustration Michigan lawmakers heard testimony to repeal laws criminalizing adultery and same-sex sexual conduct in committee meetings Tuesday, with supporters for the changes saying the current laws are zombies from the 1930s and need to be updated. Michigan is one of the few remaining states criminalizing same-sex sexual conduct under its laws concerning crimes against nature or sodomy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the lawmakers spearheading the effort to remove the section of Michigan law that criminalizes and punishes same-sex sexual conduct as an abominable and detestable crime against nature on par with bestiality, spoke to the Michigan House Criminal Justice Committee Tuesday about the need for Michigans law to be altered. Though the laws on the books in a few states banning same-sex sexual conduct are unenforceable under a 2003 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Lawrence v. Texas, state Rep. Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield), reasoned that decision could fall and Michigans 1931 zombie law on sodomy could come to haunt the state. Rep. Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) testifies in the House Criminal Justice Committee in Lansing on bills to change Michigans sodomy laws on Dec. 3, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) As the federal right to an abortion was stripped in the summer of 2022, with the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe. v Wade, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in a concurring opinion, that since the courts decision was rooted in the interpretation of the 14th Amendments due process clause, other Supreme Court decisions examining the clause should be reevaluated. Such cases include Griswold v. Connecticut concerning birth control usage, Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage, and Lawrence v. Texas which prevents states from criminalizing consensual sexual conduct between same-sex partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe Justice Thomas is sincere in his desire to recriminalize these intimate acts, and he is not alone, Arbit said. The assault on these rights is clear, motivated in part by an intense religious bigotry against gay people. And as the leadership of the Michigan state House is set to transfer back to Republicans in January after the party won a majority of seats in November, Arbit said it is particularly imperative to dismantle Michigans laws against same-sex sexual conduct while Democrats have the gavel. He noted the conduct of Rep. Josh Schriver (R-Oxford) as an example of individuals who would seek to remove rights from the LGBTQ+ community. On Monday, Schriver posted on X Make gay marriage illegal again. This is not remotely controversial, nor extreme. Screenshot of Michigan state Rep. Josh Schrivers (R-Oxford) post on X advocating for making same sex marriage illegal. Dec, 2, 2024 Schriver has a history of controversy online, being stripped of his committee assignment in the House and his office staff by Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) for making posts on social media revolving around the Great Replacement theory, linked to white supremacist movements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Personally, I think the idea of ripping apart loving families is extreme, Arbit said. Just as I think the idea of the state being empowered by statute to arrest private adult citizens for engaging in consensual sex acts of their choosing is extreme. House Bills 4431, 4432 and 4433 would reword the sodomy section of state law to instead specifically address criminal penalties associated with bestiality, cutting the word sodomy from the section of law. The bills passed the Michigan House Criminal Justice Committee along partisan lines on Tuesday with unanimous Democratic support. Two Republicans passed on voting, including Minority Chair of the House Judiciary Committee Rep. Graham Filler (R-St. Johns) who said after committee that the bill was posted late to the agenda and so he passed at least for now. I look forward to learning more about it, Filler said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the Senate side, lawmakers looked at the states largely unenforced criminalization of adultery, where cheating on a spouse in Michigan constitutes a felony. Kyle Zawacki of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan testifies in the Michigan Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee in support of a repeal of Michigans criminalization of adultery on Dec. 3, 2024 (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) The law criminalizing adultery in Michigan is a relic of a bygone era that has outlived its purpose, Kyle Zawacki of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan testified during the Michigan Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee Tuesday. Michigan passed no-fault divorce in 1972, eliminating the need to establish wrongdoing in order to gain a divorce, Zawacki pointed out. Slaying the adultery zombie law would ensure it is not selectively enforced and also helps to eliminate dated stigma and discrimination when it comes to infidelity. Michigan is behind on the times as only two other states classify adultery as a felony, Zawacki said. Senate Bills 1083, 1084 and 1085 would eradicate the criminalization of adultery. The bills passed unanimously out of committee. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A Michigan man who has twice been convicted of making online threats once again faces federal charges. Court documents show Timothy Findlay, of Alger, Michigan, was arrested on Wednesday, Nov. 27 and charged with one count of using interstate communication to make a threat. Federal investigators say Findlay made the threatening statements on April 16 on Skype. Microsoft tipped off authorities, passing along his message. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Findlay allegedly told another person that I rape and kill beautiful women. When the other person responded, But what does that got to do with me? Findlay said, Because Ill rape you and murder you, too. Whitmer, Gilchrist mark 3 years after Oxford shooting According to investigators, the Skype account connects to an email address that belongs to Findlay and the IP address connects to his home in Arenac County. Findlay pleaded guilty to two counts of threatening to kill the U.S. President in 2014 and to another count in 2023. He was sentenced to 15 months in prison for the first offense and three years of probation, which he violated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents also show he was under supervised release connected to the second incident when the latest threat was allegedly made. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison. 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. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) All 15 public universities in Michigan are calling on the state legislature to appropriate supplemental funds for higher education during the current legislative lame-duck session. In a statement addressed to state lawmakers, the Michigan Association of State Universities (MASU) says that proper funding to universities would strengthen the states future and workforce development potential. The role of public universities has never been more critical as Michigan works to retain and attract high-wage jobs and build a thriving middle class, writes the MASU. Michigans job outlook through 2032 indicates that 84% of the top 50 high-wage occupations will require a four-year degree or higher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hot 50 Job Outlook through 2032, available on the State of Michigan website lists the projected top 50 high-wage jobs that will see moderate to significant growth in the next eight years. Many of the top 50 require a bachelors degree, with some of the more well-paying jobs requiring a masters or higher. The state universities of Michigan are requesting a modest supplemental increase of 2.5% in ongoing base support ($41 million) and the conversion of 1% in one-time funds included in the FY 2025 budget to ongoing funding, writes MASU. The MASU says the funding would improve college affordability and financial aid, create workforce development programs, enhance student support services, improve campus safety, and help increase degree completion rates. 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. 2024 saw the 35th anniversary of one of the quintessential comedies (that also helped launch Keanu Reeves into the spotlight): Bill and Teds Excellent Adventure. The time-travelling adventure sees Reeves 'Ted' Theodore Logan opposite Alex Winters Bill S Preston Esq, as they travel back in time to complete their class history project. To help them complete the project, they bring figures of the past like Joan of Arc, Socrates, and Napoleon to modern-day California. As 2024and Bill and Teds 35th birthdaycomes to an end, we look ahead and wonder which figures Bill and Ted could bring from the past to tell them about the modern technologies that will dominate 2025. AI and Alan Turing Alan Turing is often cited as the father of modern computing and AI. During the Second World War, Turing was part of a team that cracked German code on a device of his creation called the Enigma machine. As part of breaking the Enigma, Turing designed the Bombe, which was an electromechanical device that could detect the Enigmas settings and attempt to crack the daily code switch up from German communications. In 1947, the mathematician gave a public lecture on computer intelligence where he stated that what we want is a machine that can learn from experience. His concept of machine intelligence has shaped modern computing. In 1950 he went on to publish the Turing Test, or the Imitation Game. This was a series of tests to determine whether a machine was able to match the qualities and intelligence of a human. The purpose of the Imitation Game is to discover whether machines can think, and several AI models have come close to beating it, highlighting the continuing advancement of AI and machine learning. AI is set to continue its societal dominance in 2025. By 2030, GlobalData estimates that the AI market will be worth $1trn. Generative AI capabilities like image creation and decision-making will remain firmly in the public consciousness. ESG and Mia Mottley Not having to delve into the past, Mia Mottley, the current president of Barbados, is leading the charge is sustainability and climate regulation. Mottley has set ambitious climate targets for Barbados. She aims to eliminate fossil fuels by 2030 and plans to install solar panels on all homes across the island. Other policies include coral reef restoration and reforestation efforts. At COP26 in 2021, Mottley gave a speech announcing the Bridgetown Initiative. The initiative advocates for the poorest nations who bear financial, and often the brunt of the climate crisis yet contribute the least emissions. Here she highlighted how Barbados contributes just 0.01% of the worlds emissions, yet like other small island nations is one of the most vulnerable to changing climates. At the following COP27, she echoed her sentiments from the previous year. It is estimated that for developing countries, the cost of climate-related natural disasterslike the hurricanes that threaten Barbadosstands at around $70bn a year. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Michigan GOP Rep. Josh Schriver used social media to publicly state his opinions on same-sex marriage, saying, Make gay marriage illegal again. In the same post on X, the representative from Oxford said, This is not remotely controversial, nor extreme. Schriver shared another post shortly after of former President Barack Obama from 2004, saying, I believe marriage is between a man and woman. Obama has said his opinions on same-sex marriage have since changed and now believes that same-sex couples should have the ability to get married. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement America only accepted gay marriage after it was thrusted into her by a perverted Supreme Court ruling. America 2124 doesnt have to be as dysfunctional as America 2024, said Schriver in the post. Schriver was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2022, representing parts of Oakland and Macomb counties. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, the states first openly gay statewide officeholder, responded to Schriver on X. Please explain how dissolving my marriage, or that of the hundreds of thousands of other same-sex couples living in America, provides a benefit to your constituents or anyone else. Youre not interested in helping Michiganders. You want only to hurt those you hate. Shame on you. said Nessel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Rep. Jason Morgan also responded to Schrivers comments in a statement sent to 6 News: Rep. Schrivers divisive tweet about marriage equality highlights the key differences between our caucuses. While some are focused on taking away the rights of loving families, we are working hard to support working families. His recent tweet advocating to roll back marriage equality is deeply troubling and fundamentally un-American. Love is love, and every individual deserves the right to marry the person they love without fear of discrimination or political interference, said Morgan. Schriver has faced criticism before. In February 2024, he lost his staff and committee assignment after posting about the great replacement theory. This theory claims that White people are being replaced through immigration, interracial relationships and low birth rates from white individuals. 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. The state Senate passed a series of bills Tuesday aimed at improving prenatal and maternal health care, including legislation to examine and account for racial disparities in maternal care in Michigan. The package, passed Tuesday in the Senate, consists of eight bills. Seven of the bills received at least some bipartisan support. Supporters said the legislation will provide data on racial discrepancies in maternal health care, allowing for strategies to improve outcomes for all mothers in Michigan. Were going to improve the landscape for people who are still in harm's way throughout their pregnancies, births and postnatally, said state Sen. Erika Geiss, D-Taylor, who sponsored two bills in the package. The Michigan State Capitol sits in Lansing on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. The Michigan Senate passed a series of bills Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, aimed at improving maternal health outcomes and addressing racial disparities in maternal health care. Racial disparities exist for maternal mortalities in Michigan, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. A report of state data on pregnancy-associated mortalities in Michigan from 2016 to 2020 found the maternal mortality rate was twice as high for American Indian/Alaska Native mothers and 1.8 times as high for Black mothers in Michigan compared with white mothers over the time period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: At least 60% of maternal deaths in Michigan are preventable That report also found three out of every four pregnancy-associated deaths in Michigan over the time period were deemed preventable, meaning "there was at least some chance of the death being averted by one or more reasonable changes to patient, family, provider, facility, system, and/or community factors." More: After election losses, Michigan Democrats scramble to shape lame-duck agenda The first bill in the package, Senate Bill 818, would direct MDHHS to review maternal deaths in the state, provide statistics, studies and reports on instances of racism or bias in maternal and obstetric care, and submit studies on maternal mortality to the Legislature every three years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's a breakdown of the remaining bills in the package: SB 819 would direct the Michigan Department of Civil Rights to create a tool for patients to self-report instances of obstetric racism. SB 820 would require hospitals to stabilize patients who are pregnant or went through labor at the hospital before releasing them. SB 821 would direct medical malpractice insurers to provide policy information to the state. That information would then be used for the study required in SB 818. SB 822 would add a line to the state law on patients who cannot make medical decisions to allow patient advocates to make life-sustaining decisions for patients, regardless of pregnancy status. SB 823 would update the state's definition of "sex" in the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include but not be limited to pregnancy or lactation status. Elliot-Larsen is the state law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of several statuses, including sex. SB 825 would allow midwives who participated in a midwifery program to participate in MDHHS' loan repayment program for health providers. House Bill 5826 would create a state scholarship program for doulas, who help laboring women remain comfortable during births, but unlike midwives do not provide medical care, according to Harvard Health. The bills now advance to the Michigan House for consideration. Geiss had tears in her eyes after the bills passed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not usually at a loss for words, but this bill package is going to have some serious impact, she told reporters. She expressed hope that the bills will pass the House and make their way to the governors desk. She said Michigan has more work to do to improve maternal health and infant care outcomes. Its still amazing to me that there are people who are still having such horrible experiences life-threatening experiences, often preventable ones. The Legislature is in the final weeks of the "lame duck" period the time between the November election and the end of the legislative session. Since Republicans are set to take control of the House next year, Democrats are in their final weeks of controlling both legislative chambers. Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Senate passes bills aimed at improving maternal health care A California middle school teacher has died after contracting rabies via a bat that flew into her classroom. Leah Seneng, 60, found the bat in her classroom in mid-October. When she went to pick it up and put it outside, it bit her, the womans friend, Laura Splotch, told ABC 30. She didnt wanna harm it, the woman told the outlet. But thats when I guess it woke up or saw the light or whatever It swooped around a bit, and it took off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At first, the teacher didnt have any symptoms but she began to feel ill about a month later. Senengs daughter took her to the hospital on November 18. She was put in a coma and died four days later. The Fresno County Department of Public Health told ABC 30 that Seneng had been exposed to rabies in Merced County. Seneng was an artist who taught art at Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos, about 64 miles from Fresno. The Independent has reached out to school officials for comment about the incident and to confirm whether efforts are being undertaken to determine how the bat entered the classroom. Leah Seneng, 60, an art teacher who died after she was bit by a bat that flew into her classroom at her California school (GoFundMe) Health officials are conducting contact tracing with hospital and healthcare workers who cared for Seneng, the outlet reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rabies can be transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, normally through bites. Symptoms can include a fever, headache, excessive salivation, muscle spasms, paralysis and mental confusion. Fewer than 10 people die from rabies in the U.S. annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A GoFundMe launched to help raise funds for Senengs funeral has surpassed its $5,000 goal and has raised $6,623. We are raising funds for her family after her unexpected death for funeral expenses, Splotch, who also set up the GoFundMe, reported. We ask for privacy for her family during this difficult time and thank you in advance for any donations. Every little bit helps. Thank you. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry counties have partnered with Connections Health Solutions to launch the first regional Connections Emergency Behavioral Health Crisis Walk-In Center. Connections Health Solutions says the 24/7 walk-in center will open in phases, with the crisis mobile units becoming operational on Wednesday, Dec. 4. The center aims to provide individuals ages 14 and up immediate access to mental health and substance use crisis care in the following weeks, regardless of insurance or ability to pay. This project represents the epitome of public servants working together for the greater good of all our residents, said Cumberland County Commissioner Kelly Neiderer. To see this crisis center firsthand makes me hopeful for the future of our residents who are struggling with mental health and substance use issues. We can hopefully look forward to shorter wait times in emergency rooms and fewer people with behavioral health issues housed in our jails. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Alerts The center will be in a 15,000-square-foot office space at 1100 S. Cameron Street in Harrisburg, with walk-in care, crisis stabilization services, and mobile response units to address additional community crises. This new crisis walk-in center represents a vision and partnership that will enhance services where options dont exist. This center presents an opportunity to triage and connect individuals with serious mental illnesses to services rather than the front door of the jail or emergency room, said Dauphin County Commissioner George P. Hartwick III. Intergovernmental cooperation between the leadership of Perry, Cumberland, and Dauphin counties has demonstrated that mental health service solutions, as an alternative to state hospital institutions, happen at the local level. I look forward to continuing this partnership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Connections, it is our mission to provide immediate care to people in crisis and connect them to long-term support within their community, said Colin LeClair, chief executive officer for Connections Health Solutions. Were appreciative of the leaders of Cumberland County, Dauphin County, and Perry County for their vision and partnership to bring a new model for accessible behavioral health crisis care to Southcentral Pennsylvania. We look forward to the positive impact the center will have on the community and on the individuals in need. No appointment will be required to access care at the center, and it will accept 100% of first responder behavioral health emergent care patient drop-offs. The center is staffed by medical practitioners, clinical and nursing staff, mental health professionals, and case management personnel. Treatment and observation programs will be available 24/7. 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. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) Cold air is once again the big weather story this morning in northwestern areas with mostly clear skies, light winds, and dry air, allowing for the radiational cooling process, but a surge of sub-tropical moisture from the Gulf of Mexico has arrived in the East Plains of New Mexico in the form of widespread fog, as well as the potential for patchy freezing fog. Slick conditions with low visibility are accompanied with the more-humid air mass east of the Central Mountain Chain, while most areas to the west are still dry. Morning low temperatures are now varying more than yesterday morning while being slightly higher, mostly below the freezing mark for the northwestern half of the region, with the entirety of the region starting off around the high single digits, teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, and low 50s from high to lower elevation. Forecast Continues Below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite occasional afternoon clouds with low-level clouds in the southeastern corner of the region, conditions will remain mostly dry with afternoon temperatures similar or slightly higher than yesterday in the northwestern half of the region, but cooler than yesterday in the southern to eastern areas, with the afternoon temperatures still being near normal to above-normal criteria. From the morning school commute through the afternoon, temperatures will reach into the 40s, 50s, and low 60s. Only some passing occasional clouds will ensue for the next couple of days for most with higher afternoon temperatures mostly for tomorrow, but that surge of sub-tropical low-level moisture will produce very spotty light rain showers in the Pecos River Valley with more-widespread morning fog in Eastern New Mexico, as well as patchy freezing fog in the Northeast Highlands especially, for tomorrow morning. Then, later this week, a storm system from the west will move into southern areas, bringing in some localized rainfall under the more-humid air mass with the potential for some wet wintry precipitation in the Southern Mountains to parts of the East Highlands. 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. Energetic. Compassionate. Loving. This is how Lieutenant Steve Burke, a life-long friend and colleague of Donald Turner Jr., described Miltons former town manager. Turner died on November 30 after a battle with brain cancer. Lieutenant Burke first met Turner at age 16, when he joined the Milton Fire Department. Turner would continue work with the department for over 40 years, eventually serving as Miltons Fire Chief for 14 of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He wanted to break into public services and choose the Fire Department. How lucky we were. And from there he just exploded, said Lieutenant Burke. The former town manager would go on to become a respected politician in Vermont for 13 years, serving as a state representative for two Chittenden districts as well as a minority leader in the House of Representatives. In 2014 Turner also ran for lieutenant governor. Governor Phil Scott, who worked with Turner, wrote in a statement, He was respected and liked by most everyone he met and worked with. Whether you agreed with him or not, he treated all with dignity, respect and kindness. Darren Adams, the chairman of Miltons selectboard, tells me he worked closely with Turner during his seven-year tenure as town manager. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was just always wanting to serve. It was always in his genes, and he didnt know what else to do but serve. Both Adams and Burke attribute the success of the fire department and the construction of the towns new public works building, to Turner. They say the facility, which opened in early November, is named in his honor. Turners famous motto, getting stuff done, also adorns the warehouse walls. I think the best way to pay tribute to him is to continue to get stuff done and to come together as a community, said Adams. A public Celebration of Life will be held December 7 at 2 p.m. in Milton. The event will also be live streamed on Lake Champlain Access TV. 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 ABC22 & FOX44. Take a walk with Mary Fullilove through her Old North Milwaukee neighborhood and shell tell you how it has changed. She will point to an apartment building where drug dealers and prostitutes used to hang out. As she continues walking along West Ballard Avenue, she will point out the former location of a bus spot that was attracting criminal activity. She helped get it moved. An energetic, 63-year-old woman, she was fearless in addressing the problems she saw around her home. Some people she told to leave because they didnt live in the neighborhood. With others she took a compassionate approach, connecting them to resources to better their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im going to stand up for my house," Fullilove said. To help make that happen, she began knocking on her neighbors' doors in 2013, asking them if they would start a block watch with her. The group often met in her backyard. Over the last decade, Fullilove has harnessed the collective power of her block watch to take the concerns of residents to local officials. As a result of those conversations, city programs were tapped to put lights and doorbell cameras on homes, and cameras were temporarily placed in the neighborhood to deter crime. I guess we didnt ever give up, she said of her neighborhoods issues. I kept on calling. I kept on having a meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Block watches are making a resurgence in Milwaukee after many dwindled during the pandemic and act as a way for residents to come together and draw police attention to issues that are sometimes just down the street. Fueling that rebound is collaboration with police and churches, offering a new avenue for community trust. In Milwaukee, police said they do not keep track of the exact number of block watch groups, but officers have anecdotally said the numbers have been increasing since the COVID-19 pandemic. Safe and Sound, a community organization that assists in creating them among other violence prevention activities, currently helps facilitate nearly 40 block watches across 12 neighborhoods. Mary Fullilove is a community activist in her Milwaukee northwest side neighborhood where she leads a successful block watch program. Fullilove lives in the community and has been instrumental, with the support of her neighbors, with improving her block's crime issues. Block watches build consensus on hyperlocal issues Nicky Woods never thought she would attend a block watch meeting. I think I got older, and I probably care about the neighborhood more, said Woods, who has lived in her St. Joseph neighborhood for 21 years, on why she changed her mind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She and a handful of others gather on the first Thursday of every month for the North 59th Street Block Watch at True Vine Missionary Baptist Church. During a recent meeting, the residents received updates on the areas crime statistics and information on city resources. They also discussed a city infrastructure project that they believe is doing more harm than good. A concrete island installed by the city in the middle of the street at North 60th and West Chambers has been the scene of several accidents, with cars jumping the curb, striking one residents house twice. We all know what is going on and we all discuss it, Woods said. We all see whats wrong, and we all can report about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scenes like this are how many block watches in Milwaukee operate. Block watches like Fulliloves and Woods are rooted in the idea of collective efficacy, the theory that neighbors who feel connected to one another are less likely to engage in conflict, said Bridget Whitaker, the executive director of Safe and Sound. Beyond the typical notion of being focused on crime or about vigilante citizens roving the streets, block watches give residents the power to prioritize issues, Whitaker said. A block club is really where you get started, Whitaker said. That can mean raising concerns about reckless driving on a particular street or other similar issues which then can be shared at subsequent police neighborhood meetings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whitaker said whether neighborhood groups impact crime is hard to say. In most cases, she believes they do. I will say that areas where theres an active block club, residents feel like they have a direct connection to changing the safety, Whitaker said. Bernard King, from left, Milwaukee Police Officer Daryal Goss, and Pastor Martin Childs, talk in front of Pilgrim Rest Mission Baptist Church where Childs is the pastor, November 27, 2024. King and Goss work together on the Roosevelt Grove Block Watch where they hold community meetings at the church to address concerns and organize events. Churches become new partners to restore them Bernard King started the North 59th Street Block Watch that Woods now attends in 2016. Seven years later, his work caught the attention of his pastor, the Rev. Martin Childs Jr. of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church on North 38th Street. The Rev. Childs approached King, who is the church's head of security, to see if he could duplicate his block watch on North 59th Street. King agreed, creating another watch, called Roosevelt Grove Block Watch, on North 38th Street and West Keefe Avenue that encompasses about three blocks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It took time to get off the ground but now a core group of eight residents are attending its monthly meetings. For King, block watches are about crime reduction, not necessarily prevention. Having active and engaged neighbors, he said, reduces crime, gun violence and drug activity. For communities to thrive, people need to know their neighbors, he said. "I am even friends with the dogs in the neighborhood," King said. Over the years, both neighborhood clubs King leads have experienced rapid changes. There are more renters than homeowners and the few longtime homeowners are seniors. To combat the change, King continues canvassing the block, conversing and getting to know his neighbors. That approach is attracting more participation from within his neighborhood. When King and his wife first held block parties, they paid out-of-pocket for the food. This year neighbors chipped in about $300. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the blocks surrounding his church are a bit more challenging. He has the cooperation of a few residents, but one street North 38th Street still has drug activity. He maintains faith that his efforts will pay off. I think we are turning a corner, King said But sometimes people think this is just a phase. Itll fizzle out. It will go away. But I have been consistent with it. If you stay consistent long enough people will believe you are serious. To that end, he is often seen walking the blocks passing out placards that say: Im on watch and so is my neighbor or Neighborhood Crime Watch. If I dont call the police, my neighbor will. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Community involvement is not a choice. It is an obligation," King said. "The Bible speaks of being a good neighbor and a good steward. Just being a good neighbor and having community involvement makes a difference as an individual and in the neighborhood. Mary Fullilove, left, prepares food for Tyresha Patterson and her 6 month-old daughter, Kamonii, at the Salvation Army Milwaukee Citadel Corps Worship & Community Center on Oct. 18. Patterson relies on the food pantry monthly. "It helps when I don't have food or run out of Pampers," Patterson said. Milwaukee Police encouraging church involvement The power of churches to help build a greater sense of safety is not lost on the Milwaukee police. Dominique Thompson, a community engagement outreach coordinator with the Milwaukee police who helps create neighborhood block watches, was inspired to involve churches in the process after visiting the City of Light Church last year. Its pastor, Brian Mckee, adopted a block in the Sherman Park neighborhood in 2015 as part of the church's ministry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mckee does not refer to his congregation's work as a block watch, saying the effort went beyond the traditional issues typical block watches address. But it shares some similarities with other block watch efforts in the city. The church hosted neighborhood cleanup efforts. It distributed food and hosted block parties that included employment resources and other services needed by neighbors. Yet Thompson saw what Mckees congregation was accomplishing and saw the potential for the police department to collaborate with churches on crime prevention. Church congregants already reside in the neighborhood and have a vested interest in it, Thompson said. The church building creates a safe place for police and residents to meet, without making their home a target for retribution. Thompson said he and other police officers are often met with resistance from residents when they reach out to start a block watch. They are scared to talk because they are in fear of retaliation, Thompson said. No one wants to be called a snitch. And that's what people were labeled who participated in block watches when Safe and Sound's Whitaker was growing up. To combat this, Safe and Sound has done some rebranding, instead referring to neighborhood watches as resident leader associations or neighborhood empowerment groups. I think theres always residents that begin out being skeptical of block clubs, Whitaker said. Its definitely about rebranding (the reputation) is not always welcoming. Churches help bridge the stigma. Marcey Patterson, MPDs community engagement manager, said working with churches is a way to foster relationships with members who want to learn how they can support the police. She encourages churches interested in creating a block watch to reach out to the police department. Our hand is outstretched, and we are looking for support in all ways," Patterson said of the Milwaukee Police Department. "They (churches) are pillars of our community. Public safety is everybody's responsibility. Mary Fullilov waves to neighbors Oct. 17 while walking in her community on Milwaukee's northwest side where she leads a successful block watch program. Watches try to change reputation Block watches, both domestically and internationally, have been prevalent since the 1980s, said David Kennedy, a professor of criminal justice at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. Kennedy said studies on block watches have shown they are effective methods of crime prevention. He said emerging research shows how closer relationships between neighborhood residents and police can show crime rates increasing but that is often a result of a higher likelihood of reporting. Kennedy said the informal makeup of the groups raises some concerns. The groups are often led by a handful of residents and may not accurately reflect the neighborhood's beliefs. Thats particularly relevant in terms of what a block watch member might deem to be suspicious behavior. Its very easy to see people who are going about their business and type them as problematic," Kennedy said. "With direct links to the police, all sorts of unfortunate things can happen." What studies have consistently shown is the sustainability of neighborhood watches is often best in established, stable neighborhoods, he said. Those are often middle class and in mostly white neighborhoods, he said. Less-affluent, more diverse neighborhoods were less likely to see sustainable block watches, a result, Kennedy said, of more work and family constraints on residents' time, leaving little spare time to participate in a block watch. Neighbors gather to celebrate success In September, Mary Fullilove and her neighbors held its annual block party. This year, it was also celebrating how the neighborhood felt safer due to her work. They sat in lawn chairs, mingling together for the fourth year in a row. Chelsea Rhodes was among those in attendance. The granddaughter of the group's co-captain, Rhodes spent time growing up in the neighborhood before leaving for college. Rhodes said when she was a child she could walk freely around the blocks, but that shifted as she grew up. Now it is shifting back to the way it used to be through the neighborhoods efforts. Once everybody came to a collective mindset, it happened," Rhodes said. "It didnt happen overnight, its still in the works. But we havent given up. David Clarey is a public safety reporter with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at dclarey@gannett.com. La Risa Lynch is a community affairs reporter with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be reached at LLynch@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Meet the Milwaukee residents igniting change through block watches China-based lifestyle store MINISO, known for its collaborations with Disney, Sanrio, Pokemon and many other iconic brands, has arrived in Minnesota. Minnesota's first MINISO officially opened Nov. 23 inside St. Cloud's Crossroads Center shopping mall. Five other brand new MINISO stores, including one at the West Towne Mall in Madison, Wisconsin, opened across the United States on the same day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rapidly-growing retailer has over 6,800 stores across five continents. MINISO in Santa Monica, California. Submitted photo. Inside MINISO, fans can browse colorful collections of affordable toys, plushies, stationary, home goods, snacks, cosmetics, electronics and other products featuring intellectual property designs. Blind boxes, which contain a surprise collectible figure, illustrate the store's treasure-hunting appeal. According to Crossroads Center, Minnesota's new MINISO is an IP collection store and shoppers can expect to find collaborations with iconic brands such as Sanrio, Disney, Care Bears, Peanuts, Barbie, We Bare Bears, Pixar and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MINISO introduced its IP collection store format to the U.S. market in May, with a goal of IP sales revenue accounting for over half of the company's total revenue by 2028. In a press release in September, Jack Ye, chief executive officer of MINISO, said the company aims to open between 900 to 1,100 new stores annually over the next five years. After being missing for almost a month, an 82-year-old man from Sturgeon Lake has been found safe in Texas, where he had headed for some warm weather. The Minnesota BCA announced Monday that the search for Harvey Ernest Pearson had ended after it was confirmed that Pearson was found safe and well in the Lone Star State. Pearson left his home on the morning of Nov. 6 at the 2900 block of Denham Crossing Road, Sturgeon Lake, saying he was going to Texas because "it was warm there." The following day, he left a voicemail telling his son he was in Corpus Christi. Minnesota BCA His family were concerned for his welfare, prompting the decision to report him missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities have not confirmed if Pearson has returned to Minnesota at this time. Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change. In a recent interview with FOX Business, Kevin OLeary, a well-known business owner and investor, discussed the mistakes made by big companies in America. He pointed out Target (NYSE:TGT) and Anheuser-Busch (NYSE:BUD) as examples of what he called idiot management and a complete inability to read the room. OLeary said these brands didnt listen to their customers and paid the price for it. Don't Miss: OLeary discussed how Bud Light faced a huge backlash after a marketing campaign that didnt connect with their main customers. Now, its an example in business schools of what not to do. For OLeary, the mistake was simple: Anheuser-Busch misjudged their customers and completely missed the mark on what resonates with them. The consequence? Plummeting sales and a backlash that no beer company has ever faced before. OLeary describes it as a combination of idiot management and the inability to read the room. Target also didnt escape OLearys criticism. He talked about how Target made a similar mistake when it started promoting gender identity products, which upset a lot of its regular customers. What mother wants to take their kids there and get into gender identity and underwear? OLeary asked, pointing out how these decisions turned off some parents. The result? A big drop in sales and, according to OLeary, Target still hasnt fully recovered. He said that the company never really apologized, but it didnt matter the market crushed them for it. See Also: The global games market is projected to generate $272B by the end of the year for $0.55/share, this VC-backed startup with a 7M+ userbase gives investors easy access to this asset market. OLearys advice for company leaders is clear: bad decisions should have consequences. He said that if he were on the board, he would want to find out who made these choices and make sure they faced the consequences: Thats how we used to do it 20, 30 years ago, OLeary said, adding that companies need to go back to basics listening to their customers and understanding what they want. CASSVILLE, Mo. Dozens filled the Barry County Commissioners room in Cassville, upset about what they heard was happening on some farmland in Northeast Barry County. We did not want it to become hostile in any way. We wanted to have open dialog. We wanted to have a conversation because what we knew to be fact was staunchly different than what a lot of the people who had come to this meeting outraged about, said State Rep. Scott Cupps (R) for the 158th District. Many were there to voice their displeasure about plans to have 68 chicken houses on one land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, thats not whats actually happening. Its six to eight chicken houses. What we do know is fact is that there is a family farming operation that has applied for the permits that would be necessary through the Department of Natural Resources to construct eight new construction poultry houses on a piece of property that they have purchased in northeastern Barry County. Its 500 plus almost 600 acres, and they have been working with an engineering group and an environmental audit and permitting agency to make sure that everything is above par and that when that original letter from the engineering company went out to neighbors because that is a state requirement that they inform neighbors that of potential plans, said Cupps. When that original letter went out that said that they were planning on constructing eight poultry houses, somehow that got translated into 68 houses and then with the rumor mill got turned into quite a bit more than that. Misinformation spread like wildfire, angering residents enough that Cupps told the group he was inundated with dozens of calls on Thanksgiving and felt he needed to clear the air. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reason I chose to come this morning was I had an incredibly large number of my constituents that had reached out, Cupps said. They said that they were all coming to the courthouse to keep it from happening and in the lynch mob fashion. I wanted to make sure that I was here to interject some facts into this conversation. Chicken houses arent anything new to the area, but the number being exponentially higher than average caused many concerns. The number of chicken houses wasnt the only rumor that sparked a negative reaction. Near the newly purchased is a plot of land where homes are being constructed to be moved when sold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A rumor that arose was that those homes werent moving at all, but would house workers brought into the Barry County area that were working on the now-debunked 68 chicken houses. The rumor was that they were going to build all these, these houses and that the reason that they were building these, these homes was to house the migrant labor that would be necessary to work the poultry complex, that could not be further from the truth. They have absolutely no relation. As far as rumors go, its a pretty good one, I guess, but theres just blatantly no truth to it at all, Cupps said. I understand a little bit how someone could make the assumption that those two projects had any sort of a relationship with one another, but they dont at all. We talked to the owner of the homes who says it was frustrating when he learned his separate venture had been looped into the rumors. Cupps says regardless of any potential rumors in the future, hell make sure the upcoming chicken houses will be followed by the book. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The one thing that I will do at all cost is to make sure that we do believe that that these people, its Missouri, were a right to farm state. We have a very robust, healthy agriculture industry. Were also have a very freedom-loving demographic. We do believe it is those peoples right to do what they want to with their land, Cupps said. The promise that I am making personally to their neighbors as their state representative is that at all costs, we will make sure that they are following the law to the letter that currently exists to make sure that that situation exists. As of now, theres no timetable for when the chicken houses will be complete. 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 KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. HONOLULU (KHON2) The death of Michael Miske will impact some ongoing criminal proceedings, according to the U.S. Attorneys ofice. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Michael Miskes death was unexpected and may terminate some of the ongoing criminal proceedings. The United States spent years investigating Miskes large-scale criminal enterprise and then years preparing for one of the most grueling trials in this offices history. Justice was served in the process but aspects of the case remain unfinished. In particular, we are committed to pursuing recovery of the assets found forfeitable by a federal criminal jury and will file pleadings in court as necessary and appropriate, U.S. Attorney Clare Connors said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What does Miskes death mean for accused co-conspirators, victims? He was never coming out of prison, except if he was in a box. And then at his age, his life expectancy was probably another 30 years. So to think of that kind of life, hed rather go than stay, attorney Michael Green told KHON2. Miske was facing a mandatory minimum term of life in prison and was awaiting sentencing when he died at the federal detention center on Sunday. The Chief Medical Examiner has not yet released a cause of death. 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. Update 12/3 3:15 p.m. According to Willard City Police, the 15-year-old female has been found safely. We would like share our appreciation to the public for assisting us locate our missing juvenile, the police department said on social media. Original Story WILLARD, Utah (ABC4) On Monday, Dec. 2, the Willard City Police Department issued a statewide alert for a 15-year-old who was considered missing and endangered. The 15-year-old last contacted a family member on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, according to police. She is described as being 52 tall, weighing 150 pounds, and having black hair and black eyes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What should you do if someone goes missing? Police said the teenager was last seen wearing a green bandana, a brown jacket, and an unknown color of shorts. She has mental disorders that require medication, and is now without her medication, police said Monday. It is possible that [she] is heading to Montana. Anyone with information on the 15-year-old has been asked to contact the Willard City Police Department at 435-723-6890. Nursing student performs life-saving CPR on unconscious skier at Snowbird resort What to do when speaking to law enforcement about a missing person Here are some suggestions to keep in mind if someone you know goes missing. Utah officials suggest taking notes on interactions with law enforcement to keep track of details such as officer names, dates and times of interactions, the case number, and what the officers say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When working with local law enforcement to report a missing person, it is recommended one shares as much information as possible about the missing person, including but not limited to: Full name or nicknames. Recent photos. Date of birth and age at the time they disappeared. Gender/sex. Detailed physical description (including unique scars or tattoos). Date of disappearance. Medical conditions. Last known location. Social media accounts. Additional resources For more information, the Department of Public Safety has a page on its website dedicated to resources for missing persons, as well as pages to view missing persons from Utah. Additional hotlines and resources originally compiled in a 2021 guidebook are available below: 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. Rescue efforts continue for a 64-year-old woman who may have fallen into a sinkhole while looking for her missing cat in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania State Police said they received a call around 1 a.m. regarding a family concerned about their grandmother Elizabeth Pollards whereabouts, according to our sister station WPXI. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] At around 2:50 a.m., troopers found her vehicle parked behind Mondays Union Restaurant, where they found Pollards 5-year-old granddaughter inside. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The little girl, who was unharmed, told police she was waiting for her grandmother. Near Pollards vehicle, troopers noticed a sinkhole. State police said they are performing search and rescue efforts with the assumption she fell down the hole. State police said Pollard could have gone missing as early as 5 p.m. when people at Mondays restaurant last saw her looking for her cat, Pepper. At this point, there has been no communication with Pollard. At one point, authorities had about 100 people working to find her, WPXI reported. We are still in rescue mode, said Marguerite Fire Chief Scot Graham. He says they are working with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Mines. We will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] ST. LOUIS Officials in Arizona confirmed to FOX 2 that remains recently found in the Sonoran Desert are those of a St. Louis area man whos been missing since this summer. Chris Sins, 34, grew up in Millstadt, Illinois. He lived in Belleville before moving to Arizona to help care for his ailing father. Sins had been missing since the end of July, up until his remains were found around three weeks ago. A medical examiner recently confirmed the identity, bringing a sense of sadness and relief to both his family and investigators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im sorry this is the way things came out. Unfortunately, the desert is very unforgiving, La Paz County, Arizona, Sheriff William Ponce told FOX 2. Sins had moved to the tiny desert town of Bouse, Arizona, between Phoenix and the California border. A visiting dove hunter found a shoe, according to Ponce. The hunter and his friends, recalling reports of a missing man, searched the surrounding area and found Sins remains. He was underneath a tree, somewhat in a seated position as much as we can tell, the sheriff said. Authorities, including U.S. Border Patrol, had conducted multiple aerial searches, plus ground searches with off-highway vehicles, even searches of mines in the vast, desolate area. Sins family searched, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mercy and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield announce new multi-year contract But they still have questions. They say Chris was giving a man a ride, and yet somehow they got stranded in a different car and then went their separate ways in the desert. While Chris was still missing, the sheriff says investigators extensively questioned the last people to see him, even using polygraphs. With no sign of a weapon being used and barring any new evidence, the sheriff noted that Chris most likely died from exposure to the extreme, 120-plus degree desert heat. The sheriff says he wouldnt wish that on anyone, especially the kind of person Josh Sins, Chris brother, described to FOX 2 in August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He would do anything for anybody, which is why hes in this predicament because he was doing something from somebody like he always did, Josh said. For us, as well, there is some closure, Sheriff Ponce said. Were thankful that his body was located and he can be brought home to his family and be put to rest properly. His loved ones are planning a funeral service Saturday in Millstadt, a burial in Fairview Heights, and a celebration of life to follow in Belleville. There is GoFundMe account to help with the expense of bringing Chris back home and laying him to rest. To donate, 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 FOX 2. ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (WAVY) This past Thanksgiving, a couple had a lot to be grateful for. Mark Carroll was last seen on a sailboat leaving Hampton Roads on Nov. 21, heading to North Carolina. Previous Coverage: Coast Guard calls off search for missing man last seen on boat headed toward N.C. The 58-year-old was aboard the 42-foot sailing vessel Ceol Mor, and lost communication with Coast Guard on Friday, Nov. 22. Six Coast Guard assets spent over 21 hours searching by air and by sea, covering an area of over 28,000 miles. Courtesy: U.S. Coast Guard Mid-Atlantic The search was suspended, and it seemed like hope for rescue was dwindling. However, he was found on Thanksgiving Day, near Bermuda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to his wifes Facebook post, Carroll was blown off course, but continued until he made contract with Bermudas rescue coordination center. 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. Authorities may consider Hannah Kobayashi, 30, who vanished in Los Angeles on Nov. 8, a voluntary missing person, but her family isnt done looking for her. Kobayashi, who authorities say was spotted unharmed and crossing into Mexico on Nov. 12, was thought to possibly be the victim of a violent crime after her disappearance, though authorities now believe no foul play was involved and she entered Mexico of her own free will. Her family, however, hasnt given up the search. They traveled from Hawaii to L.A. to look for her, though her father, Ryan Kobayashi, was found dead in a parking lot near LAX on Nov. 24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, the rest of the family released a statement saying that they remain hopeful that Hannah is safe, adding that the search is far from over, and we are committed to doing everything possible to bring her home safely. Maui woman who vanished in Los Angeles seen voluntarily crossing into Mexico We want answers and a resolution that ensures Hannahs safety and urge law enforcement and the public to stay focused on finding her and to avoid speculative conclusions, said the statement, which was shared on social media NewsNations Brian Entin. In a Monday press conference, however, the Los Angeles Police Department theyre trying to strike a balance between alleviating her familys concerns and protecting Kobayashis privacy, as they claim she intended to disconnect from modern life, and its unclear if she still possesses a cellphone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our priority is ensuring Ms. Kobayashis safety and well-being, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said. We urge Ms. Kobayashi to contact her family, law enforcement or personnel at the U.S. Embassy to let us know she is safe. She has the right to privacy, and we respect her choice, but we also understand the concern her loved ones feel. A simple message could reassure those who care about her. 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. Governor-elect Mike Kehoe stops by the State Board of Education meeting Tuesday. During the meeting, board members unanimously agreed to lower the GPA requirement for teacher certification (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent). Missouri educators will no longer need a 3.0 grade-point average in their subject area to teach in public schools beginning in July, the State Board of Education unanimously voted Tuesday. The threshold to be qualified to teach in the state is now a 2.5 grade-point average in the teachers content area. The only exception will be special-education teachers, who will still be required to meet the 3.0 mark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Educations say the change is intended to increase the number of certificated teachers coming into public schools. Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger said in a statement that the change would remove unnecessary barriers to the teaching profession. There is no evidence tying a particular GPA in the content area to more effective teaching, Daryl Fridley, the departments education preparation coordinator, told the board on Tuesday. Most of the non-teaching professional options in sciences, math and history do not require such a high GPA. A 3.0 GPA requirement most impacts teachers in STEM subjects, he said. When the department looked at teacher candidates who met other requirements but didnt meet the GPA standard, nearly a quarter of those disqualified were in STEM. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teacher candidates still must pass a performance assessment, with a test of subject knowledge, to be certified. Of those who didnt meet the GPA requirements, 90% passed the performance assessment, Fridley said. The department hopes the new requirements will bring more teachers into the profession. Currently, almost 44% of first-year teachers are certified in Missouri. Over a quarter are serving as a substitute teacher, 6% have no certification and the rest have alternative certifications. Discussions about this issue often include the question, Isnt this a case of lowering standards? Fridley said. We maintain that with a third of the states first year teachers having no more than a substitute teacher certificate and some with even less, any action that leads to a higher proportion of first-year teachers completing the preparation program is actually a net gain for the overall quality of teachers. In the midst of low teacher retention rates and poor recruitment, the change is welcome, the department reiterated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both quantity and quality of teachers are really important to the learning of students, Paul Katnik, assistant commissioner of educator quality, said during Tuesdays meeting. The department reiterated that it doesnt believe the lower GPA threshold will affect teacher quality. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A 2019 study out of Texas showed that there was no improvement in achievement outcomes between a 2.5 GPA and 2.75 GPA requirement. Increasing the threshold to 3.0 excluded 44% of education students and brought a small increase on teachers evaluations. The study concludes a higher GPA criteria would also have minimal impact on the quality of our nations teachers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carol Hallquist, vice president of the State Board of Education, said she was initially wary of lowering the GPA standard but is now totally supportive. When I reached out to principals and people who are in teacher preparation programs, they said there was no correlation and were very supportive, she said. They also said that you have to pass licensing tests, and that is really what we want to look at. Doug Hayter, executive director of the Missouri Association of School Administrators, told The Independent he has been speaking to the department about the GPA requirements and is optimistic. There is a balance where we need to have requirements that mean something, but the research that they have seems to indicate that this change would not have a substantial impact on teacher effectiveness, he said. As long as thats the case, we want to give educators as many options as possible in a world where theres still a lot of open positions in regard to public education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further helping open doors for new teachers is the reinstatement of a general science certification for high school educators. The department has required science teachers to specialize in an area, like chemistry or biology, but now will bring back a certification for generalists with a broader knowledge base. The reinstatement of this general science certificate will create opportunities for more students to choose to be science teachers, not by lowering standards, but instead by creating a path in which the standards are more aligned with the needs of schools, Fridley said. Hayter expects the change to impact districts statewide, saying that every little bit helps to recruit teachers. This is one small part of a bigger picture of making sure that we have very effective educators in our classrooms moving forward, he said. The bigger picture, Hayter said, includes boosting teacher pay and making schools welcoming for educators. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Missouri executed a man Tuesday night for the 2007 sexual assault and murder of a fourth-grade girl who called him "Uncle Chris." Gov. Mike Parson denied his clemency petition earlier this week and the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his request to hear an appeal, clearing the way for the procedure to go forward. Christopher Collings, 49, was pronounced dead at 7:10 p.m. Eastern Time at the state prison in Bonne Terre, the Missouri Department of Corrections said in a statement. Missouri uses high doses of a single drug, pentobarbital, to carry out executions by lethal injection. The heavy sedative is typically used to euthanize animals. Collings was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Rowan Ford, his friend David Spears' 9-year-old stepdaughter, in a crime that Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey and others have described as "vile, horrible and inhumane." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the evening of Nov. 2, 2007, Spears was drinking with Collings and another friend, Nathan Mahurin, at his home in Stella, a small village in southwestern Missouri, while the young girl slept and her mother worked an overnight shift at Walmart, court records show. The men relocated at one point to Collings' trailer in a different town, leaving Ford at home on her own. At the end of the night, when Mahurin drove Spears home, he took back roads to avoid police because he was intoxicated. In the meantime, Collings rushed to Spears' home, abducted Ford and brought her back to his trailer to rape her. Collings later testified he did not originally intend to kill the girl, but panicked when she recognized him. He said he spotted a cord in the bed of a nearby pickup truck and used that to strangle her to death, according to the records. Collings said he then disposed of her body in the cave where she was ultimately found. This undated photo provided by the Missouri Department of Corrections shows Christopher Collings. / Credit: Missouri Department of Corrections via AP Ford knew Collings because he had lived with her and her family at their home for several months that year. The child's mother, Colleen Spears, reported her missing on Nov. 3 when her daughter did not return from school that afternoon. When she could not find Ford that morning, Colleen Spears' husband had told her the girl was at a friend's house. The child's body was eventually discovered after a massive search. David Spears was implicated in the child's murder alongside Collings, and investigators initially believed the stepfather was responsible for her killing. Court records show inconsistencies in Spears and Collings' respective accounts of the crime, with both men confessing to sexually assaulting and killing her, although Collings denied Spears' involvement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spears pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. He served more than seven years in prison before his release in 2015. In Collings' clemency petition, attorneys argued that he suffered from a brain abnormality that caused "functional deficits in awareness, judgment and deliberation, comportment, appropriate social inhibition, and emotional regulation" and said he experienced abuse and sexual abuse during his own childhood. The petition to Gov. Parson and appeal to the Supreme Court also called into question the credibility of a law enforcement witness central to the prosecution's case against Collings during his trial. "Mr. Collings has received every protection afforded by the Missouri and United States Constitutions, and Mr. Collings' conviction and sentence remain for his horrendous and callous crime," Gov. Parson said in a statement Monday announcing the clemency petition had been denied. "The State of Missouri will carry out Mr. Collings' sentence according to the Court's order and deliver justice." Collings' execution was the 23rd carried out this year in the U.S. and the fourth carried out in Missouri. Only Alabama and Texas have executed more people in 2024 six and five, respectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Republicans hedge on Pete Hegseth support after latest controversy North Carolina residents struggle with Hurricane Helene recovery amid cold weather Stellantis and Intel heads resign, adding to record-breaking CEO step-downs this year BONNE TERRE, Mo. (AP) Rowan Ford knew Christopher Collings as Uncle Chris after he spent several months living with her family. On Tuesday, Collings was executed for sexually assaulting and killing the child, then dumping her body in a sinkhole outside a small Missouri town. Collings, 49, was put to death with a single dose of pentobarbital on Tuesday evening at the state prison in Bonne Terre, Missouri. The execution was the 23rd in the U.S. this year and the fourth in Missouri. Only Alabama with six and Texas with five have performed more executions in 2024. Collings spoke with a spiritual adviser who was at his side as the process began. Shortly thereafter, the inmate appeared to breathe heavily and swallow hard. After a few seconds, all movement stopped. He was officially declared dead nine minutes after the injection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collings fate was sealed Monday when the U.S. Supreme Court turned aside an appeal and Republican Gov. Mike Parson denied clemency. Right or wrong I accept this situation for what it is, Collings said in a written final statement. To anyone that I have hurt in this life I am sorry. I hope that you are able to get closure and move on. He added, I hope to see you in heaven one day. Parson, in a statement, said he hopes that all those who knew and loved Rowan may find peace in knowing that justice has been done. Rowan was a fourth-grader described by teachers at Collings trial as a hard-working and happy student, a lover of Barbie who had her room painted pink. Collings was a friend of Rowans stepfather, David Spears, and lived for several months in 2007 at the home Rowan shared with her mother, Colleen Munson, and Spears. Collings sometimes helped Rowan with her homework. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collings told authorities that he drank heavily and smoked marijuana with Spears and another man in the hours before the attack on Rowan, according to court records. Collings said he picked up the still-sleeping child from her bed, took her to the camper where he lived, and assaulted her. Collings planned to take Rowan back home, leading her outside the camper facing away from him so that she couldnt identify him, he said in his confession. But when moonlight lit up the darkness, Rowan was able to see Collings, he told police. He said he freaked out, grabbed a rope from a nearby pickup truck, and strangled her. Munson returned home from work at 9 a.m. on Nov. 3 and was alarmed when she couldnt find Rowan, walking the neighborhood looking for her. Court records said Spears insisted Rowan was at a friends house. But when Rowan failed to return home by the afternoon, the mother called the police, prompting a massive search. Collings, Spears and the third man became the focus of police attention because they were the last people seen at Rowans home. Collings confessed to the crime and told police that after killing Rowan, he took the body to a sinkhole. He burned the rope used in the attack, along with the clothes he was wearing and his blood-stained mattress, prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents and the clemency petition said Spears also implicated himself in the crimes. A transcript of Spears statement to police, cited in the clemency petition, said Spears told police that Collings handed him a cord and Spears killed Rowan. I choke her with it. I realize shes gone. Shes ... shes really gone, Spears said, according to the transcript. Meanwhile, court documents said it was Spears who led authorities to the sinkhole where the body was found. But Spears was allowed to plead to lesser charges. It wasnt clear why. Prosecutors at the original trial didnt respond to messages seeking comment. Spears served more than seven years in prison before being released in 2015. No phone listing for him could be found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collings attorney, Jeremy Weis, said the inmate was a loving father and a changed man in prison and didn't deserve to die, despite his crimes. We share Chris's desire that his death will provide a measure of closure for the victim's family and that the people hurt by him will be able to carry on, Weis said in a statement. What occurred today, though, was an act of vengeance, but it will not define Chris, nor will it be how we remember him. __ The last name of the victims mother has been corrected to Munson, not Spears. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) Molina Healthcare of Illinois wants to help Peoria-area residents at the Dream Center on Wednesday for a mobile health check-up. The companys mobile clinic will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4 at the center, which is located at 714 Hamilton Blvd. The clinic on wheels will offer the annual physicals for adults, teens and children as well as blood pressure screenings all free of charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What to know about respiratory infections this holiday season According to the company, 16.5% of Peoria individuals do not have healthcare coverage, and they hope they can increase these peoples access to quality healthcare. Molina hopes to increase peoples access to health care during the holiday season by bringing this free clinic to the Dream Center. For more information about Molina Healthcare of Illinois, visit MolinaHealthcare.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 CIProud.com. MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) Today, Mobile County made history, deciding two constable races with a tiebreaking election based on chance: the winner just had to pick the longer straw. News 5 Exclusive: Family of missing 7-year-old boy begs for closure Mobile County Probate Judge and Chief Election Officer Don Davis was present for the process and explained everything to News 5s Jeremy Jones. In Alabama, there used to be one justice of the peace and one constable per precinct in each county, Davis said. However, in the 1970s, the justice of the peace position was eliminated and a district court judge position was created, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The constable position was eliminated in many Alabama counties but not in Mobile County. Davis said this law enforcement position involves directing traffic for school, funeral, and church functions, and a constable can arrest people. Mobile County has 80 precincts and just three races resulted in ties after the Nov. 5 general election: Precinct 4 McDavid Jones Elementary Precinct 48 Abba Temple Precinct 69 BC Rain High School In Alabama, breaking a tie requires drawing lots. Davis showed two straws to the public; one was visibly shorter than the other. The person who drew the longest straw, he said, wins the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davis called candidates precinct by precinct, flipped a coin, had a candidate call heads or tails, and if the candidate won the coin toss, he could draw the first straw. Davis said this was the first straw-drawing election in Mobile County. Here are the results: In the Precinct 4 election, between Joseph Irby and Ken Lucas, Lucas picked the long straw. In the Precinct 48 election, between Billy Flowers and John Shepherd, Shepherd picked the long straw. In the Precinct 69 election, between William Riley and Jarrett Carl Williams, neither candidate was present, which means the position will be vacant, Davis said. It will be up to Gov. Kay Ivey if she wants to appoint someone to the position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the ceremony, Shepherd and Lucas signed documents confirming their election. UPDATE: Still no sign of missing Mobile County 7-year-old or boat The Mobile County Canvassing Board will send them a certificate of election later, Davis 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 WKRG News 5. UPDATE (9:47 p.m.): A Mobile County Grand Jury cleared a Mobile Police officer of any wrongdoing for a second high-profile incident while on the clock. Paul Callegari Jr. was cleared in the fatal March motorcycle crash with Robert Sayen, 67. Callegari was in his patrol car, traveling 16 miles per hour over the speed limit at the intersection of Cody Road and Ziegler Boulevard, according to a crash report. The night of the crash, the traffic lights at the intersection malfunctioned, according to MPD. Callegari had a blinking yellow light, and Sayen had a blinking red light. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crash report said that Sayens motorcycle hit the drivers side of Callegaris patrol car as the officer sped through the intersection. Six months before the crash, Callegari was seen on camera beating a handcuffed man. The man Callegari was seen beating was identified as Beezer DuBose Jr. DuBose was pulled over by officers for dark-tinted windows near Dauphin Island Parkway and Halls Mill Road. Former U.S. Attorney Kenyen Brown investigated the incident and said Callegaris tactics were excessive. Callegari filed a complaint to the District Court that accused DuBose of grabbing his groin. Brown said Callegari used that to justify his reason to hit DuBose. Brown later debunked Callegaris claim during his investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked if Callegari was back on patrol, MPD released a statement saying the department had followed all protocols. PREVIOUS REPORTING: MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) A Mobile Police Department officer involved in a deadly March crash has been cleared by a Mobile County grand jury of any wrongdoing, according to the District Attorneys Office. Search and rescue mission uncovers two bodies off Dauphin Island Officer Paul Callegari was driving his patrol car near the intersection of Cody Road North and Zeigler Boulevard when he was involved in a crash with 67-year-old Robert Sayen, according to previous reporting. CRASH LOCATION: Sayen died after the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mobile Police Chief William Jackson said the department followed its procedures and turned the investigation over to the county DAs office. The DAs office released a statement regarding the grand jurys decision. Daphne police chase ends with 2 arrests; man allegedly sold drugs to high schoolers: DPD Upon a thorough review of the facts of the case, applying the law of the State of Alabama as it relates to Homicide by Vehicle and Causation to those facts, the Grand Jury found no criminal liability on the part of the Mobile Police Officer in the death, the statement 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 WKRG News 5. ROCHESTER, NY (WROC) As the temperatures continue to drop, Rochester city and Monroe County leaders shared some new resources for folks struggling to stay warm. In Rochester when temperatures drop below 32 degrees, a Code Blue is enacted. This means additional services are offered to protect folks from the frigid temps. This year, those opportunities are expanding. New warming center sites have been added, including now Saving Grace Ministries in Rochester. For the first time, a Brockport location was added at Oak Orchard. Additionally, when a Code Blue is in place, RTS will now provide transportation to any warming center in Rochester free of charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weather Forecast: Flakes linger this week So, as we move into the winter months lets remember that caring for our community means protecting the most vulnerable among us. Everyone deserves a safe, warm place to stay and today this group of people behind me and those outreach workers who are working on the streets are taking meaningful steps towards making that a reality, said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. Code Blue has already been used once this season. That was on Monday last week. Officials said that will end when weather conditions permit. Were told the team at the Department of Human Services began constructing this years Code Blue plan back in the summer. Here are the current warming center locations and whether they have RTS routes: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Open Door Mission, 210 W Main Street, RTS Routes: 16, 17,18,19,20 House of Mercy, 285 Ormond Street, RTS Route 3 Saving Grace Ministries, 1140 Norton Street, Rochester, RTS Route 4,5 Oak Orchard, 300 West Avenue, Brockport, NY *Opens Mid-December, No RTS Route* For more information, 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 RochesterFirst. The Montana State Capitol in Helena on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. (Photo by Mike Clark for the Daily Montanan) State economists are expecting tax coffers will fill a little more slowly in Montana the next couple of years. Stimulus money from the federal government has helped fill the state piggy bank, and income tax also rose steeply after the pandemic, according to recent budget reports. Ahead of the 2025 Montana Legislature, however, the forecasters at the Legislative Fiscal Division and the governors budget office estimated slower revenue growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers, in turn, took a conservative approach to budgeting. Last week, after hearing the forecasts, the Interim Revenue Committee voted to set its estimate for revenue in advance of the session, and it adopted figures that are lower than the income that economists predicted would flow into state accounts. The roughly $3.5 billion a year is a starting point for state budget conversations. However, Ryan Evans, from the governors budget office, requested legislators continue to monitor revenue during the session and, if forecasts start to change, consider adjusting their formal estimates if necessary as well. (Screenshot from Legislative Fiscal Division report) The committee adopted official revenue estimates of $3.27 billion for fiscal year 2025, $3.53 billion for 2026 and $3.57 billion for 2027. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By comparison, a report from the Legislative Fiscal Division said the 2024 fiscal year closed out at the end of June with $3.8 million in revenue. Sen. Greg Hertz, a Polson Republican who leads Senate Taxation, proposed the slight reduction of expected revenue compared to a preliminary figure the committee initially approved. However, Hertz also said the legislature would have a clearer picture of tax collections in the middle of March and could subsequently adjust its estimates if necessary. He noted the figures are based on current law not any changes the 2025 legislature may make. Rep. Mark Thane, D-Missoula, said he appreciated the approach and agrees legislators will take another look at revenue before they adopt the state budget for the next two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its wise for us to reduce the revenue estimate so that we dont set ourselves with a spending target that might be excessive, Thane said. The committee adopted a surplus estimated to be roughly $1 billion. However, Sen. Becky Beard, who serves as chairperson of the committee, said the figure will be closer to an estimate from the governors office, some $555 million, after some bills are paid. Prior to adopting revenue estimates, the committee heard forecasts for the seven largest sources of revenue for the state, including property taxes, from the Legislative Fiscal Division. It also heard a forecast from Evans of the governors budget office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Montanas economy is as diverse as ever, Evans said. Thats good for the budget. It can be good for the economy. It certainly in some ways fortifies us against downturns. Evans said revenues are fairly flat, and a recession is not predicted, but its important to keep up-and-down economic cycles in mind nonetheless. The report from the Legislative Fiscal Division noted residential values and taxes increased in the most recent cycle, and they are expected to go up again. Initial data from the Department of Revenue suggests taxable value of residential property will jump another 21.5% for the 2026 tax cycle, according to the Legislative Fiscal Division. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beard, the chairperson, said Montana residents are calling for accountability, and lawmakers must be able to answer their questions. One of the things weve been hearing resoundingly, over and over and over again, is taxes are too high, said Beard, a Republican from Elliston. The legislature is expected to take up proposals from Gov. Greg Gianfortes property tax task force this session to address the problem. The committee also heard a forecast of upcoming risks to state revenues. The legislature has adopted budgets that hold the line on spending, but state budgets also rely on a couple of sources that could change significantly in the future, said Amy Carlson, head of the Legislative Fiscal Division, in a risk report to the committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last session, the legislature adopted a budget that is estimated to account for 16% more revenue than expenditures by the end of the 2025 fiscal year, Carlson said. She said lawmakers generally put that money into things that help absorb risk, such as its reserves and paying off liabilities. (Screenshot from Legislative Fiscal Division report) But Montana relies heavily on income taxes, and doing so creates more volatility, Carlson said. A division report showed individual income tax accounts for 57% of ongoing general revenue. Actions at the federal level also could have a significant impact on the state budget. While Montana is operating with a balanced budget, the federal government is spending 25% to 30% more than its collecting, Carlson said. Federal funds account for 36.4% of the average states budget, but they account for 42.7% of state revenue in Montana, according to the division, citing a Pew Charitable Trusts study, Pew Fiscal 50. (Screenshot from Legislative Fiscal Division director risk analysis presentation.) If they were to choose to balance their budget, that would have a material impact on Montanas budget, Carlson said of Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also citing Pew, she estimated unfunded pension liabilities to be 79.9% of state revenue, compared to 49.1% for the average state. In recent years, states have narrowed the gap between promised pension benefits and money set aside to pay for them, but the shortfall still amounts to nearly half of states own-source revenue$836 billion in fiscal year 2021, said the Pew study. But in 2020, Montanas unfunded liability was even higher, at 139.4% of state revenue, according to the Pew analysis. Generally, Carlson estimated that 6% of state income could be characterized as risky. She said the legislature could consider adopting a definition of risky revenue, and then dedicate income from volatile sources to things like pension liabilities or infrastructure backlogs. Revenue from 2024 Ongoing revenues for fiscal year 2024: $3.8 billion Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Individual income tax: $2.24 billion, or 57% of total Property tax: $448 million, or 11% of total Corporation tax: $312 million, or 8% of total Vehicle taxes and fees: 124.8 million, or 3% of total Insurance tax: $115 million, or 3% of total Video gaming tax: $83.4 million, or 2% of total Oil and natural gas tax: $64.4 million, or 2% Other sources: $420.6 million, or 13% Source: Legislative Fiscal Division Dec. 3The San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters completed counting all ballots on Monday, and voter turnout ended up being 70.1% on Nov. 5. According to the semifinal official results, Lodi City Councilman Ramon Yepez retained his District 4 seat, garnering 790 votes for 43.94% of ballots cast. This will be the first time Yepez has won an election, as he lost the 2020 contest to former councilman Shak Khan. Yepez was appointed to fill the District 4 seat last year after Khan was arrested on election fraud charges stemming from the 2020 race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lyndsy Davis remained in second throughout the election result process, tallying 600 votes for 33.37% of the ballot. Alex Aliferis collected 408 votes for 22.69%. Victoria Lenderman jumped out to an early lead in the race for the Lodi Unified School District Board of Education's Area 2 race on Nov. 5 and never looked back. Lenderman ended up with a total of 4,196 votes for 44.14% of the ballot, while Maia Aguirre finished with 2,696 votes and 28.38%. Incumbent Gary Knackstedt was unseated, collecting 2,611 votes and 27.48% of the ballot. Emails seeking comment from Yepez and Lenderman were not returned by press time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the race for the Area 7 seat, incumbent Joe Nava collected a total 3,897 votes for 62.27% of ballots cast, while 2024 McNair High School graduate Joseph Gardea finished with 2,361 votes. Tammi Van Houton and Ann Ullrich captured the two open seats on the Oak View School District Governing Board with the former garnering 646 votes and the latter 631. Daniel Rice tallied 595 votes for a third-place finish. Results from the Sacramento County Registrar of Voters weren't updated by press time, but with the updated San Joaquin County results, Karol Messersmith looks to hold on to her lead in the race for the Galt Joint Union High School District Board of Education. Messersmith had tallied 1,758 total votes between the two counties, while incumbent Patrick Maple had collected 1,692 as of Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district's Measure H, which would secure $27 million to repair and upgrade facilities and improve campus security, has garnered 7,279 votes in favor and 5,634 against. With 56.3% of voters approving, the bond is narrowly exceeding the 55% needed for passage. Results for other races in the Galt area have not changed, as Tim Reed still leads in the city council contest with 5,823 votes for one of two seats. Former Galt Herald publisher Bonnie Rodriguez and Mathew Pratton are locked in a tight race for the second council seat, with the former tallying 3,855 votes to his 3,853. Dean Dockery and Aleida Suarez remain ahead of the pack for the two seats on the Iselton City Council, with the former collecting 132 and the latter tallying 115. E. Kelly Hutson remains in third with 81 votes, Paul Steel is in fourth with 51, and Jose Morquecho is last with 35. Diana Villones O'Brien has received 134 votes in the race for Isleton City Clerk, while Michelle Burke has picked up 88. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Rep. Josh Harder, D-Tracy, claimed victory two weeks ago in his re-election bid to the U.S. Cogress' 9th District seat, he still managed to garner 130,182 total votes for 51.8% of the ballot, according to the California Secretary of State. His Republican challenger, Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln, collected 121,171 votes for 48.2% of the ballot. Rep. Doris Matsui, D- Sacramento, has garnered 195,186 votes and 66.8% of ballots cast in her own re-election bis to the 7th District seat. Galt resident Tom Silva collected 97,096 for 33.2%. For state races, former Congressman Jerry McNerney will be returning to the political arena after a four-year absence, taking the California State Senate District 5 seat vacated by the termed-out Susan Talamantes-Eggman. McNerney tallied 189,618 votes for just shy of 60% of the ballot, while Clements resident Jim Shoemaker, a Republican, garnered 169,089 votes for 47.1%. And Assemblyman Heath Flora, R-Ripon, retained his seat in the 9th District with 129,077 votes to Lodi resident Tami Nobriga's 55,095. Flora earned 70.1% of the vote while Nobriga mustered 29.9%. The San Joaquin County ROV's report came on the same day a San Mateo County legislator introduced a bill to expedite election results. Getty Images. While transgender Ohioans and allies lament Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signing a transgender bathroom ban bill despite 10,000 Ohioans reportedly urging him not to do so, Republicans are celebrating. DeWine signed Senate Bill 104 last week, which prohibits transgender students from using school bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity in K-12 schools and colleges. This includes state universities, community colleges, technical colleges and private nonprofit and for-profit career colleges. The law will take effect Feb. 24, but the ACLU of Ohio said it is closely considering next steps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Transgender people are part of the fabric of Ohio; our families, our workplaces, and our neighborhoods, the ACLU of Ohio said in a statement. Every Ohioan deserves the freedom to be loved, to be safe, to be trusted with decisions about healthcare, and to access the facilities that align with their gender identity. More than 10,000 people contacted DeWine, urging him to veto the bill, TransOhio said. TransOhio is a nonprofit that provides services, education, advocacy, and support to transgender people and allies. It is a travesty of justice and equity and a stain upon this state, TransOhio said in a statement. Our trans students and educators deserve so much better. TransOhio is urging people to continue to advocate at the Statehouse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We must hold the line and bear witness to the damage these legislators are doing by prioritizing extremist ideology over the needs of their constituents, Trans Ohio said in a statement. None of the cruelty coming out of the legislature will happen in silence. Kaleidoscope Youth Center called this piece of legislation absurd. The legislature is playing games, and it is our young people who are getting hurt, Kaleidoscope Youth Center said in a statement. This is not a game. KYC is the states only group solely dedicated to supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth and their allies. The American Medical Association officially opposes policies preventing transgender individuals from accessing basic human services and public facilities consistent with gender identity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Ohio Education Association was disappointed DeWine signed the bathroom bill. SB 104 adds more state regulations that interfere with local control of public schools, discriminates against an already marginalized class of students, and provides no funding to cover school facility costs that may be associated with implementing the bills requirements, OEA President Scott DiMauro said in a statement. DeWine signed S.B. 104 without comment the day before Thanksgiving. Ohio State University said its too soon to talk about specific implications on their campuses just yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are reviewing the legislation, will follow the law, and are committed to a welcoming environment for all members of our community, university spokesman Ben Johnson said in an email. What Republicans are saying As a father of two teenage daughters, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said he appreciates DeWine signing the bill. Its unbelievable that weve reached a point where a law is necessary to ensure the safety of young women in school restrooms, but unfortunately, thats the reality right now in our society, Husted said in a statement. This common-sense bill ensures student privacy and safety, protecting kids and providing peace of mind for families across the state. State Reps. Beth Lear, R-Galena, and Adam Bird, R-New Richmond the lawmakers who introduced the bathroom bill that was eventually woven into Senate Bill 104 thanked DeWine for signing the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are thankful that individuals will not have to worry about members of the opposite sex coming into restrooms, locker rooms, and changing rooms in Ohio, Bird said in a statement. The Protect All Students Act will keep our children safe from exposure to the opposite sex while in private spaces, Lear said in a statement. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost also thanked DeWine for signing S.B. 104. Thank you, Governor, for siding with biology, history safety and common sense, Yost posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. Follow OCJ Reporter Megan Henry on X. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE [Watch previous FOX 8 News coverage in the player above.] CLEVELAND (WJW) Cleveland police announced two more arrests have been made in connection with a series of violent street takeovers in late September. On Nov. 30, Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers stopped a speeding car on the turnpike in Lucas County. Winter Storm Watch: More snow on the way The occupants, Elicia Dix, of Cleveland, and Reuben Issac Vazquez, of Parma Heights, both 21, were arrested on warrants issued by Cleveland police for their alleged roles in the takeovers. Both were transported to the Cuyahoga County jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities also seized a 2015 Chevrolet Camaro, according to the release. Suspects in the Sept. 28 and Sept. 29 takeovers blocked intersections to perform stunts in cars delaying ambulances and public transportation and assaulted a police officer, according to Cuyahoga County prosecutors. Fired safety official could get job back: I-Team Dix is charged with obstruction of justice, tampering with evidence, disrupting public service and aggravated riot, court records show. Vazquez is charged with tampering with evidence, disruption of public service, aggravated riot and possession of criminal tools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both were arraigned on Tuesday and their bonds were set at $1,500, or 10% cash or surety. The city has formed a special task force to investigate the street takeovers. Anyone with information can call 216-623-5474 or email police@clevelandohio.gov. 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. On sunny spring and summer days in Jacksonville Beach, its no surprise that a lot of people would opt to sit outside to grab drinks or a bite to eat. But the options to do so are surprisingly slim, at least if you want to sit along the sidewalk. Only two restaurants in Jax Beach, the side-by-side Jekyll Brewing and Oaxaca Club on 2nd Avenue North, actually have permits from the city to have seats and tables on the sidewalk. But the Jacksonville Beach City Council wants to add more restaurants to that little list. The citys plan calls to allow for sidewalk seating at restaurants on these streets: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2nd Avenue North, Between 1st and 2nd Streets North 3rd Avenue North, Between 1st and 2nd Streets North 4th Avenue North, Between 1st and 2nd Streets North 5th Avenue North, Between 1st and 2nd Streets North 6th Avenue North, Between 1st and 2nd Streets North Some restaurants that would be able to apply for seats on the sidewalk, like V Pizza on 1st Street, say the opportunity is long overdue for restaurants at the beach. We go to Miami, we go to other cities, they all have outside seating. So why not Jax Beach, you know? Florjan Murataj, general manager of V Pizza, said. V Pizza doesnt have much room in front of its Jax Beach store to place seats on the sidewalk but said it still wants to apply for them if the citys plan is approved. V Pizza tells Action News Jaxs Finn Carlin it tried to apply for sidewalk seating 10 years ago but was denied. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] If we could put out a couple of chairs, that would be great, Murataj said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are only a few restaurants that would be able to apply for sidewalk seating if the plan passes, including: V Pizza at 1st Street North and 5th Avenue North O-Ku at 1st Street North and 4th Avenue North Lynchs Irish Pub on 1st Street North Surfer [The Bar] at 1st Street North and 2nd Avenue North The Ritz at 2nd Street North and 3rd Avenue North For the restaurants that actually have seats on the sidewalk, they think the city should try another approach. The city should see what the actual locations are and what the actual needs of the restaurants in the plan are, Eddy Escriba, general manager of the Oaxaca Club, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Escriba wants the city to consider a plan that allows restaurants to apply for seats on the sidewalk on an as-needed basis, rather than simply expanding the program by a few streets. But he still wants more restaurants to have the opportunity, regardless of where they are. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] I think it would be a benefit for all businesses in Jax Beach, Escriba said, Any improvement to bring more people to the beaches and any improvement to bring more foot traffic is a plus. Action News Jax reached out to Jax Beach Mayor Chris Hoffman to learn more about the plan. Hoffman said the city isnt allowed to comment on a plan that the council is considering for a vote before that vote is made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City Council approved the plan on its first reading on Monday night. There will be another reading of it on Monday, Dec. 16. 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. Amtrak has reached a historic milestone, carrying 32.8 million passengers on the passenger rail system in fiscal year 2024. Thats a 15% increase from the previous fiscal year when it carried nearly 28.6 million riders, according to a news release from Amtrak. This record ridership shows that travelers throughout the U.S. want efficient travel options, and we are committed to meeting that demand, said Stephen Gardner, Amtraks CEO, in the release. Amtrak said its goal is to double its ridership to 66 million passengers a year by 2040. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rail service has struggled to financially recover after the pandemic disturbed usual ridership patterns. Gardner predicted it would take at least five years for the company to break even after its initial losses in 2020. Transforming infrastructure To address prior challenges, the rail service has invested $4.5 billion into its most extensive infrastructure and fleet transformation to date, the news release said. Additionally, Amtrak received more than $10 billion in competitive federal grant funds to support current and future building projects. The first-of-its-kind project has spurred unprecedented growth for Amtrak, employing thousands of skilled workers to improve the customer experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we build for the future, our investments in new equipment, expanded service, and critical infrastructure will continue to elevate the experience from coast to coast, said Roger Harris, president of Amtrak, in the news release. Expected proposals include the development of new trains, bridges and tunnels. Among the ambitious projects being planned: the replacement of the 151-year-old Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel to alleviate the congestion and delays between Washington, D.C., and New Jersey. New routes, better stations Amtrak is also expanding its network with new train routes and upgraded stations. And these projects arent just in the busy Northeast corridor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amtrak is set to reintroduce a route to service the Gulf Coast for the first time in two decades. Starting in 2025, a twice-daily train service will run between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama. Riders in North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maine will also see upgrades to their routes, alongside the development of 69 new intercity passenger rail corridors. Special perks Amtrak said budget-conscious travelers can look forward to more affordable options including Flex Fare and Value Fare tickets. Customers without concrete travel plans may find Flex Fare useful because of its fully refundable guarantee. However, travelers with more certain arrangements might prefer Flex tickets, which are cheaper and offer a 75% refund if canceled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Passengers can also expect changes in booking seats and in dining options. For those interested in specialty upgrades, customers in select service classes can now make their final seat selection before booking the reservation. Premium travelers on Acela trains, Amtraks flagship high-speed service along the Northeast Corridor, can also enjoy an upgraded dining with sustainably sourced ingredients and local brands. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2024) - Great Pacific Gold Corp. (TSXV: GPAC) (OTCQX: FSXLF) (FSE: V3H) ("Great Pacific Gold," "GPAC," or the "Company") announces that it has entered into a definitive agreement dated December 3, 2024 (the "Agreement") with Zincore Metals Corp. ("Zincore") for the purchase and sale of the Company's non-core Reedy Creek and Providence tenements (the "Project") in Victoria, Australia (the "Transaction"). All dollar figures are Canadian Dollars unless otherwise stated. Highlights Sale of EL 7052 and EL 7046, Reedy Creek and Providence tenements, to Zincore Great Pacific Gold to receive: $500,000 cash within 5 days of signing the Agreement (Dec 5, 2024); $500,000 cash on closing of the Transaction ("Closing") (expected by Apr 1, 2025); 6 million shares in Zincore on Closing (expected by Apr 1, 2025); $1,000,000 cash on publishing of a NI 43-101 resource estimate with greater than one million ounces of gold and/or gold equivalent in Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources, and $2,000,000 cash on commercial production of gold dore or concentrate from the tenements. "The divestiture of Reedy Creek is In line with our strategy to focus our financial and technical efforts on our core projects including the Kesar and Wild Dog Projects in Papua New Guinea," stated Greg McCunn, CEO of Great Pacific Gold. "The near-term cash infusion of $1 million provides non-dilutive financing for our 2025 exploration programs and we are pleased to transition Reedy Creek to a team of experienced company builders with a strong exploration crew in Victoria. Additionally, our 10% share holding in Zincore ensures we retain exposure to this prospective land package immediately north of Southern Cross's Sunday Creek Project. As we finalize the Reedy Creek divestment, we will continue to evaluate opportunities to monetize our other non-core assets in Australia." The Transaction is structured in the form of a share purchase of a newly created subsidiary holding the rights to the Project. The Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, covenants, indemnifications and conditions by Company and Zincore. The Zincore Shares issued to Great Pacific in connection with the Transaction will be issued in a manner that is exempt from applicable prospectus and registration requirements. The Company has agreed to voluntary resale restrictions on the Zincore shares. The Transaction remains subject to the TSX Venture Exchange acceptance. The most expensive property in the United States is up for sale in Naples, Florida for $295 million but theres a climate factor interested buyers should consider. Set along the Gulf of Mexico, the Gordon Pointe townhouse is on a nine-acre estate with 22,800 square feet of living space, 1655 feet of water front, 728 feet of beach front, and 927 feet of bay front. According to the listing on Coldwell Banker Realty, the private oasis is situated in Port Royal, an exclusive neighborhood, and includes a private 231-foot yacht basin with a 111-foot dock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is nothing like it, anywhere, the description says. Gordon Pointe lends itself to many possibilities with incredible flexibility which could be an ideal private and gated family compound with a few incredible homes or the potential for several special home sites. The nine-acre land is situated along the Gulf of Mexico (Dawn McKenna Group) The property has one main house and two guest houses, six rooms total, and 24 bathrooms. Each guest house is said to be around 5,000 square feet, per a CNBC report. Gordon Pointe was first listed in February of this year. The home was originally built in 1989 and has been owned by John F. Donahue, a philanthropist, since. Gordon Pointe has a main house, two guest houses, a private yacht basin, and T-dock (Dawn McKenna Group) While the picture-perfect white sand and vibrant greenery make this property appealing, theres one climate risk that threatens its appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First Street Foundations climate risk researcher Jeremy Porter told The Guardian: Its almost a certainty this property will experience a flood. It is a beautiful area, people here want access to the water and the beaches but its extremely exposed to flooding. These are basically properties built on water, Porter added. First Street Foundation is a non-profit organization that focuses on flood analysis. As of now, their data shows a 68 percent risk of flooding at Gordon Pointe in the next decade and a half. Whats more, First Street Foundation found theres a 95 percent chance of flooding in the next 30 years. On Zillow, Gordon Pointe flood factor is a seven out of 10 flood, which is characterized as severe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Florida propertys sale came to light as an island in New York is listed with its own considerations. Campbell Island, a 92-acre land covered in thick woods, was listed for $700,000 on Private Islands Inc. as one of the least expensive islands in the state. But while the price may be right for some interested land owners, there are several factors that make this island a little less desirable. The current owner, Janne Casatelli, who inherited part of the property from her dad and bought the remaining acres years ago, told Gothamist Campbell Island isnt all that accessible and is connected to the mainland by railroad tracks. Additionally, Casatelli explained how the property was close to a nature preserve, which she said makes it increasingly difficult for development projects to be approved. For the most part, however, no one really frequents to the land except for local fishers, bikers, and regulars who walk to the trails. Waking up on November 6, Americans found that the political status quo had once again been upset, thanks to the reelection of Donald Trump. In winning both the popular and electoral votes, Trump, the first convicted felon to be elected president, had defied political odds and the judicial system. In the days that followed, political commentators took stock of the tectonic shifts, prophesying that a second Trump term would be dramatically more polarizing. With Republicans in control of both houses of Congress, the balance of power in the federal government is tipped in their favor. The only remaining question is how the judiciary will respond to a new Republican agenda. It seems ironic that, in a system that has failed to uphold justice by allowing Donald Trump to run for president after being convicted of crimes, any hope would remain in the judicial system to resist encroachments on others liberties. Yet for many liberals hoping to maintain a check on Trumps policies, it may be their best chance. The Supreme Court is dominated by a conservative majority thanks to Trumps appointments. It was this courts majority that enabled Trumps reelection by granting him extensive immunity for crimes committed while in office. At the federal circuit court level, however, the question of legal influence is much less predictable. Although Trump appointed dozens of judges to the benches of the federal courts, the various circuit courts of the United States remain ideologically diverse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps the most notable case of a federal circuit court making consistent challenges to the Trump agenda is the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. As the largest federal appellate court, with over 29 active judges, the Ninth Circuit holds significant influence over federal policy and has played a crucial role in major court cases dating back to the early twentieth century. With a jurisdiction over the West Coast states of California, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Arizona, Alaska, and Hawaii20 percent of the total populationand headquartered in San Francisco, the Ninth Circuits geographical location has led conservative media to characterize the court as left-leaning, like the city where it is based. The medias portrayals of the Ninth Circuit Court as a liberal institution are not totally unfounded. The liberal traditions of the Ninth Circuit go back long before our current political moment. In fact, the Ninth Circuit has a long liberal history since it was created by Congress in 1891. Over the course of many decades, it has issued dozens of landmark rulings on issues regarding civil liberties, free speech, and desegregation. The liberal trend on the court can be traced to the mid-twentieth century. Among the individuals who defined the court then was Justice William Denman, who sat on the court from the 1930s to the 1950s and presided over it as chief justice from 1948 to 1957. Denman was a member of the San Francisco political elite; his father was a San Francisco city supervisor and the father of San Franciscos public school system. A distant relative of San Francisco Mayor James Phelan, Denman spent his early political career as a Democratic official in the Wilson administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denman later became a close political and social friend of Franklin Roosevelt, who appointed him to the bench of the Ninth Circuit in 1935. In 1937, Denman advised Roosevelt in his unsuccessful campaign to expand the Supreme Courtlater derided as his court-packing scheme. Perhaps Denmans greatest historical contributions to the court were his consequential rulings on civil rights issues. In May 1943, Denman and his fellow judges ruled on the case of Korematsu v. United States and Endo v. United Statestwo cases challenging the governments decision to incarcerate Japanese Americans during World War II. Denman at times clashed with his colleagues; when his colleagues chose to send an earlier case, Hirabayashi v. United States, to the Supreme Court instead of issuing a ruling, Denman declared it to be the deportation of 70,000 of our citizens without hearing. In the case of Korematsu, Denman accused his colleagues, who upheld Fred Korematsus conviction, of again ignoring the due process issue at the heart of the case. When Mitsuye Endos case came forward as another challenge to the incarceration policy, Denman directly assisted Endos attorney James Purcell with certifying the case to the Supreme Court. In the end, the Supreme Court upheld the legality of the incarceration in Korematsus case. Its ruling in Endos case, however, had the immediate effect of ending the policy by allowing Japanese Americans to return to the West Coast. In the postwar period, the judges on the Ninth Circuit tackled desegregation on the West Coast. Following the end of Japanese American incarceration, Denman and several judges ruled in favor of a set of Japanese American plaintiffs who petitioned to regain their citizenship. In April 1947, the judges of the Ninth Circuit ruled in Westminster v. Mendez that California schools could not target Mexican American students for segregation. Although Mexican Americans at the time were labeled as white and the parties in the case stipulated that racial discrimination was not at issue, the ruling in Westminster v. Mendez was among the first desegregation cases of the civil rights era. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the ensuing decades, the Ninth Circuit garnered criticism from conservatives for its progressive rulings regarding abortion rights and gun control. Yet legal scholars have debated the extent to which the court is actually liberal. Writing in 2003, at the time of the Ninth Circuits challenges against the Bush administrations counterterrorism policies, University of California, Berkeley, Law School Dean Erwin Chemerinsky argued that the liberalism of the Ninth Circuit Court was largely a myth. Chemerinsky discovered that during the early years of George W. Bushs presidency, the Supreme Courts reversal rate of Ninth Circuit Court rulings was no different from that for any other circuit court in the country. He underlined the fact that the court, while at times engaged in legal scuffles with conservative presidents, was at least as ideologically diverse as other courts. A decade later, during the first Trump administration, legal scholars again directed their attention to the Ninth Circuits political orientation as it battled the Trump administration on some of its hallmark policies, most notably in the Ninth Circuits block of Trumps infamous Muslim ban. University of Pittsburgh law professor Arthur Hellman conducted his own study of the Ninths judicial record in relation to presidential administrations. Studying rulings from between 1998 and 2020, Hellman concluded that the Ninth Circuit was indeed a liberal court as described by the press but was most often selectively liberal in its rulings. The Ninth Circuits en banc procedure requires 11 judges to preside over hearings, and this allows for some occasions where the court may have a conservative majority. In fact, Hellman stated that the Ninths en banc system often checked more liberal voices on the court. On the contrary, Hellman surmised, the study shows that it was not uncommon for liberal icons like Judge Reinhard and Judge Pregerson to find themselves on the losing side of en banc votes. The perceived liberalism of the Ninth Circuit made it a target of Donald Trump. At the beginning of his first term, the Ninth Circuit blocked several executive orders, enraging Trump. Politico previously reported that Trump mentioned in personal conversations with aides that he wanted to break up the Ninth Circuit Court altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As with the Supreme Court, Trump sought to neutralize the Ninth Circuit by appointing new judges to its bench. Often members of the Federalist Society, the Trump-era appointees of the Ninth Circuit have a similar political line with the Republican Party. Avalon Zoppo of The National Law Journal reports that while the majority of judges on the court can be considered liberal, Trump raised the number of conservative judges on the bench to 13 during his term. Among the most vocal of Trumps appointees currently on the bench is Lawrence VanDyke, a former solicitor general of Nevada and Montana. ProPublica discovered that, much like many other Trump appointees, VanDyke was mentored by Trumps legal adviser, Federalist Society founder Leonard Leo. VanDyke has frequently complained that his fellow jurists have played dirty regarding their rulings on immigration cases. The appointments of these new judges led Los Angeles Times reporter Maura Dolan to conclude in 2020 that Trump had effectively flipped the Ninth Circuit. The question of how the court will survive under a second Trump term remains uncertain. Currently, nine of the 23 senior judges were appointed by Republican presidents dating back to the Nixon administration, while the remaining 14 were appointed by Democratic presidents going back to the Carter administration. All of the current 29 authorized active judgeships in the Ninth Circuit Court are filled. Erwin Chemerinsky explained to the Los Angeles Times that despite President Joe Bidens efforts to strengthen the liberal branch of the Ninth Circuit by appointing new judges, the state of the court remains more ideologically divided than during the beginning of Trumps first administration. However, legal pundits have begun to look to the Ninth Circuit as a potential guardrail to a new Trump administration. Despite Trumps appointments, the majority of the judges on the bench are liberal. In fact, several recent rulings by the Ninth Circuit have angered some Trump appointees on the bench. Since the end of Trumps first term, the Ninth Circuit Court has taken a liberal stance on hot-button issues, such as gun control and immigration. On December 1, 2021, the Ninth Circuit upheld a California law banning high-capacity magazines over 10 rounds, overturning Judge Roger Benitezs ruling to strike down the ban (Benitez has become a saint for Second Amendment advocates because of his pro-gun track record). As Hellman noted in his aforementioned article, the Ninth Circuit has articulated a particularly liberal vision when it comes to gun control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where the Ninth Circuit may face its greatest challenge, however, will be from the Supreme Court, which has reversed several of its landmark decisions. It was the high court that overturned the Ninth Circuits block on the Muslim ban in Trump v. Hawaii. More recently, in June 2024, the Supreme Court famously overturned the Ninth Circuits ruling in Grants Pass v. Johnson, clearing the way for state and city officials across the country to enforce laws restricting homeless encampments on public sidewalks. The Supreme Court at the same time ended the Ninth Circuits block on Idahos abortion ban. The nature of the courts has led political activists to strategize their lawsuits by judge shopping, or picking legal venues with a specific political leaning to improve their odds in court. In the case of the U.S. District Court of Northern California, 23 of the 25 judges are liberal-leaning. Conversely, conservatives have looked to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals for favorable challenges against the policies of the Biden administration, such as student loan forgiveness. U.C. Davis law professor Gabriel Jack Chin argues that despite having appointed fewer judges than Trump to the Ninths bench, Biden made some gains in instilling a liberal spirit to the court. President Biden seems to have gotten at least a little religion about the importance of the judiciary. When I asked Chin about the future of the court under a new Trump administration, he suggested that the power of circuit courts may wane as the Supreme Court begins to diminish the influence of moderate circuit judges in the Ninth Circuit and elsewhere. Of course, the Supreme Court cannot police every routine decision panel decision, but they can and do set firm parameters. Alternatively, Trump may ask Congress to pass legislation to reorganize the Ninth Circuit to consolidate power among its conservative judges. Although breaking up the Ninth Circuit would be unprecedented, many of Trumps announced policies involve breaking centuries-old institutions. Even in this case, though, a restructuring of the court would not eliminate the liberal majority on the bench. For now, Democrats hoping to stymie any major initiatives by Trump, such as his proposed deportation scheme, may retain hope that the Ninth Circuit can provide some guardrails, even if flimsier than those before 2016. BRIDGETON, Mo. Police shut down an illegal in-home daycare that was also housing a now-convicted child molester. The case began with three courageous children and their parents, who stepped forward in 2022. It involved a daycare being run out of a home on Fee Fee Road, about a block and a half south of St. Charles Rock Road. A man who lived inside the home is now serving prison time. FOX 2 spoke with the mother who was key to cracking the case. We are safeguarding her identity due to the abuse her child suffered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said the perpetrator told all of the kids, If you say something, nobody is going to believe you; youre a kid. Grown-ups dont believe kids. We knew right away that we had to move pretty quickly on it, Detective Matt Paxton, Bridgeton Police Department, said. Bridgeton police believed the children and headed immediately to the home, which was not licensed as a daycare. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Right away, we saw a lot of children five years or younger, Paxton said. We did a head count, and it was 14 children in the home. Thats more than double the number of children that require a license. Bridgeton police also brought in the Childrens Advocacy Center to do the interviews with the reported child victims, one of whom also needed a translator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mother we spoke to told us, They make us feel safe. They, my daughter, kept saying that thanks to them, he is where he is right now. Shes referring to Roberto Colula-Uribe, who pleaded guilty to felony sodomy and child molestation. Last month, the court sentenced him to 18 years in prison for his crimes. Police allege the abuse started years ago and fear there could be more victims. FOX 2 visited the property on Monday. No one answered. Missouris Department of Elementary and Secondary Education wrote the provider: We have determined that you were operating in violation of Missouri Statutes, but have since reduced the number of children in your care. (Which is No more than six children, with a maximum of three being under two.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police also recently followed up. She was no longer operating a daycare. She had stopped approximately eight months ago, Paxton said. You should always check to see if a daycare is licensed because inspectors are looking for things like the backgrounds of employees or other people who might have contact with your children. You can check yourself here. You can search by facility name or address for in-home daycares. 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. Dec. 2A tragic accident occurred Thanksgiving Day, taking the life of a mother from Canton and seriously injuring another driver. A man driving with his wife and two children in the car illegally crossed a double yellow line when trying to pass at a high speed, causing a head-on collision killing his wife and seriously injuring another driver who is now fighting for his life at Mission ICU. News of the accident quickly circulated through the community from those who witnessed the horrific scene that shut down N.C. 110. Witnesses, as well as first responders, described it as heartbreaking and traumatic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It adds to it because you realize that someone has lost someone on a holiday," said North Carolina State Highway Patrol Trooper Jonathan Shelton, who responded to the accident. "Thankfully, the two kids weren't injured any more than they were." Brandon Privett, 35, was driving on N.C. 110 between Bethel and Canton with his wife and two children in the car just before 2 p.m. He attempted to pass three vehicles near Center Pigeon Fire Department, crossing the double yellow line in the process. A citation issued to Privett indicates that he was going approximately 80 miles per hour at the time of the accident. "He was traveling well over the speed limit," Shelton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement N.C. 110 widens from two lanes to three in the spot where Privett passed the other vehicles. The road widens to accommodate a middle turn lane at the Henson Cove intersection. As Privett pulled around to pass, he met another vehicle head on that was in that middle turn lane, preparing to turn on to Henson Cove Road. Both drivers tried to swerve to avoid each other but ended up colliding head on. Amethyst Privett, 36, was killed in the accident. She was in the passenger seat while her husband drove. The driver of the other vehicle was severely injured. As of Saturday, that driver was still alive but in the ICU at Mission Hospital, Shelton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amethyst Privett's 6-year-old son and 14-year-old stepdaughter were also in the vehicle and survived the accident. N.C. 110 was closed for about three hours while crews cleaned up and investigated the accident. Brandon Privett has been charged with misdemeanor counts of reckless driving to endanger and death by vehicle. Private was driving a 2023 Kia Serento. The other vehicle he hit was a 2005 Subaru Legacy. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Haywood County Sheriff's Office, Center Pigeon Fire Department and Haywood County Emergency Management Services all responded to the accident. COMSTOCK TWP. Mich. (WOOD) A motion that would have limited the number of people who could contact the Comstock Township attorney failed. The vote comes as new members take their roles on the board including a new supervisor who previously sued the township. The resolution was one of the first items on the table for the new Comstock Township Board of Trustees during Mondays meeting. The motion would have limited the people who could work with the township attorney down to only the township supervisor, superintendent and clerk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supervisor Ben Martin said it was all about improving how the township operates. If we want to get this township to grow and stay on track, obviously we need to manage costs and we also need to manage efficiencies on how we conduct our business and thats why I am here, to conduct business, he said ahead of the meeting. The motion by Martin comes after he sued the township in 2023 because his business, Soil Friends, was cited for a barn officials said was built without a permit and other licensing violations in 2022. That federal lawsuit was dismissed this September, which the farm appealed in October. That had no implications on this whatsoever. I am the township supervisor now. And I make decisions to move this township forward to grow our business and work with our residents to be transparent and thats a simple order of business, Martin told News 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While some on the board supported the motion, others brought concerns that it would actually slow township work and limit the powers of trustee. To me, it undermines the four trustees on the board to be able to freely communicate with the attorney whatever the issue is, said Trustee Bob Pratt. Farm appeals dismissal of lawsuit against Comstock Township, officials Martin told the board that the motion did not intend to limit their duties but was to improve workflow and cut costs. The township attorney said under current procedures, members of the planning department, code enforcement and the clerk work with her and other attorneys regularly. However, she said some townships have procedures that limit which employees and officials have contact with legal counsel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The township superintendent mentioned not seeing major spending on legal matters. Despite a suggestion to amend the motion to include trustees, the vote failed. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Mozambiques main opposition leader called for another seven days of protests against what hes called fraudulent elections, a move that threatens to extend weeks of unrest that has left dozens dead. Most Read from Bloomberg Fresh demonstrations should start Dec. 4 and run from 8 a.m. local time until 3:30 p.m. each day, when all vehicles should come to a standstill, Venancio Mondlane said in a live stream Monday. He also proposed halting all flights in the southern African nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any further upheaval will to add to the economic pain Mozambique has endured since the Oct. 9 vote that extended the governing partys 49-year rule. Borders have been closed and port operations interrupted, while there are fears of further delays to a planned $20 billion natural-gas export project led by TotalEnergies SE. Mondlane also called for the closure of the ruling partys offices across the southeast African nation and urged parents not to send their children to school. Police have clamped down on the protests with live bullets and teargas. An armored military vehicle ran over a woman last week, drawing condemnation from foreign missions in Mozambique, including the US and UK. At least 76 people have died and more than 3,000 people have been arrested since the protests began on Oct. 21, according to Platform Decide, a local monitoring group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The electoral authorities announced the election tallies Oct. 24, which gave Mondlane 20% of the vote and Daniel Chapo of the ruling Frelimo almost 71%. Local and foreign observers raised several concerns, including that tallies may have been manipulated. Mondlane and the party that backed him challenged the outcome in court. The Constitutional Council has yet to validate the final results and last month implied it needed to do so by Dec. 23. (Updates with call to close ruling-party offices in fourth paragraph. A previous version of this story corrected the date of the planned protests.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi appointed Americo Letela as new attorney general as the nation awaits the Constitutional Councils validation of Octobers disputed elections. Most Read from Bloomberg Letela takes over from Beatriz Buchili after her term ended, the presidency said in a statement Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mozambiques Constitutional Council is considering the outcome of the Oct. 9 national vote, which electoral authorities said extended the governing partys 49-year rule. The opposition presented a legal challenge and protests have shaken the country and left dozens of people dead. Nyusi is set to step down next month after serving two terms. Letela previously served as director of the Central Office for Combating Organized and Transnational Crime and is a public prosecutor with more than 20 years of experience, according to state-owned Radio Mocambique. --With assistance from Matthew Hill. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2024 Bloomberg L.P. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Its a 24-hour global day of giving to benefit non-profits, so the MSPCA is hosting pop-up events across the state, including in Springfield. Yankee Home surprises Springfield resident with generous gift MSPCA will be giving out free meals, vaccines, and microchips on Tuesday in Dorchester, Lawrence, Lynn, Hyannis, and Springfield, which are areas that have historically lacked access to affordable veterinary care and support. The pop-up event in Springfield will be held from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This event is the first time in its over 150-year history that the MSPCA-Angell is hosting multiple pop-up events at the same time in most of the communities that its Community Outreach teams serve. MSPCA-Angell MSPCA-Angell MSPCA-Angell MSPCA-Angell Giving Tuesday is a time when nonprofits traditionally ask for help, but given the growing need were seeing in the community, we thought it made sense to change it up, explained MSPCA-Angell Vice President of Animal Protection, Mike Keiley. This year has been tough for a lot of people financially, and when people experience food insecurity, their pets do too. The non-profit is also seeking food donations from anyone who can help. Food can be dropped off at any of its shelters in Boston, Salem, Methuen, and Centerville on Cape Cod. Food can also be ordered and sent directly to shelters by their wish lists, which can be found on their website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our Community Outreach teams focus on specific areas for a reason: We want to bring affordable care to those who have generally been denied it. Now, we have a very lofty goalto distribute at least 50,000 pet meals in a single day for animals in needand its going to require all hands on deck from across our organization to get it done, Keiley added MSPCA expects around 50 staff members to participate in the clinic, as well as a dozen volunteers. 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. President Bidens decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden is further bruising a party that was already reeling from blistering electoral losses, with a wave of Capitol Hill Democrats criticizing the move as counterproductive to their partys efforts toward rebuilding public trust in American institutions scorned by President-elect Trump. While some Democrats extended a measure of sympathy, President Biden took heat on several fronts, with most who have spoken out indicating the move did more harm than good. President Bidens pardon of his son Hunter is, as the action of a loving father, understandable but as the action of our nations Chief Executive, unwise, Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said on the social platform X. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) posted that the pardon was wrong, while Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) said it puts personal interest ahead of duty and further erodes Americans faith that the justice system is fair and equal for all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president announced a full and unconditional pardon for his son on Sunday night, sending shock waves throughout Washington. It marked a major reversal for the White House, which for months insisted the president would not pardon Hunter Biden or commute his sentence. The president argued the charges brought against the younger Biden were motivated by politics and the years-long scrutiny of him from Trump and other Republicans complete with a winding impeachment probe and other lines of inquiry fueled by now-discredited informants. Hunter Bidens legal team, similarly, argued in a lengthy 52-page white paper released over the weekend that he faced tax and gun charges that no one without the name Biden would have faced. He was set to be sentenced later this month on both charges of failing to pay taxes and lying on gun forms. But a number of Democrats saw President Bidens sweeping clemency for his son clearing him of any federal crimes committed during an 11-year period as fueling the kind of arguments of a rigged and unfair system that are pushed by Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a father, I get it. But as someone who wants people to believe in public service again, its a setback, Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) wrote on X. Even Democrats who say the GOP attention on Hunter Biden has been too intense are balking at the presidents move. The Republican-led panel leaders had deeply probed the Biden familys foreign business dealings, with outsized attention placed on Hunter Biden. I can sympathize with his perspective that his son was subject to vigilante justice. I certainly witnessed that in Republican depositions of Hunter Biden and his attorney, Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), a member of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, said Monday on CNN. But having said that, what other father in America has the power to pardon their son or daughter if theyre convicted of a crime? Connolly added. I really think we have to revisit the pardon power in the Constitution, and at the very least, I think weve got to circumscribe it so that you dont get to pardon relatives, even if you believe passionately theyre innocent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Biden also faced criticism for reversing his long-held stance that he would not pardon his son. The president and White House on a number of occasions as recently as Nov. 7, two days after Trump won said they would not grant clemency to Hunter Biden. Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), a former federal prosecutor, said he agreed with the presidents rationale for the pardon that Hunter Bidens prosecution was politically motivated but added, I wish the president had not stated after the plea agreement fell through that he would not pardon Hunter Biden. It is discouraging that he has now gone back on his word on that, he added in an interview on CNN. Though it is rare for Democrats to so openly criticize a president from their party, there is little downside in doing so now. President Biden, an unpopular president, is on his way out of office after being pushed aside by his party and forced to abandon a reelection bid this summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those in competitive districts could even win points by so publicly bashing the move. Indeed, some criticism came from swing-district Democrats like Landsman and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) who posted that no family should be above the law. A handful of Democrats, to be sure, defended Bidens decision, arguing the action is justifiable in the context of what might be coming from Trump. Biden feared Trump would continue to go after Hunter, the White House said Monday. Some also brushed aside GOP criticism, pointing out the scores of charges Trump faced in the lead-up to Election Day. Way to go, Joe, said Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), a member of the Oversight Committee. Let me be the first one to congratulate the president for deciding to do this, because at the end of the day, we know that we have a 34-count convicted felon that is about to walk into the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So for anyone that wants to clutch their pearls now, because he decided that he was going to pardon his son, I would say take a look in the mirror, she added. Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) said Monday on CNN he had mixed feelings about the pardon. I think theres a legitimate concern about what that could lead to, and I think thats part of why the president put in a 10-year stretch for the pardon term, because that should protect him against anything, really up to statute of limitations, basically, for most offenses, Ivey said. But, he added, A pardon at this point will be used against, I think, Democrats who were pushing to defend the Department of Justice against politicizing it, which is certainly what President Trump plans to do. Trump has already been using the pardon to boost his claims of corruption in the Department of Justice, reacting to the news by bringing up those in prison over the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol that was fueled by Trumps denial of the 2020 election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice! Trump posted on Truth Social. Trumps campaign also blasted out an email to fundraise off the news, utilizing the exact kind of argument that Democrats feared: Joe Biden weaponized the DOJ against President Trump, and now he wants to give Hunter Biden the sweet heart deal of the century. While President Bidens pardoning of his son shook Washington, the sheer act a president granting clemency to a family member was not unprecedented. Hunter Biden joins a list of presidential relatives who were pardoned by the president. Connolly noted that Trump selected Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, to be ambassador to France. Trump in his last term had pardoned the elder Kushner, who in 2005 was sentenced to two years in prison over tax evasion, illegal campaign donation and witness tampering charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And former President Clinton pardoned his half-brother, Roger Clinton, for a cocaine possession conviction. But this instance comes after years of Democrats insisting they were the party that was respectful of the law enforcement apparatus and Justice Department, juxtaposing their behavior with that of Trump, who faced four criminal cases and was found guilty of 34 felony counts in one of them. Throughout Trumps legal entanglements which the president-elect criticized at every juncture Democrats sought to restore trust in the institutions. President Bidens pardon, some Democrats say, runs counter to that mission. The presidents statement argued that Hunter Biden was singled out only because he is my son and that is wrong. The Hunter Biden pardon was a mistake, Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) wrote on X. I sympathize with a fathers love, especially in a family that has experienced so much personal tragedy. I also understand the legal arguments in favor of a pardon. But Presidential pardons are never judged solely on the merits of the case, particularly when it involves a family member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Presidents hold enormous power and responsibility and must be held to a higher standard, he added. They must instill trust and promote the American peoples faith in their democracy. And right now, upholding the fabric of our democracy is one of our most important tasks. 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 News Up to 24 banks in Kenya could be forced out of business if plans to raise capital requirements become law, claims the countrys bankers association. The Business Laws amendment bill would progressively raise core capital requirements for banks to 10 billion Kenyan shillings ($76 million) by 2027 from 1 billion shillings currently. Officials representing the Kenya Bankers Association advocacy group told a parliamentary committee the move would affect the livelihoods of over 7,000 employees. Know More The banks likely to be impacted by the law account for 13% of all lending by banks to the private sector, highlighting potential ramifications for small and medium sized businesses, according to the officials. But banks have been criticized for slowing down lending to the private sector in favor of buying government bonds. Implementation of the law would likely lead to a wave of consolidation in the sector, with smaller banks forced to sell or merge with larger players. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A crew member on a Multnomah County Sheriffs Office patrol boat filed a lawsuit against the sheriffs office and county after becoming injured from the unseaworthy vessel, according to court documents. The lawsuit, which was first reported by The Oregonian, was filed on Nov. 25 and seeks $10 million for negligence leading to injuries of Deputy Rodney Nuzum. The lawsuit stems from an incident on June 25, 2022, when Deputy Nuzum was a crew member on a county patrol boat assigned to the Willamette River. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Portlands Arctic fox stricken with salmon poisoning; zoo asks for donations As another deputy tried to dock at the Waverly Marina gas dock in Portland, the crew faced high water, wind, and swift currents, leading the boat to swing, court documents claim explaining Deputy Nuzum was thrown backward onto the dock while he tried to secure the boat. As a result of the incident, Nuzum experienced pain, suffering and contusion of muscles, bones, nerves, and soft tissue around his neck, shoulders, arms, legs, and spine on top of a pre-existing cervical condition, along with a wrist fracture, radial head fracture among other medical issues requiring treatment, according to court documents. Portland man rescued hiking Cape Horn Trail in Skamania County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit alleges that the county and sheriffs office were negligent by providing a boat with mooring lines that were unable to secure the vessel to the dock and failed to provide training on operating the vessel in high water, and not providing a sufficient crew to safely operate the boat. According to court documents, the boat was unseaworthy for several reasons including failing to include a ramp with a non-skip surface, failing to provide a ramp with functioning handrails, and failing to provide a ramp that was static opposed to rising and falling with the current. Multnomah County and Multnomah County Sheriffs Office told KOIN 6 News the agency does not comment on pending litigation. 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. Szczepan Skibicki of the Military Museum of Biaystok in Poland found a sword during a swim in the Suprasl river in 2022 An official said the object, which dates back to the 9th century, is one of three or four such swords in Poland The Military Museum said it may exhibit the sword in December A museum worker who was swimming in a Polish river two years ago discovered a sword dating back as far as the 9th century, officials said. In August 2022, Szczepan Skibicki of the Military Museum of Biaystok was swimming in the Suprasl river, located in northern Poland, one late afternoon, the McClatchy News reported. It was a body of water that Skibicki is familiar with having previously swam there in his spare time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, something unusual happened during that swim: an area that was previously covered with sediment had washed away, said Skibicki, according to a translated Friday, Nov. 29 Facebook post from the museum. Related: Diver Discovers 900-Year-Old Crusader Sword Off Coast of Israel: 'A Beautiful and Rare Find' At about 120cm [four feet] deep, Skibicki recalled, as translated from Polish to English through Facebook, I spotted an interesting object which turned out to be a sword! Then for the first and last time, I screamed for joy under the water!...Thanks to my education and work I knew how to secure it and which services to notify. As stated in a Saturday, Nov. 30 press release from Poland's Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Skibicki took out the sword, made sure it was contained in a wet environment, and alerted authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Ryszard Kazmierczak of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun believes the sword is from the 9th century used by the Vikings or Baltic peoples. 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. We think there is a high probability that there was a fight by the river, a battle and the sword was in the water with its owner," Kazmierczak said, per the museums Facebook post. According to Robert Sadowski, director of the Military Museum, the find is one of three or four such swords in Poland, read the Ministry of Science and Higher Educations press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Colombian Shipwreck Worth $17 Billion to Be Recovered: Most Valuable Treasure in the 'History of Humanity' The sword also contains fragments that had been mineralized, according to the ministrys press release. "The middle part shows how time has acted, said Sadowski in the translated release. When these swords were fought, the middle part was the one that most often took the blows and, by necessity, some micro-cracks, scratches, splinters appeared, which caused the material to react in this way and not in any other way for a thousand years. Sadowski also described the sword as a unique find, as he stated in the Facebook post: This one presented today [Nov. 29], however, thanks to more modern preservation methods, has preserved its structure, and, most exceptionally, the mineralized leather on the handle and head." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Remains of 19th Century Hospital and Cemetery Found Submerged Underwater in Florida The Ministry of Science and Higher Education noted in its press release that before the sword could be transferred to the Military Museum it had to go through legal protocol overseen by the Provincial Conservator of Monument. Once it became the property of the Military Museum, the sword went into conservation involving specialists from the Institute of Archaeology of the Nicolaus Copernicus University. The restoration work took about five months, added the ministry, with Kazimierczak saying the process involved the careful removal of mineralized coatings so as to not alter the swords original form and shape. The ministry also noted that the work occurred in a wet environment so that the sword did not dry out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Military Museum said in its Facebook post that it is hoping to display the sword in December of this year, while adding that an article about the object will be published in 2025 in one of the museums scientific notebooks. Of discovering this once-lost treasure in the water, Skibicki told reporters on Nov. 29, "Finding it can be compared to the luck of hitting six in the lottery. Read the original article on People NATO's two-day ministerial meeting will focus on providing Ukraine with enough military aid to enable it to enter any possible negotiations from a position of strength, Secretary General Mark Rutte said ahead of the meeting in Brussels on Dec. 3. Rutte dodged a journalist's question about whether Ukraine should expect an invitation during the meeting, saying only that "allies agree that the future of Ukraine is in NATO." "And during the Washington summit, we agreed on the irreversible path towards NATO," the secretary general added, referencing the outcomes of the allied meeting in July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha asked on Nov. 29 that his NATO counterparts issue an invitation for Ukraine during the meeting in Brussels. Kyiv submitted its application to join NATO in September 2022, and in July 2024, the alliance affirmed Ukraine's "irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership" although Ukraine has not received any definitive news about its future accession. The matter becomes ever more pressing as Kyiv sees the invitation as a key condition for a just and lasting peace. Discussions about possible peace talks next year are mounting as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said he aims to find a quick end to the war and bring both sides to the negotiating table. Read also: Ukraine wont accept security guarantees substituting NATO membership Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The meeting in the next two days will very much concentrate on how to make sure that Ukraine, whenever it decides to enter into peace talks, will do so from a position of strength," Rutte said. "And to get there, it is crucial that more military aid will be pumped into Ukraine." Several allies remain opposed to Ukraine's quick accession to the alliance, including Germany, Slovakia, and Hungary, according to earlier reporting and statements. Reuters reported that an invitation during the upcoming summit was unlikely due to a lack of consensus. According to an earlier statement by Trump's pick for a Ukraine peace envoy, Keith Kellogg, Ukraine could temporarily forego NATO aspirations in exchange for alternative security guarantees and arms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement issued ahead of the meeting and the subsequent Ukraine-NATO Council session on Dec. 3, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry rejected any guarantees that would serve as substitutes for a full NATO membership. "Having the bitter experience of the Budapest Memorandum behind us, we will not settle for any alternatives, surrogates, or substitutes for Ukraine's full membership in NATO," the statement said just two days before the 30th anniversary of the memorandum's signing. Last week, President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested ending the "hot phase" of war along Ukraine's eastern front in exchange for NATO membership, not immediately including occupied territories. In separate comments on a potential invite on Dec. 1, Zelensky said that the alliance's Article 5 collective defense principle may not apply to Ukrainian territories facing active combat if Ukraine were to join NATO. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. OKLAHOMA CITY, Ok (KFOR) A PlatePay bill in the mail came as a surprise for one metro family, who claim the plate charged is one they havent had in 22 years. Gerry and Carol Lane owned the car in the 90s and passed the car to their daughter when she went to college. The car and license plate havent been attached to their name in two decades, until now when the mystery fees started popping up. Why would it disappear for 22 years and then all of a sudden pop up this last year? That doesnt make any sense, said Gerry Lane, who got an unknown bill from PlatePay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oklahoma Human Services announce Holiday Hope for families Gerry Lane said he first got a bill in April for $4.40. The plate and car that was charged was registered under his wifes name in the 90s. Lane called the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to get some answers. They said, oh, well check the video or whatever. And they checked the video and they said, yep, its not your car, whatever, and well take care of the problem, said Lane. The Lane family had one problem down, or so he thought. A couple of months later, I get another bill, this time with a $5 late fee on it. I called them again, and went through the whole spiel with a different person. They said theyll look at it, theyll send it to their department that takes care of these problems, said Lane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lane said hes called OTA four times, but more fees keep getting added. Now, his original $4 bill is up to $44. They also said that if we dont pay the bill, they will send it to a collection agency and then I wont be able to register, I assume that car again. If they put a freeze on it, theyre putting on a freeze for whoever now owns that plate, said Lane. OTA sent News 4 a statement in regards to the fees the Lanes are facing. They apologized and got the fees cleared. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority would like to apologize to the Lanes for the inconvenience they experienced this year with PlatePay invoices. PlatePay works by taking an image of license plates as they travel through tolling points. Those plates are then matched to the registered vehicle owner through Service Oklahomas database and PlatePay invoices are mailed to the address associated with that vehicle registration. The circumstances that led to this are extremely unusual. When OTA checked for the registered vehicle owner, the old owner information was provided. The Authority has taken steps to ensure the Lanes information is no longer associated with this license plate number and again, we apologize for this error. We encourage all users of the turnpike system to ensure that their license plate information is updated on their PIKEPASS toll accounts to ensure they are charged the correct toll rate for their travel and to also ensure that their address is up to date with Service Oklahoma for their vehicle registration. This will help make sure they receive any PlatePay invoices in a timely manner. If there are questions at any point about a turnpike invoice or turnpike travel, please call our Customer Service at 1-800-PIKEPASS. Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Service Oklahoma also sent News 4 a statement: Plate numbers in Oklahoma are only reissued after they have been inactive for an extended period. As a Keep Your Plate state, Oklahomans that are opting to utilize their existing plate are required to register and transfer their license plates to their recently purchased vehicles. Any discrepancies related to fees or questions about the PlatePay system, including ensuring license plates are up-to-date within the PlatePay system, should be directed to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA). Service Oklahoma has been in contact with the OTA on behalf of the citizen to resolve this issue and will follow up with the citizen once the matter is settled. Service Oklahoma 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Dec. 2The New Mexico Supreme Court on Monday issued an order remanding a decades-old school funding case to a state District Court, asking for an evaluation of the state's system for allocating capital dollars. The case, originally brought in 1998 by the Zuni school board, as well as students and parents, questions whether the state's method of providing money for school facilities violates the New Mexico Constitution, which requires a system for "sufficient" education of children statewide. The trouble is, New Mexico's complex method for using local, state and federal dollars to operate schools has changed significantly in the 26 years since the lawsuit was filed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Zuni Public School District is reviewing the Supreme Court's order to "make an informed decision as to how to proceed," Superintendent Randy Ann Stickney wrote in an email Monday. If a court case accusing the state of failing to provide sufficient public education sounds familiar, you may be thinking of the landmark Yazzie/Martinez v. State of New Mexico, in which a judge found New Mexico had failed low-income, Native American and disabled students, as well as English language learners. The Zuni case was a precursor to the 2014 Yazzie/Martinez lawsuit. New Mexico funds K-12 public schools with a mishmash of federal, state and local dollars, largely through an enrollment-based formula. The state also provides matching funds for local mill levies, or property taxes, for capital projects. The Zuni school board argued, however, the funding system was unfair, writing in its original complaint "the district had and has an insufficient tax base and otherwise little opportunity to raise any significant funds for capital improvements." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October 1999, 11th Judicial District Judge Joseph L. Rich issued a partial summary judgment agreeing with this interpretation and requiring the state to "implement a uniform funding system for capital improvements." "The ability of a school district to fund capital improvements is largely based upon the value of real property located within the district available to be taxed," Rich wrote in the 1999 judgment. The decision brought about major legislative changes in school facilities funding, including the implementation of a "standards-based process" to allocate funds facilities and technology, according to a Legislative Finance Committee report in July. The District Court case which now includes more than 400 individual documents has stretched on for years amid changes to school funding procedures and appeals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2020, 11th Judicial District Judge Louis E. DePauli Jr. issued a final judgment, compelling the state to implement a funding system that "does not create substantial disparities." That judgment was certified for review by the state Supreme Court in 2023. In their order issued Monday, the justices determined the case moot because the "statutory scheme declared to be unconstitutional no longer exists." Nonetheless, they referred the case to 6th Judicial District Judge Jarod K. Hofacket for further proceedings to test the current school funding system. WINDHOEK, Namibia (AP) Namibia elected its first female leader as Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was declared the winner Tuesday of a presidential election last week that was tarnished by technical glitches that caused a three-day extension to allow votes to be cast, and rejected as illegal by opposition parties. The 72-year-old Nandi-Ndaitwah won with 57% of the vote, defying predictions that she might be forced into a runoff. Her ruling SWAPO party also retained its parliamentary majority, although by a very thin margin, and extended its 34-year hold on power since the southern African country gained independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Namibia, a sparsely populated country of around 3 million on the southwestern coast of Africa, has a reputation for being one of the continent's more stable democracies and the problems around the election have caused consternation. Last Wednesday's vote was marred by shortages of ballot papers and other problems that led election officials to extend voting until Saturday. Opposition parties have said the extension is unconstitutional, and some have pledged to join together in a legal appeal to have the election invalidated. The Electoral Commission of Namibia, which ran the election, rejected opposition calls for a redo of the vote. It has undermined Nandi-Ndaitwah's place in history. She is set to become her country's fifth president since independence and a rare female leader in Africa. She was a member of Namibia's underground independence movement in the 1970s and received part of her higher education in the then-Soviet Union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was promoted to vice president in February after President Hage Geingob died while in office. Nangolo Mbumba, who became president after Geingob's death, didn't run in the election. The ruling SWAPO party won 51 seats in the parliamentary vote, only just passing the 49 it needed to keep its majority and narrowly avoiding becoming another long-ruling party to be rejected in southern Africa this year. It was SWAPO's worst parliamentary election result. A mood of change has swept across the region, with parties that led their countries out of white minority or colonial rule in neighboring South Africa and Botswana both losing their long-held political dominance. South Africa's African National Congress, which freed the country from the racist system of apartheid, lost its 30-year majority in an election in May and had to form a coalition. Botswana's ruling party was stunningly removed in a landslide in October after governing for 58 years since independence from Britain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mozambique's long-ruling Frelimo has been accused of rigging an October election and has faced weeks of violent protests against its rule. SWAPO faced similar challenges as those countries, with frustration at high unemployment and economic hardship, especially among young people, driving a desire for era-ending change. In a brief speech after the results were announced late Tuesday night, Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibians had voted for peace, stability and youth empowerment. We are going to do what we promised you during the campaigns. Thank you for your confidence and trust in us," she said. Nandi-Ndaitwah was also due to address the nation on Wednesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SWAPO Wins. Netumbo Wins. Namibia Wins. Now Hard Work, the ruling party posted on its official account on social media site X. Some opposition parties boycotted the announcement by the Electoral Commission of Namibia at its results center in the capital, Windhoek. The commission has been roundly criticized for its running of the vote, with many angry Namibians complaining they had to wait hours and sometimes over multiple days for the chance to vote. Just over 1 million votes were cast out of 1.4 million registered voters, according to the electoral commission. Panduleni Itula, the leading opposition candidate from the Independent Patriots for Change party, was second in the presidential election with 25% of the vote. His party won the second-largest number of seats in Parliament behind SWAPO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Itula and his party have led the criticism of the vote and said they will lodge their appeal against the election this week. Other opposition parties said they will join that legal challenge. Itula has said that thousands of voters may have been prevented from voting as only some polling stations allowed an extension. "This election has violated the very tenets of our Electoral Act. Namibians deserve the right to choose their leaders freely and fairly, not through a rigged process, he said. Namibia is a former German colony that came under South African control after World War I and its Black majority was later subjected to some of South Africas apartheid policies. SWAPO was at the forefront of the battle for independence from South Africa. While the country has swaths of desert running through it, it has diamond and uranium resources and untapped oil and gas off its coast that is being explored by international companies and could make it a major producer of both. ___ AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa Nathan Hochman was officially sworn in as the 44th Los Angeles County District Attorney on Tuesday in a ceremony held on the front steps of the Hall of Justice. Hochman replaces former District Attorney George Gascon, who lost his reelection bid in a landslide in November. Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger officially swore in Hochman. During the ceremony, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell and other local leaders spoke. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About a dozen people also attended the ceremony, voicing their opposition to some of Hochmans proposed policy changes. Among many issues Hochman has inherited from the previous DA, none may be more high-profile than the Menendez brothers murder case. In October, Gascon announced that he would support resentencing the brothers, who have spent nearly 35 years behind bars for killing their parents. Lyle Menendez, then 21, and Erik Menendez, then 18, admitted to fatally shooting their father, Jose Menendez, and their mother, Kitty Menendez, after fearing their parents were about to kill them to stop people from finding out that Jose Menendez had sexually abused Erik Menendez for years, according to the Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resentencing recommendation could provide the brothers a chance at freedom after spending over three decades in jail. In 1996, they were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. In an exclusive sit-down interview with KTLA in November, Hochman outlined his plans for navigating the case. Heres my approach, whether its the Menendez case or quite honestly any case: You have to do the hard work, he told KTLA. You have to look, in that case, at thousands of pages of confidential prison files, you have to review thousands of trial transcripts from months-long trials, and you have to speak to the prosecutors, law enforcement and the defense counseland the victims families. Only then can you be in a position to determine whether resentencing is the remedy in this situation or whether what is asked for in the resentencing is the appropriate request, Hochman continued. Im not in that position now, but I can tell you if I do have to make that call, I will do the hard work to make the right decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement L.A. Countys new D.A. also vowed to eliminate pro-criminal extreme policies and empower the 750 prosecutors Gascon didnt even speak to. I am going to listen and learn from them [because] they bring collectively thousands of years of prosecutorial experience, and while I have 34 years, I understand the difference. So I will ask them what is working and we will continue it, and [I will ask] whats not working and their solutions to fix [those problems], Hochman 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 KTLA. WATONGA, Okla. (AP) As the Watonga school system's Indian education director, Hollie Youngbear works to help Native American students succeed a job that begins with getting them to school. She makes sure students have clothes and school supplies. She connects them with federal and tribal resources. And when students don't show up to school, she and a colleague drive out and pick them up. Nationwide, Native students miss school far more frequently than their peers, but not at Watonga High School. Youngbear and her colleagues work to connect with families in a way that acknowledges the history and needs of Native communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As she thumbed through binders in her office with records of every Native student in the school, Youngbear said a cycle of skipping school goes back to the abuse generations of Native students suffered at U.S. government boarding schools. If grandma didnt go to school, and her grandma didnt, and her mother didnt, it can create a generational cycle, said Youngbear, a member of the Arapaho tribe who taught the Cheyenne and Arapaho languages at the school for 25 years. ___ This story is part of a collaboration on chronic absenteeism among Native American students between The Associated Press and ICT, a news outlet that covers Indigenous issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ____ Watonga schools collaborate with several Cheyenne and Arapaho programs that aim to lower Native student absenteeism. One helps students with school expenses and promotes conferences for tribal youth. Another holds monthly meetings with Watongas Native high school students during lunch hours to discourage underage drinking and drug use. Oklahoma is home to 38 federally recognized tribes, many with their own education departments and support from those tribes contributes to students' success. Of 34 states with data available for the 2022-2023 school year, Oklahoma was the only one where Native students missed school at lower rates than the state average, according to data collected by The Associated Press. At Watonga High, fewer than 4% of Native students were chronically absent in 2022-23, in line with the school average, according to state data. Chronically absent students miss 10% or more of the school year, for both excused and unexcused reasons, which sets them behind in learning and heightens their chances of dropping out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 14% of students at the Watonga school on the Cheyenne-Arapaho reservation are Native American. With black-lettered Bible verses on the walls of its hallways, the high school resembles many others in rural Oklahoma. But student-made Native art decorates the classroom reserved for Eagle Academy, the school's alternative education program. Students are assigned to the program when they struggle to keep up their grades or attendance, and most are Native American, classroom teacher Carrie Compton said. Students are rewarded for attendance with incentives like field trips. Compton said she gets results. A Native boy who was absent 38 days one semester spent a short time in Eagle Academy during his second year of high school and went on to graduate last year, she said. "He had perfect attendance for the first time ever, and its because he felt like he was getting something from school, Compton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When students do not show up for school, Compton and Youngbear take turns visiting their homes. I can remember one year, I probably picked five kids up every morning because they didnt have rides, Compton said. So at 7 oclock in the morning, I just start my little route, and make my circle, and once they get into the habit of it, they would come to school. Around the country, Native students often have been enrolled in disproportionately large numbers in alternative education programs, which can worsen segregation. But the embrace of Native students by their Eagle Academy teacher sets a different tone from what some students experience elsewhere in the school. Compton said a complaint she hears frequently from Native students in her room is, The teachers just dont like me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bullying of Native students by non-Native students is also a problem, said Watonga senior Happy Belle Shortman, who is Kiowa, Cheyenne and Arapaho. She said Cheyenne students have been teased over aspects of their traditional ceremonies and powwow music. People here, theyre not very open, and they do have their opinions, Shortman said. People who are from a different culture, they dont understand our culture and everything that we have to do, or that we have a different living than they do. Poverty might play a role in bullying as well, she said. If youre not in the latest trends, then youre kind of just outcasted," she said. Watonga staff credit the work building relationships with students for the low absenteeism rates, despite the challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Native students are never going to feel really welcomed unless the non-Native faculty go out of their way to make sure that those Native students feel welcomed," said Dallas Pettigrew, director of Oklahoma Universitys Center for Tribal Social Work and a member of the Cherokee Nation. ___ Associated Press writer Sharon Lurye in New Orleans contributed to this report. ___ The Associated Press education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. Marriott International is expanding its luxury footprint in Europe with the introduction of The Ritz-Carlton brand to Serbia after signing an agreement with Danube Riverside d.o.o. Beograd. Slated to open in 2027, The Ritz-Carlton, Belgrade aims to set a new standard for luxury in the city with its service and design. It is poised to offer 193 guest rooms and suites. Guests will be able to avail The Ritz-Carlton Club experience and the choice of two dining venues. The hotel plans to feature an array of amenities including an indoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and spa, and more than 1,700m of space dedicated to meetings and events. Marriott International Middle East chief operating officer Sandeep Walia said: Serbia continues to grow as an important business and leisure destination, and the signing of The Ritz-Carlton, Belgrade reflects our commitment to expand our portfolio of brands and experiences in its progressive capital and the broader region. We look forward to working with Danube Riverside d.o.o. Beograd to provide travellers to the country and local guests alike with Ritz-Carlton's legendary service, thoughtful innovation and distinctive luxury experiences. Located on Nikola Tesla Boulevard, the hotel will boast a riverside setting along the Danube. It is close to key government buildings, the business district, Stark Arena, and the historic old town. The development is part of a broader initiative to rejuvenate the site of the former Hotel Jugoslavija. Danube Riverside d.o.o. Beograd representative Ivan Bosnjak said: We are honoured to collaborate with Marriott International to bring The Ritz-Carlton brand to Serbia, a global symbol of luxury and quality. "On the site of the former Hotel Jugoslavija, a modern complex will rise becoming a prestigious new destination in Belgrade designed for both our fellow citizens and tourists from around the world. The Ritz-Carlton, Belgrade will be the centrepiece of a project that also includes residential and office towers, a conference centre, a marina, and a promenade. We believe this project will bring new energy to Belgrade and strengthen its position on the global map of luxury destinations. Serbia's position at the heart of Central and Southeast Europe presents a business landscape with competitive costs and a thriving startup culture. Belgrade merges its historical allure with cultural attractions and contemporary infrastructure, making it an attractive location for both business executives and holidaymakers. "Marriott International signs agreement to bring Ritz-Carlton to Serbia" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand. NATO data has confirmed that Russian troops' rapid advance has accelerated many times over the recent period, but Alliance analysts expect this process to slow down after the town of Pokrovsk if the Russians succeed in capturing it. Source: European Pravda with reference to a senior NATO official who spoke on condition of anonymity before the ministerial meeting in Brussels Details: The NATO official stressed that the Russians had recently made sharp advances, seizing new territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is now clear that the Ukrainian line of contact is under increasing pressure. There was a period when I talked about the Russians advancing by 10 metres a day, now in some places we see changes of up to 10 kilometres a day," the NATO representative said. However, he stressed that this was "simple territory" and that the Ukrainian army would be able to hold back the offensive more effectively in the future. "We expect the advance to slow down after Pokrovsk, as the Ukrainians have prepared a line of fortifications there. We expect stronger resistance," he said. Answering a question from European Pravda, the official, however, clarified that he did not consider the capture of Pokrovsk to be absolutely inevitable. "I will not make predictions whether or not Pokrovsk will fall, or when it might happen, but Russia does have momentum that is in favour of it now," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Forecasts of a change in the trend of the frontline movement and the possibility of a Ukrainian counteroffensive are more cautious. "The winter weather will have an impact; after all, mud in the fields hinders the advance of the front line. However, the main thing that can stop the advance of the Russians is military personnel and a sufficient number of necessary weapons," he added. Background: Earlier, European Pravda reported that Germany predicted that Ukraine would lose Pokrovsk quickly. Other Western sources confirmed the Russians' rapid advance. In particular, a month ago, Estonian intelligence reported that Russia had occupied 150 square kilometres of Donetsk Oblast within a week. Support UP or become our patron! (Bloomberg) -- The establishment of a new NATO command center for coordinating training and security assistance to Ukraine is running behind schedule, according to people familiar with the matter. Most Read from Bloomberg The NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine command was supposed to open in Wiesbaden, Germany, this fall with 700 personnel. Instead, the center is still ramping up, with a few hundred on staff. Many posts still unfilled as countries have been slow to send the promised personnel, added the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The command was one of the key commitments NATO members made at the alliances summit back in July. By establishing this hub, it agreed to take on a greater role in coordinating military assistance and training for Ukraine to bring more predictability to Ukraine aid and insulate it against political change in the US, amid fears President-elect Donald Trump may roll back US support. Since 2022, military assistance to Ukraine has been coordinated by the US-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which regularly convened over 50 participating countries at the Ramstein airbase in Germany. The US has said that the contact group will continue operating in tandem with the new NATO command center. In mid-October, two weeks after taking office, NATOs new secretary general, Mark Rutte, traveled to Germany to visit the hub. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A NATO official said the command is still being set up, with personnel in both Wiesbaden and at logistical hubs in the eastern part of the alliance. NATO foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels on Tuesday and Wednesday, with Ukraine at the top of the agenda. --With assistance from Michael Nienaber and Natalia Drozdiak. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. NATOs Secretary-General Mark Rutte argued that Ukraine needs to be put in a position of strength instead of being pushed toward peace talks, while speaking at a Tuesday conference ahead of the organizations Foreign Ministers meeting this week. I would argue, lets not have all these discussions step by step on what a peace process might look like, Rutte said at the first full gathering of the group since President-elect Trumps win. Make sure that Ukraine has what it needs to get to a position of strength when those peace talks start, when the Ukrainian government has decided they are ready to do so, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has long said that he would seek an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine upon returning to the White House. The contours of a deal remain murky, but Trumps pick for special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, has offered fairly detailed proposals for a truce. Controversially, Kellogg has said that further U.S. aid to Ukraine should be conditional on Ukraines willingness to participate in peace talks. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky stoked speculation about a peace deal with his recent comments outlining some basic demands and concessions for a ceasefire, mainly that Russia can effectively control areas it currently occupies, in exchange for NATO protections being extended to the rest of Ukraine. Rutte, a Dutch politician who just entered his second month as the head of NATO, said he will continue to advocate for efforts that increase Ukraines stockpile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And that is what we will very much focus on the next two days, how to get more military aid into Ukraine, more missile defense into Ukraine, better coordination of everything we are doing, making sure that the command in Wiesbaden will be up and running as soon as possible, that the pledge is implemented, that is what we need to do, he said. Rutte pledged to ensure the sovereign nations stability on the battlefield as they head into a crucial winter that promises to spur more Russian attacks. Putin is not interested in peace. He is pressing on, trying to take more territory, because he thinks he can break Ukraines resolve and ours, Rutte mentioned. But he is wrong. Ukraine has a right to defend itself, and we have a duty to help them. So we need to continue our steadfast support. Rutte previously dealt with Trump as the Dutch prime minister during Trumps first term. The president-elect and his foreign policy team met with Rutte on Nov. 23 to discuss a range of issues facing the alliance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky in his Friday interview with Sky News said Ukraine needs to come under the NATO umbrella to end the hot phase of the war. We need to do it fast. And then on the [occupied] territory of Ukraine, Ukraine can get them back in a diplomatic way, he said. Kellogg, Trumps envoy to the war, has been critical of the arms and money sent abroad to fuel Ukraines front lines and has instead proposed a formal U.S. policy to end the war rather than funding a stalemate. It means working in alliances and with partners to promote regional security while requiring alliance members and allies to carry their full weight in defending security in the region, Kellogg wrote in an America First Policy Institute report. 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 new secretary-general of Nato has warned Donald Trump not to push Ukraine to sign a peace deal that would see the leaders of Russia and Iran high-fiving. Mark Rutte also warned such an agreement would create a dire security threat not only to Europe but also to the US. The next US President has repeatedly claimed that he would bring peace to Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office. While he has yet to reveal details of his plan to end the war, hints that Ukraine would be forced to make significant concessions to its Russian invaders have worried Nato countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a press conference on Tuesday, Mr Rutte urged allies to increase military aid for Ukraine to strengthen Kyivs position should it enter negotiations with Moscow. Donald Trump during a meeting with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky in September (AP) "We will all need to do more. The stronger our military support to Ukraine is now, the stronger their hand will be at the negotiating table," he warned. He added: "Putin is not interested in peace. He is pressing on, trying to take more territory. Because he thinks he can break Ukraines resolve and ours, but he is wrong. Mr Trump plans to appoint retired US lieutenant general Keith Kellogg, who co-authored a policy document that proposed ending the war by withdrawing weapons from Ukraine if it did not enter peace talks, as envoy to Ukraine and Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week the Russian President Vladimir Putin added to Nato allies fears as he heaped praise on Mr Trump and suggested that his incoming administration would find a solution to end Russias war in Ukraine. As far as I can imagine, the newly elected president is an intelligent and already quite experienced person. I think he will find a solution, President Putin said. Sir Keir Starmer and the French leader Emmanuel Macron have already vowed to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position going into winter, before Mr Trump returns to the Oval Office in January. The Biden administration has also authorised Ukraines use of US-supplied long-range missiles inside of Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a significant development last week Ukrainian president indicated for the first time that Kyiv could accept Russian control over some of its territory in order to end the hot phase of the war. But, in an interview with the Financial Times, Mr Rutte warned of the risks of Russia supplying missile technology to North Korea and cash to Iran. In what was seen as a reference to Taiwan, he said that Chinese President Xi Jinping might get thoughts about something else in the future if there is not a good deal [for Ukraine]. He added: We cannot have a situation where we have [North Korean leader] Kim Jong Un and the Russian leader and Xi Jinping and Iran high-fiving because we came to a deal which is not good for Ukraine, because long-term that will be a dire security threat not only to Europe but also to the US. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (REUTERS) He revealed he had made this point to Mr Trump when the two men met in Florida on November 22, as part of an effort to persuade the US president-elect to stick with Nato allies and keep up American support for Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday night, Sir Keir made it clear that he believes Mr Trump will not abandon Ukraine, despite appointments to the incoming presidents cabinet which suggest he plans to end the current flow of financial and military aid to the country. In a speech on foreign affairs the prime minister said: Theres no question its right we support Ukraine. But we must also be clear that it is deeply in our self-interest. I would encourage everyone here to stop and think for a moment about what it would mean to us, to our continent, to the world, if Russia wins. What would it mean for our values for democracy, commerce, and liberty? MILAN The NATO alliance has begun planning for its own fleet of unmanned boats meant to help protect critical undersea infrastructure across the Baltic and Mediterranean seas. Following a pattern of undersea cable damage across European waters in the last year, with the most recent disruptions happening just weeks ago, top NATO officials have begun envisioning a capability that would allow the alliance to have permanent eyes above and under the waterline. In an interview with Defense News, Adm. Pierre Vandier, the alliances Norfolk, Virginia-based commander for concepts and transformation, likened the idea to police CCTV cameras installed on street lights in urban trouble spots for recording evidence of crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The technology is there to make this street-lighting with USVs, he said, using the militarys shorthand for unmanned surface vessel. Vandier said his team is in the early stages of developing a USV fleet so that NATO can see and monitor daily its environment. The first step would be to achieve this at a surface level, and then later under water. The new project has already received great support from the central command of all NATO maritime forces, known as MARCOM, and the alliance operational headquarters of SACEUR, Vandier added. While many details still need to be hashed out, officials believe they can equip the drone formation with fielded platforms that are known to work, leaning on experiments done by the U.S. Navys Task Force 59. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement European navies try to keep up in cat-and-mouse game of seabed warfare There is no name [for now], just USV Fleet, Vandier told Defense News. In fact, it already exists, so somehow its not very risky. The U.S. has enforced Task Force 59 in the Gulf for years, so everything is known and sold, so it is much more a matter of adoption than technology. Launched in 2021, TF 59 is a unit dedicated to integrating unmanned systems and artificial intelligence in the U.S. Navys 5th Fleet area of operations. It operates out of Bahrain and includes drones as well as other uncrewed vehicles working alongside manned ships. In January, a new sub-unit was established, called Task Group 59.1, whose focus is on testing and upgrading industry systems to bolster maritime security across the Middle East region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of last month, the unit has trialed, upgraded and experimented with more than 23 different unmanned systems. The task group took part in exercise Digital Talon in early November, during which it succeeded at remotely launching a loitering munition at sea and tested the vertical take-off and landing of drones from a USV. According to Vandier, the goal is to launch the drone surveillance fleet before the next NATO Summit, which will be held in the Netherlands next June. We are to experiment with the first talks about this and then work with the allies to find a proper way to make this happen, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most recent incidents of undersea cable disruptions took place on Nov. 17 and 18, when a cable of a telecommunications company between Lithuania and Sweden was cut, and a cable connecting Finland and Germany was damaged. Investigations of the incidents are still ongoing. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stressed that the partners hear Ukraine's calls for membership and are not backing down from their plans, but they have a different goal at the December meeting of the Alliance. Source: Mark Rutte at a press conference in Brussels ahead of NATO ministerial meeting that opens on Tuesday Details: The NATO Secretary General confirmed the Alliance's unwavering position on Ukraine's membership prospects. "Allies agree that the future of Ukraine is NATO," Mark Rutte said, adding that in line with the decision of the Washington Summit, NATO partners have been "building a bridge" to membership in their relations with Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the NATO Secretary General does not expect a discussion on this issue in the coming days. Instead, the Alliance will focus on providing military aid to Ukraine. Quote from Rutte: "We will concentrate over these next two days very much on what is necessary now And what is necessary now is to make sure that military aid will go to Ukraine because that is now crucial for them; if they decide to do so and are into talks with Russians one day, they will do this on the position of strength." Mark Rutte says Ukraine needs "more military aid and less discussions on what the peace process would look like." Background: On the eve of the Brussels meeting, Ukraine said it was refusing to accept the guarantees that are substitutes for NATO membership. Earlier, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said for the first time that Ukraine could join NATO with Article 5 partially in force, but this idea has not yet been detailed. It should be noted that this week, the US denied the possibility of Ukraine returning nuclear weapons to its arsenal. Support UP or become our patron! BRUSSELS (Reuters) - A number of NATO members are waiting for the new U.S. administration to take office before making up their minds on Ukraines request for an invitation to join the U.S.-led transatlantic alliance, Latvias foreign minister said on Tuesday. Kyiv has urged NATO foreign ministers to issue an invitation at a meeting in Brussels this week, but movement appears unlikely amid opposition from some capitals and the transition in Washington. Donald Trump, the U.S. president-elect, has said he will end Russia's war with Ukraine in a day, but his teams plans for Ukraine policy remain unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In principle, we as political leaders have agreed that Ukraine will be a member, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze told Reuters on the sidelines of the meeting. The issue is what conditions when, and obviously that is where the alliance has to come together. All allies, currently, everybody is waiting for the new U.S. administration to start working, so I think that is one aspect that is said or unsaid, but it's a reality." Braze, a former senior NATO official, said Ukraines battle-hardened military would be an asset for NATO, and that her country would be in favour of inviting Ukraine to join if a decision was on the table. A number of countries don't necessarily feel comfortable inviting a country at war to join NATO, the minister said, adding: We are more flexible." (Reporting by Lili Bayer and Andrew Gray; Editing by Kevin Liffey) The North Atlantic Alliance believes Russia's calculation is flawed and is convinced that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is not interested in peace. Source: European Pravda reporter, citing NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte before the start of the Alliance's ministerial meeting in Brussels on Tuesday NATO sees no indication that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is preparing for a ceasefire, Rutte said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "Russias aggression shows no sign of abating. Just the opposite Putin is ramping up his rhetoric and reckless actions. He is using Ukraine as a testing ground for experimental missiles and is deploying North Korean soldiers in this illegal war," Rutte stated. He emphasized that Putin is "not interested in peace". Quote: "He thinks he can break Ukraines resolve, and ours. But he is wrong!" Rutte added, underscoring that aiding Ukraine in its self-defence is a NATO duty. "So we need to continue our steadfast support," he concluded. Background: Tuesdays NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels will focus on providing military assistance to Ukraine, rather than discussing its membership in the Alliance. Notably, ahead of the meeting, Ukraine announced it would reject any security guarantees that serve as substitutes for NATO membership. Additionally, the Ukraine-NATO Council meeting is scheduled to take place in Brussels on Tuesday. Support UP or become our patron! NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned US President-elect Donald Trump of a "dire threat" from China, Iran and North Korea if Ukraine is pushed to sign a peace agreement on terms favourable to Russia. Source: Mark Rutte in an interview with Financial Times as reported by European Pravda Details: Mark Rutte says deepening ties between US adversaries puts America at risk. The NATO Secretary General also called on the newly elected president to remain in the Alliance and continue to support Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rutte also told Trump about the risks associated with Russia's supply of missile technology to North Korea and cash to Iran. Quote from Rutte: "Iran is getting money from Russia in return for, for example, missiles, but also drone technology. And the money is being used to prop up Hizbollah and Hamas, but also steering conflict beyond the region." More details: The NATO Secretary General also noted that Chinese leader Xi Jinping "might get thoughts about something else in the future if there is not a good deal [for Ukraine]," apparently hinting at Beijing's possible use of force against Taiwan. Quote from Rutte: "We cannot have a situation where we have [North Korean leader] Kim Jong Un and the Russian leader and Xi Jinping and Iran high-fiving because we came to a deal which is not good for Ukraine, because long-term that will be a dire security threat not only to Europe but also to the US." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rutte also noted the need to strengthen Ukraine's military before potential peace talks. Quote from Rutte: "The most important thing now is to make sure that whenever Zelenskyy decides to get into peace talks, that he can do this from a position of strength. That for me is now priority number one." Background: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and US President-elect Donald Trump met on Friday, 22 November, to discuss various global security issues. Support UP or become our patron! Getty Images The S&P 500 will see gains capped at 10% next year, Jeremy Siegel said. The Wharton professor expects large-cap tech shares could see flat returns in 2025. But undervalued small- and mid-cap stocks will rally, he said. The S&P 500 will be running on fumes in 2025 after a scorching two-year rally, Jeremy Siegel told CNBC on Monday. "I'm expecting a much quieter year. I mean, we've had two blockbuster years, 2023, 2024, so I'm expecting an S&P probably in the zero to 10% range," the Wharton professor outlined, adding that the market's dominant tech stocks could see "flattish" returns next year. The benchmark S&P 500 has surged 26.5% so far this year. Both US and global investors powered the double-digit rise, snapping up large-cap exposure to artificial intelligence. This AI frenzy has sent a handful of tech companies soaring, making S&P gains heavily dependent on their performance. But according to Siegel, the so-called Magnificent 7 stocks which include names such as Amazon, Nvidia, and Meta are starting to lag. "Maybe for once, we will see relative softness on the big high flyers that have been so good for the market last two years," he said, adding: "The S&P being one-third of those high flyers, if they do falter next year or even really don't increase, it'll be hard for the S&P to make anything like the gains that we had in 2023 and 2024." Bank of America suggested that the tech trade could be headed for a cyclical peak. A lot will depend on future bond yields, as rising rates will likely cap risk assets in 2025, the bank said. Although tech has been the S&P 500's big catalyst this year, Donald Trump's election has helped drive even steeper gains in recent weeks. Traders are betting that the incoming president will implement market-friendly policies that will boost overlooked assets like small-caps. In fact, the small-cap Russell 2000 has gained 7% since the November 5 election, as investors position for domestic firms to gain from Trump's deregulation and tax cut promises. "Maybe the Mag 7 will do nothing next year, and those small and mid-sized caps, stocks which are really so undervalued compared to the others are finally going to have their day in the sun," Siegel said. Some market observers are less sure of small-caps' ability to rally further. A Capital Economics note last month noted that small-caps similarly surged after Trump's first election win in 2016, only to underperform through 2017. Read the original article on Business Insider Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect comments made by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to the Financial Times on Dec. 2. NATO countries will likely sidestep Ukraine's call to provide the embattled country with an invitation into the military alliance during the upcoming NATO Foreign Ministerial Meeting on Dec. 3-4, Reuters reported, citing multiple diplomats. "It will take weeks and months to get consensus," an unnamed senior NATO diplomat told Reuters on the condition of anonymity. "I don't see that happening tomorrow, I would be very surprised." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kyiv submitted its application to join NATO in September 2022, and in July 2024, the alliance affirmed Ukraine's "irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership" although Ukraine has not received any definitive news about its future accession. The comments come as Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha asked on Nov. 29 that his NATO counterparts issue an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance during the meeting in Brussels. "I urge you to endorse the decision to invite Ukraine to join the Alliance as one of the outcomes of the NATO Foreign Ministerial Meeting on Dec. 3-4," Sybiha wrote at the time, pointing at the threat of Russian escalation through its use of the new Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile, as well as the involvement of North Korean troops. Last week, President Volodymyr Zelensky also suggested ending the "hot phase" of war along Ukraine's eastern front in exchange for NATO membership, not immediately including occupied territories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In separate comments on a potential invite on Dec. 1, Zelensky said that the alliance's Article 5 collective defense principle may not apply to Ukrainian territories facing active combat if Ukraine were to join NATO. Amid a recent shift in rhetoric, Zelensky said in in interview with Japan's Kyodo News that Ukraine might have to liberate some Russian-held territories through diplomatic means after the country's NATO membership becomes certain, as the country's military "lacks the strength" to do so immediately. Despite Ukraine's pleas to join the alliance, a senior U.S. official told Reuters that the Dec. 3-4 meeting would focus on bringing Ukraine into the strongest possible position next year, "going into possible negotiations." "The best way to (support Ukraine) is to surge money, munitions, and mobilization," the U.S. official added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The comments comes as the Biden administration continues to make series of decisions aimed at giving Kyiv leverage in future negotiations, ahead of the January inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump who has criticized military support for Kyiv. Speaking to the Financial Times (FT) on Dec. 2, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that increasing military aid to Ukraine ahead of potential peace negotiations was more important than the issue of when NATO membership could be offered to Kyiv. "The most important thing now is to make sure that whenever Zelensky decides to get into peace talks, that he can do this from a position of strength," Rutte told FT. "That for me is now priority number one." Instead of debates on the timing of the invitation, Rutte added that "for the immediate future, the most important thing is to get your military aid into Ukraine, particularly air defence, but also the offensive systems they need to fight a war." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky, who has repeatedly called on partners to issue a membership invitation to Kyiv, previously said that Ukraine will join NATO only after Russia's full-scale war ends. Read also: France, UK discuss deploying troops to Ukraine for ceasefire monitoring, sources tell RFE/RL Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Navy relieved the commanding officer of Navy Reserve Center Cheyenne, Wyoming, on Tuesday, the service announced. Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Bourque was relieved as the head of NRC Cheyenne by Capt. Christopher Peppel, commander of Navy Reserve Region Readiness and Mobilization Command Everett, due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command, the Navy said in a brief release. The Navy maintains the highest standards for commanding officers and holds them accountable when those standards are not met, the Navy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No other reason was provided for Bourques dismissal. The Navy rarely provides any insight into the firing of commanding officers beyond the loss of confidence statement. Bourque, who assumed command of NRC Cheyenne in December 2023, has been temporarily reassigned to Navy Reserve Forces Command. Lt. Cmdr. Margaret Nichols has temporarily assumed command of NRC Cheyenne, according to the service. NRC Cheyenne is a subordinate command of Navy Reserve Region Readiness and Mobilization Command Everett based in Everett, Washington. Heavy rains from Hurricane Helene caused record flooding and damage on Sept. 28 in Asheville. (Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images) A committee of North Carolina lawmakers will meet over the coming month to discuss how to approach additional Hurricane Helene aid ahead of next years legislative session. The House select committee, announced by House Speaker Tim Moore on Monday, comes after the General Assembly passed three bills that send money to the mountains. But with a years-long recovery ahead, lawmakers are expected to have to take further action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The creation of this committee is a critical step toward helping western North Carolina recover and rebuild after the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene, Moore said in a statement. By hearing from key stakeholders and resources, we can ensure that our future response is coordinated, effective, and focused on the needs of the affected communities. Rep. Dudley Greene (R-McDowell) and Majority Leader John Bell (R-Wayne) will chair the House committee. It has 47 total members, many of whom hail from western counties hit hardest by the storm. Among the Democrats on the committee are Reps. Eric Ager, Lindsey Prather and Caleb Rudow, who all represent parts of Buncombe County. A spokesperson for Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger did not immediately say whether there were plans to appoint a similar committee in the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers will return to Raleigh next year with new members, a new governor and continued disagreements about how to best approach Helene aid. Republicans have touted their series of aid packages as measured steps that address immediate crises in the region, while not over-committing resources that could come from the federal government. But Democrats have argued that state aid thus far has been insufficient, as well as distorted by the latest bill that also makes major changes to executive power in state government. In Washington, negotiations continue about federal aid for Helene-impacted states. U.S. Sen. Ted Budd of North Carolina sent a letter to leaders in Congress urging a vote next week, Punchbowl News reported. OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) A North Carolina man is in jail after investigators said he shot a woman on the side of Interstate 85. According to Oconee County Sheriffs Office, Hakeeh Ha, 23, of Huntersville, is in jail pending a bond hearing on charges of domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. According to the sheriffs office, on Monday deputies were called to the Exit 2 off-ramp of I-85 for a single-vehicle accident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the scene, a deputy found a white pickup truck in a ditch along with Ha and an adult woman, both with blood visible on their hands and arm. The woman, who had reportedly been driving the truck, told deputies shed been shot. Paramedics were called to transport the woman to the hospital for treatment for her injuries. Ha told deputies they were driving on Fair Play Boulevard when someone jumped out of the bushes and began shooting at them. The deputy at the scene reportedly noted bullet holes in the door of the truck as well as pistol shell casings. Investigators said the investigation into the shooting determined Ha had shot the woman multiple times while he was standing outside of the truck and she was still inside. 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 WSPA 7NEWS. Democrats in the North Carolina Senate elected a new leader on Monday to replace Sen. Dan Blue, a veteran legislator who led the caucus for more than a decade. Senate Democrats chose Sydney Batch, a former single-term House member who has represented Apex in the Senate since 2021, to serve as minority leader and head of their caucus in the upcoming legislative session, the caucus announced in a news release Monday evening. The caucus said that Blue, who has served as minority leader since 2014, announced before Mondays leadership elections that he did not want to serve another term as leader. But Axios, which was first to report the news Monday, reported that Blue withdrew from the race after trying to round up votes for another term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blue, 75, said in a statement that he was excited to pass the torch into the capable hands of Senator Batch. Her vision for the future of the Senate Democratic Caucus builds upon the work we started and will ensure the end of the Republican supermajority and to a new Democratic Senate majority which will improve the lives of all North Carolinians, Blue said. Batch, a 45-year-old attorney and social worker, said she was honored to be chosen as the next Democratic leader. She said she was grateful for Blues leadership of the caucus over the past decade, and noted his historic tenure serving in both chambers of the General Assembly. Senator Dan Blue of Wake County addresses the chamber during debate of Senate Bill 758, which redraws the North Carolina Senate districts, on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at the General Assembly in Raleigh, N.C. Blue has represented Raleigh in the Senate since 2009. He previously served in the House from 1981 to 2003, and again from 2006 to 2009. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The long-serving Democrat served two terms as House speaker between 1991 and 1995, at a time when Democrats had majorities in the legislature. He was the first Black speaker. Batch said that North Carolinians are counting on Democrats to protect their rights, expand opportunity, and fight for policies that prioritize people over politics. Our Caucus remains focused on creating a North Carolina where every resident can build the life they want for their families and themselves, and we are ready to work to get North Carolina back on the right track, Batch said in her statement. N.C. Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton, in a statement, recognized Blue for being a trailblazer for our state and thanked him for his years of service and leadership for our party. Clayton congratulated Batch and said the party supports her as she leads our caucus of committed public servants who are fighting for every voice across our state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Batch was first elected to the House from District 37 in 2018, after she defeated Republican John Adcock in a close race that was decided by just over 2 percentage points. She subsequently lost reelection in 2020 to Republican Erin Pare by more than 3 points. In January 2021, she was appointed to replace Democrat Sam Searcy, who had won reelection from Senate District 17 but resigned just before his term began to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. Batch won a full two-year term from that district in 2022. Batch was elected to the House in 2018 during the so-called blue wave election that saw Democrats do well up and down the ballot. Democrats broke the GOPs supermajorities in both chambers that year, and as a result, were able to uphold Gov. Roy Coopers vetoes for nearly five years, until Republicans regained a supermajority in the Senate in 2022, and secured it in the House in April 2023, when Rep. Tricia Cotham switched parties and joined the GOP. Rep. Sydney Batch, with her husband J. Patrick Williams and sons Mason and Grant, have their photo taken as the N.C. General Assembly convenes in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, January 9, 2019. When the 2025-26 legislative session begins in January, Batch will be taking the helm of a Senate Democratic Caucus that will continue to serve in the superminority, with control of 20 of the chambers 50 seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Democrats, meanwhile, are expected to break the GOP supermajority in that chamber by one seat, with Republicans controlling 71 of 120 seats. A family law attorney and child welfare advocate, Batch told The News & Observer in a candidate questionnaire she submitted ahead of last months election that her top priority if elected to another term from District 17 would be ensuring access to affordable health care. In particular, she highlighted maternal and mental health services, and said she would focus on providing better support for working families through child care assistance and paid family leave. Batch is a breast cancer survivor. She underwent treatment in 2018 before returning to active campaigning during her first run for House District 37. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before being chosen to replace Blue, Batch had been serving as deputy minority leader. Sen. Jay Chaudhuri, a high-ranking Democrat who also represents Raleigh, was elected to another term as minority whip, while Sen. Julie Mayfield, an Asheville Democrat, was reelected caucus secretary. Also on Monday, House Democrats reelected Rep. Robert Reives to another two-year term as leader of their caucus. Reives has led the caucus since 2021. The caucus plans to hold elections for other leadership positions in January. Senate leader Phil Berger, meanwhile, was elected earlier this month by Senate Republicans to serve another term as the head of their caucus. House Republicans elected Rules Committee Chairman Destin Hall, who had long been expected to succeed Speaker Tim Moore, as their leader earlier this month as well. A day-long wave of strikes at nearly all of carmaker Volkswagen's plants across Germany ended early on Tuesday morning, with unions saying that nearly 100,000 VW factory workers had taken part in the protests. The series of two-hour work stoppages were called by the IG Metall trade union to protest against threatened wage cuts, plant closures and mass lay-offs at Volkswagen, Europe's largest automaker. The final walk-out by VW employees came during the overnight shift, and work resumed as normal with the start of the regular morning shift on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strikes, which took place at nine of VW's 10 factories in Germany, also demonstrated the resolve of auto giant's German workforce to resist the cuts being pushed by VW management. VW management contends that deep cuts are needed to keep the carmaker competitive, boost profits and fund needed investments in the brand's future, including electric vehicles. According to VW executives, Volkswagen is also suffering from significant excess capacity at its factories in Europe. VW has been battered by a slump in demand and fierce international competition, particularly in the once-lucrative Chinese market. VW has also struggled to launch and market electric vehicle models. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trade union counted a total of 98,650 participants, a huge share of the more than 130,000 VW factory workers in the country. "The first warning strikes were an absolutely resolute signal from the workforce against Volkswagen's harsh management plans," said Thorsten Groger, IG Metall's chief negotiator. Almost 100,000 employees had made it loudly clear that they would fight for their jobs, their families and their future, he said: "That was the first, powerful blow in a winter of protest!" A tractor sprays pesticide onto a field of potato plants. Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images. A common pesticide coating on corn and soybean seeds has leached into Minnesota waterways, threatening pollinators and aquatic ecosystems, according to a report released this week by the environmental group Natural Resources Defense Council. Neonicotinoid pesticides, or neonics, are a group of insecticides that kill pests like aphids but can also devastate bee colonies and aquatic insects, leading to a chain of negative effects in the polluted ecosystem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NRDC report, written by Pierre Mineau, a research scientist who worked for the Canadian government and teaches at Canadas Carleton University, found that most Minnesota waterways have some amount of neonic pollution. Using sampling data from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Mineau found that over a 12-year period, 95% of flowing-water sites had at least one neonic chemical, and 87% of the sites showed a mixture of two or more neonic chemicals. Where neonics were found, they appeared in most cases at concentrations expected to do biological harm, Mineau wrote. Ninety percent of neonic pollution in Minnesota comes from agricultural uses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Minnesota Department of Agriculture considers two common neonicotinoids clothianidin and imidacloprid surface water pesticides of concern. The department encourages the adoption of best management practices for those two neonicotinoids, including rotating neonics with other types of insecticides and using the lowest effective amount of the pesticide. Some U.S. states, and the European Union, have banned or severely limited some of the most common neonics. Farm groups have opposed attempts to rein in the use of neonics. When the New York state legislature passed a bill banning neonicotinoid-coated seeds last year, the state Farm Bureau called on New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to veto the bill. (She did not.) Seeds treated with neonicotinoids were designed to be safer and reduce pesticide usewe believe the end result of this ban will force farms to revert back to spraying greater amounts of older pesticides as well as increasing tillage to combat harmful pests, releasing more carbon in the soil and increasing the likelihood of soil erosion, New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher said. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) It will take an estimated nine months to refill Cave Lake after the completion of repairs on a 90-year-old dam that started in 2019, according to engineers with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). The lake is a popular escape in the mountains 14 miles southeast of Ely in White Pine County, not far from Great Basin National Park. Before work began, the park averaged 63,000 visitors each year. The campgrounds at Cave Lake State Park have remained open while the project moved forward. An aerial view of the work around Cave Lake in White Pine County, Nevada. (Nevada Department of Wildlife) Once construction equipment is removed, the lake will reopen for public use, according to an NDOW news release. Day-use restrooms will remain closed until further maintenance is completed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The five-year project to increase stormwater storage capacity, expand the spillway and make other improvements to the 90-year-old dam is now finished. The dams low-level buttress has been improved, and now water is flowing back in. Nevadas Cave Lake State Park as seen in June 2018 from the Cave Lake Overlook Loop Trail. (FILE | Adobe Stock) This is a big step in turning Cave Lake back into a destination spot for visitors from all over the state, NDOW Director Alan Jenne said. A lot of people and a lot of different agencies have worked very hard on this project and were finally starting to see the results. Its all very exciting. As it refills, the lake will have 200 artificial habitat structures that will help establish healthy fish populations. NDOW will re-establish brown trout and rainbow trout populations to the lake as well as introduce smallmouth bass, according to NDOW Fisheries biologist Heath Korell. It will take about nine months for the water level to return to pre-project levels, Korrell said. He is one of the leads on the Cave Lake project. An undated photo of Cave Lake State Park. (FILE | Adobe Stock) Work began in October 2019 and was coordinated with the Nevada Public Works Division, the Nevada Division of Water Resources, and the Nevada Division of State Parks. The project was made possible by funding from Conserve Nevada, Heritage, and state and federal contributions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dam was originally built in 1939 to store water for ranching in Steptoe Valley, according to Nevada State Parks. A 1961 project enlarged the dam to 364 feet in length and 60 feet in height. In 1968, the 1,240-acre site was sold by the owners of C.B. Ranch to NDOW (called the Nevada Department of Fish and Game at the time) for $10. It became a state park in the 1970s. 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. ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4) A Las Vegas man has been indicted on several drug-related charges and almost crashing into an officers cruiser. According to the probable cause statement included in the charging documents, Anthony JR Perez was indicted on Sunday, Dec. 1. Interstate shuts down after plane emergency lands on I-15 The suspect drove toward an officers vehicle at a high rate of speed and then drove at another officers vehicle at a high rate of speed. The second officer swerved to avoid getting hit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the probable cause statement, Perez also has prior convictions in Nevada for possession with intent to distribute and robbery. Documents did not include information about how police got involved in this matter or what led to the events. According to documents, Perez was charged with the following: Two counts of assault on a peace officer/military with the use of a dangerous weapon second-degree felonies Failure to stop at command of police third-degree felony Possession or use of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) (prior distribution or prior possession with intent) third-degree felony Possession or use of a controlled substance (hydrocodone) (prior distribution or prior possession with intent) Retail theft qualifying felony prior in 10 years third-degree felony Failure to stop at command of law enforcement class A misdemeanor Reckless endangerment class A misdemeanor Possession of a controlled substance marijuana/spice (marijuana) (prior distribution or prior possession with intent) class A misdemeanor Possession of drug paraphernalia class B misdemeanor Reckless driving class B misdemeanor Operating vehicle without insurance class C misdemeanor Driving on denied, suspended, disqualified or revoked license class C misdemeanor Failure to register or expired vehicle registration Perez was arrested by St. George Police and booked into Washington County Jail on the aforementioned charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 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. Santos has announced the completion of the Angore project in the Hela Province of Papua New Guinea. The project is set to deliver up to 350mscf/d of gas. This development is expected to support stable, long-term production for the LNG project, unlocking a one trillion cubic feet natural gas resource. The Angore project has shown strong performance since its initiation, with two wells successfully commissioned and connected. Santos managing director and CEO Kevin Gallagher said: The start-up of Angore is one of a number of PNG [Papua New Guinea] highlights in 2024 for Santos and our joint venture partners ExxonMobil, Kumul Petroleum Holdings, Mineral Resources Development Company and JX Nippon. The supply of associated gas from Kutubu through optimisation of the central processing facility is also exceeding expectations with 16 billion cubic feet (bcf) of gas accelerated so far this year. Alongside Angore, associated gas from Agogo and Moran could contribute an additional 125mscf/d, Gallagher added. The final investment decision on the projects is due by 2026. Drilling is also under way at the Hides Footwall exploration well, which could potentially add another 160mscf/d. In addition, front-end engineering for Papua LNG is progressing, leveraging a substantial gas resource base in PNG's Eastern Highlands Province. This region is strategically located near LNG production and export infrastructure, enhancing operational efficiencies. Since production commenced in April 2014, the PNG LNG project has delivered more than 83 million tonnes (mt) of LNG to Asian customers, including long-term offtakers CPC, JERA, Osaka Gas and Sinopec. With an investment exceeding $19bn (K75.84bn), the project marked its tenth year of production in 2024, consistently surpassing its nameplate capacity of 6.9mt per annum by 30%. Over the years, PNG LNG has generated more than $7bn for PNG through taxes, royalties, distributions and development levy payments. PNG LNG is recognised for its relatively low greenhouse gas emissions intensity, ranking among the top quartile of LNG producers globally. "Santos starts up Angore project in Hela Province, Papua New Guinea" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. Dec. 3EPHRATA The Grant County Sheriff's Office released a statement saying that thousands of people die annually from impaired driving, making it one of the top preventable deaths on U.S. roadways. Driving under the influence includes alcohol, marijuana, illicit drugs heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine and certain over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs. During this holiday season, the sheriff's office asks that residents make a plan for a safe ride home prior to celebrating designate a sober, well-rested driver to get people home safely or use a ride-sharing service. MOSES LAKE In the 1000 block of Lowry, Sunday afternoon, a suspect was assumed to be barricaded in his residence, according to a press release from Grant County Sheriff's Office. The police attempted to negotiate with the subject prior to realizing he had left his residence before police arrival. The officials left the scene without the suspect in custody. Nobody was injured. MOSES LAKE The Moses Lake Police Department will be collecting new and unwrapped toys to distribute to local children Saturday, Dec. 7, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Moses Lake Walmart. The department said if people cannot make the scheduled time, toys can be donated directly to the Moses Lake Food Bank located at 9299 Beacon Road Northeast. All of the toys collected will go directly to the food bank. For families needing assistance this holiday season, reach out to the Moses Lake Food Bank by Dec. 14 regarding the toy distribution to receive more information at 509-765-8101. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MOSES LAKE The Moses Lake Farmers Market will be holding its second off-season market Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Grant County Fairgrounds. The December market consists of holiday gifts, decor, little treats, bakers and farmers selling locally produced goods. Santa is making a guest appearance and will be taking photos with folks. MOSES LAKE The Grant County Animal Outreach will be hosting a "Paws and Claus" event Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1331 East Nelson Road. The event will feature $25 microchips and opportunities for furry friends to meet Santa and get some paw-some photos. MOSES LAKE There is a nationwide recall of SunFed Produce cucumbers sold between Oct. 12 and Nov. 26 due to potential salmonella contamination. There has been a multi-state outbreak according to Grant County Health District with no known cases in Grant County. OLYMPIA The Washington State Patrol released a statement regarding the number of tickets, accidents and other incidents that have occurred thus far in 2024. There have been 10,264 impaired driver arrests and 29,155 seatbelt violations. There have been 29,283 distracted drivers and 105,582 aggressive drivers. There have been 291,272 speeding drivers documented. There have been 30,793 collisions investigated and 241 of those were fatal collisions. WSP wants people to be mindful, sober and without distractions while on roads especially with the holiday season and worsened road conditions around the corner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OTHELLO Last week, Othello Police Department celebrated 10 years with Officer Claudio Garza III. The department released a statement thanking Garza for his commitment to serve and protect the Othello community. QUINCY The Quincy Public Market will be holding its annual Christmas Market on Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1004 F Street Southwest in Quincy. There will be live music and plenty of vendors. For those interested in more information, reach out to Siria at 509-794-3445. SOAP LAKE The Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 2024 Winterfest on Dec. 7 in downtown Soap Lake. The Holiday Bazaar will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the community center. There will also be a library book sale and activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 32 Main Avenue East. Turkey Bingo starts at noon at the Del-Red Pub. There will be a holiday play starting at 2 p.m. at the Masquers Theatre. Hot coffee and cocoa will start at 3 p.m. at the Lakeside Bistro. Carolers will start at 4 p.m. at the Lakeside Bistro. The Soap Lake school performance begins at 3:30 p.m. at 310 Main Ave. East. Then Santa will arrive at 4 p.m. at Marina Drive and Main Street. For more information visit SoapLakeCOC.org. MATTAWA The Grant Public Utility District released a statement regarding the relationship the PUD and the Wanapum have, to protect, preserve and perpetuate the natural and cultural resources of the area. The PUD encourages residents to visit the Wanapum Heritage Center located near the Priest Rapids Dam. Visit wanapum.org for hours of operation and up-to-date information for visits. WILSON CREEK Six students from Wilson Creek School District worked together to raise more than $2,000 for Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation at their pink night in October, according to a statement from CBCF. People participate in a Puerto Rican Day parade in New York City. Multiracial cultures such as Puerto Rican and Dominican may pose problems for new proposed Census Bureau survey formats that ask about race and Hispanic status separately. (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images) The U.S. Census Bureau and a growing number of states are starting to gather more detailed information about Americans race and ethnicity, a change some advocates of the process say will allow people to choose identities that more closely reflect how they see themselves. Crunching and sorting through those specific details known as data disaggregation will help illuminate disparities in areas such as housing and health outcomes that could be hidden within large racial and ethnic categories. But some experts say the details also might make it harder for Black people from multiracial countries to identify themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Racial data gleaned from the census is important because local, state, tribal and federal governments use it to guide certain civil rights policies and in planning and funding government programs that provide funds or services for specific groups, according to the Census Bureau. The form will have checkboxes for main categories current census groupings include Asian, Black, African American and White, among others followed by more specific checkboxes. Under Asian, for example, might be Chinese, Asian Indian, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean or Japanese. And then there will be an empty box for people to write in more specific subgroups. Collecting more detail by allowing free-form answers, for example, will make it possible for people to identify themselves as part of more racial and ethnic subgroups such as Sardinian (an autonomous region within Italy) instead of simply Italian and include alternative names for certain groups, such as writing Schitsuumsh, the ancient language for Coeur DAlene Tribe. And the Census Bureau will for the first time include Middle Eastern/North African as a separate racial/ethnic category for respondents with that heritage. Until now, Middle Eastern people who did not choose a race were treated as a subcategory under white, based on a 1944 court ruling intended to protect Arab immigrants from racist laws banning U.S. citizenship for nonwhite immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under new federal guidelines approved in March, the bureau also will give people the option to check no race at all if they identify as Hispanic or Middle Eastern/North African. The Census Bureau already has decided to use more open-ended questions in both the 2027 American Community Survey and the nations 2030 census. But the agency is seeking public comment on the way write-in responses will be categorized. The bureau wants to hear how people are likely to identify themselves, said Merarys Rios-Vargas, chief of the bureaus Ethnicity and Ancestry Branch, Population Division, in a recent webinar. The agency also is interested in whether there are missing or incorrect entries in its proposed list of possible responses. Its about peoples lives Nancy Lopez, a University of New Mexico sociology professor, said she and other experts in Black Hispanic culture think the census should have a visual race or street race question, so people can communicate how others see them as well as how they identify themselves. The answer might be Black or a yet-unrecognized racial category such as brown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A separate question on race as a visual status helps illuminate the kind of things we are interested in discrimination in housing, discrimination in employment, discrimination in education and accessing health care in public spaces, said Lopez, who is the daughter of Dominican immigrants and a co-founder of the universitys Institute for the Study of Race & Social Justice. Its about peoples lives, its about the future, its about children, its about access to opportunities and its about fairness, she added, noting that even if the federal government doesnt add such questions to surveys and the decennial census, state and universities can still do it on their own as they collect data for health care, student enrollment and other topics. The NALEO Educational Fund, an organization representing Latino elected and appointed officials, supports the decision to make a race choice optional for Hispanics. Many Latinos did not see themselves in any of the categories for their racial identity, said Rosalind Gold, NALEOs chief public policy officer. Theres a large number of Latinos who feel that identifying as Latino is both their racial and ethnic identity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gold said NALEO understands the concern some have that failing to require a race designation will obscure racial information on Black Hispanics. But her group argues that the census can get what it needs by educating the public on how to respond and by including prompts on the questionnaires to guide race choices. Black Hispanic people often see themselves as having a single racial and ethnic identity, according to several experts in Hispanic identity who spoke at a Census Bureau National Advisory Committee meeting Nov. 7. They conceptualize themselves as belonging to one [group], said Nicholas Vargas, an associate professor of ethnic studies at the University of California, Berkeley, speaking at the committee meeting. They check Black and they check Dominican and dont want to be counted as two or more, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, Rachel Marks, an adviser for the Census Bureau on race and ethnicity, said the bureau will consider that issue and other feedback on how people want to be represented before making a final decision on survey details. The bureau may recognize a term, Afro-Latino, that could be used to indicate both Black race and Hispanic ethnicity, according to a proposed code list from the agency, as well as Blaxican for Black Mexican and Blasian for Black Asian. The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition of civil rights groups, called the more detailed questions a step forward but also suggested more guidance on the forms to ensure people are categorized the way they want to be. In its comment on the changes, the group noted that in 2020, some people who wrote in British under the Black checkbox were categorized as partly white even if they didnt mean that. The group also said it is concerned about a conflation of the concepts of race and ethnicity, and it asked for more research to make sure people understand how to respond. State actions Some states are acting on their own to gather more detailed data about identity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Jersey is among the latest states to pass a law requiring more detailed race and ethnic data collection for state records such as health data and school enrollment. A similar bill in Michigan would require state agencies that gather information to offer multiracial and Middle Eastern or North African as choices; the bill remains in committee. And advocates in Oregon, which already has a law requiring detailed ethnic data collection, are asking the state for more details on Asian subgroups who face education challenges. A December 2023 report by The Leadership Conference Education Fund identified 13 other states with laws requiring more detailed state data on ethnic and racial groups, including laws passed last year in Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts and Nevada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The states of California, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington already had such laws, the group found. This article first appeared in Stateline, which is part of States Newsroom network, as is the Nebraska Examiner. Stateline maintains editorial independence. KANSAS CITY, Kan. After former KCK police detective Roger Golubski was found dead prior to his federal trial, there remains the question of whats next regarding his other cases. The allegations in these different cases stem from Golubskis time working with KCK Police Department before retiring for 35 years in 2010. Most of the incidents victims have shared, took place in the 1990s. Chris Jones expresses frustrations with awkward 2024 Chiefs schedule Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lawsuit filed in 2018 helped bring attention from what went on in the streets into a court of law. The lawsuit alleged Golubski extorted sexual favors from poor Black women and then coerced them into providing false evidence. The lawsuit was filed by Lamonte McIntyre and his mother, Rose McIntyre, who says Golubski tried to force her into a sexual relationship, but when she refused, he framed her son for murder. McIntyre was released from prison in 2017 after serving 23 years for a murder he did not commit. In 2020, he received $1.5 million as compensation from the state of Kansas. Two years later, he settled a wrongful imprisonment lawsuit with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County for for $12.5 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That same year, Golubski was indicted on six counts of civil rights violations, accusing him of sexually assaulting Black women and girls. Golubski was arrested at his Edwardsville home but was granted house arrest because of his health conditions. ARPA resolution fails to pass Jackson County legislature Previous reporting states the judge required Golubski to wear an ankle monitor and he was not allowed to have any firearms. He was only allowed to go to doctors appointments, church, meetings with his attorney and court hearings. A few months after his initial arrest, there was another criminal case involving Golubski. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal prosecutors say he was involved in a violent sex trafficking ring that targeted troubled teenage girls at an apartment complex in the 1990s. Currently, theres a motion for that set for Aug. 14, 2025. And just last year, in 2023, five women filed a civil lawsuit against multiple people, including Golubski and Unified Government of Wyandotte County. Those closest to the plaintiffs say the criminal charges were a catalyst and the lawsuit expands on whos responsible for Golubski. The most recent civil lawsuit was filed in September. It also lists several defendants including Golubski and is over civil rights. View the latest Weather Alerts in the Kansas City region on FOX4 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Golubski was the only defendant named in the civil rights violations criminal case that was supposed to start trial today, it has been dismissed. Theres no one else to prosecute in that specific case. The criminal and two civil cases remain open, according to federal court 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. HAVANA (AP) Non-governmental organizations monitoring Cuban prisons demanded an investigation Tuesday into the death of a man imprisoned since 2021 after being arrested for participating in historic protests against shortages and blackouts. Authorities say 29-year-old Manuel de Jesus Guillen Esplugas committed suicide in prison. However, relatives claim he succumbed to injuries sustained during a failed escape attempt at Combinado del Este prison in Havana, where he was serving a six-year sentence. Guillen, a member of an opposition group called the Patriotic Union of Cuba, died on Saturday and his remains were returned to his family over the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we were able to find out, through various sources, is that Manuel was trying to escape from prison, and was caught in the act, said Camila Rodriguez, representative of Justicia 11J, an NGO that keeps track of the situation of detainees in Cuba. We will never know for sure what happened, unless they let us enter the prison and interview and reconstruct the events independently," she added. Cuban authorities did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press. On July 11, 2021, thousands of Cubans took to the streets to protest widespread power outages and shortages amid a severe economic crisis. The governments crackdown on demonstrators, which included arrests and detentions, sparked international criticism, while Cuban officials blamed U.S. sanctions and a media campaign for the unrest. In January 2022, Cuba's Attorney Generals Office reported that 790 people were being investigated and prosecuted in connection with the protests for crimes ranging from disorder or sabotage to vandalism or attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guillen was among those arrested. Justicia 11J says Guillen's is the the third confirmed death of a prisoner sentenced for the July 2021 protests, and that over 550 individuals are still incarcerated in relation to the demonstrations. In a live broadcast Tuesday from his Facebook account, Yan Franco Esplugas, a cousin of Guillen, insisted on the murder version. They beat him to death, Franco said through tears. They killed him in prison, stop lying and deceiving people by saying that he hanged himself. A Justice 11J report published in April revealed that Guillen himself had disclosed to the Mexico-based Cuban Prison Documentation Center the dire conditions of his imprisonment. He described being incarcerated alongside violent common criminals, enduring infestations of bed bugs and severe food shortages. ____ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america It's been over two-and-a-half years since Nicholas Cowan allegedly shot a police officer and led police on a three-day manhunt. His trial finally starts in January. Cowan, now 37, faces seven felony charges, ranging from aggravated assault to attempted first-degree murder of law enforcement. On April 14, 2022, police say Cowan shot at officers who were responding to a call. When officers returned fire, Cowan fled, leading to a three-day manhunt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three people, including Cowan's girlfriend at the time, were arrested on suspicion of hiding Cowan from police. Here's what to know. Police shooting led to three-day manhunt Phoenix police released body camera footage of an April 14 shooting that involved suspect Nicholas Cowan, arrested on suspicion of shooting an officer. Around 10:30 a.m. on April 14, 2022, a woman called police from a gas station near Cave Creek and Beardsley roads, saying her boyfriend had committed "several criminal acts" and attempted to commit suicide, Phoenix police said. After two officers arrived and started talking with the woman, Cowan drove up to a gas pump, according to body camera footage released after the incident. A Phoenix police officer approached Cowan, and as she asked Cowan to get out of the vehicle, she appeared to be struck by a shot that came from inside the car, the footage showed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other officer returned fire, and Cowan drove off and evaded police for 80 hours. The woman who called police was later identified as Cowan's girlfriend, then 33-year-old Nicole Montalbano. Citizen tip led to Cowan's arrest Phoenix police received a citizen tip that Cowan was staying at a rental property in Scottsdale near 66th Street and Osborn Road. Police surrounded the property and conducted hours-long negotiations to get Cowan to surrender. Cowan was taken into custody around 7:45 p.m. on April 17, 2022. He was taken to a hospital for apparent gunshot wounds likely sustained during the shootout earlier in the week. Upon his release from the hospital, Cowan was booked into a Maricopa County jail. 3 people arrested in connection with the case Cowan's then-girlfriend, Nicole Montalbano, was arrested on April 17, 2022, on suspicion of assisting Cowan evade police and tampering with evidence. She pleaded guilty to one count of hindering prosecution in the first degree, a class 5 felony, on February 15, 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two other people were accused of aiding Cowan. Caroline Coster, then 35, and Michael Hankins, then 41, were arrested on April 28, 2022, for their alleged roles in helping Cowan evade police. Both Hankins and Coster pleaded guilty to one count of hindering prosecution in the first degree, a class 5 felony, on November 8, 2022. Cowan's trial to start on January 7 Cowan faces seven felony charges: Weapon possession by a prohibited person, class 4 felony. Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, class 2 felony, two counts. Drive-by shooting, class 2 felony. Attempted first-degree murder of law enforcement, class 2 felony, two counts. Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, class 3 felony. His trial begins Jan. 7. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Trial for Nicholas Cowan, accused of shooting police, begins in January Dec. 2SANTA FE New Mexico cities and counties are facing a looming deadline to start putting unspent federal pandemic relief dollars to work. Local governments face a Dec. 31 deadline to obligate, or take a binding step toward spending, about $171.6 million in federal funds. That amount is what remains unspent of the roughly $701 million in local recovery funds New Mexico received under a federal law intended to bolster COVID-19 recovery efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It would be an absolute shame to lose this funding," state Auditor Joseph Maestas said in a Tuesday interview, adding the funds can be used for a wide range of expenses including public health initiatives and infrastructure repairs. "This is 100% federal funding that can provide funding for a variety of critical services," he added. Maestas also said his office would be auditing the spending of the federal relief funds to ensure they are appropriately spent. As of last month, some New Mexico cities and counties had still not obligated much or any of the federal relief funds they received. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The towns of Texico, Roy, Reserve and Vaughn were among those that had not obligated any of the funding they were awarded, according to data compiled by the state Department of Finance and Administration. However, some cities have already obligated all their federal relief funds. That includes Albuquerque, which has spent its entire $108.8 million allotment on expenses like police cars, building improvements and city employee hazard pay. In addition, state agencies have expended or obligated nearly all of the $1.75 billion the state received under the federal American Rescue Plan Act. The state's remaining $3.8 million in unspent funds is in the process of being obligated in advance of the upcoming year-end deadline, DFA spokesman Henry Valdez told the Journal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said there was "no reason to believe" the state would revert any of the federal pandemic funds it received. Spending authority over the federal relief dollars led to a legal battle in 2021, as two New Mexico state senators filed a court petition seeking to prevent Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham from unilaterally spending the federal funds. The state Supreme Court ultimately sided with the lawmakers, and legislators subsequently used the funds to pay for statewide road repairs, broadband expansion, a wage boost for chile industry workers and construction of a new hospital in Valencia County. The Lujan Grisham administration also used the funding to pay for a temporary increase in pay levels for early childhood workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, at least some of the delay in spending the federal pandemic funds could be due to rules guiding the spending of the funds that were rolled out gradually over the last three years. In addition, some small municipalities in New Mexico received only modest allotments under the federal law, making it impossible to pursue costly projects or expenditures. Under the final guidelines, cities and counties can use the federal dollars for personnel costs, including salaries and wages, but cannot use the money to fund new positions created after this year. The American Rescue Plan Act signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021 allowed for spending in four areas pandemic-related public health and economic impact, premium pay for essential workers, revenue replacement and infrastructure improvements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the federal dollars received by states, cities and counties do not have to be spent until the end of 2026, Maestas urged local governments to not wait until then to do so. He specifically voiced concern that President-elect Donald Trump's administration could seek to claw back some of the unspent funds from local governments around the country. "I think it's really important," Maestas said. "I need to be sure these recipients are aware these deadlines are approaching." Dec. 2On Monday, the New Mexico Supreme Court declined to issue an opinion in a case brought against the state by the Zuni and Gallup-McKinley school boards challenging the constitutionality of the way the state funds school facilities. The justices said, in part, the Legislature made changes to a state statute since the litigation began more than 25 years ago. Chief Justice David Thomson and the other justices stated in their four-page order that since lawmakers made changes to capital outlay provisions following the school boards' launch of the lawsuit in 1998, the case is moot and the court cannot consider the constitutionality of the statute. But the case can be reviewed in district court should the school boards decide to sue, the justices said. If litigation occurs, 6th District Chief Judge Jarod K. Hofacket would preside over the case and be able to consider new evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robert F. Rosebrough, a Gallup-based attorney who has represented the Zuni Public Schools Board of Education in their case for more than two decades, declined to comment on the order because he said it is complex and he needs time to review it with co-counsel. Representatives with the Zuni and Gallup-McKinley school districts also declined to comment. New Mexico Department of Justice spokesperson Lauren Rodriguez said in a statement that the agency is pleased with the court's ruling and commends the Legislature for "its commitment to improving our educational system." The original lawsuit, which included Grants-Cibola schools, took issue with federal impact aid, intended to make up the tax revenue lost by school districts that could not collect property tax on federal land, according to previous news reports. The state was allowed to take 95% of the aid to disperse to all 89 districts as part of the funding formula, but only 5% was to be used on building projects, the Journal previously reported. . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the 1997-98 school year, for example, the Zuni district lost $5.3 million of federal impact aid to the state and Gallup-McKinley lost $18.5 million, according to previous news reports. With losses like those, the districts argued the funding system was unfair. In 1999, Gov. Gary Johnson signed Senate Bill 418, decreasing the state's take of federal money from 95% to 75%. However, he vetoed House Bill 256, which would have created a sliding scale based on a mathematical formula that considered a district's needs. That same year, District Judge Joseph Rich of Gallup ruled that New Mexico's school capital outlay funding formula was unconstitutional. Zuni, Gallup and Grants-Cibola received millions more for capital facilities, but attorneys still believed the new law would create inequity in school construction funding. In October 2002, following a three-day hearing between lawyers, former state Supreme Court Justice Dan McKinnon the special master in the lawsuit scheduled a hearing on whether the state had complied with Rich's order. After hearing attorneys' arguments, he found the state was making a "good faith" effort toward establishing a uniform system for funding public-school construction, the Journal reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2013, the districts filed a motion to reinstate the case. In 2016 and 2019, bench trials were held challenging McKinnon's findings, according to an appellate court filing. Following the trials, which had been paused for more evidence to be produced, 11th District Court Judge Louis DePauli Jr. found in 2020 that the state's way of funding capital school projects was not consistent with the state constitution, the Journal reported. The following year, when the state was denied relief, it filed with the New Mexico Court of Appeals before the case made its way to the high court. Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, a retired educator who has been watching the lawsuit closely said she was gratified with the state Supreme Court's ruling because it acknowledges the reforms the Legislature has made over the years. One of those reforms is House Bill 6, which Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed into law in 2021 allowing for the reappropriation of 75% of federal impact aid dollars to initiatives that help local school districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stewart said the school district's original lawsuit "had merit," and that's why lawmakers have spent over 20 years working on reforming the way capital funds are spent on schools. She said she was not worried about Zuni or Gallup-McKinley school districts suing again because they have officials who understand that capital facilities funding has improved. Information from the Albuquerque Journal's archives was used in this report. TOPEKA (KSNT) A special prosecutor has determined there isnt enough evidence to file criminal charges against a Kansas school superintendent who was arrested earlier this year. Now the school board must decide if he can return to work. The Lyndon Police Department arrested Lyndon USD 421 Superintendent Brad Marcotte in October on suspicion of child endangerment and obstruction. He was booked into jail and released the same day on a $2,500 bond. Following Marcottes arrest, USD 421 announced the school board had voted to place him on administrative leave while the incident was under investigation. In the meantime, the district brought in Paul Dorathy to serve as interim superintendent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators assigned Special Prosecutor Jack Hobbs to determine whether Marcotte should face criminal charges. Hobbs told 27 News after reviewing the matter, he found there was not sufficient evidence to charge Marcotte with a crime. Dorathy declined to comment until the school board has a chance to review Hobbss decision. The school board is due to meet again on Dec. 11. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking 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 KSNT 27 News. LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) At the first city commission meeting since Florida changed its health guidance, fluoridation was not discussed by city leaders nor the public. Lakeland is the largest municipality in Polk County that adds fluoride to its water supply. I need my job: Server at Lakeland IHOP claims she was fired after feeding man in need One commissioner said he is ready to end the practice. If the state has recommended we dont use it, then Im going to probably endorse that as well, Commissioner Bill Read said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read said he has spoken with utility department leaders over the years about putting fluoride in Lakelands water supply. I always inquired with our utility department, he said. Should we use it? Are we using it? How much are we using? Stuff like that. Lakeland has been adding the long-recommended .7 milligrams per liter of fluoride to its water since 1981, per the city commissions approval, for its dental health benefits. We have a few months worth on site that is in bulk storage. If they decided for us to stop adding it, we would turn it off and quit feeding fluoride, said Joe Costine, Lakelands assistant director for water utilities. It is a mainstream topic. We are just here waiting on direction from the city commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City commissioners Guy LaLonde and Chad McLeod said they need to do more research before taking any action. This is the first time in my five years on the commission that this has come up as an issue, so I want to look into it and study it more, McLeod said. I think it would be best to let it take its course, and then see if we have a public interest in pursuing it and then we will respond to that, Mayor Bill Mutz said. Earlier this month, Floridas Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo traveled to Winter Haven to announce new guidance, advising municipalities to stop adding fluoride to their water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is something that has been defended for a long time, and it is public health malpractice to continue doing it, said Dr. Ladapo. The decision on fluoridation is up to local leaders. The Florida Dental Association said fluoridation is a safe and effective way to prevent tooth decay. The Winter Haven commission voted this month to stop adding fluoride to its water next year. Maybe since Winter Haven has made the initiation, as well as Polk County does not utilize it, its going to save us $60,000 is all its gonna save, its a minute amount of money but maybe its peace of mind, Read 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 WFLA. Dec. 2Nobody was injured, however a dog died, as a result of a house fire on Thanksgiving. According to Austin Fire Chief Jim McCoy, firefighters were dispatched to the 200 block of Sixth Street NW at around 7:15 p.m. on Nov. 28. Once on scene, firefighters found flames coming from the north side of the house. Initial crews worked to suppress the fire as more firefighters were dispatched to the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCoy said nobody was at home at the time of the fire, and that the dog was found deceased inside the home. The State Fire Marshal was called to the scene, but was unable to determine the cause. Damage to the home is estimated at $50,000 NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) Norfolk Public Schools announced Monday that beginning Jan. 1, all schools will be cell phone-free. The new policy is in compliance with Executive Order 33 issued by Gov. Glenn Youngkin earlier in the year. Gov. Youngkin signs order to establish cell phone-free education In the new year, students will not be able to have their cell phones from bell-to-bell. Norfolk Public Schools previously allowed middle and high schoolers to have a phone and didnt specify where the device had to be, though it was required to be off while on campus. Elementary schoolers were not allowed to have a phone at all, so this change will not impact them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hampton Roads Existing Cell Phone Policies A 10 On Your Side special report in October found that, in Virginia Beach, parents liked cell phone bans, with reservations. 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. Sen. Jerry Klein, R-Fessenden, chair of the Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee, speaks during a meeting on March 20, 2024, next to House Majority Leader Mike Lefor, R-Dickinson. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) North Dakota legislative committees approved changes to their conflict of interest rules on Monday that aim to make the process easier for lawmakers to understand and to address concerns about transparency. The proposed amendments will undergo further discussion Tuesday, and go before the floors of the House and Senate on Wednesday morning for final approval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During previous legislative sessions, when a lawmaker declared a conflict of interest on a bill, it was up to the other lawmakers present for the vote to decide whether to excuse that member from voting. But the House and Senate rules didnt provide much guidance for how the other lawmakers should weigh their decision. The rules stated that the rest of the assembly should only excuse that lawmaker if the conflict affects the member directly, individually, uniquely, and substantially, but did not define these criteria. Members have expressed confusion regarding the meaning of these terms when determining whether a conflict exists, Legislative Council attorney Liz Fordahl told the Senate Rules Committee on Monday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers were not required to provide details about their potential conflict, and the votes were decided without debate. In practice, lawmakers interpreted the disclosure requirement very narrowly. In 2023, members raised potential conflicts of interest on bills three times, according to the Legislatures website. In each case, the lawmakers were still allowed to vote. The proposed amendments seek to address several of these gaps. Emily Thompson, legal division director for the Legislative Council, said the changes were crafted after discussions with the Ethics Commission and after the Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee had finished its business during the interim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, any lawmaker who declares a conflict would have to provide enough information about their situation so that the other members who are present could make an informed decision about whether that lawmaker should be allowed to vote. The other members would also be allowed to debate the issue amongst themselves. Additionally, the new rules make it clear that, even if the rest of the chamber gives them the green light to participate, a lawmaker may abstain from voting on a bill if they believe they have a serious conflict. In the past, its been extremely rare for a North Dakota lawmaker to abstain from voting on a bill, even if they disclose a personal benefit. For example, the late Sen. Lonnie Laffen of Grand Forks declared a conflict in 2013 over a North Dakota University System budget bill that included funding for his architecture firm for a building renovation. His colleagues declined to excuse him from voting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another significant change is that the new rules do not require a conflict of interest to affect a lawmaker substantially. The North Dakota Supreme Court found in a 1968 decision that all conflicts of interest between a lawmaker and the state government must be disclosed regardless of whether that interest is big or small, Fordahl noted. The proposed changes would include the following definitions for the remaining criteria: Directly is defined as immediately or without additional intervening action or decision. Individually is defined as for a reason other than belonging to a group, including as a member of a profession, occupation, industry, region, or the general public. Uniquely means in a way that is distinct from the general public. Both draft amendments also provide a grace period to lawmakers who inadvertently fail to disclose conflicts. The House version states the member can disclose the conflict to the speaker of the House up to 21 days after the conflict arises, whereas the Senate version states the member can disclose the conflict to the president of the Senate within 21 days after the legislative session ends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thompson said sometimes, especially toward the end of the session, lawmakers are responsible for sifting through hundreds of pages of bills. They may not always realize in the moment that they have a conflict. Some members of the Senate Rules Committee raised concerns that debating every potential conflict of interest could take awhile. To save time, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Jerry Klein encouraged lawmakers to consult legislative leadership or Ethics Commission staff about potential conflicts of interest. We really ask that those members come to us ahead of time, so we can prepare ourselves for that discussion, the Fessenden Republican said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though both the House and Senate rules committees approved the changes, some lawmakers still had lingering questions about how the proposed process is supposed to work. If this is difficult for us as senior members, whats a new member going to feel like? Sen. Brad Bekkedahl, R-Williston, said during the meeting. Sen. Kathy Hogan, D-Fargo, said the Ethics Commission may draft a script that lawmakers can reference when someone wants to declare a potential conflict of interest. The proposed changes were informed in part by an advisory opinion issued by the Ethics Commission in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ethics Commission referred an ethics complaint involving Rep. Jason Dockter, R-Bismarck, to a state prosecutor, prompting a criminal charge last December. Earlier this year, a jury found him guilty of a conflict of interest misdemeanor related to his voting on budget bills for the Attorney Generals Office and Department of Health. Dockter is an owner of a building that is leased to both agencies. The Ethics Commission, which enforces ethical behavior in several areas of state government, including the Legislature, adopted rules governing conflicts of interest in 2022. The Legislature is bound by those standards, but the commission allows groups to adopt alternative procedures so long as theyre at least as strict as the commissions. Michael Achterling contributed to this report. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A Chinese national living in California illegally was the subject of a dramatic federal raid Tuesday morning that led to the recovery of high-powered weapons, sophisticated military-grade technology, and a massive cache of ammunition that were part of a scheme orchestrated by North Korean government officials who planned to invade South Korea, federal prosecutors announced. Shenghua Wen, 43, "at the direction of government officials from the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea," United States Attorney Martin Estrada said Tuesday, "conspired with others known and unknown to procure firearms, ammunition, and export-controlled technology, with the intention of shipping the items to North Korea." Related: President Biden Pardons His Son Hunter Despite Early Promise That He Would Not Wen, who has been living in Ontario, is also accused of spying for North Korea by gathering intelligence on sensitive defense technology to help bad actors in its government build its military operation. Weapons recovered from the home of Shenghua Wen that were slated to be illegally shipped to North Korea, part of a sophisticated smuggling scheme the San Bernardino County man engaged in with bad actors in North Korean government, federal prosecutors say Department of Justice Wen and his unnamed coconspirators, prosecutors say, successfully exported at least two shipments of firearms and ammunition to North Korea by concealing the items inside shipping containers that were shipped from Long Beach, California, through Hong Kong, China, to North Korea labeled as a refrigerator or camera equipment. As part of what Estrada called a "chilling" plot, they also instructed Wen to obtain military uniforms for the North Korean government, "which would subsequently be used by the North Korean military to disguise their soldiers to conduct a surprise attack on South Korea," prosecutors say. In raids on Wen's San Bernardino County home, federal investigators seized "two devices that Wen intended to send to North Korea for military use," including a chemical threat identification device and a hand-held broadband receiver that detects eavesdropping devices. Investigators also recovered approximately 50,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition that Wen admitted he planned to send to North Korea. Related: L.A. District Attorney Wants More Time To Respond to Menendez Brothers' Habeas Corpus The significance of this arrest and discovery of this scheme cannot be overstated, said FBI Los Angeles Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis. Not only did the investigative team prevent additional restricted items going to the North Korean regime, but they gathered valuable intelligence for the United States and our allies." It was unclear if any of the weapons or ammunition smuggled to that foreign adversary was sent to Russia to aid President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine, Estrada said at a press conference Tuesday morning. A chemical weapons detector called the Serstech Arx mkII Pharma was part of the cache of sophisticated military equipment federal prosecutors say a Chinese national living in the U.S. illegally as a North Korean spy planned to ship to North Korea Department of Justice Wen came to the United States on a student visa in 2012, according to a federal indictment. Before he arrived in California, he met with North Korean government officials at two separate North Korean Consulates in China before he came to the United States, the indictment states. Wen told the FBI he was probably selected to work as an asset for North Korea because he was "good at smuggling." The North Korean officials paid Wen to procure the weapons and wired money to pay for the shipping costs. Wen told investigators the North Korean government sent him $2 million to cover his costs. Many of the firearms were purchased in Texas, according to the indictment, and from there, Wen drove the firearms from Texas to California on three separate trips. But guns weren't the only thing the U.S. foreign adversary was after. Wen told investigators that "North Korean government officials directed him to purchase U.S. civilian plane engines for the North Korean military," which would be used to help the development of a drone program. In 2018, Wen was ordered to leave the U.S. but remained in California illegally, even after an unspecified arrest in 2021, according to the indictment. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) An elementary school PE teacher was arrested in North Las Vegas on Monday on charges of lewdness with a minor under the age of 14, according to North Las Vegas police. Christopher Greer, 49, was arrested and taken to the North Las Vegas Community Correctional Center, where he was booked on charges of lewdness with a minor under the age of 14, police said. The arrest stemmed from an NLVPD investigation into a report of a sexual assault involving a minor at Cahlan Elementary School in North Las Vegas, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greer has been an employee with the Clark County School District for 11 years. For the past six years, he has worked as a physical education teacher at Cahlan Elementary School. Anyone who may have been a victim of Greer or has information about this crime is urged to contact the North Las Vegas Police Department by phone at 702-633-9111. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 702-385-5555 or on the internet at www.crimestoppersofnv.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 KLAS. Northwestern High School and Maconaquah School Corporation were recognized by the Indiana Department of Education as Purple Star schools. The designation denotes schools that have a commitment to supporting military-connected students and families through dedicated programs, resources and initiatives, according to an IDOE news release. Requirements include: * Have an assigned point of contact for military families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Meet all grade-level training requirements for point of contact. * Have a dedicated webpage providing recognition and resources for service members, veterans and students and families. * Host an annual military program (e.g., Veterans Day, 9/11, etc.). * Have a public military display recognizing service members * Submit a school board resolution publicizing support for military students and families. * Ensure military service members and their immediate family members meeting minimum job qualifications for open positions at the school will be guaranteed a job interview. Individual schools and entire corporations can earn Purple Star distinction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Northwestern School Corporation and Peru High School were among the 60 Indiana schools to receive the inaugural designation in 2020. This is the second time both Maconaquah and Northwestern High School have earned the designation. Western Middle School is also among this years list of schools. Purple Star status is good for three years. Norway will assume responsibility under NATO to safeguard the airspace of Poland's Rzeszow airport and will send 100 soldiers, air defence systems and F-35 fighter jets to do so, the Norwegian defence minister announced on Monday. The airport, some 100 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, is central to the transport of military goods. Various NATO allies are taking turns in providing Poland with air protection, Defence Minister Bjrn Arild Gram said in a statement. "The airport is also central to the medical evacuation efforts that Norway is responsible for," Gram added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NASAMS air defence systems, the soldiers and fighter planes will be sent in the next days and the Norwegian mission, which will operate in Polish airspace, will last until Easter, Gram said. US soldiers are currently stationed there, and the airport is protected by US Patriot air defence units. Germany also announced last week that it would relocate Patriot systems to south-eastern Poland at the beginning of the year. Polish Defence Minister Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz thanked Norway in a post on X. "From December, the security of our borders will be further strengthened. Four Norwegian F-35s and their air defence systems will protect our space and NATO's eastern flank. Many thanks to our allies from Norway!" Poland is a significant political and military ally of Ukraine, which has been attacked by Russia for more than two and a half years. Warsaw also plays a crucial role as a logistical hub for Western military aid to Kiev. Dec. 2NORWICH Plans are underway to create an emergency winter overnight warming center in the basement of the Buckingham Memorial building, where a winter overnight shelter had been located 10 years ago. The difference is that the new center at 307 Main St. will be open only on nights when Gov. Ned Lamont declares a severe cold weather protocol, or no-freeze warning. Previously, Norwich had operated a winter overnight hospitality center every night. Several city agencies started working on the new plan after members of the Norwich Area Interfaith Association spoke at the Nov. 18 City Council meeting and urged the council to open a local emergency center. Norwich area residents now must go to overnight hospitality centers in New London, Danielson or Willimantic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with finding a location, staffing has been an obstacle in establishing a warming center. City Manager John Salomone has asked the Thames Valley Council for Community Action to submit a proposal to run the center and hire per-diem staff to run it. TVCCA Executive Director Josh Kelly said Monday his agency will submit a proposal to the city this week. If the city accepts the proposal, TVCCA will advertise for staff. Kelly estimated the center would operate about 10 to 12 nights this winter, opening in the late evening and closing in the mornings. Two staff people will be needed per session, Kelly said. He said employees from local nonprofit human services agencies might be interested in picking up the extra shifts by working at the center. Staff would be on-call, likely with about 10 to 12 hours of advanced notice, Kelly said. Kelly credited the interfaith association, St. Vincent de Paul Place, Reliance Health and other local human services agencies for pushing to get the city to open the overnight center. TVCCA is the coordinating agency for eastern Connecticut's Coordinated Access Network, which includes the region's three existing warming centers. He said it's difficult for Norwich-area homeless individuals to reach those centers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Anyone unsheltered who wants to get to warming center needs a bus or a ride from a friend or other transportation," Kelly said. "It's not accessible in the way that it should be." The Buckingham Memorial building is owned by a coalition of veterans' groups and run by the Buckingham Association. President Jane Cable said she gave Mayor Peter Nystrom approval to use the lower-level rear area for the emergency overnight warming center. The space will need minor renovations to be used. Restrooms must be upgraded, the kitchen cleaned and checked and flooring installed. The space now has bare, concrete floors. New cots will be needed, and a divider erected to separate men's and women's sleeping areas, Cable said. Local woodworker and volunteer David Bishop has been using the space as a workshop. He is cleaning out his items, moving some to an upper-level room in the building, Cable said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We got a new heater in there, so they will be warm," Cable said. Norwich Public Works Director Brian Long said city crews will work in the building Friday to upgrade restrooms, install flooring and paint walls. Salomone estimated the renovations will cost a few thousand dollars. The city will seek grant funding to cover the cost of operating the center. "We're trying to have it ready around Christmastime," Salomone said Monday. "It will be good, because people will go there (in the evening) and have to be out in the morning. So, there's nothing during the day. It's close to St. Vincent de Paul, which is open during the day." c.bessette@theday.com Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki reacted on Monday to news that her onetime boss, President Joe Biden, had pardoned his son Hunter Biden. If you recall the president saying repeatedly over the last few months that he would not pardon his own son for months, hes been saying that youd be correct, the MSNBC host said on Inside. It was a commitment that was widely applauded, for good reason, including by me. And last night, Joe Biden reversed course on that commitment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said Bidens decision was not good politics and suggested it would hurt the legacy of someone who has consistently stood for principle over personal needs. Yes, Hunter Biden has done some stupid things, she said. And yes, Hunter Biden has done some illegal things. The presidents son, who is recovering from drug addiction, should not have lied about his drug use when filling out paperwork to register for a handgun, and of course, he should have paid his taxes in full and on time, Psaki said. My bet is Joe Biden knows that too, but he made his decision not as a politician. He made it as a dad, she added. Jen Psaki served as Joe Biden's White House press secretary during his first year in office. Anadolu via Getty Images Hunter Biden was set to be sentenced later this month on gun and tax charges in two separate cases. He faced prison time for lying on a federal form when he bought a gun in 2018 and said he wasnt a drug user, and for failing to pay his taxes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Psaki noted that Hunter Biden is a private citizen and that in a matter of months, Joe Biden will be, too. Hes not a threat to our intelligence-gathering, to our national intelligence or to our law enforcement institutions, she said of Hunter Biden. So tonight and moving forward, were going to spend most of our time talking about the people who are and who may be, she added. She devoted the next segment to analyzing two of Donald Trumps controversial Cabinet picks: conspiracy theorist Kash Patel for FBI director and former Fox News host Pete Hegseth for secretary of defense. Ive worked in the White House and the national security space for years. I know firsthand how important these jobs are, she said. Theyre not political jobs either. And if Kash Patel and Pete Hegseth actually get confirmed or somehow find themselves in these jobs five-alarm fire might be an understatement. Watch her commentary below. Related... A threat made Tuesday morning prompted three schools in St. Cloud to be placed under lockdown. 9:08 a.m. update: The St. Cloud Police Department confirmed that they completed multiple sweeps of St. Cloud High School and found no credible threat. Officers said nearby St. Cloud Middle and Michigan Avenue Elementary school campuses were also placed under a lockdown as a precaution. Watch: Sunny and cool Tuesday as cold snap continues in Central Florida Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Osceola County Schools will provide parents with information on how to pick up students safely and efficiently. Officials said anyone who picks up a student needs to be extra patient when doing so. UPDATE: We have conducted multiple sweeps St. Cloud High School found no credible threat. As a precaution, the nearby St. Cloud Middle and Michigan Avenue Elementary school campus locations were also locked down. St. Cloud Police Dept (@StCloudPD) December 3, 2024 Original report: Police responded Tuesday morning after a threat was made to St. Cloud High School. Officers said a threat was phoned in, and the school was placed on lockdown. Police said they are working to check the school and ensure everyone is safe. Read: Kissimmee Police seek public assistance in homicide investigation Officials are asking parents to stay clear of the school, so they are able to quickly clear the threat. Police said more updates will be released as soon as possible. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Hunter Biden was in an increasingly perilous position. After Donald Trump defeated Kamala Harris in the presidential election, it was clear that some of his most vociferous critics were poised to assume power and carry out the promise of retribution for Trump's enemies. Biden was also set to be sentenced to months, and potentially years, in prison after he was convicted of illegally purchasing a handgun and pleaded guilty to tax crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within his circle and the broader Biden family orbit, there were growing fears that his status as a political and legal target would only become more acute. A white paper penned by his lawyers and circulated over the long Thanksgiving weekend outlined the risks and the grave threats he faced. But on Sunday night, the clouds lifted. In receiving the pardon that his father, President Biden, had repeatedly said he would never grant, the younger Biden was now free of all those criminal entanglements. With the stroke of a pen, the president had given his son expansive immunity for 11 years of conduct, for any and all federal offenses. The pardon came at a deep price for his father, who was roundly criticized by Democrats and Republicans alike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: President Biden pardons his son, claiming Hunter Biden was unfairly prosecuted For Hunter Biden, the pardon is an extraordinary chance at a reset after climbing out of the wreckage of crack cocaine and alcohol addiction. He was pleased. Hes grateful," said Mark Geragos, one of Biden's defense attorneys. He declined to elaborate. Bobby Sager, a friend of Biden and his second wife, Melissa, saw the couple last week and spoke to Biden in recent days. The pardon offered relief, Sager told The Times. Its been a long, difficult road, said Sager, who attended Bidens criminal trial in Wilmington, Del., and dined with the family at night after court. Theyve been under constant, aggressive scrutiny for something like six years," he said. "Today is the first day they can wake up and not have that as part of their first thoughts. 'Wants to find ways to be helpful' Hunter Biden's next act is unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 54-year-old promised to devote the life I have rebuilt to helping those who are still sick and suffering, according to a statement he issued Sunday. The president's son did not respond to several messages seeking comment. The fortune that was at the heart of his federal tax case and fueled his years-long drug binge derived from foreign business deals, legal work and consulting. He was also a board member of the Ukrainian gas firm Burisma, a post that paid $500,000 to $1 million per year. Read more: Some Democrats are disturbed by the Hunter Biden pardon More recently, his income has come from the sale of his paintings, his 2021 memoir, Beautiful Things, and millions of dollars in loans from his friend, attorney and confidant, L.A.-based lawyer Kevin Morris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the last several years, Biden has lived in a string of rentals across L.A. and Malibu while he has publicly committed to remaining sober from crack cocaine and alcohol. Paparazzi have snapped photos of him hiking with his wife, shopping at the Grove and two weeks ago taking his young son Beau to Disneyland. Sager said Biden could continue writing, venture into podcasting or some other public speaking effort, press on with his artistic ambitions or pursue another path. He wants to find ways to be helpful to other people that are healing healing in their addiction or from life in general, Sager said, adding that the country also needed "healing." He is in a lot of ways uniquely qualified to be a constructive voice in that conversation. Biden has been trailed for years by a documentary crew in a project backed by Morris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Who would lend millions to Hunter Biden? Meet the Hollywood lawyer who has The filmmakers have shot intimate moments in Biden's life: painting at home in Malibu, confronting criticism over his efforts to sell his art, and defying a congressional subpoena in Washington. In June, the filmmakers sat through much of Biden's criminal trial in Delaware and shot outside court as jurors deliberated and ultimately convicted him of illegally purchasing a handgun. The current status of the documentary project is unclear. Biden wrote in his book that in recent years he was also focused on "trying to make good on my debts both figurative and literal," as well as on his sobriety. He's relied on Morris and others in the recovery community for guidance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're making sure our connections are active in our daily lives so that they're fully available in a moment of crisis," Biden wrote in his memoir. The legal trials and public scrutiny have hit the family hard. Geragos, his defense attorney, noted that the specter of the tax trial coming on the heels of the Delaware case with a "parade of witnesses that would be nothing more than character assassins" was especially difficult. It also was among the reasons Biden pleaded guilty, he said. I dont think Hunter wanted to put his family through that again, said Geragos. People dont understand how intrusive and abusive and challenging that is to someone who is five years sober. 'The threat against Hunter is real' Biden's father had long said that he would not pardon his son and that he would respect the judicial and legal process in the criminal cases, including the jurys verdict. The president's press secretary reiterated that promise just last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he and his aides said he reconsidered over Thanksgiving in Nantucket, Mass., where he spent the holiday with Hunter and his grandchildren. Pressure came from the court calendar: Mere days remained before judges were to sentence Biden, and his lawyers had compiled letters from loved ones to submit to the court, begging for mercy and attesting to his character. Into the mix, his lawyers added another tactic. On Saturday, the legal team publicly circulated a 52-page white paper arguing that Trump and his allies had turned Biden into a political tool and that his prosecutions were sought to influence the 2020, 2022 and 2024 elections. The document chronicled a sequence of events dating from 2017 in which Trump or his allies used Biden "to attack and injure his father." It singled out how the attempt to impeach President Biden by focusing on his son had relied on Russian disinformation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the election now decided, the threat against Hunter is real, said the white paper, released by Winston & Strawn, the law firm of Bidens defense attorney, Abbe Lowell. It is clear Trump and fellow Republicans seem intent to see Hunter and members of his family prosecuted further. Within hours of the document's public release, the president informed aides that he planned to pardon his son. His public statement Sunday echoed the theme of political victimization and aggrievement laid out by his sons attorneys. As I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice, he said in the statement. "In trying to break Hunter, theyve tried to break me and theres no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough." Critics question president's reasoning for pardon The move drew scorn from both sides of the political spectrum. Republicans painted President Biden as a liar for recanting his public vows to refrain from pardoning his son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among Democrats, the pardon was criticized as a political gift to the incoming administration. Jon Lovett, a former speechwriter for President Obama turned podcast host, questioned how President Biden's rationale made no mention of Trump but instead highlighted his son's sobriety. "There's a lot of people on whom the gears of justice have turned while they were trying desperately to maintain their sobriety and no pardons for them," Lovett said on "Pod Save America." Co-host Jon Favreau cast the pardon as a time when the elder Biden's "ego, again and again, has gotten in the way." Read more: Biden grants his first pardons to a former Secret Service agent, two others NYU Law professor Rachel Barkow, who focuses on criminal and constitutional law and served as a member of the United States Sentencing Commission, identified a different problem: thousands of petitions for pardon that have gone unsigned. Biden has not done anything on those," Barkow told The Times. Its a tale of two cities. You cant do this for your son and ignore everyone else other peoples children matter too. Barkow said that not maximizing his pardon power in office and extending that power to his son was a stain on his legacy. If he made regular use of this to give regular people remedy from injustice, it wouldnt stand out as it does. But because he has such a low clemency rate, it sticks out like a sore thumb. What's next Taking stock of the pardon and its impact, Fox News host Sean Hannity asked two top Republican lawmakers Monday if the clemency spelled the end of criminal exposure for Hunter Biden and his family. "Is this over? Is this over for Joe Biden?" Hannity asked. "I think the new Trump Justice Department is going to have a lot on its platter," replied Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), the chair of the House Oversight Committee, also indicating that other Biden relatives, including President Biden's brother James, would remain in the crosshairs of his committee and the incoming administration. Both Comer and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) predicted that James Biden would receive a pardon before the end of the president's term. For Hunter Biden, the path is clear. He'll remain out of prison in the twilight of his father's life and for the arrival of his first grandchild next year; daughter Naomi announced her pregnancy last month. "I don't fear the future anymore. ... This story already has a happy ending," Biden wrote near the end of his memoir, which detailed how his crack addiction took him from the suites of the Chateau Marmont to the corners of Skid Row, searching for his next fix. Sager said he's gratified Biden will remain present in his children's lives and hoped that even critics would view Biden's admitted debauchery as a blip in an upstanding life. "This is a smart Yale Law School graduate who is a very caring and capable person," Sager said. "He's an artist, he wants to do his art, and he wants to be somebody that's really contributing to the welfare of society." His art dealer, Georges Berges, suggested on Instagram on Monday that the pardon offered a bookend to the saga. He noted that his gallery had endured "political assaults and other attacks" along with a congressional subpoena. "This had always been genuinely about the art and I always believe that only someone with his history could have created the art he did and I knew from experience that with focus and friendship his work could become consequential," Berges said. "Something I said then, as I do now." Alluding to Biden's journey from lawyer to lobbyist to crack addict to right-wing whipping boy, Berges concluded that "Hunter Bidens story was the American story." "The story that said that your past doesnt have to define your future," he said, "that tomorrow is a new day." 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. (KRON) After receiving more than 35,000 public comments, the National Park Service announced Monday that it would remove the controversial tule elk enclosure fence at Point Reyes National Seashore as part of its finalized management plan for Tomales Point. The final Tomales Point Area Plan, which has been in development with civic engagement since the spring of 2022, calls for the removal of 2.2 miles of tule elk enclosure fencing. Additionally, all temporary water systems and mineral resources that were installed during the most recent drought will be removed. The 10-foot-tall fence was first installed in 1978 when two male and eight female tule elks were reintroduced to Tomales Point. After the fences removal, the intentional confinement of Tomales Point tule elk will end, and the herd will become a free-range population. The minimum population estimate for the Tomales Point herd is 315 elk, according to NPSs 2024 annual count. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Foster City works to control Canada geese We analyzed three alternatives and incorporated feedback from over 35,000 public comment letters gathered during three comment periods, said Point Reyes Superintendent Anne Altman. The benefit of removing this enclosure is to allow elk to access additional habitat, increase the species population resilience during drought, and promote a more natural population cycle. Animal advocates have called the fencing deadly as it limited the free ability to access water beyond Tomales Point. With its removal, it will reduce the number of painful, slow elk deaths from thirst and starvation during Californias hot, dry summer and autumn seasons, San Rafael-based In Defense of Animals wrote in September. The final plan also calls for the establishment of a wildlife-friendly cattle fence placed in approximately the same boundary as the outgoing tule elk fence. The new fence would prevent cattle from accessing the point from agriculture-permitted properties in the park. Tule elk and black-tailed deer will be able to move freely in and out of the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Park Service updated its website to provide additional information on the finalized Tomales Point management plan. 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. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Police are seeking assistance in locating the suspect from a shooting last month in northwest Charlotte. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Departments Violent Criminal Apprehension Team is seeking Amir Amaru Moore, who is in his early 20s. Officers say he was identified as a suspect from an assault with a deadly weapon call Nov. 7 inside a residence in the 200 block of North Hoskins Road. Officers arrived at the scene around 1:30 p.m. when they reportedly found a male victim with gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to Atrium Health CMC with serious injuries, according to the police report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Impaired driver charged after a man was struck and killed in Uptown: CMPD Freedom Division detectives identified Moore as the suspect in this shooting. Warrants were issued for his arrest for the following: Attempted Murder Felony Conspiracy Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon CMPDs VCAT have begun efforts to capture Moore. He is described as a Black male, 6 feet, 4 inches tall and weighing approximately 160 pounds. The investigation into this case is active and ongoing. Anyone with information about this incident or the suspect in the attached photographs is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or charlottecrimestoppers.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 Queen City News. New York Rep. Dan Goldman (D) warned that some of President-elect Trumps Cabinet and senior staff picks will be used to weaponize the government, specifically mentioning Kash Patel, who was tapped as FBI director. Kash Patel is a danger because he is unqualified and because he is out for revenge on behalf of Donald Trump, Goldman told CNNs Brianna Keilar on Monday. And that is not who we should have leading what should be a nonpartisan, apolitical FBI that has a ten-year term for a reason so that it is not in line with the political process. Trump has faced scrutiny for several of his nominations. Patel, a staunch Trump ally, has echoed the former presidents plans for retribution. He has focused much of his commentary on attacking the deep state, which he has blamed for weaponizing the government for their own political and personal agenda. He also defended the president-elect during several investigations including the impeachment inquiries and the Russia election interference probe that he endured while in the White House, as well as following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He faced pushback from the now-disbanded House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 riots, which asked him to sit for testimony. Patel, who held numerous national security roles during Trumps first administration, was chief of staff to then-acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller. When asked during the CNN interview whether Americans should have faith in federal law enforcement, Goldman pushed back on Trumps controversial nominees. I think what it brings it into question is the nominees that Donald Trump has put forward. Matt Gaetz, Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, Tulsi Gabbard, the New York Democrat said. These are not people who are going to implement the rule of law. They have been picked to weaponize the federal government against Donald Trumps enemies and his adversaries That is the risk to the rule of law, he continued, making reference to President Bidens recent pardoning of his son Hunter Biden. And that is why Joe Biden used his authority to protect his son from the weaponization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among those controversial nominations was Trumps original pick for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who withdrew from consideration after facing pushback over a DOJ investigation and House Ethics Committee probe into sex trafficking and misconduct allegations, as well as illicit drug use. Trump has since tapped former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, a staunch ally, to lead the Justice Department in his second term. Trumps pick for national intelligence director, former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard who recently joined the Republican Party will also likely face an uphill battle for Senate confirmation. Republicans, who won control of both chambers of Congress last month, especially those with a more hawkish view of foreign policy, may be weary of Gabbard given her history of remarks that have been considered sympathetic to Russia amid its war with Ukraine. 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 cop who shot and nearly killed a Bronx man in the middle of a mental-health breakdown should be kicked off the force, according to the citys civilian oversight panel. The final determination on the recommendation the most severe that can be issued by the Civilian Complaint Review Board could ultimately be the call of newly appointed police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Police body-cam footage shows the moment before two cops open fire on a man going through a schizophrenic episode in The Bronx in 2023. NYPD Officer Derek Bernard was one of two cops who shot knife-wielding Raul de la Cruz almost immediately after responding to his fathers 311 call for help during the sons mental-health episode in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other officer resigned from the NYPD before the CCRB could issue its report on him, making its potential findings on his actions moot. But the CCRB recently handed down their most severe recommendation for Bernard: termination. And while theres still a long road ahead in the disciplinary process including a challenge from the NYPD, more CCRB hearings and an administrative trial before Tisch will make the final call, Cruz and the lawyers representing him in a federal lawsuit against the city and the officers are already hailing the recommendation. Raul de la Cruz, 44, has long suffered from schizophrenia and nearly died when cops fired at him seven times. Courtesy De La Cruz Family We cannot tolerate one more death or near death of a New Yorker with a mental disability at the hands of the NYPD, said Maureen Belluscio, a lawyer for Cruz who works at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for Cruz, 44, he said, I still dont feel OK. But it makes me feel good to be part of this lawsuit because I know it is a step to getting justice. Cruz spent months in the hospital after the shooting, which left him in hemorrhagic shock from the immense blood loss. He also had multiple organs damaged and some removed altogether thanks to the gunshot wounds to his chest and leg. In March 2023, Cruz was visiting family in the Bronx when he started to become distressed. Cruzs father (right) said he dialed 311 to specifically try to avoid involving the police because he feared his son would have a bad reaction toward them. NYPD His father dialed 311 seeking help for his son, who he explained to the dispatcher was going through a mental-health crisis and suffered from schizophrenia, according to Cruzs lawsuit filed a year after the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His father told the 311 operator to not send police who made Cruz feel specifically afraid and paranoid and instead asked for medical professionals. Three NYPD officers responded to the scene outside of an apartment building, where they found Cruz and his father, who was recorded by police body-worn cameras trying to calm his distressed son. Cruz breaks away from his father, who had tried to calm him. NYPD Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the officers shouted in English and the Spanish word for hands, Cruz pulled out a kitchen knife. His father tried one last time to calm his son, but Cruz moved away and was shot seconds later by Bernard and Officer Nicholas Trupia. The two fired a total of seven times and then handcuffed Cruz as he bled out onto the sidewalk. Aside from his massive blood loss, Cruz spent four weeks in the intensive care unit and underwent several surgeries, where doctors removed a kidney and his spleen and parts of his pancreas and small and large intestines, according to his federal lawsuit. Instead of sending trained health professionals to help Mr. de la Cruz, NYPD patrol officers were dispatched to the scene and arrived minutes later, the lawsuit reads, which stated that neither officer spoke Spanish and could not communicate with the father or son. The two officers shot seven bullets in total, police officials said. NYPD I was worried something like this could happen, Cruzs father told Gothamist just days after the shooting. Thats why I called 311. I didnt go asking for help just for him to get killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cruz told the outlet this past spring, Im not violent. I was not angry. I was scared. The incident occurred almost exactly one year before a similar shooting in Queens, where a mentally ill teen, Win Rozario, 19, was shot and killed by officers responding to an emergency call relating to a mental-health episode. Cruz spent roughly a month in the hospital and lost a kidney and his spleen and parts of his pancreas and small and large intestines thanks to his injuries. NYPD Advocates have long criticized the NYPDs deployment to situations involving people in mental distress and have called for mental-health professionals to also respond and for better police training. Police records show Bernard joined the force in 2012 and had completed a four-module training course titled Responding to people in crisis in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NYPD has asked the CCRB to reconsider the recommendation, which could delay its progress through administrative courts and even result in it being dismissed. A police spokesperson would only comment that the disciplinary process is ongoing. NEW YORK (PIX11) If youre unable to work full-time or are just looking for a more flexible schedule, you could work part-time for the New York City government. Manhattan Community Board No. 12 wants to hire a community assistant, who will plan community engagement activities, help solve community concerns and maintain a good relationship between the board and the public. More Local News Youll get paid $20.19 an hour and there are no formal education requirements for the role. Its preferred if youre a high school graduate who is fluent in Spanish and has experience with community engagement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Human Resources Administration is also looking for a tenant-facing housing coordinator. Responsibilities include coming up with ways to help serve people who are homeless or at-risk, participating in community activities and advocating for clients needs. NYC hiring: Remote jobs offered in this city department The salary range is between $29.61 and $34.05. A field operations monitor position is also open in the Department of Youth and Community Development. The job entails making sure meals and snacks provided to teens and youths are within department guidelines, keeping track of attendance and meal service records, and reporting on meal service area conditions, meal distribution and staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youll be working 25 hours a week with a starting salary of $18. That could increase to $22.08. These positions also dont require a civil service exam. Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her 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. HARLEM, Manhattan (PIX11) A mother of two in Harlem says her Thanksgiving was ruined by a bad leak above her apartment. Marie Raphael says she was in her kitchen in the morning, getting her one-year-old daughters bottle ready, when water started rushing into her home. More Monica Makes It Happen Raphael says NYCHA crews immediately responded and tried to mop out the water, but the damage was done. In one of her videos, her flip-flops can be seen floating down the hallway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her mattresses, baby clothes, and toys were destroyed by hot water. Raphael believes the source of the leak was coming from the apartment above her on the tenth floor. Now more than a week later, Raphael is sleeping on her friends couch until repairs are made. Her question is when will it be fixed and how long with it take, so she can return home. A NYCHA spokesperson tells PIX11 News, NYCHA staff recently responded to a broken pipe at 350 E 24th St. and addressed flooding conditions in the affected apartments the same day. We will continue to work with the affected residents to find a suitable resolution. Residents in need of assistance are encouraged to call the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771 or submit work tickets through the MyNYCHA application. If you have a story, reach out to Monica Morales at monica@pix11.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 PIX11. MASSENA, N.Y. (WWTI) The New York State Police are investigating a pair of deaths in the village of Massena. According to state police, they responded just before 1 p.m. Monday, December 2 to a residence on Beach Street to assist the Massena Police Department with suspicious deaths. Watertown PD: Man charged with throwing Christmas tree during dispute Massena PD arrived on the scene and found two deceased males inside the residence. A recent update said that state police observed the two males that passed had gunshot wounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York State Troop B Forensic Investigation Unit was contacted to respond and process the scene. An autopsy will be held this afternoon at Canton-Potsdam Hospital to determine the cause and manner of death. This investigation is currently ongoing. State police believe this to be an isolated incident. If anyone has information regarding the incident, they are asked to contact the State Police at 315-379-0012. The NYSP, the St. Lawrence County District Attorneys Office, the Massena Police Department, and the St. Lawrence County Sheriffs Department are conducting this 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 WWTI - InformNNY.com. EDITORS NOTE: This story has been updated with new information from the OAG to accurately reflect the injuries sustained in the crash. CHARLES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) The Maryland Office of Attorney General (OAG) is investigating after a police chase from Virginia ended with a crash in Charles County on Tuesday morning. According to the Charles County Sheriffs Office (CCSO), at around 3:45 a.m., deputies were notified of an armed robbery that had taken place at a business in King George County, Va. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies from the King Georges County Sheriffs Office tried to stop the suspect car, which was later reported stolen. This resulted in a pursuit across the Nice-Middleton Memorial Bridge into Maryland, where officers from the Maryland Transportation Authority Police joined the chase. The suspects continued on Crain Highway into La Plata until they ran over a spike strip laid down by officers from the CCSO and the La Plata Police Department. After hitting the strip, the suspect vehicle crashed into another car traveling on Crain Highway near Charles Street. Police investigating deadly crash in Prince Georges County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers secured the area and began providing medical attention to the occupants of both cars. Medics took one suspect to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The person whose car was hit was also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. According to CCSO, responders took the second suspect to the hospital in critical condition, where they remained as of Tuesday evening. Per Maryland law, the OAGs Independent Investigations Division is investigating the crash. Maryland State Police are also 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. FACEBOOK The Facebook profile page for Domo Cafe on Oahu. The U.S. Department of Labor on Monday announced the owner of Domo Cafe restaurants in Honolulu must pay more than $158, 000 in back wages to 14 workers. FACEBOOK The Facebook profile page for Domo Cafe on Oahu. The U.S. Department of Labor on Monday announced the owner of Domo Cafe restaurants in Honolulu must pay more than $158, 000 in back wages to 14 workers. The U.S. Department of Labor on Monday announced the owner of Domo Cafe restaurants in Honolulu must pay more than $158, 000 in back wages to 14 workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The amount includes unpaid tips plus damages for the 14, and unpaid overtime for one employee at two restaurantsone in Kahala and one in Chinatown. An investigation by DOLs Wage and Hour Division found the owner, along with his wife, a manager at the two restaurants, had illegally retained portions of tips from a tip pool, according to a news release. This was in violation of the, which prohibits an employer, including managers and supervisors, from keeping any portion of tips received by employees. Additionally, the employer failed to pay overtime owed to one employee. The department recovered the following : Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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.$72, 054 in tips for 14 employees$79, 226 in liquidated damages for 14 workers$7, 172 in overtime wages to one employee The department also fined the owner $2, 030 in penalties for the reckless nature of violations. It is critically essential for non-management service staff to be able to retain the entirety of the tips they earn so they can offset living expenses and meet their financial goals, said Wage and Hour Division District Director Terence Trotter of Honolulu in a news release. We urge all employers in the restaurant service sector to review their tip retention policies to ensure compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Domo Cafe offers fresh sushi platters, bentos and made-to-order poke, according to its website. It is registered to Wu Enterprise LLC, with Shucong Wu as manager, according to state business registration records. Employers and workers with questions can contact the Wage and Hour Division for assistance at 1-866-4-US-WAGE. 43 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 ? . Editor's note: This story has been updated with the correct location of the first Buc-ee's built in Colorado. Have thoughts about the possibility of a Buc-ee's near Monument and Palmer Lake? Developers have invited the community to attend a public forum this week to share information about the proposed super-sized travel center. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Palmer Lake Elementary School at 115 Upper Glenway Road. If approved, the Buc-ee's will be just the second built in Colorado after a Johnstown location opened north of Denver last year. The new location, north of downtown Monument along I-25, would be a similar size at about 74,000 square feet. Since the proposal's announcement, the plan has received mixed responses, with pushback from some who feel the travel center would be harmful to local residents. Known for its food, shopping and self-proclaimed "world's cleanest bathrooms," Buc-ee's originated in Texas. Stan Beard, the chains real estate and development director, previously told The Gazette that the new proposed location would provide high visibility for hundreds of thousands of travelers along I-25 south of Denver each year. The chain typically builds in small communities outside of major population centers, he said. The newest Buc-ee's plan will hinge on the approval of El Paso County, which is the current jurisdiction of the land site, and Palmer Lake, which would need to annex the land and provide services. According to plans submitted to the county in November, the travel center would be built on a piece of land at the southwest corner of I-25 and County Line Road and east of Beacon Lite Road. The land would be a "flagpole" annexation if accepted into Palmer Lake, since the property does not border town limits. The town would need to annex a thin sliver of land connecting the property to the rest of Palmer Lake hence "flagpole." Sign up for free: Gazette Business Receive a weekly roundup of business news around El Paso County. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Featured Local Savings The town of Palmer Lake will be considering the annexation at a Dec. 12 meeting. Palmer Lake Mayor Glant Havenar said in a Facebook post on Nov. 3 that the meeting was not to accept the annexation, but to determine whether the request was eligible to move forward in the process. Havenar said that she and other town officials were staying neutral on the issue at this point and said she wanted to "learn as much as possible" about the project. "At this stage, we cannot comment on the project, whether we believe it meets eligibility, or share any thoughts or opinions on its viability and merits," she said. The travel center with a cult customer following has seen some criticism on social media since the announcement of the plan for a second Colorado location. One online petition to stop the annexation has surpassed 1,800 signatures. The petition, whose author could not be reached for comment, cites proximity to the nearby Woodmoor neighborhood as an objection to Buc-ee's, claiming it would bring traffic, crime and harm to local businesses. Other commenters have raised concerns that the location's elevation on Monument Hill would be prone to heavy snow and ice in the winter. Though a full project plan has not yet been submitted to Palmer Lake, preliminary documents outline a major upgrade in Palmer Lake's water capacity. The annexation impact report submitted to the county for the project in November estimates a "sizable" extension of Palmer Lake's water system of about 860,000 gallons per month, to be constructed and paid for by the developers. The impact report also anticipates upgrades to surrounding roadways. The property, already zoned for commercial use, is identified as a possible "retail node" in Palmer Lake Community Master Plan. Barack Obama praised Angela Merkel for being "all about the facts" as the two former leaders reunited in Washington on Monday at an event centered around the former German chancellor's new memoir. Obama described Merkel as friendly but reserved at the sold-out event at the Anthem for the former chancellor's 700-plus-page book, titled "Freedom. Memories 1954 - 2021." "You are, in addition to being analytical and curious, you're a very kind and friendly person. But I wouldn't say you're not an extrovert necessarily. You know, you're reserved," the 63-year-old jokingly told Merkel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All of you should know that one of the things that I enjoyed most about working with chancellor Merkel is she's very much the scientist. It's all about facts and analysis," Obama also said addressing the crowd. The event saw Obama, who served as US president from 2009 to 2017, quiz the 70-year-old on a minimalistic stage featuring two chairs and two small tables. Obama explained that Merkel would be speaking German during the event, her answers then translated into English. "You should know that her English is excellent and that we never use translators. But she is also a very precise person, and wants to make sure that she gets things exactly right," Obama said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The president, too is very precise," retorted Merkel later in the conversation. "He's a lawyer," she said to laughter, adding that you can't argue with him or discuss things with him "when you're not precise. That was what I liked about it." The wide-ranging conversation touched on disagreements and glass ceilings, but not on the recent US election or the National Security Agency (NSA) eavesdropping on Merkel's mobile phone during the Obama administration. Dec. 3Road departments throughout the county have been working vigorously to clear the roads after the Ashtabula County Sheriff's Office declared a level three snow emergency Saturday morning. Ashtabula City Manager Jim Timonere said the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has been a huge help assisting the city, Conneaut and Geneva with around 12 plows over the past couple of days. "We also have eight front-end loaders in the county to assist," he said. "There is so much snow, it needs loaders to move." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Timonere said main and secondary streets are in decent shape. "We are doing our best to get through the neighborhood streets. ODOT has been a huge help and they team up with one of our staff and follow through the neighborhoods," he said. "Their trucks are much bigger than ours and are able to push back the piles more efficiently to the curbline. We have local contractors with loaders assisting as well. Southern townships have called and offered their assistance." Koski Construction also helped Monday, clearing snow from Walnut Boulevard south to West 9th Street, and from the western city limits to Lake Avenue. Ashtabula Township Fire Chief Chad Kendzerski said the heavy snowfall posed significant obstacles for service delivery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "While the road department has been tirelessly working to keep our main roads clear, many driveways remain a challenge," he said. "It's estimated that approximately 70 percent of the driveways in the township are filled with 30 to 36 inches of snow, making it difficult for our crews to reach patients effectively. "In some cases, the use of a cot has become impossible. I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for the community's support and understanding during these challenging weather conditions." Kendzerski said in the past two days, the department has provided EMS assistance to three separate communities. "The deep snow has added to the complexity of our operations," he said. "I want to commend our crews for their exceptional dedication and hard work during this time. They have stepped up without complaint and I'm incredibly proud of their efforts, as well as those of our road department." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saybrook Township Fire Chief John Jyurovat said the department has been very busy, receiving many calls for assistance. "The roads are tough and our road department, just like everybody else's, is working non-stop," he said. "The guys have done a great job. We're out there serving the community." Ashtabula County was downgraded to a level one snow emergency Monday afternoon, according to the Ashtabula County Sheriff's Office. cball@starbeacon.com PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) State and local officials gathered in Providence Monday morning to break ground on a new middle school in the capital city. Frank D. Spaziano Middle School is part of the citys two-site strategy to transform Frank D. Spaziano Elementary School and its annex into a Pre-K through Grade 8 hub for dual language education, according to the Providence Public School District. Now we have a community that will be built, Rhode Island Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green said at the groundbreaking ceremony. The same families will be moving up to the middle school to provide an atmosphere where theres learning across the grades and mentorship for our youngest students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new middle school will feature classrooms designed to facilitate Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) education as well as collaborative spaces. The budget is $34.5 million. The city cut the ribbon on the new Spaziano Elementary School back in 2023, calling it a 21st-century learning space. BACKGROUND: Providence cuts ribbon on new Spaziano Elementary 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. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) As technology continues to advance, experts said that pushing innovation, filling job vacancies and protective American values must happen in order to stay ahead. Harry Coker, Jr., the White House National Cyber Director, met with students and administrators at Hinds Community College in Raymond on Monday. Cybersecurity is not an issue that any one entity can challenge and can address adequately. The federal government cannot solve it by itself. But what we saw here in the Jackson area is whats in the Ecosystem Toolkit. Its collaborating, not competing, but complementing and collaborating, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mississippi State receives $3 million gift for athletics program During the event, the Ecosystem Toolkit was unveiled. Its a collaborative effort between Hinds Community College, Tougaloo College and Jackson State University. Leaders said introducing the digital world to K-12 students can help fill the gap, as well. Actually, Im the only person in our delegation who voted to have internet access to every home in the state of Mississippi. And I only represent 25% of the state. But I know how valuable that is to every community, said U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.). Federal officials hope to fill the vacant jobs in cyber security across the country. 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. If you've understandably believed that the tiny plastic stickers on produce are compostable, you're in for a rude awakening. Not only are these stickers laden with toxic chemicals, but they often wreak havoc on composting systems, contaminating entire batches of compost. Now, several places are looking for a solution. Summerland, a municipality in Canada's British Columbia, is one such place leading the charge. The Vancouver Sun reported on the efforts, quoting Summerland's councillor and deputy mayor Erin Trainer: "It seems like such a small thing, but these little stickers create a huge problem for our composting systems, not to mention they're microplastics. The problem is, people don't take time to peel those stickers from produce and it's very difficult to screen those stickers. They basically gum up the system." Should plastic grocery bags be banned nationwide? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind Now, Summerland is petitioning both their provincial and federal governments to act by mandating the use of compostable produce labels instead. It argues that, while the process will require some investment, the transition will be well worth it in the long run. After all, Trainer said, the Canadian government has already invested $30 million into its composting programs, so helping them to succeed is a "no-brainer." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Sun, Canada has already banned the use of several other types of single-use plastic in grocery stores, including plastic bags, cutlery, food-service containers, and straws. Plastic generation and pollution are some of the worst threats to the health and future of the planet. Not only does the manufacturing of plastic generate planet-warming gases from dirty energy sources, but discarded plastic breaks down into tiny toxic microplastics. These particles have already made their way into everything from human placentas to coral reefs. Given this, many groups are looking to find similar solutions to the sticker problem. For example, Tesco, a large UK grocer, has started laser-etching avocados instead of labeling them with stickers. Additionally, the Sun reported that some companies have begun manufacturing compostable stickers, although they are not yet being sold widely. Similarly, governments looking to cut down on food waste have begun banning "sell by" labels on many foods, as this system intended strictly for inventory management can lead to consumers avoiding certain products and creating food waste. 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. A baby girl was found by fire officials in a local Safe Haven baby box in Ohio on Monday, Dec. 2. In a release addressing the discovery of the infant, the Lebanon Police Department confirmed that both police and fire units received an alarm from the Newborn Safety Incubator at Fire Station 41 around 3:24 p.m. local time. Upon responding to the alarm signaling that a baby had been surrendered, police and fire officials located a female infant who was then immediately transported by the Lebanon Fire Department to Cincinnati Childrens Hospital, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Representatives from the Lebanon Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Related: Firefighter Adopts Newborn Girl Left in Florida Safe Haven Baby Box: 'We Locked Eyes and That Was It' 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. Once the child was taken to the hospital, Warren County Childrens Services was notified, according to the statement. Police said that they do not have any further information regarding the discovery of the infant at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a post on Facebook, Warren County Prosecutor David P. Fornshell praised the person who dropped the baby off for choosing to safely surrender the infant. When I was first notified about this earlier today, I had an overwhelming sense of gratefulness for the mother who made this heartbreaking, yet heroic and courageous, decision to save this little girls life, Fornshell wrote. He continued, "This newborn is going to be an absolute blessing for the family who ultimately adopts her." "We have no need to know who this mother is. But I hope SHE knows how much respect we have for the decision she made today," Fornshell concluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lebanon Police Department explained via statement the details of leaving a child at a baby box in Ohio. A parent may voluntarily deliver the parents child who is not older than thirty days, without intent to return for the child, to any of the following, a peace officer, peace officer support employee, hospital employee or emergency medical service worker, the statement said. Related: First Newborn Surrendered to Florida's Only Safe Haven Baby Box Over 2 Years After It Was Installed Ohio currently has 10 baby boxes throughout the state, with the latest installed in October 2023, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Safe Haven baby boxes are temperature-controlled and an alarm sounds when opened to alert dispatchers and fire crews of a baby inside within 60 seconds the infant is generally removed within two minutes of the alarm going off, the outlet reported. Read the original article on People A major gas and oil company was recently fined almost $10 million for failing to divert illegal pollutants from entering the environment over two years. What's happening? Hilcorp Energy Company will pay $9.4 million in penalties for violating the Clean Air Act and New Mexico climate laws. According to New Mexico Political Report, the fines come after the company allegedly failed to control pollution while completing oil wells in New Mexico's San Juan Basin, including on Jicarilla Apache and Navajo Nation lands. The fines stem from Hilcorp digging nearly 200 oil wells in New Mexico between August 2017 and August 2019. When completing 145 wells, the Department of Justice says Hilcorp failed to capture any planet-polluting gas released by the fracking operations. When completing the remainder of the wells, Hilcorp only captured a portion of the gas, directing it into flares to burn off the pollution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DOJ reports that the oil and gas company's actions during those two years resulted in the illegal release of thousands of tons of harmful planet-warming pollution into the atmosphere. "Hilcorp is a large, sophisticated natural gas producer and should know better than to violate Clean Air Act requirements to capture and control gas produced as a result of fracking," assistant attorney general Todd Kim said in a press release. "We are committed to upholding the rule of law and holding industry accountable." Compliance measures were also part of the settlement, which the DOJ stated will result in more than 113,000 tons of carbon pollution being removed from the Earth's air in the future. The DOJ says this compliance measure is the equivalent of "taking 24,000 cars off the road for one year." Hilcorp is also required to employ a third-party EPA-approved auditor to ensure that the company complies with national and state environmental laws in the future. Why is this settlement important? The DOJ reported that the case against Hilcorp is the first time the agency has addressed fracking standard violations in the Clean Air Act. While the settlement doesn't undo the environmental damage already caused by Hilcorp, it does send a message to other companies to take the Clean Air Act and state environmental laws seriously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The settlement also specifically addresses violations on Indigenous lands, requiring Hilcorp to perform pollution-reducing actions on Native lands. That's especially important since Indigenous communities are especially vulnerable to fracking, with Native lands a battleground for environmental justice. Do you worry about air pollution in your town? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind But the settlement only addresses a portion of the problem. Fracking still is a major environmental issue even when air pollution standards are met. Yale reported fracking can lead to loss of animal and plant habitats, species decline, migratory disruptions, and land degradation. Fracking can also lead to human health risks like increased risk of pregnancy complications, cancer, asthma, and more. And that's all before using the extracted oil as a dirty energy source. What's being done to ensure companies comply with the Clean Air Act? In recent months, the Environmental Protection Agency and the DOJ have ramped up their prosecution of Clean Air Act violations. The DOJ recently said it is dedicated to conducting "oil and gas investigations and aggressively enforce violations." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While that is promising news for the planet, plenty of businesses are still flying under the radar. That's why divesting from dirty energy is essential. For those wanting to make an individual impact, it's essential to advocate for stricter pollution standards and support policies that hold dirty energy companies accountable. You can also reduce your personal reliance on oil and gas by choosing cleaner options wherever possible like taking public transportation or swapping to solar. 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. OKLAHOMA COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) On Monday, Oklahoma County Commissioners voted to approve federal funding for a mental health facility. The center would be built at the site of the proposed county jail off East Grand in southeast Oklahoma City, near the Del City line. Several citizens showed up to voice their frustration with commissioners and their decision to move forward with votes associated with the jail site despite a current lawsuit. You guys have screwed this up from day one, said Christopher Johnston during public comments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mark Faulk is with the Peoples Council for Justice Reform and has attended several commissioner meetings since the battle over the land started two years ago. Youre rolling the dice just like in a Las Vegas casino, said Faulk, during the meetings public comment portion. Youre betting with taxpayer money. Despite the opposition, commissioners unanimously voted to secure $38 million in ARPA funds. AG Drummond seeks emergency action in death row inmate Kevin Underwood execution Thats just the legality part that moves us forward to the next phase, said Brian Maughan, County Commissioner for District 2. The voting on the launch of the construction of the things is yet to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oklahoma City Council members denied a zoning permit for the jail in July. That sparked commissioners to file a lawsuit. They voted to do a mental health facility on a piece of land that is not properly zoned for a mental health facility, said Faulk. If (commissioners) lose that lawsuit, not only will the doors to that behavioral center never open, but you also could put us, the taxpayers, on the hook to repay that money. Citizens who spoke out during public comment also said they didnt feel Chief Deputy Joe Blough had the right to vote during the meeting. Blough stepped into Commissioner Carrie Blumerts seat after she left in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislature put it in place that the chief deputy would serve in the event of a death or resignation or absence, said Blough. I am doing the very best that I can using all of the knowledge that I have at hand to represent those people that Ive worked for 19 years. Commissioners are still waiting on an opinion from Attorney General Gentner Drummond on the lawsuit, which they requested. They will vote at the December 18 meeting on whether or not to approve groundbreaking on the facility. 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. An Oklahoma City police officer has been accused of rape, domestic assault and battery, and pointing a firearm at a woman. Shamar Kitchens was booked into the Canadian County jail just after noon Saturday and later released on bond. The Oklahoman does not typically name those who have not been formally charged with a crime. Kitchens' name, however, has been widely reported by other media outlets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Capt. Valerie Littlejohn, a spokesperson with the Oklahoma City Police Department, said Kitchens was hired in January 2023 after completing the police academy. He is on paid administrative leave. Be the first to know: Sign up for breaking news email alerts Littlejohn said the police department arrested Kitchens following a complaint from a woman alleging that he raped her in a vehicle early Saturday in southwest Oklahoma City. Littlejohn said it appears there was an altercation while they were driving, but it is currently unclear if Kitchens and the woman had been in a relationship. Kitchens also was arrested on complaints of alleged forcible sodomy, rape by instrumentation and threatening to perform an act of violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We determined he was an officer and we arrested him, Littlejohn said. Regardless of whether he was a police officer or not, we will do a thorough investigation and present it to the district attorney. Another Oklahoma City police officer faces similar allegations. In McClain County District Court, Sgt. Ryan Stark, 44, is accused of first-degree rape, domestic assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, kidnapping and threatening to perform an act of violence. Blanchard police were notified of a possible domestic assault in June involving Stark and a woman after they left a restaurant in a police vehicle, according to a probable cause affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman told investigators she was in a previous romantic relationship with Stark, according to the affidavit. Stark allegedly became upset when the woman said she did not want to go to his home. She claimed Stark was intoxicated and said he was involved with other women, including a woman from whom he often bought drugs, according to the affidavit. The woman claimed Stark took her cell phone from her. She accused Stark of raping her at his home and denying her medical attention. She has filed a protective order against Stark in McClain County District Court. The Oklahoman does not name victims of alleged sexual assault. This is a developing story. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC police officer booked into jail is accused of raping woman The featured video is when the Attorney General visited the KFOR studios to announce the awards. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced the first-ever Oklahoma Officer of the Year Award. The award went to Bryan County Sheriffs Deputy Austin Murray. Drummond says Murray was recognized in a ceremony alongside the states Regional Officers of the Year and all nominees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Drummond, Murrays actions to protect the lives of a woman and her two children during a domestic disturbance demonstrated his courage, diligence, and commitment to public safety after sustaining several gunshot wounds during the incident. OK Co. Commissioners vote to secure federal funds for mental health facility at jail site On Aug. 11, Murray responded to a domestic disturbance concerning a man in a pickup truck who had chased his fleeing wife and two children. The pickup had struck the wifes vehicle, forcing her to crash into a tree off a highway near Achille. Murray drew his pistol as soon as the suspect, Wesley Buford, reached for a gun tucked inside his pants. Buford jumped behind his truck, and the two exchanged gunfire. Murray was hit three times before he was able to get a clear shot at the suspect. Buford collapsed and surrendered shortly thereafter, said AG Drummond. Deputy Murray is highly deserving of this honor, Drummond said. He is an exceptional law enforcement officer whose heroism brought a safe end to a tremendously dangerous situation. I congratulate Deputy Murray and thank him for his service to his community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bryan County Sheriff Johnny Christian, who nominated Murray for the honor, said When faced with a violent assailant, Deputy Murray did not hesitate to put himself in harms way to safeguard a mother and her two children, Christian said. This act alone speaks volumes about his character and sense of duty. Even after sustaining injuries, his resolve to continue confronting the threat showcases remarkable courage and resilience. The Officer of the Year program created by the AGs office seeks to recognize and celebrate the best and brightest of Oklahomas remarkable federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement agencies, Drummond noted. Murray, a nearly four year veteran, also recently received the Medal of Valor from the Oklahoma Sheriffs Association. He was named one of four Regional Officers of the Year last month. Mental health-related calls decline in OKC, says ODMHSAS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also named regional award winners were Oklahoma City Police Detective Lauren Cunningham, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Derek Fry and Norman Master Police Officer Benjamin Gomez. Drummonds office says regional winners were selected by judging panels of city, county, Tribal, and state criminal justice professionals. In all, 44 law enforcement officers from a cross-section of Oklahoma law enforcement organizations were nominated for the award. Click link to see Deputy Murrays full-length video. 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. An out-of-state company that provides support to defense and civilian government agencies across the globe has acquired a veteran-owned defense support services firm in Colorado Springs. Delta Solutions & Strategies, founded in 2000 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, was acquired Friday by Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corporation (UIC), an Alaska Native Corporation, in UICs largest acquisition to date. Delta joins UIC as part of the Springfield, Va.-based Bowhead Family of Companies within the UIC Government Services federal contracting division, according to a Monday news release. Details of the deal were not disclosed, but Delta President and CEO Mark Stafford said Monday that Bowhead acquired 70% of the company. Stafford retains the remaining 30%. Stafford characterized the integration as extremely positive for both entities. UIC Bowhead has been a partner with us for over 10 years, so we knew our cultures worked together. We have a great relationship between the two companies, a deep respect, and our core values are the same. That made the acquisition much easier, he said. Bowhead has 3,000 employees and 300 contracts, with 16 offices across the U.S., the release said. This includes a Colorado Springs office on Inverness Drive. It offers services in systems and information technology, logistics and marine, engineering and program management, manufacturing and products, and advanced technology. Delta Solutions & Strategies has 400 employees across its locations in 27 states as well as Korea, Japan and Germany, with close to 200 employees along Colorados Front Range, Stafford said. Delta, which is a prime contractor for Colorado Springs-based U.S. Space Command, creates military training products, provides operations and maintenance, modeling and simulations, and professional and technical advisory and assistance services for the Department of Defense. Its 175 subcontractors support 46 federal contracts. Sign up for free: Gazette Business Receive a weekly roundup of business news around El Paso County. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Featured Local Savings UIC Chief Operating Officer Jeevan Pokharel spearheaded Deltas acquisition to enhance and expand Bowheads service offerings for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force and U.S. Space Command, the news release said. Acquiring Delta will provide Bowhead with new capabilities and exceptional service offerings to complement its existing services, and is expected to help Bowhead secure more government contracts, according to the release. The integration provides Delta access to more Department of Defense federal contracts, enhanced expertise and services, and access to funding and business resources to help it grow and strengthen operations. This acquisition strengthens our ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions to the Department of Defense and other key government agencies. By leveraging Deltas specialized expertise, we are positioned to offer an even broader range of services, helping our clients address the ever-evolving challenges in defense and national security, Dr. Pearl K. Brower, UIC President and CEO, said in the release. Delta will undergo a name change to Delta Solutions & Strategies Bowhead, but its headquarters will stay in Colorado Springs and there will be no change in personnel, Stafford said. Its senior leadership team will also remain in place. Stafford remains as president and CEO for the next five years, and others Chief Financial Officer Debbie Leach, Chief Operating Officer Scott Anible and Vice President of Business Development Bob Veazey for at least three years, he said. After that? Were going to keep growing the business together as partners. Hopefully, we keep growing at the same rate we have been. I only anticipate success going forward, Stafford said. Former state lawmaker Tom Newell, a pastor whos recently worked with a conservative Oklahoma policy group, will serve as Gov. Kevin Stitts next chief of staff, the governor announced Monday. Newell, a Republican from Seminole, served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 2010 to 2016 before abruptly resigning, just weeks after winning re-election, to take a job as government affairs director with The Foundation for Government Accountability, a free-market think tank. Most recently, hes served as the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs vice president for the Center for Culture and Family. Newell has also served as a pastor at churches in Oklahoma, Missouri and Pennsylvania, and has spent time as the president of the Oklahoma Assembly of the Church of God and as the vice chair of the Business and Leadership Committee of the General Assembly of the Church of God in North America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newell also has worked as the CEO of SALLT (Salt And Light Leadership Training) and as vice president of government affairs for the education advocacy organization Yes. Every Kid. Tom is a proven leader with a true understanding of what makes Oklahoma strong, Stitt said in a statement. Toms passion for serving others, commitment to our values, and his extensive policy expertise make him the perfect person to help guide my administration into this next chapter. He has served Oklahomans as a pastor, a legislator, and a champion for families, and Im excited to welcome him as my chief of staff. Newell received his bachelors degree in Bible and pastoral ministries from Mid-America Christian University in Oklahoma City before earning a masters degree in business administration from Liberty University in Virginia. In a statement, Newell said he was honored to become Stitts chief of staff. The governor has demonstrated unwavering leadership in making Oklahoma a top ten state for families, freedom, and opportunity, Newell said. I look forward to working alongside him and our entire staff to deliver on his vision for Oklahoma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newell is the sixth person to serve as Stitts chief of staff since Stitt became governor in 2019. Stitts first chief of staff, Michael Junk, had worked for Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum and two U.S. senators, giving the new governor the perspective of a political veteran. In 2020, Stitt replaced Junk with Bond Payne, an Oklahoma City businessman, after the governor had fought with fellow Republicans in the Legislature over the budget, which they passed despite his veto. Zachary Lee served as an interim chief of staff from August 2022 until Brandon Tatum started in that role that November. Tatum left the job Aug. 1, when he became the executive director of the Regional University System of Oklahoma. Grayson Walker, one of Stitts legal counselors, succeeded Tatum. On Monday, Stitt praised Walker, who the governor said will pursue opportunities in the private sector. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Gov. Stitt picks former GOP lawmaker as new chief of staff Gov. Kevin Stitt fired his energy and environment secretary for attending a court hearing for a lawsuit that accuses large poultry corporations of water pollution. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY Gov. Kevin Stitt has fired his energy and environment secretary for appearing in court for a lawsuit against poultry companies accused of polluting Oklahoma waters. Stitt announced on Tuesday he immediately dismissed Ken McQueen from his Cabinet position and replaced him with an energy industry official. The governor said he was disappointed McQueen appeared in a court hearing for the lawsuit on the side of Attorney General Gentner Drummond and environmentalists, a move he said was in opposition to Oklahoma farmers and landowners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Attorney Generals Office confirmed McQueen attended the Tuesday hearing in Tulsa federal court and sat at the counsel table because he is a listed plaintiff. McQueen, who served on Stitts Cabinet since 2022, did not return a request for comment. Ken McQueen, the energy and environment secretary for Gov. Kevin Stitt, was fired from his position for appearing in a poultry lawsuit hearing this week. (Photo provided) Former Attorney General Drew Edmondson filed the lawsuit in 2005 against 13 large poultry companies, including Tyson Foods. He called Stitts firing of McQueen on Tuesday just plain stupid. The lawsuit always has included the Oklahoma secretary of environment as a plaintiff, Edmondson said. All subsequent environment secretaries, including McQueen, have inherited the role as plaintiff regardless of whether they supported the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Showing up in a court appearance where he was obligated to be and firing him over that is just crazy, Edmondson said. Drummond similarly inherited the long-pending case when he became attorney general in 2023. The lawsuit contends that large poultry companies should be held responsible for polluting the Illinois River Watershed with phosphorus and causing a buildup of algae as a result of waste from chicken farms in eastern Oklahoma. The lawsuit targets large corporations, not local farmers, Edmondson said. Every other business in this country is responsible for the safe and environmentally sound disposal of waste that is generated by whatever business they are in except poultry, until this lawsuit, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stitt called the lawsuit a radical left attempt at backdoor regulation through litigation. The case is in the middle of an evidentiary hearing this week before U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell. The judge agreed with the plaintiffs last year that the defendant corporations are responsible for polluting the Illinois River. However, Frizzell has yet to enter a final judgment to conclude the case. Attorney General Gentner Drummond, center, inherited responsibility for a long-pending lawsuit against poultry companies when he took office in 2023. (Photo by Kyle Phillips/For Oklahoma Voice) Drummond celebrated Frizzells ruling last year as a great and historic day for Oklahoma. But, he also acknowledged the poultry industry has made strong improvements in waste disposal to ameliorate the extent of the problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attorney general will continue to seek a fair resolution to the case that protects natural resources and preserves agricultural production, spokesperson Leslie Berger said on Tuesday. Attorney General Drummond is a rancher and landowner who supports Oklahoma agriculture without fail, Berger said. The lawsuit was filed by a previous attorney general and maintained by every attorney general since, including Gov. Stitts hand-picked (former) attorney general, who was roundly rejected by rural Oklahoma despite the governors best efforts. Drummond defeated Stitt-appointed former Attorney General John OConnor in a 2022 Republican primary. Jeff Starling is Gov. Kevin Stitts choice as a new energy and environment secretary. (Photo provided) Stitt announced energy industry official Jeff Starling will replace McQueen as energy and environment secretary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starling is the chief legal and administrative officer and corporate secretary of Lagoon Water Midstream. He is the former assistant general counsel of Devon Energy Corp. Along with advising the governor in energy and environmental policy, the Cabinet position oversees 36 state agencies, boards, compacts and commissions and is the recipient of Federal Clean Water Act funding. Jeffs extensive experience in both the private and public sectors provides unique insights that make him well qualified to guide our states energy strategy, Stitt said in his announcement. He knows what the industry needs to ensure that Oklahoma remains a national leader in energy innovation and economic growth. Starling said in a statement that he is thrilled to serve Oklahoma in this new capacity. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Tom Newell started Monday as Stitts new chief of staff. The office of Gov. Kevin Stitt at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City is pictured. (Photo by Kyle Phillips/For Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY Gov. Kevin Stitt Monday named Tom Newell as his new chief of staff. Grayson Walker, the previous chief of staff, was appointed in July and is leaving the position to pursue opportunities in the private sector, according to a news release. Tom Newell started Monday as Gov. Kevin Stitts new chief of staff. (Photo provided) Toms passion for serving others, commitment to our values, and his extensive policy expertise make him the perfect person to help guide my administration into this next chapter, Stitt said in a statement. He has served Oklahomans as a pastor, a legislator, and a champion for families and Im excited to welcome him as my chief of staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newell previously served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 2010 to 2016. He also worked as vice president for the Center for Culture and Family at the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, a conservative activist group that is a regular in state legislative politics. He has also worked as a pastor and with organizations focused on religion, education, public policy and government accountability. I am honored to join Gov. Stitts team as chief of staff, Newell said in a statement. The governor has demonstrated unwavering leadership in making Oklahoma a top ten state for families, freedom, and opportunity. I look forward to working alongside him and our entire staff to deliver on his vision for Oklahoma. He has an undergraduate in Bible and pastoral ministries from Mid-America Christian University and a master of business administration from Liberty University. Newell started Monday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE This story on chronic absenteeism among Native students is part of a collaboration between The Associated Press and ICT. Felix Clary ICT WATONGA, Okla. As the Watonga school system's Indian education director, Hollie Youngbear works to help Native American students succeed a job that begins with getting them to school. She makes sure students have clothes and school supplies. She connects them with federal and tribal resources. And when students don't show up to school, she and a colleague drive out and pick them up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUPPORT INDIGENOUS JOURNALISM. CONTRIBUTE TODAY. Nationwide, Native students miss school far more frequently than their peers, but not at Watonga High School. Youngbear and her colleagues work to connect with families in a way that acknowledges the history and needs of Native communities. Senior Happy Belle Shortman, who is Kiowa, Cheyenne and Arapaho, poses for a portrait at Watonga High School on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Watonga, Oklahoma. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford) As she thumbed through binders in her office with records of every Native student in the school, Youngbear said a cycle of skipping school goes back to the abuse generations of Native students suffered at U.S. government boarding schools. If grandma didnt go to school, and her grandma didnt, and her mother didnt, it can create a generational cycle, said Youngbear, Arapaho, who taught the Cheyenne and Arapaho languages at the school for 25 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watonga schools collaborate with several Cheyenne and Arapaho programs that aim to lower Native student absenteeism. One helps students with school expenses and promotes conferences for tribal youth. Another holds monthly meetings with Watongas Native high school students during lunch hours to discourage underage drinking and drug use. Oklahoma is home to 38 federally recognized tribes, many with their own education departments and support from those tribes contributes to students' success. Of 34 states with data available for the 2022-2023 school year, Oklahoma was the only one where Native students missed school at lower rates than the state average, according to data collected by The Associated Press. Indian Education Director Hollie Youngbear poses for a portrait at Watonga High School on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Watonga, Oklahoma. Youngbear and her colleagues work to connect with families in a way that acknowledges the history and needs of Native communities as part of an effort to reduce chronic absenteeism among Native students. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford) At Watonga High, fewer than 4 percent of Native students were chronically absent in 2022-23, in line with the school average, according to state data. Chronically absent students miss 10 percent or more of the school year, for both excused and unexcused reasons, which sets them behind in learning and heightens their chances of dropping out. About 14 percent of students at the Watonga school on the Cheyenne-Arapaho reservation are Native American. With black-lettered Bible verses on the walls of its hallways, the high school resembles many others in rural Oklahoma. But student-made Native art decorates the classroom reserved for Eagle Academy, the school's alternative education program. Alternative Education Director Carrie Compton poses for a portrait in her classroom at Watonga High School on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Watonga, Oklahoma. When students do not show up for school, Compton and Indian Education Director Hollie Youngbear take turns visiting their homes in an effort to reduce chronic absenteeism. (AP Photo/Nick Oxford) Students are assigned to the program when they struggle to keep up their grades or attendance, and most are Native, classroom teacher Carrie Compton said. Students are rewarded for attendance with incentives such as field trips. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Compton said she gets results. A Native boy who was absent 38 days one semester spent a short time in Eagle Academy during his second year of high school and went on to graduate last year, she said. Related story: School outreach reduces chronic absenteeism among Native students "He had perfect attendance for the first time ever, and its because he felt like he was getting something from school, Compton said. When students do not show up for school, Compton and Youngbear take turns visiting their homes. I can remember one year, I probably picked five kids up every morning because they didnt have rides, Compton said. So at 7 oclock in the morning, I just start my little route, and make my circle, and once they get into the habit of it, they would come to school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The embrace of Native students by their teacher sets a different tone from what some students experience elsewhere in the school. Compton said a complaint she hears frequently from Native students in her room is, The teachers just dont like me. Bullying of Native students by non-Native students is also a problem, said Watonga senior Happy Belle Shortman, who is Kiowa, Cheyenne and Arapaho. She said Cheyenne students have been teased over aspects of their traditional ceremonies and powwow music. People here, theyre not very open, and they do have their opinions, Shortman said. People who are from a different culture, they dont understand our culture and everything that we have to do, or that we have a different living than they do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Poverty might play a role in bullying as well, she said. If youre not in the latest trends, then youre kind of just outcasted," she said. Watonga staff credit the work building relationships with students for the low absenteeism rates, despite the challenges. Native students are never going to feel really welcomed unless the non-Native faculty go out of their way to make sure that those Native students feel welcomed," said Dallas Pettigrew, Cherokee Nation, director of Oklahoma Universitys Center for Tribal Social Work. Associated Press writer Sharon Lurye in New Orleans contributed to this report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Associated Press education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICTs free newsletter. Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford speaks to reporters after being elected Republican Conference vice chair during a closed-door, secret ballot election held inside the old Senate chamber in the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom) U.S. Sen. James Lankford urged Congress on Tuesday to move forward with restoring tax credits for Americans that donate to nonprofits. In a message released on Giving Tuesday, Lankford said the Charitable Act, which he introduced, would incentivize donations and support for nonprofits. Giving Tuesday is a worldwide event the Tuesday after Thanksgiving designed to inspire generosity and giving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republican congressman said he supports the bipartisan effort to expand and extend the expired non-itemized deductions for Americans that donate to charities, houses of worship, religious organizations, and other nonprofits. Lankford is joined by senators from Delaware, Nevada, Florida, New Hampshire, Georgia, Maine, Minnesota, Michigan and South Carolina who voiced their support in March 2023 when the measure was introduced. For several years we worked to build bipartisan support for it, to be able to give tax credits for those individuals that give to nonprofits, Lankford said in a recorded statement. We dont have that anymore, except for itemizers. We want to be able to fix that. In the days ahead, we will get that fixed. The bill would allow taxpayers to deduct donations from their federal taxes at a higher level, according to a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act increased the standard deduction, which the United Philanthropy Forum said in turn reduced the number of people who itemize and access the charitable deduction. The group said over 90% of taxpayers do not itemize, which reduces the incentive to donate. Currently, if a taxpayer doesnt itemize, they cannot deduct charitable donations. The bill would expand the tax deduction to people who dont itemize their taxes and allow them to receive a deduction valued at up to a third of the standard deduction. The standard deductions for the 2023 tax year are $13,850 for individual filers and those married but filing separately. For married joint filers, it is $27,700, according to a news release. Hundreds of organizations have endorsed the bill, including the YMCA, Goodwill Industries, the Charitable Giving Coalition and the National Council of Nonprofits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Charitable Giving Coalition sent a letter to Congress Tuesday, urging the body to pass the bill. It was signed by over 450 organizations. Permanently enacting the bipartisan Charitable Act legislation that would restore a charitable deduction for all American taxpayers, would build on the success of the 2020-21 temporary charitable deduction for non-itemizers by incentivizing generous Americans to give even more to charities of all types and sizes, said Brian Flahaven, chair of the organization, in a letter. And it would make access to a charitable-giving incentive more democratic, providing the same support for lower- and middle-income Americans to give more to charity that the tax code currently provides only to the more affluent. Congress is expected to consider the nations tax structure during President-elect Donald Trumps upcoming administration. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE At least one person died in a fire that tore through an apartment building in Manhattans Upper East Side Monday night, police said. The blaze broke out around 8 p.m. in a residential building on E. 81st St. near York Ave. We had a heavy, heavy body of fire, Assistant Fire Chief Thomas Currao said at a press briefing. We had very, very quick work by members of the FDNY, he said. The fire started on the fifth floor, before traveling down to the fourth floor and up to the sixth, Currao said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighters found the victim collapsed outside an apartment on the fifth floor hallway overcome with smoke, Currao said. The victim was found in a hallway area and identified right away. Most of the buildings 23 units are damaged, he added: We had to pull apart walls. Residents gathered outside the building shivered in the cold, despite the still smoldering fire. Second floor resident Matthew Myers, 31, rushed out of the building without a shirt to escape the flames. I smelled smoke, and people were banging on the door, screaming, Fire, fire, fire! he told the Daily News. I ran outside and it was a blaze on the fifth floor. It blew out the windows. I was worried for the rest of the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You go through all the emotions, Myers said. The blaze was coming out of the windows. It hadnt quite reached the roof yet. Im worried about tonight, tomorrow, and the next day. Thank God for the first responders, he told The News. Another building resident, Bridgett McCloud, 31, who was wrapped in a Red Cross blanket, recounted that at first I thought, what was that smell? And then I started banging on all the doors to tell people to get out. I heard someone screaming, Fire, fire, fire! she said, When I got outside it was all smoke, and then the flames burst through the windows. It was crazy. It went from the fifth floor to the sixth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Six firefighters were treated for minor injuries, Currao said. Cops said that as of 9 p.m., firefighters had the blaze under control. The identity of the man who died in the fire was not immediately released. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Burleson County, Tx (FOX 44) One person was killed and 5 others hurt in a Monday night traffic crash in a no-passing zone in Burleson County. Department of Public Safety Sergeant Justin Ruiz said the crash occurred about 7:10 p.m. on State Highway 36 about a mile north of Lyons in Burleson County. Sgt. Ruiz said a 2016 Kia Optima was going south on Hwy 36 and a 2025 Honda Civic was going north when the Honda crossed the center line in a marked no-passing zone and struck the Kia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A front seat passenger, identified as 28-year-old Asia Debrow, of Brenham, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Kia was transported to CHI St Joseph Regional in Bryan with suspected minor injuries. Another passenger in the Kia was airlifted to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Temple with suspected serious injuries. Two children, a five-year-old male and an eight-year-old male were airlifted to McLane Childrens Hospital in Temple with suspected serious injuries. A total of three helicopters were dispatched to the scene. The driver of the Honda was transported to CHI St. Joseph Regional in Bryan with suspected minor injuries. Sgt. Ruiz said the investigation into the crash remained open 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 KWKT - FOX 44. One of the world's largest insurance companies has warned businesses that they simply can't look away from the financial impacts of extreme weather much longer. What's happening? Swiss Re posted a press release that detailed economic losses as a result of a warming climate are set to increase, and the United States and the Philippines are among the nations that will be most affected. The insurer's analysis of 36 countries found those to be the two areas that are "most economically exposed" as hazards from extreme weather become more pronounced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the "four weather perils" described by Swiss Re floods, tropical cyclones, winter storms in Europe, and severe thunderstorms are nothing new, rising global temperatures are making these events longer, stronger, more common, and deadlier. In the U.S., Swiss Re noted there is a growing risk of tropical cyclones. As it stands, the country's annual economic loss as a result of extreme weather is estimated to be 0.38% of its annual gross domestic product, or around $97 billion. "Climate change is leading to more severe weather events, resulting in increasing impact on economies," Swiss Re's group chief economist Jerome Jean Haegeli said. "Therefore, it becomes even more crucial to take adaptation measures. Risk reduction through adaptation fosters insurability. The more accurately climate change risks are priced, the greater the chances that necessary investments will actually be made." Why is this concerning? The United States dealt with a number of extreme weather conditions in 2024, including devastating hurricanes and wildfires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to AccuWeather, cited by Bloomberg, the short- and long-term total economic impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton could reach $400 billion. In North Carolina, repairs for physical damage to buildings, homes, and infrastructure could hit $53 billion. Meanwhile, a 2023 study from economic software and analysis company IMPLAN, cited by Forbes, found that wildfires cost the United States $89.6 billion in lost output. As the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information pointed out, the 10 warmest years in 174 years of record-keeping all occurred in the last decade, and 2024 is on track to be the warmest year on record. That suggests there is no end in sight to a continually warming climate, and with that, we should all expect worse extreme weather events. Businesses have been served a reminder that climate inaction could harm economic gains, and changes need to be made to mitigate those risks. What can be done to minimize economic losses? It's getting harder and harder to find financial protection from extreme weather for business properties, with many insurance companies increasing the cost of coverage or pulling their offering entirely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That's why prevention is becoming more important. Gene Kennedy from Savannah Trims, for example, spoke to The Cool Down about his company's flood protection barriers, which could save businesses thousands of dollars on repairing damage. But what businesses really need to do to reduce future risks is to implement pollution-reducing practices. This can start with switching gas-guzzling business vehicles to electric alternatives or by encouraging employees to cycle to work. This could also involve analyzing the materials used in products and packaging and opting for greener alternatives or being more mindful of energy usage on business premises. These actions will not only save money and come at a lower negative environmental impact, but responsible climate actions can also encourage customers to use a business's services. 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. (NewsNation) Consumers are spending a record amount online, but tighter return policies are reportedly causing some to rethink where they shop. The rise of online shopping has led to a surge in returns. Major retail chains like Saks Fifth Avenue, Abercrombie & Fitch and Zara have responded with stricter policies, adding return fees and shortening return windows, The Wall Street Journal reported this week. Priya Rednam-Waldo, a 40-year-old therapist in Detroit, told The Wall Street Journal she stopped shopping online at Saks Fifth Avenue after the chain added restrictions. In April, Saks began charging $9.95 for returns by mail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 5 tips to avoid overspending this holiday season If I can find the time to go to a store, Ill do that, Rednam-Waldo said. But I wont gamble anymore with online purchases because of the fees. A recent survey by Blue Yonder, a supply chain management company, found that tighter return policies are starting to put off consumers. Of those who were aware of stricter return policies, 69% said the rules deterred them from making purchases up from 59% who said the same in 2023. But its not just a few stores cracking down. Blue Yonders 2024 report found that 89% of retailers have taken action to restrict return windows, increase fees or restrict return eligibility in the last 12 months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stricter policies are in response to higher return rates, which have increased with online sales and come at a steep cost to retailers. Returning holiday gifts? Most stores now charge return fees The average return rate for online transactions is 15%, three times higher than the 5% rate for in-store purchases, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers. Consulting firm McKinsey estimates retailers typically pay between $21 to $46 per returned item. Last year, customers returned $743 billion worth of merchandise, 14.5% of total sales, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). In 2020, the return rate was 10.6% of total sales. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Return fraud is also on the rise. In 2023, nearly 14% of all retail returns were fraudulent, roughly $100 billion worth of merchandise, according to the NRF. A year earlier, abuse and fraud impacted 10.4% of all returns. Now, stores are trying to strike a balance by weighing the cost of returns against customer satisfaction. In some cases, retailers are telling shoppers to keep their unwanted merch. A 2023 survey on holiday shopping trends by ReturnPro found that nearly 60% of retailers have keep-it policies for items that arent financially viable to ship back. Others, like H&M Group, are turning to technology. The Swedish fashion retailer is reportedly investing in software that uses artificial intelligence to generate personalized shipping and return fees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fewer items someone returns in a year to a particular brand, the lower the personalized fee, The Wall Street Journal reported. Recent shopping trends suggest the tug-of-war over returns isnt going anywhere and may intensify as e-commerce continues to grow. This year, U.S. shoppers spent a record $10.8 billion online on Black Friday, up more than 10% over last year, according to Adobe Analytics. Thats more than double what consumers spent in 2017. 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. David is an award-winning Senior Investigative Reporter at The Gazette and has worked in Colorado for more than two decades. He has been a journalist since 1982 and has also worked in New York, St. Louis, and Detroit. OXFORD, Miss. Testimony began Tuesday in the murder trial of Timothy Herrington Jr., the man charged with capital murder in the disappearance and death of a University of Mississippi student. Herrington Jr. is accused of murdering 20-year-old Jimmie Jay Lee who disappeared in July of 2022. Officers believed he was visiting someone at Molly Barr Trails in Oxford at the time of his disappearance. Lees friends and family reported him missing after he failed to return home. Man indicted on capital murder charge in Jimmie Jay Lee case Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators say they tied Herrington to Lee after reviewing surveillance footage and found bodily fluids that might connect him to Lee. They say the two men were involved in a sexual relationship. Jimmie Jay Lee The jury was set Monday and the trial will continue with opening statements on Tuesday morning. The jury is from Forest County, Mississippi, and consists of 15 people eight women and seven men. Eleven of them are white and four of them are Black. Three of the jurors are alternates. Im going to ask that you provide the only verdict that justice will demand and its going to be guilty, Gwendoline Agho said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Herington could face the death penalty if found guilty of the crime. Sheldon Timothy Herrington Jr. (Courtesy: Oxford Police Department) Agho, the Hinds County Assistant District Attorney told jurors that the state will show that Herrington planned to kill Lee when he visited his apartment. Right before Jay gets to the apartment when hes headed over, right before he gets there three minutes, Timothy searches how long it would take to strangle someone, Agho said. Herringtons defense attorney quickly picked at the States suggestion. And what youre going to hear is nothing about a threat in any shape, form, or fashion from my client, defense attorney Kevin Horan said. Youre not going to hear that he searched anything about strangling anybody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Horan stressed the State lacked proof of Herringtons involvement or guilt. Court officially declares University of Miss. student Jimmie Jay Lee dead What theyre expecting you to do is allow them to throw something up against the wall, hope it sticks and for you to decide that, Hey, that must be it, Horan said. Lees body has yet to be found but was presumed dead by the court after a petition from the state. Tuesday, jurors heard testimony from his tearful mother recalling how excited her son was to attend the University of Mississippi. His dream was to come here to Ole Miss, Stephanie Lee said. To complete his education in social work and minor in business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Herringtons attorney questioned witnesses Tuesday about Lees sexual activity and use of social media. A lengthy list of witnesses expected to testify include members of the Oxford Police, University Police, Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, and the FBI. The trial will resume Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. 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. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) The East Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard, a non-profit organization, is made up of 36 members. The East Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard is an all veteran, all volunteer group, and we provide military honors for any honorable discharged veteran, Stuart Hall, the President of the East Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard said. Fatal RV fire under investigation in Madisonville In 2024, the East Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard is on pace to do 250 services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Operation Honor Guard Day of Giving is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the organization, the money raised helps them purchase things like uniforms. We were either buying them out ourselves or going through the local military surplus store, things like that or people donated them to us, Hall said. Hall told 6 News this fundraiser makes a difference in how East Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard operates throughout the year. Its just what we do Unclaimed veteran laid to rest in Knoxville There are many families that we do honors for that cannot make a donation to us so this fills in that blank of the ones that we do day after day or week after week that its not in their budget, Hall said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hall believes the smallest donation can make a difference. 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 WATE 6 On Your Side. Theres no mincing words: The forthcoming transition of United States presidential administrations is sending shockwaves through the climate advocacy community. Many say that it highlights an almost definitive exponential increase in emissions. Carbon Brief suggests an additional 4 billion tons of emissions by 2030; the MIT technology review asserts this is an emissions trajectory we cannot afford. This would seem alarmist, except that the rhetoric has been matched with conservatives in the incoming administration calling climate change a hoax and claiming that climate scientists have no idea whats going to happen. But even if the polarizing language seems to leave little room for discussion, an immediate urgency for climate adaptation, investing in resilience to the impacts of climate change amidst increasing disasters, is an area of potential consensus in a divided landscape. Finding that consensus is literally a matter of life or death in the face of increasing disasters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We believe there are areas of potential consensus, and at least four value propositions for climate adaptation action that the incoming administration might find attractive. First, there is a clear case for proactive federal investment in disaster preparedness and climate adaptation. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently reported that 2024 is on track to be one of the most costly years for climate-related damages, with almost two dozen billion-dollar disasters so far. The U.S. has sustained 400 separate weather and climate disasters since 1980 in which overall damages/costs reached or exceeded $1 billion in todays dollars. The total cost of these 400 events approaches $3 trillion. There is work to be done to carefully and convincingly link the data to climate change, but these numbers should be compelling apolitically to any kind of administration. Further, although many Republican governors have turned back money designated for climate mitigation, they have been moving forward with adaptation projects in disaster-battered states like Florida, as well as with climate-ready workforce upskilling efforts in Texas and Ohio. This shows a willingness to at least acknowledge the increasing costs resulting from disasters and creates opportunities for climate adaptation strategies designed to prevent major economic losses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Second, with immigration being a hot topic during the campaign, it bears mentioning that climate change is a major driver of migrants to our border. The Trump administration is likely to make illegal immigration a top priority. And while border security will be an early topic of action, climate-induced displacement (climate migration) should be addressed as well. Latin America is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change, and there will be increases in cross-border migration. The Migration Policy Institute estimates that there will be as many as 1.2 billion climate migrants by 2050. A key priority should be reducing the shocks that drive migration through foreign aid. Cooperation and partnerships with other countries, such as Mexico, can also help to keep people safely where they are. Shaping migration dynamics before it reaches the U.S. is a strategy that will reduce the increasing pressures that end up at our borders. The incoming administration can also address climate from a national security perspective. Numerous national security reports have highlighted the impacts of climate change on national security going back nearly a decade. These reports, ranging from National Intelligence Estimates to Department of Defense Climate Risks Analysis, highlight direct impacts on U.S. military bases and assets domestically and abroad, increased state destabilization from climate-change pressures (e.g. crop failures) leading to increased conflict, and an increase in humanitarian related missions. There are also changes to the way the military will need to train and operate under different climatic conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Council on Strategic Risks makes clear that food crises and climate shocks threaten national security; it will be important to continue to build on Defense Department investments in monitoring and responding to food insecurity within the context of climate change. International security leadership will be just as important as domestic national security. Through agencies like USAID, the U.S. supports water, land conservation projects and early warning systems in developing countries. The U.S. Agency for International Developments Famine Early Warning Systems Network will also help in both the national security and immigration policy areas in supporting early action to prevent broader destabilizing events. Finally, the global economy and markets are rapidly shifting towards renewable energy and low-carbon technologies that also have resilience benefits, such as renewable energy and energy storage. China is a leader in solar panel and battery production. If the U.S. is to continue in the battle of global clean technology supply chains and green exports, it will gain a competitive edge through investments in renewable energy production. U.S. industries must also adapt to the imposition of carbon tariffs or standards on imports; expanding exports of renewable technologies requires climate-focused innovation and leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The financial landscape also demands the U.S. to maintain climate leadership particularly related to material and physical climate risk. This is also the case for continued climate diplomacy; removing the U.S. from global climate venues will remove the United States from the discussions where the nature of hundreds of billions of dollars of investments are being determined. We expect that there will be many setbacks in climate action over the next four years, but it is imperative that work continues towards climate adaptation where there is an opening for consensus. The economic case for disaster preparedness is increasingly self-evident, immigration pressures will only grow more complex with climate pressures, national security cannot be separated from climate security, and investing in renewable energy is imperative to continue competing on the global stage. With these areas of potential agreement, momentum can be built in areas where progress is possible to build resilience in a warming world. Amy Campbell is a Fulbright Scholar in the Climate and Society Program at the Columbia Climate School at Columbia University. Jeff Schlegelmilch is director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at the Columbia Climate School, Columbia University and author of Rethinking Readiness: A Brief Guide to 21st Century Megadisasters. 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. As the incoming Trump administration prepares to confront Chinas growing global influence, it is imperative to base strategies on accurate assessments of domestic capabilities. Recent narratives, such as those propagated by conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, suggest that a vast majority of federal employees are teleworking and doing as little work as possible, thereby undermining government efficiency. These assertions not only misrepresent the reality of federal telework, but they also risk weakening our nations position in its strategic competition with China. Kirks that federal employees are overwhelmingly teleworking and that this practice represents a looting operation at the taxpayers expense is a double-falsehood, emblematic of a broader misunderstanding about the realities of remote work in government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kirks assertion, shared widely on X, falsely suggests that 85 percent of federal workers work from home and report to an office only once a month. When one of his followers posted I read this as 85 percent of the federal workforce is completely unnecessary and needs to be terminated immediately, Kirk responded Sounds like an efficient take. This matches the sentiments of former presidential candidate and co-chair of the Department of Government Efficiency Vivek Ramaswamy, who said that one idea to cut federal bureaucracy is to force workers out of remote work and back to the office. Yet recent data from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office dismantles these misconceptions, painting a far different picture. By the end of 2022, only 22 percent of federal employees typically teleworked, according to the CBO report. This figure is notably lower than the 25 percent of private-sector employees who worked remotely during the same period. The data directly contradict the notion that federal employees have adopted telework practices at a greater rate than their private-sector peers. Acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management Rob Shriver has emphasized this disparity, adding that 54 percent of federal workers do not telework at all. In comparison, more than half of the broader workforce 58 percent, according to a McKinsey study reported working remotely at least one day per week in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These misconceptions persist despite clear data showing that federal telework levels are consistent with or even lag behind private-sector trends when examined across regions and occupations. In urban areas such as Washington, D.C., telework adoption rates are somewhat lower for federal workers, at 38 percent, than for private-sector workers, at 40 percent. Occupation-specific data further dismantles the stereotype of government workers as outliers in telework adoption. For instance, in computer and mathematical professions, 56 percent of private-sector employees telework, compared to just 37 percent of federal employees. This finding underscores that private-sector employers, not federal agencies, have embraced telework more aggressively, particularly in high-demand fields. Critics such as Kirk also fail to acknowledge the significant productivity and financial benefits that telework provides to the federal government and its taxpayers. The Department of Education, even though it is on the chopping block for the new Trump administration, offers a compelling case study, according to the CBOs research. Between 2019 and 2022, the department achieved remarkable output increases alongside cost savings due to remote work. Grant issuance surged from $46 billion to $70 billion. The resolution of civil rights complaints jumped to nearly 17,000 cases, and $13 billion in student loans were forgiven. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if you dont like what this agency does, you have to admire that it saved approximately $9 million annually on office-space costs while accomplishing more. This highlights the efficiency of telework arrangements, demonstrating that federal employees working remotely can deliver higher-quality results while reducing operational costs. In the context of strategic competition with China, maintaining a robust and efficient federal workforce is crucial. China has been investing heavily in technology and infrastructure to bolster its global standing. To effectively counter these advancements, the U.S. must leverage all available resources, including the flexibility and resilience offered by telework. Embracing telework can attract top talent, particularly in critical sectors such as cybersecurity, data analysis and international relations, where expertise is essential to outmaneuver Chinese initiatives. Moreover, telework aligns with conservative principles of fiscal responsibility and efficiency. By reducing the need for physical office space, telework can lead to substantial cost savings, allowing for the reallocation of resources to areas that directly enhance national security and competitiveness. This approach not only strengthens the governments operational capacity but also demonstrates a commitment to prudent stewardship of taxpayer funds. Despite these tangible benefits, skepticism surrounding federal telework persists in Congress. A House Oversight Committee hearing revealed how entrenched these misconceptions are among House members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some expressed open disbelief when presented with the CBOs findings. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wisc.) seemed particularly taken aback by the revelation that federal employees returned to in-person work more quickly than private-sector workers following pandemic lockdowns. His incredulity reflects a broader lack of understanding about telework adoption trends. Representative Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), armed with CBO data, underscored the irony, jokingly suggesting that if his colleagues were so critical of telework that they might consider denouncing the private sector for embracing it at higher rates than the federal government. Critics also overlook remote works role as a valuable recruitment and retention tool in a competitive labor market. The CBO found that many employees are willing to accept lower pay in exchange for remote work flexibility, a trend that aligns with findings from other workforce studies. Employees, on average, are willing to forgo about 8 percent of their salary to telework part-time, according to the CBO. Beyond recruitment and retention, telework has been shown to improve work-life balance and boost employee satisfaction, without compromising productivity. Surveys such as the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey reveal that more than 84 percent of respondents believe their teams deliver high-quality work and meet customer needs under telework arrangements. These findings align with broader research from the White House Office of Personnel Management, which has documented improvements in performance management, productivity, and employee well-being in agencies that have embraced remote work. Such benefits are not only critical for workforce morale but also essential for maintaining high levels of public service. The incoming administration must recognize that perpetuating misconceptions about federal telework undermines efforts to build a formidable defense against Chinas strategic maneuvers. By acknowledging the proven benefits of telework and integrating it into a comprehensive strategy, the new administration could enhance the federal workforces effectiveness, ensure optimal resource utilization, and position the U.S. to successfully navigate the complexities of global competition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the Trump administration embarks on its mission to counter Chinas influence, it is essential to ground policies in factual assessments of domestic capabilities. Embracing telework as a strategic asset will not only debunk unfounded narratives but also empower the federal workforce to operate with greater efficiency and adaptability, thereby strengthening the nations position on the global stage. Gleb Tsipursky, Ph.D., serves as the CEO of the hybrid work consultancy Disaster Avoidance Experts and authored the best-seller Returning to the Office and Leading Hybrid and Remote Teams. 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. Before leaving office in January, President Biden can still do much to bolster Ukraines security, and our own. The need for greater U.S. aid is obvious from reports from the war zone. Last month, Russias all-out war against Ukraine crossed the 1,000-day mark. And just as it has since the first day of its invasion, the Russian military this past week relentlessly bombed not only Ukrainian army positions along the 600-mile front, but also houses, clinics, schools, power plants and factories all across Ukraine. Youve seen footage of the utter destruction in Gaza from bombing campaigns: Imagine that on a scale of Texas, and youll have a sense of Ukrainians daily life. The attacks keep coming. In just one night last week, Russia launched a barrage of 188 missiles and drones aimed at 17 regions of Ukraine . Read more: Opinion: Will Trump strike a deal letting Russia partition Ukraine? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kremlin also keeps waging disinformation. It has grossly misrepresented that overnight blitz as a response to new Western aid and made overblown claims about Russias experimental ballistic missile, the Oreshnik, that hit Ukraines major industrial city of Dnipro a few days earlier. And Ukraine is reporting a spike in the number of prisoners of war being murdered by Russians dozens of cases alleged in recent months , including 16 said to have been shot immediately after they surrendered. Read more: Granderson: Aiding Ukraine has been cheap. Caving to Russia would be far more costly Despite being often outmanned and outgunned, Ukrainian forces, with support from the U.S. and Europe, repelled most of the infantry assaults this past week 150 to 220 skirmishes each day. While ceding some territory here and there, they inflicted punishing losses on Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian people are unbowed. Defying destruction and trauma, they continue to cherish and defend what Russia threatens to take away: About 85% of 418 respondents in my tracking poll in October with Ukraines Academy of Sciences Institute of Sociology said democracy and free speech are important to them. More than 80% said Ukraine will win the war. Around 90% said they will not compromise on Ukraines independence. Read more: Biden for the first time OKs Ukraine's use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles in Russia But change and uncertainty are in the air. In November, Russia gained territory in Ukraine faster than at any time since the early months of its full-scale invasion. Ukraine failed to get enough support from its allies to counter Russias devastating guided glide bombs . In contrast, Russia got unprecedented assistance from North Korea, with an estimated 5 million artillery shells, 100 ballistic missiles and 11,000 troops sent into battle to counter Ukraines diversionary advance into Russias Kursk province. And the Kremlin is reaching out for more elsewhere, including to Houthis in Yemen and to the Taliban, with Moscow now set to remove that group from its list of terrorists. Russias economy is on a war footing and has grown more than twice as fast as the euro area over the last year despite Western sanctions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other words, Ukraine needs much more help to protect its sovereignty and hold the line against Russian expansionism. Bidens recent authorization for U.S.-supplied missiles to be used against targets in Russia has already enabled Ukraine to seriously damage an air base, an army base, a command hub, a powerful anti-aircraft complex, and a major refinery and fuel depot that were sustaining Russias offensive. The first approved deliveries of U.S. antipersonnel land mines will help the beleaguered Ukrainian forces retain control of vital strongholds. The next priority for the U.S. in the remainder of Bidens term is to get the biggest bang possible out of the $6 billion thats congressionally authorized to support Ukraine. If the U.S. would supply Ukraine with about half of the 500 newly manufactured missiles in the American arsenal, Kyiv could deliver deadly blows to most of 200 military facilities within range that directly uphold the Russian offensive. (So far, the U.S. has given Ukraine just 50 of these long-range missiles, known as the Army Tactical Missile Systems.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With three additional air defense systems, known as Patriot batteries, Ukraine can close vulnerabilities in its air defenses and even resume effectively targeting Russias glide-bomb-carrying aircraft. If the U.S. would supply Ukraine with just one of the Terminal High-Altitude Air Defense batteries that we keep in reserve for contingency operations the same technology being sent to Israel to counter Iranian missiles Kyiv could take the sting out of Moscows longer-range ballistic missile threats. Such strong actions taken in the next two months would also help the incoming Trump administration safeguard Americas strategic interests for years to come. Already, the president-elect has appointed Keith Kellogg, a retired Army general, to bring the Russia-Ukraine war to an end. Kelloggs plan is to use threats and inducements to get both sides to agree to a cease-fire along the current front lines. A hardened soldier and clear-eyed realist with a lifetime experience of great-power conflicts, the general is likely to learn quickly that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not settle for controlling one-fifth of Ukraine; the Kremlin wants to get Ukraine and the West to capitulate. That would make Donald Trump look weak. After a new administration has been so publicly defeated, any deal with any nation on any issue will become much costlier and harder to achieve in the remainder of Trumps four years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To avoid this fiasco, Trump and his team will have to work out bolder and more effective ways to support Ukraine until Moscow has no choice but to accept a negotiated settlement with Ukraines security guarantees. Even if Trumps priority is to end the war quickly, it would be dangerous to do that by pressuring Ukraine through diminished aid; the only hope for a lasting peace that preserves U.S. standing would come through pressuring Russia. Biden has a key role to play at this crucial juncture. The more boldly he can back Kyiv while still in office, the greater Ukraines chances of surviving as a free nation and the greater Americas chances of remaining the reigning superpower. Mikhail Alexseev, a professor of international relations at San Diego State University, is the author of Without Warning: Threat Assessment, Intelligence, and Global Struggle and principal investigator of the War, Democracy and Society project funded by the National Science Foundation. 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. Now that President Biden has taken the bold step of pardoning his son, Hunter, there is only one thing left to do: Pardon Donald Trump. To be clear, President-elect Trump does not need to be pardoned by Joe Biden. Nor does he need a hollow act of clemency for erstwhile actions deemed unlawful by others. Trump has earned the clear support, vote and confidence of a majority of Americans. Now elected, there can be no federal action against him of any kind, as confirmed by the Department of Justice and the U.S. Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, a pardon by Biden would have no legal consequence of import. There is no pragmatic advantage to be gained, no goodwill that can accrue from the bequest. There is no Democrat to inherit the benefits of such a gesture. And yet, it would speak volumes about America, if not Biden himself. According to some presidential scholars, history will be kind to the Biden presidency. He is viewed as a consequential president who shepherded the nation through an epic global pandemic and shored up an economy on the brink of collapse. His contributions to Americas environment, infrastructure and social programs could endure (if not undone by the incoming administration). Gaffes aside, Biden can stand on decades of selfless public service and status as a global statesman. However, personal decline and political duress drove his decision not to seek a second term, and to grudgingly endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president. It was an important decision with an ill-fated outcome, to be sure, and one that will overshadow a legacy of simple decency, sound decisions and patriotic public service. Undoubtedly, there is a constitutional basis for Bidens pardoning of Trump. But the greater rationale rests on Bidens deeply held faith as a Christian and his love of America both of which call for forgiveness and healing. Which is why pardoning Trump would be in keeping with Bidens obeisance to both. The fact is, Joe Biden is a lame duck on his last leg, both literally and figuratively. And yet, Biden would stand no taller than if he defied partisanship to pardon his most bitter political rival. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If he chooses to pardon Trump, his decision must be purer than politics. It must transcend the political, social and cultural divides of todays America. And, as Abraham Lincoln said in his first inaugural address, it must appeal to the better angels of our nature. The American tradition of presidential pardons is deeply rooted in the belief that mercy can serve the greater good. In their wisdom, the Founding Fathers endowed the president with the power to grant clemency, not only for leniency but to heal a divided nation. Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy, was pardoned by President Andrew Johnson in 1868 after leading the nation into a bloody civil war. Yet Johnsons pardon of Davis brought reconciliation to a land deeply scarred by division. Likewise, President Gerald Fords pardon of Richard Nixon in 1974 allowed the country to move on from the Watergate scandal. Ford understood that prosecuting Nixon would deepen the divide and distract the nation from more pressing challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump has been one of the most prosecuted figures in American history. And while he should not be compared to Jefferson Davis or Richard Nixon, Trumps legal entanglements have cost America national trauma and millions of dollars. It has paralyzed the nation for the better part of four years, resulting in the most divided society in recent history. We are a nation founded on Judeo-Christian values, encompassing a profound emphasis on the virtues of mercy, forgiveness and reconciliation. Alexander Hamilton, in Federalist No. 74, underscored the need for a president with the power to extend mercy, precisely because justice alone cannot always serve the highest purposes of government. The Hebrew Bible and the New Testament alike speak to the necessity of tempering justice with compassion. The Book of Micah calls us to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. Bidens pardon of Trump would not be to benefit Trump. Nor would it benefit Biden. Pardoning Trump would be an act of national nobility that benefits us all. And even if symbolic, it would serve as a grave reminder that politics alone does not define the nation, at a time when the republic needs the overarching spirit of reconciliation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Biden believes in any of these principles, pardoning Trump would be an everlasting embrace of what makes America truly great. Adonis Hoffman writes on business, law and policy. He served in senior roles in the U.S. House of Representatives and at the FCC. 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 member of the presidents family was convicted of tax crimes and making false statements. Many believe the prosecution was unjust. And then came the pardon. And the criticism. No, not Hunter Biden. In December of 2020, President Trump pardoned Charles Kushner, Jared Kushners father (Jared is married to Trumps daughter, Ivanka). It was not just Kushner. Trump also pardoned Steve Bannon, Paul Manafort, Roger Stone and other allies. Now enter President Biden. He pardoned his son Hunter on Sunday for tax crimes, for making false statements to purchase a firearm, and for any other federal crimes he might have committed in the last 11 years. The criticism from both sides of the aisle was fast and furious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Biden was right to pardon his son. For starters, any parent would do the same thing. There can be lots of debate about whether Biden should have made promises about not pardoning Hunter (he should not have) or whether Hunter would have been prosecuted if his last name had not been Biden (he would not have). But there should be no debate that a father should forgive his son, whether hes president or not. And those who are criticizing Biden for abandoning the rule of law by issuing a pardon miss the whole point of this power. By definition, a pardon will be for someone who has committed a crime. So those who are upset about the rule of law would not agree with any pardon. Take it up with the Framers. Now that Hunters pardon is done, President Biden needs to lean into his pardon and clemency power. The truth is that the federal criminal justice system is littered with terribly unjust convictions and sentences. The president has the constitutional power to fix these injustices either by pardoning a person convicted of a federal crime or by commuting a sentence. Unfortunately, Biden has barely used that power to date. Putting aside pardons for possession of marijuana, he has granted only 26 pardons and 131 commutations (which is about 1 percent of all the petitions submitted to the pardon office to date). And almost none of these are white-collar offenses, which get very little attention for this sort of review. In that respect, Hunters pardon is, unfortunately, rather unique. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of condemnation for showing love and mercy to his son, we should be embracing Bidens decision and encouraging him to show that same mercy to so many well-deserving people serving unjust sentences in many cases, for unjust convictions. Many presidents issue a few pardons and commutations at the end of their term to show at least a little mercy. But Biden has the opportunity do something truly special and unique clear the board of the many unjust convictions and sentences in our federal system. He must not be stingy. Mr. President, dont succumb to fear. Dont listen to all of the noise about doing the right thing for your son. Now is the time to do the right thing for so many others and make our criminal justice system just a little more fair. David Oscar Markusis a criminal defense attorney. He tries cases and argues appeals throughout the country. Markus runs the Southern District of Florida blog and hosts a podcast. 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. Taiwan is reportedly considering a $15 billion military package as an overture to President-elect Donald Trump. This comes just as the island nation agreed to spend over $2 billion in American weapons purchases next year. While such agreements may serve to warm relations with an incoming Trump administration and strengthen Taiwans military against an increasingly belligerent China, they will do little to address Beijings biggest vulnerability in a potential conflict with Taiwan its soft economic underbelly. This provides Trump a historic opportunity to not just support Taiwan militarily, but to capitalize on the deepening cracks in Chinas economy that make it vulnerable to powerful, proactively developed American economic statecraft. Slow growth, an unraveling real estate market, significant youth unemployment and plummeting foreign direct investment reveal deep vulnerabilities that threaten the Chinese Communist Party. These economic fissures give the United States and its allies a strategic opportunity: by publicly outlining the severe sanctions, export controls and investment restrictions China would face if it invades Taiwan, we can slow the pace of Chinese hostilities toward Taiwan or even prevent them altogether. However, to ensure this approach succeeds, we must learn from recent history and act before its too late. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The war in Ukraine serves as a stark reminder of the costs of delayed action. In the aftermath of Russias invasion more than two-and-a-half years ago, the United States and a coalition of allied governments united to impose significant sanctions on Moscow. Since then, the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Japan and others have collectively imposed nearly 20,000 sanctions on Russia. Yet, these measures were and continue to be too late to deter aggression. It didnt have to unfold this way. Following Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea, the international community could have publicly committed to impose significantly more drastic economic measures on Russia if it made further incursions into Ukrainian territory. By clearly outlining the severe economic consequences of further aggression, the deterrent effect might have altered the Kremlins calculus. Deterrence relies on the credible threat of significant repercussions, and pre-announced sanctions could have increased the perceived costs of invasion beyond acceptable levels for Russia. Nearly a decade later, approximately 1 million people have been killed or injured in the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict rages on. We must learn from that grave oversight and proactively plan to sanction key sectors of the Chinese economy if China invades Taiwan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To the detriment of our national security, targets of economic statecraft are often identified only after a conflict has erupted. This reactive approach places incredible pressure on already under-resourced federal agencies responsible for executing this critical function. Planning for these eventualities must be done as early as possible. Our military forces regularly wargame scenarios for potential conflict and identify targets of attack; our economic security apparatus should do the same. Some of these targets should be publicly identified to exert pressure on Beijing. Specific industries and major firms central to the Chinese Communist Partys control can be spotlighted now, overtly increasing the potential cost of any action China may take against Taiwan. Third-country firms operating in China will also take note. The threat of possible secondary sanctions may compel them to reconsider doing business as usual if the United States communicates such intentions before a conflict arises. This proactive approach would represent a profound shift in our application of economic statecraft. Legislation like the Sanctions Targeting Aggressors of Neighboring Democracies (STAND) with Taiwan Act is a significant step in the right direction. By proposing substantial sanctions on China in the event of a military invasion of Taiwan, the STAND Act sends a clear and credible message. It lays the groundwork for a deterrent strategy that could dissuade Beijing from taking aggressive actions by making the consequences unmistakably clear. Historically, we have lacked a coherent strategy for deploying the disparate set of economic tools at our disposal. More critically, our government has not fully embraced economic statecraft as an effective deterrent. Many question the effectiveness of sanctions, but few consider how they could be more impactful if target states and market actors understood the conditions under which sanctions would be imposed before a conflict begins. Publicly stating these conditions and, importantly, preparing for the possibility that they are met should at the very least demonstrate a credible threat to our adversaries and prompt considerable market derisking from the private sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For an adversary like China, which faces significant economic headwinds, this is precisely the path the United States should pursue. While imposing severe sanctions on China would have substantial repercussions for the United States and its allies given the deep interconnections in global supply chains and trade, these costs may be a necessary price to prevent a catastrophic conflict over Taiwan. Such a conflict could destabilize the entire Indo-Pacific region and disrupt global markets far more severely than any sanctions regime. We must also anticipate and prepare for potential countermeasures from China, such as restricting access to critical rare earth minerals or disrupting global supply chains. By investing in alternative sources, building strategic reserves, and ally-shoring with international partners to enhance economic resilience, we can reduce our vulnerability and demonstrate our readiness to withstand retaliatory actions. While its true that sanctions alone may not always compel an aggressor to change course, they can strain a nations economy and limit its ability to sustain prolonged conflict. In Chinas case, where economic stability is paramount for the regimes domestic legitimacy, the threat of substantial sanctions could serve as a powerful deterrent and increase the likelihood that cooler heads will prevail within the Chinese Communist Party leadership. Alongside economic sanctions, the United States should continue to increase economic support for Taiwan, enhance our military presence in the region, and engage in diplomatic efforts to create a multifaceted deterrent. By taking these proactive steps, we can send an unequivocal message to Beijing: Aggression against Taiwan will come at an unbearable cost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Max Meizlish is a senior research analyst for the Center on Economic and Financial Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. He previously worked as a sanctions enforcement officer at the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control. Elaine Dezenski is senior director and head of the Center on Economic and Financial Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. She previously served as deputy and acting assistant secretary for policy at the Department of Homeland Security. 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. Pete Hegseth, Donald Trumps nominee for Secretary of Defense, is on first glance a textbook Trump pick: An unqualified blowhard who will do the president-elects bidding without question. On second glance, it becomes clear that, when afforded personal and professional opportunities, Hegseth has often failed spectacularlyand failed up, now potentially to a Cabinet appointment. An in-depth New Yorker expose this week reported that Hegseth has faced accusations that he mismanaged finances at veterans-focused organizations and non-profits hes run (and run into the ground) in the past, got obnoxiously drunk at work eventsincluding one episode in which an intoxicated Hegseth allegedly chanted Kill all Muslims! Kill all Muslims! in an Ohio barand refused to level consequences on male employees who sexually harassed and even assaulted female ones. He was reportedly pushed out of one of these organization because of his actions. When asked for comment by the New Yorker, Hegseths lawyer labeled the reporting outlandish claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Daily Beast has also reached out to Hegseth. But at least some details we know about Hegseth and his past arent claims but confirmed facts. He, like Trump, has cheated on multiple wives and has children with multiple women, one of whom he impregnated while he was married to someone else. In 2020 he paid off a woman who had accused him of rape, he says to protect his career and reputation. The incident in question took place after Hegseth appeared at a conference for Republican women in 2017, with Hegseths accuser alleging he assaulted her in his hotel room despite her attempts to leave, and despite her saying no a lot. Hegseth has denied the allegations, arguing the sexual encounter was consensual, and no charges were brought against him following an investigation. His lawyer has also claimed the woman who accused him had brought a false accusation of rape before, though there is no evidence to support this. His own mother called him an abuser of women in a 2018 email, writing that I have no respect for any man that belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around, and uses women for his own power and ego. You are that man (and have been for years) and as your mother, it pains me and embarrasses me to say that, but it is the sad, sad truth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She reportedly apologized to him immediately afterwards, and told the New York Times in a recent interview that she no longer agreed with the emails sentiments. I know my son. He is a good father, husband, she said. But though she added that she had written in anger, with emotion, its hard to imagine a mother saying something like that solely in a fit of pique. That a man like Hegseth is in this position in the first place is another indication of just how reckless and foolish Donald Trump really is: He seems to be stacking his cabinet with people who look good on Fox News, not people who can actually do their jobs. In leading the Department of Defense, if confirmed, Hegseth will oversee an organization with a multi-billion-dollar budget and some two million employees. He will be in charge of the safety and wellbeing of all of the people who join the US military, many of them youngand many of them young women. Should the families of these recruits have faith in his leadership? Can they really trust him with their relatives lives? He has already made clear he will treat female soldiers differently, and that he doubts their abilities. As a talking head, he has used his perch to oppose female soldiers in combat and trans people in military service altogetherand has also defended war criminals. Pete Hegseth speaks with the media as he departs a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. on November 21, 2024. His personal history suggests, quite frankly, that he is a national security liability. If Hegseth has a drinking problemand many of the incidents reported about him involve alcoholhe would be deserving of empathy and second chances; it is a struggle as heartbreaking as any other addiction. But Hegseth has not suggested that he believes he has a problem. A stumbling drunk, as he has been reported to be on multiple occasions, is an easy mark. That makes him an exceptionally dangerous person not just to put in charge of the Defense Department, but to trust with any national secrets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (In 1989, President George H. W. Bushs nominee for Defense Secretary, Texas Senator John Tower, was voted down by his Senate peers for, in part, this very reasonhis reputation as a drunk and womanizer was seen as a fatal flaw.) Hegseth isnt just unqualified. He seems virtually guaranteed to dangerously mismanage any organization he leads. Those in the armed forces deserve better. American taxpayers deserve better. And women who serve definitely deserve better than an accused rapist who doesnt believe they are as capable as their male peersone who, to add insult to injury, has certainly not earned his potential spot in a White House administration, but has rather ascended because an addled and shallow future president liked what he saw on TV. President-elect Donald Trumps cabinet appointments are some of the most unusual and celebrity-filled in history. How will they shape Trumps second administration and how could this impact Utah? Cowley: For perhaps the first time ever, TMZ and MSNBC headlines are identical on Trumps unconventional cabinet appointments. Im not sure if you can call them the Avengers or the X-Men, but what is apparent is this cabinet is intended to upset the Washington, D.C., apple cart, also known as the deep state. Donald Trump said throughout his campaign that he mistakenly appointed too many experts from inside the Beltway. This dramatic, celebrity-centered course correction is intended to majorly reform the federal government. Here is who I will be keeping my eye on: FBI director: Kash Patel said he would empty the Hoover Building. Will he or wont he? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense secretary: Pete Hegseth. Looks like central casting for the hero of an action movie. Department of Government Efficiency: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. This will have the most sweeping impact on the federal government whether good or bad, only time will tell. Health and Human Services Director: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Im all about MAHA, so bring it on. Director of National Intelligence: Tulsi Gabbard. Do I know exactly what this role is? No. Am I eager to see what she does? Absolutely. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator: Dr. Mehmet Oz. Oh boy. Secretary of Transportation: Sean Duffy. Fox celebrity No. 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Ambassador to Israel: Mike Huckabee. Fox celebrity No. 2. U.S. Ambassador to France: Charles Kushner. Terrible idea. Surely there are other qualified individuals without a familial connection to the commander in chief. White House press secretary: Karoline Leavitt. What was I doing at age 27? Nothing even remotely this cool. Get it, girl! And finally, shoutout to the BYU graduate and Latter-day Saint Jamieson Greer, Chief Trade representative. Pignanelli: The necessity of (Senate) concurrence would have a powerful, though, in general, a silent operation and would tend greatly to prevent the appointment of unfit characters. Alexander Hamilton, Federalist Papers No. 76 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only other president elected to nonconsecutive terms was Grover Cleveland, who did not seek the reappointment of his former cabinet members. Trump is following this narrow precedent. More importantly, Trump utilizes his previous experience to work fast with a flurry of nominations. While this is causing a flummox in traditional D.C. circles, it does play into his persona as a disruptor. Further, Trumps announcements force business and foreign leaders to negotiate with him six weeks before the inauguration. We now have two presidents formulating and implementing policy. Utah leaders will work well with the proposed Interior secretary, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. Also, it should be no surprise that Musk and Ramaswamy will look to Utahs governance as a guide to efficient government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senators are doing their best to refrain from offering declarations of how they will vote and make statements of deference to the presidents constitutional authority to appoint. So far, they have been discreetly exercising Hamiltons predictions. Will there be changes in Utah Gov. Spencer Coxs administration? Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox speaks as he joins with Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton, Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Joel Ferry, Great Salt Lake Commissioner Brian Steed and other state leaders to hold a press conference in the gold room at the Capitol in Salt Lake City to announce an investment from the Inflation Reduction Act to benefit the Great Salt Lake on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Cowley: It is common to see minor changes in cabinet positions after the election. Gov. Cox and Lt. Gov. Diedre Henderson have assembled a strong cast to support their policy priorities. If any leave, it will likely be to pursue new opportunities, not due to political pressure. Pignanelli: In the past, some governors required all cabinet members and other major appointments to submit a resignation letter, and only a few would ultimately be accepted. Presidents elected in a different political party from the immediate past incumbent often want a clean sweep to ensure their agenda is followed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Utah is different. The last time there was a political power change was 40 years ago. Also, Utah chief executives have a strong track record of appointing competent administrators. While natural attrition occurs, there is little justification for significant changes, as the state has been well governed. Cox will likely hold over many of his first-term appointments, but they will eventually move on to seek different endeavors. Cox assembled a good team, and there is little need for significant change. The state Legislature announced new committee assignments. What changed and what does it mean for the upcoming legislative session? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cowley & Pignanelli: The shakeup in Senate leadership altered their committee landscape, while many chairs held their important positions. The most significant change in the House is rural Rep. Bridger Bolinders, R-Grantsville, new chairmanship of Health and Human Services and Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan, as Rules Chair. Renae is excited to see members of a younger generation (Gen X), Sen. Kirk Cullimore, R-Draper, and Sen. Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, taking the reins in two leadership positions in the Senate, normally reserved for more patinaed lawmakers. Like Sen. Mitt Romney said, it is time for a new generation of leaders. Frank is gleeful that many more seasoned lawmakers have maintained or been awarded key positions. These include a powerful committee, Business and Labor, that is in the steady hands of the well-respected and experienced Sen. Evan Vickers, R-Cedar City. Sen. Ann Millner, R-Ogden, (former Weber State president) will now co-chair Higher Education Appropriations. Could cannabis be rescheduled from a Schedule I to a Schedule III substance by Sept. 20? According to some experts, those opposed to rescheduling may push for public hearings that could delay the final rules past Election Day. Some claim that's precisely the point, to not give President Joe Biden a significant boost in his appeal to younger voters. Among the many surprising moments at President-elect Donald Trumps campaign rallies this year were his repeated declarations that he should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Last month, Trump stood on a stage in Las Vegas and declared, They gave Obama the Nobel Prize He got elected and they announced hes getting the Nobel Prize. I got elected in a much bigger, better, crazier election, but they gave him the Nobel Prize. On the campaign trail, Trump often mentioned being nominated for the Nobel Prize the last time in October 2024 by a member of the House of Representatives. His previous nominations have focused on his Middle East diplomacy, his effort to bring about diplomatic normalization between Kosovo and Serbia, and for his outreach and summitry with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As extraordinary as these declarations may seem, Trump could actually win the Nobel Peace Prize. As a candidate in the context of Russias war against Ukraine, he has confidently declared that he would end the war in a day. If he could bring the war to a just, durable peace with a security guarantee for Ukraine that would indeed be Nobel Prize-worthy. And that wouldnt be the only opportunity. Trump has solid prospects to bring a Nobel Peace Prize back to Mar-a-Lago, starting with ending wars in Ukraine and between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In addition, he could use his influence with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Saudi Arabian leadership to stop the war in Gaza. Finally, Trump might also qualify for a Nobel if he engineers the peaceful removal of Nicolas Maduro from Venezuela and the successful inauguration of the newly and fairly elected president Edmundo Gonzalez. To bring about real peace in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin must be convinced that he cant win, that time isnt on his side. Two weeks ago, I was in Ukraine meeting with government officials, parliamentarians, and civil society leaders, and it became clear that the Ukrainians are not confident time is on their side, because of manpower shortages in the military and society. Though they will fight as long as it takes, because for them the war is existential, it felt like they were ready for peace. The autocratic Russian government, on the other hand, even before Trumps victory, appears to be under economic pressure and reluctant to issue another large mobilization of Russian personnel, but Putin remains convinced he can outlast Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his international supporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump will have the power and the credibility with Putin to tell him he must make a just, lasting peace. He can threaten to continue arming Ukraine if Russia doesnt play ball. He also could credibly convince Ukraine to forfeit territory in exchange for a bilateral U.S. security guarantee (like the one we have with Japan and South Korea) or NATO membership; given broad bipartisan support for Ukraine in the Senate and Trumps likely ability to convince some current Republican naysayers, hed probably get enough votes to ratify such a security agreement for Ukraine. (Any agreement without Senate ratification would be regarded by Kyiv as a weak political commitment, subject to the whims of future administrations.) Putin recently escalated by inviting 10,000 North Korean troops to Russia to help retake the portion of Russia held by Ukrainian forces. The decisions last month by President Biden to authorize use of ATACMs missiles at longer range into Russian territory and to provide anti-personnel landmines are an attempt to counter this move. It also strengthens Ukraines and Trumps negotiating hand. Armenia and Azerbaijan are also on the cusp of signing a historic peace agreement, ending their decades-long war over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. There are only two outstanding issues on a list of 16 that have been negotiated over years by the two governments, with the active engagement of Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The devastating Azeri military operation in the enclave last year, which led to the flight and resettlement of the ethnic Armenian population from the enclave (within the borders of Azerbaijan) to Armenia accelerated the process. One consequence of Bakus success in Armenia has been a sense of betrayal by Russia, which has stationed military and intelligence forces in Armenia during Soviet times and since 1996. This has effectively provided a deterrent force against any major incursion from Azerbaijan for decades, but it has also ensured that Armenia remained under Russian control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, while Turkey supplied Azerbaijan with the drones that ensured the success of the Azeri military operation, and the expulsion of the Armenians, Russia appears to have done little to help Armenias president, who had already promised to chart a more independent path for his country from the Russian Federation. Just a week before the U.S. elections it appeared that the leadership of both countries might sign a peace agreement, with a resolution to address the two remaining issues after signing. Now its less clear whether there will be a deal. Trump can bring this one over the finish line. Armenia is eager for normalization with Azerbaijan because it will also lead to the reopening of its border with Turkey and opportunities for trade with that neighbor and with the European Union beyond. Azerbaijans president, Ilham Aliyev, needs to be convinced to make the last necessary concessions. Trump can leverage his prior business relationships and credibility in Baku and Aliyevs desire to curry his favor to get U.S. economic investments and access and to restart U.S. military assistance. If Trump can use his power and influence to bring peace to any of these scenarios in Europe, the Caucasus, the Middle East or a peaceful democratic transition in Latin America he will have earned the right to a Nobel Peace Prize. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evelyn N. Farkas is executive director of the McCain Institute, served as a deputy assistant secretary of Defense from 2012-2015 and as a senior Senate Armed Services Committee staffer from 2001-2008. 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. Donald Trump was re-elected president despite being labeled, among other things, a racist, a rapist, a misogynist, an antisemite, an Islamophobe, a xenophobe, a narcissist, a fascist, a protectionist, a moron and an overall bad guy. His tens of millions of supporters rejected all or most of those labels, which are, at the end of the day, mostly matters of opinion. But they also dismissed a label that is a matter of undeniable fact: he is a convicted felon. Trump is the first person in the 248 years of the republic to be elected president after being a felony conviction. Yet he not only won well more than the 270 electoral votes needed to take his place as the 47th president, but he also won the national popular vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prosecuting authority, the Manhattan District Attorneys office, trying to preserve the conviction in the face of the election results, has asked for sentencing to be delayed until Trump completes his term. Trumps lawyers, meanwhile, demand that the election should cause the case to be dismissed altogether. Whatever the result, a lot of people are now left to reflect on what they could have done differently or better. Close to the top of that list should be prosecutors, who need to sit up, take notice, and ponder what the election results mean about what they do, how they do it, and how the public perceives it. As then-Attorney General and later Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson described it 80 years ago, the prosecutor has more control over life, liberty, and reputation than any other person in America. His discretion is tremendous. While the prosecutor at his best is one of the most beneficent forces in our society, when he acts from malice or other base motives, he is one of the worst. For that reason, Jackson concluded, prosecutors must avoid the greatest potential abuse of their power: that he will pick people that he thinks he should, rather than pick cases that need to be prosecuted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors, in other words, are supposed to target conduct, not people. The reason, as Jackson noted, is simple. With the law books filled with a great assortment of crimes, a prosecutor stands a fair chance of finding at least a technical violation of some act on the part of almost anyone. In such a case, it is not a question of discovering the commission of a crime and then looking for the man who has committed it, it is a question of picking the man and then searching the law books, or putting investigators to work, to pin some offense on him. This style of prosecuting, in Jacksons view, poses the greatest danger of abuse of prosecuting power. It is here that law enforcement becomes personal. Not long ago, a felony conviction would have been a non-starter for anyone running for elected office, let alone for president. We now know that is not true today. Why? Quite simply, people have lost faith that prosecutors are exercising their vast discretion impartially based on conduct rather than in a partisan manner based on personal targets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a 2022 Gallup poll, only 14 percent of those surveyed claimed to have a great deal of confidence in the criminal justice system, down 6 percentage points from the prior year. Confidence in the criminal justice system ran behind peoples confidence in banks, the medical system and even the news media. It is impossible to escape the conclusion that this erosion of confidence has been driven by the perception that prosecutorial decision-making has been politically motivated. And lets be real: there is support on both sides for that conclusion. During the 2016 campaign, for instance, the actions of the FBI in launching an investigation of the Trump campaigns ties to Russia without disclosing to the court that their ultimate source was a report commissioned by the Clinton campaign undermined the credibility of that investigation. On the other side, the actions of Attorney General Bill Barr during Trumps first term in managing and misstating the results of the Mueller investigation, and later in intervening in the prosecution of Roger Stone, were nakedly partisan in nature. Lawsuits, investigations, indictments and convictions engulfed former President Trump from 2021 until 2024, but in 2024, President-elect Trumps tens of millions of supporters disregarded all of this his felony conviction, his indictments based on January 6 and his attempts to withhold classified documents, and the civil judgments against him for sexual assault and defamation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both sides have a point. Barr was justly criticized for his actions. But on the other side, was it a coincidence that it was New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) who brought civil charges against Trump in a bank fraud prosecution where the banks representatives testified they suffered no loss and believed Trumps statements about his worth to be subjective? Or that another Democratic New York prosecutor, Alvin Bragg, brought felony charges against Trump that would normally be charged as misdemeanors, and for which jail time is imposed only rarely? What was the public to make of Donald Trumps felony indictment for his cavalier handling of classified government documents while former Clinton administration national security adviser Sandy Berger who, unlike Trump, actually removed classified documents from the National Archives, secreted them in his socks and underwear, and destroyed them was allowed to plead to a misdemeanor? The ultimate irony, from our perspective, is it that the most reprehensible conduct in which Trump engaged his incitement of a violent attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election will now go completely unexamined by the courts because Attorney General Merrick Garland delayed and prevaricated, hoping, perhaps, that Trump would not be renominated. Justice delayed in this case is truly justice and more importantly, history denied. With the outrage of January 6 now to be unexamined and dismissed, and President-elect Trumps stated determination to prosecute his political adversaries reinforced by his naming of a hard partisan as attorney general in former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi , we have reached a day of reckoning for prosecutors. Are they there to seek justice, or retribution? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Will they be impartial officers of the court, or partisans seeking revenge? Are they part of an unending cycle of political payback, or guardians of the tradition set forth so long ago by Justice Jackson? Prosecutors control the criminal justice system. They dont determine the outcomes juries do that but they decide within budgetary constraints which crimes should be prosecuted in the interest of public safety, and which are less important. To rebuild public confidence in our criminal justice system, prosecutors in the next few years, starting with Bondi, must do their jobs mindful of Jacksons wisdom, that the citizens safety lies in the prosecutor who tempers zeal with human kindness, who seeks truth and not victims, who serves the law and not factional purposes, and who approaches his task with humility. They must understand that every prosecution of a duly elected or appointed official is a frustration of the voters will, and should be undertaken only in the most extreme cases. They must be willing to stand up to power and to leave where the demands of their jobs fall short of their oath to seek impartial justice. That commitment would be a welcome return, in our view, to the ethics that guided us, and generations before and after us, in our service as prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John J. Farmer Jr. has served as an assistant U.S. attorney, New Jersey attorney general, senior counsel to the 9/11 Commission, and director of the Eagleton Institute of Politics. Charles B. McKenna served as an assistant U.S. attorney, executive U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey, and director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. 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. Lets be clear: The 2024 election was a bad outcome for the Democratic Party. They lost the White House and the Senate and missed a golden opportunity to win control of the House of Representatives. The Democrats defeat has led to a host of postmortems and renting on what went wrong and what the party needs to do differently going forward. But a deep dive inside the numbers suggests that while the election results were bad for Democrats, they arent quite as awful as they seem. For starters, its important to remember that Democrats were fighting an uphill battle this year. Around the globe, in 2024, every single incumbent party in a developed democracy lost vote share. You know the last time that happened? Never. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moreover, while President-elect Donald Trump emerged victorious, his margin of victory, 1.6 points, was the fifth-smallest in the last 100 years. As much as the MAGA world wants to portray his victory as a landslide, it wasnt. Of course, whether a candidate wins by one vote or several million, they still get to be president. And its hard for Democrats to take much solace when one considers that four years ago, President Joe Biden won by 4.5 percentage points (51.3% to 46.8%) and Vice President Kamala Harris lost this year by 1.6 points thats a more than 6-point swing. While 4.2 million fewer people went to the polls this year than in 2020, Harris received 6.8 million fewer votes than Biden, while Trump upped his total by 2.8 million. But in swing states, the story is a bit different. In four of them, Harris received more votes than Biden did in 2020 (the only other state where she pulled off that feat, oddly, was ruby-red Utah). Overall, she lost the seven major swing states by 3.5 points more than 2.5 points better than the national average. That means she overperformed in the states where voters saw the Harris campaign the closest. It wasnt enough to win the election, but Harris campaign efforts were more effective than the final result would suggest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Running at a time of strong anti-incumbency with a deeply unpopular incumbent president creates an incredibly difficult path to victory and Harris paid the price. Ironically, what also worked against Harris was Trump's presence on the presidential ticket. The conventional wisdom before the election was that Trump, because of his felony conviction, sexual abuse defeat in civil court, his behavior on Jan. 6 and his overall toxicity, was a liability for Republicans. But the opposite seems to have been true. One of the more fascinating data points in this election is that Harris got more votes than Democratic Senate candidates in Nevada, Michigan and Pennsylvania and just 5,000 fewer votes than the Democrats candidate in Wisconsin, Sen. Tammy Baldwin. Yet, Democrats won three of these Senate races while Harris lost all four states to Trump. So what happened? Downballot GOP candidates received decidedly fewer votes than Trump. In Michigan, Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers got 117,000 fewer votes than Trump and lost to the Democrat, Rep. Elissa Slotkin. In Nevada, around 70,000 Trump voters failed to cast a ballot for Republican Senate candidate Sam Brown; the same goes for 54,000 voters in Wisconsin who voted for Trump and not GOP Senate candidate Eric Hovde who both lost. In Pennsylvania, 143,000 Trump voters didnt vote for GOP Senate candidate Dave McCormick, though he narrowly won his race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While its certainly possible that a different GOP presidential candidate would have done better than Trump, the data from these four states suggests that a decisive number of Trump supporters were only interested in voting for the top of the ticket. Perhaps these are the occasional voters the Trump campaign had said they were relying on to win back the White House. However, the disparity between Trump and GOP Senate candidates speaks to a clear voting pattern since 2016: Trumps coattails dont necessarily extend to the rest of the Republican Party. We saw this play out in 2018, when Republicans lost 40 seats in the House, and in 2022, when the GOP won back the House but lost Senate seats and badly underperformed. Even in 2020, Democrats won two Senate seats in Georgia weeks after the general election when Trump wasnt on the ballot. Indeed, even though Democrats lost four Senate seats and control of the chamber, considering the 6-point shift in national voting and Trumps victory, they did better than expected. Of the four seats Democrats lost, three were in more solidly red states (Ohio, West Virginia and Montana). Their candidates prevailed in four states that Trump won, and the only Senate candidate to lose in a lean blue state was Bob Casey in Pennsylvania, who lost by a quarter of a point, or approximately 16,000 votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the House, Democrats picked up one seat and flipped a half dozen seats in New York and California, even as millions of Democratic voters in these two states who had voted for Biden in 2020 stayed home this year (approximately 40% of the drop-off from Biden to Harris came in New York and California). Going forward, the ubiquity of the occasional Trump voter should concern Republicans. Can they hold the White House and their advantages in the House and Senate if Trump is not on the ticket (and constitutionally, he cannot run for president again)? Of course, that is a problem for another day for Republicans. They now control a governing trifecta, both houses of Congress and the White House (not to mention their stranglehold over the Supreme Court). But if the last few election cycles tell us anything, political power in America is fleeting. After all, in 2008, Democrats won a governing trifecta and by 2016, the GOP controlled Congress and the White House. Four years later, the tables were completely turned, and Democrats won back a trifecta only to lose it to Republicans four years later. Quite simply, it might not be long before the election postmortems are being written about the GOP. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com An outgoing president often seeks to lock in his favored policies or programs ones he values as particularly important or even historic, to improve prospects of their continuing under a new president. That is especially true in the area of foreign affairs, where a positive presidential legacy is especially prized. On the first Trump administrations last day in office, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the U.S. governments finding that the Peoples Republic of China was guilty of committing genocide against its Uighur population. The action was successful and proved harmonious with the thinking of the new Biden administration. Two days later, on his first full day on the job, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he believed China was indeed violating the Genocide Convention, and that his team would review the Trump administrations finding. Within three months, the Biden administration made the same formal determination of Chinese genocide. The Trump administrations national security team also made a series of decisions strengthening Americas political and security relationship with Taiwan, the democratic island under constant, and escalating, threat from communist China. It even approved the sale of several weapons systems that had been on hold since the Obama-Biden administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, the Biden team, down to its last few weeks in office, is rushing to consolidate its most important foreign policy undertaking: providing support for the defense of Ukraine against Russias aggression under Vladimir Putin. Trumps critics label Bidens moves for Ukraine as Trump-proofing, given Trumps repeated pledges to end the Ukraine war immediately upon taking office. Meeting that commitment could mean forcing Ukraine to surrender some of its sovereign territory to the Russian invaders a betrayal of the principle of territorial integrity for which World War II was fought. They also cite the early frictions between Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, and Trumps professed admiration for Putin. But that jaundiced view, which I have shared, ignores the reality that, in 2018, Trump unblocked the transfer of several weapons systems that the Obama-Biden administration, fearful of antagonizing Putin, had been holding up for years. Moreover, Trump imposed an unprecedented number of sanctions against Russia. Considering Trumps penchant for bold and surprising moves, he could well decide to save Ukraine, after all of its death and destruction, not only from an ignoble defeat at the hands of war criminal Putin but from the grinding stalemate borne of the Biden-Harris approach, which has added to the horrendous suffering of Ukrainians without necessarily changing the wars outcome. Trump could well demand that NATO live up to its full potential, follow Americas lead, and guarantee Ukraines security after tantalizing it for years with the prospect of membership. It would also be an effective way of demonstrating to the world that Trump is not in thrall to Putin, whose oppressive regime has severely punished Russians as well as Ukrainians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If that optimistic scenario is indeed the one that is unfolding, the Biden-Trump tandem team can each claim their share of credit for a major historic victory, belated as it is, for democracy over authoritarianism and for the rules-based international order. A beneficial outcome for Ukraine can also prove a godsend for the people of Russia, as an opportunity to hasten the end of Putins long rule. Similarly, in a move that has angered China, the Biden team last week approved $385 million in new weapons sales to Taiwan, including spare parts for fighter jets and radar systems. In an accelerating pace of military assistance for Taiwan, it follows last months announced sale of $2 billion in arms for Taiwan, including advanced surface-to-air missile systems and radar. Biden has also approved two transit stopovers by Taiwans newly elected president, William Lai, who will land in Hawaii and the U.S. territory of Guam en route to Pacific allies including the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau, all of which China condemns as encouraging Taiwans separateness from China. Bidens pro-Taiwan moves are almost a mirror image of the China table-setting that Trump and his team accomplished earlier in its transformation of Washingtons China policy, from engagement and accommodation to hard-eyed skepticism of Chinese intentions. The tone change started with Trumps 2016 acceptance of a congratulatory phone call from Taiwans then-President Tsai Ing-wen and his dismissal of Beijings strong objection. Such an action had been theretofore unheard of in U.S.-China relations. It ushered in a range of Trump administration actions that reversed four decades of U.S. deference to Beijing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bidens team seems to have found the Trump policies, including the levying of significant tariffs and sanctions, worth retaining. Hopefully those earlier policies will prevail over some post-incumbency comments Trump has made critical of Taiwan and seemingly sympathetic to Xi Jinping. Depending on which course he chooses to follow, Trump has a choice of either burnishing or blemishing his foreign policy record. If he wants to, he can chart a uniquely new course that will put him on the heroic side of history. Joseph Bosco served as China country director for the secretary of Defense from 2005 to 2006 and as Asia-Pacific director of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief from 2009 to 2010. He is a nonresident fellow at the Institute for Corean-American Studies, a member of the advisory board of the Global Taiwan Institute and member of the advisory board of The Vandenberg Coalition. 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. President-elect Donald Trump won the election outright after spending months preparing his followers to deem any loss the subject of fraud. With that win, though, the groundwork he laid didnt simply vanish into the ether. What were now seeing is the MAGA movement twist and contort itself to try to make this new reality fit into its established worldview. Trump voters themselves have proved remarkably malleable in this way. Prior to the election, a full 87% of Trump voters contacted in a survey by Politico and Morning Consult agreed that voter fraud was going to be a serious issue that could determine the races outcome. You may be shocked to learn that number plummeted during a survey conducted after the results were in, with only 24% thinking now that fraud could have determined the winner (or did). Youll note, though, that number isnt zero, as some people are still readily clinging to the specter of voter fraud and rewriting history in the process. A major conspiracy theory that circulated on the right after Election Day was that Trumps victory vindicated their claims of fraud in 2020. Seeing Vice President Kamala Harris lose with fewer votes than Trump had earned four years ago became warped evidence that the previous race was rigged. (The difference in final vote count is better explained by how long California takes to tally its ballots and a wave of onetime voters opting to stay home this year.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its in this space that conservative election deniers are operating, working to bolster their own priorities now that one of their major motivators lies dormant. The election denial movement has been evolving and shapeshifting in an effort to stay relevant, Lizzie Ulmer, a senior vice president at States United Action, recently told Reuters. And while less overtly coordinated than the Stop the Steal effort that materialized after Trumps 2020 loss, many of the goals and members remain the same. Among them are the enablers and charlatans who are ready to sweep the less comfortable parts of their previous narratives under the rug. Conservative historian slash MAGA windbag Dinesh DSouza was one of the loudest voices alleging voter fraud in 2020. Over the weekend, he posted an apology letter to his website stemming from his documentary 2000 Mules. Endorsed by Trump and many of his acolytes, the film falsely claimed that a web of Democratic operatives dumped thousands of fraudulent ballots for Joe Biden in drop boxes around the country and that this was enough to steal the election from Trump. Dinesh D'Souza at the Washington, D.C., premiere of his film "Death of a Nation" on Aug. 1, 2018. In the letter, DSouza specifically apologized to one person, Mark Andrews, who was labeled a ballot harvester (one of the supposed mules) and filed a defamation lawsuit in response. The films distributor, Salem Media, issued a similar retraction earlier this year. But its worth noting DSouza mostly throws the group that provided the incorrect data 2000 Mules analysis under the bus. He also doesnt fully repent, writing that the underlying premise of the film holds true while offering a modicum of remorse for any harm caused to Andrews. A number of Republicans are shifting tactics on mostly nonexistent voter fraud while retaining their overarching goals. After Trumps loss in 2020, many GOP-controlled state legislatures hurried to pass stricter election laws on the pretense of blocking further cheating by Democrats. It would have been easy for them to pat themselves on the back and hang up a Mission Accomplished banner now that Trumps headed back to the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, Republicans are doubling down to try to lock in their gains against future electoral losses, with even stricter laws being considered in Georgia and Arizona. Congressional Republicans will also likely resurrect the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which would force states to require documentary proof of citizenship when people register to vote. Its a hurdle that would make registration harder for many voters in the name of solving the nonissue of noncitizens voting. Its been evident for years that voter fraud claims are often a self-serving pretext for conservative activists fighting increased access to the ballot box. Thats especially evident based on which groups have been targeted to have their ballots rejected and which cities have been accused of supporting mass fraud. (Hint: It is usually Democrats and, specifically, minorities who bear the brunt of these claims even as plenty of Republicans have been prosecuted for election crimes.) The thing about MAGA is that it doesnt have to provide a coherent set of facts to uphold its ideology. At its core is the presumption that Trump should be victorious and deserves the power that he amasses and distributes. Anything beyond that is plasticine ready to be sculpted for whoever is hoping to benefit, much the same way that many voters projected their hopes onto Trump despite not liking a lot of the things hes promised to do. With such a simple framework, at heart, theres little that cant be folded into the narrative. When confronted with something that might shake that faith, the easiest thing to do is simply take a proverbial eraser to the past and fill in the blanks with whatever feels right in the moment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Should the need arise in the next election, it will be all too simple to revive the same false claims as if they had never left. It leads to a world where elections are both entirely safe when you win and immediately suspect when you lose. But that kind of cognitive dissonance hurts only if youre willing to accept that one of those things might be wrong. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Perhaps youve been wondering why many recent articles, predictions and speculations about Trumps plans for the U.S. Department of Education focus on its abolition while others predict that it will be forcefully deployed to reshape what schools teach. Consider the Washington Posts excellent education reporter Laura Meckler, writing on Nov. 12: President-elect Donald Trump has promised sweeping changes to federal agencies, but theres one he wants to do away with altogether: the Department of Education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And heres Forbes on Nov. 20, announcing the choice of Linda McMahon to be education secretary: President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Linda McMahonone of his top donors, a former cabinet member and wife of billionaire former WWE chair Vince McMahonto lead the federal Department of Education, an agency he has repeatedly vowed to shutter in favor of relegating all educational responsibility to individual states in his second term. Education is at a Crossroads: Help Us Illuminate the Path Forward. Donate to The 74 But heres Meckler again, just five days later on Nov. 17: while his promise to shut down the Department of Education has drawn enormous attention, experts in both parties say this is not likely to have sufficient support. A more likely outcome is Trump using the department to press a conservative worldview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And heres PBS on Nov. 15: Donald Trumps vision for education revolves around a single goal: to rid Americas schools of perceived wokeness and left-wing indoctrination. The president-elect wants to forbid classroom lessons on gender identity and structural racism. He wants to abolish diversity and inclusion offices. He wants to keep transgender athletes out of girls sports. Whats going on here? Is the federal role in education slated for elimination or expansion? Is McMahons mandate getting rid of her agency or empowering it? Theres no way to be sure todayand Im not the first to ponder this seeming paradox. But theres ample reason to be unsure, and thats because the Trump world has long sent exceedingly mixed messages when it comes to K-12 education and the federal role therein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One clear message is that education belongs to the states, localities and parentsand Washington should get out of the way. Theres certainly no need for an Education Department if the federal role is minimal or even nonexistent. But another viewand factionholds that Uncle Sam should require schools to do the right thing and prevent them from doing wrong things, with those things being decided by Trumps acolytes. Related The Political War Over the Department of Education is Only Beginning Youll find both viewsand the resulting mixed messagingin both the Republican platform and Project 2025. The 2024 platform, for instance, says this: We are going to close the Department of Education in Washington, D.C., and send it back to the States, where it belongs, and let the States run our educational system as it should be run. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it also says this: Republicans will ensure children are taught fundamentals like Reading, History, Science, and Math, not Leftwing propaganda. We will defund schools that engage in inappropriate political indoctrination of our children using Federal Taxpayer Dollars. Project 2025s education chapter, written by the Heritage Foundations Lindsey Burke, says this: Federal education policy should be limited and, ultimately, the federal Department of Education should be eliminatedThe federal government should confine its involvement in education policy to that of a statistics-gathering agency that disseminates information to the states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it also says this: No public education employee or contractor shall use a name to address a student other than the name listed on a students birth certificate. A sage veteran of earlier Republican administrations terms this a tug-of-war between the decentralizers and the centralizers. Its not limited to education, of course. The libertarian (or decentralizing) strand within conservatism has always wanted as little government as possible, along with minimal regulation and low taxes. What one might call the traditionalist strand has long sought to deploy government power to ensure people behave properly and be prevented from doing things regarded as immoral, sacrilegious or unpatriotic. They cant help but be centralizers! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Decentralizers have pushed in the past to scrap the department, to voucherize Title I, and to block grant just about everything else, as well as to rescind a slew of regulations and rein in the departments Office for Civil Rights. Centralizers are often found in Democratic administrationsconsider the strings President Barack Obama attached to Race to the Top as well as sundry Biden-era regulations involving gender and school discipline. But the centralizing impulse also runs deeper than you might think among conservatives, sometimesthis may be counter-intuitivein the form of mandating school choice and parental rights. The Project 2025 chapter on education, for instance, recommends a host of legislative and regulatory moves that would ensure parental rights and role in their childrens education and provide school choice within existing federal programs. Such recommendations parallel bills that GOP members of Congress have introduced to expand federal tax credits for education, extend education savings account options, and enact a parents bill of rights. Trumps choice of Linda McMahon as Education SecretaryMike Petrilli has called this her consolation prize for not being given the Commerce Departmentmay simply signal that education, for now, will be a policy backwater. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related McMahons Metamorphosis: Ed Nominees Journey Mirrors the GOPs Turn to Trump While shes a long-time supporter of charters and choice, its a little difficult to picture her doing battle over bathrooms. Shell likely go through the motions of trying to get her department abolishedas Terrel Bell did, with no success, back in the early Reagan yearsbut neither she nor anyone else is likely to get Congressional assent to repealing the agencys innumerable spending programs nor its protections for kids with disabilities. Does that mean in the end, that little will change? Perhaps. But remember, too, the very last act of the previous Trump administration in the realm of education: releasing the report of the 1776 Commission , which sought to refute the then-inflammatory 1619 Project and combat identity politics by proffering its own view of U.S. history. It contained this passage regarding the duty of school and educators: States and school districts should reject any curriculum that promotes one-sided partisan opinions, activist propaganda, or factional ideologies that demean Americas heritage, dishonor our heroes, or deny our principles.I agree with that statement myself, as do many Americans, and I note that it doesnt call for the federal government to get involved with curricular disputes. But I wouldnt count on the team that will take over the White House on Jan. 20 to be equally restrained. Friends dont let friends drive drunk. Similarly, supporters of the next president should not let him drive the nominations process for his new administration while he is drunk with the power he feels Novembers election outcome has conferred upon him. While many of Donald Trumps nominees for senior positions in his cabinet and other top government posts fall well within the bounds of accepted practice and suitable backgrounds for the job, a growing list do not. They are so egregiously ill-suited to the posts for which they have been proposed that the presidents supporters would help him more by blocking them than rubber stamping them. That is because the worst of Trumps nominees contain within their malformed characters and their void of applicable experience the potential to derail Trump and lead to serial future defeats for the GOP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Needless to say, they also pose an enormous risk to the United States of America. And if ultimately, that is the reason that Republicans do as they did with the nomination of Matt Gaetz and just say no to their partys leader, great. That is as it should be. But even if the reason a sufficient number of Republicans oppose the worst of Trumps nomineessuch as the spectacularly ugly and wrong-headed choices of Kash Patel to head the FBI and Charles Kushner to be Ambassador to Franceis an instinct to protect Trump from himself or just a base instinct for self-preservation, we should encourage it. Republicans should act aggressively to stop these nominations regardless of how it may make the next president feel right now. Whats a little ketchup on the wall between friends, after all? As for Democrats in the Senate, they should use whatever tools they may find among the arcana of Senate traditions to block, hold, impeded, cross-examine, and otherwise challenge the worst of Trump nominees, the ones that truly pose a grave threat to the nation. This is no time for traditional Senate Democrat hesitation to play rough. Do as the GOP would have doneas they have been doing for the past couple of decades. Make good trouble. Kash Patel, Donald Trumps nominee to lead the FBI The no-fly list of nominees who are so egregiously bad they pose a deep risk to our nation, our security, our international standing, our institutions or the well-being of the American people is getting longer, as I noted, with the addition of Patel and Kushner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patel has threatened to gut the FBI and transform it from the countrys premier law enforcement agency into an engine of Trumpian retribution and political warfare. Kushners nomination is a blow to our international standing, a perfect Trumpian trifecta of incompetence, criminality and nepotism. But in recent days, we have learned more about others among Trumps most ill-considered nominations that only makes the cases against them stronger. Take for example, Pete Hegseth, Trumps nominee to head the Department of Defense. We already knew he had no management experience, no defense policy experience, and was affiliated with extreme Christian nationalist and misogynistic views. Oh, and we also knew he had been credibly accused of sex abuse in a case that he later settled out of court with a cash payout. But a recent piece about him that appeared in The New Yorker by Jane Mayer, made the already powerful case against his nomination even stronger. Mayer wrote, A trail of documents, corroborated by the accounts of former colleagues, indicates that Hegseth was forced to step down by both of the two nonprofit advocacy groups that he ranVeterans for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for Americain the face of serious allegations of financial mismanagement, sexual impropriety, and personal misconduct. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth leaves the Russell Senate Office Building on November 21, 2024 in Washington, DC. Hegseth was on Capitol Hill meeting with Senators to discuss his nomination and qualifications. The rest of the picks to join what would be a cabinet of deplorables, have also been the subject of new revelations that underscore their unsuitability for the jobs Trump wants them to occupy. They vary in seriousness but in every case they make someone who was already hugely inappropriate for a senior level government job an even weaker candidate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has no experience managing a large organization, a past of sexual impropriety and views that range between nutso and cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. But as if that were not enough, it has been revealed that some of those whacky views are also deeply hypocritical. Take for example the time that Kennedy, critic of water fluoridization, sold bottled water flush with the very stuff he imagines is toxic. Interestingly, some of his views on the nature of food products are also generating concerns on the Republican side of the aisle on the Hill. A nominee to work with RFK, Jr., Dr. Mehmet Oz, has also seen more stories breaking during the past few days detailing his conflicts of interests. Tulsi Gabbard, nominated by Trump to head up Americas vast intelligence bureaucracy, was always a candidate who had intelligence professionals deeply concernedbecause of her lack of experience but also because of her embrace of war criminals Bashar al Assad and Vladimir Putin (whose anti-Ukraine talking points, laden with fabrications, she happily parroted). Fortunately, she is so out there that observers are already calling her, The cabinet pick most likely to fail. Her views on Assad are also coming under increasing scrutiny as Syria is wracked with new unrest and an insurgency to unseat the strongman is gaining ground. Even the right-leaning National Review has recently come out with a column asserting Tulsi Gabbards Syria Stance is a Stain on Her Record. (l to r) Josh Kushner, Charles Kushner and Jared Kushner, April 1, 2014 in New York. Such nominees, like that of Matt Gaetz, are so off-the-wall and are sources of such potential danger, that they distract from the fact that most of Trumps cabinet is pretty standard issue. They may all be Trump loyalists, but most are qualified. You may not agree with them on policy matters. But the American people elected Trump and he is entitled to surround himself with the team he wants. Elections, as we are often told, do have consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in a number of cases, Trump is putting his potential legacy and the country in jeopardy. His first term was wracked by upheaval and scandal. It had the highest turnover of any administration in history. Some scandals proved not only to be huge distractions but no doubt they contributed to GOP losses in 2018 and 2020. Republicans should remember this. Yes, it is unlikely that Trumps Department of Justice or FBI will target anyone in his administration. Similarly, for the next two years, with GOP control of the Senate and House, major investigations into potential wrong-doing by Team Trump are unlucky. But reckless actions of unqualified officials do produce consequencesfrom markets, from allies, and from enemies. Further, as long as we have something resembling a free press in the U.S., these officials will not be able to act with the impunity their president enjoys thanks to the gift of immunity given him by the Supreme Court. Further, it would be a mistake to think that many of the extreme policies some Trump nominees advocate will not have negative consequences for Republican legislators or state and local officialsincluding at the polls in two or four years. The most extreme, unqualified and dangerous of the Trump nominees should be opposed by enough Republicans to block their confirmation. David Rothkopf Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans control the Senate, the House, the White House and the Supreme Court. But the most extreme or ill-qualified of Trumps choices could still produce consequences that in the end will not only be bad for the country, they will create deep problems for many in the GOP. That is why, even if they want to be loyal to the incoming president, even if they do not want to rock the boat, the most extreme, unqualified and dangerous of the Trump nominees should be opposed by enough Republicans to block their confirmation. It doesnt have to be the same people each time. It only takes four in the Senate to block the worst of these. But the consequences for the GOP of rubber stamping the worst of Trumps nominees will be almost as bad as the consequences of confirming them would be for the rest of the country. Remember, if you surround yourself with mad dogs, someone is going to get bitten. Unlike during his first term in the White House, President-elect Donald Trump now appears determined to keep many of his campaign promises. His Cabinet nominations from the Kremlin-friendly Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence to the conspiracy-loving vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of Health and Human Services confirm his commitment to a scorched-earth campaign against American institutions and perceived enemies from within . His victory speech suggests that he is serious about stopping wars. Trump has long asserted that he would end the Ukraine war within 24 hours of taking office. There has been much speculation about a negotiated settlement , and the scenarios all have one thing in common: Ukraines dismemberment. If this has to be the cost of peace, it is worth considering the grim history of territorial partition. Few events create such long-lasting enmity; fewer still have caused more devastating violence. The three partitions of Poland that took place in the late 18th century are perhaps Europes closest parallel to what may befall Ukraine. Beginning in 1772, Austrias Habsburg monarchy, the Kingdom of Prussia and the Russian Empire seized and annexed territory, effectively dividing Polish lands among themselves and erasing what had been Europes largest state by landmass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Opinion: Biden should arm Ukraine to the teeth to prepare for the best negotiated peace In the face of such subjugation, violent resistance is all but inevitable. Poles conducted periodic guerrilla-style campaigns throughout the occupation, with major uprisings in 1831 and 1863 . Resistance continued well into the 20th century, led by Jozef Pisudskis campaigns for independence laced with acts of terror before World War I. Enmity toward Russia in particular endures, with the Kremlin having Stalin-era violence toward the Polish people to answer for. As for France, it harbored hatred toward Germany for decades over Kaiser Wilhelm Is absorption of Alsace and Lorraine into the new German Empire following the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. Reconciliation between the two countries began only in the 1950s, with the emergence of the European Coal and Steel Community (the precursor to todays European Union) and NATO. Similarly, Britains decision to partition Ireland, keeping the northern province of Ulster as part of the United Kingdom, incited a civil war between those willing to cede Northern Ireland and those who rejected any treaty that did not grant Ireland complete independence. That war of peace lasted two years and left a legacy of terror both Catholic and Protestant that ended only with the Good Friday Agreement , brokered by the United States, in 1998. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps the most brutal partitions occurred in Asia in the 20th century. In 1932, the Empire of Japan carved Manchuria out of the Republic of China and created the puppet state of Manchukuo . The Japanese Kwantung Armys 13-year rule there which included the enslavement of millions of people, perverse medical experimentation and slaughter of minorities became something of a blueprint for the Nazis in Eastern Europe. In terms of lives lost directly to a partition, however, nothing can compare to the 1947 division of the Indian subcontinent, following the departure of the British, into Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan. The partition triggered one of the largest migrations in history involving some 18 million people with Muslims heading to Pakistan (including modern-day Bangladesh) and Hindus and Sikhs trekking to India. Sectarian violence including rapes, burnings and mass killings led to the deaths of as many as 3.4 million people. In the 77 years since the British Raj was partitioned, India and Pakistan have fought four wars, with the most recent, in 1999, occurring when both countries already possessed nuclear weapons . Vietnams 1954 partition into a northern zone, governed by the communist Viet Minh, and a southern zone, governed by the Republic of Vietnam proved similarly bloody, unleashing two decades of war that left up to 3 million Vietnamese dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And then there is the 1947-48 partition of Palestine into an independent Jewish state and an independent Arab state. This decision by the United Nations sparked decades of hostility, oppression, terrorism and wars that continue to this day. One need only to look at the ruins of Gaza to see the horrifying legacy of partition. Read more: Putin signs off record Russian defense spending as top EU officials visit Kyiv So, what might a partition of Ukraine yield? In fighting for their territorial integrity since February 2022, Ukrainians have demonstrated courage and dynamism, qualities they will certainly bring to bear in rebuilding their country. But given the scale of the human and economic losses they have incurred, it will be hard for them to submit quietly to the idea of partition. It will be especially hard given that Russian President Vladimir Putin has made no secret of his belief that Ukraine is not just a neighboring country, but that modern Ukraine was entirely created by Russia and therefore should exist only under the Russian umbrella. In any possible future peace negotiations, Ukrainians know that the best chance to prevent further Russian interference is through ironclad international security guarantees, if not immediate NATO membership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump appears to loathe Americas current security commitments, but for the U.S. not to offer such guarantees may prove harmful to Russia, too. Putin rose to power on the heels of a devastating war and protracted insurgency in Russias republic of Chechnya, which included terrorist attacks by Chechen separatists in Moscow and other Russian cities. Already in 2022, the Ukrainians promised a guerrilla war against Russia. Devoid of other options, that risk will only increase. Trump should seek to persuade the Kremlin of the need for fair negotiations; otherwise, post-partition terrorism may come to Russia, possibly on a greater scale than the Chechens ever imagined. Nina L. Khrushcheva, professor of international affairs at the New School, is the co-author (with Jeffrey Tayler) of " In Putins Footsteps: Searching for the Soul of an Empire Across Russias Eleven Time Zones ." 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. Germany metro stations will soon become bomb shelters, while peoples basements will become fortified shelters. For the first time since the Cold War, Germany has upgraded its posture for conflict in Europe. A crisis is brewing on the continent an alarm has gone off throughout the land. War could be coming. In quick succession, military chiefs from across Europe are urging their populace to get ready. Political leaders, from Britain to the Nordic countries and the Baltic States, increasingly emphasize that Europeans must prepare for war with Russia. The 67-page document, known as the Framework Directive for Overall Defense, envisions the complete transformation of daily life for German citizens in the event of war. It is a further sign of how Germany, which has been staunchly anti-militaristic since World War II, has decided to revamp its security policy in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under wartime conditions, mandatory conscription would be reinstated. Skilled laborers could be made to work critical jobs such as bakeries and post offices. Professionals would be repurposed in various civil service roles. Unveiling the plans, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said in a press conference that it was necessary for the country to better secure itself, given Russian aggression in Ukraine. The Russian aggression has completely changed the security situation in Europe foremost among our eastern EU and NATO partners, but also due to hybrid threats cyberattacks, espionage and disinformation here. In addition to all the protective measures of our security authorities and military deterrence and defense, we must therefore also further strengthen civil protection, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The German government is creating a list of public buildings to use as bunkers in the event of war with Russia. Germany emerged from the Cold War with more than 2,000 bunkers, although most of these have since been decommissioned. Its current network of 579 bunkers has space to accommodate around 480,000 people, a fraction of the countrys population of 84 million, Reuters reported. The so-called bunker plan was agreed to earlier this year. But, the recent press conference came just after the U.S. and France both confirmed that they had authorized Ukraine to use ATACMS and SCALP-EG missiles to conduct long-range strikes on Russian territory. The United Kingdom has not publicly stated whether it has permitted Kyiv to use its Storm Shadow missiles, although Ukrainian forces used both ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles in attacks deep inside Russias borders, recently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chancellor Olaf Scholz has thus far refused to send Germanys Taurus cruise missiles to Kyiv, arguing that doing so would risk Germany being dragged into direct war with Russia. Moscow responded to the ATACMS and Storm Shadow strikes by firing a new hypersonic ballistic missile the nuclear-capable Oreshnik at a Ukrainian military-industrial facility in Dnepropetrovsk. Russian President Putin has said that further attacks on Russian soil would be met with retaliatory strikes on targets which could include the military facilities of countries providing Kyiv with long-range weapons. Keep in mind that these are NATO-member long-range missiles; their use is entirely dependent on American and U.K. intelligence and targeting. They will be operated by Western personnel and guided by Western satellites. The reluctance by Moscow in the past to sufficiently retaliate against NATOs incremental escalations has been presented as evidence that it would not dare respond. Clearly, Russias restraint has emboldened NATO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has several more steps to escalate conventionally before the nuclear option is reached. For example, it could intensify strikes on Ukrainian political targets and infrastructure. It could commit North Korean troops into combat or strike NATO assets in the Black Sea. It could destroy satellites used for attacks on Russia. It could attack U.S. or NATO military assets in other parts of the world under the guise of enabling other countries to defend themselves. Russia (at some point) will have to respond to further breaches of its red lines to counter NATOs incrementalism tactics aimed at whittling away at its deterrent. The purpose of such incrementalism is to avoid an excessive response from Russia. The U.S. will impose calculated restrictions on how these weapons can be used, as its proxy engages in direct attacks on Russian territory. Russian troops are currently advancing (incrementally) in the Donbas, and Kyivs Kursk incursion has been halted. This is why Moscow is cautious about any escalation at the moment, time is on its side. Putin will likely wait for the changing of the guard in Washington. The war in Ukraine is not progressing to the latters advantage, and Washington previously admitted that these long-range missiles would not be a game changer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is evidence that the overarching objective of the West in sabotaging all paths to peace continuing the proxy war in Ukraine has been to weaken Russia as a strategic rival. Vladimir Zelensky recognized in March 2022 that some Western states wanted to use Ukraine as a proxy against Russia: There are those in the West who dont mind a long war because it would mean exhausting Russia, even if this means the demise of Ukraine and comes at the cost of Ukrainian lives. Both Israeli and Turkish mediators have confirmed that the U.S. and U.K. sabotaged the Istanbul peace agreement in order to pit Russia against the Ukrainians in a proxy war. The timing of Washingtons decision is also suspicious and appears aimed at further sabotage including Trumps electoral mandate to end the war. Is Biden risking a Third World War to prevent peace from breaking out in Ukraine? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proxy wars and direct wars are not the same thing. Unfortunately, the difference between them is a matter of perception and interpretation by the (indirect and direct) belligerents involved. And unless those perceptions are in mutual agreement, there is every likelihood that ones perceived proxy war becomes anothers direct conflict. And therein lies the rub with the U.S.-Ukraine-Russia war. Which is it, today proxy or direct? Germany may have been perceptive, indeed, to preclude Kyiv from using its long-range Taurus missiles they have a range of 500 kilometers (310 miles) beyond the U.S. ATACMSs 190 miles, much deeper into sovereign Russian territory. Perhaps a difference sufficient to warrant a perception by Russia of direct rather than proxy engagement. It is a fools errand to test ones hypothesis about which type of war one is fighting proxy vs direct given the awesome difference in magnitude, and thus destructive effect, if one is wrong in ones perception especially when ones adversary is a nuclear power like Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement F. Andrew Wolf Jr. is the director of The Fulcrum Institute, an organization of current and former scholars in the humanities, arts and sciences. 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 Orange County Supervisor of Elections has announced plans to open additional early voting sites in contract with Valencia College, even as the county could make a move to limit his spending power. Commissioners will talk about limiting Glen Gilzeans ability to spend money Tuesday afternoon. Its all part of the recent spending scandal. Thanks to the same contract that we will send kids of Jones and Evans High Schools to college debt-free, we can also say with this contract, it adds six new early voting sites with the potential of more, Gilzean said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read: Orange County to discuss withholding funds from elections office The voting sites will use Valencia College campuses and properties around Orange County. This is the same contract we told you about back in November, which was never approved by the county. Read: Elections staff terminated in wake of spending scandal Valencia Colleges President told Channel 9: If Orange County asks for the return of the funds, Valencia will return the $2.1 million contribution. If this were to happen, a spokesperson for the supervisor of elections office told us the contract would be no good, therefore canceling these future plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read: CareerSource returns controversial $1.9 million grant to Orange County A lot has been made over several weeks about the contract with Valencia College to add scholarships, Gilzean said. While education is something Ive always been passionate about, today is not about that or the fight with Orange County. As soon as Gilzean wrapped up speaking with media Tuesday, were told he had to go to another meeting. He did not answer or respond to any additional questions we had. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Judge Timothy J. Schutz speaks during his formal swearing-in ceremony to the Court of Appeals on Aug. 19, 2022. Behind him, from left to right, are Judges David Furman, W. Eric Kuhn, Craig R. Welling and Ted C. Tow III. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Following a historic wildfire season, the Oregon State Fire Marshal is expanding a defensible space program to help more Oregonians pay for wildfire prevention projects on their property. Under the Defensible Space Assessment Incentive Reimbursement Pilot Program, home and property owners may be eligible for a $250 payment to help pay for recommendations from a defensible space assessment by the state fire marshal or a participating agency. Officials noted the assessments are free and can be scheduled online. The program now includes dozens more cities including Newberg, Tillamook, Salem, Eugene and Pendleton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DONT MISS: Gov. Kotek calls for special session to pay for unprecedented wildfire season Officials said eligible communities were selected based on their vulnerability to wildfire and to help give money to communities that need it most. On the heels of a record-breaking wildfire season, we know that now is the time to prepare our homes for next season, said State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple. We strongly encourage home and property owners to schedule an assessment. Taking this first step can make a significant difference in protecting your home and neighborhood from wildfire risks. Defensible space is the area surrounding a home and buildings that is managed to keep embers from landing and catching fire, OSFM said, adding that maintaining defensible space is one of the most effective ways to protect a home during a wildfire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oregon economist Dr. Mike Wilkerson explains urban doom loop OSFM told KOIN 6 News that 111 people participated in the program over the summer of 2024 and received the payment noting more than 800 defensible space assessments took place over the wildfire season. The expansion of the defensible space program comes after Oregon saw a historic wildfire season in 2024 with several megafires and nearly two million acres burned exceeding Oregons 10-year average of 640,000 acres per season. The fires also incurred costs upwards of $350 million, according to Oregon Governor Tina Koteks office. Officials said 2024s wildfires destroyed at least 42 homes, 132 structures, and caused severe disruptions and damage to transportation facilities, utility infrastructure, and natural resource economies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KOIN Morning Digest Extreme infernos also hit Gilliam, Grant, Jefferson, Umatilla, Wasco, and Wheeler counties the hardest, injuring 26 civilians and fire responders, and killing an air tanker pilot. The record-breaking wildfire season led Gov. Kotek to call for a special legislative session in December to help pay for costs accrued from the fires. The unprecedented 2024 wildfire season required all of us to work together to protect life, land, and property, and that spirit of cooperation must continue in order to meet our fiscal responsibilities, Kotek said in a Nov. 26 statement. I am grateful to legislative leaders for coming to consensus that our best course of action is to ensure the states fire season costs are addressed and bills paid by the end of the calendar year. 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 KOIN.com. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A Dallas man was arrested after an investigation found that he used decoy social media accounts to lure minors and encouraged sexual abuse of animals, according to the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office. Danny Hicks, 58, faces charges of luring a minor, second-degree online sexual corruption, encouraging sexual abuse of animals, and attempted using a child in display of sexually explicit conduct. Idahos abortion trafficking law mostly can be enforced as lawsuit proceeds, court rules Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators say they found that Hicks posed as underage children on various online social media platforms and were contacted by an adult male who was offering to meet for sexual encounters, according to deputies. At the time of his arrest, Hicks was already in custody at Lincoln County Jail for similar charges following another investigation by Lincoln City police. The Lincoln County Sheriffs Office wants to encourage parents to monitor their childrens social media activity and discuss with them the possible dangers of communicating with strangers online, deputies 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. Claire Rush Associated Press LINCOLN CITY, Ore. Drumming made the floor vibrate and singing filled the conference room of the Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City, on the Oregon coast, as hundreds in tribal regalia danced in a circle. For the last 47 years, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians have held an annual powwow to celebrate regaining federal recognition. This months event, however, was especially significant: It came just two weeks after a federal court lifted restrictions on the tribe's rights to hunt, fish and gather restrictions tribal leaders had opposed for decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We're back to the way we were before, Siletz Chairman Delores Pigsley said. It feels really good. The Siletz is a confederation of over two dozen bands and tribes whose traditional homelands spanned a large swath of what is now western Oregon. The federal government in the 1850s forced them onto a reservation on the Oregon coast, where they were confederated together as a single, federally recognized tribe despite their different backgrounds and languages. In the 1950s and 60s, Congress revoked recognition of over 100 tribes, including the Siletz, under a policy known as termination. Affected tribes lost millions of acres of land as well as federal funding and services. The goal was to try and assimilate Native people, get them moved into cities, said Matthew Campbell, deputy director of the Native American Rights Fund. But also I think there was certainly a financial aspect to it. I think the United States was trying to see how it could limit its costs in terms of providing for tribal nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Losing their lands and self-governance was painful, and the tribes fought for decades to regain federal recognition. In 1977, the Siletz became the second tribe to succeed, following the restoration of the Menominee Tribe in Wisconsin in 1973. But to get a fraction of its land back roughly 3,600 acres (1,457 hectares) of the 1.1-million-acre (445,000-hectare) reservation established for the tribe in 1855 the Siletz tribe had to agree to a federal court order that restricted their hunting, fishing and gathering rights. It was only one of two tribes in the country, along with Oregons Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, compelled to do so to regain tribal land. The settlement limited where tribal members could fish, hunt and gather for ceremonial and subsistence purposes, and it imposed caps on how many salmon, elk and deer could be harvested in a year. It was devastating, tribal chair Pigsley recalled: The tribe was forced to buy salmon for ceremonies because it couldnt provide for itself, and people were arrested for hunting and fishing violations. Giving up those rights was a terrible thing, Pigsley, who has led the tribe for 36 years, told The Associated Press earlier this year. It was unfair at the time, and weve lived with it all these years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Decades later, Oregon and the U.S. came to recognize that the agreement subjecting the tribe to state hunting and fishing rules was biased, and they agreed to join the tribe in recommending to the court that the restrictions be lifted. The Governor of Oregon and Oregons congressional representatives have since acknowledged that the 1980 Agreement and Consent Decree were a product of their times and represented a biased and distorted position on tribal sovereignty, tribal traditions, and the Siletz Tribes ability and authority to manage and sustain wildlife populations it traditionally used for tribal ceremonial and subsistence purposes, attorneys for the U.S., state and tribe wrote in a joint court filing. Late last month, the tribe finally succeeded in having the court order vacated by a federal judge. A separate agreement with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has given the tribe a greater role in regulating tribal hunting and fishing. As Pigsley reflected on those who passed away before seeing the tribe regain its rights, she expressed hope about the next generation carrying on essential traditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a lot of youth out there that are learning tribal ways and culture, she said. Its important today because we are trying to raise healthy families, meaning we need to get back to our natural foods. Among those celebrating and praying at the powwow was Tiffany Stuart, donning a basket cap her ancestors were known for weaving, and her 3-year-old daughter Kwestaani Chuski, whose name means six butterflies in the regional Athabaskan language from southwestern Oregon and northwestern California. Given the restoration of rights, Stuart said, it was very powerful for my kids to dance. You dance for the people that cant dance anymore, she said. Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) The New Orleans Police Department provided more details about several shootings that happened over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. NOPD officials say they are investigating nine separate shootings that left four dead and 10 injured. We know that some of the gunfire exchange that occurred were with people who are not from here. These are not our locals who are coming down and settling their beefs, said NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the NOPD, three of the shootings took place in one of the busiest spots in the city, the French Quarter. The first shooting happened at 7:30 p.m. in the 200 block of Bourbon Street. A fight broke out, causing a large stampede to form. An unknown suspect then fired shots into a crowd. A 15-year-old was shot in the chest. One dead, five injured in Avondale home explosion We have several leads right now. We have good video and witnesses that were combing through and that were, working to get this case solved, said NOPD Captain Lejon Roberts. About an hour later, in the 1000 block of Canal Street, several men and women were fighting when gunfire erupted. An 18-year-old was shot in the back. A nearby officer rendered aid while the suspects fled the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police believe both shootings are connected due to surveillance video showing the groups interacting. Six hours later, around 2 a.m. on Sunday, police were called to a third shooting. Two men began firing at each other during a fight in the 700 block of Canal Street. The suspects were not believed to be hit, but four bystanders were shot as a result. These two individuals fled after they fired several rounds at each other. Police also named a person of interest in the death of the 3-year-old boy who was killed after he accidentally shot himself. Tatisha Refuge was allegedly in possession of the gun at the time and fled the scene shortly after the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say she turned herself in Monday afternoon. She is being charged with negligent homicide. The parents of the toddler have been cleared of child negligence. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts 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 WGNO. The Florida Department of Transportation is rounding up money to extend SunRail from the Orlando International Airport to Disney Springs, but Osceola County officials are hesitant, underscoring the obstacles ahead for the struggling rail network. FDOT District Secretary John Tyler asked county commissioners on Monday to help fund a $6 million study into the Sunshine Corridor, the proposed east-west extension of SunRail. Tyler requested a $500,000 contribution for the study, a required step before design and construction, but commissioners delayed the decision over concerns the projects impact on county traffic would not be worth the significant financial contributions required. Osceola and other local governments buy-in is critical for the successful completion of the roughly $4.4 billion extension considered the key for increasing ridership on the line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If were going to spend Id like to see what percentage of that is going to alleviate Osceola County traffic, Commissioner Ricky Booth said. To be fair just throwing out $500,000 I think thats great but it looks like all the lines are being built in Orange County. Commissioners were also concerned about what happens after the study is completed. You do the PD&E [study] but then what goes on from there?, Commissioner Peggy Choudhry asked. What is going to be our expectation for future funding? Acknowledging the expense, Tyler said the extension would benefit the region overall and could reduce congestion in Osceola County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a very expensive projectbut youre going to have a dramatic result in the ridership of SunRail, Tyler said. Just by connecting to the airport youre tripling what you see for ridership and by the time you connect to Disney Springs its a seven-fold increase. The completed Sunshine Corridor is estimated to increase ridership to 6.4 million during its opening year, said David Cooke, FDOTs district rail administration manager. Ridership has been a point of contention as it never recovered post-pandemic. Currently just a few thousand passengers ride SunRail monthly. FDOT has already pledged $2 million to fund the study. The rest will need to come from the other local governments served by SunRail, Tyler said. Universal and other big stakeholders in the area may also contribute, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FDOTs request comes as the local government partners Osceola County, Orange County, Seminole County, Volusia County, Orlando, Winter Park and Maitland are taking over funding the 61-mile network from the state agency. Osceola has mulled raising fares to cover its $12.2 million share. The commissioners will resume the discussion at a future meeting. JEFFERSON COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) An Allegheny County man is facing charges after he allegedly tried to meet what he thought was a teen for sex and then fled from officers when they tried to arrest him. Mugshot of Anthony Holcomb provided by the Jefferson County Prison Anthony Holcomb, 29, was arrested after officers from the Reynoldsville Borough Police were contacted by 814 Pred Hunters, according to a criminal complaint. The group contacted police and informed them that Holcomb believed he was talking to a 15-year-old and having sexually explicit conversations with her. That teen was actually a decoy. According to the affidavit, Holcomb met the teen on a dating app on Nov. 25 and began texting her. Messages that were turned over showed that the decoy told Holcomb she was 15 and he continued to text her in an inappropriate manner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Altoona man charged with rape: Were going to do this whether you like it or not He allegedly asked her for dirty pictures before making plans to meet her for sex on Nov. 27, according to the complaint. On that date, officers arrived at the designated time and location to find Holcomb waiting. According to the complaint, officers activated their emergency lights and pulled in front of his vehicle. They asked him to place his vehicle in park, but Holcomb fled the scene. Police noted that they attempted to catch up to him, but were unable to do so safely. He was taken into custody at a later time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holcomb was placed in the Jefferson County Prison with bail denied as he is a danger to the victim/community, according to court documents. He is facing felony criminal attempt charges of indecent assault of a person less than 16, statutory sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault and misdemeanor criminal attempt charges of corruption of minors and indecent assault of a person less than 16. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. A preliminary arraignment is set for Dec. 9. 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. PALO ALTO COUNTY, Iowa (KCAU) An Ayrshire, Iowa man narrowly missed incarceration for shooting at a family member with a shotgun. According to court documents, Patrick Lynch, 70, was sentenced to five years of probation after pleading guilty to one count of intimidation with a dangerous weapon. A quick reminder: Sioux City winter weather policies Lynch was initially charged with attempted murder and possession of marijuana after shooting a 12-gauge shotgun at a family member who was bringing Lynchs medication to his residence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement officials executed search warrants on the residence and found a substance that tested positive for marijuana in addition to the evidence of the shooting. Lynch pleaded guilty on November 7 to intimidation with a dangerous weapon. As part of the plea agreement, the second charge of possession of marijuana was dismissed. 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. President Joe Biden and son Hunter Biden stepping out of a bookstore in Nantucket, Mass., on Nov. 29, 2024. (Mandel Ngan | AFP via Getty Images) The decision by President Joe Biden to pardon his son, Hunter, despite previously suggesting he would not do so, has reopened debate over the use of the presidential pardon. Hunter Biden will be spared potential jail time not simply over his convictions for gun and tax offenses, but any offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period Jan. 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his first tenure in the White House, Donald Trump issued a total of 144 pardons. Following Bidens move to pardon his son, Trump raised the issue of those convicted over involvement in the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol, raising expectations that he may use the pardon in their cases something Trump has repeatedly promised to do. But should the pardon power be solely up to the presidents discretion? Or should there be restrictions on who can be granted a pardon? As a scholar of ethics and political philosophy, I find that much of the public debate around pardons needs to be framed within a more fundamental question: Should there be a presidential pardon power at all in a democracy governed by the rule of law? What, after all, is the purpose of a pardon? From royal roots Blacks Law Dictionary, the go-to book for legal terms, defines the pardon power as, an act of grace which exempts the individual on whom it is bestowed from the punishment the law inflicts for a crime he has committed. Although the power to pardon is probably as old as politics, the roots of the presidential pardon in the U.S. can be traced back to English law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The English Parliament legally placed an absolute pardon power in the hands of the monarch in 1535 during the reign of King Henry VIII. In the centuries that followed, however, Parliament imposed some limitations on this power, such as preventing pardons of outrageous crimes and pardons during an impeachment. The Founding Fathers followed the English model in establishing the powers of the executive branch in Article II of the U.S. Constitution. Section 2 of that article specifically grants the president the power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States and acknowledges one limitation to this power in cases of impeachment. But the anti-democratic roots of the pardon power were a point of contention during the drafting and ratification of the Constitution. In a 1788 debate, Virginia delegate George Mason, for example, said that the president ought not to have the power of pardoning, because he may frequently pardon crimes which were advised by himself. It may happen, at some future day, that he will establish a monarchy, and destroy the republic. Masons concern clearly identifies this vestige of the absolute powers of the English monarchy as a potential threat to the new democracy. In reply, based on the assumption that the president would exercise this power cautiously, James Madison contended that the restriction on the pardon power in cases of impeachment would be a sufficient safeguard against future presidential abuse. to religious reasoning The political concept of pardon is linked with the theological concept of divine mercy or the charity of an all-powerful God. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pardon, as Supreme Court Justice Marshall noted in the 1833 United States v. Wilson ruling, is defined as an act of grace. Just as in the Abrahamic faiths Islam, Judaism and Christianity God has the power to give and to take life, kings wield the power to take life through executions and to grant life through the exercise of pardons. Echoing the command of the Lords Prayer to forgive the trespasses of others, English philosopher Thomas Hobbes book Leviathan asserts that the sovereign ought to display grace by pardoning the offenses of those who, repenting those offenses, want pardon. Hobbes choice an image from Leviathan. (DeAgostini | Getty Images) Yet, this analogy with divine mercy for all individuals collides with the legal principle of treating different cases differently. If all trespasses were forgiven, pardon would be granted to all crimes equally. There would be no need for distinctions between the wrongly and the rightly convicted or the repentant and unrepentant criminal. All would be forgiven equally. Universal pardon thus violates the legal principle that each individual should receive their due. In the eyes of law, it is impossible to pardon everything and everyone. The incognito of pardon What Hobbes recognized, if imperfectly, is that the power of pardon is just as essential to political life as to our personal lives. It helps to overcome the antagonisms of the past and opens a path to peace and reconciliation with others. The act of forgiving, as political theorist Hannah Arendt puts it, allows us to begin again and to create a new future together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But how can we reconcile this need for pardon with the impossibility to forgive everything? One answer can be found in the work of French philosopher Paul Ricoeur. Ricoeur talks about the incognito of forgiveness forgiveness literally translates to pardon in French. Acknowledging the difficulty of turning pardon into a universal legal rule or norm, Ricoeur suggests that pardon can exist only as an exception to legal rules and institutions. Pardon, in Ricoeurs words, can find refuge only in gestures incapable of being transformed into institutions. These gesturesdesignate the ineluctable space of consideration due to every human being, in particular to the guilty. In other words, it has to fly under the radar of rules and institutions. This insight is alluded to by Justice Marshall in his Wilson ruling. Marshall states that pardon is the private, though official act of the executive magistrate, delivered to the individual for whose benefit it is intended, and not communicated officially to the Court. The pardon remains incognito, or under the radar, in the sense that it is an extra-legal act that does not pass through legal institutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In these last days of the Biden administration, this incognito of pardon offers an important reminder of the need for pardon as well as its limitations. The democratic transfer of power always involves an implicit act of pardon that remains incognito. It allows for a fresh start in which society can acknowledge the past transgressions of an outgoing administration, but move on with the hope to begin again. Though critics of the president may reject individual acts of pardon, especially involving family members, society should not give up on the power of pardon itself: It brings a renewal of hope to democracy. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Jurors received the mistaken impression that the defendant had nothing to say in his defense after deputies found drugs in his pockets Cumberland Park on Nashville's East Bank will go by a new name after the Parks and Recreation Board on Tuesday approved a change to better honor the land's Indigenous roots. At the unanimous recommendation of the board's naming committee, the park will now be known as Wasioto Park a nod to the original name given to the neighboring Cumberland River by the Shawnee before they were driven out of the region. The park sits between Korean Veterans Boulevard and stretches north to the Woodland Street bridge. Members and supporters of the local indigenous communities showed up Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, to the Parks and Recreation Board meeting in support of an effort to rename Cumberland Park to Wasioto Park, in honor of the name the Shawnee had for the Cumberland River. The board accepted a recommendation from the committee back in September to begin the renaming process, but the push to make Wasioto Park a reality originated even earlier through the efforts of the Indigenous Peoples Coalition of Nashville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of the coalition once again made their voices heard both at a news conference and community demonstration ahead of Tuesday's board meeting and during the board meeting itself. Albert Bender, the coalition's chair, was one of them. Bender said now that the change is official, his group first plans to celebrate. But the work is by no means finished. A climbing wall at Cumberland Park in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. "The granting of the renaming request will be a small step, in some ways, for the Nashville community, but will be a great milestone in other ways in the history of Nashville in the direction of the recognition and preservation of ancient Indigenous history in Nashville," Bender said. The coalition will be responsible for covering any costs associated with the name change, according to the board's renaming policies approved in 2021. That includes elements like new park signage, print media, online references and other costs identified by the parks department. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Cumberland Park on Nashville's East Bank renamed to Wasioto Park Ukraine's parliament on Dec. 3 supported the candidacy of Oleksii Chernyshov for the position of a vice prime minister and the "minister for national unity," lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak said. The new minister's powers remain unclear. President Volodymyr Zelensky presented the department as part of Ukraine's resilience plan, saying it would focus on strengthening relations with Ukrainians living abroad. Later in the day, the government renamed the Ministry for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories to the Ministry of National Unity of Ukraine. "This institutional strengthening will help to create a new quality of work and interaction with the multimillion Ukrainian community from all waves of migration," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even before the full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian diaspora has been widespread around the world, with particularly large communities in the EU, the U.S., and Canada. The war drew millions more from their home, with some 6.7 million living as refugees abroad as of August 2024. Chernyshov served as the governor of Kyiv Oblast between October 2019 and March 2020 and as the communities and territories development minister between March 2020 and November 2022. Since 2022, Chernyshov has been the CEO of the Naftogaz Group, Ukraine's state-owned energy giant. According to Zhelezniak, a new head of the company will be selected. Chernyshov's candidacy was supported by 237 lawmakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Naftogaz CEO: Ukraine has to become an energy-independent state Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. South Korea's parliament has called for the lifting of the martial law imposed by President Yoon Suk Yeol. The attending members of the National Assembly voted in favour for a corresponding resolution on Tuesday, according to South Korean broadcasters. Yoon must lift the state of emergency in accordance with the constitution if the parliament votes in favour by a majority, the reports said. When Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dissolved parliament on Sept. 12, it was still under the control of the former ruling coalition, Benno Bokk Yaakaar, or United With Hope. In calling for the early elections, Faye said that he wanted a comfortable majority to be able to carry out the profound reforms he had promised when he was elected to the top office in March. On Nov. 17, Senegalese voters heeded his call, handing Fayes party Pastef a landslide victory in the snap elections. According to the official results from the national electoral commission and confirmed by the Constitutional Council, Pastef won 130 of the 165 seats at stake. The overwhelming majority means Faye will now be in a position to implement his reform agenda. But having raised expectations, he will now have to deliver to the Senegalese who have placed their hopes in him. A Reshaped Political Landscape Pastefs victory in the polls opens a new page in Senegals political history, in that it completes the reshaping of the political landscape that began several years ago when Fayes mentor, current Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, emerged as the primary leader of the opposition to former President Mack Sall. That reconfiguration continued with Fayes election as president in March and culminated in the popular mandate he received three weeks ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. Not only has Pastef become the countrys leading political force, but the political parties that have dominated Senegalese politics since the establishment of the multiparty system in the 1970s have almost all disappeared from the legislative body. The Socialist Party, which led the country for 40 years from 1960 to 2000, didnt run a candidate in the March presidential election. For the legislative elections, it joined the electoral list led by former Prime Minister Amadou Ba, who came in second in March. The Senegalese Democratic Party, which has existed since 1974 and led the country from 2000 to 2012, also had no presidential candidate and ran as a coalition partner on a list led by Sall for the legislative elections. Time for Reforms Fayes election as president in March created immense expectations among his supporters. Having given him the parliamentary majority he asked for, they will now be counting on him to deliver. One of the major expectationsand one of Fayes main promises when he was a candidateconcerns reforms to the countrys justice system, which has long been criticized by civil society organizations, particularly with regard to lengthy detentions without trial and living conditions for those held in prisons. Fayes promised reforms carried extra weight given the perceived judicial persecution he and Sonko faced in the runup to the presidential election at the hands of Sall, who was often accused of politicizing the judiciary to target his political opponents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Faye launched a national dialogue process for the justice reforms upon taking office. Among the main recommendations to emerge from it are the establishment of a Constitutional Court in place of the current Constitutional Council, revision of the penal and family code, limitations on prosecutorial powers, construction of new prisons and digitalization of the justice service. These conclusions and others now await implementation. In addition to investment, the success of Fayes Senegal 2050 plan will depend on the governments ability to guarantee lasting political stability and mobilize the efforts of all actors in Senegalese society. Another measure promised by Faye under the umbrella of judicial reforms consists of reducing the powers of the president, which are widely considered to be excessive. In particular, he plans to introduce a procedure for dismissal of the president in the case of serious misconduct, something that does not exist in the current Senegalese Constitution. One question that remains is whether or not Faye will repeal the amnesty law passed just before the presidential election in March, which covers all acts likely to qualify as a criminal or correctional offense, committed between 1 February 2021 and 25 February 2024 relating to demonstrations or having political motivations. According to human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International, the law establishes impunity for human rights violations and constitutes an affront to the victims of the mass demonstrations that took place in Senegal between 2021 and 2023, during which more than 60 people were killed by the heavy-handed response of security forces. Faye has still not taken a clear stance on the subject. Economic Challenges Another major challenge for Faye and Sonko is that of creating jobs, particularly for young people who make up the majority of the Senegalese population and are hard hit by unemployment. According to the national statistics agency, 75 percent of Senegals population is under 35 years old, and the overall unemployment rate topped 23 percent in the first quarter of 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to the countrys precarious economic situation, hundreds of young people try to reach Europe each year, taking to the sea in makeshift boats that put their lives at risk. In September, Faye visited Mbour, a seaside town located about 50 miles south of Dakar, a few days after 39 young people had died there trying to reach Spain by sea. While there, he declared that the government was working hard to implement adequate policies to give work to young people here in Senegal and invite them to rebuild our country. Faye and Sonko will also have to regain the confidence of markets, investors and Senegals international financial partners after doubts were expressed about the accuracy of public finance figures presented by Salls government. Following an audit carried out in in the early months of Fayes presidency, Sonko accused the former government in September of having falsified those figures, particularly regarding the countrys debt. While the audit has not yet been certified by the Court of Auditors, as required by law, Sonkos declaration resulted in the downgrading of Senegals sovereign debt rating by Moodys and Standard & Poors. In addition, Senegalese media revealed earlier in November that the International Monetary Fund has decided to suspend its disbursements to Dakar pending certification of the audit. A New Vision for Senegal To make its case to voters ahead of the parliamentary elections, Fayes government presented its vision for the country in October. The plan, called Senegal 2050, is a roadmap for the next quarter-century based on four main axes: the construction of a competitive economy, environmental sustainability, the development of human capital and social justice, and the overhaul of governance. The plan includes proposals to invest $21 billion over the next five years to modernize Senegals infrastructure, improve education and strengthen health services, while increasing annual in other areas by roughly 15 percent. The government is counting on Senegals nascent oil and gas industry to partly finance this bold transformation. In addition, it is seeking to better control public debt, which has spiked in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, in addition to investment, the success of the Senegal 2050 plan will depend on the governments ability to guarantee lasting political stability and mobilize the efforts of all actors in Senegalese society. That will be a tall order, given the repeated episodes of political upheaval the country has been through in the past decade, particularly when it comes to presidential transitions, but also due to the democratic erosion that took place under Sall. It will also mean convincing young Senegalese especially that their future will be brighter at home than abroad. Faye and Sonko now have the parliamentary majority they asked for to carry out their reforms. The Senegalese population will expect them to deliver. Samba Dialimpa Badji is a Senegalese journalist with 20 years of experience in print, radio and online journalism. He has worked for several media outlets in Senegal, as well as for the BBC and Radio France Internationale. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in journalism and media studies at OsloMet University in Oslo, Norway. The post With a Parliamentary Majority in Hand, Now Senegals Faye Must Deliver appeared first on World Politics Review. A Russian drone struck an energy infrastructure facility in Ternopil on the night of 2-3 December, leaving part of the city without electricity. Source: Ternopil Mayor Serhii Nadal; Viacheslav Nehoda, Head of Ternopil Oblast Military Administration; State Emergency Service of Ukraine on Telegram Quote: "An enemy UAV struck an energy infrastructure facility in Ternopil. Part of the city is without electricity. Power engineers and rescue workers are addressing the aftermath of the attack." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Nadal urged Ternopil residents to charge their phones and stock up on water. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine Updated: Viacheslav Nehoda, Head of Ternopil Oblast Military Administration, said that a fire broke out on the premises of the enterprise as a result of the strike. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire. "There were no casualties. However, electricity problems have arisen again. Specialists are working to deal with the aftermath," said Nehoda. The State Emergency Service added that 34 rescue workers and 11 pieces of special equipment were working at the scene. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previously: Russian forces launched attack drones into Ukraine on the evening of 2 December. An air-raid warning was in effect in Ternopil from 01:26 to 04:07. Background: Russian forces attacked Ternopil with a drone, killing one person and injuring three others, damaging a residential building, a school and 20 cars on the night of 1-2 December. Support UP or become our patron! Veteran Pasco County educator and school administrator Vanessa Hilton will take over leadership this week at Bexley Elementary School in Land OLakes. Superintendent John Legg has assigned Hilton to replace Michelle Boylan, whom the school board recently approved to prepare Skybrooke K-8 for its opening next August. The move, which will go before the school board later this month, comes as part Leggs effort to reorganize the superintendents cabinet to reflect his priorities. Legg has said he expected to pay keen attention to the districts academic side during his tenure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hilton, who joined the district in 1995 as a teacher, has been assistant superintendent for student achievement, which was renamed chief academic officer, since 2015. She also spent four years as district curriculum director and, before that, four years as principal of San Antonio Elementary. San Antonio was consistently an A-rated school during Hiltons time there. She is a talented school leader and academic leader, deputy superintendent Betsy Kuhn said of Hilton. Kuhn, who announced the shift to district officials on Monday, said the chief academic officer post will not be filled in the near term, as Legg continues to review his team. Others will pick up the work in the meantime, including efforts to implement state-required improvement plans at three schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have great people in this district. Its (a question of), where do they fit best? Kuhn said. Hilton did not respond to requests for comment. Aside from his appointments of Kuhn and Hilton, Legg has made only one additional personnel move since taking office Nov. 19. He named Lorenzo Graziano, a campaign aide, to the newly created position of community engagement liaison. The decision to place Graziano into the post, which pays about $61,000 a year, without advertising it first rankled school board member Jessica Wright, who questioned the idea of creating a new job and filling it at the same meeting. Wright also protested that the new job, which will deal with legislative issues and parent engagement at schools, pays about $15,000 more than a starting teacher earns. The board approved the move with Wright dissenting. Wynonna Judds daughter, Grace Pauline Kelley, was arrested for the third time this year. Kelley, 28, was arrested in Albemarle County, Virginia, in late October after allegedly stealing a Charlottesville churchs van, The Daily Progress reported. Ground Zero Church of the Nazarene confirmed the stolen vehicle on a GoFundMe page. On October 27th, our green church van and trailer were stolen from in front of our pastor's home by Grace Pauline Kelley. Grace is currently in police custody, a statement from the churchs lead pastor, Kent Hart, read. The van was damaged during the theft and after being inspected by a body shop, the insurance has determined it to be a total loss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The van was only valued at $3,800 and after the body shop fees and deductible we are only left with around $2,200, the statement continued. We are a small church and cannot afford to buy another van in the current market. Wynonna Judds Daughter Grace Kelley Arrested for Attempting to Flee Police With a goal of $30,000, the fundraising page has currently raised more than $2,000. We want the community to know that on a personal level, we have forgiven Grace Kelley, the statement read. Hart reiterated the sentiment to People on Monday, December 2. "Even though we have suffered that loss, we're just really hoping the community helps us out," Hart told the outlet. "I'm not sure what we would get from Grace, as far as, you know, replacement, and we're not really even going that way. We're just forgiving her, and we're trusting the Lord to provide for our needs." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hart told The Daily Progress that he was in his home on the afternoon of October 27 when he spotted his van leaving the driveway. He allegedly chased down the car and found a woman behind the wheel. Im like, You stole my van, get out of my van, beating on the door, he told the outlet. And at this point, I see her very clearly. I saw her buzz cut and face tattoo. Wynonna Judds Daughter Grace Pauline Kelley Arrested for Indecent Exposure, Flashing Her Breasts Hart claimed that the woman could have been high adding, She didnt really seem like she was completely in her right mind. Hart alleged that he continued to chase the vehicle onto Virginia Route 20 before Albemarle police officer Corey Legg intervened. Pastor From Van Wynona Judd s Daughter Was Arrested for Stealing Speaks Out Grace advised that a male suspect had exited the driver seat and ran into the woods, Legg wrote in a report, per the outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After reviewing dashcam footage, Legg confirmed that Kelley was the driver and only person in the van. Per the outlet, Legg wrote that Kelley asked to be committed to a mental institution. Wynonna Judds Daughter Grace Pauline Kelleys Ups and Downs Over the Years: Arrests and More She began stating she had sold her soul to the devil, Legg wrote, per the outlet. I advised the jail staff that she may have taken something. I was later informed that the jail staff observed something inside of Ms. Kelley during her body scan. Kelley was taken to the University of Virginia Medical Center, according to the outlet. They found out it was just gas but when they conducted Ms. Kelleys bloodwork, she tested positive for heroin, Legg wrote, per The Daily Progress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelley faces seven charges, including three counts of felony grand larceny. Kelley was also charged with driving without a license, destruction of property with intent, failure to use headlights and setting in motion a vehicle with intent to commit a crime, People confirmed per the Albemarle County Police Department. Us Weekly reached out to Judd for comment. Wynonna Judds Daughter Grace Kelley Charged With Soliciting Prostitution and Indecent Exposure Kelley, whos the daughter of Judd and her ex-husband, Arch Kelley III, has faced a series of ups and downs over the years. Per court documents obtained by Us in April, Kelley was arrested in Alabama after allegedly flashing drivers off the highway. She was charged with soliciting prostitution, indecent exposure and obstructing governmental operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to The Daily News, Kelleys charge of soliciting prostitution was dropped and the indecent exposure charge was reduced to public lewdness. Months later, Kelley was arrested in Georgia and booked in Carroll County Jail on three counts. The following day in August, Kelley was released on $2,750 bond, according to an arrest record obtained by People. She was charged with fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, driving with a suspended/revoked license and not using motorcycle equipment properly, per the record. WSFA reported that Kelley pleaded guilty to public lewdness and obstructing government operations. Kelley paid $200 and her 90-day jail sentence was suspended for the former charge, while she was placed in jail for 60 days for the latter charge and was released on May 23. Multiple failures led the Paterson school district to respond insufficiently to numerous complaints of sexual harassment, leaving districts vulnerable to sex discrimination, federal officials say. (Photo by New Jersey Monitor) Paterson school officials failed to properly respond to students allegations of sexual harassment, including sexual assault, during a five-year period starting in 2017, according to a letter the federal Department of Education sent the school districts chief on Monday. Employees with the departments civil rights office also said that during their review of the district, Paterson school employees reported four instances of sexual harassment and sexual assault between employees and students that the school had failed to report to the education department as required. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal investigators also found that school officials did not keep proper documentation on internal investigations into these complaints, raising concerns about how Paterson Public Schools handles reports of sexual harassment and assault. Now, the school district has entered into an agreement with the Department of Education to improve compliance with Title IX, the 1972 law that bars sex discrimination in education programs that receive federal funding. These multiple failures led to the districts insufficient responses to numerous complaints of sexual harassment, leaving district students vulnerable to the sex discrimination in school that Title IX forbids, the department said in a statement Monday. Paterson is home to the states third-largest school district, with nearly 50 schools and 25,000 students. Paterson officials did not respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the 20-page letter sent to Paterson Schools Superintendent Laurie W. Newell, federal investigators used a handful of examples to criticize the district for not properly investigating complaints of sexual harassment and assault. In one example, a principal said that she was told of a sexual relationship between a teacher and a student. The district fired the teacher but could not provide any evidence that it had conducted an internal investigation into the matter. In another, the district said it had suspended a student for repeatedly sexually harassing another student and performing a sexual act on him, but it couldnt provide any evidence of steps it took to prevent the actions from recurring. As part of the review, Paterson school officials agreed to adhere to a 15-page compliance agreement. Among the requirements: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Submit annual reports to the Department of Education, including a spreadsheet of all reports and complaints of sexual harassment and assault and descriptions of supportive measures offered to victims. Notify all employees, students, and parents of the Title IX policy and explain how to contact the schools Title IX coordinator on the district website. Beginning next school year, conduct an annual survey to assess the climate in the schools and use those results to improve policies and training practices. Train the Title IX coordinator and ensure they have sufficient time to serve in their role. They will also have to coordinate with other staff regarding monitoring outcomes of investigations, maintaining records, and addressing patterns of sexual harassment. Improve training for personnel on responding to harassment claims and offer age-appropriate training for students, including on what Title IX means, how to file a complaint, and what support is offered to students. Check with the county prosecutors office about which offenses are required to be reported to law enforcement and which are discretionary. Within 90 days, review all reported incidents between 2017 and 2024 to determine if further action is needed. Federal officials didnt say when they expect the agreement to expire but said that if officials dont comply, the matter could be referred to the U.S. Department of Justice. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A judge on Monday granted a motion to drop failure to intervene charges against two Division of Gaming officers who were among those on scene the night Christian Glass was shot and killed. Glass, 22, called 911 for help just before midnight on June 10, 2022, after his SUV got stuck on a rock near Silver Plume. Two Clear Creek County Sheriffs Office deputies were the first to respond, but eventually six others showed up at intermittent times and stayed as Glass became more and more agitated. Glass never left his car during the hourlong incident, which ended with his shooting death by an on-duty sheriff deputy just after midnight on June 11. Colorado Division of Gaming Officers Mary Harris and Christa Lloyd were among six charged with failure to intervene. The charges argued that none of them stepped forward to stop the situation as it escalated out of control. Former Clear Creek Sheriff Deputy Andrew Buen faces a second trial after a jury deadlocked by one vote on a murder charge against him in his first trial last April. The 5th Judicial District prosecution team requested to retry him and after one delay, the trial is scheduled to for Feb. 3. In her ruling, Clear Creek County Court Judge Cynthia Jones said she granted to motion to drop the charges because the statute requiring peace officers to intervene to stop excessive force does not apply to Division of Gaming officers. One of the attorneys who represents Christian Glass parents is upset that Harris and Lloyd got off on what he called a loophole in the Colorado law, which requires police officers to intervene and report excessive force used by other officers. These are all post-certified officers, said Siddhartha Rathod, the lawyer. The dismissal of these two officers does not absolve them of their criminal conduct. Harris and Lloyd are on the street as is Colorado State Trooper Ryan Bennie and Idaho Springs Police Department Ofc. Brittany Morrow, according to their departments websites. Featured Local Savings Former Georgetown Marshal Randy Williams, former Georgetown Police Officer Timothy Collins, Morrow and Bennie have yet to be tried. Case history Prosecutors said Glass was experiencing a mental health crisis when he called 911 for help after he got his car stuck on a boulder in Silver Plume in June 2022. Several officers engaged with him for more than an hour. After officers unsuccessfully tried to get Glass out of his car, former Clear Creek County Deputy Buen broke Glass car window, shot him with bean bag rounds and used a Taser on him before shooting him five times in the chest. In November 2022, a Clear Creek grand jury indicted Buen, alongside his supervisor, former Clear Creek deputy Kyle Gould, who wasnt at the scene that night. According to court documents, Gould was watching the encounter with Glass via a live-streamed body-worn camera. He then gave the order for Glass drivers side window to be broken out. Buen was charged with second-degree murder, official misconduct, and reckless endangerment. Gould pleaded guilty in November 2023 to duty to report use of force by peace officers duty to intervene. He was sentenced to two years unsupervised probation and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. As part of the plea agreement, Gould withdrew his POST certification and he cannot work as a police officer or security guard in Colorado ever again. In May 2023, the Glass family was awarded $19 million in a settlement agreement with Clear Creek County, the Colorado State Patrol, the Georgetown Police Department and the Idaho Springs Police Department all departments with officers on scene that night. Among the many non-economic terms of the settlement, Clear Creek County has implemented a crisis response team to respond to calls. It is the largest police misconduct settlement in Colorado history. For more on this and other stories, visit our partners at 9News.com. Denver Gazette Reporter Carol McKinley contributed to this report. DARLINGTON, S.C. (WBTW) Long-time Democratic state Sen. Gerald Malloy on Monday conceded results of the Nov. 5 election to his GOP opponent just hours before an appeal hearing in front of South Carolina officials. Republican JD Chaplin, a farmer who lives in Darlington, came out of the contest with a 278-vote edge over Malloy, a Hartsville attorney whos served Senate District 29 since 2002. A mandatory recount trimmed Chaplins lead to just 87, prompting Malloy to file a lawsuit asking for a new election. District 29 covers all or parts of Chesterfield, Darlington, Lee, Marlboro and Sumter counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im excited. Im ready to go to work. Im ready to start what Ive already begun, and to continue on, Chaplin told News13 on Tuesday. He acknowledged the tighter margin of victory surprised him, but expressed confidence in the eventual outcome of the race. Malloys Nov. 19 complaint pointed to significant anomalies and changes to vote totals and vote counts during the recount raise more questions than they answer and do not ensure that all votes cast were counted correctly. The states election commission was scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. on Tuesday in Columbia to consider Malloys request, but his campaign said Monday that things changed after closer analysis of the race by Duncan Buell, a retired University of South Carolina professor and expert on electronic voting systems. This election has left many serious questions. But to take a protest to its full conclusion would leave Senate District 29 without representation during a critical period and put the honorable institution I love in an untenable circumstance, Malloy said a in statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he plans to help Chaplin with his transition and will continue to advocate for education, infrastructure and public safety improvements around the Pee Dee. Buell analyzed data provided by the counties and found hundreds of discrepancies in vote counts in at least three different counties in Senate District 29. But today, for the second time, the SEC refused to give him the critical vote data used by their staff in its evaluation, Malloys campaign said. Buells own conclusion of exactly who won also appeared to be up for question. One cannot conclude who won the election without a complete exposure of the data and a verification that the data support the conclusion of who won, he wrote in his report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. 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 WBTW. Austin Davis at the state Capitol in Harrisburg. (Capital-Star photo by Daniella Heminghaus) The Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association voted on Tuesday to elect Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis as its chair. The move came after a significant loss for Democrats in the general election on the tops of tickets nationwide. The next few months that lie ahead for the Party will take a lot of work to regain voters trust and lay out an agenda that speaks directly to the country, Davis said. We will continue to deliver results for working Americans and will work as a backstop to the Trump administrations extreme agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davis also said he wants to help rebuild the Democratic brand. As the Democratic Party faces a crossroads, our Democratic Lt. Governors will continue standing up for fundamental freedoms and working to make life better for working families, said Juliana Stratton, a member of the Democratic Lt. Governor Association executive committee. The association elected Massachusetts Kim Driscoll as Vice Chair. We have a tremendous opportunity at the DLGA to invest and build up the next generation of leaders in our party, and I am thrilled to be a part of paving the way for a successful path forward, Driscoll said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davis has served as Pennsylvanias Lt. Governor since 2023. In that role, he also presides over the state Senate. Before becoming lieutenant governor, Davis served as a state Representative in the 35th District in Allegheny County. He is the youngest lieutenant governor in the country and the first Black lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania. Currently, there are 19 Democratic lieutenant governors serving across the country. The Democratic Lt. Governors Association also has members from American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as from three members who are next in line to the governor, but are from states which do not have the position. UNITY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WHTM) Pennsylvania State Police and other first responders are looking for a missing grandmother who may have fallen into a sinkhole while looking for her missing cat. State Police in Westmoreland County say around 1 a.m. the family of 64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard contacted law enforcement saying she had not returned while looking for her missing cat on Tuesday afternoon. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania Troopers said in a press conference that during the search they found Pollards young granddaughter in her vehicle behind a restaurant. They believe the granddaughter was in the vehicle for approximately 10 hours and were unable to find Pollard. The child has been reunited with her family. Troopers did notice a hole about the size of a manhole and say it became an all hands on deck scenario to begin a rescue mission. Its not clear how deep the hole is, but officials say the area was previously home to coal mining. Tyson Foods closing two Pennsylvania plants Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trooper Steve Limani says approximately 100 people have been involved in the search so far. The situation is described to be active at this time with excavators and other equipment being brought in. Crews lowered a pole camera with a sensitive listening device into the hole in Marguerite on Tuesday morning but detected nothing. A second camera lowered into the hole showed what could be a shoe. This Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. image provided by the Pennsylvania State Police shows the top of a sinkhole in the village of Marguerite, Pa., where rescuers were searching for a woman who disappeared. (Pennsylvania State Police via AP) A disaster emergency was declared by township officials to help quickly bring equipment into the area. Department of Environmental Protection spokesperson Neil Shader said the states Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation will examine the scene after the search is over to see if the sinkhole was indeed caused by mine subsidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available The Associated Press contributed to this story. 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. (WHTM) A Harrisburg lawyer who turned himself in last week after being accused of stealing client money while practicing law has agreed to be disbarred, and one of his clients has already received $100,000 that went missing. Darren Parr, 55, allegedly stole client money while practicing law despite having his law license suspended. Pennsylvania State Police investigators and the Attorney Generals Office said Parr received settlements for his clients and allegedly kept $200,000 of his clients funds. Harrisburg lawyer charged with stealing clients settlement money Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said Parr allegedly spent the money on everything from his mortgage to a puppy. One victim recovered their stolen funds thanks to the PA Lawyers Fund for Client Security. A portion of the fees lawyers pay for their law license goes into the fund, which aims to help reimburse victims whose attorneys have converted client money. Anyone who thinks they are a victim of Parr or a similar crime can visit the PA Lawyers Fund for Client Security website to learn how to be reimbursed. 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. The US Department of Defense has yet to confirm active participation of North Korean (DPRK) troops in combat against Ukrainian forces. However, North Korean soldiers have been integrated into Russian units. Source: Ukrinform, citing Pentagon spokesperson General Pat Ryder during a press briefing Quote from Ryder: "So far, we've not seen the DPRK engaging in offensive combat operations, although we do expect at a certain point in time that that will very likely happen." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The Pentagon spokesperson noted that North Korean troops have been integrated into Russian units in many cases. Quote from Ryder: "...we are aware of reports of DPRK soldiers being killed as a result of Ukrainian strikes against Russian facilities." Details: Ryder added that there is currently no specific information regarding the number of North Korean military casualties. Background: On 7 November, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces in Kursk Oblast, Russia, had already suffered losses. US officials confirmed that North Korean troops had been involved in combat operations in Russia's Kursk Oblast for the first time. The New York Times reported that 50,000 Russian and North Korean soldiers were preparing to launch a large-scale counteroffensive in Russias Kursk Oblast. The US has information that North Korea is preparing additional weapons shipments to Russia, including ballistic missiles, long-range self-propelled artillery and multiple-launch rocket systems. Zelenskyy is convinced that Russia will deploy a significant number of North Korean soldiers to the front line against Ukraine, where they will almost certainly be used as cannon fodder. Support UP or become our patron! PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) The Peoria Public Schools Foundation is saving lives with the gift of giving this holiday season. On Monday, the foundation hosted a blood drive at the districts administration building with the goal of getting at least 25 people to donate blood. Those who did give were able to enjoy snacks and were given two pairs of socks based on the show Friends. Organizers encouraged people to give the extra pair to someone new and continue passing on the gift of giving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cindy Morris, the foundations president, said there is a big need for blood donations this holiday season. She added that if someone was not able to give at the event, the American Red Cross was accepting donations in Downtown Peoria. A parent at the event said it was he was nervous about his first time giving, but he wanted to give blood donation a shot. Every year prior to this, Ive been in Honduras, which is one of the places you cant go, and then donate blood. So Ive never been eligible. I just figured Im eligible now. Why not do something good? said Kyle Endress. The Peoria Public Schools Foundation is a nonprofit that helps support the district through classroom grants, college scholarships for high school seniors, and basic needs support for those struggling with food insecurity. Morris says this event was just one way they could give back to the 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 CIProud.com. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) Learning while growing in their school community. Students at the Annie Jo Gordon Community Learning Center in Peoria introduced the house system, a way for students to learn while also making new friends. The school was inspired by the Ron Clark Academy in Georgia, which invented the program. It divides students into four separate houses, working together to grow together. 7th and 8th-grade math teacher Michael Bowen said the program is intended to help the school with the Illinois Assessment of Readiness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It gives them more of a sense of community for the school, and we hope to expand this out to the whole middle school, but the tutoring should be really intentional for these students to get the proficiency in IAR, Bowen said. This is not a Harry Potter-style house system, according to Peoria Public Schools Director of Communications and Community Engagement Marjorie Kauth, but a unique approach that aligns houses with core values and encourages friendships across different grades. The four houses students are being divided into are: Altruismo (The House of Givers) Amistad (The House of Friendship) Isibindi (The House of Courage) Reveur (The House of Dreamers) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The participating students were divided into their houses by choosing a golden egg from a nest that had the names and colors of their house inside it. 5th grade teacher Becca Reppen said the program offers a way to build student confidence. We get to really give them that individualized support, not only in their academics, but also in just their character and them becoming better people and motivating each other, she said. Students will be tutored after school every Monday in Reading, Math and Science. The program is also expected to help with attendance. If students do well they will earn open gym time and field trips, including trips to Saint Louis and other places as part of the program. 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 CIProud.com. Travelers heading home from the busy Thanksgiving weekend were met with surprisingly smooth airport conditions at Pittsburgh International Airport Monday afternoon. With 194 flights scheduled to take off and land, nearly 35,000 passengers passed through the airport, but lines remained manageable, and many found the experience less stressful than expected. Nathan Harshman, who was flying to Miami, said the airport felt much calmer than anticipated. I was worried it would be busy, but it hasnt been busy at all. The lines are moving quickly, and in Miami, it was basically empty, so it was good, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For travelers heading to warmer destinations, the contrast in temperatures was a welcome change. Samantha Del Vecchio, flying to Orlando, noted the stark difference in weather after experiencing a chilly 29-degree day in Pittsburgh. This is one of the first times I came where the high was 29, and right now its in the 70s or 80s in Orlando. I made sure to pack warm clothes. It was a nice change, she said. Keith Steuer, heading to Atlanta, also found the experience pleasant. Its been perfect. Its not the chaos that people might expect, he said. AAA is already anticipating a busy holiday season for travelers in the coming weeks, with Christmas travel expected to bring long lines and crowded parking lots once again. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Developed by Tsutomu Miyasaka in 2009, perovskite solar cells emerged as a breakthrough in photovoltaics and a promising alternative to traditional solar technologies. The worlds most advanced labs are experimenting with these next-gen solar cells capable of absorbing a broader spectrum of sunlight. Why? Because unlike the energy-intensive and expensive production associated with crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar panels, perovskite cells utilize metal halide perovskites. These materials enable simpler, more cost-effective manufacturing processes and have propelled significant global research efforts to enhance their efficiency, durability, and commercial viability. With potential efficiencies that have rapidly evolved from 4% to over 30%, perovskite solar cells could significantly impact the future of renewable energy. Read on to learn about perovskite solar technology and how it is already bringing a major shift in solar technology. Composition and functionality of perovskite solar cells Perovskites are versatile materials known for their exceptional compositional flexibility, making them suitable for various high-tech applications beyond solar cells, such as memory chips and ultrasound machines. Perovskite materials like methylammonium lead halide and all-inorganic cesium lead halide are particularly appealing due to their cost-effectiveness. The possibility of printing these materials at low temperatures allows for the production of lighter, thinner solar modules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Innovations such as perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells further enhance this technology by combining the strengths of perovskite and crystalline silicon, capturing a broader spectrum of sunlight and significantly increasing overall efficiency. Their potential use spans building-integrated photovoltaics like windows and walls to textiles and self-charging power packs. Perovskite solar cells operate on a principle where sunlight interacts with a thin layer of hybrid organic-inorganic lead or tin halide-based perovskite material. This interaction generates electron-hole pairs. Electrons move towards the Electron Transporting Layer (ETL) and holes towards the Hole Transporting Layer (HTL), creating an electric current. One of the challenges in maximizing the efficiency of these cells involves minimizing surface recombination, where electrons prematurely combine with holes, reducing the electrical output. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 90% of solar panels use silicon semiconductors, which cannot be processed in a solution bath without risking defects that impair functionality. In contrast, perovskite semiconductors are highly fault-tolerant and can be processed into semiconductor ink, making them suitable for creating lightweight and flexible solar cells. This adaptability is ideal for mobility applications like drones and car roofs. However, while silicon solar cells are robust with 25-30 years of lifespans and minimal degradation (about 0.8% annually), perovskite solar cells face long-term efficiency and power output challenges. Hurdles of widespread perovskite solar cell adoption Despite their promising features, Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) face significant challenges that impede their commercial viability and widespread market adoption compared to traditional photovoltaic technology. Durability is a primary concern, as PSCs typically have a lifespan of only 2.5 years due to their lack of stability under real-world conditions. This degradation is primarily due to ambient factors such as moisture and UV exposure. Researchers are exploring various strategies to enhance the stability and extend the lifespan of these cells through advanced encapsulation techniques and material innovations. While impressive in controlled conditions with records over 30%, efficiency still requires improvement in real-world applications. Ensuring that PSCs are efficient but also durable and scalable is essential for their adoption. The manufacturing process also presents hurdles; most lab-scale production techniques for PSCs do not easily translate to mass production. Developing low-cost, high-throughput methods that retain the cells' performance at scale is crucial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Environmental impact is another significant challenge. Many perovskite materials use lead, raising concerns about toxicity and environmental safety. Efforts to eliminate or safely encapsulate these hazardous materials are critical for advancing PSCs toward broader commercial use. Additionally, the existing testing protocols for PSCs need to be more consistent, complicating the assessment of long-term stability and performance. Establishing standardized testing methods is essential for advancing research and ensuring reliable comparisons of longevity and efficiency. Advantages of perovskite solar cells Achieved over 30% conversion rates, surpassing traditional silicons maximum of about 25%. Can be manufactured at room temperature using simple printing or coating techniques, which reduces production costs. Their thin and light nature makes them suitable for diverse applications, including portable devices and integrated building materials. Maintains higher efficiency under high temperatures, ideal for hot climates where traditional panels perform sub-optimally. Innovations such as tandem perovskite-silicon designs enhance energy output while reducing material use, contributing towards global sustainability goals. Disadvantages of perovskite solar cells Sensitive to environmental factors like moisture, oxygen, and UV light, which can rapidly degrade the cells if not properly encapsulated. The use of lead raises significant health and environmental safety issues, necessitating research into non-toxic alternatives. Transitioning from small-scale lab production to large-scale manufacturing poses challenges in maintaining quality and efficiency. Structural integrity may be compromised at high temperatures, limiting their use in certain climates without effective heat management solutions. Global breakthroughs and collaboration Recent advancements underscore the global collaborative effort to optimize perovskite solar cell technology. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) have achieved a milestone with blade-coated perovskite solar cells reaching 31.2% power conversion efficiency. The University of Surreys Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) extended the operational lifetime of these cells by 66%, addressing one of the key challenges in their commercial application. Additionally, scientists from India have developed highly stable perovskite cells with superior thermal and moisture stability, which is crucial for varying climatic conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) demonstrated cells with 25% efficiency and remarkable stability, maintaining 95% performance after 2,000 hours of operation. These breakthroughs are part of a concerted international effort, including significant contributions from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the US Department of Energy, to push the boundaries of perovskite solar cell technology. Governments worldwide are recognizing and investing in this trend. GCL Group Holdings, a major Chinese solar materials maker, has begun building Suzhou's world's largest perovskite solar cell factory. Swift Solar plans to establish a factory in the US within two to three years to manufacture thin-film solar using perovskite tandem photovoltaics. Similarly, companies based in the UK and Australia have already commercialized this technology. Furthermore, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has announced plans to deploy 20 GW of perovskite solar cell technology by 2040, signaling strong governmental support and investment in the future of perovskite solar energy. A new era in solar technology Perovskite solar cells are emerging as a powerful contender in the solar market. Commercial deployment of perovskite technology is growing and already used in utility-scale projects. This innovative technology not only reduces the land use and levelized cost of electricity by generating more energy per area than traditional panels but also demonstrates breakthroughs in efficiency, reaching over 30% in lab settings. Perovskite solar cells are poised to revolutionize renewable energy with superior efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and versatility. They are well-positioned to challenge silicons dominance and drive future global solar energy capacity expansion. SALISBURY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A 48-year-old man was killed and a firefighter was injured due to a bus fire, according to the Salisbury Police Department. Around 9:15 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2, crews responded to the fire at 735 Klumac Road. When they arrived, they saw the bus engulfed in flames. The fire was quickly extinguished but the man, 48-year-old Michael Joseph Osterhus, was found dead inside, officials said. Dispatch calls released in fatal Gaston County home fire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the response, a firefighter sustained minor burn injuries to their face. They received medical care and are expected to recover. Police say the fire was an accident due to an electrical issue. Queen City News reached out to learn what type of bus caught on fire but has not yet heard back. Anyone with information should contact the Salisbury Police Department at 704-638-5333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245. This is a Developing Story . 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 Queen City News. Final arguments were made Monday at an extradition hearing in London for Kimberlee Singler, a Colorado Springs woman accused of killing two of her children and severely injuring another. The hearing in Westminster Magistrates Court was a continuation of one that covered three days in September, but extended for the presentation of additional evidence. Up next: Judge John Zani is expected to decide on extradition Jan. 24. Singler faces the following charges after the deaths and injuries involving her children on Dec. 19, 2023, at her home on the east side of Colorado Springs: murder, attempted murder and child abuse. The previous sessions of the extradition hearing focused on the possibility that Singler's extradition would violate the European Convention of Human Rights. Specifically, Article 3, states: "no one shall be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment." Edward Fitzgerald , who is representing Singler, argued that due to the sentencing Singler could face in Colorado should she be found guilty, there would be no possibility for parole or commutation of her sentence. Fitzgerald, who has also represented WikiLeaks Co-Founder Julian Assange, argued that an extradition of Singler would violate Article 3 by extraditing her to a country where the sentence would not allow for parole or rehabilitation into society. One witness called to the stand was David Kaplan, who reiterated earlier testimony that parole in a case like Singler's would not be realistic if she were to be extradited. According to NBC correspondents in the courtroom, Singler was wearing a turquoise green zip-up jacket with a purple T-shirt and neutral grayish trousers. Singler showed little emotion, watching the back and forth between the lawyers in court and the witnesses appearing via videolink. She also was seen looking at papers, appearing to follow along when certain documents are mentioned. Featured Local Savings Joel Smith, representing the U.S. government, argued that the point of this hearing was to argue that a mechanism of release from prison does exist in the U.S. court system, not if it will be used. There is a mechanism of sentence review. It does allow the governor to consider progress towards rehabilitation," Smith said to the courtroom, Prospects of release? Thats not your concern. Judge Zani summarized that Smith is arguing a narrow point (whether there is a mechanism in place for commutation) while Fitzgeralds is a wider point. Previous Gazette reporting outlines that Singler was in the midst of a lengthy custody battle with her ex-husband, Kevin Wentz, and failed to show up to a police station to return custody of the three children to Wentz the day before she allegedly killed two of the three children. Singler faces seven charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, for allegedly killing her two children, Elianna Wentz and Aden Wentz, and attempting to kill her third child. Previous reporting from The Gazette details that the El Paso County Coroners Office ruled that both childrens deaths were homicides. Elianna Ellie Wentz, 9, suffered a gunshot wound to the head and cuts to her neck that caused her death. Her brother, Aden Wentz, 7, was killed by a gunshot to his head, an autopsy states. He suffered neck wounds as well. The Gazette contributed to this report. EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. A woman was shot and killed Monday evening while working at the drive-through window at a McDonalds in East St. Louis, the second deadly incident at the same restaurant this year. The shooting happened around 7:30 p.m. Monday at a McDonalds restaurant in the 500 block of 24th Street. Investigators said the gunman drove up to the window and opened fire on the victim. She was rushed to the hospital, where she later died. Young lady was shot at work. You know, just a tragic situation, Major Rory Stewart, East St. Louis Park District, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The East St. Louis Police Department requested the assistance of Illinois State Police to conduct the investigation. Investigators did not identify the victim by name or age. West St. Louis County shoplifting ring busted Its sad that it happened and its too much killing going on down here in the city, said Troy Gray, a frequent customer at the fast food restaurant. A customer who wished to remain anonymous told FOX 2 that he heard the gunfire. They drove through the drive-through and shot the girl in the window, the customer said. This marks the second murder at the same McDonalds location this year. This past May, a shooting at the restaurant claimed the life of Traevon l. Brown, a 22-year-old resident of Cahokia Heights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It could have been anybody. I have two daughters that worked at this McDonalds when they were in high school and I thought about them, Major Stewart said. Its just a sad, tragic situation, and it hurts my heart just thinking about something like that. Innocent bystander always get hit. We need to stop the violence altogether. No suspect information is available at this time. Illinois State Police say this is an active and ongoing investigation in tandem with the East St. Louis Police Department. 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. Pete Hegseths nomination for defense secretary is looking increasingly tenuous as new revelations about the ex-Fox hosts history appear. A new TV appearance by his mother on Fox & Friends and claims that Trump told him to keep fighting havent exactly turned down the heat, either. On Wednesday, Hegseth embarked on a bid to save what looks to be a sinking ship. He was back on Capitol Hill meeting with senators, and told reporters that he had no plans to withdraw his bid. But almost certain to face unified Democratic resistance, Hegseth can only afford three defections from his own party. The question now: Will the same senators who tanked Matt Gaetzs nomination with their implacable resistance to his selection be the ones to take Hegseth down? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To date, the former cable news talking head has already criticized two of them: Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins. The centrist Alaska and Maine senators were among the handful thought to have been unmovable against Gaetz. Hegseth, in comments on Fox News, derided them both as divorced from the realities of working Americans after they voted to protect the Affordable Care Act (otherwise known as Obamacare) from a Republican repeal effort. Both senators have dismissed Hegseths criticism in statements made since his nomination was announced. Collins, however, said that she intended to look at character and judgment when deciding how to vote on such picks a remark that hints at a possible lack of traction for Trumps choice for Pentagon leader. If I look and see a pattern that causes me to think the person would not be a good leader and doesnt have character or the impartiality if its a judge, for example that would concern me, Collins told reporters. On that front, Hegseth took a one-two punch this week. Pete Hegseth, Donald Trumps nominee to lead the Department of Defense, is facing new challenges standing in the way of his appointment (Getty Images) A letter written by his mother in which she referred to him as an abuser of women for whom she had no respect drew gasps across the political media spectrum. Penelope Hegseths acidic denunciation of her son was published by The New York Times. In a follow-up letter she apologized; she did so as well in an interview with the Times, saying that her tone in the letter had been angry and emotional because of a particularly trying time in the family. But what she did not do was invalidate the content of the letter, wherein she said her son lies, cheats, sleeps around, and uses women for his power and ego. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Penelope Hegseth also appeared on Fox & Friends Wednesday morning in an apparent effort to paper over the damage caused by her letter to her son. In the interview, she claimed that being a TV host at Fox had prepared her son for the role of leading Americas armed services as secretary of defense. Being a TV news host prepares you for most things in a position like this: good communicator, think on your feet, take charge. Everybody should do a year with Fox! she said. Despite the backtracking, her original letter will generate further discussion around the allegations of sexual assault Hegseth faces from a woman who says he trapped her in a hotel room. He firmly denies these allegations, and says that the encounter was entirely consensual. Hegseth reached a financial settlement with the woman after authorities declined to charge him. Hegseths relationship-busting child that he fathered with a producer who worked at Fox while he was still married to his second wife will also, no doubt, continue to generate discussions about his character. On Tuesday, Vanity Fair dropped the latest bomb Hegseth admitted to five affairs during his first marriage alone, which itself lasted just four years. Donald Trump speaks with then-Fox and Friends host Pete Hegseth at a Wounded Warrior event. (Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) President-elect Donald Trump has done little to defend Hegseth in recent days, a possible sign of where things are headed. Recent statements from the presidential transition team have instead centered around praise for Kash Patel, Trumps pick to lead the FBI during his second term. Patel, a loyalist who has echoed calls to shut down the law enforcement agency entirely, represents another hard pill to swallow for many in the Senate Republican caucus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the bare minimum, Hegseth is headed for one of the most uncomfortable and public grillings by a Senate panel in recent memory. Theres little sign hes doing anything to avert it including meeting with some of the Republicans who will likely do the grilling. But Hegseths alleged problematic treatment of women is now just one of his issues. The second is the fog of questions emerging around his use or abuse of alcohol, and his conduct in such situations. His management of a major veterans group, Concerned Veterans for America, is now under the microscope. According to a whistleblower report obtained by The New Yorker, the group Hegseth once lead was forced to institute a no drinking policy at events in 2014 as a direct response to his behavior. Ive seen him drunk so many times. Ive seen him dragged away not a few times but multiple times. To have him at the Pentagon would be scary, one CVA figure told The New Yorker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth soon reversed the no drinking policy. Then, that same month, he was allegedly so drunk [at an event that] he tried to get on the stage and dance with the strippers. He has not addressed these claims, but they are, of course, damaging and come at an extremely inconvenient time. As senators return to Capitol Hill from the Thanksgiving holiday, we can likely expect to see some real movement one way or the other on Hegseth in the immediate future. So far, he has said nothing about the letter from his mother or the claims about his drinking. Whether he can continue to remain silent and what might happen if he speaks out is something were likely to find out very soon. Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trumps embattled pick for defense secretary, received the backing Monday of two former colleagues at a veterans organization. Unfortunately for Hegseth who was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel room in 2017one of those defending him was also accused of violence against a woman. The New Yorker reported Sunday the details of a whistleblower report submitted during Hegseths tenure running Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) from 2013 to 2016 that alleged he was repeatedly intoxicated on the job, led a senior management group that sexually pursued female employees, and ignored staff concerns about a sexual assault allegation against another male employee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The magazine reported that Hegseth resigned from the organization under pressure. But the allegations were contested on Monday. I was there for most of those alleged incidents, and this stuff is just complete fabrications, Sean Parnell, a retired U.S. Army captain who was a senior adviser at CVA while Hegseth ran the organization, told the online magazine Compact. Parnell, not to be confused with the former Republican governor of Alaska of the same name, suspended his bid for the Republican nomination for Senate in Pennsylvania in 2021 amid allegations of spousal and child abuse. His then-estranged wife told a court that he choked her and caused injury to their children. Parnell denied the claims, though a judge found her testimony credible at a custody hearing. (Parnell said this year that in November 2023 he has had shared legal and physical custody of his children and has adopted his new wifes two daughters.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was endorsed by Trump at the time. Parnell was joined by another former senior CVA member in rebuffing the allegations against Hegseth made in The New Yorker. Speaking anonymously, the other former member told Compact, These were false allegations made by a group of disgruntled employees fired by Pete. The anonymous former member and Parnell both insisted that Hegseth stepped down from CVA of his own accord, not under pressure. Trumps pick for the Pentagon has strenuously denied the 2017 sexual assault allegation against him, and police did not press charges after investigating the alleged incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The thrice-wed Hegseth said the encounter was consensual and that he paid the woman a settlement because, his lawyer said, he feared the allegations could derail his career as a Fox News host. Hegseths mother accused him of being an abuser of women in a 2018 email, though said she immediately apologized and regretted sending it. It is not true, she said of her words. It has never been true. The Trump campaign called The New York Times despicable for publishing the email Friday. Climate change poses a threat to US national parks like Yellowstone. Warmer temperatures and extreme weather impact both ecosystems and visitors. Advocates hope witnessing changes to the parks will inspire visitors to help protect them. Each year, over 300 million visitors explore the hundreds of parks that make up the US National Park system. These spaces offer unparalleled views of mountains and forests, immersing people in the sights and sounds of nature that are often missing from their everyday lives. But the national parks are in trouble. "Most of our parks have multiple assaults on them," Chad Lord, senior director of environmental policy and climate change with the National Parks Conservation Association advocacy group, told Business Insider. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From hotter, drier weather to invasive species to more powerful storms, many of the country's parks are experiencing dramatic changes. For example, warming temperatures are making glaciers disappear from Glacier National Park. From Alaska to Florida, here are six examples of how the climate crisis is changing national parks. Glacier National Park is a geological marvel. Grinnell Glacier at Glacier National Park in 1938. TJ Hileman/Glacier National Park Archives Montana's Glacier National Park sprawls over 1,500 miles, encompassing mountains, valleys, and glacial lakes. Even if you've never visited, you might recognize the park's Going-to-the-Sun Road, which was featured in the 1980 movie "The Shining." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout the park, grizzly bears graze on huckleberries. Little rodent-like pikas, lynx, and Harlequin ducks are also adapted to the area's chilly weather. Glacier National Park's glaciers are melting. Over the past 80 years, Grinnell Glacier has shrunk enormously due to warming temperatures. Lisa McKeon/USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center The park once held 80 glaciers. In 2015, NPS estimated only 26 were left. Satellites have captured the remaining few as they continue to shrink. Warming temperatures are driving the glaciers' disappearance, which will impact the plants and animals that live there. For example, mountain goats rely on snow patches to stay cool during the summer. In the winter, the snow helps keep tiny mouse-like rodents, called pikas, insulated from the bitter cold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denali National Park has breathtaking views. A bus takes visitors along Denali Park Road. Kent Miller/NPS Photo Together the Denali National Park and Preserve are larger than New Hampshire, stretching nearly 9,500 square miles of Alaskan terrain. Winter days there are short and cold, with temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit. The park originally began as a way to protect Dall sheep. Today, an estimated 2,000 big-horned sheep brave the chilly climate. Red foxes, snowshoe hares, and dozens of bird species are also around, in addition to grizzlies, wolves, and moose. Even a small wood frog, the park's only amphibian, can survive the subarctic environment. Part of Denali's road has been impassable for years. About half of Denali Road is obstructed by a landslide that keeps moving. WeeBee Aschenbrenner/NPS Photo Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the 1960s, the Pretty Rocks landslide began cracking the road leading to the park. In 2014, the landslide was moving a few inches every year. By 2021, it was moving a few inches per hour. The road is now closed at about its halfway point, cutting off vehicle access to sites like Wonder Lake. While the annual average temperature of the park was once well below freezing, it's now close to 32 F, according to NPS. The warmer weather and melting permafrost is making the landslide move more quickly. The road is cut into a rock glacier, "and little bits of climate warming are causing this big kind of slump, and the road is falling off the cliff," said Cassidy Jones, a senior visitation program manager with NPCA. The trees are tall and mighty at Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. Sequoias can be hundreds of feet tall and very wide, making some of the largest on Earth. Marji Lang/LightRocket via Getty Images At Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, visitors can enjoy over 1,300 square miles of trails, trees, foothills, and lakes. Groves of sequoia trees dominate some parts of the landscape, including the famous General Sherman tree towering almost 275 feet high. With its 100-foot circumference, it's one of the largest trees by volume in the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Closer to the ground, vivid flora like Evalyn's jewel flower grow and kingsnakes slither. Gophers, skunks, and squirrels scamper about, along with larger mammals like black bears, mule deer, and mountain lions. The parks span a range of habitats, making it a bird-watcher's paradise. A 2021 fire ravaged swaths of the Sequoia National Park. Thousands of sequoia trees burned during recent California fires. Joe Suarez/NPS In 2021, lightning struck several areas, igniting what became the KNP Complex Fire. A year earlier, the Castle Fire also ravaged Sequoia National Park. Fires over those two years killed between 8,400 to 12,000 sequoias. Some of the trees were thousands of years old. Forest fires aren't uncommon, but the sequoias were already vulnerable after a lengthy drought. A combination of low humidity and high temperatures can be a dangerous combination when fires erupt. "Fires have gotten bigger and hotter," Jones said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sequoias have long been able to withstand fires, she said. "It tells you something different is going on in terms of just the way the fire is behaving, in the amplification of fire weather," she said. Yellowstone is the US's first national park. Bison sometimes stop traffic in Yellowstone National Park. William Campbell-Corbis via Getty Images Covering 3,500 miles, most of it in Wyoming, Yellowstone became the US's first national park in 1872. It's home to Old Faithful, as well as many more geysers and hot springs. Visitors sometimes have to halt their vehicles for bison crossing the road, and moose, bobcats, badgers, bats, and the many other species that live in the park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, warmer temperatures are speeding up snowmelt, changing vegetation, and leading to less water in some areas all of which will likely force some wildlife to relocate. Every year, pronghorn antelope migrate through the park, a journey that's already risky as they cross over roads and fences. A lack of water and food could alter their path. Yellowstone experienced extensive damage during a flood in 2022. Flooding caused widespread damage in Yellowstone in 2022. Jacob W. Frank/National Park Service via Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A mix of rain and snowmelt caused severe flooding in June 2022. The rushing water damaged roads, structures, and trails. NPS called it an unprecedented, 500-year flood. While the disaster was rare, warmer temperatures are increasing snowmelt and rain is falling instead of snow. Floods could become more common as the climate continues to change. Death Valley has breathtaking views, day and night. Despite its desert climate, Death Valley is home to many species of plants and animals. George Rose/Getty Images Along the California-Nevada border, Death Valley draws visitors keen to see the salt flats, sand dunes, and craters. It's 3.4 million acres of wilderness, making it one of the largest national parks in the country. At night, its remote location and aridity make it ideal for stargazing. The scorching desert climate might not seem hospitable to many kinds of life. Yet jackrabbits, bats, tortoises, and roadrunners have all thrived in the park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Death Valley is getting hotter by the year. Death Valley's summers are getting hotter. J. Jurado/National Park Service Extreme heat is nothing new for Death Valley. But in recent years, temperatures regularly soar past 125 degrees Fahrenheit in July. Plus, triple-digits can extend into October, and the nights don't get as cool. The sizzling weather can be dangerous for visitors and residents, and plants and animals have difficulty coping, too. Some animals may start migrating to cooler climates, but some species may not survive. For example, the extremely rare Devils Home pupfish population, found only in Death Valley, has been in decline since the 1990s. The Everglades host a wealth of biodiversity. A satellite image of Ingraham Lake in the Everglades in 1984. Google Earth Located in Southern Florida, the Everglades National Park is a patchwork of unique ecosystems, from mangroves to pinelands. With 1.5 million acres of land, it has space for estuaries, giant cypress trees, and marshy rivers. With so many habitats, a huge range of species create the delicate web of life that is the Everglades. Dozens of species of lizards and snakes scuttle and slither, while ducks, doves, and nighthawks mingle not far from flamingos. River otters and manatees also swim through different parts of the park. Sea-level rise threatens the Everglades' Cape Sable. Cape Sable sits at the bottom of the Everglades. Google Earth Elevated temperatures, more-intense hurricanes, and rising sea levels are among the challenges the Everglades face. When salty seawater seeps into the park's coastal landscape, it can harm rare tropical orchids and other vegetation that can't cope with increased salinity. Cape Sable lies at Florida's southwestern tip. Sea levels have risen at an accelerated pace over the last 100 years, according to NPS. Hurricanes and tropical storms have washed seawater into what was once freshwater marshes and lakes. The incursion threatens not only mangrove forests but wildlife like the Cape Sable seaside sparrow, which is only found in this unique habitat. Read the original article on Business Insider TRI-CITIES, Tenn./Va. (WJHL) Snow arrived in several areas across Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia Monday night into Tuesday morning. Below are photos sent to News Channel 11 showing snow around the area: Credit: Anthony Wieder (Flag Pond) Credit: Robert Thomas (Flag Pond) Credit: Robert Thomas (Flag Pond) Credit: Robert Thomas (Flag Pond) Credit: Trina Mathes (Chuckey) Credit: Trina Mathes (Chuckey) The latest Storm Team 11 forecast calls for temperatures to stay cold with low to mid-30s in the Tri-Cities and 20s in the mountains. As of 8 a.m., Flag Pond received 4.5 inches of snow, followed by Fall Branch with 4 inches. 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. FAYETTE COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) A Gordo man was killed in a car crash in Fayette County on Sunday night, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Alandis Smith, 29, was fatally injured when the Toyota Highlander he was operating left the road, overturned and hit an embankment. The crash occurred around 8:36 p.m. on Alabama 159 about five miles south of Fayette. 20-year-old man killed in Fayette County crash Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith, who reportedly was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. Troopers with the ALEAs Highway Patrol Division are investigating the crash. 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. Russia is landing military aircraft on newly refurbished runways under its control in Libya as the Kremlin quickly expands its footprint in Africa, satellite images show. Telegraph analysis of three Libyan air bases found Russian military transport planes, upgraded runways, bolstered perimeter defences and entirely new buildings changes that all occurred this year. The upgrades suggest that Russia is significantly ramping up its military presence in Libya, thanks to a growing partnership with Libyan warlord General Khalifa Haftar, who controls the eastern and southern parts of the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Libya serves as the core for Russias fast-expanding operations in Africa, paving the way for greater access to countries including Sudan, Mali, Chad, and the Central African Republic. Experts say military control in Libya also allows Russia to draw an arc of power from the eastern Mediterranean where it already controls coastal positions in Syria down to the southern Mediterranean via Libya. On Tuesday last week, Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, Russias deputy defence minister, visited Libya to meet with Gen Haftar in his sixth visit since August 2023, underscoring deepening relations. Satellite images of al-Qardabiyah air base on Nov 10 2023 (Maxar Technologies) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has been using Libya as a strategic foothold to project power across the rest of the African continent, said Charles Cater, the director of investigations at The Sentry, a Washington DC-based nonprofit that focuses on corruption. Details in the satellite images were corroborated with The Sentry, which draws on its local investigations and interviews with insiders and eyewitnesses. By capitalising on fractured governance and rampant corruption as well as the apparent complacency of regional and international powers, Moscow has increasingly entrenched itself militarily and economically within Libya, Mr Cater said. Russian forces began to revamp facilities at Brak al-Shatti military base in central Libya at the start of this year. Upgrades meant that by April, Russian military aircraft were able to land at Brak on an airstrip that had gone unused for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April, Russian forces managed four maritime deliveries through the port of Tobruk in north-eastern Libya, close to the border with Egypt. Equipment that arrived military vehicles and ammunition later ended up at Russian-controlled bases in Libya, including at Brak, according to experts at The Sentry. Russian military planes continue to land at and depart from Brak, indicating supply deliveries are ongoing. An Ilyushin-76, a Russian military plane, was confirmed on the ground in mid-September, as shown in a satellite image provided to The Telegraph by Maxar Technologies. As recently as early November, an Ilyushin-76 was also captured via satellite images at the al-Jufra air base, situated in central Libya, roughly 200 miles north of the Brak facility. An Ilyushin-76 at Brak airbase on April 18 2024 - Maxar Technologies Overview of al-Jufra air base in April 2023 - Maxar Technologies Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Military cargo planes routinely land at al-Jufra, as well as MiG-29 fighter jets and Su-24 bombers Russian combat aircraft that help Gen Haftar keep control over his territory. Experts say while the military equipment arriving remains at Gen Haftars disposal, some supplies are also moving to other African countries. Tarek Megerisi, a senior fellow who specialises in Libya at the European Council on Foreign Relations, estimated that thousands of tonnes of weapons had been delivered over the past year. Further north to the al-Jufra facility is the al-Qardabiyah air base, near Libyas Mediterranean coast. Al-Qardabiyah has undergone the most extensive renovations over the last year out of the three bases examined by The Telegraph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian forces have fortified the base, adding new installations, revamping runways and bolstering perimeter defences. Several new buildings have been constructed, visible in satellite images from November, compared to a year ago. More vehicles are also now present at the base. Al-Qardabiyah as of Dec 2023, before Russian forces began upgrading facilities - Maxar Technologies The Russian military has become ubiquitous at al-Qardabiyah, where it also trains Gen Haftars forces. Theyve become so rooted that experts at The Sentry say the generals brigades must seek permission to access the Russian-controlled bases on Libyan soil. Russian troop numbers had dwindled significantly from their 3,000-strong peak in 2020 partly due to the Ukraine war, but are starting to return to those levels. Some expert estimates now put the total figure at around 2,000 personnel. Upgraded facilities and extensive renovations at Al-Qardabiyah air base in November 2024 - Maxar Technologies An increased footprint in Libya gives Moscow the ability to impact political, security and economic stability along Natos southern flank, whether that means flexing military muscle or disrupting energy markets by manipulating Libyas role as a major exporter of crude oil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With money and presence and military troops comes also political standing, said Chiara Lovotti, a research fellow who focuses on Russias foreign policy in the Middle East and North Africa at the Italian Institute for International Political Studies. Its all a way for Moscow, for the Kremlin to make money, she said. Taken together, Russias growing power poses a threat to Europes presence Natos presence. Continuing to have access to Libya is so important that Moscow has also made overtures to the countrys UN-recognised government, headed by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, the prime minister an apparent move to hedge its bets with Gen Haftar. The general, who is thought to have received military training in the former Soviet Union, has allowed Russia access to extract natural resources by handing over control of strategic oilfields. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The partnership began as a marriage of convenience, said Ms Lovotti. Haftar needed some international support back then when he came to power, after the fall of and death of former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The Russians were there; they were looking for an entrance to the country, and Haftar gave them this opportunity. A brigade controlled by Gen Haftar held an official ceremony with 500 Libyan soldiers in Dec last year - Maxar Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Russia, Libya has become a key customer for its energy products, banned by nations including the UK and US after sanctions were announced following Moscows invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Despite having vast oil resources, Libya lacks the ability to refine crude oil, forcing the nation to buy fuel from abroad most recently in vast quantities from Russia. Oil deals between Russia and Libya have also been smoothed over given Gen Haftars influence over Farhat Bengdara, named in 2022 as the chairman of Libyas National Oil Corporation, a vast state body that oversees the countrys oil industry. The fact is that Russia, another near-peer adversary like China, is seeing an open goal in Libya given the Wests disengagement, and using Libya to further its interests, which in this case involves access to discounted oil, said Alia Brahimi, a non-resident senior fellow who specialises in the Middle East and North Africa at the Atlantic Council. Private mercenary group The increased flurry of Russian activity in Libya follows a reorganisation of the private mercenary group Wagner after the death of its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prigozhin died in a plane crash in August 2023, just two months after his failed coup attempt against Vladimir Putin, the Russian president. Shortly after, Wagners operations in Africa, which had waned in recent years as Russia moved resources to support its invasion of Ukraine, suddenly began to expand again this time, under a new name: Africa Corps. Last December, a Haftar-controlled brigade held an official ceremony with 500 Libyan soldiers, visible in satellite images. The high-profile event at the al-Qardabiyah air base was aimed at giving the false impression that Gen Haftar controlled the base, not Russia, according to The Sentry. The end game is very precise: One, its extracting the most from the country in terms of military cooperation... of making money, said Ms Lovotti. The other is bigger, broader and more geopolitical its power, status, recognition; if they engage in Libya, the Russians become more powerful. 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. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Authorities on the Pine Ridge Reservation are looking for three people in connection to a recent shooting. The Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety says it happened in Pine Ridge on Monday. Authorities say Daecin High Wolf, Timohni Janis, and Ryan White Eyes are persons of interest in the incident. Edgemont school put on lockdown Tuesday morning They may be in Rapid City or the surrounding areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities say they are considered armed and dangerous. If you have any information about where they may be, do not approach and call law enforcement. 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. TOPEKA (KSNT) A Topeka man accused of raping and killing a young girl at a homeless camp may be about to change his plea. Mickel Cherry is currently charged with capital murder and rape in the 2023 death of 5-year-old Zoey Felix. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges. If convicted of capital murder, Cherry could face the death penalty. Cherry was expected to appear in court this week for a status conference. But according to court documents filed by prosecutors on Dec. 2, he will instead be in court Dec. 13 for a plea hearing. Cherry remains in custody at the Shawnee County jail on a $2 million bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details of a possible plea deal are unavailable at this time. KSNT 27 News reached out to both Shawnee County District Attorney Michael Kagays office and the team of public defenders with the Kansas Death Penalty Defense Unit who represent Cherry for comment. Cherrys defense team declined to comment, but confirmed their client was scheduled to enter a new plea on Dec. 13. We had not heard back from the district attorneys office by the time of this articles publication. Topeka police said Cherry raped and killed Felix on October 2, 2023, near a campsite in southeast Topeka where she and her father were reportedly living after they were kicked out of their home. Felixs death resulted in the Kansas Department of Children and Families changing its policy after an investigation found human error prevented the agency from learning about her living situation. If you are aware of a family who may need support, there are resources in the community that can help. Anyone in the state can use 1-800-CHILDREN. If you suspect a child may be the victim of abuse or neglect, you are urged to call the Kansas Protection Report Center at 1-800-922-5330. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. 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 KSNT 27 News. Malaysia is facing widespread devastation after unprecedented monsoon rain flooded swathes of the country, killing six people and forcing over 150,000 to flee their homes. The prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, said some parts of the east coast received more than six months worth of rainfall in just five days, causing significant damage to infrastructure, homes and farmland. Between 26 and 30 November, towns such as Tumpat and Tanah Merah in the Kelantan region recorded over 1,167mm rainfall while Besut in neighbouring Terengganu saw a staggering 1,761mm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Addressing the parliament, Mr Anwar said the rainfall was "far beyond expectations" and unprecedented in its intensity. Although floodwaters have begun to recede in some areas since, the government remains on alert for a second wave of flooding. Meteorologists have predicted more heavy rainfall as a monsoon surge approaches on 8 December. In Tumpat, one of the worst-affected areas, some people returned on Monday to find their homes and businesses in ruins. Many discovered collapsed walls, broken roofs, and waterlogged furniture scattered across their properties. An aerial view shows houses surrounded by floodwaters after heavy rain in Tumpat in Malaysia on 2 December 2024 (AFP via Getty) A reclining Buddha statue is surrounded by floodwaters after heavy rain in Tumpat (AFP via Getty) Muhamad Alim, a shopkeeper whose food store was submerged, recalled the terrifying night the waters surged through his home. Electricity was cut off, and there was no water supply, he said. So, we were stuck, sitting there as if we were in the middle of the sea, surrounded by water. You could hear the sound of water rushing, cutting through the silence of the night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Government data indicates that 85,000 people remain in temporary shelters, down from over 150,000 at the height of the disaster. The floods have caused extensive damage to roads and other infrastructure, with repair costs estimated at 177m. An aerial view shows houses surrounded by floodwaters after heavy rain in Tumpat, Malaysia, on 2 December 2024 (AFP via Getty) A car lies submerged after days of heavy rain in Tumpat in Malaysias Kelantan state on 30 November 2024 (AFP via Getty) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emergency workers have been using boats to deliver food and supplies to the affected areas. The devastation extends beyond Malaysia, with neighbouring Thailand also grappling with the aftermath of heavy rainfall. Flooding in southern Thailand has claimed 25 lives and affected over 300,000 households, with thousands of people still staying in shelters. Schools and nearly 100 health facilities in the region remain closed due to the deluge. Thai authorities have warned of more heavy rain between 3 and 5 December, heightening fears of flash floods and river overflows. A Buddhist monk sits on the second floor of a building surrounded by floodwaters in Tumpat, Malaysia (AFP via Getty) Royal Malaysia Police transport residents on a boat through floodwaters after days of heavy rain in Tumpat (AFP via Getty) The economic impact has been severe, particularly on agriculture, as thousands of acres of rice paddies have been inundated. Transport networks across the affected regions have been disrupted, complicating relief work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tourism in southern Thailand, a popular destination for Malaysian holidaymakers, has suffered as well, with officials advising against travel to the area. People use a boat through a flooded street during heavy rain in Pasir Puteh, Malaysia, on 30 November 2024 (AFP via Getty) As both countries prepare for another monsoon surge, emergency measures are being ramped up to protect lives and property. Mr Anwar stressed his governments commitment to supporting those affected, saying efforts are underway to prevent further devastation. Additional reporting by agencies. After years of debate, nearly two miles of fencing that prevented Point Reyes National Seashore tule elk from accessing water and competing for food with nearby cattle will be removed, the National Park Service announced Monday. The 8-foot-high, 2.2-mile enclosure fence, which was decried as inhumane by animal rights activists but supported by cattle ranchers, will be removed along with all temporary water systems. "We analyzed three alternatives and incorporated feedback from over 35,000 public comment letters gathered during three comment periods," said Anne Altman, park superintendent, in a media statement. "The benefit of removing this enclosure is to allow elk to access additional habitat, increase the species population resilience during drought, and promote a more natural population cycle." The National Park Service said it will remove two miles of fencing enclosing tule elk at Point Reyes National Seashore. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) In 2021, the federal agency released a report that showed more than one third of the 445 elk fenced in at Tomales Point at the time had died the previous winter, reducing the population to 293. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Environmental and animal activists called on the Park Service to remove the fence, saying that it prevented the elk from reaching fresh water outside of the enclosure. Animal rights groups tried to bring water to the elk in 2020 but were rebuffed. The fence was first installed in 1978 after tule elk were reintroduced to Tomales Point. The minimum population estimate for the herd is 315 elk, according to NPS' 2024 annual count. Their fenced-down freedom is expected to, both quickly and over time, improve the health of the herd. Significantly, it will reduce the number of elk deaths from thirst and starvation during Californias hot, dry summer and autumn seasons. 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. Dec. 3Two police departments in Dayton's suburbs recently started offering a tool to help drivers who have autism better communicate with law enforcement in the event of them being involved in a traffic stop. The blue envelopes are covered with instructions for both the driver and the police officer carrying out the stop. Those include reminders to the officer about stimuli that may distract the driver, and cautions to the driver about sudden movements. They also include a checkbox to indicate if the driver is verbal or nonverbal. Centerville and Vandalia's police departments said they introduced the program in November after a resident from each department's jurisdiction suggested it based on it being used in other police departments nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The envelope can be filled with important vehicle documentation, including a contact card, vehicle insurance card, vehicle registration and copy of a driver's license. The program is seen as beneficial for both community safety and officer training, according to officer Ryan Turner, spokesman for Centerville Police Department which posted to Facebook about the envelopes Nov. 18. "It not only keeps people safe out there, but officers safe too ... how to handle situations where it's unknown to them, unknown to us," Turner told this news outlet. The American Psychiatric Association notes that there is wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms people with autism experience, but that common issues can include repetitive behaviors, and difficulty communicating and interacting with other people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vandalia, which shared on Nov. 5 that it was implementing the measure, also is scheduled to hold an open discussion on Autism and the Police starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4. The event will offer a question-and-answer session and is aimed at helping tackle what police can do better and what people with autism might encounter when they talk to police, according to Vandalia crime prevention officer Rich Sommer. The blue envelopes can be picked up at each respective police department, Vandalia's at 245 James E. Bohanan Drive and Centerville's at 155 W. Spring Valley Pike. Washington Twp. resident Alicia Debevec, whose son is autistic, said she saw the Vandalia police post and forwarded it to Centerville police to suggest that they do the same. "It's pretty amazing how quickly they took that feedback and put it into practice," Debevec said. LOS ANGELES (AP) A Hawaii woman who vanished after landing in Los Angeles three weeks ago disappeared voluntarily as she sought to step away from modern connectivity and was last seen crossing into Mexico with her luggage, police said at a news conference where they urged her to contact her distraught family. Hannah Kobayashi, 30, appeared unharmed as she walked alone into a covered walkway at the San Ysidro crossing about 125 miles (201 kilometers) southeast of Los Angeles around noon on Nov. 12, the day after her family reported her missing, LA police said Monday. Authorities made the discovery after reviewing surveillance video from U.S. Customs and Border Protection late Sunday. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said there is no evidence Kobayashi was being trafficked or was otherwise a victim of a crime. Her disappearance is now classified as a voluntary missing person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve basically done everything we can do at this point. Shes left the country and in another nation now, he said, adding that if she returns to the U.S., law enforcement will be notified. McDonnell said she has a right to her privacy, but urged her to reach out to her family or law enforcement. A simple message could reassure those who care about her, McDonnell said. He explained that the missing person case will remain active until her safety is confirmed by law enforcement. Kobayashi went missing after the budding photographer from Maui didnt make a connecting flight to New York on Nov. 8 to travel for a new job and to visit relatives. She told her family she would sleep in the Los Angeles International Airport that night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Family members assumed she was on standby for another flight, according to her aunt, Larie Pidgeon. The next day, Kobayashi texted them to say she was sightseeing in Los Angeles, planning to visit The Grove shopping mall and downtown LA, Pidgeon said. On Nov. 11, the family received strange and cryptic, just alarming text messages from her phone that referenced her being intercepted as she got on a Metro train and being scared that someone might be stealing her identity, her aunt said. Her father, Ryan Kobayashi, who had been in the search party along with volunteers, was found dead by apparent suicide on Sunday, Nov. 24, in a parking lot near LA International Airport, police and her family said. McDonnell said during a police commission meeting last Tuesday that detectives determined Hannah Kobayashi missed her connecting flight intentionally. Kobayashi's sister, Sydni Kobayashi, disputed his statement in a social media post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Monday that after Hannah Kobayashi was seen in various locations around LA, she requested that her luggage, which had been checked to New York, be sent back to LAX. She then returned to the airport to retrieve it on Nov. 11 and did not have her phone when she left again, according to police. Investigators found that she had expressed the desire to step away from modern connectivity." Police also identified and questioned a man that Kobayashi was seen with on the Metro. He was cooperative and said he met her at LAX, police said. Sydni Kobayashi did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Members of the public who were in the Help Us Find Hannah Facebook group, which garnered the interest of more than 25,000 participants, shared a post from the group Monday that said the family would be shutting the group down after threats against their lives and the lives of their small children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The post also said Sydni Kobayashi and her mother would not be responding to any messages. Authorities in Mexico said Tuesday that they've been been alerted about the missing woman, but havent received any official request to search for her. Up to now, there has not been any formal complaint filed with the state prosecutor's office on the disappearance of this woman," said an official with the Baja California state prosecutors office who was not authorized to speak publicly about the case. "Baja authorities are completely willing to help American authorities on this case, and agents have been alerted about her case if she is found." During the Los Angeles news conference, the police chief reflected on all that the family had endured these last few weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My ask would be to anybody considering doing this, think about the people youre leaving behind, your loved ones who are going to be worried sick about you, McDonnell said. ___ The story has been updated to correct the location of San Ysidro to southeast of Los Angeles, not southwest. ___ EDITORS NOTE This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org. ___ Golden reported from Seattle. Associated Press journalists Christopher Weber in Los Angeles and Mark Stevenson in Mexico City contributed to this report. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) A 14-year-old Roger Williams Middle School student is facing charges after reportedly assaulting a teacher Monday, according to police. Lindsay Lague, a spokesperson for the Providence Police Department, said the 61-year-old teacher was trying to intervene in a fight between two students when one of them grabbed her by the neck and walked her back a few steps. Lague said the student has been charged with assault on a teacher and disorderly conduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Dec. 3The Albuquerque Police Department is looking for two men it believes are connected to the death of Matthew Aragon, who was found dead in Northwest Albuquerque last month. Preston Ball, 25, and Adam Perrucci, 32, both of Albuquerque, are being charged with an open count of murder, APD spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos said. The criminal complaints for both men have been sealed, according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aragon, who was reported missing by family, was last seen leaving his home Nov. 22 in a 2014 white Chrysler. The vehicle later was seen near Fourth Street and Montano Road, but Aragon was not in it, Gallegos said. Anyone with information about Ball and Perrucci is asked to call APD at 505-242-COPS. A 35-year-old man in San Bernardino County has been arrested after authorities say an investigation found he had inappropriate online communication with a minor. The investigation, according to a news release from the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department, began in Oct. 2023 after detectives with the departments crimes against children detail received a tip from the Department of Children and Family Services that the 35-year-old was engaging in illegal behavior with a 16-year-old. Irish pub in Orange County asks for stolen sign back, no questions asked Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators identified the suspect as Chino Hills resident Timothy Holub, who went by the online screen name httechtims5. During the online communication, Holub asked the minor to engage in lewd acts, the release stated. Timothy Holub, 35, a resident of Chino Hills. (SBSD) The 35-year-old was arrested and booked at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga for possession of child pornography, distributing or showing a minor pornography and contacting a minor for a sexual offense. Maui woman who vanished in Los Angeles seen voluntarily crossing into Mexico Holubs bail was set at $60,000. It is unclear, however, if he remains in custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given the nature of the crimes, detectives believe there may be additional victims and released Holubs photo for identification purposes. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Michael Erwin of the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department, Crimes Against Children Details at 909-890-4904. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the WeTip Hotline at 800-782-7463 or leave tips online at www.wetip.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 KTLA. SMITHFIELD, R.I. (WPRI) An hours-long standoff with a man experiencing a change in mental status has ended peacefully, according to Smithfield police. Police said it started around noon on Monday when the 59-year-old man barricaded himself in a home on Elmgrove Avenue. He was believed to be armed. Officers and the crisis negotiation team communicated with the man throughout the night into Tuesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just before 7 a.m., police were able to deescalate the situation and transport the man to the hospital for evaluation. Its unclear if a weapon was found. Police said no criminal charges have been filed at this time. While the standoff was happening, a neighbor told 12 News she was surprised to see such a large police presence in her neighborhood. Another said she had to walk through the woods with her groceries to get to her house. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking 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 WPRI.com. A week after the premiere of a Netflix docuseries on the unsolved death of JonBenet Ramsey, police maintained their dedication to finding the little girls killer but refused to say whether they have any promising leads at this time. Its obvious that the Boulder Police Department wants to solve this case and the only reason is to bring justice to the victim, a spokeswoman for the Boulder, Colorado, police department said in an email Monday. Six-year-old JonBenet Ramsey was found beaten and strangled in the basement of her familys stately Boulder home nearly three decades ago. Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey, a three-part Netflix documentary, has renewed interest in the death of the young beauty pageant queen whose 1996 killing mesmerized the public, prompting relentless cable news coverage and making headlines around the world. JonBenet Ramsey at a beauty pageant in 1996. The Boulder police spokeswoman declined to answer questions from NBC News about tips authorities were investigating in the case and instead referred to a video statement from last week from Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn in which he said he and everyone else who has worked on JonBenets case would love nothing more than to bring justice to her memory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His statement came a day after the release of the Netflix series, which takes viewers back to the morning after Christmas 28 years ago, when JonBenets mother called 911 to report finding a rambling ransom note and her daughter missing. It was JonBenets father who discovered the girls body that afternoon and who then carried her upstairs himself, destroying the integrity of the crime scene and leading to widespread criticism of the Boulder police departments handling of the case from the start. There are a number of things that people have pointed to throughout the years that could have been done better, and we acknowledge that is true, Redfearn said in the video released by the Boulder police department on X last Tuesday. However, it is important to emphasize that while we cannot go back to that horrible day in 1996, our goal is to find JonBenet Ramseys killer. Our commitment to that has never wavered. Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn gave a statement ahead of the 28th anniversary of the murder of JonBenet Ramsey. Finding JonBenets killer has been elusive thus far. While her family lived under a cloud of suspicion for years, in 2008 prosecutors apologized to her parents and brother in a letter that said they were not considered suspects. The Netflix docuseries does not point the finger at any single suspect but does highlight her fathers hope that new DNA testing might solve the case. (JonBenets mother, Patsy, died of cancer at age 49 in 2006.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe it can be solved if the police accept help from outside their system, John Ramsey told the TODAY show last month before the docuseries premiered. Thats been the flaw for 25 years. The Boulder police department said it has followed up on all tips and has not worked in a silo. The assertion that there is viable evidence and leads we are not pursuing to include DNA testing is completely false, it said on X last week. Additionally, it was the Boulder Police Department not the Colorado Bureau of Investigation who convened the Cold Case Review Panel in December 2023 as part of its investigation efforts, the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department said that it typically releases an annual update on the case in December but chose to release one earlier than usual this year due to the increased attention on this investigation." In his video message, Redfearn said he welcomed news coverage that will allow us to finally bring the killer or killers to justice. JonBenet would have been 34 years old this year, he said. Of course, those who loved and knew JonBenet continued to grieve. This crime also haunts the Boulder community, especially every officer and detective whos ever been a part of this investigation. Every single one of them thinks about her and would love nothing more than to bring justice to her memory. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Fresh from their November victories, Republican lawmakers and expected appointees to the incoming Trump administration are already working to help the president achieve his campaign promise of abolishing the U.S. Department of Education. Notable Trump surrogates Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, each promised seats on a proposed commission to eliminate government waste, have publicly endorsed the idea, while Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota filed new legislation to initiate a shutdown process before the new Congress was even seated. Education is at a Crossroads: Help Us Illuminate the Path Forward. Donate to The 74 Those moves are the first rumblings of a struggle that could last well into Trumps second term, and possibly beyond. The drive to abolish the department hasnt been this salient, or plausible, since the Reagan era. Yet any effort to meaningfully reduce Washingtons role in funding and regulating Americas schools would face a swell of resistance, as transformative changes in politics usually do. Several experts agreed that the combination of political and administrative hurdles is likely to prove so intractable that a more incremental approach, possibly focused on slashing the departments workforce, may prevail instead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related McMahons Metamorphosis: Ed Nominees Journey Mirrors the GOPs Turn to Trump Whatever course the administration adopts will, at least in part, depend upon the outlook of Linda McMahon, the president-elects nominee to serve as education secretary. Despite previously serving in the first Trump administration and leading the conservative America First Policy Institute, McMahons own views on K12 schools remain mostly opaque. In a statement announcing her nomination, Trump specified that she would be charged with sending education governance back to the states. David Houston, George Mason University David Houston, a professor of education at George Mason University, said that Republicans had good reason to be cautious about taking decisive action against an entity whose functions which largely consist of subsidies to both K12 and higher education, as well as civil rights enforcement and data collection are little understood outside the capital. People generally dont have a precise understanding of what exactly the U.S. Department of Education does, but saying youll get rid of it reads generically as being anti-education, he said. That strikes me as a very heavy albatross to hang around your neck come the midterms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related Project 2025 Would Cut Ed. Dept., Fulfill GOP K-12 Wish List Under Trump Public opinion research appears to support Houstons skepticism. When the polling organization YouGov administered a survey in July asking voters their views on assorted proposals from the controversial Project 2025 policy document for Trumps second term, respondents rejected the notion of unwinding the Department of Education by a 63-26 margin; their numbers were much smaller than those who said they would favor a ban on pornography or returning to the use of the gold standard. (In response to its unpopularity, Trumps campaign pointedly kept Project 2025 at arms length.) Still, perceptions of any government office can be moved. A recent Pew poll showed that the percentage of Americans who viewed the department positively had fallen from 53 percent in 2018 to just 45 percent this summer, with 46 percent holding a negative view; in all, it was tied with the Justice Department as the second-least-popular federal agency polled, behind only the IRS. Meanwhile, a majority of respondents polled by CBS News said they were excited or optimistic about what Trump would do as president. If any agency is vulnerable to substantial cuts, I'd say it's the one. Chris Edwards, Cato Institute Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chris Edwards, a tax and budget analyst at the libertarian Cato Institute who maintains an online directory of plans to shrink virtually every government department and major expenditure, said the Education Department stood out as a particularly viable target. It has only been around for 40 years, so people walking around today remember when there wasnt one, he said. The patron saint of the Republican Party, Ronald Reagan, promised to eliminate it years ago. So if any agency is vulnerable to substantial cuts, Id say its the one. A decline in trust In all likelihood, the department will be one of several facing some level of belt-tightening. Musk has said he wants to reduce government spending by $2 trillion annually, a figure that raised eyebrows inside of Washington and out. But regardless of whether his newly created Department of Government Efficiency succeeds in making a real dent in the budget, voters have indicated in recent years that they want to spend less on a smaller portfolio of federal programs. Martin West, an economist at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, agreed that Pews long-running surveys revealed that the Department of Education sat on the low end of support among government bureaus. But drops in support over the last half-decade have occurred across the board, affecting even well-liked offices like the U.S. Postal Service and the Centers for Disease Control. The swoon reflects an electorate that has believed for years that the country is on the wrong track, he added. Martin West, Harvard University Theres been a decline in trust in large institutions generally, and I would interpret that change as a broader phenomenon rather than anything specific to education, said West. But it does shift the lay of the land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its impossible to say, however, where the ground will settle particularly when any ambitious initiative led by Trump will very likely disturb it further. Political science research has long suggested that the political views of Americans tend to work like a thermostat, moving in the opposite direction of the party in power. Hence, voters became more welcoming of immigration after Trump was first elected in 2016, only to reverse course after he was succeeded by Joe Biden. Related Polling Data: Presidents Split the Public on Schools Similar patterns play out with respect to education. A study co-authored by Houston found that U.S. presidents tend to polarize public opinion every time they take a highly publicized stand on issues like standardized testing or school vouchers. Though few voters hold strong opinions on such questions, they quickly take cues based on their appraisal of the president; only in cases when the presidents position cut against the traditional views associated with his party such as Barack Obamas support for charter schools and teacher merit pay did his endorsement drive support for a given policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Trump launches a substantive attack on the K12 bureaucracy, I would expect Republican support for eliminating the Department of Education to shoot through the roof, and Democratic opposition to do the same, Houston predicted. Its an obviously polarizing dynamic because Trump is laying out a position that has always historically fallen within the Republican camp. Enough juice The idea of abolishing the department already splits voters deeply. According to YouGovs poll from earlier this year, 53 percent of Republicans were open to the proposal, compared with 28 percent of independents and just 8 percent of Democrats. The divide would probably open even wider if Republicans in Congress chose the simplest means of abolition and simply voted the agency out of existence. But that course, while direct, is uncertain: It would rely on the Senate majoritys ability to summon 60 votes in favor to overcome a sure Democratic filibuster. Most observers believe that to be an insurmountable obstacle. By contrast, a more plodding approach could be more achievable, while potentially veering further from the risk of publicity and voter outrage. A combination of legislation permitted through the reconciliation process, which allows budgetary bills to pass with only 51 votes and executive action could be used to distribute the departments various responsibilities and resources to other cabinet offices. A future administration might, for example, see the Department of Justice deciding Title IX claims and the Department of the Interior presiding over schools on American Indian territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related Back to the Future: GOP Pledge to Abolish Education Department Returns Catos Edwards analogized the opportunity before Trump to the brief period in the 1990s when President Bill Clinton teamed with the GOP to reform welfare. But that dramatic stroke, he argued, came only after the public discourse around cash benefits had played out in both parties. While the Republican Party first vowed to eliminate federal interventions in schools over 40 years ago, its plans have yet to make headway with the broader public. Kevin Kosar, American Enterprise Institute Its doable, but the president has got to make the argument for it, Edwards said. Welfare reform happened in 1996 because conservatives and even centrists spent over a decade making a case about why traditional welfare was harmful and in need of reform. Whether Trump is up for doing something like that, we dont know. Kevin Kosar, a senior fellow at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute who focuses on Congress and the federal bureaucracy, noted that government programs, once introduced, tend to be sticky. Even if big-ticket items like Title I aid for high-poverty schools and IDEA grants for students with special needs are devolved to states, or elsewhere within the federal government, it wont necessarily diminish the prominence of government in K12 schooling. Go ahead, abolish the Department of Education, Kosar said. But if you scatter all of its programs to other departments, youve gotten rid of 4,100 people, and you have to hire people in other departments to process those grants and aid applications anyway. So how much juice are you getting from that? Atlanta has a new City Council member, and her name is Eshe Collins. The 44-year-old civil rights attorney and veteran Atlanta Board of Education member is projected to defeat business owner Nicole Evans Jones in their post 3 at-large runoff race on Tuesday. Collins received more than 59% of the estimated 12,400 votes cast in Fulton County as of 10:56 p.m. Tuesday, with nearly 92% of precincts reporting, election data shows. Evans Jones received nearly 41% of Fulton County votes. The race also included East Atlanta precincts in DeKalb County, where Collins received more than 65% of all votes cast as of 9:49 p.m. ET. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An elated Collins described her victory as surreal Wednesday morning, expressing gratitude to voters who endured cold weather to cast ballots for her. Thank you for believing in me, she said. Thank you for asking the tough questions to understand where our thoughts were, where my experience lies, what I hope to bring in this seat. Collins campaign message centered on making Atlanta more affordable for everyone. The inflation-fueled higher cost of living in metro Atlanta has been a source of major frustration for Black voters this election cycle, especially the high cost of rent and lack of affordable housing. Collins plan to improve affordability includes adjusting the citys area median income formula to better reflect the needs of low-income renters. She also seeks to strengthen legislative requirements put on real estate developers hired to increase the citys affordable housing stock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the things that we love about Atlanta is the cultural diversity that this city has, Collins said on Wednesday. Its important that we build a system of affordability that allows that for everyone. Not just some of us, but for everyone. Collins will fill the remainder of the four-year term vacated by former municipal lawmaker Keisha Sean Waites, who resigned earlier this year to launch a failed bid to become the next Fulton County Superior Court Clerk. She will have to vacate her seat on the Atlanta Board of Education, according to APS communications director Seth Coleman. Evans Jones and Collins were the top two vote recipients in a Nov. 5 general election field of five City Council contenders. A runoff election was announced in accordance with state law after none of the candidates received more than 50% of all votes. The two runoff contenders have similar positions on issues important to Black Atlanta voters, both stressing the importance of creating more affordable housing, supporting the office of inspector generals battle against corruption, and addressing income inequality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both women say their resumes set them apart. Collins, who served more than a decade on the Atlanta Board of Education, characterized herself as the more experienced candidate. Experience matters in this role, Collins told Capital B Atlanta on Monday. This is a citywide seat. It is a key factor, particularly for the [affordability] movement and the sense of urgency we need. Evans Jones argued that shes accomplished more in the education field during her time working as a K-12 counselor and principal. Her campaign emphasized transportation infrastructure so Black Atlanta neighborhoods are better connected to city services. Evans Jones insists that her neighborhood by neighborhood approach to addressing constituent needs makes her the better choice to improve government outcomes and create stable leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have been doing the work for the last 30 years of listening to neighborhoods while balancing those big goals, she said. Heres a previous breakdown on both candidates and where they stand on key issues. Who is Eshe Collins? Age: 44 Where do you live?: Southwest Atlanta, Princeton Lakes (Courtesy of Eshe Collins) Current job title: Civil rights attorney Where did you graduate high school?: Druid Hills High School. Class of 1998 Where did you graduate college?: Spelman College. Class of 2002 Major: Psychology and pre-med Primary career path: Education and civil rights law Priority issues: Equal opportunity, cost of living, safe and healthy neighborhoods, holding elected leaders accountable Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Campaign website: https://www.collins4atlanta.com/ Awards/honors: Georgia Trend 40 under 40 (2015). Atlanta Business Chronicle 40 under 40 (2019). YMCA Women of Influence and Innovation through the YMCA (2020). MLK Torch of Peace Award. Outstanding Atlanta (2014)/Leadership Atlanta, ARPs Regional Leadership Institute. Georgia State University President Award for community service and social justice (2016) Do you support repealing the statewide ban on rent regulation?: Yes Do you support rezoning parts of the city to build more affordable housing?: Yes Do you support continuing to open the public safety training center (Cop City)?: Yes Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elevator pitch to Black voters: We should all be able to live in this city affordably [and] have safe and healthy neighborhoods. The rundown: Collins has served more than a decade on the Atlanta Board of Education, experience she cites as one of the main reasons shes the better choice to replace Waites on the City Council. Im the only candidate in this race that has that elected experience and a proven track record of moving large systems and large decisions forward, she told Capital B Atlanta earlier this year. The 44-year-old attorney is looking to improve housing conditions in Atlanta by adjusting the citys area median income affordable housing calculation so it better reflects the needs of low-income renters. She also wants to tighten legislative requirements put on developers tasked with building the citys affordable housing stock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is looking at legislation to increase our percentage of stocks that we earmark as affordable housing, Collins said. That is looking at some of our requirements or guidelines that we push for income limits. Who is Nicole Evans Jones? Age: 57 Where do you live?: Atlanta/West Midtown (Courtesy of Nicole Evans Jones) Current job title: Co-founder of The Wellth House, a social club for women leaders Where did you graduate high school?: Benjamin E. Mays High School in Atlanta. Class of 1984 Where did you graduate college?: Howard University in Washington, D.C., Class of 1988 Major: Political science Graduate school: Clark Atlanta University. Masters degree in counseling, human growth and development. Class of 1993 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doctorate: Educational leadership from CAU. Class of 2010 Primary career path: K-12 counselor and principal Priority issues: Equitable transportation, attainable housing, promoting safe neighborhoods Campaign website: https://www.nicoleevansjonesforatlanta.com/ Do you support repealing the statewide ban on rent regulation?: Yes Do you support rezoning parts of the city to build more affordable housing?: Yes Do you support continuing to open the public safety training center (Cop City)?: Yes Elevator pitch to Black voters: Securing the future of Atlanta is more than getting a quality education. Securing Atlantas future includes stabilizing and strengthening families where they live, neighborhood by neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rundown: Evans Jones wants to set aside Atlanta general fund money to build housing for front-line workers, including teachers, police, firefighters, and nurses. Housing justice proponents have spent the past few years complaining about Atlanta municipal employees who cant afford to live in the city where they work. Mayor Andre Dickens and the City Council have supported raising pay for city of Atlanta employees for at least two consecutive budget cycles. We lose a lot of our human capital when they cant live in the city, Evans Jones said. If we make it more amenable to them, then those are great people to have walking around and living in our neighborhood. This story has been updated. The post Eshe Collins Wins Atlanta City Council Post 3 Runoff Election appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta. Rep. Thomas Jackson, D-Thomasville, stands on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives during a session on Feb. 6, 2024 in Montgomery, Alabama. Jackson prefiled a bill to create early voting centers in the state to make it easier for people to cast a ballot. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) A state representative has filed a bill to establish early voting in Alabama, the latest in a chain of bills from Democrats meant to encourage more state residents to exercise their right to vote. HB 59, sponsored by Rep. Thomas Jackson, D-Thomasville, would open the polls four days prior to the election in every county to give the electorate more time to vote and potentially reduce waiting times at polling stations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill is not a partisan bill, Jackson said in an interview Friday. It is nonpartisan. Republicans, senior citizens, Black and white, have asked, Why cant we have early voting? We dont want to stand in line. Alabama does not currently allow people to vote in-person prior to Election Day. Alabama currently offers voting by absentee ballot, but only for a limited number of reasons. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX According to the Movement Advancement Project, an independent, nonprofit think tank based in Boulder, Colorado, Alabama is one of three states that does not offer early voting or require voters to state a reason for voting early. The other two states are Mississippi and New Hampshire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state in recent years has passed more restrictive voting laws, including bans on drop boxes and criminal penalties for certain kinds of absentee ballot assistance. Instead of suppressing the vote, we want to open the ballot box access for democracy, for people to participate, Jackson said. People have to work, there are emergencies so they cant get to the polls that day if something happens. If they dont have an absentee ballot, they miss their vote. Under Jacksons bill, each county would provide at least one early voting center. The centers must be open between four to six days prior to election day, and they must be open for at least four hours, depending on the day. The proposal would require the centers to be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and Saturday, and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats have filed several bills for the coming session to make voting easier. Another bill, HB 64, prefiled by Rep. Ontario Tillman, D-Bessemer, would apply to gubernatorial and presidential contests and declare Election Day a state holiday every two years. SB 7, filed by Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, is a comprehensive voting rights package with a series of provisions, including restoring voting rights to those who have lost it because of a felony conviction; Election Day voter registration and the creation of an Alabama Voting Rights Commission with the power to review and prevent legislation that limits voting access from taking effect. Alabama traditionally has some of the lowest voter turnout rates in the nation. The Alabama Secretary of States office last month said that 58.5% of registered voters cast ballots in the presidential election, the lowest percentage since 1988. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Election Lab from the University of Florida, Alabama had the 10th worst voter participation in the country. The worst was Hawaii at slightly more than 50%. Apart from Indiana (58.6%), the other nine states with low voter participation are in the South. Voting rights groups filed a lawsuit to challenge SB 1, sponsored by Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman and signed by Gov. Kay Ivey earlier this year, which criminalized people for assisting or receiving assistance with absentee ballots, alleging it amounted to voter suppression. A federal district judge prevented parts of the law from taking effect, ruling that it violated a provision of the Voting Rights Act pertaining to blind, illiterate and voters with a disability. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE BIRMINGHAM, Ala (WIAT) One of the most well-known and revered bands from New Orleans will come to Birmingham next week for a special Christmas program. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, who has been the house band of Preservation Hall in the citys French Quarter since the 1960s, will present Creole Christmas at the Alys Stephens Center at 7 p.m. Dec. 13. Missing Florida teen found dead in water The band, whose repertoire covers the gamut of traditional New Orleans jazz to Dixieland and more, will put a New Orleans sensibility on Christmas classics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Food trucks and holiday music will be available in the lobby before the performance. Tickets are $40, $50, $60 and $75. For more information, call 205-975-2787 or visit AlysStephens.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 CBS 42. President Benjamin Harrisons original reading copy of his 1889 inaugural address is on the public market for the first time, being sold by the Philadelphia Raab Collection. (Photo provided by The Raab Collection) A rare piece of presidential history is up for sale and its Indianas beloved Benjamin Harrison at its heart. On the market as of early November is Harrisons original reading copy of his 1889 inaugural address. The signed manuscript was held by the 23rd president as he delivered his famous speech from the East Portico of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The artifact was kept in the Harrison family for multiple generations before the Philadelphia-based Raab Collection acquired it some 15 years ago. The address was sold on the private market and is now up for grabs publicly for the first time, with an asking price of $225,000. Harrison lived a fairly long period of time and wrote a lot of letters. So, the ability to buy correspondence or documents of Harrisons is certainly within the ability of any private buyer, said Nathan Raab, president of The Raab Collection, in an interview with the Indiana Capital Chronicle. But what separates this is its just an individually important moment in American history. There have only been so many inaugurations, right? he continued. And of those inaugurations, Im not aware of a single inaugural address, actually handheld inaugural address not a souvenir copy, not something drawn up later, not a draft but an actual handheld inaugural address, having come to the market. Harrisons call for mutual respect Harrison, among Indianas most famous residents, and the only president to have hailed directly from the Hoosier state, was a Civil War general and lawyer who descended from an already political family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was the great-grandson of Declaration of Independence signer Benjamin Harrison, the grandson of President William Henry Harrison, and son of Congressman John Scott Harrison. (His grandfather holds the distinction of having the shortest presidential tenure in history. The 68-year-old died a month after giving a nearly two-hour inaugural speech in the cold without a coat.) Benjamin Harrison takes the oath of office on the east portico of the United States Capitol during a rainy Inauguration in March 1889. (Photo courtesy the Library of Congress) Harrison added to that legacy, first serving as a U.S. senator, and then as president when he narrowly defeated the incumbent Grover Cleveland in the election of 1888. He accepted the countrys highest office on March 4, 1889. As reported by those who were there, after Harrison took the oath of office, he donned his silk hat and pulled a manuscript from his pocket that had been typed by his secretary Elijah Halford. Adjusting his spectacles, the President delivered his speech with sincere eloquence. He called for effort to preserve a more perfect union, advocating early statehood for territories, universal education, protectionism, pensions for dependents of Civil War veterans, and increased patriotism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harrisons inaugural address was well-received and is still considered by historians to be among the best. I do not mistrust the future, he said. Dangers have been in frequent ambush along our path, but we have uncovered and vanquished them all. Passion has swept some of our communities, but only to give us a new demonstration that the great body of our people are stable, patriotic, and law-abiding. No political party can long pursue advantage at the expense of public honor, he continued. The peaceful agencies of commerce are more fully revealing the necessary unity of all our communities, and the increasing intercourse of our people is promoting mutual respect. Harrison served only one term as president; his second run against Grover Cleveland failed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even so, the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site in Indianapolis notes numerous accomplishments during his four years as commander in chief, including the addition of six states to the Union North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Washington, Idaho, and Wyoming. Thats more than any other president. Additionally, Harrison is remembered for establishing the Coast Guard Academy, expanding the nations Navy, enforcing the 15th Amendment to secure voting rights, expanding forest and public land preservation efforts, and instituting the practice of displaying the American flag over public buildings and schools. Pages of history The 37-page manuscript Harrison pulled from his pocket is the same one for sale. The Raab Collection said it numbers 37 single-sided pages on watermarked paper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Considering Harrisons known practice was to annotate documents immediately after events, Raab said its assumed that the former president signed and added this note right after the address: This is the MSS [manuscript] used by me in delivering the address March 4, 1889. Harrison had the sheets bound in a small book, which was handed down from generation to generation in the Harrison family. Originally obtained by Raab from a direct descendant of the president, the signed and annotated reading copy had been in a private collection for over a decade. That previous customer has since sold it back. Raab did not disclose how much the manuscript was previously bought or sold for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raab said the collections research has failed to turn up even one other delivered manuscript, a reading copy, of an inaugural address having reached the market. Separately, however, the Library of Congress holds three drafts of Harrisons inaugural address. Significant too, Raab noted, is that Harrison chose to bind the manuscript. And the intent of that was surely to safeguard it, to pass it down, Raab said. So he obviously cared, for sure. Additionally acquired from that unnamed descendant, who does not live in Indiana, was an entire archive worth of stuff, and we bought that, Raab said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Raab Collection also has seven other Harrison-related documents for sale like correspondence between the president and his family, a report sent to Congress, and his order admitting the state of Washington. They range in price from $2,500 to $50,000. Waiting for a buyer Raab described the collection as a business that looks for, discovers, buys and then sells important historical documents. He said that means looking for quality, not quantity, and finding things of individual, high importance. The has customers all over the world, including private customers and institutional buyers, university libraries and public libraries, and private clientele. Were not an auction, Raab emphasized. We buy things and own them, and then we put them up at a fixed price. And at that point, its the equivalent of first come, first serve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raab said its hard to predict in a situation like this, where its so rare, who the buyer will ultimately be, but there would be some beauty in bringing it back to his home state. Any other document of Benjamin Harrison, who wrote a lot of pieces and lived a long time his correspondence is out there and can be acquired at a much cheaper price than this, Raab added. What makes this different is that its an inaugural address. Its very rare. If somebody wants an inaugural address of an American president, well, this may be their only opportunity. President Benjamin Harrisons original reading copy of his 1889 inaugural address. (Photo provided by The Raab Collection) Like the SC Daily Gazette, Indiana Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Indiana Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Niki Kelly for questions: info@indianacapitalchronicle.com. Follow Indiana Capital Chronicle on Facebook and X. WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Bidens decision to go back on his word and issue a categorical pardon for his son, Hunter, just weeks before his scheduled sentencing on gun and tax convictions was a surprise that wasnt all that surprising. Not to those who had witnessed the presidents shared anguish over his two sons after the boys survived a car crash that killed Bidens first wife and a daughter more than a half-century ago. Or to those who heard the president regularly lament the death of his older son, Beau, from cancer or voice concerns largely in private about Hunters sobriety and health after years of deep addiction. But by choosing to put his family first, the 82-year-old president who had pledged to restore a fractured publics trust in the nations institutions and respect for the rule of law has raised new questions about his already teetering legacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later Presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation, Colorados Democratic Gov. Jared Polis wrote in a post on X. He added that while he could sympathize with Hunter Bidens struggles, no one is above the law, not a President and not a Presidents son. Biden aides and allies had been resigned to the prospect of the president using his extraordinary power in the waning days of his presidency to ensure his son wouldnt see time behind bars, especially after Donald Trump s win. The presidents supporters have long viewed Bidens commitment to his family as an asset overall, even if Hunters personal conduct and tangled business dealings were seen as a persistent liability. But the pardon comes as Biden has become increasingly isolated since the loss to Trump by Vice President Kamala Harris, who jumped in to the race after the presidents catastrophic debate against Trump in June forced his exit from the election. He is still struggling to resolve thorny foreign policy issues in the Middle East and Europe. And he must reckon with his decision to seek reelection despite his advanced age, which helped return the Oval Office to Trump, a man he had warned time and again was a threat to democratic norms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has gleefully planned to undo Bidens signature achievements on climate change and reverse the Democrats efforts to reinvigorate the countrys alliances, all while standing poised to take credit for a strengthening economy and billions in infrastructure investments that are in the pipeline for the coming years. And now, Biden has handed the Republican a pretext to carry through with sweeping plans to upend the Department of Justice as the Republican vows to seek retribution against supposed adversaries. This pardon is just deflating for those of us whove been out there for a few years yelling about what a threat Trump is, Republican Joe Walsh, a vocal Trump critic, said on MSNBC. Nobodys above the law, weve been screaming. Well, Joe Biden just made clear his son Hunter is above the law. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday from Air Force One that the president wrestled with the decision but ultimately felt his sons case had been tainted by politics, though she tried to thread the needle insisting he had faith in the Justice Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He believes in the justice system, but he also believes that politics infected the process and led to a miscarriage of justice, she said. But Trump has already made very clear his intent to disrupt federal law enforcement with his initial nomination of outspoken critics like former Rep. Matt Gaetz to be attorney general and Kash Patel to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray, who nominally still has more than two years left in his term. (Gaetz ended up quickly withdrawing his name amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations.) Reacting to the pardon, Trump spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement, That system of justice must be fixed and due process must be restored for all Americans, which is exactly what President Trump will do as he returns to the White House with an overwhelming mandate from the American people. In a social media post, the president-elect himself called the pardon such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Trump asked. He was referring to those convicted in the violent Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol by his supporters aiming to overturn the 2020 presidential election result. Biden and his spokespeople had repeatedly and flatly ruled out the president granting his son a pardon. In June, Biden told reporters as his son faced trial in the Delaware gun case: I abide by the jury decision. I will do that and I will not pardon him. In July, Jean-Pierre told reporters: Its still a no. It will be a no. It is a no. And I dont have anything else to add. Will he pardon his son? No. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In November, days after Trumps victory, Jean-Pierre reiterated that message: Our answer stands, which is no. Neither Biden nor the White House explained the shift in the presidents thinking, and it was his broken promise as much as his act of clemency that was a lightning rod. He is hardly the first president to pardon a family member or friend entangled in political dealings. Bill Clinton pardoned his brother Roger for drug charges after he had served his sentence roughly a decade earlier. In his final weeks in office, Trump pardoned Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in law, Jared Kushner, as well as multiple allies convicted in special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Yet Biden held himself up as placing his respect for the American judicial system and rule of law over his own personal concerns trying to draw a deliberate contrast with Trump, who tested the bounds of his authority like few predecessors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside the White House, the timing of the pardon was surprising to some who believed Biden would put it off as long as possible, according to three people familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter. It came just after Biden spent extended time over the past week with Hunter and other family members on Nantucket in Massachusetts, a family tradition for Thanksgiving. I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice and once I made this decision this weekend, there was no sense in delaying it further, Biden said in a statement announcing the pardon. Some in the administration have privately expressed anguish that the substance of Bidens statement, including his claim of an unfair politically-tinged prosecution of his son, resembled complaints Trump who faced now-abandoned indictments over his role in trying to subvert the 2020 election has been making for years about the Justice Department. Biden said the charges in his sons cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election. Many legal experts agreed that the charges against the younger Biden were somewhat unusual, but the facts of the offenses were hardly in dispute, as Hunter wrote about his gun purchase while addicted to illegal drugs in his memoir and ultimately pleaded guilty to the tax charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pardon too was unusual, coming before Hunter Biden was even sentenced and covering not just the gun and tax offenses against his son, but also anything else he might have done going back to the start of 2014. Its a move that could limit the ability of the Trump Justice Department to investigate the younger Bidens unsavory foreign business dealings, or to find new ground on which to bring criminal charges related to that time period. Biden, in his statement, asked for consideration: I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) The transit system in Terre Haute will be free for everyone starting next year. Terre Haute Mayor Brandon Sakbun said the decision to eliminate transit fares was easy after realizing the city has the funds, and after studying similar sized communities that offer this same service. He said that residents dont have to worry about paying for any of these changes. To make up the lack of fares here with users, we opted to use gaming revenue for that for 2025 and we will review the pilot program, see how it goes, and make a decision in the future, said Sakbun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police chase Monday afternoon One of the other reasons this is possible is the citys partnership with Indiana State University. ISU President Mike Godard said the university is going to increase its funding to this program by 10 percent. He said that it is their duty as a university to help provide this service to their students and community. We understand that not every student that comes in Indiana State University is a resident of Terre Haute, so we have a financial contribution aspect of this to allow our students to be able to have access to reliable transportation. Mayor Sakbun said they will continue to gather feedback from riders through surveys and work with the transit team to improve service quality based on that feedback. 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 MyWabashValley.com. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) is renewing calls for President Biden to grant clemency to thousands of Americans serving time in federal institutions following his bombshell pardon of his son, Hunter Biden. Today, Im thinking of the hundreds of thousands of people who pose no threat to society and whose lives are deteriorating due to Americas mass incarceration crisis and unjust criminal legal system, Pressley said in a statement Monday. President Biden used his pardon authority last night in response to what he saw as an injustice of the legal system, she continued. In the remaining days of his presidency, I have called on President Biden to use his clemency power to change the lives of families across this nation families who are disproportionately Black and brown, with loved ones behind the wall, suffering from injustices of the legal system. Pressley has long been an advocate for criminal justice reform and has previously called on President Biden to grant clemency to those serving time for nonviolent offenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, she joined Democratic Reps. James Clyburn (S.C.) and Mary Gay Scanlon (Pa.) in sending a letter to Biden urging him to take action before the end of his term. She also introduced the FIX Clemency Act in 2021, which would transform the clemency system and address the growing mass incarceration crisis. This issue is deeply personal to me. As the daughter of a formerly incarcerated parent who has gone on to make great contributions to society, I know firsthand how life-changing the Presidents action would be and how much hope it would give to millions who call America home, Pressley said Monday. Today, with 49 days remaining in his presidency, President Biden has an opportunity to cement his legacy as one of the most compassionate and impactful Presidents of our time. For the families harmed by mass incarceration, he must act. 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. On Sunday, President Joe Biden issued a pardon to his son Hunter Biden, but he far from the first president to issue a presidential pardon to a family member. Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to tax fraud and he was convicted of gun-related charges, but he was issued a full and unconditional pardon. There are three other previous presidents who have issued pardons to relatives, and here is a look at each of them. Presidents who have issued pardons to family members Donald Trump Throughout his first term as president, Donald Trump issued 238 pardons and commutations, per Newsweek. One of those pardons was issued for Charles Kushner, the father of Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2004, Charles Kushner was convicted of 18 counts of falsifying tax returns, retaliating against a witness and making false statements about campaign contributions to the Federal Election Commission, according to The Washington Post. The pardon was justified by citing Kushners philanthropic work. Recently, Kushner was announced as Trumps choice for the United States ambassador to France, per Axios. Bill Clinton On Bill Clintons last day in office he issued 140 presidential pardons and one of them was for his half brother Roger Clinton, per Newsweek. In 1985, Roger Clinton pleaded guilty to selling cocaine to an undercover police officer in Arkansas and spent a year in prison. The pardon helped clear his criminal record, per The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Controversy arose around Roger Clinton when it was made public that he had provided the president a list of people to pardon. These pardons were not granted, the Post reported. Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln pardoned his wife Mary Todd Lincolns half-sister, Emilie Todd Helm, per Newsweek. This was one of the 343 pardons and commutations Lincoln issued during his presidency. Helms husband was a Confederate general who was killed during the Battle of Chickamauga. After her husband died, Helm was invited to the White House despite having been the wife of a rebel general. President Lincoln presented her with a personally-written letter of amnesty. According to Newsweek, she was one of the first people to receive a pardon under the presidents Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction. Catherine, Princess of Wales has helped the British royal family roll out the red carpet for the Emir of Qatar on the first day of his state visit to the United Kingdom on Tuesday. However, Queen Camilla was absent from the start of proceedings due to a lingering chest infection contracted last month, which she revealed on Tuesday had been a form of pneumonia. Kate joined her husband, William, Prince of Wales to meet Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher on Tuesday morning at the start of their two-day visit, before the group made their way to Horse Guards Parade in St. James Park near Buckingham Palace for a ceremonial welcome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were then formally welcomed by King Charles III at Whitehall before the British monarch and emir inspected an honor guard formed of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards. Following the military pomp, the group traveled back to the palace in a carriage procession to have lunch at the royal residence. Kate wore a burgundy coat with a matching headpiece while greeting the Qatari royals. It has been confirmed that she will not be attending a state banquet on Tuesday evening, where King Charles and the emir will give speeches. Usually, around 150 VIPs with cultural and diplomatic ties to the country being honored are invited to the soiree. On Wednesday, the emir will visit the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Berkshire, where he used to study. He will meet with some of the people he went to school with, as well as current Qatari cadets at the academy. He is also expected to head to 10 Downing Street for a bilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The Princess of Wales greets dignitaries as she arrives for the ceremonial welcome for the Emir of Qatar at Horse Guards Parade. - Henry Nicholls/Reuters Kate, 42, has been slowly returning to her royal duties after receiving chemotherapy treatment earlier this year. Tuesdays event marks her biggest return to duties yet, and is being seen by many as a significant marker of her strong recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October, the princess made her first public appearance since finishing her cancer treatment, traveling to Southport, northwest England, with William. She met with the bereaved families of three children killed in a knife attack in July. Last month, the popular royal also joined the Windsor clan as they marked Remembrance weekend in London. Queen Camilla was originally set to attend, but pulled out after picking up a chest infection following her overseas visit to Australia and Samoa. Queen Camillas recent viral chest infection has meant that she has been left with some persisting side effects, such as fatigue. In light of this, doctors have urged her to take time to recuperate fully, and as such adjustments have been made to her schedule, including her participation in the emirs visit. At Tuesdays reception, Camilla told guests that the specific viral chest infection she had contracted was a form of pneumonia. While she did not attend the outdoor ceremonial welcome, she greeted the emir and his wife upon their arrival to Buckingham Palace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday evening, she was expected to pose for group photos but will take a short break when guests are greeted in a receiving line before dinner. No further changes are expected to the Queens diary for the rest of the week, though her medical team will offer guidance as symptoms can come and go for several weeks. CNNs Lauren Said-Moorhouse and Billy Stockwell contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A convicted murderer remained on the loose Tuesday and was the subject of a massive manhunt in Central California, where authorities allege he escaped from a prison van while being transferred to a courthouse. Cesar Hernandez, who was convicted of first-degree murder in Los Angeles County in 2019 and sentenced to 25 years to live in prison, escaped Monday morning in the Central San Joaquin Valley town of Delano. "The public should not confront this suspect as he is considered dangerous," the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) said in a social media post Tuesday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CDCR released new details on 34-year-old Hernandez's escape. Authorities said Hernandez was being driven to a court appearance at the Kern County Superior Court in downtown Delano when he escaped around 10:40 a.m. local time on Monday. PHOTO: Cesar Hernandez, 34 (CDCR) "Upon arrival, Hernandez evaded staff custody, jumped out of the van, and is currently at large," the CDCR said in a statement. Hernandez was last seen wearing an orange prison jumpsuit and white thermals, the CDCR said. He is described as 5-foot-5 and weighing about 161 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. Hernandez was convicted of murder in Los Angeles County in 2019 and sentenced to 25 years to life with the possibility of parole for first-degree murder, a second-strike offense, according to the CDCR. PHOTO: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation personnel make their way outside the Central Valley Modified Modified Community Correctional Facility in McFarland, Calif., on Thursday, March 28, 2019. (San Francisco Chronicle/hearst N/Hearst Newspapers via Getty Imag) MORE: Maryland prison inmate killed in his own cell by another prisoner Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple law enforcement agencies -- including agents from CDCRs Special Services Unit, the California Highway Patrol and the Delano and McFarland police departments -- were continuing to search for Hernandez Tuesday afternoon in the Delano area, about 33 miles north of Bakersfield. In a safety alert to the Central California community, authorities urged people to "report any suspicious activity or sightings immediately." Search continues for convicted murderer after brazen escape in Central California originally appeared on abcnews.go.com CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO) Dr. Teresa Ramos, who currently serves as Illinois First Assistant Deputy Governor for Education, has been tapped to head the states new Department of Early Childhood. Gov. JB Pritzker announced Ramos as the departments inaugural secretary on Monday, pending Senate confirmation in January. Dr. Ramos has served the state of Illinois admirably in both the public and private sector, and I can think of no person better positioned to shepherd IDEC as it ramps up to full operations, said Pritzker. Her expertise across education, child care, community engagement, and early childhood development make her a leader in her field that I know will lead the new Department to success. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Early Childhood combines programs currently overseen by several other state agencies including oversight and funding of preschool programs and childcare centers. IDEC will also oversee home visiting and early intervention programs for pre-school aged children, according to the Governors Office. Ramos previously served as Vice President of Public Policy, Research, and Advocacy at Illinois Action for Children, a childcare and early education nonprofit. Ramos also served as Director of Community Engagement for Advance Illinois and assisted the Governors education transition team in 2018. Ramos holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology with a minor in Latina/Latino Studies from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where she also completed her Bachelors Degree. Im eager to get started working with an incredible team of state employees, parents and families, advocates, and early childhood providers to create something exceptional that will give every infant, toddler, and young child an opportunity for a strong and healthy start, she 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 MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. A top immigration advocacy group on Tuesday announced the launch of a new political arm to combat Donald Trumps agenda and help Democrats proactively message on an issue that has long challenged the party. With the latest move from Immigration Hub, a pro-immigration group that was born in 2017 in response to Trumps first administration, advocates plan to drive major political advertising campaigns to counter the incoming presidents policy plans, which include rapidly ramping up deportations. The groups political arm, called Catalyze/Citizens, will also work to expand Immigration Hubs reach by countering disinformation about immigrants, including by pushing for reforms to a liability shield that allows platforms to disseminate content without being held liable for it. The groups plans were shared first with POLITICO. The organization hopes to help turn the tide for Democrats on the vexing policy issue. As the party reckons with its 2024 loss, strategists note that the partys pivot to a tougher stance on migration this cycle ultimately wasnt enough to combat years of GOP dominance on immigration: Republicans outspent Democrats five to one on broadcast ads, according to an analysis of AdImpact data from Catalyze/Citizens new Right-Wing Playbook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The past decade has marked a dangerous shift: the mainstreaming of authoritarian ideology and the systematic spread of anti-immigrant narratives, said Beatriz Lopez, co-executive director of Immigration Hub and Catalyze/Citizens. Catalyze/Citizens emerged from a clear conviction we need a robust response that matches, competes and wins against the extreme rights anti-immigrant, anti-democratic narratives. Republicans were able to successfully frame immigration as a national threat this cycle, amplifying false narratives around immigrant crime, invasions and President Joe Bidens border policies. Total spending on immigration-focused television ads across 12 battleground presidential and Senate states from January to October totaled $680.5 million, with 84 percent of this spending coming from Republicans, according to the analysis. Republicans ads zeroed in on Vice President Kamala Harris role as border czar and slammed her over President Joe Bidens open border policies. These ads flooded the airwaves after Harris was elevated to the top of the ticket. Trump has said he will conduct deportations at a scale never seen before and has vowed to quickly undo several Biden administration policies. Immigrants rights groups have spent the last year preparing for a second Trump term and an overhaul to the nations immigration system, analyzing Trumps proposals, drafting legal briefs, coordinating messaging and organizing aid for immigrants and asylum seekers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the latest effort is among the first political counter moves from the left, as advocates brace for immigration to remain a top political issue in the midterms and again in 2028. Democrats are at a crossroads in the movement, circling to nail down a message that counters Trumps agenda while also responding to voters increasing concerns about border security and the nations broken immigration system. The growing politicization of the issue has damaged Democrats in Washington who have struggled to combat an onslaught of GOP attacks. It wasnt until this year that the party coalesced around an attack line, blaming Trump for the collapse of the bipartisan border deal and calling for common-sense solutions to address the crisis. The strategy pulled a page from Rep. Tom Suozzis playbook after he won his February special election in New York by running on strengthening border security. The next two years will be key as Democratic leaders work to undo the damage. Immigration leaders on the left argue that the party must address voters concerns about border security while also rejecting Trumps extreme policies, which they believe will ultimately turn off swing voters and moderates who they believe want a balanced approach to the border. With the transition to a new administration that has pledged to reverse the progress made in recent years, we can expect far-reaching, inhumane and lasting changes on Americas immigration system, said Kerri Talbot, co-executive director of the Immigration Hub. From left, Sen. Mike Bousselot, R-Ankeny; Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner; House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl, and House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst spoke about the upcoming 2025 session at the Greater Des Moines Partnership state legislative breakfast at Stoney Creek Hotel in Johnston Dec. 3, 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Iowans should expect to see further property tax law changes brought up in the 2025 legislative session, lawmakers said Tuesday at the Greater Des Moines Partnership legislative leadership breakfast. Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner, House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl, House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst and Sen. Mike Bousselot, R-Ankeny, answered questions and talked about their caucus goals at the annual event Tuesday, going over objectives and expectations for the upcoming 2025 legislative session set to begin Jan. 13. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While legislators said they are still figuring out specifics on policy proposals, Bousselot said Iowans should expect to see further action on property taxes in the upcoming year. In 2023, lawmakers passed House File 718, a measure Republicans estimated would save Iowa taxpayers $100 million in property taxes by capping levy rates for cities and counties. Bousselot said Senate Republicans plan to work with the House and governor to decide what the next step for changing Iowa property tax law will look like, but that the GOP caucus plans to make lowering the cost of property taxes a priority. He said rising property tax costs were a recurring concern brought up by constituents on the campaign trail leading up to the 2024 election. An average of more than 7% increase for counties and 6% for cities thats money out of property taxpayers pockets, Bousselot told reporters. Its money out of Iowans pockets. Its making it more expensive to live in Iowa. We have to address that this session. We will address that this session. In the 2023 legislative session, local government officials and advocates with groups such as the Iowa League of Cities brought up concerns about the changes to Iowas property tax system. They said limiting property taxes without providing cities and counties alternative forms of revenue would limit local communities ability to fund needed services and amenities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steve Richardson, an Indianola city council member and former state legislator, brought up these concerns at the partnership breakfast, saying that restrictions on property taxes could have an outsized negative impact on small towns and rural communities in Iowa. I had a meeting in September, they were all city clerks, and they were asking me, What do we cut? You know, if you take property taxes away from us and do those kinds of things in those small communities, what do you cut?' Richardson said. A lot of you represent, especially on the majority party, you represent those areas that really are in smaller communities. So the question comes down to for cities, counties and schools if you continue to erode the revenues that can be used by those cities, whether its property taxes or other forms of income, what kind of options are you going to give these local governments to continue to fund the amenities that our citizens want? Bousselot said that property tax revenues are dollars paid by property taxpayers, and should not be treated as funding bequeathed or expected at current funding levels by local governments. I think every city is different, but its a challenge that we need to tackle for the sake of property tax homeowners, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Konfrst said she hopes that in the upcoming session, local government officials are more included in the process of crafting property tax legislation than they were during the 2023 session. She also said property taxes are a local issue, and that elected local officials should retain power to make decisions on these subjects. I agree that Ackley and Ankeny arent the same, and I trust the leaders of Ackley and Ankeny to know what to do best with their budgets, and I think they need to be at the table and have a conversation, Konfrst said. Not every decision needs to be made by the Iowa legislature, and local elected officials are elected to make those kinds of decisions for their own community, and I think we need to give you a little bit more power than we have in the past few years. Windschitl told reporters he has already had some discussions with groups like the Iowa League of Cities and Iowa Association of Counties, saying there are a lot of different players that are going to need to be around the table to figure out how we do this and how we do it appropriately. However, he reiterated Bousselots point that high property tax costs are a major concern for many Iowans. We dont want people property taxed out of their homes, Windschitl said. We heard that repeatedly throughout the entire state. It didnt matter which corner you came from, people want to make sure that their homes are affordable, and if theyve made the investment into their homes, that theyre not getting taxed out of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said that there could be some parts brought up in future legislation that make changes to the 2023 law on property taxes. Windschitl said there may be changes to the earlier laws cap on growth that are introduced in 2025 to address concerns about how these limits impact communities of different sizes and in differing economic positions. When we did House File 718, there was a knowledge that, as we did that, that we have to come back in and revisit property taxes at some future legislature, he said. So thats where were at now, and were going to have those conversations. And it may be a one-year conversation, and it may be a two-year conversation. Keep in mind, the General Assembly is around for two years, so weve got the entire 91st to try and address this. Signs pushing back against proposed wind development have been erected outside a business in Chandler on September 9, 2024. (Photo by Emyli Creekmore/For Oklahoma Voice) CHANDLER A massive wind farm development facing local resistance in Lincoln County could lead to a push for legislative changes at the state Capitol. As Enel Green Power continues to press forward with plans for the 15,000-acre Cedar Run Wind Project, frustrated residents are pushing back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent months, theyve booted a powerful state lawmaker from office while erecting No wind turbines signs throughout the rural county thats home to about 35,000 people, just east of Oklahoma City. Residents launched a Facebook group that has drawn over 2,000 members as well as a website urging their neighbors to pressure elected leaders to pass more stringent regulations on the industry. I have never liked the idea of wind turbines, especially not in my county, said Jeannetta Stipe, a resident of Agra. They are annoyingly loud. I do not want to hear them while I am trying to go to bed at night. Newly-elected state Rep. Jim Shaw, of Chandler, said he believes resistance to wind development was a big contributing factor to his victory in the Republican primary. Earlier this year, Shaw unseated incumbent Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston, to win the House seat in District 32, which includes Lincoln County. Shaw said local concerns over Cedar Run drove him to run for office, and that he plans to file legislation linked to wind power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im still framing the details behind what that legislation will look like, but I am looking forward to collaborating with like-minded legislators to present effective bills to achieve what our constituents desire, he said. Rep. Jim Shaw, R-Chandler, speaks during a swearing-in ceremony Nov. 20, 2024, in the House chamber of the Oklahoma State Capitol. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) The fight in Lincoln County is the latest dispute over wind development in the state. The industry has grown rapidly from 2010 to 2023, according to an August analysis released by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. The report found that Oklahomas generation of electricity increased by 25% during that time, with almost all that growth being due to wind energy. In 2023, Oklahoma was the nations third-largest wind energy producing state behind Texas and Iowa, the report found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opponents have argued that wind installations devalue property and cause nuisances. They have previously pressed for additional regulations on the industry and urged lawmakers to end state tax incentives. Critics of the Lincoln County development want legislators to pass more stringent protections for landowners who dont want the turbines nearby and to ask the states attorney general to weigh in on whether counties can pass their own zoning restrictions through ballot initiatives. The developer of Enels Lincoln County project didnt respond to requests for comment. But Jeff Clark, president and CEO of the Advanced Power Alliance, said hes aware of the concerns. Enel is a member of Clarks trade association. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have been in this business for more than 13 years, and I have seen communities pushback on the introduction of wind energy, he said. Usually, they have been told a lot of things that are not true about the safety or community impacts of wind turbines. Clark said he owns a 53-acre farm in coastal San Patricio County, Texas, that is located in the middle of a wind farm. He said developers work very hard to find communities where wind projects will be most welcomed. Oklahoma is attractive because it has legendary wind energy. Oklahoma lawmakers have ended state tax incentives for newly erected wind farms, though some projects that were built and grandfathered in might still receive some benefits, he said. But he said the federal government still offers tax incentives for wind developers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clark believes if people understood the benefits of wind energy they would be more welcoming. I think once people understand how wind energy is produced, they want wind energy because it lowers their electric bills and produces energy without creating dirty air or dirty water, he said It also means that the states economy is more diversified which allows it to ride out the ups and downs of other industries. Supporters of the developments also note that they provide additional revenue for farmers, ranchers and other rural landowners, and that they increase the amount of money counties collect in taxes. But the issue is divisive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brandon Wolff, a fifth generation resident of Lincoln County, said he believes landowners should have the right to choose if they want the developments. Every situation and circumstance is different for all people, Wolff said. If you do not want your neighbor to sell or lease their land, then buy it. If you do not have the means to buy it, then deal with it. Nothing should be formed to stop us from having the rights of our land decided by others. Editors note: This story was produced through a reporting partnership between Oklahoma Voice and the University of Central Oklahomas journalism program. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Dec. 3A campaign aiming to eliminate legal immunity that protect police, prosecutors, teachers and other public employees in Ohio from certain civil lawsuits soon will begin petitioning across the state with the goal of putting its proposed constitutional amendment on the November 2025 ballot. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost ruled last month that the Ohio Coalition to End Qualified Immunity accurately summarized its proposed amendment on petition forms and can begin collecting signatures from Ohio voters. OCEQI needs at least 413,487 signatures by the first week of July to qualify for the fall 2025 ballot. Qualified immunity protects government officials like teachers and police officers from certain lawsuits if they are accused of violating someone's rights while acting in their official capacity. Under current law, such lawsuits are only allowed if the constitution or case law have specifically stated the official's actions are prohibited such as racial profiling the amendment would allow lawsuits in situations where it's less clear whether the official may have violated someone's rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Qualified immunity results in various civil lawsuits being thrown out if they hinge upon a statutory or constitutional right that is not "clearly established." The amendment would lift this protection, though it would specify that financial damages from such transgressions would be borne by the government agency, not the government employee. Kyle Pierce, executive director of OCEQI, told the Dayton Daily News that the amendment would remove Ohio's recognition of qualified immunity, prosecutorial immunity, sovereign immunity, and "any other immunity that the government enjoys at the people's expense." Pierce explained that, as a result of the amendment, Ohioans would be able to sue prosecutors for withholding evidence that leads to innocent suspects receiving jail time for a crime they did not commit; or when university administrators infringe on campus free speech, for example. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement opposition While the amendment does not uniquely target law enforcement, police advocates like former Montgomery County sheriff state Rep. Phil Plummer, R-Butler Twp., say they're ready to fight it "tooth and nail." "It is an unneeded attempt to spur frivolous lawsuits and it will paralyze government at all levels from townships to cities to counties to the state of Ohio," Ohio Fraternal Order of Police President Jay McDonald, who oversees the state's top police union, told the Dayton Daily News. Plummer and McDonald argued that police are consistently held accountable in Ohio; either through criminal convictions when police actually break the law or through disciplinary measures when there's been misconduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You know, I've had plenty of opportunities to fire bad officers," Plummer said. Plummer believes ending qualified immunity would force many of Ohio's police to reconsider working in the state. "It'd be a major problem for law enforcement," Plummer said. "You'd have a lot of officers just resign over that fact if they didn't have immunity. I mean, who wants to go into this job and lose your house, your car, over a situation?" Richard Biehl, former Dayton police chief, told this outlet that he also opposes any effort to get rid of qualified immunity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He questioned how beneficial it would be toward overall accountability given that constitutional standards around policing have already been clearly established, including on areas of unlawful arrest, excessive force, illegal searches. He reasoned that ending qualified immunity likely wouldn't substantially broaden Ohioans' scope for actual justice. Instead, he believes ending qualified immunity would result in an increase in dubious claims and crisis of morale among law enforcement officials. "We already have a staffing crisis, all departments are understaffed Dayton clearly is, there's no question," Biehl told this news outlet. "Now we're going to increase the risk for police officers who, arguably acting in good faith, (took) action that some later point is determined to be a violation of constitutional rights that was not clearly established (and) now they're going to be penalized for that." Backers, NAACP Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The campaign pushed back on Plummer's assertion that well-meaning police officers would be prone to losing their possessions in civil court. "We recognize that there are honest mistakes, absolutely. Sometimes, maybe the training isn't up to par, maybe the protocols aren't being enforced," Pierce told this outlet. "That's why, under this amendment, no government employee (and) no government agent will ever be held financially responsible in any case brought under this amendment. The responsibility for that falls on the government employer." The Ohio Federation of Teachers, which represents more than 20,000 public school teachers who are also protected by qualified immunity, declined to comment about the proposed amendment. The Ohio Education Association did not respond to a request for comment. Listed as a member of OCEQI's "coalition," the Ohio Conference NAACP is still contemplating whether it should make a firm endorsement of the amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We could not come to a decision to actually endorse it ... We did say we were supportive of the concept," Tom Roberts, a former Dayton-area state lawmaker and the current president of the state's NAACP chapter, told the Dayton Daily News. Roberts particularly likes the idea of ending qualified immunity for police. "Part of what we want to make sure is that there's always an opportunity to investigate wrongdoing," Roberts said. He argued an easier, more consistent avenue for civil lawsuits could become a valuable tool for community members to use to "actually remove bad actors from law enforcement where they exist." Roberts said the Ohio NAACP will once again consider an endorsement during its December meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ------ For more stories like this, sign up for our Ohio Politics newsletter. It's free, curated, and delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday evening. Avery Kreemer can be reached at 614-981-1422, on X, via email, or you can drop him a comment/tip with the survey below. Loading... A bailiff who shot and killed a man during an eviction last summer will not be charged for the fatal shooting. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy on Tuesday announced that she found that the 36th District Court bailiff "acted in lawful self-defense and defense of others," according to a news release. The prosecutor's office said the July shooting of Sherman Butler, 44, of Detroit, was justified. Housing advocates demanding justice for Butler expressed disappointment over Tuesday's decision, saying it sends a "chilling message" to Detroit tenants. During the July 12 incident, two officers with the Detroit Police Department were dispatched to a building in Palmer Park. The bailiff told officers he was "dealing with an aggressive person in an apartment," according to Worthy's office. One of the officers tried to explain to Butler that he was being evicted by the bailiff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Butler was on a bed in a bedroom with a box cutter placed to his neck and was "highly agitated and refused to leave the apartment," the news release said. Butler, the prosecutor's office said, was told several times to drop the box cutter, but he refused. According to Worthy's office, Butler said he'd only leave if officers "used weapons and killed him." Both officers deployed their Tasers, but they did not work. Butler got off the bed and began waving the box cutter toward the bailiff, who fired shots at him, according to the news release. The bailiff fired again when Butler went toward one of the officers. Butler was shot multiple times. Other Detroit police officers at the scene had called for the Crisis Intervention Team, which acts to help people having a mental health crisis. Butler was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The officers were wearing body cams. Police accountability and housing advocates have called for the release of police body cam footage from the fatal shooting. However, the Detroit Police Department has said that because the shooting did not involve a department employee using deadly force, the video would remain confidential. Detroit police, in an August news release, said officers did not respond to the eviction but to the bailiff's safety concerns. Bob Day, part of a coalition of police accountability and housing advocates demanding justice for Sherman Butler, on Tuesday called the shooting dehumanizing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Why didn't they wait for some help to arrive? Why didn't they wait for somebody to talk with. ... They needed some support. They needed an intervention, instead of just tasing him and shooting him down like he was nothing," said Day, who works with the group Detroit Eviction Defense. Steven Rimmer, of the Detroit Tenants Association, said Butler's death shows the failure of the eviction process and raises questions about tenant safety, bailiff training and the need for accountability. He said Butler was a father, neighbor and valued community member. "This decision sends a chilling message to tenants across Detroit, it reinforces a system that prioritizes profit over people and fails to protect vulnerable residents from unnecessary harm," Rimmer said in an email on Tuesday. More: What Michigan law says about the eviction process Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Man shot, killed during eviction in Detroit The bailiff had a valid eviction order from Detroit's 36th District Court, officials said. Body cam footage, according to the prosecutor's office, shows the taser deployed by both officers did not work and Butler rising from the bed toward the bailiff and an officer with "an outstretched arm containing an open box cutter." The alleged facts in this case are far too common and evinces a continued need for mental health crisis intervention teams," Worthy said in a statement. "The body worn camera footage shows the 36 District Court bailiff did try to deescalate the actions of Mr. Butler, and the police did call a crisis intervention team. However, prior to their arrival, the bailiff had to act in self-defense and defense of others, and as a result Mr. Butler is now deceased. The actions of the bailiff were not criminal given these circumstances." The bailiff is a former officer with the Detroit Police Department. He was hired in June 1999 and resigned from the department in February 2003, DPD Public Information Director Dayna Clark had previously said. The July incident is under administrative investigation because of the use of force in this case a Taser was deployed, according to the department. That investigation could take months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detroits 36th District Court approves a list of court officers whom landlords may hire to conduct an eviction. They are not employees of the court but independent contractors. Court officers may obtain a license to carry a concealed firearm. "While the situation was undoubtedly tragic, we have full confidence that the Detroit Police Department and the Wayne County Prosecutor conducted their work with diligence and integrity in addressing the matter," Chief Judge William McConico said in a statement Tuesday evening. The court officer remains an authorized contractor and the 36th District Court will not take any further action, McConico said. Contact Nushrat Rahman: nrahman@freepress.com. Follow her on X: @NushratR. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Prosecutor: Bailiff who killed man during eviction 'justified' WASHINGTON On the first day of his criminal trial, prosecutors told a federal judge that former D.C. Metropolitan Police Lieutenant Shane Lamond, who exchanged hundreds of text messages with Proud Boys leader Henry Enrique Tarrio, essentially worked as a double agent for the extremist group before Jan. 6 and when pressed about that contact, lied to investigators. Lamond, 48, was first indicted in 2023 on four counts including felony obstruction of justice as well as making false statements. His case is not about the attack on the Capitol. Rather, Lamonds charges involve his alleged sharing of insider information about a police probe into the Proud Boys and the destruction of a Black Lives Matter banner stolen from a historic Black church on Dec. 12, 2020. Tarrio repeatedly took credit for the destruction of the banner online, once writing on the social media site Parler that he was damn proud I did it. He even briefly changed his Parler handle to Fiery Tarrio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tarrio was arrested on Jan. 4, 2021, for the banner burning charge and formally ordered out of Washington, D.C., within 24 hours. He pleaded guilty to destroying the banner as well as to a charge of possessing two high-capacity magazines found on him during his arrest. When Tarrio was on trial with fellow Proud Boys for seditious conspiracy and a number of other Jan. 6-related charges last year, federal prosecutors said Tarrio used his Jan. 4 arrest as a neatly timed alibi for his whereabouts on Jan. 6. (Tarrio was not at the Capitol on Jan. 6, but watching from a hotel room in Maryland and texting with fellow Proud Boys. He is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence.) Prosecutors say Lamond told Tarrio about the probe into the banner roughly a week after it happened and disclosed that police were weighing whether it should be charged as a hate crime. Lamond even went so far as to tell Tarrio he would check to see if MPD criminal investigators had footage of Tarrio burning the banner, prosecutors said. In another text message that emerged at the Proud Boys seditious conspiracy trial, Lamond allegedly warned Tarrio that the FBI and U.S. Secret Service were all spun up after Tarrio went on the now-defunct InfoWars site and stated that Proud Boys would show up at public events pretending to be supporters of President Joe Biden. Lamond, who has pleaded not guilty, insists he has no sympathies for the Proud Boys, but that while working as a leader for MPDs intelligence division, his communications with Tarrio were a necessary part of his job monitoring and developing sources. Defense lawyer Mark Schamel claims Lamonds closeness to Tarrio the men shared at least 500 text messages, called each other brother on occasion and even went out for drinks was an effort to keep tabs on the Proud Boys movements overall and to help prevent skirmishes between Proud Boys and other groups who might have shown up for rallies or other public events in D.C. at the same time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But on Monday, U.S. Attorney Joshua Rothstein told U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson that isnt quite what the record suggests. Rothstein argued that Lamond on the force for nearly 25 years when he was charged used encrypted text channels with Tarrio to give him a play-by-play of police activity. Before Christmas 2020, prosecutors said, Lamond was shown a photo of Tarrio with other Proud Boys and asked if he could identify him. Within days, according to prosecutors, texts showed Lamond telling Tarrio about being asked to ID him. Yet more records allegedly show Lamond then warning Tarrio he would likely soon be arrested for the banner burning. MPD Lieutenant Ahsan Mufti, the governments first witness in the trial, testified Monday that when a picture of Tarrio and fellow Proud Boys began circulating among investigators in December, Lamond told police that he had seen Tarrio before, but only five or six times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mufti, specifically tasked with getting Tarrios arrest warrant approved, said he thought that was the limit of their contact, and that Lamond had never disclosed that they had also shared hundreds of texts and calls. If he had known about that communication in December 2020, it could have made the case for Tarrios warrant stronger, Mufti said. Lamond did, however, provide Mufti with Tarrios phone number and helped to positively ID Tarrios voice on a podcast. This was helpful in getting the warrant, Mufti conceded. Nonetheless, Rothstein said, evidence at trial will show that Lamonds leaking of sensitive police information was a steady drip and tied into his own affinity for the extremist groups ideology. Lamonds attorneys argue prosecutors are cherry-picking his texts to make the case that their client was committing a crime when he was just trying to maximize his contact with Tarrio to gather intel about the Proud Boys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the Proud Boys seditious conspiracy trial, FBI agent Peter Dubrowski, who reviewed the texts between Lamond and Tarrio, testified that the messages did not strike him as chats typical or normal in a police-confidential source relationship. Dubrowski said it was abnormal that Lamond, for example, told Tarrio when and where Proud Boys were being locked up. In one text just 24 hours before the Black Lives Matter banner was burned, Lamond wrote to Tario: Copy. Antifa should be staying up at BLM Plaza. Do you want me to let our uniformed officers know that or keep it to myself? Ill be around all night in case anything kicks off. Prosecutors asked Dubrowski last year if it was typical for an officer to defer to a source as Tarrio and his codefendants looked on. No, Dubrowski said in February 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More evidence of that allegedly atypical relationship was spelled out in Lamonds indictment. In a text to Tarrio, Lamond fawned: Of course I cant say it officially, but personally I support you all and dont want to see the groups name and reputation dragged through the mud. The false statement charges are specific to Lamonds conduct in June 2021. During an interview with investigators, prosecutors say Lamond initially described his contact with Tarrio as one-sided and he denied ever telling Tarrio about the imminent arrest warrant for the flag burning. When Tarrio was on trial, he wished to call Lamond to testify on his behalf. Tarrio argued the police lieutenants testimony would prove to jurors that their relationship was never untoward and that he wouldnt have risked a close relationship with Lamond if he was planning to attack the Capitol. But Lamond never testified for Tarrio, opting not to get involved and potentially incriminate himself while a probe into his own conduct was ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At his own trial, which is expected to last less than two weeks, Lamond may call on Tarrio to testify. As CBS reported last week, Lamonds defense attorney Mark Schamel said that when he first suggested calling Tarrio to the stand, prosecutors warned him that may open the door to Tarrio facing more charges tied to the flag burning. Schamel suggested this was a ploy to keep Tarrio out of the picture. The bench trial resumes on Tuesday. Related... CONTENT WARNING: The allegations detailed in this report involve sexual assault and relationship violence. This content is disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) For the second time in less than six months, Oklahoma City Police have arrested one of their own officers on suspicion of rape, assault and threats of violence. On Saturday, Oklahoma City Police (OKCPD) arrested 23-year-old OKCPD officer Shamar Kitchens on suspicion of first-degree rape, forcible sodomy, rape by instrumentation, pointing a firearm, pointing a weapon at another, domestic assault and battery, and threatening to perform an act of violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OKCPD officer arrested for rape charge bonds out a day later Police say Kitchens joined the department in early 2023. OKCPDs arrest report doesnt say much about what happened leading up to his arrest. It says officers responded to Kitchens home in Surrey Hills early Saturday morning after getting a domestic call. We made contact with the victim, OKCPD Public information officer Valerie Littlejohn told News 4. It was determined she was involved in a domestic with someone that she was in a romantic relationship with, and he had physically and sexually assaulted her at some point earlier that morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Littlejohn said the woman reported Kitchens raped her and threatened her with a gun while the two were driving to home from an area near SW 15th and Mustang Road in Canadian county, within Oklahoma Citys city limits. News 4 wanted to look at the arrest affidavit for more details Monday, but the Canadian County District Attorneys Office has not formally filed charges as OKCPD continues to investigate so there was no affidavit available. Thackerville officer arrested for larceny charges Its a very serious incident, Littlejohn said. Were going to do a thorough investigation. And once we gather everything, we will present it to the district attorneys office, who will ultimately decide whether charges are filed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News 4 did get ahold of a request for an emergency protective orderfiled by the woman on Mondayshedding a bit more light on what allegedly happened. In the request, the woman wrote she and Kitchens were driving home from Norman around 2:30 in the morning Saturday, when Kitchens took her phone from her hand because he saw me texting men on my phone. She claims another passenger in the car witnessed kitchens drag her to the floor. She wrote, after they dropped that passenger off, Kitchens continuously punched me in the head and face and dragged me by my hair and that he raped me in the back seat then held a gun to my head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said Kitchens told her if she told anyone what happened, he would kill me, our daughter and himself. The victim did have visible injuries to her person, Littlejohn said. And so it was determined that the male suspect, who was an officer, would be arrested for domestic violence and other sexual assault charges and some firearms charges as well. Kitchens was booked into the Canadian County Jail with a $66,000 bond. Detention officer arrested for embezzlement, says OCDC He bonded out within a day. The allegations against Kitchens are very similar to allegations made against a different OKCPD officer this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July, News 4 reported McClain County authorities arrested Oklahoma City Police Sgt. Ryan Stark for kidnapping, rape, assault and other charges. Again in that case, the victim was also a woman Stark had been romantically involved with. OKCPD Sgt. arrested for rape, kidnapping charges in McClain County She claimed she and Stark got in an argument in the car, and when they got home, Stark took her cell phone and ran over her foot with his patrol car, before he then choked her, squeezed her, spat in her face and spat gum in her hair. She also claimed Stark held a gun to her head, threatened to kill her, and then raped her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OKCPD officer appears in court on rape, kidnapping charges News 4 asked OKCPD with these cases in mind, can Oklahoma City citizens can still trust your officers? Officers are humans and things happen, you know, where people, you know, break the law or make decisions, they are afforded the right to due process just like everyone else, Littlejohn said. Again, regardless of if theyre an officer or not, we take these incidents very seriously and we investigate them thoroughly. Littlejohn said OKCPD immediately placed Kitchens on administrative leave following his arrest, and says he will likely remain on leave until the case against him is resolved. 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. (COLORADO SPRINGS) Protestors marched from the El Paso County Sheriffs Office (EPSO) to the 4th Judicial District Attorneys (DA) Office on Sunday, Dec. 1, calling for action against police violence and negligence after a shooting left Anthony Padilla dead in his apartment complex in March of 2023. The Padilla family says Anthony was shot and killed at his apartment complex by a neighbor back in March. Ian Padilla, Anthonys younger brother told FOX21 News that Anthony was using the communal laundry room at this apartment complex when a neighbor accused him of breaking and entering and shot Anthony. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Family accuses EPSO and DA of mishandling case Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family alleged that deputies did not provide Anthony with proper medical care, which they say resulted in his death. According to the Padillas, the case was taken to a grand jury where they claim no evidence was shown, resulting in no charges. The family alleges District Attorney Michael Allen mishandled the case to protect the El Paso County Sheriffs Office deputies who responded to the call. Were here to spread awareness, help get people aware of what Michael Allen is capable of and what he has done, said Ian Padilla. So other people who maybe hes done this to, can come out and help support, and show that this is unjust. We dont deserve this as the people of Colorado Springs. We deserve whats fair and right. FOX21 News contacted the 4th Judicial District Attorneys Office and the El Paso County Sheriffs Office for comment but has not heard back as of 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 FOX21 News Colorado. For the fifth day in a row, Georgians are holding massive protests against their government in the country's capital, Tbilisi. The brewing dissatisfaction was ignited by the country's democratic backsliding under the leadership of the pro-Russian, increasingly illiberal government. The final straw appeared to be the parliament elections won by the ruling Georgian Dream party, which many believe were marred by fraud, and the government's decision to pause the country's EU accession process until 2028. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hundreds have been detained and dozens injured during an ensuing crackdown by riot police. Police disperse water and gas at protesters gathering to protest against Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's decision to suspend Georgia's EU accession negotiations until 2028 on Dec. 2, 2024 in Tbilisi, Georgia. (Davit Kachkachishvili/Anadolu via Getty Images) The Georgian Dream party has been in power since 2012 and spent years pledging to take the country into the EU. However, the party's rule has been marked by the development of closer ties with Moscow and the introduction of a number of repressive legislations that mimic that of Russia. Relations with the EU, as well as with Ukraine, have deteriorated. The party is led by a controversial oligarch and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, Georgia's richest man, who has business ties in Russia. In the run-up to the election, Georgian Dream campaigned on a platform of reminding voters of the 2008 war with Russia, using images of war-torn Ukraine as a fear-inducing tactic to dissuade people from seeking closer ties with the EU. For this reason, protesters in Georgia can be seen with EU and Ukrainian flags and symbols, as well as Georgia's national flag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Kyiv denounces violence against Georgian protesters; Moscow compares pro-EU rally to Orange Revolution What are the latest protests in Georgia about? Georgia's Oct. 26 parliamentary elections sparked a new cycle of protests, as opposition parties claimed the vote was rigged. Georgian Dream declared victory despite reports of ballot stuffing, intimidation, and other irregularities. Opposition groups refused to recognize the result of the Oct. 26 parliamentary election and said the election was stolen. Georgia's pro-EU President Salome Zourabichvili said she would not recognize the results and called for citizens to join her in mass demonstrations. Nonetheless, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, one of the leaders of Georgian Dream, said on Oct. 27 that parliament would approve the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Georgia's Central Election Commission took three weeks to count all votes and examine complaints about irregularities before announcing on Nov. 16 that Georgian Dream had received 53.93% of the vote, giving it 89 seats in the 150-seat parliament. A special forces police officer fires tear gas at the pro-European demonstrators on the fifth consecutive night of protests. (Jay Kogler/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) A protester waves the European Union flag in front of police during the fifth straight night of demonstrations against the government's postponement of EU accession talks until 2028, in central Tbilisi early on Dec. 3, 2024. (Giorgi Arjevanidze/AFP via Getty Images) Protesters occupied a busy junction of downtown Tbilisi on Nov. 17 with tents, but the police dispersed them a day later. Protesters gathered again on Nov. 18, but police officers violently dispersed the crowds, demolished the camp, and detained several participants. A new round of protests followed Kobakhidze's statement that Georgia's integration into the European Union could be postponed until 2028, prompting outrage among some in society, who are demanding changes in the country's political course. Police reportedly used pepper spray and water cannons to disperse demonstrators in Tbilisi on Nov. 29. Protests then spread to Batumi, Zugdidi, Kutaisi, Telavi, Gurjaani, and other Georgian cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over 220 people were arrested during the ensuing crackdown, with dozens reported injured as the Georgian police deployed tear gas and water cannons. Read also: Zourabichvili says shell remain Georgian president until legitimate parliament elected How are Georgia's relations with the EU? The EU and U.S. called on Oct. 27 for an investigation into the irregularities during the election. The European Commission then announced on Oct. 30 that the process of Georgia's accession to the European Union has been suspended due to the actions of the Georgian government since the spring of 2024. The talks remain "on hold as long as Georgia continues to move away from the EU, our values, and our principles," EU Ambassador to Georgia Pawel Herczynski said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the European Council had agreed in December 2023 to grant candidate status to Georgia, the Georgian government passed a controversial foreign agents law in May 2024, overruling a veto by President Zourabichvili. Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili speaks to the press after voting at a polling station during the parliamentary elections in Tbilisi, Georgia on Oct. 26, 2024. (Mirian Meladze/Anadolu via Getty Images) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People attend a rally together with Georgia's President Salome Zurabishvili to protest results of the parliamentary elections that showed a victory for the ruling Georgian Dream party, outside the parliament building in central Tbilisi, Georgia on Oct. 28, 2024. ( Mirian Meladze/Anadolu via Getty Images) The law, which mirrors similar Russian legislation targeting civil society, sparked mass protests in Georgia in the spring of 2024. Georgian Dream initially introduced the bill in early 2023 but scrapped it in March 2023 following widespread demonstrations. The speaker of the Georgian parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, signed the law in June 2024 and the legislation came into effect on Aug. 1, requiring organizations that receive foreign funding to register with the Justice Ministry or face a fine. In response, the EU de facto halted Georgia's accession process and froze 30 million euros ($32 million) in defense sector funding. Washington would also pause more than $95 million in assistance to Georgia due to the law, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on July 31. Following the outbreak of mass protests in late November, the EU's chief diplomat at the time, Josep Borrell, released a statement in support of the Georgian people "and their choice for a European future." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Borrell also noted that Kobakhidze's announcement to suspend EU accession talks "marks a shift from the policies of all previous Georgian governments and the European aspirations of the vast majority of the Georgian people, as enshrined in the Constitution of Georgia." How has Russia reacted to the protests? Publicly, Russia has refrained from openly siding with Georgian Dream but insinuated that outside forces are attempting to destabilize Georgia. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Dec. 2 that the protests were a domestic matter for Georgia, but drew comparisons with Ukraine's Orange and EuroMaidan revolutions. Ukraine's Orange Revolution in 2004-2005 was sparked by mass fraud during the 2004 presidential elections in favor of pro-Russian candidate Viktor Yanukovych. The mass protests resulted in an election rerun that was won by pro-EU candidate Viktor Yushchenko. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2013-2014 EuroMaidan Revolution broke out after President Yanukovych, who had been elected in 2010, decided not to sign an association agreement with the EU. Georgia and Russia broke off diplomatic relations in the wake of the war in 2008 but the Georgian Dream government oversaw a gradual normalization of mutual ties. The two countries resumed direct flights last year, while the trade relations between the two countries have continued to grow, increasing the South Caucasus' country's dependence on its northern neighbor. Russia currently controls two Georgian regions South Ossetia and Abkhazia which together account for almost 20% of the country's territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly before the election, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a presidential decree on expanding visa-free entry for Georgian citizens who are working or studying in Russia. The decree came as the EU weighed potentially ending Georgia's visa-free access to the bloc. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. It would unleash an investment boom. It would get millions of people off sickness benefits and back into employment. And it would create hundreds of thousands of well-paid green jobs as we raced towards Net Zero. In the run up to the election, the Labour Party made lots of rash promises about things that were completely outside its control. It is probably no great surprise that the new Government has failed to deliver on any of those ambitions, and yet now it has emerged that it cant even make good on one of the few things that are under its direct control: its own employees. As this newspaper reveals today, working from home is soaring again in the public sector and that is going to cripple the British economy. The last Conservative government did not get much right. But there was at least this: along with most major employers, it started coaxing and cajoling the civil service back into the office. With a mixture of carrots and sticks, it managed to get attendance back up to 69pc. It was not perfect, but it was better than nothing. And yet now, the figures are dropping again, falling to levels last seen during the height of the Covid pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That matters. After a huge natural experiment, we now have conclusive evidence that Working From Home or lounging around in your PJs to give it its technical title means less output, lower levels of commitment, and little innovation. There is a reason why most private companies have now brought it to an end. It is not that they like maintaining expensive office buildings, and giving everyone free post-it notes. They realise that it is the only effective way to run an organisation. Without physical presence, not much gets done. Now, under Labour, attendance has started to slide again, and at an accelerating rate. Ministers have gone soft, and the unions have been allowed to get away with whatever they want. The result? Very few public sector workers are at their desks anymore. Indeed, at the rate this is going, by the end of Labours full term, the entire civil service will be working from a beach bar on a Greek island. And yet, there are three big problems with that. To start with, it is impossible for an economy to grow with declining public sector output. The figures are shocking, with the states employees now 6.9pc less productive than they were before the pandemic. Given that the public sector will soon account for 44pc of GDP, on Labours spending plans, the private sector would have to be increasing its productivity by 10pc or more simply for overall output to stand still. It simply is not possible. Next, working from home means we have dysfunctional public services, for the simple reason that so little gets done. You cant book a driving test, which means there is no one to drive a van for an electrician. You cant get planning permission, which means minor projects dont get started. You cant get probate, which means family money is stuck for years, instead of being put to work. The list goes on and on. A huge amount of everyday economic activity depends on a bureaucrat somewhere stamping a piece of paper. If it doesnt happen, everything grinds to a halt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, it is unfair on the private sector. The vast majority of people dont even have the option. You could never restack the shelves, fix a broken tap, or ship anything out of the warehouse by working from home. Nor can most office workers at ordinary companies expect to stay away from the office except in exceptional circumstances. In the public sector, you can choose. We are creating a two-tier workforce, with a pampered and privileged elite working for the state, while everyone else slaves away to pay the taxes to support them. It is hard to see the voters tolerating that for much longer. Labours promise to create the fastest-growing economy in the G7 looks increasingly laughable, with businesses closing and retail sales collapsing. It does not have many levers it can pull. It could, however, get tough on the states own employees, and start demanding that they show up for work again. If it doesnt, it will condemn the economy to five years of stagnation and eventually face a brutal, and richly deserved, reckoning with the voters. 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 Yale University School of Public Health has published a report claiming that Russian ruler Vladimir Putin's jets and funds were used in a "programme that took children from occupied Ukrainian territories, stripped them of Ukrainian identity and placed them with Russian families." Source: Reuters with reference to the report Quote: "The new report, shared with Reuters, offers details of the alleged deportation programme and individuals involved, including what its lead researcher said were new links to Putin." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Nathaniel Raymond, Executive Director of Yale's Humanitarian Research Lab, said he plans to present the findings to the UN Security Council on Wednesday. The United States is this months rotating leader of the 15-member body. Raymond said that the report contains evidence that supports additional ICC charges against Putin for forcibly displacing people from one national and ethnic group to another. He also noted that the report proves that "the deportation of Ukraine's children is part of a systematic, Kremlin-led programme" aimed at making them Russian citizens. In response to Reuters' questions, the ICC prosecutor's office said the report was useful "in our continued activities in this case" but would not provide further information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Office of the President of Ukraine did not respond to requests for comment. Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office said it had no comment at this time. It is noted that Reuters was unable to independently confirm the findings of the report. Read also: Ukrainska Pravda identifies the overseers of abduction of Ukrainian children Background: In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Children's Right Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova over the deportation of Ukrainian children from the occupied territories of Ukraine to Russia. Lvova-Belova publicly stated that Filip, a teenager from captured Mariupol who was "adopted" by her, had been "influenced by Ukrainian propaganda", but already called her "mum". Daria Herasymchuk, Ukrainian Childrens Rights Commissioner, said that in Russia, abducted Ukrainian children were being psychologically harassed, called names and beaten for disobedience. Russia is trying to re-educate Ukrainian children. For example, in Mariupol, the Russians are forcing students to line up, listen to the anthem of the terrorist state and raise the Russian flag. Support UP or become our patron! The capabilities of Qatars Navy took a leap forward when Italian shipmaker Fincantieri delivered the countrys first multi-mission landing platform dock (LPD) last week, an outright unique warship that combines features of a surface combatant and an amphibious assault ship. Al Fulk, has a very interesting appearance, featuring a deck gun on its bow, vertical launch system (VLS) arrays tacked onto its side, and an unusually proportioned flight deck. Looks aside, its a fascinating vessel that packs a lot of capability into a relatively efficient package. The ship is the culmination of a multi-billion dollar deal inked nearly a decade ago, and offers the latest signal of the countrys burgeoning military might as it seeks to strengthen itself in a very tough neighborhood. The 468-foot-long, 71-foot-wide ships technology and versatility represent a significant maritime upgrade for the Qatari Emiri Navy (QEN). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Displacing roughly 8,800 tons in a full combat load (nearly the same as a Flight II Arleigh Burke class frigate), Al Fulk can serve as a sea base of sorts, sporting a flight deck that can host light or medium helicopters, including the nations NH90 helicopter fleet. The Al Fulk also features a roomy garage with two vehicle ramps and a floodable well deck that will allow the ship to deploy landing craft that can ferry armored vehicles, troops, and other materiel ashore. The Qatari landing platform dock Al Fulk. Fincantieri While one of its primary mission sets will be leading the area air defense mission, which is normally executed by traditional surface combatants, the ship can do a lot of other things, especially roles that are normally carried out by more mission-focused LPDs. For one, it will give the Navy the ability to cruise far from home. The ships two main diesel engines propel the vessel to a maximum speed of 20 knots, and the ship can sail for 7,000 nautical miles at 15 knots, according to Fincantieri. Such range primes the Al Fulk to be able to take on extended deployments inside and far outside of the Gulf. It can also host up to 550 people on board. Fincantieri has not clarified how many personnel are required to crew the ship, but another variant of its class requires just 152 sailors. The larger full complement would include troops and aviation support personnel. The LPD is a niche capability that could be the backbone of a multinational operation in the region and significantly augment the capabilities of partner navies, Andreas Krieg, CEO of the London-based consulting firm MENA Analytica, told Breaking Defense in 2023. It could function as a hub for greater maritime operations in the Gulf and Indian Ocean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Al Fulk was the centerpiece of a nearly $6 billion, seven-ship deal finalized in 2017 that included multiple corvettes and patrol boats. Four Al Zubarah-class corvettes and two Musherib-class offshore patrol vessels had already been delivered to Qatar by the time Al Fulk was handed over in a ceremony at the Muggiano shipyard in Italy on Nov. 29, company officials told TWZ Monday. The ship is based on an enhanced version of Fincantieris San Giusto design, one of which, the Kalaat Beni Abbes, is already in use by Algeria. Rendering of an Al Zubarah-class corvette. (Ficantieri) While neither Doha nor Fincantieri are believed to have publicly stated precisely what is installed aboard Al Fulk, the Algerian variant was delivered in 2014 and features an advanced electronic warfare suite capable of detecting, categorizing and jamming threats that is likely on the Qatari variant as well, TWZ previously reported. Kalaat Beni Abbes also includes the Italian defense company Leonardos ATHENA advanced Combat Management System. The Kalaat Beni Abbes. (Fincantieri) It isnt clear if the same system or an outgrowth of it is also equipping the Qatari variant, but that seems more probable than not. Al Fulk features a Leonardo-built Kronos Power Shield radar. The Kronos AESA radar utilizes an energy-efficient gallium-nitride-based technology to maximize detection capabilities, all within a compact package, according to past TWZ reporting: The system can rapidly switch between broad, 360-degree area search and more focused tracking modes. There is also a fence functionality able to track short- and medium range ballistic missiles, but only in a very limited envelope. Leonardo says that the complete 430-square foot array offers a typical maximum search range of between approximately 930 and 1,240 miles, though this would be dependent on a host of environmental factors and the nature of the targets in question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two eight-cell Sylver vertical launch system (VLS) arrays that can fire 16 Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles (Aster 15s are also possible) provide the arrows in Al Fulks quiver. This package of systems conceivably allows the ship to provide area air defense, including the ability to intercept tactical ballistic missiles, as well as shoot down traditional air breathing anti-ship cruise missiles, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, and various aerial drones at significant distances. The 16-cell VLS array can be seen here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to its own capabilities, Al Fulk will serve as a mother ship and command and control asset for the four corvettes, providing long-range targeting information, Enrico Bonetti, then the shipbuilders senior vice president for naval vessels said at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference (DIMDEX) in 2018. The corvettes, with a displacement of 3,250 tons at full combat load, were also slated to have their own Aster 30 missiles and radars, TWZ previously reported. Bonetti also said at DIMDEX that a 76mm rapid fire main gun would be on the Al Fulk as well as the corvettes, along with Sylena Mk 2 decoy launchers that would, along with smaller automatic cannons for close-in protection, provide additional defensive capabilities. Each corvette was also slated to have a RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile launcher for close-in defense. A U.S. Navy RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM). (U.S. Navy) The amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD-23) fires a RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) during a live-fire exercise in the Pacific Ocean earlier this year. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Hector Carrera And amidst a fleet of smaller corvettes and offshore patrol vessels, Al Fulk is the largest and most advanced warship that that force has fielded to date. It also comes as the country continues on a prolific military acquisition spree, which includes many new and highly-capable fighter jets. Doha has in recent years bought advanced 4th generation fighter jets from three sources, and began adding advanced jet trainers to its fleet in 2022. Go here to read more on how the Qatari Emiri Air Force is growing. Multiple reasons exist for Qatar betting big on a LPD, according to the non-profit Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. Qatar is an exporter of liquified natural gas and needs to secure export routes, and senior officials have spoken of terrorism, regional instability and drug smuggling as other factors for building out the Navy, the institutes Albert Vidal wrote in August 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Fincantieri deal that brought Qatar Al Fulk was followed by a $1.1 billion deal with multinational missile company MBDA to build missiles for the new ships, Vidal writes, and that was followed by a $3.7 billion purchase of 28 NH90 helicopters from Leonardo, 12 of which are configured for naval operations. We have officially handed over, at our Muggiano shipyard, the amphibious vessel LPD Al Fulk to the Ministry of Defence of Qatar as the completion of a significant naval program for the Qatari Navy. The ceremony was attended, among others, by the Commander of the Qatar Emiri pic.twitter.com/tI0UFwx7IW Fincantieri (@Fincantieri) November 29, 2024 Qatar is also building out its naval infrastructure and seeking to grow its Navy to 7,000 sailors by 2025, up from less than 3,000 sailors, Reuters reported in 2018. Qatars acquisition of Al Fulk inevitably provides the country with extra military might in a very tense region, while offering the tiny but wealthy nation a way to contribute to multinational combat and foreign humanitarian missions in ways that exceed any of its capabilities in the past. Contact the author: geoff@twz.com Last month, Camilla was unable to attend Remembrance events due to a viral chest infection. And today, the same infection has forced her to pull out of parts of the State Visit. Buckingham Palace let it be known yesterday evening that the Queen will have an adapted program for todays State Visit hosting the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his first wife Sheikha Jawaher. T&C understands that Camilla will not attend the formal welcome on Horse Guards Parade nor the full receiving line at the State Banquet this evening. She is expected to attend other elements of the visit as planned, including lunch at Buckingham Palace today, viewing of an exhibition in the Palaces Picture Gallery, and the banquet itself. Palace aides have been keen to emphasize that there is no change to the Queens diagnosis, simply that she needs time to rest to recover fully from the infection. The Princess of Wales is also taking part in the State Visit today with a reduced program. She will attend the official welcome after greeting the Qatari couple at their hotel this morning and will travel with them for lunch at Buckingham Palace. However, she will not be at the banquet this evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Visits see Britain roll out the red carpet for visiting dignitaries, with a carriage procession down the Mall, which is today decorated with Qatari flags. This trip comes at a time when the UK is in ongoing talks to secure a trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council, of which Qatar is a member. However, Human Rights organization the Peter Tatchell Foundation has said it plans to protest the visit near to the Palace today. Keir Starmer and King Charles should not reward the Emir with the honour of a State Visit while his regime continues to victimise women, LGBTs and migrant workers, the organization said in a statement. You Might Also Like Queen Camilla lifted the lid on a fresh royal family health crisis Tuesday after she told a visiting party including the Amir of Qatar that she had been diagnosed with pneumonia. Camillas comments threw a spanner in the works of a careful effort by the palace to downplay her illness, with palace sources having consistently briefed the media that she was suffering a nasty bug or a lingering chest infection in recent weeks. They conceded Tuesday after Camillas comments that she has had pneumonia, an illness which can be fatal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is understood to have picked up the disease on or immediately after an exhausting official trip to Australasia undertaken by her and her husband, which concluded, ironically enough, with a three-day retreat at a wellness centre in India. Camilla has maintained a notably low profile since her return from the trip in late October, skipping key events such as the Remembrance Sunday ceremonies which mark the end of the WWI and honors all veterans. She is also taking a reduced role in the Qatar state visit which got underway in London today, avoiding standing for prolonged periods and not attending key aspects of the visit. The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, by contrast, is attending a significant number of banquets and events. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs causing inflammation in the air sacs (alveoli), which may fill with fluid. It can range from mild to life-threatening depending on the cause, age, and health of the individual. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most severe cases involve bacterial pneumonia, often caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, leading to high fever, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. Viral pneumonia, which the palace has now suggested Camilla has, can be caused by influenza or COVID-19, and is often milder, and is sometimes called walking pneumonia. An official palace source said: (The queen) has chosen to clarify with some attendees that the specific viral chest infection she had was a form of pneumonia. She has recovered well but continues to experience episodic symptoms of post-viral fatigue. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) The future of the Tampa Bay Rays is still in doubt after a letter from Rays President Matt Silverman to Pinellas County Commissioners. Pinellas County Commission Chair Kathleen Peters sent a letter to Rays owners asking for clarification on their position related to a signed agreement between the team, the city of St. Petersburg, and Pinellas County to build the team a new stadium. Florida fair ride malfunction sends man, 2 children to hospital Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the summer, those parties reached an agreement to build the team a new $1.3 billion stadium and to develop the land around the ballpark. However, the Pinellas County Commission delayed to votes to issue bonds to pay for the stadium and Silvermans letter indicates the timing of the agreement is critical. While, as a technical matter, under the agreements, there are longer outside dates for a variety of conditions to be satisfied, Silverman said. The Rays have always made it clear that the viability of the project depended on having certainty about the projects approval and funding prior to the 2024 November elections. Now, one of the newly elected Pinellas County Commissioners said the agreement needs to be changed before he will vote in favor of funding the new stadium. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elections have consequences, said Commissioner Vince Nowicki. He said he did not sign the previous agreement, and that changes must be made. There is a contract on the table, Nowicki said. I think we can make a few amendments, cross out a few different things, add a few different lines here and there and get it done. Commissioner Chris Latvala was one of just two commissioners who voted against the original agreement, and he said he still has problems with the deal as it currently stands. Their owner can sell the team and keep the land development rights, Latvala said. He can move the team and keep the land development rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he believes a new agreement can be worked out that will be better for the taxpayers and keep the team in town. I think the Rays do not want to be the party that terminates the agreement because their number one interest, I believe, has always been the land development deal around the trop in which they will reap hundreds of millions of dollars in profit, Latvala said. Nowicki said he would also like to see a new deal worked out. I would love to see the St. Pete City Council, the County Commission, Rays ownership, Heinz Development, all get in a room and lock us in there until we can come out with a signed agreement, Nowicki said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pinellas County Commission and St. Petersburg City council must still approve the sale of bonds so the current agreement can go forward. 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. In a dramatic and heartwarming display of perseverance and coordination, New York State Troopers, medical staff, and transportation teams banded together to ensure a 64-year-old woman received a life-saving heart transplant, despite being stranded in a severe snowstorm that dumped as much as 5 feet of snow on parts of New York. On Nov. 29, the woman and her husband embarked on a critical journey from near Rochester, New York, to the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio for a heart transplant. While traveling on State Route 5 in the town of Portland, New York, they found themselves stranded due to the harsh winter storm and deteriorating road conditions. The situation became increasingly dire, as the woman relied on a battery-powered heart pump. (Photo credit: New York State Police) Recognizing the severity of their predicament, her husband managed to contact a nurse at the Cleveland Clinic, who swiftly reached out to the New York State Police for assistance. Troopers maintained continuous communication with the couple and deployed a NYSP Utility Task Vehicle to locate them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The coordination between our team and the medical staff was paramount in ensuring the patient's safety," the New York State Police said in a news release. "Our primary goal was to get her to the medical facilities as quickly and safely as possible." With a solid plan in place, troopers transported the woman to the Portland Fire Department and then to Westfield Memorial Hospital. From there, she was taken to the Jamestown Airport in Chautauqua County, where she was flown out of the storm-affected area to the Cleveland Clinic for her heart transplant. (Photo credit: New York State Police) "This mission underscores the critical importance of teamwork and quick thinking in life-threatening situations," New York State Police Trooper James O' Callaghan said. "It's heartening to see such dedication from everyone involved to ensure the patient received the care she needed despite the challenges posed by the snowstorm." Throughout the storm, which lasted from Thanksgiving to Dec. 1, New York State troopers assisted 111 disabled vehicles, investigated 82 property damage collisions, and handled seven personal injury collisions. Democrats first steps to find their way out of the political wilderness following their losses in November will come when they choose a new chair. Following their last defeat, in 2016, the race for Democratic National Committee chair turned into a proxy battle between progressives and the establishment. Now, Democrats are hoping to sidestep an intra-party feud that could further rupture the party. But the race for their leader, scheduled for Feb. 1, and decided by 448 committee members, remains wide open. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This really is an inflection point for the Democratic Party, said Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, a DNC member and incoming chair of the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association. Four candidates are in, and several others are being floated by DNC members. Here, a list of reasons for beleaguered Democrats to pick or pass over some of the more frequently mentioned potential candidates for DNC chair. Ken Martin Minnesotas Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party chair Reasons to pick Martin is the ultimate technician and process operative who knows all the players, having served various leadership roles around the country and the Midwest including as president of the Association of State Democratic Committees. He already has banked about half of the endorsements he needs to win the race. His candidacy isnt likely to spark a war within the party. Reasons to pass Martins candidacy probably wouldnt instigate the kind of wholesale overhaul of the partys outlook that some insiders think the party needs. The soft-spoken Midwesterner and vice-chair of the national party since 2017, as well as a co-chair of the Biden-Harris and then Harris-Walz presidential campaigns, doesnt exactly scream change at a moment when the electorate seems to be asking for it. Martin OMalley Former Social Security Administration and commissioner and Maryland governor Reasons to pick OMalley, who beat Martin to the race, has led the Democratic Governors Association and ran for president in 2016. He boasts relationships across the party. Reasons to pass OMalley is the Dippin Dots of Democratic pols once branded as the product of the future, but always leaving something to be desired in the present. He hasnt been firmly ensconced in electoral politics in nearly a decade, and its not immediately clear why hes returning now. His last elective win came 14 years ago in 2010 a time far removed from the current political moment. His 2016 presidential campaign all but ended in the bitter cold meteorologically and otherwise. When a Midwestern snowstorm dropped 8 inches of snow on Iowa weeks before the caucuses in December of 2015, just one caucus-goer showed. After meeting OMalley, the man remained uncommitted. OMalley went on to win less than one percent of the vote before dropping out. Ben Wikler Wisconsin Democratic Party chair Reasons to pick Of all the Blue Wall states, Wiklers Wisconsin held down Donald Trumps margins the most. A former host of a podcast before they mattered in politics, and a one-time senior adviser at MoveOn with the kind of media touch and fundraising network Democrats crave, hes been hailed as the best state chair in the country. Reasons to pass Wikler shines on X, where hes coming up on 200,000 followers, but its not clear he would light up cable television or excite national donors. Like his fellow Midwesterner Martin, hes seen as a process guy. In some ways, he might be the ideal executive director if the party moves toward a model where the chair is more of a figurehead messenger and fundraiser, and someone like Wikler is left to deal with blocking and tackling. James Skoufis New York state senator Reasons to pick The fields self-described outsider, Skoufis, 37, hails from a district Trump won. His home county of Orange was one of the 46 New York counties the president-elect took and where Skoufis won by 13 points in 2023. Hes never lost an election. Reasons to pass He has held no party leadership positions before nationally or otherwise. Michael Blake former New York assemblyman Reasons to pick The former New York assemblyman and DNC vice chair is an ambitious political player, like fellow New Yorker former Rep. Max Rose, who is also weighing a potential bid. Blake, the son of Jamaican immigrants, would bring some diversity to what is largely a white field. And he has raised his hand for the job . Reasons to pass Its just not clear anyone is calling on him. At virtually the same time he is pursuing the DNC role, Blake announced a bid for New York City mayor a gambit viewed by many within the party as fundamentally unserious. NYC. DNC. A New Day is coming, he posted to X. It did not receive even half a dozen reposts. Rahm Emanuel Outgoing U.S. ambassador to Japan Reasons to pick David Axelrod has floated his old Obama ally as the most skillful, political kind of infighter in the Democratic Party. Hes been a member of Congress, hes been White House chief of staff, hes been the mayor of Chicago. Now, hes been ambassador to Japan, and he ran, in 2005 and [2006], the campaign to take back the House, Axelrod said on his podcast Hacks on Tap. Its true: No contender brawls in real life or on cable television like Emanuel. He knows how to hit up national donors for money. He knows how to bring the party back to the center. Emanuel told the Chicago Sun-Times he will soon return home and talk and listen to folks at home about [the] best way to serve and build what we care about. Reasons to pass Emanuel has been a figure in the Democratic Party for some 40 years and party insiders wanting a change candidate might not want him. Sherrod Brown U.S. senator from Ohio Reasons to pick If Democrats have lost touch with broad swaths of the middle of the country, then there is perhaps no one better to fix that perception than the outgoing senator from Ohio, who lost a closely fought contest to car dealer Bernie Moreno. His national fundraising network is unrivaled by the field: He and his allies raised $83.3 million, more than his opponent. He has a Rust Belt brand other Democratic candidates can draft off of. And Brown also has an unmatched outside-the-Beltway authenticity that makes him equally comfortable on a picket line as in a Washington greenroom. Reasons to pass Coming off a running-on-empty Senate bid, its not clear whether Brown has the appetite or wherewithal for what promises to be a bruising political moment in a second Trump term. It isnt clear his proponents in the party will be able to persuade him to get into the race. Faiz Shakir 2020 Bernie Sanders campaign manager Reasons to pick Like Chuck Rocha, the Democratic strategist and self-described non-college-educated Mexican redneck, who is also weighing a DNC bid, Shakir would bring a fresh perspective to a party thirsting for it. The clear progressive in the field, he also maintains more respect from within the partys more moderate strain than some other Sanders alumni. Reasons to pass Shakir not a marquee cable booking or donor draw may ultimately be better suited as an executive director or CEO in the party organization. Mallory McMorrow Michigan state senator Reasons to pick Democrats lost the culture wars this election cycle to Republicans, who slammed them with millions of dollars worth of ads on anti-transgender rights issues in the battleground states. No one has the experience of disarming such attacks like McMorrow, who rose to prominence in a battleground Democrats lost in 2024 after diffusing a Republican rivals unfounded criticism in 2022 that she was engaged in grooming and sexualizing children with a 4:43 minute speech in the well of the Michigan Senate. Off that speech, she built the beginnings of a national fundraising network and platform and raised north of $1 million to flip the chamber to Democratic control. Reasons to pass The darkest of dark horse candidates for the role, McMorrow is a veteran of MSNBC, and her first book Hate Won't Win: Find Your Power and Leave This Place Better Than You Found It comes out next March, not long after the DNC chair election which means that if she launches a bid, it could be, in part, about elevating her national profile (Pete Buttigieg, another former DNC chair also-ran, pulled off a similar feat with his 2017 bid). The DNC would also be her largest leadership assignment yet, and allies say she would be best suited as a figurehead paired with a more nuts-and-bolts executive director. BANGKOK (AP) Thailands King Maha Vajiralongkorn on Tuesday presided over a parade that saw the queen lead hundreds of military personnel in honor of his 72nd birthday. It was the first such ceremony in Bangkoks vast Royal Plaza in 16 years. Birthdays celebrated in 12-year cycles are considered especially auspicious in Thai culture, with the sixth cycle celebrating 72 years holding special significance. Vajiralongkorns birthday is July 28, but the previous ceremonies had been held around Dec. 5, which was his fathers birthday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vajiralongkorns father, Bhumibol, had enjoyed near-universal respect, steering Thailand safely through the challenges of war in neighbors Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, which all saw Communist takeovers in 1975. Vajiralongkorn has faced different challenges, as political polarization has jeopardized the formerly untouchable status of the Thai monarchy. There was no dissent evident as the public gathered to watch military units in the plaza, where the king and family members watched from an ornate pavilion. Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana led the parade in her capacity as Commander of the Combined Guards Unit. Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, the king's youngest daughter, led the Royal Horse Guards Regiment. As the sun set, commanders of the military services led units in taking an oath of allegiance to the king. A California producer of unpasteurized raw milk, the preferred milk of Department of Health and Human Services secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been forced by the state to suspend operations after officials found the bird flu virus in its products. All operations at Raw Farm a Fresno-based producer of raw milk, cheeses, pet foods and other dairy products are currently under quarantine, from herds to bottled product, which means that all raw milk product distribution is suspended, Steve Lyle, director of public affairs for the California Department of Food and Agriculture, said in a statement Monday. The bird flu virus, or H5N1, was found in samples collected late last month, Lyle said. Raw Farm's products on display for sale at a grocery store in Torrance, California. PATRICK T. FALLON via Getty Images CDFA dairy inspectors sampled milk from bottled products and bulk milk storage at Raw Farms bottling facility on Wednesday, Nov. 27, and laboratory test results made known on November 28 showed the presence of the bird flu virus, he continued. All milk tested by CDFA remained at the Raw Farm plant and was not released to consumers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State, county and federal officials are all continuing to investigate Raw Farms operations, Lyle said. The suspension comes not long after Raw Farm voluntarily recalled two of its raw milk batches after the Santa Clara County Public Health Department detected bird flu in them. Despite these ongoing issues, Raw Farm told CNN on Monday that Kennedy, President-elect Donald Trumps pick to lead HHS, has asked the companys CEO, Mark McAfee, to apply for the position of FDA advisor on Raw Milk Policy and Standards Development. I only drink raw milk," Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in 2022. He has said that the Food and Drug Administrations regulations on unpasteurized milk are a war on public health. Jeff Bottari via Getty Images Raw milk is milk that hasnt been through the pasteurization process, which simply involves heating milk to a minimum temperature for a set amount of time in order to kill harmful bacteria and other pathogens that could sicken consumers with bird flu, E. coli, listeria and other serious diseases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although human cases of bird flu are uncommon, in part thanks to pasteurization, the viral infection can be deadly, according to the World Health Organization. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explicitly advises people not to consume raw milk due to its health risks. Kennedy is a raw milk advocate who said in October that the Food and Drug Administrations regulations on unpasteurized milk amount to aggressive suppression and a war on public health. The only major raw milk regulation from the FDA, which is under HHS, is an interstate sales ban. In 2022, Kennedy said that for the past year hed only consumed raw milk. RFK Jr.: I only drink raw milk. pic.twitter.com/TYwFxNQdVr PatriotTakes (@patriottakes) June 12, 2024 The FDA has thrown cold water on claims about the benefits of raw milk touted by its advocates, saying theres no proof that any of the bacteria in raw milk is beneficial for gastrointestinal health and that theres no evidence it treats asthma or allergies, cures lactose intolerance, or works more effectively than pasteurized milk at fending off osteoporosis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sale of raw milk is outlawed in several countries, including Canada and Australia, and in multiple U.S. states, including across much of the South and several red states. Related... Angela Rayners employment rights overhaul will hit Britains army of agency workers and inflict permanent damage on the economy, the countrys biggest recruiters have warned. Bosses of more than a dozen companies have called on the Government to reconsider sweeping changes to rules covering agency work, including a ban on exploitative zero-hours contracts. Including agency workers in the ban risks backfiring in a significant and negative way, recruiters warned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a letter to Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, executives said: Growth is the Governments priority ... Yet the approach taken in the current consultation delivers the opposite of this. If applied, it would undermine both the temporary and permanent jobs markets, slowing job search by reducing opportunities and potentially exposing workers to poorer treatment and false self-employment. Executives from companies including Adecco, Hays, Manpower and Randstad signed the letter, warning that applying these rules to the countrys near-one million agency workers would put 34bn of economic activity at risk. Recruitment chiefs demanded a meeting with Mr Reynolds to discuss a different approach. A consultation on a ban on zero-hours contracts ended on Monday, part of a wider overhaul of workers rights spearheaded by Ms Rayner. Ministers want workers to be given a right to guaranteed hours as well as enshrining into law the right to reasonable notice of shifts and a right to payment for shifts cancelled or curtailed at short notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Rayner has vowed to end exploitative zero-hours contracts as part of a broader package of measures that will give workers sick pay and unpaid parental leave as soon as they start a job. The Deputy Prime Minister has hailed the package as the biggest upgrade to rights at work for a generation. However, the Governments own assessment has warned it will burden UK employers with nearly 5bn in additional costs each year. In a letter to Mr Reynolds, who is implementing the proposals alongside the Deputy Prime Minister, executives warned that forcing companies who engage agency workers to offer guaranteed hours after 12 weeks could dissuade hiring and force more people into false self-employment. They warned that the changes were coming on top of a significant increase in National Insurance (NI) contributions from April, which will force employers to start paying tax on many part-time workers for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recruiters also warned that forcing employment agencies and companies to make sure so-called umbrella companies that pay self-employed and agency workers pay the right amount of tax would also hit the sector. Developments in the last few weeks have worried us significantly, they say in the letter. Budget changes to NI thresholds and the Governments approach to umbrella company regulation are concerning to us. Both create the risk of slower hiring and more work being pushed into less formal and less well-regulated formats. It is understood that the Department of Business and Trade has not yet responded to requests for a meeting, but a recruitment source said engagement had been good ahead of the Monday deadline. A government spokesman said: Were committed to ending one-sided flexibility for agency workers and others, to ensure workers have more predictability to better plan their lives and finances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will consider all responses to the consultation once it closes and we continue to engage with trade unions and key stakeholders to ensure any changes work for both businesses and workers. 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. Baker Farms, based out of Norman Park, Ga., issued a recall of their 16-ounce curly mustard greens after a Listeria contamination was detected in Texas. According to the company, the contaminated products were packaged and sold out of distribution centers in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is also aware of the recall. The Texas Department of State Health detected Listeria monocytogenes in Baker Farms products on Nov. 29 and they told the company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The affected products include those packaged on Nov. 4 and sold between Nov. 5 and Nov. 9, with the best by date of Nov. 21. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: The specific products being recalled by Baker Farms are: Baker Farms Curly Mustard, 16 oz. plastic bags with BEST BY 11-21-2024, UPC: 8 13098 02018 4, Lot Code: bak144-6806 due to contamination of Listeria monocytogenes Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the recall information, no illnesses have been reported yet. Consumers who have purchased the items in question are urged not to eat them, but instead to return them to the store they were bought form to get a refund, or they can be discarded. Baker Farms will answer consumer questions Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the following number: 844-761-2244. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Dec. 2NORWICH Firefighters responded to a furnace fire Monday afternoon at 1 Pratte Ave., said Taftville Fire Department Chief Timothy Jencks. The American Red Cross said in a news release it is helping the family of two adults and three children. The Red Cross said it provided the family with information and "comfort kits" with personal care items and other necessities, and caseworkers will help with a long-term recovery plan. Jencks said the fire, which happened at about 1:14 p.m., was contained to the furnace. The Taftville fire department responded, along with the Norwich fire marshal's office, Jencks said. Attorneys for the state are pushing back on attempts by convicted murderer Joseph Corcoran's legal team to delay or overturn his scheduled execution. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Newsmakers) About two weeks away from scheduled execution, Indiana death row inmate Joseph Corcorans last-ditch attempts to quash his capital punishment sentence are still up in the air. Currently, Corcoran is scheduled to be executed before sunrise on Dec. 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His legal team faces a Tuesday deadline to file a final response in their motion to stay the execution. It will be up to the states supreme court justices to decide in the coming days whether to grant that request. (Mugshot of Joseph Corcoran from public record.) Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokitas office which in June asked the high court to set Corcorans execution date after the state acquired the necessary drugs to carry out the death sentence has adamantly rejected the request to put the execution on hold. State attorneys maintain that Corcoran is competent to be executed, despite repeated claims by the inmates attorneys that insist Corcoran is seriously mentally ill and therefore should be taken off death row. Separately, Corcorans clemency request has yet to be accepted by the Indiana Parole Board. Although his lawyers have filed the petition on his behalf, Corcoran himself has not signed the necessary paperwork. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Monday, the parole board had not received the clemency petition with Corcorans signature. The boards clemency calendar additionally does not list a pending hearing for Corcoran, which is required to take place in Indianapolis upon successful submission of a petition. Unsigned clemency petition In a Nov. 18 filing to seek a stay of execution, Corcorans attorneys argued its cruel and unusual punishment to execute someone who is seriously mentally ill. They said in court documents that paranoid schizophrenia completely removes him from reality, adding that Corcoran cannot distinguish between reality and his delusions and hallucinations his delusions are his reality. State and federal defense lawyers said, too, that throughout his legal proceedings, Corcoran has been unable to assist counsel with his defense and has been unable to make rational decisions about his case. The inmate, the lawyers added, wants to be executed, and is in fact eager for his execution, because he believes death will relieve him from symptoms of mental illness. Larry Komp, lead federal attorney for Corcorans legal team, previously told the Indiana Capital Chronicle that similar arguments would be made in a separate clemency petition. A decision regarding the last-ditch plea would be left to Indianas governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Rokitas office noted in recent court documents that Corcorans post-conviction petitions filed in recent weeks were only signed by his attorneys. Corcorans signature is required by law as a condition for filing. Komp said the state is refusing to accept the paperwork that we signed as a person on his behalf. We believe this is a brazen violation of the Indiana State Code, Komp continued. Story continues below. Response in Opposition to Stay a (1) The attorney general disagreed, writing in a Nov. 26 court filing in opposition to the motion for a stay that not only is Corcorans signature required as a legal matter, but it is not even clear that Corcoran himself wants further post-conviction review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is entirely unclear from his counsels filings whether Corcoran personally desires further post-conviction review, and his filings appear to be his attorneys unilateral decision to pursue further review without his consent, which is evidenced by the absence of Corcorans personal endorsement of these proposed petitions, state attorneys said. The attorney generals office further pointed to court proceedings dating back two decades, when Corcoran both wanted to be executed and had a rational understanding of the reason for his execution. In the early 2000s, when the time was still ripe for Corcoran to initiate post-conviction review, he refused to sign the post-conviction petition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State attorneys originally offered Corcoran a life sentence if he would accept a plea or waive jury. He refused, prompting the state to file a request for the death penalty two days later, according to court records. At sentencing, Corcoran stated that he wanted to waive all his appeals. The most recent filings with the Indiana Supreme Court reference Corcorans personal revelations to the post-conviction court in 2003: See, I want to waive my appeals because I am guilty of murder. I think that I should be executed for what I have done and not because I am supposedly tortured with ultrasound or whatever. I am guilty of murder. I should be executed. That is all there is to it. That is what I believe. I believe the death penalty is a just punishment for four counts of murder, and I believe that I should be executed since I am guilty of four counts of murder. The state continues to assert that Corcorans legal team has so far failed to present new evidence showing that his alleged incompetence is motivating his desire to forgo further dilatory review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have simply signed a petition on his behalf with no indication that their client desires the relief that they seek, the attorney generals team wrote. And the historical record shows that their client does not desire the relief that they seek, which is contemporaneously evidenced by the fact that the proposed successive petitions are not personally signed by Corcoran. Execution date looming The state additionally took issue with repeated claims by Corcorans lawyers that their client was and continues to be severely mentally ill, and as such, should be ineligible for the death penalty. His attorneys continue to rely on his diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia from 1999 to argue broadly that people like Corcoran who suffer from severe mental illnesses should be exempt from the death penalty, state attorneys wrote. Corcoran is competent to be executed, and his attorneys case for incompetence rests on a factual premise that Corcoran admits is a lie. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rokitas team emphasized that Corcoran admitted he fabricated this delusion in a letter to a federal district court in 2006: And I admit that in about August of the year 2000, or maybe earlier, I made up a story that the prison is tormenting me with ultrasound. According to my story they use ultrasound to cause muscle spasms, abnormal feelings, and to make sound effects appear out of no where. Also according to this story I have an involuntary speech disorder where I involuntarily say things in such a way that I dont hear but in a way the prison can monitor it and as they do they make me spasm and experience abnormal feelings and make sound effects at me. I tried to hint to [attorneys] that these things dont really happen but I got accused of down playing my symptomssymptoms I do not have but I made up such as hearing sound effects or taunting music. They saw this as evidence of hallucinations but I made up the whole thing. I never realized before this that psychiatrists could be so gullible.I do not believe that I am being tormented with ultrasound and that I involuntarily say things. As I said, it is a fictional story. But more recent court records show that in March 2024, treating Department of Correction personnel noted Corcoran began sharing information about what he believes to be an ultrasonic machine here at (Indiana State Prison) that can control his and others thoughts, sleep, voice, etc. Patient reports it is top secret but it bothers him endlessly all day. Patient reports the machine does put him to sleep at night, the note described. Patient stated others think Im delusional but I know its here. Writer inquired if patient ever recognizes his own thoughts as delusional, patient avoided the question. Patient denies (mental health) symptoms and the expressed delusions are the only observable concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rokita, pushing back again, referenced a DOC doctors June 2024 note stating that Corcoran denies hearing or seeing things that are not there. The state pointed to other portions of that doctors note, as well, which said indicated that Corcoran is oriented to person, place, time and situation, that his speech is linear, goal-oriented and future oriented, and that his [i]nsight and [j]udgment are [f]air. Today, the attorney generals office concluded, the law presumes Corcoran to be sane and competent to be executed. Even so, Corcorans legal counsel has suggested there is increasing tendency nationwide to exempt those with mental illness from the death penalty making the case for the inmates appeal window to be reopened. The state doubled down, however, that proposed laws to prohibit the death penalty or execution for severely mentally ill defendants have not passed in most states, including Indiana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state supreme court set a noon Tuesday deadline for Corcorans legal counsel to respond to the states filing in opposition. Corcorans Indiana public defender, Amy Karozos, told the Capital Chronicle on Monday that a reply to the states response will be filed before the deadline. A stay of execution is warranted to allow Mr. Corcoran the meaningful opportunity to present the claims raised including that he is incompetent to be executed, she said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) Kentucky lost a major influence in shaping the states political scene over the weekend. Bob Gable, a longtime leader of Kentuckys Republican Party, died Friday at 90 years old. Kentucky was Gables adopted home; he was originally born in New York City, grew up in Oregon, and married in Maine, but its here his influence will continue to be felt long after his passing. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was a collaborator; he was the kind of person to bring people together. He was someone who would listen and would not try to be the smartest person in the room, FOX 56 News political analyst Jonathan Miller said. There were few people other than Mitch McConnell, of course, that did more to help change the shape of Kentucky partisanship from a deep blue state to now a quite red state. From 1986 to 1993, Gable chaired Kentuckys statewide Republican party, having previously served in Gov. Louie Nunns administration in the late 1960s and challenged sitting Gov. Julian Carroll in 1975, notoriously bringing a bell to a debate and ringing it each time he thought Carroll lied. It was so clever that its something that we still talk about today, Miller remarked. Just a wonderful gentleman of a person. But my experience with him was how focused and how hard he worked, Kelley Abell told FOX 56. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abell was recruited to be executive director for much of Gables long tenure as party chair, a period of much transition that brought a new recruiting system and financial trust. MORE POLITICAL NEWS: We didnt have QuickBooks or Excel. So, all of our finances were done on programs written by Bob Gable, Abell said. Abell said the late chairmans knack for engineering commonly came out in his work; he earned a degree in the field from Stanford in 1956. Gable also served in the US Navy, held a lengthy business career, and was an advocate for the arts and education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bob just had a real commitment to this country, and he was an eternal optimist, Abell 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 FOX 56 News. FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) Kentucky lawmakers seem ready to resume work on a bill dealing with diversity, equity and inclusion practices at public universities. But the outcome could be different next year because they have had months to try to work out their differences, the state Senate's new majority floor leader said Tuesday. Its an issue that seems to continue to play its way into policy discussions across many states, Republican state Sen. Max Wise said during an interview with The Associated Press. A conservative quest to limit DEI initiatives gained momentum this year in statehouses and college governing boards. GOP lawmakers in about two dozen states filed bills seeking to restrict DEI initiatives. They were countered by Democrats who sponsored supportive DEI measures in about 20 states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Kentucky, DEI legislation died this year amid a House-Senate impasse. For Republicans who hold supermajorities in both chambers it was a rare setback on a priority, hot-button issue. Wise said Tuesday that he expects GOP lawmakers to take up a DEI bill again next year during Kentucky's 30-day legislative session, which convenes in January, but said he hasn't seen any draft legislation on the issue. Wise was chosen recently by his Republican Senate colleagues for the majority floor leader role. When this year's session ended in mid-April, many lawmakers left the Capitol disappointed that a DEI measure didn't pass, Wise said. By next year, however, lawmakers will have the benefit of spending additional months studying and discussing the issue, he said. I think a lot of times when we have legislation from one session and it doesnt pass and it goes into the next year, I think thats where things typically get worked out in the interim," Wise said. "I would be very surprised, if we had another DEI bill, that it did not pass the second time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The issue generated contentious debates this year in Kentucky when the Senate and House passed different versions of DEI bills. Opponents warned that proposed restrictions on campuses could roll back gains in minority enrollments and stifle campus discussions about past discrimination. The Senate-passed version would have prohibited discriminatory concepts in non-classroom settings, such as training sessions and orientations, and would have barred schools from providing preferential treatment based on a persons political ideology. It also would have prohibited requiring people to state specific ideologies or beliefs when seeking admission, employment or promotions. The House stripped the Senates language and inserted a replacement that took a tougher stance by also defunding DEI offices and officer positions. Both versions died when the legislative session ended. Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear has denounced efforts to limit DEI practices at college campuses. At a civil-rights rally in March, Beshear said: "Diversity will always make us stronger. It is an asset and never a liability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican lawmakers, with their supermajorities, could easily override a Beshear veto if a DEI bill he opposes reaches his desk. This year's debate, and the prospect of DEI legislation resurfacing in 2025, already had an impact on some campuses. The University of Kentucky announced in August it was disbanding its office promoting diversity and inclusion efforts in response to questions from state policymakers. The university's president stressed that the schools core values remained intact to protect academic freedom and promote a sense of belonging for everyone on campus, regardless of background or perspective. Wise, a veteran committee chairman, will be at the center of Senate action on DEI or any other legislation as majority floor leader. He succeeds Republican Sen. Damon Thayer in the leadership job. Thayer, who helped shape rafts of conservative policies, did not run for reelection this year. Senate President Robert Stivers is the chamber's top leader, and he and President Pro Tem David Givens are Senate mainstays. Wise, 49, gained statewide attention as Kelly Craft's running mate in her unsuccessful campaign for governor last year. Wise is also a close friend of U.S. Rep. James Comer, who is seen as a potential candidate for governor in 2027. Asked if his new Senate leadership job might be a potential springboard for him to someday seek higher office, Wise said: Ive not looked at anything in terms of next opportunities. My focus right now is stepping into this (leadership) role. German conservative chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz says his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party has more in common with the Greens than with the Social Democrats on foreign policy issues, according to a report. "In foreign and security policy, there are certainly more commonalities with the Greens than with the SPD," the CDU candidate told the tabloid Bild in an interview published on Monday. His statement came after he was asked which party he could cooperate better with if he wins the next federal election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Looking at the economic policy of the Greens, we have a completely different opinion; we need a fundamental change of course." Merz emphasized that voters would have the first say and that the CDU is not conducting a coalition election campaign. "We are fighting for every vote. And after the federal election, we will talk with the democratic parties of the political centre about how we might achieve this change of course," he said. Over the weekend, Green leader Franziska Brantner had indicated a greater alignment with Merz than with Germany's SPD Chancellor Olaf Scholz when it comes to Russia's war against Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked "What can you do better with Mr Merz than with Mr Scholz?" Brantner told Bild am Sonntag newspaper: "Peace, freedom in Europe, and standing clearly on the side of the Ukrainians." The Greens' chancellor candidate Robert Habeck and the co-chairman Felix Banaszak also voiced criticism on Monday regarding the Ukraine policy of Scholz and the SPD. Following a collapse of the coalition last month, Scholz is expected to hold a vote of confidence on December 16, which observers say he will lose. The parties have agreed to a general election on February 23. MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. (PIX11) The FBI is seeking information from the public about the mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey in recent weeks. Residents across Morris County have reported seeing the mysterious drones in the night sky for at least the past two weeks. More Local News Its kind of unsettling, said Mike Walsh, a Randolph resident who has seen the drones numerous times since Nov. 18. They kind of go slow They come towards you. Then they change direction a little. Theyre all going different ways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nancy Read, who is also a Randolph resident, said she has been watching the drones from her home on Ironia Road for two weeks. Read said the drones only come out at night. Last night was about 5:30, so it was earlier. But its normally anywhere between 7:30 and 10:30 theyre out here. Never during the day. Nobody ever sees them during the day, Read said. The FBIs Newark field office told PIX11 News that it is working with other law enforcement agencies to figure out whats going on. On Tuesday, FBI Newark, New Jersey State Police, and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness asked the public to report any information related to the possible drone sightings in several areas along the Raritan River. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses have spotted the cluster of what look to be drones and a possible fixed wing aircraft. We have reports from the public and law enforcement dating back several weeks, the FBI said in a statement. Anyone with information related to the drone sightings is asked to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit it online at tips.fbi.gov. 27-year cold case: Man arrested in NJ womans slaying, prosecutors say Additionally, anyone who has taken photographs of the drones can email them to the Morris County Sheriffs Office at MCSODMU@co.morris.nj.us. Morris County Sheriff James Gannon said there is no immediate danger to the public related to the drones at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. With nationwide abortion access off the table thanks to Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, the Republican Party is setting its sights on a new civil rights target: recriminalizing gay marriage. The sentiment is apparently popular enough among those on the right that Michigan state Representative Josh Schriver unwarily shared his opinion on the topic Monday, writing in a late-morning post that he believed same-sex unions should be made illegal again. This is not remotely controversial, nor extreme, Schriver posted on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gay marriage was effectively legalized in 2015, when the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that keeping marriage licenses from same-sex couples was discriminatory. The decision mandated all states to issue licenses to gay and lesbian couples and required them to recognize marriages performed in other jurisdictions as well. Marriage equality was further protected at the federal level in 2022, when the Respect for Marriage Act became law, requiring all 50 states to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. It did not, however, formally legalize gay marriage, so if the Supreme Court were ever to overturn Obergefell, gay marriage rights would fall with it. And Schriver has at least one ally on the nations high court: conservative Justice Clarence Thomas. In his concurring Dobbs opinion, Thomas urged the Supreme Court to revisit cases ruling on same-sex marriage and contraception. If Schrivers loud-mouthed opinion on the intimate issue is any indicator, then conservative politics in the country have considerably regressed in the seven years since the Supreme Court ruled on Obergefell. But his opinion would also be wrong when blown out on a national scale. Roughly 69 percent of Americans support same-sex marriages, according to a 2024 Gallup poll. Republican support for gay couples equal rights has dipped in recent years, however, dropping from a record high of 55 percent in favor of it in 2021 to 46 percent in 2024. The News Incoming Senate Republican leader John Thune on Tuesday outlined an aggressive 2025 schedule for the party, anchored by plans for two filibuster-proof bills designed to spend on border security and cut taxes. The agenda that Thune pitched his colleagues is ambitious in its call for two party-line bills before 2026. When Democrats took power in 2021 with the same complete control of Washington that Republicans recently won, it took them more than a year to pass their second filibuster-proof bill for outgoing President Joe Biden to sign. Republicans are aiming for a bill early next year that would address border security as well as defense and energy policy, according to a person familiar with the matter. The bill would likely include money to continue work on the border wall President-elect Donald Trump has championed, as well as to hire more Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, a second person familiar with party strategy told Semafor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The party will simultaneously begin gaming out a larger, more complex bill next year that will address expiring tax cuts passed during Trumps first term. That legislation would not be due until the end of the year, when those 2017 tax cuts are set to expire. Thune outlined his plans during a Senate GOP retreat at the Library of Congress, which featured House Speaker Mike Johnson in attendance and a phone call from Trump. Republicans are going to face plenty of challenges making good on their planned agenda: Their infinitesimal majority in the House will make it harder for Johnson to pass both party-line bills in 2025, not to mention the two budget resolutions that are required in order to advance those bills. The GOP cannot protect its bills from a Democratic filibuster without those budget resolutions, which permit party-line votes in the Senate under strict conditions known as reconciliation. Weve got a lot of work to do to get on the same page with the budget, and then the various bills. So Im anxious to get that started, hopefully even before the president is sworn in, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, told Semafor on Monday. Know More Republicans plan aligns with how Democrats treated their full control of Washington in 2021 and how the GOP behaved in 2017 under the same conditions. But this time, Trumps party hopes for quicker success than in the past; under Biden, for example, Democrats passed a hefty Covid aid bill within weeks but then struggled on a second attempt at party-line policymaking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Cornyn hinted, Republicans signaled this week that they may try to pass a budget resolution before Trump is sworn into office on Jan. 20, which would allow for faster consideration of the border and energy policy bill. Thune told GOP senators that he wants to move a targeted reconciliation package as quickly as the new Congress and administration can do so. The 2017 GOP majority also set out to pass two reconciliation bills in one year, but faceplanted on its plans to repeal Obamacare, eventually pivoting to focus on what became the Trump tax cut bill. The 2021 Democratic majority eventually settled for an energy and health care-focused bill negotiated with Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., that passed close to the 2022 election. The 2025 Republican majority will try to avoid those pitfalls, but the slim House majority and ideologically diverse Senate majority arent their only problems. Ultimately, the Senate parliamentarian will have to sign off on Republicans reconciliation bills, which can lose their filibuster protection if specific elements dont have a direct budgetary effect. That constraint has limited immigration policy changes in the past, but Republicans are going to get creative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to put everything that is legally possible to put in, is my prediction, said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La. Johnson spokesman Taylor Haulsee said in a statement that the Louisiana Republican had a productive discussion with Senate Republicans, where he emphasized the need for unity heading into the first 100 days agenda next year given the different margins in the House and Senate. Thune is also pursuing a breakneck legislative schedule that means more work days for the Senate. He has outlined voting on Fridays (the Senate often works Monday through Thursday regardless of the party in charge) and shutting down floor votes that can drag on for more than an hour, a post-pandemic quirk that annoys more timely senators in both parties. Republicans want to move Trumps nominees starting Jan. 20, too, which could require weekend work for the Senate if Democrats fight quick confirmation of top officials. And Thune also wants to reboot the broken federal spending process, a big task considering that its been decades since Congress passed individual spending bills on time. Burgesss view Thune ran his leadership campaign as a different kind of GOP leader, prevailing in a tough race against Cornyn last month by pitching himself as an experienced hand who can work with Trump. Now hes proposing a 2025 schedule that will run up against the limits of both senators stamina and the partys slim majorities in both chambers of Congress. Hell have backup, though, if he works in tandem with Trump. During Trumps call with GOP senators on Tuesday, Trump congratulated Thune and predicted the two will work well together. Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, in the Alabama Senate chamber on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (Stew Milne/Alabama Reflector) Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, appears set to become the next leader of the Alabama Senate after a meeting of the chambers Republican caucus. Gudger, first elected to the Senate in 2018, was nominated by the GOP senators for Senate President Pro Tempore, according to Harrison Adams, spokesperson for outgoing Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed, R-Jasper. A vote total was not immediately available on Tuesday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I appreciate the trust and confidence my fellow Republican senators have offered and will ensure that everyone has a voice in how the Senate operates, Gudger said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. If we bring everyone together, put teamwork first, and unite behind the conservative beliefs, traditional values, and bedrock morals that each of us share, we can make an already great state even greater. The other known candidate was Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro. Messages seeking comment were left with Gudger and Livington Tuesday afternoon. A vote total was not immediately available. Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, said Tuesday the vote was conducted by secret ballot, with a group of senators selected randomly that did the counting. The position still needs to be confirmed by the whole body, but Republicans hold 27 of the 35 seats in the upper chamber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gudger chairs the Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development committee. Last spring, he sponsored SB 1, which criminalizes some forms of absentee ballot assistance and is currently partially preliminarily enjoined. Livingston, who has served as Senate Majority Leader since 2023, handled the Senate side of redistricting. There were few ideological differences between the candidates, both of whom come from solidly Republican districts. Senators said in the lead-up to the contest that the election would come down to the styles of the candidates. Reed said last month that he would leave the Senate at the end of the year to take a job advising Gov. Kay Ivey on workforce development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gudger in July was involved in a jet ski accident which led to multiple injuries and required hospitalization. This is a breaking news story and will be updated. This story was updated at 3:20 p.m. with information from Albritton. This story was updated at 3:52 with information on Gudgers jet ski accident. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The News Senate Republican leaders are signaling theyre comfortable with President-elect Donald Trump dismissing FBI Director Christopher Wray before his 10-year term expires. And GOP senators sound open to confirming Trump loyalist Kash Patel, a vocal critic of a bureau he claims has been captured by the deep state, as its next leader. Republican senators said they still need to look more deeply into Patel, a former House and Trump administration staffer who has talked about investigating journalists and has condemned past FBI investigations into Trump. But there were few warning lights from the Senates incoming Republican majority on Monday night about Trumps weekend choice of Patel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president, theyve got to be comfortable with their director of the FBI. Those sorts of changes arent completely without precedent. So I defer to the president, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who serves on the partys extended leadership team, told Semafor. Im going in with a presumptively positive opinion about [Patel]. Thats not to say Republicans are overjoyed with Patels ascension. Several made clear they had preferred to see former Rep. Mike Rogers, a former Intelligence Committee chairman and FBI agent, in the role. Dan Scavino, a top Trump aide, burst that bubble late last month, making it clear Trump was not predisposed to listen to Republicans who are craving a more traditional FBI director. That leaves GOP senators with little choice but to put Patel through the paces of Senate vetting, confirmation hearing and one-on-one meetings. Hes like all the other nominees, hell get a process and confirmation hearing and vetting and everything else. Theyll all have to go through it, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., the incoming majority leader, said of Patel. My job is to make sure that the nominees have a thorough and fair process, and ultimately our members are going to decide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While facing at least three other potentially polarizing Trump Cabinet nominees, Republicans have little bandwidth to resist Trumps plans to dump Wray chosen by the president-elect in 2017 to replace James Comey, another Trump foil. Some Republicans think the idea of a 10-year term atop the FBI might be antiquated anyway. Its fair. And I think it will become the custom and usage, Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., told Semafor of presidents bringing in their own FBI director. I think Itll become a norm. Know More No one is guaranteeing Patels confirmation yet thats why God made confirmation hearings, cracked Kennedy. Still, senior GOP senators responses on Monday were a stark departure from their evident trepidation about Trumps brief nomination of Matt Gaetz as his attorney general. Gaetz withdrew after about a week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., the incoming No. 4 leader, said shes OK with Trump bringing in a director that hes comfortable with: The presidents allowed to have his appointees. And Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who last month pointedly noted that FBI directors have a 10-year term, told Semafor that its not my choice. Ill do my job, which [is], if there is a new nominee, well vet them and go through the normal confirmation process, Cornyn said. Burgesss view Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., defended Wray on Sunday, and few Republicans criticized him on Monday. But theres a sense within the party that the die is cast on the FBI director and that Trump should get some deference on the pick given his grievances against the agency. Still, Patel wont just waltz into a Senate confirmation vote. Democrats are sure to challenge him as a Trump-planted political operative during his confirmation hearings; Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin called Patel an unqualified loyalist after his nomination. The November elections shifted power in Washington and brought a new check on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan, as Republicans regained control of the Michigan House of Representatives, after just one term of a Democratic trifecta in Lansing. Any Democrat claiming surprise should feel embarrassed; the party ignored the advice of its own soothsayer, James Carville Its the economy, stupid an insight Republicans took to heart. So, what happens now? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Expect the next few weeks in Lansing to be hectic. Democrats know their opportunity to determine the menu is waning, and theyre putting everything they possibly can onto the plate. Republicans are gearing up for a new legislative session in which theyll exercise just enough power to stop Whitmer and the Senate Democrats from pushing their desired legislative agenda, while trying to advance the Mission for Michigan agenda that was part of Republicans' campaign platform. But Democrats aren't going to give up their legislative majority without attempting to put a few items in the wins column. Minority Leader Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, speaks to reporters on the floor of the Michigan House of Representatives Thursday, November 7, 2024 after House Republicans selected him to serve as the next House Speaker. More from Freep opinion: Its time to let go of the past, Detroit. Let the Boblo Boat sink. But first, lame duck So, first, in the last few weeks of the year the lame duck legislative session they'll attempt to enshrine as many progressive priorities into state law as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers returned to Lansing this week, and already, committee hearings are scheduled, with dozens of bills per hearing. A veritable holiday buffet of legislation will be laid out in Lansing for a quick sniff (discussion) before heading to the floor to be quickly consumed (voted on). And it is surely not lost on Whitmer that these next few weeks are her last chance to advance her own agenda. While her name wasnt on the ballot, the agenda Democrats have enacted over the last two years has been signed into law by Whitmer and some of those votes came back to haunt some swing district members. Decreased school funding both for mental health and safety and a push for state-level control over land use, signed into law by Whitmer, both featured prominently in House Republican campaigns. But Democrats wont back down from codifying as much as they can before Dec. 31. Over the last two years, House Democrats joined Whitmer and the Democratic-controlled Senate to repeal Michigan's right-to-work laws, enact gun control measures, loosen abortion restrictions and limit local control over land use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In short, Democrats prioritized issues that resonated mainly with select members of their base and key fundraisers, not the everyday concerns of Michigan voters. Meanwhile, grocery prices keep rising, the economy remains questionable and the state continues to lose population. More from Freep opinion: America is divided. We have to find connection to have a future as a nation. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks to a crowd before former president Barack Obama speaks while campaigning for Kamala Harris at Huntington Place in Detroit on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. Bipartisan cooperation, or nah? Come January, Michigan lawmakers will have to work across the aisle. With a divided government, once again, both parties will have to learn to communicate with each other to keep the governments wheels moving. This wont be easy. There is little to no (public, at least) love for the other side of the aisle in the Legislature, and right now it appears cooperation is so elusive that some insiders believe government may just grind to a halt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement January also brings oversight back to the Whitmer Administration. For the last two years, the Democratic trifecta has worked to draft laws and budgets attempting to remake state government in the party's policy image as much as possible (just as previous Republican trifectas did). Republicans have chosen Rep. Matt Hall, a fourth-term Republican from Southwest Michigan, as House Speaker. Halls campaign team led by fellow state Rep. Bill G. Schuette, R-Midland read the tea leaves far better than the Democrats. (In the interests of full disclosure, I have long and friendly relationships with both Hall and Schuette. Speaker-elect Hall and I attended college together nearly 20 years ago, and I'm proud to have worked for Bill G. Schuettes father, former Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette.) Holding the House majority gives Hall and the Republicans a significant amount of power to determine Michigan and Whitmers future, but also puts the GOP in the hot seat every day they are in session. This wont be easy. Whitmer remains popular nationally, and she is still very powerful in Lansing. Because Whitmer is widely viewed as a 2028 presidential contender, going against her will likely lead to critical stories in the national media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And speaking of hot seats, House Republicans now have the ability to dig into the actions of the Whitmer Administration, in a way they havent been able to over the last two years. Accountability and backbone Hall has already begun announcing goals like pushing to make Whitmers fix the damn roads campaign pledge either a reality, or a thorn in her side. But they cant stop there. If I were leading the House Republicans, Id focus on the issues that Whitmer and the Democrats have failed to address: affordable housing, improving literacy and supporting law enforcement recruitment and retention. Id prioritize kitchen table issues that impact everyone in the state. Id look to reduce taxes, incentivize entrepreneurship and push to reinstate more frequent and stringent teacher performance evaluations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond this, Id hold hearings to examine how the Whitmer Administration has spent every dollar while Democrats dominated government. Have contracts or grants gone to friends of the majority party? Have sweetheart deals been struck that the public isnt aware of? Have other non-disclosures been signed? House Republicans have a significant opportunity to stop Dems from further reshaping Michigans government. But it will take hard work and a strong backbone to make it happen. Free Press contributing columnist Andrea Bitely is the founder and principal of Bitely Communications, a Lansing-based public affairs firm specializing in political, corporate and crisis communications. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters, and we may publish it online or in print. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Republicans can't run Lansing, but can put brakes on Whitmer | Opinion Rescue efforts continue for a 64-year-old woman who may have fallen into a sinkhole while looking for her missing cat in Pennsylvania, according to our sister station WPXI. Emergency crews are gathered along Marguerite Road near Mondays Union Restaurant. Pennsylvania State Police said they received a call around 1 a.m. regarding a family concerned about their grandmother Elizabeth Pollards whereabouts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WPXI Reporter Andrew Havranek posted on X. An active search is underway for a 64-year-old woman who may have fallen into a sinkhole while looking for her missing cat in Unity Township, Westmoreland County. Were expecting to get an update from @PSPTroopAPIO at noon An excavator was brought in pic.twitter.com/NyZRSCycBk Andrew Havranek (@Andrew_Havranek) December 3, 2024 At around 2:50 a.m., troopers found her vehicle parked behind Mondays Union Restaurant, where they found Pollards 5-year-old granddaughter inside. She was unharmed. State police said they spoke to the little girl, who told them she was just waiting in the car for her grandma. Near Pollards vehicle, troopers noticed a sinkhole. State police said they are performing search and rescue efforts with the assumption she fell down the hole. State police said a woman searching for a missing cat may have fallen down this hole in Unity Township, Westmoreland County. State police said Pollard could have gone missing as early as 5 p.m. when people at Mondays restaurant last saw her looking for her cat, Pepper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this point, there has been no communication with Pollard. Limani said at one point, they had about 100 people working to find her. We are still in rescue mode, said Marguerite Fire Chief Scot Graham. He says they are working with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Mines. Ligonier Construction is working to help excavate and dig. The village of Marguerite, Pleasant Unity, a lot of little villages around here are old coal patch towns. Very common to find a lot of mines in these areas, obviously a concern to have these mine subsidence issues, Pleasant Unity Fire Chief John Bacha Limani said the sinkhole was most likely created when Pollard was walking around and not there before her looking for her cat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hole isnt very wide, but it is deep. Because of the mining that had been done, Limani says it is difficult for the operation. Once you get below the surface, the hole gets significantly wider, Limani said. Bacha said oxygen levels in the hole are good and its warmer down there. Weve used a lot of resources and a lot of technology, Bacha said. He said theyve used both cameras and listening devices. No sounds picked up, but one camera showed what appeared to be a shoe. Mike OBarto, the chair of the Unity Township Board of Supervisors, said they put a resolution together declaring a disaster emergency. It gives the township and EMS the chance to get any equipment they need without dealing with a bidding process. Limani said crews will work through the night if needed. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story has been updated with information from the departments motion to quash the subpoenas. PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) A probe into alleged financial malfeasance in the South Dakota Department of Revenue is meeting resistance. The Legislatures Government Operations and Audit Committee issued subpoenas calling on two department officials to testify. But the department is fighting back. A lawyer representing the department has asked a state judge to quash the subpoenas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other words, the department doesnt want Revenue Secretary Michael Houdyshell and the director of the motor vehicles division, Rosa Yaeger, to have to testify. The legislative committees chair, Republican Rep. Ernie Otten, on Monday responded to the quash request by cancelling the December 11 meeting where Houdyshell and Yaeger had been scheduled to appear. Otten told KELOLAND News that the meeting would be rescheduled for a later date, depending in part on the judges ruling regarding the subpoenas. The Legislature has rarely issued subpoenas compelling testimony. This appears to be the first time that the executive branch has sought an order to quash a legislative subpoena. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Motion-to-Quash-SubpoenasDownload The current situation has now become a showdown between the legislative branch and the administration of Republican Governor Kristi Noem. She has been tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as the federal Homeland Security secretary in his new administration. He takes office on January 20. Different lawyers from the South Dakota Office of Attorney General are representing each side in the subpoena matter. That situation raises the inevitable question of how that can be, according to Republican Senator Lee Schoenbeck, a lawyer. He chairs the Legislatures Executive Board that ratified the Government Operations and Audit Committees decision to issue the subpoenas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Short answer is its their job. Theyll have to use a Chinese wall to keep communication separate in the office, Schoenbeck said, referring to the practice where one part of a firm or business operates independently of the other. Assistant Attorney General Ryan McFall filed the departments motion to quash the subpoenas. The Secretary and the Director argue that the information sought pursuant to the issued subpoenas is not for a legislative purpose as it is information necessary for pending criminal proceedings, McFall wrote. Such information is protected criminal investigative information that can be protected in both criminal and civil proceedings. Finally, compliance with the subpoena would force the Secretary and the Director to engage in behavior antithetical to the code of ethics that all attorneys must abide by and potentially expose their client, the Department, to additional and exacerbated criminal and civil adjudications. McFall argues that the departments legal counsel, Kirsten Jasper, directly participated in the criminal investigation and shared the information with Secretary Houdyshell and director Yaeger. McFall claims that forcing Houdyshell and Yaeger to testify would be a violation of a state rule of professional conduct for lawyers that says a lawyer who is participating or has participated in the investigation or litigation of a matter shall not make an extrajudicial statement that the lawyer knows or reasonably should know will be disseminated by means of public communication and will have a substantial likelihood of materially prejudicing an adjudicative proceeding in the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McFall writes, The Secretarys and the Directors direct association with the Departments Counsel in these matters prohibits them from speaking publicly in this matter and further notes, The Secretary and the Director are licensed members of the South Dakota Bar; they are therefore subject to the rules of professional responsibility. McFall also raised the prospect that state government may soon face civil action on the matter. McFall noted that KELOLAND News reported in several stories Ottens comments about Houdyshells previous testimony in executive session. McFall went on to detail the possible damage that could result from forcing Houdyshell and Yaeger to testify. Further disclosure of information could consequently expose the Department, and by extension the State, to further harm in the form of exposure to civil liability. Exposure of facts still novel in a criminal or civil investigation may ultimately taint the prospective jury pool in such matters, improperly influencing potential jurors or provide for additional civil causes of action. Potential witnesses may refuse to come forward. Potential bad actors may engage in further acts of harm after learning of the intricacies of the investigation, McFall wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not every potential harm can be foreseen in this situation but exposure of facts of these investigations rips open a chasm of uncertainty surrounding the adjudication of these proceedings, McFall continued. In any contemplated scenario, material prejudice will be felt by those involved. Governor Noem already has a history with the Legislatures investigative committee. An earlier version of the legislative panel spent months looking into Noems role regarding the state office of real-estate appraiser certification. The offices former director Sherry Bren received a $200,000 settlement from the Noem administration after her forced retirement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of Noems daughters had been trying to get her appraisal certificate upgraded. The legislative committee in 2021 issued subpoenas to Bren and state Labor Secretary Marcia Hultman. The legislative committee has recently been looking into allegations that several Department of Revenue employees had engaged in wrong-doing involving vehicle-ownership titles. One of those employees, Sandy ODay, has since died, while two others have lost their jobs with the department and currently face criminal charges. Cancellation of the December 11 meeting affects investigations into two other state departments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also scheduled to testify to the committee that day had been officials from the state Department of Social Services and the state Department of Human Services. The committee sent letters to the two departments last month. One went to Social Services Secretary Matt Althoff. A former Department of Social Services employee is criminally accused of stealing more than $1.7 million from the state Office of Child Protection Services. The alleged crimes were discovered after Lonna Carroll retired. Carroll has pleaded not-guilty and remains in jail. The committee also wanted to hear from Human Services Secretary Shawnie Rechtenbaugh regarding closure of senior nutrition sites in western South Dakota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest development comes just weeks after legislative elections and the leadership fights and committee appointments that immediately followed. Otten, for example, won election to the Senate. Last week, he was named as Senate chair for the Joint Committee on Appropriations that will oversee assembly of state governments budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year. On Monday night, Otten was part of the appropriators group that Noem hosted to discuss the budget plan she plans to unveil this afternoon to the full Legislature. Just as significantly, the GOAC committee will go through a major reshuffling. Eight of the current members wont be returning when the new term starts in January. All five of the House members will be new to the panel, as will several of the senators. 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. PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WATE) The Pigeon Forge Veterans Military Honor Guard salutes over 50 fallen comrades with dignity every year. In all kinds of weather, the small unit of volunteers has the honor of participating in a very solemn tradition. While their numbers are few they view it as a privilege. WATE raising money for Operation Honor Guards Day of Giving When I retired from work and my wife passed away, I said, alright, I would like to give back to the community, said Pigeon Forge Honor Guard Commander Mike Robison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its rewarding. Its personally rewarding. You see that in the eyes of the people who attend them. Come in here when we present a flag. Everybody is paying attention, its quiet. Everybody is paying attention, said Steve Holbert, a founding member of the Pigeon Forge Honor Guard. At each service, a Chaplain delivers the message and comforts the family. The Pigeon Forge unit travels to many different locations We do it in Sevier County. We go to Knoxville. We do it here at this cemetery. We will do them at churches in the surrounding area, said Robinson. Operation Honor Guard helps East TN Veterans Honor Guard continue their mission Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Family members of veterans are never turned down. When the phone rings, we have this obligation to not turn a family down, said Holbert. We have agreed that if we have two members, we will accept the service. Honor Guard units, like this one from Pigeon Forge and others throughout East Tennessee, carry out this ceremony with sensitivity and a strong sense of dedication to the fallen and to the veterans family. 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 WATE 6 On Your Side. As Donald Trumps Health and Human Services director pick, Robert F Kennedy Jr has vowed to ban flouride from drinking water. But, it has emerged that, the Kennedy dynasty heir actually used to hawk bottles of drinking water with a higher concentration of fluoride than most tap water in the US. In 1999, RFK Jr co-founded Keeper Springs bottled water in a bid to support his environmental organization the Waterkeeper Alliance, a network of groups dedicated to cleaning up polluted waterways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keeper Springs hit supermarket shelves alongside the likes of Evian brandishing a red, white, and blue label on its 50 percent recycled PET bottles. Bottled water doesnt get purer than that, one ad campaign in 1999 cited byThe New York Times read. To 532 endangered species, its holy water, another boasted. But, as it turned out, those bottles contained above average levels of the mineral fluoride. According to a 2009 chemical analysis, first reported by The New Yorker, each bottle of RFK Jrs water contained up to 1.3 milligrams of fluoride per litre. RFK Jr, pictured at Turning Point US in Georgia on October 23, wants to ban fluoride from drinking water (REUTERS) Thats almost double the 0.7 milligrams per litre recommended by the HHS, which he is now tapped to lead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michael Campana, who was a professor of hydrogeology and water resources management at Oregon State University, later wrote a blog in 2012 slamming RFK Jrs product for its use of plastic bottles, the cost of the item, transportation costs and greenhouse gas emissions. He compared RFK Jrs funding method of Waterkeeper Alliance using Keeper Springs with a church running a brothel to make money to support its mission. By 2013, the company had ceased trading. Co-founder Chris Bartle, RFK Jrs college roommate, later told The New Yorker that the pair lost money despite their heroic effort. Fast forward two decades and RFK Jr is now calling for a ban on fluoride in drinking water. RFK Jrs water (label pictured) contained up to 1.3 milligrams of fluoride per litre (Keeper Springs/Facebook) Low levels of flouride in drinking water is a safe way to prevent tooth decay, according to the CDC. It has even been touted as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements in the 20th century. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, now that RFK Jr is set to oversee the CDC as health secretary, its future use appears to be in doubt. In February, the-then third party candidate, said that he would order the CDC to take every step necessary to remove neurotoxic fluoride from American drinking water if elected president. On November 2, after he dropped out of the running and endorsed Trump, he posted that fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease. He added: On January 20, the Trump White House will advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president-elect told NBC News that RFK Jrs plans to remove fluoride from Americas drinking water sounds OK to me. He then tapped him to become his health secretary. The Independent has contacted the Trump Transition team for comment. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) A Rhode Island judge has rejected American Express request to strike down a proposed class-action lawsuit that accuses the banking giant of overcharging thousands of merchants for credit and debit card fees. U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy determined that American Express also known as Amex must face the merchants as a class and not individually through arbitration. That class includes more than 5,150 merchants, with the lead merchant being Pawtuckets 5-Star General Store. The proposed lawsuit, filed back in March, claimed Amex owes the merchants more than $17,000 in arbitration fees. It also argued that binding arbitration clauses have made it difficult to resolve the merchants individual claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These motions revolve around an ironic dilemma: a credit card company not paying its bills, McElroy wrote in her decision. McElroy said the merchants had valid arbitration agreements with Amex, and that more than 5,000 of them attempted to address their claims individually before the proposed lawsuit was filed. But Amex refused to pay those filing fees, prompting an arbitrator to close the individual claims and the merchants to file suit. The merchants argued that, since Amex is in default for not paying the filing fees, the banking giant had waived its right to arbitration. In response to the proposed lawsuit, Amex argued that the merchants pursued cookie-cutter individual arbitration claims and engineered their administrative closure so they could take the case to court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But McElroy disagreed, explaining that Amex did not abide by the rules of arbitration. The deliberate choice not to pay arbitration fees after repeated warnings from the arbitrator about impending closure clearly constitutes waiver, McElroy wrote. When Amex disagreed with the arbitrators determination that it owed the merchants thousands of dollars, McElroy said the banking giant just took its ball and went home. Amex clearly is not ready and willing to arbitrate on anyones terms but its own, and that is not how the arbitration system works, she continued. McElroy also noted that the merchants had no choice but to take Amex to court or foot the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Letting Amex simply reinvoke the arbitration clause after closure of arbitration could put the merchants claims in perpetual limbo,' McElroy said. If she were to strike down the proposed lawsuit, McElroy said There is nothing stopping Amex from refusing to pay the fees (again). The merchants would spend more and more on filing fees while Amex pays nothing; all the while, the case moves no closer to resolution, she added. 12 News reached out to American Express for comment but has not yet heard back. 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. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) Kenneth Bradshaw, superintendent of the Richmond County School System, announced his plans to resign in a statement released Monday, Dec. 2. Bradshaw, who has served as superintendent over five years, said he is stepping away to be closer to family in the Atlanta area. His resignation is effective Dec. 31, 2024. ALSO ON WJBF | RCSS: Applications open for magnet schools, special programs Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On his resignation, Bradshaw released the following announcement: Serving the Richmond County School System has been one of the greatest honors of my career. This decision did not come lightly, as my time here has been one of the most fulfilling chapters of my professional life. While I have enjoyed serving the Richmond County School System, I believe now is the right time to step away to be closer to the Atlanta metropolitan area and my family. I am thankful for the incredible educators, staff, and Board of Education members who have worked alongside me to support our students and families. While it is bittersweet to step away, I have full confidence in the districts ability to continue achieving great things for our community. Board President Charlie Walker said: We are grateful to Dr. Bradshaw for his years of service and the strides our school system made under his leadership. Walker added, While we are saddened to see Dr. Bradshaw leave, we fully support his decision and wish him the very best. The Board is committed to ensuring a seamless transition and finding the right leader to continue building on the strong foundation he has helped establish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Richmond County Board of Education is expected to select an interim superintendent by or before Dec. 31. 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. (KRON) Two armed suspects held American Canyon AT&T store employees at gunpoint on Sunday while taking cash and merchandise from the business, according to police. The armed robbery occurred just before 7 p.m. as AT&T store employees were getting ready to close the Napa Junction Road location for the day. Two masked suspects entered the store and held two employees at gunpoint, the American Canyon Police Department said. No customers were inside the store during the robbery. CHP officers shot at during Oakland pursuit Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspects stole cash, including money from the stores safe, merchandise and the employees cell phones, police said. No one was injured during the incident. The suspects unplugged the stores landline before fleeing in an attempt to delay police response, according to American Canyon PD. Authorities continue to investigate the incident to develop leads on the suspects. 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. Dec. 2ROCHESTER A Rochester man who posed as a teen online to catch alleged child predators was sentenced to four years in prison on Monday, Dec. 2. Chase Taner Johnston, 30, faced felony counts of false imprisonment, stalking and assault following a botched sting operation at a Rochester apartment on July 23, 2023. A jury convicted Johnston of the stalking and assault charges. The court also sentenced Johnston Monday for two other felony DWI convictions in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnston was sentenced for three cases: 48 months for the first DWI conviction, 51 months for the second DWI conviction and 48 months for the harassment conviction regarding the sting operation. The sentences will be served concurrently, as ordered by District Judge Christa Daily, which means Johnston will serve 51 months. Two-thirds of the sentence, or 34 months, will be served in prison with the last 17 months on supervised release. After serving 51 months, Johnston will be placed on a five-year conditional release. Johnston received 105 days of credit for time served regarding the harassment and stalking convictions. As the judge concluded the sentencing, Johnston's girlfriend, who is the mother of their child, stood up and said, "I love you, babe. You don't deserve this. (Expletive) these people." Two Olmsted County deputies proceeded to arrest the woman after Daily told her she was in direct contempt of court. The woman initially attempted to resist arrest by thrashing out and yelling expletives at the judge, but Johnston's parents told her to stop. She was booked into Olmsted County Jail after 10:30 a.m. Daily began the sentencing by hearing from Johnston's attorney, Bruce Rivers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The person I see on paper is not the person I've come to know," Rivers said. He mentioned Johnston's history with substances and his family's history with incarceration, describing Johnston's childhood as a "tortured upbringing." Rivers requested that Johnston receive a downward departure, or a sentence that's less severe than what sentencing guidelines suggest. Prosecutor Ariana Whitney said the state requested a 60-month sentence, noting that the defendant's history makes him not particularly amenable to a downward departure. "These aren't even his first four felonies," Whitney said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She told the court about Johnston's previous criminal convictions, including five cases involving DWI charges, one conviction for assault and one conviction for domestic assault. Daily asked what programs Johnston became involved in since he was arrested. Johnston said he signed up for Bible studies, a substance class, church class, volunteering and an interpersonal violence class. As Daily began explaining the difficulty of this sentencing, a member of the gallery raised his hand and said, "I have testimony." Daily said there would be no comment from the gallery and continued the hearing. Daily then asked Johnston if there was anything he would like to tell the court. Johnston asked for a bottom-of-the-box sentence, or the minimum sentence based on sentencing guidelines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'd be out by the time my daughter goes to kindergarten," Johnston said. Daily accepted Johnston's guilty pleas in both DWI files. Because these are his fourth and fifth DWI cases in 10 years, she would not grant a downward departure. After the hearing, Brent Espenson, one of Johnston's friends, told the Post Bulletin he'd hoped for a different outcome, noting that Johnston "needed help, not prison." Espenson sat next to Johnston's girlfriend during the hearing, nodding as Rivers spoke positively of Johnston. He said he and Johnston were sober together, and the sentence was unfair. "Drug addiction and alcoholism is a disease," Espenson said, "and they're not gonna treat it in prison." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the criminal complaint, a man called dispatch on July 23, 2023, to report that he was being held against his will and was being set up for trying to sleep with a teenager. "A male and female could be heard in the background calling the victim a pedophile," part of the complaint reads. Johnston and an unidentified woman were recording the man, yelling at him and following him, the responding officer wrote in the complaint. The man told the officer that he met someone on a social networking application, and they mostly discussed smoking marijuana. The person's profile showed he was 20, but the individual later said he was 16. An officer who reviewed the messages said they were about marijuana, but the man also sent explicit photos. An arresting officer noted that the conversation between Johnston and the man appeared to be consensual. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the man got to the residence, Johnston let him in and then stood in front of the doorway and refused to let the man leave, the man told police. "He was coming to the apartment to smoke weed with this kid. I told him that I lived on my own with a roommate because my mom was a meth head and didn't take care of me," Johnston previously told the Post Bulletin . "Legal or not, it was wrong." The man attempted to get past Johnston and alleged that he was pushed. When the man eventually got outside, Johnston followed him out and stood in front of the man's car door, the complaint said. The officer who arrested Johnston told him that RPD had warned him not to do this kind of thing, Johnston said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He basically told me that if I keep doing it in Rochester, he's going to find some way to charge me no matter what," Johnston said. The Post Bulletin previously reported that RPD initially referred charges of false imprisonment and disorderly conduct, according to Rochester Police Department Crime Prevention & Communications Coordinator Amanda Grayson, who said that charges are ultimately up to prosecutors. "Chase Johnston was reminded that he had been warned several times that if he continued to behave in ways that were against the law, he would be arrested," Grayson previously wrote in an email. RPD assisted in 25 investigations involving cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program, according to Grayson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Instead of following the procedure necessary for such investigations, Mr. Johnston's vigilante behavior led to his own arrest," Grayson wrote. Johnston was previously convicted of domestic assault and fifth-degree assault in 2022. A video on Johnston's now-defunct YouTube channel showed Johnston and his friends berating and threatening a man they accused of trying to lure a 15-year-old boy for sex. The criminal complaint in that case alleged that Johnston struck the man in the genitals and face. Johnston was originally charged with fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct, a gross misdemeanor, fifth-degree assault and fourth-degree damage to property, both misdemeanors. A plea deal secured a conviction for the lesser assault charge. DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. (WMBB) The Walton County Habitat for Humanity is inviting the public to join them in celebrating the dedication of eight newly constructed homes in DeFuniak Springs. The Hope Village Block Party was originally scheduled for Saturday, September 28th but had to be postponed due to weather. The newly rescheduled gathering will be on Saturday, December 7th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 900 Brookside Dr. in DeFuniak Springs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There you can enjoy food and games, get your picture taken with Santa, and more free of charge. The gobble guide to Thanksgiving leftovers The Walton Habitat for Humanity has built 70 homes across the county, providing families with a true place they can call home. Its just such an environment that is life-changing for these kids and these families, said Walton County Habitat for Humanity Events Coordinator Katie Rudd. Its something that theyre proud to come home to at the end of each day. Were excited to step into that and celebrate them on Saturday. Event organizers are encouraging anyone interested in attending the block party to arrive at 10 a.m. so they can watch the dedication of the new homes. 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. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Rockford Police arrested David Leonardis, 61, for allegedly attacking a male nurse with his sweater jacket. On December 2nd, around noon, officers responded to Swedish American Hospital for reports of a disorderly patient. The victim told authorities the suspect was intoxicated and was trying to leave the hospital. Before being stopped by hospital staff, Leonardis hit the male nurse with a sweater jacket, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim told police he tackled Leonardis and placed him back in his room. Witnesses also told officials Leonardis attacked the male nurse. Video surveillance was also provided to authorities showing the incident. The suspect admitted to swinging his jacket but said he did not intend to hit the nurse. Leonardis is charged with aggravated battery to a nurse. 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. PORTER, Colo. (WTVO) A Rockford man, Brendan Williams, 19, has been charged with possession of a machine gun after reportedly leading Indiana State Police on a high-speed chase early Monday morning. Around 4 a.m., a trooper spotted a white Audi traveling 110 miles per hour in a construction zone on eastbound Interstate 94 at mile marker 16, police said. The trooper conducted a traffic stop and the vehicle pulled over near the Burns Harbor exit, but as the trooper approached the car, Williams sped away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the car pulled over once more, but again as the trooper approached, Williams took off again, driving across all lanes of traffic and was hit by an eastbound semi-truck. Police said as troopers attempted to take the two occupants into custody, Williams attempted to run back to the car, and was eventually captured. Troopers said a fully automatic Glock 45 9mm pistol with a switch was found in the car, along with $15,980 in case. Brendan Williams, 19, of Rockford, was charged with possession of a machine gun, resisting arrest, and reckless driving in a work zone. Marega Yussuf, 19, of Chicago, was charged with possession of a machine gun. 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 MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. CENTENNIAL, Colo. (KDVR) Dramatic video footage released by the Arapahoe County Sheriffs Office Monday shows deputies rescuing two children after they were trapped in a backyard near their burning home on Sunday. The deputies arrived at the home in the 4800 block of South Gibraltar Lane around noon on Sunday. The fire was spreading quickly and children could be heard yelling in the back yard. Man shot by Aurora police had violent history, facing 5 counts of attempted murder Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deputies broke down a fence to rescue a 14-year-old girl and her 8-year-old brother. Moments earlier, that 14-year-old girl had jumped out a back window and called 911. Neighbors told FOX31 they could hear their cries for help. Omian Rosales said he tried to reach the kids with a ladder, but then the deputies arrived. Children were rescued from the backyard of their burning home on Sunday. (Courtesy the Adams County Sheriffs Office) Children were rescued from the backyard of their burning home on Sunday. (Courtesy the Adams County Sheriffs Office) The childrens mother said she had just left the home four minutes earlier. My daughter called me and I just jumped in that car and I heard the sirens and I couldnt believe that was our house, Renee Unruh said. Smoke could be seen for miles as firefighters said stored items both outside and inside the home posed challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It really made it difficult for the firefighters to get into the home and get around the home as well, South Metro Fire Rescue Public Information Officer Brian Willie said. No one is above the law: Gov. Polis responds to President Biden pardoning son At one point, firefighters had to pull back. First responders were just glad to learn no one else was inside the home. But the fire and smoke left little to salvage. For us, its all gone. But we do have each other. Those (items) are material things. And Im very blessed that my kids are OK, Unruh said. A GoFundMe has been created to help support the family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A dog and two cats died in the fire. Investigators say they still do not know what caused the blaze. 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. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Firefighters are on scene of a residential home fire Monday night. Dayton fire crews responded to the 700 block of Sayre Avenue for a structure fire. The call came in just before 8:45 p.m. He is a lucky man to be alive: Dayton home demolished after overnight fire Upon arrival, crews reported smoke and fire showing from the one-and-a-half-story dwelling. Firefighters worked to extinguish the flames and searched the inside of the home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire was out by 9 p.m. Officials on scene told 2 NEWS that the fire reportedly started after a cat knocked over a candle. This caused one room of the dwelling to sustain heavy damage. The rest of the home is reportedly okay. The Red Cross was called to the scene to assist the residents. 2 NEWS is working to learn 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 WDTN.com. NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. With the execution of convicted child-killer Christopher Collings, the spotlight shifts to his co-defendant, Rowan Fords step-father, David Spears. LATEST: Christopher Collings executed by the State of Missouri Spears, along with Collings, had originally confessed to the rape and murder of Rowan Ford in 2007. In all of his court filings, Collings asserts that Spears was actually the mastermind behind the plan to rape and murder the little 9-year-old girl. Rowan Ford Ultimately, Spears made an agreement with prosecutors to dismiss the murder and rape charges and he pleaded guilty to felony child endangerment and hindering prosecution. In 2012, he was sentenced to 11 years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS: Supreme Court denies stay of execution for Christopher Collings Shortly after his release from prison, but before he was off probation, Spears went to work for the Missouri State Public Defenders office. He was hired by his trial attorneys husband. State records show his date of hire was June 27, 2016. With credit given for time served between his arrest and his conviction, Spears was released in March of 2015. He was placed on probation until November of 2017. This means Spears worked for the state public defenders office for one year and eight months before his probation ended. Christopher Collings Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collings attorneys had argued that because Spears worked for the public defenders office, there was a conflict-of-interest, and among other things, prevented their client from pleading to lesser charges. The public defenders office served as counsel for both men. Who has faced execution under Missouri Gov. Mike Parson? According to federal court documents, one of Collings public defenders raised the objection within her office. Valerie Leftwich said, He (Spears) was hired by Stephen Reynolds, the district defender in the Clayton, Missouri trial office. Stephen is the husband of Sharon Turlington, Davids former trial attorney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leftwich gave a sworn declaration as part of the Federal Traverse filing in Collings Motion for Writ of Habeas Corpus in the Western District of Missouri. The traverse is the document filed in Habeas motions that deny every allegation made by the opposing side. In Collings case, his public defender argued that the conflict of interest argument should have been raised earlier and added to the ineffective counsel defense. This was listed as one of the many reasons Collings should not get the death penalty. In their pleadings, Collings attorneys said, Counsel recognized that a potential conflict existed; however, because of their divided loyalties or fear of Mr. Collingss response to the conflict, counsel failed to alert the court or alert Mr. Collings of the conflict. Because of this non-disclosure, Mr. Collings himself was not aware of the claim until after his post-conviction proceedings had concluded. We reached out to David Spears at the Public Defenders Office in West Plains today to ask if he had a comment about Chris Collings execution and he said, Maam, you called me at work. I have no comment. Please dont call my place of work again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: What happened to Rowan Ford? We reached out to Thomas Flack, the person listed as the District Defender for West Plains, essentially Spears boss, and have not received a response. Our own Jeremiah Cook is in Bonne Terre for Collings execution. We will have more from him and some law enforcement officials who worked on Fords case, that were there for the execution. 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. Twenty five years ago, the Texas Legislature passed a sweeping set of reforms to resuscitate the states collapsing rural health care system. Now, health care providers, advocates and local leaders are proposing similarly aggressive action to pull the rural maternity care system back from the brink. The Rural Texas Maternal Health Rescue Plan is a package of proposals theyre hoping lawmakers will champion in this upcoming session. Almost half of all Texas counties offer no maternity care services, and more than a quarter of rural mothers live more than 30 minutes away from the nearest provider. Living in a maternity care desert contributes to delayed prenatal care, increased pregnancy complications and worse delivery outcomes. Women living in rural areas are more likely to die from pregnancy or childbirth-related causes, and infant mortality is also higher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But despite these sobering statistics, more rural hospitals are closing their labor and delivery units, leaving patients to travel long distances or deliver in under-equipped emergency rooms. Most of those that do still deliver babies lose money in the process, due to low Medicaid payments and too few deliveries to break even on round-the-clock staffing. Were reaching a tipping point where people are frequently more than an hour from routine prenatal care, and more than an hour from a delivering hospital when their water breaks, said John Henderson, president of the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals. Theres no way were going to get the kind of quality or outcomes we want as a state when thats the reality. The Texas A&M Rural and Community Health Institute convened more than 40 groups, representing rural hospitals, health care providers, medical schools, advocacy groups and nonprofits, to create this rescue plan. Theyve identified steps the Legislature could take this session, including increasing Medicaid payment rates, incentivizing health care providers to work in rural areas and improving overall womens health care access. I dont think anyone thinks that were going to be able to restore services at the 20 or 30 rural hospitals that closed or suspended their OB programs, Henderson said. But if we dont do something, well see more go the same way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last session, the first since the overturn of Roe v. Wade and Texas near-total abortion ban, lawmakers extended postpartum Medicaid to a full year and waived sales tax on diapers and menstrual products. Ahead of this session, House Speaker Dade Phelan listed improving access to rural prenatal and obstetrics care as one of his interim priorities. Strengthening access to rural maternity care would be a bipartisan way to show up for moms and babies in Texas, said Tom Banning, CEO of the Texas Academy of Family Physicians. There's not a silver bullet to this. We would have done it if there was, Banning said. But we just want to bring forward ideas for them to think about as possible legislation or funding strategies. That's what this report is intended to do, to give them options. Code Red proposals Several of the top priorities focus on Medicaid, the largest payer of maternal health services in Texas. Medicaid pays for half of births statewide, but in rural areas, covers between 60% and 90% of births. Medicaid is primarily federally funded, but states administer the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This plan proposes reimbursing rural hospitals based on the actual costs they incur delivering a baby, rather than a set rate, and offering doctors fixed monthly per-patient payments to cover the costs of preventive, primary and maternity care needs. Theyre hoping this will make it more financially appealing for hospitals to keep delivering babies, and recruit the health care providers they need to do so. The state should also make it easier for pregnant women to get on Medicaid, and easier for doctors to start accepting Medicaid, the report says. The administrative burden of being in Medicaid is substantial, Diana Forester, the director of health policy at Texans Care for Children, a health advocacy group, is quoted as saying in the report. I talked to one OB group outside of Sweetwater that said theyre the only birthing unit for hundreds of miles. And they couldnt get enrolled in Medicaid so they cant treat Medicaid patients. Last legislative session, lawmakers tackled the growing nursing shortage with scholarships, grants and loan repayment programs, and allocated additional funds for graduate medical education programs in rural and community health. But much more is needed, this report says. The state urgently needs to strengthen loan repayment programs for OB-GYNs, family physicians and other health care professionals who practice in rural areas, and create more opportunities for medical students and residents to train outside of major cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This plan also lays out ways the Legislature could shore up rural womens health care more broadly, ensuring they are healthy before and after pregnancy. As one of 10 states that hasnt expanded Medicaid, Texas has a 21.7% uninsured rate, the highest in the nation. While lawmakers are unlikely to move on that issue anytime soon, they could allocate more money for state-run programs like Healthy Texas Women, the Family Planning Program and the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program. They could also pour more money into mobile clinics and federally qualified health centers, safety net clinics that cover un- and under-insured Texans. In a legislative session focused on hot-button political issues like school choice, immigration and property taxes, the groups that put together the Rural Texas Maternal Health Rescue Plan are hoping to offer common-sense proposals that both parties can get behind, Henderson said. Theyll be pitching these plans to legislators in the lead up to the 2025 session. All these other priorities are billion dollar projects. What were talking about is maybe $100 million, he said. Its not a showstopper budgetary impact. Rural communities have figured out that if they stand together, they can stretch a dollar a long way, Banning added. And in this case, it can be a force multiplier for other opportunities in those communities. Disclosure: Texans Care for Children 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 Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. Russia and Belarus plan to establish three training centres for joint military training. Source: Henadz Lepeshka, Head of the Permanent Commission on National Security of the Belarusian House of Representatives, as reported by state agency BelTA Details: Lepeshka said that a training centre will be set up in Hrodna Oblast in Belarus, while Russia will establish centres in the Nizhny Novgorod and Kaliningrad oblasts. Personnel for these centres are currently being trained in military educational institutions in both countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lepeshka also mentioned that three programmes in the defence sector began to be implemented in 2023. One programme focuses on strengthening border security, while the other two aim to improve infrastructure in Belarus and Russia to support the regional military grouping. Additionally, the two countries have signed "over 160 agreements on joint military activities" for 2025. The official highlighted that Belarusian and Russian air forces periodically conduct "joint patrols of the Union State's air borders in Belarusian airspace". He emphasised the importance of this practice, citing the longstanding presence of American strategic and tactical aviation in Polish and Baltic airspace near the Union State's borders. Lepeshka asserted that all joint exercises with Russia are of an "exclusively defensive nature". Support UP or become our patron! (Reuters) - Russia's President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko, will sign a landmark security pact on Friday that reflects global geopolitical changes, Russian state news agency RIA said on Tuesday. The agreement will be among the documents the leaders are set to sign in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, on the 25th anniversary of the Union State, a borderless union and alliance between the two former Soviet republics and neighbours. "We are covering the topics of state, public, economic security, talking about ensuring stability in the development of our economies," the agency quoted Belarusian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Nazaruk as saying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is designed to take into account the changed external conditions, when the world is moving to a polycentric world order," he added, describing what he called a "landmark" agreement. The agency gave no further details of the pact. As president, Lukashenko has kept Belarus in a firm authoritative grip for the past three decades, and been a loyal ally of Putin, allowing his territory to be used as a launch pad for Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. A flurry of military activity and joint air force drills between Russia and Belarus followed the invasion, rekindling concerns that Minsk could be preparing for a more active role in the conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 70-year-old Lukashenko, who calls himself the "last dictator in Europe", is not expected to lose a presidential vote in January. He has said he would only order his troops to fight alongside Russia if another country launched an attack on Belarus. Putin casts conflict in Ukraine as part of an existential battle with a declining and decadent West which he says humiliated Russia after the Berlin Wall fell in 1989 by encroaching on what he considers Moscow's sphere of influence. (Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) Russian forces test fired an advanced nuclear-capable hypersonic cruise missile during navy and air force drills in the eastern Mediterranean Sea on Tuesday. Photographs released by the Russian defence ministry show a Zircon launching from the decks of the Admiral Gorshkov, a frigate commissioned in 2018 and designed to attack land, surface and underwater targets. On Dec 3, during an exercise to test the combined activities of Russian navy and air force troop groups, precision sea-based missiles were launched in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, Russias defence ministry said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kremlin claims that the Zirkon missile has a top speed of Mach 9 (6,000mph), which analysts have said would make it essentially invulnerable to even the best Western missile defence systems. According to Russian state media, Putin has said the weapon has no analogues in any country in the world. A Russian navy frigate fires a Zircon hypersonic anti-ship missile in the eastern Mediterranean - Russian Defence Ministry Russia was carrying out naval drills in the Mediterranean alongside launching a hypersonic missile - Russian Defense Ministry Press Service photo via AP Militaries across the world are scrambling to field hypersonic cruise missiles, as their extreme speed and manoeuvrability makes them difficult to intercept. Experts believe that surface ships, particularly aircraft carriers, could be extremely vulnerable to hypersonic cruise missiles. It is understood that Russia fired the Zirkon missile, which has a range of some 600 miles, at the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv in February of this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The naval drills come as Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, Russias biggest ally in the region, is facing the greatest challenge to his rule in years after rebel fighters captured the city of Aleppo in a shock offensive that began last week. Russia has had a significant military presence in Syria for a decade, including a naval base near the Mediterranean port city of Tartus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Naval analyst H I Sutton said that Russias Tartus naval base was now under threat from rebel attack as the fast-moving front line closed in. The dramatic shift in the front lines in Syria now puts the base at risk. There are indications that Russia may be evacuating its naval vessels, he said. The Tartus base is important for Russia because it is its navys only Mediterranean replenishment and repair point. It has also been used as the dropping-off point for Russian special forces to enter the Syrian conflict. Russias defence ministry said 10 ships and 24 planes had taken part in Tuesdays drills, adding that its forces had also fired Onyx and Kalibr cruise missiles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two weapons are older than the Zircon missile but can be fitted with nuclear warheads and travel at speeds of Mach 2.9 and Mach 3 respectively. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Russias seaborne crude exports rose before OPEC+ ministerial discussions on production policy for the early part of 2025, amid indications that the alliance may have to delay for a third time plans to begin restoring barrels to the market. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four-week average volumes increased by about 50,000 barrels a day in the period to Dec. 1, driven higher for the first time in three weeks by a surge in weekly shipments. The gains were concentrated at the countrys western ports, where flows from all export terminals recovered from two weeks of below-normal rates. Cargo loading at the key Pacific site of Kozmino was hit by strong winds during part of the week, which reduced operations by a third. The increase in overall flows came before discussions among OPEC+ oil ministers that will now take place on Thursday after they were postponed from Sunday. Analysts expect that they will again put back their plan to start restoring curbed barrels to the market, with a three-month delay emerging as the main proposal. Its now two years since Western nations imposed sanctions designed to cut the Kremlins oil income, but theres little sign that theyve been effective. As intended, Moscows oil flows have been maintained, but the discounts that its forced to accept in order to secure buyers are now minimal. And the creation of a huge shadow fleet of tankers, which appear largely immune to sanctions, has taken the trade out of the reach of authorities based in the US, UK and European Union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separately, Panama is canceling the registration of six ships sailing under its flag that were sanctioned by the UK last week, a small boost for those nations that have slapped restrictions on Moscows exports machine. The authorities in London added another 30 tankers to a list of vessels sanctioned for carrying Russian oil. Fourteen of them had already been targeted by either the US or the European Union. Meanwhile, Russias refinery runs hit a three-month high in November after completion of seasonal maintenance, potentially making less crude available for export. Crude Shipments A total of 30 tankers loaded 23.5 million barrels of Russian crude in the week to Dec. 1, vessel-tracking data and port-agent reports show. The volume was up from a revised 19.5 million barrels on 26 ships the previous week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daily crude flows in the week to Dec. 1 jumped by about 570,000 barrels to 3.36 million. The increase was driven by higher flows from the countrys western ports, with more ships leaving its Baltic, Black Sea and Arctic ports. Strong winds hit loading operations at the main Pacific export terminal at Kozmino. Less volatile four-week average flows also increased, rising for the first time in three weeks to average 3.13 million barrels a day, an increase of 50,000 from the revised figure for the period to Nov. 24. Crude shipments so far this year are about 60,000 barrels a day, or 1.8%, below the average for the whole of 2023. Two cargoes of Kazakhstans KEBCO crude were loaded at Novorossiysk on the Black Sea during the week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia terminated its export targets at the end of May, opting instead to restrict production, in line with its partners in the OPEC+ oil producers group. The countrys output target is set at 8.978 million barrels a day until the end of December, after a planned easing of some output cuts was delayed for a second time. Moscow also pledged to make deeper output cuts in October and November this year, then between March and September of 2025, to compensate for pumping above its OPEC+ quota earlier this year. Export Value The Kremlins oil income rose, with a small decrease in weekly-average prices for Russias major crude streams only partially offsetting the jump in the weekly export volumes. The gross value of Moscows shipments rose by about $230 million to $1.5 billion in the week to Dec. 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Export values at Baltic ports were down week-on-week by about $0.10 a barrel. Prices for Black Sea loading Urals fell by about $0.50 a barrel and key Pacific grade ESPO dropped by about $0.70, compared with the previous week. Delivered prices in India were down by about $0.10 a barrel, all according to numbers from Argus Media. Four-week average income increased, rising to about $1.41 billion a week, from a revised $1.39 billion in the period to Nov. 25. On this basis, the price of Russias shipments from the Baltic in the four weeks to Dec. 1 was up by about $0.50 a barrel from the period to Nov. 25. Prices for key Pacific grade ESPO and for Black Sea Urals shipments were higher by about $0.40 a barrel. The delivered price for shipments to India was up by a more modest $0.20 a barrel. Flows by Destination Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Observed shipments to Russias Asian customers, including those showing no final destination, edged higher to 2.71 million barrels a day in the four weeks to Dec. 1 from a revised 2.7 million in the period to Nov. 24. About 1.29 million barrels a day of crude were loaded onto tankers heading to China. Thats down from a revised 1.43 million barrels a day in the period to Nov. 24 The Asian nations seaborne imports are boosted by about 800,000 barrels a day of crude delivered from Russia by pipeline, either directly, or via Kazakhstan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flows on ships signaling destinations in India averaged 1.14 million barrels a day, down from a revised 1.17 million for the period to Nov. 24 and 1.46 million in the four weeks to Nov. 17. The Indian figures, in particular, are likely to rise as the discharge ports become clear for vessels that are not currently showing final destinations. Most of those heading from Russias western ports through the Suez Canal end up in the south Asian nation. The equivalent of about 220,000 barrels a day was on vessels signaling Port Said or Suez in Egypt. Those show up as Unknown Asia until a final destination becomes apparent. The Other Unknown volumes, running at about 50,000 barrels a day in the four weeks to Dec. 1, are those on tankers showing no clear destination. Most originate from Russias western ports and go on to transit the Suez Canal, but some could end up in Turkey. Others may be moved from one vessel to another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One cargo of Urals was delivered to the El-Hamra terminal on Egypts Mediterranean coast, the tracking data show. Thats the first delivery to the terminal since two cargoes were discharged there in July and August 2022. Greek naval exercises that have been running since May and have forced ship-to-ship cargo transfers out of the Laconian Gulf and nearby waters, were extended for a sixth time and will now continue until mid-March. Russia has found a new location close to Greek shores to carry out cargo switches, though this has so far been limited to refined products. Russias seaborne crude exports to European countries have ceased, with flows to Bulgaria halted at the end of last year. Moscow also lost about 500,000 barrels a day of pipeline exports to Poland and Germany at the start of 2023, when those countries stopped purchases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turkey is now the only short-haul market for shipments from Russias western ports. Flows in the 28 days to Dec. 1 rose to about 400,000 barrels a day, the highest level since June. Fires at two Turkish refineries in November may hit crude deliveries to the country in the coming weeks. NOTES This story forms part of a weekly series tracking shipments of crude from Russian export terminals and the gross value of those flows. There will be no update next week; publication will resume on Tuesday, Dec. 17. All figures exclude cargoes identified as Kazakhstans KEBCO grade. Those are shipments made by KazTransoil JSC that transit Russia for export through Novorossiysk and Ust-Luga and are not subject to European Union sanctions or a price cap. The Kazakh barrels are blended with crude of Russian origin to create a uniform export stream. Since Russias invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan has rebranded its cargoes to distinguish them from those shipped by Russian companies. Vessel-tracking data are cross-checked against port agent reports as well as flows and ship movements reported by other information providers including Kpler and Vortexa Ltd. If you are reading this story on the Bloomberg terminal, click for a link to a PDF file of four-week average flows from Russia to key destinations. --With assistance from Sherry Su. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Russia is sending private mercenaries to Syria to reinforce its troops, possibly its so-called Africa Corps, the Ukrainian military intelligence agency (HUR) claimed on Dec. 3. Moscow's leaders decided to send mercenaries from private military companies to the Middle Eastern country to help them. The arrival of fighters probably from the so-called Africa Corps is expected," the statement read. Syrian rebels swept into the northwestern city of Aleppo on Nov. 30, launching a major attack that forced Russian-backed Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assads army to pull back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Syrian government army and Russian military units are suffering significant losses, fleeing their positions, abandoning weapons and equipment, the retreat is chaotic," the Ukrainian intelligence agency claimed in its statement. Russia's Africa Corps reportedly emerged in 2023 and consists of soldiers, officers, and experienced mercenaries, many of whom previously served in the Wagner Group. This group was very likely previously deployed in Syria, Libya, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims, and HUR did not provide evidence to support them. Russia's leadership has dismissed General Sergei Kisel, who commanded Moscow's military group in Syria, HUR said earlier. Russian forces have reportedly ramped up their bombing of rebel forces following the takeover of Aleppo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Syrian rebels take over Aleppo as Russia pledges to assist Assad regime Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia has been trying to get its big social media accounts to register with the government. But Kremlin-affiliated and pro-war accounts aren't playing ball, independent Russian media reported. A new analysis found that only 10 of the top 82 political pro-government Telegram channels had registered. Nearly 90% of Russia's top pro-war Telegram channels have been ignoring a government directive to identify themselves in an official registry, per an analysis by independent media outlet Vertska. The findings come four months after Russian leader Vladimir Putin signed a decree on August 8 for all owners of social media channels with 10,000 or more subscribers to disclose their data to the federal telecommunications regulator, Roskomnadzor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Should they fail to do so by January 1, 2025, the law says these channels will be blocked from advertising or raising funds from subscribers. The decree came into effect on November 1. Vertska reported on Monday that it analyzed the top 100 Russian political channels on Telegram and found 82 of them that were pro-government. According to Vertska, of those 82 pro-government channels, 72 had not registered with Roskomnadzor less than a month before the deadline. These include the Kremlin-affiliated blogger Rybar, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, and Operation Z, a group of war correspondents and bloggers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Politicians such as Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Security Council, and Sergei Sobyanin, Moscow's mayor, were also among the top 100 political channels but have not registered, per Vertska. Notably, the Russian Defense Ministry's channel is also not registered, per Vertska. In an analysis published on Monday, the Washington-based think tank Institute for the Study of War wrote that these pro-war channels may have failed to register "possibly because they are already Kremlin-aligned and do not threaten the Kremlin's deserved control over public discourse in Russia." But the move was originally unpopular with pro-Kremlin military bloggers, who often maintain anonymity and sometimes post analyses and criticism of Russian war leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some top voices said the decision would dull Russian analyses on Telegram, while others complained of "draconian" censorship and a possible decrease in war news shared via the platform. "Russian Telegram will become censored and uninteresting," wrote Two Majors, a popular channel with nearly 1.2 million subscribers. Still, Vertska reported that several popular bloggers have registered with Roskomnadzor, including Boris Rozhin, who runs the channel "Colonel Cassad," and Dmitry Nikotin. Vyacheslav Volodin, the chairman of Russia's State Duma, runs the most popular registered channel. He is the country's eighth-most popular channel that discusses politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another Vertska analysis of the 32 top Telegram channels posting solely about the Ukraine war found that only eight, or a quarter of the total, were registered. Roskomnadzor did not respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider. Putin's decree on popular channels, which applies to platforms like VKontakte, Telegram, and TikTok, comes as Moscow has sought to exercise more control over mass communications channels since the onset of the Ukraine war. Russia has already blocked Western platforms like Facebook and X and has repeatedly been reported to have throttled connectivity to YouTube. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October, it also blocked the messaging and call platform Discord, sparking outcry from commentators who said the gaming comms tool was used by Russian units to coordinate drone operations in Ukraine. Read the original article on Business Insider American aircraft reportedly attacked Iranian-backed fighters in Syria as a renewed civil war threatened to engulf the country. Aircraft including what appeared to be an American A-10 Warthog ground attack jet were filmed conducting low-level strikes in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor on Tuesday. The US said the operation was carried out in self defence against threats posed to coalition forces in the region, adding that the strike was not connected to the growing conflict spreading across the north-west of the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It came as the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an American-backed group that allied with Western governments to defeat Islamic State in 2019, said it had captured a number of villages from Syrian government forces on the Eastern bank of the Euphrates. The development underlines the multiple conflicts reignited by last weeks surprise rebel offensive in the north-west of the country. Iran is trying to rush militia men from neighbouring Iraq to help its ally, Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, push back the Islamist-led rebel alliance in the north-west of Syria. The villages in the south-east attacked by the SDFs Arab-dominated Deir Ezzor military council have been used by regime and Iranian-backed militias to attack the SDF and nearby US bases, said Charles Lister, director of the Syria programme at the Middle East Institute, a Washington-based think tank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rebels, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadist group and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA), captured Aleppo and attacked the province of Homs in an offensive that began on Wednesday last week. The rebels have since continued to make rapid advances into the country, with the countrys state news agency reporting clashes on Tuesday between Assads forces and the rebels in the Hama countryside an area roughly 70 miles south of Aleppo and 110 miles north of the capital of Damascus. The Rojava Information Centre, a news outlet aligned with the authorities in Kurdish-controlled areas, said areas of Aleppo that have maintained autonomy from either side were now surrounded by HTS forces. Turkey settling scores The SNA also clashed with the SDF, which controls a mostly Kurdish-inhabited swathe of territory in the north of the country, prompting allegations that Turkey was using the chaos as an opportunity to settle scores with the group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Nov 26 the United States said it attacked an Iranian-aligned militia weapons storage facility in response to an attack on US forces in the area. Earlier on Tuesday, Russian navy ships were spotted leaving the Kremlins crucial seaport in the Mediterranean as the civil war threatens to engulf it. Naval analyst H I Sutton said Russias Tartus naval base in Syria was now under threat from rebel attack as the fast-moving front line closed in. The dramatic shift in the front lines in Syria now puts the base at risk. There are indications that Russia may be evacuating its naval vessels, he said. A Russian navy missile ship at Tartus naval base in Syria in 2019 - AP The Tartus naval base is important for Russia because it is its only Mediterranean replenishment and repair point. It has also been used as the dropping-off point for Russian special forces to enter the Syrian conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So important is Tartus to the Russian navy that in 2017, Putin ordered its expansion. But Mr Sutton said two of Russias five naval ships had now left the port. Russia also has a submarine based at Tartus. This is the first visible sign that Russia is moving valuable assets out of the country, he said. Russia has been allied to Syrias central government since 2015 when it first deployed soldiers, and on Monday, Vladimir Putin made his first comment on the intensifying fighting, telling his Iranian counterpart that he was 100 per cent behind Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. The Russian air force has also been bombing rebel positions, killing hundreds of fighters, in an effort to slow their advance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Writing on X, formerly Twitter, naval analyst Droxford Maritime agreed there is a realistic possibility the departure of Russian naval ships was linked to renewed fighting in Syria. He also said one of the ships spotted leaving Tartus was the Yelnya, a Project 169 Altay class oiler which has been described as a valuable asset and important to maintaining Russias force in the Mediterranean. The port is also considered a critical part of the supply link for Russias support for military strongman General Khalifa Haftar, who dominates the eastern part of war-torn Libya. Jalel Harchaoui, of the Royal United Services Institute, a think tank, said if the Kremlin did give up Tartus, it would have a knock-on effect on its strategies in Libya, which have been designed to rival the West. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any potential loss by Moscow of these ports would reshape the fate of the Haftar family, he said. A satellite image of Tartus in 2022 - Planet Labs PBC Set up as a Soviet naval base in 1971, Tartus was bulked up in 2012, being turned into Russias main overseas naval base. Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, it has taken on increased significance after Putin ordered his naval forces to adopt an aggressive posture to deter any Nato forces from using the Mediterranean Sea to interfere with his war. Mr Sutton also said if Russia did abandon the naval base it would be complicated for it to get its ships back to a friendly port and the Kremlin may order an attempt on the Black Sea route again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If so, it will expose itself to Ukraines surface drones, he said. As well as pulling its ships out of the Tartus naval base, Russian forces have reportedly withdrawn from two other bases near Aleppo, which rebel forces captured on Friday. One of them is the Hama Air Base, which is seen as a lynchpin site. Putin has also sacked the general commanding Russian forces in Syria. 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. Editor's note: The article was updated with a statement by the Air Force Russian attacks against Ukraine killed at least one person and injured at least eight over the past day, regional authorities reported on Dec. 3. Moscow's forces targeted energy infrastructure facilities in several regions as Ukraine enters its third winter of the full-scale war. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 22 of the 28 Russian drones launched against Ukraine overnight, the Air Force reported. One drone was lost in Ukraine, and two flew toward Belarus and Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, according to the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, a 21-year-old man was injured during Russian attacks against the Nikopol district, Governor Serhii Lysak reported. Eight houses, a high school building, a shop, a gas station, and other buildings were damaged. Russian attacks against the town of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast killed one person and injured another, Governor Vadym Filashkin said. Two more people were reportedly wounded during strikes against the village of Shevchenko. In Kharkiv Oblast, an 80-year-old woman was injured during a Russian attack with a multiple-launch rocket system against the Prystyn village near Kupiansk, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported. Three people were injured during Russian attacks against Kherson Oblast, according to Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. A multi-story building, 12 houses, and other buildings were damaged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Russian attack against Rivne Oblast damaged an emergency facility infrastructure, Governor Oleksandr Koval said. No casualties were reported. An energy infrastructure site was also damaged during a drone attack against the city of Ternopil, resulting in a fire. No casualties were reported, but some residents were left without electricity as a result, Mayor Serhii Nadal said. Khmelnytskyi, Luhansk, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts also came under attack, but no casualties were reported. Read also: Destroying us little by little: Ukrainian troops worried about fate of Kursk operation Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated. An overnight Russian drone attack on Ternopil on Dec. 3 damaged energy infrastructure in the city, Mayor Serhii Nadal said. Nadal added that part of Ternopil remains without power after a Russian drone struck an unspecified energy facility within the city. Emergency response workers are currently on-scene, and no casualties were immediately reported in the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ternopil, a city in western Ukraine with a population of roughly 225,000 residents, lies hundreds of kilometers from the front line and is not a common target of Russian attacks. Despite its geographic positioning, in recent days the city has experienced multiple attack drone swarms as Russia continues to deploy thousands of drone each month on various region of the country. On Dec. 2, a Russian drone struck a high-rise building in the city, killing at least one person and injured three. The most recent attack comes as Russia continues to target energy infrastructure across the country with drone and missile attacks as it seeks to plunge Ukrainians into another harsh winter without adequate power and energy resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the most recent mass aerial attack on the country on Nov. 28, Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said that Russia struck a "massive blow" to the nation's power grid. In November, Russia launched a total of 347 missiles as well as over 2,500 Shahed-type attack drones at Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. Read also: Updated: 1 killed, 3 injured in Russias attack on Ternopil Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Russian army made an attempt to gain and maintain a foothold on the right (western) bank of the Oskil River, near the village of Novomlynsk in Kharkiv Oblast, but the Ukrainian defence forces pushed them out. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook; Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group on Telegram Quote from the General Staff: "Enemy forces made an attempt to gain and maintain a foothold on the right bank of the Oskil River near the village of Novomlynsk in Kharkiv Oblast. Given their advantage in numbers, enemy forces even managed to cross the river." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Ukrainian troops, supported by artillery and drone units, pushed the Russians out of the area. Soldiers from the 8th Separate Assault Battalion of the 10th Separate Edelweiss Mountain Assault Brigade mopped up the area in the vicinity of Novomlynsk to ensure no Russian forces remained there. Quote from Khortytsia: "Following a successful operation, the enemy group was neutralised. Oskils right bank remains under the [Ukrainian] defence forces control. Ukrainian flags are flying over Novomlynsk." Background: Ukrainian Armed Forces launched a counteroffensive in Kharkiv Oblast in early September 2022. On 11 September 2022, then Ukraines Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said that the Ukrainian defence forces had advanced as far as the Oskil River. On 18 September 2022, the Centre of Strategic Communications of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that as of 17 September 2022, Ukrainian forces controlled both the right (western) and the left (eastern) banks of the Oskil River. On 23 October 2024, Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, said that Russian forces were relentlessly bombarding crossings over the Oskil River, thus holding up the repair of critical infrastructure and disrupting evacuation efforts on the left bank in Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has been invited to attend an OSCE ministerial meeting in Malta on 5-6 December in what could be his first visit to the EU since 2022. Source: Radio Liberty, as reported by European Pravda Details: OSCE officials told Radio Liberty that Lavrov's invitation was intended to start a dialogue to reach agreement on matters such as the filling of four vacant leadership positions in the organisation, future presidencies, and the budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Radio Liberty, the Russian foreign minister will attend the lunch on the first day of the OSCE summit but will not be at the dinner, which will focus on Russia's aggression against Ukraine. In terms of the order of statements, which is determined by drawing lots, Ukraine will speak first and Russia fourth, having changed places with Tajikistan. Furthermore, Radio Liberty's sources say that this time EU representatives are unlikely to pointedly boycott the Russian speech. Instead, they will "answer Lavrov and the huge amount of lies that he usually comes with". Background: If Lavrov is allowed to visit Malta, it will be his first visit to an EU country since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Poland refused to let Lavrov attend a ministerial summit in odz when it held the OSCE presidency in 2022. Lavrov has however been permitted to visit the United States to attend UN events, and last year he attended an OSCE ministerial meeting in North Macedonia, which is not yet a member of the EU. Support UP or become our patron! A Russian spy ring planned to create deep-fake porn of the Kazakh presidents son, a court has heard. The gang plotted to stage fake attacks against Kazakh targets so that Vladimir Putins secret services could appear to come to the countrys aid and gain favour, messages reveal. Jan Marsalek, a Russian agent, and Orlin Roussev, the Bulgarian leader of the UK-based spy ring, also discussed dousing the Kazakh embassy in London with pigs blood, hacking their power plants and leaking sex videos, the Old Bailey was told. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The details emerged during the trial of Katrin Ivanova, 33, Vanya Gaberova, 30, and Tihomir Ivanchev, 39, who all deny conspiracy to spy on behalf of Russia. Roussev, 46, and Bizer Dzhambazov, 43, have already pleaded guilty to the charge. The jury will hear about a series of six operations with a Russian agent using the alias Rupert Ticz, who the prosecution allege is Austrian Jan Marsalek, between 2020 and 2023. Vanya Gaberova, 30, is one of three who deny conspiracy to spy on Russias behalf The court heard the groups high-level espionage also included surveillance on a US airbase in Germany which they believed was being used to train Ukrainian soldiers. The jury has also heard the spy rings discussion of kidnapping or murdering Christo Grozev, an investigative journalist for the news outlet Bellingcat, the court has heard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan to fake an attack on Kazakhstan in the autumn of 2022 was revealed through messages between Roussev and Marsalek, prosecutor Alison Morgan KC told the court. In messages shown to the jurors, Marsalek said that his ideas included hacking Kazakh nuclear powerplants, leaking sex videos, crashing the currency. He said that he was thinking maybe a deep-fake porn video of the son of the president. Call for Western sanctions The court was not told exactly who the target was. At the time of the discussions, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the current president of Kazakhstan, was in office. Roussev, who used the alias Jackie Chan in some messages, described the ideas as cool and very feasible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marsalek concluded: I think for our purpose a demonstration addressing the presidents familys corruption would be most helpful. And I think we should call for Western sanctions on Kazakhstan and the president himself because he didnt condemn the war in Ukraine. In relation to the embassy attack, Ms Morgan explained: In short what was planned was that they would orchestrate a false protest at the embassy. Then information about the alleged perpetrators, anybody that joined in that protest, would be passed on to Kazakhstan, to make it look like Russia was prepared to help Kazakhstan and that would promote their ongoing relationship. Pigs blood on the embassy In September 2022 the man the prosecution allege is Marsalek, under the alias Rupert Ticz, asked: So, if wed want to drop 100 litres of pig blood on the Kazakh embassy in London, what drone would we need? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea is that we film it and publish it saying its the blood of the innocent Kazakh people, which the president has on his hands. There was discussion if it would be real blood or fake blood and whether a drone was needed. A video shown to the court showed Dzhambazov acquiring blood and there was discussion of how it could be thinned to spray it on the embassy. Orlin Roussev described these fake attacks as cool and very feasible, the court hears - Metropolitan Police/PA The ruse also included sending letters to officials in Europe and the US urging them to sanction the Kazakhs over Putins invasion of Ukraine in 2022, it was alleged. A draft letter addressed to Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, was found on a hard drive belonging to Roussev. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After they created fake protest websites, Marsalek wrote: Glorious news from Kazakhstan: Kazakh intelligence is in a small panic and wants our Russian friends to investigate who this new group of activists is. The trial continues. 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. Three people were killed and five more were injured in Russian attacks on Pokrovsk hromada and the city of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast on 3 December [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories ed.]. Source: Vadym Filashkin, Head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Quote: "Pokrovsk hromada is under fire there are civilian casualties. One person was killed and another injured, and a vehicle was damaged as a result of a drone strike in Kotlyne. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The Russians also damaged eight multi-storey buildings and two cars in Pokrovsk. There have been no reports of casualties in the city so far. Filashkin urged residents of Donetsk Oblast to avoid danger and evacuate to safer regions of Ukraine. Updated: At 14:20, the head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration reported that one had been killed and one injured in Pokrovsk. Photo: Donetsk Oblast Military Administration Later, Filashkin wrote that the Russians shelled Kostiantynivka with artillery, killing a 52-year-old man; three more people received moderate injuries. Moreover, three multi-storey buildings, an administrative building, a gas pipe and a car were damaged. Support UP or become our patron! The News Russian President Vladimir Putin and officials at Kremlin supported the forced removal of children from Ukraine, a new Yale University report alleged, including the use of the offices aircraft and funds for the forced adoption program. Speaking on Tuesday upon its release, Ukrainian government officials said they welcomed the report, and called on Russia to end its denial of the programs. The new findings come more than a year after the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Putin and his commissioner for children over their alleged roles in the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. The authors intend to present the findings to the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday. Know More The report identified 314 Ukrainian children taken to Russia for coerced adoption and foster care. Once there, many of the children were allegedly naturalized as Russian citizens and put up for adoption on state-supported databases efforts the reports lead author described at a press conference Tuesday as designed to erase their Ukrainian identity. At the same press conference, Ukraines justice minister said thousands of children had been forcibly removed by Russia since the 2022 invasion. These numbers will be increasing, Olha Stefanishyna said, as Russia solidifies its control of occupied territories. By Anne Kauranen and Sabine Siebold TURKU, Finland (Reuters) -On Nov. 18, hours after two communication cables were severed in the Baltic Sea, 30 NATO vessels and 4,000 military staff took to the same body of water for one of northern Europe's largest naval exercises. The 12-day 'Freezing Winds' drill was part of a push to step up the transatlantic defence alliance's protection of infrastructure in waters that carry 15% of global shipping traffic and are seen as increasingly vulnerable to attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Baltic Sea is bordered by eight NATO countries and Russia. There have been at least three incidents of possible sabotage to the 40-odd telecommunication cables and critical gas pipelines that run along its relatively shallow seabed since 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine. "NATO is stepping up patrols, ... allies are investing in innovative technologies that can help better secure these assets," said Commander Arlo Abrahamson, a spokesperson for NATO's Allied Maritime Command. Yet the ease with which a ship's anchor can slice through a cable, coupled with the often-treacherous sea conditions, makes actual prevention of such attacks almost impossible. On day three of the exercise, Beata Krol, German commander of the multinational task group, and the crew of her de-mining vessel, the Weilheim, tried to launch an underwater drone to inspect the seabed as a winter storm raged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a 30-minute delay in launching it, the drone had frozen and could not operate. "The batteries got cold," she said, shrugging, as she waited for the equipment to warm up. Having spent years detonating World War Two-era mines on the Baltic seabed, NATO is repurposing its six-vessel minehunting fleet to also monitor suspicious underwater activity, with its hull-mounted sonar scanning the seabed, drones able to take pictures and video under the water, and specialist divers on hand. But its powers are still limited. "We are a defensive alliance, so by conducting training and exercising, also in areas which are crucial with underwater infrastructure, we show presence and prevent rather than actively engage," Krol said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CAUSES OF CABLE DAMAGE HARD TO PINPOINT Security sources say the Chinese bulk carrier Yi Peng 3, which left the Russian port of Ust-Luga on Nov. 15, was responsible for severing the two undersea cables in Swedish economic waters between Nov. 17 and 18 by dragging its anchor on the seabed. As of Monday, it was stationary in Danish economic waters, being watched by NATO members' naval ships, having been urged by Sweden to return to be investigated. Some politicians had accused it of sabotage, but no authority had shown evidence that its actions were deliberate. China has said it is ready to assist in the investigation, while its ally Russia has denied involvement in any of the Baltic infrastructure incidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case is similar to an incident last year when the Chinese ship NewNew Polar Bear damaged two cables linking Estonia to Finland and Sweden as well as an Estonia-Finland gas pipeline. China made similar promises to assist, but the ship was not stopped and, a year on, Finnish and Estonian investigators have yet to present conclusions. Damage to cables is not new. Globally, around 150 are damaged each year, according to the UK-based International Cable Protection Committee. The telecoms cables, power lines and gas pipes in the shallow Baltic are particularly vulnerable due to its very intense ship traffic, the U.S.-based telecom research firm TeleGeography said. If any of the recent incidents are proven to be sabotage by another country, it would mark a return of a type of warfare not seen for decades. "You should go back to World War One or the Spanish-American War to find a state-sponsored sabotage of a submarine cable," said Paul Brodsky, a senior researcher at TeleGeography. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To counter this potential threat, NATO in May opened its Maritime Centre for Security of Critical Undersea Infrastructure (CUI) in London, which wants to map all critical infrastructure in NATO-controlled waters and identify weak spots. In Rostock, on Germany's Baltic coast, a multinational naval headquarters opened in October to protect NATO members' interests in the sea. "What I think we can achieve is to place the responsibility after an incident," CUI's Branch Head, Commander Pal Bratbak, said onboard the Weilheim, stressing the growing power of technology. NATO's Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation in Italy is launching software that will combine private and military data and imagery from hydrophones, radars, satellites, vessels' Automatic Identification System (AIS) and fibres with Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), which private telecom companies use to localise cuts in their cables. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If we have a good picture of what's going on, then we can deploy units to verify what the system tells us," Bratbak said. German Lieutenant-General Hans-Werner Wiermann, who led an undersea infrastructure coordination cell at NATO Headquarters until March, said no pipeline or cable can be guarded all the time. "The right response to such hybrid attacks is resilience," he said, adding that companies were already laying cables to add "redundancies" - spare routings that will allow critical pieces of infrastructure to keep working if one cable is cut. On board the Weilheim, Krol's second drone is finally able to brave the storm to continue the inspection drill underwater. (Reporting by Anne Kauranen in Turku and Sabine Siebold in Berlin, additional reporting by Nerijus Adomaitis in Oslo and Supantha Mukherjee in Stockholm; editing by Rachel Armstrong and Kevin Liffey) SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) The San Angelo Fire Department announced on Nov. 27 that it joined Safe Haven Baby Boxes to fundraise for the installation of a baby box in town. But when can San Angelo residents expect to see the fundraising goal met? According to the Safe Haven Baby Boxes website, the baby boxes offer a compassionate and secure option for mothers in crisis who are unable to care for their newborns by facilitating the anonymous surrender of infants through an infant deposit system commonly installed at fire stations. The surrender of infants is permitted in Texas under the Safe Haven Law, provided that certain conditions are met. A Safe Haven Baby Boxes representative stated that, as of the last update registered on Nov. 27, approximately $420 has been donated thus far toward the installation of a baby box at SAFD Central Fire Station No. 1. Both the representative and SAFD Assistant Fire Chief Johnny Fisher said that the fundraising goal is an estimated $20,000 to $25,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fisher shared that he believes the fundraising goal can be met in six months or less, also stating that the funds could be raised in three to four months. He also stated that the department has already begun making preparations for the installation, saying that he has begun speaking with contractors regarding schematics for the baby box. San Angelo native reappointed to Rehabilitation Council of Texas Its when, I dont believe its if, Fisher said. I believe in San Angelo. Its not if, its going to be when we will have this baby box installed here in San Angelo. Fisher said that one of the driving factors behind the SAFDs decision to fundraise for a baby box came from a woman from Goodfellow Air Force Base who presented the idea to the department roughly six months ago. He stated that, although he believes the woman has since been deployed, her actions led the department to pursue the endeavor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She approached us she had heard about the Safe Haven Baby Boxes and that she would like to see what our thoughts were about having one put here in San Angelo, Fisher said. It was really her bringing that to our attention is what started this. Fisher stated that, in his eyes, the baby boxes provide mothers with an option to do the right thing if they are no longer able to provide adequate care for their infant. If it saves one life, it is well worth it, Fisher said. Its just a great thing to have in San Angelo. 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. By Felix Light TBILISI (Reuters) - As protesters confronted massed ranks of riot police in front of Georgia's parliament last week, a slightly built woman picked her way through the crowd. At a moment of national crisis, President Salome Zourabichvili had decided she needed to be with the people on the streets. Placing her hand on the riot shield of one of the black-clad, helmeted police officers, she appealed to their consciences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Your duty is to protect the statehood of this country and its citizens. It is not your duty to disperse the people. Are you serving Russia or Georgia?" she asked calmly. "Do you not answer to your president? Do you not think about your future, your country, your children, or even your ancestors?" The encounter was prompted by the ruling Georgian Dream party's announcement a few hours earlier that it was suspending efforts to join the European Union and renouncing any EU financial support until 2028. It said the move had been prompted by a "cascade of insults" from the EU. For Zourabichvili, it was a betrayal of Georgia's European destiny and a sign that the country, once part of the Soviet Union, is slipping back under Russia's influence as part of a "hybrid war" being waged by Moscow - something the Georgian government and the Kremlin deny. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The standoff - closely watched by Russia, the United States and the EU - marks a crossroads in Georgia's modern history as thousands of protesters confront police each night in the capital. It is also the culmination of a long battle between Zourabichvili and the ruling party, which backed her for the presidency in 2018 but within five years was trying to impeach her. PRESIDENT CALLS GEORGIA'S ELECTION A 'TOTAL FRAUD' When Georgian Dream was declared the winner of parliamentary elections seven weeks ago with results that two U.S. polling organisations said were statistically impossible, she denounced the outcome as a "total fraud" and urged people to protest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with Reuters this week, in English, she cast herself as a champion of the people and upholder of the constitution, in which Georgia's aspiration to join the EU is enshrined. Her mission, she said, was to "represent the voice of those people that are on the streets" and those who had resigned from public posts to protest against the government's decision. "They need to have somebody to rally around and I'm that figure," she said, promising to play that role "until we get new elections and until we get a legitimate government". The government and election commission deny the October poll was rigged. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said Zourabichvili had backed the opposition in the election but lost, and was struggling to come to terms with leaving office when her six-year term expires on Dec. 29. "Her emotional state is unstable," he said on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zourabichvili, 72, says she will not step down because the parliament formed after the election has no legitimacy to choose her successor. She says her sole demand is for a fresh election. Georgia's struggle to escape Russian dominance and become part of Europe has been a lifelong theme for Zourabichvili. She was born in Paris in 1952 into a family that had fled when Georgia was incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1921, after just three years of independence. As she grew up during the Cold War, she has said, the country seemed "mysterious and unattainable". Her first visit was not until 1986. FRENCH DIPLOMAT BECOMES GEORGIAN PRESIDENT Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zourabichvili graduated from top schools and forged a successful career as a French diplomat, becoming ambassador to Georgia in 2003. The following year, under an unusual agreement approved by both countries' presidents, she was named Georgian foreign minister and served for 19 months. She later went into Georgian politics, becoming a member of parliament in 2016. Elected to the largely ceremonial role of president with the support of Georgian Dream, she lobbied the EU successfully to grant Georgia "candidate membership" status last year, saying the country of 3.7 million people could help ensure security and stability in the Black Sea region. But relations with the party worsened steadily. In October 2023 it tried unsuccessfully to impeach her in parliament on grounds that she had overstepped her powers by making unauthorised foreign trips, not least to Brussels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May 2024, she vetoed a law requiring NGOs to register as "foreign agents" if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad. The government said it was necessary to defend Georgia from outside interference; critics said it resembled a law the Kremlin has used to crack down on dissent in Russia. When parliament overrode her veto, Zourabichvili accused lawmakers in the ruling party of choosing "Russian slavery". Now the clock is ticking towards a showdown with the government over her refusal to step down. Asked if she would resist any attempt to expel her from the presidential palace, Zourabichvili told Reuters: "No, I'm not attached to a building or to anything of that kind. It's a question of principle, of symbol." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the Georgian people, she said, it was important "to see that I'm on their side and I continue to be the one that represents the legitimate power and the independent Georgia". (Reporting by Felix Light; writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Kevin Liffey) GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) A staple of the holiday season along with decorations, music and shopping is the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. The organization has a new way of collecting donations as many people no longer have change in their pockets. All they have to do is, of course, pull up their camera app, scan it, itll take them directly to the website, Pitt County Salvation Army of Greenville Lieutenant Micah Gallagher said. The best part is once they put their zip code in, its going to bring them to their local Salvation Army, where 100 percent stays here in the community and we use $0.82 of every dollar to do the most good here in Greenville and Pitt County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the organization to collect donations, it of course needs volunteers. Giving is not an issue here in Greenville. Weve seen the generosity through dollars and its wonderful, Gallagher said. Were not saying to stop, what we need is volunteers. We need people to give their time. Click the above video to see 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 WNCT. ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. Its a big move in whats shaping up to be an epic political showdown in Missouri. St. Louis County Executive Sam Page has named Cort VanOstran as the new St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney, once Wesley Bell leaves office. But Governor Mike Parson says thats his job, not Pages. Bell will leave office on Jan. 3, 2025, after six years of experience. He claimed victory in last months general election for Missouri District 1, a St. Louis-area Congressional seat within the U.S. House of Representatives. Parson and the state of Missouri are suing Page and St. Louis County in county court. A spokesman for Parson told FOX 2 News that Pages appointment changes nothing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Page and Parson have been at odds as to who appoints Bells replacement since shortly after the election. Page claims that St. Louis County planned for an appointment process similar to what St. Charles County had in 2023 when the county appointed its current prosecutor. Lawsuit filed against California farm in St. Louis-area E. coli outbreak Parsons lawsuit over who ultimately gets to appoint Bells successor cites Article 4, Section 4, of the Missouri Constitution, which states the governor shall fill all vacancies, unless otherwise provided by law. If VanOstran sounds familiar, perhaps its from his failed 2018 Congressional bid to unseat St. Louis County Republican Congresswoman Ann Wagner. He lost to her by 4%, fewer than 15,000 votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Page said VanOstran has just resigned his position as an assistant St. Louis federal prosecutor to take over the county prosecutors office. VanOstran has prosecuted fraud, embezzlement, identity theft, conspiracy, drug distribution, and firearms offenses over the years. In addition to his work in the courtroom, VanOstran has taught students at Washington University School of Law since 2016. Cort VanOstran is a proven public servant. As a federal prosecutor, hes worked to protect victims of crime. As an attorney, hes represented everyday Missourians and stood up to powerful corporate interests, Page said via a news release. As the next St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney, he will work every day to keep our community safe. The countys legal team maintains that appointment power is otherwise provided by law in the St. Louis County Charter. Theyve just filed a motion to dismiss the case, saying the governors attempt to appoint Bells successor goes against the state constitutions explicit provision to the contrary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources tell FOX 2 that Parson may be leaning toward appointing Assistant County Prosecutor Melissa Smith. St. Louiss Ethical Society of Police has endorsed her. Governor Parson has only spoken publicly about this in an exclusive interview with FOX 2 a couple of weeks ago. All I want is St. Louis County to have the best qualified person as prosecuting attorney. I dont have to play the political games in St. Louis County (but the county) will, Parson said. He noted that he filled the vacancy for the City of St. Louiss top prosecutor, appointing Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore to the post. The bottom line of it is, thats part of the job we do, no different than when we did Gabe Gores [appointment] when that seat came open, Parson said. I think the most important thing I can tell you about that is I couldnt tell you whether Gabe Gore was a Democrat or Republican. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Bell issued the following statement regarding the appointment early Tuesday evening: Whoever leads this amazing office next will have my full support. I met with Cort VanOstran today, and he told me that he is a fan of this office, likes what we are doing, and believes his first step as a leader will be to emphasize listening and also learning from our talented and experienced staff. Today I also met with our staff and advised them of that conversation. I advised them if Cort is the next prosecuting attorney, to give him a fair chance and I think it will pay off for them individually, but more importantly for the office as a whole. I also told them that they are not going to lose me after I am sworn in as a member of Congress but they will gain an advocate for this office and, ultimately, an advocate for public safety in the St. Louis region as a whole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement St. Louis County Circuit Judge Lorne Baker received the case on Tuesday. Parson appointed Baker to that post in 2018. The Missouri Supreme Court is likely to make the final decision on the case. If Pages appointment stands, the St. Louis County Council can approve it, reject it, or simply let it take 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 FOX 2. Adapted from State of the Free Press 2025 edited by Mickey Huff, Shealeigh Voitl, and Andy Lee Roth A 2024 Pew Research Center poll found that a remarkable 73 percent of adult Americans believe a free press is either extremely or very important to the well-being of societythough only a third of those polled believe that US media are completely free to report news. Indeed, half of those surveyed believe that US news organizations are influenced a great deal by corporate/financial interests (51%) or government/political interests (49%). Citing reports by the Associated Press and the Columbia Journalism Review, the Pew Research Center noted that recent high-profile incidents such as a police raid on a Kansas newsroom and a government seizure of a Florida journalists materials have raised questions about press freedom in the U.S. Pew reported its findings in anticipation of World Press Freedom Day and before Reporters Without Borders (RSF) published the 2024 edition of its annual World Press Freedom Index. The United States ranked fifty-fifth among 180 nations for press freedoms in 2024, according to RSF, which defines press freedom as the ability of journalists as individuals and collectives to select, produce, and disseminate news in the public interest independent of political, economic, legal, and social interference and in the absence of threats to their physical and mental safety. RSF found press freedom is problematic in the United States, which earned a score of 66.59 out of a 100, a decline of nearly five points, compared to 2023 when the United States ranked forty-fifth in the world based on satisfactory levels of press freedom. Noting that the United States was once considered a model for freedom of expression, RSF reported that in 2024, major structural barriers to press freedom persist, including, for instance, highly concentrated media ownership that appears to prioritize profits over public interest journalism, declines in both local news and public trust in media, and the enactment of state and local laws that limit journalists access to public spaces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From a global perspective, RSF noted a worrying decline in respect for media autonomy, increased pressure from state or other political actors, and a clear lack of political will on the part of the international community to enforce the principles of protection of journalists. Nowhere has the latter been more evident than in Israeli-occupied Palestine, including Gaza especially, where RSF reported a record number of violations against journalists and the media since October 2023, including the killing of Palestinian journalists by Israel Defense Forces. The USs plunging press freedom is driven by a number of factors. Legislative attacks on media during the past year are one of the most ominous. In April 2024, Congress passed what is known as the TikTok divestment-or-ban bill, which President Biden quickly signed into law. In the Senate, the legislation passed as a rider on a measure to provide $95 billion in mostly military aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, the international news agency Reuters reported. The military aid warrants concern in its own right, but the added censorship of the popular social media platform is deeply problematic. As Omar Zahzah observed in a June 2024 article for Electronic Intifada, It is no surprise that a bill furthering US funding for imperialism and genocide should also fortify US imperialism on the digital front. Senator Ron Wyden, D-OR, warned that the legislation provides broad authority that could be abused by a future administration to violate Americans First Amendment rights. Senator Ed Markey, D-MA, went further, warning, We should be very clear about the likely outcome of this law. Its really just a TikTok ban . . . Censorship is not who we are as a people. We should not downplay or deny this trade-off. TikTok was ostensibly targeted because it is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company. Even though other popular social media platforms also share user data for profit, violate users rights to privacy, contribute to the spread of misinformation and disinformation, and foster internet addiction, Congress and the White House singled out TikTok as the real threat. Their reasoning was that TikTok alone operated under Chinese influence and could share US users data with the Chinese government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not long after Biden enacted the ban, which would force ByteDance to divest and allow a US company to assume control of the platform by early 2025, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) publicly admitted that the real reason TikTok had been targeted was its potential influence on the American public regarding Israels relentless bombardment of Palestinian civilians. As protests spread across US colleges and universities in the spring of 2024, Romney questioned why Israels messaging on Gaza had been so awful, noting that typically the Israelis are good at PR. Whats happened here? Blinken quickly replied that those who opposed Bidens support for Israel were being manipulated by social media, and TikTok in particular. Blinken went on to say that those pushing for a ceasefire were on an intravenous feed of information with new impulses, inputs every millisecond, and the way this has played out on social media has dominated the narrative. Ryan Grim of The Intercept called the exchange an incredible historical document that revealed how high-ranking US officials seek to control narratives and restrict information, especially around Israel and Gaza. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Congressional zeal to throttle freedom of information did not stop at TikTok. Echoing the xenophobia that fueled anti-terrorism legislation after 9/11, in April 2024, the House of Representatives took aim at non-profits, passingby a vote of 38211legislation that would authorize the secretary of the treasury to unilaterally remove the tax-exempt status of any 501(c)3 nonprofit determined to be a terrorist supporting organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation prompted the Charity & Security Network, a resource and advocacy center for nonprofit organizations that work in conflict zones, to warn policymakers of the parade of horribles that could cascade from this broad legislation that uses the targeting of charities as a vehicle for larger political motives. Although numerous anti-terrorism laws already restrict nonprofitslike other organizationsfrom providing funding to foreign terrorist organizations, making the proposed legislation redundant and unnecessary, according to the Charity & Security Network, the Senate quickly introduced a companion measure, S. 4136, after the House voted its approval. Seth Stern, director of advocacy at the Freedom of the Press Foundation, explained that the legislation could provide new, more robust tools for government officials to target nonprofit news organizations. Noting that elected officials have already called for terrorism investigations of the New York Times, Reuters, CNN, and the Associated Press, Stern warned against passing overbroad and unnecessary new laws that provide government officials with brand new ways to harass and silence journalists who dont toe the line. With multiple ongoing crises and an increasingly unstable world, the United States needs journalists who refuse to toe the line more than ever. The fundamental missions of journalism are to hold the powerful to account and to give the public the information required to be citizens of a democracy. These increasingly bold attacks on the media threaten to undermine those missions and turn our press into megaphones for government and corporate elites eager to escape journalistic scrutiny and public accountability. A hiker at Paris Mountain State Park near Greenville. (Provided by SC Parks, Recreation and Tourism) COLUMBIA South Carolinas parks agency is considering an expansion of a popular, Greenville-area park and the possibility of a new, 365-acre park in the Upstate. The state Parks and Recreation department wants to add 65 acres to Paris Mountain State Park and purchase property for a potential new park in the Glassy Mountain foothills. The agency on Monday reported to the legislative fiscal oversight committee it is doing the final checks on the land before it returns to ask legislators to authorize its purchase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Paris Mountain parcel is along the northeast edge of the state park and includes a home and a two-acre lake. The additional property will fulfill one of the parks greatest needs additional parking according to state parks spokeswoman Sam Queen. Paris Mountain receives about half a million visitors annually and people frequently struggle to find a place to park their vehicles while hiking and biking. Mountain bikers at Paris Mountain State Park near Greenville. (Provided by SC Parks, Recreation and Tourism) If the parks department opts to buy the land, it will use a combination of federal grant dollars and state Office of Resilience funds designated for conservation projects in an effort to reduce flooding and stormwater runoff. The cost is estimated at $2.5 million. Paris Mountain State Park has quadrupled in size over the past five years, including the addition of 150 acres along the parks western edge in 2022. This latest purchase could bring the park to 1,900 acres in size. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other parcel being considered by the parks department is located in northern Greenville County, about 5 miles southwest of Landrum. The purchase price for the property, should the agency decide to buy it, is about $2.5 million. It would be funded by a combination of federal grant money and state Conservation Bank dollars. Private donors from the community, along with small electric motor maker, SEW Eurodrive, that has factories in the area, also raised $100,000 to put toward the project. And Greenville County Historic and National Resources Trust, a county level conservation organization, is contributing $600,000, according to Mac Stone, executive director of Naturaland Trust. Stone said tributaries of the Tyger River flow through the property and the many scenic ridge lines will make it ideal for hiking and mountain biking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether or not the land is ultimately opened as a state park will be in part dependent on the state receiving a $1 million grant from the National Park Service. In the meantime, the property would be preserved in its natural state to serve as a habitat for wildlife crossing between the foothills and the nearby 1,800-acre Chestnut Ridge Heritage Preserve, according to documents provided to the legislative oversight committee. In addition to the land in the Upstate, the parks department sought final permission Monday to finalize the purchase of nearly 850 acres in Georgetown County that is part of the largest conservation project in the states history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parks agency is set to buy the two tracts from the Open Space Institute conservation group for $1.9 million to open up kayaking and canoeing access on the Black River and Mingo Creek. Money for the purchase is largely coming from a $1.5 million National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration federal grant, along with state Conservation Bank dollars and funding appropriated in the state budget, legislative oversight documents show. This article has been updated with more information about donors and potential park land. Following a report that showed some votes were counted twice during a recount, former state Sen. Gerald Malloy dropped his protest of the Senate District 29 results. But the Darlington County Democrat still has doubts about the results for the state Senate district that includes parts of Chesterfield, Darlington, Lee, Marlboro and Sumter counties. I have tremendous respect for and will always honor the South Carolina Senate. This election has left many serious questions, Malloy said in a statement. But to take a protest to its full conclusion would leave Senate District 29 without representation during a critical period and put the honorable institution I love in an untenable circumstance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of the previously scheduled protest hearing over the District 29 results, a South Carolina Election Commission report indicated that nearly 300 votes in Lee County were counted twice during an automatic recount leading to a smaller than originally reported vote margin. A successful protest would lead to redo of the election between Malloy and Republican J.D. Chaplin. The report, released by the State Election Commission on Monday, said Republican Chaplin received 24,783 votes. Malloy received 24,529 votes. The hearing on the protest was scheduled for Tuesday on the State House grounds. However, any decision by the state election commission would have gone to the state Senate, which will have 34 Republicans when it convenes for its reorganization Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After election night, Chaplin led by 278 votes but the margin was within 1% triggering an automatic recount. After the recount, the margin dropped to an 87 vote lead for Chaplin. Because of the large discrepancy and specifically issues surrounding Lee Countys totals, Malloy filed his protest. According to the state election commission, 360 test ballots were mistakenly included in an early voting group total that should not have been. The test ballots were not included in the recount, which led to a lower early voting total. The commission also found that 288 ballots were scanned twice during the recount, once in the Election Day totals and again in a early voting group totals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When these 288 duplicate ballots were identified and removed from the Election Day Group recount tally, the recount total is equivalent to the original election night tabulation for the Election Day Group, the state election commission says in it report. Even when announcing his withdrawal, Malloy questioned the results of the election and pointed to how the election commission did not evaluate the voter poll lists or activity logs of the electronic voting equipment. The number of questionable and improperly counted votes in the certified results of the 2024 general election for Senate District 29 cause the certified results to be uncertain, Malloys attorney Matthew Richardson wrote in Malloys protest withdrawal. The law requires a new election because all questionable and improperly counted votes should be subtracted from the declared winners total. The S.C. GOP celebrated Malloys decision to drop the protest. Republicans worked incredibly hard to take out a 22-year incumbent Democrat, and their hard work paid off, S.C. GOP Chairman Drew McKissick said in a statement. Wooden gavel with books in background. Law and justice concept (File/Getty Images Plus) COLUMBIA The entire Legislature will pick between two circuit court judges and the legal head of the state tax collection agency for an open seat on South Carolinas second-highest court. They are among the 68 candidates found qualified by the Legislatures judicial screening panel, according to a release Tuesday. The Legislature will elect 51 judges during a joint assembly election Feb. 5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Judicial Merit Selection Commission can forward the names of up to three candidates per seat after vetting the hopefuls. Still, it is common for candidates to withdraw ahead of the election if they know they dont have the votes to win. South Carolina is one of only two states where the Legislature elects nearly all judges. Virginia is the other. One of the most-watched races is for a spot on the Court of Appeals, the states second-highest court, after now-Justice Letitia Verdin ascended to the state Supreme Court over the summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three seeking to replace her are Kristi Curtis of Sumter and Courtney Clyburn Pope of Aiken the daughter of longtime state Rep. Bill Clyburn and Jason Luther, the state Department of Revenues chief legal officer. Only those three filed for the seat, and all three were deemed qualified. Other competitive races include a circuit court seat previously held by Judge DeAndrea Gist Benjamin, the wife of former Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin. President Joe Biden nominated her to the federal Court of Appeals in August 2022. The U.S. Senate confirmed her appointment last year. The screening panel whittled the field down from four candidates to three: A former state assistant attorney general and a pair of U.S. assistant attorneys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ashley McMahan, Christopher Taylor and William Witherspoon remain in the running for the seat that was reopened last year after legislators rejected former state Rep. James Smith, a Columbia Democrat who ran for governor against Gov. Henry McMaster in 2018. Legislators broke precedent, rejecting Smith, even though he was the only remaining candidate for the job. They restarted the application process instead of electing him by acclamation, as normally happens in an uncontested judicial race. Justin Williams, a member of the state Public Service Commission that regulates utilities, had dropped out of the previous race for the seat against Smith. He reapplied when the seat re-opened but the screening panel opted not to forward him as a finalist to the full assembly. The screening committee also narrowed the field from four candidates to three for the circuit court seat previously held by Judge Bentley Price of Charleston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The screening panel pulled Price from the bench last year, opting not to re-recommend him after lawyers and victims families testified that he had made questionable rulings. Critics included 1st Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe, who The State reported claimed Price had shown leniency to clients of lawyers who are also state legislators. Final candidates are criminal defense lawyer Bryan Alfaro, business and contracts lawyer Thomas Rode, and real estate lawyer Bruce Wallace. In another circuit court race, a municipal judge and two defense lawyers remain in the running for the remainder of Judge William Keesleys term. Keesley, a former state legislator who served a single term in the House before being elected straight to the bench in 1991, is retiring with more than five years left on his current judicial term, which expires June 30, 2030. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another circuit court judge retiring ahead of his term ending is Judge Cordell Maddox Jr., also a former legislator who served three years in the House. Two public defenders and a civil lawyer are seeking to fulfill his term, which ends June 30, 2027. Finally, there are four contested races remaining for family court seats and one contest for a seat on the Administrative Law Court. There are 41 candidates running uncontested. Of those, 38 are current judges seeking re-election to their seats. The judicial candidates arent yet allowed to seek legislators support. By law, they cant ask for a vote until noon Jan. 21, 2025. By Lizbeth Diaz (Reuters) - Every day, Nidia Montenegro spends hours checking her cellphone, hoping to receive a long-awaited appointment with U.S. border officials to seek asylum in the United States. The 52-year-old Venezuelan migrant in Mexico says she fears her appointment will not come before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20, when he has vowed to scrap a slew of programs that have allowed migrants to enter the U.S. legally - including the government app that Montenegro is using to try and get her appointment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That could leave thousands of migrants like Montenegro in limbo and facing the choice of trying to cross into the U.S. illegally, staying in Mexico, or returning home. Given those options, Montenegro says she would return home, more fearful of the violence she has encountered while traveling through Mexico than the hardship she left behind in Venezuela. "I am traumatized. If I don't get the appointment, I will go back," she said, disheartened. "There is always the threat of cartels that kidnap us," added the woman, who says despite thinking about returning home she does not have the money to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A dozen migrants interviewed in Mexico by Reuters said they would prefer to return to their countries despite the ongoing issues that drove them to migrate, such as poverty, lack of employment, insecurity, and political crises. That is too small a sample size to draw clear conclusions of how migrants will react after Trump takes office, and much will depend on exactly what policies he implements and how. But it does highlight the hard choices likely to face many after Jan. 20. The violence in Mexico weighs heavily on any decision. Montenegro told Reuters she was kidnapped along with two nephews and dozens of others, including children, on the day she arrived in southern Mexico from Guatemala two months ago. Two days later, the group managed to escape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now she lives confined in a shelter in the southern state of Chiapas, fearing criminals in the area will kidnap her again. Organized crime has established extensive human trafficking networks across Mexico, making the journey north through the country treacherous. Mexico is plagued by violence, with around 30,000 people murdered a year and over 100,000 people officially registered as missing. Many migrants are extorted, beaten, raped, forced to commit crimes, and even killed. Mexican government attempts to slow the arrival of migrants at the U.S. border, by busing and flying non-Mexican migrants to the country's south, add to the risk. Mexico's presidency and National Migration Institute did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The International Organization for Migration told Reuters that in the last seven years, it has assisted several thousand migrants especially Central Americans return voluntarily from Mexico to their home countries, including victims of violence. However, it declined to provide specific figures. "I cry every day and ask God to take me back, I don't want to be here anymore... this is horrible," said Yuleidi Moreno, a Venezuelan migrant who fears staying in Mexico. Through tears she said she had been the victim of violence, but declined to give any further details. A Venezuelan official familiar with migration issues said that currently, between 50 and 100 compatriots request what is called "voluntary return" each week from Mexico, either covering costs themselves or with state assistance. "There are serious calamity cases like kidnappings, sexual exploitation, a myriad of issues, and some want to return immediately." Despite the risks, others will persist, whether joining caravans, paying a human trafficker, or clinging to the hopes of a U.S. government border appointment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I trust I will arrive before Mr. Trump takes office," said Johana, a young Venezuelan migrant planning to cross from Guatemala to Mexico this week. "If it's not by appointment, there's always a way," she added. (Reporting by Lizbeth Diaz; Additional reporting by Tamara Corro in Coatzacoalcos; Editing by Ana Martinez, Stephen Eisenhammer and Alistair Bell) Sen.-elect Adam B. Schiff will be sworn in as California's next U.S. senator on Monday, replacing Sen. Laphonza Butler, according to sources familiar with the arrangements. Butler, a Democrat, was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to temporarily fill the seat of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein after Feinstein's death in September 2023. Schiff was elected last month, both to serve out the remainder of Feinstein's term and to serve a full six-year term beginning in January. A spokesperson for Schiff, a Burbank Democrat who previously served nearly a quarter of a century in the House, said he was grateful for Butler's assistance in the transition process, and for the support of Newsom and Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokeswoman for Butler said she will remain in office until the swearing-in. Former Assemblymember Laura Friedman, a Democrat, won election in Schiff's House district and will be sworn in to take his old seat next month. Read more: Sen.-elect Adam Schiff doesn't want to talk about Trump. He wants to talk about the economy Schiff and Butler are following a similar transition schedule as Sen. George Helmy and Sen.-elect Andy Kim, both Democrats of New Jersey. Helmy, former chief of staff to New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, was appointed by Murphy in August to replace Sen. Robert Menendez, after Menendez was convicted of corruption charges and resigned. Kim was elected to the seat last month, and will also be sworn in Monday, a spokesman for Kim said. Butler rose to prominence in the labor movement and became a Democratic strategist before Newsom tapped her for the Senate post. She did not run to keep the seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schiff beat out Democratic rivals Reps. Katie Porter and Barbara Lee in last year's primary, and handily defeated Steve Garvey, a Republican and former Dodger all-star, in last month's general election. Feinstein, who was 90, had held the seat since 1992, when she was elected as California's first female senator. She died in office. With Schiff's swearing-in, California will be without a female senator for the first time since 1993, when former Sen. Barbara Boxer joined Feinstein in representing the state. Schiff will be California's junior senator, joining Sen. Alex Padilla, who was appointed to the Senate in 2021 and elected to a full term in 2022. Padilla is also a Democrat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schiff gained national prominence during President-elect Donald Trump's first term in the White House, namely as a Trump antagonist in the House and a leader in multiple investigations into Trump and his allies. He also helped lead Trump's first impeachment trial. Schiff ran in part on that record, but has said he hopes to focus in the Senate on the economic concerns of Californians and Americans across the country, including around housing, homelessness and child care. It is unclear which assignments Schiff might receive in the Senate. Assignments are based in part on seniority, which Schiff lacks in the Senate despite his long run in the House. Schiff's serving out the remainder of Feinstein's term and Kim the remainder of Menendez's term will give them a sliver of seniority over the other incoming freshman senators elected last month, who take office next month. The timing also allows Schiff and Kim to serve a few weeks as part of the Senate's narrow Democratic majority before a Republican majority takes control in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. PENNCREST and Crawford Central school boards both meet today in deviations from their typical schedules due to the Thanksgiving holiday and the annual requirement for a reorganization meeting. Nearly all school districts in the state must hold their reorganization meetings in early December. Crawford Central and PENNCREST typically hold meetings on Mondays, but both districts scheduled this years reorganization meeting for today because Monday was a scheduled vacation day. PENNCREST will hold a regular voting meeting following its reorganization meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With no school board elections on the ballot this year, the reorganization meetings will be relatively uneventful. Following the election of a president and vice president for the upcoming year, both boards will vote on several other matters, including the appointment of a law firm for PENNCREST and the selection of a member to serve on the committee that oversees Crawford Tech for Crawford Central. PENNCRESTs appointment of a law firm proved controversial last year, when the board unexpectedly decided not to reappoint its current firm, Dillon McCandless King Coulter & Graham LLP, and instead issue a request for proposals from any interested law firms in the area. The Dillon McCandless lawyer who was present left midway through the meeting shortly after the postponement of the vote. Ultimately, the board reversed course and reappointed Dillon McCandless in January. PENNCREST and Crawford Central will both also approve a schedule of meeting dates, times and locations for 2025. Conneaut School District will hold its reorganization meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, with a regular meeting to follow on Dec. 11. Crawford Central will meet at 5:30 p.m. in the Instructional Support Center, 11280 Mercer Pike. PENNCREST will meet at 7 p.m. at the districts central office, 18741 Route 198, Saegertown. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) For the past six years, Jodi Dobrinsky has been a loud voice for traffic correction in Norfolks Lafayette Shores neighborhood that many travel through to drop off and pick up their children from the Academy for Discovery at Lakewood school on Alsace Avenue. She recently reached out to 10 On Your Side, requesting that we come see what shes been complaining about since 2018. She said the only positive change thats been made in that time is getting no parking signs put up. While in the Dobrinskys neighborhood, which is adjacent to the school, WAVYs Andy Fox received a copy of a video which caught Dobrinsky confronting a teen driver waiting to pick up his sisters from the school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You are cussing me, Dobrinsky said on the video. I live here. You are not supposed to park here. This is not a neighborhood-only school. Students from all over Norfolk come to Lakewood for project-based learning in grades 3 through 5 and the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, or IB MYP, in grades 6 through 8. Buses can take the students home, but sometimes that trip can take up to an hour, so parents and guardians who have the means choose to pick up the children at school to save them time spent on a bus. These parents use my court as their personal carpool line, so it is very frustrating, Dobrinsky said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school day ends at 2:45 p.m., but our cameras captured the first vehicle showing up for pickup at 1:30 p.m. The early arrival parents WAVY spoke to said they enjoy the downtime to read, speak on the phone, or even sleep. As it gets closer to dismissal time, cars back up, spilling into the Lafayette Shores neighborhood and in front of Dobrinskys home. I would like them to respect the no parking signs and respect our driveways and respect not backing into mailboxes, she said. They need to be a little bit more courteous to the neighbors that line up in the neighborhood. Dobrinsky is not alone. A lot of people take advantage of this situation and try to find ways around that, and it backs up into this neighborhood, said Marcia Clemons, who was waiting for her student. I understand they are tired of it. I agree. I understand it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Dobrinsky got the city of Norfolk to put up no parking signs in front of her house, she pointed out its mostly useless without police enforcement. She confronted a driver who parked there despite the sign. You are not supposed to park here. You are sitting here, like using this as a f*** carpool line, you hear Dobrinsky yell at the driver. The driver responded, Well I am picking up my sisters. Dobrinsky responded, I do not give a s*** that youre picking up your sisters. Go wait in the carpool line. The driver responded, Why? Dobrinsky again, Because you are lazy, and you do not want her to walk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WAVY showed Dobrinsky this video. Yes, yes, that is me, yes, she said. But I say, Go wait in the carpool line with everybody else.' She admitted it was not her finest moment. But it is a frustration [and] I will continue to ask parents to move their cars, she said. Maybe not so exuberantly, but I have asked them nicely to not park here and they ignore me. It so happens Dobrinskys neighbor is vice chairwoman of the Norfolk School Board, Dr. Noelle Gabriel, who did not return calls or emails from WAVY on this subject matter. Andy Fox went to her home and found her husband, Jeff, who said this is a non-story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why are you guys even doing a story? It is a non-story. It is a ridiculous story, he said before closing the door. As he was shutting the door, we reminded him that Gabriel is an elected public official, and we would appreciate a call back. Before we had finished the sentence, the door closed. We never got a return call from her. The school has a webpage and has sent emails this year reminding parents to maintain a positive relationship with the surrounding communities of ADL. Lakewood parent pick-up and drop-off procedures It has the following pick-up/drop-off etiquette posted: Refrain from blocking intersections and driveways Utilize the school pick-up/drop-off area instead of creating your own in the neighborhoods Maintain school zone speed limits and obey all No Parking signs Use appropriate language when interacting with staff members Elementary school students pick-up/drop-off to the right of the lane Middle school students pick-up/drop-off to the left of the lane Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We read it to Dobrinsky. She responded that they block the driveways and intersections. She also said they fail to use the school drop-off area, instead creating their own area in the neighborhood. 10 On Your Side found lots of children walking to the cars in the Lafayette Shores neighborhood. Many of these students are designated as walkers by their parents to walk through the neighborhood to Norway Place, where they get into their parents car. One parent who did not want to be identified explained why her child walks to the neighborhood. I have a full-time job to get back to and waiting in the line at ADL for half an hour, I cannot do and still maintain my fulltime work, the parent said. Unfortunately, I have no other choice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mary Kathryn Wood said she couldnt understand why Dobrinsky is so upset. It is a school zone, and we are picking up children, Wood said. We are not a nuisance. Dobrinsky would argue the neighborhood is not the school zone. Nobody can get down the street, Dobrinsky said. Deliveries cant be made. [The] mailman will pass by if he cannot get through. One viewer who asked to remain anonymous said the no stopping signs that are on Alsace Avenue are disregarded daily when school is in session. They were originally put on the street years ago when the school was known as Lafayette Winona Middle School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The viewer said they are not able to leave their street on White Chapel Road for almost a hour due to the volume of vehicles in the neighborhood, with afterschool events making things worse and a number of driveways being blocked and cars parked on Alsace Avenue between White Chapel Road and Tidewater Drive, which the viewer said is a no parking zone. According to the viewer, that means drivers cannot get into the neighborhood off of Tidewater Drive because it forces drivers into oncoming traffic. 10 On Your Side went to Norfolk Public Schools Director of Safety and Security David Hughes. I understand the concern, he said. I know everybody lives in a neighborhood. Hughes said plans are underway to change the light cycle at Tidewater Drive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cycle is going to allow more cars to be able to exit from Alsace Avenue than it has previously been able to, he said. To discourage school traffic coming into Dobrinskys neighborhood, a no right turn sign from Boyce Drive onto Elmore Place will be added. This no right turn sign during those hours is going to increase and do away with the ability for cars to cut in line to pick up students, Hughes said. At 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, the same day as Andys report on the situation would air, ADL parents received a robocall from the school informing them this no right turn sign would be up and enforced beginning Tuesday. Principal Romanda Hannigan said in a message that I want to notify you of a new traffic sign that the city of Norfolk will be installing in the neighborhood. As of tomorrow, a no right-hand turn during school hours sign will be posted at the corner of Elmore Place and Boyce Drive. Parents accessing the parent-pickup loop from Alsace Avenue will not be impacted by this change. As for parents picking up students they designate as walkers, Hughes said, I really dont have a lot of control over that because this is a child that would walk to school. Dobrinsky says she has a silent majority that agrees with her. I had neighbors come by the other day saying thank you, Dobrinsky said. Thank you for calling 10 On Your Side. Thank you for doing this for our neighborhood. 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. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Monday indicated that bipartisan negotiations to avert the threat of a government shutdown this month are on the right track, but he warned against divisive provisions. Schumer said from the Senate floor that both parties are making progress negotiating on a bill that can pass the House and Senate with bipartisan support. We need to keep divisive and unnecessary provisions out of any government funding extension, or else it will get harder to pass a [continuing resolution] in time, he said. For now, Im pleased negotiations are on the right track, and I thank the appropriators in both chambers for their good work. Congress has until Dec. 20 to pass legislation to stave off a government funding lapse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers on both sides had hoped Congress would strike a larger deal hashing out full-year government funding for fiscal 2025 after the presidential election. But conservatives in both chambers have been dialing up pressure for a stopgap into next year when President-elect Trump will assume office and can drive funding negotiations. Some Republicans are hopeful of a stopgap into March, but there are concerns among defense hawks over what a potential funding freeze could mean for the Pentagon. The expected funding bill has already been discussed as a potential vehicle for disaster relief funds. But lawmakers from states hit hard by hurricanes Helene and Milton are pressing congressional leadership for swift emergency relief as officials warn of dwindling cash. In a letter to leaders last week, senators from North Carolina, Georgia and Virginia called on both chambers to bring a robust supplemental appropriations bill to the floor the first week of December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have delayed too long already. We therefore request that Congress act immediately to provide for those in need, GOP North Carolina Sens. Ted Budd and Thom Tillis wrote in the letter, joined Sens. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.). 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 new study in Nature, as reported by Medical Xpress, is sounding an alarm about microplastics in the human body. What's happening? The new study said that microplastics have been found in kidney, urinary tract, and bladder cancers. The study also found the presence of even smaller particles called nanoplastics. Researchers found that the plastics had harmed the cells, causing both inflammation and toxicity, which were bad for the cell's survival. They also disrupted signaling between the cells, specifically on a pathway that has to do with cell growth and spreading. Both of these may be tied to cancer. Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind Five years ago, the World Health Organization released a report concluding that there was not enough information to assess the risks presented by microplastics in drinking water. If this new study is correct, then it helps fill in that gap and people need to know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The study said that "the documented cytotoxic effects of microplastics, alongside their ability to induce inflammation, reduce cell viability, and disrupt signaling pathways, raise significant public health concerns relating to bladder cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic urinary tract infections, and incontinence." Why are microplastics important? Microplastics are tiny, sometimes microscopic pieces of plastic that have found their way into food supplies, water supplies, and more. They've also been found throughout the human body, in everything from hearts to breast milk. It is so early in the research phase that it's impossible to tell the full extent of how they are really affecting human bodies everywhere. The University of California, Davis, added that these plastics are harder to clean up than larger particles simply because they're so small. This means they may accumulate without our knowing, and it leaves us somewhat defenseless against them if they turn out to be dangerous. What's being done about microplastics? Research on microplastics is ongoing. Meanwhile, there are steps we can all take to avoid some, if not all, of them in our daily lives. Replacing your cookware can help you avoid ingesting them when you cook. Taking a good probiotic might help, too, as well as thinking through plastic exposure in all areas of your life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the researchers on the study, Liam O'Callaghan, noted that starting to ask questions of corporations can help, too. "Why are we wrapping everything in plastic in the shops?" he said. "Does fresh produce really need to be wrapped in plastic, or could we just sell it all without the unnecessary packaging?" Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. (myCV) On Monday, Governor Phil Scott and Vermont Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts joined together to acknowledge the holiday season and celebrate the states Christmas tree industry. Both officials cut down Christmas trees at Whitcombs Family Tree Farm with help from Vermont farmers. Governor Phil Scott said that The holiday season is a special time for Vermonters, including our farmers, to connect with friends and neighbors, to give back to those less fortunate, and to be more kind. More than ever, its important we remember the good in each other, regardless of our differences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pavilion Building in Montpelier, where the Governors Office is located, will be decorated with trees from this event. Vermont has roughly 3,495 acres for Christmas tree production across 260 farms. Secretary Tebbetts said that they are grateful for all the Christmas Tree farmers who work the land and grow such beautiful trees for us to enjoy. The Whitcomb family, which has operated other farms since 2003, will be offering cut-your-own and pre-cut trees for the first time ever. This holiday season, Max Whitcomb hopes to give as many families as we can an experience they will remember. Picking out a Christmas tree is an annual family tradition for many. We hope to give as many families as we can an experience they will remember. Chittenden County has a shortage of Christmas tree farms. We hope that our centrally located farm will bring people from close and afar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Learn about where you can find a tree from the Vermont and New Hampshire Christmas Tree Association. 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 ABC22 & FOX44. The United States Supreme Court revealed what some justices touted as a landmark new ethics code last year. But critics noted that the scandal-plagued institutions new rules lacked any enforcement mechanisms, making them essentially a 14-page long list of suggestions. A new leak of secret discussions from behind the bench, published in The New York Times Tuesday, reveals which justices fought to keep the code of conduct toothless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Times reported that the courts nine justices started passing ultra-confidential memos, kept in paper envelopes and off email servers, back and forth at the end of last summer. Chief Justice John Roberts, previously a defender of the courts lack of a binding code, was angling for a compromise. A crisis of public confidencechiefly driven by revelations that Justice Clarence Thomas failed to disclose taking millions in lavish gifts over two decades, including many from Republican megadonor Harlan Crowhad more or less forced his hand. But, as they traded memos, Justice Neil Gorsuch emerged as a fervent objector to the idea that the code be anything more than voluntary, the Times said. Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito apparently backed him up, arguing against critics of the court as bad faith actors. Representing half of the courts conservative majority, Gorsuch, Thomas and Alito made a compromise among the justices that featured enforcement mechanisms that were virtually impossible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The courts three liberal justicesElena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jacksonall advocated for some form of enforcement, the Times reported. Kagan even proposed an idea where a group of experienced federal judges could act as a sounding board for justices to consult on ethics code issues, making the system non-punitive and instead designed to help them navigate disclosures, the paper said. At the end of the day, SCOTUS placed no restrictions on taking gifts, accepting travel or on real estate deals, all of which Thomas has come under fire for in recent years. The justices however gave themselves a broad carve-out for book deals and sales. Justice Sotomayor, who received $3.7 million for her memoir and her childrens books, came under fire for using court staff for her book events after being appointed to the court in 2009. Now, justices have explicit permission to use staff for such endeavors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The code states that justices should not be swayed by partisan interests. These new rules are more loophole than law, wrote Michael Waldman, the president of the Brennan Center for Justice at New York Universitys School of Law, after the final document, signed by all nine justices, was released last year. Cannon Falls police are searching for a 60-year-old man who went missing Monday night after taking his dog for a walk in the woods. Cannon Falls Police Department was dispatched to a report of a missing person in the 300 block of Larkspur Lane at around 8 p.m. According to police, the 60-year-old man had taken his dog for a walk in the woods. Officers could follow the footprints in the snow but had to call off the search at around 2:20 a.m. due to temperatures dropping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple departments, including the Minnesota State Patrol, assisted officers. Cannon Falls search crews and the Minnesota State Patrol helicopter followed the man's trail as it moved through the woods and along the river, but could not find him. Police have said the search will resume at 9 a.m. on Tuesday with additional resources and are asking people not to attempt to conduct their searches to not hinder police search efforts. Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) The U.S. Coast Guard said Tuesday that it has suspended the search for a man believed to have gone overboard from a cruise ship as it was returning to San Francisco after a voyage to Ensenada, Mexico. The Ruby Princess, operated by Princess Cruises, arrived in San Francisco at 6:50 a.m. Monday following the five-day trip. Officials searched the ship several times for the missing passenger, according to a statement released by the cruise line. They also scoured security videos, but there was no sign of the man, a 72-year-old American citizen traveling alone, the statement says. Having ruled out other possibilities, this is being treated as a man overboard incident, Princess Cruises said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Coast Guard began aerial searches Monday afternoon in the Pacific Ocean about 45 miles (72 kilometers) off the coast of Monterey, California. The effort was suspended around 5:30 p.m. "pending any new developments, Coast Guard Petty Officer Loumania Stewart said in an email Tuesday morning. U.S. Customs and Border Protection was investigating the disappearance. The Ruby Princess left San Francisco again Monday evening for a 16-day voyage to the Hawaiian Islands. Authorities launched a search for a missing person Monday afternoon after learning that a car had tumbled hundreds of feet down a steep cliff near Point Mugu two days earlier. It's unclear why one of the occupants of the vehicle waited days to report the incident, which took place off Deer Creek Road northwest of the Malibu border on Saturday, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. The individual who eventually reported the crash managed to self-extricate from the mangled car and leave the scene in another vehicle but did not call 911 that night, the Fire Department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighters told OnScene.TV that a white Cadillac SUV rolled over multiple times before coming to rest on its roof 1,000 feet below the road. On Monday afternoon, the occupant reported that two people who were in the car during the incident were missing, and a search was launched. Shortly after the search began, one of the passengers was located at home, the Fire Department said. Authorities continued to search for the third occupant into the night using a helicopter, drones, K-9 teams and search and rescue crews, according to officials. 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. Search and rescue teams are looking for two Americans and a Canadian who disappeared while attempting to scale Aoraki Mount Cook, the tallest mountain in New Zealand. Kurt Blair, 56, and Carlos Romero, 50, from the United States, along with a Canadian national who is not yet being named until his family can be notified, were reported missing when they failed to show up for their flight on Monday morning. The three men had been flown to a hut partway up the 12,218-foot mountain on Saturday with plans to reach the summit. "A search was initiated yesterday involving the Department of Conservation (DoC) Search and Rescue Team, The Helicopter Line, and [local] police," inspector Vicki Walker, Aoraki Area Commander, said in a statement. "During the search, several-climbing related items were located, which are believed to belong to the three men." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, due to hazardous weather conditions on the mountain, the search was not able to resume on Wednesday. "Weather conditions are likely to prevent any further search activity until Thursday this week, however police will continue to monitor and assess the conditions," the statement continued. Both Blair and Romero are listed as certified alpine guides on the American Mountain Guides Association website. Authorities have been working with U.S. and Canadian embassies to inform and support the families of the three missing. Aoraki Mount Cook is a popular tourist destination that sits in the Southern Alps, the mountain range that runs the length of South Island; the largest of New Zealand's three major islands. Per Australia's ABC News, the peak is popular among experienced climbers but can be risky due to factors such as crevasses, avalanche, unpredictable weather, and glacier movement. Since the start of the 20th century, over 240 deaths have been recorded on the mountain and in the surrounding national park. Tamas Burger, the bearded bookseller once known for his collection of cosmic commodities, needs a home. The one he lived in for decades is no longer his. Formerly filled with books, incense, tarot cards and talismans, the house was crowded in October with moving boxes. Many contained relics from a time when New Age really was new when a younger Burger spearheaded its spread through South Florida from the orange carpet of Rainbow Bridge, his combination bookstore and meditational meeting place that operated for decades from various locations in West Palm Beach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Season to Share 2024: Meet your neighbors in need Burger served as a local guru for decades, offering self-development advice and selling the accessories that go along with it. He taught customers to clear their mind at command, to "let go and let God." He organized gatherings on the beach, welcoming the sunrise through song and dance with a crowd of other hippies. My job was to fire you up, so that when you walk out of the store, you are a different person. You looked at the sun and thought, Beautiful. You felt better, Burger said, his Hungarian accent thick. His career began in a rainbow-awninged store on Lakeview Avenue in West Palm Beach and ended in a shopping plaza on the city's south side in 2022, strangled by the same dwindling finances and looming eviction that plagues him now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burger said he helped countless people before he closed his shop. If any of them sees him in the street, he added, he hopes they'll throw him a dime. The 84-year-old, who gets by on his monthly Social Security check of $1,100, is on the brink of homelessness. He sold his house on Washington Road, a century-old street in West Palm Beach's historic Southland Park District, in 2019. He did so through a lifetime estate lease, ensuring that he could remain on the property rent-free until he died as long, as he maintained it. I believed so strongly that I could do this, Burger said. I was very naive. Tamas Burger hoped to live in his home until his death, but his failing health has put those plans in peril. The home, which was little more than a shack when Burger bought it more than 40 years ago, is now surrounded by multimillion-dollar properties and waterfront estates. Much like the freewheeling philosopher inside, his two-story tumbledown stands out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has no pool and no landscaping. The almond sapling Burger planted for his father and grandfather a tradition brought with him from Hungary in 1956 is towering now, held back from the roof by an interlocking set of ratchet straps. There's a grave in the backyard for his ailing cat, Choochie. The new owner made Burger two cash offers to leave, both of which Burger declined. "I said no, I don't want to move out of this house," he said. "I'm supposed to live here and die here." But after Burger declined, the owner laid the groundwork for eviction, giving Burger a list of defects that needed to be fixed and 30 days to do it. Burger, who has relied on flip phones for the last decade and has never owned a computer, took the owner's list of grievances and began the work himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His optimism however was outpaced by his failing health. Burger has hemophilia, a disorder which prevents his blood from clotting. Wracked by violent bouts of vomiting blood, Burger underwent surgery to have his stomach removed. With no stomach to grind his food, each bite is an exercise in patience and chewing. With no stomach acid to synthesize iron, Burger is often anemic. When his 30 days were up and parts of his home remained in disrepair, Burger enlisted the help of the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County to represent him in a trial against the owner. He lost. His landlord gave him until Nov. 24 to vacate the home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Layer by layer, I'm losing everything I had," said Burger, who, despite his words, didn't sound defeated. "I have to accept it. Everything is for good. You go crazy if you don't believe that." With his court case closed and Legal Aid lawyers unable to wrangle another extension from his landlord, Burger has turned to mediation and prayer to maintain the inner peace he's spent his life helping others achieve at Rainbow Bridge. The store's name came to him the way so many other things in his life have, he said: through cosmic inspiration. Similarly, the universe has already suggested to Burger a title for this chapter in his life. He wasted no time in flip-phoning it in. "The end of a legend," he said, his voice matter-of-fact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With luck, it's a new beginning. The Palm Beach Post's Season to Share logo The former bookstore owner has lost vision in one eye and battles a blood disorder that required surgeons to remove his stomach. Now he also faces homelessness. Tamas Burger's Wish Tamas Burger has gone from guru and bookseller to the likes of John Lennon, to a retiree who couldn't keep up with his health and hold on to his home. He lost his vision in one eye and battles a blood disorder that required surgeons to remove his stomach. His advocates report that his various illnesses preclude him from living in a group setting. Burger needs to maintain his doctors and his medical protocols. He is seeking money to help secure a home and life essentials. Gas cards and grocery cars would also ease his financial strains. Nominating agency: The Legal Aid Society To make a donation online, please click the DONATE link below and follow the instructions on the Community Foundation's page. To mail in a donation, please download and print the form below. 2024 Season to Share donation form. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hannah Phillips is a journalist covering public safety and criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hphillips@pbpost.com. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Charity: Rainbow Bridge bookstore owner Tamas Burger needs donation ST. LOUIS The second of two men charged in a 2023 killing in the citys Central West End neighborhood pleaded guilty Monday in St. Louis Circuit Court. The St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office reached a plea agreement with Syntrell Howard, 23, who was due to go on trial later this week. Howard agreed to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter, armed criminal action, and unlawful gun possession. He was originally charged with first-degree murder but that was reduced to manslaughter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Howard and another man, Ta-Shaun L. Patterson, admitted to shooting Miguel Johnson on the afternoon of May 3, 2023. Howard and Patterson got into an argument with Johnson at an apartment in the 4400 block of Forest Park Parkway. Patterson and Howard chased Johnson and shot him dead on the sidewalk near the intersection of Laclede and North Taylor avenues. Johnson was 29. A St. Louis Circuit Court judge sentenced Howard to 15 years in state prison for voluntary manslaughter, a consecutive 3-year term for armed criminal action, and a concurrent 7-year term for unlawful possession. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August, a judge sentenced Patterson, now 23, to 18 years in prison. 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. A Secret Service agent opened fire after a confrontation with people trying to break into cars outside the Washington home of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen Tuesday morning, according to an agency spokesperson. There is no evidence to indicate anyone was struck by the gunfire during the incident, Secret Service communications chief Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement. He said there was no threat to any protectees during this incident and no protectees were harmed. Guglielmi said a Secret Service special agent working a protective assignment on Yellens block in Northwest D.C. at about 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday observed a sedan with multiple occupants who were attempting to open car doors along the street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the sedan approached the agent, a confrontation occurred between the agent and the cars occupants, Guglielmi said, and the agent then discharged their service weapon. The suspects fled the scene in the sedan, and a lookout was issued to local law enforcement. It wasn't immediately clear if Yellen was home at the time of the shooting. A Treasury Department spokesperson declined to comment. The Secret Service said the Metropolitan Police Departments internal affairs division was investigating the incident with the U.S. Attorneys office in D.C. The MPD referred comment to the Secret Service. The U.S. Attorneys office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Officials said D.C. police are investigating after a Secret Service agent fired shots at people who were trying to break into cars near Treasury Secretary Janet Yellens home Tuesday morning. Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the United States Secret Service, said that around 1:30 a.m. on Dec. 3, a Secret Service special agent was working in the 2900 block of Stephenson Place, NW, when they noticed a car with multiple people inside. According to officials, the group was attempting to open car doors along the street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said as the car approached the Secret Service agent, the group was involved in a confrontation with the agent. Thats when the agent fired their gun, according to Guglielmi. New York Congressman Joe Morelles staffer arrested, found with ammo, US Capitol Police says The suspects then drove away and a lookout was issued for the car. Guglielmi confirmed there was no evidence that anyone was hurt during the shooting. The incident is under investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department Internal Affairs Division Force Investigations Team. The facts and evidence in the case will be independently reviewed by the United States Attorneys Office, said Guglielmi in a statement to DC News Now. 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) The Secretary of States office announced that a record number of Tennesseans voted in the 2024 general election. More than 3.08 million voters cast their ballots, with 2.13 million cast in-person during the early voting period, the Secretary of States office said in a press release. Both those numbers have broken Tennessees records, beating 2020 for new highs. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts For months, we have prepared for what was expected to be a robust voter turnout for the Nov. 5 Presidential Election, Secretary of State Tre Hargett added in the release. We are encouraged by the record number of voters who cast a ballot and let their voices be heard, and we hope to see turnout continue to trend upward in future election cycles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President-elect Donald Trump and JD Vance secured Tennessees eleven electoral college votes. See the visualization below for the total number of votes each ticket received. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com We sincerely appreciate our local election administrators, their staff, and poll workers for their dedication and preparation for this historic election, coordinator of elections, Mark Goins, said in the press release. Achieving this new record would not have been possible without Tennesseans stepping up to staff this election. 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. Californias Legislature, full of freshly minted Senators and Assembly members, returned to the state Capitol chambers Monday for the first organization session. Members, often joined by their children, parents or other family, were sworn in as other state officials including Gov. Gavin Newsom and state Supreme Court Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero joined the ceremony. The first order of business seems to be a special legislative session to prepare California to defend its values from the incoming Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But before that it was a opportunity for family photos and other special moments. There are 23 new members in the Assembly, and 12 in the Senate (although seven senators have previous legislative experience in the Assembly). Senate President pro Tem Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, is sworn in by California Supreme Court Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero with his wife Erika on Monday during the first day of session at the state Capitol. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Hollister, walks to the dais with his daughter, Melina, 9, after being sworn in at the state Capitol on Monday during the Assemblys first meeting of the new legislative session. Former Senate President pro Tems John Burton, left, and Darrell Steinberg attend the ceremony to swear in members of the California Senate at the start of the new session on Monday at the state Capitol. Newly elected Sen. Christopher Cabaldon, D-West Sacramento, and Gov. Gavin Newsom have a friendly conversation before members of the California Senate are sworn in on Monday. Cabaldon was the longtime mayor of West Sacramento. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former state Sen. Brian Dahle, left, attends the first day of the legislative session with new state Sen. Steve Choi, R-Irvine, center, and Sen. Kelly Seyarto, R-Murrieta, on Monday. Assemblymember Maggy Krell, D-Sacramento, practices shaking hands with her son Tyler during the first meeting of the new legislative session on Monday. State Sen. Megan Dahle, R-Bieber, and her daughter Roslyn stand for the Pledge of Allegiance on Monday during the first day of session at the state Capitol. Assemblymember Chris Rogers, D-Santa Rosa, holds son Ellis, 6 months, as partner Sarah Bellak takes a photograph at the state Capitol during the Assemblys first meeting of the new legislative session on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Gavin Newsom jogs down the aisle during at the state Capitol during the Assemblys first meeting of the new legislative session on Monday. Newly elected Assemblymember Alexandra Macedo, R-Tulare, listens at the state Capitol during the Assemblys first meeting of the new legislative session on Monday. Newly elected Assemblymember Catherine Stefani, D-San Francisco, and her mother Susan Poole greet other legislators at the state Capitol during the Assemblys first meeting of the new legislative session on Monday. Newly elected Assemblymember Carl Demaio, R-San Diego, looks at his legislator pin with partner Johnathan Hale, center, and nephew Harlow Duus, at the state Capitol during the Assemblys first meeting of the new legislative session on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assemblymember John Harabedian, D-Sierra Madre, sits with his family Joseph, 3, Johnny, 10, Joshua, 6, and mother-in law Key-Hee Kim before the start of the Assemblys first meeting of the new legislative session at the state Capitol on Monday. Assemblymember David Tangipa, R-Fresno, walks the floor during the California State Assembly organizational session and swearing-in of Member at the state Capitol on Monday. Robert Castillo adjusts the legislator pin of his aunt Assemblymember Leticia Castillo, R-Riverside, at the state Capitol on Monday during the Assemblys first meeting of the new legislative session. New state Sen. Sabrina Cervantes, D-Riverside, waves to guests before members of the California Senate are sworn in during the first meeting of the legislative session on Monday at the state Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Service Employees International Union 73, the union that represents special education classroom assistants in Chicago Public Schools, is threatening to sue the district over a Chicago Teachers Union proposal that it says would effectively take jobs from SEIU and give them to CTU. SEIU 73 Vice President Stacia Scott emailed CPS CEO Pedro Martinez on Nov. 14 to object to negotiations between the school district and the teachers union that would (reassign) to CTU work and positions that are, and have been, exclusively represented by (SEIU). The Chicago Teachers Union and CPS are negotiating a 4-year contract. Their most recent contract expired in June. The teachers union has proposed contract language to CPS that SEIU fears would allow classroom assistants, who are represented by CTU, to take over some of the special education classroom aides jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Labor union contracts often include language that sets rules to protect jobs from being outsourced away to non-union sources. However, In this case, SEIU 73 is concerned about the teachers union taking work from SEIU members. In the letter, Scott said the special education classroom assistants have been designated to work exclusively with children who have specialized learning plans to accommodate special needs. SEIU 73s contract with CPS, which is in effect from July 2023 to June 2027, includes language the union believes protects their work, but the conflict has escalated in recent weeks with the cease-and-desist email. SEIU has hired a lawyer and will spare no expense to protect the unions exclusive bargaining unit work, Scott said in the email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hollow assurances that everything will work out or we can find a compromise are not adequate board responses to this existential threat to the unions bargaining unit and the crucial work SECAs perform for the Chicago Public Schools, Scott wrote. In a statement, CPS said balancing existing contractual obligations with new proposals involves carefully considering each unions agreements, the Districts priorities, and the best interests of students. CPS remains committed to respecting the terms of current CBAs while working collaboratively to address the needs and concerns of all stakeholders, the statement said. Through transparency, partnership, and adherence to existing agreements, we strive to find solutions that benefit all parties without compromising established commitments. Matthew Luskin, the teachers unions chief of staff, said the CTU does not believe its proposal would take any work away from SEIU. Instead, he said, the proposal would put pressure on the district to rehire CTU-represented teachers assistants who had been laid off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over 230 teachers assistants were let go by CPS at the end of last school year, at the same time as 693 paraprofessional positions serving students with disabilities sat vacant, Luskin said. Close to 500 of those positions were still vacant in late September, according to Luskin. Luskin blamed the school district for the dispute between the unions, which he said leaves special education positions vacant to the detriment of both students and workers. He acknowledged that the two unions dont see eye to eye on how to resolve the issue but maintained that the CTU proposal would pressure CPS to staff special education services. Its a strategy to pit people against each other, to fight over the scraps, Luskin said. We dont think thats the right answer. Aides working with CPS students with disabilities havent always received proper training, said Frank Lally, education policy analyst for disability rights group Access Living. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were pleased that SEIUs recent contract includes stronger training requirements, Lally said in a statement. Our priority remains the training and appropriate deployment of aides, regardless of union affiliation. The ongoing dispute pitting SEIU and CTU against one another with CPS in the middle is remarkable in part because the unions have worked closely in recent years. SEIU 73 president Dian Palmer worked closely with other labor leaders, including CTU president Stacy Davis Gates, to help elect Brandon Johnson as mayor, and they have been close allies during labor disputes with the district. But sources have told the Tribune that the proposal over union jobs has created significant tensions and conflict, not just between CTU and SEIU 73 but between the teachers union and other locals of the powerful Service Employees International Union. The tensions also place the Chicago Federation of Labor, a trade group both unions are a part of, in a tough spot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked for comment, CFL president Bob Reiter said the organization does not comment on disputes between affiliate unions. The dispute over classroom aides also comes at a tense time for negotiations between the CTU and CPS. Following President-elect Donald Trumps win in last months presidential election, the CTU has begun pushing the school board for a swift resolution of contract negotiations. The CTU has been working without a contract after its previous deal, which followed the 2019 teachers strike, expired. CPS recently laid out the districts financial priorities and sticking points in negotiations with the union. CPS officials say that meeting all of CTUs proposals would cost the district $10 billion in new spending over the course of the four-year contract, and $2.2 billion for the first year alone. In contrast, CPS proposal calls for $1.3 billion in salary increases over the next four years and maintaining staffing levels at over 7,800 positions, which have increased significantly over the past five years due to federal pandemic relief funding and have been allocated based on needs. The CTU has criticized the school districts $10 billion figure but has ratcheted up pressure on CPS to ratify a deal before Trump takes office in January. While the district negotiates a new contract with the CTU, it is also facing turmoil as the Johnson administration has been telegraphing a planned firing of Martinez amid a financial dispute between City Hall and CPS. Martinez has been under fire for months for refusing Mayor Brandon Johnsons ask to take out a $300 million high-interest loan to cover both the pension payment to the city and demands in the teachers contract which the schools chief said would be fiscally irresponsible. Two Venezuelans were kidnapped Monday night from their Aurora apartment and then bound, pistol-whipped and tortured for hours before being released, the Aurora police said on Tuesday. Dec. 2U.S. Sen. Susan Collins on Monday introduced a bill that would permit Medicare to reimburse EMS providers even when the patient is not transported to a hospital. Collins, R-Maine, and Sen. Joe Manchin, I-West Virginia, proposed the payment reform as a pilot program to help boost reimbursements for EMS, which will help the financial stability of ambulance services, especially in rural areas. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House this summer, and Maine Reps. Jared Golden and Chellie Pingree, both Democrats, signed on as co-sponsors. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, is reviewing the legislation, his office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Having access to high-quality emergency medical services is essential for individuals in rural communities across Maine and the nation," Collins said in a written statement. "This bipartisan bill would expand the treat-in-place model for EMS services, reducing unnecessary emergency room visits, lowering costs, and easing the strain on our state's hospital and EMS workforces." About a year ago, Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vermont, also proposed a bill to pay for ambulance services that did not result in a hospital transport, but that bill did not get a committee hearing. Gov. Janet Mills signed into law in 2023 a similar measure at the state level requiring private insurance carriers to reimburse for EMS services regardless of whether the patient is transported to a hospital. But states do not regulate Medicare, so any Medicare patients would not be affected by the Maine law. Sometimes people call 911 and when ambulances arrive, responders determine that the patient does not need hospital treatment. In those cases, EMS is not reimbursed for the call for Medicare patients, even when providing on-scene treatment to the patient. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robert "Butch" Russell, executive director of the Maine Ambulance Association, said in a written statement that "this legislation will directly address the funding gap for non-transport calls, helping to ensure that EMS systems remain viable and able to meet the growing demands of our communities." Thomas Higgins, president of the Maine Fire Chiefs Association, said in a written statement that "on-scene care is a viable option for our patients in many instances and should not result in additional burden. This legislation will provide direct financial support to our communities and the services we provide." The Maine Hospital Association, the National Rural Health Association, the American Ambulance Association and several other similar advocacy groups support the legislation. Maine's EMS services have struggled financially in recent years and state lawmakers in 2023 approved $31 million to help keep EMS services afloat. There's debate over how to divvy up the money, and so far about $20 million has yet to be spent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers have also attempted to regulate "surprise billing" in which patients receive exorbitant bills for out-of-network ambulance transports. State lawmakers have passed some consumer protections, but loopholes remain and more encompassing regulations would need to be passed at the federal level. Ground ambulance services were left out of the federal No Surprises Act, which passed as part of COVID-19 relief legislation, and regulates surprise medical billing. Copy the Story Link Sen.-elect Adam B. Schiff doesn't really want to talk about President-elect Donald Trump. He wants to talk about the economy. "The issue of the last election which we didn't satisfactorily answer, which we're going to need to answer as a country is if you're working hard in America, can you still earn a good living?" Schiff said in a recent interview. "For too many people, that's not the case." Yes, California's incoming senator is "sadly confident" that Trump is "going to abuse his office" during his second term, and promised to call out such abuses if they occur. He believes several of Trump's Cabinet picks are unqualified, and that their nominations must be rejected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But as he heads to the Senate after nearly a quarter-century in the House, Schiff said he is more interested in tackling the economic woes that many analysts believe undergirded Trump's victory especially sky-high housing costs and entrenched homelessness, which Schiff said were "overriding concerns" for many of the Californians he met on the campaign trail. He also has his sights on faltering rural healthcare systems, along with unaffordable child care and water access issues facing farmers, he said. "We can't wait for four years to deal with housing. We can't wait four years to deal with challenges to child care, or the fact that the economy is not working for lots of people," said Schiff, who is set to be sworn in Monday. "We need to solve these problems." Schiff's emphasis on economic issues is not new. While much of his campaign and prolific fundraising efforts related back to his disdain for and opponent Steve Garvey's support for Trump, Schiff often hit on economic problems as well. He laid out policies on housing and other issues and promised to work for the many Californians struggling to make ends meet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Schiff vs. Trump: The real head-to-head battle defining California's U.S. Senate race But now, in the wake of a bruising election in which Trump and the Republicans swept control of the White House, Senate and House, Schiff is leaning harder into that economic message which has earned both derision and respect. Jessica Millan Patterson, chair of the California Republican Party, said she would "love to take him at his word that these are the issues that he is now going to be tackling after almost 25 years in the House," but "history tells a different story." In recent weeks, she noted, Schiff has issued statements condemning several of Trump's Cabinet picks, as well as decisions to close out criminal cases against him. "He's still obsessed with Trump," Patterson said. "He isn't someone that has found solutions for Californians. He isn't someone who is focused on the problems that Californians are facing. He is a person that has been solely focused on the president for the last eight years." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kevin Spillane, a veteran GOP strategist in the state, said Schiff's refocus on economic issues seemed genuine and a smart political move, given the outcome of the election. "His change in tone is simply acknowledging political reality," Spillane said. "He's a smart and pragmatic politician." Rather than harping on Trump's every misstep, Spillane said, Schiff may well choose to focus on getting things done, including by taking a page from his less-partisan past. "Schiff before his role, his image, as a resistance fighter against Trump was really known as a more pragmatic liberal both in the [California] Legislature and Congress," Spillane said, "and that's probably more true to his personality." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schiff is also starting a new job which always requires a recalibration. He knows many Californians want him to keep fighting Trump, but he also believes many voters want him to fix things for them. "When people see the quality of their life start to slip below that of their parents, they're receptive to any demagogue who comes along promising they alone can fix it," he said. "And so we need to figure this out how to make the economy work for people." A huge part of that, Schiff said, is housing. Too many Americans are barely scraping by to afford rent, and far too few can afford to buy a home, he said. Many more are frustrated with the related struggle of "epidemic homelessness" in their communities, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his view, "both of those problems come back to the lack of supply," Schiff said. To that end, he plans to look for ways to "remove obstacles" to new housing, in part by pushing for a bipartisan expansion of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which he said is "small and oversubscribed and generally unavailable for most people who want to use it." The program provides about $10 billion in annual tax credits to state and local agencies constructing or rehabbing low-income rental housing, according to the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. Schiff also plans to look for new ways the federal government can encourage local municipalities to approve affordable housing projects more quickly, and then "bring urgency" to getting it built. Shane Phillips, housing initiative project manager at UCLA's Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies, said housing affordability and homelessness issues won't be solved if "we don't start building a lot more homes." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Phillips said expanding the tax credit as well as housing vouchers "and other supply- and demand-side subsidies" would help, but they will serve fewer people and cost more "if we don't address the housing scarcity problem." He suggested several other measures that could both help and find bipartisan support in Congress including changes to the tax code and to loan products that would incentivize production of more affordable or mixed-income multifamily projects, and revisions to mortgage lending standards that allow "more people with good not great credit scores" to qualify. Another issue Schiff said he wants to try to address is rural healthcare, which he said is "in total freefall." Schiff raised concerns about such care before the election, including during a campaign stop last month at Madera Community Hospital, which declared bankruptcy and closed its doors early last year but is now set to reopen with the support of emergency funds from the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: This rural California county lost its only hospital, leaving residents with dire healthcare choices Schiff said rural hospitals all across the state and country are "basically hanging on by a thread," in part because government reimbursements for low-income and elderly patient care are "way too low" and attracting and keeping staff has become too difficult. He said his hope is that finding solutions will be a bipartisan priority, "since the red rural states are in very much the same position as the Central Valley or Imperial Valley." Steve Stark, Madera Community Hospital's chief executive officer, said he was "very encouraged" by Schiff's visit and interest in tackling such problems in Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stark said about 70% of his hospital's patient base relies on Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program for lower-income people, and another 22% rely on Medicare, the federal program for older people and those with disabilities. That greatly restricts the hospital's ability to pull in revenue from the remaining 8% of its patients, he said. On top of that, population growth in the region caused the hospital to lose a federal rural health designation for serving a community of fewer than 50,000 people, and with it a host of add-on reimbursements that had greatly helped its bottom line. Without those add-ons, attracting and keeping staff and providing certain types of care such as obstetrics became far more difficult, Stark said. Stark said a great start to fixing the problems facing rural hospitals would be increasing the population limit for towns to remain eligible for rural health reimbursements especially in large-population states such as California, where even rural towns are "still pretty big." Another major help would be making more types of care, including obstetrics, cost-based services under Medi-Cal and Medicare, meaning their full cost would be covered by the programs, Stark said. Otherwise, hospitals like Madera are losing about $7,000 per delivery, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without such help, Stark said, hospitals like his will continue balancing on a "very fine rope." A third priority Schiff identified was child care, which has become so expensive and hard to come by in California that many people especially women and women of color are "kept out of the workforce because they would have to pay more in child care than they can make in the workplace," he said. That is just "bad economics," he said. Read more: Child care is a textbook example of a broken market. Where do Harris, Trump go from here? Schiff said he hopes his leverage as a legislator from the most populous state will help him make progress on all of the above issues and on other tough ones such as immigration. "When you're representing over 40 million people, it brings a certain heft to your representation," he said. He said he also hopes he can leverage new relationships with Republican colleagues, with whom he is sure there is common ground. He said he has done just that in the past pointing, as an example, to his work in the House with former Rep. John Culberson (R-Texas). Schiff and Culberson, who were in the same freshman class, both had a strong interest in NASA Culberson being from Houston, Schiff having the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in his district. After they and their families met during a bipartisan retreat early on in their terms, they ended up working collaboratively on space initiatives for years, despite disagreeing on many other issues. Culberson, in an interview, agreed their work together after finding a "common passion" was an example of the sort of bipartisanship that is possible in Congress and that Schiff is capable of continuing. "We worked together closely along with other Democrats and Republicans to preserve American leadership in space exploration and scientific discovery," he said. "Adam's always been a strong advocate of both and able to work with members of both sides of the aisle and all over the country." 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. After President Joe Biden pardoned his son last week, Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) said Biden should have also pardoned President-elect Donald Trump. What I would have done differently, and my recommendation as a counsel would have been, Why dont you go ahead and pardon Donald Trump, for all his charges? Manchin told reporters on Monday. Manchin was referring to Bidens pardoning of Hunter Biden on Sunday, who was found guilty in 2018 of illegally owning a gun and pleaded guilty to not paying taxes earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Departments decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted, the president said in a statement, adding, No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunters cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son and that is wrong. While the pardon drew support from some and bipartisan condemnation from many others Manchin said that Biden should have used the opportunity to pardon Trump. I thought it would have been a little better move if hed have pardoned Trump too, Manchin said. Lets let bygones be bygones, put the past behind us. Lets move forward. Trump was found guilty on 34 felony counts during his hush money trial earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also faced prosecution from special counsel Jack Smith for allegedly conspiring to obstruct Congress during the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Smith dismissed the case after Trumps election win. Trump posted on social media following the pardon to suggest that those who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6 should also be pardoned. Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Trump wrote. Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice! While president, Trump pardoned Charles Kushner, the father of Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charles Kushner was convicted in 2004 of 18 counts of tax evasion, retaliating against a federal witness and making illegal campaign donations. Trump has now picked him to be the ambassador to France. Related... PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) President Bidens decision to pardon his son Hunter after previously insisting he wouldnt do so has divided Democrats, including in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, as he enters his final weeks in the White House. The president argued Hunters conviction on gun and tax charges was politically motivated, and broadened the pardon to include any other offenses his son might have committed. But among the four members of Rhode Islands congressional delegation, only Congressman Gabe Amo offered public support for Bidens decision. Amo argued the move needed to be viewed in the context of President-elect Donald Trumps stated promises to use the U.S. Department of Justice to go after his political enemies once he takes office next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one is above the law, Amo said in a statement. Let us remember that the incoming administration has vowed revenge and retribution, nominating hyperpartisan loyalists to ruthlessly execute their agenda. But Rhode Islands other congressman, Seth Magaziner, disagreed. I sympathize with President Biden as a father, but I believe this pardon is a mistake, Magaziner said in a statement. We cannot have a two-tiered justice system where Hunter Biden and Donald Trump can commit crimes without consequence, but the average person gets no such special treatment. U.S. Sen. Jack Reed offered a similar view. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was disappointed because President Biden stated numerous times that he would not pardon his son, Reed said in a statement. I think ultimately what overcame him was his deep, fatherly love for Hunter. Notably silent was U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, who often speaks out about a lack of accountability in Washington. Whitehouses office said he still had no comment on the pardon as of midday Tuesday. In Southeastern Massachusetts, which also has an all-Democratic congressional delegation, there was a similar range of reactions. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren said, Wrong is wrong. One of the core principles of the American legal system is equal justice under the law that means no special exceptions for presidents, former presidents, or family members of presidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congressman Jake Auchincloss said, The presidents pardon of his son will make it more challenging for Democrats to counter the impending nepotism, corruption, and anti-gun safety actions of the second Trump administration. However, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey told reporters in Boston he believed Hunter Bidens prosecution had been driven by a desire to harm his presidents reelection bid. In a follow-up statement, Markey added, I hope President Biden will use his clemency power more broadly, to address the problem of mass incarceration in the United States and help groups of people worthy of lenience. He singled out, those serving sentences with unjustified disparities and individuals convicted of drug offenses. Congressman Bill Keating had not responded to a request for comment on the pardon as of Tuesday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ted Nesi (tnesi@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter and 12 News politics/business editor. He co-hosts Newsmakers and writes Nesis Notes on Saturdays. Connect with him on Twitter, Bluesky and Facebook. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Nesi's Notes 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. Sen. Alex Padilla (Calif.), a Democratic member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said President-elect Trumps nomination of Kash Patel to head the FBI is as offensive as his derailed choice of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) to head the Justice Department. Padilla made it clear in an interview on Inside with Jen Psaki that he will vote against Patel and expressed his hope that the controversial nominee would withdraw from consideration like Gaetz did last month. The fact that hes a conspiracy theorist is just the beginning of this process. You know, theres still time for Donald Trump or the team around him to come to true senses, just as they did with Matt Gaetz, Padilla told MSNBC host Jen Psaki. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patel, when he was serving in Trumps Defense Department in 2020, promoted unsubstantiated claims that the presidential election was stolen, becoming so vocal on the subject that his superiors at the Pentagon warned him not to breach the line separating politics and the military. He continued to promote Trumps stolen election theory in the years afterward despite Trump Attorney General William Barrs assurances that the Justice Department could not find any evidence of widespread fraud claimed by Trump and his allies. Patel has called for closing the FBIs headquarters in Washington and firing its top ranks. He would transfer the bureaus leadership authority to FBI outposts in other parts of the country. Padilla says those views cross a red line for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know how Im going to vote for someone who believes in conspiracy theories, denies the results of the 2020 election, and then says, Im going to run the FBI by shutting down FBI headquarters. Are you kidding me? he said. In the end, Patels nomination will come down to Senate Republicans, not Democrats. And GOP senators so far have given a lukewarm reception to the nomination, with some offering enthusiasm and others suggesting Patel will need to answer questions about his qualifications and relevant experience if he is to lead the nations premier law enforcement agency. I think those are all just things that Mr. Patel needs to be ready to come up with a good answer when he starts visiting with people on Capitol Hill, said Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), a member of the Judiciary Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who will take over as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2025, posted on X that Kash Patel must prove to Congress he will reform & restore public trust in [the] FBI. 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 number of Democrats in the Senate are condemning President Joe Bidens move to pardon his son, Hunter Biden. Republicans responded with expected outrage after the president announced the sweeping pardon on Sunday night, granting his son clemency after he was found guilty on federal gun charges in June and pleaded guilty to tax charges in September. But more and more Democrats also began criticizing the presidents decision on Monday, going after the lame duck president in his last weeks in office. President Bidens decision put personal interest ahead of duty and further erodes Americans faith that the justice system is fair and equal for all, Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet said in a post on X on Monday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michigan Sen. Gary Peters called Bidens decision wrong in a short statement posted on X. A presidents family and allies shouldnt get special treatment. This was an improper use of power, it erodes trust in our government, and it emboldens others to bend justice to suit their interests. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, the Wisconsin senator who just narrowly won her re-election campaign over a Republican challenger earlier this month, condemned the move in a statement sent to reporters. Other senators said they sympathized with Bidens point of view as a father, but still criticized his decision to grant his own son a pardon. President Bidens pardon of his son Hunter is, as the action of a loving father, understandablebut as the action of our nations Chief Executive, unwise, Vermont Sen. Peter Welch said in his own statement . Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine told local station WSET he was disappointed Biden broke his promise to not pardon his son. We all need to follow the rule of law, evenespeciallywhen its hard for us personally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maggie Hassan, the Democratic senator from New Hampshire, was similarly disappointed. I wish the president had kept his word, she told WMUR . But the White House has so far defended the move, including the decision to issue Hunter sweeping clemency for crimes committed for a period of almost 11 years. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that the congressional Republicans years of investigations and political pressure on the first son played a role in Bidens decision. He didnt believe that they would let up, Jean-Pierre told reporters at a press briefing in Angola on Monday, adding that Biden believed they would continue to go after his son. Some Democrats have come out in support of the decision , including Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett. I will say way to go, Joe, the congresswoman told MSNBC on Monday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But other Democratic elected officials outside of the Senate joined in the chorus of condemnation. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis was one of the first elected Democrats to condemn the move, writing in his own post : While as a father I certainly understand President @JoeBidens natural desire to help his son by pardoning him, I am disappointed that he put his family ahead of the country. This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later Presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation. A senator from South Boston delayed action Monday on a controversial, time-sensitive Boston property tax reclassification bill, which is now on ice until after the deadline for action recommended by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. After months of public and private talks, Sen. Nick Collins of South Boston used a procedural maneuver available to senators to punt the matter until the next session, which senators set for Thursday. Other Democrats also raised concerns about the bill on Monday. Compromise language had been hammered out between the mayors office and business groups to temporarily reconfigure the way it splits its property taxes between commercial and residential taxpayers to prevent a major increase in bills for residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tax bills are issued to property owners on January 1, but theres a lot of work that leads up to that. So in order for our team to use this mechanism and prepare bills for that deadline and for the [Department of Revenue] certification and City Council approval and all those steps, we would need this law signed by the governor within the next two weeks, Wu said at a legislative hearing on Nov. 20. Two weeks from that date is Wednesday, Dec. 4. Collins said he was delaying the vote until the Boston City Council could hold its annual tax classification hearing on Tuesday. The hearing will also cover diversifying the citys budget -- as an increasingly heavy reliance on property taxes over the past two decades has led to this situation where decreasing commercial values is threatening to destabilize the citys tax base. Most of this issue has been debated with hypothetical figures as uncertified numbers have been varied, Collins said during the session. Tomorrow, the Boston City Council will have their annual tax classification hearing. Its my hope that information will be made available to the council and the public so we can get a full picture, and if members of the Senate and the constituents we serve get that as well, we all deserve that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city last week submitted to the Department of Revenue its property valuations, which will be used to calculate January tax bills, so Collins said hes hopeful hell get a better understanding during Tuesdays hearing as to what the real [budget] gap is. Im opposed to the idea of doing something without the facts. And I think tomorrow, hopefully well get that, at least from somebody at DOR or the city, and understand what our budget gap is and how that can be mitigated and is this the only tool? And I think if we dont have that information its hard to make that decision accurately, the South Boston Democrat later told reporters. The mayor originally predicted residential property owners could see as much as a 33 percent increase in their taxes come January, as commercial owners have seen a reduction in taxable value as fewer employees have returned to offices and some employers have downsized their footprints in the wake of COVID-19. The mayors office recently shrunk that estimate to up to 28 percent -- and other groups have smaller estimates on how much residents tax bills could actually increase in the new year without action on Beacon Hill. Our administration has been working diligently to provide all possible information and answer any questions on this matter for many months, a Wu spokesperson said Monday. Today is the first time we are hearing about the Senators specific concerns, and we will continue trying to reach him to understand the information he is seeking. In addition to reaching a compromise consensus with business groups, we have testified at multiple City Council and State House hearings, provided available data as it has been finalized, held town halls across the city, and reached out to each Senator multiple times to ask for their feedback and concerns. We will continue to prioritize all possible outreach on this short timeline before tax bills must be finalized to protect residents and stabilize bills for all taxpayers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collins told reporters he had not had a one-on-one conversation with Wu about his concerns, but planned to talk to her later on Monday. Sen. Susan Moran, a Democrat from Falmouth who leads the Revenue Committee and has kept publicly quiet about her thoughts on the bill, spoke during Mondays session to provide context on the bill, and validated the concerns of those opposed to the legislation. Bostons commercial sector is essential not only to the citys economic vitality, but also to the states, Moran said. Theres no doubt that how we pursue this issue will set a precedent for municipalities across the state... Todays vote is important not just for Boston, but for the entire commonwealth. It affects our constituents who own businesses and property in Boston and many municipalities are watching this to see how the Legislature acts with respect to changing the balance of the residential, business tax balance. Moran quoted business groups who have expressed reservations about the move, including CEO of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties of Massachusetts Tamara Small, Massachusetts Taxpayer Foundation President Doug Howgate and Boston Policy Institute Executive Director Greg Maynard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is essentially being viewed as kicking them when theyre down. This is really just going to exacerbate the value loss property owners are seeing, Moran said, referring to a comment Small made. Sen. Michael Rodrigues, a Democrat from Westport who leads the Senate Ways and Means Committee, agreed with Moran that if the state allowed Boston to restructure its tax scheme, other municipalities would also want to do so. Rodrigues said he was present at Mondays Senate session to answer questions from senators about a $700 million spending bill. Its pretty nice to be an observer of drama, rather than up to my eyeballs, as I usually am, Rodrigues quipped. Well let the Boston folks deal with the Boston issues. Im just going to continue to focus on the financial situation of the Commonwealth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He later added, Boston is Boston, right? So the rest of the state always has their eyes on Boston. Im sure that other communities are looking at what the Legislature does for Boston, and are going to ask questions of their senators: why cant you do it for us also? So yeah, thats always the case. Boston is Boston. The Massachusetts Senior Action Council has been pushing for the Legislature to approve the bill, and last week advocates from that group tried to track down Collins in the State House hallways to talk him about the bill. Collins met with the group for about 90 minutes in the Senate Reading Room after Mondays session. Asked how he defended his position to them, Collins replied that the advocates were not aware of other options the city could take to prevent their taxes from going up. They were unaware of the surplus in the citys rainy day account. Theyre also, I think, absorbing how we had to address our [state] budget gap this year and what actions the governor had to take earlier this year, Collins said, referring to budget cuts and hiring freezes the governor put in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collins also pointed to a supplemental budget before the City Council that would draw $110 million from their rainy day fund to go towards a new housing program. This is an allotment the city thinks they need to make. And so, as theyre considering drawing from the rainy day fund in a supplemental budget to support a program, should they be doing that? Should they be considering that to mitigate a budget gap which the size of which we wont know probably until tomorrow? Collins said. A reporter asked the senator if it was late to be raising these concerns. The bill has had two public hearings, undergone both public and private negotiations for months, and is up against a ticking clock to get tax bills out to residents before the end of the year. Concerns have been raised the whole time, Collins said. Were hoping to hear tomorrow more about what the status of the citys finances are, so, to be continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the tax reconfiguration bill becomes law, the city council will still need to vote again to implement the new rate. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW MEMPHIS, Tenn. Weeks after publicly criticizing Judge Bill Andersons decision to allow suspects accused of attempted murder to be released without bail, state Sen. Brent Taylor is calling for Anderson to be suspended. Last week, the Shelby County District Attorneys Office announced theyd been granted emergency appeals for those cases. Weak as a kittens meow: Sen. Taylor criticizes Steve Mulroy, DAs Office Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his most recent misstatement of Tennessee law, Rogue Judge Anderson says he cannot consider the facts of the open case before him when setting bail for a defendant. That is completely wrong and a dangerous misapplication of the law for our community, Taylor said. It is unacceptable for a sitting judge to be so wrong on the law and still sit on the bench pending investigation. Senator Taylor announced his intentions in a Facebook post in which he said he sent an amendment of his complaints against Judge Anderson to the Board of Judicial Conduct and requested they suspend him pending the outcome of their investigation. Senator Brent Taylor sent an amendment to have Judge Bill Anderson suspended. Also in the post, Senator Taylor mentioned a reprimand Judge Anderson received from the Board of Judicial Conduct last year after hed filed a complaint regarding his public comments disparaging the bail system in Tennessee. According to Senator Taylor, if Judge Anderson receives another one, he will automatically be referred to the General Assembly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said if that occurs, he would file a resolution of removal. County leader blasts judge after shooting suspects release from jail; judge responds Rogue Judge Bill Anderson is dangerous for Shelby County. I wont let his actions stand while Im working so hard to Make Memphis Matter, Taylor said. Its bad enough having a failed, progressive DA who is now attempting to change the narrative after you and I began holding him accountable. We dont need Rogue Judge Anderson working to undermine the law too. As long as Im your Senator, Ill stand in the way of their Restorative Justice Scheming efforts. Though Judge Anderson has not responded to Taylors latest comments, back in September he expressed his confidence in his decision-making and said hes sorry if others dont like them but said, Its not a popularity contest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im doing my job. I know what Im doing, Im following the law. There are checks and balances and if somebody finds Im not doing my job properly, they will let me know, and I will live with that, Anderson said. I will accept that. But at this point, I feel very comfortable in the decisions Ive made in the last 15 years, and will continue to make until I retire in my own 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 WREG.com. PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced Tuesday $1.45 millon in federal funding to address lead-based paint hazards in homes across Virginia. Lead-based paint was banned in 1978, however, more than 30 million American homes are believed to still contain it. Nearly 4 million of those homes have children under the age of 6 living in them. The paint is dangerous if it peeps, chips or is disturbed in any way. Even the dust from the paint poses a risk. EPA imposes stricter standards to protect children from exposure to lead paint Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funding is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments (HUD) Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program, which provides federal funding to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in eligible homes. $750,000 will go to the city of Roanoke, the rest will be distributed across Virginia by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Developments Lead Hazard Reduction Program. In October, the senators announced nearly $35.2 million in federal funding to replace lead pipes in Virginia. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are over 180,000 lead service lines still in Virginia, as of 2023. The lead can lead to long-term health risks for those who have been exposed. If you own or live in a single-family or multi-family home built before 1978, and have children under the age of 6 living with you, you may be eligible for some of this funding. Learn more on the Department of Housing and Community Development website. 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. When Colorado voters were asked in 2022 to allow grocery stores to sell wine lifting a 107-year restriction the industry repeatedly and unsuccessfully tried to beat back legislatively for decades proponents billed it as a win for consumers pocketbooks and the leveling of the playing field for alcohol sales statewide. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Tuesday he wants members of the Western military alliance to focus more on arming Ukraine than debating possible scenarios for ending the ongoing Russian invasion. "Ukraine doesn't need more ideas on what a peace process could look like," Rutte said, stressing the country's urgent need for more military aid and missile defence systems. Instead, should Ukraine enter peace talks with Russia, whenever it decides to do so, they should be able to negotiate from the strongest position possible, Rutte said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "To get there, it is crucial that more military aid will be pumped into Ukraine," the top NATO official said, highlighting recent deliveries from the United States and European countries. The top NATO official was previewing a two-day meeting of the alliance's foreign ministers in Brussels, focusing on supporting Ukraine's continuing defence against the full-scale Russian invasion. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha is to brief his NATO counterparts on the current status of the fighting as Ukraine's eastern front comes under increased pressure from Russian attacks. Ukraine is also expected to make a renewed push to join the alliance after a suggestion from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that his country could agree to a ceasefire with Russia if NATO extends its protection to the parts of the country controlled by Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If we want to stop the hot phase of the war, we need to take under the NATO umbrella the territory of Ukraine that we have under our control," Zelensky said in an interview with the British TV channel Sky News. The NATO chief said however that the alliance's focus has to be on strengthening Ukraine at the moment to defend against the Russian advance on the eastern front. The alliance has so far declined to offer Ukraine membership over concerns that the Russian invasion of Ukraine would escalate into a conflict involving NATO. The NATO secretary general would not comment on recent proposals from US President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration to secure peace in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rutte said however that when a deal on Ukraine is reached, "it has to be a good deal" because of the risk of signalling weakness to China, North Korea and other countries hostile to NATO. NATO foreign ministers also plan to discuss last month's Russian launch of an experimental ballistic missile against Ukraine and examine Ukraine's air-defence needs. The Russian military has said that the new medium-range missile it fired at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro last week can hit targets across Europe and cannot be stopped by air-defence systems. Deterring and defending against Russian hybrid attacks or acts of sabotage against NATO members is also on the agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and an offensive by an alliance of insurgents in Syria, the discussion could veer off topic when Jordan's King Abdullah II joins the foreign ministers on Tuesday. OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) An Upstate man pleaded guilty to charges related to an overdose death in Oconee County Monday. The Oconee County Sheriffs Office said 48-year-old Stephen Maxwell Bruce, of Seneca, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection to an overdose death in September. Bruce will serve the maximum sentence of five years in prison. A release from the sheriffs office said deputies responded to a home on Landon Drive on September 13 after receiving a call that two people overdosed. According to reports, an adult male was revived after receiving medical attention while an adult woman died at the scene after life saving measures were unsuccessful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators with the Criminal Investigations Bureau and a narcotics agent from the sheriffs office sent narcotics found at the scene for lab testing. Reports said evidence found during the investigation showed Bruce sold the woman the fentanyl that caused her death. The woman was identified by the Oconee County Coroners Office as 58-year-old Karen Louise Wallace on November 14. According to reports, Bruce was arrested by the sheriffs office on November 13 in a separate investigation. During a traffic stop on Friendship Valley Road, he was charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and driving under suspension. 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 WSPA 7NEWS. By Patricia Zengerle and Reade Levinson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top Democrat on the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee will introduce legislation on Tuesday that would sanction leaders on both sides of Sudans civil war and prohibit the sale of American weapons to countries fueling the conflict, according to a summary of the bill seen by Reuters. The measure - led by committee ranking member Gregory Meeks and Democratic Representative Sara Jacobs, would require the U.S. president to submit a strategy to Congress for ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid and establishing peace in Sudan. It also would establish a five-year term for a special presidential envoy for Sudan to coordinate U.S. policy and diplomatic efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill has 12 other co-sponsors, all Democrats. "Civilian protection is a huge issue, and hasn't been getting enough attention," a Democratic committee staffer said. The bill's introduction underscores growing concern in Washington over the conflict and devastating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, ahead of the Republicans taking control of Congress and Republican President Donald Trump returning to the White House next month. Committee staffers said they could see the measure being combined with other recent bills - such as a bipartisan Senate measure offered in October - in the coming months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement War erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) over a transition to free elections, with tens of thousands reported dead. The United Nations has said nearly 25 million people - half of Sudan's population - need aid, famine is looming and some 8 million have fled their homes. HUMANITARIAN CRISIS In Darfur, Reuters has documented how the RSF and its allies instigated waves of attacks against the non-Arab Masalit group that included targeted killings, expulsions and rape. The RSF denies it was behind the violence. U.N. sanctions monitors have described as credible accusations that the United Arab Emirates had provided military support to the RSF. The UAE has denied involvement in military support to any of Sudan's rival parties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Citing a recent escalation of violence in Darfur, a Democratic Foreign Affairs staffer said the RSF would be unable to continue fighting at the same intensity without "significant" foreign military support. "What's lacking is a response and accountability," the staffer said, citing what he described as credible reports of UAE support for the RSF. Concerned parties have struggled to rally support for peace. Last month, Russia vetoed a U.N. Security Council draft resolution calling on the warring parties to cease hostilities and ensure delivery of humanitarian aid. The U.S. has long considered the UAE an important regional security partner. In September, it became only the second country recognized as a major defense partner, allowing for close military cooperation between the two countries. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle and Reade Levinson; editing by Jonathan Oatis) SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A jury found Michael ONeal guilty in September of 2020. Monday a judge heard arguments for and against a lighter sentence. Investigators found more than a million images on Michael ONeals phone and computer hard drive in 2018. A jury decided 15 of them were child pornography. RC man admits to enticement of over 30 minors A different judge sentenced him to 10 years with six years suspended. That was four years ago, which means ONeal could be out of Mike Durfee State prison but according to todays testimony the Department of Corrections unsuspended the six years, because ONeal refuses to admit his guilt. Without an admission, he is not allowed to undergo treatment that is part of his sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense Attorney Betsy Doyle filed the motion to reduce ONeals sentence, telling the judge He has No history of serious crimes and is willing and able to participate in any treatment Prosecutors asked the judge to deny the request, and pointed out that a jury believed he knowingly possessed the images containing child pornography. He needs to accept responsibility, he needs to acknowledge that what he did was wrong, said Deputy States Attorney Crystal Johnson. Judge Susan Sabers inherited the case and said her job was not to retry the case but to fashion a sentence intended by the trial court judge who intended ONeal would serve a short time in prison. In the end, Judge Sabers reduced ONeals sentence to 5 years, which would keep him in the Mike Durfee State Prison until September of next year. However, he could be released sooner for good behavior. ONeal will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life when he gets out of prison. 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 serial bank robber who said he was acting in desperation when he threatened to murder an elderly bank customer was sentenced to 15 years in prison Tuesday for the violent 2023 heist. Gerald DeRosse, 56, was out on parole for less than a month when he walked into a Ridgewood Savings Bank in Glendale, Queens, on April 6, 2023, and grabbed an 81-year-old woman doing business at a tellers window. He placed her in a chokehold, then told the teller he would blow her fg brains out if he didnt get cash. His score was a paltry $205. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman suffered minor injuries and was checked out at the scene by EMS workers, but she refused further medical attention. DeRosses parole officer recognized him from a surveillance photo, and when he showed up at his next parole meeting, he was arrested. The defendant, a serial bank robber, chose to terrorize hardworking bank tellers and customers for his own selfish purposes. The victims, including an elderly woman the defendant locked in a chokehold, will never forget that day, Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said Tuesday. DeRosse admitted guilt almost immediately after his arrest, proclaiming Im guilty at his arraignment and saying he was desperate because he couldnt find a job or even get a two-way MetroCard to go to interviews. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He pleaded guilty to a federal bank robbery charge in May, without a written agreement with prosecutors. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Schuman pointed to DeRosses criminal history, which includes several bank robberies over the past three decades. DeRosse committed five bank heists in 1993, then three more after he was released to parole in 2010. The defendants conduct here is not an aberration. It is frankly his MO, Schuman said. We are talking about someone who regularly and repeatedly committed crimes each and every time he has been released into the community. Brooklyn Federal Judge William Kuntz handed down the 15-year sentence Tuesday, giving DeRosse the high end of the amount of time recommended by federal sentencing guidelines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The maximum sentence is 20 years, which Kuntz pointed out after noting that the case would go back to him if the sentence was overturned on appeal. DeRosses lawyer, Nora Hirozawa of the Federal Defenders, unsuccessfully argued that he should get less than six years because of his long history of trauma, abuse and mental illness. DeRosse was beaten by his father as a child, and was first sentenced to state prison at age 17, an experience that scarred him and exacerbated the anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder that plague him to this day, Hirozawa said. He turned to drug abuse, and despite a 2011 suicide attempt at Rikers Island, he didnt start getting mental health help until last year, Hirozawa said. Your Honor, I cant explain to you what I did, and Im sorry, DeRosse said Tuesday. I need the help out there, because I get confused and scared sometimes. I know given the chance I will never come back here. DeRosse spent more than a year and a half in the notorious MDC Brooklyn jail after his arrest. Hirozawa said it took 10 months and a judges order to get him an albuterol inhaler for his asthma while locked up, and just a few weeks ago, he was badly beaten in his cell by a group of inmates who, it turned out, mistook him for someone else. Bangladeshi police in the industrial city of Gazipur have arrested seven men in connection with an alleged attack on a denim factory executive following a daylong protest by its employees over unpaid wages, some of which they claimed had been overdue for as many as five months. Rafee Mahmud, deputy managing director at Mahmud Jeans, as well as the son of its owner, was reportedly set upon by demonstrators on Thursday, incurring serious injuries while trying to negotiate an end to their blockade on the Dhaka-Tangail highway, which had caused traffic to pile up for miles on both ends, according to local media. Workers had previously taken to the streets in August, dispersing only after authorities assured them they would be paid. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mahmud had been trying to sell property to meet the factorys payroll obligations, which it has struggled to fulfill despite appearing on the supplier lists of high-profile brands such as Bestseller and Next, The Business Standard said on Friday. He has since filed a criminal complaint against more than 500 people, of whom 18 were named, police told the outlet. Mahmud Denim did not respond to a request for comment, nor did Bestseller or Next. In a statement to members of the Bangladesh Apparel Youth Leaders Association, where he serves as vice president, the next day, Mahmud said that the workers had been trying to murder him. I couldnt even speak for two minutes before the mob started attacking from all around, he said. I was dragged and slammed under the flyover and was assaulted by big bricks, metal rods and tree branches. As soon as I got hit on the back of my head, I fainted for a while. Later when I became conscious, I felt them grabbing my neck, suffocating me and dragging me into my factory and later they locked me inside. Industry leaders from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association, the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry and others quickly condemned what they said was a heinous, inhuman attack. In a joint statement over the weekend, they denounced the described events as not only a blow to the individual but a blow to the industry as a whole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such an attack on entrepreneurship has shocked every entrepreneurial family in this industry and this incident will not only discourage future entrepreneurs but also potential foreign investors in the future, they said. On behalf of the business community, we demand that all the miscreants involved in this incident be brought under the law quickly and given severe punishment and that all necessary measures be taken to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future. Blaming a faction that was engaged in mischief to destabilize Bangladeshs entire economy, of which the garment industry is a critical engine that drives nearly 85 percent of the countrys exports, the statement harkened back to claims by trade groups that outsiders were responsible for a resurgence of worker unrest beginning in September, a month after broader pro-democracy demonstrations forced the resignation and exile of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and installed an interim government to put into place essential reforms ahead of fresh elections. Despite the sectors best efforts, including agreement on 18 of the workers demands, it has been unable to fully tamp down the disquiet, which could stymie Bangladeshs return to form as the worlds second-largest exporter of clothing after China following what has appeared to be one crisis after another. At this important time of nation-building, the government must ensure the protection of all stakeholders in the industry to continue the progress of the national economy including the garment industry and other industries, the leaders said. Otherwise, the future of this country will become uncertain if the protection of industry is not ensured. Nazma Akter, founder and executive director of Awaj Foundation and president of the Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation, both workers organizations, said that she was shocked and saddened by what Mahmud said happened to him. She was asked to join an investigation committee, though she declined, pointing to the number of workers who have died or been beaten and blacklisted without a similar level of scrutiny by those in charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What has been committed didnt happen overnight, she said. How are workers expected to survive, pay their rent or afford groceries? Their lives are very threatened. Workers are angry. Workers and management should both get respect from each other and workers should get their due payments. There should be no anger, Akter added. There should be hope and action. In an op-ed in The Business Standard on Saturday, Sifat I. Ishty, senior lecturer of economics at Dhakas Brac University, called the alleged attack a chilling reflection of the escalating crisis in the countrys ready-made garment sector. He said that Mahmud Jeans is not an isolated victim and that like many other Bangladeshi enterprises, its been wrestling with soaring manufacturing costs, unreliable energy supplies and plummeting orders in the face of geopolitical volatility and other economic headwinds, which have resulted in delays in paying workers. Is there a third party fuelling the unrest? Could the same workers who had been loyal to this factory for many years commit such atrocities against its owner? And what role is the government playingor failing to playin addressing this chaos? Ishty wrote. The RMG sectorone of Bangladeshs largest industries, employing over four million workers and contributing the lions share of export earningsis clearly under existential threat. The ramifications of this crisis extend beyond individual factories, threatening the stability of the national economy and Bangladeshs standing in global markets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Addressing the root causes of the turmoil is key, he advised. Otherwise, businesses will continue to witness what he described as the constant erosion of their resources and stability. Solve economic issues like unpaid wages and energy shortages to reduce unrest. Strengthen financial institutions and encourage open dialogue between workers, factory owners, unions, trade groups and the government, Ishty said. This will help ensure fair representation, improve relationships and provide real solutions to disputes. A large police presence was spotted near a Dayton home Monday night. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] >>PHOTOS: Multiple agencies spotted during apparent standoff in Dayton neighborhood Dayton police were called to the 1600 block of Vancouver Drive on reports of a wanted person around 8:45 p.m., a Montgomery County Sheriffs Office dispatch supervisor confirmed. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video from the scene shows Dayton police and Montgomery County Sheriffs deputies on scene. Several authorities were seen at the front of the house with firearms. Video also shows one person coming out of the house and walking towards authorities with their hands up. Additional information was not immediately available. News Center 7 will continue to follow this story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) An 18-year-old man went missing from San Francisco in January 2023 before being found slain weeks later in the Bayview neighborhood. On Tuesday, the San Francisco Police Department announced that an arrest had been made in the killing. Authorities issued a missing person statement on Jan. 12, 2023, after Maxwell George Maltzman was last seen on Jan. 6 at his residence on the 900 block of Sutter Street. On Jan. 23, Maltzmans body was discovered in the Bayview District. After an investigation between SFPDs Homicide Detail and the San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Maltzmans death was ruled a homicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man likely went overboard off Ruby Princess cruise ahead of ships arrival in SF Evidence that was collected led police to the identity of the homicide suspect, police said. An arrest warrant and a search warrant were obtained for the suspect and the suspects residence based on probable cause. On Nov. 29 at 8:22 a.m., the SFPD Tactical Unit, along with the Homicide Detail, located and arrested the 19-year-old suspect on Ahern Way. The search warrant was executed at the suspects home and evidence was seized, police said. The suspect, who is a San Francisco resident but was not named, was booked into the Juvenile Justice Center on charges of homicide and conspiracy. 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 KRON4. A worker leaves U.S. Steel Edgar Thomson Steel Works, March 10, 2018 in Braddock, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Tuesday responded to President-elect Donald Trumps social media comments in opposition of the proposed $14.9 billion sale of Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel to Japans Nippon Steel, reiterating his focus on keeping the 122-year-old companys jobs in the Keystone State. Im less about social media posts and more about doing the hard work, Shapiro said during an event in Pittsburgh, and Ive been convening the table over the last number of months with all the different participants in this conversation to see what we can do, with my sole focus being on protecting jobs here in western Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump wrote Monday in a post on Truth Social that he is totally against the sale. Through a series of Tax Incentives and Tariffs, we will make U.S. Steel Strong and Great Again, and it will happen FAST! As President, I will block this deal from happening. Buyer Beware!!! the post reads. Trump made similar comments about opposing the sale back in January. Shapiro said Tuesday that Trump may want to check with some of the local leaders of his own party right here in western Pennsylvania who are out calling for support of the deal every single day. He seems to be on a different page from them, or they seem to be on a different page with him, Shapiro said, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland), whose district abuts the Pittsburgh suburbs where U.S. Steels Mon Valley Works are located, said in a statement Tuesday she is 100% on board to make U.S. Steel great again. Keeping U.S. Steel headquarters and operations in southwestern Pennsylvania is about keeping our jobs and our heritage in place for present and future generations, Ward said in the statement. President Trumps comments to make U.S. Steel great again through his administrations policies when he assumes the presidency, provide the promise of options and solutions that have been absent from the current administration. Ward previously expressed support for the sale to Nippon Steel. Her spokesperson Erica Clayton Wright said Tuesday that Wards most recent statement reflects that she is fighting for the best option for the workers and the industry. President Joe Biden has also opposed the sale amid concern from state and federal lawmakers and the United Steelworkers union over likely layoffs and the strategic need to protect U.S. industry. U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, who served as mayor of Braddock, where U.S. Steel operates blast furnaces, has been among the most strident opponents, along with outgoing U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, and U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-17th District) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal Council on Foreign Investment in the United States (CIFUS), which will make a recommendation to Biden on whether to approve the deal, deferred its decision until after the November election. Its expected to be completed before the end of December, the New York Times reported, then presented to Biden for review. Shapiro didnt respond directly to questions about whether he supports the sale or whether he would speak to Biden about his decision. He ultimately will make the final decision through the CFIUS process, and thats not a process thats governed by state law. Its governed by federal law, and its exclusively within the hands of the President to make that decision, Shapiro said, also declining to say whether he would facilitate a meeting between the Steelworkers union and Nippon Steel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after the sale was first proposed in December 2023, Ward said in a statement that Nippon Steels pledge to invest in the Mon Valley Works and to honor U.S. Steels contracts with the union were encouraging, and that we will continue to do all we can to maintain its presence where it belongs Pittsburgh. Ward said in an Aug. 30 statement Nippon Steels investments in cutting-edge infrastructure at the Mon Valley Works facility will not only jump-start innovation and secure jobs for our region to grow and compete, but will also generate critical construction jobs for the building trades which will help create certainty for all, Wards spokesperson, Wright, told the Capital-Star her statement Tuesday does not indicate a change in her position. To be clear, Nippon is the only offer. While it is a transformative and competitive offer, it is still the only offer. Trumps post suggests he has other thoughts, but we still dont know what they are and likely will not until he officially becomes president. Sen. Ward has been completely transparent in her position from the start and all of that has been shared with you, Wright said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio-based steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. made a competing cash and stock offer for U.S. Steel, according to a regulatory filing in January. U.S. Steel operates four plants in Pennsylvania that comprise the Mon Valley Works, including one in Fairless Hills, Pa., outside of Philadelphia. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The driver of a minivan is expected to recover from her injuries after being hit by an MBTA Commuter Rail train in Abington. The impact happened around 3:12 p.m. Monday at North Avenue and Railroad Street. MBTA Transit Police said the safety grade crossing equipment was working when the minivan was hit and dragged down the tracks. Woman hospitalized after MBTA train hits SUV in Abington, buses replacing commuter rail service Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neighbors told Boston 25 News that they could hear the trains horn blaring before the crash. She pulled onto the tracks, and the things came down. She tried to back up, said Sean OMalley. She froze. She was scared. Several people in the area rushed to help the 45-year-old driver right after it happened. Minivan struck by MBTA Commuter Rail in Abington hoisted off tracks hours after 45-year-old woman rushed to hospital w/ non-life threatening injuries. Witnesses rushed toward mangled vehicle to help driver after impact #Boston25 AT 10 & 11 pic.twitter.com/rM0glwEwra Drew Karedes (@DrewKaredes) December 3, 2024 That was probably the most traumatic thing Ive ever seen in my life, said Sean Durfee. You see a car like that. How do you think anyone makes it? Durfee assisted his friend who cut the airbag that had deployed in the womans vehicle. I was grabbing him because the car was on a slant, he said. Her eyes were open and moving around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crash impacted commuter rail service on the Kingston Line for hours. Crews hoisted the Chrysler Pacifica out of a ditch next to the railroad tracks more than three hours after the impact. Boston 25 News has reported on safety concerns at this same commuter rail crossing and six others in Abington. MBTA making safety improvements in Abington after years of crashes and deaths In March of 2023, engineers from Trafinfo recommended the town and MBTA update all signs and pavement markings, install pedestrian gates in certain areas to prevent people from trying to walk across, and improve lighting. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Have thoughts about the possibility of a Buc-ee's near Monument and Palmer Lake? Developers have invited the community to attend a public forum Tuesday to share information about the proposed super-sized travel center. VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) Hazardous road conditions led to many accidents in the Wabash Valley on Monday. State and local law enforcement agencies reported responding to numerous crashes and slide-offs throughout the area. Vigo County Sheriff Derek Fell says on Monday alone, the agency responded to 42 accidents. When the weather causes bad road conditions, Sheriff Fell encourages people to stay off the roadways unless its absolutely necessary to travel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He reminds drivers to be cautious, slow down, pay attention, give themselves plenty of stopping distance and plenty of time to reach their destinations. Also, he says drivers should be prepared in case they become stranded. Its important to have some type of emergency vehicle kit in your vehicle. So, just the basics: a first aid kit, jumper cables, a flashlight, a blanket, maybe a battery power pack. Make sure you have plenty of fuel in your vehicle in case you do get stranded somewhere and its extremely cold outside, says Sheriff Fell. We also reached out to the Indiana Department of Transportations West Central District, which provided the following statement: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement INDOT crews were active yesterday evening through the early morning hours patrolling and treating state-maintained highways and interstates. As of Tuesday morning, roads in the Terre Haute area are in good condition, with crews having wrapped up operations for the time being. Crews treat the roads with rock salt, which becomes half as effective when temperatures drop below 25 degrees. INDOT encourages motorists to slow down and drive carefully during any snow or ice event. INDOT West Central 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. With the holidays fast approaching, timing is crucial for sending gifts. The U.S. Postal Service has released its recommended shipping deadlines to ensure packages arrive on timeboth within and beyond the Lone Star Statebefore Dec. 25, which also marks the first night of Hanukkah. Kwanzaa begins Dec. 26. More: When does Hanukkah start 2024? Jewish holiday begins Christmas Day, first time since 2005 Shipping post cards from Texas Generally, shipping postcards within Texas is quick and efficient. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within the same town or city : 1-2 business days Within Texas : 1-3 business days Delivery in large cities like Dallas, Austin, or Houston tends to be faster (12 days), while rural areas may take slightly longer. Neighboring states (Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico): 24 business days Major U.S. cities (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago): 3-5 business days More: When is the first day of winter? What to know about winter solstice 2024 When to ship for delivery by Christmas and Hanukkah? To send a package via USPS Ground Advantage, which combines USPS Parcel Select Ground, Retail Ground, and First-Class Package Service and allows you to send larger packages at lower cost and faster delivery than first class, send it by Dec. 18. First-Class Mail service by Dec. 18. Priority Mail service by Dec. 19. Priority Mail Express service by Dec. 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The later you wait, the more it will cost. Shipping to Alaska and Hawaii? Plan ahead If you're shipping to addresses in Alaska and Hawaii, give yourself more of a head start. Ground Advantage by Dec. 16. First-Class Mail by Dec. 18. Priority Mail by Dec. 19. Priority Mail Express by Dec. 20. Shipping gifts overseas? Here's when to send If your package is heading overseas and you want it to arrive by Dec. 25, here's when you should send it via first-class package international service: If you get a later start, Priority Mail Express International Service will buy you another week, but you'll pay extra. When to send packages to military? Dec. 9 is the day you'll want to send packages to friends and family via first-class mail. Most military addresses will still get the package by the 25th if you ship by Priority Mail Express Military Service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement See the complete list of recommended holiday mailing and shipping dates at usps.com/holidayshippingdates. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: USPS shipping deadlines for Christmas 2024: See dates for US, overseas SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) The Shreveport Police Department is asking for the publics assistance in locating a runaway juvenile. SPD says 15-year-old Kloe Jericho was last seen in the 1100 block of Linwood Avenue on Sunday. Police say Kloe is described as approximately 4 foot 9 inches tall, weighs 150 pounds, has brown eyes and black hair. Police say he was last seen wearing jeans and an unknown-colored hoodie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information regarding Kloes whereabouts is urged to contact the Shreveport Police Department at (318) 673-7300 or Caddo Crime Stoppers at (318) 673-7373. 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. A Sierra Leone man and former Manchester businessman was sentenced Monday in federal court for fraudulently obtaining more than $400,000 in car loans, U.S. Attorney Jane Young said. Solomon Yarteh, 50, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Paul Barbadoro to 40 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release, Young said. On July 1, Yarteh pleaded guilty to three counts of bank fraud, Young said. Co-defendants Donna Silva, Niurka Lebron, and Robesteur St. Felix pled guilty and were sentenced in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendant enlisted his friends and family members to submit multiple fraudulent loan applications to lenders over $400,000, Young said in a statement. He left the United States after learning of an investigation and was apprehended in Dubai several years later. I thank our law enforcement partners here and across the world for diligently working to bring fraudsters like the defendant to justice. The sentencing of Mr. Yarteh is a direct result of the hard work of the prosecution team and law enforcement partners here in New Hampshire to secure his conviction and the international partnerships which allowed him to be brought to justice, Special Agent in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service said in a statement. Yarteh was the owner and President of Allied Imports, a car wholesaler located in Manchester. As a wholesaler, Allied Imports was not licensed to conduct retail sales of vehicles and could only sell to dealers, investigators said. Allied Imports was located next to Caps Auto Sales, a business licensed to sell cars. Caps Auto was controlled by St. Felix. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between February 2019 and July 2019, Yarteh led a scheme to fraudulently obtain multiple car loans from multiple financial institutions, Young said. The loans were supposed to be secured by vehicles being sold by Allied Imports or Caps Auto. Yarteh and his co-conspirators used fraudulent documents to trick lenders into believing that Allied Imports or Caps Auto owned and held title to the vehicles when the cars actually belonged to other companies, Young said. The loan proceeds were deposited into accounts Yarteh controlled. Yarteh was able to fraudulently obtain over $411,000 through this scheme and attempted to get another $217,000. Yarteh was originally indicted in 2021 but had already left the U.S. INTERPOL then issued a Red Notice for his arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In spring 2023, authorities in the United Arab Emirates arrested Yarteh in Dubai. With the cooperation of the Emirati government, Yarteh was removed to the U.S. in late November 2023. He has continuously been in custody since that time. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Crews with the Salt Lake City Fire Department responded to a structure fire early Tuesday morning that produced large plumes of black smoke. The fire reportedly started shortly before 7:30 a.m. on Dec. 3. at what officials described as a single-story vacant commercial building. The building is reportedly located near 1655 West and South Temple. While the fire produced a large amount of smoke, fire crews were able to knock down the fire quickly. Within 30 minutes of responding to the burning building, the Salt Lake City Fire Department said the fire had been extinguished and crews were beginning clean up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Salt Lake City Fire Department told ABC4.com that the building was already under demolition. There were no reported injuries as a result of the fire. It is currently unclear what had started the fire. This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available. Sorina Trauntvein 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 ABC4 Utah. FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is working with the national branch to search a central Kentucky lake for the invasive bighead carp and silver carp. Fish and Wildlife announced in a news release on Tuesday that 330 environmental DNA (eDNA) samples were collected from Taylorsville Lake in October. Six of the 330 water samples collected contained invasive carp genetic material. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A positive eDNA sample does not necessarily indicate the presence of live fish, said Dave Dreves, director of the Fisheries Division at Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. It is possible for genetic material to be introduced into the water by boats or fishing equipment used in another area where invasive carp are present, or even by other animals such as fish-eating birds. Fish and Wildlife confirmed that there is no physical evidence of any living bighead carp or silver carp to date. The environmental agency has been working since 2015 to find invasive carp in new areas of the Ohio River Basin. Taylorsville Lake was chosen for testing since it is an important fishery resource found within the Salt River watershed, which branches off from the Ohio River, according to the news release. We use eDNA results as one piece of information to determine the best response to the potential threat of an invasive species, said Jeff Herod, fisheries aquatic nuisance species coordinator and Ohio River Basin Invasive Carp Program coordinator with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. In this case, we have requested assistance from the USFWS to conduct another round of eDNA sampling in Taylorsville Lake beginning 2025, with results to be processed as soon as possible. Those additional results will help determine future actions. If a response is warranted, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is prepared, and it has a plan ready to implement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more of the latest Kentucky news Its illegal to move invasive carp in Kentucky, Fish and Wildlife noted. There have been over 60 million pounds of invasive carp removed from Kentucky waters since 2013. We are diligent in our efforts to protect Kentuckys inland fisheries and aquatic resources, Herod said. We continue to increase our detection efforts, such as using eDNA, to respond to invasive species early. We have employed early detection sampling, native fish population surveys, and we support commercial fishers to reduce numbers of invasive carp. Officials have encouraged anglers to learn how to identify and report invasive carp species. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To learn more about how to identify and report information, visit the Invasive Carp Information website or the Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee website. 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. An Oxford Union debate on Israel in which a speaker described the Oct 7 attacks as heroism broke the law, dons have told Lord Hague, the universitys newly elected chancellor. Baroness Deech, Prof Sir Vernon Bogdanor and the philosopher Prof Peter Hacker are among 300 signatories of an open letter decrying the inflammatory rhetoric, aggressive behaviour and intimidation witnessed during the event last Thursday. The Oxford Union debated the motion: This house believes Israel is an apartheid state responsible for genocide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It came after Jonathan Sacerdoti, the son of a Holocaust survivor who was the opposing speaker, wrote a piece for The Spectator accusing the Oxford Union of disgracing itself by allowing the forces of bigotry, hatred and mob rule to breach a once proud institution. In the letter, the signatories said: We unequivocally condemn the incendiary remarks made by some speakers in support of Hamas and terrorist violence. Such statements are not only morally reprehensible but also in clear violation of the law. Mr Sacerdoti described the atmosphere in the chamber as hideous, sinister, and suffused with tension, with one female student removed for screaming obscenities. He wrote: This was not an audience interested in debate or even in hearing arguments. It was a baying mob, openly hostile and emboldened by the presidents refusal to enforce the most basic rules of decorum. They interrupted every pro-Israel speaker with jeers, coughs and outright abuse. The open letter tells William Hague, Oxfords chancellor, the debate in which a speaker calls the Oct 7 attacks heroism broke the law - The Office of William Hague/PA He also accused Ebrahim Osman Mowafy, the president of the Union, who is an Egyptian Arab, of being openly biased from the outset, and fostering an environment of unchecked hostility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When one of the speakers for the motion withdrew, Osman Mowafy forwent his impartial role as chair, and spoke in favour of Israel being an apartheid state. According to Mr Sacerdoti, Mosab Hassan Yousef, a fellow speaker and the son of a senior Hamas founder who defected to Israels side, was met with jeering derision and cries of traitor and prostitute by some in the audience as he recounted his story. Mr Sacerdoti added: Yoseph Haddad, an Israeli Arab who has dedicated his life to dismantling the apartheid lie, faced similar treatment. The international law commentator Natasha Hausdorf was hectored to finish her speech far quicker than her proposition counterpart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also says that when Mr Yousef asked the audience to raise their hands if they would have reported prior knowledge of the Oct 7 massacres, the vast majority of the room remained still. The open letter calls the debate a failure on all counts, suggesting that the debate subjected Jewish students to antisemitism and intimidation. It reads: Debate should challenge ideas, not debase and attack entire communities. Free speech is vital but it must be exercised responsibly and within the bounds of the law. The open letter to Lord Hague says debate should challenge ideas, not debase and attack entire communities During the debate, Miko Peled, a pro-Palestinian activist speaking in favour of the motion, described the Oct 7 attacks as heroism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yousef Haddad, a pro-Israel activist, was ejected from the chamber after dismissing audience members as terrorist supporters, at which point he put on a T-shirt that read your terrorist is dead with a crossed-out face of Hassan Nasrallah, the former Hezbollah leader. Mr Haddad later took to X, formerly Twitter, to describe Oxford as being occupied by antisemitic and racist Middle East peoples. One student in the audience said: I have never felt so targeted at Oxford. The rhetoric from Peled glorifying violence, and Haddads provocative behaviour, made the chamber totally toxic. Outside, the chanting from protesters only added to the intimidation. Divisive and prejudicial Mr Sacerdoti told The Telegraph: The Unions president deliberately cultivated an environment of hostility towards me, my colleagues, and anyone prepared to challenge the inflammatory motion he chose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Institutions like the Oxford Union must not become playgrounds for sinister cliques pushing divisive and prejudicial agendas. In a statement, The Oxford Israel Society, representing Israeli students at Oxford, said: It was pure unfiltered hatred. We left the debate feeling physically ill and unsafe, ultimately deciding to leave together rather than alone. Ben Freeman of the Pinsker Centre, a charity advocating for respectful debates on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, said: This event was a debacle, showing the chaos that ensues when divisive extremists hijack crucial debates in tense campus environments. Oxford must step back, reflect, and ensure that future discussions uphold the standards of respect and reasoned debate that this university should represent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The motion was carried 278 ayes to 59 noes. Mr Osman Mowafy said: During the debate, the president, in accordance with the powers conferred on the chair in the rules of the Oxford Union, directed two individuals to withdraw from the floor of the house. The first was a member who was repeatedly interjecting and disrupting the speech by Mr Jonathan Sacerdoti. The second was Mr Yoseph Haddad who was intimidating a member seated behind him. Claims that the debate was badly chaired or that students were not wishing to participate are subjective claims; a debate as contentious as this one would have those unhappy with it no matter what had happened, as evidenced by the coverage of the debate long before it even took place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All speakers on side opposition exceeded significantly their time, and at all times their ability to make their speech was ensured and any heckling was shut down by myself. The video recordings of the speeches will be released on YouTube in the usual manner where these matters can be judged 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. UNITY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WHTM) Pennsylvania State Police and other first responders are looking for a missing grandmother who may have fallen into a sinkhole while looking for her missing cat. State Police in Marguerite say around 1 a.m. ET Tuesday, the family of 64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard contacted law enforcement saying she had not returned while looking for her missing cat on Monday. Troopers said in a press conference that during the search, they found Pollards young granddaughter in her vehicle near Mondays Union Restaurant in Marguerite, about 40 miles east of Pittsburgh. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They believe the 5-year-old, who was found safe, had been in the vehicle for approximately 10 hours. The child has been reunited with her family. While searching nearby for Pollard, troopers noticed a manhole-sized hole that appeared to be new, as it had gone unnoticed by hunters and restaurant workers who were in the area in the hours before Pollards disappearance. This Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. image provided by the Pennsylvania State Police shows the top of a sinkhole in the village of Marguerite, Pa., where rescuers were searching for a woman who disappeared. (Pennsylvania State Police via AP) After finding the hole, authorities said it became an all hands on deck scenario to begin a rescue mission. Its not clear how deep the hole is, but the area was previously home to coal mining. According to Trooper Steve Limani, approximately 100 people have been involved in the search so far. The situation is described to be active, and an excavator was brought in to dig in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crews lowered a pole camera with a sensitive listening device into the hole in Marguerite on Tuesday morning but detected nothing. A second camera lowered into the hole showed what could be a shoe. We are pretty confident we are in the right place. Were hoping there is still a void she could be in, Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Company Chief John Bacha told Triblive. A team from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, which responded to the scene, concluded the underground void is likely the result of work in the Marguerite Mine, last operated by the H.C. Frick Coke Company in 1952. The Pittsburgh coal seam is about 20 feet below the surface in that area. Department of Environmental Protection spokesperson Neil Shader said the states Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation will examine the scene after the search is over to see if the sinkhole was indeed caused by mine subsidence. 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 Queen City News. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Sioux City council members have approved a rezoning request associated with the development of a proposed grocery store. The city council unanimously said yes to rezoning request allowing for future alcohol and tobacco sales at the proposed location at 1303 and 1315 Douglas Streets. 1303 is the former location of the Casa del Rey restaurant, while 1315 is the former satellite transmission site for KCAU 9. Cone Park planning to open soon Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City documents indicate the petitioner says hes working to clean up the property. Plans show the grocery store will not be open past 9 p.m. No time frame for the stores opening has been mentioned. 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. In the weeks leading up to Nov. 5, Black Americans saw the same saga unfold that has plagued our politics for decades. Candidates invested millions in out-of-touch advisors, leading to surface-level interactions and even worse, to the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes as a way to appeal to one of the largest, most reliable voting blocs in a nation that often leaves us last. Between the sneaker and Bible sales, the celebrity concerts, and the billions spent on advertising, this election made one thing clear: The current campaign model is broken. Every two to four years, political parties spend billions of dollars telling Black and other underserved communities that they must go out and vote. Were either lectured on the history of our own struggle, or appealed to with dire fearmongering and empty promises while our cries fall on deaf ears. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, time and time again, we get in line and cast election-deciding ballots only to be forgotten the minute the polls close. And four years later, the process begins all over again. This strategy, employed by both sides, has never been effective in persuading and mobilizing the base. Somehow, despite years of calls for change, the results of the Harris-Trump election left political operatives, pundits, and pollsters flabbergasted, unable to explain the outcome. But let me tell you something: Black working people know exactly what went wrong. In politics, you both have to inspire and persuade in order to mobilize voters. But historically, campaigns have sought to persuade undecided white voters, whereas non-white voters are targeted solely by a mobilization machine that has failed to reach us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The result is apparent exasperated voters casting ballots out of frustration, or not casting them at all. Sadly, the reality is that not only are we the least invested in, but we are also the first to feel the effects of inadequate and dangerous leadership in Washington. Less than 48 hours after President-elect Trump claimed victory, Black voters across the country began receiving text messages directing them to prepare for work on a plantation. Just last month, neo-Nazis marched in uniform throughout the streets of Ohios capital, shouting racial epithets. Where do we go from here? The fight for freedom and democracy is nothing new to the NAACP. For over a century, we have worked in communities, and with Congress and the White House, to ensure the protection and advancement of Black America. And were not stopping now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this cycle, while PACs and campaigns spent $11 billion on political advertising, the NAACP invested over $20 million solely in persuading our community to vote, and to support grassroots organizations that have pre-existing relationships with those we were seeking to mobilize. Black voters deserve to be persuaded, and successful political persuasion requires a strong ground game and direct voter contact something that campaigns over the last few decades have largely failed to do. We cannot continue like this. Political campaigns need a new model. First, operatives deployed to battleground states should have a direct tie to the community. We dont need more D.C. elites telling us what to vote for. Second, persuasion should be as much a priority as mobilization. Dont take our votes for granted; make the case for why we should vote for you. Inspire us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Third, the ground game should not just be a tool for the final stretch, but the foundation of the effort. Show us that you are actually invested in our prosperity that you dont just want our vote but want us to thrive. More than ever, the political machine needs to be rebuilt. Our message to the campaigns already taking shape for 2026 and 2028: If you want to win our vote, and if you want to save democracy, dont show up at our door on the eve of the election. Invest in meaningful engagements with our communities. Build a strong ground game, and build it now. Derrick Johnson is president of the NAACP and Dominik Whitehead is the NAACPs senior vice president of campaigns and mobilization. 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. A delegation of Slovakia's far-right MPs, led by Deputy Speaker and leader of the nationalist party SNS Andrej Danko, is ready to visit Moscow. Source: European Pravda; SME Details: According to Danko, the visit to Moscow will take place on 10 January 2025. It has already been approved by the acting Speaker of the Parliament, Peter Ziga, and will be supported from the Slovak budget. Six more MPs, including the leader of the Slovak National Party, will travel to Russia, although the final list has yet to be created. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Danko stated that he wished to meet with Vyacheslav Volodin, the chairman of the Russian Duma, in Moscow; Volodin had invited the Slovak MP to Russia in the summer, but the visit had to be postponed. Furthermore, the SNS leader wishes to speak with Russian Industry Minister Denis Manturov on "cooperation in the energy sector." "And then, of course, I would not want to ignore Lavrov, who I have a very good relationship with," he said. Background: Lubos Blaha, a MEP from Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico's party, had already been embarrassed for a visit to Moscow. Fico stated he wanted to attend the parade on Moscow's Red Square in 2025. Support UP or become our patron! Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico criticized the EUs new leadership over their supporting words for Ukraine during a press conference on Dec. 2. Fico said he had called European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen to convey to her his disagreement. The Slovak prime minister has repeatedly criticized the EU's support for Ukraine and said he would seek to normalize relations with Russia after the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas and the new president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, visited Kyiv on Dec. 1. They reiterated the EUs support for Ukraine, upsetting the Slovak prime minister. "Neither members of the Commission nor the president of the European Council can permit themselves to make statements, in the name of the European Union, on which the European Union and the European Council have never agreed," Fico was quoted as saying. "They made statements that did not correspond to the conclusions of the European Union." During a news conference with President Volodymyr Zelensky following their meeting in Kyiv, Costa said that the EU would continue to provide economic, humanitarian, and military assistance to Ukraine, including 4.2 billion euros ($4.4 billion) to support the Ukrainian budget by the end of the year. In 2025, the EU will also transfer 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion) to Ukraine monthly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Russian-friendly populist, Fico halted military aid to Ukraine from the Slovak Armed Forces' stocks after taking office in September 2023 in a stark foreign policy reversal. He recently announced he had accepted the Kremlin's invitation to attend the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow next May. Read also: We see that Russian economy is in a very dire state, EU top diplomat Kallas says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Getty Images Political chasms, wars, oppression its easy to feel hopeless and helpless watching these dark forces play out. Could any of us ever really make a meaningful difference in the face of so much devastation? Given the scale of the worlds problems, it might feel like the small acts of human connection and solidarity that you do have control over are like putting Band-Aids on bullet wounds. It can feel naive to imagine that small acts could make any global difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a psychologist, human connection researcher and audience member, I was inspired to hear musician Hozier offer a counterpoint at a performance this year. The little acts of love and solidarity that we offer each other can have powerful impact he told the crowd. I believe the core of people on the whole is good I genuinely do. Ill die on that hill. Im happy to report that the science agrees with him. Research shows that individual acts of kindness and connection can have a real impact on global change when these acts are collective. This is true at multiple levels: between individuals, between people and institutions, and between cultures. This relational micro-activism is a powerful force for change and serves as an antidote to hopelessness because unlike global-scale issues, these small acts are within individuals control. Abstract becomes real through relationships SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theoretically, the idea that small, interpersonal acts have large-scale impact is explained by what psychologists call cognitive dissonance: the discomfort you feel when your actions and beliefs dont line up. For example, imagine two people who like each other. One believes that fighting climate change is crucial, and the other believes that climate change is a political ruse. Cognitive dissonance occurs: They like each other, but they disagree. People crave cognitive balance, so the more these two like each other, the more motivated they will be to hear each other out. According to this model, then, the more you strengthen your relationships through acts of connection, the more likely youll be to empathize with those other individual perspectives. When these efforts are collective, they can increase understanding, compassion and community in society at large. Issues like war and oppression can feel overwhelming and abstract, but the abstract becomes real when you connect to someone you care about. So, does this theory hold up when it comes to real-world data? Small acts of connection shift attitudes Numerous studies support the power of individual acts of connection to drive larger-scale change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For instance, researchers studying the political divide in the U.S. found that participants self-identifying as Democrats or Republicans didnt like people in the other group largely due to negative assumptions about the other persons morals. People also said they valued morals like fairness, respect, loyalty and a desire to prevent harm to others. Im intentionally leaving out which political group preferred which traits they all sound like positive attributes, dont they? Even though participants thought they didnt like each other based on politics, they also all valued traits that benefit relationships. One interpretation of these findings is that the more people demonstrate to each other, act by act, that they are loyal friends and community members who want to prevent harm to others, the more they might soften large-scale social and political disagreements. Even more convincingly, another study found that Hungarian and Romanian students people from ethnic groups with a history of social tensions who said they had strong friendships with each other also reported improved attitudes toward the other group. Having a rocky friendship with someone from the other group actually damaged attitudes toward the other ethnic group as a whole. Again, nurturing the quality of relationships, even on an objectively small scale, had powerful implications for reducing large-scale tensions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another study, researchers examined prejudice toward what psychologists call an out-group: a group that you dont belong to, whether based on ethnicity, political affiliation or just preference for dogs versus cats. They asked participants to reflect on the positive qualities of someone they knew, or on their own positive characteristics. When participants wrote about the positive qualities of someone else, rather than themselves, they later reported lower levels of prejudice toward an out-group even if the person they wrote about had no connection to that out-group. Here, moving toward appreciation of the other, rather than away from prejudice, was an effective way to transform preconceived beliefs. So, small acts of connection can shift personal attitudes. But can they really affect societies? From one-on-one to society-wide Every human being is embedded in their own network with the people and world around them, what psychologists call their social ecology. Compassionate change at any level of someones social ecology internally, interpersonally or structurally can affect all the other levels, in a kind of positive feedback loop, or upward spiral. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For instance, both system-level anti-discrimination programming in schools and interpersonal support between students act reciprocally to shape school environments for students from historically marginalized groups. Again, individual acts play a key role in these positive domino effects. Even as a human connection researcher, Ive been surprised by how much I and others have progressed toward mutual understanding by simply caring about each other. But what are small acts of connection, after all, but acts of strengthening relationships, which strengthen communities, which influence societies? In much of my clinical work, I use a model called social practice or intentional community-building as a form of therapy for people recovering from serious mental illnesses, like schizophrenia. And if intentional community-building can address some of the most debilitating states of the human psyche, I believe it follows that, writ large, it could help address the most debilitating states of human societies as well. Simply put, science supports the idea that moving toward each other in small ways can be transformational. Ill die on that hill too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Liza M. Hinchey, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Psychology, Wayne State University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Small businesses are bracing for stiff tariffs that President-elect Donald Trump has proposed as one of his first actions when he takes office. Trump has proposed importers pay a 25% tax on all products entering the country from Canada and Mexico, and an additional 10% tariff on goods from China, as one of his first executive orders. He previously floated a tariff of up to 20% on everything else the United States imports. This means small businesses may end up paying more for goods and services. Small business owners say they're waiting to see what final form the tariffs take, but are bracing for higher costs that they may in turn need to pass on to consumers. Laurel Orley, cofounder and CEO of Nashville-based sprouted nut snack company Daily Crunch, said at first she didn't think the tariffs would affect her business, because she doesn't import very much. But she realized the tariffs will have a ripple effect. For example, she had planned on sourcing bags from China to save 5 cents a bag. But with the tariffs, she might need to scuttle that plan. That was one of our big initiatives for 2025, moving all our bags to China for 15 cents a bag, she said. And now I dont know if we can save any money on the bags when the tariffs go into effect. Warehouse prices are going up because of the expected tariffs, too, Orley said. Her warehouse provider said demand has been increasing since the tariffs were announced. As many other companies are buying bulk inventory overseas to get ahead of tariffs, warehouse availability is becoming limited, which will increase costs for everyone, she said. So, Orley is trying to lock in her warehouse contract for 2025 and find a third-party logistics provider for the year, to get ahead of whats to come and pre-planning as much as we can, she said. Across the border in Canada, Julie Bednarski-Malik runs another snack company, Healthy Crunch, based in Mississauga, Ontario, that specializes in foods that are free of the top 11 major food allergens like peanut, tree nut and dairy as well as low in sugar. She sells her products in both Canadian and U.S. retail stores, and said tariffs will affect consumers on both sides. If you have a severe anaphylactic reaction to some type of dairy or soy and you cant find a product in the U.S. because were the only ones that make it, its going to be a lot more expensive for U.S. consumers," Bednarski-Malik said. So I think these tariffs are really not only going to be penalizing, you know, other countries such as Canada, but also U.S. consumers." On Dec. 21, 2023, Gov. Janet Mills took a tour of the damage caused by the flooding of the Kennebec River in Skowhegan after a devastating wind and rain storm. (via Office of Gov. Janet Mills) Small businesses impacted by last winters storms can now apply for a final round of funding to rebuild and recover. The Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) opened applications Tuesday for approximately $2 million in remaining funding for Maine small businesses and nonprofit organizations, according to an announcement from Gov. Janet Mills office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Businesses and nonprofits can request up to $100,000 for related design, permitting and construction costs. Projects receiving grants must include plans to increase resilience to future storms and other extreme weather events, according to Mills office. Grant funds can be used to cover up to 50% of a total project cost, with the recipient matching the states contribution. The department is prioritizing new applications, said Ben Goodman, a spokesperson for the governors office. If funding is not exhausted, the department may consider businesses that were already awarded grants during the initial round of funding but have additional expenses and are eligible for more. Many Maine businesses were impacted during the three winter storms, said DECD Commissioner Heather Johnson. We were able to get direct help to many business owners in the first round, and these funds will allow us to reach even more businesses to help them recover and increase their resilience to a changing climate. Applications for small businesses and nonprofits are due by January 14, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The $10 million Business Recovery and Resilience Fund is part of a $60 million storm relief package secured by the governor and approved by the Legislature earlier this year. In August, the Mills administration awarded nearly $8 million to businesses in the first round of funding, which helped 170 Maine businesses and nonprofits in all 16 counties recover from storm damage and improve infrastructure resilience. Almost 40 communities across the state also received a total of $25.2 million to rebuild, relocate and repair infrastructure and install flood proofing measures. Finally, the third piece of the funding package, $21.2 million, went toward grants to help rebuild 68 working waterfronts. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE (WBRE/WYOU) The National Weather Service out of Mount Holly, New Jersey has issued snow squall warnings in several eastern Pennsylvania counties. Snow squall warnings have been issued for Carbon, Lehigh, and Monroe counties until 4:30 p.m. Interactive Radar At 3:40 PM EST, a dangerous snow squall was located along a line extending from Flatbrookville to near Hometown, moving southeast at 25 mph, the alert noted of the Carbon County squall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alerts for snow showers, some heavy, have also been issued for multiple counties in northeastern Pennsylvania. You can stay up to date by checking all active Weather Alerts. 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 PAhomepage.com. Somewhat surreal; Piatt County OSF clinic opens MONTICELLO, Ill. (WCIA) Less than 24 hours after opening, a new healthcare clinic in Monticello is already seeing patients. It may be a new clinic, but the people behind it are far from strangers in the community. Its very rewarding: Salvation Army volunteer reflects on Toys for Tots involvement, encourages more support This moment is somewhat surreal, Amber Oberheim, OSF Monticello family nurse practitioner, said. I remember when I was a little girl telling my parents that whole What do you want to be when you grow up? I would always answer that question, I want to be a part-time baby doctor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oberheim has been caring for her community for 18 years. She said shes humbled to take on the role as lead practitioner at the clinic on Bridge Street. It truly is the greatest privilege to be able to take care of the people that I live and work around, Oberheim said. The clinic will see patients for annual physicals, chronic disease management, mental health needs and more. In primary care we call ourselves a jack of all trades and a master of none, so anything that you can think of that you need to be seen for, you can walk through these doors and if I cant do it, well find somebody who can, Oberheim said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The clinic joins 160 OSF hospitals, clinics and urgent care locations across Illinois and Michigan. Im excited to have an experienced nurse practitioner to provide care to this community a local person whom the community knows, Marcia Cooper, OSF Eastern Region vice president of operations, said. Oberheim said she hopes this sets a new standard of care for her community. Shell be prioritizing patient-centric and holistic practices. To see the response, and to hear the response, and to feel the response of the community embracing the fact that Im here and available more, it really is just a reinforcer for me that I know Im doing what Im supposed to be doing, Oberheim said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oberheim is the sole provider at the clinic so far, but she said she is trying to bring more people in. She started seeing patients Monday afternoon shortly after the ribbon cutting. She said walk-ins are accepted. The number to make an appointment is 217-560-6300. 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. The son of a banker shot in the notorious doorstep murder has revealed he still suffers nightmares about his fathers death. Andrew Wilson was only four years old when he saw his father Alistair lying in a pool of blood after he was shot at their home in Nairn, in the Highlands, on Nov 28 2004. More than 20 years on, no one has been brought to justice for the assassination and it remains one of Scotlands most notorious unsolved crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September, Scotlands top law officer, Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC, ordered a complete reinvestigation with a new team of police officers and prosecutors. All I saw was my dad on the floor in a pool of his own blood, Mr Wilson, whose father was reading him a bedtime story before he was shot dead, told Sky News. My mum over him. I still get the image of my dad himself in nightmares and stuff from time to time. I blanked out a lot of my childhood memories, that was my way of dealing with it, just kind of closing the door on that part of my life. Alistair Wilson, a manager at the Bank of Scotland, was shot at about 7pm after a man called at the familys home on Crescent Road, Nairn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The assailant spoke to his wife, Veronica, who had answered the door, and asked for her husband by name. The 30 year-old went downstairs to speak to the man and was handed a blue envelope with the word Paul on it. He went inside briefly and then returned to the door for a second time, where he was shot and died later that evening in hospital. The gun, a Haenel Suhl pocket pistol from the 1930s, was recovered from a drain near his home 10 days after his murder. After the reinvestigation was launched, the family said they have lost confidence in the police. Asked by Sky News whether Jo Farrell, the Police Scotland chief constable since October 2023, should resign over the issue, Andrew Wilson, now 24, said: Theres no other option. I felt that if she cant get a grasp of whats going on, then how can she lead? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chief Constable Farrell said Police Scotland are committed to the investigation and urged anyone with information to contact them. However, she has said she will not be resigning. Speaking at a Scottish Police Authority Board meeting last Thursday, on the 20th anniversary of the murder, Ms Farrell said: A new investigation team is in place and detectives will examine all evidence gathered over the last 20 years, as well as investigate new opportunities for fresh lines of inquiry, such as advances in technology and forensic testing. We are committed to this reinvestigation and I would underline our support for Alistairs family and our resolute determination to bring those involved in Alistairs murder to justice. 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. Passengers travelling from Bahrain to Manchester were stranded for over 13 hours after their Gulf Air flight made an emergency landing in Kuwait, reportedly due to an engine fire. Some passengers alleged discrimination, claiming that while holders of EU, UK, and US passports were given accommodation, Indians, Pakistanis and Southeast Asians were initially denied help, food, and water, Indian media reported. Many of those on board began their journeys in Mumbai in India, with Bahrain as a transit stop and Manchester their final destination. The emergency landing took place roughly two hours after Gulf Air flight GF 005 took off from Bahrain, with an announcement telling the flight they would be redirected to Kuwait. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A social media video showed passengers of flight GF005 in heated arguments with airport authorities upon landing, with South Asian passengers criticising the way they were served compared to those on other passports. The Indian embassy in Kuwait said on X on Sunday that it promptly took up the matter with Gulf Air. Arzoo Singh, a passenger, claimed they were not allowed to leave the airport since they did not have a transit visa. She told NDTV: They said if youre entitled passport holders, and Indians and Pakistanis are not entitled passport holders, they literally told us if youre entitled for a transit visa, only then we can put you in a hotel outside. We asked them what about us, people who arent entitled as you say? They said we will get back to you. We ran behind them for nearly two hours, only then we got lounge access. We asked for blankets, we asked for food. They didnt give. No one even gave us water for the first four hours. Indian PAX stuck at @KuwaitAirports since 12 hrs after Manchester bound @GulfAir flight GF005 was diverted. PAX alleged harrasment & also alleged that the airline has provied accomodation to only EU,UK & US citizens. @RamMNK @MoCA_GoI@indembkwt Video credit: Passenger pic.twitter.com/pBcJDtUMRS Daanish Anand (@Daanish_Anand) December 1, 2024 After we raised the issue on social media, senior officials from the Indian embassy in Kuwait reached out to the Indian passengers stuck at the airport, news agency ANI quoted Ms Singh as saying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The embassy posted on X: Efforts are being made to accommodate passengers in the airport hotel, which is currently unavailable due to ongoing GCC Summit. It may be noted that Indian nationals dont fall under visa on arrival facility in Kuwait. All government offices are closed today due to GCC Summit being hosted by Kuwait. The 45th Gulf Cooperation Council Summit was held on 1 December. Gulf Air flight to Manchester finally departed at 0434 hours today carrying stranded Indian passengers among others. Embassy team was on the ground till the flight departed. pic.twitter.com/47GVer4Bs4 India in Kuwait (@indembkwt) December 2, 2024 Following their discussions, Ms Singh said, the airport authorities offered accommodation for senior citizens and passengers with infants at a facility within the premises, the Hindustan Times reported. But there was no clear information about arrangements for the remaining passengers. Embassy @indembkwt had immediately taken up the matter with Gulf Air in Kuwait. A team from Embassy is at the airport to assist the passengers and coordinate with the airline. Passengers have been accommodated in 2 airport lounges. pic.twitter.com/1OySe3KGLc India in Kuwait (@indembkwt) December 1, 2024 Another passenger, Shivansh, wrote on X: All British passport holders got their hotels sorted with on-arrival visas while Indian passport holders have been left stranded without any info, food, or any kind of help. Please help and provide us a visa so that at least we can get a hotel and wait for the next flight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other passengers were eventually allowed access to airport lounges, and the flight departed for Manchester at 4.34am on Monday. Gulf Air has not made a public statement about the complaints so far. The Independent has reached out to the airline for comment. Deputies in south Georgia are warning residents not to fall for a jury duty scheme that demands victims pay fines they dont actually owe using Bitcoin. The Tift County Sheriffs Office said some residents are receiving phone calls and texts stating that they missed jury duty and that a warrant for their arrest has been issued unless they pay a fine. The scammers are using the names of actual Tift County deputies to fool the public. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The sheriffs office wants the public to know that they do not call anyone who missed jury duty and they do not ask for a payment for missing jury duty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some residents receive flyers in the mail that show an arrest warrant and offer instructions on how to send them Bitcoin. The flyers say they are from Citizens Advocacy Group and the number they are using to call people is 229-258-2813, though that number could change. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] North Korea is a dictatorship, and South Korea is a democracy. That's one of the most basic pieces of conventional wisdom about modern geopolitics. But it wasn't always so. From its independence in 1945 to its final democratization in 1987, South Korea suffered from a series of coups d'etat and military dictatorships. On Tuesday night, the ghosts of the bad old days came back. President Yoon Suk Yeol, facing corruption investigations and gridlock in the National Assembly, declared martial law, banning all political activities and independent media. Soldiers stormed the Assembly building as protesters attacked them with fire extinguishers. A few hours later, Yoon lifted martial law after his own party and the National Assembly unanimously voted to stop military rule. It was the latest in a series of cartoonish, ham-handed coup attempts that failed over the past few years in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bolivia, Peru, Russia, Brazil, and elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attempt at a military takeover fell apart soon after it started. In defiance of military orders, 190 members of the National Assembly managed to get into the building. All of them voted to end martial lawunder South Korean law, the president must respect such a voteand soldiers retreated from the building. Yoon justified military rule by smearing his opponents as North Korean stooges. "I am declaring a state of emergency in order to protect the constitutional order based on freedom and eradicate shameful pro-North Korea anti-state groups that are stealing freedom and happiness of our people," Yoon said on the YTN television station. The opposition called Yoon's move an obviously unconstitutional coup attempt. "Tanks, armoured personnel carriers and soldiers with guns and knives will rule the country. The economy of the Republic of Korea will collapse irretrievably," opposition leader Lee Jae-myung said in a livestream. "My fellow citizens, please come to the National Assembly." The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the second largest workers association in the country, declared "an indefinite general strike until the Yoon administration steps down." In its statement, the confederation invoked past military coups in 1961 and 1979. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After decades of strongman rule violent transitions of power, South Korea finally became a democracy following the June Democratic Struggle, a mass uprising in June 1987 that forced military dictator Chun Doo-hwan to accept direct presidential elections and a new constitution. Over the past few months, power in South Korea has been divided between Yoon, member of the right-wing People Power Party, and the left-wing Democratic Party, which controls the National Assembly. The day before the military takeover, Democratic Party lawmakers voted to reduce the government budget by 4 trillion won ($2.82 billion) against Yoon's will. The declaration of martial law seems to have been a long shot attempt by Yoon to break the gridlock. But it may have backfired badly. The attempted takeover "may very well serve against Yoon's presumed intention to safeguard his rule, by potentially driving South Korean public opinion toward greater support of impeachment," writes James Park in Responsible Statecraft, where I used to be a reporter. South Korea's most important military backer, the United States, was noncommittal throughout the crisis. Asked about the showdown at the National Assembly, U.S. State Department officials gave a series of vague nonanswers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Unfortunately, Washington has a long history of tolerating authoritarian behavior in South Korea, especially when the government in Seoul is right wing, for the sake of cohesion against the North Korean threat," Cato Institute senior fellow Eric Gomez said in a statement before Yoon ended martial law. However, Gomez pointed out that "South Korea's democratization has led to massive improvements in personal and economic liberty, the general wellbeing of South Koreans, and Seoul's self-defense against North Korean attack." The post South Korea Avoids a Return to the Bad Old Days appeared first on Reason.com. The South Korean president has declared emergency martial law, citing North Korean threats and domestic anti-state forces. In a televised address to the nation, Yoon Suk-yeol vowed to eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order. He said the oppositions impeachment attempts and budget cuts had paralysed the government, but promised swift action to rebuild and protect the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martial law normally means government by military rule and the suspension of parliament and ordinary law. The South Korean military has said parliamentary activities are banned, and is understood to have blocked the entrance to the National Assembly. Videos have shown riot police pushing people back from the entrance to the parliament building in Seoul. @AmichaiStein1/X The surprise declaration comes as Yoons People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party continue to bicker over next years budget bill. Last week, opposition MPs last week approved a significantly downsized budget plan through a parliamentary committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our National Assembly has become a haven for criminals, a den of legislative dictatorship that seeks to paralyse the judicial and administrative systems and overturn our liberal democratic order, said Mr Yoon. Buses block the entrance to the National Assembly in Seoul - X The president accused opposition lawmakers of cutting all key budgets essential to the nations core functions, such as combating drug crimes and maintaining public security... turning the country into a drug haven and a state of public safety chaos. He went on to describe the opposition, which holds a majority in the 300-member parliament, as anti-state forces intent on overthrowing the regime and said his martial law decision was inevitable. I will restore the country to normalcy by getting rid of anti-state forces as soon as possible, he said. The president has also dismissed calls for independent investigations into several scandals involving his wife. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One allegation was that he and Kim Keon-hee, the first lady, exerted inappropriate influence on the selection of a People Power Party by-election candidate in 2022. Another involved spy camera footage that purportedly showed the first lady accepting a luxury Dior bag as a gift from a pastor. An armoured vehicle in Seoul in an unverified image posted on social media Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martial law is typically brought in after emergencies such as a foreign invasion or a natural disaster. It is not the first time it has been declared in South Korea, which alternated between liberal democracy and military dictatorship throughout the second half of the 20th century. The measure was imposed after coup detat attempts in the 1960s and 70s, as well as in response to student protests in 1964 and 1979. It was also brought in after the assassination of Park Chung-hee, the president, in 1979. 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. Protests continued to sweep Seoul as South Koreans called for president Yoon Suk Yeols resignation following his declaration and subsequent lifting of martial law in the country. There were deep divisions in Yoons ruling People Power Party as well, as its leader called for Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun to be fired and the entire cabinet to resign, with the defence ministry saying Kim has now offered to resign. Protesters gathered at Gwanghwamun Square and outside the national assembly on Wednesday, holding placards with messages such as Restore Democracy and Investigate his act of rebellion immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Korean opposition parties filed a motion to impeach the president. Weve submitted an impeachment motion prepared urgently, representatives from six opposition parties, including the Democratic Party, said. They indicated the vote could happen as soon as Friday. New CCTV footage revealed chaotic scenes in South Koreas parliament after the martial law declaration. Staffers used sofas and fire extinguishers to block soldiers armed with assault rifles and night-vision goggles from entering the national assembly, the footage showed. Helicopters deployed armed troops to parliament, while others scaled fences and smashed windows after midnight, assembly secretary general Kim Min-ki said. The presidents surprising move harkened back to an era of authoritarian leaders that the country has not seen since the 1980s, and it was immediately denounced by the opposition and the leader of Mr Yoons own party. Key Points Protests in Seoul as lawmakers call for presidents resignation Defence minister offers to resign CCTV footages reveals chaotic scenes inside South Koreas parliament after Yoons declaration Calls for presidents impeachment grow South Korean president u-turns on martial law declaration Parliament votes to block declaration Most of cabinet against martial law plan, officials say 15:17 , Reuters Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Yoon Suk Yeols martial law declaration blindsided the ruling party, whose leader Han Dong-hoon told reporters the presidential office had not consulted with him about the move. Reuters reports that at about four hours before his 10:23 p.m. announcement of martial law, Mr Yoons office first told the national police chief to be on standby, according to a police official. Protestors holding a candlelight vigil following the political turmoil (AP) At 9 pm Mr Yoon convened a cabinet meeting, where most members were against the plan, according to three government officials. But Mr Yoon forged ahead regardless. Among those opposed were prime minister Han Duck-soo, a Yoon appointee who would become acting president if Yoon is removed from office, as well as foreign minister Cho Tae-yul, and finance minister Choi Sang-mok, one of the sources said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the prime ministers office declined to comment. A foreign ministry official confirmed Cho attended cabinet meetings before and after the martial law announcement but did not elaborate. A finance ministry spokesperson could not be reached outside business hours on Wednesday. We had to stop this: lawmaker grabbed at soldiers gun during protest 14:54 , Angus Thompson Among the dramatic scenes outside South Koreas parliament overnight was footage of journalist-turned-lawmaker Ahn Gwi-ryeong grabbing the nozzle of a soldiers gun, in a brief tussle during the decree. I didnt think I just knew we had to stop this, she told the BBC Korean Service after the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I saw the armed soldiers I felt like I was witnessing the regression of history. Protestors disperse after candle-lit vigil 14:18 , Angus Thompson Protestors have largely dispersed after a march that began in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, earlier tonight. Below are some images from the event, sparked by the presidents short-lived martial law decree. People in Seoul attend a candlelight vigil condemning the actions of the president (REUTERS) A view of the march from above (REUTERS) US unaware of Mr Yoons intention to declare martial law, Blinken says 13:55 , Reuters The United States was not aware of South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeols intention to declare martial law, US secretary state Antony Blinken said on Wedesday in Brussels, adding that he was anticipating speaking with his South Korean counterpart in the coming days. Antony Blinken says he expects to speak to his South Korean counterpart in the coming days (AP) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking in an interview with Reuters news wire on the sidelines of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers, the top US diplomat said it was vital that the process from now on play out peacefully and according to the rule of law. South Korean democracy is one of the most powerful stories anywhere in the world. Its very important that any disputes, differences, political differences, be resolved peacefully and pursuant to the rule of law. Thats what were seeing now. Thats whats so important to sustain, Mr Blinken said. Washington had not been informed about the South Korean decision beforehand, he said. Thats correct, we were not aware, Blinken said Blinken says South Korea a democratic success story 13:32 , Angus Thompson Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking in Brussels a short time ago, US secretary of state Antony Blinken said the growth of democracy in South Korea had been an extraordinary success story. His statement came in response to a press conference question in which he was asked whether the Asian nation should have hosted an international democratic summit earlier this year in Seoul. Of course, with Korea wanting to take on the summit for democracy, we were delighted at that, and we had a very successful summit, Blinken said. Korea is one of the most powerful stories in the world about the emergence of democracy and democratic resilience, and well continue to look to Korea to set that example, he said. How the world responded 13:16 , Angus Thompson Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The world sat glued to the events in Seoul overnight as president Yoon Suk Yeols martial law declaration was rolled back soon after it began, paving the way for his impeachment by parliament. Here are some of the reactions of western leaders to the political turmoil: - US secretary of state Antony Blinken welcomed the swift reversal of martial law. We continue to expect political disagreements to be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law, Antony Blinken said in a statement. US secretary of state Antony Blinken (AP) - British nationals in South Korea have been advised to avoid political demonstrations. Catherine West, the British minister for the Indo-Pacific, said the UK was deeply concerned by the events in South Korea on the 3rd of December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - Chinas foreign ministry has said it hoped South Korea would take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions following the countrys brief imposition of martial law. - Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson postponed his planned visit to South Korea, citing the recent political developments. - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the surprise martial law declaration in ally South Korea that was reversed only hours later was worrying. Test for South Koreas democracy 13:00 , Namita Singh Mr Yoons actions have drawn comparisons to South Koreas authoritarian era before the 1980s. The sight of military helicopters and armed soldiers near the parliament evoked memories of the military regimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Analysts warn that such actions undermine the countrys hard-won democratic principles. Natalia Slavney, a research analyst at the Stimson Centers 38 North programme, described the episode as a serious backslide of democracy and part of a worrying trend of abuse under Mr Yoons leadership. The crisis has drawn criticism from experts like Duyeon Kim of the Center for a New American Security, who argued that the turmoil has undermined President Yoon Suk Yeols international standing. The fate of Yoons foreign policies remains uncertain and even bleak, she remarked. In spite of the political crisis, daily life in Seoul remained largely undisturbed. Tourists continued their activities, with one visitor, Stephen Rowan from Brisbane, remarking: I would have been concerned if martial law had stayed enforced, but it seems things are settling down now. German chancellor says martial law declaration worrying' 12:44 , Angus Thompson German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said the surprise martial law declaration in ally South Korea that was reversed only hours later was worrying. It is very worrying that we are hearing that a country with which we are allies and friends, such as South Korea, has now declared martial law, he told parliament. My wish is that this will be withdrawn very quickly. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (AFP via Getty Images) President Yoon Suk Yeol in fact reversed his martial law declaration, which triggered the biggest political crisis in decades in Asias fourth-largest economy, just hours after he made it late on Tuesday. Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte earlier reaffirmed that the alliances relationship with South Korea was iron-clad despite the upheaval, adding the announcement of the end of martial law in the country shows a commitment to the rule of law. How will an impeachment motion take place? 12:34 , Namita Singh South Koreas opposition lawmakers on Wednesday filed a formal motion for impeachment of president Yoon Suk Yeol following a brief and controversial declaration of martial law. The motion, introduced by the opposition Democratic Party, could reach a vote as soon as Friday, according to lawmaker Kim Yong-min. People calling for the resignation of president Yoon Suk Yeol (AFP via Getty Images) To succeed, it would require a two-thirds majority in parliament and the approval of at least six justices from the Constitutional Court. Should impeachment proceedings succeed, Mr Yoon would be suspended from office while the Constitutional Court scrutinises and ratifies the motion, a process that could take up to six months. In the interim, prime minister Han Duck-soo would assume presidential duties. The path to impeachment is fraught with challenges, however. The Constitutional Court needs six of its nine judges to uphold an impeachment motion. Three seats on the bench are currently vacant, potentially complicating any ruling on the matter. Overnight drama adds to financial uncertainties 12:18 , Angus Thompson, AP Global stocks are mixed after overnight political drama in South Korea added to regional uncertainties. Seouls Kospi fell 1.4 per cent and the won regained its initial sharp losses against the U.S. dollar. The martial law declaration by presidentYoon Suk Yeol initially caused the won to plummet to a two-year low against the US dollar, with losses of up to 2 per cent, the sharpest one-day drop since the markets seismic reaction to Donald Trumps 2016 election victory. The won recovered some of those losses on Wednesday. The dollar was trading at 1,414.43 won, down from Tuesdays peak at 1,443.40. China hopes South Korea will ensure safety' of Chinese citizens 11:58 , Tara Cobham Chinas foreign ministry has said it hopes South Korea will take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions following the countrys brief imposition of martial law. Rutte reaffirms Natos relationship with South Korea is iron-clad' 11:52 , Tara Cobham Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte has reaffirmed that the alliances relationship with South Korea is iron-clad. He added that the announcement of the end of martial law in the country shows a commitment to the rule of law. Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte has reaffirmed that the alliances relationship with South Korea is iron-clad (Getty Images) Watch live: Vigil march in South Korea as President Yoon Suk Yeol faces impeachment 11:50 , Tara Cobham Watch live: Vigil march in South Korea as President Yoon Suk Yeol faces impeachment Japan defence minister postpones South Korea visit, Kyodo says 11:50 , Tara Cobham Japanese defence minister Gen Nakatani has decided to postpone a visit to South Korea, which was tentatively planned for later this month, Kyodo news agency reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed sources. Earlier, South Korea's Defence Ministry said South Korean defence minister Kim Yong-hyun had offered to resign amid the furore over President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law. Japanese defence minister Gen Nakatani has decided to postpone a visit to South Korea (Kyodo News via A) Is it safe to travel to South Korea? Foreign Office update after martial law blocked 11:30 , Tara Cobham British nationals in South Korea have been advised to avoid political demonstrations following the presidents declaration of martial law on Tuesday. By early Wednesday, the president reversed the decision after a dramatic night in which troops surrounded parliament, and lawmakers voted to block military rule. Yoon Suk Yeol vowed to eliminate anti-state forces as he suspended parliament, banned political gatherings and ordered the end of a long-running doctors strike on Tuesday. Christopher McKeon looks into whether it is currently safe to travel to South Korea: Is it safe to travel to South Korea? Foreign Office update after martial law blocked Zealous tourists unfazed by South Korea's sudden martial law turmoil 11:07 , Tara Cobham Many tourists in Seoul seemed largely unfazed by the political turmoil unfolding in the capital as they flocked Wednesday to the city's largest palace, local landmarks and shopping streets. Some awoke to worried text messages from friends and family, who heard the news about President Yoon Suk Yeol's stunning martial law declaration Tuesday night. Yoon abruptly imposed emergency martial law, vowing to eliminate "anti-state" forces after he struggled to push forward his agenda in the opposition-dominated parliament. But his martial law was effective for only about six hours, as the National Assembly voted to overrule the president. With the declaration formally lifted, tourists ventured from their hotels. Early Wednesday at Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of royal palaces, tourists wore traditional clothing rented from nearby shops as they posed for photos. Emma Basnawi, visiting from Indonesia, said she thought "something big might happen" when she heard about the martial law declaration, and was a little concerned. But riots and protests aren't unusual back at home in Jakarta so she planned to stick to her itinerary as much as possible, she said. Walking toward the palace with a tour group, Stephen Rowan, of Brisbane, Australia, said he wasn't worried. He had asked a friend from South Korea to help him understand what was happening. "I would have been concerned if martial law had stayed enforced," he said. Early Wednesday morning, police with shields arrived in the palace area, known historically as a popular protest site. But other than that, it seemed like a normal cold Seoul December morning. Not far from the palace, tour groups wandered through the Bukchon Hanok Village, taking photos of the residential neighborhood and its many restored traditional houses. Tourists wander taking photos of the residential neighborhood and its many restored traditional houses in the Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul on Wednesday (AP) Panic buying erupts in South Korea following president Yoon's martial law declaration 10:50 , Tara Cobham Sales of essentials like instant noodles, drinking water, and canned foods surged late Tuesday night following president Yoon Suk Yeols martial law declaration, as citizens rushed to stock up in case of disruptions to their shopping routines, local media reported. The panic buying began immediately after the declaration was broadcast at 10.25pm local time, with items flying off shelves at both online and physical stores, The Korea Times reported. At convenience stores, sales increased rapidly. Between 11pm and midnight, one retailer saw a 75.9 per cent increase in canned food sales, a 37.4 per cent rise in bottled water, and a 28.1 per cent jump in instant noodle sales. The shopping rush was mostly active around residential areas and carried out by those in their 50s and 60s, said a convenience franchise industry official. Online platforms saw a similar surge. Real-time hot keywords on Naver showed drinking water jumping from 10th to 6th place in just one hour, while milk, rice, and instant noodles dominated searches on Homeplus website. Who is Yoon Suk Yeol, man who declared martial law in South Korea? 10:32 , Tara Cobham South Korea is in turmoil after president Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday night, only to revoke it hours later under immense pressure. The decree, which marked the first attempt to impose such measures in over four decades, has sparked calls for his resignation and left the nations political landscape in disarray. On Wednesday, opposition lawmakers filed a formal motion to impeach the president. It could be voted on as soon as Friday, said lawmaker Kim Yong-min. My colleague Namita Singh takes a look at who exactly Mr Yoon is: Who is Yoon Suk Yeol, man who declared martial law in South Korea? How social media reacted to South Korea's martial law saga 10:29 , Tara Cobham South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol has reversed his decision to impose martial law in the country after widespread protests with opposition parties since filing a motion to impeach him. Martial law is when military authorities temporarily rule in a time of emergency, when civil authorities are deemed to not be able to function. Shortly after the president imposed martial law, CCTV footage revealed chaotic scenes where staffers used sofas and fire extinguishers to block soldiers armed with assault rifles and night-vision goggles from entering the national assembly. Jake Brigstock reports: How social media reacted to South Korea's martial law saga South Korean presidents martial law decree sparks international concern 10:24 , Tara Cobham South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday evening but lifted it within hours after backlash and a parliamentary motion from opposition lawmakers and members of his own party. He justified the decree as targeting anti-state actors allegedly sympathetic to North Korea but it promptly triggered clashes between the military and protesters outside the National Assembly in Seoul. The parliament moved quickly to annul the declaration, with 18 members of Mr Yoons ruling party voting with the opposition. My colleague Maroosha Muzaffar reports: South Korean presidents martial law decree sparks international concern Watch live: Protesters in South Korea hold vigil and march against President Yoon after martial law chaos 10:23 , Tara Cobham In pictures: Protesters line streets of Seoul for candlelit vigil 10:22 , Tara Cobham People attend a demonstration condemning South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeols surprise declaration of martial law (REUTERS) Protesters line the streets of Seoul on Wednesday (REUTERS) A woman reacts as she takes part in the candlelight vigil (AFP via Getty Images) South Korean defence minister facing criminal charges of treason 10:20 , Maroosha Muzaffar South Korean defence minister Kim Yong-hyun who reportedly requested the martial law decree is facing impeachment and criminal charges of treason, The Korea Times reported. The opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is calling for the removal of Mr Kim, president Yoon Suk Yeol, and interior minister Lee Sang-min, accusing them of issuing an unconstitutional order. The outlet reported that Mr Kim, who had previously dismissed the possibility of martial law, is now under investigation for allegedly plotting the decree soon after taking office. The impeachment process and investigation into his role are expected to move swiftly, it said. Mr Kim also offered to resign this morning over Mr Yoons failed martial law, the Reuters reported. Defence minister offers to resign 10:06 , Chris Stevenson The political chaos has created deep divisions in president Yoon Suk Yeo's ruling People Power Party as well, as its leader called for defence minister Kim Yong-hyun to be fired and the entire cabinet to resign. The Defence Ministry has now said that Mr Kim has offered to resign. Opposition parties file motion to impeach president Yoon 09:55 , Maroosha Muzaffar South Koreas opposition parties announced today that they have filed an impeachment motion against president Yoon Suk Yeol following his brief martial law declaration. Representatives from six opposition parties, including the main Democratic Party, revealed during a live press briefing that the motion was submitted urgently. They suggested the vote could take place as soon as Friday, AFP reported. President Yoons office defended the martial law decree, calling it justified and within the bounds of the constitution and denied claims that martial law forces interfered with lawmakers access to parliament. Mr Yoon reversed the declaration hours later after parliament rejected his move to ban political activities and censor the media. A man looks at a newspaper reporting South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announced his intention to lift the emergency martial law in Seoul (EPA) In South Korea, impeachment requires a two-thirds vote in the National Assembly and approval from the Constitutional Court. Past impeachments include Park Geun-hye, who was removed in 2016, and Roh Moo-hyun, who was reinstated in 2004. Nato monitoring the situation in South Korea 09:35 , Maroosha Muzaffar Nato secretary general Mark Rutte said on Wednesday that Nato was closely monitoring the situation in South Korea, emphasising that the alliances relationship with the country is ironclad. He said: We are following events in South Korea, we are interested in how the situation may develop further. He said: Our relationship with South Korea is key, our relationship with South Korea is ironclad. White House relieved after lifting of martial law in South Korea 09:15 , Maroosha Muzaffar The United States expressed relief after South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol reversed his martial law declaration. A White House official said that democracy is at the foundation of the US-ROK alliance and said that the US was seriously concerned before the reversal. The spokesperson added: We are relieved president Yoon has reversed course on his concerning declaration of martial law and respected the ROK National Assemblys vote to end it, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea. The spokesperson said that they would continue to monitor the situation. CCTV footages reveals chaotic scenes inside South Koreas parliament after Yoons declaration 08:55 , Maroosha Muzaffar New CCTV footage released today revealed the chaotic scenes in South Koreas parliament after president Yoon Suk Yeols martial law declaration. Staffers used sofas and fire extinguishers to block soldiers armed with assault rifles and night-vision goggles from entering the national assembly, the footage shows. Helicopters brought heavily armed troops into the parliamentary compound, while other soldiers climbed fences and smashed windows to gain entry after midnight, described as an unconstitutional and illegal act by assembly secretary general Kim Min-ki. We will identify the physical damages and losses caused by the declaration of martial law and hold those responsible accountable through legal action. Opposition parties file motion to impeach president Yoon 08:35 , Maroosha Muzaffar South Korean opposition parties announced today that they have filed a motion to impeach president Yoon Suk Yeol over his brief declaration of martial law. Weve submitted an impeachment motion prepared urgently, representatives from six opposition parties, including the main Democratic Party, said during a live press briefing. They indicated the vote could happen as soon as Friday, AFP reported. Meanwhile, president Yoons office defended the martial law declaration, calling it justified and within the bounds of the constitution and denied that martial law forces interfered with lawmakers access to parliament. Mr Yoon reversed the order hours later after parliament rejected his attempt to ban political activity and censor the media. In Pictures: Protests in Seoul 08:15 , Maroosha Muzaffar Protesters hold placards during a rally calling for the resignation of South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on December 4, 2024, after martial law was lifted. Yoon faced demands to resign on December 4 after his short-lived attempt to impose martial law was voted down by lawmakers and brought thousands of protesters to the streets (AFP via Getty Images) Lawmakers and South Koreas main opposition Democratic Party members hold placards reading Yoon Suk Yeol should resign! during a rally against President Yoon Suk Yeol at the National Assembly in Seoul on December 4, 2024, after martial law was lifted in South Korea. Yoon faced demands to resign on December 4 after his short-lived attempt to impose martial law was voted down by lawmakers and brought thousands of protesters to the streets (AFP via Getty Images) Protesters hold placards that read Restore democracy (front L) and Resign Yoon during a rally calling for the resignation of South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on December 4, 2024, after martial law was lifted. Yoon faced demands to resign on December 4 after his short-lived attempt to impose martial law was voted down by lawmakers and brought thousands of protesters to the streets (AFP via Getty Images) Members of South Koreas main opposition Democratic Party hold placards reading Down with Yoon Suk Yeol! during a rally against him at the National Assembly in Seoul on December 4, 2024, after South Korea President Yoon lifted martial law just hours after he imposed it. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol faced demands to resign on December 4 after his short-lived attempt to impose martial law was voted down by lawmakers and brought thousands of protesters to the streets (AFP via Getty Images) ICYMI: US embassy in South Korea issues emergency alert 08:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar The US embassy in South Korea issued an emergency alert today, advising American citizens to exercise caution following the lifting of martial law in the country. The embassy said that the situation remained fluid after South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeols martial law declaration was overturned by the National Assembly. Following President Yoons announcement to lift the martial law declaration, the situation remains fluid, the embassy said on its website. US citizens should anticipate potential disruptions. When in public, you should pay attention to your surroundings and exercise routine safety precautions, the posting said, Yonhap news agency reported. The embassy also announced the cancellation of routine consular appointments and visa services for the day. ICYMI: South Korean forces clash with crowds outside parliament after martial law declared 07:35 , Maroosha Muzaffar Videos show chaos outside the South Korean parliament building as military soldiers try to hold off crowds after President Yoon Sook Yeol declared martial law in the country. The footage circulated on social media shows people believed to be South Koreas main opposition Democratic Partys staff, trying to block soldiers at the National Assembly. Earlier on Tuesday, the unpopular President Yoon declared martial law as he vowed to eradicate pro-North Korean anti-state forces but the South Korean parliament quickly voted to overturn the declaration. Mr Yoons poll ratings have fallen in recent months after he dismissed calls for independent probes into scandals involving his wife and top officials. South Korean forces clash with crowds outside parliament after martial law declared South Korean president calls off martial law following tense showdown with opposition 07:15 , Maroosha Muzaffar South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol has announced he will undo his dramatic declaration of martial law just hours after his military clashed with protesters outside parliament. The short-lived decree, which opposition figures described as a coup, shocked South Korea as the president vowed to eliminate anti-state actors he accused of sympathising with communist North Korea. After the edict late on Tuesday night, the military surrounded the National Assembly in Seoul and clashed with protesters outraged at the declaration. Less than three hours later, parliament voted to lift the declaration, with National Assembly speaker Woo Won Shik declaring that the martial law was invalid and that parliamentarians will protect democracy with the people. Even Mr Yoons own party called for the declaration to be undone. But the military refused to back down as officials said they would wait for the president to respond to the vote, in accordance with the constitution. Read more here: South Korean president calls off martial law following tense showdown with opposition How impeachments work in South Korea 06:55 , Maroosha Muzaffar South Korean lawmakers are planning to impeach president Yoon Suk Yeol, adding to the countrys history of presidential impeachments. This follows the martial law crisis that threw the entire nation into a tizzy yesterday. The process of impeachment in South Korea requires a two-thirds vote in the National Assembly and approval from the constitutional court. Previous impeachments in South Korea include Park Geun-hye, who was removed in 2016, and Roh Moo-hyun, who was reinstated in 2004. CCTV footages reveals chaotic scenes inside South Koreas parliament after Yoons declaration 06:48 , Maroosha Muzaffar New CCTV footage released today revealed the chaotic scenes in South Koreas parliament after president Yoon Suk Yeols martial law declaration. Staffers used sofas and fire extinguishers to block soldiers armed with assault rifles and night-vision goggles from entering the national assembly, the footage shows. Helicopters brought heavily armed troops into the parliamentary compound, while other soldiers climbed fences and smashed windows to gain entry after midnight, described as an unconstitutional and illegal act by assembly secretary general Kim Min-ki. A window damaged by South Korean soldiers is seen at the National Assembly in Seoul on December 4, 2024, after South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol lifted martial law just hours after he imposed it. Parliamentary staffers used sofas and fire extinguishers to block soldiers armed with assault rifles and night-vision goggles from entering South Korea's National Assembly to maintain martial law, CCTV footage released on December 4 showed (AFP via Getty Images) We will identify the physical damages and losses caused by the declaration of martial law and hold those responsible accountable through legal action. Opposition parties file motion to impeach president Yoon 06:35 , Maroosha Muzaffar South Korean opposition parties announced today that they have filed a motion to impeach president Yoon Suk Yeol over his brief declaration of martial law. Weve submitted an impeachment motion prepared urgently, representatives from six opposition parties, including the main Democratic Party, said during a live press briefing. They indicated the vote could happen as soon as Friday, AFP reported. Meanwhile, president Yoons office defended the martial law declaration, calling it justified and within the bounds of the constitution and denied that martial law forces interfered with lawmakers access to parliament. Mr Yoon reversed the order hours later after parliament rejected his attempt to ban political activity and censor the media. White House relieved after lifting of martial law in South Korea 06:35 , Maroosha Muzaffar The United States expressed relief after South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol reversed his martial law declaration. A White House official said that democracy is at the foundation of the US-ROK alliance and said that the US was seriously concerned before the reversal. The spokesperson added: We are relieved president Yoon has reversed course on his concerning declaration of martial law and respected the ROK National Assemblys vote to end it, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea. The spokesperson said that they would continue to monitor the situation. Protests intensify in Seoul as South Koreans demand president Yoons resignation 06:31 , Maroosha Muzaffar Protests intensify in Seoul as South Koreans demand president Yoon Suk Yeols resignation following his declaration and subsequent reversal of martial law. Demonstrators gathered at Gwanghwamun Square and outside the national assembly, holding placards reading Restore Democracy and Investigate his act of rebellion immediately. Opposition lawmakers joined the rallies, escalating calls for Yoons resignation and impeachment, with opposition parties advancing a bill to suspend him. Asian stocks drop amid South Koreas political unrest as won hits two-year low 06:15 , Maroosha Muzaffar Asian markets retreated Wednesday after overnight political drama in South Korea added to regional uncertainties, though the Kospi in Seoul fell less than 2 per cent. US futures rose while oil prices were little changed. South Korea PresidentYoon Suk Yeol suddenly declared martial law on Tuesday night local time, prompting troops to surround the parliament. He accused pro-North Korean forces of plotting to overthrow one of the worlds most vibrant democracies. The martial law was revoked about six hours later. On Wednesday, South Koreas main opposition party called for President Yoon to resign immediately or face impeachment. Read more here: Asian stocks drop amid South Koreas political unrest as won hits two-year low Why did South Korea declare martial law and what is next for Yoon Suk Yeol? 05:55 , Maroosha Muzaffar South Koreas president Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in a surprise late-night television address, invoking the threat from North Korea and accusing the countrys opposition of paralysing the government by controlling parliament. He did not cite any specific threats from Pyongyang and focused on his political opponents. I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order, Mr Yoon said. South Koreas parliament then voted through a motion calling the declaration invalid. This was the first time in over four decades that the country had been put under martial law. Read the full story here: Why did South Korea declare martial law and what is next for Yoon Suk Yeol? Protests in Seoul as lawmakers call for presidents resignation 05:54 , Maroosha Muzaffar Amid growing calls for president Yoon Suk Yeols resignation, a coalition of lawmakers has threatened impeachment if he does not step down, planning to vote on a bill within 72 hours. The parliament should focus on immediately suspending the presidents business to pass an impeachment bill soonest, Hwang Un-ha, a member of the coalition said. The leader of Mr Yoons ruling People Power Party has called for defence minister Kim Yong-hyuns dismissal and the resignation of the entire cabinet. Protests are expected, with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions planning a rally in Seoul and vowing to strike until Mr Yoon resigns. Is it safe to travel to South Korea? Foreign Office update after martial law blocked 05:35 , Maroosha Muzaffar British nationals in South Korea have been advised to avoid political demonstrations following the presidents declaration of martial law on Tuesday. By early Wednesday, the president reversed the decision after a dramatic night in which troops surrounded parliament, and lawmakers voted to block military rule. Yoon Suk Yeol vowed to eliminate anti-state forces as he suspended parliament, banned political gatherings and ordered the end of a long-running doctors strike on Tuesday. Following the declaration, the UK Foreign Office issued new travel advice warning British nationals to follow the advice of local authorities and avoid political demonstrations. Read more here: Is it safe to travel to South Korea? Foreign Office update after martial law blocked US embassy in South Korea issues emergency alert 05:20 , Maroosha Muzaffar The US embassy in South Korea issued an emergency alert today, advising American citizens to exercise caution following the lifting of martial law in the country. The embassy said that the situation remained fluid after South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeols martial law declaration was overturned by the National Assembly. Following President Yoons announcement to lift the martial law declaration, the situation remains fluid, the embassy said on its website. US citizens should anticipate potential disruptions. When in public, you should pay attention to your surroundings and exercise routine safety precautions, the posting said, Yonhap news agency reported. The embassy also announced the cancellation of routine consular appointments and visa services for the day. Former South Korean foreign minister reacts to martial law crisis 04:55 , Maroosha Muzaffar Former South Korean foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha praised the strength and resilience of the countrys democracy following the turbulent events of president Yoon Suk-yeols martial law declaration. She told the BBC: I am hugely relieved that the dust appears to be settling, adding that the quick responses from both citizens and politicians to oppose the order demonstrated the countrys democratic maturity. Reflecting on the situation, Kang said: My first reaction was - this cant be happening to my country, a fractious democracy, but certainly a vibrant and an increasingly mature democracy. She described Yoons martial law decision as an aberration and emphasised that the events showed South Koreas democracy is still strong and resilient. White House relieved after lifting of martial law in South Korea 04:35 , Maroosha Muzaffar The United States expressed relief after South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol reversed his martial law declaration. A White House official said that democracy is at the foundation of the US-ROK alliance and said that the US was seriously concerned before the reversal. The spokesperson added: We are relieved president Yoon has reversed course on his concerning declaration of martial law and respected the ROK National Assemblys vote to end it, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea. Protesters stage a rally to demand South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, 4 December 2024 (AP) The spokesperson said that they would continue to monitor the situation. South Korean stocks drop nearly 2% amid martial law crisis 04:12 , Maroosha Muzaffar South Korean stocks fell nearly 2 per cent this morning following political upheaval sparked by president Yoon Suk-yeol's brief declaration of martial law, later overturned by parliament. The KOSPI index dropped to 2,451.63, with foreign investors selling heavily, offsetting local purchases, The Korea Times reported. Major companies, including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and Hyundai Motor, saw declines, while a few, like Korea Zinc, posted gains amid ongoing corporate battles. The Korean won also weakened against the US dollar, reflecting market volatility amidst the turmoil. How impeachments work in South Korea 03:55 , Maroosha Muzaffar South Korean lawmakers are planning to impeach president Yoon Suk-yeol, adding to the countrys history of presidential impeachments. This follows the martial law crisis that threw the entire nation into a tizzy yesterday. The process of impeachment in South Korea requires a two-thirds vote in the National Assembly and approval from the constitutional court. Previous impeachments in South Korea include Park Geun-hye, who was removed in 2016, and Roh Moo-hyun, who was reinstated in 2004. Swedish PM postpones South Korea visit following martial law crisis 03:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson has postponed his planned visit to South Korea this week, his spokesperson confirmed this morning. Kristersson was set to meet South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol for a summit, but the trip was deferred after Yoon declared martial law on Tuesday, only to revoke it following parliamentary opposition. Given the recent developments, we have decided to postpone the visit, the spokesperson said. We have been in contact with South Korea this morning and will work together to reschedule for a future date. Jubilant celebrations after president Yoon reverses martial law 03:19 , Maroosha Muzaffar President Yoon Suk-yeols abrupt reversal of martial law in South Korea triggered jubilant celebrations among thousands of protesters who had braved the freezing night outside parliament. As the announcement was made in the early hours, crowds erupted with cheers, chanting "We won!" and clapping in victory, according to BBC. South Korean soldiers try get into the national assembly on December 04, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea (Getty Images) Many had gathered in defiance of the military presence, maintaining a tense vigil through the night. Calls for presidents impeachment grow 03:10 , Maroosha Muzaffar Lawmakers in South Korea are calling for president Yoon Suk-yeols impeachment, and opposition parties are pushing a bill to suspend him. The martial law order, aimed at countering alleged threats from North Korea and anti-state forces, was rejected by parliament, leading to chaotic scenes with troops storming the National Assembly. Protests erupted nationwide, with unions vowing strikes until Yoon stepped down. Financial markets reacted sharply, prompting emergency government interventions to stabilise stocks, bonds, and the currency. The situation remains volatile, with more demonstrations expected, according to Reuters. Senior aides to president Yoon resign 02:55 , Maroosha Muzaffar Senior aides to president Yoon Suk-yeol, including his chief of staff and senior secretaries, resigned this morning. This followed Mr Yoons decision to lift the martial law order he issued late Tuesday night after facing pressure from lawmakers. President Yoons advisers resign 02:11 , Graig Graziosi South Korean news agency Yonhap is reporting that members of President Yoon Suk Yeoi's administration, including his chief of staff, have issued collective resignations. His national security adviser, and his chief of staff for policy have also resigned. On Tuesday, Yoon enacted martial law, kicking off a broad and swift rebuke both from South Koreans and the broader international community. Yoon eventually backed off his decision, but that did not stop both the opposition Democrats and the nation's largest trade union federation from calling for his resignation. Protesters gather in central Seoul to protest President Yoon 01:08 , Graig Graziosi Protesters have gathered just outside Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul to protest President Yoon Suk Yeoi's decision to declare martial law on Tuesday. Yoon walked back the move late on Tuesday, but not before political and labor leaders called for his resignation. The protest is primed to disrupt commuters in the city's center during rush hour. Police with riot shields have descended on the city center in response to the growing protester presence. South Korean labor leaders plan to strike until President Yoon resigns 00:26 , Graig Graziosi The largest trade confederation in South Korea has vowed to strike until President Yoon Suk Yeoi resigns. The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions said it will "fight alongside the people" by striking until Yoon resigns. "KCTU members will stop working according to the strike guidelines," and will call for Yoon's resignation for his "treason." In addition to striking, the confederation said it will "conduct nationwide emergency actions for social reform," according to South Korean media. The trade union confederation represents 12 million South Korean laborers. Leaders of the laborers are planning to rally Wednesday morning in Gwanghwamun Square. Police set up barricade near government after martial law incident Tuesday 3 December 2024 23:58 , Tom Watling Police set up barricades near the South Korean Presidential Office and the Defence Ministry in Seoul early on Wednesday (AFP via Getty Images) South Korea opposition party calls for President Yoons resignation, says it will pursue impeachment if he does not step down Tuesday 3 December 2024 23:55 , Graig Graziosi South Korea's opposition party said it planned to begin impeachment proceedings against President Yoon Suk Yeol this morning if he does not step down immediately. The move comes on the heels of Yoon's decision to enact martial law on Tuesday. The nation's Democratic Party called his actions an act of rebellion that warrants impeachment. "We will not sit idly by and watch President Yoon's crime of destroying the Constitution and trampling on democracy," the party said in a statement. "President Yoon should immediately resign voluntarily." US urges citizens in South Korea to avoid areas where protests taking place Tuesday 3 December 2024 23:31 , Tom Watling US citizens in South Korea should avoid areas where protests are taking place, the Embassy in Seoul said in a statement, after South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law and then reversed course. White House relieved Sout Korea president has backed down on martial law Tuesday 3 December 2024 23:00 , Tom Watling The White House said on Tuesday it was relieved that South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol had reversed course over a martial law declaration in the country. Democracy is at the foundation of the US-ROK alliance, and we will continue to monitor the situation, a spokesperson said, referring to South Korea by the initials of its official name, the Republic of Korea. Top South Korean politician demands president explain decision to declare martial law Tuesday 3 December 2024 22:31 , Tom Watling The leader of South Koreas governing party has called on president Yoon Suk Yeol to explain his decision to declare martial law. People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon said in a statement: As the ruling party, we feel deeply sorry to the public. He added: The president must directly and thoroughly explain this tragic situation. The minister of defense, who recommended this martial law, should be immediately dismissed, and all those responsible must be held strictly accountable. South Korean President Yoon says he will lift martial law following parliament vote Tuesday 3 December 2024 22:01 , Tom Watling South Korean politicians watch President Yoon undo martial law Tuesday 3 December 2024 21:31 , Tom Watling South Korean lawmakers watch screens showing a news broadcast of President Yoon Suk Yeol's speech on lifting martial law, at the main conference hall of the National Assembly in Seoul (YONHAP/AFP via Getty Images) South Koreans cheer in Seoul after president says he will lift martial law Tuesday 3 December 2024 21:00 , Tom Watling US, South Korean militaries in contact after martial law declaration and walkback, Pentagon says Tuesday 3 December 2024 20:30 , Tom Watling The US and South Korean militaries are in contact after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, the Pentagon said on Tuesday, adding there was no request for assistance from Seoul amid the unfolding events. The two military outfits connected prior to the South Korean president announcing he would reverse his decree later on Wednesday morning. Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder told a news briefing he also did not believe the martial law declaration had any significant impact so far on the roughly 28,500 US troops deployed to South Korea. South Korean president u-turns on martial law declaration Tuesday 3 December 2024 20:14 , Tom Watling South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has announced that he will soon lift the martial law he imposed during a tense night of political drama in which troops surrounded parliament and lawmakers voted to reject military rule. Yoon said his government had withdrawn the military personnel that had been deployed, and that he would formally lift martial law following a Cabinet meeting as "soon as members arrive." Watch live: Protesters storm South Koreas National Assembly after president declares emergency martial law Tuesday 3 December 2024 20:01 , Tom Watling South Korea protesters celebrate after president says he will lift martial law South Korea's lawmakers pass resolution against martial law Tuesday 3 December 2024 19:45 , Tom Watling Ruling and opposition lawmakers unanimously vote in favor of a resolution urging the president to withdraw martial law during an emergency plenary session of National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea (EPA) Protesters call for South Korean president to step down Tuesday 3 December 2024 19:32 , Tom Watling People gather to demand South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, (AP) Military vehicle is escorted by police officers as people try to block outside of the National Assembly (AP) People protest outside the National Assembly after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law (EPA) Opposition call for end of martial law Tuesday 3 December 2024 19:16 , Tom Watling South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung speak to media after parliament passed a motion requiring the martial law be lifted (via REUTERS) South Korea's ruling party urges president to lift martial law Tuesday 3 December 2024 19:01 , Tom Watling South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeols own ruling party has urged him to swiftly lift martial law following a parliamentary vote against the decree, Yonhap news agency reported on Wednesday. South Korea military says it will uphold martial law Tuesday 3 December 2024 18:44 , Tom Watling The South Korean military has said it will uphold the decree of martial law so long as the president Yoon Suk Yeol maintains it. The comments came after parliament, dominated by the opposition, voted to end martial law. Live: State Department briefing with Matthew Miller Tuesday 3 December 2024 18:33 , Tom Watling - YouTube South Korean forces clash with crowds outside parliament after martial law declared Tuesday 3 December 2024 18:31 , Tom Watling South Korean forces clash with crowds outside parliament after martial law declared US embassy in Seoul closely tracking situation Tuesday 3 December 2024 18:15 , Tom Watling The U.S. Embassy and Department of State are closely tracking President Yoon's recent declaration of martial law. The situation is fluid. Please monitor local news sources for updates as the situation progresses and sign up here to receive direct updates from the Department of Ambassador Philip Goldberg (@USAmbROK) December 3, 2024 Why has South Korea declared martial law and what is it? Tuesday 3 December 2024 18:02 , Tom Watling Why has South Korea declared martial law and what is it? Biden being briefed on situation in South Korea Tuesday 3 December 2024 17:46 , Tom Watling US president Joe Biden has said that he is just getting briefed on the situation in South Korea. He gave the comments after giving a speech in Luanda, Angola. Earlier, a senior US official said they were watching the situation in South Korea with grave concern. The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) recently commissioned the first of its new KDX-III Batch 2 destroyers, ROKS Jeongjo the Great the services largest. Among the many advanced features incorporated in these warships, the latest version of the Korean Vertical Launch System KVLS-II is especially interesting. While initially expected to accommodate long-range surface-to-air missiles, the launchers are also planned to add ballistic missiles, which are a growing area of interest for South Korea. ROKS Jeongjo the Great (pennant number 995) was commissioned on Nov. 27 at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) shipyard in Ulsan after more than two years of trials. This is the first of three KDX-III Batch 2 destroyers, which follow on from the three KDX-III Batch 1 warships that were commissioned between 2008 and 2012. Collectively, the KDX-III warships are also known as the Sejong Daewang class. #HyundaiHeavyIndustries has successfully delivered ROKS Jeongjo the Great, the first KDX-III Batch II AEGIS destroyer, to the #ROKNavy. It is recognized as the most advanced next-generation AEGIS destroyer in service. #KDXIII #AEGIS #AdvancedWarships pic.twitter.com/nonwmI9tBr Hwarang (@KDefenseInsight) November 27, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In terms of specifications, Jeongjo has an overall length of 558 feet, a beam of 69 feet, and a full displacement of around 12,000 tons. This puts it at the very top end of contemporary destroyers, closer in size to a cruiser, although these definitions have become increasingly subjective. Powered by four gas turbine engines and two auxiliary propulsion systems, the destroyer can reach a top speed of around 30 knots. Compared with the previous KDX-III Batch 1 warships, the Batch 2 features improved sensors and weapons, based on the latest Baseline 9 version of the Aegis combat system, including the AN/SPY-1D(V) multifunction radar. Overall, KDX-III Batch 2 is intended to offer enhanced surveillance, strike, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities compared with its predecessors. DDG-II Jeongjo the Great. So beautiful pic.twitter.com/m68o7r8voT Mason (@mason_8718) November 30, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Central to these capabilities are the KDX-III Batch 2s various vertical launch systems (VLS), which are a unique mix of the U.S.-made Mk 41, the locally developed KVLS, and the improved KVLS-II. Of these, the KVLS-II is a new addition to this sub-class. Between them, these provide for a total of 88 launch cells: 48 for the Mk 41, 16 for the K-VLS, and 24 for the KVLS-II. Mk 41 VLS cells on the Jeongjo, located between the main gun and the Mk 15 Phalanx close-in weapon system (nearest camera). via X Altogether, this magazine capacity is on par with other high-end surface combatants. For context, the U.S. Navys Flight III Arleigh Burke class destroyer has 96 VLS cells, while the Zumwalt class stealth destroyer has 80 cells, and the Chinese Type 055 Renhai class super-destroyer has 112 cells. Looking at the specific weaponry for each of these launchers on the KDX-III Batch 2, the Mk 41 will be armed with the Standard Missile (SM) series for longer-range air defense, including anti-ballistic missile capability. These missiles will comprise the SM-3 Block IB, SM-2 Block IIIB, and SM-6. Of these, only the SM-2 Block IIIB is found on the previous KDX-III Batch 1. The additional missile options reflect the importance of the KDX-III Batch 2 to defend against North Korean ballistic missile attacks, while the SM-6 also offers a surface attack capability when launched in a quasi-ballistic mode. The KVLS handles shorter-range air defense needs, being armed with the Korean Surface-to-Air Anti-Missile (K-SAAM), as well as the South Korean-designed Haeseong Tactical Surface Launch Missile (TSLM) for land attack, and the Korean Anti-Submarine Rocket (K-ASROC), also known as the Hong Sang Eo, or Red Shark, an anti-submarine weapon that has a homing torpedo as its payload. A K-SAAM surface-to-air missile is fired from a vertical launcher. Agency for Defense Development A diagram of the Korean Vertical Launch System (KVLS). Agency for Defense Development Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, and most intriguingly, there are the KVLS-II cells. These are initially expected to be armed primarily with the Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile (L-SAM), another domestic missile design, also with anti-ballistic missile capability. A video showing the land-based L-SAM, developed locally by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) as a high-end air defense system with significant anti-ballistic missile (ABM) capabilities: However, there have long been signs that the KVLS-II will ultimately be used to accommodate other weapons, too. The KVLS-II is currently still under development with Hanwha Defense as a follow-on to the earlier KVLS, which is found on the KDX-III Batch 1 as well as the Daegu class frigates. The destroyer ROKS Sejong the Great (pennant number 991), off the coast of Hawaii during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010 exercises. This is the first of the KDX-III Batch 1 warships. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brandon Raile/Released In the KDX-III Batch 2, the KVLS-II will be installed as six modules of four missiles each. These are located towards the rear of the vessel, aft of the twin funnels, and ahead of the helicopter flight deck. For the time being, Jeongjo is fitted with a test version of the KVLS-II, which appears to consist of just four cells, at least based on photos of the warship under construction. This suggests another five modules will be added at a later date. The KVLS-II test configuration on the Jeongjo appears to have four cells, seen on the left, next to a KVLS launcher. via X The KVLS-II reportedly retains the same hot launch operating principle as the KVLS. With a hot launch, the missiles main rocket booster ignites while it is still inside the launcher, in contrast to a cold launch, where the missile is ejected first, often using a compressed gas generator, before the booster ignites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most significantly, the KVLS-II is larger than its predecessor, meaning that bigger missiles can be accommodated. According to available data, the KVLS-II is at least 3 feet (0.9m) wide and 30 feet (9.1m) deep, compared to 2 feet (0.63m) wide and 22 feet (6.8m) deep for the Mk 41 and KVLS. This equates to the ability to launch much larger weapons with far greater internal volume. One KVLS-II module spotted. Last year, there was no KVLS-II, only KVLS-I and MK41. KVLS-II is a very large VLS, a very unique system capable of launching powerful long-range strike missiles. https://t.co/gdIgdk5Wog pic.twitter.com/cif7y7r82a Mason (@mason_8718) December 1, 2024 The KVLS-II will be able to accommodate larger anti-ship and land-attack cruise missiles. Beyond these, its planned that the KVLS-II will be used to deploy ballistic missiles. South Koreas very active ballistic missile development effort already includes a ship-to-surface ballistic missile program, with research and development work led by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD). According to reports, mass production of the new missile, compatible with the KVLS-II, is expected to begin in 2028 or 2029. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Already, there are a number of options for weapons that could be adapted to arm the KDX-III Batch 2 destroyers. One possible candidate would be a surface-ship-launched version of South Koreas submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), a weapon that has been test-launched from the ROKNs Dosan Ahn Changho class diesel-electric attack submarine, as well as from a submerged barge, and from a ground test facility. The submarine ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho during trials. Defense Acquisition Program Administration Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Few details about South Koreas SLBM have been made public, although the countrys media variously describes it as the Hyunmoo-4-4 or the K-SLBM. It reportedly has a range of 311 miles (500km) and is likely a naval variant of the ground-launched Hyunmoo-2B ballistic missile. For its sub-launched application, the SLBM uses the cold launch ejection method, again from VLS tubes. A South Korean Hyunmoo-2 ballistic missile is launched during a joint South Korean/United States military exercise in 2017. US Army As well as the SLBM program, South Koreas ballistic missiles include a range of land-based weapons, too, with more under development. Seouls defense budget proposal for 2022-2026 refers to a new ballistic missile capable of carrying a warhead weighing up to three tons, compared to the two tons for the Hyunmoo 4 short-range ballistic missile (SRBM), and with a range of between 220 and 250 miles (350 and 400km). According to reports, this new missile would be tailored to destroy hardened underground sites, including North Koreas nuclear storage facilities. Fielding some kind of ballistic missile on its KDX-III Batch 2 destroyers certainly reflects broader priorities, as stated by the South Korean Ministry of Defense. The countrys wider missile development plan calls for weapons with significantly enhanced destructive power as part of its response to North Koreas growing missile capabilities. With North Koreas expanding missile arsenal presenting particular risks to ground-based missiles in South Korea, ship-launched ballistic missiles as well as even more survivable SLBMs are seen as a very useful addition to Seouls armory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An increased focus on ballistic missiles has almost certainly also been spurred by South Korea having stepped away from a series of restrictions on missile ranges that had been in place since 1979, under a bilateral agreement with the United States. Most recently, these put a range cap of 500 miles on South Korean missiles. Since U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Moon Jae-in agreed to scrap these limits in 2021, South Korea is now able to develop ballistic missiles capable of reaching targets far beyond the Korean Peninsula. President Joe Biden talks during a joint news conference with the then South Korean President Moon Jae-in, in Washington in May 2021. AP Photo/Alex Brandon This means that ballistic missiles can potentially be developed for use against threats further afield, including China and Russia. Furthermore, as TWZ has discussed in the past, there remains a possibility that Seoul may eventually seek to add nuclear warheads to its burgeoning ballistic missile force, although this seems a more remote possibility at this point. In the case of the KDX-III Batch 2 destroyers, the inherent versatility of the KVLS-II system means that the available cells can be loaded with a mixture of weapons. These could include air defense missiles, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and potentially future hypersonic missiles. The KVLS, for its part, is also a highly versatile system, covering inner-zone air defense as well as anti-submarine warfare and land attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We all know that the South Korean military is crazy about firepower but nothing would show that the Korea is crazy about firepower as KVLS-II and its IV-2 Ship-Launched ballistic missile(and Hyunmoo-V). The KVLS-II is designed to store large and devastating Korean strike missiles pic.twitter.com/VaS1VEI8IS Mason (@mason_8718) March 8, 2024 It should be noted that even without ballistic missiles, the KDX-III Batch 2 warships, and multiple other platforms surface combatants, submarines, ground launchers, and aircraft have the ability to launch cruise missiles against targets across North Korea. Still, ballistic missiles continue to offer certain advantages, including superior speed of response and kinetic energy, and a larger warhead, as well as being much harder to defend against. In particular, a missile of this kind would be very well suited to attacking a hardened target at short notice, like decapitating regime command bunkers in the opening phase of a conflict. Increasingly, ballistic missiles are also being adapted as anti-ship weapons, as well, something that China has done, in VLS-compatible form, for its destroyers. At this stage, however, its not clear if South Korea also has an ASBM program. More broadly, the KVLS-II is indicative of a broader trend toward outfitting warships with bigger vertical launch cells, to accommodate new kinds of weapons, including hypersonic missiles, which are typically larger than their subsonic brethren. The U.S. Navy is looking toward larger VLS cells beyond the Mk 41, with the Mk 57 being slightly larger, while the Zumwalt class is getting bigger cells for hypersonic weapons. Americas next generation destroyer will likely include some larger VLS cells, as well, and Americas future fast attack submarines are already being built with the ability to accommodate larger missiles if need be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whatever the long-term plan for arming South Koreas KDX-III Batch 2 warships, once commissioned, these will be some of the most impressive destroyers in service anywhere in the world. At the core of its capabilities will be its extensive and varied vertical launch system cells, of which the KVLS-II brings the option of a very wide range of munitions including ballistic missiles. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com Martial law in 2024, in a country that calls itself a global pivotal state, has taken the world by surprise. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeols unexpected late-night television announcement the suddenness of which brought back not-so-fond memories of the Covid press conferences given by Boris Johnson would also have shocked the nearly 52 million South Korean citizens. South Korean media has reported that the leaders of both the ruling People Power Party, Han Dong-hoon, and the opposition Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung, will vow to block Yoons declaration as wrong and unconstitutional. But what is particularly shocking is that Yoon has decided to invoke martial law now, at a time when South Koreas status as a pivotal global partner in economic and military security, as well as an upholder of the rules-based liberal order, is well-known. Even more concerning is Yoons lack of explanation for doing so, citing merely the need to remove pro-North Korea forces from within South Korea, and protect the liberal constitutional order. We do not yet know enough to say with confidence as to just what contributed to Yoons surprise announcement and this fact must be borne in mind. What we can say with certainty, however, is that ever since the ruling People Power Party suffered a cataclysmic defeat in Aprils National Assembly elections, it has been anything but an easy ride for the South Korean President. For all his foreign policy successes, particularly in relation to strengthening South Koreas ties with Japan, it would be an understatement to say that Yoons domestic popularity has been far from high. This year, the President has continued to be mired in scandal, not least with respect to his wife, Kim Keon Hee, who, last year, was accused of accepting a Christian Dior handbag, as well as stock price manipulation (prosecutors chose not to bring charges in the first case or to indict in the second). Yoon apologised on her behalf, but subsequently vetoed an investigation into her activities, called for by the opposition party. His rating only plummeted further, to a mere 17 per cent at the start of November. We must be wary of unevidenced speculation. Yoons swipe at pro-North Korea forces attempting to disrupt the constitutional order could be a not-so-subtle reference to the opposition. The Democratic Party has repeatedly attempted to impeach members of Yoons cabinet in response to the Presidents failure to investigate his wifes actions. And we must remember that in January 2022, months before President Yoon was elected as the South Korean President, Yoons outspoken wife took no prisoners in saying that journalists critical of her husband would face jail. Yet, at the same time, we must remember that the North Korea threat is indeed increasing in severity. As North Korea looks set to send more troops to Russia, and as Pyongyang continues to escalate its provocations towards its southern counterpart, Seoul knows all too well the need for a unified strategy towards dealing with the North Korean threat, which is now not just limited to its nuclear weapons. Of course, however, there is the obvious caveat: South Korea has hitherto handled the North Korean threat without resorting to martial law. Yoon made clear how South Koreas foreign policy would remain unaffected by this announcement. Central to South Koreas identity as a global state has been its crucial role in upholding the values of freedom, peace, and prosperity. The South Korean left will likely capitalise upon Yoons announcement and use it against the President. Todays actions from the definition of an unexpected political development. We now must wait and see. 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. By Jack Kim and Ju-min Park SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Wednesday he would lift a surprise martial law declaration he had imposed just hours before, backing down in a standoff with parliament which roundly rejected his attempt to ban political activity and censor the media. In South Korea's biggest political crisis in decades, Yoon shocked the nation and declared martial law on Tuesday night to thwart "anti-state forces" among his domestic political opponents. But outraged lawmakers unanimously rejected the decree. Yonhap news agency said the cabinet had agreed early on Wednesday to scrap the martial law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protesters outside the National Assembly parliament shouted and clapped. We won! they chanted, and one demonstrator banged on a drum. The main opposition Democratic Party called for Yoon, who has been in office since 2022, to resign or face impeachment. Even if martial law is lifted, he cannot avoid treason charges. It was clearly revealed to the entire nation that President Yoon could no longer run the country normally. He should step down," senior DP member of parliament Park Chan-dae said in a statement. "South Korea as a nation dodged a bullet, but President Yoon may have shot himself in the foot," said Danny Russel, vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute think tank in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The South Korean won currency came off a more than two-year low against the dollar after Yoon's reversal, while exchange traded funds linked to South Korean stocks similarly cut losses. Yoon's surprise declaration of martial law, which he cast as aimed at his political foes, was voted down by 190 lawmakers in parliament. His own party urged him to lift the decree. Under South Korean law, the president must immediately lift martial law if parliament demands it by a majority vote. The crisis in a country that has been a democracy since the 1980s, and is a U.S. ally and major Asian economy, caused international alarm. U.S. RELIEVED Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Yoon's announcement of martial law in a TV address, South Korea's military had said activities by parliament and political parties would be banned, and that media and publishers would be under the control of the martial law command. Helmeted troops briefly tried to enter the parliament building. Parliamentary aides were seen trying to push the soldiers back by spraying fire extinguishers. The White House said it was pleased Yoon had backed down. We are relieved President Yoon has reversed course on his concerning declaration of martial law and respected the... National Assemblys vote to end it," a White House spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said the United States was watching events in South Korea with "grave concern." Some 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea to guard against the nuclear-armed North. Yoon did not cite any specific threat from the North, instead focusing on his domestic political opponents. It was the first time since 1980 that martial law has been declared in South Korea. Russel, who was the top U.S. diplomat for East Asia under former President Barack Obama, said South Korea was now looking at the prospect of snap elections. "Political uncertainty and domestic strife in South Korea is not our friend. Political uncertainty and domestic strife in South Korea is North Koreas friend, however. You can be sure that North Korea is licking its chops," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yoon, a career prosecutor, squeezed out a victory in the tightest presidential election in South Korean history in 2022. He rode a wave of discontent over economic policy, scandals and gender wars, aiming to reshape the political future of Asia's fourth-largest economy. But he has been unpopular, with his support ratings hovering at around 20% for months. His People Power Party suffered a landslide defeat at a parliamentary election in April this year, ceding control of the unicameral assembly to opposition parties that captured nearly two-thirds of the seats. There have been more than a dozen instances of martial law being declared since South Korea was established as a republic in 1948. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1980, a group of military officers led by Chun Doo-hwan forced then-President Choi Kyu-hah to proclaim martial law to crush calls by the opposition, labour and students for the restoration of democratic government. (Reporting by Jack Kim, Ju-min Park, Hyonhee Shin, Hyunsu Yim and Josh Smith; Additional reporting by Michelle Nichols at the United Nations, David Brunnstrom in Washington and Trevor Hunnicutt in Luanda; Writing by Alistair Bell; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Jonathan Oatis and Bill Berkrot) Thirty-eight Vietnamese tourists have reportedly disappeared in South Korea after arriving in the country through the southern Jeju island last month. The tourists were part of a group of around 90 tourists who arrived on the island on 14 November. However, 38 of them disappeared during the final stop of their itinerary before they were set to depart to Vietnam, officials said. The rest of the group members boarded the return flight but those who did not have been reported missing to the authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Foreign tourists in the resort island can stay up to 30 days without a visa under the visa waiver programme. The programme, which is part of the Special Act on the Establishment of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, allows people from 64 countries to stay on the island for up to 30 days without a visa. However, travellers cannot travel to other parts of South Korea, such as Seoul or Busan, unless they have a valid visa for the mainland. The missing tourists are only allowed to stay on the island till 14 December under the visa waiver programme and will be considered illegal tourists after the deadline. The Jeju Immigration Office said it is working to find the missing tourists and reviewing CCTV footage of the hotel and streets around it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are currently analyzing closed-circuit (CC) TV to find out where the Vietnamese tourists disappeared, an official from the Jeju Immigration and Foreign Affairs Agency said. We plan to organize a Jeju visa-free fugitive arrest team to start a full-fledged arrest. This is not the first time tourists have been reported missing on the island. Many of these situations involve individuals overstaying their permitted time or attempting to remain on the island illegally, taking advantage of Jejus visa-free entry programme. In 2022, at least 55 Thai tourists who arrived in Jeju island with a package tour group disappeared during their holiday. They were suspected of taking illegal jobs in various parts of the country. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol attempted to declare martial law in the country for the first time in 45 years but was blocked by a parliament vote early Wednesday morning local time. He vowed to lift the order after hours of chaos and protests in the capital of Seoul. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik vowed to protect democracy with the people while urging military personnel to retreat from the legislative building, according to reports from The Associated Press. All 190 members who participated in the vote moved to block the declaration. Before attempting to declare martial law, Yoon described the parliament as a den for criminals who were attempting to overthrow the nations democracy. Our parliament has become a den for criminals. It has paralyzed the administrative and legal systems by ramming through [opposition-driven] legislations and is attempting to overthrow our democratic system, Yoon, the president and leader of the People Power Party, said in his announcement, Reuters reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our parliament, which should serve as the foundation of democracy, has become a monster toppling it, he added. Moments later, he tried to invoke martial law. I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order, he said. Through this martial law, I will rebuild and protect the free Republic of Korea, which is falling into the abyss of national ruin, Yoon continued. To this end, I will definitely eradicate the anti-state forces who are the main culprit of the countrys ruination and conduct vicious activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yoon demanded the nations doctors out on strike return to work within 48 hours and threatened to arrest those who refused without a warrant. The leaders announcement spurred protests outside of the halls of parliament, where lawmakers fought through demonstrators to gather and approve the injunction opposing Yoons mandate. The presidents party is in the minority, while the Democratic party holds the majority Yoons threat to establish a temporary military reign crippled the countrys currency, which suffered the biggest drop since 2016. We will mobilize all possible financial and foreign exchange market stabilization measures, including unlimited liquidity injections, Choi Sang-mok, minister of economy and finance, said in an emergency meeting with top economic officials in Seoul, according to reports from Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that the ministry would convene again at 7 a.m. local time for further discussions surrounding the crisis. Soldiers also gathered in the premises surrounding the National Assembly building, where protesters who are chanting Lift martial law. Updated: 3:41 p.m. 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. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Wednesday morning that he would lift the martial law that he declared just hours earlier, after the National Assembly voted to overturn the president's controversial order. In a televised address, Yoon said the military had withdrawn from the National Assembly and that the martial law would come to an end following an imminent meeting of his Cabinet. A few hours earlier, the president had sent shockwaves across the country by declaring martial law in the midst of a domestic political crisis reportedly centred on a dispute over the state budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his declaration late on Tuesday evening, Yoon had accused the country's opposition of sympathizing with North Korea, saying the martial law aimed to "eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional order of freedom." The National Assembly swiftly voted to lift the state of emergency, with 190 members of parliament in favour of the corresponding motion, according to South Korean broadcasters. The president was obliged to lift the martial law if the 300-seat parliament voted in favour by a majority, the news agency Yonhap reported, citing Parliamentary Speaker Woo Won Shik. His declaration had drawn sharp criticism from the liberal opposition Democratic Party, whose leader Lee Jae Myung described it as "unconstitutional" and unfounded, according to a Yonhap report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The leader of Yoon's People Power Party, Han Dong Hoon, also criticized the move and said the party would "stop it together with the people," according to local media reports. Demonstrators had gathered on Tuesday evening around the parliament building, but the protest remained peaceful, according to a dpa reporter at the scene. Turmoil in parliament Yoon has been under domestic political pressure for months, with his party in a bitter fight over the budget bill for the coming year with the opposition. The Democratic Party, which holds a majority in the National Assembly, on Friday single-handedly approved a budget foreseeing reduced spending in a special parliamentary committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yoon's office called on the opposition to withdraw the budget bill. Yoon has also accused the parliament of undermining the government's business by filing motions to impeach ministers and high-ranking officials. Since the government took office in May 2022, the National Assembly has filed an unprecedented 22 impeachment proceedings. A suspected corruption scandal surrounding Yoon's wife has recently further dented the president's popularity. South Korea's partners caught off guard The US government said it was "seriously concerned by the developments" in South Korea, adding that it was not informed in advance of Yoon's plan to declare martial law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United States is South Korea's closest ally and has 30,000 troops stationed in the country. The German Foreign Office wrote on X: "We are following developments in South Korea closely and with great concern. Democracy must prevail." There was no evidence of involvement of the totalitarian neighbouring North Korea in the situation in Seoul. A helicopter hovers over the National Assembly following the South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declaration of emergency martial law, citing the need to root out pro-North Korean forces and uphold the constitutional order. -/YNA/dpa People gather in front of the National Assembly following the South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declaration of emergency martial law, citing the need to root out pro-North Korean forces and uphold the constitutional order. -/YNA/dpa South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has announced that martial law in the country will be lifted at a government meeting. Source: Reuters; YNA Details: President Yoon explained that martial law was declared "with the firm determination to protect the nation from anti-state forces" which, he said, aimed to "paralyse key state functions and disrupt the constitutional order of liberal democracy". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, after a formal request from the National Assembly, the country's parliament, the government will proceed to revoke the measure. Quote: "We will withdraw the troops and promptly approve the National Assembly's request during the Cabinet meeting to lift martial law." Background: On Tuesday, 3 December, President Yoon Suk-yeol declared a state of emergency and martial law in South Korea. In a televised address to the nation, he stated that the move was necessary to protect the country from "communist forces". Yoon did not cite a specific threat from nuclear-armed North Korea, instead focusing on domestic political opponents. The National Assembly of South Korea voted on Wednesday to demand that President Yoon rescind the declaration of martial law. Support UP or become our patron! SEOUL, South Korea (AP) The president of South Korea early Wednesday lifted the martial law he imposed on the country hours earlier, bending to political pressure after a tense night in which troops surrounded parliament and lawmakers voted to reject military rule. President Yoon Suk Yeol, who appeared likely to be impeached over his actions, imposed martial law late Tuesday out of frustration with the opposition, vowing to eliminate anti-state forces as he struggles against opponents who control parliament and that he accuses of sympathizing with communist North Korea. Police and military personnel were seen leaving the grounds of parliament following the bipartisan vote to overrule the president, and the declaration was formally lifted around 4:30 a.m. during a Cabinet meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parliament acted swiftly after martial law was imposed, with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring that the law was invalid and that lawmakers would protect democracy with the people. In all, martial law was in effect for about six hours. The presidents surprising move harkened back to an era of authoritarian leaders that the country has not seen since the 1980s, and it was immediately denounced by the opposition and the leader of Yoons own conservative party. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the liberal Democratic Party, which holds the majority in the 300-seat parliament, said the partys lawmakers would remain in the Assemblys main hall until Yoon formally lifted his order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woo applauded how troops quickly left the Assembly after the vote. Even with our unfortunate memories of military coups, our citizens have surely observed the events of today and saw the maturity of our military, Woo said. While announcing his plan to lift martial law, Yoon continued to criticize parliaments attempts to impeach key government officials and senior prosecutors. He said lawmakers had engaged in unscrupulous acts of legislative and budgetary manipulation that are paralyzing the functions of the state. Jo Seung-lae, a Democratic lawmaker, claimed that security camera footage following Yoons declaration showed that troops moved in a way that suggested they were trying to arrest Lee, Woo and even Han Dong-hoon, the leader of Yoons People Power Party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials from Yoons office and the Defense Ministry did not respond to requests for comment early Wednesday. Seemingly hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Assembly, waving banners and calling for Yoons impeachment. Some protesters scuffled with troops ahead of the lawmakers vote, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or major property damage. At least one window was broken as troops attempted to enter the Assembly building. One woman tried unsuccessfully to pull a rifle away from one of the soldiers, while shouting Arent you embarrassed? Under South Koreas constitution, the president can declare martial law during wartime, war-like situations or other comparable national emergency states that require the use of military force to maintain peace and order. It was questionable whether South Korea is currently in such a state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When martial law is declared, special measures can be employed to restrict freedom of press, freedom of assembly and other rights, as well as the power of courts. The constitution also states that the president must oblige when the National Assembly demands the lifting of martial law with a majority vote. Following Yoons announcement of martial law, South Koreas military proclaimed that parliament and other political gatherings that could cause social confusion would be suspended, South Koreas Yonhap news agency said. The military said anyone who violated the decree could be arrested without a warrant. In Washington, the White House said the U.S. was seriously concerned by the events in Seoul. A spokesperson for the National Security Council said President Joe Bidens administration was not notified in advance of the martial law announcement and was in contact with the South Korean government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said there was no effect on the more than 27,000 U.S. service members based in South Korea. The South Korean military also said that the countrys striking doctors should return to work within 48 hours, Yonhap said. Thousands of doctors have been striking for months over government plans to expand the number of students at medical schools. Soon after martial law was declared, the parliament speaker called on his YouTube channel for all lawmakers to gather at the National Assembly. He urged military and law enforcement personnel to remain calm and hold their positions. All 190 lawmakers who participated in the vote supported the lifting of martial law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At one point, television footage showed police officers blocking the entrance of the National Assembly and helmeted soldiers carrying rifles in front of the building. An Associated Press photographer saw at least three helicopters, likely from the military, that landed inside the Assembly grounds, while two or three helicopters circled above the site. The leader of Yoons conservative party called the decision to impose martial law wrong. Lee, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, said Yoons announcement was illegal and unconstitutional. Yoon said during a televised speech that martial law would help rebuild and protect the country from falling into the depths of national ruin. He said he would eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order. I will eliminate anti-state forces as quickly as possible and normalize the country, he said, while asking the people to believe in him and tolerate some inconveniences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yoon whose approval rating dipped in recent months has struggled to push his agenda against an opposition-controlled parliament since taking office in 2022. His party has been locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition over next years budget bill. The opposition has also attempted to impeach three top prosecutors, including the chief of the central Seoul prosecutors office, in what the conservatives have called a vendetta against their criminal investigations of Lee, who has been seen as the favorite for the next presidential election in 2027 in opinion polls. During his televised announcement, Yoon also described the opposition as shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces who are plundering the freedom and happiness of our citizens. He did not elaborate. Yoon has taken a hard line on North Korea over its nuclear ambitions, departing from the policies of his liberal predecessor, Moon Jae-in, who pursued inter-Korean engagement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yoon has also dismissed calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, drawing quick, strong rebukes from his political rivals. Yoons move was the first declaration of martial law since the countrys democratization in 1987. The countrys last previous martial law was in October 1979, following the assassination of former military dictator Park Chung-hee. Sydney Seiler, Korean chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, argued that the move was symbolic for Yoon to express his frustration with the opposition-controlled parliament. He has nothing to lose, said Seiler, comparing Yoons move to the Hail Mary pass in American football, with a slim chance of success. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now Yoon faces likely impeachment, a scenario that was also possible before he made the bold move, Seiler said. Natalia Slavney, research analyst at the Stimson Centers 38 North website that focuses on Korean affairs, said Yoons imposition of martial law was a serious backslide of democracy" that followed a worrying trend of abuse since he took office in 2022. South Korea has a robust history of political pluralism and is no stranger to mass protests and swift impeachments, Slavney said, citing the example of former President Park Geun-hye, the countrys first female president, who was ousted from office and imprisoned for bribery and other crimes in 2017. ___ Associated Press writers Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea, and Matt Lee, Didi Tang and Tara Copp in Washington contributed to this report. SEOUL, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- South Korea's National Assembly voted early Wednesday morning to lift the martial law imposed by President Yoon Suk Yeol, the evening before, when he declared the opposition party was plotting a rebellion against the government. "Martial law is aimed at eradicating pro-North Korean forces and to protect the constitutional order of freedom," Yoon said when declaring martial law late Tuesday night. The martial law declaration was the first in South Korea since 1979 but only lasted for about two hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protesters opposing the martial law declaration gathered outside the South Korean Parliament and soon after were able to celebrate the lifting of the president's martial law declaration. During a session at 1 a.m. local time, 190 members present in the plenary session voted to demand Yoon lift martial law. The parliamentary speaker's office said the vote makes the Yoon martial law declaration void, according to the country's constitution. A protester waves a South Korean flag outside the National Assembly on Wednesday morning after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI The South Korean Parliament's vote to block martial law was unanimous, which prompted Yoon to announce he would lift the martial law order soon after the vote occurred. Gen. Park An-su, South Korea's Army Chief of Staff had banned all political activities after Yoon declared martial law on Tuesday night, which included demonstrations and political party activities. Police stand in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday morning after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI The official decree, sent to reporters, also said that "all media and publications are subject to the control of martial law command." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Fake news, public opinion manipulation and false propaganda are prohibited," the decree said, warning that violators could be arrested without a warrant. Protesters rally in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea. early Wednesday morning after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, which the South Korean Parliament quickly voted to nullify. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI Yoon had been angered by the opposition party, which had issued impeachment motions against the state auditor and chief prosecutor and pushed through a smaller budget proposal through a committee. The president called them North Korean sympathizers, a sensitive charge among South Koreans. Yoon charged his opponents with anti-state activities against the government. "I declare martial law in order to eradicate the shameless pro-North Korea anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people and to protect the free constitutional order," Yoon said in a televised speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thousands of protesters gathered outside the National Assembly building in the early hours of Wednesday morning, chanting "End martial law!" and "Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol!" A heavy police presence lined the National Assembly compound's entrances and fanned out across adjoining streets. A pair of armored military vehicles were positioned at one intersection, surrounded by angry protesters. Yoo Byoung-O, 26, said he traveled an hour to attend protests at the National Assembly immediately after he heard the news. "If we are going to face martial law, I want to be part of the resistance," he said. "I want to make my voice heard." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yoo said his father had told him about life under the dictatorship of President Park Chung-hee, who was assassinated in 1979. South Korea held its first free elections in 1988 after years of pro-democracy demonstrations that were sometimes met with brutal crackdowns. "My father and I were so shocked when we heard about the martial law [declaration]," Yoo said. "This feels like something out of the past, a bad old tradition." The National Assembly still managed to meet even after reports surfaced that the entrance to the building had been blocked. "The National Assembly has become a monster undermining liberal democracy, and the nation is in a precarious state, teetering on the edge of collapse," Yoon said in his statement. "We will eliminate the anti-state forces and restore the country to normalcy as quickly as possible." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yoon, however, did not say what specific measures he would be taking under martial law that would change his political reality of a legislative body that has favored the opposition along with his low approval ratings. Clyde Hughes and Mike Heuer contributed to this report. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in his country during a television broadcast on Tuesday night. After a day of political unrest and the South Korean parliaments rejection of the martial law measure, Yoon said he would lift this declaration. Yoons Cabinet later officially voted to lift the martial law measure, but the unrest persists. Protesters with signs and flags arent leaving the parliament building, as calls for Yoons resignation grow despite his decision to reverse the declared emergency. What did Yoon say: Moments before imposing martial law, Yoon had accused South Koreas opposition party of sympathizing with North Korea, and promised to neutralize the shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yoon also said the Korea Democratic Party paralyzed the administration through a series of impeachment attempts directed at several cabinet members and is holding next years budget hostage. The programs for anti-crime measures and public safety have been cut, turning South Korea into a drug paradise, said Yoon. As per Fox News, the South Korean Democratic Party reduced the presidents budget by more than 4 trillion won. The National Assembly has become a monster undermining liberal democracy, and the nation is in a precarious state, teetering on the edge of collapse, he said, as CNN reported. On the ground: This is the first time martial law has been invoked in South Korea since 1980. The announcement triggered protests outside the parliament, which was barricaded and under military control. Military police bikes are seen outside of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. | Lee Jin-man Parliament takes action: After the Parliament voted 300-190 to block martial law with all present voting in favor of blocking it authorities left the parliament grounds. According to the BBC, lawmakers reportedly scaled fences to reach the parliament and cast their votes. The martial law declaration is now null and void. Citizens, please remain calm, said National Assembly Speaker Woo Won following the vote. The National Assembly will protect democracy together with the people. Military and police personnel currently inside the National Assembly grounds are requested to leave immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the parliament unanimously overturned the measure, the South Korean military stayed put, saying the president had to be the one to lift it. Other politicians respond: Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who belongs to the Democratic Party, in a post on X expressed concern about the unfolding events. I hope that the National Assembly will act quickly to protect our democracy from crumbling, he wrote. I ask the people to join forces to protect and save democracy and to help the National Assembly function normally. The conservative People Power Partys leader, Han Dong-hoon, also slammed Yoons decision to declare martial law, saying it was wrong. Former South Korean Foreign Minister Kyung-wha Kang told CNN that since the martial law declaration came as a surprise, may have bypassed the cabinet. So it doesnt seem any of the ministers were aware that this was going to happen, aside from the defense minister obviously, he said. It seems that there was preparation in that side because the tanks were rolling in, the helicopters were in the air minutes after the decree was announced. People gather in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. | Ahn Young-joon UPDATE 11:43 AM: South Koreas President Yoon Suk Yeol has said he will lift his controversial martial law order following widespread condemnation from the Korean public and all sides of countrys political sphere. Yoon said he has withdrawn military personnel that had been deployed outside the countrys National Assembly and would formally lift martial law following a meeting of his cabinet as soon as members arrive. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The story is still developing. PREVIOUSLY 11:17 AM: South Koreas political crisis deepened this morning as the countrys National Assembly voted to block President Yoon Suk Yeols martial law order. South Koreas parliament, with 190 of its 300 members present, passed the motion on Wednesday morning local time requiring the martial law order to be lifted, Reuters and local news agencies reported. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik said the martial law order was invalid and that lawmakers will protect democracy with the people, AP reported. However, shortly after the parliaments rebuttable was passed, South Korean military officials speaking with to local broadcaster YTN said martial law will remain in effect until it is lifted by President Yoon Suk Yeol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soldiers are currently stationed outside the National Assembly building. Videos from Korean state television showing protestors and local police clashing outside the building have been shared widely across social media platforms. According to AP, South Koreas constitution allows the president to declare martial law during wartime, war-like situations or other comparable national emergency states that require military force to maintain peace and order. Its unclear why the president believes the country occupies such a state. PREVIOUSLY 8:45 AM : President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea declared emergency martial law during a late-night televised address on Tuesday. The President said during the address that he was halting all political activities and would use the time to eradicate shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces in his country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order, Yoon said on Tuesday. The order immediately bans demonstrations and all political activities, including those of the National Assembly, local councils, political parties, the FT reported. The president also assumed command of the countrys news media under the order. Yesterdays order was the first declaration of martial law in South Korea since 1987. On Wednesday morning local time, however, South Koreas national assembly voted to block the Presidents order. There is no reason to declare martial law. We cannot let the military rule this country, Lee Jae-myung, Koreas opposition leader said in a statement. President Yoon Seok Yeol has betrayed the people. President Yoons illegal declaration of emergency martial law is null and void. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Han Dong-hoon, the head of Yoons own political party the People Power Party, has also criticized the martial law order. In a statement on Facebook, he said: The presidents martial law declaration is wrong. We will stop it along with the people, according to local media reports. Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the National Assembly building in Seoul, South Koreas capital, on Tuesday night chanting abolish martial law and oppose martial law, according to The Guardian. Videos from Korean state television showing protestors and local police clashing outside the National Assembly building have been shared widely across social media platforms. The countrys parliament is currently at a standstill. Its unclear what may happen next. A White House spokesperson has said the U.S. government is monitoring the situation closely and is in contact with the South Korean government. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Handout South Koreas hard-line conservative president has declared martial law in a bid to eliminate anti-state forcescausing chaos outside parliament as lawmakers forced entry to block the motion. In a move more suited to his infamous adversary to the north, Kim Jong Un, former chief prosecutor Yoon Suk Yeol sternly railed against his countrys left-wing National Assembly, local councils, political parties, and demonstrators in a late-night television address. BREAKING: Soldiers block opposition politicians from entering the parliament in Seoul, Republic of Korea, after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law, accusing the left-leaning bloc that controls the national assembly of DPRK sympathies. pic.twitter.com/UyRsShASU4 red. (@redstreamnet) December 3, 2024 The media was in his glare, too. Yoon, who has been president since 2022, has previously been accused of attempting to silence journalists he accused of spreading fake news, The New York Times reported. Police raids on the homes of journalists are not uncommon under his reign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new emergency measures were brought in, he said, because the left-wing assembly sympathizes with North Korea. To safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Koreas communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements I hereby declare emergency martial law, Yoon said. The martial law is aimed at eradicating pro-North Korean forces and to protect the constitutional order of freedom, he added. Yonhap News Agency reported that those who violate martial law can be arrested without warrant. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (left), U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio at Camp David on August 18, 2023 The BBCs man in Seoul, Jake Kwon, said Yoon has gone for the nuclear option because hes a scandal-laden lame duck president whose influence was depleted when the opposition won a landslide in parliament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent hours the situation has developed and special forces soldiers are inside the assembly building in the capital, Seoul, according to the BBC. This followed a move from the leader of South Koreas main opposition, the Democratic Party, to call its members to parliament. Under martial law, political activity is banned, but Yoons motion was voted down by parliament. The countrys constitution says a majority vote in the assembly is required to force a block on the martial law motion, and reports state that some 199 lawmakers voted to overturn the measure. Police had clashed with protesters outside and inside the South Korean National Assembly, and police buses had also been moved in to block the entrance to the parliament building. Soldiers advance to the main building of the National Assembly after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law pic.twitter.com/106dgH1WOT The Telegraph (@Telegraph) December 3, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A U.S. National Security Council spokesperson told CBS News that President Joe Bidens administration is monitoring the situation closely and is in contact with the South Korean government. The last time martial law was declared in South Korea was in 1979. Yoon famously sang American folk-rock classic American Pie in the White House in April 2023. South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol has said he will lift his declaration of martial law after MPs voted to revoke the measure. Mr Yoon said the decree would be lifted following a meeting of South Koreas cabinet, which is expected within hours. It comes after South Korean troops withdrew from the countrys parliament building when lawmakers voted to revoke Mr Yoons martial law decree. 190 of South Koreas 300 MPs were in the chamber for the session, which was held as soldiers attempted to storm the building and riot police blocked the estates entrances to stop other MPs attending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All the lawmakers present voted to revoke the draconian measure, which had been announced live on television just 2 hours and 28 minutes earlier. Soldiers dressed in tactical uniforms and armed with assault rifles were then filmed calmly walking away from the buildings main entrance. The troops earlier attempted to storm parliament after arriving via helicopter. They were prevented from entering the chamber by protestors, who are reported to have used a fire extinguisher to defend the lawmakers while they debated lifting the presidents decree. SBS News/X President Yoon had declared martial law during a televised address on Tuesday evening, citing threats from North Korea and anti-state forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He accused opposition lawmakers of cutting all key budgets essential to the nations core functions, such as combating drug crimes and maintaining public security turning the country into a drug haven and a state of public safety chaos. He went on to describe the opposition, which holds a majority in the 300-member parliament, as anti-state forces intent on overthrowing the regime and said his martial law decision was inevitable. I will restore the country to normalcy by getting rid of anti-state forces as soon as possible, he said. Opponents said Mr Yoon was using the measure to avoid impeachment after using his presidential veto to block parliamentary bills and investigations into a series of scandals surrounding his wife. One of which was that he and Kim Keon-hee, the first lady, exerted inappropriate influence on the selection of a People Power Party by-election candidate in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another involved spy camera footage that purportedly showed the first lady accepting a luxury Dior bag as a gift from a pastor. On Wednesday morning a coalition of lawmakers from opposition parties said they planned to propose a bill to impeach Mr Yoon which should be put to a vote within 72 hours. South Koreas main opposition party said it will file insurrection charges against Mr Yoon and other top security officials, including the chief of police. Senior aides for Mr Yoon offered to resign en masse on Wednesday, the Yonhap news agency reported. The leader of the ruling People Power Party, Han Dong-hoon, called for Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun to be fired and the entire cabinet to resign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martial law is the replacement of civilian government with military rule and is typically brought in after emergencies such as a foreign invasion or a natural disaster. It is not the first time it has been declared in South Korea, a country that alternated between liberal democracy and military dictatorship throughout the second half of the 20th century. The measure was imposed after coup detat attempts in the 1960s and 70s, as well as in response to student protests in 1964 and 1979. It was also brought in after the assassination of Park Chung-hee, the president, in 1979. 05:45 PM GMT Live coverage has ended Were ending our live coverage of the situation in South Korea. Heres a roundup of what happened: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Koreas president declared martial law during a televised address, citing threats from North Korea and anti-state forces. The president was accused of using the measure in order to avoid impeachment over his blocking of parliamentary bills and investigations into scandals involving his wife. Armed troops arrived at the parliament building and clashed with protestors as the military attempted to enter the chamber. MPs inside the chamber voted to revoke the presidents decree. Soldiers were photographed leaving the parliamentary estate as protestors chanted for the presidents arrest. 05:25 PM GMT Anyone acting under presidents orders is breaking the law, opposition leader says The leader of South Koreas opposition has said that anyone acting on President Yoon Suk Yeols orders is breaking the law after MPs voted that martial law is invalid. Lee Jae Myung is the leader of the countrys Democratic Party and earlier described the presidents decision to impose martial law as unconstitutional. Soldiers have been seen leaving the parliament building after MPs voted to revoke the presidents decree. 05:15 PM GMT Pictured: Troops leave after MPs revoke martial law Soldiers withdraw from the National Assembly in Seoul after MPs voted to revoke martial law - YONHAP/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/Shutterstock Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soldiers climb aboard a bus and leave the parliamentary grounds after South Korean MPs voted to revoke martial law - YONHAP/REUTERS 05:09 PM GMT Your views: Telegraph readers react to South Korea declaring martial law 05:09 PM GMT Watch: Soldier points gun at TV journalist A South Korean soldier is shown pointing a weapon at a TV journalist, who asks, arent you ashamed?. The South Korean military had attempted to storm parliament after the president declared martial law. They have since been seen leaving the building after MPs voted to revoke the presidents decree. 05:07 PM GMT UK nationals urged to avoid protests British nationals in South Korea have been advised to avoid protests and demonstrations after the countrys president declared martial law. Following the declaration, the Foreign Office issued new travel advice warning UK nationals to follow the advice of local authorities and avoid political demonstrations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Downing Street spokesman described the situation as very fast-moving and said the Government was closely monitoring developments in the country. The spokesman urged British nationals to keep an eye on the Foreign Offices website for advice. 04:55 PM GMT Pictured: Troops attempt to enter parliament South Korean opposition party staff set up barricade to prevent soldiers from entering parliamentary chamber - YONHAP/REUTERS Soldiers try to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul - JUNG YEON-JE/AFP Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soldiers advance to the main building of the National Assembly after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in Seoul - YONHAP/REUTERS 04:50 PM GMT US expresses grave concern over martial law The United States has grave concern over South Korea after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law Tuesday and wants a resolution that follows rule of law, deputy secretary of state Kurt Campbell said. We are watching the recent developments in the ROK with grave concern, he said, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea. We have every hope and expectation that any political disputes will be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law, he added. 04:46 PM GMT Martial law invalid, says opposition leader South Koreas opposition leader, Lee Jay-myung said anyone acting under President Yoon or the military commanders orders is breaking the law as martial law is invalid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes after 190 South Korean politicians voted against Yoons declaration of martial law 04:45 PM GMT Watch: South Korean parliament votes to lift martial law 04:21 PM GMT The military must not obstruct parliament, former president Moon says In a message on X, former South Korean president Moon Jae-in wrote: The military must not repeat the mistake of confronting the people. The military must not be mobilized for an unconstitutional declaration of martial law. In particular, the military must not obstruct the activities of the National Assembly and its members, who have the constitutional right to demand the lifting of martial law. The military is urged to remain faithful to its mission and duties in its proper role. It is the militarys duty and mission at this time to be prepared for the security crisis that an unconstitutional declaration of martial law could bring. 04:18 PM GMT Martial law a betrayal of South Korea, analysts say Analysts have called president Yoon Suk Yeols martial law announcement a betrayal of South Korea, motivated by domestic politics rather than a real threat from the North, Sarah Newey writes. Yoon is definitely using Martial Law to avoid impeachment as his popularity/approval rate is one of the lowest in the history of democratically-elect South Korean presidents, Dr Chiew-Ping Hoo, a co-founder of the East Asian International Relations Caucus, told the Telegraph. What is happening now is a betrayal of the hard-earned democracy and the people of South Korea. Others added that Mr Yoons claim that impeachments and budget issues have thwarted his administration plus police efforts to block the national assembly and therefore a vote to end martial law further suggest a domestic focus. Its early, but its hard not to draw parallels here with Park Chung Hee, who declared martial law in 1971 and blamed it on the North Korean threat, when it was due to domestic factors, namely the challenge of Kim Dae Jung, said Dr Timothy Rich, a professor of political science specialising in East Asia at the Western Kentucky University. He added that it is not clear how long Mr Yoon can hold on, but much will depend on whether the police and military are willing to act as enforcers, especially if public outrage continues. Theres already a large public protest in front of the National Assembly and I suspect it will spread, he said. If the protests become anything like those calling for Park Geun Hyes impeachment around this time in 2016, then it might be [over quickly]. Dr Rich also noted that under South Korean law, any impeachment attempt is done through a secret ballot, requiring a two-thirds majority. In 2016 may of Mr Parks own party members must have voted to impeach him if the current scenes do get uglier, a similar outcome is not unlikely. 04:14 PM GMT Pictured: How presidents approval rating has fallen since inauguration 04:10 PM GMT South Korean MPs vote to revoke martial law South Koreas parliament has voted to block the presidents declaration of martial law. The chambers speaker described the presidents order as invalid. It comes as South Korean troops were filmed clashing with protestors at the entrance to the parliament building. It is not yet clear if troops are still trying to enter or have left. South Korea assembly votes to revoke martial law - Sky News 04:03 PM GMT Watch: Chaos inside parliament as MPs try to get past soldiers X 04:01 PM GMT Opposition says martial law decree is unconstitutional The leader of South Koreas opposition has denounced the presidents decision to impose martial law, declaring it unconstitutional. Han Dong Hoon, the leader of the ruling People Power Party, has also condemned the move and vowed to block it in parliament. 03:53 PM GMT Watch: Soldiers attempt to storm parliament building 03:41 PM GMT Biden in contact with South Korean government US president Joe Biden is in contact with the government of South Korea, according to US media. The administration is in contact with the ROK government and is monitoring the situation closely, a national security council spokesman told CNN. The US has around 30,000 troops based in South Korea as part of an effort to deter North Korean aggression. 03:20 PM GMT Watch: Riot police block South Korean MPs from entering parliament @AmichaiStein1/X 03:19 PM GMT Pictured: Police block entrance to South Korean parliament Police attempt to hold back people trying to enter the national assembly, Dec 3 - JUNG YEON-JE/AFP Police stand guard in front of the main gate of the National Assembly in Seoul on Dec 3 - JUNG YEON-JE/AFP 03:17 PM GMT President blocked investigations into scandals involving wife South Koreas opposition earlier this week accused the president of preparing to declare martial law to avoid being impeached for alleged abuses of power. Since becoming head of state in May 2022, Yoon Suk Yeol has frequently used his power of veto to block parliamentary bills and investigations into scandals surrounding his wife, Kim Keon Hee. One alleged that the president and Ms Kim exerted inappropriate influence on the selection of a People Power Party by-election candidate in 2022. Another involved spy camera footage that purportedly showed the first lady accepting a luxury Dior bag as a gift from a pastor. 03:08 PM GMT Pictured: South Korean military vehicle on streets of Seoul A picture circulating on social media purports to show a South Korean military vehicle on the streets of Seoul. It has not yet been independently verified. South Korean armoured vehicle on the streets of Seoul 03:05 PM GMT What is martial law? Martial law is the replacement of civilian government with military rule and is typically brought in after emergencies such as a foreign invasion or a natural disaster. It is not the first time it has been declared in South Korea, a country which alternated between liberal democracy and military dictatorship throughout the second half of the 20th century. The measure was imposed after coup detat attempts in the 1960s and 70s, as well as in response to student protests in 1964 and 1979. It was also brought in after the assassination of Park Chung-hee, the president, in 1979. 03:04 PM GMT Pictured: South Korean president declares martial law during televised address President Yoon declares martial law in South Korea - US Civil Defense News 03:01 PM GMT Military bans all political activities South Koreas military has banned all political activities as of 11pm local time. The decree, issued by army chief of staff General Park An Su, also limits what can be published in the media and orders striking doctors to return to work within 48 hours. Those who violate the decree can be arrested or raided, the document states. Political activity is understood to include protests as well as the work of parliamentary parties. 02:57 PM GMT Welcome to our live coverage South Korea has declared martial law. Well be keeping you up to date with 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 South Korean National Assembly voted to lift an emergency declaration of martial law declared hours earlier by President Yoon Suk Yeol, a high-risk move that sent shockwaves across the country and caught South Korea's closest allies off guard. All 190 members of parliament who were present voted in favour of the corresponding motion, according to South Korean broadcasters. Yoon must lift the state of emergency in accordance with the constitution if the 300-seat parliament votes in favour by a majority, the reports said, citing Parliamentary Speaker Woo Won Shik. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But by early Wednesday morning neither the conservative president nor the military had responded to the vote by lawmakers. In his speech declaring martial law, broadcast live on television late Tuesday, Yoon accused the country's opposition of sympathizing with North Korea. The declaration aims to "eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional order of freedom," said Yoon. According to the news agency Yonhap, the declaration of martial law means that all political activities, including protests and party events, are banned. Martial law also restricts the activities of media outlets and publishers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details of the allegations made by Yoon were not initially known. Parliamentary Speaker Woo urged the military and police to remain calm. There were demonstrations on Tuesday evening around the parliament building, which had been temporarily blocked by the military, but these remained peaceful, according to a dpa reporter at the scene. Turmoil in parliament Yoon has been under domestic political pressure for months, with his People Power Party in a bitter fight over the budget bill for the coming year with the opposition Democratic Party. The liberal Democratic Party, which holds a majority in the National Assembly, on Friday single-handedly approved a budget foreseeing reduced spending in a special parliamentary committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yoon's office called on the opposition to withdraw the budget bill. Yoon has also accused the parliament of undermining the government's business by filing motions to impeach ministers and high-ranking officials. Since the government took office in May 2022, the National Assembly has filed 22 impeachment proceedings, which is unprecedented worldwide. A suspected corruption scandal surrounding Yoon's wife has recently further dented the president's popularity. Opposition leader Lee Jae Myung described the declaration of martial law as "unconstitutional" and unfounded, according to a Yonhap report. Tanks and soldiers with rifles could soon control the country, Lee further stated, according to Yonhap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Criticism also came from within Yoon's own government. The leader of the ruling party, Han Dong Hoon, described the declaration of martial law as "wrong," according to local media reports. He said they would "stop it together with the people." US government 'seriously concerned' The US government said it was in contact with the South Korean government and was closely monitoring the situation. "We are seriously concerned by the developments we are seeing on the ground," it said in a statement, adding that it was not informed in advance of Yoon's plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United States is South Korea's closest ally and has 30,000 troops stationed in the country. The German Foreign Office wrote on X: "We are following developments in South Korea closely and with great concern. Democracy must prevail." Tensions on the Korean peninsula have been rising. North Korea has significantly expanded its missile tests over the past two years and intensified its rhetoric against the United States and South Korea. It has also sent thousands of soldiers to Russia, where they are deployed in the recapture of the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces, and signed a strategic partnership with Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Russian news agency Interfax that the situation in Seoul was "alarming," while the Foreign Ministry instructed its citizens in South Korea to remain calm. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday. In a speech broadcast live on television he accused the country's opposition of sympathizing with North Korea. The declared state of emergency aims to "eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional order of freedom," said Yoon. According to the news agency Yonhap, access to the unicameral parliament, the National Assembly in Seoul, is currently blocked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, all political activities, including protests and party actions, are banned. Martial law also restricts the activities of media outlets and publishers. Details of the allegations made by Yoon were not initially known. The opposition has sharply criticized the measures. Opposition leader Lee Jae Myung described the declaration of martial law as "unconstitutional" and unfounded, according to a Yonhap report. Tanks and soldiers with rifles would soon control the country, Lee further stated, according to Yonhap. Criticism also came from within Yoon's own government. The leader of the ruling party, Han Dong Hoon, described the declaration of martial law as "wrong," according to local media reports. He said they would "stop it together with the people." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yoon has been under domestic political pressure for months. A suspected corruption scandal surrounding his wife has recently further dented his popularity. Additionally, the ruling party is in a bitter fight with the opposition over the budget bill for the coming year. North Korea, meanwhile, has significantly expanded its missile tests over the past two years and intensified its rhetoric against the United States and South Korea. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday. In a speech broadcast live on television he accused the country's opposition of sympathizing with North Korea. The declared state of emergency aims to "eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional order of freedom," said Yoon. According to the news agency Yonhap, access to the unicameral parliament, the National Assembly in Seoul, is currently blocked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, all political activities, including protests and party actions, are banned. Martial law also restricts the activities of media outlets and publishers. Details of the allegations made by Yoon were not initially known. Parliamentary Speaker Woo Won Shik urged the military and police to remain calm. The National Assembly later called for the lifting of the martial law imposed by Yoon after attending members voted in favour for a corresponding resolution, according to South Korean broadcasters. Yoon must lift the state of emergency in accordance with the constitution if the parliament votes in favour by a majority, the reports said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The opposition had earlier sharply criticized the measures. Opposition leader Lee Jae Myung described the declaration of martial law as "unconstitutional" and unfounded, according to a Yonhap report. Tanks and soldiers with rifles would soon control the country, Lee further stated, according to Yonhap. Criticism also came from within Yoon's own government. The leader of the ruling party, Han Dong Hoon, described the declaration of martial law as "wrong," according to local media reports. He said they would "stop it together with the people." Yoon has been under domestic political pressure for months. A suspected corruption scandal surrounding his wife has recently further dented his popularity. Additionally, the ruling party is in a bitter fight with the opposition over the budget bill for the coming year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Korea, meanwhile, has significantly expanded its missile tests over the past two years and intensified its rhetoric against the United States and South Korea. It has also sent thousands of soldiers to Russia, where they are deployed in the recapture of the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces. WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Ill. Southern Illinois deputies raced to save a pregnant woman inside a runaway car quickly nearing a freezing lake. According to the Williamson County Sheriffs Office, the woman was traveling westbound on Old Route 14 at Division Street near Carterville around 2 a.m. Monday. Despite pushing on her breaks and activating her brake lights, the vehicle would not decelerate and continued traveling at 30 miles per hour toward Crab Orchard Lake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After calling 911, the Williamson County Sheriffs Office Deputies responded and followed her vehicle, then conducted a roadblock to stop her vehicle. In order to stop the rogue vehicle, a patrol car passed her car and positioned in front of it. Then slowly decelerated until her vehicles front bumper made contact with the rear bumper of the patrol car. After contact was made, the patrol vehicle put on his brakes and brought both vehicles to a stop. Williamson County Deputies said the vehicle was stopped just 1/4 of a mile away from Crab Orchard Lake at the end of the road. Had the deputy not been on scene or delayed performing this maneuver, the driver and vehicle would have likely gone into the water upon reaching the lake, stated Sheriff Jeff Diederich on Facebook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WSCO Deputies said the patrol car sustained no damage and the runaway vehicle sustained very minor damage. No injuries were 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 FOX 2. California lawmakers met at the state Capitol Monday to devise a plan to shield the state from President-elect Donald Trump's conservative policies, including his vows to repeal environmental protections and initiate mass deportations. The goal of the special legislative session called by Gov. Gavin Newsom is to establish a $25 million fund for legal challenges to federal polices that the governor said could "harm the state," including when it comes to civil rights, abortion access and immigration. But with Trump's return as president, the politics of leading the resistance are trickier as Democrats assess how they lost the White House and grapple with why support for Trump in California increased since the 2020 election despite his felony convictions, pattern of lies and role in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol after his loss to President Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legislative leaders under pressure to prove that the special session is more than just political theater, as alleged by some Republicans tried to balance their concerns about a second Trump term with state issues important to constituents such as the rising cost of living. As the Legislature welcomed 35 new members including a record number of women Democrats, who maintain a supermajority, said the legal preparation was a necessary precaution. During Trump's first term as president, California filed more than 100 lawsuits against the federal government, winning protections for undocumented people who came to the U.S. as children and securing clean air rules. "If Washington, D.C., refuses to tackle climate change in the coming four years, mark my word that California will continue to lead as we always have," Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) said on the Senate floor Monday. "Because here in the Golden State, we fight to lift up every person, no matter your background, no matter your skin color, who you are, who you love and how you identify." As lawmakers introduced bills that tighten up abortion rights and further affirm California as the Trump antithesis, California leaders were more tempered in their messaging and put their focus on bipartisan pocketbook issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our constituents dont feel that the state of California is working for them," Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) said Monday, pointing to last month's election, in which voters rejected progressive backed measures and revoked prison reform laws. Rivas reduced the limit of bills allowed to be introduced and requested that all proposals focus on "affordability and prosperity." The speaker vowed to continue to protect Californians from any federal overreach targeting their rights. "If LGBTQ people come under attack, if hard-working immigrants are targeted, if womens reproductive freedom is threatened, we will fight back with everything we have," Rivas said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta said if the Legislature approves the legal fund, it will be used to pay attorneys and other staff ready to take action in court immediately if Trump does anything the state believes is unlawful. The proposed $25 million is "a start," Bonta said. "If there are no cases for us to bring because the Trump administration is acting completely lawfully, we won't use any of it. We don't expect that, based on what he did in the past what he has said he will do," Bonta said at a news conference in Sacramento on Monday. "Under Trump 2.0, we believe we will need to use all of it." California has been here before. Eight years ago, the legislative session kicked off with a similar motto, as Democratics rushed to thwart Trump's policies, introducing bills that aimed to protect immigrants from deportation threats similar to proposals coming from the administration now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Californians do not need healing. We need to fight, then-Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) said in December 2016, calling Trumps appointments then "white nationalists and antisemites" who "have no business working in the White House. Republicans tried to block the approval of the special session that kicked off Monday, painting it as an out-of-touch strategy and urging Democrats to avoid panic and resist egging on the federal government. The people of California sent a clear message during this election season. They are done with the majority partys failure to address the most important issues we face and they are ready for a return to commonsense, solution-focused governing, said Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R-Santee). We are thrilled to see Californians standing up against the Democrat machine and declaring, enough is enough. Even Newsom an ever-willing Trump foe has shifted his messaging after Republicans won the White House, Senate and House in the November election. In a statement on Monday, the governor said the special session is about "setting this state up for success" regardless of who is in the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will work with the incoming administration, and we want President Trump to succeed in serving all Americans," Newsom said. "But when there is overreach, when lives are threatened, when rights and freedoms are targeted, we will take action." Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) introduced a bill on Monday that would repeal taxes on car seats and baby wipes a bill he said "pro family" Republicans should support. He said members of his party need to "slow down" as they promise to lead the Trump resistance, and focus on policy that helps people instead of talking points. "I think it's different this time. No one's growing their base attacking Trump right now," Bryan said. "You can do real policy work and not just play politics with it." 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. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Just 20 years ago, over two million people worldwide died from AIDS-related illnesses. While there are now many ways to combat the virus, awareness is the first step. Yankee Home surprises Springfield resident with generous gift Countries around the world have celebrated World AIDS Day since 1988. The 37th anniversary marks a year of improvements in treatment and prevention. Helen Caulton-Harris, Commissioner of Health and Human Services in Springfield, told 22News that these improvements dont mean the fight is over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is critical to remember that this pandemic is not over individuals are still becoming HIV infected. It is important to educate ourselves to advocate for services, and to assure that we are passing the message of prevention to our children, said Caulton-Harris. Springfield had one of the highest rates of aids in the country at one point in time but now with treatment and prevention measures disease is very livable. AIDS cases have declined since the mid-2000s, with infection rates in decline due to widely available treatments and public awareness. Jon Marx with Planned Parenthood emphasized the message of World AIDS Day. Always important to uplift that its not a death sentence. That there is treatment. That there are so many available options, and that the stigma surrounding it is misconceptions and that weve come such a far way, said Marx. The UN set a goal to end the AIDS Pandemic by 2030, saying in a statement, Ending AIDS is not just a health issue it is a human rights mandate,. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information on AIDS testing resources, click here. 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. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) In St. Paris, council members and residents faced off once again on the fate of the local police department. Pressure continues to mount in St. Paris as the city goes through its second reading of the ordinance to disband the police department and contract out the Champaign County Sheriff. Room sustains heavy damage after Dayton house fire During the last meeting, they voted to amend a part of the ordinance, so their next meeting in January will host the final reading and vote on the fate of the St. Paris Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents of St. Paris once again filled the room of the villages municipal building. Council members conducted their first official reading of the new ordinance to dissolve the police force, but this time it was not an emergency. Tensions continue to remain high, as the village is on its fourth month of not having its police department in action since the current chief was placed on leave. While residents are thankful the sheriff is stepping in for now to fill the gap in their law enforcement coverage, they say the long response times they face are now a reason they want their own local department to stay. The sheriff is a good sheriff department for this county, but they are spread out all over our county, said Joyce Bowlin, resident. Its too far of a distance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bowlin told 2 NEWS of young people who have been running into the street in front of vehicles to get reactions out of drivers. When confronted, they tell people to go ahead and call 911, because the police wont get there in time anyway. Its unfortunate for this community, said Bowlin. Local village pushing back on councils proposal to dissolve, outsource police A local business owner says his building alarm went off twice, once when the local police were still in action and another when the sheriffs office was covering the village. I was down here within about five minutes and the St. Paris police were rolling up right with me, said Tony Whitman, business owner. About two months ago, we had an alarm go off at our new building and I got down here again. Waited for an additional 20 minutes for the sheriffs department to show up and they never did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayor, city attorney and another council member were not present at Mondays meeting. As of now, it is unclear why. The final reading of the ordinance will be at the next village council meeting 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 WDTN.com. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A St. Paul man was sentenced to more than six years in prison for selling fentanyl that caused one man to fatally overdose, Clackamas County officials announced Monday. Colby Jungwirth pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide related to the 2022 death of Christian Chase Robertson, whose cause of death was acute fentanyl toxicity, authorities said. Teen sentenced to life in prison for murdering 13-year-old Milana Li Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Robertsons death is extremely tragic, said Clackamas County District Attorney John Wentworth. Fentanyl is an extremely dangerous drug, and we at the Clackamas County District Attorneys Office are dedicated to prosecuting anyone who illicitly deals this drug. Robertson was found dead on June 2, 2022. After an investigation, authorities discovered that Robertson had purchased fentanyl pills from Jungwirth the previous night. Phone records showed calls between Jungwirth and the timeline/GPS of Robertsons phone traveling to St. Paul and then back home. Robertson was found deceased the following morning, officials said. Jungwirth was arrested the following day and admitted to selling Robertson fentanyl pills the night before his death. 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 KOIN.com. With the goal of redeveloping the vacant land around the Green Lines downtown Central Station, St. Paul teaming up with the Metropolitan Council to review a proposal from Indianapolis developer Flaherty and Collins Properties. The citys Housing and Redevelopment Authority joined the Met Council this year in issuing a joint request for proposals for the site, which is bounded by Fourth and Fifth streets, as well as Cedar and Minnesota streets. The Met Council and St. Paul HRA own separate parcels of land around the station and are offering them together, along with air rights above the Green Line track, as one development opportunity. In their request for proposals, they noted a project could include restructuring the adjacent stairway-elevator tower, skyway and bus stop and incorporating a new building or buildings. Flaherty and Collins Properties was the sole proposal received. The Met Council anticipates having a tentative development agreement identifying key project milestones in place early next year, said a Met Council spokesperson on Tuesday in a written statement issued on behalf of the regional planning agency. A spokesperson for the citys department of Planning and Economic Development referred questions to the Met Council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overall, the site has potential for 578,000 square feet of buildable space, according to the Met Council. The Green Line opened in 2014. Flaherty and Collins have developed more than 70 properties in the Midwest, most of them in Indiana. In 2016, they opened 2700 University, a $54 million, six-story, mixed-income apartment building between Emerald and Berry streets near the Minneapolis border and Metro Transits Westgate light-rail station. In 2019, the same company was one of several that pitched concepts to redevelop the space above the RiverCentre parking ramp. Efforts to reach a spokesperson for the developer on Tuesday were not immediately successful. Related Articles Sir Keir Starmer will not discuss a return of the Elgin Marbles to Greece when he meets his Greek coutnerpart on Tuesday, Downing Street has said. The prime minister will welcome Kyriakos Mitsotakis to No 10 on Tuesday morning, the Greek leaders first official visit to the UK since a quarrel with Rishi Sunaks government over the ancient marbles, also known as the Parthenon Sculptures. Greece has long maintained that the Elgin Marbles were illegally removed from their place high atop Athens acropolis during a period of foreign occupation. The Elgin Marbles on display at the British Museum (Matthew Fearn/PA) (PA Archive) The government and the British Museum reject this characterisation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of the meeting between the two premiers, Sir Keirs official spokesman suggested conversation would not touch upon the marbles. Its not going to be on the Prime Ministers agenda. His focus will be on support for Ukraine, the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza, the spokesman said. He added: Our position on the Elgin Marbles has not changed. It remains a matter for the British Museum, and the government has no plans to change the law to permit a permanent move of the Parthenon Sculptures. But it came amid reports that ongoing talks about the future of the statues are now well advanced, citing sources close to the negotiations between the museum and the Greek Foreign Ministry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A cultural partnership would be likely to be at the heart of a deal, The Guardian said, which could see the sculptures returned to Athens in exchange for exhibitions of famous artworks. A diplomatic row between Greece and the UK was sparked under the previous government (PA Archive) The marble statues came from friezes on the 2,500-year-old Parthenon temple and have been displayed at the British Museum for more than 200 years. They were removed by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century, when he was British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. Some of the remaining temple statues are on display in the purpose-built Acropolis Museum in Athens, and Greece has long called for the collections to be reunited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A diplomatic row between Greece and the UK was sparked under the previous government when former PM Mr Sunak cancelled a meeting with Mr Mitsotakis, who had made a push for the sculptures return. Mr Sunak denied having thrown a hissy fit over the matter and accused his counterpart of grandstanding. Mr Mitsotakis had compared splitting the Elgin Marbles from those still in Athens to cutting the Mona Lisa in half. Sir Keir Starmer has been warned that he will miss his housing target by at least 388,000 homes, in a blow to the Prime Ministers efforts to relaunch his Government. Ministers will be unable to meet their pledge to build more than 1.12m homes by 2029 because planning reforms fail to get to the root of Britains problems, according to the Centre for Cities, a think tank. Completions are forecast to be at least 25pc short of the Prime Ministers key manifesto promise to build 1.5m homes over five years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortfalls will be biggest in major cities, with Greater London set to miss its target by 196,000 homes over five years 60pc below its goal. Renewed doubts over Labours manifesto pledge come as the Prime Minister prepares to relaunch his Government after a dismal first 150 days in power. Sir Keir will on Thursday announce a new series of milestone promises in a bid to refocus his Government around a smaller list of core objectives, against which he will ask voters to judge him. These are expected to include Labours manifesto pledge to build 1.5m homes over this parliament, as well as pledges to improve living standards and early years education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the Prime Minister is expected to sideline his flagship manifesto promise to achieve the highest sustained economic growth in the G7. The Centre for Cities analysis shows that even the Governments reduced list of priorities may prove hugely challenging to meet. At the end of July, Angela Rayner, the Housing Secretary, unveiled a radical plan to get Britain building. Policies included a new draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which will reinstate mandatory housing targets for local authorities, increase the targets in many areas and open up so-called grey belt land for development. However, the Centre for Cities said Sir Keir would either need to scrap the green belt completely or remove the discretionary element of the planning system altogether if the Government wanted to hit its target. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This would mean councils would no longer be able to make planning decisions on a case-by-case basis. Instead, areas would be designated construction zones and any developers with the proper paperwork would be free to build. Planning system doesnt allow adequate supply of homes Andrew Carter, the chief executive of Centre for Cities, said: The UKs big cities are the jobs and productivity engines of the economy but our planning system doesnt allow and has never allowed them to build an adequate supply of homes for everyone that could work there. Previous analysis by the Centre for Cities found that the UK has 4.3m missing homes that have not been built since the UKs discretionary planning system was introduced in 1947, compared to the average European country. Mr Carter added: We have done wholesale planning reform before and we can do it again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we cant do is raise national economic growth and reduce the strain high housing costs place on peoples spending power if we dont address the backlog of missing homes. Separately, Alastair King, the Lord Mayor of the City of London Corporation, warned that the Government was not moving fast enough to boost the economy. In a keynote address to the Prime Minister and political leaders at the Guildhall on Monday evening, he said: Here in the City, we strongly welcome your industrial strategy that recognises the critical importance of the financial and professional services sector in achieving growth. But we must ask ourselves, Are we going far enough and are we going fast enough? I believe the answer is no. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr King called for more generous tax breaks on the trading of stocks and shares to encourage investment in the UK. He said: It cannot be logically correct that, as it stands, we do not pay tax on purchases of international vehicles such as Tesla, but we are taxed for investing in a British brand like Aston Martin. A government spokesman said: Despite the dire housebuilding inheritance we are trying to fix, we will deliver the 1.5m homes our country desperately needs and get Britain building again. To get there, the Government has already outlined plans to streamline the planning system, restored mandatory housing targets, established a programme to unblock homes stuck in the planning process, and set up a new body to deliver the next generation of new towns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On top of this our Planning and Infrastructure Bill will go even further in overhauling the planning system to boost housebuilding and economic growth across the country. 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. AUSTIN (KXAN) After failing to make it to the governors desk last legislative session, Texas lawmakers are re-filing bills to decriminalize fentanyl test strips. Those strips can alert drug users to the presence of fentanyl which is often more potent and deadly than other drugs. HB 253, filed by Rep. James Talarico, D-Williamson County, would decriminalize the test strips. Sen. Sarah Eckhardt and Sen. Molly Cook, both Democrats, filed a companion bill in the Senate SB 362. Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Harris County, said he will also re-file his decriminalization bill this session with few changes from last session. There are only five states that still outlaw these test trips, and Texas is one of them. So weve got to change this so that we can start saving lives here in our state, Talarico said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Erin Zwiener, D-Hays County, also filed a similar bill Tuesday. We have a responsibility to try and save lives, Zwiener said. Just this year in my district there have been six fentanyl poisonings in Hays County and four of those resulted in deaths. Those are four people who should be with us today. Fentanyl test strips are illegal in Texas, and its getting national attention Stephanie Roe, who lost her son, Tucker, to fentanyl poisoning and has since successfully pushed changes to Texas law, said on KXANs State of Texas that her nonprofit is prioritizing the decriminalization of the strips again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We really want that to pass this session. We were disappointed last session that that did not get passed, and were working on several others [changes] as well. We will not stop. We are relentless, Roe said. Previous legislative efforts fall short Despite bipartisan support, bills addressing fentanyl test strips havent made it to the governors desk. Last legislative session, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he supported decriminalization. So that people will be able to test drugs at home to know whether or not it might be laced with fentanyl, Abbott said then, after visiting with University of Houston researchers who developed a fentanyl vaccine. Gov. Greg Abbott says he supports decriminalizing fentanyl testing strips Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While weve seen some bipartisan support in Congress and in the Texas Legislature for supporting fentanyl testing strips, weve never made it past the legislative line in either forum. And we need in Congress, and in the Texas Legislature thats about to convene, approval to make these fentanyl testing strips readily available and legal, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett said Monday at a Travis County federal grant announcement tied to drug overdoses. Last session, the Texas House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to legalize fentanyl test strips. The bill did not make it through the Senate. I think we just have to keep working with thembut what happened last time, unfortunately, is we got into a position where the bill got stuck, I was working to get it unstuck and then folks decided to barricade themselves inside a senators office. And threatening lawmakers is never a strategy for actually winning the persuasion argument, Oliverson 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 KXAN Austin. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM State Archivist Adam Jansen shows the original concept painting of the USS Arizona Memorial by Austrian-born architect Alfred Preis. 1 /2 KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM State Archivist Adam Jansen shows the original concept painting of the USS Arizona Memorial by Austrian-born architect Alfred Preis. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM A flyer for Elvis Presleys fundraiser to support war memorials in Hawaii. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 /2 KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM A flyer for Elvis Presleys fundraiser to support war memorials in Hawaii. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM State Archivist Adam Jansen shows the original concept painting of the USS Arizona Memorial by Austrian-born architect Alfred Preis. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM A flyer for Elvis Presleys fundraiser to support war memorials in Hawaii. The Hawaii State Archive is cataloging documents and records from the Pacific War Memorial Commission, chronicling how the state raised money to commemorate the Dec. 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor attack by Japan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a story that involves a nationwide fundraising drive, multiple architects with wildly different visions, several proposed memorial locations and an unexpected fundraising push by Elvis Presley and his controversial manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Weve always had these records, but we never really dove into them, said state Archivist Adam Jansen. The state archive has in its possession an original concept sketch of the current USS Arizona memorial by Austrian -born architect Alfred Preis. When World War II broke out, Preis was thrown into a camp with other suspected enemy aliens because of his Austrian heritagealong with several other suspicious people. Preis was ultimately released and went on to work for the Hawaii Territorial Department of Public Workseventually opening his own business on Oahu. In 2022 the U.S. National Park Service set up a free temporary exhibit at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial on Preis life and works, and the archives were revisited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state archive offered to loan Preis original sketch to the NPS, which elected instead to go with a small-scale replica with their own archivists who continued going through records. 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. We knew we had the drawing, but we werent clear exactly how we got the drawing, said Jansen. So once we dug into that, it turns out that the Pacific War Memorial Commission gifted it to Gov. (William ) Quinn, and so we received it through that avenue. And so we started looking into the Pacific War Memorial Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pacific War Mar Memorial Commission was established by the Hawaii territorial Legislature in 1949 and was tasked with figuring out how to build memorials commemorating World War II in the Pacific. But it was also expected to find its budget through private donations, with an estimated cost of $500, 000. Documents in the archive show what could have been, with several suggested potential memorials around Oahu to commemorate the attack. Among suggested memorial locations were Pearl Harbor itself and Red Hillwhich in recent years has become controversial because of the covertly built underground fuel farm that sits 100 feet above the aquifer most Oahu residents rely on for clean water. In November 2021, fuel from Red Hill tainted the Navys Oahu water system, which 93, 000 people rely on, and the serv ice has been working to shut down the facility. The documents also show wildly different visions of existing memorials, including a concept for a USS Arizona Memorial that included an elevated over-water walkway from Ford Island leading to a proposed platform over the wreckage of the battleship. Ultimately, Hawaii went from being a territory to a full-fledged state in August 1959. But even so, in the years after World War II and as the Cold War ramped up, commemoration of the Pearl Harbor attack and Pacific battles took a back seat for federal officials. As the Pacific Memorial War Commission sought funds, it looked nationally for help on the state and grass-roots levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have documents here, in 1960 there was a nationwide initiative to release proclamations from the (state ) governors to encourage folks to donate, said Jansen, Theres 24 states in here that I counted, plus several city initiatives as well doing the same. Hawaiis newly formed state government pledged $50, 000 in public funds, and the federal government would ultimately step forward to help bring the project to the finish line. By 1961 only about $300, 000 had been raised. But that year an unexpected opportunity arose. Presley was on-island filming one of his movies, and his manager, Parkerwho had been recognized as a Kentucky colonel and preferred to be addressed as Colonel Tom offered to have Elvis do a one-day benefit concert to raise money. Archivists found that they had flyers, letters and contracts, including those signed by Parkerwho signed all documents as The Colonel. Ultimately, Presleys one-day show raised over $52, 000. While the show made a dent in what the commission needed, Hawaii would have to raise a lot more cash to make any memorial a reality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal government ultimately stepped in. By 1963, then-President John F. Kennedy visited Hawaii to see the USS Arizona Memorial. State archivists hope to make records and documents available digitally in two years for the 85th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. But its a delicate process. We have the capability, said Jansen. We just need to do it very carefully, because given its age, it is possible that it could fall apart. Jansen said that the goal of digitizing records is to make them available for people who might not have the time or ability to come to the archives physically. But he stressed that its important to maintain the physical documents themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Notably, heat waves, hurricanes and other weather-connected disasters have threatened data servers and raised questions about the long-term stability of digital archives. Jansen said its important to have multiple copiesphysical and digitalof historical documents like these. Its an unfiltered look into the past, and so we can get history directly from those who were there and those who shaped it, said Jansen. At the end of the day, we can rebuild things. (But ) these were peoples livesfathers, sons, husbands. So remembering them is critically important as a society. Though the digitization of the Pearl Harbor documents is still in progress, the state archives are available to the public both online and in person to those interested in learning about Hawaiis history. For information, go to. Remembering Pearl Harbor The National Park Service will observe the 83rd anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack by focusing on the theme of Forging Ahead to recognize the role younger generations play in preserving and honoring those who sacrificed on Dec. 7, 1941. The following events are planned :USS Utah Ceremony, 4 :30 p.m. Friday, USS Utah Memorial. Event is open to the public, but visitors must have access to Ford Island (military or government ID ).National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony, 7 :30 a.m. Saturday, Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Open to the public. (To plan your visit, go to.)USS Oklahoma Ceremony, 2 p.m. Saturday, USS Oklahoma Memorial. Open to the public, but visitors must have access to Ford Island (military or government ID ),Blackened Canteen Ceremony, 5 p.m. Sunday, USS Arizona Memorial. Invitation only. For more information, go to the Pacific Historic Parks website at. An Arizona grand jury has indicted two out-of-state residents alleging the pair made up 43 children on applications for private school voucher dollars they in turn used for their own living expenses. The pair submitted applications for the voucher program for 50 children, most of whom did not exist, according to a news release from Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes' Office. The duo allegedly used other false names and forged birth certificates, utility bills and lease agreements as part of the applications, according to the prosecutor. The indictment said they obtained $110,258.28 in taxpayer funding using false application information between December 2022 and May 2024. Arizona's voucher program is formally called Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, or ESAs. Advertisement Advertisement The vouchers have been a political lightning rod in the state for years. Opponents lament diverting taxpayer funding from public schools to private ones and point to examples of misuse of funds, like buying dune buggies. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, has sought reforms and limits on the program for two years, only to be stymied by the Republican-majority Legislature. Impacting education: Funding measures fail in 8 Maricopa County school districts Mayes, a Democrat, has pledged oversight of the program and previously announced an indictment of several former state Education Department employees on similar fraud charges. Supporters of the program say it allows children and families flexibility to determine their own educational paths. Under the tenure of former Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, the state expanded eligibility to all students in Arizona in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Over 83,000 students are participating, while another approximately 1.1 million attend public schools, according to the Arizona Department of Education. The department, which processes voucher applications and payments, flagged the two individuals and sent information to the Attorney General's Office leading to the indictments announced Monday. "As a former Arizona attorney general, I am determined as superintendent to eliminate any fraud within the ESA program," Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne said in a statement. Horne's spokesperson declined to provide more details about how the alleged criminal behavior came to light, citing an ongoing criminal investigation. The two people facing charges are identified in the indictment as Johnny Lee Bowers and Ashley Meredith Hewitt, who also uses the name Ashley Hopkins. They previously lived in Colorado but now appear to be in Utah, according to Mayes' office. Advertisement Advertisement They are charged with conspiracy, fraud and 58 counts of forgery each, according to the indictment. The charges are felonies, meaning convictions could carry prison time depending on unique factors like prior criminal history and severity of the offense. The Arizona Republic was unable to reach Bowers and Hewitt on Monday using phone numbers affiliated with them in public records. Reach reporter Stacey Barchenger at stacey.barchenger@arizonarepublic.com or 480-416-5669. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 2 indicted in Arizona after being accused of school voucher fraud Dec. 2A man was shot during a standoff with New Mexico State Police in Deming Monday morning. John Dwillis, 55, was charged with aggravated assault upon a peace officer with a deadly weapon. It is unclear where he is from. No officers were reported injured. The NMSP officer who shot Dwillis has been placed on administrative leave. NMSP did not release the officer's identity pending the completion of interviews, State Police spokesperson Wilson Silver said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At about 8:15 a.m. Monday, the Luna County Sheriff's Office received a call of a domestic disturbance call in the 8000 block of Monte Road , a couple of miles west of Rockhound State Park. When deputies arrived, they made contact with Dwillis as he stood near a pickup. During the interaction, Dwillis fired "at least one round" at them before barricading himself inside the truck, Silver said. State Police officers arrived and during negotiations with Dwillis, an officer fired "at least one round" that struck Dwillis . He was flown to a Texas hospital in unknown condition, Silver said. "The New Mexico State Police acts as a fact finder in its cases and does not determine whether an officer's actions were justified in these types of matters," Silver said. "That decision rests with the district attorney's office." LOS LUNAS, N.M. (KRQE) New Mexico State Police arrested a wanted felon in Los Lunas on Friday. Officers found Carlos Lynch, 40, in a vehicle parked outside a Sonic restaurant. Officials said when they arrived, Lynch drove his vehicle over a curb and began to flee from officers. After a short pursuit, an officer utilized a P.I.T. maneuver to stop the vehicle. Lynch was taken into custody and later booked into the Valencia County Detention Center. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was charged with aggravated fleeing and felon in possession of a firearm after a loaded pistol was located inside his vehicle, according to police. Lynch was also arrested for his numerous warrants on charges of child abuse, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, shoplifting, resisting, evading, or obstructing an officer, and residential burglary. 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. Inmates exercise in the maximum security yard of the Lansing Correctional Facility in Lansing, Kan. When prisons enter lockdown, access to yard time and other activities, including rehabilitative programming and work, is often limited or completely suspended. (John Moore/Getty Images) Across the United States, state prison systems are grappling with chronic understaffing and overcrowding dual crises that are keeping incarcerated people confined to their cells for far longer periods than in recent decades. Lockdowns are common in jails and prisons nationwide, but most usually last only a few hours or days. During lockdowns, access to rehabilitative classes, religious activities, work and visitation is limited or completely suspended. Incarcerated people on lockdown can lose their usual routines, which may include exercise, calls to loved ones and other structured activities. And meals are typically eaten inside the prisoners cell, further isolating them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently, lockdowns have been extended for weeks or even months at many facilities suffering staff shortages. Whats unusual here is that youve got these more sustained lockdowns, Michele Deitch, the director of the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab at the University of Texas at Austin, told Stateline. People are not in that situation because of disciplinary reasons. Theyre in there for the convenience and management of the institution. Prisons in many states have implemented prolonged lockdowns. In some cases they have intensified tensions within prison walls, at times contributing to violence between incarcerated people and staff, increased drug use and deaths by suicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, the Green Bay Correctional Institution in Wisconsin resumed normal operations in July after being on lockdown for more than a year. As of Nov. 29, the facility housed 1,080 people, nearly 45% above its designed capacity of 749. Meanwhile, the Waupun Correctional Institution, also in Wisconsin, has been under some form of lockdown for more than a year. At least five incarcerated people have died since June 2023. Nine current and former staff members, including the facilitys previous warden, are facing felony charges in connection with two of the deaths. The facility has resumed normal operations for the most part since this summer when in-person visitation resumed, wrote Beth Hardtke, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections director of communications, in an email to Stateline. As of mid-November, the vacancy rate for corrections officers and sergeants across the states adult correctional facilities was nearly 12%, down significantly from the peak of 35% in August of last year, according to the departments staffing dashboard. In the states juvenile facilities, the vacancy rate stands at about 10%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The past months of modified movement have allowed staff to examine our policies to enhance safety while offering persons in our care high-quality educational and therapeutic programming and services, said Wisconsin Department of Corrections Secretary Jared Hoy in a June news release. The South Dakota Department of Corrections in October ended a 17-day lockdown of nearly 1,300 people at the state penitentiary in Sioux Falls. During the lockdown, corrections officers discovered contraband, including handmade weapons and unauthorized electronics. Tennessee has fined private prison operator CoreCivic $29.5 million for failing to meet staffing requirements in four facilities since 2022. In Texas, some facilities operate with a 70% corrections officer vacancy rate meaning those prisons are trying to maintain security with fewer than half the officers they need, according to a September report from the Sunset Advisory Commission, a legislative agency tasked with evaluating state departments. The evaluation came in the wake of a statewide prison lockdown that lasted just over a month last year, prompted by a rise in contraband and drug-related homicides among inmates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lockdowns are one of those things that just fly under the radar. Michele Deitch, director of the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab The report highlighted that the states incarcerated population is projected to outgrow the Texas Department of Criminal Justices bed capacity by the end of fiscal year 2025. And a federal investigation into Georgias state prison system found conditions that violate the U.S. Constitution, including rampant violence, sexual assault, drug smuggling and gang activity, according to a report released in October by the U.S. Department of Justice. The report also revealed that sexual violence remains prevalent in isolation areas, and that the Georgia Department of Corrections places some people in lockdown with others who sexually abuse them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An investigation by the nonprofit news outlet Truthout found that at least 33 state prison systems had placed incarcerated adults under non-disciplinary lockdowns at least once and often repeatedly or for extended periods between 2016 and 2023. Despite the many extended lockdowns and mounting pressure to fill vacancies and manage growing prison populations, most states neither report nor are legally required to disclose the frequency of lockdowns or what types of incidents occur during them, according to some prison policy experts. Lockdowns are one of those things that just fly under the radar, Deitch, of the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab, told Stateline. Were underestimating the number of people that are affected by these kinds of policies. Rising tensions and dire consequences The long-standing issues of understaffing and overcrowding in U.S. prisons were brought into sharper focus during the COVID-19 pandemic, when widespread lockdown restrictions and severe staffing shortages further strained correctional facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These shortages extend beyond corrections officers, affecting prison health care staff and other essential personnel. In 2021, one incarcerated Missouri man who was in severe pain pulled out his own teeth after he was unable to secure a dental appointment due to staffing shortages, according to the Jefferson City News Tribune. These extended lockdowns have become increasingly similar to restrictive housing, or solitary confinement, which is when incarcerated people are confined to their cells for up to 24 hours a day with minimal human contact or access to activities, according to Deitch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre going to see a lot more tension rising among the population, which could lead to more assaults and other kinds of abuses. Youre more likely to see people using drugs or something to kind of escape from all of that, Deitch said. In September, an incarcerated person attacked two prison staff members at the Iowa State Penitentiary. Union leaders said the staff assault was symptomatic of the agencys understaffing; it was the 33rd such attack of the year at the prison. In Illinois, employees from more than 24 state correctional facilities rallied in October to protest unsafe working conditions. Officers reported a rise in violent assaults on staff and exposure to narcotics, synthetic drugs and other toxic substances. As of Dec. 2, at least four state correctional facilities, all of which experienced officer protests, are under either partial or full lockdown. The Illinois Department of Corrections operation and management reports show a major uptick in the number of lockdowns across facilities, with 635 in fiscal year 2019 and 1,814 in fiscal year 2024. The strain on workers Across the country, corrections staff are frequently required to work mandatory overtime because of severe staffing shortages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These extra hours leave little time for officers to rest, spend time with their families or manage personal responsibilities, making it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance, according to Andy Potter, a former corrections officer and the founder of One Voice United, a national advocacy group representing corrections staff. The demanding schedules also can take a significant toll on staffs physical and mental health, leading to burnout and further exacerbating the staffing crisis, as some officers leave the profession entirely. This cycle creates an even greater strain on the remaining staff, perpetuating a system stretched beyond its limits. State prison populations also grew by 2% between 2021 and 2022, according to the most recent data from the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics, reversing a longtime downward trend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The growth could continue: Several states recently have enacted laws aimed at cracking down on violent crimes, drug-related crimes, retail theft and other crimes that could send more people to prison. The states include Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana, Oregon and Tennessee. Yet prisons across the country have long struggled to recruit and retain staff. In 2023, the number of people working in state prisons fell to its lowest level this century, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Some states have tried to address prison understaffing by raising starting wages and offering comprehensive benefits packages. But the strategies that attract new hires wont retain them if mandatory overtime and poor working conditions continue, say worker advocates. Theres a real blind spot when it comes to how employees are treated, how they are trained, how they are looked at in this paramilitary structure, said Potter, who worked as a Michigan state corrections officer for more than 20 years. I dont think youll ever see a level of success from locking down a prison, he said, other than you have to be able to maintain the security and the safety of those that are in your custody and those that are in your employment. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Inmates exercise in the maximum security yard of the Lansing Correctional Facility in Lansing, Kan. When prisons enter lockdown, access to yard time and other activities, including rehabilitative programming and work, is often limited or completely suspended. (John Moore/Getty Images) Across the United States, state prison systems are grappling with chronic understaffing and overcrowding dual crises that are keeping incarcerated people confined to their cells for far longer periods than in recent decades. Lockdowns are common in jails and prisons nationwide, but most usually last only a few hours or days. During lockdowns, access to rehabilitative classes, religious activities, work and visitation is limited or completely suspended. Incarcerated people on lockdown can lose their usual routines, which may include exercise, calls to loved ones and other structured activities. And meals are typically eaten inside the prisoners cell, further isolating them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently, lockdowns have been extended for weeks or even months at many facilities suffering staff shortages. Whats unusual here is that youve got these more sustained lockdowns, Michele Deitch, the director of the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab at the University of Texas at Austin, told Stateline. People are not in that situation because of disciplinary reasons. Theyre in there for the convenience and management of the institution. Prisons in many states have implemented prolonged lockdowns. In some cases they have intensified tensions within prison walls, at times contributing to violence between incarcerated people and staff, increased drug use and deaths by suicide. For example, the Green Bay Correctional Institution in Wisconsin resumed normal operations in July after being on lockdown for more than a year. As of Nov. 29, the facility housed 1,080 people, nearly 45% above its designed capacity of 749. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the Waupun Correctional Institution, also in Wisconsin, has been under some form of lockdown for more than a year. At least five incarcerated people have died since June 2023. Nine current and former staff members, including the facilitys previous warden, are facing felony charges in connection with two of the deaths. The facility has resumed normal operations for the most part since this summer when in-person visitation resumed, wrote Beth Hardtke, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections director of communications, in an email to Stateline. As of mid-November, the vacancy rate for corrections officers and sergeants across the states adult correctional facilities was nearly 12%, down significantly from the peak of 35% in August of last year, according to the departments staffing dashboard. In the states juvenile facilities, the vacancy rate stands at about 10%. The past months of modified movement have allowed staff to examine our policies to enhance safety while offering persons in our care high-quality educational and therapeutic programming and services, said Wisconsin Department of Corrections Secretary Jared Hoy in a June news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The South Dakota Department of Corrections in October ended a 17-day lockdown of nearly 1,300 people at the state penitentiary in Sioux Falls. During the lockdown, corrections officers discovered contraband, including handmade weapons and unauthorized electronics. Tennessee has fined private prison operator CoreCivic $29.5 million for failing to meet staffing requirements in four facilities since 2022. In Texas, some facilities operate with a 70% corrections officer vacancy rate meaning those prisons are trying to maintain security with fewer than half the officers they need, according to a September report from the Sunset Advisory Commission, a legislative agency tasked with evaluating state departments. The evaluation came in the wake of a statewide prison lockdown that lasted just over a month last year, prompted by a rise in contraband and drug-related homicides among inmates. Lockdowns are one of those things that just fly under the radar. Michele Deitch, director of the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab The report highlighted that the states incarcerated population is projected to outgrow the Texas Department of Criminal Justices bed capacity by the end of fiscal year 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And a federal investigation into Georgias state prison system found conditions that violate the U.S. Constitution, including rampant violence, sexual assault, drug smuggling and gang activity, according to a report released in October by the U.S. Department of Justice. The report also revealed that sexual violence remains prevalent in isolation areas, and that the Georgia Department of Corrections places some people in lockdown with others who sexually abuse them. An investigation by the nonprofit news outlet Truthout found that at least 33 state prison systems had placed incarcerated adults under non-disciplinary lockdowns at least once and often repeatedly or for extended periods between 2016 and 2023. Despite the many extended lockdowns and mounting pressure to fill vacancies and manage growing prison populations, most states neither report nor are legally required to disclose the frequency of lockdowns or what types of incidents occur during them, according to some prison policy experts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lockdowns are one of those things that just fly under the radar, Deitch, of the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab, told Stateline. Were underestimating the number of people that are affected by these kinds of policies. Rising tensions and dire consequences The long-standing issues of understaffing and overcrowding in U.S. prisons were brought into sharper focus during the COVID-19 pandemic, when widespread lockdown restrictions and severe staffing shortages further strained correctional facilities. These shortages extend beyond corrections officers, affecting prison health care staff and other essential personnel. In 2021, one incarcerated Missouri man who was in severe pain pulled out his own teeth after he was unable to secure a dental appointment due to staffing shortages, according to the Jefferson City News Tribune. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These extended lockdowns have become increasingly similar to restrictive housing, or solitary confinement, which is when incarcerated people are confined to their cells for up to 24 hours a day with minimal human contact or access to activities, according to Deitch. Youre going to see a lot more tension rising among the population, which could lead to more assaults and other kinds of abuses. Youre more likely to see people using drugs or something to kind of escape from all of that, Deitch said. In September, an incarcerated person attacked two prison staff members at the Iowa State Penitentiary. Union leaders said the staff assault was symptomatic of the agencys understaffing; it was the 33rd such attack of the year at the prison. In Illinois, employees from more than 24 state correctional facilities rallied in October to protest unsafe working conditions. Officers reported a rise in violent assaults on staff and exposure to narcotics, synthetic drugs and other toxic substances. As of Dec. 2, at least four state correctional facilities, all of which experienced officer protests, are under either partial or full lockdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Illinois Department of Corrections operation and management reports show a major uptick in the number of lockdowns across facilities, with 635 in fiscal year 2019 and 1,814 in fiscal year 2024. The strain on workers Across the country, corrections staff are frequently required to work mandatory overtime because of severe staffing shortages. These extra hours leave little time for officers to rest, spend time with their families or manage personal responsibilities, making it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance, according to Andy Potter, a former corrections officer and the founder of One Voice United, a national advocacy group representing corrections staff. The demanding schedules also can take a significant toll on staffs physical and mental health, leading to burnout and further exacerbating the staffing crisis, as some officers leave the profession entirely. This cycle creates an even greater strain on the remaining staff, perpetuating a system stretched beyond its limits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State prison populations also grew by 2% between 2021 and 2022, according to the most recent data from the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics, reversing a longtime downward trend. The growth could continue: Several states recently have enacted laws aimed at cracking down on violent crimes, drug-related crimes, retail theft and other crimes that could send more people to prison. The states include Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana, Oregon and Tennessee. Yet prisons across the country have long struggled to recruit and retain staff. In 2023, the number of people working in state prisons fell to its lowest level this century, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Some states have tried to address prison understaffing by raising starting wages and offering comprehensive benefits packages. But the strategies that attract new hires wont retain them if mandatory overtime and poor working conditions continue, say worker advocates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a real blind spot when it comes to how employees are treated, how they are trained, how they are looked at in this paramilitary structure, said Potter, who worked as a Michigan state corrections officer for more than 20 years. I dont think youll ever see a level of success from locking down a prison, he said, other than you have to be able to maintain the security and the safety of those that are in your custody and those that are in your employment. 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. Inmates exercise in the maximum security yard of the Lansing Correctional Facility on April 18, 2023, in Lansing, Kansas. (John Moore/Getty Images) Across the United States, state prison systems are grappling with chronic understaffing and overcrowding dual crises that are keeping incarcerated people confined to their cells for far longer periods than in recent decades. Lockdowns are common in jails and prisons nationwide, but most usually last only a few hours or days. During lockdowns, access to rehabilitative classes, religious activities, work and visitation is limited or completely suspended. Incarcerated people on lockdown can lose their usual routines, which may include exercise, calls to loved ones and other structured activities. And meals are typically eaten inside the prisoners cell, further isolating them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently, lockdowns have been extended for weeks or even months at many facilities suffering staff shortages. Whats unusual here is that youve got these more sustained lockdowns, Michele Deitch, the director of the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab at the University of Texas at Austin, told Stateline. People are not in that situation because of disciplinary reasons. Theyre in there for the convenience and management of the institution. Prisons in many states have implemented prolonged lockdowns. In some cases they have intensified tensions within prison walls, at times contributing to violence between incarcerated people and staff, increased drug use and deaths by suicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, the Green Bay Correctional Institution in Wisconsin resumed normal operations in July after being on lockdown for more than a year. As of Nov. 29, the facility housed 1,080 people, nearly 45% above its designed capacity of 749. Meanwhile, the Waupun Correctional Institution, also in Wisconsin, has been under some form of lockdown for more than a year. At least five incarcerated people have died since June 2023. Nine current and former staff members, including the facilitys previous warden, are facing felony charges in connection with two of the deaths. The facility has resumed normal operations for the most part since this summer when in-person visitation resumed, wrote Beth Hardtke, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections director of communications, in an email to Stateline. As of mid-November, the vacancy rate for corrections officers and sergeants across the states adult correctional facilities was nearly 12%, down significantly from the peak of 35% in August of last year, according to the departments staffing dashboard. In the states juvenile facilities, the vacancy rate stands at about 10%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The past months of modified movement have allowed staff to examine our policies to enhance safety while offering persons in our care high-quality educational and therapeutic programming and services, said Wisconsin Department of Corrections Secretary Jared Hoy in a June news release. The South Dakota Department of Corrections in October ended a 17-day lockdown of nearly 1,300 people at the state penitentiary in Sioux Falls. During the lockdown, corrections officers discovered contraband, including handmade weapons and unauthorized electronics. Tennessee has fined private prison operator CoreCivic $29.5 million for failing to meet staffing requirements in four facilities since 2022. In Texas, some facilities operate with a 70% corrections officer vacancy rate meaning those prisons are trying to maintain security with fewer than half the officers they need, according to a September report from the Sunset Advisory Commission, a legislative agency tasked with evaluating state departments. The evaluation came in the wake of a statewide prison lockdown that lasted just over a month last year, prompted by a rise in contraband and drug-related homicides among inmates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lockdowns are one of those things that just fly under the radar. Michele Deitch, director of the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab The report highlighted that the states incarcerated population is projected to outgrow the Texas Department of Criminal Justices bed capacity by the end of fiscal year 2025. And a federal investigation into Georgias state prison system found conditions that violate the U.S. Constitution, including rampant violence, sexual assault, drug smuggling and gang activity, according to a report released in October by the U.S. Department of Justice. The report also revealed that sexual violence remains prevalent in isolation areas, and that the Georgia Department of Corrections places some people in lockdown with others who sexually abuse them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An investigation by the nonprofit news outlet Truthout found that at least 33 state prison systems had placed incarcerated adults under non-disciplinary lockdowns at least once and often repeatedly or for extended periods between 2016 and 2023. Despite the many extended lockdowns and mounting pressure to fill vacancies and manage growing prison populations, most states neither report nor are legally required to disclose the frequency of lockdowns or what types of incidents occur during them, according to some prison policy experts. Lockdowns are one of those things that just fly under the radar, Deitch, of the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab, told Stateline. Were underestimating the number of people that are affected by these kinds of policies. Rising tensions and dire consequences The long-standing issues of understaffing and overcrowding in U.S. prisons were brought into sharper focus during the COVID-19 pandemic, when widespread lockdown restrictions and severe staffing shortages further strained correctional facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These shortages extend beyond corrections officers, affecting prison health care staff and other essential personnel. In 2021, one incarcerated Missouri man who was in severe pain pulled out his own teeth after he was unable to secure a dental appointment due to staffing shortages, according to the Jefferson City News Tribune. These extended lockdowns have become increasingly similar to restrictive housing, or solitary confinement, which is when incarcerated people are confined to their cells for up to 24 hours a day with minimal human contact or access to activities, according to Deitch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre going to see a lot more tension rising among the population, which could lead to more assaults and other kinds of abuses. Youre more likely to see people using drugs or something to kind of escape from all of that, Deitch said. In September, an incarcerated person attacked two prison staff members at the Iowa State Penitentiary. Union leaders said the staff assault was symptomatic of the agencys understaffing; it was the 33rd such attack of the year at the prison. In Illinois, employees from more than 24 state correctional facilities rallied in October to protest unsafe working conditions. Officers reported a rise in violent assaults on staff and exposure to narcotics, synthetic drugs and other toxic substances. As of Dec. 2, at least four state correctional facilities, all of which experienced officer protests, are under either partial or full lockdown. The Illinois Department of Corrections operation and management reports show a major uptick in the number of lockdowns across facilities, with 635 in fiscal year 2019 and 1,814 in fiscal year 2024. The strain on workers Across the country, corrections staff are frequently required to work mandatory overtime because of severe staffing shortages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These extra hours leave little time for officers to rest, spend time with their families or manage personal responsibilities, making it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance, according to Andy Potter, a former corrections officer and the founder of One Voice United, a national advocacy group representing corrections staff. The demanding schedules also can take a significant toll on staffs physical and mental health, leading to burnout and further exacerbating the staffing crisis, as some officers leave the profession entirely. This cycle creates an even greater strain on the remaining staff, perpetuating a system stretched beyond its limits. State prison populations also grew by 2% between 2021 and 2022, according to the most recent data from the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics, reversing a longtime downward trend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The growth could continue: Several states recently have enacted laws aimed at cracking down on violent crimes, drug-related crimes, retail theft and other crimes that could send more people to prison. The states include Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana, Oregon and Tennessee. Yet prisons across the country have long struggled to recruit and retain staff. In 2023, the number of people working in state prisons fell to its lowest level this century, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Some states have tried to address prison understaffing by raising starting wages and offering comprehensive benefits packages. But the strategies that attract new hires wont retain them if mandatory overtime and poor working conditions continue, say worker advocates. Theres a real blind spot when it comes to how employees are treated, how they are trained, how they are looked at in this paramilitary structure, said Potter, who worked as a Michigan state corrections officer for more than 20 years. I dont think youll ever see a level of success from locking down a prison, he said, other than you have to be able to maintain the security and the safety of those that are in your custody and those that are in your employment. This story was originally published by Stateline. Like South Dakota Searchlight, its 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. Inmates exercise in the maximum security yard of the Lansing Correctional Facility in Lansing, Kan. When prisons enter lockdown, access to yard time and other activities, including rehabilitative programming and work, is often limited or completely suspended. (John Moore/Getty Images) Across the United States, state prison systems are grappling with chronic understaffing and overcrowding dual crises that are keeping incarcerated people confined to their cells for far longer periods than in recent decades. Lockdowns are common in jails and prisons nationwide, but most usually last only a few hours or days. During lockdowns, access to rehabilitative classes, religious activities, work and visitation is limited or completely suspended. Incarcerated people on lockdown can lose their usual routines, which may include exercise, calls to loved ones and other structured activities. And meals are typically eaten inside the prisoners cell, further isolating them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently, lockdowns have been extended for weeks or even months at many facilities suffering staff shortages. Whats unusual here is that youve got these more sustained lockdowns, Michele Deitch, the director of the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab at the University of Texas at Austin, told Stateline. People are not in that situation because of disciplinary reasons. Theyre in there for the convenience and management of the institution. Prisons in many states have implemented prolonged lockdowns. In some cases they have intensified tensions within prison walls, at times contributing to violence between incarcerated people and staff, increased drug use and deaths by suicide. For example, the Green Bay Correctional Institution in Wisconsin resumed normal operations in July after being on lockdown for more than a year. As of Nov. 29, the facility housed 1,080 people, nearly 45% above its designed capacity of 749. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the Waupun Correctional Institution, also in Wisconsin, has been under some form of lockdown for more than a year. At least five incarcerated people have died since June 2023. Nine current and former staff members, including the facilitys previous warden, are facing felony charges in connection with two of the deaths. The facility has resumed normal operations for the most part since this summer when in-person visitation resumed, wrote Beth Hardtke, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections director of communications, in an email to Stateline. As of mid-November, the vacancy rate for corrections officers and sergeants across the states adult correctional facilities was nearly 12%, down significantly from the peak of 35% in August of last year, according to the departments staffing dashboard. In the states juvenile facilities, the vacancy rate stands at about 10%. The past months of modified movement have allowed staff to examine our policies to enhance safety while offering persons in our care high-quality educational and therapeutic programming and services, said Wisconsin Department of Corrections Secretary Jared Hoy in a June news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The South Dakota Department of Corrections in October ended a 17-day lockdown of nearly 1,300 people at the state penitentiary in Sioux Falls. During the lockdown, corrections officers discovered contraband, including handmade weapons and unauthorized electronics. Tennessee has fined private prison operator CoreCivic $29.5 million for failing to meet staffing requirements in four facilities since 2022. In Texas, some facilities operate with a 70% corrections officer vacancy rate meaning those prisons are trying to maintain security with fewer than half the officers they need, according to a September report from the Sunset Advisory Commission, a legislative agency tasked with evaluating state departments. The evaluation came in the wake of a statewide prison lockdown that lasted just over a month last year, prompted by a rise in contraband and drug-related homicides among inmates. Lockdowns are one of those things that just fly under the radar. Michele Deitch, director of the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab The report highlighted that the states incarcerated population is projected to outgrow the Texas Department of Criminal Justices bed capacity by the end of fiscal year 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And a federal investigation into Georgias state prison system found conditions that violate the U.S. Constitution, including rampant violence, sexual assault, drug smuggling and gang activity, according to a report released in October by the U.S. Department of Justice. North Carolina correctional facilities struggle with staffing shortages, overcrowding Staffing shortages and the overcrowding that often results have long plagued North Carolina adult and juvenile corrections facilities. NC Newsline reported in April, that about 39% of correctional officer jobs in North Carolina adult prisons were vacant. In November, a coalition of eight North Carolina human and civil rights groups demanded the release of nearly 2,000 incarcerated people to ease what they are calling dangerous, inhumane overcrowding, in state prisons a situation exacerbated by Hurricane Helene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state is incapable of properly providing humane conditions and constitutional care for the people who are inside of prisons, and as a result, it has a constitutional duty to rectify that situation, said Dawn Blagrove, executive director of Emancipate NC, in this morning press conference at the NC Correctional Institution for Women. Meanwhile, concerns about juvenile facility overcrowding in North Carolina have given rise to a federal lawsuit. As NC Health News reported on December 1, The lawsuit originally filed in January in U.S. District Court on behalf of the 16-year-old and two other teenagers held for months in the Cabarrus facility is seeking class-action status to represent the thousands of youth who go through juvenile detention centers every year. Attorneys argue that the states use of isolation violates minors federal constitutional rights. The NC Health News story reports further that while the Department of Public Safety has denied the lawsuits claims, it has acknowledged that staff shortages have affected how much time juveniles spend outside their rooms. Rob Schofield Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report also revealed that sexual violence remains prevalent in isolation areas, and that the Georgia Department of Corrections places some people in lockdown with others who sexually abuse them. An investigation by the nonprofit news outlet Truthout found that at least 33 state prison systems had placed incarcerated adults under non-disciplinary lockdowns at least once and often repeatedly or for extended periods between 2016 and 2023. Despite the many extended lockdowns and mounting pressure to fill vacancies and manage growing prison populations, most states neither report nor are legally required to disclose the frequency of lockdowns or what types of incidents occur during them, according to some prison policy experts. Lockdowns are one of those things that just fly under the radar, Deitch, of the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab, told Stateline. Were underestimating the number of people that are affected by these kinds of policies. Rising tensions and dire consequences The long-standing issues of understaffing and overcrowding in U.S. prisons were brought into sharper focus during the COVID-19 pandemic, when widespread lockdown restrictions and severe staffing shortages further strained correctional facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These shortages extend beyond corrections officers, affecting prison health care staff and other essential personnel. In 2021, one incarcerated Missouri man who was in severe pain pulled out his own teeth after he was unable to secure a dental appointment due to staffing shortages, according to the Jefferson City News Tribune. These extended lockdowns have become increasingly similar to restrictive housing, or solitary confinement, which is when incarcerated people are confined to their cells for up to 24 hours a day with minimal human contact or access to activities, according to Deitch. Youre going to see a lot more tension rising among the population, which could lead to more assaults and other kinds of abuses. Youre more likely to see people using drugs or something to kind of escape from all of that, Deitch said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September, an incarcerated person attacked two prison staff members at the Iowa State Penitentiary. Union leaders said the staff assault was symptomatic of the agencys understaffing; it was the 33rd such attack of the year at the prison. In Illinois, employees from more than 24 state correctional facilities rallied in October to protest unsafe working conditions. Officers reported a rise in violent assaults on staff and exposure to narcotics, synthetic drugs and other toxic substances. As of Dec. 2, at least four state correctional facilities, all of which experienced officer protests, are under either partial or full lockdown. The Illinois Department of Corrections operation and management reports show a major uptick in the number of lockdowns across facilities, with 635 in fiscal year 2019 and 1,814 in fiscal year 2024. The strain on workers Across the country, corrections staff are frequently required to work mandatory overtime because of severe staffing shortages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These extra hours leave little time for officers to rest, spend time with their families or manage personal responsibilities, making it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance, according to Andy Potter, a former corrections officer and the founder of One Voice United, a national advocacy group representing corrections staff. The demanding schedules also can take a significant toll on staffs physical and mental health, leading to burnout and further exacerbating the staffing crisis, as some officers leave the profession entirely. This cycle creates an even greater strain on the remaining staff, perpetuating a system stretched beyond its limits. State prison populations also grew by 2% between 2021 and 2022, according to the most recent data from the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics, reversing a longtime downward trend. The growth could continue: Several states recently have enacted laws aimed at cracking down on violent crimes, drug-related crimes, retail theft and other crimes that could send more people to prison. The states include Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana, Oregon and Tennessee. Yet prisons across the country have long struggled to recruit and retain staff. In 2023, the number of people working in state prisons fell to its lowest level this century, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Some states have tried to address prison understaffing by raising starting wages and offering comprehensive benefits packages. But the strategies that attract new hires wont retain them if mandatory overtime and poor working conditions continue, say worker advocates. Theres a real blind spot when it comes to how employees are treated, how they are trained, how they are looked at in this paramilitary structure, said Potter, who worked as a Michigan state corrections officer for more than 20 years. I dont think youll ever see a level of success from locking down a prison, he said, other than you have to be able to maintain the security and the safety of those that are in your custody and those that are in your employment. This report was first published by Stateline, which like NC Newsline, is part of the national States Newsroom network. The state bought Hampstead Hospital in 2022. (Annmarie Timmins | New Hampshire Bulletin) New Hampshires Department of Health and Human Services is proposing a public-private partnership with Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital a branch of the Dartmouth Health system to take over the states Hampstead Hospital and Residential Treatment Facility. The agreement, which will be up for a vote before the Executive Council Wednesday, would allow the hospital to lease and operate the 40-bed facility, which specializes in residential treatment for psychiatric care and substance use disorders for children, adolescents, and young adults. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state bought the hospital in 2022 with the aim of providing mental health treatment for children and adults, but state officials faced controversy over the company contracted to run it, Wellpath Recovery Solutions. That company had previously worked with incarcerated adults not children prompting criticism by mental health advocates. In May, after reported ongoing issues with waitlists for beds, the state dropped Wellpath Recovery Solutions and awarded a contract to Dartmouth Health to provide behavioral health services. Under the contract up for a vote this week, Dartmouth Health would fully take over the hospital. According to the agreement, the hospital would pay the state $631,000 for the transfer of existing assets and liabilities with the hospital. The hospital would have a seven-year lease with the opportunity to extend that lease up to three times in five year increments. The hospital would pay about $1.2 million for the first year of the lease, an amount that would increase by 2.5 percent annually. The proposal would create a Joint Operating Committee with representatives from the state and the hospital to oversee the management of the hospital, according to the departments explanation to the council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Addressing the council, Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Weaver wrote that Mary Hitchcock is uniquely qualified to provide this service, because it is the states sole nonprofit academic medical center. Mary Hitchcock already provides behavioral health services at Hampstead, as well as New Hampshire Hospital in Concord and the states Youth Development Center in Manchester. In a statement Monday, Gov. Chris Sununu called the proposal an amazing win-win opportunity for Mary Hitchcock and the state. This partnership with Dartmouth Health will ensure one of the countrys most prestigious health systems is taking care of New Hampshires kids, Sununu said. Dec. 2A state senator has launched an effort to make sure everyone in the area has a warm coat this winter. Sen. Peter Oberacker, R-Schenevus, joined by Otsego County Sheriff Richard Devlin and Angel Network President Laurie Williams, announced the start of the inaugural Senate District 51 Winter Coat Drive on Monday, Dec. 2 at Oberacker's office in Oneonta. The initiative is part of a district-wide effort "to ensure no one must face the winter season unprepared," a news release from Oberacker's office stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As we approach the holidays, it's a time to reflect on our blessings and give back to those in need," Oberacker said. "This coat drive is a way for our community to come together and make a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbors. A warm coat can mean so much, especially during this festive, yet often difficult, season." The coat drive encourages donations of new or gently used winter coats and jackets for adults and children. Donations collected in Otsego County will directly benefit local families through the Angel Network, according to the release. Coats can be dropped off at Oberacker's office at 41 S. Main Street in Oneonta from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The drive's conclusion date was not stated. "We are incredibly grateful to work with the Angel Network and the Otsego County Sheriff's Office to make sure these donations reach those who need them most," Oberacker said. "My deepest thanks to Laurie and Sheriff Devlin for answering the call, and I am inspired by the spirit of our local leaders." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Devlin said, "It's always inspiring to see our community come together to help those in need. The Otsego County Sheriff's Office is proud to support this initiative, and we applaud Sen. Oberacker for this incredible effort." Williams said, "The Angel Network is honored to be part of this heartwarming effort. A warm coat can make all the difference, and together with Sen. Oberacker and Sheriff Devlin, we're making a real difference during a difficult season for many." The coat drive also includes participation from other counties in the 51st Senate District, with support from local organizations, law enforcement and community leaders, the release stated. "We're starting something new this year and I hope it grows into a cherished annual tradition," Oberacker said. "Every coat represents the generosity of our community, and together, we can make an impact during the cold winter months." To learn more about the winter coat drive or to find additional drop-off locations, visit Oberacker.NYSenate.gov or contact Oberacker's office at 607-432-5524. Kent police arrested two Tacoma residents after a stolen car pursuit during the holiday weekend ended with a PIT maneuver and a foot chase, according to the Kent Police Department. Officer Campbell spotted the stolen Hyundai Sonata, taken in Tukwila on October 28, while patrolling Kent Des Moines Road. With assistance from Officer Steiner, Campbell confirmed the vehicle was stolen and attempted to stop it as it headed westbound on Reith Road. The driver, however, chose to drive away, prompting a short pursuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers requested spike strips but safely executed a PIT maneuver instead. The maneuver spun the vehicle around, and officers quickly boxed it in to prevent escape. The two suspects, a 40-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman, both from Tacoma, then ran away in different directions. Officer Campbell apprehended the female suspect as she tried to run uphill, while Officer Steiner pursued the male suspect, who fled toward nearby residences. A homeowner confronted the male suspect on his property, yelling at him. Backing officers, including Officer Quidachay and Officer C. Clark, captured the man without incident. Despite minor injuries sustained while running, medical personnel deemed him fit for booking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He later pretended to have ingested drugs in an apparent attempt to avoid jail, but hospital staff determined he was fine. Inside the stolen vehicle, Officer Stanfill discovered prescription medication, a passport, and mail belonging to other individuals. These items were returned to their rightful owners after being documented as evidence. The male suspect was booked into jail for possession of a stolen vehicle, eluding police, obstructing, driving with a suspended license, and multiple warrants, including one in King County for possession of a stolen vehicle. The female suspect, who had a no-bail felony escape warrant out of Lakewood for second-degree assault, was transported to SCORE jail. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Densil Porteous knows what its like to lose a loved one due to HIV/AIDS; its an epidemic that has ravaged communities across the country for more than 40 years. My mother did pass away, Porteous said. When I was 13, 14 years old, my mother received her HIV diagnosis. [..] It was a death sentence. Porteous told his story Monday night as Stonewall Columbus recognized World AIDS Day by inviting the community to join in cocktails, art, and a blood drive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are moments for us to take pause, to take a moment and to recognize and remember the human lives that weve lost, Porteous said. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 43.2 million people have died from HIV/AIDS related illnesses since 1981. Thats almost half of the more than 88 million people who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS during that time. When I was growing up, you know, in the early 80s and early 90s, as a queer person, I firmly believe that I would contract the disease and that would be something for me, Porteous said. That has not been the case for my life. As director of Stonewall Columbus, Porteous works to combat the disease that took his mother. In the 40-plus years of battling HIV/AIDS, the mortality rate rose to a peak in 2005, but has fallen since then, but the stigma surrounding the disease persists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not singularly an LGBTQ or queer disease, is not simply a gay disease, he said. What we have actually seen in recent history is that the fastest growing population that is impacted by HIV/AIDS are African-American and Black women. The fight against HIV/AIDS has been a focus of the U.S. government since the early 1990s when Ryan White died of HIV/AIDS-related illness. His story brought national attention to the AIDS crisis, as a teenaged white male in an Indiana community who contracted HIV through a blood transfusion. His activism helped pave the way for HIV/AIDS awareness across the country, leading to important legislation. Now, the fight is entering a new era. Medical advances and research have allowed those living with HIV/AIDS to have largely normal lives. There is a pill that people can take called PrEP that allows the prevention, right, reduces the chances that you may be impacted by HIV/AIDS or contracted HIV/AIDS, I think, about 95%, Porteous said. Those folks who are on medication, who are taking care of themselves regularly, can go on to live happy and healthy lives. They may be your pharmacist. They may be your doctor. They may be your grocery store checkout clerk. They may be your Uber driver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stonewall Columbus partners with Equitas Health for events like World AIDS Day. For more information on the HIV/AIDS epidemic and treatment or prevention options you can visit Equitas Health 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) Conways top administrator is known for having a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to the job. But, on Monday, Adam Emrick showed just how direct he can be in a passionate defense of city employees who have faced criticism over their work with the citys Christmas decorations. By tradition, Conway hasnt kicked off its holiday season until the Thursday after Thanksgiving. We do Christmas bigger and better than everyone else, but Christmas doesnt start for us until Thursday, Emrick said during Monday nights city council meeting. So before you judge and point fingers and be an a-hole, wait until Thursday night. We have three more days to put the finishing touches on things, and I think youre going to be embarrassed by your judgment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city has a full slate of Christmas events throughout November, starting with Thursdays tree- lighting ceremony. As for the tree itself, it came from a western North Carolina farm impacted by Hurricane Helene, spokeswoman June Wood told News13. Our staff works all hours of the day including weekends to complete holiday decorations, Wood said. The tree will be completed by Dec. 5 for the tree-lighting ceremony. We are proud of the tireless work by our city staff, and they deserved to take a break with their families for Thanksgiving. We will continue to complete decorations for Christmas in Conway this week that most of our community has come to love. Emrick said some city workers were deeply hurt by social media comments as they got downtown ready for its festive look. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To those people at home, youre not funny, he said. You live next to some of the people and their families, and you have no idea how hurtful you are. Be good people. Mind your manners, stop being mean. Council members applauded Emrick following his remarks. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. 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 WBTW. This is an incredible story of perseverance and coordination, the New York State Police wrote in a statement New York State Police New York State Police troopers on a rescue mission on Nov. 29, 2024 New York State Police troopers on a rescue mission on Nov. 29, 2024 A woman on her way to undergo a heart transplant just one day after Thanksgiving still has plenty to be thankful for after New York State Police troopers rescued her from being stranded in a snowstorm. On Friday, Nov. 29, the 64-year-old woman, who uses a battery-powered heart pump, and her husband were traveling by car from Rochester, N.Y., to Cleveland Clinic in Ohio for her transplant surgery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, according to a New York State Police release reviewed by PEOPLE, the couple became stranded while commuting on New York State Route 5 near Portland due to road conditions amid the snowstorm. Before the situation became critical, the husband made contact with a nurse from Cleveland Clinic, the statement read. That nurse was able to contact the state police, and troopers were able to maintain continuous contact and locate them with a NYSP Utility Task Vehicle. New York State Police New York State Police troopers at Jamestown Airport on Nov. 29, 2024 New York State Police troopers at Jamestown Airport on Nov. 29, 2024 Related: 84-Year-Old Man with Cancer Gets Free Tiny Home After Losing Everything During Hurricane Helene: Pinch Me After finding the stranded couple, troopers transported the woman to Portland Fire Department, then Westfield Memorial Hospital and later to Jamestown Airport, where she was flown by plane to Cleveland Clinic for surgery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York State Police shared the rescue mission on Facebook, where a woman claiming to be the heart transplant patients daughter commented, Words will never express the extreme gratitude my family and I have for you ... Thats my mom you saved! 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. Facebook/New York State Police A woman thanks the New York State Police troopers A woman thanks the New York State Police troopers Related: Mom Asks Fellow Passenger to Move From Economy Plus to Coach So She Can Sit With Her Son, Then Cries When Told No This is an incredible story of perseverance and coordination, NYSP wrote in their statement . The actions of the troopers, medical staff and transportation teams highlight how critical teamwork and quick thinking can save lives, even in the face of severe weather conditions. Its heartening to see such dedication to ensuring a patient received a life-saving heart transplant despite the challenges posed by the snowstorm, continued the statement, which did not disclose the couples names. BOSCOBEL, Wis. (WFRV) A student pilot and a flight instructor escaped injury after making an emergency landing that caused minor runway damage Sunday evening. According to a release, Boscobel Police Department officers responded to a report of an aircraft crash at the Boscobel Airport around 6:30 p.m. Sheboygan police investigating crash involving squad car Eighteen-year-old Kyle Erpelding of Cary, Illinois, was operating the aircraft as a flight student when the plane began experiencing issues. Forty-two-year-old Benjamin Wesoloski, also of Cary, Illinois, was the passenger and flight instructor. He took control of the aircraft after identifying the emergency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wesoloski communicated with air traffic control and located the Boscobel Airport for an emergency landing. During the landing, the aircraft lost power, and oil obscured their view, causing the plane to bounce several times. The aircrafts landing gear collapsed, and the plane veered off the runway. The fuel tank ruptured, leaking fuel as the plane came to a stop. Neither Erpelding nor Wesoloski was injured in the crash. Man gets prison sentence for role in 2020 Fond du Lac County overdose death The Boscobel Airport runway was shut down for the evening due to minor damage. The National Transportation Safety Board in Washington, D.C., was notified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No additional details were released. 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. So-called crisis pregnancy centers, often created with an anti-abortion agenda, are providing pregnant women some questionable medical advice alongside potentially helpful services, a new study finds. Nearly a third (30%) of crisis pregnancy centers promote "abortion pill reversal," researchers reported Tuesday in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine. This is "an unproven and potentially dangerous intervention," said researcher Dr. Davey Smith, director of the Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This treatment lacks FDA approval, but, more worryingly, could increase the risk of serious complications like sepsis, especially in cases where it interferes with the completion of a medication abortion," Smith added in a UCSD news release. The study highlights the lack of oversight for the network of crisis pregnancy centers that has formed across the country, researchers said. "While our study shows crisis pregnancy centers provide valuable community services, like parenting classes, there is a clear need for consumer safety measures to prevent the promotion and use of their questionable medical services," said researcher John Ayers, deputy director of informatics at the UC San Diego Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute. For the study, researchers analyzed data from more than 470,000 webpages displayed by 1,825 crisis pregnancy center (CPC) websites between September 2023 and March 2024. The data is available at ChoiceWatch.org. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "By maintaining this public database, we're creating transparency around CPC practices and providing evidence that can inform both healthcare providers and policymakers," noted Mark Dredze, a professor of computer science at Johns Hopkins University and co-creator of ChoiceWatch.org. "This transparency is essential for ensuring public health." Texas has the most crisis pregnancy centers (143), followed by California (126) and Florida (98). Montana and Wyoming had the highest concentration, with 7.45 and 6.48 crisis pregnancy centers per 100,000 women of reproductive age, respectively, results show. "While some might assume crisis pregnancy centers operate primarily in states with restrictive abortion policies, our data shows they maintain a strong presence across all 50 states," said researcher Hollie Keene, a student research fellow at the Qualcomm Institute at UCSD. Keene noted that progressive states have similar numbers of crisis pregnancy centers as states that heavily restrict abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 90% of crisis pregnancy center websites advertise social services, including adoption (83%), parenting (62%), post-abortion social support (39%) and men's social support (14%). However, a similar percentage (91%) also offer medical services, including pregnancy tests (85%), ultrasounds (77%), STI testing (54%) and abortion education (52%). Experts found advertising for abortion pill reversal most concerning. "Healthcare providers should proactively address misinformation about abortion pill reversal during medication abortion counseling," Smith said. "Patients should understand that 'reversal' treatments are neither proven nor recommended and, if complications or concerns arise, they should return to their healthcare team, not a crisis pregnancy center." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, even the more mundane medical services offered by the centers could be problematic if they're not performed properly, researchers said. "Even benign services, such as STI testing, should be provided within a healthcare ecosystem that prioritizes safety and meets regulatory approvals," said lead researcher Karan Desai, a medical student at University of Michigan Ann Arbor Medical School and co-creator of ChoiceWatch. "It is unclear if trained professionals are providing these medical services, if the diagnostics or treatments meet acceptable standards, or what safety protocols are in place," Desai added. More information Planned Parenthood has more about crisis pregnancy centers. Copyright 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved. From the Boiling Frogs on The Dispatch Seeing the thesis of a piece youve written vindicated on television is like going to the movies and spotting a friend in the background of a scene. The flare of recognition is enough to jolt you physically. Heyyyyy, I know that guy! It happened to me after I filed yesterdays column and then stumbled across this clip from The View. The topic in both cases was President Joe Bidens pardon of his son Hunter, of course. In my piece I argued that whether you favor or oppose clemency will track with how much idealism you retain about traditional American norms following Donald Trumps reelection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watching the exchange play out among the View panel felt like laboratory confirmation of a hypothesis. The harshest Biden critic on set was Alyssa Farah Griffin, a Republican who served in the first Trump administration but resigned in December 2020 when she realized where the rigged election insanity was headed. Shes a belated convert to Never-Trump-ism, and one thing about Never Trumpers is that we believe strongly in norms. (Well, I did until last month.) Its no surprise that she took the president to task on Mondays panel, appalled by his remarkably brazen lying about his willingness to pardon his son. The other three panelists were partisan Democrats. (I dont know if Ana Navarro characterizes herself that way, actually, but cmon.) Partisans care more about their partys interests than about norms, so all three were fine with the pardon. Whoopi Goldberg went as far as to question whether the president had truly lied at all. I think Biden had no intentions of pardoning Hunter, she claimed, incorrectly, and I think the more stuff that went down I think he said, well, why am I busting my behind to stay straight and do this when nobody is? When no one else is? Griffin hasnt yet thrown in the towel on liberal norms following Trumps victory. Goldberg has, whether or not shes willing to cop to it. Their disagreement is a premonition of a dispute that will trouble Trumps detractors chronically over the next four years: Should Democrats lean all the way in on Trumpian postliberalism themselves or should they defend the liberal order? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They keep trying to have it both ways, paying lip service to norms while angling to overturn them in practiceagitating to end the filibuster and pack the Supreme Court, conniving to forgive student debt without an act of Congress, pardoning cronies from federal crimes after rivers of florid rhetoric about the greatness of the justice system during Trumps criminal travails. It hasnt worked out for them legally or electorally. American voters want to take their postliberalism pure, it seems, without the base alloy of hypocrisy. Should Democrats now recommit to liberalism, a morally superior political ethos that would constrain their own political tactics and which, frankly, no longer has much of a public constituency? Or should they emulate amoral Trumpism forthrightly by disdaining liberal norms as nuisances that impede effective action? In short, should they be suckers or should they be fighters? How you answer that question will determine how you think Joe Bidens party should respond to his corrupt pardon. Two defenses. There are two defenses of the Hunter Biden pardon circulating among Democrats, one of which is much harder to refute than the other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The easy one is what we might call the retribution defense. Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware offered it in trying to explain why Joe Biden had supposedly changed his mind about clemency for his son. I think what changed was that President-elect Trump put people in place who made it really clear that they intended to go after, not just anybody, but in their campaign activity, had talked about going after Hunter Biden directly, Coons told CNN. This was a significant change from President Bidens insistence he would not do it, and as Ive been turning it over in my mind today, the thing that changed was who Trump nominated. Is that right? Joe Biden had fully intended to let Hunter serve time in prison but reversed course once Trump started nominating vengeful toadies like Matt Gaetz and Kash Patel for law enforcement leadership? It is not right. Its nonsense on stilts, and not just because it was already very apparent when the president began promising this past summer not to pardon his son that a second Trump administration would be keen on exacting retribution against political enemies. One reason its nonsense is because, according to NBC News, its literally untrue. The president has discussed pardoning his son with some of his closest aides at least since Hunter Bidens conviction in June, said two people with direct knowledge of the discussions about the matter, the outlet reported. They said it was decided at the time that he would publicly say he would not pardon his son even though doing so remained on the table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden lied about his intentions from the jump, in other words, knowingly and deliberately. Alyssa Farah Griffin was right to call him out on it. And needless to say, the prospect of a second Trump administration was already quite real when the president began telling those lies. If Biden wanted to make a Hunter pardon conditional on whether a responsible person would be leading the Justice Department next year, he could have done that from the start. He didnt. The retribution defense is also overinclusive and underinclusive. Its overinclusive, as a colleague noted on Monday in a Dispatch Slack discussion, because the terms of the pardon arent limited to uncharged crimes that Hunter Biden might potentially be prosecuted for by the Trump administration. It includes the gun and tax offenses of which Hunter was convicted by his fathers own DOJ. Why does protecting him from Trumps retribution require letting him off scot-free in cases brought by a special counsel who was appointed by Merrick Garland, not by Gaetz or Pam Bondi? Its underinclusive, meanwhile, because there are many other Trump enemies now facing persecution by a Patel-led FBI who haventyet?received the same clemency bestowed upon the presidents lowlife son. Kash Patel has a literal enemies list, Andrew Egger noted today at The Bulwark; our own Sarah Isgur appears on it, for God knows what reason. If Bidens defenders are serious about wanting to protect Trump antagonists from unjust harassment by the Justice Department next year, the pardons shielding them from retribution should have begun with the likes of Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, and Mitt Romney, not an influence-peddling crackhead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact that they didnt proves that theres no high-minded reason behind Joe Bidens act of clemency. Its a simple product of fatherly guilt over the fact that his ascendance to the presidency led to his son enduring a yearslong political ordeal, never mind that a) Bidens political career also gave Hunter fabulous advantages in life, b) no one forced Hunter to commit the actual, honest-to-goodness federal crimes he committed, and c) Joe Biden repeatedly directed the resources and stature of both the party and the government he headed to the Save Hunter Project, in Josh Barros words, which made Hunters corruption a matter of public interest. A father chose to place his crooked son above the law because he could, full stop. Theres no retribution defense. But maybe theres a suckers and fighters defense? Suckers and Fighters was the title of my first newsletter for The Dispatch. Trump has concocted a sort of populist anti-morality for the American right, I argued in that piece, in which ruthlessness in pursuit of cultural dominance was the only true virtue. According to that anti-morality, dishonorable behavior is a qualification for political leadership rather than a disqualifier because it demonstrates a ruthless willingness to ignore norms in pursuit of ones interests. Its the hallmark of a fighter, whereas observance of norms is characteristic of a sucker who prefers to lose honorably than win dirty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That thesis has also held up pretty well in the two years since. Whoopi Goldbergs argument for pardoning Hunter Biden, that Joe Biden would be a fool to bust his behind to stay straight when no one else is, is a Democratic version of Trumps populist anti-morality. If the ruling classnow represented by Donald Trump and his postliberal vandalsdoesnt care about norms, why should the Bidens? Why should they be suckers who follow traditional pardon practices if it means leaving the presidents son to rot in prison rather than fighters who emulate Trumps brand of cronyism by doing whatever they can to immunize Hunter from legal consequences? Theres no easy retort to that argument anymore. The obvious one, that abusing presidential power for personal gain is morally wrong, feels so naive in light of Trumps reelection that Im cringing while typing it out. It takes a person of unusual honor to continue to follow a moral code that places them at a competitive disadvantage and no longer inspires feelings of admiration among the wider population. Joe Biden is not a person of unusual honor, needless to say. Few politicians are. How candid should officials in the presidents party be about pointing that out over the final two months of his term? Under the bus? The occasion of Hunter Bidens pardon is the perfect moment for Democrats to break emphatically with an unpopular leader, Eric Levitz argued in a piece for Vox on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The perfect post-election moment, I should say. The actual perfect moment was sometime in early 2023, before 80-year-old Joe Biden somehow talked himself into believing that running for reelection was a good idea. But we are where we are, and clemency for Hunter now offers Democrats a twofer. By denouncing Biden aggressively, they can separate themselves from him politically andmaybesalvage whats left of the crumbling taboo against issuing freakishly broad pardons to anointed toadies before Trump takes office and runs wild with the precedent. Had Biden not pardoned his son, elected Republicans at every level would have had to answer for Trumps actions without reference to the Bidens, Tom Nichols wrote on Monday of the incoming presidents imminent corrupt clemency spree. Forget all that. Joe Biden has now provided every Republican with a ready-made heat shield against any criticism about Trumps pardons, past or present. Thats trueunless Democrats come out of the woodwork to attack Biden over the Hunter pardon, perhaps. In that case, they might be able to create a distinction in Americans minds between the rotten First Familys position on clemency and the Democratic Partys. And if they do, their attacks next year on Trumps pardon-palooza wont seem so hypocritical. Joe and Hunter Biden may have given up on liberal norms, Democrats would be signaling, but the wider American left has not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some prominent liberals have in fact spoken up against the pardon. Two of Colorados highest-ranking officials, Gov. Jared Polis and Sen. Michael Bennet, objected. So did Sens. Gary Peters of Michigan and Peter Welch of Vermont. Ditto for Democratic members of the House like Greg Landsman of Ohio, Greg Stanton of Arizona, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington. Ultimately therell be more Democratic outrage in Congress over pardoning Hunter Biden, Im sure, than Republican outrage over pardoning the cop-beaters who went to prison after January 6. The populist anti-morality thats utterly conquered the right hasnt yet conquered the left. But it has gained territory. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the most influential young leftist in America, celebrated Hunter Bidens gun conviction earlier this year as proof that Democrats are willing to accept when our justice system worksbut as I write this on Tuesday afternoon, she has yet to say a word against the pardon. In a story published on Monday, the New York Times pointed to Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett as an example of the enthusiasm with which many progressives have greeted it. Way to go, Joe! Crockett told MSNBC this weekend. Let me be the first to congratulate the president for deciding to do this, because at the end of the day, we know that we have a 34-count convicted felon about to walk into the White House. Centrist suckers like Jared Polis and Michael Bennet might simper about norms, but fighters like Joe Biden understand that thats a mugs game in an age when Donald Trump can be elected president twice. If American voters arent going to punish corruption and ruthlessness by Republican leaders, progressives might reason, Democrats would be fools not to take full advantage of their lowered standards. Its a simple matter of knowing what time it is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How are figures like Polis and Crockett, Bennet and Ocasio-Cortez, supposed to navigate this nascent schism between liberals who want Democrats to follow norms more faithfully than Republicans do and postliberals who want the party to behave more ruthlessly, if perhaps not as ruthlessly as Trump? A centrist Democrat who goes to bat for norms risks finding himself viewed contemptuously by leftists as an out-of-touch weakling; a leftist who makes excuses for norm-breaking risks finding herself ghettoized as a radical in party primaries and/or general elections. This is no idle thought experiment. Its a cinch, for instance, that the Biden White House will soon consider pardoning other figures on Trumps enemies list, assuming it isnt already doing so. What if the president opts to pardon his entire Cabinet along with dozens of undersecretaries for any crimes they may have committed between January 20, 2021, and the date of the pardon, reasoning that they need legal protection from Kash Patels retribution crusade? Liberal Democrats like Polis and Bennet would presumably disapprove, fearing the precedent Biden will have set by immunizing his deputies for any lawlessness they might have engaged in. We dont want them to be persecuted by Patel for crimes they didnt do but we do want them to be prosecuted for crimes they did do, no? And with the American peoples faith in institutions already collapsing to the Democratic Partys electoral detriment, what conclusion will the public reach about the propriety of the Biden administration if practically everyone involved in it requires a pardon on the way to the exit? Progressives, on the other hand, will presumably be fine with the idea. Sure, it looks bad for the president to be handing out pardons like gold watches as his team heads off toward retirement, but Trump and his toadies are genuinely evil figures wholl exploit Team Bidens criminal jeopardy if the opportunity isnt snatched away from them. Democrats didnt choose postliberalism; it was chosen by Republican populists and the American electorate. By pardoning his aides, Biden is simply reacting rationally to the new political reality thats been foisted on him and the left. Hes protecting them in the same way that he protected his son. And as for setting a bad precedent: please. Whatever Joe Biden does or doesnt do, every sleazebag Trump has ever met whos remained in his good graces will receive a pardon before 2029 as a matter of course. Well be lucky if he doesnt end up inducing his deputies to commit specific crimes by promising them pardons in advancea practice which, as far as I can tell, would be perfectly legal for him and for them thanks to the Supreme Court. Liberal suckers and postliberal fighters are going to wrestle for control over the direction of the Democratic Party. And while the suckers stand a better chance of winning this fight than they did on the rotten American right, their chances will depend partly on Trump: The more corruptly he behaves in his second term and the more tolerant of that corruption voters prove to be, the weaker the electoral incentive for Democrats to follow liberal norms will get. At some points, suckers really are suckers. 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. CAIRO (Reuters) - Sudan's famine-stricken Zamzam displacement camp has been struck by shelling from the Rapid Support Forces, volunteers and medical aid agency MSF said, as the paramilitary group seeks to tighten control of the Darfur region in the country's war. The RSF denied attacking the camp, hitherto a safe haven from devastating fighting in the region, and in remarks to Reuters accused the army-aligned Joint Forces fighters of deploying within the camp and using civilians as human shields. "Not only have people been starving, but they are also now being bombarded and forced to flee again," MSF head of emergency operations Michel-Olivier Lacharite said in a statement that described a "beyond chaotic" situation with "casualties, panic, and mass displacement." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The army and the RSF have been locked in conflict for more than 18 months, triggering a profound humanitarian crisis in which more than 10 million people have been driven from their homes and U.N. agencies have struggled to deliver relief. At least six people were killed and 13 injured by more than 20 shells fired at Zamzam camp on Sunday and Monday according to the al-Fashir resistance committee, a pro-democracy group that has monitored the violence in the area. There were no reports of shelling on Tuesday morning. The RSF has staged an extended siege of nearby al-Fashir, the last major city of the region still controlled by the army and the allied Joint Forces. The siege and exchange of artillery and aerial shelling since April has killed scores and driven thousands out of the city, including to Zamzam, a vast camp home to at least half a million people displaced by the current war and by earlier fighting between non-Arab rebel groups and the Arab militias known as the Janjaweed who evolved into the RSF. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a global food monitor, determined that famine was taking place in Zamzam, and possibly in other camps inside al-Fashir. The attack took place days after the World Food Programme managed to complete its first deliveries to Zamzam in months. PEOPLE FLEE IN PANIC, VOLUNTEER SAYS "The terrified screams of children can be heard from inside their tents," the committee said in a post on Facebook on Monday. Video sent to several media organisations by volunteers showed tents erected by people newly arrived in Zamzam abandoned after the shelling. One volunteer described people panicking and fleeing in all directions from the shelling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some fighters from the Joint Forces - comprised of former Darfur rebel groups who have aligned with the army - have been present in Zamzam throughout the war, making it a safe haven from the fighting in al-Fashir until this week. Yale Humanitarian Lab, which monitors humanitarian crises around the world, said in a report in November that it had observed the "creation of defensive positions in Zamzam consistent with the expectation of attack in the near future," but did not specify who had constructed them. "Our forces are committed to ensuring the safety of civilians and seek by all means to spare them the dangers of fighting, and will move forcefully to defeat ... the mercenaries and militias and destroy their last strongholds in al-Fashir," the RSF said in a statement on Monday. The RSF controls most of wider North Darfur, and has attacked villages mainly populated by non-Arab tribes with arson. The army has also carried out air strikes in surrounding towns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least 84 families fled the fighting in Zamzam and al-Fashir on Sunday and Monday, the International Organisation for Migration said on Tuesday. Some have sought refuge in the town of Tawila and other pockets in the region controlled by forces from the Sudan Liberation Army loyal to Abdelwahid Nur, a rebel group that has remained neutral in the war, according to Adam Rojal of the Coordinating Committee for Displaced People. But that area is itself at emergency levels of hunger according to the IPC, and has few resources to deal with the influx. (Reporting by Nafisa Eltahir, Maggie Michael, and Khalid Abdelaziz, Editing by William Maclean) Dec. 2An outspoken critic of local and state government has sued the Santa Fe County attorney, alleging the county is withholding documents he sought in a request for public records tied to a plan to move the First Judicial District Attorney's Office. Chris Mechels' lawsuit, filed in the First Judicial District Court last month, questions the "policy rationale" and the "legality" of the county's purchase of office space on the city's south side for an estimated cost of $6 million total for the move and accused the county of violating the Inspection of Public Records Act by not fulfilling his request for documents. "That whole IPRA [process] at the county needs to be cleaned up. It's just miserable," Mechels said in an interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint names County Attorney Jeffrey Young as the defendant, specifically in his capacity as a "designated Records Custodian" for the county. The lawsuit was filed as the county moved forward with purchasing property for the District Attorney's Office under a plan to relocate office from space adjacent to the downtown courthouse to a building at 2905 Rodeo Park Drive, near the St. Francis Drive entrance to Interstate 25. The county is under contract to purchase 2905 Rodeo Park Drive, pending the building's appraisal and inspection, with a potential closing date in January 2025, county spokesperson Olivia Romo wrote Monday in an email. Romo added the county does not comment on pending litigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mechels said he has questions about the county purchasing a building for $5 million when it was assessed at $1.3 million, according to the Santa Fe County Tax Parcel Viewer feature. "What I hope to get as the outcome of this is reforms to the IPRA requests so when you show up and make an IPRA request, as I did, you don't just get a bunch of arrogance and delay," Mechels said, referring to an Oct. 9 records request he alleges was not filled by a 15-day deadline. The suit states, "The County provided some records to Plaintiff through email attachments that were unreadable to Plaintiff and did not provide records for inspection or examination as requested by Plaintiff." The contract the county has negotiated with the property owner states the county will not pay more than the appraised value of the property, Romo said in an interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The building is listed at $5 million. An additional $1 million might be needed to cover the cost of moving expenses and improvements, county officials have said. In October, commissioners approved a resolution allocating an additional $3.2 million to the project for Americans with Disabilities Act improvements to the space and to help with moving expenses. The purchase would enable the District Attorney's Office to move from downtown office space officials describe as aging. The building is "falling apart, literally," District Attorney's Office spokesperson Catherine Lynch said in a previous interview. She added its 79 employees are eager to make the shift, which would offer an opportunity for staff to work in a better facility with more parking. ORLANDO, Fla. Sarah Boone was sentenced to life in prison in an Orlando courtroom Monday afternoon for suffocating her boyfriend in a suitcase, bringing a nearly five-year legal saga to a close for now. The sentence was handed down by Orange County Circuit Court Judge Michael Kraynick, who could have given Boone a minimum of 22 1/2 years for her second-degree murder conviction, at the end of a nearly two-hour hearing. Before the sentence was announced, Boone spent nearly 20 minutes addressing the court, saying the ordeal had renewed her faith in God. She said she blames herself for not ending her relationship with Torres sooner when he mistreated her, but that she still loves Torres and will see him again in the next life. She begged forgiveness from his family, who sat in the front row of the courtroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think of him every day and still speak to him when alone in the rec yard, Boone said. I ask his forgiveness and that he looks for me at the gates of heaven so I can tell him how sorry I am endlessly and that I never stopped loving him. Boone, 47, was convicted on Oct. 25 by a jury of five women and one man after about 90 minutes of deliberations. Boone initially told police Torres, 42, died the night of Feb. 23, 2020, in their Winter Park residence as a result of a drunken game of hide-and-seek gone horribly wrong. But her defense team later argued that she was an abused woman suffering from Battered Spouse Syndrome and killed Torres in self-defense. The trial delved deeply into Boones personal life, showing her often violent relationship with Torres as well as their frequent consumption of alcohol, which was described as central to their lives. At one point in her address Monday, Boone appeared to blame Torres family, causing Jorges mother and sister to temporarily leave the courtroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I also forgive the Torres family, his mother and father, foremost, also his two ex-wives, and daughters, all for knowing who Jorge was, capable of and had done in the past, his history of violence and where he learned it, then keep turning a blind eye when I would ask for help, she said. She also blamed the Internet, social media, online content creators and the media for making her a pariah. Prosecutor Dave Cacciatore Jr. said the lack of responsibility or remorse from Boone meant she didnt deserve a lesser sentence. Torres mother, sister and daughter all spoke about how his death had impacted them. His sister, Victoria, said that even five years later she still cant shut a suitcase the entire way. His daughter, Anna, said she now has anxiety and depression, and her younger brother still wonders when he will see their father again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Real love is missing. Sometimes when I look out the window, Im waiting for him to come and say, Mom, I love you,' Torres mother said tearfully. Victoria and her mother embraced when Boones life sentence was announced. Several people spoke in Boones defense, including Diane Smith, a chaplain at the Orange County Jail, who said Boone enrolled in a Christian program there and has worked to do better over the past four years, including as a mentor to younger inmates. Boones bunkmate for about three years, Christina Pina, said she has been like a big sister to her. (When) anybody need any help, or needed anything, they come to her, and even if they did wrong she would still go back and help them, and pray with them, and pray over them and everything, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lana Albert, a friend suffering from end-stage renal disease who Boone met online while in jail, appeared by Zoom from Minnesota to say that Boone offered to donate her a kidney. Boones attorney, James Owens, argued that Kraynick should give Boone less than the minimum 22 1/2 years for reasons including her mental illness. Forensic psychologist Dr. Julie Harper testified that the untimely death of Boones father when she was in high school affected her ability to form healthy relationships. Kraynick said an appellate attorney will be appointed for Boone. Owens says he believes there are good grounds for appeal and is meeting with Boone on Tuesday to discuss if they should file one. He is open to returning as Boones attorney if the appeals court grants her a new trial. She must appeal within 30 days. _____ When the Supreme Court hears oral arguments Wednesday in a major fight over Tennessees ban on gender-affirming care for minors, conservatives defending the law plan to point to an unexpected place as a model: Europe. Two decades ago, Republicans appeared allergic to foreign influence on the U.S. legal system, decrying Supreme Court decisions that looked abroad often to Europe for guidance on culture-war issues like gay rights and the death penalty. Now, that aversion seems to have eroded. Lawyers and legislators on the right are embracing recent moves to restrict some types of care for transgender minors in four European countries. And these American conservatives are using them as evidence that new bans or limits on such treatment in Tennessee and 25 other states are not only prudent but also consistent with the U.S. Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Systematic reviews by national health authorities in Sweden, the United Kingdom, Finland, and Norway have all concluded that the harms associated with these interventions are significant, and the long-term benefits are unproven, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti wrote in defense of the states ban on transition-related medical care for minors. The law, passed last year, bans hormone treatments or surgeries for minors that would allow them to identify with, or live as, a purported identity inconsistent with the minors sex or to treat purported discomfort or distress from a discordance between the minors sex and asserted identity. Challengers to the law, along with the Biden administration, asked the high court to declare the measure unconstitutional after a federal appeals court upheld it. The challengers say the law discriminates on the basis of gender in violation of the 14th Amendment. A brief from Tennessee state officials defending the law quotes no fewer than three times a passage from the appeals court ruling that upheld the law, saying: Some of the same European countries that pioneered these treatments now express caution about them and have pulled back on their use. The conservatives sudden affection for European medical standards and judgments rankles some transgender advocates, who say its a hypocritical about-face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its rich that folks that dont look to Europe for anything, especially socialized medicine, for the guideposts on how to move forward with public policy, are citing any kind of medical policy from Europe, said Sasha Buchert of Lambda Legal, an LGBTQ+ rights advocacy group. Conservatives combat foreign influence on U.S. law The conservative crusade against U.S. judges taking note of legal developments overseas reached a fever pitch in the 2000s. It certainly was extreme for a while, said Austen Parrish, dean of the University of California at Irvine law school. You had Supreme Court justices that were being threatened with death threats. ... There was this great pushback on anything foreign, because somehow it was giving up on American sovereignty, and we had to chart our own path. In 2005, as the anti-foreign-law frenzy was at its height, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) suggested at confirmation hearings for John Roberts as chief justice that U.S. judges who cited foreign precedents should be subject to impeachment. Roberts pledged not to rely on foreign law himself but said removing judges who did would be a step too far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Id accuse them of getting it wrong on that point, and Id hope to sit down with them and debate it and reason about it, Roberts said. That same year, Justices Antonin Scalia and Stephen Breyer even faced off in a public debate that aired arguments for and against its use. Justice Clarence Thomas also weighed in, declaring in a 2002 opinion a distaste for foreign influence that seemed to extend beyond legal rulings. This Court should not impose foreign moods, fads, or fashions on Americans, he wrote in a death penalty case. In the courts seismic 2022 ruling overturning the federal constitutional right to abortion, the conservative majority tiptoed around the foreign law issue. Justice Samuel Alitos majority opinion noted that the Mississippi legislature that passed the abortion restriction at issue in that case found that the U.S. was one of only seven countries that permitted elective abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy. He then relegated further discussion of that issue to a footnote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The courts liberal minority unapologetically embraced international practice as a reason to preserve Roe v. Wade. American abortion law has become more and more aligned with other Nations, Justices Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan wrote, adding that the nuances of those laws are important. Most Western European countries impose restrictions on abortion after 12 to 14 weeks, but they often have liberal exceptions to those time limits, including to prevent harm to a womans physical or mental health. Some European countries rethink gender-affirming care Complaints that some doctors were handing out puberty-blocking medication too widely have triggered reexamination of treatment practices in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland and Norway in recent years. The highest-profile retreat came in the U.K., following a broad review of gender-affirming care by the National Health Service. The head of the review, Dr. Hilary Cass, concluded that studies about treatment for gender dysphoria were unreliable, that doctors were often not tending to patients other issues and there was a lack of attention to patients seeking to detransition. This is an area of remarkably weak evidence, and yet results of studies are exaggerated or misrepresented by people on all sides of the debate to support their viewpoint, Cass wrote. The reality is that we have no good evidence on the long-term outcomes of interventions to manage gender-related distress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the findings in the so-called Cass review, released in draft form in 2022 and finalized in April, NHS stopped prescribing puberty blockers for those under 18 and closed the main NHS clinic in England offering gender-affirming care for minors. Sweden, Finland and Norway have guidelines that reject certain treatments, such as surgery, for adolescents. But all three countries have some means for teenagers to access puberty blockers, often through clinical trials, according to briefs filed by outside parties with the Supreme Court. None of those countries have banned care in the way that Tennessee has, said Chase Strangio of the American Civil Liberties Union, who is set to argue against the law at the Supreme Court on Wednesday. None of those countries have taken away every pathway for adolescents to access the medical care that they need. While some transgender advocates have been highly critical of the Cass review and other steps that have limited treatments, Strangio was relatively positive about efforts by the European medical community to refine standards for gender-affirming care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the examples of Europe are often very distorted in the press, Strangio told reporters on a video conference Monday. What they're actually showing us is tailored responses to ensure that people who need treatment get it. Strangio acknowledged some risks to puberty blockers and other treatment, but said that alone doesnt justify an all-out ban on the use of those drugs for minors with gender dysphoria. He noted the same drugs remain available for use in other situations. In all other contexts, what Tennessee does and what other governments do when there is beneficial care that carries risk is to inform patients and to attempt to minimize risks. That is what is going on in Europe. That is not what is going on in Tennessee, he said. Some judges were unimpressed by Europe examples U.S. District Judge Eli Richardson, who blocked Tennessees law last June, found similar flaws in the states arguments about new limits on transition-related medical care abroad. He said the recalibration of treatment in various countries isnt akin to the flat prohibition on hormone treatment for transgender minors that Tennessee and other states have imposed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defendants' reliance on the practices of European nations is not an apt analogy where none of these countries have gone so far as to ban hormone therapy entirely, Richardson said. Richardson, an appointee of President Donald Trump, used language that harkened back to earlier conservative skepticism about the relevance of foreign examples to a U.S. court case. There is the additional problem that the Court can put only so much weight on the practice of other nations, he wrote. After all, the Court cannot outsource to European nations the task of preliminarily determining the extent to which the treatments at issue are safe. Federal judges in Indiana and Florida also rejected similar arguments as they blocked gender-affirming care bans in those states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Skrmetti declined to comment for this story, but in a recent op-ed the Tennessee AG repeatedly and prominently invoked Europes moves on transition-related medical care. Medical research and practices in Europe support a cautious approach, Skrmetti wrote. Are conservatives invoking foreign law, or experience? One scholar who has criticized some efforts to banish foreign law from the U.S. legal system noted that Tennessee isnt invoking foreign statutes or court rulings. There has been this kind of hardcore talk of no foreign law in American courts, which I think mostly stems from people not really thinking very hard about when it is you need to use it, said Eugene Volokh of Stanford Universitys Hoover Institution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volokh said he views the conservative states claims as more factual than legal. If the question is: Is youth gender medicine really likely to be effective? That's something that you shouldn't ignore If the English and the Swedes and the Dutch say one thing, then that's certainly evidence. It's not dispositive evidence, but it's certainly evidence, he said. Conservatives references to Europe at the Supreme Court in the current legal fight point not to court rulings or laws, or to facts or studies, but to medical practice guidelines and standards. Those amount to national policy in some countries particularly those with government-run health services, some legal experts say. And they note that urgings from judges like Thomas that U.S. courts ignore foreign moods, fads or fashions expressed a sentiment that appeared to go beyond rejecting black-letter law or judicial rulings. I definitely see the same thing playing out, Seattle University law professor Sital Kalantry said. There was a big debate where conservatives freaked out about it when the liberals were using it. But now, if it supports their ends, then they're willing to make reference to international practice. ... We're now at this place that both perspectives are selectively using international law and practice to support their predetermined end point. KSNF/KODE The United States Supreme Court denied a stay of execution for convicted child killer Christopher Collings. In denying the request to stop Collingss execution, SCOTUS also denied his request to present evidence that he says could have changed the outcome of his case. Collings was challenging the credibility of the lead detective on his case, arguing that because the state didnt disclose the alleged criminal convictions of that officer, it violated his rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Execution date requested for convicted child murderer Collings is scheduled to be executed tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. He was found guilty of raping and killing nine-year-old Rowan Ford in November 2007. Execution date set for Missouri man convicted of raping and killing Rowan Ford Her body was discovered, naked, in a McDonald County cave six days after she went missing. Autopsy results showed she died from strangulation. Collings confessed to the crime. The little girls stepfather, David Spears, also pleaded guilty for his role in her death and has already been released from prison. Our own Jeremiah Cook will be there to witness Collingss execution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will have complete coverage tomorrow night on KSN/KODE 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 KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. The Supreme Court on Monday heard arguments about the federal regulation of flavored e-cigarettes, in a case pitting the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) against two vaping companies. Justices weighed whether the agency acted lawfully when it denied the applications of the companies to market fruity and dessert-flavored liquids for their electronic nicotine products. FDA deemed the flavors were too appealing to young people without being beneficial enough to existing smokers trying to switch to vaping. A decision is expected by the end of the Supreme Court term in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what to know about FDA v. Wages and White Lion Investments: Justices seemed sympathetic to FDA The case centered on an FDA appeal of a ruling by the ultraconservative U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit that said the agency unfairly changed its standards while reviewing the companies applications. The appeals court slammed FDAs conduct, claiming the companies were told that the agency required certain studies but then changed its mind and required different studies. But at least two of the Supreme Courts conservative justices seemed to think the agency acted properly, and that FDA had been clear from the outset that it was making decisions based on whether the products appealed to young people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justice Brett Kavanaugh said, after the agency reviews the application and rejects it because of the risks to youth, its kind of the end of it, isnt it? His view was shared by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who seemed to agree FDA hadnt meaningfully changed its requirements during the review. Kavanaugh also questioned why the companies were arguing in court in the first place, since the remedy they want FDA to reconsider the applications is already an option. Companies are free to reapply for approval after being rejected, though theres no guarantee FDA wont come to the same conclusion and reject the application again. The three liberal justices also seemed to think the FDA has been consistent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres just not a lot of mystery here about what FDA was doing. You might disagree with that. But you cant say FDA hasnt told you all about what it was thinking, Justice Elena Kagan said. Youth vaping in focus The FDA has authorized the sale of only 27 e-cigarette products, and all except one have been tobacco flavored, which is not widely used by young people. It has denied millions of others. Companies seeking the agencys approval must clear a high legal bar since such products pose a known and substantial risk to youth, the FDA said. The case comes as teen vaping rates have dropped to the lowest level in a decade, which federal officials attribute mostly to regulatory efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, more than 1.6 million children use the products, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly 90 percent of them use illicit flavored brands, according to federal data. White Lion Investments, which conducts business as Triton, makes e-liquids with flavors including Signature Series Moms Pistachio and Suicide Bunny Mothers Milk and Cookies. Another e-cigarette maker in the lawsuit, Vapetasia, asked for approval for flavors including Iced Pineapple Express and Killer Kustard Blueberry. Im not really seeing what the surprise is here or what the change is here, Kagan said. Everybody basically knows that flavors are particularly dangerous in terms of kids starting the use of smoking products. Justice Department attorney Curtis Gannon echoed Kagans comments, saying FDAs position has been consistent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres no mystery here that the FDA thought there was a risk to youth, Gannon said. The companies tried to show that flavors had an offsetting benefit with adults, Gannon said, but FDA concluded otherwise. Common sense tells us that a flavor like Mothers Milk and Cookies is going to be disproportionately attractive to children, Gannon said. Trumps looming impact Looming over the case is the future of FDAs approach to vaping. President-elect Trump has vowed to save vaping, though his administration in 2020 attempted to restrict flavored vaping products. Eric Heyer, the attorney for the companies, said he didnt know what Trumps pledge would look like, but his clients were hoping for a different result under a new FDA if the court ordered the agency to reexamine the applications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Vapor Technology Association, a trade group representing manufacturers, retailers and others, said in a statement the incoming administration can quickly and decisively end all current litigation and all future litigation that will follow a SCOTUS decision favorable to industry by implementing a new tobacco products standard. But Andrew J. Twinamatsiko, a director of the Center for Health Policy and the Law at Georgetown University Law Center, said the Tobacco Control Act has very strict criteria for authorizing marketing of a product. You have to show this product isnt an on-ramp for nonusers, and its an off-ramp for existing users of more dangerous tobacco products, Twinamatsiko said. So even if a new administration approves fruit and candy flavored products, there is still a chance to hold the FDAs feet to the fire, Twinamatsiko 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 The Hill. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) The U.S. Supreme Court could soon determine the fate of flavored vape products once and for all. I think its pretty clear that the justices understand the public health implications of this case, Dennis Henigan from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids said. The high court heard a case Monday on the FDAs refusal to let two e-cigarette companies sell flavored vape products due to their health risk to youths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Henigan supports the FDAs position. The flavors attract kids to them. And then the nicotine in these products keeps them addicted, he said. The legal issue before the justices is whether the FDA violated a federal law called the Administrative Procedure Act by denying e-cigarette companies requests to sell flavored vape products. Lawyers for the vaping industry argue there are other ways to stop youth from vaping. Raising the age to 21, marketing restrictions, those can work, Gregory Conley with the American Vapor Manufacturers said. Conley says the FDAs plan could have unintended consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the real world, you have illicit markets, and those markets do not card, Conley said. Justice Sonia Sotomayor was skeptical of the argument from the vaping industry. Your evidence has to show that adults need these flavored products to stop using tobacco products and that youth wont start using these, Sotomayor said. Several conservative justices raised concerns about the FDAs approval process. Conley also hopes President-elect Donald Trump upholds his campaign promise to save flavored vapes. 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 majority of the Supreme Court on Tuesday appeared skeptical that Holocaust victims and their families are permitted to haul Hungary into American courts to recover property stolen during World War II, with several justices fearing that would open the United States up to a flood of similar litigation from abroad. More than a dozen victims of the Holocaust and their families have been fighting the Republic of Hungary and its national railway for nearly 15 years over whether they may continue their lawsuit in federal courts under a narrow exception to the general prohibition on suing foreign governments in the United States. Hungary stole respondents property while forcing them onto cattle cars, Shay Dvoretzky, representing the families, told the Supreme Court during about 90 minutes of arguments. When Hungary then used the money it received from selling that property to buy equipment in the United States, it put into the United States property that had been exchanged for the expropriated property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The appeal appeared likely to split the Supreme Court along nonideological lines, with both conservatives and liberals concerned about the implications of a decision for the families. Foreign nations generally have whats known as sovereign immunity that bars parties from suing them in domestic courts. But federal law in the United States includes an exception when a case involves expropriated property that is present in the US. The families say the money Hungary received when it liquidated the property it stole from Jewish families was comingled with other funds and that some portion of that money was then spent in the US. Because of that, the families argue, the exception should apply. But their position drew sharp questioning from Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh, two conservatives who sit at the center of the court and most often wind up with the majority when decisions are handed down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is really just throwing out the whole sovereign immunity principles under which the rest of the world operates, Roberts said. Congress had in mind a much narrower exception than that. Kavanaugh said he was concerned about the foreign policy implications of a ruling for the families, worrying other nations might reciprocate and make it easier for people to sue the United States. No other country in the world has an expropriation exception to begin with, right? Kavanaugh pressed Dvoretzky. Its a big deal to haul a foreign country into US court. Several of the courts liberals also appeared to have reservations with the families argument. Justice Sonia Sotomayor recounted a hypothetical about a parent depositing $100 to start a bank account for a newborn and then arguing that same money remained part of the account after a lifetime worth of transactions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its an interesting concept that that $100 that my mother put in that account the day I was born that a piece of it is still there 60 years, or 70 years or 80 years later, Sotomayor said. Its a fiction that takes quite an imagination. Justices Elena Kagan and Samuel Alito, a liberal and conservative, respectively, worried that immunizing foreign countries that simply mix expropriated property into general funds would render the exception Congress approved useless because countries would have an easy path to avoiding scrutiny from federal courts. Doesnt this provide a roadmap to any country that wants to expropriate property? Kagan asked the attorney representing Hungary, Joshua Glasgow. In other words, just sell the property, put it into your national treasury insulate yourself from all claims for all time? At one point Alito appeared to brush aside Kavanaughs concerns about foreign reciprocation, questioning whether Washington would really have to worry about such suits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is the United States going around expropriating the property of foreign nationals? Alito asked an attorney representing the Biden administration, which has sided with the Hungary in the appeal. Kavanaugh snapped back, suggesting his concern was that expanding the exception would make the United States vulnerable to suits for historical actions as well. Justice Alito asked the question about suits against the United States, he said. I assume those would be backward-looking suits for things that happened long ago. I would assume so, said Sopan Joshi, representing the Biden administration. The victims initially filed their lawsuit in 2010, and the case has been bouncing around federal courts for so long that it previously reached the Supreme Court four years ago. In that instance, the justices ultimately sent the matter back to lower courts for additional review tossing out a federal appeals court ruling for the families in the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A federal appeals court in Washington, DC, sided with the victims last year, and Hungary appealed to the Supreme Court. A decision in the case, Hungary v. Simon, is expected next year. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday will hear arguments for the most important transgender rights case it has ever reviewed one that could have significant consequences on the future of lifesaving gender-affirming care for youth in the country. At the heart of the case, United States v. Skrmetti, is the question of whether a Tennessee ban on such care violates the 14th Amendments equal protection clause, which bars discrimination on the basis of sex. The Tennessee law, Senate Bill 1, encourages minors to appreciate their sex by prohibiting puberty blockers or hormone replacement therapy for the purposes of allowing young people to live as an identity inconsistent with the minors sex. The Department of Justice, Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union, who petitioned the Supreme Court to hear the case, have argued that Tennessees law amounts to sex discrimination because it specifically bars transgender youth from these medications while allowing cisgender youth to undergo the same treatments for other conditions, such as early puberty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case contains some of the worst leaning into sex stereotypes that Ive ever seen in a statute, said Sasha Buchert, the director of the nonbinary and transgender rights project at Lambda Legal, the oldest LGBTQ+ law firm in the U.S. Its clearly a sex-based consideration because this is the same care that [theyre] just banning for trans people. But even further, there is this gender conformity aspect to the statute, which I think is implicit in all of these bans that weve seen. Its just that Tennessee didnt want to hide it. Tennessee has argued that the law does not specifically target trans people, although the state acknowledges that the ban sets age- and use-based limits on puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries for the purpose of gender transition. (Gender-affirming surgeries are not an issue in the Supreme Court case, however, as a district court threw out a challenge to those procedures.) The law has faced legal challenges since the Tennessee legislature first passed it in March 2023. One month later, the ACLU filed a lawsuit on behalf of a trans teen identified as L.W., two other families of trans youth, and a Memphis-based doctor. The DOJ then joined the suit. That summer, a district court found that the ban likely violated the U.S. Constitution and issued a preliminary injunction on parts of the law regarding puberty blockers and hormones. Tennessees attorney general, Jonathan Skrmetti, appealed the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, which overturned that ruling. The Biden administration then asked the Supreme Court to review this case, arguing that any ban on trans health constitutes sex discrimination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the Supreme Court only took up the Biden administrations appeal, the court will not be weighing in on the question of whether the state law violates the fundamental right of parents to make medical decisions for their children, which is a central question in a separate lawsuit, L.W. v. Skrmetti. The outcome of United States v. Skrmetti will provide much-needed legal clarity for trans youth and their families amidst an increasingly anti-trans political climate. Twenty-six states have passed laws restricting health care providers from prescribing puberty blockers and hormones, as well as performing surgeries on transgender youth. Lower courts across the country have handed down conflicting rulings when these laws have been challenged. By and large, district court judges have attempted to block these bans, finding them unconstitutional after applying heightened scrutiny a high legal standard used in civil rights cases that forces the government to prove a vested interest in the application of the law. Appeals court judges, on the other hand, have typically used rational basis, a lower form of review, when overturning previous injunctions of these bans. Chase Strangio, the co-director of the ACLUs LGBTQ and HIV Project, said on a press call Monday that if the Supreme Court rules in favor of Tennessee, it could erode protections when it comes to sex-based discrimination, especially in the context of medical care, long term. Strangio, the first trans lawyer to argue before the Supreme Court, is set to deliver a 15-minute oral argument on behalf of the three families of trans youth and the Memphis-based doctor on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, if the Supreme Court rules as the district courts have by applying heightened scrutiny, then it will determine that bans on trans health care constitute sex discrimination, similar to how the high court determined in the Bostock v. Clayton County case that discrimination against trans employees is also sex discrimination. This isnt just about health care, Buchert said. This is about a view that the state has of what normativity is about how someone should be in the world existentially. Its not just preventing care, theres a clear philosophical purpose that is to force people to live consistent with what they view as the appropriate sex. Chase Strangio speaks at the Trans Youth Prom outside of the U.S. Capitol in 2023. Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images Science Versus Skeptics There is a body of scientific evidence to show that puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy substantially reduce gender dysphoria in adolescent patients, dozens of medical associations argued in briefs submitted to the Supreme Court in September. Doctors, medical groups, LGBTQ+ advocates, Democrats, Republicans and trans individuals have submitted briefs on the efficacy of gender-affirming care to alleviate dysphoria and prevent suicide. However, Tennessees brief to the court is skeptical of gender-affirming care. It argues that these medical interventions are experimental and claims that at one point a Tennessee hospital, Nashvilles Vanderbilt University Medical Center, began providing trans health care in order to make a lot of money. The brief discusses at length how certain media reports about Vanderbilt providing gender-affirming care to minors exposed the hospitals true intentions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is not clear what media reports the brief is referring to. However, the hospital first came under scrutiny in September 2022, when conservative political commentator Matt Walsh made a series of posts on social media accusing it of opening its trans clinic to turn a profit and criticizing its treatments for trans youth. Later that month, Skrmetti announced that his office had opened an investigation into the clinic, demanding hundreds of patient medical records, as well as information about Vanderbilts employees and volunteers. In the aftermath of the investigation, a health care worker at the clinic told HuffPost that the medical center canceled appointments for certain surgeries for cisgender youth that currently do not fall into the category of trans health care but could be seen as pathways to gender affirmation. United States v. Skrmetti comes at a pivotal time for trans rights in the U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has promised to stop gender-affirming care for minors nationwide, which he has equated to child abuse and sexual mutilation. The incoming president has also appointed Russell Vought, the co-author of Project 2025, as the director of the Office of Management and Budget. Project 2025, the blueprint for a second Trump term, includes dozens of policies that erase federal protections for LGBTQ+ people, including allowing Medicare and Medicaid to deny coverage for gender-affirming care and removing trans-inclusive protections from Title IV. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, the executive director of the Campaign for Southern Equality, an organization that has helped hundreds of families of trans youth travel out of state in light of these bans, said that communities are figuring out how to get the care they need in the immediate short term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were thinking about what can we do today? What can we do tomorrow? she said. How can we be prepared if a ruling like that does come down next summer and bans go into effect? Being Bullied By Lawmakers State bans have imperiled thousands of trans youth, many of whom have had to travel hundreds of miles to continue care. Harleigh Walker, a 17-year-old trans girl, and her father have had to travel 200 miles from Auburn, Alabama, to another state in order for her to make telehealth visits and continue receiving estrogen. Alabamas ban went into effect in January, almost two years after the state legislature passed the law. Harleigh has spent much of her teenage years obsessing over her schools debate team and collecting vinyl records. She has also become an advocate, meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris as well as testifying to the U.S. Senate about her experiences and dispelling misinformation about her health care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She told HuffPost that she has known she was trans since she was 10 years old, after resonating with videos of Gigi Gorgeous, a trans Canadian YouTuber. In April 2022, Harleigh and her family met with Alabama lawmakers to share how being able to access puberty blockers, and later estrogen, helped her become the girl she always knew she was. However, when the state became the second to ban gender-affirming care for youth that year, she felt betrayed by her representatives and she now worries about how the Supreme Courts decision could impact her future. I was pretty heavily bullied for being trans, Harleigh said about her middle school years. But then I built up confidence in who I was. I think theres been a transition from being bullied by my peers to being bullied by lawmakers and adults. Harleigh plans to pursue a degree in law and one day go into politics. Though her father, Jeff Walker, is a huge fan of Auburn University in Alabama, the family understands that she will likely attend college out of state, as Alabamas ban applies to anyone under 19. We had some time as a family to figure out what was best for her and how to support her on her journey, Jeff Walker said, speaking in a room flanked by Auburn flags and signage. Its gut-wrenching to see what is said about the trans community or parents of trans children. And as a dad, its really hard to take. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brian Williams, the father of the teen identified as L.W., said during the press call Monday that his family came to every medical decision together and sought out the advice of other family members, patients they knew, and doctors. After nine months of consultations, L.W. began puberty blockers at 13. Now 16 years old, L.W. is busy making her own music, designing video games, and looking ahead at college. Last year, she said that shes fighting Tennessees law because I know how important this care is for tens of thousands of transgender youth like me. Today, more than 90% of trans teenagers live in states that have passed laws restricting trans rights in some way: the ability to access health care, participate in sports, use school bathrooms, or use the correct pronouns in school. An estimated 113,900 trans youth live in states that have restricted transition-related care for minors, according to the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law. Over the last two years, HuffPost has spoken with dozens of families of trans youth and trans adults who live in states with various kinds of bans on gender-affirming care. These restrictions have created a culture of fear, forced families to travel hundreds of miles out of state, and forced some adults to stockpile their hormones or forgo transition altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legal and medical experts alike worry that a decision against the plaintiffs could have widespread implications beyond trans youth. Advocates worry that the case could call into question the future of legal challenges around sex discrimination, wreak havoc on health care overall and make it more challenging for trans adults to access health care on state insurance plans. Morissa Ladinsky, a pediatrician and professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said that the impact of these bans on her patients has been extremely difficult. Even if theyre able to travel to receive care, young trans people are facing sleep issues, anxiety, and academic decline from the fear produced by these bans. Ladinsky said that one of the biggest misconceptions she has seen about health care for young trans people is around the timeline and thoroughness of the care. This is evidence-based health care thats been in place for decades in this country. It is individualized and optimized for each patient, she said, noting that youth and their families meet with medical providers, including psychologists and endocrinologists, as well as chaplains. But states are losing medical professionals over restrictions to care, Ladinsky said. Alabama has experienced a physician shortage in the wake of its ban on gender-affirming care and the end of federal abortion protections. Medical professionals have similarly left states like Tennessee, Florida and Texas, which have passed their own bans on reproductive and trans health care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a downstream fallout from these bans that affects the health of the people in my state, said Ladinsky, who has worked in pediatric medicine for 30 years and opened Alabamas first pediatric gender clinic in 2015. Doctors are not coming to Alabama, and it is unequivocal that the downstream consequences of some of these health care bans or even fears of deepening health care bans are very real, very prescient, and may be driving physicians away from states where theyre sorely needed. Related... The Supreme Court is set to hear one of the most important trans rights cases in history on Wednesday, with the nation's highest court set to decide whether a state-level ban on gender-affirming care for minors is an unconstitutional form of sex discrimination. The ban in question, passed by Tennessee's Republican-led legislature in the form of SB1, prevents doctors from prescribing puberty blockers, hormone treatment or surgery to minors experiencing gender dysphoria. The same medications can be prescribed to cisgender teens who go through puberty too early or too late, but not for those who feel uncomfortable with their assigned gender. United States v. Skrmetti was brought forward by three Tennessee transgender youth and their families, who argue that the ban is discriminatory and violates the Equal Protection Clause in the U.S. Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In defending its ban, the state of Tennessee has repeatedly cited the Supreme Courts 2022 Dobbs decision, which overturned the federal right to abortion and gave jurisdiction over reproductive rights to the states. Tennessee also maintains that the ban does no discriminate on the basis of sex, arguing that it is instead a healthcare regulation that applies to all. The law draws a line between minors seeking drugs for gender transition and minors seeking drugs for other medical purposes. Boys and girls fall on both sides of that line, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, a Republican, wrote in a legal brief. The case comes at a contentious time for trans rights. Anti-trans messaging was a backbone of President-elect Donald Trumps campaign, boosted by right-wing groups like the Heritage Foundation and the Alliance Defending Freedom. According to a survey by the Associated Press, 55% of voters and 85% of Trump voters said support for trans rights in government has gone too far. Last year, Trump threatened to punish any physician who provided gender-affirming care to minors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No serious country should be telling its children that they were born with the wrong gender, Trump said in a video posted to his Truth Social account. Under my leadership, this madness will end. Since the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision, at least 26 states have restricted or banned gender-affirming care for minors, despite the objections and guidelines brought forward by a number of U.S. medical associations. Weve seen just how far extreme politicians will push to deny us our reproductive freedom, from banning abortion to threatening IVF to even threatening to put doctors in jail for providing emergency care, with deadly consequences for womens lives, Jennifer Dalven, director of the ACLUs Reproductive Freedom Project, said in a statement. The same politicians who are trying to control women have now set their sights on transgender people and their families and are trying to control their bodies and lives," Dalven said. "Allowing politicians to continue down this road could hold severe implications for the freedom of all people to decide what is right for their own body." The Supreme Court heard a landmark case on Wednesday that could affect how transgender youth have access to gender-affirming care nationwide which conservative justices suggested should be left to lawmakers to decide. Puberty blockers and hormone therapy have been used for decades to treat gender dysphoria, which is defined as the mental distress or discomfort a person experiences when there is a mismatch between their sex assigned at birth and their gender identity. It can lead to anxiety, depression and an increased risk of self-harm and suicidality, according to the National Institute of Health. There are currently 26 states that have enacted laws to restrict such gender-affirming care, though some of those bans are tied up in legal challenges. Proponents of these types of laws argue that they exist to protect the health and welfare of minors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tennessee is one of those states, and its law, known as SB1 and enacted in July 2023, is now up for debate before the 6-3 conservative majority high court. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito both expressed concern over several European countries that have placed new restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors after reviewing scientific evidence, and whether they should be the ones to weigh in on the issue. We're not the best situated to address issues like that," Roberts said. "Doesn't that make a stronger case for us to leave those determinations to the legislative bodies rather than trying to determine them for ourselves?" Heres a closer look at the case and the key takeaways from the hearing on Wednesday The players involved in the case At issue in the case, U.S. v. Skrmetti, is a Tennessee law that bans gender-affirming care, like hormone treatments and gender-transition surgeries, for transgender minors. It also imposes civil penalties for doctors who violate those bans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plaintiffs, who filed the case in 2023 to challenge the law, are three transgender adolescents, their parents as well as a medical doctor who treats teens with gender dysphoria. They are being represented by the ACLU and Lambda Legal. The Biden administration has also been able to join the case in support of the plaintiffs under a federal law that allows the government to intervene in private cases that allege there are violations of the 14th Amendment. Meanwhile, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and his legal team are defending the state law. The Supreme Court justices could decide whether the law violates the 14th Amendments Equal Protection Clause in the Constitution, which states: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. What each side argued U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, the Biden administrations lawyer, argued before the Supreme Court on Wednesday that SB1 is unconstitutionally discriminatory because it is sex-based since Tennessee's law makes exceptions for the use of puberty blockers based on sex. Under the law, Prelogar argues, puberty blockers are banned for transgender minors, but arent banned for use by minors who are not transgender. Puberty blockers can be used to delay sexual development for nontransgender individuals who experience puberty before age 8 or 9. SB1 categorically bans treatment when, and only when, its inconsistent with the patients birth sex, Prelogar said Wednesday. Someone assigned female at birth cant receive medication to live as a male, but someone assigned male can. To be clear, states have leeway to regulate gender-affirming care. But here, Tennessee made no attempt to tailor its law to its stated health concerns. Rather than impose measured guardrails, SB1 bans the care outright no matter how critical it is for an individual patient. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, Chase Strangio, an ACLU lawyer arguing on behalf of the Tennessee families, became the first openly transgender attorney to argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court. He offered many of the same arguments Prelogar did. Meanwhile, Matthew Rice, Tennessee's state solicitor general, argued in favor of the Tennessee law, saying SB1 turns entirely on medical purpose, not a patients sex. That is not sex discrimination. Just as using morphine used to manage pain differs from using to assist in suicide, using hormones and puberty blockers to address a physical condition is far different from using it to address psychological distress associated with ones body, he added. The state also argued that more research is needed around gender-affirming care. The plaintiffs, however, have provided examples of major medical organizations that have deemed the treatments safe, even considering them medically necessary. Key takeaways from the hearing Chief Justice Roberts, who has previously voted in favor of transgender rights in the workplace, suggested that the issue is best left up for lawmakers to decide. In questioning Strangio, he said, My understanding is that the Constitution leaves that question to the peoples representatives, rather than to nine people, none of whom is a doctor. Alito pressed Prelogar about a report from a senior doctor in the United Kingdom that states there is no good evidence on the long-term outcomes of interventions to manage gender-related distress. Prelogar said European countries such as Finland, Norway and Sweden dont have an outright ban on treatments for transgender minors like Tennessees law. Justice Brett Kavanaugh asked Prelogar about patients who change their minds and want to detransition. Prelogar acknowledged that while detransitions can happen, they are rare. Kavanaugh, who coached his daughters basketball team, asked Prelogar about trangender girls and sports participation. If you prevail here on the standard of review, what would that mean for women and girls sports? he asked. Would transgender athletes have a constitutional right to participate in girls sports? Prelogar said that scenario is different from gender-affirming care because sport participation affects other people as well. Liberal justices Sonia Sotomayor, Ketanji Brown Jackson and Elena Kagan immediately grilled Rice about his argument that the law is not gender-based. Its a dodge to say this isnt based on sex, its based on medical purpose, when the medical purpose is utterly and entirely about sex, Kagan argued. Rice responded, We think thats a request for a substantive right to engage in nonconforming behavior, we dont think its actually drawing a line based on sex. He then argued that there are two different medical purposes for treating precocious puberty and transitioning to a different gender. In questioning Rice, Kagan summarized the Tennessee law as: We want boys to be boys and girls to be girls. Rice argued that the state laws intent is to help prevent regret and detransitioning, ensuring minors have time to appreciate their sex before making a decision to transition. Justice Neil Gorsuch, a conservative who has previously supported trans rights, was notably silent and did not ask any questions throughout the hearing. Whats at stake If the Supreme Court decides that the Tennessee law is unconstitutional, the other 25 state laws banning gender-affirming care could also be held as unconstitutional and discriminatory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such a ruling could give advocates for LGBTQ rights and civil rights lawyers a powerful precedent to point to in fighting against other anti-trans laws regarding school sports, pronouns and bathroom access. In turn, if SCOTUS rules that the Tennessee law does not violate the 14th Amendment, it could clear the way for additional laws targeting transgender Americans. Something else to keep in mind is how the incoming Trump administration could affect the case. Since the Biden administration intervened against the law on behalf of the federal government, the Trump administration could take a different position and tell the court that the federal government is no longer disputing the law. Its uncertain if this would then cause the court to hear new arguments from the ACLU and Lambda Legal, the organizations that are representing the original plaintiffs. South Korean military forces have descended on the countrys parliament building and other parts of the capital Seoul following President Yoon Suk Yeols unexpected declaration of martial law. South Koreas political opposition has decried Yoons surprise move, the first of its kind in more than 40 years, which has already led to scuffling between civilians and security forces. Yoon announced he was imposing martial law across the country in a brief televised announcement late on Tuesday local time. It is now Wednesday, Dec. 4 in South Korea. In a televised address, President Yoon Suk Yeol said his decision to impose martial law in South Korea is supposedly critical for defending the constitutional order. He also vowed to eradicate "anti-state forces," without elaborating on what exactly is meant by that term. pic.twitter.com/8xA8212Mux DW News (@dwnews) December 3, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The martial law is aimed at eradicating pro-North Korean forces and to protect the constitutional order of freedom, Yoon said, according to South Korean news outlet Yonhap. Yoon, a member of the People Power Party, accused the opposition Democratic Party of Korea of clear anti-state behavior aimed at inciting rebellion and of having paralyzed state affairs and turned the National Assembly into a den of criminals, according to CNN. He said that martial law was required to remove the shameless pro-North anti-state forces and pledged to eliminate the anti-state forces and restore the country to normalcy as quickly as possible. This is the first time in more than four decades that South Koreas government has declared martial law. In 1979, authorities in the country made the move following the assassination of long-time dictator Park Chung Hee. Martial law was extended the following year in response to pro-democracy protests. From NYT: "This is the first time in 44 years that a South Korean leader has declared martial law. It was declared in 1980 during a pro-democracy uprising against the military." Alex Ward (@alexbward) December 3, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The War Zone subsequently obtained a translation of the South Korean military proclamation regarding the martial law declaration that states the following: To safeguard liberal democracy and protect the safety of citizens from the threat of anti-state forces attempting to overthrow the Republic of Korea, the following orders are proclaimed effective from 11:00 PM on December 3, 2024, across the entire nation: All political activities, including those of the National Assembly, local councils, political parties, and any political associations, assemblies, and demonstrations, are prohibited. All acts that deny or attempt to overthrow the liberal democratic system, as well as the dissemination of fake news, manipulation of public opinion, and false propaganda, are prohibited. All media and publications will be subject to the control of the Martial Law Command. Strikes, slowdowns, and gatherings that incite social disorder are prohibited. All medical professionals, including resident doctors, who are currently on strike or absent from their medical duties, must return to work and faithfully carry out their responsibilities within 48 hours. Violators will be punished under the Martial Law Act. Measures will be taken to minimize inconvenience to ordinary, law-abiding citizens, except for anti-state forces or those attempting to overthrow the system. Violators of this proclamation will be subject to arrest, detention, and search and seizure without a warrant under Article 9 (Special Authority of the Martial Law Commander) of the Martial Law Act. They will also be punished under Article 14 (Penalties) of the Martial Law Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As already noted, South Korean military forces subsequently deployed to the National Assembly building, the seat of the countrys parliament, and other areas of Seoul. Imagery circulating online show Black Hawk helicopters operating around South Koreas capital. Busses block the entrance to the National Assembly in Seoul.https://t.co/6tF4hi1DxH Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) December 3, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are also unconfirmed reports of the arrival of armored and other military vehicles, including K808/K806 series wheeled infantry fighting vehicles and 88 K30W Cheonho wheeled short-range air defense systems, in Seoul. At least one image being shared widely showing a column of IFVs has turned out to be from earlier this year. Reports of military hardware in Seoul. We are trying to verify the time and date of these images, but watchers of the space tell us seeing military equipment moving in Seoul in this manner is quite uncommon. pic.twitter.com/FSr5lN52Kp Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) December 3, 2024 FYI this photo is old and not related to the current events in South Korea. Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (@archer83able.bsky.social) 2024-12-03T15:02:20.288Z Video clips show security forces scuffling with groups of civilians, reportedly including opposition lawmakers, outside the parliament building and elsewhere in Seoul. There have been reports that legislators and staff, as well as journalists, are being allowed into the National Assembly complex. The situation remains very fluid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Korean special forces are breaking the Parliament windows to enter the building. pic.twitter.com/tMUXyguVAD Clash Report (@clashreport) December 3, 2024 Cheers erupt as soldiers are pulling back from the building. For now, the South Korean people have successfully stopped soldiers from entering parliament pic.twitter.com/Ea6bxQhjPu Joseph Kim (@josungkim) December 3, 2024 South Korean MPs are trying to get pass the mass of soldiers. pic.twitter.com/HmJtrzKovr Clash Report (@clashreport) December 3, 2024 WATCH: Soldiers arrive at South Korea's parliament after president declares martial law pic.twitter.com/cZX4vsM34y BNO News (@BNONews) December 3, 2024 South Korean MPs are trying to get pass the mass of soldiers. pic.twitter.com/HmJtrzKovr Clash Report (@clashreport) December 3, 2024 Im at the National Assembly. Reported military chopper flying low. Police with shields. People chanting open the door and confronting police, saying, you are going to regret this. This is a sin that will go down the history. More on @nknewsorg @southkoreapro pic.twitter.com/xqXeTjuj3V Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim) December 3, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee Jae-myung, who is head of the opposition Democratic Party, and Han Dong-hoon, the leader of Yoons People Power Party, have both decried the martial law declaration. South Koreas parliament does have the authority to override martial law by a majority vote. South Korean leader of the opposition Lee Jae-myung: Yoon Suk Yeol is no longer the president of South Korea. pic.twitter.com/kdSlO5Ikg9 Clash Report (@clashreport) December 3, 2024 Lee Jaemyung, leader of the Dem party, live-streaming himself climbing over the blockade wall at the National Assembly https://t.co/YGvxaV8VF7 oomfenshmirtz (@o_biennis) December 3, 2024 The major unrest in South Korea follows already escalating political turmoil in the country. The Yoon administration has also been struggling to tackle strikes by doctors that have now put significant strain on the countrys healthcare system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also comes at a time of heightened tensions between South Korea and North Korea, the latter of which has been steadily taking more hostile actions, as well as becoming more deeply embroiled in Russias war on Ukraine. Yoon has adopted a hardline stance toward the North and has been actively pushing for a greater buildup of South Koreas armed forces. He has even raised the possibility of his country developing its own nuclear arsenal. South Korea is a major U.S. ally with approximately 28,500 American military personnel forward-deployed in the country. The Administration is in contact with the ROK government and is monitoring the situation closely, a spokesperson for U.S. President Joe Bidens National Security Council told The War Zone. The full extent of the fallout from Yoons martial law declaration remains to be seen, but it is certainly an extremely worrisome development for the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available. UPDATE: 12:15 PM EST South Koreas parliament has now voted to end martial law and some security forces have since been seen leaving the National Assembly building. However, there are also reports that the South Korean military says it will continue to enforce martial law until ordered to cease doing so by Yoon. South Korea's opposition leader Lee Jae-myung now warns members of the South Korean military to disobey the president's orders after the parliament voted 190-0 to end the martial law, and adds that they're breaking the law if they continue to implement military rule. pic.twitter.com/QkG3TwWt5i Adam Schwarz (@AdamJSchwarz) December 3, 2024 The military is leaving the Parliament building after the vote to lift martial law passed YTN https://t.co/w9aSEwwRPd pic.twitter.com/UjYU1IQjOZ Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) December 3, 2024 Per YTN, the South Korean military is saying the martial law will remain in place until the president says otherwise/officially lifts it. Michelle Ye Hee Lee (@myhlee) December 3, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were seeking to engage our ROK [Republic of Korea] counterparts at every level, both here and in Seoul, the President, the National Security Advisor, the Secretary of State, have all been briefed on developments and are being kept appraised of the situation as it unfolds, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell has also now told Yonhap, adding that he was following the developments with grave concern. UPDATE: 2:50 PM EST There are reports now that attempts were made to arrest Myung, Hoon, and Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Won-Sik following the initial declaration of martial law, but it is unclear whether Yoons government is still looking to do so. Minju Party says they have found video footage of the army attempting to arrest major party leaders (Lee Jae-myung, Han Dong-hoon) and the assembly leader (Woo Won-sik) by entering their offices during the initial chaosm.yna.co.kr/view/AKR2024 (@gatamchun.bsky.social) 2024-12-03T18:21:07.026Z BREAKING: Arrest warrants have been issued for South Korean opposition leaders Lee Jae-myung, Han Dong-hoon & Woo Won-sik.The South Korean Military have broken into the opposition party offices near the National Assembly in search of them.One of the most extreme moves yet by President Suk Yeol. Adam Schwarz (@adamjschwarz.bsky.social) 2024-12-03T18:55:30.765Z Yoon has publicly announced his intention to comply with the National Assemblys demand to bring the declaration of martial law to an end. #UPDATE: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announces that martial law will be lifted on December 4, and that deployed forces will be withdrawn.https://t.co/6XUhmRYDL7pic.twitter.com/2tJfAICYQJ Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) December 3, 2024 Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder took questions about the situation in South Korea and the potential for impacts to U.S. forces there at a routine press conference today. Were continuing to monitor [the situation.] Were in touch with the ROK right now, Ryder said. There has been essentially no impact on U.S. forces, but again, you know, well continue to monitor and well keep you updated. My understanding is, no, theyre not under any type of curfew. But, obviously, in these kinds of situations, you want to make sure that youre paying attention, that youre checking in with your unit, making sure that theres accountability, he continued. Our commitment to the alliance and the defense of the Republic of Korea is ironclad. The U.S. State Department has also now stressed that it had no advance notice of Yoons plans and that the hope is for a peaceful resolution to the crisis in accordance with South Korean law. We want this to be resolved peacefully, in accordance with the rule of law, and certainly the legislature voting to pass something would be consistent with the law of that country, Patel. Laura Rozen (@lrozen) December 3, 2024 We continue to have grave concerns over some of these developments, but ultimately, it's our hope and expectation that this is resolved peacefully, in accordance with the with the rule of law. Laura Rozen (@lrozen) December 3, 2024 Contact the author: joe@twz.com The 2024 election may be remembered as when the Florida Republican Party solidified control of a once fractious swing state and exposed its Democratic counterpart as a shattered shell of a political party. That's according to retired University of South Florida political science professor Susan MacManus, who on Monday took a Capital Tiger Bay Club luncheon audience on a deep dive of the election results. If there is any state that shows the idea (that) one size-fits-all (advertising) does not work, you are sitting in it, she told an audience of close to 100. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She set the stage: Democrats had ruled the state for a hundred years, but a GOP resurgence in the 1990s flipped the Legislature. While Republicans have ruled the statehouse ever since, Democrats have not won a statewide election since 2018, when Nikki Fried was elected agriculture commissioner. Last month Democrats suffered another stunning rebuke by voters when President-elect Donald Trump won 61 of 67 counties, the GOP maintained supermajorities in the Florida Legislature and congressional delegation, and Republican candidates increased their vote totals in 90% of Florida counties. The Republican Party smashed the Democrats coalition of voting blocs into pieces. They were able to do so, MacManus explained, because the Democrats rooted their campaign in mistaken assumptions about voters based on stereotypes unsupported by publicly available data. Susan MacManus is a retired USF political scientists and recognized as a foremost expert on Florida politics She said the Democrats assumptions about identity politics or voters of certain religion, race, ethnicity, gender, and so on vote as a monolithic block is not a winning strategy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you look at how different racial groups voted, you can see they are equally split, MacManus said. Democrats, MacManus said, were confident higher turnout in a presidential election year would erase the one-million voter registration advantage Republicans had built since 2020, but Trump carried Florida by 13 points, and even won Osceola County, which Hillary Clinton carried by 25% in 2016. The confidence grew from the assumptions that reproductive rights were voter's No. 1 concern when the economy was, that younger voters (1842) are solidly liberal Democrats when 40% are registered as no-party affiliates, and that Hispanics, females, and Blacks all are monolithic. The stereotypes were all those solid blocs of voters were (theirs). They (voters) did not turn out that way at all because the blocs themselves splintered, MacManus said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While people are not buying what Democrats are selling, the GOP continue to do outreach and voter registration all-year round "and they are very good at figuring out when new people move into an area, contacting them and registering them as Republicans," MacManus said. MacManus places some of the blame for the election night failure on the Democratic National Committee's tight control of campaign messaging. In an explanation of the voting patterns of Floridas Asian, Pacific, Hispanic, and Black residents she said out-of-state consultants and political experts dont understand how diverse in opinions Florida's racial groups are. MacManus said the election was clearly about the economy, cited as the No. 1 issue by 71% of voters surveyed, while Democrats focused their campaigns on abortion rights coming in fourth in most polls. Prices for household goods had risen by more than 5% under President Joe Biden, the highest rate since the Carter Administration presided over a 10% increase. Yet, 90% of the ads for Democrats in Florida were based on the abortion amendment. This was just a flat-out oversight of looking at data that was available for how you proceed with a campaign, MacManus said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida Democrats complained they lacked money to compete with the Trump and Republican campaigns. In an eight post message on X after the election, Jasmine Burney-Clark, who directed the Florida campaign for Vice President Kamala Harris, complained she had just $5 million to work with. MacManus countered Democrats' problems in Florida can't be solved by money alone. "They are going to have to go back to square one and be honest about these results and figure out a better way to get a feeling about voters' concerns," MacManus said. James Call is a member of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jcall@tallahassee.com and is on X as @CallTallahassee. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Trump shattered Florida Democrats into pieces, Susan MacManus says Update 12/3 2:35 p.m. The Bureau of Land Management has identified the female suspect as Daniela Ganassim Ericksen. She is currently being held in Washington County Jail. We are deeply appreciative of the publics involvement, and to the Kane County Sheriffs Office and the many BLM employees who assisted in the quick arrest of the suspect, Christina Judd from the Bureau of Land Management said in a statement to the press. The damage at the petroglyphs is estimated at $7,000, Judd said the cultural value will never be fully restored. The public is encouraged to view these sites with respect. Original Story KANAB, Utah (ABC4) Officials with the Utah Bureau of Land Management announced Monday that a suspect has been arrested in connection to the vandalism of petroglyphs in southern Utah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said a suspect was taken into custody on Saturday, Nov. 30, for felony charges related to the case. The incident was first caught on camera by members of the public and reported to the Kane County Sheriffs Office on Saturday, Nov. 23. Are Utahs national parks winter-friendly? Heres what you should know An image of the petroglyph panel at Wire Pass in southern Utah prior to vandalism. (Courtesy: BLM Utah) An image of the petroglyph panel at Wire Pass in southern Utah prior to vandalism. (Courtesy: BLM Utah) An image of the petroglyph panel at Wire Pass in southern Utah prior to vandalism. (Courtesy: BLM Utah) The BLM shared photos of the petroglyph panel before the alleged vandalism, seen above. Harry Barber, the Paria River District Manager for the BLM, said in an interview that the suspect will face multiple felony accounts in connection to the incident. These things are sacred to Native Americans, Barber said. Theyre always fun to come upon. We like for people to find them, to take pictures of these petroglyphs, but to not damage them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The damaged petroglyphs are located at the Wire Pass Trail in Kane County. Barber said that using photos taken by members of the public, law enforcement officials with the BLM and Kane County were able to make the arrest. In this case, the public recognized what was going on, they recognized that somebody was vandalizing the panel, Barber said. The public stepped in, indicated to the individual that wasnt right. The individual went on to keep doing what she was doing. The BLM said vandalism is a crime punishable by law, but it also has lasting consequences that can never be made 100% whole again. The bureau expressed its gratitude to the Kane County Sheriffs Office and the members of the public who reported the incident. Accountability in this case would have been difficult to pursue without the awareness of public lands users and their willingness to report suspicious activities, the BLM said in a social media post on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 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. DELTA, Colo. (KREX) A man was arrested over the weekend in connection to an alleged kidnapping in Delta. Around 8:12 a.m., Saturday, the Delta Police Department was alerted of a vehicle heading southbound on Highway 50 toward Delta County wanted in a reported kidnapping in the city. Delta County Sheriffs Office deputies located the suspect near the intersection of Highway 50 and G50 Road traveling at a fast rate of speed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DPD and DCSO followed the man near Trap Club Road where he left the vehicle. A ground search ensued. The suspect was later apprehended after a short standoff with authorities. Daryle Herger, 33, was arrested and booked into Delta County Jail. He is charged with second-degree assault, second-degree assault strangulation, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree burglary, tampering with physical evidence, obstruction of telephone service and domestic violence. He is also charged with vehicular eluding, driving after revocation, reckless driving and speeding 25 to 39 over the limit. During the search, Colorado State Patrol provided air support and K9 Raico was deployed to track Herger. A Delta County Alert was also issued during the search asking residents within the area to stay in place. 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 WesternSlopeNow.com. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Multiple agencies want to find a robbery suspect before he strikes again. The Ohio Adult Parole Authority is looking for Richard Bland, 35, for a parole violation. Investigators said Bland robbed a store and scared two people who were just trying to do their jobs. Death of Marysville woman under investigation after body found in Alabama forest On Aug. 20 around 9:45 p.m., a robbery happened at the Family Dollar store on Harrisburg Pike. According to the criminal complaint, a masked man with a silver and black handgun selected several items from the business and put them into a shopping cart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives said they found nine fingerprints at the scene, which led them to identify Bland as the suspect. According to police, Bland pushed the shopping cart to the counter and pointed his gun at two salesclerks. Those workers said Bland demanded money from the cash registers and drop boxes, and when he got the money, he ran from the store. Twenty One Pilots to perform at outdoor Columbus Blue Jackets game Bland is now wanted for aggravated robbery. Yeah, anytime someone chooses to use a firearm or any type of weapon in the commission of a crime that poses a threat, if hes in in, in the middle of robbing this store at gunpoint, somebody walks into that store, it just takes a few seconds and things can go bad really quickly, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio Michael Black said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Black said although he didnt fire his weapon, Blands actions caused great fear for the workers on shift the night of the robbery. Violent fugitives, you know, they start with it, could start by using a firearm in the commission of a crime, so thats, thats why we get involved, Black said. Our goal is to rid our communities of these violent fugitives, and this is one that we would like to get off the streets before he has an opportunity to commit a more violent crime. Marysville schools offer new religious release program through Satanic Temple Anyone with information on Blands whereabouts is asked to contact the U.S. Marshals Service by clicking here. 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) A jury found a 33-year-old man guilty of murder on Nov. 22 after fatally shooting a man in 2021 in Hartford, according to the Division of Criminal Justice. Police out in full force after overnight shooting marks Hartfords third homicide of the week Daniel Lopez shot and killed 31-year-old Heriberto Garcia from the backseat of a car while Garcia was sitting in the passenger seat on April 14, 2021. A witness reported that Lopez had the victim in a headlock before shooting him in the upper chest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to being found guilty of murder, Lopez was also found guilty of two counts of criminal possession of a firearm/ammunition. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 31. 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. In the chaos of Syrias war, it was a moment of bureaucratic ceremony. Three men in camouflage combat fatigues met a handful of suited civilians within the captured city of Aleppo. At the meeting on Monday, fighters of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) formally passed over responsibility for the city to the jihadist groups proto-government. With the administration of Bashar al-Assad ousted from Aleppo, HTS now has responsibility for a city of two million people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The symbolic ceremony, published on HTSs social media channels, was meant to assure the public that the group was ready to govern as well as fight. In Western capitals, there is clear and understandable ambivalence about the jihadist group that has captured swathes of north-west Syria over the past week. Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the HTS leader, has a $10 million US bounty on his head. He joined both al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS), before splitting from both groups and rejecting their extreme tactics. Human rights groups have documented torture of political opponents in the region of Idlib, which HTS has controlled since the battle lines against the Assad regime froze during the Covid pandemic in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, the US, Britain, Germany, France and the UK released a non-committal statement calling on all sides to de-escalate. While the brutality of the Assad regimes war on the opposition saw Syrias president become a pariah in the West, some officials cite the maxim that the enemy of my enemy can still be my enemy. The West seems unsure as to how to react to the HTS takeover of Aleppo - AP/Ghaith Alsayed Jolani has attempted to improve his reputation in the eyes of the West. In 2021, he gave an interview to PBS, the US state-funded broadcaster, calling the designation of HTS as a terrorist group unfair and political. He said that under the Salvation Government, the administrative arm of HTS, rule should be Islamic but not according to the standards of IS or even Saudi Arabia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Idlib region Jolani has allowed women not to wear the veil and smokers to keep up the habit, a looser regime than, for example, the Taliban in Afghanistan. As his fighters advanced into Aleppo, Jolani put out a series of statements intended to allay fears among the population, segments of which are aligned with the Assad regime. Fighters should not scare children, he said, while HTS channels eagerly broadcast clips of Christians in the city going about their business as normal. Afram Malui, the Archbishop of Aleppo, promised that services would be unaffected by the takeover. On Tuesday, with regime forces fully ejected from the city, Jolani put out a second statement declaring diversity is a strength, a phrase more redolent of Western HR departments than jihadist warlords. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even as the HTS leader armed and prepared his fighters in Idlib, he stressed the importance of state-building. In March this year, Jolani addressed a cohort of top students at Idlib University, saying that rebels would have to build governments in the middle of war rather than after the conflict ends. Every brick built in the liberated areas advances us hundreds of kilometres towards our fundamental goal, which is the liberation of Damascus God willing, he said. Now that HTS fighters have taken Aleppo, the focus has shifted to state-building He is now putting the principle into practice, with a host of blandly titled bureaucratic bodies springing to life in Aleppo. Garbage collection has already begun and electricity and water services have been reconnected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HTS has distributed phone numbers for local residents to enquire about administrative services The General Zakat Commission, an Islamic tax collection agency that also deals with the poor, has started to distribute emergency baskets of bread, while HTSs General Organization for Grain Trade and Processing has provided fuel to bakeries to make sure they can continue production. In total, the Ministry of Development and Humanitarian Affairs claims it has delivered 65,000 loaves of bread to locals in a campaign they are dubbing Together We Return. In a sign that their proto-state has its eye on international legitimacy as well as local favour, HTSs Political Affairs Department has provided phone numbers for foreigners and diplomats seeking to leave the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is also the matter of how to handle the remnants of the Assad regime. On Tuesday, the Salvation Government said any soldiers, police or security forces who surrendered would be granted amnesty. There have been no confirmed reports of reprisal killings so far. Credit: X/@MoBassiki Meanwhile, residents have been told to contact Salvation Government officials if they come across weapons depots, warning that anyone caught buying or selling ammunition will be punished. Since 2020, large numbers of refugees from Assad-held areas of Syria have lived under HTS rule. As Jolanis forces seize back more of the country, they have been keen to present themselves as facilitating the return of the displaced to their homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Idlib City Municipality has opened roads that were previously blocked off as they lead to Assad military positions. E-Clean, an HTS-aligned company that clears up public spaces, oversaw an operation to clear a road between the towns of Sarmin and Saraqib, which had been blocked for several years. Social media has been filled with video clips of emotional family reunions in a boost to the groups efforts to win hearts and minds. The treatment of minorities will be under particularly close watch, however. Jolani has issued a number of recommendations, statements, and notices to make sure that no one harasses or harms the Christian or Kurdish community. They also make sure to highlight the diversity of Syrian culture and heritage, stating Aleppo is a meeting place of civilisation with cultural and religious diversity for all Syrians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Credit: The White Helmets In the initial days after the takeover of Aleppo, they have largely abided by their word. But questions remain on how integrated minorities can be in an HTS administration. In the past, Jolani has engaged with Christians and Druze in Idlib and there is a Directorate of Minority Affairs within the Salvation Government. But they do not have representation within the governments General Consultative Council. Neither do women, though they are far more active and public in society in general. It is not just minorities who might be fearful of coming under HTS rule. A majority of Sunnis disagree with the HTS government and its hardline Islamic principles. Several activists have been imprisoned and tortured. In early 2024, a protest movement against Jolanis rule in Idlib erupted, with the leader accused of amassing too much power and acting tyrannically. In response, HTS created a Complaints Committee for all the area it controls, issued a general amnesty for non-criminal prisoners, and cancelled residential building fees. It also formed a committee it claimed would help broaden the pool of people admitted to leadership positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under Jolani, HTS has transformed itself dramatically, splitting away from its explicitly jihadist roots. This new stage might provide another platform for evolution. Certainly the groups institution-building over the past four years has positioned it well to consolidate battlefield victories into a much larger state-building project. But while it may be far more liberal than IS or the Taliban, Jolani and his forces remain, at heart, an authoritarian armed group. If they are to win support among distrustful locals and grudging acceptance from the watching West they will have to make sure that the plethora of bureaucratic initiatives launched in recent days are more than just a PR operation. Aaron Y. Zelin is the Gloria and Ken Levy Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and author of The Age of Political Jihadism: A Study of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham 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 Syrian government, backed by Russian planes and their allies among pro-Iranian militias, has thwarted some rebel advances in the northern countryside around the city of Hama, a Syria commander told dpa on Tuesday. The field commander, who requested anonymity as he did not have permission to speak to the media, said their forces had launched a large-scale attack on Monday evening to re-take areas they had lost in recent days. The commander told dpa the Syrian army had recaptured the town of Khanaser, 80 kilometres south-east of Aleppo, less than 48 hours after rebel opposition factions took control of it on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that Syrian army forces and allies had begun advancing towards the city of Safira, 25 kilometres south-east of Aleppo. Safira is considered the gateway to Aleppo, the second-largest city in Syria, which was captured by rebels in a surprise advance last week. According to Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, there were "violent clashes" between rebels and government forces in the countryside around Hama. Warplanes and helicopters carried out more than 45 airstrikes and dropped bombs on Tuesday morning, Abdel Rahman said. The Syrian government, backed by Russian planes and their allies among pro-Iranian militias, has thwarted some rebel advances in the northern countryside around the city of Hama, a Syria commander told dpa on Tuesday. The field commander, who requested anonymity as he did not have permission to speak to the media, said their forces had launched a large-scale attack on Monday evening to re-take areas they had lost in recent days. The commander told dpa the Syrian army had recaptured the town of Khanaser, 80 kilometres south-east of Aleppo, less than 48 hours after rebel opposition factions took control of it on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that Syrian army forces and allies had begun advancing towards the city of Safira, 25 kilometres south-east of Aleppo. Safira is considered the gateway to Aleppo, the second-largest city in Syria, which was captured by rebels in a surprise advance last week. According to Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, there were "violent clashes" between rebels and government forces in the countryside around Hama. Warplanes and helicopters carried out more than 45 airstrikes and dropped bombs on Tuesday morning, Abdel Rahman said. Meanwhile in eastern Syria, US-led coalition warplanes carried out airstrikes on pro-Iranian militia posts in the countryside around Deir al-Zour, the observatory said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strikes coincided with violent clashes between Iranian militias and the "Deir al-Zour Military Council," who are against the Iranian presence and are close to the Kurdish-led forces in the area, the war monitor said. Last week, an alliance of insurgents led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched a surprise offensive in north-western Syria and took control of Aleppo, leading to a sudden flare-up in a civil war that has been going on since 2011. BEIRUT (AP) Syrian insurgents captured four new towns early Tuesday, bringing them closer to the central city of Hama, opposition activists said, while government forces retook some territory they lost last week. The new push came as Turkey's president whose country is a main backer of insurgent groups says that Syria's government must engage in a genuine political process to prevent the situation from deteriorating further. The capture of the towns is the latest in the push by insurgents led by the salafi jihadi Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, as well as Turkey-backed opposition fighters. Insurgents now are about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Hama, the countrys fourth-largest city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest push is part of a wide offensive by forces opposed to Syrian President Bashar Assad that over the past days has captured large parts of the northern city of Aleppo, Syrias largest, as well as towns and villages in southern parts of the northwestern Idlib province. The insurgents military operations administration said gunmen killed 50 government forces as they captured 14 central villages and towns including Halfaya, Taybat al-Imam, Maardis and Soran. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, confirmed that the four towns were taken. "We are going in the direction of Hama the city and after that, God willing, to Homs, and then to Damascus and the rest of Syria will be liberated again with Gods will, said HTS member Abu Abdo al Hamawi. State news agency SANA said Syrian troops are fighting fierce battles in the central Hama province adding that government forces are reinforcing their posts in the area. State media reported intense airstrikes by Syrian and Russian air forces in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both the Observatory and pro-government media outlets reported that Syrian government forces on Tuesday captured the village of Khanaser, days after losing it. Khanaser sits on one of the roads that lead to Aleppo. An aid group warned that some areas in northern Syria are witnessing food shortages. The recent escalation in Syria threatens to drag the country back into the darkest days of this near 14-year conflict," Angelita Caredda, the Norwegian Refugee Councils Middle East and North Africa Regional Director said in a statement. Civilian casualties are rising because of shelling and airstrikes, and thousands of families have been displaced. We call on all parties to adhere to international law in their conduct of hostilities, Caredda said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The long war between Assad and his foreign backers and the array of armed opposition forces seeking his overthrow has killed an estimated half-million people over the past 13 years. To the east, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said in a statement that they captured seven villages from pro-government fighters. Syrian state media, however, denied that the villages were captured by the U.S.-backed SDF saying that the attack was repelled. The villages are close to a base housing U.S. troops in the area that is close to Iraq. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Iraqs prime minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, in a telephone call on Tuesday that maintaining peace in Syria and the safety of civilians in Syria was Turkeys priorities and that Ankara values Syrias unity, stability and territorial integrity, according to a statement from the Turkish presidency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erdogan also said Turkey was taking steps to prevent Kurdish militant groups in Syria from exploiting the situation. It was a reference to the Syrian Kurdish militia group that makes up the main component of the U.S.-allied Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF. Turkey views the group as a terrorist organization and considers its presence along its southern border as a security threat. Also Tuesday, Hakan Fidan, the foreign minister of Turkey, which is a main backer of groups opposed to Assad, said the recent rapid advance by insurgents in Syria shows that the Syrian president must reconcile with his own people and hold talks with the opposition. Assad and officials in his government say all armed groups in opposition-held parts of Syria are terrorists and have rejected any political solution with them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turkey has been seeking to normalize ties with Syria to address security threats from groups affiliated with Kurdish militants along its southern border and to help ensure the safe return of more than 3 million Syrian refugees. Assad has insisted that Turkey's withdrawal of its military forces from northern Syria be a condition for any normalization between the two countries. _____ Associated Press writers Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey and Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria contributed to this report. As the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon barely holds, a new and unexpected rebel offensive has been shaking Syria since last week, all after almost five years of relative truce. The Syrian Army (SA) of President Bashar al-Assad has been losing ground to Turkey's proxy militia. The precarious balance of the fragmented country could revive a widespread conflict among factions, militias, and their foreign power sponsors competing in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What are the origins of the never-ending Syrian conflict, and who are the main actors? The conflict's main belligerents The military backbone of the insurgency of these days is the Sunni Islamist fundamentalist group Tahrir al-Sham (aka the Levant Liberation Committee or HTS), previously linked to Jabhat Al-Nusra, the Al-Qaeda branch that operated in the Syrian conflict from 2011 until the last three main ceasefires brokered between 2017 and 2020 by the US, Russia, Turkey, Jordan and Iran. The HTS rebels are partly supported by Turkey, while the government of al-Assad is assisted by Russia and Iran. The Syrian state started falling apart during the Arab Spring in 2011. A ferocious civil war ravaged the Middle Eastern country, provoking more than 300,000 deaths, about 1.5% of the pre-2011 population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the beginning of the bloody conflict, the main belligerents included the Damascus government of al-Assad, an autocratic system ideologically rooted in the socialism-inspired Arab nationalism of the Ba'ath Party. Syria and its multiethnic, multi-denominational society have held together since 1970, when Hafez el-Assad, then a highly-ranked army officer and the father of Bashar al-Assad, seized power via a military coup. The al-Assad dynasty governed with an iron fist, however. The ruling family and its inner circles' recipe for stability was strict control of the country's security forces and a strong partnership with the Soviet Union and, later on, Russia. The Arab Spring of 2011 and the never-ending war The first street protests of 2011 quickly turned into a violent civil war and a proxy confrontation among foreign powers in the pure tradition of the Eastern Question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The democratic opposition was rapidly challenged by the Islamist groups supported by Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, while Iran, Russia and the Lebanese Hezbollah came to the rescue of the al-Assad regime. The US, France and Israel were soon involved in the conflict. Ankara seized the opportunity of the cracks in the al-Assad regime to project its political influence in the region and to directly intervene against the Kurds of the YPG a rebel group serving as the primary component of the Syrian Democratic Forces that had their sanctuaries in northern Syria. In 2013, the war turned into a nightmare for the Syrian Arab Republic army. Al-Assad's once-mighty army lost ground in front of the advance of the so-called Islamic State (IS), the ruthless extremist armed group that took control of important parts of the Syrian and Iraqi territories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The so-called IS imposed a strict and violent interpretation of religious beliefs and conquered large swaths of the territory, threatening the very existence of the Syrian state. A Russian Su-30 fighter jet takes off on a combat mission with a Su-30 bomber in the foreground, at Hemeimeem airbase, Syria, on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015. Since early morning, - Vladimir Isachenkov/AP Russia and Iran, concerned by the possibility of losing their crucial partner in such a strategic area, intervened directly in the conflict to save al-Assads government and their own military outposts. Russia has two important eastern Mediterranean bases on the Syrian shore: a navy docking in Tartus and a military airport in Kheimim. Iran needs the Syrian territory to keep its connection and a free flow of weapons and other illicit goods with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By 2015, the combined actions of the Russian Air Force and Russian private military companies, such as Wagner, with special units of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and Hezbollah, recovered a big part of the territory at the expense of the Islamist and IS militias. Aleppo, which was under the control of the Jabhat Al Nusra and the Free Syrian Army, was reconquered in 2016 after four years of battles and sieges by the Damascus regime's forces with the assistance of Russian weapons and advisors. According to military analysts, the Russians applied the same operational tactics to take Mariupol in 2022s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The US entered into the Syrian war in 2014 with the official goal to wipe out IS and to protect the Kurds and the democratic forces. A Syrian official flag lies on the ground as opposition fighters stand on the tarmac of the Aleppo international airpot in Aleppo Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. .(AP Photo/Omar Albam) - Omar Albam/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved. A precarious balance of powers: Who controls what When the factions struck three major ceasefire deals between 2017 and 2020 that brought a precarious cessation of the hostilities, the al-Assad forces had already taken back control of almost 80% of the territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, other portions of the Syrian territories have been held by the Syrian Salvation Government, based in Idlib, and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, composed of western Kurdish areas and other Syrian provinces. This entity is an oil-rich democratic federation supported by the West and a haven for some of the Kurdish militant groups that fought against the so-called IS, the Turkish special forces and their proxies. Other, minor areas of Syria are still under the control of IS. The Turkish occupation zone lies in vast areas of northern Syria along the Turkish borders. Ankara shares the administration of these regions with the Syrian Interim Government (SIG), a myriad of different Syrian opposition groups, religious and non-fundamentalist political factions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US holds a military base in Al-Tanf. It is located at the strategic border with Iraq and not far from Jordan. From this base, the US military conducted strikes against Iranian targets in the region. The US Army shares this territory with the so-called Free Syrian Army (SFA), a big tent armed group whose backbone is the Authenticity and Development Front, which gathers Islamists and Syrian National Army defectors, among others. A wind of an American Airlines plane is in the foreground alongside two Breeze Airways planes at a gate at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in Warwick. About 83% of departures from T.F. Green were on time between September 2023 and August 2024, according to new federal transportation data. (Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current) No one wants to see their flight canceled. Fortunately, thats almost never the case at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport, according to the latest data available from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Less than 1% of the 19,332 departures scheduled from the Warwick airport between September 2023 and August 2024 were called off the lowest number in five years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal transportation data also shows more flights have been on time in and out of T.F. Green, although the airport had New Englands second lowest rate of on time departures. Rhode Island ranked third for fewest flights canceled of any major airport in New England. In first place was Hartford, actually Windsor Locks, Connecticut, home of Bradley International Airport with a flight cancellation rate at 0.46%. Ranking second with 0.82% of flights canceled, was Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in New Hampshire. Fourth-ranked Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport in Vermont saw 1.55% of its flights canceled while 1.59% of flights were canceled at fifth-ranked Portland International Jetport in Maine. Bostons Logan Airport was last in the region with 1.61% of flights canceled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Airline cancellations are most often caused by factors such as inclement weather, and airspace congestion, T.F. Green spokesperson John Goodman said. Cyber-related disruptions, which some airlines experienced July 19 after a software glitch caused a global IT outage, are also a factor,Goodman said. T.F. Green was mostly spared from the chaos, with only five flights canceled that July day. We hope 2025 will be another great year with a minimal number of cancellations impacting local travelers, Goodman said in an emailed statement. Most flights on time About 83% of departures from T.F. Green were on time between September 2023 and August 2024, representing a three point jump from the same period the previous year. Only Logan did worse with 77% of planes leaving on schedule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 84% of departing flights from Bradley left on time, while 85% did so in Portland, 87% in Burlington, and 88% in Manchester-Boston. Flights are considered on time by the U.S. Department of Transportation if they arrive or depart no later than 15 minutes of their schedule. But the average wait for a delayed departing flight was the second-best in the region. The average wait at T.F. Green was approximately 74 minutes one minute less than Logan and Bradley. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics) About 82% of arrivals to T.F. Green were on time on par with Portland, one point higher than Bradley, and five percentage points ahead of Logan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burlington and Manchester-Boston both had 84% of flights arrive on time to their respective airports. The average delay for flights arriving at T.F. Green was 56.5 minutes the second-lowest of any New England state. T.F. Greens 2023-2024 overall on-time percentages are the second highest showing for the airport in the last five years, landing just behind 2019-2020, which was one point higher for both arrivals and departures. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics) More passengers T.F. Green saw 12.90% more passengers flying out of the airport and 12.32% flying into it between September 2023 and August 2024 compared to the previous year. Additionally, there was a 4.28% increase in scheduled flights departing from the airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The airport remained busy during Thanksgiving week this year. A little more than 50,000 travelers were screened at T.F. Green between Nov. 26, through Monday, Dec. 2, said Transportation Security Administration Daniel Velez Tuesday morning. Velez said he anticipates roughly the same number of travelers in and out of Rhode Island for the upcoming holiday season. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX By Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's defence ministry said on Tuesday it is watching the movements of a Chinese aircraft carrier and assessing China's military activities as security sources said Beijing could launch new war games as soon as this weekend. China, which claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has held two rounds of war games around the island so far this year, and its forces operate nearby on a daily basis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China has a strong dislike of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, whom it calls a "separatist", and sources have told Reuters it could launch new drills to coincide with his trip to the Pacific this week which includes visits to Hawaii and Guam. Speaking at a regular news briefing, Taiwan Defence Ministry spokesperson Sun Li-fang said Taiwan knew where Chinese aircraft carrier the Liaoning was, but could not give details. The Liaoning was involved in the last Chinese war games in October. "The Ministry of National Defence takes a serious view of the enemy situation and handles this matter very seriously. We have very solid preparations and are not afraid of any threats," he said. Asked whether Chinese war games could start this weekend given Lai returns to Taiwan late on Friday, Sun declined direct comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have a very thorough judgment of the enemy situation, and there are a lot of indicators here that we use to make appropriate judgments to deal with the situation." China's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. China's government has expressed anger at the U.S. for allowing Lai to visit. Lai rejects China's sovereignty claims but says he wants peace with Beijing and has repeatedly offered talks, but been rebuffed. Three Taipei-based security sources, speaking on condition of anonymity given the sensitivity of the matter, said that based on latest intelligence assessments, chances of war games starting this weekend were high. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One source described a "busier" than usual scene in the waters around Taiwan which might be China positioning itself for the possible drills. A north bound Russian naval fleet, which included three frigates and one supply vessel, on Monday approached close to Taiwan's contiguous zone 24 nautical miles (45 km) off its southeastern coasts and conducted joint simulated attacks on "foreign vessels and aircraft" with a Chinese destroyer nearby, the source said. The Russian fleet entered the East China Sea early on Tuesday, and the source said it was expected to continue joint military manoeuvres with its Chinese counterparts as it heads north. Meanwhile, China has deployed close to 40 vessels in the region, including a Chinese aircraft carrier group led by Liaoning in the East China Sea as well as other naval and coast guard boats in the South China Sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The assessments show that China might be making deployment for the drills after the visit," the source said, referring to Lai's Pacific trip. A second source told Reuters that what would be unusual winter drills for China's military would be the kind of practice they would need to be able to attack Taiwan should the need come at any time of the year. "China has been honing their ability to operate at night, and being able to fight in bad weather is another skill they need to get right," the source added. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee; Additional reporting by Roger Tung; Editing by Lincoln Feast.) Talks over the Elgin Marbles being returned to Athens from the British Museum are said to be well advanced ahead of the Greek prime ministers visit. Downing Street has insisted the ancient artefacts are not going to be on the agenda when Sir Keir Starmer meets Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Tuesday. But experts have said a deal is close, with negotiations already progressing between George Osborne, the museums chairman, and the Greek foreign ministry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prof Irene Stamatoudi, who has been involved in previous talks and was an adviser to the Greek minister of culture, said the Greek leader is desperate for the return of the Marbles. Speaking on BBC Radio 4s Today programme, she said: I do believe that a deal is close, but I cannot be sure how close enough. It seems negotiations have gone forward, they have advanced on the two sides. Indeed, the issue seems not to be on the agenda of the Greek prime minister and Keir Starmer, but definitely it will be one of the issues that will be discussed. This is how things progress. A Greek official said he would be very surprised if Mr Mitsotakis did not raise the issue of the marbles in the meeting, telling The Telegraph: I get the impression that progress is being made behind the scenes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The climate is certainly more ripe [under Labour] than it has been for a long time. Whether they can bridge the gap remains to be seen, but we are optimistic. The British Museum has had the artefacts more than 30 stone sculptures from Greece since they were transported to Britain by Lord Elgin in 1816. They have been a source of controversy for decades, with politicians from both countries clashing over their ownership. Almost half of the sculptures from the Parthenon remain in Greece with Mr Mitsotakis previously likening their separation to cutting the Mona Lisa in half. Rishi Sunak, the former prime minister, cancelled Downing Street talks with his Greek counterpart last year, prompting Sir Keir to step in and say he would not stand in the way of a deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the possibility that Mr Osborne does not want to send all the marbles back, Prof Stamatoudi added: That would be rather disappointing, because that does not serve the purpose. If not all of them are back, then visitors will not be able to admire them as a whole in unity. What Greece is aiming at is a cultural strategic partnership, where Greece will give blockbuster antiquities on rolling exhibitions to the British Museum so the gallery is not empty. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Greek prime minister, has said the continued presence of the Marbles in the British Museum is akin to the Mona Lisa being cut in half - Giannis Papanikos/via Reuters Asked whether the Greek prime minister was desperate for a solution, she said: Absolutely. This is a request that all Greeks feel passionate about. They believe that the marbles were removed in a shady way, even for the time. They were broken apart, they travelled in disastrous circumstances Greeks think of them as being part of their natural cultural heritage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sir Keirs official spokesman said the marbles were not going to be on the prime ministers agenda when he meets Mr Mitsotakis. A British Museum spokesman said: Discussions with Greece about a Parthenon partnership are ongoing and constructive. We believe that this kind of long-term partnership would strike the right balance between sharing our greatest objects with audiences around the world, and maintaining the integrity of the incredible collection we hold at the museum. 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. Rep. Brenda Shields. R-St. Joseph, speaks during debate in the Missouri House during the 2021 legislative session (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications). For the third year in a row, a package of tax credits designed to increase access to affordable child care and stabilize the industry is a top priority for state Rep. Brenda Shields. The legislation has been blocked in the state Senate for the last two years by members of the Freedom Caucus despite support from Gov. Mike Parson and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce. Key opponents, however, are no longer members of the Senate, and the staff of Gov.-elect Mike Kehoe wants to make child care a priority, Shields said, giving her hopes of finally passing the package. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im always an optimistic person, said Shields, a St. Joseph Republican, and I think that well be able to convince people, both in the House and the Senate, that child care and my solutions for parents is how we grow Missouris economy. Shields bill would allow tax credits for contributions that support child care programs, spending by businesses to create child care programs for their employees and investment in expansion by existing or new providers. An investigation of child care spending by The Independent and MuckRock in 2023 found that almost half of Missouris children under age five, or about 202,000 children, live in child care deserts, with one or fewer child care openings for every three children. The crisis in child care hasnt gotten any better, Shields said. In fact, its gotten worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill was one of almost 300 statutory changes and 15 constitutional amendments proposed in the Missouri House on the first day to file bills for the 2025 legislative session. The Missouri Senate has yet to post any individual bills but the chamber website reported 455 statutory changes and 47 proposed constitutional amendments have been received. Many of the bills posted Monday are, like Shields bill on child care needs, attempts to revive bills that have died in past sessions. Some examples include: Increasing the income limits for the refundable property tax credit known as the circuit breaker available to people over 65 and people with disabilities. Filed by state Rep. Mike McGirl, a Republican from Potosi, for the second year, the maximum income allowed for people who rent to claim the credit would increase by $5,000 to $32,500 and the maximum for homeowners would increase by $7,500 to $40,000. Allowing utility companies to include construction costs for new electric generating plants to be included in rates before the plants are finished. One bill, from state Rep. Willard Haley, an Eldon Republican, would allow the extra charges for a new nuclear power plant, while another, from state Rep. Michael ODonnell, a Republican from Oakville, would grant it for new natural gas generating plants. A bill to double the boarding fee paid by casinos for each patron who enters the gambling floor at the states 13 casinos. Currently $2 per person, the fee is split between the Missouri Gaming Commission and host communities. A bill from state Rep. Dave Griffith, a Jefferson City Republican, would dedicate all the new revenue to the Missouri Veterans Commission for operation of nursing homes and other programs. The 2025 legislative session begins Jan. 8, and the inauguration of new officeholders takes place Jan. 13. Republicans are firmly in control of state government, holding two-thirds of the seats in both chambers as well as all statewide offices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats hoping to pass legislation must find allies in the GOP. State Rep. David Tyson Smith, a Columbia Democrat, said he thinks a bill he filed to repeal a provision in last years major education bill is one that could gain support. State Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden, a term-limited Republican from Columbia, inserted a provision authorizing a charter school in Boone County. It was opposed by local school boards but made it to the final bill. Smith has filed two bills, one to repeal the provision and the other to subject establishing a charter school in Boone County to a vote. The voters in my district dont want this, so Im okay with either one of those, Smith said. Obviously, this is a straight up repeal, but if we can take it to the voters, thats okay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rowdens departure means the leverage over Republicans who voted for the bill but didnt like the provision is gone, Smith said. I dont know that youre gonna have anyone whos just adamant about keeping charter schools in Boone County, he said. Another bill from the Democratic side to revive legislation that failed in past years would add new information to political advertising. Filed by state Rep. Doug Clemens of St. Ann, the bill would require political committees to identify their top three donors along with the committee name and treasurer. In Missouri, political committees can choose any name, often unrelated to the interest the funds represent. The bill would bring a little transparency to politics, Clemens said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a start, and it is at least waking people up to who gives a lot of money, Clemens said. The legislation will be difficult to move, Clemens said, but he said something needs to be done to control the influence of money. This was, he said, in my mind at least, low hanging fruit to approach a problem realistically. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz hit a bit below the belt as he attacked MSNBC hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski over their recent visit with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida after bashing Trump for years on the air. You have Joe and Mika going to Mar-a-Lago to kiss the ring and suck up to Donald Trump. You cant make that story up, Sean Hannity told Cruz on his Fox News program. Cruz smirked: Im not even sure they were kissing the ring. I think they were kissing a little bit lower than that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added: I mean listen, theyre desperate. There are three viewers that watch Morning Joe and two of them are blood relatives to Joe and Mika. Theyre desperate for relevance. Cruz insisted that now, with Trump elected, Theres an excitement in Texas ... People are excited about a Republican administration. Cruz has gone from Trump critic to staunch ally, previously referring to Trump as a pathological liar and a sniveling coward. Scarborough and Brzezinski faced criticism for their visit to Mar-a-Lago to restart communications with Trump even after comparing him to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its hard to believe. I mean, I wouldnt go and meet with Hitler, but thats just me. Maybe it was all nonsense all along, Donald Trump Jr. said about the visit. Maybe Im just a rational being, but it would be nice to bring some common sense back to Washington, and hopefully, we get some of that finally. Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz mocked MSNBC hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski for meeting with President-elect Donald Trump (Getty Images) According to a Puck News report published last month, Scarborough and Brzezinski allegedly met with Trump over fears that then-attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz would investigate the death of an intern in Scarboroughs office during his time as a Florida Republican congressman. After the meeting with Trump, Brzezinski told viewers: For those asking why we would go speak to the president-elect during such fraught times, especially between us, I guess I would ask back, Why wouldnt we? She added: Joe and I realized its time to do something different, and that starts with not only talking about Donald Trump, but also talking with him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their mostly liberal audience dropped by 17 percent in the hour after they made the revelation about the Trump meeting, and their ratings were down 38 percent the following day compared to the average for the year. Scarborough and Brzezinski have reportedly told friends since the election that theyre concerned about retribution from Trump over their consistent criticism of the president-elect since they last met with him seven years ago. Those worries grew when Trump nominated Gaetz to be his attorney general. But Gaetz stepped aside after only eight days as Trumps nominee to lead the Department of Justice amid allegations of sex trafficking and illicit drug use, claims Gaetz has repeatedly rejected. The Morning Joe hosts told friends and allies before the departure of Gaetz that they were concerned that he and Trump would bring back baseless conspiracy theories regarding the death of 28-year-old intern Lori Klausutis, who died from complications from a heart condition in 2001, Puck News noted. The concerns were linked to worries that Gaetz and Trump would use the conspiracy to put legal pressure on Scarborough. A source told Puck that the hosts were petrified of retribution and concerned that Gaetz, who represented the same Florida congressional district as Scarborough once did, would probe the interns death. The source said the fears had nothing to do with ratings or Comcast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A separate source told Puck that Scarborough and Brzezinski thought that by meeting Trump, they could lessen his desire for revenge. A spokesperson for MSNBC told Puck that this characterization of the motivations for the meeting was false and inaccurate. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) hit Morning Joe co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski below the belt with a vulgar insult saying theyd kissed the President-elect Donald Trump a little bit lower than the ring at their recent visit to Mar-a-Lago. On Mondays broadcast of Fox News Hannity, host Sean Hannity marveled at Scarborough and Brzezinskis recent disclosure that they traveled to the president-elects Florida residence after the election to meet their professed foe: You have Joe and Mika go to Mar-a-Lago and kiss the ring and suck up to Donald Trump. You cant make that story up. His guest, the apparently prurient Cruz, responded by offering a disturbing, lewd characterization of what happened at the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, Im not even sure they were kissing the ring, I think they were kissing a little bit lower than that, he said. Theyre desperate. There are three viewers that watch Morning Joe and two of them are blood relatives to Joe and Mika." Hannity chuckled at Cruzs unseemly analogy. Scarborough and Brzezinski have faced blowback from progressives since they disclosed last month that they met with Trump following his victory in the presidential election. The two have been vociferous critics of the once and future president since he first ran for office in 2016, though their criticisms of Trumphyperbolic as they may be at timeshave never gone to the porn-brained schoolboy realm where Cruzs thoughts traveled Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this meeting, President Trump was cheerful, Brzezinski said, on Morning Joes November 18 broadcast. He was upbeat. He seemed interested in finding common ground with Democrats on some of the most divisive issues, and for those asking why we would go speak to the president-elect during such fraught timesespecially between usI guess I would ask back, why wouldnt we? Since announcing their meeting with Trump, the Morning Joe hosts have watched ratings for the political chat show crater along with the rest of the programming at MSNBC. Prior to the Thanksgiving holiday, Neilsen figures showed the network hemorrhaging as much as 38 percent of its viewers after the election, while conservative Fox News saw a 41 percent audience boost. The network also faces an uncertain future as parent company Comcast says it plans to spin off the network, along with several other cable channels, into a standalone entity. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Daniel Gore, who was found guilty of the murder of Milana Li, a 13-year-old girl from Beaverton, was sentenced to life in prison on Monday, according to court documents. As part of his sentence, Gore is eligible for parole after serving 30 years in prison. The sentence comes after Gore was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, first-degree rape, and first-degree sexual abuse on Nov. 22. The now 18-year-old defendant was found guilty on all counts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court date delayed for estranged husband of woman found dead near Welches Prosecutors previously described Gore to the jury as a wolf in sheeps clothing as he lured Milana into a false sense of security before he brutally raped and killed her in a wooded area, on May 8, 2022, the Washington County District Attorneys Office said in a release. Lis mother reported her missing the following day after coming home from a night shift, with her daughter not home as expected. She didnt show up to school, either. Lis friend thought to look for her in a wooded area she was known to visit and after finding her clothing and shoes in the area called police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KOIN Breaking News Alerts After searching the area, the Beaverton Police Department found the teens body in a stream underneath a weighed-down blanket at Westside Linear Park about a half-mile away from her apartment. Gore was the last person seen with Li alive, according to surveillance footage and cell phone data taken from the night of the murder. Gores tent near Progress Ridge also had packaging straps linked to the blanket Gore was living alone in a tent in a wooded area near Beavertons Progress Ridge shopping complex. Investigators said Gore was linked to DNA evidence left inside his victim, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Oregon State Medical Examiners Office later ruled Lis death a homicide. Washington County announced that Gore had been charged with her murder nearly two weeks after the incident. Although Gore was 16 years old at the time of Lis death, a judge determined in July 2023 that the juvenile would be tried as an adult. Previously released court documents cited Gores obsession with rapper 7xvn, who wears a signature white mask with a hand-drawn smile and whose lyrics romanticize violent acts including murder and strangulation. 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. 17-year-old Hala, who tragically was burned in a recent Israeli bombing in Gaza, will shortly arrive in Orlando to begin her journey of medical care and rehabilitation. Hala and her mother will land at Orlando International Airport. Upon her arrival, a large community of HEAL Palestine supporters and volunteers were at the gate. Halas story of resilience has undoubtedly touched hearts worldwide. In the wake of unimaginable trauma, her determination to rebuild her life is a testament to the strength and spirit of Gazas youth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read: Woman convicted of leaving her boyfriend to die inside suitcase sentenced to life in prison HEAL Palestine, a nonprofit organization that provides healthcare access to Palestinian children and youth has facilitated her transfer and treatment into the U.S., working closely with Orlando medical professionals and volunteers. Read: Police investigate deadly road rage shooting in Orlando HEAL currently has 25 injured children from Gaza all over the country being treated, and Hala is part of a delegation of four injured children arriving in CA, FL, and Ohio. HEAL Palestine extends its gratitude to the Orlando community for welcoming Hala and her family with compassion and support. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Bellarmine University junior Jack Schablik listens to Bellarmine sophomore Kevine Niyogushima during an activity in which students practiced deep listening and storytelling at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Sept. 14, 2024. (Photo by Michael Rayne Swensen for The Hechinger Report This story about the Bridging the Gap program was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for its higher education newsletter. WILLIAMSBURG Sunlight streaming in from giant windows behind her, Gabrielle Fomby began to tell the six other students seated near her about an experience in fourth grade science class that shaped her view of her skin color for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were sitting criss-cross applesauce, recounted Fomby, a sophomore at Louisvilles Bellarmine University. And the girl next to me was picking at the bottom of my shoe. I was like Please dont do that, theyre dirty, and she was like Yeah, just like your face. As Fomby spoke, the students around her gasped. Fomby said she was aware that most students at her predominantly white grade school didnt look like her, but shed never felt self-conscious until that moment. She began to question if thats how other students viewed her: as dirty, because of the color of skin. Another student, a Bellarmine junior, volunteered to share their story next. The student said theyd grown up in a predominantly white town, with a dad who was openly racist. They didnt agree with his perspective but it wasnt until they began to meet people from different backgrounds in college that they realized how troubling his worldview was. Hed warned his child against making friends with Black students at Bellarmine because they are not like you, recounted the student, whose name is being withheld to protect their privacy. A sign outside the University of the Cumberlands admissions building welcomes students to Bridging the Gap programs weekend-long retreat in September 2024. (Photo by Michael Rayne Swensen for The Hechinger Report) The students were gathered earlier this fall for a weekend retreat at the University of the Cumberlands in southeastern Kentucky as part of a program called Bridging the Gap. The program, organized by a Kentucky-based nonprofit of the same name, had brought together 14 students from four universities in the state a mix of secular, religious, urban and rural institutions as part of a semester-long course on developing ways to communicate with people of different races, religions, cultures, politics and worldviews. An offshoot of a national initiative of the same name run by nonprofit Interfaith America, the program was started in 2020 to help shrink political and cultural divides on college campuses. Anti-diversity backlash heightens scrutiny Data shows that college campuses have become more divided in recent years, with students increasingly making decisions about where to enroll based on factors such as political climate, diversity and free speech. Yet some experts believe that college campuses are also well-positioned to foster civil discourse and start healing those chasms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Young people arrive at college at a really pivotal point in their development, said Stephanie D. Hicks, a lecturer in the University of Michigans Program on Intergroup Relations. Students are coming out of their home communities that in many ways tend to be homogeneous, and theyre coming to college campuses which are a little to a lot more diverse. Skills they gain in college about working across differences will stick with them and potentially help them reshape other institutions theyre part of in the future, she said. The Bridging the Gap program is one of at least a dozen such initiatives launched at colleges and universities since 2020. Donald Trumps reelection, and divisions on issues such as Israel and Palestine and LGBTQ+ rights, could intensify the need for such campus programs, experts say. So too could the Supreme Courts affirmative action ban, said Natasha Warikoo, a professor of sociology at Tufts University: By potentially reducing overall diversity on campuses, the courts decision adds to the pressure on institutions to ensure that students from different backgrounds have meaningful interactions. Groups like Bridging the Gap also face new scrutiny because of the ban and backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion. In Kentucky, some of the universities involved, including Bellarmine University and University of the Cumberlands, run the program through their campus DEI offices. Laws curbing college DEI initiatives have been adopted in more than 10 states in recent years, and while Kentucky isnt among them, two such bills have passed the state House. Trump, meanwhile, has threatened to punish universities that do not adhere to his views on issues like DEI. Gabrielle Fomby, a sophomore at Bellarmine University, said she is learning a lot about herself and others, and also learning how to apply those skills in her everyday life. She sits across from Alex Santiago. (Photo by Michael Rayne Swensen for The Hechinger Report) Tomarra Adams, Bellarmine Universitys chief DEI officer, said the proposed anti-DEI legislation in Kentucky focuses on public institutions; private universities like hers have a little more latitude in running programs like Bridging the Gap. But she said the general trend is worrisome. We live in a red state and in a time where books are being banned and curriculum is being curtailed, there is certainly a possibility that Bridging the Gap could face some difficulty, she said. Open to listening What do you think makes America great? Angelika Weaver, co-facilitator of the Bridging the Gap retreat at the University of Cumberlands, asked students as they stood across from one another in two rows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the prior hour, the groups members practiced being good listeners remaining attentive and silent even when disagreeing with a statement, verbally and nonverbally affirming they were listening, making eye contact, and having an open body posture. As Weaver gave instructions for discussing the question about America, some students raised their eyebrows and shifted uncomfortably. Fomby, whod been paired with Bellarmine junior Jack Schablik to discuss the question, confessed to him it had surprised her. She told Schablik, who is white and serves as a peer mentor to fellow Catholic students on campus, that she didnt think America was great. She cited its history of slavery and racism, and police violence against Black people. Schablik listened, nodding, sometimes asking her to expand on her thoughts. When it was his turn to answer the question, Schablik said he believes we live in the least oppressive society that has ever existed. That doesnt mean American society isnt oppressive, he said, but thats less true than at any time in its history and there have always been Americans working to make it more just. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schablik paused, taking in Fombys facial expression and body language, before saying, I can tell you dont agree with me. Fomby had been silently listening, but shed closed her arms across her chest and stopped nodding along. Noting her own body language, she apologized, saying that she hadnt meant to express disagreement or make Schablik feel bad. Rather, Fomby said, shed been caught off guard by the question and his answer. Carrie Brunk, founder and lead facilitator of Kentuckys Bridging the Gap, asks students to list the characteristics of a good listener. (Photo by Michael Rayne Swensen for The Hechinger Report) The prompt was intentionally framed to be provocative, Carrie Brunk, the programs lead facilitator, later told the students. If you were open to listening to what another perspective was like, thats practicing exactly what were asking yall to practice, Brunk said after the exercise concluded. It doesnt mean that it has to change your personal view. Its just like youre creating a more complex understanding. For their final question of the exercise, Weaver asked students to consider difficult conversations theyd had with people across lines of difference, while practicing asking open-ended questions and employing active listening skills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Helen Belcher, a graduate student at Bellarmines College of Education who also participated in the previous years cohort, spoke with her partner for the exercise, Alex Santiago, a Bellarmine sophomore, about a fight shed had with her sister over President-elect Donald Trump. Belchers sister had criticized her for backing Vice President Kamala Harris. Belcher said she employed some of the listening and communication skills shed learned at the 2023 seminar to recognize that they just had very different perspectives. It wasnt her role to persuade her sister or counter every point she made. Belcher said she was surprised at how quickly a casual conversation between family members could turn ugly. I was ready to get into some really heated conversation, Belcher said. Deciding not to pursue that felt almost like a victory. It was not easy. It was very hard. And I still feel like, did I do the right thing? Young people build connections At retreats like this one, Brunk said shes found that students and other young people, more so than older adults, have a a strong desire to find commonality. Some research on younger people backs this up: A 2020 study from the nonprofit Springtide Research Institute, for example, found that 81% of people ages 13-25 say its important to understand both sides of political issues. Is there a true generational difference and a willingness to see and be with one another differently, rather than be oriented toward polarization or be driven toward polarization? Brunk said. We find that when were bringing young people together in these ways to engage and were creating a space for them to build connections, thats what they build. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats part of what led Simon Greer to launch Bridging the Gap in 2020. Greer, a longtime progressive community organizer and entrepreneur, had a long and ugly public feud with conservative political commentator Glenn Beck beginning in 2010. Fourteen students from four different universities across Kentucky are part of the 2024 Bridging the Gap cohort, learning how to have dialogue across lines of differences, Sept. 14, 2024. (Photo by Michael Rayne Swensen for The Hechinger Report ) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2020, the two agreed to finally sit down and talk about finding common ground. Later, Greer said hed viewed Beck not as a person but as a caricature. In a film about Bridging the Gap, Greer said much of the divisiveness in American society today stems from demonizing and caricaturing those with whom we disagree. Greer had piloted the program in late 2019 with students from Spring Arbor University, a Christian university in Michigan, and Oberlin College in Ohio. The next year, he officially began Bridging the Gap with the goal of bringing together students from ideologically diverse campuses and teaching them basic skills like listening, giving feedback, sharing their stories and navigating difficult conversations. Since then, more than 50 colleges and universities have participated in Bridging the Gap initiatives. In Kentucky, the program has changed several times, hosting an entirely virtual cohort of students in 2021, a full-year cohort in 2023 and shifting back to a semester-long model this year. In addition to two retreats, the 14 Bridging the Gap students in Kentucky this year participate in bimonthly virtual sessions with its organizers, including Bellarmines Adams and Devon Goings, director of diversity and inclusion at the University of Cumberlands, where they discuss the curriculum, supplemental reading and documentary films like American Neighbor, about race in America. The students at Cumberlands also have a weekly class with Goings for school credit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goings said that many of his students have never left Appalachia or Eastern Kentucky, where the university is located, before enrolling. Just be curious about other people, he said he tells his students. Be kind in the way that you have conversations, and be humble in that. Adams said that one of the challenges the program has faced so far is attracting students from more conservative backgrounds. The participants at least in Kentucky have been students with moderate to liberal ideologies or beliefs, she said. Students participating in Bridging the Gap take a break after a morning of practicing deep listening and communication skills during a retreat on the campus of University of the Cumberlands. (Photo by Michael Rayne Swensen for The Hechinger Report) Kentuckys program works in partnership with Interfaith America, the Chicago-based nonprofit that merged with Greers Bridging the Gap in 2022 and began to offer it as part of the groups existing programs on college campuses. Rebecca Russo, Interfaith Americas vice president of higher education strategy, said that while there is a story of increased divisiveness and polarization on college campuses that mirrors the national landscape, its not the full story. Hunger for creating communities There has been a dramatic increased interest from students, faculty, staff and administrators in bridging divides in constructive ways, in part because of fatigue over protests and disagreements about issues like the war in Gaza and abortion, she said. Were seeing a real hunger for changing the culture and creating communities where people are really equipped with the skills to engage productively across divides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the retreats final day, Kevine Niyogushima, a Bellarmine sophomore studying communications, said she hadnt expected to open up as much as she did, or learn so much about herself. I have gotten deeper knowledge about myself than I even knew, and then listening to people, listening to understand its stronger now, said Niyogushima, who immigrated to the U.S. from Tanzania when she was 19. She was introduced to the program during a history of education course she took her freshman year taught by Adams, the chief DEI officer. After a friend who participated last year told her it was life-changing, she decided to sign up. Niyogushima said that, on campus, she often talks only to close friends who share her background because she worries her English isnt good enough or that her experience of immigrating to the United States sets her apart from others. This would make me want to reach out and just listen to everybodys story. I feel like I would be more open to connecting with more people than just the people that I am close to, she said. Correction: This story has been updated to correct the characterization of the interaction between Helen Belcher and her sister. Contact staff writer Javeria Salman at 212-678-3455 or salman@hechingerreport.org. MEMPHIS, Tenn. You will need to bundle up and bring some plants inside as temperatures drop to the teens in some parts of the Mid-South Tuesday morning. WREG Chief Meteorologist Tyler Eliasen said temperatures in most areas around Memphis will tumble to the lower to mid-20s. Some spots east of the Bluff City could see snow flurries and temps in the upper teens. Tomorrow afternoon, we are struggling to hit 40, Eliasen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hospitality Hub on Washington Avenue downtown will be open tonight for those who need to get out of the cold. MATA is offering transportation to the warming center. You can call 901-297-1680 to schedule a pickup. The freezing temperatures could also damage some summer plants and warm-season vegetables. Dr. Chris Cooper, the county director of UT-TSU Extension services, said cover plants you want to save. Your annual plants definitely wont survive the cold temperatures. Some of your perennials may or may not survive it, but if theres a question of whether they will survive the temperatures, go ahead and cover those plants, Cooper said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Restaurant Inspection Scores, November 26 December 2 Cooper said if you can, bring small plants inside your garage or house and cover outdoor foliage with a sheet or blanket. Make sure to keep the sheet off the foliage itself. So, you will need maybe a PVC pipe or a stick or something to hold it over the plant itself. Make sure the sheet comes all the way down to the ground so you can get some of that ground heat, which will help that plant survive these cold temperatures, Cooper said. Grass has gone dormant at Tom Lee Park. (WREG photo) Cooper said much of the turf grass in Shelby County is warm-season grass and has already been impacted by some frosty mornings. The grass at Tom Lee Park has already gone dormant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pets can also suffer in the colder weather. The Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County recommends bringing pets inside when temperatures drop. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends bringing pets inside when the temperature drops below 32F to prevent frostbite and hypothermia. 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. Oral arguments will take place before the U.S. Supreme Court on Dec. 4 in Tennessee's law banning gender-affirming care for minors. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom) Tennessees attorney general is set to defend the states gender affirming care ban for minors in the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday against challengers who say the 2023 law endangers children. While attorneys for the plaintiffs claim the law violates the Constitutions equal protection clause, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said lawmakers took measured action in 2023 when they prohibited gender affirming care for children to protect them from irreversible, unproven medical procedures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers recognized that there is little to no credible evidence to justify the serious risks these procedures present to youth and joined a growing number of European countries in restricting their use on minors with gender-identity issues, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said in advance of oral arguments at the high court in Washington, D.C. One of Tennessees main claims is that the Constitution doesnt stop states from regulating medical practices involving hot-button social issues. Primarily, though, the state says the law doesnt discriminate based on sex. Little to no credible evidence to justify the serious risks these procedures present to youth, said Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti of gender affirming care for minors. (Photo: John Partipilo) But the father leading the legal challenge against Tennessees law said the ban on gender affirming medical care is an active threat to his daughters future. It infringes not only on her freedom to be herself but on our familys love, the father said Monday morning in an online press conference. He said his daughter started taking puberty-blocking medications and then hormone therapy at age 13, only after nine months of conversations and consultation with experts and physicians, and is happy and healthy as she prepares for college. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another father, an Ohio lobbyist who identified himself in the press conference as a Republican, said his son was near suicide in 2012 before starting the years-long process of changing sexes. One thing I learned was being transgender is a real thing, and if its a real thing, in my view, it transcends any political ideology, the man said. Represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Tennessee, Lambda Legal and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, three families of transgender children say Tennessees law violates their constitutional right to equal protection under the law. Dr. Susan Lacy of Memphis is among the plaintiffs as well. Chase Strangio, an attorney for the ACLU, said Tennessee banned hormone therapy and puberty-delaying medication for children only when prescribed to allow adolescents to live and identify with a sex inconsistent with their sex at birth, making it a violation of their rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are simply asking the Supreme Court to recognize that when a law treats people differently based on their sex, the same equal protection principles apply regardless of whether the group impacted by the law happens to be transgender, Strangio said. Its about whether politicians can restrict access to healthcare treatments in order to impose their narrow, harmful, stereotypical view of gender. Sasha Buchert, Lambda Legal Sasha Buchert of Lambda Legal said the cases outcome will determine whether families will continue to have the freedom to make medical decisions with their doctors. Otherwise, unqualified politicians will step into the shoes of families and medical professionals to make those decisions in ways that undermine the care, safety and dignity of transgender youth, Buchert said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Buchert said the argument goes beyond access to gender affirming care, which has been restricted in 24 states, to whether the courts will uphold decades of legal precedent affirming that the state must show its work when it chooses to discriminate on the basis of sex. Its about whether politicians can restrict access to healthcare treatments in order to impose their narrow, harmful, stereotypical view of gender, Buchert said. Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson of Franklin and House Majority Leader William Lamberth of Portland filed the gender affirming care ban bill in 2023 after a right-wing media outlet reported that Vanderbilt University Medical Center was providing the treatment to children. The hospital said it wasnt performing surgeries on minors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson and several other lawmakers introduced the bill in a rally at the Capitol attended by hate groups. It passed the Legislature largely along party lines, although three Democrats voted for it in the House. In a brief filed with the Supreme Court, Skrmetti backed up his argument by saying European countries that pioneered gender affirming care treatment started pulling back because of concerns about safety and effectiveness. The brief said Tennessee lawmakers considered European restrictions and listened to accounts of regret and harm from people who switched back to their original sex. Skrmettis brief says the federal government, which entered the legal battle on the side of the plaintiffs, is trying to displace Tennessees law by reading its preferred policies into the Constitution. The attorney generals brief says Senate Bill 1 contains no sex classification and differentiates between minors seeking gender transition drugs and those seeking treatment for other medical purposes. Plaintiffs in the case say the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, which struck down the lower courts decision to block the law, failed to look at the case with heightened review, a legal standard for evaluating constitutionality based on characteristics such as gender. But Skrmettis brief says the court should decline such doctrinal revolution because sex isnt a but-for cause of SB1s age- and used-based restrictions. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Guardian or Authority of Law, created by sculptor James Earle Fraser, rests on the side of the U.S. Supreme Court on September 28, 2020 in Washington, DC. This week Seventh U.S. Circuit Court Judge Amy Coney Barrett, U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee to the Supreme Court, will begin meeting with Senators as she seeks to be confirmed before the presidential election. (Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images) Tennessees attorney general is set to defend the states gender affirming care ban for minors in the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday against challengers who say the 2023 law endangers children. While attorneys for the plaintiffs claim the law violates the Constitutions equal protection clause, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said lawmakers took measured action in 2023 when they prohibited gender affirming care for children to protect them from irreversible, unproven medical procedures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers recognized that there is little to no credible evidence to justify the serious risks these procedures present to youth and joined a growing number of European countries in restricting their use on minors with gender-identity issues, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said in advance of oral arguments at the high court in Washington, D.C. One of Tennessees main claims is that the Constitution doesnt stop states from regulating medical practices involving hot-button social issues. Primarily, though, the state says the law doesnt discriminate based on sex. But the father leading the legal challenge against Tennessees law said the ban on gender affirming medical care is an active threat to his daughters future. It infringes not only on her freedom to be herself but on our familys love, the father said Monday morning in an online press conference. He said his daughter started taking puberty-blocking medications and then hormone therapy at age 13, only after nine months of conversations and consultation with experts and physicians, and is happy and healthy as she prepares for college. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another father, an Ohio lobbyist who identified himself in the press conference as a Republican, said his son was near suicide in 2012 before starting the years-long process of changing sexes. One thing I learned was being transgender is a real thing, and if its a real thing, in my view, it transcends any political ideology, the man said. Represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Tennessee, Lambda Legal and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, three families of transgender children say Tennessees law violates their constitutional right to equal protection under the law. Dr. Susan Lacy of Memphis is among the plaintiffs as well. Chase Strangio, an attorney for the ACLU, said Tennessee banned hormone therapy and puberty-delaying medication for children only when prescribed to allow adolescents to live and identify with a sex inconsistent with their sex at birth, making it a violation of their rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are simply asking the Supreme Court to recognize that when a law treats people differently based on their sex, the same equal protection principles apply regardless of whether the group impacted by the law happens to be transgender, Strangio said. Its about whether politicians can restrict access to healthcare treatments in order to impose their narrow, harmful, stereotypical view of gender. Sasha Buchert, Lambda Legal Sasha Buchert of Lambda Legal said the cases outcome will determine whether families will continue to have the freedom to make medical decisions with their doctors. Otherwise, unqualified politicians will step into the shoes of families and medical professionals to make those decisions in ways that undermine the care, safety and dignity of transgender youth, Buchert said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Buchert said the argument goes beyond access to gender affirming care, which has been restricted in 24 states, to whether the courts will uphold decades of legal precedent affirming that the state must show its work when it chooses to discriminate on the basis of sex. Its about whether politicians can restrict access to healthcare treatments in order to impose their narrow, harmful, stereotypical view of gender, Buchert said. Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson of Franklin and House Majority Leader William Lamberth of Portland filed the gender affirming care ban bill in 2023 after a right-wing media outlet reported that Vanderbilt University Medical Center was providing the treatment to children. The hospital said it wasnt performing surgeries on minors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson and several other lawmakers introduced the bill in a rally at the Capitol attended by hate groups. It passed the Legislature largely along party lines, although three Democrats voted for it in the House. In a brief filed with the Supreme Court, Skrmetti backed up his argument by saying European countries that pioneered gender affirming care treatment started pulling back because of concerns about safety and effectiveness. The brief said Tennessee lawmakers considered European restrictions and listened to accounts of regret and harm from people who switched back to their original sex. Skrmettis brief says the federal government, which entered the legal battle on the side of the plaintiffs, is trying to displace Tennessees law by reading its preferred policies into the Constitution. The attorney generals brief says Senate Bill 1 contains no sex classification and differentiates between minors seeking gender transition drugs and those seeking treatment for other medical purposes. Plaintiffs in the case say the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, which struck down the lower courts decision to block the law, failed to look at the case with heightened review, a legal standard for evaluating constitutionality based on characteristics such as gender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Skrmettis brief says the court should decline such doctrinal revolution because sex isnt a but-for cause of SB1s age- and used-based restrictions. This story was originally produced by the Tennessee Lookout 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. The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday will hear oral arguments in a Tennessee case that could also decide the future of medical care for transgender minors in Kentucky. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom) Tennessees attorney general is set to defend the states gender affirming care ban for minors in the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday against challengers who say the 2023 law endangers children. Kentuckians at the state Capitol protest restrictions on gender affirming medical care, March 29, 2023. (McKenna Horsley) Kentucky bans future also at stake The U.S. Supreme Courts ruling in the Tennessee case could also decide the fate of Kentuckys ban on gender affirming medical care for minors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, Kentucky lawmakers in the Republican-controlled General Assembly passed a ban on hormone and other treatments for transgender minors. That law also directs local school boards to make policies keeping people from using bathrooms, locker rooms or showers that are reserved for students of a different biological sex and places new restrictions on sex education in public schools. The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky sued to block some of the restrictions on medical care, and that case is still active. In response, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction, delaying the law from going into effect. Later, a federal judge in Kentuckys Western District stayed the preliminary injunction. In September 2023, the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals reversed the preliminary injunction, allowing the law to stay in effect. The 6th Circuit had combined the Tennessee and Kentucky cases. In November 2023, the ACLU of Kentucky filed a petition for a certiorari asking the U. S. Supreme Court to overturn an appeals courts decision that had allowed Kentucky to enforce its ban on gender affirming medical care for transgender minors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June, the Supreme Court decided to review Tennessees law. Should the high court rule that ban unconstitutional, it could undo Kentuckys ban as well. Sarah Ladd The case has implications for Kentucky which in 2023 enacted a similar ban that also is being challenged in court. While attorneys for the plaintiffs claim the law violates the Constitutions equal protection clause, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said lawmakers took measured action in 2023 when they prohibited gender affirming care for children to protect them from irreversible, unproven medical procedures. Lawmakers recognized that there is little to no credible evidence to justify the serious risks these procedures present to youth and joined a growing number of European countries in restricting their use on minors with gender-identity issues, Skrmetti said in advance of oral arguments at the high court in Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of Tennessees main claims is that the Constitution doesnt stop states from regulating medical practices involving hot-button social issues. Primarily, though, the state says the law doesnt discriminate based on sex. But the father leading the legal challenge against Tennessees law said the ban on gender affirming medical care is an active threat to his daughters future. It infringes not only on her freedom to be herself but on our familys love, the father said Monday morning in an online press conference. He said his daughter started taking puberty-blocking medications and then hormone therapy at age 13, only after nine months of conversations and consultation with experts and physicians, and is happy and healthy as she prepares for college. Another father, an Ohio lobbyist who identified himself in the press conference as a Republican, said his son was near suicide in 2012 before starting the years-long process of changing sexes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One thing I learned was being transgender is a real thing, and if its a real thing, in my view, it transcends any political ideology, the man said. Represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Tennessee, Lambda Legal and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, three families of transgender children say Tennessees law violates their constitutional right to equal protection under the law. Dr. Susan Lacy of Memphis is among the plaintiffs as well. Chase Strangio, an attorney for the ACLU, said Tennessee banned hormone therapy and puberty-delaying medication for children only when prescribed to allow adolescents to live and identify with a sex inconsistent with their sex at birth, making it a violation of their rights. We are simply asking the Supreme Court to recognize that when a law treats people differently based on their sex, the same equal protection principles apply regardless of whether the group impacted by the law happens to be transgender, Strangio said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sasha Buchert of Lambda Legal said the cases outcome will determine whether families will continue to have the freedom to make medical decisions with their doctors. Otherwise, unqualified politicians will step into the shoes of families and medical professionals to make those decisions in ways that undermine the care, safety and dignity of transgender youth, Buchert said. Buchert said the argument goes beyond access to gender affirming care, which has been restricted in 24 states, to whether the courts will uphold decades of legal precedent affirming that the state must show its work when it chooses to discriminate on the basis of sex. Its about whether politicians can restrict access to health care treatments in order to impose their narrow, harmful, stereotypical view of gender, Buchert said. Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson of Franklin and House Majority Leader William Lamberth of Portland filed the gender affirming care ban bill in 2023 after a right-wing media outlet reported that Vanderbilt University Medical Center was providing the treatment to children. The hospital said it wasnt performing surgeries on minors. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti (Photo: John Partipilo) Johnson and several other lawmakers introduced the bill in a rally at the Capitol attended by hate groups. It passed the Legislature largely along party lines, although three Democrats voted for it in the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a brief filed with the Supreme Court, Skrmetti backed up his argument by saying European countries that pioneered gender affirming care treatment started pulling back because of concerns about safety and effectiveness. The brief said Tennessee lawmakers considered European restrictions and listened to accounts of regret and harm from people who switched back to their original sex. Skrmettis brief says the federal government, which entered the legal battle on the side of the plaintiffs, is trying to displace Tennessees law by reading its preferred policies into the Constitution. The attorney generals brief says Senate Bill 1 contains no sex classification and differentiates between minors seeking gender transition drugs and those seeking treatment for other medical purposes. Plaintiffs in the case say the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, which struck down the lower courts decision to block the law, failed to look at the case with heightened review, a legal standard for evaluating constitutionality based on characteristics such as gender. But Skrmettis brief says the court should decline such doctrinal revolution because sex isnt a but-for cause of SB1s age- and used-based restrictions. This story is republished from the Tennessee Lookout, a sister publication to the Kentucky Lantern and part of the nonprofit States Newsroom network. The Tennessee Department of Transportation wants you to design the best holiday travel safety message. The department is encouraging people to come up with the best message for the Dynamic Message Signs seen on Tennessee highways. Entries will be accepted through Dec. 11 and will be considered for five highway safety categories: seatbelt usage, impaired driving, distracted driving, speeding, and aggressive driving. This contest is a fun way to engage citizens and assist TDOT in accomplishing our goal of saving lives by getting the attention of drivers and reminding them to practice safe driving habits, said Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We encourage motorists to check the message boards daily for important travel information. This holiday season we want everyone to reach their destination safely. Here is how to submit your sign idea. How to enter the Tennessee Department of Transportation's holiday travel safety message contest "Ice and snow, take it slow, use caution" warns a TDOT sign to Nashville drivers as snow once again covers the mid-state. Thursday March 5, 2015, in Nashville, TN To submit an idea for the contest, people may visit the contest website. Participants will be asked to share their idea along with their name and contact information. Hashtags, phone numbers, website addresses, and emojis are not allowed. The messages are not to be used for advertising purposes and profane messaging will be disqualified. Following the Dec. 11 deadline TDOT will then allow the public to vote on the best messages, on the department Facebook page beginning December 16th. The winning message will be placed in rotation to run on the overhead Dynamic Message Signs statewide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee holiday travel: How to enter TDOT's highway sign contest CHICAGO Tensions are growing at City Hall amid a lack of consensus on the right mix of cuts and revenue as the calendar ticks toward the end of the year and a deadline for the city to have its municipal budget in place. Council members say theyre worried about service disruptions and credit downgrades if a deal isnt worked out, but Mayor Brandon Johnsons administration insists theres still time to reach an agreement. Were in the midst of negotiations with alders. Were in the midst of hearing their ideas. Were in the midst of running numbers based on what theyre asking, said Budget Director Annette Guzman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayor started negotiations pushing for a $300 million property tax hike to avoid cuts and furloughs. That was unanimously rejected, prompting the mayor to pivot to a $150 million property tax plan before abandoning that idea. The people of Chicago say a lot of things to me, but they never say, Mayor Johnson, could you just cut these services? Mayor Johnson could you just lay off more people? No one, Johnson said. Ive been mayor 18 months. Not one constituent has ever come up to me and said, Lay off police officers, lay off firefighters, lay off Streets and Sanitation workers.' Chicago alders to mayor: Cut municipal spending to pre-pandemic levels Voters dont like direction of Chicago budget negotiations, alders opinion poll shows Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deeply concerned: Mayors budget risks compliance with CPD consent decree Budget officials: Mayors plan to balance budget with property tax increase prudent It seems the mayor has now settled on a package of fewer than $100 million, perhaps tying the property tax increase to the consumer price index level, also known as CPI. I know the mayor proposed $150 million. I dont think were going to land at that number. Well probably be closer to CPI than the 150, but nonetheless there will be some level of property tax increase that will be part of the package, said Ald. Jason Ervin (28th Ward). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also apparently scrapped from the mayors initial plans: a hike on liquor sales and $60 million more for a guaranteed basic income program. New taxes being discussed include parking and ride share surcharges. Last week, a group of 15 alders released a letter recommending the city shrink the budget back to pre-pandemic spending levels. The mayor has dismissed that idea. Theyre not interested in working with us, Ald. Anthony Beale (9th Ward) said of the mayors office. Theyre not interested in working with our proposal and they just want to continue to spend money. They want to continue to raise revenue. 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. The British supermarket chain Tesco said on Tuesday that it has banned the sale of live fish in front of its stores in the Czech Republic, where carp is traditionally eaten at Christmas time, for the first time. According to the company, this is out of consideration for the fish. The German discounter Lidl and the Rewe subsidiary Billa already took this step in recent years. Eating carp on December 24 is an integral part of the festive season in the Czech Republic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is common for the fish to be transported alive from the pond to street stalls, and only killed and gutted when bought. In the past, it was even customary for people to take the carp home alive in a plastic bag, storing it in the bathtub before killing it themselves shortly before Christmas. This dates back to the socialist era, when few households had a fridge. Animal rights activists have long campaigned against the practice, arguing that the carp suffer severe stress in the confines of the vats and receive too little oxygen. The Christmas Without Violence campaign attempts to draw attention to the problem, highlighting that fish feel pain and fear like all other vertebrates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prague city council has also launched its own awareness campaign, informing residents that the fish should never be placed in a bathtub with tap water, which is chlorinated in the capital. The fish should also not be released into the wild, even if this is is well-intentioned, the campaign said, adding that the already weakened animals usually die in the unfamiliar Vltava river, which only prolongs their suffering. (KRON) Production line workers at the Tesla Cybertruck factory in Austin were told to take the next three days, according to a report in Business Insider. The report, which was published Monday, cited an internal memo that reportedly told workers, On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week (Dec. 3-5), you do not need to report to work. The workers were also reportedly told theyd receive eight hours of pay for the days they were scheduled to work. The memo, according to BI, instructed workers to return to work as normal on Friday, Dec. 6. Tech startup founder goes viral for 84-hour work week post on X Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report comes on the heels of a fiery Cybertruck crash in Piedmont last week that left three recent high school graduates dead and a fourth badly injured. In the wake of that crash, Bay Area fire officials have warned of the dangers of electric vehicle batteries, which can cause fires that are difficult to put out once they ignite. EV news website Electrek called the timing of the work stoppage at the Cybertruck factory suspect, going on to say that demand seems much lower than the sky-high expectations for the vehicle. Tesla maintains its engineering headquarters in Palo Alto and has its main U.S. factory in Fremont. KRON4.com has reached out to Tesla for comment. We have yet to hear back. 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 KRON4. An investigation is underway after a Tesla crashed head-on into a Metro bus in the Rancho Park neighborhood of Los Angeles early Tuesday morning. Video taken shortly after midnight showed both the Tesla and the bus with major front-end damage after colliding in the area of South Sepulveda Boulevard and Exposition Boulevard. Witnesses said the Metro bus was parked on the street when the Tesla slammed into it. A Tesla crashed head-on into an MTA bus in Los Angeles on Dec. 3, 2024. (TNLA) The bus driver was believed to be the only person on the bus at the time of the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conditions of both drivers were unclear. There was no immediate word on what may have caused the crash. 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. (NewsNation) Magali and Hugo Urbina purchased a sprawling pecan orchard in their hometown of Eagle Pass, Texas in 2021, planning to make the property their dream retirement destination without knowing they would soon find themselves at the center of an international crisis. But three years later, after Eagle Pass became ground zero for the crisis along the U.S.-Mexico border, the couple said that their farm and their lives had become a living hell. The couple claims 1 million immigrants have crossed the border at Eagle Pass and the couple told NewsNation that their property, Heavenly Farms, has become a staging ground for undocumented migrants. Since then, the couple who were born in Eagle Pass and returned home after purchasing the orchard said that they have expressed a range of emotions that move between anger, disappointment, and frustration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Migrant caravan with 1,500 people coming up from Mexico It seemed at the time that both the state of Texas was (moving) in one direction and the federal government and was going in another direction, Hugo Urbina told NewsNation. Youre like, we need to work toward a common ground toward fixing the problem. You cant just have people crossing into the United States illegally that way. Magali Urbina agrees and said the couple constantly thought there had to be a better solution rather than seeing seemingly endless lines of immigrants on their orchard waiting to be processed by immigration officials. The experience caused the couple to reconsider their political loyalties. The Urbinas were part of a movement that shifted Maverick County in its support for President-elect Donald Trump. Magali Urbina said that in 2022, she viewed the migrant crisis from a humanitarian perspective. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But as the flood of undocumented immigrants continued onto their property over the past 2 1/2 years, the couple helped to flip their county for the Republicans in the 2024 election. I understand that theyre coming for a better life most of them are, she told NewsNation. Despite her empathy, Magali Urbina said that the lines the couple witnessed on their property included parents with their babies along with teenagers who were often crossing into the United States without supervision. Despite objections from their friends and family, the couple told NewsNation they voted for Trump in November after saying they saw all they needed to see in their own backyard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was overwhelming, Magali Urbina said. It really was. 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. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has threatened to pull funding from a children's hospital after a doctor went viral for telling patients they are not legally required to disclose their citizenship status. Dr. Tony Pastor, an adult congenital cardiologist at Texas Children's Hospital and assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine, posted a video on TikTok, responding to Abbott's executive order requiring Texas public hospitals that accept Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Plan to report on health care for undocumented immigrants. The order was implemented Nov. 1. The executive order, issued in August, directs the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to collect data on healthcare costs incurred by undocumented immigrants, aiming to seek reimbursement from the federal government for those expenses. Abbott has framed this policy as a way to hold the Biden administration accountable for expenses related to federal border policies. The order mandated that public hospitals inquire about patients citizenship status starting Nov. 1 and report expenses quarterly and annually to state officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People are also reading: Abbott mandates citizenship reports from Texas public hospitals. You don't have to answer. The question "Are you a U.S. citizen?" is now on patient intake forms in hospitals across Texas, according to San Antonio Express-News. Despite this, advocacy groups and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have noted a workaround. Hospitals are required by the executive order to ask about immigration status; however, patients are not required to answer the question, said Tania Chavez Camacho, executive director of La Union del Pueblo Entero, one of the advocacy organizations mobilizing to inform patients about their rights under this new policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Tony Pastor of Houston joined this effort with his Nov. 11 social media post, which has since been removed. "We were told today that people do not actually have to answer the question. So my proposal to everyone whos seeing this is, just know that you do not have to answer this question," Pastor said in the video. "Wouldnt it be amazing if everyone who comes in doesnt answer it, and really messes with whatever data theyre looking for?" More than one million users viewed the video, with hundreds of thousands of likes and saves. Pastor also shared how the executive order was affecting himself and fellow healthcare professionals within the workplace. "It has made all of us physicians and providers super uncomfortable," he said. "No one has told us what people are going to do with this information. The way the countrys moving, I worry that this is information that people are going to use to deport people Maybe its just a deterrent to try to get people that are not documented to (not) come to hospitals, but even if thats the motive, its really messed up." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You should come to a hospital if youre sick. You should get health care if youre sick," he added. In a follow-up video, Pastor addressed what he called the order's "guise" of collecting data on how much money is spent on health care for undocumented immigrants. "The reason I have an issue with that, is that if you really, truly cared about patients and spending, and both, in Texas, then why are we one of ten states that has not accepted Medicaid expansion?" Pastor argues that not only would expanded coverage cost hospitals less, but more individuals would also have access to preventative and primary care to promote overall health. Pastor has also been vocal about nondiscriminatory healthcare access to LGBTQ+ patients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pastor isn't the only healthcare professional spreading awareness. The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District offered a similar message on a flyer. The document, available in English and Spanish, reminds patients of their "right to life-saving care, regardless of citizenship or immigration status." Abbott responds to viral post, warns of 'consequences' A couple of weeks after Pastor's post, Gov. Abbott took to X to respond, adding a link to the story by San Antonio Express-News. "Hey Texas Children's Hospital & Baylor College of Medicine, this doctor is putting your Medicaid and Medicare funding at risk," the Texas governor wrote. "There will be consequences for failing to follow the law in the Executive Order." Hey Texas Childrens Hospital & Baylor College of Medicine, this doctor is putting your Medicaid and Medicare funding at risk. You better think twice & have crystal clear records. There will be consequences for failing to follow the law in the Executive Order. Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) November 25, 2024 Texas Children's Hospital 'fully supports' Abbott's Executive Order Following Gov. Abbott's post, a representative for Texas Children's Hospital has offered reassurance that the institution is in full compliance with the law. The statement also says the opinions of individuals working at the hospital are not indicative of its stance as an entity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas Childrens fully supports Governor Abbotts new Executive Order and is in full compliance. We have worked closely with the Texas Hospital Association and our industry partners across the state to ensure compliance in advance of the effective date. While we recognize that individuals working at Texas Childrens hold their own personal views on many topics, those opinions do not necessarily reflect the official position of Texas Childrens Hospital. We will continue to prioritize patient care while ensuring we are in full compliance with all laws and legal directives. Reporting Texas reporter Madeline de Figueiredo contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Abbott threatens hospital's funding after Texas doctor's viral TikTok Australia and the United Kingdom will join forces to combat phone scams, spam and unsolicited calls under a new agreement signed by the two countries communications regulators. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and the Office of Communications (Ofcom) have announced a new Framework for Practical Cooperation to facilitate mutual assistance and information sharing to achieve consumer outcomes. ACMA notes that consumer losses reported to Scamwatch due to scam calls and SMS are $83 million so far this year, and as scammers become more sophisticated and deploy new and emerging technologies to target Australians, collaboration at an international level is becoming increasingly important, while strategic engagement with regulators like Ofcom facilitates joint efforts to tackle the pervasive scourge of spam and scam communications. ACMA Chair Nerida OLoughlin said the agreement would enhance efforts by the ACMA and Ofcom to combat unsolicited communications. The ACMA is committed to tackling scams, a problem which countries across the world struggle with, OLoughlin said. Partnering with Ofcom is just another way we are protecting consumers and safeguarding the integrity of telecommunications networks here in Australia and globally. ACMA says this agreement complements the strong relationship it has with the UKs Information Commissioners Office, which also has a key role to play in combatting unsolicited communications in the UK. Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcom's Chief Executive, said: The digital world is a small place. Criminal gangs can try to scam you from any country through the phone in your pocket. Todays agreement sends a message regulators, governments, police and companies are working together to fight fraud on a global scale. The ACMA supports the Australian governments Fighting Scams initiative to address scams and online fraud and protect Australians from financial harm, and it supports the work of the National Anti-Scam Centre, which coordinates government, law enforcement and the private sector to combat scams. For information on how to avoid phone and SMS scams, check out our advice onhow to spot and stop scams. To stay on top of the latest scams targeting Australians, sign up to receive our scam alerts. Help other Australians by reporting to Scamwatch. If youve had personal details stolen, contact IDCARE for support. For more information contact ACMA Media on 0438 375 776 or media@acma.gov.au. For information on how to avoid phone and SMS scams, check out our advice on how to spot and stop scams. To stay on top of the latest scams targeting Australians, sign up to receive our scam alerts. Help other Australians by reporting to Scamwatch. If youve had personal details stolen, contact IDCARE for support. Texas could begin busing migrants straight to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding centers for deportation, rather than transporting them to sanctuary cities, according to a New York Post exclusive. Gov. Greg Abbott has yet to approve the proposal, which was filed in connection to the existing transportation system used for the Operation Lone Star program. Beginning in April 2022, the Texas Division of Emergency Management arranged for buses to transport migrants from Texas to sanctuary cities like Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Denver and Los Angeles. By January of this year, the program had transported over 100,000 migrants to these cities. Intended to deter migrants from entering the U.S. illegally, Operation Lone Star had, by January, led to over 495,400 apprehensions and 38,300 criminal arrests, over 34,700 of which involved felony charges. Texas law enforcement had also intercepted over 453 million lethal doses of fentanyl, the Governor's Office reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The source within the Texas government, whose identity was kept anonymous, told The Post about efforts to allow such transport to take migrants directly to federal detention centers rather than sanctuary cities in order to speed up the deportation process. We are always gonna be involved in border security so long as were a border state, the source said. "We spent a lot of taxpayer money to have the level of deterrent that we have on the border, and we cant just walk away." President-Elect Donald Trump's new "Border Czar," Tom Homan, agrees with the shift, the source continued. The ICE agents would also reimburse the state government for the bus contract. Greg Abbott meets with Trump's 'Border Czar' Homan and Gov. Abbott met at the Texas-Mexico border last week to discuss the immigration crisis, where Homan pledged to carry out a "mass deportation" of undocumented immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Homan and Abbott did not directly speak on the future of the migrant buses, Homan told The Post he "look[s] forward to discussing that." Were going to help them finish this job and secure Texas and were going to work in partnership. And [Abbott] doesnt have to worry about this administration suing him to secure the Texas border, he added.' Read more: Who is Tom Homan? Trump names former Border Patrol agent, ICE chief named 'border czar' Texas Land Commissioner launches 'Jocelyn Initiative' During a series of meetings, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced the launch of the "Jocelyn Initiative," another program aimed at fighting undocumented immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The initiative is named after 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, a Houston girl who authorities say was killed in June by two Venezuelan gang members who entered the U.S. illegally, according to The Texas Tribune. Nungaray's mother and grandfather, Alexis and Jackie, were in attendance at Buckingham's news conference. "Our goal is to ensure that no other parent has to, unfortunately, experience what Alexis has experienced," Buckingham said. The news conference was held in the border town of La Casita-Garciasville, on the massive Starr County ranch the Texas General Land Office recently purchased. Last week, Buckingham offered the property to President-elect Donald Trump to build detention centers. Earlier this month, during the heated race between Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, and Sen. Ted Cruz for U.S. Senate, Alexis was used in a campaign ad stating that Allred bears significant responsibility for the death of Houstonian Jocelyn due to his "open border" policies at the Texas-Mexico border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a similar advertisement supporting President-elect Trump, Alexis recounted the experience of her daughter, recalling how she saw cop cars after tracking her daughter's phone location just two minutes away. In the ad, she stated that Jocelyn was found in a creek with all four limbs bound and that she was "strangled to death, left with no pants." "The Jocelyn Initiative in which we will locate appropriate land under my jurisdiction to lease for the construction of violent criminal deportation facilities," Buckingham continued. "My office has identified several of our properties and is standing by ready to make this happen on day one of the Trump presidency." Texas' land chief, Dawn Buckingham, offered Trump's incoming administration more land for violent criminal deportation facilities as the border czar, Tom Homan visits the U.S. southern border. STORY: https://t.co/p8ppIrIy58 pic.twitter.com/E8DTKW65u0 The National Desk (@TND) November 26, 2024 This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas may bus migrants to ICE centers instead of sanctuary cities BANGKOK (AP) Thailands Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Tuesday said her government is negotiating with neighboring Myanmar for the return of four fishermen captured by Myanmars navy for trespassing. Paetongtarn told reporters in Bangkok that it was confirmed that all four being detained now are still safe, after being captured on Saturday, and that she expects their release soon. Thai officials have said Myanmars navy opened fire on several Thai vessels, and that one crewman who leaped overboard had drowned. They said two were injured and were being treated in Thailand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident happened in waters close to their maritime border in the Andaman Sea. One Thai trawler was captured and its crew of 31 detained, four of whom were Thai and the remainder Myanmar nationals. Thailand has a vast fishing fleet but it is largely crewed by men from poorer neighboring countries. The Thai navy acknowledged that Thai fishing boats had been in Myanmars waters, but raised questions about the use of disproportionate force by Myanmar. An audio statement released Monday night by Myanmars military government said that its navy had not intruded into Thai waters in seizing the Thai boat, one of five that had been fishing in its maritime territory since Friday night. The statement, read by Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson of Myanmars military government, confirmed that 27 Myanmar nationals and four Thai nationals, all men, were safe in captivity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Myanmars military government is ostracized by many Western nations because of its suppression of democracy and poor human rights record, Thailand maintains relatively warm relations with it. Zaw Min Tun accused nation-subversive media and some online inciters of working to damage relations between the neighbors. I would like to say that there is good continuous communication between the governments and the militaries of the two sides, he said. Early this week, Myanmars navy was accused of shooting at a Bangladeshi fishing boat in a contested area in the Bay of Bengal. Bangladeshi media reported one of six fishermen on the boat was injured by gunfire, but Myanmars state-run media said there was no navy vessel in the area on the day of the incident. SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) Navy veteran Terry Farmer told 7NEWS he was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War. I got the postcard in the mail, Farmer explained. Greetings, from Uncle Sam. He was in college at UNC Asheville at the time but didnt have high enough grades to avoid the draft. After going through the process at Fort Jackson for getting inducted or whatever, they give you two weeks for you to join another service or come back for boot camp, Farmer shared. So during the two weeks I joined the Navy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Farmer was originally assigned to be a Radioman and started his career in the service taking communication classes. And when I got towards the end of my radioman class, they were looking for volunteers for four deep sea divers and and explosive ordnance disposal seal team, things like that, said Farmer. So he went from a communications job to disposing of bombs. It just wasnt challenging enough, and I wanted I wanted to do something else, said Farmer. That change took Farmer to Key West to participate in the Navys Underwater Submersible Training. Thats where I learned scuba diving and mixed gas diving and some sort supplied diving where you take the hose down with you from the surface, said Farmer. Then he headed to Alabama for Chemical Munition Training before he went to Maryland to learn about all of the different explosives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We render safe unexploded munitions, so its like dud munitions that were meant to go off but didnt go off, Farmer said. Or if there was a cleanup, if there was an accident, the munitions were damaged. Although drafted during the Vietnam War era, Farmer never deployed to Southeast Asia. Instead, he was sent to places like Egypt To help clean up Suez Canal from unexploded ordinances after the Egyptians and Israelis fought in the seven-year war, Farmer shared. So that was actually in 1974. And then to the Mediterranean. For seven months on U.S.S. Seattle and we were there strictly for explosive safety, Farmer said. And after that, I was stationed in Sigonella, Sicily for two and a half years and again providing explosive safety services to the base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Italy, Farmer went back to Maryland to teach and then deployed to Desert Storm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was in Kuwait City after we took the city back from the Iraqis and in the Persian Gulf, Farmer told 7NEWS. I mean, there was there were probably a couple of thousand mines that the Iraqis had put in the Persian Gulf. From then on, Farmer went to Charleston to work at the weapons station because Charleston didnt have a bomb squad there. And finally, after that, he retired. I was on active duty for the 26 years and then I spent about 20 more years working as a contractor, said Farmer. Farmer shared his greatest achievement while serving his country was keeping his men safe as a Chief Warrant Officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the time I went to Desert Storm, I was an Officer in Charge, Farmer began to explain. So being able to take seven guys into a combat zone and bring them all back was important. In his retirement, Farmer said its still about giving back through organizations like Vets Helping Vets Spartanburg. Ive got kind of a soft spot for helping some of those guys that didnt come out of it as well as I did, he said. An organization Farmer said hes excited to support and see grow. Terry Farmer, Thank You for Your Service. To nominate a veteran like Terry Farmer to be featured in our Thank You for Your Service series, click here. 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 WSPA 7NEWS. Many families opt to fry their turkeys for Thanksgiving, which can produce a delicious albeit dangerous final product. One Connecticut family learned the hard way just how important it is to be safe in these situations. According to USA Today, a family in Weston, Connecticut is lucky to be alive after their $4 million mansion burned down after a fire broke out on the property. Authorities say a turkey fryer caught fire in their garage on Thanksgiving Day. Firefighters responded to the scene at 3:42 p.m. local time. Approximately 40 people were at the home for Thanksgiving when the fire broke out. At first crews had trouble fighting the blaze, as the fire that started in the garage was quickly spreading to the rest of the house. The crew also experienced some setbacks while trying to put it out. Miraculously, however, no injuries were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Firefighters attempted an aggressive fire attack; however, their efforts were thwarted by dangerous fire conditions and structural collapse," the Weston Volunteer Fire Department said in a statement. "In addition, a vehicle drove over the water supply hose on Weston Road, damaging the line, which completely stopped the flow of water for several minutes." It wasn't an easy job by any means; crews spent more than 16 hours trying to put the fire out. The house is a total loss and uninhabitable following the blaze. According to Zillow, the 11-bedroom, 9.5-bath house was worth just over $4 million and last sold for $2,350,000 in 1999. Related: How to Make Sure Your Deep-Fried Turkey Doesn't Explode If you plan on frying a turkey, make sure you follow all safety protocols before, during, and after preparation. This means thawing your turkey completely before it goes near any oil, setting up your frier outside and away from your house, ensuring the container doesn't boil over throughout the process, and keeping a fire extinguisher nearby just in case. Plus, just keeping an eye on the bird to make sure your meal doesn't end up burned. Dec. 3The Clearwater Memorial Bridge will be fully open to traffic starting Wednesday. The bridge on U.S. Highway 12 is now complete and ready for vehicle and pedestrian traffic. "We're really excited and just in time for holiday traffic," said Mark Pfeifer, spokesperson for the Idaho Transportation Department in Lewiston. Pfeifer said the project will help improve safety for the public on the bridge, which was built in 1951. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Travelers can use wider travel lanes, shoulders, median and sidewalks. The bridge was also updated to current standards, which means there are no longer reduced weight restrictions for heavy loads, according to a news release from Idaho Transportation Department. Daily headlines, straight to your inboxRead it online first and stay up-to-date, delivered daily at 7 AM The final part of the new bridge will be a deck seal and additional light construction that is scheduled for early summer 2025. Construction began in 2023 for an estimated cost of $38.3 million that was federally funded. Contractors for the project were Wadsworth Brothers Construction Co., of Draper, Utah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Construction began on the east side of the bridge, leaving the west side operational for traffic. In June, traffic switched to the finished east side of the bridge to allow for constriction on the west side, according to the Idaho Transportation Department website. The new bridge will have the same number of lanes but will boast wider shoulders and sidewalks as well as a painted median. The lanes will increase from 62 feet to more than 79 feet for traffic. Brewster may be contacted at kbrewster@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2297. Dec. 3The Clearwater Memorial Bridge will be fully open to traffic starting Wednesday. The bridge on U.S. Highway 12 is now complete and ready for vehicle and pedestrian traffic. "We're really excited and just in time for holiday traffic," said Mark Pfeifer, spokesperson for the Idaho Transportation Department in Lewiston. Pfeifer said the project will help improve safety for the public on the bridge, which was built in 1951. Travelers can use wider travel lanes, shoulders, median and sidewalks. The bridge was also updated to current standards, which means there are no longer reduced weight restrictions for heavy loads, according to a news release from Idaho Transportation Department. A check-stealing thief who targeted a defense lawyer got 21 months behind bars Tuesday after a Brooklyn judge said she didnt buy the crooks statement he only recently realized he didnt commit a victimless crime. Im not sure why you learned this now, Brooklyn Judge Ann Donnelly said before sentencing 29-year-old Markel Washington. You stole this persons life, her identity. Everything that makes her a person, you took. The toll that this crime takes on people, I dont know how much attention it gets. Washington, of the Bronx, was one of eight defendants indicted in Brooklyn in check-stealing schemes that targeted U.S. Treasury checks sent out to Criminal Justice Act panel lawyers lawyers appointed by the federal court to represent indigent defendants. His lawyer, Elena Fast, was a CJA panel appointment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He pleaded guilty to bank fraud earlier this year, and admitted to his role in trying to steal a defense attorneys $125,386.81 check last year. Up until this past March, checks to CJA lawyers were required by law to be sent out through snail mail and the envelopes they arrive in make them easy pickings for sophisticated thieves like Washington and his accomplices. Congress changed the language of that law to allow for direct deposits. Washington went on the dark web to buy the victims personal identifying info, then worked up fake IDs so an accomplice, Ada Tavarez, could pose as the lawyer. These materials appeared so legitimate that even the bank believed they were real, Assistant U.S. Attorney James Simmons said Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the bank cancelled payment on the check before Washington and company could make off with the money, it still took roughly six months for the victim to finally get her check. Hes already served 10 months of his sentence in MDC Brooklyn awaiting trial, and his lawyer was hoping for a sentence of a year and a day. Washington apologized to the victim and his family, telling Donnelly, I regret what I did, and I feel terrible and extremely sorry for the amount of trouble that I caused. The victim, along with a CJA defense lawyer targeted in a different theft, wrote letters to Donnelly asking to sentence Washington to a prison term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donnelly called the work of CJA lawyers a demanding job. It is underpaid and very under-appreciated, she said. Our system cannot function without lawyers who are willing to do the work of representing indigent defendants who are convicted of a crime. In addition to 21 months the high end of the sentencing range recommended by federal guidelines Donnelly also ordered Washington perform 100 hours of community service. Several lawyers who are appointed to indigent federal defendants through the CJA Panel have told the Daily News that many of their checks had also gone missing or been stolen in recent years. Still, one CJA panel lawyer, Zachary Margulis-Ohnuma, bristled at the idea that his fellow defense attorneys would press for prison time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im a little disappointed in my brethren, he said. I happen to think that prison doesnt fix almost anything There has to be better societal fixes than the prison system. Margulis-Ohnuma said a $72,000 Treasury check written out to him was cashed by a thief, and the feds havent made an arrest in the case. My take on it is that the hard work has to be done in the investigative stage, and that long prison sentences are not going to deter anybody, he said. Instead of spending all that money on prisons, we should be spending it on making sure that before cashing checks in the five figures, the person knows whom theyre giving the money to. Thieves in northern England recently stole 2,500 pies worth 25,000 pounds, or $31,600, per CNN from Michelin-starred chef Tommy Banks. As Banks revealed in an Instagram video on Monday, the pies were loaded up in a van, waiting to be delivered to York Christmas Market. Thats when the van was stolen. Out there somewhere is our van and nearly a ton of pies with my name written all over them, somewhere in the north of England, Banks said in the video Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What I cant get my head around though is, that these guys probably stole the van ... but they probably didnt bargain for the nearly ton of pies in the back of it, he continued. And its really sad, because thats a lot of meat and a lot of flour and eggs, and a lot of work. Like, so much work. Banks is a Michelin-starred chef and owner of The Black Swan in Olstead, a Michelin-star pub, and multiple other food businesses in England, according to CNN. In his video, Banks appealed to the thieves directly, saying, I know the pies are gone. ... I know Im probably not getting them back. He then asked the thieves to drop them off to a community center so somebody who needs them could eat them. I know youre a criminal, but maybe do something nice because its Christmas, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Banks released his public plea, the pies have been found, according to BBC. The police found the van abandoned with false license plates. According to BBC, the police have officially launched a formal investigation. Banks said he didnt know if the pies were still in the back of the van. Its horrible being robbed ... but I think the thing that I find really galling is that theres just so much waste, Banks said in an interview with BBC Radio. All that food. Chef Tommy Banks told his followers that the thieves probably just wanted the van, asking them to donate the pies so someone who needs them could eat them" Getty A stock image of pies A stock image of pies A Michelin-starred chef is urging thieves to get into the Christmas spirit. British restaurateur Tommy Banks took to Instagram on Monday, Dec. 2, after criminals stole a van full of 2,500 pies worth over $30,000. Weve been robbed, Banks stated, explaining that a truckload of savory pies destined for a holiday market was stolen the night prior. Nearly a ton of pies with my name written all over them is somewhere in the north of England. Banks, the chef-owner of several restaurants in York, England, noted that "it's horrible being robbed," but digressed that the thieves were likely just looking to steal the van and they probably didn't bargain for the nearly ton of pies that is in the back of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Banks explained that the theft is upsetting for several reasons, none of which is the money: Its kind of sad because thats a lot of meat and a lot of flour and eggs and a lot of work. The video message was meant to update his followers and hopefully reach the criminals. He said, They probably will watch this video because theyre driving around with boxes of pies with my name written all over it so they might think Who the hell is this guy who makes these pies? Related: Family's Thanksgiving Dinner Canceled After Son Was Unable to Find the 1 Ingredient His Mother Requested Banks then spoke directly to the robbers, saying that he knows he wont get the van or the pies back but that they cant do anything with these pies because they have his name written on them. With that in mind, he pleaded that they drop them off at a community center so someone who needs them could eat them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know you are a criminal, but maybe just do something nice because its Christmas and we can feed a few thousand people with these pies that youve stolen. Do the right thing, he added. On Tuesday, Dec. 3 morning, Banks posted an update on his Instagram Stories stating that local police think they found the missing van. The van has fake license plates on it, but thats all the information they could give us at the moment," he shared, adding, The health of the pies and their whereabouts are still unknown." At least one in three people in Afghanistan will face severe food insecurity this winter as the war-battered nation faces crisis or emergency levels of hunger, aid agencies have warned. Children in particular will suffer dire survival conditions over the next three months, according to a forecast by the World Food Programme (WFP) and Save the Children. Winter is when hunger bites hardest in Afghanistan and WFP expects nearly 15 million people or nearly a third of the population of Afghanistan to be in need of food assistance for survival, Philippe Kropf, the agencys spokesperson, told The Independent over the phone from Afghanistan. Next year, an additional 570,000 children are expected to become malnourished as compared to this year. We expect a total of 3.45 million children to be malnourished in 2025. Afghan men with burqa-clad women ride on donkeys along a street in the Fayzabad district of Badakhshan province on 1 December 2024 (AFP via Getty Images) According to another assessment by Save the Children, more than half of Afghanistans population, about 24 million people, will be in dire need of humanitarian assistance, like cash and food supplies, to avoid slipping into poverty and food insecurity in the coming months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As winter arrives and temperatures drop, families in some parts of Afghanistan are having to make agonising choices about what to prioritise food, heating or warm clothes for the children, the nonprofits country director in Afghanistan, Arshad Malik, said. One family said that they are worried about how they are going to survive the winter and make sure their children even have just bread to eat. Afghan children are reeling from the devastation caused by drought, floods, displacement, and high food prices. Nearly 6.5 million children, or 30 per cent, are facing crisis or emergency levels of hunger, Mr Malik said. One child told us that he didnt have any warm clothes until they were provided by Save the Children and was having to share socks with his siblings, he told The Independent. A boy walks across a footbridge during the first snowfall in Dara district of Panjshir province, Afghanistan, on 2 December (AFP via Getty) Mr Kropf said the WFP will require $787m across all of its programmes over the next six months to ensure vulnerable families in Afghanistan do not succumb to starvation and poverty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly 16 million people across 171 districts are listed in the high priority category for winter support provided by humanitarian agencies. Around 43 per cent of Afghanistan is expected to be highly impacted by this winter, Save the Children said, while 56 per cent will be moderately affected and need assistance as well. In addition to causing food scarcity, the cold weather exacerbates health risks. Millions of Afghans face temperatures that could weaken immune systems and heighten susceptibility to respiratory infections, Mr Malik said. Afghan girls selling bread look for customers at a market in Fayzabad district of Badakhshan province on 26 November 2024 (AFP via Getty) As food prices tend to rise in winter, millions of Afghans, particularly children, will face shortage of nutritious food and, thereby, a higher risk of acute malnutrition, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The problem is compounded by the absence of a functional economy under the Taliban as well as by snow blocking roads, hindering the delivery of aid and cutting off many communities in the countrys remote areas. Afghans buy bread from a roadside bakery in Kabul (AFP via Getty) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For vulnerable Afghans to pull through this winter, the Asian country needs at least $1bn in aid, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The international community is yet to meet the needs of humanitarian funding, however, according to data from Save the Children. Although humanitarian aid has been a lifeline to Afghan communities, the humanitarian funding appeal for 2024 has received only 37.5 per cent of requested funds as of 27 November, leaving a funding gap of 62 per cent, Mr Malik said. The Taliban government has not publicly announced any measures to address the challenges of the winter season. COMPANY NEWS: NICE has announced that Australias Great Southern Bank has further expanded with CXone Mpower, the industrys ultimate artificial intelligence (AI) hyper platform, to achieve complete end-to-end automation and set a new standard for customer service efficiency in banking. One of Australias largest customer-owned banks, Great Southern Bank provides a wide range of financial services, including everyday accounts, credit cards, home loans, personal loans, and insurance. Guided by its mission to put customers first, the bank is using CXone Mpower to transition from traditional inbound service models to proactive, AI-powered customer engagement. With CXone Mpower, Great Southern Bank has enhanced customer interactions across multiple channels, including email and live chat, while unlocking powerful analytics and reporting capabilities. These innovations have driven good customer outcomes, such as a significant reduction in customer wait times. With the introduction of CXone Mpower AutoSummary, Great Southern Bank will reduce manual notetaking during after-call work. By implementing the full CXone Mpower suite, Great Southern Bank is able to design, build, and automate workflows, agents, and knowledge at unprecedented scale and precision. Naushad Ahmed, chief operating officer, Great Southern Bank, said, Great Southern Bank leveraged CXone Mpower platform to provide multiple channels for customers to reach the contact centre. There was an opportunity to rebuild the interactive voice response (IVR) with CXone Mpower to ensure that the most vulnerable customersincluding people that are under stress about losing their homes or savingsreach the specialists they need to speak with immediately or within seconds to prevent potential loss. With CXone, Great Southern Bank knows that over 80 per cent of customers consistently have their calls answered within 30 seconds, which is a significant reduction. The Optus implementation of CXone Mpower has established a stronger foundation for the banks continued innovation. As part of its ongoing digital customer experience upgrades, Great Southern Bank is rolling out advanced AI capabilities, focusing on enhancing customer sentiment analysis and leveraging automation to streamline operations. The Optus-supported expansion of CXone Mpower and the strength of the strategic partnership have delivered a strong foundation from which the bank can evolve its customer service operations through continuous improvement and innovation. Darren Rushworth,president, NICE International, said, CXone Mpower enables Great Southern Bank to deliver greater efficiencies and support to vulnerable customers in times of crisis, ensuring their calls are answered within seconds. As the organisation continues to evolve, NICEs next-gen technology will give Great Southern Bank the scalability, flexibility, and AI capabilities it needs to align with changing customer preferences and access to banking services in a manner that suits them best. Ben Vella, vice president, enterprise and mid-market,Optus, said, Our partnership with Great Southern Bank and NICE is about more than just technology, its about delivering a meaningful experience for both customers and employees. By implementing NICE CXone, weve been able to dramatically reduce wait times, streamline interactions, and provide Great Southern Bank customers with the immediate support they deserve. About Great Southern Bank Great Southern Bank is one of Australias largest customer-owned banks, supports customers nationwide. Through a series of mergers with like-minded credit unions and community groups, the company created the powerful force that is Great Southern Bank today. This growth and success lets GSB reinvest in business, deepen relationships with customers, champion great causes, and build stronger communities. For more information visit https://www.greatsouthernbank.com.au/ About Optus For more than 30 years Optus has helped organisations of all sizes to transform their customer and employee experiences. Trusted by Australia's largest enterprises and government departments, Optus helps businesses improve employee retention and engagement, boost customer satisfaction and drive operational efficiency. With Optus as your partner, you can expect technology solutions curated to meet your business challenges, backed by unique mobile-led capabilities, a secure managed network and a best-in-class partner ecosystem. It starts with yes. Find out more at optus.com.au/enterprise About NICE With NICE (Nasdaq: NICE), its never been easier for organisations of all sizes around the globe to create extraordinary customer experiences while meeting key business metrics. Featuring the worlds #1 cloud native customer experience platform, CXone, NICE is a worldwide leader in AI-powered self-service and agent-assisted CX software for the contact centre and beyond. Over 25,000 organisations in more than 150 countries, including over 85 of the Fortune 100 companies, partner with NICE to transform - and elevate - every customer interaction. www.nice.com BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Three adults have been arrested after Bay County Sheriffs Office deputies discovered two minor children locked in a bug-infested room with no heating or bathroom facilities. On December 1, BCSO responded to 8529 Terrell St. Lot B to find a 4 and 5-year-old yelling out of a broken window, begging for help. Officials said when they arrived and asked if the boys were okay, he responded saying he needed to use the restroom and his bedroom door was locked. Deputies said the room had a strong odor of urine and feces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 7-hour standoff in Walton County ends peacefully According to BCSO, there was only one piece of furniture in the room, a broken window covered only with a piece of wood, and cockroaches crawling on the floors and walls. A Child Protective Team interview was conducted and the children said they were only let out of the room to use the restroom. The oldest child stated he was freezing and their parents would not allow a heater in the room, the house also did not have heating. During an interview with the parents, they said the kids were locked in the bedroom until they awake and let them out. Authorities also interviewed the paternal grandfather who lives in the bedroom next to the boys, he was aware of the living conditions and that the children were repeatedly locked in their bedroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kathy M. Merrill, 27, and John W. Merrill, 31, were arrested and charged with two counts of child neglect. Michael L. Beaubien, 73, was charged with failure to report child neglect. 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. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Three people have been taken into custody following an armed robbery in Oklahoma City, according to police. Officials say officers responded to the Omni Hotels parking garage around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 26. Upon arrival, they learned that two men wearing dark clothing robbed someone at gunpoint, stealing their car. LOCAL NEWS: Former Edmond restaurant employee accused of threatening to blow it up Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspects later crashed the stolen vehicle into a fence near SE 81st Ter. and Sooner Rd. before running away. According to police, one suspect was taken into custody while in the area and the other was taken into custody at his house. A third person was also taken into custody for harboring a fugitive. No more information is 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Three mountain climbers from the U.S. and Canada are missing after they failed to return from a planned ascent of New Zealand's highest peak, Aoraki, authorities said Tuesday. The Americans Kurt Blair, 56, from Colorado and Carlos Romero, 50, of California are certified alpine guides, according to the website of the American Mountain Guides Association. A statement by New Zealand's police did not name the Canadian climber, citing the need to notify his family. The men flew to a hut partway up the mountain on Saturday to begin their ascent and were reported missing on Monday when they did not arrive to meet their prearranged transport after the climb. Searchers hours later found several climbing-related items believed to belong to the men, but no sign of them, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Search efforts did not resume Tuesday due to deteriorating weather conditions on Aoraki, also known as Mount Cook, with heavy rain and snow forecast. Operations were unlikely to begin again until conditions improved, expected to be on Thursday. Aoraki is 3,724 meters (12,218 feet) high and is part of the Southern Alps, the scenic and icy mountain range that runs the length of New Zealand's South Island. A settlement of the same name at its base is a destination for domestic and foreign tourists. The peak is popular among experienced climbers. Its terrain is technically difficult due to crevasses, avalanche risk, changeable weather and glacier movement. More than 240 deaths have been recorded on the mountain and in the surrounding national park since the start of the 20th century. Exterior of the Richard Sheppard Arnold Federal Courthouse in downtown Little Rock. (John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate) A three-judge panel took no action Monday after listening to about two hours of arguments in a federal lawsuit that challenges Arkansas U.S. House congressional district map. David Stras, a U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit judge, and U.S. District Judges D.P. Marshall Jr. and James Moody Jr. told attorneys who primarily rehashed arguments they submitted in court filings that they would rule on the states motion for summary judgment in due time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit was filed in May 2023 by the Legal Defense Fund, OMelveny & Myers LLP, and longtime Arkansas civil rights attorney, Arkie Byrd, on behalf of plaintiffs who allege the General Assembly considered racial data when determining district lines and unconstitutionally cracked the Black community in southeast Pulaski County into three separate congressional districts. It is one of four cases that has challenged Arkansas 2021 redistricting process and is the only one that hasnt been dismissed. It focuses solely on the states 2nd congressional district in Central Arkansas. Two cases challenging the States congressional districts have already been dismissed, Attorney General Tim Griffin said in a statement Monday. Our congressional districts are constitutional, and I will vigorously defend the State in this remaining case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October, the states attorneys submitted a motion for summary judgment in favor of the state. Deputy Solicitor General Dylan Jacobs said Monday there is no smoking gun evidence and maintained that the Legislature acted with no racial motive when they drew the 2021 congressional district map. Jacobs said there was no gerrymandering. Though the 2021 map was the first time Pulaski County had been divided, Jacobs named core retention as the predominant motive. Jacobs also said that a specific predominant motive didnt matter when ruling on summary judgment, so long as there is a non-racial motive. John Cusick, assistant counsel with the Legal Defense Fund, talks with reporters outside of the federal courthouse in Little Rock on Dec. 2, 2024. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) John Cusick, assistant counsel with the Legal Defense Fund, presented the plaintiffs arguments in the courtroom on Monday. Parallel to what has been filed in court briefings, Cusick argued the Legislature wrongfully considered race during the redistricting process. By dividing Pulaski County in an unprecedented three-way split, Cusick argued, the political power of Black voters was diminished. Cusick said legislators did not have access to political data during the redistricting process, only racial data. Pulaski County has a large population of Black residents 38% of its total 400,000 residents, according to the U.S. Census. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were optimistic that this case will go to trial, Cusick told reporters after the court went into recess. The Arkansas Legislature needs to have a constitutionally compliant map. That map is not here because race was used in an impermissible way, and our clients and the groups that we represent here are looking for a fair process that achieves that, that doesnt decrease their electoral opportunity, that does not use race in an impermissible way when sorting voters in and out of a district. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Plaintiffs include the Christian Ministerial Alliance a pastoral organization based in Little Rock and four Pulaski County voters. Cusick said some plaintiffs were present in the courtroom on Monday. A 10-day maximum trial has been scheduled for March if the court finds the case should proceed. Proposed changes to redistricting process In an attempt to shift the redistricting process out of politicians hands, Sen. Bryan King, R-Green Forest, filed a proposed constitutional amendment via a joint resolution on Nov. 20 for the upcoming session in January. Sen. Bryan King, R-Green Forest (Arkansas Legislature) SJR2 would create the Arkansas Apportionment Commission, which would be responsible for redistricting the states House, Senate and U.S. House district maps after the federal decennial census. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under current state law, the General Assembly redraws the states congressional districts while the Board of Apportionment redraws state boundaries for the Arkansas House of Representatives and Senate. Ive seen it where legislators just go down there and sell their souls to get a district drawn for them, King said. It gives them too much power over them. It also gives them too much power to do things like gerrymander or try to beat people that they dont like. It could be Republicans on Republicans or Democrats on Democrats. Its not always about whatever power is in control trying to fork the minority party. Under the proposed joint resolution, members of the Board of Apportionment the governor, secretary of state and attorney general would each appoint three members to the commission. The proposal also details skills the members should have: at least one must be educated in mathematics, at least one must be a licensed Arkansas attorney and at least one must be competent in the field of computer-assisted cartography. Commission members also must be a registered voter, but cannot be a registered lobbyist or in a variety of political roles like an elected official or a political campaign committee employee. Being a relative to someone in a political role would also make a person ineligible to serve on the commission, the resolution states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Terms would last 10 years. King attempted to create a similar commission through a proposed constitutional amendment in 2013, but the legislation died upon adjournment of the legislative session. For the upcoming session that begins Jan. 13, King said hes also working on another proposal that would require all communications to the Board of Apportionment to be written or electronic. As a way to increase transparency, King said the proposal would also make those communications available as a public record through the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. If you cant draw the lines fairly to begin with, and everything cant be above board how do you expect anything to be right afterwards? King said. Gerrymandering an election is nothing more than trying to rig [an] election. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX LITTLE ROCK, Ark. A federal three-judge panel in Little Rock heard arguments of whether to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the way Arkansas new 2021 congressional districts were made. On Monday, two sides argued at the federal courthouse to a three-judge panel over a lawsuit challenging the 2021 congressional district map redrawn by the Arkansas Legislature splitting Pulaski County from the states 2nd Congressional district into districts 1, 2 and 4. Arkansas redistricting lawsuit appeal filed with U.S. Supreme Court Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit was filed by the Legal Defense Fund and others with claims of intentional separation of black voters in the county. John Cusick, assistant counsel of Legal Defense Fund spoke before the judges on the matter and said why they believed the redistricting map discriminated against black voters in Pulaski County. It split the high concentration of black voters in cities, in school districts and judicial districts, Cusick said. Mondays hearing follows the Secretary of States office motion in October for a summary judgment, meaning the three-judge panel will decide whether they will dismiss the lawsuit without going to a full trial. Dylan Jacobs, representing the secretary of states office, said in court how there was no substantial evidence the general assembly was motivated by race and instead mentioned the motive could have been core retention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US Supreme Court sends Arkansas racial gerrymandering case back down to lower court Cusick said they would like to go to a full trial and would like a new congressional map made that is constitutional. Its important because it gives our clients a day in court, Cusick said. The map drawing process showed that race was used in an impermissible way and more than 20,000 black community members were sorted out of the district. Two cases challenging the states congressional districts have already been dismissed, Attorney General Tim Griffin said. Our congressional districts are constitutional, and I will vigorously defend the state in this remaining case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KARK 4 News reached out to the secretary of states office for further comment but was told since this is ongoing litigation, they would not have any comment. Judges dismiss lawsuit challenging new US House map in Arkansas Although the three-judge panel (David Stras, a U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit judge, and U.S. District Judges D.P. Marshall Jr. and James Moody Jr.) did not make their decision Monday after the hearing they did say they rule would come in due 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 KARK. Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) laid out an ambitious plan at the Senate Republican retreat Tuesday for Congress to move first next year on a budget reconciliation package that would be focused on border security and defense, and then act later in the year on a second reconciliation package to extend the expiring Trump-era tax cuts. Thune presented the plan at a half-day meeting of the Senate GOP conference at the Library of Congress, and President-elect Trump called in to urge Republican lawmakers to act swiftly and decisively on his agenda. While a top priority is extending the Trump tax cuts, which are due to expire at the end of next year, Thune is proposing Senate Republicans first act on a proposal to secure the border and raise defense spending, according to sources familiar with the conversation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to do multiple packages. Were not just going to do one reconciliation, said a Republican senator who participated in the meeting. The discussion right now, really, is do we do one on the border first, and do we come back and do the tax extensions and relief, because of the complexity of the tax [package]. The senator said the emerging consensus within the Republican conference is to get on the border right away by using a budget reconciliation package to provide funding for completing construction of Trumps border wall and to provide more funding for Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Republican senators say Thune has also floated the idea of converting discretionary defense spending into mandatory spending and passing it under the budget reconciliation process. That maneuver would protect an increase in defense funding from bipartisan negotiations over the top-line spending limits for the 12 annual appropriations bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats have traditionally demanded that increases in defense spending be matched by proportionate increases in nondefense social spending. By converting a chunk of defense spending into mandatory spending and passing it under the protection of the budget reconciliation process, Republicans would be able to keep the discretionary defense spending at a lower level without cutting into military readiness. Republicans are also looking at proposals to expand domestic energy protection to include in the first budgetary reconciliation package. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Senate Republicans would try to pass a border security package under budget reconciliation in the first 30 days of Trumps second term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well give it a whirl, he said of the accelerated timeline. I think we want to start out with getting that border secure. We want to help lower energy costs, we want to help the military. We want to hit the ground running, he added. Advancing legislation as part of a budget reconciliation package would allow Republicans to avoid a Democratic filibuster in the Senate. Budget reconciliation bills may be passed with a simple majority in the upper chamber, but the Byrd rule requires that the items included have a nontangential impact on spending, revenues and the deficit. 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. Daily Show host Jon Stewart on Monday called out President Joe Biden for pardoning son Hunter Biden despite repeatedly vowing not to do so out of respect for the rule of law. Hypocrisy isnt illegal. Nor is it particularly unusual in politics, he pointed out. The problem is the rest of the Democrats made Bidens pledge to not pardon Hunter the foundation of their defense of America, this great experiment. Stewart rolled footage of Democratic figures hailing Bidens promise not to pardon his son as proof that theyre the party that respects the rule of law unlike Republicans and President-elect Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, look at the dance Democrats have to do, he said and played clips of figures on the left awkwardly defending Bidens decision to pardon his son. Democrats, he said, called the Hunter Biden case a reason for Americans to have faith in a justice system that applies to everyone, only for it to backfire with the pardon. At every turn, Democrats keep getting caught creating a purity test for a system that they cant seem to pass themselves, Stewart said. Its not just the pardon. Stewart pointed to multiple other examples where Biden slammed Trump on an issue, only to be forced to backtrack later, including the mishandling of classified documents, relations with Saudi Arabia, and the treatment of asylum-seekers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He played clips of Biden attempting to take the high moral ground over Trump on those issues, followed by clips of Biden reversing course. Stewart concluded: Rules, loopholes and norms: The distance between the systems Democrats say they are revering and the one that theyre using when they need to is why people think its rigged. Use the rules. Use the loopholes. Fuck the norms. But also use it to help the people, not just those people related to you. All of us are somebodys son or somebodys daughter and we all need that break, too. See more in his Monday night monologue: Related... RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The very close election for a North Carolina Supreme Court seat heads next to a hand recount even as election officials announced a machine recount of over 5.5 million ballots resulted in no margin change between the candidates. The statewide machine recount in which ballots were run again through tabulators that wrapped up this week showed Democratic Associate Justice Allison Riggs with a 734-vote lead over Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin, who is a Court of Appeals judge. Most county election boards reported minor vote changes from the machine recount requested by Griffin. But State Board of Elections data showed the post-recount lead exactly the same as what Riggs held after all 100 counties fully completed their ballot canvass in November. Griffin led Riggs by about 10,000 votes on election night, but that lead dwindled and flipped to Riggs as tens of thousands of qualifying provisional and absentee ballots were added to the totals through the canvass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Griffin, who already has pending election protests challenging the validity of more than 60,000 ballots counted statewide, has asked for a partial hand-to-eye recount, which county boards will start Wednesday or Thursday. The partial hand recount applies to ballots in 3% of the voting sites in all 100 counties, chosen at random Tuesday by the state board. Once the partial recount is complete, a statewide hand recount would be ordered if the sample results differ enough from the machine recount that the result would be reversed if the difference were extrapolated to all ballots. Riggs, who was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2023 and now seeks an eight-year term, again claimed victory Tuesday. In a campaign news release, spokesperson Embry Owen said Griffin needs to immediately concede losing candidates must respect the will of voters and not needlessly waste state resources. Riggs is one of two Democrats on the seven-member court. Through attorneys, Griffin has challenged ballots that he says may not qualify for several reasons and cast doubt on the election result. Among them: voter registration records of some voters casting ballots lack driver's license or partial Social Security numbers, and overseas voters never living in North Carolina may run afoul of state residency requirements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State and county boards are considering the protests. Griffin's attorneys on Monday asked the state board to accelerate the matters before it and make a final ruling early next week. "Our priority remains ensuring that every legal vote is counted and that the public can trust the integrity of this election, state Republican Party spokesperson Matt Mercer said in a news release. Final rulings by the state board can be appealed to state court. Joining Griffin in protests are three Republican legislative candidates who still trailed narrowly in their respective races after the machine recounts. The Supreme Court race and two of these three legislative races have not been called by The Associated Press. The key pending legislative race is for a House seat covering Granville County and parts of Vance County. Republican Rep. Frank Sossamon trails Democratic challenger Bryan Cohn by 228 votes, down from 233 votes before the recount. Sossamon also asked for a partial hard recount in his race, which was to begin Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Should Cohn win, Republicans will fall one seat short of the 72 needed in the 120-member House to retain its veto-proof majority giving more leverage to Democratic Gov.-elect Josh Stein in 2025. Senate Republicans already have won 30 of the 50 seats needed to retain its supermajority in their chamber. The AP on Tuesday did call another legislative race not subject to a protest, as Mecklenburg County GOP Rep. Tricia Cotham won her reelection bid over Democrat Nicole Sidman. A machine recount showed Cotham ahead of Sidman by 213 votes, compared to 216 after the county canvass. Cothams switch from the Democrats to the Republicans in April 2023 secured the Republicans' 72-seat veto-proof majority so that Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers vetoes could be overridden by relying solely on GOP lawmakers. Cotham had already claimed victory weeks ago. Sidman said Tuesday in a written statement: "After a fair vote and a recount following established procedure, I accept the result in my race. In the interest of respecting the will of North Carolina's voters, I urge all candidates to accept the results in their races as well. Dec. 2A former Tijeras prekindergarten teacher is accused of raping a then-5-year-old girl in 2023, according to a criminal complaint filed in Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court. Michael Kimball, 32, faces one charge of criminal sexual penetration of a child. He was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on Nov. 25. Second Judicial District Attorney's Office spokesperson Nancy Laflin said a judge ruled Monday Kimball would be released before trial, although that wouldn't happen until he could be fitted with a GPS monitor. She noted he must stay away from minors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New Mexico Early Learning Academy said in a statement it has fully cooperated with the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office and placed Kimball on suspension from his position at its Tijeras campus upon learning of the allegations against him. "The safety and well-being of the children in our care is our highest priority at NMELA. ... He is no longer employed by our school and has not been on campus since the investigation began," the academy said. Kimball's attorneys could not be reached for comment Monday. The charge stems from a 2023 incident in which Kimball is accused of inappropriately touching the girl's genitals in the school library, according to the complaint. The girl told a forensic investigator she told Kimball "no" during the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The girl's mother told a detective with the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office her daughter stopped wanting to go to school after the incident, and she was having trouble making friends, according to the complaint. The girl eventually stopped going to the school. Kimball denied touching the girl inappropriately or having any one-on-one interactions with any students, the complaint states. He told a detective he was the subject of a New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department investigation years before at a previous job in Albuquerque, but that he was cleared. Police said the girl's ability to make consistent statements over several weeks lends credibility to her account. "It is difficult for children as young as five years old to make a consistent statement over time that is untruthful," police said in the complaint. Esteban Candelaria is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms. He covers child welfare and the state Children, Youth and Families Department. Learn more about Report for America at reportforamerica.org. Instarem, part of Nium, Southeast Asias payments unicorn, launched its 2024 SME Spend Barometer today revealing insights into the spending behaviours of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore, Australia and Malaysia. Based on data from a sample of 700 SMEs and several qualitative interviews with customers, Instarems inaugural SME Spend Barometer report analysed spending patterns from January 2023 to August 2024, highlighting how SMEs are strategically investing in technology, infrastructure, and talent to adapt to an evolving economic landscape. A measured approach to expansion Driven by Malaysia and Australia, export payments increased 6%, indicating a cautious yet optimistic approach to global expansion. In contrast, Singapore experienced a 27% year-on-year decline in export payments - a sign that local businesses may be shifting focus towards domestic priorities against rising costs and economic pressures. Yogesh Sangle, Global Head of Instarem, said:Instarem has supported thousands of businesses in their growth journeys over the years. Expanding overseas allows SMEs to tap into broader customer bases and unlock market opportunities to achieve scale and growth. While a degree of caution is understandable in todays climate, we anticipate that SMEs will continue to identify and seize opportunities that align with their goals." Embracing AI and automation Digital transformation and AI adoption are accelerating across APAC as reflected in a 29% increase in spending on information services compared to the same period in 2023. Malaysia and Australia are leading the charge in IT investments, with sectors like F&B (+120%), IT and software services (+66%), and business consultancy (+59%) registering the biggest gains. Many SMEs interviewed for the report are turning to digital tools, AI, and automation to address rising costs and improve efficiency. They are adopting workflow automation, AI-driven fraud detection, and advanced data analytics, among other solutions to streamline operations, minimise manual work, and optimise resources. However, not every industry is embracing tech at the same rate, with financial services and business services cutting their information services spending by 42% and 4%, respectively. Return to work gathers pace After years of hybrid or remote work, SME employers across all three markets are reinvesting in physical infrastructure as seen in the 16% growth in office expenses. Sectors like retail and wholesale, as well as business services, have seen office expenses rise by nearly 150% and 70%, respectively, suggesting a shift in how businesses are positioning themselves for long-term growth. This increased demand in commercial real estate also explains the more than doubling of transaction volumes in real estate and leasing (+107%) from 2023 to 2024. Once again, these are not universal patterns, with some sectors such as industrial manufacturing and construction (-48%), online retail (-44%) and telecommunications (-28%) bucking the trend in favour of a more cautious approach driven by specific market needs. Employee demand for in-office collaboration has driven our decision to invest in physical office spaces in the Philippines and Vietnam. Balancing these investments with our offshoring model allows us to better manage costs while fostering greater collaboration and innovation, said George Votava, Group Managing Director at Net Fusion Technology. Balancing talent and growth Despite broader economic pressures, SMEs arent scaling back on talent investments, with salary payments up 7%. In Singapore, salary investments stayed flat, with some sectors, including media and marketing (+13%) and business services (+3%) even increasing their spending on third-parties (external advisors) to drive growth. This reflects a strategic shift towards bringing in more expertise without significantly expanding internal teams. In Australia, salary payments among SMEs rose modestly (+3%), in line with the countrys Wage Price Index and the National Minimum Wage increase of 3.75%, suggesting that businesses are prioritising competitive pay and retaining critical talent while carefully managing costs. Whats ahead These findings show that SMEs are focusing on high-impact investments like digital transformation while adopting measured strategies in other areas. However, challenges such as fluctuating exchange rates and high processing fees continue to pressure resources. Managing costs is a top priority for SMEs, particularly in critical areas like talent and expansion, said Sangle. Thinking strategically about payments can not only help to reduce high cross border fees and improve cash flow it can free up crucial resources for growth and set SMEs up for long-term success. For more insights, download Instarems 2024 SME Spend Barometer Report here. Influencer Marlena Velez, who was previously accused of posting a TikTok haul of stolen Target items, has been arrested for allegedly shoplifting at the same Target weeks later. The 22-year-old TikToker, who has more than 414,000 followers on her now-private account, was arrested by the Cape Coral Police Department on Saturday (November 30), receiving a misdemeanor charge on allegations of petty theft. Police responded to a complaint from Targets loss prevention staff at the retail location in Cape Coral, about two hours south of Tampa. Velez, described as a known repeat female suspect, had allegedly scanned a false barcode at the Targets self-checkout instead of the real barcodes on the merchandise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was accused of stealing 16 household goods and clothing from Target, worth a total value of $225. Officers recognized Marlena Velez from a prior arrest and were able to positively identify her, the Cape Coral Police Department said on Facebook. According to the Lee County Sheriffs Office, Velez was booked on Saturday afternoon and posted a $500 bond for her release the following day. Last month, Velez was once again charged with petty theft after allegedly stealing more than $500 worth of items from the same Target store. She was reportedly caught on security camera at the self-checkout register also scanning a fake barcode that listed lower prices for the items in her cart. Marlena Velez amassed more than 414,000 followers on her TikTok (Cape Coral Police Department/Facebook) Cape Coral police had posted a picture of Velez on the departments social media account in hopes the public could identify her. According to the Fort Myers News-Press, an anonymous caller identified Velez and provided her Instagram account, which led police to her TikTok. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There, she had allegedly documented herself getting ready on October 30, wearing the same outfit she was seen wearing on Targets security footage. The since-deleted TikTok video also showed her picking out items inside the Target and placing them in her car afterward. Marlena Velez was arrested one month prior after allegedly posting TikTok haul of stolen Target items (Cape Coral Police Department/Facebook) The Lee County Sheriffs Office listed December 10 as the same court date scheduled for her last arrest. In Florida, a charge of petty theft could result in a maximum of 60 days behind bars. If Velez is charged and convicted for both cases, she could face a maximum sentence of one year in jail. Velez gained thousands of followers on TikTok from posting about her life as a mother to two children. She was previously arrested in 2019 at age 17 on grand theft auto charges for stealing her friends car and crashing it, according to the Express Tribune. Velez was also arrested in July 2023 for shoplifting at a Walmart in Cape Coral. Marlena Velez, a TikTok influencer who made headlines last month after flaunting merchandise that she had allegedly stolen from a Target location, has been arrested again for another alleged theft at the same store. Velez, 22, was taken into custody Saturday her second arrest in less than two weeks after making off with $225 worth of merchandise from the Target store in Cape Coral, Florida, police there said Monday. This followed her Nov. 21 arrest for stealing $500 worth of merchandise by scanning a false barcode at a self-checkout counter, which made her items appear cheaper, police said. Marlena Velez, 22, is seen during an alleged shoplifting incident on Oct. 30, which resulted in her arrest on Nov. 21. She was later arrested a second time for an alleged shoplifting incident that took place Nov. 20. Cape Coral Police Department Velez, who boasts around 420,000 followers on TikTok, did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her arrests followed police initially reaching out to the public for help identifying a shoplifter with an image from surveillance footage that they said was taken during Velezs first shoplifting spree, which was said to have occurred Oct. 30. She was quickly identified by someone who also flagged her presence on social media, with a TikTok page showcasing Velezs own footage of her going to the store on the day of the October theft, police said. Police said they found footage posted online by Velez that showed her going to Target on the October day when she stole various items. Mario Tama via Getty Images The video allegedly showed her selecting various items in the store that were not ultimately paid for. Police noted that she was wearing the same beige outfit and glasses that were seen in the stores surveillance footage. Everything was documented, even the outfit that she wore, Mercedes Phillips, a spokesperson for the department, said in a social media video that featured some alleged clips from Velezs TikTok page, which has since been made private. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wasnt until weeks after the first alleged theft that the incident was reported to police by the stores loss prevention officers. By the time Velez was taken into custody on Nov. 21, she had already carried out the second theft on Nov. 20, according to police. A police spokesperson declined to say in an email to HuffPost whether Velez is being investigated for any additional thefts at the store or elsewhere. Velez faces a total of two counts of petty theft for the two incidents. Online records show that she was released from a Lee County jail Sunday after posting $500 bond. Related... (Bloomberg) -- TikTok executives said the social media platform removed a network covertly campaigning for Calin Georgescu, whose shock victory in the Nov. 24 presidential election threw the country into the biggest political crisis since the fall of communism. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The platform identified two small clusters of accounts that were fueling support for two candidates in the first round of the Romanian presidential election, the executives told European lawmakers on Tuesday in Brussels. The accounts, which TikTok removed Friday, failed to disclose their affiliation in violation of the platforms rules forbidding political advertising, the executives said. They had been fanning support for Georgescu and another independent candidate, former NATO deputy chief Mircea Geoana. Its essential that we have an authentic experience on the platform we take it very seriously, Brie Pegum, TikToks head of product for authenticity and transparency, told the panel of lawmakers. Georgescu, who had languished in the single digits in pre-election polling, emerged from obscurity to win the first round and eliminated Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. Romanian security officials warned Georgescus formidable TikTok following was a sign of foreign meddling, pointing the finger at Moscow, and said it represented a risk to national security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pegum, who attended the hearing alongside TikToks director of government relations Caroline Greer, said the bigger of the two networks backed Georgescu and consisted of 78 accounts with a combined following of 1,781. That network operated from Romania and targeted a Romanian audience, according to TikTok. The one that backed Geoana included a dozen accounts. Romanias Constitutional Court validated the first round after it ordered a recount, clearing the way for a Dec. 8 runoff in which Georgescu will run against opposition leader Elena Lasconi. The prospect that Georgescu could become Romanias head of state has rattled European Union and NATO allies. The candidate has questioned the countrys membership in NATO and praised Russian President Vladimir Putin. He was ejected from Romanias biggest far-right party for celebrating the countrys World War II Nazi-allied leadership. The EU on Friday convened a meeting between Romanian communications watchdogs and social media companies, including TikTok, to discuss the safeguards each platform had in place ahead of the upcoming vote. The EU also sent TikTok a request for information about its handling of information manipulation under the blocs content moderation rulebook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Romanias Supreme Defense Council, which includes top government and intelligence officials, said that one candidate it didnt name Georgescu benefited from massive exposure and preferential treatment. The panel explicitly cited Russian influence operations seeking to shift public opinion as a factor. TikTok then responded that it was categorically false to claim that it treated Georgescus account differently from other candidates. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Ryan Kobayashi, center, holds a picture of his missing daughter Hannah Kobayashi outside Crypto.com Arena, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Los Angeles. - Credit: Damian Dovarganes/AP On Nov. 8, Hannah Kobayashi, a 30-year-old woman from Honolulu, Hawaii, landed at the Los Angeles International Airport. According to a now-private Facebook post from her sister Sydni Kobayashi, Hannah was scheduled to catch a connecting flight from LAX to New York City, where she planned to spend time with her aunt. She never got on the second flight. In the weeks since Nov. 11, when Hannah was last heard from her mother, family and friends have gone on an intense search around Los Angeles looking for the woman. And while social media speculation about Hannahs whereabouts and reasons for not contacting continue to grow, the mystery of the womans disappearance has captured national attention. Heres a complete timeline of what authorities have said about the Kobayashi case. Nov. 11 Hannah Is Declared Missing By Family On Nov. 8, Kobayashi was scheduled to take a connecting flight from LAX to New York. But security cameras at the airport captured images of the woman taking the metro to downtown Los Angeles, according to the Daily Beast. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She continued to send intermittent messages to family until Nov. 11, when she returned to LAX to retrieve her luggage, which had been rerouted to her scheduled New York connection. On Nov. 11, Kobayashis mother texted her to ask if shed made it to New York. She replied no. Friends and family members also told authorities that messages they received from Kobayashi didnt sound like her. Deep Hackers wiped my identity, stole all of my funds, & have had me on a mind fuck since Friday, she texted one friend. In another message, she said, I got tricked pretty much into giving away all my funds. From someone I thought I loved. Following her departure from LAX, Kobayashi reportedly sent at least two people money over Venmo and was spotted at a local mall. Family members flew to Los Angeles where they personally aided in the search for Kobayashi. Nov. 15 Search Intensifies Amid Social Media Speculation While authorities continued searching for Kobayashi, theories on social media began to balloon about her whereabouts and reasons for disappearing. Several true-crime sleuths alleged the possibility that she was trafficked or kidnapped, but the Los Angeles Police Department said there was no evidence of those theories. Nov. 24 The Kobayashi Family Experiences Another Loss In the midst of the search for Kobayashi, members of her family announced her father, Ryan Kobayashi, died from an apparent suicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kobayashi family endured a devastating tragedy today, a statement from RAD Movement, a nonprofit aiding the Kobayashi family, read. After tirelessly searching throughout Los Angeles for 13 days, Hannahs father, Ryan Kobayashi, tragically took his own life. This loss has compounded the familys suffering immeasurably. The LAPD shared a statement with Rolling Stone, confirming Ryans body was found on Sunday, November 24 near the Los Angeles International Airport. The LAPD has notified the Mayors crisis response team and is providing resources and support as needed, the statement continued. The Los Angeles Police Department sends its deepest sympathies for the family during this tragic time. Prior to his death, Ryan had been extremely vocal about the search for Hannah, traveling with her family to Los Angeles to search for her in person. Hannah loved to travel. She loved photography, art, music. I wasnt too close with her growing up. We hadnt had contact for a while, Ryan Kobayashi told CNN in November. Im just trying to make up. Im trying to get her back. Thats my main focus. He died of a broken heart, Kobayashis aunt Larie Pidgeon told People. Dec. 2 Hannah Crossed Mexico Border, LAPD Says On Dec 2, the Los Angeles Police Department officially reclassified Kobayashis case as a voluntary missing person saying surveillance showed the woman purchasing a ticket at the Greyhound bus terminal at Union Station. According to the LAPD, Kobayashi was seen entering Mexico later via the tunnel at the San Ysidro border crossing on Nov. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police believe Kobayashi did not take her phone with her to Mexico, but also say they do not believe she is the victim of any foul play. They are encouraging her to contact her family. We reviewed video surveillance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which clearly shows Kobayashi crossing the United States border on foot into Mexico. She was alone with her luggage and appeared unharmed, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said in a statement. She has a right to her privacy, and we respect her choices, but we also understand the concern loved ones feel for her. A simple message could reassure those she cares about. Dec. 3 Kobayashi Family Says Theyll Keep Searching Members of the Kobayashi family have thanked police and authorities for their work in investigating, but maintain theyll continue their work until Kobayashi comes back to them. Our family remains hopeful that Hannah is safe and urges everyone to continue the search. The search is far from over, and we are committed to doing everything possible to bring her home safely, the Kobayashi family said in a statement to NBC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want answers and a resolution that ensures Hannahs safety and urge law enforcement and the public to stay focused on finding her and to avoid speculative conclusions. Spreading awareness and sharing verified information about her case is crucial, and we deeply appreciate your continued support in these efforts. Dec. 11 Kobayashi Family Says Hannah Is Safe Kobayashis family announced Wednesday afternoon that she had been found safe and made contact with her family. No additional details were given about where Kobayashi currently is or the reasons behind her disappearance. We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe. This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family, and we kindly ask for privacy as we take the time to heal and process everything we have been through, the family said in a statement shared with Rolling Stone. We want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us during this difficult time. Your kindness and concern have meant the world to us. Dial 988 in the US to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The Trevor Project, which provides help and suicide-prevention resources for LGBTQ youth, is 1-866-488-7386. Find other international suicide helplines at Befrienders Worldwide (befrienders.org). Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. TIOGA COUNTY, Pa. (WETM) Over $430,000 in state funding has been awarded to school districts in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, in an effort to support school safety and mental health. On Monday, Dec. 2, Pennsylvania State Representative Clint Owlett announced that approximately $434,134 in state funding would be awarded to school districts in the county to increase the feeling of security and safety in area schools. These funds are being awarded to the schools through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and its School Safety and Security Committee. Guthrie Engage Food Drive returns for the holiday season Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For our students to succeed in school, they must feel safe and supported, Owlett said. These grants are an important tool in helping achieve that goal, and I am pleased to see this funding coming to our area schools. The taxpayer-funded School Safety and Mental Health grants will be awarded to the following area school districts to address physical security and behavioral health needs in the schools: Northern Tioga School District $137,012 Southern Tioga School $132,542 Wellsboro Area School District $126,580 In addition, New Covenant Academy, a private Christian school located in Mansfield, has been awarded a $38,000 grant to support programs to address school violence and improve school safety and security. These funds are being awarded through the Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools program. 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 WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. The Seminole County Sheriffs Office will unveil signage dedicated to three fallen deputies who were killed in the line of duty. On Tuesday, Sheriff Dennis Lemma will honor Deputy Sheriffs James Jacobs, Robert Moore, and George Pfeil for making the ultimate sacrifice. The deputies died in 1922, 1975, and 1977, respectively. READ: Seminole County Fire Department rescues horse stuck in pond The signage will be placed along stretches of several major Seminole County roads, including State Road 419, Highway 17-92, State Road 434, and County Road 427. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Florida Legislature approved these highway memorial dedications during the 2024 Legislative Session. Tuesdays ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. in Sanford and Channel 9 will have a crew on hand for the unveilings. READ: 1 firefighter, 1 person hurt in house fire in Downtown Orlando Watch Eyewitness News starting at noon for an update on this story. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Ryan Wettstein Nauman was sobbing one evening last December. After being put down for bed, the 3-year-old from Peoria, Illinois, kept crying, and nothing would calm her down. Her mother, Maggi Wettstein, feared it could be a yeast or urinary tract infection, something they had been dealing with during potty training. The urgent care centers near them were closed for the night, so around 10:30 p.m. she took Ryan to the emergency room at Carle Health. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - - - The medical procedure The ER wasnt busy when they arrived at 10:48 p.m., Wettstein recalled. Medical records indicate they checked in and she explained Ryans symptoms, including an intermittent fever. The toddler was triaged and given a nasal swab test to check for covid-19 and influenza A and B. Wettstein said they sat down and waited to be called. And they waited. As Wettstein watched Ryan in the waiting rooms play area, she noticed her daughter had stopped crying. In fact, she seemed fine. So Wettstein decided to drive them home. Ryan had preschool the next day, and she figured there was no point keeping her awake and getting stuck with a big ER bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no one at the check-in desk to inform that they were leaving, Wettstein said, so they just headed home to go to bed. Ryan went to her preschool the next day, and Wettstein said they didnt think about the ER trip for eight months. Then the bill came. - - - The final bill $445 for the combined covid and flu test - from an ER visit in which the patient never made it beyond the waiting room. The billing problem Even though Ryan and her mother left without seeing a doctor, the family ended up owing $298.15 after an insurance discount. At first, Wettstein said, she couldnt recall Ryan being tested at all. It wasnt until she received the bill and requested her daughters medical records that she learned the results. (Ryan tested negative for covid and both types of flu.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill seemed high to her considering Walgreens sells an at-home covid and flu combination test for $30 and can do higher-quality PCR testing for $145. Under the covid public health emergency declared in 2020, insurance companies were required to pay for coronavirus tests without co-payments or cost sharing for patients. That ended when the emergency declaration expired in May 2023. Now, it is often patients who foot the bill - and ER bills are notoriously high. Thats a pretty healthy markup the hospital is making on it, Loren Adler, associate director of the Brookings Institutions Center on Health Policy, told KFF Health News when contacted about Ryans case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rates the insurance companies negotiate with hospitals for procedures are often based on multipliers of what Medicare pays, Adler said. Medicare pays $142.63 for the joint test that Ryan received, but the family is on the hook for more than twice that amount, and the initial hospital charge was more than three times as much. The hospital is utilizing their market power to make as much money as possible, and the insurance companies are not all that good at pushing back, Adler said. Brittany Simon, a public relations manager for Carle Health, did not respond to specific questions but said in a statement, We follow policies that support the safety and wellbeing of our patients, which includes the initial triage of symptomatic patients to the Emergency Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The familys insurer, Cigna, did not have to pay for the tests because the family had not yet met their $3,000 yearly deductible. A Cigna representative did not respond to requests for comment. - - - The resolution Wettstein said she knew she could just pay the bill and be done with it, but the fact that I never saw a provider, and the fact that it was just for a covid test, is mind-blowing to me. She contacted the hospitals billing department to ask whether the bill was correct. She explained what happened and said the hospital representative was also surprised by the size of the bill and sent it for further review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dont pay this until you hear from me, Wettstein remembered being told. Soon, though, she received a letter from the hospital explaining that the charge was correct and supported by documentation. Wettstein thought she was avoiding any charges by taking Ryan home without being seen. Instead she got a bill that they have verified that I have to pay. - - - The takeaway ERs are among the most expensive options for care in the nations health system, and the charges can start piling up as soon as you check in - even if you check out before receiving care. If your issue isnt life-threatening, consider an urgent care facility, which is often cheaper (and look for posted notices to confirm whether its actually an urgent care clinic). The urgent care centers near Ryans home were closed that evening, but some facilities are open late or around-the-clock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Making the decision about where to go is tough, especially in a stressful situation - such as when the patient is too young to communicate whats wrong. If you decide to leave an ER without treatment, dont just walk out. Tell the triage nurse that youre leaving. You might get lucky and avoid some charges. Wettstein said she paid half of her emergency room bill while she held out hope she could convince the hospital to resolve the rest. Now shes resigned that is not going to happen. I guess I have to pay this, she said. - - - Bill of the Month is a crowdsourced investigation by KFF Health News and The Washington Posts Well+Being that dissects and explains medical bills. Since 2018, this series has helped many patients and readers get their medical bills reduced, and it has been cited in statehouses, at the U.S. Capitol and at the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related Content How Kristi Noem, Trumps homeland security pick, became an immigration zealot Hark! The Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce holiday TV movies are here! Notre Dame is a pipeline for Supreme Court clerks, magnet for justices COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Athanasios Tommy Pappas, the founder of a Columbus diner known as a staple in the Franklinton neighborhood, has died. Pappas, who opened Tommys Diner at 914 W. Broad St. more than 30 years ago alongside his wife Kathy, died peacefully on Monday with his family by his side, his son and current owner Michael Pappas announced on social media. His larger than life personality will be severely missed and will leave a massive void in our lives. He was a legend with an incredible story, the post said. Im honored to be his son and I look forward to continuing his legacy at the diner. Michael, Kathy and Tom Pappas of Tommys Diner in Franklinton. (NBC4 Photo/Aaron Burd) Michael, Kathy and Tom Pappas during the filming of Diners, Dive-ins and Dives. (Courtesy Photo/Tommys Diner) Michael, Kathy and Tom Pappas of Tommys Diner in Franklinton. (NBC4 Photo/Aaron Burd) Michael, Kathy and Tom Pappas during the filming of Diners, Dive-ins and Dives. (Courtesy Photo/Tommys Diner) The Franklinton spot boasts a menu of traditional diner fare, including breakfast items like waffles, pancakes, French toast and eggs, lunch selections like sandwiches and burgers, and dinner offerings like meatloaf, roast beef and chicken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tommys was featured earlier this year on Guy Fieris Food Network show Diners, Dive-ins and Dives. Michael told NBC4 at the time that what makes Tommys special goes beyond the food. Its all about community, right? My dads presence here every day for the longest time and remembering customers, you know, thats one of the most impressive things about him is he doesnt forget people, he said. I think his presence here, my presence here, and getting to know our customers and building relationships with people, I think thats really helped us. Michael said the thing he was most looking forward to about Tommys appearance on Food Network was the attention it brought to the food of Columbus. Honestly, what makes me the most proud is kind of being able to put Columbus in the national spotlight, Pappas said. I think Columbus has a very underrated food scene, and it doesnt get recognition nationally. Theres a lot of amazing chefs in the city, amazing restaurants. 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. Hunter Bidens pardon is quickly becoming something of a third rail in the earliest stages of the 2028 presidential primary, with few ambitious Democrats showing any desire to touch it. Many of the governors and senators who are vying to become the future of the Democratic Party are declining to weigh in on Joe Bidens last-minute, sweeping decision to grant clemency to his son after promising for months that he wouldnt use the power and instead would let the justice system do its work. Their silence, for now, means the nations leading Democrats are eschewing the opportunity to break with or to defend the unpopular president even after the partys shellacking in last months election. Though they're avoiding the topic for the time being, it will continue to loom as a pressure point and could come up at future presidential debates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Govs. Gavin Newsom of California, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Andy Beshear of Kentucky and JB Pritzker of Illinois declined to weigh in or did not respond to requests for comment on the pardon when asked by POLITICO. Neither did Sens. Raphael Warnock of Georgia, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota or Cory Booker of New Jersey. On the other hand, many of the candidates running for chair of the Democratic National Committee or considering it are either defending Biden or coming out in support of his pardon. The contenders need to appeal to party stalwarts, many of whom are Biden allies, in the weeks before the Feb. 1 election. Taken together, the mixed messages add up to a muddled response from Democrats still reeling from the news and they underscore that the party has no unified approach to confronting what is a highly fraught and personal issue. Biden said he decided this weekend to grant his sole living son clemency after he determined that the federal prosecution of him was infected by raw politics and was ultimately a miscarriage of justice. Hunter Biden has pleaded guilty to tax crimes and was convicted on gun charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White Houses announcement came shortly after Donald Trump said that he wants MAGA firebrand Kash Patel, who has promised to shutter the FBIs Washington headquarters, to lead the agency. Only the more iconoclastic or little-known potential 2028 contenders distanced themselves from Bidens pardon. Progressive Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who co-chaired Sen. Bernie Sanders 2020 campaign, said that he can empathize with the president as a father and empathize with Hunter Biden's situation of being targeted and facing substance abuse. But Khanna said he did not back the pardon, arguing that the president should not have had the power to grant clemency to begin with and should have pushed to roll back that authority while in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reality is it's an anachronistic power from the time of kings, he said. Most Americans who face unfairness with the process and have deep emotional ties to their kids when they face disproportionate sentencing don't have access to power. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), a Biden ally who has been unafraid to pick fights with members of his own party, told POLITICO that he agreed with the president that his son has been treated differently by the justice system because of politics. But he said the same is also true of Trump in a case that ended in him being convicted of 34 felony counts for falsifying business records as part of a hush-money payment to a porn star. He said that both men, therefore, should be pardoned. Those cases were clearly weaponized against them for political gain. That's undeniable, he said. That was always inappropriate in my opinion. And a pardon in both are appropriate. And, for me, that collectively has damaged America's trust in these institutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Jared Polis (D-Colo.), who angered Democrats recently when he offered cautious praise of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. being tapped to join Trumps administration, criticized Bidens decision on X Sunday night shortly after the White House announced the pardon. While as a father I certainly understand President @JoeBidens natural desire to help his son by pardoning him, I am disappointed that he put his family ahead of the country, he said. This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later Presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), who received less than 1 percentage point of the vote in the first primary state of New Hampshire when he ran for president in 2020, posted on X that President Bidens decision put personal interest ahead of duty and further erodes Americans faith that the justice system is fair and equal for all. Several of the Democrats running to lead the national party defended Biden or supported his pardon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Gov. Martin OMalley, who is campaigning to head the DNC, said, I don't blame the president for protecting his son from a man who has vowed to persecute his political enemies and their family members. I would do the same for my children. Ben Wikler, the Wisconsin Democratic Party chair who is also running for the post, suggested that he agreed with Bidens move, saying that the presidents statement speaks for itself and that Trumps plan to wield federal power through extremists like Kash Patel to attack his political enemies and their families is a frightening reality that the whole country needs to prepare for. Ken Martin, chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and another DNC chair candidate, said that he understands Bidens instinct to be a protective father as a dad himself and argued that the pardon system should be reformed so it cant be used for personal reasons by anyone. Any Republicans who are expressing outrage today but didnt blink when Donald Trump pardoned his son-in-laws father are hypocrites, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chuck Rocha, a strategist who is considering running for DNC chair, said, Im very pro-Biden pardon. Im very anti-lying about it. As somebody who has run a presidential campaign, it wouldve been easy to dodge this. And Michael Blake, a former New York Assembly member who is eyeing a DNC chair bid, called the pardon fair and just on the facts in a text. Other Democrats worried that Bidens pardon complicates their attempts to paint Trump and his allies as unfairly attacking the Justice Department as a political tool and eroding the rule of law. New York State Sen. James Skoufis, who recently launched a longshot bid for DNC chair, said in an interview that that though he empathized with Bidens role as a father, his pardon does undermine our ability to make the case against Donald Trump when he absurdly claims that the Department of Justice has been targeting him and his loyalists, and so it's disappointing when I see this news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added, As Democrats, we need to very sorely rebuild trust in communities and address the reputational deficit that we have with so many Americans, this does not help. Several potential DNC chair candidates, including Michigan State. Sen. Mallory McMorrow, former Rep. Max Rose (D-N.Y.), 2020 Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, declined to comment or did not respond to questions about the pardon. Despite some Democrats attempts to run away from the issue on Monday, it was bubbling up organically across the country. And in at least a few corners of the party, pressure was building to take a stand apart from Biden. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.), Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), who all represent swing districts or states, criticized the pardon on social media. Former Rep. Cheri Bustos, who was at an Illinois Chamber of Commerce event in Chicagos western suburbs this morning, sidestepped a question from an attendee about whether Biden's pardon could give Trump political cover for possible pardons for those charged in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont see how that has anything to do with Hunter Biden being pardoned," Bustos said. After leaving the stage, she added in an interview, What father wouldnt want to help his son if he is in a position to do so? As the mother of three boys, I would do all that is possible to give them a better life. He did what most dads would do. He reacted as a father. (Bloomberg) -- German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that NATO membership for Ukraine could be part of a potential peace deal with Russia, which could also include conceding some occupied Ukrainian territory. Most Read from Bloomberg There are different elements of a peace standing in the room: political and material security guarantees, NATO membership, an international presence for the preservation of a cease-fire, troop withdrawal, territory questions, reconstruction, the handling of sanctions, Baerbock said Tuesday in Brussels. Ukraine decides on its own with which goals it will go to the negotiating table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baerbocks remarks, ahead of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers, come as there are renewed conversations in European capitals about possible negotiation scenarios for ending the fighting in Ukraine, including about different types of security guarantees, according to a senior NATO diplomat. NATO chief Mark Rutte, however, said that ministers this week would focus mostly on speeding military aid to Kyiv rather than delving into a possible peace process. Ukraine doesnt need more ideas on what a peace process could look like, he told reporters, saying that he wants to make sure Ukraine has what it needs to get to a position of strength when those peace talks start when the Ukrainian government has decided theyre ready to do so. The issue of beginning NATO membership talks for Ukraine remains divisive, even inside Germany, with Chancellor Olaf Scholz so far opposed to opening an accession process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy recently said that he might be able to accept a cease-fire with Russia that left parts of his country occupied in return for NATO security guarantees. If we want to stop the hot stage of war, we should take under NATO umbrella the territory of Ukraine that we have under our control, he told Sky News last week. Baerbock arrived in Brussels directly from a two-day visit in Beijing, where she met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Germanys top diplomat, who is a member of the Green party, criticized China for allegedly providing drones to Russia for use against Ukraine. She urged China to fulfill its responsibility as a permanent member of the UN security council and pressure Russia to accept a peaceful settlement of the conflict. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The boards of TelstraSuper and Equip Super have signed a binding Heads of Agreement to proceed with a merger of equals between the two funds. The companies announced the binding agreement following the earlier signing of a non-binding Memorandum of Understandinconfirming the merger is expected to be in the best financial interests of members of each fund. The announcement notes that the merger will create a combined profit-to-member fund with more than $60 billion in funds under management and over 225,000 members - and Equip Super will be the go forward brand, with the TelstraSuper brand to be retired in due course. The merged fund will have combined strengths in member and employer servicing, retirement planning, investments and tailored corporate arrangements (including management of defined benefit plans), and retain strong connections to its heritage industries and connected communities, the companies stated. It is expected that the merger will achieve significant scale benefits and deliver improved retirement outcomes to the members of each fund, whilst maintaining the personalised service that each fund currently delivers. Members will receive a reduction in the asset-based administration fee to 0.15% and a reduction in the administration fee cap to $750 p.a. from the effective date of the merger of the two funds. The merged entity will leverage TelstraSupers operational capability and digital experience to service and support members. The merged entitys Board will comprise an equal number of legacy TelstraSuper and Equip Super directors. The equal representation model will be maintained with 2 independent directors, 4 employer-representative directors and 4 member-representative directors. The board will have the expertise and experience required to take the merged fund forward, the companies said. Michael Cameron (current Equip Super Chair) will be independent Chair of the new funds Board and Anne-Marie OLoghlin (current TelstraSuper Chair) will be independent Deputy Chair. It is a privilege to be named the inaugural Chair, as Equip Super and TelstraSuper come together to form a new fund that will deliver scale benefits to our members, including an immediate fee reduction at the time of the merger, said Cameron. With a best of breed approach, we will maintain the personalised service both funds are known for, and bring to market leading products, services and capability. TelstraSuper Chair Anne-Marie OLoghlin said The agreement to merge follows a rigorous assessment by the Trustee Board of a variety of merger options that were available to TelstraSuper. This coming together signifies a new chapter of growth, strength, and enhanced services for both Funds members. With shared values, strong defined benefit experience, and a passion for financial advice, we look forward to building a united Fund in the best interests of members. Chris Davies (current TelstraSuper Chief Executive Officer) will be the inaugural CEO of the new fund. Scott Cameron (current Equip Super Chief Executive Officer) will be the Deputy CEO, focussing on merger integration. Once the operational integration of the two funds is complete to the satisfaction of the merged entitys Board, the parties intend that Scott Cameron will succeed Chris Davies as the Chief Executive Officer of the new fund. The two companies say the funds will continue to operate independently until the merger is executed via a Successor Fund Transfer, which is expected to occur in late 2025 - and iIt is anticipated that operational integration will be substantially complete around the end of 2026. The two funds will keep members, employers and other stakeholders informed as the merger progresses. About Equip Super Equip Super was established in 1931 and has been helping Australians build their retirement savings for more than 90 years. Today, they provide super, financial advice and retirement income accounts to more than 140,000 members Australia-wide. As a profit-to-member super fund, they have a history of strong, long-term investment returns and competitive fees. With around $35 billion in funds under management, Equip Super manages the superannuation arrangements for some of Australias largest corporations. About TelstraSuper TelstraSuper is an award-winning superannuation fund with more than 85,000 members and $26bn in funds under management. The Fund is recognised for its leadership in retirement solutions, insurance and financial advice services offered to members. Kamala Harris team have doubled down on blaming others for their own election loss, pointing their fingers at President Joe Biden in yet another post-mortem interviewthis time with The Atlantic. In a series of sit-downs the Harris team have parroted the idea that they did all they could have, much to the dismay of progressives and political strategists who pointed to specific decisions made by Harris and her aides that may have hurt her chances with voters: a failure to rhetorically distance herself from the Biden administration, Harris open embrace of Republicans like Liz Cheney, and her decision not to address her previous progressive opinions. The consensus among Kamala Harris team seems to be, however, is that no stone was left unturnedand that Bidens unpopularity doomed Harris from the start. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris senior adviser David Plouffe told The Atlantic that Bidens decision not to drop out earlier was the partys cardinal sin. Vice President Kamala Harris greets staff as she returns to the White House. Our first week, it was like, Well, we need a biography ad, we need to talk about the border, we need to lay out an economic contrast, we need to get health care in there, abortion, Plouffe said. If you have six, seven, eight months, you storyboard all this stuff, you have a narrative arc. Everything was smashed and collided here. Plouffe still told the outlet that she might have lost regardless of when she entered the race. Im not sure, given the headwinds, any Democrat could have won. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview on Pod Save America last week, Harris top aidesincluding Plouffestuck up for their decisions throughout the race. Political strategist David Plouffe He said that the party needed moderates in order to win in the future, constituencies that Barack Obama courted during his successful campaigns in 2008 and 2012 (which Plouffe worked on as well). Other aides on the podcast included advisers Jen OMalley Dillon, Quentin Fulks, and Stephanie Cutter. We were very focused on lifting her up. But to win a race like this, given the political atmospherics, which were quite challenging, Plouffe said, we had to raise the risk of a Trump second term. The Daily Beast Podcast episodes are released every Thursday. Like and download on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app. And click here for email updates as each new episode drops. Texas Senator Ted Cruz had a crude image in mind while thinking about Morning Joe anchors Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, whoafter spending years accusing Donald Trump of being a fascist and comparing him to Hitlerjointly travelled to Mar-a-Lago to meet with the president-elect last month. During a discussion on Fox News Monday night about the MSNBC duos trip, Cruz joked that their stunning reversal was less akin to bending the knee than it was to a full-blown sexual favor. You have Joe and Mika go to Mar-a-Lago to kiss the ring and suck up to Donald Trump, you cant make that story up, said Foxs Sean Hannity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, Im not even sure they were kissing the ring. I think they were kissing a little bit lower than that, Cruz tossed back. Hannity: You have Joe and Mika going to Mar-a-Lago to kiss the ring and suck up to Donald Trump, Cruz: Im not even sure they were kissing the ring. I thank they were kissing a little bit lower than that. pic.twitter.com/uisOaYNOKU Acyn (@Acyn) December 3, 2024 Scarborough and Brzezinskis decision to visit Trump has drawn widespread condemnation, including from their core audience. Viewership for their show plummeted by 12 percent after the pair revealed on air that they had made the trek to Trumps Florida estate, according to Nielsen. The MSNBC journalists cited a growing national disinterest with Trumps misconductincluding election denialism and January 6as the reason to do something different and meet with the MAGA leader. Trump, for his part, said the meeting went well. But even on-air analysts at the network couldnt hold their tongue on the issue. Former lawmaker and MSNBC analyst David Jolly slammed the pair on Tuesday, torching them for wavering on their values now that Trump is set to imminently return to the White House. We didnt wake up after the election and think, Im upset because I was wrong. Were upset because we know were right, but were on the losing side of this battle. And so what does that mean for a responsible media, for a responsible electorate, for a responsible Democratic Party in this environment? Jolly said. Dont just say were going to give equity to Donald Trump, which some people are doing in the Democratic Party, in media, among the electorate. Cruz is, however, possibly the last person who should be making jokes about spineless behavior. The unpopular Texan has backtracked several times on his own criticisms of Trump, enthusiastically endorsing him even after Trump called Cruzs wife ugly and mocked his height on the national stage, claiming to millions of Americans that Cruz needed heels in order to reach the podium. The womans body was reportedly found on the shore of Chaweng Beach (Getty Images) A Russian tourist has reportedly died after a large wave swept her away whilst doing yoga on a large rock in Thailand. Local news reports have identified the tourist as 24-year-old Kamilla Beliatskaya, an apparent aspiring actor from Russia, who they said was swept away by a large wave in Koh Samui, Thailand while near the Lad Koh, a popular viewpoint. The woman was on holiday with her fiance, Grigorii Anokhim, who only found out about her disappearance from social media. On the day of the accident, my girlfriend said she was going to play tennis, but I did not know that she had stopped by to relax at the Lad Koh viewpoint, he told local outlets, according to the New York Post. I only found out what had happened from social media. I was devastated and immediately went to the area to help look for her. The couple had been together for five years and were due to get married in mid-December, and had already taken their pre-wedding photos, he said. The tourist arrived at the viewpoint just before 1pm on Friday with a pink foam yoga mat. She then walked alone down to a rocky area below the viewpoint, according to CCTV footage reviewed by police, newspaper Khaosod English reported. Shortly after, the publication said she was swept off the rocks by a powerful wave. Bo Phut Police Station received an initial report at 1.30pm but by the time a rescue team reached the scene around 15 minutes later, the tourist had disappeared and only her pink mat was spotted in the water. Rescue efforts were further hampered by dangerous sea conditions, with the search being temporarily suspended after 30 minutes due to increasingly dangerous wave conditions, the outlet said. The hazardous conditions were evident earlier in the day, as jet ski operators had already moved their vehicles from the beach before the incident. Chaiyaporn Subprasert, head of the Samui Rescue Center, told Khaosod that warning systems were in place across the islands beaches. During monsoon season, we constantly warn tourists, especially at high-risk areas like Chaweng and Lamai beaches, where red flags indicate no swimming, he said. While the incident location isnt a swimming area but rather a viewpoint for scenery, the victim may have been caught off guard by the unexpected wave surge. The Samui City Municipality had reportedly closed access to the rocky area below the viewpoint after the incident occurred and local authorities established a marine search to try and find the missing tourist. The Phuket Express reported that at 11pm on Saturday, police reviewed a report from a local hotel staff member that a body had been washed ashore at Chaweng Noi Beach, approximately 3.6km from the viewpoint. Her fiance confirmed her identity and her body was transferred to Koh Samui Hospital for autopsy. The Independent has contacted Bo Phut Police Station for further information. Dec. 3The Lewiston Police Department's new 10-year contract now has approval from both the Town and Village of Lewiston, with funding amounts and sources codified. The Lewiston Town Council approved it at its Nov. 25 meeting, one week after the village did so. "I think it's a very good agreement for the town," said Councilman John Jacoby, a town representative in these negotiations. "We didn't break the back of the village because they really don't have a lot of extra money to spend." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The previous agreement came about when the current consolidated police department covering the town and village was created in 1995. Funding that department's budget was originally a 66% to 34% split between the town and village, though the village had paid as little as 11%, $284,000 according to Broderick, and its contribution had not increased for the past 12 years. Town Supervisor Steve Broderick said there had been two previous attempts to come to a new contract replacing the original one from 1995, with parts of it not being followed. This included negotiating on it every five years which did not happen, a new contract that was never signed, and the village passing a resolution three years ago increasing its contribution by $20,000 with a new contract. The agreement solidifies the amount the village contributes to funding the department for the next 10 years. The payments will be made in July at the beginning of the village's fiscal year. The amount will go up by 2% from years two to six and then remain flat from years seven to 10, with the town contributing the remaining amount. The listed amounts are as follows: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2025: $304,000 2026: $310,080 2027: $316,281.60 2028: $322,607.23 2029: $329,059.38 2030: $335,640.56 2031-2034: $342,353.38 Reasons previously given for the village not increasing its contribution were the town had a bigger tax base, more developments, and was more involved with department employment, pay, and collective bargaining. Broderick added as part of the new contract, there will be three police cars patrolling both the town and village from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Traffic shifts on Highway 50 in Sacramento are continuing as part of the Fix50 project, causing road delays throughout the week. According to Caltrans, the ongoing Highway 50 Multimodal Corridor Enhancement Project is working to rehabilitate pavement and add 14 miles of high-occupancy lanes from between Interstate 5 downtown to the Watt Avenue interchange. The $483.5 million project is the largest road works project in the Sacramento region, the projects website said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what to expect as workers begin to move lanes around: Where are the lane shifts? Caltrans District 3 spokesperson Sergio Sanchez said crews will start moving the left two lanes of Highway 50 at 9 p.m. Tuesday, which will cause some congestion. However, the new shift will be open to traffic by 5 a.m. Wednesday. But a variety of Highway 50 lanes are expected to close through the course of the week. There will be a new alignment on westbound Highway 50 from 39th Street to 24th Street. Those traveling on westbound Highway 50 from Bradshaw Road toward Howe Avenue, just east of 51st Street should move to the two right lanes after the Bradshaw Road exit ahead of the split to access the Howe Avenue exit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The left side of the split wont be able to access the Howe Avenue exit ramp. Motorists heading into Yolo County or the Bay Area are encourage to use those two left lanes to avoid congestion, Caltrans said. According to the projects website, daytime work will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, requiring the following westbound lane closure: Tuesday, Dec. 3: No. 1 (left-most) lane at the 10th Street off-ramp. No. 1 lane from 10th Street and 11th Street at W Street. Wednesday, Dec. 4: No. 1 lane from 10th Street to 11th Street at W Street. No. 1 lane at the 16th Street off-ramp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No. 1 lane from 16th Street to 17th Street at W Street. Will there be any ramp closures? Yes, but not during high-traffic hours. Sanchez said there will be no ramp closures during the day when traffic is heaviest. The project is divided in segments, Sanchez said, who added that the shift is happening in the projects second segment, between 26th and 39th streets. (Any) current and scheduled project ramp closures are mostly happening only at nighttime and on other project segments. Night work takes place from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., the projects website said. These are the following lane and ramp closures on both sides of the freeway: Monday, Dec. 2: Eastbound No. 1 and No. 2 lanes from Howe Avenue to Watt Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Connector from northbound Highway 99 to westbound Highway 50. Eastbound No. 1 and No. 2 lanes from 5th Street to 26th Street. Westbound No. 3, No. 4 and auxiliary lanes from Howe Avenue through 65th Street. Westbound Howe Avenue on-ramp. Westbound Hornet Boulevard on-ramp. Westbound 65th Street off-ramp. Tuesday, Dec. 3: Eastbound No. 1 and No. 2 lanes from Howe Avenue to Watt Avenue. Connector from northbound Highway 99 to westbound Highway 50. Connector from southbound State Route 51 to westbound Highway 50. Westbound No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 lanes from 51st Street to 26th Street. Westbound No. 1 and No. 2 lanes from Stockton Boulevard to 26th Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Westbound No. 3, No. 4 and auxiliary lanes from Howe Avenue through 65th Street. Westbound Howe Avenue on-ramp. Westbound Hornet Boulevard on-ramp. Westbound 65th Street off-ramp. Wednesday, Dec. 4: Connector from northbound Highway 99 to westbound Highway 50. Connector from southbound State Route 51 to westbound Highway 50. Westbound No. 1 and No. 2 lanes from Stockton Boulevard to 26th Street. Westbound No. 3, No. 4 and auxiliary lanes from Howe Avenue through 65th Street. Westbound and eastbound Howe Avenue on-ramps. Westbound Hornet Boulevard on-ramp. Westbound 65th Street off-ramp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eastbound No. 3 and No. 4 lanes from Howe Avenue to Occidental Drive. Thursday, Dec. 5 through Friday, Dec. 6: Westbound No. 1 and No. 2 lanes from Stockton Boulevard to 26th Street. Westbound No. 3, No. 4 and auxiliary lanes from Howe Avenue through 65th Street. Westbound and eastbound Howe Avenue on-ramps. Westbound Hornet Boulevard on-ramp. Westbound 65th Street off-ramp. Eastbound No. 3 and No. 4 lanes from Howe Avenue to Occidental Drive. Will there be traffic delays? Yes; traffic is expected to build on many parts of Highway 50, especially near the junctions with other freeways on both sides of the W-X portion, which is also known as the Capital City Freeway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanchez said Caltrans strongly advises motorists to be aware of the signs, to check the Caltrans QuickMap app to know road conditions in real-time, to follow the speed limit, and to avoid distractions while driving through a construction zone. He added that motorists looking to exit to the northbound Capital City Freeway connector toward I-80, the southbound Highway 99 connector toward Elk Grove and the 26th Street exit should stay in the far-right lanes. How long is the project expected to continue? The traffic shift will be in place until May 2025, Sanchez said. All work is scheduled to begin as listed according to the projects website but is subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment and any construction-related issues. What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com. Editors Note: CNNs 5 Things newsletter is your one-stop shop for the latest headlines and fascinating stories to start and end your busy day. Sign up here. Welcome to 5 Things PM! Theres a name for that feeling you get after spending too much time scrolling aimlessly. Its a modern condition familiar to most of us and its also Oxfords word of the year. (Well, technically words of the year.) Heres what else you might have missed during your busy day: 5 things Jacqueline Dormer/AP 1 Piano man: Danny Kean has been traveling around the United States with his piano and dog for nearly 20 years. He has put more than 250,000 miles on his pickup and built connections with people through music all along the way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 Landmark law: Sex workers in Belgium are now entitled to formal employment contracts including sick pay and maternity leave under new legislation that just went into effect. They also have access to health insurance and unemployment benefits. 3 Stellar transformation: The James Webb Space Telescope captured a surprising new view of the Sombrero galaxy, revealing a perspective quite different from the wide-brimmed Mexican hat for which it was named. See what it looks like now. 4 Making history: Chase Strangio, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, is poised to become the first known transgender person to argue before the US Supreme Court. Hell do so as part of the most high-profile dispute on the docket this session. 5 Enron again? The toxic brand synonymous with corporate fraud that collapsed in bankruptcy more than two decades ago is making a comeback of sorts. It all appears to be an elaborate joke. Watch this Robot helpers: Dozens of companies showed off their latest innovations at a humanoid robotics conference in France. Theyre aiming to have them live and work in peoples homes someday. Top headlines Who is Kash Patel, Trumps pick for FBI director? What to buy now before Trumps tariffs kick in Florida woman sentenced to life in prison for zipping her boyfriend in a suitcase for hours until he died Check this out Latte with a view: Coffee lovers interested in catching a glimpse of the worlds most reclusive nation can book their travel plans. Starbucks has just the spot for you. Quotable Harsh weather: Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who have been displaced multiple times from Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip are now facing the arrival of winter. Quiz time Lorimar Television Actor Jaleel White played the iconic role of Steve Urkel on Family Matters. What was his famous catchphrase? A. Did I do that? B. Have mercy C. How rude D. Dyn-o-mite Scroll down for the answer. Celebrity corner I am healing: Several months after suffering a severe eye infection, Elton John says he still cannot see. The music icon, who appeared on stage in London over the weekend, remains optimistic about his recovery and thanked his husband for being my rock. Good vibes Cooler crops: Farmers all over the world are having trouble keeping their crops alive because of an increasingly volatile climate. A startup founded in the desert of Saudi Arabia thinks it might have a solution. Thanks for reading Well see you tomorrow. Quiz answer: A. Did I do that? White spoke to CNN about the impact playing the character had on his life. Check out all of CNNs newsletters. 5 Things PM is produced by CNNs Tricia Escobedo, Chris Good, Meghan Pryce and Kimberly Richardson. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Dec. 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday sanctioned 35 entities and vessels that have shipped oil from Iran to foreign markets despite sanctions levied by the United States. The department described a complex shell game organized by Iran and its supporters to get the regime's oil to various markets by constantly changing the names of vessels and changing the country flags. The Treasury said the that scheme helped Iran and its enablers avoid responsibility for breaking sanctions. In what the Treasury Department calls Iran's "shadow fleet and facilitators," it described how tankers take on several names and flags to avoid detection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Iran continues to funnel revenues from its petroleum trade toward the development of its nuclear program, the proliferation of its ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle technology, and sponsorship of its regional terrorist proxies, risking further destabilizing the region," Bradley Smith, the Treasury's acting under-secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in a statement. "The United States remains committed to disrupting the shadow fleet of vessels and operators that facilitates these illicit activities, using the full range of our tools and authorities." Along with changing the names of vessels and reflagging them, the Treasury said Iran also constantly provides falsified documentation and manipulates tracking systems to keep its scheme going. The department said that the 35 sanctioned are part of a "sprawling network" needed to keep Iran's oil flowing to its overseas customers. The Treasury Department has been able to identify the Marshall Island-flagged Jaya, Guyana-flagged Phonix, and Cook Islands-flagged ships Bertha, Olive, Yuri, and Min Hang for sanctions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others include the Sao Tome and Principe-flagged Elva and Ceres I, the San Marino-flagged Vanity, the Liberian-flagged Lady Lucy, the Belize-flagged Vesna, the Honduras-flagged Ft Island, the Iranian-flagged Masal and Panamanian-flagged Black Panther, Lioness, Veronica III, Fiona II, and Merope. The full list of sanctions ships and entities can be found here. The Treasury said the tankers and their facilitators have transported thousands of barrels of Iranian oil to customers throughout the world. A 100-year-old man alleged to have been a Nazi concentration camp guard may yet face trial in a German court, after a new ruling on Tuesday. In May, the Hanau Regional Court near the city of Frankfurt rejected the opening of a main trial after an expert determined that the man was unfit to stand trial, be questioned and travel. This decision has now been overturned by the Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt, which called upon the lower court to conduct further investigations into the accused's fitness for trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The expert's reports have several deficiencies, according to the Higher Regional Court. Director of public prosecutions says trial of historical significance "I welcome the decision of the Higher Regional Court that the fitness of the accused to stand trial will be thoroughly re-examined," said Frankfurt Director of Public Prosecutions Torsten Kunze. "Should the main proceedings be initiated, it could be the last trial of this kind, highlighting the historical significance of the case." "There is now the chance that the trial can take place. However, it is not certain," Nils Lund, spokesman for the Public Prosecutor's Office, told dpa. Given the advanced age of the accused, urgency is required in determining his fitness for trial, he said. However, there is no deadline for the regional court. Youth chamber responsible for the 100-year-old Charges were filed against the man last year, alleging that as a young adult, he served as a guard in the Sachsenhausen concentration camp to the north of Berlin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As he was a youth at the time of the alleged crimes, the Youth Chamber of the Hanau Regional Court had to decide on the admissability of the charge. The man from the Main-Kinzig district, which includes Hanau, is accused of aiding and abetting murder in more than 3,300 cases from July 1943 to February 1945. As a member of the SS guard units, the German national is alleged to have "supported the cruel and treacherous killing of thousands of inmates." Member of SS Guard Battalion As a member of an SS guard battalion, the man is alleged to have been involved, among other things, in guarding the inmates housed there. He is also said to have been tasked with escorting arriving inmates from the railway station to the main camp and guarding prisoner transports. During the period of the offences, at least 3,318 inmates are said to have died in the camp due to the prevailing living and housing conditions, as well as through shootings and the use of poison gas. A Norfolk County Superior Court judge has scheduled October 20th as the start of the trial for Brian Walshe, the Cohasset man accused of dismembering his wife, Ana Walshe, with a hacksaw and disposing of her remains. Walsh is accused of murdering and dismembering his missing wife, Ana Walshe, in their Cohasset home over New Years 2023. Ana Walshes body has never been found but a series of Google searches, prosecutors say, indicate Walshe killed Ane, cut up her body, and discarded evidence in various dumpsters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement List of 21 Google searches Brian Walshe allegedly made before, after his wifes death One key piece of evidence was a saw discovered in a dumpster near Brian Walshes mothers home. Prosecutors want to see if Anas DNA is on the teeth of that saw. The saw has been the subject of DNA analysis, but at Mondays pretrial hearing, we learned that the DNA testing had not been completed. Tissue that was found on the saw in the garbage as the mothers apartment, cant be done by our state lab, prosecutor Greg Connor told the court. Both sides are looking to bring in an outside lab to complete the dna analysis, but there are issues over cost and protocols. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No decision has been made. At the hearing, Walshes lawyers implored for access to an impounded 3,000-page federal report on the Karen Read case. It was during that federal investigation that now suspended Mass State Police trooper Michael Proctors derogatory text messages about Karen Read surfaced. Proctor also handled the Walshe investigation. The defense is looking for any evidence of bias against Brian Walshe before he was arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trooper Proctor, who was the lead investigator on this case, the moment he stepped foot into investigating Brian Walshe in the disappearance of his wife, he knew he was under federal investigation, defense attorney Kelli Porges said. Prosecutor Greg Connor said, to this date, none of the Mass State Police troopers who worked the Karen Read case were ever notified they were targets of a federal investigation. No decision was made on whether the defense will have access to the federal file. Prosecutors have also previously said that a broken knife with blood on it was found in the basement of the Walshe family home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Norfolk District Attorneys Office previously said that it was awaiting DNA test results from dozens of items. In late June, Walshe had a court appearance waived. At that time, prosecutors said during a brief hearing in Dedham Superior Court that DNA results were expected by the end of the month, the Patriot Ledger reported. State police suspended Proctor in July following Karen Reads mistrial. While testifying during Reads trial, Proctor received criticism for inappropriate texts he sent about Read Brian Walshe is due back in court on January 8. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Singapore-based satellite-to-device broadcaster Astrum Mobile and smartphone chipmaker Qualcomm have jointly completed what they claim is the world's first 5G broadcast services trial using a satellite in geosynchronous orbit to a retail smartphone. The trial was completed in October 2024, and the partner companies claim the 5G satellite broadcasting technology demonstration in the Asia-Pacific region represents a significant advancement in mobile communications, with the potential to revolutionize connectivity and media distribution. The 5G broadcast demonstration used Asiastar geosynchronous satellite with an Asia Pacific wide service coverage and is compliant with 3GPP 5G NTN (Non-Terrestrial Networks) standard as defined in ETSI TS 103 720 featuring a satellite-to-device 5G broadcast service. The trial was conducted in close partnership with key Singapore research institutions such as the A*STARs Institute for Infocomm Research (A*STAR IR) and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), and supported by a range of industry players. The demonstration included broadcast services of live TV and online gaming broadcasts, OTT content push, and emergency broadcast services. Tests were conducted under various service usage scenarios such as mobility including vehicular, maritime, and anytime-anywhere service confirms the opportunity of delivering 5G Broadcast from geosynchronous satellites directly to smartphones. The trial used smartphone-form factor test devices equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon 5G Modem-RF systems, as well as commercial phones from OnePlus, both powered by Snapdragon 5G Modem-RF systems. our trial provides a critical validation of the integration of 5G and satellite broadcasting, which marks a significant advancement in the mobile communications industry," Astrum Mobile President and CTO, Dr. Hui Liu, said. "Astrum Mobile's initiative to launch high-power, geosynchronous satellites will exploit the L-Band spectrum to deliver rich media content directly to mobile devices in the Asia Pacific region. "As part of the 5G NTN, satellite-based Broadcast will transform the delivery of high-volume content to mobile handsets, making it more accessible and cost-effective on a global scale. "We are excited to work with our partners on a technology that will revolutionise the way we access and consume media on the go. Dec. 2LIMA A tentative trial date of March 11 has been set for an Elida man charged in the death of his daughter in a September car fire. Nicholas Stemen, 33, appeared briefly in Allen County Common Pleas Court on Monday and waived his constitutional right to a speedy trial. Judge Jeffrey Reed set a final pre-trial hearing for Jan. 6. Stemen was indicted by a grand jury in November on charges of murder, an unclassified felony; first-degree felonies of aggravated arson and involuntary manslaughter; and fifth- and third-degree felony counts of endangering children after his 2-year-old daughter Lillyanna perished in the Sept. 25 fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stemen is alleged to have been operating his vehicle erratically, with one tire missing, on an American Township roadway on the night of the incident before the vehicle came to rest near the intersection of Zion Church Road and Shenk Road, where it caught fire, according to a report from the Allen County Sheriff's Office. First responders found Stemen standing in the roadway and noted he appeared to be intoxicated. A deputy said Stemen was upset that his car was on fire but reportedly told investigators no one else was in the vehicle and that his daughter was with her grandfather. First responders then observed Lillyanna deceased in the back seat of the car. Allen County Sheriff's Office Deputy Brett Rider conducted an interview with Stemen and wrote that the Elida man "did admit to consuming at least 10 alcoholic beverages ... prior to and leading up to the incident," according to court documents. Public Defender Kenneth Sturgill in November filed a motion seeking a reduction in Stemen's $1 million bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allen County Prosecuting Attorney Destiny Caldwell said Monday she had spoken with Lillyanna's mother, who objected to any bond reduction. Caldwell cited Stemen's prior criminal record in stating her own objection. Featured Local Savings TORONTO (AP) President-elect Donald Trump was joking when he suggested Canada become the 51st U.S. state during a dinner with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a Canadian minister who attended their recent dinner said Tuesday. Fox News reported that Trump made the comment in response to Trudeau raising concerns that Trump's threatened tariffs on Canada would damage Canada's economy. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who attended the Friday dinner at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club, said Trump's comments were in jest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president was telling jokes. The president was teasing us. It was, of course, on that issue, in no way a serious comment, LeBlanc told reporters in Ottawa. LeBlanc described it as a three-hour social evening at the presidents residence in Florida on a long weekend of American Thanksgiving. The conversation was going to be light-hearted, he said. He called the relations warm and cordial and said the fact that the president is able to joke like that for us indicates good relations. On Tuesday, Trump appeared to continue with the joke, posting on his Truth Social platform an AI-generated image of himself standing on a mountain with a Canadian flag next to him with the caption Oh Canada!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gerald Butts, a former top adviser to Trudeau and a close friend, said Trump has done this before. Trump used the 51st State" line with Trudeau a lot during his first term," Butts wrote in a post on LinkedIn. When someone is trying to get you to freak out, don't. #protip Earlier last week, the Republican president-elect threatened to impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico unless they stem the flow of migrants and drugs. Trudeau requested the meeting in a bid to avoid the tariffs by convincing Trump that the northern border is nothing like the U.S. southern border with Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trudeau held a rare meeting with opposition leaders on Tuesday about U.S-Canada relations and later said that opposition Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre shouldnt amplify the erroneous narratives that Americans are saying about the border. Less than one percent of migrants coming into the United States irregularly come from Canada and 0.2 percent of the fentanyl coming into the United States comes from Canada, Trudeau said in Parliament. Canadian officials have said there are plans to put more helicopters, drones and law enforcement officers at the border. At the dinner, Kristen Hillman, Canada's ambassador to the U.S., said Americas trade deficit with Canada was also raised. Hillman said the U.S. had a $75 billion trade deficit with Canada last year but noted a third of what Canada sells into the U.S. is energy exports and prices have been high. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trade balances are something that he focuses on so its important to engage in that conversation but to put it into context, Hillman told The Associated Press. We are one-tenth the size of the United States so a balanced trade deal would mean per capita we are buying 10 times more from the U.S. than they are buying from us. If thats his metric we will certainly engage on that. Hillman said Canada sold $170 billion worth of energy products last year to the U.S. About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85% of U.S. electricity imports as well. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing for national security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 77% of Canadas exports go to the U.S. Trudeau's government successfully employed a Team Canada approach during Trumps first term in office when the free trade deal between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico was renegotiated. But Trudeaus minority government is in a much weaker position politically now and faces an election within a year. Poilievre, Canada's opposition leader, said the tariffs would harm Americans. The president-elect was elected on a promise to make America richer. These tariffs would make America poorer, Poilievre said after meeting with Trudeau. Poilievre said the U.S. would be wise to do more free trade with its best friend and closest ally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly 3.6 billion Canadian dollars ($2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. Trudeau returned home after the dinner at Mar-a-Lago club in Florida without assurances Trump would back away from threatened tariffs on all products from the major American trading partner. Trump called the talks productive but signaled no retreat from a pledge that Canada says unfairly lumps it in with Mexico over the flow of drugs and migrants into the United States. The flows of migrants and seizures of drugs are vastly different. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border during the last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. Most of the fentanyl reaching the U.S. where it causes about 70,000 overdose deaths annually is made by Mexican drug cartels using precursor chemicals smuggled from Asia. On immigration, the U.S. Border Patrol reported 1.53 million encounters with irregular migrants at the southwest border with Mexico between October 2023 and September 2024. That compares to 23,721 encounters at the Canadian border during that time. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Nearly 10 years ago, a Portland woman was found dead in the Columbia River. On Jan. 2, 2015, Jessica Newtons body was found by a boater passing Bachelors Island near Ridgefield. AM Extra was joined by the hosts of the Murder in the Rain podcast to talk more about the case. Watch the full 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 KOIN.com. President-elect Trump senior adviser Jason Miller said that the team isnt concerned with the pick for Defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, amid controversial reports about him emerging in recent days. So when it comes to Pete Hegseth, there arent any concerns and we feel very good about his positioning for being confirmed by the Senate, Miller told CNN on Tuesday. The New Yorker reported on Sunday that Hegseth was forced to step down by both of the two nonprofit advocacy groups he ran due to mismanagement of funds, sexual impropriety and reports of intoxicated behavior, prior to him becoming a full-time Fox News host in 2017. Hegseth went to Capitol Hill on Monday to sit down with senators as part of the confirmation process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller told CNN the Trump team will take the process very seriously, noting its importance. Thats because the Senate takes it so serious to go and have the one-on-one meetings, to have these confirmation hearings, to give senators the chance to kick the tires and get some of these questions answered on their own, Miller said. In another controversial story, published Friday, Hegseths mother reportedly sent him an email in 2018 accusing him of routinely mistreating women for years and displaying a lack of character, according to The New York Times. In a phone interview with The Times, she said that she sent a follow-up message at the time apologizing for her original email, claiming she sent the email in anger, with emotion when her son and his wife were going through a divorce. Trump communications director Steven Cheung called the Timess airing of the email despicable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller acknowledged that story, arguing that conservations with family can be very tough. Pete Hegseth is someone whos been shot at in combat, Miller added. Thats exactly the type of person that we want leading the DoD before any commitment is made to put our troops in harms way. 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. President-elect Donald Trump will be traveling to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral, making his first foreign visit after his electoral victory in November. The French landmark cathedral will reopen its doors to churchgoers and tourists on Saturday for the first time since its iconic spire collapsed when the building caught fire in 2019. Trump announced the trip in a short post on his Truth Social app. It is an honor to announce that I will be traveling to Paris, France, on Saturday to attend the re-opening of the Magnificent and Historic Notre Dame Cathedral, which has been fully restored after a devastating fire five years ago, the president elect wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also offered praise for French President Emmanuel Macron, claiming he did a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so. It will be a very special day for all! Macron was the first foreign leader to congratulate Trump after his electoral victory, promising to work closely with the president-elect as he had during his first term in office. The inauguration ceremony scheduled for Saturday, December 7 is closed to the public, but Trump will be one of many world leaders expected to attend the event. Security in France are gearing up for about 50 foreign heads of state or government to make the trip to the cathedral, Paris Police Prefect Laurent Nunez told the Associated Press earlier on Monday. Security will be especially tight around Notre Dame, and only guests of the ceremony and local residents will even be able to enter Ile de la Cite, the island in the middle of the Seine home to Notre Dame and other Paris landmarks. The move by President-elect Trump to tap several House Republicans to fill positions in his Cabinet and beyond has set off a fresh round of special elections next year to replace them. Trump chose Reps. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) and Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) to be his national security adviser and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, respectively. The president-elect also tapped former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) to be his attorney general, though Gaetz later withdrew from being considered amid concerns over Senate holdouts. Gaetz, however, decided against returning to Congress. Heres a look at what to know about the upcoming special elections for each of these outgoing or former lawmakers. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) Trump initially tapped Gaetz to be his pick for attorney general raising questions almost immediately about whether the conservative firebrand and Trump loyalist would be able to clinch enough votes during Senate confirmation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House Ethics Committee has been probing Gaetz over whether he engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, among other aspects, though the Florida Republican denies any wrongdoing. Gaetzs office announced last year that a separate sex-trafficking probe conducted by the Justice Department did not result in any charges against the Florida Republican. He resigned from the House quickly after Trumps announcement in preparation for the nomination, but some Senate Republicans signaled he had an uphill battle, as some members of the party wanted to see the committee release its findings about the ex-congressman. Gaetz later dropped his nomination bid amid questions over his Senate confirmation path but also reiterated he would not be rejoining Congress, leaving his seat in Floridas 1st Congressional District open. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaetzs district includes the northwestern tip of the state, including all of the Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Escambia counties in addition to some of Walton County. Florida set the date for the special election to fill Gaetzs seat, with the primary for the special election taking place Jan. 28 and the special general election being held April 1. A handful of GOP candidates are running for the seat, including former Navy and Air Force pilot Greg Merk, state Rep. Joel Rudman, former Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino, business owner Bernadette Pittman, management consultant and fighter pilot Jeff Witt, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, epidemiologist Uloma Ekpete Kama and teacher Kevin Gaffney. The president-elect has already waded into the primary to endorse Patronis. There are also several Democrats running, though the seat leans heavily Republican. Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) Trump selected Waltz to be his national security adviser, and the Florida Republican is expected to resign from Congress on Jan. 20. His appointment doesnt require Senate confirmation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walz represents Floridas 6th Congressional District, which is sandwiched between Jacksonville and Orlando and includes Palm Coast and Daytona Beach. The primary for the special election to replace Walz will also be held Jan. 28, with the special general election scheduled for April 1. Trump endorsed Florida state Sen. Randy Fine (R) to run for the district, which is also comfortably red, prompting some contenders, declared and prospective, to drop their bids. Fine, a former ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), garnered attention last year when he decided to change his endorsement in the GOP presidential primary from DeSantis to Trump, arguing the Florida governor had not done enough to tackle antisemitism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DeSantis campaign called the switch shameful political theater and argued that when it comes to standing in defense of Israel, DeSantis has always been a leader who acts and delivers. DeSantis lost to Trump during the GOP contest. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) Trump nominated Stefanik to be the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., leaving a void in New Yorks 21st Congressional District, which encompasses the northernmost tip of the state, largely bordering Canada and Vermont. Stefanik has been ardent supporter of Trump and gained prominence last year when she grilled university presidents over antisemitism on college campuses during a House hearing, drawing praise from both sides of the aisle. Stefanik has not yet resigned from Congress or publicly outlined when she expects to officially step down. Her role requires Senate confirmation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the names that have been floated as potential candidates include Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-N.Y.), who lost reelection New Yorks 19th Congressional District last month; Assembly Members Chris Tague and Robert Smullen; and state Sen. Dan Stec, among others, according to Spectrum News 1. Cannabis tax attorney Paula Collins, the who lost to Stefanik last month in the 2024 general election, has thrown her name in the ring on the Democratic side. Unlike in Florida, where the state holds primaries for a special election, parties choose their candidate to run in New York special elections. Hochul is required by law to set the date for a special election within 10 days of Stefanik announcing her resignation, and the special election must happen within 70-80 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One variable looming over the race is whether Trump will weigh in and endorse a candidate before Republicans choose their replacement. Though the district is GOP-leaning it went for Trump by close to 16 points in 2020 its also been represented by a Democrat more recently, too. Former Rep. Bill Owens (D) preceded Stefanik in representing the district. 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. By Costas Pitas and Steve Holland (Reuters) -U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Monday he will travel to Paris to attend this weekend's reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral, which was gutted by fire over five years ago, in his first foreign trip since winning the election. Notre-Dame, a Gothic masterpiece, is one of the French capital's most beloved and visited monuments. It will reopen its doors later this week to tourists and the Catholic faithful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Major reconstruction works have restored the 12th-century cathedral, its spire, rib vaulting, flying buttresses, stained-glass windows and carved stone gargoyles to their past glory, with the white stone and gold decorations shining brighter than ever. Trump, who won the Nov. 5 election and is due to take office on Jan. 20, praised the government of French President Emmanuel Macron in a post on his social-media platform Truth Social on Monday. "President Emmanuel Macron has done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so. It will be a very special day for all!" he wrote. The French government invited Trump to attend Saturday's reopening ceremony and his team has been in discussions with Macron's office about the trip, said a source familiar with the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's transition team did not immediately respond to questions about whether the president-elect would meet other foreign leaders in Paris. His planned visit comes amid political turmoil in France where the government is all but certain to collapse later this week after far-right and left-wing parties submitted no-confidence motions on Monday against Prime Minister Michel Barnier. While Trump has not gone overseas since winning re-election, he left Florida to visit New York for a sporting event and travelled to Texas with billionaire Elon Musk to watch Musk's SpaceX launch its giant Starship rocket. (Reporting by Costas Pitas and Steve Holland; Editing by Katharine Jackson, Michelle Price, Chris Reese and Saad Sayeed) Does Donald Trump want to conquer Canada? The president-elect posted a bewildering image of him and the Canadian flag on top of a mountain just days after suggesting Canada become the U.S.s 51st state Oh Canada, Trump captioned the AI-generated image. There was just one problem: the mountain range appeared to be the Swiss Alps, with a peak reminiscent of the Matterhorn visible in the background. Its unclear exactly what Trump was referencing with the image, but clearly the neighbor up north is on his mind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, while dining with Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau at his Mar-a-Lago residence, the President-elect reportedly joked that if Canada wanted to avoid a host of sweeping trade tariffs, it should consider joining the U.S. Donald Trump posted a bizarre image of himself with a Canadian flag in what appeared to be a Swiss mountain range, in apparent reference to a joke made to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last week (@realDonaldTrump) Trudeau, among others at the meeting, responded to the quip with nervous laughter, sources told Fox News. Trump is said to have continued the gag by telling the Canadian leader that prime minister is a better sounding title than governor. The sources added that another person at the table said that the 51st state would be a very liberal one which sparked further laughter and a suggestion from Trump that Canada be split into two: a conservative state and a liberal state. However, some of Trumps most vocal supporters have continued to run with the joke. Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau met with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago for dinner on Friday to talk tariffs, among other areas of foreign policy (Justin Trudeau/X) Speaking on Foxs The Five, host Jesse Watters said that there were so many reasons to make Canada a state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think it has the third largest oil reserves in the world so that makes us an energy behemoth Its a no brainer, he said, adding: I dont know if Canada is going to go along with it, but theres ways to maybe change their opinion. Though the post may also have been in jest, prior to their Florida meeting, Trudeau had voiced his concerns that Trumps tariff plans will not be merely empty threats. Donald Trump, when he makes statements like that, he plans on carrying them out. Theres no question about that, he told reporters. Process Mining and Process Intelligence company Celonis has announced the appointment of Benoit Fouilland as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective December 1, 2024. Celonis says that as part of the executive management team, Fouilland will be responsible for the global Finance organisation and strategy as it extends its global growth, technology innovation and market leadership. Benoit is a forward-thinking executive with extremely relevant tech-industry experience, an international outlook, and a proven track record leading global Finance organizations, said Bastian Nominacher, co-CEO and co-founder of Celonis. Benoit is the right leader to help us drive and expand our market leadership being fueled by our latest product innovations like the Process Intelligence Graph which creates unparalleled levels of value for our customers and delivers effective enterprise AI. Celonis said Fouilland is a seasoned business leader with over three decades of finance and executive management experience at global, industry-leading companies. He joins Celonis from Contentsquare, a global leader in digital experience analytics, where he served as CFO. Before that he was CFO of Firmenich, the largest private fragrance and taste company in the world, where he was a Celonis customer and instrumental in coordinating their industry-changing merger with DSM, another Celonis customer. Prior to Firmenich, Fouilland held CFO roles at Criteo SA, a global advertising technology company, where he led its successful initial public offering (IPO), SAP AG and Business Objects SA. I got to know Celonis five years ago and have been impressed from day one by the power of the platform and the solid foundations on which the company is built, said Benoit Fouilland. I admire the remarkable momentum Celonis has gained since then. I am excited by the opportunity to shape the future of process intelligence and to drive impact for leading companies across all industries around the globe. I am thrilled to join the team and looking forward to helping the company scale, sustainably, to its full potential. Fouilland has served on the Board of Directors of VTEX, an enterprise digital commerce platform company, since May 2021, where he chairs the audit committee. He earned his MBA from INSEAD (Institut Europeen d'Administration des Affaires) and has masters degrees from Universite Paris Dauphine and Paris ESLSCA Business School. President-elect Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis were among dignitaries who attended a memorial service for three Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputies who died last month in a roadside traffic crash west of Wellington. Trump arrived by motorcade from his estate at Mar-a-Lago while DeSantis arrived from Tallahassee. Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez and Attorney General Ashley Moody also were in attendance. Eric Trump, the president-elect's second-oldest son, sat with his father. The service began at 11 a.m. with thousands gathering at the iThink Financial Amphitheatre at the South Florida Fairgrounds to pay tribute to PBSO Cpl. Luis Paez, Deputy Ralph "Butch" Waller and Deputy Ignacio "Dan" Diaz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three motorcycle deputies suffered fatal injuries the morning of Nov. 21 when they were struck as a Jeep SUV veered off Southern Boulevard and struck the deputies as they waited at the side of the road for a set of jumper cables to start a stalled PBSO motorcycle. All three belonged to the agency's traffic division. The impact killed Paez and Waller and severely injured Diaz, who died four days after the crash. Trump and DeSantis arrived for Tuesday's memorial without fanfare, taking their seats on stage behind a slate of bullet-proof glass. Trump stood and saluted as members of PBSO's honor guard carried the coffins of Paez, Waller and Diaz on stage. DeSantis stood with his hands at his side. A glass partition stands in front of the speakers podium at the iThink Financial Amphitheatre at the South Florida Fairgrounds, where the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office is holding a memorial for three deputies who died in a Nov. 21 crash west of Wellington. Neither was scheduled to speak. U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, who represents parts of western Palm Beach County, delivered remarks, recalling meeting the deputies at Veterans Day parades and along motorcade routes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They were always present, always on watch because it was their calling to protect every person in this community from danger," Mast said. "Even those of us that they barely knew. Nothing could be more selfless." Staff Writer Hannah Phillips contributed to this report. Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Trump, DeSantis lead dignitaries at PBSO memorial for fallen deputies When Donald Trump designated North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to be Secretary of Interior, Trump also announced he expects Burgum to, you know, control the entire energy supply of planet Earth. Burgums duties will include chairing something called a National Energy Council which will, according to Trump, oversee the path to U.S. ENERGY DOMINANCE. America, Trump said in a statement designating Burgum as global energy czar, is blessed with vast amounts of Liquid Gold and other valuable Minerals and Resources, right beneath our feet. We will DRILL BABY DRILL. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. is already the worlds leading producer of oil and gas, and has been for years. But a lot of other countries produce oil. And a lot of them have a lot more oil than the U.S. does. Estimates show the U.S. has less than 4% of the worlds total proven oil reserves. At least seven nations, including five in the Mideast, are blessed with vast amounts of Liquid Gold in larger quantities than the U.S. There are a lot of reasons why those nations dont drill baby drill more oil than they do, not least being the principle of supply and demand. The International Energy Agency projects global demand for oil will peak in 2030. A Goldman Sachs Research forecast presents a slightly rosier (if youre in the drill baby drill industry) outlook, with world oil demand not peaking until 2034. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both outlooks attribute declining oil demand (in six years by IEA estimates and in a decade by Goldman Sachs) to the clean energy transition and the increased market penetration of electric vehicles worldwide. Trump has condemned both with the exception of electric vehicles manufactured by his beloved Elon, which continue to account for more EV sales than any other manufacturer in the U.S., though Teslas U.S. market share has been shrinking each year as more competitors find more traction. Globally Teslas EV market share fell behind the Chinese firm, BYD, years ago, and Teslas share has been getting smaller and smaller. Multiple EV manufacturers are in the market worldwide. Few if any of those, either domestically or abroad, are going to stop making EVs because Trump envisions a mid-mod global economy ruled by fossil fuels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, to drill baby drill his way to U.S. ENERGY DOMINANCE in other words, for Trump to fulfill his stated vision of a world of customers captive to U.S. oil Trump would first have to convince or cajole oil corporations (owned by shareholders from all over the globe) to do something they and their investors have not shown an eagerness to do: drill for more oil in the U.S. at current prices. Lets say Trump completely eliminated taxes on oil production, and also eliminated income taxes on oil companies (though they are already a lot lower than income taxes for other companies). And lets further say Trump decreed an end to all environmental permitting requirements, as well as the end of any and all environmental, health and safety, and workplace regulations that apply to energy production and related activities. And lets say Trump also decreed that no state or federal courts may hear any lawsuits filed against oil companies and their contractors in connection with those firms exploring for, producing, refining and transporting petroleum products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And lets pretend (hopefully its just pretend) that Congress and the courts would obediently go along with all that. It would encourage some energy conglomerates to step up drilling activity. But at bottom, drilling decisions are still going to be dictated not by Trump, but by the global price of a barrel of oil. And Trump, magisterial as he is purported to be, is not going to be unilaterally setting that price, no matter how many grandiose titles he bestows on a billionaire from some Dakota or other. Its as if Trump is basing his energy policy which he contends is also the heart of his economic policy on a line made famous in the middle of the 20th century by an actual conservative, William F. Buckley, and standing athwart history, yelling Stop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the rest of the developed and developing world is not going to stop following the same path the Biden Administration has charted away from fossil fuels for obvious reasons. To be fair, much of the rest of the world appears just as hell-bent on transgressing or disrupting, as the kids used to say as half the voters in the U.S. recently indicated they are. Maybe all the economically developed nations will go pop-retro too, turn their backs on reality, and line up for some of that good ol American drill baby drill. That seems unlikely though, for exactly the reason so many U.S. voters give when asked why in the name of reason and decency they voted for Trump: The cost of things. One pressing policy area for which Trump has never articulated a single all-bluster no-evidence plan, nor even much in the way of his customary half-baked on-the-spot off-the-cuff opinions, really, is how to address the staggering and rapidly rising costs of mitigating and cleaning up after the impacts of climate change. (Scary down-on-the-ground example: People are having trouble even finding anyone to sell them home insurance, and if they do, its ginormously expensive). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps blithe disregard for arguably the planets most pressing threat to economic and social stability is not widely shared throughout all the nations he hopes to dominate. Painfully slow though it may be, they are going in a different direction. Rather than secure U.S. global economic preeminence, as Trump promises, his myopic faith in liquid gold could render the U.S. left behind an energy outlier, and an economic backwater. Hugh Jackson Hugh Jackson is editor of the Nevada Current. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: The U.S. could get left behind with Trump's stance on energy | Opinion President-elect Trumps nomination of Kash Patel to take over as FBI director effectively firing current FBI Director Christopher Wray, who still has three years left in his 10-year term has set off a firestorm on Capitol Hill. Several Senate Republicans have already come out in support of the nomination, such as Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas) and Bill Hagerty (Tenn.), but other Republicans are on the fence. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), a prominent moderate and member of the Appropriations subcommittee that funds the FBI, said she would have to pore over Patels record. She said hes a nominee I will have to do a lot of work on when asked about Patels more controversial proposals such as shutting down the FBIs headquarters in Washington and firing its top ranks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats why its so important that we have an FBI background check, a committee review with extensive questions and questionnaires and a public hearing, Collins said. Asked about Patels nomination, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said his staff is digging into some of the work that he did in various roles of the Trump administration, what hes done after that. Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said Patel would get a rigorous vetting in the Senate, as would Trumps other nominees. My job is to make sure that the nominees have a thorough, fair process and ultimately our members are going to decide, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Republicans will control 53 seats next year and cant afford more than three defections from within their conference on any nominee they try to confirm. A sensitive question for Republicans weighing Patels nomination is whether to insist on an FBI background check for the person who could possibly lead the nations premier law enforcement agency over the next decade. Thune said he hopes the Trump transition team will resolve its impasse with the Department of Justice over granting the FBI authority to conduct background checks of the nominees. Hopefully at some point theyll get this background check issue resolved, he said. At this point, Im not sure exactly how its going to be resolved, but I think the administration understands there has to be thorough vetting of all these noms. Historically, the best place to get that done has been through the FBI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several Republican senators pushed back on Patels call to shutter the FBIs headquarters in downtown Washington, something he argues would combat what he views as the politicization of the agency. I havent seen that suggestion, but I doubt that happens, Thune said. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) dismissed Patels vision for moving the FBI out of Washington as unrealistic. I dont think closing down the FBI headquarters I dont think thats a serious prospect. But well see what he says about it, she said. Capito said she doesnt know Patel and will look forward to meeting him. Other Republican senators are getting more vocal about calling for the FBI to review nominees records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Id like to see FBI background checks, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, told reporters Monday. Patel has been a staunch Trump ally and serves as another example of the president-elect elevating those who stood by him during the Ukraine probe and his later impeachment. Patel has crafted a list of figures he calls government gangsters who he says must be held accountable and exposed in 2024. The list includes Wray as well as Attorney General Merrick Garland. He has separately said he is going to come after the people in the media, floating prosecutions of journalists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to come after you whether its criminal or civilly, well figure that out. But yeah, were putting you all on notice, he said. Patel has also said he would shut down the FBI Hoover building on Day One and reopen it the next day as a museum of the deep state. Former Trump Attorney General William Barr revealed in his memoir that he strongly opposed Trumps inclination to appoint Patel as deputy FBI director during his first term, telling then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows it would only happen over my dead body. Barr warned that someone with no background as an agent would never be able to command the respect necessary to run the day-to-day operations of the bureau and argued Patel didnt have the experience to qualify for the job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tillis, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Patel needs to come up with a good answer if asked about Barrs view that he was unqualified to serve in the FBIs highest ranks. I think those are all just things that Mr. Patel needs be ready to come up with a good answer when he starts visiting with people on Capitol Hill, he said. It wasnt the only time Patel faced pushback from within the Trump administration. Then-CIA Director Gina Haspel balked when Trump wanted to install Patel as her deputy, threatening to resign at the time. Patels nomination also appears to have unnerved some with regards to Wrays future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) called Trumps plan to remove Wray before the end of his 10-year term unusual. The reason for a 10-year tenure in the FBI office is to transcend any political identification, Durbin said, noting Trump himself appointed Wray in 2017. Durbin voiced fears shared by many Democrats that Patel is a hardcore Trump loyalist who will carry out the president-elects agenda of reforming the bureau. The question is whether he is unbiased. He has said things about weaponization of law enforcement and reform in the FBI, which leads some to believe I hope its not true that he will take the same type of revenge that hes accusing this [Biden] administration of, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump lavished praise on Wray when he nominated him to the role after firing his predecessor, James Comey, but he has regularly complained about him in the years since. With his 2017 nomination, Wray would otherwise not leave his post ahead of 2027. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), who supported Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) over Trump in the 2024 GOP presidential primary, said Trump has a right to pick his own team, but he also defended Wrays record. I think the president picked a very good man to be the director of the FBI when he did that in his first term, Rounds told ABCs This Week on Sunday. When we meet with him behind closed doors, Ive had no objections to the way that hes handled himself, and so I dont have any complaints about the way that hes done his job right now, the GOP senator added about Wray. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) declined to answer reporters questions Monday about whether Wray should be allowed to finish out his term or whether Patel is an appropriate choice to head the nations premier law enforcement agency. For its part, the FBI declined to comment on Patels nomination, saying Wrays focus remains on the men and women of the FBI, the people we do the work with, and the people we do the work for. The FBI Agents Association likewise declined to comment on Patel but in a statement said strong leadership is critical to maintaining the integrity and mission of the FBI and that agents dedication does not waver when there are changes in a presidential administration or if the leadership in the Bureau changes. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who would handle Patels nomination as incoming chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, signaled support Sunday for replacing Wray immediately, but he has yet to be sold on Patel as the best candidate for the job. Chris Wray has failed at fundamental duties of FBI Dir Hes showed disdain for cong oversight & hasnt lived up to his promises Its time 2 chart a new course 4 TRANSPARENCY +ACCOUNTABILITY at FBI, Grassley posted on the social platform X. But he also cautioned that Patel must prove to Congress he will reform & restore public trust in [the] FBI. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who criticized Trumps choice of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) to head the Justice Department as not serious, declined to comment about Patel on Monday evening. Im not going to comment about any of these nominees, she said, citing her lack of sleep because of an overnight flight. When one has not slept, its really not wise to speak. 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. (NewsNation) President-elect Donald Trumps pick to lead the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has vowed to combat what he calls a censorship cartel across social media, government and traditional media platforms, arguing free speech is under unprecedented threat. In a Monday interview on NewsNations CUOMO, Brendan Carr outlined a multipronged approach to addressing what he sees as growing restrictions on free expression he believes accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Diversity of opinion is so important in this country, and its going to be one of my top priorities: trying to smash this censorship cartel, Carr said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FCC is an independent agency that is overseen by Congress, but Trump has suggested he wanted to bring it under tighter White House control, in part to use the agency to punish TV networks that cover him in a way he doesnt like. What did Brendan Carr, Trumps FCC chair pick, say in Project 2025? Carr, an FCC commissioner since 2017, could try to usher in a drastic change to the agency when it comes to tech and broadcast companies freedoms. 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. What did Brendan Carr say he will do as FCC chair? During the interview, Carr identified three primary actors in this alleged censorship effort: technology platforms, government officials and advertising agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carr specifically criticized the current interpretation of Section 230 of the Communications Act, which provides legal protections for online platforms. If you have companies that get together that decide not to compete on a feature of business, including content moderation, thats possibly a problem under our competition laws, Carr told NewsNation. Donald Trumps new administration: Who has he chosen so far? While supporting requirements that shield platforms from liability for user-generated content, he argued that the takedown conditions have been interpreted too broadly, allowing excessive content moderation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any time you have an increase in government control, you necessarily have a decrease in free speech, Carr said. Its fundamentally un-American. The commissioner suggested that the FCC could play a crucial role in promoting diverse viewpoints by reexamining how Section 230 is implemented. He expressed particular concern about so-called fact-checkers, which he characterized as narrative checkers that often suppress political speech. I think what we should try to protect is core political speech, religious speech, scientific speech, Carr said. What other family members received presidential pardons Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carr also highlighted broader media trust issues, noting that traditional medias credibility has declined to the point where it now ranks lower in public trust than Congress. He said that broadcasters have a legal obligation to serve the public interest, a mandate he intends to take seriously. It wasnt that long ago that mass media was the most trusted institution in America, and for a long time, it at least stayed above Congress in terms of trust, but its recently fallen below Congress, Carr said. I think the FCC needs to make sure that broadcasters are held to their public interest obligations. Beyond speech issues, Carr indicated the FCC would focus on economic initiatives, including spectrum allocation and supporting the space economy, echoing policies from the Trump administration. NewsNation partner The Hill and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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 NewsNation. Brendan Carr, President-elect Trumps pick to chair the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), vowed Monday to break up the censorship cartel of social media platforms. I think Americans have been seeing an unprecedented surge in censorship, particularly over the last couple of years, Carr said on NewsNations CUOMO, adding, Its going to be one of my top priorities, is trying to smash this censorship cartel. Carr, a current FCC commissioner, argued that platforms are acting on their own to censor speech, as well as facing pressure from government officials and advertising and marketing agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He suggested that the FCC could take aim at Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which provides technology companies with immunity for content posted on their platforms by third parties. Thats the provision that a lot of these technology companies have used to silence diversion speech, Carr said. I think the FCC can take a look at implementing that in a way that can promote more speech, not less. So, theres a lot on the FCC plate that I would look forward to getting started on, he continued. Carrs remarks echo comments he made in a letter to the leaders of Alphabet, Google, Meta and Microsoft last month, in which he criticized the major tech firms work with fact-checker NewsGuard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an accompanying post on the social platform X, he similarly argued the censorship cartel must be dismantled. Social media platforms content moderation policies have long come under fire from conservatives, who argue that they are unfairly targeted by such policies. Two Republican attorneys general sued the Biden administration last year over officials communications with social media companies about COVID-19 and election misinformation, arguing that they coordinated and colluded to identify disfavored speakers, viewpoints, and content. The case was heard by the Supreme Court, which ruled in June that the states lacked standing to bring the suit. The court did not address the First Amendment issues at the heart of 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 The Hill. Donald Trump posed for a photo and shook hands with a convicted far-right German politician, who allegedly appeared in professional pornographic films, at Mar-a-Lago on election day. Phillipp-Anders Rau, 41, a Bundestag candidate for the populist Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) party, was found guilty of stealing from a hotel in 2009 and was thrown out of university in 2015 for doctoring his high school transcripts, according to legal records. He denies appearing in porn movies. The Secret Service, which has been under pressure since a failed assassination attempt against Trump in July, told The Daily Beast that the controversial guest had been allowed to get alongside Trump because he had a formal invitation to the club. The former president has previously come under fire for hosting white supremacist Nick Fuentes at a Mar-a-Lago dinner that also featured Kanye West. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rau visited Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Nov. 5, where the now-president-elect greeted him and several other Germans, their social media profiles show. Among them was the far-right influencer Leonard Jager, a homophobic COVID-19 conspiracist who has expressed sympathy with the Reichsburger movement, a loose association of extremists who deny the legitimacy of the modern German state. Alternative fur Deutschland's Phillipp-Anders Rau poses with Donald Trump at the Mar-a-Lago resort. Being able to shake @realdonaldtrumps hand as the one and only AfD member there on the day of his victory will be an everlasting memory, Rau wrote in an Instagram post. Lets hope Donald Trump creates the renewal for his country that we in the AfD are planning for our country. The AfD is a far-right, anti-immigrant party that Germanys domestic intelligence service considers a suspected extremist organization. Last year, four senior figures participated in a meeting alongside neo-Nazis to discuss mass deportations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Riding a far-right tide swelling across Europe, the AfD has surged to second place in opinion polls, behind only the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU). A German federal election is planned for Feb. 23. Trumps election to a second term ignited enthusiasm among members of the far right around the world, whose rank and file the president-elect has consorted with in the past. Pornos, Stolen Towels and Cocaine Rau is the rare officeholder whose propensity for personal scandal is nearly on par with Trumps. To that end, the diligent reporting of local regional paper Volksstimme has dogged the AfD politician in recent months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It began in August, when Rau claimed it was not true that he had performed in adult films when asked about the rumor at an AfD conference. Weeks later, however, Volksstimme said its reporting had confirmed there were indeed publicly available pornographic videos featuring him online. Rau took legal action to block the papers coverage. A German court, however, sided with Volksstimmes reporting and ruled in October that Rau cannot invoke the fundamental protection of privacy because he took part in a professional porn video shoot that was clearly intended for publication. Records obtained by Volksstimme in August also show Rau was kicked out of the east German Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences in 2015 after it was discovered he had doctored the grades on his high school transcripts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He launched a failed legal bid against his expulsion. Just like his effort to stop the reporting on his porn career, it ended in a humiliating disclosure: his lawyer claimed he couldnt be held responsible for his actions because he was addicted to cocaine at the time, Mitteldeutsche Zeitung reported. And prosecutors in Munich confirmed to Volksstimme in September that, with an accomplice, Rau stole 100 towels, 80 bedsheets, and 21 soap dispensers worth roughly 1,500 ($1,590) from a hotel in October 2009. He was convicted of theft and given a one-year suspended sentence and five years probation. To add default to injury, Rau is currently in bankruptcy proceedings set to end later this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, how did a member of a suspected extremist party with a criminal record end up posing with Trump at his members-only resort? In this instance, this individual was physically screened and permitted to enter because he was included on a formal invitation, said a spokesperson for the United States Secret Service, who noted Mar-a-Lago is a private club that is open to members and their guests in addition to being Trumps official residence. They did not provide details on who invited Rau. The spokesperson added the agency works to ensure that all individuals entering a protected facility do not pose a safety risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rau did not respond to a request for comment made through his local AfD council group. The Trump-Vance transition team did not respond to a request for comment. But videos shared by conservative young Germans with whom Trump also posed offer clues as to how he, and the others, got there. The Heretic at Mar-a-Lago The most well-known among the Germans whom Trump greeted was social media provocateur Jager, who uses the online moniker Ketzer der Neuzeit or Heretic of the New Age and frequently produces anti-feminist and anti-LGBT videos for his hundreds of thousands of followers. He has touted chemtrail conspiracy theories, andaccording to right-wing extremism watchdog Endstation Rechtshas appeared multiple times alongside antisemitic conspiracy theorist Hans-Joachim Muller, in one video nodding along as Muller rattles off conspiratorial tropes about Jews controlling the world. The AfD's Phillipp-Anders Rau (second from left) and right-wing YouTuber Leonard Jager (second from right) were among a group of Germans who Donald Trump greeted at Mar-a-Lago in advance of the election. Footage posted by Jager from Mar-a-Lago shows Trump was aware he had visitors from Germany, though its unclear if he knew anything about them beyond their nationality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hello everybody, so wheres my German friends? he asked after stepping outside to greet the group, which also included Beat Ulrich Zirpel, a lesser known right-wing streamer, and Fabrice Ambrosini, a young activist with the center-right CDU. When they gathered for a group photo, the Germans began to chant in a nod to Trumps raised-fist reaction to the assassination attempt against him in July: Fight! Fight! Fight! Someone off-camera asked them to do it in their native tongue. They obliged: Kampf! Kampf! Kampf! Trump then shook hands with everyone. Jager documented his journey to the heart of Trumpworld in a series of in-depth videos posted to YouTube. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He and Zirpel hatched a plot to convince the Trump campaign to accredit them as media at a Nov. 2 Virginia event, which they hoped could get them in turn into Trumps election night party and the exclusive Mar-a-Lago resort. It worked. The video shows Trump campaign press advance staffer Lisa Shoemaker granting them accesswith a caution that they be on their best behavior because they werent in the campaigns system. Shoemaker did not reply to a request for comment. Press pass in hand, Jager is shown with a green bar on-screen indicating an increase of his chances of getting into Mar-a-Lago. Leonard Jager shows off his Trump campaign press pass, with a graphic noting it goes towards his actual goal of getting into Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The day before the Nov. 5 election, Jager and his pal received invitations to Trumps Election Night rally at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. They showed off the invite in another of their video diaries. As the far-right German influencers got their invitations, the Trump campaign was banning journalistsincluding from Politico, Axios and Puckfrom covering the event. Leonard Jager's friend shows off their invite to President-elect Trump's election night rally. Their way into Mar-a-Lago, meanwhile, was Ambrosini, the 23-year-old fellow German and CDU activist who is apparently remarkably well-connected to the MAGA orbit. A video posted to YouTube by Jager shows them talking over drinks with Ambrosini at a restaurant in Miami Beach on Nov. 3. There, Ambrosini told them he knows several Mar-a-Lago memberswithout disclosing their identitiesand was working to get Jager, Zirpel and their cameraman access through his contacts. Leonard Jager meets with Fabrice Ambrosini, a CDU activist who said he could get him and his friend into Mar-a-Lago. The connections came through. When they visited the resort on Election Day, Ambrosini joined them. Rau, the AfD politician, also appears with Ambrosini in the background of several shots Jager took throughout Mar-a-Lago, including at a reception. Fabrice Ambrosini and Phillipp-Anders Rau are seen talking in the background of a video taken at Mar-a-Lago. (Whether Rau also sourced his invite through Ambrosini or via his own MAGA connections is unclear. Ambrosini did not respond to a request for comment.) Trump campaign operatives, meanwhile, were clearly familiar with Jager and Zirpel by the time they arrived at Mar-a-Lago. Ryan Coynewhose right-leaning marketing firm Starboard LLC was paid by Trump Super PAC MAGA Inc. to make digital campaign ads, according to FEC recordsgreeted them after their meeting with Trump. Ryan Coyne, whose firm Starboard worked for a leading Trump Super PAC to make digital ads, greets a group of conservative Germans, including far-right influencer Leonard Jager, at Mar-a-Lago. Later, after Jager and Zirpel moved to the election night rally in Palm Beach, they ran into Shoemaker, the Trump staffer who gave them their first press passes in Virginia. We loved having you guys, she told them. President-elect Trumps attorneys laid out their arguments for why his criminal conviction in New York should be dismissed entirely in a new court filing made public Tuesday in which they cited Hunter Bidens pardon earlier this week. Since he won the election, Trump has pushed for tossing the jurys 34-count guilty verdict that stems from a 2016 hush money payment, drawing opposition from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D), who has instead floated merely freezing the case during Trumps impending presidential term. The new brief expands upon Trumps past assertion that dismissal is required since he is president-elect, with his attorneys additionally citing President Bidens pardon of his son, Hunter in the second paragraph of the court filing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As President Biden put it yesterday, Enough is enough, wrote Trump attorneys Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, whom Trump has also tapped for No. 2 and No. 3 positions in his incoming Justice Department. This spring, the jury convicted Trump on 34 felonies for falsifying New York business records to cover-up a hush money payment as part of an intent to unlawfully influence the 2016 election. Trumps then-fixer had paid adult film star Stormy Daniels $130,000 to stay quiet during the campaign about an alleged affair with Trump, an affair he denies. Judge Juan Merchan, who oversees Trumps case, is to decide whether to set aside the verdict and dismiss the charges after Braggs office responds in writing by next week. Trumps sentencing has been adjourned as the battle plays out. Steven Cheung, Trumps spokesperson and incoming White House communications director, in a statement called the new brief a powerhouse motion that provides every possible chance for Judge Merchan to do the right thing and end what remains of this charade immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wrongly continuing proceedings in this failed lawfare case disrupts President Trumps transition efforts and his preparations to wield the full Article II executive power authorized by the Constitution pursuant to the overwhelming national mandate granted to him by the American people on November 5, 2024, Trumps attorneys wrote in the filing. They cited a New York provision that allows judges to dismiss criminal charges when there is a legal impediment and another provision enabling judges to toss charges in the interests of justice. Recounting at length the former presidents previously failed legal arguments, including that prosecutors committed trial misconduct and the judge has a conflict of interest because of his daughters employment as an executive at a firm that lists prominent Democrats as clients, Trumps attorneys contended that dismissing the case would improve public confidence in the criminal justice system. They asserted doing so would also benefit the public welfare by giving Bragg and his prosecution team a renewed opportunity to put an end to deteriorating conditions in the City and to protect its residents from violent crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The battle comes as special counsel Jack Smith dismissed his two federal criminal prosecutions of Trump in the wake of his election victory. Trump has not yet moved to end his only other remaining criminal case, his Georgia election interference charges, which remain far away from trial. Updated 5:17 p.m. 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. Donald Trump joked that Canada could become the 51st US state if it wants to avoid hefty tariffs he plans to impose on the nation, according to sources. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined Trump for dinner at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday, for what Trump called a very productive three-hour dinner between the two leaders. The meeting came days after the president-elect threatened a blanket 25 percent tariff on all products entering the US from Canada and Mexico and an additional 10 percent tariff on Chinese goods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources told Fox News that, during the dinner, Trump joked that there is a way around the looming levies: Canada becoming Americas 51st state. Trudeau, among others at the meeting, responded to the quip with nervous laughter, the sources said. Trump is said to have continued the gag by telling the Canadian leader that prime minister is a better sounding title than governor. The sources added that another person around the table then chimed in that the 51st state would be a very liberal one which sparked further laughter and a suggestion from Trump that Canada be split into two: a conservative state and a liberal state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to the meeting, Trudeau had voiced his concerns that Trumps tariff plans will not be merely empty threats. Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau met with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago for dinner on Friday to talk tariffs, among other areas of foreign policy (Justin Trudeau/X) Donald Trump, when he makes statements like that, he plans on carrying them out. Theres no question about that, he told reporters. Our responsibility is to point out that in this way he would be actually not just harming Canadians who work so well with the United States. Hed actually be raising prices for American citizens as well, and hurting American industry and businesses. Following the meeting, the Canadian prime minister told reporters the pair had enjoyed an excellent conversation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, Trudeau then shared a photo with Trump on X and thanked the president-elect for dinner, writing: I look forward to the work we can do together, again. Trump, meanwhile, said that the pair discussed many important topics including the fentanyl crisis, fair trade deals and massive trade deficits with the U.S. Writing on Truth Social on Sunday, he said: I made it very clear that the United States will no longer sit idly by as our Citizens become victims to the scourge of this Drug Epidemic, caused mainly by the Drug Cartels, and Fentanyl pouring in from China. Too much death and hardship! Prime Minister Trudeau has made a commitment to work with us to end this terrible devastation of U.S. Families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump added that they also addressed energy, trade, and the Arctic. The proposed tariff plan comes as Trump blames Canada and Mexico for the flow of migrants and drugs into the U.S. This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country! Trump said on Truth Social on November 25. President-elect Donald Trumps pick for Labor Secretary has backing from two unions with serious sway in the U.S. supply chain. On Nov. 22, Trump nominated Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.) to the cabinet position, in what is seen as a surprising pick due to her co-sponsorship of multiple pieces of pro-union legislationoften atypical of Republican lawmakers. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the International Longshoremens Association (ILA) have thrown their support behind the pick. In an op-ed written in online political magazine Compact, Teamsters general president Sean OBrien endorsed the Labor Secretary nominee, calling her the exact type of champion for the American worker that Republicans should get behind if they are serious about becoming the working-class party. OBrien noted that Chavez-DeRemer, whose father was a Teamsters member, expressed support for the union during its negotiations with UPS last year, which netted more than 340,000 members a new five-year contract. Chavez-DeRemer is one of three Republicans in Congress to co-sponsor the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which has been largely in limbo since its introduction to the House of Representatives in February 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That legislation was aimed at outlawing union-busting tactics like mandatory captive audience meetings, curtailing independent contracting and abolishing right-to-work laws that prohibit mandatory union fees. Forty-three out of the 53 GOP senators who will vote on Chavez-DeRemers nomination next year represent right-to-work states. Beyond the PRO Act, Chavez-DeRemer also was one of eight Republicans who co-sponsored the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, which would guarantee the right of public sector employees to unionize even in states where they currently cannot. If confirmed by the Senate, Chavez-DeRemer could be thrust immediately into a potential labor firestorm at the East and Gulf Coast ports. If the ILA and their employers at the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) dont reach a new contract by Jan. 15, union dockworkers will go on strike for the second time since they walked off the job for three days to start October. That date is just five days before Trump gets sworn in as president on Jan. 20, meaning a strike could still possibly play out by the time the new administration begins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear what kind of role Chavez-DeRemer would play in the event of a work stoppage if one were to occur and last into the start of her tenure. But current Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su reportedly held discussions with the ILA and USMX in New Jersey during the strike before the leaders agreed to extend their current contractillustrating that Chavez-DeRemer could potentially be on the front lines of the negotiations early on. With less than two months until the contract expires again, ILA international president Harold Daggett wrote a letter to Trump on Nov. 24 praising the nomination of Chavez-DeRemer, citing her strong pro-worker record as a Congresswoman in protecting their rights to organize. The nomination even garnered cautious optimism from stark Trump critic Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who called it a big deal that a Republican who endorsed the PRO Act could lead the Department of Labor. If Chavez-DeRemer commits as labor secretary to strengthen labor unions and promote worker power, shes a strong candidate for the job, Warren said in a Tuesday statement. But this nomination is an early test: will Trump stand strong with workers or bow down to his corporate donors and the Republican establishments opposition? And if Republican Senators block Trumps labor nominee for standing with unions, it will show that the partys support for workers is all talk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not every major union was moved by the pick. The American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), which is the countrys largest federation of labor unions with over 12.5 million members across 60 organizations, remained focused on the president-elect. Donald Trump is the President-elect of the United Statesnot Rep. Chavez-DeRemerand 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, said AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler in a statement. Despite Shulers hailing of Chavez-DeRemer as building a pro-labor record in Congress, the AFL-CIO gave her a 10 percent lifetime score on pro-worker voting records in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shuler shared her concerns with several of Trumps other cabinet nominees due to their ties to Project 2025, a presidential transition project that includes a 900-page policy agenda outlining the overhaul of the federal government. Trump has distanced himself from the project, which was published by conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation. Shuler was most critical of the agendas proposals that would strip overtime pay, eliminate the right to organize and weaken health and safety standards. (Live Japan) Nowadays, Japanese temples and shrines are widely known by travelers from all over the world, so many people have an idea of what they are like. But what about a colorful tiny drawstring-bag-looking stuff that are found for sale there? Or pentagon-ish shaped boards hanging together? Or, a paper that some visitors tie up onto a string? Have you got any ideas about what they are? In this article, you'll find the meanings of these characteristic religious charms, when and how they came into existence, and how the Japanese today take them. Omamori: About Japans traditional talismans These colorful tiny drawstring-bag-looking items are called omamori (written with the Japanese character for "protection"). Brief history of omamori The idea of talisman already existed in Japan 14,000 -1000 BCE. Then it became the shape of "omamori", in the Heian era, about 1000 years ago. Back then, temples and shrines had growing power and influence. So, the people called "Oshi", who belonged to and working for temples/shrines, traveled all over Japan to acquire more believers. However, although people wanted to visit the introduced temple/shrine, in many cases, it was impossible to do as there was little choice as a means of transportation. Therefore, omamori was born. It gave the people, who lived far away from the temple/shrine where the spirit of omamori belonged to, peace and protection. The kinds of omamori Hukuro mamori: A bag type. Omamori ya: An arrow type, most commonly called Hama-ya. Hama means to beat evil spirits. Ofuda, Mamori fuda: A wooden type. Also, what is inside of hukufo mamori is this ofuda. Its always wrapped with a white paper as it is believed that the paper protects ofudas power and cleanness. Suzu mamori: A bell type. It is believed that the clear sound of this Japanese tiny bell scares away evil spirits, hence it protects you. Other: A temple/shrine sometimes has its unique mamori, generally using what it's deeply connected, its symbol, etc. For example, Mikami shrine in Kyoto that symbolizes 'hair' has a small Japanese comb-shaped omamori. (1) Hukuro mamori / 2) Suzu mamori / 3) Omamori ya) What are they? Basically, omamori is what protects you. However, some of omamori are for a specific purpose. Common types of Japanese omamori General: To support you to live peacefully and healthily. Hadamamori: To protect you both physically and mentally. You need to carry it with you all the time. In the past, people sew it onto their hada-gi (underwear), so it is called hadamamori. It is said if something as bad as hurt you happens, hadamamori will sacrifice itself to save you, so it gets cracked or broke. Yaku yoke: To protect you from evil spirits, bad people/accidents/etc. yaku = sufferings, yoke = to avoid. Kenko mamori (Health): To protect your body from disease, injury, etc. Shigoto mamori (Work): To support you to get a nice job, to succeed in your job/project, etc. Rennai Joju (Romance): To support you to fulfil your love. En musubi (work, romance, etc.): To support you to connect with others. It is generally believed to help you with matchmaking. However, it can also lead you to good friends or even a nice company as 'en' in Japanese means connection, chance, and any sort of relationship. Kin un (Finance): To enhance your luck with money. Gakugyo mamori, Gakugyo Joju, Gokaku Kigan (Study): To support you to achieve the learning target or to pass the exam. Kotsu anzen mamori (Transportation safety): To protect you from accidents during transportation. The most common use of this omamori is to keep it on a vehicle you drive. Anzan (Easy delivery): To support you to deliver a baby with no trouble. Pet mamori: To support your pet to live healthily. Where can you get an omamori? You can get them at Jimusho (at a temple)/Shamusho (at a shrine)/Juyosho, which are stands selling a variety of amulets and other items. It is important to know that while omamori may be cute in appearance, they are religious items and not something that you buy per se. Omamori is given by Hotoke (Buddha) or Kami (Shinto deities). Hence, the money you pass to staff is not a payment but a dedication. How to take care of omamori? Supposing you acquire a hukuro mamori, you should always have it on you, ideally; this can be seen as similar to a St. Christopher's medallion or similar. However, if it is a bit difficult, you can keep it at home at a place that's bright and clean. Also, if its possible, you should put it somewhere higher than level with your eyes. Ofuda and Omamori ya are to keep at home. For these kinds of omamori, it is essential to put them at a bright and clean place that's higher than level with your eye. Another important thing to remember is that ofuda is ideally placed facing a bright direction, which is to the south or the east. As for Omamori ya, keep it close to Ofuda if you possess one, and never put arrowhead up to the sky, which is believed to belong to Kami. Omamori etiquette (Live Japan) Is it okay to open the bag? No. To be precise, this bag is just a thing to protect the omamori. What omamori really has is fuda (a holy wooden piece) inside of it. And, as all fuda are blessed by hotoke/kami, it is believed that to remove it from the bag or to see it directly is disrespectful towards hotoke/kami. Is it okay to throw it away when it gets old/dirty or when I don't need it anymore? No. You can't just bin it. The Japanese believe that items such as this must be returned to hotoke/kami, as they filled omamori with sacred power. There are several ways to give omamori back to hotoke/kami. 1) Simply bring it back to where you got it. All temples/shrines have a place to gather omamori that are no longer needed. You can leave your omamori there with some osaisen (money to dedicate to hotoke/kami) to show your appreciation. 2) Send omamori back to where you got it. If it is difficult for you to come back to Japan, it is worth checking if the temple/shrine accepts returning omamori via post. 3) Ask a temple/shrine nearby. If there are temples/shrines near to you, you might want to ask if they are the same denomination (Buddhism) or sharing the same Kami (Shintoism). If so, they may be able to take care of your omamori on behalf of where you originally acquired it. 4) Burn it at home. It might sound a bit barbaric. But, first of all, all the omamori brought back to the temple/shrine are to be burned. So, it might make sense to do it at home when you can't reach the temple/shrine. To burn what you have cherished/appreciated is a Japanese religious ritual that can send the item to the top sacred place, akin to heaven in Christianity. Thus, as a ritual, you must wrap your omamori with a pinch of salt in a clean white paper before putting omamori into a fire. (Salt is believed it can purify evil spirits.) Is it okay to have many omamori? Yes. You might come across someone who advises you not to have two or more omamori mostly because, considering omamori is a shared spirit by hotoke/kami, they would fight each other. But the predominant belief is that both hotoke and kami possess a merciful heart and will watch over you as long as you are respectful. Having said that, you might want to consider whether you are getting more omamori than you can take care of properly. What do the Japanese think of omamori? Although it is said that most Japanese people are not overly religious, many of them still have omamori. In fact, they often obtain omamori on New Year's day when they make the first visit to a temple/shrine, or when they feel they have something out of hand so they need help from hotoke/kami. It is also common to give omamori to people they care about, especially on the occasion of a life event. For example, parents give their children a "Gokaku Kigan" omamori when they sit for a university entrance exam. Ema: Japanese prayer boards Visit most any temple or shrine and you'll see an area 'decorated' with colorful wooden boards. These are ema, Japanese wishing board. People dedicate ema when they have a wish or when their wish has come true. The E in ema means 'picture', so it's always got a picture on it. There are not only pentagon-shaped ema but also square-shaped one or other sorts depending on the area or temples/shrines. Brief History of Ema In ancient times, people dedicated a live horse to kami when their wish came true. However, not all people were rich enough to prepare an actual horse, and shrines weren't able to look after all the horses that were brought in. Therefore, this custom gradually changed from a live horse to clay figures of horses and wooden horses, then to a board with a picture of a horse. And, this is why this wishing board is called 'ema' (e=picture, ma=horse). Nowadays, the picture on the board varies, and you can see the personality of the temple/shrine from the sorts of ema they offer. How to write on an ema First of all, you might wonder, does your wish have to be written in Japanese? The answer is no. If you write it from your heart, hotoke/kami will understand even though you write it in your own language. There is not a rule when you write ema apart from to be polite and respectful. It is preferable to write your full name, address, and birthday plus year, so hotoke/kami can know whose wish it is. However, most people only use their name or initials for safety reasons. Is it okay to bring them back to home? Yes, on condition that you haven't written your wish on it. Treat it the same as omamori: keep somewhere clean, bright, and higher than your eye level. Do the Japanese write ema? Yes. Especially before a university/school entrance exam, many students will go to a shrine that has kami of studying as their symbol and write their wish on an ema. Adults also go to a temple/shrine to dedicate ema when they have something they want to achieve. Omikuji: Japanese fortune slips Omikuji is a type of Japanese fortune that is written on a strip of paper. These days, some temples/shrines may also have English omikuji. The list below shows the most common kinds of luck they will tell you. Meaning of omikuji symbols : (Dai-kichi) Super lucky : (Kichi) Lucky : (Chu-kichi) Lucky enough, okay : (Sho-kichi) So-so : (Han-kichi) Half-good : (Sue-kichi) It might not be your time for now, but your luck will come later (in the year) : (Kyo) Bad : (Sho-kyo) Little bad : (Han-kyo) Half-bad : (Sue-kyo) Bad luck will come later (in the year) : (Dai-kyo) Very bad Where to get (draw) an omikuji? Before you try your luck with an omikuji, you should have something specific in mind - a hope, dream, or something else that you would like insight into. There are typically two styles of omamori at a temple/shrine. 1) Omikuji stick version You'll find this at the Jimusho (at a temple)/Shamusho (at a shrine)/Juyosho. If you ask staff for an omikuji, they will pass you a tubular box. Draw a stick and tell (or show) staff the number on it. Then, they give you a fortune slip with the corresponding number. 2) Omikuji paper version You'll find a box with full of omikuji in the site of a temple/shrine, usually somewhere close to the Jimusho (at a temple)/Shamusho (at a shrine)/Juyosho. In this case, it is simple. Put a coin into Saisen-bako (a separated box attached along with the omikuji box) and draw a folded paper yourself. This will have a number on it which corresponds to a series of drawers. Then take a fortune slip from the drawer with your number on it. What to do with omikuji? Now that you have your omikuji, have a look at it. It's said these will provide some insight into your question. When your omikuji tells a good fortune: You should keep it. When your omikuji tells a bad thing: You should leave it at the temple/shrine, so that hotoke/kami can take care of your omikuji and no bad thing will happen to you. This is why people tie up their fortune slips onto a string. When to get an omikuji? Many people draw their fortune on New Year's day to see their fortune for the year. However, it is okay to draw an omikuji whenever you want. Just remember to say hello to hotoke/kami first before you dash straight for omikuji! Is it okay to draw omikuji several times until I get a good one? This is not advisable. Omikuji is a message from hotoke/kami to you. Accordingly, it can be considered disrespectful to draw omikuji again and again until you get one you like, as it equally means you are rejecting or having doubt about what they told you. Also, even though you may have drawn a 'bad' fortune, be sure to read the whole omikuji. They always include advice from hotoke/kami as well. So, you might want to listen to their advice instead of turning a blind eye and give it another shot. Having said that, it is okay to draw an omikuji on another day as your fortune may have changed after a while. What do the Japanese think of omikuji? As stated above, many Japanese people draw omikuji on New Year's Day. However, it is more of a part of an event of visiting a temple/shrine, that gives you a special atmosphere. In general, they don't take the result too seriously especially when it tells a bad fortune. Though, at the same time, many Japanese still have religious respect for omikuji, so they bear in mind what they are told. (Live Japan) You might think it is a little bit challenging to try a religious thing when visiting Japan, or might be worried about being disrespectful somehow. Temples and shrines are very inviting and welcoming to people of all backgrounds. Do not hesitate to dive into a whole new culture! Via Live Japan Attorneys for President-elect Donald Trump are scrambling to get his felony hush money conviction tossed before his inauguration and they are doing whatever it takes to make their case. In a New York court filing made public on Tuesday, Trumps attorneys argue that the case against their client should be dismissed in part because of President Joe Bidens decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden, which Trumps legal team says amounts to an extraordinary condemnation of his own Justice Department. In issuing a 10-year pardon to Hunter Biden that covers any and all crimes whether charged or uncharged, President Biden asserted that his son was selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted, and treated differently, Trumps attorneys including Todd Blanche, his pick for deputy attorney general wrote, adding that President Biden argued that raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These comments amounted to an extraordinary condemnation of President Bidens own DOJ, the filing continued. This is the same DOJ that coordinated and oversaw the politically-motivated, election-interference witch hunts targeting President Trump by disgraced Special Counsel Jack Smith, the other biased prosecutors in Smiths Special Counsels Office (SCO), and others. This is the same DOJ that sent Matthew Colangelo to DA Bragg to help unfairly target President Trump in this empty and lawless case. To be clear, the Department of Justice did not oversee the case being challenged in court. The charges were brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and in May a jury convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money scheme involving porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. After winning a series of successful delays and a victory in Novembers presidential election Trumps attorneys managed to indefinitely postpone the sentencing phase of his conviction. While the president-elects attorneys highlighted Hunter Bidens pardon in the thorny introduction to their motion, the core of their argument for why the case should be dismissed lies elsewhere. Trumps lawyers highlight two major factors influencing the future of the case: a Supreme Court decision granting Trump widespread immunity from prosecution over crimes related to his official conduct as president, and the fact that in a few short weeks he will actually, once again, be the president. Trump and his team have been doing what they can to make hay out of Biden pardoning his son. Trump responded to the news by wondering if Biden also pardoned the Jan. 6 rioters, whom Trump is widely expected to let off the hook once he takes off. Trump has also been fundraising off Bidens decision. Do you remember when Biden said he would never pardon Hunter? one fundraising email read. That was a lie! 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. Donald Trump campaigned on a promise of mass deportations beginning on the first day of his presidency, and from every indication, he intends to make good on it. He has tapped white nationalistfriendly hard-liners for key posts in the executive branch, and he claims that the government will deport millions of migrants by the end of 2025. If Trumps public statements and the actions of his first administration are any guide, the new administration appears poised to expand detention facilities, attempt to reinstitute family separations, end programs like temporary protected status, deputize state and local officials and members of the military as immigration officers, and attempt to eliminate or limit the right to asylum for individuals fleeing persecution. But for those familiar with the nations immigration system, a key question about mass deportations is how the administration will contend with the need to hold hearings for individuals apprehended within the U.S. Generally, noncitizens who are present in the country (as opposed to arriving at the border) may be deported only following a hearing at which they can present evidence that theyre not deportable or are eligible for asylum. U.S. immigration courts have yearslong backlogs, so the need for hearings is likely to be a key choke point in Trumps plan to rapidly deport millions. Perhaps the administration will just ignore the hearing requirement, because it has no intention of operating a precise, legal deportation scheme. But as much as lawlessness is part of Trumps modus operandi, the administration seems unlikely to disregard the law entirely. The people who will carry out mass deportationseveryone from Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to sheriffs to lawyers and contractorswant to believe that they are upholding the law. Rather than direct them to defy it, Trumps appointees will likely come up with arguments for why mass deportations are legal. When it comes to hearings, the goal will be to find a way around the need to go before an immigration judge, so that individuals can be removed from the country quickly (perhaps within hours of being apprehended) and with no real process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The play, specifically, will be to vastly expand whats known in immigration law as expedited removal. Established by Congress in the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, expedited removal was designed to allow immigration officials to shut the door to migrants who appear at the border without permission to enter. The statute provides that an immigration officer may deport such a person without further hearing or review unless they claim asylum or fear persecution. Hundreds of thousands of noncitizens arriving at the border are already deported every year through this shadow removal regime, as Jennifer Lee Koh terms it. But the statute is not limited to the border. Technically, it allows the Department of Homeland Security to use expedited removal against most individuals residing anywhere in the United States who entered without permission and who do not affirmatively show to the satisfaction of an immigration officer that they have been present in the country for at least two years. And theres the rub. Deporting someone living in Atlanta or Milwaukee on the say-so of a single immigration officer is at odds with the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees due process of law to everyone in the United States regardless of immigration status. So, historically, expedited removal has generally been limited to people arriving at the border or those present in the U.S. for fewer than 14 days who are apprehended within 100 miles of the border. But the administration wont care. During Trumps first term, DHS attempted to expand expedited removal to the full limits of the statute, and the incoming administration is poised to repeat the gambit. DHS will likely authorize the use of expedited removal against anyone a single immigration officer thinks lacks status and who cannot come up with affirmative proof that they have been in the U.S. for two years. And it will issue guidance stacking the deck against individuals whom immigration officers targetfor example, by limiting their time to produce evidence or providing that only certain forms of documentation will be considered. An individual who doesnt have the right papers on them when they are approached by an immigration officer at 7 a.m. might be on a plane to Mexico by the evening. Deporting immigrants in this manner is not only an insult to due process; it will often put the nation in violation of its international obligations. Expedited removal isnt meant to be used against individuals who credibly fear persecution in their home countries. But statements by Trumps surrogates and actions by his previous administration suggest that this requirement will be honored in name only. According to Customs and Border Protections own guidelines, immigration officers are supposed to ask those in expedited-removal proceedings about their fear of return. The administration could easily roll back this guidance such that immigrants who do not know to state their fear of return will be summarily deported. The bar for passing a credible-fear interview, which is intended to serve merely as a screening tool to determine whether an individual can make their case in court, has historically been very low. Even with this low bar, those with meritorious asylum claims have been erroneously deported. But the prior Trump administration unlawfully raised the bar for credible-fear interviews and will likely attempt to do so again, allowing ICE officers to deport many more individuals with meritorious claims for asylum with little to no oversight or review and with no recourse for the noncitizen. Officers will move particularly quickly against those without a lawyer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The upshot is that even though most immigrants residing in the U.S. without permanent legal status are ineligible for expedited removal, hundreds of thousandsincluding individuals who are targeted because of their political beliefs, authorized immigrants, and possibly even citizens who dont fit the Trump administrations image of a real Americancould be rounded up and deported without the opportunity to appear before an immigration judge. The administration will bank on individuals with strong cases being unable to litigate them once theyre deported. Families will be torn apart. Prices will spike. And an untold number of individuals who are legally entitled to asylum will be returned to countries where theyll face death or serious harm. Although groups like the ACLU will challenge the expanded use of expedited removal, dont look to the courts for a quick remedy. IIRIRA strips the courts of jurisdiction to hear challenges to many immigration policies. And even if the courts reach the merits of those cases, the administration has the power of unilateral action: As it did during Trumps first term, it can change the rules, restart deportations in a slightly different way, and force lawyers and courts to play catch-up as planes full of deportees depart the U.S. Perhaps the most relevant precedent for the situation the nation faces is the battle over the Muslim ban Trump put in place at the beginning of his first administration; that policy threw the border into chaos and was repeatedly halted before the Supreme Court allowed a cleaned-up, watered-down version to take effect. That experience teaches that the key to resisting mass deportation will be to slow the programs momentum to allow Congress, the courts, civil society, and the business community to push back. Theres no silver bullet. But states can make clear that theyll resist the administrations unconstitutional plans, as Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has done; strip immunity from sheriffs and others who participate in indiscriminate roundups; impose civil and criminal liability on those who participate in illegal deportations; and allocate funding for immigrant representation, following the lead of states such as New Jersey and New York. Nonprofit organizations and lawyers can provide community education on the limits of expedited removal, the right to a hearing, and the ways individuals can claim asylum or show theyre not subject to expedited removal. And business leaders can take a stand to protect the economy. None of this would prevent the administration from going to Congress and seeking the resources to run a humane, efficient immigration system that complies with the Constitution and the nations international obligations. But since it wont do that, the priority must be to maintain the rule of law. Donald Trump will appoint billionaire businessman Warren Stephens as the ambassador to the United Kingdom, the US president-elect said on Monday on his social media platform Truth Social. Trump called Stephens one of the most successful businesspeople in the country. "I am thrilled that he will now have that opportunity as the top Diplomat, representing the U.S.A. to one of America's most cherished and beloved Allies," Trump wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The appointment will require approval by the US Senate, where Trump's Republicans will hold a majority following November's election. Stephens, 67, is at the helm of a family-run investment bank in the southern state of Arkansas. As a Republican Party supporter, he initially opposed Trump in 2016 - but, like many others, later supported him. Stephens also donated money during the primary campaign to Nikki Haley, who challenged Trump for the Republican presidential nomination, the Washington Post reported. Haley eventually withdrew from the race after heavy losses in the primaries. She withheld her support from Trump, 78, initially but eventually endorsed him. Trump's inauguration as the 47th president of the United States is set for January 20. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) A parade of nominees for President-elect Donald Trumps new cabinet are back on Capitol Hill. His picks for attorney general, defense secretary, and secretary of state are meeting with senators. The Trump administration nominees are making their cases to senators as they hope to win confirmation, but some are facing more intense scrutiny than others. A lot of questions have been raised about the nominees, a lot of questions are raised about any presidents nominees. But thats why God made confirmation hearings, said Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As senators gear up to consider President-elect Trumps nominees many of them are visiting Capitol Hill to try to rack up votes for confirmation. Attorney general nominee Pam Bondi is getting glowing reviews from Republicans as she makes the rounds. Shes a tough prosecutor. She was a really good attorney general of Florida. She was tough. She was independent. She was independently elected in Florida. She understands the role, said Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.). Trumps pick for defense secretary is more controversial. Army veteran and former Fox News host Pete Hegseth is facing multiple troubling allegations including an accusation of sexual assault, which he denies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An investigation by the New Yorker alleges Hegseth was fired from previous jobs because of intoxication and inappropriate behavior but at least some senators are standing behind Hegseth. Ive known him for a long time, theres not going to be anything to this at the end of the day, said Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.). So far, the Trump transition team has not agreed to allow the FBI to screen his nominees which has some lawmakers concerned. You cant do a speed dating process for the cabinet of the President of the United States without ending up embarrassed, said Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). Senators on both sides of the aisle say FBI background checks are crucial to the confirmation process. 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. Donald Trump has an obsession with total power, and Americas greatest democratic allies have taken notice. In an interview with CNN published late Monday, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel recalled that her first impression of the MAGA leader was his fascination with the sheer power of authoritarian leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. My impression always was that he dreamt of actually overriding maybe all those parliamentary bodies that he felt were in a way an encumbrance upon him, and that he wanted to decide matters on his own, Merkel told CNN. In a democracywell, you cannot reconcile that with democratic values. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The wide-ranging interview with CNNs Christiane Amanpour covered Merkels upcoming memoir, Freedom, and her fears for liberal democracy as it comes under pressure from international threats. The way he spoke about Putin, the way he spoke about the North Korean (leader)obviously apart from critical remarks he madethere was always a kind of fascination with the sheer power of what these people could do, Merkel said. In that vein, Trump has threatened to weaponize the Federal Communications Commission to punish media organizations that are critical of him, referred to his political opposition as the enemy from within, and claimed that the military should be deployed to help him retain power. Merkel isnt the only person to raise alarm bells over Trumps disturbing veer toward authoritarianism. Ex-members of Trumps inner circle, including his longest-serving chief of staff, retired Marine Gen. John Kelly, have condemned their former boss as a fascist. In a shocking October interview with The New York Times, Kelly warned that Trump hadon multiple occasionspraised Adolf Hitler, and reportedly said that he needed the kind of generals that Hitler had, which Kelly said Trump defined as people who were totally loyal to him, that follow orders. Certainly the former president is in the far-right area, hes certainly an authoritarian, admires people who are dictatorshe has said that. So he certainly falls into the general definition of fascist, for sure, Kelly said at the time. Social media users piled on conservative filmmaker Dinesh DSouza on Monday, accusing the conspiracy theorist of hypocrisy for criticizing Joe Bidens pardon of his son Hunter, as DSouza received a presidential pardon of his own from Donald Trump in 2018. The jokes began when DSouza posted about the pardon on X, writing, No one is above the lawexcept my son Hunter! Elsewhere on his feed, DSouza called the Bidens a crime family and Hunter Biden a degenerate gangster. The comments quickly generated a storm of links and mockery pointing to DSouzas own 2018 pardon for campaign finance violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to a dreaded community note under DSouzas post, many individual users also pointed to the Trump administration pardon. This you? asked Armand Domalewski, founders of YIMBYs for Harris, a pro-Kamala Harris group. You were literally pardoned by Trump, added MSNBC contributor Brian Tyler Cohen. DSouza pled guilty in 2014 to breaking federal campaign finance law and was pardoned by Donald Trump in 2018 (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) A convicted felon who was pardoned by Trump says what? the group Republicans Against Trump posted. In 2018, Trump pardoned DSouza, arguing the filmmaker had been treated very unfairly by our government! After the pardon, DSouza claimed the underlying charges were a result of Obama & his stooges trying to extinguish my American dream. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four years earlier, DSouza pleaded guilty to breaking federal election campaign law. Prosecutors said DSouza directed two people to make donations of $10,000 each to the U.S. Senate campaign of Wendy Long under their own names, then reimbursed them, violating individual contribution limits under the Federal Election Campaign Act by using straw donors. Following the Courts ruling denying Dinesh DSouzas baseless claim of selective prosecution, DSouza now has admitted, through his guilty plea, what we have asserted all along that he knowingly and intentionally violated federal election laws, then-U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said at the time. Outside of entering the fray on the Biden pardon, DSouza made headlines on Monday after issuing an apology about flaws in the data and analysis underlying his widely debunked 2000 Mules film, which claimed election fraud during the 2020 election and fueled numerous conspiracy theories. In his apology, the filmmaker said one of the films main claims, that paid mules fraudulently desposited harvested ballots in swing states, had relied on surveillance video matched to cell phone geolocation data provided by conservative non-profit group True the Vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were assured that the surveillance videos had been linked to geolocation cell phone data, such that each video depicted an individual who had made at least 10 visits to drop boxes. Indeed, it is clear from the interviews within the film itself that True the Vote was correlating the videos to geolocation data, he wrote. We recently learned that surveillance videos used in the film may not have actually been correlated with the geolocation data. DSouza nonetheless insisted the underlying premise of the film holds true. Mark Andrews, one of the people the flim alleged to be a mule, was exonerated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and filed a defamation suit against True the Vote, DSouza, and the films distributor, Salem Media. The suit claimed the film prompted violent threats against Andrews and his family. Salem Media apologized in May and settled with Andrews, saying in statement at the time the film relied on representations made to us by Dinesh DSouza and True the Vote. A companion 2000 Mules book was abruptly pulled from the shelves under threat of legal action to remove false claims made about other nonprofits. Kash Patel was a nobody in Miami before he became a somebody in Trumps world. Patel was named over the weekend by President-elect Donald Trump as his nominee for FBI director. Known as a firebrand Trump loyalist, he got his start as a young lawyer in the state and federal public defenders offices in Miami. After graduating from Pace University School of Law in his native New York in 2005, Patel learned to be a trial attorney representing indigent defendants in dozens of robbery, drug-trafficking and violent-crime cases in Miami until 2013. Eight years in Miami But to those who knew him during his eight years in Miami, there was nothing distinctive about the 44-year-old Patel certainly not a hint of an aptitude for being named as one of the top law-enforcement officers in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his stint in the state public defenders office, some colleagues noted that he made a positive impression on some peers and judges, leading to his getting hired in late 2009 as an assistant federal public defender, where he was one of the lone Republicans in the office. But a defense attorney who worked alongside Patel representing clients in Miami federal court said he wasnt a true believer, like so many assistant public defenders who are disposed to fighting the government at every turn. He was below average, an underachiever, said Miami attorney Paul Petruzzi, who was often assigned by judges to represent clients in federal criminal cases involving the public defenders office. He wasnt like other assistant public defenders who were willing to file motions to suppress evidence even when they knew they were gonna lose. Others who worked with him agreed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He didnt have a bad reputation as a lawyer, said a former colleague in the federal public defenders officer, who like several others declined to comment by name. He just wasnt doing anything out of the ordinary. He wasnt anything special. But Patels transfer to Washington, before Trumps first campaign for president and the rise of his MAGA movement, would lift him out of obscurity. In 2014, the Justice Department hired him as a trial attorney in its National Security Division. He has repeatedly claimed he was the lead prosecutor in the governments pursuit of the perpetrators of the 2012 attack on a U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans, according to the New York Times. In reality, Patel was not part of the trial team but rather a junior Justice Department staff member. Nunes memo got Trumps attention In April 2017, Patel became the senior committee aide to House Intelligence Committee chair Devin Nunes, rising to a prominent role in the GOPs opposition to the Justice Departments investigations into Trump and Russian interference in the 2016 election. He impressed Trump as the primary author of the secret Nunes memo, a key document in House Republicans effort to undermine the Justice Departments investigation of Russian meddling in that election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memo, declassified by Trump over the objections of the intelligence agencies and Democrats, claimed that politics fueled the Russia investigation and that the government had spied on the Trump campaign itself. As a reward, Trump ordered that Patel be given a job on the National Security Council staff. In 2019, Trump proposed to a group of top advisers that Patel begin vetting White House aides for loyalty, as the president combated Democratic and public outrage over his effort to enlist Ukraine in smearing former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. Patels task: to serve as a political executioner, in the words of Charles Kupperman, the deputy national security adviser at the time. Kupperman and White House legal advisers talked the president out of it, according to the New York Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patel remained a Trump loyalist through his darkest times after he lost the 2020 election to Biden and was accused of inciting the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection on the Capitol to stop the transfer of presidential power. On Saturday, Trump said he wanted to replace Christopher Wray, whom he had appointed in 2017 to a 10-year term, and replace him with Patel. Critic of FBI Like Trump, Patel has been a harsh critic of the FBI, calling for shutting down its Washington headquarters, firing its leadership and bringing the nations law enforcement agencies to heel. Trump and his allies have come to view the FBI as part of a deep state conspiracy against him. Patel played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability and the Constitution, Trump said in announcing his choice in a social media post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his book, Government Gangsters: The Deep State, the Truth, and the Battle for Our Democracy, Patel wrote that the Justice Department was a hotbed of endemic corruption and prosecutors who lie, leak, cover up or twist the truth to accomplish their mission. Known for his bravado, he added: This is exactly how I saw the Deep State operate in its attempt to take down President Trump. Prominent Miami defense attorney Jon Sale, who recollected Patels time in Miami, said theres no question that hes very controversial. But he said Trumps naming him to replace Wray who is almost three years from completing his term and must resign or be fired to make way for Patel shouldnt come as a surprise to anyone. One of the things Trump campaigned on was that he was going to shake up the FBI, Sale said. He wants someone in there whos willing to go against the norm. Its not a disqualification that hes a Trump loyalist, but he will have to satisfy the concerns of senators who vote on his confirmation. The News US President-elect Donald Trump has made a series of domestic and foreign policy pledges that implicitly highlight a political vacuum in Washington with his soon-to-be predecessor on a foreign trip. On Monday, Trump pledged to block the acquisition of US Steel by a Japanese company and warned there would be hell to pay if hostages held in Gaza were not released by the time he takes office in January. Trump has also vowed to hike import duties on goods from Canada, China, and Mexico, and threatened the BRICS bloc, which includes China as well as Russia, Brazil, India, and South Africa, among others, with similar tariff hikes. SIGNALS Lame duck Biden presents foreign policy challenges Sources: The Washington Post, Foreign Policy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Until President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration in January, world leaders have to decide whether to go along with outgoing-President Joe Bidens foreign policy prescriptions or hold out for the chance of better treatment under Trump, The Washington Post wrote. But while outgoing presidents often struggle to convince foreign governments of their authority, two columnists argued in Foreign Policy, the deep divisions between Trumps unorthodox and more transactional approach to foreign diplomacy and Bidens stances could pose serious challenges for the coherence of U.S. foreign policy during the transition. Trumps pledge to end the Middle East conflict has no clear roadmap Sources: Politico, The Economist, The Times of Israel Donald Trumps election victory may have helped broker a ceasefire in Lebanon, a Politico editor argued, as various factions in the Middle East scramble to curry favor with the president-elect, who pledged to end the regions wars although its unclear whether the truce will hold until January. Its entirely possible that Trumps vision may mean ending Israeli ground operations while allowing other kinds of military activity to continue, the director of the pro-Israel Foundation for the Defense of Democracies told The Times of Israel. Ultimately, The Economist noted, no one is sure of Trumps stance toward Israel, Iran, or the region at large: Though his election probably heralds a dramatic shift, the direction he will take depends on who has his ear. Bipartisan US opposition to steel bid is strongest signal to date of protectionist turn Sources: Axios, Fastmarkets, Financial Times Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Biden administration firmly opposed Japans Nippon Steels proposed $15 billion takeover of US Steel, yet the deal is still expected to close before Inauguration Day, a reality that would complicate any effort by Donald Trump, who has also said he is against it, to roll it back, Axios noted. The bipartisan opposition to the takeover is the strongest signal to date of how the US domestic economic issues have pushed both Democrats and Republicans toward protectionism, the Financial Times noted: From the get-go, the question has been: is this a one-off, or is this really a broader pattern we should be concerned about? an Asia expert told the outlet. Graham Lee Brewer Associated Press OKLAHOMA CITY When Kamala Harris and Donald Trump campaigned in North Carolina, both candidates courted a state-recognized tribe there whose 55,000 members could have helped tip the swing state. Trump in September promised that he would sign legislation to grant federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe, a distinction that would unlock access to federal funds. He ultimately won North Carolina by more than 3 percentage points, in part due to continued support from Lumbee voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, as Trump prepares to return to the White House in January, the promise will be put to the test. He has Republican allies in Congress on the issue, and now the Lumbee, as well as tribal nations across the country, are watching closely to see what comes next. Tribal nations typically receive federal recognition through an application with the Department of the Interior, but the Lumbee have been trying for many years to circumvent that process by going through Congress. Chairman John Lowery called Interiors application process flawed and overly lengthy and said it should be up to Congress to right what he calls a historic wrong. Its just crazy that were sitting here fighting this battle, and I have to tell you that I am real in 2024, Lowery said. Following the presidential election, the Lumbee hope there will be momentum behind their cause, but they face deep-rooted opposition from tribal nations across the country. There are questions about Trump's next move Several tribes, including the only one that is federally recognized in North Carolina, argue that if the Lumbee Tribe wants federal acknowledgment, it should go through the formal process in the Department of the Interior. One person familiar with Trump's thinking said the president-elect will require the Lumbee Tribe to do just that, and he won't sign a Lumbee recognition bill. The person requested anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly speak about Trump's views. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, said "no policy should be deemed official unless it comes directly from President Trump. Federal recognition is of enormous importance, as it comes with access to resources like health care through Indian Health Services and the ability to create a land base such as reservations through the land-to-trust process. But before that happens, a tribal nation has to file a successful application with the Office of Federal Acknowledgement, a department within the Interior. The Lumbee Tribe was denied the ability to apply for federal recognition in 1987, based on the interpretation of a 1956 congressional act that acknowledged the Lumbee but stopped short of granting them federal recognition. In 2016, the Interior reversed that decision, allowing the Lumbee Tribe to apply, but the Lumbee have opted for the congressional route. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lumbee's approach to gain recognition through legislation has stoked a simmering debate in both Indian Country and Congress about Indigenous identity and tribal nationhood. The Lumbee have received support from members of both parties Members of Congress from both parties have supported recognizing the Lumbee through legislation, including Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a member of the Cherokee Nation who campaigned for Trump in North Carolina and backed the legislation. But perhaps the state-recognized tribes most ardent ally in Congress is North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, who is up for reelection in 2026. Tillis introduced the Lumbee Fairness Act last year and has been a vocal supporter of the Lumbee. In interviews with The Associated Press, several tribal leaders, lobbyists, and advocates said they were told by Tillis directly or by his staff that the senator is currently and will continue to block certain bills backed by tribal nations unless the leaders of those tribes support the Lumbee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the bills he's promised to block, according to those interviewed by the AP, is a land transfer that would allow the Tennessee Valley Authority to return 70 acres of land to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the only federally recognized tribal nation in Tilliss state. It would allow the tribe to put the land in Monroe County, Tennessee into trust. The plot is part of the tribal nations homelands and contains the birthplace of Sequoyah. Its appalling to me. Its disgraceful, Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Michell Hicks said. He said that Tillis told him earlier this year that he would stop any legislation dealing with the Eastern Band unless Hicks pledged his support. Hicks is among the tribal leaders who question the validity of the Lumbees historical claims, and he said that is out of the question. At one point about a century ago, the Lumbee were known as the Cherokee Indians of Robeson County, and for many years now all three Cherokee tribes the Eastern Band, the Cherokee Nation, and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians have denounced this and been vocal opponents of granting the Lumbee federal recognition. Representatives for Tillis declined to comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tillis held up legislation last week that would have allowed for the preservation of the site of the Wounded Knee massacre. While doing so, he singled out the heads of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, who have backed the preservation measure, for not supporting his efforts to federally recognize the Lumbee. This is not about you, Tillis said to the two tribal nations, who he acknowledged had been trying for a century to preserve the site of the massacre. But you need to know that your leadership is playing a game that will ultimately force me to take a position. Tillis suggested it was a casino cartel in part driven by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and an Osage attorney named Wilson Pipestem working for the tribe, that is trying to keep the Lumbee from gaining recognition, which could one day lead to the Lumbee opening their own casinos. Tillis threatened to continue publicly naming tribal leaders and their employees who he felt were standing in the way of his bill. In a statement to the AP, Pipestem said Tillis should apologize to the Tribal leaders for his false allegations and unscrupulous tactics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lowery acknowledged that Tillis has held up both pieces of legislation, but he said that Tillis has not done so at the direction of the Lumbee. If hes put a hold on the bill its because he reached out to tribal leaders to see where they stand on his bill, and they apparently have told him that theyre not in support, Lowery said. So, he said well, if you cant be supportive of my bill, I cant be supportive of your bill. A previous version of this story stated the Lumbee Tribe was denied federal recognition in 1985. The story was corrected to state that the Lumbee Tribe was denied the ability to apply for federal recognition in 1987. Graham Lee Brewer is an Oklahoma City-based member of the APs Race and Ethnicity team. President Joe Bidens decision to pardon his son for any crimes committed in the last decade has proven to be controversial from all sides. One lawmaker called for the presidential pardon powers to be reformed, while another pushed for continuing to investigate the Biden family. Theres one senator West Virginias Joe Manchin who backs the presidents decision but says he would have done one thing differently. My recommendation as the counsel would have been, why dont you go ahead and pardon Donald Trump for all his charges and make it you know, it would have gone down a lot more balanced, if you will, Manchin told CNNs Manu Raju. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am just saying, wipe them out, he added. Manchin argued that instead of putting the president-elect through another four-year term, where he is navigating several court cases, just clean that slate up, and move forward. It wouldnt be the first time a president has pardoned another. As the Deseret News reported, Richard Nixon resigned following the Watergate scandal, which exposed his campaigns wiretapping of the Democratic National Committees headquarters. His successor, President Gerald Ford, issued a full pardon for any offenses Nixon may or may not have committed a move that also proved to be controversial. Although Trump didnt ask for a pardon, he tied the pardoning of Hunter Biden to those individuals charged with storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Trump said. Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said he was open to the idea of pardoning Hunter Biden. I wouldnt take it off the books ... despite what theyve done to me, he told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt last month, as Forbes reported. See, unlike Joe Biden, despite what theyve done to me, where theyve gone after me so viciously ... and Hunters a bad boy, Trump said at the time. Hes been a bad boy. ... But I happen to think its very bad for our country. Trumps transition team argued that the Democrats weaponized the Department of Justice against him, and the president-elect will change that. The failed witch hunts against President Trump have proven that the Democrat-controlled DOJ and other radical prosecutors are guilty of weaponizing the justice system, Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for President-elect Donald Trump, told ABC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That system of justice must be fixed and due process must be restored for all Americans, which is exactly what President Trump will do as he returns to the White House with an overwhelming mandate from the American people. While pardoning his son Hunter, President Biden echoed Trumps complaints about politically charged lawfare. No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunters cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son and that is wrong, Biden said in a statement announcing the pardon, despite saying that he wouldnt pardon his son for months. Heres the truth, he continued. I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice. Bidens sweeping pardon wipes off Hunters convictions related to tax and firearm-related charges. Where Trump accuses the left of instigating a witch hunt against him, Biden implies the Justice Department came under Republican pressure and selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted his family, as The New York Times reported. President-elect Trump vowed to block Japanese Nippon Steel Corp.s acquisition of U.S. Steel. I am totally against the once great and powerful U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company, in this case Nippon Steel of Japan, Trump wrote in a post Monday on Truth Social. He made the same promise on the campaign trail earlier this year. The Hill has contacted Nippon for comment. The Japanese firm announced last year that it would acquire U.S. Steel Corp. in a $14.9 billion deal a move that was sharply criticized by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Nippon asked in September to refile its acquisition bid, a move that put off a decision on approving the deal until after the presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Biden administration said in a post on social media last December that the sale of U.S. Steel deserves serious scrutiny. The deal also faced pushback from the United Steelworkers union. Our concerns are rooted in a wealth of evidence. Nippon Steel has a long history of strategically importing both substrate and finished products into the United States and countries as it offloads its 16 million tons of over-capacity in Japan and China, all to the detriment of American steelmaking and American steelworkers, David McCall, international president for United Steelworkers, wrote earlier this year. Trump added in his post that we will make U.S. Steel Strong and Great Again through tax incentives and tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president-elects latest tariff threats, which include enacting tariffs of 25 percent on all Canadian and Mexican goods, and adding another 10 percent to the tariff to all Chinese goods, have earned the ire of the countrys trading partners and concern from experts. 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 Hill) President-elect Trump vowed to block Japanese Nippon Steel Corp.s acquisition of U.S. Steel. I am totally against the once great and powerful U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company, in this case Nippon Steel of Japan, Trump wrote in the post on Truth Social on Monday. He made the same promise on the campaign trail earlier this year. The Hill has contacted Nippon for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Japanese firm announced last year that it would acquire U.S. Steel Corp. in a $14.9 billion deal a move that was sharply criticized by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Nippon asked in September to refile its acquisition bid, a move that put off a decision on approving the deal until after the president election. The Nippon Steel Corp. logo is displayed on a sign outside its headquarters in Tokyo on Nov. 26, 2021. (Hiro Komae, Associated Press file) The Biden administration said last December that the sale of U.S. Steel deserves serious scrutiny, in a post on social media. The deal also faced pushback from the United Steelworkers union. Our concerns are rooted in a wealth of evidence. Nippon Steel has a long history of strategically importing both substrate and finished products into the United States and countries as it offloads its 16 million tons of over-capacity in Japan and China, all to the detriment of American steelmaking and American steelworkers, David McCall, international president for United Steelworkers, wrote earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, in the post, added that we will make U.S. Steel Strong and Great Again through tax incentives and tariffs. The president-elects latest tariff threats, which include enacting tariffs of 25 percent on all Canadian and Mexican goods, and add another 10 percent tariff to all Chinese goods, have earned the ire of the countrys trading partners and concern from experts. 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. Germanys former chancellor, Angela Merkel, said in a new interview that President-elect Trump displayed fascination with world leaders who have unchecked power such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The way he spoke about Putin, the way he spoke about the North Korean [leader] obviously apart from critical remarks he made there was always a kind of fascination with the sheer power of what these people could do, Merkel told CNNs Christiane Amanpour. Throughout the segment, Merkel spoke of her tumultuous relationship with the former president, who she felt desired an administration without encumbrance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My impression always was that he dreamt of actually overriding maybe all those parliamentary bodies that he felt were in a way an encumbrance upon him, and that he wanted to decide matters on his own, Merkel said. In a democracy well, you cannot reconcile that with democratic values. The Hill reached out to Trumps team for comment. Much of Merkels discussion with Amanpour was focused on her new book, Freedom: Memoirs 1954 2021, in which she chronicles her 16 years of leadership in Germany. As the first woman to hold the office of chancellor, Merkel details how she navigated foreign relations between Berlin and Brussels as well as the United States, in addition to her views on the success of democracies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These days, liberal democracies are under onslaught. They are under pressure, she told Amanpour. Her chancellorship ended just before Russia invaded Ukraine in what she called a power play. Merkel predicted Trump could help end the conflict in the region as he has promised, but urged Ukraine to only accept a deal with security guarantees. There was a turning point in our relationship quite clearly that I had to be extremely cautious in my approach toward him. So, you cannot only trust in an agreement with him thats absolutely correct, she 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. On November 5, Donald Trump persuasively defeated Kamala Harris in the presidential election. He will return to the White House in January when he is inaugurated. Here is what to expect. When will Donald Trump be sworn in as president? Donald Trump will be sworn in on Jan 20 2025 at about midday, after vice-president JD Vance takes the oath of office. Where will he be sworn in? At the US Capitol building in Washington DC which is about 1.2 miles from the White House. What happens on inauguration day? Every four years, thousands of people fill up the National Mall in Washington DC to watch the elected president and vice-president be sworn into office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ceremony at the US Capitol will get under way at midday ET, after which point the transfer of power from the old administration to the new one will be complete. The oath of office repeated by the vice-president dates back to 1884 and involves swearing to defend the Constitution of the United States and to faithfully discharge their duties as president. The president is normally sworn in by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, with John Roberts expected to administer the oath for a fifth time on Jan 20. After being sworn in, the president will issue their inaugural address in which they set forth their goals for the nation. The day also serves as the occasion for the new presidents inaugural speech - Alex Wong/Getty This is followed at 3pm by a military parade called the pass in review, when the new commander-in-chief inspects their troops for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the parade, the president and vice-president lead a procession of regiments, marching bands and floats down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House. The traditional parade, which is watched by millions of Americans, dates back to the first inauguration, when local militias joined George Washingtons procession as he made his way from Mount Vernon, Virginia, to New York City to be sworn into office in 1789. Owing to a calendar quirk, the 2025 inauguration also falls on the same day as Martin Luther King Jr Day. It is just the second time that the state holiday honouring the civil rights leader has fallen on the same day as the inauguration. How many people will attend the inauguration? Turnout proved to be a bone of contention last time Mr Trump won the presidency. Aides claimed at the time that he had drawn the largest audience ever despite aerial photographs appearing to show significantly fewer numbers lining the national mall than had turned out for Barack Obamas inauguration in 2009. Mr Trump caused controversy in 2017 when he suggested his crowd, left, was the biggest ever, despite picture comparisons suggesting the one for Barack Obama, right, was far bigger - Reuters The National Parks Service, which manages the flow of people into Washingtons central thoroughfare, does not take attendance numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, reports suggest tens of thousands of people are expected to file into the capital over the weekend preceding the event, both for the inauguration itself and to take part in protests opposing Mr Trumps election victory. How do you get tickets to the presidential inauguration? Tickets to watch the inauguration from the grounds of the US Capitol are free, but are in high demand and must be applied for through local congressional district websites. Those who are unsuccessful can still view the ceremony on large video screens on the National Mall, alongside thousands of other spectators. The inauguration will also be streamed for those wanting to watch from home. 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. BALTIMORE Given that more than $1 of every $10 in wages paid in Maryland comes from the U.S. government, many residents will be closely watching to see whether President-elect Donald Trumps administration moves to fullfill his campaign promise of cutting back on the federal workforce and relocating some agencies from the DMV to other parts of the country. This would have a disproportionate effect in Maryland, said Darius Irani, chief economist for the Regional Economic Studies Institute at Towson University. The state ranks fourth in the country for the most federal jobs, after the District of Columbia, California and Virginia. Maryland houses the headquarters of agencies that include the Social Security Administration in Woodlawn, the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda and the U.S. Census Bureau in Suitland, as well as sizable branches of everything from NASA to the IRS to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 160,000 civilian federal jobs are located in Maryland, paying a total of $25 billion in wages, according to a recent accounting by the states Department of Legislative Services. That represents about 11% of the wages paid in the state, the departments office of policy analysis said. Additionally, the office noted, many Marylanders commute to the District of Columbia and Virginia, which each have around 190,000 federal jobs. The policy office also noted a potential casualty of the election the selection last year of Greenbelt as the future home of the FBIs new headquarters. Now that hard-fought win, which has drawn opposition from Virginia lawmakers who had hoped to land the building in their state as well as congressional Republicans, may be in jeopardy. Trump has not detailed specific plans for cutbacks, but he has appointed wealthy entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to head a new Department of Government Efficiency to cut back on federal spending and employment. All three have been making bold pronouncements about slashing the government by doing away with or relocating huge portions of the workforce and entire departments. Ramaswamy, a former Republican candidate for president himself, has vowed mass reductions and for some governmental agencies to be deleted outright. Musk, the worlds richest man, has said he wants to cut at least $2 trillion of the $6.75 trillion federal budget, a task many view as impossible. Wait and see If your goal is to make government more efficient and more effective, well work with you, said Johnny Zuagar, a 20-year Census Bureau veteran. As federal employees, lets see how we can help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, if Im going to have to move to Kansas, that might be a different conversation, added Zuagar, 44, who moved from Philadelphia to Maryland to take the job at Census headquarters. Zuagar, who is president of the American Federation of Government Employees council representing workers at his agency, said that for now, hes bringing the positivity, despite the sometimes harsh talk about a bloated, wasteful federal bureaucracy. Its wait and see, the statistician said. That is the advice from Terry Gerton, president and CEO of the National Academy of Public Administration, a nonprofit that researches and seeks to advance good government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My guidance to everyone is to exercise patience and caution, she said. These are things that are easy to say but harder to do. Lets wait and see. Indeed, Trump made similar promises in advance of his first term. But while some agencies did indeed take hits, including the Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency, the total civilian workforce actually grew. His attempts to move agencies away from the DMV were limited, with employees largely refusing the relocations. It took a couple of years to move the Bureau of Land Management from Washington to Colorado, for example, and more than 87% of the staff quit rather than relocate. All that expertise went out the door, said Jason Briefel, policy and outreach director for Senior Executives Association, which represents about 10,000 career federal executives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Trump was not re-elected in 2020, the administration of President Joe Biden restored the BLM headquarters to Washington. Its his purview Briefel, who is a non-attorney partner at Shaw, Bransford & Roth, which specializes in federal employment law, said members are absolutely paying attention to what theyre saying out there and collecting information about their programs and budgets to have ready for the new administration. Any decision thats made about personnel and where an agency might be based has to be grounded in analysis, in a plan, he said. Are we going to lose people? The critical question is what does it mean for the mission. Given that Trump has moved agencies in the past gives his current talk of relocations some weight, particularly with Republicans also in control of both the House and the Senate, Irani said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not like its outside the realm of possibility, he said. Hes got both chambers. Its his purview. In Maryland, any large scale reductions or relocations would certainly resonate. The feds impact extends well beyond their own workforce, and any changes to staffing levels has ripple effects throughout the state, which is home to multiple government contractors and other companies that provide services to the federal sector. Marylands economy, workforce, and state revenue base are deeply intertwined with the federal government, and presidential elections can have a major impact on our states families and businesses, Comptroller Brooke Lierman said in a recent statement responding to the presidential election. In 2021, Lierman said, federal wages and pensions from more than 300,000 Maryland households pumped $31 billion to Marylands economy, 10% of all income in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lierman noted that public funds flow heavily in Maryland: A recent report identified $68 billion in federal, state, and local government procurement contracts coming directly into the state, with federal spending accounting for half of that. It could affect my job Rutilio Rivera, 65, is not a federal employee, but works for a company that has a contract to clean offices in the U.S. Census Bureaus Suitland headquarters. When the government has shut down in the past over funding disputes, or when the COVID pandemic shuttered offices and sent employees home to work remotely, he felt it in his paycheck. I had difficulty making mortgage payments, Rivera said in Spanish, as an official with his union, Service Employees International Union, interpreted. Now hes following the news to see if the incoming administration plans to cut or move federal employees, and how that affects the need for his own labor. Its not just his paycheck, Rivera said, but also benefits like health insurance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im worried because it could affect my job, my ability to pay for my house, my children, Rivera said. Im waiting to see what happens. Jaime Contreras, the executive vice president of his local, 32BJ of SEIU, decried the potential job losses his members could face. According to the union, about 2,000 of its members work in federal buildings either as cleaners or security officers. Diverting resources from critical agencies to give even more tax breaks to the highest earners and [Trumps] corporate donors would have a reverse Robin Hood effect, exemplifying his true disdain for working families, Contreras said in a statement. Gerton of the public administration group said the negative tone to the discourse about the government in Washington belies the fact about 85% of federal workers are based outside the DMV. I think in general most Americans are not aware of that, she said. The 2 million civil servants, in many respects, theyre their neighbors. ------- President-elect Trump announced on Monday that investment banker Warren Stephens would serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom. Warren has always dreamed of serving the United States full time. I am thrilled that he will now have that opportunity as the top Diplomat, representing the U.S.A. to one of Americas most cherished and beloved Allies, Trump said in a statement on Truth Social. Trump called Stephens one of the most successful businessmen in the Country and noted that he has served as president, chair and CEO of his company, Stephens Inc., for 38 years while selflessly giving back to his community as a philanthropist. Stephens is a longtime Republican donor and was a bundler for former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney in 2012. The Arkansas-based billionaire, who took over the business from his father, gave to conservative groups that opposed Trump in 2016 but then supported him in the 2020 and 2024 races. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president congratulated Stephens, as well as his wife, three children and six grandchildren, in the announcement Monday. United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer congratulated Trump on his win last month, saying that he looks forward to working with Trump in the years ahead and that the U.K. and U.S. stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise. Trump has announced other ambassador picks, including Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law, to serve as the U.S. ambassador to France. He also named former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as U.S. ambassador to Israel. 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. Many of Donald Trumps Cabinet nominees are so underqualified for their positions that authoritarianism scholars have called them anti-qualified. But what they lack in relevant experience is substituted by something that Trump values far more: fealty. With dozens of nominees lined up to lead different agencies, extreme loyalty stands as the one common denominator between whose careers live and die under the MAGA leaders second term. Among them stand five billionaires, including Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, both of whom Trump has tapped to lead something he calls the Department of Government Efficiency. Trumps choice for treasury secretary, hedge fund manager Scott Bessent, was also one of his major campaign donors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thirteen individuals who have a future in the next Trump White House made cameos at Trumps criminal trials earlier this year, including Sebastian Gorka for counterterrorism chief, Kash Patel for FBI director, Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff, Dan Scavino as senior adviser, and Vice President-elect JD Vance. Another dozen have been hosts on Fox News or were regular contributors to Trumps favorite network. They include exFox anchor (and accused rapist) Pete Hegseth as defense secretary, Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel, Keith Kellogg to serve as Ukraine-Russia envoy, Representative Michael Waltz as national security adviser, and Sean Duffy for transportation secretary. And, of course, several nominees are directly tied to Project 2025, which Trump briefly tried to distance himself from during his campaign after the details of the Christian nationalist agenda proved incredibly unpopular with the American public. They include Russell T. Vought for White House budget director, Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary, Michigan GOP chairman Pete Hoekstra to serve as U.S. ambassador to Canada, former ICE official Tom Homan to serve as border czar, and Brendan Carrwho has warned TV networks that they would face consequences for political biasto lead the Federal Communications Commission. Trumps transition team had previously promised that loyalty would be the singular criterion. In October, transition team co-chair Howard Lutnick said that no quality would be more important for incoming staffers than total allegiance to the chief Republican. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While explaining how Trumps last administration buckled under the weight of staff turnover due to disagreements in vision, Lutnick said that the new agenda is to eradicate any internal hostility to the Republicans plans. Theyre all going to be on the same side, and theyre all going to understand the policies, and were going to give people the role based on their capacityand their fidelity and loyalty to the policy, as well as to the man, the Wall Street billionaire said at the time. Civilian paramilitaries, like these pictured in 2016, patrol areas of the U.S.-Mexico border searching for immigrants and drug smugglers. Photo by John Moore | Getty Images via The Conversation President-elect Donald Trump has reaffirmed that once he takes office he plans to declare a national emergency and use the military on American streets to accomplish his promises to round up and deport millions of undocumented migrants. Many experts concerns about this program have included the facts that immigrants contribute enormous value to the U.S. economy and mass deportation would hurt food production, housing construction and other crucial industries. Other scholars have analyzed how deportation traumatizes families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have an additional concern about a renewed focus on deportation as someone who has studied U.S. domestic militias for more than 15 years: Some militia units may see it as their duty to assist with such efforts. In fact, local police may even deputize certain militias to help them deport immigrants. Anti-government, but supporting national defense Militias are generally wary of the government. Theyve even been known to use violence against politicians and other government representatives, including police. I have found in my research that the militias disdain for the federal government is especially strong because they believe it is too big and corrupt and takes too much of their income through taxation. But militia members negative beliefs about immigration and self-declared mission to protect the country could lead them to join a national mass-deportation effort. My research finds that militia members generally believe the falsehoods that undocumented migrants are a threat to public safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For some, my research finds, this perception is rooted in xenophobia and racism. Other militia members misunderstand what is required to obtain U.S. citizenship: They believe that anyone who enters the country illegally is, by definition, a criminal and has therefore already proven their intention to not follow the laws and generally be a good American. This is not true, because migrants may seek asylum regardless of their immigration status for up to a year after entering the country. Members with both sets of motives believe that undocumented migrants are taking jobs away from more deserving citizens and are generally receiving unearned benefits from being in the country. Trumps promises to crack down on immigration appeal to militia members of both types. Militia members also believe that one of the few legitimate functions of the federal government as outlined by the Constitution is national defense. In that sense, those who believe migrants are an urgent threat could see the militarys involvement in a mass-deportation operation as consistent with a duty to defend the nation. Most scholars agree that even if it were technically legal, domestic deployment of the military would be an alarming threat to democracy. Active participation Some militia units in border states have been engaged in deportation efforts for a long time. They typically patrol the border, sometimes detain migrants and regularly call the U.S. Border Patrol to report their findings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Border Patrol agents have historically expressed skepticism and concerns about militia involvement with border monitoring due to the unverifiable skills and motives of civilian support. Some state, county and local police also do immigration enforcement, and in recent years they have seemed to become more open to civilian assistance. Some local police agencies, particularly sheriffs, are already asking for civilian assistance managing perceived problems with migrants. Others have hosted anti-immigration events with militias who patrol the border under an effective, if not formal, deputization of their actions. A member of a militia group searches the U.S.-Mexico border for people seeking to cross in 2019. Photo by Paul Ratje | AFP/Getty Images via The Conversation Militias may also be called on directly. In the past, Trump has directly addressed militias. The most cited example is his instruction in a Sept. 29, 2020, presidential debate, directing the Proud Boys to stand back and stand by. People had similar interpretations of his comments in advance of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But I have long believed these appeals started much earlier. In 2018 Trump pardoned the men who inspired the Bundy family occupation and standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. I believe that was an early attempt to garner support from people in militia circles. In a 2020 presidential debate, Donald Trump tells militias to stand back and stand by. A volatile combination The military has already been getting involved in immigration enforcement in unprecedented ways. In early 2024, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott claimed the U.S. Border Patrol was not protecting his state from an invasion from would-be immigrants. He deployed his states National Guard to an area of the border, blocking the Border Patrol from working in that section. That blockade continues. In a second term, Trump has little incentive to restrain his rhetoric or his actions. The Supreme Court has ruled that presidents have broad immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken while in office. Even if he does not directly appeal to private citizens to control the border or detain people whom they believe to be undocumented migrants, his official presence and hardline stance on immigration may be enough to provide legitimacy to vigilante action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In November 2024, two militia members were convicted of a variety of federal offenses, including conspiracy to murder federal agents, for a plot to kill Border Patrol agents whom the men believed were failing to adequately protect the border from crossing migrants. Not all militia members support mass deportation, especially if it involves unconstitutionally deploying military forces on U.S. soil. Thats clear from my research. The military is the military, and law enforcement is law enforcement, one militia member replied when I asked some of my long-term contacts for their perspectives on Trumps declaration to use the military. They are separate for a reason. This man believes undocumented migrants pose dangers but thinks shifting the militarys role would be even more harmful. Not all militia members are so circumspect. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. President-elect Trumps transition team announced Tuesday it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Justice Department, which will allow the FBI to conduct background checks for certain individuals chosen for the incoming administration. The transition said the agreement with the DOJ allows Trumps team to submit names for background checks and security clearances. The transition had previously resisted using the FBI to conduct background checks and instead indicated it would use a different vetting process, underscoring Trumps distrust of the bureau. But the government background checks and security clearances are necessary for officials who are part of the transitions landing teams at various agencies to gain access to certain information as they prepare to take office in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This agreement with the Department of Justice will ensure President Trump and his team are ready on Day 1 to begin enacting the America First Agenda that an overwhelming majority of our nation supported on Election Day, Susie Wiles, Trumps incoming chief of staff, said in a statement. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trumps team last week announced it had signed an MOU with the Biden White House, allowing for officials to meet with counterparts at departments and agencies ahead of the January transition of power. The transitions signing of the memorandum with the White House came three weeks after Trumps victory on election night. By comparison, then-candidate Joe Biden and his team signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate a transition of power in early September 2020, before that years election took place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources previously told The Hill that Biden White House officials have pressed the Trump team to sign the necessary memoranda of understanding since September, and White House chief of staff Jeff Zients personally stressed the importance of the documents after Election 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 The Hill. By Luc Cohen NEW YORK (Reuters) - Donald Trump on Tuesday asked a New York state judge to dismiss the criminal case in which he was convicted in May of 34 felony counts involving hush money paid to a porn star in light of his victory in the Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election. In urging Justice Juan Merchan in Manhattan to vacate the guilty verdict and toss the charges, Trump's lawyers said having Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's case hang over him after he takes office on Jan. 20 would impede his ability to govern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Local elected officials such as D.A. Bragg have no valid basis to cause such disruptions," defense lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove wrote in a court filing dated Dec. 2 and made public on Tuesday. Trump in November nominated Blanche to serve as deputy attorney general, the second-highest position at the Justice Department, during his administration. He nominated Bove to serve as Blanche's top deputy and to be acting deputy attorney general while Blanche awaits confirmation. Merchan last month delayed Trump's previously scheduled Nov. 26 sentencing indefinitely to give him the chance to seek dismissal. Prosecutors with Bragg's office supported delaying the sentencing to give Trump the chance to make his case for dismissal, though they said they would oppose that bid. The prosecutors have until next Monday to respond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge has not indicated when he would rule on Trump's motion to dismiss, and has not set a new date for sentencing. Bragg's office has suggested he defer all proceedings in the case until Trump, 78, leaves the White House in 2029. In their motion to dismiss, Trump's lawyers called that suggestion "ridiculous." They said that would mean sentencing would happen more than a decade after the investigation started in 2018. A spokesperson for Bragg's office declined to comment. HUNTER BIDEN PARDON At the outset of their 72-page motion, Trump's lawyers brought up Democratic President Joe Biden's decision on Sunday to pardon his son Hunter Biden, who was convicted on gun charges and pleaded guilty to tax violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blanche and Bove said Biden's statement that his son had been selectively prosecuted was an "extraordinary condemnation" of his Justice Department. Trump's lawyers have repeatedly asserted that Bragg, a Democrat, had coordinated his Trump prosecution with the Biden administration, citing the involvement in the case of Matthew Colangelo, a former Justice Department official. "This case would never have been brought were it not for President Trump's political views," the defense lawyers wrote. As an elected local prosecutor, Bragg operates independently of the federal Justice Department. Attorney General Merrick Garland, a Biden appointee who runs the Justice Department, has denied Republican claims that he sent Colangelo to Bragg's office to prosecute Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I did not dispatch Mr. Colangelo anywhere," Garland said in congressional testimony on June 4. A PAYMENT TO STORMY DANIELS The New York case stemmed from a $130,000 payment Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels for her silence before the 2016 election about a sexual encounter she has said she had a decade earlier with Trump, who denies it. A Manhattan jury found Trump guilty of falsifying business records to cover up his reimbursement of Cohen. It was the first time a U.S. president - former or sitting - had been convicted of or charged with a criminal offense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump pleaded not guilty in the case. Trump was charged in three additional state and federal criminal cases in 2023, one involving classified documents he kept after leaving office and two others involving his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss. He pleaded not guilty in all three cases. The Justice Department moved to dismiss the two federal cases after Trump's election victory. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Daniel Wallis) (Bloomberg) -- President-elect Donald Trump plans to travel to Paris on Saturday to attend the reopening of the Cathedral of Notre Dame, which was devastated by fire in 2019. Most Read from Bloomberg President Emmanuel Macron has done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so. It will be a very special day for all! Trump announced on his Truth Social platform on Monday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Macron would become the third foreign leader to meet with Trump since his victory in last months US presidential election. Trump hosted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Argentine President Javier Milei at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Trump will arrive at a crucial time for France. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen is set to join a left-wing coalition to topple the government of Prime Minister Michel Barnier as soon as this week. Le Pens National Rally as well as a leftist alliance filed motions on Monday to hold no-confidence votes against the government. Over the weekend, Trump said hed name Charles Kushner as US ambassador to France, offering a prime diplomatic post to his son-in-laws father and a real estate developer he once pardoned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. President-elect Donald Trump is pledging to block Japan's Nippon Steel from buying U.S. Steel, a $14.9 billion deal announced a year ago that is now under review for its potential impact on U.S. national security. "I am totally against the once great and powerful U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company, in this case Nippon Steel of Japan," Trump wrote on Truth Social late Monday. "Through a series of Tax Incentives and Tariffs, we will make U.S. Steel Strong and Great Again, and it will happen FAST!" He added, "As President, I will block this deal from happening. Buyer Beware!!!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While on the campaign trail, Trump had also promised to block Nippon's takeover of U.S. Steel. The Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States (CFIUS), an interagency government panel that assesses foreign acquisitions of U.S. companies, is currently examining Nippon Steel's deal for U.S. Steel. Trump has vowed to pursue protectionist economic policies to help support U.S. businesses, including imposing tariffs on imports from some of America's key trading partners, including Mexico, Canada and China. The president-elect has said tariffs are a tool that can help protect domestic manufacturing, as well as convince foreign companies to open plants in the U.S. In response to Trump's comments, Nippon Steel said it was "determined to protect and grow US Steel in a manner that reinforces American industry, domestic supply chain resiliency and US national security." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will invest no less than $2.7 billion into its unionized facilities, introduce our world-class technological innovation and secure union jobs so that American steelworkers at U.S. Steel can manufacture the most advanced steel products for American customers," the Japanese firm said in a statement. The acquisition, announced in December 2023, has sparked scrutiny from the United Steelworkers union as well as a number of lawmakers and elected officials in the past year, with President Joe Biden reportedly also prepared to block the proposed acquisition. CFIUS is reviewing the deal for potential national security concerns and could advise against the merger. In September, the Biden administration extended the review, pushing a conclusion on the politically sensitive deal until after the Nov. 5 presidential election. Under the deal, U.S. Steel, founded in 1901 by Andrew Carnegie, J.P. Morgan and Charles Schwab, would keep its iconic name and headquarters in Pittsburgh, while all collective bargaining agreements with the United Steelworkers Union would be honored, the companies have said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, if the deal falls through, U.S. Steel has warned it would have to close many of its blast furnace facilities, risking thousands of jobs and making it more difficult to compete globally. Maryland island struggles to survive impact of rising sea level, erosion | 60 Minutes Kate Winslet: The 60 Minutes Interview Roy Cohn | 60 Minutes Archive President-elect Trump on Monday threatened to unleash hell in the Middle East if hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip are not released before his inauguration Jan. 20, underscoring urgency to President Bidens efforts to secure a hostage release and ceasefire deal in his final months in office. In a post on his social media site, Truth Social, Trump demanded the hostages be released before his inauguration or that there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East against the perpetrators. Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!, he wrote in the post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president-elects statement follows confirmation Monday that American Israeli Omer Neutra, who was believed to be alive and held hostage in Gaza, was killed during Hamass Oct. 7 attack but that his body has been held captive by the U.S.-designated terrorist organization. Everybody is talking about the hostages who are being held so violently, inhumanely, and against the will of the entire World, in the Middle East But its all talk, and no action!, Trump wrote. Biden has committed to renewing diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas before leaving office. The administration has said Hamas is the main obstacle to achieving a ceasefire deal, but critics of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blame him for rejecting proposals to draw down Israels military presence in the Gaza Strip. In September, Biden said Netanyahu was not doing enough to achieve a deal to bring the hostages home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement reacting to Neutras confirmed death, Biden said, And to all the families of those still held hostage: We see you. We are with you. And I will not stop working to bring your loved ones back home where they belong. Neutra, from Long Island, N.Y., was a volunteer in the Israeli military and was serving as a tank commander on the border near Gaza when Hamas launched its attack. His parents Ronen and Orna Neutra became one of the most outspoken family members of hostages held by Hamas, addressing the Republican National Convention advocating for their sons release. Neutra is one of 101 hostages, including seven Americans, held by Hamas for more than a year. On Saturday, Hamas released a propaganda video showing American Israeli Edan Alexander alive but warning that time is running out to secure his release. In the video, made under duress, Alexander calls for Trump to use your influence and the full power of the United States to negotiate our freedom. Alexander also said he doesnt want to end up dead like fellow American Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was killed by Hamas in late August as Israeli soldiers closed in on where he and other hostages were being held. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seeing my son alive for the first time in over a year gave us hope but reignited our urgency, Adi Alexander, Edans father, said at a rally in New York on Sunday. Edans haunting words Every day here feels like an eternity demand action. President Biden, President-elect Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu: This is a moment for courage, collaboration and decisive action. Strength means nothing without action. 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. WASHINGTON (AP) Kash Patel has been well-known for years within Donald Trump's orbit as a loyal supporter who shares the president-elect's skepticism of the FBI and intelligence community. But he's receiving fresh attention, from the public and from Congress, now that Trump has picked him to lead the FBI. As he braces for a bruising and likely protracted Senate confirmation fight, Patel can expect scrutiny not only over his professed fealty to Trump but also for his belief revealed over the last year in interviews and his own book that the century-old FBI should be radically overhauled. Here's a look at some of what he's proposed for the nation's premier federal law enforcement agency. How much of it he'd actually follow through on is a separate question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He's mused about shutting down the FBI's Washington headquarters The first FBI employees moved into the current Pennsylvania Avenue headquarters 50 years ago. The building since then has housed the supervisors and leaders who make decisions affecting offices around the country and overseas. But if Patel has his way, the J. Edgar Hoover Building could be shut down, with its employees dispersed. Id shut down the FBI Hoover Building on day one and reopen it the next day as a museum of the deep state," Patel said in an interview on the Shawn Ryan Show" that aired in September. "Then, Id take the 7,000 employees that work in that building and send them across America to chase down criminals. Go be cops. Youre cops go be cops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such a plan would undoubtedly encounter legal, logistical and bureaucratic hurdles and it may reflect more of a rhetorical flourish than a practical ambition. In a book last year titled, Government Gangsters: The Deep State, the Truth and the Battle for Our Democracy, he proposed a more modest reform of having the headquarters moved out of Washington to prevent institutional capture and curb FBI leadership from engaging in political gamesmanship. As it happens, the long-term fate of the building is in flux regardless of the leadership transition. The General Services Administration last year selected Greenbelt, Maryland, as the site for a new headquarters, but current FBI Director Christopher Wray has raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest in the site selection process. He's talked about finding conspirators' in the government and media Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview last year with conservative strategist Steve Bannon, Patel repeated falsehoods about President Joe Biden and a stolen election. Were going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections," Patel said. The same applies for supposed conspirators inside the federal government, he said. It's not entirely clear what he envisions, but to the extent Patel wants to make it easier for the government to crack down on officials who disclose sensitive information and the reporters who receive it, it sounds like he'd back a reversal of current Justice Department policy that generally prohibits prosecutors from seizing the records of journalists in leak investigations. That policy was implemented in 2021 by Attorney General Merrick Garland following an uproar over the revelation that the Justice Department during the Trump administration had obtained phone records of reporters as part of investigations into who had disclosed government secrets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patel himself has said that it's yet to be determined whether such a crackdown would be done civilly or criminally. His book includes several pages of former officials from the FBI, Justice Department and other federal agencies he's identified as being part of the Executive Branch Deep State. Under the FBIs own guidelines, criminal investigations cant be rooted in arbitrary or groundless speculation but instead must have an authorized purpose to detect or interrupt criminal activity. And while the FBI conducts investigations, the responsibility of filing federal charges, or bringing a lawsuit on behalf of the federal government, falls to the Justice Department. Trump intends to nominate former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi as attorney general. He wants major, major surveillance reform Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patel has been a fierce critic of the FBI's use of its surveillance authorities under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and in his Shawn Ryan Show interview, called for major, major reform." That position aligns him with both left-leaning civil libertarians who have long been skeptical of government power and Trump supporters outraged by well-documented surveillance missteps during the FBI's investigation into potential ties between Russia and Trump's 2016 campaign. But it sets him far apart from FBI leadership, which has stressed the need for the bureau to retain its ability to spy on suspected spies and terrorists even as it's also implemented corrective steps meant to correct past abuses. If confirmed, Patel would take over the FBI amid continued debate over a particularly contentious provision of FISA known as Section 702, which permits the U.S. to collect without a warrant the communications of non-Americans located outside the country for the purpose of gathering foreign intelligence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden in April signed a two-year extension of the authority following a fierce congressional dispute centered on whether the FBI should be restricted from using the program to search for Americans data. Though the FBI boasts a high compliance rate, analysts have been blamed for a series of abuses and mistakes, including improperly querying the intelligence repository for information about Americans or others in the U.S., including a member of Congress and participants in the racial justice protests of 2020 and the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Patel has made clear his disdain for the reauthorization vote, though he's also said the tool is an important national security power in the fight against terrorism. Because the budget of FISA was up this cycle, we demanded Congress fix it. And do you know what the majority in the House, where the Republicans did? They bent the knee. They (reauthorized) it, Patel told Ryan. He has called for reducing the size of the intelligence community Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patel has advocated cutting the federal government's intelligence community, including the CIA and National Security Agency. When it comes to the FBI, he has said that he would support breaking off the bureau's intel shops from the rest of its crime-fighting activities. It's not clear exactly how he would intend to do that given that the FBI's intelligence-gathering operations form a core part of the bureau's mandate and budget. Wray, who's been in the job for seven years, has also recently warned of a heightened threat environment related to international and domestic terrorism. After the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, then-FBI Director Robert Mueller faced down calls from some in Congress who thought the FBI should be split up, with a new domestic intelligence agency created in its wake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea died, and Mueller committed new resources into transforming what for decades had been primarily a domestic law enforcement agency into an intelligence-gathering institution equally focused on combating terrorism, spies and foreign threats. Frank Montoya Jr., a retired senior FBI official who served as the U.S. government's national counterintelligence executive, said he disagreed with the idea of breaking out the FBI's intel shops" and viewed it as a way to defang the bureau. Doing so, he said, makes the bureau less effective at what it does, and quite frankly, it will make the intelligence community less effective at what it does. Trump is nominating GOP Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer to be his Secretary of Labor. She's a political moderate who's backed a pro-union bill that many Republicans don't like. That's earned her some initial praise from Democratic senators and skepticism from the right. As President-elect Donald Trump builds out his prospective cabinet, one nominee has emerged as a potential favorite of Democrats and a headache for Republicans. Trump announced last month that he's nominating Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, a first-term Republican who just lost a tough reelection fight in a Democratic-leaning Oregon district, to serve as his Secretary of Labor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike most Republicans, she's positioned herself as an ally of labor unions, has co-sponsored major Democratic pro-union bills, and has earned the backing of some prominent labor leaders ahead of her Senate confirmation battle next year. "Oftentimes, you'll get a nominee out of a Republican administration who has had an anti-labor record," said Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia. "Her track record would suggest she could be a good advocate." Chavez-DeRemer is one of just three House Republicans who've cosponsored the PRO Act, a sweeping piece of legislation that would override state-level "right-to-work" laws that Republicans have long supported while strengthening workers' ability to form unions. She was also one of just eight House Republicans to cosponsor a separate bill that would guarantee public-sector employees the right to organize. "I've only heard good things," said Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. "She's a supporter of the PRO Act, and that's like the holy grail of labor." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several Democratic senators have offered conditional praise for Chavez-DeRemer, indicating that they're willing to support her nomination if she commits to strengthening labor unions in her new position. Meanwhile, many Republicans are declining to weigh in on her support for pro-labor legislation, saying they'd like to meet with her first. But a handful of them, particularly those who are more supportive of right-to-work laws, have publicly expressed reservations about her. Sen. Bill Cassidy, the top Republican on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, wrote on X that he needed a "better understanding of her support for Democrat legislation in Congress that would strip Louisiana's ability to be a right to work state, and if that will be her position going forward." Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana has expressed reservations about Chavez-DeRemer's support for the PRO Act. Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe via Getty Images "I don't know her, don't really know much about her record, other than what I've read," said Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin. "Some of those things she supports would give me some concern." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Chavez-DeRemer told BI that she would reserve comment on her nomination out of respect for the confirmation process, but that she looks forward to advancing the Trump administration's policies. An 'early test' of the GOP's relationship with labor under Trump Chavez-DeRemer's nomination comes as the GOP's relationship with labor has begun to shifted, with self-styled populists like Sens. JD Vance of Ohio and Josh Hawley of Missouri pushing for the party to take a more worker-friendly approach than it has before. And in recent years, organized labor and labor unions have enjoyed a bipartisan resurgence of support. Fetterman argued that it was "smart" for Trump to nominate Chavez-DeRemer, given the drift of union voters into the GOP in recent elections. "I think that means that he's making a move to continue to grab even more votes out of the unions," said Fetterman. But Chavez-DeRemer won't have singular power of labor policy in America, and Trump's appointees to the National Labor Relations Board will likely be especially consequential for workers and organized labor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden's NLRB which weighs in on labor-related cases and can investigate different labor disputes has, among other labor-friendly moves, ruled that captive audience meetings are unlawful and set new precedents making it easier for workers to organize. By contrast, Trump's NLRB took steps that ultimately weakened workers' organizing ability, including curtailing organizers's abilities to leaflet at employers' property and restricting areas where union organizers could be. "Donald Trump has not exactly been an ally of working families and and labor. So if she's confirmed, we'll see how she does," said Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden, who said he wanted to make sure his fellow Oregonian got a "fair shake" in her confirmation hearings. "I'll be listening closely to her testimony." In a statement offering conditional praise for Chavez-DeRemer, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts argued that Chavez-DeRemer's nomination offers an "early test" of whether Trump will "stand strong with workers or bow down to his corporate donors and the Republican establishment's opposition." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If Republican Senators block Trump's labor nominee for standing with unions, it will show that the party's support for workers is all talk," said Warren. Hawley, who supports Chavez-DeRemer's nomination, said that her confirmation will indeed be a "test of whether or not the party is going to follow this president on his agenda for labor and for workers." For now, many Republicans appear to be in wait-and-see mode and a GOP desire to show party unity could help keep Republican support from cratering. "My bias is supporting President Trump in staffing his administration with the people he wants around him," said Johnson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I don't support the PRO Act. I think the PRO Act is not good policy," said Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. "But I'll assess every nominee on the merits." Read the original article on Business Insider Donald Trumps lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the president-elects New York hush money case, invoking President Joe Bidens pardon for his son Hunter in making their argument to toss the state criminal case. The 69-page motion cited a long list of complaints against various actors in the legal system and said that dismissal is required due to presidential immunity; federal law regarding the presidential transition; and the Constitutions supremacy clause, which prioritizes federal interests over states. Judge Juan Merchan previously granted Trump permission to file the dismissal motion and has postponed sentencing in the meantime. If Merchan rejects Trumps dismissal motion, the judge will still need to reject another pending motion of Trumps before sentencing can happen. Before Trump won the presidential election and filed this latest motion, he already had a pending bid to overturn his guilty verdicts or dismiss the case based on the Supreme Courts immunity ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps lawyers have signaled that they will seek to appeal any adverse rulings before sentencing can happen, making it even less likely that Trump is sentenced before he takes office in the only one of his four criminal cases that went to trial. While its unclear how this all plays out over the next several weeks, it raises questions about what to do with the case if it isnt fully resolved before Trump returns to the White House next month. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose response to Trumps motion is due Dec. 9, previously signaled that he thought the case could be paused while Trump is in office. Trumps lawyers argue in their dismissal motion filed Monday that doing so is not an option. Among other things in the lengthy filing, they cited special counsel Jack Smiths motion to dismiss Trumps federal election interference case, which pointed to Justice Department policy against charging and prosecuting sitting presidents. The applicability of that federal policy or, perhaps more importantly, its constitutional persuasiveness in Merchans view when it comes to state cases could play a role in how the state court judge handles the case going forward. Citing Bidens recent pardon of his son Hunter, Trumps lawyers attempted to harness Bidens criticism of his son being mistreated to say that the same is true of Trumps prosecution. The motion was filed by defense lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, whom Trump has named to top Justice Department posts in his incoming administration. Trumps motion comes after his federal charges were dismissed, while his Georgia state case, which hasnt gone to trial yet and has been paused due to a pretrial appeal, raises its own open questions that, like in the New York case, may have to be addressed in some fashion before Trump takes office. Presidents cant pardon state cases or get them dismissed. Subscribe to the Deadline: Legal Newsletter for expert analysis on the top legal stories of the week, including updates from the Supreme Court and developments in Donald Trumps legal cases. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Attorneys for Donald Trump filed a request Tuesday, as expected, asking New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan to dismiss the hush money case against the president-elect despite the guilty verdict delivered in May. The lengthy filing comes after Merchan indefinitely delayed Trumps sentencing date last month, following his reelection, as sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted. His sentencing had already been pushed back several times due to the Supreme Courts landmark decision expanding presidential immunity. Nothing short of a full dismissal will do, Trumps attorneys argued, objecting to the idea of postponing the sentencing to the end of Trumps second term in 2029. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [I]t would be egregious and unlawful for this Court to hold the prospect of a 2029 sentencing over President Trumps head while he continues his service to this Country, the filing read. The lawyers arguments centered on the immunity ruling and the Constitutions Supremacy Clause establishing that the federal government takes precedence over state-level affairs. But much of the document was devoted to arguing that the trial itself had been unfair to Trump. The lawyers cited President Joe Bidens recent decision to pardon his son to argue that Trump, like Hunter Biden, was selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted and treated differently. Since [Manhattan District Attorney Alvin] Bragg took office, he has engaged in precisely the type of political theater that President Biden condemned, Trumps filing read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case would never have been brought were it not for President Trumps political views, the transformative national movement established under his leadership, and the political threat that he poses to entrenched, corrupt politicians in Washington, D.C., and beyond. The lawyers said that proceeding with sentencing in this failed lawfare case would improperly disrupt the incoming presidents transition. A jury of New Yorkers found Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts in a case that revolved around a $130,000 payment to the porn actor Stormy Daniels made in the days leading up to the 2016 presidential election. The payment was wired by Trumps personal attorney at the time, Michael Cohen, who was subsequently reimbursed in monthly installments over a period of around a year. Braggs office successfully argued that the repayment scheme constituted falsified business records, as the expense was described as legal services instead of a payment intended to influence an election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the Supreme Courts July ruling on presidential immunity threw a wrench into the case. Trumps attorneys asked for more time to figure out how the ruling applies to the charges against Trump, who was in the White House during the period of time he was signing checks reimbursing Cohen. The high court decreed that presidents are immune from criminal prosecution for all official actions taken as part of the duties of their office. While Bragg did not object to Merchan canceling Trumps most recent sentencing date, he indicated he would fight the attempt to completely dismiss the case. His office is expected to file their response to the Trump teams brief later this month. Related... (Bloomberg) -- Tunisias government is looking to the central bank to help repay its external debt for a second straight year, as the economy languishes after a potential International Monetary Fund bailout stalled. Most Read from Bloomberg The state needs to borrow as much as 7 billion dinars ($2.2 billion) from the regulator in 2025, Finance Minister Sihem Boughdiri told parliament on Monday, proposing an addendum to next years budget that lawmakers subsequently approved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sum would mostly go toward servicing Tunisias debt, including a $1 billion eurobond maturing in January, Boughdiri said, in remarks carried by state news agency TAP. The North African nation, mired in economic malaise since its 2010 pro-democracy uprising, has been struggling to boost revenue from its key foreign-currency earners such as manufacturing and phosphates. Talks on possible IMF support stopped more than a year ago as President Kais Saied rejected what he called foreign diktats. It would be the second consecutive time Tunisia takes the unorthodox step of leaning on the central bank for direct financing of its budget and debt repayments under Saied, who was first elected five years ago. The governments request for 2025 is equal to about 28% of the central banks foreign-currency reserves. Theres been temporary relief from other quarters. Tunisia secured financial support from Saudi Arabia in 2023, while it also got an unexpected windfall from olive-oil exports this year due to limited global supplies a situation that may not be repeated in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a meeting with Tunisias central bank governor late Monday, Saied urged the regulator to adhere to state policies and reiterated calls for a reform of its statutes. Monetary policy must be consistent with economic policy and the state has one policy, not many, even if the institutions are multiple, he said, according to a statement from the presidency. (Updates with lawmakers passing budget, Saied meeting central bank governor.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. ANKARA (Reuters) - A Turkish court has jailed pending trial nine protesters who disrupted President Tayyip Erdogan's speech in Istanbul last week, accusing his government of continuing oil exports to Israel despite a publicised embargo. The incident occurred during Erdogan's televised address at a forum on Friday, where the protesters said the government was failing to uphold its pro-Palestinian rhetoric. They chanted slogans such as "Ships are carrying bombs to Gaza" and "Stop fuelling genocide". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erdogan responded sharply. "My child, don't become the mouthpiece of Zionists here. No matter how much you try to provoke by acting as their voice, mouth, and eyes, you will not succeed," he said. "Zionists around the world know very well where Tayyip Erdogan stands. But it seems you still haven't understood." Police removed the demonstrators from the event, and prosecutors charged them with insulting the president and participating in an illegal demonstration. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said the group had coordinated their actions inside and outside the venue and sought their detention pending trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The arrests have drawn strong criticism from opposition politicians and rights advocates. Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel denounced the detentions as a blow to democracy. "The decision to arrest nine young people who protested Tayyip Erdogan proves the grave situation our country's democracy has fallen into," Ozel said. "These young people were exercising their right to free expression and should be released immediately." (Reporting by Ece Toksabay, editing by Ed Osmond) The Maine state flag flies outside the State House in Augusta. (Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star) Maine has two contested races for constitutional officers that the state Legislature will settle this week. Attorney General Aaron Frey is facing a challenge from Maeghan Maloney, the district attorney for Kennebec and Somerset counties who previously ran for the role in 2018 when the Legislature selected Frey to replace now-Gov. Janet Mills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Treasurer Henry Beck is not seeking another term and two legislators are vying for the position, the previous House Majority Leader Mo Terry of Gorham and state Rep. Joe Perry of Bangor. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is running for reelection and is expected to win, as no one has publicly challenged her. All are Democrats, as the majority party of the Legislature gets to select constitutional officers. Democratic lawmakers will meet Tuesday to settle on their nominees ahead of formal votes held on Wednesday, when lawmakers are sworn in for the 132 session. Maine is an outlier with its insular selection process for constitutional officers. Rather than giving that power to state legislators, most states popularly elect their treasurer, secretary of state and attorney general. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For decades Maine lawmakers have proposed changing the selection process, such as instead allowing the public to decide through a direct popular election. However, such attempts have failed. Attorney General Frey told Maine Morning Star he is running on a platform of experience having served in the position for the past six years, including during part of the last Donald Trump presidency. I think one of the strongest assets that I bring to the table in terms of how the Attorney General is going to be called upon to act over the next two years is the experience that I bring, in not only my work over the last six years but the preparations I have made with my team to take on what could be a very challenging presidential administration, Frey said. Frey is already preparing for another Trump presidency even before day one, he said, and pointed to his track record of insulating Maine from out-of-state interference, such as challenges to legal reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maine also has ongoing litigation that Frey thinks would benefit from having continuity of representation. For example, Frey has sued Amazon over anti-competitive practices, Meta for allegedly violating federal law in how it markets to children, and PFAS manufacturers and fossil fuel companies for alleged deceit. Maine is also beginning to receive money from opioid settlements Frey helped spearhead. There is value in having somebody engaged in this, at the table, whos been there from the beginning, Frey said. Both Frey and Maloney have promised to fight against possible challenges to Maine law by the Trump administration if selected. Maloney did not respond to Maine Morning Stars interview request but told the Portland Press Herald that she is challenging Frey to offer Maine an attorney general who can serve throughout Trumps upcoming four-year term. The Maine Legislature selects the states constitutional officers every two years, the length of the legislative session, and Frey will be termed out in two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least it would be possible for me to serve for the entire Trump administration, Maloney told the Press Herald. There will be a lot that will be happening two years from now. There will be cases that have not yet started that will be mid-process in two years, and those cases would benefit from having a consistent leadership. Frey pushed back on that argument during his interview with Maine Morning Star. I think that my experience, its a thing youd want to take advantage of over the next two years, Frey said. You dont want to leave that on the sideline. As a political actor, Frey said he hopes the Legislature will continue to be Democratically-led two years from now and have the opportunity to elect another Democratic attorney general. However, nothing is guaranteed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Maine sent Democratic majorities back to both the House of Representatives and Senate on Nov. 5, the chambers have slimmer majorities than last session. Both Frey and Maloney would also bring experience with Maine law beyond their work as attorneys to the role, as both previously served in the Maine Legislature. State Treasurer Beck confirmed he is not seeking reelection as state treasurer, after serving in the role since 2018. Beck also previously served in the Maine House. Terry, who termed out of the Maine House after four consecutive terms, said Beck reached out to her when he decided not to run again to suggest she vie for the role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It definitely feels its the right fit for me, Terry told Maine Morning Star. Its pretty evident that the work that Ive done really supports the role itself. That work, she said, includes serving as majority leader of the Maine House, chairing the Legislatures Taxation Committee and being a part of financial planning for national groups such as the National Conference of State Legislatures and the State Legislative Leaders Foundation. Senate President Troy Jackson (left) and House Majority Leader Mo Terry hear from Danielle Fox, director of the Legislatures Office of Policy and Legal Analysis, during a rules committee meeting on Aug. 27. (Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star) However, Terry added that, if selected, shed also pull from her experience outside the Legislature. As a former chef and now small business owner, she said success also depends on ones ability to understand and meet the needs of staff. Im 100% comfortable with being a public face but at the same time I know that the work is done in the office and making sure that that office has all the things that they need is incredibly important, Terry said. It was in my first kitchen. It was in the House Democratic office and Im 100% positive it will be the same way in the Treasurys office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Terry initially had an uncontested path to become state treasurer, before Perry, who recently won reelection for his fourth House term, entered the race at the encouragement of his fellow lawmakers, as initially reported by the Bangor Daily News. Perry did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication. Perry told the BDN other lawmakers indicated Republicans would back him for treasurer, potentially giving the minority party some power in the election of the partisan constitutional officer. Before serving in the House, Perry served three terms in the Senate. He also owns a convenience store in Bangor. While Terry had not expected Perry to run, she said, Really, honestly, I think Joe would also do a great job. However, as the outgoing majority leader, she said she hopes he remains for his next term as a legislator and that a special election isnt needed. Democrats are expected to settle on their nominee Tuesday, before the full Legislature convenes Wednesday to formally vote. According to the BDN, Perry signaled that he is opposed to running against his own party if hes not selected as nominee. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE (FOX40.COM) A person was arrested on Monday night in connection to one of two fires at a former Volunteers of America shelter in Sacramento, according to the Sacramento Fire Department. Around 10:15 p.m., fire crews responded to 470 Bannon St, for reports of a small fire inside the building and were able to extinguish it quickly. Police cite more than 21,000 people in California over Thanksgiving holiday weekend Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometime around 1 a.m., a separate fire was spotted nearby as flames came out of the roof, and a two-alarm call was made. With high ceilings and most of the fire being located in the attic, firefighters struggled to get hold of the blaze. Eventually, crews were able to quench the fire and investigators are looking into the cause of the second fire which they deem as being suspicious. 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 FOX40. The city of Asheville stressed that its distribution pipes do not contain lead, and it has no detectable lead in its main reservoir. (Photo: Starr Sariego for the Asheville Watchdog) This report was first published by Asheville Watchdog. Two independent chemistry experts say lead could be more widespread in Ashevilles drinking water following Tropical Storm Helene than the city has suggested and both call for more public education and testing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sally Wasileski, chair of the UNC Asheville chemistry department, and Abigail Cantor, a chemical engineer and president of Process Research Solutions, LLC, which consults on municipal water issues, said they recommend residents of homes built in or before 1988, when lead was banned in new plumbing, use bottled water until they test their water. We cannot risk widespread lead poisoning, especially on top of all that our community has faced in the wake of Helene, Wasileski wrote in a letter to the media and larger community in November. We need a broad investigation of the lead levels at the tap of residences, schools, and businesses who source their water from Asheville City Water. Sally Wasileski, chair of the UNC Asheville chemistry department, wrote a letter to the media and larger community in November calling for a broad investigation of the lead levels at the tap of residences, schools, and businesses who source their water from Asheville City Water. (Photo: UNC Asheville) Cantor, who lives in Madison, Wisconsin, has relatives in Asheville and said she warned them about the risk of lead in the water. Ive told them not to drink the water yet, until I test their water, Cantor said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wasileski and Cantor reached out to Asheville Watchdog independently of each other and stressed a measured approach and the need to base decisions on test results. I understand that it is very important to not cause a panic, Wasileski wrote in her letter. Yet clear and effective communication, and widespread testing will ensure that there is not a second crisis across Asheville and Buncombe County. Asheville Water Resources Department spokesperson Clay Chandler said city water is safe to drink. The water meets EPA drinking water standards and is acceptable for consumption, Chandler said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If a customer is pregnant, nursing, or has children under 6 years of age, and has concerns about lead exposure, theyre free to use bottled water for consumption or install a filter certified by the National Sanitation Foundation to reduce lead, Chandler said. The city also stressed that its distribution pipes do not contain lead, and it has no detectable lead in its main reservoir. James Pinckney, an EPA spokesperson, said the agency continues to work closely with Asheville and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality on their response efforts, including their plans to test and report on lead. The city has not violated the Safe Drinking Water Acts Lead and Copper Rule at this time, and they are voluntarily conducting investigative lead sampling in the system post-hurricane to evaluate the aftereffects that the hurricane has had on the system and ensure the safety of the residents, Pinckney said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lead is a powerful neurotoxin that can cause developmental problems in children. No level is safe in a water system. Since the city announced Nov. 14 the presence of lead in the water of seven schools, it has received more than 5,000 requests for home lead testing kits. It takes four to six weeks to receive the results. Lead levels rise in pipes when water has been sitting for a while. The city has stressed the importance of flushing residential plumbing lines for 30 seconds to two minutes to help remove lead. Lead mitigation halted for 19 days The city normally treats for lead with zinc orthophosphate and sodium bicarbonate. The minerals coat the insides of pipes, with the zinc material absorbing the lead and keeping it from reacting with water; the bicarbonate helps with pH levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The corrosion control treatment prevents lead, used in solder in pipes in homes and buildings built in 1988 or before, from leaching into the water. Some older homes also have lead pipe service lines. The city has said about 60 percent of Asheville homes were built in 1988 or earlier. The Asheville Water Resources Department said in mid-November that it had stopped the treatment for 19 days in October as it worked to restore water following Helene. The treatment was suspended because sedimentation at North Fork Reservoir, the citys main water source, was unusually high and the city was using a bypass line to get water out. Treatment resumed Oct. 30, but it can take a month or more to become effective again, the city said. The city returned non-potable water to most customers by mid-October but told them to use bottled water for consumption unless they had no access to it, in which case they could boil the tap water for at least a minute before consuming. Boiling water does not remove lead, which has no taste or smell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Water Resources received initial lead test results Nov. 4 and final ones Nov. 8. The city shared those Nov. 14, announcing seven local schools tested positive for lead. Water Resources Department spokesperson Clay Chandler, shown at the North Fork Reservoir, emphasized that out of 25 sites tested at schools, seven had detectable lead levels on the first draw meaning, water that had been sitting stagnant for multiple weeks was tested straight out of the pipe, with no flushing beforehand. After a 30-second flush, six of those fell below detectable levels. (Photo: Starr Sariego, Asheville Watchdog) Chandler emphasized that out of 25 sites tested at schools, those seven had detectable lead levels on the first draw meaning, water that had been sitting stagnant for multiple weeks was tested straight out of the pipe, with no flushing beforehand. After a 30-second flush, six of those fell below detectable levels, Chandler said. Water Resources and Dr. Jennifer Mullendore, medical director for Buncombe Countys Department of Health & Human Services, stressed that students were not exposed to lead, and there have been no reports of students with lead in their bloodstream. The coating in pipes is the key A key concern for Wasileski and Cantor is the damage or compromise that the protective coating of zinc orthophosphate may have sustained during the water outage and the suspension of treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her letter, Wasileski noted that water chemistry is complex and changes due to factors like pH, oxygen content, chlorination, temperature, mineral levels. Lead-letter-Google-Docs-2 Any small breaks in this protective coating would now enable water to come in direct contact with lead metal in the pipes and fixtures, and cause this lead to corrode and leach into the water flowing into and through home plumbing, Wasileski said, citing EPA information. What is unclear is how much damage to this protective layer can be caused by the 19-day lapse in corrosion control. Wasileski did note that most case studies of elevated lead levels are from plumbing damage over longer periods of time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even in these cases, the extent of lead corrosion was highly variable as the protective coating of some fixtures and pipes had more breaks (and leached more lead) than others, Wasileski wrote. The citys positive results for lead, she noted, were well above the amount of lead recommended for action by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The new lead test results indicate the likelihood of damage to the protective coatings in these schools plumbing and fixtures, or damage to their water service lines, Wasileski wrote. In addition to the risk of lead in water at these schools, these results also indicate the potential for more widespread damage to plumbing in residences and businesses across the city. The risk of exposure, Wasileski said, remains because it is well known that the time it takes to regenerate this protective layer once corrosion control has resumed is highly variable and can take years to form. She cited an EPA document in her letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chandler, citing guidance from the EPA, said coating regeneration takes 30 to 90 days. Cantor, who has been a consulting engineer since 1981 and has specialized in distribution system water quality since 1991, said she agreed with Wasileskis call for more lead testing in water and for people via blood tests. Shed also like to see better communication and a recommendation that people in older homes not drink tap water until they test for lead. While zinc orthophosphate can form a protective film on the pipe walls that will slow down or stop further corrosion of the pipe, Cantor said, if pipe walls are already obscured with chemical scales and biofilms, that protective layer cannot form properly. She says this applies to all pipes in a water system, whether city-owned or privately owned, although most significant sources of lead occur in private plumbing. Water in municipal systems is a mixture of chemicals, microorganisms, minerals and organic matter that interact with biofilms and chemicals on pipe surfaces. Biofilms emit secretions and chemical byproducts that can alter the water chemistry in the distribution system, leading to corrosion of pipe metal. Cantor said the interactions can cause problems with water quality, including lead and copper release. Another factor to consider, Cantor said, is that federal regulations require measuring total lead concentration in water the dissolved lead plus lead in particulate form. But the orthophosphate treatment controls only the dissolved lead concentration. If the lead is in particulate form, it has been released from pipe accumulations, not from metal corrosion directly. It is from release of pipe wall accumulations where the lead has been trapped, Cantor said. Orthophosphate will not remedy that situation. Orthophosphate is irrelevant to controlling particulate lead. Thats why thorough flushing is key, Cantor said. She recommends the city engage in a program of intense water main flushing throughout the system, and that it continues with the zinc orthophosphate program, as it does offer some protection. Customers should also intensely flush their own homes. Ashevilles water likely sat in pipes for days or weeks, and that great stagnation of water, followed by the introduction of partially treated water, likely disturbed pipe wall accumulations and released trapped particulate lead in residences and larger buildings such as schools, Cantor said. Chandler said predicting how much the citys corrosion control was compromised is not possible. The potential exists that the corrosion control layer did begin to break down, Chandler said. The testing performed at the city and county elementary schools, participating child care facilities, private schools and the private residence show a potential for breakdown, but since only seven of 25 sites tested showed a detection and only one showed a detection after a 30-second flush it does not point toward a complete breakdown in corrosion control during that 19-day period. North Fork Reservoir provides 80 percent of Ashevilles water. After Helene washed out the two main transmission lines from North Fork and a backup bypass line, the city focused on restoring service as quickly as possible. (Photo provided by City of Ashevilles Water Resources Department) After Helene washed out the two main transmission lines from North Fork and a backup bypass line, the city focused on restoring service as quickly as possible. Once our infrastructure was rebuilt, our sole option was to provide hyperchlorinated raw water for critical fire protection and basic sanitation, Chandler said, noting the waters condition necessitated a boil water notice. Throughout the boil water notice, we recommended bottled water for consumption. That guidance came directly from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and the federal EPA, Chandler said. Before lifting the boil water notice Nov. 18, the city tested water throughout the distribution system, and results showed zinc orthophosphate had reached every part of the system. Under EPA guidance, the city increased the zinc orthophosphate from the normal 2.0 parts per million level to 3.5 ppm to expedite rebuilding the corrosion control layer, Chandler said. North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality spokesperson Josh Kastrinsky said its Public Water Supply section is aware that Asheville has collected some samples outside of its regular compliance schedule at schools and homes. The city is taking another round of samples at Buncombe County schools, Kastrinsky said. They are developing a plan to respond to the requests for sampling and reaching out to laboratories to determine capacity. Asheville has been coordinating with EPA on potential sampling options. They should provide sampling results to DEQ, when available. Kastrinsky noted that Asheville was on a three-year monitoring schedule and collected 50 samples between June and July of this year. None of the samples were above the action level for lead or copper, Kastrinsky said, noting that one sample was at the lead action level of .015 mg per liter. At this time, Asheville is in compliance with the federal Lead and Copper Rule and has not been issued any citations or warnings related to lead. The importance of flushing pipes Corrosion control is important, Chandler said, but the easiest and best way to reduce risk of lead exposure is to flush your system for 30 seconds to two minutes. The first step to keeping plumbing clean at the user level is to routinely clean water mains, Cantor said. The zinc orthophosphate should combine with lead, forming a highly insoluble solid that stays on the pipe and forms a protective layer. But thats if the pipes are relatively clean. What Ive seen is that pipe walls have so much accumulation of chemical scales and biofilms that the orthophosphate has nowhere to lay down a protective layer, Cantor said. She also recommends that homeowners conduct a thorough flushing of their own homes, letting the water run out an outdoor tap first and then running taps on the first floor and then the second. Because plumbing varies from house to house, Cantor declined to give a timeframe on how long to flush. Wasileski wants to see clearer and more widespread messaging from the city. She recommends widespread testing at the tap for both lead and copper at residences and businesses built before 1988. She also recommends that residents in these homes use only bottled water until they get lead test results back and advocates immediate blood tests for lead for anyone that consumed tap water since water service returned in mid-October. And the need is even higher for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and especially for any infants who consumed formula prepared from boiled tap water, Wasileski said. She recommends checking the type of water service line to your home by visiting the citys web page on the issue. That page shows the type of pipe used for service lines and if it contains lead. More information on the lead issue The City of Ashevilles webpage on lead and copper testing encourages flushing pipes for 30 seconds to two minutes daily. According to guidance from the EPA, flushing is a short-term solution that can be used to reduce potential lead and copper presence in drinking water, the site states. Depending on pipe materials, lead and copper may be found in water that has sat undisturbed in household plumbing for 4-6 hours. Buncombe County also has a page dedicated to lead awareness and the recent testing issues, titled, Lead Awareness and Your Health: Q&A with Buncombe Countys Medical Director. It states: Out of an abundance of caution, children under 6, pregnant people, and breastfeeding people who have consumed tap water while the City of Asheville water customers were under a Boil Water Notice, and have concerns, should consult their healthcare providers. If they do not have a doctor, they can call the Buncombe County Blood Lead Information Line at 828-250-5205. The Asheville Watchdog logo Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter. Email skestin@avlwatchdog.org. To show your support for this vital public service go to avlwatchdog.org/donate. ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla (WKRG) The Escambia County Sheriffs Office has arrested two Pensacola residents on drug trafficking and possession charges after a Nov. 29 shooting, according to an ESCO Facebook post. News 5 Exclusive: Family of missing 7-year-old boy begs for closure Deputies responded to a report of shots fired around North W Street and Maxwell Street early Friday morning. They learned that an argument had taken place between two males when one of them threatened to shoot up the others home, according to the post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 46-year-old Joshua Demoss allegedly fired a shot in the air while driving around the other mans house, according to the ECSO. Deputies later caught up to Demoss and a female passenger near New Warrington Spur, the ECSO said. A search of the vehicle allegedly revealed two weapons (one of them stolen), ammunition, methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine and narcotics. Demoss and 35-year-old Ashley-Ann Workman are each charged with two counts of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, tracking methamphetamine, tracking fentanyl, possession of cocaine, and possession of narcotics. Demoss is also charged with possession of ammo by a convicted felon, dealing in stolen property, and discharging a firearm from a vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UPDATE: Still no sign of missing Mobile County 7-year-old or boat Bond has not been set for Demoss or Workman. 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. FOND DU LAC, Wis. (WFRV) Authorities in Fond du Lac County say two people were recently arrested following a traffic stop after officials discovered multiple items of paraphernalia and a handgun. According to a release from the Fond du Lac County Sheriffs Office, deputies conducted a traffic stop on November 25 at 7:47 p.m. on a vehicle with several equipment violations near Pioneer Road and South Main Street in Fond du Lac. Two men arrested, one teenager detained amidst stolen vehicle pursuit on I-43 in Manitowoc County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the traffic stop, officials say K9 Iro was deployed on the vehicle and alerted for the presence of illegal narcotics. Deputies searched the vehicle and found nine crack pipes, eleven push rods, a scale with cocaine residue, bowls with crack cocaine residue, and glass beakers that were said to contain a white residue inside believed to being used to manufacture crack cocaine, and other items of drug paraphernalia. A search of the glove box led to the discovery of a loaded black .380 handgun with a chambered round. Neither the driver of the vehicle nor the passenger was said to have a concealed carry license. The driver of the vehicle, a 39-year-old woman from Fond du Lac with no known criminal history, was arrested and taken to the Fond du Lac County Jail. Prior to arriving at the jail, deputies say the arrested woman admitted to having a large amount of cocaine concealed inside of her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jail staff recovered the 28 grams of cocaine from the woman who was taken into custody on the following potential charges: Carrying a Concealed Weapon Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Possession With Intent to Distribute Cocaine Maintaining a Drug Trafficking Place Numerous traffic citations Officials say the passenger was identified as a 39-year-old man from Fond du Lac who had a criminal history involving firearms and narcotics-related crimes dating back to 2001. At the time of the traffic stop, the man was said to be on supervision through the Wisconsin Department of Corrections for past convictions of being a felon in possession of a handgun and intent to distribute cocaine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 34-year-old woman dies following two-vehicle crash in Fond du Lac County The passenger was arrested and also taken to the Fond du Lac County Jail on the following potential charges: Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Maintaining a Drug Trafficking Place Felon in Possession of a Firearm Carrying a Concealed Weapon Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Violation of probation At this time, the man remains in custody on a $3,000 cash bond and for the violation of his probation. The woman driver received a $500 cash bond that she posted and has since been released from custody. No other additional information is available. 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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Detectives are investigating a double homicide that left two teens dead in Northeast Los Angeles in November, police say. The Los Angeles Police Department says Northeast Area patrol officers received a radio call of unknown trouble in Mount Washington around 12:10 a.m. on Nov. 7. Officers responded to the call in the 1400 block of Cliff Drive and found two teenage boys unconscious, appearing to have sustained gunshot wounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials did not immediately say whether any witnesses were present or heard the encounter. LAPD says despite lifesaving efforts, paramedics arrived and pronounced both teens dead at the scene. Police identified the first victim as 18-year-old Denzel Guzman, and the second victim as a 17-year-old juvenile. Details are limited, LAPD says there is no suspect information and did not mention whether arrests have been made. Police urge anyone with information regarding this crime to call Central Bureau Homicide Detectives Cardenas or De La Riva at 213-996-4163 or via email at 36303@lapd.online. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls can be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To remain anonymous, call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.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. Two sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier George Washington died just days after the ships return to its homeport in Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan. Petty Officer 2nd Class Cuyler Burnett Condon and Seaman Dimitri Isacc Morales died in separate incidents following the ships return to U.S. 7th Fleet, Stars and Stripes reported. Condon, a Texas native who worked as an electricians mate nuclear, was found unresponsive on Nov. 22 in an on-base hotel room. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Stripes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three days later, on Nov. 25, Morales, an electricians mate fireman, was discovered unresponsive off base in Yokosuka and subsequently pronounced dead by Yokosuka authorities, the report said. The Naval Criminal Investigation Service is reportedly investigating the deaths and working with Japanese law enforcement. Condon joined the Navy in January 2019, according to Stripes, attending Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois, before reporting to the carrier George Washington in January 2021. USS George Washington returns to Japan after nearly a decade away Morales enlisted in July 2022 and was assigned to the aircraft carrier in October 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The George Washington returned to Japan on Nov. 22 for the first time in nearly a decade, establishing the ship as the Navys only forward-deployed carrier. A U.S. carrier represents the most advanced maritime capability we have, and its the most advanced investment we can make in the security of Japan and of the Western Pacific, Vice Adm. Fred Kacher, commander of U.S. 7th Fleet, said in a statement at the time of the carriers arrival. Yokosuka Naval Base was the carriers homeport from 2008 to 2015. The George Washington was eventually moved to Virginia in 2017 for a midlife refueling and maintenance overhaul. That process was initially slated to take four years, but delays pushed the completion back to May 2023. The carrier replaced the Ronald Regan in Japan so the outgoing ship could undergo a tune-up in Bremerton, Washington. Two Walgreens locations on Milwaukee's north side are closing this week as the Deerfield, Illinois-based retail pharmacy chain shutters hundreds of stores this year. The Walgreens at 5201 N. 91st St., near Timmerman Airport on Milwaukee's northwest side, is closing Tuesday, District 5 Ald. Lamont Westmoreland said last month. The Walgreens at 2826 N. King Drive in Milwaukee's Harambee neighborhood is shutting its doors Thursday. These will be the second and third Walgreens closures in Milwaukee since the company announced in October that it would close about 1,200 stores in the next three years, including 500 within the next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Walgreens on South Layton Boulevard and West National Avenue on Milwaukee's south side was supposed to close by mid-November but abruptly shuttered Oct. 18. The company said it was "due to several incidents of criminal activity at this store." Walgreens operates around 8,700 U.S. stores, and 12,500 locations across the U.S., Europe and Latin America. The pharmacy chain has struggled with slumping consumer spending and first announced in June that it was closing a "significant portion" of underperforming stores over the next three years. Walgreens on King Drive in Milwaukee will close. Why is Walgreens closing stores in Milwaukee? In a statement, Walgreens said its retail pharmacy business is central to its "go-forward business strategy," but increased "regulatory and reimbursement pressures" are weighing on the company's ability to cover costs associated with rent, staffing and supply needs. "It is never an easy decision to close a store. We know that our stores are important to the communities that we serve, and therefore do everything possible to improve the store performance," the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When closures are necessary, like these two in Milwaukee, we will work in partnership with community stakeholders to minimize customer disruptions. We intend to redeploy the majority of our team members from those stores that we close." Aldermen representing the areas where stores are closing have also weighed in on the situation. "Now is the time to connect with your health care team to seek alternative pharmacy options whether that means transferring prescriptions to another Walgreens location, or exploring non-Walgreens pharmacies nearby," said Westmoreland, whose district includes the Timmerman Airport area. "As your Alderman, I am actively working to bring additional pharmacy options to our area to meet the communitys needs and ensure everyone has access to the medications and health care resources they rely on." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ald. Milele Coggs, whose district includes Harambee, issued a similar statement. "I hope those at Walgreens are true to their word when they indicate they will work with the community to minimize disruptions, and not close their doors abruptly like they have at other locations," Coggs said. "Our residents deserve as much." Brandon Kirk, of Milwaukee, who lives near by looks through a shuttered Walgreens just after it closed its pharmacy and retail store at West Capitol Drive and Teutonia Avenue in Milwaukee on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024. Will other Milwaukee Walgreens locations close? Walgreens operates more than 50 stores in Milwaukee and the nearby suburbs, according to the company's online store locator. The company hasn't announced which stores will be affected by the closures over the next three years. Last month, Walgreens told the Journal Sentinel it had "no further announcements" when asked about other closures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Walgreens is closing 1,200 stores by 2027. Which Wisconsin stores could be affected? Journal Sentinel reporters Drake Bentley and Tom Daykin contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Two Walgreens locations on Milwaukee's north side will close this week Tyson Foods says it will close its meat processing plant in Emporia employing 800 people. U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, said the decision will have a significant impact on the regional economy. Tyson Foods employs more than 5,000 people at Kansas plants. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas said he was disappointed Tyson Foods would permanently close a meat plant in Emporia employing more than 800 people. Tyson Foods said its ground beef and value-added marinated protein plant would be shuttered in February 2025 to help the company operate more efficiently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the fiscal year ending in September 2023, the companys beef unit had income of $233 million. The unit reported a loss of $291 million in the 2024 fiscal year that closed in September. The news of Tysons closing its plant in Emporia breaks my heart, said Marshall, who serves on the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee. This is devastating news for these families and the community, especially at Christmas time. Marshall said the Tyson Foods facility was one of the largest employers in the Emporia region. His office had been in contact with the City of Emporia and we are committed to doing everything possible to help these individuals find good jobs. Tyson Foods employs of more than 5,000 people across a series of plants located in Kansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Formal notification of the Emporia decision was triggered by a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice to the state. Ernesto Sanchez, vice president of beef and pork operations for Tyson Foods, sent a letter to Emporia officials indicating the decision was part of the companys business strategy to operate more efficiently. The giant meatpacker said in a statement the plant closure would have a substantial impact on the Emporia community and its employees. As many as 200 Emporia plant workers could be absorbed into Tysons operation in Holcomb, officials said. Taking care of our team members is our top priority and we encourage them to apply for other open roles within the company, Tyson Foods statement said. We are also working closely with state and local officials to provide additional resources to those who are impacted. Tyson Foods has struggled with market forces that included a declining fed cattle population and higher costs for livestock for processing. The company didnt indicate the Emporia plant closure was tied to promises by President-elect Donald Trump to crack down on undocumented immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Demise of 800 jobs in Emporia would follow layoffs involving thousands of Tyson workers amid closure of six U.S. chicken plants and an Iowa pork plant since the outset of 2023. In 2017, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback and public officials in Leavenworth County announced a deal that called for Tyson Foods to invest $320 million in a new chicken processing plant, hatchery and feed mill near Tonganoxie that would employ 1,600. Public backlash prompted Tyson Foods to abandon the development project. By Maya Gebeily and Suleiman Al-Khalidi BEIRUT/AMMAN (Reuters) -Syrian rebels advancing against government forces pushed close on Tuesday to the major city of Hama, rebels and a war monitor said, after their sudden capture of Aleppo last week rocked President Bashar al-Assad. Rebels and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said insurgents had captured villages including Maar Shahur a few miles north of the city. Syrian state media said reinforcements were arriving in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An attack on Hama would ramp up pressure on Assad, whose Russian and Iranian allies have scrambled to support him against a reviving rebellion. The city has remained in government hands since civil war erupted in 2011. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in an Arabic-language interview that Tehran would consider sending troops to Syria if Damascus asked, and Russian President Vladimir Putin urged an end to "terrorist aggression" in Syria, RIA reported. Iraq Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani said Baghdad would not be "a mere spectator" in Syria and blamed Israeli military strikes on the Syrian government for the rebel advance, his office said. Compounding Assad's problems, fighters from a U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led coalition battled government forces in the northeast, both sides said, opening a new front along a vital supply route. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week's rebel seizure of Aleppo - Syria's largest city before the war - marked the biggest offensive for years. The front lines of the conflict have been frozen since 2020 after Assad clawed back most of the country from rebels, thanks to help from Russian air power and military help from Iran and its network of regional Shi'ite militia groups. Now, however, Russia has been concentrating on the war in Ukraine, while Israeli strikes over the past three months have decimated the leadership of Hezbollah, the strongest Iran-backed force fighting in Syria. On Monday, hundreds of Iran-backed Iraqi militia fighters entered Syria to back up Syrian government forces, Iraqi and Syrian sources said, but Hezbollah does not plan to send forces now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A rebel source said Iran-backed militia fighters were among the forces they were battling outside Hama. In recent days, Russian and Syrian government warplanes have intensified airstrikes against rebels, both sides have said. Rescue workers have reported deadly strikes on hospitals in Aleppo and Idlib. JOCKEYING FOR TERRITORY Any sustained escalation in Syria risks further destabilising a region already alight from wars in Gaza and Lebanon, where a truce between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group took effect last week. The retreat by Assad's forces over the past several days has led to jockeying for control among other groups that control pockets in the northwest, north and east. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Syrian Democratic Forces, an umbrella group which controls territory in Syria's east with U.S. support, said early on Tuesday that its Deir al-Zor Military Council had "become responsible for protecting" seven villages previously held by the Syrian army. The Deir al-Zor Military Council comprises local Arab fighters under the SDF, an alliance mainly led by a Kurdish militia, the YPG. Syrian state media reported that the army and allied forces were repelling an SDF assault on the villages, the only Syrian government presence along the east bank of the Euphrates river, an area otherwise mostly held by the SDF. A Syrian military officer said the SDF push was aimed at exploiting government forces' weakness after the rebel advance, and said the army and allied Iran-backed militia groups were sending reinforcements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Airstrikes also targeted Iran-backed militia groups supporting Syrian government forces in the strategically vital region, a security source in eastern Syria and a Syrian army source said. The U.S. military, which has a small number of troops based at a gas field in the area, carried out at least one strike in self defence overnight, a U.S. official said, adding it was not related to the ongoing rebel advances. CROWDED BATTLEFIELD The battlefield is crowded in northern Syria, with the U.S., Russia, Iran and Turkey all involved in the renewed fighting, underscoring the messy global politics at play. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Iran said there would be a foreign ministers meeting with Turkey and Russia in Doha next weekend as part of a diplomatic process that had earlier been used to stabilise borders. The SDF was the main Western-backed ground force in eastern Syria fighting Islamic State, which ran a jihadist mini-state there from 2014-17. Turkey says the SDF's main fighting force, the YPG, are Kurdish separatists it regards as terrorists, and sent troops across the frontier in 2017 to push them back. Rebel advances in recent days have dislodged the YPG from areas in and near Aleppo, including Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsoud district and a corridor around Tel Refaat to the north. The SDF presence in northeast Syria along much of the border with Iraq also complicates supply lines for Iran-backed regional militia groups supporting Assad. On Monday Reuters reported that hundreds of Iran-backed Iraqi fighters had crossed the border into Syria to help government forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel has regularly struck Iran-backed forces in Syria. Hezbollah said an Israeli strike near Damascus on Tuesday killed one of its senior officers liaising with the Syrian military. Israel's military said it does not comment on reports in foreign media. (Reporting by Maya Gebeily in Beirut and Suleiman al-Khalidi in Amman; Additional reporting by Clauda Tanios in Dubai, Tuvan Gumrukcu in Ankara and Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali in Washington; Writing by Angus McDowall; Editing by Peter Graff and Jonathan Oatis) Beginning next year, Americans who travel to the U.K. for any reason will now have to pay a fee and receive an online travel authorization before entering the country. Starting on Jan. 8, travelers landing at an airport in the U.K. who have non-European passports will be required to have an Electronic Travel Authorization, or ETA, before their flight, according to The Washington Post. Applications officially opened last week, and it costs about $12.50 to apply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ETA will be valid for two years after it is approved and is also good for multiple entries into the U.K. lasting up to six months. This new program is a part of the U.K.s effort make its borders fully digital by 2025, according to Travel + Leisure. Who is required to get an ETA? According to The Washington Post, after its initial launch in January, on April 2, 2025, the ETA program will expand to include all passports, including European ones. Every traveler entering the U.K. is required to have their own ETA. This includes children of any age, according to Travel + Leisure. The only ones exempt from the program are those with valid U.K. visas as well as citizens of the U.K. and Ireland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One unique part of the U.K.s new ETA program is that it requires fliers who just have a connecting flight in the country to receive authorization. Someone flying from, for example, Washington, D.C., to Mumbai has multiple connecting flight options, including Virgin via London. With the new ETA rules, they now have an extra digital hoop to jump through for their trip if they transit in London rather than Dubai or Frankfurt, according to The Washington Post. According to The Washington Post, the London Heathrow Airport lost around 90,000 connecting passengers during a pilot ETA program, which included six Middle Eastern countries. How do you apply for an ETA? Travelers can apply either online or on the UK ETA app, per The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once the application has been submitted it could take up to 72 hours for the ETA to be processed. After a traveler has received their authorization, it will digitally link to their passport. To apply for the ETA, travelers have to upload a photo of their passport, answer a few questions, upload a photo of themselves and pay the application fee, according to Gov.UK. Similar travel authorization programs coming to other countries Europe has a plan to implement a program similar to ETA known as the European Travel Information and Authorization System, or ETIAS, sometime next year, according to Travel + Leisure. The fee for the ETIAS will be around $7.71 and it will be required for all travelers from visa-exempt countries. This includes travelers from the U.S. traveling to 30 different European countries, per Travel + Leisure. The United Kingdom must continue supporting Ukraine's defense against Russia, in order to "put Ukraine in the strongest possible position for negotiations," U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a speech delivered Dec. 2 and published Dec. 3. Starmer's remarks come as Europe prepares to step up military support for Ukraine ahead of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in January. Trump is expected to push Kyiv into negotiations with Moscow. "So we must continue to back Ukraine and do what it takes to support their self-defense for as long as it takes," Starmer said at the annual Lord Mayor's Banquet in London. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "To put Ukraine in the strongest possible position for negotiations so that they can secure a just and lasting peace on their terms that guarantees their security, independence, and right to choose their future." Starmer said that support for Ukraine was in the best interest of not only the U.K., but all of Europe, arguing that unchecked Russian aggression posed to great a threat to international security. "The further Russian troops advance, the closer the threat becomes," he said. "The more land they control, the more they control grain prices and energy sources, and the more confident (Russian President Vladimir) Putin becomes." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Trump's return to Washington imminent, both the U.K. and France are reportedly exploring options to support Ukraine in potential peace talks with Russia. A senior NATO official said on Dec. 2 that one scenario could include deploying U.K. and French troops to monitor a ceasefire along the contact line. Starmer backed up his rhetoric on support for Ukraine with shipments of Storm Shadow cruise missiles this fall, Bloomberg reported on Nov. 26. Ukrainian forces recently used the Storm Shadow missiles to strike Russian targets in the western Bryansk region, one day after deploying U.S.-made ATACMS in similar operations. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Kyiv wont accept security guarantees substituting NATO membership Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine is appealing to its NATO partners to provide at least 20 air defense systems to help repel Russian aerial attacks, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said ahead of an allied meeting in Brussels on Dec. 3. The provision of HAWK, NASAMS, and IRIS-T batteries will help avert blackouts, Sybiha said as Ukraine braces for fresh attacks in the third winter of the full-scale war. Ukraine's diplomacy chief is in Brussels to attend the NATO foreign ministers' meeting and participate in the Ukraine-NATO Council session. Kyiv seeks to secure not only additional military assistance but also the much-coveted invitation to join the alliance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to journalists ahead of the meeting, Sybiha brought the Budapest Memorandum, a document signed by Ukraine, Russia, and Western powers in 1994. In accordance with the agreement, Kyiv gave up its Soviet-era nuclear weapons in exchange for security guarantees. "This document failed to secure Ukrainian security and Trans-Atlantic security. So we must avoid repeating such mistakes," Sybiha said. "That's why, of course, we will discuss with my partners the concept of 'peace through strength,' and we have a clear understanding of which steps we need from our friends to do our homework." Earlier today, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry issued a statement rejecting any "alternatives, surrogates, or substitutes for Ukraine's full membership in NATO," presenting the Budapest Memorandum as an example of failed assurances. The statement came only two days ahead of the 30th anniversary of the document's signing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested ending the "hot phase" of war along Ukraine's eastern front in exchange for NATO membership, not immediately including occupied territories. Several allies remain opposed to Ukraine's quick accession to the alliance, including Germany, Slovakia, and Hungary, according to earlier reporting and statements. Reuters reported that an invitation during the upcoming summit was unlikely due to a lack of consensus among NATO members. Read also: Ukraine wont accept security guarantees substituting NATO membership Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. On the day of the NATO ministerial meeting, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine published its official position on possible security guarantees that could be seen as a deterrent against Russian aggression. Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, European Pravda reports Details: The statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine emphasises that it was made "on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Budapest Memorandum". However, the document was released two days before the date (which is 5 December), and the choice of the day of publication is not accidental. European Pravda sources state that Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha intends to present this position at the NATO ministerial meeting that will begin on 3 December in Brussels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lengthy statement of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, which is framed as a political position paper, begins with references to expectations from the so-called Budapest Memorandum signed in 1994 as part of an agreement on Ukraine's nuclear arsenal renunciation. "The Memorandum was to become a significant step in strengthening global nuclear disarmament and serve as an example for other states to give up nuclear weapons... However, it failed to prevent the aggression of the Russian Federation, as a nuclear-weapon state, against Ukraine, as a state that has renounced its nuclear arsenal," the ministry says. The Foreign Ministry calls the Budapest Memorandum a "monument to short-sightedness in strategic security decision-making" and stresses that "the building a European security architecture at the expense of Ukraine's interests, rather than taking them into consideration, is destined to failure." The main part of the statement is a political declaration on what guarantees are potentially acceptable to Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are convinced that the only real guarantee of security for Ukraine, as well as a deterrent to further Russian aggression against Ukraine and other states, is Ukraine's full membership in NATO," the statement reads. At the same time, the document emphasises that Ukraine rejects alternative formats to membership in advance. "With the bitter experience of the Budapest Memorandum behind us, we will not accept any alternatives, surrogates or substitutes for Ukraine's full membership in NATO," the Foreign Ministry emphasises. One thing to note is that all security agreements with other states signed by Ukraine during 2024 emphasise that they are not meant to be substitutes for NATO membership, so they do not fall under this definition. The Foreign Ministry appeals to "the United States and the United Kingdom, signatories to the Budapest Memorandum, France and China, which have acceded to it, and all states-parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons" to politically support Ukraine's invitation to NATO right now, which will be "an effective counter to Russian blackmail". The Foreign Ministry also recalls that it is not only about Ukrainian and not only about European security, as the attack on Ukraine, in violation of the 1994 agreements, "undermined confidence in the very idea of nuclear disarmament" and revived "active attempts by various countries from the Indo-Pacific region and the Middle East to the Euro-Atlantic area to create or expand their existing nuclear arsenals". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As reported, the NATO-Ukraine Council will be held in Brussels on Tuesday. Prior to the meeting, President Zelenskyy said for the first time that Ukraine could join NATO with Article 5 partially in force, but this idea has not yet been detailed. This week, the US denied the possibility of Ukraine returning nuclear weapons to its arsenal. Support UP or become our patron! By Tom Balmforth KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine on Tuesday blasted an agreement struck 30 years ago under which it relinquished nuclear weapons in exchange for security assurances that never materialised, as it makes a concerted push for an invitation to join the NATO alliance. Kyiv is desperately calling for robust security guarantees to protect it from renewed Russian aggression as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House raises fears of a rapidly-struck settlement to the war that would leave it exposed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's foreign ministry pointed to the 1994 Budapest Memorandum which saw Kyiv give up the world's third largest nuclear arsenal in return for security assurances, including from Russia, after the 1991 Soviet breakup. "Today, the Budapest Memorandum is a monument to short-sightedness in strategic security decision-making," the ministry wrote in a statement, marking this week's anniversary of the Dec. 5, 1994, agreement. It said the agreement "should serve as a reminder to the current leaders of the Euro-Atlantic community that building a European security architecture at the expense of Ukraine's interests, rather than taking them into consideration is destined to failure". Ukraine has denounced the memorandum since 2014, long before the 2022 invasion, when Russian troops seized and annexed Ukraine's Crimean peninsula before backing paramilitary proxies in the east. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fighting in Ukraine's east, which killed thousands, was brought to an uneasy ceasefire followed by dozens of rounds of talks under what was known as the Minsk agreements. Even after almost three years of all-out war, Kyiv has balked at the prospect of a return to similar negotiations that could see a temporary ceasefire but leave open the prospect of a new Russian invasion. "Enough of the Budapest Memorandum. Enough of the Minsk Agreements. Twice is enough, we cannot fall into the same trap a third time. We simply have no right to do so," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said. Kyiv wants NATO members to issue an invitation at a meeting of the alliance's foreign ministers that starts on Tuesday, as the invasion grinds toward its three-year mark and Russia makes battlefield gains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The foreign ministry statement called on the United States and Britain, also signatories to the 1994 memorandum, as well as France and China, which it said also acceded to it, to support the provision of security guarantees to Ukraine. "We are convinced that the only real guarantee of security for Ukraine, as well as a deterrent to further Russian aggression against Ukraine and other states, is Ukraine's full membership in NATO," it said. Russia sees the idea of Ukraine's integration into NATO as anathema and says it is an unacceptable security threat. (Reporting by Tom Balmforth; editing by Deepa Babington) The News In a letter to NATO states, Ukrainian officials said Kyiv would not accept anything less than full NATO membership to guarantee the countrys future security ahead of the alliance meeting this week. The alliance has previously said Ukraine is on an irreversible path into NATO, but a formal invitation has not been issued, and its 32 members are divided over the possibility. Germanys foreign minister said Ukrainian membership remains a matter of debate, and would be considered alongside other elements of peace, like troop withdrawals and Ukraines reconstruction. NATO chief Mark Rutte stressed that the alliances gathering this week would focus on military aid to Kyiv and not the outlines of a potential settlement. SIGNALS Territory-for-peace model gains momentum Sources: Table Media, America First Policy Institute, Sky News, The New Voice of Ukraine Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ex-NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg joined a growing chorus of foreign policy experts in mooting a territory-for-peace deal, a sign of the ideas growing legitimacy. If the ceasefire line means that Russia continues to control all occupied territories, this does not mean that Ukraine has to give up the territory forever, Stoltenberg told Table Media in a recent interview. Trumps nominee for Ukraine and Russia envoy has echoed this sentiment, suggesting Ukraine commit to regaining occupied territory through diplomatic rather than military means. However, the countrys President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has suggested that while Kyiv would be open to only parts of the country joining NATO, seemingly conceding some might remain under Russian control, he stressed that NATO would have to recognize Ukraines full borders. Russia sends mixed messages over possible peace talks Sources: Argumenty i Fakty, Financial Times, Telegram Russian officials have been increasingly open about the possibility of negotiations, perhaps setting expectations for what peace terms Moscow might accept. Valentina Matviyenko, a senior Russian lawmaker, told a pro-Kremlin newspaper that an effort to start peace negotiations could more likely than not come in the next year. Russias foreign minister also said they are ready for negotiations, but warned that the West should not use a possible ceasefire to surge weapons to Ukraine. But oligarch Konstantin Malofeyev, a staunch supporter of the war, told the Financial Times that President Vladimir Putin would likely reject peace proposals floated in the West. For the talks to be constructive, we need to talk not about the future of Ukraine, but the future of Europe and the world. NATO beefs up protection from sabotage Sources: The Times, Defense News, Reuters Expanding protections against Russian and Chinese sabotage and cyberattacks is one of the key priorities on the table at this weeks NATO meeting, after a recent string of suspected sabotage incidents across Europe. NATO chief Mark Rutte said the alliance would improve intelligence sharing and boost protections of crucial infrastructure to counter the threats. The alliance aims to set up a fleet of unmanned boats to monitor undersea infrastructure connecting Europes energy and communications networks, Defense News reported. While some experts and officials have criticized NATOs response to Russian sabotage as too tame, a senior German official said the hostile activities could eventually lead NATO to invoke the Article 5 mutual defense clause, which could trigger a more robust response. Ukraine is requesting NATO countries to find a way to provide at least 20 air defence systems to effectively counter Russia's airstrikes. Source: European Pravda reporter, citing Ukraines Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha before the start of the Alliance's ministerial meeting in Brussels on Tuesday Sybiha said he would discuss the energy situation following Russia's recent missile attack and the possibility of strengthening the "air shield" with his Western counterparts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "We already informed our partners about our urgent needs, and we are thankful for such a prompt reaction. We are speaking about urgent supply of at least 20 additional systems Hawk, NASAMS, or IRIS-T. And it will help us to avoid blackout. We understand that Russia is trying to deprive us of the ability to produce energy. Thats why we also need more support and greater solidarity," he said. Background: Recently, Canada confirmed that the NASAMS system it ordered from the United States for Ukraine has already arrived in the country. During his visit to Kyiv, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that in December, Germany would deliver the sixth IRIS-T system, Patriot launchers, and Gepard anti-aircraft tanks. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine and the U.S. signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in ensuring the resilience of Ukraine's energy system in Brussels on Dec. 3, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said. The document, signed by Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the NATO foreign ministers' meeting, includes U.S. aid totaling up to $825 million. Ukraines energy system has been repeatedly targeted since the start of Russias full-scale war. Earlier strikes devastated coal, oil, and hydroelectric power plants, making the remaining nuclear facilities critical to the countrys electricity supply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the ministry, the memorandum aims to restore Ukraine's critical infrastructure, introduce distributed generation, reform the energy sector, and facilitate the post-war transition to a low-carbon, competitive, and European-integrated economy. The news came as Kyiv is calling on its partners to provide additional air defense assets as Russia intensifies its strikes against cities ahead of winter. Russia launched nearly 100 drones and 90 missiles against Ukraine overnight on Nov. 28, targeting energy infrastructure. Ukraine introduced emergency blackouts across the country following the recent attack. Read also: Latest strikes on Ukraines electricity substations threaten power failure, Greenpeace warns Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Key developments on Dec. 3: Ukraine won't accept security guarantees substituting NATO membership Ukraine prevents Russia from establishing bridgehead west of Oskil River, military says France, UK discuss deploying troops to Ukraine for ceasefire monitoring, sources tell RFE/RL Ukraine asking NATO for 20 air defense systems to prevent blackouts Zelensky disputes media reports of 80,000 Ukrainian military casualties Ukraine will refuse any kind of security guarantees substituting NATO membership, according to a Foreign Ministry statement on Dec. 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Having the bitter experience of the Budapest Memorandum behind us, we will not settle for any alternatives, surrogates, or substitutes for Ukraine's full membership in NATO," the statement said just two days before the 30th anniversary of the memorandum's signing. NATO foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels between Dec. 3 and 4, with Ukraine also participating. Kyiv urged the allies to issue a membership invitation during the meeting, but Reuters reported that there is a lack of consensus on the matter. Ukraine gave up its Soviet-era nuclear weapon arsenal in the Budapest Memorandum in 1994 in exchange for the recognition of its borders and security guarantees by the U.S. and Russia, among others. The ministry's statement called upon "the U.S. and Great Britain, which signed the Budapest Memorandum,... France and China, which joined it," and "all the states participating in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons" to support Ukraine's invitation to NATO to counteract Russian blackmail attempts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: We must focus on military aid NATO chief sidesteps question on invitation for Ukraine Ukraine prevents Russia from establishing bridgehead west of Oskil River, military says Ukrainian troops managed to fend off Russian forces attempting to establish a foothold on the western side of the Oskil River north of the Kharkiv Oblast town of Kupiansk, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Dec. 3. The military published footage of the engagement that reportedly took place near the village of Novomlynsk, lying some 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Kupiansk. Russian troops ramped up their efforts near Kupiansk in early September and approached its industrial outskirts in the northeast. Recently, Ukrainian forces repelled several Russian attempts at entering the town. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks to numerical advantage, Russian forces managed to cross the Oskil River, seeking to establish a bridgehead on the other side, the General Staff said. Ukrainian forces have heavily fortified the west side of the Oskil River to prevent Russian forces from approaching Kupiansk from the north. Reports about Moscow's troops successfully forcing the river near Novomlynsk surfaced in late November. "At the same time (as Russia was establishing the bridgehead), Ukrainian defenders, supported by artillery and drone units, forced out Russian forces from the bridgehead," the General Staff said without specifying the date of the engagement. "Namely, soldiers of the 8th Separate Assault Battalion of the 10th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade 'Edelweiss' cleared the area near Novomlynsk of Russian forces." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The military said that the western bank of the Oskil River is under Ukrainian control, showing footage of Ukrainian soldiers raising a state flag in Novomlynsk. 0:00 / 1 France, UK discuss deploying troops to Ukraine for ceasefire monitoring, sources tell RFE/RL Paris and London are exploring options to support Ukraine in potential peace talks with Russia, including deploying French and U.K. troops to monitor a ceasefire along the contact line, a senior NATO official told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). The official, who requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly, noted that these discussions are happening in individual capitals, not within the formal NATO structure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The aim is to prepare for various scenarios, ensuring European countries are ready to assist Kyiv if the new U.S. administration requests greater European involvement. According to the official, the proposals also seek to secure European allies' participation in peace talks that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump could mediate. French and British discussions on leading a military coalition in Ukraine have gained momentum, with Le Monde reporting renewed talks about deploying troops. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told BBC News that while France is not currently planning to send troops into combat, the country "does not discard any option." "(France) will support Ukraine as intensely and as long as necessary. 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," Barrot said. Read also: Ukraine, US sign energy resilience memorandum worth $825 million Ukraine asks NATO for 20 air defense systems to prevent blackouts Ukraine is appealing to its NATO partners to provide at least 20 air defense systems to help repel Russian aerial attacks, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said ahead of an allied meeting in Brussels on Dec. 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The provision of HAWK, NASAMS, and IRIS-T batteries will help avert blackouts, Sybiha said as Ukraine braces for fresh attacks in the third winter of the full-scale war. Ukraine's diplomacy chief is in Brussels to attend the NATO foreign ministers' meeting and participate in the Ukraine-NATO Council session. Kyiv seeks to secure not only additional military assistance but also the much-coveted invitation to join the alliance. Speaking to journalists ahead of the meeting, Sybiha brought the Budapest Memorandum, a document signed by Ukraine, Russia, and Western powers in 1994. In accordance with the agreement, Kyiv gave up its Soviet-era nuclear weapons in exchange for security guarantees. "This document failed to secure Ukrainian security and Trans-Atlantic security. So we must avoid repeating such mistakes," Sybiha said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That's why, of course, we will discuss with my partners the concept of 'peace through strength,' and we have a clear understanding of which steps we need from our friends to do our homework." Read also: Ukraine accelerating missile production, Zelensky says Zelensky disputes media reports of 80,000 Ukrainian military casualties During an interview with Kyodo News published on Dec. 1, President Volodymyr Zelensky disputed reports in Western media that as many as 80,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed during the full-scale war with Russia. "Recently, some in, I believe, the American press reported that 80,000 Ukrainians had been killed. I want to tell you that, no, (the number of those killed is) less, much less," Zelensky said, while refusing to provide a detailed number of casualties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "However, we have to be honest, we do not know how many Ukrainian have been killed on occupied territories of Ukraine," Zelensky added. Zelensky's comments likely refer to the Wall Street Journal's claims published on Sept. 17 that 80,000 Ukrainian soldiers had died during the war, with a further 400,000 wounded. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine will refuse any kind of security guarantees substituting NATO membership, according to a Foreign Ministry statement on Dec. 3. "Having the bitter experience of the Budapest Memorandum behind us, we will not settle for any alternatives, surrogates, or substitutes for Ukraine's full membership in NATO," the statement said just two days before the 30th anniversary of the memorandum's signing. NATO foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels between Dec. 3 and 4, with Ukraine also participating. Kyiv urged the allies to issue a membership invitation during the meeting, but Reuters reported that there is a lack of consensus on the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine gave up its Soviet-era nuclear weapon arsenal in the Budapest Memorandum in 1994 in exchange for the recognition of its borders and security guarantees by the U.S. and Russia, among others. The ministry's statement called upon "the U.S. and Great Britain, which signed the Budapest Memorandum,... France and China, which joined it," and "all the states participating in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons" to support Ukraine's invitation to NATO to counteract Russian blackmail attempts. Last week, President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested ending the "hot phase" of war along Ukraine's eastern front in exchange for NATO membership, not immediately including occupied territories. In separate comments on a potential invite on Dec. 1, Zelensky said that the alliance's Article 5 collective defense principle may not apply to Ukrainian territories facing active combat if Ukraine were to join NATO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several allies remain opposed to Ukraine's quick accession to the alliance, including Germany, Slovakia, and Hungary, according to earlier reporting and statements. Read also: Why Ukraine doesnt have nuclear weapons Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova has published a list of Ukrainian prisoners of war whom Ukraine supposedly "does not want" to bring back. However, this list includes seven citizens who have already come back home. Source: Brigadier General Dmytro Usov, Deputy Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine and Secretary of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War Quote: "The Russian side is making loud statements about the number of prisoners of war they can supposedly swap, and even lists are being published. Indeed, we have not received any real offers through official channels. This game of the Russians is only for the public, and it is particularly cynical. They are manipulating people's fates and the vulnerable situation of the prisoners relatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have carefully analysed the lists that have been published. What we see is that seven of the prisoners have already been brought back, there are many mistakes in surnames and dates of birth. Even 14 civilians are among the names. That is, Russian propagandists are offering to exchange our ordinary citizens for their military, which is a violation of international humanitarian law. However, these lists and loud statements are only intended to stir up the situation. It is an attempt to discredit Ukrainian state authorities." Details: Usov said that in fact, the Coordination Headquarters receives real proposals from the Russian side only regarding the exchange of prisoners captured on the Kursk front. The Russian authorities are not interested in the Russians that were captured on other fronts. Hundreds of Russian prisoners of war, including seriously wounded soldiers, have been staying in Ukrainian camps for over a year or two. There are those whose fate the aggressor country has not been interested in since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nonetheless, Usov stressed that the conditions of detention of the Russian soldiers cannot be compared to the torture chambers that Russia uses for Ukrainians. The Ukrainian side is holding prisoners of war in accordance with the Geneva Conventions with only one goal in mind: to swap them for Ukrainian defenders as soon as possible. Quote: "There is no other reason to keep them here and spend our taxpayers' money on them. We also did not see our seriously wounded soldiers and women in the published lists. These are the categories that should be brought back in accordance with international humanitarian law in the first place. Russia does not abide by any laws of war and is unwilling to do so. The Russian so-called authorities have not been and are not interested in the fate of their own citizens. Propagandists are playing to the public. The real mechanisms of return repatriation, mixed medical boards, exchange of all for all are still firmly blocked by the Kremlin." Support UP or become our patron! Russia's Commissioner for Human Rights Tatyana Moskalkova has released a list of 630 Ukrainian prisoners of war that she claimed Ukraine "does not want" to bring back. Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraines Human Rights Commissioner, has denied her allegations. Source: Tatyana Moskalkova on Telegram; Dmytro Lubinets on Telegram Details: Moskalkova said that Ukraine "continues to hold up the Russian-Ukrainian prisoner swap". Lubinets denied her allegations, saying that Ukraine is ready to bring all of its citizens back from illegal detention by Russia and stressed that this was another manipulative plot by the aggressor state, Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote from Lubinets: "Once again Ive found out about lists of Ukrainian prisoners of war who we allegedly refuse to bring back home from the Russian Human Rights Commissioner. Once again I have refuted this information and have reaffirmed Ukraines readiness to bring back all of its citizens from illegal detention! The Russian approach remains unchanged and, as always, ruthless towards the people who await their defenders coming home! Ukraine does not hold up and has never held up prisoner swaps; to the contrary, it has declared its readiness to create a mixed medical board to repatriate seriously wounded and ill prisoners. The side that isnt interested in bringing back exchanges continues to ignore [Ukraines] proposal to create such a commission." Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected claims in the Western media that 80,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since the outbreak of the full-scale war, saying the losses are substantially lower. Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with Kyodo News Details: Zelenskyy once again noted that he could not give exact figures for Ukraines losses in the war. Quote: "According to some recent reports in the American press, 80,000 Ukrainians have been killed. But thats not the case: they are lower. Much lower. Although we must be completely honest here: we do not know how many Ukrainians have been killed in the temporarily occupied territories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the occupation, there were citizens, and soldiers, and law enforcement officers... and I don't know how many were killed, executed, or tortured in captivity. So I'm only talking about records of the soldiers who are on our territory and controlled by us." Details: According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine's losses in the Kursk operation since September 2024 amounted to one fallen Ukrainian soldier for every eight Russians. Support UP or become our patron! The Ukrainian Security Service has gathered evidence against war criminal Andrey Popov, 54, the leader of the Society for the Assistance of the Russian Federation's Army, Aviation, and Navy in temporarily occupied Crimea. Source: Ukraines Security Service on Telegram Details: According to the casefile, the defendant employs a Russian hub for warfare and ideological indoctrination of children, training them for the war against Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within the confines of the occupying institution, children, most of whom are 14 years old, are trained to participate in Russian assault groups as well as to control the aggressor country's attack and reconnaissance drones. Students also learn how to shoot from various weapons and how to pass mined sections as part of the training. Russian instructors hold the "courses" on Russian military training grounds and facilities near temporarily occupied Simferopol. Another aspect of the educational process is the indoctrination of pupils and propaganda of anti-Ukrainian sentiment, according to the Ukrainian security agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Popov is now organising another branch of the occupation institution in the temporarily occupied territory of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, as directed by Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov. The defendant frequently reports on the implementation of Moscow's instructions on the Kremlin TV networks Crimea 24 and News of Crimea and Sevastopol. According to the investigation, the defendant, who lives on the Ukrainian peninsula, supported the aggressor in 2014 and later was given a position in the Russian Federation's occupation administration. SSU investigators informed Popov in absentia of suspicion under two articles of Ukraine's Criminal Code: Art. 438.1 (war crimes) and Art. 436-2.3 (justification, recognition as legitimate, and denial of Russian Federation's armed aggression against Ukraine). Comprehensive steps are being implemented to bring him to justice for his crimes against the Ukrainian state. Support UP or become our patron! The Russian troops launched 28 attack drones of various types against Ukraine on the night of 2-3 December, and air defence forces destroyed 22 of them. Source: Air Force Command Details: The Russians launched Shahed and other types of attack UAVs from the directions of Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Kursk, Oryol, and Millerovo in the Russian Federation. As of 09:00, units of anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic warfare and mobile fire groups of the Air Force and the defence forces shot down 22 UAVs in Kyiv, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Odesa, Mykolaiv and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One drone disappeared from radar, and two left the airspace towards Belarus and the temporarily occupied territories. Several strikes on critical infrastructure facilities were also recorded in Ternopil and Rivne oblasts. Support UP or become our patron! A Ukrainian delegation including Andrii Yermak, Head of the Presidents Office, is on its way to the US for discussions with key figures in Donald Trumps inner circle. Source: Radio NV, citing sources in diplomatic circles; Ukrainska Pravda sources in the presidents team Details: According to Radio NV, the delegation also includes Defence Minister Rustem Umierov and Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NVs sources say "the primary purpose of this trip is to meet with individuals within the inner circle of US President-elect Donald Trump". However, Ukrainska Pravdas sources say Umierov is still in Kyiv and the delegation includes his deputy, Serhii Boiev. Yermak is expected to have arranged meetings with Keith Kellogg, the retired general whom Trump has nominated as his special envoy on Ukraine and Russia, and National Security Advisor nominee Mike Waltz. Background: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine must work directly with US President-elect Donald Trump, as "there are different voices" within Trumps circle. Zelenskyy has also said he hopes to see Trumps proposals for ending the war in Ukraine shortly after he takes office. This news has been updated since publication. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has disclosed details of a request Ukraine has submitted to its NATO allies to bolster its air defence systems. Source: European Pravdas correspondent in Brussels Details: Ahead of his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Sybiha elaborated on the reasons for Ukraine's latest request for assistance. The minister explained that Ukraine is working to counter Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure. "Russia is now attempting to use energy as a weapon. They are trying to cut us off from nuclear energy and are targeting nuclear energy facilities. This is the new reality. Because of this, we need decisive, historic actions from our partners rather than appeals to Russia," he stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sybiha clarified an earlier statement he made in Brussels regarding the need for at least 20 air defence systems. He explained that the request is aimed at protecting 19 energy facilities from Russian attacks, primarily focusing on nuclear energy infrastructure. There are four nuclear power plants on Ukrainian-controlled territory, including the decommissioned Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, whose distribution facilities are still operational. Additionally, the functionality of energy facilities depends on distribution hubs. Quote from Sybiha: "We urgently need 19 additional air defence systems to safeguard our strategic facilities. I am confident that with the support of our partners, we will get through this winter because we will receive these systems to protect these 19 facilities. We have already sent a detailed list of our needs and hope that todays meeting and those in the coming days will result in concrete decisions from our closest partners to deliver these systems." Background: It was previously reported that in Brussels, Ukraine requested NATO countries to provide at least 20 air defence systems, including Hawk, NASAMS and IRIS-T models. The Foreign Ministry has also stated that Ukraine rejects any alternatives to NATO membership. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraines Cabinet of Ministers has renamed the Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories and appointed a new deputy prime minister. Source: Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Telegram Details: On Tuesday, 3 December, the government resolved to change the name of the Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories to the Ministry of National Unity of Ukraine. Oleksii Chernyshov has been appointed as Deputy Prime Minister. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote from Shmyhal: "From the first day of the Russian invasion, unity has been our main weapon. Unity within the country, unity with our partners, unity of Ukrainians around the world. This institutional strengthening will help bring about a new quality of work and interaction with the multi-million-strong Ukrainian community from all waves of migration." Shmyhal said the new deputy prime minister is expected to present a clear development plan for the ministry, its team and key performance indicators (KPIs) in the near future. Background: On 3 December, the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) appointed Oleksii Chernyshov as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for National Unity of Ukraine. On 19 November, President Zelenskyy revealed plans to establish a Ministry for Ukrainian Unity, which will focus, among other things, on facilitating the return of Ukrainian citizens. Support UP or become our patron! A Republican N.C. Senate bill that would curtail certain authorities of the Democratic-elect governor, attorney general and state Superintendent of Public Instruction is closer to being law. On Monday, the Republican Senate super-majority voted 30-19 along party lines to override Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers veto of SB382, which the governor called a sham and a cruel blow. Senate Bill 382, which cleared the legislature Nov. 20, also would appropriate an additional $277 million in Hurricane Helene disaster relief funding, but not immediately disperse it. Cooper vetoed the bill Nov. 26. The N.C. House postponed its override vote until 2 p.m. Thursday. A veto override may not be a slam dunk considering three western House Republicans Mike Clampitt of Jackson County, Karl Gillespie of Macon County and Mark Pless of Madison County voted no on SB382 in an overall 63-46 vote on Nov. 19 with no Democratic support. At full attendance, all 72 House Republicans must vote in favor of a veto override for it to succeed. A potential casualty within SB382 is the loss of a Forsyth County Superior Court seat as part of what both House and Senate Democrats called a political power grab and a smokescreen by Republican legislative leaders. The changes are likely to face legal challenges that ultimately may reach the Republican-controlled N.C. Supreme Court. The District 31-D seat, held by Democrat Todd Burke, would be eliminated in 2029, along with a seat in Wake County also held by a Democrat. In their place, the legislature would create two Superior Court seats, one appointed by the Senate leader and the other by the House speaker. Both judges would serve an eight-year term. Their districts would be identified when the nominees are submitted for appointment. Cooper said the bill plays politics by taking away two judges elected by the people, and adding two judges appointed by the legislature, taking away authority from the lieutenant governor and the superintendent of Public Instruction and more. The Senate also seated Sen. Dana Caudill Jones, R-Forsyth, to serve the final month of the term of retiring Republican Sen. Joyce Krawiec. Caudill Jones defeated Democrat Ronda Mays by a margin of 77,892 to 46,440 to earn her first term during the 2025-26 session. Cooper opposition Sen. Ralph Hise, R-Mitchell, made the only floor comment on SB382 before the override vote, asking legislators to overlook Coopers spicy veto statement and calling the bill good policy. Several House Democrats have pointed out that just 13 of the bills 131 pages are dedicated to Helene relief. The rest, they said, is dedicated to lessening the power of Democratic Gov.-elect Josh Stein, Democratic Attorney General-elect Jeff Jackson and Democratic state Superintendent-elect Maurice Mo Green. Cooper said in his veto message that SB382 does not send money to western North Carolina, but merely shuffles money from one fund to another in Raleigh. Senate Democrats expressed similar concerns. This legislation was titled disaster relief, but instead violates the constitution by taking appointments away from the next governor for the Board of Elections, Utilities Commission and commander of the N.C. Highway Patrol, letting political parties choose appellate judges, and interfering with the Attorney Generals ability to advocate for lower electric bills for consumers, according to the veto statement. The Senate Republican response Monday to Coopers veto said in part we heard a lot of lip service from Gov. Cooper about supporting western North Carolina, but he showed us where he really stands when he vetoed the long-term relief funds our constituents are counting on. This bill, which brings the Helene Fund total (from the states rainy-day fund) to over $1.1 billion, will be integral as we continue to work with our local and federal partners in repairing the damage done by Hurricane Helene. Additionally, the bill includes multiple provisions to reform and restructure state government. SB382 moves the State Board of Elections to the State Auditors Office, prevents the Attorney General from undermining state law, allows the State Treasurer to appoint a member to the Utilities Commission, and makes the State Highway Patrol an independent, cabinet-level department whose commander is confirmed by the General Assembly. Democrats have resisted every single attempt weve made to create a truly bipartisan Board of Elections with an equal number of Democratic and Republican members, Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, said in the Republican Senate statement. Their blatant partisanship is exactly why we need these reforms. The new measures in Senate Bill 382 actually balance our three branches of state government so that North Carolina remains on a positive trajectory, free from Democratic party and liberal activist obstruction. Curtailing emergency authority Republican legislative leaders have been chipping away at the governors executive order authority during a declared emergency since Cooper issued dozens of orders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cooper also cited in his veto message his disapproval of SB382 making small businesses loans, rather than grants, in the 39 counties eligible for state Hurricane Helene disaster relief assistance. Those counties are Alleghany, Ashe, Forsyth, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes and Yadkin. Foremost, SB382 sets aside $100 million to provide cash flow loans to local governments in the 39 counties declared as Helene damage areas, Instead of giving small business grants to disaster counties, it strikes a cruel blow by blocking the extension of better unemployment benefits for people who have lost jobs because of natural disasters, Cooper wrote. The bill also curtails the ability of the governor to provide expanded unemployment insurance benefits during a declared statewide emergency. Cooper issued an emergency executive order Oct. 16 than nearly doubles the maximum weekly unemployment benefit amount from $350 to $600 for North Carolinians whose job had been affected. However, the number of state unemployment benefit weeks remains capped at 12, per state law approved in 2013 by a Republican legislative super-majority. Only eight states have a lower weekly maximum unemployment benefit than North Carolina. Hise said the change will not go into effect until March 1 in order to allow current beneficiaries to continue receiving assistance. Stripping authorities SB382 contains language that strips the governors appointments to the State Board of Elections and gives them to the state auditor. Republican Dave Boliek begins in January his first term as auditor, as does Stein. Its no secret that our State Board of Elections has been plagued by political interference from the governors office, Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, said in a statement. Now, we are moving forward with a solution that will place the state board under the Office of the State Auditor and rid election administration of the blatant partisan politics that have destroyed the state boards credibility and impartiality. Rep. Pricey Harrison, D-Guilford, said the appointments switch is both unconstitutional and a pure power grab. The voters and the courts have turned down previous attempts to change the very successful processes we have in place. The bill forbids the state attorney general from participating in any litigation in another state, including filing amicus briefs, in state and federal court that would result in the invalidation of any statute enacted by the General Assembly. The attorney general also would be forbidden from taking any legal position that is contrary to or inconsistent with the position of the General Assembly. The General Assemblys counsel would be the lead counsel on positions take on behalf of the state. Ambassadors of the Group of Seven (G7) countries met with prominent Ukrainian journalists on Dec. 2 for a "valuable exchange" and to discuss "the current media landscape." "Press freedom and pluralism are crucial for strengthening democracy, supporting political debate, and advancing Ukraines Euro-Atlantic path," the G7's representation in Ukraine said on X. It marked the second such meeting this year, with the G7 envoys meeting Ukrainian journalists in January amid complaints of systematic state pressure on the media community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Olga Rudenko, editor-in-chief of the Kyiv Independent; Vitalii Sych, editor-in-chief of NV; Andrii Boborykin, executive director of Ukrainska Pravda; Nataliia Lyhachova, director-in-chief of Detector Media; and Mykola Chernotytskyi, the CEO of the Suspilne public broadcaster attended the latest meeting. Yurii Nikolov, an investigative journalist and co-founder of the Nashi Hroshi project; Nataliia Sedletska, head of the Kyiv bureau of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; and Yevhen Shulhat, an investigative journalist, were also in attendance. Nikolov and Shulhat themselves experienced pressure from the authorities in two separate cases this year that prompted a backlash from the journalistic community. Nikolov, who revealed procurement wrongdoing in the Defense Ministry under its previous leadership, received a threatening visit to his home from two unknown men in January. Shulhat was allegedly targeted by military enlistment officers this spring amid his investigation into the family property of Illia Vitiuk, who was then the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) cybersecurity chief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another major scandal revolved around leaked video recordings of non-editorial staff members of the Bihus.Info investigative outlet apparently using drugs during a New Year's party. Bihus.Info later released an investigation that said a department of the SBU installed the hidden cameras and leaked the videos to pressure the outlet. Despite the subsequent public outcry and pledge by the authorities to rectify the situation, media watchdogs and journalists have continued to point to cases of attempted censorship, political interference, and other forms of pressure. In one of the latest cases, Ukrainska Pravda said that the Presidential Office was systematically pressuring the outlet in an attempt to influence its editorial policy. The outlet said that officials were being ordered not to communicate with its journalists, they were being denied access to official events, and businesses were being pressured to cease advertising on the outlet's website and not sponsor the events Ukrainska Pravda organizes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Ukrainian journalists report continued pressure, censorship attempts as previous cases remain unsolved Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Ukrainian parliament appointed Oleksii Chernyshov as Deputy Prime Minister Minister for National Unity of Ukraine on 3 December. Source: Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak on Telegram Details: The decision was supported by 237 members of the parliament. Zhelezniak added that the key issue now is how the ministrys regulations and budget will be approved: "At present, only UAH 150 million [about US$3.6 million] has been allocated for the integration agency, which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economy." Background: Earlier, Ukrainska Pravda reported that the newly-established Ministry for Ukrainian Unity may be led by Oleksii Chernyshov, Chairman of the Board of Naftogaz Group, the largest national oil and gas company in Ukraine. On 19 November, President Zelenskyy revealed plans to establish the Ministry for Ukrainian Unity, which will focus, among other things, on facilitating the return of Ukrainian citizens. He also announced that the nomination for the ministry's head would be made by the end of the year. From 2020 to 2022, Chernyshov served as the Minister for Communities and Territories Development. Support UP or become our patron! Soldiers of the 8th Regiment of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have killed 17 Russian soldiers and forced 8 more to surrender during two successful raids on Russian positions in Russias Kursk Oblast. Source: press service of the Special Operations Forces Details: It was noted that in one of the night episodes, the Special Operations Forces soldiers quietly snuck right into Russian positions, killed seven Russian soldiers and forced the rest to surrender. Eight Russian soldiers chose to live and replenished the prisoner exchange pool. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During another successful raid, the Ukrainian unit killed 10 more Russian soldiers at night. The Special Operations Forces noted that after the special operations, the group of Ukrainian fighters retreated without losses. The released video captures the moments of two combat special operations and the subsequent recording of the consequences of effective work. Support UP or become our patron! The Ministry for Ukrainian Unity recently announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may be headed by Oleksii Chernyshov, Chairman of the Board of Naftogaz. Source: Ukrainska Pravda sources in the Servant of the People faction Quote: "Chernyshov is being considered as Minister for Ukrainian Unity. The faction will meet tomorrow [3 December]." Details: According to another Ukrainska Pravda source, the faction meeting at which MPs must finalise the nomination of the future Minister for Ukrainian Unity will take place at 11:00. The nominee is very likely to be Chernyshov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision on the ministerial appointment will be made by the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament). However, it is not yet known when the Parliamentary session will take place. Another Ukrainska Pravda source in the majority party has reported that Alona Shkrum, an MP from the Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) group who recently announced that she was stepping down, will serve as deputy to Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration. First the parliament must approve Shkrum's declaration to resign her mandate, and then the Cabinet of Ministers will resolve to appoint her as Kuleba's deputy. Background: On 19 November, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the establishment of a Ministry for Ukrainian Unity which, among other things, will focus on assisting Ukrainian citizens to return. The President has declared that the minister will be nominated by the end of the year. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainians will be entitled to seek reparations for Russia's war crimes beginning in 2025. Source: Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraines Minister of Digital Transformation, on Telegram Details: Fedorov stated that in the first half of 2025, the ministry intends to open all 45 categories of compensation applications for damage caused by Russia. Quote: "We will add applications for reparations for those who were forced to flee their home, who were caused harm to their lives and health, who had their cars destroyed and suffered other kinds of damage," Fedorov said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The minister also announced that information on destroyed housing had been collected in the relevant register since the beginning of April 2024. Most applications came from Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Kherson oblasts. "This is an important mechanism, and it serves as the foundation for future reparations. The more applications are filed, the greater the world's understanding of Russia's harm to Ukraine will be," Fedorov said. Frontline warfare, artillery bombardment, aerial attacks, Russian occupation, and the collapse of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant were the most common causes of damage cited by the applicants. Background: The Diia app, developed by Ukraines Ministry of Digital Transformation, recently surpassed 21 million unique users, offering 24 documents and over 30 services. Support UP or become our patron! LONDON (AP) Greeces prime minister visited London on Tuesday for his first top-level U.K. meeting since a spat last year over the contested Parthenon Marbles, as the British Museum said talks with Greece on a deal over the antiquities are constructive. British Prime Minister Keir Starmers office said the fate of the marbles was not on the British leaders agenda at a meeting with premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis focused on migration, the war in Ukraine and efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza. Greek officials, though, suggested the subject would be discussed. The contested marbles are part of a 2,500-year-old frieze that was taken from Athens in the early 19th century by British diplomat Lord Elgin and put on display in the British Museum. Athens says they were removed illegally and wants them returned so they can be displayed alongside the rest of the Parthenon sculptures at a purpose-built museum in Athens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Relations between Britain and Greece have thawed since then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak canceled a meeting with Mitsotakis at the last minute in November 2023 after the Greek leader compared the removal of the sculptures from Athens to cutting Leonardo da Vincis Mona Lisa in half. Sunak accused Mitsotakis of trying to grandstand and relitigate issues of the past and reneging on a promise not to bring up the issue in public. British Museum Chairman George Osborne, a former Conservative politician, later suggested Sunak had thrown a hissy fit. The British Museum is banned by law from giving the marbles back to Greece, but extensive talks have been held on a long-term loan arrangement. The Guardian reported Tuesday that the negotiations had made progress since Starmers center-left Labour Party has replaced the previous Conservative government after an election in July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starmer has pledged to reset Britains relations with its European neighbors after years of acrimony over the U.K.s departure from the European Union. At the start of Tuesday's meeting inside 10 Downing St., Starmer said he hoped to build on our strong bilateral relationship and to talk about our common issues. Mitsotakis said Greece and Britain would build on their partnership during turbulent times. Starmer spokesman Dave Pares said the government has no plans to change the law to permit a permanent move of the Parthenon sculptures, but that a decision on a loan agreement was entirely for the British Museum. The British Museum said talks on a Parthenon partnership were ongoing and constructive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a weekend interview with Greeces Antenna television, Mitsotakis said discussion with the British Museum remains active, but did not offer details. I firmly believe that the moment of the return of the sculptures will come," he said. I cannot specify when, nor at what speed that return will take place. Because I do not think we can believe that it will happen overnight. ___ Gatopoulos reported from Athens. THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) A United Nations watchdog has been selected to lead an external probe into allegations of sexual misconduct against the top prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, The Associated Press learned Tuesday. The move will likely generate conflict of interest concerns owing to the prosecutors wifes past work for the oversight body. Chief prosecutor Karim Khan provided updates on the court's politically sensitive investigations into war crimes and atrocities in Ukraine, Gaza and Venezuela among other conflict areas during the institution's annual meeting this week in The Hague, Netherlands. But hanging over the gathering of the ICC's 124 member states are allegations against Khan himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An AP investigation in October found that at the same time the ICC was readying a warrant for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Khan was facing internal accusations that he tried to coerce a female aide into a sexual relationship and groped her against her will over a period of several months. The Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, which oversees the ICC, previously announced an external probe into the allegations but hadnt said who it would select to conduct the probe. At this weeks meeting, Paivi Kaukoranta, a Finnish diplomat currently heading the ICCs oversight body, told delegates that she has settled on the U.N.s Office of Internal Oversight Services, two diplomats told the AP on the condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door talks. Two respected human rights group last month already expressed concern about the possible selection of the U.N. because Khans wife, a prominent human rights attorney, worked at the agency in Kenya in 2019 and 2020 investigating sexual harassment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The International Federation for Human Rights and Womens Initiatives for Gender Justice, in a joint statement, said Khan should be suspended while the probe is being carried out and called for thoroughly vetting the chosen investigative body, firm, or institution to ensure it is free from conflicts of interest and possesses demonstrated expertise. What they described as Khans close relationship with the U.N. agency deserved added scrutiny, the two groups said. We strongly recommend ensuring that these concerns are openly and transparently addressed before assigning the mandate to the OIOS, the two organizations said. Kaukoranta declined to comment when asked about the investigation by the AP on Tuesday on the sidelines of the annual meeting. The U.N. and Khans attorney didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The accusations against Khan surfaced when two court employees in whom the alleged victim confided came forward with the accusation in May, a few weeks before Khan sought arrest warrants against Netanyahu, his defense minister and three Hamas leaders on war crimes charges. A three-judge panel last month signed off on those charges for the Israelis and the sole remaining Hamas leader whose death from Israel's bombing campaign hasn't been confirmed. AP reported that Khan traveled frequently with the woman after transferring her to his office from another department at the ICCs headquarters. During one foreign trip, Khan allegedly asked the woman to rest with him on a hotel bed and then sexually touched her, according to whistleblower documents shared with the courts watchdog and seen by the AP. Later, he came to her room at 3 a.m. and knocked on the door for 10 minutes. Other allegedly nonconsensual behavior cited in the documents included locking the door of his office and sticking his hand in her pocket. He also allegedly asked her on several occasions to go on a vacation together. After the two co-workers reported the alleged behavior, the courts internal watchdog interviewed the woman but she opted against filing a complaint due to her distrust of the watchdog, according to the AP investigation. Khan was never questioned and the watchdogs inquiry was closed within five days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the 900-employee ICC has long had a zero-tolerance policy on sexual harassment, an outside review of the courts inner-workings in 2020 found an unacceptable level of predatory behavior by male bosses, a lack of women in senior positions and inadequate mechanisms for dealing with complaints and protecting whistleblowers. There is a general reluctance, if not extreme fear, among many staff to report any alleged act of misconduct or misbehavior by a senior official, the experts concluded in their 348-page report. The perception is that they are all immune. Although the ICCs policies have been updated since the report, a 2024 internal reported obtained by AP showed that 30% of respondents to a staff survey reported they had experienced discrimination, abuse or harassment in the previous 12 months. While the courts watchdog could not determine wrongdoing, it nonetheless urged Khan in a memo to minimize contact with the woman to protect the rights of all involved and safeguard the courts integrity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Complicating any truth-seeking investigation have been attempts by Israel and others to undermine the court's credibility. Under Khan, the ICC has become more assertive in combating crimes against humanity and along the way it has added to a growing list of enemies. Last September, following the opening of a probe into Russian atrocities in Ukraine, the court suffered a debilitating cyberattack that left staff unable to work for weeks. It also hired an intern who was later criminally charged in the U.S. with being a Russian spy. Israel has also been waging its own influence campaign ever since the ICC recognized Palestine as a member and in 2015 opened a preliminary investigation into what the court referred to as the situation in the State of Palestine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Londons The Guardian newspaper and several Israeli news outlets reported this summer that Israels intelligence agencies for the past decade have allegedly targeted senior ICC staff, including putting Khans predecessor under surveillance and showing up at her house with envelopes stuffed with cash to discredit her. Netanyahu himself, in the days leading up to Khans announcement of war crimes charges, called on the worlds democracies to use all the means at their disposal to block the court from what he called an outrage of historic proportions. ___ Goodman reported from Miami. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) If Panama City commissioners have their way, overhead utility lines may soon be a thing of the past. The city is working with Florida Power and Light, exploring how to bury them underground. The primary reason is underground utilities are more storm resilient, meaning fewer power outages and quicker power restoration. Local woman feeds the homeless and hungry Thanksgiving meals Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When youre underground, youre pretty much protected from a lot of that wind, rain, limbs falling, all the other things that we experience as a community. So there is a long term cost savings that comes by going underground, Panama City Ward 4 Commissioner Josh Street said. The Storm Secure Undergrounding Program includes the conversion of individual home and business service connections and removal of electrical wires. FPL would do conversion work, prioritizing areas that have the most frequent outages. FPL is actually helping make those lateral connections and helping with that expense for any business owners that are affected. We would be looking to do this as we go through and hopefully finding ways that arent taxing our citizens to accomplish it, Street said. When the legislature approved the program in 2019, it only covered electrical lines. But phone and cable companies use the utility poles too. AT&T and Comcast are concerned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their concerns were while FPL has got a pocket of money that they can expend to do undergrounding, they dont, Street said. Despite the concerns, Street says the utility poles will remain. The city is already requiring all new construction to bury utilities. Street says work to bury the old lines is already underway in Glenwood from East Avenue to Martin Luther King Boulevard. Cape San Blas restoration project delayed over funding issues Its already happening in pretty much every new neighborhood that we have. So this really just solidifies it as this is now a requirement. If youre a new construction, youre going to be underground, Street added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FPL representatives say the average cost to residential customers will be about $6 a month for the Storm Protection Plan. The project could take ten to twenty years to complete. Panama City Commissioners plan to vote on this proposal on December 10th. If it passes, they will begin creating maps and create a timeline for burying the lines underground. 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. LUBUMBASHI, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Reuters) - An unknown disease killed 143 people in Democratic Republic of the Congo's southwestern province in November, local authorities told Reuters. Infected people had flu-like symptoms, including high fever and severe headaches, Remy Saki, deputy governor of Kwango province, and Apollinaire Yumba, provincial minister of health, said on Monday. A medical team has been sent to the Panzi health zone to collect samples and carry out an analysis in order to identify the disease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The situation is extremely worrying as the number of infected people continues to rise, civil society leader Cephorien Manzanza told Reuters. "Panzi is a rural health zone, so there is a problem with the supply of medicines," Manzanza said. Sick people die in their own homes for lack of treatment, Saki and Yumba said. A local epidemiologist said women and children were the most seriously affected by the disease. A WHO spokesperson said on Tuesday the UN health agency had been alerted to the presence of the disease last week, and it was working alongside Congo's public health ministry to make further investigations. (Reporting by Yassin Kombi; Additional reporting by Sonia Rolley; Writing by Anait Miridzhanian, editing by Ed Osmond) The dawn assault inside Russias Kursk region never even got to a gunfight, yet betrayed the intensity of the battle in Kremlin territory. Five Russians edged forward in the grey Sunday dawn but, as thermal drone imagery shows, were killed or wounded by a drone as they tried to hide in the treeline. I have this impression that (the Russians) have unlimited people, said Oleksandr, a unit commander with the 225th assault battalion, describing the clash from a cafe in the Ukrainian city of Sumy, 11 hours later. They send groups, and almost no one remains alive. And the next day, the groups go again. The next Russians, it seems, do not know what happened to the previous Russians. They go there, into the unknown. No one tells them anything about it, and no one comes back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oleksandr and two colleagues with whom he is sitting are hard of hearing from the constant shelling. They provide a rare insight into the nearly four-month-long Ukrainian occupation of Kursk. The August invasion marked a rare tactical success and strategic gain for Kyiv, although the use of significant manpower and armor in the assault has led to criticism that shortages created by the invasion contributed to Russias advance across the Donbas eastern front. Advocates of the Kursk operation suggest it provided Kyiv with vital leverage for any future peace talks perhaps initiated by US President-elect Donald Trump which means Ukraine needs to retain a foothold in the area into spring at the least. A funeral ceremony in Irpin, Ukraine, is held last month for Serhii Solovyov, a soldier who died during the Kursk offensive. - Evgeniy Maloletka/AP Oleksandr expressed confidence his unit could hold on, but less certainty as to why. I dont know what the goal really is, he said. Maybe we should walk around here for four months and turn around and leave, for example If the goal is to hold on to it until a certain point, we will. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked what his message for Trump would be, Oleksandr demanded the West uphold the security guarantees it gave Ukraine in return for Kyiv giving up its nuclear weapons, in a 1994 treaty known as the Budapest Memorandum, in which Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States gave Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan assurances for giving up their Soviet-era nuclear weapons. You took away our nuclear weapons? You promised us your roof, Oleksandr said, using a slang word for protection. Keep your word. Were being slaughtered, and youre still trying to play games, to defend your interests. You had to give everything you could to end this war in two days. Who will believe the words of the US or England, who are pissing themselves in front of Russia? Pardon my English, he said laughing, in explanation of his profanity. Recent Russian assaults in his area of Kursk have proven as ineffective as costly, he said. Separately, Ukrainian officials have admitted that 40% of the territory they took in the late summer has since been reclaimed by the Russians. Oleksandrs unit has not slept for three days, he said, or left the frontline for eight months, and has been involved in ferocious combat in the Ukrainian cities of Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Chasiv Yar. He said the Russian troops Ukrainians faced in Kursk were a mixture of well-trained paratroopers from the 76th Brigade, but also less organised Chechens, and African mercenaries. But he has seen no sign of the 12,000 North Korean troops that, according to the Pentagon, have been sent to Kursk. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky also told the Japanese Kyodo news agency Sunday that some North Koreans had been killed by Ukrainian forces and that they would ultimately be used as cannon fodder by the Kremlin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When we catch them or see a body, Oleksandr said, then Ill know for sure that theyre here. Three weeks earlier, his unit had faced an assault from 40 armored vehicles and about 300 infantry, he said. His drone commander, callsign JS for Java Script, said the unit killed 50 Russians that day. The vehicles that managed to get through unloaded the infantry, JS recounted, then we finished off the infantry. And it went like this for nearly 24 hours, no sleep, and the next day we finished off those who managed to hide from the drone-bombing on the first day. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Institute for American Indian Education (IAIE) is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary on Dec. 6. The celebration takes place at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center from 3 to 6 p.m. in Chaco I and Chaco II rooms. Appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages will be served. IAIE was created within the College of Education in 2004 by Native education faculty responding to the call for increased numbers of Native American teachers. The institute was first funded by the New Mexico Public Education Departments Indian Education Division from 2004 to 2010. In 2017, the work expanded to collaborate with other faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Native American Studies (NAS) as a planning effort to revitalize the institute. IAIE comprises Native faculty in the College of Education and Human Sciences and the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Native American Studies. Collectively, IAIE faculty recognize the critical nature of preparing pre-service educators, administrators (K-12 and higher education), non-teaching educational professionals, researchers, and policymakers to work with Native People in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In its two decades of operations, IAIE has helped tackle the educator and administrator shortage within New Mexicos 23 federally recognized Native Nations. IAIEs mission is to support community intergenerational well-being and educational outcomes of Indigenous Peoples by cultivating the quality of educational professionals through community engagement with Native Nations and collaborative partnerships with educational stakeholders. The Institute for American Indian Education (IAIE) has been such a foundational center for our College. The faculty affiliated with IAIE have been wonderful collaborators with a strong grounding in community-engaged research and service, said UNM College of Education and Human Sciences Dean Kristopher Goodrich. The voice and vision of the Indigenous communities they work with, and from where many of these faculty call home, has grounded their activities and inspired lasting and fundamental changes to how the College thinks about its engagement with these important communities. Twenty years is a testament to the impact and importance of their work, and I am sure this institute will long be a leading voice in the College into the future. Over the past 20 years, IAIE has attained several accomplishments, from increasing the number of American Indian teachers and administrators through tuition assistance to revitalize and preserve Native languages. The institute was also able to support over 80 American Indian students complete education degrees and provide over 130 scholarships to education majors looking to teach in Native schools. In particular, I'm deeply appreciative of the leadership of Dr. Glenabah Martinez, who has directed IAIE for the past few years and has been a visionary in how IAIE has traveled and engaged in communities across New Mexico and brought their voice to important white papers and reports that has influenced policy and practice, added Goodrich. She has also been a strong leader in educating our faculty about the Yazzie-Martinez consolidated decision and ways that the College might support the remedies through education, scholarship, and practice for the protected groups named in the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The College of Education and Human Sciences at The University of New Mexico leads the nation in the number of Native faculty representing diverse Indigenous Peoples. Individually, each faculty member is engaged in research that serves Indigenous Peoples and Nations. Collectively, Native faculty engage in critical dialogue on issues of scholarship/research, teaching, and service. For more information, visit the Institute for American Indian Education. 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 PICKENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) An Upstate man was killed in a vehicle fire in Pickens County Monday afternoon. The Pickens County Coroners Office said 63-year-old Charles Dennis Youngblood, of Easley, died in a vehicle accident around 2:10 p.m on 1700 Old Liberty Road. According to reports, the vehicle ignited when Youngblood was still inside. There is limited information as the South Carolina Highway Patrol and Pickens County Coroners Office investigate the accident. Stay connected with 7NEWS on-air and online for updates. 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 WSPA 7NEWS. (Reuters) - The U.S. Coast Guard said on Monday that it had suspended its search for five people after their commercial fishing boat capsized in Alaska. The Coast Guard received a mayday call early Sunday from the crew of the 50-foot (15 m) fishing boat Wind Walker, saying that the vessel was overturning in waters just south of Couverden Point in southeast Alaska. The area where the boat capsized was hit by heavy snow, winds up to 60 mph (97 kph), and six-foot (1.8-m) seas on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We stand in sorrow and solidarity with the friends and family of the people we were not able to find over the past 24 hours," Chief Warrant Officer James Koon, a Coast Guard search and rescue mission coordinator, said in a written statement. The statement said the Coast Guard searched for nearly 24 hours using boats and helicopters in a hunt over more than 108 nautical square miles (371 sq km). The Coast Guard said on Sunday that it had received information that five people were aboard the boat when it capsized. Seven empty cold-water immersion suits and two strobe lights were located in the water in the search area, but there has been no sign of the vessel or its crew, the Coast Guard said. (Reporting by Brad Brooks in Colorado; Editing by Sonali Paul) SEATTLE (AP) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement can continue using a Seattle airport for chartered deportation flights, a federal appeals court ruled in a decision that rejected a 2019 local order that sought to counter then-President Donald Trump's immigration policies. The agency has long used airports around the country to charter flights deporting hundreds of thousands of noncitizens considered lawfully removable from the U.S. But in 2019, in keeping with efforts in liberal Seattle and Washington state to resist Trump's priorities, King County Executive Dow Constantine issued an executive order expressing concern that the deportations could constitute human rights abuses. It announced that future leases at the county airport, also known as Boeing Field, would bar operators from servicing deportation flights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order prompted ICE to begin using an airport in Yakima a much farther drive from ICE's Northwest detention center in Tacoma for the deportation flights. The U.S. sued King County in 2020, arguing that Constantine's order discriminated against the federal government by singling it and its contractors out for unfavorable treatment, and that it violated the terms of a World War II-era contract that guarantees the federal government's right to use the airport. U.S. District Judge Robert J. Bryan agreed, and Constantine issued a new executive order superseding his old one early last year. The new order, which was not challenged, does not purport to block deportation flights but instead prevents King County resources from aiding in the deportations beyond what federal law requires. The new order also calls for transparency around any deportation flights. The airport now offers a conference room where the public can observe deportation flights on a video feed, and the county posts a log of deportation flights from the airport on its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deportation flights resumed by May 2023, following Bryan's decision and Constantine's second executive order. In a ruling Friday, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously upheld Bryan's ruling. The Executive Order effectively grants King County the power to control ICEs transportation and deportation operations, forcing ICE either to stop using Boeing Field or to use government-owned planes there impermissibly overriding the federal government's discretion, 9th Circuit Judge Daniel A. Bress wrote for the panel. King County said it would not further appeal the case. The Ninth Circuits decision allows a raw assertion of federal power to overcome an expression of local values even absent any actual impact, Amy Enbysk, a spokeswoman for the King County Executive's Office, said in an emailed statement. "Although King County disagrees with the courts decision, it will of course follow the courts dictates. The U.S. Department of Energy Monday conditionally committed $7.54 billion to finance two electric vehicle facilities in Kokomo as part of an effort to bolster American EV battery manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign sources. The federal financial commitment to large-scale lithium-ion battery production will "ensure the United States can meet domestic demand and remain a global leader in the rapidly expanding EV industry," according to a news release from the DOE. Though not yet finalized, the $7.54 billion loan from the department's Loan Programs Office to StarPlus Energy is the third largest commitment the office has approved. The office last summer announced a $9.2 billion conditional commitment to an EV battery project in Kentucky and Tennessee to produce Ford and Lincoln EVs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement StarPlus Energy, a joint venture between Stellantis and Samsung SDI, in 2022 announced plans to open an electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility on the northeast side of Kokomo. A year later, the companies added a second plant to the plans for the Kokomo project. Public electric vehicle charging ports Thursday, June 23, 2022, on the south side of Indianapolis. Once completed, the project is projected to produce enough gigawatts to supply 670,000 vehicles annually. Together, the two factories are expected to create as many as 2,800 jobs on site and hundreds more at a nearby supplier park. The project will also lead to more than 3,000 construction jobs, the release said. The relatively obscure LPO has emerged as one of President Joe Biden's key climate initiatives, doling out billions in financial commitments for clean energy projects across the country. The Department of Energy announced 32 deals totaling more than $54 billion in project investment under the Biden-Harris administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Indiana wants to charge your electric vehicle while you drive. But is it actually possible? A spokesperson for StarPlus said the manufacturer appreciates the support as construction continues on the facilities. The first plant will begin production this month while the facility has a targeted opening date for 2028."Our journey toward an electric future is greatly supported by this conditional commitment," a StarPlus spokesperson said in an email. "We are one step closer to our goal of becoming the worlds leading provider of energy solutions for e-mobility. To close the loan, StarPlus must meet certain technical, legal, environmental and financial requirements. The company must also pay back the money over time, according to a Department of Energy spokesperson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours after the federal loan announcement, the United Auto Workers released a statement celebrating an employee leasing agreement with Stellantis that will create more than 1,000 new jobs for UAW members in Kokomo. Alysa Guffey covers growth and development for IndyStar. Contact her at amguffey@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: U.S. Energy Department commits $7.54B loan for EV production in Kokomo The US would face a dire threat from China, Iran and North Korea if Ukraine is forced into concessions to end its war with Russia, Natos secretary-general has warned Donald Trump. Mark Rutte cautioned against the president-elects plans for a peace deal, which he said would lead to the Wests enemies high fiving and plotting their own attacks. He told the Financial Times there must be a good deal for Ukraine when the time comes to negotiate with Russia, and he called for the US to continue military support in the meantime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump has promised to bring a swift end to the war in Ukraine, and his allies have suggested he may lean on Kyiv to offer territory to Russia in exchange for a ceasefire. However, supporters of Ukraine including Sir Keir Starmer have argued that the West must continue to supply arms. New aid package On Monday night, Sir Keir acknowledged for the first time that the war would end in a negotiated settlement. His speech at the Lord Mayors banquet came hours after Joe Biden authorised a further package of military aid. Mr Rutte, who met Mr Trump and his foreign policy team on Nov 23 to discuss a range of global security issues facing the alliance, said he had warned the president-elect about a sharp end to the war during their discussion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cannot have a situation where we have Kim Jong-un and the Russian leader and Xi Jinping and Iran high-fiving because we came to a deal which is not good for Ukraine, he told the FT. Long-term, that will be a dire security threat not only to Europe but also to the US. The alliance chief, who took office in October, added that there were deep military and economic ties between Russia, China, North Korea and Iran with money and weapons changing hands, fuelling the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. The fact that Iran, North Korea, China and Russia are working so closely together[means] these various parts of the world where conflict isare more and more getting connected, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Ruttes intervention suggests Nato and other Western countries may try to convince Mr Trump to continue US support for Ukraine by arguing that it is in Americas interests to do so. Several of Mr Trumps top team have said they believe Ukraine is a European problem, and that the USs focus should be on China and Iran. Mr Ruttes attempt to connect global issues may prove persuasive, despite opposition to high levels of military spending on Ukraine within the Republican Party. Mr Trump has already called on Nato members to increase domestic military spending to 3 per cent of GDP, a 50 per cent boost from its current level. 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. Mexico has said it will not accept an invasion by US forces amid talks by Donald Trumps transition team to deploy American troops to fight drug cartels. Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexicos president, said: Of course we do not agree with an invasion or the presence of this type in our country. During the government of president Lopez Obrador there was greater control by US agencies in Mexico, and that will be maintained. It comes amid mounting reports that Washington could dispatch Special Forces soldiers to eliminate Mexican drug cartels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tom Homan, the man tapped by Mr Trump to lead his border closures, recently told Fox News the president-elect will use [the] full might of the United States Special Operations to take em out. An anonymous source told Rolling Stone last week that transition officials had discussed how much to invade Mexico. Air strikes Plans presented to Mr Trump are reported to have included air strikes on cartel infrastructure, assassinating cartel leaders and training Mexican forces. The scheme would most likely include covert operations and patrols just over the border in order to stem the flow of drugs across the frontier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about the comments, Ms Sheinbaum dismissed the strategy as entirely a movie. What I base myself on is the conversation the two conversations that I had with President Trump, and then, at the moment, the communication we will have with his work team and when he takes office, she added. Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico would maintain a tight control on how the US operated in her country - Sashenka Gitierrez/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock The Mexican leader insisted she would defend her countrys sovereignty, saying: Mexico is a free, independent, sovereign country and that is above everything else. It is not known whether Mr Trump will press ahead with a soft invasion of Mexico to tackle the drug gangs. Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth, his picks for state and defence secretaries, have both voiced support for hardline tactics, including the use of military force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Hegseth said lethal force would be in the US national interest because cartels are terrorist-like organizations poisoning our population. If it takes military action, thats what it may take, eventually, he said. Obviously, youre gonna have to be smart about it. Obviously, the precision strikes. But if you put the fear in the minds of the drug lords, at least as a start, [and] they cant operate in the open with impunity, [it] changes the way they operate. You combine that with actual border security ... now youre cooking with gas and youve got a chance. Mr Rubio has suggested military deployments would be acceptable if there is cooperation with the Mexican government. Experts have warned that deploying US troops inside Mexico would be incredibly challenging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They say the cartels are now near-peer adversaries armed with modern, heavy weaponry and armoured vehicles. The cartels could also adopt guerrilla tactics similar to the ones that proved previously effective against US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. 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. By Raphael Satter WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A senior U.S. official who is among those working to evict alleged Chinese hackers from American telecom companies has a word of advice for his fellow Americans: Use encryption. During a call with reporters on Tuesday, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency official Jeff Greene said Americans should know that "encryption is your friend" and that "our advice is to avoid using plaintext." Although it is not the first time a senior American official has endorsed encryption, a data-scrambling technique that helps protect communications from snoopers, it is a stark break with previous government messaging. Only a few years ago, FBI Director Chris Wray described strong encryption as "an urgent public safety issue" amid a push by law enforcement officials to mandate that tech companies water down the protections around digital communications. Greene's call with journalists was held as the government issued guidance for combating allegedly Chinese intrusions into U.S. telecoms. Washington has voiced increasing concern over Beijing's alleged efforts to burrow deep into U.S. telecommunications companies, including T-Mobile, and steal data about U.S. calls. U.S. officials have previously alleged that the hackers stole telephone audio intercepts, along with a large tranche of call record data. Officials have said those records mainly concerned people in the Washington area. Chinese officials have previously described the allegations as disinformation and that Beijing "firmly opposes and combats cyber attacks and cyber theft in all forms." Greene's advice to switch to encrypted calls and messaging - which is offered by apps such as Meta Platform's WhatsApp and the privacy-focused service Signal - is a sign that the agency believes that Chinese hackers may be lurking in telecom companies' networks for some time yet. Greene, who serves as CISA's Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity, said as much when asked about a timetable for kicking the hackers out of America's telecom networks. "It would be impossible for us to predict when we'll have full eviction," he said. (Reporting by Raphael Satter) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Tuesday urged Israel to investigate allegations its airstrikes have killed aid workers in Gaza, State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said, expressing outrage over the recent killing of a Save the Children staffer. Asked about the killing of 39-year-old Ahmad Faisal Isleem Al-Qadi in an airstrike on Saturday in Khan Younis, Patel said Washington was seeking more information about the death. "We are outraged, and we are wanting more information about this incident," Patel said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The IDF needs to provide additional information about this incident," he added, referring to the Israel Defense Forces. "We urge Israel to thoroughly and transparently investigate actions like these and take appropriate action in their system." (Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, Ismail Shakil and Simon Lewis; Editing by Chris Reese) (Reuters) - The U.S. and Ukrainian defense chiefs on Monday discussed Russia's use of new ballistic missiles, preparations for the next meeting of arms donors and plans for Washington's military aid next year, both sides said. The meeting came as the U.S. said it will send Kyiv $725 million of missiles, ammunition, anti-personnel mines and other weapons, as President Joe Biden's outgoing administration seeks to bolster Kyiv before leaving office. "Secretary (of Defense Lloyd) Austin condemned Russia's recent barrage of missiles and Unmanned Aerial Systems targeting Ukraine's civilian infrastructure and its use of an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile in Ukraine, which marks another escalation in Russia's war against Ukraine," the Pentagon's press secretary, Major General Pat Ryder, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In late November, Russia fired a hypersonic Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro in response to the U.S. and UK's allowing Kyiv to strike Russian territory with advanced Western weapons, in a further escalation of the 33-month-old war. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said the call also focused on "strategic planning for 2025, particularly regarding the supply of weapons, equipment, and equipping of our units." With the U.S. strategy on Ukraine likely to change when President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20., Kyiv is concerned that aid from Washington - Ukraine's largest supporter in its fight against Russia - will diminish significantly. Umerov also said he discussed with Austin preparations for the upcoming meeting of the Ramstein Group, an alliance of NATO, the European Union and countries that have supported Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Umerov did not say when the meeting would take place. Ukrainian media, including the European Pravda online newspaper, reported that the meeting may take place in December. It would be likely the last meeting of Kyiv's allies before Trump takes office. (Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Stephen Coates) By Douglas Gillison (Reuters) - The sale of Americans' private information by "data brokers" to scammers, foreign adversaries, abusive domestic partners and other unscrupulous actors could face stringent new proposed regulations, the top U.S. consumer agency for financial protection announced on Tuesday. If adopted, the proposed new rules would subject "data brokers" to oversight by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, requiring them to comply with credit reporting laws, thereby reining in a practice officials say poses threats to national security and public safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The scale of this problem is staggering," CFPB Director Rohit Chopra told reporters ahead of the announcement, citing research according to which some data brokers explicitly advertised the sale of senior national security officials' personal information. The proposal also comes in the final weeks of President Joe Biden's administration, meaning its fate will be determined after President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged sweeping cuts to spending and regulations, takes office in January. Unlike other regulators, CFPB officials have decided to continue rulemaking in the hopes that some new consumer protections may survive the change in administration, Reuters reported last week. CFPB officials said they believed the subject nevertheless enjoyed "broad bipartisan recognition." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the proposal, companies that obtain and sell consumers' personal financial information - such as income data, net worth and credit ratings - would be regulated like credit bureaus and required to maintain safeguards against the misuse of data, to ensure its accuracy and allow consumers to access their own information. The proposal flows from a broader Biden administration concern with personal data use. The Federal Trade Commission in 2022 sued an Idaho company, saying its mobile phone geolocation data could be traced to abortion clinics, churches and addiction treatment facilities. CFPB officials say the unrestricted sale of such data for pennies per person enables espionage, allows thieves to target financially vulnerable people and allows potentially violent actors to target law enforcement officials and others. Officials traced the 2020 murder of a federal judge's son to a man who had purchased her home address, according to the CFPB. The proposal will be subject to public comment until March 2025. (Reporting by Douglas Gillison; Editing by Himani Sarkar) TOOELE, Utah (ABC4) A Utah businessman accused of irresponsibly demolishing the historic asbestos-containing Broadway Hotel in Tooele has been ordered to pay $40,000 in restitution to one of the workers who tore the hotel down. Daniel J. Brett, 68, of Murray, was given the sentence after he pleaded guilty to negligent endangerment in September 2024. Brett was originally charged with three counts of violation of the federal Clean Air Act. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Utah, Brett negligently caused asbestos to be released into the arm after he ordered the demolition of the Broadway Hotel in December 2020. Brett reportedly knew about the presence of asbestos in the hotel since 2011. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the National Cancer Institute, asbestos fibers are spread through the air and easily attach to homes and workplaces, as well as lungs if breathed in. Over time, those fibers can cause scarring and inflammation, leading to serious health problems, including cancer. Statements and court documents revealed Brett did not disclose the asbestos to the third-party demolition crew, which led to the demolition taking place without the proper protective equipment. The owner worked inside the excavator while his worker, the victim in this case, operated the water truck, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a press release. In doing so, the worker stood outside of the water truck wetting debris with a hose as building material collapsed to the ground, with nothing to protect him but a dust mask. Following the demolition of the hotel, the debris pile remained on site, uncovered, for 15 months. The Environmental Protection Agency eventually intervened and removed the debris at the reported cost of $1.1 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United States had reportedly argued for a sentence of 12 months in federal prison with one year of supervised release in addition to the $40,000 restitution payment paid to the water truck operator. 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. ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) After the announcement was made to appoint former Loudoun Assistant County Administrator Valmarie Turner, a press conference was held Monday afternoon to formally introduce her to city officials. She brings just over 30 years of experience at the local government level, including the last seven in Virginia. As of October 2023, she served as the deputy city manager in Fairfax, but now this is her first time being a city manager. I think all of those experiences helped to prepare me for where I am now, Turner said. Ive had some phenomenal mentors and phenomenal supervisors that really paved the way to give me the experience I need in order to be as well-rounded as I can be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She has visited Roanoke at least once a year ever since she moved to Virginia. She said she wanted to be here because she fell in love with the citys charm, culture, and people. Valmarie H. Turner appointed as new Roanoke City Manager Now, its those same people she wants to work with to help make Roanoke a better place for everyone. What we do every day, we come to work, we choose to come to work, and most of us that are in public service, we choose it because we want to make sure that the community that we live in is better, Turner said. To the community, I commit to you that thats something I want to do as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All seven incumbent council members, along with two incoming members, unanimously voted to make Turner the next city manager. She replaces Bob Cowell, who resigned from the position back in June. Ms. Turner was the clear choice based on her resume, her experience, and her desire to want to make a difference in local government, Trish White-Boyd, a current council member and the chair of the personnel committee, said. White-Boyd said she was the only potential candidate who came into the interview process with a set plan for what she wanted to accomplish. She reportedly brings a lot of experience in affordable housing and economic development, and the city sees her as a valuable resource to help with homelessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its about designing programs that meet the needs of the populations within homelessness because theyre different, Turner said. She is expected to start her term in mid-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 WFXRtv. The News Vanuatus attorney-general said the landmark International Court of Justice case on climate change was a matter of survival for island nations as hearings began at The Hague on Monday. The case, which involves more than 100 countries and non-governmental organizations, will examine countries responsibility for worsening global warming. The final result will be advisory, but the case reflects the growing use of justice systems to force companies and countries to curb carbon emissions. Recent rulings in the US and Europe required governments do more to protect citizens, while litigation against companies is on the rise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stakes could not be higher, the Vanuatu attorney-general said of the ICJ case. SIGNALS Justice systems increasingly employed to boost climate efforts Sources: Euronews, Reuters, The Guardian The ICJ hearings represent the biggest case in human history on climate change, in terms of participation, Euronews wrote. The case, which began as a campaign by university students in Fiji, reflects a surge of citizens looking to hold governments of large carbon-emitting nations legally accountable for inaction, creating blueprints for litigation across the public and private sectors. At the same time, more Western governments have been using the legal system to crack down on climate campaigners, with the UK government handing record sentences in July to activists who planned to block a highway. Questions remain over ICJs power to create change Sources: Bloomberg Law, BBC, Al Jazeera Though the ICJs decisions are only advisory, they could provide an antidote to political inertia at COP summits, Nikki Reisch, a director at the Center for International Environmental Law, wrote for Bloomberg Law. At the recent COP29, many nations were angered by the inadequate financial deal detailing how much large carbon-emitting nations ought to pay developing ones. Clarifying countries legal obligations, by contrast, doesnt depend on negotiated outcomes that can be reduced to the lowest common denominator, Reisch wrote. Still, the ICJ has been under fire this year, after Israel ignored its demand to evacuate occupied Palestinian territory, leading some to question its power. Reisch argued that this is why governments should back up international bodies like the ICJ: They are critical checks against the whims of changing political administrations. The Vatican has issued a declaration stating that the Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity no longer exists in the eyes of the church and that it is extinct. The Vatican issued the statement on Thursday, Nov. 28, a month after the nuns were dismissed from religious life because they are in schism with the church and refused to be under the authority of the Carmelite Association of Christ the King, which was appointed by the Vatican to oversee the nuns and their daily lives at the monastery. Bishop Michael Olson of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth posted a letter to the faithful on the dioceses website and also included the decree from the Vatican and a letter discussing the suppression of the monastery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The actions of the former nuns have perpetrated a deep wound in the Body of Christ, Olson wrote. I ask all of you to join me in praying for healing, reconciliation, and for the conversion of these women who have departed from the vowed religious life and notoriously defected from communion with the Catholic Church by their actions. More top stories from our newsroom: Suspects target wrong house in deadly drive-by shooting TCU chancellor to leave job in June 2025 Jury awards $60M after security guard smashes glass on mans head [Get our breaking news alerts.] Olson also wrote that it is important for Catholics to remember that the women who live at the Arlington monastery are no longer nuns because they were dismissed from religious life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He stated that that the diocese has never made any claims to the monastery property nor do we do so now. The monastery property is owned by the Friends of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Arlington Inc. The nuns had transferred the property to the foundation earlier this year so the diocese and the Association of Christ the King could not have a claim to it. Matthew Bobo, an attorney representing the nuns, issued a statement on behalf of the board of directors for the Friends of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Arlington. He said nuns are safe from the efforts of Bishop Olson and will continue their devotion to a life of contemplative prayer. The nuns have been embroiled in a dispute with the Diocese of Fort Worth and the Vatican for over a year. It began when Olson investigated a report that the nuns leader, the Rev. Mother Teresa Agnes Gerlach, broke her chastity vows with a priest from outside the diocese. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nuns sued Olson over allegations of invasion of privacy and theft of personal property related to his investigation, but a Tarrant County judge threw out the lawsuit, ruling it was a church matter. In April, the Vatican placed the nuns under the authority of the Association of Christ the King. Mother Marie of the Incarnation, president of the Christ the King Association, was appointed as the major superior of the Carmel but the nuns opposed the orders. In September, the nuns said they were aligned with the Society of Saint Pius X, a traditionalist society that has been at odds with the Vatican. The Society of St Pius X is addressing the latest attempts by Bishop Olson to harass the Nuns and we are confident in that process, Bobo said. Bobo also said that the suppression of the monastery will not have an effect on the monastery since the property is owned by the foundation. (Bloomberg) -- Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado urged Brazil to throw its weight behind her ally Edmundo Gonzalez as the nations legal president-elect. Most Read from Bloomberg Machado made her remarks as improving relations between Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro undermine the oppositions hopes of overturning the official results of the July election, which is widely regarded as having been stolen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, more than ever, we need Brazil, its congress, its people, its president, Machado said Tuesday during a virtual hearing before Brazils Lower House. That would put pressure on Maduro to negotiate an organized transition, she said. Relations between the two governments soured after the vote, which Venezuelas electoral authority say Maduro won. Despite their close ties, Lula refused to acknowledge Maduro as the winner and called for him to release the ballots to prove his supposed victory. Machados remarks come after Venezuela and Brazils governments reopened talks following an impasse at the BRICS group Summit, in Kazan, Russia, in October. According to Maduro, Brazils vote prevented Venezuela from joining the bloc this year. In recent weeks, Maduro has publicly supported Lula on at least two occasions, likely indicating better relations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maduro has no intention of handing over the voting tallies that Lula had demanded to see, Machado told Brazilian lawmakers. So far, only the US and Italy have recognized Gonzalez as Venezuelas president-elect, but dozens of other countries have said that, according to public records, he won Julys presidential vote. The next presidential term begins January 10, with both Maduro and Gonzalez saying they will be sworn in. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. PALMIRA, Colombia (AP) Its been three years since Douarleyka Velasquez abandoned her career in human resources. Her new job is not what she had planned for, but still feels rewarding. As a cleaning supervisor at a migrant shelter in Colombia, she gets to comfort Venezuelans who, just like herself, fled their homes hoping for a better life. I feel that in here I can help my brothers, my countrymen who come and go, said Velasquez, 47, from Pope Francis Migrant Shelter in Palmira, a city in southwestern Colombia. The U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR, estimates that more than 7.7 million Venezuelans have left their homeland since 2014, the largest exodus in Latin Americas recent history, with most settling in the Americas, from neighboring Colombia and Brazil to more distant Argentina and Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the International Organization for Migration, Colombia hosts the highest population of migrants from Venezuela. Colombian records show that as of mid-2024, more than 2.8 million Venezuelans were in the country. Pope Francis Migrant Shelter was founded in 2020 to address this phenomena, said the Rev. Arturo Arrieta, who oversees human rights initiatives in the Catholic Diocese of Palmira. The city is mostly a transit point, Arrieta said. Migrants pass through on their way to the Darien Gap, a treacherous route to reach North America. A few others, who found it impossible to keep migrating or yearned for their past life, make a stop before heading back home. Its one of the few shelters en route, Arrieta said. The international community has stopped financing places like this, thinking that it would discourage immigration, but that will never happen. On the contrary, this leaves migrants unprotected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People reaching the shelter can stay up to five days, though exceptions can be made. Velasquez was welcomed to the team when she settled in Palmira, which was also the case of Karla Mendez, who works in the kitchen and said that cooking traditional Venezuelan meals for her compatriots brings her joy. According to Arrieta, the shelter is mostly sought out by families, women traveling alone and the LGBTQ+ population. Food, clothing and spiritual counsel are provided to those in need; facilities include showers, a playground for children, and cages for pets. Aside from this, the team provides information on human trafficking and support to women who have been abused and to children who travel unaccompanied. We have also encountered Venezuelan mothers who are looking for their relatives and are coming from or towards the Darien Gap in a never-ending search, Arrieta said. Families are searching for loved ones who disappeared while migrating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While no official records track the number of migrants who have vanished in part because some of them traveled illegally their disappearances have been acknowledged by human rights organizations and Colombian institutions. In recent years, we have found unidentified bodies whose clothing or belongings indicate that they are migrants, said Marcela Rodriguez, who works at a local missing-persons search unit. Arrieta knows he cant protect every migrant from stepping into territories controlled by illegal armed groups. But he does his best to comfort migrants at the shelter. Our motto is that we are a caress from God, he said. We want them to find an oasis here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Velasquez, whose husband, two children and a grandson left Venezuela with her, said that leaving everything behind was tough, but her family now feels at home. I feel very proud of what I do, she said. I always try to provide encouragement and tell people that all will work out wherever they go. One floor up, 20-year-old Mariana Ariza faces a dilemma that many migrants share: Where to go next? After leaving Venezuela in 2020, she arrived in Bogota with her 2-year-old and became a sex worker to support her child. Its really hard to migrate and not being able to get a job, said Ariza, now a mother of two. I would do anything for my children. I would never let them starve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes undecided about going back to Venezuela to reunite with her family or heading to Ecuador, to look for better opportunities. Some people tell me, You have that job because you dont know how to do anything, but thats not true, Ariza said. I learned a lot of things, but I havent had the money or the opportunity to move ahead. In Bogota, where she initially arrived, the Rev. Rene Rey has spent decades supporting Colombian sex workers and LGBTQ+ people with HIV. In recent years his work has broadened to aid Venezuelan migrants. He noticed an increased influx starting in 2017, when protests flared in Venezuela in reaction to an attempt by the government to strip the National Assembly of its powers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a strong wave, Rey said. Many of them, who were sexually abused or were victims of human and labor trafficking, got here. According to Rey, about half of the sex workers in Santa Fe the neighborhood where he works in Colombias capital are Venezuelan, most of them between 21 and 24 years old. The building where he teams up with a Catholic organization called Eudes Foundation to provide information on HIV and cook lunches for homeless people is known as The Refuge. Its also a place of prayer, where locals and migrants converge and a few transgender Venezuelan sex workers have found a safe space to practice their faith. We just tell them: God is around here, how are you? We would like to be friends, Rey said. I think these honest encounters provoke something new, where the Holy Spirit really is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Out of the three prayer groups that he oversees at The Refuge, one is led by Lia Roa, a Colombian transgender woman who became a seminarian before her transition and later struggled for acceptance within the Catholic Church. Rey initially invited her to participate in activities inclusive of transgender people during Holy Week but later thought: What if she could have a bigger role in our community? So he took his proposal to the cardinal, and he enthusiastically supported it. The group of half a dozen transgender sex workers most of them from Venezuela meet at The Refuge most Saturdays. First, they share a meal. Afterwards, they pray, meditate and talk. Its been a challenge because Santa Fe is like Mecca for trans women, Roa said. They carry a rough past that has made them become invisible to the point that they lose their dignity as humans and daughters of God. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of her prayer group often recount that they migrated because they could not find safes spaces for them as trans women in Venezuela. And even if many of them are just passing through Bogota before heading back home or toward the Darien Gap, Roa feels that their meetings at The Refuge are meaningful and build loving, truthful friendships. In their own words, this process becomes spiritual nourishment for their way forward, Roa said. They leave with a new vision, because once youve been told that God hates you because you are trans, hearing a priest and another trans telling you that God loves you just the way you are definitely makes a difference. ____ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. (WIAT) With Thanksgiving over, neighborhood Christmas lights displays are popping up. One family in Vestavia Hills is using its light display to give back to the community. For the last 10 years, the Waltchack family has done lights at Christmas, growing it each season. In 2024, the Waltchacks are using their Christmas display to raise money for The Adoption and Foster Care Clinic, a cause close to their hearts. We have six children, and three are biological, and three are from China, Rushton Waltchack said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the Waltchack familys Christmas display grows, the family said it wants to use the popularity for good, raising money for a grassroots nonprofit that opened in Hoover in November. Were thankful for any little bit, Waltchack said. $20 can buy a book to go in the waiting room for the kids to look at, and then large donations can help buy equipment for the PT gym. Our kids will also be selling hot chocolate, and a portion of the money from that we raise, that we receive, will go to that as well, Derek Waltchack said. The big business of Christmas tree farming in Alabama The Adoption and Foster Care Clinic used to be housed in Childrens of Alabama. Now, its a standalone clinic with all of the doctors, therapists and counselors an adoptive or foster care family could need in one building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I always say they helped keep me sane during the process, Rushton Waltchack said. When you come home with a kid from adoption or from foster care, the wheels kind of fall off for a moment as you try to understand what their needs are, and its different than a biological child. So they just help you navigate that. Some of the spectators of the Waltchacks Christmas lights show come from all around to take it in. Were big Christmas folks, Graysville resident Larry Smith said. My wife puts up 10 Christmas trees. Smith said seeing the lights show for a good cause in 2024 makes it even more special. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It helps the kids that need to be helped in the community and gives them a family, Smith said. You need family, and that means everything to us. The Waltchacks show will run every night from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. through Christmas night. You can find their home at the corner of Chestnut Road and Monterey Place. 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. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)The Concho Valley Community Action Agency offers year-round assistance to those in need. For the first time this year, the CVCAA is offering housing accessibility and safety modifications assistance to veterans and surviving spouses homes. CVCAA Community Engagement Director Sidney Timmer said, This is our first year of operating the Housing for Texas Heroes program, which is really trying to help veterans and surviving spouses manage their homes, so we can do ADA modifications as well as safety repairs for these homes of these veterans. She also said, Discharge status does not matter, neither does length of service. Really the eligibility requirements are they are under-income, they own their home, and they are not behind on their taxes or their mortgage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CVCAA can help with ramps, grab bars, bathroom modifications, and flooring for people in wheelchairs. The goal is to make homes safer for veterans with mobility issues. As winter weather arrives, they can also help winterize homes. Timmer said, As were entering, you know winter and the cold season you know making sure that your home is sealed and tight and ready to go. She continued, Its going to be super important and really life-saving and so for our veterans and surviving spouses were able to repair holes in the roof or if their windows are broken and weather is coming in maybe their doors arent on straight and so weather is seeping into the home those are things were able to take care of. This program is supported by a several hundred thousand dollar grant from the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for veteran assistance. For more information about eligibility requirements and applications go to the cvcaa website. You can also go to the CVCAA building for questions and to apply. 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 ConchoValleyHomepage.com. HANOI (Reuters) - A court in Vietnam on Tuesday upheld a death sentence for real estate tycoon Truong My Lan after rejecting her appeal against a conviction for embezzlement and bribery in a high-profile $12 billion fraud case, state media reported. Lan, the chairwoman of real estate developer Van Thinh Phat Holdings Group, was sentenced to death in April for her role in what was Vietnam's biggest financial fraud case on record. The High People's Court in southern Ho Chi Minh City determined there was no basis to reduce Lan's death sentence, reported online newspaper VnExpress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Lan is able to return three-quarters of the money embezzled while on death row, it is possible the sentence could be commuted to life imprisonment, the report said. She is one of the most famous business executives and state officials jailed in the communist country's lengthy anti-graft campaign known as "Blazing Furnace". "The consequences Lan caused are unprecedented in the history of litigation and the amount of money embezzled is unprecedentedly large and unrecoverable," the prosecution was quoted as saying at the appeal hearing by state-run online newspaper VietnamNet. "The defendant's actions have affected many aspects of society, the financial market, the economy," it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State media cited Lan's lawyer as saying she had many mitigating circumstances, including "having admitted guilt, showing remorse and paying back part of the amount of money embezzled", but prosecutors said that was insufficient. Reuters could not immediately reach Lan's lawyers for comment. Lan still has the right to request a review under Vietnam's cassation or retrial procedures. Lan's arrest in 2022 sparked a run on one of the country's largest private banks by deposits, Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SCB), which was at the centre of the fraud and largely owned by Lan through her proxies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Documents reviewed by Reuters showed Vietnam's central bank had as of April pumped $24 billion in "special loans" into SCB in an "unprecedented" rescue. Apart from the death sentence, Lan was handed a life sentence at a separate trial in October after being found guilty of obtaining property by fraud, money laundering and illegal cross-border money transfers. (Reporting by Khanh Vu; Editing by Martin Petty) The Vietnamese real-estate tycoon Truong My Lan had her appeal against the death sentence rejected. She was found guilty of embezzlement, bribery, and violating banking rules. Judges said her sentence might be reduced if she paid three-quarters of the $12 billion she embezzled. A Vietnamese real-estate tycoon is desperately trying to raise $9 billion to avoid the death penalty after her bid to appeal the sentence was rejected on Tuesday. Truong My Lan, the chairwoman of the real-estate developer Van Thinh Phat Group, was arrested in 2022 and sentenced to death in April for embezzling $12.5 billion over a decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sum amounted to about 3% of Vietnam's 2022 GDP. The fraud trial, which began in March, was Vietnam's largest ever and among Southeast Asia's most significant corruption scandals in recent years. Lan was accused of illegally controlling Saigon Commercial Bank and using shell companies to secure more than 2,500 loans for herself and her accomplices. She was found guilty of embezzlement, bribery, and violating banking rules. In a separate trial in October, Lan appealed to the judges and prosecutors for clemency, saying she had to pay "too expensive a price." But judges at the People's High Court of Ho Chi Minh City rejected Lan's appeal on Tuesday, saying there were no mitigating circumstances to reduce her sentence, the local media outlet VnExpress reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the judges said the country's law allows a death sentence to be commuted to life in prison provided three-quarters of the estimated losses are returned, the outlet reported. In Lan's case, that amounts to about $9 billion. Nguyen Khac Giang, a visiting fellow in the Vietnam Studies Program at Singapore's ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, told the Associated Press that death sentences in Vietnam aren't immediately carried out and that Lan would seek another review of the case or a presidential pardon to reduce her sentence. "Moreover, if she repays at least three-quarters of the misappropriated funds, the court may consider commuting her sentence to life imprisonment," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BBC reported that in recent hearings, Lan said that she was embarrassed to have been such a drain on the country and that her only thought was to pay back the money. "The total value of her holdings actually exceeds the required compensation amount," her lawyer, Nguyen Huy Thiep, told the outlet before her appeal was rejected. "However, these require time and effort to sell, as many of the assets are real estate and take time to liquidate," Nguyen said. Lan's lawyers also said the death sentence would make it harder for her to negotiate the best prices for her assets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BBC reported that Lan had reached out to friends to try to raise loans to help her reach the target. While prosecutors identified Lan as the ringleader, her family members were also caught up in the case, including her husband, Eric Chu, and niece, Truong Hue Van, who were both sentenced to time behind bars. Former executives at Saigon Commercial Bank have also been sentenced to life in prison, along with a senior figure at Vietnam's central bank . Read the original article on Business Insider Ana Navarro-Cardenas tried to defend President Joe Bidens pardon of his son Hunter, but ended up raising eyebrows instead. Biden pardoned his son, who has been convicted of tax and gun charges, in the last stretch of his presidency after repeatedly vowing he wouldnt. The move prompted critics to groan that Biden put his family over his political legacy and that he was potentially establishing a controversial precedent. The View co-host took to X to point out a pattern of presidents pardoning family members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woodrow Wilson pardoned his brother-in-law, Hunter deButts. Bill Clinton pardoned his brother, Roger. Donald Trump pardoned his daughters father-in-law, Charlie Kushner. And just appointed him ambassador to France. But tell me again how Joe Biden is setting precedent? Navarro-Cardenas wrote Monday. But her point was buried in a furious discussion about one particular name: Hunter deButts. President Joe Biden talks with his son Hunter Biden upon arrival at Delaware Air National Guard Base in New Castle, Delaware, on June 11, 2024, as he travels to Wilmington, Delaware. The president pardoned his son after repeatedly vowing he wouldnt (AFP via Getty Images) A community note tacked on to her tweet debunked her claim: There is no evidence that Woodrow Wilson had a brother-in-law named Hunter DeButts. While at least one person by that name was living during Wilsons presidency, there is nothing to suggest any relation, or that they were pardoned the only result is this tweet. GOP operative Zach Parkinson looked into the matter, determining that the man cited in Navarro-Cardenas claim doesnt appear to have existed. He wrote on X: Theres (unsurprisingly) no record of Woodrow Wilson having a brother-in-law named Hunter de Butts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He pointed to biographies of the former president, which state that Wilson was married twice: to Ellen Axson Wilson and then to Edith Bolling Galt Wilson. Neither had a brother named Hunter deButts. And even if you go one degree further, out of Wilsons wives five combined sisters, none appears to have been married to anyone named de Butts, Parkinson wrote. Wilson also had two sisters Marion and Annie Josephine but neither married someone with the last name deButts, he noted. Several media outlets declared the DeButts character pure fiction. On Tuesday, Navarro-Cardenas admitted where the unusual name came from: ChatGPT. She posted a screenshot of the AI bots answer to her question of whether any US presidents had pardoned any relatives or in-laws and wrote: Hey Twitter sleuths, thanks for taking the time to provide context. Take it up with Chat GPT VIRGINIA (DC News Now) An inmate who escaped from the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) received an additional sentence for fleeing a hospital last year. Naseem Isaiah Roulack was wanted for armed car theft in Montgomery County when he escaped from two VADOC security officers while he was at the Bon Secours St. Marys Hospital in Henrico County on Aug. 12, 2023. Arlington County Police Department mourns passing of K-9 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An investigation into how he escaped revealed that the two security officers who were tasked with supervising Roulack had fallen asleep which is how he escaped the hospital. Roulack was captured and returned to custody in October. A woman from the District of Columbia was charged in July this year for aiding in Roulacks escape. Those two officers have since resigned and left VADOC. VADOC said Roulack pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Nov. 26, and was sentenced to an extra five years with two years suspended. 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. (NewsNation) A shoplifter picked the least opportune time to steal from a Virginia Walmart on Sunday. Notwithstanding up to 40 police cars in the parking lot, Hector D. Velazquez Maldonado, 32, attempted to conceal merchandise and leave the store. Chesterfield County Police were present at the IronBridge Walmart in numbers for the annual Shop with a Cop event, where officers pick out presents with children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police recover a stolen van with 2,500 pies after a chefs appeal, but they are too damaged to eat A member of the staff at Walmart came up to us and informed us they had a shoplifting in progress, Chesterfield County Police Lt. James Lamb said in an interview with CBS 6. We had 30-40 marked patrol cars in the parking lot, he added. When we found (Maldonados) vehicle, it was facing where our cars were parked, so he would have had to see them. It seems it just didnt matter to him. According to police, he attempted to steal almost $1,400 of goods and is facing a felony charge of grand larceny. 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 NewsNation. Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk have been tapped to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. Michael M. Santiago, Andrew Harnik/Getty Images DOGE is set to examine multibillion-dollar federal loans to two Tesla rivals. Vivek Ramaswamy said the cost-cutting body would "carefully scrutinize" loans to Stellantis and Rivian. There are concerns Musk may use his role to interfere with his companies' rivals, and regulators. Vivek Ramaswamy said DOGE would investigate a federal loan worth about $7.5 billion to a Tesla rival. The Biden administration said Monday it would help finance two battery factories in Indiana being built in a joint venture involving the Jeep owner Stellantis and Samsung. The announcement provoked a furious reaction from one of the incoming Trump administration's chief cost-cutting advisors. Vivek Ramaswamy, who was tapped to lead the Department of Government Efficiency alongside Tesla CEO Elon Musk, called the Stellantis loan "illegitimate" and said it should be rescinded. Advertisement Advertisement The former Republican presidential candidate, who has been one of Donald Trump's most vocal supporters, also criticized a $6.6 billion loan to help finance a Rivian electric-vehicle plant in Georgia, which was announced last week. "DOGE will carefully scrutinize every one of these questionable 11th-hour transactions, starting on Jan 20," he wrote on X. Announcing the loan, the Department of Energy said the Stellantis-Samsung factories would support up to 2,800 jobs once operational and hire 3,200 workers during construction. A spokesperson said the department's Loan Programs Office (LPO) had made "tremendous progress" in areas including critical materials, nuclear, and geothermal energy. Advertisement Advertisement "It would be irresponsible for any government to turn its back on private sector partners, states, and communities that are benefiting from lower energy costs and new economic opportunities spurred by these investments," they said. Ramaswamy's comments will likely add to fears that Musk, who runs companies including Tesla and SpaceX, could use DOGE to interfere with rivals and regulators. Rivian and Stellantis, which owns brands such as Dodge and Citroen, both compete with Tesla in the US market. Musk has already signaled his support for cutting the $7,500 tax incentive for new EVs, a move The New York Times said the incoming Trump administration was considering. Advertisement Advertisement The Tesla CEO and analysts have both said that scrapping the tax credit would disproportionally affect Tesla's rivals, including legacy automakers such as Ford and General Motors as well as EV startups like Rivian and Lucid. Musk and Ramaswamy aim to cut about $2 trillion in government spending and slash the federal workforce through DOGE, which is planned to be an advisory group, not a government department. DOGE did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) The Warren Civic Chorus is putting the final touches on its performance of G.F. Handels Messiah. Almost 100 volunteers filled a Warren church with their voices, all of them making sure they hit each note just right before the big night. Great music resonates with the message of the textjoy and then Revelation, all those things. Thats why I think it resonates more, particularly in this beginning of Advent season, said Dr. Hae-Jong Lee, director. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think doing the Messiah is important because it heralds in the Christmas season and it just kind of sets a tone for the whole holiday, said Ruth Parker, a choir member. Its a combination of the Warren Philharmonic Orchestra and local professionals taking the audience through Jesus Christs birth, death and resurrection. When youre coming and listening to a performance rather than sitting through sermons and not saying theres anything wrong with that, but it is, its a totally different experience and I think thats what keeps a lot of people coming back, said Jeff Ward, president of the Warren Civic Chorus. You can experience the music Sunday, Dec. 8 at Blessed Sacrament Church on Reeves Road NE in Warren. It starts at 6:30 p.m. 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. By Thomas Escritt BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's parliamentary election on Feb. 23 will be the first under new rules designed to cut the size of a parliament that had grown too unwieldy, but they also make vote outcomes harder to forecast. WHAT IS GERMANY'S HYBRID VOTING SYSTEM? The new system still aims to blend British- or American-style single-member constituencies with the proportionality characteristic of most continental European countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the old system, proportionality was ensured by topping up parliament with extra seats after winners were found in each of 299 constituencies. This ensured parties held seats in line with their share of the vote, regardless of the distribution of constituency seats. In 2021, that led to a parliament of 735 seats, one of the largest legislatures in the world. The new law fixes parliament at 630 seats - between Britain's lower House of Commons and Turkey's National Assembly in world rankings - and prioritises proportionality over individual member seats. Now, if a party wins a share of seats that is greater in proportion to their share of the national vote, some constituencies will be left vacant, starting with those where the winning candidates have the narrowest margin of victory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The change may hurt parties that are traditionally strong in single-member constituencies - in particular the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian sister party of the Christian Democrats (CDU) whose leader Friedrich Merz is tipped to become the next chancellor after the February snap election. HOW DOES THE 5% THRESHOLD WORK? Under rules designed to prevent the chaotic and fragmented parliaments that in the 1930s helped the disastrous rise to power of Adolf Hitler's Nazis, parties must in general get 5% of the national vote to enter parliament. But, under a rule that had been scrapped in the new law before being restored by a court ruling, parties that win three constituency seats are entitled to seats corresponding to their vote share even if it is below 5%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2021, that saved the Left party, which, thanks to three members with strong regional bases in eastern Germany, got 39 seats. The combination of the 5% threshold, the three-seat exception, and an unusually competitive party landscape with many smaller parties jostling for position makes for a particularly unpredictable election. Polls put the neo-liberal Free Democrats, whose departure from Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-way coalition precipitated the snap election, on about 3%, while the Left is seen on 3-4% and its splinter party, the upstart Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance(BSW), on 7.5%. The Free Voters, strong rivals to the CSU in Bavaria, are far short of the 5% threshold nationally but have a chance of winning three member constituencies, which would allow them to enter the Bundestag for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HOW COULD PARLIAMENT LOOK? With 12 weeks to go and polls still volatile, that could make for anything between a four- and eight-party parliament. The former scenario would result in the most concentrated parliament since 2017, the latter the most diverse in modern German history. That means the distribution of power in the new parliament is extremely hard to predict: some models see Merz, whose conservative bloc is on 34% in some polls, winning an outright majority, which would be a first in post-war Germany. More likely, on current polls, is that Merz leads a coalition government including either Scholz's Social Democrats or the Greens, or maybe both - and possibly another party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), currently in second place in most polls on around 17%, is unlikely to be part of any coalition government as all other parties have ruled out working with a party they regard as undemocratic. (Reporting by Thomas Escritt; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Gareth Jones) HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) Several vehicle crashes caused major delays throughout Hampton Roads early Tuesday morning. Messy Monday on roads as commuters compete with holiday traveler According to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the east left shoulder and left lane remain closed near Rip Rap Road due to the crash, causing major delays leading up to the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, or HRBT. I-64 near Rip Rap Road (Courtesy: VDOT) Virginia State Police told 10 On Your Side the crash was a hit-and-run, but said that no injuries were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the westbound side of I-64 near Rip Rap Road, two separate crashes also caused delays early Tuesday morning. Police said the first crash involved three vehicles, and the second one involved two vehicles. No injuries were reported in either crash. I-264 near Brambleton Avenue (Courtesy: VDOT) While on the southside on I-264 near Brambleton Avenue, a tractor-trailer crash caused the west left center lane, right center lane, right lane and right shoulder to close. 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. The world seemed to forget about the woman whose horrfiying interaction with the police led to a national conversation around Haitian migrants after a racist rumor brigade began. Now, we finally know how that case ended. The Canton woman, identified as 27-year-old Allexis Ferrell, was accused by police of stopping on a cats head and eating it at a home located on the 1100 block of 13th Street SE. The viral body camera video showed Ferrell freezing as multiple police officers approached her. She was crouched down on all fours hovering over the bloodied feline. The cops restrained her behind her back and took videos of her face and teeth, the video shows. Authorities reported finding blood on her feet and hands as well as fur on her lips. Police were notified of the incident by a concerned neighbor who called 911 to report a Black woman who was tweaking out real bad. The caller told the dispatcher Ferrell was on drugs, having grabbed at random people and eating random things off the floor. A simple Facebook post from a Springfield resident (like 170 miles away from the incident) about her neighbors daughter finding her missing cat hanging from a tree outside a Haitian familys home became associated with the body camera footage. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance then dragged it further claiming trusted sources told him Haitian migrants in Ohio were eating cats and dogs, per CNN. Then, of course, President-elect Donald J. Trump threw the rumor out on the primary debate stage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It didnt take long for the internet to realize the video and the rumor were not correlated. However, the rumor caused serious emotional damage to the migrants and their children as they endured all types of racist threats. Ferrell was charged with cruelty to companion animals, injuring animals and disorderly conduct, per jail records. She originally entered a not guilty plea by insanity. However, Monday, she changed her plea to guilty after a psychological report showed she was not insane but rather lacking remorse and showed a reckless disregard for the safety of others, according to court filings. The judge sentenced her to 12 months in prison. To me, you represent quite a danger to your community, Stark County Common Pleas Judge Frank Forchione said in Mondays hearing. This is repulsive to me. I mean that anyone would do this to an animal. And an animals like a child. I dont know if you understand that or not. I dont know what could prompt anyone to eat a cat. Ferrell was also sentenced to an aditional 18 months in prison for previous felony counts of endangering children. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. NEW YORK The City Council is funding the development of a Latine Studies curriculum for local public schools, members announced Monday. Over the next three years, Columbia University and nonprofits will create lessons and activities about Spanish history and culture, which can be worked into core subject areas and help students see their identities reflected in school resources. With rising anti-immigrant rhetoric, a comprehensive Latine Studies curriculum is more important now than ever, said City Councilwoman Amanda Farias, D-Bronx, at Public School 188 The Island School in Alphabet City. We must combat stigma, disinformation and prejudice at a young age by providing our students with a fuller, more nuanced understanding of who we are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This years city budget earmarked $3 million for the effort, several months before the presidential election. But with the election of Donald Trump, whose campaign seized on the countrys fears over immigration and the economy, some lawmakers suggested the curriculum could take on new significance. As were headed into potentially dark times, this will be a light for our children, said Councilwoman Alexa Aviles, D-Brooklyn. The Council allocated funding to United Way of New York City, the Hispanic Federation and Columbias Teachers College for the curriculum. It follows a similar push out of Columbia for Black Studies, launched in local schools ahead of this fall. More than 42% of the citys public school students are Hispanic, according to local data. But a study cited by the advocates found 83% of commonly used books in schools were written by white authors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school system plans to support its partners as they develop the new curriculum for the citys students, city Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos said in a statement. She predicted the resource will benefit both students who see themselves in the lessons and their classmates. As a Latina chancellor, I believe its crucial to have a curriculum centered on the Latine experience, Aviles-Ramos said, reflecting the rich history, culture and contributions of our community. _____ Daniel Penny acted to save subway riders from a desperate Jordan Neely, his lawyer argued Monday asking jurors in the lightning-rod Manhattan trial: Who would you want on the next train with you? Danny acted when others didnt, defense attorney Steven Raiser said during his closing statement in Manhattan Supreme Court. He put his life on the line. He did that for perfect strangers, he said of Penny, 26, who is charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide over the fatal May 2023 encounter. Daniel Penny in court for his criminal trial on Dec. 2, 2024. Steven Hirsch Raiser invited jurors to imagine how they would have felt had they been on the F train car where Neely a 30-year-old homeless man with a history of mental illness and drug abuse threatened straphangers before Penny put him in a chokehold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who would you want on the next train ride with you? Raiser asked, near the end of his hours-long long summation. The guy on the train with the earbuds minding his own business, who you know will be there for you if something happens? the attorney continued. Or, you just hope someone like Neely never enters, especially when youre all alone. But Assistant District Attorney Dafna Yoran countered that the Marine veteran went way too far by keeping the unarmed, mentally ill homeless man in a fatal chokehold for six minutes long after he could reasonably have been considered a deadly threat. We are here today because the defendant used way too much force, for way too long, in way too reckless of a manner, Yoran said. Defense attorney Steven Raiser claimed in his closing statement that Penny acted to save his fellow riders from a desperate Jordan Neely. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg We as a society cannot tolerate the unjustifiable death of a fellow citizen, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prosecutor told jurors that no one had to die during the May 1, 2023 encounter on the uptown F train as it approached the Broadway-Lafayette station. Penny was justified in his initial takedown of Neely, who was menacing bystanders in what a witness called an unhinged rant, the prosecutor conceded. But Pennys actions turned criminal when he kept holding Neelys neck even after nearly all of the terrified straphangers had left the train car, and for 51 seconds after Neely passed out, she argued. Raiser told jurors that Penny put his life on the line for the other passengers on the trian. There is no conceivable justification under the law, and human decency, to hold an unconscious man in a chokehold, Yoran said, while displaying for jurors a still frame of a bystanders video of Penny holding Neelys neck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Was the defendant justified in using deadly physical force on Mr. Neely? Absolutely not, she added. Penny, of Long Island, sat at the defense table in a brown suit and maroon tie during the closing statements. He looked straight ahead, in the direction of the judge, without appearing to make eye contact with jurors. The typically stoic veteran shook his head at least twice Monday afternoon after Yoran after accusing Penny of being reckless with Neelys life reminded jurors that hed repeatedly called Neely a crackhead during his police interrogation. He was just a crackhead, you know what I mean? Penny had told detectives at the 5th Precinct, video evidence shows. Assistant district attorney Dafna Yoran accused Penny of using way too much force for way too long to way too reckless of a manner in her closing arguments. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You know, these guys, they are pushing people in front of trains and stuff. Penny didnt ask detectives whether Neely had survived the encounter because he didnt care, Yoran claimed to the jury. The defendant, as nice and empathetic as weve heard he can be, seems to have a real blindspot for Mr. Neely, she said. Pennys lawyer argued Monday morning that Penny moved to protect his fellow train riders because acting to save others is what he learned while in the US Marines. He had something the others didnt, something unique to him. His training, Raiser told the jury. Danny acted to save those people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yoran countered that Penny should have known from his Marine training that there were many other ways to restrain Neely other than keeping him in what turned out to be a fatal chokehold. Penny could have easily restrained Jordan Neely without choking him to death, she told jurors. Pennys lawyer, earlier in the day, attempted to sow doubt in the city medical examiners finding that the chokehold is what caused Neelys death. The attorney also sought to highlight what he called Pennys softer side, noting that hes an avid surfer and had been studying architecture at the time of the confrontation. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg seen in court for Pennys trial on Dec. 2, 2024. Steven Hirsch Danny is not just a former Marine, Raiser told jurors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raiser also used the term civilian restraint, rather than a chokehold, to describe Pennys actions. He holds him until police arrives. Never to render him unconscious and never to try to hurt him, the lawyer said. Penny was greeted with shouts of Guilty! on his way into Manhattan Supreme Court Monday morning. Penny arriving at court earlier in the day. A group of a dozen protesters chanted, Guilty! Guilty! Guilty! he exited a black SUV outside the 100 Centre St. courthouse. What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now! the demonstrators shouted. The prosecution is expected to wrap up its closing statement Tuesday. Jurors will then get their instructions and start deliberations. Penny, who has pleaded not guilty, faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. But there is no minimum sentence. Dec. 2WAPAKONETA A 77-year-old Wapakoneta man pleaded guilty in Auglaize County Common Pleas Court last week to charges of aggravated arson and cruelty to a companion animal, felonies of the first- and fifth-degree, respectively. Gerald Fullenkamp appeared before Judge Frederick Pepple on Nov. 27 and pleaded guilty to the two charges in exchange for the state's dismissal of single counts of aggravated arson and the criminal use of an explosive device, each felonies of the second degree, and a misdemeanor count of cruelty to a companion animal. Fullenkamp was arrested Oct. 24 after being indicted by a grand jury for a series of events that took place Oct. 5 in Wapakoneta. According to court records, officers from the Wapakoneta Police Department were dispatched to 906 Aster Drive for a male threatening to burn the house down. Officers arrived on scene and met Fullenkamp at the front door. Officers said Fullenkamp was covered in blood and proceeded to lock the door before eventually being taken into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the arson charges, the indictment against Fullekmap alleged he released a "chemical weapon, biological weapon, radiologic or nuclear weapon or an explosive device that creates the risk of death or serious physical harm to another." The counts of cruelty to a companion animal alleged that Fullenkamp caused serious physical harm and did "torture, maim, cruelly beat, poison or needlessly kill" a companion animal. Defense attorney Nick Catania had previously filed a motion to have his client undergo a mental examination. That evaluation took place Nov. 7 at the Forensic Psychiatry Center for Western Ohio in Dayton, and Fullenkamp was found to be competent to stand trial. Following Fullenkamp's guilty pleas last week, a pre-sentence investigation was ordered by the court and his bond was terminated. No sentencing date has been scheduled. Featured Local Savings At least 27 people have been killed in fighting near the Syrian city of Hama between rebels and government forces, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Clashes left 17 government personnel and eight rebels from the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) killed. Two civilians have also died in the province, the Observatory said. Fighting has taken place for more than 24 hours in the Hama countryside, as HTS and allied factions try to block to main roads leading to Hama city, the war monitor added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Syria's armed forces said in a statement that the government forces continue to "strike terrorists in the northern countryside of Hama and Idlib, relying on artillery, missiles and joint Syrian-Russian warplanes." A series of strikes destroyed operations headquarters for HTS, three arms depots and dozens of armoured vehicles, the armed forces added. It also said that military reinforcements have been sent to the area. Last week, an alliance of insurgents led by HTS launched a surprise offensive in north-western Syria and took control of Aleppo, leading to a sudden flare-up in a civil war that has been going on since 2011. At least 27 people have been killed near the Syrian city of Hama as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad try to beat back advancing rebels, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Clashes left 17 government personnel, eight rebels from the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and two civilians dead, said the observatory, a long-running UK-based monitor of the war in Syria, on Tuesday. The deaths occurred over the past 24 hours as fighting took place in the Hama countryside, the war monitor added, with HTS and allied factions trying to block main roads leading to Hama city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syria's armed forces said they were continuing to "strike terrorists in the northern countryside of Hama and Idlib, relying on artillery, missiles and joint Syrian-Russian warplanes." A series of strikes destroyed the operations headquarters for HTS, three arms depots and dozens of armoured vehicles, the armed forces added. They also said that military reinforcements have been deployed to the battlefield. Last week, an alliance of insurgents led by HTS launched a surprise offensive in north-western Syria and took control of the second-largest city Aleppo, leading to a sudden flare-up in the civil war that has been going on since 2011. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After seizing Aleppo, the HTS moved south towards Hama. The Syrian government, backed by Russian planes and their allies among pro-Iranian militias, has thwarted some rebel advances in the northern countryside around Hama, a Syria commander told dpa on Tuesday. The field commander, who requested anonymity as he did not have permission to speak to the media, said government forces had launched a large-scale attack on Monday evening to re-take areas they had lost in recent days. The commander told dpa the Syrian army had recaptured the town of Khanaser, 80 kilometres south-east of Aleppo, less than 48 hours after rebel opposition factions took control of it on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that Syrian army forces and allies had begun advancing towards the city of Safira, 25 kilometres south-east of Aleppo and considered the gateway to Aleppo. According to Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, there were "violent clashes" between rebels and government forces in the countryside around Hama. Meanwhile in eastern Syria, US-led coalition warplanes carried out airstrikes on pro-Iranian militia posts in the countryside around Deir al-Zour, the observatory said. The strikes coincided with violent clashes between Iranian militias and the "Deir al-Zour Military Council," which is against the Iranian presence and is close to the Kurdish-led forces in the area, the war monitor said. Iran open to sending troops to Syria Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is open to the possibility of sending troops to Syria to help al-Assad's forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If the Syrian government asks Iran to send troops to Syria, we will examine the request," the minister told the Arabic-language TV station Al Araby on Tuesday. Erdogan urges dialogue The Syrian government should engage in political dialogue amid the ongoing clashes with rebels, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a phone call with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, according to Erdogan's office. Erdogan called for "room for diplomacy in the region, and underscored that the Syrian regime should engage in the political solution process," Erdogan's communication office said on social media platform X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turkey will maintain its fight against the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its "extensions," it added, warning against generating "greater instability" in Syria. Turkish-backed rebels have captured areas in the north-west from Kurdish militia YPG, which Ankara considers linked to the PKK. Israeli drone kills one near Damascus An Israeli drone hit a car near Damascus International Airport on Tuesday, killing one person and wounding another, Syrian sources and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The incident took place near a bridge in the town of Aqraba in the Damascus countryside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli military said Hezbollah's representative to the Syrian military, Salman Nemer Jamaa, was "eliminated." "The Syrian regime has actively supported Hezbollah, enabling weapon smuggling to Lebanon and by that endangering Syrian and Lebanese civilians. Jamaa was a key Hezbollah figure supporting these operations," a statement said. Israel has carried out a total of 160 attacks in war-torn Syria so far this year, according to the observatory. Israel has been bombing targets in Syria to prevent Iran and its allied militias from expanding their military influence in the country. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) As winter weather arrives in central Ohio, warming centers are opening across Columbus. Community Shelter Board, a Columbus organization, opened seven warming shelters across the city on Monday, according to the group. The shelters remain open until March 31. As the temperatures drop, Warming Centers provide a critical refuge for those in need, offering protection from extreme cold, frostbite, and hypothermia, the nonprofit wrote on its Facebook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The centers are available for those seeking shelter from the cold, including individuals with pets, homeless adults or youth, those struggling with addiction and survivors of human trafficking, the organization said. A list of warming shelters can be found below. Jordans Crossing, located at 342 N. Hague Ave. in Valleyview. The Open Shelter, located at 1037 Parsons Ave. in Merion Village. Star House, located at 1220 Corrugated Way 4 in Milo-Grogen. Third Shift Warming, located at 1015 E. Main St. in Olde Town East. New Covenant Believers Church, located at 1505 E. Deshler in Deshler Park. MY Project USA, located at 3275 Sullivant Ave. in Burnside Heights. Columbus Relief, located at 2000 Parsons Ave. in Steelton. Daytime shelters can also be found at Columbus Metropolitan Library branches and the Columbus Recreation and Parks Departments community centers. A full list of warming centers including hours and phone numbers can be found in the document below. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Columbus-Warming-CentersDownload Community Shelter Board offers an emergency 24/7 hotline for those in need of shelter and can be reached at 614-274-7000. 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. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A warrant was filed Monday in municipal court charging a man for a stabbing Wednesday evening on the South Side. Read next: Woman arrested after melee in parking lot of local store Shawn Hamlett, Jr., 28, faces a charge of felonious assault, a second-degree felony. He has yet to be taken into custody. Detective Sgt. Jerry Fulmer, the lead investigator on the case, said the victim spent a few days in the hospital recovering from his injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim was found by police in a yard about 8:40 p.m. Wednesday in the 400 block of West Evergreen Avenue after police were called for a report of a man being stabbed. 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. TOPEKA (KSNT) Topekas 170th birthday is this Thursday, December 5, and students at Washburn University are planning to celebrate accordingly. Students enrolled in introductory in community studies will be presenting their semester-long projects to different members of the community. Students partnered with local neighborhood improvement associations all semester to l earn about local neighborhoods here in Topeka and the citys history as a whole. The class is taught by Dr. Jason Miller, a sociology and anthropology professor at the university. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When to mail packages, letters this holiday season I hope that the students take away the fact that Topeka is a pretty cool place and theres a lot of things happening here, Miller said. I think people often have one story of Topeka in their minds, and dont realize all the incredible things happening across the city. Presentations will take place this Wednesday on campus at Plass Learning Resource Center from 2:30-3:45 p.m. Anyone in Topeka is invited to listen. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. 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 KSNT 27 News. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Washington States Governor-elect Bob Ferguson announced hes creating a subcommittee on his transition team thats preparing for potential harms under Project 2025. While it is not clear how many members there are in the subcommittee, Ferguson said the team will be co-chaired by Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates CEO Jennifer Allen and King County Councilmember Jorge Baron, who previously served as executive director of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project from 2008 to 2023. Ferguson said the goal of the subcommittee is to protect Washingtonians rights, noting Project 2025 calls for gutting access to abortion, mass deportations, limiting access to the ballot box, rolling back LGBTQ+ rights, ending environmental protections, warrantless surveillance, undermining collective bargaining and the rights of workers, and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DONT MISS: Oregon Attorney General-elect Dan Rayfield on protecting abortion rights amid threats under Project 2025 We are preparing in case President Trump attacks Washingtonians core freedoms, Governor-elect Ferguson said. We will keep Washington moving forward no matter what happens at the federal level. According to Fergusons transition team, the subcommittee will outline policy priorities for Fergusons first 100 days in office to shore up protections against Project 2025. I am honored to assist Governor-elect Ferguson in his transition into this new role and to co-chair this important subcommittee, said Baron. As an immigrant and as the proud parent of a trans daughter, I am particularly grateful that the Governor-elect is committed to protecting all Washington state residents, and especially those communities at greatest risk of having their rights attacked by the incoming federal administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Eye on Northwest Politics Allen added, This is a critical time in our nation as we look to the possibility of our communities being under attack from many different directions. Im honored to serve on Governor-elect Fergusons transition team and to co-chair this subcommittee to support his leadership in our state and country in championing and safeguarding reproductive rights and all of the rights of Washingtonians. A spokesperson for Fergusons transition team told KOIN 6 News the subcommittee will only exist during Fergusons transition into office, but the team may recommend that Ferguson engages further on some issues once in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The subcommittee comes as President-elect Donald Trump has tried to distance himself from Project 2025, a policy guidebook for the incoming administration that was created by The Heritage Foundation, a conservative thinktank. In a statement previously shared with KOIN 6 News, Trump-Vance Transition Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said, As President Trump said many times, he had nothing to do with Project 2025. However, Politico reports that some of Trumps White House staff picks are authors of Project 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 KOIN.com. Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics teams latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail. In today's edition, our reporters go through President Joe Biden's pardon of his son and the part that's particularly rankling fellow Democrats. Plus, senior politics editor Mark Murray looks at three big polling trends that defined 2024. Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here. Some Democrats bristle at Biden's pardon justification By Carol E. Lee, Sarah Fitzpatrick, Gary Grumbach and Dareh Gregorian Its not just that President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter. Its how he did it thats upsetting some fellow Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president issued a full and unconditional pardon for any offenses Hunter Biden has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024, according to a White House statement issued Sunday night. The pardon comes after Biden repeatedly said he would not use his executive authority to pardon his son or commute his sons sentence. And in his statement, Biden said he was granting the pardon because his son had been selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted. That, as Democratic Rep. Greg Stanton of Arizona told NBC News Meet the Press Now on Monday, plays against years of core Democratic Party policy positioning and into the way President-elect Donald Trump and his allies have described his investigations and prosecutions. Im pretty angry because its going to be incredibly important that political leaders of both parties stand up for the independence of the Department of Justice, stand up to these attacks suggesting that the Department of Justice has become politicized and needs to be dismantled or the FBI needs to be dismantled, Stanton said. (See more from Stanton below.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, in response to Bidens action, raised the issue of the defendants and people convicted of violence at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when he was pushing to overturn the 2020 election results. Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice! Trump wrote on Truth Social. Special counsel David Weisss office on Monday appeared to push back on Bidens claim that its prosecutions of Hunter Biden were politically motivated, calling such allegations baseless. In a court filing challenging Hunter Bidens request to have his California tax and fraud indictment dismissed in light of his fathers pardon, Weiss noted that a number of judges had already rejected the younger Bidens claims of vindictive prosecution. While a handful of members of Congress have spoken out about the pardon so far, one notable group has been silent those Democrats seen as early possibilities to run for president in 2028. Watch this space going forward. Three big takeaways from the 2024 polls By Mark Murray Beyond signaling that the 2024 presidential election was competitive and uncertain, the polls nailed the political atmospherics that shaped the contest and could continue to shape politics going forward. Here are some of the biggest lessons we learned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most broadly, the polls accurately described an electorate that mostly saw the nation headed in the wrong direction, with an incumbent president, Joe Biden, whose approval rating was stuck in the low 40s a historical danger zone for the party controlling the White House. As it turns out, the NBC News Exit Poll found 73% of voters saying they were angry or dissatisfied with the countrys direction, and only 40% approved of Bidens job performance. Additionally, the polls foretold many of the key demographic trends that ended up defining the 2024 election, including Trumps gains with Latino voters. The NBC News/Telemundo/CNBC Latino poll was among the surveys showing those Trump gains well before the election. Many polls also caught on early to Bidens and Democrats relative struggles with young voters, particularly some men, compared with other recent elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the polls, including the NBC News survey, erred in overstating the size of the gender gap when it came to Harris support among female voters and Trumps backing among men. According to the exit poll, Harris won female voters by 8 points, and Trump won men by 13 points a 21-point gender gap that was consistent with recent presidential elections. That was smaller than the 30-point-plus gender gap that the NBC News poll had been showing. The big thing to keep in mind with the gender gap: For a look at how and where its widening, combine it with education and race instead. Harris won white women with college degrees by 16 points, and Trump won white men without college degrees by 40 points a whopping 56-point gap in the margin between those two different groups. Read more here Todays top stories Pardon blowback: GOP lawmakers have been publicly fuming after Biden pardoned his son Hunter, calling it an effort to avoid accountability and casting the president as a hypocrite. Read more Pardon blowback, cont.: White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre defended Bidens decision to pardon his son, despite telling the press multiple times that the president had no such plans. Read more Court watch: The Supreme Court will hear a dispute over the Food and Drug Administrations refusal to approve flavored e-cigarettes over public health concerns, putting the FDAs role in green-lighting new tobacco products to the test. Read more Preparing for Trump 2.0: Two Democratic senators are urging the Biden administration to issue a policy directive that could temporarily limit Trumps ability to deploy U.S. military troops domestically after he takes office. Read more Preparing for Trump 2.0, cont.: Consumer advocates say theyre bracing for sweeping changes at one of Washingtons newest financial watchdogs under Trump, whose allies have promised broad deregulation of companies that handle Americans money. Read more Air Force One to Angola: Biden became the first American head of state to visit the southern African nation of Angola, where he will showcase U.S.-backed infrastructure projects designed to link Angola, Zambia and Congo. Read more Thats all from the Politics Desk for now. If you have feedback likes or dislikes email us at politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com And if youre a fan, please share with everyone and anyone. They can sign up here. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A Black teen girl, LaNisha Hemingway, was wrongfully detained by North Myrtle beach police back in May. Shortly after the ordeal, Hemingway filed a civil lawsuit, and she just received a settlement amount suggesting that she got the last laugh. Officers were looking for a stolen Dodge Challenger on May 3, when Officer Kayla Wallace informed dispatch she was going to conduct a high-risk stop on the 18-year-olds car. Body cam footage shows that after starting the search, Wallace says Not it, implying that the vehicle was not the correct car police were looking for. However, Hemingway is forced backwards at gunpoint and handcuffed anyway in the video. The lawsuit, in which the plaintiff was the City of North Myrtle Beach, stemmed from Hemingways claim that her constitutional rights were violated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit was ultimately settled for $250,000 and no other stipulations were included in the agreement. According to local news outlet WPDE, Hemingway and her attorney shared the news in an emotional press conference last month. The police officers around the world are supposed to be here to protect us not cause no one harm or trauma, Hemingway said. The incident with North Myrtle Beach Police Department ruined my life. Im not the same anymore. Every night Im up thinking about how my life would have been taken away. She also shared that she plans on saving the money and has hopes of opening a salon some time in the future. In the meantime, she plans to support other victims of police brutality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want to help out with the community, Being an advocate. Talking to people, Hemingway continued. People who went through this and see what have they gone through and what theyve done to make themselves feel better. I just want to find people out there like me. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. President Biden is delivering remarks from the National Slave Museum in Luanda, Angola, on Tuesday morning, focusing on the relationship between the U.S. and the southern African nation. His comments come after Biden held a bilateral meeting with Angolas President Joao Lourenco. Biden, who hosted Lourenco at the White House in 2023, have vowed to build a stronger partnership. His visit to Angola, fulfilling a pledge he made last year, was originally scheduled for mid-October. However, plans were roiled by the devastation from back-to-back hurricanes, Helene and Milton, in the southeastern U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event is scheduled to begin at 11:45 a.m. EST. Watch the live 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 The Hill. Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) gave his final remarks from the Senate floor on Tuesday afternoon. Manchin, who announced just over a year ago that he would not seek reelection, has held his seat since 2010. The senator, who was largely considered the most vulnerable Senate Democrat heading into 2024, left the Democratic Party and filed as an independent earlier this year. West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R) won his bid for the open Senate seat last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Manchins remarks on Tuesday come just days after President Biden announced he would pardon his son, Hunter Biden. Manchin responded to the news by suggesting that Biden should also pardon President-elect Trump. Manchins speech was scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. EST. 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. Lago Vista, TX (KXAN) City councilmembers from Lago Vista are heading to the White House. The purpose: the fight for water. Because of Austins growth, were experiencing significant amount of growth thats putting a real strain on our water infrastructure, and thats both wastewater and drinking water, said councilmember Shane Saum. Lago Vista City Hall (KXAN file photo) Saum is scheduled to meet Tuesday with the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. The office acts as a liaison to city and county governments. Saum hopes the White House will help with their funding needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyve been there for at least four years, and I think itd be very beneficial for us to create those relationships, to hear more from them, and in a lot of ways, just ask questions and listen, Saum said. Saum said he requested the meeting with the White House. He and two other members of the city council will be in Washington D.C. for meetings with Texas Senator John Cornyn and Texas Representative Michael McCaul. Water infrastructure needs The city of Lago Vista, like many small Texas towns, has older infrastructure. Austins growth has led to rapid expansion in the area, putting that infrastructure under excess strain. According to Saum, the population is 13,000 now, and if all the entitlements in the area are built out, that population could balloon to 40,000 in the next decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obviously, thats not something our infrastructure is ready for. Our water capacity and our wastewater capacity are both almost reaching 80% and so if you get to 90% the state starts triggering some things that you have to already be in the design phase, Saum said. That includes wastewater expansion. The citys wastewater plant is in the process of going from processing one million gallons of water per day to one and a half million gallons per day. For drinking water, the city is trying to reach eight million gallons per day. To just do the engineering for the water weight waste treatment plant is nearly $3 million or 10% of our annual budgets, said councilmember Adam Benefield. The councilmembers worry this cost would be a huge burden on local tax payers, hence the push for federal funds. The White House is seen in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) Its small projects over time that create the larger expansion. I have to get an engineering study. I have to apply for grants. Well, that takes resources that a small town like ours doesnt really have, like a grant writer would be super helpful. We dont necessarily have that, Saum said. So then Im looking to the feds, or Im looking to the state: Do you guys have any way that can work with us as a resource?' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saum said he doesnt think the federal government is aware of how the water crisis is impacting small towns, which is why this trip is so important. I think the rest of the country didnt really know about it until Texas started taking it out to them. And I think our water issues, its going to be very similar. We need to be the ones to take that message to DC, Saum said. While this administrations time is running short, Saum said that he hopes they can open the doors Lago Vista needs for the future. Ive been in offices before where I knew it was my last month or so, and it kind of weighs on you. Like, man, this was a cool job, and I still want to get every second of this. You know youre trying to do everything that you can to help people, Saum 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 KXAN Austin. SOUTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) A portion of College Highway (Route 10) in Southampton is closed on Tuesday due to a water main break. Southampton man found not guilty of 2022 manslaughter The Southampton Police Department states that College Highway is closed between Hillside Meadow Drive and Glendale Road. Northbound traffic is now flowing through College Highway, however, southbound traffic is being detoured down Glendale Road to Pomeroy Meadow Road and back to College Highway. MAP: College Highway It is being advised for drivers to use another route when traveling on Tuesday. There is no word on when the roadways will be reopened. 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. Trenton Water Works' Pennington Avenue Reservoir, which holds about 100 million gallons of water, has been in service since 1899. The long-troubled water utility supplies about 29 million gallons of drinking water to about 200,000 people daily in Trenton, Ewing, Hamilton, Hopewell, and Lawrenceville. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor) Residents of Trenton and its suburbs received a letter last week from their local water utility that informed them an employee had been fired for falsifying drinking water data for 15 months meaning the water went unmonitored for contaminants for over a year. The news might otherwise have earned a shrug from the 200,000-plus customers of Trenton Water Works, long used to the mismanagement, money problems, and staffing shortages that have made the utility frequent headline fodder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the letter came two years after the state assumed oversight of the utility in New Jerseys capital city and just a month after state environmental officials blasted its serious continued noncompliance with the states Safe Drinking Water Act and levied a $235,000 penalty. It also came almost a year after the employee in question last falsified drinking water data. Theres a section on the letter that says: What do you need to do now? It happened a year ago! Do I buy a time machine and go back and not drink the water? said Michael Ranallo, a longtime Trenton resident. Trenton officials deny that the falsified data means the water was tainted. Instead, it was a monitoring violation, not a water quality violation, said Michael Walker, the utilitys chief of communications and community outreach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The falsified data was an inexcusable event, but the employee rightfully got fired and referred to authorities for possible criminal charges, Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora said. A spokesman for the state Attorney Generals Office said an investigation remains ongoing. We have a couple hundred employees, and unfortunately, one of the water testers, criminally, in my opinion, did not perform his duties and stayed home and fabricated test results. Totally serious violation. Doesnt mean necessarily that there would have been water violations found, Gusciora said. Residents and public officials in the suburbs the utility serves remain skeptical. While TWW claims there is no immediate public health risk, I share the frustration and mistrust felt by many Ewing residents and our neighboring communities, Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steinmann called for more transparency, accountability, and swift corrective actions. Falsified data and inadequate testing for contaminants erode public confidence and raise serious questions about the utilitys ability to provide safe, reliable drinking water, he said. On the Facebook page Trenton Orbit, which Ranallo co-founded, Ranallo urged customers to challenge their bills and press the state Board of Public Utilities to intervene. A board spokesman did not respond to a request for comment. Would you pay your cable company if your signal was scrambled for a month? Ranallo said. He also complained that local and state officials made a bigger deal when Starbucks left than anyone has over 220,000 peoples water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Starbucks closure prompted Gov. Phil Murphy to intervene, unsuccessfully. Trenton Water Works serves all sorts of people and facilities, including restaurants and health care facilities, Ranallo told the New Jersey Monitor. If you were to look back over that time, how many people got sick and didnt even think that it could be the water? Well never know, he said. While political leaders havent said much, state Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette was clear in his concerns about the utility in an order he issued in late October. The Department has determined that conditions continue to exist at the System that may present an imminent and substantial endangerment to the health of persons, and that this (order) is necessary to protect public health, LaTourette wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order indicates the department will continue its operational oversight of the utility and informs Trenton Water Works it will hire staff to manage its water treatment plant and other operations. The department is now soliciting bids from firms that can help operate, manage, maintain, and repair the utility over at least a two-year period. Gusciora said the city welcomes the states oversight and help in filling staffing gaps that he blamed in part for the 200-year-old utilitys water monitoring lapses and other ongoing problems. Were the second oldest water company in the nation, and it has a lot of historical problems that weve been addressing since the get-go, Gusciora said. He also blamed the states failure to invest in improvements or otherwise support the city. The utility got just $6 million a year in state aid during the Christie administration, compared to $47 million this year, while state property in Trenton is tax-exempt, leaving the 7-square-mile city struggling financially to fill that property-tax gap, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They drain a lot of our resources and take up space that otherwise would be choice development, Gusciora said. Trenton Water Works supplies about 29 million gallons of drinking water to about 200,000 people daily in Trenton, Ewing, Hamilton, Hopewell, and Lawrenceville. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor) Walker estimated the utility has $500 million to $1 billion in capital needs, with projects underway to remove lead from water lines, update the filtration plant, replace its reservoir with decentralized storage tanks, and otherwise modernize operations. Trenton Water Works ranked 25th in the Natural Resources Defense Councils recent ranking of water systems with the most lead lines nationally, with more than 23,000 lines known to contain lead in need of replacement. The utility hasnt raised rates since 2020 but will have to do so annually, beginning next year, to help cover modernization costs, Walker said. He defended the delay in alerting the public about the employee one of three water testers who falsified water data for 15 months, saying the utility is required first to report such things to the state Department of Environmental Protection and follow their directions on community notifications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We love our customers, including the ones which are not happy with our performance, Walker said. We understand that we need to do a better job of communicating why we do what we do, what it costs, and how it benefits the health and well-being of our consumers. At the end of the day, we are very passionate about what we do, about producing one of the finest drinking water products in the world. We want a stronger relationship with our service area customers, and we will get there. Ranallo doesnt believe it. I havent had a drop of that water in years, he said. I buy bottled water. I dont consume water from the utility because I dont trust it. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX ALBANY, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) A Waterville native was one of nine people from across New York State to become the newest crop of Forest Rangers on Monday. In a ceremony held in Albany on Monday, December 2, Waterville native Cody Welch graduated from the Forest Ranger Academy in Northern New York. Welch was the only person from Oneida County to graduate from the Academy. Forest Rangers are dedicated to ensuring public safety while patrolling more than five million acres of land across the state, DEC Division of Forest Protection Acting Director Drew Cavanagh said in a statement. They often go above and beyond the call of duty assisting other states and Canada when fires or natural disasters occur. I am thrilled to add these nine Rangers to our ranks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While at the academy, Welch along with the rest of his class endured six months of extensive training in wildfire suppression, rescue training, and wildlife protection. They are also given the basic classroom training required of all New York State Police Officers, with classes in several forms of law, defensive tactics, and physical training. [The academy was] super tough, but just the beginning of a tough career, Welch said in an interview after the ceremony. Its a career where I will constantly be learning. The graduates will bring the total of forest rangers currently around New York State to 156. All 156 of them are sworn police officers, with special emphasis on environmental conservation law in the state. After their graduation, the nine new graduates will be assigned to their permanent stations and will be mentored by Senior Forest Rangers for the next six to eight weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I commend this brave new class of New York State Forest Rangers for completing this important part of their journey to carry on the proud tradition of protecting New Yorks environment and the public, DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. From snow-covered peaks to wildfires in New York and beyond, New York State Forest Rangers are some of the most elite first responders in the state, and I am proud of our newest class of Rangers for stepping up to join our ranks and wish them success as they begin their challenging and fulfilling new careers. If you wish to become a New York State Forest Ranger, you are encouraged to check out the educational and other requirements at the website here. You can also check out Codys post-ceremony 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 WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com. (The Hill) President Bidens decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden is further bruising a party that was already reeling from blistering electoral losses, with a wave of Capitol Hill Democrats criticizing the move as counterproductive to their partys efforts toward rebuilding public trust in American institutions scorned by President-elect Trump. While some Democrats extended a measure of sympathy, President Biden took heat on several fronts, with most who have spoken out indicating the move did more harm than good. President Bidens pardon of his son Hunter is, as the action of a loving father, understandable but as the action of our nations Chief Executive, unwise, Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said on the social platform X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) posted that the pardon was wrong, while Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) said it puts personal interest ahead of duty and further erodes Americans faith that the justice system is fair and equal for all. Hunter Biden joins history of controversial presidential pardons The president announced a full and unconditional pardon for his son on Sunday night, sending shockwaves throughout Washington. It marked a major reversal for the White House, which for months insisted the president would not pardon Hunter Biden or commute his sentence. The president argued the litany of charges brought against the younger Biden were motivated by politics and the years-long scrutiny of him from Trump and other Republicans complete with a winding impeachment probe and other lines of inquiry fueled by now-discredited informants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hunter Bidens legal team, similarly, argued in a lengthy 52-page white paper released over the weekend that he faced tax and gun charges that no one without the name Biden would have faced. He was set to be sentenced later this month on both charges of failing to pay taxes and lying on gun forms. But a number of Democrats saw President Bidens sweeping clemency for his son clearing him of any federal crimes committed during an 11-year period as fueling the kind of arguments of a rigged and unfair system that are pushed by Trump. As a father, I get it. But as someone who wants people to believe in public service again, its a setback, Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) wrote on X. Even Democrats who say the GOP attention on Hunter Biden has been too intense are balking at the presidents move. The Republican-led panel leaders had deeply probed the Biden familys foreign business dealings, with outsized attention placed on Hunter Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I can sympathize with his perspective that his son was subject to vigilante justice. I certainly witnessed that in Republican depositions of Hunter Biden and his attorney, Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), a member of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, said Monday on CNN. But having said that, what other father in America has the power to pardon their son or daughter if theyre convicted of a crime? Connolly added. I really think we have to revisit the pardon power in the Constitution, and at the very least, I think weve got to circumscribe it so that you dont get to pardon relatives, even if you believe passionately theyre innocent. Here are the times that Biden, the White House said they wouldnt pardon Hunter President Biden also faced criticism for reversing his long-held stance that he would not pardon his son. The president and White House on a number of occasions as recently as Nov. 7, two days after Trump won said they would not grant clemency for Hunter Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), a former federal prosecutor, said he agreed with the presidents rationale for the pardon that Hunter Bidens prosecution was politically motivated but added, I wish the president had not stated after the plea agreement fell through that he would not pardon Hunter Biden. It is discouraging that he has now gone back on his word on that, he added in an interview on CNN. Though it is rare for Democrats to so openly criticize a president from their party, there is little downside in doing so now. President Biden, an unpopular president, is on his way out of office after being pushed aside by his party and forced to abandon a reelection bid this summer. Those in competitive districts could even win points by so publicly bashing the move. Indeed, some criticism came from swing-district Democrats like Landsman and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) who posted that no family should be above the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A handful of Democrats, to be sure, defended Bidens decision, arguing the action is justifiable in the context of what might be coming from Trump. Biden feared Trump would continue to go after Hunter, the White House said Monday. Some also brushed aside GOP criticism, pointing out the scores of charges Trump faced in the lead-up to Election Day. Way to go, Joe, said Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), a member of the Oversight Committee. Let me be the first one to congratulate the president for deciding to do this, because at the end of the day, we know that we have a 34-count convicted felon that is about to walk into the White House. So for anyone that wants to clutch their pearls now, because he decided that he was going to pardon his son, I would say take a look in the mirror, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) said Monday on CNN he had mixed feelings about the pardon. I think theres a legitimate concern about what that could lead to, and I think thats part of why the president put in a 10-year stretch for the pardon term, cause that should protect him against anything, really up to statute of limitations, basically, for most offenses, Ivey said. But he added that, a pardon at this point will be used against, I think, Democrats who were pushing to defend the Department of Justice against politicizing it, which is certainly what President Trump plans to do. White House says Trump wouldnt let go of Hunter Biden in defending pardon Trump has already been using the pardon to boost his claims of corruption in the Department of Justice, reacting to the news by bringing up those in prison over the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol that was fueled by Trumps denial of the 2020 election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice! Trump posted on Truth Social. Trumps campaign also blasted out an email to fundraise off the news, utilizing the exact kind of argument that Democrats feared: Joe Biden weaponized the DOJ against President Trump, and now he wants to give Hunter Biden the sweet heart deal of the century. While President Bidens pardoning of his son shook Washington, the sheer act a president granting clemency to a family member was not unprecedented. Hunter Biden joins a list of presidential relatives who were pardoned by the president. Connolly noted that Trump selected Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, to be ambassador to France. Trump in his last term had pardoned the elder Kushner, who in 2005 was sentenced to two years in prison over tax evasion, illegal campaign donation, and witness tampering charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And former President Clinton pardoned his half brother, Roger Clinton, for a cocaine possession conviction. But this instance comes after years of Democrats insisting they were the party that was respectful of the law enforcement apparatus and Justice Department, juxtaposing their behavior with that of Trump, who faced four criminal cases and was found guilty of 34 felony counts in one of them. Throughout Trumps legal entanglements which the president-elect criticized at every juncture Democrats sought to restore trust in the institutions. President Bidens pardon, some Democrats say, runs counter to that mission. The presidents statement argued that Hunter Biden was singled out only because he is my son and that is wrong. The Hunter Biden pardon was a mistake, Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) wrote on X. I sympathize with a fathers love, especially in a family that has experienced so much personal tragedy. I also understand the legal arguments in favor of a pardon. But Presidential pardons are never judged solely on the merits of the case, particularly when it involves a family member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Presidents hold enormous power and responsibility and must be held to a higher standard, he added. They must instill trust and promote the American peoples faith in their democracy. And right now, upholding the fabric of our democracy is one of our most important tasks. 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. Editors Note: WKRG has updated this story with more information on the grand opening. PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) Wawa has scheduled the grand opening of its first Pensacola store. USPS worker dumps several packages on Semmes roadside, witnesses say what we know According to a news release from Wawa, the locations grand opening at 8840 Boesch Lane is scheduled to begin at 7:45 a.m. on Dec. 19. LOCATION: Officials with Wawa provided the following schedule and information for the grand opening: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 7:45 a.m.: Countdown to doors opening 8 a.m.: Doors will open, and the first 250 customers will get T-shirts as supplies last 9 a.m.: Ribbon cutting ceremony There will be a hoagie-building competition for first responders A Wawa Through the Ages parade will be held There will be free, any-size hot coffee from Dec. 19-29 We are excited to end 2024 with marking a significant milestone of opening our first store in Pensacola to fulfill the lives of our friends and neighbors, Wawa Director of Store Operations Joe Collins said. We look forward to bringing our unique brand of fresh food, beverages and convenience to the Panhandle to further our commitment to providing our new friends and neighbors with not only a new level of convenience but a strong, committed community partner. According to a company release, Wawa plans to build 20 stores across the Florida Panhandle and Tallahassee markets over the next five to eight years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1 dead, 1 in custody in Hunters Pointe Apartments shooting: Mobile police In 2024, Wawa opened two stores in Mobile County, one in Robertsdale and one in Fairhope, the first Wawa store in Alabama. 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. Its the most wonderful time of the year, and an overweight man with white hair is travelling the world handing out gifts to all. By now foreign leaders must go to bed practically praying for a phone call from Keir Starmer, who seems to have taken it upon himself to sell Britain short at practically every opportunity. Take the news that talks over surrendering the Elgin Marbles to Greece are well advanced should come as no surprise whatsoever. Starmer has spent his short period in office casually divesting the country of its treasures whenever asked to. The Elgin Marbles were acquired by Lord Elgin from the Ottoman rulers of Greece. In the century or so leading up to their purchase, the Parthenon had been used as a gunpowder store (and blown up) and the wreckage scavenged for building materials. Lord Elgin was given permission to remove the sculptures, and took them to Britain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no moral case for their return. There is no legal case for their return. And there is certainly no historical case for their return. But the Greeks want them, Britain has them, and Starmer is a weak man afraid to invite the ill-feeling of foreign diplomats, desperate to curry favour with the EU, and terrified of criticism from his left flank. So Britain is now, apparently, preparing to give them up, with Labour politicians apparently examining a loophole in the Charities Act to permit the transfer. Should talk of a loan as opposed to outright surrender be revived, it should be seen as the flimsy facade it is: no-one seriously thinks that if the Marbles leave these shores, they will ever return. A similar story played out with the Chagos Islands. It doesnt matter that they house one of the most important Western military bases, an asset that could be put at risk by the transfer. It doesnt matter that the historical claim of Mauritius to the islands is flimsy at best. It doesnt matter that the much-vaunted claim in international law is advisory, or that the Russian state whipped up support from the Third World, or that the incoming US administration could oppose the deal. It doesnt matter, in short, what Britains national interest is, because that simply does not enter the decision-making process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No matter where you look, Starmer is sacrificing the national interest in favour of obeying legalistic impulses, and appeasing people who dont need to be appeased. If the US puts up tariffs, Britain is preparing to put up tariffs in return rather than seek a trade deal with Trump in order to secure the good opinion of Brussels. The UN Security Council should be expanded and Britains voice diluted not because its good for Britain, but because it would truly represent the global community. We should spend billions on housing migrants who arrive illegally while refusing to reform the system that draws them here, with absolutely no risk of leaving or disobeying the European Convention on Human Rights. As Starmer says, migration must be tackled with a profound respect for international law. And if international law says Britain cant have borders, then Britain cant have borders. This attitude is written deep into the bones of the new Government, from Starmers public statements to the new legal risk guidance that mentions international law 24 times. The idea that international law might be something more like the pirates code (more what you might call guidelines than actual rules) is simply impossible Starmer is a man who does not think for himself, a grey process-driven bureaucrat who simply follows the rules in front of him, a cut-out two-dimensional caricature of a human rights lawyer masquerading as a fully-rounded human being. His foreign policy is to follow the law, even as countries around us flout it, even if the rulings are advisory or the outcomes are absurd. So long as the boxes are ticked and the law obeyed, then the outcome is moral and the PM can relax. The ship of state is on autopilot, and Britain is being steered into the rocks. 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. PUTNAM COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) Several Middle Tennessee cities have advised caution to drivers as weather has caused slick road conditions. The Putnam County Emergency Management Agency posted to Facebook that Interstate 40 near Monterey is covered in ice in several areas. Want the forecast delivered directly to your inbox? Sign up for the News 2 Forecast Newsletter Some main roads and many side roads in the Monterey area have slick spots that appear occasionally and without warning, the post added. Black ice is evident in some areas as well. (Courtesy: Putnam County Emergency Management Agency) (Courtesy: Putnam County Emergency Management Agency) The agency advised caution for those driving Monday evening and Tuesday morning. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) had also reported a multi-vehicle crash at mile marker 299 near Monterey in Putnam County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That crash, reported at 8:42 p.m., closed all lanes of Interstate 40. Just before 11 p.m. on Monday, the interstate had reopened. Putnam County is not the only place in Middle Tennessee where these conditions have taken effect, though. The Clarksville Police Department issued a statement stating that officers had responded to multiple motor vehicle crashes due to weather conditions. Meriweather Road at Millington Drive and Warfield Boulevard over Wilma Rudolph Boulevard were specifically called out by the department. Police advised all motorists to take precautions when traveling, encouraging allowing additional time to arrive at their destinations. Dont forget to take the power and reliability of the WKRN Weather Authority with you at all times by downloading the News 2 Storm Tracker app. 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. WEST PALM BEACH Alexandria Diaz remembered her father, Deputy Ignacio "Dan" Diaz of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, for his tenacity and determination to never accept failure as an option. Deputy Tim McCarthy described Deputy Ralph "Butch" Waller's ability to cheer up a colleague with a quirky joke and a charm "that made you feel like you were the most important person in the world." And PBSO Cpl. Thomas Dague recalled his friend Cpl. Luis Paez's perseverance, describing a time when Paez overcame a shoulder injury to pass a motorcycle class on his way to becoming a decorated officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those were some of the memories and stories shared as thousands gathered Tuesday for a memorial service to honor Waller, Paez and Diaz, who each suffered fatal injuries on the morning of Nov. 21, when an SUV struck them along the side of Southern Boulevard west of Wellington. Paez and Waller died at St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach within hours of the crash. Diaz died there four days later. All three men were members of the sheriff's motorcycle patrol team. Law enforcement from across Florida took part in memorial procession A procession featuring hundreds of law-enforcement vehicles and motorcycles led the officers' remains along State Road 7 and Southern, Crestview and Okeechobee boulevards to the iThink Financial Amphitheater in suburban West Palm Beach, where the memorial took place. Dignitaries including President-elect Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis joined law-enforcement officers from around the nation at the memorial service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither Trump nor DeSantis spoke at the event. Those who did blended sorrow over the deputies' deaths with joy over what they had achieved. Each speech was punctuated by tears, usually at the mention of the men's family, and the occasional laugh. Memorial service for three fallen Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputies December 03, 2024 in Palm Beach County. "As time passes, it's still difficult to comprehend his absence," Dague said of Paez. "The only two thoughts I can reconcile are, first, the man upstairs must be having trouble with his Nikon camera and needs some pointers." "Secondly," he added, "and the more probable one, is that the good Lord Himself must have bought a Harley Davidson, and he needs help learning how to ride. Fallen PBSO deputies remembered for their passions as well as profession Tuesday's speeches shared a common theme: The deputies were dedicated to their profession, but they were so much more than that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paez was a photographer on the brink of retirement, eager for the day he could pursue his passions full-time. Waller was a devoted husband so smitten with his wife Denise that he bought a pair of glasses he didnt need just to see her at her place of work. Law enforcement officers ride their motorcycles south along State Road 7 during a procession for three Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputies who died last month in a roadside crash December 3, 2024. Diaz was an animal lover who hoped to one day retire on a farm, like the one he grew up on in Cuba. He was a chef with a sweet tooth, his daughter said, and he made a mean chili. "My dad treated every day like it was his last," Alexandria Diaz said. "He loved getting on that bike every day. Coincidentally, this was his favorite time of year because it wasn't hot. He loved getting on the motorcycle in these days." U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, whose district includes parts of western Palm Beach County, was among those who addressed the crowd gathered at the South Florida Fairgrounds. He described having met the fallen deputies at parades and events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were not timid. They were lions," he said. Memorial service for three fallen Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputies December 03, 2024 in Palm Beach County. President elect Donald J. Trump his son Eric, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis attended the service. Before returning to his seat, Mast, a U.S. Army veteran, paused in front of each coffin and saluted. He saluted the deputies' families, too. As the service neared its conclusion, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw presented folded American flags to the deputies' families. A PBSO dispatcher issued a "10-7," a police code marking the deputies' end of watch. A PBSO firing squad shot several rounds into the sky, and a lone trumpeter trumpeted. Helicopters flew overhead, K9 deputies barked and three riderless horses crossed in front of the stage all in memory of those who would never ride again. Bystanders lined procession route to pay tribute to fallen deputies Prior to the memorial service, bystanders lined nearby streets to pay their respects as the procession made its way from the Palm West Funeral Home on State Road 7 to the amphitheater. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ashlei Berlingo came to the procession route along Crestwood Boulevard at 8:45 a.m. Tuesday with her toddler, who waved an American flag as law-enforcement vehicles rolled solemnly by. She said her husband and father-in-law work at the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office and that she still remembers being in shock when she heard the news that Paez, Waller and Diaz had died. We came to show our respect because these officers sacrifice themselves every day for us," she said as she stood along the road on the cold morning. Berlingo said she cant help but think about the deputies' families. "Every day I kiss my husband goodbye, I just pray he comes back," she said. "It just goes so deep for the family members and friends." Crash that killed PBSO deputies remains under investigation Family members of three fallen Palm Beach County Sheriff's Deputies attend a memorial service for their love ones December 03, 2024, at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation into the crash that caused the deputies' deaths remains open, with the Florida Highway Patrol and the sheriff's office each conducting reviews. Investigators say a Pennsylvania driver was traveling along Southern at about 9:30 a.m. Nov. 21 when she attempted to pass a decelerating vehicle and overcorrected, veering into the path of the deputies, who were on the side of the road waiting for assistance with one deputy's disabled motorcycle. To date, no charges or citations have been issued in connection to the crash. Investigators have said they found no signs the driver was impaired or that the SUV was traveling at a speed exceeding 55 mph. Hannah Phillips is a journalist covering public safety and criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hphillips@pbpost.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com. Valentina Palm covers Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Greenacres, Palm Springs and other western communities in Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post. Email her at vpalm@pbpost.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: 'They were lions': Family, friends honor PBSO deputies killed in crash (WSPA)Due to the wintry conditions, several schools in Western North Carolina will be delayed or closed Tuesday morning. The following schools have changed their schedules: Buncombe County Schools will operate on a two-hour delay. Breakfast will be served when students arrive at school. Transportation teams will continue to monitor conditions and update parents and guardians should the school schedule change any further for Tuesday. Asheville City Schools will operate as a Remote Learning Day on Tuesday, December 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haywood County Schools will operate as a Remote Learning Day/ Optional Teacher Workday. Henderson County Schools and buses will operate on a two-hour delay. Transportation teams will continue to monitor conditions and update parents and guardians should the school schedule change any further for Tuesday. Jackson County Public Schools will be closed for students but operate as an Optional Teacher Workday. Madison County Schools will be closed for students but operate as an Optional Teacher Workday. Mitchell County Schools will operate as a Virtual Day. Transylvania County Schools will operate on a two-hour delay for Tuesday, December 3. 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 WSPA 7NEWS. The latest Western sanctions against 50 Russian banks forced Russian importers to use complex and underhand schemes to pay their Chinese sellers, the Moscow Times reported on Dec. 2, citing undisclosed business sources. The news comes as financial transactions between the two countries are becoming increasingly difficult under Washington's growing scrutiny. U.S. sanctions on 50 banks in November cut the last ties serving Russian importers to directly pay their Chinese sellers, forcing them to use dubious intermediaries springing up across Russia instead, the Moscow Times wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the new scheme, the intermediary accepts the Russian ruble and, using "great administrative power," transfers it to the Chinese seller for a commission of approximately 3%, a financial consultant told the Moscow Times. In the case of dual-use or sanctioned goods, importers resort to illegal means of bringing them into the country, including smuggling. The weakness of the ruble also contributed to delays in deliveries from China, as suppliers halted the supply of their goods. Overwhelming evidence shows that Russian military hardware, especially drones, contain parts supplied by China. Recent reports indicate that the EU obtained evidence of China's production of "lethal aid" for Russia, namely attack drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loopholes and malicious actors allowed countries and individuals to evade sanctions and continue doing business with Russia, necessitating the introduction of further packages and fine-tuning of the existing ones. Read also: Opinion: Russia is leveraging gold and working with China to bypass Western sanctions Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Dec. 2Workers at WGME-TV in Portland are going public with their protest about salaries, hoping to ramp up the pressure as they negotiate a new contract. Members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1837, which represents about 50 workers, organized an informational picket Monday on Washington Avenue near the corner of Allen Avenue. Photographers, news producers, directors, news editors, assignment editors, operating technicians and others are seeking better pay and working conditions in collective bargaining with Sinclair Broadcast Group. An information picket is not a strike, but informs the public about the dispute from employees' perspective. The union said it set up the picket because Sinclair has agreed to meet just once since early September. Other negotiating sessions were scheduled for Monday and Tuesday this week, said Kaitlyn Hegarty, the union local's business representative. The current contract expires Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Sinclair did not immediately reply to an email seeking comment about negotiations with the IBEW. The union cited the rising cost of living in Portland, including housing and "everyday expenses," that it says has "added urgency" to its push for higher wages and improved benefits. "Many employees face the tough reality that they can't afford to live in the communities" they serve, the union said. Hegarty said salaries on average are between $21 and $23 an hour and range from as little as $18 an hour to as much as $30 an hour. IBEW Local 1837 represents more than 1,600 workers across Maine and New Hampshire in industries including broadcasting and utilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the previous contract negotiations, WGME employees authorized a strike that was averted when the union and company agreed to a three-year deal raising wages at least 7% in 2022 and 5% over the following two years. Copy the Story Link With wind chills as low as the negative single digits sweeping through Milwaukee this week, you may be wondering how to set your thermostat for the winter. Perhaps you're tempted to crank up the heat to stay toasty through the frigid temperatures. Or maybe you're hoping to keep your home as cool as possible so your heating bill doesn't rack up this month. Here's what experts say about the best temperature to set your thermostat in winter, as well as how to toe the line between staying warm and keeping costs low: Smart thermostats allow you to control your heating remotely so you can ensure your home is warm when guests arrive. What should you set your thermostat to in the winter? Experts generally agree the best temperature for your home in the winter is around 70 degrees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the magic number is somewhere between 68 and 70 degrees, with lower temperatures while you're asleep or away from home to save energy. For children, the ideal sleep temperature is between 68 and 72 degrees, according to Children's Wisconsin. The World Health Organization recommends a slightly wider range: the ideal winter weather indoor temperature is between 64 and 75 degrees for healthy people, the organization says. However, for those who are very young, elderly or have health problems, the temperature shouldn't dip below 68 degrees, WHO adds. Ways to save on your heating bill Here are a few tips to save on your heating bill this winter, according to USA TODAY: Turn your thermostat down when possible. The Department of Energy recommends turning down your heat when you're asleep or out of the home to save on energy costs. You can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by turning your thermostat back seven to 10 degrees for eight hours a day from its normal setting, the department says. And, despite the common misconception, your furnace doesn't work any harder to re-warm a space after you turn the thermostat down for a bit. Have your heating unit inspected annually. Though it can cost anywhere between $150 to $500 to have a professional inspect your heating unit, a heating system that's running efficiently will ultimately save you money. Consider investing in a smart thermostat. Many smart thermostats connect to a mobile app, meaning you can turn down your thermostat while you're away or set it to a schedule. The average Energy Star-certified smart thermostat can save about 8% of a homeowner's annual heating and cooling bills, according to Consumer Reports. Check for tax incentives and rebates. The DOE offers several rebates and tax credits that may help pay for energy-efficient products and replace heating systems that are 15 years old or older. You can find more information at energysaver.gov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Here's what to know about We Energies electric rate increases USA TODAY contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What temperature should you set your thermostat to in the winter? CHICAGO The man shot on Thanksgiving in Lincoln Park died on Monday. Authorities responded just before 4 p.m. in the 2400 block of North Clark Street Thanksgiving Day on the report of a shooting. According to police, a 34-year-old man, identified as Alexander Nesteruk, of Wheaton, approached a group of people on the sidewalk in the area and an altercation broke out among them. Offices said during the altercation, an unknown male pulled out a gun and opened fire on Nesteruk, striking him in the chest. He was transported in critical condition and died Monday at the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Ald. Timmy Knudsen (43rd Ward), Nesteruk was exhibiting erratic and dangerous behavior at the time of the shooting and engaged with the offender aggressively prior to the incident. On Tuesday, police released pictures of a person of interest. (Source: Chicago Police Department) Anyone who recognizes him or has information is asked to call Area Three Detectives at 312-744-8261 or submit an anonymous tip to CPDTIP.com and use reference #JH523475. 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. Pete Hegseths church is just as bigoted and extremist as he is. The latest scandal facing President-elect Donald Trumps nominee for the Defense Departmentwho has already been accused of sexual assault, predatory workplace behavior, and showing up to work drunkrevolves around the church that the warmongering, Christian nationalist belongs to. Salon reports that Hegseth made a dramatic, spiritual about-face after his 2017 rape allegation, as faith conveniently became real to him during that time. He moved to Tennessee and saddled up with Christ Church and the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches and sent his children to its affiliated schools, the Association of Classical Christian Schools, or ACCS. This group is led by pastor Doug Wilson, an unordained minister who preaches right-wing extremism from the pulpit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilson believes men have a sexual right to women, and has written that unsubmissive women are at fault for sexual violence committed against them. The sexual act cannot be made into an egalitarian pleasuring party a man penetrates, conquers, colonizes, plants. A woman receives, surrenders, accepts. Wilson also believes that God created women to make the sandwiches and thinks that giving women the right to vote led to a long, sustained war on the family. Wilson holds the most extreme views of womens submission found in any form of Christianity, Julie Ingersoll, a religious studies professor at the University of North Florida, told Salon. Women are taught that submission to their husbands (and other male authorities) is submission to God. Independence of any kind is cast as sin. Hegseth isnt just an Easter-Christmas member of Wilsons church: Hes a staunch public advocate. He posted in support of its schools, commended Wilson for not masking during the pandemic, and went on the ACCS affiliated CrossPolitic podcast shortly after his nomination for Defense Secretary. It makes sense that a man with multiple allegations of mistreating women would feel right at home in Doug Wilsons Christ Church. And if confirmed, Hegseth will be sure not to leave a single degree of separation between his fanatical church and our state. Former Kansas City, Kansas, police detective Roger Golubski testifies on Oct. 24, 2022. - Credit: Emily Curiel/The Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images A white former police detective accused of raping and terrorizing women in the predominantly Black neighborhood he was sworn to protect in Kansas City, Kansas, died in an apparent suicide Monday morning just as jury selection was set to begin in his criminal trial in nearby Topeka. Roger Golubski, 71, was found dead on the back porch of his home in Edwardsville, Kansas, shortly after a neighbor called 911 to report hearing a gunshot around 9 a.m., the Kansas Bureau of Investigations said in a statement. Golubski died from a fatal gunshot wound, the bureau said, and there were no indications of foul play. An autopsy and thorough investigation were set to be conducted, the agency said. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time he died, Golubski was supposed to be in the courtroom for the start of his long-awaited trial. He was facing six felony counts related to the alleged civil rights violations suffered by two women while Golubski was a police officer in Kansas City, Kansas, during his many years on the force. Prosecutors said that between 1998 and 2001, Golubski forced one victim identified by the initials S.K. to perform oral sex on him inside his vehicle. They said Golubski also digitally and genitally penetrated the victim without her consent during sexual assaults and rapes that took place in and next to his vehicle on multiple occasions. Golubski allegedly started targeting the victim when she was a young teen in middle school. Golubski allegedly terrorized his second victim, identified by the initials O.W., by raping her in her home between 1999 and 2002. Prosecutors said Golubski also forced O.W. to perform oral sex on him. If convicted as charged, he was facing a maximum sentence of life in prison. The second victim, Ophelia Williams, ultimately stepped forward with her full identity and said Golubski first raped her in 1999, shortly after her twin teen sons were arrested in connection with a homicide Golubski was investigating, the Wichita Eagle reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He didnt want to face the facts, so he decided to kill himself, Williams said Monday when reached by the Eagle. The death meant she would not be testifying against Golubski as planned. In her straightforward reaction, she said, I guess thats what happens to people who do all the wrong stuff they do. Golubskis death led the U.S. District Court judge overseeing his case to dismiss the charges at the request of prosecutors. This matter involved extremely serious charges, and it is always difficult when a case is unable to be fully and fairly heard in a public trial and weighed and determined by a jury. The proceedings in this case may be over, but its lasting impact on all the individuals and families involved remains. We wish them peace and the opportunity for healing as they come to terms with this development and ask that they all be treated with respect and their privacy respected, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke and U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher for the District of Kansas said in a joint statement Monday. Prosecutors said seven other women had agreed to testify that Golubski abused or harassed them as well, the Associated Press reports. There is no justice for the victims, Anita Randle-Stanley, who went to court to watch jury selection, told the AP on Monday after hearing about Golubskis death. Randle-Stanley claimed Golubski harassed her as well, when she was a teenager decades earlier, but she always refused him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pending trial was part of a larger investigation of the Kansas City Kansas Police Department involving multiple civil lawsuits and parallel allegations that Golubski accepted money from and provided protection to several men who allegedly ran a violent sex trafficking operation in Kansas City in the late 1990s. Jay-Zs social justice organization Team Roc has been pushing for further investigation and reform of the Kansas City Kansas Police Department after Golubskis case fueled questions about corruption or lack of oversight. Team Roc filed a court complaint last month accusing city and county officials of stonewalling their efforts to access public records about alleged police misconduct. The department did not respond to Rolling Stones request for comment on the lawsuit. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Washington Post has reported that White House officials are concerned that the scramble to provide Ukraine with final military aid packages before Donald Trump takes office could erode the US armys combat readiness. Source: The Washington Post, citing sources in the White House Details: Sources told The Washington Post that the race to use the remainder of the US$61 billion supplemental aid bill has the potential to strain the US military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to The Post, officials are particularly worried about the number of air defence missiles and certain types of artillery shells that are being sent to Ukraine. One official said that both will be difficult to replace quickly, diminishing US military readiness for other potential hot spots in the Middle East and Asia. A senior administration official told The Washington Post that the White House is weighing these conflicting demands as it moves forward with its plans to help Ukraine. "These are real trade-offs," he said. However, the White House decided that despite the challenges to US stockpiles, it is better to send as much aid as possible to Ukraine given "all the repercussions that flow from the war in Ukraine" and "how autocratic states will learn lessons from this," the official said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other US officials said that in the long term, the gap between Russian and Ukrainian recruiting efforts will likely end up being far more important in determining the course of the war. The Post reported one of the officials as saying that Ukraines exhausted military has been challenged by severely undermanned frontline units, as well as the slow pace of mobilisation and training, while Russia is able to expand its forces slightly, even as it sustains major losses. Background: On 2 December, the US announced an additional US$725 million of aid for Ukraine. Earlier, US President Joe Biden requested that Congress fund an additional US$24 billion for military assistance to Ukraine and replenishing of American weapons stocks that had been transferred to Kyiv. However, the future makeup of the Republican-dominated Congress is resistant to this suggestion. Support UP or become our patron! The White House Tuesday said it was monitoring the situation in South Korea after the president of the close U.S. ally suddenly declared martial law. The Biden administration had no immediate substantive comment on the shocking announcement by unpopular President Yoon Suk Yeol, which led to chaotic late night scenes in Seoul as opposition lawmakers voted to oppose the measure. The administration is in contact with the (South Korea) government and is monitoring the situation closely, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After several hours of protests overnight, Yoon said in a pre-dawn statement that he would reverse the martial law declaration, but offered scant details. A State Department spokesman said the U.S. did not receive any advance warning of the announcement. Joe Biden himself, who is on a state visit to the oil-rich southern African nation of Angola, told reporters: I was just informed about this, but had no further comment. President-elect Donald Trump did not immediately respond to the surprise announcement either. Sen.-elect Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, the first senator of Korean descent, denounced the martial law declaration and praised the South Korean legislature for standing up to Yoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Challenges always arise but they must be solved through a democratic and open process, Kim said in a statement. Declaring martial law.undermined the fundamental foundation of governanceand dramatically increased South Koreas fragility. The South Korean parliament voted after midnight to reverse the martial law declaration. But it was unclear what impact the vote would have as police and soldiers cleared the parliament building. Crowds gathered on the streets of Seoul as temperatures dipped toward freezing but there were no immediate reports of injuries or mass arrests. Yeol declared martial law earlier Tuesday, vowing to eliminate anti-state forces as he struggles against the opposition, which controls the countrys parliament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He accuses his political rivals of sympathizing with communist North Korea, although that seemed very unlikely. The surprising move harkened back to an era of authoritarian leaders that the Asian economic powerhouse has not seen since the 1980s, and it was immediately denounced by both the opposition and even the leader of Yoons own conservative party. Detroit polling place | Ken Coleman Bills making it illegal to possess a gun at polling locations in Michigan have been signed into law. House Bills 4127, sponsored by state Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing), and 4128, sponsored by Rep. Stephanie A. Young (D-Detroit), were signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Tuesday, effectively banning the open carry of firearms on an Election Day or while in-person early voting is being conducted within polling places and within 100 feet from the entrance of a building that is acting as a polling place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Open carry is also banned for the 40 days before an election when individuals can vote with an absentee ballot by dropping it off at a ballot drop box or at a local clerks office or satellite office. Whitmers office said the bills build on the administrations commitment to defending fair and free elections by reducing the threat of voter intimidation and suppression. Today, we are taking action to prevent voter intimidation and gun violence in our state, said Tsernoglou. By increasing security measures, such as this legislation, we are ensuring that every Michigander can cast their ballot free from intimidation and that every election worker can perform their duty without fear of violence. I am thrilled to see this legislation signed into law. Young said the legislation, which cleared the state Senate earlier this year, is focused on protecting voters, election workers and officials, none of whom should feel threatened or intimidated while at the polls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By creating safe, weapon-free zones around polling places and counting boards, were reinforcing the principle that violence has no place in our electoral process, said Young. Included in the legislation are exemptions for both on and off-duty police officers, individuals dwelling in residences within 100 feet of a polling place or ballot box, as well as persons with a firearm lawfully in their car within 100 feet of balloting locations. The legislation followed an earlier attempt by Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, when she issued a directive banning firearms at polling locations in 2020. That was quickly struck down by a Michigan Court of Claims judge, a decision subsequently upheld by the Michigan Court of Appeals. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In the next statewide election, Michigan voters won't be able to openly carry firearms to the polls or bring their guns to vote counting centers under legislation Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law Tuesday. Whitmer said in a news release that the new laws will protect voters and election workers. "Together, we are creating a safe environment for voters to make their voices heard," she said. The bills come after Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in 2020 issued a directive banning open carry of guns at the polls that was struck down in the Michigan Court of Claims. The Michigan Court of Appeals denied Benson's appeal before the election. "Voter intimidation is and remains illegal under current Michigan law," the appeals court panel said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Bill 4127, signed by Whitmer Tuesday, prohibits openly carrying firearms at Election Day polling locations, early voting centers, clerks' offices and absentee ballot drop boxes. It allows possession of a firearm at those locations for peace officers, individuals permitted to possess firearms on private property, those licensed to carry a concealed pistol and those transporting firearms. House Bill 4128, also approved by Whitmer, bans firearms at locations where election workers count absentee ballots, with a lone exception for law enforcement officers. Democratic bill sponsors, state Reps. Penelope Tsernoglou of East Lansing and Stephanie Young of Detroit, characterized the legislation as a way to bolster security at election sites, in a statement Tuesday. "By creating safe, weapon-free zones around polling places and counting boards, we're reinforcing the principle that violence has no place in our electoral process," Young said in a statement. Michigan Legislature: After election losses, Michigan Democrats scramble to shape lame-duck agenda The bills passed on party-line votes, with Democratic lawmakers sending them to Whitmer over Republican objections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GOP lawmakers once again blasted the legislation Tuesday. "The ban is an overreach that undermines the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens," said Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, in a statement Tuesday. "Every Michigan voter has a right to cast a ballot free from intimidation or coercion. That's why we have laws punishing voter intimidation and weapon brandishing to protect the right to vote. At the same time, we also need to protect the other rights of law-abiding citizens, but these unbalanced bills will make Michigan voters into criminals for responsibly exercising their right to bear arms," said state Rep. Phil Green, R-Millington, in a statement. Twenty-one states ban guns in polling places, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Whitmer's signature on the gun bans at election locations follows many changes she's made to Michigan elections with the help of Democrats in the state Legislature. She signed legislation that moves up Michigan's presidential primary date to February, gives election workers more time to process absentee ballots, makes it a crime to intimidate election workers, requires disclaimers in political advertisements that include content generated using artificial intelligence and enables 16-year-olds to preregister to vote. Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Whitmer signs ban on open carry at Michigan polling places On GivingTuesday, don't buy just a slice, buy the whole pie. Barro's Pizza is donating 100 percent of every penny earned to charity on Dec. 3. For the 13th year in a row, all proceeds earned at each of their 48 locations during the "Doran Barro Holiday Hunger Fight" will be donated to St. Mary's Food Bank. The event is named in honor of the matriarch of the Barro family who stressed being properly fed and giving back to the community. Last year, $433,000 was raised in one day. Since the program's inception, more than $3 million has been donated to St. Mary's, which equals about 15 million meals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "To have 15 million meals from one family, one company and have that kind of impact is an incredible gesture on their part," said Jerry Brown, director of public relations at St. Mary's Food Bank. "It's incredibly unique in that this isn't a portion of proceeds, it's the whole pie!" The fundraiser boasts the largest donation and fiscal impact for St. Mary's Food Bank. "For a company to say we won't take a dollar is almost unheard of. It's usually a portion of proceeds, so buy your office lunch or dinner, it's a great day to fight hunger," Brown said. Barro's also donates to the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children and the Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 13th annual 'Doran Barro Holiday Hunger Fight' proceeds go to charity DICKSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) One Middle Tennessee family has approached the holidays missing a loved one. Just two days before Thanksgiving, Dickson County High School student and member of the schools FFA chapter, 19-year-old Joshua Lugg, was killed in a crash. ORIGINAL STORY: Beloved Dickson County teen killed in crash He loved everybody, his father, Jacob Crain, told News 2. He just wanted to be liked and lovedBig, gentle giant he was thats for sure. He was 66, big ol farm boy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crain isnt the only family member thats taken it hard. Joshuas sister, Melissa Lugg, told News 2 that they were supposed to graduate together. He was my whole world, Melissa told News 2. We were really close and we were supposed to graduate this year together, but now Im going to do that on my own. Relatives told News 2 that on Tuesday night, Joshua dropped off his girlfriend at her house. While he was driving home and going around a curve on Thompson Road, he lost control of his truck, hitting another vehicle. By chance, it was his uncle that was behind the wheel of that other vehicle. Joshua was killed and, as of publication, his uncle is in critical condition. Speed may have been a factor in the crash, which is still under investigation by the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Joshuas family has tried to figure out what the future will be like without him. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com If I know Josh, hed be sitting here saying right now, Kids, buckle up and slow down. Youll get there. There aint no rush,' Crain added. Its sad that it took this to happen, but he brought this community together like nothing Ive ever seen before, Crain said. Joshuas funeral was Saturday. Because of his love of trucks, loved ones drove their pickups during the procession. Follow this link to donate to a GoFundMe for Joshuas memorial fund. 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. The food recalls are coming fast and furious around the country, and the latest victim is a shipment of Kirkland Signature brand organic eggs being sold at Costco. Coming on the heels of one of the worst listeria outbreaks in U.S. history at Boar's Head, the Costco egg recall was issued on November 27 over concerns that the eggs may be contaminated with Salmonella. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the recall is currently includes 10,800 units or Kirkland Organic Pasture Raised eggs in 24-count packages. Despite the close time frame, there does not appear to be any link between this Salmonella outbreak and a more serious recall from a Wisconsin farm in September. The FDA announcement says that the recall was issued because "eggs not intended for retail distribution were instead packaged and distributed in retail packaging." Coming from Handsome Brook Farms in New York, the recalled eggs were shipped to five states: Alabama, Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Tennessee starting on November 22. So far, no illnesses have been linked to the current Costco recall, but Salmonella is a serious disease that can be fatal for children, the elderly, and those with other vulnerabilities. Read more: 44 Absolute Best Snacks From Trader Joe's, Ranked By Taste How To Tell If You Purchased Contaminated Eggs egg and produce section of Costco - calimedia/Shutterstock If you purchased any Kirkland Organic Pasture Raised eggs in the affected states during the recall time frame, the shipment can be identified by the label. They are packaged in 24-count plastic containers with the Kirkland Signature logo on top and have a use by date of Jan 5 2025. The three digit Julian date code on the egg container, which usually represents the day of the year the product was packaged, is 327. The FDA recall page for the eggs also contains a sample photo of the packaging. Those with questions or concerns can reach out to Handsome Brook Farms at the phone number 646-733-4532. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you've purchased the impacted eggs or have any concerns, they can be returned to Costco for a full refund or be thrown out. The eggs should not be consumed, and if you have already eaten or been exposed to the eggs, most Salmonella infections appear within 72 hours, and involve cramps, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. While the majority of Salmonella cases are minor, seek a doctor if you are showing symptoms and in a vulnerable group, the symptoms last more than a few days, or are leading to severe dehydration, high fever or bloody stools. Read the original article on Tasting Table. From the The Morning Dispatch on The Dispatch Happy Tuesday! Oxford University Press word of the year is brain rot. We want to prevent brain rot in the next generation of young conservatives, and thats why weve partnered with student organizations to offer low-cost, high-quality Dispatch memberships to students across the country. This Giving Tuesday, you can play a crucial role in this mission by sponsoring a student membership. Your contribution will help equip young Americans with the tools they need to stay informed, think critically, and engage in meaningful civic discourse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Together, we can inspire responsible news consumption and uphold the timeless principlesindividual liberty, pluralism, patriotism, and capitalismthat make our country great. Your generosity today will shape tomorrows leaders. This Giving Tuesday, invest in the future of thoughtful leadership. Quick Hits: Todays Top Stories Pardon Me, Dad President Joe Biden and his son Hunter hug on stage at the conclusion of the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, on August 19, 2024. (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images) Your Morning Dispatchers have done several tours of duty in the trenches of the years-long Hunter Biden saga: From the early details of the federal criminal investigation, to last summers charges and accompanying plea deal to resolve them to that plea deals land-speed record implosion in open court, and Bidens much-publicized gun charges trial, his subsequent conviction on those charges, and his last-minute guilty plea in a separate tax charges case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats not to mention the whistleblower allegations of political interference favoring Biden in the Justice Departments probe; the House Republican investigation into Hunters foreign business dealings featuring the presidents son and one of his close associates who testified in closed-door sessions on Capitol Hill; or the Justice Department indicting a key source underpinning the Biden Crime Family narrative and House Republicans impeachment inquiry of President Joe Biden, alleging the source fabricated his statements to federal law enforcement and apparently met with Russian officials. So when the president issued a sweeping pardon for his son late on Sunday night, we might have hoped the Hunter Biden story was finally over. But we know better by now. The pardon fully clears Hunter Biden of federal prosecution for conduct that occurred between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024whether or not hed yet been prosecuted for itas Biden was due to be sentenced in the federal gun and tax cases later this month. The pardon marked a stark reversal of the repeated claims by the White House and the president himself that he would respect the legal outcomes of his sons trials, and even some of the presidents Democratic allies have criticized the pardon, particularly given how he is justifying it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more than a year, Joe Biden and his spokespeople repeatedly said a pardon for Hunter was off the table. Weve been asked that question multiple times, our answer stands, which is no, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said as recently as last month. On June 6, the president told ABC News he would accept the verdict in his sons gun case no matter the outcome and that he had ruled out a pardon. I said Id abide by the jurys decision, and I will do that, and I will not pardon him, Joe Biden said on June 13, two days after Hunter was convicted on the gun charges. In the weeks after the conviction, the presidents allies spent plenty of time applauding his respect for the justice system and the rule of law, contrasting his promise not to intervene in his sons case with President-elect Donald Trumps contempt for judicial accountability. Joe Biden released a statement Sunday explaining why hed flipped on the issue. I would not interfere with the Justice Departments decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted, he said. For my entire career I have followed a simple principle: just tell the American people the truth. Theyll be fair-minded. Heres the truth: I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice. The comments not only suggest the president was for months not telling the truth about the pardon, but also amount to a stunning indictment of Joe Bidens own Justice Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president argued that his son was singled out for prosecution since federal prosecutors rarely bring the gun charges in such cases or pursue criminal sentences for people whove paid back owed taxes. And depending on how you look at it, hes got a point. As Sarah and others have noted, There has never been another federal prosecution for lying about drug use on a gun form where there was just one gun, the gun was not used in a crime, there was no other crime committed with the gun, and the person had no criminal record. Even some unlikely Republican lawmakers initially criticized the gun charges. At the same time, while drug use while possessing a firearm charges are often hard to prove, Hunter Biden had openly detailed his struggle with addiction and substance abuse in his memoir during a time frame that matched when he bought the gun. The tax charges, on the other hand, are more common, but are sometimes resolved without charges if the money is paid back. But the broad scope of the pardon gets at another potential motivation for it: fear of being targeted by the incoming Trump administration. The president didnt mention Trump in his statement but said theres no reason to believe the alleged selective prosecution of Hunter Biden will stop here. Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, a close Biden ally, argued this fear is what explains Bidens shift. I think what changed was that President-elect Trump put people in place who made it really clear that they intended to go after, not just anybody, but in their campaign activity, had talked about going after Hunter Biden directly, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres perhaps reason for the Bidens to fear retribution from a president who openly campaigned on using federal law enforcement to go after his political opponents. Trumps announcement Saturday that he was picking Kash Patelwho has said previously that Hunter Biden should be prosecuted under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) for his foreign business dealingsto run the FBI loomed over the pardon news. The pardon also protects Hunter Biden from any potential FARA prosecutionsthe Justice Department reportedly investigated potential violations related to his business dealings and didnt bring any charges, but special counsel David Weiss alleged that the younger Biden was wary of violating the statute. Details of the investigation make it fairly clear that Hunter Biden traded off his fathers name for personal gain to the tune of millions of dollarsand its a meager defense to say that he likely avoided legal violations by selling the illusion of access to his father rather than engaging in actual influence peddling. In a statement after the pardon, he cast his actions in the gun and tax cases as mistakes resulting from his addiction and said theyve been exploited for political sport. He made no reference to his foreign business dealings. Some legal observers have pointed out that Joe Biden could have structured the pardon in a way that didnt undermine the credibility of the Justice Department but preempted targeting by the Trump administration. He could have simply issued a pardon on any uncharged crimes but let the tax and gun convictions stand, or he could have commuted the future sentencing decisions in the two cases. Instead, the president opted for a broad pardon and justified it by claiming political bias by federal prosecutors. Special counsel Weiss isnt taking the allegation sitting down. His office filed a motion on Sunday in the tax case requesting the judge close the docket on the case instead of simply dismissing it, which would preserve the record of the indictment. Prosecutors included a thinly veiled rebuttal to Bidens claims. There was none and never has been any evidence of vindictive or selective prosecution in this case, the filing noted. In total, eleven different [federal] judges appointed by six different presidents, including his father, considered and rejected the defendants claims, including his claims for selective and vindictive prosecution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The political backlash to the pardon has been swift. Republicans have unsurprisingly lambasted Joe Biden for the movebut so have some Democrats. This was an improper use of power, it erodes trust in our government, and it emboldens others to bend justice to suit their interests, Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan said Monday. Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia said he was disappointed by the presidents decision, and Sen. Michael Bennett of Colorado offered a particularly strong rebuke: President Bidens decision put personal interest ahead of duty and further erodes Americans faith that the justice system is fair and equal for all. The irony in the situation is that as Biden nears the end of his presidency, one of his final acts adopts the same rhetoric Trump used against his own criminal cases: that the justice system was being weaponized for political purposes. But just six months ago, Biden had a message for Trump after his criminal conviction in New York: Stop undermining the rule of law, stop undermining the institutions. He got a fair trial, Biden said of Trump. The jury spoke, like they speak in all cases, and it should be respected. Worth Your Time BBC reporter Lyse Doucet made a rare visit to West Darfur in Sudan, an area devastated by a civil war nearing its two-year mark. No-one lives in the ghostly outskirts of el-Geneina any more, Doucet wrote. But its empty buildings still stand to tell their shocking stories, loudly and clearly. Charred homes and shops are peppered with bullet holes. Doors are wrecked. Metal shutters are smashed. Rusting Sudanese army tanks dot the streets. In this rare trip for international journalists into Darfur, we could still smell the fires which blazed here last year. It was RSF fighters, along with allied Arab militias, who ran amok in el-Geneina last year, mainly targeting residents from the non-Arab Masalit community in what human rights groups, including UN experts, have described as ethnic cleansing and possible war crimes and crimes against humanity. Human Rights Watch concluded it was a possible genocide. Something happened to journalists when Donald Trump was elected, Yascha Mounk wrote for Persuasion. The new self-conception adopted by a large share of American journalists was at once less demanding and more self-aggrandizing than the one it replaced. It was less demanding because it provided them with the perfect excuse for indulging in their own biases: giving favor to your own side was recast from being a failure of professional ethics to being a brave act of resistance. Simultaneously, it was more self-aggrandizing because it seemingly transformed journalists from humdrum stenographers of the first draft of history to key actors in a grand historical battle for the preservation of democracy. The aspiration of many journalists to save democracy has not just proven counterproductive because it drove a big part of their readership away from mainstream outlets. It has also deprived Democrats of key facts they would have needed to make good strategic decisionswhich, ironically, has helped to strengthen the very political forces that the journalists who were self-consciously striving to preserve democracy were trying to contain. Presented Without Comment Reuters: Putin Drops Plan for Friendship Games to Rival Olympics In the Zeitgeist Now that Thanksgiving Day has passed and we can listen to Christmas music without judgment from seasonal purists, we thought wed share this reimagined Christmas standard (and that is not Mariah Careys All I Want for Christmas is You). Enjoy the Punch Brothers version of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Toeing the Company Line In the newsletters: Nick examined () Bidens decision to pardon his son. On the podcasts: Sarah and David discuss Kash Patels nomination and Hunter Bidens pardon on Advisory Opinions and Jamie was joined by Michael Mazza to respond to last weeks Dispatch Podcast episode about Taiwan. On the site: Chris shares his thoughts on the Hunter Biden pardon, Paul Miller considers claims that Trump is a fascist, and Justin Perry looks into Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, Trumps pick to head the National Institutes of Health. Let Us Know How do you explain Bidens decision to pardon Hunter? 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. Former ballerina Ashley Benefield earned the "Black Swan" moniker after fatally shooting her estranged husband in 2020. Ashley admitted to shooting Doug Benefield, then 58, alleging that he abused her over the four years they were married. The couple met in 2016, marrying less than two weeks later and attempted to launch their own ballet company. Their marriage crumbled not long after Ashley became pregnant with their daughter, and accused Doug of abuse, alleging that he tried to poison her. A judge later said there was no evidence behind Ashley's claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After several years of separations and reconciliations, Ashley shot Doug, claiming in court that it was in self-defense. Prosecutors, however, painted a picture of a cunning, premeditated effort to keep Doug from seeing their child. On Dec. 3, Ashley was sentenced to 20 years in prison and 10 years of probation after being convicted of manslaughter. Ashley's slaying of her husband was nicknamed "The Black Swan Case" because of her history as a ballet dancer. In the film Black Swan, released in 2010, Natalie Portman stars as a ballerina who mentally unravels. Here is everything to know about the Black Swan murder, as well as the Benefields' relationship and business dealings before the killing. Who is Ashley Benefield? Ashley Benefield, founder of the American National Ballet, in March 2015 in Siesta Key, FL Ashley Benefield was born Ashley Byers and grew up in Maryland. She started studying dance when she was 8 years old, even dropping out of high school to work with the Maryland Youth Ballet. However, by the time she turned 21, her ballet career stalled, leading her to teach dance to children and design costumes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ashley also tried her hand at modeling, and though she made a portfolio, she never made a career from it, per Vanity Fair. She was a 24-year-old divorcee when she met Doug Benefield. Who was Ashley Benefield's husband, Doug Benefield? Courtesy Tommie Benefield Ashley Benefield and husband Doug Benefield. Ashley Benefield and husband Doug Benefield. Doug Benefield was born in Palo Alto, Calif., on Oct. 2, 1961, and raised in Huntsville, Ala. He majored in biology at Texas A&M University and enlisted in the Navy after graduating. Doug served as a naval flight officer in San Diego, Calif., for three years before transferring to Charleston, S.C., where he was a mine warfare instructor, later working for the Office of Naval Intelligence before retiring as a lieutenant commander. Following his military career, Doug became a consultant for government security, defense and communication. He also owned a restaurant in Charleston. Doug was married twice before tying the knot with Ashley: He welcomed a daughter, Eva, in 2001 with his second wife, Renee Cousar Benefield, who died in late 2015. How did Ashley and Doug Benefield meet? Ashley first met Doug on Aug. 25, 2016, at a Republican campaign event at Dr. Ben Carson's home in Palm Beach, Fla. At the time, she was 24 and he was 30 years her senior. Ashley recalled that Doug was "funny" and that they "clicked right away." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He was very loving and attentive, we laughed a lot and he made me feel very special and loved," she said. Starting the day after they met, Vanity Fair reported, they were in constant communication, and within six days, they exchanged "I love yous." Doug and Ashley married on Sept. 6, 2016, at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., after knowing each other for just 13 days. There were no guests or witnesses except for Doug's friend Trip Cormeny, who officiated the ceremony. Cormeny said in an interview on 48 Hours: The Case of the Black Swan that he wasn't thrilled with Doug's whirlwind wedding, but explained, "I was being loyal to my friend." Friends of the couple also speculated that Doug and Ashley eloped so that they could be intimate without breaking their faith-based belief in abstinence before marriage. Why did Ashley and Doug Benefield break up? Tiffany Tompkins/The Bradenton Herald via AP The state shows a photo array of Ashley Benefield during closing arguments in Benefield's trial, Monday, July 29, 2024, at the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton, Fla. The state shows a photo array of Ashley Benefield during closing arguments in Benefield's trial, Monday, July 29, 2024, at the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton, Fla. Cracks began to show less than a year into Ashley and Doug's relationship. According to Vanity Fair, in June 2017, Ashley read Eva's diary and discovered that her stepdaughter who was only nine years younger than her didn't like her. Doug and Ashley argued over it, and Doug allegedly threw a gun at a wall. During other arguments, he allegedly punched a hole in a wall and fired a gun into the ceiling of the family home. Doug also punched their dog Sully (which he later admitted to). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Days later, the pair hosted a wedding reception for family and friends. Doug then reversed a vasectomy he'd undergone previously so he and Ashley could start a family together. In August 2017, Ashley learned that she was pregnant. Suffering from severe nausea, she and Doug agreed that she'd stay with her mother in Florida while he focused on their fledgling ballet company. They remained in communication regularly until Sept. 18, 2017, when Ashley drove to their Charleston home, according to 48 Hours. While Doug was at work, Ashley packed up her belongings from their house and left Doug a letter saying that she was "completely heartbroken" and that she was leaving him. In the note, she listed 21 reasons for her ending their relationship, including incidents of alleged abuse, like when Doug once held a gun to his own head, as well as the incidents of hurting their dog, throwing a gun at the wall and firing a gun at the ceiling. Ashley also specified in the letter to not contact her or her mother. Doug texted her later that day, per Vanity Fair, saying, I just read the note. I dont even know how to start responding ... I will never act the way you talk about again." Doug continued texting Ashley, saying he was going to therapy and begging her to reconcile. Ashley became suspicious of how Doug's ex-wife Renee died and, as 48 Hours reported, told Doug's brother that she believed Doug was poisoning her tea while she was pregnant with their daughter. (Renee died of a heart condition.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ashley visited several doctors and even went on medications for what she said were sharp pains in her abdomen, but nothing helped. When Doug sent her a tea set as a gift for her birthday in November 2017, she brought it to local police, who deemed it not hazardous or poisonous. Ashley, however, still believed her ex was poisoning her, sending a hair sample for testing to a Colorado company, which alleged she had elevated levels of heavy metals in her hair. When did Ashley and Doug Benefield have their baby? NBC News Ashley Benefield during the beginning of her trial for the fatal 2020 shooting of her estranged husband, Doug Benefield. Ashley Benefield during the beginning of her trial for the fatal 2020 shooting of her estranged husband, Doug Benefield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March 2018, Ashley checked into a Florida hospital and alleged that Doug was abusive and poisoned her. The hospital let her check in under her middle name to protect her safety, and doctors delivered Ashley and Doug's daughter, Emerson, via C-section three weeks before Ashley's due date. The new mom didn't put Doug's name on Emerson's birth certificate, nor was he informed of the birth until she filed a restraining order against him. Ashley's court documents also included efforts to retain sole custody of Emerson and keep Doug from seeing her. In court, Ashley denied that her pregnancy was "uncomplicated" and insisted she believed Doug poisoned her. Judge Diana Moreland said there was "not a single scintilla of credible evidence" that Ashley had ever been poisoned, per audio obtained by 48 Hours. After this, Doug was allowed to see Emerson and hoped he and Ashley were on their way to a romantic reconciliation. The pair even began going to couples therapy together in November 2018, per Vanity Fair. However, Doug eventually became suspicious of Ashley when he continuously had trouble getting a hold of her. Vanity Fair reported that he hired a private investigator to look into the matter, who told Doug that Ashley was seeing another man. They continued couples counseling until that November when their therapist realized Doug had been recording their sessions, at which point she refused to treat them together but still counseled Ashley individually. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May 2020, Ashley agreed to meet with Doug, and they began going on dates. By the summer, the pair made plans to move together to Maryland, where Ashley grew up, and raise Emerson as a family. Though emails obtained by Vanity Fair indicated that Doug still distrusted Ashley, he rented a moving truck in mid-September to prepare for their move. When did Ashley Benefield kill Doug Benefield? On the evening of Sept. 27, 2020, Doug came with his rented moving truck to Ashley's mother's house in Florida, where she'd been staying with Emerson, to prepare for their move to Maryland. Around 7 p.m., a neighbor called 911: Ashley had shot Doug, then gone to the neighbor's home, gun still in hand, saying Doug attacked her and she was defending herself. When police arrived, Doug was lying on the floor of Ashley's bedroom in her mother's home. He had been shot in the leg and arm the second bullet also entered his chest. In an affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office wrote, "Based on entry wounds on Douglas it does not appear that he was facing Ashley when she began shooting. It also does not appear that Douglas had taken any kind of defensive or combative stance. Douglas was not found to have any weapons on his person or near him." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doug was taken to a local hospital, where he died of his injuries. He was 58 years old. Why did Ashley Benefield kill her husband? Manatee County Sheriff's Office Mug shot of Ashley Benefield arrested and charged with the murder of her ex husband Douglas Benefield. Ashley and her attorneys maintain that Doug was abusive and controlling throughout their marriage, leading her to live in fear for herself and their daughter. In footage obtained by 48 Hours, Ashley said on the stand, "He would throw things or break things or smash things. He would come at me like he was gonna hit me. He told me I was lucky that he punched walls instead of me." She also accused him of screaming at her and driving erratically when he was angry. Ashley also alleged that Doug had hit her in the face just before she shot him, claiming during questioning that was the first time he'd been physically violent against her. In court, Ashley's attorneys also presented a text message to Doug from his late wife Renee, who accused him of kicking her "so hard" on their honeymoon and holding a gun to his own head on at least two occasions, as 48 Hours reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors, however, alleged that Ashley fabricated stories of abuse, including her poisoning allegations, because she wanted to keep Emerson away from Doug. Police and witnesses, including the neighbor who called 911, said Ashley did not have any visible injuries other than a small scratch that appeared to have occurred days before the slaying. Doug's cousin, Tommie, claimed her motive was financial. "She found him at his most vulnerable," he told PEOPLE. "He was her mark. She took his money, his peace, and eventually she took his life. And he loved her until the end." What was the verdict in Ashley Benefield's murder trial? Tiffany Tompkins/The Bradenton Herald via AP Defendant Ashley Benefield glances back after the jury retired to deliberate during her trial, Monday, July 29, 2024, at the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton, Fla. Defendant Ashley Benefield glances back after the jury retired to deliberate during her trial, Monday, July 29, 2024, at the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton, Fla. Ashley was charged with manslaughter and second-degree murder for shooting and killing Doug. On July 30, 2024, a jury convicted Ashley of manslaughter and found her not guilty of second degree murder. Ashley's $100,000 bond was revoked and she was placed in custody of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office while awaiting sentencing, NBC News reported. Tommie told WFLA after the verdict, "Even though her story was not corroborated by evidence, its still confusing to get to that second-degree homicide level. But we were always comfortable that it would at least be manslaughter with a firearm [charge] and were happy and comfortable with that." What is Ashley Benefield's sentence? Ashley was sentenced on Dec. 3, 2024, to 20 years in prison with 10 years of parole after her legal team attempted to overturn the conviction, alleging juror misconduct. On Nov. 27, the judge denied Ashley's request for a new trial, ending a one-month delay in her sentencing, per the Bradenton Herald. If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. Read the original article on People Dr. Jay Bhattacharya speaks during a roundtable discussion with members of the House Freedom Caucus on the COVID-19 pandemic at the Heritage Foundation on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) The discovery of cures for cancer are rare, but in the last 20 years, we have seen remarkable progress, highlighted by the discovery and development of immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Then, in 2022, the unimaginable happened. Dr. Andrea Cercek, a medical oncologist from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and colleagues reported that the use of immune checkpoint blockade cured 12 patients with a specific type of rectal cancer. Incredible advances like these, from the basic science discoveries that identify potential therapy targets through the clinical studies that apply these findings to patients, are supported by taxpayers via funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Now, with public opinion of the NIH reeling and the incoming Trump administration promising to reform the sprawling federal government bureaucracy, one of the (many) pressing questions is: How will a Trump presidency impact the NIH? Although the reputations of many have been challenged by attempting to predict what Donald Trump will do, we might garner some insight by looking at his nominee for NIH director, Dr. Jayanta Jay Bhattacharya. Who is Jay Bhattacharya? Bhattacharya, who was born in Kolkata, India, and emigrated to the U.S. as a child, has a long list of degrees and qualifications that make him a solid choice for NIH director. He earned a medical degree and doctoral degree in economics from Stanford University and holds or has held an assortment of other positions and fellowships at premier institutions. Beyond his credentials, he has an established history of obtaining research funding from the NIH. Prior to gaining national attention for his concerns about the global pandemic response, he and his colleagues sought to broadly understand how factors such as socioeconomic status affect the welfare of different populations, including a highly cited study looking at how nutritional status, poverty, and food security relate to one another. He is a serious scientist with a track record of success. (Disclosure: I advocated for his nomination to Trumps transition team.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like Trumps choice for commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Marty Makary, Bhattacharya has a tendency to go against the grain but is not, contrary to some characterizations, a fringe pick. He has advocated positions that challenge the dominant bureaucracy and declared his willingness to make changes that improve transparency and restore trust in public health policy. This is best represented by his advocacy for an alternative public policy approach to COVID as detailed in the Great Barrington Declaration. Despite being based on sound scientific evidence that COVID mortality was dramatically different between old and young and that nonlethal infection produces strong immunity, Bhattacharyas advocacy for a compassionate approach that balances COVID risks and collateral damage to public health (aka the successful Swedish model) drew public and private criticism from several major governmental public health bureaucracies in the U.S.including top NIH officialsand abroad. Indeed, Bhattacharyas position on the public health approach to COVID remains a topic of intense debate, particularly as increasing data supports Bhattacharyas position, including evidence of the negative effects lockdowns have had on the health, psychological well-being, and learning in children. Ultimately, he was willing to advocate for policies that many scientists, physicians, and public health experts agreed with, or at least thought should be up for scientific debate, at a time when those speaking up risked public censure. Further, Bhattacharya says he seeks to improve transparency and restore public trust in the NIH. During the peak of the pandemic, several difficult decisions had to be made in regard to what information to share with the public, including the known versus predicted efficacy of various interventions. In many instances, the U.S. public health bureaucracy, including the directors of the NIH, chose a noble lie approach such as the changing policy on surgical mask use that has had a negative impact on public trust. As discussed below, there are several reforms that Bhattacharya could, and should, implement that would begin to mend some of the trust lost. What Bhattacharya could prioritize. Improve NIH transparency and congressional oversight: Regardless of which political party is in power, Congress determines the amount of money allocated to a federal agency and how it can be spent. This oversight is especially important for the NIH, as approximately 80 percent of the $41 billion NIH budget is spent for activities performed by nongovernmental (extramural) entities such as public universities and nonprofit medical centers. Bhattacharya could support Congress in its oversight duties by improving the responsiveness of both his office and the offices of individual NIH institutes and centers to Senate and House subcommittee requests for information and testimony. As reported previously, the NIH has for years stonewalled legitimate congressional investigations into serious issues, such as the NIH funding of dangerous or illegitimate research, some of which occurred well before the first Trump administration and the COVID pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under Bhattacharya, its likely that the inner workings of the NIH will become more transparent to the general public and the leaders within the NIH will be more responsive to congressional oversight. Perhaps such changes will begin to make the NIH worthy of the publics trust again, in accordance with one of Bhattacharyas stated goals. Oversee and implement NIH reforms directed by Congress and the White House: The possibilities discussed above likely do not require legislative action. However, there have been calls in Congress to reform the NIH, something that has not happened in nearly 20 years. The nature of these proposed structural and policy reforms, as well as their pros and cons, has been discussed in detail previously. However, if Congress were to pass a much-needed reform bill, Bhattacharya would serve an important role in implementing those reforms. Because such a process would be complex and Congress likely would not specify exact details, it would fall to Bhattacharya to define and implement more specific reforms. The White House, through the Office of Science Technology & Policy (OSTP), recently released its policy on public funding for research on pathogens with enhanced pandemic potential, also known as gain-of-function research of concern, which leaves open the possibility of future research that could lead to a public health crisis or compromise our national security. Given the skepticism of the past Trump administration and other allies on such risky research, it is possible that the Trump OSTP will enforce a policy that aims to restrict risky research, and it would fall in part to Bhattacharya and the NIH to define and establish standards for lab security and oversight of the funding given to such research. Interestingly, there appears to be bipartisan support in Congress for federal oversight of risky research, such as a new bill from Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky that would create an independent agency to evaluate, and potentially restrict, high-risk biomedical science research. Changes to internal NIH processes and priorities: There are numerous changes, some more controversial than others, that Bhattacharya could make within the NIH itself that would not require congressional approval. For instance, Bhattacharya has discussed wanting to restructure the leadership hierarchy and power dynamics within the various institutes and centers. He could eliminate the NIHs Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and other DEI initiatives (such as the NIH FIRST program), responsible for hundreds of millions of dollars of spending on controversial grants and programs. Bhattacharya would not have the authority to lay off most of the employees who work in these positions, but the money that would be freed up for other innovative research priorities by eliminating these extramural funding programs would be substantial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An additional, and potentially controversial, change would be to decrease the level of research funding that investigators currently working at the NIH receive. The NIH currently spends 21 percent of its annual budget, approximately $10 billion, at the NIH itself with half of that money funding intramural research. On one hand, this research spending comes under much less scrutiny than the funding subject to the rigorous and competitive review process for outside research. On the other hand, much of this funding allows the NIH to perform some of the most important and difficult clinical trials in the world. The NIH often performs trials with and treats patients who have otherwise exhausted all other treatment options. Along with better transparency and oversight of this spending, Bhattacharya might seek to reduce spending waste or introduce a competitive evaluation process for internal research funding while maintaining the funds needed to support the important work the NIH Clinical Center performs. Expand funding for innovative research: One of the funding entities created by the 2006 NIH reforms provided funds to the NIH director for so-called high-risk, high-reward research. Given Bhattacharyas reported desire to increase NIH funding of biomedical innovation, expanded congressional funding for this purpose seems likely. But are there changes that Bhattacharya can make to increase funding and support of innovative and creative research that do not require congressional approval? More than likely, yes. Bhattacharya could require the NIHs institute and center directors to allocate more of their annual budgets to investigator grants, drawing from conventional project-based grants. The major criticism of existing project-based mechanisms is that they are overly conservative and reward incremental research, often relying on the investigator to demonstrate feasibility through extensive preliminary data, which in practice means much of the proposed work is completed before a grant is awarded. Investigator grants, exemplified by the NIH directors New Innovator Award (disclosure: I am a recipient), focus more on the novelty and potential impact of the proposed project. Investigator grants can free up the researcher to explore exciting and often unexpected lines of investigation and provide funding for scientists who focus on developing novel technologies, such as approaches for imaging metabolism in humans or methods of altering genetic interactions to better understand tissue regeneration, instead of conducting conventional hypothesis-based research that is better served by project-based grants. Traditional project-based grants can still contribute to important discoveries and innovation despite the bias in funding towards less-risky proposals. Given their long track record of successes, such grants should remain a dominant component of the NIH portfolio alongside any new programs established by Bhattacharya. A good choice to lead the NIH. For the U.S.s biomedical research enterprise to continue to make groundbreaking discoveries and life-saving treatments such as the rectal cancer cure mentioned above, the NIH needs to have the support of the public. To ensure sustained support, the publics trust in the NIH must also be restored. On top of Bhattacharyas excellent academic credentials, his training in economics could be a benefit in helping the NIH stretch limited taxpayer dollars to stimulate and support creativity and innovation. He also has the character and potential to make the necessary changes that would help renew trust in the NIH. However, in his drive to reform the NIH and re-establish public trust, he must be careful not to overreach in a way that causes further disillusion in an already disillusioned biomedical science community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As recently noted by Dr. Marcia McNutt, the president of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the U.S. is starting to cede ground as the global scientific leader to other countries, especially China. Bhattacharya has the opportunity to contribute to the creation of what McNutt calls a national research strategy and ensure U.S. supremacy. Although the default position of many biomedical scientists and physicians is to resist and criticize Trumps nominees, Bhattacharyas selection to lead NIH should be welcomed. 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. President Joe Bidens pardon of his son Hunter means that Hunters two criminal cases wont go forward to sentencing. But special counsel David Weiss has fought the defense effort to get the gun and tax indictments officially dismissed in Delaware and California. In support of his opposition, Weiss cited the governments previous objection to dismissing Steve Bannons indictment when Donald Trump pardoned Bannon in his first term. Weiss noted that the prosecution in Bannons case didnt dispute that the pardon ended the matter but still maintained that dismissing the indictment was unnecessary; rather, the prosecution in Bannons case said the court should terminate Bannon as a defendant and have the docket reflect the pardon as the reason for his case ending. As Hunter Bidens counsel emphasized in reply to Weiss opposition, the judge in Bannons case dismissed his indictment over the governments objection. Nonetheless, the post-pardon litigation means the judges in California and Delaware have to decide how to bury Hunters cases formally, even if theyre both basically dead from a legal perspective. While the California judge hasnt decided yet, the Delaware judge on Tuesday entered an order on the docket stating that all proceedings are terminated due to the pardon but without stating that the indictment is dismissed: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having reviewed the parties submissions ... and in the absence of binding precedent, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that pursuant to the Executive Grant of Clemency signed by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on December 1, 2024, Defendant Robert Hunter Biden has been pardoned for, inter alia, the offenses for which a jury rendered a verdict in this case ... As such, all proceedings in this case are hereby terminated. Subscribe to the Deadline: Legal Newsletter for expert analysis on the top legal stories of the week, including updates from the Supreme Court and developments in Donald Trumps legal cases. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea declared martial law on Tuesday, December 3, through a surprising late-night address. Many are wondering why this happened, and experts have weighed in on the chaotic situation as the South Korean parliament attempts to block this measure from passing. Yoon Suek Yeol said in his statement that he was imposing martial law to safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Koreas communist forces, but some say that this is a blatant political move. Why did South Korea president Yoon Suk Yeol declare martial law? Yoon Suk Yeol from the People Power Party imposed martial law in South Korea due to him being frustrated with the opposition Democratic Party, according to Kenneth Choi, the international editor of the South Korean newspaper The Chosun Ilbo. In a segment on CNN, Choi explains that the DP holds almost two-thirds in the parliament and has impeached 18 of Yoons cabinet ministers. It was also able to cut about $4 billion won in the governments budget, obstructing the presidents actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As noted by the BBC, Yoon has faced low approval ratings, particularly due to controversies surrounding his wife, Yoon Suk Yeol, for stock manipulation, corruption, and more. On November 7, he formally apologized to the public and admitted that his wife should have conducted herself better, but said the claims against her were exaggerated and rejected a call for an investigation by the DP into her alleged crimes. John Nilsson-Wright, the head of the Japan and Koreas Programme at Cambridge University, also told CNN that the declaration of martial law was frankly bizarre and was patently a political move. Moments after martial law was declared, parliament members from both parties attempted to overturn the measure. The leader of the DP, Lee Jae-myung, described the action as unconstitutional while the head of the People Power Party, Han Dong-hoon, said it was wrong. Several hours later, 190 of the countrys National Assembly members voted to block the move, though its unclear whether Yoon will comply with their decision as required by the constitution. Troops within the main parliamentary building withdrew. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A senior officer for the Biden administration said that it is seriously concerned by what we are seeing develop. The post Heres Why Martial Law Was Declared in South Korea, Experts Say appeared first on Mandatory. If you see low-flying helicopters in rural areas surrounding Fort Collins over the next six weeks, it's the government spying on wildlife. Colorado Parks and Wildlife will be conducting its annual survey of deer and elk herds along the Front Range starting Dec. 3 and running through mid-January, depending on weather, the agency announced in a Monday news release. Similar aerial operations are or will be taking place around the state. The purpose of the flights is for wildlife biologists to classify deer and elk herds near Fort Collins, South Park, Castle Rock and across the Eastern Plains. Biologists will note herd sizes and sex of wildlife as well as assess the health of deer and elk populations through calf reproduction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biologists and wildlife officers use the information to help set the number of hunting licenses that will be issued for game management units the following hunting season. The flights also help the agency determine population objectives for each herd in herd management plans. Hunting is estimated to produce $834 million in revenue to Colorado annually, according to the Colorado Wildlife Council, with big game hunting, mainly deer and elk, making up the vast majority of that economic benefit. Colorado Parks and Wildlife estimates the state has more than 280,000 elk, the largest population in the world, and around 376,000 deer. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Why you may see low-flying helicopters around Colorado this winter Yoon Suk Yeol, South Koreas president, declared martial law on Tuesday, vowing to eliminate anti-state forces that he said threatened to ruin the nation. But after just two hours and 28 minutes, nearly 200 of the countrys politicians managed to break through police blockades, enter parliament and vote to lift martial law. What happened in South Korea? In a late televised address to the nation, Mr Yoon said he had enacted martial law to oust pro-North Korean forces and protect the countrys constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following Mr Yoons announcement, South Koreas military said that parliament and any other political gatherings that may cause confusion should be suspended. Riot police then blocked South Korean MPs from entering the countrys national assembly with footage showing scuffles between politicians and officers. Credit: @shinee_yunsl/X South Koreas opposition parties immediately vowed to fight the declaration, with Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, declaring it unconstitutional. All 190 of the countrys 300 MPs that were present for the ruling voted in favour of lifting the martial law declaration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The military, which had broken into the parliament, soon left the building, with it remaining unclear whether Mr Yoon would lift martial law. Opposition parties said he was bound to do so by the vote and warned the military and police that following his orders was now a crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who is President Yoon and how is his wife involved? Yoon Suk Yeol, from the conservative People Power Party, has been in place as South Koreas president since 2022 when he narrowly defeated Mr Lee in what was the closest election since 1987. The president has battled with low approval ratings amid a variety of scandals and controversies, including one involving his wife. Kim Keon-hee, the first lady, was questioned by prosecutors for 12 hours earlier this year after accepting a luxury Dior handbag, the price of which exceeded the legal gift value limit for government officials. She was also accused of being involved in an alleged stock-manipulation scheme and meddling in government affairs. Prosecutors later said she was unaware that her accounts were used for manipulation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Yoon later apologised but rejected calls by opposition parties for a special investigation into his wife. He has struggled to push through laws since the opposition party won a landslide in the last parliamentary election in 2024. The declaration of martial law also came as the opposition moved to impeach cabinet ministers, including South Koreas head of the government audit agency over its decision not to investigate Mr Yoons wife. Has martial law been declared before? Yes, just not for a long time. It is a measure largely associated with the countrys authoritarian past. It was brought in 1980 after the assassination, in 1979, of Park Chung-hee, the-then president, a year earlier. His death prompted Chun Doo-hwan, a general in the military, to declare martial law nationwide as he attempted to take control of the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was also declared in 1961 when Mr Park, then a general in the army, seized power in a military coup, which he used to crack down on political opposition and protests. Since the 1980s, South Korea has refrained from declaring martial law as it transitioned back to a liberal democracy. Credit: X / @BizObservation What happens next? On Tuesday night, Mr Yoon succumbed to pressure and lifted martial law. He now faces calls to resign and even for his arrest after being accused of a dangerous power grab and democratic overreach. The National Assembly could start by launching an impeachment process against him, which would require two-thirds of MPs to vote in favour of removing him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A coalition of lawmakers from opposition parties on Wednesday morning said they planned to propose a bill to impeach Mr Yoon, and the vote could be held within 72 hours. 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. Brandy Manville was killed by her husband Charles Manville, who then died by suicide, per police Brandy Manville/Facebook Brandy Manville and Charles Manville Brandy Manville and Charles Manville An Indiana woman who once profusely praised her husbands support during her cancer treatment was killed by him in a murder-suicide, per police. Brandy Manville, 46, was fatally shot by husband Charles Manville, 45, in their Portage, Ind., home during the Thanksgiving holiday, Portage Police Chief Michael Candiano confirms to PEOPLE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charles also shot their 21-year-old daughter, who survived the shooting, before turning the gun on himself in the Friday, Nov. 29 attack, the Portage Police Department said in a statement. Candiano confirms to PEOPLE the daughter called 911 on Friday evening to report a domestic disturbance. It was called in initially as a verbal disturbance and escalated from there, Candiano says. The daughter told the 911 operator that Charles was intoxicated and throwing items inside the house, per the statement from Portage police. After he armed himself with a gun, 911 operators could hear him threaten those around him, telling them they were all going to die. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the time police arrived at the residence, Charles had already opened fire. He and Brandy were found dead and their daughter was transported to a local hospital, per the statement. Brandy Manville/Facebook Brandy Manville Brandy Manville Brandy, an administrative assistant at the Portage High School, was a breast cancer survivor, according to a 2019 interview with local outlet Portage Life, where she spoke about the support of her family, including Charles, that was crucial in her recovery. She said that during the hell of her health problems, Charles stood by her. She told the outlet that Charles, who she called "Charlie" during the interview, would repeatedly reassure her and remind her how thankful he was for her presence in his life. As a woman, its hard to lose your hair, Manville said in her interview. Never once did I feel less loved. My family was awesome throughout my cancer journey. I was lucky to have them as a support system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unclear what changed for the family in just a few short years. The Friday statement from police said authorities had been unable to get the daughter's account of what happened, and had not determined a motive. 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. In a GoFundMe set up for the surviving daughters medical costs, Brandy is being remembered as a loving mother with a great sense of humor and an "infectious laugh." "She would [want to be known as someone] who would be in the corner ready for a well-timed and hilariously inappropriate one-liner," reads part of the fundraiser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is also remembered for her kindness towards the children at the school where she worked. The children that passed in those hallways knew she was an advocate for them and none of them walked away from her hungry or without a smile on their face," the fundraiser states. If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. As cool weather arrives and the number of U.S. wildfires declines, wildland firefighters who have spent months working in the heat and smoke are able to take a much-needed break. But for many of them, the stress of the job isnt going away. Continued uncertainty regarding federal pay and benefits, coupled with mental health risks and seasonal financial strain, make this a precarious time for wildland firefighters. I study the environmental and occupational health of wildland firefighters as a professor. Im also married to a wildland firefighter, and we have two children. His work is unpredictable and dangerous. For him and many wildland firefighters like him, the stress is compounded by the uncertainty surrounding the future of wildland firefighter pay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2021, Congress approved a temporary retention bonus of US$20,000 a year or 50% of the firefighters base pay, whichever amount was smaller. However, wildland firefighters are still waiting for that raise to be codified three years later. Firefighting is a dangerous occupation, yet starting pay is as low as $15 an hour. AP Photo/Jae C. Hong This means that thousands of families are living in a constant state of financial insecurity across the country. If that pay raise expires, many firefighters will lose large percentages of their income. For many, these arent high-paying jobs. The starting pay is as low as $15 per hour. The federal continuing resolution that has been keeping the government operational and the pay increase temporarily in place is set to expire on Dec. 20, 2024. Congress is likely to extend it one more time. But if the new budget Congress eventually passes fails to address wildland firefighter pay, firefighters face a major financial setback. With seasonal contracts wrapping up, many wildland firefighters are at a crossroads. Surveys reflect mental and physical health strain In 2022 and 2023, my research team and I conducted national-scale surveys of wildland firefighters and the dispatchers who work with them. We wanted to understand how the high health risk factors, work-life balance and morale affect their well-being and future in the field. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Working in wildland firefighting is an unpredictable and often emotionally challenging job. Wildland firefighters work in tight-knit crews that depend on one another for physical safety, and they are the front-line defense for homes and communities threatened by fire. On average, about 17 U.S. wildland firefighters are killed in the line of duty each year. Wildland firefighters and wildland fire dispatchers report widespread struggles with mental health, including high rates of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal thoughts or ideations. One in three wildland fire dispatchers said they had had suicidal thoughts or ideations, and half know a wildland firefighter who has died by suicide. Pay policies encourage overwork, risky choices The federal wildland fire system also incentivizes overworking and risky behaviors that put firefighters at greater risk of physical harm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With starting pay so low, many wildland firefighters end up working an average of over 600 hours of overtime annually to pay their bills. This is the equivalent of working 15 additional 40-hour weeks per year. A typical wildland fire deployment lasts 14 consecutive days, averaging 16 hours per day. Often, they sleep in rugged conditions, in tents and on the ground. To do the job safely, wildland firefighters must be aware of their surroundings at all times, and they must be able to rely on their equipment. AP Photo/John Bazemore Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further, there is incentive pay for working in hazardous conditions. This means that, as a deployment progresses, wildland firefighters are working more dangerous jobs, more hours and are increasingly physically and mentally exhausted, leaving them vulnerable to costly errors that could impede their safety. Our studies have found that 67% of wildland firefighters have been injured or had an illness related to their work. Smoke inhalation, living in close quarters and the daily physical stress can all create health risks. Additionally, over three-quarters of the respondents report unsafe working conditions, ranging from substandard housing to equipment failures to violent interpersonal interactions. These issues need long-term proactive solutions, but currently few exist. The U.S. Forest Service offers mental health counseling, but until 2023, temporary seasonal employees, including over one-third of wildland firefighters, werent eligible for federal health benefits. Federal hiring system adds more stress A career in wildland firefighting can be a tough sell long hours, months away from home, grueling physical labor, health and safety hazards, and low starting pay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surveys of wildland firefighters spouses and partners found high levels of family conflict and poor work-life balance. Most wildland firefighters said that they were unable to attend important family and life events during fire season, and most wildland fire dispatchers reported that they did not spend adequate time outdoors or with family. Wildland firefighters said that they love the challenge of the job, and they felt like their work makes a difference. Crews must rely on one another for their safety, and this builds deep bonds and loyalty to their organization. Given the need for more firefighters and the intense demands of the job, it may come as a surprise that one of the top obstacles wildland firefighters report facing is successfully navigating the gauntlet of federal hiring. A crew leader, center left, talks to his firefighters about their plans to attack a fire burning nearby on Aug. 20, 2015, in Twisp, Wash., a day after three firefighters were killed fighting a wildfire near the town. AP Photo/Elaine Thompson Many federal firefighters are temporary seasonal employees, so they need to reapply for positions every year. Even for full-time employees, career progression frequently requires moving among different positions or locations to accumulate experience necessary for promotions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stories of monthslong delays in start dates are not uncommon: One firefighter we spoke with had received a job offer in November but did not start the position until May of the following year. At no point during this six- to seven-month window did he have a clear indication of when he would start and was consistently told it would be soon. This job paid approximately $38,000 per year. What Congress can do to retain firefighters My husband loves his job. He is proud of the work he does and the difference he makes by protecting lives and communities from wildfires. However, the risks to his health and well-being, the low pay and the pervasive stressful uncertainty of the future of the profession mean that exploring alternatives is a necessity. Over the past three years, 45% of the U.S. Forest Services wildland firefighting workforce has quit, something my research team sounded the warning bell on in 2022. That loss of experience matters. Retaining experienced firefighters amid longer and worsening fire seasons will require policymakers to improve health care, pay and the organizational structure itself, including how firefighters are hired and retained. Yet, the federal government continues to delay taking action, leaving our nations fire-prone communities and wildland firefighters in a precarious and uncertain position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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: Robin Verble, Missouri University of Science and Technology Read more: Robin Verble receives funding from the Department of Defense. She is affiliated with the Missouri Prescribed Fire Council, and previously, the Texas Prescribed Burn Board. More winter weather is expected for the Great Lakes region into the weekend. "Cold air, relatively warmer lake water temperatures, and persistent northwesterly flow will be ingredients for some regions to see feet of snow accumulations," the National Weather Service said in its latest Friday update. Forecasters warned of potentially hazardous travel conditions in western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania as high winds and blowing snow will decrease visibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shores of western New York along Lake Ontario could see one to two feet of lake-effect snow accumulations through Sunday. Lake-effect snow blankets Ashtabula County, Ohio. (Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images) Advisories and warnings Portions of the Great Lakes and Northeast regions are under winter storm watches and warnings for the next few days, NWS meteorologists said. Winter storm warnings have been issued through Saturday for parts of New York and Vermont. Winter weather advisories have been issued through Saturday and Sunday for parts of New York. Lake-effect snow warnings are also in effect through Friday and Saturday for portions of Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. Lake-effect snow occurs when cold air driven by wind flows over warmer lakes. In the case of this winter storm, the Great Lakes have been experiencing record warmth. Freezing temperatures The eastern U.S. continues to experience bitterly cold temperatures heading into the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Low temperatures in the 20s will be possible across much of the southeastern U.S. Saturday morning and generally lower 30s Sunday morning," forecasters said. Parts of northern Florida are under a freeze warning through Saturday. By Sunday, higher temperatures in the 50s and 40s should arrive in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Wisconsin has 2,776 places deemed historically significant by the National Register and State Register of Historic Places. Not one acknowledges Latino history in the state. It's an issue the Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Office wants to correct, said deputy state historic preservation officer Amy Wyatt. The histories of communities of color, women and LGBTQ+ people are collectively underrepresented on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2014, fewer than 8% of the 86,000 places listed on the national register recognized Black, Latino, Native American, Asian or minority history. The Waukesha Latino community based largely on the East Side includes the area known as The Strand. The community continues to be among the fastest growing areas in Waukesha. A gathering point for the community is La Casa de Esperanza. Two years ago, the Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Office won a $50,000 grant from the National Park Service to change that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The office contracted Cheryl Jimenez-Frei, an associate professor and co-director of the Public History Program at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, to research buildings and places important to Latinos in Wisconsin. She enlisted 15 of her students for the project. Their work will document Latino settlements throughout Wisconsin highlighting their impact in arts and culture, labor activism, and education. Jimenez-Frei, a Latina herself, says the research is a passion project. She's a member of the Wisconsin Latinx History Collective, which is assisting with the effort. "Most people understand that historic preservation has, largely, from the beginning of the movement, been about privilege," Jimenez-Frei said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jimenez-Frei and her students are assembling a growing list of 29 site recommendations. The Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Office will hire a consultant to formally nominate two or three of those properties for the National Register and State Register of Historic Places. The team plans to finish their research later this month. Their work will eventually be compiled into a public document available at the Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Office. Hopefully, we can try to correct some of those things that have happened in the past from a preservation standpoint, Jimenez-Frei said. Research team considering sites in Eau Claire, Waukesha and more When Jimenez-Frei and her team of students began the research, she said it felt like starting with a "blank slate." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jimenez-Frei said they started off asking themselves: "Historically, where have Latinos migrated? Where have they settled? Where have they grown communities?" Older, more established Latino communities planted roots in cities like Milwaukee, Green Bay and Appleton. It's easier to pinpoint a church, business or home that could be eligible for the state register list in those cities, Jimenez-Frei said. Jimenez-Frei and her students are also looking at places that are significant to activists like Jesus Salas, a labor activist who co-founded the state's first farmworker union Obreros Unidos. Salas organized in cities like Madison, Milwaukee and Wautoma. Jimenez-Frei is considering farmland, too. For decades, Mexican and Tejano migrant workers traveled up to Wisconsin annually to harvest cucumbers, cherries and sweet corn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over in Waukesha, the home of the Melendes family on a street called The Strand could be eligible for the list. Joseph and Antonia Don Diego Melendes are said to be the first Latinos to move to Waukesha in 1919, according to Sierra Ramker, a research assistant on the project. The couple turned their home at 1106 The Strand into a boarding house for Latino immigrants. Rose Dequardo Le Mere (right), co-owner of The Strand Market, talked with Carmen Melendes Hernandez and Bill Le Mere in 1990. The Strand eventually became a hub for the Latino community that still flourishes today, Ramker said. In 2006, the City of Waukesha named the alleyway leading to the Melendes home "Calle Melendes" to commemorate the family. Kylie Stair, 51, is the Melendes' great-granddaughter. She was born and raised in Waukesha and continues to live there. She feels proud to know her family helped the Latino community thrive in Waukesha. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Stair, the family sold the Melendes home when her grandmother moved to a nursing home. Stair welcomes the possibility of it qualifying for the national register. "That kind of recognition would be so cool," she said. Tracing Latino history in Wisconsin hit roadblocks Unfortunately, many of the homes, community centers and meeting places related to Latino history that Jimenez-Frei and her students came across in their research were demolished. I'd find a place, and I'd be like, 'Oh, this would be perfect,' and then I read later on in the story that they sold it so that a freeway could be built over it, said Ramker, the research assistant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Luckily, many churches were preserved, Jimenez-Frei said. Churches were more than places of worship for immigrant communities, especially in the Latino community. They were where English classes were taught and labor and immigration activists met. The Strand is home to families from diverse ethnic backgrounds. This photo is from 1989. Places that were torn down can't qualify for the historic register. The national register limits historic places to structures, archaeological sites, monuments, and districts. A plot of land where a building once stood isn't eligible, but it could qualify for a historic "marker" instead, Wyatt said. The Wisconsin Historical Marker Program commemorates significant events, sites, people and even legends with decorative plaques. Its requirements aren't as stringent as the national historic places list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even still, no official state historical markers recognize Latino history in Wisconsin, said Mallory Hanson, the statewide services coordinator for the Wisconsin Historical Society. The organization is working with the Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation and Mexican Fiesta on a state historical marker that will recognize Latino urban civil rights activism in Milwaukee, Hanson said. The eligibility requirements for the historic register aren't easy to meet, according to Daina Penkiunas, a state historic preservation officer. The property has to be at least 50 years old, be associated with a historic event or person, represent an important historic use or era of architecture, or have a significance in archaeology. The owner of the property must be willing to participate in the process, too. Cost is among the primary reasons so few properties representing communities of color make it to the national register. Neither the State Historic Preservation Office nor the National Park Service charges a fee to nominate a place. However, most people hire professional historic preservation consultants to write and research the nomination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nominations are technical documents that require extensive documentation to prove a property's historical significance and can cost several thousand dollars, said Penkiunas. Correcting the past, commemorating the present Jimenez-Frei and her students' research is accomplishing more than just highlighting Latino history in Wisconsin. It's recording the present, thriving Latino communities so that the proof of their impact will be available to future generations, Jimenez-Frei said. Arcadia is one of the emerging Latino communities that Jimenez-Frei's team is documenting. Starting in the 2000s, people from Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Mexico moved to the manufacturing town south of Eau Claire in Trempealeau County. The majority of Arcadia is now Latino and nearly a quarter of its 3,670 residents are foreign born, census data shows. Latino-owned grocery stores, barbershops and restaurants are sprouting downtown and throughout Arcadia. Taste of Arcadia, with music, dancing and food from various cultures, is an effort to create understanding in the western Wisconsin city, which is now 33% Latino. Life in Arcadia is one of the focuses of the 2020 documentary "Latino Wisconsin," which aired on Milwaukee PBS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The collaboration with the Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Office also taught Jimenez-Frei's students about the profound impact their work can have on marginalized communities. Lizbeth Tuczynski, one of Jimenez-Frei's students who worked on the project, grew up in Wisconsin but wasn't taught much about Latino history in the state. Tuczynski's father is Mexican, but he was deported when she was very young, she said. She was surprised to learn Latinos settled all over the state, not just in large cities like Racine, Milwaukee and Sheboygan. Collecting oral histories from Latino families throughout Wisconsin reassured her a career in historic preservation was the right choice, Tuczynski said. "When we have places that are recognized by Wisconsin Register of Historic Places, it really helps almost validate that our people have been here and that we belong here," Tuczynski said. Gina Lee Castro is a Public Investigator reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact her at gcastro@gannett.com. (This story has been updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.) This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin has 2,776 historic sites, but none acknowledge Latinos ABBEVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) The Abbeville County Coroners Office said they are investigating a womans death after discovering her body and vehicle in Legion Lake. According to the coroners office, a vehicle was discovered in the water of Legion Lake, in Honea Path on Sunday. First responders discovered the vehicle at 7:48 p.m., on Legion Lake Road and Gate Road intersection. The driver was identified as 59-year-old Diana Hendrix Dotterer of Ware Shoals. She was the only occupant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The coroners office said an autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday and the accident 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 WSPA 7NEWS. Dec. 2A woman was injured Sunday in a fire at a vacant, dilapidated house at 1602 S. Byers Ave. The house was scheduled for demolition by the city of Joplin. The Joplin Fire Department was dispatched to the house at 8:26 p.m. Sunday after the fire was reported to the 911 center. Upon arrival, firefighters saw smoke and flames on the second floor and began a search. They found the 40-year-old woman on the second floor. She was rescued by firefighters who accessed the second floor through a window. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the woman was rescued, no one else was found in the house. She was taken to Mercy Hospital by METS ambulance. Assistant Fire Chief Andy Nimmo said there was substantial fire damage to the second floor of the structure. He did not have the woman's identity and said he could not release it because of regulations regarding medical records, he said. Nimmo said the woman was suffering from moderate burns and smoke inhalation. The Joplin fire marshal investigated the blaze and reported that he could not rule out the burning candles as the source of the fire. Nimmo said it has not been determined whether the candles were being used for light or heat or both. It is believed the woman was inside the deteriorated house because she was homeless. The fire department responded with six trucks and 21 personnel and was assisted by the Joplin Police Department and METS. The fire was under control within 30 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The house, which had been declared a dangerous building by the city's Building Board of Appeals in July, was demolished Monday, Nimmo said. The assistant fire chief praised the work of the fire crew in responding to the emergency and rescuing the woman without further injury to her or the firefighters. Dec. 2JASPER, Mo. A Columbia woman will serve seven years in prison for assaulting a Jasper police officer in 2023. Raven C. Gomez, 27, was sentenced Monday by Jasper County Circuit Court Judge Dean Dankelson in the Oct. 16, 2023, assault on Sgt. Amber Ashby in the parking lot of Pete's Convenience Store near the Interstate 49 interchange. Ashby was responding to a report of a man and woman fighting in a vehicle when she made contact with Gomez and Brandon L. David, 45, also of Columbia. Ashby was searching Gomez when the defendant turned and punched the officer, knocking her to the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ashby's head struck the pavement, temporarily disorienting her as David allegedly jumped out of the vehicle and punched her several more times. David then ran to the patrol car in an apparent attempt to steal it but gave up moments later and the couple fled in their car, running over Ashby's foot in the process. The officer suffered facial bruising and a sprained ankle and was forced to take time off work. Gomez and David were located later in Allen County, Kansas, and arrested. He had been on probation there for a vehicle tampering conviction, and she was charged initially with attempted murder after allegedly assaulting another inmate while in jail awaiting extradition to Missouri, according to the Allen County Sheriff's Office. Gomez had indicated to a deputy that she intended to kill the other inmate, according to the sheriff's office. Gomez had initially been charged with first-degree assault but pleaded guilty Sept. 30 to a reduced charge of third-degree assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also pleaded no contest to one count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon in the assault on an inmate in Allen County and was sentenced to 13 months in jail in May. David had been charged with first-degree assault on the officer in Jasper, but his case has been suspended. David was found to "lack the capacity to understand the proceedings against him or to assist in his defense," according to Missouri court records. He was committed to the Missouri Department of Mental Health on Oct. 25 with a follow-up hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, before Judge Joseph Hensley in the Jasper County Courts Building in Joplin. Probation violation charges against David in Kansas were dropped. DENVER (KDVR) A woman was shot in Aurora while attempting to meet with a potential online buyer or seller, the Aurora Police Department reported Monday night. The incident occurred near the intersection of East 12th Avenue and North Memphis Street at about 8:30 p.m. Monday. The location is in the Laredo Highline neighborhood near the High Line Canal and south Interstate 70. Man shot by Aurora police had violent history, facing 5 counts of attempted murder Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, a man and a woman arranged a meeting to purchase items Monday night, but two suspects attempted to rob them at gunpoint during the transaction. Police said this resulted in a physical fight, and the woman was shot in the shoulder. She was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. The man was not injured. Both suspects ran off, according to police, and had not been located as of 9:15 p.m. The agency did not provide any suspect descriptions but said that all tips can be directed to the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. 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. A woman was rushed to the hospital after she was struck by a vehicle in Brockton on Tuesday morning. Emergency crews responding to a report of a pedestrian crash in the area of 562 North Main Street at Battles Street just before 7 a.m. found a woman suffering from serious injuries, according to the Brockton Police Department. The 37-year-old woman, whose name hasnt been released, is undergoing treatment at Good Samaritan Hospital. Aerial video showed two police cruisers blocking off the scene and the area roped off with police tape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver who struck the woman remained at the scene and is said to be cooperating with investigators. Massachusetts State Police troopers assigned to the Plymouth District Attorneys Office are leading the 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 Lyndsey Feeney is creating awareness about sepsis and urging people to know the signs and to get urgent medical care Lyndsey Feeney / SWNS Lyndsey Feeney (left), developed sepsis months after both of her parents (Archie and Cathy, right) died of the infection. Lyndsey Feeney (left), developed sepsis months after both of her parents (Archie and Cathy, right) died of the infection. A woman who lost both of her parents to sepsis nearly died from the illness, which was triggered by a urinary tract infection (UTI). Lyndsey Feeney, 45, lost her father Archie, 73, in April after he suffered an arm injury. The wound became infected and bacteria entered his skin, causing cellulitis, which then progressed to sepsis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three months later, in July, Feeney's mother Cathy, 72, who had chronic pulmonary obstructive disorder (COPD) developed a urinary tract infection. Like her late husband, she was unable to fight the infection and succumbed to fatal sepsis. It was really horrible, losing both of them so close together I still havent come to terms with it, Feeney told South West News Service via The Daily Mail. Sepsis occurs when a person's immune system has a dangerous reaction to an infection, causing extensive inflammation throughout the body, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It is considered a medical emergency and must be treated as soon as possible because it can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death. 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. Lyndsey Feeney / SWNS Lyndsey Feeney (left) with her mother, Cathy. Lyndsey Feeney (left) with her mother, Cathy. Related: Woman, 23, Thought She Had the Flu Until Her Tongue Turned Black from Impacted Wisdom Tooth: Nearly Killed Me' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [My father had] become delirious and was pulling out his IV drips, Feeney shared. We were told hed wake up, but his organs started shutting down. Her mother, who died 16 hours after arriving at the hospital, also struggled with mental confusion. Mum had been very confused and lethargic, so my sister Debbie called an ambulance, but they didnt arrive until nearly 3 am, Feeney told the publication. At the end of November, Feeney, who lives in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, said she started experiencing back pain and a high fever and struggled to pass urine. She went to the hospital a few days later and learned she had a urinary tract infection. Like her mother's infection, it had not been treated quickly and had progressed to sepsis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Luckily, she was given antibiotics and her body responded well. Lyndsey Feeney / SWNS Lyndsey Feeney is hoping to spread awareness about the symptoms of sepsis. Lyndsey Feeney is hoping to spread awareness about the symptoms of sepsis. Related: Woman Receives Text from Husband About Feeling Ill; Days Later, He Dies from Septic Shock on Wedding Anniversary (Exclusive) Now shes hoping to raise awareness about sepsis, saying, They call it the silent killer for a reason. If its not caught early enough, theres nothing that can be done. She urges people to recognize the symptoms of sepsis confusion, high fever, shivering, low blood pressure, and an elevated heart rate, according to the Cleveland Clinic and to seek immediate medical care. Feeney's prompt treatment with antibiotics once she arrived at the hospital helped stop the sepsis from progressing. Its devastating, Feeney said, but if sharing my story can help save someone else, then its worth it." LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Two women who robbed and killed a man in his Las Vegas Strip hotel room could serve 10 years in prison as part of a plea deal, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned. Erika Covington, 21; and Arionna Taylor, 22, agreed to plead guilty to charges of second-degree murder for the May 2023 shooting death of Bryan Altamirano-Solano, 25, records said. Police initially said the women killed Altamirano-Solano inside the room at Caesars Palace and then stole his wallet. According to the court documents, a surveillance camera recorded Altamirano-Solano at around 2:14 a.m. talking with two women in a valet area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another camera then captured the trio walking to Altamirano-Solanos room around 2:35 a.m. The video shows a bag slung over Altamirano-Solanos chest. Less than 15 minutes later, another camera captured Covington and Taylor running through a hallway, prosecutors said. One of the women was carrying Altamirano-Solanos bag, they said. According to the court documents, a surveillance camera recorded Altamirano-Solano at around 2:14 a.m. talking with two women in a valet area. (KLAS) Detectives later located two explicit videos on Altamirano-Solanos phone, which they said included Covington and Taylor. Police have never publicly said which woman they suspect pulled the trigger. The deal plea stipulated a judge could sentence the women to life with the possibility of parole beginning after 10 years or a term of 25 years with parole beginning after 10 years, records said. Any additional sentence on the robbery charge would run concurrent to the murder charge, bringing the aggregate sentence to 10-25 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A friend of Altamirano-Solanos told police he did not speak English and was seeking asylum from Nicaragua. Covington and Taylor initially pleaded not guilty and were scheduled to go on trial next year. Their sentencing was scheduled for Jan. 23. 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 19-year-old Woodbury man was given three years of probation for stealing $20,000 to $30,000 in cash last year from the popular Egg Roll Queen food truck, which was parked in South St. Paul. Frank Gums Jr. was sentenced Monday in Dakota County District Court after admitting to swiping a backpack that contained the food trucks previous months business proceeds, as well as jewelry, checkbooks and electronics. His guilty plea to the felony theft charge came on the same day a trial was to begin. The food truck is run by Mai Vang, who is well known on St. Pauls East Side for her litter pick-ups and other community work. Vang, who lost most of her hearing in 2013 without warning, gave up a career in the insurance field two years later and switched to egg roll sales, which she was already accustomed to doing for her charitable fundraisers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gums was given a stay of imposition as part of a plea agreement with the prosecution, meaning the conviction will become a misdemeanor as long as he follows conditions of probation. The plea deal also included no additional jail time beyond the 79 days hed already served. Judge David Knutson reserved setting restitution until community corrections establishes the amount to be paid back. According to the criminal complaint, Vang called police on Sept. 13, 2023, to report that a man had opened the drivers side door of her food truck and grabbed the backpack with the cash and other belongings. He drove away in a red car. Surveillance video from neighboring businesses helped South St. Paul police officers track down the vehicles owner, who told them Gums had taken her car in late August and didnt return it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police later determined that another woman who had been in the car at the time of the theft had been arrested by St. Paul police on a separate matter on Sept. 17. Gums informed an acquaintance he had watched the food truck for two hours and bought an egg roll before the theft, the complaint says. He had allegedly showed off bags of cash to a friend. Officers tracked Gums phone on Sept. 22 to a St. Paul motel room, where they discovered both Gums and the woman, who attempted to escape the room by climbing out the window. The woman later told officers she had told him not to steal the backpack and she didnt know where the money from the stolen bag had gone. Gums acknowledged he had driven the car but denied being involved in the theft, even after officials confronted him with the surveillance video. He was released from jail on Nov. 2 after posting a $10,000 bond. Three more criminal cases Court records show Gums then went on to pick up three more criminal cases in three counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gums was arrested Nov. 27 in the Woodbury Costco parking lot for driving a stolen car with stolen plates. Officers found other stolen license plates inside the car, which was taken in Eden Prairie, as well as a number of documents and checks from several people, according to the Washington County criminal complaint. Gums appeared to be impaired and he admitted to using fentanyl just prior to driving to Costco, the complaint says. He posted a $10,000 bond Nov. 29 and was released from jail. Gums picked up an auto theft charge in Ramsey County on Jan. 10. He posted a $10,000 bond on Jan. 29, a day after his arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gums was charged April 18 in Hennepin County in connection with the theft of an Audi from a Discount Tire in Minnetonka. He was released from jail April 19 after posting a $15,000 bond. Related Articles In September, Gums was convicted of misdemeanor fourth-degree driving while impaired in the Woodbury case. He was given a 90-day jail sentence, which was then stayed for two years of supervised probation. A felony charge of receiving stolen property was dismissed as part of a plea deal. Gums reached a plea deal last month in the Minnetonka car theft and a 13-month prison sentence was stayed for three years of supervised probation and 30 days of electronic home monitoring. On Monday, after his sentencing in the food truck case, Gums was in a Ramsey County courtroom for the January auto theft charge. Gums, who previously pleaded guilty as charged, was given a 15-month prison term, which was stayed for three years of probation. He was ordered to serve eight days of electronic home monitoring beyond 32 days he had already served in custody. (WOODLAND PARK, Colo.) The Woodland Park Police Department has released more information on the fatal shooting that occurred on Friday, Nov. 29. At around 5:30 p.m., on Friday, Woodland Park PD responded to a shooting at the City Market grocery store parking lot after receiving a 911 call. According to the leading agency, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), there was a physical altercation during a child custody exchange. The biological father of the child, 28-year-old Luis Morales, threatened the childs mothers boyfriend, a 29-year-old man per witnesses. The CBI says the boyfriend pulled a gun and fired a single shot hitting Morales. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UPDATE: Victim of Woodland Park parking lot shooting dies Life-saving measures were performed on Morales, but he succumbed to his injuries and died at a hospital in Colorado Springs. The 29-year-old stayed on scene and is cooperating with investigators according to CBI. He has been released pending the outcome of the investigation. The CBI is leading the case with assistance from the Woodland Park Police Department and the 4th Judicial District Attorneys Office. 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 FOX21 News Colorado. JANE LEW, W.Va. (WBOY) World War II veteran Mary Bowman celebrated her 100th birthday in Jane Lew on Sunday with family and the VA. According to Marys daughter, Amy Bowman, Mary was a member of the Womens Army Corps during World War II, and in the service, she questioned German POWs for intelligence. Amy speculates that because her mother was quite the looker (a story in the family is that she dated the actor Alan Ladd), it was easier for her to get information from the POWs. As a member of the Womens Army Corps, Mary was one of the first women to be in the military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of women like her, I feel women in the military today really owe a debt of honor and respect, Amy Bowman said of her mother. Miracle on Main brings holiday cheer to Weston Mary met her husband during her time in the service. After the service, she went on to have a family with five children while also owning a pet store with her husband. Amy said her mother did not slow down in old age. Even in her 80s, she tried to pick up Spanish, and in modern times, she tries to keep up with technology. Amy said that she thinks her mother imparted to the family the attribute of a fierce stubbornness to always achieve excellence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think we get that from my mom. 12 News would like to thank Mrs. Bowman for her service and wish her a happy birthday. 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. McLennan County, Tx (FOX 44) A wrecker driver used a DPS troopers patrol car radio to ask for backup as a trooper was trying to wrestle a driver under control following a traffic stop early Tuesday morning. It happened along I-35 at the 355 mile marker just north of the Hill County/McLennan County line near Abbott after the trooper had spotted a Hyundai Elantra going 89 miles per hour in a 75 mile zone. An arrest affidavit stated that the traffic stop was made just after midnight Tuesday morning on I-35 northbound near County Line Road, when the trooper detected the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The affidavit stated that while waiting for the driver to find a license and proof of insurance, the trooper spotted a baggie of marijuana buds, with the driver confirming that there was marijuana and a vape pen in the vehicle. The affidavit stated that the trooper had moved the driver into his patrol unit when a tussle began over the drivers attempt to use a cell phone. At one point the driver attempted to run toward the main lanes of the Interstate as the trooper was calling for a wrecker. The affidavit stated the trooper picked the driver up to get them away from traffic and they went to the ground as the trooper attempted to secure the driver. The affidavit stated that the driver attempted to bite the trooper several times but was unsuccessful at landing a good strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burleson County Sheriffs Office employee charged with improper relationship with inmate The affidavit stated that once the wrecker driver arrived, he jumped into the patrol unit to call for assistance for the trooper. A West Police Department unit was first on the scene at which time a leg shackle was placed on the driver who was then placed in the West Patrol unit. The West officer the made the transport of the driver to the McLennan County Jail for processing. Jail records listed the driver as 23-year-old Moziah Bridges with an address in Gulfport, Mississippi. Jail records listed charges as assault on a public servant, resisting arrest search or transport, possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. Jail personnel advised the driver posted bail and had been released by Tuesday afternoon. 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 KWKT - FOX 44. WWE seeks to have the ring boys lawsuit put on hold. In October, DiCello Levitt and Murphy, Falcon & Murphy shared a press release in which they announced that they filed a lawsuit against WWE, Vince McMahon and Linda McMahon, and TKO on behalf of five individuals who worked as ring boys in WWE. These individuals claim that they were sexually abused by former ring announcer Mel Phillips during their time in the company in the 1980s. Brandon Thurston of POST Wrestling reports that attorneys for WWE and TKO want the lawsuit put on hold until the Maryland Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of the Maryland Child Victims Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In new court filings on Monday, WWEs attorneys argue that if the act is found to be unconstitutional, the claims in the lawsuit could not go forward, so they urged the court to stay this matter. They wrote that the act could be a potentially case determinative issue. They also highlighted other cases that have been stayed, awaiting a decision from Marylands Supreme Court. Per Thurston, the Maryland Child Victims Act removes the statues of limitations and allows victims to sue non-perpetrator defendants whose negligence may have led to child sex abuse. Additionally, WWE and TKO representatives filed to remove the case from the state level and bring it to federal court, arguing that federal jurisdiction was established due to the diversity of state citizenship of the parties and the amount of damages the plaintiffs are seeking. Thurston notes that attorneys for both McMahons submitted filings that expressed their content for pushing to move the case to federal court. More Details The filings state that a decision from The Maryland Supreme Court is expected by August 31, 2025. WWE also requested the federal court to postpone the December 9 deadline to respond to the ring boys complaint, but they were denied, as the plaintiffs did not consent. Vince McMahons Attorney Comments Vince McMahons attorney Jessica Rosenberg previously commented on the lawsuit in a statement shared by Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rosenberg stated that the negligence claims against McMahon relied on the same absurd, defamatory and utterly meritless statements Phil Mushnick made years ago. Rosenberg said that the legal team would defend McMahon vigorously. More than 30 years ago, the columnist Phil Mushnick tried to make headlines with these same false claims. Those allegations were never proven and ultimately became the subject of a defamation lawsuit against Mr. Mushnick. The negligence claims against Mr. McMahon that were asserted today rely on these same absurd, defamatory and utterly meritless statements by Mr. Mushnick. We will vigorously defend Mr. McMahon and are confident the court will find that these claims are untrue and unfounded. WrestleZone will provide more information as it becomes available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: Janel Grants Attorney On Ring Boys Lawsuit: Vince McMahon Made Sexual Abuse A Hallmark Of WWE Culture For Decades The post WWE Seeks To Have Ring Boys Lawsuit Put On Hold Until Court Rules On Maryland Child Victims Act appeared first on Wrestlezone. Russia has carried out a "systematic, intentional, and widespread" program of forced adoption and Russification of deported Ukrainian children, according to a study from the Yale School of Public Health published Dec. 3. Since February 2022, nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children have been abducted from Russian-occupied territories and sent to other Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine or to Russia itself, according to a Ukrainian national database. The study reported that Russia's Aerospace Forces and military aircraft transported multiple groups of children in 2022 under Russian President Vladimir Putin's orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to researchers, child placement databases in Russia have falsely listed Ukrainian children as if they were born in Russia. Some agencies operating the databases later limited the publicly available data regarding Ukrainian children after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Putin and Russian Childrens Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova in March 2023. Like the ICC, the Yale researchers determined that Putin and Lvova-Belova ordered and facilitated the system of child deportation and forced assimilation into Russian families. The study also found that children from Ukraine had been transported to at least 21 regions throughout Russia, and after deportation were subjected to pro-Russia re-education before being placed in Russian families. Psychologists and mental health professionals are involved in the coerced adoption program to help "legitimize" Russia's human rights abuses with claims that the family placements are medically necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 314 children identified in the report were all taken from Russian-occupied areas of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts. Over 60 have been naturalized as Russian citizens since their abduction, the study found. The data gathered in the study will be presented to the ICC as evidence of Russian war crimes. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Navies of China, Gulf of Guinea countries to discuss maritime security Xinhua) 09:06, December 03, 2024 BEIJING, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Delegates from the navies of China and 19 Gulf of Guinea countries will discuss maritime security at a symposium in Shanghai from Tuesday to Friday, China's Ministry of National Defense announced Monday. The symposium, the second of its kind, is held to implement the consensus reached at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, as well as to build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, and a maritime community with a shared future, the statement said. The event seeks to deepen China-Africa friendly cooperation, jointly address maritime security threats and challenges, and safeguard regional peace and stability, it said. The first symposium was held in 2022 via video link. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) I sat on a cylindrical stool, eyes bleary from the early hour. Navy scrubs freshly pressed, my nursing school patch tacked to my left shoulder. Would anyone notice I used hot glue and whipstitches? I remember the sound my clipboard made as I attached a fresh piece of paper. The whoosh was faint and mimicked the flip-flap of wings attached to butterflies whirring around in my belly. I waited eagerly for my nurse preceptor. It was my first day as a clinical nursing studentnot my first day taking care of people; I worked as a clinical tech for years at this point. But I would be giving real medicine, administering injections, and doing tasks only a supervised nursing student could do. I looked at my watch: 7:15 a.m. Glancing around at my fellow nursing students, they were huddled with their respective teachers. Maybe mine is stuck in traffic, I thought to myself. A few minutes later, she hurriedly sat down in front of me. She looked at me, her weathered face a canvas of annoyance. She shook her long ponytail out of her face and said, You the nursing student? Ill never forget her eyes. Dark and hollow, with circles underneath to match. Without missing a beat, she said, Run. Run through the doors and dont look back. Im not sure who coined the phrase, nurses eat their young. It seems to be a common understanding though, amongst those of us who have chosen this profession. It is perhaps even an expectation, an assumption we nurselings have tucked away into the pockets of our scrubs; an inevitability we will experience at some point in our career. Does this mean then, we will mature into full-grown nurses and perpetuate the cycle? That we will do unto others what was done to us? It would appear so, or else said cycle would have expired long ago, lost in the dregs of other outdated items such as white uniforms and paper charting. I wasnt far into my career when I encountered such a young-eater. Eager to learn from this seasoned nurse, she chewed me up and spit me out, often in front of patients, their families, and other nurses. She was adored by management and physicians, and I was the new kid on the block. I was told on more than one occasion, often accompanied by a shrug of the shoulder, thats just how she is. I tried my best to win her over, doing whatever I could to prove my knowledge and worth. Hintit never worked. I decided then and there I would be different. I would be kind. Fast forward fifteen years, and I ended up back at the same hospital, this time in a different role and in a different department. A small team of five, I was once again thirsty to learn from the nurse practitioners I worked with. Now considered a seasoned nurse myself, I naively thought I could no longer be a menu item. All was well for the first eight-ish months or so. And then I enrolled in grad school. We were in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I wanted desperately to know how to do this unique work with more skill. I chose to pursue a specialized degree in our niche field instead of the traditional MSN or PNP. This is when I noticed the shift; only this time, it was behind closed doors, a covert dining experience if you will. One afternoon I overheard a negative conversation about myself, followed by laughter. It felt like junior high all over again. I was excluded from patient care, and every ounce of autonomy was removed from my role. I subsequently had to shrink myself down to a smaller version of who I was to suit their comfort levels. And so, after having had enough of hospital heartbreak, I completed my degree, sold my home, and moved across the country to work for a small non-profit near the eastern coast. Little did I know, this would be the place I would encounter the person who would shatter my spirit in such a way, I would need an intensive psychiatric program to recover. The added twist in this instance was, she was my direct supervisor. Having no knowledge or experience in this specialized field, she wielded her managerial power like a steak knife. For reasons unbeknownst to me (though I have my theories), her insatiable appetite for my misery was so evident, other staff members raised concerns to HR on my behalf. On a particular day, she attempted to pull me away from a seriously ill child to answer phones so the entire office staff could attend a luncheon (until the physician intervened). She interrupted my work, ordering me to clean out closets and tidy up the nurses office, all while experiencing staffing shortages and struggling to complete tasks to maintain compliance. (Never mind our field has one of the highest burnout rates in nursing.) She was aggressive on more than one occasion, using her voice as well as her body language to intimidate. I was given more on-call days and up to twice as many patient assignments. When I requested balance in these areas, I was met with the response, We wont be making changes at this time. I worked with this person for four months and spoke with the HR representative three times formally. I finally requested a meeting with the executive director (a nurse) for assistance, and it was made apparent to me I was a nuisance and an inconvenience. On the day of our meeting, before I had the chance to ask for said help, I was handed a separation letter. We clearly cant make you happy, she said. Nurses eat their young. Theres another word for this behavior: bullying. Perhaps even accepted bullying as it pertains to the health care profession. In the state where I now live, there is no legal recourse unless one can prove cause against race, gender, disability, religion, or sexual orientation. We must have stricter laws against harassment and bullying in the workplace. Looking back on my interview with the small non-profit, I recall the executive director specifically saying to me, We dont eat our young here. It was refreshing and a breath of fresh air, having just come away from such an experience. However, I cant help but wonder if I should have seen that statement for the red flag it was. Why else would an organization feel the need to say out loud what should be an unspoken rule of humanity? I, of course, have to own my role in each of these instances. I allowed these behaviors to go on for far too long. I chalked it up to patient loyalty and commitment to my calling. Practically speaking, opportunities in niche nursing fields do not necessarily abound. As a collective, nursing-kind as a whole must also own its accountability. For this concept began with a hungry someone somewhere and has been passed down throughout generations of subsequent snackers. A recently published study projects one-fifth of the nursing population will leave the profession by 2027 (NCSBN). One-fifth, in the next three years. It may not seem like much. However, when you factor in the number of nurses who left (or died) during the pandemic, along with the fact this is a chronically understaffed profession, this is a very scary statistic. There are undoubtedly numerous reasons for the upcoming exodus. Might I offer though: when the system fails us, and when management is lacking, we could be the reasons we stay and keep going. Change begins with us. I wonder what would happen if we all extended to one another the care and compassion we give our patients? Earlier this week, I interviewed a newish nurse looking to leave the big hospital system. I dont know if youve heard of the phrase nurses eat their young,' she said. I smiled and nodded in response. I know what you mean, I replied. I hope that I and you, dear reader, will never again allow ourselves to be fodder for anyone looking for an easy meal. Heaven forbid we encounter such a person, may we have the courage to take the advice of my first nurse preceptor: run through the doors and dont look back. Amanda Dean is a palliative care nurse. Eugenia CharlesNewton, law and order committee chair on the Navajo Nation Council, delivered remarks on missing and murdered Indigenous women to a House Appropriations subcommittee on Nov. 20. Photo courtesy of Navajo Nation Council WASHINGTON Despite grants and numerous programs to help mitigate the issue, cases of missing or murdered Indigenous women continue at relatively high rates. The extent of the problem is almost certainly underestimated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System showed a dozen missing Indigenous women from Arizona as of mid-2020. Theyd been missing, on average, for 21 years. But the Arizona-based Navajo Nation alone lists 22 missing women. Some of the cases date to the 1970s. Advocates for women and Native American crime victims attribute the chronic undercounts and frustrations with resolving these cases to confusion over jurisdiction and lack of cooperation among law enforcement agencies. Sadly because a person is Navajo, it is sometimes assumed that Navajo will handle the case in essence, the buck gets passed, said Eugenia Charles-Newton, chair of the law and order committee of the Navajo Nation Council. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indigenous women are five times more likely than white women to experience violence from their partners, according to research from the National Congress of American Indians. Arizona has two tribal womens coalitions that aid survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The Hopi-Tewa Womens Coalition to End Abuse works with Hopi women. The Southwest Indigenous Womens Coalition works with others. If we could have ended this violence against ourselves, we would have done it a long time ago, said Memory Longchase, the domestic violence response director of Southwest Indigenous Womens Coalition. Jurisdiction issues occur in cities where tribal members live and on or near reservations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 2018 report from the Urban Indian Health Institute identified 153 cases of missing or murdered Indigenous women that do not exist in any law enforcement records. The report focused on 71 cities in 29 states, including Phoenix, Tucson, Tempe and Flagstaff. Abigail Echo-Hawk, director of the Urban Indian Health Institute and a member of the Pawnee Nation in Oklahoma, said city police departments often assume that if a tribal member reports a crime, it is the tribes responsibility to handle the case even if the woman doesnt live on tribal land. That misconception has caused a nationwide data crisis that hides the extent of violence involving Indigenous women and girls, according to the report. It also causes investigative delays or leads to cases slipping through the cracks entirely. And that, advocates say, has discouraged people from even reporting such cases, out of a common belief that if somebody goes missing theyre probably not going to do anything, Longchase said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tucson ranked fourth on the list of cities in Echo-Hawks report. Arizona had the third most cases of missing or murdered Indigenous women and girls cases. In Arizona, 10 of the 12 women listed in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System had lived in rural areas, according to an Arizona State University research study. Their ages ranged from 20 to 54. The Department of Justice started the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program in mid-2023 to help with jurisdictional issues. Five regional programs are each assigned an assistant U.S. attorney and a program coordinator. The Southwest program encompasses Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona and Nevada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program is intended to streamline communication between tribes and state governments. It is still in its early stages. In 2023, 10,650 missing persons cases were filed for American Indians and Alaskan Natives, according to the FBI. By the end of the year, 1,631 remained open; about 40% of those involved women. But advocates say many that Native American women have learned through hard experience that abusers rarely face prosecution, so some dont ask authorities for help. If you know five people that have been raped and reported it and nothing happened, how likely are you to report? Longchase said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jurisdiction issues can be complicated in Indian Country. Policing and prosecution is split between tribes, counties and the state and federal governments. The responsible entity in many cases is unclear. No one has been willing to take up the cause to say all law enforcement regardless of where they reside are responsible for the public safety of everybody in their communities, and that absolutely includes the first people of this land, Echo-Hawk said. Charles-Newton said she was a victim both of violence and a lack of follow-up by authorities. When she was 17, her abuser took her to a shack for about a week. She didnt know where she was, though she knew the abuser. Because I didnt know where I was being kept where the shed was located they could never identify the jurisdiction, she said. And the man who I knew I said his name they never prosecuted him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Native women and men both experience high rates of victimization, with 84% of women and 82% of men reporting they had experienced violence at some point, according to DOJ data. More than half of Native women have experienced sexual violence, according to the National Institute of Justice far higher than the overall rate of one in six. Native women are twice as likely to experience sexual assault compared to other races, according to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network. A House Appropriations subcommittee held a hearing on Nov. 20 on what it called the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Women. Five witnesses, all advocates for missing and murdered Indigenous women, each told the panel they knew at least one missing person. Each also had been a victim of violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is obviously a vitally important issue to all of us, the subcommittee chairman Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, said. It brings up many questions and only some of them (involve) funding. Multiple laws and programs have been implemented in recent years to alleviate jurisdiction and communication issues. The witnesses said frustrations persist. The jurisdictional issues have really just become an excuse, an excuse to not do the job, Charles-Newton testified. Congress approved the Not Invisible Act in 2020 and established a joint commission between the DOJ and the Department of the Interior to reduce violent crimes against Native Americans. The act established a cross-jurisdictional advisory committee of tribal leaders, federal officials and relatives of missing and murdered individuals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another 2020 measure known as Savannas Act named for Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind, a member of the Spirit Lake Nation who was murdered when she was eight months pregnant was meant to streamline communication between state, federal and tribal governments and improve MMIP data collection. The Violence Against Women Act also provided $86 million for the DOJ to help tribal victims and support programs. This is way out of proportion to what happens in other areas, said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Oklahoma, chairman of the Appropriations Committee and member of the Chickasaw Nation. We clearly have a very unique problem. We clearly have a lack of jurisdiction in many cases. We clearly have an enormous resource problem. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) After hearing testimony from a now 20-year-old victim, a judge denied bail for a Providence teacher accused of sexual assaulting the woman when she was a teenager. In September, Joseph Gannon, 50, of Warwick, was charged with one count of first-degree sexual assault and one count of producing or transferring child pornography. The victim told Judge Debra Saunders over a three-day period at a bail hearing, testifying she was a 15-year-old high school freshman when she and Gannon her former middle school science teacher allegedly began a sexual relationship that would last three years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are taught at an early age to listen to our teachers, that teachers are ready to teach us, Saunders said. Mr. Gannon taught [the victim] about sex. Saunders recounted the days of testimony provided by the victim and said she believed a jury could conclude that Gannon groomed the victim for sex. The victim previously said that after communicating over email and phone the summer after she graduated middle school, it wasnt long before Gannon started asking her sexually charged questions and they eventually made a plan to meet up. Gannon is also accused of producing child pornography. The victim said Gannon recorded them engaging in sexual acts, and when she asked for the recordings back at the end of their relationship, he refused. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He created a sexualized teenager who gave him the deviant sexual behaviors he liked as gifts, Saunders said. At the time the encounters began, the victim was 15 and Gannon was 45 years-old. Gannons defense attorney, Albert Medici, previously said because the victim was at a different school over a mile away and that Gannon didnt teach there, there was no position of authority when the relationship started. The attorney generals office argued the victims testimony did show the relationship was coercive and that by comparing the size, strength, and age of the parties, it was clear the victim was not in control. Assistant Attorney General Meghan McDonough said Gannon was the victims middle school teacher for two years, but also supervised her study hall period where she would confide in him about her abusive home life and suicidal ideations. She said there was years of grooming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saunders said she felt a trial judge or jury would be able to conclude that Gannons behavior was inappropriate, that he ignored his role as a teacher to report the victims alleged abuse at home, and added that he manipulated and therefore psychologically coerced the victim into having sexual contact. Over a three-year period, the victim said they had a sexual relationship until she decided what was happening wasnt right. The victim broke off contact with Gannon when she was 18 years-old in 2022, and eventually decided to report the abuse to Providence Police this September. Saunders still allowed both the state and Gannons defense attorney to make one last argument for Gannons potential dangerousness. Medici said Gannon had strong ties to the community. He said he had no previous criminal charges, has a home, and some family who are supportive of him. He asked the judge to consider electronic monitoring instead of being remanded back into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McDonough said Gannon posed a great danger to the community. She added that when Gannon refused to return the alleged sexual recordings of the victim back to her, he acknowledged what he was doing was wrong. I would argue that there was some evidence that the defendant had attempted to recruit other students into their relationship, McDonough added. She also said letters from the victim, which the defense entered into evidence, were in pristine condition, despite being years old. This is years of repeated abuse at the hands of this defendant, collecting things from the victim: letters, cards, gifts from her, and her innocence, McDonough said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saunders said she found the victim highly credible, and that it was likely he would be convicted of first-degree sexual assault and face anywhere from 10 to 15 years of jail time for that offense. I find that releasing Mr. Gannon on bail would pose a danger to the community, the community that he was charged to serve as a teacher of children, Saunders said. I am not convinced that those local ties will keep him from coming to court to fail the consequence of jail for a likely conviction in this case. Saunders did not allow cameras in the courtroom for the bail hearing, but reporters were permitted to take notes. Gannon was sent back to the Adult Correctional Institutions immediately after the judge ordered him to remain held without bail, where he has been since his arraignment on Sep. 23. (No plea was entered at his arraignment, as is typical with felony charges in district court.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His defense attorney, as well as the victim, declined to comment to reporters after court concluded on Tuesday. Gannon was placed on paid administrative leave following his arrest, but Providence Public Schools spokesperson Jay Wegimont said he was later suspended without pay on Oct. 16. Alexandra Leslie (aleslie@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook. 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. Sen. Emma Kerr-Carpenter, D-Billings, (left) is sworn into office by Yellowstone County District Court Judge Collette Davies on Dec. 3, 2024 (Photo screen shot from Community 7 Television). One familiar face is the leaving the Montana Senate, one familiar face will take her place. Longtime Yellowstone County leader and state Sen. Kathy Kelker, D-Billings, submitted her resignation last week to the Yellowstone County Democratic Central Committee. Kelker has been a leader at the city, county and state levels having served on the Billings Public Schools Board as well as in the Montana Legislature and with the area Head Start program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday morning, the Yellowstone County Commission met to interview and select Kelkers replacement from a list of three candidates whom the Democrats forwarded for consideration. They unanimously chose Montana State Rep. Emma Kerr-Carpenter, who had just won re-election to the Montana House, representing the central core of the states largest city, Billings. By state law, if a vacancy for the Legislature occurs, the central committee from that political party, in this case, Democratic, forwards three candidates for the selection by the commissioners. In this particular case, the Yellowstone County Commissioners are all Republicans selecting a Democrat, but all three admitted after the interviews that they couldnt have made a bad decision. The advantage she has is her legislative experience, said Commissioner Don Jones. If we select Emma Kerr-Carpenter, shes familiar with the issues and ready to go. The commissioners said that it was Kerr-Carpenters previous legislative experience and her openness in communication that would help get her up to speed with just about a month remaining until the opening of the Legislature. The process of replacing Kelker has ended, but the process to replace Kerr-Carpenter in the House will likely follow a similar path with a quick turnaround ending up back in front of the Yellowstone County Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her interview with the Yellowstone County Commission, Kerr-Carpenter spoke mainly of two issues, crime and public safety, as well as the cost of living. Both of those issues seemed to resonate well with the commissioners, who are in the process of trying to figure out how to handle an exploding jail population, and low reimbursement rates from the state for the prisoners it houses at county facilities. These are big hairy issues that take partnerships up and down the line, from state to county to city, she said. Her previous experience in the Legislature, which shes been a part of since 2019, include serving on appropriations for public safety. She said that has helped her understand the complexity of the problems. She said that in addition to addressing issues like reimbursement rates for prisoners, the lawmakers must also consider more judges and public defenders. She also said the 2025 Legislature must look at more ways to bring down the cost of living. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were just pricing people out of their homes, Kerr-Carpenter said. Other candidates The county commissioners seemed pleased with the other two candidates, and may see them back if they decide to seek Kerr-Carpenters House seat. Dr. Mark Nicholson, who ran unsuccessfully for the Legislature last month, as well as former U.S. Navy intelligence officer Rudolf Haden, who was beat out by Rep. Sherry Essmann, R-Billings, applied for Kelkers open seat and are likely candidates. Dr. Mark Nicholson speaks at an interview for a Montana Senate opening at the Yellowstone Board of County Commissioners on Dec. 3, 2024 (Photo screen shot from Community 7 Television). Nicholson said that his background as a physician handling complex problems can help steer the Legislature through Medicaid reauthorization, a process expected to be contentious in the upcoming session. He pointed out that in addition to understanding the nuances of healthcare from a provider perspective, he also understands that to Yellowstone County, its the largest business sector. He said as he door-knocked more than 5,000 homes during the campaign season that he heard about healthcare, property taxes and crime. He pointed out that the average per-capita crime rate in Billings is higher than about 98% of other places in America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Billings does have a problem, Nicholson said. We need more jail space, we need more judges. But we also need to give people better alternatives and that means better schools. He said that the state continues to dump prisoners and parolees in Billings and it is not paying its fair share. Billings is sometimes being treated as the ATM of the rest of the state, Nicholson said. He also said that property taxes are a matter of simply lowering the taxation rate, as the Montana Department of Revenue had recommended. There are all these Rube Goldberg ways of adjusting property taxes that are being talked about, Nicholson said, but there is a simple, certain way to reduce the taxes that is straightforward, and thats by reducing the multiplier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haden, who served for several decades in the U.S. Navy as an intelligence officer, stressed that communicating back and forth among constituents is something that hes literally trained for because of his background in the military. Candidate Rudolf Haden interviews at the Yellowstone County Board of Commissioners for an opening in the Montana Senate on Dec. 3, 2024 (Photo screen shot by Community 7 Television). He said that the top issue he heard while campaigning in Billings Heights was the cost of living. Since Ive been back, I have seen my taxes go up, Haden said. And the cost of groceries: My refrigerator is a black hole. He said that one of the ways that the Legislature could help would be to encourage more housing and different types of housing. Driving around the core of Billings, there are buildings and spaces that are in need of transformation. After the commissioners selected Kerr-Carpenter, Yellowstone County District Court Judge Collette Davies swore her in immediately. Kelkers term runs through Jan. 4, 2027. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels said they have targeted Israel with drones three times in the past 48 hours in cooperation with their allies in Iraq. In a statement, the Houthis said two operations targeted northern Israel and the third targeted the southern city of Eilat. Last week, the Houthis said they would continue their attacks on Israel in support of Palestinians in Gaza, despite a ceasefire deal between Israel and the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the outbreak of the Gaza war last year, the Houthis have fired rockets and drones at targets in Israel and attacked ships in the Red Sea. A coalition of pro-Iranian groups in Iraq, known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, have also targeted Israel. On Monday, the Israeli military said a drone flying in from the east was shot down before it could enter Israeli airspace and that an Israeli warship in the Red Sea destroyed the unmanned aerial vehicle with a missile. Andriy Yermak, the head of the Presidential Office, will visit the United States on Dec. 4 to lead a Ukrainian delegation in meetings with members of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inner circle, the Ukrainian outlet New Voice reported, citing diplomatic sources. The delegation will reportedly include Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, according to the source. Trump will return to the White House next month, instigating a dramatic change in U.S. policy toward Ukraine. While Trump has pledged to get the U.S. "out" of Russia's war and negotiate a quick peace deal, Ukrainian officials have urged the president-elect to maintain support aand adopt a "peace through strength" approach in dealings with Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian delegation will meet with a number of U.S. officials on their visit, sources told NV. "But the main purpose of this trip is to meet with Trumpists, people from the entourage of US President-elect Donald Trump," one source said. Yermak is expected to meet with Keith Kellogg, Trump's nominee for special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, another source said. As special envoy, Kellogg will play a key role in shaping future negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow. Yermak will discuss Trump's policy toward Ukraine and their vision for a peace plan with Kellogg during the visit, the source said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kellogg previously co-authored a peace plan that would freeze the front line in Ukraine, take NATO's accession off the table for an extended period, and partially lift sanctions against Russia. According to his proposals, the U.S. will continue sending military aid to Ukraine and provide security guarantees to Kyiv to prevent further Russian aggression. Read also: Trumps pick for Ukraine envoy backs peace through strength, security guarantees Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. After an innocent man was accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl, he spent 47 years wrongfully convicted of the crime. Now, Leonard Mack is suing New Yorks Westchester County District, the town of Greenburgh and several people who he claims played a role in his wrongful arrest and incarceration. According to the Innocence Project, Macks exoneration marks the longest wrongful conviction to be overturned in the U.S. as a result of DNA evidence. He was exonerated in September at age 72. The Vietnam veteran and father of two spent nearly eight years in prison for the rape. Mack was just 23 in 1975 when he was arrested by police in Greenburgh in connection with kidnapping two teens and raping one of them, per the Miami Herald. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the arrest, he was convicted of first-degree rape and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was sentenced in 1976 to serve up to 15 years in prison. He ultimately was released after serving seven and a half years, per his attorneys. The Innocence Project requested that the Westchester County District Attorneys Office to review Macks case in 2022. This led to the office discovering eyewitness identifications being tainted by problematic and suggestive procedures used by the police. Additionally, evidence from the 1975 rape was tested and Macks DNA didnt match the suspects DNA, according to the office. Instead, it actually implicated another man who was convicted in a separate rape case two weeks after Macks arrest. Mack, an ordained deacon who currently resides near Columbia, S.C., is now suing several parties over his wrongful conviction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justice has been a long time coming, and this lawsuit brings me one step closer, he explained in a statement last month from his law firm Neufeld Scheck Brustin Hoffmann & Freudenberger LLP. The lawsuit was filed against Westchester County, the town of Greenburgh, a county investigator and a Greenburgh police lieutenant. The estates of two deceased county employees as well as the estates of three Greenburgh Police Department officers are also named as defendants. We cant undo the tremendous harm of a wrongful conviction that stood for nearly half a century, but today we can seek justice and accountability for Leonard Mack, Emma Freudenberger, a partner with NSBHF, stated. Mr. Macks conviction was the product of overt racism and forensic fraud. The police who framed him and the countys crime lab analyst that stood in the way of the truth, must now answer for their actionsas must the agencies that employed them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Per News 12 The Bronx, Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner released the following statement: We are reviewing the lawsuit with our attorneys and will be involved in the discovery process gathering more information. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) The Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield (YPS) is blending holiday cheer and networking with its 2024 Ugly Sweater Santacon Pub Crawl. Yankee Home surprises Springfield resident with generous gift This festive event combines two beloved traditionsUgly Sweater parties and Santaconin collaboration with the Springfield Business Improvement District. Set for Thursday, December 12, 2024, from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., the pub crawl offers young professionals a unique opportunity to connect, celebrate, and support the local Springfield business community. Participants are encouraged to don their best ugly sweaters or Santa-inspired outfits as they hop between popular local establishments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kickoff Location: Wahlburgers at 1028 Main Street, Springfield, at 5:30 p.m. Second Stop: 6:45 p.m. at Nadims (1390 Main Street) or Las Krangis. Third Stop: 8:00 p.m. on Worthington Street, with options including Theodores, Del Rey Taqueria and Bar, or Deweys Jazz Lounge. Final Stop: The Commonwealth Bar and Lounge at MGM Springfield at 9:00 p.m., featuring live music, raffles, and additional festive surprises. Springfield YPS aims to foster community connections among young professionals through events centered on networking, cultural engagement, and activism. The Ugly Sweater Santacon Pub Crawl is designed to create lasting memories while giving participants a chance to meet others in similar fields. Tickets are required for participation and can be purchased on the YPS website. For more details about the event or to learn about other networking opportunities, visit the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfields website. 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. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A 68-year-old city man will spend at least two and half years in prison after he was sentenced Tuesday on drug charges. James Pippin received a sentence of 30 to 42 months in prison from Judge Anthony DApolito following Sept. 25 guilty pleas in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to charges of possession of cocaine, a second-degree felony; being a felon in possession of a firearm, a third-degree felony; and aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony. Pippin, who was free on bond before sentencing, will get credit for 116 days he served in the county jail while awaiting the outcome of his case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charges stem from a Dec. 14, 2023, search of Pippins Cambridge Avenue home where members of the Adult Parole Authority found cocaine, methadone, two guns, a revolver and a .380-caliber semiautomatic handgun. Pippin was placed on probation in August 2023 after pleading guilty to charges of possession of fentanyl, a fourth-degree felony; and obstructing official business, a fifth-degree felony. 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. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Police are investigating two separate gunfire incidents Monday evening in two separate parts of town. No one was injured. Just before 11 p.m., police were called to a home on East Ravenwood Avenue on the South Side for a report of a car being shot up. Reports said a woman there told police that she had argued with a man earlier in the day over $50 and she believes that was the person who shot up her car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police found several bullet holes in her car, which was parked on the street, reports said. Officers also found 11 9mm shell casings in the street, reports said. At about 7:30 p.m., police were called to a home on South Bruce Street on the East Side, where a man said he returned home from work and discovered several bullet holes in his home. Officers counted 15 bullet holes in the house, reports said. Reports said the homeowner told police he did not know who would want to shoot at his house. An officer wrote in a report that he was in the 1500 block of Oak Street about an hour earlier and he heard gunfire but could not tell where it was coming from. A neighbor also said he heard gunfire, reports 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 WKBN.com. Young Thug, September 2021 (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for Life is Beautiful Music & Art Festival) The YSL trial is over. Two months after Young Thug walked free from jail, the longest trial in Georgia history concluded on Tuesday (December 3) with the acquittal of the final defendants, Deamonte Yak Gotti Kendrick and Shannon Stillwell, on the murder, racketeering, and gang charges against them, The New York Times reports. Stillwell, who was found guilty of gun possession, received a 10-year prison sentence, but the judge, Paige Reese Whitaker, converted eight years to probation and commuted the remaining two to time served. During their years awaiting the trial and sentencing, both defendants survived stabbings in jailStillwell in December 2023 and Yak Gotti on Sunday. Unlike their co-defendants, most of whom had their cases dropped or took deals to secure their freedom, both Stillwell and Yak Gotti pleaded not guilty and successfully took their cases to trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The verdict was a blow to Fulton County District Attorney and lead prosecutor Fani T. Willis, who faced criticism for her handling of a case that presented YSL as a violent gang with Young Thug at its helm. The prosecutions submission of song lyrics as evidence renewed debate around the highly contested practice, and several procedural blunders led the judge to lambast the prosecution shortly before the case wound down. A spokesperson for Willis, Jeff DiSantis, said, We always respect the verdict of a jury, according to The Associated Press. ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 13: Gunna and Young Thug attend 2021 Revolt Summit at 787 Windsor on November 13, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia.(Photo by Prince Williams/FilmMagic) What Young Thug and Gunnas Indictment Means for Rap Music on Trial The Georgia indictment perpetuates a much-criticized history of prosecutors using rap lyrics in court. The defendants could spend decades in prison if convicted. Originally Appeared on Pitchfork Shannon Stillwell (L) and Deamonte "Yak Gotti" Kendrick - Credit: Miguel Martinez/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/AP; Paras Griffin/Getty Images Six weeks after Grammy-winning rapper Young Thug pleaded out of his gang and racketeering conspiracy case in Atlanta, his two remaining co-defendants were acquitted of murder charges Tuesday, ending the longest-running criminal trial in Georgia state history. Deamonte Yak Gotti Kendrick was found not guilty of all six charges he was facing. He hung his head, made the sign of the cross and then embraced his lawyer, Doug Weinstein. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shannon Stillwell was convicted of one count of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He was found not guilty of his seven other charges. Stillwell turned and hugged his lawyer, Max Schardt. Minutes later, the judge sentenced him to time served and probation. Both men had been charged with the deadly drive-by shooting of Donovan Thomas Jr. outside a barber shop on Jan. 10, 2015. Stillwell was further charged with the March 14, 2022 shooting death of Shymel Drinks. We are relieved and thankful, Schardt tells Rolling Stone after the verdict. When I hugged him, it felt like he was melting in my arms. The lawyer said he hopes his 30-year-old client will be out of custody by years end, once some other legal matters are resolved, so he can return home to his kids and grandmother. We only have one life on this earth, and hes getting a second chance at it. So Im hopeful for him, Schardt says. Its really all about him, and the effect it has on him, and Im hoping some of the things that came out in this trial are evidence of the old Shannon. And Im hoping were going to move together in a positive manner moving forward and make the most out of the life that were given. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Schardt and Weinstein had a chance to speak with about six jurors after the verdict. They said they struggled with the length of the case. They struggled, even with use of notes, to remember things that happened last winter, Weinstein tells Rolling Stone by phone. There was a period where prosecutors spent weeks on a car that fled from law enforcement and slammed into the side of a dry cleaner. The jurors were like, Whats this about? [Prosecutors] were presenting evidence on defendants not in the room. The lesson is: Dont put a on case that takes a year. You have to have respect for jurors time. The jury, consisting of eight women and four men, started hearing evidence in November 2023 following a 10-month jury selection process. After closing arguments last week, they started deliberating the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and took less than 16 hours to reach their verdict. They asked to review video from the night Thomas was murdered and surveillance footage from the red light were Drinks was killed. The sprawling and controversial trial kicked off with six defendants and a more than 730 names on the states proposed witness list. In her opening statement, Fulton County Chief Deputy District Attorney Adriane Love claimed YSL was a criminal street gang that dominated South Atlanta with drug sales, armed robberies, assaults and three murders. Young Thug, born Jeffery Williams, initially pleaded not guilty and vigorously denied being the kingpin of a violent gang that created a crater in the Cleveland Avenue community where he grew up. The trial meandered for months but then burst into global headlines with the dramatic on-camera arrest of Williams defense lawyer Brian Steel on a contempt charge that was later dropped and the involuntary recusal of Fulton County Chief Judge Ural Glanville over his handling of a secret meeting with a key witness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another dramatic turn came in late October when Williams and three co-defendants pleaded out of the case with sentences many considered favorable at the time, at least compared to the potential maximums they were facing. The mid-trial plea negotiations were prompted by a prosecution witness who testified about something previously ruled off-limits. At the time, Judge Paige Reese Whitaker made it clear she was on the verge of declaring a mistrial. While his three co-defendants reached negotiated deals with prosecutors, Williams took the extraordinary step of entering his pleas without a deal in place, meaning his fate was in the hands of Judge Whitaker, with prosecutors pressing for prison time. Williams, 33, pleaded no contest to his top charges of racketeering conspiracy and participation in a criminal street gang in a leadership role. He then pleaded guilty to three drug charges, two gun charges, and one lesser gang charge. Fulton County Chief Deputy District Attorney Adriane Love asked the court to forbid the no contest pleas, but Judge Whitaker allowed them. After spending more than two years in jail on his indictment, Williams was sentenced on the spot to 15 years of probation and released. If he violates probation, hell get a backloaded sentence of 20 years, the judge said. Much of the evidence in the sprawling trial consisted of social media posts, song lyrics and police interviews with Kenneth Woody Copeland, a man who repeatedly called himself a habitual liar while testifying under an immunity deal. In his address to the court before Williams was sentenced, Steel called the use of music lyrics offensive. In his opening, Steel said Copeland likely killed Thomas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors built much of their case around the theory that Thomas was the leader of a rival gang called Inglewood Family. They said Thomas was gunned down amid a bitter feud with Williams that largely centered on Rich Homie Quan, the late Atlanta rapper born Dequantes Lamar. According to prosecutors, Williams was trying to get Lamar to leave the Thomas-affiliated label Think Its A Game Records and join Cash Money Records, a label run by Williams manager at the time, Bryan Birdman Williams. During the trial, prosecutors claimed Kendrick spotted Thomas outside the barber shop and alerted others. They said Kendrick later climbed into a rented Infinity with Stillwell and two other men, returned to the barber shop and opened fire. In his closing, Stillwells lawyer, Schardt, said prosecutors failed to prove their case. He said Copeland admitted on a recorded jail call and again on the witness stand that he was bluffing when he told police in June 2015 that hed heard Young Thug met his co-defendants at a gas station to give them his rented Infinity for the drive-by shooting. Steel said repeatedly during the trial that Williams was friends with Thomas and grieved his death. He said Williams and Thomas were very close, with the men hanging out together on Birdmans tour bus in the weeks before the shooting. He told jurors Copeland had the real motive for shooting Thomas because he admittedly feared Thomas after being accused of stealing items from Thomas vehicle. (Copeland was charged with Thomas murder at one point, but prosecutors later switched course and charged the murder in the RICO indictment. Williams was never directly charged with murder.) According to prosecutors, Thomas also was an ally of Rayshawn YFN Lucci Bennett, another rapper who allegedly feuded with Williams. Prosecutors said the rivalry between YSL and Inglewood Family exploded into a full-blown war after Thomas murder, and that Drinks death was a consequence of the ongoing conflict. For his part, Steel told the court that Williams did nothing to Bennett and that the men appeared on a red carpet together and sat next to each other at a California awards show during the time prosecutors claim they were mortal enemies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his closing argument delivered Nov. 25, Kendricks lawyer Weinstein also said prosecutors failed to meet their burden. He scoffed at prosecutors claim that YSL was a hybrid gang consisting of Bloods and Crips and independents, and that alleged YSL members signified their affiliation by wearing green. In a moment that went viral, Weinstein pointed out that Adriane Love and her co-prosecutor Simone Hylton appeared to be wearing matching red blazers as he addressed the jury. Are they a gang because theyre all dressed in red? he asked. It is absurd. In her final words to the panel before deliberations started, Deputy District Attorney Hylton thanked the jurors for their sacrifice, saying she was aware the record-breaking trial took them away from their lives and families. She then shot back at the claim her office was targeting Black men with a flimsy case. I am a person of color. The majority of this prosecution team are people of color, she said. The victims in this case, most of them are people of color. Prosecutors initially charged 28 defendants when they unveiled their RICO indictment in May 2022. Nine co-defendants, including famed rapper Sergio Gunna Kitchens, accepted plea deals before Williams trial started. A dozen other co-defendants had their cases severed for various reasons, including one defendant who was never caught. The charges against a final co-defendant were dropped when he was convicted of an unrelated murder. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A Fulton County jury has reached a verdict for two defendants who did not take plea deals in the Young Slime Life trial. The jury found Deamonte Kendrick, who raps as Yak Gotti, not guilty on all charges. The jury found Shannon Stillwell guilty on only one charge for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Stillwell was sentenced to the 10-year maximum with credit for the two years he already served. The balance will be served on probation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The jury received the case last week and finished their deliberations on Tuesday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The trial was the longest criminal trial in Georgia history. It took 10 months alone just to select the jury and testimony didnt begin until a year ago in Nov. 2023. There was also a delay when Stillwell was stabbed inside the Fulton County Jail. Prosecutors claim that YSL members have committed violent crimes across Atlanta. They accused Stillwell and Kendrick of killing Donovan Thomas Jr., also known as Big Nut, in drive-by shooting because he was in a rival gang. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors have argued that tattoos, social media postings and other evidence supports their claims that YSL is a gang. The defense said thats not true and argued that Kendrick and Stillwell are part of a record label and not a gang. The YSL case began initially as an indictment that charged 28 people, including rapper Young Thug, with conspiring to violate Georgias Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Young Thug pleaded guilty as part of a non-negotiated plea last month. Nine other defendants people took plea deals before the trial began, including rapper Gunna. Several defendants had their cases severed and their cases are still pending. RELATED STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] SYDNEY (Reuters) -Rescue teams looking for three climbers who went missing on New Zealand's highest mountain have found equipment belonging to the trio, police said on Tuesday, as a second day of searching was paused due to bad weather. U.S. nationals Kurt Blair, 56, and Carlos Romero, 50, and a Canadian man flew by helicopter on Saturday to a camp on Mount Cook, or Aoraki, with plans to summit the 3,724 metre (12,218 ft) mountain. The three men did not show up for their return flight on Monday morning, triggering the search-and-rescue effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police have withheld details of the Canadian national until authorities can contact his family. A search on Monday unearthed several climbing-related items which police believe belonged to the trio. Bad weather will likely force rescuers to delay a further search until Thursday, police said. Police are working with the U.S. and Canadian embassies to inform and support the families of the three men. Over the past century, dozens of climbers have died on Mount Cook, where rockfalls are common and avalanches often occur at higher altitudes. Local media reported in 2014 that 78 people had died since 1907. Scores more have died in the surrounding national park, which is known for its mountains and glaciers. (Reporting by Lewis Jackson; Editing by Nicholas Yong) During an interview with Kyodo News published on Dec. 1, President Volodymyr Zelensky disputed reports in Western media that as many as 80,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed during the full-scale war with Russia. "Recently, some in, I believe, the American press reported that 80,000 Ukrainians had been killed. I want to tell you that, no, (the number of those killed is) less, much less," Zelensky said, while refusing to provide a detailed number of casualties. "However, we have to be honest, we do not know how many Ukrainian have been killed on occupied territories of Ukraine," Zelensky added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky's comments likely refer to the Wall Street Journal's claims published on Sept. 17 that 80,000 Ukrainian soldiers had died during the war, with a further 400,000 wounded. Following the Wall Street Journal's reporting, Ukrainian lawmakers quickly disputed the claims with Roman Kostenko, secretary of the parliamentary defense committee, telling Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that the numbers were "exaggerated." The lawmaker suggested that 50,000 soldiers killed could be an approximate figure, though he admitted he does not have the most accurate data and that even his number could be an overestimation. The Wall Street Journal's reporting falls broadly in line with estimates published by the Economist on Nov. 26, claiming that between 60,000 to 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed, and 400,000 injured. Zelensky did not comment on the number of Ukrainian soldiers reportedly wounded in the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine has largely avoided commenting on its losses, though President Volodymyr Zelensky said in February that 31,000 Ukrainian troops had been killed. The exact figures for both sides are nearly impossible to establish as Kyiv and Moscow are secretive about their casualties. The last figure provided by Russian authorities was 5,937 killed soldiers as of September 2022. In turn, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces put Russian overall losses at nearly 744,000 as of Dec. 2, a total the includes those killed, wounded, missing, and captured. The losses Russia suffered in the full-scale war are believed to be greater than during all the wars since 1945 combined. Through open source research, journalists from Mediazona and BBC Russia, have identified the names of 80,973 Russian soldiers who died during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine as of Nov. 29. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number of daily Russian casualties continues to reach record highs, according to Ukraine's General Staff, with daily losses surpassing 2,000 for the first time on Nov. 29. Russia also suffered record losses in military equipment and personnel in November in the war against Ukraine, Ukraine's Defense Ministry reported on Dec. 1. Nearly 46,000 Russian soldiers had been lost over the past month, while an estimated $3 billion in weapons and equipment had been damaged or destroyed. Read also: Russia loses almost 46,000 troops, over $3 billion worth of military equipment in November, Defense Ministry says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy chaired a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief on 3 December, after which he announced the acceleration of Ukrainian missile production. Source: Zelenskyy on Telegram Quote: "We have discussed our missile programme thoroughly and as a separate topic. We brought up the development, orders and delivery. There was a report on the testing of new types of missiles. We can thank our Ukrainian missile developers. We are accelerating production." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: It was also reported that Zelenskyy had received reports on contracts for the production of weapons in Ukraine. The president announced a significant number of new and long-term orders for UAVs, including FPV drones, reconnaissance drones, long-range drones, and missile drones. The participants of the meeting also discussed the tasks of contracts for the production of artillery. Zelenskyy noted that he had held a meeting with the prime minister of Ukraine, the minister of energy, and the Air Force commander, who reported on the protection of energy facilities and reconstruction work. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine is prepared to invite Russia to the second Peace Summit, but Moscow will do all it can to undermine the Peace Formula and the summit itself. Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with Kyodo News Quote: "Russia will do everything [it can], and there will be lots of different recommendations from various groups and countries to put an end to the existence of the Peace Formula and the Peace Summit. They're currently working on it. The important thing for us is that the document [outlining the Peace Formula ed.] is ready, and we are awaiting the united position of all countries, as well as President Trump's response to this document following his inauguration. We will distribute this document to every country, both those who have backed the Formula and those who have not." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Kyiv "will be ready for next steps" only after it hears the response of other countries to the document. Quote: "We will not give up our position. Russia should be at the second summit, as all of the leaders wanted. We will invite them, but... you will see that Russia will do everything it can to undermine the formula, to undermine the holding of the summit, and then to undermine its own ability to attend the second summit. It [Russia ed.] is not interested in ending the war; Putin is not interested in peace." Support UP or become our patron! Will China eventually dominate the electric flying car market, much as it has done with electric vehicles? Thats the goal, according to a Chinese trade group that predicts the country will have more than 100,000 autonomous drones, flying cars, and electric air taxis hovering over its cities by 2030. Its all part of the plan to develop what Chinese government officials call the low-altitude economy. Beyond its own borders, China also wants to become the dominant provider of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in developing countries across Asia and even developed nations like Japan. The industry has a long path to developing the production facilities and infrastructure needed to hit the 100,000 air vehicle mark, but its already making inroads into other Asian countries. More from Robb Report Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chinese eVTOL maker AutoFlight last week flew one of its prototypes in Japan for the first time in collaboration with the aerospace nonprofit MASC. The first Japanese test flight of its five-seat Prosperity eVTOL aircraft is part of a longer-term plan to link electric aircraft to outlying coastal areas with aging infrastructure and poor transportation hubs. AutoFlights successful flight of its Prosperity over Japan links with plans to develop its export market. The flight, which went off successfully, set the stage for more test flights across different Japanese cities to accelerate adoption of commercial advanced air mobility. Earlier this year, AutoFlight sold a Japanese customer the first Prosperity outside of China, which will be used as a non-piloted demo model in events such as the World Expo in Osaka next year. Prosperity completed cross-sea flights in Chinas Pearl River Delta (Shenzhen to Zhuai) in 2024 and last year snatched the distance record with a 155.5-mile flight (lasting 1 hour, 38 minutes) from U.S. rival Joby. Both Joby and its largest American rival Archer expect to be FAA certified and flying commercially by 2026. In March, AutoFlight became the second Chinese eVTOL maker to receive its airworthiness certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) for its CarryAll non-crewed transport eVTOL. Its the first eVTOL weighing over a ton certified to fly in Chinese airspace. It plans to have the Prosperity certified in the next three to five years, first in China and then by EASA, the European Unions aviation authority. EHang was the first to gain type certification for its EH216-S eVTOLs and is working towards certifying a larger, four-seat model. EHang is another Chinese manufacturer that has completed a 16-city tour of its electric aircraft in Japan, with others across Southeast Asia and the Middle East. That company has already sold more than 300 two-person, non-crewed EH216-S eVTOLs. The aircraft was type certified in October 2023 by CAAC. In the latest quarter, it shipped 63 units to buyers. The companys main production facility is in Yunfu, with another planned for Abu Dhabi. All eVTOL makers see the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia as potential early adopter markets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A third manufacturer, Volant Aerotech, says it has received preorders from within China for more than 700 units. A fourth, Xpeng Aeroht, has started construction of a flying-car manufacturing site, targeting mass production by 2026. In the past year, the country has seen more than 30 eVTOL-related startups. The fast growth in the sector is part of a government initiative to create new ways to grow the economy. Chinas prime minister Li Qiang mentioned the importance of developing the low-altitude economy in a state of the union address earlier this year. He identified it as a strategic emerging industry. The five-person AutoFlight Prosperity is aiming for commercial operations in late 2026 or early 2027. In a report released last week, the China Low Altitude Economic Alliance said China could have 100,000 long-range drones and eVTOLs in the air, as cargo transport, personal flying cars, or air taxis by 2030. Besides eVTOLS, large, long-range drones, which could carry cargo at altitudes of about 3,000 feet for distances up to 1,000 miles, are being tested. Drones are expected to comprise the bulk of the air traffic. Beyond private use, Chinas eVTOLs will also be used for medical services and other forms of transport. Autoflights Prosperity demo flight in Japan last week is part of a plan to connect three islandsHonshu, Shikoku, and Kyushuin Japans inland sea. The region is facing aging infrastructure in coastal areas and limited transport between the islands and mainland. The Japanese initiative is called SCAI28, which aims to address those challenges with air mobility solutions by 2028. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether China can meet the aggressive goals of 100,000 flying electric vehicles by 2030 remains to be seen. But it is the first national government to target eVTOLs as a growth industry, which could eventually mean state investments across multiple areas, as well as expedited regulations that would fast-track eVTOL use. The China Low Altitude Economic Alliance, comprising 100 firms, also admitted that the way forward is less than clear. There is no mature business model for the low-altitude economy to learn from abroad, Luo Jun, executive director, said in a statement. Many companies are both enthusiastic and confused about the low-altitude economy. Luo said his group will create detailed guidelines for cities to develop commercial strategies for implementation. Best of Robb Report Sign up for RobbReports's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Claim: A photo shared on social media authentically showed a 192-year-old tortoise named Jonathan, born in 1832. Rating: Rating: Mostly True What's True: The photograph of Jonathan is authentic. 1832 is his estimated birth year based on his size when he arrived on Saint Helena in 1882. What's Undetermined: Although the estimate is widely accepted, Jonathans exact birthdate and age are not known with certainty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Nov. 25, 2024, a Reddit user posted (archived) a photo purportedly showing a tortoise born in 1832 to the r/pics subreddit. At the time of this writing, the post had received around 155,000 upvotes and 2,000 comments. (Reddit) The text of the post read: "Say hello to Jonathan he was born in 1832 & is 192 years old." The same image also appeared on X (archived), on Facebook (archived), and in other (archived) Reddit posts (archived) in October and November 2024. In short, as we found in 2022 when we looked into another photo purporting to show the same animal, it is true that a Seychelles giant tortoise named Jonathan has lived at Plantation House, the official gubernatorial residence in Saint Helena an island in the South Atlantic that is a constituent part of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha for well over a century. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Archival evidence suggests that Jonathan was already fully grown when he arrived on the island in the 1880s, and as a result he is generally believed to have hatched in or around 1832 making him roughly 192 years old in 2024. A reverse image search found that the image in the post first appeared on Wikimedia Commons in 2021. The account that originally uploaded the photo was no longer active at the time of this writing and could not be reached for confirmation of the identity of the tortoise in the photo. However, a representative for the communications office of the Saint Helena government confirmed over email that the tortoise was indeed Jonathan. Jonathan the Tortoise Interviewed for The Washington Post in 2022, Joe Hollins, a veterinarian who provides care for Jonathan and Saint Helena's other giant tortoises, explained (archived) that the estimate of Jonathan's age was based on a letter that mentioned the tortoise been a gift to the island's governor in 1882. According to Hollins, the letter said Jonathan was "fully grown" when he came to Saint Helena which, based on the growth patterns of Seychelles giant tortoises, suggests he was at least 50 years old at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A black-and-white photo showing the fully grown Jonathan shortly after his arrival on Saint Helena, which we looked into in 2022, provided further evidence that the tortoise had already stopped growing by the 1880s. For these reasons, the government of St. Helena has chosen to recognize 1832 50 years before the tortoise's arrival on the island as Jonathan's unofficial birth year. It should be noted that the estimate of Jonathan's age is based on the growth patterns of Seychelles giant tortoises nobody knows for certain exactly how old the tortoise was when he arrived on Saint Helena in the 1880s. Hollins, for example, told The Washington Post in 2022 that he suspected the tortoise may have hatched even earlier than 1832. Similarly, Matt Joshua, Saint Helena's head of tourism, told CNN in 2022: "Jonathan could actually be 200 because the information regarding his arrival on the island is not exact and because there's no real record of his birth." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other words, Jonathan might be even older than the 1832 estimate of his birth year suggests although there's no way to know for certain. As a result, it's most accurate to say he was born around, rather than in, 1832. That's the approach Guinness World Records took when recognizing Jonathan as the oldest living land animal and oldest chelonian that is, member of the order that includes all tortoises and turtles. To summarize, a photo that circulated on social media in November 2024 did show Jonathan, a giant tortoise widely estimated to have been around 50 years old when he arrived on the island of Saint Helena in 1882. Because Jonathan's precise birth year is unknown, we've rated this claim as mostly true. Snopes' archives contributed to this report. Sources: "190-Year-Old Jonathan Becomes World's Oldest Tortoise Ever." Guinness World Records, 12 Jan. 2022, https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2022/1/190-year-old-jonathan-becomes-worlds-oldest-tortoise-ever-688683.html. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evon, Dan. "Snopes Tips: A Guide To Performing Reverse Image Searches." Snopes, 22 Mar. 2022, https://www.snopes.com//articles/400681/how-to-perform-reverse-image-searches/. Free, Cathy. "The World's Oldest Living Land Animal? At Age 190, It's Jonathan the Tortoise." The Washington Post, 31 Jan. 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022/01/31/oldest-animal-tortoise-jonathan-/. "Introducing Jonathan, the World's Oldest Animal on Land at 187 Years Old." Guinness World Records, 27 Feb. 2019, https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2019/2/introducing-jonathan-the-worlds-oldest-animal-on-land-561882.html. Kolirin, Lianne. "World's Oldest-Ever Tortoise Turns 190." CNN, 26 Jan. 2022, https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/oldest-tortoise-jonathan-scli-intl-scn/index.html. Palma, Bethania. "Yes, Jonathan the Tortoise Is the Oldest Known Land Animal." Snopes, 15 Jan. 2022, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/jonathan-the-tortoise/. State lawmakers are considering making it a traffic violation to operate a vehicle in Arizona with an animal on the drivers lap. The violation would come with a fine. Do you agree? You voted: Following rave reviews for their recent headline performance at Glastonbury, Wilderness, and Bestival, as well as a jaw-dropping new live set up debuted on a limited run UK/EU tour earlier this year, dance pioneers Faithless announce a 21-date live UK/EU tour. Earlier this year the band announced their much-anticipated return to the live arena with their first run of shows in eight years, taking in Londons iconic Roundhouse, and further dates in Belgium, Luxembourg, Amsterdam, and not to mention a string of headline festival performances. With Sister Bliss at the helm alongside a full-live 7-piece band, Faithless proved they are very much a force to be reckoned with as they traversed through music old and new, delivering world class production and unforgettable scenes. Since then, the band have confirmed plans for their eighth studio album, Champion Sound, and released their first single Find A Way - signature Faithless in all their glory - infectious classic house, piano loops and peak-time beats. Its been almost three decades since Faithless made their debut, in that time the iconic UK act have left an indelible mark on the dance music landscape. One of the most influential electronic acts of the 21st century, theyve sold over 20 million albums including seventeen Top 40 singles, six Top 10 albums (three at #1), and amassed over a billion streams to date. The bands cultural significance is unparalleled - leading the charge of dance acts cutting through on a global level, and demonstrating electronic music deserves its place on the main stages. They return to Budapest after an almost 14 year break, Hungarian fans can see the Faithless show on December 6, 2024 at Barba Negra. Special guest: Antony Szmierek Source and tickets: Livenation.hu Mumbai: The Indian benchmark equity indices, Sensex and Nifty closed in the green on Tuesday as heavy buying was seen in PSU Bank and media sectors at the end of trading. At closing, Adani Ports emerged as the top gainer in the BSE's benchmark, settling at Rs 1,288.80 after surging by Rs 73.20 or 6.02 per cent. Sensex ended at 80,845.75, higher by 597.67 points, or 0.74 per cent, while the Nifty 50 ended at 24,457.15, up by 181.10 points, or 0.75 per cent. PL Capital's Head, Advisory, Vikram Kasat, said: "Indian benchmark equity indices edged higher on Tuesday, extending their winning streak to a third consecutive session, as positive cues from Asian markets lifted investor sentiment." "Gains were primarily driven by metal and financial stocks, fueled by expectations of a 25 basis-point rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve later this month, following dovish remarks from key officials. Market breadth remained robust, with advancing stocks significantly outpacing decliners," he added. On the broader market front, the Nifty Midcap 100 was at 57,509, higher by 508.15 points, or 0.89 per cent, while the Nifty SmallCap 100 ended at 19,003.55, higher by 132.15 points, or 0.83 per cent. Rupak De of Senior Technical Analyst, LKP Securities said: "Nifty witnessed another day of bullishness as the index moved above the 38.20 per cent Fibonacci retracement level of the previous decline from 26,277 to 23,263." "Additionally, the index has broken out of the recent consolidation phase on the daily chart, indicating a rise in bullish sentiment," he said. On the sectoral front, Nifty PSU Bank, media, metal, energy, infra, PSE, commodities, auto, IT and financial services ended in green, while Nifty Pharma and FMCG ended in red. In the Sensex pack, Adani Ports, NTPC, Axis Bank, SBI, L&T, UltraTech Cement, Tata Motors, and HDFC Bank were the top gainers. Bharti Airtel, ITC, Asian Paints, Sun Pharma and Kotak Mahindra Bank were the top losers. Kolkata: Potato traders in West Bengal have decided to stick to their stand on going for an indefinite strike from Monday night after a meeting with state Agriculture Minister Becharam Manna earlier in the day failed to resolve their grievances According to the West Bengal Progressive Potato Traders Association, which has called the strike, they have decided to carry forward with their planned stir since the minister failed to give assurances on when the state government will relax the curbs on sending the vegetable to other states. However, till the time the report was filed, there was no indication from the state government on when the restrictions will be lifted. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, addressing the Assembly, clearly said that her government will not allow the export of potatoes and onions to other states before meeting the internal demands. Following the decision of the traders to continue with their strike, apprehension is there that the price of this staple vegetable in West Bengal might skyrocket further in the coming days. Already the prices of two popular varieties of potatoes, namely 'Jyoti' and 'Chandramukhi', are substantially high in the retail markets with the prices ranging between Rs 35 and Rs 42 a kg. This is the second time within little over three months that the potato traders in the state, under the auspices of the Progressive Potato Traders Association, have called for a strike. The last time they called for a strike was in August. An association office bearer pointed out that currently around 6.5 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes are there at the cold storages in the state, which is much higher than the internal requirement of 3 lakh metric tonnes in December. Hence, he added, in such a situation the restriction on export of potatoes to other states is totally irrational. SSC GD Constable Result 2024: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) will announce the SSC GD Final Result 2024 soon. Candidates who appeared in the recruitment process for Constable (GD) positions in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), SSF, and Rifleman (GD) in the Assam Rifles can check their results on the official SSC website at ssc.gov.in once released. The recruitment process includes a Computer-Based Examination (CBE), Physical Standard Test (PST), Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Medical Examination, and Document Verification. The PST/PET events, followed by Document Verification (DV), Detailed Medical Examination (DME), and Review Medical Examination (RME) for candidates shortlisted in the CBE, began on September 23, 2024, for the CT (GD) exam in CAPFs, SSF, Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles, and Sepoy in NCB. Through the SSC GD recruitment process, a total of 46,617 vacancies will be filled, including 12,076 posts in the BSF, 13,632 in the CISF, 9,410 in the CRPF, 1,926 in the SSB, 6,287 in the ITBP, 2,990 in the AR, and 296 in the SSF. SSC GD Constable 2024: Steps to download here Step 1: Visit the official SSC website at ssc.gov.in. Step 2: Navigate to the Result section on the homepage. Step 3: Click on the link labeled SSC GD Constable Final Merit List 2024 when it becomes available. Step 4: In the newly opened PDF file, search for your roll number and verify your details. Step 5: Download the file and keep a printed copy for future reference. The SSC GD written examination was held from February 20 to March 7, and again on March 30, 2024. The results were announced on July 11, 2024. Candidates who qualified in the written test advanced to the Physical Standard Test (PST) and Physical Efficiency Test (PET) rounds. According to the official SSC GD notification, candidates in the general category or ex-servicemen must score at least 35 percent to qualify. For candidates from SC, ST, or OBC categories, the minimum qualifying mark is set at 33 percent. Hours after India expressed concern over a mob breaching security of Bangladesh consulate in Tripura and termed the incident 'deeply regrettable', Dhaka not only suspended operations there but also summoned the Indian envoy to its Foreign Office. Protesters breached the premises of Bangladesh's Agartala consulate over the arrest of a Hindu monk in the neighboring country. Tuesdays events further strained relations between the two nations, which have already been tense since Sheikh Hasinas removal as prime minister in August. India has raised concerns about the targeting of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. The matter was also discussed in the Indian Parliament on Tuesday and in the British House of Commons the previous day. New Delhi earlier called the breach at the Agartala mission deeply regrettable. Tripura Police said seven people have been arrested and action taken against four policemen over the incident. Bangladesh had said its flag was desecrated. Emerging from the meeting with acting Bangladesh foreign secretary Riaz Hamidullah in Dhaka, Indian envoy Pranay Verma said Delhi wanted to build a constant stable, constructive relationship and no single issue should stand as a barrier to bilateral ties. We are willing to engage with the interim government of Bangladesh, he told reporters. Earlier, Bangladesh's Law Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul asked New Delhi to reassess its ties with Bangladesh after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina. We believe in a friendship based on equality and mutual respect. While Sheikh Hasina's government followed a pro-India policy to cling to power without elections, India must realise that this is not Sheikh Hasina's Bangladesh, he wrote on Facebook. Tensions between the two neighbours have simmered since August 5, when Hasina fled to India in the face of large-scale anti-government protests led by students. They aggravated further with the arrest of the Hindu leader last week. The mission in Tripura, a state which borders Bangladesh, on Tuesday announced the suspension of visa and consular services until further notice. Md Al-Ameen, the first secretary there, cited security reasons. (With PTI Inputs) Bihar Police on Tuesday arrested a former associate of Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, and claimed that it was this man who threatened the Lok Sabha MP posing as a henchman of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi as part of a plan to demand heightened security for the parliamentarian. The accused, Ram Babu Yadav, allegedly made a video call to Pappu Yadav, demanding an apology to Lawrence Bishnoi for a post threatening to finish off the jailed gangster's network. Ram Babu Yadav was arrested from his native place in Bhojpur district. Purnea SP Kartikeya K Sharma told that the accused was formerly associated with Jan Adhikar Party (JAP), which Pappu Yadav had merged with the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Pappu Yadav contested and won from the Purnea Lok Sabha seat as an Independent candidate. Purnea Police tracked Ram Babu Yadav's location and arrested him. Preliminary investigations revealed that he has no connections with any gang. He was formerly associated with JAP. He has confessed that he sent threatening messages to the Lok Sabha MP on the instruction of some people associated with the MP himself, Sharma said. The arrested man claimed that he was paid Rs 2000 for making and sending the video on the WhatsApp number of the MP. He also told the interrogators that he was supposed to get Rs. 2 lakh more and some political post from the people associated with the MP after sending another threatening video which was already made, the SP said. Police questioned Ram Babu Yadav to understand the motive, said the SP. Police have so far found no evidence to corroborate the claims made by the accused during questioning. The matter is being further investigated, Sharma said. Pappu Yadav has been allegedly receiving death threats since he announced his intention to eliminate the Bishnoi gang in the aftermath of the killing of former lawmaker Baba Siddique in Mumbai. Shortly after Siddique's murder, Yadav uploaded a post on his official X handle, declaring to "finish off the gang within 24 hours" the network of Bishnoi, who was suspected to be behind the assassination of Baba Siddique. GAYA: When she became the deputy mayor of Gaya town in Bihar, after having swept its streets for decades, Chinta Devi felt the 'city of salvation' has, finally, presented her with her own deliverance. After nearly two years in office, she finds herself back on the streets, selling vegetables as a mark of protest against the disrespect she has been made to allegedly put up with. She asked, "What is the point in my being deputy mayor if I am not kept in the loop about the goings on in the municipal corporation?" Devi, who worked for 35 years as an employee (sweeper) of the Gaya Municipal Corporation, was elected deputy mayor of Gaya in December 2022, two years after her retirement. Talking to media persons on Tuesday, Devi said, I am very upset with the attitude of the administration of the Gaya Municipal Corporation. I am not even invited for meetings held in the Corporation. Officials don't even inform me about the schemes being run by the Corporation in the city." She alleged that she has not been paid salary of the deputy mayor for the last several months. "This is the reason that I decided to sell vegetables on the streets of Gaya. It's better to sell vegetables than sitting in the Municipal Corporation office without any work, Devi said. Everyone was surprised to see Devi selling vegetables at Kedar Nath market on Tuesday and a huge crowd gathered around her. I can earn money by selling vegetables although I get my pension as a retired employee of the municipal corporation. But I am not being provided any of the facilities by the corporation for which I am entitled to as the deputy mayor," she claimed. Despite repeated attempts, senior municipal officials of Gaya were not available for their comments on the charges levelled by Devi. In tragic accident in Keralas Alappuzha on Monday night, five young MBBS students lost their lives in a devastating collision between their car and a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus. According to the police, the accident took place around 10 pm near Kalarcode. The medical students were reported to be on their way to Kochi. "Due to the impact of the collision, the car was destroyed completely, and the youths inside were taken out after breaking the vehicle," police sources said. The deceased, all first-year MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) students were from a government medical college. Seven people were inside the car, of whom five died, according to police. Three medical students were killed instantly, while two others succumbed to injuries en route to Alappuzha Medical College Hospital. The remaining two students are hospitalized, with one reportedly in critical condition. Watch Video Here: Car & @ksrtc bus Accident at #Kalarcode, #Alappuzha district,it's due to blurry vision coz of , out of 11 passengers, 5 passenger died, 1 in critical condition & rest have minor , My heart goes with 5 Families #NambiarAdarshNarayananPV #CarAccident #KSRTC pic.twitter.com/e9njTYSh9O Nambiar Adarsh Narayanan P V (@NaAdarshNaPV) December 3, 2024 The deceased have been identified as Mohammed, Muhasin, Ibrahim, Devanand and Shreedeep. The accident occurred when a speeding Tavera car skidded and collided with a KSRTC bus traveling from Guruvayur to Kayamkulam. Eyewitnesses reported that the impact tore the car apart, throwing the medical students out. Alappuzha Municipal Vice-Chairman P. S. M. Hussain said the car was overtaking another vehicle when it braked, skidded, and hit the oncoming bus. "We are waiting for the CCTV visuals as the accident took place at a spot with CCTV," Hussain added. The bus driver stated the car was speeding, and despite his efforts, the collision was unavoidable. The Tavera car was completely wrecked. (With IANS, PTI inputs) Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Delhi, has condemned the "injustices" and "assaults" against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh and called on the head of the interim government, Muhammad Yunus, to take immediate action. In a letter, Bukhari emphasised the long-standing close relationship between India and Bangladesh. "Since the establishment of Bangladesh, our national leadership, media, civil society, and influential circles have maintained close relations with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, his daughter Sheikh Hasina Wajid, and their party, the Awami League. In terms of diplomacy and matters related to the region, international affairs, and the Muslim world, Bangladesh has always stood by us as a close ally," he said. The Shahi Imam also noted that after Sheikh Hasina's departure to India, the backlash against her led to both Muslim and non-Muslim supporters of the Awami League becoming targets of the unrest that followed her removal. "Up to this point, it remained an internal matter of Bangladesh. However, the ongoing injustices, assaults, and unilateral actions against the Hindu minority are condemnable and must stop immediately. There is no justification for such actions. The government must always acknowledge the role we have played in their establishment and development process and the unparalleled history of our support and care for millions of refugees. We were the first to stand by them in every natural disaster," he said. Ahmed Bukhari also underscored that the United Nations has a universal declaration regarding the protection of equal rights for minorities, which is binding on all members of the international community and all UN member states. "As a credible neighbour, a close ally of Bangladesh, and a custodian of shared cultural heritage, I expect the current head of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate, to take immediate steps to curb any injustices against the Hindu minority. He should ensure that his international reputation remains untarnished. As a Muslim-majority country, Islam and Islamic jurisprudence inherently leave no room for any form of prejudice or injustice against minorities in Bangladesh," he added. Meanwhile, over the weekend, more than 60 monks were reportedly stopped at Benapole land port in Bangladesh and were not allowed to enter India, according to a spokesperson from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Kolkata. Notably, there was no relief for Hindu spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was arrested on alleged sedition charges. On Tuesday, a Bangladesh court set January 2, 2025, as the next date of hearing in the case. Chinmoy Krishna Das, who remains in custody, is expected to stay in jail. Amid rising violence against Hindu minorities, Pakistan is reportedly supplying arms to extremist groups in Bangladesh. The aim is to fuel the ongoing violence against Hindus, including providing weapons and even training terrorists. In tody's episode of DNA, Zee News has made some shocking revealations. Arms and Terrorists Sent from Pakistan A significant shipment of weapons, including machine guns and bomb-making materials, was sent from Pakistan to Bangladesh on November 11th. This cargo, arriving at the Chattogram port after 53 years, also carried 100 highly-trained terrorists. The shipment was managed by a Chinese shipping company, and reports indicate that it included not just weapons but also a special security team from the Pakistani army to oversee the operation. Pakistani-Bangladeshi Military Meeting Zee News documents show that high-level meetings have been taking place between Bangladeshs army chief, General Wakar Uzzaman, and Pakistani officials. These meetings occurred multiple times between November 23 and 25, raising suspicions about the deeper involvement of Pakistan in Bangladesh's internal matters, particularly in the context of the ongoing attacks on Hindus. Pakistani Army's Role in Radicalizing Bangladeshi Militias In an alarming development, the Pakistani Defense Attache met with key figures of Bangladesh's extremist groups, including Shafiqur Rahman of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh. The terrorists sent from Pakistan have reportedly been integrated into camps of radical groups like Hizb-ut-Tahrir and Islami Chhatra Shibir, which are known for inciting violence against Hindus. Bangladesh's Extremist Agenda The rise of radical groups like Hizb-ut-Tahrir and Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh has been linked to Pakistan's ongoing interference in the country. These groups have long been accused of promoting anti-Hindu violence and aligning with Pakistans interests. Experts believe that Pakistans involvement in training and arming these groups is a calculated move to create instability, not just in Bangladesh, but also to target India. Pakistan's Strategic Aim Pakistan's ultimate goal appears to be the creation of a terrorist hub in Bangladesh, from where they can target India. Pakistani forces are attempting to forge connections with militant groups active in northeastern India and could potentially use Bangladesh as a launch pad for cross-border terrorism. Furthermore, by inflaming tensions between Bangladesh's majority Muslim population and Hindus, Pakistan aims to destabilize the region. Government's Role in Enabling Violence The current government in Bangladesh, under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has been accused of tacitly supporting this wave of violence against Hindus. The government's alignment with radical forces and its failure to intervene in the escalating persecution of Hindus has raised concerns. It is believed that the government's inaction is part of a larger political strategy to suppress Hindu minorities and maintain control by appeasing extremist factions. A second landslide hit Tamil Nadu's Tiruvannamalai on Monday afternoon. This came a day after a boulder from an earlier landslide crushed a home, killing seven family members. Grieving relatives of the victims staged a protest on Tuesday morning, mourning their loss. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed condolences and announced Rs 5 lakh financial assistance for the bereaved families, attributing the tragedy to heavy rainfall in the Tiruvannamalai district, reported ANI. #WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Relatives of the family of 7 people, who died in a landslide in Tiruvannamalai, hold a protest as they mourn the demise of their relatives. pic.twitter.com/HUUXoR5u7C ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2024 The first landslide occurred on Sunday at 4:30 pm on the lower slopes of Annamalaiyar Hill after heavy rains from Cyclone Fengal hit the district. Rescue operations, assisted by IIT Chennai experts, are underway. However, efforts are hindered by continuous rain and the risk of another boulder dangerously perched uphill. Cyclone Fengal made landfall on December 1, bringing wind speeds of up to 90 km/h. It caused extensive damage to roads and electricity networks in Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, and Tiruvannamalai districts. The disaster has affected around 69 lakh families and 1.5 crore people. Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, and Kallakurichi recorded over 50 cm of rainfall in a daymatching the average for an entire season. That rainfall continued Monday, two days later, with Viluppuram district in northern Tamil Nadu battling unprecedented floods; washed out bridges and overflowing virtually blocked access to villages and residential colonies, as also damaging acres of crops and affecting rail traffic. New Delhi: Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav condemned the recent violence in Sambhal in the parliament on Tuesday, terming it a well-planned conspiracy. Speaking on the issue, he said, The incident that took place in Sambhal is a well-planned conspiracy, and the brotherhood in Sambhal has been shot. Yadav accused the BJP and its allies of fomenting division through provocative rhetoric. The talks of excavation throughout the country done by BJP and its allies will destroy the brotherhood of the country, he stated. #WATCH | On the Sambhal issue, Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav says "...The incident that took place in Sambhal is a well-planned conspiracy and the brotherhood in Sambhal has been shot. The talks of excavation throughout the country done by BJP and its allies will destroy the pic.twitter.com/Cz0vY46g10 ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2024 Akhilesh Yadav has accused the government of undermining constitutional principles following a controversial sequence of events surrounding the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal. This government does not believe in the Constitution, he stated, highlighting that a survey of the mosque was ordered without hearing the other side. A petition was filed against the Shahi Jama Masjid, and an order for a survey was passed even before the other side was given a chance to respond, ANI reported Yadav as saying. Bangladesh Situation In Parliament Trinamool Congress MP Sudeep Bandopadhyay raised concerns in Parliament over alleged atrocities against minorities and Hindus in Bangladesh. "Our neighbouring country Bangladesh, where the minorities and the Hindus are being tortured and killed," Bandopadhyay added. "We are making an appeal that the government of India should urge the United Nations to send peacekeeping forces to Bangladesh immediately," Bandopadhyay further questioned the Centre's silence. #WATCH | On the Bangladesh issue, TMC MP Sudeep Bandopadhyay says, "Our neighbouring country Bangladesh where the minorities and the Hindus are being tortured and being killed. Bangladesh is our neighbouring country attached to our state of West Bengal. We are making an appeal pic.twitter.com/rrE1LBrXFY ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2024 Bandopadhyay further sought clarity from the External Affairs Minister (EAM) on the situation. "Our appeal is that the EAM come to the parliament and inform us of the latest position of Bangladesh," he said. The MP also noted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's position on the issue. "Yesterday, our Chief Minister adopted a resolution in the West Bengal assembly, stating that whatever decision the Government of India takes, the West Bengal government will stand by it. We want to work together," the TMC leader asserted. After a long course of protests by the opposition leaders both inside and outside the parliament, the INDIA bloc reached consensus with the BJP-led government on Monday over the discussion of Sambhal violence and Bangladesh minority situation during the parliaments zero hour. With the winter session in effect, the ruling BJP and the Congress are again at odds not only over daily business routines but also due to remarks made by leaders of the respective parties. While the opposition agreed to a smooth conduct of business in Parliament after initial washouts, BJP MP Sambit Patra's statement again raised the temperature in the lower house. Speaking on the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024, the BJP first-time MP from Puri claimed that the Indira Gandhi-SBI episode was the most 'mysterious and thrilling banking fraud' of 1971. Para spoke about systemic corruption in the banking industry and also the need to plug the loopholes. When he raked up one of the most sensational banking fraud cases in history, the one that happened during the Indira Gandhi regime, it led to a huge uproar and elicited strong protest from Congress members. On May 24, 1971, a phone call was made to the Parliamentary branch of the State Bank of India branch. Mr Ved Prakash Malhotra, the bank manager, picked up the phone call and was shocked to hear the voice on the other side. It was the voice of Indira Gandhi. She directed the bank manager to give Rs 60 lakh to Nagarwala, Patra pointed out. Recalling the Nagarwala scandal of 1971, the BJP MP said that it was one of the most mysterious and thrilling stories of banking fraud cases, that happened during the Indira Gandhi regime. The thrilling and mysterious story of banking fraud during Indira Gandhi's government! On May 24, 1971, Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister, allegedly called the Parliamentary Branch Manager of SBI, instructing the immediate release of Rs. 60 lakhs to Nagarwala. A committee pic.twitter.com/OANzYkhaUC December 3, 2024 Patra's direct charge at the then Congress PM left the grand old party see red. KC Venugopal stood in protest and vociferously countered the charges by stating that her strong governance earned her the title of 'Maa Durga' by the then BJP veteran Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It was only at the intervention of Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla that the Congress members relented and toned down their vociferous protest. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman too came forward in Patra's defence and disputed the claims that Vajpayee described the then PM as 'Durga avatar'. The Nagarwala scandal of 1971 is purportedly one of the biggest financial scandals of Indira's time and the charges were colossal enough to put the then Congress govt's fate in jeopardy. A couple of books have also mentioned a 'very secret call' to the SBI cashier from someone impersonating Indira Gandhi and directing the manager to hand over Rs 60 lakh to Rustam Sohrab Nagarwala, a retired Army captain. An unidentified terrorist was killed in an overnight gunfight with a joint team of security forces in the Dachigam area of Harwan in the Srinagar district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. A top police officer told Zee News that acting on specific intelligence, the Jammu and Kashmir police, together with security forces, launched a cordon and search operation in the Dachigam area late on Monday evening. During the search operation, the hiding terrorists opened fire on the forces, resulting in a firefight between the terrorists and the joint forces. Earlier, on November 10, a brief encounter took place between terrorists and security forces in the Zabarwan Hills in Ishbar Nishat, but the terrorists managed to escape. Since then, continuous search operations have been carried out in the Zabarwan Hills, connecting Tral in South Kashmir, Ganderbal in Central Kashmir and Bandipora in North Kashmir. Late last night, contact was re-established between the terrorists and security forces, and in the initial exchange of fire, one terrorist was killed. Another terrorist is believed to be hiding. The identity of the killed terrorist is being ascertained. The area is still cordoned off, and a massive search operation is ongoing in the forested areas. Massive counter-terrorism operations were launched in Kashmir in November after terrorists carried out attacks in Gagangir and Gulmarg, and hurled grenades at TRC Chowk. On November 23, security forces, in a joint operation with Baramulla Police, busted a terrorist hideout in the Kunjar area of Baramulla district. During the search, arms and ammunition were recovered, and the hideout was destroyed. Similarly, on November 9, based on specific intelligence about the presence of terrorists, a joint operation was launched by the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police in the Rajpura area of Sopore, Baramulla. The troops observed suspicious movement and, when challenged, the terrorists started indiscriminate firing. The troops retaliated effectively, neutralizing one terrorist. On November 8, a joint counter-terrorism operation was launched by the police and security forces in the Panipora area of Sopore, Baramulla, based on specific intelligence about terrorist presence. During the search operation, two terrorists were neutralised in an encounter with security forces. On November 6, security forces neutralised two terrorists in two counter-terrorism operations in the Bandipora and Kupwara districts of North Kashmir. Anti-terror operations are launched wherever the security forces receive actionable intelligence. In November, security forces killed eight terrorists in the Kashmir Valley, and as December began, one more terrorist was killed. In a significant victory for security forces, a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist commander involved in the deadly Z-Tunnel attack was neutralized during an overnight gunfight in the Dachigam area of Harwan, Srinagar, on Tuesday. Since November 1, security forces in the Kashmir Valley have been in an offensive mode, successfully eliminating nine terrorists. Jammu and Kashmir Police identified the neutralized terrorist as Junaid Ramzan Bhat, a top local commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba. He was wanted in connection with the tragic Gagangir Sonmarg Z-Tunnel terrorist attack on October 20, 2024, which claimed the lives of seven construction workers, including a doctor. The encounter began late Monday evening, following specific intelligence inputs regarding terrorist activity in the region. A joint team comprising the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Army, and other security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation to locate the hiding terrorists. As security forces advanced, the terrorists opened fire, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire. The operation resulted in the neutralization of one terrorist, and an M4 US-made carbine was recovered from the site. A senior police officer confirmed to Zee News that the upper reaches of the area remain under cordon, with security forces maintaining a strong presence in and around the forested regions of upper Dachigam to prevent the escape of any remaining terrorists. Since the late October terrorist attack on security personnel, forces have been operating in an offensive mode. Between November 1 and the present, they have neutralized nine hardcore terrorists, arrested 17 Over Ground Workers (OGWs), and dismantled three hideouts across the Kashmir Valley. The successful anti-terror operation underscores the unwavering commitment of security agencies to combat terrorism and ensure the safety and security of civilians in Jammu and Kashmir. Massive counter-terrorism operations were launched in Kashmir in the month of November after terrorists carried out attacks in Gagangir and Gulmarg and hurled grenades at TRC Chowk. Maharashtra CM Race: The Maharashtra deadlock has come to an end with caretaker Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde finally relented to the power-sharing formula shared by the top BJP leadership. As reported earlier, the BJP is set to get the Chief Minister's post and will have two deputies. Devendra Fadnavis is likely to become Chief Minister once again but the final stamp on his name will be put only after BJP legislative party meeting Wednesday morning. Mahayuti Power-Sharing Formula As per the power-sharing formula, Devendra Fadnavis will be CM and Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar will become Deputy Chief Ministers. The swearing-in ceremony will take place on December 5 at Mumbai's Azad Maidan, as declared by the BJP leaders. While the BJP is likely to get a Home and Revenue portfolio, the NCP may get the Finance portfolio as well as the Deputy Speaker Position in the assembly. Eknath Shinde's Sena is likely to get the Urban Development portfolio. Sena is reportedly asking for the Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council as they already have the Chairman of the Legislative Council. Shiv Sena is likely to get the Urban Development portfolio. It's also likely that the NCP may get a Cabinet Minister post in the Modi government which may go to Praful Patel. The NCP had earlier refused to accept a Minister of State post and with the party having a bigger bargaining power, it's likely to arm-twist the BJP in accepting its demand. Ajit Pawar is already in Delhi for a meeting with senior BJP leaders. According to a report by India Today, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to secure 21-22 portfolios, while the Ajit Pawar-led NCP is likely to receive 9-10 cabinet positions. The Shiv Sena, which initially sought 16 portfolios, is anticipated to settle for 12. Athawale's Advice To Shinde Union Minister and NDA leader Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday dished out some advice to the 'sulking' Shiv Sena (SS) chief Eknath Shinde. The Republican Party of India (Athawale) chief said that Eknath Shinde has been upset over losing his claim for the Chief Minister's chair and also asked the caretaker CM to accept the reality, rather than procrastinating. He asked Shinde to drop his insistence for the CM's chair. Congress Questions Delay As it has been 10 days since the results were declared, Maharashtra Congress General Secretary, Sachin Sawant, on Tuesday criticised the Mahayuti alliance leaders, accusing them of being gripped by a "power fever". Criticising the Mahayuti alliance for the delay in government formation in Maharashtra, Sawant questioned, "Why is it taking so long? The Cabinet should have been formed on November 26, yet it did not happen." He accused the alliance of prioritising their own political aspirations over the needs of the public. Amid growing speculation over who will take the throne of Maharashtra as Chief Minister, a crucial meeting took place today between BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis and Maharashtra's caretaker Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde. The two leaders convened at Shindes official residence in Mumbai. Power-Sharing Negotiations According to media reports, the primary focus of todays meeting was the power-sharing formula between the allies in the ruling Mahayuti coalition, which comprises the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). This is especially pertinent given the coalition's impressive win in the Maharashtra assembly elections. Fadnavis, who had been in the race for the CM post even before the elections, is reportedly eager to finalize a plan for government formation. Shinde, on the other hand, has been vocal in his support for any candidate Prime Minister Narendra Modi would endorse. Despite being one of the contenders, Shinde had earlier indicated that he would back the partys decision on the leadership issue. Tensions over who would hold the CM position have been a central theme in the ongoing negotiations within the alliance. As of now, the Mahayuti coalition has not officially approached Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan to stake its claim to form the government, leading to continued uncertainty. There have also been murmurs of internal discord within the alliance, adding to the political intrigue. BJPs Legislative Meeting The Maharashtra BJP legislature party is scheduled to meet at the Vidhan Bhawan on Wednesday morning to elect its leader. Fadnavis is expected to be named the CM-designate, and the party will likely make an official claim to form the government shortly thereafter. However, despite the election victory, tensions remain over the distribution of ministerial portfolios. Shiv Sena leaders have already expressed their concerns, suggesting that if the CM post is assigned to the BJP, their party should receive the crucial Home portfolio, as per the traditional alliance norms. This request could spark further squabbles among the coalition partners, especially as the various parties jostle for control over key positions. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the new leadership, preparations for the grand swearing-in ceremony on December 5 are in full swing. Around 2,000 VVIPs, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and an estimated 40,000 supporters are expected to gather for the high-profile event. The investigation into the violent clashes in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, has taken a surprising turn. The police, in collaboration with forensic experts, have uncovered cartridge cases at the crime scene, some of which are inscribed with "Made in Pakistan." This revelation has raised serious questions about the origin of the firearms used during the violence. During the ongoing investigation into the violence that erupted on November 24, the forensic team recovered multiple cartridge cases, including exploded and unexploded shells. Among the recovered items, one 9mm misfired shell and one shell with the inscription 'POF' were found. This suggests that at least some of the ammunition used in the clashes originated from Pakistan. Additionally, the police recovered two 12-bore shells and two 32-bore shells from the site. According to the police, the total number of cartridge casings found at the crime scene amounts to six, including casings of various calibers. Apart from the Pakistani-made shells, one of the cartridges was of American origin, while another had the "FN Star" marking, which is still under investigation. Sambhal Violence Case The violent incident occurred on November 24, just before the second phase of a controversial survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal. The survey was conducted after a petition was filed, alleging that a Hindu temple existed beneath the mosque, similar to the situation in Varanasi and Mathura. This claim fueled widespread fears among locals, sparking tensions ahead of the survey. The situation escalated when rioters began throwing stones and firing at the police. In response, the police fired back, leading to deadly clashes. The violence resulted in the deaths of four people and left 18 police officers injured. Following the incident, the police sealed off the area around the mosque and launched a detailed investigation into the events that led to the eruption of violence. Judicial Panel Investigating Pre-planned Conspiracy A three-member judicial panel, formed by the Uttar Pradesh government, is tasked with examining key aspects of the violence. The committee, headed by retired Allahabad High Court judge Justice Devendra Kumar Arora, is investigating whether the violence was a spontaneous outburst or part of a pre-planned conspiracy. They are also looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident and reviewing preventive measures for the future. The panel includes retired IAS officer Amit Mohan Prasad and retired IPS officer Arvind Kumar Jain. As the investigation continues, the findings related to foreign-made ammunition are likely to add weight to the theory that the violence may have been orchestrated, rather than a random occurrence. Tamilnadu school Holiday: All schools and colleges in four districts of Tamil Nadu will remain closed on Tuesday due to heavy rainfall caused by Cyclone Fengal. District Magistrate Lakshmi Bhavya announced that all schools in the Nilgiris district would remain shut on December 3, 2024, due to the heavy rains. Additionally, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted more rainfall, prompting the closure of schools and colleges in Villupuram, Cuddalore, and Puducherry districts on the same day. In other districts like Ranipet, Salem, and Tiruvannamalai, only schools will be closed. Due to the rainfall, specific areas such as Thirukovilur Town in Kallakurichi and Pechampalli and Uthangarai Taluks in Krishnagiri will also see school closures. CM Stalin statement on relief measures On Monday, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin visited areas affected by Cyclone Fengal in Dharmapuri district and inspected the restoration work on the land bridge at the base of Vathalmalai. Meanwhile, Chief Minister MK Stalin criticized the Central government for preventing MPs from discussing the cyclone's impact in Parliament. The Chief Minister praised district officials and relief teams for their dedicated efforts amid the flooding and heavy rains caused by Cyclone Fengal. Highlighting the ongoing relief measures, he shared that 18 rescue teams, consisting of 493 members, are actively working across various districts. NDRF team deployed at affected areas In Villupuram district, 15 teams, including 407 personnel from seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and eight State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams, are engaged in relief operations. In Cuddalore, 56 members from NDRF and SDRF are involved in rescue efforts, while in Tiruvannamalai, a 30-member team is managing rescue work. The Chief Minister also noted that rescue operations are underway at the site of the Tiruvannamalai landslide, with IIT engineers called in to provide assistance at the affected area. Chief Minister Stalin stated that more than 7,000 people are currently sheltered in 147 relief camps established in the affected areas. Bangalore school holiday Cyclone Fengal has caused heavy rainfall across southern Karnataka, leading authorities to declare holidays for schools and colleges in several districts. However, Bengaluru will not be affected by these closures, even though a yellow alert has been issued for the city. Many parents have voiced concerns on social media, urging officials to prioritize student safety amidst the ongoing downpours in Bengaluru. The remaining low-pressure system is forecasted to reappear over the southeast and east-central Arabian Sea near the northern Kerala and Karnataka coasts by December 3. Maharashtra caretaker CM Eknath Shinde on Tuesday left Jupiter Hospital in Thane on Tuesday, following a thorough medical examination. Earlier, CM Eknath Shinde rushed to Jupiter Hospital in Thane due to a lack of improvement in his health. Doctors have recommended a thorough examination. "I am fine, do not worry," Shinde told reporters as he was driven to Hospital. Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant stated that it was a "routine check-up" and that Chief Minister Shinde would return to his official residence, `Varsha', in Mumbai afterwards. "He has had throat infection, weakness and fever. He would be undergoing a blood test," Samant added. Maharashtra Caretaker CM Eknath Shinde has been rushed to Jupiter Hospital, in Thane as his health condition shows no sign of improvement. Doctors have advised the full examination of his health: Sources (file pic) pic.twitter.com/EQmMCwiD7i ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2024 Earlier, after returning from Daregaon, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde took a rest at his residence in Thane. Following two days of rest, a team from Jupiter Hospital visited his home to conduct tests for dengue and malaria. The test results came back negative for both diseases. However, Shinde was experiencing recurrent fever due to a rise in white blood cell count. To undergo further tests, he has to Jupiter Hospital for medical evaluation on Tuesday. Shinde, whose party is part of the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition, has been unwell for the past few days and has been staying at his private residence. His decision to travel to his village, Dare, in Satara district last Friday fueled speculation that he was unhappy with the way the new Mahayuti government was taking shape. (With PTI inputs) Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the successful implementation of three landmark criminal laws On Tuesday. He emphasized that the old criminal laws, crafted during the British colonial era, were designed to punish Indians and keep them subjugated. He highlighted that the newly introduced Nyaya Sanhita strengthens the democratic principles of "Of the People, By the People, For the People." PM Modi reflected on the legacy of the British criminal laws, which were meant to oppress and exploit the Indian populace. He noted that when India gained independence in 1947, the people were hopeful that they would also be freed from these colonial laws, which had been used as tools of control and subjugation. "The freedom struggle of 1857 shook the roots of the British rule," he said, mentioning how the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was introduced in 1860 and the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) followed shortly thereafter. These laws, he asserted, were made with the purpose of punishing Indians and keeping them enslaved. The Need for Change Despite India's independence, PM Modi pointed out that the country continued to operate under the same penal code that was established during British rule. While minor changes were made over the years, the character of the laws remained largely unchanged, continuing the colonial mindset. "Why should we continue with laws in an independent country that were made for slaves?" he questioned. The Prime Minister emphasized the need to shed this colonial mindset and transition to a legal framework that aligns with the democratic ideals of the country. The Spirit of 'Of the People, By the People, For the People' Highlighting the significance of the new criminal laws, PM Modi stressed that the Nyaya Sanhita strengthens the foundational democratic principle of "Of the People, By the People, For the People." He also recalled his call for this shift made on August 15th from the Red Fort. PM Modi elaborated on the extensive consultation process that went into the creation of the three new criminal laws: the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. These laws were shaped with inputs from Chief Justices of India, Chief Justices of High Courts, the Supreme Court, 16 High Courts, judicial academies, law institutes, and civil society experts. The Home Ministry had sought suggestions in January 2020, and over several years, stakeholders engaged in discussions to address the challenges faced by India's judicial system. The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the Supreme Court, judges, and all High Courts of the country for their contributions in shaping the new laws. "These laws reflect practical challenges, tested on futuristic parameters, and provide a robust framework for the future of India's legal system," he stated. PM Modi noted that the implementation of these new criminal laws is a monumental step forward for India, especially as the country embarks on its vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India). With the Constitution completing 75 years, the introduction of these laws marks a significant milestone in fulfilling the ideals envisioned by the framers of the Constitution. He also encouraged citizens to observe live demonstrations of how the new laws are applied, signaling the government's commitment to transparency and efficiency in the legal process. New Criminal Laws The three new criminal laws were officially implemented nationwide on July 1, 2024. These reforms aim to make Indias legal system more transparent, efficient, and responsive to contemporary societal needs, such as tackling cybercrime, organized crime, and ensuring justice for victims of various offenses. With Inputs From ANI New Delhi: Hyderabad is set to host one of the most anticipated weddings of the year, as Allu Arjun and his family are confirmed to attend the nuptials of Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala. The grand event will take place on December 4 at the iconic Annapurna Studios, a venue that holds deep cultural and familial significance. According to a source close to the wedding, "Allu Arjun and his family will be present at Naga Chaitanya and Sobhitas wedding in Hyderabad, marking a significant occasion in the city." Ahead of the wedding, Sobhita Dhulipala celebrated her Pelli Kuturu ceremony, a traditional bridal shower, sharing heartfelt moments as she sought blessings from her elders. This intimate celebration set the stage for a wedding steeped in cultural traditions and meaning. For her wedding day, Sobhita has chosen a Kanjivaram silk saree with real gold zari, a nod to her roots, along with a white khadi saree handwoven in Ponduru, Andhra Pradesh. She has also selected a matching ensemble for Naga Chaitanya, highlighting their shared appreciation for heritage and timeless craftsmanship. The wedding will be hosted at Annapurna Studios, a location deeply connected to Naga Chaitanyas family legacy. Founded in 1976 by the legendary Akkineni Nageswara Rao, this 22-acre property in Banjara Hills has long been a cornerstone of the family's cinematic and cultural legacy. Holding the wedding here adds emotional depth to the occasion, making it a celebration not only of love but also of family heritage. With high-profile guests, including Allu Arjun and other notable figures, the SoChay wedding is set to be a spectacular event, combining star power with rich cultural significance. As the countdown to the big day begins, all eyes are on Hyderabad for this unforgettable celebration. New Delhi: BTS member V, also known as Kim Taehyung, recently shared the heartbreaking news of the passing of his beloved dog Yeontan, leaving fans devastated. Taking to his social media handle, V began by addressing his fans, expressing his hope that they were enjoying a warm holiday season. "Hello ARMY, hope you are having a warm holiday? I'm glad the weather isn't hot yet!" he wrote. He continued, "It's been a long time since I've greeted the ARMY with a song. As well as Hyoshin's song with my favorite brother, and Canon with Tom Crosby, whom I admire so much. I remember the fun memories while preparing. So it's already December this year." However, he quickly had a change in tone, "Actually, I'm posting this today because Yeontan recently went on a long trip with dogs. I thought a lot about how to tell the story, but I think it's right to tell all of you who have sent me so much love so far, so I decided to share the news." V asked his fans to remember Yeontan with love, saying, "I would appreciate it if the ARMY could remind Yeontan to be happy even in the stars." Concluding his emotional note, he wished his fans a warm end to the year. "I wish you a warm end of the year where you can say 'I love you' to the loved ones around you once more. I hope the ARMY members will always be healthy until the day we meet again! I love you, thank you." Earlier, Taehyung had spoken about Yeontans health struggles, revealing that the dog had a heart condition and had undergone two surgeries, both of which were unsuccessful. "Tan has a bad heart and had surgery twice, but both times it was unsuccessful. Every time, he could have died during the surgery, but his will kept him alive," he shared. taehyung about yeontans health last year- : tan has a bad heart & had surgeries twice. but both the times it was unsuccessful he couldve died during surgery, but his will kept him alive i was so grateful that he fought for his life. Rip yeontan you little fighter pic.twitter.com/iECi0Nq8Pw (@layovermoods) December 2, 2024 In addition to his message, Taehyung shared touching pictures and videos of his time with Yeontan, capturing the deep bond between the two. Notably, Yeontan was an eight-year-old Pomeranian who regularly appeared in V's social media posts and BTS content. Fans expressed their sadness over the loss, sending heartfelt tributes and messages of comfort to V, as the ARMY rallied together to support their beloved idol during this difficult time. Washington: Former filmmaker Harvey Weinstein, a convicted rapist has been urgently transferred to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan after suffering a significant health setback, reportedly linked to alarming blood test results. The news confirmed by Deadline, comes just days after Weinstein filed a lawsuit against the City of New York and others, accusing them of subjecting him to "deplorable conditions" at the notorious Rikers Island jail. Weinstein, who has been battling multiple health issues, including leukaemia, has previously been treated at Bellevue, which has become a regular destination since his conviction on sex crimes in 2020. According to Weinstein's attorney, Imran H Ansari's statement obtained by Deadline, the 72-year-old's medical condition deteriorated due to a lack of adequate care while incarcerated. "Harvey Weinstein, who has been suffering from a lack of adequate medical care and enduring deplorable and inhumane conditions on Rikers Island, has been transported to Bellevue Hospital for emergent treatment due to an alarming blood test result that requires immediate medical attention," Ansari said in a statement, adding, "It is expected that he will remain there until his condition stabilizes. His deprivation of care is not only medical malpractice, but a violation of his constitutional rights." Weinstein, who is currently facing a retrial in New York for sex crimes, is also involved in a USD 5 million lawsuit over the state of Rikers Island, a facility described as dilapidated and overcrowded. Filed last week, the lawsuit claims the prison's poor conditions have exacerbated Weinstein's medical conditions. His legal team argues that this mistreatment qualifies as "cruel and unusual punishment," as per Deadline. Juda Engelmayer, Weinstein's public relations representative, reiterated the gravity of his client's situation. "Mr Weinstein, who is suffering from a number of illnesses, including leukaemia, has been deprived of the medical attention that someone in his medical state deserves, prisoner or not," Engelmayer said, adding, "In many ways, this mistreatment constitutes cruel and unusual punishment," as per Deadline. This marks the third time in recent months that Weinstein has been hospitalized. In July, he was treated at Bellevue for COVID-19 and pneumonia, and in September, he underwent heart surgery after nearly dying from a serious health issue. In addition to leukaemia, Weinstein was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer in late October. Weinstein's health struggles continue to complicate his legal battles. Convicted in 2020 for raping actress Jessica Mann and sexually assaulting production assistant Miriam Haley, Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison. However, a New York appeals court overturned his conviction in April 2024, citing errors made by prosecutors during the trial. Despite this legal setback, Weinstein faces retrial in New York early next year, provided his health and ongoing legal issues do not delay the proceedings, as per Deadline. New Delhi: Rockstar fame Nargis Fakhri's sister Aliya Fakhri has been arrested for allegedly killing her ex-boyfriend, Edward Jacobs, and his friend, Anastasia Star Ettienne, in a fire in Queens, New York. Her mother, however, has denied such charges. Daily News quoted the mother as saying, "I don't think she would be killing someone. She was a person caring for everybody. She tried to help everybody." Aliya Fakhri, 43, 'deliberately' set a two-story garage on fire, which led to the death of her 35-year-old ex-boyfriend and Anastasia Ettienne (33), according to a press release by District Attorney Melinda Katz, reports Hindustan Times. 'You're all going to die today', Aliya Fakhri yelled at Jacobs after arriving at the garage early morning on November 2. A witness came out hearing her voice and found that the building was on fire, the press release by District Attorney Melinda Katz office said. Neither could survive and died from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries, Katz's office said in the press release, according to HT. According to The Post, Edward Jacobs mother revealed about Jacobs and Aliya's relationship which had ended a year back. However, Aliya reportedly continued to pursue him. The report clarified that Jacobs and Ettienne were not in a romantic relationship but only friends. Aliya Fakhri resided in Parsons Boulevard in Queens while the incident took place in Jamaica area. New Delhi: In a moment of pride for the team behind The Sabarmati Report, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the filmmakers after watching the film at Parliament yesterday, commending their exceptional efforts in creating such a powerful and impactful story. The film has been making waves across the country, captivating audiences with its poignant storytelling and addressing a crucial chapter in India's history. The Sabarmati Report has not only received overwhelming appreciation from viewers and critics but has also garnered significant support from the government. During a special screening in Delhi, the Honourable Prime Minister, alongside other leaders, watched the film. He was the first to publicly express his support for the project on social media, and his latest gesture of meeting the film's team has further solidified his backing. This marks a significant achievement for the film, as it is the only film that Prime Minister Modi has personally watched since taking office. The film, produced by Balaji Motion Pictures and directed by Dheeraj Sarna, stars Vikrant Massey, Raashii Khanna, and Ridhi Dogra. It is a production of Vikir Films, with Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor, Amul V Mohan, and Anshul Mohan serving as producers. Released by Zee Studios, The Sabarmati Report is now playing in theaters across the country. Mumbai: The fans are extremely disappointed with the public spat between the most adored couple Prince Narula and Yuvika Chaudhary. The couple have been indulging in an argument ever since the birth of their baby girl. Prince earlier claimed that his wife didn't inform him about the delivery of their baby as she travelled to Pune at her mom's home for the first delivery. While Yuvika in her vlog alleged that she had informed Prince about the arrival of the baby and he was lying about it. And now Prince has slammed Yuvika and claims that she is openly lying about him informing her about the arrival of their baby. He even took a dig at the actress for giving more importance to vlogs than their lives and called it sad."Kuch log vlogs main jhoot bol ke sache ban jate hain. Or kuch log chup reh kar galat sabit ho jate hain. Is zamane main rishte se zaida vlog imp hai. Sad. A few days ago Prince and Yuvika's pictures and videos went viral on the internet where the new mom Yuvika was standing in the distance from Prince while he was holding his baby for cake cutting in celebration of their newborn. Prince and Yuvika got married in 2018 and after 6 years of their marriage, they both welcomed their baby girl in October this year and fans only hope they sought out their differences soon. New Delhi: South Korean actor Park Min Jae, known for his roles in popular K-dramas such as Tomorrow and Little Women, has tragically passed away at the age of 32. His death was attributed to a cardiac arrest. On December 2, Park Min Jae's agency, Big Title, shared the sad news on Instagram. In their post, they expressed, "Hello, this is Big Title, the agency of actor Park Min Jae. A beautiful actor who loved his craft and always strived to do his best, Park Min Jae has passed away. We thank you all for your love and support towards him. Though we will no longer see his acting, we will proudly remember him as a major actor. May he rest in peace." The actor's younger brother also paid an emotional tribute, writing, "My beloved brother has gone to rest. I hope as many people as possible can come and pay their respects. We kindly ask for your understanding, as we are unable to respond to individual messages. The wake will be held from December 2nd, 09:30, to December 4th, 09:30." According to The Times of India, the actor has passed away due to cardiac arrest. The actor reportedly died on November 29 while he was in China.. His family and agency have confirmed that his funeral will take place at Ewha Seoul Hospital on December 4th at 09:30 AM. Park Min Jae, who was on the brink of mainstream stardom, appeared in notable South Korean television series such as Little Women (2022), Numbers (2023) and Korea-Khitan War (2023). His final appearance was in the web drama Snap and Spark. Mumbai: Vikrant Massey left his fans shocked as he announced his retirement from acting. The actor took to his Instagram and shared that he is very grateful of all the love and support over the years and now wants to focus on his family life hence taking a break as an actor. The social media post read. "Hello, The last few years and beyond have been phenomenal. I thank each and every one of you for your indelible support. But as I move forward, I realise its time to recalibrate and go back home. As a Husband, Father & a Son. And also as an Actor. So, coming 2025, we would meet each other for one last time. Until time deems right. Last 2 movies and many a years of memories. Thank you again. For everything and everything in between. Forever indebted." And after announcing his retirement, Vikrant Massey who is still connected to his films shared a day to remember for his entire life on his social media. The actor couldn't contain his happiness as Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to the theatre to watch his film The Sabarmati Report which is based on Godhra Rights. Vikrant shared multiple pictures of PM Modi from the theatre along with other ministers who were seated and watching the film. This is the first time PM Modi watched any film in the public domain. While this move of PM Modi is being slammed by the people, and they call the film a propaganda film. Coming back to Vikrant Massey we wonder if his retirement announcement is another publicity stunt. iQOO 13 India Launch: Vivos sub-brand iQOO has launched the iQOO 13 smartphone in the Indian market. The newly launched smartphone has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and FuntouchOS 15. The iQOO 13 supports 4 years of Android OS updates and 5 years of security updates. It is the second company to release a phone featuring the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, following the Realme GT 7 Pro, which launched in November. The phone is packed with features designed for both gamers and tech enthusiasts. Furthermore, the company claims that the iQOO 13 smartphone boasts the world's first Q10 144Hz Ultra Eyecare display. It comes in two storage models 12GB+ 256GB and 16GB+512GB and will be available in two colour options: Legend and Nardo Grey. iQOO 13 Price In India And Availability The handset is priced at Rs 54,999 for the 12GB+256GB variant, while the 16GB+512GB variant is available for Rs 59,999. Customers using HDFC or ICICI Bank credit cards can avail an additional Rs 3,000 discount. Notably, the pre-booking for the iQOO 13 begins on December 5 at 12 PM, with the first sale starting on December 11 at 12 PM via Vivo exclusive stores, the iQOO e-store, and Amazon.in. iQOO 13 Specifications: The handset features a 2K AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and LTPO technology for dynamic refresh rate adjustments, offering HBM brightness of 1800 nits. It is powered by a 6,000mAh battery and supports 120W wired fast charging. On the photography front, the phone features a triple-camera setup with a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 50-megapixel telephoto lens, and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide lens. For selfies and video calls, there is a 32-megapixel front camera. Designed for gamers, the iQOO 13 offers 2K Game Super Resolution for enhanced visuals, 144 fps frame interpolation for smoother gameplay, and multiple optimizations for an improved gaming experience. The company claims the phone can be fully charged from 0 per cent to 100 per cent in just 30 minutes. Moreover, the premium smartphone features a unique "Monster Halo" light effect around the camera module, which acts as a notification indicator for calls, messages, and charging, as well as during gaming with 72 customizable light combinations. Furthermore, the iQOO 13 is IP69 rated for dust and water resistance. It also includes AI-powered features like Image Cutout and Instant Text, which extract text and subjects from images. The device further supports Live Call Translate for real-time phone call translations and Live Transcribe, which converts speech to text to assist hearing-impaired users. ISKCON Kolkata spokesperson Radharamn Das has alleged that advocate Ramen Roy, who defended Bangladeshi Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu Das in a legal case, was violently attacked by Islamists in Bangladesh. The attackers also reportedly vandalized Roy's residence. Roy is currently admitted in the hospital and is struggling for life. Meanwhile, Krishna Das, remains in jail after being charged with sedition, as no lawyer has come forward to represent him due to threats from Islamist groups. Following an initial hearing on the bail petition on Tuesday, the judge scheduled the next hearing for January 2, PTI quoted local media's report. Das further alleged that Ramen Roy was targeted solely for defending Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu Das in court. A group of alleged Islamists reportedly ransacked his home and left him critically injured. Please pray for Advocate Ramen Roy. His only 'fault' was defending Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in court. Islamists ransacked his home and brutally attacked him, leaving him in the ICU, fighting for his life. #SaveBangladeshiHindus #FreeChinmoyKrishnaPrabhu, he posted on X along with a picture of Roy in ICU. Zee news english could not independently verify the authenticity of the post. Das, who is the ISKCON Kolkata vice president told Bengali news channel, This brutal attack on advocate Roy is a direct consequence of his legal defence of Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu. It reflects the growing danger faced by those who defend the rights of religious minorities in Bangladesh, reported PTI. Chinmoy Krishna, a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested on Monday at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport while traveling to Chattogram for a rally on charges of sedition. A court in Bangladesh denied him bail on Tuesday and remanded him to judicial custody. Bangladesh's Hindu population has shrunk from 22% during the 1971 Liberation War to around 8% today. Bangladesh's Hindu population, once a significant demographic, has witnessed a sharp decline in recent decades driven by socio-political marginalisation, violence, and exodus. (With PTI inputs) A senior official from the Muhammad Yunus-led Bangladesh government has said that Hindus in the country are more secure now than they were under the rule of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This remark has came amid Sheikh Hasina's virtual address where she blamed Muhammad Yunus of mass killings of minorities. In an exclusive interview with India Today, Shafiqul Alam emphasized that Hindus are well-protected under the current administration, even more so than during Sheikh Hasina's tenure. According to him, the narrative of minority groups being targeted is largely a product of misleading media reports from India. Sheikh Hasina Accuses Muhammad Yunus of Mass Killings In a recent virtual address to her political party, the Awami League, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accused Muhammad Yunus, the head of the countrys interim government, of orchestrating mass killings and inciting attacks on religious minorities. Hasina's remarks were made during a gathering of her party members in New York. Hasina leveled serious accusations against Yunus, claiming that he, alongside student coordinators, masterminded a campaign of mass killings in Bangladesh. According to Hasina, Yunus's actions led to the attacks on religious sites, including temples, churches, and Iskcon locations. Today, I am being accused of mass killings, but in reality, it is Muhammad Yunus who has been behind these atrocities, Hasina said during her address. She also referenced the comments of Tarique Rahman, a prominent figure in the opposition BNP party, who warned that the government would not survive if such killings continued. Targeting of Religious Minorities in Bangladesh During her speech, Hasina raised concerns about the targeting of religious minorities in Bangladesh, particularly Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians. She questioned why these groups were being attacked, citing the recent violence against them. Teachers and police officers are being attacked, and places of worship, including churches and temples, are being targeted. Why are minorities facing such brutality in Bangladesh? Hasina asked. Her comments come amid reports of escalating violence, including the arrest of three Hindu monks in Dhaka last week, which has heightened tensions in the country. Hasina also recounted the events that led to her departure from Bangladesh in August 2024, following growing student protests. She claimed there was a conspiracy to assassinate her, similar to the tragic killing of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in 1975. Hasina explained that she chose to leave the country to prevent further bloodshed. Israel Minister of Economy and Industry, Nir Barkat, expressed his support for US president-elect Donald Trump's recent threat to BRICS countries regarding their de-dollarisation efforts, saying that "I think it's in the best interest of the free world." Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Barkat stated that, "I think it's a bold and smart move and I don't think India is going to be part of any kind of currency, neither will Israel." "President Trump is making geopolitical order - aligning in the interest of the West and Democracies and also defining who are the bad guys, enemies and jihadists. Iran, Qatar, the proxies in our region that are trying to destabilise peace - it's not only in the interest of Israel but also for the free world that we align against bullies," he added. As Trump prepares to assume charge in Washington, Barkat has expressed his support for Trump's economic approach. Barkat stated, "I think what President Trump is doing, he is aligning his economy with the geopolitics. In other words, if you are an adversary - you'll pay heavy taxes but if you are an ally, the doors are open - having a good relationship (of the US) with Israel and India - will only do good to us..." On Saturday, Trump threatened the BRICS nations, with 100 per cent tariffs and called for a clear commitment from these countries to refrain from creating a new currency or supporting any other currency to replace the US dollar. Further, Barkat expressed his gratitude to the Indian government for their support during difficult times. "On October 7, one of the first calls was from PM Modi. We as Israelis respect that. We understand how deep the relationship is. It's also an opportunity to say thank you to the whole govt of India. You (India) know how to stand beside us in times of trouble. We have a long good memory about India," Barkat told ANI. Further, the Israel minister called on Israel's neighbors to recognise the State of Israel and seek peace and collaboration. "Unfortunately, we have neighbors that are jihadists. It's a holy war, they want to destroy Israel," Barkat said. "The only hope to reshape the Middle East is that they recognize the State of Israel and they understand that rather than building tunnels and terror, they want to build Dubai and cities and towers and jobs." "We want to see our neighbours build Dubai and not Gaza. We want to have peace like Dubai. We want to expand the Abraham Accord to include the Saudis, Indonesia and other modern Arab states that are seeking to create win-win deals," he added. On October 7, Hamas launched a terror attack on Israel, killing over 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. Around 100 of them are still in captivity, and many are feared dead. In response, Israel launched a strong counteroffensive targeting Hamas units in Gaza. The Israeli operation has, however, resulted in the deaths of over 45,000 Palestinians in Gaza. In a dramatic turn of events in South Korea, President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law has sparked widespread protests and significant political backlash. While Yoon announced the emergency measure late Tuesday, Parliament swiftly rejected it, triggering public demonstrations and raising concerns over the country's democratic stability. South Korean Parliament voted to lift the declaration, with the National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring that lawmakers 'will protect democracy with the people'. Woo called for police and military personnel to withdraw from the Assembly's grounds. Labeling his move as essential to counter political adversaries, Yoon faced opposition not only from lawmakers but also from within his own party. Parliamentary Speaker and Yoon's party leader, Han Dong-hoon, openly criticized the declaration, citing recent scandals and the president's approach as problematic. South Korean law mandates the immediate revocation of martial law if Parliament votes against it. Live footage showed soldiers in riot gear attempting to enter the National Assembly, with parliamentary aides resisting by using fire extinguishers. In a televised address, Yoon accused opposition parties of obstructing parliamentary processes and vowed to eliminate what he described as "pro-North Korean anti-state forces." He justified his actions as necessary to protect constitutional order. (10/11) The White House said its in contact with ROK authorities and monitoring the situation closely. North Korea has yet to officially react. pic.twitter.com/NLkBMQtQ3w December 3, 2024 The announcement led to large-scale protests outside the Parliament, with demonstrators chanting slogans such as "Withdraw emergency martial law!" Following Yoon's statement, the military declared that political party activities would be suspended and that media outlets would be placed under martial law command, heightening fears of authoritarian control. Following President Yoon's announcement, South Korea's military declared the suspension of parliamentary activities and political gatherings deemed capable of causing "social confusion," according to the Yonhap news agency. The military also ordered striking doctors to return to work within 48 hours. Thousands of doctors have been protesting for months against government plans to increase medical school enrollment. The military warned that anyone defying the order could face arrest without a warrant. Under South Korean law, martial law can be revoked through a majority vote in Parliament, where the opposition Democratic Party holds the majority. (With PTI/AP/Reuters inputs) Beijing/Kathmandu: President Xi Jinping on Tuesday lauded visiting Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli's commitment to promote China-Nepal relations and pledged to advance strategic ties with Kathmandu as both sides inked nine agreements. Oli arrived in Beijing on Monday on a four-day visit to China, his first official visit to that country after assuming office for the fourth time. Xi met Oli and expressed appreciation for the Nepalese leader's firm commitment to promoting friendship between the two sides over a long period, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported. He also pledged efforts to advance the strategic partnership of cooperation with Nepal where Beijing has scaled up its investments in the last decade, expanding its influence in the landlocked country located between India and China. Xi said China and Nepal, linked by the same mountains and rivers, are good neighbours, good friends and good partners, and bilateral relations have maintained sound and steady development. Noting that next year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Xi said China places Nepal in an important position in its neighbourhood diplomacy and is willing to work with Nepal to consolidate traditional friendship and push for new progress in advancing the China-Nepal strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity. Oli, regarded as a pro-China leader, heads a coalition government consisting of his Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) and the Nepali Congress, which seeks balanced ties with China and India. Oli, who succeeded Pushpa Kumar Dahal alias Prachanda to become Prime Minister for a fourth time in July, visited Beijing twice during his previous terms. He opted to visit China first in his new term breaking from the past practice of Nepali prime ministers making India their first destination in the neighbourhood, amid media reports that he did not get an invitation from New Delhi. Oli's visit to Beijing is taking place amid concerns in both countries that none of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects signed between the two countries in 2017 with much fanfare has taken off. "We signed the BRI framework in 2017 and whatever assistance and support we receive from China now is in the periphery of the BRI. Things have not moved beyond that," Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, who visited Chengdu last week ahead of Oli's visit and held talks with her counterpart Wang Yi, told the Nepalese media. Reports from Kathmandu said Xi and Oli discussed connectivity, industrial development, infrastructural development and trade and tourism among other issues. Earlier, Oli held a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang in Beijing, the Prime Minister's Secretariat said in Kathmandu. Krishna Prasad Dhakal, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in Kathmandu that nine agreements were signed during the visit, including several memorandums of understanding (MoUs). Agreements that were signed include an exchange of letters regarding the construction of the Tokha-Chhahari tunnel road near Kathmandu; an MoU on Nepal-China trade promotion, and an exchange of certificates of completion of the renovation of the historic nine-storey palace situated in Basantapur in Kathmandu. Also, MoUs on protocol relating to the export of thermally processed buffalo meat to China; on development and construction works; on economic and technical assistance; on Chinese language education, and on cooperation in communication technology between Nepal Television and China Media Group were signed. There was also an exchange of letters relating to aid in cash, he said. According to a Xinhua report, Li told Oli that China stands ready to enhance the synergy of development strategies with Nepal, leverage the leading role of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation in bilateral cooperation, actively expand two-way trade and investment, and strengthen connectivity at ports, roads, railways and airlines. He said China encourages competent Chinese enterprises to invest in Nepal and is willing to import more quality products from Nepal. Li called on the two sides to deepen people-to-people exchanges and sub-national cooperation. China supports Nepal in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs and is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Nepal in multilateral arenas, Li said. Oli told Li that Nepal's determination to abide by the One-China principle will not waver, and it will not allow any force to use Nepal's territory for anti-China activities. Nepal believes that Taiwan and Tibet are inalienable parts of China and Tibet-related affairs are China's internal affairs. Nepal has always regarded China as a reliable partner and is willing to take the opportunity of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties next year to further strengthen high-level exchanges with China, consolidate traditional friendship, promote practical cooperation in various fields, jointly cope with common challenges and strengthen coordination on multilateral affairs, Oli said. Ahead of Oli's visit, the Nepal government announced that it has accepted projects worth USD 20 million as grant assistance from China. Besides, the Nepali Cabinet also decided to accept 300 million Chinese Yuan (USD 4.13 million approximately) worth of projects proposed by the government of China, the government spokesperson said. Scientists say ancient footprints left in wet dirt on a Kenyan lakeside suggest that two early human ancestors were neighbors about 1.5 million years ago. Two separate species made the sets of footprints within a matter of hours, or at most days, said paleontologist Louise Leakey, a writer of the research published recently in the journal Science. Paleontologists study fossils to learn about the history of life on Earth. Scientists already knew from earlier fossil finds that these two extinct lines of human development called Homo erectus and Paranthropus boisei lived about the same time in the Turkana Basin. But dating fossils is not exact. Its plus or minus a few thousand years, said paleontologist William Harcourt-Smith of Lehman College and the American Museum of Natural History in New York. He was not involved in the study Yet with fossil footprints, theres an actual moment in time preserved, he said. Its an amazing discovery. Researchers found the fossil footprints in 2021 in what is today Koobi Fora, Kenya, said Leaky, who is based at Stony Brook University in New York. Study co-writer Kevin Hatala is a paleoanthropologist at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He said the two species likely knew of each others existence whether they left the prints at the same time or a day or two apart. They probably saw each other, probably knew each other was there and probably influenced each other in some way, Hatala said. Scientists were able to tell the difference between the two species because of the shape of the footprints. The shape of each informed researchers about the structure of the foot and how it was being used at the time. Homo erectus appeared to be walking similarly to how modern humans walk striking the ground heel first, then moving weight over the ball of the foot and toes and pushing off again. The other species, which was also walking upright, was moving in a different way from anything else weve seen before, anywhere else, said co-writer Erin Marie Williams-Hatala, a human development anatomist at Chatham. Among other details, the footprints suggest greater ability of movement in their big toe, compared to Homo erectus or modern humans, said Hatala. Our common primate ancestors probably had hands and feet fit for grasping branches. But, over time, the feet of human ancestors developed to permit walking upright, researchers say. The new study adds to a growing amount of research that suggests the change to walking on two feet did not happen at a single moment, in a single way. Instead, there may have been a number of ways that early humans learned to walk, run and slide on prehistoric muddy hills. It turns out, there are different gait mechanics different ways of being bipedal, said Harcourt-Smith. Im Caty Weaver. The Associated Press reported this story. Caty Weaver adapted the story for VOA Learning English. ____________________________________________ Words in This Story species n. a class of things of the same kind and with the same name fossil n. a trace or print or the remains of a plant or animal of a past age preserved in earth or rock extinct adj. no longer existing preserve v. to keep or save from decomposition anatomist n. a scientist who studies the structural makeup of a living organism or any of its parts bipedal adj. of, or relating to, walking on two feet primate n. any of an order of mammals that are characterized by hands and feet that grasp, a relatively large complex brain, and vision in which objects are seen in three dimensions and that includes human beings, apes, monkeys, and related forms (such as lemurs and tarsiers) Microsoft is expanding its artificial intelligence (AI) tool offerings to include personal agents which are designed to take over different human processes. The American software company said the new offerings are designed to help users complete certain business activities with little or no human involvement. The agents are expected to be offered to some users starting in the coming weeks. A full release is expected sometime next year. Microsoft has said its agents are designed to expand on so-called chatbots. A chatbot is an AI tool that can work by itself to produce human-level writing or discussion. Such systems also known as generative AI can also produce images and videos based on short text descriptions. While chatbots perform some functions on their own, they also depend heavily on humans to operate and guide them. The idea behind AI agents is to give them the ability to take over whole business processes with little or no guidance from people. In a statement last month, Microsoft said it was preparing for a world where every organization would have a collection of AI agents to perform different business activities. In another statement issued last week, the company said the agents being developed are designed to operate around the clock to ease the workload of human workers. Examples of agent duties include processing customer orders or returns and examining shipping records to prevent errors. Microsoft has moved quickly to offer AI technologies to everyday users of its business software products. The methods are largely based on models built by AI developer OpenAI, creator of the ChatGPT chatbot. Microsoft has invested about $13 billion in OpenAI. Microsofts Chief Marketing Officer, Jared Spataro, said the public should think of agents as the new apps for an AI-powered world. The company added that its customers will be able to use its Copilot Studio service to create their own AI agents to meet specific needs. Copilot is Microsofts existing AI chatbot tool. In addition, the company said it has introduced 10 ready-to-use agents to carry out routine business activities. Charles Lamanna is the corporate vice president of business and industry for Copilot. He told Reuters news agency, "The idea is that Copilot is the user interface for AI." He added, "Every employee will have a Copilot, their personalized AI agent. And then they will use that Copilot to interface and interact with the sea of AI agents that will be out there." In an online explanation of the AI tools, Microsoft said instead of just assisting you, agents can work alongside you or even on your behalf. This could include a range of things, from responding to customer questions to more (complex) or multistep assignments, the company added. The abilities of AI agents remain limited for now. But ongoing development of the tools has raised concerns about certain risks linked to the technology. Microsoft officials have said the company had developed responsible AI guidelines to protect users from possible security or privacy problems. Other big technology companies also aim to develop such agents. These include Salesforce, Nvidia, Google and Oracle. Industry experts have said the tools could provide companies with an easier path to earn money from the billions of dollars they are investing in AI systems. Im Bryan Lynn. The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse and Microsoft reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English. ________________________________________ Words in This Story agent n. a person or system whose job it is to deal with business for someone else customer n. a person or organization that buys goods or services from a shop or business routine adj. a regular task that gets repeated over and over again interface n. a connection between a person and a computer system on behalf (of someone) phrase acting for someone else Our Approach To Be Guided By 'India First': Goyal > < 23:52 Woman, boy faint at premier show of Allu Arjun's 'Pushpa 2' in Hyderabad A woman and a boy fainted when a large number of fans gathered at a movie theater here on Wednesday for the premier show of the much-awaited Pushpa 2: The Rule of actor Allu Arjun. Police personnel conducted Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation on the duo and sent them to a hospital, a police... Read more > 23:49 NCP-SP leader, 88 villagers booked for re-poll bid using ballot papers File image The police registered case against NCP-SP leader Uttam Jankar and 88 others a day after a section of villagers in Markadwadi village of Solapur district and nearby areas attempted to conduct a re-election using ballot papers, an official said on Wednesday. A day earlier, a case was... Read more > 23:33 Two cars catch fire after collision on Dwarka Expressway, one dead File image A person was charred to death after his car caught fire following a collision with an SUV on a flyover in Dwarka Sector 21 on Wednesday, the police said. According to the police, the SUV also caught fire but its occupants managed to escape in time. A call regarding the fire was received... Read more > 23:15 Vande Bharat Express halts for over two hours due to technical glitch in Kerala File image The Vande Bharat Express running from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram was delayed near Shornur railway station on Wednesday evening following a technical issue, according to the railway police. The train came to a halt at around 5.30 pm near the Shornur railway bridge and remained stationary... Read more > 23:01 Badal shooter spotted at Golden Temple on Tuesday Former Khalistani terrorist Narain Singh Chaura in police custody/ANI Photo The police were keeping an eye on former Khalistani terrorist Narain Singh Chaura who had visited the Golden Temple on Tuesday too, a day before his failed attempt on the life of Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, a senior official said. Chaura on Wednesday opened fire from a... Read more > 22:55 Abhinandan Lodha's firm buys American Center in Mumbai for Rs 56 cr Abhinandan Lodha, chairman of HoABL Infraworld/ANI Photo Realty firm HoABL Infraworld Pvt Ltd on Wednesday said it has acquired the iconic American Center building in Mumbai for Rs 56 crore. The company has acquired the American Center building in South Mumbai, a Ground + 7 storey structure spanning 1,337.81 square meters. This project will... Read more > 22:36 Bhutan King to pay 2-day visit to India from tomorrow Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and PM Narendra Modi/File image Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck will pay a two-day visit to India beginning Thursday with an aim to further expand the already close ties between the two countries. The ministry of external affairs said the King will be accompanied by Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck and senior... Read more > 22:06 India beats Pak 5-3 in men's junior Asia Cup final Just In: Indian hockey team beats Pakistan 5-3 in final to win hat-trick of titles in men's junior Asia Cup in Muscat. Read more > 21:51 Mumbai sees hottest December day in 16 years Mumbai on Wednesday recorded a maximum temperature of 37.3 degrees Celsius, its hottest day in December in the last 16 years, the India meteorological department (IMD) said. The Santacruz observatory, which monitors temperature for the suburbs, recorded 37.3 degree Celsius, while the Colaba... Read more > 21:16 Off-duty Army jawan shot at by terrorists in J-K File image An off-duty Army jawan was injured after being shot by terrorists in the Tral area of Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Wednesday, officials said. Delhair Mushtaq, a resident of Aripal area in Tral, sustained two bullet injuries on the legs. The incident occurred near his house at... Read more > 21:03 Sambhal violence accused SP MP booked for 'mowing down' man Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rahman Barq/Courtesy X A probe has been ordered into allegations that a vehicle driven by Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rahman Barq, who had been booked in the wake of recent violence in Sambhal, hit and killed a man, officials said on Wednesday. According to the police, the 30-year-old victim's father, Samar Pal,... Read more > 20:36 AAP MLA Naresh Balyan held in MCOCA case; gets bail in extortion case AAP MLA Naresh Balyan (second from left) being produced before a court in New Delhi, on Sunday/ANI Photo The Delhi police on Wednesday arrested AAP MLA Naresh Balyan in a case related to an alleged organised crime, while he was granted bail by a court here in a separate case related to alleged extortion. Additional chief metropolitan magistrate Paras Dalal granted relief to the accused on a... Read more > 20:19 730 CAPF, NSG and AR personnel committed suicide in last five years: Govt File image Over 700 personnel of Central Armed Police Forces, National Security Guards and Assam Rifles have committed suicide in the last five years, while 55,555 have resigned or taken voluntary retirement during the period, Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday. In a written response to a question,... Read more > 19:43 Eknath Shinde to take oath as deputy CM tomorrow Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde Just In: Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde will take oath on Thursday as Maharashtra's deputy chief minister along with NCP's Ajit Pawar, in the new government, said Shiv Sena sources on Wednesday. More details soon. -- ANI Read more > 19:24 Beef banned in hotels, public places: Himanta Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma/File image The Assam government has decided to ban serving and consumption of beef in restaurants, hotels and public places, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Wednesday. A decision was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet to amend the existing law on beef consumption to incorporate the... Read more > 19:00 Navy helicopter makes emergency landing in Odisha paddy field File image An Indian Navy helicopter made an emergency landing at a paddy field in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district on Wednesday, the police said. The helicopter landed in Armada village in Rasgovindpur police station area, taking farmers working in the field by surprise, they said. After landing, the... Read more > 18:48 Murder case accused with '50 paise' bounty on head held in MP's Indore The police in Madhya Pradesh's Indore on Wednesday arrested a criminal, on whose head they had announced a reward of 50 paise for threatening a witness in a murder case, an official said. The city police have launched a unique campaign to announce token rewards against absconding... Read more > 18:23 Ajit can take oath morning and evening: Shinde Maharashtra caretaker CM Eknath Shinde and NCP chief Ajit Pawar Maharashtra caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday expressed satisfaction over two and half years of Mahayuti government in Maharashtra ahead of the scheduled oath taking of BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis as Chief Minister of the State tomorrow. I am very happy with the completion... Read more > 17:50 HC grants bail to third accused in IIT-BHU student's gang rape case File image The Allahabad high court has granted bail to the third person accused in the gang rape of an IIT student from the Banaras Hindu University in 2023, officials said on Wednesday. Government counsel Manoj Kumar Gupta said the high court granted bail to Saksham Patel on Monday. Two other... Read more > 17:30 HC exempts Hemant Soren from personal appearance in court The Jharkhand high court on Wednesday exempted Chief Minister Hemant Soren from personal appearance before the MP/MLA court in Ranchi in a case related to disobeying summonses by the Enforcement Directorate. The court gave a week's time to the Enforcement Directorate to file a reply in the... Read more > 17:14 Bank stocks gain ahead of RBI policy Benchmark Sensex advanced 110 points in a choppy trade on Wednesday, extending its gains to the fourth day in a row helped by buying in HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and fresh foreign fund inflows. The 30-share barometer rose by 110.58 points or 0.14 per cent to settle at 80,956.33 with 14 of... Read more > 16:56 Meet the man who saved Sukbhir Badal's life today Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Punjab Police, Jasbir Singh, recounted the assassination attempt on Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, describing how the police acted swiftly to thwart the attack.Singh explained that despite instructions not to frisk or stop anyone, he... Read more > 16:37 Main toh lenewala hoon: Ajit Pawar on taking oath Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, NCP chief Ajit Pawar stake claim to form the government in the state. Devendra Fadnavis to take oath as CM of Maharashtra tomorrow, 5th December.NCP chief Ajit Pawar says, ...We will give our best to run the government in the state.... Read more > 16:16 Shinde: Dada has taken oath morning, evening Maharashtra CM-designate Devendra Fadnavis says, The posts of CM and DCM are just technical posts. We all will work together for Maharashtra. Other ministers will be decided in upcoming meetings. We have met the Governor and handed over the letter of support to stake claim to form the government... Read more > 15:40 Teacher recalls Fadnavis: Back-bencher but... Reason to celebrate for the BJP in Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis, who is set to become the chief minister of Maharashtra for a third time, was a sensitive, polite and helpful student who never boasted about his family's political background, recalls one of his school teachers. He used to sit on the back row benches in the school as he... Read more > 15:11 4000 cops on duty for Maha CM's oath ceremony More than 4,000 police personnel have been deployed for security during the swearing-in ceremony of Maharashtra's new chief minister scheduled here on Thursday evening, officials said. The oath ceremony will be held at the Azad Maidan in south Mumbai in the presence of Prime Minister... Read more > 15:07 In Odisha, dogs attacked 777 people daily in 22 months: Govt data Odisha recorded over 5.20 lakh dog bite cases between January 2023 and October 2024, according to data provided by the state government in the Assembly on Wednesday. This means stray canines or domesticated ones have targeted an average of 777 individuals every day during that period. In a... Read more > 15:03 Doily on a car? Indian artist wins prestigious Turner Prize Glasgow-born artist of Indian heritage Jasleen Kaur, whose works are inspired by her life growing up in Scotland's Sikh community, has won Britain's prestigious Turner Prize 2024 for her considered weaving together of the personal, political and spiritual. Kaur collected the GBP 25,000 (Rs... Read more > 14:45 Maha polls proved 'ek hain, safe hai': Fadnavis Elected to lead the Maharashtra BJP Legislative Party, Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday termed the Assembly polls as historic, reiterated the Ek Hain to Safe Hain rhetoric of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during campaigning and added Modi Hai to Mumkin hai.An official invitation card of swearing-in... Read more > 14:16 Only Maha CM, 2 deputy CMs to take oath tomorrow Devendra Fadnavis is back in the driver's seat Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant on Wednesday said only the chief minister and two deputy chief ministers will take oath during the swearing-in ceremony to be held on December 5 at the Azad Maidan in Mumbai. The decision on the modalities of the cabinet and portfolios will be taken later, he... Read more > 13:50 Monkeying around And another picture Shashi Tharoor shared with his friend, seated comfortably on a chair in the beautiful Delhi winter. Read more > 13:49 The adventures of Shashi Tharoor and the monkey Congress MP Shashi Tharoor shares this rather bemused picture of himself and a friend writing, Had an extraordinary experience today. While i was sitting in the garden, reading my morning newspapers, a monkey wandered in, headed straight for me and parked himself on my lap. He hungrily ate a... Read more > 13:45 Punha yein: How Fadnavis returned to the throne Devendra Fadnavis, the political stalwart who rose from humble beginnings to become a key figure in Maharashtra politics, is set to become chief minister -- a position he has held twice before. The 54-year-old leader, whose career has been marked by a blend of resilience and strategic... Read more > 12:52 Why was an ex-terrorist allowed near Badal? Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Golden Temple Bullet fired at Sukhbir Singh Badal at Golden Temple: Punjab BJP vice president Fatehjung Singh Bajwa says, I must say that this is a major security lapse.Narain Singh Chaura (attacker) is a dreaded terrorist. He hails from Dera Baba Nanak. He was very active during the era of terrorism. He was... Read more > 12:40 Rahul: Ready to go alone to Sambhal but... Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, who was stopped at the Ghazipur border here on Wednesday, said he was ready to go alone to Sambhal with police but was not allowed. As the leader of the opposition, it is my constitutional right. I should have been allowed, he said. The... Read more > 12:22 Fadnavis supporters celebrate his 2nd term as CM Celebrations outside the residence of BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis in Nagpur. He has been unanimously elected as the Leader of Maharashtra BJP Legislative Party. Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis will be sworn in as the chief minister of Maharashtra on Thursday, sources said. His name... Read more > 12:10 Much to smile about Devendra Fadnavis unanimously elected Maharashtra BJP legislature party leader at meeting in Mumbai. Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman, former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, the BJP's observers for Maharashtra, were present at the BJP's core committee meet. Read more > 12:06 Sara Tendulkar's new job is... Rumours continue to swirl around Sara Tendulkar, the daughter of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. Is she making her Bollywood debut, is she not?Sara has been spotted in Mumbai's Pali Hill area, entering a vanity van parked outside a studio, earlier this year.Today, her dad staunched the Bollywood... Read more > 11:55 Maha BJP legislature party meet begins Devendra Fadnavis will be sworn-in tomorrow Maharashtra BJP legislature party meeting begins in Mumbai's Vidhan Bhawan to elect new leader. Read more > 11:54 DEVENDRA FADNAVIS will be Maharashtra CM Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis will be sworn in as the chief minister of Maharashtra on Thursday, sources said. His name was finalised in the BJP's core committee meeting held in Mumbai today before its Maharashtra legislature party meet, they said. Union minister Nirmala... Read more > 11:28 Rahul stopped at Ghazipur border on way to Sambhal The heavily fortified Ghazipur border With prohibitory orders in place in Sambhal, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was stopped at the Ghazipur border here on Wednesday on his way to the district, a senior police officer said. Rahul Gandhi, his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other senior Congress leaders reached the... Read more > 11:21 104-yr-old man released from Bengal jail A 104-year-old man released from West Bengal's Malda Correctional Home after languishing in jail for 36 years said he will spend time with his family members and do gardening. Rasikt Mondal had been sentenced to judicial custody 36 years back in 1988 on the charge of murdering his brother... Read more > 11:05 Badal shooter has criminal record: Police Amritsar Police Commissioner Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar says, Due to the alertness and deployment of our Police, this attack attempt was foiled. Our personnel Rishpal Singh, Jasbir and Parminder displayed alertness and foiled the attempts. Narayan Singh Chaura (attacker), who has a criminal... Read more > 10:49 Badal assassination attempt: Wife arrives at temple Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Shiromani Akali Dal MP and wife of Sukhbir Singh Badal arrives at the Golden Temple, Amritsar. Bullets were fired at the Golden Temple where SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was offering 'seva'.\Read the report here. Read more > 10:44 Hyundai ties up with 3 IITs for... Hyundai Motor group on Tuesday announced partnerships with three Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to establish a research system in the fields of batteries and electrification.The institutes include IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, and IIT Madras.The Hyundai Center of Excellence (CoE), which will be... Read more > 10:38 HULs Vim may soon become Rs 3K cr brand Hindustan Unilever (HUL)'s Vim brand, which leads the market in the dishwashing space, is expected to cross the Rs 3,000 crore mark soon in sales. The company has now entered the floor cleaning category with the same brand.HUL currently has 19 brands with revenue of over Rs 1,000 crore. Vim... Read more > 10:31 Sukhbir Badal to continue seva after murder attempt SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami says, We will investigate this through our sources well. I think he (attacker) has been nabbed and taken away by the police. Guru Ram Das saved Sukhbir Singh Badal. We are looking into the security arrangements. This is the place of Wahe Guru, He protects us.... Read more > 10:12 Alert aides ensured Badal escaped unhurt Another camera angle shows the assailant reaching into his pocket for the gun as Sukhbir Badal sits in his wheelchair. That was when the aides around Badal jumped at him and overpowered him. Read more > 10:04 Sukhbir Badal escapes killing, bullet hits wall Update: Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was shot at by a man while he was performing the duty of 'sewadar' outside the Golden Temple here on Wednesday. Badal, who was sitting in a wheelchair, escaped unhurt as the bullet hit a wall. The man, identified as Narain Singh, was... Read more > 09:59 What is Sukhbir Badal doing at Golden Temple? The empty bullet shell at the Golden Temple premises.To bring you up to speed, former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal is doing penance at the Golden Temple. Yesterday, he was seen wearing a plaque around his neck while sitting in a wheelchair because of a fractured leg.... Read more > 09:55 Assailant was in temple yesterday also The name of the assailant is Narayan Singh Chaura who was at the Golden Temple premises yesterday as well. Image: The assailant was nabbed. Read more > 09:50 Man opens fire at Sukhbir Badal in Golden temple Breaking! A man fired at former Punjab Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal during his penance at the Golden Temple. Bullets were fired in the temple premises in Amritsar where SAD leaders, including party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, are offering 'seva' under the religious punishments... Read more > 09:41 Over 6K pollution complaints In Delhi so far Delhi registered 6,170 complaints related to air pollution between October 15, 2021 and November 19, 2024, with 2,333 (38 per cent) of these remaining unresolved, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).Interestingly, Rajasthan registered 77 air pollution complaints, but... Read more > 09:33 Tremors felt in Maharashtra after earthquake hits Telangana Tremors were experienced in Maharashtra's Nagpur and Gadchiroli districts after an earthquake struck Mulugu in neighbouring Telangana on Wednesday morning, officials said. The earthquake of 5.3 magnitude was recorded in Mulugu at 7.27 am, according to the National Center for... Read more > 09:29 Coconuts cause 2 times more accidents than drunk driving According to an accident index by Acko, a leading tech-first insurance provider, revealed that falling coconuts have caused 2.28 times more accidents than drunk driving in 2024. Stray animals remain a significant cause of road accidents, with stray dogs accounting for 62 per cent, followed by... Read more > 09:21 Corporation and personal income tax collections decline in October October this year, as always, fell in the festival season but that did not manifest in high tax numbers, particularly direct taxes. For instance, corporation-tax was down 16 per cent at Rs 26,356 crore in the month year-on-year (Y-o-Y), while personal income tax fell 12 per cent at Rs 61,937... Read more > 09:05 5.3 magnitude earthquake hits Telangana, AP An earthquake of 5.3 magnitude occurred at Mulugu in Telangana on Wednesday morning, the National Center for Seismology said. The quake struck at 7.27 am. The tremors were reported at several places in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. -- PTI Read more > 08:58 Look What The IAF, Navy, Coast Guard Are Getting! Bhaswar Kumar/Business StandardThe Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Tuesday accorded acceptance of necessity (AoN) for five capital acquisition proposals worth over Rs 21,772 crore.Approvals include ships for the Indian Navy,... Read more > 08:50 Flush With Funds, Qcoms Eye Expansion Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com Aryaman Gupta/Business StandardFlush with funds and amid intensifying competition in the sector, quick commerce (qcom) companies like Swiggy Instamart, Zomato-owned Blinkit, and Zepto, have shifted into expansion mode.While announcing its September-quarter results, management at Swiggy said... Read more > 08:27 South Korean Prez lifts martial law after huge outrage South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on early Wednesday announced the removal of emergency martial law, following a vote by the National Assembly calling for its termination.In the wee hours on Wednesday, Yoon's cabinet approved a motion to end martial law enforcement, approximately six hours... Read more > The leaders of the two world superpowers, the USA and the USSR, have declared an end to the Cold War after two days of storm-lashed talks at the Malta summit. At a joint news conference held on board the Soviet cruise ship, Maxim Gorky, the two men announced they had set the stage for big reductions in troops and weapons in Europe. The Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, also said: I assured the President of the United States that I will never start a hot war against the USA. For his part, US President George Bush said: We can realise a lasting peace and transform the East-West relationship to one of enduring co-operation. That is the future that Chairman Gorbachev and I began right here in Malta. The Malta summit is being hailed as the most important since 1945 when Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt agreed a post-war plan for Europe at Yalta. The two men have met face-to-face for the first time against a backdrop of fast-moving change in Eastern Europe. In the past few weeks Hungary has opened its borders with the West, the Berlin Wall has fallen, followed by the government of Czechoslovakia. Only yesterday the fledgling East German government of only seven weeks was also forced to resign. Both leaders spoke hopefully of the changes sweeping Eastern Europe but they also spoke of the need for caution, particularly with regard to the future of Germany and the prospect of reunification. Mr Bush said: It is not for the United States to dictate the pace of change in Germany or anywhere else. Mr Gorbachev said: The world is leaving one epoch and entering another. We are at the beginning of a long road to a lasting, peaceful era. [] Courtesy BBC News In context The Malta summit is regarded by many as the official end of the Cold War, although little of substance was actually agreed. The summit followed a series of arms-reduction treaties between the two superpowers, including Salt II in 1979 and the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty in 1987. Presidents Bush and Gorbachev went on to sign a treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe in November 1990, establishing parity between East and West, and the first of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaties in December 1991. The collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe continued with the fall of the Romanian government and the reunification of Germany in 1990. Although Mikhail Gorbachev was seen as a hero by the outside world, within the Soviet Union the slow progress of reform and declining economic conditions eventually led to the break-up of the union and his resignation in December 1991. The president of the International Criminal Court lashed out at the United States and Russia for interfering with its investigations, calling threats and attacks on the court appalling. The court is being threatened with draconian economic sanctions by another permanent member of the Security Council as if it was a terrorist organization, Judge Tomoko Akane, in her address to the institutions annual meeting, which opened yesterday. Akane was referring to remarks made by U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, whose Republican party will control both branches of Congress in January, and who called the court a dangerous joke and urged Congress to sanction its prosecutor. To any ally, Canada, Britain, Germany, France, if you try to help the ICC, were going to sanction you, Graham said on Fox News. This marks the first time the global court of justice calls out a sitting leader of a major Western all. Graham was angered by an announcement last month that judges had granted a request from the courts chief prosecutor Karim Khan to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and Hamas military chief for crimes against humanity in connection with the nearly 14-month war in Gaza. The decision has been denounced by critics of the court and given only milquetoast approval by many of its supporters, a stark contrast to the robust backing of an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin last year over war crimes in Ukraine. Grahams threat isnt seen as just empty words. President-elect Donald Trump sanctioned the courts previous prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, with a travel ban and asset freeze for investigating American troops and intelligence officials in Afghanistan. Akane on Monday also had harsh words for Russia. Several elected officials are being subjected to arrest warrants from a permanent member of the Security Council, she said. Moscow issued warrants for Khan and others in response to the investigation into Putin. The Assembly of States Parties, which represents the ICCs 124 member countries, will convene its 23rd conference to elect committee members and approve the courts budget against a backdrop of unfavorable headlines. The ICC was established in 2002 as the worlds permanent court of last resort to prosecute individuals responsible for the most heinous atrocities war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression. The court only becomes involved when nations are unable or unwilling to prosecute those crimes on their territory. To date, 124 countries have signed on to the Rome Statute, which created the institution. Those who have not include Israel, Russia and China. The ICC has no police force and relies on member states to execute arrest warrants. U.S. President Joe Biden called the warrants for Netanyahu and the former defense minister outrageous and vowed to stand with Israel. A year ago, Biden called the warrant for Putin justified and said the Russian president had committed war crimes. The U.S. is not an ICC member country. France said it would respect its obligations but would need to consider Netanyahus possible immunities. When the warrant for Putin was announced, France said it would lend its support to the essential work of the court. Another member country, Austria, begrudgingly acknowledged it would arrest Netanyahu but called the warrants utterly incomprehensible. Italy called them wrong but said it would be obliged to arrest him. Germany said it would study the decision. Member Hungary has said it would stand with Israel instead of the court. Global security expert Janina Dill worried that such responses could undermine global justice efforts. It really has the potential to damage not just the court, but international law, she told The Associated Press. Milena Sterio, an expert in international law at Cleveland State University, told the AP that sanctions against the court could affect a number of people who contribute to the courts work, such as international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney. Clooney advised the current prosecutor on his request for the warrants for Netanyahu and others. Sanctions are a huge burden, Sterio said. Also hanging heavy over the meeting in the Hague, are the internal pressures that Khan faces. In October, the AP reported the 54-year-old British lawyer is facing allegations he tried to coerce a female aide into a sexual relationship and groped her. Two co-workers in whom the woman confided reported the alleged misconduct in May to the courts independent watchdog, which says it interviewed the woman and ended its inquiry after five days when she opted against filing a formal complaint. Khan was never questioned. He has denied the claims. The Assembly of States Parties has announced it will launch an external probe into the allegations. Its not clear if the investigation will be addressed during the meeting. The court, which has long faced accusations of ineffectiveness, will have no trials pending after two conclude in December. While it has issued a number of arrest warrants in recent months, many high-profile suspects remain at large. Member states dont always act. Mongolia refused to arrest Putin when he visited in September. Sudans former President Omar al-Bashir is wanted by the ICC over accusations related to the conflict in Darfur, but his country has refused to hand him over. Last week, Khan requested a warrant for the head of Myanmars military regime, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, for attacks against the countrys Rohingya Muslim minority. Judges have yet to decide on that request. It becomes very difficult to justify the courts existence, Sterio said. MOLLY QUELL, THE HAGUE, MDT/AP An impeachment complaint was filed yesterday against Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, who is facing a legal storm over a death threat she made against the president and her alleged role in extra-judicial killings of drug suspects, corruption and failure to stand up to Chinese aggression in the disputed South China Sea. The impeachment bid filed by several prominent civil society activists in the House of Representatives accuses Duterte of violating the countrys Constitution, betrayal of public trust and other high crimes, including the death threats she made against the president, his wife and the speaker of the House of Representatives. Duterte did not immediately issue any response to the impeachment bid, which accused her of about two dozen alleged crimes. Were hoping that with this complaint, we can end the nightmare that our vice president has brought to the people, said Rep. Percival Cendana, who gave the required endorsement of the complaint. The vice presidents threats showed the extent of respondents mental incapacity, her depravity and lack of mental fitness to continue holding the high office of vice president of the Philippines, said a copy of the complaint seen by The Associated Press. The same constitute not only betrayal of public trust but also a high crime which would warrant her immediate impeachment from office. Duterte, a 46-year-old lawyer, was also accused in the complaint of having unexplained wealth and of allowing a continuation of the extra-judicial killings of drug suspects begun by her father, a former mayor of southern Davao City, when she held that position in the past. The vice presidents legal troubles have unfolded with the backdrop of her increasingly bitter political feud with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his allies. She said in online news conference on Nov. 23 that she has contracted an assassin to kill Marcos, his wife and Speaker Martin Romualdez if she were killed, a threat she warned was not a joke. She later said she was not threatening him but was expressing concern for her own safety. The impeachment complaint will be scrutinized by the Philippine Congress, which is dominated by allies of Marcos and his cousin and key backer, Romualdez, who also has been politically at odds with the vice president. The process could take weeks or months. Congress is to start its Christmas recess on Dec. 20 and resume on Jan. 13. Many legislators will then start campaigning for reelection before May 12 midterm elections. The House has been investigating the alleged misuse of 612.5 million pesos ($10.3 million) of confidential and intelligence funds received by Dutertes offices as vice president and education secretary. She has since left the education post. She has refused to respond to questions in detail in tense televised hearings. Duterte also vehemently protested when her chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, was ordered temporarily detained for allegedly hampering the inquiry. Lopez has been released from hospital detention. Philippine police have filed criminal complaints against Duterte and her security staff for allegedly assaulting authorities and disobeying orders in an altercation in Congress over Lopezs detention. Duterte has accused Marcos, his wife and Romualdez of corruption, weak leadership and attempting to muzzle her because of speculation she may seek the presidency in 2028. The National Bureau of Investigation subpoenaed Duterte to face investigators about her threats against them. The police, military and the national security adviser immediately boosted the security of the Marcoses after the threats. The president has said an impeachment of Duterte would waste time while the country faces other challenges, but her opponents have said they will proceed to foster accountability and the rule of law. Marcos and Duterte won landslide victories as running mates in the 2022 election but have since fallen out over key differences. The two offices are elected separately in the Philippines, which has resulted in rivals occupying the countrys top political posts. Marcos and Duterte differ on their approaches to Chinas territorial claims in the South China Sea and their views on the deadly anti-drug crackdown conducted by Dutertes father, Rodrigo Duterte, who was the previous president in addition to ex-mayor of Davao. The complainants in the impeachment, including former military officers from a group called Magdalo, accused her of refusing to condemn Chinese aggressive actions against Philippine forces in the South China Sea. The complainants did not cite China by name. The brutal drug crackdown left thousands of mostly poor suspects dead in killings mostly by police that are being investigated by the International Criminal Court as a possible crime against humanity. The impeachment complaint cited a key witness to the killings, former police officer Arturo Lascanas, as saying that Sara Duterte allowed the extra-judicial killings of drug suspects to continue in Davao city when she served as its mayor. The drug crackdown was launched by her father when he was mayor. JIM GOMEZ, MANILA, MDT/AP The government plan that aims to revitalize six historical districts was the subject of a debate yesterday at the Legislative Assembly (AL). The plan, which calls for the support of the six gaming concessionaires who will oversee the development and revitalization of a designated area, was questioned by several lawmakers regarding its actual impact. In the initial inquiry from lawmaker Ella Lei, Lei noted that although the plan commenced last year, visible results and progress has been slow, particularly in terms of infrastructure improvements. We can see that the progress and results of revitalization vary from zone to zone, Lei said. The government should periodically evaluate the results of the revitalization plans for the different zones so that the participating companies can adjust and optimize them according to reality. Lei also called on authorities to study the needs and degree of business participation in these areas, and define a timetable for the revitalization of each area so that residents and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can participate and take advantage of the economic development of community neighborhoods. In response, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Elsie Ao Ieong, said that over the last year, these historic areas have held more than 750 artistic and cultural performances, which have attracted more than 1.7 million visitors and contributed to a significant increase in the flow of people in the community districts. She added that hosting these events created opportunities for more than 200 entities and companies in those areas. This response did not satisfy a large number of lawmakers, who questioned the effects beyond these statistics. Lei added that there are issues stemming from changes in the areas, and that these matters require significant coordination. As sufficient action has not been undertaken to address these challenges, it has been difficult to obtain the desired results. Several other lawmakers also commented, including Leong Sun Iok, Che Sai Wang, Angela Leong, Leong Hong Sai, Lo Choi In, Ron Lam, and Jose Pereira Coutinho. Voicing similar concerns, they called on the government to provide greater clarity and transparency, and above all, to be more effective in their efforts to revitalize the broader economies of those areas and not just the specific venues and facilities. Che remarked, Despite these plans, more and more stores are closing. Even if tourists are returning, their spending is insufficient to sustain local businesses. He urged the government to create a more concrete plan to address the problem in the mid and long term, rather than relying on short-lived events and festivals that provide a temporary boost to visitor numbers without lasting economic benefits. Angela Leong called for a designated calendar and timeline to provide visibility over the progress, and transparency as to when businesses could expect to see changes or improvements. Lo suggested that the government put the onus on the gaming concessionaires to make shuttle buses available to transport tourists to these old districts. Lam and Pereira Coutinho expressed concerns about the investments made to date and the potential return on investment expected. Lam noted that it is important to know how much was spent to develop these areas. There is no information and feedback on this, he said. There is also no evaluation of the results, and people do not see any obvious changes in the areas from this revitalization plan. Lam criticized the lack of parking areas and transportation, adding that in the neighboring region of Hong Kong, a similar project had been undertaken with the support of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and suggested that the local government learn from that experience. Lam concluded by saying, Something more concrete is needed beyond mere debating ideas or ambitions. In defense of the plan, government officials assured lawmakers that improvements are underway, but acknowledged that more time is needed for the full effects to be realized. The Secretary advanced that the project to cover the Rua da Felicidade with a canopy is progressing and that several projects are also ongoing at the Inner Harbour piers. The president of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), Deland Leong, also added that the revitalization of the area of the Ruins of St Pauls is also commencing, with plans for a new path connecting the monument to Mount Fortress set to launch next year, among other projects. More time is also needed for the revitalization of the Inner Harbours Piers (14 to 16 and 23 and 25), the IC president noted, explaining that there is a lot to do to improve the environment to make the area more attractive to tourists. Nonetheless, he said that advancements would be seen in this area during the next year. This session, which will extend into today, marks the last Q&A session with the current government officials before the administration transitions Dec. 20. Interpretation and translation not a concern for Ao Ieong During the Q&A session at the Legislative Assembly (AL) yesterday, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Elsie Ao Ieong, expressed confidence that interpretation and translation were not an issue when dealing with international visitors. Questioned on the topic of the tour guides and other tourism operators lack of language proficiency in the context of the governments bid to revitalize six historic districts, the Secretary said that automatic machine translation could effectively address this issue. She added that several ongoing experiences and initiatives involving the machine translation system developed by the Macau Polytechnic University are underway within the government and at the AL. In April this year, the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) director, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, mentioned the idea of building a translation system for tour guides. At the time, Senna Fernandes said that the idea was still in the preliminary stage, and it was unknown whether it was feasible. The same official noted that implementing such a system was not an easy task as it would need appropriate equipment, software, and comprehensive testing prior to implementation. The use of an automatic interpretation and translation system was tested historically during a press conference of an event organized by the tourism authorities. The results were disastrous, with MGTO staff having to provide human translation and audio-receiving devices to the non-Chinese-speaking media due to major failures in the machine translation that rendered the information unintelligible. This is Ao Ieongs final appearance at the AL in her current role as Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture. She is set to transition into a new position in the upcoming government under Sam Hou Fai, where she will succeed Ho Veng On as Commissioner of Audit. The Philippine military deployed a navy ship and air force planes to shadow a Russian submarine, which passed through the South China Sea off the countrys western coast last week, a security official said yesterday. The Russian submarine identified itself in response to a Philippine navy two-way radio inquiry, saying it was en route home to Russias eastern city of Vladivostok after joining an exercise with the Malaysian navy, Jonathan Malaya, assistant director-general of the National Security Council, said. The submarine, like other foreign ships, has the right of innocent passage in the countrys exclusive economic zone but it still sparked concern when it was spotted on Thursday about 80 nautical miles (148 kilometers) off the Philippine province of Mindoro, Malaya said. The submarine was sighted after it surfaced due to weather-related conditions, Malaya said. All of that is very concerning, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told reporters when asked about the submarine. Any intrusion into the West Philippine Sea, of our EEZ, of our baselines is very worrisome. So, yes, its just another one. Marcos used the Philippine name for the South China Sea, where his country plus Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and other coastal states have faced an increasingly aggressive China, which claims the busy waterway virtually in its entirety. An alarming spike in territorial confrontations, particularly between Chinese and Philippine coast guard and naval forces, starting last year has prompted closer surveillance by the United States and other Western governments of the key global trade route. MDT/AP Press Release December 3, 2024 Gatchalian calls out DepEd over delays in Inclusive Ed implementation EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson Senator Win Gatchalian expressed frustration over the prolonged delays in implementing Republic Act No. 11650, also known as the Inclusive Education Act. "The law was signed on March 11, 2022, and the IRR was signed on July 18, 2024. It took two years to craft the IRR, and now that it is signed, hindi pa rin published," Senator Gatchalian said during an oversight hearing conducted today by the Senate Committee on Basic Education. Explaining the delay, the Department of Education (DepEd) Director Leila Areola of the Bureau of Learning Delivery stated that the IRR is lodged with the DepEd's Legislative Liaison Office, not under her bureau. In her presentation on the implementation status, 32 Special Education (SPED) centers have been converted into Inclusive Learning Resource Centers (ILRCs), with two ILRCs established in each region. For the school year 2023-2024, DepEd reported a total enrollment of 324,968 learners with disabilities (LWDs). However, this only accounts for 20% of the 1,595,000 estimated LWDs aged 2-17 in the Philippines, based on UNICEF data. "We created this law because we saw the urgent need," Gatchalian emphasized. "But we left it to the department for implementation, and now the IRR has been engulfed in the bureaucratic process. Naipit sa red tape. We are nearing five years, from the time we crafted this law to full implementation." Director Areola further disclosed that the Child Find System (CFS), remains non-operational. The CFS is a system designed to identify, locate, and evaluate all learners with disabilities up to 24 years old who are not receiving basic education services, and children below five years old who are not receiving early education services as mandated under Republic Act No. 10410. Although DepEd has sought additional funding in the 2025 budget to operationalize the CFS, the lack of a published IRR has stalled its implementation. This delay has also impacted other key components of the law, including the finalization of the Inter-Agency Council, the Advisory Committee, and the Multi-Year Roadmap. "So itong mga ito -- the Child Find System, Inter-Agency Council, Advisory Committee, as well as the Multi-Year Roadmap -- ay hindi ma-finalize until ma-publish itong IRR. We go back to step one," Gatchalian said. "Hindi ba kayo nag-uusap usap? Coordinate within the department, or even raise this to the Secretary. Nagkukulang lang kayo sa usap. You should be able to coordinate this within yourselves. This is a need, especially the Child Find System," he added. Gatchalian urged DepEd to fast-track the publication of the IRR, noting that with it already signed last July, the only remaining step is its release. He stressed that the publication of the IRR will allow for the full implementation of the law and enable the finalization of the Multi-Year Roadmap for inclusive education initiatives. The police are investigating a new investment fraud case involving a middle-aged woman who lost MOP1.84 million. The victim met a netizen through a messaging app in late October, and they quickly formed a romantic relationship. In early November, the suspect convinced her that online futures trading would yield quick profits. Believing this claim, the victim deposited a total of MOP1.844 million into an online banking account provided by the suspect over 23 transactions. When she later saw a supposed profit of MOP9.4 million and attempted to withdraw funds, the suspect claimed there was an issue with the transfer, prompting the victim to report the incident to the police. Related Taiwans leader visited a U.S. State Department-funded think tank and educational institution Sunday on the second day of a two-day visit to Hawaii thats part of a Pacific island tour that has already triggered criticism from Beijing. Lai Ching-te met and exchanged gifts with the president of the East-West Center, which is on the University of Hawaiis flagship Manoa campus. He spoke to an audience at the center but journalists were escorted out of a conference hall before he began speaking. Chinas Foreign Ministry said it strongly condemned U.S. support for Lais visit and had lodged a complaint with the U.S. It also denounced a newly announced U.S. weapons sale to Taiwan, a self-governing island that China claims as its own territory. China will closely monitor the situations development, and take resolute and forceful measures to safeguard the countrys sovereignty and territorial integrity, said the statement. Hawaii was Lais first stop on a weeklong voyage that will later take him to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau. They account for three of the 12 countries that Taipei has formal diplomatic relations with. Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum, president of the East-West Center, said her institution is the perfect place for Lai to visit because it promotes relations among the United States, Asia and the Pacific. She said its not unusual for leaders from around the world to come to Hawaii given the states location and what makes it special. There is something about Hawaii that allows us to really just see where we connect on a human to human level, Vares-Lum said in an interview. Lais predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen, visited the East-West Center in 2019 and 2017. On Saturday, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green hosted Lai at the states emergency management agency where they discussed disaster preparedness. Green, who was an emergency room physician before becoming governor, posted on social media that he and Lai discussed how their experiences in health care informed their governance. Lai is also a physician by training and obtained a Master of Public Health degree from Harvard University. Together, we extended a warm aloha to Lai and his delegation, highlighting Hawaiis shared values of resilience and collaboration with Taiwan, Green said in an Instagram post. Lai also posed for photos with Hawaii congressional representatives and state lawmakers at a dinner banquet with the Taiwanese American community. U.S. Rep. Ed Case, a Democrat who represents Honolulu in Congress, said on social media that he told the audience that our ties endured on shared values and interests to advance mutual goals and meet shared challenges. It is unclear whether Lai with meet with any senior officials from the Biden administration or anyone from the incoming Trump administration during his Hawaii stay. President-elect Donald Trump said in an interview with Bloomberg in July that Taiwan should pay for its defense. The island has purchased billions of dollars of defense weaponry from the U.S. Trump evaded answering whether he would defend the island from Chinese military action. The new arms announced by the U.S. State Department Friday include $385 million in spare parts and equipment for a fleet of F-16s, as well as support for tactical communication system to Taiwan. The U.S. is obligated to help the island defend itself under the Taiwan Relations Act but maintains a position of strategic ambiguity over whether it would ever get involved if Taiwan were to be invaded by China. Tsai drew vocal opposition from China when she stopped in New York last year on her way to Latin America. She met with former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy at the time. The Chinese military also launched drills around Taiwan last year as a stern warning over what it called collusion between separatists and foreign forces days after Lai stopped over in the U.S. China also strongly objects to leading American politicians visiting the island as it views any official contact with foreign governments and Taiwan as an infringement on its claims of sovereignty over Taiwan. Washington switched its formal recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979. AUDREY McAVOY, HONOLULU, MDT/AP Press Release December 3, 2024 STATEMENT OF THE SENATE PRESIDENT ON THE FILING OF AN IMPEACHMENT COMPLAINT AGAINST THE VICE PRESIDENT The filing and endorsement of an impeachment complaint in the House of Representatives marks the beginning of a process enshrined in our Constitution to ensure accountability among our highest public officials. In light of this development, I reiterate my call to my colleagues in the Senate to refrain from making any public comments or statements regarding the allegations in the complaint's articles of impeachment. Should the Senate be called upon to act as an impeachment court, any perception of bias or pre-judgment would undermine not only the integrity of the impeachment trial but also the public's trust in the Senate as an institution. While impeachment is often described as a political exercise, it is crucial that members of the Senate approach it with the impartiality and objectivity demanded of us. We must remain steadfast in upholding the principles of justice and fairness, ensuring that every step of the process adheres to the Rule of Law. This is what justice requires. This is what our people demand. Experience has shown that impeachment proceedings are inherently divisive and have the potential to polarize the government and the public. However, we must not allow this to detract from the pressing legislative work that lies ahead. We have a duty to enact laws that respond to the needs of our people, address urgent national concerns, and strengthen our republic. As we move closer to the midterm elections in May 2025, it is even more imperative for us to rise above the din of political noise and focus on the work that matters most to our people! We must not let politics negate the strides we have made in improving our economy and governance. We may have different political affiliations and views but, as public servants, we must preserve our unity of purpose as this is essential to sustain the gains we have achieved and to ensure that no Filipino is left behind. While accountability mechanisms like impeachment serve an important role in a democracy, the outcome--whether in favor of or against the official involved--should not impede the Senate's broader mission to serve our countrymen. Allowing our legislative responsibilities to be overshadowed by the political dimensions of impeachment would be a disservice to our nation. May mga pangangailangan ang ating mga kababayan. Kung may impeachment man o wala, hindi ito puwedeng pabayaan. The Senate stands ready to fulfill its constitutional mandate with integrity and impartiality while upholding the national interest. As we navigate this critical juncture in our history, let us remain resolute in our commitment to justice, unity, and the welfare of the Filipino people. The Consunji Group said Tuesday it completed its $272-million acquisition of Cemex Holdings Philippines (CHP). Consunji subsidiaries DMCI Holdings Inc., Semirara Mining and Power Corp. and Dacon Corp. finalized the acquisition of a 90-percent interest in Cemex Asian South East Corp. (CASEC), which controls a majority interest in CHP. - Advertisement - The deal marks Consunji groups entry in the cement manufacturing industry, which offers synergies to existing businesses including construction, real estate, coal mining and power generation. We are excited to welcome CEMEX Holdings Philippines into the DMCI group, said DMCI, SCC and CHP chairman of the board Isidro Consunji. This acquisition aligns with our core expertise in engineering and construction and dedication to contributing to the infrastructure development of the Philippines, he said. To ensure a seamless transition, the group appointed DMCI board advisor, executive vice president and chief finance officer Herbert Consunji as president and chief executive officer of CHP. He will lead turnaround efforts to further streamline operations and unlock synergies. CHP widened its net loss to P2.87 billion in the first nine months of the year from a loss of P1,24 billion recorded in the same period last year. The net loss for the first nine months of 2024 was mainly a result of lower cement prices, higher financial expenses, and higher income tax expenses. The Consunji Group said, however, it expects CHP to turn round by next year on the back of better market conditions and efficient operational synergies. Our priorities are to enhance the logistics network, optimize the product mix, manage production and operating costs, and leverage on potential operating synergies within the DMCI ecosystem, said Herbert Consunji. CHP, which wholly owns APO Cement Corp. and Solid Cement Corp. has a combined annual production capacity of 5.7 million tons. This is expected to grow to 7.2 million tons by early 2025 upon the completion of the expansion plant at Solid Cement Corp. in Rizal. DMCI secured a 51-percent effective stake in CHP, while SCC and Dacon accounted for 10 percent and about 29 percent, respectively. Tokyo, JapanJapan is planning to use AI to police anime and manga pirating websites that the pop-culture powerhouse accuses of costing it billions of dollars in lost revenue every year. There are at least 1,000 websites illegally offering free downloads of Japanese content, mostly its globally-renowned manga graphic novels, a group of domestic publishers claimed earlier this year. - Advertisement - But under a 300-million yen ($2 million) pilot scheme proposed by Tokyos cultural agency, AI will scour the web for sites pirating manga books and anime cartoons, using an image and text detection system. Copyright-holders spend a significant amount of human resources trying to manually detect pirated content online, cultural agency official Keiko Momii told Agence France Presse (AFP) on Tuesday. But human moderators can barely keep up with constantly proliferating illegal content, the agency said in a written document. The initiative features in the agencys supplementary budget request for this fiscal year ending in March. It is inspired by a similar project in South Korea and if successful could also be applied to other illegally shared films and music. Japan, the birthplace of comic and cartoon epics such as Dragon Ball and game franchises from Super Mario to Final Fantasy, sees the creative industries as a driver for growth on par with steel and semiconductors. In its revised Cool Japan strategy released in June, the government said it aims to boost exports of these cultural assets to 20 trillion yen ($130 billion) by 2033. Around 70 percent of pirating sites offering Japanese content operate in foreign languages including English, Chinese and Vietnamese, Japanese publishers say. In 2022, Japans gaming, anime and manga sectors raked in 4.7 trillion yen ($30 billion) from abroadclose to microchips exports at 5.7 trillion yen, government data shows. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has announced its intent to sue Rwanda at the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights, an African Union institution based in Arusha, Tanzania. The case, scheduled for a hearing on February 12, 2025, focuses on allegations of killings, looting, and other violations in the eastern DRC. Congolese Deputy Minister of Justice Samuel Mbemba emphasized the significance of the lawsuit, stating, For decades of aggression against our countrythe pillaging of our minerals, the rape of our children and women, and the massacres of our populationsRwanda and Paul Kagame have never faced real trials. This legal action represents a major step in the DRCs efforts to hold its neighbor accountable amid a history of strained relations. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict will take center stage at a peace summit on December 15 in Luanda, Angola. The summit, facilitated by Angolan President Joao Lourenco in his role as the African Unions mediator, will bring together DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. According to a statement from the Angolan presidency, the meeting aims to advance dialogue and seek a lasting solution to the protracted violence in eastern Congo. The DRCs dual approachpursuing justice through the courts while engaging in peace talksreflects its strategy to address both the immediate and systemic causes of instability in the region. These efforts come on the heels of a November agreement between the DRC and Rwanda, brokered by Angola, which outlined steps toward resolving the conflict. Together, these initiatives signal renewed international attention on the crisis in eastern DRC and the urgent need for resolution. Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, a young Mauritanian facing felony terrorism and hate crime charges for an October 2024 shooting in Chicago, has died by apparent suicide, the Cook County Sheriffs Office said on December 2. Abdallahi, who had been held in the jails medical facility after mental health evaluations, was found unresponsive on November 30 during a routine check. Despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital. Authorities found no signs of foul play or prior suicide risk. Abdallahi was accused of firing at a Jewish man near a synagogue on October 26, then shooting at officers and paramedics, before being wounded in return fire. The victim recovered, and no police were injured. Investigators found evidence on Abdallahis phone suggesting he targeted Jewish individuals. In addition to terrorism and hate crime charges, he faced several attempted murder charges. Abdallahi had entered the U.S. in March 2023, and ICE had lodged an immigration detainer following his arrest. The Mauritanian community in the U.S. has called for an independent investigation into Abdallahis death and the police response. The Cook County Medical Examiner is conducting an autopsy. During a stopover in Cape Verde on Monday, December 2, President Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to establishing two permanent seats for African countries on the United Nations Security Council. The announcement followed a meeting with Cape Verdean Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva at Amilcar Cabral Airport on the island of Sal, as Biden traveled to Angola to begin a three-day visit. In a statement from the White House, Biden highlighted the need to expand the Security Council to better reflect global diversity, emphasizing that such reforms would amplify diverse voices to address global issues. Despite over three decades of calls for change, the Security Council remains unchanged in its structure, comprising five permanent members with veto power the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, and Russiaand 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms based on regional representation. Biden also used the opportunity to thank Cape Verde for its unwavering support for Ukraine amid Russias ongoing invasion, recognizing the nations alignment with international efforts to uphold sovereignty and peace. This visit marked the first-ever stop by a sitting U.S. president in Cape Verde, an event hailed as historic by Prime Minister Correia e Silva. Speaking to reporters, he highlighted its significance: This visit reinforces the prospects for a strong and enduring relationship with the United States of America. Bidens brief visit reflects a broader U.S. strategy to deepen engagement with African nations, enhancing diplomatic ties and supporting regional representation in global governance. The Brussels Court of Appeal delivered a historic verdict on Monday, December 2, condemning the Belgian State for its treatment of mixed-race children during colonization. The ruling came in response to a case brought by five womenLea, Monique, Noelle, Simone, and Marie-Josewho were forcibly taken from their African mothers as children and placed in religious institutions under a systematic colonial policy. All five plaintiffs, born to African mothers and European fathers, were separated from their families before the age of seven. The court deemed this practice, which affected an estimated 14,000 to 20,000 children, an inhumane and persecutory act constituting a crime against humanity under the principles of international law. This decision overturned a lower courts ruling, which had dismissed the case as time-barred. The appellate judges argued that the acts were motivated purely by racial policies, making them crimes against humanity that cannot be subject to a statute of limitations. Drawing parallels to the Nuremberg Trials, the court referred to precedents set during the prosecution of Nazi crimes, particularly the trial of the RuSHA organization, which declared the abduction of children a crime against humanity. The judgment highlights the racial motivations behind Belgiums colonial practices and recognizes the grave violations committed under its colonial regime. In addition to declaring the acts as crimes against humanity, the court ordered the Belgian state to pay tens of thousands of euros in compensation to each of the five women. For the plaintiffs, this verdict represents not only a personal victory but also a broader acknowledgment of the injustices suffered by mixed-race children during Belgiums colonial rule. A trial commenced on December 2 in Guinea-Bissau concerning a Gulfstream IV aircraft seized in September carrying 2.6 tons of drugs. The five defendants, all crew members, testified that the plane departed from Mexico en route to Mali, claiming an emergency landing in Bissau due to fuel shortages. The accused denied any knowledge of the drugs and refused to disclose who chartered the flight. Proceedings in the Guinean capital were briefly delayed by a power outage that disrupted much of the city. When the session resumed, the defendants maintained their account, with the co-pilot stating, We were hired to fly from Mexico to Mali. We didnt know there were drugs on the plane. Statements were translated from Castilian to Portuguese by an interpreter appointed by the Guinean Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The defense for a Brazilian defendant sought a medical release, supported by the legal team for the remaining crew members, but the court denied the request. Similarly, a plea for the return of the seized aircraft was rejected. Guinea-Bissaus President, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, had earlier announced that the plane would be sold, with proceeds directed to the state. When questioned about the drugs origin, the flights route, and those responsible for the shipment, the defendants largely refrained from answering. The defense also probed whether the plane could have carried more than 2.6 tons of drugs. Not with the people on board, the co-pilot noted, underscoring weight limitations. The aircraft remains stationed at the military wing of Osvaldo Vieira International Airport. The panel of judges directed eight witnessesseven Guinean nationals and one foreignerto exit the courtroom, noting they would be called for testimony on Thursday. The trial continues to grapple with critical unanswered questions about the operation and its logistics. 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: Weekly New Hospital-Onset Cases of SARS-CoV-2, Influenza, and RSV Infection Per Admission for Community-Onset Infection at 10 US Hospitals. Credit: JAMA Network Open (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.48063 Massachusetts General Brigham hospitals-led research has reported a significant increase in hospital-onset respiratory viral infections following the cessation of universal masking and SARS-CoV-2 testing policies. Researchers found fewer infections when masking policies for health care workers were reinstated during a winter viral surge. Universal masking and admission testing were phased out in May 2023. Masking was reinstated for health care workers in January 2024 due to rising viral infections during the winter season. An observational study, "Infectious Diseases Testing and Masking Policies and Hospital-Onset Respiratory Viral Infections," published in JAMA Network Open, conducted across ten hospitals in a Massachusetts health care system, examined the effects of masking and testing protocols on rates of hospital-onset infections caused by SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Researchers reviewed data from 641,483 admissions at two tertiary hospitals, seven community hospitals, and one specialty eye and ear hospital between November 2020 and March 2024. Using a Poisson interrupted time-series design, researchers modeled hospital-onset infections, defined as positive PCR tests more than four days after admission, relative to community-onset infections, defined as positive tests within the first four days of admission. Periods were categorized into four phases: pre-omicron universal testing and masking, omicron universal testing and masking, omicron without universal testing and masking, and omicron with health care worker masking reinstated. Adjustments for seasonality and other confounding variables were incorporated using system-wide testing data and bootstrapped confidence intervals. Misclassification of hospital-onset cases was assessed in 100 randomly selected cases based on clinical symptoms, known exposure, and PCR cycle thresholds. The study recorded 30,071 community-onset and 2,075 hospital-onset respiratory viral infections. During the pre-omicron phase with universal precautions, the mean weekly ratio of hospital-onset to community-onset infections was 2.9%. This ratio increased to 7.6% during omicron dominance with precautions, rose to 15.5% after precautions ended, and decreased to 8.0% after health care worker masking resumed. After the cessation of universal masking and testing, hospital-onset infections rose by 25% compared to the prior period of omicron dominance with precautions. The resumption of masking among health care workers was associated with a 33% reduction in hospital-onset infections. Findings indicate a measurable relationship between masking and testing policies and the incidence of hospital-onset infections. The study demonstrates that masking effectively mitigates viral infections, particularly during periods of elevated community viral activity. More information: Theodore R. Pak et al, Testing and Masking Policies and Hospital-Onset Respiratory Viral Infections, JAMA Network Open (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.48063 Journal information: JAMA Network Open 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: Transcriptional similarities between human RE recovery and MYC overexpression in mouse plantaris muscle. Credit: EMBO Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00299-z Researchers have long known that there is a relationship between the cancer-associated gene MYC (pronounced "Mick") and exercise adaptation. When human muscles are exercised, MYC is found to increase transiently in abundance over 24 hours. But as we age, the MYC response to exercise is blunted, perhaps explaining a reduced ability to recover from exercise and maintain or gain muscle. Knowing the precise mechanisms by which MYC drives muscle growth could prove instrumental in creating therapies that reduce muscle loss from aging, potentially improving independence, mobility and health. New research published in EMBO Reports now adds an important dimension to our understanding of the role of MYC in skeletal muscle. The work is the product of 20 authors representing five institutions: the University of Arkansas, the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, Linkoping University in Sweden, Oakland University and the University of Kentucky. Given so many contributors, the paper is rich with data but essentially boils down to two parts. The first is a 24-hour chronicle of the molecular landscape of the human muscles following resistance exercise. The second half examines the use of mouse models to determine if controlled doses, or pulses, of MYC within skeletal muscles would be enough to stimulate muscle growth independent of actual exercise. The short answer: yes. The molecular landscape of MYC Co-first author Ronald Jones, a Ph.D. candidate in the U of A's Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, noted that most studies tend to look at the molecular landscape of the human body by taking biopsies prior to exercise and then a few hours later. But by taking multiple biopsies over a period of 24 hours, which the team in Sweden oversaw, the researchers were able to get a more complete profile of how the body adapts to exercise over time and what genes are most important in that process. "We show that the peak of responsiveness and where most things were happening was actually eight hours after exercise," Jones explained. He added that they found that three hours after exercising, MYC ranked as the third most important molecule. "And then at eight and 24 hours, it was the most influential. So it was really important to get those time points and to map out the body's response to acute exercise." Once the researchers had a clearer understanding of what was happening molecularly in human muscles over time, they wanted to isolate MYC and see if it alone was enough to facilitate muscle growth. This was done by genetically controlling the levels of MYC in their skeletal muscles using a specialized mouse model. The mice weren't given an exercise wheel, which would naturally promote muscle growth, but were otherwise allowed to move around normally. Samples were then taken from the soleus muscles of their lower legs, which are utilized in basic activities like standing or walking around. Analysis confirmed that MYC alone led to increased muscle mass and fiber size in the soleus in comparison to genetically identical mice that did not have MYC pulses but otherwise lived under identical circumstances. Thus, the team was able to effectively "mimic" the exercise response without exercise. The meaning of MYC These findings further the argument that MYC is a key player in muscle growth from resistance training. Even so, MYC is not likely to be the basis of a new therapy for sarcopenia or a performance-enhancing drug. MYC regulates roughly 15% of the estimated 20,000 genes in the human body, meaning it could have unpredictable downstream effects involving thousands of genes. It is also a potent oncogene, meaning the very growth it promotes in skeletal muscle could stimulate cellular proliferation if overexpressed in organs like the liver, resulting in tumors. Administering MYC alone could have unintended and deadly side effects. Kevin Murach, an assistant professor at the U of A and Jones' adviser in the department, was a senior and corresponding author on the paper. Murach commented that "it's interesting that one of the things that is known to cause cancer also regulates the muscle growth response to exercise. This suggests shared regulation and that 'growth is growth.'" Murach added, "The take-home isn't necessarily that we need to induce MYC in muscle to mimic exercise, but that we can harness the knowledge of what this oncogene affects in muscle and then try to design therapies and interventions for atrophy and enhancing muscle adaptability that activate those positive downstream effects of MYC without evoking the possibility of oncogenesis." In addition to being an oncogene, MYC is also one of the four Yamanaka factors, which are four protein transcription factors that can revert highly specified cells (such as a skin cell) back to a stem cell, which is a younger and more adaptable state. In the correct dosages, inducing the Yamanaka factors throughout the body in rodents can ameliorate the hallmarks of aging by mimicking the adaptability that is common to more youthful cells. Of the four factors, only MYC is induced by exercising skeletal muscle. These findings provide further motivation for the researchers to understand what MYC is doing in muscle from an aging context with exercise. Moving forward, Jones will continue to dig deeper into the mysteries of MYC as the focus of his dissertation. "I'm super passionate about it," he said. "I wake up every day thinking about this project. I love working on this project, and I think MYC is one of the most heavily influential molecules in muscle tissue but there is still so much we don't know." More information: Sebastian Edman et al, The 24-hour molecular landscape after exercise in humans reveals MYC is sufficient for muscle growth, EMBO Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00299-z Journal information: EMBO Reports Press Release December 3, 2024 CHIZ CITES INROADS IN FIGHT VS CORRUPTION, BUT SAYS MORE HAS TO BE DONE The Philippines has achieved a lot in the fight against corruption but a lot more has to be done to eliminate the opportunities for unscrupulous individuals and groups, Senate President FRrancis "Chiz" G. Escudero said today. Speaking at the 5th State Conference on the Implementation and Review of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), Escudero lauded the stakeholders of the Integrity Management Program for its work to meet the Philippines' obligations under the UNCAC, which has also shown that "great strides are being made to eradicate corruption and restore integrity, dignity and efficiency in public service." "The battle against corruption is one which we cannot lose. The stakes are simply too high, the consequences too grave, and the cost of failure too catastrophic to fathom," Escudero said. If left unchecked, Escudero said corruption will metastasize and fester across every branch and level of government, which is why a whole-of-government approach must be taken to eliminate the disease, desk by desk, office by office, bureau by bureau, until every trace of the infection has been purged. He said the Senate continues to be an integral part of the campaign against corruption, enacting laws that support the cause, including the New Government Procurement Act, the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act, and the Anti-Financial Accounts Scamming Act. The Senate chief also emphasized the chamber's oversight power "to expose and rectify corruption for national progress." "Corruption equals discretion and vice versa. Minimize discretion, you minimize corruption. Eliminate discretion, you eliminate corruption. Fighting corruption is an unceasing crusade, a work without rest. Measures, which might be new, soon fall prey to obsolescence," Escudero said. In order to stay ahead of the curve, the Senate President cited key steps that must be taken, including the digitalization of existing systems "because the portals for payment of fees, permits for business, and public expenditures are windows through which these can be monitored and seen." Rules, he said, must be decluttered to ensure ease of doing business and eliminate opportunities for corruption and its language must be clear and understandable to everyone. "We must devolve the fight to the local level because it is a misconception that corruption is a central government program rather than a community concern. Tripwires can only be installed on the ground and not aboveground," Escudero said. He said whistleblowers and those in government who aid them must be encouraged to come out and defended. "We must defund or diminish expenditures which pose the highest moral hazards, and demonstrate, reward, and incentivize best practices, show that these are not one-off victories, but replicable triumphs of good against evil," he said. "Tila mahirap at imposible nga naman labanan ang katiwalian, pagnanakaw at korapsyon lalong-lalo na kung hindi sinusunod ng sangkatawan ang utos na mula sa Diyos at naka-ukit sa bato. Subalit para sa akin, pwede pa ri. natin ito bawasan, gawing mas mahirap para sa kanila at tiyakin na sino man lalabag sa simple at napakaliwanag na batas na ito ay mapapanagot at mapaparusahan," he added. 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: Volumetric analysis. Credit: Molecular Psychiatry (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02797-x A study published in October 2024 in the journal Molecular Psychiatry found that brain volume changes correlate with social behavior differences in psychiatric conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. The study, led by Noboru Hiroi, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Pharmacology, Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio), showed that a deficit in a specific gene was associated with social behavioral differences in mice; differences that are often present in psychiatric disorders. Genetic variants linked to some psychiatric conditions Copy number variants (CNVs) are genetic alterations where segments of chromosomes exhibit deviations from the usual number of copies. These genomic variations are increasingly recognized for their influence on brain structure and their association with psychiatric disorders. CNVs often encompass multiple genes, yet the specific contributions of individual genes within these variants to brain development and psychiatric conditions remain largely unexplored. One notable example is the 22q11.2 region of human chromosome 22, which harbors more than 30 protein-coding genes. Among these, the Tbx1 gene has emerged as a critical regulator of stem cell function in the brain, as highlighted in prior studies by Hiroi and colleagues. Variants in Tbx1 are strongly associated with a range of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, intellectual disability and developmental delay. Understanding the role of Tbx1 and other genes within this region is essential for elucidating the mechanisms underlying CNV-associated brain abnormalities and psychiatric outcomes. "Dr. Hiroi's pioneering research in the Department of Pharmacology has significantly advanced our understanding of the genetic underpinnings of psychiatric disorders including autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. His recent study on Tbx1 not only highlights the complexity of gene-phenotype interactions but also illustrates how precise volumetric analyses can unravel the neural correlates of behavioral impairments, paving the way for potential therapeutic interventions," said Daniel Lodge, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacology, Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine. Brain volume differences For this study, the research team created mice without the Tbx1 gene, then used volumetric MRI analysis to explore brain volume differences in these mice compared to wild-type mice. They also evaluated social behavior of mice with Tbx1 deletion compared to unaltered mice. Hiroi discovered that Tbx1-deficient mice had decreased volume in their amygdala and surrounding cortical regions and, most notably, in a small, enigmatic subregion of the amygdala called the amygdalo-piriform transition area. The amygdala is a critical region for emotional behavior regulation and, while not well-understood, the amygdalo-piriform transition area is connected to many brain regions that are involved in the processing of sensory and emotional cues. Desire for social interaction affected Animals and humans learn to use cues and context to decide if there is positive value in social experiences, Hiroi explained. As social creatures, when mice are given a choice to isolate or gather with other mice, they tend to choose social interaction. In this study, wild-type mice and Tbx1-deficient mice were given a choice of two enclosuresone with another mouse and one without. While wild-type mice always chose the enclosure with another mouse, Tbx1-deficient mice were ambivalent as to whether or not there was another mouse present and chose a location based on other cues, such as the location with a preferred type of bedding. "This study suggests that Tbx1 deficiency might contribute to humans' capacity to evaluate positive incentive values of social experiences," Hiroi said. What comes next? Hiroi is taking the work a step further by teaming with Jason Pugh, Ph.D., in the UT Health San Antonio Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, to examine excitability of a specific type of neuron in the amygdalo-piriform transition area of Tbx1-deficient mice. They are also working on models that could initiate and restore Tbx1 heterozygosity (having two versions of the same gene) at any stage of development. When complete, Hiroi said they plan to use this model to discover the critical developmental period for amygdala shrinkage. Amygdala volume reduction appears to originate in the embryonic phase, Hiroi said, so therapeutic intervention could target this point. Additionally, the degree of amygdala shrinkage could be a biomarker of impaired appreciation of social experiences for people with autism spectrum disorder or schizophrenia. "This study can serve as a catalyst to translationally link basic science with human brain imaging studies and studies of patients with neurodevelopmental disorders, which are already major strengths of UT Health San Antonio," said Hiroi. More information: Takeshi Hiramoto et al, Highly demarcated structural alterations in the brain and impaired social incentive learning in Tbx1 heterozygous mice, Molecular Psychiatry (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02797-x Journal information: Molecular Psychiatry This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The World Health Organization recommends no more than two to three hours per day of sedentary time for youth. However, adolescents worldwide are spending an average of 8 to 10 hours per day engaging in sedentary activities such as watching television, using electronic devices, playing video games and riding in motorized vehicles, according to a multinational study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. The most notable finding of the study, led by principal investigator James F. Sallis, Ph.D., distinguished professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at University of California San Diego, and colleagues from 14 countries, was that simply having a personal social media account was linked with higher total sedentary time in both males and females. Social media was also related to more self-reported screen time. "Although there is great concern about negative effects of social media on youth mental health, this study documents a pathway for social media to harm physical health as well," said Sallis, who is also a professorial fellow at the Australian Catholic University. "These findings are concerning, as excessive sedentary behavior has been linked to a range of health problems, including obesity, diabetes and mental health issues." Researchers analyzed accelerometer data from 3,982 adolescents aged 11 to 19 and survey measures of sedentary behavior from 6,302 participants in the International Physical Activity and the Environment Network (IPEN) Adolescent Study, which covered 15 geographically and culturally diverse countries across six continents. The number of electronic devices within a home, how many adolescents had their own social media accounts, and neighborhood walkability were significantly different across countries. For example, adolescents from India had an average of 1.2 electronic devices in the bedroom and 0.5 personal electronic devices, while the average number of such devices in Denmark was 4.2 and 2.3, respectively. In India and Bangladesh, fewer than 30% of adolescents reported having their own social media account, compared to higher socioeconomic status countries where it was over 90%. Parents reporting on walkability identified Australia as having high access to parks, while Nigerian parents reported no access, and parents in Bangladesh and India reported poor access. Traffic was a concern among parents in Brazil, Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, and Israel, and concerns about crime were high in the first three countries. Adolescents who reported less recreational screen time lived in walkable neighborhoods and had better perceptions of safety from traffic and crime than others. Girls who lived in neighborhoods designed to support physical activity were less likely to be sedentary. Despite differences in culture, built environments and extent of sedentary time, patterns of association were generally similar across countries, said the study's lead author Ranjit Mohan Anjana, M.D., Ph.D., of Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialties Centre and Madras Diabetes Research Foundation in India. "Together, parents, policymakers and technology companies can work together to reduce access to screens, limit social media engagement and promote more physical activity, thus helping adolescents develop healthier habits and reduce their risk of chronic diseases," said Anjana. The study's findings have significant implications for public health policy and highlight the need for further research into the causes and consequences of sedentary behavior among teenagers. Countries involved in the study were Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, China, Czechia, Denmark, India, Israel, Malaysia, Nigeria, Portugal, Spain and the United States. More information: Ranjit Mohan Anjana et al, Associations of perceived neighbourhood and home environments with sedentary behaviour among adolescents in 14 countries: the IPEN adolescent cross sectional observational study, International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s12966-024-01678-4 Journal information: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 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: Illustration by John DiJulio, University Communications Earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration approved a new human papillomavirus test that allows for self-collection of samples in a health care setting, thereby removing what many say is an invasive technique using a speculum. Previously, gynecologists used the device to widen the vaginal walls to collect cells from the cervix to test for cervical cancer. The American Medical Association began recommending the Pap smear in 1960. UVA Today reached out to Dr. Carrie Sopata, a gynecologist at UVA Health and an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, to learn more about the advancement. First, let's talk about the traditional Pap smear approach. How is it done? The Pap smear is a screening test for cervical cancer and it was developed by George Papanicolaou. Essentially, what he did was scrape cells from the vagina of volunteers and looked at those cells under the microscope for signs of cervical cancer. That eventually led to the development of our current Pap smear test, which essentially still does the same thing. We now do two tests on those cells. We do an HPV test looking for the human papillomavirus. And then the second part of that test is looking at those cells under the microscope looking for signs of early pre-cancer or cancer of the cervix. So, what is new? This test, that was approved by the FDA, is the HPV part of that test alone. We know that looking for the HPV virus itself is more sensitive than looking at the cells under the microscope. You're more likely to find pre-cancer and eventually cancer if you look for the HPV infection. What happens if a patient tests positive for HPV? If the HPV is positive, a patient will be referred to colposcopy to look at their cervix more closely with a microscope. Colposcopy is done in the office by a gynecologist or trained colposcopist. We place the speculum just like you were having a traditional Pap smear and then we use a microscope to look at the cervix more closely. We use different solutions that we put on the cervix, and if we see any abnormalities under the microscope, we take biopsies. Can self-collection be done at home sort of the way people can test for COVID-19 at home? It's not approved for home collection yet. The goal is that we will get to home collection. Everybody wants home collection because we want to expand access to cervical cancer screening. And we think that's a good way to do it. So, it's a step on that pathway and it helps validate that this is a good way to get information on those patients who are at risk for cervical cancer and increases their comfort level. I think it's a great thing, but we need to just take it a little bit further. How would you characterize the pace of advances in women's health? When you look at the research dollars that are spent on women's health care, we're definitely behind. I would characterize the developments in women's health care as lagging. When you look at total dollars spent, it's definitely way behind things that affect both men and women, or just men. 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 There is little evidence to support the increasing use of surveillance technologies on inpatient mental health wards, according to a new study involving UCL researchers. The research, carried out by researchers at the National Institute for Health and Care Research Policy Research Unit in Mental Health (MHPRU) at UCL and King's College London (KCL), found little evidence that technologies like Vision-Based Patient Monitoring and Management (VBPMM), Body Worn Cameras, CCTV, and GPS tracking are an effective means of managing rates of self-harm and aggression on wards, or of improving the overall quality of care. Surveillance technology has become increasingly common on inpatient mental health wards and is generally promoted as a means of improving safety and reducing staff costs. However, patient advocacy groups have raised ethical concerns about the potential harm that these technologies pose, particularly their negative impact on patients' human rights, privacy, and dignity. They also highlight the potential to exacerbate patients' distress and paranoia, incompatibility with trauma-informed care, and use to justify providing fewer staff. Researchers involved in this study, which is published in BMC Medicine, explored the available evidence to clarify how surveillance technologies are being used, examine their impact, and explore patient, caregiver and staff views and experiences of surveillance technologies. The review included 32 studies of varying methodological quality, with half of the studies rated as low quality. Nine of the studies declared conflicts of interest, such as authors working for or receiving funding from surveillance technology companies, and a potential undisclosed conflict of interest was identified in one study. Joint first author, Dr. Katherine Saunders (UCL Center for Behavior Change), said, "These conflicts of interest highlight the importance of critically evaluating the authorship teams and funders conducting and facilitating research into these technologies, their underlying motivations, and how these factors might influence their results. "Robust research requires transparency, and therefore it is vital that all conflicts of interest are declared in any future studies on this technology." Joint first author, Dr. Jessica Griffiths (KCL), said, "Inpatient mental health wards are designed to provide a physically and psychologically safe environment to help people in distress recover. Despite this, there are extensive reports from both patients and staff that they often feel unsafe. "While some UK service providers have implemented surveillance technologies to try to improve safety and reduce costs, there has never been a comprehensive review on the evidence for their use in these settings. "Our analysis has produced a number of worrying findings. Primarily, despite widespread claims of the benefits that surveillance technologies would bring to inpatient mental health services, there is little evidence to back this up." One of the central claims for the use of these approaches is that they are cost effective. Researchers found that only four of the studies looked at cost-effectivenessone investigated the use of GPS tracking on a forensic ward, which did not significantly decrease costs, while the other three estimated that VBPMM use in acute adult mental health wards, older adult mental health wards, and psychiatric intensive care units could result in cost-savings but had several methodological limitations. The research team included researchers with lived experience of being a patient on inpatient mental health wards. They highlighted the discrepancies between whether, and how, people were told these technologies would be implemented and used, and how they were used in practice. Georgia, an expert through lived experience who contributed to a commentary about the review, said, "There are a host of ethical concerns that have been raised previously. I was not given the opportunity to consent to being filmed by Vision-Based Patient Monitoring and Management, and I only discovered that it had been implemented when one of the ward nurses said that she lost sight of me while I was visiting the bathroom in my room. "The lack of training meant that staff did not know that I could remove consent, and one tried to deny that it was there at all, suggesting that I was experiencing psychosis." Professor Alan Simpson, Professor of Mental Health Nursing at KCL, Co-Director of the MHPRU and the study's senior author, concluded, "The claim that surveillance technology is beneficial to service user care is, right now, unsubstantiated and needs more investigations by independent researchers and to a higher quality. "Few studies examined the impact of surveillance technologies on important outcomes such as patients' mental health, self-harm, or the quality of care. None of the studies looked at other outcomes such as treatment satisfaction, therapeutic alliance, or impact on further service use. This needs to change if the NHS intends to place greater responsibility on the role of technology within these services." More information: Jessica L. Griffiths et al, The use and impact of surveillance-based technology initiatives in inpatient and acute mental health settings: a systematic review, BMC Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03673-9 Journal information: BMC Medicine 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: Peri-interventional DSA of the descending genicular artery (DSA), a diagnostic procedure to view the inner surface of blood vessels, (green arrow) in a patient with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis of the right leg. On the left, the pre-interventional image with a clearly visible hyperemic blush (red box). On the right, the post-interventional DSA after embolization with Imepenem-Cilastatin. A completely eliminated blush is observed while preserving skin collaterals (orange arrows). Credit: Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and Florian Nima Fleckenstein, M.D. A minimally invasive procedure provides significant relief from knee pain and may prevent the need for knee replacement surgery in people with osteoarthritis, according to a study being presented this week at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). "This study addresses osteoarthritis, which is a significant public health issue and the leading cause of chronic pain and disability worldwide," said the study's lead author, Florian Nima Fleckenstein, M.D., interventional radiologist at ChariteUniversity Hospital Berlin in Germany. "With millions of people affected by knee osteoarthritis, particularly in aging populations, finding effective, minimally invasive treatments is critical." Osteoarthritis, a chronic, degenerative and progressive condition, is the most common cause of chronic joint disorders. According to the World Health Organization, knee osteoarthritis affects over 365 million adults worldwide. Most available therapies, such as pain medication and steroid injections, only mask the symptoms of osteoarthritis. They don't slow progression of the disease. As osteoarthritis worsens and conservative treatments become ineffective, many people turn to joint replacement surgery. Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is an innovative minimally invasive therapy for patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. The genicular arteries have several branches that form a network around the knee joint. These vessels are altered in patients suffering from osteoarthritis. In GAE, an interventional radiologist injects small particles into selected branches that correspond to the site of knee pain to block blood flow to that area. Embolization of the abnormal blood vessels helps to disrupt the cycle of inflammation, cartilage destruction and sensory nerve growth that characterizes osteoarthritis. For the study, Dr. Fleckenstein and colleagues conducted a retrospective analysis of 403 cases from patients (age 40 to 90) with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis that didn't respond to conservative treatments. All patients underwent GAE at the ChariteUniversity Hospital Berlin. The study was designed to evaluate both the safety and efficacy of GAE across a broad spectrum of osteoarthritis severities. The effectiveness of the procedure was measured using the Visual Analog Scale and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. These standardized scores, which measure pain and quality of life, were recorded at baseline and during follow-up visits at six weeks, three months, six months and one-year post-procedure. Technical success was achieved in 100% of procedures. Temporary slight skin discoloration and mild knee pain immediately after the procedure were noted in 18% of all cases. No severe complications were reported. The quality-of-life index and pain score improved by 87% and 71%, respectively, at one-year follow-up. The findings show that GAE is a safe and effective treatment option across all severity grades of knee osteoarthritis, including advanced cases where other treatments have very limited efficacy. "Our study found that GAE can effectively reduce knee pain and improve quality of life early after the treatment, with these benefits being maintained over the long term, especially for people who haven't had success with other treatments like physical therapy or pain medications," Dr. Fleckenstein said. "This could potentially offer a new lease on life for many patients who suffer from debilitating pain and mobility issues caused by osteoarthritis." However, the study also showed that GAE is particularly effective in the early stages of knee osteoarthritis. This indicates that early intervention could potentially delay or even prevent disease progression, reducing the need for more invasive treatments, such as surgery. The researchers hope that by demonstrating the procedure's success in a large and diverse patient population, the study could influence medical practice and policy, encouraging broader adoption of GAE in clinical settings worldwide. "GAE has the potential to reduce the need for more invasive surgeries, lower health care costs and significantly improve the quality of life for countless individuals suffering from knee osteoarthritis," Dr. Fleckenstein said. He and his team plan to continue their research on degenerative joint disorders to provide patients with new options in the field of interventional radiology. Co-authors are Timo Alexander Auer, M.D., Bernd Hamm, M.D., Bernhard Gebauer, M.D., and Federico Collettini, M.D. 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: UTEP Biologist Travis Moschak, Ph.D., oversees a student working in his lab in the Department of Biological Sciences. Moschak is the lead author of a new study that finds that individual reactions to the unpleasant aspects of drug consumption can be important in determining susceptibility to addiction. Credit: The University of Texas at El Paso Consuming addictive substances often involves an unpleasant experience, like using a needle, ingesting a bitter substance or inhaling smoke. These distasteful experiencesknown as aversive cuesand our initial reactions to them are pivotal to understanding who will become an addict, said University of Texas at El Paso biologist Travis Moschak, Ph.D. "Aversive cues matter from the very first exposure," Moschak said. But until now, he said, there hasn't been a good animal model to study this concept. Moschak is the lead author of a new study published this month in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence that describes a novel approach for rats to self-administer cocaine and encounter aversion from that very first "high." The study found widely varying responses in rats, revealing that individual reactions to the unpleasant aspects of drug consumption can be important in determining susceptibility to addiction. Moschak explained that nearly 30 rats were given the opportunity to self-administer small doses of cocaine by poking their nose into a designated hole. Each dose of cocaine was preceded by a small, bitter-tasting dose of quinine, a substance that is safe for rats and commonly used to impart the bitter flavor in tonic water. The study measured the rats' response to the mixed positive-negative experience of the cocaine and quinine and gauged whether their dislike of the quinine outweighed the impact of the cocaine. After having the opportunity to self-administer the cocaine, Moschak said that three distinct patterns became evident among the rats. One group responded strongly to the quinine and stopped self-administering the cocaine entirely, which can be compared to the experience of a person who tries a drug, has a negative experience, and never does it again. A second group started off consuming the cocaine in low doses but gradually increased their consumption, indicating that the quinine did not deter them enough to stop. A third, unexpected group began the study with heavy cocaine consumption but then gradually leveled off. "The third group surprised us," Moschak said. "They seemed to have over-indulged and the combination of too much cocaine and too much aversive stimulus took over." While previous studies have explored the relationship between aversive cues and drug use, Moschak's research is the first to study them as a paired experience from the very first instance of drug use, he said. "These findings could help explain why some individuals develop substance use disorders while others do not, and future studies may uncover genetic or neural differences that could guide targeted treatments," Moschak said. The rats were taken off of the cocaine at the conclusion of the study and were unharmed by the experience, the team said. Future research will examine the brain regions in the rats that are active during drug use with an aversive cue and seek to understand the genetic or biological differences behind the rats' differing experiences. "This is a fascinating study with great potential to help us better understand and address drug abuse in people," said Robert Kirken, Ph.D., dean of the College of Science. "With further study, this research could lead to better ways to prevent and treat addiction." The cocaine used in the study was procured through the National Institute on Drug Abuse's Drug Supply Program, which supplies restricted substances for the purpose of research. More information: Rosalie E. Powers et al, Distinct populations suppress or escalate intake of cocaine paired with aversive quinine, Drug and Alcohol Dependence (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.112475 Journal information: Drug and Alcohol Dependence 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: Researchers from Okayama University, Japan, uncover novel pathogenic role of a surface collagen-binding protein "Cnm," on Streptococcus mutans, a dental caries-causing bacteria, in the development of IgAN. Their findings open avenues for novel therapeutic interventions targeting dental caries to improve kidney health in patients with IgAN. Credit: Dr. Shuhei Naka, Okayama University https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-024-06826-x IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is an immune response disease affecting the filtering units of the kidneys. It is an intractable disease with a complex physiological process. Streptococcus mutans, a dental caries-causing bacterial pathogen, has been linked to IgAN disease progression. Now, researchers from the Okayama University, Japan, have uncovered a virulent role of Cnma surface collagen-binding protein expressed on S. mutans in IgAN developmenthighlighting a potential link between dental caries and renal lesions. The kidneys act as a filtering system in the human body that help in the removal of excess fluids and unwanted wastes from the bloodstream. Inflammation of glomeruli or the tiny filtering units within the kidneys, also known as glomerulonephritis, results in the alteration to the functioning of kidneys. IgAN is the most common type of primary glomerulonephritis with deposition of the antibodyimmunoglobulin A (IgA) in the glomerular region. The underlying disease progression is complex and multifactorial, and 3040% of patients develop terminal kidney failure. Given the intractable nature of the disease, there is a need to understand specific pathological mechanisms contributing to IgAN, and develop targeted treatments. Tonsillitis (inflammation or immune response of the tonsils) and bacteria related to dental caries and periodontal disease have been implicated in IgAN pathogenesis. This is likely due to the entry of the pathogen into circulation during invasive dental procedures. Streptococcus mutans is one such bacterial caries-causing pathogen, known to cause bacterial sepsis (extreme response of immune system to an infection leading to death) and infective endocarditis (inflammation of the inner lining of the heart). Moreover, S. mutans expressing a surface collagen-binding protein (Cnm) has been found more frequently in patients with IgAN than in healthy individuals. The precise role in IgAN development is, however, unclear. A research team led by Dr. Shuhei Naka, including co-first author, Professor Michiyo Matsumoto-Nakano from Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Okayama University, Professor Kazuhiko Nakano from the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Osaka University, Dr. Taro Misaki from the Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, and Assistant Professor Daiki Matsuoka from the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Okayama University, Japan, were involved in this study. The team of researchers sought to uncover the potential virulent role of Cnm from S. mutans in the progression of IgAN disease. "Until now, oral pathogens and kidney disease have been studied independently. We have been able to obtain useful research results over 10 years by establishing a collaboration between clinicians and researchers in oral pathogens and kidney diseases," says Dr. Naka. The team has previously shown that injection of a Cnm-expressing S. mutans strain in rats induces the formation of IgA-like renal lesions following intensive caries and simulation of invasive dental procedures. The potential link between the oral pathogen and renal lesions prompted the researchers to assess the role of the Cnm protein itself. Explaining the rationale behind their current work published in Communications Biology, on 14 September, 2024, Dr. Naka, the corresponding author of the article, says, "Collagen-binding protein, one of the proteins present on the surface of dental caries, may be associated with the development of IgA nephropathy. Future development of research through medical-dental collaborations may lead to the development of a fundamental treatment for IgA nephropathy." They injected a Cnm-positive strain of S. mutans isolated from the oral cavity of a patient with severe IgAN, a Cnm-deficient strain, a complementation strain (with a similar genetic makeup as Cnm positive), and recombinant Cnm protein ([rCnm], a genetically modified variant), intravenously in rats. Next, they went on to assess the clinical features of IgAN, namely proteinuria (presence of protein in urine), hematuria (presence of blood in urine), and renal function in the animals. Notably, while there was no change in proteinuria and renal function across the experimental animals, hematuria was significantly higher in the Cnm-positive, Cnm complementation groups, and rCnm groups, compared to the negative controls. This finding suggests that Cnm protein or Cnm-expressing S. mutans may induce hematuria in the early stages of IgAN. Next, the researchers evaluated stained tissue sections of kidneys isolated from the treated animals. Mesangial cell and matrix proliferation (types of cells in the kidney tissue which are altered in IgAN present in the supporting medium known as mesangial matrix) were significantly higher in the Cnm-positive and rCnm groups compared to Cnm-negative groups. Furthermore, tissue sections obtained from Cnm-positive rats showed higher deposition of IgA, complement C3, and IgG (a prominent feature of IgAN) in the mesangial region of the glomerulus. The researchers also noted the presence of Cnm protein in the mesangial regionanother hallmark feature of IgANin animals injected with rCnm. Given that both Cnm-expressing S. mutans and rCnm induce IgA-like nephropathy, the Cnm protein by itself may have a pathogenic role in the development of IgAN. The researchers also highlight that the amount of Cnm protein present in one milligram of dental plaque is equivalent to the amount injected in the rat model. Therefore, invasive dental procedures which allow the entry of Cnm-expressing S. mutans can trigger IgAN-like nephropathy. Furthermore, Cnm deposition may independently, or in combination with IgA and/or IgG, contribute to the development of an IgAN. Talking to us about the long-term implications of these findings, Dr. Naka says "Our findings suggest that the kidneys' condition may be improved by reducing carious bacteria through a preventive dental approach in patients with IgAN. We intend to further advance this project and obtain results that can be delivered to clinical settings." More information: Shuhei Naka et al, Contribution of collagen-binding protein Cnm of Streptococcus mutans to induced IgA nephropathy-like nephritis in rats, Communications Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06826-x Journal information: Communications Biology 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: Rocket launch at Esrange 26 Nov. 2024. Credit: O. Jansson / S. Kramer On 26 November, an experiment in a sounding rocket was launched at Esrange Space Center in Kiruna, Sweden, by a research group at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) at Karolinska Institutet. The experiment aims to collect data for a study that examines how a type of immune cell, T cells, are affected by microgravity. Professor Lisa Westerberg discusses the experiment. What is the aim of the study? About 50% of astronauts have an impaired immune system during and after space flights. Understanding how the immune system is affected in space is important when planning missions to the moon and Mars. In this study, we will examine how a type of immune cell, T cells, from blood samples of healthy volunteers are affected by lack of gravity, so-called microgravity. Our working hypothesis is that early activation of T cells, sensed by the T cell cytoskeleton, is affected by loss of gravity. How did you conduct the experiment? We have developed a microfluidics device together with Sioux Technologies to inject T cells at the start of the microgravity in the sounding rocket. The sounding rocket was launched on Tuesday, November 26 at 06:00 and went up to 260 km in space. The T cells were exposed to 5 minutes of microgravity during T cell activation on glass coverslips. Preliminary data suggests that T cells adhered to the glass coverslips during microgravity. Why are these results important? This is quite a unique experiment as it combines analysis of T cell activation by microscopy and transcriptomic changes, linking early T cell activation to rapid changes in gene activation and how this is affected in microgravity. In the experiment, we have included healthy donor T cells as well as T cells gene-edited to have mutations that cause immunodeficiency diseases. How can this new knowledge contribute to improving human health? Understanding how the immune cells are affected in space will help us understand the important sensors for immune cells, of which gravity is one. Overall, studies of so-called immunodeficiency diseases help us understand what is needed for immune cell activation and the immune response at large. What is the next step in your research? We have generated data to be analyzed, which will take us at least half a year to analyze, likely longer. The sounding rocket experiment will be followed by the usage of other space analogs including a random posting machine that allows us to examine both short-term and long-term responses of immune cells. Press Release December 3, 2024 Nasaan ang plaka? TOL joins clamor of motorcycle riders for LTO to release their long-delayed licensed plates Senate Majority Leader Francis 'Tol' Tolentino today joined hundreds of motorcycle riders calling on the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to release their long-delayed official license plates. "With less than a month to go before the LTO bans the use of temporary license plates lapses, where are the official plates? Nasaan ang plaka?" the senator asked, echoing the long-standing complaints of millions of riders nationwide, who have been forced to use temporary plates due to mounting delays in the LTO's production and issuance of official plates. On Tuesday, Tolentino stepped out of the Senate compound where hundreds of members of the Motorcycle Taxi Community Alliance (MTCA) were holding a protest action to call the chamber's attention to their plight. "The deadline is unrealistic and unfair to riders, who will be arrested, fined, and banned from using their motorcycle beginning January 1, 2025. If the LTO cannot produce the official plates, then it should defer the deadline," he stressed. To recall, the LTO extended its previous deadline from September 1 to December 31 after Tolentino questioned LTO's controversial memorandum no. VDM-2024-2721. The senator also called out the LTO regional office in Cebu for charging riders a P40 fee to secure a permit allowing them to extend the use of their temporary plates. "In my inquiries, the LTO admitted that even with their plate manufacturing machines working at full capacity, the agency won't be able to meet its production backlog for license plates until July, 2025," he noted. "My appeal to the LTO is to give our riders a break. Allow them to make an honest living, especially as the holiday season approaches. Don't penalize them for a problem not of their own making, but was caused by the LTO's own shortcomings and inefficiency," the senator added. Tolentino is the principal author of Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2555, which seeks to amend discriminatory provisions of Republic Act (RA) 11235, or the 'Doble Plaka Law,' against motorcycle riders. The Senate has passed the measure on third and final reading. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has confirmed that discussions with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka are underway, with plans to form an alliance ahead of the 2027 elections. In a TV interview on Sunday night, Gachagua praised Kalonzo and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa as capable leaders, emphasizing their shared vision for the future. Although no formal agreement has been made yet, Gachagua highlighted that as like-minded individuals, they frequently engage in talks. He explained, People who are like-minded talk to each other. You cannot discuss matters with others before you put your house in order, adding, We can definitely work together. Gachagua stressed that the people of Mt Kenya have listened to Kalonzo and appreciate his message, particularly his stance during the impeachment. The people of the mountain and I were very happy with the stand Kalonzo took during the impeachment, he said. Discussions are also underway to unite the Agikuyu, Embu, Meru, and Akamba (Gema) communities. Gachagua assured the region that they would provide clear political direction by early February 2025. Gachagua also apologized for the political arrangement with President William Ruto, acknowledging that it did not meet expectations. Probably due to lack of experience, I committed the region to an arrangement that came to haunt us, he said. At the same time, Gachagua explained that he now understands why former President Uhuru Kenyatta did not support Ruto in the 2022 presidential race. Back then, I used to doubt the negative things Kenyatta would say about his deputy. But now, Im happy that Ruto has confirmed them. I no longer have any doubt, he said. Gachagua mentioned that he does not regret supporting Ruto, describing the experience as painful but valuable. Im now convinced that Ruto is not a man I would deal with as a Christian. Given the chance again, I would treat him as a politician. He has given me the opportunity to serve, to learn, and to know him better. I will make sure the people of Kenya come to know who he truly is. Police are intensifying their search for a woman accused of stabbing her boyfriend to death on Sunday, December 1, in Kitales Huruma area. The victim, identified as Benedict Kiptoo, a 24-year-old clinical medicine student at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), was fatally wounded at his residence during an argument with his girlfriend. Police reported that the suspect fled the scene after she stabbed Kiptoo in the chest. Neighbors reported hearing a commotion from the house the couple shared. Upon checking, they found Kiptoo lying in a pool of blood and writhing in pain. A neighbor, who works as a doctor at a nearby clinic, tried to administer first aid but failed due to excessive bleeding. The doctor then rushed Kiptoo to a nearby hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries en route. Police visited the scene and recovered the kitchen knife believed to have been used in the attack. Investigators disclosed that the altercation leading to the stabbing occurred after Kiptoo reportedly arrived home late, triggering a fight. Kiptoos body was transported to Cherengany Hospital Mortuary, where an autopsy will be conducted as part of the ongoing investigation. Authorities are appealing to the suspect to surrender, warning that efforts to locate her for questioning and possible prosecution are underway. Public Service, Performance, and Delivery Management CS Justin Muturi has instructed all Huduma Centres across Kenya to set up Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) desks. The initiative aims to address widespread confusion surrounding the SHIF and the Social Health Authority (SHA) while improving access to accurate information and registration services. I recognize that there has been confusion around SHIF and the Social Health Authority (SHA). To bridge this gap, I have directed that all Huduma Centres across the country establish SHIF desks, ensuring every Kenyan can easily access information and register, CS Muturi stated on Monday. The announcement followed his visit to the Kapsabet Huduma Centre in Nandi County, where he assessed the quality of public services. During the visit, he highlighted the Kapsabet centres proactive approach in establishing a fully operational SHIF desk. The desk provides explanations and facilitates registrations for residents, enhancing the delivery of health-related services. CS Muturi expressed satisfaction with the centres efforts, emphasizing the importance of replicating this model across the country. While challenges remain, we are committed to addressing them and improving public service delivery for all Kenyans, he affirmed. Muturi also drew comparisons between Kenya and Azerbaijan regarding service delivery efficiency. During the visit, I also reflected on lessons from Azerbaijan, where I was challenged by their efficiency in service delivery. For instance, in Azerbaijan, applying for a driving license takes just one day, while in Kenya, it takes weeks, CS Muuri observed. He added, This comparison underscores the need for us to do better. The Ministry of Public Service and Human Capital Development is working on policies to ensure all Huduma services are offered and delivered within the shortest time possible. An Italian national, Girola Fiorenzo, has testified in a fraud case in Kilifi County, revealing how he was swindled of Ksh 15 million by two fellow Italians, Daniele Lo Coco and Massimo Nativi. Fiorenzo, who was initially drawn to Kenya for holidays in 2019, later visited Watamu, where he booked a villa at Rafiki Village. During his stay in Watamu, Fiorenzo met Lo Coco and Nativi, managers at Rafiki Village, who convinced him to buy a villa in the village. On February 29, 2020, in Italy, Fiorenzo signed an agreement to purchase the villa for 120,000 Euros (about Ksh 15 million) and paid a deposit. They agreed that the remaining balance would be paid within a year. On 29th February 2020, we met at Mr Lo Cocos house in Italy where I entered into an agreement to purchase the villa at 120,000 Euros and I paid the deposit and we agreed that I pay the rest within a period of one year, he told the court before Chief Magistrate James Mwaniki. Fiorenzo made several payments to the accused: 5,000 Euros in cash in Italy, followed by 15,000 Euros via bank transfer to DTB Bank in Malindi, then 30,000 Euros, and 45,000 Euros in the same month. In September 2020, he paid an additional 20,000 Euros in cash. Finally, in February 2021, he deposited 5,000 Euros to Lo Cocos bank account. However, despite these payments, Fiorenzo has never received the villas ownership documents. I paid 5,000 Euros to Lo Cocos DTB bank account in Watamu on 24th February 2021 as the last payment. But I have never been issued with ownership documents, he testified. The defense lawyer, Kinyua Kamundi, accused Fiorenzo of lying to police about the amount involved, but Fiorenzo denied the claim. The two accused are facing fraud charges for obtaining Ksh 17 million from Rita Nappo and Ksh 15 million from Fiorenzo by pretending they could sublease properties in Watamu. They were charged with fraud on various dates between 2018 and 2021. The court has since ordered the accused to surrender their passports, following suspicions of attempts to leave the country to evade court proceedings. The hearing continues. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has hinted at a potential presidential run following President William Rutos term. CS Mbadi emphasized that the Kenyan presidency should be open to all citizens and not reserved for a select few. He made it clear that nothing would prevent him from pursuing the highest office in the future. The presidency is not reserved for a few. I am also capable and would consider running for the seat after Rutos term expires, Mbadi stated. Mbadi highlighted that the opportunity to lead Kenya is available to everyone, rejecting the idea that only certain individuals are meant for the role. In addition, Mbadi called on the Luo community to unite and support President Rutos leadership. While addressing both ODM and UDA supporters in Homabay, he urged the community to align with the current government, stressing that unity is crucial for the countrys advancement. Mbadi also praised President Ruto for his genuine commitment to the Luo community, noting that Ruto has the nations best interests at heart. He further asserted that the Luo community owes Ruto a debt of gratitude for his contributions to national development, emphasizing that Rutos leadership has been beneficial for the entire country. Kenya Railways has upgraded its Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) operations by installing state-of-the-art communication devices on train wagons. The corporation announced that these devices will enhance safety and streamline communication between train operators and station staff, significantly improving operational efficiency. The newly introduced devices include Motorola R7 portable radios and the Motorola DM4000e audio amplifiers, which are installed in train locomotives. These advanced two-way radios boast features such as water resistance, high-temperature tolerance, and long-range communication with crystal-clear audio reception. Kenya Railways also provided training for staff from relevant departments during a familiarization session led by the device suppliers at its headquarters. This training ensured employees fully understood the capabilities and benefits of the new technology. As part of the rollout, the devices have already been deployed on the Nairobi Commuter train service. Charles Mutai, a Pointsman at Nairobi Central Railway Station, praised the devices, emphasizing their durability and superior performance in critical conditions. The devices are impressive, especially their advanced features like water resistance, tolerance to high temperatures and long-range communication with exceptionally clear audio reception, Mutai said. In related developments, Kenya Railways revealed plans to reopen the Nairobi-Kisumu railway line, which has been out of service since a landslide disrupted the tracks. The move is expected to restore connectivity to the lakeside city. A lobby group has demanded the arrest of Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, accusing her of failing to curb pollution in Lake Nakuru. Baboon Project Kenya told Justice Anthony Ombwayo that Governor Kihika and James Nganga, managing director of Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services, have not enforced a court order issued in September to address the pollution. The lobby group claims toxic industrial waste continues to be discharged into the Lake Nakuru Basin, posing severe risks to wildlife. They argued that baboons in Nakuru National Park, which depend on the lake for water, face significant health hazards due to the contamination. On September 24, Justice Ombwayo referenced a report showing that organic pollution from domestic wastewater, storm runoff, and industrial activities had significantly deteriorated the lakes water quality. The Environment and Land Court judge ruled that the petition was justified, noting that the county government had neglected its responsibility to protect the environment, particularly Lake Nakuru. The court issued a mandatory order requiring the county government and Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services to identify alternative disposal sites for toxic industrial waste. However, Governor Kihika, through county secretary Samuel Mwangi Mwaura, opposed the accusations. Mr. Mwaura argued that the governor is not directly responsible for the operations of the water company. The petitioner has not and cannot prove any element of contempt against the governor, he stated in his submission. The court will issue its ruling on the application on January 31, with the spotlight on the county governments environmental accountability. Lake Nakuru, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, continues to face threats from unchecked pollution, raising concerns about its ecological and wildlife health. Kenyas public servants could be protected from job losses should a new Bill be passed into law. The Public Service Human Resources Management Bill 2024 addresses job security concerns, especially as the government downsizes the civil service, which employs nearly one million workers and incurs an annual wage bill exceeding Sh1 trillion. Sponsored by Runyenjes MP Eric Muchangi, the Bill proposes redeployment or retraining for employees whose roles become redundant. Muchangi emphasized that Clause 13 of the Bill ensures no public servant is removed or retired due to the abolition of their position without first exploring alternatives like retraining or redeployment. The Bill also mandates that public service entities create clear guidelines for creating and abolishing positions, in line with the Public Service Commission Act. Additionally, it proposes amendments to seven key laws, including the State Corporations Act, Labour Relations Act, County Governments Act, Public Finance Management Act, Office of the Attorney-General Act, Public Service Commission Act, and the Foreign Service Act. These changes aim to streamline human resource management and improve public service delivery. Muchangi stated that the Bill seeks to establish uniform norms and standards for managing human resources to enhance public service efficiency. Other provisions include a leave of absence of up to three years, extendable by another three years, with restrictions against using the leave for political activities. The Bill also addresses legal inconsistencies hindering public service reform. A major reform is the regulation of acting appointments. Public servants must meet all qualifications to serve in acting roles, and Clause 21 limits acting appointments to six months. If recruitment isnt finalized within six months, another officer may be appointed in an acting role. President William Ruto has dismissed former Deputy President Rigathi Gachaguas claims that the government rushed the rollout of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), otherwise referred to as the SHA (Social Health Authority). Speaking in Taita Taveta County on Monday, December 2, Ruto clarified that the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program is not new to Kenya. He pointed out that the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) had failed to provide sufficient healthcare coverage for many years, leaving many Kenyans without proper medical care. Ruto emphasized the importance of a program that guarantees all Kenyans access to affordable healthcare. I heard some people saying I have rushed Universal Health Coverage, Ruto said. This UHC existed during Kibakis government and my friend Uhuru Kenyattas administration. He added, Now, something that has been in government for nearly twenty yearshas it been delayed or not? It has been delayed, hasnt it? So, lets move forward and ensure citizens can access healthcare. In a TV interview on Sunday, Gachagua claimed the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) rollout is riddled with corruption. He questioned why the government was spending over Ksh100 billion on a new system rather than upgrading the existing NHIF system. Looking at the mathematics surrounding that program, I found that it would have cost us between Ksh700 million and Ksh800 million to upgrade the system that was running NHIF and make it compliant, Gachagua said. He added, My very honest view is that that is the crux of the matter; it is what the rush is about. The focus is the Ksh.104 billion. Melinda Mindy Simon of Emorys Office of the General Counsel is the 2024 recipient of the Jeffrey P. Koplan Global Health Award. Jeffrey Koplan, founder of the Emory Global Health Institute (EGHI), presented the award at InFocus: Emory Excellence in Global Health in November. Koplan recognized Simons contributions to global health initiatives as having shaped our success from the early days of Emorys global engagement as she recognized the need, advocated for and led the group that became the front door to Emorys operations and activities abroad. Mindys magic is making whats legally complex appear seamless and supportive. Her leadership is critical to our success, said Koplan. In accepting the award, Simon described the best part of her job at Emory as having the opportunity to support and facilitate the amazing work of others, which she does by ensuring Emorys programs, staff, faculty and students are supported by solid legal frameworks and guidance at home and abroad. From corporate governance, tax, executive compensation, conflicts of interest, corporate structure, risk management and compliance with regulatory requirements, she brings comprehensive knowledge, strategic acumen and dedication to upholding legal and ethical standards in support of Emorys mission. Simon has provided leadership and legal counsel to EGHI since its inception. The reach of her work extends into many aspects of Emorys global health impact, including support for EGHIs programs and grants, Child Health & Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS), the International Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI) and its academic initiatives with Emory and international students. She has been instrumental in negotiating complex agreements, reviewing vendor contracts and managing critical aspects of ongoing matters with fiduciary intermediaries, as well as navigating legal considerations in many countries where CHAMPS has sites and programmatic activities. For the past twenty years, I have been privileged to help some of the most dedicated and talented individuals in public health navigate the complexities of international law, as Emory expanded its work and impact into Ethiopia, India, China, Rwanda, Zambia and other countries, Simon said. I am proud to accept this award on behalf of all those at Emory who play active support roles in improving the health and well-being of people throughout the world. About the Jeffrey P. Koplan Award The Jeffrey P. Koplan Global Health award is named in honor of EGHI founder and former CDC director and is given to an Emory University student, staff or faculty member in recognition of outstanding academic merit or achievement, exemplary service or performance toward global health impact. Koplan has inspired many generations of global health leaders. He founded EGHI in 2006 and served as Emory's Vice President for Global Health and EGHIs director until 2021. The initial public offering (IPO) market of the country has seen a slowdown in subscriptions over the past two months, driven by weak market sentiment and disappointing listing performances, says a report by Axis Capital. The report highlighted that the investors appear to be exercising caution, reflecting a shift in confidence toward new market entrants. It said, "A mix of disappointing IPO listing and a sharp decline in market sentiments has resulted in reduction in IPO subscription in last 2 months." The report stated that during the current financial year (FY2024), 54 IPOs have been listed, of which 38 are trading above their issue price, suggesting a mixed performance. It added that the historical data from July 2020 to November 2024 provides a broader view, out of 252 IPOs launched during this period, 186 were initially listed above their issue price, 10 at their issue price, and 67 below it. However, 31 of the underperforming IPOs have since recovered and are now trading above their issue price as of November 29, 2024. As of November 29, a total of 185 IPOs are currently trading above their issue price, reinforcing that many listings remain resilient despite recent market challenges. However, the market capitalization of companies tracked in the IPO Monitor--comprising 237 companies listed between July 2020 and October 2024--has seen a decline of 2.71 per cent in November 2024. The total market cap fell from Rs 39.72 lakh crore in October to Rs 38.68 lakh crore in November. "From July 2020 through November 2024: Out of 252 IPOs, 186 were listed above their issue price, 10 at issue price, 67 below issue price initially, and 31 recovered to close above issue price by November 29, 2024," the report said. The decline reflected broader market challenges, with subdued investor sentiment impacting valuations. This trend has dampened enthusiasm for new IPOs, as investors have become more selective about where to allocate funds. The underwhelming listings and subsequent corrections highlight the importance of strong fundamentals and market timing for companies entering the market. The IPO of Bajaj Housing Finance Limited (BHFL) was subscribed to as many as 67 times, while Hyundai Motor IPO saw a muted response from retail investors as the issue was subscribed 2.37 times only, and recently the NTPC Green IPO also received a muted response as the shares list at 3.24 per cent premium over the IPO price. While the long-term performance of IPOs remains promising for many, the recent slowdown underlines the importance of stabilizing market conditions to restore investor confidence. However, a rebound in market sentiment, coupled with better-performing listings, could reinvigorate the IPO landscape in the coming months. (ANI) To achieve this, the RBI has advised banks to organize special campaigns focused on activating inoperative or frozen accounts. Additionally, banks have been encouraged to facilitate Aadhaar updates for customers at branches that provide Aadhaar-related services. This initiative aims to assist account holders, particularly those from underprivileged sections of society, in reactivating their accounts with ease. RBI said "The banks may also organise special campaigns for facilitating activation of inoperative/ frozen accounts. Besides, the banks may also facilitate Aadhaar updation for customers through the branches providing Aadhaar related services". It has also given separate instructions to State Level Bankers' Committees (SLBCs) to proactively monitor the situation in their respective regions to minimize customer inconvenience. Highlighting the importance of this measure, the RBI noted that many frozen or inoperative accounts belong to people from economically weaker sections. The central bank urged banks to adopt an empathetic approach in handling such cases, ensuring that the process is simplified for these customers. It added "the process of activation of such accounts smoother and hassle free, including by enabling seamless updation of KYC through mobile/internet banking, non-home branches, Video Customer Identification Process, etc". Furthermore, the RBI pointed out instances where accounts of beneficiaries under government schemes like Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) or Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) were frozen due to pending or periodic KYC updates. The central bank has instructed banks to segregate these accounts and ensure uninterrupted credit of DBT/EBT funds while addressing KYC-related issues efficiently. These steps are part of RBI's broader efforts to improve financial inclusion and reduce barriers for marginalized sections of society in accessing banking services. Banks have been urged to act urgently and ensure customer convenience in resolving account-related issues. Unclaimed deposits in banks saw a significant increase of 26 per cent year-on-year, reaching Rs 78,213 crore by the end of March 2024. (ANI) PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 3: Manaksia Coated Metals & Industries Limited (NSE: MANAKCOAT, BSE: 539046), A leading manufacturer and exporter of high-quality coated metal products, has announced the approval of a preferential warrant issue to raise Rs134.55 crore. The board of directors approved the issuance of 2,07,00,000 warrants at Rs65 per warrant during its meeting on December 02, 2024. This move will support the company's ambitious plans for capacity expansion and a major technology upgrade. The funds raised will be utilised to undertake a technology upgrade project whereby the company will transition to production capability for Alu-Zinc Costed Steel products. The production capacity will be enhanced from 132,000 MTPA to 180,000 MTPA, enabling a 36% increase in output and corresponding revenue. The CAPEX being planned by the company also includes a forward integration project whereby the company would be investing in a new and state-of-the-art steel coil coating line, which would catapult the capacity of Pre-painted Steel from 86,000MTPA to 236,000MTPA. Additionally, a portion will be allocated to optimise the working capital cycle and establish a captive solar power plant in a phased manner, reflecting the company's commitment to sustainable and energy-efficient practices. This strategic move will benefit the company by moving to a more value-added and premium product, enabling higher margins along with significant growth in production capacity. With the expanded capacity and focus on energy efficiency, the company aims to better meet increasing market demand while reducing its carbon footprint. Commenting on this achievement, Karan Agrawal, Whole Time Director, Manaksia Coated Metals & Industries Limited, said, " We are pleased to announce the approval of the preferential equity warrant issue, which will play a pivotal role in driving our growth and operational improvements. The funds raised will enable us to significantly expand our production capacity, particularly in Alu-Zinc, which will allow us to cater to the growing demand in the market more efficiently. This expansion will also streamline our operations, improve profitability, and ensure that we continue to deliver high-quality products to our customers. By streamlining our working capital cycle, we will improve liquidity and strengthen financial flexibility. The phased development of a captive solar power plant will not only support the sustainability goals but also help reduce long-term energy costs. Combined with the increased production capacity, these initiatives will enhance the market position, drive greater operational efficiency, and ensure competitiveness, all while contributing positively to the environment." (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PRNewswire Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], December 3: Bharath Advanced Therapeutics (BAT), as a key organiser of Cancer NEXT 2024 alongside Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) and Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA), successfully led the conference's scientific programming while showcasing its own groundbreaking research. The event, which distributed Rs5 lakh in awards to emerging researchers, highlighted BAT's dual commitment to advancing cancer research and fostering new talent. Dr. Uday Saxena, Chair of BAT's Product Development Committee, emphasised the company's organisational role: "As co-organisers, BAT aimed to create a platform that not only showcases cutting-edge research but also nurtures the next generation of oncology researchers. The success of Cancer NEXT 2024 reflects our commitment to scientific excellence, talent development and patient care." The conference featured BAT's breakthrough presentations, including promising preclinical data for its novel molecule BAT150030 for treatment of acute and chronic leukemia. Additionally, BAT researchers received accolades for developing a revolutionary formulation for its flagship product BAT150030 which will allow the patients to take the drug orally and avoid injections. Dr. Markandeya Gorantla who envisioned the company's foray into transformational drugs for cancer patents in India said: "BAT has set a benchmark for how innovation and collaboration can converge to redefine oncology in India. By fostering platforms like Cancer NEXT 2024 and championing transformative molecules like BAT150030, BAT is not just advancing cancer research--it is inspiring the entire biotech community to dream bigger and deliver better outcomes for patients. This is the future of sustainable, impactful healthcare." Dr. Sreedhara Voleti, COO of BAT, highlighted the company's broader vision: "As an innovation-driven pharmaceutical company and conference co-organizer, we are committed to bring patient centric favorable outcomes in oncology. Our promoters' generous rewards at the conference exemplifies our commitment in recognising excellence, while making advanced cancer treatments more accessible and affordable in India." The event's success underscored BAT's growing leadership in India's oncology landscape, combining organisational expertise with scientific innovation to advance the field of cancer research and treatment. About Bharath Advanced Therapeutics (BAT) Bharath Advanced Therapeutics is at the forefront of developing innovative and affordable cancer therapies, focusing on addressing aggressive cancers like AML and CML. With a commitment to excellence in research and development, BAT is redefining cancer care in India and beyond. Media Contact:Ranjana Sarma, PhDranjana@bactbharat.com https://bactbharat.co/ Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2571800/BAT_Cancer_NEXT_2024.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) BusinessWire India Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 3: tesa, an international manufacturer of innovative adhesive tapes and self-adhesive product solutions, proudly announces the opening of new offices in Mumbai and Bengaluru. This strategic expansion highlights tesa's commitment to enhancing its presence in India's manufacturing sector and aligns with its growth strategy in the Asia-Pacific region. By investing in these new offices, tesa also demonstrates its long-term commitment to India, aiming to foster closer partnerships and enhance service capabilities for its rapidly expanding customer base across key industrial corridors. Andreas Gunnestrand, President of Asia Pacific, remarked, "The opening of our new offices in Mumbai and Bengaluru represents a significant milestone in our growth strategy for the Asia Pacific region. These locations will not only bolster our operational capabilities but also enhance our ability to innovate and engage more effectively with our customers." New spaces for close customer collaboration and innovation The new corporate office in Mumbai spans 8,800 square feet, designed to meet global standards, and will strengthen tesa's foothold in western India, particularly in Maharashtra and Gujarat. The Bengaluru office is strategically located to support the growing electronics and automotive sectors in South India, especially in Karnataka and Eastern Tamil Nadu. Sustainability lies at the heart of tesa's operations in India, shaping all business activities at its various locations. Notably, the Chennai facility operates self-sufficiently thanks to solar panel installations. Recognizing India as a strategic growth market, this expansion highlights tesa's dedication to fostering a sustainable future while contributing to the broader development narrative within the Asia-Pacific region. With the addition of these new offices, tesa now operates from four key locations in India--Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, and Bengaluru--allowing the company to strengthen connections with its customers and markets while advancing its ambitious growth plans. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) BusinessWire India Ernakulam (Kerala) [India], December 3: Federal Bank has launched an extraordinarily transformative initiative "Kaliyum Karyavum", an event aimed at educating school children on essential life skills through captivating traditional art forms. With a history spanning over 90 years, Federal Bank, deeply rooted in Kerala, is leveraging its profound understanding of the state's cultural legacy to make learning engaging and impactful. Today's students are the future architects of our economy. And the Bank's mission has always been more than just banking - it's about empowering the next generation. "Kaliyum Karyavum" is designed to bring age-old cultural forms to the present generation, using them as a medium to teach financial literacy, time management, and healthy digital screen usage habits. The event will feature traditional art forms such as Theyyam, Chakkayarkooth etc, which will be creatively adapted to convey important messages about managing finances, the value of time, and the importance of balancing screen time with other activities. According to M V S Murthy, Chief Marketing Officer, Federal Bank, "Kerala is the land of mystique, mystery and majesty. The richness and diversity of its culture is reflected in the topography, the architecture, the food and the art forms. A day in the life of any Keralite cannot pass without touching the Federal Bank. With such a deep and everyday connect, we are attempting to bring in the legendary art forms in a contemporary context. It gives us an opportunity to the brand to connect the glorious past, the present and the upcoming generations, together, in a unique educative format. We have chosen the art forms of Chakyarkooth, Theyyam, Ottamthullal and Kathakali to guide and educate children through managing mental health, interpersonal interactions amongst kids and between them and the adults, understanding money management etc. Only a brand that is a part of the ethos of any society or social structure can understand the nuances of its art forms and amplify its ability to tell a story, entertain, and educate. The blending of music, mythology and minds watching will make our attempt lovable across audiences throughout the state. From a marketing perspective, it's a global showcase of how a brand is embedded at the core of Culture to engage people of a region. This is the Gods' Own Country, is a global favourite of tourists and for Federal Bank." The initiative is not just about preserving cultural heritage but also about making education more relatable and enjoyable for students. By integrating these cultural elements into the curriculum, Federal Bank aims to foster a deeper connection between the students and their cultural roots while imparting crucial life skills. Federal Bank's commitment to this cause is evident in the meticulous planning and collaboration with cultural experts and educators. The Bank believes that this innovative approach will not only enhance students' understanding of financial concepts but also instill a sense of pride in their cultural heritage. As the event unfolds, schools across Kerala will witness a series of performances and interactive sessions that promise to be both educational and entertaining. "Kaliyum Karyavum" is set to become a landmark initiative, showcasing how traditional art forms can be effectively used to address contemporary issues and prepare the younger generation for the future. Additionally, Students receive a booklet that explains financial concepts through engaging stories and illustrations. The booklet also highlights various financial products suitable for young individuals. A prominent psychologist also would be talking to the students to ensure the message is ingrained in students. To ensure, students apply what they learn, the Bank is open to recognise such students with the permission of students. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, said that the Central Government has developed an International and Domestic Cruise Terminal, along with a Ferry Terminal at Mormugao Port, Goa, with an estimated project cost of Rs. 101.72 crore. The project is scheduled for completion by March 2025. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is also preparing DPRs for 09 coastal jetties in Goa to boost cargo volume, reduce traffic, and improve inland transport. Efforts to increase cargo include building new terminals, expanding existing ones, enhancing connectivity, upgrading equipment, and promoting coastal shipping through subsidies and reduced charges. To further boost cruise activities, the Central Government launched the Cruise Bharat Mission in 2024, Union Minister Sonwal said. The expected economic impacts of such development like creating jobs in transportation, hospitality, retail, and tourism, boosting local business revenue. It also improves local connectivity through enhanced inland waterway services, including ferry and RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) services, enabled by integrated cruise circuits, he added. Projects with high social impact but lacking in financial returns, as well as those where public-private partnership (PPP) funding is not viable, are funded through the Sagarmala Scheme of the Ministry. Partial funding assistance as grant-in-aid is provided for various projects, including fishing harbour development, coastal community skill enhancement, coastal cargo and tourism infrastructure, port modernisation for better capacity and efficiency, rail track upgrades, road widening to alleviate congestion, and Ro-Ro/Ro-Pax infrastructure for urban water transportation. (ANI) Noting that numerous countries in the Global South are spending more money on their debt interest payment than on critical sectors like education and healthcare, Amitabh Kant, India's G20 Sherpa, said that there is a need to entirely restructure debt for the Global South to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He spoke at the session on 'Development Through South-South Collaboration' at the 29th CII Partnership Summit, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in partnership with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi on 3 December. He also noted that a large share of global growth is expected to come from emerging markets for the next three decades and underlined the need to redesign financial institutions to serve the needs of the Global South. Kant called for the Global South to work together as it will continue to be a key driver of global growth. "The only way the Global South will grow, expand and progress is through technology. India has demonstrated this by technologically pole-vaulting through the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). The important thing about DPI is that it is open source, open API and globally interoperable. The data belongs to the citizen, not monopolized by big tech," he said. Kant also sought credit rating of companies based on their greenhouse gas emissions, as large companies account for a substantial share of such emissions. Rithi Pich, Secretary of State (Deputy Minister), Ministry of Commerce, Kingdom of Cambodia noted that South-South cooperation has evolved to become a critical mechanism to address unique challenges that developing nations face due to differences in resources, technology and infrastructure. "By fostering trade and national and global integration, we would be able to create inclusive and sustainable economic opportunities to counteract global economic and trade uncertainties," he added. Minn Minn, Deputy Minister of Commerce, Republic of the Union of Myanmar said, "Bridging the divide demands coordinated and concrete action. South-South cooperation provides a pathway for developing nations to share resources, knowledge and innovative solutions to our unique context," he said. He also reiterated Myanmar's commitment to regional integration. He said that there are ample opportunities for the Indian and global business communities to contribute to regional cooperation through intra-regional trade, investment, travel and tourism, and the development of infrastructure. Vikramjit Singh Sahney, Member, Rajya Sabha, India and Chairman, Sun International Limited noted that this century belongs to the South-South and called for expanded trade. He highlighted five 'Fs' that should define the South-South partnership, namely, food, fuel, fertilizers, freight and the future. He suggested that developing countries must unite on international platforms to strengthen their negotiating power including in trade and climate finance. Robert Appelbaum, Executive Consultant, Webber Wentzel, South Africa said that South Africa noted that the South-South partnership needs to be about more than just procurement; it has to be a working partnership rather than a one-way trade. He gave the example of India's support for vaccine supply during Covid. Lauding the collaborative approach of the Indian Government with its regional neighbours, its economic reforms and economic and political ties across borders, Nicholas Smedley, Chairman, FINDI, Australia said that these factors have allowed for the strong growth in services, manufacturing and construction sectors across the region. He said that India is uniquely positioned because of its geography, resources, a young and driven workforce. (ANI) China supports SOEs in setting up venture capital funds Xinhua) 09:20, December 03, 2024 BEIJING, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- China's state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are encouraged to set up venture capital funds that focus on early-stage, small-scale, long-term and core-technology investments, an official statement said on Monday. The statement released by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of the State Council said that the SASAC and the National Development and Reform Commission have jointly issued policies and measures to promote the high-quality development of SOEs' venture capital funds. In response to the issues of being reluctant to invest and being unwilling to invest in state-owned venture capital, relevant policies and measures have been put in place to enhance the assessment as well as due diligence and compliance liability exemption mechanisms that are in line with the characteristics of SOEs, according to the statement. A full lifecycle assessment mechanism for venture capital funds, with a focus on their functional role, should be established, without solely pursuing financial returns, the statement said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) BusinessWire India Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 3: SMT (Sahajanand Medical Technologies), a global leader in cardiovascular devices, is pleased to announce the publication of groundbreaking findings from the S-FLEX UK-II Registry in BMJ Open. This large-scale, multicentre study highlights the safety and efficacy of SMT's ultrathin Supraflex Cruz sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) in a real-world, all-comer UK patient population, particularly in high-risk subgroups. Conducted across 19 sites in the United Kingdom, the prospective, observational study enrolled 1,835 patients requiring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between March 2020 and September 2021. The S-FLEX UK-II Registry provides significant real-world insights into the performance of Supraflex Cruz SES, solidifying its role as a leading drug-eluting stent (DES) choice in complex coronary artery disease (CAD) management. Key Study Findings - * Study Design: Prospective, observational, multicenter registry across the UK * Patient Population: Real-world, all-comers requiring PCI, including complex and high-risk subgroups * Follow-Up: 12 months (data presented at TCT 2023) Primary Follow-Up Endpoint: Target Lesion Failure (TLF), a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction (TV-MI), and clinically indicated target lesion revascularization (CI-TLR). Superior Clinical Performance in High-Risk Subgroups. The S-FLEX UK-II Registry reported exceptionally low rates of TLF and stent thrombosis, reinforcing Supraflex Cruz's position as a best-in-class stent. At 12 months, the study observed: * CI-TLR rate: 0.8% (n=15) * Overall stent thrombosis rate: 0.3% * TLF rate in high-risk subgroups: * Diabetes mellitus: 6.2% TLF, 1% stent thrombosis * Bifurcation lesions: 1.8% TLF, no stent thrombosis * Type B2/C lesions: 2.5% TLF, 0.3% stent thrombosis * Long lesions (>20 mm): 2.7% TLF, 0.3% stent thrombosis Prof. Azfar Zaman, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom, and Principal Investigator of the study stated, "The overall study results show consistently high device success rates and low clinical event rates with Supraflex Cruz in a real-world all-comers population from the United Kingdom. Importantly, the safety of Supraflex Cruz was once again confirmed in high-risk subsets of patients and lesion types." Dr. Vellore J Karthikeyan, the first author of the study report, summarized the findings of the trial, "These data reinforce the safety and effectiveness of the Supraflex Cruz SES in complex PCI cases including diabetes, bifurcation, complex, and long lesions, showcasing its superior performance in managing CAD patients with challenging anatomical characteristics. As an interventional operator, it is pertinent to also highlight the procedure related characteristics of the stent, particularly its deliverability and visibility on fluoroscopy." This study further builds upon previous successful outcomes observed with Supraflex Cruz. In the Cruz-HBR Registry, the stent demonstrated superior results compared to biolimus-coated stents in high bleeding risk (HBR) patients. Additionally, the recently published FIRE trial (2023) showed a significantly reduced risk of adverse events in elderly patients (>=75 years) with multivessel CAD using Supraflex Cruz in a physiology-guided, complete revascularization strategy, versus culprit-only revascularization. Further, the recently published COMPARE 60-80 randomized controlled trial in HBR patients demonstrated non-inferiority of Supraflex Cruz to Ultimaster Tansei, and numerical superiority in a number of clinically relevant endpoints. SMT's Chief Medical Officer Dr Krishna Sudhir commented, "This study confirms the benefits of using Supraflex Cruz in an all-comers population, with excellent outcomes for the complex subsets of patients. With ever more challenging morphology for clinicians to treat, this provides an important option for these patients and further adds to the large body of evidence for Supraflex Cruz." "This study confirms the benefits of using Supraflex Cruz in an all-comers population, with excellent outcomes for the complex sub-sets of patients. With ever more challenging morphology for clinicians to treat, this provides an important option for these patients and further adds to the large body of evidence for Supraflex Cruz." Said Duncan Griffin, Country Manager, UKI and Belgium. The S-FLEX UK-II Registry thus confirms the Supraflex Cruz SES as a leading choice for high-risk PCI cases, offering class-leading outcomes in real-world patients. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday expressed his happiness over the passage of Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024 in the Rajya Sabha, calling it a "historic step into the future." "The epochal amendments proposed will further strengthen and propel India's energy sector under the leadership of PM Sh @narendramodi Ji and ensure policy stability, international arbitration, extended lease periods, etc.," the Union Minister said in a series of post on X. The Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024, expands the definition of mineral oils to include petroleum and natural gas. The bill was introduced by Union petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri for consideration and passing. The Bill will regulate the exploration and extraction of natural gas and petroleum. The amended bill expands the definition of mineral oils to include petroleum and natural gas in it.The amended bill includes any naturally occurring hydrocarbon, coal bed methane, and shale gas/oil in the category of mineral oils. However, it clarifies that mineral oils will not include coal, lignite or helium.The amended bill also provides for mining leases, this will include various activities such as exploration, prospecting, production, making merchantable, and disposal of mineral oils. Further in his post on X, Union Minister Puri highlighted that since petroleum (crude oil/natural gas) is found in the pore spaces of subsurface rocks and is extracted by drilling, delinking of terms like 'mine,' 'quarried,' or 'excavated' as referred to in the current act will remove ambiguity and introduce ease of doing business into the sector, which is more technologically driven. "The term 'mineral oil' is traditionally understood to be natural gas and petroleum. As unconventional hydrocarbon resources have been discovered and developed, the definition needs to be updated to reflect the modern understanding of the term," he added. Puri also noted that the definition of mining lease is being amended to clarify that leases granted prior to the commencement of the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Act will be called mining leases. "Thereafter, the use of said terminology will be discontinued, and the term petroleum lease, as defined in clause (f), shall be used," he added. The Union Minister emphasized the significance of the amendments, saying, "the move will encourage the investors for holistic development of the field, including planning for proper reservoir management practices as well as confidence to induct capital-intensive enhanced recovery methods." "The provision seeks to empower the government to make rules for the protection of the environment and promoting the development of green energy projects and the adoption of energy transition measures to enable the government and the companies to achieve their climate vision," he said. Puri further said that the benefits of the act to the small operators and new entrants, adding that provisions of the act enable the GoI to make rules to enable sharing of production and processing facilities and other infrastructure by two or more lessees. "Small operators and new entrants often face difficulties in carrying out operations due to high costs of infrastructure and facilities. This provision enables the GoI to make rules to enable sharing of production and processing facilities and other infrastructure by two or more lessees," he added. The amendments proposed in the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act 1948 seek to assure the investor that the terms of the lease shall remain stable for the entire duration of the lease and will not be altered to its disadvantage, Puri pointed out. The new bill will replace the mining lease with a petroleum lease to cover a similar set of activities. However, existing mining leases granted under the old Act will continue to be valid. The new bill will empower the central government to make rules on several matters, like regulating the grant of leases, terms and conditions of leases, including the minimum and the maximum area and the period of the lease, conservation and development of mineral oils, methods for producing oil, and manner of collection of royalties, fees, and taxes. The proposal also empowers the central government to make rules on the merger and combination of petroleum leases, sharing of production and processing facilities, obligations of lessees towards protecting the environment and reducing emissions, and alternative mechanisms for resolving disputes in relation to the grant of petroleum leases. For cases of violation of rules, the bill provides to hike the punishment and penalty from a current fine of Rs 1000 to Rs 25 lakhs. In cases of exploring, prospecting, and production without a valid lease, a penalty of Rs 25 lakhs and continued violations will attract a penalty of Rs 10 lakh per day. For dispute resolution, the central government will appoint an officer of the rank of joint secretary or above for adjudication of penalties. Appeals against the decision of the adjudication officer can be filed at the appellate tribunal specified in the Petroleum and Natural Gas Board Regulatory Board Act, 2006. (ANI) India has signed the Supply Chain Resilience Agreement (Pillar-II) in November 2023 under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), a 14 member plurilateral grouping in the region, Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a release. Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, said that the agreement seeks to strengthen supply chain crucial for national security and economic stability. The agreement came into force on February 24, 2024. Under the Agreement, a Supply Chain Council (SCC) has been set up with the US as Chair and India as Vice-Chair. IPEF partners represent approximately 40 percent of the global GDP, and 28 percent of global goods and services trade, making it crucial for international trade dynamics. The Agreement seeks to strengthen economic, commercial, and trade relationships among enterprises in the economies of the Parties and improve supply chain resilience in critical sectors. Article 6.10 of the Agreement also encourages private sector engagement to improve the resilience, efficiency, productivity, sustainability inclusivity etc. of IPEF supply chains, the minister said quotes the release. Article 10 of the Agreement provides for identification of critical sectors or key goods by the IPEF partners towards ensuring national security, public health and safety, or prevention of significant or widespread economic disruptions. India is closely working with stakeholders such as industry, academia, experts, etc. for identification of critical sectors or key goods for collaboration with IPEF partners for India's supply chain resiliency. In September 2024, the first SCC meeting in Washington led to the formation of Action Plan Teams focusing on key areas such as Semiconductors, Critical Minerals, and Chemicals. In the meeting, India has expressed its willingness to lead a proposed action plan team on the healthcare/pharma sector. Two Sub-Committees focusing on Logistics and Movement of Goods, and Data and Analytics have also been formed. India participated in the first meeting of Crisis Response Network held in Washington DC in September 2024, which included a tabletop exercise aimed at shortening response time in actual crisis situations by simulating scenarios where supply chain disruptions are highly likely. Further, two Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) have also been signed by Department of Commerce with the USA in last two years: one in the sector of semiconductors and other in the sector of critical minerals both of which are a strong step towards securing India's Supply Chain resilience in these sectors. (ANI) Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday informed the Parliament that the government has awarded around 75 port development projects in major ports in the last three years. Under the Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030, the number of major port capacity increased from 1598 MMTPA in Financial Year 2022 to 1630 MMTPA in Financial Year 2024, Sonowal said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha. Overall, vessel turnaround time (TAT) reduced from 53 hours in financial year 2022 to 48 hours in financial year 2024, and ship berth day output increased from 16,000 MT in financial year 2022 to 18,900 MT in financial year 2024, the minister said. He said that over the past three years, there has been a 37 percent increase in the capital expenditure to Rs 7571 crore in Financial Year 2024 (from Rs 5527 crore in Financial Year 2022) by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, including a 54 percent increase in Gross Budget Support (GBS) to Rs 1687 crore in Financial Year 2024 (from Rs 1099 crore in Financial Year 2022), which is primarily towards the achievements of goals and targets outlined under MIV 2030. "In the past 3 years, around 75 port development projects have been awarded in major ports, which include projects for enhancement of cargo handling capacity and operational efficiency." The minister said that the increase in maritime trade over the past three years has significantly boosted employment opportunities across the sector. The growth in cargo handling, expansion of port infrastructure, and rising coastal and inland waterway operations have led to the creation of jobs in logistics, shipping, port operations, shipbuilding, and related industries. Additionally, initiatives promoting cruise tourism and maritime services have further expanded employment prospects, contributing to economic growth and skill development in the sector. The ministry is also monitoring and evaluating the outcomes of MIV 2030, the statement added. The ministry has developed the Sagarmanthan Portal, which includes modules such as KPIs, projects, and long-term strategies, the release added. This portal provides comprehensive visibility into the progress made by organisations and wings under the Ministry across various parameters, including capital expenditure, traffic, port performance, and the physical and financial progress of projects. It also aids in regular reviews and guiding organisations effectively. Additionally, the Ministry has established functional cells--Viksit Bharat Sankalp (ViBhaS) at the Ministry level and Neel Arth Vision Implementation Cells (NAVIC) at the organisation level--to facilitate tracking progress across key themes and driving ideation and innovation for future initiatives, as per the release. (ANI) National award-winning actor, Rishab Shetty, is all set to star in one of the most ambitious historical dramas in recent years, titled 'The Pride Of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.' The film, a grand retelling of the life of one of India's greatest warrior kings, will showcase the legendary rise of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a revered figure who reshaped Indian history and fought to protect his kingdom from Mughal invaders. The movie promises to be a visual spectacle, featuring groundbreaking action sequences, stunning VFX, and a powerful musical score. The production team, which includes global technicians and experts, is set to bring to life the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj on the silver screen. https://www.instagram.com/p/DDGsQBmJMdt/?img_index=1 Speaking about his involvement in the film, the 'Kantara' star Rishab Shetty shared his excitement in a statement, "Playing The Pride Of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is an honour beyond words. He is a national hero whose impact transcends history, and I feel immense pride in bringing his story to the screen." 'The Pride Of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj' by filmmaker Sandeep Singh will have a worldwide release on January 21, 2027. Meanwhile, Rishab Shetty will also be seen in Hombale Films' 'Kantara: Chapter 1'. The makers in November 2023 unveiled the teaser of the upcoming film. The clip concluded with seven different ragas of music representing each of the seven languages in which 'Kantara Chapter 1' will be released. In the posters, Rishab looked away from the camera, striking a pose in a dhoti and holding a trishul and axe in his hands. Kantara, which Rishab both directed and acted in, saw him in a dual role as Shiva and his father, a Daiva Kola performer. The film tells the coming-of-age story of a man who is possessed by Guliga Deva and Panjuluri Deva to rid the village of evil. The film ends with Shiva disappearing into the forest to meet his father's spirit, who had also disappeared similarly. Reportedly, a massive set has been built with the help of 600 carpenters from Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, and stunt masters for one of the schedules of 'Kantara Chapter 1'. The film is thought to have taken place between 300 and 401 AD, during the reign of the Kadamba dynasty in Karnataka's modern-day Uttar Kannada area. The mythological thriller will be released on October 2, 2025. Rishabh will also be seen in Prasanth Varma's Hanu-Man sequel titled 'Jai Hanuman'. The release date is yet to be disclosed. (ANI) Former filmmaker Harvey Weinstein, a convicted rapist has been urgently transferred to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan after suffering a significant health setback, reportedly linked to alarming blood test results. The news confirmed by Deadline, comes just days after Weinstein filed a lawsuit against the City of New York and others, accusing them of subjecting him to "deplorable conditions" at the notorious Rikers Island jail. Weinstein, who has been battling multiple health issues, including leukaemia, has previously been treated at Bellevue, which has become a regular destination since his conviction on sex crimes in 2020. According to Weinstein's attorney, Imran H Ansari's statement obtained by Deadline, the 72-year-old's medical condition deteriorated due to a lack of adequate care while incarcerated. "Harvey Weinstein, who has been suffering from a lack of adequate medical care and enduring deplorable and inhumane conditions on Rikers Island, has been transported to Bellevue Hospital for emergent treatment due to an alarming blood test result that requires immediate medical attention," Ansari said in a statement, adding, "It is expected that he will remain there until his condition stabilizes. His deprivation of care is not only medical malpractice, but a violation of his constitutional rights." Weinstein, who is currently facing a retrial in New York for sex crimes, is also involved in a USD 5 million lawsuit over the state of Rikers Island, a facility described as dilapidated and overcrowded. Filed last week, the lawsuit claims the prison's poor conditions have exacerbated Weinstein's medical conditions. His legal team argues that this mistreatment qualifies as "cruel and unusual punishment," as per Deadline. Juda Engelmayer, Weinstein's public relations representative, reiterated the gravity of his client's situation. "Mr Weinstein, who is suffering from a number of illnesses, including leukaemia, has been deprived of the medical attention that someone in his medical state deserves, prisoner or not," Engelmayer said, adding, "In many ways, this mistreatment constitutes cruel and unusual punishment," as per Deadline. This marks the third time in recent months that Weinstein has been hospitalized. In July, he was treated at Bellevue for COVID-19 and pneumonia, and in September, he underwent heart surgery after nearly dying from a serious health issue. In addition to leukaemia, Weinstein was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer in late October. Weinstein's health struggles continue to complicate his legal battles. Convicted in 2020 for raping actress Jessica Mann and sexually assaulting production assistant Miriam Haley, Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison. However, a New York appeals court overturned his conviction in April 2024, citing errors made by prosecutors during the trial. Despite this legal setback, Weinstein faces retrial in New York early next year, provided his health and ongoing legal issues do not delay the proceedings, as per Deadline. (ANI) Producer Ektaa R Kapoor on Tuesday met with Odisha Chief Minister Charan Majhi in Bhubaneshwar. Visuals from the meeting surfaced online in which CM Mohan Charan Majhi and Ektaa could be seen exchanging warm pleasantries. Ektaa also visited Lingaraja Temple and offered prayers there. Notably, on Monday, Ektaa along with the team of 'The Sabarmati Report' attended a special screening of the film with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi. PM Modi commended the filmmakers for their effort in making the film. "Joined fellow NDA MPs at a screening of 'The Sabarmati Report.' I commend the makers of the film for their effort," the PM said in a post on X. PM Modi not only watched the film but also interacted with the team of 'The Sabarmati Report'. Sharing pictures from the meeting, Ektaa on Instagram wrote, "A milestone moment for #TheSabarmatiReport as the Hon'ble PM @narendramodi Ji acknowledges our efforts. Grateful for your kind words and blessings." https://www.instagram.com/p/DDHVqn0KbsS/?hl=en&img_index=1 "The film's actor, Vikrant Massey, described attending the screening as the "highest point" of his career. After the screening, Vikrant shared his experience with the media, saying, "I watched the film with the Prime Minister, all cabinet ministers, and many MPs. It was a special experience. I still can't fully express it in words because I am so happy... This is the highest point of my career, that I got to watch my film with the Prime Minister." Ektaa's father and veteran actor Jeetendra also met with PM Narendra Modi at the screening, which was held at the Balayogi Auditorium in Parliament. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also attended the screening, along with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, Union Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, and many others. Talking about the film on X, Shah said, "The film 'The Sabarmati Report' introduced the countrymen to the truth of Godra. Through this film, people are getting to know how an ecosystem kept such a big truth hidden from the country for years." The film's actor, Vikrant Massey, described attending the screening as the "highest point" of his career. After the screening, Vikrant shared his experience with the media, saying, "I watched the film with the Prime Minister, all cabinet ministers, and many MPs. It was a special experience. I still can't fully express it in words because I am so happy... This is the highest point of my career, that I got to watch my film with the Prime Minister." Raashii Khanna and Ridhi Dogra, too, attended the screening. (ANI) Actor Manoj Bajpayee is back with another gripping story in 'Despatch', an investigative crime thriller which is set to release on ZEE5 on December 13. Directed by Kanu Behl and produced by Ronnie Screwvala's RSVP Movies, the film follows the journey of Joy Bag(played by Bajpayee), a crime journalist entangled in a dangerous investigation. The trailer, released on Tuesday, shows Bajpayee's character, Joy Bag, navigating the murky world of media corruption and criminal underworld. His pursuit of uncovering a massive scam turns into a perilous journey as unknown threats mount against him. In one of the scenes, Bajpayee appears in a naked, raw moment. Speaking to ANI about the scene, Bajpayee explained its importance to the story. "If it wasn't necessary, we wouldn't have included it. When you watch the film closely, you'll understand how this man, at this stage of his life, is spiraling backward despite his success. These aspects are not included to provoke or titillate the audience. We create films to tell stories, and certain actions or scenes feel essential to convey the depth of the story," he said. Talking about the director, Bajpayee described him as a passionate and fearless storyteller and said, "I got the craziest director in Kanu Behl. Not only did he write an incredible script, but his method of bringing it to life was equally mad. He threw us into the fire, and at one point, I thought we'd burn out. But he guided us through it," the actor shared. Check out the trailer https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDGxnTziIqM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== The film had its debut at the MAMI Film Festival 2024 and was later screened at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). Apart from Manoj Bajpayee in the lead role, the movie also features Shahana Goswami, Arrchita Agarwaal, and others in pivotal roles. (ANI) Nostalgia alert! Fans who loved watching the daily soap 'Yeh Hai Mohabbatein' got happy to see the reunion pictures of actors Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya and Anita Hassanandani. On Monday, Divyanaka and several other members of the television industry attended the launch party of Anita's clothing brand Noa Made with love. https://www.instagram.com/p/DDHrrOTNE0d/?hl=en&img_index=1 Sharing a picture with Anita from the launch, Divyanka on Instagram wrote, "11 years ago we began Yeh Hai Mohabbatein on this day and now it's Noa for you. Proud of you @anitahassanandani. Fab collection." Divyanka's post left fans nostalgic. "Beautiful pic ishimaa and Shagun 11 years of yhm ki beautiful girls Congratulations Divu Di and Anita Di, All team," a social media user commented. "11 freaking years and ishita and shagun meet up together," another netizen wrote. "Both of you look absolutely stunning. Here's to celebrating milestones and friendships," a fan commented. Karan Patel and Aly Goni also starred in the show, which aired on StarPlus.It is based on Manju Kapur's novel Custody. Starring Divyanka and Karan as leads, the show revolves around the single parent Raman and a dentist Ishita who can't conceive. The two strangers come together for their love for Ruhi. Divyanaka was recently seen in the show 'Magic of Shiri', playing the role of a homemaker who fights all odds to fulfil her dream of becoming a magician. In a conversation with ANI, she talked about portraying a relatable character and how in real life she made sacrifices for her family."As an actor, before marriage, I used to give 24-24 hours. After my marriage, I also made some decisions that I would work for less hours as I wanted to dedicate time to my family, and my friends as well. And we prioritize accordingly," Divyanka said. Divyanka shared that she took no time to take up the project as it is relatable and realistic. Set in the vibrant and chaotic Paharganj neighbourhood of mid-90s Delhi, it is the story of every woman who makes so many sacrifices for her family. As she mentioned, "So this story is about a woman. And when we see a woman in our Indian context, we see, and especially we are talking about the 90s era. Although metros are a different world. But even today, that 90s world is alive when we go to small cities. So even today, women have the same status that they had in the 90s. We dedicate ourselves completely to our family."'While speaking about her on-screen personality, she said, "Shiri's whole life revolves around her husband and her kids. And in the journey, she left her dreams. She basically forgot about her childhood ambition. And then she gets back on track to realize her dreams. So it's a beautiful story. Something that I relate to as a woman. And I think every woman would." The 'Khatron Ke Khiladi 11' fame got candid about preparing for her role and said, "I took some ballet classes so that I get my lines correct, and body language, stances, and poses all came out well. I just wanted to make this character look a bit different and more confident on stage." She also learned sword fighting, "I also learned sword fighting. There was just one scene of sword fighting. But then it was an alien activity for me. I don't know how many places in the house I broke the walls. Because those were heavy swords that my instructor got." (ANI) South Korean portal Xports News broke the news that Park Min Jae died from sudden cardiac arrest on November 29 while travelling in China, straitstimes.com reported. His agency, Big Title, confirmed the heartbreaking news. "A beautiful actor who loved acting and always did his best, Park Min-jae has gone to heaven," it wrote on Instagram. "We will no longer be able to see his acting, but we will always remember him with pride," the note read. The agency added that he did not have major health issues before leaving for the trip. Park appeared in drama series such as Mr Lee (2021), Little Women (2022), Snap And Spark (2023 to 2024) and Korea-Khitan War (2023 to 2024). In his fond memory, Park's younger brother Park Jae-hyung paid him a tribute on social media. "Our beloved brother has gone to rest peacefully," he wrote. "I hope more people can come and send him off. Please understand that we will not be able to contact everyone individually." Park Min-Jae's funeral is to be held on December 4. (ANI) Congress leader Meem Afzal on Monday expressed hope that the long-awaited cabinet expansion in Jharkhand would be completed before December 9, following discussions between the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Congress. "The discussion between the leaders (JMM and Congress) will take place in next one or two days after it were delayed due to weekend and the Parliament session. It (cabinet expansion) should be done before December 9. I think it should be decided before December 9," the Congress leader said. "The Congress party does not have any demands. It is already clear," Afzal added, in response to a query. Jharkhand Congress President Keshav Mahto Kamlesh also said on Monday that a decision on the cabinet expansion will be made very soon. In response to a query regarding the Jharkhand government cabinet expansion, the JMM leader said, "Everything will be done. You will witness (the cabinet expansion), and you will very soon get information on every issue." When asked further, he clarified, "There is no kind of resentment (between the leaders of the alliance)." Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir also commented on the matter, stating that Congress will hold discussions with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on the issue of cabinet berths. "In two to three days, the cabinet berths of the Jharkhand government will be announced. We (Congress) will hold discussions with JMM and decide on the cabinet berths," he told ANI. "First, questions were raised on the distribution of tickets followed by the distribution of seats. But we had said that the alliance would get a better mandate, and the results are in front of you," he added. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren assumed office on November 28 after taking the oath as Chief Minister for a second consecutive term. The JMM steered the INDIA bloc to victory with 56 seats in the 81-member Jharkhand assembly. The JMM won 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, with its allies the AJSU party, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and JD-U winning one seat each. Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha won a seat with its chief, Jairam Kumar Mahato, emerging victorious in the Dumri constituency. (ANI) As the BJP-led union government agreed to hold a special 2 day discussion on the Constitution, Congress General Secretary (Communications) and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh said on Monday that he "hopes" the government will allow the functioning of both the houses from tomorrow. "Hopefully now the Modi Govt. will allow both Houses to function from tomorrow," read the post by Jairam Ramesh on X. https://x.com/Jairam_Ramesh/status/1863552473283342424 Both Houses of Parliament have been facing continuous adjournments, with no substantial business being passed, as the opposition demands various discussions, while the government alleges that the opposition is misusing the rules of the House and not allowing it to function. The Congress leader highlighted that the opposition had been asking for a special discussion on the Constitution since November 26, the day Constitution Day is celebrated. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, had written letters to the Speaker and the Chairman, respectively, to hold a discussion. "LOP Lok Sabha had written to the Speaker on Nov 26th requesting for a special two-day discussion on the Constitution. The LOP-Rajya Sabha had also written a similar letter to the Chairman on that day," Ramesh said in the post. "Six days later, this request has been accepted by the Modi Govt and the dates for the discussion have been announced as requested by the Indian National Congress and other INDIA parties," the post added. Earlier today, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla called a meeting of floor leaders of political parties in his chambers to break the deadlock between the opposition and the ruling party, as both Houses of Parliament had faced continuous adjournments. The opposition has repeatedly demanded discussions on issues such as Adani, Sambhal violence, and the situation in Manipur. After the meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said, "Everyone has accepted that discussions will be held from tomorrow." "Today, a meeting of all-party floor leaders was held with Speaker (Om Birla) today. Since a few days there has been a deadlock in the Parliament, everyone has expressed their concerns over it. We too said that all elected representatives come to the Parliament of India to express their views and the Parliament not functioning (properly) for several days now is not good. Everyone accepted this," he said. He also mentioned that the government has agreed to hold a special discussion on the Constitution, which will take place on December 13-14 in the Lok Sabha and on December 16-17 in the Rajya Sabha. Rijiju said Lok Sabha Speaker told the meeting that if anyone wants to raise an issue, there is a rule for it. "You can submit a notice for it but creating a ruckus in Parliament and obstructing the functioning is not good. Everyone has accepted this. It is good that everyone has accepted that discussions will be held from tomorrow. We will pass the first Bill tomorrow after discussions in Lok Sabha. In Rajya Sabha too, Listed Business will be passed. I appeal once again to all Opposition MPs and Leaders that all agreements that have happened today - we should run the Parliament smoothly," he said. Those present at the meeting of floor leaders included Congress member Gaurav Gogoi, TDP's Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, DMK's TR Baalu, NCP(SP) leader Supriya Sule, Samajwadi Party's Dharmendra Yadav, Janata Dal-United member Dileshwar Kamait, RJD's Abhay Kushwaha, TMC's Kalyan Banerjee, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant, and CPI(M) leader K Radhakrishnan. (ANI) "It is very sad that the application has been submitted by the court and also issued a notice. It is a 800-year old shrine. It is known world wide," he said. He further remarked that Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, a revered Sufi figure, served the people, and people of all faiths hold him in high esteem. "Our biggest objection is that the lower courts have accepted such applications," Nazimuddin expressed concern. A Rajasthan court had accepted a petition submitted by the Hindu Sena, claiming that Ajmer Sharif Dargah is a Shiva temple. AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday said that the Places of Worship [Special Provisions] Act, 1991 needs to be followed. The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act prohibits changing the character of religious places from how they existed on August 15, 1947. "Ajmer Sharif dargah represents the secular nature of India... Not just Ajmer Sharif dargah, but Salim Chishti dargah is also under scanner. Places of worship act needs to be followed," Asaduddin Owaisi told reporters. Earlier this month, a local court in Ajmer directed that notices be issued to three parties in a civil suit claiming that there is a Shiva temple in the Dargah of Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer, according to the plaintiff's advocate. (ANI) Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday extended his best wishes to devotees and pilgrims for the decennial Exposition of the relics and the feast of St Francis Xavier, calling it a time for 'spiritual renewal'. In his message, he said, "We are fortunate to witness the decennial Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St. Francis Xavier. This Solemn Exposition, held every ten years, is an opportunity to introspect on the teachings of the Saint and an occasion for spiritual renewal. It is also a time to rekindle in the hearts of the laity the desire to be messengers of the Good News." Hoping that the Exposition helps promote harmony among Goans and brings about the 'spiritual renewal', Sawant added, "I also take this opportunity to extend a warm welcome to the pilgrims, which will conclude on January 5, 2025." CM Sawant further added, "It is heartening to know that the theme chosen for this solemn Exposition is, 'We are Messengers of the Good News.'" The Chief Minister noted that the government of Goa has consistently demonstrated its ability and competence in hosting events of such magnitude, which attract people from both India and the world. "It reiterates the government's stance of being Swayampurna and Atma Nirbhar in providing world-class facilities, and also enables locals to derive benefit from hosting such grand functions, as it attracts people from across the globe," he added. CM Sawant praised the hard work of the Exposition Committee, formed to oversee the event, for ensuring the successful execution of this solemn function, which includes religious ceremonies and highlights Goa's cultural and religious legacy. "Let us on this day pledge to build communities of love, peace, justice, harmony, and brotherhood. Let us also see the warmth of our light by reaching out to the marginalized and less privileged in whatever way we can to alleviate their suffering," he concluded. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Girish Mahajan met Maharashtra's caretaker Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, on Monday. Shinde, who had been suffering from a throat infection and fever, is recovering well. Mahajan stated that during their meeting, they discussed preparations for the swearing-in ceremony of the next Maharashtra Chief Minister, which is scheduled for December 5. He also underlined that there are no conflicts among the leaders of the Mahayuti alliance. "I came here to meet Eknath Shinde, who has not been well for the past few days. There is no displeasure. We sat together for an hour and had a conversation. He also discussed preparations for December 5, and I shared some thoughts as well. We have a lot of work to do for the people of the state, and we are going to work together for them," Girish Mahajan told reporters after his meeting with Shinde. Earlier on Sunday, Shinde had confirmed that he had recovered from the fever and was in good health. On Thursday evening, Shinde, along with Devendra Fadnavis (widely considered the frontrunner for the Chief Minister's position), Ajit Pawar, and other Mahayuti leaders, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President JP Nadda in Delhi to discuss the ongoing deadlock over the Chief Ministerial role. The Mahayuti alliance, led by the BJP, secured a landslide victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections held on November 23. However, the alliance has yet to finalize its Chief Ministerial candidate. The BJP emerged as the largest party with 132 seats in the 280-member Assembly, while its allies--the Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, and the NCP, led by Ajit Pawar--won 57 and 41 seats, respectively. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a major setback in the recently held Maharashtra elections. Congress won only 16 out of 288 assembly seats, while its alliance partner, Shiv Sena (UBT), won 20 seats. The NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) secured only 10 seats. (ANI) Lakhs of devotees gathered at the Nagore Dargah in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, to celebrate the Kanduri festival on Monday night. The festival began yesterday in Nagapattinam district with a grand flag hoisting. Thousands of people transcending across religions participated in the grand flag-hoisting ceremony of the Kanduri festival, offering prayers to Nagore Andavar. Devotees from not only Tamil Nadu but also from abroad and other states travel to Nagore to experience this festival. Visuals from the spot showed elaborate lighting, parades and grand tableaus on the streets. Hundreds of people were seen flocking to the dargah at night. The 14-day Kandhuri Festival, also known as the Nagore Dargah Festival, is celebrated from the first to the fourteenth day of saint Shahul Hamid's death anniversary during the Islamic month of Jamathul Aagir. Saint Hazrath Syed Shahul Hamid was the revered 13th-generation descendent of Saint Sufi. He achieved wider recognition for treating the physical illness of Thanjavur's 16th-century Hindu king Achuthappa Nayak. This historic significance allures the peculiar participation of Hindu devotees during the Kandhuri Festival. The festival's opening day is commemorated by the hoisting of a sacred flag, which is then carried by chariots to the Nagore Dargah. From the second to the seventh day, holy saints read the Quran along with various prayers. The devotees flock to the Dargah to witness the Light of Allah which is displayed in the Dargah. On the eighth day, the Kandhuri Festival's fireworks display is one of its many attractions. The fireworks have two purposes- first, to enhance the festive atmosphere, and second, to represent how truth drives away falsehood. On the ninth day of Jamaidul Akhir, the Fakirs visit the site of Hazarath Mohsin meditation site called the "Peer Mandapam". On this occasion, the devotees start a holy fast for the next three days. On the tenth day, a parade-like chariot ride carrying sandalwood paste is organised. The Rawla Shariff and the Great Saint's tomb will then be anointed with the auspicious paste as it is brought inside the premises. The fast that was initiated on the ninth day of the festival is ended by the devotees on the eleventh day. The Al Quran's message is recited throughout the 14 days, and its blessings are given to the Great Soul. Syed Mohamed Khalifa Sahib , President, Nagore Dargah committee said on "On the (December) 15th, there is also a function to lower the flag after the namaaz (prayers)." The flags and lights are taken down after the conclusion of the Kandhuri Festival, leaving only the spiritual light of the Nagore Dargah. (ANI) As Tamil Nadu grapples with heavy rains, flooding and damages following Cyclone Fengal's landfall, Congress MP B Manickam Tagore on Tuesday moved an adjournment motion notice seeking to discuss an 'immediate' Emergency Relief Fund Allocation for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The Congress MP on the sixth day of the ongoing winter session in Parliament, shed light on the lives claimed by Cyclone Fengal in Puducherry and the widespread destruction across Tamil Nadu. Highlighting the severity of the situation from the cyclonic storm, Tagore said that the "scale of devastation" requires immediate financial assistance to restore normalcy and provide relief. Tagore, in the motion filed to the Lok Sabha Secretary General, wrote, "I hereby give notice of my intention to ask for leave to move a motion for the adjournment of the business of the house to discuss a definite matter of urgent importance. The subject being, a request for Immediate Emergency Relief Fund Allocation for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry." "Cyclone Fengal has tragically claimed 12 lives in Puducherry and caused widespread destruction across Tamil Nadu. Chief Minister MK Stalin has requested 22,000 crore from the NDRF for urgent restoration efforts in Tamil Nadu, and 2500 crore for Puducherry," said Tagore. The Delta region, including districts Chennai, Villupuram, Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Uthangarai from Krishnagiri district, has been the most severely affected. These areas have experienced severe flooding, extensive crop damage, and destruction of vital infrastructure. "Given the scale of the devastation, immediate financial assistance is required to restore normalcy and provide relief. I urge that an emergency relief fund be allocated promptly to support restoration and rehabilitation efforts in both Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Swift action is critical to mitigate further hardship and ensure the timely recovery of the affected communities," urged the Congress MP in his notice. Congress MP Vijayakumar Alias Vijay Vasanth also moved an adjournment notice in the lower house today, stating that Chief Minister MK Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin have taken proactive and decisive measures to safeguard the people and their belongings in the face of Cyclone Fengal. The Congress MP reiterated CM MK Stalin's appeal of Rs 2000 cr for urgent financial assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to support the ongoing restoration efforts and provide relief to the affected communities. In his notice, Vijayakumar said, "As the cyclone approached, the government acted swiftly, setting up temporary shelters, and deploying rescue teams to ensure the safety of all residents, especially in the most affected areas. The government's efforts to prepare for the cyclone included evacuating vulnerable areas, strengthening infrastructure, and ensuring that relief measures were in place well in advance." "Despite the challenges posed by Cyclone Fengal, with heavy rains and flooding, the government has remained steadfast in its commitment to restore normalcy. The Chief Minister has appealed Rs 2000 cr for urgent financial assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to support the ongoing restoration efforts and provide relief to the affected communities," said his notice. Adding further, he said, "We stand united in this appeal and hope that the Central government will respond with the urgency this situation demands. Tamil Nadu stands strong in its resilience, and with continued efforts, we will rebuild and recover together." Meanwhile, as Cyclone Fengal wreaks havoc across many districts of Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia for the families of seven people who lost their lives in a landslide due to heavy downpour in Thiruvannamalai district. Earlier on Monday, Chief Minister MK Stalin criticized the Central government for not allowing MPs to discuss the cyclone's impact in Parliament. "In Parliament, MPs were not allowed to speak about Cyclone Fengal. As part of our responsibility, we are assessing the damages and will send a report. That is our duty and responsibility. It is also their responsibility to respond, but they are refusing to do so. Despite this, we are doing our best," CM Stalin told reporters in Chennai. He also criticized the Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami, saying that while the AIADMK leader continues to make accusations, the public is aware of how good the schemes of the state government are. The CM lauded the district officers and relief teams for their work amid flooding and heavy rains triggered by the cyclone. "Deputy chief minister, ministers, public representatives, coordinating officers, district collectors, and rescue and relief team are working with dedication. I am personally monitoring the situation to ensure normalcy is restored. I have advised officials to complete all ground-level work promptly," he said. He assured that anyone affected by the cyclone would receive adequate compensation for losses, including damages to livestock, homes, or loss of life. Detailing about relief efforts, the CM said that 18 rescue teams, comprising 493 members, are actively conducting operations across various districts. In Villupuram district, 407 personnel from seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and eight State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams -- 15 teams in total -- are working on relief efforts. In Cuddalore, 56 personnel from NDRF and SDRF are engaged in operations, while in Tiruvannamalai, a 30-member team is handling rescue work."Rescue operations are going at the site of the Tiruvannamalai landslide. IIT engineers have been called to assist at the affected location," the CM said. Speaking about relief camps set up in affected areas, CM Stalin said that over 7,000 people are currently staying in 147 camps. He stated, "A total of 147 relief camps are operational, accommodating 7,776 people. All necessary arrangements, including water, food, and medical supplies, have been made for them." Earlier, the Chief Minister visited Viluppuram and Kallakurichi districts to inspect the damage and provide support to affected residents. Cyclone Fengal, which made landfall on the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts on Saturday, November 30, has caused severe flooding and heavy rainfall in several districts, leaving residents in distress. However, rescue teams continue to work to evacuate stranded citizens. (ANI) The ED is raiding various private medical colleges in the state, including those in Haldia, Durgapur, and Kolkata. Reportedly, in this case, fake certificates were submitted in exchange for money, and admissions were made to medical colleges. In September this year, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court expressed concern over the matter. The quota corruption in MBBS admissions has been reported in 28 places across the country. Further information is awaited. (ANI) The 16-day-long Asomi Saras Mela which began on November 30, is currently underway at the Veterinary College grounds in Guwahati's Khanapara and will continue till December 15. The mela (fair) is open for visitors from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm. The mela is being hosted by the Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ASRLM) under the Panchayat & Rural Development Department, Government of Assam. Nibedan Das Patowary, State Mission Director of Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission told ANI that, in this fair, 226 numbers of stalls here and out of that 90 stalls are from outside of Assam and the rest are from Self Help Groups, Members of different parts of the state. "As part of this, we have been organising Saras Mela every year at the district level and the state level. The Saras Mela in Guwahati commenced on November 30 and it will continue up to December 15. We have 226 numbers of stalls here and out of that 90 stalls are from outside of Assam and the rest are from Self Help Groups, Members of different parts of the state," Patowary said. Patowary added that through this fair, the state government is trying to provide a platform to the Self Help Groups, micro entrepreneurs to sell and showcase their products. "We are trying to provide a platform for the Self Help Groups and micro-entrepreneurs to sell and showcase their products. Every year the response is overwhelming. Lots of people visited Saras Mela and we are expecting more people will visit the mela," Patowary added. Kalpana Taye, an entrepreneur of Dhemaji district of Assam said, "We come here to showcase and sell our handmade products and we are getting good responses from the visitors." "The government has taken good initiative by organising Saras Mela. Yesterday we sold our products worth over Rs 1.80 lakh," Taye added. Chitra Basumatary, a woman entrepreneur, said she also participated in Saras Mela last year and got a good response. "I come here to showcase my handmade dry flowers and wooden products," Basumatary said. A member of Suman Self-Help Group said that this Asomi Saras Mela is a very unique mela and people from various parts of the country have participated in this mela. Deepak Verma, entrepreneur of Jharkhand said, "I have been participating in this mela for the last five years and getting good response and also showcasing our traditional products here." The mela showcases various products of rural Assam and other states of India. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called up Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin in connection with the massive flooding in many districts of the state, government sources said. According to sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured all possible help and support to Tamil Nadu owing to the flooding caused by Cyclonic storm Fengal. This comes after CM Stalin urged PM Modi to release Rs 2,000 crores from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for restoration and rehabilitation work. He had urged the Union government to depute a central team to undertake a comprehensive assessment of damages. The Chief Minister said the cyclone inundated 2.11 lakh hectares of farmland and damaged critical infrastructure in the state. "Cyclone Fengal has wreaked unprecedented havoc across 14 districts of Tamil Nadu, affecting 1.5 crore people, inundating 2.11 lakh hectares of farmland, and damaging critical infrastructure. Given the magnitude of destruction, I urge Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release Rs2000 crore from the NDRF immediately to aid emergency restoration and rehabilitation efforts," Stalin posted on X. Meanwhile, all schools and colleges will remain closed in four districts of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday due to heavy rainfall from Cyclone Fengal. "All schools in the Nilgiris district will be closed on December 3, 2024, given heavy rainfall," announced District Magistrate Lakshmi Bhavya on Tuesday. Earlier, Chief Minister MK Stalin announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia for the families of seven people who lost their lives in a landslide due to heavy downpours in Thiruvannamalai district. "I express my deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of those who died in this accident and have ordered that each of the families of the deceased be provided with Rs. 5 lakhs each from the Chief Minister's General Relief Fund," Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said in a press release. This comes after seven people including five children were trapped under the ground in a landslide in Thiruvannamalai. According to the press release, the deceased have been identified as Rajkumar and his wife Meena (27). The family was residing on 11th Street in VOC Nagar. The aftereffects of the cyclone are also expected to bring heavy rainfall to some districts of Tamil Nadu. (ANI) Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Tuesday gave an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha to discuss the situation in Manipur. "I move an adjournment motion to discuss Manipur's grave and deteriorating situation. This conflict, which has been raging for over 18 months, has spiralled into a humanitarian crisis, marked by widespread violence, displacement, and economic devastation," Gogoi said in the notice. Gogoi highlighted the failure of the state government to contain the violence and restore peace in Manipur. "The state government has failed to contain the violence and restore peace. The state is now divided along ethnic lines, with both communities armed and engaged in a cycle of violence. The porous border with Myanmar has become a hub for illegal arms trade and drug trafficking, further exacerbating the situation," he said. The Congress MP criticized the BJP-led central government for remaining indifferent to the situation in Manipur and urged the House to take immediate cognizance of the matter and demand a comprehensive discussion. "The economic impact of the crisis has been devastating. Businesses have shut down, livelihoods have been destroyed, and the state's financial health has deteriorated. The delay in salary payments and pension disbursements has added to the misery of the people. The BJP-led government at the Centre has remained indifferent, adopting an 'out of sight, out of mind' approach," he added. "The future of Manipur and the unity and integrity of India are at stake. We cannot afford to ignore this crisis any longer. I urge the House to take immediate cognizance of this urgent matter and demand a comprehensive discussion," he said. Parliament's proceedings have seen disruptions since the beginning of the Winter Session amid protests by opposition parties over their demands, including a discussion on Adani issue, Sambhal violence and the Manipur situation. On Monday, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till 12 noon and then for the rest of the day. The winter session of Parliament began on November 25 and will continue till December 20. (ANI) In the wake of Sambhal incident and orders passed for a survey of Ajmer Sharif Dargah, SP MP Ram Gopal Yadav on Tuesday alleged that a conspiracy is being hatched to create unrest in the country. SP MP Yadav further said that the Supreme Court should take note of it and take action against judges who gives such orders. "...Through such surveys (of mosques), a conspiracy to create unrest across the country is being hatched. Supreme Court should take note of it and take action against judges who order such things..." Yadav told ANI. Earlier, RJD MP Manoj Jha expressed his disappointment over Congress PCC president of Uttar Pradesh being denied entry to violence-hit Sambhal. Jha said, "When should one go then? When they send an invitation? They are going there to heal...This doesn't give a good idea about the country." Congress MP Imran Masood said that the Supreme Court should take cognizance of the matter related to lower courts allowing surveys at religious places. He said that the apex court must put an end to such claims or else it would lead to anarchy in the country. It was unfortunate that lower courts were passing such orders, the Congress MP said, adding that such decisions by the lower courts would lead to mayhem. "Supreme Court should take cognizance of this matter. The Places of Worship Act of 1991 is clear. There should be no anarchy in the country. The kind of decisions the lower courts are taking will lead to mayhem. These things will happen daily now. Somebody will claim something under the temple, mosque or church. This will create a situation of anarchy in the country. It is unfortunate that lower courts are passing such orders. This is a serious issue. The Supreme Court must stop this," Imran Masood, Congress MP in Lok Sabha, told ANI. Two Congress leaders Alok Sharma and Priya Mishra approached the Supreme Court seeking to restrain courts across the country from entertaining pleas filed for carrying out surveys at religious places. The petition filed by the Congress leaders also wanted directions for the states to comply with the Places of Worship Act of 1991. Tensions in Sambhal have been high since November 19 when clashes between protestors and police over the court-ordered survey of the Jama Masjid resulted in four deaths. (ANI) Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain on Tuesday gave a suspension of business notice in Rajya Sabha to discuss the constitution of a JPC probe over Adani Group allegations. "I hereby give notice under Rule 267 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) of my intention to move the following motion for the suspension of business listed for 03 December 2024: That this House do suspend Zero Hour and relevant rules relating to Question Hour and other businesses of the day to discuss the constitution of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to investigate grave allegations against the Adani Group," he said in the notice. In the notice, Congress MP Hussain urged the house to discuss "A US court indictment that directly implicates the Adani Group in the payment of bribes to state officials to secure Power Supply Agreements (PSAs) through the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), raising significant concerns over corruption, misuse of public institutions, and ethical violations in public sector dealings." Hussain also urged the house to discuss, "SECI's role in enabling and facilitating such practices, which calls into question its internal oversight mechanisms, decision-making processes, and broader accountability as a public sector entity entrusted with India's renewable energy goals." He has also demanded a discussion on, "Persistent allegations of financial irregularities, including stock manipulation, the use of tax havens to avoid scrutiny, and the accumulation of unsustainable levels of debt, which indicate systemic failures in governance and regulatory enforcement." Hussain also urged the house to discuss, "Erosion of institutional trust in key regulatory bodies such as SEBI, with allegations of conflicts of interest and a lack of impartial oversight under its leadership, further deepening public skepticism about the regulatory framework." He has also demanded a discussion on, "The broader implications of these allegations for India's economic integrity, global reputation, and the functioning of public institutions tasked with maintaining transparency and accountability." Hussain demanded the House take immediate cognizance of the matter and hold a comprehensive discussion to uphold the principles of good governance and accountability. "Given the gravity of these issues and their impact on public trust, economic stability, and institutional integrity, this matter demands immediate and thorough parliamentary deliberation to uphold the principles of good governance and accountability," he said in the notice. Parliament's proceedings have seen disruptions since the beginning of the Winter Session amid protests by opposition parties over their demands, including a discussion on Adani issue, Sambhal violence and the Manipur situation. On Monday, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till 12 noon and then for the rest of the day. The winter session of Parliament began on November 25 and will continue till December 20. (ANI) Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday lashed at the ruling party over the Sambhal violence in Uttar Pradesh and alleged that the incident was a "well-thought strategy" of the BJP to distract the public from other, more pressing issues. Taking a swipe at the BJP, Yadav said, "Those who want to dig everywhere will someday lose the cordiality and brotherhood of the country." The SP leader also accused the administration involved in the Sambhal case of acting in a biased manner, suggesting that they were behaving as though they were BJP party workers rather than impartial authorities. The SP supremo also claimed that his party has consistently tried to bring up the Sambhal issue since the beginning of the current parliamentary session but the proceedings in the House have not been functioning properly, preventing them from raising their concerns. Speaking to the media here today, Akhilesh Yadav said, "Since the day when the parliament session began, the Samajwadi Party has tried to raise the issue of the Sambhal incident. The House didn't function, but our demand is still the same - we want to put our views on the Sambhal incident in the House." "The officers out there are working arbitrarily - such that they are working as party workers of the BJP. Sambhal incident is a well-thought strategy of the BJP to deviate people from other issues. Those who want to dig everywhere - someday they will lose the cordiality and brotherhood of the country," said Akhilesh Yadav. Earlier on Monday, Uttar Pradesh Police issued a notice to Congress state president Ajay Rai asking them not to visit violence-hit Sambhal. In the notice given to Ajay Rai, he has been informed that "Keeping in mind the peace and communal sensitivity in Sambhal district, he should cooperate in the public interest and postpone his proposed program so that the order passed by the District Magistrate of Sambhal district, Section 163 BNSS is not violated." Tensions in Sambhal have been high since November 19 when clashes between protestors and police over the court-ordered survey of the Jama Masjid resulted in four deaths. Yadav also spoke on the Bangladesh issue, and said, "The government of India should think about it - these things shouldn't happen - how they can claim to be a strong government if they cannot respect our saints." The situation in Bangladesh has been marked by increasing violence against minority communities, after the arrest of a spritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das over sedition charges and for allegedly hoisting a saffron flag above Bangladesh's national flag in Chittagong on October 25. (ANI) Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain on Tuesday accused the BJP-led central government of adjourning Parliament whenever his party mentions Adani's name. Hussain also alleged that the BJP-led central government is not allowing the opposition to discuss the JPC in the Adani issue, Sambhal issue, Ajmer issue, Bangladesh issue, and Manipur issue. Speaking to ANI, Congress MP Hussain said, "There are so many issues. We want discussion on many issues. One is, JPC in Adani issue and discussion on it. There is Sambhal issue, Ajmer issue, Bangladesh issue, Manipur issue. So many issues are there. But the Govt is not allowing us to discuss these issues. They are adjourning the moment we take Adani's name." Earlier today, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, while addressing the unrest in Bangladesh and the ongoing reports of atrocities against Hindus in the country, stated that his party intends to raise important domestic and international issues in Parliament. Speaking to ANI, Congress MP Gogoi said, "We want to raise in the House, all important issues within and outside India. Our party has made statements on all those issues at different times. We have expressed our concern over this issue." Violence against minority communities is on the rise in Bangladesh, with attacks intensifying after the arrest of priest Chinmoy Krishna Das. However, attacks on Hindus began soon after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina's government in August. Parliament's proceedings have seen disruptions since the beginning of the Winter Session amid protests by opposition parties over their demands, including a discussion on Adani issue, Sambhal violence and the Manipur situation. On Monday, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till 12 noon and then for the rest of the day. The winter session of Parliament began on November 25 and will continue till December 20. The central government is likely to push its legislative agenda in the remaining days of the winter session with opposition parties also pressing for discussion on issues of their concern. (ANI) Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, AAP MP Sanjay Singh and other leaders of INDIA bloc on Tuesday staged protest in the premises of the Parliament over the issue of the Adani indictment. Protesting leaders held banners and raised several slogans, demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) investigation into Adani indictment. In a post on Facebook LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi posted pictures of the protest saying, "Protesting at Makar Dwar, Parliament complex, today, asking the real question: Who will benifit from the billions of Adani, Modi ji?The Prime Minister''s silence speaks volumes." Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that this protest by INDIA bloc leaders marks the end of the protest that opposition held in the last 6 days in Parliament. He added that from now onwards the opposition will cooperate in the proceedings of the Parliament. "It''s a whole set of issues to do with the Modi Govt''s policies... To be very honest, it is a sort of clear signal to the ruling party that many of their policies have found very strong opposition throughout the country. While we are going to cooperate in the House from this morning, nonetheless there was one, sort of salvo to be fired as a form of protest before going out to debate and participate in the Parliamentary processes. Essentially, we are marking the end of the protest for the last 6 days in Parliament," Tharoor said. CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar said that the opposition is here to raise ''pro-people issues'' and it will continue to do so with the new models of protest. He stressed that the opposition will make all efforts to ensure functioning of House. He said, "...INDIA alliance will continue its protest, raising certain very important issues. The Adani related scam, Manipur, Sambhal - to name a few...It is not our wish to get it (the House) adjourned, we have already given 267 notices. But we will make all efforts to see that the House functions. So, for us it is clear. We are here to raise pro-people issues and we will continue with the same with the new models of protest..." Parliament proceedings have been stalled since the beginning of the Winter Session amid protests by opposition parties over the Adani issue and violence in Manipur and Sambhal. On Monday, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till noon and then for the rest of the day. The winter session of Parliament began on November 25 and will continue till December 20. (ANI) Congress MP Rajeev Shukla on Tuesday expressed hope that the Parliament will resume its normal functioning from Tuesday after days of disruption and said that it would only be possible if the government cooperates with the Opposition and addresses the issues they have raised. Speaking to ANI, Congress MP Rajeev Shukla said, "It has been decided to run the House smoothly and I hope the Government will cooperate with the Opposition and the issues which Opposition has raised, they will definitely address it and there will be a debate on Constitution also. I think it should run smoothly, provided the government cooperates with the Opposition." Shukla emphasized that the government must cooperate with the opposition and asserted that the issues raised by the opposition should be addressed. He also specifically mentioned the need for a debate on the Constitution, implying that key constitutional matters should be discussed in Parliament After days of disruption over demands of opposition parties, the Parliament is expected to resume its normal functioning from Tuesday. JMM MP Mahua Maji said that the government must be ready to discuss all issues on the floor of the house. "INDIA Alliance has always wanted the House to function. Regional parties want to raise the issues of their regions. But the ruling party is adamant on some or the issue. This time, we wanted discussions on Adani matter...Still, the ruling party didn't agree. There is Manipur issue, Sambhal issue, several issues of Jharkhand...It has become their (ruling side) to pass Bills when everyone is outside," she said. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that the protest by the Congress on Tuesday marked the end of 6 days of protest and the party would cooperate in the House. "It's a whole set of issues to do with the Modi Govt's policies... To be very honest, itis a sort of clear signal to the ruling party that many of their policies have found very strong opposition throughout the country. While we are going to cooperate in the House from this morning, nonetheless there was one, sort of salvo to be fired as a form of protest before going out to debate and participate in the Parliamentary processes. Essentially, we are marking the end of the protest for the last 6 days in Parliament,"he said. CPI MP P. Sandosh Kumar said that the INDIA bloc would continue to raise issues of the people in the house. "INDIA alliance will continue its protest, raising certain very important issues. The Adani related scam, Manipur, Sambhal - to name a few...It is not our wish to get it (the House) adjourned, we have already given 267 notices. But we will make all efforts to see that the House functions. So, for us it is clear. We are here to raise pro-people issues and we will continue with the same with the new models of protest," he said. The winter session of Parliament began on November 25 and will continue till December 20. (ANI) The Delhi High Court directed the Lokayukta on Tuesday to expeditiously address the corruption complaint filed against AAP MLA Dinesh Mohaniya, with a preference to resolve the matter within four weeks. The bench headed by Chief Justice Manmohan also comprising Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, issued the order while hearing a petition that sought directions for the Lokayukta to take up the complaint against Mohaniya. The petition moved by anthe ti-corruption forum stated that on January 30, 2020, the petitioner/society filed a complaint with the Lokayukta requesting an inquiry into allegations of corruption against AAP MLA Dinesh Mohaniya and any individuals colluding with him, urging that a report be made to the Competent Authority for appropriate legal action. The complaint accused the MLA of accepting bribes from residents of Sangam Vihar in exchange for access to Delhi Jal Board water, with his aide collecting the money from local residents and handing it over to the MLA. The complainant claimed to have videos and other evidence showing clear instances of corruption, as well as dereliction of duty by government officials, including the Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Delhi Jal Board. Additionally, the complaint alleged that residents of Sangam Vihar were required to pay both the Delhi Jal Board officials and the MLA's close aide to use the public borewell installed by the Delhi government, as well as to obtain water from Delhi Jal Board tankers. (ANI) He termed the incident "deeply saddening" and extended sympathies to the grieving families. "The tragic accident on the National Highway at Kalarkode, Alappuzha, which claimed the lives of five medical students, is deeply saddening. The Chief Minister expressed heartfelt condolences over their untimely demise and extended sympathies to the grieving families," an official statement said. Five medical students were killed after the car they were traveling with collided with a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus in the Alappuzha district of Kerala. The accident occurred on the National Highway at Kalarkode, Alappuzha at around 10 pm on Monday. The deceased students have been identified as Mohammed Ibrahim, hailing from Lakshadweep, Sreedeep from Palakkad, Ayush Shaji from Alappuzha, Devanand from Malappuram, and Mohammed Jabbar from Kannur. All of them were first-year MBBS students of TD Medical College, Alappuzha. (ANI) Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi along with other Congress MPs will visit the violence-hit Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, sources said. Violence broke out in Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh on November 24 during an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) examination of the Mughal-era mosque in the district resulting in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to several others, including police officials and locals. The survey was followed after a petition filed by some persons in the local court, claiming that the site of the mosque was previously a Harihar temple. Earlier today, Congress leader Sachin Chaudhary accused the Uttar Pradesh police of preventing a delegation of the party from going to Sambhal. Chaudhary also called for a CBI investigation into the violence incident in Sambhal. Speaking to ANI, Chaudhary said, "Police are stopping us (from going to Sambhal). Earlier, they gave us the time for December 2. I just want to ask that if we cannot ask about the well-being of the victims, isn't it a matter of shame? We demand CBI inquiry into the matter... We will leave at 1 PM for Sambhal and will reach by 2 PM. Police have been there at my residence since morning." On November 27, Divisional Commissioner of Moradabad Division Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said twenty-seven people have been arrested in connection with the Sambhal violence. "Police have registered a total of 7 FIRs so far, 4 of these have been registered by the families of the deceased. A total of 27 people have been arrested, of these 3 are women and 3 are juveniles. The juveniles have been sent to juvenile homes. 74 people have been identified with the help of people, camera and video footage. Identification of others is being done. We have also issued their videos and photos to seek help from the people so that they can be easily identified," Divisional Commissioner of Moradabad Division Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said. (ANI) By Laura Linderman On November 28, 2024, the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party explicitly announced a change in Georgia's foreign policy trajectory, despite overwhelming public opposition to turning away from European integration. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze declared the party's decision to halt EU accession negotiations, rejecting talks until 2028 and refusing EU budget support. Kobakhidze asserted that Georgia would enter the EU in 2030, "with dignity" - a claim rejected by the vast majority of Georgians who view this as a betrayal of the country's pro-European aspirations. This decision sparked nationwide protests that reflect the broad public consensus in support of European integration. Demonstrators have gathered in Tbilisi, Batumi, and cities across Georgia, condemning GD's decision and the subsequent police brutality against mostly peaceful protesters. Demonstrations have continued since the announcement, with protesters blocking streets, clashing with riot police, and facing dispersal attempts using water cannons, tear gas, and pepper spray. President Salome Zourabichvili has pledged to stay on as Georgian President, emphasizing that the illegitimate Parliament cannot elect a legitimate President. BACKGROUND: Prior to the October 26, 2024, parliamentary elections, Georgia's economy was experiencing double-digit economic growth, despite the fact that most ordinary Georgians live near poverty. This growth was fueled, in part, by financial flows from Russia, including tourism, trade, and potentially sanctions-evading investment. Russia is a significant market for Georgian products like wine, and the influx of Russian money had created a wealthy elite dependent on these financial flows. The economic growth figures helped the Georgian Dream (GD) secure support and acquiescence from some segments of the population. This dependence on Russian money creates a conflict between Georgia's political aspirations of joining Europe and its economic realities. Despite preferential access to the EU market, Georgia did not produce much that Europe wanted to buy, while Russia was a major consumer of Georgian products. This economic reality, coupled with GD's close ties to Russia, likely contributed to the party's decision to halt EU accession negotiations, further consolidating its grip on power and jeopardizing Georgia's European future. The protests that followed Georgian Dream's decision to suspend EU accession negotiations were fueled by a strong desire for EU integration among a distinct majority of the Georgian population. While the GD government maintained its rhetoric about commitment to eventual EU membership, its decision to postpone accession talks until 2028 provoked immediate public anger and confirmed long-standing suspicions that the government lacked genuine commitment to EU integration. The government's ratification of a Russian-style "foreign agents" law over the summer, coupled with its strategic courting of older, rural conservative constituencies more vulnerable to fears of cultural upheaval and potential conflict with Russia, further reinforced the perception that GD was prioritizing appeasement and political expediency over meaningful European alignment. The timing of the announcement coincided with a European Parliament resolution documenting electoral irregularities. This resolution echoed widespread criticism of the elections, which were marred by concerns about the secrecy of the vote, vote-rigging, voter intimidation, and a lack of transparency, as reported by international observers. GD's decision, perceived by many as a rejection of the popular will in favor of closer ties with Russia, led to a significant portion of the population demanding immediate progress toward EU membership. IMPLICATIONS: Since the November 28th announcement, numerous civil servants have resigned in protest, including Georgia's ambassadors to the United States, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Italy, Czechia, and the Netherlands. The Baltic states of Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia imposed sanctions on GD founder Bidzina Ivanishvili and several high-ranking Interior Ministry officials, barring them from entering their countries. The Baltic states also condemned the suppression of protests and reaffirmed their support for the Georgian people's European aspirations. In addition to these resignations and sanctions, various sectors of Georgian society mobilized in opposition to the GD's decision. Students from universities organized marches and protests, demanding a reversal of the decision and calling on their universities to suspend classes so students could participate in demonstrations. The Georgian Trade Unions Confederation criticized GD's lack of transparency and condemned police violence against protesters. The International Chamber of Commerce in Georgia warned that halting the EU accession process would negatively impact the country's economy and investor confidence. Both major banks, Bank of Georgia and TBC Bank, and leading internet providers Magti and Silknet condemned the government's actions and reaffirmed their commitment to European integration. The implications of GDs decision and the subsequent protests are multifaceted and far-reaching: Erosion of Democracy: GDs actions, including the alleged election rigging and violent suppression of protests, have significantly damaged Georgias democratic credentials. International observers have expressed concerns about the erosion of democratic norms and the shrinking space for civil society in Georgia, especially the ratification of the Russian-style foreign agents law. The use of excessive force against protesters, including journalists, further highlighted the government's disregard for fundamental freedoms. Strained EU Relations: The decision to halt EU accession has severely strained Georgias relationship with the EU. European officials have condemned GD's move as a betrayal of the Georgian peoples aspirations and a rejection of the country's European future. The suspension of EU budget support and the potential for sanctions against GD leaders further isolate Georgia from its European partners. Strained US Relations: The US decision to suspend its Strategic Partnership with Georgia, in response to GD's halt of EU accession negotiations, signals a deterioration in US-Georgia relations and underscores US concerns about GD government's commitment to democratic values and the rule of law. By suspending the partnership, the US aims to pressure the Georgian government to reconsider its actions and to demonstrate its commitment to democratic principles. The suspension also raises questions about the future of US assistance to Georgia, which has been instrumental in supporting the country's democratic and economic development. This move could weaken Georgia's security and stability, particularly in the context of ongoing tensions with Russia. Additionally, it may embolden anti-Western forces within Georgia and undermine the pro-European aspirations of the Georgian people Geopolitical Realignment and Russian Influence : The timing of Russian President Vladimir Putin's praise for GD's decision, just minutes after the announcement, has raised suspicions about potential Russian influence behind the move. The sources also highlight GD's adoption of policies, such as the "foreign agent" law, that mirror Russian legislation and have been criticized by the EU and the US. Implications for Regional Stability: The potential geopolitical realignment of Georgia has significant implications for the balance of power in the South Caucasus. A shift towards Russia could embolden the Kremlin to exert more influence in the region and potentially threaten the sovereignty of other neighboring countries, particularly Armenia. Economic Fallout: The halting of EU accession has created significant economic uncertainty for Georgia. The potential for reduced foreign investment and trade disruptions could severely impact the country's economic growth. While Georgia's recent economic growth has been partly fueled by Russian money, this raises concerns about economic sustainability and potential dependence on Russia. The Georgian Dream (GD) party's rejection of EU budget support will limit financial assistance and hinder development. GD's actions have damaged Georgia's international reputation and risk international isolation. Widespread protests, including strikes by schools and universities, are disrupting economic activity and further undermining investor confidence. The ongoing political instability threatens to derail Georgia's economic progress and international standing. CONCLUSION: GD's decision to halt EU accession has triggered a nationwide crisis, revealing a stark disconnect between the ruling party and the overwhelming pro-European sentiments of Georgian citizens. While GD claims to be pursuing a "European path with dignity," its actions suggest a shift towards Russia's sphere of influence, raising concerns about the country's sovereignty and democratic future. This shift is motivated, in part, by a strategic calculation that aligns with the interests of certain political and economic elites within Georgia, who have benefitted from closer ties with Russia and favor an appeasement strategy with the North. GD has employed a range of tactics to consolidate its power, including manipulating elections, intimidating voters, and suppressing dissent, drawing parallels to the authoritarian playbook seen in countries like Hungary. The opposition's struggle to counter GD's narrative and mobilize sustained public resistance highlights the challenges facing pro-democracy forces in Georgia. AUTHOR BIO: Laura Linderman is a Senior Fellow and Director of Programs at the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute of the American Foreign Policy Council. ISKCON Kolkata Vice President Radharaman on Tuesday urged the Bangladesh government to provide security to the advocate of Chinmoy Krishna Das citing the recent attack on his previous advocate. Reportedly, Chinmoy Krishna Das's previous advocate Raman Roy is currently in serious condition in hospital intensive care unit after being attacked. Speaking to ANI, Vice President of ISKCON Kolkata said, "We hope that Chinmoy Krishna Das will get justice today. We have seen that he is in jail for a long time. We have got information that his previous advocate Raman Roy was attacked and is in the ICU in serious condition. We request the Bangladesh government to provide security to the advocate of Chinmoy Krishna Das...We have no information on how is he being treated in the jail. We hope that he will describe his situation today when he reaches the court. We are concerned about his health and security." Meanwhile, a Bangladesh court today set January 2, 2025, as the next hearing date for Hindu spiritual leader Chinmoy Das stating tha he will remain in jail on alleged sedition charges until then. The Daily Star Bangladesh reported that the Chattogram court deferred to January 2 the hearing on the bail petition of Chinmoy Krishna Das. Chattogram Metropolitan Session Judge Saiful Islam set the new date for the hearing as the defence lawyer was absent from the court. Chittagong Metropolitan Police's Additional Deputy Commissioner (Prosecution) Mofizur Rahman later confirmed this information to Bangladesh media. Earlier, police ramped up security at the court premises ahead of the hearing. Additional police patrols were seen at various points of the court area. A group of lawyers were also seen bringing out a procession. However, the accused was not produced in the court, reported the Daily Star. Chinmoy Krishna Das who is associated with the Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote, was arrested in Dhaka on November 25. The arrest followed a complaint filed on October 31 by a local politician that accused Chinmoy Das and others of disrespecting Bangladesh's national flag during a rally of the Hindu community. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly criticised Das' arrest and the denial of his bail. The arrest has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for his immediate release. ISKCON had earlier expressed solidarity with Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was arrested on charges of sedition for allegedly raising a flag on a stand displaying Bangladesh's national flag. In a post on X, ISKCON, Inc. stated, "ISKCON, Inc. stands with Chinmoy Krishna Das. Our prayers to Lord Krishna for the protection of all these devotees. " ISKCON has further claimed that Bangladesh authorities have arrested two monks, Adipurush Shyam Das and Ranganath Das Brahmachari, and the secretary of Chinmoy Krishna Das. Earlier, in another concerning development, a petition was also filed by a lawyer demanding a ban on ISKCON in Bangladesh, calling it a "radical organization" engaging in activities designed to provoke communal unrest, as reported by the local media. The petition in Bangladesh has alleged that ISKCON has been promoting religious events with the intent of inciting sectarian violence, imposing its beliefs on traditional Hindu communities, and forcibly recruiting members from lower Hindu castes. (ANI) Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ram Gopal Yadav on Tuesday raised Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal incident in the Rajya Sabha and alleged that a planned conspiracy was being hatched to create unrest in the country. "The issue of Sambhal is being raised every day. Five people have been killed and 20 others were injured but no FIR has been registered yet. Had this not been a pre-planned conspiracy, the same happened in Budaun, Ajmer Sharif and Janupur. There is a conspiracy to set the entire country on fire," he told reporters. The Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav raised the issue related to violence in Sambhal in the House during Zero Hour. "We applied for permission to conduct a survey at Sambal, a 500-year-old mosque. Within two hours, the survey was carried out peacefully. On December 24, at 6 am police were deployed in the area around the mosque, and locals were unaware of the reason for the deployment. After some time, the DM, SSP, and the lawyer who filed the application, along with drummers, accompanied the police and entered the mosque..." "The crowd suspected that they were going to vandalize the mosque. SDM opened the water tank and when water started flowing out, people suspected that something was going wrong in it, and then there was unrest. The police opened fire, five people were killed, 20 people were injured, cases were filed against hundreds of people and many are in jail. Those who were caught were beaten badly," he said. Earlier in the day speaking to ANI, the SP MP Yadav said that the Supreme Court should take note of it and take action against judges who gives such orders. "...Through such surveys (of mosques), a conspiracy to create unrest across the country is being hatched. Supreme Court should take note of it and take action against judges who order such things..." Yadav told ANI. The SP MP also accused the Uttar Pradesh government of manipulating the by-elections in the state and "forcibly controlling the polls" by preventing people from voting. "I and many other people believe that in the elections that were held earlier in Uttar Pradesh, the police in the neighbouring districts did not allow anyone to cast their vote and forcibly took over the elections. All this happened in a way to divert attention from that," said Yadav. Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav today also lashed at the ruling party over Sambhal violence and alleged that the incident was a "well-thought strategy" of the BJP to distract the public from other, more pressing issues. Taking a swipe at the BJP, Yadav said, "Those who want to dig everywhere will someday lose the cordiality and brotherhood of the country."The SP leader also accused the administration involved in the Sambhal case of acting in a biased manner, suggesting that they were behaving as though they were BJP party workers rather than impartial authorities. The SP supremo also claimed that his party has consistently tried to bring up the Sambhal issue since the beginning of the current parliamentary session but the proceedings in the House have not been functioning properly, preventing them from raising their concerns. Speaking to the media here today, Akhilesh Yadav said, "Since the day when the parliament session began, the Samajwadi Party has tried to raise the issue of the Sambhal incident. The House didn't function, but our demand is still the same - we want to put our views on the Sambhal incident in the House." "The officers out there are working arbitrarily - such that they are working as party workers of the BJP. Sambhal incident is a well-thought strategy of the BJP to deviate people from other issues. Those who want to dig everywhere - someday they will lose the cordiality and brotherhood of the country," said Akhilesh Yadav. On Monday, Uttar Pradesh Police issued a notice to Congress state president Ajay Rai asking them not to visit violence-hit Sambhal. Tensions in Sambhal have been high since November 19 when clashes between protestors and police over the court-ordered survey of the Jama Masjid resulted in four deaths. (ANI) Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annapurna Devi, briefed the media on Tuesday regarding the government's initiatives for women empowerment since May 2014. "PM Modi has always emphasized the importance of women empowerment. With this focus in mind, we are making strides towards women's development," she said. Devi highlighted several key initiatives undertaken by the government since 2014 to ensure women's safety and advancement in various sectors. "The Nari Shakti Vandan Act was passed by the PM Modi-led government as part of these efforts," she added. She also pointed out that the gender budget for women has significantly increased, with an allocation of over 3 lakh crore for 2024-25, a substantial rise compared to pre-2014 figures. "One crore women have been made Lakhpati Didi, and we aim to make 3 crore women Lakhpati Didi through women-centric development schemes," said Devi. Annapurna Devi said that the Union Government is committed to women-led development. "The government is committed to women-led development, aiming for their participation in the majority of sectors by 2037. Under the Nirbhaya Fund, nearly 49 schemes with an estimated allocation of over Rs 11,000 crore have been launched since 2014. Through the 181 Women Help Line, women are receiving vital support, although West Bengal has not yet implemented this helpline," the minister remarked. The Union Minister said that more than 3.5 crore women have benefited from Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana. The scheme is a Centrally Sponsored DBT scheme with the cash incentive of Rs 5000 (in three instalments) being provided directly in the bank account of Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers. "The government has also introduced three new criminal laws to ensure women's safety and justice. Additionally, over 3.5 crore women have benefited from the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, and the government is working on providing working women hostels. We plan to set up 1,000 women's hostels across states, and discussions are ongoing with various state governments," the Minister stated. Annapurna Devi mentioned that fast track courts have been sanctioned for West Bengal for safety of women, and ensuring justice. "113 Fast Track Courts have been sanctioned for West Bengal, but only 6-7 are currently operational," she concluded. (ANI) Visuals from the site showed huge black smoke rising from the flames. Efforts to douse the fire were underway at the time of filing this report. The cause of the fire and the extend of damage caused is yet to be ascertained. "Fire tenders are present at the spot. Firefighting operations are underway," fire officials said. More details are awaited. (ANI) According to an official release, farmers across the state have embraced advanced practices like drip irrigation, mulching, and drone-assisted pesticide spraying. Following this progressive trend, Nano Urea (liquid) has seen widespread adoption, with over 20 lakh farmers in Gujarat now utilizing this game-changing fertilizer. Sales data highlights its rising popularity. Nano Urea bottle sales in Gujarat surged from 8,75,000 in 2021-22 to 17,65,204 in 2022-23 and further to 26,03,637 in 2023-24. To double farmers' incomes and achieve self-reliance in food grains, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed for the adoption of scientific methods and technological innovations in agriculture. Guided by this vision, IFFCO's scientists have developed Nano Urea (liquid), along with the newly launched Nano Urea Plus and Nano DAP, all crafted with indigenous technology. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the state government is promoting these advanced alternatives to conventional Urea and DAP, empowering farmers for a prosperous future. In 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the world's first Nano Urea (liquid) plant in Kalol, near Gandhinagar. This state-of-the-art facility, developed by IFFCO, boasts a production capacity of 1.75 lakh litres per day and holds a patent for this innovative indigenous nano fertilizer. IFFCO has also begun exporting Nano Urea to countries like Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Brazil while showcasing its cutting-edge Nano Fertilizer technology in the USA. Nano Urea Plus and Nano DAP (liquid) effectively address nitrogen and phosphorus deficiencies in crops. Unlike traditional white granular Urea and DAP, which suffer from low absorption rates, liquid nano fertilizers deliver ultrafine particles that are absorbed directly through plant leaves. This ensures minimal wastage and maximum efficiency. Remarkably, a single 500-millilitre bottle of Nano Urea or Nano DAP can cover an acre of farmland in one application, revolutionizing fertilizer use and enhancing agricultural sustainability. Nano Fertilizers (Nano Urea Plus and Nano DAP) offer a transformative alternative to conventional fertilizers, significantly reducing transportation and storage costs. Their compact design allows farmers to easily carry bottles to their fields, eliminating the need for large storage facilities. Each bottle of Nano Urea Plus (liquid) matches the efficacy of a 45-kilogram bag of traditional Urea. Experts observe that Nano Fertilizers not only boost agricultural productivity but also enhance crop quality. Economically advantageous, they reduce farming expenses while increasing yields, ultimately leading to higher incomes for farmers. To meet domestic demand for Urea and DAP, the government imports lakhs of tons of these fertilizers annually, providing substantial subsidies to ensure their affordability for farmers. The adoption of Nano Urea Plus and Nano DAP promises significant savings, reducing the reliance on imports and subsidies. This shift aligns with the vision of making India self-reliant in the fertilizer sector, with Nano Fertilizers playing a pivotal role in achieving this goal. In today's era of pollution and global warming, Nano Urea (liquid) and Nano DAP (liquid) offer eco-friendly solutions for sustainable farming. Experts confirm that their use helps prevent environmental pollution, protecting water and soil quality while improving groundwater and air quality. Moreover, their non-toxic nature ensures the preservation of soil nutrients, making them a sustainable and responsible choice for agriculture. (ANI) Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Akhilesh Yadav hit out at the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government as he raised the Sambhal incident in Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Addressing the lower house, the SP chief accused the state adminstration of orchestrating a 'well-planned' conspiracy to divert attention from the state bypolls and also urged to register a "murder case" against the police and the administration. Akhilesh Yadav said that a 'murder case' should be filed against the police and administration and those responsible should be suspended. The SP chief also claimed that the BJP and its allies' talks on "excavation" will undermine the country's unity and brotherhood. Addressing the gathering in the lower house on Tuesday, Akhilesh Yadav said, "Sambhal that has been known for brotherhood--- became part of a well-planned strategy. The incident that took place in Sambhal was a 'well-planned conspiracy.' The talks of excavation throughout the country done by BJP and its allies will destroy the brotherhood of the country." "I say this is a conspiracy because bye-elections were supposed to be held in Uttar Pradesh on November 13 but it was postponed to November 20. This BJP government does not believe in the Constitution." "A petition was filed against Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal. An order for a survey of the mosque was passed even before listening to the other side. On November 19, the survey was conducted and the report was to be given to the Court. On November 22, people who arrived at the mosque to offer prayers were not allowed to do so. Even so, people offered prayers and did not obstruct the police orders. On November 24, another survey was conducted, during which people gathered to know the reason for the survey," said Akhilesh Yadav. "When asked about the survey, the Circle Officer abused the people gathered there and a lathi charge was done. After this, police opened fire with their government and private weapons, during which dozens were injured and 5 innocent were killed. A murder case should be filed against police and administration and they should be suspended so that people can get justice and such an incident is not repeated in future," stated the SP leader. Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav highlighted the Sambhal incident in the Rajya Sabha and accused the district administration of trying to "vandalise" a 500-year-old Mughal-era-mosque---leading to the violence and ruckus that claimed lives and injured many in the district. The SP MP also accused the Uttar Pradesh government of manipulating the bye-elections in the state and "forcibly controlling the polls" by preventing people from voting. Earlier on Monday, Uttar Pradesh Police issued a notice to Congress state president Ajay Rai asking them not to visit violence-hit Sambhal.In the notice given to Ajay Rai, he has been informed that "Keeping in mind the peace and communal sensitivity in Sambhal district, he should cooperate in the public interest and postpone his proposed program so that the order passed by the District Magistrate of Sambhal district, Section 163 BNSS is not violated." Tensions in Sambhal have been high since November 19 when clashes between protestors and police over the court-ordered survey of the Jama Masjid resulted in four deaths. (ANI) BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya on Tuesday accused the Congress of harming the decorum of democracy after INDIA Bloc leader protested over the Adani matter, at the Parliament premises. Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc MPs staged a protest at the Parliament premises over the Adani matter. Notably, TMC did not participate in the protest. Speaking to ANI, the BJP MP said, "Mamata Banerjee wanted Mallikarjun Kharge to be the face of this alliance. She had given a proposal for him to be the PM of the country. The same Mallikarjun Kharge's clarion call does not include TMC now. This is all a drama now. They are harming the decorum of democracy." Bhattacharya also hit out at the Congress saying,"Wherever Congress goes to people, the public rejects them there. " "You can see the condition of the alliance. Sometimes TMC is missing, and sometimes AAP is missing. Wherever Congress goes to people, public rejects them there. Congress now has just one place - Parliament Gate or not allowing the House to function. That is the agenda of Congress," he said. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm on Tuesday amid ruckus in the Parliament for the sixth day of the winter session. Congress-led opposition MPs walked out of the lower house of the Parliament to mark dissatisfaction over Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan's reply on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) issue. Parliament proceedings have been stalled since the beginning of the Winter Session amid protests by opposition parties over the Adani issue and violence in Manipur and Sambhal. On Monday, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till noon and then for the rest of the day. The winter session of Parliament began on November 25 and will continue till December 20. (ANI) In response to a query regarding TMC leaders suggesting that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should be made the INDIA bloc leader days after Congress faced a crushing defeat in Maharashtra assembly polls, party MP Kirti Azad said on Tuesday that the ruling TMC supremo takes every one along. "Mamata Banerjee has a 100 per cent record. Whenever Prime Minister Narendra Modi faced a humiliating defeat, it was only in West Bengal...Whenever he comes to insult Bengal and its honour, her vote share increases," the TMC leader said. He further said that Mamata Banerjee is known for her articulate views. "She is a very senior leader. She speaks clearly." Regarding the protests in Bangaldesh over alleged atrocities against minorities, Kirti Azad said, "Govt of India did not say anything despite there being a grave situation in Bangladesh. She said that if Govt of India does not do anything, UN should intervene...Mamata Banerjee is not a leader but a 'panth'". He also said that Mamata Banerjee is a household name across the country. "She (Mamata Banerjee) resides in every household in West Bengal, in every household in the country...Mamata Banerjee is someone who takes everyone together. She calls people only after making preparations and taking her time...," he said. On November 26, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee suggested that one strong leader is needed to lead the INDIA bloc following the defeat of Congress in Haryana and Maharashtra assembly polls. He had further said that the opposition alliance should be stronger to take on the BJP. "...The Congress has failed to achieve the desired result either in Haryana or in Maharashtra. We had tremendous hope from the Congress that they would do better. INDIA alliance is there but the expected result could not be achieved. And there is a great failure on the part of the congress to achieve the result...Today it is necessary if you want to fight against the BJP, INDIA alliance should be stronger. And to make it stronger, one leader is required. Now who can be the leader? That's the core question. Congress has done it. All experiments have been done, but they have failed...," he had said. (ANI) Hindu organisations in Assam on Tuesday staged a protest and took out rallies in various parts of the state to register their dissent amid rising atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh. In Biswanath district, Lok Jagaran Manch took out a protest rally where a large number of people participated and they raised their slogans against the Bangladesh government and demanded to stop atrocities on Hindus. The protesters also demanded the safety and security of minorities in the neighbouring country. Sattar Singh Powar, leader of Lok Jagaran Manch told ANI, "We will send a memorandum to the President of India and the Prime Minister seeking their intervention on it and to ensure the safety and security of the minority Hindu people in Bangladesh." Similarly, in Dhubri district, Lok Jagaran Manch held protest meetings and staged demonstrations by demanding an end to the ongoing communal violence and atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh. The event was held at Raja Prabhat Chandra Baruah ground in Dhubri town. Protesters showed placards and demanded an end to the atrocities against minorities in the neighbouring country. Lok Jagaran Manch sent a memorandum to Professor Mohammad Yunus, Chief Advisor to the interim government of Bangladesh through the Dhubri District Commissioner. Protests were also staged in the Hojai district demanding immediate intervention of the Indian government into the issue. Notably, India has tightened visa curbs after the escalation of violence against various religious minorities in the neighbouring country. Reportedly, over 60 monks were stopped at Benapole land port in Bangladesh over the weekend and were not allowed to enter India, as claimed by a spokesperson of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Kolkata. ISKCON Kolkata Vice President Radharaman on Tuesday urged the Bangladesh government to provide security to the advocate of Chinmoy Krishna Das citing the recent attack on his previous advocate. Reportedly, Chinmoy Krishna Das's previous advocate Raman Roy is currently in serious condition in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after being attacked. There was no relief for Hindu spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das who was arrested on alleged sedition charges.On Tuesday, a Bangladesh court set January 2, 2025, as the next date of hearing in the case. Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is currently in custody, is expected to remain in jail. The Daily Star Bangladesh reported that the Chattogram court deferred the hearing on the bail petition of Chinmoy Krishna Das to January 2. Chattogram Metropolitan Session Judge Saiful Islam set the new date for the hearing as the defence lawyer was absent from the court. (ANI) The Uttar Pradesh police on Tuesday detained protesting farmers who are demanding compensation and benefits, including a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The farmers were detained at Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal in Noida today. The protest, organized by the Bhartiya Kisan Parishad (BKP) along with other farmer groups, is being held to demand compensation and benefits related to agricultural reforms, including a legal guarantee for MSP. Farmer leader and national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), Rakesh Tikait, claimed on Monday that farmers participating in the 'Delhi Chalo' protest were stopped by police barricades as they attempted to march towards Delhi, demanding solutions to agricultural issues and a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The protest, organised by the Bhartiya Kisan Parishad (BKP) and other farmer groups, comes amid heightened security measures and traffic advisories in the Noida-Delhi region. On the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march, Tikait earlier told ANI, "The farmers have been stopped at the Mahamaya Flyover. The farmers want to head to Delhi because the solution will come from Delhi only. The police are stopping the farmers, but they are determined to proceed to Delhi." Regarding Punjab farmers joining the 'Delhi Chalo' march on December 6, he said, "Punjab has a different system. They are different people." Earlier today, Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad criticized the BJP government for the "miserable" conditions faced by farmers. He stated that despite repeated questions about farmers' issues in the UP assembly, the UP government has not formulated any policy regarding this matter. "India's farmers are miserable under the BJP's double-engine government. The winter season has already begun, yet farmers have to spend the night outside to protect their fields from microbes and stray animals. Akhilesh Yadav has repeatedly raised questions on this issue in the UP assembly... Despite this, the UP government does not have any policy in this regard," he said. (ANI) Porto Ercole is a charming seaside town in Tuscany, Italy, that provides soothing beach views and summertime getaways for city travelers. It was also where Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610) took his last breath. On July 18, 1610, the legendary painter died in a sanitarium alone, exhausted, feverish, and suffering injuries from several brawls. Until his death, Caravaggio didn't obtain a long-awaited papal pardon to return to Rome where he had garnered fame for his unrivaled painting techniques as he was unfavorably known for committing various crimes. His stormy, enigmatic personality finally went too far an escalating argument ended when he committed murder. He fled Rome to avoid a life sentence. Caravaggio's revolutionary style helped anticipate the Baroque period. However the sudden end of his dramatic and turbulent life at the age of 38 also ended his short-lived career. He was buried in haste and was forgotten until the early 20th century, when his art was rediscovered by historians. Caravaggio and his works have since returned to the limelight. A show featuring his paintings drew enthusiastic audiences and one of his most famous works resurged to public attention. This was the situation when, in 2014, a painting depicting the biblical figure Mary Magdalene was identified as work of Caravaggio's. It then embarked on a global tour adorning the walls of museums worldwide. Now, Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy has come to illuminate the exhibition halls of Beijing. The National Museum of China and the Italian embassy in China jointly present a show specially for and displaying only Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy. The exhibition Caravaggio's World of Art also centers around the restoration work done to return this Caravaggio work back to its glory. Until the end of March, people can "face" Caravaggio, celebrated as the founding father of Baroque art. In this painting, they will see his smart utilization of reduced colors primarily black, white and red as well as his revolutionary usage of strong contrasts between light and dark, also referred to as chiaroscuro in Italian, for which he is best known. Caravaggio has made recurring appearances in Chinese art scene these two years. His Boy Bitten by a Lizard was on show at Botticelli to Van Gogh, an exhibition of masterpieces from the National Gallery London held from Jan 17 to May 7 last year at the Shanghai Museum. From Dec 12 to April 12 this year, Caravaggio: Wonders of the Italian Baroque, an exhibition at the Museum of Art Pudong in Shanghai, gathered six works by Caravaggio, including Boy with Basket of Fruit, an iconic piece in the collection of the Borghese Gallery, Rome. Caravaggio: Eternal Ecstasy, which opened in July through to the end of October at M Woods in Chengdu, Sichuan province, marked the debut of Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy in China before it traveled to Beijing. For the exhibition at the National Museum of China, a 12-minute virtual reality tour is offered to embark upon the life journey of Caravaggio tremendous, yet tragic. Cinzia Pasquali, who headed the restoration team that worked on the painting for over six months in 2018, says the piece was believed to have been made following his escape from Rome after killing Ranuccio Tomassoni during a row in 1606. A manuscript note was found at the back of the canvas, reading, "Magdalena, reversed by Caravaggio in Chiaia, there to be kept for the benefit of Cardinal Borghese of Rome". The note is also displayed. A video rotates at the exhibition showing the restoration steps carried out by Pasquali, who also co-curated the current exhibition at the National Museum of China, and her team years ago. Their work engages the audience with the quietness in which Caravaggio focused wholeheartedly on shading, forgetting about his troubled life the creases of Mary Magdalene's robe, the luster of her soft hair and the tears dripping from the corner of her eye. Dutch painter Karel van Mander (1548-1606), a contemporary of Caravaggio, authored Het Schilder-Boeck (The Book of Painters). In the book, he mentions Caravaggio's work and life: "Indeed, he does not devote himself continually to study, but when he has worked for a couple of weeks, he goes wandering for a month or two, with a sword at his side and a servant behind him, and turns from one ballgame to another, always ready to start a brawl and to scuffle, so much so that it is rare to see him regularly. Nonetheless, his painting is beyond question." Pasquali says: "The exhibition allows close examinations of the painting to understand the distinguished way that Caravaggio depicted his subjects. "The theatrical representation and the dramatic effects of light and darkness, characteristic of his work, can be seen in the work." She says the exhibition explains vividly why Caravaggio is recognized as "a revolutionary of light "and a great artist in history. Zhuge Yingliang, co-curator of the exhibition at the National Museum of China, says the show provides people with the perspective of the restorers to understand Caravaggio and his art. "To compare the similarities and differences in the work of Chinese and Italian restorers, we've set up a section at the end of the exhibition to show the process of preserving classic Chinese ink painting and calligraphy. "It is not only to show the knowledge, patience and time invested in the work. The significance of art restoration is ultimately to enrich the essential values of these extraordinary artworks, to revive the thoughts of the artists, and to share them with the public," she says. The exhibition marks the latest progress in the cultural exchanges between China and Italy through staging well-curated exhibitions at the National Museum of China. Previous collaborations include Renaissance in Florence: Masterpieces and Protagonists in 2012, Four Centuries of Painting in Venice in 2016 and Tota Italia: Origins of a Nation in 2022. Binod Shankar alias Vinod Shankar Singh, a resident of Kaimur district of Bihar, is the 6th accused to be chargesheeted in the case, the agency said. The chargesheet was filed on Monday. A supplementary chargesheet has been filed against him under various sections of the IPC and UA(P) Act before the NIA Special Court, Patna, it added. The accused has several previous criminal cases registered against him in various police stations in various parts of district Aurangabad. NIA had earlier chargesheeted five other accused persons in the case, registered on September 26, 2023, in connection with the attempts of the proscribed terrorist organization CPI (Maoist) to revive Naxalism in the Magadh zone of Bihar. As per NIA investigations, Binod was an active member of CPI (Maoist) and was involved in propagating the banned terrorist organisation's anti-national ideology. In collaboration with other chargesheeted accused persons, he was working to radicalise gullible youth. He was also working as a courier between the cadres of CPI (Maoist). Further investigations into the case are continuing. (ANI) TMC MP Kirti Azad said on Tuesday that "as an elder brother" and in view of "our good relations" with Bangladesh, Indian government should take steps to protect the ones facing wrong in the neighbouriong country, once our part before 1947. "They are our neighbours. They were once a part of us before the freedom...When such a situation persists there, as an elder brother and given our good relations, the Govt of India should protect the ones who are facing the wrong there," the TMC MP told ANI, in response to situation in Bangladesh. He also said that United Nations will have to intervene in case Government of India maintains silence over the issue and called for an end to alleged atrocities against minorites anywhere in the world. "When Govt of India is silent and does politics here too, United Nations will have to intervene - that not only in Bangladesh, but wherever in the world the minorities are being persecuted it should be stopped," he added. Notably, India has tightened visa curbs after the escalation of violence against various religious minorities in the neighbouring country. Reportedly, over 60 monks were stopped at Benapole land port in Bangladesh over the weekend and were not allowed to enter India, as claimed by a spokesperson of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Kolkata. ISKCON Kolkata Vice President Radharaman on Tuesday urged the Bangladesh government to provide security to the advocate of Chinmoy Krishna Das citing the recent attack on his previous advocate. Reportedly, Chinmoy Krishna Das's previous advocate Raman Roy is currently in serious condition in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after being attacked. There was no relief for Hindu spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das who was arrested on alleged sedition charges. On Tuesday, a Bangladesh court set January 2, 2025, as the next date of hearing in the case. Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is currently in custody, is expected to remain in jail. The Daily Star Bangladesh reported that the Chattogram court deferred the hearing on the bail petition of Chinmoy Krishna Das to January 2. Chattogram Metropolitan Session Judge Saiful Islam set the new date for the hearing as the defence lawyer was absent from the court. Earlier, police ramped up security at the court premises ahead of the hearing. Additional police patrols were seen at various points in the court area. A group of lawyers were also seen bringing out a procession. However, the accused was not produced in the court, reported the Daily Star. Chinmoy Krishna Das who is associated with the Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote, was arrested in Dhaka on November 25. The arrest followed a complaint filed on October 31 by a local politician that accused Chinmoy Das and others of disrespecting Bangladesh's national flag during a rally of the Hindu community. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly criticised Das' arrest and the denial of his bail. The arrest has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for his immediate release. ISKCON had earlier expressed solidarity with Chinmoy Krishna Das. In a post on X, ISKCON, Inc. stated, "ISKCON, Inc. stands with Chinmoy Krishna Das. Our prayers to Lord Krishna for the protection of all these devotees. " ISKCON has further claimed that Bangladesh authorities have arrested two monks, Adipurush Shyam Das and Ranganath Das Brahmachari, and the secretary of Chinmoy Krishna Das. Earlier, in another concerning development, a petition was also filed by a lawyer demanding a ban on ISKCON in Bangladesh, calling it a "radical organization" engaging in activities designed to provoke communal unrest, as reported by the local media. The petition in Bangladesh has alleged that ISKCON has been promoting religious events with the intent of inciting sectarian violence, imposing its beliefs on traditional Hindu communities, and forcibly recruiting members from lower Hindu castes. (ANI) Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq on Tuesday called for a judicial commission, headed by a sitting Supreme Court judge, to uncover the truth behind the Sambhal violence and ensure accountability for those responsible. Speaking to ANI, Barq stated, "This issue is bigger than the Adani controversy because it directly concerns the public. People have been oppressed, killed, and their rights violated, making it a significant issue. Today, Akhilesh Yadav raised this matter, and we demand the formation of a judicial commission, led by a sitting Supreme Court judge, to ascertain the truth and take action against the culprits." SP chief Akhilesh Yadav also addressed the media, claiming that the situation in Lucknow was beginning to mirror events in Delhi. "The Samajwadi Party will not allow such actions to continue. Innocent people have been framed because the government orchestrated this situation. The focus on the violence diverts attention from the vote tampering during the by-elections. In Sambhal, officers prevented people from voting and later instigated these incidents. These officers are closely aligned with the government, and this injustice was deliberately carried out by the BJP in collaboration with them," Yadav alleged. SP MP Iqra Hasan emphasised the urgency of addressing the Sambhal violence. "Five people have lost their lives, and the situation is critical. While the Adani issue is significant for the economy, the loss of lives should take precedence. The administration must act impartially and not under any governmental influence. Strict action should be taken against those responsible for inciting violence," she said. She further criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stating, "The BJP is leading the country towards destruction. If we continue to focus on such divisive issues, the country will not progress. We demand strict action against the perpetrators of the Sambhal violence, whether they are officers or others." Samajwadi Party spokesperson Fakhrul Hasan Chand highlighted the importance of adhering to the 1991 Places of Worship Act. "BJP and its affiliated organisations disregard the Constitution and aim to disrupt communal harmony. The Sambhal incident must be investigated under the supervision of the High Court," Chand said. JMM Rajya Sabha MP Sarfaraz Ahmad described the violence as "pre-planned." "A petition was filed, and within two hours, everything was executed, including a survey. The other party was not even given an opportunity to respond. This appears to have been pre-planned. The Indian government must address these issues," Ahmad said. The violence in Sambhal district erupted on November 24 during an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) examination of a Mughal-era mosque. Clashes resulted in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to several others, including police personnel and locals. The ASI survey followed a petition filed in a local court, claiming that the mosque's site was originally a Harihar temple. On November 27, the Divisional Commissioner of Moradabad Division, Aunjaneya Kumar Singh, confirmed the arrest of 27 individuals in connection with the Sambhal violence. (ANI) The General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, Champat Rai, on Tuesday, condemned the atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh and criticised the interim Bangladesh government for failing to protect minorities in the country. "India supported Bangladesh in every way to help the country stand on its feet. Today, we have gathered to condemn the atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh," Rai said while participating in a protest condemning atrocities in the neighbouring country. "10 lakh people were killed. People had to leave their jobs, businesses, and homes and come to India. Here they were considered refugees, but slowly people settled here and set up their businesses. In our country, there is a habit to forget hardship," he added. Champat Rai emphasised that when Bangladesh fought for independence in 1971, India fully supported the country, but now he expressed concern over the ongoing atrocities. "Bangladesh rebelled against Pakistan, it happened in 1971. India supported Bangladesh in various ways...After 1971, it has been 53 years, and how Hindus are being treated there now, one can see on television and papers, sometimes when I sit in front of the TV then I switch it off within minutes, the whole country is watching, and the world would be too. To show their anger at this, the people have gathered here today. After all, what else can we do?" he said. Condemning the interim government in Bangladesh, Rai said that they are supposed to protect people against injustice. However, they have failed to do that properly. "Staying in Ayodhya, what else can we do for the protection of Hindus in Bangladesh? This is condemnable. A government is supposed to protect the people from injustice, but whatever government is in Bangladesh, they have failed to do their duty," he said. India has also tightened visa curbs after the escalation of violence against various religious minorities in the neighbouring country. Over 60 monks were stopped at Benapole land port in Bangladesh over the weekend and were not allowed to enter India, as claimed by a spokesperson of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Kolkata. Notably, there was no relief for Hindu spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das who was arrested on alleged sedition charges. On Tuesday, a Bangladesh court set January 2, 2025, as the next date of hearing in the case. Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is currently in custody, is expected to remain in jail. (ANI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized several documents from secret lockers located in the office premises of Orris Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, along with luxury cars and various Fixed Deposits (FDs) and Bank Guarantees (BGs) worth Rs 31.22 crore, in connection with an alleged real estate fraud exceeding Rs 500 crore, the agency announced on Tuesday. The FDs and BGs, totalling Rs 31.22 crore, held in the name of the Orris group of companies, have been frozen and seized. Additionally, bank accounts and lockers belonging to the company's promoters were frozen, and four luxury cars -- Mercedes, Porsche, and BMW models -- were seized from the residence of one of the group's directors and promoters. The seizure followed a search operation conducted under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, on November 25 at 14 locations across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). The operation targeted Orris Infrastructure Private Limited, its directors and promoters Vijay Gupta and Amit Gupta, as well as Three C Shelters Private Limited and its promoter-directors Nirmal Singh Uppal and Vidhur Bhardwaj. The ED initiated its investigation based on two First Information Reports (FIRs) registered by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police, which were based on complaints from homebuyers and investors. Subsequently, a chargesheet was filed concerning FIR 137/17 by the EOW in New Delhi. According to the ED, the accused companies and individuals face multiple allegations of cheating, criminal breach of trust, and fraud involving hundreds of homebuyers. The FIRs claim that Orris Infrastructure Private Limited and Three C Shelters Private Limited entered into a collaboration agreement to develop a residential group housing project named Greenpolis in Sector 89, Gurugram, Haryana, on a 47-acre land parcel owned by the Orris Group. The development rights for the project were granted to Three C Shelters Private Limited. "However, it is alleged that Orris Infrastructure Private Limited, through its promoters and directors, in collusion with Three C Shelters Private Limited and its promoters and directors, conspired to siphon off the hard-earned money of homebuyers by failing to complete the project within the stipulated time and by not delivering residential units to homebuyers and investors," said the ED in a statement. During the search operations, the ED said it recovered and seized several incriminating documents related to fund diversion, layering of funds, property ownership, and asset details of the companies. These included sale deeds, registration deeds, and various digital devices such as laptops and hard drives. (ANI) As the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, prepares to visit the violence-hit Sambhal district in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, the local administration has reiterated restrictions on the entry of outsiders into the area until December 10. Congress MP Imran Masood informed ANI that Rahul Gandhi intends to meet the victims of the violence. "Rahul ji is scheduled to visit Sambhal tomorrow. It has been confirmed that he will leave for Sambhal from Delhi in the morning. He will meet the victims there," Masood said. However, Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh stated that the administration is consistently urging Gandhi to postpone his visit. "The District Magistrate has imposed restrictions on the arrival of outsiders in Sambhal until December 10. This measure aims to maintain calm and prevent the situation--currently stabilising--from escalating again. While the situation is under control, tensions remain, and the presence of outsiders could provoke further disturbances. This decision was based on an assessment by the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police," Singh explained. "We appeal to everyone to avoid visiting Sambhal temporarily, allowing us to fully restore normalcy. We trust responsible citizens will understand our concerns. The administration is in regular dialogue with the Leader of Opposition, requesting him to reconsider his plans," Singh added. Singh further assured that the situation in Sambhal is under control. "Markets are functioning normally, and efforts are underway to build public confidence. With the cooperation of the people, we have always succeeded in restoring peace. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and police are examining all angles. So far, 30 arrests have been made, and further actions will be based on concrete evidence," Singh said. Earlier today, Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq demanded the formation of a judicial commission, headed by a sitting Supreme Court judge, to investigate the Sambhal violence and ensure accountability. "This matter is more significant than the Adani controversy as it directly affects the public. People have been oppressed, lives have been lost, and rights violated. Today, Akhilesh Yadav raised this issue, and we demand a judicial commission to uncover the truth and take action against those responsible," Barq told ANI. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav also addressed the media, alleging parallels between the situation in Lucknow and recent events in Delhi. "The Samajwadi Party will not allow such actions to persist. Innocent people have been framed as part of a government conspiracy. This violence serves as a distraction from the alleged vote tampering during the by-elections. Officers prevented people from voting and later instigated these incidents. These officials, acting under government orders, orchestrated this injustice in collaboration with the BJP," Yadav alleged. SP MP Iqra Hasan highlighted the urgency of addressing the violence. "Five lives have been lost, and the situation remains dire. While the Adani controversy is crucial for the economy, addressing the loss of lives should be the priority. The administration must act impartially and free from government influence. Strict action is required against those responsible for inciting the violence," Hasan said. She also criticised the BJP, stating, "The BJP is steering the country towards ruin. By focusing on divisive issues, we are hindering progress. Those responsible for the Sambhal violence--whether officials or others--must face strict action." JMM Rajya Sabha MP Sarfaraz Ahmad described the violence as "pre-planned." "A petition was filed, and within two hours, the entire sequence of events, including a survey, was executed. The other party wasn't even given a chance to respond. This seems premeditated. The Indian government must address such issues," Ahmad remarked. The violence in Sambhal district erupted on November 24 during an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) examination of a Mughal-era mosque. The clashes resulted in four fatalities and multiple injuries among police personnel and locals. The ASI survey followed a petition filed in a local court, claiming that the mosque's site was originally a Harihar temple. On November 27, Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh confirmed the arrest of 27 individuals linked to the violence. (ANI) Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Tuesday criticised the Mahayuti alliance for the delay in declaring the Chief Ministerial candidate for Maharashtra, calling it a matter of sadness that they are disrespecting the mandate they received. The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader alleged that no one has yet staked a claim before the Governor to form the government. "It is not a matter of humour but of sadness that they are insulting the mandate they received. They have announced that the oath-taking ceremony will take place on December 5, but the Governor is unaware. No one has staked a claim before him to form the government, nor has he invited anyone. Nobody knows who the Chief Minister will be. It is disheartening for Maharashtra that despite such a strong mandate, they are unable to make a decision. In contrast, the Chief Minister of Jharkhand has already taken the oath, but this is not happening in Maharashtra," Priyanka told ANI. The Mahayuti alliance, led by the BJP, achieved a landslide victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections held on November 23. However, the alliance has yet to finalise its Chief Ministerial candidate. Commenting on suggestions from TMC leaders that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should be made the leader of the INDIA bloc, days after Congress faced a crushing defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly polls, Priyanka Chaturvedi said the matter would be discussed, and a resolution would be worked out. "This should be discussed, and we will work out a solution. However, we are very clear that there should be no compromise with the Constitution and our democracy," she said. The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader also criticised the violence in Sambhal, alleging that the Place of Worship Act had been violated. "First, the fire was set in Sambhal. Now, it's Ajmer's turn. Next, it will be Haji Ali, and then Nizamuddin. They will target wherever it suits them. The Place of Worship Act has been violated in Sambhal," she stated. Earlier, Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Akhilesh Yadav condemned the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government while raising the Sambhal incident in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Addressing the lower house, the SP chief accused the state administration of orchestrating a "well-planned" conspiracy to divert attention from the state bypolls and called for a "murder case" to be registered against the police and administration. "Sambhal, known for its brotherhood, became part of a well-planned strategy. The incident that occurred there was a 'well-planned conspiracy.' The BJP and its allies' calls for excavation across the country are destroying the nation's brotherhood," Akhilesh Yadav said. "I say this is a conspiracy because by-elections in Uttar Pradesh were initially scheduled for November 13 but were postponed to November 20. This BJP government does not believe in the Constitution." Tensions in Sambhal have remained high since November 19, following clashes between protestors and police over a court-ordered survey of the Jama Masjid, which resulted in four deaths. (ANI) Punjab Legislative Assembly Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa on Tuesday, slammed the BJP-led central government for neglecting the interests of farmers in Punjab and Haryana. Bajwa's scathing attack comes amidst growing discontent among farmers in the region, who feel their concerns have been ignored by the ruling party. "Ever since the BJP government has come to power, they have not taken a single decision that is in the interest of the farmers of India, especially the farmers of Punjab and Haryana. It is their fundamental right to express their demands peacefully in their respective capitals. But they were prevented from doing so," he said The Leader of the Opposition also emphasised that the demand for a better Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a legal right of farmers and that about 300 quintals of paddy have been looted the traders have looted around Rs 5500-6000 crores from them. "Their demands like MSP are their legal right... About 300 quintals of paddy have been looted from the farmers of Punjab, which is equivalent to Rs 5500-6000 crores, by traders with the help of the government...," he said. Furthermore, Congress leader Bajwa requested the protestors to maintain peace and not cause any disturbance in the law and order situation. He said, "I also want to appeal to the protesters. Please ensure that there is no inconvenience or disruption of law and order. Protest peacefully. The Indian National Congress will always support them...." Speaking on the recent punishment given to former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal by the Akal Takht, Partap Singh Bajwa said that the people of Punjab had rejected the party and that the Akal Takht's decision should be respected. He said, "In the last few years, their (Shiromani Akali Dal) performance has been steadily declining and hence, the people rejected the party.... They had already been punished politically. People were now waiting for a religious punishment... Around the world, the Sikh brotherhood faithfully follows the decision of the Akal Takht. This is indisputable.... We bow our heads to their (Akal Takht's) decision." On Monday, farmers participating in the 'Delhi Chalo' protest were stopped at the Mahamaya Flyover by police barricades as they attempted to march towards Delhi, demanding solutions to agricultural issues and a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Meanwhile, a three-tier security plan has been implemented, and security forces have been deployed in parts of Noida and Delhi ahead of the 'Delhi Chalo' protest march, an official said on Monday. The protest, organised by the Bhartiya Kisan Parishad (BKP) along with other farmer groups, demands compensation and benefits related to agricultural reforms, including a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP). (ANI) Maharashtra's caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday held a meeting with concerned officials to take stock of the preparations for the event to be held at Chaityabhoomi on the death anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar on December 6. The meeting was held in hybrid mode and was attended by BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis, State Minister Deepak Kesarkar and Chief Secretary Sujata Sounik among others. Earlier today, Eknath Shinde was rushed to a hospital in Thane after his health condition showed no sign of improvement. Doctors have advised full examination of his health. Shinde has been suffering from a throat infection and fever since last week. Meanwhile, arrangements are being made for swearing in of Mahayuti government on December 5. BJP state chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule had announced on November 30 that the oath-taking ceremony of the Mahayuti government will be held on December 5 at 5 pm at Azad Maidan in Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the event. Senior BJP leader Girish Mahajan met Eknath Shinde on Monday to discuss preparations for the swearing-in ceremony. He also underlined that there are no conflict among the leaders of the Mahayuti alliance regarding government formation. "I came here to meet Eknath Shinde, who has not been well for the past few days. There is no displeasure. We sat together for an hour and had a conversation. He also discussed preparations for December 5, and I shared some thoughts as well. We have a lot of work to do for the people of the state, and we are going to work together for them," he said. On Thursday evening, Shinde, along with Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar, and other Mahayuti leaders, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda in the national capital over the government formation. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appointed former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as the party's central observers to oversee the election of Maharashtra chief minister and leader of the BJP legislative party. Eknath Shinde had said on Sunday that he will support BJP's decision for the role of Chief Minister. The results of Maharashtra assembly polls were declared on November 23 and the Mahayuti alliance comprising BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP secured a resounding victory. (ANI) The terrorist who has been killed in an ongoing operation with security forces in Srinagar district was identified as Junaid Ahmed Bhat. Police said Bhat was involved in civilians killing at Gagangir, Ganderbal iand several other terror attacks, in Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Tuesday. https://x.com/KashmirPolice/status/1863890369508688039 "In the ongoing operation, one #terrorist is killed and has been identified as Junaid Ahmed Bhat ( LeT, Category A)," Kashmir Zone Police said in a latest update in a post on its social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The said terrorist was involved in civilians killing at Gagangir, Ganderbal and several other terror attacks, they said. "Operation continues in the upper reaches of Dachigam by J&K Police along with Joint Parties of RR and Security Forces. Further details shall follow," it added. In its update the Indian Army's Chinar Corps said," OP DACHHIGAM, One terrorist has been neutralised by the security forces in the ongoing Operation at upper reaches of Dachhigam Forest, Srinagar. Search Operation is in progress." Police earlier on Tuesday said that joint parties of SFs launched CASO in the upper reaches of Dachigam forest based on specific intelligence input. On November 23, Baramulla Police, in a joint operation with security forces, busted a terror hideout in the Kunzer area of Baramulla district. A joint operation was launched in the forests adjoining the village Malwa, under the jurisdiction of Police Station Kunzer, by Baramulla Police, Budgam Police, and 62 RR. On November 9, based on specific intelligence regarding the presence of terrorists, a joint Operation was launched by the Army and JK Police in the general area of Rajpura, Sopore, Baramulla. Suspicious activity was observed by vigilant troops and on being challenged terrorists opened indiscriminate fire. Troops effectively retaliated. One terrorist was neutralised by the security forces. On November 6, Security forces eliminated one terrorist in Operation Kaitsan in Bandipora. On November 2, two terrorists were killed by security forces during an encounter in Anantnag district. The encounter broke out after security forces initiated an anti-terrorist operation in the Halkan Gali area. On October 29, the security forces neutralised three terrorists in a high-stakes encounter in Akhnoor, Jammu and Kashmir, following an attack on an Army convoy. (ANI) Congress leader Supriya Shrinate hit out at the central government and Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday saying that the minister "ultimately agreed" with the Opposition that China has encroached on India's land. She also demanded that the government should clarify when the "2020 status" of the India-China border would be restored. "Today, Jaishankar ultimately agreed what LoP Rahul Gandhi and the entire Opposition had been saying that China has encroached on our land, multiple people were saying that. Ultimately they agreed that China has been sitting on our land, Jaishankar should just tell about one thing; when will the situation be restored to what it was before April 2020, everything else is just wasting words on the issue," Shrinate told ANI on Tuesday. She further said that the country and the Indian army has been bearing the brunt of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "lie" that there has been breach of the borders. "The truth is that our country, our army is suffering from the lies told by Narendra Modi, and the lie was: no one has encroached on our borders and land, China also alludes to that," Shrinate added. Earlier, Minister Jaishankar addressed the Lok Sabha and briefed the house on the India-China ties as well as disengagement at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). He said that bilateral ties between the two countries have been "abnormal" since 2020 when "peace and tranquillity in the border areas were disturbed as a result of Chinese actions." The minister said that India remains "committed to engaging with China through bilateral discussions to arrive at a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework for a boundary settlement." "Recent developments that reflect our continuous diplomatic engagement since then have set our ties in the direction of some improvement," he said. The union minister also recalled the 2020 face-offs between Indian and Chinese forces along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh and affirmed, "Members would recall that the amassing of a large number of troops by China along the LAC in eastern Ladakh in April-May 2020 resulted in face-offs with our forces at a number of points." India and China concluded the final phase of disengagement on October 21. (ANI) The 19th International Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony, featuring Buddha's teachings in Pali, commenced in Bodh Gaya on December 2, 2024. The event, organised by the Light of Buddha Dhamma Foundation International India (LBDFI), attracted widespread participation. The opening ceremony was graced by the Ambassador of the USA to India, Eric Garcetti, as the chief guest. Other key attendees included Abhijit Halder, Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation; Mahashweta Maharathi, Secretary in charge of the Mahabodhi Temple; and members of the International Tipitaka Chanting Committee. Diplomatic representatives from Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos were also present. This year, the event saw record attendance, with around 10,000 participants from various parts of the world. Calling his visit to Bodh Gaya a special moment, Ambassador Garcetti shared how India captured his heart when he first travelled through the country at the age of 14. He remarked, "Tipitaka is not just words but received wisdom and an opportunity to recognise who we truly are. Today, we see nations and people divided, but my friendships in India remind me of the power of connections, love, and unity, which is greater than anything else in the world." Garcetti emphasised that true power does not reside in titles or status but in the willingness to give and share, which fosters unity. "Buddha not only taught us to look inward but also to connect outwardly with one another, to find Metta within ourselves, and to envision a day when Dukkha will be gone," he added. Concluding his address, he expressed hope that the chanting would serve as a powerful reminder of the peace discovered by the Buddha over two thousand years ago. In her welcoming remarks, Wangmo Dixey, Executive Director of LBDFI, highlighted the significance of the gathering. She noted, "We are living in a world shaken by wars and conflicts, with echoes of the global pandemic still lingering. Today, the urgent question is: what can bring our hearts closer to peace? The answer lies in the reason behind this gathering--the timeless words of the Buddha, which guide humanity towards inner peace, mutual understanding, and lasting harmony." Dixey further emphasised that Buddha's teachings transcend time and geography, reminding us that peace is within reach through understanding, compassion, and kindness. "India, as the land of the Buddha's enlightenment, has long been a beacon of spiritual wisdom and unity. By gathering here, we are reminded of our shared responsibility--not just for ourselves but for the entire world," she concluded. The annual Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony brings together monks, scholars, and devotees from across the globe to participate in this sacred tradition. The Cambodian Chief Organiser, President of the Cambodian Buddhist Monk Society, expressed hope that the collective chanting would spread light and wisdom worldwide. He also highlighted the opportunity to restore the Dhamma to its origins and unite the diverse sects of Buddha Dhamma. Abhijit Halder, Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation, noted the uniqueness of witnessing thousands of monks chanting together for ten days. He remarked, "Despite technological advancements, the world continues to experience profound suffering. The Buddha always stressed two ways of spreading his teachings--chanting and travel." He added that the recent recognition of Pali as a classical language by the Indian government was a significant step, supported by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, towards reviving the Buddha's legacy and revitalising Indian culture and civilisation. Halder also drew parallels with Emperor Ashoka, who sent emissaries, including his children, to spread Buddha's teachings worldwide. He described the gathering in Bodh Gaya as an honour, symbolising the Dhammasetu, a civilisational bridge connecting Asia. He mentioned that Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Shekhawat expressed interest in future ministry participation in the event. The chanting of Pali verses is not just a meditative practice but also a gift of calm and peace for those who listen. It creates a shared space of harmony, inspiring unity among communities and nations. (ANI) Ahead of the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government oath-taking on December 5 and final decisions on the cabinet expansion, former Congress state chief Rajesh Thakur stated that all the preparations for the alliance "have almost been completed." "Almost everything has been completed, we have sought time from the Governor and the entire cabinet will be sworn in on 5th December. Whatever decision the leadership takes will be acceptable to all," Rajesh Thakur told ANI regarding the cabinet expansion. He also mentioned that the central leadership of the party has been consulted on "such a big decision" for the state too. "Certainly when a big decision is taken, it is discussed and suggestions are taken from our central leadership," he said. Earlier on Monday, the party's state president Keshav Mahto Kamlesh indicated that the people will witness the cabinet expansion "very soon." In response to a query regarding the Jharkhand government cabinet expansion, the party leader said, "Everything will be done. You will witness (the cabinet expansion), and you will very soon get information on every issue." When asked further, he clarified, "There is no kind of resentment (between the leaders of the alliance)." Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir also commented on the matter, stating that Congress will hold discussions with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on the issue of cabinet berths. "In two to three days, the cabinet berths of the Jharkhand government will be announced. We (Congress) will hold discussions with JMM and decide on the cabinet berths," he told ANI. "Initially, questions were raised on the distribution of tickets followed by the distribution of seats. But we had said that the alliance would get a better mandate, and the results are in front of you," he added. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren assumed office on November 28 after taking the oath as Chief Minister for a second consecutive term. The Jharkhand state government leaders are set to take oath on December 5. The JMM steered the INDIA bloc to victory with 56 seats in the 81-member Jharkhand assembly. Whereas, the BJP-led NDA won only 24 seats in Jharkhand. (ANI) The incident unfolded on December 1 in Pune's Pimpri Chinchwad following an altercation with the car driver, the official said. Pune Police Inspector Ashok Shirke said that car driver along with his two friends have been arrested and booked under section 103 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The blood sample of the accused has been taken to check if he was drunk or not, the official added. In August this year, two people were injured after a speedy pickup truck lost control and drove over a divider near the old RTO in Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune district, as per police. Earlier in the year, a woman was killed after a luxury car crashed into the bike she was riding with her husband in the Worli area of Mumbai. The husband of the deceased woman had also received injuries in the accident. On May 19, a Porsche car, allegedly driven by a minor in an inebriated condition, hit two IT professionals, killing them in the Kalyani Nagar area of Pune. (ANI) The Congress Legislative Party (CLP) convened a meeting in Shimla to prepare for the celebration of the Himachal Pradesh government's two-year tenure. During the meeting, all MLAs were instructed to mobilise crowds for the event, with a particular focus on constituencies near Bilaspur. MLAs from these areas were tasked with ensuring a larger turnout, with a target set to gather a crowd of 30,000 for the event. After the meeting, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated, "The two-year anniversary of the Congress government will be celebrated in Bilaspur. Today's meeting was called to provide necessary instructions to MLAs, with a target to bring a crowd of 25,000 to 30,000. MLAs from areas near Bilaspur have been assigned the responsibility of mobilising more people." The Chief Minister outlined the government's achievements over the past two years while criticising the BJP for its previous governance. "The BJP ruled the state for five years, during which corruption flourished, exam papers were sold, and the youth were left unemployed. They have handed over corruption as a dowry to this government. We will take BJP's actions from the past five years to the people's court," he remarked. CM Sukhu also highlighted several initiatives implemented by his government, including the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme for 1,36,000 government employees. "The government is providing Rs 1,500 under the Sukh Samman Nidhi to women beneficiaries. Additionally, a Rs 600 crore fund under the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana has been launched to benefit 23,000 students," he said. He further mentioned, "We are fulfilling the promise of purchasing cow dung under government guarantee, with the announcement set to be made in Bilaspur during the ceremony." "Our government has achieved significant milestones in just two years--something the BJP failed to accomplish in five. The BJP lacks the courage to implement schemes like the Old Pension Scheme for government employees. Our welfare programs are benefitting women, youth, and farmers alike," Sukhu added. Meanwhile, Congress State President Pratibha Singh stated that the meeting was centred on ensuring the upcoming celebration is a grand success. "The Congress government is completing two years, and today's meeting was held to discuss preparations for the event. The Chief Minister has instructed everyone to ensure maximum participation. Discussions were also held regarding the number of buses to be arranged for bringing people to the venue," she said. "Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has asked MLAs to bring as many people as possible. Preparations for the event are in full swing, and every detail is being worked out to make the occasion a success," Pratibha Singh added. The Congress government's two-year celebration in Bilaspur is expected to serve as a platform to showcase its achievements and counter the BJP's criticisms. (ANI) On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel welcomed a delegation of ten visually impaired individuals from the Gujarat branch of the National Federation of the Blind in Gandhinagar. Celebrated annually on December 3, the day aims to integrate persons with disabilities into the societal mainstream and transform public attitudes towards them. The United Nations has designated this year's theme as 'Enhancing the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future.' A Gujarat CMO release said that under the visionary and empathetic leadership of Chief Minister Patel, the state government has adopted an inclusive approach that aligns seamlessly with this theme, promoting equality for all. In alignment with this inclusive vision, the state government will launch a special recruitment drive for Divyangs, aiming to fill over 21,000 posts in government services in the coming years, following established rules and guidelines. Acknowledging this compassionate initiative by CM Patel, representatives from the Gujarat branch of the National Federation of the Blind conveyed their heartfelt gratitude. The event was attended by Federation president, general secretary and other officials. It is noteworthy that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with his empathetic outlook, has conferred the respectful term 'Divyang' on individuals with physical or mental disabilities, celebrating their inherent strength and dignity, the release said. In 2016, the Modi government enacted the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, protecting the rights and ensuring the protection of Divyangs. Besides, both the Central and State Governments have launched various welfare schemes to promote the well-being and empowerment of Divyangs. (ANI) The Central Railway has made adequate arrangements with special trains, help desks, and security for the passengers coming to Maharashtra on the Mahaparinirvan Diwas 2024. People in large numbers are expected to come to pay homage to Dr BR Ambedkar on his 68th death anniversary, also known as Mahaparinirvan Diwas on December 6. "For Mahaparinirvan Diwas, Central Railway has announced 14 additional special trains this year as in previous years. These trains will arrive at stations in the Mumbai area, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, from various locations in Maharashtra such as Aurangabad and Nagpur, on the morning of December 6," Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), at Central Railway, told ANI. "Additionally, on the nights of December 5 and 6, Central Railway will operate 12 additional suburban trains--six on the main line and six on the harbour line," he added. Nila also mentioned that to ensure security, approximately 300 additional Railway Police Force (RPF) personnel have been deployed. "Of these, 120 RPF staff are assigned to Dadar station, 60 to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, and an equal number to Kalyan and Thane. Along with this, over 300 additional staff have been deployed by the Government Railway police (GRP). Railway employees have also set up "May I Help You" booths at various stations to assist passengers," he added. Born on April 14, 1891, Baba Saheb Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer who campaigned against social discrimination towards Dalits and supported the rights of women ad workers. Baba Saheb Ambedkar was a prolific student, earning doctorates in economics from both Columbia University and the University of London. In 1956, He led a satyagraha in Mahad to fight for the right of the untouchable community to draw water from the main water tank of the town. On September 25, 1932, the agreement known as Poona Pact was signed between Ambedkar and Madan Mohan Malaviya. Due to the pact, the depressed class received 148 seats in the legislature, instead of the 71 as allocated earlier. He was also one of the seven members of the committee that drafted the Indian Constitution after independence. In 1990, Ambedkar was conferred with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award. Baba Saheb Ambedkar died on December 6, 1956, at his home in Delhi. (ANI) Authorities have deployed approximately 125 platoons of forces, including the Central Armed Police Forces, in Odisha ahead of Navy Day, which will be celebrated in the state on December 4, an official said. The official also confirmed that a security cover has been put in place as President Droupadi Murmu and the Navy Chief are set to attend the event. "The President is arriving in Bhubaneswar and will then proceed to Puri for the Navy Day celebrations. This is the first time Navy Day is being held in Odisha. As the supreme commander of the armed forces, she will take the salute and witness the operational demonstration by the Navy," said the ADG of Law and Order. "In view of the visit of the President of India and other dignitaries, we have provided comprehensive security arrangements. The Navy Chief will also be present, and to ensure smooth proceedings, we have deployed around 125 platoons of forces, including the Central Armed Police Forces," the official added. Navy Day in India is observed on December 4 each year to commemorate the Indian Navy's significant role in Operation Trident during the 1971 Indo-Pak War. This operation highlighted the Navy's bravery and strategic prowess, sinking four Pakistani vessels, including PNS Khaibar. The day is also a tribute to the valiant sailors who laid down their lives during the war. Through Navy Day events, the Indian Navy seeks to enhance public awareness of maritime security, renew maritime consciousness, and showcase its contributions to national defence. To mark the occasion, a range of activities is organised across the country, including operational demonstrations, band concerts, wreath-laying ceremonies, and visits to educational institutions. The Navy also opens its ships and submarines to the public, offering a glimpse into its capabilities and technological advancements. This year, Navy Day will be celebrated at Puri, Odisha, on December 4, 2024. President Droupadi Murmu will be the Chief Guest at the event. The celebrations are set to be grand, featuring 24 warships and 40 aircraft in the Operational Demonstration. The event will also include stealth operations by Marine Commandos (MARCOS), underlining the Navy's preparedness and dedication to national security. Additionally, the celebration will pay homage to India's rich maritime heritage. (ANI) Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya on Tuesday stated that the state's expanded cabinet will be formed to ensure proper representation for various groups. "We will form the cabinet in a very cordial manner. Every division will get its representation. Women, youth, farmers, and labour leadership will be included in it," Bhattacharya told ANI. Currently, Chief Minister Hemant Soren is the only minister in the state government's cabinet since he took oath on November 28. However, it is set to change on December 5 when the other ministers of the JMM-led alliance will be sworn in. "The cabinet will cater to all needs of the people," the JMM leader said. When asked about the prospective names of the state cabinet ministers, Bhattacharya said that it is solely the prerogative of the Chief Minister, who will inform Governor Santosh Gangwar about the names for swearing-in. Earlier, on December 2, the state's Congress President Keshav Mahto Kamlesh had said that a decision on the long-awaited cabinet expansion would be taken very soon. In response to a query regarding the Jharkhand government cabinet expansion, he said, "Everything will be done. You will witness (the cabinet expansion), and you will very soon get information on every issue." When asked further, Keshav Mahto Kamlesh clarified, "There is no kind of resentment (between the leaders of the alliance)." Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir also commented on the matter, stating that Congress will hold discussions with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on the issue of cabinet berths. "In two to three days, the cabinet berths of the Jharkhand government will be announced. We (Congress) will hold discussions with JMM and decide on the cabinet berths," he told ANI. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren assumed office on November 28 after taking the oath as Chief Minister for a second consecutive term. The JMM steered the INDIA bloc to victory with 56 seats in the 81-member Jharkhand assembly. The JMM won 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, with its allies the AJSU party, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and JD-U winning one seat each. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday highlighted the growing tiger population in India and expressed optimism that this trend would continue in the future. PM Modi's remarks came in response to a post by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, who announced earlier in the day that India has added its 57th tiger reserve. The Union Minister lauded the Prime Minister for his focus on wildlife conservation. The latest addition to the list is the Ratapani Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, according to the Union Minister. PM Modi described it as "wonderful news for environment lovers" and praised the collective efforts behind this achievement. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1863932799314497773 "Wonderful news for environment lovers, in line with our centuries-old ethos of caring for nature. Thanks to collective efforts, India's tiger population has been increasing over time, and I am sure this spirit will continue in the times to come," PM Modi said in a post on X. Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav had earlier shared a post saying, "Caring for conservation! We continue to make great strides in conserving our tigers. India has added its 57th tiger reserve. As a nation of nature lovers and worshippers, India offers the best habitat for the big cat. "This achievement reflects the emphasis laid by PM Shri @narendramodiji on wildlife protection alongside economic progress. I commend @ntca_india for its relentless efforts in tiger conservation. I also congratulate the people of Madhya Pradesh and wildlife lovers across the country," Yadav said. In November, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav announced the notification of the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh as India's 56th tiger reserve, according to the Ministry. Highlighting the milestone on social media, he had said, "As India continues to touch new milestones in tiger conservation, we have notified Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla in Chhattisgarh as the 56th tiger reserve. Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve spans 2,829 sq km. India continues to work towards a green future where humans and animals cohabit in harmony." (ANI) You are here: Business China's central bank will maintain a supportive monetary policy stance and policy orientation in 2025, its governor said on Monday. The People's Bank of China (PBOC) will utilize a variety of monetary policy tools and increase countercyclical regulation to maintain reasonable and ample liquidity, and to reduce the overall financing costs for enterprises and residents, PBOC governor Pan Gongsheng said while addressing a conference. Efforts will be made to effectively leverage structural monetary policy tools to promote the stable development of the real-estate market and capital market, Pan said. The PBOC announced Monday that starting from January 2025, a new statistical caliber of M1 money supply will be implemented, which will include personal demand deposits and non-bank payment institutions' customer reserves. The central bank will enhance its monitoring of money supply at various levels and social liquidity, Pan noted. Acting on specific intelligence, vigilant personnel from the 193 Battalion intercepted two heavy vehicles loaded with sugar worth over Rs10 lakh. The vehicles, bearing registration numbers ML 12 3843 and ML 05 AD 3614, were stopped near the Indo-Bangladesh international border in East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya. Four Indian nationals were apprehended in connection with the smuggling attempt, BSF Meghalaya stated. The seized goods and the detained individuals were handed over to the Customs Office at Dangar for further investigation and legal action, the release added. In a post on X, BSF Meghalaya stated, "In its continued efforts to contain smuggling along the Indo-BD border, troops of the 193 Battalion BSF Meghalaya apprehended four Indian nationals along with two trucks loaded with sugar worth Rs10 lakh under East Khasi Hills district. The goods were intended for smuggling into Bangladesh." On November 20, BSF had also thwarted another smuggling attempt of contraband items at the international border in Meghalaya. According to the Public Relations Officer, BSF Meghalaya, "On November 19, 2024, vigilant troops of BSF Meghalaya, acting on specific intelligence, successfully prevented a smuggling attempt involving contraband items near the international border in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. The items were intended to be smuggled into Bangladesh." The PRO added, "Troops of the 4th Battalion BSF conducted a special operation near the border, seizing the contraband concealed in a jungle area." The seized items from the earlier operation were handed over to the Customs Office at Pynursla for further action, the PRO noted. (ANI) The petition was filed by former MP Kateel, who is also co-accused in the case. A case was registered against Nirmala Sitharaman and others as directed by a special court following a complaint filed concerning election bond irregularities. An FIR was registered against Sitharaman, ED officials and state and national level BJP office bearers under Sections 384 (punishment for extortion), 120 B (criminal conspiracy), and 34 (acts committed by several persons with common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). BJP State President BY Vijayendra was also named in the FIR. The complainant alleged that the accused extorted Rs 8,000 crore under the guise of election bonds. Adarsh R Iyer, co-founder of 'Janadhikar Sangharsh Parishad' (JSP) had filed a complaint alleging that he had received excessive benefits. The complainant alleged that Sitharaman, with the help and support of ED officials, facilitated the extortion of thousands of crores of rupees for the benefit of other officials at the state and national levels. In February, the Supreme Court struck down the electoral bonds scheme and declared it was unconstitutional. (ANI) Avinash Pande, Congress General Secretary and In-Charge of Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday urged people to gather in large numbers on Wednesday to support the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, during his visit to violence-hit Sambhal. In a post on X, Pande stated, "A Congress delegation led by Rahul Gandhi ji will leave for Sambhal by road from Delhi tomorrow to meet the families of the victims of the Sambhal violence. To support them in this struggle, I will assemble at the Ghazipur border with the Congress delegation and proceed to Sambhal." "I appeal to all of you to reach the Ghazipur border in large numbers with your supporters and contribute to this struggle. Your support is essential in the fight for democracy and justice," he added. Meanwhile, Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh announced that the administration is consistently urging Gandhi to postpone his visit. "The District Magistrate has imposed restrictions on the arrival of outsiders in Sambhal until December 10. This measure aims to maintain peace and prevent the currently stabilising situation from escalating again. While the situation is under control, tensions remain, and the presence of outsiders could provoke further disturbances. This decision was based on assessments by the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police," Singh explained. "We appeal to everyone to avoid visiting Sambhal temporarily, allowing us to fully restore normalcy. We trust responsible citizens will understand our concerns. The administration is in regular communication with the Leader of Opposition, requesting him to reconsider his plans," Singh added. Singh further assured that the situation in Sambhal is stabilising. "Markets are functioning normally, and efforts are underway to build public confidence. With the cooperation of the people, we have always succeeded in restoring peace. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and police are examining all angles. So far, 30 arrests have been made, and further actions will be based on concrete evidence," Singh said. The violence in Sambhal district erupted on November 24 during an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) examination of a Mughal-era mosque. The clashes resulted in four fatalities and multiple injuries among police personnel and locals. The ASI survey followed a petition filed in a local court, claiming that the mosque's site was originally a Harihar temple. On November 27, Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh confirmed the arrest of 27 individuals linked to the violence. (ANI) As the winter session of the Parliament is underway, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Information and Broadcasting Dr L Murugan and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice; and Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal called on Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar at Parliament House on Tuesday. "Kiren Rijiju Ji, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs; and Minority Affairs, Dr. L. Murugan Ji, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Information & Broadcasting, and Arjun Ram Meghwal Ji, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice; and Parliamentary Affairs, called on the Vice-President and Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Jagdeep Dhankhar at Parliament House today," Dhankhar posted on X (formerly Twitter). The sixth day of the Parliament witnessed dramatic events as leaders from the INDIA bloc, including Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, DMK MP Kanimozhi, and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh, among others staged a protest in the Parliament premises demanding a discussion on the Adani indictment. Protesting leaders held banners and raised several slogans, demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) investigation into Adani indictment. Congress-led opposition MPs also walked out of the lower house of the Parliament to mark dissatisfaction over Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan's response regarding the Minimum Support Price (MSP) issue. Earlier on Monday, in an impassioned address, Vice President Dhankhar expressed grave concerns over the repeated disruptions in the Upper House, which he argued were undermining the very functioning of the Parliament. Citing Murphy's Law--"Anything that can go wrong will go wrong"--Dhankhar suggested that a deliberate "algorithm" seemed to be in place, intentionally impeding the proper conduct of business. "Hon'ble Members, you are all undoubtedly cognizant of Murphy's Law," Dhankhar said, highlighting the repeated failure to carry out legislative work. "It appears there exists a deliberate algorithm to actualize Murphy's Law in this August House, consequently impeding the proper functioning of Parliament." The Chairman's comments came as a response to the ongoing disruptions, which have prevented the House from transacting crucial business. Parliament proceedings have been stalled since the beginning of the Winter Session amid protests by opposition parties over the Adani issue and violence in Manipur and Sambhal. On Monday, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till noon and then for the rest of the day. The winter session of Parliament began on November 25 and will continue till December 20. (ANI) Two suspected women terror associates were detained under the stringent provisions of the Public Safety Act (PSA) in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district, a senior police officer said on Tuesday. The officer also stated that two Pakistani terrorists were killed in a counter-terror operation on September 11. "So far, we have identified some local individuals providing logistical support to the terrorists. We analysed the list of such individuals. During the investigation, two people have been arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Additionally, three people have been detained under the stringent provisions of the PSA," Udhampur SSP Amod Ashok Nagpure told ANI. "In this regard, two women, Arshad Begam and Maryama Begam, have been detained under the PSA. During the investigation, we learned that these two women were willfully and intentionally providing logistical support to the terrorists," he added. Meanwhile, the terrorist killed in an ongoing operation with security forces in the Srinagar district has been identified as Junaid Ahmed Bhat. According to police, Bhat was involved in the killing of civilians at Gagangir, Ganderbal, and several other terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. "In the ongoing operation, one #terrorist has been killed and has been identified as Junaid Ahmed Bhat (LeT, Category A)," Kashmir Zone Police said in their latest update on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The terrorist was involved in the killing of civilians at Gagangir, Ganderbal, and several other terror incidents, police confirmed. In its update, the Indian Army's Chinar Corps stated, "OP DACHHIGAM: One terrorist has been neutralised by the security forces in the ongoing operation in the upper reaches of the Dachhigam forest, Srinagar. The search operation is in progress." Earlier on Tuesday, police reported that joint teams of security forces launched a cordon and search operation (CASO) in the upper reaches of the Dachhigam forest based on specific intelligence inputs. (ANI) Assam Rifles, in collaboration with the Excise and Narcotics Department, recovered 22 grams of Heroin No. 4 worth Rs 15.40 lakh and apprehended a woman in the Zote area of Champhai district on Monday. The operation, based on specific intelligence, led to the discovery of the contraband hidden inside the woman's clothing bag. The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Tlangmawii, along with the seized consignment, has been handed over to the Excise and Narcotics Department, Champhai, for further legal proceedings. In a separate operation aimed at countering cross-border drug trafficking in Mizoram, Assam Rifles, in coordination with the Police Department in Zokhawthar, seized 22.676 kg of Methamphetamine tablets worth Rs 68.03 crore near the Balu Kai area, Zokhawthar, on Monday. Acting on credible intelligence, troops from the Combined Operation Base (COB) in Zokhawthar launched an ambush in the area, resulting in the recovery of a substantial narcotics consignment, according to an official press release. During the operation, the joint team observed a suspect crossing the Tiau River carrying a brown sack. When challenged, the individual abandoned the consignment and fled towards Myanmar. A thorough search of the area led to the recovery of 22.676 kg of Methamphetamine tablets, the release stated. These operations highlight the relentless efforts of Assam Rifles and local authorities to dismantle drug cartels operating in border regions. The seized contraband has been handed over to the Police Department in Zokhawthar, Champhai district, Mizoram, for further investigation and legal action, the release added. (ANI) Champhai (Mizoram) [India], December 3 With preparations for Maha Kumbh 2025 in full swing, President of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Swami Chidanand Saraswati, on Tuesday said, "The soul of India resides in pilgrimages, and Prayagraj is the king of all pilgrimages." "It is a well-known fact that people love pilgrimages, and the soul of India resides in pilgrimages. Prayagraj is the king of all pilgrimages. This time, the Kumbh in Prayagraj will be something special. This country does not move forward on the basis of slogans or negativity but on the basis of thoughts. We will go to the confluence and take a bath," Saraswati said. He also praised the state government for its efforts in preparing for the event. "The message of cleanliness, the message of clean water, the message of stopping the wastage of water, and at the same time, the message of making Kumbh plastic-free--the government is doing a very good job," he added. Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak also spoke about the ongoing preparations for the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. "All preparations for Kumbh are almost complete. Before Kumbh, PM Narendra Modi will address the inaugural program, and the whole world will witness the Maha Kumbh, which is going to be organized. We will go to Mumbai and Jaipur to invite public representatives and people there for Maha Kumbh," Pathak said. Meanwhile, on Monday, in a landmark decision, the Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, declared the Maha Kumbh area in Prayagraj as a new district. The decision, which led to the formation of the new Maha Kumbh Mela district, was made to streamline the management and administration of the upcoming Kumbh Mela, ensuring smooth operations for the grand religious event scheduled for January 2025. In a bid to ensure the safety and convenience of an estimated 45 crore devotees, the Yogi Adityanath government is revolutionizing preparations for the upcoming Maha Kumbh. For the first time, the grand event is being digitized on such a large scale, leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and social media platforms to enhance management and security. Security arrangements are being made across land, water, and air. In a first, to prevent any untoward incidents during the bathing rituals, the water police are being equipped with high-tech jet skis, often referred to as "mini ships." The Maha Kumbh, held once every 12 years, is scheduled to begin on January 13 and conclude on February 26, 2025, in Prayagraj. The event is expected to be a milestone in promoting Indian culture. (ANI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday reaffirmed the state government's commitment to supporting farmers by purchasing crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). CM Saini highlighted that the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently raised the MSP over the past decade, providing a financial safety net for farmers. "We are buying crops on MSP in Haryana. For the last 10 years, MSP has been raised by the Modi government. The government is also giving compensation to farmers for damaged crops. The Prime Minister is providing money to the farmers through the Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. He is also providing compensation to the farmers for their losses through the Fasal Bima Yojana," CM Saini said. Emphasizing the need for a comparative analysis of the initiatives taken by the current government versus those implemented during the Congress tenure, the Haryana CM said, "There should be a discussion on what Congress had done during their tenure. It must be calculated that during the Congress regime, if the crops of farmers got damaged, how much compensation was given and how much money did our government give? There's a huge difference." CM Saini also urged the farmers to reduce the use of pesticides in farming. "The farmers should ensure that pesticides are not used much in farming as due to the excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers various diseases are spreading. I request all organisations that it is our responsibility to make farmers aware of this. PM Modi has spoken about organic farming," he said. The Chief Minister further announced that PM Modi will launch the Beema Sakhi Yojana in Panipat on December 9. "On December 9, the PM will launch Beema Sakhi Yojana in Panipat," he said. Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh police on Tuesday detained protesting farmers who are demanding compensation and benefits, including a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The farmers were detained at Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal in Noida today. The protest, organized by the Bhartiya Kisan Parishad (BKP) along with other farmer groups, is being held to demand compensation and benefits related to agricultural reforms, including a legal guarantee for MSP. Farmer leader and national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), Rakesh Tikait, claimed on Monday that farmers participating in the 'Delhi Chalo' protest were stopped by police barricades as they attempted to march towards Delhi, demanding solutions to agricultural issues and a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The protest, organised by the Bhartiya Kisan Parishad (BKP) and other farmer groups, comes amid heightened security measures and traffic advisories in the Noida-Delhi region. (ANI) On the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities being celebrated on Tuesday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami honoured the people with varying disabilities and said that Divyang people are "a source of inspiration for us." The Chief Minister attended a program organised at Subhash Road in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, to mark the event. CM Dhami highlighted the government's commitment to making places as accessible as possible for people, where the government has added provisions in planning any building, hospital, or bus stop. "When we build a hospital, a bus station or a public building, we take special care to ensure that our disabled brothers and sisters do not face any inconvenience in coming there. We have made such provision in all the types of planning that we are going to do so that construction work should be done according to the convenience of all of you, brothers and sisters, and our government to ensure the overall development of persons with disabilities," CM Dhami said during the program. Highlighting various state government initiatives, he shared that the government currently provides five different types of pensions to persons with disabilities, benefiting around one lakh individuals. "Many schemes are being implemented within the state. Currently, our government is giving five different types of pensions to persons with disabilities in different categories, through which about one lakh people are benefitting," he said. Specifying the pensions for children, he added, "A pension of fifteen hundred rupees per month and a maintenance grant of seven hundred rupees per month is being given to differently-abled children from birth to eighteen years of birth. On giving pension in case of accidents during working at an agricultural field, "A pension of twelve hundred rupees per month is being given in case of accident due to agricultural work in rural areas." Also highlighting a provision to give pension to people with dwarfism, the CM said, "Provision has been made to grant pension of twelve hundred rupees per month to persons below 4 feet in height, even if one is over twenty-one years old." Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his government's dedication to upholding the honour and self-respect of persons with disabilities across India on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities. In a post on X, PM Modi said that the policies and decisions they made for persons with disabilities in the last 10 years are direct proof of their commitment. "Our government is committed to upholding the honour and self-respect of our Divyang brothers and sisters across the country. The policies and decisions we have made for them in the last 10 years are direct proof of this," he wrote on X. (ANI) On the 40th anniversary of the tragic Bhopal gas tragedy, a group of people including the survivors held a rally on Tuesday in the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, demanding strict action against those responsible for the disaster. The Bhopal Group for Information and Action (BGIA), an organisation dedicated to supporting the victims, organised the rally in the city, which began at the Bharat Talkies theatre area and proceeded to the Union Carbide Factory. The rally aimed to demand justice, including better compensation, improved health facilities, and the removal of toxic waste from the area. Additionally, BGIA members decided to send postcards to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the government to honour the Supreme Court's directives regarding compensation for the victims. "The postcard is sent to the Prime Minister, the postcard demands that the SC verdict given in 1991 said that any deficiency in the compensation then the government will fulfil. In 2023, Attorney General Venkataramani said that even today the people are still facing difficulty (in the area) and the Supreme Court said that the government should give the compensation," said Rachna Dhingra, head of the BGIA. Dhingra also said that the victims of the tragedy have filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court concerning compensation to victims. "We are simply demanding, that at least what is being told to the Supreme Court, fulfil that. The families and people affected by the gas tragedy should get 5 lakh compensation. That is why we have also filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court. Victims of gas tragedy should not have to file a writ petition to get compensation from the government," Dhingra added. Dhingra further condemned the state and central governments, the US government, and the UN agencies who "looked the other way," as the disaster unfolded in the country 40 years ago. "On the 40th anniversary of the world's worst industrial disaster and the ongoing corporate massacre, we hold the state government, the central government, the US government and the UN agencies responsible for looking the other way because the people of Bhopal are victims of corporate crime," she added. The organisation has been demanding better conditions from the government for decades, and also the setting up of a special medical board to ensure free and appropriate healthcare for the victims and their children who are still facing the consequences of the gas tragedy. "We are asking the same thing as people were asking 40 years ago, the people are seeking a special medical board set up so that there is appropriate, free healthcare for gas victims and their children who continue to bear the scars of the Union Carbide disaster even today," she said. Many people who survived the disaster have still reported facing health problems. Babulal, a resident of Bhopal's JP Nagar, one of the areas with the highest number of deaths, recounted the horror of seeing many people dead on the street. "That time, 40 years ago, the gas got out. We had to spray water on our eyes, it was paining so much. Other people, I saw them dead on there. We dragged them and got their bodies to their houses. Even in my street, many people died. But even today, I get tears in my eyes and my eyes pain. I still remember that day, I never saw such a thing ever in my life," Babulal said. Leelabai, another resident of JP Nagar, also recounted the disaster. "That day, there was a small child in my arms, around 1 year old. She started crying too, we used to live in those jhuggis. I felt irritation in my eyes and throat, so I sat along with my mother-in-law, and my husband did too. I could hear screams from all over, of people crying and shouting for help. When it was really hard to breathe inside, we came out and saw that all of JP Nagar was empty, everyone had run away," she said. The Bhopal gas tragedy, touted as the world's worst industrial disaster, had claimed the lives of several thousand people after deadly gas leaked from the Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant on the intervening night of December 2 and 3, 1984. (ANI) A view of the 2nd China International Supply Chain Expo at the China International Exhibition Center (Shunyi Venue) in Beijing on Nov 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] "This is our second consecutive year at the China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE). We have brought one-third more physical exhibits than last year, many of which have been locally developed and manufactured for Chinese market demand, reflecting the company's emphasis on the Chinese market," Honeywell China President Yu Feng told China.org.cn in an interview at the expo, which concluded Nov. 30. "We look forward to using this platform to promote a high level of openness to better demonstrate the company's progress in technological innovation, promoting the extension, transformation and upgrading of the industrial chain," Yu said. "The expo provides us with a valuable opportunity to engage in technical exchanges with world-renowned enterprises, supply chain experts, as well as upstream and downstream segments of the industrial chain," he added. "This allows us to explore opportunities to jointly build a low-carbon, flexible and resilient supply chain system that enables the development of new quality productivity in China." During the five-day event, Honeywell showcased its supply chain solutions for industrial automation, energy transition and aviation. The showcase featured innovations in intelligent manufacturing, smart building technology, energy transformation and air transportation. Honeywell was one of the first exhibitors to appear at CISCE during its inception last year. Yu cited two main factors driving Honeywell's participation: China's market appeal and government efficiency, along with support from trade officials. "The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade has long been a strong supporter of foreign enterprises, helping them better adapt to the business environment in China and promoting their business development," Yu said. "Based on these factors, Honeywell participated in the first CISCE. We gained valuable experience and found it to be an excellent platform for introducing our products, services and technologies to a wider range of upstream and downstream customers. This platform provides us with valuable opportunities to communicate with customers, partners, governments and consumers," Yu noted. "Our presence at the expo has attracted widespread media attention. The coverage has undoubtedly enhanced our brand awareness and influence," he added. Yu noted that the expo delivered tangible results to enterprises by facilitating partnerships. At this year's expo, Honeywell signed a strategic cooperation memorandum with GoldWind Green Energy (Jiangsu) to collaborate on Honeywell's eFiningTM methanol-to-jet processing technology and research green methanol-to-sustainable aviation fuel production. The two companies will explore expanding industry chain cooperation throughout Asia, according to Yu. "We've noticed changes in the expo. This year attracted more exhibitors, with foreign enterprises accounting for about 30% of participants compared to over 20% last year," Yu said. "It is worth mentioning that this year's expo pays special attention to industry chain segmentation, such as advanced manufacturing chains and green agricultural chains, to provide a more precise platform for exchange and cooperation among participants," Yu said. "We believe that the expo will provide and promote more cooperation opportunities for us in the future." The seminar was also available for viewing to a larger audience in the various formation headquarters across the country over the hybrid mode. The aim of the seminar was to have a coordinated approach between various civil and military stake holders to facilitate creation and optimal utilisation of infrastructure and expertise to achieve mutual objectives, according to an official statement. "The two days seminar provided contextual inputs on multi use, cost effective, efficient, resilient and sustainable efforts along the border areas," read the statement. https://x.com/prodefgau/status/1863833380975993048 Having a focus on harnessing national initiatives and global best practices thereby enhancing real time informed decision making by military stakeholder for furtherance of national objectives. The seminar also laid emphasis on the development of operational logistic infrastructure along the border areas, triservice logistic integration, implementation of advance technology for predictive modeling of military logistic operations thereby aiding the formulation of future joint logistic strategies. "It aimed at synergizing the efforts of civil and military stakeholders to augment the military logistic capability. It also focused on bridging of strategic gaps with special emphasis on building a robust framework of collaboration between civil and military stakeholders while accentuating on dual use infrastructure, connectivity & survivability to enhance logistic capability & ensuring swift, efficient and cost effective responses to national security challenges," the statement added. Eminent serving and retired speakers from the Army including speakers from Operational Logistics Directorate, IDS, USI, Academia, Industry as also from Niti Aayog, North Eastern Railways, NEEPCO, NEC and renowned Media House spoke on the diverse subjects having implications over long term security and logistic sustenance in the region. (ANI) Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena has expressed serious and deep concern over the neglect towards Punjabi, one of the official languages of Delhi, in Government schools in the national capital. Disposing of a file with regards to a status report submitted by the Punjabi Academy, GNCTD, on the condition of Punjabi Language, Saxena has underlined many shortcomings and asked for a thorough re-examination,according to the LG Office. The report was put up by the Punjabi Academy, Department of Art, Culture and Language, GNCTD, after a representation was made by the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) to the LG and had subsequently been forwarded by the LG Secretariat to ACL. Observing that the report submitted by the Department is incomplete, inconclusive and does not reflect the whole picture with respect to the concerns raised by DSGMC, Saxena has ordered a thorough investigation into the matter, directing the Chief Secretary, to examine the issue with all stakeholders. The LG has also observed that the ACL Department in the first instance should have sought the details from these agencies on the current vacancy position of Punjabi teachers and efforts made to address the deficiencies, if any, LG Office stated in a press release. Critical concerns, including a severe shortage of Punjabi teachers in both Delhi government and MCD schools, decreasing funding, etc. have been raised before the LG by various stakeholders in the past. While 752 posts of TGT Punjabi and 4 posts of PGT Punjabi are lying vacant in Schools of Education Department, GNCTD, Punjabi Academy could spend only Rs 19.99 Crore against the paltry Rs 27.28 Cr allocated to it during FY 2023-24, LG Office stated . There has been a reduction of 17 per cent in the budget allocation for the Punjabi Academy in the current fiscal. Similarly, a large number of positions for Punjabi Teachers in MCD schools also remain vacant. This acute teacher crisis has directly impacted the quality of Punjabi language education, hindering the development of linguistic skills and cultural understanding among students. Saxena has also observed that there is lack of seriousness in the overall efforts on the part of authorities concerned towards attaining the aims and objectives with which the Punjabi Academy was established, adversely affecting the promotion, propagation and development of Punjabi Language, the second official language as per the Delhi Official Language Act, 2000 and its Literature and Culture in Delhi, said the press release. LG Saxena has noted that gap areas may be identified and necessary corrective measures may be undertaken in a time bound manner, in terms of extant law and guidelines, for ensuring the fulfilment of statutory responsibilities towards the Punjabi Language, literature and culture in Delhi. (ANI) The event, held at Narikel Kunja, located near Dumboor, highlighted the region's potential for tourism growth. The festival aims to promote Tripura's rich cultural heritage, scenic beauty, and diverse tourist attractions, attracting visitors and boosting local tourism development. "With an abundance of natural beauty in every corner, Tripura has immense potential for tourism. To showcase this beauty globally, the State is hosting Tourism Promo Fest 2024 for the first time. Today, inaugurated this state-level festival at Narkelkunja in Dhalai district, along with new tourist facilities including home stay, newly constructed footbridge, and an office complex. I am inviting the travel enthusiasts from across the country & the world to visit #IncredibleTripura for a unique experience," the CM posted on X. Earlier on Monday, CM Saha inaugurated the 4th International Agarwood Conclave and Buyer & Seller Meet 2024 and said that Agar trees are a gift for the state. The agarwood industry in Tripura has received support from the state and central governments. The industry is also working to gain GI tagging for agarwood to help with economic growth and recognition. Tripura being the number one state in India to produce Agar Wood has tremendous potential to produce Agar. The state has exported a record number of the same in the last few years and has been successful in drawing the attention of buyers from the global market. The state and central governments have provided significant support to the agarwood industry, including a planned investment of over Rs 400 crore. (ANI) Sixteen terrorists were neutralized, and four security personnel, including two soldiers, were killed during multiple gun battles across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Punjab over the weekend, as law enforcement agencies repelled a series of attacks and conducted targeted operations against militants, Dawn reported. In Bannu district's Baka Khel area, an intelligence-based operation resulted in the killing of five terrorists, while nine others were injured. During the operation, 29-year-old Sepoy Iftikhar Hussain from Jhang embraced martyrdom. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that the operation was part of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts. In a separate operation in the Shagai area of Khyber district, three militants were killed, and two others were apprehended. According to ISPR, 25-year-old Captain Muhammad Zohaibuddin from Lahore, who led his troops courageously during the exchange of fire, made the ultimate sacrifice. "During the intense exchange of fire, Captain Muhammad Zohaibuddin fought bravely, paid the ultimate sacrifice, and embraced shahadat [martyrdom]," the statement read. Local sources revealed that one of the assailants in the Khyber operation was allegedly involved in the killing of journalist Khalil Jibran earlier this year in June, reported Dawn. In Lakki Marwat's Darra Pezu town, a police official embraced martyrdom during a midnight attack on a police station. Armed terrorists launched a two-pronged assault with automatic weapons, aiming to breach the station. However, the attack was successfully repulsed. "The policemen deployed there effectively engaged the terrorists, and the gun battle continued for nearly one hour," a police official said. Policeman Karamatullah was martyred during the confrontation, and his body was shifted for funeral rites after legal formalities. In Punjab's Mianwali district, police thwarted a militant assault on Chapri police station. Punjab police stated that 20 militants armed with rocket launchers and grenades launched an hour-long attack. Despite the intensity of the assault, law enforcement personnel successfully countered it, killing four militants. The statement added that after the attack was thwarted, the police combed the area and found the bodies of four militants. Two police officers sustained injuries during the confrontation, Dawn reported. In another attack, unidentified gunmen targeted a police van in Paharpur on Sunday night, leading to the martyrdom of Assistant Sub-Inspector Mir Ghulam Marwat. Two constables, Rauf and Yousuf, were injured and later shifted to D.I. Khan for treatment due to the severity of their injuries. Meanwhile, in the Sherani district of Balochistan, four militants were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in the Mughal Kot area. Officials reported that the operation, launched on intelligence regarding the presence of armed militants, resulted in the neutralization of terrorists affiliated with a banned outfit. "The bodies of the militants who were killed in the operation were shifted to a nearby health facility," officials added. (ANI) Union Minister for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on Monday outlined India's efforts to address land degradation and desertification, aligning with the objectives of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). While delivering India's statement during the Ministerial Dialogue on Drought Resilience at CoP16 of the UNCCD in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the minister described India's journey in combating land degradation and desertification. "Our journey represents a transformative narration of commitment, innovation, and sustainable development. From global recognition of land degradation as a critical environmental challenge at CoP 5 to emphasising community-driven land restoration at CoP 10, and thereafter the recognition of land restoration as a critical climate change strategy at CoP 14, to the global commitment to restore degraded lands at CoP 15, we have all been equal partners in this journey," he said. Yadav pointed to the link between desertification and poverty, stating that India recognised land degradation as a socio-economic issue and recalled India's presidency at CoP 14, during which the country committed to restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. "Recognising the inextricable link between desertification and poverty during CoP at Geneva, India too realised that land degradation was not just an environmental issue but a critical socio-economic challenge. It was during India's presidency at COP 14, under the dynamic and inspiring leadership of our Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that it became a pivotal moment in our journey where we proudly presented our commitment to restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 and announced the setting up of a Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Land Management in India to promote a scientific approach towards land degradation issues and to help share India's expertise with other countries," he stated. Yadav expressed pride in India maintaining its track record of delivering on its promises and mentioned that the Centre of Excellence had already been established, taking several initiatives for capacity building, formulation, and implementation of technology-based strategies for the restoration of degraded lands. Further, the minister noted that at the CoP 15 in Abidjan, India emphasised the role of land restoration as a strategy for job creation and climate change adaptation and that India also supported the G-20's goal to plant 1 trillion trees by 2030, thereby creating carbon sinks. Underscoring how strong leadership translates into strong nations committed to proactive actions, Yadav informed that India had transitioned from reactive drought responses to proactive, sustainable strategies centred on preparedness and prevention. "Our institutions, like the Indian Space Research Organisation and National Remote Sensing Centre, provide drought vulnerability assessments, real-time monitoring, and early warnings, enabling informed decision-making. Our robust space programme provides a platform for other countries to benefit in their own efforts to counter drought," he said. Yadav continued by stating that India understands the importance of land, water, rainfall, and the effects of climate change on agriculture and livelihoods. He highlighted several programs initiated to enhance resilience and recovery. He added that soil health cards had been issued to farmers, enabling them to engage in sustainable agricultural practices and improve and sustain soil health. Priority had also been given to organic farming. He stated that by addressing challenges such as food security and climate change, India had been creating green jobs and enhancing rural prosperity while building drought resilience. Yadav concluded by pledging to restore degraded lands, enhance livelihoods, protect fragile ecosystems, and align actions with the Sustainable Development Goals. Yadav also held a bilateral meeting with the ministers of Saudi Arabia and Kenya on the sidelines of CoP 16, where matters related to sustainable development and other mutual interests were discussed. (ANI) Georgian police arrested opposition leader Zurab Japaridze after using water cannons and tear gas to disperse tens of thousands of protesters demanding the government resume talks on joining the European Union, Al Jazeera reported on Monday. The protests erupted following the government's announcement last week that it was suspending EU accession discussions, a move many critics saw as signaling a shift towards Russian influence. Japaridze's arrest comes after Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused the opposition of organising violence aimed at destabilising the constitutional order, Al Jazeera reported. The Coalition for Change, the largest opposition party, confirmed Japaridze's arrest in a post on X, Al Jazeera reported. "Japaridze was fleeing together with other protesters as he was grabbed, indicating this was a conscious, targeted move by the regime," the statement said. The ongoing protests in the country have intensified since the government's decision to pause EU negotiations. Demonstrators see this as evidence of a shift away from pro-Western policies, which the ruling party denies. The United States and the European Union have expressed concerns about Georgia's democratic decline, with the country's proximity to Russia raising fears of increasing Russian influence, Al Jazeera reported. However, Russia denied interfering in the matter. Despite police efforts to control the protests, demonstrators continued to gather in the capital, Tbilisi, with confrontations lasting into the night. Police reported 21 officers injured, while dozens of protesters were hurt in the unrest, leading to condemnation from the US over the excessive use of force, Al Jazeera reported. Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, a pro-EU figure, has supported the protesters, highlighting the widespread anger over the government's decision. The protests have prompted major unrest, with diplomats, civil servants, and even ambassadors resigning in protest. Zourabichvili has also called for a review of the October elections, which both she and the opposition claim were rigged. However, Prime Minister Kobakhidze has rejected calls for new elections, maintaining that Georgia must defend its sovereignty and avoid being drawn into conflict with Russia. Tensions have been escalating in Georgia for months, with the ruling Georgian Dream party passing controversial laws on "foreign agents" and limiting LGBTQ rights. The government insists that its actions are aimed at protecting the country from foreign interference and preventing further escalation with Russia. (ANI) Jerusalem [Israel], December 3 (ANI/TPS): The IDF (Israel Defense Forces)reported that Israel Air Force (IAF) jets Monday night attacked terrorists, dozens of rocket/missile launchers and infrastructure of the terrorist organization Hezbollah throughout Lebanon. In addition, IAF fighter jets attacked the launcher from which the two launches towards Mount Dov in Israel on Monday, which was located in the area of Ra'ez in southern Lebanon, shortly after the shooting. "Tonight's firing towards the State of Israel constitutes a violation of the ceasefire agreement between the State of Israel and the State of Lebanon," said the IDF. "The State of Israel demands that the relevant authorities in the State of Lebanon implement the understandings and prevent hostile activity by the terrorist organization Hezbollah from its territory. The State of Israel continues to be committed to the understandings received regarding the ceasefire in Lebanon." Hezbollah fired two missiles toward Mount Dov on Monday. The Israel Defense Forces said the missiles fell in open areas, causing no casualties. The barrage was the first since the ceasefire went into effect. (ANI/TPS) Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) warned on Sunday that any overreaction from China to President William Lai Ching-te's stopover in Hawaii, during his visit to Taiwan's Pacific allies, would harm regional stability and draw international condemnation. The remarks came in response to Beijing's protest against Lai's transit through the US, which China labelled as an affront to its sovereignty, Taipei Times reported. President Lai embarked on a seven-day diplomatic tour on Saturday, visiting Taiwan's allies in the Pacific, including the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau. En route, Lai made stopovers in Hawaii and Guam, with US assistance. MOFA underscored that such stopovers are routine for Taiwanese presidents and reflect the nation's sovereign right to maintain international partnerships. It expressed gratitude to the US for its continued support, saying it had upheld "the principles of safety, dignity, comfort, and convenience" during Lai's transit. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through spokesperson Mao Ning, issued a strongly worded statement on Sunday condemning Lai's stopover. "China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the US and the Taiwan region," Mao said, adding that China also "firmly opposes any trip by [the] leader of the Taiwan authorities to the US in any name or under any pretext." She accused the US of supporting "Taiwanese independence" and warned that China would take "resolute and strong measures" to defend its sovereignty, without specifying what those measures might entail, reported Taipei Times. In its response, MOFA rejected China's claims, reiterating Taiwan's sovereignty. "The Republic of China [Taiwan] is a sovereign country, and the ROC and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other," the ministry said. It further stressed that China has never ruled Taiwan, and Lai's visit to Pacific allies reflects a legitimate diplomatic effort. MOFA highlighted the importance of maintaining regional stability, stating that any excessive reaction from China would "damage regional peace and stability" and draw condemnation from the global community, Taipei Times reported. The ministry reaffirmed that Taiwan remains committed to fostering international friendships and preserving its sovereign rights, undeterred by Beijing's objections. (ANI) US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Monday that the country regularly raises issues with its Indian counterparts, including concerns related to specific matters. When asked about External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's recent meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Italy, following the US indictment of industrialist Adani and an Indian agent allegedly involved in a murder plot against a Sikh activist, Miller responded, "I'm not going to get into private diplomatic conversations, but as you've heard us say before, we regularly raise in conversations with our Indian counterparts that case and the concerning implications from it." Miller also addressed a question regarding global mistrust after the election of Donald Trump, with concerns raised by Europe, US partners, and even President Joe Biden, who pardoned his son despite previously stating he would not. In response, Miller stated that it would not be appropriate for him to comment on the policies of an administration that has not yet taken office, adding that the new State Department spokesperson will address questions about President Trump's foreign policy. "Look, I don't think it's appropriate for me to comment on the policies of an administration that has not yet taken office. We have one president at a time. I'm glad to stand up here and take questions about President Biden's foreign policy. And presumably, there will be a new State Department spokesperson on January 21st who can take questions about President Trump's foreign policy," Matthew Miller said. (ANI) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Hezbollah's firing at Mount Dov constitutes a serious violation of the cease-fire, and Israel will respond strongly to this. We are determined to continue to enforce the ceasefire, and to respond to any violation by Hezbollah - minor or serious." "We promised to act against any violation of the ceasefire by Hezbollah - and that is exactly what we will do," said Israel's Minister of Defense Israel Katz. "Hezbollah's firing at the IDF post in Mount Dov will be met with a harsh response. What was will not be." And the Pentagon spokesman released a statement saying, "The cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah is being held despite several incidents." Hezbollah fired two missiles toward Mount Dov on Monday. The Israel Defense Forces said the missiles fell in open areas, causing no casualties. The barrage was the first since the ceasefire went into effect. (ANI/TPS) The second China International Supply Chain Expo, held from Nov. 26 to 30 in Beijing, was themed "Connecting the World for a Shared Future." The five-day event featured more than 600 global companies that showcased innovative products, technologies and materials, emphasizing collaboration between enterprises of varying sizes across industry chains. A notable highlight of the expo was the participation of several "Global Lighthouse Network" (GLN) enterprises, whose achievements drew significant attention. The network, a joint initiative of the World Economic Forum and McKinsey, pools wisdom on operational futures and new technologies' impact on production. This growing community of organizations sets future trends with its use of digital and analytics tools across the value chain to drive growth and productivity, improve resilience and deliver environmental sustainability. GLN members represent excellence in smart manufacturing while guiding other companies toward digital transformation. These industry leaders set standards for both suppliers and customers, helping advance modern industrial practices. GE HealthCare expands smart manufacturing, supply network GE HealthCare is a global innovator in medical technology, diagnostic drugs and digital solutions. Its Beijing factory became a new GLN enterprise this year. At the expo, it showcased its nuclear medicine and precision medicine industry chain, highlighting its supply chain innovation capabilities in China. GE HealthCare's booth [Photo provided to China.org.cn] As one of the first international medical companies to invest in China, GE HealthCare has built six bases and seven factories there. The company is committed to promoting the localization of high-end medical equipment, has cultivated more than 1,000 local suppliers and has helped more than 160 specialized and sophisticated "little giant" businesses move toward world-class quality standards. Its average annual purchases from Chinese suppliers reached nearly 10 billion yuan ($1.38 billion). One of the highlights of GE HealthCare at the expo was its comprehensive layout in the field of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. Relying on production bases in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai and Chengdu, the company exhibited its molecular imaging capabilities, including imaging agents production, drug synthesis, image acquisition and data processing, aimed at providing precise disease diagnosis and treatment. At the expo, GE HealthCare China President and CEO Zhang Yihao said the company would promote the development of high-end, intelligent and green domestic supply chains to ensure the stable supply of medical equipment and services, maintain supply chain stability and achieve win-win results. Tsingtao Brewery builds global supply chain excellence Tsingtao Brewery, exhibiting with the theme "Smart Chains around the World for Global Toast," demonstrated its important role in the global supply chain and its progress in digital transformation in the Healthy Life Chain Exhibition Area of the expo. Tsingtao Brewery's booth [Photo provided to China.org.cn] In its 121-year history, Tsingtao Brewery has evolved from a local factory into a world-renowned brand, largely due to its innovative supply chain ecosystem. The company embraces the philosophy "Global Sourcing, Chinese Quality, Enjoyed by the World," using beer as a medium to bridge global connections and optimize its international supply chain. Sourcing from 35 countries, Tsingtao Brewery annually procures 800,000 tons of barley and 3,000 tons of hops from premium growing regions worldwide. In 2021, Tsingtao Brewery's production base in Qingdao was recognized as the world's first "sustainability lighthouse" in the food and beverage industry, demonstrating its achievements in digital innovation and green and low-carbon development. Tsingtao Brewery also leverages digital technology to create immersive experiences that strengthen consumer engagement and brand connection. Bosch China deepens local innovation, partnerships Bosch China exhibited its products and services at a joint booth with XPeng Motors, Rio Tinto Group and China Baowu Steel Group Corporation, showcasing cutting-edge technologies in the smart car supply chain. Bosch China exhibits its products and services at a joint booth with XPeng Motors, Rio Tinto Group and China Baowu Steel Group Corporation. [Photo provided to China.org.cn] Speaking at the event, Bosch China President Xu Daquan said that an innovative and resilient supply chain system, along with industrial chain synergy between upstream and downstream partners, is the key to successful development in the Chinese market. This concept was fully reflected at this year's expo. In the smart car chain exhibition area, Bosch China displayed a series of innovative solutions covering core technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells, electrification, after-sales service, motor intelligent control and driving safety, highlighting the company's significant presence in smart mobility. Bosch has continuously optimized its production process through advanced Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and big data technologies, achieving high automation and intelligence while setting industry benchmarks. In 2022, its Changsha factory in Hunan was selected as a lighthouse factory, demonstrating its breakthroughs in smart manufacturing. In another significant development, Bosch China has formed a strategic partnership with Chinese tech giant Tencent to explore intelligent network technology applications. The collaboration focuses on vehicle operating systems and data security, with the partnership aimed at improving supply chain digitalization while driving innovation in China's automotive industry. Beyond these initiatives, Bosch has strengthened its local manufacturing capabilities through partnerships with Chinese companies. The company's successful localization of key component production has enhanced the resilience and competitiveness of China's smart car supply chain. As global manufacturing undergoes digital and intelligent transformation, the expo provided companies with a platform for showcasing innovation while demonstrating how advanced technology and supply chain optimization can improve competitiveness and support sustainable industry development. Luxembourg City [Luxembourg], December 3 (ANI/WAM): The UAE will host the International Moon Day Conference in Abu Dhabi in 2025. The announcement of Abu Dhabi's hosting of the conference coincided with the UAE's celebrations of its 53rd Eid Al Etihad and during its participation in the ongoing Space Week in Luxembourg. The week is the scene of events bringing together international experts, entrepreneurs, policymakers, as well as enthusiasts and visionaries, to discuss the latest developments in the field, the future prospects of space exploration and the impact that space can have on Earth. The UAE was represented at the meetings by Dr. Salem bin Abdullah Al Wahshi, CEO of the Emirates Council for Work Relations Development. The announcement of the UAE's hosting was made during a session chaired today by Dr. Nasr Al-Sahhaf, Chair of the United Nations International Moon Day.By resolution 54/68 of 6 December 1999, the General Assembly proclaimed World Space Week, to celebrate the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition. World Space Week is the largest annual space event in the world. It helps build up the workforce of tomorrow by inspiring students; demonstrates visible public support for the space programmes; educates the public about space activities; and fosters international cooperation in space outreach and education. In 2018, the week saw over 5,000 events held in more than 80 countries. Each year a theme is selected by the World Space Week Association Board of Directors in close coordination with the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs. The theme provides broad guidance to World Space Week participants on the content of their programmes. The theme is selected to increase the impact of World Space Week on all humanity further, by using a uniform theme globally. (ANI/WAM) US President-elect Donald Trump expressed strong opposition to the proposed acquisition of US Steel by Nippon Steel of Japan and stated, "I am totally against the once great and powerful U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company." In a post on X, Trump said that, "Through a series of Tax Incentives and Tariffs, we will make U.S. Steel Strong and Great Again, and it will happen FAST! As President, I will block this deal from happening. Buyer Beware!!!." Notably, The proposed sale of US Steel to Nippon Steel, announced on December 18 2023, entails a transaction valued at over USD 14 billion. Earlier, Trump has issued a stern warning to Hamas regarding the ongoing hostage crisis in the Middle East, stating there will be "ALL HELL TO PAY" in the region if the hostages are not released before January 20, 2025, prior to the date he will assume office in the White House. "Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity," Trump said, taking to the social media platform Truth Social. Trump lashed out at previous negotiations on the matter, claiming there had been "all talks" but "no actions" regarding the locations where the hostages were being held, describing the situation as violent and inhumane. Trump vowed that those responsible for the hostage-taking would be "hit harder" than any previous actions taken against foreign entities by the US Further, he also commented on the outgoing US President Joe Biden's decision to pardon his son Hunter who had been convicted on charges related to gun crimes and tax violations, calling it a miscarriage of Justice. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, "Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!" The J6 hostages is a reference to those people imprisoned for their role in the January 6, 2021 riots on Capitol Hill, Trump and his supporters have called the imprisoned people hostages claiming they were acting peacefully and patriotically. (ANI) Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu will travel to India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal from December 3 to December 10, US state department said in an official release on Tuesday. His trip will strengthen cooperation with key partners in South Asia to promote regional prosperity and security. In New Delhi, India, Assistant Secretary Lu will support US-India collaboration in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. He will join Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink to lead US participation in the US-India East Asia Consultations, According to US state department, the Consultations, along with separate meetings with senior Indian officials, will provide an opportunity to exchange perspectives on global and regional issues. On December 5, Assistant Secretary Lu will travel to Colombo, Sri Lanka, to advance US-Sri Lankan joint efforts to promote sustainable economic growth, combat corruption, and strengthen people-to-people ties. USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator Anjali Kaur and Department of the Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary Robert Kaproth will join the Assistant Secretary to meet with senior government officials from Sri Lanka's new administration and representatives from civil society. Discussions will deepen ties with the new government, support its efforts to combat corruption, and explore how the United States can support Sri Lanka's governance and economic reform agenda through tailored technical assistance, capacity building, and development programs. Assistant Secretary Lu will conclude his trip in Kathmandu, Nepal, meeting with senior leaders to advance cooperation on environmental protection, women's empowerment, and sustainable development. He will meet with youth leaders to gain insights into their vision for the future of US.-Nepal relations. Additionally, discussions will emphasize the importance of cultural preservation, recognizing Nepal's rich heritage as a cornerstone of its identity and a key driver of its tourism and economy. (ANI) In a parliamentary address, UK MP Priti Patel expressed deep concern over the recent violence in Bangladesh, offering condolences to those affected and called on Keir Starmer government to take "robust action" to protect life and prevent violence. https://x.com/pritipatel/status/1863663152723870010?t=TdK7j015zQoG-VpKu5uykg&s=08 "I am deeply concerned by the awful violence we have seen in Bangladesh, and my thoughts are with those affected. In Parliament this afternoon, I called on the Government to set out how they are engaging with the Bangladeshi Government on this pressing and important issue," Patel said in her address on Monday (local time). "Robust action needs to be taken to protect life and prevent violence and persecution, including based on religious belief," she added. Highlighting the situation in Bangladesh, the UK MP noted that the degree of escalation, is "deeply concerning," "The degree of escalation in the violence is deeply, deeply concerning. And what we are witnessing now is just uncontrolled violence in many quarters. And we are now watching with horror and shock as further violence is spreading in Bangladesh. And all our thoughts in this House are most definitely with the diaspora community here and those who are affected in Bangladesh. These are deeply disturbing reports," Priti Patel said. Further, she expressed concern over the arrest of a Hindu Priest, Chinmoy Krishna Das, and has urged the government to take decisive action to secure his release. "We have a religious leader who has now been arrested. We need to know effectively what is being done to secure his release due process in particular, but at the same time can't the minister give details of the government's engagement with the government on this particular matter? What discussions have taken place and have we been robust in pursuing?," she said. Notably, Bangladesh has witnessed a surge in violent attacks against Hindus and other minority groups, prompting calls for greater protection and support. The situation in Bangladesh has been marked by increasing violence against minority communities, after the arrest of a former priest Chinmoy Krishna Das over sedition charges and for allegedly hoisting a saffron flag above Bangladesh's national flag in Chittagong on October 25. (ANI) Israel has no concerns about the recent allegations against Adani group in the US with Minister of Economy and Industry, Nir Barkat, stating that it will not impact the country's ongoing projects with the Adani Group. Aked if Israel was concerned about the Adani Group's investments in Israel following the indictment charges against the group in the US, Barkat said, "It's not our issue. It's not going to impact what is happening in Israel." Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, he highlighted Israel's innovative prowess and also emphasised the importance of the close relationship between both nations. "Israel is a powerhouse of innovation. The areas we excel in are relevant to the global market. We have advanced industries. The close relationship between Israel and India - government to government and people to people, creates an ecosystem for scaling these ideas in India and influencing the rest of the region and world. India is on the right track," the Israeli minister said. . Further, Barkat expressed his gratitude to the Indian government for their support during difficult times. "On October 7, one of the first calls was from PM Modi. We as Israelis respect that. We understand how deep the relationship is. It's also an opportunity to say thank you to the whole govt of India. You (India) know how to stand beside us in times of trouble. We have a long good memory about India," Barkat tolld ANI. The Adani Group holds a 70 per cent stake in Haifa port in northern Israel and is involved in projects with Israeli firms, including manufacturing military drones and commercial semiconductors. 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. On November 27, the Adani Group refuted the bribery allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against the Group's founder and Chairman Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani and MD CEO Adani Green Energy Vineet Jaain, in a filing with the stock exchanges. In its filing, AGEL has cited news reporting on the alleged bribery and corruption charges against Adani Officials as 'Incorrect'. Adani Group Chairman recently said that every attack has made the group stronger, and every obstacle becomes a stepping stone for a more resilient Adani Group. The Adani Group Chairman also reflected on the consistent allegations made against his companies, including the attempt made by US short seller Hindenburg. (ANI) There was no relief for Hindu Spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das who was arrested on alleged sedition charges. On Tuesday a Bangladesh court set January 2, 2025 as the next date of hearing in the case. Chinmoy Das who is currently in custody is expected to remain in jail. The Daily Star Bangladesh reported that the Chattogram court deferred to January 2 the hearing on the bail petition of Chinmoy Krishna Das. Chattogram Metropolitan Session Judge Saiful Islam set the new date for the hearing as the defence lawyer was absent from the court. Chittagong Metropolitan Police's Additional Deputy Commissioner (Prosecution) Mofizur Rahman later confirmed this information to Bangladesh media. Earlier, police ramped up security at the court premises ahead of the hearing. Additional police patrols were seen at various points of the court area. A group of lawyers were also seen bringing out a procession. However, the accused was not produced in the court, reported the Daily Star. Chinmoy Krishna Das who is associated with the Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote, was arrested in Dhaka on November 25. The arrest followed a complaint file on October 31 by a local politician that accused Chinmoy Das and others of disrespecting Bangladesh's national flag during a rally of the Hindu community. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly criticised Das' arrest and the denial of his bail. The arrest has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for his immediate release. ISKCON had earlier expressed solidarity with Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was arrested on charges of sedition for allegedly raising a flag on a stand displaying Bangladesh's national flag. In a post on X, ISKCON, Inc. stated, "ISKCON, Inc. stands with Chinmoy Krishna Das. Our prayers to Lord Krishna for the protection of all these devotees. " ISKCON has further claimed that Bangladesh authorities have arrested two monks, Adipurush Shyam Das and Ranganath Das Brahmachari, and the secretary of Chinmoy Krishna Das. Earlier, in another concerning development, a petition was also filed by a lawyer demanding a ban on ISKCON in Bangladesh, calling it a "radical organization" engaging in activities designed to provoke communal unrest, as reported by the local media. The petition in Bangladesh has alleged that ISKCON has been promoting religious events with the intent of inciting sectarian violence, imposing its beliefs on traditional Hindu communities, and forcibly recruiting members from lower Hindu castes. (ANI) Mainland Chinese shoppers are once again flocking to stores in Hong Kong, but this time, their focus is on purchasing sanitary towels and other feminine care products, rather than infant formula, cooking oil, or Yakult drinks. This shift in shopping habits is driven by concerns over reports of contaminated and discoloured cotton fillings in similar products sold in mainland China. These safety issues have led many consumers to seek alternatives in Hong Kong, where the quality is perceived to be more reliable, Radio Free Asia reported. A shopper from Guangzhou, interviewed by Radio Free Asia, explained that she felt more confident buying sanitary products in Hong Kong because they meet guaranteed safety standards. "I'm not as worried about using them," she said. According to the report, another shopper, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of mainland Chinese sanitary towels and stated she no longer buys them there, opting instead to purchase them in Hong Kong. In China, over 340 million women between the ages of 15 and 49 use sanitary napkins, with the market for these products valued at approximately 98 billion yuan (USD 13.4 billion). However, many women in mainland China remain distrustful of feminine care products made locally. This scepticism stems from a series of public health scandals involving Chinese companies in recent years, which have included incidents such as Sudan Red contamination in food, melamine-tainted milk, recycled "gutter" cooking oil, and cadmium-contaminated rice. "It's a trending topic on Douyin right now that some sanitary towels aren't long enough," said a Shenzhen resident, who only gave her surname Shen due to fear of retaliation, in a recent interview with RFA. "Some are said to be unsanitary, with fillings that appear black when light is shone on them." The report further said after complaints surfaced on social media platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu, government-backed media outlet The Paper tested 24 different brands and discovered that 88 per cent of them were at least a centimetre (0.4 inches) shorter than their advertised length. Chinese industry standards permit a discrepancy of up to 4per cent, which could account for a difference of 10-15 millimetres, suggesting that these discrepancies may not be illegal. RFA reported that social media users have conducted their private laboratory tests on Chinese-made feminine care products, discovering that many items on the market contain excessive levels of bacteria, and harmful chemicals, or have incorrect pH levels. These issues could potentially harm women's health, leading to conditions such as bacterial vaginosis and pelvic inflammatory disease. These findings have prompted many women to turn to social media in search of "safe" brands, leading to a surge in sellers claiming to offer sanitary products made in Hong Kong and Japan. Sanitary products available in stores like Hong Kong's Watson's are often manufactured in Hong Kong or Japan, where safety standards are much stricter. In one social media video, a customer service representative from a feminine products manufacturer, ABC, told a dissatisfied customer, "If you don't think this is acceptable, you don't have to buy them." Following public outrage on social media, the company's products were removed from the shelves of its Tmall flagship store. Several Chinese companies have publicly apologized, and ABC has expressed regret for its "inappropriate" customer service response, according to multiple media sources. (ANI) Israel Minister of Economy and Industry, Nir Barkat, expressed his support for US president-elect Donald Trump's recent threat to BRICS countries regarding their de-dollarisation efforts, saying that "I think it's in the best interest of the free world." Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Barkat stated that, "I think it's a bold and smart move and I don't think India is going to be part of any kind of currency, neither will Israel." "President Trump is making geopolitical order - aligning in the interest of the West and Democracies and also defining who are the bad guys, enemies and jihadists. Iran, Qatar, the proxies in our region that are trying to destabilise peace - it's not only in the interest of Israel but also for the free world that we align against bullies," he added. As Trump prepares to assume charge in Washington, Barkat has expressed his support for Trump's economic approach. Barkat stated, "I think what President Trump is doing, he is aligning his economy with the geopolitics. In other words, if you are an adversary - you'll pay heavy taxes but if you are an ally, the doors are open - having a good relationship (of the US) with Israel and India - will only do good to us..." On Saturday, Trump threatened the BRICS nations, with 100 per cent tariffs and called for a clear commitment from these countries to refrain from creating a new currency or supporting any other currency to replace the US dollar. Further, Barkat expressed his gratitude to the Indian government for their support during difficult times. "On October 7, one of the first calls was from PM Modi. We as Israelis respect that. We understand how deep the relationship is. It's also an opportunity to say thank you to the whole govt of India. You (India) know how to stand beside us in times of trouble. We have a long good memory about India," Barkat told ANI. Further, the Israel minister called on Israel's neighbors to recognise the State of Israel and seek peace and collaboration. "Unfortunately, we have neighbors that are jihadists. It's a holy war, they want to destroy Israel," Barkat said. "The only hope to reshape the Middle East is that they recognize the State of Israel and they understand that rather than building tunnels and terror, they want to build Dubai and cities and towers and jobs." "We want to see our neighbours build Dubai and not Gaza. We want to have peace like Dubai. We want to expand the Abraham Accord to include the Saudis, Indonesia and other modern Arab states that are seeking to create win-win deals," he added. On October 7, Hamas launched a terror attack on Israel, killing over 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. Around 100 of them are still in captivity, and many are feared dead. In response, Israel launched a strong counteroffensive targeting Hamas units in Gaza. The Israeli operation has, however, resulted in the deaths of over 45,000 Palestinians in Gaza. (ANI) The United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) has strongly condemned a recent notification issued by the government of Pakistan regarding the appointment of officials in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The Office of the Deputy Secretary General of the PoJK recently issued a notification confirming various honorary appointments to regional boards, committees, and governance roles. The appointees were selected based on their credentials and recommendations, with roles spanning across Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Bagh, Mirpur, Rawalakot, Poonch, and Neelum regions. Jamil Maqsood, President of the Foreign Affairs Committee of UKPNP, described the notification as a blatant violation of the State Subject Law, a crucial safeguard for preserving the region's identity and autonomy. The State Subject Law was established to protect the rights and identity of the indigenous population of PoJK. However, the notification, issued without consulting the local populace has raised concerns about the potential erosion of the region's governance framework and its demographic and political stability. "This act appears to be a calculated move to dilute the rights of the people of PoJK and erode their historical identity," Maqsood stated. He added that such actions not only undermine the rule of law but also heighten the already volatile political climate in the region. In its statement, the UKPNP called for the immediate revocation of the notification and demanded a public explanation from the responsible authorities. The party also urged the government to recommit to upholding the provisions of the State Subject Law and avoid further violations. Additionally, the UKPNP has appealed to human rights organizations and the United Nations to take note of the issue and hold the concerned parties accountable. Maqsood encouraged political parties, civil society organizations, and citizens of PoJK to resist these "unlawful actions" through unified efforts. He reaffirmed UKPNP's commitment to safeguarding the autonomy and rights of the region through all legal, political, and diplomatic channels. "The international community must act decisively to ensure that such violations of local laws and international principles do not further destabilize the region or undermine the rights of its people," Maqsood emphasized. The UKPNP has consistently advocated for the preservation of the cultural and political identity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, reaffirming its dedication to their rights and self-determination. (ANI) The 3rd ASEAN-India Music Festival was held at Purana Quila here in the national capital from November 29 to December 1. The festival was organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in collaboration with Seher. Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita inaugurated the festival in the presence of Ambassadors and High Commissioners of ASEAN countries in New Delhi. The year 2024 marks a decade of India's 'Act East Policy'. To mark the occasion, a series of people-centric events and activities, including the ASEAN-India Music Festival, were announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 21st ASEAN-India Summit held on 10 October 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR, the press statement by the Ministry of External Affairs noted. 10 bands from ASEAN Member States and 5 bands from India captivated the audience through their spell-binding performances during the festival reflecting the civilisational bonds between ASEAN and India that have thrived on people-to-people linkages. The MEA noted that an estimated more than 15,000 people attended the festival. In his opening remarks for the festival, MoS Margherita had said, "Music is a universal language that inspires, heals, and connects us. Today's event is very special because we have an opportunity to hear music from a region with which we share deep civilization bonds. We share language, literature, cultural practices, stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata, Jatakas, Buddhism, art, architecture and even festivals". India and ASEAN have seen various high-level interactions in recent times. In October, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Laos to participate in the 21st India-ASEAN Summit. During the Summit, PM Modi had called the 21st century the "Asian century" and noted that India-ASEAN ties were critical to guiding Asia's future. More recently, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered the keynote address at the 8th Roundtable of the ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks in early November. "India and ASEAN are major demographies whose emerging demands can not only support each other but become larger productive forces in the international economy. Our collaboration can also be crucial in addressing contemporary challenges," he had said. Jaishankar further expressed great confidence in the India-ASEAN ties and highlighted that the deep cultural and civilizational connect between the two regions had resulted in fruitful cooperation and a strong foundation for a deeper partnership benefitting our people. (ANI) A photo taken on May 1, 2022 shows a container vessel docking at the Qianwan Container Terminal in Qingdao, east China's Shandong province. [Photo/Xinhua] China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on Tuesday announced a decision to tighten the control over the export of relevant dual-use items to the United States, to safeguard national security and interests and fulfill non-proliferation and other international obligations. According to a statement on the MOC's website, the export of dual-use items to U.S. military users or for military purposes is prohibited. In principle, the export of dual-use items related to gallium, germanium, antimony and superhard materials to the United States is not to be permitted, while stricter examinations on end-users and end-use purposes are to be conducted regarding exports of the dual-use item of graphite to the United States, according to the statement. This announcement comes into effect as of the date of publication, according to the MOC. Any organization or individual from any country or region that, in violation of the above provisions, transfers or provides relevant dual-use items originating in the People's Republic of China to the United States will be held legally responsible, the statement said. Dual-use items mean goods, technologies and services that may be used for either civil or military purposes or to contribute to an increase in military potential, especially to design, develop, produce or use weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. The decision was made in accordance with Chinese laws including the Export Control Law of the People's Republic of China, an MOC spokesperson said Tuesday in a reply to a media query on the latest move. "In recent years, the United States has overstretched the concept of national security, politicized and weaponized economic and technological issues, abused export control measures, arbitrarily restricted the export of relevant products to China, and put a number of Chinese companies on the sanctions list to suppress and contain them," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that the U.S. practices seriously undermine international trade rules, the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises, as well as the stability of global industrial and supply chains. Noting that the Chinese government is firmly committed to promoting high-standard opening-up and opposes any erroneous generalization of the concept of national security, the spokesperson said China is ready to strengthen dialogue on export control with relevant countries and regions to jointly promote the security and stability of the global industrial and supply chains. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Tuesday met with the country's interim government acting Foreign Secretary Riaz Hamidullah. Verma was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a day after protestors attacked the premises of the Bangladesh acting High Commission in Agartala, reported Bangladesh newspaper Daily Star. Speaking to reporters after his meeting, Verma said that India and Bangladesh have a wide ranging and multifaceted relationship that cannot be reduced to one issue. He also said India wants to build a constant, stable, and constructive relationship with Bangladesh. "We have a wide ranging and multifaceted relationship. You cannot reduce it to one issue," he said. "We want to build on the dependencies [between the countries] to mutual benefit," Verma was quoted as saying by Daily Star. The Indian envoy said there have been many positive developments in the two countries over the years including in the areas of power supply, essential commodities. "We are interested to engage based on the aspirations of people," Verma said. On December 2, India decided to step up security arrangements for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and its other diplomatic premises in the country following an incident earlier in the day involving the breach of Bangladesh Assistant High Commission premises in Agartala. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, "The breach of premises at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala is deeply regrettable. Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances." The MEA added, "Government is taking action to step up security arrangements for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and their Deputy/Assistant High Commissions in the country". The situation in Bangladesh has been marked by increasing violence against minority communities after the arrest of a spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das over sedition charges and for allegedly hoisting a saffron flag above Bangladesh's national flag in Chittagong on October 25. (ANI) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar highlighted the strength of India-Oman relations during his meeting with Khalifa Alharthy, Under Secretary for Political Affairs of Oman. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he remarked, "Glad to receive Khalifa Alharthy, Under Secretary for Political Affairs of Oman today. Noted our wide-ranging cooperation and new opportunities in trade, investments, technology, and space." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1863838798104117671 The Sultanate of Oman is a key strategic partner for India in the Gulf and an important interlocutor within regional organisations like the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Arab League, and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). Bilateral relations are underpinned by deep historical, cultural, and geographical ties. People-to-people connections date back 5,000 years, while formal diplomatic relations began in 1955. These ties were elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2008, reflecting the growing depth of political and economic engagement. Oman occupies a significant place in India's West Asia policy as its oldest regional strategic partner. The relationship, rooted in history, has evolved to include discussions in advanced sectors such as space, rare earth minerals, and cybersecurity. In a gesture of goodwill and strategic cooperation, Oman was invited to participate as a guest country during India's G20 Presidency in 2023. High-level exchanges have further strengthened this partnership, with visits from Indian leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2018 and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval in June 2023. The vibrant Indian community in Oman, numbering approximately 6,84,771 individuals, has played a crucial role in fostering bilateral ties. This community includes professionals such as doctors, engineers, and educators, as well as families who have lived in Oman for generations, with some tracing their roots back over 150 years. The presence of 21 Indian schools serving more than 40,000 students and religious facilities like temples, churches, and gurudwaras further reflects the robust cultural footprint of Indians in Oman. Omani authorities frequently acknowledge the contributions of Indian expatriates to the nation's development. Social organisations and linguistic wings under Indian Social Clubs in cities like Muscat and Salalah actively support the community's welfare. The enduring cooperation between India and Oman, strengthened by shared values and growing opportunities in emerging sectors, underscores the significance of this long-standing partnership. (ANI) Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus is set to give a call for national unity, The Daily Star reported. The Daily Star said the announcement was made by the Press Secretary of Muhammad Yunus, Shafiqul Alam at a press conference on Tuesday at the Foreign Services Academy in Dhaka. Yunus is set to meet student leaders today starting from 6:00pm (Bangladesh Local Time) at the state guest house, Jamuna. As per The Daily Star, Advisor Yunus will hold meetings with major political parties on Wednesday to discuss national unity. He will also sit with religious leaders on Thursday. The call by the Chief Advisor comes after reports of attacks on miniorities following the arrest of spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das on alleged sedition charges. Following the arrest of Das, a lawyer was killed during clashes between police the followers of the spiritual guru in the Chattogram Court Building area on November 27. Earlier on November 26, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh had issued an official statement that the government is firm to uphold 'religious harmony' in the country, irrespective of religious affiliation." "Bangladesh government is firm to uphold religious harmony in Bangladesh, irrespective of religious affiliation, and uphold rule of law for every Bangladeshi, without distinction, under the laws of land." the statement read. The statement also observed, "Bangladesh reaffirms in the strongest terms that every Bangladeshi, regardless of his or her religious identity, has the right to establish, maintain, or perform respective religious rituals and practices or express views without hindrance. Ensuring safety and security of all citizens, particularly the members of religious minorities, remains a duty of the government of Bangladesh". While addressing a weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal urged Bangladesh's interim government to take steps for protection of minorities. On situation of minorities in Bangladesh, Jaiswal said, "India has consistently and strongly raised with the Bangladesh government the threats and targeted attacks on Hindus and other minorities. We made our position very clear as far as the situation of Hindus and minorities in Bangladesh is concerned. The interim government must live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities. We are concerned about the surge of extremist rhetoric, increasing incidents of violence and provocation. These developments cannot be dismissed only as media exaggerations. We once again call upon Bangladesh to take all steps for the protection of minorities and safeguarding their interests." (ANI) Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat has called for increased connectivity and more flights between India and Israel, emphasizing that this would boost business and tourism ties between the two nations. While speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Minister Barkat expressed optimism about the potential for growth, saying, "The sky is the limit" for India-Israel business cooperation. "Once we have a better trade understanding, more agreements and more collaborations between the countries and flights, I believe you can scale in double-digit numbers every year in the next foreseeable years," he said. When asked about the plans for improving flight connectivity, Barkat said, "I think it's in the best interest of everyone." He said that discussions are underway to increase flights between the two countries. Commenting on concerns about safety following the recent conflict, Barkat said, "What we're saying to all of the airlines is it's 100 per cent safe to come to Israel. Because of the war, there was a bit of a pull back for security reasons." He noted that despite the war, Israeli carrier El Al continued operations, which shows that the region has remained safe throughout. He added, "We want to encourage people, get the flights back on track, and for people to come and visit and do business. I look at the future and I see the opportunity". Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Israel in 1992, bilateral trade and economic relations have progressed rapidly, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The MEA also observed that India is Israel's second-largest trading partner in Asia. Despite the bilateral merchandise trade being dominated mainly by diamonds, petroleum products and chemicals, recent years have witnessed an increase in trade in areas such as electronic machinery and high-tech products, communications systems and medical equipment, amongst others. India continues to be a 'focus' country for the Israeli Government's increased trade efforts. (ANI) On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the World Health Organisation (WHO) South-East Asia Region has called for amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities to foster an inclusive and sustainable future. WHO's Regional Director, Saima Wazed, stressed that empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring their active participation in all sectors is essential to addressing the barriers they face, particularly in healthcare and during humanitarian crises. According to Wazed, over 1.3 billion people globally live with some form of disability, and in the South-East Asia Region, approximately 16 per cent of the population is affected by significant disability. These numbers are rising, driven by factors like chronic ailments and an ageing population. Unfortunately, people with disabilities continue to face widespread discrimination in healthcare. They are three times more likely to be denied healthcare, four times more likely to be mistreated within healthcare systems, and 50 per cent more likely to experience catastrophic health expenditure. In low-income countries, over half of persons with disabilities cannot afford essential healthcare. "Disability inclusion should be considered in all our technical guidance and advisory groups, program design teams, evaluation criteria & indicators, inclusive research & local ethics, and in events, media, and communication," Wazed emphasised. This commitment extends beyond just healthcare to encompass all aspects of WHO's work, ensuring that disability perspectives are integrated into the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs. Wazed further highlighted the importance of engaging persons with disabilities in the development of health policies and services. "We need to ensure that disability inclusion is part of the fabric of everything we do," she stated. In alignment with the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS), WHO has strengthened its internal policies to promote the involvement of persons with disabilities across all its operations. The WHO's reasonable accommodation policy ensures that employees with disabilities receive the necessary support to fully participate in the organisation's work. This extends to all staff members, including consultants, interns, and even meeting participants. "WHO's reasonable accommodation policy supports this and is available to employees with disabilities, including staff, consultants, interns, volunteers, employees who have dependents with disabilities, and even our meeting participants," Wazed explained. To further promote inclusion, WHO South-East Asia has introduced several initiatives aimed at enhancing the participation of persons with disabilities. One key initiative, the SEARO CARE program, focuses on the health and wellbeing of staff and their family members with disabilities. The goal is to create a supportive and respectful work environment. Additionally, the WHO South-East Asia Region's ROADMAP for equity and inclusion outlines specific steps to integrate disability inclusion, mental health, and psychosocial support into emergency settings, reflecting the urgency of addressing the needs of persons with disabilities during crises. WHO's efforts also extend to building the capacity of its programs to address disability inclusion more effectively. Wazed noted that one of the key challenges is a limited understanding of disability and the health inequalities faced by persons with disabilities. A common misconception is that persons with disabilities only require rehabilitation and assistive technology, but Wazed emphasised that inclusion must encompass a wider range of health needs, including mental health and psychosocial support. In emergency situations such as natural disasters, conflicts, and pandemics, persons with disabilities are among the most vulnerable. Wazed stressed that addressing their health needs goes beyond physical accessibility to include social inclusion and mental health support. "We need to recognise the critical need to integrate disability and social inclusion into emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. These inclusive approaches are vital for ensuring equitable access to services, protecting human rights, and upholding the dignity of all individuals," she said. To support these goals, WHO recently launched the "Health Equity for Persons with Disabilities: A Guide for Action," a national health planning tool designed to help ministries of health integrate disability-inclusive actions into their broader health systems. Nepal has already begun implementing the guide, and Wazed urged other countries in the region to adopt the tool as well. This guide helps ensure that persons with disabilities are fully integrated into primary healthcare systems, emphasising the importance of cross-sector engagement. The Global Report on Health Equity for Persons with Disabilities outlines three key principles that WHO encourages all countries to follow. First, health equity for persons with disabilities should be central to any health sector action. Second, persons with disabilities and their representative organisations must be actively involved in planning and implementing health actions. Finally, it is crucial to monitor and evaluate the impact of health sector actions to ensure that they lead to genuine health equity for persons with disabilities. As the WHO South-East Asia Region celebrates the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Wazed reaffirms the organisation's commitment to leaving no one behind. "Let us reiterate our commitment to leaving no one behind, address the health inequities that persons with disabilities experience, and promote leadership for an inclusive and sustainable future," she concluded. (ANI) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar recently met with Officer Trainees from the 2024 batch of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), alongside two Bhutanese colleagues. In a post on X, EAM Jaishankar said, "Delighted to meet Officer Trainees from the 2024 batch of Indian Foreign Service, along with two Bhutanese colleagues today. Shared experiences of diplomatic service and foreign policy. Wished them best in their careers and future endeavours." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1863921979620741554 EAM Jaishankar's engagement with the new IFS batch highlights India's commitment to fostering diplomatic excellence as part of its broader international engagement strategy. His remarks to the trainees were centred on the importance of foreign policy in shaping India's global standing, along with the evolving role of diplomats in the 21st century. India and Bhutan have long enjoyed a special relationship, built on mutual trust and shared values. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were formalised in 1968, and their bond has continued to grow, with key initiatives such as the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949 and renewed in 2007. The two nations also share high-level exchanges, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Bhutan in 2019, and Bhutan's King and Queen making multiple visits to India. The most recent, in November 2023, saw Bhutan's King meet senior Indian officials, further reinforcing the bilateral ties. Apart from their strong political relations, India and Bhutan have also deepened their cooperation in various sectors. These include technology, with initiatives like the successful deployment of the RuPay card and Bhutan's adoption of the BHIM app, and space collaboration, which reached new heights with the launch of the 'India-Bhutan SAT' satellite in 2022. Furthermore, India has supported Bhutan's educational efforts by assisting in addressing shortages of STEM teachers. Through these efforts, both nations continue to strengthen their multifaceted relationship, marked by increasing collaboration in digital, technological, and space-related sectors. (ANI) Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, delivered India's statement during the Ministerial Dialogue on Finance, at CoP16 of UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday. Speaking on the theme, 'Unlocking Public and Private Finance for Land Restoration and Drought Resilience', the Minister stated that Finance is important for effective implementation of policies and programmes. In a press statement by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC), Minister Yadav noted in his address that the World Drought Atlas which was released yesterday emphasises the nature of risks, and the need for national plans and international cooperation. He said, "This document can serve as guide for planning, increased mobilisation and finding solution of additional resources. Land degradation is a major issue which require more attention. Understanding this, India has been making efforts to leverage public finance mechanisms for the purpose of restoring its degraded lands." The Minister brought to attention India's initiatives and informed that financial support has been extended by the Government for land restoration through various public and privately funded initiatives, with active participation of the local communities, the press statement observed. He noted, "India has promoted the facilities of extending micro-finance to the farmers for sustainable agriculture. Facilities have been extended through Regional Rural Banks and other financial institutions. India has targeted to restore 26 million hectares of degraded lands by 2030, of which more than 22.5 million hectares been achieved." As an effort in this direction, India has launched Green Credit Programme whereby degraded land parcels are identified and restored with financial support from various entities including industries. Also, the Green India Mission, which is implemented at the country level through convergence of efforts of several sectors in all States takes into account landscape-based approach for eco-restoration of degraded lands. However, to intensify such efforts additional resources are important, the Minister stated. MOEFCC in its press statement also noted that the Minister stated, India has also been in the forefront in advocating the adoption of environment friendly life styles and usage of traditional knowledge, Shri Yadav emphasized, "It is of paramount importance that Governments and Industry should work together to identify the zones and partner with each other to achieve the goals of Land Restoration and Drought Resilience through mobilisation of resources." (ANI) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday thanked US President-elect Donald Trump for his strong stance on the hostage crisis involving Hamas. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Netanyahu expressed his gratitude, stating, "I want to thank President Trump for his strong statement yesterday about the need for Hamas to release the hostages, the responsibility of Hamas, and this adds another force to our continued effort to release all the hostages. Thank you, President Trump." https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/1863957106971308305 Trump's statement followed the release of a video by Hamas showing American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander pleading for his release. In response, Trump posted a warning on Truth Social, saying, "Everybody is talking about the hostages who are being held so violently, inhumanely, and against the will of the entire World, in the Middle East - But it's all talk, and no action!" He added that if the hostages were not released by January 20, 2025, when he would assume office, the US would take drastic measures. "Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity." Trump made it clear that those responsible for the hostage situation would face severe consequences, stating, "Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!" The warning, coming days after the release of the hostage video, has added pressure on those holding hostages in the Middle East. Netanyahu's public endorsement of Trump's statement highlights the growing international resolve to secure the release of those held captive. (ANI) Geneva [Switzerland], December 3 (ANI/WAM): Donor governments pledged a record USD 1.143 billion today to provide protection, life-saving assistance and solutions to millions of people uprooted by the increasing number of conflicts across the world, showing their support for the work of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its partners in 2025. Along with a commitment of USD 355 million from UNHCR's private sector National Partners, the total amount announced is USD 1.5 billion, covering 15 per cent of anticipated needs for the year. These resources will allow UNHCR to start the year with greater confidence and continue its work, a lifeline to many forcibly displaced people, delivering aid in emergencies, providing protection and humanitarian assistance, and seeking longer-term solutions. Governments attending UNHCR's pledging conference today also guaranteed USD 283 million in funding for 2026 and beyond. This is crucial to the planning and stability of UNHCR's long-term programmes aimed at fostering lasting solutions. "We live in a world ravaged by brutal and seemingly endless conflicts that tear lives apart and send people on a desperate flight for safety," said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. "The robust support shown today to refugees and other forcibly displaced people resonates as a much-needed message of solidarity and humanity. The pledges made are a commitment to save lives, restore dignity and bring hope to millions of people forced to flee". UNHCR's Global Appeal asks donors for USD 10.248 billion in funding for 2025 to support forcibly displaced and stateless people, the majority living close to their countries of origin. With forced displacement at unprecedented levels, about 123 million people forcibly displaced worldwide, securing these funds will be crucial to respond to both new conflicts and long-standing crises. With the funding UNHCR received in 2024, by mid-year, over 3 million people had been individually registered, 1.2 million supported with their civil identity or legal status, and over 500,000 received legal assistance. Across UNHCR operations, over 2 million people received life-saving cash assistance, over 9.5 million individual consultations were conducted in UNHCR-supported health care centres, 5.6 million people were supported with access to water and sanitation services and 630,000 received shelter and housing assistance. In 2025, escalating conflicts, intensifying natural disasters and ongoing crises are expected to drive further displacement and suffering. Durable solutions, however, remain unattainable for many, as refugees are displaced for an average of 20 years and most internally displaced people for more than a decade. (ANI/WAM) India has wide-ranging, multi-faceted relationship with Bangladesh and India wants to build on inter-dependencies for mutual benefit, India's envoy in Dhaka said on Tuesday. "We have wide-ranging relationship, multi-faceted relationship and as I have said you cannot reduce it to one issue or one agenda. We are working across so many issues. We really want to build a positive, stable, constructive relationship moving forward. So many things we are doing. There are so many inter-dependencies we have and we want to build on those inter-dependencies to mutual benefits. We will keep ensuring our co-operation benefits our two peoples," Pranay Verma, Indian high Commissioner in Bangladesh, told the reporters after meeting with Bangladesh's Acting Foreign Secretary, Riaz Hamidullah. "Number of positive developments have taken place in our relationship in the last few months, whether it is trade, it is power transmission, supply of essential commodities. We have maintained lot of positive momentum in our relationship," the Indian envoy added. India has earlier expressed its concern over issues concerning minorities in Bangladesh. "We are willing to engage with Interim Government of Bangladesh and we remain interested in working with the Government of Bangladesh to fulfill our shared aspirations for peace, security and development," Verma said. The remarks came after Verma was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a day after breach at the premises of the Bangladesh acting High Commission in Agartala, reported Bangladesh newspaper Daily Star. India had yesterday termed as "deeply regrettable" the incident of the breach of premises at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala. "Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances. Government is taking action to step up security arrangements for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and their Deputy/Assistant High Commissions in the country," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said in a statement. The situation in Bangladesh has seen violence against minority communities and arrest of a spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das over sedition charges. India had earlier expressed deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote. "This incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There are several documented cases of arson and looting of minorities' homes and business establishments, as well as theft and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples," MEA had said in a statement on November 26. "It is unfortunate that while the perpetrators of these incidents remain at large, charges should be pressed against a religious leader presenting legitimate demands through peaceful gatherings. We also note with concern the attacks on minorities protesting peacefully against the arrest of Shri Das. We urge Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression," the statement added. (ANI) US slammed for 'stopover' of Lai, arms sales to Taiwan 09:31, December 03, 2024 By Zhou Jin ( China Daily China has strongly condemned the United States for arranging Taiwan region leader Lai Ching-te's "stopover" in the country, urging Washington to stop official interaction with the island. It was reported that Lai arrived in Hawaii on Saturday for a "stopover "in the US as part of his trip to so-called "diplomatic allies" in the Pacific. China will closely follow the developments and take resolute and strong measures to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Foreign Ministry said on Sunday in an online statement. "China firmly opposes any trip by a leader of the Taiwan authorities to the US in any name or under whatever pretext," a spokesperson said in the statement, adding that China has lodged serious protests over the US arrangement. China also firmly opposes any form of US connivance or support for "Taiwan independence" separatists and their separatist activities, the statement said, emphasizing that the Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests, and is the first red line that cannot be crossed in Sino-US relations. The spokesperson urged the US to fully see the separatist nature of Lai and the Democratic Progressive Party authorities and fully understand the grave damage that "Taiwan independence" separatist activities do to cross-Strait peace and stability. Beijing urges Washington to fully abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, and act on the commitments made by US leaders of not supporting "Taiwan independence", the spokesperson said. The US should stop sending any wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, the spokesperson added. Chen Binhua, a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said on Sunday that no matter what gimmick Lai uses to seek "independence", it will not shake the international community's firm adherence to the one-China principle or obstruct the historical trend of national reunification. A day before Lai's arrival in Hawaii, the US Department of Defense said that the US Department of State approved the potential sale of spare parts for F-16 jets and radars to Taiwan for an estimated $385 million. China is dissatisfied with and opposes the US' potential arms sales to Taiwan, and will take strong and resolute countermeasures to defend its national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, the Foreign Ministry said on Sunday in another online statement. Beijing has lodged serious protests with Washington, calling on the US to immediately stop arming the island and stop abetting and supporting "Taiwan independence" separatist forces in seeking "independence" by building up its military, the statement said. The US arms sales to Taiwan seriously violate the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, especially the August 17 Communique of 1982, a spokesperson said in the statement. The arms sales also violate China's sovereignty and security interests, the spokesperson said. The sales are a severe breach of international law, send a gravely wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, and are detrimental to China-US relations as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, the spokesperson said. The decision to sell arms to Taiwan is inconsistent with US leaders' commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence", according to the statement. Chen, from the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, warned Taiwan authorities that buying weapons would not bring security, and paying "protection fees" to the US would not ensure "Taiwan independence". Soliciting US support for "Taiwan independence" is doomed to fail, and any attempt to seek "independence "through military means will only push Taiwan to the brink of war, he added. According to reports, this is the 18th time that the administration of US President Joe Biden has approved arms sales to Taiwan. In October, the US announced a potential $2 billion arms package to the region. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) A spokesperson for the China Coast Guard (CCG) on Monday said the CCG has taken necessary control measures against Philippine vessels illegally gathering, in the name of fishing, in the waters around Houteng Jiao in China's Nansha Qundao, and urged the Philippines to immediately cease its provocative actions. In a statement released on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed annually on December 3, the Council noted that Islamic principles firmly advocate for the human dignity of all individuals without discrimination and call for a supportive social, economic, and cultural environment that promotes equity and justice. The Council urged both institutions and individuals to establish the necessary conditions and resources that allow people of determination to overcome challenges and realise their ambitions. Throughout history, these individuals have demonstrated extraordinary capabilities in achievement and effort, making significant contributions that set them apart as exemplary figures of determination and perseverance. The statement further added that the Document on Human Fraternity, signed by Ahmed Al-Tayeb and Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi in February 2019, which reiterated that safeguarding the rights of vulnerable groups, including those with special needs, is a mandated religious and humanitarian obligation. The document specifies that ensuring appropriate support for these groups requires robust legislation and effective enforcement mechanisms to guarantee their dignity and provide them with opportunities to fully engage in society-building efforts. (ANI/WAM) PANAMA CITY BEACH Panama City Beach Turtle Watch released its year-end numbers for assisting sea turtles on Panama City Beach. The organization is made up of volunteers who locate sea turtle nests, protect the eggs until they hatch and help the hatchlings make it to the water. It receives financial support from the Bay County Tourist Development Council, which allows it to perform daily surveys during the summer months. A release on the organization's website says it completed all of the activities involved in operating under its marine turtle permits for the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group found 34 sea turtle nests across Panama City Beach this year and was able to apply passive tags to four turtles. The most common species to find is the loggerhead sea turtle, but sometimes the green sea turtle and other species make an appearance, according to reports from past years. The group's update shows that there were nest impacts from the storms over the course of this year's hurricane season, which stopped nest development and washed out eggs. Eighteen nests experienced washover or washout from the storms. This is when water floods a nest, which can drown the eggs and kill the embryos. Two adults were obstructed in the nesting process, which the watch says could be avoided by not leaving anything on the beach. Sixty-eight percent of the hatchlings became disoriented, primarily because of artificial light. The watch also cited 15 sea turtle strandings. Despite the adversity, they persevered. Between May and October the group conducted surveys of the beach and marked all 34 turtle nests, 24 of which produced hatchlings. It found the first nest on May 13 and marked the last on July 24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between the marked nests, the group found 28 false crawls, which is when the turtles come up onto the beach but don't actually nest. PCB Turtle Watch also did spot checks, excavated 31 nests, and took part in educational outreach initiatives. With the group's help, 1,830 eggs hatched across the beach. One nest even hatched 130 sea turtles. "Wed like to thank all of our surveyors, volunteers, local agencies, residents and visitors who played a role in the protection of the Loggerhead sea turtles in Panama City Beach, FL during our 2024 season," PCB Sea Turtle Watch said in a Facebook post. "We look forward to being ready to start our season again May 1, 2025." In 2023, PCB had 46 nests and 2,518 hatchlings. In 2022, there were 44 nests and 3,175 loggerhead hatchlings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organization was created in 1991 to protect sea turtle nests. It operates with permits from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City Beach Turtle Watch wraps of 2024 with report on numbers HONOLULU (KHON2) The holidays are usually a festive time to spend with family and friends, but it can also be a difficult time for people who are dealing with the stress and anxiety of the busy season. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You KHON2s Jodi Leong sat down with Dr. Chelsea Wong, staff psychologist at The Queens Medical Center, to discuss how we can protect our mental health during the busiest time of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ask A Specialist: Carpal Tunnel Have priorities. Really look at what needs to be done thats most important to maybe the least important. Its okay to have boundaries and to say no, said Dr. Wong. One of the biggest things I also think about is self-care. The importance of making sure youre taking care of yourself. Make sure youre taking your medications, get your sleep, youre eating okay. Think about how much you can handle with your capacity and really make sure that you dont lose sight of making connections. For those suffering from mental health issues, Wong said its particularly important to listen to your body. Really listen to what youre feeling, if your body is telling you, Hey lets take a break. Take that time to listen to your body to see what it needs. Its okay to feel those emotions, its okay to let things in. Its okay to reach out for help. Sometimes, especially in Hawaii, the hardest thing to do culturally, is we probably place other people before our own needs, right? Especially during the holidays. So, I always tell people dont hesitate. Dont forget about yourself, Wong said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another source of stress can be family gatherings, which Wong said is one of the most difficult things to do regardless of the holiday. Just practice being non-judgmental, being flexible, really thinking about the content of what youre talking about. Really think about being grateful in the moment how do you show your appreciation to others, how do you show it to yourself, Wong said. Check out more news from around Hawaii To learn more about the services offered by the Queens Behavioral Health Department, visit their website, click on services, then click on Behavioral Health or call 691-4401. 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 KHON2. By Elena Fabrichnaya and Gleb Bryanski MOSCOW (Reuters) -The next U.S. administration may make an effort to ease tensions with Moscow but Western sanctions are unlikely to be lifted any time soon, Andrei Kostin, the CEO of Russia's second-largest bank, VTB, told Reuters. Kostin, one of Russia's most influential bankers and a former diplomat who served in Australia and Britain, said he believed U.S. President-elect Donald Trump would make a genuine effort to end the conflict in Ukraine, which will be close to entering its fourth year when he takes office for a second time in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Considering the statements Trump made during his election campaign, I believe that he will certainly try to make efforts to resolve the Ukrainian war. But will an agreement be reached?," Kostin said from his office in one of the Moscow City business quarter's towers, stressing that any peace settlement should be for the long-term. Trump has pledged to end the conflict in Ukraine quickly, in part because he does not want the United States to pay to defend the country. However, Kostin, who was placed under U.S. sanctions himself during Trump's first term as President, said he did not believe sanctions against Moscow would be lifted quickly as there was a powerful anti-Russian "vector" in the U.S. establishment. "A good example is the Jackson-Vanik amendment. It was enacted against the USSR, and it was only repealed in 2012," Kostin said, referring to a Cold-War era law linking trade relations with the Soviet Union to the rights of religious minorities to emigrate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A powerful insider who regularly meets with President Vladimir Putin, Kostin said that his own views on the conflict in Ukraine have changed since February 2022 and he now believed that Moscow "did not have much of a choice". ANYWHERE BUT U.S. TREASURIES Kostin, whose bank once had a substantial presence in Ukraine, said he believed that Russia's reserves that were frozen in the West after the start of the conflict would not be returned. Western countries blocked around $300 billion worth of sovereign Russian assets, with the G7 group and the European Union agreeing earlier this year to use the interest they generated to aid Ukraine's defence. Russia has vowed legal action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In the West, they say, let's pay for the reconstruction of Ukraine from the reserves. And they will draw up such a bill that even the reserves will not be enough," Kostin predicted. "Russia will never again keep its money in U.S. Treasuries. I'm sure of it. Anywhere, but not there." Speaking ahead of the start of VTB's annual investment forum this week where most participants will come from China, the Middle East and India, Kostin said the "dozens" of countries willing to work with Moscow showed that Western sanctions were not working, also pointing to the BRICS group summit which was held in Russia in October. (Reporting by Elena Fabrichnaya and Gleb Bryanski; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) President-elect Donald Trump has been moving at breakneck speed as he sets up his administration for his second term. It has been less than a month since he won the election, and he has already named most of his Cabinet nominees and several other senior White House positions. In that time he has also replaced Matt Gaetz with a new pick for attorney general after Gaetz dropped out over ongoing controversy about previous investigations into sexual misconduct. Trump has also touted some day-one plans, including hitting Mexico, Canada and China with import tariffs, prompting a warning from the country's biggest trade partner that doing so could hurt both economies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But any trade moves will still have to wait for at least seven more weeks until Trump is sworn into the Oval Office again. These loyal aides stuck by Trump: Now they're back for 'unfinished business' How long until Inauguration Day? Trump's inauguration is scheduled for Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Latest news from the presidential transition Trump has named nearly all of his Cabinet-level nominations in the short few weeks since he won the election. Many are known loyalists to Trump and served in his previous agenda, setting Trump up to move quickly on his day-one agenda. Among those plans he recently announced, is to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada, and an additional 10% tariff on goods from China. He also promised to move immediately to deport undocumented immigrants, as he has touted on the campaign trail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump tariffs: Which grocery items could be affected? Fruit, vegetables, coffee and more The holiday week brought some mayhem to Trump's Cabinet picks, as several of them were the target of bomb threats and swatting attacks in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, Trump's Thanksgiving message called out the "Radical Left Lunatics who have worked so hard to destroy our Country." Also, a federal judge dismissed the charges against Trump for allegedly trying to steal the 2020 election. Contributing: Joey Garrison, Bart Jansen, Karissa Waddick, Josh Meyer Kinsey Crowley is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at kcrowley@gannett.com, and follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When is Inauguration Day? Recent presidential transition news on Trump Students take part in a programming class at a primary school in Yuhu District of Xiangtan City, central China's Hunan Province, April 11, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] China will enhance artificial intelligence (AI) education for its younger generations to prepare them for the emerging technology era, according to the Ministry of Education. The ministry has called for efforts to explore approaches to AI education in primary and secondary schools, emphasizing the need to cultivate creativity, scientific interest and digital skills among students. Schools have been asked to establish related curriculums, incorporate AI into routine teaching content and conduct regular evaluations, according to a circular released by the ministry. Students are expected to gain hands-on experience with AI technologies in their early primary school years. As they progress to senior primary school grades and junior high school, they will focus on understanding and applying these technologies. In senior high school, students will engage in AI project creation and explore cutting-edge AI applications, according to the circular. An AI section will be added to a national smart education platform. The initiative, according to the ministry, aims to pool quality resources and enhance their accessibility. Authorities will encourage colleges, universities, research institutes and high-tech companies to open their AI labs and exhibition halls to primary and secondary school students. Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng has likened AI to a "gold key" for the education system, emphasizing its potential to shape the future of education while presenting both opportunities and challenges. In February, the country selected 184 schools as pilot bases to explore philosophies, models and programs in AI education, with the goal of developing exemplary cases and experience that can be promoted on a larger scale. More such educational bases will be established in the future, per the ministry circular. The new Mauritian government has ordered an independent review of the Chagos Islands agreement, The Independent understands, throwing the future of Sir Keir Starmers deal into even greater uncertainty. The new administration in Mauritius, which took over after elections last month, has previously expressed doubts about the terms of the agreement, with the UKs national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, travelling to the country in an attempt to smooth over any issues. But sources in Mauritius have since said the new government feels it was kept in the dark over the agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to the Mauritian parliament on Friday, the countrys new prime minister, Navin Ramgoolam, said the details of the deal were unknown to the new government throughout the two years of negotiations. As first reported in The Independent, Mr Ramgoolam announced the government would now be conducting an independent review into the terms of the agreement, the findings of which will be considered by the cabinet. The prime minister also said he has consulted external legal advisers over the deal. It comes just one day after Downing Street said there is no discussion around renegotiating the deal. The government announced last month it had reached a political agreement to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius (DoD/AFP/Getty) There are discussions to engage with the new administration on the detail of the deal, but as I say, theres been an exchange of equity noting respective commitments to progressing the agreement, the prime ministers official spokesperson said on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Closing his statement to parliament, the prime minister said: I will keep the house informed of the next steps in the negotiations after cabinet will have had the opportunity to consider the outcome of the review exercise. Mr Ramgoolam held his first cabinet meeting on Friday morning, with the UK-Mauritius agreement understood to have been on the agenda. Even if Mauritius does agree to stick with the agreement, the deal could be vetoed elsewhere, with president-elect Donald Trumps team hardening their opposition to what they consider to be a major security risk for the West. The Independent revealed this week that the Trump team has been seeking assurances that Sir Keir would not try to accelerate the deal to get it completed before his inauguration in January. Joe Bidens outgoing administration backed the deal but following an intervention from Nigel Farage and legal advice sent by Brexiteers to Mr Trump, the incoming president has been looking for a way to veto it without embarrassing Sir Keir. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government announced last month it had reached a political agreement to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius following negotiations which began in 2022. The prime minister and his foreign secretary David Lammy have insisted they had no choice but to hand over the islands, including Diego Garcia where the UK and US have their major air base, because of a ruling by the International Court of Justice. Mr Lammy has doubled down claiming that the deal is a good one guaranteeing the use of the airbase for the next 99 years. But the government has refused to publish details and costs of the deal. The foreign secretary told MPs on the foreign affairs select committee that he was confident the deal would be agreed but conceded the new Mauritian government needed time to study it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about the incoming Trump administrations opposition, he noted: The national security agencies in the United States think this is a good deal. The State Department think this is a good deal. Most important, the Pentagon and White House think this is a good deal. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has been contacted for comment. US Navy warships shot down several missiles and drones launched by the Houthis over the weekend. It's the latest attack against American forces operating off the coast of Yemen. For one of the destroyers involved, the incident marked its third call to action in as many months. US Navy warships operating off the coast of Yemen fought off another Houthi attack over the weekend, shooting down a collection of missiles and drones. One of the two US warships that came under fire, the destroyer USS Stockdale, has now been involved in three incidents in as many months in which the ship engaged in defensive operations to defeat incoming Houthi weapons, a US defense official confirmed to Business Insider on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer emerged unscathed after all three incidents. These repeated attacks appear to reflect the Houthi desire to hit an American warship and underscore the continued threat that the rebels pose to nearby waterways. US Central Command, which oversees Middle East operations, said late on Sunday that the Stockdale and USS O'Kane, another destroyer deployed to the region, "successfully defeated" multiple Houthi weapons while conducting a protection mission in the Gulf of Aden over the weekend. USS Stockdale sails alongside an Egyptian warship in October. The Stockdale is one of the vessels that came under attack over the weekend. US Navy photo The attack unfolded while the destroyers were escorting three US-owned commercial vessels through the strategic waterway. Centcom said the American warships shot down three anti-ship ballistic missiles, one anti-ship cruise missile, and three attack drones. The Houthis regularly fire these types of weapons into the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. A Houthi spokesperson said earlier that the Iran-backed rebels had targeted a US destroyer and three supply ships associated with the military, claiming that the missile and drone strikes were "accurate and direct." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Centcom, however, refuted the claim and said that there were no injuries or damage to any of the military or civilian vessels. It said the defensive action reflects the military's commitment to protecting American personnel and international shipping against the relentless Houthi attacks. The weekend incident marks the latest Houthi attempt to attack a Navy warship in recent months. The Stockdale, in particular, has had to react to multiple attacks. The heavily armed destroyer engaged a barrage of missiles and drones in late September and came under fire again in mid-November. USS O'Kane prepares to conduct a fueling-at-sea in July. The O'Kane was also attacked over the weekend. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Valerie Morrison Though the Houthis haven't yet succeeded, a senior State Department official told Business Insider last month that the rebels appear increasingly determined to strike US and European warships as part of their ongoing campaign against military and civilian vessels, which is now in its second year. "Our leadership is all extremely concerned about the Houthis' determination to seemingly strike us to strike our friends in the Red Sea, their perseverance in doing so, their determination to do what they've been doing better," said US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US and European Union have deployed warships to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to defend shipping lanes from Houthi attacks. The rebels have struck a number of commercial vessels over the past year, but they have been unable to land a hit on any Western military assets. Read the original article on Business Insider Editor's Note: This page is a summary of news on the bitter cold and snow for Monday, Dec. 2. For the latest news, view our story for Tuesday, Dec. 3. Pounding snow and bitter cold continued their assault across the nation's northern tier Monday after dumping five feet of snow in some areas of New York state and three feet or more in parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan. The National Weather Service office in Cleveland said snow will continue to fall across the region through Tuesday morning, and "a more persistent band with a Lake Huron connection" will bring 8-15 inches and locally up to 20 inches. Frigid temperatures and high winds in some areas will add to the post-holiday level of climate discomfort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the region is due for more harsh conditions later in the week, as another cold front is expected to bring wind gusts of up to 45 mph, lower temperatures and snow showers Wednesday night and Thursday morning, the Cleveland office said. Tom Kines, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, said the areas that will be hardest hit Monday and Tuesday would be east of Cleveland and south of Buffalo. "It's not as impressive as it was over the weekend, where some places got two, two-and-a-half feet of snow in a day, but there will be places that pick up a foot of snow," Kines told USA TODAY. "Anyone going from Cleveland to Buffalo this week, there will be times when traveling will be horrendous on Interstate 90." The national weather service message was even more blunt: "Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Brrrutal: How long will this cold last? Your winter weather questions answered Plows work on snow removal in and around Highmark Stadium in preparation for heavy traffic for a Buffalo Bills football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Orchard Park, New York, on Dec. 1, 2024 Developments: The cold air rolling over the warm surfaces of the Great Lakes is what is producing the lake-effect bands of snow along the southern and eastern shorelines of the lakes, AccuWeather says. The frigid conditions and gusty winds could elevate the risk for hypothermia for those trapped on snowbound highways. Reduced visibility in snow squalls raises the risk for multi-vehicle pileups. 'Terrible idea': Farmer helps save campers as lake-effect snowstorm slams Northeast Another cold front on the way, bringing travel difficulties The cold front that has accompanied the storm has spread over a vast area of the Midwest and Northeast for days. Kines said much of the region could see a 24-hour reprieve in the next day or two before another front provides a "reinforcing shot" of the blustery conditions into the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AccuWeather said the combination of snow showers, icy roads and gusty winds will make for dangerous driving conditions starting Wednesday night across areas of the interior Northeast, Great Lakes and parts of the Appalachians, pinpointing Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Detroit and Buffalo, New York, as likely trouble spots. In areas where the wind strengthens, some temperatures will feel like the teens or lower, Kines said. "The silver lining is that after the another possible storm early next week it looks like the weather pattern will change a little bit," Kines said. "We don't see these arctic intrusions into the Midwest and Northeast." Five feet of snow and it's not over yet In New York state, the weather service office in Buffalo said moderate to locally heavy lake-effect snow will continue through Tuesday with "significant additional accumulations." The village of Barnes Corner, New York, 80 miles north of Syracuse on Lake Ontario, had reported 65.5 inches of snow as of Monday morning, while Fort Drum to the north had 63 inches. Nearby Copenhagen recorded nearly 66 inches of snow and Cassadaga 54 inches since the storm system rolled into the region late last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Ohio's Ashtabula County, which borders Lake Erie 50 miles northeast of Cleveland, one town was hit with almost five feet of snow. Saybrook, population 10,000, recorded more than 56 inches of snow. Geneva had 47 inches and Edgewood almost 40 inches. In Pennsylvania, the Erie County town of Girard measured more than 59 inches and Northwest Harborcreek saw 53 inches. The weather service office in Gaylord, Michigan, said in a social media post Monday that the office total had climbed to 43.7 inches since Thanksgiving morning "and it's still snowing." Moderate to heavy snow will fall over parts of the Upper Peninsula on Tuesday evening into Wednesday, the weather service said. More: Hundreds of turtles with hypothermia washing up on Cape Cod beaches Dangerous travel conditions, but some improvements Few flight issues were reported at Buffalo Niagara International Airport. The New York Thruway, closed in sections for parts of the weekend, was open Monday and had dropped restrictions on commercial vehicles. In Pennsylvania, empty and double trucks were banned on parts of interstates 90, 77 and 86. Some areas also had speed restrictions of 45 mph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Depending on the location of the heaviest snow coming Monday and Tuesday, travel issues could linger, AccuWeather warned. "As snow squalls continue to impact portions of I-90 in northeastern Ohio, northwestern Pennsylvania and far southwestern New York into the early week, additional restrictions can occur," pointed out AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex Duffus. Bitter cold hanging on in eastern US Temperatures will be 10 to 15 degrees below average over much of the Midwest and East through Tuesday, the weather service said. Freeze warnings were possible across parts of the Southeast, and parts of northern and central Florida were under a frost advisory Monday morning. Atlanta residents woke up to sub-freezing temperatures. Tallahassee, Florida, was due for a high of 56 degrees and a low of 27 Tuesday. Winds will return to the Midwest and Northeast in full force this week, making actual temperatures feel even more frigid, AccuWeather said. Wind gusts ranging from 30-50 mph will be possible as a storm dives southward out of Canada across the Great Lakes, resulting in blowing snow. Blustery conditions were forecast to continue into Thursday and reach the Mid-Atlantic states and the Northeast coast. Campers rescued in New York In New York state, parts of Jefferson County have already been hit with almost 5 feet of snow in the last few days. When the Lorraine Fire Department was called in Saturday to rescue three stranded campers, it needed help finding them and cutting a path through the snow. The department called on Doug Moore, 36, a beef farmer and lifelong Lorraine resident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A guy and two kids thought it was a great idea to go camping in a tent," Moore told USA TODAY. "It was a terrible idea." Moore said the group was "back maybe a mile-and-a-half in the woods and had no idea where they were." Moore said he was familiar with the area and had a good idea where they could be found. He cut a swath through the snow in his tractor, and fire department rescuers brought the group to the fire station and warmed them up. "I don't know what possessed them to camp there," Moore said Sunday. "But it's good they are safe because it hasn't stopped snowing." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lake-effect snow, bitter cold grips millions across Midwest, East TOKYO, Dec 03 (News On Japan) - The BBC has announced its 2024 edition of '100 Women,' celebrating individuals who have made a significant impact on society, selecting Japanese talent Naomi Watanabe (37) as one of the honorees. Watanabe was recognized for paving the way for a new generation of female comedians in Japan and for her efforts in challenging societal stereotypes regarding women's body image. Another honoree is Yumiko Suzuki, who won a landmark lawsuit against the Japanese government after being forcibly sterilized under the former Eugenics Protection Law. Related: Naomi Watanabe | Instagram Influencer Source: TBS By Ozioruva Aliu BENIN CITY THE governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo on Tuesday gave a 48 hours ultimatum to the 18 local government council chairmen in the state to submit their statements of accounts. The governor asked the chairmen to submit the documents to the Assets Verification Committee, through the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and that the statement of accounts should be effective from the 4th of September 2023 till date. He gave the directive when the chairmen led by the Edo State chairman of the Association of Local Governments Of Nigeria (ALGON), Newman Ugiagbe paid him a courtesy visit. The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, said the administration would work closely with the council bosses for a better State at a meeting with the chairmen at the Government House, Benin City. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Okoebholo, Fred Itua quoted the governor as saying that I have listened to you keenly, the ALGON Chairman. The Governor is a leader of all of us. Election has come and gone and we are all one family. The Governor has asked me to assure you that we are one family. He has also asked me to tell you that we will work closely together. I guess you are aware that few weeks ago, the Assets Verification Committee was constituted. Mr. Governor is committed to transparency and accountability in this Government and that Committee would not have the resources to go across the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State. The Governor would want you to submit your statement of accounts from 4th of September 2023, to date, to the Assets Verification Committee within the next 48 hours (2 days), as that would help and enable the Committee do its job effectively and efficiently. The statement of accounts should be sent through the office of the Secretary to the State Government to Assets Verification Committee. The Governor thanks you for you time. Earlier, Ugiagbe who is the chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government Area, pledged their loyalty to Governor Monday Okpebholo and promised to collaborate to ensure the administration succeeds. We are here to congratulate the Governor and the Deputy on the mandate Edo people gave them and here to pledge our loyalty to your administration. Our doors are open to your instructions, policies, and programmes, as we are ready to bring your policies down to the grassroots to enable our people to benefit from the dividends of democracy as we will work to ensure your administration succeeds. By Enioluwa Adeniyi On Tuesday, the Senate confirmed the appointment of Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede as the substantive Chief of Army Staff (COAS) following the adoption of the Army Committees screening report. The report was presented at plenary by the Chairman of the Committee on Army, Sen. Abdulaziz Yaradua (APC-Katsina), who commended Oluyedes impressive credentials, achievements, and understanding of the responsibilities of the office. Yaradua said the committee was impressed with the high level of understanding, achievements, and excellence in the nominees credentials. He said the nomination of Oluyede is in line with Section 217, Subsection 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended. He also said that the nomination is under the provisions of Section 18, Subsection 1 of the Armed Forces Act. He explained that the nominee possesses the required competence, experience, and educational qualifications to be conferred with Chief of Army Staff. Yaradua said the DSS had cleared the nominee and went through the correct promotion process to date, qualifying him to occupy the Chief of Army Staff position. Following Yaraduas submission, the Senate unanimously confirmed Oluyedes appointment, cementing his position as the substantive Chief of Army Staff. Naija News reports that the Senate confirmation comes days after the House of Representatives confirmed Oluyede as Army Chief By Williams Anuku Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, has announced a new visa policy for Nigerians, saying investors and tourists could apply for a visa without submitting passport. The South African President revealed this on Tuesday at the opening of the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape Town, which President Bola Tinubu attended. According to him, South Africa has simplified its visa processes to facilitate travel for Nigerian business people and tourists, with measures such as five-year multiple entry visas. He noted that the gesture was to create a favourable environment, especially to simplify visa process for Nigerian business people to travel to South Africa. Qualifying Nigerian business people can be granted a five-year multiple entry visa, he said. He also pledged South Africas commitment to removing constraints on greater investment and addressing the challenges faced by companies in both countries. As we mark 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, we see a bright future for our relationship. Our strong bonds of friendship provide a firm foundation for more meaningful economic cooperation. Nigeria is host to a number of South African companies. South Africa has always been open to Nigerian business, reflected in the number of investments and operations established in this country. But there is much more we need to do. We need to remove the remaining constraints to greater investment, just as we need to address some of the challenges that companies have experienced. Ramaphosa also acknowledged the Nigerian governments reforms to further strengthen and foster a business environment that offers assurances to investors, including from South Africa. He said his administration will continue with its efforts to improve the ease of doing business in South Africa. We want to enable investors to operate, trade and pursue opportunities in various sectors. We look forward to seeing more Nigerian companies investing in South Africa, he said. The South African leader said Africas development and the challenges facing countries of the Global South would be firmly placed on the G20 agenda. It will be the first time the G20 Leaders Summit will be held on African soil. We will seek to galvanise support for the AUs Agenda 2063 as we pursue an inclusive global agenda. For South Africa, it is our view that in shaping global discourse, programs should be tailored to ensure that in our societies, no one is left behind, he said. In a move that underscores its commitment to supporting military veterans, China has announced increases to the pensions and living allowances enjoyed by certain retired service members and other eligible recipients. The adjustment marks the 20th consecutive year that China has raised allowances for veterans, reflecting a sustained emphasis on honoring their service, according to the Ministry of Veterans Affairs. China has been working to better protect the rights and interests of the country's ex-servicemen and improve their well-being. In August, China issued a set of regulations for the settlement of veterans. Highlighting support for employment and starting up businesses, the regulations urge joint efforts from the military and civilian sectors to conduct skills training before and after retirement from the military. The document specifies that after leaving active duty, veterans are entitled to enjoy related benefits according to law. The Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has expressed support for the controversial tax reform bills introduced by Bola Tinubus administration, stating that it will put an end to the financial recklessness of the elites. Since their submission to the National Assembly, the tax reform bills have faced criticism, with many claiming they unfairly target the North and will overburden Nigerians. Speaking on Channels TVs Morning Brief on Tuesday, Rev. Kukah highlighted Nigerias untapped potential and the need for better structures to harness its citizens energy and talents. His words: Nigeria is a very energetic country with people that are so eminently gifted and are roaring to soar at any time. However, our problem is the inability of states to create enough gatherings to contain the energy, vision, and competing narratives of their citizens. This lack of competitive gatherings often spills over into violence. But I hear you when you speak about all the issues identified. And I am excited about the issue of tax reform bills because, first, I know nothing about it. But I have started educating myself. Any form of reform at all must get this thoroughly dysfunctional country working again. So I am excited because hopefully, we can take the time to listen to the conversation about how to avoid and end this financial recklessness and the irony of Nigerians living by the seaside and washing their faces with saliva. The reforms should end the narrative of Nigerians living in a country that is so richly endowed but are spectators to the rascality and irresponsibility of the elites who continue to mismanage our resources. So Im hopeful that this is the beginning of a very long journey of fiscal management and efficiency that can lead to the growth and development of the kind of country that we envision. Speaking further, Rev. Kukah advised that effective communication of the ongoing reforms is crucial, as Nigerians are grappling with high levels of poverty. What I can say is that this government must respond urgently to the issues of the day. They are issues of massive impoverishment in Nigeria. You can see the frustration on the faces of people, husbands, wives and children, he said. I am convinced that this government has lofty ideas, but there is a total absence of a constructive strategy of engagement. This government needs communication strategies. The Nigerian government needs to convince Nigerians that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and encourage them to be a little patient. I see the conversation around local government autonomy, tax reform bills and others. But the government has to communicate with the people. So when people call themselves government spokespersons- it is not about insulting people, or thinking others cant have different views. But their job is how the ideas of the government are communicated. We need to have an idea of the government reforms. We are happy to hear of the return of Port Harcourt Refinery. And the government needs to tell people what and what to expect at so-so time. Eight Tuareg rebel leaders have reportedly been killed by drone strikes on a town in Malis north that was carried out by the countrys military regime at a time when the Tuareg factions were discussing how to form a united military and political structure. Several synchronized drone strikes martyred some Azawad leaders on 1 December 2024, in Tinzaouatine, near the Algerian border, spokesman to Strategic Framework for the Defense of the People of Azawad (CSP-DPA) said in a statement. Azawad is the Tuareg name for their territory in northern Mali from where the Tuareg tribes have been fighting against Malis central government to realize their dream of an independent state, separated from Mali. The successful special operation that led to the killing of several senior rebel leaders, described as terrorists was also confirmed by the General Staff of the Malian armed forces on Sunday (1 December). After the collapse of the Gaddafi regime in Libya in 2011, Tuaregs who had been part of Gaddafis mercenary army returned to northern Mali with sophisticated weaponry where they formed the National Movement for Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) as the political-military platform to start a rebellion against Malis central government with the aim of achieving self-rule. A 2015 peace deal between the junta-led government and rebels collapsed in July this year and triggered renewed fighting, including a fierce battle around Tinzaouatine that killed dozens of Malian soldiers and Russian Wagner mercenaries. The latest attack was the first time since the start of the rebellion that so many Taureg leaders were killed in a single attack. Outgoing US president Joe Biden arrived in Angola on Monday (2 December) for his long-awaited inaugural presidential visit to the continent and also the first-ever visit by a sitting US head of state to the oil-rich southern African country. On his way to the African continent, Biden stopped in the Atlantic Ocean island nation of Cape Verde for a brief, closed-door meeting with prime minister Ulisses Correia e Silva. The US president was welcomed by his Angolan counterpart Joao Lourenco in the capital city Luanda where Biden also plans to visit the National Slavery Museum and then travel to the port city of Lobito for a look at the rail project. Biden promised to visit Africa last year after reviving the US-Africa Summit in December 2022. His last-minute trip to Africa is said to be both symbolic and strategic as it seeks to revitalize US-Africa relations and by reaffirming US presence on the continent to counterbalance Chinas and Russias growing influence across the continent. Central to Bidens agenda is economic and strategic development that will most notably revolve around high-level discussions of the Lobito Corridor, an ambitious railway project backed by US investments. This initiative, when completed, will connect Angola with the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia and will guarantee the facilitation of critical mineral exports that are essential for modern technology. The visit to Angola by the outgoing president comes at a time when China and Russia have sought to reshape the geopolitical landscape in Africa with infrastructure projects and military alliances. A pro-Polisario separatist has been arrested in Spain for inciting and preparing terrorist acts against Moroccan sites and interests. This confirms the link between Algeria-backed Polisario militia and terrorism. According to Spanish press reports, the woman was nabbed in Menorca, Balearic Islands, where she was living. She is facing charges of glorifying and inciting jihad against Morocco via social media networks. Spanish investigators found in her Telegram messenger App incriminating chats and messages seeking to acquire terrorist material including explosive vests. She also shared radical videos inciting militants to engage in violent acts against the North African Kingdom, said Diario de Mallorca. Several international experts have warned against the nexus between separatism and terrorism and especially the alarming ties between Polisario, Iran, and its proxies Hamas and Hezbollah. This raises serious concerns, requiring the designation of the Polisario Front as a terrorist organization and Algeria as a state sponsor of terrorism. The arrest by the Spanish authorities of Polisario jihadist in Menorca, the recent terrorist attack launched by Polisario thugs against Mahbes and the deadly rocket attacks on Smara launched last year are compelling evidences of the Polisario terrorism supported by Algerian junta, threatening regional stability. Time has come for accountability and standing against those harboring and funding terrorists. Time has come for the United States, Europe, and the United Nations to act and designate Polisario a terror organization for the sake of regional and global peace. King Mohammed VI is represented at the One Water Summit, which opened this Tuesday in Riyadh, by Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch. The summit is addressing the global scarcity of water resources and the related challenges. The One Water Summit, held alongside the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), is an initiative led by Saudi Arabia in partnership with France, Kazakhstan, and the World Bank to discuss global water scarcity. This edition, attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and World Bank President Ajay Banga, is bringing together hundreds of policymakers, business leaders, and experts from around the world. The event features several thematic sessions aimed at exploring best practices, showcasing the latest innovations, and reviewing progress in achieving the Initiatives objectives as part of ongoing efforts to enhance cooperation for a more sustainable future. Morocco is represented at the COP16, which runs until December 13, by a delegation from the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF), led by its Director General Abderrahim Houmy. Morocco, recognized for its active role in international fora on environmental issues, shares its wealth of experience in sustainable land management and combating desertification on this occasion. Actually, the Kingdom has initiated innovative strategies, particularly the Forets du Maroc 2020-2030 strategy, aimed at preserving natural resources and strengthening the resilience of vulnerable areas. As the national focal point for the implementation of the UNCCD in Morocco, ANEF has arranged for the installation of a pavilion representing the Kingdom, which will serve as a platform to showcase Moroccos best practices and achievements in combating desertification and managing drought. In addition, a side-event program will be organized by ANEF and its partners. These events will highlight national accomplishments, and identify opportunities for regional and international cooperation, with a particular focus on integrating local communities, essential for the success of preservation efforts. Through its participation in COP16, ANEF is reaffirming Moroccos commitment to enhanced international cooperation, crucial to meet the challenges posed by desertification. Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of UNCCD, COP16 is the largest UN land conference to date, and the first UNCCD COP held in the Middle East and North Africa region, which witnesses first-hand the impacts of desertification, land degradation, and drought. Justin Trudeau leaves his hotel for the airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, on November 30, 2024. Photo: Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images I hope youre getting used to waking up to the stupidest news youve ever heard because Donald Trumps latest pre-inauguration antics are really something. The day after Thanksgiving, Trump reportedly suggested to Justin Trudeau that Canada become the 51st state. That sounds like a joke, I know and it probably is? But maybe not! Trump floated this idea during a dinner at Mar-a-Lago, which the Canadian prime minister suggested after Trump tried to conduct serious trade negotiations via Truth Social. When Trudeau warned that Trumps threat to impose a 25 percent tariff on all goods from Canada would have dire economic consequences, the president-elect suggested the U.S. could just annex the second largest country in the world, per Fox News. The remark was met with nervous laughter, but its unclear if Trumps audience was laughing along with him or was simply stunned: Trudeau told Trump he cannot levy the tariff because it would kill the Canadian economy completely. Trump replied asking, so your country cant survive unless its ripping off the U.S. to the tune of $100 billion? Trump then suggested to Trudeau that Canada become the 51st state, which caused the prime minister and others to laugh nervously, sources told Fox News. The laughter continued as Trump needled Trudeau about becoming governor of Canada: But he continued, telling Trudeau that prime minister is a better title, though he could still be governor of the 51st state. Sources told Fox News someone at the table chimed in and advised Trump that Canada would be a very liberal state, which received even more laughter. Trump suggested that Canada could possibly become two states: a conservative and a liberal one. He told Trudeau that if he cannot handle his list of demands without ripping the U.S. off in trade, maybe Canada should really become a state or two and Trudeau could become a governor. While sources say the exchange got many laughs, Trump delivered the message that he expected change by January 20. But again, Trumps tone isnt clear from the report. (If this were any other leader, it would be obvious the jibes werent serious, but not with him.) And whatever his original intent was, now Trump is now using the idea of annexing Canada to publicly taunt Trudeau. On December 10 he posted this on Truth Social: And on December 18 he wrote this (at 3:23 a.m.!): The root issue here is Trumps issuing a serious economic threat against our neighbor in the stupidest manner possible. In a November 25 Truth Social post, he said Canada and Mexico will be hit with 25 percent tariffs on day one of his second term unless they meet his subjective demands. This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country! he wrote. This is not the first time Trump has made a ludicrous offer to annex a whole country: Back in 2019, he tried to buy Greenland. As the New York Times noted at the time, that offer also seemed like a dumb joke until Trump got mad at Denmark for refusing to consider his impossible proposal: It started as a headline seemingly straight out of The Onion. Then it unleashed a torrent of jokes on late-night television and social media. And finally it exploded into a serious diplomatic rupture between the United States and one of its longtime allies. In the latest only-in-Trumpland episode skating precariously along the line between farce and tragedy, the president of the United States on Wednesday attacked the prime minister of Denmark because she will not sell him Greenland and found the very notion absurd. Regardless of whether Trump was purely joking, blustering to make himself sound threatening, or seriously considering a takeover of Canada, this will likely play out just as the Greenland story did. Back then, no territory changed hands, and, as the Times put it, Trump made the U.S. the target of a global laughing fit. This post was updated to include Trumps Truth Social posts. Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers Good news for procrastinators: Cyber Monday might have ended last night, but plenty of retailers are extending the savings an extra day or two. Ive done some price and stock checking and whipped up a list organized alphabetically by company name for you to peruse all the deals that are still live. If youre not sure where to begin, start with the heavy hitters like Amazon or Nordstrom, where youll find deep discounts on tech, clothes, and toys for the same prices they were this weekend. But tons of other Strategist-loved retailers have good deals too, including clothing brands like Madewell and Everlane, travel brands like Calpak, and bedding brands like Parachute and the Company Store. But remember, most of these deals end tonight. If you want even more sales coverage, sign up for our email newsletter and stay in the loop. The deals I personally think are the best A lot of deals at Amazon are the same as they were yesterday, including this half-off puffer jacket from Marmot. Nordstroms Cyber Monday sale is also still going strong and is filled with great stocking stuffers, including the $26 cashmere beanie that was a hit with Strategist readers last year. And Soko Glam is offering our beloved snail-mucin serum for the cheapest price Ive seen in a long time just $11 with the code CYBERMON10! Alex Crane The breezy apparel brand is offering 30 percent off sitewide through December 3. The brand makes our best linen tee for both men and women, and its lightweight chore coat even earned a spot in the Strategist Menswear 100. Alo Yoga Alo Yogas entire site is 30 percent off through December 3, just in time for loungewear season. You cant go wrong with any of its supersoft leggings or workout bras. Amazon Amazons Cyber Week deals are still pretty good. Some standouts: AirTags at a very reasonable $73 for four, our best overall air purifier, and a teeny artificial Christmas tree. Ive pulled a few favorites below. Areaware All of Areawares colorful and kooky home decor is 30 percent off with the code MERRY30. (Thats 5 percent better than its sale last year.) Backcountry The outdoor-gear retailer is offering up to 60 percent off winter apparel and accessories. Ski, snowboard, and travel gear (like duffels and backpacks) are on sale, too. Balsam Hill Balsam Hills realistic-looking artificial Christmas trees are up to 50 percent off and dont snooze on the decor section to really spruce up your tree. Banana Republic Factory Everything at Banana Republics outlet store is 40 percent off, and the sale section is an extra 20 percent off at checkout. That includes our best overall work pant, the Hayden, which is now $29. Ban.do Everything at Ban.do (with a few exceptions) is 35 percent off with the code THEBEST through December 3. Ive been waiting for this sale to buy some Baggus. Bed Threads Australian brand Bed Threads is offering 20 percent off sitewide, and up to 35 percent off bundles, but I also dug around and found some final-sale colors for 50 percent off. Perhaps you remember the linen sheets from Troye Sivans viral Architectural Digest tour? Now, theyre a bit more within reach for a non-celebrity budget. Blue Apron A meal-delivery kit service makes a surprisingly nice gift, especially for those low on time. Through December 8, the first four weeks of any subscription is half off at Blue Apron. Brooklinen Everything is 25 percent off and bundles are up to 50 percent off through December 4. Its the best discount the brand offers, so if youve been thinking about upgrading to its super-plush towels, silky bedsheets, supportive-yet-soft pillows, or fluffy bathrobes, now is the time. (Amazon is price-matching some items, too; youll just need to apply the on-site coupon.) Calpak Calpaks sleek suitcases, bags, and other travel accessories are up to 60 percent off through December 6. I love the Hue carry-on, which Ive been using for over five years with minimal scratches or scrapes; and the faux-leather Kaya backpack, which is one of our favorite work bags, is an especially excellent deal at just $55. Catbird Catbird is offering 20 percent off almost everything (exceptions include its collaboration with Laufey and select designers) through December 2. Its the best deal youll see all year, so nows a good time to pick up some nice jewelry at a good discount. And dont sleep on the home and beauty section, which has fun little tchotchkes like this wind-up pigeon toy. The Company Store Weekly epic deals are up to 60 percent off, and orders over $75 are 30 percent off with the code BFDEALS24. The Company Store makes plenty of our favorite bedding, including both our best overall down comforter and jersey sheets. Crate & Barrel Crate & Barrel has a host of furniture, lighting, tableware, and more for up to 50 percent off. All orders over $49 ship for free. Doen If youre willing to do some digging, there are truly excellent deals to be found at Doen. I found swimsuits, sweaters, and sundresses for up to 70 percent off. Popular sizes go out of stock very quickly, so I wouldnt dillydally. Everlane Everlanes Cyber Monday sale usually has the best deals the brand offers, and this year is no different with discounts up to 60 percent off. Id go for the beanie and scarf if youre looking for gifts for others and the jeans and coats if youre looking for gifts for yourself. For even more, Rachael Griffiths rounded up all her top picks from the Everlane Cyber Monday sale here. Fly by Jing Fly by Jings Sichuan gift sets are up to 40 percent off. Food52 Food52 is having its best sale ever. Normally the retailer maxes out at 20 percent off, but this year its offering 25 percent off sitewide through December 2 with the code 25OFFHOLIDAY. Gap In typical Gap fashion, everything is at least 50 percent off. But if you dig, youll find plenty of very big deals for 60 percent off, too, like the striped beanie below thats just $13 (63 percent off). Girlfriend Collective If youre in need of some new winter workout gear, all full-price items at Girlfriend Collective are 35 percent off, and it sale section is up to 60 percent off. Glossier Through December 3, nearly everything is 25 percent off, and orders over $100 are 30 percent off. (Note that the discounts will only show up once you add items to your cart.) The beloved Balm Dotcom is even cheaper at just $10 thats nearly 40 percent off! There are a few of the brands products on sale at Sephora, too, but youre more likely to get a better deal at Glossier. Hanna Andersson This is Hanna Anderssons best sale all year. Everything is 50 percent off, so make sure you stock up on adorable all-cotton pajamas, sweaters, and more for the whole family. Huckberry Menswear often tends to get overlooked when it comes to Black Friday sales, but there are a lot of nice jackets, shoes, and accessories for up to 50 percent off at Huckberry. J.Crew Basically everything at J.Crew is up to 50 percent off, though I did see a few things for even (a little) cheaper, like Ottessa Moshfeghs pajamas. Kosas Everything at Kosas is 25 percent off, which is the best deal Ive seen the brand offer. If youve been looking for a sign to try the baby-pink powder thats going viral on TikTok, nows your chance to get it for $9 off. Lalo Stylish baby-gear brand Lalo is offering up to 40 percent off through December 2. The brands convertible high chair is our pick for infants (and comes with a free feeding smock), and its Strategist-approved Play Tent make a perfect gift. Levis Levis jeans are the most mentioned jeans in our best-in-class guides to denim for men and women, and right now everything is 40 percent off. Thats about as good a deal as the brand offers. And to outfit your little ones, kids denim and accessories get an even deeper discount at 50 percent off. Lisa Says Gah One of the sales Im most excited about is the one going on at Lisa Says Gah, where nearly all full-price items are 30 percent off. Even better, the sale section is an extra 40 percent off at checkout. Lululemon This is the best time to get actually good deals on Lululemons high-quality athleisure Im actually shocked that a pair of joggers is 50 percent off. Writer Katherine Gillespie has rounded up even more excellent deals from Lululemons Cyber Monday sale here. Madewell Everything (including sale items) at Madewell is 50 percent off with the code MADEBETTER. This is a good time to nab items that never really go on sale for more than 30 percent off, like our best-overall work bag, the Transport tote. Also worth considering: the Harlow pant (a Strategist favorite work pant), which is just $30 right now! Material Material Kitchen is having an even better deal than last year: Everything is up to 40 percent off through December 4. Im a fan of the brands cutting boards, and you can also find Materials knives and cookware in several of our best-in-class guides. Merrell Nearly everything is up to 40 percent off. The brands cult-y Encore Mocs, which designer Sandy Liang called the most comfortable shoes Ive ever worn, are the cheapest Ive seen them. And its hiking boots are the ones Strategist outdoors writer Jeremy Rellosa recommends nine times out of ten when someone asks for a hiking-boot recommendation. Net-a-Porter Thousands of items are up to 50 percent off at Net-a-Porter. There are some particularly good deals on both sneakers and holiday attire! For even more, check out fashion writer Ambar Pardillas guide to Net-a-Porters Black Friday sale here. Nordstrom Nordstrom has a lot of deals on gifty things, like the cashmere beanie that was a best seller with our readers last year and a trio of travel-size mascaras. You can find even more picks from Nordstroms sale here. Our Place Our Places colorful cookware and tableware is up to 40 percent off through December 3. The miniAlways Pan is a good option if youre short on space. We also love the brands best-in-class drinking glasses, which come in eight gem-colored tones (as well as some multicolored sets if you cant decide). Outdoor Voices Everything, including sale items, is 30 percent off at Outdoor Voices, and starting today, OV Extra items are an additional 50 percent off (which makes items like the Zephyr shorts below a mere $12!). Parachute This is the best deal Ive ever seen Parachute offer: Everything is 30 percent off (including already-on-sale items). Included in the sale are their best-in-class bathrobes, duvet covers, poofy pillows, and sheets. Ive pulled some best sellers below, but I also rounded up all our top picks from Parachutes sale here. Primary Primary makes colorful, non-gendered kids clothing thats already fairly affordable, and its all 40 percent off with the code CYBER40. (Plus, holiday pajamas are 50 percent off.) Weve featured the brand in our guides to childrens clothing and shopping for trans kids and teens as well as the Strategist Baby Registry, but I think the grown-ups section is pretty nice too. Reformation Everything is 25 percent off at Reformation. Its cool-person-approved denim is a staple if youre looking for high-waisted jeans or mom jeans, and the Matteo trench coat recently earned a spot on our best-in-class list. REI REI doesnt really do Black Friday sales, so its Cyber Monday sale is your only chance to save big before the holidays. There are some nice discounts, but pay attention to when they end: some are only through tonight, and others last through the end of the week. Silk & Snow Silk & Snow is offering up to 25 percent off everything, including Strategist-approved Egyptian-cotton sheets, through December 4. Plus youll get 25 percent off any bed frame when you buy a mattress and 30 percent off any nightstand when you buy a bed frame. Soko Glam Everything, with a few select exclusions, is up 50 percent off, and you can take an extra 10 percent off your entire order with the code CYBERMON10. Id suggest starting with our best hydrating toner from Olivarrier. We also have an entire guide to shopping the retailer here, if you need more inspiration. Ssense One of the best places to dig up designer goods is Ssense, and thankfully, its sale section is up and running. Writer Lauren Ro rounded up even more picks from Ssenses winter sale here. State Bags State Bags makes one of our best kids backpacks and the sleek toiletry bag one Strategist contributor toted to Paris. The brand is offering 30 percent off sitewide and 40 percent off bundles with the code BF24. Plus all purchases include free embroidered initials. (The discount will show up at checkout.) Sundays The newish Canadian DTC-furniture brand is offering up to 40 percent off through December 3 (and free shipping on everything). The Japandi-esque coffee table from our best-in-class guide is the cheapest Ive ever seen it at 30 percent off. Sur La Table Hundreds of items are up to 60 percent off for Sur La Tables Black Friday sale. The best deals are on products from the brands in-house line, including a handsome trivet and the dishes two Strategist staffers praised in our recent guide to dinner plates. Kitchen-and-dining writer Emma Wartzman says this sale has some of the best discounts shes seen. Tatcha Tatchas best sale of the year is back: Use the code CYBER24 to take 25 percent off sitewide. Im eyeing the dewy skin cream, a reader favorite that our beauty columnist, Rio Viera-Newton, says instantly makes skin look plumper, brighter, and intensely nourished. Walmart Hundreds of items are still up to 70 percent off at Walmart, and youll find the best deals in the tech section. Get the Strategist Sales Alert Daily dispatches from our deals-obsessed editors. 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. The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Chinese refiners are actively seeking alternative oil sources from the Middle East and Africa to meet their needs and diversify their supply chains. The scarcity of Iranian oil, caused by US sanctions and a crackdown on dark fleet tankers, has led to increased prices and limited availability. Chinese independent refiners, known as 'teapots,' are reducing Iranian oil imports due to the potential for stricter sanctions under the Trump administration. After years of abusing Iranian sanctions and flooding China's economy with cheap Iranian oil, Chinas larger independent refiners are set to shun Iranian oil imminently because of their exposure to the US banking system, said Energy Aspects, which expects sanctions to tighten under Trump. These plants only started buying Iranian crude this year after receiving guidance from the US State Department that sanctions wouldnt be enforced by the Biden administration, according to a note from the industry consultant, which didnt name the refiners. If confirmed that would be the latest foreign policy scandal by the captured and corrupt Biden admin, which has made a mockery of sanctions enforcement, especially if the alternative is sharply higher oil and gas prices. In any case, with the imminent arrival of Trump, the Chinese refining sector will be under significant pressure to consolidate and the government might be willing to sacrifice the teapots to score some easy points against Trump by clamping down Iranian imports. Limiting access would raise the cost of feedstock and slash margins for teapots and help Beijing to trim capacity. Activity by independent refiners has picked up in the spot market, with a number of plants securing barrels from the Middle East in recent trades, on top of WAF grades purchased two weeks ago. These were all unsold, discounted barrels from the previous cycles. With Iranian oil set to become extremely scarce, Chinas independent refiners have snapped up barrels from across the Middle East and Africa as offers of Iranian oil remain scarcer and more expensive than usual, in part due to broadening US sanctions. In a separate Bloomberg report, we learn that a large Chinese processor bought about 10 million barrels of grades from Abu Dhabi and Qatar, according to traders who asked not to be identified. The cargoes are for loading in December and January, and helped to clear an overhang of unsold crude from previous trading cycles, they added. Chinas independent refiners, known as teapots, typically favor cheaper Iranian crude and take around 90% of the OPEC producers exports, but a slowdown in the amount of oil available to purchase has forced a change in buying habits. The incoming Trump administration has also led to some large processors backing away from Tehrans crude due to their exposure to US banking, according to Energy Aspects. Traders and shippers put the scarcity of Iranian supply down to the broadening of US sanctions in October to include more dark fleet tankers plying the Iran-China trade. That move has crimped the number of vessels available for ship-to-ship transfers, tightening supply and driving prices higher (see "Satellite Analysis Shows Enormity Of Secretive Oil Shipping Hub Funneling Iranian Crude To China"). Flows of Iranian oil to China have dipped more than 10% this month compared with October, according to Kpler. Meanwhile, the volume of West African crude is at the highest on a monthly basis in at least two years, partly driven by the spike in Iranian oil prices, Sentosa Shipbrokers wrote in a report. Beijings move to issue more import quotas to teapots has also spurred buying activity, traders said. Refiners were asked to submit requests to purchase more crude a few months ago and were provided verbal approvals this week, but some started buying ahead of the confirmation, they added. Refiners in Shandong province collectively sought an allocation of about 3.8 million tons, or 28.5 million barrels, which will be valid until the end of the year, according to traders. The initial build-up of Middle Eastern oil was spurred by bumper trading activity in contracts linked to the Dubai market in recent months. That led to the delivery of cargoes that ultimately went unconsumed and had to find buyers at a later date, traders said. President-elect Donald Trump has already rattled the market with the threat of tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico, and investors are closely watching to see how his administration will approach Iran. Sanctions on the OPEC producer are expected to tighten, according to Energy Aspects. Key concerns include the possibility dark fleet tankers will be sanctioned en-route to their destination, a move that would spook the ports waiting to receive the vessels and lead to cargoes being stranded at sea. We previously discussed how ship-to-ship transfers off Malaysia are also set to face more scrutiny, a process used to mask the origin of Iranian cargoes by re-labeling them as Malaysian oil. By Zerohedge.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com None of the three dozen sales of oil wells proposed in California this year has materialized due to the considerable clean-up costs for the wells estimated by the states oil and gas regulator. Last year, California sought to prevent a rise in the already high number of so-called orphan oil wells. The state also looked to keep from passing off to taxpayers the liability for plugging and abandoning oil wells should operators not have sufficient funds to plug and decommission non-producing or marginal wells and clean up the sites. Thats why California Governor Gavin Newsom signed in the autumn of 2023 the Orphan Well Prevention Act, AB 1167. This act creates a process requiring the State Oil and Gas Supervisor to approve transfers of marginal oil and gas wells only once the full cost of well plugging and abandonment and site restoration is covered by a bond or other financial assurance mechanisms. As marginally productive wells are increasingly sold to companies without the resources to retire them, we now have an insurance policy if they go bankrupt and disappear, Katelyn Roedner Sutter, California State Director at Environmental Defense Fund, said at the time. Under the new law, entities obtaining the rights to operate an oil well or a production facility need to file with the drilling regulator, California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM), an individual indemnity bond for the well or production facility, or a blanket indemnity bond for multiple wells or production facilities. Related: Trump Threatens BRICS Countries With 100% Tariffs If They Ditch The Dollar But the amount of the bond should be determined by the supervisor and needs to be sufficient to cover, in full, all costs of plugging and abandonment, decommissioning of the facility, and site restoration, as provided, according to the bill. However, the regulators bonding estimates are so much higher than internal company assessments that none of the 37 proposed sales of wells this year has proceeded, industry executives and analysts have told Capital & Main. The California law is now working in part to prevent companies without the necessary funds to clean up the wells from obtaining the rights to them, thus diminishing the risk that these costs would end up being paid by taxpayers in some form in the future. But the law has also essentially stalled any oil well transactions, and none of proposed sales of 766 wells in California has been completed this year, according to Capital & Main. The Californian regulator places such high costs on abandonment and remediation that it makes the transfers impossible, unaffordable, and economically unfeasible to bond, Chad Hathaway, who owns Hathaway LLC, a company refurbishing oil wells operating in Kern County, told Capital & Main via email. Meanwhile, the problem with orphan wells in California is getting worse. At the time of the 2023 law on bonding requirements established by the state, 41% of Californias oil and gas wells were either idle or orphaned, Environment California said. The costs for plugging and cleaning up these wells is an estimated $2.8 billion, according to the organization. More than 5,500 wells in California are already likely orphaned, and nearly 70,000 more are at risk of becoming orphaned in the near future, Environment California said. Last year, Carbon Tracker said that onshore oil production in California has plunged by 42% since 2014 with the depletion of the mature resources. As of 2023, Californias oil sector was sitting on at least $13.2 billion in onshore decommissioning costs for the dried-up wells, Carbon Tracker said in a report. Thats more than double the expected profits of the oil companies from California, which are projected to total $6.3 billion. Even if all future profits from onshore operations in the state were redirected to decommissioning, the remaining clean-up costs would be at least $6.9 billion, according to Carbon Trackers estimates. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com This article emphasizes the need for nuanced and balanced policymaking to address the complex challenges of climate change. Donald Trumps nomination of Chris Wright as Secretary of Energy has sparked significant debate, with environmental groups labeling him a climate skeptic or climate denier regarding his views. However, a closer examination of Wrights publicly stated views reveals a more nuanced position that doesnt align with typical climate change skepticism. Climate Change Skepticism Conventional climate change skeptics question the causes, severity, or even existence of human-driven climate change for several reasons. Some argue that the scientific consensus is not as settled as widely portrayed, suggesting that dissenting voices in the scientific community are ignored or suppressed. They often point to the complexity and perceived inaccuracy of climate models as evidence of unreliable predictions. Others base their arguments on the Earths natural climate variability. Skeptics note that the planet has experienced significant climatic shifts, such as ice ages and warm periods, long before industrialization, implying that current changes might also be part of natural cycles. This viewpoint is tied to skepticism about whether humans are the primary drivers of observed warming trends. Questions about data reliability are another pillar of skepticism. Some believe that adjustments made to historical temperature records introduce biases, undermining the trustworthiness of climate research. Similarly, skeptics often downplay the predicted impacts of climate change, viewing catastrophic forecasts as exaggerated worst-case scenarios that may not come to pass. Chris Wrights Stance: Not a Climate Change Skeptic Unlike traditional skeptics, Wright acknowledges that carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas contributing to atmospheric warming. As Forbes columnist Christopher Helman noted in a profile piece on Wright, He has stated publicly for years his belief that carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that is no doubt making the atmosphere warmer than it otherwise would be. This acceptance separates him from outright climate change deniers. Wrights positions focus more on the economic and practical implications of addressing climate change rather than disputing its existence. Economic and Practical Perspectives Wrights approach mirrors a school of thought that challenges the economic feasibility of extreme climate measures. This group may argue that measures like carbon taxes and green energy subsidies disproportionately burden economies and lower-income populations without guaranteed benefits. Another perspective emphasizes human adaptability, arguing that societies have historically overcome environmental challenges and can adapt to future changes without drastic interventions. This is coupled with the belief that media coverage overstates the immediacy and severity of climate issues to create sensationalist narratives, leading to public misunderstandings. Lastly, some challenge the notion that proposed solutions will be effective or equitable. They argue that the costs and disruptions associated with transitioning to renewable energy or implementing climate policies might outweigh the benefits, particularly when the scale of global emissions reductions needed seems daunting and the efforts of developed nations might be offset by rising emissions in developing economies. A Global Perspective The following graphic provides an example of how someone can accept the reality of climate change, while simultaneously arguing that proposed solutions will not help the U.S. materially impact the outcome. Top Three CO2 Emitters. Robert Rapier China, the U.S., and India are the worlds top three carbon emitters. U.S. emissions since 1990 have declined, especially since the early days of the fracking boom about 20 years ago. Over the past decade, U.S. emissions have fallen at an average annual rate of 0.9%. Chinas emissions, on the other hand, have grown rapidly. Since 1990, Chinas emissions have increased by a factor of five. In the process, China surpassed the U.S. as the worlds largest carbon emitter. India remains in third place globally, but over the past decade its emissions have grown at an average annual rate of 4.1% by far the fastest growth rate of the top three. The economic argument is that even if the U.S. could get carbon emissions to zero, it would only amount to the increase in Chinas emission increase since 2006. In other words, China has added the equivalent of all U.S. emissions in under 20 years. Historical Emissions and Global Responsibility Critics of this position point to the U.S.s historical responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions. They argue that the U.S. has a moral obligation to lead emissions reductions because it has put more carbon emissions into the atmosphere than any other country. While this is true, advocates of Wrights stance highlight two key points: first, China is on track to soon surpass the U.S. in cumulative historical emissions, and second, the most effective way to combat emissions globally is to address current and future emissions trends. The Broader Implications The debate surrounding Wrights nomination underscores the complexity of addressing climate change. It raises critical questions about balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility and the role of developed nations in leading global climate efforts. Wrights positions challenge conventional approaches to climate policy, emphasizing practicality and adaptability over sweeping mandates. Conclusion Chris Wrights views highlight the tension between environmental goals and economic considerations. While critics may label him a skeptic, his acknowledgment of carbon dioxides role in global warming distinguishes him from outright deniers. The debate over his nomination reflects broader societal challenges in achieving a sustainable and equitable path to addressing climate change. As the global community continues to grapple with these issues, the importance of nuanced and balanced policymaking cannot be overstated. By Robert Rapier More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Anticipating that President-elect Donald Trump will fulfill his promise of a 25% tariff on all imports from Mexico and Canada and an additional 10% tariff on imports from China, importers are frontloading freight before the tariff wall takes effect in less than two months. Bloomberg reports that international cargo flights out of the world's second-largest economy are ramping up to new records in the weeks after the presidential election. According to the Ministry of Transport data, there were 3,485 international cargo flights in or out of China last week, the most since March 2023or about the time when China reopened its economy after a few years of lockdowns. Last week was the third consecutive week with more than 3,400 flights. Souce: Bloomberg "The threatened tariffs on Canada and Mexico will motivate US importers to frontload imports and accumulate inventories, regardless of whether the tariffs are implemented," Barclays analyst Pooja Sriram wrote in a note to clients earlier this week. Sriram said, "The 25% tariffs could intensify this pull-forward effect, leading to an even stronger surge in imports in late 2024 and early 2025, thereby widening the trade deficit." Several Chinese manufacturers, including Shenzhen Lingke Technology, a lighting products manufacturer, told Nikkei Asia that major US retailers have already increased orders. "The thinking is that American clients want to lock in as many profits as possible before a new round of tariffs kick in," Wu Zhiqiang, CEO of Shenzhen Lingke, told the media outlet. Nikkei reported, "Microsoft, HP and Dell are scrambling to obtain as many electronic parts as they can before January." "We think shipment could be front-loaded, boosting exports in the first half of 2025 before dampening them in the second half," other Barclays analysts wrote in a note. Analysts at the bank expect a 30% tariff increase from the U.S. on Chinese goods next year, which would cap China's economic growth in 2025 to about 4%. Mike Beckham, CEO of Simple Modern, which produces drinkware and other lifestyle production in Oklahoma, although it relies on components from China, warned there is a lot of tarrif "uncertainty right now." "Some companies are attempting to ship as much as they can right now, but it has not been a major driver of strategy for the companies I am close with," Beckham said. China's export boom bodes well for logistics firms, such as freight forwarders and carriers, in the short term, as the panic to pull forward as much product as possible before tariffs go into effect early next year. A report from Judah Levine, head of research at Freightos, noted that air cargo prices out of China "have still not spiked and carriers report being busy but not overwhelmed even as December approaches," adding, "Capacity additions to these lanes and shippers who adjusted and planned ahead may prove to be enough to prevent extreme rate climbs and congestion through the end of the year." Trump announced earlier this week he intends to levy a 25% tariff on all imports from Mexico and Canada and an additional 10% tariff on imports from China. Tariffs on Mexico and Canada would remain in place until the flow of "drugs, in particular fentanyl, and all illegal aliens stop," while tariffs on China would remain in place "until such time as [the drugs that are pouring into our country] stop." He also stated that on January 20, he would "sign all necessary documents" to implement the tariffs on Mexico and Canada as one of his "many first Executive Orders." Overall, the tariff announcement is reminiscent of the first Trump administration, when such tariffs were announced as a negotiating tactic, rather than the more systematic tariff policies (e.g., the 10-20% "universal baseline tariff") Trump frequently discussed during the campaign. Deutsche Bank's chief FX strategist, George Saravelos, wrote a note late this week outlining the ten biggest takeaways his desk had about the incoming Trump tariffs. Saravelos pointed out the countries that would be most affected by tariffs, including Mexico, Vietnam, and Canada. The great pull-forward of freight to hedge against Trump tariffs is well underwayreminiscent of 2018. The only problem is that freight demand will likely slide once frontloading is over. By Zerohedge.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Europe is depleting its natural gas reserves at the fastest rate in six years as still winter weather and low temperatures combine to challenge the continents transition away from hydrocarbonsand delay it. Since the start of official winter seasonOctober 1gas in storage levels in the EU and the UK have declined by 83 terawatt-hours, energy analyst John Kemp reported last month. This is the fastest rate of withdrawals since 2016, he said, adding that the rate of withdrawals was over four times faster than the average for the last decade. Citing data from Gas Infrastructure Europe, Kemp said the level of gas in storage was still comfortable but palpably lower than it was in the past two winters. Indeed, the Gas Infrastructure Europe data for daily injections and withdrawals paints a worrying picture. In Germany, for instance, gas in storage stood at a comfortable 90.93% as of November 30, but withdrawals were at 831.6 TWh, with injections at 44.38 TWh. The countrys consumption hit 888.83 TWh on that day. The EU total gas in storage stands at 85.47% of capacity, with withdrawals at 4,364 TWh on November 30 at injection at 538 TWh. The EUs consumption of gas on that day stood at 3,761 TWhbecause solar panels are at the bottom of their output curve, and the wind is not blowing consistently enough to power the grid. The Dunkelflaute from early November is now over, by the way, and yet Germany is still using a lot of gasand even more coal. With this level of consumption, especially after the complacency of the last two winters, which were milder than usual, it is hardly a surprise that prices are prompting certain worries. The November average for the European gas benchmarkthe Title Transfer Facilitywas 16% higher than the average for October, reaching 47 euros per megawatt-hour. Thats up from 25 euro per MWh for February this year, which marked a three-year low, Euronews reported last week. Related: Libya Sets New Oil Production Record A cold snap across the Atlantic has intensified market tightness, with sub-zero temperatures hitting northwest Europe and the US Northeast, Quantum Commodity Intelligence said in a recent note. Such weather is pretty normal for the winter but, again, Europe grew complacent over the last two years, mistaking its luck for success in energy policies. Now, in addition to the cold winter and the lower wind power output, it is facing the additional danger of losing the last remains of Russian pipeline gas via Ukraine. It appears that some in Brussels dont see this as a problem. On the contrary, Europes leadership wants to get rid of Russian gas by 2027. The problem with that is that alternatives are more expensive, and there is more competition for them. It seems, however, that there may be a change in thinking after the outgoing energy commissioner suggested European traders could buy Russian gas at the border with Ukraine, according to an FT report. The suggestion comes ahead of the December 31 expiry of the gas transit contract between Gazprom and Ukraines Naftogas, which the latter has signaled repeatedly that it would not renew. This means that Russian gas flows will end smack in the middle of winterprices have nowhere to go but higher, especially as demand from Asia also rises, and so do spot market prices for American liquefied natural gas. For November, Europe is expected to have imported some 9.16 million tons of LNG, of which 4.32 million tons are from the United States, according to data from Kpler cited by Reuters. The rest is coming from other sources including, notably, Russia. Prices, meanwhile, are rising. Indeed, the total price climb for the Asian spot market this year has reached a sizeable 76%. This has priced out the most sensitive importers, leaving more LNG for Europeat a price. Currently, this pricethe spot market price for North Asiais close to $15 per million British thermal units. However, it could rise above $20 per mmBtu, according to Goldman Sachs, if Europes gas supply tightens furtherwhich is a virtual certainty as winter proper sets in. That's the near-term dynamic, given this vulnerability of Europe, the lack of spare capacity, the loss of the residual Russian volumes currently going through Ukraine, and I should say, a colder than average start of the winter, Samantha Dart, co-head of the banks commodity market research, told Reuters last week. Europe is facing a gas reckoning that was initially predicted for the winter of 2022-23. As luckand possibly climate changewould have it, the reckoning was delayed by two heating seasons. Yet now, as El Nino moves aside to let in La Nina, winter is back to its usual cold, and Europe is getting a stark reminder that wind turbines dont generate electricity when the wind is not blowing, and solar panels dont generate when theyre covered with snow. Much as transition-happy government officials might hate it, the choice is either fossil fuels or hypothermia. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com One of the biggest hydropower plants in South America is ramping up electricity generation as the historic drought in the Amazon in September and October has eased and the rainy season has begun. The Santo Antonio hydropower plant on the Madeira River in the Amazon has even managed to generate some electricity during the drought this year after lessons learned from last years drought, the plants president Caio Pompeu Neto has told Reuters. Santo Antonio, operated by Latin Americas biggest power utility Eletrobras, has created this year a system to artificially raise downstream water levels, Neto said. Santo Antonio has a capacity to generate more than 3 gigawatts (GW). Thanks to changes in the plants operations, it managed to generate about 400 megawatts (MW) during the peak drought months in September and October, when water levels on the Madeira River slumped to a record low, the plants executive told Reuters. In October 2024, rivers in the Amazon basin fell to record-low levels in as drought gripped vast areas of South America. Hydroelectric power generation was affected in parts of Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Hydropower is the single biggest electricity source in Brazil, accounting for around 60% of all power generation. Last year, for example, Brazil generated as much as 91% of its electricity from clean energy sources, climate think tank Ember said in October. With hydropower at 60% of power generation, and another 21% coming from wind and solar, Brazil has one of the cleanest power mixes, well above the global average of 39%, according to Ember. Last year, the think tank estimated Brazil relied on fossil fuels for just 9% of its electricity. However, severe droughts and lower power output at hydroelectric plants often lead to Brazil resorting to increased imports of LNG to meet demand without sacrificing energy security. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Canadas pipeline giant Enbridge Inc. expects its core profit to be higher in 2025 compared to 2024 levels, thanks to the expected strong utilization of its assets and the contribution of recently acquired U.S. natural gas assets. Enbridge on Tuesday announced its first guidance for the core profit or adjusted earnings before interest, income taxes, and depreciation (EBITDA) for 2025. The guidance of adjusted EBITDA of US$13.8 billion to US$14.2 billion (C$19.4 billion to C$20.0 billion) is 17% higher than the original guidance for 2024. The 2025 adjusted EBITDA guidance represents a 9% increase from the midpoint of our 2024 recast guidance and is 17% higher than our original 2024 guidance, driven by a full year of contributions from our U.S. gas utilities acquisitions, the roughly $5 billion of secured projects we're on track to place into service in 2024 and continued strong expected utilization of our assets, Enbridges president and CEO, Greg Ebel, said in a statement. Enbridge also expects to raise its common share dividend by 3% next year, which would mark the 30th consecutive annual increase. Last month, Enbridge said that its third-quarter profit more than doubled from a year earlier, thanks to higher tolls on the Mainline pipeline system, higher contributions from U.S. Gulf Coast natural gas storage assets, and contributions from recently acquired utilities in the U.S. Enbridge, which operates the Mainline system moving over 3 million barrels a day of crude oil and liquids from Western Canada to the demand markets in the United States, struck a deal to buy three natural gas utilities in the United States from Dominion Energy, for a total consideration of $14 billion. Last month, another Canada-based pipeline operator, TC Energy Corporation, said it expects to book a higher core profit in 2025 compared to 2024 amid increased demand for natural gas and electricity in North America. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com ExxonMobil and its partners in Guyana continue to discuss with the local government terms to develop a shallow-water block won in a 2022 auction, a spokesperson for the U.S. supermajor has told Reuters. The consortium of ExxonMobil and its partners, U.S. Hess Corp and Chinas CNOOC has been pumping all the crude oil in Guyana, with production currently exceeding 600,000 barrels per day (bpd) from one offshore blockthe Stabroek Block. The consortium is also interested in developing a shallow-water block offshore the South American country, which has become the worlds newest oil producer thanks to Exxon and its partners that developed several producing platforms in Stabroek. ExxonMobil, Hess, and CNOOC remain interested in the shallow-water block, Exxons spokesperson told Reuters via email, after Guyanas Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said on November 21 that the consortium had pulled out of the talks. Last week, Jagdeo said that Exxon had written to the government to confirm it was interested in the shallow-water block. They said there might have been a misunderstanding, they have not walked away from the talks, Jagdeo said last week, as carried by Reuters. Let's see how it goes, the vice president added. Since discovering first oil in what turned out to be a very prolific Stabroek block, Exxon, Hess, and CNOOC have received billions of U.S. dollars in revenues and net profits, as production has been ramping up and is now more than 600,000 bpd. Exxons consortium is currently producing a total of 665,000 bpd in Guyana but over the longer term eyes production of over 1 million bpd. Total oil production in the country is seen rising to over 1.6 million bpd by 2030, as the government seeks to maximize returns from the industry before the predicted demand growth peak. If the peak demand predictions fail to materialize, the outlook for Guyanas oil industry is even brighter. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com A fuel oil smuggling network in Iraq has generated some $1 billion in profits for Iran, Reuters has reported, citing unnamed sources. According to the sources, $1 billion is the size of the annual profits from the operation, which began after Mohammed Shia al-Sudani became Prime Minister of Iraq. The smuggling mechanism essentially involves diverting fuel oil from Iraqi asphalt plants and sending it to Asia. The network consists of companies and individuals in both Iran and Iraq, as well as several Gulf states, the Reuters report also said, noting some of the information came from three intelligence reports from Western sources without specifying the sources. The network diverts an average of between 500,000 and 750,000 metric tons of heavy fuel oil from Iraqi asphalt plants every month, the Reuters sources said. The amount is equivalent to between 3.4 million and 5 million barrels of oil. Allegations that Iraq is helping Iran sell its oil abroad are not new. Indeed, earlier this year, a group of U.S. congressmen called on President Biden to ban Iraqs oil minister from attending events in the United States because of his alleged involvement in Iranian sanction evasion. The group also demanded an investigation into Minister Hayyan Abdul-Ghani and other Iraqi officials on their alleged participation in sanction evasion. There are multiple public reports alleging that Abdul-Ghani and other officials in the Iraqi government are involved in industrial-scale sanctions evasion on behalf of the regime in Iran, the congressmen wrote. Given these reports, we respectfully request that your administration prevent Minister Abdul-Ghani from attending events in the United States until these allegations are investigated and the findings are presented to Congress. Those allegations concerned Iraqi oil that got shipped to Iran, from where it was loaded on ships or trucks and moved on to its final destinations which allegedly included Afghanistan and Pakistan. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Iraq had to halt operations at the Basra refinery this weekend because of an overflow in fuel oil tanks, Reuters reported today, citing unnamed sources. The excess inventory built because of the lack of buyers, the sources said. No fuel oil tanker has docked at the Khor Zuhair port since the middle of last week, according to the sources. This prompted the suspension of operations at the refinery and it remains unclear when these will resume. The facility churns out some 260,000 barrels of fuel oil daily. Resuming operations depends on the arrival of ships to load the fuel oil, which is causing the storage tanks to overload. This process is under the control of the state oil marketer SOMO, one Iraqi official told Reuters. The news comes out on the heels of another Reuters report that implicates the Iraqi government and local businesses in participating in a fuel oil smuggling scheme that is making billions for sanctioned Iran. Iraq is OPECs second-largest oil producer but it has been having problems with expanding its production in line with government ambitions. Recently, the government made a big step towards solving these problems by motivating more foreign investment in the countrys oil and gas sector. Previously, companies operating in Iraqs oil industry got remunerated through technical service contracts. These offer a flat rate for every barrel of oil produced after reimbursing costs. They generally pay foreign investors less than what they would have received under production-sharing contracts. Naturally, foreign operators have not been happy about it. Now, Baghdad changed the contract framework and will compensate oil field operators on a revenue-sharing basis, which would allow operators to benefit from international oil price rallies. The revenue-sharing scheme will see 25% of the revenue from each barrel going to Iraq as a royalty, and 75% back to stakeholders. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com OPEC+ is discussing an extension of its production cuts until the end of the first quarter of 2025, Reuters has reported, citing unnamed sources from the group. OPEC+ is meeting on Thursday to co-ordinate production policy and extending the cuts is the most logical course of action in light of recent price trends, which have seen the benchmarks stuck below the level that most large OPEC+ producers need to be make their budgetary ends meet. OPEC+ agreed the cuts last year in response to the slide in prices following their strong rally in 2022. The cuts worked to stabilize prices but the slide soon resumed, driven by weakening Chinese demand growth after the post-lockdown boom and predictions that peak oil demand is not far on the horizon. That, and the perception of ample supply despite the cuts has served to keep oil prices in a rather limited range, prompting OPEC+ in turn to keep extending its cuts despite plans to gradually begin returning supply to market this year and restore the full volume of the cuts by the end of 2025. The total amount in daily supply withheld by the cartel stands at some 5.86 million barrels daily. Despite the quite significant size of the cuts, traders have shrugged them off, looking at China where demand growth has weakened this year, after soaring two years ago following the end of the pandemic lockdowns. Most analysts appear to agree with that perception of weak demand and ample supply. Some, however, are warning that the supply and demand situation of crude oil may be rather different than that perception. We think that oil prices are about $5 per barrel undervalued relative to the fair value based on the level of inventories, Goldman Sachs analysts said recently, implying a market correction may be on the horizon. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Panama will cancel the registration of six ships sailing under its flag after they were sanctioned by the UK last week. The delisting comes after Panamas maritime authority in October pledged to penalize vessels sanctioned by the U.S., European Union, UK and United Nations. Moscow continues to export large volumes of crude despite sanctions by the West. Safeguarding the prestige of our flag is a top priority for this administration. The state has a fundamental responsibility to protect the integrity of the Panamanian ship registry, ensuring it remains free from international sanctions and unlinked to vessels associated with such listings, Ramon Franco, director general of merchant marine at the Panama Maritime Authority, said in a statement. Earlier in the year, Panama Canal authorities engaged in talks with U.S. LNG producers on how to meet increased demand for crossings as water levels recovered. The canal authorities worked with shippers to secure more passage for LNG customers, with plans to build water reservoirs as a solution to mitigate climate change-related shortages. Last year, Europe accounted for 66 percent of total U.S. LNG exports, followed by Asia at 26 percent and Latin America and the Middle East with a combined eight percent. However, Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG) is highly optimistic about Asian LNG demand, despite some countries with large gas-reliant economies currently hampered by poor credit ratings. "They tend to rely more on state-to-state agreements. Obviously that is not something we can participate in. We see Thailand, Philippines as very attractive markets," Chief Commercial Officer Anatol Feygin told Reuters. Feygin expects China to import 100 million metric tons per year in the future, up from about 64 million metric tons in 2022. However, Europes likely to continue being the leading consumer of U.S. LNG for years to come, with the continent poised to cut off more Russian gas. Earlier, Politico reported that the European Commission proposed sanctions on Russia's LNG sector as part of Brussels 14th sanctions package against Russia. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Russias crude oil and LNG exports to Asia are on track to see only small declines this year compared to 2023 as major buyers in Asia continue to buy Russian energy commodities that are either banned or under restrictions in the West. The Western sanctions on Russia havent been felt too much in Asia, where China continues to import oil and gas at prices it sees fit, regardless of what Beijing dismisses as unilateral U.S. sanctions. This year, Asia is set to import about 3.22 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude from Russia, which would be a 5.6% decline compared to the 3.41 million bpd imported in 2023, per data from commodity analysts Kpler cited by Reuters columnist Clyde Russell. Asia is also on track to import 1.6% lower volumes of Russian LNG, at about 14.93 million tons in 2024, according to the data compiled by Kpler. U.S. ally South Korea has significantly reduced its crude oil imports from Russia. But another ally, Japan, continues to buy LNG from Sakhalin-2 LNG because a Japanese company has a stake in the Russia-led LNG venture and Japan considers this LNG supply crucial for its energy supply and security. In Asia, the top buyer of Russias LNG is China, whose imports this year are set to be essentially flat compared to last yearat 6.65 million tons, compared to 6.63 million in 2023. The 5.6% decline in Asian imports of Russian crude oil is mostly driven by an estimated drop of around 100,000 bpd in Chinas imports from Russia, per Kpler data, amid overall weaker Chinese crude imports this year. Last month, Saudi Arabias oil exports to Asia rose, while Russias crude sales in the worlds most important oil-importing region fell amid lower purchases by Moscows two key markets, China and India. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Russias crude oil shipments jumped by 570,000 barrels per day (bpd) last week, to 3.36 million bpd, just ahead of the OPEC+ meeting which will discuss on Thursday the groups production plans for early next year. More vessels loading from Russias western ports drove the surge in seaborne shipments in the week to December 1, according to tanker-tracking data monitored by Bloomberg. The four-week average crude oil exports by sea also rose, for the first time in three weeks, per the data reported by Bloombergs Julian Lee on Tuesday. In the four weeks to December 1, Russian crude oil shipments from its oil export terminals averaged 3.13 million bpd, up by 50,000 bpd compared to the four-week average to November 24, according to Bloombergs estimates. The four-week average is a less volatile figure than weekly shipments as it is less affected by adverse weather conditions and other short-lived disruptions. The Russian shipments from the western ports on the Baltic and Black Seas recovered in the week to December 1, after two weeks of below-normal activity, per Bloombergs analysis. During the previous week to November 24, Russias crude oil exports by sea fell in the four weeks compared to the previous four-week average by the steepest volume since July, amid lower shipments to India, tanker-tracking data analyzed by Bloomberg showed last week. As of November 24, Russian exports were at around a two-month low. Now the more volatile weekly jump in shipments in the week to December 1 comes as the OPEC+ group, including Russia, meet on December 5 to discuss production levels and supply to the market. The latest market speculation is that OPEC+ is discussing a three-month extension of its production cuts until the end of the first quarter of 2025, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing unnamed sources from the group. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Strengthening winter demand from China and higher prices of Irans crude has pushed the spot premiums of Russias ESPO blend from the Far East to its highest level against ICE Brent since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, anonymous trading sources told Reuters. Cargoes of the ESPO Blend set to load in January are now trading at a premium of between $1.30 and $1.50 per barrel over the ICE Brent on delivered ex-ship (DES) China basis, the trade sources told Reuters. Thats higher than the spot premiums of ESPO of $1 per barrel for cargoes that loaded last month and are loading in December. The current spot premiums of ESPO over Brent are the highest since early 2022 when the war in Ukraine broke out, according to data compiled by Reuters. The push higher in recent weeks has been the result of increased winter demand for ESPO by Chinese refiners, which favor this Russian grade for winter-type diesel, the trade sources told Reuters. The additional year-end crude oil import quotas, which the Chinese authorities granted to independent refiners last month, are also bolstering demand for crude, including for ESPO, at the so-called teapots. This additional import quota, equal to about 116,800 barrels per day (bpd) of crude, could boost Chinese imports at the end of a disappointing year for oil purchases and consumption. In addition, supply from Iran for Chinese refiners has also become more expensive over the past few weeks, further supporting the rise in Russias ESPO crude prices. Private Chinese refiners, who buy most of Irans crude, have recently scoured West Africa and the Middle East for supply unsold in previous trade cycles, as flows of Iranian crude have dropped amid higher prices and preparation for the incoming Trump Administration. Irans crude oil going to China these days is priced at its narrowest discount to Brent in five years as Iranian cargo loadings slumped in October amid fears that Israel would target Tehrans energy facilities in response to the Iranian missile attack on Israel on October 1. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The U.S. Treasury Department announced a new wave of sanctions on Irans energy sector, focusing on oil exports and financial networks that enable Tehran to bypass existing restrictions. These measures are aimed at addressing the countrys continued "destabilizing behavior" in the Middle East, according to a new statement made Tuesday by the U.S. Treasury Department. In Tuesdays statement, the Treasury emphasized its commitment to constraining Irans ability to fund activities that undermine regional stability. Iran continues to funnel revenues from its petroleum trade toward the development of its nuclear program, proliferation of its ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle technology, and sponsorship of its regional terrorist proxies, risking further destabilizing the region, said Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley T. Smith. The United States remains committed to disrupting the shadow fleet of vessels and operators that facilitate these illicit activities, using the full range of our tools and authorities. The Treasury Departments goal with the sanctions is to curtail Iran's access to revenue streams that it claims are fueling activities contrary to U.S. interests. Chinas role complicates things further. Beijing has historically been one of Tehrans largest oil customers, but tracking data and analyses suggest that China is shifting towards Russian crude, driven in part by price incentives and logistical advantages. Iran is now under pressure to develop alternative buyers for its heavily discounted oil. The Treasurys actions come at a critical moment for the global oil market. OPEC+ members are considering an adjustment to their output levels and geopolitical tensions are influencing supply routes. Any disruption to Irans oil flows would add to the market strain. Iran's persistent efforts to evade sanctions, including its reliance on shadowy shipping networks and third-party intermediaries, remain a significant challenge for enforcement agencies. Iran is now facing shrinking avenues to sustain its oil revenues, especially with key players like China showing signs of realignment. Whether these sanctions will materially curb Tehrans oil ambitions remains to be seen, but the message from Washington is that the United States is prepared to tighten the screws further. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Agricultural land in Central Asia and the Caucasus is degrading at an alarming rate. Officials did a lot of handwringing about the issue during a roundtable at the recently completed COP29 environmental conclave. But in highlighting urgent needs, participants didnt proffer many ideas about how to mitigate the myriad challenges. Globally, about 40 percent of agricultural land is vulnerable to degradation, Azerbaijans agriculture minister, Majnun Mammadov, stated in his opening remarks at the roundtable, adding as much as 12 million acres of arable land around the world becomes unproductive every year. Conditions are particularly acute in Tajikistan, where almost one-third of the countrys agricultural land is in critical condition, according to a report published by the Asia-Plus news agency. But such challenges as deforestation, soil salinization and over-grazing are threatening other Central Asian states too, especially Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Citing UN data, the Asia-Plus report stated that 39 percent of Central Asias landmass is experiencing drought. In presenting a plan to introduce water-conserving and soil-monitoring technologies in Uzbekistan, the countrys ecology minister, Aziz Abdukhakimov, exuded a sense of urgency. We must act quickly and decisively, otherwise we will leave only deserts for future generations, he stated. Participants agreed that a multilateral approach was needed to address soil degradation, but no specific initiatives to promote joint action were discussed. Even if plans had been worked out to address problems, Central Asian states lack the funds to fully implement them on their own. And that situation doesnt look like it will change anytime soon. Developing nations say substantive climate action will take over $1 trillion per year in funding from wealthy nations. Yet, after prolonged and, at times, bitter negotiations at COP29 in Baku, wealthy nations agreed to commit $300 billion annually to address global-warming related issues, including soil degradation. That figure marks a substantial increase over the $100 billion that wealthy nations had previously pledged to commit to help developing countries adapt to global warming conditions. But somehow everyone departed Baku full of hard feelings. Developing nations accused the globally rich of being cheap. At the same time, many wealthy nations, especially the United States and European Union members, were angry that economically advanced states, such as China and Saudi Arabia, claimed to still be developing countries not obligated to make any contribution to the COP climate action fund. The causes of soil degradation are not new, with many linked to global warming. A report published by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in 2022 also identified several man-made factors contributing to the loss of farmland and pasture across Central Asia, including an overreliance on cotton cultivation and inefficient irrigation practices. The cumulative effects of soil degradation are heightening social challenges across the region, acting as a significant trigger for migration from the countryside to cities, resulting in increases in air pollution, according to the UN report. It also cautioned that a vicious cycle of social harm, fueling a decline in living standards in Central Asia, is taking hold. Land degradation, combined with increasing anthropogenic pressure caused by population growth and density, leads to a decrease in the availability of productive land and water resources, a drop in crop yields and livestock productivity, UN study states. By Eurasianet.org More Top Reads From Oilprice.com BLOOMINGTON The McLean County Board, now with a 12-8 Democratic majority, voted Monday to appoint former Vice Chair Elizabeth Johnston as chair of the board and former Transportation Committee Chairman Jim Rogal as vice chair. Prior to this, Judge J. Casey Costigan officially swore in newly elected members Mike O'Neil, Republican for District 2; Brian Loeffler, Republican for District 3; Buck Farley, Democrat for District 5; Alex Duffy, Democrat for District 6; Sean Fagan, Democrat for District 9, and Mark Clauss, Republican for District 10. As the board faces critical votes in the near future, including the expansion of broadband access into to underserved areas of the county, Johnston called on the newest members to read their agenda packets thoroughly and reach out to their fellow county officials when in doubt. "We've come here to do the work of the people to ensure that departments are adequately staffed, services are fully delivered, and the community needs are met," Johnston said following her election. "We are greater than the sum of our parts, and together, we can create sound solutions and new ideas to make the county better." Following Monday's reorganization meeting, Johnston said she would support an investigation into allegations from former McLean County Assistant State's Attorney Trevor Sierra that came to light late last week. In a letter sent Thursday to current county board members, McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael and McLean County Auditor Michelle Anderson, Sierra alleged McLean County Administrator Cassy Taylor asked county employees to contributed to a political action committee supporting the elimination of the McLean County Auditor's Office. Taylor said Monday she cannot comment on the allegations at this time. Johnston was also named in the letter, which said she would be coming through the administrator's office to collect donations ahead of the November election. According to the Illinois Counties Code, solicitation of political contributions from county officers or employees is prohibited. No person shall solicit orally or by letter, or be in any manner concerned in soliciting any assessment, contribution or payment, for any party or for any political purpose whatever, from any officer or employee in the classified civil service of said county. Johnston said after Monday's meeting, although she supported the referendum, the PAC was operated independently from her. She told The Pantagraph she would support an investigation into the allegations. "For any allegations, I think that we need to be having conversations based on facts and that would be a determination of facts," Johnston said. Johnston was nominated as chair by board member Val Laymon, who commended the former vice chair's tireless advocacy of mental health and push for long-delayed maintenance work, amongst other achievements. "I would like to nominate someone who collaborates in finding solutions, who welcomes ideas from others, who understands the value of balancing short-term needs and long-term planning (and) someone who is committed to the work of our departments and the benefits of our services, providing for a safe and quality of life in McLean County," Laymon said. After no other nominees were named, Johnston was elected without opposition. Board members Lyndsay Bloomfield and Adam Reeves were absent from Monday's vote. Jim Rogal, who had served as chair of the Transportation Committee, was then nominated to serve as vice chair. Without any other nominees, Rogal also was elected without opposition. Although the board holds a Democratic majority, Johnston said the Monday's votes got the board off on the right foot when it comes to bipartisan cooperation. "I think that everybody was kind of aware of the dynamics, and I think you saw that reflected in the vote and I hope that is our path forward," Johnston said. "I always believe in beginning the way you mean to go, and I think that that was a good start." Once the chair and vice chair were selected, the board adopted a resolution approving all of the chair's committee appointments. Laymon will serve as chair of the Finance Committee with William Friedrich serving as vice chair; Rogal will chair the Justice Committee with former board chair Catherine Metsker serving as vice chair; Corey Beirne will served as chair of the Health Committee with Eric Hansen serving as vice chair; Krystle Able will serve as chair of the Property Committee with Laymon serving as vice chair; and Lea Cline will remain chair of the Land Use and Transportation Committee with Reeves serving as vice chair. 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: Temporal and spatial variation in head rice rate (HRR) as a measure of rice quality in China (a, c) and Japan (b, d). Credit: Liu et al., 2024. Rice is a food staple for billions of people worldwide, with demand doubling over the past 50 years, and is predominantly grown in Asia before being exported globally. This crop is sensitive to weather conditions and, as such, understanding how yields are affected by climate change is of paramount importance to ensure sustainable food supplies into the future. Beyond yield, the quality of rice may also be affected, determined by a combination of appearance, palatability, nutritional profile and milling properties. Research published in Geophysical Research Letters, has highlighted a decline in rice quality in East Asia, coincident with changing temperatures. Dr. Xianfeng Liu, of China's Shaanxi Normal University, and colleagues used data collected over 35 years to explore patterns in rice quality from Japan and China. This is based upon head rice rate (HRR), which is a measure of the fraction of milled rice kernels that retain 75% of their length after milling, during which the husk and bran are removed. The research team explored a number of climate variables via modeling to ascertain which had the greatest effect on HRR; these variables were nighttime temperature, daytime temperature, diurnal temperature, daily averaged temperature, hot days (above 30/35 C), precipitation, precipitation frequency, soil moisture, solar radiation, cloud cover, relative humidity, daytime vapor pressure deficit, transpiration and carbon dioxide concentration. Ultimately, the scientists determined that overnight temperatures are the main driver of reduced rice quality. In particular, as nighttime temperatures become warmer, a critical threshold for decline begins at 12 C and 18 C for Japan and China respectively. When flowering and grain growth occur in such conditions, rates of photosynthesis and starch accumulation in the grain decrease, leading to lower rice quality as more grains are susceptible to breakage. Following this, daily solar radiation was the second most important factor contributing to rice quality changes (higher solar radiation leading to lower HRR), then daily precipitation (less precipitation corresponding to lower HRR) and lastly daytime vapor pressure deficit (beyond a threshold of 0.51 kPa, HRR declines). Future projections of HRR declines in China (a, c) and Japan (b, d) up to 2100 under different emissions scenario pathways. Credit: Liu et al., 2024. The average rice quality across all sites and years for China had a HRR of ~62%, but reduced by 1.45% every decade. In Japan, the average HRR was slightly higher at ~66%, with a prominent rate of decline of 7.6% every decade. In both countries, there is a strong gradient of diminished rice quality from northern to southern provinces and prefectures, likely linked to southern regions being closer to the equator and therefore experiencing higher nighttime temperatures. Furthermore, Dr. Liu and the team noted that the models consistently showed the average climate data 40 days in advance of the harvest date was a good predictor of rice quality for that yield. This research is important as projections under both moderate and high emissions scenarios suggest rice quality will continue to decline in the decades to come as climate change progresses. In this study, HRR decreased by 0.5% and 1.5% for Japan and China respectively in projections between 2020 and 2100 for lower emissions scenarios. However, as modeled emissions increase, HRR is projected to decrease more prominently after 2050, potentially exceeding 5% in China by 2100. The negative impact of climate change on rice quality in China is predicted to be harsher than for Japan, with spatial sensitivity (HRR decline of ~1.2% per degree of temperature rise) being higher than temporal sensitivity (~0.7% per degree of temperature rise). Thus, China's southern provinces may be more limited to adapting to increasing nighttime temperatures, which is a significant challenge to overcome as these are the main areas of rice cultivation. Given all of this, the likelihood of rice cultivars adapting in tandem with the rate of climate change may pose a hazard to sustainable food supplies, human nutrition and economic stability in years to come. More information: Xianfeng Liu et al, Warming Leads to Lower Rice Quality in East Asia, Geophysical Research Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1029/2024GL110557 Journal information: Geophysical Research Letters 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: Various classic plaques from Museu Nacional de Arqueologia, Portugal. Drawings from Leisner and Leisner 1951. Credit: Engraved Stone Plaque Registry and Inquiry Tool online database A study published in the European Journal of Archaeology by Prof. Katina Lillios and her colleagues has provided a statistical evaluation that may suggest Late Neolithic and Copper Age Iberian (32002200 BC) engraved slate plaques may have been one of the earliest non-verbal forms of recording ancestry. Using statistical analysis on a number of factors, including geography, plaque design, and tomb size, they speculate these plaques may have served as genealogical records of one's ancestry and relation to an important ancestor. Engraved stone or slate plaques have been recovered from various graves and tombs in the Iberian peninsula since the 1800s. These slates are usually hand-sized objects engraved with delicate geometric designs. Today, around 1,626 of these plaques have been recovered from known sites. Many have theorized on the purpose of the plaques, including one of the earliest interpretations put forward by Portuguese historian and medical doctor Augusto Filippe Simoes (18351884). Simoes theorized that these plaques were used as amulets, emblems, insignias, and cult objects. Another popular theory is that the plaques represent Mother Goddesses or their ancestors. However, the fact that only around 4% of plaques feature any form of 'eyes' or 'nose' makes this theory less likely. Another theory states the slates were made by children attempting to depict owls. However, this theory, too, falls flat given the lack of owl-like features such as beaks or eyes (also only 4%). Additionally, since children make up the largest demographic of most historical societies, if these were owl slates made by children, it would make sense for them to be more common. A final theory exists that states these slates may have been genealogical records, similar to how heraldic emblems denote a person's ancestry, as did the plaques. For Prof. Lillios, the spark that led to this hypothesis was one particularly unique plaque, "If there was any real spark in this research, it was in the study of one particular plaque in the Museu Geologico in Lisbon, in 2003. "This was a plaque that had engravings on two sides; on one side was what appeared to be a complete draft or sketch, and on the other side was a finished plaque. What was interesting was that the two sides had different numbers of horizontal lines; these horizontal lines divide up the base of a Classic plaque. "What this suggested was that one side was an error (with the incorrect number of register lines), and the other side was the correction. This indicated to me that the number of horizontal lines was not just an aesthetic feature (since the draft seemed evenly spaced) but something that had to be done correctly. "Sensing that this plaque was indeed a mistake with a correction helped give me the confidence to move the project forward and develop the hypothesis that the plaques were recording some kind of information that had to be recorded correctly." Prof. Lillios and her colleagues analyzed 657 Classic plaques to test this hypothesis. These plaques were characterized by having a 'top' usually decorated with inverted 'v's, rays, and collars. These plaques also had a 'base' where various motifs (registers) were arranged horizontally, such as zigzags, triangles, or herringbones. Between the 'base' and the 'top' was a band sometimes left unfilled or depicting small triangles or hachures (short, parallel lines). According to the researchers, the base design may have indicated the specific lineage or clan. At the same time, the number of registers (lines of motifs) represented the genealogical distance from a founding ancestor. Thus, an individual born of the 'zigzag clan' and four generations removed from that clan's founder may have a slate with four zigzag registers at its base. 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. According to Prof. Lillios, these designs may have evolved naturally before becoming genealogical records, "We do not see the plaques' designs found in much earlier material culture, such as ceramics. It seems possible, however, that they were found on clothing or bodily paint, which is a common way that people express their individual or group identity, but which obviously does not preserve often. "So, at the beginning, there could have simply been families or lineages that had a particular design associated with them (the triangle clan, the zigzag clan, etc.), and that over time, someone decided that these designs could be manipulated to generate more precise information, much in the way that European heraldry works." Ancient DNA studies could not be used to prove these hypotheses as most individuals buried with slates do not have well-enough preserved skeletal remains. Instead, the researchers used statistical analyses to determine if there was a relationship between slate registers, geographical distribution, and tomb size. The researchers found a correlation between the number of registers and the distance from Alentejo (the earliest slates' region of origin). This means that as subsequent generations of families radiated out of the region and further away, their register numbers would increase in tandem. Additionally, it was found that there was a positive correlation between monument/ tomb size and the number of slates. As larger, more opulent tombs required more labor to build, it is likely that the individuals interred in these tombs came from rich or elite families. The researchers found that the larger the tomb size, the more individuals with plates were buried within it, suggesting plaques not only recorded genealogical lineage but specifically the elite's genealogical lineage. Prof. Lillios elaborates, saying, "The fact that not everyone at death was accorded a plaque tells me that this was something for a select group of people. Using heraldry as a useful analog, I think we are looking at elites of one sort of another who wanted to manage marriages or property or even the right to be buried in a collective tomb to maintain their status or power. "I sometimes imagine that these collective tombs were like the community archives, which people could consult when important decisions had to be made." Looking ahead at future research, Prof. Lillios hopes a more undisturbed tomb may help refute or substantiate this hypothesis, "Archaeogenetic studies of individuals and plaques buried with them would be the principal way to substantiate or refute this hypothesis. "The big problem we have is that these tombs are collective tombs used often over a long period of time, so the bodies and objects placed with them are often highly disturbed. But conceivably, a relatively undisturbed site could be found in the future." More information: Katina T. Lillios et al, The Engraved Slate Plaques of Late Neolithic and Copper Age Iberia: A Statistical Evaluation of the Genealogical Hypothesis, European Journal of Archaeology (2024). DOI: 10.1017/eaa.2024.34. 2024 Science X Network Tourists from Italy pose for a group photo after practicing Tai Chi at the Tiantan Park in Beijing, July 9, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Expanding visa-free policy is a milestone in China's journey toward greater openness and also shows its confidence on the global stage. Starting Saturday, China extended its unilateral visa-free policy to ordinary passport holders from nine more countries. So far, the policy on a trial basis has been applied to 38 countries since its launch a year ago. Meanwhile, China has signed mutual visa exemption agreements with 157 countries, covering different types of passports. China will not shut its door but will instead open it wider to the outside world. This is not only an official commitment China has made but has also been translated into concrete and efficient actions. The visa-free policy is a major measure to facilitate people-to-people exchanges and businesses and advance high-standard opening up. Greater openness brings more two-way benefits. Easy cross-border travel adds to the growth momentum and vitality of the Chinese economy. Meanwhile, the huge Chinese market provides countless opportunities for win-win cooperation of businesses and shared growth with other countries. International arrivals have surged with the support of the measures. In the third quarter of 2024, China logged nearly 8.2 million inbound trips made by foreigners, up 48.8 percent year on year. Among these, about 4.9 million entered visa-free, a remarkable rise of 78.6 percent from the same period last year. Trust and understanding are more critical than ever in a world fraught with rising trade barriers and geopolitical tensions. Visa-free travels help foster authentic connections, allowing visitors to experience China's high-speed railway service, the real life of ordinary people and their hospitality, and the rich Chinese culture. These first-hand experiences counteract misleading narratives of China in certain Western media and help promote a correct understanding of the largest developing country. China's visa-free policy fits perfectly with the 2,500-year-old Confucian proverb: "It is such a joy to have friends coming from afar." This sincerity is also demonstrated by streamlining the procedure of traveling to China and making life and work in China more convenient and comfortable for foreign friends. Places including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong Province have improved payment services to make online shopping and transportation more problem-free. Chinese telecom providers help foreign friends access and use the 5G network more conveniently. The visa-free policy expansion and other measures are in line with China's call for building a world economy characterized by cooperation, openness and innovation, among others. Recent policies, such as removing all restrictions for foreign investors in manufacturing and allowing the establishment of wholly foreign-owned hospitals in select cities, highlight China's determination and actions to pursue economic globalization that is more dynamic, inclusive and sustainable through joint efforts with others. Opening up is a defining feature of Chinese modernization. China is committed to building new, open and higher-standard economic systems and welcomes friends from all countries to share in the dividends of its development. Its visa-free policy symbolizes more than just easier travel. It is a gateway to stronger global ties and common prosperity amid the headwinds of rising protectionism. 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: Yan Krukau from Pexels Chickens have been a mainstay in Australian backyards for generations. New research from the University of Adelaide reveals that owners see their chooks as a blend between pet and livestock as well as a trustworthy source of produce. "Our research indicated that backyard chickens are seen as both companion animals and as a source of food, falling within a hybrid space of human-animal relations," explains Dr. Emily Buddle from the University of Adelaide's School of Humanities. "They blur the line between what we traditionally call livestock and a companion animal or pet." Dr. Buddle conducted the study, published in Anthrozoos, alongside Professor Rachel Ankeny from Wageningen University, Dr. Kristen Stevens from the University of South Australia, and Dr. Heather Bray from the University of Western Australia. While other backyard traditions such as home dairies and pig-keeping have diminished, the backyard chook has stood the test of time. The study provides new insight into the motivations, ethics, and perceptions surrounding backyard chickens in Australia. "Chickens have been part of Australian backyards for a long time, providing a source of food, once destined for the soup pot, and through the provision of eggs, as well as a way to recycle kitchen scraps," Dr. Buddle says. Despite this, participants expressed that their chooks had distinct personalities and pet-like characteristics, often providing companionship. Non-vegetarian participants indicated that while they eat meat, they definitely would not kill or eat their own chickens. Regardless of the emotional attachment, chickens did not receive the same level of care as more traditional companion animals, such as cats and dogs. "A surprising finding was that, while being loved companions, most participants were unlikely to take their chickens to the vet," Dr. Buddle says. "They were unable to justify the veterinary cost versus the monetary value of the chicken." Based on qualitative interviews with 44 backyard chicken owners in Adelaide, the study revealed that a key motivator for keeping chickens was for their utility. "Chickens offer an ongoing supply of fresh eggs from a known and trusted source," Dr. Buddle says. "It was clear to participants that their chickens were 'definitely free-range,' avoiding the confusion and controversy associated with Australian free-range egg standards." Dr. Buddle explains that previous research from the group has shown that people prefer free-range eggs because they are perceived as "more natural", ethical, and safer. The rise in backyard chickens underscores the distrust in commercial food systems. Dr. Buddle says that their research has policy implications for biosecurity and animal welfare, particularly due to the lack of veterinary attention backyard chickens get. "Despite recent changes in council regulations, food shortages (particularly through COVID-19 pandemic) and increasing concerns about free range poultry production standards, there had been no research conducted before this to understand what motivates people to keep chooks in their backyard," Dr. Buddle says. "Our research has shown the need for greater research in understanding people's distrust in the food system, particularly with the supermarket duopoly in Australia, and the diverse ways that people navigate these challenges." More information: Emily A. Buddle et al, The Chicken for the Egg: Australian Motivations for Raising Backyard Chickens, Anthrozoos (2024). DOI: 10.1080/08927936.2024.2418698 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: Arctic sea ice is melting at an unprecedented rate. Credit: Celine Heuze/University of Gothenburg The first summer on record that melts practically all of the Arctic's sea ice, an ominous milestone for the planet, could occur as early as 2027. For the first time, an international research team, including University of Colorado Boulder climatologist Alexandra Jahn and Celine Heuze from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, used computer models to predict when the first ice-free day could occur in the northernmost ocean. An ice-free Arctic could significantly impact the ecosystem and Earth's climate by changing weather patterns. "The first ice-free day in the Arctic won't change things dramatically," said Jahn, associate professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and fellow at CU Boulder's Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research. "But it will show that we've fundamentally altered one of the defining characteristics of the natural environment in the Arctic Ocean, which is that it is covered by sea ice and snow year-round, through greenhouse gas emissions." The findings were published Dec. 3 in the journal Nature Communications. Jahn will also present the results on Dec. 9 at the American Geophysical Union annual meeting in Washington D.C. A blue Arctic As the climate warms from increasing greenhouse gas emissions, sea ice in the Arctic has disappeared at an unprecedented speed of more than 12% each decade. In September, the National Snow and Ice Data Center reported that this year's Arctic sea ice minimumthe day with the least amount of frozen seawater in the Arcticwas one of the lowest on record since 1978. At 1.65 million square miles, or 4.28 million square kilometers, this year's minimum was above the all-time low observed in September 2012. But it still represents a stark decline compared to the average coverage of 6.85 million square kilometers between 1979 and 1992. When the Arctic Ocean has less than 1 million square kilometers of ice, scientists say the Arctic is ice free. Previous projections of Arctic sea ice change have focused on predicting when the ocean will become ice free for a full month. Jahn's prior research suggested that the first ice-free month would occur almost inevitably and might happen by the 2030s. As the tipping point approaches, Jahn wondered when the first summer day that melts virtually all of the Arctic sea ice will occur. "Because the first ice-free day is likely to happen earlier than the first ice-free month, we want to be prepared. It's also important to know what events could lead to the melting of all sea ice in the Arctic Ocean," Heuze said. Non-zero possibility Jahn and Heuze projected/estimated the first ice-free Arctic day using output from over 300 computer simulations. They found that most models predicted that the first ice-free day could happen within nine to 20 years after 2023, regardless of how humans alter their greenhouse gas emissions. The earliest ice-free day in the Arctic Ocean could occur within three years. It's an extreme scenario but a possibility based on the models. In total, nine simulations suggested that an ice-free day could occur in three to six years. The researchers found that a series of extreme weather events could melt two million square kilometers or more of sea ice in a short period of time: A unusually warm fall first weakens the sea ice, followed by a warm Arctic winter and spring that prevents sea ice from forming. When the Arctic experiences such extreme warming for three or more years in a row, the first ice-free day could happen in late summer. Those kinds of warm years have already happened. For example, in March 2022, areas of the Arctic were 50F warmer than average, and areas around the North Pole were nearly melting. With climate change, the frequency and intensity of these weather events will only increase, according to Heuze. Sea ice protects the Arctic from warming by reflecting incoming sunlight back into space. With less reflective ice, darker ocean waters will absorb more heat from the sun, further increasing temperatures in the Arctic and globally. In addition, warming in the Arctic could change wind and ocean current patterns, leading to more extreme weather events around the world. But there's also good news: A drastic cut in emissions could delay the timeline for an ice-free Arctic and reduce the time the ocean stays ice-free, according to the study. "Any reductions in emissions would help preserve sea ice," Jahn said. More information: Celine Heuze et al, The first ice-free day in the Arctic Ocean could occur before 2030, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-54508-3 , dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54508-3 Journal information: Nature Communications 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 What is the shelf life of a freshly baked donut? Two days, tops. But when it comes to an entirely different kind of donutone that Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom described early in the pandemic when he measured the exodus of people from city centers to city suburbsthere appears to be no expiration date. That's the key takeaway of Bloom's research of the "donut effect," a term he helped coin that refers to the hollowing out of big-city financial districts, the rising attraction of surrounding areas, and the impacts on local economies. Since the pandemic, the country's 12 largest cities have cumulatively lost 8% of their downtown dwellers. Three-fifths of the households that left moved to nearby suburbs, according to the study, which was published recently in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Bloom also finds a steep drop in the number of businesses located in the business centers of these major metro areas, which include New York, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Meanwhile, the donut effects for other U.S. cities have either been much smaller or haven't happened at all. For policymakers and business leaders in large urban centers, the study results may come as a surprise given widespread perceptions that their downtown economies are bouncing back to pre-pandemic health. But Bloom and his co-authorsusing rich data on real estate demand, migration flows, commuting patterns, public transit use and consumer spendingconclude that's not happening. And the flight from city cores promises to reshape America's largest cities in the long run, they say. "The good news for these cities is that the donut effect isn't getting bigger," says Bloom, a senior fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR) and the William Eberle Professor of Economics in the Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences. "Longer term, the evidence points to the donut effect as their new normal." The reason, according to the study's authors, is because of the staying power of working from homeparticularly for high-skilled workers who made up the bulk of downtown exits during the pandemic. Having discovered suburban life to be more spacious and affordable, they aren't coming back, Bloom says. They won't have to: His ongoing researchwith Steven Davis, a longtime collaborator who is also a SIEPR senior fellow, and othersabout remote working consistently shows that the future of work is a mix of in and out of the office. For big-city urban planners, Bloom says this means that hard choices will have to be made. As suburbs boom from the influx of new, higher-income taxpayers, city centers are reeling from the steep drop in public transit riders, shuttered shops, and the now-vacant office and residential spaces. For example, in their study, Bloom and his co-authorsArjun Ramani, an MIT doctoral student in economics, and Joel Alcedo of the Mastercard Economics Institutecalculate a sharp divergence in home values between city centers and the suburbs that began with the pandemic. Using data from Zillow, they show a 40-percentage-point gap as of last year. That's bad for city property tax revenues. "The donut effect has created a lot of fiscal stress for major U.S. cities that is going to be very difficult to overcome," says Bloom, who is also a professor of economics, by courtesy, at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. "Tax revenues have gone down, and spending has gone up. Meanwhile, the suburbs are making hay while the sun shines." 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. The future of downtown districts Bloom and Ramani, then a SIEPR research assistant, first measured the donut effectand introduced the termin 2021, about a year into the COVID-19 pandemic. In a SIEPR Policy Brief, they identified COVID-19 fears and working from home as the key drivers of the phenomenon, and said it could reverse once the pandemic subsided. Their PNAS study revisits that early analysis using both updated and new data. For example, on top of Zillow real estate values, the researchers track United States Postal Service change-of-address forms and GPS data from a large U.S. automaker. They also introduce Mastercard records on consumer spending for 118 cities around the world, which not only allowed them to show for the first time that the donut effect has also occurred in Sydney, Berlin, Toronto, and other global metro areas, but also to shed critical light on the economic impacts on city centers versus city suburbs. Looking at U.S.-specific data, they find that, of the households that left big-city downtowns, 58% migrated to surrounding suburbs, 9% went to other top 12 cities, 29% relocated to smaller cities, and just 4% moved to rural areas. Bloom and his co-authors find that the donut effect not only has persisted, but also is driven by working from home. This is especially so for the biggest metro areas, which have large numbers of skilled workers with high incomes and the flexibility to work from home. The data also show that workers who left city centerswhich the researchers define as a circle with a 2-mile radiusmoved up to 10 to 15 miles away. The donut effect begins to deflate more than 15 miles away because, the researchers conclude, hybrid workers want to live close enough to their jobs to the lessen the costs of commuting to work two or three days a week. In U.S. cities where hybrid work is less common, Bloom and his collaborators find significantly smaller or even nonexistent donut effects. For example, medium-sized cities like Cleveland, Indianapolis, and Nashville have lower working-from-home rates and haven't lost large numbers of downtown dwellers to surrounding suburbs. And in the country's smallest citiesthink Des Moines, Iowa or Boulder, Coloradomany more job categories, such as retail or manufacturing, require workers to be in person. In these cities, Bloom and his co-authors don't detect donut effects. What does this mean, then, for the country's biggest cities? Painful choices that will likely involve cutting spending, raising taxes and restructuring their downtowns, Bloom says. "I often say that work from home is a 'win-win-win' because businesses, employees and societies are better off," Bloom says. "But there are some losers, and the most obvious ones are the centers of big cities." It's not clear yet whether the donut effect will ultimately be good for Manhattan or San Francisco's financial district or any other big U.S. city, Bloom says. But he says there could be at least one silver lining. "As essential workers and others with lower-paying, in-person jobs get priced out of the suburbs, they might be able to afford living again in the big cities where they need to be every day," Bloom says. "That would probably be good." 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: This artist's illustration shows NASA's Dragonfly octocopter in flight over Titan. Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Steve Gribben NASA has given SpaceX the contract to launch the Dragonfly mission to Saturn's moon Titan. A Falcon Heavy will send the rotorcraft and its lander on their way to Titan in 2028, if all goes according to plan, and the mission will arrive at Titan in 2034. Dragonfly is an astrobiology mission designed to measure the presence of different chemicals on the frigid moon. Dragonfly will be the second craft to visit Titan, along with the Huygens probe and its short visit back in 2005. Titan is remarkable because it's the only body besides Earth with liquids on its surface. The liquids are hydrocarbons, not water, though there may be surface deposits of water ice from impacts or cryovolcanic eruptions. Researchers think that prebiotic chemicals are also present, making the moon an enticing target to understand how far prebiotic chemistry may have advanced. Titan is benign when it comes to powered flight; its atmosphere is dense and its gravity is weak, compared to Earth. Dragonfly is an octocopter, a large quadcopter with double rotors, that can take advantage of Titan's flight-friendly conditions. It will travel at about 36 kmh (22 mph) and will be powered by a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG), a type of engine proven in multiple missions. The craft is designed to be redundant; it can lose one of its motors or rotors and still function. Dragonfly will land near a feature on Titan called Shangri-La, east of where the Huygens probe landed. Shangri-La is one of three large sand seas near the moon's equator. Dragonfly's target is the Selk impact structure, near the edge of Shangri-La. Selk is a young impact crater about 90 km (56 mi) in diameter that features melt pools, sites where liquid water and organics could mix together to form amino acids or other biomolecules. Dragonfly will initially land at some dunes near the structure, then begin exploring the region and its chemistry. Thanks largely to Cassini and Huygens, researchers have made progress understanding Titan. In a 2020 paper, researchers examined two types of craters on the moon: dune craters and plains craters. Selk is a dune crater, and in the paper, researchers said that the dune craters are richer in organics than plains craters, and in fact are almost entirely composed of organics. However, Titan's thick atmosphere makes it difficult to observe, and these findings stem from interpreting albedo and emissivity. Selk and the other dune craters may have originally had more water ice, according to the research, but much of it's been eroded away. However, there was a long period of time where the water ice was present, and Dragonfly is heading for Selk to examine the chemistry in the crater and to try and determine if water and organics interacted and if prebiotic chemistry made any headway. It's up to SpaceX's Falcon Heavy to send Dragonfly on its way to Titan. Falcon Heavy has 11 launches under its belt, including the launch of the Europa Clipper in October. After Falcon Heavy launches Dragonfly, the spacecraft will perform one flyby of Earth to gain additional velocity. It'll take six years for Dragonfly to reach Titan, and just as it arrives, the entry capsule will separate from the cruise module. With the help of an aeroshell and two chutes, the lander will endure an approximately 105-minute descent. At approximately 1.2 km above the surface, the lander will deploy its skids, and based on its lidar and radar data, will perform an autonomous landing. 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. From its landing site, Dragonfly will deploy itself and perform a series of flights up to 8km (5 mi) long. There's diverse geology in the region, and the rotorcraft will acquire samples and then analyze them during Titan's nights, which last about 8 Earth days or about 192 hours. After that, it will head to the Selk crater. SpaceXs Falcon Heavy rocket sends NASAs Europa Clipper into space from its Florida launch pad. If all goes well, the Falcon Heavy will launch the Dragonfly mission to Titan in July, 2028. Credit: NASA Photo / Kim Shiflett Titan is an important astrobiology target in our solar system, and unlike the frozen ocean moons Europa and Enceladus, there's no added complexity of somehow working its way through thick ice before its potentially biological environment can be examined. But for all of this to succeed, it needs a successful launch first. NASA is paying SpaceX about $256 million to launch Dragonfly, and if the launch goes off without a hitch, it'll be money well-spent. 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 Sant Gregori villa is situated approximately 75 meters from Burriana's coastline, making it a maritime villa. Its constructions date from the turn of the era to the 4th century CE. Spanning over 15,000 m2, the site includes various spaces such as production structures, storage facilities, heated rooms for baths, and residential areas. Its size exceeds the average of coastal villas excavated in the Roman province of Tarraconensis, which typically surpass 10,000 m2. Credit: Mediterranean Archaeology Partnership Programme Excavations at the Sant Gregori site in Burriana have revealed that this maritime villa specialized in viticulture. The research team, coordinated by the Mediterranean Archeology Partnership Programme at the Universitat Jaume I of Castello (UJI), in collaboration with the Archaeological Museum of Burriana, has identified structures for wine production (cella vinaria) and agricultural plots dedicated to viticulture (fundus). Due to the significance of these findings, the Burriana City Council and the Archaeological Museum are working to include these areas in the site's museumization and enhancement project. While no pressing rooms (torculares) have been found so far, storage areas and additional adjacent spaces, possibly for work and living quarters, have been uncovered. These buildings are isolated and follow an east-west orientation, protecting them from northern humidity and excessive southern sunlight. Archaeological evidence of vineyard cultivation has also been identified, specifically planting trenches (a type of planting referred to as sulcus by Columella and Pliny), associated with structures related to winemaking, such as remnants of a large storage facility. In Roman Hispania, remains of storage facilities are relatively common, but planting trenches with evidence of vine cultivation have been found in only a few locations, such as the Galician coast, Badajoz, the Bay of Cadiz, and Huelva. At Sant Gregori, ten parallel trenches in excellent condition have been documented, aligned northeast-southwest. These trenches form continuous rows, allowing for the planting of multiple vines within them. Their average width ranges from 1.1 to 1.3 meters, with 2.5 to 3 meters between rows. One intriguing aspect is the location of the Sant Gregori vineyardan open, sunny area near a swampy zone (palus). Ancient writers Columella and Pliny noted that in antiquity, the Pontine Marshes and the wetlands of Ravenna in Italy produced thriving vineyards thanks to drainage operations. Preliminary findings from the research have been published in the monograph "Between the Land and the Sea: On Villae Maritimae in the Roman West," edited by Scienze e Lettere (Rome) in 2024. The Sant Gregori villa is situated approximately 75 meters from Burriana's coastline, making it a maritime villa. Its constructions date from the turn of the era to the 4th century CE. Spanning over 15,000 m2, the site includes various spaces such as production structures, storage facilities, heated rooms for baths, and residential areas. Its size exceeds the average of coastal villas excavated in the Roman province of Tarraconensis, which typically surpass 10,000 m2. In Roman times, the area where the villa is located was linked to the Roman municipality of Saguntum. Findings from various archaeological excavations indicate that large agricultural estates were planned on the flatlands, focusing on vine cultivation and wine production. In Saguntum, wine commerce reportedly became significant during Emperor Augustus's reign and continued until at least the 2nd century CE. Latin literature from the 2nd century CE, particularly texts by Fronto and Juvenal, suggests that Saguntine wine was fairly popular in Rome during this period. In late October, around twenty students from the universities of Castello, Valencia, Potsdam, and Macerata participated in the third edition of the International Course on Archeology and Ancient Mediterranean Cultures. They carried out fieldwork at the Sant Gregori villa, an activity organized by the Mediterranean Archeology Partnership Programme of the UJI in collaboration with the Archaeological Museum of Burriana and the universities of Potsdam (Germany) and Macerata (Italy). At the Museum's laboratories, students had the opportunity to examine materials excavated at the archaeological site and observe the documentation process leading up to restoration and display. Additionally, they participated directly in validating the augmented reality application ARChaeoUrn, developed within the ArchaeoPills project (Face to Face with Practical Archaeological Training in Higher Education). This tool guides users through the steps of excavating a funerary urn, revealing cremated bones and burial goods within. Provided by Universitat Jaume I 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: A model of Australia printed using the accessible guidelines including braille and raised contour lines. Credit: Monash University In a first of its kind, Monash University inclusive technology researchers have developed new guidelines to create 3D printed educational and other accessible tools to support people who are blind or have low vision. The guidelines, freely available to the public, provide information specifically attuned to the needs of blind and low vision users, including inclusive design considerations, directions to create braille or audio labels and accessible resources for blind makers. The information can be used by teachers, parents, orientation and mobility specialists and occupational therapists to create educational materials like braille learning aids, maps, curriculum-based models such as historical artifacts, landforms or anatomy, math manipulatives, educational games and adaptive tools for the classroom. The guidelines were developed in close collaboration with the not-for-profit organization Round Table, and in consultation with people who are blind and have low vision. Project Lead and inclusive technologies researcher Ms. Leona Holloway, from the Faculty of Information Technology, said the guidelines were created specifically to support people who have "print disabilities," i.e., for those who are blind or have low vision, those with physical disabilities limiting their ability to interact with 2D materials, and people who are unable to follow a line of print or have a disability that impacts their concentration. "One of the advantages of 3D printed models over raised line drawings, is that they can be used by blind, low vision and sighted students together in educational settings, and they can also be useful for people who are not trained in 'touch reading,'" Holloway said. "However, not all models can be understood well through both vision and touch. Instead, as described in the guidelines, thoughtful design, printing and finishing techniques are required to ensure that 3D printed models are optimized for touch reading and inclusion." In May this year, the guidelines were launched as a standard by the Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disability, the standards-setting organization for accessible formats production. Ms. Sonali Marathe, Round Table President and Manager Accessibility and Inclusion at the not-for-profit organization NextSense, which supports people who are deaf or hard of hearing, blind or have low vision, said keeping pace with emerging technologies to explore new accessibility options opened numerous new unexplored avenues for learning and teaching for students living with disability. "The 3D printed models can help students who are blind get spatial and dimensional understanding of things that they may have never experienced before, for example, for the first time ever, students are learning different architectural concepts through 3D printed models of the Burj Khalifa, Taj Mahal and the Statue of Liberty," Marathe said. "In addition to educational materials, they also have an opportunity to be included in games through objects such as tactile dice and noughts and crosses. "Though there is a lot of information available about 3D printing generally, the accessibility-specific information in these guidelines about how to design and use 3D prints for the blind and low vision community has never been available before. We hope these standards are shared and adopted by as many organizations and people across the world as possible." 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. Teacher and producer from the Victorian Department of Education's Statewide Vision Resource Center, Ms. Sarah Hayman, said 3D printed tools are starting to be seen as a must-have, adding to the broader wheelhouse of options for kids to access. "Models printed with the help of this information are not only helping blind students to access the curriculum but they are also helping the students to be included in mainstream classrooms," Hayman said. "The guidelines have been helpful in designing my own tools and also to direct other people to consider accessibility when they are 3D printing teaching materials." Mr. Adrian Riessen is an Orientation and Mobility Teacher at the South Australian School and Services for Vision Impaired (SASSVI) and he is also the founder of a 3D printing club for students at SASSVI. "Students that struggle with mapping concepts, when they can explore something in 3D it seems to take on more meaning. They can feel that it's a building with a door and a window. It's not just a square on a white sheet of paper," Riessen said. "These guidelines and the research project have increased the visibility of 3D printable options for use within the classroom. It has opened up more conversations within the school, Statewide Support Service, and with other providers that we work with about the potential benefits of 3D printed resources. "The networking and sharing of ideas and projects because of this research has been invaluable to developing my knowledge of 3D design and understanding possibilities for the continual improvement of access and inclusion to areas of the curriculum that are historically challenging to teach." More information: Guidelines for Producing Accessible 3D Prints (2024). printdisability.org/guidelines/3D-prints/ 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: Experimental procedures for determining pre-hatching survival. Credit: "Hybridization of landlocked and anadromous Atlantic salmon: Potential genetic rescue in a population threatened by inbreeding," https://erepo.uef.fi/handle/123456789/33450 The doctoral dissertation of Aslak Eronen, MSc, entitled "Hybridization of landlocked and anadromous Atlantic salmon: Potential genetic rescue in a population threatened by inbreeding" will be defended at the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology, Joensuu Campus on Dec. 4, 2024. The dissertation is based on three articles, two published and one in press. Eronen describes his dissertation below. Human-induced habitat destruction and fragmentation often leads to threatened species persisting in small, isolated populations, frequently suffering from inbreeding depression and an elevated risk of extinction. Genetic rescue, increasing the genetic diversity of populations affected by reduced genetic variation and inbreeding by means of outbreeding, has increasingly been suggested in conservation biology to halt population declines and extinctions. It is also acknowledged that outbreeding involves the risk of outbreeding depression, however, and the risk grows with genetic and ecological distance between populations. The critically endangered landlocked salmon of the Vuoksi watershed (Salmo salar m. sebago Girard 1858) is an iconic species of Lakes Saimaa and Pielinen in Eastern Finland. The population of Atlantic salmon was saved from the brink of extinction in the 1970s by fish hatcheries, when its natural breeding grounds were sacrificed for hydroelectricity. Despite being saved, this unique population has been suffering from extremely low effective population size and is presently threatened by inbreeding. To study the applicability of genetic rescue in the landlocked salmon of the Vuoksi watershed, it has recently been crossed with two geographically close anadromous Atlantic salmon populations from the Baltic Sea watershed. In article I of this dissertation, I studied the effect of hybridization on early life viability relative to the purebred landlocked salmon of the Vuoksi watershed. I found signs of hybrid vigor both in embryo survival and in survival to fry stage, at least if landlocked salmon is hybridized with the anadromous salmon originating from River Neva. In article II and article III, I demonstrated that juvenile salmon of these two populations show heritable behavioral differences. Specifically, I show in article II, that landlocked salmon seem to show bolder behavior, on average, than anadromous Neva salmon, with the hybrids being intermediate to the purebred populations. Finally, in article III I demonstrate that juvenile hybrid salmon survive better under piscine predation than purebred landlocked salmon, indicative of genetic rescue. This benefit, however, can be reversed by infection with the very common parasitic fluke Diplostomum pseudospathaceum causing cataracts in fish eye lenses, thereby increasing susceptibility to predation. As shown also in two previous studies, hybridization impairs resistance to the parasite, which is indicative of outbreeding depression relative to the purebred landlocked salmon. More information: Aslak Eronen, "Hybridization of landlocked and anadromous Atlantic salmon: Potential genetic rescue in a population threatened by inbreeding," erepo.uef.fi/handle/123456789/33450 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 A first-of-its-kind map created by a team of scientists at the University of Sydney shows that the genetic diversity of koala populations is in decline across Australia, putting the iconic marsupial at increased risk of extinction. The study, published in Ecological Applications, was carried out by Professor Carolyn Hogg and Dr. Elspeth McLennan from the Australasian Wildlife Genomics Group in the School of Environmental and Life Sciences. The extensive map was created using data from the Koala Genome Survey, a joint initiative of the Australian and NSW governments to collect robust data about the genetic diversity of koalas across Australia and to inform conservation management. In recent decades, koalas have come under increased pressure from threats such as disease, habitat destruction and catastrophic bushfires, which have reduced the animal to isolated patches of its former range. In 2022, the combined koala populations in New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory were listed as "endangered" under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The data shows that koalas in Queensland are the most genetically diverse at an individual level and koalas in New South Wales harbor the greatest number of genetic variants, making these populations critical for the long-term survival of the species. Koalas in Victoria, and in coastal areas of New South Wales and Queensland, have the least genetic variation. The report's senior author, Professor Hogg, said, "The loss of genetic diversity is a worrying trend that is being exacerbated by urban development, habitat destruction and climate change. Isolated populations are at higher risk of inbreeding, making them more susceptible to disease and vulnerable to future threats. "If we want to see koalas in generations to come, we need to act now." The report outlines the measures that could be taken to increase genetic diversity in koala populations. Steps include creating wildlife corridors that allow them to move more freely and safely between areas and translocations (moving koalas from one area to another) to breed new genes into a population. It is not only a decline in the overall genetic diversity of koala populations that is of concern to conservation scientists. In research carried out by Professor Hogg and Ph.D. candidate Luke Silver, recently published in Immunogenetics, the team observed that the diversity of immune genes in the koala population is also decreasing. With koalas affected by serious diseases such as chlamydia, the decline in the marsupial's immune genes is a worrying trend that could leave it more vulnerable to diseases in the future. The authors also call for an end to state-based requirements in New South Wales and Queensland that stipulate koalas entering veterinary care must be returned to the place they are found. Often, koalas are brought into care after being hit by a car or attacked by a dog while moving to a new location. Providing koalas with safe corridors to move through is important in maintaining gene flow across the species' range. The study's lead author, Dr. Elspeth McLennan, said, "Returning a recovered koala to a similar region, rather than the exact location, could not only have a significant impact on the likelihood of the koala being injured again, but would also promote genetic diversity by allowing the rescued animals to mix with other koala populations." The research team at the Australasian Wildlife Genomics Group at the University of Sydney, working with scientists at the Australian Museum, were the first to fully map the genome of the koala in 2018. More information: Elspeth A. McLennan et al, Genomics identifies koala populations at risk across eastern Australia, Ecological Applications (2024). DOI: 10.1002/eap.3062 Luke W. Silver et al, Using bioinformatics to investigate functional diversity: a case study of MHC diversity in koalas, Immunogenetics (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s00251-024-01356-6 Journal information: Ecological Applications 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: German engineer Rudiger Koch is attempting to live underwater for 120 days, in a submerged home off the coast of Panama. There are probably easier ways to set a world record, but Rudiger Koch has found his method 11 meters (36 feet) under the sea. He's been living in a submerged capsule off the coast of Panama for two monthswhich means, he told a visiting AFP journalist, he has about two more to go. "The last time I checked, I was still married," he joked, as fish swim through bright blue Caribbean waters outside the portholes. But Koch, a 59-year-old aerospace engineer from Germany, has grander plans than simply notching a record. His stunt, he says, could change the way we think about human lifeand where we can settle, even permanently. "Moving out to the ocean is something we should do as a species," he told AFP. "What we are trying to do here is prove that the seas are actually a viable environment for human expansion." Koch's 30-square-meter (320-square-foot) capsule has most of the trappings of modern life: a bed, toilet, TV, computer and interneteven an exercise bike. The only thing missing? A shower. His home under the sea is attached through a vertical tube to another chamber perched above the waves, housing other members of his teamand providing a way for food and curious journalists to be sent down. Fish swim outside the windows of Rudiger Koch's underwater home, off the coast of Panama, on November 26, 2024. The underwater chamber, meanwhile, provides a shelter for fish and acts as an artificial reefproviding an environmental benefit. "In the night, you can hear all the crustaceans," he said. "There's the fish out there, and there's all that stuff, and that wasn't here before we came." A window into the sea On a small bedside table lies Jules Verne's "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea," a 19th century sci-fi classic. An admirer of the novel's Captain Nemo, Koch, who went down on September 26, is hoping to come up for air on January 24, surpassing by 20 days the record held by American Joseph Dituri, who spent 100 days submerged in a Florida lake. Two clocks show how much time has passedand how much remains. A narrow spiral staircase leads to the chamber above, the entire contraption located some 15 minutes by boat from the Puerto Lindo coast, off northern Panama. A clock maintains a countdown of how much longer Rudiger Koch must stay underwater. The underwater house is connected to an above-water chamber, providing a link to the outside world. Rudiger Koch has received visits to his underwater home from his doctor and his family -- but has not gone to the surface himself. Four cameras film his moves in the capsulecapturing his daily life, monitoring his mental health and to provide proof that he's never come up to the surface. Eial Berja, an Israeli, operates them from the section above, while minding the electricity and back-up generator. It's not all easy going, he told AFP, noting that a heavy storm almost put an end to the project. Outside of the media, Koch's only visitors have been his doctor, his children and his wife. Supporting the project is Grant Romundt, from Canada. Both he and Koch have grander visions linked to the libertarianand at-times controversial "seasteading" movement that envisions ocean-based communities outside government control. Though he still has a long way to go to resurface, Koch knows exactly what he'll do first once he's back on land: "a shower, a real shower." 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: Colorized SEM image of an engineered nanopillar surface on which researchers grew cells to study how nanoscale structures influence cellular metabolism. Credit: University of CaliforniaSan Diego The surfaces that cells come into contact with can influence how the cells grow, function, and communicateshaping metabolism and even cellular health. Now, engineering researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a platform for studying the ways that nanoscale growing surfaces can impact cellular behavior. The team, led by bioengineers and nano engineers at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering, describe this platform in action in a recent paper published in the journal Chemical & Biomedical Imaging. "The surfaces we developed are much more representative of actual tissue structures. This is very different from conventional laboratory studies that often rely on flat, featureless surfaces for cell growth. These nanoscale structures in our experiments can better replicate the architectures and forces cells experience in the body," explained UC San Diego nano and chemical engineering Ph.D. student Einollah (Ali) Sarikhani, the co-first author on the new paper. Sarikhani is a member of Professor Zeinab Jahed's lab in the Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering. Sarikhani is also a Siebel Scholar at UC San Diego. While previous studies have shown how surface structures can change cellular shape, little is known about their specific effects on cell metabolism. The UC San Diego engineering research team was able to study these effects through an innovative collaboration between two different labs with very differentyet complementaryexpertise. First, the team grew cells on engineered nanopillar substrates and then they observed changes in cell metabolism using a cutting-edge imaging approach that allows for high-resolution, non-invasive study of the metabolism occurring within individual cells. This imaging platform for non-invasive study of cell metabolism integrates stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), second harmonic generation, and two photon fluorescence (TPF) microscopy. Credit: Chemical & Biomedical Imaging (2024). DOI: 10.1021/cbmi.4c00051 "SRS imaging technology gives us an unprecedented view into how the metabolic activity of cells responds to engineered nanopillar surfaces," explained UC San Diego bioengineering Ph.D. student Zhi Li, co-first author of the new paper from the laboratory of Professor Lingyan Shi in the Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering at the Jacobs School of Engineering. The research team found that cells grown on engineered nanopillar surfaces show dramatically different metabolic profiles, exhibiting reduced oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can damage cellular components and contribute to aging and disease. In addition, the researchers found that growing cells on different engineered nanopillar surfaces could change how cells produce and modify lipids, the primary components of cell membranes. Lipids also play crucial roles in cell signaling. These metabolic changes in lipids could have far-reaching implications for conditions like cancer, where abnormal metabolism is a hallmark feature, or inflammatory diseases where oxidative stress plays a key role. 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. "We can observe multiple aspects of cellular metabolism simultaneously at the subcellular level, from cellular oxidative stress to the creation of new proteins and lipids," said Shi. "The ability to study cellular metabolism by growing cells on these kinds of nanoscale structures opens up exciting new possibilities for designing tissues, studying aging and diseases, and coming up with new therapies." The study also revealed that the specific geometry of nanoscale engineered surfaces plays a critical role in determining how cells respond. Using pixel-wise multivariate analysis, for instance, the researchers found that closely spaced features had a stronger impact on cellular metabolism compared to larger, more widely spaced features. "We could use this information to create surfaces that encourage the growth of specific cell types for tissue engineering," explained Jahed. The technologies, techniques and findings described in the paper provide researchers with a new playbook and new insights for studying how the microenvironment around cells can shape their metabolic function. This work has wide-ranging applications, the researchers say. The insights gained from the study could improve drug delivery systems, guide the formation of new tissues, and provide a better understanding of diseases that involve metabolic dysfunction, such as cancer and diabetes. Regarding the imaging techniques described in this paper, the researchers were able to reveal the metabolic states within living cells through TPF autofluorescence imaging of metabolic coenzymes, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). In addition, the research team employed a combination of SRS imaging and heavy water probing to track and quantitatively measure the syntheses of lipids and protein within cells. More information: Zhi Li et al, Multimodal Imaging Unveils the Impact of Nanotopography on Cellular Metabolic Activities, Chemical & Biomedical Imaging (2024). DOI: 10.1021/cbmi.4c00051 Flash China urges the United States to stop aiding and abetting "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday. Lin made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked to comment on Taiwan's leader Lai Ching-te holding a phone call with former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as Lai is on a Pacific trip that includes a stop in Hawaii. Lin said China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the United States and the Taiwan region, and firmly opposes any form of U.S. moves to aid or abet "Taiwan independence" separatists and their separatist activities. The Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests, and the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-U.S. relations, Lin said. He urged the U.S. to fully see the separatist nature of Lai Ching-te and the Democratic Progressive Party authorities, fully understand the grave damage of "Taiwan independence" separatist activities to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, fully abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and stop meddling in affairs related to Taiwan, which are China's internal affairs. 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 The March 24, 2021 edition of neighborhood newspaper Northeast News, out of Kansas City, Missouri, contained a surprise for its 9,000 subscribers. Where the front-page news should have been, there was a big, blank white space. This was no printer's error, but a last-ditch cry for help. After 89 years in operation, Northeast News had found itself on the brink of insolvency due to the loss of key advertisers amid the COVID pandemic. The empty front page was designed to remind the community of what it would lose if its only local paper went under. The gambit went viral, prompting a flood of online donations that is keeping the paper afloat, for now. Ironically, Northeast News owes its existence to the very force that has fueled the more general decline of local journalism in Americathe internet. As advertiser dollars migrated to Facebook and Google, the business model that supported local newspapers for generations came to the edge of collapse. Since 2004, more than 2,500 American newspapers have ceased publicationaround one-quarter of the total. Overall newspaper circulation has declined by more than half since 1990. To be sure, digital alternatives have rushed in to fill the gap, such as citizen-journalist websites, nonprofit news organs, partisan blogs, etc. So, the question represented by the blank front page of Northeast News resonates: What do communities lose when newspapers fold that online journalism startups haven't (so far, at least) been able to replace? In the past, industry observers and researchers have linked community newspaper closure to diminished civic trust and political participation, among other negative effects. New research from Brad Greenwood, the Maximus Corporate Partner Professor of Business at the Costello College of Business at George Mason University, builds on this discourse, finding evidence that when local papers topple, political corruption springs up in their wake. Greenwood's paper, coauthored by Ted Matherly of Tulane University, was published in MIS Quarterly. The researchers focused on U.S. federal districts that lost a major daily newspaper during the years 1996 to 2019. They compared the number of corruption charges (bribery, embezzlement, fraud, etc.), defendants, and cases filed in district court before and after the newspaper closure. The results were striking: Overall, the disappearance of a newspaper delivered a 6.9% increase in charges, a 6.8% increase in the number of indicted defendants and a 7.4% increase in cases filed. "We looked at federal charges for three reasons. First, the overwhelming amount of statutory enforcement occurs federally. Second, it gives us a uniform definition of what constitutes corruption across every domestic jurisdiction. Finally, and most importantly, federal conviction rates are over 90%," Greenwood says. "They don't charge people unless they have a good-faith belief they will prevail at trial." Moreover, post-newspaper corruption cases were more likely to go to trial as opposed to resolving in a plea deal, thus incurring greater public costs. Greenwood and Matherly also examined whether digital-era upstarts were adequate substitutes for newspapers, in terms of curtailing corruption. They tracked 352 such websites, and found they had no impact on the number of charges, defendants or cases in the districts concerned. 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. "While it's hard to say precisely why we don't see an effect from online news, there are several candidate explanations. Not only do citizen journalists lack the standing and training to tackle questions of public corruption and elevate discourse in the public square, but many of these sites aren't even legitimate news vendors," says Greenwood, referencing what are commonly referred to as "pink slime websites." Greenwood goes on to suggest that the corruption-preventing power of the defunct papers came not necessarily from journalistic acumen, but rather from the ability to elevate the actions bad actors had taken in public discourse, a process journalism researchers refer to as agenda setting. Whatever the cause, the ramifications for society are very real. In the Northern District of Illinois alone, corruption-related cases involving more than 1,700 officials cost taxpayers a staggering $550 million per year from 1976 to 2012. The coffers of communities that lose newspapers may suffer more than most, since these cases tend to end up in expensive courtroom proceedings rather than plea deals. Further, the study only looks at corrupt officials who got caught. Presumably, there are many more whose corruption went unpunished. All told, these findings suggest that community newspapers should not be regarded as just another business model ill-adapted to digital disruption that should be allowed to fail. Their demise comes at significant public cost, financial and otherwise. "In an age of misinformation, the solution is not rejecting the professional press, it is embracing it, and ensuring that well-trained and hard-working men and women have both the ability and venue to hold those in power to account," Greenwood says. More information: Ted Matherly et al, No News is Bad News: The Internet, Corruption, and the Decline of the Fourth Estate, MIS Quarterly (2024). DOI: 10.25300/MISQ/2023/17869 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain A group of scientists, including researchers from Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Princeton University and Carleton University, has questioned the accuracy and utility of the metaphor "tipping point" in calling attention to the threat of climate change. The phrase, while perhaps initially useful as a clarion call that warns about sudden, drastic changes, may now be confusing the public and impeding action, researchers said. Writing a perspective in Nature Climate Change, the scientists, from the Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute, Princeton's Center for Policy Research on Energy and the Environment, and Climate Resilient Societies through Equitable Transformations (ReSET) Lab at Carleton University as well as six other academic institutions, argue that the notion of tipping points, when referencing physical and human aspects of the Earth's changing climate, is not well-defined and often applied inappropriately. There also is no evidence, they said, that the apocalyptic tone of the phrasing is driving action. The researchers said the public is more likely to respond to threats that are perceived as relatively certain, near-term and nearby than to what are viewed as abstract dangers, the timing of which are either highly uncertain or unpredictable. "While many of the physical phenomena bundled under the 'tipping points' label are systemically important and well worth studying, the tipping-points framing does not necessarily highlightand may obscuretheir most critical or consequential aspects," said Robert Kopp, the paper's first author, a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences, and a Visiting Fellow at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. Social science research, the authors said, indicates that constructive collective action is more likely to be inspired by identifiable "focusing events" tied to climate changesuch as widespread wildfires, protracted drought and intense heat waves and floodingthan by the more abstract and loosely applied notion of climate tipping points. The phrase "tipping point" is a metaphor that describes a critical point in any system when a small change leads to a significant and often irreversible larger-scale change. An event occurs, a threshold is crossed and a system reorganizes and doesn't return to its original state. In climate science, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change uses the term to refer to "critical threshold[s] beyond which a system reorganizes, often abruptly and/or irreversibly." The expression, Kopp said, entered widespread use in popular culture in the early 2000s with the popularity of Malcolm Gladwell's bestselling The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. Gladwell, a New Yorker writer, defined a tipping point as "the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point" and applied it as a principle underlying several sociological trends, from the rise in popularity of Hush Puppies shoes to steep declines in crime rates. 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. In subsequent years, climate scientists adapted the term to apply to phenomena such as the potential collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and coral reef ecosystems. "Tipping points" and their multiple uses in science and beyond aren't well defined and provide an illusion of precise scientific understanding, the authors said. "Attempts to subsume so many issues and behaviors under the same label and common interpretive framework do not advance science," said co-author Michael Oppenheimer, the Albert G. Milbank Professor of Geosciences at Princeton University. As the use of "tipping points" has expanded to describe not only climatic events but social onesranging from social cohesion to food pricesits all-encompassing use has rendered it necessarily vague. This is not helpful toward inspiring action, the authors said. "Democracies are more likely to act after collective recognition of an identifiable focusing eventlike a destructive wildfire or disruptive energy fuel shortagethat provide political openings for existing policy communities to advance recognized remedies," said co-author Rachael Shwom, a professor in the Department of Human Ecology at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. Confusion may arise when discussions erroneously conflate temperature-based policy targets, such as the goal of not exceeding a global average temperature increase, with climate tipping points, the authors wrote. It would be a mistake to allow science to be wrongly perceived as identifying precise thresholds for catastrophic outcomes when the timing of such thresholds is deeply uncertain. This could lead to a "false alarm" effect that may reduce the credibility of future claims should those catastrophic outcomes fail to occur when the anticipated thresholds are crossed, they said. "Every fraction of a degree matters: 1.45C is bad, and 1.55C is worse," said co-author Elisabeth Gilmore, an associate professor of environmental engineering at Carleton University, a visiting professor at the Rutgers Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy and corresponding author on this manuscript. "Yet many in the media and the public appear to think that 1.50C is of special physical significance or a threshold after which climate mitigation is not worth undertaking. Quite the opposite is the case: the warmer Earth becomes, the greater the need to promptly reduce emissions and expand efforts to build resilience and adapt to a hotter planet." The scientists said they aren't the first to raise concerns about employing "tipping point" in public discourse about climate change. In 2006, in the midst of an initial surge of popularity surrounding the phrase, editorial writers at Nature critiqued the phrase in an essay for its overemphasis on deeply uncertain science and the risk that such a focus could lead to fatalism. "Scientific framings that are intended to be policy-relevant ought to be subject to scientific scrutiny," Gilmore said. "To the extent scientists continue to talk about tipping points, the communicative effects of that framing should be a topic of research." Regardless of the threat of tipping points, climate change is already causing demonstrable and obvious harm around the world, said Kopp, who also is director of the Megalopolitan Coastal Transformation Hub, a 13-institution consortium that includes Rutgers, Princeton, and Carleton. "The obvious cost in lives and property damage is enough to justify much more aggressive action by countries worldwide," Kopp said. 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: Turkey Vultures are obligate scavengers that feed upon the carcasses of a wide diversity of species. Credit: Miguel D. Saggese Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) in southern California are still exposed to anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) even though legislation was passed to drastically reduce the presence of these poisons across the state. This is according to the short communication "Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) from Southern California are Exposed to Anticoagulant Rodenticides Despite Recent Bans," recently published in the Journal of Raptor Research. The harmful nature of these rodenticides is what led to their ban in California. If they persist, this could spell trouble for additional non-target wildlife species, including those with an endangered status like the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia). Anticoagulant rodenticides cause system failure in animals by interfering with the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors in the liver. This is true for rats as well as raptors. Of the non-target wildlife species that encounter ARs, raptors are disproportionately harmed because toxins accumulate as they move up the food web, reaching their highest levels in top predators. In southern California there are three especially vulnerable raptor species for which this is of immediate concern: the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia), White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus), and the well-known scavenging California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus), the latter of which already faces constant health risk from residual lead shot fragments inside carcasses on the landscape. Turkey Vultures possess a suite of characteristics that make them uniquely representative of poison accumulation in their environments. They are more widely distributed than many of their raptor cousins, including the California Condor. They also cruise over large swaths of land encompassing many different habitats and consume a wide variety of prey items. These qualities make them important sentinels in the world of raptor toxicology. The field focused on identifying primary toxicants threatening raptor populations. Wing-tagged Turkey Vultures are easily identified from a distance. Credit: Miguel D. Saggese Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) population are regarded as ecologically extirpated in Southern California. Credit: Pete Bloom To investigate the prevalence of vulture exposure to eight different types of rodenticides, a team of researchers led by Drs. Peter Bloom, Miguel D. Saggese, and Andrea Bonisoli-Alquati trapped 27 Turkey Vultures in southern California near Anaheim between 2016 and 2021. The birds were fitted with wing-tags and their blood was sampled. All birds were subsequently released back into the wild. Each was tested for first-generation ARs and second-generation ARs, the latter of which is thought to be more toxic than the former due to its higher strength and slower metabolic breakdown. The results showed that 11% of the vultures tested showed evidence of AR exposure. Although 27 birds is a small sample size, these findings suggest that if vultures are being exposed, other raptors probably are too. 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. "The presence of rodenticides in the blood of a few individuals is just the tip of the iceberg and demonstrates that these compounds are still out there. Even a small percentage of exposed wildlife should be considered a loss," says Saggese, a faculty member at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences. The researchers recommend future studies focused on comparative analysis of both liver and blood samples from Turkey Vultures because liver, while difficult to collect, provides a more accurate and timely snapshot of AR exposure. Rehabilitation centers care for many birds that eventually succumb to their afflictions, providing a potential source for ground truthing this methodology. Furthermore, the team emphasizes the importance of continuing to monitor AR exposure in Californian Turkey Vultures and keeping an eye on the adherence of pest control companies to the active legislature regarding rodenticide use. More information: Miguel D. Saggese et al, Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) from Southern California are Exposed to Anticoagulant Rodenticides Despite Recent Bans, Journal of Raptor Research (2024). DOI: 10.3356/jrr245 Provided by Raptor Research Foundation 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: Carl Knox, OzGrav, Swinburne University of Technology and South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) An international study led by astronomers from Swinburne University of Technology has created the most detailed maps of gravitational waves across the universe to date. The study has also produced the largest ever galactic-scale gravitational wave detector and found further evidence of a "background" of gravitational waves: invisible yet incredibly fast ripples in space that can help unlock some major mysteries of the universe. The three studies offer new insights into the universe's largest black holes, how they shaped the universe, and the cosmic architecture they left behind. Lead author for two of the papers and a researcher at OzGrav and Swinburne, Dr. Matt Miles, says the research opens new pathways for understanding the universe that we live in. "Studying the background lets us tune into the echoes of cosmic events across billions of years," Dr. Miles explained. "It reveals how galaxies, and the universe itself, have evolved over time." Credit: Carl Knox, OzGrav, Swinburne University of Technology Unprecedented gravitational wave signal The study uncovered further evidence of gravitational wave signals originating from merging supermassive black holes, capturing a signal stronger than similar global experiments, and in just one-third of the time. "What we're seeing hints at a much more dynamic and active universe than we anticipated," Dr. Miles said. "We know supermassive black holes are out there merging, but now we're starting to ask: where are they, and how many are out there?" Detailed gravitational wave maps with unexpected hotspots Using the pulsar timing array, the researchers constructed a highly detailed gravitational wave map, improving upon existing methods. This map revealed an intriguing anomalyan unexpected hotspot in the signal that suggests a possible directional bias. Lead author for one of the studies and a researcher at OzGrav and Monash University, Rowina Nathan, says the map provides an unprecedented glimpse into the structure of our universe. "The presence of a hotspot could suggest a distinct gravitational wave source, such as a pair of black holes billions of times the mass of our sun," she said. "Looking at the layout and patterns of gravitational waves shows us how our universe exists today and contains signals from as far back as the Big Bang. There's more work to do to determine the significance of the hotspot we found, but this an exciting step forward for our field." Using the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa, one of the world's most sensitive and cutting-edge instruments, the researchers constructed the MeerKAT Pulsar Timing Array, using it to observe pulsars and time them to nanosecond precision. Pulsarsrapidly spinning neutron starsserve as natural clocks, and their steady pulses allow scientists to detect minuscule changes caused by passing gravitational waves. This galactic-scale detector has provided an opportunity to map gravitational waves across the sky, revealing patterns and variations that challenge previous assumptions. 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. Nathan says it's often assumed that the gravitational wave background will be evenly distributed across the sky. "However, the galactic-sized gravitational wave detector formed by the MeerKAT pulsar timing array has allowed us to map the structure of this signal with unprecedented precision, which may reveal insights about its source." These measurements open up exciting new questions about the formation of massive black holes and the early history of the universe. Continued observations with the MeerKAT array will refine these gravitational wave maps and may uncover new, previously hidden cosmic phenomena. The research also holds broad implications, offering data that could help scientists better understand the origins and evolution of supermassive black holes, the formation of galaxy structures, and potentially even the earliest events in the universe's history. Kathrin Grunthal, a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy and co-author of one of the studies, says in the future, they aim to understand the origin of the gravitational wave signal emerging from the data sets. "By looking for variations in the gravitational wave signal across the sky, we're hunting for the fingerprints of the astrophysical processes shaping our universe." 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: Illustration of the Kepler-51 system and its inner three planets, which have unusually low density. New observations from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope suggest that at least one more planet is in the system. Credit: NASA, ESA, and L. Hustak, J. Olmsted, D. Player and F. Summers (STScI) An unusual planetary system with three known ultra-low density "super-puff" planets has at least one more planet, according to new research led by researchers from Penn State and Osaka University. The research team set out to study Kepler-51d, the third planet in the system, with NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) but almost missed their chance when the planet unexpectedly passed in front of its star two hours earlier than models predicted. After scrutinizing new and archival data from a variety of space and Earth-based telescopes, the researchers found that the best explanation is the presence of a fourth planet, whose gravitational pull impacts the orbits of the other planets in the system. The new planet's discovery is detailed in a paper appearing in The Astronomical Journal. "Super puff planets are very unusual in that they have very low mass and low density," said Jessica Libby-Roberts, Center for Exoplanets and Habitable Worlds Postdoctoral Fellow at Penn State and co-first author of the paper. "The three previously known planets that orbit the star Kepler-51 are about the size of Saturn but only a few times the mass of Earth, resulting in a density like cotton candy. We think they have tiny cores and huge atmospheres of hydrogen and helium, but how these strange planets formed and how their atmospheres haven't been blown away by the intense radiation of their young star has remained a mystery. We planned to use JWST to study one of these planets to help answer these questions, but now we have to explain a fourth low-mass planet in the system." When a planet passes in front ofor transitsits star when viewed from Earth, it blocks some of the star's light, causing a slight decrease in the star's brightness. The duration and amount of that decrease gives clues to the planet's size and other characteristics. Planets transit when they complete an orbit around their star, but sometimes they transit a few minutes early or late because the gravity from other planets in the system tugs on them. These minor differences are known as transit timing variations and are built into astronomers' models to allow them to accurately predict when planets will transit. The researchers said they had no reason to believe the three-planet model of the Kepler-51 system was inaccurate, and they successfully used the model to predict the transit time of Kepler-51b in May 2023 and followed-up with the Apache Point Observatory (APO) telescope to observe it on schedule. "We also tried to use the Penn State Davey Lab telescope to observe a transit of Kepler-51d in 2022, but some poorly timed clouds blocked our view right as the transit was predicted to start," Libby-Roberts said. "It's possible we could have learned something was off then, but we had no reason to suspect that Kepler-51d wouldn't transit as expected when we planned to observe it with JWST." The team's three-planet model predicted that Kepler-51d would transit around 2 a.m. EDT in June 2023, and the researchers prepared to observe the event with both JWST and APO. 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. "Thank goodness we started observing a few hours early to set a baseline, because 2 a.m. came, then 3, and we still hadn't observed a change in the star's brightness with APO," Libby-Roberts said. "After frantically re-running our models and scrutinizing the data, we discovered a slight dip in stellar brightness immediately when we started observing with APO, which ended up being the start of the transit2 hours early, which is well beyond the 15-minute window of uncertainty from our models." When the researchers analyzed the new APO and JWST data, they confirmed that they had captured the transit of Kepler-51d, albeit considerably earlier than expected. "We were really puzzled by the early appearance of Kepler-51d, and no amount of fine-tuning the three-planet model could account for such a large discrepancy," said Kento Masuda, associate professor of earth and space science at Osaka University and co-first author of the paper. "Only adding a fourth planet explained this difference. This marks the first planet discovered by transit timing variations using JWST." To help explain what is happening in the Kepler-51 system, the research team revisited previous transit data from NASA's Kepler space telescope and NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). They also made new observations of the inner planets in the system, including with the Hubble Space Telescope and the California Institute of Technology's Palomar Observatory telescope, and obtained archival data from several ground-based telescopes. Because the new planet, Kepler-51e, has not yet been observed transitingperhaps because it may not pass in the line of sight between its star and Earththe researchers noted how important it was to obtain as much data as possible to support their new models. "We conducted what is called a 'brute force' search, testing out many different combinations of planet properties to find the four-planet model that explains all of the transit data gathered over the past 14 years," Masuda said. "We found that the signal is best explained if Kepler-51e has a mass similar to the other three planets and follows a fairly circular orbit of about 264 dayssomething we would expect based on other planetary systems. Other possible solutions we found involve a more massive planet on a wider orbit, though we think these are less likely." Accounting for a fourth planet and adjusting the models also changes the expected masses of the other planets in the system. According to the researchers, this impacts other inferred properties about these planets and informs how they might have formed. Although the inner three planets are slightly more massive than previously thought, they are still classified as super puffs. However, it is unclear if Kepler-51e is also a super puff planet, because the researchers have not observed a transit of Kepler-51e and therefore cannot calculate its radius or density. "Super puff planets are fairly rare, and when they do occur, they tend to be the only ones in a planetary system," Libby-Roberts said. "If trying to explain how three super puffs formed in one system wasn't challenging enough, now we have to explain a fourth planet, whether it's a super puff or not. And we can't rule out additional planets in the system either." Because the researchers believe Kepler-51e has an orbit of 264 days, they said that additional observing time is needed to get a better picture of the impacts of its gravityor that of additional planetson the three inner planets in the system. "Kepler-51e has an orbit slightly larger than Venus and is just inside the star's habitable zone, so a lot more could be going on beyond that distance if we take the time to look," Libby-Roberts said. "Continuing to look at transit timing variations might help us discover planets that are further away from their stars and might aid in our search for planets that could potentially support life." The researchers are currently analyzing the rest of the JWST data, which could provide information about the atmosphere of Kepler-51d. Studying the composition and other properties of the three inner planets could also improve understanding of how the unusual ultra-low-density super puff planets formed, the researchers said. In addition to Libby-Roberts and Masuda, who led the Kepler-51d team, the international research team includes John Livingston at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, who coordinated most of the ground-based follow-ups; many ground-based observers; the Kepler-51b team; and the Palomar team. More information: Kento Masuda et al, A Fourth Planet in the Kepler-51 System Revealed by Transit Timing Variations, The Astronomical Journal (2024). DOI: 10.3847/1538-3881/ad83d3 Journal information: Astronomical Journal 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: A model from multi-beam sonar data illustrating the wreck site considered to be the remains of HMS Stephen Furness. Credit: Bangor University HMS Stephen Furness was steaming through the northern Irish Sea on the afternoon of December 13 1917, en route to Liverpool for repairs. The crew maintained a cautious course, altering direction every ten minutes and traveling at a steady 13 knotsfully aware of the lurking threat from German U-boats. At 4:15 pm, disaster struck. A torpedo launched by the German UB-64 hit the starboard side of the vessel, causing an explosion that sank the ship in just three minutes. Of the more than 100 sailors on board the Stephen Furness, only 12 survived. Clinging to a makeshift raft, the survivors, including Lieutenant P.S. Simmonds, were rescued two hours later by a trawler and brought to safety in Holyhead, north Wales. For more than a century, the final resting place of HMS Stephen Furness remained a mystery. Simmonds provided an approximate location in his report the following day, but the precise site was never confirmed. Now my colleagues and I believe we've found the wreck site about ten miles off the east coast of Northern Ireland. Our discovery is the result of a massive collaborative effort. At Bangor University, we have developed improved methods for identifying shipwrecks. The Unpath'd Waters project's goal is to demonstrate the value of connecting marine archives with cutting-edge scientific data. To pinpoint HMS Stephen Furness and other wrecks in the area, we analyzed multi-beam sonar data from every charted site where the ship was reported lost. Collaborating with historians in the Isle of Man, Wales and the US, we accessed an array of historical records. These included vessel plans and the war diary of UB-64. One wreck matched the dimensions of the Stephen Furness and was located within a few kilometers of the position where UB-64's commander, Kapitanleutnant Walter Gude, reported firing a torpedo at a green-painted steamer. Both Gude's and Simmonds' accounts point to the ship sinking within minutes of the strike. Previously, this wreck was thought to be the remains of the Swedish cargo vessel Maja, also torpedoed in the area a year later. But our sonar data and archival evidence suggest that a more likely candidate for the Maja lies a few miles to the south. During our research, we uncovered another fascinating detail. Several casualties from HMS Stephen Furness had washed ashore on the north Wales coast, almost 100 kilometers south, nearly a month after the sinking. This raised an intriguing questionhow did they get there? Could these events reveal more about the complex marine systems that govern the fate of shipwrecks and their cargo? To investigate, we used a technique called "numerical modeling," typically employed to predict the movement of pollutants, plastics, or even larvae. To reconstruct the sea conditions from the pastknown as "hindcasting"we combined tidal data from December 1917 to January 1918 with archived wind records from the UK Met Office. Our model recreated the sea surface conditions and mapped the likely drift paths of the victims. The results aligned almost perfectly with the timing and locations of the bodies that washed ashore, providing a compelling case for the accuracy of this method. This technique has wider implications, offering the potential to revisit other historical maritime incidents where survivor records are the only geographical clues. 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. The importance of identifying wrecks Although our findings make the identification of HMS Stephen Furness and Maja far more credible, official recognition often requires physical evidence, such as a ship's bell. Nevertheless, our research highlights a broader issue: the unknown identities of thousands of shipwrecks around the UK's coastline. It often surprises people when they hear that nearly 40% of wrecks in UK waters are listed as "unknown." Our analysis suggests that up to 30% of identified wrecks may also be incorrectly named. Shipwrecks are more than just remnants of maritime history. They are vital to understanding our cultural heritage and provide critical insights into marine ecosystems. These sites act as artificial reefs, supporting diverse marine life. They also offer clues about physical and chemical processes in the ocean. The UK's seabed holds one of the most fascinating historical jigsaw puzzles imaginable. With advanced sonar technology and archival research as our guide, we can begin piecing together this underwater mystery. Projects like ours are not just about identifying wrecks. They are also about uncovering stories of human resilience, loss and discovery that continue to shape our understanding of the pastand our relationship with the sea. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.